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Post by Caledonian Achilles on May 28, 2007 21:22:58 GMT 1
Odlin chews the words around in his mind, digesting the elf's remarks carefully.
"Well a healer is always a boon to an adventuring party. It would be valuable having you along," states the mage with certainty. "Medicine tastes bitter so you know it's working, my nanna told me. You should be a most effective tonic."
The dwarf turns to Augustine, "so that's a nice quartet. Two solid dwarves and a brace of flighty elves. healer, sage, archer and axeman."
He raises a rueful eyebrow. "well, Barendd, there are thems that'd rather say we're two thick dwarves. aye, but..."
Odlin's voice trails off like a child's toy unwinding and his face looks to the distance, even in the cramped confines of the tavern's bustle. After a moment he returns his attention to the elves. "we need a fourth, a strong arm. there's yon human muscleman there. shall we ask him?"
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Post by nodaisho on May 29, 2007 7:09:02 GMT 1
Is he talking to himself?, Augustine wonders. Madmen aren't necessarily detrimental, but he will be keeping an eye on this one, to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
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Post by achinca on May 29, 2007 14:53:56 GMT 1
After exchanging pleasant introduction, Odlin and Kyrian agree to the idea of working together. When Odlin describes the party has made up of 2 dwarves, they both bit their tongue as he is the only dwarf in the inn. Augustine just nods, remembering a quote from his teacher that adventuring, like politics, always make for strange bedfellows. The fourth member of the party, the human fighter, follows them in silence.
They approach the cleric who has a similar sign as the one posted in the outdoor central place. “I am Zlak. I am the cleric of Barrow’s Edge. I need smart, strong, intelligent, seasoned, resourceful, courageous, powerful, trustworthy adventurers to help our town. You don’t seem to have any of these characteristics. Why should I hire you?”
The tone is belligerent but the adventurers can see some lassitude in his eyes.
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Post by Caledonian Achilles on May 29, 2007 18:58:42 GMT 1
"Zlak, cleric of Barrow's Edge! I am Odlin the terramancer. And these are my companions."
he gestures to the other 3 although secretly worries that Zlak will ask him the human's name.
"We can guarantee courage, intelligence, strength and resourcefulness. We'll even try and be trustworthy..." staring ahead and not looking at any of the party, "... but forgive me if i talk out of turn. Your plight seems to have taken a toll on your humours.
May we join you and listen to your tale? Perhaps you can explain your difficulties."
The dwarf tries to drown out Theo's incessant droning and sneezing.
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Post by nodaisho on May 30, 2007 7:11:08 GMT 1
Augustine waits, knowing that while his bluntness may normally be detrimental, if the cleric seems reluctant, being blunt may be influential to his decision.
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Post by magus on May 30, 2007 15:23:10 GMT 1
Kyrian looks from Zlak to Odlin, briefly at Augustine and then settles her gaze back on the cleric. She is silent while two of them speak, before adding her own voice. "Why should you hire us...it's a good question. You could easily ask why shouldn't you, if you use Odlin's reasoning, I suppose. If you want my thoughts, I would give a group, even one like this, at least a small chance. What can't be seen on the outside often is hidden below the surface. Give us the opportunity to prove what we can do, and I believe you will be surprised."
One hand rests at the serpent's head, gently stroking it as she speaks. "Ideally the group would be as you describe: courageous, resourceful, intelligent, powerful, and so on. This group may seem not to match, but I believe it has the potential. As we are capable of error, we are capable of greatness; all we need is the chance."
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Post by achinca on May 30, 2007 15:59:11 GMT 1
Zlak looks at the strange dwarf who sounds like a genuine nice person. The elf male stares at him, silently, as does the human fighter. The elf woman, caressing her snake is most intriguing. “This is definitively a strange group to say the least and might not be very seasoned at all but they have a very strong point: they do not pretend to be the best or request crazy wages. They seemed to genuinely want the job. Let me tell them more about it and see their reaction.”
“As you know, Barrow’s edge lies at the limit of the kingdom, near the Black Forest. There is a goblins and hobgoblins tribe that lives in the vicinity. For as long as we remember, they leave peacefully, keeping to themselves and doing occasional trades. Recently, they have attacked outlying farms, harassed travelers and even raided the hamlet. We don’t know why the sudden change in attitude but we need to have it stopped. We cannot rely on the kingdom army because by the time they arrive, the hamlet might be destroyed. We need some strong adventurers to go see why the tribe has suddenly turned hostile and put an end to their aggression. If you are interested, we can pay you for your effort. The hamlet has decided to empty its coffer and offers 400 gold pieces to the group once we will know for sure the goblin tribe will not attack anymore. Are you interested?”
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Post by Caledonian Achilles on May 30, 2007 17:48:08 GMT 1
“ As you know, Barrow’s edge lies at the limit of the kingdom, near the Black Forest. There is a goblins and hobgoblins tribe that lives in the vicinity.
<snip> We don’t know why the sudden change in attitude but we need to have it stopped.
<snip> If you are interested, we can pay you for your effort. The hamlet has decided to empty its coffer and offers 400 gold pieces to the group once we will know for sure the goblin tribe will not attack anymore. Are you interested?” Odlin finds it difficult to concentrate for all the voices. Most powerful are the words spoken by the herpetic lady, the undercurrent of promise and potential carrying the mage along with their inspiring inflections. the words fill him with hope, where once there was a barren landscape. with hope a man could live forever. Odlin conjures up a mental image of a desert cactus as he throws a glance at the elf woman. Sweet things can sometimes be found inside the most prickly packages.Next in power are the words from Zlak. Odlin strains to pick out each syllable. Curiously he wonders if the hamlet is famed for its cakes and gateaux. The idea of pillaging destructive goblinoids fill him with an inner rage, a primordial instinct to defend. " Zlak, I can see your urgency and your concerns. If evil rots away at the core of the goblinoid tribes then it may spell more than harassment for the villagers.
If it would please you then I would accept your offer for one.
Can you tell us who the spokesperson for the goblin tribe was? and are they still on the scene? I wonder if a change of leadership has caused the current unrest.
And if there is a contact in Barrows Edge that we may take a letter of introduction to, that would assist us." Cheese rummages about in his pocket and Odlin picks him up and absentmindedly sticks his other hand's fingers in his ear. |
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Post by nodaisho on May 31, 2007 5:36:22 GMT 1
"Goblins? I hate goblins. Deal."
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Post by achinca on May 31, 2007 18:50:59 GMT 1
Zlak looks at the group for a moment thinking “They seem honest and eager. Yes, they are a strange group but the really seem willing to help. After all, people ready to risk their life for fame and treasure are surely different.”
“I like your enthusiasm and desire to help. I am afraid I have to admit that I do not know much about the goblins. They all look the same to me and none ever tried to seek my help for healing. I do not know the name of the spokesperson. When you arrive at Barrow’s Edge, go see if Sten Goodseller is back from her trip. She owns the main store so she would be able to tell you the name of any regular trading goblins. If she is not there, Garrett, her partner can help you with these goblin names. We have VERY limited contact with them. We do not even know where the tribe lives. All we know is that they were peaceful and we did not mind have them leaving near us but they are not peaceful anymore.”
Zlak ponders the second request from Odlin and pulls out a parchment. He writes few words on it and put some fine sand on it to help it dry. After that, he pulls out some wax and a signet and seal the parchment.
“Go see Mallie Marchness. She is owner operator of the only Inn in town, the Barrow’s Edge Inn. We don’t have a formal government and Mallie is as close as a mayor as we have. Getting help is her idea so give her the parchment when you arrive.”
“Do you have other questions?”
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Post by Caledonian Achilles on May 31, 2007 19:42:12 GMT 1
The dwarf nods in acknowledgement when he takes the sealed letter and stows it carefully in his pack.
"Advice on the terrain would be a weal and perhaps some advice on travelling to Barrow's Edge. Is it a dangerous road? Are there particular critters or hazhards near the hamlet, other than the now hostile goblins?"
The wizard makes a mental note to enquire with Mallie Marchness if any of the villagers have a particular hatred of the goblins or if they could have done something to upset them.
Odlin basks in the calm emotions, letting his hand slip from his ear. Petting Cheese once more, he deposits the weasel into his usual large pocket.
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Post by achinca on Jun 1, 2007 17:54:58 GMT 1
Zlak hesitates for a few seconds then replies "The road is pretty safe. I do not believe there are many bands of brigands in this part of the kingdom. You have the occasional wild animal or random monster but the real main source of danger is now the goblin tribe."
He pauses then continues "I am urging you to leave as soon as you can to avoid future tragedy. Thank you for helping us."
He nods his head and shakes each of the adventurer hands.
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Post by nodaisho on Jun 2, 2007 3:58:58 GMT 1
Augustine nods, and shakes Zlak's hand silently.
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Post by Caledonian Achilles on Jun 2, 2007 8:34:59 GMT 1
Zlak's urgency kicks Odlin into action. He thanks the cleric, finalises directions and gathers his companions
"Yes, indeed. We should not tarry where lives are at stake."
Looking around him, he chews his lip. The venom-tongued elfess, the laconic archer and the even more silent, bordering on mute, fighter. Well I have enough voices for them all thinks the wizard.
"Are we ready to go? I have the letter of introduction although looking around the village might be a plan worthy of undertaking. Perhaps someone in the hamlet is responsible for stirring up the goblins instead of a deeper eveil core within the tribe."
Odlin will quickly buy enough rations for the trip to Barrows Edge (and he'll hope they'll be successful and can get food for the trip home later)
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Post by nodaisho on Jun 4, 2007 5:54:56 GMT 1
Before leaving, Augustine asks "How many days to Barrow's Edge?"
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