Chapter 0: The Gathering

[gurusql]

Freeholder Marius Lindon

"Those two gold coin offers are totals for your group to be divided as you wish. The haste in both offers are both driven by us wanting to have these earthquakes stopped before the end of the month, if you only wish to determine what the clue means we are still going to have find another group to perform the larger mission within our requested time frame. Today is the 5th and if you leave in the morning 22 days later is the 28th, the last day of the month."

[Quonundrum]

Androgost

"Freeholder Marius Lindon, as the elected leader and spokesman for our group, I pledge my my life, my sword, and my sacred honor to this good and worthy quest."

[shaidar]

Garrant clears his throat and speaks (as usual his voice is thin and 'dry', but clear)

"Meaning no disrespect, sir, but you have not answered the question. You simply repeated the fact that you wish this issue resolved by the end of the month. Haste means we might not take precautions we might otherwise undertake. This increases the risk for us, and reduces the chance of a successful mission for you. This is something I am sure neither of us want. So, is there a specific reason for this time limitation? The reason may also have some relevance to the mission."

[cybersavant]

< Outside >

Nah Olos paces back and forth in the courtyard, keeping a leering eye on the guards; a smile on his scarred, brutish face as he sees their discomfort.

[OGRE MAGE]

Boff stops staring at the magical lights and starts paying attention at the mention of Silver Spring.

“Aye, plenty o’ good dwarves there.”

When Androgost pledges his life to the quest, the dwarf just snickers, nodding his head in agreement, hoping it doesn’t come to that again.

“We’ll see this through till the end. There ain’t no quit in this group!”

[gurusql]

Hirdom Mastermight

The High Priest that is still standing behind the Freeholder, places his right hand on the shoulder of the Freeholder and looking at Garrant and says, "We are unsure the final repercussions if that day is reached, however after multiple days on praying on this subject I have come the conclusion that missing that time frame could be much more than the unpleasant earthquakes that we have been experiencing to date. I do not believe in preaching fear and panic so speculating more would just be that speculation. Can we trust you to complete this mission and stop these quakes to the best of your abilities and to not cause a panic not only heading out of town, but as you head into the Jotens? I would request that each of you answer."

[Rex]

Qleceec

"So there is an unknown reason for our deadline, interesting and that tells us something, even if we don't yet know what."

She pauses a moment.

"I agree and have never taken on any duty that I didn't attempt to the best of my abilities so that is an easy promise. Success of course is something else altogether."

[shaidar]

Garrant nods

"Panic is not advantageous to anyone. You have my word."

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

"We can go. I am sure folk living inside the quake zones are panicked enough. Sure my presence won't alarm folk much more.

This dwarven territory. Are they expecting us? As aid from Loftwick? Can we have some official letter addressing us as envoys on your behalf?

We need an advance in the commission too. To get horses, supplies, pay tolls and bribes on the way."

As often, she thinks aloud.

[OGRE MAGE]

Boff grumbles, as is his way.

“If we had a gold bar fer every quest we took where we couldn’t get straight talk from those doin the askin…….”

“Aye! Ye have me word! I got no problem hustlin up there ta help me own kin!”

[gurusql]

Freeholder Marius Lindon

The High Priest visibly taps his finger on the shoulder of the Freeholder as each of the adventurers speak. After all the members in the room have pledged the Freeholder starts again.

"I would be happy to give you the following to start out

1. An official scroll to the leader of Silver Spring explaining what the Yeomanry League has hired you to do
2. Directions on the best path to the Silver Spring.
3. Any of you in the need of a mount I will offer a one of our trained light warhorses built for mountain travel.
4. Room and board at one our finest inns for the evening
5. If there are any reasonable supplies you need, my scribe will take down a list and have them delivered to the inn by dawn

I unaware of any tolls or bribes that would be required"

[Quonundrum]

Androgost

"If it can be done, it will be done "

[Rex]

Qleceec

"I have no need for a war horse, I have my own. Could we get a pack horse for mine instead? Also a cask for water and a cold meal when we leave in the morning to get us through the day. It will save some wasted time."

[Quonundrum]

Androgost

"I can offer my riding horse in trade for a light warhorse. I will also require one week of rations and a light lance."

[gurusql]

Freeholder Marius Lindon

"Since we have agreed, you can understand that the High Priest and I have other business to attend to." At which point the High Priest two fingers on the Freeholders shoulder. "I will send in the scribe to coordinate your requested items and I will be sure to have him figure out the needs of the two in the courtyard as well."

[Quonundrum]

Androgost

He stands and bows. "Freeholder ... High Priest ...", then sits to await the scribe.

[gurusql]

Freeholder Marius Lindon

"We will be rooting for your success. Ah, here is one of my best scribes, Tosi"

Tosi
The young man with curly brown and wearing red trousers and puffy white shirt enters and says "So far I have

• 1 light warhorse
• 1 draft horse - I am assuming for speed you might want another riding horse?
• Cask for water
• One week of iron rations
• A light lance

What else and what I have I missed - I was in the next room so I tried to catch it all."

[OGRE MAGE]

Boff addresses the scribe once the other pair leaves the room.

"Tell me lad, if'n I were ta tap me finger on someone's shoulder each time I spoke, then point two fingers on the same shoulder like this, what might that mean in yer secret code language I just witnessed? What was all that finger tappin and pointin, anyway? Ye trying ta make us more anxious er what? What's with all the secrecy, anyway?"

The dwarf will request a sturdy 7 foot pole. (fer trap triggerin)
Plenty of rope and other climbing gear, just in case.
Mounts for he and Franny.
Any mining gear they can manage.
How about a few o' them fancy magically glowing lanterns hanging on the wall?
Explosives?

[shaidar]

Garrant simply requests one weeks iron rations.

[gurusql]

I was originally going to write out the entire list and I would for a shopping list, but I did not expect the length of lists from folks - so I will instead record which things will be approved.

Qleceec's list - You can have riding horse or draft horse, but warning a draft horse is significantly slower
Androgost's list - All approved
Garrant's Food - Approved

Tosi

Tosi looks at Boff in a state of confusion, "What secret code language are you talking about, if you are tapping the fingers don't you already know the code?

Let's talk about the list so that I get you the right things by morning.
I can get you a 10' pole, cutting or breaking it will be on you.
I am not sure what you think plenty of rope is? Is that 50' of rope with a grappling hook?
2 light warhorses
Any mining gear - How about a pick and shovel?
You can take one of the lanterns with you when you leave this room
We do not have access any gnomish explosives at this time.

In addition, I have the sealed letter to Silver Spring here in a bone scroll case - whom should take this?

I also have rooms for you at the Clean Castle Inn - here in the district.

I also owe you directions to Silver Spring, here is a parchment with the directions:

Exit Loftwick from the east gates and take the New Road (with the High Crags on your left) for about 10 miles.
At the first branch, take the northern road (again with the High Crags on your left) eventually you will reach Emberton, it is about 25 miles.
Exit Emberton from the north side of the city and after about 35 miles you will reach the North Reach. North Reach is the last town in the Yeomanry League. Recommend you stay away from the sewars. With hard riding and pushing your horses you can reach this in one day, but it will be several hours after dark when you get there.

You find a wide trail out of the North Reach to the north that will go for about 60 miles into the Jotens. The trail will head toward the northwest and it should take about 2 1/2 days to reach these cross roads since you will be much slower in the mountains. At that point the trail will have an intersection of four trails. You will want to take the trail that heads the most to the east.
Take this trail for about 65 miles to get to Silver Spring which should take another 2 1/2 days.

Anyone else need anything? What about the friends in the entryway?"