Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[torkill]

May 10

Eldon found Savant the following morning at breakfast and pulled up a seat at his table. As they enjoyed their breakfast, the halfling guided the conversation toward returning to the Barrows. "You seemed interested in returning to that same mound to retrieve the rest of those collectibles. Sarge and I would be happy to join you. First I want to get our treasures appraised and see if we can't get some others to join us, or pay for some hired help."

Savant - If you want to head back to the Miller to see if Tamson can guide us again, Sarge and I will see about hiring someone from the Mercenary Guild. And maybe by the time we are ready, other adventures might return and be interested in joining us as well.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin seeing Savant and Eldon "If you guys are heading back to the mounds and need someone like me I'm not opposed to a return trip." he says in passing on his way to the Foul Pheasant.

[torkill]

Eldon waved at the dwarf. "The more the merrier. I'm gonna try and sell some stuff and find us a cleric. We can head out once everyone is rested and finishes their business in town."

[GreyWolfVT]

Eldon waved at the dwarf. "The more the merrier. I'm gonna try and sell some stuff and find us a cleric. We can head out once everyone is rested and finishes their business in town."

Dalin nods his head "I've not much business here other than resupply and relaxation usually over at the Pheasant playing cards and what not."

[Spearmint]

Savant - If you want to head back to the Miller to see if Tamson can guide us again, Sarge and I will see about hiring someone from the Mercenary Guild. And maybe by the time we are ready, other adventures might return and be interested in joining us as well.

Please roleplay both of these suggestions out in the appropriate threads.

[Spearmint]

May 10th 1066

Sir Dewey, Cosmo & Liebish return to the tavern. You take lunch and an ale. After dropping Golgarth into the care of the chapel ministers, you can relax a little before you rejoin the Sauron Mound expedition.

Golgarth's equipment is placed in his room, the costs covered by coin from Foxrell.

Liebish tries to gather lizardman rumours. There are plenty. A coupe of days ago when you first entered the tavern, funerals were taking place regarding Basil, an old ranger and his associates. It is rumoured they had been taken captive by lizardfolk weeks earlier and murdered before their bodies were left hung under Old Dwarf Bridge.

There are other rumours. There might be some tit-for-tat going on as usually the lizardmen ransom captives but recently a group of Lizardmen were found slaughtered on the Moor. The villagers blame adventurers for putting their lives in danger recklessly.

The Moon Peak dwarves have alleged that the Thornswild elves are breeding huge reptilian creatures on behalf of the lizardfolk.

The elves insist the dwarves are to blame suggesting guerilla warfare against the lizardmen tribal areas is the root of the problem.

You are not able to garner rumours specific to the Barrow Mounds though.

post any actions, comments or questions before you return to the expedition.

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

After leaving Golgarth in the care of his fellow Yggite(?), the Knight tracks down the other stretcher-bearers. "Cosmo, Liebish. Are we ready to head back? From what I have picked up, it seems like we have been led into a fracas. An escalating cycle of violence. Maybe we can learn more at this mound Foxrell intends to find."

Sir Dewey looks for the monk he talked to earlier, in an attempt to bolster the party back up to its original strength.

[Spearmint]

Sun Tsieng Roy

is in the tavern. You can pitch the expedition to him if you wish and roll a 4d6 vs charisma and he will evaluate any suggestion.

[SilverBen]

Questions Leibish will ask in response to the gossippers:

• Where and how far does Old Dwarf Bridge stand from Helix?
• from the mounds we plan to investigate?
• What does Old Dwarf Bridge connect and who traverses it?
• Where and how far were the group of Lizardmen found slaughtered on the Moor from Helix?
• from the mounds we plan to investigate?

[Spearmint]

Liebish

There is a map in the Barrowmaze Maps thread and Campaign Setting thread which gives a regional overview with those locations mentioned.

The dead lizardmen where found somewhere in the hex below Helix, 'out on the Barrow Moor'.

The hexes are about 5 miles from side to side. The hex with Helix village in is considered 'safe territory' as far as encounters are concerned.

[LordKane77]

Savant

"I will retrieve Tamson. I sold my urn for over 40gp. So it would seem worth the trip. I have purchased hauling materials for the horse. Please get two mercenaries. At least one that can handle a horse."

I don't really care how many people come with, but I was thinking two mercenaries and the ranger. One mercenary can lead the horse, the other guard/help him. 3 PCs and 3 NPCs is fairly formidable. I mean shit happens, but you know. I've been told it's unlikley we'll be able to get a cleric, but I think it's fine. We can do this in one day, even with trouble. Worst case scenario is we get hit hard on the way there and just turn around to heal our wounds. Hopefully nothing happens to the horse. That would be expensive. Still, if even 10% of those urns are worth 40gp, statistically this will be worth as many trips as it takes to clean the place out. After that I was thinking we could bring out a couple of doors and use the place as a base of operations. I'm going to measure them when we're there.

In any case, my point is, there's no reason to wait for the others. Vann's character will be delighted to get his portion, and if there's still another trip available once he gets back, then so be it.

[Spearmint]

Eldon is concluding mercenary hire at the guild. You have negotiated Tamson as well to track.

I mentioned that Fapp and Knatchbull would be present in the tavern, so Savant or Dalin could approach them in regard to joining you.

Once that is settled I will open the expedition thread.

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

"Ah. Mr. Sun Tsieng Roy. Good to see you again." The Knight bows respectfully to the monk. "Let me be direct. I have just come back from the moor with a friend on a stretcher and I need another set of hands that will be an ally. I believe you to be honorable and honest, I would like you to be that man."

"A gentleman named Foxrell is financing the expedition to investigate a mound that he believes is the shrine of the lizard bandits. I'm concerned that he is only out for vengeance and I need an opposing force to balance him if the worst arises."

"I suspect that you know, as I do, that material wealth is not the sole reason for our existence. So I ask you for a favor as a man of honor, would you accompany us back out to the moor and help me make sure no atrocities are committed?"

Charisma (17): [4d6]=14

[Spearmint]

Sun Tsieng Roy listens thoughtfully to the appeal of the paladin Sir Dewey.

"Balance and order are needed in all things. I have heard much chaos recently, rumours of Lizardmen killing captives, bitter vengeances sworn. I trust your comrade will be in good hands.
"

Considering for a minute he nods, shaking your hand to agree to accompany you and replace the cleric in the team.

"Yes, I will come and see what aid and counsel I may give.", he has few belongings so is pretty much ready to go. A small pack, change of robes and a long glaive.

[LordKane77]

Eldon is concluding mercenary hire at the guild. You have negotiated Tamson as well to track.

I mentioned that Fapp and Knatchbull would be present in the tavern, so Savant or Dalin could approach them in regard to joining you.

The gentlemen above are NPCs, right? Probably from the guild? I guess it barely matters, Savant would approach the same way anyway, lol!

Savant

Savant fluidly moves to where Fapp and Knatchbull are and puts down drinks in front of them, a slightly finer pour than they were drinking, and speaks with the brevity he has grown accustomed to using.....

"Gentlemen. One day trip. Barrows and back. Looking for two, someone needs to handle a horse. There will only be a fight if it comes to us. I have been told you two may be interested?"

[Spearmint]

The gentlemen above are NPCs, right? Probably from the guild? I guess it barely matters, Savant would approach the same way anyway, lol!

No, Fapp and Knatchbull are both characters who returned to town recently after completing the Bresnan's Ranch expedition.

I have encouraged both to post their attendance in the tavern so that you can pitch your expedition to them.

[LordKane77]

Oh. Oops! But also, that's literally the same thing Savant would've said, lol! They can ask questions if they want.

[LordKane77]

I don't know if I trust a coupla' guys named Fap and Snatch. A LOT more double entendre than I'm used to dealing with. Just sayin'.

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

The Knight grasps the hand of the monk. "Good to hear. Let's gather up Cosmo and Leibish and be on our way. The others are waiting for us outside town."

He motions for Sun to proceed with him as he goes in search of the others. I'm good with heading back at any time.

[Spearmint]

Fapp looks at Knatchbull then back to Savant. "Sure we would be interested. I do have my own ride, however. It is a Warg".


Waiting Knatchbull's reply he observes Savant's reaction to his choice of steed. Sipping his drink he nods approvingly at Savant "Thanks for the drink by the way."