The Stolid Soldier

[archolewa]

Mordred
"We are also looking for information - perhaps you could help us?" - his demeanor polite yet guarded - "Have there been any peculiar occurrences in the area lately? Unexplained deaths, disappearances, or perhaps strange sightings?" - he inquired - "I understand it is a strange question, but we are conducting an investigation regarding the Thornwall, and any information or assistance could be useful" - the Magic-User explained - "And if you know of anyone with local knowledge and willingness to lend a hand, we would be even more grateful"

"Ah good sir, I hear all sorts of things," said Ol' Will. He passed over two drinks. "I heard about the goblin tribe making trouble south. Pushed here by a band of gnolls I hear. The Princess' Scouts tell all sorts of stories about all the fighting and jockeying for land going on Outside. Guards seem to have it well in hand. Disappearances down that way though? Well, that be a bit interesting. Ain't heard much about that. Not more than yer usual, being so close to the Thornwall and all. Though, I hear some folk whispering that with the Kinslayer dead, the Thornwall will fail. Built to keep Him out ye know, and now that he's gone? Well, maybe ol' Nature's thinkin' we don't need it no more eh?"

He shot a look at Sebastian, but Sebastian's expression was carefully neutral, the guarded look most Druids got when folk started talking "too much" about the workings of the Thornwall. Ol' Will shrugged. "But eh, what do I know about that eh? As for help, well what's about your friend Corvin? Seems yer not the only ones troubled by disappearances. Mayhaps ye could trade favor for favor?"

Ol' Will gestured towards Corvin seated at a table in back, not quite against the wall.

Corvin

Corvin orders another ale and finds a spot where can surreptitiously keep an eye on Hrek.

Hrek gave Sabrina a smile and a quick once over as she gave him his food. He tossed a gold coin, good and solid on the table and told her to keep the change. She gave him a smile and swept up the coin. Wisdom check 1d20+13+4, because Corvin knows Sabrina doesn't like Hrek = 21 > 20. The smile was false, but expertly done. Corvin might have been fooled by it, had he not overheard her complaining about Hrek to Ol' Will.

Hrek dug into the food, his eyes occasionally flitting about the room, occasionally meeting gazes. After a moment, two rough looking fellows, a sour-looking dwarf and a heavily scarred, scrawny man in his thirties slid into the table with him. The three began a quiet conversation.

[Edeldhur]

(Sorry, it seems it was unclear to me that me and Corvin already knew each other - I will pursue that thread)

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred took the drinks from Ol' Will with a nod, his mind already turning over the information he'd just received. The mention of Corvin piqued his interest, especially since it seemed their concerns about disappearances might overlap - "Thank you for the insight" - he replied to Ol' Will - "And for the suggestion. Looks like we might be able to help each other out"

He glanced over at Sebastian, giving a slight nod to indicate they should approach Corvin. Together, they made their way across the tavern to where Corvin was seated - "Corvin" - Mordred greeted with a familiar nod - "It's been a while. And now I hear you've had some trouble with disappearances as well?"

He took a seat across from Corvin, his tone respectful but direct - "This is Sebastian, an old friend of mine. We're looking into some disturbances near the Thornwall and it seems our paths might be converging. Perhaps we can team up? We have always worked well together in the past"

He paused, giving Corvin a moment to process and respond - "We don't have all the details yet, but any information you have could be invaluable. And in return, we'd be glad to share what we've learned and lend our support in your efforts. What do you say?"

[shaidar]

Corvin

As Mordred and Sebastian approach, they note that Corvin seems to be watching another table out of the corner of his eye. As they get closer his full attention switches to the two of them.

He smiles at Mordred's greeting "It's good to see a friendly face" and nods at Sebastian when he is introduced. When the thornwall is mentioned he looks more serious.

He keeps his voice low, "Trouble by the Thornwall? That doesn't sound good." he looks thoughtful for a moment "Maybe we can help each other, although I'm not sure if there is a connection between our two problems." his voice drops even lower "My adoptive family have vanished and their house was burned down. I think they been kidnapped by the Battleaxe gang, a group of deserters here in the city. Benjamin took part in a number of the big battles around 25 years ago, and I suspect he might have been hiding something in his attic. I'm pretty sure they want something from him, but I don't know what. One of the gangs recruiters is here right now." his eyes slide sideways back to the table in the corner.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred's expression turned serious as Corvin shared his troubles - "That's terrible news, Corvin. I'm sorry to hear about your family"

He glanced briefly at the table Corvin had indicated, noting the man seated there - "What are you thinking?" - he asked, lowering his voice - "Some eavesdropping and then follow him? Or do you want to confront him?"

Mordred took a sip of his drink, waiting for the lupine's reaction - "These are sad times we live in, when kidnappers and deserters can roam around apparently unchecked" - he added, clenching his fist.

[shaidar]

Corvin shakes his head.

"I'm not sure... They're bold enough to leave their symbol behind and they cowed the entire village into silence. How do a few people take on a gang? I think confrontation is a bad idea, but we could follow him and try to find out where they are being kept."

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred nodded in agreement - "You're right, a direct confrontation might be too risky. Following him could give us the information we need without alerting them"

He glanced at Sebastian, then back to Corvin - "Let's keep a low profile and see where he leads us. If we can find their whereabouts, we can plan our next move more effectively. We'll get to the bottom of this"

[archolewa]

After a few moments of whispered conversation, Hrek and his two new companions stand and leave. The trio all wear leather breastplates over a gambeson ( leather armor basically). A fine bastard sword hangs at Hrek's side, but the other two carry the standard armaments of light infantry: a couple of javelins and a short sword.

What's your next move?

[shaidar]

Corvin stands and goes to grab his gear

"Are we doing this now? Ol' WiIl did say here comes in here regularly."

[shaidar]

Did we see which way they went? Are there others exits we could use?

[archolewa]

Did we see which way they went? Are there others exits we could use?

They went out the front door.

Ol' Will gestured at Sabrina, who rolled her eyes. "Ugh, no. Carry yer own damn mugs for once in your life old man. I'm going to rest my feet."

Sabrina walked to the wall of the tavern, not too far from Corvin and the others. She twitched aside a drape that obscured a door that likely led into the alley beside the tavern and walked through, though not before throwing Mordred a little wink.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred stood up also, a determined look on his face - "Alright, let's do this" - he said quietly, glancing at Corvin and Sebastian - "They went out the front door, so we need to move quickly but carefully"

He noticed Sabrina's wink and the door she revealed - "We have another exit we can use" - he pointed towards the door the girl had indicated - "We can slip out through the alley and try to catch up with them without drawing too much attention, and perhaps ask Sabrina if she... Huh... Overherd anything of importance" - he added, blushing slightly.

[archolewa]

Sebastian smirked and playfully elbowed Mordred. "It's the starburst man. The only women in this city who don't swoon over a starburst got one of their own."

The trio exited the bar through the side door.

Folks who had never been to Thorncity assumed that the city was a standard fortress city situated next to the Thornwall, but that wasn't correct. The Thorncity was a *part* of the Thornwall. Ten foot hedges, shoots of the Thornwall, snaked throughout the city, breaking it up into a twisting labryinth. The buildings all generally stood twelve to fifteen feet up, allowing the defenders to see over the hedges and rain down stones, boiling water, javelins and other weapons on the confused, lost invaders.

The residents of course, knew the city like the back of their hand, and one of the first things new military recruits did was run through the city until they knew it as well as someone born here.

Springtime flowers, pink, red, and yellow, covered the hedges at this time of year, lighting up the city with color and filling it with a sweet fragrance.

One of these hedges wound its way through the alleyway, twisting at one point to create a small nook. Sabrina sat on a rough wooden stool in that nook, massaging her feet. In response to the trio's question, she shrugged. "Hrek said something about 'the old wizard tower.' Dunno. Lots of magic-users around here. Relatively speaking. They went left by the way."

This adventure will continue in the Adventure: Battleaxe Gang thread: viewtopic.php?p=707688#p707688. We'll use this thread again if/when you return to the Stolid Soldier.

[Edeldhur]

Sebastian smirked and playfully elbowed Mordred. "It's the starburst man. The only women in this city who don't swoon over a starburst got one of their own."

Mordred chuckled - "Those reports are highly exaggerated - I do not have women throwing themselves at my feet"

[archolewa]

As Corvin, Mordred and Sebastian went through the side door, the front door swung open, Natasja and Luca Silvercharm entered through the front. Natasje scanned the room, and spied Troy sitting at a table near the center, finishing up a late breakfast.

"There he is." Natasje nodded towards the Lupine. "Not sure exactly what his relationship was with the Tuskdale family, but he's looking for info on them. Least that's what Sabrina told me the other day. Speaking of which..."

Natasje turned,grabbed the brim of Luca's large hat, and tugged it down over his eyes. "Listen here you idiot, and listen well. For the love of all that's been lost, do *not* try to pick up Sabrina. No, don't give me that look. Ol' Will wields the city the way most men wield a sword. Get me? There are two people you don't make enemies of in Thorncity: Princess Flora, and Ol' Will. Just go, help Troy, and try not to do anything stupid while you're here."

[Juramenta]

’’Why? Is she hot?’’ Luca responds but quickly realizes his mistake and smoothly adds, ’’is a question you might expect from the old Luca. But behold, the new and improved Luca, where even the most zealous monk would envy my dedication to celibacy while on the job. As a reformed man, the quest takes precedence, and there is a gentleman in need of assistance here. I would scarcely ask for a fee—no, in fact, entirely free of charge. Yes, I shall aid this man with no strings attached.’’ Luca responds, adjusting his hat if she lets him.

Luca attempts to move towards Troy to keep her from responding but will stay if she won’t let him leave. If he succeeds in moving towards Troy’s table, he will say the following:

’’My sincerest apologies, good sir, for intruding upon your breakfast. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Luca Silvercharm. My esteemed friend Natasja has informed me that you seek information regarding the Tuskdale family. If that is indeed the case, I would be most honored to offer my assistance. If I am mistaken, then please accept my apologies once more.’’ Luca says as he tips his hat, offering a gallant nod to the Lupine.

[archolewa]

’’Why? Is she hot?’’ Luca responds but quickly realizes his mistake and smoothly adds, ’’is a question you might expect from the old Luca. But behold, the new and improved Luca, where even the most zealous monk would envy my dedication to celibacy while on the job. As a reformed man, the quest takes precedence, and there is a gentleman in need of assistance here. I would scarcely ask for a fee—no, in fact, entirely free of charge. Yes, I shall aid this man with no strings attached.’’ Luca responds, adjusting his hat if she lets him.

Luca attempts to move towards Troy to keep her from responding but will stay if she won’t let him leave. If he succeeds in moving towards Troy’s table, he will say the following:

Natasje shakes her head, and mutters "Hope no one's gonna expect me to pay for his funeral."

[Kenjosephus]

Troy

The white lupin drops his utensils in surprise as he quickly looks upon the silver tongue stranger.

"Tuskdale? She knows them? Don't you lie on me, mister Silvercharm. I am not to be fooled for another wild hound man. I am of the family.

Does Troy know who Natasje is?

[archolewa]

Troy

The white lupin drops his utensils in surprise as he quickly looks upon the silver tongue stranger.

"Tuskdale? She knows them? Don't you lie on me, mister Silvercharm. I am not to be fooled for another wild hound man. I am of the family.

Does Troy know who Natasje is?

I'll leave that up to you. I think it's reasonable, and would make it easier for you two to decide to work together.

[Kenjosephus]

Troy

Troy looks towards the Natasje and invite her to sit with him.

"Now speak it out, where is the Tuskdale?