"Some news." Larmin says as he walks down the stairs and goes to the table.

"I would like some bread and tea and maybe a ration for the road?. By the way, Geoffry sends his regards." He asks the innkeeper, not liking to stuff his stomach too early.

"As I was saying our enemy seems to have a banner of sorts. A black hand is painted in their shields and armors. Do that rings you a bell? We may find some hobgoblins among the bandits for sure. About this temple, it has been sealed. At least the lower levels. Which means it is definitely the kind of place a group of bandits would take as a base."

Ostler motions upstairs then says "There's a whole table of bread upstairs, how'd you miss that. Tea is available though for five coppers. You wanting a days ration for the road? I can fix you up a day's rations for six silvers."

He is pouring a cup of tea. The tea is hot you can tell and plenty dark. He puts a small container of cream near it

Larmiun happily pays to Ostler.

"We should prepare to leave as soon as possible. So noone has ever heard of the Black Hand?"

Ostler shakes his head negatively. "I've not heard of one using such, certainly would not portend well, a Black Hand, seems to me might be evil in nature."

Has anyone left yet or asked directions to where they might find Burne?

OOC: I had, but I'll do whatever to make it easy.


At the new commotion, the old man stops in his tracks and impatiently makes his way back to the others, still grumbling. "Buncha thieves and cut throats are mixed up in this temple too? No good will come of it. You hatchlings are definitely in over your head." he says, glaring at all of them.

Then grinning evilly he says, "But they'll have items of power and knowledge aplenty. Big risk, but even bigger reward. No where can we find this Burne character so that we can get clear directions on where we can find our pay day?"

PM

"We can always ask." Seralessa says and turns to Ostler. "Excuse me, do you know where we can find Burne?"

"Of course I do m'lady. When you leave the Wench go north til you come to the first fork in the road, take the right fork. Go past the blacksmiths and there will be another fork in the road, take the left fork. Just stay on that til you come to the tower, Burne and Rufus will no doubt be in the tower at this time of morning." Ostler tells Seralessa.

Ailishi gets ready and also buys a ration from Ostler. "Maybe we should just go find Velox and the others. He said he already met Burne, after all."

Ostler sales the ration.

(What are the rest of you up to? I had been waiting to respond hoping others would post first :) )

In reply to DM (msg # 225):

Milander is waiting for everyone so that they can go meet Burne.

OOC: I hope you guys don't mind but I'm going to move you along some.

Having finished breakfast and got enough supplies for the day the party leaves the Welcome Wench and head's to the guardtower to have their own meeting with Burne. They follow the directions of Ostler and easily find the proper path following his directions. As you come upon the construction site you see men unloading a couple of wagons that must have arrived late yesterday or early today. A guard seeing you asks of your business and directs you to the tower.

Following the path you come to Burne's Guard Tower and are ushered into the main hall by a member of Burne's Badgers. At a desk you see a man younger than you expected he seems to be going through some papers. He has no obvious weapons. A quick eye shows him to be physically fit though, more so than your typical wizard.

After a moment he looks up towards you.

Burne smiles as he looks up. "Can I help you adventurers?"

Ailishi nods and bows his head. "Greetings Burne. I am Ailishi Urcmon. With me, Larmium Dol'Uten, Seralessa Vadmal, Milander Vos Drago and Himo. We have been appointed by Viscount Wilfrick to hunt down the bandits of the area. We would like to know what advice or useful information you can give us to finnish our task."

OOC:
07:24, Today: Ailishi Urcmon rolled 11 using 1d20+8.  Diplomacy.

OOC: Mind? You'll get an open mouth kiss from me DM!

Hesseth catches up to Milander along the way, and the old man cautions the snake to not bite anyone and wait outside until he is done talking to the "Hatchling in charge". Inside, the old man looks around at everything, including the paperwork Burne was working on but says nothing, letting the others handle the "pleasantries".

Burne looks over you then says with a hint of superiority "I had another group of adventurers just yesterday asking for assistance. I'll tell you as I told them, we are willing to assist as we can. However my obligation to Hommlett and seeing this fortress built prevents me from actively adventuring as I have in the past. I know the Viscount has placed a bounty for bandit scalps, you may come here to the tower to collect that bounty rather than traveling all the way back to Verbobonc. I can also help with some scrolls of an arcane nature from time to time. I might also be willing to trade a spell or two with a wizard for standard fees."

He pauses a moment looking at Milander then continues "The road to Verbobonc seems to stay clear enough. It is the roads east of town that seem to have the most attacks. The attacks have been growing and trade is down to a trickle in that direction. If their base is to be found it probably would have to have easy access to the eastern roads."

"Trade for spells sounds good. East... think they're holed up in that Temple Serten was killed at?" the old man says, continuing to look around in his doddering manner.

"I doubt it, from what was told the temple was laid to waste. It's exact location has been lost, perhaps intentionally lost. It was said to lay north and east of Hommlett along an old forgotten road." Burne responds.

Ailishi just shrugs. "Then I guess we are ready to move. Anyone wants to ask for something?"

"Nope. We know which way to go now. Let's get a move on." the old man says, ready to be moving as he turns to go to the door.

"St Cuthbert be with you my friends" Burne says as you depart.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:53, Wed 31 Jan 2018.

Milander provides a dismissive wave of his hand, and is already heading to their next destination.

You leave Hommlett by the east road out of town, the road where rumors of bandits persist and that trade has been severely halted. You are not well equipped, this being among your first adventures. Yet you are strong in heart, some seeking fortunes, others fame, and others to just help. Together you might accomplish the impossible, fight demons and gods and restore balance to the kingdom.

You continue out of town for an hour, you know now you are beyond the watchful eye of Burne's Guard Tower. What are you doing?

The old man moved forward slowly, foraging and keeping a wary eye open for traps and ambushes. He continued to glare at the noisier members of the group, grumbling about how much of a "racket" they were making.

Larmiun keeps walking in silence, but with his eyes wide open. After all, they are going straight into bandit territory.

OOC:
01:55, Today: Larmiun Dol'Uten rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  spot check.