Posts From a Long Winded Gamer

–Vingrow 25th 109 gp, Level Up! (88 gp Adwin) (100 gp of mine invested in Merrick’s shop) 20 rations

When I am getting ready the next morning, I am surprised to see Tagga Roscoe speaking with his Lordship in the court. HIs Lordship glares at me darkly, and then commands, “Arrest him!” Tagga smiles crookedly. Looking at the walls and armed men all around, and not even having taken possession of His Lordship’s letter yet, I raise my hand in surrender, hoping that I can somehow talk my way out of whatever false accusation this villain levels against me.

They take my weapons and my map, and then lock me up in the Keep’s dungeon. I am allowed to keep my armor and other possessions though, and for that I am grateful. They do not ask me any questi0ns, nor tell me why I have been arrested. They simply hold me, alone. In a basement full of otherwise empty cells.

–Vingrow 26th 109 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (100 gp of mine invested in Merrick’s shop, earning 10% per week (10 gp held for me)) 20 rations

While sitting in my cell for a week, I notice that some of the stones on the floor are a bit loose. I pull them aside in the night, and realize they open into a partially filled tunnel. Perhaps some other captive had tunneled their way out?

A few days later, after the guard passes, I leave my cloak covering my tent and some other supplies, propped to look as though I am sleeping in the same position I’ve used for several previous nights. I then drop down into the tunnel and start feeling my way forwards. I eventually reach a dead end, but feel some wooden slats and a latch overhead. Pushing up, I find myself in the stables!

But peering outside, I realize these are not military stables, but possibly the one used by the local inn. I quickly saddle one of the horses inside, and then think better of trying to ride a stranger’s horse out of a keep, where the gates are sealed at night, and by morning, my disappearance and means of escape will have been noticed.

I look around, and find some rope. Unlatching the stable doors, and opening the gates to all the animals inside so they can escape, I light up the lantern, and then tip it down into the piles of hay so it will hopefully light up the entire barn.

I then slip away to the nearest wall, waiting for a fire to create the diversion I need to escape.

I am not disappointed, for the hay and straw seem to be unusually dry. By the time I reach the wall, the stable is a raging inferno and shouts and screams can be heard from every quarter as people race to extinguish the flames. The sound of terrified animals galloping through the narrow streets add to the chaos as half naked people tumble out of endangered buildings to save the village. I grit my teeth, and look towards the stairs that lead up into a nearby watchtower. I wait with bated breath for the guards to come racing out of it to help with the crisis!

Unfortunately, the men do not leave their posts.

Knowing this is my best chance to escape, I climb up anyway.
I creep inside the guard tower, and find the door is unlocked…the men had already gone out to tend the fire, apparently. This first floor is obviously someone’s living room. The second floor, as I expected, are quarters for a group of guardsmen, but they are all gone. I grab a sword, shield, crossbow, bolts, spear, and a replacement cloak, and then I peek outside to see if anyone is on the wall nearby while I ready my rope to lower myself down.

As expected, the wall itself is empty, as guards often stay on the top of the towers. I tie off my rope to a crenelated stone, and slip down over the fort’s rough walls, dropping quietly to the ground below. I then move swiftly in the darkness to get as far from this place as possible, heading into the woods and hoping to make good time before my disappearance is noticed.

I quickly pass through the barren fields surrounding the keep and reach the treeline with no indication that anyone took note of my escape. I then started walking parallel to the road, as best I could tell, hoping to cover as much ground as I could before daybreak.

–Vingrow 33rd 109 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (100 gp of mine invested in Merrick’s shop, earning 10% per week (10 gp held for me)) 19 rations

Parallel to the road, I spot a group of soldiers traveling south. At first, I take cover, but then recognize them as members of the Farwatch garrison…of which I am a part! I call to them as I run towards the road. My comrades are first surprised, and then glad to see me.

“We had been told you were killed on the road, and our master’s letter delivered by a huntsman!” Corporal Tullis told me. “What happened?”

I told the men how I had been welcomed at first, but then as I was getting ready to depart, Taga Roscoe, who I had caught stealing from my former lord years ago, had Lord Kolfren’s ear, and somehow persuaded him to arrest me as a traitor. I was held until last night when I escaped, but nobody ever told me why I had been arrested.” The Corporal was incredulous, “Tagga Roscoe has been a guest of our Lord for nearly a week now and has been trying to persuade him to loan her some men to explore some lost ruin in the Whispering Woods. She has a map.”

“Probably my map, which was taken from me!” I laugh.

I then fall in with my companions, wishing I had a horse, but at least grateful I would not be traveling alone.

Towards evening, we pass a small number of wagons heading south. We knew they were ahead of us from the fresh tracks. They at first look to be farmers likely taking what’s likely to be a surplus from their winter stores to Farwatch for trade. We fall in with them and make a combined camp that night.

I talk to the caravan captain, Doranan, and learn that he is neither a farmer, nor from Southroad. He and his men had been staying there, but were now heading south hoping to sell food to any villages that are floundering before the spring harvest is ready. He apparently does this every year, hoping to find places that are low on supplies and desperate for help. He points north of our camp, in the woods,and says “There is a valley near here, dotted with caves. There are dog faced men there, gnolls, they stand nearly 7 foot. They live in the northern most caves of that valley. They attacked one of my caravans and I followed them, hoping to rescue those they captured, but when I reached the valley, I saw more of their number coming to join the raiders and my companions and I decided to flee. I doubt their prisoners lived through the night! There is also a mad hermit who lives in these woods. He has a great cat. A peddler I met had a run in with the pair, and barely escaped with his life. These woods are dangerous to travel alone!”

–Vingrow 34th 109 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (100 gp of mine invested in Merrick’s shop, earning 10% per week (10 gp held for me)) 18 rations

The next day, we continue on to Farwatch, arriving around nightfall. Corporal Tullis and I head immediately to the Great Hall, where he informs the Captain of what happened to me, who then relays the information to the Castellan, who immediately places Tagga Roscoe under arrest.

I am called before the Castellan, Lord Marisol of Farwatch.

I kneel down before his lordship as he carefully regards me. “You were held captive in Southrod on the word of Tagga Roscoe,” he asks, “Is this your map?” I nod, and take the map I inherited from him, explaining that it is what led me here, that I inherited it from my grandfather.

“Tagga said that it had been stolen from Lord Felsmark, and if you look at it with wizard’s eyes, as my advisor has done, you’ll see it bears the secret mark of Felsmark’s library. How did your grandfather, and you, come to own it?”

I then realize, that is what she had stolen! And that my “uncle” must have been an agent of hers using me to deliver the map here, in case my former lord could magically trace it!

I explain my theory of what happened, and Lord Marisol seems convinced that this must surely be what has happened.

At this point, Marivek, who I recognize as the Keep’s wizard and our lord’s advisor, interjects and suggests that both Tagga and I must be thieves, squabbling over goods we both desire, and that I should be locked up alongside her. I am able to persuade the Castellan that my story is true, and that perhaps his advisor is hoping to obtain the stolen map for himself so that he can discover and claim the treasures to which it leads. Lord Marisol then questions his advisor, who holds up his hand in surrender, “I admit, milord, I am unsure whether this man is honest or not, and yes, I was hoping that we could explore the lost ruins ourselves, gaining the treasures which may lie within for ourselves, to enrich the Keep, and ensure its future growth and success. Please forgive my trespass.”

Lord Marisol nods thoughtfully, and then says to his advisor and I, “The map is most certainly stolen, and therefore not either of yours to possess, nor even mine. And I am unwilling to send my own men to explore some lost ruins in search of treasure, yet here we have a map…a man eager to seek his fortune through it, and another man who is also eager to learn what lies within and claim such treasures for himself. Unfortunately, I cannot spare you to conduct the exploration, so I suggest that your apprentice, Altartan, should assist this man in exploring the ruins. Any plunder can then be split between three ways, between yourself, the Keep, and Berick and the other men he may recruit to help him.”

Marivek nods thoughtfully, and then suggests, “Tagga the half orc should help him as well. We do not know which is the worse thief, so let’s use them both.” I protest, but his Lordship agrees to the idea, and Tagga is brought back from her cell, and informed of the command that she join me. Wisely, she agrees to do as commanded.

The half orc and I look at each other, warily, and I say, “It seems that the two of us will be working together.” She snorts in disgust, but I hold out my hand, and say, “we’d best make peace , our lives are on the line. She snorts again, but with half a smile, and answers, “I suppose you are right” as she takes my hand.

His Lordship smiles at us. “I suggest you plan well for your expedition. These ancient ruins, lost to time, will undoubtedly be dangerous to explore. I wish the two of you luck!”

Marivek adds, “My apprentice will join you in the morning. I will send her to meet you at the Stretching Goat. Treat her with proper respect and bring her back safely. She is my eyes and ears on this expedition and if she comes to harm, the two of you will regret it.”

With that, we are dismissed. I return to the barracks to find my bed has been taken by a new recruit. My spare clothing and other personal effects are still in the warehouse though.