Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[OGRE MAGE]

Cool!

I will discuss with the crew and come back to this.

In the meantime…..

“Say guys, let me ask you something else. As artists, you must know a few very rich collectors of fine works of art, yes? Specifically tapestries.”

If any ears perk up, he tells them of their prized possession, hoping to get a bidding war started over the item.

[torkill]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Eldon chats with the drinkers. They share bizarre stories of going to the Moor and back, each day excavating a little more. Each day trying to plunder a tomb then return before nightfall. More dangers lurk under the moon, more dangers awaken to prowl. Then they found a crypt and entered below, sneaking around. Stumbling in the dark, sometimes the wind blew out their torches, hearing noises, whispers enticing them onwards. Always the 'watchers in the dark' followed their movements. One comrade died, they covered his body with stones but the next day he was lurching after them. He didn't know he was dead and wanted to come back with them but they killed him again. Eldon to continue

Eldon enjoys the stories about the men's excavations and discoveries. "Seems a solid strategy to avoid the nighttime in the Moors. Seeing that you are down a man, perhaps I could join you on the next expedition. Is it just the two of you? Maybe we should recruit a few more because I keep hearing tales of those once thought dead coming back for what is theirs."

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Konrad the elder artificer shakes his head. Furnishings are not his forte. He can ask around but suggests the main market might be the villas and merchants in Ironguard. "I know one or two collectors, a horologist, an astronomer. But no specialist purveyors of such antiques. There is an auction house in Ironguard and their catalogue might list it to sell in a few months time." he answers to Sven's question.

At the other tables, the mutton chopped priest has left, him and Vann Hector going separate ways until the expedition begins.

Eldon chats with the two explorers. "I don't think we will be returning anytime soon. We made it out with our lives. A fools paradise is the Barrow Mounds. They entice you in with a fever for buried treasures but it is you that gets buried. If you want my advice you would stay clear.

Did you overhear that priest? He wants to go back, he'll need to take his god with him. From what we saw it is a God forsaken place where the dead roam. For centuries they lay undisturbed, something is amiss and it is waking the dead."

One of the men puts a rusty sword on the table in front of you. "We have more than enough of these. You can buy this one for 5 gold and another round of ales."

Eldon to continue. These two are not 'expedition ready' but you could either follow after Vann and ask to go with him tomorrow or wait on Sven's group to pick up your offer but they won't leave for a few more days.

Or strike out yourself.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth finds Isvand at the Brazen Strumpet. "Hi Isvand, I am thinking I would like to go hunting in the morning. Check out the forest north/north-east of the village. Do you want to join me?"

[redwarrior]

Orgoth

Orgoth finds Isvand at the Brazen Strumpet. "Hi Isvand, I am thinking I would like to go hunting in the morning. Check out the forest north/north-east of the village. Do you want to join me?"

Absolutely! I need to work on my bowmanship !

[sastaz]

Gerdal looks sideways at Sven, then back to Gnimish & Treyvor, and at Sven again.

"Well I don't see why not. Safety in numbers, huh? And there are some curious mechanical trappings to be found in the mounds, for sure. I found myself the victim of one myself, and I got the scars to prove it. I do more than just set up camp, I assure you."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven smiles at the tension.

“Let me set this up right now so you have time to think about it. We have a specific task we are going to accomplish on our next trip. An unexplored tomb in the maze that is filled with mechanical wonders. We found snakes made of metal and a strange wheel on the wall and what looked like an Egyptian statue. There were graves in there that hadn’t been disturbed, so there is no telling what relics we might find in such a tomb.”

“Is that something you would be comfortable with? Robbing graves using stealth, skill, and science? If we are successful, we can spend the rest of our time down there trying to orient your map. What do you say to that?”

[sastaz]

At the mention of the mecca cobras, Gerdal shifts uneasily on her chair and clears her throat, while Harkazz moves in closer to her.

[Spearmint]

Gnimish & Treyvor

The gnomes chat together and conclude, "Mechanical serpents, like animate clockworks or real golem types? Fascinating. Sure, they are an Artificers dream. Catch one, take it to pieces, put it back together again.

We can be quiet. Sneak around. Got any burrowing creatures down there. Have a knack to understand their meanderings."

They are both good to go and would leave knowing the risks with Konrad's reluctant blessing.

[sastaz]

Gerdal looks at Sven, raising her eyebrows

"Well then?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven nods.

“We are heading out as soon as our priest returns from Ironguard. Can you be ready in a few days? We need to resupply a few items and pick up a few tools. You should bring anything you think you will need, especially any anti-poison measures you can think of. Maybe a snake handlers stick?”

“Gerdal, we need to make sure we have a few first aid kits and know how to use them. Can you handle lining that up between your studies?”

“Do you know if Isvand has been experimenting with his new boomerangs?”

[sastaz]

Gerdal

"I will see to it."

To the two gnomes.

"A pleasure. I will see you both at the latest in a few days."

[sastaz]

Absolutely! I need to work on my bowmanship !

Gerdal crosses the room to intercept the halfling before he leaves.

"Isvand, how are you today? I was going to ask if you checked out your boomerang yet? Perhaps if you go hunting, that would be an excellent occasion?"

[Rex]

Orgoth

"Hi Isvand I need to cancel our trip some errands came up for me to deal with. Sorry. Maybe you could practice your boomerang instead?"

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth approaches Bollo, "Hi Bollo, I have this cool looking plumed helm to give you if you will put it up somewhere where everyone can see. It has Fabian's name on it and I would like to have something in the tavern to remind me of him."

[Spearmint]

Bollo receives it and puts it on a hook over the saloon hearth. The red plumes bristling sharp like a Mohican style and the metal shining as polished chrome.

+30xp.

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

The night before his expedition he announces in the tavern to all and sundry.

"Friends, comrades, neighbours. Lend me but a brief pause in your evening revelry. On the morning I shall leave the sanctuary of this village to help the cleric Reuben in his quest to make hallowed, the fell ground upon which his former companions bled and died, assailed by the forces of evil and the undark terrors which leech from the accursed tombs.

My companion's quest has holy virtue and I call upon all of noble and brave hearts who would seek to establish the righteous reign of holy truth and divine justice to prevail in those unhallowed grounds and make holy a mound as a temple. A holy light in the dark to make evil shadows flee.

Any who would join with me and share the blessed quest may also take equal share of gold and treasure from the plundering of such dens of iniquity.

We leave after breakfast."

He raises a flagon and after paying the bard the few coins to interrupt the evening programme, he drinks a few ales and chats with any interested folk.

I was aiming this at the two new players Eldon and Savant if they are interested to jump right in.

[LordKane77]

A serious looking Elven male with an average elven build and long straight white hair moved to the bar. He wears subdued browns and grays under his scale mail. His shortbow is close at hand, with a large quiver protruding out from under his dark gray cloak. He slides a silver piece across the bar and simply points to a mug of ale.

[LordKane77]

As Vann Hector finishes his open invitation, Savant makes eye contact with him, points to himself, points to Vann, and nods.

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

An elf but not one as photogenic as the newcomer at the bar signals to Bollo the barkeeper.

"Sir, two ales, one for me and another for my distant cousin here. And stew if you have, the remnants of yesterday's will be fine and bread. A hearty meal, I hope not my last but be sure to make it one to strengthen the bones." he passes over the -6sp.

"Good Sir, if you will I would ask your considerations on a venture." Vann Hector approaches Savant, introducing himself.

"My dwarven ally Dalin and I are accompanying a cleric tomorrow in a holy mission. Perhaps you heard my exaltation as you came through the tavern door.

We seek other brave men. Warriors and rangers with a keen eye for danger and gold. If the legends of the Barrow Mounds are what has drawn you and a hundred others to the village this season, then let me put some meat in those rumour bones.

Beyond the veil of mist truly lie terrors enough to strike fear into a man's soul. Yet where angels fear to tread, the brave or foolhardy venture to claim fame and fortune or to inherit their God's divine favour.

I don't mind whatever lures a man here, but you can have equal share of whatever prize we seek out if you would join our expedition tomorrow."