The midday sun begins to loom directly overhead on the sixth day of travel along the Long Road as the group continues their progress towards Westbridge. The cart they're pulling, and the contract Roderick carries, serve as reminders of their purpose once they arrive:
Deliver the chest of spell components to Helmaer, the cranky, retired mage, collecting the 150 gold piece fee; and
Inquire as to the status of Jane -- girlfriend of George and apprentice to Helmaer -- whose presence is unknown... potentially under mysterious circumstances.
Dorobo, scouting ahead, is the first to spot the emergence of streams of billowing smoke and surrounding farms of Westbridge.
Finally.
The Long Road you've been following passes directly through the center of the town proper, which is surrounded by a wooden fence, with what appears to be a small, wooden gatehouse flanking the road to the left.
Two halflings -- one male and one female -- emerge from the gatehouse as the party approaches. The pair, wrapped in furs to combat the chill air, each don a suit of leather armor but, aside from crates of spears or javelins within easy reach, are otherwise unarmed.
The female halfling speaks first, in an uninspired voice: "Welcome to Westbridge," she starts, pausing until everyone is within comfortable speaking distance. "Please, your purpose for visiting?" She eyes the cart you're pulling carefully, and waves her guard companion forward. "And this --" she says, nodding at the cart -- "will be subject to inspection."
---
Actions?
---
Date: 27 Quintilis, Year 7102 Time: 11:58 (Sunrise: 06:59, Sunset: 18:44) Temp: 61 F Conditions:
Speaking up. "We are here with a delivery for Helmaer." Unna will try to look friendly.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2019 12:25 pm
by Storm11
Nexus waves at the halflings and offers a winning smile (he hopes).
Please be our guest. But be careful, it’s wizard supplies for said named magician. Have you heard of him? And his lady apprentice? I don’t suppose you have seen her have you?
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2019 4:46 pm
by GreyWolfVT
Delgrot hums to himself letting the spokesmen of the group do the talking as he takes in the view.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2019 5:38 pm
by Zhym
"We are here to find—and, if necessary, rescue—a young lady named Jane!" answers Roderick. "She is about twenty years old, with long black hair and green eyes, and she usually wears a blue cloak with silver clasps. She also wears a small silver signet ring. You haven't seen her come this way, have you?" He leans forward, his voice quiet and earnest. "We suspect foul play."
He gestures almost absently towards the cart. "My associates are also here on an errand. As they have said, this cart contains magical components for Helmaer the Wizard on behalf of a merchant named Samdarag. Samdarag has assured us that these components are not dangerous, contraband, or intended for unethical use. But you are, of course, welcome to inspect them. We are more than happy to comply with your need to conduct diligent customs inspections!"
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2019 5:51 pm
by ravenn4544
Jaroo watches the exchange. He whistles a quiet tune to himself.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 1:26 am
by shiffd
Dorobo stands off to the side, not bored, not excited, letting others speak for the party.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 12:27 pm
by onlyme
Ardium likewise watches with interest, unsure of how to handle these situations. He listens for the responses.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:45 pm
by dmw71
Westbridge Sasha and Samuel, the two halfling guards, are very familiar with Helmaer and adopt a more sympathetic tone towards the group once this information is shared. They give the cart and chest a simple once-over and allow the group to pass without hassle after recognizing the square chest of components, which is roughly a foot tall and a foot-and-a-half wide on each side.
"You're new," they simply say, nodding, and casually inquiring, in a non-authoritative way, how you came into the employ of Samdarag, with whom they're also quite familiar.
At Roderick's mention and description of Jane, the pair admit to being familiar with her, but are uncertain of her whereabouts. The pair are consistent in their recollection that it's been weeks since either have seen her.
Once inside, the group quickly realizes that Westbridge is roughly the same size as Red Larch and, at a quick glance, appears to have the same amenities:
Westbridge.jpg (134.38 KiB) Viewed 2578 times
A small group of young children, playing together unattended, rush forward to greet the group, not shy in expressing their excitement over new, exciting visitors. They're quickly "reminded" by the halfling guards that they're not to disturb newcomers and return to play.
"Helmaer,"Sasha begins, "Is the second house on the right," pointing to the middle of three row houses on the right-hand side of the road, just up ahead.
While the Long Road continues to run north through the center of town; a small road branches off to the east near the midpoint of the town proper.
"Good luck," the pair offers in unison.
---
Helmaer's residence, like the two neighboring homes, is a simple, two-story wooden establishment. Helmaer's home has a sturdy wooden front door -- locked -- with shuttered windows flanking the entrance on either side. Even during the daytime.
---
Actions?
---
Date: 27 Quintilis, Year 7102 Time: 12:07 (Sunrise: 06:59, Sunset: 18:44) Temp: 61 F Conditions:
Unna walks up to the front door and knocks. "Hello, we have a chest to deliver from Samdarag."
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 7:54 am
by shiffd
Dorobo talks wide of the door as others knock and such. He is simply curious the kinds of defenses the wizard may have about, who the neighbors might be. Just looking for anything that looks odd or stands out about the building or its surroundings. As a secondary interest he looks about the streets for anyone that might be watching them in particular other than the children or halflings. Not really a leader type he lets the others speak for the party at times like these.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 11:15 am
by GreyWolfVT
Delgrot smiles at the children happy to see folks enjoying life. He still remains quiet unless directly spoken to.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:14 pm
by Storm11
Nexus will say goodbye to the Halflings politely and then waves at the children as they pass, thinking he may just put on a show this evening if things go well.
He will let the others do the talking to get in to see this famous wizard. He is beyond excited to get an audience with a powerful magic-user.
A little worried about the lack of sightings of Jane, the gnome worries they may just have left her in some cave back there in their haste to get here. Time will tell no doubt. At least they can check it all out on the way back, if they intend to return at all.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 2:58 pm
by Zhym
Roderick is dismayed to hear that the halfling guards have not seen Jane recently. "She disappeared from her room in Red Larch but nine days ago," he says. "If it has been weeks since you have seen her...either she did not pass this way, or she was smuggled through. Either way, it is most disheartening news." The paladin cannot help but be worried. This was his only lead. If Jane is not here, he does not know where to look next. Perhaps the wizard will be some help.
When the children approach, Roderick stops and greets them. He always has time for children. He patiently answers any questions they have, and playfully offers to match them in feats of strength—"losing" those feats, of course.
At Helmaer's house, Roderick can't help but wonder if the wizard has been seen lately. Perhaps Jane is not the only one missing?
He steps forward and knocks lightly at the door. "I apologize for the interruption, but we have a delivery for Helmaer," he says.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 3:36 pm
by ravenn4544
Jaroo follows along and watches the town and it's activity to see if it looks like people are behaving normally.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:05 pm
by onlyme
Ardium studies the towns folks, making sure to note escape routes if necessary. He waits for the homeowner's response.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 7:29 pm
by dmw71
Helmaer
The residence of the retired wizard, like the two neighboring homes, is a simple, two-story wooden establishment. It appears to be in good condition, with minor weed outcroppings and small sections of spiderwebs in various corners the only signs of minor neglect.
Dorobo wanders towards the side of the house and studies it; curious to see what sorts of defenses the wizard may have in place... and finds none. No obvious ones, anyway. Looking at the neighboring plots, the thief notes normal activity in either direction. Two teenage boys or young men are chopping logs in the back yard of the house to the right while a woman is hanging laundry to dry across a string strung between to trees in the yard to the left. The boys pay no mind to the caravan of strangers approaching Helmaer's house; the woman feigns disinterest, but can be seen sneaking an occasional curious glance.
While the others watch on, Unna and Roderick approach the sturdy wooden front door and knock. The knock triggers what sounds to be an annoyed huff, or sigh. "We apologize for the interruption, but we have a delivery for Helmaer," the Avatar shares.
A groan.
"We have a chest to deliver from Samdarag," the female dwarf calls out.
This latest bit of shared information seems to cause the activity on the opposite side of the door to hasten as the sound of movement approaching the door to near, before ultimately stopping just on the opposite end.
A simple lock clicks.
"You're late," a voice snaps as the door is pulled inward, opening. "Well, almost."
Just inside the door, a frail, elderly man with light blue eyes and long gray hair and beard stands fully upright... this posture does little to conceal his short stature as his height barely reaches that of Ardiam. The man is dressed in ornate red robes and rests against a staff; a pipe, with mint tobacco based upon the scent, held in his mouth:
Helmaer.jpg (53.3 KiB) Viewed 2504 times
"Well, where is it?" he huffs. "My chest. I'll have it now."
The inside of his residence, at a quick glance, is cluttered chaos.
---
Actions?
---
Date: 27 Quintilis, Year 7102 Time: 12:09 (Sunrise: 06:59, Sunset: 18:44) Temp: 61 F Conditions:
Turning to the others, "Can a couple of you bring the chest along so we can figure this out and get to asking questions about Jane."
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2019 5:23 am
by Zhym
"While they fetch your chest, may I ask you about Jane?" asks Roderick, as deferentially as he can. "We have been told that she's an apprentice of yours. She disappeared from her room in Red Larch nine days ago. She vanished without a word and left her spell components behind, so there are some who suspect foul play. I know you are a terribly busy man, but anything you could tell us would be most helpful. Have you seen her, or do you have any idea where she is?"
Someone might want to bring up the contract Helmaer is supposed to countersign, but since Roderick doesn't care about the contract, he's not going to be the one to do it.
Re: Session 3: Westbridge
Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2019 8:47 pm
by GreyWolfVT
Delgrot"Yes yes we'll bring yer delivery in oh an we have a contract for ya as well sir." the dwarf says helping move the chest in the wizards home.