A wide bend in the Marrilach River reveals a small keep on a rocky promontory.  Bridges cross the river to the north and south.  Upon them, wagon traffic bustles to and from the farms of the Valley of the Obelisks.  Drifting below the bridges are colorful riverboats laden with food bound for the cities of the south or finished good headed for the many nearby farming villages.  Amid the gloom of early spring's overcast sky, the many hearths and friendly faces of Sumberton beckon, as do the casks of spiced ale that are the city's claim to fame.

As you pull up to the docks, it's about midday.  The barge captain hands you each 50gp as you depart. "Thanks a lot.  I'll be sure to pass on word of your service to ma' boss!"

This time of day the docks are buzzing with activity.  Not wanting to get in the way, you quickly depart and find yourself on the eastern side of the Central bridge, and just south of Sumberton keep.  The city is yours to explore!

OOC:  50gp!  Just for playing!

Guelph gathers up his things and gives the barge captain a respectful nod at the fifty gold pieces. He gets to firm land and sighs with relief. "My people don't spend time on the water. It is irritating," he says in a dry, husky voice with a tribal tone. He then looks about to see if those he made the trip with are disembarking as well.

"A good thing for you that we're no longer on it, then." Mina had given the captain polite thanks for his business and future recommendation, knowing that good relations were key to a good reputation. As she adjusted her freshly burdened pack under her cloak, she glanced toward the keep so that she could get her bearings. Since she had been headed to Sumberton, Mina had made a point of researching the area. "Now, where to go..."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
01:00, Today: Mina Black rolled 10 using 1d20+8. Knowledge (local). Where would one go to spend pay and/or find work?

---

Haaj sets his pack on the ground, pulls his hood up and closes the cloak about him.
"So. Does anyone know this place?" he asks, as he puts his pack on one shoulder. "Or should we ask a local?"
Haaj looks up and down the street and at the bridge.

  The priestess executes a courteous bow to the shipman before disembarking, carrying with her a cumbersome pack to which are strapped her gauntlets, high-flared helm, and sword.

  She takes in a deep breath of the midday air and casts about for a place to settle her stomach. The river was calm enough, but she has hardly ever had the belly for water travel, and so it is time right off to find her father's favorite cure for nausea: dark bread and beer.

  She turns to one of the dockworkers and holds out a pair of silver coins of foreign mint, stamped with the holy symbol of Heironeous on their reverse. "Excuse me, sir. Where can I find a tavern or way-stop?"

"I think we'd be more comfortable at the Sly Wink than the Bloody Nose or Anchor's Rest. The Wink has both food and rooms, and the Rest's rates are hourly." Mina's eyes had been cast upward throughout the recitation, clearly going by memory. She scratches the back of her neck nonchalantly, casting her gaze somewhere that she wouldn't need to make eye contact with anyone. "I may have researched our destination."

"Well then. Do lead the way to the Wink."
Haaj pulls his pack properly upon his back and gestures to Mina to lead the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:23, Sat 27 July 2013.

"My research wasn't that comprehensive, I'm afraid." Mina looked toward the man that Desra had been soliciting for directions. She glances up in thought, then, her mind abuzz with deductions. "I suspect it'd be near the river, though, given that that'd be the primary means by which visitors would arrive. It flows from the south, so more likely in the southern half of the city... Perhaps near a bridge, as a visible point of reference?"

As you gather your belongings and prepare to set off, the docks are busy with activity.  Large crates of spices, handled by workers in teams of two, are hastily loaded onto large, flat barges.  It takes Desra a few attempts to get someone to stop and talk, but finally one of the dockworkers is lured at the sight of coins.

He quickly grabs the coins and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled map.  "I jes got herr a coupla' weeks 'go meself.  I ain't gots much ta do outsides the docks herr, so ya kin take me map."  He offers a near-toothless smile and his eyes linger uncomfortably long on Desra.  When Mina mentions the Sly Wink he offers, "Aye!  That place's got much better berr than the Bloody Nose right derr, and I've heard da rooms 'er pertty clean...at least compared to da Anchor."

OOC:  This map is the same one from the Maps thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:14, Sun 28 July 2013.

Curiosity get the better of Guelph. He moves closer to Mina and leans over her shoulder to have a look at the map.

Looking at the map, Haaj points down the street: "that way then! To the Wink"
Haaj looks at the three others and slowly starts off down the street towards the Sly Wink.

Guelph nods and follows the elf away from the dock.

Mina looks toward Desra expectantly as she half-steps in pursuit of the wilder members of the group. "It'd be best if we didn't lose them, I would think."

And so the group heads off towards the Sly Wink.

Using the map supplied by the dockworker, you easily navigate towards the Sly Wink.  It's not a very long walk, and when you arrive the sign is hard to miss - a sign with one eye open and one closed.  As you are approaching down the street, you can hear gregarious voices coming from within...the ale must be good!

You enter the inn and tavern and take a seat at a table close to the door.  After a moment, a busty barmaid with an unfortunate gap in her teeth approaches.  "Kin I offer you somethin' to eat or drink?" she says with an smile.

"I've been looking forward to a good meal for the conclusion of a long trip." Mina takes in the scene, curious as to the sights. A part of her worried that the location would be risqué, based on the name, but she was encouraged by the lack of lechery in the sailor's recommendation.

As they move through the bar, Guelph tries to keep close to his group, obviously uncomfortable in these surroundings. "Mm, food for all," he grunts in agreement with Mina as his sense take in the smell of stale ale.

   You place your order with the barmaid, and soon a small feast is laid out in front of you.  Bread, stew and some sort of very tasty fowl is brought to the table.  The highlight of the meal however, is the ale.  When the Sly Wink advertised "the best ale in the land," they sure meant it.  The taste delights the sense and you're sure that even the most discerning dwarf would appreciate the flavor.

As you begin to wrap up your meal, you notice a female halfling step in and look warily around the room.  She is dressed in a fine blouse and pants, which appear tailored to her size and of high quality.  Her gaze shifts across the entire floor of the Sly Wink, and when her eyes come to rest on your table, they light up.  She approaches your table and when she gets closer you notice a Chicane Guild emblem pinned to her blouse, highlighted by a large glittering ruby in the center.  She steps up and asks, "Are you the ones who served aboard the barge which arrived few hours ago?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:13, Sat 03 Aug 2013.

"We are," Guelph says, lifting his head momentarily  from the sumptuous stew to reply and give the Halfling the once over. He then grasps his tankard of ale and raises it slightly to her before taking a gulp to confirm the greeting as a welcome one.

Mina gave the halfling a polite smile, pausing in her consumption as the stranger approached to converse. She was affiliated with a guild, so it was unlikely her connection to the barge would be a bad thing, but study of magic had taught her prudence. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh good!" the woman says, "My name is Vintra Marktunsel, and I'm the Guildmaster of the Chicane Guild.  Henley, the captain of the barge you came in on, referred you to me.  I'd afraid I'm in an awful plight.  Two days ago, goblin and hobgoblin bandits raided a Chicane Guild caravan carrying fruit and spices to Sumberton.  The spices in particular are key to use meeting a quota set by our business partners in the southern cities.  We need them back.  My guild is willing to pay you 200 gold apiece for this recovery operation.

Guelph takes a while to consider the proposal, then turns to Mina and Haajrayn. "I have no work since leaving the river. I will do this, if you will," he offers to his friends in his dry voice.

"Well that is well paid work. So what is dangerous about it. And where did the caravan get attacked?" Haaj says, from the corner, still partially hidden under his cloak's hood.

He picks another piece of fowl breast meat, picks small pieces and continues eating.
He sounds like he's liking the fowl and bread, all though the river trip let you believe he really disliked anything about greater settlements.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:20, Sun 04 Aug 2013.

Mina glances toward the halfling expectantly at Haajrayn's question. While the danger seemed obvious in that the goblins and hobgoblins that stole the supplies would likely defend their plunder violently, she was curious as to where they'd need to go. She had hoped to familiarize herself with the town before heading anywhere, but research didn't fund itself.

A tight smile comes across Vintra's face as the party seems agreeable to the mission.  "One of the teamsters was captured by the goblins, and nearly lost his life escaping.  Fortunately though, he was able to spot their warren.  We sent him downriver yesterday, but if you have a map I can mark the spot for you."

Seeing that you actually don't have a map of the outlying country, Vintra pulls a neatly folded one from her knapsack, handing it to Haajrayn.  "I've marked it on the map here, just south of the City."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Tue 06 Aug 2013.

 Desra takes the map and thus starts assuming a position as cartographer of the group. Despite her young age, the priestess has had an extensive training in various fields, and reading a map is one of them.

  "That is rather not far," she asserts.
  "Could we meet the survivors of the attack ? That is.... assuming there were survivors ; it would help in preparing ourselves for this. And, if I may ask, why did you send the miraculous escaper downriver ?"

 Her voice is soft, but she speaks rather bluntly. If it wasn't for her seasoned set of armour bearing the thunder of Heironeus, the young cleric would actually pass for a naive page.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Tue 06 Aug 2013.

Haaaj looks at the map as Desra takes the map and stars asking her questions.
He then looks up at Vintra and asks:
"I guess the warren is in hill terrain, but is it lightly forested or completely bare?"

"The area there is called Kurkle Ridge.  The hills themselves are full of winding draws and mostly scrubby vegetation.  Unfortunately, that makes it a fairly common hideout for bandits that prey on road traffic, including my shipments, between here, Tulvercross, Krokarr, and Sharn.  River pirates, too, sometimes hide along Kurkle Ridge where they can waylay riverboats heading south from Sumberton.  It's can be tough going, which is why we have hires such as you for protection.  You never know what you can run into outside of city gates."

Guelph looks around and nods at the general consensus that the team will accept the mission. "I am ready to leave. I have finished my morning meal," he says.

"The spells I prepared for the day should be suitable to the task. I'm in." Mina then began eating with haste, so that she could have her food finished before departing. She would have preferred to prepare more cantrips of her favored school, but one couldn't plan for everything.

"Oh, one more thing," Vintra says as the group prepares to depart, "The spices are in crates marked with the Sumberton sigil, which is a crescent moon and sheaf of wheat.  Those crates are bulky, so you'll probably need some sort of pack animal to bring them back for me."

 It wasn't clear whether Desra's question had been avoided or missed, but either way she was not too fond of it. She was used to it though, Heiroenus priests have a tendency to look down on young apprentices, girls especially...
 As if nothing had happened, she just added :
  "I take it no survivor made it back to Sumberton ?"

 When the halfling pointed out the necessity for means of transportation, the priestess leaned forward and simply asked :
  "Would you provide a carriage and horses then ? Or rather a few mules, since the warren is difficult to reach. I am sure you have the logistic means to be able to spare a few animals..."
  diplomacy 10

  "Other than that, I am ready to leave as well. It would have been nice to enjoy the commodities of Sumberton for a moment, but we should deal with this matter in urgency."

Vintra slowly shakes her head, addressing Desra, "Sorry dear....only the one survivor.  We sent him away at his own request.  He said something about needing some time off.

Thinking on Desra's request, she replies, "I could offer up a couple mules and a cart, but I'd have to deduct it from your pay."  Shrugging slightly she says, "Sorry, but business is business."

 Desra nods but seems to pout a bit.
  "Well..." she sighs. "Fair enough, I guess. We'll take a lease then."

Vintra nods.  "I'll have someone get them ready.  They'll be waiting for you outside of the Chicane Guild."

"Which ever is the easiest. The faster we get going the better a chance we have of getting the caravans goods undamaged. Goblins are fast, so we better get going."

Haaj eats the rest of his stew. Then puts the remaining of his bread and fowl, in the mouth while putting on his pack and gets ready to leave.
Food in his hand again he says: "Shall we go and put down some Goblins?"

"Yes. I can kill goblins," Guelph says with a grunt before collecting his things. He waits for his friends to be ready then heads off to the Chicane Guild to get their cart.

  "Let us be off, then."
 The enthusiasm of her companions in killing goblins was unsettling, but then she had never faced these creatures... perhaps they deserved such uncompromising hatred.

 Desra had barely touched her meal, so she turned the whole thing into a sandwich and followed the others after settling the bill.

  "Hey, wait for me !" she says and runs after them, the inconvenient sandwich of stew dripping all over her scale armour.

Mina followed after Desra, a remotely amused expression on her face. She didn't know what the hurry was, they'd need to get supplies before departing. "That, Desra, is why I was eating while the gentlemen did the talking. We'll need to get travel rations before heading out."

Haaj stopped outside the Wink and turns to the others:
"Where does the map say the closest shop is to get the goods? Anything towards the southern gate?"
He eats some of his bread before continuing:
"I have the rations I will need, if more is needed I can hunt and gather as well while we're on the move. It's what I do normally anyway."

 Desra is still busy with her sandwich. She turns to Mina and says :
  "Here, reach in my purse and check the map. I heard someone inside talking about a Marine Supply store, just next door apparently. They would surely have rations."

  "Hunting is good," she comments at the elf's words,  "but not always a reliable source... Not that I doubt your capabilities !" she promptly adds with a smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Thu 08 Aug 2013.

"Slightly south, but mostly east." Mina pulled out the map, immediately pointing out a building roughly a block east of their current location. One thing she had made a point of knowing was where she'd be able to get supplies if need be. "Hinterland Outfitting would have a comprehensive selection. More so than the Famenestri Marine Supply Store, with the possible exception of rope quality. So, unless we're in dire need of fine rope..."

OOC: Mina covered it
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:21, Thu 08 Aug 2013.

OOC:  You can PM me, or insert a private line, for whatever you want to buy.  Equipment and prices are straight from the PHB.  There are no magic items here, if you're interested in anything like that, let me know and then we'll figure out how you get there!
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:30, Thu 08 Aug 2013.

As you walk to your destination you pass a tall building at the corner of the large intersection (#21).  The sign on the building shows a set of full plate and a trident.  The sign reads "Justice Street Arms and Armor."

 Desra stops in front of the shop with the full plate. She stares at the armor with obvious envy in her eyes.
  "One day. One day I'll have a suit of the finest armor, and a fantastic sword, and I'll spread the Justice of Heironeus over the land."

 She stops watching and resumes walking a faster pace to catch up with the others.
 Today my purse is a bit thin though...

Guelph moves quietly through the town, trying not to alarm local children with his unusual garb and facepaint. "This town is too large," he mutters disapprovingly as they close in on the Chicane guild.

Walking up to Guelph, Haaj swallows that last of the fowl he brought.
"I quite agree."
"I'm not much for towns myself, much rather be in the forests or hills or mountains for that matter."

He waits outside any shop the others need to visit.

The group gathers any last minute necessities and returns to the Chicane guild.  As promised, in front of the guildhouse is a medium sized cart with two strong-looking mules hitched to it.  Vintra steps out as you arrive, accompanied by a young elven female.  "Oh good!  I'm glad to see you back so soon.  Your cart is right there, and should be able to carry all the crates that were stolen from us.  I've also hired one more to go with you.  I'd rather you all be more prepared than less!" she says, indicating the elf beside her.  She takes a glance towards the midday sky and says, "Well it looks like you've got enough daylight left to at least get on your way."

OOC: Assuming there's no further questions:

"Good luck, and we look forward to your safe return," she says, turning to head back inside the guild.

The elven woman - she could be a slender human...but a closer look reveals to anybody savvy that she is half-elven - nods at the group, and then at Vintra.  She is pale, little over five feet tall, and has a head of silver-blonde hair.  Her attire is a combination of robes and leather armour.

"Greetings," She says to the adventurers, clasping her hands and smiling in such a way that they might be reminded of, well, a seller of snake oil, or perhaps stolen horses.  "I am called Scalesa.  As our friend, Vintra, said, I am here to accompany you on your journey." Convinced that she has made a stellar first impression on her new intrepid friends, Scalesa lets her hands rest at her sides.

"Charmed." Mina found the attire curious; the combination was unfamiliar to her. With robes... The conjurer's eyes wandered to the half-elf's waist, trying to catch a glimpse of a spell component pouch. It'd be a pleasant surprise if she'd have a fellow arcanist to speak with during their journey. "Might I ask what capabilities you bring to bear for our group?"

"I fancy myself a bit of a troubleshooter." Yes, a troubleshooter.  "An old friend and I used to inspect traps for well-to-do families -- family tombs, jewelry boxes, the like..."

"I am also a Spellbinder," The half-elf seems almost surprised at her quick thinking.  "Though my repertoire is likely more limited than what might be expected.  My tutelage in spellcraft was for but a few Seasons, and under a couple: A priestess and inquisitor of Boccob, and her husband, a stage magician-turned-adventurer, turned stage magician again."

"I am Guelph, shaman of my people. We should go now," he says, obviously still learning manners and etiquette.

"Welcome to you scholar. I am Haajrayn of the northern forests"

Haaj turns his attention to Vintra:
"How far is it from here to the area of the ambush?"

Then he looks at the group, then to the mules and then back at the mules.
"Anyone used to driving a cart?"

"I work animals," Guelph replies and moves to try out his animal handling skills on a donkey and wagon.

 Desra offered her hand to greet the newcomer in their small party. You could tell a lot about a person by shaking their hand, more than what they cared to tell you anyhow -at least so she thought. She fancied herself a great judge of personality, but experience had so far not confirmed that as fact.
 "Welcome on board, Scalesa. If you are still in touch with your tutor, the inquisitor, I'd love to meet her. I am aiming for that path as well... unless Heironeus has an other plan for me."

 Desra unfolded the map given my Vintra and pointed at the red cross.
 "Here, that's about twelve, fifteen miles South. I am guessing the road is fairly maintained. We should reach the attack spot by nightfall if we walk a good pace."

 Looking around, Desra realised that eh was the only one relying on armour for protection. That also made her the only one slowed down by said armour.
  "Mina... she asked with a blush. "Would you mind helping me take off my scales and change into something more appropriate for travel ?"

 Since they had a cart, transporting the armour and the rest of the heavier gear would be no problem.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:05, Fri 09 Aug 2013.

Scalesa returns Desra's handshake with her palm connecting, and her index finger on Desra's vein.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
This is just a quick "Here's how she shakes hands!" for Desra.   :D!

---

 Desra's handshake was surprising and caught Desra's interest. Yet she seemed to find it more intriguing than unsettling, and it did bring a smile on her face.

Mina was intrigued by the someone with training so obscure as spellbinding, and she made a mental note to discuss arcana with Scalesa during their travels. At Desra's request, Mina gave an understanding nod as she straightened the hood of her cloak: She, too, was mindful of modesty. "I could, if you aren't worried about trouble getting the drop on us on the road."

  "Oh I'm sure there will be trouble..." she said while changing into her travelling robes. She had kept most of the padded overalls that she usually wore under her amour, and the sturdy leather belt and scabbard which held her sword.

  "On the other hand, I don't want to slow us down or succumb to fatigue by walking all day in that thing."

 Once out of her metal vestments, she pulled out the map and said :
  "So, how should we proceed ? I'd say we move south on the road and reach the point of the ambush. From there we can decide whether to head into the hills or to wait for the morrow. We can discuss details while on the road."

"Leave armor on, Desra. Ride here," Guelph says pointing to the cart.

Happy to stop and get out before ambush zone and walk the rest of the way

Haaj takes off his pack, places it on the cart and walks over to the mules and looks them over.

---

OOC: Handle Animal roll: 15 using 1d20+3