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Feargus

"It's a few days by horse to Draea and then a few more to Alice...and then a few more after that to Rhea's Ford. If we're heading south, maybe we check out that ghost town again and recover Grandma's ring, and get paid...Speaking of heading south, it feels like we're due to check in with Madam Fleur. Who has the mirror?"

Fourthmonth, Twentysixthday
Kimrid

After speaking with Kirra Lec the adventurers return to the temple of Mnencir, bearing the bones of the fallen patrol. They are shown into the antechamber much more quickly than the previous two times -- perhaps because Zellar is with them, or perhaps word has spread they have returned with the dead.

Hallnir is already waiting for them, along with two wearing the robes of novitiates. "I hear you have brought the fallen back to us," he says, "and for that we are very grateful. Did you find a pair of gauntlets, by chance? They belonged to Captain Hildewen, and gave the wearer preternatural strength."

Fourthmonth, Twentysixthday
Junction

Goshawk finds Junction to be buzzing with activity. The docks are more active than he has ever seen them; one riverboat -- old and derelict -- has been pulled out of the river and is in the process of being refurbished, and it looks as though a keel is being laid for another boat. With the arrival of spring and the opening of the bridge across the Sarn it looks as though the town's population has grown exponentially since he was last here. Goshawk is able to find Madame Fleur with relative ease.

Gardo

Trying to maintain a warm tone and keeping his hands clasped behind his back, Gardo speaks. "Those who fought against chaos and fallen should be given a proper burial. Thank you that we could allow you the chance to give your comrades that burial. Yes, we did find a pair of gauntlets."

Feargus

Feargus does not accompany the procession to the temple. Instead he grabs the mirror and makes contact with Madam Fleur. "Hello again, my dear. It seems our time here in Kimrid is coming to an end and while we have a stop or two to make, we should be heading through that area and towards Rhea's Ford shortly. Do you have any word for us from the Prince or Baron? Likewise can you clue us in to any goings on in town that we could potentially be of aid with when we arrive?"

VonAlric wrote:Gardo

Trying to maintain a warm tone and keeping his hands clasped behind his back, Gardo speaks. "Those who fought against chaos and fallen should be given a proper burial. Thank you that we could allow you the chance to give your comrades that burial. Yes, we did find a pair of gauntlets."

Hallnir, Herald of Mnencir

"We would be prepared to reward the one who returns those gauntlets to us most generously, in addition to whatever reward is granted for bringing the remains of the fallen back." Hallnir looks piercingly at Gardo. "Tell me, young man, what boon would you ask from the Temple of Mnencir?"

The_Wanderer wrote:Feargus

Feargus does not accompany the procession to the temple. Instead he grabs the mirror and makes contact with Madam Fleur. "Hello again, my dear. It seems our time here in Kimrid is coming to an end and while we have a stop or two to make, we should be heading through that area and towards Rhea's Ford shortly. Do you have any word for us from the Prince or Baron? Likewise can you clue us in to any goings on in town that we could potentially be of aid with when we arrive?"

Madame Fleur

"It looks like there's a race to the sea," she says, wryly. "Looks like this other adventuring party successfully cleared passage to the Silver Sea, and they've already repaired one boat and are working on two more. Sounds like they've established some sort of chokehold on the river, and are repairing an old Keep that used to control the shipping lanes on the Sarn. I'm hearing rumblings that the merchant consortiums are already working on sending trade south, along the river, once everyone is sure the passage is safe. The issue, of course, is that the riverboats we use simply aren't much use when you hit open waters, and with Zizdul in the hands of this self-proclaimed Hobgoblin King there's no safe port to transfer over to larger vessels. It sounds like all the trading companies are holding their bets, so far, and interested in exploring more land-based routes."

She pauses to consider something out of Feargus's view. "The road to Rocky Peak still needs to be opened, and once that is cleared we'll be able to bring in a lot more ore, more than we're able to bring in from the mines to the north. I'm hearing rumblings of war, too, between the Scarlet and Jade Principalities. Over what I don't know -- most likely the throne, as always -- but if true it will make ore -- iron, mostly, but gold and silver, too -- that much more valuable. There's always the bounty the Red Sky Company is offering to help clear the hills north of here, too. If we can make that safer and increase mining production to the north so much the better. But right now, if you want to know the truth, the thing of greatest value is land. The Nadir is over, and it is becoming safer to travel into the wider world. He who opens new trade routes, who claims the wilderness and tames it, that's where the money is."

Gardo

As Gardo thinks, a slightly pained expression begins to form. As the silence begins to enter into an awkward state, Mariusz steps up behind Gardo and kicks his leg. Gardo turns to his man with a slightly hushed, annoyed tone, "What? I'm thinkin' here." Mariusz whispers something into his boss' ear. Enlightenment begins to radiate from Gardo's face. "Yep, you're right. He did say that. Okay."

Straightening up, Gardo walks forward. Hands move from behind his back and removes the gauntlets then holds them out for the Herald. "My man," his head making a slight nod backwards, "reminded me that we agreed to bring back the remains of your fallen. These gauntlets are part of those remains. So, these belong to you. They really are nice and I took an opportunity to try them out. I still think that trapdoor was glued shut." He raises the gauntlets up slightly.

"I also want to say that I was not trying to trick you earlier. I was raised in a way and my first jobs were such that you learned to listen to a question and answer it with the least amount of info needed to tell the truth. Sometimes it saved your life. As for a boon, I would ask if I could think about it for a few more moments. I'm not the fastest thinker, sometimes it takes me a bit to think through things. Anyway, they are nice gauntlets. Make it a lot easier to take down those chaos creatures, I can say."

VonAlric wrote:Gardo

As Gardo thinks, a slightly pained expression begins to form. As the silence begins to enter into an awkward state, Mariusz steps up behind Gardo and kicks his leg. Gardo turns to his man with a slightly hushed, annoyed tone, "What? I'm thinkin' here." Mariusz whispers something into his boss' ear. Enlightenment begins to radiate from Gardo's face. "Yep, you're right. He did say that. Okay."

Straightening up, Gardo walks forward. Hands move from behind his back and removes the gauntlets then holds them out for the Herald. "My man," his head making a slight nod backwards, "reminded me that we agreed to bring back the remains of your fallen. These gauntlets are part of those remains. So, these belong to you. They really are nice and I took an opportunity to try them out. I still think that trapdoor was glued shut." He raises the gauntlets up slightly.

"I also want to say that I was not trying to trick you earlier. I was raised in a way and my first jobs were such that you learned to listen to a question and answer it with the least amount of info needed to tell the truth. Sometimes it saved your life. As for a boon, I would ask if I could think about it for a few more moments. I'm not the fastest thinker, sometimes it takes me a bit to think through things. Anyway, they are nice gauntlets. Make it a lot easier to take down those chaos creatures, I can say."

Hallnir, Herald of Mnencir

Hallnir looks at Gardo for a long time before nodding his head once. "You speak the truth," he says, "know that these gauntlets have been passed down over the years from one Watch Captain to another, going back to the founding of Kimrid. Their return is greatly appreciated." He motions the novices forward, and the pair lift a heavy trunk and present it to the adventurers. "Here is five thousand gold luks," he says, "as a reward for returning the bones of those who were slain to us. Think on what boon you would ask of us, and we will see what we can do."

Feargus

"Thank you Madam Fleur. Tell Goshawk to get in gear and head north to meet us. We'll catch him on the road south and figure our next plan on the way."

When Feargus hears that Gardo just gave back the gauntlets he bends over laughing. "You did what? I hope you got something good out of it!...Mardan Cy! Take note of this. Never give something to a person of authority without getting something back!"

Gardo

After another few seconds, Gardo looks to the Herald. "Well, if you have anything else magical that our group could use to combat the chaos that we seem to find, we probably would like a look at it. You wouldn't have any more of those gauntlets around, would you?" He turns, starts back to the group and halts after a couple of steps.

"There is one other thing I would like for you to consider, as well as the ," he begins, turning once more to the Herald. "I met a man in the inn we were staying at. He was rather fat and eating a lot but looked miserable. When I asked him what his story was, he told me about having run some mining operation. He got in trouble because he tried to cheat on the contract he had with you guys. To me, it looked like he has really learned his lesson. Besides, after a punishment like that, you can probably get a better deal with him plus know he will be loyal to you to death. My old boss would also punish guys who tried to cheat him. But, he always told me that you can't make money or get any goods from a dead guy. That's why he would have them so bad off that they would consider killing themselves instead of going on and he would bring them in, forgive them and let them back into the business. Everyone of those guys never, ever tried to cross him again, ask Mariusz there if I'm lying. I only had to go once to cut off a finger as a warning."

"I'm not trying to butt in to the middle of how you run things here. I'm just asking that you consider what I said and maybe give that guy another chance. If you don't, that understandable." He returns to the group and returns his attention to the front. "So, which way do we need to go to see any of the magic items?"

Hallnir, Herald of Mnencir

Hallnir regards Gardo for a period of what seems to be minutes, but is likely only a few seconds. He nods once, sharply, and then reaches into his robes and withdraws a bag. "I will speak to Mnencir and request that he lift the curse, for it is not mine to remove." He holds out the bag. It's small and made of red silk. "Within this bag is what we call a 'Mnencir's tear', a wishstone. They are rare, for Mnencir only gifts them to one who is worthy perhaps once a decade, or even less. In a moment of need you can call upon the stone, and ask of it a favor; its power is limited. You may ask of it minor boons perhaps three or four times, or a larger boon but once! I hope this will be a suitable substitution for the gauntlets you willingly returned to us. You will also be treated as favored guests should you choose to return to Kimrid."

Gardo

Eyes wide, he holds out his hands and gently takes the silk bag. He gapes at the Herald as the contents are explained. He continues to stand there after the explanation is done. A clearing of Mariusz throat brings Gardo back to the present. He bows a couple of times and steps back as he slips the bag into his belt. "You are too generous. I thank you for this wonderful gift you have bestowed."

As he returns to the group, he mouths to them "Let's go! Quick!"

When Feargus hears that Gardo just gave back the gauntlets he bends over laughing. "You did what? I hope you got something good out of it!...Mardan Cy! Take note of this. Never give something to a person of authority without getting something back!"

Later, after rejoining Feargus and hearing his laughter, he waits for the fighter to calm down then steps up close to him. "I got a wishstone. What did you get? Right...." He winks at the fighter and walks off.

Feargus

"HA! I love it Gardo...Gardo?"

In a quieter voice he says, "Mardan Cy, remember if you are going to make a comment like I did, make sure you KNOW how it is going to turn out."

"Gardo! What's a wishstone?!"

Zellar

Zellar does some shopping around Kimrid to acquire a mule and additional rations for the trip to Rhea's Ford. Then she returns to the temple to pay her respects, say her goodbyes, and wait for her companions.

Gardo

Once back at the inn, Gardo looks for the obese man. If he is not there, he will go to the innkeeper to inquire his whereabouts.

If Gardo spots him, he will approach him and speak to him. "Good man, I have news. I have just spoken with the Herald of Mince... Nimin... the Herald. He has agreed to speak to his god about your condition. I asked him to see about lifting it. If it does happen while I am away, I want you to stay here until I get back as I wish to speak to you. We are journeying away for a few days and will return. Can you do that?"

Newton arranges to have the torc, hides and ale sold.

With his share of the groups recently acquired wealth he returns to Torthuk Three-Toed to see if the magic scroll is still available.

shaidar wrote:Newton arranges to have the torc, hides and ale sold.

With his share of the groups recently acquired wealth he returns to Torthuk Three-Toed to see if the magic scroll is still available.

They are indeed still available for sale, and at the original price he was quoted.

VonAlric wrote:Gardo

Once back at the inn, Gardo looks for the obese man. If he is not there, he will go to the innkeeper to inquire his whereabouts.

If Gardo spots him, he will approach him and speak to him. "Good man, I have news. I have just spoken with the Herald of Mince... Nimin... the Herald. He has agreed to speak to his god about your condition. I asked him to see about lifting it. If it does happen while I am away, I want you to stay here until I get back as I wish to speak to you. We are journeying away for a few days and will return. Can you do that?"

Obscenely Obese Man

The man has just sat down at the table as Gardo enters the inn. It is nearly noon, and he and the innkeeper begin what looks to be a well-ordered ritual; he tucking a napkin in his collar, held in place by the many folds of his chin, while she begins to bring plate after plate of food, that he gazes down upon with a mournful mien. "If you were to do that, sir Gardo, I would reward you as well as I am able!" he exclaims as he begins to bitterly carve a roast chicken, translucent, steaming juice streaming out through the cut in the crisp skin. "I have learned my lesson to never cheat the gods, of that I swear!"

thirdkingdom wrote:

shaidar wrote:Newton arranges to have the torc, hides and ale sold.

With his share of the groups recently acquired wealth he returns to Torthuk Three-Toed to see if the magic scroll is still available.

They are indeed still available for sale, and at the original price he was quoted.

Newton hands over the coin "Thank you master Torthuk, it was a pleasure doing business with you. If I return to Kimrid I shall certainly return to view your wares". He will obtain a decent scroll case for his first purchase in his magical library, preferably one that is waterproof.

When he returns to the Inn, he offers up the Treatise on Isenden to Gardo and Notai. "I thought you might find this interesting, it may have some useful information in it if we decide to head that way one day"