"This is important, so I want you to think very carefully before answering. What is the last thing you remember before being on the rooftop with an arrow sticking out of you?" Garryn asks the fat man, Stockmaster Tanquen if the merchants identification was correct. He made a mental note to talk to the merchant whose clothes the man is wearing when time allowed.

Asher will maintain his position on fire control. Is Asher close enough to get a sense motive/sense enchantment check on our recently healed fat man. It seems like he may have recently returned to normal; but it's worth a shot to discover if Babarass if using dominate person or a suggestion spell.

The portly man dressed in black, apparently the town’s stockmaster and one Tanquen by name, draws a deep and somewhat shaky breath as he considers Garryn’s question.  His forehead is sheened with sweat, and his plump face looks unhappy.  The thin mustache that he affects, coupled with the rather dubious choice of a black cape, black cap, and black bandanna as apparel, make the man look a bit ridiculous, but his demeanor seems sincere.  ”Oh dear.  I was at my home, checking on my latest batch of mead in the cellar.  I brew small batches for some of the local inns hereabouts, you see.  I had some vague sense of a growing commotion outside, and went upstairs to determine what was happening.  Apparently, there was a fire in town someplace, and I stood in my door watching the flames climbing into the evening sky.  Although frightened, I resolved to go investigate, when a thin man approached me from the street with a smile.”

Tanquen’s brow wrinkles in concentration.  ”I remember he seemed as an old, close friend, and I thought I was very fortunate that he had stopped by my house.  He told me his name was Zante Barbaras, and that he and I had important business to discuss, and that we had much to do.  We proceeded to the warehouse district, and he spoke to me of my duties as stockmaster, and my responsibilities stemming from that position.”  Tanquen falters and again looks perplexed.  ”He convinced me…somehow, I truly know not…that it was wise and even, ummm, necessary, to set fire to the lumber and oil warehouse.  He gave me these clothes and instructions to burn the building.  I…how could he do that?  How could he make it seem that such arson was logical and prudent?”

Asher, still plying the fountaining water from the magical flask on the fire wagon, notices that the man that Garryn had brought down from the roof of the warehouse is speaking to Garryn, Caylin, and a couple of others that the monk didn’t recognize.  However, the concentration required to continue to fight the fire, and the level of noise associated with the wagon’s activities, precludes Asher from gleaning any other information regarding what is transpiring among the little knot of people.

"Hmm, that is what I was afraid of. Could you describe the man that approached you in greater detail, perhaps?" Garryn asks the man.

After awaiting his answer he looks around for the merchant he'd spoken with earlier and says, "I don't believe this man is truly guilty of anything, but you are more familiar with the local laws, I will entrust him to you. For my part, I believe this is just the beginning any you merchants will need to organize and cooperate. Also, since it would seem he will be using inside men to do his dirty work, I'd suggest that everyone pair up to make this more difficult for him. That way anyone not with someone else should immediately fall under suspicion. At least, that is my suggestion. I will continue to offer what support I can if my services are still desired."

Ten turns of the minute glass past six bells.

Tanquen nods at Garryn's query.  "He was--the man calling himself Zante Barbaras, that is--frankly, in a bit of a dissheveled state.  His clothes appeared as if he had been, errr, sleeping in them for some time, and a sharp razor had certainly NOT touched that man's face for some time.  After he told me to," Tanquen looks down at his hands and continues a bit more softly, "burn the warehouse, he took two large casks of oil and loaded them onto a hand cart--and then left."

At this moment, a young Mithran acolyte pushes his way through the gathering crowd, calling out, "Are any injured?  Do any require care?"  Garryn, Asher, Caylin, and Dominique all recognize the young man as one of a pair of acolytes who had been administering aid to the erstwhile patrons of the Pigrims' Rest during the fire.

Almost simultaneous with the acolyte's arrival, a handsome, middle-aged woman strides up to Garryn, Caylin, Dominique, and the rest of the small group gathered around Tanquen.  She is accompanied by a Borderton watchman, armed with long sword and short bow and clad in studded leather armor.  "Those are my wares, Bellitor," she says to the watchman (OOC: 'bellitor' is an older Paldorian term that can apply to soldier, watchman, or man at arms alike).  "I demand an explanation."

The watchman says, "Stockmaster Tanquen, I fear you must accompany me--to answer for this fire, and to perhaps shed light on the theft of Mistress Lennarra's wares."

Tanquen obediently clambers to his feet and begins to set off with the watchman and the woman, looking downcast.  He lifts his head long enough to lament, "But I don't even LIKE black!"

Thirteen turns of the minute glass past six bells.

As Tanquen and his escort are leaving, the merchant replies to Garryn.  "My thanks, sirrah, but I will have my men attend to my interests and my own wares.  Other merchants are at the mercy of their own devices; I am no altruist.  The civic responsibility you and your companions display is admirable, but Borderton is an unlikely place for such cooperation to take root.  I bid you farewell and fair fortune--if you should chance to require furs or leathers, stop by my place of business.  I am Theles, a merchant of no small renown.  I go to see to the safety of my own goods."

So saying, the merchant and his three burly retainers depart.

Asher will maintain his postition and action.

OOC: Thanks to some pilfered Goth garb, I believe Vil owes Garryn a roast pig, 2 tankards ale, and a female half orc companion.

"Very well, perhaps I will drop by when I have the chance," Garryn replies as he turns his attention back to the fire.

The halfling shifted restlessly, holding his bow in hand.  His archer's eyes tracked Aine and Asher, watching as the ranger maneuvered the wagon, and the monk continued to give the magical flask its watery vent--soaking the interior of the warehouse and battling the fire that raged within the building.  Aine maintained her mastery over the wagon's horses, and Asher appeared to have achieved a great deal of expertise in handling the stream of water that issued from the flask.  It seemed as if the two were actually containing and diminishing the fire.  If only...

"Oi!  Foreign-guy!  'At's th' ticket, 'at is!  But it looks like y' missed a spot, then, eh?"

"Girl-driver!  Watch th'  'orses, then!  An' steady wi' th' reins...steady!"

The two boys continued to leap about the fire wagon, shouting their respective brands of encouragment and dubious advice.

Caylin considered his bow.  One shot might be able to bring down both of the lads simultaneously....  The halfling shook his head and banished such thoughts from his mind.

Still, Asher and Aine were making great strides in putting out the warehouse fire, and would succeed in controlling the flames and burning in a matter of moments.

Twenty turns of the minute glass past six bells.

Aye - it looks I do indeed need to fess up a bit of gold to the G-Man.  Nice work Garyn.

WRT the time -- Kevin, how long was it between the eruption of the Inn fire and the Warehouse Fire?

V

Looks like Asher will be on fire control at least another round.

Asher rolled a 17 + 5 (ranged AB) for a 22 on his "to hit" with the flask. I have no idea what the DC is.

OOC-- isn't there a way to cut and paste those results into a post?

Aine continues to display her mastery of the team of horses drawing the firewagon--they exhibit almost complete compliance to the ranger's handling.  The wagon draws closer to the warehouse's doors, and Asher expertly aims a steady outpouring of water at the burning pile of lumber.  Gouts of steam mingled with smoke from the fire turn the warehouse's interior into a smokey sauna, but the monk and ranger remain outside and continue to battle the blaze...a blaze that with each passing moment diminishes in intensity.

Twenty-five turns of the minute glass past six bells.

Approximately 40 minutes.  The inn was set afire around 20 turns of the minute glass past five bells, and the warehouse explosion occurred almost precisely at six bells.

Asher rolled {11}+5 (ranged AB) for a 16 to hit with flask.

Asher's focus on his fiery target is again rewarded; the geyser-like stream of water emanating from the little magical flask appears to be generating more steam and less smoke--a sign that the fire continues to abate.  As the monk trains the water on the burning piles of lumber within the warehouse, another wagon rolls into the open square nearby.  Driven by two men armored in studded leather and carrying long swords and short bows, the wagon is filled with sundry large vessels sloshing with water.  Several other people are hanging about the wagon by various hand-holds, and all leap to the ground and begin a bucket brigade as soon as the wagon rolls to a halt.

Asher recognizes that this response is similar to what he had seen at the Pilgrims' Rest, and that the fire is essentially under control for the time, even without the monk's and ranger's aid.

OOC:  Moves?

Asher jumps from the wagon and crosses to Garryn, "Garryn, a word with you? I'm wondering if we should not split up? I'm thinking we should move the wagon due east, while the others, including the half-elf and half-beast, split up to cover some point south, like the water tower, and some point north. What say you?"

OCC: By some point north, obviously, I'm thinking building 13.

"Yes, I can see the need, but we should consider communication. Perhaps we could hire some boys to run messages between us? Also, given our targets methods nobody should be alone, no sense becoming targets ourselves. That means we can only form three groups, and since you and Aine have demonstrated your abilities with the fire wagon you should stick with it. Caylin, what do you think the next most likely target is?" Garryn replies

"I've nae ken o' this Barbaras' puzzles, Garryn, an' I misdoubt m' knowledge o' th' town, here.  Mayhap some other might shed some light 'pon th' issue--I've no feel f'r it, meself."  The halfling shoulders his bow and calmly fishes his little clay pipe out of a pocket, proceeding to load the bowl with a fragrant-smelling tobacco.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Mon 26 July 2004.

"Since my first hearing of Barbaras' riddle, I have believed that the five points, if viewed from above, would make up a star. If this is his game, I believe the next fire will occur at or near the Mithran Library to the East, Aine and I should go there with the wagon. I believe the next point could be the water tower and Vill and Tot are there. Last, I believe that the final fire will be near the northern part of the town; perhaps a building near there (indicating building #13) Perhaps you and Dom could head there and Cay could come with Aine and I, that way, he can run between us as messenger, until we can employ some help." Asher suggests; then adds, "But the will of a madman is more difficult to know than that of a Swallow; so all of my guessing may prove wrong."

OCC: Oops, Asher is overstepping his knowledge of Borderton. I don't know that he would be familiar with the location of the library. So, please substitute the sentence "...I believe the next fire will occur due east of here,..."   for the line "...I believe the next fire will occur at or near the Mithran Library to the East,..." in the previous post.

"I think you may be on to something, Asher. I think that plan is sound, but maybe Caylin should go with me and Dom would make a better runner, short legs don't cover as much area. Of course, I have a horse which would be even better but I'd hate to waste the time getting it. I think we might actually be better off hiring runners to stay in touch and we could have Dom catch up with Tot and Vil at the water tower. What do you think?" Garryn asks.

Asher replys, "Good then. Aine, Dom and I will head east. If we see anything, Dom (or a runner if we can find a boy to hire) will deliver word to you."

Asher offers a hand to the cleric, to help him onto the wagon and suggests to Aine that we make haste.

"Good, we'll be in the north area and have our eyes open. If you see a flaming arrow shot up in the air it will mean that we have a fire in our area. Good luck," Garryn says in parting as he and Caylin begin the trek north.