Barrowmaze Part One: The Barrowmoor

[Raistlinmc]

"Jus' cuz ya ain't seen it yet don't mean it ain't nice, Tommy Boy," Zaivie chortles, happily quipping right back.

[cailano]

The Amphorae

Your return to Helix is uneventful. You immediately take your cart to Turgen's Trade Goods to unload your fragile cargo. Turgen seems excited to see the vessels you brought and remarks on their fine condition. "I can always find buyers for these. Most times, they break when people try to bring them back, if they even try, but it looks like your group made fine use of that cart. Well done."

Turgen inspects the artwork on the urns. "These are interesting. Did you see them? A lot of these urns—amphorae, they're called—show scenes from the Ancients' lives. These ones look like burial rituals or something. They're in very good condition."

The merchant offers you 20 gold each for the amphorae, but Black Dougal manages to talk him up to a whopping 35 gold each.

[cailano]

The Brazen Strumpet

Those of you who aren't involved in selling your grave goods head back to the Brazen Strumpet and get food ordered for everyone. Zavie and Thomas end up tying in their contest to get Taycee to laugh because she laughs as soon they both rush over to her to get the first attempt in. "Oh my. Are you that thirsty, or did you just miss me?"

It's another busy night at the inn, although not quite as busy as yesterday. The music has started, and the crowd is just starting to liven up when Bertrand's Brigands walk in.

The crowd shuffles out of the mercenary group's way, and most seem to make an effort not to look at them. The Brigands stride up to the bar and order a round of ales. A few of them glance over the room, but they don't seem to recognize your group.

The Brigands don't do anything aggressive, but they don't have to. They have an arrogant swagger to them that is almost a challenge in itself. This is a group that invites trouble, and is looking for an excuse to cause some.

Other notable guests include the priests Othar and Cella of St. Ygg and several men you recognize as Guild mercenaries.

[Raistlinmc]

"Little o' column A an' a little o' column B, pretty lady," Zaivie replies with a grin to Taycee.

[Sellsword]

Dougal casts a glance at Bertrand and his Brigands before casually sauntering up to the bar. "Good evening, Bolo! We have returned from another successful foray into the Barrowmoors."  Dougal slides over the typical fare for the evening's lodgings and food, adding four gold coins to it. "And a small token of appreciation for your partnership. Heard any news that might be of interest?"

Dougal scans the Strumpet for the barmaids, his eyebrows raising when he catches sight of the tall blonde. "Between you and me, Bolo, I'd be awfully interested to hear what Bertrand might be up to." Withdrawing another couple of gold coins, he slides them across the bar. "Please have the lovely lady send a round of drinks to Bertrand and his crew on me. And if she happens to overhear anything that I might find interesting, let her know that that I'd be happy to compensate her for her efforts."

Once the drinks are delivered, Dougal will catch Bertrand's eyes and give him a nod, raising a mug of his own before walking over to introduce himself.

** OOC: 2sp for Bertrand's drinks

[cailano]

Black Dougal

Bolo nods and smiles while fetching you an ale.

"Well, a good day's work then," he says, loud enough to be heard. Then, more quietly. "Aye, but be careful now. Hate to see our partnership come to an unfortunate end if you take my meaning."

You notice one of the Brigands - the elf who spotted you in the moor - narrowing her almond-shaped eyes at you, but she doesn't say anything.

Later, when Bertrand and his group get their drinks, and the blonde barmaid (you've heard her called Ugritte) points out who bought them, that same elf leans toward Bertrand and says something you can't hear. Afterward, Bertrand raises his mug to you.

[Malkavian Grin]

---

HP 6/6 | AC 13 | To Hit +1 | StatsStr 14
Dex 17
Con 14
Int  9
Wis 13
Cha 12 | SavesDeath/Poison.....12
Wands................13
Paralyze/Stone...14
Dragon Breath....15
Spells.................17 | Arrows x25

---

At the Strumpet again, Cyrus lumbered his way to a table and ordered his meal and ale along with another night of rest. He let Black do his thing trying to fish for rumors but when the Brigands walked in, the archer's eyes found a very interesting bowl of food to eat. He even found himself counting the notches in the edge of the table...

The Barrowmoors had been a sobering experience for the young man. He couldn't help but hear his mother's words of warning in his ear.

There's bad men out there, Cyrus!

Yes, mother, I--

And they'll do anything for your coin! Violent things. Don't talk to them.

Alright, I'll be--

And don't pick a fight you can't win, okay? Cyrus, do you hear me? Gods, were your father here to talk some sense into you...

I know, mother, but I'll--

You'll be fine, I know...

Cyrus glanced up once at the Brigands again and a shiver ran through him. He gulped down the remainder of his ale.

[Sellsword]

"Worry not, Bolo. Discretion shall be the better part of valor, in this case." Nevertheless, Dougal gulps audibly and takes a long pull of his mug before heading over to Bertrand.

Dougal bows slightly to Bertrand as he approaches, an awkward gesture to be sure, but one of deference deserved of such a proven warrior. He gives a respectful nod to each of the other companions, his eyes lingering on the elf, to whom Dougal winks coquettishly. "Good evening, I'll not trouble you long. Though we've encountered one another before, I regret that I was uh...indisposed...at the time and unable to make a proper introduction. I am Black Dougal."

"You are clearly a man of business so I'll cut to the chase. I'm in search of the dwarf Gern. I've heard from various sources that he might be in your employ, and if that is indeed the case, I'm looking to bid for his services. I understand that good help is hard to find, but I'm hopeful we might be able to come to some arrangement."

OOC: I figured the drinks would be cheaper than 2 gold, but I'll not withdraw the offer now. Bolo can keep the two gold coins...and the drink flowing to Bertrand!

[LarsWester]

---

HP 5/5 | AC 16 | Base To Hit +1 | StatsStr 14 (+1)
Int  6 (-1)
Wis  11 (0)
Dex 16 (+2)
Con 15 (+1)
Cha 11 (0) | SavesDeath/Poison.....13
Wands................14
Paralyze/Stone..13
Dragon Breath...16
Spells.................15 | Thieves Abilities Open Locks .......25%
Remove Traps....20%
Pick Pockets.......30%
Move Silently.....25%
Climb Walls........80%
Hide...................10%
Listen.................30% | Bullets/Silver x20/5

---

"Taycee you serve the best cup in town. I'll take two of them just as quick as you're able." When Taycee leaves the table to fetch the drinks Thomas continues "So a tie it is Zaivie which means we both still got as good a shot as any. What's Black Dougal up to with those Brigands folk. Might want to keep an eye on that situation. Everyone have fun but stay alert."

 

 

[cailano]

Black Dougal

Bertrand's group has a few telltale smirks when you ask about Gern, but Bertrand himself just leans back in his chair.

"Yeah, sure, Gern. Yeah, he's been working for me. I don't know, he's a pretty good hireling. Good with a pickaxe. And you know how dwarves are in a fight." At this, the chainmail-clad dwarf warrior at the end of the table chuckles.

"But, I consider myself a business man. Isn't that right, Isenwyn?"

The eyes of the elven woman you winked at flick to Bertrand momentarily, but she says nothing.

"Now, let's see. I put in the effort to train him; that has to be worth something. Do you have a... what do you call it... a finder's fee in mind?"

 

** OOC: That was two sp (silver) for the drinks, total. Bolo is a bit of an opportunist, but 2gp for ale would be too steep even for him.

[LarsWester]

---

HP 5/5 | AC 16 | Base To Hit +1 | StatsStr 14 (+1)
Int  6 (-1)
Wis  11 (0)
Dex 16 (+2)
Con 15 (+1)
Cha 11 (0) | SavesDeath/Poison.....13
Wands................14
Paralyze/Stone..13
Dragon Breath...16
Spells.................15 | Thieves Abilities Open Locks .......25%
Remove Traps....20%
Pick Pockets.......30%
Move Silently.....25%
Climb Walls........80%
Hide...................10%
Listen.................30% | Bullets/Silver x20/5

---

When Taycee returns with Thomas's two mugs of ale he asks the redhead. "Taycee what's that tall building just next door? I'm still getting my bearings in Helix. Also you know anything about this wizard calling himself Mr. Magnificent?"

 

 

[Sellsword]

Dougal finds himself speaking the name "Isenwyn" to himself longingly, savoring the sensation, but only momentarily before being broken from his reverie by Bertrand's question. He meets Isenwyn's eyes briefly, but turns away quickly, his cheeks beginning to redden.

"Strong mead tonight," he says, deflecting. "Yes, of course. Your time training the young lad is certainly to be taken into consideration."  Dougal holds up a hand, using his fingers to aid with calculations in his head. "What would you say to 10 gold as your finder's fee? With that, you should be able to hire a couple of strong lads to fill the void."

OOC: Here's my logic. We were offered 20 gold--an armed party of 7--to escort a caravan on a multi-day endeavor. While not as dangerous as the type of work Bertrand does, I would think he could easily find a couple of bodies to replace Gern for that much gold. Based on that, I'm hopeful that the offer isn't insultingly low, nor quite so high as to seem desperate. If my logic is way off, I suppose Bertrand is about to let me know...

 

 

[matt_s]

Tharnakalian gets the gist of what Dougal is up to, finishes his drink, and slips out of the tavern.

He tries to find Karg - presumably in his smithy if he is not in the tavern - and will say to the effect,

One of my mates is talking with Bertrand in the tavern about essentially buying a release for Gern. One way or another, he's getting freed tonight. And if it's gonna be the hard way, if you've got mates good in a fight, well everyone will be in that tavern yonder.

May your bellows blow strong and your hammer strike true.

[Ephkabey]

While at the Strumpet, Serpe gets himself a beverage and visits with Othar and Cella, "My apologies for missing my tithe this morning...my group was in a bit of a hurry to get out to the Moors and we had some tasks to tend to. Hopefully you both, and perhaps even St. Ygg, will forgive me. Tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to make up for past transgressions, I suppose." Looking thoughtfully at the bubbles in the head of his ale, the cleric snaps back to reality.

"I'm sorry to report that we came across creatures feasting on a poor adventurer while out in the field this morning. It's a shame what happened to him and it looked like his colleagues left him to his fate. We, ourselves, were lucky we escaped unharmed...but I couldn't just leave the fellow's mortal vessel there to bleach in the sun, or even return in undeath...if the rumors are to be believed. Is there perhaps a final resting place for him you'd be able to offer?"

When their conversation is concluded, Serpe tips his mug with a smile to the two other clergy, "I look forward to seeing you both in the morning for prayer."

[cailano]

Black Dougal

Isenwyn doesn't show any reaction to your lingering gaze. She just stares back with a blank expression.

Bertrand nods. "Not a bad offer for a porter. He must know something, then. I had a feeling he did. All them dwarves keep secrets, especially about treasure. Isn't that right, Burgen?"

Burgen, the chainmail-wearing dwarf, splits his beard with a wide grin. "That's damn right. Good ones, too."

The group's cleric, who is wearing a holy symbol of Thor, speaks up. "Ten's a fair offer, in my judgment."

"Is that right?" Bertrand snaps. "Is that the holy word of Thor?"

"No, that's my word, Bertrand. It's fair."

Bertrand snorts and shakes his head, then waves his hand as if swatting the issue aside.

"Fine. Ten gold and another round, and we'll call it a deal. I wouldn't hold out hope he'll tell you much, though. He swings a good pickaxe, but Gern's a tight-lipped little bastard."