–Episode 3–
-Pleasant, cloudy, no rain, no wind-
-Smell of Moss-
Ep 3: Scene 11: Threshing 4th (Gateway)
Chaos Factor: 4
I wake and gather my things, rolling up my bedroll, then nudging Chinot awake. Relucantly he wakes so I can roll up my blanket and pack the tent as well. I then load up my mule and take it over to the trough by the well, let it drink while I stare at the moss growing around the well’s base. I recall how comfortable it is to lay on a mossy riverbank, and the rich smell it carries.
Some of the drovers from inside the inn come out to tend to their animals. “Are your companies heading south today?” I ask.
Q: Have the captains already agreed to go south today? 50/50 No
“Not that I’ve heard,” replies one of the men.
Another adds, “Waiting for escort. Gnolls are dangerous.”
I yawn, finish watering my mule, and then head over to the livestock pen I spotted last night while looking for my stolen animal. I study the animals being lead out of their stables into the corral.
Q: Does the dealer have an mules? Likely Yes (d4=3 mules) (My animal handling rolls are 20+) (Medicine 19) Q: Fleas, ticks or mites? Unlikely Yes
I study the three three mules in the corral, and am not particularly impressed by any of them. One disobeys its handler repeatedly. The other suddenly rears up for no apparent reason, which startles my animal. The third keeps rubbing up against the side of the fence and his shoulders are off, throwing off its gait a bit. Yet, it seems the most promising of the lot. “Let me see that animal,” I tell the stablehand, lashing my beast to the fence and climbing into the corral. I inspect the beast, “Ah! It’s got fleas. Is there an herbalist in this village?”
“No master,” the stable hand replies.
I shake my head, “Shame. I’d take the animal if there were.” So I turn around and head back to the inn for breakfast. I tether my loaded animal outside, and head in where nearly everyone is up and crowded around causing the sullen looking wench no end of grief with their demands. I decide not to add to her misery, but head over to where the three merchant captains are seated together, taking a count of armed men among the combined companies.
-Persuasion 18-
Joining the captains, “I count nineteen guards, plus those five men over there, plus myself. If we are all heading south, that’s a strong force, plus the drovers.”
The three men look at each other, then at me. One with a raspy voice sighs, “I’ve been waiting here three days now. I want to get back on the road.”
The other, a birdlike man nods, “Yeah. Time is money. Go ask those men if they are south bound as well.”
Therault chimes in, “We aren’t hiring, but if they are southbound as well, we all go together.”
-Insight 5- Q: Are they heading south? Likely Exceptional No
I nod and approach the rough looking men. “Good morning. Are you lot heading south by any chance?”
“West,” one of the men, who has a hint of orc in his teeth and ears, replies. “Unless you want to pay us to do otherwise.”
“Safe travels then,” I nod, and return to the masters.
“No, they are going west, unless we make them a better offer,” I explain.
Q: Will the masters offer? 50/50 Yes (d6 for which one, Mayfair does)(Remote event Use Illness) (The garrison at Fort Norgard is sickened by an epidemic)Q: Is this why the patrol hasn’t arrived? Likely Exceptional Yes (What disease, d6=Traveler’s Fever…not too bad, except the provisions at the fort are compromised, aggravating the situation) (Mayfair persuasion 10)
Looking at his fellows, the bird looking man sighs, “Fine, I’ll do it,” he gets up and walks over to the rough looking men. I follow. “Alright, twenty crowns if you lot join us heading south. Stick with us to Northwatch. It’s just a two day run, paying double to cover your costs back home. Fair?”
-Arnold’s persuasion 6-
“Eighty crowns,” the leader, of the group replies. “The Highlands swallowed up twenty armored men and you want us to walk out into the jaws of whatever ate them. That’s combat wages there and back.”
-Mayfair Persuasion 23-
“That’s ridiculous,” the merchant retorts, “You’ve got axes and leathers, not mail. You’re no soldiers. Thirty crowns, is fair.”
“Name’s Arnold,” the man with hint of orc grins, standing to shake birdman’s hand.
Q: Any mounts? 50/50 No
“Mayfair. Master Mayfair. That’s Master Therault and Master Johann. Got any horses or mules?” Mayfair asks.
“Boots and strong backs,” Arnold replies.
“Alright lads, we are heading out!” Therault calls out. Rhou hops to his feet and starts getting his men back outside. Johann’s and Mayfair’s crews also get moving, and I head outside, drain an abandoned tankard of ale and tuck two abandoned loaves of bread, leaving a tenpiece on the table before collecting my mule in the courtyard while the companies yoke their oxen and load mule packs.
—
Ep 3: Scene 12: Heading out (Th 4th)
Chaos Factor: 4
Johann’s company is entirely mounted, he and his ten men are all apparently skilled riders, and in addition to their horses, they have six laden with sacks of oats, no doubt, but also cases of trade goods I suspect. An expensive convoy! His team takes the lead.
Mayfair adds another four wagons to Therault’s five. His guards and wagons form up behind Johann’s horses and mules, with Arnold’s men trailing along side them and Therault’s. Therault’s wagons form up in the rear, with my mule lashed to the final wagon. “Keep an eye on it,” I tell Chinot.
“I thought there would be soldiers with us for this part?” Chinot looks around nervously.
“Nope. Men with legs and spears are enough,” I yawn. I sling my shield across my back, pull my crossbow from the mule pack, and then thrust my spear into Chinot’s hands. “And you are one of them.”
-Persuasion 13- Q: Will he take the spear? 50/50 No
He stares at the spear blankly, face ash white, “No…I’ll just…drop it.”
I lash is back to the mule, “Don’t piss yourself.” I shake my head and follow the others out, cocking and loading my crossbow after we pass through the village gate.
-Morning Encounter-None- -Afternoon Encounter Pilgrims-Q: Dead? Likely Yes-
As we leave Gateway, I notice a stone curtain wall is being constructed just inside the wooden palisade. It isn’t terribly far along, but it is something!
We travel throughout the morning, leaving the cultivated fields, the grass grows tall and scrub brush comes up along the road in places. Copses of trees are visible sometimes near, sometimes far, and the countryside is rolling. One could conceal an army in these lands, and feed great herds of cattle. It’s…not terribly unlike great swathes of Norgard, but…wild and untamed. For now.
-Topic-Parents-
“So, your father was a great lord?” Chinot suddenly asks me.
“No. My father was a knight errant. Sir Turald Talbot. A good and loyal servant to Baron Chamfely and his house. Very skilled with the blade and the lance. The baron’s personal bodyguard. Too good at it, I think, to ever be granted a lordship. Served the old man, then his son,” I shrug.
“And your mother?” Chinolt asks.
“Philomena. My mother was very smart, but a horrible seamstress. She kept pricking herself with the needles. A younger daughter born to another landless family. Older than my father. She always hoped for something better one day. Died of a broken heart a few weeks after father fell in battle,” I explain.
“Fell in battle?” Chinolt raises an eyebrow.
I nod, “Two years ago. Raiders from Frogsend had taken hostages deep into the bogs. Baron Chamfely wea leading his men in pursuit. Came under ambush. My father died so the baron might escape. His body was recovered in the counter attack, and my brother knighted on the eve of the funeral, to carry on with father’s duties. Carries his sword, but not his skill or prestige. Good enough to have fairly earned is spurs though.”
“How did you hear about it?” Chinot asks.
Q: Was I there? Likely Exceptional Yes
“I was at the battle. I was the one who found my father’s corpse after the fight, half buried in the muck. Armor bashed and broken by stone clubs and spikes. My brother and I carried his remains, and those of a dozen other men out of the swamp. Bastard half dragon kin,” I spit.
“What? Like what lives in Quickmud?” Chinot asks.
I shrug, “No idea what lives in Quickmud. But it wouldn’t surprise me. Lizards as tall as men, stand on their hind legs. Emotionless. No wings, no poison breath. Just cold, cunning, and heartless.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Chinot stammers, “That’s them.”
“Good to know,” I nod, looking around my section again. “What about your parents?”
-Perception 6-
Suddenly, the caravan comes to a halt. I step from road, crossbow raised, alert for danger.
Seeing nothing, I look ahead, buzzards circle overhead, and Johann has ridden back, and it talking to Mayfair, and then farther back to Therault. I walk forward to hear what he’s saying.
“Ten bodies,” Johann says, “Not soldiers. Look like ordinary folks, and a priest. Pilgrims I’d guess.”
Q: Will they load them? Likely No
“Leave them. Let’s get going,” Therault replies.
Johann nods, “Mayfair agreed. Freia watch over them.”
I scowl at this, but it’s not my wagons of trade goods that would be laden with corpses. Therault calls back “Forward!” As Johann rides back up to the front, and his men and Mayfair’s also start moving once more.
Soon, I see what the discussion was about. The grisly half eaten remains of nearly a dozen men and women are strewn out beside the road, looks like Johann’s men had thrown them aside. Flies buzz around their corpses as the buzzards wait for us to pass by so they can reclaim their interrupted meal.
-Medicine 11, Perception 8-
I stop and kneel beside one, joining Arnold and his men. I can’t quite tell when they died, but ask Arnold, “How long ago do you think?”
-Insight 8-
“Who cares?” he asks, getting back up. He and his men soon move on. I furrow my brow, wondering why he was inspecting the bodies if he didn’t care.
-Immersion-sense of oppression-
Ep 3: Scene 13: Fort Norgard (Th 4th)(altered-increase intensity-I take that to mean a worse disease than initially rolled)
Chaos Factor: 4
Slowly, Fort Norgard comes into view. The King’s banner and that of the Order of the Shield flutter in the wind overhead, and a red skull banner below it. I feel the breath fly from my chest, “Plague”. I mutter.
Chinot looks at me, “Plague?”
I nod, “Something anyway. Warning us not to enter.” I trot up to Rhou, “How far to North Watch?”
“Thirty miles,” comes Rhou an Therault’s simultaneous reply.
I see master Johann ride up towards the keep’s walls, one of his men with him. The man calls up to the guard in the tower, “What plague?”
“The Red Flux” comes the reply. I shake my head as the guard calls out, “Leave us whatever food you can and keep going. Send word we need fresh provisions. We’ve burnt all that we can.”
Q: Do the Masters want to stop here anyway? 50/50 No
Johann rides back and confers with the other caravan masters, and several sacks of provisions are unloaded just outside the gate of the fort. I unload most of my perishables as well, then the caravan moves on. I offer up a prayer for the men inside.
-Evening-No Encounter-
The company presses on, and I can see how nervous the other guards are, realizing we will be spending the night out in the open, instead of behind the thick stone walls of the ancient keep. “What’s Red Flux?” Chinot asks.
-Medicine 22-
“Gut tied up in a knot and you bleed out your ass. Food went went bad. Rats crapped all over it. Got poisoned, or something,” I shudder. “Get them a few days of good meals, and most will recover. Those who don’t die before it reaches them.”
“Criminy,” mutters Chinot.
We press on until dark, then circle the wagons near a stream, water and graze the animals while watches are established. I pitch my tent inside the perimeter, as to Johann’s men. Most of Therault’s and Mayfair’s men plan to sleep beneath the wagons, though there is a shortage of bedrolls as none had planned on sleeping outdoors and there are none to borrow from the Inn like in Gateway.
“I’ll stand a watch,” I tell Rhou. He nods and assigns me to third, so I sit down by my tent and eat from my remaining provisions while the caravaners get their dinner cooking.
Q: Does Chinot have food for the road? Unlikely No
Chinot looks at me as I eat, “Think they’ll share? I thought there would be a tavern in Fort Norgard.”
I pass him some food, “What have you done to earn a meal from Therault? He won’t even pay me, and I carry steel and stand watch.”
Q: Is he grateful? Very Likely Exceptional Yes (Move away from Thread, recover book for Rodald Motter-The pilgrims had the book! Now Arnold has it.)
He takes the jerky, nuts and hard tack I offer. “Thank you,” he replies.
-Perception 5-
Arnold and his men sit off to the side. One of the guard captains, Laud, walks over to them. “You two, first watch. You two, second. You, third.”
-Insight 23, Laud’s Insight 6-
Arnold offers, “Just give us second watch. We can cover it, that way the rest of you get a good eight hours all at once.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Laud begins, but I get up and walk over.
“It’s a horrible idea,” I interject. “Someone tried to sneak off with a bunch of the mules last night, hide them in a barn. Why were you checking the dead?” I ask Arnold.
-Arnold Deception 15 vs My insight 6, Laud’s Insight 11-
“Praying for them. What are you suggesting?” Arnold bristles.
I sigh, “I’m sorry. For a moment there, I thought you were were trying to ensure nobody else was on watch…so…my paranoia is playing tricks on me.”
Q: Does Arnold push it? Unlikely No
“It’s alright. No harm done. If it makes your men uneasy, we’ll split shifts like you suggest,” Arnold offers.
Q: Does Laud keep them together? Unlikely No (Perception 9)
“I think that’s best,” Laud nods, then glances at me, shaking his head, and I return to my meal.
-Night encounter 1st watch-Ticks infest my stupid mule and it contracts Bone Ache, 3 days-
-2nd watch, food spoilage-2 rations-
-3rd watch, screeching sounds with no apparent source-
The fires are kept burning through the night. It isn’t my preference, given that it illuminates us, but as fires are set outside the wagon’s perimeter, Laud says it is to let us see any attackers before they draw close. Part of my duty on third watch is keeping the fires going.
-Topic Future action-
“You’re not a caravan guard, are you?” one of the men keeping watch with me asks, coming alongside me.
“Tonight I am,” I chuckle. He laughs. “But no, I’m more of a wandering sellsword at the moment.”
“Where are you wandering?” he asks.
“Oldenfall. Supposed to retrieve a book from some…Master Teylor,” I recall.
“The brewmaster’s guild, yes?” the man responds.
“You know Oldenfall?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Yes, Master Mayfair’s caravan is based there. I grew up there,” he replies.
“Senfry Talbot,” I offer my name.
“Odas Lawray. Seen any battles?” Odas asks.
“More than I care to,” I shrug.
“But you’re a sellsword. That means you hire yourself out to see battles, don’t it?” he raises and eyebrow.
“A means to an end. Steel is my only usable trade,” I shrug.
“Damn! How’d that happen? Can’t you just rent a plot of land like anyone else?” Odas asks.
“No, but I can ride like the wind. Not a particularly strong wind mind you, but I can ride. I can shoot, and I can fight. All I was ever taught to do,” I yawn. “You’re a farmer’s son?”
“Yes. But I don’t much care for it. Thought I’d earn some coin, see the world. You know. That way, can get some nice fat sheep to graze on my fallow, sell a bit of wool on the side when I settle,” he explains.
“Good idea. Sheep are profitable, and mutton’s not bad when the animal fails,” I nod.
“Exactly!” he grins.
“I’ll probably join your company on the road to Oldenfall then,” I observe.
“Good! More hands the better,” Odas replies.
-Perception 17, Nature 6-
Suddenly, there is a horrific screech in the distance, and the two of us turn towards the sound. “What was that?” Odas stammers. The other sentries are also looking towards the sound.
“Sounded like an eagle, but…bigger, but eagles don’t fly at night,” I reply. “No idea.”
Q: Does he want to investigate? 50/50 Exceptional Yes
“We need to check it out!” Odas suggests, starting out.
“No. We don’t.” I pull him back. “We stand watch. We stay alert. We keep the caravan safe. If we investigate, we do it in the morning. In daylight.”
Q: Does he go anyway? Very Unlikely No
He sighs, “Alright. I guess you’re right.”
I grin, “Pretty fearless? How’d you get that scar, if you don’t mind.”
Q: Will he say? 50/50 No
He traces the scar across his chin, then shakes his head, “I…don’t want to talk about it. Stupid mistake.”
“Most mistakes are stupid, but you’re still walking. So…that’s something.” I shrug, and look once more towards the direction of the screech. Then we continue patrolling our sector. Eyes sharp. Checking in with the other guards to ensure everyone is awake, alert, and alive.
-Threshing 5th-
-warm, clear skies, heavy wind-
-Sense of Fear-
Ep 3: Scene 13: Pushing on (Th 5th)-Move towards “obtain warhorse” Pursue Group
Chaos Factor: 4
It is a windy morning. As I pull food, I realize ants have gotten into my pack and I end up throwing away two days worth of provisions. Then I realize the mule is acting a little lethargic. On inspection, I start pulling off ticks from the poor beast, “Johann! Inspect your mounts for ticks!”
Suddenly, everyone seems to be scratching an itch or two…such is life. Then my mind goes back to the dead pilgrims. They weren’t just killed, but…half eaten. Not by buzzards either. I shudder. “Gnolls.”
Suddenly, there is some yelling, and the thunder of hooves. “Stop! Laud, get them!”
I spring to my feet and race in the direction of the noise. I see horses running in several directions, and five men riding away, with three more horses in tow. I aim and fire, striking one of Arnold’s men in the back.
“Retrieve the horses!” Laud commands as he and his guards start running down the scattered strays.
-Animal handling 17, Persuasion 14-plus two successes and three failures- Q: Are they good with that? Likely No
Laud and one of his men quickly retrieve a pair, and I grab another, and mount it, “I’m a scout!” I holler, “Let’s get them!”
“You aren’t my scout!” Laud replies, but I have already spurred my horse in pursuit of the fleeing men, crossbow loaded.
-Animal Handling checks-
I quickly gain on the fleeing riders, Laud’s man closing behind, “Three on five?” he hollers at me, raising his crossbow, sinking a bolt into the back of one of the men.
I fire a second time, and a rider falls from his horse, “Three on four!”
-Pursuit check-we are catching up-
I loop the crossbow into its saddle harness, drawing steel as we catch up. The caravan guard has done the same and knocks the rearmost rider from his stolen mount. Racing past, I miss wide as the next rider swerves away. They release the extra mounts they had been trying to steel.
“Cut them down!” Arnold shouts, unbelting his axe, spinning his mount, and taking a swing at me. He misses, but my blade cuts him under his outstretched arm. The other riders join the melee, teaming up against the caravan guard. He takes a blow to his shoulder, but his counterstroke takes another man off his horse.
A crossbow bolt wizzes past from Laud’s bolt, as he rides towards us. Another rider some distance behind him. Arnold comes at me again, but I hook his axe to one side, then open him up across the chest, and he falls to the ground.
Q: Does the last man surrender? Likely No Q: Ride for it? Likely Exceptional Yes
The final horse thief spurs his mount, dashing away fast, but the caravan guard and I are better riders. He joins the others in the dirt. I fling the blood from my blade and sheath it as the caravaner recovers the mount. I dismount, an check the fallen man.
It takes nearly an hour to recover all but three of the mounts. Arnold and two of his men are still breathing. Laud leans over them, “You’re going to hang, you stupid bastards.”
I look around, “Really stupid. You’d have been better off in the middle of the night.” I shake my head.
Arnold moans in agony as I bind up his wounds. Then I search him and his pack, “Oh? Religious man?” I ask pulling out a large book, emblazoned with Freia’s falcon across the cover in silver and gold across the iron and leather cover. I flip open the book.
“What’s that?” Laud asks.
“I think it might be the book I was sent to Oldenfall to retrieve for my employer. A Master Teylor was supposed to send it north
Q: Is there a letter with it? Very Likely Yes Random Event, current context Destroy Time
As I pull a letter from the book I hear gasp and gurgle. One of Laud’s men has rammed a spear through the throat of a wounded bandit. He looks up, “Saves time and transport.”
Laud nods. I shake my head, and open the letter, “Dearest Master Rodald, I apologize for the delay, but it took awhile to find a trusted party heading towards Kiddimir. Brother Baldewin assured me he would get the book to you in time for the Chancellor’s anniversary celebration. He is not one to tarry. With Freia’s Blessings, Almar Teylor”
-Persuasion 5-
I show the letter to Laud, “I’m taking the book. When I was inspecting the dead, trying to figure out when they had died, Alfred and his men must have been robbing them.”
“I don’t think so. It belongs to a Master Treylor. He’ll pay a pretty penny for it,” Laud replies.
I shake my head, “Let’s put it to the captains.”
I let the caravan guards finish going through the dead horse thieves effects, splitting up coin and jewelry stolen from dead pilgrims.
-Survival 19- (encounter check d6, none), animal handling 8
Walking back towards the caravan, I notice hoof prints, “I’ll catch up,” I reply, and follow them down to a nearby ravine. I spot one of the horses, but it spooks during my approach.
-Survival 16, no encounter, animal handling 22- Q: Had they waited? Unlikely No
I resume tracking it, then find it a second time, and this time, manage to get ahold of its reins, then ride it back to the caravan which was already on the move again.
-With advantage for recovering a horse, Persuasion 22-
I ride up to the front near Johann and Laud, “Another of your horses. About that book. It belongs to Master Rodard in Kiddimir, I need to return it to him.”
Johann nods, “Give him the book.” Laud scowls but pulls the gilded and embossed tome to me. I dismount, handing the reins of the horse over to one of Johann’s men.
“What’s your name?” Johann rasps.
“Senfry Talbot,” I reply.
“Seems I owe for helping recover…more than one stolen horse. You live in Kiddimir?” he asks.
“For now,” I reply.
“Next time I’m in town. I’ll look you up,” he says.
“There’s a lady named Mabile who seems to know everyone in town, she’ll know where to find me,” I suggests.
“As would Master Rodard, if you do as you say you will,” Johann replies.
“My word is the only thing I truly have,” I shrug.
-Persuasion 11 but reaction 16-
He laughs, “I like you.”
Q: Did Chinot pack everything? Likely No
I head back to my mule at the end of the caravan. But it’s not there.
“Chinot? Where’s my mule? My gear?” I ask.
“Oh? Everyone was leaving. So I came along,” he stammers.
“Everything was…left behind?” I ask.
“Hmmm…yes?” he replies.
I shake my head in disbelief, and start walking back north towards where we set camp. Cursing the idiot.
-Morning-No Encounter-Q: Is my mule near the road? Unlikely No Survival 6- Survival 19, Animal Handling 10-
I reach the campsite, where my tent and saddle sit where I left them. The mule, is nowhere to be seen. The tracks disappear a short distance from the road. The nervous animal no doubt panicked and ran. I pack everything up, then start following the trail of the horses thieves, and manage to find another of the missing animals. I cautiously approach, and taking its reins, lash it to a nearby tree, unfasten the riding saddle, replace it with my pack saddle and gear, and the riding saddle lashed to it, and then start walking north, vowing to return the horse to Johann should we cross paths again in the future. I walk at a double pace.
-Afternoon Feral Hogs-
-Evening Wild Boar-
-Night-Mishap Camp Flood (nonsense given weather), replace with “Lose Item” a one pound or less item not seen since last packed, my whetstone qualifies-
-Con save passed-
I push on through the day, walking past the plague ridden fort. I spot some hogs and a wild boar, but give them all a wide berth. Yelling out as I approach, causing them to retreat from me as well as I pass through. It is an hour or more past sunset when I spot the walls of Gateway before me. I approach the gate.
Q: Do they open for me? Unlikely Exceptional Yes
“What happened? Why are you alone?” Calls out the guard.
“Got left behind after a horse thief incident. Fort Norgard has come down with Red Flux and needs resupply, and perhaps a physician,” i explain to the watchman as I step through the gate. “This horse belongs to Master Johann. I recovered it while looking for my mule, which…I couldn’t find. I’m heading to inn. Should be empty, I’d guess.”
The man nods and I head on to the Keyhole Inn.
-Immersion-Smell of Alcohol-
Q: Is lodging available? Nearly certain Exceptional No Event: NPC Positive Arlette Dumont, block fear
Ep 3: Scene 14: Keyhole Inn-Interrupt NPC Positive: Block Fear (5th)
Chaos Factor: 4
I lodge the horse at the stables, whee four fine looking animals are housed. Then I go inside the Keyhole inn. The innkeeper comes out from her bedroom in her nightgown with a yawn.
“We’re full up, sorry,” she says.
“Can I roll out on the floor then? I’ve lodged a horse in your stable,” I ask.
She smiles warmly, “Look, if you keep your hands to yourself, you share my bed.”
I blink, “Oh, umm…”
She chuckles, “I’ll keep my hands to myself as well.”
I nod, “Thank you,” and I follow her to her bedroom, setting down my saddle and gear inside the door. Crawling in bed beside her. Where exhaustion from the day’s events quickly overwhelm me. I smell the wine on her breath and she turns towards me as I drift.
-Threshing 6th-
-Clear skies, calm-
Q: Does she keep her word? Very Likely
I wake early the next morning, and turn to face the woman I just spent he night with. She’s about ten years older than me, I’d guess. Long hair, lush and well maintained. I smile. Her eyes flutter open, “No touching, remember?”
“I was just thinking, I don’t even know your name,” I explain.
“Arlette. This is my inn,” she raises an eyebrow as she sits up. Her nightgown clinging to her warm flesh.
“Senfry Talbot,” I reply. “I am in your debt.”
She shrugs, “Half a crown. I’m charging full price even though you had to share a room.”
-Reaction Positive-
I laugh, “More than generous.” I reach for my coinpurse and she laughs, as I count out the coins and set them on her nightstand. “I suppose you need to open things up?”
“Yes, my sister would hate it if I didn’t help her with the morning cooking. For three days, we were full up with caravaners. At least they’re generous. Last night, thirty pilgrims arrived heading south. They are poor, and cheap! Don’t drink as much while pretending to be holy, Freia forbid it,” she laughs.
“I don’t think she does,” I shake my head with a grin.
“Tell the Purifiers. They ruin everybody’s fun!” she laughs.
Q: Does she recognize me? Very Likely No
I quickly dress, and she asks, “Are you heading south with the pilgrims? You arrived very late in the night.”
“No, heading north to Kiddimir. Oh, Fort Norgard, they’ve got the Red Flux. I need to tell Sir Cortens, in case he can send some relief, then the Chancellor for a full relief. And…when Master Johan comes back though, can you tell him I have one his horses. Found it while I was looking for my mule,” I explain.
“Wait? You were here with the caravans, weren’t you? You asked about renting the barracks?” it dawns on her.
-Persuasion 14-
“Yes. We went south, then some horse thieves tried to steal some of Johann’s animals…well, nearly all of his horses, really. And I got separated from the caravan, and decided to head back north,” I explain.
“Well, alright then,” she shrugs. “I’ll pass on the message should I see him again. But I’ve not seen Master Johann before. He doesn’t normally come through here.”
“He doesn’t?” I ask.
Q: Does she recall where he’s from? Likely No
She shakes her head, “Nope. He might normally get to Kiddimir from the north, through Oldenstone.”
“Thank you,” I respond, then gather my things while she heads to the kitchen to eat. I go to the saddles, gird up the horse, and lead it over to the manor house where I knock on the door.
Q: Is Cortens having breakfast? Likely No Q: Asleep? Unlikely No
The steward answers the door, “Oh, it’s you again.”
“Yes, may I speak with Sir Cortens?” I ask.
Q: Will he allow it? Likely Exceptional Yes
The steward bows, and noticing the horse tethered outside, nods, impressed, before leading me to his master’s study.
Q: Am I greeted more warmly this time? Likely No
The lord, talking to one of his sergeants, looks up at me, “Oh. You again. Decided sleeping on dirt is not to your liking? Come to beg the barracks again?”
I chuckle and bow lightly, “No my lord. I am on my way back to Kiddimir. I have news for the chancellor, but felt I should tell you first. The garrison at Fort Norgard has come down with the Red Flux. They’ve had to destroy their food stores and need immediate relief. The caravans went south, so they’ll be telling…Truestone? I guess. I got separated and returned north. I’ll ask the chancellor for help, but you are closer.” Then I bow, “Good day, my lord.” Then I turn to leave.
Q: Does he try to stop me? 50/50 Yes
“Wait? You went to Fort Norgard, and returned saw this?” Sir Cortens asks.
“Yes, my lord. By your leave?” I request dismissal.
Q: Will he let me go? Likely Exceptional No
“Why didn’t you continue south?” he presses.
-Persuasion 14-
“I was sent to recover a message its recipient feared lost. We found the messenger along the road, dead. At that point, it became imperative that I return to Kiddimir to deliver said message to its intended recipient. Having been separated from the caravan I was travelling with, I was going to end up traversing the highlands alone. Then, once south, I’d have to await a north bound caravan. So I just turned around where I was, and shortened the delay,” I explain. “Is there anything else? It’s two days easy march to Kiddimir, but I can make it by nightfall if I set off now and push hard.”
Q: Does he dismiss me? Likely No
“Tell me about this message,” he presses.
-Persuasion 13-Q: Does he relent? Likely Yes
“No. My lord,” I reply flatly. “It is not my message to share. Nor is the recipient’s name.”
He scowls, “Leave.”
I bow once more, turn, and head out, taking my horse, and leading it out of the village, eating some of my hard tack as I go.
-Morning and Afternoon, No encounters, Evening, Ill mount (which blocks a force march) Q: Does Berthe remember me? Unlikely No Q: Does anyone approach me? Unlikely No
I pass down the road towards Stenchbog, and pause at the Retching Raven for lunch as the food was impeccable, allowing the stable hand to feed and water the horse for me. The tavern wench shows no signs of recognizing me, and I am allowed to eat in peace. Quickly, I return to the road.
At Shoalwatch, I pass through without stopping, pausing outside the village to let the horse devour the sack of oats I had packed as emergency feed for my mule, while I eat from my own provisions. I’ll not endure another meal at the Lonely Eel if I can avoid it.
-Animal Handling 23-
Then I push on towards Good Road, planning to pass through, but then the horse starts to balk. Losing its energy and its gait gradually slowing. Inspecting the animal, I realize it’s suffering from boneache. Likely from tick bites or something. “Damn it all,” I shake my head, Kiddimir now out of reach unless I abandon the animal, and much of my gear.
I enter Good Road, and head towards the inn and stables to find lodging.
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