–Scene change for next day: After a good rest, I head into town to talk to Colvor about Ernard’s next of kin, and also to try and sell the captured horses.
24th Day of Patchwell-88 gp (88 gp Adwin), (75 gp Colvor) (75 gp Ernard’s next of kin), 2 draft horses, 16 rations
I walk over to the Stretching Goat, where the heavenly aroma of venison stew greets me. I find Colvor resting his head on one of the tables, clearly hungover from the night before. I gently rouse him, and ask about Ernard’s next of kin. Colvor explains that the guy had no known kin. He pretty much wandered with the wind, and burned every bridge behind him. Colvor’s words are astonishingly harsh, and spiteful, and it makes me wonder why they even took up arms alongside one another. So I ask.
“Poverty,” is the reply, “we both needed the coin. I don’t have to lift a finger till Spring if I am careful.” Colvor replies, with a grin. “Except for another beer that is!”
I then ask Bumbo Wickman, the tavernkeep, if he knows anyone in need of some draft horses. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know anyone currently in the market for a team, but promises to keep an ear to the ground. So I head over to the stables to see if any merchants might be heading out who need another team, but activity is pretty light. Fortunately, the stable master knows a local farmer in need of a couple of animals, but he declines to sell the animals on my behalf, instead telling me the way to find the farm.
So I take the animals, and leave the keep to find this farmer’s house in the nearby village.
@@@ I am walking my horses to the farmer’s house to sell them, when a man comes rushing across the field offering to buy the animals!
“Hoy there!” the farmer calls out, “are those animals for sale? They obviously aren’t saddle mounts and you obviously aren’t a farmer!”
I grin and ask if he is Georgios. He laughs when I tell him that the stable master had sent me. We begin to haggle over the price of the animals, but as we are coming to an agreement, he then says, “Well, I don’t actually have coin or goods to offer, but there is a man who owes me a favor, and in exchange for the horses, he can owe you that favor instead!”
“Who is this man, and what favor does he owe that is worth two good plow horses?”
My question makes Georgios smile, and with a twinkle in his eye, he says, “The wizard Greyonor”.
“Well, alright then!” I say, “perhaps this could be a fine bargain.”
We secure the animals in the man’s barn, and then he and I, along with his eldest son, head north to visit this wizard. The wizard apparently lives in the rolling forest a few miles north of the keep. Georgios warns that the old man rarely receives visitors, but that occasionally, he’ll grant an audience. I ask how a wizard comes to owe him a favor, and Georgios laughs and says, “Well, everyone needs to eat, and anytime he wants something from town, I fetch it for him. We’ve known each other a long time. This sounds reasonable to me.
— We arrive at the wizard’s “Tower” with some trepidation in my heard. Greyonor: UNE Hopeless (Wizard), Roll a d6, and get a 5 for a relative power disparity…he is pretty powerful! Report Criminals, Relate Deprivation, Seek Lies
We pass through what seems to be a solid wall on the face of a cliff, and find ourselves in front of an ancient tomb. The farmer walks to the door and raps on it three times with his walking stick. The door swings open.
A booming voice calls forth, “Welcome old friend! Who is this you have brought with you?”
“I am Berick of Caravos,” I start, but the farmer interrupts.
“He’s a sellsword who is offering me two good plow horses for my farm, I am offering the favor you promised me in trade!” Georgios answers to the voice.
“Well then, I will be glad to discharge my debt however you wish,” replies the voice.”
“What sort of favor is this?” I ask, and the voice laughs in reply. “It is a life boon of sorts, for I was once penniless and powerless when this man took me in for a season. Is that what you’d ask of me?”
I shrug my shoulders, “I need work and lodging for the next few months, until spring.”
“Very well,” answers the voice, “here is my token. Show it at the Guild Hall, and lodging will be provided until the first day of spring.”
A small medallion appears in my hand. “Thank you,” I say.
The voice answers that we are done, and with that, the farmer and I return to his village, and then I to the keep. I have easily been overpaid for a couple of old draft horses.
— Overwinter rolls starting 30th Day of Sowing-88 gp (88 gp Adwin), (75 gp Colvor) (75 gp Ernard’s next of kin), 2 draft horses, 16 rations
–Downtime rules are from The Cities by Midkemia Press
2nd Culling -Week One-Befriended a Townsperson (pious artisan, , and got a job as a warehouse guard for the Guild Hall. Saved 10 gp (98 gp for me, plus 75 gp reserved, 16 rations
9th Culling -Week Two-Invited to a party, and met 6 people, 3 people I only met, I offended a townsperson (privileged, Jack of Trades) who is jealous of my friendship with Adwin, but I also became friends with the local chaplain. Saved 9 gp (107 gp for me, plus 75 gp reserved, 16 rations)
16th Culling -Week Three-Saved 1 gp (108 gp for me, plus 75 gp reserved, 16 rations)
23rd Culling- Week Four-Lodging condemend, Saved 2 gp (110 gp for me, plus 75 gp reserved, 16 rations)
For the next month, I work as a warehouse guard for the Guild Hall, and they let me use a corner as my sleeping quarters. When off duty, I spent time within the keep and the nearby village, and became friends with Merick, one of the Blacksmith Ghor’s apprentices. Then, by virtue of being Adwin’s friend, I was invited to a wedding in the main keep, and there I had the misfortune of meeting Khallid the Trader’s son, Nejdi, who seemed to constantly strive to interject himself into conversations between Adwin and I. After the wedding ceremony, I met Chaplain Xyneg, who was interested in my map and and pleased with how I was starting to make myself a useful member of the community. He suggested he might have some work for me, and offered his blessing should I remember to attend worship servicees regularly. The month came to an end with me being given word that the space in the warehouse I was using for my bedroll was needed to store a newly arrived merchant’s cargo. With snow now thick on the ground, the caravan had arrived just in time as none would be leaving until the thaw. It seems that, perhaps, my trade for a favor has not worked out so well.
–Culling 24th, 110 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (75 gp for Ernard’s next of kin) 16 rations
With my lodging uncertain, and snow on the ground, I trudge my way to the tavern to ask around about other housing. As I walk, small pellets of ice patter against my hood and cloak, getting stuck and melting slowly . My boots slide where the ice is firm, and crunch deeply where the snow has some depth. I shiver and my breath clouds the air in front of me. When I finally enter the tavern, the heat of the firepit washes over me like the blast of a bellowing forge. I doff my gloves, and my face and hands ache as warm air hits my skin.
I sit down, and soon warm my belly with barleymash and warm cider. I look around at the other patrons. I see the corporal who I met when I first came tot his place, and also his commander talking together in one corner. The rest of the patrons are either townfolk, or merchants who are stuck here for the winter.
I start talking to Bumbo about my housing situation and one of the local woodcutters overhears my predicament. He offers to rent me some space in his cabin. He says he has four cots, and only two roommates. We quickly come to agree on a price and after our meal, I gather my things and follow him to the village to see my new cot.
Their cabin is sturdy and warm, with a thick bed fo straw on the ground, and a stone fireplace well fed from the scraps of wood they kept for themselves. The cots are actually a pair of bunk beds, and I am given one of the upper beds. There is a table and four finely carved chairs, and I find myself playing cards each night with my roommates Vanni, Stedd and Marcon.
–Culling 30th, 110 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (75 gp for Ernard’s next of kin) 16 rations
I trudge through the snow to the warehouse, where the guildmaster tells me I am no longer needed. A couple of new guards are there, and it is clear that I have been replaced. I”m sure there is some reason, though I’ve done nothing wrong, but from the looks of the guards, I’d rather not inquire further.
I walk by the notice board, and see nothing new. Nothing happens in the dead of winter! And there is nobody needing a hired sword at the tavern either. I spend the rest of the week looking for work with little luck.
— Gathering 2nd, 96 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (75 gp for Ernard’s next of kin) 16 rations
I am unable to find work
— Gathering 9th, 82 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (75 gp for Ernard’s next of kin) 16 rations
I am unable to find work
–Gathering 16th, 86 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (75 gp for Ernard’s next of kin) 16 rations
I was hired by Ghor the Blacksmith on Merick’s recommendation to help work in the forge. Mostly, I polish armor, and sharpen blades for the displays. It doesn’t pay particularly well, but it covers the rent and I was even able to save four gold crowns!
–Gathering 23rd, 87 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (75 gp for Ernard’s next of kin) 16 rations
The garrison posted a notice for new men, and I considered enlisting, but then it occurred to me that I wouldn’t really be able to go looking for treasure as I’d like. But then I talked to the Captain, and he agreed to hire me as an auxiliary to help with patrols, but no long term pledge. So I was able to move into the barracks and was given a uniform, and two spears. They kept me in the keep,and I managed to earn one gold crown. I also bought a tent, for when I strike out on my own.
–Gathering 30th 89 gp, (88 gp Adwin) (75 gp for Ernard’s next of kin) 16 rations
I was garrisoned in town for the new year’s celebration. Double rations were served at the Mess Hall, and there was a festive mood in the air. I saved a couple of gold crowns.
Posts From a Long Winded Gamer 
Leave a comment