Chat log started at 6.5.2006 / 20:47:57
You are on the manor grounds, waiting in the grand courtyard. The Brownstone manor casts a shadow over the courtyard, which is pleasant to be out of the scorching heat. You stand against the manor's wall facing towards the barracks awaiting for your commander, Sergeant Roth Hindelgrass to arrive and make some important announcement. You stand with the rest of the guard, consisting of 10 infantry. Your closest friend, Edward, stands beside you with his arms crossed, a strange smirk on his face.
Gwynn leans back against the wall and closes his eyes
Gwynn (eyes still closed): What's the smirk for, Edward?
edward laughs a little
Edward: Do you ever think that Roth has us wait out here a bit longer than normal because he wants to make his entrance seem all the more grand?
Gwynn (quietly): Definitely.
Gwynn (sarcastic): He's an important man, you know
edward chuckles to himself
the rest of the guards seem to be getting restless
Gwynn stands up straight once again and looks around with the others
As the guards stand around chatting, Roth walks through the doors from the barracks. He looks grumpy as usual while he waits for his men to turn their attention to him.
edward: here we go...
Gwynn stands up straighter, though not quite at attention
Roth: Today, we have a very important job to do! Baron Kasvalon has an important guest that will be arriving tomorrow and we have a lot of work to do. The Baron's guest is the dwarf merchant Gorrath of Hemel. The Baron and Gorrath have struck a deal that should bring some economic growth to the Barony of Cambe. Gorrath will be supplying the Barony with a lot of trade goods that we otherwise wouldn't have access to. Also, Gorrath has an exstensive business in Arms and Armor. He will be suppling the barracks with equipment that we certainly need... Of course, the only exception is Gwynn over there... isn't that right, Gwynn?
the reason Roth points this out is because Gwynn does not use the Baron's equipment that he supplies to the militia
Gwynn: Of course sir. I don't expect I'd fit into dwarf armour as well as you do.
Roth glares at you and gives a scowl
Gwynn stiffles a smile
Roth: you'll know your place, soldier!
the rest of the guards chuckle quietly
Roth: scilence!
Roth: The first shipment isn't going to coming for another week, but Gorrath and his personal bodyguards will be coming out tomorrow. The deal is so big that Gorrath is coming to personally present the first shipment to the Baron. We need to have things ready for when he arrives. We'll need to go out and check the roads over. I want to make sure that any bandits or goblin raiders think twice about robbing anything coming to Cambe. Kossol Tholon reported seeing a band of travelers camped out by the road east of here. I want a few men to go and send them on there way. The rest of you are to patrol the roads and make sure their safe for Gorrath's arrival. Alright, quit standing around! We have work to do!
Gwynn nods and looks to Edward
edward: This doesn't sound too bad
The guards start to gather thir things and walk towards their horses
Gwynn: Good news for Cambe is good news for us. I'm happy to do what I can to help
edward: Shall we go?
Gwynn nods and motions to the horses
Just as your about to leave with Edward, Roth comes up to you. He speaks loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
Roth: Oh... Gwynn. I almost forgot... I need you to stay here in town. We need you to make sure the Baron's room is ready, and I want the stable to be cleaned up. Get to it, men!
Gwynn (grinding teeth): Of course, sir.
edward rolls eyes and then looks sympathatic towards you
Gwynn winks and smiles at Edward
Roth: I want that stable to be spotless too...
Gwynn: Of course, sir. Our guests will be most impressed.
Roth: thats great to hear, Gwynn. We'll make a fine soldier out of you, yet.
Gwynn: Don't let those gobbies get you, Edward!
edward: You bet, Gwynn! You watch yourself back here.
edward gives a smirk and gets on his horse
Gwynn waves and begins to look around for tools
You see some tools beside the shed
with most of the horses gone, the stable should be fairly easy to clean.
Roth exits into the manor and leaves you to your buisness
Gwynn moves towards the tools and exhales before picking them up
Gwynn grabs the tooks and sets off to the stables
As you get to the stables, you see Roth head off towards the gate in a rather determined fashion
Gwynn ambles up beside the stable wall and watches Roth as he walks off
Gwynn wonders where he is going and why
you see Roth walk towards town.
he appears to be looking around in a concerned fashion. He doesn't seem to notice you watching him.
Gwynn takes a last glance at the stables and decides to follow Roth for a bit, but from a far distance
You run to the front gate and quickly look towards the town.
You scan the east side of town but don't see him anywhere. it is possible that he went behind the John Welch's place down the main road of Cambe.
Gwynn Gwynn carefully approaches John WElch's place
You look north down the main street of Cambe. You mange to see Roth moving quickly past the well, glancing at the other villagers near by.
Gwynn moves north, folloing Roth, but behind the buildings
Roth makes his way past the well when he is stopped by Garrack Naven, the local priest of Chauntea.
It appears that Garrack is talking to him about something. Roth seems to be uninterested and impatient.
Roth nodds his head as he breaks the conversation off. He looks back to say something to the priest.
The priest looks a little angry and starts heading down the road, oppisite to the way Roth was walking.
Roth continues to walk out of town.
Gwynn is tempted to talk to the preist, but thinks it might be best to follow Roth while trying to stick to the trees east of the buildings
You sneak through the trees all the way to the edge of town. Roth is still walking briskly down the road.
Gwynn watches Roth until he passes out of sight
You wait for Roth to go over a hill and he is gone. You make your way back into town and see Garrack strolling down the street, greeting townsfolk.
Gwynn makes his way casually towards Garrack
Garrack walks with his hands behind his back. He notices Gwynn approach and gives a smile.
Gwynn (smiling): Hail, fine cleric! Chauntea's blessing be upon you.
Garrack: Good day to you, Noble knight! May Chauntea give you her blessing!
Gwynn (bowing): Thank you, Garrack. Might I ask if you've seen Roth this day?
Garrack: Why yes, I have, Gwynn. Not but a moment ago, actually. He seemed to be in quite a hurry, however.
Gwynn: Oh? Did he say where he was to?
Garrack: He did not. He headed north out of town, although he was on foot. I don't imagine he would be going very far.
Gwynn: I see. Well, I hope he was not as rude to you as he was to me.
Garrack: He was somewhat rude, but a man of his rank is very busy, I'm sure. I am new to the town of Cambe so he probably doesn't have time for my little concerns
Gwynn: As you take the well-being of this town to be your concern, I should hope that he would have time to hear your words.
Garrack: I told him actually of some suspicous looking characters down that way.
Gwynn: Suspicious?
Garrack: yes, I was coming back from the Folkmier Farm when I saw three horsed men behind some trees.
Gwynn: Well, I thank you for your time, Garrack. I shall follow Roth out north. Please let Edward of the infantry know if I am a long time in returning, if you please.
Garrack: Certainly, Gwynn. Be safe on your travels. Danger lurks around every cornor.
Garrack gives a bow and continues to stroll down the street.
Gwynn: waves good bye and begins to move quickly again north, hoping that he is not too late on the trail
Gwynn (shouting to Garrack): About how far away where the suspicious characters?
Garrack turns and addresses your question.
Garrack: I saw them about a half hours walk past Folkmier farm.
Gwynn (happily): Thank you, once again
Garrack waves to you with a smile.
the road has sparse amounts of trees along the side. There are a few tall crops near parts of the road and both sides of the road have ditches which may provide some cover.
You make pretty good pace as you head down the road. There are a few smaller roads that branch off to the side from time to time.
Gwynn assumes that if Roth was headed for those side roads, then he doesn't need to bother following him. He still assumes Roth continues along the main road
Eventually you crest over a hill and see Folkmier Farm. At the bottom of the hill is the short path into the farm yard. There are plenty of trees lining the road down the hill, making a canopy of green over head
at the bottom of the hill, you see a horseman and another man who is on foot talking. It appears that the man on foot is trying to stay hidden in the shade of the trees.
the two converse for a little while longer. The rider then motions for the person on foot to swing up behind him.
The horse is facing south. The person swings up on the horse and the rider wheels it around and starts heading north.
Gwynn breathes a sigh of relief
from this distance, your not entirely sure if that was Roth. His cloths were the same color as the person on foot, but they are fairly common colors.
Gwynn looks for horses tied around the Folkmier farm
You scan the farm for any horses. You don't see any outside but you do notice a barn.
Gwynn decides a horse might be too obvious and sets into a quick jog
You jog to the bottom of the hill. by this time, the rider with their passanger are out of sight. At this pace, you will surely not keep up, unless they don't go very far.
Gwynn looks to the farm house and jogs up to it
You go to the Farm house.
You call for Deckord. A couple of shouts for him and a man opens the door.
Gwynn (smiling): Farmer Folkmier, I am sorry to disturb you, but I am Gwynn Amblecrown of the Cambe Militia. I have little time to explain, but might it be possible to borrow a riding horse?
Deckord: Why should I give you a horse. There are thieves as bold as you. why should I trust you?
Deckord keeps the door partially closed between you an him and looks suspiciously
Gwynn: I realize that this might seem rather questionable, but I am pursuing a matter I believe to be important to the safety of Cambe and all those around. Did you see two men meet on the road not long ago?
Deckord: I'm not blind! But you don't need to worry. One of them was Mr. Hindelgrass.
Gwynn: Ah, yes, that is why I am here. I am one of his men.
Deckord: where is your horse, then?
Gwynn (laughing): I am wondering that myself. I had hoped to catch him before he mounted, but alas have failed
Deckord looks confused at Gwynn
Deckord: how can you not know where your horse is?
Gwynn: Oh, I know that it is back in the stables, I am merely wondering why I did not set out with it first
Deckord: If you were suppose to be going with Roth, then why weren't you with him when he left?
Gwynn: I am acting on new information that I did not know when Roth left
Gwynn is struggling to tell the truth and not seem like he is disobeying orders
Deckord: I'll tell you what... If you have something to give me... as collatoral... you can take one of my horses.
Gwynn: That is a most fair offer, good farmer. Here, I bid you take my backpack, full of equipment, as well as my holy symbol of Tyr as promise of my good word
Deckord sticks hand out to take backpack.
Gwynn passes the backpack forward
Deckord looks inside with a squirrly look.
Deckord: alright... take the black one. I want it back in one day and it better be in the same condition as when you took it.
Gwynn adds the holy symbol to the pack and makes towards the barn with a warm thank you
Gwynn readies the black horse for riding as quickly as possible
you put on the saddle and propper gear and head out at a swift pace. Deckord watches as you gallop down the path to the road.
Gwynn waves and nods thank you
You ride the horse up the other side of the hill. It is lined with trees as well. You get over the hill and the road takes a gentel turn. the trees are becoming more frequent here.
Mcgarnagle: You ride for about 15 minutes and you hear the gurggle of a stream up ahead.
Gwynn slows down, and prepars to water the horse a little
Before you reach the stream you hear the snort and whinny of at least two horses. You don't see them as there are plenty of trees between you and the stream.
Your horse also begins to snort
Gwynn quietly dismounts and looks for a tree far off from the road to tie his noisy horse to
You find a tree that suits your needs.
You manage to keep the skittish horse calm.
Gwynn will try to Detect Evil in the direction that the sounds came from
You cast the spell and sense an aura of evil.
Gwynn tries to hold back a growl
Gwynn will move in closer, as quietly as possible
You make a bit of noise as you make your way through the thick foliage but nothing seems to be alerted to your presence.
you hear voices now.
Listening, you know that there are at least 2 people but you can't make out what they are saying. The stream is too loud.
tries to move closer (gulp)
You manage to get through the trees. There is a big boulder that you can hide behind. you peer around it and see Roth and a dwarf standing on the other side of the stream. They are letting the horses drink water. You notice that there are now 2 horses.
the dwarf is heavily tattooed, as you can tell
you still can't make out what they are saying from this position. Suddenly, the dwarf gives a shout.
Gwynn tenses and prepares to step out
After the dwarf shouts out, you see a large man come out from the trees behind Roth and the dwarf. The man doesn't look quite human. He is nearly 7 feet tall.
The two have a short conversation in the strange language. The dwarf then pulls the horse away from the stream and prepares to mount.
Roth follows suit. The larger man goes back into the trees. You see him through the leaves get onto a massive, muscular horse.
Gwynn will wait for them to leave before returning to his horse
Just before they leave, you hear Roth say loudly so that the large man in the trees can hear...
Roth: We will have to hurry. I will need to be back in Cambe by nightfall.
Gwynn wonders how wise it is too keep following these three men
The three begin to ride off and out of sight.
You keep pace with the three men, keeping them just in sight.
You follow the three men for about another half an hour.
They turn off the road at this point to the east.
They seem to be going on some sort of walking path. The tree branches brush against you on either side.
The small path soon opens up into a clearing. the clearing is surrounded by trees, roughly in a circle.
In the middle of the clearing is a run down cabin. The one side of it is missing the walls and roof. The three men ride up to it and dismount.
It's about 60 feet to the cabin from the tree line.
You notice that another humanoid comes out of the shadows of the cabin. It is clearly a hobgoblin.
Gwynn holds back an immediate urge to charge in
Your horse doesn't seem to be to bad right now. You speak reassuringly to it and it remains calm
you see the big man open up a large piece of paper. All 4 men begin looking at it.
Roth: You'll want to be here and here.
Roth pointing to paper
hobgoblin nods and scratches chin.
The big man speaks with a thick accent.
big man: What will be in the shipments?
Roth: Were expecting arms and armor. it should be a good haul.
Gwynn clenches both fists
hobgoblin (greedily rubs hands): I suppose there will be lots of gold as well?
Roth: He is a wealthy merchant... Just be sure you give me what's mine.
Gwynn has seen enough and prepares to hurry back to town before he loses his temper
>
You quickly mount your horse and head back to Cambe, stopping at Folkmier Farm first to return the horse and get your equipment back.
You arrive back in Cambe about an hour before sunset.
You make your way to the Barracks. As you pass the stables, you see Edward inside already shoveling manure.
Gwynn (smiling): Well, well, already taking care of what I came to see you about
edward wipes sweat from brow
edward: Hey, Gwynn. You really do a poor job of cleaning the stables.
edward smiles
Gwynn (whispering): I have little time to explain, but I can tell you that Roth has turned traitor. Please tend to these stables so he does not suspect anything. I will return very shortly. Until then, watch yourself around Roth
edward looks with shock and nods dumbfoundly
Gwynn nods very seriously and sets off to find Feng Shu
You head up to the Manor's front door. Feng Shu makes his home there with the Baron and his family.
Upon knocking on the door, a servant answers.
Gwynn (politely): Good day, I would speak with Master Feng Shu please
servent: Master Feng Shu is a very busy man. Please, wait here and I will fetch him for you.
Gwynn (reaches out to hold servant's arm): Sir, I ask you to please hurry. It is a matter of utmost importance to the Baron and Cambe itself
servent (looks at his arm as you touch it with a bit of distain): I will do my best, sir!
Gwynn pulls his hand back, with a little shame
You don't wait long before Feng Shu comes into the foyer.
Gwynn bows deeply as the champion enters
Feng Shu bows slightly to you
Gwynn: I thank you for your time, Feng Shu, and I hope that the information I have to impart is worth my hastey request
Gwynn looks to see if anyone else is in the room
Feng Shu: What is the situation, Gwynn. I trust that it is of the utmost importance.
Gwynn: I will be blunt, as I am not sure how much time we have. Earlier today I followed Seargent Roth to a location north of town. I observed him meeting with a tattooed dwarf, a beast of a man, and a hobgoblin. They discussed plans to ambush the shipment from Gorrath of Hemel
Gwynn frowns
Feng Shu (brow Furrows): You do understand the charge you are making against Roth?
Gwynn: I do, I will not hesitate to make the accusation to his face. He is unfit to lead the fine men down in the barracks, and he places our whole community in financial jeopardy
Gwynn: We do not need enemies of the dwarves, either
Feng Shu: Gwynn, I trust your judgment, and I respect your honor. However, Roth comes from a background of nobles from the city of Hemel. I have never trusted the man and I share similar views of his leadership abilities.
Gwynn: Then I see no reason why this will nto be to our advantage. We must plan a counter ambush
Feng Shu: at this time, we must not act. Unless you can bring solid evidence of his crimes, it will be difficult to make such accusations.
Gwynn (frustrated): I see.
Feng Shu: do you know where these ambushes are to take place?
Gwynn: They had a map, but I doubted my abilities to acquire it
Feng Shu: We will tell Gorrath to double the guard on the caravan. Hopefully it will disaude any attempts to attack it.
Feng Shu: We will need to keep a watchful eye on Roth. If he suspects thar we know of his dirty deeds, then he may try to destroy any evidence that we could gain to use against him.
Gwynn: Aye. The only other that I have informed is my fellow man-at-arms, Edward. I have no doubt, however, that he is loyal to the Baron
Feng Shu: Good. Gwynn, it pains me to not be able to act on this information you present. But it is the way it must be, for now.
Gwynn: I have been told that I need to learn to be more... patient. I hope that this will help me learn such a lesson
Feng Shu: Patience is a virtue, but there are times to act. Be vigilant and act with honor and your path will always lead to higher ground.
Gwynn bows deeply
Gwynn: I thank you for your time and wisdom. I should return to the barracks so as not to arouse suspiscion
Feng Shu: Gwynn, if you feel up to the task, I would ask that you keep an eye on Roth.
Campaign saved.
Gwynn: It would be an honour to assist in any way I can
Feng Shu: He is your leader, and so it may prove difficult, but I feel you will do well with this task.
Gwynn nods and listens
Feng Shu: I see a spark of leadership within you. I think that you will go far within any field you choose to pursue.
Feng Shu: Report back to me any news that you may garner from our friend, Roth.
Gwynn: It would be an honour to prove more useful to the folk of Cambe. And I thank you for your kind words
Feng Shu: Good luck Gwynn.
Feng Shu extends hand to you.
Gwynn shakes Feng Shu's hand firmly and nods seriously
Feng Shu nods back, bows, and then turns and leaves.
Gwynn quickly composes himself and hurries back to the barracks
You leave the front door to the Manor and upon exiting into the cool breeze that is blowing, you hear some shouts coming from the main gate of the manor's walls.
You look over to the gate and see a cloaked figure standing by the portcullis
he waves to you to get your attention
Gwynn looks around to see if he meant anyone else, but then makes his way to the figure
as you get closer, you notice that the cloaked figure is an orc.
Gwynn slows and then stops
Orc Stranger: Greetings, friend.
Gwynn (squinting): If you are friend, then why do I not recognize you?
Orc Stranger (smiles): we do not know each other... it is simply a travellers greeting.
Gwynn: And where are you coming from, traveller?
Orc Stranger: I come from many places, half-human. But my latest travels bring me from the city of Hemel.
Gwynn: I see. Welcome to our town of Cambe. Might I help you?
Orc Stranger: I certainly hope so. I'm looking for a man by the name of Gilbert Hinton. He supposedly lives here in this fine town of Cambe.
Gwynn: And why do you seek Gilbert?
Orc Stranger: I have an important message for him from Hemel. I am simply a messanger.
Gwynn (warming): Perhaps you could give me the message, and I might pass it on to him for you?
Orc Stranger: It is a very kind offer on your part, but alas I have specific instructions to only give the message to Gilbert. If you could direct me to his home...
Gwynn (looking off into the distance and speaking slowly): Gilbert. Hinton.
Orc Stranger (a sparkle shines in his eye): yes, that's right.
Gwynn: Do you have a description? How will you know when you meet him?
Orc Stranger: I have a description of him.
Gwynn: If you cannot share it, then I am afraid I cannot help you.
Orc Stranger: You want me to describe him to you??
Gwynn: That might help me, I am having trouble placing the name, to be honest
Campaign saved.
Orc Stranger: Perhaps a bit of gold will jog your memory.
Orc Stranger grins and rises eyebrows
Gwynn (sharply): No. It will not.
Orc Stranger scowls
Orc Stranger (angrily): do you know the man or not?
Gwynn (narrows eyes): I do not, friend.
Orc Stranger: very well. My employers will be very displeased, indeed. I am sorry for taking so much of your time.
Gwynn: And whom are these employers?
Orc Stranger: Why do you want to know?
Gwynn (small smile): Call me curious.
Orc Stranger: curiousity killed the cat...
Gwynn: Aye. But that still left it with eight lives with which to seek justice.
Gwynn adjusts his armour so that his holy symbol is obvious
Orc Stranger glances at holy symbol and glares slightly
Orc Stranger: it is of little consequence if I tell you, follower if Tyr. If it wll help you jog your memory, it is his sister and her husband who asked me to come and find him.
Gwynn: Honesty deserves honesty. I know of no such man in this town, and I have lived here for nigh a year. If he goes by another name, a physical description might help me place him
Orc Stranger: I appreciate it. The description that I have is that he is a older man of 60 years. He has curly red hair, which may be grey now. He usually wears fine clothes and has a distinctive tattoo on his right wrist of the noble house seal of Vistromin.
Gwynn: I wish you luck in finding him, but I suggest you look beyond Cambe. In the meantime, you might find a warm bed at the White Egg Tavern. It is at the crossroads West of here.
Orc Stranger: Thankyou for that. You are a good man. However, I'm afraid that I am not ussually welcome in such establishments due to my... heritage.
Orc Stranger: I will bid you farewell.
Gwynn (slight bow): Take care along these roads. There is evil afoot.
Orc Stranger grabs top of hood and pulls it more over his face. nods to you and turns to leave.
Gwynn attempts a Detect Evil as he walks off
you detect an evil aura
Gwynn clenches his teeth
You head back to the stables and help clean it up with Edward.
You manage to finish it just before sunset.
Gwynn thanks Edward and asks him not to mention what he said earlier to ANYONE
edward: I won't. You can count on me, Gwynn.
Gwynn smiles and lobes some horseshit at Edward, but makes it easy to dodge
edward looks in mock shock and gives Gwynn a good charlie horse in the arm.
Gwynn: Youch. Not bad... for a man.
edward: HA! I'm just a little weak because I had to go patrol and then come back here and clean up your shit... literally.
Gwynn shrugs
Gwynn: And did you see anything on patrol?
edward: No. All was quiet. We'll probably be going out again tomorrow.
edward: I'm sure Roth will have some other crummy task for you to do, tho.
edward: come on... lets go to the White Egg.
Gwynn: I am sure of that. And that is why you can buy the first ale...
edward: good one, Gwynn. Remember, I did YOUR crummy job?
Gwynn: Fine. First one on me. Nothing but Fodgling's worst, however.
edward: Well, if were talking about Ale, that's just a given.
Gwynn laughs and puts his arm on Edward's shoulder