On to Malforten - ICC

[Scott308]

Tarron Dasys

Perhaps. But do not underestimate them. If we assume they are weak, we may find ourselves unpleasantly surprised and unprepared.

[tpj]

Vulmer the Restless

A slender figure in a dark green hooded cloak walks quietly into the Empty Flagon and heads right for the bar. He gestures to get Ingund’s attention, indicating he’d like a drink.

He glances repeatedly with interest at the group like he’s listening in on their conversation.

[Rex]

Cormac

"Agreed, never underestimate your foe."

Looking over at the new comer and then back to Eryl "Do you know the new comer?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Amarth "I wasn't sayin I'm underestimatin em just sayin they sound like bully blades ta me. For I know they coulda killed all tha folk that stood up to em so they could be a vicious force if provoked." the dwarven bard replies back then looks at the 'new comer' "Eh? what new comer?"

[Rex]

Cormac

Softly, "The one at the bar." then he chuckles "don't let Amarth take a watch on his own."

[GreyWolfVT]

Amarth "Eh? he's with us? I thought he was just nother patron."

[Scott308]

Tarron Dasys

No, he is not with us. But he is taking far too much interest in our group. Perhaps he is one of Griznak's spies? The elf speaks at a very low volume, inaudible to anyone not in his immediate vicinity.

[tpj]

Vulmer throws off his hood revealing a shock of long tangled hair, pointed ears and a large grin.

Just bring it to the table luv. he calls back to the bar as he grabs a chair and loudly drags it alongside himself toward the party.

He plants the chair next to Tarron.

Ye don't mind if I join you now, do ye? he asks as he sits down.

They call me Vulmer the Restless. I'm what ye'd call a holy man, at least what ye'd call me if ye were a tree or a bush. I suppose if a tree or bush could talk. Druid is yer word for it. I couldn't help but overhear ye've got a wee bit of a bandit problem.

He grins ear to ear and extends one hand out over the table, waiting for anyone to shake it.

[ybn1197]

Thoryl Dhoradson

Blasted tree-hugger, both in race and creed, Thoryl scoffs under his breath. "Holy man my left toenail. Worship of nature, how primitive," he continues. "But I doubt this one would be a scout or spy for the likes of Gritznak and his crew. Course they could be the best cover. No one would suspect 'im."

[Rex]

Cormac

"Can you prove you are a Druid? Maybe make the cat over there tell us where he hid the mouse he was carrying around an hour ago? You have to admit that elves have a reputation for being untrustworthy so best be cautious."

[tpj]

Vulmer

Make the cat talk? Yeah, I dunno that one yet.

He thinks for a moment, then jumps up from his chair and throws down his pack. Digging into it he pulls out an empty waterskin and tosses it on the table.

Right. Now pay close attention! Empty, right? Well not fer long!

Vulmer steps back, raises his right hand and mutters something indecipherable. The empty waterskin suddenly expands as if filling from inside until it appears full.

Ha! There ya go! Have a taste fer yerself! Instant fresh water! Can a spy or not-Druid-person do that? he proudly beams.

Ye never go thirsty with me around! Except it's not as tasty as ale!

Create Water orison marked as used.

[GreyWolfVT]

Amarth "Create water, bah seen clerics do that. Druid eh? Reminds me of a song." the dwarf clears his throat and begins to sing oddly enough when singing his dwarvish accent is absent everyone notices.

"In ancient times,
hundreds of years|before the dawn of history,
lived an ancient race of people.
The Druids.

No one knows who they were
or what they were doing.
But their legacy remains.
Hewn into the living rock
of Stonehenge.

Stonehenge
Where the demons dwell
Where the banshees live
and they do live well

Stonehenge
Where a man is a man
And the children dance
to the pipes of Pan

And you, my love
Won't you take my hand
We'll go back in time
To that mystic land
Where the dewdrops cry
And the cats meow

I will take you there
I will show you how
And, oh, how they danced,
the little children of Stonehenge,
beneath the haunted moon,
for fear that daybreak
might come too soon."

[Scott308]

Tarron Dasys

Cormac

You have to admit that elves have a reputation for being untrustworthy so best be cautious.

The elf cocks his head. I would caution you to be more aware of your audience and choose your words more carefully in the future, human. I know you meant me no disrespect, but next time you may not have someone who is so understanding.

Turning to the newcomer, he replies to him next. I, too, have seen clerics create water where there was none. This does not prove you are a druid. In fact, if anything, it would have the opposite effect. Surely an actual druid would know spells that those who follow other professions would not be able to cast. Perhaps one of those would have been more compelling and effective, hmm? He stares at the "druid" for an uncomfortably long time before continuing. However, this seems like too ham-handed an attempt to have a spy infiltrate our company. I do not feel there is any malicious intent here.

[tpj]

Vulmer

Bravo, Amarth!

Vulmer tosses a couple copper coins to Amarth with a sly smile.

Sure, I could make some vines grow though the cracks in the floor and tangle ye up, but this fine gentleman might be upset if I ruin his lovely establishment in such a way.

Or I could conjure some magical berries, but there’s a perfectly fine kitchen in the back, and it’s not like spells grow on trees now, do they? At least now I have some perfectly good water to quench me thirst when I have no coppers left for ale!

He slumps back into his chair, slightly indignant.

But if ye don’t want me help I’ll be happy to shuffle off after I finish that fine mug of ale that no doubt will be arriving any moment now. Clearly ye can just serenade the bandits or throw a fancy wizard book at them!

[Scott308]

Tarron Dasys

Be not so quick to take offense, young one. Understand that as strangers in town, who are not entirely welcomed by the locals, who also expect that the bandits we seek have eyes and ears in town, we have no choice but to be cautious. Your response to our challenge has satisfied me. I cannot speak for my companions, but I believe you could be a valuable contributor to the job at hand.

[Rex]

Cormac

"No offense intended Tarron, simply seeing how our new friend handles himself. I too think he may be useful and doubt he is a spy."

Turning to Vulmer. "Do you know any of the leadership in the rangers hereabout? I know a few, perhaps they are the same."

[GreyWolfVT]

Amarth hands Vilmer back his copper "Yer with us lad my shows be free ta those that travel with us. But I do appreciate it lad." the dwarf takes a bow after his song. "Dun worry we like ta give each other a hard time. Yer one of tha group now." he extends his hand "Names Amarth pleased ta meet ya."

[tpj]

Vulmer

Vulmer shakes hands around the table. Thank ye. It's a pleasure to make yer acquaintances. My magic and arrows are at yer disposal.

Turning to Cormac, I must say I'm a stranger in these parts. I've been wandering east through the wooded areas the past few weeks, as I'm wont to do, and happened upon this town after I reached East March. I figured I'd see what civilization was up to in me absence. I've no met these rangers of which ye speak.

[Rex]

Cormac

"I think I am the only one currently in these parts, but I wasn't sure how far you had traveled."

[Golem]

OOC: I think it's time to move this on a little bit. If there is anything else you want to do before the next morning, please post as a backpost.

Once the discussion has run its course, the village 'elders' leave and the inn fills up with each late hour.

Cormac hears a rumor.

Wat, wat yuh askin’ me fur? I don’t keer ‘bout no Greeetznak, I got mee potatoes to git! Now git. Git out tuh the Drunderry der and go up and git dat Greeetznak, he’s in some ol’ temple or sich.

Vulmer hears a rumor too...

When the sickle moon is high and the ‘even star’ sits in its cusp, a spirit of the dead comes from the river’s deep to watch over the fisherman and fight evil.

As does Tarron.

"Keep your eye out for them tiny little elves fellah’s, they don’t like us big ‘uns at all and ‘ll take your stuff and steal your goods right there while your watching.”

It costs 1 sp for a room so please deduct this from your purses.

In the morning, you wake up to a din of noise. Voices shout from outside. As you emerge from your rooms, Ingrund is laying out breakfast while a couple of villagers talk excitedly at the bar. "The half-breed escaped the gaol," says the shapely lass, "The door was wide open. Her kit was kept locked in a chest inside the Rope and Barrel and Walker the Shrub who owns the store is fit to be tied. The chest was open, the kit gone and a chicken bone left behind shaped like a pick. Funny though, nothing else was taken. They've got the dogs out and onto her scent. Guess it won't be long till the half-breed is run down. Hanging would have been a more merciful death."