[Thu Nov 21 20:18:26 EST 2002]

[DM]: Traveling along the river on the barge over the past week the weather as managed to hold out, and all has been quiet since Bal's little encounter along the way. Whe a knock at your broken down cabin door rings out within your cabin.

Balthazar gets up and waits for whoever it is to show themselves.

[DM]: With no response the banging gets louder as the door falls into the cabin upon the floor splintering into several large pieces. Standing at the door is the captain as he stares at the door upon the floor shaking his head. "We will be in Bloodstone shortly."

Jarl looks up from reading his book

Balthazar nods "Alright. Thank you Captain."

[Jarl]: "yes! what ye be needin?"

Syrenia grins as the door breaks down under the captain's knocking and nods.

[DM]: With in the hour the small barge pulls up to the crude docks of Bloodstone just inside a massive stone wall of the town. Peering out on to the town you see it is nothing more then a large snow covered shanty town. The docks though small seem to buslte with workers loading and unloading barges upon the river.

Syrenia begins to pack her things..."Well it's about time...it's boring on this barge." leaves the cabin and stretches as she watches the town..."Miner's town..." She shrugs.

Jarl gets his belongings and walks out onto the deck and looks to the town "so this is it? hmm."

Balthazar grabs his things and exits the cabin, to wait for docking.

Syrenia smiles..."Can't expect much. Come on...let's see what kind of shop this place has." She jumps off the barge and waits on the dock.

[DM]: By the time you all gather your belongings and finish and cleaning up your mess the barge has made dock, as you feel the familier banging sound of the barge hitting land.

Balthazar gets off.. :"I'm not going to miss that barge, heh."

Jarl follows once the barge has stopped "lets also keep an eye out for the local court house or main hall. I'm thinking they might have something out for that tower"

Syrenia smiles..."Who knows...we might have to take it again...won't that be fun!"

Balthazar returns a grin :"Maybe we should walk next time."

Syrenia pats the dwarf on the shoulder..."Let's relax today...we earned a break from doing nothing..."

[DM]: making your way back onto dry land, you begin your strole through town, a few shops line the docks but nothing that stands out for your needs, except the Old Miner Tavern. In which you see Borathor's eyes light up.

Borathor nods, "Yes i agree with Bal lets go to the Tavern."

[Balthazar]: "I didn't say anything about a Tavern. I suppose it's a good idea though."

Jarl shruggs and follows "a good drink always"

Borathor smiles, "You said relax and only one way to do that. "

Syrenia glances at the town..."Doubt it will have anything good thought..."

[Balthazar]: "Most likely only a few drinking pits."

Jarl waddles into the tavern and looks about, wiping his beard with his hand

Syrenia smiles..."Well let's find out." as she heads for the door of the tavern.

[DM]: You make your way in to the small tavern, once inside you see it is a cude rustic looking dwelling with a warm fire buring in the corner. Looking about you see only 10 other locals inside including the keep who is currently wiping down the bar.

Borathor makes his way to the bar, "Hey keep a round for me and my friends."

Jarl walks up to the bar and has a seat "greeting to ye"

Azaer looks up from his ale and grins as the group enter the tavern, he immediately stands and brushes the crumbs of food off of his hands and cloak and makes his way towards you.

Balthazar takes a seat with the others..

Syrenia sits down and leans back on her chair..."Ahh I've missed chairs..."

[Jarl]: "I didn't catch the name of this fine place on the way in?" he looks to the keep

[DM]: Getting seated you see the barkeep has placed you up with four ales. Before he can turn away Borathor drinks down his ale and orders another.

Azaer says to the group as they sit together, "Greetings travellers, you look like you could all use ales! Allow me, I know the locals." with that he orders a round of ales for all of you.

[DM]: The keep fills Borathor another ale, "This be my place the Old Miner."

Syrenia shows the newcomer her ale..."Seems we're already covered..."

Borathor looks down at the small voice. "Man this is some good ale i thought i just seen Bilgrom."

Azaer says, "Yes so I see, they never move this fast. It must be that they don't see many newcomers. Welcome to Bloodstone, my home."

Syrenia sighs..."Or Simon...we've never been lucky with Halflings..."

[Balthazar]: "Greetings then. My name is Balthazar. "

[Jarl]: "sounds good" as he almost falls from his chair when Bor states he just saw Bilgrom "what in the nine? Blasted ranger, cut that out"

[Borathor]: "Simon Peddlefoot i remember him, funny like guy he was."

Azaer looks curiously at the group. "I however am no ordinary halfling! I am a master locksmith! Have you by chance need of a good one in your journeys? I am in look of work as of late."

[Jarl]: "well, he does look a bit like old Bilgrom, rest his little soul. I'm Jarl, please to meet ye" he takes a drink

Syrenia raises an eyebrow..."Heh...locksmith...isn't that a fancy name for a thief?"

Borathor shakes his head, "What? Well he does." Turning to the halfling Borathor nods again, "Sure you can buy me an ale any good local wines?"

Azaer makes a deep bow, "I am Azaer Ael-Koth, son of Trallo Ael-Koth, previous owner of a fine shop here in Bloodstone. And yes, believe it or not the food and drink is very good here, considering the surroundings."

Borathor laughs, 'See he is more like Bilgrom then you think." grasping his mug and drinking down his ale.

Jarl takes another drink "so Mr Azaer, what can you tell us about this fair mining town?"

[Azaer]: 'Well, lets see. The town mines pretty much. Its a way station for travellers, as the docks bring people here."

Syrenia takes a sip of her ale and asks..."Who's in charge here?"

[Azaer]: 'It used to be larger than it is, but hard times kinda ran it down a bit as you can see."

But nothing much happens this way wit out the wars.

[Jarl]: "what kind of hard times?"

[Azaer]: "Since the blood wars this town has opened up more to strangers lately. Its trying to get with the times but not much happens outside of the wars.

[Balthazar]: "Bloodwars?"

[Azaer]: 'Mines aren't producing as much as they should, not alot of outsider coin coming through."

[Jarl]: "what's stopping the production? Lack of ore or something else?"

[Azaer]: 'Lack of ore pretty much, plus we lose alot of workers because of to much danger in the mountains"

[Balthazar]: "Seems like a complex situation."

[Azaer]: 'As far as the Bloodwars, thats what the locals call it. Some old locals try to take others lands and some defend them, its a constant thing around here.

[Jarl]: "what kind of danger and who owns the mines?"

[Azaer]: 'Might I take a seat?

Borathor snickers, "thats an easy way to mine let them do it and take it from them."

Jarl frowns "just like something the black skin elves would do. take a seat lad"

Syrenia shakes her head and looks hard at Jarl..."They aren't elves...they're drow."

[Azaer]: 'Thats pretty much the way it is. Locals fighting and whatnot. I am not even sure what dangers are in the mountains. I have been adventuring only for a while, but usually nothing outlandish." he says as he takes a seat and orders another ale.

[Jarl]: "they all came from the same start..they be elves you can call them what ye like. They aren't like the surface elves I know, but they are elves"

[DM]: Sitting back talking with the your new little friend the keep brings you all another round.

[Balthazar]: "Things don't have to be outlandish to be dangerous, not that that matters much to me."

[Jarl]: "so, here something for you to think on.. who rules or runs the city, what kind of laws here, and churches or merchants of note? anything that might interest adventuring types?"

Syrenia grinds her teeth..."Don't associate elves with drow..."

[Azaer]: "That would be Garth Dragonsbane, he is the baron of this town."

[Jarl]: "how does this Baron rule his town?"

[Azaer]: "He is a good man, kind of a town mayor really. The locals just call him baron.

[Jarl]: "any churches or merchants worth noting, in the town?"

[Azaer]: 'Really there isn't much to do around here as far as adventuring. kill monsters in the mountains, clear the mines, find the citadel of Asassins, things of that nature. Local stuff. That would be the church up the street. Church of Dionysus.

Balthazar chuckles

[Azaer]: "Its the only one in town.

Syrenia winces..."I haven't been in a church to Tymora for a while now..."

[Balthazar]: "Is there a citadel of assassins in every town around here?"

[Azaer]: 'As far as shops, they are full in the summer, but at this time of year, they are only partially full. They should have some decent equipment though. "No no". chuckles.

[Syrenia]: "Any jewelers?"

[Jarl]: "hmm. what is Baron Dragonsbane's view on the assassins?"

[Azaer]: 'Its in the mountains, supposedly anyway. Noone knows, its what people are looking for.

Syrenia raises an eyebrow and whispers to Balthazar...

[Azaer]: "I never asked the baron really, but many grand thieves have been in and out of town. People noone wants to mess with basically.

[Jarl]: "does the baron hold any warents or deeds for clearing his mines or dealing with the assassins, or even clearn some of the mountains of monsters?"

Syrenia chuckles and shakes her head..."Money money money..."

[Azaer]: 'nothing sponsered by the baron, mostly mining guilds.

[Jarl]: "money..some fame some, help or aid also some. It's all somewhat political"

Syrenia nods to Balt.

[Azaer]: "as all things are political. Even in small shanty towns like this. chuckles.

[Jarl]: "so anything strange going on around or about the town?"

[Azaer]: 'not really, except for the asassins every once in awhile moving in and out towards the mountains.

[Balthazar]: "What do they come to do in town? Seems like most folk here aren't the caliber to attract that sort of attention."

[Jarl]: "what role do these assassins play in and around the city?"

Borathor snickers, "Man Jarl should of work for the town guard, he likes questions."

Syrenia leans back and looks at the other patrons.

[Azaer]: 'The old wars have brought many types of folks, like them especially. Passing through, causing trouble sometimes, other times just moving into the mountains."

[Jarl]: "i like to know what's going on, instead of just walking blindly into the night, so what to do next?"

Balthazar finishes his ale : "A smart way to do things."

[Jarl]: "any sages in this town, by chance?"

Borathor nods, "Why dont you ask him the direction these thieves like to go into the mtns by."

[Azaer]: 'All I know about the citidel really is folks ahve gone to find it and not a one has returned. Other than a song that floats about town."

Syrenia grins..."Maybe they liked it and stayed there..."

Azaer sings a ditty, "A series of rooms, built in gloom, with wedges and cracks, to hide all the trap's" The town would probably pay handsomely if the citadel is found.

[Jarl]: "go ahead..I know you want to..tell the song"

[Azaer]: 'As far as sages in town there is Quillion the Sage, up the street, an old Human." drinks down his ale, "Anyone for another?"

[Balthazar]: "No thanks, I think I've had enough for now."

Azaer nods.

Borathor drinks down his ale, "keep i'll have another." Turning back to Jarl, who cares about the citadel, we have to find Ice Water peak or falls. For the stone."

[Borathor]: "I mean unless they wear rings with rams on them why have more assassians after us?"

[Jarl]: "I think we need to see if or who might be interested in information on the citadel. Azaer is there any good scouts or mappers of this area? We are also looking for this peak that Borathor speaks of. Syr, that sage might be a good start on finding some information you seak on the ram and queen, as with other things I'm sure"

Syrenia nods..."But this place looks a bit caught off from the world..."

[Azaer]: 'Hrmm you might be right in asking the sage.

Jarl smiles "aren't most good mages?"

[Azaer]: 'I am not certain if he is a mage or not, I just know that the locals go to him with thier problems.

Syrenia shrugs...

[Jarl]: "Azaer, is there a common place in this town that one might go to find information on hirings and such? Like what you talked about with the mining companies."

[Azaer]: 'Just the miners guild really. They don't have many town meetings or nothing, the Guilds would be where to ask.

Jarl looks about "what ye all want to do? I'm not going to just head out into the cold without a good plan first"

Syrenia shrugs..."Talk to the sage I guess..."

Balthazar nods

[Jarl]: "good, you can handle that right? I think old Bor will be good to find us a good map. "

[Balthazar]: "As soon as he finishes drinking."

Syrenia shrugs..."Should we go now?"

Borathor sets his drink down, "First things first where can we get a room in this town?"

[Azaer]: 'Well, before you all head out, are you looking for a good locksmith perhaps? I noticed you don't seem to have one with you. I am good with traps as well, and I gather infomation and have many uses. I could use the money to pay back the preists for my healing"

[Balthazar]: "Healing? Well, I have to say, as much as I don't like "locksmiths" I think we'll need one soon. So I do no object."

Syrenia looks to the others..."Well what do you guys think? I can't pick locks anymore...I'm concentrating on my Art."

Borathor laughs, "Well if nothing else we need a guide, that way Jarl wont get lost in the snow."

[Jarl]: "yes, traps would be a good thing. unless someone else wants to lead through where we will be going?"

Azaer grins broadly, "That is great! I am your halfling! As far as the healing, yes, thats what these scars and burn marks on my face are from. One trap too many I guess. It was the first to ever get me and I pray the last." Azaer smiles.

Syrenia nods..."Well...off to the sage." She gets up and and turns to Bor..."Are you coming or staying here?"

Balthazar chuckles and gets up, shouldering his pack.

[Borathor]: "I'll be at the inn i want some rest before i do much of anything, sleeping on that barge just didnt work."

[Jarl]: "good deal then. Azaer might you lead me over to the temple some time tomorrow and if you would look into the mining guilds to see what's out there as fare as we are concerned. Azaer do you have a place in the town to stay?"

[Azaer]: "Certainly I can lead you to the temple and the guilds any time you wish. Unfortunately I only have a small hafling abode, possibly the dwarf could get comfortable but not the rest of you certainly.

[Jarl]: "I would like to talk that minor shield we have over to the temple if no one minds and donate it to the dwarven father for all his help"

[Azaer]: *halfling too.

Syrenia hums to herself..."Hmm...why?"

[Jarl]: "well if everyone wishes to continue to be healed and feed, a donation to Moradin will be required, you know this" he smiles

Balthazar shrugs :"Sounds alright to me."

Borathor shrugs i could careless either way i dont use the things.

[Jarl]: "Azaer, I would need you to put me in contact with a priest that would let me spend some time in the temple. While i deal with some of that, you could go about and gather information from the guilds as you know them better then we would."

[Azaer]: 'Certainly. What information do you wish me to gather exactly? Azaer stands up. "The church of Dionysus is the only church around. Its three buildings north of here, you can't miss it, unless you wish me to take you there."

[Syrenia]: "Troubles in the mines, what they thing is causing it...how much they'll pay...stuff like that."

Azaer nods to Syrenia.

[Jarl]: "just see what they have for jobs and stuff like that. normal things that would interest adventures. also if any of them have a need for shipping across the dragon reach, that would be something I could deal with later, well then a nice day at an inn and we can start work first thing in the morning?"

Borathor looks to the keep, "You have any rooms for rent here?"

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps that would be wiser."

[DM]: The keep nods and points down the street, "We sell drinks here not beds. Speaking of you owe me 5 silver for the drinks."

Azaer nods, "That would give me time to get my gear together also. 'I will get it.

Borathor sighs, and tosses the man a gold, "Don't choke on it."

Azaer chuckles. "Ok he will". Azaer grins.

[Jarl]: "Azaer, i would still like you to lead me over to the temple. Some things can wait till later, I wouldn't ask my lord and father to wait for simple things like me being a little tired"

Azaer nods to Jarl, "Of course."

Syrenia heads for the door..."We'll be at the Inn."

[Jarl]: "so then we ready to head to the inn and then we can depart from there as we need to"

[Azaer]: 'Althought, it might be best to hold off good dwarf. There is a dwarven hold in the mountains a few days away. You might be better off there.

Azaer nods to Jarl.

Syrenia opens the door..."That'll work."

Balthazar goes outside..

[Azaer]: 'I will get the info from the Guilds. And meet you in the Inn in the morning."

Jarl falls "aye, that will do nicely."

[Balthazar]: "Alright."

Azaer walks out the door.

Syrenia heads down the street for the inn.

[Jarl]: "ye knows what clan or hold?"

[DM]: Making your way outside and down the road you come to the Ridge inn, a medium two story building of stone and wood.

[Azaer]: 'I believe it is the Clan of Orothair.

[DM]: Making your way into the inn Borathor goes up to the desk. To get you all a room, after a brief talk and the clanking of some gold pieces, he returns with a key. "We are upstairs on the left."

Jarl nods "good, I think I have heard of them before. they are very skilled in mining"

Syrenia nods to Bor..."Thanks." She heads upstair to the room.

[Jarl]: "okay. time for a real meal and a bath" he also heads up stairs"

Balthazar nods in thanks, and goes to the innkeeper :"Excuse me sir, but is there someplace where I could take a bath, or a basin at least?"

[DM]: "There are wash basin in the room sir, if you need more water use the rope at the end of the hallway."

Borathor makes his way up to the room and grabs himself a bed.

Balthazar nods:"Thank you." and goes up to clean himself, then all his clothes except his current set, until all his things are clean, only going to bed when done.

Syrenia lies on her bed until sleep claims her.

[Jarl]: Jarl will get cleaned up and put on a fresh set of choths try to have the other set cleaned get something to eat or create something to eat and just rest the day away. read some and pray at the end of the day

[DM]: Spending a restful night in the inn you wake to a warm room, with no broken doors or howling winds. No one has knocked upon the door, nor have you heard the inn keeper coming round to get folks up and out. Looking out the small glass pained window you see the snow has stop and the sun is barely peaking over the mountain range. The strrets are clear of townsfolk, or at least from your view of another building only a few feet away.

Syrenia yawns as she gets off her bed..."Hey...Bor...you paid for how many days?"

Bor snores in his bed every now and then grunting in his sleep and scratching his back side.

Jarl gets up and dressed, butting on his winter gear from what the queen gave them and heads down to the main hall.

Azaer arrives at the inn and waits downstairs, his gear all stowed and ready.

[DM]: Heading down into the main hall you see a small table with some fresh fruit upon it and some milk of sorts.

Balthazar comes down and takes a few pieces of fruit, and some of the milk.

Jarl will eat some breakfast if any is to be had before leaving the inn and waiting on Bor to come down

Azaer grabs a piece of fruit and nods to everyone. "Good morning, I have some information from the guilds"

Syrenia heads downstairs and sits down at the table, eating some fruit..."Is it just me or is this strange to have fruit in this little mining village?"

[Azaer]: 'First the mines are simply having problems because they are running into monster tunnels. They will pay prices for monsters heads, from 2 gold for goblins, to 50 to 100 for giants and whatever else is there.

[Balthazar]: "Giants in mine tunnels?"

[Azaer]: "aye thats what he said. Perhaps caverns down there.

Syrenia scratches her head..."How are we supposed to carry those heads?"

[Azaer]: 'And the only other thing he offered was for information on the local bandit army that they have been having problems with. Find out information on them. takes a bite of his apple. "I dunno."

[Jarl]: "giants in mines, don't be mixing. we could stack the heads someplace in the mine if we had to, I say we deal with what we came here for first them maybe take on the other tasks later or note things if we come across them"

Syrenia smiles..."Could be fun to go giant huntin'." shakes her head..."When we get the stone we leave..."

[Balthazar]: "Good point. We'll have to get moving right away."

[Jarl]: "giants in a mine would be like hunting ducks in a frozen pond. doesn't make sense"

[Borathor]: "Finally one who knows what he is saying." Turning you see Borathor making his way towards you trying oto mat down his hair that seems to want to point in every direction of the stars.

Syrenia looks at him..."What? How many of your friends got killed by giants in those mountains."

[Jarl]: "about four of them, they took a good part of our group. but they where in the mountains throwning down on them"

Borathor yawns "Not in the mines, the miners might have hit their lairs. Dwarves dont care they cut through everything if gold or jewels are involved."

[Jarl]: "not anything lad..we ant like a ranger and his forest"

Syrenia sighs..."Well let's see what the sage has to say first...is everyone ready?"

Balthazar nods

[Azaer]: "sounds like a plan to me. Giants are not my cup of tea if I can avoid them." Azaer says with a sheepish grin.

Borathor looks at his fingers, "Three that i know of Zakren was flattened and the other two stood under a rain of boulders."

[Jarl]: "sure lets be going. Azaer, how many guilds of some power are there in this town?"

[Azaer]: "Just the main miners guild.

Syrenia gets up..."Lead the way to the sage, Azaer."

[Azaer]: nods

[Jarl]: "okay so there's only one miners guild. I might find some interest in them at a later time. They have to ship their ore you know"

Balthazar chuckles :"Let's hope you'll be alive to enjoy the profits in your old age."

[Syrenia]: "But I doubt you could get the boat up here...it's not for nothing that they use barges..."

Azaer stands and moves the group down the street towards the Sage.

[Jarl]: "If i can't use the profits then me kin can. Yes a boat can't get here but they have to get there ore into the main lands some way and ship is the best way across the reach other then magic."

[DM]: You make your way down the road to just outside the town were just down the road you see a lone tower.

[Azaer]: 'This is it, the tower here. I don't know him just know the way.

Syrenia nods..."That's all we needed..." She moves up to the tower's door and knocks.

Jarl looks up at the top of the tower remembering the last mage's home he visited. what seems so long ago now "hmm"

[DM]: Banging on the door you wait a few mintues before the door slowly squeaks open. Behind it stands an old human male with a balding white mane. Though clean shaven his face is filled with wrinkles of time. "Yes, can i help you?"

Syrenia smiles..."Hi...we've come seeking information about the area and maybe a few other things."

[Balthazar]: "Hello sir, we've been told of your wisdom, and we would be honored if you could answer a few questions about the region."

Jarl smiles and watches. nods a hello to the old man

Syrenia nods and points to Balt..."What he said."

[DM]: 'Hmm, that may depend on what it is you wish to know." The old man steps to the right and opens the door for you to enter. Stepping in you see a spiral staircase to your right. Off to your left is a large round table with about 8 chairs around it. "Please come in and be seated."

Balthazar nods and comes in.

Azaer goes in and has a seat, nodding to the man.

Jarl followes scanning the place as he walks towards the chair.

[DM]: "So what is it i can help you with." Sitting down in a plush chair.

Jarl takes a seat and waits for Syr or Bal to continue

Balthazar looks at Syrenia, obviously he's forgotten what they want to know.

Syrenia grins at Balthazar..."We've come here seeking the Citadel of Assassin's...we know it hasn't been found yet but we were hoping you could have some clues or insights that might help us discover it' location."

Azaer chuckles.

Jarl almost falls from his chair in disbelief

[DM]: "Ah the citadel yes, yes well that has been found in the mountains, its the new one they are looking for now."

[DM]: "But what buisness would you have there?"

Syrenia smiles..."We might have some of them after us or some other group and they could have answers."

Borathor shakes his head, "Forget the assassians, do you know where the ice peak is or falls or both?"

Syrenia shrugs..."If we're here...might aswell see if it's them..."

[DM]: The old man sits back in his chair, "Well when you figure out what it is you are looking for you just let me know and maybe i can help."

Jarl rubs his chin thinking the ranger must be out of wine, for his line of questions aren't on pants this time

Balthazar clears his throat.

[Azaer]: "You will have to tell me about these assassins after you some day." Azaer says chuckling.

[Balthazar]: "Sir, I think we can let them brainstorm, but I do have one question that was mentionned earlier. Do you know of an "Ice Peak" or anything of the sort, in the area?"

[DM]: Nodding, "Yes the Ice Peak is the large mountain that looms over most of the Bloodstone mines."

Borathor snickers at the halflings comment, "Heh they after you do now" mumbling to himself.

[Balthazar]: "Would there be a waterfall on the mountain? Or something that could be called that?"

[Jarl]: "we are looking for information on a few things good sir. First on the location of a place called ice peak or ice water peak. Second information on a guild that wears this ring. Show him the ring if you would Syr"

Syrenia ruffles through her gear and takes out the ram ring to offers it to the sage.

[DM]: "Hmm yes there could be falls there, most falls in these parts are from melting ice from the top of the peaks." Leaning over taking the ring from Syrenia.

Syrenia grins..."We really have to mention that before we add people to the group."

[DM]: "Its a rams head. Made with some cheap looking gold if you ask me. What guild uses such a ring?"

[Syrenia]: "An Assassin's guild..."

[Jarl]: "also if you happen to have any knowledge on the lady...what was her name again Syr? you know the one you and Bor have been talking about, lives in waterdeep"

Borathor laughs "Well you did it Jarl we are now political, we must add a clause to our group."

Syrenia shakes her head at Jarl..."Naw that we know more than most."

[Jarl]: "see, I knew you could take a ranger out of the backwoods. even if you didn't think so or want to" winks at Bor

[DM]: "Hmm well if they are they don't work out of this area, the assassians in these parts leave blood notes. Course if it is my understanding they wouldn't work in an area with another guild, but thats not to say they wouldn't just look at their lifestyles."

[Azaer]: "Blood notes?

[DM]: "Marks they leave behind in the victims blood, bloodnotes."

Syrenia nods..."But they should know what other assassin guilds there are out there."

[Balthazar]: "I suppose they'd know the competition."

[DM]: "I'm sure they keep track of their rivals but i would think there are to many to know them all."

Syrenia nods to Balthazar..."It's our chance to figure something about them."

Jarl looks to the old man "what is your field of specialty, and do you have any idea of who might have knowledge of this guild thet wears the ram ring, other then that guild itself?"

[DM]: "My knowlage is based here in bloodstone on lore, legends, flora, and history. There is enough time to study the realm only parts of it."

Jarl sits back and lets the others talk. Wondering whom might be able to make an exact map of the mountains so we don't have to track for weeks looking for the right spot.

[Syrenia]: "Sooo....the Icepeak...where is it exactly?"

[DM]: "As i said it is the large mountain that looms over the Bloodstone mines to the north east of town. What is it you seek from this mountain, if you don't mind me asking?"

Jarl looks over at Azaer

[Balthazar]: "It's part of a riddle. I'm sure you get lots of those... We don't know what there is there."

[DM]: "Well i can tell you there are a bunch of old mines and caves there. But i'm sure you knew that already." Growing a smirk upon his wrinkled face.

Jarl shakes his head no

[Balthazar]: "You said the old Citadel had been found. What's in there now? Surely the assassins have left?"

[Azaer]: "I can lead the way to the mines yes, Sorry about that, was tring to ensure I knew where they were.

[DM]: "Oh yes it is in ruins now, not sure what resides there at the time, but the assassians have moved on and built another one thats reported to be more fortified then the last one with many of deadly traps. Guess thats why most who go in search of them never come back. Be it wondering creatures, nature, or the assassians themselves."

Balthazar nods looks at the others to see if they're done.

[Syrenia]: "Seems we're set..."

[Jarl]: "any other helpful information you might have for lost souls exploring into the mountain areas?"

[DM]: "Well if its the assassians you seek with such a small band you might be the next in the list of folks who didn't come back. But surely you are wiser then that."

Jarl nods yes to that

Borathor snickers "of course we'll kill them one at a time if we have to." Smiling as he sits back watching the others.

Syrenia shakes her head..."Naw...if they're all together at the same time...it'll be easy." She smiles.

[Jarl]: "well then I'm thinking we are ready to move on?"

Balthazar grunts to himself. "Yes, I am, anyhow."

Syrenia nods.

Azaer looks at his new partners as if they were a bit crazy.

Borathor nods, He locks them up, she blows them up, i chop them up, and he cures us up." Smiling to the dwarf.

Jarl rolls his eyes

Borathor shrugs, "What?"

Syrenia smiles..."Well it works more than half the time...so it's good enough."

Balthazar gets up :"Well, I think we're done, sir. Thank you for your time. How much do we owe you for having shared your wisdom?"

Jarl stands up as well, but waits for the others to start leaving

Azaer gets up and moves towards the door.

[DM]: "Hmm very well, that will be 10 gold sirs and Lady."

Azaer pays up. "Since it is my town and all."

[Jarl]: "Sir would you have means of finding out more about the guild that wears the ram ring and if so how much would it cost ?"

Balthazar whispers to Jarl :"Odds are he's asked about them every week.. there probably isn't any more to know.."

[DM]: "I could maybe look through a few old tomes and notes for any possible symbols, but i can't promise anything about it. If i come up with anything we can talk price then."

Syrenia puts the ring away in her pack.

Jarl nods as the others leave "I will catch up with you, where ye heading next?"

Syrenia shrugs..."The mines..."

[Jarl]: "getting any cold weather gear?"

Syrenia shrugs..."I guess we could...where are you going?"

[Jarl]: "I just have a question or two for the sage that doesn't need to bother everyone with"

Syrenia grins..."Ohh...ok."

[Balthazar]: "Privately eh? Alright.." Balthazar exits..

[Azaer]: 'We will have to stop over on the way town of Virdin its where most supply themselves for the ventures into the mines or around them. ITs 15 or 20 miles NE or 1 days travel.

Syrenia leaves with the others..."So Azaer...is there a general store in town?"

Azaer smiles.

[Jarl]: "aye, dwarf related, ye wouldn't even want to be bord with"

[Azaer]: "What do you all think of a pack mule? THink it would be a good idea to carry the tents and cold weather items since they will be bulkier?

Syrenia hums to herself..."We don't need tents...we'll be in the mines for a while i wager."

Azaer nods. 'As far as stores directly in town we don't have much. Probably best to wait till we get to Virdin.

Borathor looks at Syrenia, "Sure guess you would be you can just dissappear or fly away."

[Balthazar]: "We'll need good bedrools however. It's not very warm even in mines, until you're very deep in them."

Syrenia nods to Balthazar..."We can get that in Virdin. So all we need is the dwarf and we're set."

[Balthazar]: "Agreed. We should get any business here in town done quickly, not that I have any."

[Jarl]: "okay, how fare is it to the mines and how fare to the dwarven hold?" huffing and puffing as he catches up with you

[Azaer]: "its 1 days march to Virdin. Around 20 miles.

[Jarl]: "what I'm thinking is the Orothair Clan might know an underground way to the master thieves hideout that keeps us underground and out of the cold"

[Balthazar]: "That's not a bad idea, Jarl. If it's reasonably near the area, though."

Syrenia shrugs and nods.

[Jarl]: "is this Virdin on the way to the dwarven hold?"

[Azaer]: 'No but most of the dwarves mine the mines. They would know in Virdin. Or at the mines."

[Jarl]: "okay. then" as he places his winter clock's hood over his head "we could use some snow shoe things"

[Azaer]: "I think we will get to Virdin before we hit the mountains and too much snnow. All the equipment we can get there.

[Jarl]: "there is a road leading to this place, yes? "

[Azaer]: 'Yes, almost all of the way.

[Jarl]: "okay then, everyone ready to go?"

Syrenia nods.

Azaer pulls his thick winter coat over his leather armor and ensures it is tight. He stays barefoot however, wiggling his toes to get the blood flowing. 'Ready!

[DM]: You travel through out the day to where the sun is beginning to set behind the western peaks. Some bit ahead of you, you can see streams of smoke rising up from the landscape.

[Jarl]: "I hope we are getting close?"

[Azaer]: 'Yes it should be just ahead.

Balthazar walks on, with a cloak over his not so warm clothing.

Syrenia looks down to the halfling..."And how far are the mines from there?"

[Azaer]: 'Right where that smoke is coming from.

[DM]: Continuing on over a hill and a bluff or two you see the small quiet village of Virdin, the smoke rising from the ground billows from chimmeys all across the village.

Azaer looks up to Syrenia, "around half a day from there."

Syrenia nods as she watches the town..."Is there an Inn in Virdin?"

[Jarl]: "just in time to get gear before the shops close and find a warm inn for the night. anything good in this village?"

[Azaer]: 'I think its a pretty bleak place compared to where we just left. Its a small wayside for equipping for the mines. "I don't know much about it really, I rarely come here. I just know where its at.

Jarl nods "well lets go and see then"

[DM]: Making your way down to the little village you make your way down the main street. Along the road side are about half a dozen equipment shops all closed at this hour. Up ahead you see an older looking building with a sign lit up by a hanging lantern that reads The Snoring Giant Inn. Across the road in a darkened shop you can here the clanking sound of a hammer an anvil. above the door is a sign of Orothiar weaponsmithing.

[Balthazar]: "Hmm.. looks like there might be some of your kin there, Jarl."

Jarl grins rubbing his hands "well then, might indeed.."

Syrenia glances at the shop..."Hmm...I wonder if he'll buy the plate mail we got."