Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

"Very well stonefather. I walked here from Iron Motte with a merchant caravan so perhaps they'll remember me kindly."

He says this with a smile remembering the camp cooking girl who gave him the extra food. "I've trail rations for a week with my gear and my kit is always ready for the march. My pay last time was food but I'll try to get some coin since we've a holy roller with us now."

Seeing Golgarth's arched eybrow, Gunter holds up his open hands in mock surrender "I jest stonefather, I jest. In truth it's good to have a man of Crom Cruach to travel with again. I met men of many faiths in the companies but those of Crom Cruach were always stalwart companions."

Gunter spends his last five coppers on whatever that will buy him for lunch. He also pays for two more nights lodging in the commons using his last gold coin, an ancient royal kept in his boot. He puts the silver change into his tinderbox and tucks that back into his belt pouch.
-5cp "pauper's lunch"
-10sp 2 nights common lodging

While they are eating, Gunter shares stories of his life on the farm and his recent years with a mercenary company. Golgarth catches him up on local events and his recent trials. After the meal, Gunter pushes back from the table and heads for the door.

"I'll meet you back here for dinner then stonefather. Better make sure any "torchbearers" you hire know the right end of a blade and aren't afeared to use it. I've heard the road to Bogtown can be treacherous with men and beasts."

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth enters the inn. "Hey Barkeep, Can I get a Twin Deluxe room for a week and a Mixed Grill and Cider?"

He drops 6gp on the bar and sits there, eagerly awaiting his meal. As always when in town his Holy Symbol of Cromm is on display.

Sheet updated.

[Spearmint]

Bollo serves the ale and shouts through to the kitchen regarding the food.

"Extra grills, heavy on the sausage and liver." A few spits of roasting fat flare on the grills as fresh steaks and portions are added.

"'Gnome pies' too in the oven. Pinched the recipe from the young paladin after the festival, went down a treat. Not that they have proper gnome in of course, not much tender meat in them, have to make do with some goat instead."

Your room is booked for the duration and eventually you sit to eat the platter.

The Cromm symbol is noticed and one of the wenches informs you the itinerant Cromm Cruach preacher who joined in the festival wrestling, Golgarth lies on a sickbed in the chapel hospice, one of the terraced cottages where some of the village women care for the sick and dying and midwifery. ",He was brought in yesterday. All cut up, torn open and savaged but thankfully his vitals are still intact. Sister Cella says he will recover in a week or so."

There is not much other news since you only spent a couple of days away.

[Rex]

Orgoth

When he finishes his meal Orgoth heads over to check on the Cromm preacher.

[Hvalreki]

May 17, 1066 Evening

Gunter

Gunter leaves Agrippa with a handshake and makes his way back to the Brazen Strumpet. On the way back he passes by the Foul Pheasant to get the lay of the place but unobtrusively then heads back to the Brazen Strumpet to fill in Golgarth on the Caravan Contract as well as the opportunity to make some extra coin by collecting Rosario’s debt.

“So wot I figure stonefather is we’re likely to find the degenerate gambler at the tables. We could go by tomorrow night after sundown when yer devotionals are done and by the grace of Cromm yer a bit less bruised and battered as it were.

We split the take 50/50 as we agreed if you’ll help. Maybe we can cut in the lads you hired for a share as I’ve heard Rosario has a brute companion who may not take kindly to the encouragement we’re about to offer good sir Rosario.

The way I see it we go separately to the Pheasant and see if our bloke’s about. I’ll go first and spend a few silver until you come in, then finally the lads. Keep us all separate like. I’ll have a chat with Rosario and convince him of the error of his ways. If his friend makes trouble you and the lads can join me in the fisticuffs. We don’t want too much of a ruckus but there’s a lot of royals at stake should we collect all the debt. I don’t care if we have to strip him and leave ‘I’m bare, we’re getting 99 royals worth out of that sod and we keep a third.

Whaddya say?”

Not wishing to kill Rosario his plan is pummel him into submission and collect 99 royals in coin or in-kind. Gunter will keep his weapons with him but won’t draw unless it’s life or death. The way he see’s it, iron diplomacy backed up by a mailed fist ought to do the trick.

[redwarrior]

After a long day hanging out with the gnomes, Isvand heads up to his private room, after getting a deck of cards, to practice some, after losing a few games to Gnimish earlier in the day... there was something about the way he dealt the cards.... after fiddling with the cards for a while, he will turn his attention to the mace, and examine it for a while, trying to figure out if there's anything special about it.

[Bluetongue]

May 17th 1066

Golgarth receives the excitable Gunter at the table, glad of his success in negotiating some passage to Bogtown.

But he is still critically injured and at 1hp (until tomorrow when he can receive his prayers and get healed up) so would be unable physically to be backup to any kind of debt enforcing. The two hireling mercenaries as well will not be available until we leave town, so if Gunter wants to follow up the baliff action on behalf of the Silver Standard, then he would need to go alone.

"I have been to the Foul Pheasant. Purely for business of course, the establishment itself is a little too gawdy for my tastes.

Fisticuffs inside there seem quite regular judging by the boarded windows and they have brute of their own in the door too checking in all the heavy blades and bows. He was champion wrestler hereabouts but I put him firmly in his place believe it or not! 'Rooster' Rogan. Yes he got best by the 'chicken wing king'."

It is his only meritorious deed achieved so far.

The reigning champ 'Rooster' Rogan, grabs the cleric who offers himself up as a willing sacrifice, back breaking bear hugs squeeze him like a boa constrictor, the massive arms tightening in a vice like embrace. For two rounds Golgarth just squirms until Rogan tires and a knee to the unmentionables, a double kick to both legs that collapse him to the floor and an unholy elbow smash to the temple surprisingly knocks him out and the 'Rock of Ages' for Cromm rolls into the semi-finals.

So, he has to leave it to Gunter to either concede the request or carry out on his own.

[Hvalreki]

Gunter Red Shirt

So, he has to leave it to Gunter to either concede the request or carry out on his own.

I think we got unsynchronized in the time stamp of our posts. On the night of May 17, Gunter tells Golgarth about the plan. This is the night before Golgarth hires the mercenaries. Golgarth should be healed up and recovered the night of May 18th which is when Gunter proposes visiting the Foul Pheasant. Even if the mercenaries aren’t available until the morning Golgarth should be good to go by then, “Cromm willing “

The caravan leaves for Bogtown the morning of May 19.

Are you in?

[OGRE MAGE]

Once the young man is cleaned up and feeling respectable again, Sven makes his way to the tavern with the shiny coated Smokie at his side. He looks around for Alastar the beggar before heading inside, hoping to have another word with the oft misjudged former explorer.

If there is no sign of the vagrant outside, Sven heads in to make a quick search for any prominent merchants who might be looking to buy something nice.

"Hey Bollo! How's business? I think we are planning on having one of those big feasts you offer, but I want to make sure with the rest of my group first."

"Say, do you know any rich merchants looking to buy high value gems? We found a nice shiny rock out on the moors and I didn't get a very friendly appraisal from Gur, so I was hoping I could find someone willing to give me a second opinion on it. You know anyone like that?"

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Alastar, looks more presentable after a good scrubbing and bubble bath in the stables with Golgarth and Cosmo and a comely Pheasant wench. Still his ways and mannerisms are less easy to wash away. He sits begging from the verandah, cross legged upon a horse blanket, rattling his tankard and proclaiming blessings in those who tip coins into it.

Bollo, "We can put trestles out and raise a spit on the fire. You can even provide the meat for a discount."

A cheer goes up. Sven wins the greased pig.
You may do with the piggy as you wish.

Sven hoists his prize pig high, almost falling over backwards in the process. He lets the animal root around with the goats at the wizards tower until he can figure out what he will do with it.

"Merchants? Rich and poor come in all the time. You could advertise the rock on the bulletin board or have a word at the Silver Standard. They could export it to contact merchants in Ironguard and hope it sells or gets auctioned off. Bit risky with bandits in the road but they insure cargo I hear. If you are not in a hurry it works but it might take all summer to credit to your account."

[sastaz]

Gerdal enters as well and greats her travelling partners who beat her to it, the ones not locked up in their rooms.

"Hello Bollo, how are you this wonderful day? As you might have deduced from speaking to my friends, we recently returned from a small adventure, and I'd like to take things easy for a while, maybe just read a book, visit some shops, you know. I'd like a bed in a shared room, but if possible, could I add a bath and some wine to go with that? Yes, the ladie's room will be just fine, thank you."

After unloading some of her things she sits down with her companion Drew and buys him a beer and soup, if he hasn't already.

"So Drew, now when things are a little bit more quite, tell me something about yourself. Who is Drew?"

Coin deducted for lodging, bath, wine, soup and 2 ale.

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

A room, covering the day you arrive back and the next (May 11-12th) is arranged for Gerdal, a hot tub, recently used by Alastar of all people is filled, overflowing with bubbly scented foam, fresh towels and an uncorked bottle of wine.

While it is being warmed, Gerdal chills with Drew.

"Oh, I was just a farm labourer. Tenanted some land in the Vale outside of Ironguard. Share cropping and subsistence. Pitched my hand at caravan guarding and odd Duchy road building projects. I learned to read and write, though my schooling is not much. Lack motivates you to do certain activities to prosper but the Law has a long reach. Did various stretches, got recruited into rough housing gangs like the other lads you met. But I was always the odd one out. I still remembered with fondness my Sunday School days. Perhaps that young priest got through my knuckle skull a bit, help turn me around.

Just in time right? No telling who the ashen fellow might have sacrificed first to open the bane door. What is behind it do you think?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven nods to Bollo, unsure if he really wants to eat his cute little pig.

“Thanks, but I was hoping for something quick, and would like to keep the sale on the quiet side, if possible.”

“If you see anyone you think might be interested in buying it, let me know.”

“Can I go around back to see if the cooks have any nice meaty bones for Smokie here to gnaw on?”

[Spearmint]

Bollo taps his nose, a sign of keeping things hush. You have to keep Smokie in the kennels though he more often than not escapes, despite numerous bolts in the latch.

"Should wizard lock him in but he keeps the rats and rabbits down, so as long as he don't bite the customers or horses."

His portion of bones and meat comes out of the cost of stabling. So you can collect spare bones and meat ribs with ease.

[Bluetongue]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Are you in?

Unfortunately Gunter, Golgarth is committed to a day of prayer and fasting and also scribing a report to Lord Krothos, so he is not available for any side excursions until free to travel to Bogtown in the 19th.

[Hvalreki]

May 18, 1066 Evening

Gunter Red Shirt

Gunter has an uncharacteristically small dinner, just hot bone broth and mint tea.
He goes back to his pallet in the commons whistling a marching tune and prepares for battle.

“Jonnie Draw was a good bow-man, a fine bow-man was he! He called for a pipe and he called for a light and he called for his Privates three. Beer! Beer! Beer! Said the privates, merry ‘ol men are we. The army’s fair but it can’t compare to crossbow infantry!”

He puts on his full armor kit, underclothes, gambeson, mail hauberk, padded cap and chain coif. Over that he pulls his signature red shirt and straps on his belt with axe and dagger. Satisfied all the straps are tight and done up proper, he sets out for the Foul Pheasant a spring in his step and still humming to himself.

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

After a long day hanging out with the gnomes, Isvand heads up to his private room, after getting a deck of cards, to practice some, after losing a few games to Gnimish earlier in the day... there was something about the way he dealt the cards.... after fiddling with the cards for a while, he will turn his attention to the mace, and examine it for a while, trying to figure out if there's anything special about it.

Arriving back on the 11th, Isvand chills the next day, meeting with the group over tavern meals and getting to know the gnomes. For the 13th & 14th, he seems more reserved, quiet, withdrawn. He secretes himself to his room, constantly holding the shaft and tapping the head in his palms like a maniac about to go on the rampage. The chambermaid opens the door to change the linens but leaves quickly in case he turns psycho, his shadow long and elongated in the wall in the flickering lantern light.

When Bollo checks on him later, he finds him exhausted and resting. The scene is repeated the next day but as he causes no visible trouble, he is left alone to his mental stresses.

On the third day, May 15th, a normal, chirpy, happy-go-lucky halfling, turns up for breakfast.

[OGRE MAGE]

I’m sure that’s all fine.

[sastaz]

Gerdal rounds off her conversation with Drew

Just in time right? No telling who the ashen fellow might have sacrificed first to open the bane door. What is behind it do you think?"[/dialog]

"Explorers in the further regions of experience. Demons to some. Angels to others. see what I did there Nothing for mortal men to meddle with if you ask me."

Gerdal shifts in her chair.

"You know Drew, if you want to come along for our next trip you are welcome to join. As an extra set of hands so to speak. There are things to be carried and doors to be watched. What do you say?"

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Drew considers the offer to accompany the explorers in their next delve into the Barrowmaze.

He is still charmed by the charisma of Gerdal but not above looking out for his own interests.

"I was hired before, along with the other guys on set retainer's wage. I have seen the dangers but also the rewards brought back. I would be fine going but would like an even share. I can act as your bodyguard too. I need to consider purchasing some extra personal gear. A blade, better armour, supplies. If you cover those I will come with you."

he would come as a hireling mercenary, on a 1/2 share of xp and a full share of treasure.

He also requires some cash upfront to purchase equipment.