+ Reply to thread
Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 1 2 3
Results 101 to 135 of 135

Thread: Dale in the Fourth Age: Session Two, "Home Town, Gonna Wander Down Your Back Streets"

  1. #101
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, UK ?
    Posts
    1,722

    Default

    Eli, with the two Rangers close behind, tries to creep closer to see and hear what he can.

    There is some light ahead from a lantern, which illuminates a large crate apparently being used as an impromptu table by several Men. "Good," one of them -- better dressed than the two thuggish-looking specimens who presently have their backs to Eli -- is saying. "There is some money to be made in Dale at the moment, and the bigger the patch your gang can claim for us, the more sales we can make. Here, this is what we agreed for tonight. Hopefully that idiot will be enough of an example to the others."

    Then the scruffy-looking thug he is talking to holds up a hand. "Wait!" he says curtly. "We've got company. Lads!" he yells.

    From the shadows deeper in the slaughterhouse, several more Men can be seen hurrying over. As the light from the lantern falls on them, Eli can see that they are dressed in drab grey and wear dark grey cloaks that would blend well into the dim shadows of a city street after lights out. While they seem to be armed with no more than long knives or small swords, they have the air of those who are more than willing to use them and chance the consequences -- especially in a place like this hidden from public view.
    Librarians rule, Oook

  2. #102
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    Arewe tries to make an instant judgement whether Eli, Beecher and herself are outclassed by the men coming forward (at least her side seem to have an advantage in weapons and armour.)
    So either stand and fight - or retreat towards the rest of the party.

    In any case she alerts Tom, Rowena and Gabe to the danger.

  3. #103
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    If Tom can see the hostile men, he will start casting Magic Missiles at them.
    If not, he will follow Arewe's guidance and either cover a retreat or cautiously advance until he can see the combat (and cast.)

  4. #104
    Administrator choie's avatar
    Registered
    Mar 2012
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    4,914

    Default

    Alarmed, Rowena gasps and rushes forward to stay Tom's hand although his remarkable magic abilities seem easy as breathing--and more to the point, his instincts are likely much faster than hers. "Wait, wait! We don't even know... they haven't even threatened us yet--not exactly!"

    Lowering her bow, she moves to get a better sight of the intimidating group, and for them to see her... while still keeping her small figure mostly behind Beecher for some cover. She says in a rush to the gang: "We--we're the ones who barged in uninvited, after all."

    Only if she manages to be quick enough (and persuasive enough) to stay Tom's spell, not to mention the rest of the fighters around her, both her own group and the strangers, will she continue. I guess this is an Initiative Check?
    Last edited by choie; 20 Feb 2022 at 10:02 PM. Reason: Should wait before saying anything further. she might lose her, uh, roll?

  5. #105
    Member Elendil's Heir's avatar
    Registered
    Sep 2009
    Location
    The North Coast
    Posts
    24,325

    Default

    Eli agrees with Rowena, at least for now. Are the newly-arrived Men in grey cloaks approaching Eli and his friends, or those who were conferring about Dale when we snuck up on them? If the first, Eli will withdraw. If the second, Eli will hunker down and try to see what happens next.

  6. #106
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    OK, Tom will stay ready to cast if the men attack.

  7. #107
    Administrator choie's avatar
    Registered
    Mar 2012
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    4,914

    Default

    Rowena sees Tom's changed stance--or maybe just his expression--and breathes a little sigh of relief as her eyes focus again on the strangers. She's well aware her efforts at parleying or persuasion have been pretty dismal lately, and doubts she'll be any more successful now. But it's been part of my training, it's what I must do. I can't give up trying!

    "I-I'm sure you men are--uh--displeased at our interruption." How does her apologetic demeanor sound to her comrades? They're keen to go after evil. This new guy Beecher barely knew them five seconds before nobly and bravely joining the hunt.

    Rowena hopped aboard this dangerous wagon ride to find the villains who attacked Ben and stabbed her. Whatever these men are planning, it hasn't happened yet. Preventing future nefariousness is not her affair.

    She hurries on. "It's just... we were set upon only moments ago and I was stabbed and--we seek justice. We traced the brigands here, they ran through, but... But you might not be the ones who did us harm." With an anxious gaze skimming the barely visible faces of the gray-clad men--she has no idea what their attackers looked like--she grips her bow tighter before blurting out: "Are you?"

    Immediately she regrets the question, it's ludicrous and naive and makes her want to cringe further behind Beecher's blessedly large back.

  8. #108
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, UK ?
    Posts
    1,722

    Default

    As the thugs close, clearly intent on engaging in deadly combat, Tom reacts quickly and looses a toppling Magic Missile, hoping to cause one of them to trip over his own feet. The swirling Elvish letters in his vision condense for a moment and the brilliant energy coalesces into a swift dart that does indeed bring down one of their assailants. Gade, a fraction slower, continues to place his reliance in a couple of yards of stout oak and makes his displeasure felt on the first of the still-standing evildoers to approach within reach, while emitting a soft hoot and tilting his head almost imperceptibly, to which Aster responds by winging almost silently to the far side of one of their assailants and hooking at him with one of its talons, ineffectively but distracting his attention from the nearby Elihu. In almost the same moment, Rowena raises her voice in a stirring rendition of deeds of valour from Dale's history, lending vigour and strength to her allies. The grey-clad criminal knocked to the floor by Tom's spell clambers to his feet, while the one who is preoccupied by an angry owl stabs ineffectively at it. Another closes on the mail-clad Knight of Rohan and almost causes her to laugh in unchivalrous scorn at his childishly poor swordsmanship. The one whom Gade nearly brained responds with a better-placed stab of his own but inflicts no more than a graze, while the others seek to close on Beecher, Rowena and Tom. Elihu closes on the distracted thug, taking professional advantage of his preoccupation to find an especially tender spot to drive the point of his small sword home. OOC: He not only landed a sneak attack but criticalled the poor sap into the bargain. The bully falls to the ground with apparently only moments to live. Arewe lunges at her man but finds her blade turned by his tough leather jerkin, and Beecher's shaft causes his target to duck reflexively, the broad head of the arrow shearing a few hairs from his scalp.

    Wild magic raging higher in him with each success, and seeing no-one yet close enough to threaten him directly, Tom looses another bolt of enchantment at one of the two who are still closing, staggering him slightly with the bolt's impact, but this one nimbly keeps his feet. Gade coolly steps back for a moment from his foe and recites something that sounds Elvish, though it is too quickly-spoken to follow; a strange greenish light surrounds his staff for an instant and it seems to emit a sound as of a mighty bough bending resiliently before a gale. Again he hoots and nods and Aster responds by closing on the thug who was floored a few moments before by Tom's magic, clawing ferociously at the ill-favoured one's eyebrows and drawing blood. Rowena, seeing a disengaged assailant and without interrupting her recitation, looses an arrow at him to discourage him from coming too close, although it has no other effect on him. The three thieves already in melee achieve nothing with their swords although it is only Arewe's armour that turns the blow, while the two others charge at the archers and Tom, one of them hitting Beecher a glancing blow and the other lunging wildly at the maid of Dale without effect. But Elihu's good fortune continues to attend him as he expertly moves to take advantage of the assistance provided by the screeching owl and again plants a well-placed blow on a vulnerable spot. Beecher coolly steps back, ignoring the scratch inflicted on him, and responds with an expertly-placed arrow that takes the conceit out of the bully attacking him although the man remains standing, clearly shaken.

    Still with sorcerous power in hand, Tom decides to loose a straightforward magic missile since the foes are now closer than he likes and he does not care to spend the extra second or two in loading his spell with extra force when he could better spend it keeping out of reach. It is quite good enough to drop the man in front of Beecher anyway. With a mighty whooom! as of a far weightier instrument, Gade's staff strikes a crushing blow that is more than enough to account for his man, while Aster latches onto its prey with both talons, tearing flesh and spilling blood with predatory efficiency. That is more than these assailants have stomach for, those that are remaining, and they flee the battlefield as fast as they are able. Even so, one of them is unable to flee out of range of both Rowena and Beecher, although for now their arrows do no more than speed him on his way.

    While the whole exchange has taken a little less than half a minute, it has been time enough for the three men who were having their discussion at the improvised table to have made their escape. After a short search of the premises, Beecher finds a grating in the floor, a couple of feet square, that seems to have been hastily removed and then replaced; it was not in sight from where the heroes were making their stand. From below, the stink of stale animal blood can be clearly discerned by anyone with a nose. However, in their hurry to leave the premises, one of the mysterious figures dropped what seems to be a small leather-bound book.

    Gabe comments: "I am not badly hurt and neither is my faithful companion; nor, it seems, is any of us for the present. But I cannot work much more magic today."
    Librarians rule, Oook

  9. #109
    Member Elendil's Heir's avatar
    Registered
    Sep 2009
    Location
    The North Coast
    Posts
    24,325

    Default

    Eli Proudfoot catches his breath, wipes his short sword off on the cloak of one of the fallen, raises his voice and says, "Well fought, all. You'll be needing some healing, then, Gabe? I'm sure that can be speedily arranged." He peers down the grating and wrinkles his nose at the stench which wafts upwards. "I suppose I should take a look down there, unless my time might be better spent chasing those who've so cowardly just fled."

  10. #110
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    Tom offers a Potion of Healing to Gabe (or Aster) remarking that it's party treasure - and also wise to keep us all at full strength.

    Tom also agrees with Gabe about having used up spells (Tom has just one Magic Missile left for today.)

    However Tom has a continuing supply of useful cantrips, so can cast Detect Magic firstly on the grating and then on the leather-bound book.

  11. #111
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, UK ?
    Posts
    1,722

    Default

    Neither the grating nor the book is magical. It looks as though the cowardly fugitives fled into the passage/conduit/sewer below the grating, although it's not possible to hear any sounds from below that conclusively prove it.

    Gabe, before imbibing the potion, says "We do have several clues or leads we could follow up if we dropped the immediate pursuit: the cloak we picked up earlier (and if I could find a good scent-hound in the morning we might make some progress in finding the owner); a suggestion that this strange dust is also found in one of the warehouses by the Lake; and whatever this book might be. Perhaps a pause for rest might be well advised."
    Librarians rule, Oook

  12. #112
    Elen síla lumenn' omentielvo What Exit?'s avatar
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Central NJ (near Bree)
    Posts
    10,071

    Default

    Beecher speaks up, "Aye, a good rest would be the thing at this point. I would not choose easily to continue this pursuit, especially down that drain."

  13. #113
    Member Elendil's Heir's avatar
    Registered
    Sep 2009
    Location
    The North Coast
    Posts
    24,325

    Default

    Eli says, "Well, I confess I'm in no hurry to plunge down there. And if my friends now wish a rest, who am I to gainsay them?"

  14. #114
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    Tom agrees with the party.
    We are up against tricky foes, who can attack from the shadows.
    Also we have some clues to investigate (especially the book.)
    Let's carefully get back to safety and reload.

    (Tom notes Gabe has used one party Healing potion - that's what they are for!)

  15. #115
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, UK ?
    Posts
    1,722

    Default

    The next day dawns bright and a little chilly but not unseasonably so. Although Arewe finds it rather brisk after the pleasant plains of Rohan a good deal further south, it is by no means too cold for a morning at the butts behind the Dragonfall Tavern, where she and the newly-acquainted Beecher go to try each other's skill and allow them to share stories as well as decide whether their paths -- and the companions' generally -- do lie together following what seems to have been a chance meeting the previous night. There are both targets and shafts in plenty for a modest hire at the Tavern, as well as a ready supply of passers-by to make knowledgeable remarks concerning the toxophilistic prowess of the pair.

    Overshadowed by this spectator sport, Eli is applying his keen Shirriff's wits to the book that the mysterious figures at the meat-market let fall a few hours before, with Rowena on hand to offer any hints she can concerning whatever local references he might find therein. That most onlookers are far more interested in the Rangers' bowmanship than the woman and the hobbits poring over some dull tome in between sips of such small beer as is suited to the hour of the day is by no means unwelcome as far as the pair are concerned; and the reading is proving interesting.

    Meanwhile, after such early meditations as his strange woodland faith requires, Gabe is wandering the city streets in search of one thing in particular: a dog that is of such a breed as to have a good nose, and is not in the close keeping of an attentive owner -- either a truly feral creature such as may be found in almost any settlement of Men eking out a meagre living off Men's leavings, or perhaps one that has a regular place to sleep and a source of food, but is still given licence to roam as it will and trusted to return in its own good time. Lacking any better guide, he can clearly do much worse than Tom, who has been in Dale long enough to know one street from another and can be trusted not to get the pair lost for long.

    The book contains records of payments made and received, and "merchandise" that isn't clearly identified but which seems to have been bought and sold by the ounce or even a part of one for a surprisingly large sum of money. One major outgoing, repeated a few times over several pages, is "To the Brothers, Stalker's Marsh" for, on each occasion, many ounces of "merchandise". Another recent payment was to "The Thrice-Scarred", a cryptic title that Rowena recognises though she has never personally met the individual referenced --

    It has been city rumour for some time that the vicious street gang known as "Scarfaces" are not merely the more or less harmless ne'er-do-wells to be found in a few other rival bands that Rowena knows of, but a more malign organisation altogether with some shadowy figure pulling their strings. It is thought, though never proven, that particularly experienced and savage gang members are awarded a second scar as a badge of rank... and that above these there is someone else of still higher rank and carefully preserved anonymity overseeing all.

    Stuck in between the pages of the book is another slip of paper written in a different hand. It says simply Given the recent fall in the price of precious stones, you will understand the need to expand your business enterprises aggressively. Excuses for failure will not be tolerated. Manpower has been made available to you; see that it is put to good use.

    (Aside: The companions did notice that when the time came to sell some loot recently, they found jewels harder to sell and attracting lower prices than expected. They may not have been the only ones feeling the pinch)

    Most of the persons referred to in the book are mentioned only by initials, and Rowena suspects it may be more than she and Eli can do to make much further progress unaided. She does, however, know of someone who might be able to help, a man named Gerhardt the Just. Supposedly an offshoot of the Bard family tree although not close enough to be considered royalty in any sense, Gerhardt has two sterling qualities that suggest themselves here: he is reputedly the most incorruptible man for thirty leagues or more, and he knows everyone who is anyone in Dale.

    While Rowena and Eli have been at work on this, Gabe and Tom are interrupted in their search by the arrival of an unusually large and alert-looking raven, which they notice perching on a water-butt and looking them over and which, when they pass by, follows them and perches on the top of an open door. Seeing them pause to look at it, the bird clearly articulates one word: "Collar!"

    They observe that it is indeed wearing one, which it suffers them to remove, and which they find is made of a narrow strip of some sheer material, which they are able to unroll. Written on it is a long trail of carefully-scribed elf-letters. Tom, who found the elf-alphabet easy to grasp, has no trouble deciphering this and reads thereon:

    Fraternal greetings! I am pleased to report that we have some insights concerning the "Lone Rock" and the "Grey Wolf" which concerned you at our last meeting. Time wants for a long message, so I will say only this: if it pleases you to return swiftly and in good order for the fight, we may timely remind Orcs and Wolves both not to seek to make common cause here. I am sure you would enjoy the exercise and we for our part would be glad of the willing hands. Baron Corvo will be your guide if you ask him. He has few words, but he comprehends much more than he utters. Your friend, Idhrenion

    The raven looks intelligently at the druid and the sorcerer.
    Librarians rule, Oook

  16. #116
    Member Elendil's Heir's avatar
    Registered
    Sep 2009
    Location
    The North Coast
    Posts
    24,325

    Default

    Eli rubs his chin thoughtfully and says to Rowena, "If you're willing, by all means, let's consult with this Gerhardt the Just fellow. I'd be interested to hear what he has to say, and to find out if he recognizes any of the initials in this book. The slip of paper seems to me like it probably came from the Scarfaces' master (or mistress) and that they're not meeting that person's expectations for either ill-dealing... or illicit profit."

  17. #117
    Elen síla lumenn' omentielvo What Exit?'s avatar
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Central NJ (near Bree)
    Posts
    10,071

    Default

    Beecher practices shots of all sorts. From long range down to Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot and some with extra penetrating power. He also tries a few trick shots with 2 arrows at once, but is clearly not skilled at this technique.

    "So Arewe, you're from Rohan. I hear there are vast rolling grasslands with large herds of horses and cattle. What else can you tell me of your far off land?"
    Last edited by What Exit?; 30 Mar 2022 at 07:24 AM.

  18. #118
    Administrator choie's avatar
    Registered
    Mar 2012
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    4,914

    Default

    Rowena nods to Eli. "Yes, no doubt he'll have plenty to say." She'll follow him out the door.

  19. #119
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    Tom says to Gabe "We can continue your search for a suitable hound - or even buy one (we have enough party gold!) Meanwhile let's arrange things with this fine bird."
    Tom bows to the raven and says carefully "Thank you. Please stay with us. We soon join our friends and will then travel with you."

  20. #120
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    Arewe nods politely. "You describe my land pretty well...our capital Edoras is situated on a lonely hill rising from the plains. We border the land of Gondor (with whom we are allied), the forest of Fangorn (which houses Ents!) and the fortress of Isengard (where the traitor Saruman once ruled.)

  21. #121
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, UK ?
    Posts
    1,722

    Default

    The sorcerer and druid soon rejoin the others, with the raven perching on that shoulder of Gade not presently hosting an owl; and the morning's news is soon exchanged.

    ---

    Most of Dale is no more than threescore years old, having been extensively sacked during the War of the Ring while the inhabitants took shelter with their good friends and allies in the Lonely Mountain. However, when the creatures of Sauron fled in disarray with the destruction of the Ring and the fall of their Dark Lord, the Men of Dale returned to make good the damage as best they could, and in some cases rebuilt not only as good as before but as their best skill and most exact recall could accomplish; and in this they had the very able and more than willing assistance of the folk of the Mountain, for the new King of the Dwarves, Thorin III Stonehelm, had very clear views as to the value of good neighbours, holding that a prosperous Kingdom of Men would be an investment worth many times the value of any treasure he put into such an endeavour.

    The house to which Rowena now leads the intrepid band is one such. While Dale within the city walls is beginning to grow crowded with the passing years, a high and well-kept wall surrounds pleasant gardens with exquisite topiary, fountains, and not a few well-worked statues that betoken both the wealth and the excellent taste of the householder, and the house itself was carefully repaired and largely reconstructed to resemble as well as possible the building as it was originally made when Dale was re-founded after the Battle of Five Armies and the Restoration of the Kingship – that early echo of the theme that would be restated in grander form in distant Gondor so many years later.

    Yet if the grandeur of this gleaming stone-built house, with its two large wings, many tall windows, and imaginatively-wrought gargoyles that adorn the edges of the expensively-slated roof, might suggest a pompous lordling eager to show off his wealth and inflate his sense of his own importance, Rowena knows that such an impression could mislead. If the walls suggest a stand-offish misanthrope jealous of the little lands he holds, the tall iron gates before his house generally stand open at all hours of the day, and she has some confidence that her request for a sudden interview will not be spurned.

    On presenting herself and her still-new friends at Gerhardt’s door, and giving a polite but not over-informative account of her business to the smartly-dressed footman who answers the bell, Rowena is far from surprised to find themselves admitted at once to a comfortable and well-furnished parlour suitable to accommodating such a gathering at short notice. This has familiar overtones to Eli Proudfoot, who last saw something like this at Great Smials and cannot quite suppress a feeling of trepidation at the uncomfortable association – still, he comforts himself, at least he does not have to give an accounting of himself to an outraged Thain on this occasion, and this Man of Dale has at least as good a sense of the refreshments proper to set before visitors who are kept waiting, and Eli has a better appetite for them than on the prior occasion. As for Tom, the fare is easily as good as anything he has seen since he was a guest of the Elves, leading him to remark internally that it was never like this down at Smokeholes. Gade barely moistens the inside of a piece of cut crystal with a thimbleful of gorgeous-smelling spirit from a set of bottles on a gilded silver tantalus, and laconically observes: “My lord lives well”.

    For those who prefer not to drink such strong waters as burned-wine at this hour of the day, there is a flask of excellent wine. The footman informs you that Lord Gerhardt will join you “ere this sand-glass runs out”, and shows you one that is already running, of the size that would be turned every half an hour and is already at least a third spent. From the half-open window the morning hubbub of Dale can still be heard, but muffled as if by more than mere distance. Surely, whatever mischief is abroad in the fair city, this place at least is unaffected.
    Librarians rule, Oook

  22. #122
    Member Elendil's Heir's avatar
    Registered
    Sep 2009
    Location
    The North Coast
    Posts
    24,325

    Default

    Eli looks around, smiles, shrugs and reaches for the flask and a glass. "Never pass up the opportunity to eat, drink, nap or... relieve yourself, as my Great Uncle Aubrey used to say," he jokes.

  23. #123
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    Tom is happy to be getting information from Gerhardt (especially in peaceful surroundings.

    He politely reminds the party that:

    - there is a party healing potion available if anyone is injured
    - we have an invitation to visit Idhrenion the Elf to discuss previous encounters.

  24. #124
    Administrator choie's avatar
    Registered
    Mar 2012
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    4,914

    Default

    Rowena takes a swallow of the burned-wine without much of a wince. She's too busy hungrily drinking in the wealth in the surroundings to notice anything happening in her throat.

  25. #125
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, UK ?
    Posts
    1,722

    Default

    As promised, the man of the house is not long in arriving. Of no very great stature, Gerhardt the Just compensates by having a certain steely strength that is apparent both in his posture and in his demeanour. However, he seems to know something about Rowena in particular, and addresses himself mainly to her during the ensuing conversation, while by no means neglecting the rest of the company. As the party unfolds the story so far, he listens with an air of keen intelligence, nodding here and there and occasionally inserting a question that is always to the point.

    Eventually he nods firmly and says "You have done well so far, and wisely in choosing to lay this matter before me. There are some very strange matters afoot in these times and I have been hearing a number of odd tales -- some of which are disquieting. I suggest you leave this to me for a while; I think I know my way around city intrigue a little better than a band such as this, and if you have been treading on some influential toes with your efforts last night it might be no bad thing if you took a short leave of absence. Of the doings of Elves outside the city limits I know rather less, but if your friend wishes to see you soon and has an errand in mind then you should, I think, attend to that as soon as you can. The lands around here have been peaceful and mercifully free of wolves and Orcs alike since the War, so I have always heard, and the longer they stay that way the better for all concerned.

    "I do have a handy couple of sturdy lads I could put your way: one with an axe and one with a good longsword of Dale. If you are agreeable, they will join you by the East-gate promptly at noon. Do take care of them." He smiles, then adds:

    "When you have dealt with this, do please come and see me again. It is on my heart that we shall have more to say to each other."

    Gerhardt is willing to converse further if there is anything anyone wishes to discuss.
    Librarians rule, Oook

  26. #126
    Member Elendil's Heir's avatar
    Registered
    Sep 2009
    Location
    The North Coast
    Posts
    24,325

    Default

    Something about these remarks rubs Eli Proudfoot the wrong way; he wonders if Gerhardt is truly Just, or has merely developed a reputation for being so. He will discuss this impression with Rowena privately when he has an opportunity.

  27. #127
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    Tom thinks that if Gerhardt is reliable, then the party has a clear path ahead - accept the two sturdy lads and follow the raven Baron Corvo to a rendezvous with the Elf Idhrenion.
    (Once we have defeated various Wargs and Orcs, we can return to Dale and pursue further inquiries with Gerhardt's help.)

    So Tom politely asks Gerhardt if the party can step briefly out and have a discussion. Then we ask Rowena how much trust we place in Gerhardt...

  28. #128
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, UK ?
    Posts
    1,722

    Default

    Gerhardt is happy to accommodate your wishes and seems to take no offence. The more discerning members of the party OOC: those whose Sense Motive skills are worth mentioning cannot see anything wrong with Gerhardt's demeanour or speech that would suggest he was anything other than sincere, and Rowena can only reiterate that this man has had an excellent reputation for many years.
    Librarians rule, Oook

  29. #129
    Administrator choie's avatar
    Registered
    Mar 2012
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    4,914

    Default

    "This man has had an excellent reputation for many years," Rowena reiterates.

    It's frustrating that he's dissuading them from going directly after the fiends they just encountered. Especially since they're the only ones she personally cares about right now. The Elf, the yellow powder... all that's more than Rowena bargained for. She just wants justice for her friend and perhaps some vengeance for that stab in her side.

    Still, it's experience she can use for some future story or song. The opulence of Gerhardt's home is ripe for a setting, that's for sure.

    "Me, I'm wondering about these two men he's offered us." Her tone is wry and joking as she adds, "I mean it's generous but do they even know they've just been 'volunteered' by their... Father? Master? Friend? Or... whatever he is to them."

    Since she trusts Eli and suspects he might have something particular in mind, she turns to him with interest. "What is it that concerns you?"

    Personally she's curious about why Gerhardt addressed her so often, and so intently, but shrugs it off as his being neighborly to a local. Or maybe he thinks she's too young to go on such a quest? If she gets a chance maybe she'll try to speak to him privately.

  30. #130
    Member Elendil's Heir's avatar
    Registered
    Sep 2009
    Location
    The North Coast
    Posts
    24,325

    Default

    Eli rubs his chin thoughtfully. "I don't know. It's... kind of hard to say. In part, I suppose, I don't like being told not to go after apparent wrongdoers once they've come across my path. And, hmm, his bearing and speech." He shrugs. "It's just an impression, a feeling I have, little more, I confess. If the party is inclined to take the man's advice, I will not gainsay it."

  31. #131
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, UK ?
    Posts
    1,722

    Default

    Rowena does have the chance for a word aside with Gerhardt; he gives her the nod at one point indicating that he was hoping for such an opportunity to suggest the idea himself. He says "I have been wondering when a day like this would come, and I thought perhaps it might not be long. You will blush perhaps to hear it, but I can tell you now that your name came up a number of times in conversations that I used to have with the most excellent Master Heribert. Yes, the very same, before he took his leave -- and not even I know where or upon what business, though I hope to be the first in Dale to learn.

    "For this business that you have brought before me, I think it may be for the best if I look into it discreetly. There may be some persons of influence involved in this, and it could be dangerous to embarrass them. Yes, I know. We should be able to expect better. But it seems to be the human condition. Of Dale before the Dragon came I know no true tale; but you know that Lake-Town prospered well in days of yore, and grew lazy and foolish, under the governorship of a Master who knew well how to keep his office, and little of how to discharge it when danger came. It may be that, since the War and in the peace and plenty we now enjoy, we are growing soft again. If so, though, it will do little good to address something like this too directly or too soon. Let me see what I can accomplish without treading on the wrong toes.

    "As for you and this band of companions I see you have gathered -- I should not be surprised to see you do great things before long. I think your Master expected no less."

    ---

    Meanwhile, and not being a party to the above, Gade observes to the rest of you, "It is strange what human beings will do when crowded together within city walls. I understand it little -- why people should trade in mind-clouding dust or why others should be customers for it. For me, it makes me long to breathe cleaner air, even that of an orc-den. Yet, if there is business to do in Dale... Perhaps it is best left to such as yon. Many there be in a town like this I would not trust for three days together in a forest without finding fifty ways to poison themselves or lose themselves not half a day's march from safety. It may be that I am as untaught as they for a time and place like ours. Am I swayed by the chance to meet our friendly forest-master again and engage in some cleaner labours? Very well, I admit it. Still it seems to me a good and worthy thing to do."
    Librarians rule, Oook

  32. #132
    Elen síla lumenn' omentielvo What Exit?'s avatar
    Registered
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Central NJ (near Bree)
    Posts
    10,071

    Default

    "Aye, getting out of town and out to the real world is always for the best. Though I would hardly go as far as wishing to breath the foul airs of an Orc-Den."

    Beecher looks uneasy, almost like he has stayed to long in Dale.

    "I came for supplies and some Dale Pale Ale, I should be getting out of town again soon."

  33. #133
    Oliphaunt
    Registered
    Mar 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,498

    Default

    Tom says it looks like using the raven to meet the Elf is the popular decision.
    He asks the party if they want to add Gerhardt's two fighters.

  34. #134
    Administrator choie's avatar
    Registered
    Mar 2012
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    4,914

    Default

    Rowena is more than a little starstruck by the flattering impression Gerhardt seems to have of her--and it's so like Heribert to withhold his praise to her face, but offer it freely to another. Her master would rather give away a gold coin than a kind word to an apprentice directly. And Heribert never gave a coin away easily.

    She asks Gerhardt for any details of why her name came up at all, though she's prepared to be disappointed.

    Finally she thanks Gerhardt for the information and advice, but doesn't leave without begging him to send for her, somehow, if he does hear any news of her master. She's gained some experience since he left, after all, and she might be of use to him by now.

    If there is nothing else that spurs her to ask more questions, she'll hasten to her comrades and share Gerhardt's (non-Heribert-related) comments. Well, mostly non-Heribert related. She can't help slipping in a stray mention of Gerhardt's second-hand esteem of her. Containing her pride is like placing a candle in a ill-mended mug: no use pretending to hide it; flickers of golden happiness keep peeking out through the cracks.

    To Tom, Rowena agrees to the fighters. She was reluctant before, for some reason, but now it's hard for her to remain wary of men connected to someone as trustworthy as Gerhardt. (And he must be trustworthy, she reasons--Heribert surely wouldn't have mentioned her to him, otherwise.)
    Last edited by choie; 06 May 2022 at 10:22 PM. Reason: Edited to respond to Tom's question.

  35. #135
    Member Elendil's Heir's avatar
    Registered
    Sep 2009
    Location
    The North Coast
    Posts
    24,325

    Default

    "Glad for you, Rowena," Eli says with a slight smile. "At least he knows good folk when he meets them."

+ Reply to thread

Posting rules

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts