IC XV

[Koren n'Rhys]

No oddities, as per the spell, but I'll be using one of the expanded tables from Dragon, I think.

Go for it then, TK. If it's feasible, I think Quint will wait until they are out in the wilds to increase his chances of getting something fun and interesting though.
I asked because FF isn't in Dark Dungeons. Not sure where you're pulling it from.

[thirdkingdom]

Klarmont 27, AC 1000

Quint casts his spell that should, in theory, summon and bind a wild beast to him. Nothing happens upon casting the spell.

Klarmont 28, AC 1000

The adventurers set out from Threshold, heading north towards the Forgotten City. This time, with no wagons, carts, mercenaries or dying gnomes to slow them down they make excellent time. Around midday, just when the adventurers are about ready to dismount for a quick lunch, there is a flash of shadow from above and a large hawk plummets from the sky, pulling out of a dive just in time to come to a gentle rest 'pon Quint's shoulder! The regal avian eyes the magic-user sidelong, with beady eyes that bespeak intelligence and cunning.

See OOC thread.

[thirdkingdom]

Klarmont 28, AC 1000

Later that day, two hours or so before the adventurers need to rest for the night, they encounter a large caravan toiling southwards. It is easily one of the largest caravans they have seen thus far on the Duke's Road. There are a score of wagons, each guarded by crossbow-wielding guards mounted on mules. An additional guard sits perched next to each driver, whilst a half-dozen merchants canter in front of the procession -- out of the dust and perpetual horseshit -- surrounded by another dozen or so guards.

One of the merchants hails the adventurers as they come within earshot. "Ho there, travelers! Can you tell us if the road beyond is clear and free of danger!" Three of the merchants appear to be Darokeen and are wearing crests showing an eagle perched atop a set of scales; Tev recognizes it as belonging to House Hallonica, one of the wealthier merchant houses and one known for having its fingers in many pies in eastern Darokin. "Our normal route is through Penhaligon to the sea, but our agents have sent word that Penhaligon has been razed and road no longer safe!" The other three merchants are of strange dress and mien; two are large, burly men with bushy beards and tangled hair, whilst the third is a small woman, with scarred face and swarthy skin. She sits upon her mount as if the two were one animal, and has a strangely recurved bow slung over one shoulder. The other two both sport axes at their belts. "What of Threshold?" another Darokeen merchant asks, "we had heard that it, too was under siege. If that is the case I don't know what to do."

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

Tev moves forward on his horse, that the merchants could see his guild crest. "We recently came upon Threshold ourselves," he says, "and broke the siege. You'll find a clear path behind us, and a town hungry for your wares after another day's travel. Be gentle on them; they've had a rough time of it. They'll be happy to fatten your purses, but are in no shape to also line them with silk."

"Which road have you taken here? Did you have any trouble on the trip?"

[thirdkingdom]

Officially, there is one road north to Darokin, through Penhaligon. I have added a road, newly built, running through Threshold. The merchants traveled down this second, newer road. If you look at the map of Karameikos purchased at the Spring Festival you will see Penhaligon is considerably east of Threshold.

[Atlictoatl]

Officially, there is one road north to Darokin, through Penhaligon. I have added a road, newly built, running through Threshold. The merchants traveled down this second, newer road. If you look at the map of Karameikos purchased at the Spring Festival you will see Penhaligon is considerably east of Threshold.

Perhaps I've misunderstood. It sounded as though this caravan has come through the very pass that the Baron has asked us to clear, so Tev is fishing for information about it.

I changed his question to them, above.

[thirdkingdom]

Ferdjen, Merchant

"Good, that is good. We have traveled here by the Duke's Road, of course. It is not as nice as the one through Penhaligon -- that has inns and waystations spaced along its length, for comfort and security whereas I have had to camp in the open far too often for my liking. But with the city fallen, it is too dangerous. Hopefully your Duke will invest some of the taxes we pay him to improve this road, as well!" The man leans in close and speaks to Tev in confidential tones. "I see that you are a fellow countrymen, and what's more one talented in the skill in . . . hmmm . . . finding people who may not wish to be found! There is a man who is wanted by my house for theft and murder; we believe him to be hiding in the mountains somewhere north of here. If you come across a man with one eye going by the ridiculous name of Lin the Lugubrious, be aware that there is a ten thousand gold bounty on his head!"

[Alethan]

Sir Rhys the Traveling Knight

"Ten thousand gold is a hefty sum! And what about this man is so dangerous that such a bounty has been placed on his head? Is he part minotaur? Or does he ride on a wyvern? Or command a legion of soldiers with unwavering loyalty?" Rhys asks cautiously.

[thirdkingdom]

Sir Rhys the Traveling Knight

"Ten thousand gold is a hefty sum! And what about this man is so dangerous that such a bounty has been placed on his head? Is he part minotaur? Or does he ride on a wyvern? Or command a legion of soldiers with unwavering loyalty?" Rhys asks cautiously.

Ferdjen, Merchant

The merchant throws back his head and laughs loudly. "He is a cunning and conniving bastard, by all accounts, with a honeyed tongue and no scruples. He does travel with a gang of eight or so, last I'd heard, but the price reflects more the value of what he stole and who he killed to get it."

[Alethan]

Sir Rhys the Traveling Knight

Rhys follows up with the obvious, "Well then... what did he steal? And who did he kill? And is recovery of the object conditional for the bounty?"

[thirdkingdom]

Sir Rhys the Traveling Knight

Rhys follows up with the obvious, "Well then... what did he steal? And who did he kill? And is recovery of the object conditional for the bounty?"

Ferdjan

"He killed the nephew of the Housemaster. As far as we know, the documents he stole are no longer in his possession. Regardless, he must be made an example of."

[Koren n'Rhys]

Quint Kacie
Quint has all he can do to saddle in the saddle when the hawk swoops in upon him. His shock is quickly overcome once he meets the eyes of the raptor and feels the depth of connection therein, now understanding his spell to be the cause. Waving off his understandably concerned companions, he offers his arm to the creature and transfers it to the horn of his saddle. "Fascinating," he murmurs under his breath. "So, have you a name, my friend?"
-----------
He spends the rest of the day immersed in a study of his new companion, slowly working to develop the bond between them. Upon the meeting with the caravan, Quint hangs back and silently observes, letting Tev handle the interaction with his countymen.

[thirdkingdom]

The hawk does not answer Quint's question about its name, but instead cocks its head inquisitively and stares at the mage.

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

Thurgan stays back while the humans talk with the merchants keeping watch on the surroundings.

[Wyzard]

Severi the Silvertongued

Severi contemplates the number of guards on the wagons, and concludes that their cargo must be a valuable one. Unfortunately, he is not yet prepared to turn to banditry.

[Alethan]

Sir Rhys the Traveling Knight

"Then we will keep an eye out for this one-eyed man and bring him to justice, should we find him,"Rhys replies.

[thirdkingdom]

Upon hearing that the caravan is close to Threshold, but is unlikely to reach it in the remainder of the day, the merchants call a halt and the wagons pull off the road as everyone makes themselves busy getting camp set up. Over the span of the evening, the adventurers learn the following:

The two large, hirsute gentlemen hail from Ostland, to the northeast. While normally a race of great seafaring merchants -- and some might claim pirates -- they represent a consortium looking to establish trade with the inland nations, and are hoping that an overland route from their nation to the Karameikan port city of Specularum might give them access to the Sea of Dread whilst bypassing the heavy tolls they must pay to Thyatis.

The woman proves to be Ethengarian, one of the fierce horse nomads to the north. In heavily accented Common, she explains that the new Khan seeks to broaden the nomad's trade range, and has sent her as an emissary south to explore the available markets.

Most of the discussion that night focuses on the upheaval in Karameikos. The merchants take the slightly patronizing view that if Karameikos is ever going to be taken seriously by the older nations, they had best get their house in order and stabilize trade routes. Ferdjen opines that regular waystations with well-stocked wine cellars and feather beds would do much to improve his disposition.

There is also talk of impending conflict in the neighboring desert country of Ylaraum. A cult of fire magi has apparently been growing in strength and influence, and threatens to destabilize the shaky grasp the Emir has over the disparate nomadic tribes that comprise much of the country's population.

The caravan's trip south has been relatively uneventful. Ferdjen claims that they came across goblin tracks that appeared to be relatively recent at a spring just off the road -- this being several days before -- and the day after they had crossed into Karameikos were accosted by a slope-headed giant clad in furs and dragging an enormous club behind. The brute was assuaged by offers of a keg of wine and two deer that had been shot earlier in the day, and stumped off into the mountains.

[Wyzard]

Severi Silvertongue

"It seems that there are troubles everywhere, then. The lands near here are sorely afflicted by rampaging armies of goblinoids. It seems that prosperity and peace are illusions, to be pursued as one might chase the shadow of a cloud that is blown by the wind."

[thirdkingdom]

The merchants all nod in agreement at Severi's wisdom. "'Tis true," another one of the Darokeen exclaims, "even our homeland is not free of strife and violence! If not glabrous goblins or odious orcs, the Houses of Darokin are in constant conflict, each seeking monetary mastery over the others."

[thirdkingdom]

Felmont 1, AC 1000

A brief summer thunderstorm rolls through as the adventurers -- and caravan -- are getting ready to leave, lasting for about an hour. Lightning crackles through the air, but thankfully none of the strikes hit even remotely nearby. A day's ride in the saddle is enough to dry everyone off; an hour or so before it is time to make camp again, the adventurers spy a trio of winged horses cavorting amongst the clouds, far to the south.

The adventurers make camp in hex 46.03. I really need to update the map.

Felmont 2, AC 1000

In short course the adventurers turn north off the faint wagon trail and cut across the hills. By noon, the are looking down at the ruins of the Forgotten City. Nothing seems to have changed from the last time they were here . . . no, wait. A small herd of deer is brazenly grazing in the center of the main street.

A map of the Forgotten City can be found here: viewtopic.php?p=98068#p98068