Helix village.

[Spearmint]

The Axe and Anvil Forge

Karl Barrelgut "Out in the Moor. Whereabouts exactly. On your way to the Barrow Mounds or east towards the Moorwash river or the far reaches near the Wyrmwoods?

You were attacked. How many? A patrol you say?
Our kinsmen reported finding a massacre of saurons', throats slit and stabbed in the back."

[Rex]

Orgoth

"Not sure where, I am not a ranger. This was just a couple tried ambushing us. I don't think they realized there was as many of us as there was."

[Spearmint]

The Axe and Anvil Forge

Orgoth you get the feeling he looks at you doubtfully but says no more. An apprentice inscribed the etchings and designs, tidying up the helm with new polish and fittings and taking out a dent or two. It shines as new.

"They are common styles. The colour denotes hierarchy among the Saurons'. A fine trophy, this would have been worn by a sub-chieftain.

If you ever remember things in more detail, then let us know."

The dwarves finish all the crafting requirements of the team in time for the expedition. Helmet tribute, chainmail adjustments, hand-held crossbows, sharpening the scythe blade and other commissions.

[OGRE MAGE]

Very interesting.

I couldn’t find your stats for the handheld crossbow.

Sven would like to purchase two dozen bolts, if possible.

[Spearmint]

I am crafting one pair, don't suppose another pair will harm. 15gp each, deals damage as a light one would be half the range. Be ready in four days. You can get the tailors to cut a bandana to hide your face when you hold up a stagecoach."

18gp included your choice of hip holster and rear pouch of bolts (a score is 20) or chest holster under your newly tanned cloak and bandolier.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sorry.

I meant to ask what damage it did. Standard crossbow bolt damage?

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven returns to finalize his transaction, remembering something he wanted to ask the smiths.

“Do you guys know anything about handling snakes? Real nasty ones? Isn’t there some special forked stick or some kind of snaring tool designed for such endeavors? Or maybe a really heavy blanket to throw over them?”

“You have anything like that here?”

[Spearmint]

To offset rate of fire comparing bows vs crossbows, I house rule that crossbows have increased damage.

Light crossbow inflicts 2d4.

"No special wrangling tools unless you use something similar to the spider vice-gripper. Rangers might use a noose snare on a staff?"

They have no special tools, a hammer seems sufficient enough.

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

During his Helix downtime, goes to seek out an artisan sculptor in the village, maybe one who does memorials and headstones.

He has his lump of chalk stone, taken from the quarry and lugged back into the village. The cleric would like to see how much it would cost to sculpt a caricature image or carve the stone in bas-relief style so that it may form part of a tribute (for extra xp and self aggrandisement) or a memorial marker to some Cromm Cruach restoration project.

[Spearmint]

Helix Village Merchants:

Golgarth enquires of the main shops regarding a niche artisan and is recommended to enquire of Silvine. She is an elven art dealer who does some sculpting and carving for any memorials. Eventually you find her abode and shop.

"Hello. A carving? Yes I can take a commission. It depends on what your specifics are. A chalk stone caricature head or visage can be made quickly but the soft-stone is easily chipped or frail. Acidic rain and soil might weather it so best for an indoor presentation.

I can do memorial art tailored to the construction project. With the amount of stone you have I suggest the first option. If you sit for a still life, I can take your rough portrait then shape the stone to a likeness. Included are some words on the base, whatever you wish in a calligraphy or font of choice. Probably 20gp to cover the intricate shaping and time."

[Monsieur Rose]

Axe and Anvil Forge

Sir Dewey enters, looking for assistance. "Excuse me, Master Dwarf. I am in need of a ranged weapon. A light crossbow, I'd say. A practical device for practical needs. I'd also like to inquire about any hunting regulations in the areas surrounding the town." He bows and continues. "Are you able to provide for me?"

The Knight stands tall and patiently waits for a response.

[Spearmint]

The Axe and Anvil Forge

Served by one if the apprentice forgesmiths, you are able to acquire a crossbow and a score (x20) of quarrels. Complete with a hip pouch and spare windlass.

"Finest craftsmanship, shaped stock with beautiful oak grains and trigger sights. Good for 180ft and more powerful than an arrow from the extra pull strain. Just point and loose." -15gp

"As far as hunting goes, most of the farms happy for you to take predators and bunnies all you like. Outside the village confines, anything is fair game. Heard that his lordship wants to put a farrier's tax in any skins and pelts but no restrictions on what a man wants to hunt. Well save for other men like unless you be one of them bounty hunters and then the bounty is fair game.

There is a butcher in town who will buy good quality meat. The Hernite's won't buy meat from him cus' they have to ritually hunt and kill their own but there is a market if you can get venison, boar, bushmeat.

If you want any additions made, we can craft those and the Silvanus Templars ordered some silvered shafts. You want any of those specials we can do but the cost is 70 gold a dozen."

He answers to Sir Dewey.

just a reminder I house rule crossbows do 2d4 light/2d6 heavy as damage to compensate for rate of fire.

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

Axe and Anvil

He takes the crossbow with thanks, hefting it and sighting down the line. "Good, good. My thanks for your craftmanship and your knowledge. I think I'll talk to the butcher, he'll have a fine idea of what game is around."

He bows and turns to leave, then stops. "Wait. Did you say silver shafts? Why would anyone want to do such a thing? Surely the added weight would affect aim."


The Butcher

After leaving the Anvil, hopefully with an understanding of the need for silver shafts, he sets out to find the Butcher. "Greetings. I am Sir Dewey and I figured that you are the person to talk to about the local game. Could you tell me what creatures have been brought to you recently? I was planning on hunting, but have no knowledge of the area."

[Spearmint]

. "Wait. Did you say silver shafts? Why would anyone want to do such a thing? Surely the added weight would affect aim."

"No. The barbed head of the bolt is silvered. Much in the way arrowheads are veneered or small blades like daggers. The silvering process would soften a larger blade to being useless but an edged throwing axe or impaling weapon can be modified. The silver metal has mineral properties which affect certain creatures in their nature's beyond the ability of cold iron or steel. Wraiths and werewolves for example. Fancy hunting any if those do you?"

Butcher's Freshmeats

The butcher, "I have a little order going with farms for piglets, occasional boar gets caught and usually reserved for hog roasts and ceremonies. From the forests you can get deer of various types; pronghorn, whitetail, roebuck, elk in the winters. Out on the moor folk bring in more bushmeat; raptors like lizards that walk upright with small forearms and nasty temperaments, certain frogs, geese and large ostrich type wading birds, constrictor snakes. Some stuff will eat you as much as you want to eat it.

Fish from the rivers and clams or mussels in season. Some big stuff in the delta I hear, eels, shrimp, crayfish."

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

Axe and Anvil

"I do fancy hunting wraiths. Horrid things. Have you heard rumors of any around? But I see about the silvering, thank you. I will have to procure more funds before hunting werewolves and wraiths, then." The Knight bows and thanks them for their time.


Butcher's Freshmeats

"Such a bounty. I see how Helix stays afloat, on the back of your labor. Many thanks. Is there meat that is more in demand, more valuable for the town and for you? I wouldn't want to hunt and deliver something that nobody desires." He lowers his voice a bit and continues. "What do you know of the lizardfolk? Has anyone, in desperation, brought you one to work on?"

[Spearmint]

Axe and Anvil

The apprentice, "Thankfully no. I am sure Moradin and Ygg's wrath would turn them away. I suspect such would haunt the barrows though. Anywhere there is death, despair and grieving, such spirits do not ever find rest."

Butcher's Freshmeats

"Lizardman? No we gave up eating those when we came out of the caves. What kind of backwater do you think we are?", he jests rather than sounds indignant. "Mostly I carve up the usual bovines, pigs, venison. I am partial to a bit of rabbit in wine myself or tender sirloin. I serve the taverns and hostelries whatever we get in. Stew meat can be any bushmeat, even baboon or horse. But if I say it is beef or pork or venison then it is. I keep my reputation for quality meats.

Between you and me. If you bring in that famed red stag, not any old 12-point tine Royal. No, that big beast. Almost worshipped by the Hernite's it is. Dwells in the Highlands between here and Ironguard. 20-point beast, antlers wider than you can spread you arms, as big as an elk some say. Easily 600lbs of muscle and meat. That Monarch on any banquet table would be worth a pretty sum."

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth visits Silvine: Art Dealer business and after the conversation and appointment for 'portrait sitting', decides on some self aggrandisement and a fine bust of his ignoble features.

-20gp

[Quonundrum]

Farrier

Moriartus and Dougal enter the farrier's stall near the blacksmith's forge. "Good day, sir. My name is Moriartus and this is my ranger colleague, Mr. Dougal." He puts a subtle emphasis on the word, ranger. "We have a pelt of a most unusual and exotic beast ... an owlwolf." He lays the pelt out for appraisal and indicates the clean, precise work of an expert skinner. "Would you have an interest in it? Our first inclination was to offer this unusual specimen at the markets in Ironguard, but upon consideration, we feel it proper to avail ourselves of the local tradesmen, first."

[Karaunios]

Dougal

Dougal nods as Moriartus introduces him to the farrier. He has taken some time to take a look at the pelt before the left to have an idea of what they're dealing with and does so again when the magician places the pelt on the counter, trying to look (or probably just looking like it) as if he was looking at it with an expert's eye. He doesn't add a word to what Moriartus' said.

[Spearmint]

Silvine: Art Dealer and Sculptor.

Golgarth, priest of Cromm Cruach, pays the money for some self aggrandisement.

+20xp. In a few days time he collects his chisel features and caricature visage from the art shop. Inscribed in neat calligraphy on the base a few words, "No mountain high enough" and "Building faith by building lives." The likeness is good and you may keep it to admire or let it be a conversation piece when you entertain.

Helix: Furs and Leatherware.

Falstaff, the farrier has a small booth near the forge and works in cooperation with the tannery apprentices. Several strung out skins are set on frames to dry. The old former trapper who runs the outfit can cut and create several garb outfits, reinforced leather works and unique trinkets and talismans.

He appraises the fine pelt, appreciating the quality of skinning.

"Unlike anything I have seen before. Seamless and nice taken from a beast in the prime of his life. Feathers still dry and oiled from the skin fat, fur unbroken.

I could purchase it and would make an offer of say 200gp as is. If course if you wanted it personally tailored for yourselves. Perhaps a hooded cloak with feathered shoulders, draping to knee level, sown with spider silk threads and fastened with tusk or claw clasps. That would be you paying me the 200gp.

There are possibilities with the right compounds and labour to imbue the item with talismanic qualities.

What do you think?"