Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[Rex]

Orgoth

This seemed to be going downhill fast and without the coin to hang out here to long Orgoth turns to the newcomer with the orange hair, figuring he could handle the brawn end of things if he could handle the brains. "Hi, I am Orgoth. A traveling warrior at the moment but looking for work, what are you up to here?"

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Orgoth, perhaps discouraged by the tale of woe from the grieving pair, loses interest and turns to address the youth with distinct hair, Sven, who sits on a bench amid a rabble of rakish squires.

Vann Hector turns on the charm and empathy with Argo and Dunkirk. They share a few more laments, clearly the deceased man Greygoose was the dominant one in the trio. They seem bereft of enthusiasm and desire to continue adventuring. But they do discreetly show you some of the looted goods taken from the tomb they explored. One is a thin filigree bracelet, gold threads woven in rings like a snake, though this had two heads, each set with mini gemstones inset as eyes. They also have a pouch of several carved egg sized malachite scarabs.

"Greygoose took a ring from the bone's hand. It enlarged to fit on his sausage fingers. He was well pleased and we collected a sack full but then the creatures surprised us. One bit his fingers off, another gorged his neck. We were able to flee and seal them in but could not staunch his blood loss. We have given his share to the priest to pay his burial."

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

His eyes widen at the sight of the bracelet. He cannot appraise it accurately but would estimate it may be worth a year's wages. He lets out s low appreciative whistle and congrats the tomb robbers. He chats, asking a fee more questions to distract the pair as he peers into the pouch and tries to compare one scarab to another. He prods at one stone with a bony finger. Unlike Greygoose, his fingers are still intact and relatively light but not light enough to sleight of hand a slingstone pebble into the pouch in exchange for a scarab.

Vann Hector tries to pick pocket vs 35% [1d100]=54

He takes his hand out, showing an empty palm, the ruse not successful but also not discovered.

"The ring. If it is anything like the bracelet it must be precious. Precious ... where was this tomb exactly. Maybe the clerics will look into it after their administrations."

I will finish my drink and hopefully garnish some last details from the pair before leaving them to their remembrances.

I intend to go to the chapel next. If Orgoth wants to accompany me he can, otherwise I will go alone.

[Urson]

Mai Ronin
I saw the notice about people gathering spider silk. This is no fit work for a warrior- or even a ronin- but i wonder- do they hire guards? People to protect their gatherers? The gold I have will not last long.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven is shocked at first by the friendly acceptance from the strange looking troupe with the long pole, but he lets his guard down slightly when they offer the starving boy food and drink. Before he dines, he looks up sorrowfully.

“I don’t have any coin to offer. I hope that’s not going to be a problem.” If there is no objection to his freeloading, he digs in and listens to anything the excitable young men have to say. “I’d like to hear more about these barrow mounds you seek. Sounds dangerous, but I bet you lot are up for a little danger, eh lads?” Sven tries to fit in with the lingo, but doesn’t quite pull it off.

He finds himself staring at the exotic feather clad woman with the tattoos and the heavy eyeliner a little too often when Orgoth says hello. “Oh, hi Orgoth. Wow, you’re huge aren’t you? I really hope the two of us can be friends,” he says with complete honesty.

“I’m here with these cool cats. This guys named Eddy. They are going somewhere called the barrow downs, and were asking for others to join with them. Maybe you could come along?”

I don’t know if it matters to anyone else, but I can usually post daily, so I guess I would gravitate more words adventuring with others who can also post fairly often, to keep the action moving. DM willing, of course.

[Rex]

Orgoth

"That sounds interesting, I would like to come along. Always looking for a good friend."

Sounds good to me.

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Vann Hector pokes the egg sized trinkets, trying to keep a trick up his sleeve but his sleight of hand goes awry. Dunkirk pulls the bag away, 'just in case' this newcomer is up to something but the bulges in the bag appear the same number, in fact a pebble is added to the looted goods. He closes the drawstring.

"We hired a guide who took us through the mist. It was several hours of slow going for much of the ground is sodden and we could see barely a few feet in front of us. We explored around until we stumbled upon one mound with a stone entrance and hammered our way through. Some stairs descended to a portcullis which we propped up. Beyond we saw a flooded chamber with a raised sarcophagus. That is all I remember apart from the claws and creatures of corruption that inhabited the place."

That is all the information you obtain. The pair
finish drinking the final tankard of comemeration to their fallen colleague and then leave, taking to their rooms at the tavern.

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

The 10-pole Tudorz swish their blades in imaginary swordfight while Eddy considers this second application to join their group. "Yes, yes of course. You want to be a retainer to us noble justicars. Well, you have the size to carry our torches and the celebratory keg. Feast on these paltry poultry remnants and you can join in our banquet when we gloriously return." he says to Orgoth, gesturing him to sit besides Sven who he addresses.
"So you can scribe our exploits and mapmake our paths. We have some pennons to attach to our spears then venture forth. A gold piece each and a half share of treasure."

The group seem to be getting ready to depart. Putting on tabards of quartered heraldry over chainmail shirts. You note they seem ill equipped for such an endeavour, for though they have enthusiasm in abundance, they have minimal practical supplies.

Bollo brings over a pre-ordered quarter keg of ale. The cooper ringed oak mini-barrel probably contains 5 gallons of ale and weighs upwards of 45lbs. There is a chest harness and shoulder straps attached.

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

. "Is your companion well?"

The cleric looks at the mailed man. "He us obviously distressed. I think he has pity and scorn heaped in him in equal measures by the locals. Brave men should be respected, especially if they face dangers to safeguard the village. Though he may have just been another treasure seeker among the tombs.

I cannot make out much from him. He seems to favour your helm. Perhaps it might remind him of who he once was and give him a moment of lucidity.' he replies to Sir Dewey, introducing himself as Golgarth of Cromm to him and Cosmo.

"I have come here to rebuild what was broken. I thought of a new shrine though the tabernacle of Cromm lies within us. It appears I start with this man."

I will give Alastar a holy symbol to clutch in his hands hoping it will spark some remembrance in him that we can learn.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth is wearing a wooden holy symbol of Cromm Cruach prominently displayed.

Orgoth steps over to Golgarth upon hearing the name Cromm and waits to see what he is doing.

[Spearmint]

Orgoth is inside the tavern inbetween Vann Hector talking to the two grieving guys about their treasure and Sven Jolly who is at a bench by the wall with the 10'ft pole group. The leader of that group is responding to Sven suggesting you might want to join them by offering you a position of torch and keg bearer.

Golgarth is outside the tavern. You do not hear him at this point.

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

He hesitates as the beggar clearly asks for his helm. Sir Dewey is clearly struggling with a weighty decision. The mention of Cromm tips the scales.
"Sir. I cannot give you my helm, as a knight you must understand."

"Good to meet you, gentlemen. Cromm, you say? I thought the old ones have had their day here. You may have quite a bit of work ahead of you, Golgarth."

He looks up at the signage. "The Brazen Strumpet, huh? It's a pity that this seems to be the only tavern here. Have you been inside? Are there ladies present?"

Sir Dewey puts his hand out for the beggar to take. "Come. I will help you."

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Outside on the verandah, the trio assess how much practical help they can be to the village madman. Declining to give the beggar his helm, Sir Dewey offers instead a helping hand but Alastar just gives him the licked clean plated to take away. He then promptly stands up in a corner, drops his trousers and having no pot to piss in, urinates a stream of yellow up the wall.

Cosmo Snag has been trying to study the man's tattoos. The one on his shoulder could be a stylised fighting lion pose, often seen as crests upon shields. However what startles you is that, at face level to the bare bum cheeks of the foul mannered imbecile, you see the dark square patterns of a rudimentary map. An $ shape familiar to cartographers 'secret doors', a room, a statue, a side passage, a back passage and a sphincter shaped well.

Alastar pulls his trousers up, sighs contentedly and with the ceasing rain, goes to the market square and sits, tin cup in hand, to beg beneath the bulletin board.

there is another tavern in the village, the Foul Pheasant.

Golgarth, Cosmo, Sir Dewey can all post other actions.

[Bluetongue]

An $ shape familiar to cartographers 'secret doors', a room, a statue, a side passage, a back passage and a sphincter shaped well

bravo. Hilariously written.

Golgarth berates himself for thinking he could help the man. He can agree with Sir Dewey's counsel that it might take more effort to bring the man to reason. He cannot yet command authority to cast out the demons, so for now the Legion or whatever affliction he has remains.

The cleric rises and returns to the tavern, taking a place by the bar. A second ale please. Perhaps I need to organise a room to. En-suite and private would be preferred." he says to Bollo and studies the shield hanging up behind the bar.

[Stirling]

Vann Hector leaves the tavern.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin after finishing his food and drink leaves the tavern and heads off to The Foul Pheasant.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Sorry missed that.

Inside the tavern.

Orgoth, looks at them for a minute and decides he doesn't want to be a keg barer. "No thanks good sirs and may Cromm grant you good luck with your endeavors."

He turns and heads to the bar, "Barkeep, do you know if there is a local shrine or perhaps place that followers of Cromm gather?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven looks confused when the huge half-orc who just said he wanted to be friends decides to walk away. “I hope we will meet again, Orgoth!”

Looking over the Tudorz meager supplies, the young man comments.

“Aye! I can write and read, and will be happy to record your amazing exploits. Are you sure we have enough food and water along for this undertaking? Are we leaving soon?”

[Rex]

Orgoth

"Not leaving you Sven, but don't want to be anybody else's mule. Just seeing if the barkeep knows of a place I can meet some like minded adventurers unless you have an idea that doesn't include me carry someone else keg."

[Nordbo]

Cosmo

taking in the overhelming visual impression (and odour) of the beggar's bum, briefly wonders if it would be practical to carry him along as a talking map - a tool people of the future simply must come up with, what with all the gadgetry and wizardry available to inventive people nowadays. Maybe one could call it a... Going-Places Speaker ?
He then drops the idea and follows Golgarth up to the counter to study the inn's rates. Is lodging within his budget ?

"Good sir Golgarth - have you stayed here before; what would you recommend for a humble intellectual such as yours truly?"