The mercenary captain frowns.

"I haven't heard that name, though we're only recently in this area. Rowan here puts up quite a little chase - we've traveled pretty far. The name we've heard is Jolliver Grimjaw, and we've heard he leads a group of pirates and sellswords based in a place called Rivergard Keep. I suppose they could be working together though."

Makari was a little confused by the direction the conversation was going. It was about a sword, but it was also about a people. There were apparently two separate groups of water bandits that may or may not have the sword.

He gave a small shrug. "If I am not needed here to help stop these raiders, then I suppose I could help with clearing out some bandits."

The soft snickering laugh of the bear quiets and her focus returns fully to the conversation when the discussion turns in the direction of the bandits.

“It just so happens I’m in search of a bandit myself. Though I do suspect he’s trudged off in another direction and I’m following a fruitless trail.” Jo brushed some dirt off his hat and donned it. “But I suppose it’s worth a shot. And you? I’m sure someone like you would be useful.”

"My name is Morg. My goal is to reclaim Tyar-Besil, underground" he says to the mercenary leader, pointing down, "for the All-Father's people; but pirates and brigands are bad for trade - which we need to rebuild. Do you wish to join forces in finding these pirates? This sword for your employer, pirate treasure for those looking for riches, and a safe land for the surface folk?"

The mercenary leader frowns. "We are not well-suited for exploring underground ruins. Nor are we suited for storming a keep full of bandits. Though we will aid you however we can in finding and recovering the sword."

She turns to Rowan, looking at him skeptically. "If you're willing to recover the sword, we will stay with you, nearby, and return it to the town when you have it. But we'll not let you walk away from this before it is returned to the town, with or without the sword."

Turning to look at the human next to her the bear shakes her head almost sadly, then returns her focus to the folks in the nearby clearing.

In reply to DM (msg # 53):

Rowan shakes his head. "I wouldn't dream of walking away from this. I want this over with as soon as possible."

"Very well," the captain says. "We will accompany you to Rivergard Keep if that's where you're headed, or where ever you think the sword is now."

"We'll need to reconnoiter the pirates, keep, river, and boats." Morg says. "Are there any bridges we can destroy to make fords to prevent the ships from using the river? We can't lay siege to the keep, tho we should see if we can flood it. We'll probably have to infiltrate the keep and use partisan tactics."

"Mag, Durik, and I probably won't be much good at sneaking around tho."

"If I have the chance to acquire some spell components, I can help the parties stealth with invisibility and illusion spells."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:59, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

"Who would be frightened of you? Know that I find you adorable!" Jo grinned at the bear. "You're planning to follow them? I'll leave you to it. I'm not too good at remaining inconspicuous, we're lucky I haven't drawn their attention here yet." He stood to depart. "Terribly sorry to disturb you in your work, guardian."

The mercenary captain shakes her head at Morg emphatically. "Only the Stone Bridge is close enough to make such a dramatic effect on the flow of water on the Dessarin River. And good luck to you in destroying a stone archway two miles long."

---

Anyone who would like to can make a History check on the Stone Bridge - dwarves can make it with advantage.

Magdrak frowns.  "Not sure I would hold with destroying such a work anyway.  Assuming that it is dwarven made, as all the best ones are, then it is an affront to Moradin to desecrate such a wonder."

---

OOC:

01:28, Today: Secret Roll: Magdrak rolled 13 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 6,8.  History Check - Stonework (Advantage).

Makari frowned as one of the dwarves spoke. He seemed hesitant and as if he didn't like what was being discussed. "I...." He cleared his throat. "I don't like the idea of destroying a bridge in the possibly incorrect hope that it will hinder the bandits. Especially when we can be assured it will certainly hinder people that aren't bandits."

He shook his head. "Why not hold off on such rash measures, even in discussion, until we see more of what we are up against? We should go take a look first, then make plans. Yes?"

"Agreed.  The All father would find displeasure in the unneeded destruction of stone work.  Especially if our kin made it.  I think we can reconnoiter the Keep first and then decide our next actions."

_____________________________________________________________________________________
OOC:  History check is a 20 with Advantage.
07:46, Today: Secret Roll: Durik rolled 31 using 2d20+3 with rolls of 20,8.  History w advantage.
This message was last updated by the player at 12:48, Fri 03 Jan 2020.

As the human with it departs the bear looks at it for a moment and nods, very much as if thanking him for something.

The mercenary captain looks doubtfully at Durik. "If you could destroy it," she says.

---

Rowan rubs his chin in thought. I doubt we have the firepower to destroy such a large structure. Certainly most of my spells are geared around stealth, and illusion.

Morg draws a rough map on the sooty ground of the river, Sumber hills, stone bridge, and fire-cult camp. "Okay, recon the keep first. Where is it approximately?" he says.

The mercenary captain approaches and examines the crude map on the hillside. After a few moments, she points to the bend of the river near the southern end of the Sumber Hills. "Rivergard Keep is there," she says simply.

---

Map updated. Morg would note that the location of Rivergard Keep more or less corresponds with the "South Door" from his map.

Jo bowed to the bear before making his leave. "Much appreciated. Safe travels, guardian." He tried his best to remain hidden as he left, emerging from the woods a ways away so not to draw suspicion towards the bear.

"Morning!" Jo called out to the ensemble. "I couldn't help but eavesdrop on your conversation. Might I accompany you to this keep of yours?"

Shaking his head in disagreement.  "The stone bridge was built by our kin and would not easy to destroy.  In fact it is a sacred site of pilgrimage for many dwarves. Long ago it is said the All-Father himself appeared atop the Stone Bridge to rally dwarves of the Ironstar clan against a horde of orcs.  Years later King Torhild Flametongue, the founder of Besilmer, died fighting a hill giant atop the Stone Bridge, and rumor has it he and his greataxe are entombed somewhere near Beliard."

Looking over Morgs map; "Lets get as close as we can and then let those that are stealthy do the close I recon."

The mercenaries tense at the arrival of yet another person to the assembled, but go back to patiently waiting for the group's next steps once Jo shows no apparent hostility.

Magdrak smiles as Durik speaks about dwarven history to the others.  "I have not yet made my pilgrimage to the Stone Bridge, although now does not exactly seem the time to be doing so.  Perhaps when we are done with our current mission..."

While waiting, Magdrak moves up to the mercenary captain.  "I have not had the chance to ask before, but how is old Nalaskur doing?  It has been ages since I was at the Bargewright, swapping stories with him."