"Do you know how many bandits there were?" Eoni asked of the Iounian cleric.  "There are only five of us if we were to confront them ourselves."

She was unsure they could clear a road of bandits when the local constabulary could not, but she did wish to travel to Terrelton for Yhus.  They would have to see whether Marklin or Valthur had any ideas.

Perhaps a visit to the local constable would provide some guidance on how they might be able to help with banditry.  She believed that there was mention of a jail at the Old Toll House.  They could inquire there on how to go about arresting these bandits themselves.

Sarah wanders back and quietly inserts herself on the edge of the party gathered together.  The makeshift cloak she once wore -- which appeared to be more of a shawl fashioned from an old, tattered blanket -- has been replaced with an actual cloak.  But it would be wrong to describe this cloak as "new," because while it is new to Sarah's possession, it has obviously had previous owners.

Beneath the cloak, she continues to wear her leather armor.  And her backpack seems . . . fuller.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

In reply to Valthur Ironhelm (msg # 40):

  At the Brewery, Marklin would clink tankards with Valthur." Aye, It be good to be alive, with a few coins in me purse. But they will not last us long, Master Dwarf, so we best be looking for ways to earn."

 The Warrior and one time man at arms took another long pull from his tankard. His eyes followed the buxom serving wench, which did not seem to mind the Warrior’s bold glances, as she served up another round. But just before he could introduce himself to the saucy wench, he heard a sound. The sweet seductive melody, of dice being shook in a cup, and then cast upon a table.

" I be seeing ye latter, comrade, unless ye with to join me in the knuckle bone dance."

 Marklin slapped Valthur on the back, then got to his feet and headed over to the gaming table.

Valthur finishes his mug and bangs it against the table with a belch. "As a matter of fact," he answers his friend with a sly smile. " I'm a great dancer!"

The party spends about two weeks in Drellin's Ferry. During this time party members engage in a wide variety of downtime activities, everything from: gleaning new adventure leads, making new contacts about town, visiting various provisioners and merchants to acquire new or mend worn equipment, obtaining potions from Ologeon, carousing in several of the town's taverns and taphouses, and the like. But much of this time is spent resting and preparing for the next adventure.

With new rumors afoot, the party is soon eager to seek out adventure far from the comforts of The Green Apple, Gausler's Brewhouse, etc.

Marklin managed to do quite well for himself at the gaming hall, basically covering the cost of keeping himself inebriated, well attended by women of questionable virtue, and well fed. At the end of 14 days, against all odds, he still has something to show of his earnings, despite his best efforts to piss it all away on vice!

Valthur, his oft-time carousing companions fares less well in the monetrary department, but interestingly develops a romantic interest. In Drellin's Ferry no less! Who'd a thought it? Perhaps it was the town smith, Morlin Coalhewer's, comely offspring...or some other lucky soul? At any rate, the dwarf hits the road with a new amorous connection who begs him not to leave so soon and asks him to promise to return 'home' soonest. This potential love interest will certainly be pining for Valthur while he is gone and perhaps give the dwarf something to look forward to coming back to? Maybe. The interested party certainly hopes so!

Honoring their commitment to see to it that Yhus' family is informed of his unfortunate demise, the party, joined by a new companion (Charlotte) agrees to set out toward Terrelton. The group has a few leads for adventure along the way, the most notable being gaining an audience with the Insatiable Savant in the Nimon Hills. Of course, they have also heard a band of thugs known as the Jackals operates in those same hills, so they head out fully aware of the dangers of even reaching the deathless sage's dungeon. Then there is the matter of dealing with the Insatiable Savant itself!

The adventure continues...

OOC:

Aldara Eoni, and Valthur spend 1gp x 14 (14 gp) days maintaining a modest lifestyle.

Marklin does not need to spend anything maintaining a modest lifestyle. He covered his lifestyle costs gambling. He is free to squander all of his coin on booze and women however, but he fared reasonably well at games of chance and could depart town with his coinpurse intact.

Sarah spends 10 gp maintaining a modest lifestyle.

Valthur is able to purchase arms and armor from Morlin's smithy at normal cost. Additionally, Morlin will purchase any weapon or item the party wishes to sell for 50% of full value.

[Private to Sarah: Sarah pocketed about 3 gp worth of minor trinkets and coins during the past 2 weeks. It was tough working the town safely and all you were able to come away with is a few silvers or coppers here or there.

You also established a fence contact at the Old Bridge Inn, a halfling by the name of Marco Shadowbanks, a cousin of the proprietor, Kellin Shadowbanks.

Marco warned you not to steal from townfolk because it brings on undue attention. This is partly why you were not very successful. Basically he said to target people passing through, merchants and travelers. He also mentioned avoiding stealing from adventurers, which he said is a general no-no because adventurers are unpredictable. ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:11, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

"About...  Let's see...  I personally saw six, but that's just from my perspective in the middle of the caravan and trying to keep my head down, could be more, certainly."  Charlotte wiggled her hand noncommittally.  "They certainly weren't a small group, but I wouldn't call them a great mass of villainy either, somewhere in the middle I think.

"Well," Eoni replied to Charlotte, "we're headed to Terrelton on an errand anyway so we may run into them.  I think I'll speak with the constable here to see what he recommends.  Perhaps there may be a bounty out for them.

"We also have a stop in the Nimon Hills on our return.  If we don't run into them on our way out, we may find them on our way back."

Eoni was not happy about the banditry along the way.  People should be able to travel the roads in safety, but she didn't like the idea of fighting them either.  They could be just hungry farmers trying to feed their families after a bad harvest.  She knew that Marklin and Valthur would have no qualms about killing them but if she could get some guidance from the local constabulary, it would ease her conscious to know that she tried to find another way.

Optimistically, she hoped that Marklin had enough rope to tie them all up and escort them back to the closest authorities.

[Private to GM: We don't need to role play speaking with the local authorities.  Eoni just wants to know if there's a reward or any stricture's on how to deal with banditry.  They don't need to be arrested for hunting down bandits without a writ of some kind or they may want them all alive.]

 At some point during their stay, Marklin would have purchased a necklace of moderate cost (say five gold pieces) in the market place.

 On the morning of their departure, as they part broke their fast in the Apple; he slid the necklace across the table to Sarah. And with a most uncharacteristic hesitation, he would whisper. “That be fer ye, Lass.”  Without another word, the Warrior returned his attention, to his fried eggs and porridge.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

Sarah watches wordlessly as Marklin slides the jewelry in her direction.  She also watches as he resumes eating his meal.

After a moment, and without changing her demeanor, Sarah reaches out and takes the necklace.  It then disappears somewhere under cloak.

She looks at Marklin for roughly two minutes.  Then she walks away.

Valthur enjoys his stay in town. The time spent with Marklin at the local drinking establishment seems to mend the emotional scars caused by his unusual behavior in the tree. He trades his sword and shield at the local smithy for his preferred weapon, a handsome battle axe. While not of exquisite craftsmanship, the weapon somehow feels "right" in his hands, and he is thankful to find one in such a remote place.

After two weeks, however, the dwarf's wanderlust takes firm hold and he is more than ready for the next adventure. When hearing of the details, he rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Bandits?" he considers. "Let's hope they are smart enough to keep their distance. If they are not, they'll  taste the steel of my new battle axe."

Sarah abruptly leaves the inn without a word.

[Private to DM Pawn: Go ask Marco Shadowbanks if anything is known of the bandits.  Including whether they are "local" or "protected."]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:12, Thu 26 Jan 2017.

Valthur watches Sarah silently depart. "Now where is she off to?" he wonders aloud. "I thought we were getting ready to depart."

The dwarf shakes his head and gives up trying to understand the girl. Her actions, he concludes, will always be a mystery to him. But what's wrong with a little mystery?

During her downtime Aldara considered spending money on robes, rather than continuing to walk around in travelling clothes...but then decided against it.  What she wore served its purpose, and she did not know enough magic to justify a robe with spell components in its sleeves.  Yet.  She did buy plenty of rations, though, and also some more rope and spikes to replace those valiant implements that sacrificed their lives alongside Yhus.

I would like to attempt to learn whatever spells are available to her from Skunge's spell book, done during downtime.

"She'll be back," Aldara says, confident in the strange young woman.  "The same can't be said of the bandits, after we're through with them.  I've a spell in my repertoire that will knock them out like a light, and leave them easy pickings for your axe, Valthur."

Annnd moral and ethical discussion...begin!

"If they are helpless," Eoni pointed out with a stern look at Aldara that spread to include the two armsmen, "we will tie them up.  Their lives are not ours to judge.  If we must defend ourselves, we must, but if they are helpless they are no threat.

"And I'm glad," she added, looking over her shoulder, "that Sarah wasn't around to hear that.  We should be setting an example.

"Mad ferrets and giant spiders are one thing," she went on, "but I will not be a party to slitting throats of helpless men and women.  By Avandra's mercy, we shall turn them in to the proper authorities."

 Marklin scratched himself,then looked thoughtful. " Soooo, we are going to look for this sage the Wizard wants, or are we going to look for bandits? I don't see a focused goal here."

Although Valthur would normally like nothing better than to argue with Eoni about the value of bandit lives, at this moment the dwarf is distant. His thoughts are focused instead on Darna, the enchanting daughter of Drellin Ferry's own blacksmith, Morlin Coalhewer.

Darna was there a few days ago when Valthur traded in his sword and shield for a well crafted battle axe and he charmed her (as best as he could) with stories of his adventures so far. Much to Valthur's amazement, the fair skinned girl actually listened to his somewhat exaggerated tales of heroic deeds done in the Witchwood. Even more to his amazement, she accepted his offer to join him for dinner the next night.

So even as Valthur's wanderlust finally caught up with him, he couldn't help but think about her. In the end, he settled for a small piece of jewelry for her to remember him. As he sits absently with his companions now, he wonders whether he spent enough... or too much.

He sighs.

OOC: I can't believe I missed the fact that Valthur found a girl (msg 48)!
Valthur will plunk down a whopping 5gp for a necklace for his girl and another 1 gp for dinner!
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Sat 28 Jan 2017.

Before departing Drellin's Ferry, the party questions Captain Soranna Anitah, the leader of the townguard, captain of the militia and chief constable of the town. Soranna is a tall, strong-boned woman with simple good looks hidden beneath an unsmiling manner.

Soranna is aware of the Jackals' presence and says they are not a particularly bloodthirsty band of brigands, but they have been known to shake down lone travelers and unarmed caravans with promising cargo. "Your band would pose far too much risk for that gaggle of louts," she reckons. She further suggests a party of your size should encounter no trouble with the Jackals. Still, she recommends avoiding traveling along the road through Nimon Hills at night, when a shakedown is more likely. She also says Drellin's Ferry is offering no bounty for the Jackals at present, but suggests the party speak with the constable in Terrelton if they are serious about going after the brigands.

Finally, Aldara works feverishly to learn and copy Skunge's spells into her own spellbook and is successful in that regard.

OOC: Aldara, you may copy all of the magic-user spells into your spellbook. Just make sure you delete any spells you choose to copy.

Valthur: I figured you chose to ignore your love interest. Good to see you finally noticed it. :)

[Private to Sarah: Marco says the Jackals have connections with the Merchants Council in Terrelton and are primarily an arm of that governing body focused on disrupting rivals. The Merchants Council basically runs the town.]

Eoni wasn't sure that the lack of protest for her proposal to capture brigands rather than kill them was a product of their aproval or their aversion to argument.  Valthur seemed to be just staring at something in the distance, which was a feat since there was only a wall in that direction, and she wasn't sure if Marklin was entirely sober.

"We're going to Terrelton, first," Eoni explained.  "Aldara and I found that it's where Yhus' family is.  Working in the tanneries.  Since Nimon Hills is in the same direction, we'll stop there AFTER Terrelton.  The road between Drellin's Ferry and Terrelton is known to be prowled by bandits.  So we may could run into them in either direction.

"We'll leave in the morning," she continued, wondering how much Valthur was really paying attention and hoping that Sarah would reappear by morning.  "It should be a day on the road to reach Terrelton.

"Captain Anitah believes that we're unlikely to run into the bandits during the day.  Drellin's Ferry also has no bounty on them at the moment as they're more of a nuisance than a threat.  We may see if Terrelton has a different perspective."

She looked around the table and hoped that everyone was on board this time.  This would be the second false start to their departure if someone failed to appear the next morning.  Marklin still had no explanation for his absence on the previous attempt.

Marklin was as sober as a ... well, he was reasonably sober." Let me get this is straight, we are going to travel to Terrelton to do what, exactly? And as far as these bandits are concerned, there is no bounty on them here, and no guarantee one on the other end. I say we go and try and find this sage, the one the wizards want. "

"Hmm...  While I just came from that way...  I suppose I could tag along back the other way, I wasn't exactly given a specific and comprehensible mission"  Charlotte muses.  "Well, beyond the usual sort of vague prophecy bit that you'd be foolish not to listen to, but I got a spot of that shortly after they attacked, so it's probably important I be there, or at least in the same general area likely because I'm not very good at an infight and I'd much rather just avoid getting shot at if at all possible--it seems a good way to meet a terrible fate it is."

Sarah returns approximately three hours after she departed.

She nonchalantly walks to the barkeeper, leans in and whispers a few words.  He nods, and whispers back.  Sarah presents him with a few coins, and he disappears.  He reappears shortly thereafter and presents the girl with a big piece of bread and a tankard of drink.

Carrying her mug and munching on bread, she wanders back to the party and inserts herself among them.  She listens to the conversation for a few moments until there is a lull.  Then, directed at nobody in particular, she says:

"The bandits work for the Merchants' Council.  Merchants' Council controls Terrelton."

Valthur snaps out of his trance in time to hear Sarah's short explanation.


As soft spoken as the girl is, her words always seem warrant attention. This time is no exception.

"Merchants' Council, eh?" he considers. "Seems like those greedy buggers are rich enough the way it is. No need to be taking more through the use of hired thugs. And although I like the idea of levelling the table there, people like that usually have friends in high places. Maybe too high for the likes of us."

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Well let's get to Terrelton first. Once we're there we can decide."

"Yes, it does sound unfair that the bandits work for those merchants," Eoni agreed with Valthur, also ignoring Marklin's confusion.  She wasn't going to explain why they were going to Terrelton yet another time.  She hoped his brain would clear once he'd gotten a distance from the drink and dice that had occupied him during their time in town.

"Well, if we do run into the bandits, I don't see any purpose in turning them over in Terrelton.  We'll just have to bring them back here."

She and Aldara had collected the tome that Sertiernen wanted presented to the Insatiable Savant when they had picked up and paid for the last of their items to be identified.  Eoni had hoped to depart soon after but one week turned to two as Aldara copied spells and Valthur fell under the blacksmith daughter's geas.  Marklin wasn't under any such geas, just a tavern table or two as he slept off a night's revelry.

Eoni didn't really know where Sarah disappeared to from day to day.  Sometimes she was there and sometimes not.  At first the Sister of Avandra tried to keep track of the girl but it proved fruitless and she gave up after the first few days.  She consoled herself that Sarah appeared every day none the worse for wear.  Nonetheless, it didn't stop Eoni from beseeching Avandra to watch over the girl and keep her safe.

With Avandra's Grace, they would be on their way the following morning.

 " This is folly. We have no clear purpose, excerpt to return a dead man's belongings to his kin. There is no profit in that."

Like Valthur, Aldara's expression said that she wanted to press the conversation of whether or not to murder sleeping bandits.  Her thoughts, unlike those of the Dwarf, were not likely focused on anybody she may or may not have found attractive, just, at the moment, herself and easy completion of tasks, damn what ethical and moral issues she did not care to think too much about.  But, she knew that arguing with the priestess was pointless...and not at all in her best interests if she wanted to continue to benefit from her in the way any adventurer benefitted from a priest!

"That complicates things..." The mage pales when Sarah mentions who's pulling the strings in Terrelton.  She breaks her silence, also ignoring poor Marklin.  "Err, perhaps you're right, Eoni.  Maybe putting the brigands to death wouldn't be such a great idea after all.  It would be much better to keep them alive if we came across them, so we could attempt to find out as much as we could.  My compulsory magics will also likely fare much better against what I hope to be humans, than they did against kobolds." Well, at least she was sort of on the right track.