-Great Harvest 11th-
-Warm, cloudy, no rain, steady breeze-
-Immersion-I bargain with an enemy/NPC-
Q: Am I the first up? Unlikely No
Ep 5: Scene 27: Meadcross-GH 11th
Chaos Factor: 4
I crawl out of the tent, hoping to gather wood for the fire, but see that Pasuth already has one going and is preparing breakfast for the company. “If I oversleep, wake me and I will gather wood for us. I need to earn my keep, repay my debts,” I offer.
“You needed to sleep after yesterday’s test,” Pasuth replies.
“I failed, didn’t I? I lost the wolves,” I observe.
“You found wolf tracks. Most pups don’t the first time they go hunting alone, and are only able to prove themselves alongside others after a a pack has stolen some goats, and they set off in pursuit. You started with no trail, and figured out how to find one, in the dark. After a day’s march, and were then able to keep pace the following day. A hard pace. So…that’s not bad for an easterner,” Pasuth shrugs.
Q: Does the garrison come to stop our meal? 50/50 No Q: Does Karalk divide the loot now? Likely No
As the men wake and break down the tents, Pasuth ladels his stew out to each. My companions all seem to be in good spirits. I pick up a few words of their conversations here and there, but most of it is lost to me.
“Pasuth? I am going back to your homeland with you, yes? A free woman? What becomes of me there?” I ask.
Q: Does Karalk have an opinion? Likely Yes Q: Does Karalk share his opinion? 50/50 Yes Q: Does Daralk share his opinion? 50/50 Yes Q: Does Pasuth expect me to marry? Likely Exceptional Yes Q: Does Karalk expect me to marry? Unlikely No Q: To share his house? Likely No
“You’ll marry my brother,” Pasuth laughs. “He needs a good wife, and you would make an excellent wife. Not right away, but after you’ve had time to come to terms with all that has happened. Until then, perhaps you will live with my wife and I. Another pair of hands is always welcome.”
On hearing this, Karalk shakes his head. “I’ll not take the woman as my wife. She is not the mother of my son. She is a good worker. And perhaps she’ll marry, but I’ll not take another wife.”
Daralk chimes in, “A kite is not a wolf. Nor will your children be replaced. Perhaps you will marry on of our kin, in time. But you will always be an outsider. With the pack, but not fully of the pack.”
“Then where do I belong?” I ask.
Daralk looks up to the heavens, “Soaring free, untethered, where ever the goddess calls, and Fate and Fortune decree.”
I furrow my brow. This thought troubles me throughout breakfast. The three leaders of the company speak in their own tongue as I fall into silence. Pasuth and Karalk seem to be in a state of disagreement, with Pasuth rolling his eyes and teasing his brother, whose stern demeanor indicate that he’s losing patience with his brother’s words. Daralk seems mildly amused but not eager to take sides.
Eventually, Karalk stands, and barks out some orders. I have learned, “Let’s move!” and quickly hop to my feet and fall in with the rest of the company as we continue our journey south.
-Morning Encounter-Hamlet-Reaction Very negative-
We follow the road south, and spot a small farmstead adjacent to the road. On seeing us though, the farmers quickly abandon their tools and race back to their homes. Pasuth, who I walk alongside, looks at me, “You’d think we were orcs.” I shrug.
-Immersion, see something written or carved, almost hidden from view-
Ep 5: Scene 28: Honeyfold-(GH 11th)
Chaos Factor: 4
As our journey continues, I am amazed at how lush and tall the wheat grows, better than any harvest I’ve ever seen, with little irrigation trenches between each furrow!
My companions don’t seem to pay this any mind, but it amazes me. And as I pause to look, I notice a piece of stone by the side of the road, and some strange markings on it. I kneel down to get a better look at it, but…there is nothing I recognize. Not even a single letter or number.
Q: Does anyone else stop to look? Unlikely No Q: Are we welcomed into the village? Likely Yes Q: Do the guards ask questions? Likely Yes
After a moment, I race to catch up to the others as they reach the open gate of the village whose lord governs these prosperous fields.
The gate guard halts our company briefly, “Coming from Westhold? Your company part of the fight against orcs?” He asks Pasuth at the head of the column.
“Yes, we killed a few, but our fighting season is done. Is the mead here as good as I remember from last time I passed through?” Pasuth asks the guard.
Q: Does he question me? Likely Yes
The guard laughs, “Better each season.” Then his eyes fall on me, “You aren’t a craglander. Where are you from?”
“Axdull, in Westhold. These men saved me, and now I help them with their camp work.”
Q: Does he approve? Likely Exceptional No
“You should go back to your lord, and not waste your time with these wanderers,” he scoffs.
-Intimidation 8-
“My lord died. An orc’s axe split his skull. Another orc skewered my husband on a spear. A third ran through my eldest sun and my daughter. A fourth ripped my youngest son from my arms and dashed his head against a wall. These men saved me. I will stay with them,” I reply with anger in my eyes.
“You’ll see even more violence in their company,” he mutters, scornfully.
Q: Crowded? Unlikely No
Pasuth gives him a look even darker than mine as we push on into the village and head over towards the inn, which bears the sign of the moons, Fate and Fortune, each a crescent on opposite sides. Inside, a fat old man yawns behind the kitchen counter while a plain looking woman about my age comes over to greet us, “Pottage and bread to fill your bellies, and some mead to warm your hearts?” she asks.
Q: Does Karalk split up the plunder? Likely Yes Q: Any other patrons? Unlikely NO
Karalk nods as he and his men spread around the establishment. I sit beside Daralk and Thorek, much to Thorek’s annoyance. Soon, bowls and tankards are spread around, and we are eating.
Q: Does he call me by name? 50/50 Exceptional No
Looking around, and seeing there are no other patrons, Karalk unslings his heavy pack and begins pulling out pouches that sound as though they are full of coins. “For the First Father,” he calls to Daralk, tossing him two such pouches. “The captain,” he grins, placing two pouches back into his pack. “My brother,” two to Pasuth. “To our healer,” two more pouches go to Daralk. Then he starts down the rest of the men, two pouches to each man in turn. Finally, “To the Woman.” He tosses two pouches to me, catching me by surprise, but I easily catch both in hand with ease. Daralk grins at me.
Then Karalk pulls a sack from his pack, and carefully empties it onto the table, “For the First Father,” he begins.
Daralk gets up and his eyes fall upon the silver tablet that I had left on the stack of company provisions. He looks around in confusion, asking a question. Argak, snorts and replies, gesturing towards me. Daralk then asks, “Where did you find this?”
I open up my satchel, pull out the food and show him the empty compartment within “I found it inside this orc’s bag, hidden beneath this flap here.”
Q: Is Daralk amused? Likely Yes
Daralk nods, and takes the silver tablet. Karalk shakes his head, then with a grin, takes a gold necklace with a green stone on it. His brother takes a gold ring with a blue stone set within. Daralk then claims a gold necklace with a red and white stone hanging from it. Then the others get their turns, and I am surprised that some begin choosing loose stones when there are still pieces of jewelry on the table. My turn comes, and as I reach for the silver falcon pendant I had taken from the orc whose satchel I carry, Daralk grabs my hand, and redirects it towards a pale green stone. I shake my head, and take the pendant anyway. Daralk laughs. Then Karalk nods at me to choose again. This time, I take the pale green stone. Then the man who went before me chooses again, working our way back up the order.
There are a few more things on the table. Pasuth thrusts a small pouch in my hand, and on opening it, I realize it is Nararoot. I recoil, but he suggest, “None in this company are likely to need it either. Take it.” Reluctantly, I add it to my pouch. The other remedies are split between Pasuth and Daralk. And then, Karalk says a few words to his men, and they all seem to nod agreement. And while some seem disappointed with their share of the loot, none protest how it was divided, for Karalk seems to have called names based on rank within the troupe, or prowess in recent fighting.
After this, we gather our things, and return to the road.
Q: Does Thorek approach? Likely Yes
On the road, Thorek comes up alongside me. Once again, he points to the pendant around my neck, then to my purse where I had placed the silver one. He says “three” something or other in his tongue.
Pasuth glances back and translate, “He’s offering three crowns for that silver falcon pendant.”
Q: Does he offer more? Likely Yes
“Three crowns? No,” I shake my head at Thorek. He gestures putting it around his neck, then offers five.
Q: Did Daralk linger? Likely No
I stop at the side of the road while the rest of the company continues walking, and Thorek stands with me. I pull out the silver pendant, and put it around his neck. He starts to pull out the coins, and I shake my head, and say, “May Freia watch over us both.”
“Freia,” Thorek nods, “Krenax. Freia,” and he offers some sort of short prayer that mentions both. Then, we walk alongside each other, eventually catching up to the rest of the troop.
-Afternoon Encounter-cattle tracks-
The rest of the journey towards Farhold Town passes uneventfully. There is quite a bit of conversation going on around me, but I understand only a few words. When we spot some cattle tracks across the road, Pasuth and I begin talking about cattle, and he starts teaching me words related to such livestock. But how well I remember those will remain to be seen.
And then we spot the stone bridge that leads across the river to the great stone walled town of Farahold, its blue banners fluttering in the wind, with farmers and townsfolk passing in and out of the gates. Pasuth grins, as do many of the young men. I hear the words “Black Razer”, “Heart Shield”, “Long Tusk”, and “Devil’s Cup”. Karalk holds up his hand and repeats “Long Tusk!” then says “Three days” in Craglander just before the company reaches the town gate.
-Immersion-Feel a Sidekick’s breath-Q: Craglander? Likely No
Ep 5: Scene 29: Farhold Town (GH 11th evening)-Interrupt-New NPC-fragrant professional
Chaos Factor: 4
Q: Craglander? Likely No Generate character, assign goal-investigate something
Daralk whispers in my ear, his breath sweet, “Stay with Pasuth or myself in town. Everyone else is likely to split up to spend their wealth, and buy goods to take back home. If you wish to come with, you should likely do the same. There are no towns like this in the valleys, and coin carries little meaning.”
“What is, Long Tusk?” I ask, but we are interrupted by a mailed man standing just inside the gate.
“Craglanders eh? Your lot aren’t afraid of the Lone Fields. How about we team up? I hear there is some ancient library in the Whispering Hills full of books worth hundreds of crowns to the right buyers,” the man says.
Daralk looks him up and down, “The right buyers are in the east, and our home lies to the west. When we next pass by the whispering hills, it is for the journey home.”
Q: Does he want an escort there then? 50/50 No
“Bah! It’s easy money I hear. The kobolds that lived there have all been slaughtered I’m told, and the ruin left undefended,” he shakes his head. “I’ll find better partners elsewhere.”
Daralk smirks, and I follow him and his mule into town, tagging along behind Karalk, Pasuth and several other men, though quite a few have already split off.
-No Encounter- Q: Is it busy? Likely Exceptional Yes (Entertainment rolled) Q: Have I seen a sorcerer perform before? 50/50 No (Roxana’s performance 19) Q: Is lodging available? 50/50 No
We soon reach the Long Tusk Inn, a tall structure alongside the market square. Outside is a placard with the image of an orc with unusually long teeth painted on it. Inside, there are weapons and shields, banners and tribal totems, all nailed up onto the wall. Karalk pushes his way through the crowd of patrons, but I stop short as I see a strange flash of light and hear the gasps of astonishment from the crowd. Straining to see, there is a dark haired woman about my age, telling a story about the founding of Farhold, and as part of her story, images appear in the air before her, reflecting her words! My breath feels hollow in my chest, “Sorcery,” I mutter, then, realizing nobody seems afraid, I stand and watch, utterly entranced.
Moments later, I feel Daralk’s arm on my shoulder, “Come. There are no rooms here tonight”
“Wait! Don’t you see?” I point out the woman.
Daralk nods, “Simple illusions. Nothing more. Come along.”
Baffled by his disinterest, I follow him and the rest of the company across the square to another inn with a white horse painted on the sign out front.
Q: Is the White Mare crowded? Very Unlikely No Q: Has he stayed here before? Likely Yes
This place is much different than the other. Everything inside is pristine. The smell of roasted calf and fresh apple pie waft out from the kitchen. The wispy sounds of a flute carry across the room, masking the conversation of the well dressed patrons, merchant captains every one! My half dressed companions and I are clearly in the wrong place, but Karalk approaches the innkeeper anyway.
“Alyss,” Karalk bellows at the well muscled woman wiping down the bar. Looking around, Karalk counts out that five of his men have come along with Daralk and his brother, “Five rooms for two nights, and cut us some of that roast, fill our plates and tankards,” he smirks, and as Alyss smiles, he begins counting out gold coins, one after another…more wealth than I have ever seen before! I open the pouch he gave me in the morning, and realize, these two pursers are full of crowns! Not pennies and tenpieces as I had throught. Alys sweeps dozens of gold coins from the counter and hands over several keys, which Pasuth then passes around.
“You’re staying with me, yes? Or with Karalk?” asks Pasuth.
“Um, oh, with you I guess,” I stammer in reply.
Daralk takes a key as do Gunsrung and Belsh. Those with keys pocket them and then Karalk sends some of the younger men to unload the mules and bring things up to his room, and his brother’s. Daralk sends Thorek to unload his mule. I head out to help, and we soon have everything stored in some very nice rooms with painted lamps, glass windows, fine sheets with colorful patterns atop soft beds. There is a wardrobe and even a mirror in every room! “Kite!” Thorek calls my name, breaking the spell, as he passes by Pasuth’s room where I had set down his things. I close the door and Thorek ensures that it is locked, then I follow him downstairs where the rest of the company is already seated. I join the company and a large painted clay cup of wine is set before me, along with a painted plate heaped with grapes, stewed carrots and potatoes, and slow roasted beef with the fragrant smell of rosemary, thyme and pepper.
-Conversation Current scene-
Soon, we are all eating. The wine is sweeter than any I’d ever had before, and while I’ve had veal before, I cannot recall it tasting quite so good. We eat, and my companions talk. Apparently, about this inn, for Karalk gestures around the place, and he and Pasuth share some sort of story that makes the rest of the company laugh appreciatively.
seated between Thorek and Gunsrung, I have no one to ask what is being said, so I simply enjoy the meal, and listen. I have picked up a few words, over the last two weeks, and tonight, I learn a few more about wine, veal and the flavorings used. I also, find myself quickly growing sleepy as the second cup of wine hits me harder than the first. As I start up towards the stairs, a servant stops me, “A bath before bed? To clean up before you lie down?”
“I’ve no coin for it…” I instinctively reply before recalling the vast fortune I carry.
“It is part of the lodging,” the servant giggles, “Please, this way,” and I follow her down to the basement where two large basins, separated by a curtain, full of water warmed by a nearby fire await. I hesitate before undressing as she stands and waits.
“No. I shouldn’t,” I shake my head.
“Please, it is necessary,” the servant insists.
Hesitantly, I turn to face her as I undress. She blushes and glances away, “Most turn their backs.”
“Sorry,” I wince. “Please, look away then, if I embarrass you.” I grit my teeth hopefully.
Q: Will she give me privacy? 50/50 No
“I am not embarrassed,” she insists. “I am here to help wash your back and hair.”
I swallow, nervously, “Alright.” I turn, and step into the water.
Q: Does she comment on the slave mark? Unlikely No
The water is warm, and soothing. As I sink down into hit, the servant gently pours water over the back of my head, “What’s your name?” I ask.
“Ilona. And yours?” Ilona replies.
“Cassandra,” I answer, trying hard to stop my heart from racing with fear.
“Relax, Cassandra. Let me wash you,” she says and slowly, I begin to relax as she washes my hair and back. Though her hand brushes the brand on my shoulder, she says nothing of it, and knowing that she knows, yet says nothing, gives me the hope of peace. As soon as she is done with my back, and hair, I use the sponge and soap to finish my bath, then she offers a towel for me to dry off with.
Afterwards I dress and then…”Does one often give you a coin for your service?” I hesitate.
“Yes. A tenpiece is customary,” she replies.
“I…” stammer a bit as I open up my purse.
“When your master comes to bathe, he will pay,” she smiles, closing my hand over my purse.
“Um…thank you,” I smile weakly, then head upstairs to the room I will share with Pasuth. I disrobe, climb into bed, and it feels as though I am floating on a cloud. “This must be…a bed of feathers!” I realize, and soon drift off to sleep.
-Great Harvest 12th-
Hot, cloudy, no rain, good breeze-
-Feel something hard-
Ep 5: Scene 30: Farhold Town (GH 12th)
Chaos Factor: 4
After a hearty breakfast, I follow Pasuth and his mule into town, “The Black Razer. You’ll need a good weapon or three. Not that orc salvage you carry,” Pasuth warns. “And the Heart Shield for armor.”
“Armor? I’m not a warrior,” I object.
Suddenly, he wheels and jabs a finger into my chest, “Gunsrung says you killed two orcs! That’s after you helped ambush a trio of sentries.” He pulls an axe from his belt, “Feel this steel. It will keep you alive. In the valleys, steel keeps us safe. Not great stone walls. Not distant lords. Steel, and a fighting spirit. You have the spirit. You just need the steel!”
I take a slow, deep breath as I feel the cold steel of the axe blade, and I nod, “I have to go west. So…I need steel.”
He nods his head in agreement, then puts the blade back in his belt. “All you have is the coin my brother gave you? And that stone?” I nod. “Alright, steel, some armor, a mule, and some goods to help you out. You’ll likely need to work in someone’s household for a time until you find a husband. That shouldn’t take too long. I would avoid Argak or any other young hothead. My brother is your best bet, if he gets over his grief. But first…steel.”
“I don’t think I’ll marry again either,” I confess.
Q: Does Pasuth get irritated? Unlikely Exceptional No -Encounter-Karta’s Kommandoes-
“You just lost your husband and children. I don’t expect you to anytime soon. That’s why you need steel, and you’ll need work.
At the Black Razer, there is a half orc woman talking to the patron about weapons, “I need a good a good crossbow. We’ll hunting a pair of hippogriffs, and I need to bring them down fast,” she explains. She glances at me, tentatively examining an axe hanging from the wall, and scoffs. “Amateurs.”
Pasuth starts looking around as well, “This one,” he says. Then…he shakes his head, “Let me see that stone you got.” I carefully pull it from inside my herb pouch, and he turns it over in his hands. “Alright…” he sighs.
Q: Does he suggest a sword? 50/50 Exceptional Yes
“You aren’t an axewoman are you? They drilled you with spears and bows, right?” he asks. I nod agreement. “If I’m going to teach you a weapon. I think a good sword will serve you better. A solid axe, you can find in the valleys. A good sword, this is the place.”
“You can’t teach a farmer swordsmanship,” scoffs the half orc.
Pasuth looks her up and down, then shakes his head, “I can teach anyone how to fight. Even you. If I cared to.” Then he looks to me, “Come on. First things first,” and I follow him out across the street to the Heart’s Shield. “Armor for this one,” he tells the proprietor.
“Let’s see what works for her,” the man replies
Q: Does he have studded leather that can fit me? Likely Yes, introduce new NPC
“Oh, what have we here? Have you two paid the gate tax?” an old man asks on seeing us.
-Viore persuasion 21-
The armorer looks up at him, “Madan! Get out of my shop. Collect your gate taxes at the gate, not in my shop!”
“Bah! Fine, Viore! I heard several mercenaries arrived yesterday and passed through without paying their toll. I just figured they’d end up here, like they always do,” the old man retorts.
“Take it up with your men, not my patrons!” Viore responds, and the old man shakes his head and leaves.
Pasuth scowls, “We trade in steel, not grain. We don’t pay gate taxes.”
Viore shrugs, “That’s why the guards don’t ask. But Madan is a stubborn one. Come here,” Viore calls to me and as I approach, he steps forward, takes a few measurements, and then asks, “do you need help trying this on?”
“I’ll help her,” Pasuth interjects, and then he helps me put on the undervest, and then strap on a thick, heavy leather currais with steel studs every few inches across the surface. Viore then comes over and cinches it up in places. He has me take it off, and we wait several minutes while he makes some adjustments to the piece, then I try it on again, and it’s a good deal more comfortable. Pasuth nods, “Excellent work.”
Viore nods agreement, then asks, “And your here to pick up your piece? Your brother was here already.” Pasuth nods, and collects three shirts of mail, passing the man a pouch of coins, and then pulling a jeweled necklace from around his neck. Viore carefully examines it, then nods agreement. Then looks at me, “Twenty-five crowns for yours.”
-Persuade 17-
“You’ve made quite a bit already, couldn’t you see to twenty crowns? If this was cut for a woman of my size, it could be months before it sells,” I suggest.
“Twenty-two crowns,” he agrees, and I count out the coins, breathing slowly as I realize how much I have, and see the amount dwindle, rapidly. “Thank you!”
I nod, and wearing the armor over my clothing, follow Pasuth out of the shop.
Pasuth loads his armor into some sacks on the back of his mule, concealing it between other provisions as the animal is only half loaded from yesterday, “Let’s go. You need a pack mule as well.
-Encounter-Slaver-
I nod, and we head across town towards the gate. Along the way, I notice a group of orc women and children, shackled around the neck and bound with a rope, sitting beside the road while a couple of armed men stand watch over them, and another is talking with a baker, gesturing towards his captives as he works out a price to feed them. I shake my head when I see the brands on their shoulders that match mine. I shudder.
-Immersion-Feel something fuzzy-
Ep 5: Scene 31: Master Siward (GH 12th)
Chaos Factor: 4
Near the town gate, there is a large corral full of horses of all types and sizes, and a fair number of mules. A very well dressed man spies Pasuth and I coming up to the rail and studying the animals. “Ah! In the market for a mule, i would guess,” the merchant suggests.
One of the animals comes over and begins to nuzzle up against me. I caress its mane absentmindedly while Pasuth talks to the merchant.
-Animal Handling 21 (plus, Beasts are favored enemy)- Persuasion 11-
Have your hands start walking them around the corral please, I suggest. The merchant glances at me, then back and Pasuth who nods agreement. I study how obedient or rebellious the animals are, and then climb through the fence to examine a couple of them more closely. “Nothing but nags!” I sigh in exasperation, “I guess I could give you six crowns for this one.”
The merchant scoffs, “Nice try! It’s eight crowns for the animal another seven for the bit, bridle and a pack saddle.”
I nod agreement, and start counting out the coins. We then saddle up the animal, and Pasuth transfers his pack to it. “Alright…girl…. Come on,” I tug at the reins and the mule easily follows along after me.
-Encounter-Militia member insults character-
“Hey woman! What are you wasting your time with that savage for” I hear a tall, broad shouldered man call out to us. “These foreigners. People think they’re tough, but they aren’t really. And look at all this jewelry. He fancies himself a dandy, no doubt.”
-Pasuth attempts indimidation but Norek is unflappable, so it doesn’t really matter what is rolled-Cassandra rolls an 18 on persuasion-
Pasuth stands up, and suggests, “I’ve cut down many the likes of you. Perhaps you’d best walk away.”
“Please, there is no need for trouble. I’ve no doubt that you are strong. But this isn’t the way to prove it,” I shrug with a smile. He nods, and then walks away, muttering to himself.
Pasuth nods, “You may have just saved his life, and me some time.” I shudder at the casualness of that comment.
-Persuasion 16 to get a 10% discount on everything-
But we then spend the rest of the day, purchasing supplies for our journey west. I also sell the orc warhorn I had captured, and the sunberry salve I made, and the Narraroot and the small gem I was given. I buy a tent of my own, a change of clothes, cooking gear and an iron pot, waterskins, a blanket and a bedroll, several sacks and a few pouches. A hammer, a woods axe, a hoe, some dried food for the journey, a box of nails, fishhooks, sewing needles and some thread. A mortar and pestle and other tools to help mix medicines. A better quiver for my arrows. Then I buy several sacks, some of which I fill with beans, onions, oats, and potatoes. Even a sack of salt thanks to Pasuth’s advice. Afterwards, we go back to the Black Razer. He buys some salt, bolts of colored cloth, and heads for several tools.
-Encounter-Government Official recognizes me!-Well, Pasuth anyway-
Walking through the town, a man calls out to Pasuth. The two stop and talk for a bit while I linger nearby, scratching my new mule behind the ears and checking its load. “You’re a good one. I’ll need a good name for you. I want to think on it tonight.”
After the conversation ends, we continue onward to the Black Razer, where the smith grins on our return. “I knew you’d be back.”
“Yes! Let’s look at some good steel,” Pasuth replies, and begins checking several of the swords hanging from the wall. “Better than this,” he scowls.
“Your lads said the same thing earlier in the day, but hadn’t the coin for better,” the smith laughs.
“I’m no child,” Pasuth replies.
Q: Does he have an unjeweled masterwork longsword? Likely Yes (move away from thread, besting a wolf)
Pasuth takes a sword with a blade nearly as long as my arm, “I like the balance here. Simple design. Nothing terribly fancy. Feel this!” he puts the blade in my hand, adjusts my grip and then has me hold it outright. “Alright, on your own.”
-Pasuth ends up paying full price- Q: Does Pasuth offer me a discount? 50/50 Exceptional No
I try maneuvering it, and…I don’t really know what I am doing, but it seems balanced to me. He then puts a different blade in my hand, and I can tell at once how clumsy it is compared to the first one. He puts the first back in my hand. I continue trying to maneuver the weapon while he and the weaponsmith look over a couple more blades. Then Pasuth, satisfied, asks for a couple of good throwing axe heads, some battle axe heads, and a basketful of arrowheads. The two men haggle over a price for the lot. Then after coin changes hand, he tells me, “Your blade is 45 crowns.”
I gasp, “That’s more than the armor!”
“Armor delays defeat. A blade can seal victory and save your life. Forty five crowns,” he insists, and I count out the coins.
“That’s why you had me sell the stone, right?” I ask.
“Yes. The stone’s worth nothing on its own, but you can’t get steel like this in the valley. A cruder weapon perhaps, but nobody can make one like this!” he insists. “And you need a dagger as well.”
“I have three crowns left!” I protest.
Q: Does he buy me a really good dagger? Unlikely No
“One crown left,” he holds out is hand, and I hand him two crowns. “By the time we reach the valley, you’ll have other goods to trade, or at least your labor. The mule, the supplies on it, a good sword, and your captured weapons will see you through quite a bit of trouble. Just stick with me, and you’ll be fine.”
I nod, grateful for his help, but amazed at how swiftly a fortune has passed through my fingers in a single day!
After all of this, we return to the White Mare Inn, unload our animals, and I see several more mules in the stables, some of which I saw this morning, and I shake my head. I took the only good one in the lot! We then join the rest of the company for dinner, then Pasuth and I, Karalk, Daralk, Thorek and Gunsrung all turn in early for the night. A couple of the other men go out to enjoy a last night in town, perhaps joining those who left the night before. But for my part, I revel in the comfort of a feather bed one last time!
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