Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[sastaz]

Gerdal pushes two chairs aside so that Dougal can fit around the as of now pretty large crew gathering to tell stories and drink around the central table(s).

"Pleased to meet you Dougal. I am Gerdal, I dabble in bakery, cookery, alchemy, things like that. I normally travel with the gentlemen over there. That's Isvand with the boomerang, big fella is Orgoth, and at the end is not-to-be-confused-with-a-necromancer boy mage Sven."

She turns more serious all of a sudden.

"What do you know about the necromancer though? We've encountered an evil man which must have been allied with said necromancer. He seeked to open a gate to dimensions beyond comprehension, right among the mounds."

She leans in closer and whispers.

"A Nergal devotee."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven is starting to get a little loose himself by now.

"Welcome Traeliorn, Fydmar, Dougal. Have a mug and some sup if you like. It dont cost nuthin."

The young mage listens to the ranger speak for a while, trying not to smile so much at the strangeness of his words.

[redwarrior]

Welcome new friends, one and all! Isvand slides his harmonica into his pocket, much to everyone's relief, and grabs a mug of ale Isvand's the name, Exploring the world's my game!

[RiverGreenForest]

Sven is starting to get a little loose himself by now.

"Welcome Traeliorn, Fydmar, Dougal. Have a mug and some sup if you like. It dont cost nuthin."

The young mage listens to the ranger speak for a while, trying not to smile so much at the strangeness of his words.

Traeliorn

"Thank you for the kind offer. I am a bit hungry.. What was your name? Sven was it?"

The elf calls for a mug and a bowl of soup. Traeliorn casually watches everyone interacting.

"It's really nice to meet everyone. I'm sure you all have great stories to tell!"

Welcome new friends, one and all! Isvand slides his harmonica into his pocket, much to everyone's relief, and grabs a mug of ale Isvand's the name, Exploring the world's my game!

"Well met! I'm glad to have met fellow adventurer!"

[Karaunios]

Dougal

"Thanks." says the ranger as he has a sit. "A plehsuir tae meet ye all." He nods in turn at each of them. "Well, there's not much I can add tae what Mr Moriartus alrehdy sehd. This Garret bastard betrehd us whale we were exploring one of the maunds, ye ken? He rehd an incantation and made the mummy there move and attack us. He's nae dead under a pale of rubble, he, he." He raises his beard. "He mentioned a redhehded necromancer, but I bet no redhehd here is one. Not me at least!" He chuckles and jokingly winks at Sven.

"Sae, are ye folks hehded tae Ironguard? We're tae, in a cauple days yet. We could travel taegether if ye will."

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth looks over the new comers. "Memories yes, but I am not the best with stories."

[sastaz]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Gerdal approaches the two by the far table. A little leery from an extra bottle, now empty.

They shuffle up on the table as you sit, "Well, err. We are not quite sure what the future holds. We hope for the best but there are many avenues we have little experience in." says the man.

...

"We good hunters and workers. Do you read a crystal ball? What do you charge?"

Gerdal leans in, placing herself opposite of the two half-elves.

"Young lovers, I see. The weave of destiny is for everyone and no one to own, free and costly for serf and king alike. When you return safely, and I pray you do, you can gift me whatever you feel is fair."

She produces a few unremarkable metal dishes from out of her robe and pours some hot water into them, adding leaves and pinches of grass, stirring while looking and talking.

"No crystal ball I'm afraid young man, just what the earth and sky tell me. Let's see now, I see two shapes in your path. One is...a mother? Outstretched arms, she welcomes you. The other, bent back, wicked snarl."

Her eyes roll back.

"...the Lady of the Forest watches over those who favour her grove, the Watcher in the Wood has barbed words and barded woods for those who disfavour him. Collect silk with care for the spider threads weave long into the night."

"Stray roebucks or does can be borne across your shoulder, both brought down by a hunter's arrow. Stay close together or stay closed apart."

She grows silent again.

"That is all."

[OGRE MAGE]

Traeliorn

"Thank you for the kind offer. I am a bit hungry.. What was your name? Sven was it?"

"Indeed I am called Sven, though that is obviously not my real name. Do I look like the Sven type to you?" He chuckles and pushes the pitcher towards the newcomers.

Dougal
"Sae, are ye folks hehded tae Ironguard? We're tae, in a cauple days yet. We could travel taegether if ye will."

"Indeed we are mister Dougal, and it makes sense for us to travel together. I have already asked your Moriartus for a tour of the citadel once we arrive, as he lived there himself longer than I have been alive. Tell me sir, do you have plans there besides selling items and doing research? I wonder how much adventure there is to be had there."

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern.

Gerdal augurs for the half-elven couple, pouring some hot broth after seeping herbal leaves in her heirloom vessel. Ricardo & Pasquel look a bit nervous as the half drunk witch rolls eyes and mutters as she looks into the tea leaf fragments. She speaks first to the woman, counselling her regarding trekking in the forest then counsels the man regarding trekking the Moor.

They look at each other, not quite sure what to make of it except to take the omens as portents of doom or destiny.

"Thank you. We will consider and hope for good fortune." They finish their single plate and retire to rooms to venture the next day on a hunting trip.

I will roll a typical set of encounters for them and they may, in a couple of days time, return to the tavern to seek Gerdal out again.

[Karaunios]

Sven

"Indeed we are mister Dougal, and it makes sense for us to travel together. I have already asked your Moriartus for a tour of the citadel once we arrive, as he lived there himself longer than I have been alive. Tell me sir, do you have plans there besides selling items and doing research? I wonder how much adventure there is to be had there."

Dougal

The ranger chuckles. "No need tae call me "Mister" or "sir", lad. Mr. Moriartus is a lehrnt man, but I'm just a hunter who lives off what natuir offers him.

I daen't ken much abaut the taun, tae be honest. For the tame being aur only gohl is tae dae business and then we meh gang tae the barraes again. Some mercenaries we hired got captuired by a faul harpy and her vultuir minions. We want tae rescue them." He scratches his beard and drinks.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven tries to follow the odd brogue of the ranger, finally realizing what he said. He leans in close and whispers back.

"Moriartus knows what harpy's eventually do with their victims, right? I don't think it normally ends well for them."

[tarlyn]

Venwynn

The Ranger listens to everyone but says nothing. Being a red head herself she feels no attention towards herself with regards to a red haired Necromancer?

Venwynn sips her ale quietly, observing everyone and paying attention to anyone in the tavern giving them a particular attention.

[Marullus]

"Thank you. We will consider and hope for good fortune." They finish their single plate and retire to rooms to venture the next day on a hunting trip.

I will roll a typical set of encounters for them and they may, in a couple of days time, return to the tavern to seek Gerdal out again.

We had already discussed over here trying to recruit them to the expedition as retainers after (or as a consequence of) the soothsaying. Is that still possible? Would they accept the proffered offer of working for shares? Do they respond favorably to an appear to the faithful of Herne? (...and what's the CHA roll for recruiting?)

[RiverGreenForest]

Traeliorn

"Thank you for the kind offer. I am a bit hungry.. What was your name? Sven was it?"

"Indeed I am called Sven, though that is obviously not my real name. Do I look like the Sven type to you?" He chuckles and pushes the pitcher towards the newcomers.

Traeliorn

Carefully pouring himself a mug, Traeliorn brings the drink to his nose to take a sniff before taking a sip. "If you're names not Sven, then what is your real name?" Said the Elf with a curious grin on his face. Deciding that is not important Traeliorn continued "What can you tell me about this quest we're going on? I'm assuming you're joining us?"

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I am not going on any quest, I am going to Ironguard to sell some stuff."

[Karaunios]

Sven tries to follow the odd brogue of the ranger, finally realizing what he said. He leans in close and whispers back.

"Moriartus knows what harpy's eventually do with their victims, right? I don't think it normally ends well for them."

Dougal

"Aye, I knoh. I almost became one of their victims... Mr Moriartus saved me and Mazzah the mage cuired me. I was... Hypnotized by the whoor.

I hope the Bennerjacke twins are still alave. Hopefully thaus monsters wait some tame between meels."

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

"The Bennerjake twins?" Moriartus asks, returning to the table. He looks at Sven, then at Dougal. "Ah, you told them about the harpy. Yes, Ben and Jake ...", he begins, then shrugs as if to say it wasn't him that gave them their moniker. "I have reason to believe they may yet still live. I have consulted with Valeron the bowyer, and he suggested they may have been taken for ... hmmm ..."

He looks awakwardly askance at Gerdal and Venwynn. "Breeding stock. If the harpy gestational and incubation periods are similar to other carrion birds, for perhaps two months they will be vulnerable and likely rely on the twins for protection and securing food. They were also charmed nearly three weeks ago ..."

He pours himself a fresh glass of wine and sips from it thoughtfully. "During our last expedition, I believe I finally located the nest deep within the barrow meadow. I intend to lead an expedition to eradicate the nest, and Arcantryl willing, rescue my men. I would welcome any assistance, too. Those abominations pose a very real and dangerous threat for any explorers of the Moor."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven smiles at Traeliorn but does not reveal his secret so easily. "The misnomer was actually a gift from my father, who was.......not a nice man."

He smiles at Orgoth's straightforwardness and nods. "I'm with him."

Enjoying his talk with Dougal, the young mage listens closely once Moriarrtus returns to the conversation.

"Wait......Ben and Jake......Bennerjake? That sounds like the work of another angry father to me. Are they the large and unintellectual types? Reminds me of my own brothers."

He listens to the offer from the older mage before responding.

"Well if the bowyer is wrong, you are concerned over corpses. But I do understand your dilemma. We lost a man on our first real run to the mounds and I have thought about that every day since. I can tell you first hand that the moors are indeed crawling with dangers, and eliminating a major threat like a harpy nest would make the area much safer for all of us out there."

"I'll tell you what, Mori. Can I call you Mori? Orgoth and I know a few hardy adventuring types already. If you would like to recruit a large contingency of folks who aren't afraid to fight dangerous monsters for this worthy expedition, you can count on us. Upon our safe and profitable return from the citadel, of course."

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I know all about not nice fathers."

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

"I'll tell you what, Mori. Can I call you Mori?"

This catches the older mage mid-drink as he pauses momentarily with wine glass to his lips, one eyebrow arched. If he approves of the nickname or not, he doesn't display any indication. He does nod and smile at Sven's offer to join the future expedition, however. "Excellent! I will also discuss my plans with Guildmaster Osen. He has a vested business interest in their safe return."

"To answer your first question, yes, they are rather beefy fellows. Certainly not intellectuals and also possessing of unfortunate ... aesthetics. Whether we find them alive or only bleached bones, I was their leader. It is my personal duty to them."

He respectfully tips his glass to Sven. "You have my condolences for your fallen comrade. It is a difficult burden for a young man to bear."