-Episode 11-
-Threshing 16th-
-Warm, cloudy with no rain, gentle breeze-
-Immersion-Sound-Sawing-
Scene #68: E: Positive for Goblins: a Dispute over the Outside Q: Are the bandits gone? YES Q: Does Enid get queezy? NO
The next morning, we return to the scene of the ambush to load the two hunters onto the back of the horse and to bag up the severed heads of the cultists. It’s bloody work, but with one of the abandoned blades, it doesn’t take long.
Then we are on our way to Littleshir with our grisly trophies.
-Encounter-Small Ruins-
As we travel out of the woods, we pass by a rickety wooden fence with animal skulls tied every ten feet or so along its length. There is an ancient, dilapidated house beyond the fence, caved in upon itself and completely overgrown. We pass it by.
Q: Is the king’s wagon ready? YES
Arriving at Littleshir, we see Sergeant Wells and a couple of men loading a body into a cart.
“Sergeant Wells,” I call out as we approach. “Two men from near here I am told,” gesturing at the bodies on the horse.
Q: Does he blame us? YES
“You’re a murderous lot aren’t you?” his eyes narrow as he and his men spread out.
I spill out the sack of severed heads, “When it comes to the king’s assassins, we did murder the lot of them. Anyone you know?” I kick one towards him.
-Intimidation 13-
“And two hunters? And one of my men?” the sergeant approaches, drawing steel…the circle closes around us.
I hold up my hands, “Prince Jon sent us to recover his father’s remains. They weren’t at the battle site, nor where my friends who were supposed to bring them after me when I rode in pursuit of Princess Free’s kidnapper. I thought Ronan and Sylvia might have come here to borrow a wagon. But it looks like these two hunters, and by the tracks, two more with them, ambushed my friends before they could leave.”
-Persuasion 21-
The sergeant stops. Then looks from between Edwin and I, then glances at Enid, then back to me. “Your friends came here with the king’s remains.” He nods towards the wagon, “But the other two hunters arrived first, and told Sheriff Wyles they had murdered their father and one of their brothers…and the king. My men in the village tried to arrest them. Your men put three in the dirt, and one in the grave,” he nods towards the second body in the cart. “There must be justice.”
“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. Three innocent men have died. There is no need to add to the butcher’s bill. Are my friends in custody then?” I ask.
Q: Does he ask about Ronan’s allegations? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“Your friends claimed Prince Jon had the king assassinated,” Sergeant Wells’ eyes bore into me. “And you say Prince Jon sent you. Does this mean you are in league with the King’s murderer? Or that your friend was a liar?”
“It means it is hard to draw a clean shot through the fog. Prince Jon now rules the land. But whether he was behind his father’s murder, and that of his brother, I do not know. But I know I need to find my friends. And that the king must be properly buried. And I pray to the goddess that the Prince is innocent, for if he is not. If things are as they seem at first glance, this land is doomed.” I solemnly explain.
-Generate Sergeant Wells personality details. His motivations are Refine Slavery and Proclaim Enemies-this sucks-
The sergeant’s resolve suddenly stiffens, “Surrender your weapons now. I don’t know if you killed the King, or if Prince Jon did. But your man killed one of mine. And regardless of how, Prince Jon is the new king, and your words against him are treason. Surrender or die!”
-Perception roll 14-
Noting how the sergeant carries his blade, the ease and confidence of his steps, and the positioning of his men around us, I bow my head in submission and unbelt my blades, unshoulder my bow, and let my weapons fall to the ground. “We yield. Please escort Edwin and I back to Firth to face charges. The girl was send along to help bring back the king. She is the Wizard Morrus’s apprentice, and as you know, not part of our company.”
Q: Does he let Enid go free? NO
“Birds of a feather,” Sergeant Wells replies as his men round up the three of us, and throws our weapons into the wagon, along with the gathered severed heads. The bodies of the two hunters are left behind for their families to claim and bury.
The three of us are quickly bound, and then escorted under guard back towards Firth.
—
Scene #69 (Positive Alteration):
Ronan and Sylvia took turns sleeping through the night, rotating watch. At dawn, they share a quick meal, joined by an unexpected visitor.
“Here dog,” coos Sylvia as the stray farm hound approaches. “Good boy,” she smiles as it takes a piece of jerky from her hand.
Ronan sits up and begins donning his armor, “A stray like yourself?”
“Am I a stray? That’s what Edwin called me,” Sylvia asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Not anymore. Now you’re a shield mate,” Ronan replies belting on his arms, “And the dog is welcome to prove itself as well.”
Sylvia smirks as she shakes her head, “Just don’t get attached, right?”
Ronan starts to smile, but catches himself, “Correct.” He closes his eyes briefly and sighs, then his eyes meet Sylvia’s, “Life is cheap. Remember that. Stay sharp. Fight hard. And don’t get cut off from your squad.”
“I ran,” Sylvia confesses, “I left you behind yesterday. How do you know I won’t do that again?”
Ronan smirks, “You survived. You can’t go toe to toe. And you didn’t abandon me. You waited, and watched. Scouts and skirmishers don’t stand on the line. They die there. You did the right thing. Trust your instincts. They’ll see you through.”
Sylvia nods, quietly feeding the animal. Then after they finish breakfast in silence and she leads the mule ahead, the dog now following behind, she finally says, “Thank you, Ronan. Thank you for trusting me.”
He gives a light snort, but does not add anything else.
-Morning-No Encounter-
-Afternoon-Mishap-
As the pair stop for lunch, Sylvia cries out, “Dammit! Mice! How did they get in here.” She pulls out a pair of field mice, which try to bite her but can’t chew through her glove, and hurls them into the woods. The dog pounces after them, but they vanish into the undergrowth.
Ronan takes a look inside the pack, and dumps out the provisions that were in it. “Mouse scat and piss. No good.”
Q: Total infestation? YES
Sylvia sighs, “Dammit all!”, as she checks the other pouch of food, dumping it out as well. “Why couldn’t you have been a cat!” she asks the dog, which stares up at her unplussed.
-Evening Encounter-Rabbits-22 to hit-
As the day grows long, Sylvia spots a few rabbits in the dappled light of forest floor. Quietly unshouldering her bow, she takes one as the rest bound away to safety. Grinning as she holds up the skewered hare, she smiles, “At least we don’t go hungry tonight.”
Q: Is it a fat hare? YES
“Not completely famished anyway,” Ronan scowls, then getting a better look at the rabbit, “That’s actually a pretty big one. Good hunting.”
Sylvia shrugs, “Why waste a shot on the scrawny ones.”
Soon the animal is dressed and cooking over a fire. As they eat, Ronan nods west, “The road is that way. We should be close to Tree Stump. We aren’t welcome there.”
She nods, “I know. But they have food. We don’t.”
“They also have information. About the King’s death and what it means,” Ronan adds, tossing a bone to the dog rather than gnawing it completely clean of meat.
“Wait here,” Sylvia replies as she starts to slip away.
Ronan stops her, “No. We get some rest now. Check the inn after the lights go out.”
Sylvia nods, then lays out her bedroll for some rest as Ronan smothers the fire.
-Night Encounter-Goblins-2d4=2 scouts-Stealth 18-
A pair of goblins stumble across the camp as Edwin stands watch. Thinking they have found easy pickings, they take aim with their bows. Arrows whiz past Ronan who grabs his crossbow as a second salvo also fails to find their marks. In reply, he puts a bolt in one of the Goblins who cries out in pain as Ronan’s cry for help wakens Sylvia, and the dog bounds into the woods after the lurkers. A black feathered arrow finally finds Ronan’s armor, but doesn’t hit cleanly enough to break through his mail, but a second bolt puts the first goblin down as the dog leaps upon the second, tearing its throat out in an instant.
“Damned goblins,” mutters Ronan as Sylvia joins him, arrow nocked but no more foes to be seen.
Q: Do they have any food? YES E: New NPC: a Deception regarding Weather (generate someone not dressed for the weather…rolled up male, bard, learn knowledge, plunder music…this guy is a hack!
Sylvia quickly inspects the corpses, recovering some stolen coins and enough safe seeming food to feed a man for three days. “Jackpot!” smiles Sylvia, prompting a curt nod from Ronan.
“Let’s move before more come,” Ronan suggests and Sylvia quickly gets the mule loaded and the pair head towards the road.
Arriving at the inn, Ronan and Sylvia are surprised to see a flamboyantly dressed man sawing at a log near the woodpile. Ronan glances at his companion, who simply shrugs her shoulders before leaping over the fence to approach the man.
Q: Is a watchman about? YES E: Resolution of ‘The King is Dead’: a Betrayal of the intellectual (this is an interesting twist just before Garrick shows up for court)
A man calls out towards Sylvia, “Wait! You! You aren’t allowed here!” calls one of the innkeeper’s sons who is standing watch.
Sylvia holds up her hand, “Caught me! I was just coming by to see if I could buy some of the day’s left over bread, or porridge, or some dried meat. But then I saw that guy, and wondered what was going on”, she gestures towards the man with the saw.
The watchman laughs, “He’s earning his bread for the night! Can you imagine, a bard who can’t carry a tune!”
The bard bristles, “I can sing just fine, it’s your patrons who don’t have an ear for music!”
“You’re Mayvis, right?” Sylvia asks the watchman who looks at her in surprise.
Q: Does he respond well to this? YES
“You remember my name?” the lad responds warily, but with a hint of a smile.
-Deception 3 vs Insight 17-
“What can I say,” Sylvia shrugs, drawing closer with a disarming smile, “While your sister was making eyes towards my friend Ronan, my thoughts were on the handsome man who greeted us in the courtyard.”
Mayvis steps back, and scoffs, “Right. Cut the crap. What are you doing here?”
Sylvia rolls her eyes, “As I said, we need food. My three friends and I are heading south back towards Firth, but found mice in our saddlebag. They ruined everything. Can I buy some food to get us there, four days worth. Then I’ll be on my way.” She pulls out two gold crowns. “Can you get us something?”
Mayvis sneers, “I’m not supposed to help you.” Sylvia pulls out a third coin, and he continues, “But money talks.” He takes the coins and goes inside.
While Sylvia waits, she turns towards the bard, and observes, “You must be really bad if you can’t earn a meal by your music.”
Q: Does he bristle? YES
“I’ve never been banned from an inn!” he retorts, “What’d you do? Kill someone?” he snorts.
“Yes,” shrugs Sylvia, “But it was him or me, so…I’m still here.”
The man pauses and takes a closer look at the girl, studying her features for deception, and noting the shortblade on her belt, the half concealed daggers, the bow and quiver. “I see that you are.”
“Any news of the day,” Sylvia asks.
Q: Does he know what’s happened? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“Yes. The King Gerard Free and Prince Allard Free are dead by assassination. Prince Jon Free now rules Feldholm. The plot’s mastermind was none other than the grand steward, Lord Hevran. A follower of the Cult of the Serpent,” the bard announces with firm conviction.
“Any other conspirators?” asks Sylvia.
-Insight 13-
“You…don’t seem surprised to learn of the king’s death,” the bard notices.
-deception 14, but it’s a bad choice of lies given her earlier statement, Insight 10 & 6, even with advantage, the bard fails to recall she said she was heading south, and therefore wouldn’t have met a farmer on the road as no farms are north of here-
“Not of his death, no. We ran into a farmer on the road earlier today,” Sylvia replies, “the rest is news to me.”
“Oh, yes. A runner arrived just before dinner. The man is bound north. I think everyone was distracted, and that’s why my songs weren’t well received,” the bard muses.
“I’m sure that must be it. Where was the runner heading?” Sylvia asks, “Did he say?”
Q: Did the runner say? YES E: Positive for Sylvia: the Neglect of Fears (we are free to move back south)
“Windlash, to inform the dwarven thane,” the bard replies as Mayvis returns with four days worth of bread and dried fruit, nuts and jerky.
“Thank you both,” Sylvia smiles and slips back into the darkness to join Ronan and share what she has learned. “Let’s go back south,” she suggests, “It sounds like the whole thing is being pinned on the High Steward. If we lay low in town, we can learn more.”
-Persuasion 17-
Ronan shifts slightly, considering, “Alright. I’ll follow your lead in this. But we need to be ready to run. Maybe find out more at Green Fox before we enter Firth proper.” Sylvia nods in agreement before the two find a quiet place a short distance from the inn’s grounds to rest until morning.
-Afternoon Encounter-No Encounter-
Scene #70 (Negative Alteration): Q: Does Wells have his men intervened? YES
Sergeant Wells escorts the three of us, along with the king’s remains, through Firth towards the keep. The streets are abuzz with activity. The mood is somber. People seem fearful and worried. All eyes are on the soldiers, and we, their bound captives, as we pass through the city streets. Suddenly, a rotten cabbage strikes me, “Killers!”, a man shouts. A second cabbage flies overhead as I move to hide Enid from view. Edwin does the same, and the two of us are struck several more times before Wells’ men get their shields up around us.
“Clear the way!” barks the sergeant, dispersing the troublemakers and allowing us to proceed towards the keep once more.
On reaching the keep, the watchman gazes at us in confusion, as two of us have been royal guests, and the third is a member of the household. “What’s happening?” asks the watch sergeant.
“Suspicion of treason,” Wells replies. “I’m taking them to Sir Jon Small.”
(Generate Sergeant Tyre-Damage Patience, Join Deprivations)
The sergeant shakes his head, then laughs, “He’s under arrest. As is Lord Hevran.” Then he glares at us, “And this lot of ungrateful house guests and hangers on. Nice to see uppity types taken down a peg or two. Take them to Captain Beck. He’s in the Great Hall with King Jon.”
Enid blanches in shock at the sergeant’s insulting words. Edwin scowls.
(Intimidation 3)
I chuckle and whisper, “I’ll remember you,” as we pass by.
The sergeant kicks me to the ground in reply, “You do that while you swing!”
(Immersion-I threaten myself)
As we are pushed into the great hall, I mutter, “Keep it together or we’re dead men. Freia guard us.”
Edwin glances at me, raising an eyebrow, “Perhaps I should do the talking?”
I shrug, “Be my guest. How glib is your tongue?”
“Shut up!” snarls the guard behind me as we are shoved forward.
Q: Does he know the sergeant? YES
King Jon Free sits in his father’s throne, the old man’s crown perched on his head. Princess Jen, pale and worried looking, sits to his right. An elegant young woman sits on his left, in the queen’s chair. She is the noblewoman he left the party with two days earlier. Captain Beck is present, as is an older man in Freian robes. Presumabely, this is Father Clovis. The prince raise an eyebrow as we are brought forward, “Sergeant Wells, is it? What is the meaning of this interruption?” the prince demands.
-Persuasion 4-
I interrupt, “A misunderstanding my lord. You sent us to retrieve your father’s remains, Ronan had taken the body to Littleshir to borrow a wagon, and along the way, some hunters mistook him for the assassin, and he had to fight his way free…inadvertently killing one your father’s men who tried to apprehend him and prevent him from following your commands.”
“Ronan murdered one of my men? Where is he? Why are you in shackles, Garrick?” the king scowls.
-Garrrick Insight 12, Prince Deception 21, Clovis deception 6, the “queen” deception 19.
“They said you murdered the king!” chimes in Sergeant Wells. The king’s flushes with righteous anger, Jenn’s eyes widen in shock, but the priest pales somewhat. “That is what this…Ronan fellow told Sherif Wyles when he brought your father’s remains to us. He also murdered two huntsmen who saw him standing over your father’s remains in the forest. Two of that number escaped.”
The King’s eyes flit between the three of us, “Where is the girl, Sylvia?”
I shrug, “I don’t know.”
Wells offers, “There was a girl with the warrior, but she fled…the little coward left the other traitor behind!”
The king nods, then stares at Enid, “And what are you doing with this lot? Did you murder your uncle? For this man?” he gestures towards Edwin.
Q: Do they have history? YES (Persuasion 12)
“Jon,” she pleads, “You know I would never do such a thing. I woke up yesterday, and my uncle was dead! We discovered the poison and realized there must be an assassin in the castle. Edwin and I fled in fear. You know I am innocent of any crime.”
He smiles at her, “Of course, my dear. Release her,” he commands the guard, “for old time’s sake.”
“Thank you, your majesty!” Enid bows in gratitude, then scurries away, leaving the hall quickly.
The king then fixes his eyes on Edwin, “You have been awfully quiet. Do you believe these false charges against me?”
-Edwin Deception 16, vs King’s insight 7-
“Of course not, your majesty. I do not know what evidence my friends believe they found that led them to suspect you, but I am sure it is all just a misunderstanding.” Edwin responds with the ease of the arrogant. “As Enid said, we fled when we discovered her uncle murdered. I wanted to get her safely away from the castle until the threat was contained.”
“Most prudent,” nods the King. “Thank you for looking after her.”
Then he glares at me, “As for you, Garrick. I had hoped we could be friends. You are a skilled hunter, but a traitor to defend a murderer who accuses me of killing my father. Get this man out of my sight!” King Jon commands, and I am dragged to the cells below the keep.
—
Scene #71 (Negative Alteration):
I am dragged to a cell beneath the keep, and left alone in the cold darkness below. Then I realize, I am not quite alone when someone or something leaps onto my back!
I throw the goblin to the ground as it snarls a curse at me, but soon I have it by the neck and am beating the thing to death, feeling it’s jaw and cheekbones crack beneath my blows. Soon, it lays still on the floor of our cell.
Q: Is Jon Small nearby? YES Q: Hevron? YES
“Who’s there?” I hear Jon Small’s voice call over to me.
“Garrick. You’re Sir Jon Small, yes?” I respond, straining my eyes against the darkness.
“Yes. Lord Hevran as well. Where’s the rest of your company? Not dead I hope,” Sir Jon asks.
“Edwin is in the Keep somewhere, a free man. I don’t know about the others. Wanted for murder. Hopefully fleeing north to the baronies, or stowed away on a ship back west,” I reply sitting down in my cell. “What are you doing down here?”
“Accused of treason,” Lord Hevran chimes in. “I am accused of having orchestrated the King’s murder, and Sir Jon is accused of failing to prevent it.”
“Coconspirator, or incompetent, Prince Jon has decided. And that bastard high priest, Clovis, claims that Freia revealed all protests of innocence to be lies,” spits Sir Jon.
“So…he’s part of it then?” I ask. “Either the mastermind, or Prince Jon’s accomplice.”
“So you think Prince Jon is behind the murder?” Sir Jon Small asks.
“I’m not sure why though. He was already the heir. Why kill his father? It makes no sense,” I lean back against the bars of my cell.
“Lust. Drunkenness. Chafing under his mother’s rules and his father’s discipline,” Lord Hevran states coldly. “Now he can do as he pleases.”
“Great. A spoiled child for a king,” I mutter to myself. “May Freia protect us.”
“Her church won’t,” curses Sir Jon.
Scene #72 (Positive Alteration):
Edwin collects his and Garrick’s possessions and returns to the guest room where he had been staying. Enid is waiting for him there. “Take these. Get you and your friend out of here. He’ll be in the dungeon below the keep,” she urges, pressing a pair of scrolls into Edwin’s hands “I can’t help, and if you get caught, I’ll say you stole them.” She then hurries away.
Edwin opens the scrolls and recognizes the spells at once: Charm Person and Knock. With a smile, he begins carefully studying them and scribing them into his book “Perfect for an escape!”
Threshing 17-
-Warm, intermittent rain in the evening, fair wind-
-Immersion, shout a question to a sidekick-
Scene #73:
“Hey, guard!” I call out to the jailer on duty. “What’s the weather like outside today? Is it sunny and warm?”
Q: Does the guard come over? EXCEPTIONAL YES (generate guard) (join riddles, explain discretion)
The guard walks over towards me, “It’s a nice day. The kind you’ll never see again.” He shines his lantern on me, then down towards the dead goblin, “Oh yeah, they locked you in with that thing? Good riddance.”
I glance down at the goblin corpse, then back up at the guard, “I’d be happy to help you haul him out to the rubbish heap.”
The guard laughs, “Right. I’m sure you would. How’d you end up down here anyway. A traitor like these others?” he glances as Lord Hevran, then Sir Jon, but quickly looks away, embarrassed.
“You know none of us are traitors,” I reply.
“I know loose tongues get cut off,” the guard replies. “I’ve got a puzzle for you. The man who made it didn’t need it. The man who bought it didn’t use it. The man who used it didn’t want it.”
“A coffin?” I shake my head, “I’d rather not need it myself.”
“Yeah? Things don’t look too good charged with treason,” the man replies.
-Persuasion-20-(what I needed per the Avalon book to get Small and I out!)
“That’s a shame. I may not need the hundred crowns I have at The Balanced Scale. But I wonder, if I won’t need it, it may just go to waste. But if, perhaps, you got me out of here, the money I might have lost might be yours instead,” I raise an eyebrow.
The guard looks around, then whispers, “Step back from the gate.” I obey as he unlocks my cell.
-Persuasion-15-
“The other two as well,” I suggest as I step out.
“A hundred crowns. I’d better not swing for this,” he stammers as he quickly unlocks the other two cells.
“Thank you,” I start towards the stairs, but the guard stops me.
“No, this way,” he urges and leads us out through another way, and shifts open a false panel in the wall “This will take you outside. Tell Tibitt to move your money to Stollard Redfurrow.” He locks eyes with Sir Jon Small, “Swear it will be done, captain. I’m taking big risk letting the three of you free.”
Jon Small swears to it, and I thank the man then head into the darkened passage.
-Strength 7 for me, Strength 18 for Small-
The three of us make our way through the darkness, and eventually reach a dead end. But I feel around and then push against a large stone that seems to be obstructing the passage. “I can’t budge this,” I whisper back, but Small pushes past me, and then shoves the stone forward, letting light spill into our hidden passage. The three of us carefully climb outside and realize we outside both the town and castle walls, in a small pile of scrub and rocks carefully hidden from view of any nearby towers. I chuckle in relief.
-Stealth 14-
“Let’s get out of here,” suggests Hevran. Jon Small nods in agreement, and the three of us slip into a nearby field that has yet to be mowed and slip away from Firth. As soon as we are clear from any chance of being spotted, the steward proposes a plan, “We need enlist the lord against this usurper. I will head east towards Garth. Small, you make your way south to Hothgorn. Garrick, you go to Thorn.”
I laugh, “Why? I am heading north, looking for Ronan and Sylvia. I’ve got to make sure they aren’t arrested.”
“You can’t let Feldholm burn,” the Steward retorts.
Sir Jon Small shakes his head, “It’s not his home. He’s just treasure hunter. He has no ties here. We’ll handle this. Save yourself lad. You got us out of our cells, it’s our problem now.”
I nod at the Captain, “Good luck.” Then the three of us part company.
-Morning Encounter-No Encounter for Garrick-I reach Green Fox Inn and head north from there-
-Local Patrol for Hevran, he rolls 17 for stealth and avoids capture-and reaches Pigs Hollow-
-Game animal for Jon Small, in the afternoon he reaches Hothgorn after passing some farmers at work
Q: Does Jenn attempt to visit captives? Unlikely-YES Q: Does Jon? Very Unlikely-YES Q: Does the guard avoid punishment by feigning ignorance? YES E: Remote Event: the Movement of Business
Scene #74: E: Positive for Garrick: the Return of Allies
Ronan and Sylvia wake early and set off from Tree Stump in back towards Green Fox, wary of any royal soldiers or bandit ambushes, but hopeful that trouble may pass them by.
-Morning Encounter-Herdsmen and animals- (discussion topic, skills)
Sylvia asks Ronan, “How did you learn to fight like that? With a big hammer and a shield. I don’t see you can move that thing with such speed.”
“It’s not that big of a hammer. Dwarves use larger. And as you can see, the hook on the back side is just as important. A handy spike to punch through mail or tear away a shield. It’s just a matter of practice, holding for the right shot, shifting grip as needed and creating openings to land a solid hit.” Ronan explains.
“You’ll have to teach me one day,” Sylvia grins.
Ronan shakes his head, “You should stick to lighter weapons. Or shovel so much hay you grow strong enough to handle a long blade or hammer.”
Q: Do they know anything? YES Q: goblin news? NO
As the pair talk they come across a group of swine herds heading south towards Firth. “Any news?” Sylvia asks the men eagerly.
“The king is dead. Prince Jon sits on the throne,” they reply. One hopes that won’t lessen the price they get for their hogs.
Bypassing Green Fox Inn lest I be recognized by a patron, I head north and where the road splits west towards Thorn and Rabbit’s Fall, and hear a familiar voice, “Where’s your bow, huntsman?” I turn to see Terra with a couple of hares tied to her belt.
“Ah, you seem to have me at a disadvantage today. Fortune has been unkind,” I reply.
She studies me, brow furrowed, “The king is dead, goblins infest the lands, and you are wandering the roads unarmed…without a pack, a coin purse, or anything. I’d say there’s more than a little trouble brewing.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t go west with the Iron Gate rescue mission,” I reply.
Q: Does she have a spare bow? EXCEPTIONAL YES E: Resolution of ‘Marlowe wants to find ancient lore’: the Postponement of Suffering
Terra shakes her head, “No thanks. The dwarves can handle themselves. It’s my own village I worry over. You should…come with me.”
Q: Do they show up now? (Unsure) YES (distance wise, this is about the time and place Ronan, Sylvia and Garrick will meet, and Mythic agreed!)
I look north, then towards Terra, then north again and spot my friends travelling with a group of swine herds. I grin, “Yes, Terra, I think my friends and I will be glad to go with you.”
Then I race towards my companions and throw my arms around Sylvia first, and then Ronan. “It is so good to see you! I thought you would have gone north.”
Sylvia, eyes bright and smile broad excitedly, “We did, but then…we heard the Steward is accused, and came back south.”
“What do you know,” whispers Ronan as the herdsmen continue on their way.
“You are accused of the murder of one the king’s men, two huntsmen and of accusing King Jon of having murdered his father. We’ve got to get out of here,” I respond, whispering low. “Edwin claimed to know nothing of the basis of our accusations against the king, as I am also accused of false charges against the king, so Edwin may still be a guest in the castle. Or perhaps an unwitting hostage for all I know. Anyway, he wasn’t locked up. Sir Jon Small and Lord Hevran were both locked up, before I was even, and they escaped with me. I owe a guard a considerable sum for getting me out, but I can’t reach that money in Firth right now.” I glance over towards Terra, “but maybe I’ll get her to arrange payment on my behalf after we get clear. Right now, Terra asks us to go with her. Maybe we can lay low in Rabbit’s Fall for a bit. I need to get off the road, and I’m sure anyone sent after me will go north towards the frontier. West seems a good idea.”
Ronan and Sylvia exchange glances, then nod in agreement, “Let’s go.” Ronan responds.
Sylvia unbelts the short sword I’d given her, and also hands me one of her daggers, “Take these. If there’s trouble, you’re better in a fight than I am.” I thank her and we follow Terra back to Rabbit’s Fall.
—
Scene #75: (1 is Enid, 2-4 Jenn, 5-6 Jon)
There is a sharp rapping on Edwin’s door. Uncertain, he closes his books and gets up to answer the door. Opening the door, he is face to face with a glowering Prince Jon and Knight General Sir Beck, plus two other men.
“Where are they?” demands the king, forcing his way into Edwin’s room as his men follow and start searching the place, the general, hand on his blade, stares down the young wizard.
“Who? Ronan and Sylvia? I told you I don’t know,” Edwin stammers.
Q: Is Enid there? NO
“No! Where is Garrick? Where are Sir Jon and Lord Hevran? I know you used your sorcery to help them escape!” fumes the Prince.
“Why would I do that? And more to the point, how? Such a feat is beyond my skills as Enid can tell you,” Edwin retorts.
The general picks up the bag that contains Garrick’s gear. Then spits, “My lord, this warlock isn’t behind it. Or he’d have given the traitor his weapons.”
Q: Does the prince arrest him? NO Q: Leave him under guard? YES
The Prince’s eyes dart around the room. Then snorts, “Fine. Don’t leave the keep. You,” he turns towards one of the guards, “Keep an eye on him.” The soldier snaps to and positions himself by the door while the other three men leave.
Edwin waits a few minutes, then asks the guard, “Do prisoners often escape your cells?”
Q: Does the guard answer? NO
The guard stands in angry silence.
—
Garrick’s party-Afternoon-No Encounter-
Scene #76: (Generate the movers and shakers of Rabbit’s Fall and Thorn)
We pass through Thorn and arrive in Rabbit’s Fall to see villagers finishing up the barley harvest. They are working with unusual urgence, and there seems to be a sense of unease in the community. Several youths watch the treeline, hoes or hatchets in hand, rather than helping with the work.
“The people look nervous. They are working faster than normal,” I observe as we approach.
“Hell’s coming,” Terra responds. “These last few months have been hard enough. Goblin raids. And the king didn’t sweep the forests in retaliation. Then the king’s men all got sick. And you suspect the prince of treason. Now the King is slain. The goblins know our land is weak. This means they will come. My neighbors all know this. We have to bring in the harvest while we have the chance. Goblins will hit us within a fortnight.”
“What makes you so sure?” I eye her as we pass through the village gate. The guard gives us a nod.
Terra chews her tongue a bit, then replies, “They have to act fast. Before the kingdom recovers. Before we bring in the hogs and hole up for the winter. In here!” she gestures as we arrive at a small cottage near the edge of the village.
We enter the small home and see an older man seated at a table, inspecting the fletching of a number of arrows. “Father,” Terra greets the man, “These are the ogre slayers I told you about.”
The old man stands and takes each of our hands in turn, “Ogre slayers. Cultist killers. Goblin exterminators. I am glad to see three more like you in these dark days. Our lord does not understand what’s coming. We need more to stand with us lest Rabbit’s Fall will…fall.”
My eyes drift to the arrows and the trio of bows against the wall, “A bowyer, I see.”
The old man scoffs, “No. I’m a hunter. But…” he gestures to the wall, “I like to be prepared for unwelcome guests. Where is your bow?”
“In King Jon’s hold,” I reply, “along with my armor, my blades, my coinpurse, and my cloak.”
-Insight 22-
The old man shakes his head, “Let’s do what we can to remedy that.” He takes a longbow from the wall, “This was my son’s.” He says solemnly, holding back tears. I notice Terra doing the same, “Avenge him when the fight comes. It is coming soon! I feel it in the air.”
I nod and take the weapon, “Your village has suffered more than most. And I will put down any goblin who sets foot in it.”
Q: Does the village outfit me for battle? EXCEPTIONAL NO
The old man gives me a quiver and arrows for it, but after asking around, there is no armor available. The blacksmith being a ferrier not an armorer or bladesmith.
Q: are we stopped by the steward? YES
“Hold up there, Tor,” calls out a well dressed man with a longsword on his hip. “Who are these strangers? And shouldn’t you be out hunting or something…you know, useful?” Then the man calls out into the fields, “Get those boys back to work! Why are they just standing around, staring into the woods?”
“Lord Fredo, I presume,” I bow my head towards the foppish man.
He makes a face of indignant disgust, “Ugh, I am his Steward, Gustav. I run this village on my lord’s behalf. Now who are you and what are you doing here?”
Terra interjects, “They are friends of my family. And they are here to protect our village since our lord won’t!”
Gustav scoffs, “And who invited them? You? You and your father disgust me. Your obsession with goblins. Your stories of ravening hordes lurking in the dark. Just because something happened to your brother when you and he were poking your nose in the dark woods at night. I’m not sure it wasn’t your own stray arrow that killed him!”
Terra hurls herself at the man, Ronan isn’t quick enough but I grab her and hold her back in the nick of time.
“Little bitch,” Gustav snarls in disgust. “I’ll see you and your father driven out before spring if you ever come at me again.”
Terra fumes, her eyes darting from Gustav and into mine. “You should have let me take him.” she snarls.
I shake my head, “You don’t want that kind of trouble. For you or your father. I already have it on my head right now. Let’s take a look around. I need to see what we are dealing with here.”
The three of us follow Terra around the perimeter of the village, checking out the wooden watchtower and palisades. The half ruined stone tower of Thorn is visible only a few miles away, though it is hard to spot between the scattered trees at the edge of several fields. “Why not fortify the two villages together over the winter?” I ask.
Terra shrugs, “Baroness Thorn has little use for Lord Fredo, and visa versa. I’ve thought about it. But…” she closes her eyes, “But perhaps its like leaving a wounded hare out to lure a wolf. You don’t want to lose the hare, but while the wolf is distracted, you can kill it. I’d rather they be the wounded hare. If we put up a stronger fight, the goblins might go for them instead.”
I slowly nod. “I understand.” Then I look towards Thorn, “Do their children?”
Q: Does Terra lash out? NO
Terra flushes in shame and turns away, “I don’t want that either.”
Ronan pulls me aside, “Do you intend for us to stand and fight a goblin horde here? This isn’t our fight.”
Sylvia butts in, “But Terra did help us! She might have saved our lives. Who knows how things would have gone without her. Against the ogres. Against the demon. I owe her my life!”
I glance from one to the other, “We can flee north. And leave these people to their fate. Or we can go to Firth, try to retrieve Edwin, and the wealth we would be leaving behind if we flee. Or we can stand our ground, and maybe make a difference.”
Ronan looks between Sylvia and I, then snorts, “I was just clarifying. I’ll stand. I just wanted to make sure you both understood we might not be walking away from this fight.”
“Whatever comes, we’ll give them hell,” I rely with a wry grin, then I walk over to Terra who is standing some distance away.
-Perception 18-
“Are you leaving us?” she whispers. “I heard what you were talking about. Ronan is right. It isn’t your fight. It’s not your village.”
“We’ll stand. But I’m going talk to the Baroness Thorn if she will hear me. Those walls are stone. Yours are wood. Double the manpower behind stronger walls will improve our odds, and I’d rather children shelter in the stone manor than within wooden cottages.”
Terra nods, her relief obvious, “Thank you.”
–Evening–
Q: are we stopped at the gate? NO Q: Is the village on alert? NO
Leaving Terra and her father behind, my companions and I enter the village of Thorn and make our way to the manor house, studying the condition of the walls. The people here lack the sense of pending dread that has taken hold of neighboring Rabbit’s Fall.
Q: Are we invited inside? NO
We soon arrive at the manor house and knock on the door. A guard opens the door and looks at us, “What do you want?”
“We seek an audience with the Baroness Thorn, on behalf of the people of Rabbit’s Fall.” I respond.
He looks us over with distaste, “I don’t recognize you. Where is Lord Fredo? Or Gustav? Who are you to speak for the people of Rabbit’s Fall?”
-Persuasion 13-
I smile and nod, then explain, “I am Garrick Vale, a friend of the late King Gerard. I am not here to speak for their lord, but for the people themselves. They worry at what’s coming, and it would be wise for their village to take shelter behind your walls, and thereby strengthen both garrisons.”
(generate Legato, soldier of Thorn)
“Yeah. If there is trouble. That would make some sense. Wait here. I’ll see if my lady will grant you an audience”, the solder bolts the door behind him as he retreats into the manor.
Q: Does she grant audience? EXCEPTIONAL NO
A few minutes later, the guard returns, “The Baroness says that you are to leave immediately. Do not return to Thorn. Good day!” The door slams shut in front of us.
I look to my companions with a shrug, “We tried.”
Q: is the mercantile still open? NO
We walk back out through the village square and notice the general store we passed on our way inside. “Wonder if they have armor of any sort,” I ponder.
Q: Are there any guards nearby? YES
Sylvia grins, “Want me to find out?” I look around, and spotting a watchman up ahead shake my head no. Instead, we simply return to Rabbit’s Fall.
It begins to rain. We pull or cloaks up over our head and take shelter in Tor and Terra’s home, setting bedrolls on the floor.
Q: Is Edwin Summoned from his quarters? No
Once it is apparent the guard is not going to leave, Edwin returns to his books. The guard eventually grows bored and leans up against the wall. “You can lay down, if you’d like,” the wizard suggests. The guard curses and stands up once more.
Q: Does a relief come? YES Q: Does the man fall for it? Very Unlikely-YES
Eventually, a second man replaces the first. Edwin smiles, and asks if the man remembered to bring dinner. The new guard sighs in frustration and leaves the room. Edwin slips out the other way, muttering the incantation, “Mask me from sight, make my feet light”
-Stealth 23- Q: Does the gate guard know to stop him? Unlikely-EXCEPTIONAL NO
Moving like a shadow, Edwin slips out of the keep proper, and the gate guard bids him a good evening as Edwin disappears into the city below.
-Evening Encounter-Inquisition-
Edwin hustles through the city. Traffic is light as spatters of rain begin to fall through waning light. Edwin is relieved that the clouds and darkness ease his eye strain. Then he stumbles into a looming figure, knocking the man’s dark cloak aside and revealing a figure dressed in mail, a white tabard, and wearing a hawk faced helm.
“Watch where you are going,” booms the man.
“You’re an inquisitor, aren’t you? Investigating the Cult of the Serpent?” Edwin stammers.
-Perception 17-and Divine Sense-
The helm turns towards the gangly scholar, and seems to study his features, “You are the one called Edwin Marlowe. You brought back the healing waters of Freia. You have some of it on you, do you not?”
Edwin takes a step back, “Yes, Lord Inquisitor. Are you here for the cult? That poisoned the garrison, murdered the king, and now has one of their own…” Edwin trails off, unwilling to commit to treason.
“With the young king wrapped around her finger?” contempt drips from the inquisitor’s voice. “A reckoning will come soon. Do you have proof that will stand in public trial?”
“No, no,” stammers Edwin, “but my friends saw evidence of betrayal. If you can find them. If you know where they are.”
Q: Do cultists approach? EXCEPTIONAL NO
The figure pulls the dark cloak back around itself and pulls Edwin from the street, “Say nothing of our meeting here, but there is a hidden temple to the dark god beneath the Temple of Light here in Firth. A great many here serve Eoman, and I fear even the church itself is compromised. If you have the courage, find your companions and help me cut the head off the snake.”
“Where do we find you?” Edwin stammers.
“Blue Tree,” the inquisitor replies before slipping away into the darkness.
Q: Is the Balanced Scale open? NO
Edwin pulls his cloak tighter around him and hustles down to the docks, to the Balanced Scale. “Damn it all,” Edwin mutters, then takes shelter in “The Red Fish,” the dockside tavern nearby.
Q: Is lodging available? YES
Scene #77: (generate some tavern details (fighting pit), innkeep-female Halfling Abuse progress, maintain the oppressed, and event, innkeeper asks minor favor)
Edwin hurries away and takes shelter from the rain inside the Red Fish. The tavern is crowded with rough looking sailors and dock hands. A few women with painted faces and low cut blouses or slit skirts flirt with the men. The tall scholar stands out in this crowd.
Edwin makes his way to the bar, and finds it tended by a halfling woman standing atop a chair. “Hi there, Slim,” smirks the halfling, looking him up and down. “Just the kind of man I was hoping to see tonight!”
“What do you mean? I need a room, a warm meal, a drink,” stammers Edwin, confused. Distracted by the cheers from a ring of people behind him, he looks over his shoulders and sees a crowd passing wagers as the carcass of a dead cock is pulled from a small fighting ring.
“All in good time, Slim,” the halfling replies. “First, I need you to reach up there, and get those five boxes of Teplin Ale down for me. The bastard who brought them here this morning thought he’d be cute and stick them up on the highest shelf. Arse!”
“Umm, yes, yes of course,” Edwin responds, flinching as another shout goes up from the pit.
“Nervous sort ain’t ye?” the halfling observes, “Ah’m Siralee. This is my place. Ain’t nobody gonna hurt ye here, unless you do sumfin daft that is!”
As Edwin sets the boxes down, Siralee pours him a drink, fills a bowl of bread and porridge and gestures for him to sit down. “So why so nervous? Girls scare ye or sumfin?”
“No, just…no.” Edwin takes a deep breath, and regains his nerves. Steadied, he replies, “It has been a rough day or two. And I am unused to…places like this…alone. I normally have a friend or two with me when I come to an alehouse like yours.”
“Oh? Like to share the girls, eh?” Siralee gives Edwin a wink.
Edwin blinks in surprise, “No. That’s not what I meant.”
-Perception 18-
“No. I know,” Siralee leans forward and whispers, drawing a finger across Edwin’s hand, outlining the ink stains, “You’re scholar. A scribe. A book keeper. You aren’t used to being around the likes of us what live by our wits, looks or brawn. It’s alright lad. You might like a walk on the wild side, give it a try won’t ye?” she winks.
“What? With you?” Edwin stammers in confusion.
-generate Rose-associate intelligence, drive riddles
Siralee’s jaw drops open, “No! Are you daft? You’d likely split me in half a giant like you! No! Maybe Rosie. She’d go easy on ya!” she points out a red haired girl sitting on the lap of a half orc while another man is pouring a drink down her throat. “Best hurry though, or it looks like those two might take her upstairs!”
“Uhm, no. I just need a room. By myself.” Edwin replies.
“Don’t work that way, lad. Go to the Yellow Toad if that’s what ye want. Here you gotta pay fer the girl. Can’t let you be using her room without her, or she ain’t make no money. Then I don’t make no money, see,” Siralee grins.
“How much is she?” Edwin whispers.
“Two tenpiece and she’ll get you off alright,” Siralee replies.
“No, I need a place to sleep, all night,” Edwin quickly clarifies.
“One crown. But I suspect you’ll change your mind about sleeping once you curl up next to her,” Siralee counters. Then she calls over, “Rosie! Here! Now!”
The girl leaps off the disappointed half orc’s lap and hurries over to the bar.
“Take Slim upstairs. I don’t expect to see the two of you until morning,” Siralee explains as Edwin slides her the coins for the girl and his meal.
Q: Is the girl excited? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“All night, Slim?” Rosie beams, “I’ve never seen you before. When did you arrive?”
“A month ago,” he grabs his bags and follows her upstairs, “but I just need a place to sleep.”
“For real? Why not go to Yellow Toad?” she asks, confused as she pushes open the door to a small room with a filthy cot. She turns up the light on the oil lamp, sits down and faces him. “Put your bags there, and close the door.”
Edwin obeys, and the girl tells him to take off his robes. He stands there nervously. “What’s wrong? Do you not like me?” Rosie asks.
“No, it’s not that…it’s, I’m seeing someone. I think. It’s complicated. I just need a place to sleep until morning. Can we just…lay down and talk or something,” Edwin pleads.
Rosie shrugs, “Sure. If that’s what you want.” She takes off her clothes and pats the bed next to her. Edwin lays beside her and she spoons him. “Do you know what kind of room you can never enter?” she whispers in his ear.
“What?” Edwin asks in confusion.
“What kind of room can you never enter? It’s a riddle,” Rosie explains.
Edwin chuckles, “A mushroom. I have not flesh, nor fingers, nor scales, nor bone. Yet I have fingers an dthumbs of my own. What am I?”
“A glove, of course,” grins Rosie, prompting Edwin to smile in response. Rosie snuffs the lamp and the two exchange riddles and jokes until they both drift off to sleep.
—
Threshing 18th
Immersion-Hammering Sound
-Warm, Cloudy, No Rain, Gentle breeze-
Scene #78:
“Wake up lazy bones!” Sirallee hollers banging on doors up and down the hall. “Don’t miss your ships lads.” she laughs.
Edwin sits up with a start and begins to dress, “Rosie, Rosie…do you know a ship that might head north this morning? To Kiddimir?”
Q: Does Rosie know someone? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“Well, yes. The two men I was about to see off last night, that’s where they are heading on the Golden Wasp,” Rosie replies.
“Good, good. When do they sail?” Edwin asks hurriedly.
The girl shrugs, “I don’t know, when the tide rises, I guess around lunch time. That’s when the ships usually sail this time of year.”
“Can you go and book me passage on their ship, quickly, discreetly. I’ll be there shortly,” Edwin urges her, then gives her five gold crowns, “For you trouble.”
“Are you on the run or something,” Rosie asks, freezing for a moment.
Q: Will she help? YES E: Ambiguous Significance: a Development of a Rumor
“Does it matter?” Edwin asks fear in his eyes.
Rosie smiles, “No, not really. It’s just a bit more exciting if you are a dangerous genius instead of an ordinary scholar. Either way, for five crowns, you’ve bought my time today.” Rose is soon getting dressed, while Edwin slips out the door into the street below.
–Encounter-Beggar/Urchin/Thief-
Pushing through the street, a young boy calls over to Edwin, “Help! My cat is stuck and needs help. I can’t get her down.”
Edwin ignores the child’s pleas. He has no time for such frivolity.
Instead, he heads straight to the Balanced Scales, “I need to close out my accounts.” he tells Tibbit, “And leave some things for a friend.”
“Oh, what things?” Tibbit replies, opening his ledgers.
Edwin begins handing over Garrick’s weapons and the man’s pack. Then he signs over three quarters of the company assets to each of his three companions, taking his own share out in coin. Then he writes a note to Garrick and Ronan, chanting as he does so, outwardly, the letter says, “My studies here are complete, and I have returned home to Kardon. May the goddess guard your souls,” but beneath that illusion, it reads, “Ronan, Garrick and Sylvia, I am sorry. I have no idea where to find you or whether you live or have been killed. Things are too treacherous here and they will find me soon if I stay. I am taking a ship to Kiddimir. I hope to see you safely there, some day. I will leave word at the Red Vellum. May the goddess watch over you. You have been truer friends to me than I have to you. Forgive my fear. I was wrong about you all. Edwin PS, there is a temple to Eomen hidden beneath the Temple of Light. An inquisitor seeks help destroying it. Ask for him at the Blue Tree.”
Folding the letter tight, he hands it to Tibbit, “Give this to Garrick or Ronan when they return. Likewise the goods I am leaving.”
Tibbit nods his head. “Safe travels.” As soon as Edwin leaves, Tibbit glances at the unsealed note and wonders why such a short missive took so long to write, but he shrugs and puts it away until it is claimed.
—
-Encounter-Town Watch, Unknown Guard, recognizes character correctly-
Edwin leaves the Balanced Scales and starts towards the docks when a man calls out, “Halt! Edwin Marlowe, halt in the name of the crown!”
Edwin bolts up the street, and ducks down a nearby alley. The guard sets off in hot pursuit.
-Edwin Athletics 8, vs Guard 6- (Rope Trick)
Edwin ducks around a corner, throws a rope up into the air, and pulls himself up into nothingness, dragging the rope up after himself.
The guard rounds the corner and sees no sign of his quarry. He looks around for several minutes, but finds no clues, and the watch is stretched to thin for him to enlist help on the search, so he gives up and returns to his duties.
Half an hour later, Edwin climbs back to the ground, and makes his way to the docks.
Q: Was passage booked? NO
Reaching the Golden Wasp, he starts up the gangplank.
“Hold there, friend. Are you the one Rosie told us about? Let’s be talking passage fees,” the half orc sneers. “You took her away last night just when things were getting warmed up. I think you owe us a bit for that trouble.”
“Of course,” stammers Edwin, “Fifty crowns? Given the distance.”
-Edwin persuasion 8-
The half orc stops, “Umm, yes. It’ll be fifty crowns. Base!”
Edwin sighs, “Look, I don’t really want to quibble over the rate. How much for passage to Kiddimir?”
Q: Will the orc make an offer? NO
“You owe us a girl!” the orc retorts. “Not coin. We were expecting a good time last night!”
-Persuasion 12- Q: Will they accept? NO
Edwin pulls out two bottles of dwarven wine, “Seventy crowns and the best wine you’ll ever try, from Iron Gate.” The wizard offers.
“Not good enough. Get out of my sight!” the orc snarls to the laughter of his friend.
Q: Is there another boat nearby? NO
Edwin shakes his head, and returns to the Red Fish tavern, “Rosie! I asked you to book passage for me.”
Rosie shrugs her shoulders, “Tusk was pretty mad about last night. He..”
Edwin interrupts, “He said I owe him a girl. Can I hire you to come with us. I’ll pay your passage to and from, and your wage for each night on the ship to entertain your two friends.”
Q: Does she accept? YES
“You seriously have that kind of coin?” she stammers.
Edwin nods, “Yes. Grab your things, let’s go.”
Rosie quickly packs for the trip and bids Sirallee farewell, promising to return soon.
Q: The men accept? YES
Back at the Golden Wasp, Tusk’s eyes light up when Edwin returns with Rosie. “She’s coming with us. One hundred crowns to take us both to Kiddimir. You’ll bring her back home for fifty crowns when she’s ready to return. Agreed?”
The half orc nods, “Fair enough. Welcome aboard, my lady.” He grins as he helps Rosie board the ship. Edwin follows afterwards. He settles up his passage and gives Rosie seventy crowns for her passage home, and to pay her for ten days of entertaining the crew, though he agrees not to tell them he’s paid her, as she will charge as she sees fit enjoying a captive audience.
-Edwin exits stage left–for now–
Posts From a Long Winded Gamer 
Leave a comment