[Sun Dec 01 00:00:33 EST 2002]

[DM]: "You folks aren't from around here are ya?"

Balthazar shakes his head :"Sorry no... Why do you ask?"

[DM]: "You folks aren't from around here are ya?" Repeating his self awaiting your response.

Jarl listens for the captain's reply or for Bal to say something more

Syrenia nods..."Aye you're right..."

[DM]: "Yeah i figured as much, for no native would be wishing to travel north at this time of year. But i will take you up those dangerous waters for say 20 gold each for deck space only. 40 gold if you wish to be in the cabin."

Balthazar looks at Syrenia, since she's leaning into him.. trying to figure out what this is about nods."When could we leave?"

Syrenia looks up..."So...cabin or deck?"

[DM]: "Hmm well if you have the gold now we can leave in a few minutes."

Balthazar shrugs :"May as well take the cabin, don't you think?"

Syrenia nods..."Yeah...It will probably be freezing."

Borathor shakes his head " For that price we could buy our own damn barge." Mumbling as he goes in his purse.

Balthazar chuckles "Well, the price of luxury..."

Syrenia hands the man 80 electrum pieces.

Balthazar pays the man for his fare.

Borathor reluctenly hands the man the 40 gold then boards the barge.

Tollong pays as well and boards.

Balthazar also gets aboard

Syrenia gets on board. looks at the barge..."So where's that cabin?"

Balthazar walks around, trying to get used to the moving deck..

[DM]: Looking about the barge you see the second floor only goes a third of the way across the deck. There are three doors each marked from above. They read as follows left to right cabin, crew, boat house.

[Balthazar]: "One of the three ships I've ever been on sank, heheh..."

Syrenia grins..."Well when you have a flying broom...you don't really mind boats anymore." She turns from Balthazar to call out to the captain..."Where's our cabin?"

Balthazar points to the leftmost door

[DM]: The man points to the door marked cabin right in front of you a little to your left.

Syrenia heads towards it..."Thanks."

[Jarl]: as they talk from outside the ship. Jarl rubs his hand over his holy item and looks to the captain as he mumbles towards the end he speaks "good captain, isn't that a steep price for a friend of Moradin?"

[Jarl]: he removes his hand from the symbol and looks to the captain

[DM]: "Steep price 40 cold for a cabin is a good deal this time of year my little fellow."

[Balthazar]: "Well, we should get underway, no?"

[Jarl]: "is that really a fair price my friend?" he waits and watches

[Jarl]: he waits for the captains reply before moving on

[DM]: "Well for a friend like you who is counting, come on get aboard."

[Jarl]: "no, now that wouldn't be fair i want only a fair price form which I will gladly pay for a ride to bloodstone"

[Balthazar]: "Jarl, I'll pay if it'll let us get underway"

[DM]: Going into the cabin you see it is nothing more then a 20x30 foot room with hammocks hanging between posts planted through out the room. They are stack three high in rows.

Syrenia sits down against the wall.

[Jarl]: "if you believe the 40 gold is the fairest price, then that's what I will pay. "

[DM]: "Hmm ok fine i made out on the others i give it to you for normal rates in the summer 5 gold."

Balthazar chuckles "Well, let's go then."

Jarl hands the captain 10 gold "thanks, I will be of any help I can during the trip" he walk aboard and to the cabin

Syrenia unbinds one of her bandage as Jarl arrives in the cabin..."Hey Jarl...mind sparing a light heal...it's not all healed."

[Balthazar]: "Hmm let me get that"

Balthazar just lays his hands on the wound and concentrates

Jarl looks over the wounds and dresses the wound a little better first

[DM]: Before you know it you tilt to your left as you feel the barge leave the berth and begin its journy up the river.

Syrenia nods to Balthazar says..."Ahh much better thanks."...as she takes off the bandages.

Balthazar stumbles, his armor making him a little top heavy nods "That's alright."

Jarl then brings to cast as a white glow covers your wound "anyone else need any healing?" closes his hands chants, when he opens them again berries are in his hand "anyone want one" as he eats one opens his hand, which is full of berries, eats one and asks "any of ye wants one?"

Syrenia nods and takes one..."Thanks." She then plops it in her mouth.

Balthazar takes one..

Jarl places them in a bowl and finds a place to prey "anytime, one one a day will be of any help to ye"

[Balthazar]: "How long would this have taken, by foot?"

Syrenia leans against the cabin's walls..."How much time did he say it would take to reach our destination?" shrugs..."I don't even wanna know...I'm sure we'll have time to get our feet frozen before this is over." smiles..."Might aswell enjoy warmth while we can." scratches her head..."Did we even ask how much time it would take?"

[Balthazar]: "No, I think we all took their word for it that it wasn't possible."

Syrenia shakes her head..."No, no, not the time it would take on foot but with the barge."

[DM]: Standing around the cold musty cabin of stinky hammacks, you feel the rocking of the water as the barge leaves the small docks. Borathor yawns and climbs into one of the Hammocks.

Syrenia takes out her spellbook and begins to turn the pages.

Jarl continues with his prayers in the corner

[DM]: You float up the river at such a slow pace you can barely tell your on the water accept evey now and then a small rocking from a current or two.

Balthazar practices some fighting techniques to pass the time

[DM]: Hours pass as you have now tired or bored yourselves to death in the smelly cabin. You can see Jarl is almost finish with his prayers while Borathor went off to sleep.

Balthazar goes off to sleep or something else

Jarl stands up and dusts his knees off "so did I mis anything?"

Syrenia shrugs..."Naw...I'm sooo bored. I'm just gonna sleep." With that she climbs in a hammock and dozes off.

Jarl walks over and looks out a window if there is one

[DM]: Taking a closer look at the musty old cabin you see that indeed there are no windows. The only source of light comes from two dangling lanterns tied to wooden beams in the ceiling.

Jarl places a hand on the outer wall to tell how cold it might be outside and listens for any wind "well, guess I will take first watch" he opens up his waterdeep book and finds a good place to sit, then begins to read

[DM]: Sitting back rocking in your hammocks sound asleep, you are awaken by a jarring, to see Jarl roll on his side while reading. It seems the barge might of hit something.

Syrenia jumps on her feet and walks out of the cabin..."Maybe something to do..."

Jarl puts his books away and heads for the door

[DM]: Making your way to the door you find it is locked.

Syrenia grins..."Who wants to bash a door?" moves away from the door.

[Jarl]: "interesting", he knocks on the door with his fist "open up!"

[DM]: Jarl's pounding seems to fall on deft ears, for no one comes to unlock the door.

Syrenia nods towards the door..."Hey Bor. Do you mind?"

Borathor leans over in his hammock, you sure he might charge us 200 gold for his door?"

Syrenia looks down at the door lock.

[Jarl]: "can anyone just pick the lock?"

[DM]: Looking at the door you see a wooden handle but there doesn't appear to be any way to lock or unlock the door from this side.

Syrenia shakes her head..."Need a lock for that, Jarl." turns back to Bor..."Well if he does, we'll just walk the rest of the way.

[Jarl]: "do ye happen to have a spell, that might help?"

[Balthazar]: "Well, maybe we can just force the handle, it doesn't look like much of a door.."

Syrenia nods..."Not memorized thought..." She grins.

Jarl searches for another way out of this room besides the door

Borathor laughs, 'Yep same ole girl dont take the time to study but got that beauty rest though."

Syrenia smiles..."Got no place in the 'ole brain...I need my invisibility and my mirror image to stay alive..."

Balthazar just tries to open the door, busting the handle if necessary but trying not to break the door itself.

Borathor yawns, "Look we are not sinking and the river only goes one way, so relax its a wooden door we could cut through it if we can't knock it in." Looking at his biceps.

Syrenia smiles at Borathor..."Anyway...who needs 'Knock' when I have a strong ranger with me?"

[Jarl]: as he continues to look for other ways out "can any of ye hear anything outside?"

Syrenia leans against the wall as she watches Balthazar trying to open the door.

Balthazar pulls and twists on the wooden handle as it snaps off in his hand not being use to the force.

Syrenia raises an eyebrow..."Can you open it?"

Jarl looks at the door's hinges "maybe you can just push it through"

[Balthazar]: "Bah.. come to think of it, maybe this is just to keep the wind out.."

Syrenia rolls her eyes and tries to bash the door down.

[DM]: Syrenia runs at the door as she tries to bash it in, only to be sent backwards to the floor. The door still stands.

[Jarl]: "why would there be horses outside?"

Syrenia grunts..."Well will someone else try?" gets back up and dusts off her ass.

[Jarl]: "do horses pull this boat down the river?"

Syrenia sighs..."Do I really look like a barge expert?"

[DM]: You seen loading and unloading so there may or may not been a horse or two.

Borathor sits up, "To use a horse there would have to be a trails so the ropes dont get tangled. Anyone see a trail on the river?"

Syrenia goes to sit on a hammock and sighs..."We're never gonna get out of here..."

Jarl nods "yes, there is a trail on your map, put how close is it to the river?"

Borathor sighs, "Fine, but i'm not paying for the door if this is your faults." Bor begins to climb down as the barge jerks as if underway once more. "Step aside let me have a crack at it." Walking up to the door and tapping lightly upon it as if checking the soundness of it.

Jarl looks at everything in the room and studies it, each nale, board, hold, and size of each, as well as every piece of furniture and it's style, make, and quality. also looks at each picture or wall hanging for colors, size, designer, age. ect

Borathor steps back a few feet then turns to his side as he rushes the door putting his left shoulder into it. Slamming into the door you hear a loud cracking to see the door push in then stop a few inches. Borathor shakes it off, "Well the door is open but something is sitting on the other side of it."

Syrenia gets up from the hammock and tries to see what is blocking the door.

Jarl looks for a chair to sit down in and watches as he continues to study the room

[DM]: Looking through the splintered remains of the door you see what appears to be crates piled up on the outer decks, blocking your door out.

Syrenia sighs..."Crates are blocking us in...maybe if we all push together, we can move them."

[Jarl]: "if ye wants out so bad, just hack out a new door on the side"

Syrenia puts her hands on the doors and starts to push. turns her head as she pushes..."You're the one with the axe..."

Balthazar pushes..

Jarl looks to see how much feul is in each lantern

Borathor shakes his head, "Well this is great the weight of that cargo is going to slow us down. Guess that explains the horses Jarl hears."

[Jarl]: "do you feel we are in danger? I see no reason to go out into the cold. Why do you wish to go onto the deck?"

[DM]: Jarl takes the lanterns down and looks at them a little closer.

Syrenia shrugs..."Don't like the idea of being blocked in to the mercy of anyone..."

[Balthazar]: "I thought there was something odd about having 2 lanterns and a locked cabin, to be honest with you."

Jarl looks for food within the cabin "I wander how we are to eat if we can't get out of the room?"

[Balthazar]: "Having the door open is a bit of a relief, I'd say."

Borathor pulls out some jerky and his wine. "Like this" and grabs a seat in the hammock once more.

Jarl then paces off the cabin to learn it's dimensions

Syrenia shrugs..."Ahh screw it..."...she goes back to sleep.

Jarl grins and looks for a knot-hole, to try and look through

[Balthazar]: "I say we just wait, with the door open, there should be no risk of gas poisoning, and we can always break through if necessary.." he goes back to rest a bit..

[DM]: Cold air blows in through the cracks around the crates bringing with it a nice chill for anyone who stands within a couple yards. Every now and then a snow flake or two blows in and lands upon the floor.

[Jarl]: "there be enough cracks in these walls not to worry about that" closes the door and sits back down to read, warped in a blanket when two hours pass he will wake Bor up to take his turn at watch

[Balthazar]: "Well, now we know why the court wizard in Elturiel had that grin.."

[DM]: You sit back in the cold and slowly go off to sleep. You wake once again by the jerking of the barge as if it yet again hit something.

[Balthazar]: "Definately a good way to discretely slow our progress..."

Syrenia wakes up..."Next time...we walk!"

[Jarl]: "you want to walk in this? not me" as he closes his book and starts to mend his armor links

Syrenia just sits on her hammock and watches a lantern shrugs..."Elves don't feel the cold like the other races..."

[Balthazar]: "This is certainly a far cry from the weather in my land.."

[DM]: Looking around the cabin you hear the wane of horses from outside as the crates blocking the door slowly rise up from a net under then and free of the doorway. the remains of the door fall and crash into the cabin and out upon the deck. The cold air now rushes into the room chilling your bones. A man in leather armor and a winter skin looks into the cabin. "What happened to the door?" Peering in at you all.

Jarl nods "I've been told they be cold hearted sometimes" flashing a grin and continues to work

Syrenia looks at the door in surprise and then to the man..."We should be asking you that!"

Jarl looks up from his seated possition at the door

Borathor looks over from his hammock at you all laughiing.

Balthazar simply chuckles, a little amused by the sight of the man and his broken door.

Syrenia crosses her arms..."I hope the rest of the ship doesn't fall off like that."

[DM]: The man stands there scratching his head, "Well guess this trip is open air only." Smiling as he looks at you and turns away and leaves back out onto the deck.

[Jarl]: "mind if I have a look at that door and try to fix it somewhat?"

Syrenia shrugs..."Well I guess I'll be on the deck then." She walks on the door and leaves the cabin.

Jarl takes out some of his tools and tries to repair the door, by putting it make into place and re-hinging it "Bor, can ye give me some help?"

[DM]: The wind is howling as the snow falls blinding your visison after 50 or so yards.

Balthazar also goes out to stretch his legs

Syrenia in the middle of them. Turning behind you they close in behind you.

Jarl sets the door back into place and works on the attaching the hinges back into place or as close as possible.

Syrenia comes back in the cabin and gets back on her hammock..."Well great...I'm stuck inside because of those 50 over eager soldiers."

[Jarl]: "over eager?"

[Balthazar]: "Well that was odd.. We were politely led back to the cabin..."

Syrenia raises an eyebrow at Jarl..."They're men...they're soldiers...I'm a woman..."

[Jarl]: as he finishes with the door. making sure the hinges hold. "I see, they want to make ye the ships first mate.."

Syrenia nods...

Jarl closes the door behind him. seeing if it will stay closed or latch

[Balthazar]: "You should know that most of these men are not exactly pure of heart, by the way. In fact quite a few of them seem to be fit for the gallows"

[DM]: Shutting the door it closes but doesn't latch at this time.

Syrenia feigns surprise..."And you didn't start hacking at them?" She grins and shakes her head..."tsk tsk tsk."

Balthazar chuckles :"Well, that wouldn't be very smart, now would it?"

[Jarl]: "a sailer not pure of heart, whom would have thunk it?' he knocks a small tack into the lower part of the door, right beside the opening, onlt halfway. so it will hold the door closed but can be opened easy if need be. then he finds a place to get some sleep "Bor, it be ye turn to take watch"

Syrenia grins..."Well I never saw pallies as a smart breed..." She winks at him before lying on her hammock. lifts her head and smiles..."I could blast 'em...would take out the bad ones..."

[Balthazar]: "Jarl, they're much worse than your average crew."

Jarl places his armor and pack right beside were he is sleeping on the ground "well why did you pick this boat then out of all the boats in the harbor?"

[Balthazar]: "They loaded these men once we were in the cabin Obviously it was locked and blocked for us not to notice.."

[DM]: Talking about the onboard soldiers you hear loud footsteps as the door opens and a man in plate mail steps in, holding the door in his hand. Looking to the door strangely he tosses it to the side. "Greetings."

Jarl chants a little and a waith-like wyvern appears over him

Syrenia sits up..."Hmm...Hi."

Balthazar gets up and greets him

[DM]: Sniffing around the room he looks towards Balthazar, 'You in the field at the next dock. Make sure you are there." With a sneer he turns and leaves the cabin, his two cohorts right behind him.

Jarl looks at the man.

Balthazar raises an eyebrow..

Syrenia hums to herself..."Well this is going well..."

[Balthazar]: "Well I guess I have some business to take care of later.. With any luck, I won't be taken down by archers if the fight goes my way, hah."

Syrenia looks down at Bor..."Hey Bor...give him that Strength potion for the fight."

[Jarl]: "when is next dock? I might have a spell for you. he winks"

[Balthazar]: "Well, check the map.."

[DM]: Looking at him as he leaves you see he was human about 5 9" 170 lbs black hair and dirty armor. He has a shield strapped across his back.

Borathor looks over at the door, "don't worry if anyone shoots you Bal we'll be sure and shoot them. Did you see who's army they were?"

Balthazar shakes his head "I don't remember any markings, and I don't know the area's power groups anyhow.."

[Jarl]: "anyone from around this area? he asks in open"

Syrenia shakes her head..."Nope...but you know...a citadel would need some kind of an army..."

Borathor looks to Syrenia, "So make us invisible and we can jump barge."

[Jarl]: "next time ask for a briefing on the area we are going to as well as ref guides"

Syrenia scratches her head..."That would take a while..."

[Jarl]: "can a paladin run from an open challenge, and a fair one, as it looks to boot?"

Syrenia shakes her head..."It would take 8 hours to make us all invisible."

[Balthazar]: "We did ask for a briefing, they couldn't really give us one.. Well Jarl, it's not a question of ethos, but it is one of reputation."

Borathor nods, "But if you get him what of the other 49 or so guys. Would it be worth it at the moment?"

[DM]: "Then again get him they might all flee who knows."

[Balthazar]: "Yes well, we could jump ship before the next port, and move to the duel site, and if things are obviously unfair, we could leave and I would not object."

[Borathor]: "Syrenia did you get your mentor to recharge any of those wands while you were there?"

Syrenia shrugs..."I could take out a couple...right now...open the door and blast...screw the barge." She turns to Bor..."Hmm...no."

[Borathor]: "No? Hmm" starts counting on his fingers.

[Jarl]: "I would save your spells for after the challenge incase the other 40 try to step in"

[Balthazar]: "Hmm.. perhaps I could simply challenge him here, on the barge. If it turns ugly, they'd all be in the same place for the fire spells, hehe"

[Jarl]: "no, "

Syrenia cringes..."You know...I don't like the idea of taking a cold bath..."

Balthazar grins. "Alright."

Syrenia scratches her head..."Maybe if we let him win..."

[DM]: While you are debating this the barge jerks as once again slowly gets under way up the river once more.

Syrenia smiles..."Jarl can fix you up."

[Balthazar]: "I don't like that option much."

Syrenia grins..."Take one for the group."

[Balthazar]: "The way you pick your enemies, that should be done soon enough without us trying to arrange it." winks

Borathor laughs. "I say we get out now while its just starting to move, or just kill them all later and use the barge ourself."

Syrenia shakes her head..."Can't get out...they're right outside."

Jarl places his hand on Bal's shoulder as a warmth falls over him "I must pray some more it seems"

[Balthazar]: "Well, like I said earlier, we could arrange the duel here. It would give us an excuse to clear the decks and give us room to take them on"

[Balthazar]: "Or run, though that's the option I like less."

[Jarl]: "to close to do, open area would be better"

Syrenia goes to Borathor and begins to search through his stuff.

Borathor looks at the lanterns, "Well Jarl don't say you weren't thinking it earlier.'

Jarl goes and prays

Syrenia takes out a potion..."I think that's the one." She hands it to Balthazar..."Use this before the fight...it should make you stronger."

Balthazar nods :"Thanks." takes it and places it in his back within easy reach.

Borathor snickers, "Isn't that cheating, i mean you won't run but you'll drink that?"

[Balthazar]: "Do you really think he won't have a few tricks up his sleeve?"

[DM]: 'Of course i do any good fighter would, i was just checking."

[Balthazar]: "If you want, I can always tell him I took it. Though that may complicate things with his friends."

[DM]: Quite a good bit of time passes as the daylight gives way to the night. Cold air blows into the cabin as the door lay sitting against the wall.

Jarl gets up and walks over to the group and looks to Bal "Talk to me just before the fight, if you wish the blessing of the dwarven father. till then lets eat"

Balthazar nods and has some breakfast..

[Jarl]: he rubs his belly and mumbles a word or two and a small feast appears. "Moradin bless our meal with our thanks to ye"

Borathor gets up to get something to eat, but puts the broken door over the doorway to block at least most of the air. "Anyone have something to burn a fire in?"

[Jarl]: "that should help somewhat" as he takes up a turkey leg and begins to eat "needs salt"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, warm food..."

Syrenia takes a few strips of meat and eats them.

[DM]: You eat peacefully.

Jarl eats till he's full of roast, corn, and potatoes, then sets back and listens "so what are your plans for the future? " as he looks at each of you eating

Syrenia shrugs..."Staying alive as long as I can...it hasn't been going so good thought..."

Balthazar smiles :"Much work to do... I have to rebuild my order, so first I have to build a reputation. That will take some time, but I'm up to the challenge."

Borathor nods avenging my family and friends."

Jarl rubs his belly and drinks from a water flask "you would think i could create ale," shrugs and looks to Bal "how do you plan to rebuild your rep?"

Borathor looks up with food stuffed in his mouth mumbling, "For starters beating this guy."

[Balthazar]: "Nothing wrong with mine, but to say the knights of Fustidio are in decline would be a euphemism."

Syrenia smiles..."By killing evil men you meet on barges of course!"

[Balthazar]: "Well, killing this man won't bring much, but running would be a great detriment."

Syrenia opens her arms wide..."Balthazar the BargeBane!"

Balthazar chuckles

[Jarl]: "For your rep to group you have to do things of good for others and others would have to see it?" "Bor, tell us of your family, if you will?"

Borathor yawns, "Well the food and talks made me tired. I guess with men aboard we don't need a watch, seems they wish to kill us on dry land."

Balthazar nods to Jarl. "Greater things than killing thugs. Those things will come later." also takes a spot in a hammock

Borathor lays back in a hammock, "I told you before this mage of Waterdeep slaughtered men women and childeren, once we excaped and hid from her our families in the city bore the brunt of it. Many of folk i knew became one of her victims not to mention the strangers."

Syrenia takes out her mirror and calls into her mind the face of the thug.

Jarl nods "you know, there may become a time when Moradin asks for a return on all his aid that has been provided. "Right Bor, I understand that, but tell us about your family members, their names what they did for a living, that kind of stuff"

[Balthazar]: "I'll help you avenge them."

[Borathor]: "My pop owned a shop and my ma worked for the city. Never had any siblings so i hung out in the fields and the small groups of woods around the city. Nothing else much to tell."

Jarl contiues the small talk for awhile and then begins to read from his book "i wonder if they have a volo's guide to bloodstone?"

[Balthazar]: "I would think they only do major cities, it must take time to write such a book."

[Borathor]: "I have other folk in other cities but i don't see them, i don't even know half their names. No matter that was a long time ago."

[Jarl]: "any of them of any ability or influence, that might be able to help in some way with waterdeep?"

Balthazar wonders how much longer this trip will be...

[Borathor]: "Nah nothing of worth, i find to turn things for the better in this realm you have to bend and break a few rules to do so. Well i'm going to bed no telling when we'll hit ground again."

[Jarl]: "Toll, you want first watch?"

[Balthazar]: "Good point. I think we'll have a long day soon." takes a hammock. "Wake me up for second watch then."

[DM]: You sleep through the night to be stirred awake by the jarring of the barge and the falling of the door to the floor. The morning light shines through the frameway as you peer out into the cold clear blue skies.

Balthazar swings out of his hammock and does his morning routine.

Jarl wakes and eats some of the left-overs from his feast the night before "so another day "

Syrenia nods..."Let's see if we'll survive this one..."

Borathor gets up and stretches as he walks to the doorway. Looking out he turns back. "Well there goes that guy walking off inland, and he is alone."

Syrenia gets off her hammock and looks through the door..."We've docked?"

[Balthazar]: "Well, I'm ready to go."

Jarl finishes with his quick meal and gets his gear together

[Balthazar]: "How long will this potion last? I may as well go alone, at least, visibly alone." drinks the potion.

Borathor looks out the door again, he went alone but we cant be sure. Syrenia go invisible and fly over the battle field and keep an eye out."

[Balthazar]: "Jarl? Any help Moradin can give would be appreciated, and I'll be glad to pay the tab if he ever asks for it."

[Jarl]: "i'm going to make sure it's on the level" "Aye lad, we will" as he follows Bal out the door "just be sure to see me right before the start"

Syrenia nods..."My thoughts exactly..." She moves away the door's sight and begins to chant in her arcane language before becoming invisible..."See you guys later."

Balthazar goes off after the warrior.

[DM]: Balthazar disembarks and follows the lone footprints in the snow up and over a bluff.

Jarl follows behind his shield on his back and his axe strapped to his side

[DM]: The men aboard step in front of Jarl as he appears to be trying to depart with Bal. "This is between them little one, you must stay here."

Balthazar turns around and shrugs at Jarl with a grin :"See you later, friend!"

[Jarl]: "i wish to be witness, so there not be any ambush out there. I can even leave me gear behind if you like? keeping me coat and cloves mind ye, it's cold out here"

[DM]: "You see only two have left the barge your friend an ours."

[Jarl]: gloves* "me and the captain can be a witness for each side, yes?" he looks for the captain

[DM]: Captain shrugs "I have nothing to do with this i just go up and down the river."

[Jarl]: "but how do I know this isn't a planned trap, and that there aren't others out there waiting for him?"

Borathor looks at the hill then back to Jarl, "Let it be i'm sure he'll scream if he needs us."

Jarl takes his shield in hand and looks out to where Bal had gone. as he eye's the mercs on the boat.

Balthazar swings missing the man by a few inches.

Jarl takes this time to look over the men on the deck, for any symbols, marking, or whatever that might give Jarl some idea or info

[DM]: The black knight swings back twice missing Bal both times as they slosh through the snow.

Balthazar cuts the man again deeply on his right side.

[DM]: The man stumbles from pain and misses Bal once more.

Bal swings and misses the man not able to work on the last attack.

[DM]: The man struggles in his charge swinging twice and landing one across Bals legs.

Bal returns with another massive blow sending the man down on one knee, as he gathers his strength he stands and attacks once more, missing Bal.

[DM]: The man grows red in the face as he yells out in anger striking Bal twice with his blade in a twirling attack.

Bal returns missing the man with his mighty blade.

[DM]: The man comes back in with fire in his eyes only to miss Bal once more.

Balthazar seeming growing tired fighting in his armor and massive blade amongst the snow drifts as he misses the man once more.

[DM]: The knight takes advantage of Bals mis-steps and lands one of two tags upon him once more.

Balthazar grins at Jacob and concentrates. A blue flash runs through him...

[DM]: The man smiles as he comes in for the attack and misses Bal.

[DM]: Two hits ring out as Bal hits the man in the upper left shoulder and him hitting the ground. Blood pours from under his helm and turns the muddy snow next to them red.

Syrenia 's foot prints land next to Balthazar and the corpse..."So...Start searching him."

[Balthazar]: "Be quiet, if someone hears you the duel could be null" looks over the man, keeping his distance nonetheless :"Well, you fought well, Jacob of Mulmaster."

Syrenia gets back on her broom..."Heh...no one should be here from his side either or the duel would be null..."

Balthazar takes the man's sword and pack, not comfortable taking the clothes and armor off a dead man. "Just need proof of victory.."

[DM]: SOme time later Bal returns over the bluff carrying the other mans pack and sword.

[Syrenia]: "Hand out the pack and keep the sword for proof...might aswell keep the pack if they want his stuff back."

[Balthazar]: "No, I could take everything, I chose not to. You can, though."

[Syrenia]: "No problem with that." Stuff begins to disapear from the body.

[Balthazar]: "See you on the ship then. Or hear, anyhow."

[Syrenia]: "Yup...hurry up before those effect dissapates..."

Balthazar heads back to the docks and the barge.

[DM]: Bal returns to the barge with the mans pack and sword when the two cohorts approach him. "Here guess we are out of a job now." Handing him some sort of banner.

Jarl watches from the deck, one hand on his amulet. he looks at the others on deck from time to time to see their locations as well

Balthazar looks at the man :"What's this?" takes a look at the banner... waits for the man to respond.

Jarl smiles seeing Bal's return "tis a start"

[DM]: The man hands it over and leaves back to the barge, Looking at the banner you see a moon setting over a lions head.

Jarl looks to the banner "hey, what's that a symbol of?"

[DM]: Now that Bal is aboard the captain starts yelling to the crew as they push off and with a jerking of the barge you are once again under way.

Syrenia walks out of the cabin and asks the captain..."How long till we reach Bloodstone?"

[DM]: "4 Days lass. weather and the like permitting."

Jarl mends Bal's wounds "let me see them lad"

Borathor shakes his head, "he may of just killed their leader so lets not provke the rest of them and stay in the cabin until they get off. Or we kill the lot of them, your choice?"

Syrenia goes back in the cabin..."Last one in places the door."

[Balthazar]: "Yes, I thought it would be best to let tensions go down a little. Look at this banner, Borathor, does it remind you of anything?" heads for the cabin...

Borathor listens to Syrenia and slips back into the cabin before the others.

[Jarl]: once in the cabin work more on Bal's wounds

Borathor laughs as he gets into a hammock, "Ha Jarl fix the door again."

Syrenia sits on a hammock..."Hey Balthazar...let's check what he had."

[Jarl]: "the banner isn't of any religion I know of, maybe a surface city?" "Bor maybe you can just stand in front of the door and block it for us"

Balthazar nods and puts the pack and sword in the middle of the cabin, after placing the door.

Syrenia glances at the door still on the floor and sighs..."Fine I'll do it." She gets up and places the door back in place. gets back to her hammock and takes out the man's clothes, checking them for hidden compartments.

Borathor shakes his head, the banner has no meaning to me."

[DM]: Searching the gear you find it is basic gear with some days of fresh rations, and about 300 gold in various coins.

[Balthazar]: "Alright then.. I'll keep it on me, though well hidden."

[Jarl]: "maybe Syr can use her mirror to listen in on the others? hear place all the items you found in one place and I will see if they are magical or not"

Syrenia takes out the mirror..."Sure...I'll listen in on the cohorts." She closes her eyes and concentrates.

Balthazar gathers what syrenia took and places it with the pack and sword, in a small pile.

[Jarl]: once all the items are set on the floor Jarl will move his hand over the items and see what turns up "Moradin, father, show me what i wish to see the sword and the shield" grumbles "does no one use a hammer anymore?"

Syrenia looks up from the mirror and puts it away..."The man is sleeping...Now let me see the shield and sword." She kneels in front of the two and begins to chant while holding a pearl. As the spell progresses, the pearl turns to dust and Syrenia let's the pearl dust fall on the sword and shield.

Borathor snickers as he takes out his wine, "No worries little one the armor is at least worth 100 or 2 in a shop."

[Balthazar]: "Is there no magic that can give us the history or meaning of this banner?"

Syrenia scratches her head..."I'm not sure." shrugs..."But I don,t have any that could..."

Bor laughs, "That means yes she just doesn't have it."

[Jarl]: "why don't ye just walk out there and ask the one that gave it to you?"

Syrenia turns to Jarl..."He's sleeping." picks up the sword and shield..."They've only got a small enchantment on them."

[Balthazar]: "I did ask, they didn't want to talk. They all lost their livelyhood, you know, so they probably won't want to help."

Syrenia shakes her head..."4 days I can't believe it..."

[Jarl]: "walking through the snow would be much longer and harder"

Syrenia rocks back and forth on her hammock..."You know...maybe we should leave this barge. The soldiers might not do anything but the man might have friends where we're going."

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps we could leave on the 3rd day's night then. The best of both options."

Jarl takes first watch, waking Toll for second in 2 hours "matters not, fate is what it will be. the barge is the best way we have right now"

Syrenia shrugs..."We'll see." She leans down on her hammock and goes to sleep.

[DM]: You get a few hours sleep before your awake again as the barge has once again stopped during the night.

Jarl sits up and listens

[DM]: Listening to whats going on you hear the muffled chatter of folks and the clanking of metal.

Jarl took the two hours during the first watch to pray and continues on till it is finished

[DM]: It lasts only a few minutes then all grows silent once more. Before to long the barge is moving once more. Time passes as Jarl finishes his prayers and you grow tired from the long cold nights.