Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[Rex]

Orgoth

"Uh, not sure what you mean by whim of others but I am a warrior not a bard. They are just over there." He points at Sven. "But my version is Sven and I went with the 10 foot pole squires to help them out and we were succesful, we survived and returned what they wanted to to their lord."

[redwarrior]

Sven sits with Isvand, trying to visually assess the much more talkative man who Orgoth is currently speaking with from a distance.

He drums his fingers nervously on the table, trying not to look over at them too much, but he totally looks.

Isvand. Certainly, certainly! At the very least it will be interesting. At the very best, lucrative!

"So Isvand. You are pretty tall for a halfling. What made you want to become an adventurer?"

Not really much to the tale! My parents wanted me to run their general store, and this was a thing I did not have a head for. The only other skills valued at home, farming and small crafts, did not appeal to me. I like eating and the fine things, but not making them. But I got in more than my share of scrapes growing up, as you noticed, I am a bit on the tall side, and I kind of enjoyed that. Winning more than losing, of course. My grandsire taught me the ways of weapons, where he learned I hardly know, but the training seemed to take. I was getting restless, and my grandsire suggested I see the world, to 'get it out of my system', I don't think that he's right on the second part but the first part made a lot of sense whether I get it out of my system or not. I hope that I enjoy this life, as my only other skill is playing this flute and.... After what seems like one solid run-on sentence, he slides a flute out of this pack and plays a melody -- badly. He puts it away after the second or third glare from nearby patrons As you see, I probably need a bit more practice before I earn a living that way, so hopefully I'm as good with stabbing and hitting things as I think I am. But what of you, did I hear your were a mage? That must be interesting? Can you turn people to frogs or make fireworks?

[Leitz]

Steban

Steban listened intently to Orgoth's tale, and chuckled when the halfling tried to play the flute. He quickly finished his meal and took his mug in hand. "Hopefully he doesn't do that often, at least around us. I am fortified. Let me make a quick pass through the options, and I will join you and your friends shortly."

He took a roundabout path through the available ladies, smiling and complementing any who met his gaze. Eventually he stood at the table with Sven and Isvand. "Gentlemen, Orgoth has spoken well of you. I am a soldier, and he said you may have need of one. May I join your conversation?"

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth heads over to Sven and Isvand. "This is Steban, he is a soldier of some sort. He might be interested in joining us."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven smiles uncomfortably at the flute playing, but decides not to comment on it. ”Of course I can turn people into frogs, and often do,” he jokes. “I think you will remind me a lot of our former party mates, Isvand.”

When Orgoth returns with his new associate, Sven pushes out an empty chair for the man. “Sit and talk with us, Steban. Fill your mug from our pitcher. Are you hungry?”

Once the soldier gets settled in, Sven begins his hard sell. “We are planning a return trip to the mounds and could use another good fighting man along with us. Equal shares of any treasure found will go to each member in the group. I won’t lie, it could be dangerous, so I am pleased to see that you carry yourself as a seasoned professional.”

[OGRE MAGE]

At some point in time before the festival begins, Sven walks up to Bollo and hands him 20 coins of platinum. “Bollo my good man, I would like you to supply the festivities with a little extra treat this season. Set the good folks up with as much ale and food as this will buy, won’t you friend?”

[Leitz]

Steban

"A wise soldier does not turn down good food nor free drink; both are rare. You have my attention; what have you seen? How are you thinking of dealing with the risks?" Steban said. While he took advantage of the offered food and drink, he did not abuse it. When there was time, he added "I'm a soldier, and have worked as a caravan guard and hired shield. I don't mind moving into the thick of things, but I've heard stories about adventurers and all sorts of strangeness. Traps, deep holes in the dark, and creatures that we do not see in the day. If you want my advice on this, I would suggest we figure out before we leave what our turning point will be. One does not go into battle without reserves, and a plan. Whlie the plan might not be perfect, knowing when it is time to leave is healthy. There is always another day to return."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven leans in close and speaks softly to those gathered.

“We have been out on the moors. The rumors are true. We ran into several strange creatures in the fog out there. In fact, a small herd of the dreaded Mistwalkers nearly did one of the squires in before we could best them in combat. That is why we need strong sword arms and also why I recruited a couple others to aid us. Clerics who should be able to turn such beasts away, or at least heal the wounds they might cause.”

“Your idea of making a plan is a good one, Steban. This won’t be a long endeavor. We are hoping to be back here within 2-3 days, so there is no need to overpack. Why don’t we set our turning back point at 2 days or until we find more treasures than we can carry.” The young mage raises his mug to toast the possibility of future success. He looks to Orgoth and the others to see if they have anything to add.

“We should definitely bring a 10 foot pole along with us. Those squires used one in a multitude of useful ways.”

[Rex]

Orgoth

"That makes sense to me. Any plan we make has to be flexible. Who knows what we will run into."

[Leitz]

Steban

"Not a bad plan. Since you don't know me I won't ask where exactly we're going. I would suggest that if we won't get there before later in the afternoon that we do not go fully in. Find a good spot, make it defensible, and then sally forth the next day for a full day of adventure. If we leave the camp in place then we have a rally point if we become separated." Steban looked at each of them and nodded. "I'm in, and will give you my best. I would suggest the three of you talk among yourselves and choose a party leader. If things get fast and furious, someone needs to be thinking about the entire group, and not just the challenge in front of them. Whoever you choose needs to keep their wits about them."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven

“We seek the mounds, master Steban, but our search won’t be an easy one. We intend to retrace the same path we took last time, so hopefully our familiarity with the area will aid us. But the moors are an ever changing place, making even a fresh path difficult to follow. And the visibility out there is terrible, 50 or 60 feet at best. We have left behind some trail markers, but who knows if any still exist.”

A memory of the last trip suddenly pops into the overactive mind of the young mage. “Hey! Do any of you guys know how to kill a puddle of ooze?” He looks up to his companion. “Did you happen to get a look at what color it was, Orgoth?”

[Leitz]

Steban

"Ooze? I don't know much about them, but fire ought to help. We'd need torches, at least. Maybe oil. Often vinegar will kill plants, if it's strong enough. We used it on food that needed a good washing."

[sastaz]

Gerdal

"...and anyway, I said to her, the good lord always likes his eggs well fried, you do good to remember that. But did she listen?

...ha ha, no?! Oh dear."

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

April 30th 1066

The patrons enjoy the evening soiree, the noisy atmosphere in the saloon hall created by the bard Bublé lauding the squires expedition and the adventurers pursuing various wench conquests to carve notches on the already well notched tavern four posters.

Gerdal Fiveclover has arrived from Ironguard Motte, as is her custom, to attend the festival days and hawk her home crafted wares; tasty 'viagra spiced' Stag pies, fruits of the forest savouries, slightly hallucinogenic mushroom vol-au-vonts, herbal remedies and rice-wine aperitifs.

A contact of Bollo the barkeep, she helps out the kitchens during the festive peak. Her pack mule stabled.

She is also an accustomed explorer, counting a knowledge of identifying fungi types and uncommon edibles among her many skills. Her pack mule stabled along with her retinue of assorted herbs, spices and sealed jars of alchemical condiments.

Hearing of Sven recruiting for an expedition to the Barrows Mounds she approaches, hopeful that while she has no obvious martial skill, her more common trades and unusual interests may serve the party well. Having left the safety of the citadel after being witness to a murder, she looks to find other ways to provide her daily needs and fund her continuing studies and experimental research.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven continues with those assembled at the table.

“As far as leadership goes, I don’t mind making decisions on organization and calling for retreats and such, but I’ve no skill in actual combat. Perhaps Orgoth would be better suited for making the calls then. Unless you have commanded men in combat before, Steban? Is that something you have experience in?”

When he hears someone behind him comment about the lords eggs, he spins around, unsure what to make of it.

“I’m sorry ma’am. We’re you speaking to one of us? Oh, you must be from the kitchen? I must say, this venison mushroom stew is to die for!”

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I can call the commands in combat it needed, but perhaps Steban would be better, I am unsure."

To Gerdal, "Yes your cooking is excellent. Are you Gerdal by chance? I had heard a rumor you were familiar with the moors and looking for others heading out on them. Is that true? We are planning a such a trip now if you might be interested?"

[sastaz]

Gerdal halts a few steps away from them but close enough to hear their voices over the barroom chatter. She has her hands behind her back and her gaze moves back and forth between the two.

To Sven:

"Why, thank you Sir. It is actually very popular throughout the Duchy, a recipe that dates back even before these settlements, they say."

To Orgoth:

"Yes, that is accurate. There are quite some exquisite herbs in the vicinity, especially around the moors. Imbued with the residual powers that linger here, some of them are quite potent indeed. And hazardous to collect. So I would be very interested in travelling safely in a group. Are you the leader of this expedition, Sir....?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven

“Before the settlements, you say? That is interesting.”

When Gerdal expresses interest in the expedition, then asks for the groups leader, Sven looks around at everyone gathered, smiling at Orgoth.

“I am sure you know that searching the moors can be very dangerous. Do you know your way around out there at all? We could definitely use someone with experience in navigating the bogs. Are you able to defend yourself somehow if we find ourselves in a dangerous situation?”

The young mage seems open to the idea of taking on another member, but awaits comment from the others.

[Leitz]

Steban

"If you would like me to lead during battle, I have done so before. I..." Steban paused as Gerdal joined the conversation. He listened to her, and to the others. When Sven paused, Steban added, "From a soldier's perspective, having someone with local knowledge can be very useful. If they can cook, well, they are a treasure in their own right."

Whlie Steban wasn't much to look at, he made a point of smiling often. "Also, if we're seeking treasure, it isn't always gold or gems. Bringing back healing herbs and other things folks can't easily get is treasure, too."

[Rex]

Orgoth

"No I am not the leader. I have also been out on the moors once, not an experience I would have wanted to do on my own."