Split up or together
Subject split up or together
(OOC - Has Salix been to Boddentown before? If not, surely he's heard a bit about it, considering it's been a bit of a thorn in the side of the druids for some time now. Mark, correct me if anything that follows is out of character for Salix.)
Salix turns to the group, "Splitting up into two groups is fine, but I don't like the scouting idea. A group going in and then leaving quickly will surely be noticed and just draw even more attention to the ones who come in later. Also, Boddentown is a rough place. There is very little community except that which is drawn together by common greed, and the need to fight the wilderness they refuse to understand. Because of this, I don't think a complex cover-story is necessary. Our business is our own, and we're likely going to find the same attitude from everyone else. We could probably get by on something as flimsy as 'we heard there was work here'. That also has the advantage of not having to provide any details or risk having someone sent out to investigate. Remember, the real ambushed caravan is ridiculously far away from here to be a plausible cover.
"Most importantly, we're here to find out what is affecting the forest this way, and what has happened to the druids. I don't think it is wise to lead off asking about these things, though this is our primary goal. As far as we are able, we need to stay out of local disputes, at least until we know which way the wind is blowing.
"How should we split up?"
From: Kevin
Subject split up or together
Harp will volunteer to go with Kal. On the way, he and Kal will talk about what they might encounter and the fact that they may have to overlook some smaller evils in order to overcome the larger evil.
OOC: Kal may just say these are humans being humans and he does not give a rats *** about what they do so long as it does not affect the elves. Harp just is not sure. Kal has been so gung ho about attacking evil things before that Harp is unsure of how he will react when they reach town.
From: Randy
Subject split up or together
Ranthir will stick with Salix and suggest that Mund come with them.
"Mund and Harp in the same group might be a little too intimidating to some folks. Allistair and Mund can come with Salix and I. Ragnar and Surin can go along with Harp and Kal. Am I missing anyone?"
Ranthir looks to Salix for confirmation. He was the leader of this expedition after all.
From: Derek
Subject split up or together
Allistair will follow Salix's lead, but he states again that he's in favor of staying together.
From: Karl
Subject split up or together
"I'm fine with that. Those who go with Harp will answer to him."
From: Karl
Subject split up or together
Salix adds, "We will should head to the inn. We can plausibly run into each other there."
(OOC - Is there likely to be more than one inn? Has anyone been here before? Has Salix at least heard the name of any inns here so he can pick a rendezvous point? If not, he will suggest the inn closest to the center of town, if there is more than one.)
From: Mark
Subject Split up or together
This is actually a fairly large town, almost a small city. No one knows of any particular inn in town. There is likely to be several inns in town, as many people tend not to put down roots here.
From: Karl
Subject Split up or together
Is the town gated? How many gates? Any major roads heading in or out? Any landmark at all that we know about?
From: Mark
Subject Split up or together
No, the party knows very littel about the actually lay out of the town and surrounding areas. Salix, Mund and Allistair have heard of the town, but it is almost mythical in nature.
They would expect it to be gated, being out in the wilderness like this. But they do not know much more than that.
From: Karl
Subject Split up or together
Ok, then change "nearest the center of town" to "nearest the gate" for the inn. Also, Salix will add, "My group will go first. We'll move out now. Harp, you guys wait a few minutes and follow, but slowly. Let us get ahead. We'll travel with haste. That should put enough distance between us to avoid an obvious connection.
"Ally, I understand your desire to stick together, but I think we'll be less noticeable coming in in smaller groups. Once inside we can regroup as soon as it looks feasible."
From: Kevin
Subject split up or together
OOC: So, we are going to have a 1/2 orc, and elf, a halfling, and a dwarf in the same group? I know we live in a happy new world where we all get along, but we are going to draw some attention.
From: Kevin
Subject Split up or together
IC: "Got at Salix. Hell, with Surin and Ragnar here, we probably couldn't keep up with you anyway" Harp says with a laugh and a grin toward the two smaller member of the group.
From: Karl
Subject Split up or together
Better the attention directed at you than at Salix, no? But, yeah. I didn't think of that. If you want it changed, have Harp say something. Otherwise we'll just be at the mercy of the DM. ;-)
From: Kevin
Subject Split up or together
OOC: No, given our group, there is almost no way we can split up that won't arouse some types of questions. Lets be serious 2 1/2 elves, 2 humans, a 1/2 orc, a full elf, a dwarf and an halfling? Harp will just have to work with his group to try to come up with some type of very basic cover story. Something simple, like they are looking for the human who stole something (like some treasure) from them.
From: Mark
Subject Split up or together
Mund and Salix know that renegades of all races are common up in Boddentown.
From: Kevin
Subject Split up or together
Yeah, but our grouping is still somewhat odd. It would be like having a Korean and a Japanese in the same group and not expecting there to be some tension.
From: Mark
Subject Split up or together
What an egocentric bastard. Always assumes it's about him.
From: Karl
Subject Split up or together
Well, then, if Harp voices his objection, Salix will tell him not to worry. If he doesn't, well, he'll just have to worry. ;-)
From: Kevin
Subject Split up or together
Its not about him, its about the whole group, or this part of the group traveling together. Even in the LOTR, people did notice when a dwarf, elf, human and halflings were in the same group. Now, we are going to add in a 1/2 orc? Who should be, for all intents and purposes be their natural enemy? Inquiring minds want to know.
From: Mark
Subject Split up or together
When did this become LOTR? And that only happened in the bigoted, racist civilized nations. The halflings were treated like everyone else in Mordor.
From: Kevin
Subject Split up or together
Individually, or as Surin and Kal traveling together, that would be one thing. I still think (maybe wrongly) that this group of 4 (Harp, Kal, Ragnar and Surin) would cause some eyebrows to raise.
Just MHO.
Time and Distance, to the gates
Subject To the gates
Playing too much of you new computer game??
From: Mark
Subject To the gates
No the wife is out of town and I have to take care of the kids. Cutting into my game time. And for some reason my boss thinks I have something better to do when I am at work.
This is our busy time of the season. Our normal volume is 15,000-18,000 cases per week and we have been averaging almost 30,000 cases a week for the past three months.
I will get a turn out tonight.
From: Mark
Subject Distances
I was just reading some of the back story and realized that I made a mistake in the distances.
The distance from the grove where the party appeared to the edge of the forest was 20 miles. The distance from the edge to Bodentown is 5 miles.
more or less.
I will do a slight retconing on this next turn to reflect this.
From: Mark
Subject Time
Kevin asked a question about what time of day it was.
The party left the original druid circle at about 2 AM. Due to the distance east they moved it was about 7AM when they appeared from the tree in the grove near Bodentown. The next combat and stuff took about an hour. The travel through the woods took the better part of a day, so they would have gotten to the edge of the woods about 3PM. It is now 6 miles to Bodentown and they will get there about 5PM. This far north, at this time of the year it gets dark about 7PM.
I will send out a turn in a bit.
From: Mark
Subject To the gates
The party takes a break as they discuss how they should approach Bodentown. Allistair is all for staying together but the general consensus is that the party would attract less notice is they split up. They decide that Mund, Allistair, Salix and Ran would head out first and enter the town first while Harp, Ragnar, Surin and Kal would lag behind a bit and enter the town later. "I hope that enough people enter and leave the town every day: Salix muses "that another couple of small parties will not be noticed. We will get a room at the inn closest to the south gate, assuming there is a south gate. You 4 get a room somewhere close to the north gate. In the morning, you come and try to find where we are at. If you do not show we will try and find your place for dinner. If we have not found each other by the end of tomorrow, lets meet back here at sunrise of the next day? Everyone understand?" Nods from all around ease Salix's mind and his party heads off.
As the sun sets in the west Salix and the others see workers heading back towards town. They march in two's and threes, usually following wagons loaded with large logs. They trundle along the dirt road, making ruts in the muddy path. The dispirited workers hardly look up from the ground as they pass the four. They are dressed in furs and old worn out clothes, warm but patched together. The workers try to avoid the armed party, moving to the other side of the road when they are approached.
Another two hours walking sees the 4 within site of Bodentown. Salix is shocked to see how large it is. He had been expecting a small town of maybe 800 to 1,000 people. This was a good sized town. From the number of buildings it looked like there might be upwards of 8,000 people living here. A wooden palisade 20 feet high surrounds the town and a dingy haze hangs over it. Most of the buildings look to be two to three stories high, but there are several buildings that stand five to six stories high, with most of them located near the center of town.
As they approach the gate on the south side of town they see platoon of guards stopping some people as they enter the town. The party is about 50 yards out and they are in plain sight of the guards at the gate and those on the wall.
OODM:What do you guys do? This is for Karl, Derek, Randy and Porter when he gets back to us. The party is healed except for the poison effects I mentioned earlier. All of Harp's and Ragnar's spells are gone except for a few 0 level ones.
At the gates
Subject At the gates
Allistair mumbles to the others. "Keep walking, hesitating here would only make us look suspicious. Tell them we're just travelling through, perhaps looking for work if it's available. We've only known each other a few weeks, just travelling together for safety."
From: Derek
Subject At the gates
OOC: Allistair has 4 ranks in bluff, if everyone wants him to do the talking he will. Also, Allistair's ioun stone was stowed away before they got into sight of anyone else.
Welcome to Bodentown
Subject Welcome to Bodentown
Salix nods agreement. "If we're stopped, let Mund do the talking. He looks most like he'd be comfortable in this area. No offense." He nudges Mund, then adds "Oh, and call me 'Sam'. I don't know if anyone here would glean any meaning from 'Salix', but it's best to be safe."
From: Karl
Subject Welcome to Bodentown
If you think that's really necessary, then have Ally suggest it, otherwise Salix would more likely go with Mund, since he's the roughest looking member of *this* party.
From: Josh
Subject Welcome to Bodentown
I had a dream last night that we were all playing Dnd together, but it was real instead of by email. Not real like sitting around a table with dice, but out in the woods somewhere. The party was split up like it is now, and we were sitting there in the woods waiting for Mark to write up the next section so we could go forward more.
That was scary. :-)
From: Mark
Subject Welcome to Bodentown
The four continue moving towards the gate. Some people seem to have free movement through the gate while others stand in a line waiting for the guards to inspect them. The party trys to go through the gate when one of the two guards on gate duty shouts "Hey, you four. Where do you think your going? I don't recognize you. Get over in line over there?" The guard and his partner each lower a halberd and move to intercept the party.
OODM: How do you want to respond?
From: Derek
Subject Welcome to Bodentown
Mund speaks up. "Oh, sorry. Didn't know the rules here. Let's get in line, guys." Mund then walks back to the line indicated by the guards. Allistair (and I assume the rest) follow him.
In line, the others wait
Subject In line
Salix moves with Mund to the back of the line.
From: Kevin
Subject The others wait
Harp and the others wait for over an hour as the others head down the road. While they wait, Harp starts asking some questions "Do we want to come up wiht a basic cover story in case some one asks? A general passer-by was can tell to mind their own business, but if we get stopped by a town guard or some one with some authority we will probably need some type of story. And, for that matter, do we want to use our real names or not?"
From: Mark
Subject In line
The four companions wait in line for the guards to pass them. The watch as they wait and notice a few things. First, most of the people are allowed to enter and leave the city with no interference. These seem to be locals, merchants and pesants, going to or from for business or pleasure. The people seem serious and there is a sense of despair in the air. The landscape around Bodentown is bleak, with not a single tree to be found. What should be farmland lays fallow, barren. Most of the people have a sort of distant look to their faces and seem to lack a certain vitality.
A few minutes later the guards signal for the four to approach. One of the guards comes forward, a clip board in hand and asks with a bored expression "Names and purpose in Bodentown?"
From: Derek
Subject In line
Mund bows slightly with unfeigned awkwardness and lowers his eyes in subservience. "I'm called Mund, sir, and this here's Ally, Sam, and Ran. We've come lookin' fer work."
OOC: Mund can give a more detailed cover story if the guard asks for it, but he'll keep it as simple as he can.
From: Mark
Subject In line
"Work huh?" the guard says as he writes the names down. " Well those three might find something, but you look like a bookworm. Best bet is to check in at the Mercenary guild. That's where all the hirin' is done. Now city passes is 5 gp per person and they is good for a 5day. Youse got to show them to any City Guard who asks or you get thrown in jail, understand?"
From: Derek
Subject In line
OOC: 5gp for a 5 day pass? Isn't 1 sp per day more or less 'standard' wages in the D&D universe? And they're charging 10x that per day? Unless the D&D universe has had massive inflation....
IC: Mund shrugs and feigns disinterest. "5 gp? Alright, here you go." Mund reaches in his pocket and gives the guard 5 gp, as do Allistair and (I assume) the rest.
From: Mark
Subject In line
OODM: It is too late now but a sense motive check might have been usefull. Remember this town is not know for being good and lawful. As they say "You'r not from around here are you?"
From: Derek
Subject In line
OOC: Oh well. At least we're in the town now.
From: Mark
Subject In line
Not a big deal. You will still have to pay it but I will write something up. I might still make some bluff checks and sense motives when I get home tonight.
Out of town, the others wait
Subject Out of town
I'm going to be out of town tomorrow through Tuesday next week, for the T-day holiday. I'll have no access to email during this time. If you guys want to keep playing, Kevin can take Salix for the duration, or if we break for the weekend, that's fine with me too.
Happy T-day everyone!
From: Mark
Subject Out of town
As much as I hate to do it, we can take a break. That will give Porter time to get back on line.
I will write some more up this afternoon and probably tonight.
From: Kevin
Subject The others wait
Do Kal, Ragnar or Surin want to chime in?
From: Jason
Subject The others wait
OOC: Does anyone find it ironic that the two poisoned characters went off without either of the clerics? Anyways...
IC: "I don't think there should be any problem using our own names, but we should definitely come up with a reason for coming here. I suggest that we could be looking for someone who owes us money. That could go a fair way to explaining the diverse nature of our group; money has brought odder collections together. Kal and I are small-time merchants, I believe, partners in a small but successful antiques and rare items business. Harp works for us, and we hired Surin to help us track down an employee who took the profits from our last big sale and ran with them. That should also give Surin an excuse to nose around a bit asking questions. (OOC: not a very good excuse, given the types of questions he'll need to ask will have nothing to do with our supposed purpose, but hey Ragnar doesn't really think that way.) If they ask, we don't expect any trouble once we track him down, not with Harp here. What do you think?"
From: Kevin
Subject The others wait
" Not a bad idea, but instead of a business, since none of us look like merchants, maybe he stole what treasure we had found on an adventure and we are trying to track him down before he can sell it? "
A place to stay
Subject A place to stay
Mund grunts and pulls 5 gold coins from his pouch. The others do so as well while Ran mumbles something about how high the pass rates are. The guard hands each of them a piece of clay painted blue and says "Move along." As the four move through the gate Ally grabs the others and moves over to an alley way near the gate. "Make sure no one is watching" he says. The others turn and check the area while Ally casts a quick spell. Using the cantrip to detect magic, he looks at his pass and is not surprised to see it give off a faint glow. Not wanting to look to obvious, he cancels his spell and tells the others what he has found.
"The passes have been enchanted somehow. I will have to do a bit more research when we find a place to stay, be we should keep our noses clean until I can figure out what they are really for. Now, let's go find an inn." "I'll just follow my nose" Mund says and takes a long sniff of the air. He takes a few more and then proclaims, "This way." He leads the others down an alley and up another street. The others are surprised to see one of the buildings has a large sign out front. It has a picture of a large metal cup on it with a liquid spurting out of a hole on the side. "After you gents" Mund gestures to the others and follows them as they enter the front door.
OODM: I will write up more over the weekend about some of the sights these four have seen while in town. If you guys want to write up anything about how you want to go about getting a room I can do that as well.
From: Josh
Subject The others get ready
"Perhaps it would be a good idea to hide that i'm an elf?"
Interlude II
Subject Interlude II
High atop the tower the dark figure sits, his mind focused on the energies surrounding him. He feels the power of death in the dungeons below, the mystical energy given off and collected as each pile of flesh gives up its soul or spirit. The knocking at the door yanks him from his reverie. "Enter" he barks and Bink, one of his apprentices, enters, bowing low. "Why do you disturb me? You know I left word not to be bothered unless it is very important." "Master" comes the rushed reply, "Word from Bodentown. The last of the swarms has been destroyed." Bink stands in front of his master, head down, hoping that he had made a wise choice. His Master had been known to flay messengers alive for interrupting him for the wrong reason.
The news gets his attention. "You were right to bring word. You have done well. Now leave me while I contemplate this." "Master?" Bink asks "will we send aid to Faldor?" Anger flashes in his Master's eyes and Bink knows he has gone too far. "You over step yourself. Faldor will succeed or fail on his own. I benefit either way. Now, go to the mines for the next month. That will teach you to not question me." Bink sighs in relief. He would live another day.
The others head in
Subject The others head in
Harp, Kal, Ragnar and Surin wait around for the hour to pass, trying to decide what type of cover story to use. Ragnar suggests that they pose as merchants who are searching for someone who owes them money. Harp gives a hearty laugh when he hears this. "Brother Ragnar, do any of us look like any merchant you have ever seen? However, your idea is not with out merit, lets just work on some of the details. Instead of merchants, how about an adventuring group who had a party member make off with the loot of some forgotten dungeon we found? That would explain our weapons and armor."
Kal nods. "I like this idea. It will also go a long ways to explaining why we are asking questions while in town. We are there to find someone." Surin also nods his approval "I think it has potential. Let's not get to specific as to who or what we are looking for. I expect this place will not ask a whole lot of questions." With their cover story decided on the four start out for the gate they are supposed to enter.
The march is uneventful. Ragnar feels the pull of memory. The years he spent as a slave with his mother come back to him as he sees the peasants laboring in the fields. The overseers whips crack as the sun fades and Ragnar is 13 again. It takes all of his control not to summon down the cleansing power of the battle lord. He knows that killing these few, small men will not change the lives of the downtrodden in the area. Only a change in how the whole area is run will do that. So he grits his teeth and continues walking.
The populace that the party passes does not seem all that much different then other places they have seen, but they do seem a bit more subdued. There is no singing in the fields and there are more overseers. Kal finally notices that there seem to be a larger percentage of children and women working the fields and in the logging camps. The overseers also seem to faster with the whip. Several times the party sees a peasant beaten to unconsciousness or maybe even to death.
An hour before dark the four reach the north gate. The town is much larger than they had expected and there is a platoon of at least 20 guards manning the gate.
OODM: Any specific instructions from Kevin, Josh, Jason or Ashley on how they want to handle entry?
From: Josh
Subject The others head in
Kal shows deference to Harp as best he can to the guards. Looks better if the half orc is ordering the elf around.
At the Leaky Mug
Subject At the Leaky Mug
The four enter the inn with a sense of trepidation. Salix in particular is feels like everyones eyes are on him. He tries his best to remain inconspicuous, letting Mund and Ally take the lead, even going as far as to let Ran do the talking for the both of them. As they enter the common room the hustle and bustle of the dinner crowd assaults them. Loud laughter, even louder screams echo from the large room. Tables and chairs fill most of the space, with a large wooden bar on the south side of the room. Four burly bartenders are getting drinks while a dozen or more waitresses scurry about taking food and drink to the different tables. Smoke from the fire place mixes with the smoke from the pipes and cigars that most of the men are smoking.
Mund grabs one of the serving wenches by the arm and shouts over the din "Who do we talk to about a room?" The girl, one of the ugliest Mund has ever seen, uses her elbow to point to a large man standing behind a counter along part of the west wall. Two large 1/2 orcs with short swords and chain shirts stand menacingly beside him. Mund motions for the others to follow a bit behind and they head over towards the man.
As Mund approaches the man notices him and turns to face him. "We need lodging for a few days" the barbarian shouts over the noise. "Well you've come to the best place. The Leaky Mug has the best food, the nicest beds and the softest whores in Bodentown. What type of lodging are you looking for? Private, semi-private or common room?" Mund turns and looks at the others, an eyebrow raised. Ally helps him out. "How many fit in a semi-private room?" he asks. "4 is usual, 6 if they don't mind being comfy with each other." Mund is quick on the uptake. "We'll take semi-private then. How much?" "5 gold a day and that includes breakfast and lunch in the common room. Dinner, booze and whores are extra. Two days rent in advance." The man holds out his hand and Mund pulls 10 gold from his pouch, dropping it in the man's hand.
The man looks at the gold and his face darkens a bit. "I recognize these coins. These are from Schon." Mund thinks quickly "Well of course they are. That is where the caravan we took them from was from. I didn't know you cared where the gold came from." The innkeeper's eyes shift a bit at that. "Oh I don't care but others around here might not be so generous as I. Well gentlemen, if you would sign in here I will have one of the girls show you to your room." The four sign the names they had agreed to and follow another ugly serving girl out a back door to another building. Up a flight of stairs, down a hallway and to the third door on the left. She bows and hurries back to the main building.
The four inspect the room. It is nothing special. There are two bunk beds, one set on either wall, a desk and a large wardrobe. There are two chest on each wall and a couple of chairs. No sign of a sink or a mirror or bathroom.
OODM: Ok do you guys want to do anything?