Armed with the now well-used mess kit from his backpack, Marik makes his way directly to Svetlana for some nice warm game stew. Upon filling up his bowl, he grabs a seat next to the large half-orc that had accompanied him on the journey.

"Mariam, right? I'm Marik. So what brings you out here to the frontier?"

In reply to Marik (msg # 176):

Mariam pauses mid way through her bite of stew. Blushing she looked at the handsome man who just sat next to her, looking like a deer caught in the head-lights. She put her spoon down "I'm here to spread the glory of Iomedae, I trained as a paladin in her temple at New Steven." she began fussing with her braid, "also I want to prove that anyone, even just a half-breed woman like myself can make a difference." her olive skin turned bright red, did she say to much? "Why did you decide to take the job Marik?"

Lex hadn't spoken with Jikka earlier or at least he hadn't stopped and addressed her the way he had with the others. So he approached her and said, "I hope you enjoyed the tour."

In reply to Mariam doZima Wolfeater (msg # 172):

Tansy looked up at Mariam, jaw set and made a pondering face.

"His deeds may save him but I've not seen any yet. I'm giving him a chance, after all that's what we all are getting."

She made a courteous gesture and left Mariam to secure some stew and flatbread

She sighed, flatbread again

"I'm sure you can make just as much of a difference as the rest of us, and possibly more," Marik said to the half-orc woman.

"As for me, it's a chance for me to be something more than an urchin on the street for the rest of my life. A chance to make a better life for myself."

As you eat, many of the other people from the outpost come to join you and they each get a plate of the stew and a bread to mop it up with.

Henry and his priest, Brother Bartholomew, join you slightly later and calls the newcomers together.

”I am sorry I didn’t have much time to speak with you earlier, but I was trying to make sense of the latest intelligence reports that I have received.  It appears there is village, of sorts,  to the southwest that harbours more bandits, and I have just asked Borric to lead an investigative group down that way.  However, I do have a task that will allow you to establish yourselves with us, if you are interested.”  He beckons and the priest comes forward and unrolls a copy of a regional map.  ”While we have explored most of the local area there is an area that I don’t have good information for.  I have marked it on the map with a series of triangles, and exploring that area and bringing back a basic map will set you in good stead with me and the rest of the group.  I need to know what is there, before I can call the area between the Orcy Ring and Eratsil’s Shrine safe.  Assuming we manage to take the ring and negotiate a peace with the fey, that is.

The pale lines are trails that we have discovered, however, we have not explored away from the trail in those areas.  If you are prepared to do this for me, you may take horses from the corral and rations from Svetlana’s stores to see you through.  For what the other have told me, you should expect to be away from here for two nights, if you are to explore properly.”

Offer made, he scoops fome of his stew up on a piece of flat bread and awaits your answer.

---

Brother Bart is a cleric of Pharasma.  The man in the corral is called Zach
See game Map for Group Three

A response in here, if you want to, and then straight to the Group 3 Thread.

Lex had been waiting for a chance to expand his role here at Oleg's and these newcomers might have been the opening he had been waiting for. Even if they weren't, it was now or never for the young tanner. Or at least that's how it felt to him.

"Hh..Hen... Mr le Maistre, would they need a local to help show them the way? I have been working with the horses and my bow and think I could help. If you'll allow me to, that is?" Once he'd started, the stuttering stopped and a new voice, one those that knew Lex had never heard before. He looked around to see what the reactions of the others might be.

Henry looks at the young man with interest, recalling the screams of pain when he had been branded. After a moment's consideration he answers in level tones, "If that is what you want, Lex, then you may accompany them.  Your work  here at Oleg's has earned you that chance."

Lex bowed to Henry and said, "Thank you! You won't be sorry you gave me this chance."

Henry just nods his recognition of Lex's thanks.

During the meal, Cass tapped his foot along with Adoven's crowd pleasing tune to show his appreciation. He also quietly remarked on the deliciousness of the food to show appreciation for Svetlana. Otherwise, he mostly remained quiet, learning a little about the others as they spoke.

Cass was surprised to hear that Marik had spent time on the streets, like himself. Perhaps they could share experiences later. He also discovered that Mariam was a paladin of justice, which was somehow reassuring. He also agreed with her sentiments about the respect and worth of others.

Sooner than expected, Henry de la Maistre arrived, and informed them of their first scouting expedition. To which the amicable Lex offered his services, given his foreknowledge of the area.

"That fines the fettle!" He said exuberantly. "First jaunt out of the gate and we already have a seasoned scout to lead us. Good venture!"

More calmly he looks around at some of the others. "Now, who might be good at crafting a map?" He asked, implying softly that it might not be his best of skills.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:54, Sun 29 Jan 2017.

Marik takes a moment to swallow his food before responding to their host. "It seems like as good a task as any to begin our careers here. I'm willing to undertake this task. I assume we can at least take the night to rest in the bunkhouse before getting back out on the road, yes?"

Henry nods his agreement with a slight smile "Of course," he  inclines his head towards the sorcerer, "Not much point going explorinmg whem most opf you can't see."

Tansy looked up as the lord approached, setting her stew and bread aside as he spoke. At the mention of bandits, her stomach grew tight. Bandits, it was always bandits.

And then Lex spoke up and she grumbled audibly, but after listening she nodded. He was local, he was a (reformed) former bandit, he'd know how to get there. It remained to be seen if he'd also betray them to the bandits . . . but bandits were not a single group, Tansy reminded herself.

She wanted to set out immediately, she wanted to ride all night . . . but the ache in her back told her she should sleep, like the others said.

When the lord sat down and took his food, she set back to eating as well

An older man with a brand just like young Lex approaches the table.  He carries a bowl of stew and chooses a seat as far from Henry as he can manage.  When the chance to break into the conversation presents itself he speaks up.  "Lords and ladies, I'm happy to see some new faces around here.  My name is David and I'd be happy to help in any smithy needs you may have.  My father's specialty was armor, but I can manage other items if you need them.  We should have a forge up and running soon and I'd be happy to take orders in advance.  Of course I would need partial payment up front."

He pauses to take a bite of stew and continues through a mouth full of food.  "Speaking of money up front.  We've been entertaining ourselves here with a game of cards on some nights.  If any of you would be interested please feel free to join us."  David licks his lips at this, whether it be to catch some dripping gravy or the thought of money up for grabs you can't be certain.

Marik smiles innocently at the old man, "Well, I mean, I'm not very good at cards or anything, but I suppose it's something to do to pass the time. Besides, it's not like I have a use for this money out here anyway."

Marik is trying to bluff the man into a fall sense of security, playing the part of innocent city kid who doesn't know anything about gambling.

15:39, Today: Marik rolled 17 using 1d20+9.  Bluff David.

"No worries my boy, no worries at all.  We had a few new players the other day.  Everyone is friendly and willing to help you learn.  That's how everyone starts, right?"  David gives Marik a huge grin full of teeth that comes off a little insincere.

Couldn't have worked out better if I tried, lol.
13:05, Today: David Hart rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  sense motive.

Marik nodded sheepishly, "Yeah, I guess. It sounds fun," he added with an innocent charm.

"Great!  I'll see you tonight then.  Anyone else?"  David asks before finishing up his stew.

*Grins*  It is tonight.  Please feel free to try and fleece each other as soon as you are ready.    I am looking forward to it :)

Marik sits down at the table where the others are gathering to play cards. He smiles openly to those sitting and jovially says, "hey everyone, I'm Marik. So, exactly how does this game work, anyway?

Zack looks up from his cup and rolls his eyes.  "I am sure David will explain ..."

"Indeed."  David joins the others at the table and begins to shuffle a hodge podge of cards together.  It looks as if he has pieced together several incomplete decks to make a workable entire deck of cards.

"The game is short deck seven, my boy.  Simple rules but still some strategy involved.  The deck has one through ten each four times.  The suits don't matter in this game, just the number.  The dealer gives each player seven cards.  You make two three-card hands and discard the last card.  We compare all the better of the two hands we have.  The best hand gets two points.  Then we compare the worse of the two hands we have and the winner gets one point."  David deals out a few example hands face up to demonstrate.

"Three of a kind is the best hand, higher numbers beat lower numbers.  Next is a run, like seven, eight, nine.  Then a pair, and finally a high card.  The game continues on until someone reaches seven points.  Each hand is a copper piece to play.  The first person to seven gets most of the pot.  The person with the second most points gets their share back.  Any questions?"

David's eyes glisten and he licks his lips a bit as he gets a little antsy to play.  His knee bounces up and down as he sits and waits for any questions.

OOC: I copied and pasted most of the description.  Hopefully no one minds.  The DM does have the rules for the game in it's entirety posted.  We usually just make a single roll each to see who wins rather than actually playing the game.  It streamlines the process so we can roleplay rather than take two weeks of real time playing a single hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:13, Sun 12 Feb 2017.

Marik shrugs, "Sounds simple enough. I'm sure I'll figure things out as we go."

Sounds very similar to Pai Gow. I'm fine with dice rolling to play the game, although I was hoping for a game where bluffing would come into play :).

Zach tosses his copper on the table and waits for David to deal. "It helps pass the time ...."

---

Rules are at http://johnbs-games.wikidot.co...me-short-deck-sevens

It is based on a game called 7-Card Brag that I used to play years ago - simplified to work with dice  :)