Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[sastaz]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

"I was hired before, along with the other guys on set retainer's wage. I have seen the dangers but also the rewards brought back. I would be fine going but would like an even share. I can act as your bodyguard too. I need to consider purchasing some extra personal gear. A blade, better armour, supplies. If you cover those I will come with you."

he would come as a hireling mercenary, on a 1/2 share of xp and a full share of treasure.

He also requires some cash upfront to purchase equipment.

Okay, so the deal on the table after having spoken to my team mates is that Drew would go for half'n'half xp/gp like Truro and the gnomes. He will have a set of equipment covered. Gerdal will throw in her uncut saphire (100 gp) and healing abilities to sweeten the deal. Is that acceptable for Drew?

[Spearmint]

Drew

Listens to the offer. A half share of xp and treasure is standard for hirelings, so he will lower his demand to that level. He will take the gemstone as his share in the expedition trove and he will use that once cashed in to supply his basic gear.

He signs on as 'Gerdal's bodyguard' and camp assistant, since it is her who is hiring him rather than being seconded via the Mercenary Guild.

He covers his own upkeep at the tavern and will be available to join you whenever you set out again.

[sastaz]

Great!

gemstone deducted from inventory

[OGRE MAGE]

Nice!

The night of their hog roast, Sven will gather up Konrad's Artificers and Innovative Connoisseurs to discuss their future plans and to let Konrad know about his concern with Gnimmish and his.....um......current affliction.

"I trust that your kinfolk have told you about our successful trip, Master Konrad?"

[Spearmint]

Konrad

"In detail. Embellished and blagged in minute detail as the youth of today are liable to do. Each scar tells a story though I understand not all scars are visible."

The elder gnome slides a little pouch across the table. It contains a gold ring.

"He doesn't know where he found it or why he felt it was so precious to him. Perhaps under stress and duress he gives in to temptation?

It is a difficult subject to brooch. Addicts always consider their abuses being under control. Until a man gets sick of being sick, the doctor is never called." The gnome responds to being made aware of a possible affliction affecting Gnimish. It is not something he can directly address, at least not at this point. The younger gnome ignorant of trading parts of his soul or character for manifestations of power.

Talking shop, the gnomes still have an unexplored area of Barrowmaze to locate and would like to bring back items to research.

The ingot is brought up. "I can keep it safe whilst you delve again. Maybe research any traits or functions it has." You remember the previous tavern conversation.

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.

"If Karl at the forge has an instinct to say it is imbued for creating golems, well, he knows his stuff. Who is creating a golem and why? Maybe best not to pry too much. But animating machines, living beings of earth or metal. That would intrigue a gnome."

[OGRE MAGE]

If I am not mistaken, Sven would have no idea that the healing potion was switched out, correct? I would bring that up as well, if Orgoth noticed and mentioned it to him.

Sven nods at the wisdom of the elder gnome with a smile of understanding. He takes out his thick twine and cuts off a foot or so, looping the ring around it before tying it up as a necklace. "We have already divided our treasure, and had brushed this item off as missing. So, I would like to try an experiment, if I may. I will gift this ring to Gnimish, so that he may wear it at all times while we are in the dungeon. Perhaps he can think about it or even touch it whenever he feels like taking something from the group again."

He passes the necklace over to the gnomes. "Consider it yours, but please don't forget how it came to you. Either time. If this doesn't work, it's only one little ring from a dungeon full of valuables. But if it does work, we just might be on to something here. No hard feelings either way though. I have seen far worse things than simple larceny in my young life already. I think we all know that magic works in very mysterious ways, so the group does not begrudge its own."

"If you would like to research the ingot while we are away, and Orgoth doesn't have a problem with that, I would highly encourage the idea." Sven calls his friend over to allow him to decide the strange items fate.

[Spearmint]

I am fine with at some point Orgoth finding out the potion of healing was used and that was brought up to the group.

Gnimish will put the ring on. The casual reminder regarding any kleptomania goes over his head.

Konrad will research the ingot without any promise of success, but at least you don't hump it back to the Barrows.

[OGRE MAGE]

Gnimish will put the ring on. The casual reminder regarding any kleptomania goes over his head.[/i]

Oh well, it's the thought that counts, I guess.

"Master Konrad, did young Gnimmish tell you anything about a potion he may have nicked as well?"

He looks to the thief with a non-threatening glance.

[Spearmint]

Konrad

"No." he shrugs.

the potion was taken and used at the Standing Stone camp and I adjusted the hp of Gnimish to reflect his regaining health but no one at the time noticed it.

[redwarrior]

Isvand thanks Bollo for his excellent room and discretion and pays 15 gold for a 10 day stay in his premium room. He also makes a point of tipping the chambermaid he frightened 10 silver for having startled her so badly. He continues his hopeless flirting with the half-elven barmaid. During the down time he has, he makes a point to learn all he can about traps and the like from the gnomes, as well as spending a lot of time exploring helix, getting to know and getting known by the population.

[OGRE MAGE]

the potion was taken and used at the Standing Stone camp and I adjusted the hp of Gnimish to reflect his regaining health but no one at the time noticed it.

I’ll trade that for a TPK saving, well timed Lightning Bolt any day of the week.

Sven

“Never mind then. I’m sure it was nothing.”

“Anything you can find out about the ingot would be appreciated. I can picture my large friend with a mechanical owl that rides around on his shoulder and chirps a lot.”

[OGRE MAGE]

At a time when Sven and Konrad can speak alone together, he asks another question.

“Have you noticed anything strange about the behavior of Gnimish lately? The halfling Isvand also played cards with the devil, so to speak, and he told me he experienced bouts of anger so intense that he thought he might hurt someone. But then a few days later, they passed. I am wondering if the same things were happening to your fellow gnomes.”

[Spearmint]

Konrad responds to Sven while the younger gnomes feast over some hog roast portions and frothing ales.

"I have not noticed anything out of the ordinary. Staying out a bit later to enjoy the fruits of their labour at The Pheasant maybe. But such are the whims of youth with less responsibilities. But they have returned to their crafts and tinkering in the workshop. I did not a ring of smoke upon the rafters but I put that down to Treyvor's experiments with diatomaceous earth compounds and stuffed woolly socks of all things."

He has seen no 'suspicious' behaviour that might indicate a change in character impulses (alignment) or suddenly taking on an interest in religion, particularly cult based ones.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven nods at Konrad, making sure the elder gnome gets whatever he wants to eat and drink during their celebrations.

“That’s good news at least. Hopefully there won’t be any issues on our next trip. Please let me know if you notice anything odd about either gnome, and I will do the same with you.”

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Late in the evening of May 14th, a weary crew of explorers return to the tavern for the night. The have succeeded on a single day, 'smash and grab' exploration of one of the barrow mounds and now rest up for the night while they decide how to hawk their trove and plan their next adventures.

Two halflings, Eldon and Fapp each with an animal companion that is either kennelled in the stables in the case of Sarge, a large bull mastiff or chained in the gatehouse courtyard for public safety in the case of Chewwy, a half-feral warg stolen from the hobgoblin envoys whilst at Bresnan's Ranch.

Tamson, miller's son and ranger, Sundance, mercenary mage with a penchant for triggering flames, Savant, elven entrepreneur and Dalin 'the Diggler', rumoured to be a red bearded highwayman.

The group enjoy a team meal, clink a flagon together to toast some relative success and depart for their quarters or homes ready for any next day ventures.

sadly, Vann Hector's horse did not return.
Since Eldon's player has not been in the site for a while, his character will go into stasis until he returns.

I will take your posts and discussions in the expedition thread unless relevant to making a public post from the tavern.

[sastaz]

Gerdal approaches Bollo.

"Good day Bollo, how are you doing today? The stew smells lovely from here, I must say. Listen, Bollo, I've written something of a... let's say ode to commemorate our latest journey to the mounds. And I'd love to have the bard perform it. For the usual price, of course. What do you say?"

[Spearmint]

Bollo waves Bublé across. He listens to the lyrics and fine tunes his lute. The spider silk strengthened strings give an added twang.

"One hundred gold. I know it seems expensive but the verses will be lauded all the Duchy. Celebrations, weddings, funerals. For your own, no cost of course.

Guaranteed to inspire the hearts of many an adventurer and noble maiden. An anthem to put a spring in every step and boost the morale of faint hearts."

-100 gp deducted from Gerdal

After a day of composing, Bublé performs the song in the tavern while the three barmaids perform a flowing dance routine.

Isvand accompanies on his harmonica and Treyvor taps out a riff on a bone xylophone. The song is received with much applause and fanfare.

Gerdal, as composer receives +100xp and all other expedition members gain +50xp.

[sastaz]

The Ode is to be found in the Memorials
and Tributes thread.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven pays Bollo the 30gp for the hog roast out of the party fund, supplying the pig from his own livestock.

“I’m still looking for that rich merchant, you know. Do you think that other tavern in town might have any takers? I’ve never been in the place myself, but I’ve heard some things.”

[Spearmint]

Bollo

Repeats his earlier advice concerning merchants. Most of the rich are in Ironguard. Helix draws the poor and needy with tales of wealth and fortune to be found in the Barrows. Sven must be one of the few lucky ones. Three times going, three times coming back, and all in one piece. Though some have come back with a few more pieces.

As to The Foul Pheasant, he shrugs. "Hedonistic place, men living for today with no hope of tomorrow. Place of rumours."

Unless you wagered your gem on a spin of a coin or flop of a card, you probably walk out with less money than you walk in with. You could always bank your income and put it towards your own residence. Not that he minds good room paying customers. Or use the value of the gem as collateral against a project. Paying a sage to decipher manuscripts or students to research a specific idiom. You could probably hire the entire mercenary guild for the weekend.