Rennick sat down next to Nomerendal and said to him:
"Hey Rendal, have you slept well? I saw you here at midnight, sleeping in here, which cannot have been very comfortable, can it?"
Rennick ordered some sandwiches and a pot of tea and quietly ate his breakfast.

Then he addressed Nomerendal again:
"Have you got any plans for today? Let's think about the missing shipment. What's Kreed or Payday going to do about that?
I'm not sure of this, but I think there may be a request, later today, for me and some others to speak to a manager of the Consortium about the missing shipment of lumber.
And suppose that manager asks for a group of intrepid adventurers to investigate, would you be willing to go with us?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:34, Wed 21 Mar 2018.

Francis descended the stairs. It was clear that he was cranky (well...crankier than his usual self) but admittedly less cranky than yesterday morning. Seems like he was adjusting to this whole "waking up before noon" thing.

He slumped down into an open seat at the table and tried to spread his silent foul mood as much as he could. After a few moments however he stopped chewing in mid-bite and said "Ya know, it just occurred to me. This is the second day I've been in this...place, and I've yet to see any parades in my honor. Or even a trace of a reward for my selfless heroic deed. WTF!!!" he slammed his toast against the table in protest (which did little more than bounce off and fall on the floor).
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Wed 21 Mar 2018.

Dorak says in amusement "Lad, parades are reserved for great warleaders and nobles. Ye are neither. No scientist ever had the accolades of the common people, since most folks never understand what science or natural philosophy is about. And you're just not high enough in social status to rate any consideration. So put on some humility. Besides, 'selfless' and 'rewards' should never be in the same sentence. Makes you look like an egotistical fake. And we know there's nothing fake about you."

"Besides, the only reward for a job well done is more work." Arell said as he shambled in.

Apparently today was also his day off.  If he got back on Moon-day and his files were misplaced there would be several levels of hell to pay.

About that time the doors banged open from the outside and filling the doorway, was the mountain of a man, Paydon 'Payday' Teedum. Arms like small trees. Knuckles so scarred they looked like rocks. A face that looked like it was chiseled from the rocks dwarves mined in. A Nose that had broken so many times that it permanently looked like a knuckle on one of his big hands.

His voice sounded gravelly and no nonsense as he said loudly Rennick. Where ya at lad. I needs ta see ya. he stood in.the doorway allowing his eyes to adjust to the dimmer interior before he moved into the room. Here was a man who took stock of everything before hurrying.

When the bull busted through the barn door, Nomerendal glanced over at Eldrin with a smile playing about his thin lips. He shrugged at Rennick's question and poked his chin in Payday's direction.

"Sure, I suppose fishing can wait 'til tomorrow..." He faked a tremendous sigh. "I think there's someone looking for you, but that mountain that just walked through the door is blocking my view of whom it might be."

Francis shot Torah a glare, "I am a noble and the unwashed plebs don't need to know how I did it, bottom line is I saved their worthless hides!" Francis looked for something else on the table to slam in protest. Couldn't find anything, so he disappeared below the table, "This is bullshit." He emerged with the same toast as before and threw it against the table again (with much the same results as last time).

Just then Paydon the human giant came in and after 1 look at him, Francis' eyes went as wide as gold coins and smiled so slyly it would put a goblin to shame. Big man = Small brain = Payday for Me.

Beaming with enthusiasm, friendship and good will, Francis greeted the man, "H.E.L.L.O. MY. NAME. IS. F.R.A.C.I.S." he spoke slowly and clearly and used hand gestures as communication aids. "CAN YOU SAY FRANCIS?"

This was going great! Francis could feel the money in his pocket already. The dimwit would be so greatful after hearing how Francis had saved everyone's life that he will probably give him everything he deserved (and probably more since slow people didn't generally know the true worth of things).

Edit: ninja'd
This message was last edited by the player at 20:00, Wed 21 Mar 2018.

'Payday' stared at Francis when he walked up and looked at the offered hand and cocked his head to one side as he heard what was said.sure i can understand yur name Francis. don know why ya care if i do. the ways i hears it, most folks dont want me knowin em.

But im not here fur you kid. If I was you'd knows it. So be scarce. In here for Rennick.

Eldrin caught Nomerenal's glance and nodded knowingly.

He couldn't help but smirk at the childish outbursts from Francis. That boy needed more than a few lessons but it was clear they would have to come from another source.

He quietly watched to see if Rennick would take charge and address Payday himself.

Rennick stood up and said:
“Here I am, master, I’m certain that you want to do something about the missing shipment,right?
If that’s what you came for,then you, master can speak with all of us.
These guys are the ones who’ve shown bravery when looking for the ingredients for the cure.
So they can be trusted “
This message was last edited by the player at 21:22, Wed 21 Mar 2018.

Boss Teedum walked towards the table, ignoring Francis and looking at the group. He nodded once at Arell. Smirked at Nomerendal and Fidget. Cocked his head to the side and looked at Dorak and Eldrin.

of course Rennick. Ive heard what you all did to save our water source and of course the citizens of this town. The Boys. Wanted to know Rennick if you'd want to lead a crew out to camp 3 for us to find out what the delay is and fix the problem for us?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:18, Wed 21 Mar 2018.

Rennick answered: "That would be a dangerous mission, master Teedum, one not to be entered lightly.
We've seen and tracked some dangerous creatures in the forest and on our search for ingredients we lost three good people.
So to make this excursion to the lumber camp, which may have been assailed by powerful beings, we would need adequate equipment.
I think the boys would like to discuss the terms with you, the equipment they want to take and a few other important matters, which .. "

Rennick started to sum up, but looked at the others for suggestions:
"which include a good strong longbow made of dark wood for Eldrin, the elf here, and ehh..."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Wed 21 Mar 2018.

The little Gnome spell caster, climbs up on the table and walks over to the side closest to Payday Teedum. So that she was now only a foot and a half shorter then him.What we really need Mr Payday, is free access to the High Market for our entire group, a source to purchase spell scrolls,and financial compensation for solving your lumber camp problem. We'll need to make money, if we are to continue being one of the consortium's tools. So we can pay for the equipment we'll need to preform the work your sending us on.

After speaking the little Gnome woman crosses her ams under her breasts and asks, So what will it be are we all going shopping or are you going to the lumber camp?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:32, Thu 22 Mar 2018.

If ever there was a time for the subtle manipulations he'd inherited as part of his distant fey ancestry, this was it. Nom stepped up onto the table next to Fidget, put and arm around her small shoulders and began to speak in that sing-song like manner of rhythm and rhyme which allowed his magic to work.

"As a party, we're quite BOLD,
Through Darkwood forest deep and COLD,
We need High Market to spend our GOLD,
We'll find yer logs, our trust you HOLD,
We'll bring'em back where they'll be SOLD..."


OOC: Casting Charm Person on Payday...

OOC: Does Rennick notice that a spell is cast by Rendal? I'm not trying to identify what spell, but to see whether he knows that a spell is being cast at all.
08:22, Today: Rennick Hitman rolled 7 using 1d20.  Wis or Int check to notice spell.

As Rennick started to 'negotiate' the terms for investigating Boss Teedum raised a hand as if to quiet the guard saying simply you obviously dont understand. this wasnt a request.

Then as Fidget jumped up on the table and crossed to stand near Boss Teedum and explained they merely wanted access to the High Market before they left and possibly to talk to that hermit of a wizard in his tower he grinned HaHaHaHa. I like yur pluck. if thats all you want to do before you head out of course we will let you seek some supplies.

Then Nomerendal jumped up next to her and started singing...his smile quickly went to a frown and his hand shot out and grabbed the gnomish bard by the throat and he pulled him across the table to put his face very close to the gnomes. ill have nun a yur shenanigans Bard. you take me fir a fool?!.

Releasing Nomerendal with a slight shove, the gnome nearly went over the edge of the table.

normally id beat you 6 days from Oathday. but Im feelin generous today. this is 1. there wont be a second. try that agin on me an youll be fish food before you can blink. If all you need is access to High Market, consider it done. I'll pass the word. Do any a you have anything else to add? And Rennick...remember who pays you, before you find yourself on the wrong side of things.




07:29, Today: DM Dread rolled 28 using 1d20+8.  Paydays save Vs charm DC 15. 07:32, Today: DM Dread rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  CMB for grab Vs. Nomerendal CMD 11.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:54, Thu 22 Mar 2018.

Rennick was astonished by Teedum's attack on Nomerendal and didn't understand it at first.
He thought about it, while bowing down to help Nomerendal by extending his hand, asking:
"Are you alright, Rendal?"
His conclusion was that Rendal must have done something to anger Teedum, but he didn't know what exactly.
Moreover, Rennick thought that his salary as guard wasn't sufficient to deal with such a dangerous undertaking,
but he decided not to bring up that issue now, because he didn't want an open conflict with Teedum here and now.
So he just waited for the reactions of the others.

Arell watches the proceedings with a face like stone.

He Did Not Like Teedum, not an itty bitty bit, and this particular exchange was just another example of why.  The damn ogre was always hurting something, even when he didn't have to...especially when he didn't have to.

Of course, Rendal walked right into it with his stupid tricks, so while he thought Teedum's response was overblown, he couldn't fault the reasoning behind it.

"You've made your point, Teedum," Arell says, voice civil and cold, "It's too early to get thrown out of the tavern.  Let it go."

Nom struggled to his feet with a mixture of wincing grimace and sheepish grin. "Heh. Jus-ouch! Just a bit of tune is all Boss Teedum, didn't mean anything by it..." The gnome rubbed at a bruise.

Rennick knew that boss Teedum was a dangerous man, who could punish the employees of the Consortium in terrible ways, if they didn't follow the orders.
But on the other hand, boss Teedum had always been good to those guards who did what they had been told to do.
So Rennick said: "I will go to lumber camp 3 and solve this problem with the missing shipment, master.
Of course, I don't answer for the others here, they're free to do as they like.
I think we need a wagonmaker who can repair wagons. For I think that when we find the missing wagons,
they'll be broken in one way or another. So it will only be possible to bring them back if we can repair them on the spot.
Can you send a wagonmaker with us, master Teedum?"

In reply to Nomerendal Tunespinner (msg # 26):

Eldrin moved behind Nomerendal and helped him to his feet. He’d been smiling at Fidget’s gumption but that smile had been wiped away by Payday’s treatment of Nomerendal. Now a stern, distant look was on his face when he spoke up saying, "I will go. And though a carpenter may be required, only send one if he or she is willing to risk his or her life in the woods and can help in a fight..."

"Give me the right tools and I could fix the world" Francis chimed in from his sulking corner.

"Opening the High Market is a start. Tell me, payday. How does one but a building in town. I'm thinking of starting a smithy." Dorak asks.

Boss Teedum watched the group file from the restaurant watching them intently.

When he was asked about sending a wagoneer with them, and Francis spoke up quickly he said looks like you got someone already.

Then to Dorak he answers You handle this issue and we can set up a time to speak to Master Kreed and Im sure we could make arrangements...