Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

"You are most welcome, Miss ... Fenwynn, is it? Yes, it was a most terrible thing, called forth unwittingly by chanting a song carved upon a magic plaque set into the wall. A devious necromancer was resposible for this deception, although we were unsure of his true nature at the time."

"You look to be of the wilderness sort, like Mr. Dougal here? There was a vulture that accompanied the harpy that attacked us. A wing was maimed, yet I haven't seen it since. I was thinking perhaps on the next trip into the barrow meadow, if a fresh animal carcass is set out as bait, it may bite, as it were."

"I don't intend to kill it, not right away at least. I hope it will lead me to the harpy's lair."

[tarlyn]

Moriartus

"You are most welcome, Miss ... Fenwynn, is it? Yes, it was a most terrible thing, called forth unwittingly by chanting a song carved upon a magic plaque set into the wall. A devious necromancer was resposible for this deception, although we were unsure of his true nature at the time."

"You look to be of the wilderness sort, like Mr. Dougal here? There was a vulture that accompanied the harpy that attacked us. A wing was maimed, yet I haven't seen it since. I was thinking perhaps on the next trip into the barrow meadow, if a fresh animal carcass is set out as bait, it may bite, as it were."

"I don't intend to kill it, not right away at least. I hope it will lead me to the harpy's lair."

Fenwynn listens as she sips her ale.

She offers her perspective "Well Moriartus, Vultures do serve their purpose in nature as do most animals, if you think about it, right?

Using it to find the Harpies is a sound idea. Killing it, well, like I already mentioned it serves its purpose in nature so I'd not be keen on that idea, but

that is just me, I suppose. I might have to think a bit on Harpies and where they would most likely lair.

A devious Necromancer, you say? Is there any other kind, heh heh.""

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

"Normally I would agree concerning the vulture, except ... it's rather personal for me. As for where the harpies lair, that is a very good question. In fact, I consulted with the village bowyer, Valeron, a ranger with considerable experience traversing the Moor. He believes it most likely the harpies would nest in a collapsed tumulus. The formation creating a natural nest. I just need to know the direction to search."

"Indeed, I suppose most necromancers can be qualified as devious. In Barrett's case, he found us late at night, alone and apparently terrified. He claimed to be a librarian from the Bibliotheca and that a witch and a flame haired necromancer ambushed them with their entourage of skeleton warriors. Whether true, we don't know, but I suppose it's immaterial at this point."

"I can see Mr. Fydmar is consumed in his drink ... well then, I expect to leave in a few days time and you are quite welcome to join for a full share of any treasure. If you will excuse me though, I must continue my work on translating the plaque."

After concluding the conversations, Moriartus retires to his room, after stopping at the bar for a complimentary bottle of wine ...

[scottjen]

Fydmar
A close one indeed, ha! (responding to Moriartus: I believe with the right equipment and manpower we can dig out & support well enough to get to the bodies. It won't be without risk, mind. Still I'm up for a go.
Guess he's paid for a couple round, so deducting 2gp

[Spearmint]

players may continue to roleplay chat here.

I suggest a declaration is made in the Expedition Planning thread such as 'I plan to return to explore the Barrows on May 20th' or I am going to the Green Man grove to check out the Treants and virus', so then a definite group can firm and I will open a new Expedition thread.

[tarlyn]

Venwynn paid quite a few gp to pay for rounds for each party member so guys, do not remove gold from your sheet, I have it under control

[scottjen]

Fydmar
Venwynn, you are no hoodpick and a welcome addition to our little group as far as I'm concerned. (toasts her as she buys another round). I'm not like some o me kin that don't like elves...I think its because they've met the wrong ones. (laughs).

[Karaunios]

Dougal

The human ranger won't do much other than rest, chat, eat and drink during his downtime. He will gladly join his friend Moriartus in the next expedition and will be more so if the others join.

[Karaunios]

Dougal

The human ranger won't do much other than rest, chat, eat and drink during his downtime. He will gladly join his friend Moriartus in the next expedition and will be more glad if the others join.

[tarlyn]

Fydmar
Venwynn, you are no hoodpick and a welcome addition to our little group as far as I'm concerned. (toasts her as she buys another round). I'm not like some o me kin that don't like elves...I think its because they've met the wrong ones. (laughs).

The red haired half elf grins, sipping her drink.
"I don't have any judgement no matter what race you are, to be honest. I judge ye on yer actions and words."

She nods at Fydmar and tells him "I'm a half elf, not an elf. I'll gladly join you lot and assist you in whatever endeavors you pursue."

She raises her pint and nods then downs it and orders another.

[Karaunios]

Dougal

"Ye seem tae be, lake me, someone who feels comfortable in the autdors. It'll be fane too tae have someone else scauting ahead. I'm not infalible, ye ken?

Sae, Mr. Moriartus, we're heding back tae the tomb? I thought we we're thinking abaut rescuing those puir lasses that got captured by the... the damned harpy.

I'm with ye anywe."

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

"And so we shall, Mr. Dougal. What is the phrase? To kill two birds with one stone? The barrow meadow is vast and we need a direction to search. While the miners work to excavate the tomb, we shall wait in hiding for the giant vulture with the maimed wing. A slaughtered pig will be the lure. With luck, it will eat its fill and lead us back to the harpy's nest."

[gurusql]

Cadeweed

"At should be watching for the Necromancer as well! Especially in the time between sunrises."

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin May 15th, walks in all defeated looking and sits down alone asks for a shot of something strong "Well no celebratory drink for me today...had a bad run this time. Rough out there at the mounds and we didn't even make it there this time. Shame but I need something strong to forget about the events today."

[Spearmint]

Dalin you can -3gp to cover deluxe upkeep and all the ale you could drink to cover the next five days in the Brazen Strumpet.

While you are there, you notice the other group and overhear their discussions to return to 'a Mummy Barrow' and raid 'a harpy lair'.

Approach them if you wish.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin deducted 3 gp from sheet after drinking his worries away for a day or so... overhears the group talking about an expedition to the mounds "Wait whats all this about a mummy and harpies? I think I got that once from this cute lady....in a shady tavern.." he trails off for a bit then back to the conversation "You need any help? I'm kind of looking for something else to take my mind of my recent failed trip."

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Moriartus rejoins the group at their table with new information to relay. "I have translated the wall plaque inscription and it would seem Barrett knew exactly what it meant and probably thought to control the mummy."

Without going into a verse by verse detail, the inscription is an anthem praising a warrior's unwavering loyalty to his chief. It lauds some noteworthy traits like being able to wield a bow of bronze and having a fearsome presence in battle. His reward in death was to guard continually until called forth again to shield his master.

"The other four dead guards were likely his retinue, but whether they would have reanimated from continued chanting or by the mummy itself, I'm not sure. It is almost certain though that the plaque hides a secret door to his master's tomb."

Engrossed as he was relating this new revelation, it was only at this point he notices Dalin for the first time. "Oh! Yes, indeed we could use some additional help. My name is Moriartus and we are planning an expedition to finish excavating a burial mound ... and track down a nest of harpies."

He adds the last part quickly, almost as an afterthought, concerned the dwarf may be spooked by this additional clause. "Full share of treasure, if that interests you. Our first haul was rather profitable and I expect this time to be much greater."

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin pauses mulling over the word harpies "Harpies? I hmm I thought that was something else I guess I don't know what that is. But sure I'll help. I mean I've seen one man die out there and two others get poisoned by undead fungi creatures. It's rough out there but I hope to turn things around after the last failed run."

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

"Excellent! We leave on the morning of the 20th."

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin "Alright count me in."