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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 18, 2008 18:50:07 GMT
Ruiger pause for a moment.
"I am sure my servants can find anything not too out of the ordinary. Black clothing and various paints and soot is not difficult. Special tools and substances is, I am afraid, a little too hard to find at this time, especially with the elector's more thorough security measures. I am told he even has special recruiters of the more, er, direct sort who keeps a lookout for armed and able-bodied men that can be conscripted. He has to replace his entire army, after all. Also, I do not think there would be anything to buy in a backwater village like Oakton that can be of any help towards your goal. There will be plenty of gold later, but for now, well, I think you have more than enough."
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Post by taden on Jun 18, 2008 21:01:09 GMT
The apparent conclusion of the meeting with Master Ruiger seems to return Taden's attention to the room and those in it. Realising with an irritated expression that his pipe had burned down to ash while he had been otherwise occupied, the scholar carefully tapped out the ashes into the otherwise untouched cup before him. He then stood from his chair, as their host responds to Dirac's question, and gathered up walking stick and coat, both which he had retained possession of upon entering the home.
Glancing about a moment, as if looking for something forgotten and then shrugging indifferently, Taden walked towards the door of the room through which they had first entered. As he walked, he spoke to those who remained in the room.
"I, for one, did not realize I would be making a journey when I was invited here this evening, and so have packing to do and preparations yet to make this evening. I trust meeting you all at the north gate of the site just after sunrise will suffice? I can appreciate wanting to start earlier than that, but expect that any negotiations with the city authorities over why one might be an exception to the city's current laws will last until that time of the morning and draw a fairly inconvenient level of additional attention besides. Both are situations that I, for one, will be avoiding.
"A pleasant evening, in whatever manner that sentiment might suit each of you." With that, Taden departs.
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 18, 2008 22:11:12 GMT
Corwyn gets up from the table, nods to Master Ruiger and heads to the offered guest room to sleep.
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Hawk's Bane
Seasoned Player
Harbinger of Evil who's leaking like a drippy tap
Posts: 107
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Post by Hawk's Bane on Jun 19, 2008 9:05:21 GMT
"As will I. It's been a long evening and I wish to prepare my belongings for the journey ahead before getting some sleep. Goodnight gentlemen." Hawk's Bane bowed his head and headed for the room which was offered to him.
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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 19, 2008 17:35:23 GMT
It is a dreary morning with an overcast sky when you meet by the north gate of the city. The first farmers have come in with their carts and wagons filled with vegetables and hay. Miv, Taden's servant, is tending to the wagon and the horses and he looks with apprehension and suspicion on his master's new companions, but keeps his mouth.
As you leave the city through the gates, you are accosted by gangs of beggars, obviously Talestrian refugees who have not been admitted into the city. There is a small shanty town growing up outside the city walls. Dirac knows that the city guard periodically tries to keep the unfortunates from building up too much, and religious organisations such as the Vaderish Brethren and the Redeemers are doing their very best to help the poor. But you push your way through the vagrants, and somehow they seem to instinctively avoid the Darklanders in your group; an old man, his eyes starting to go milky white from the Takadea disease, peers at you and holds out a dirty hand to Hawk's Bane, saying "spare some pawns for a war veteran, guv?", but then he hesitates, bowing and backing away, muttering "beg yer pardon, milord."
You travel fast along the main road through the pastures and fields, passing the occasional farmstead and sometimes meeting farmers on their way to the city, who respectfully drives to the side of the road. By noon, you arrive to a market village, where a smaller road splits off and leads into the forest, to the village of Oakton. You let the horses rest for a while and have a meal yourself, before pressing on into the forest. The clouds are getting darker, and you hope to make your way to Oakton before the rain starts; the sunken road on which you travel could easily turn into a bog in a matter of hours.
As it gets dark and the first raindrops are starting to fall, the forest gives way to a clear area with a number of small fields, and in the distance you see the silhouette of a church tower. You have arrived to the village of Oakton.
The rain is pouring as you ride into the village square. It is a fairly large village, although too small to be called a town. You see a couple of boar-like pigs wandering around the square, and a few dogs looking for food in a garbage pile. To your left is the church, behind which you can see an unkempt graveyard with the tombstones standing crooked and haphazardly. To your right, opposite the church, is a two-story stone building, perhaps functioning as a town hall. And in front of you is another large stone building with shuttered windows. A sign over the door bears the picture of a falcon on a black and yellow field, under which is written, in crude letters, "The Baron's Arms" and, on a smaller sign underneath "We dont serv ogrons. No forein coins axepted!"
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 19, 2008 19:12:02 GMT
Dirac has decided to switch clothing for the journey, wearing lighter attire in armour but making up for it in a long travelling cloak. Small florishes perhaps speak of the sea, but in general it is simply a plain, serviceable coat with many pockets, which Dirac now smugly enjoys as the rain falls.
"I know the owner," says the man, the first real thing he has said all journey except to any direct questions asked. He is gesturing to the 'inviting' building infront. However, Dirac makes no real move towards the place, either waiting for a consensus from the group, or trying to figure out the lay of the land.
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Post by taden on Jun 19, 2008 23:21:20 GMT
As the group rode through the day towards Oakton, Taden spent most of the time apparently lost in thought, gazing out at the countryside. His wagon-driver Miv, though apparently unused to the company traveling with them, seemed unconcerned by Taden’s silence during the journey. The man did not even inquire as to where they might be headed.
When the group arrived in the village, however, Taden began to pay more attention to both his surroundings and his fellow travelers. As they road into the square, the scholar gazed through the rain dripping from his wide-brimmed hat at the buildings that greeted them. After finishing a look around, Taden spoke to his wagon driver. “Miv, see to the wagon and our three horses here while I…we, I guess, see what lodgings may be available.”
Turning to Dirac as he spoke up about ‘The Baron’s Arms’. “Is it the sort of place a merchant, a pilgrim met along the way, and three guards hired for the journey might find simple lodging for a night’s respite from this grim weather while traveling to,” Taden placed very deliberate emphasis on the word 'to'. “Vanamor?”
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 20, 2008 0:06:53 GMT
"And which role am I to be playing?" asks Corwyn dryly. He is wearing a common grey travelling cloak over his Helrobe, in a dual attempt to keep dry and not draw attention.
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Hawk's Bane
Seasoned Player
Harbinger of Evil who's leaking like a drippy tap
Posts: 107
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Post by Hawk's Bane on Jun 20, 2008 6:02:54 GMT
"This place would have to suffice. The less we stay out in the open, the less chance we have of being spotted. If there's anyone watching." came Hawk's Bane quick reply as he looked around, trying to get a better bearing. He pulled his hood lower, as the rain drops were getting into his eyes.
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Soul Spawn
Gamer
Night Born Nad-Adez Konkor
Posts: 183
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Post by Soul Spawn on Jun 20, 2008 6:31:39 GMT
I nod in agreement at Tadens suggestion, then turn towards Dirac.
"Dirac, I believe we shall follow your lead. Lets see what this friend of yours has to offer us simple travellers."
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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 20, 2008 6:45:37 GMT
Dirac shakes his head at Taden.
"Not Vanamor, master Taden, it's the wrong direction. We're well off the main roads now. However, I remember the redeemers have a sanctuary up in the hills down the road, a couple of days further west, and from there you can get to the main road towards Nahsor. The shoni pilgrims come through here occasionally, I hear."
As you discuss what to do next, a gate opens by a side building to the inn, apparently the stable. A gangly unshaven man in long stringy hair, a pitchfork in one hand, steps out and eyes you suspiciously.
"Well, ding me billy, another bunch of fancy toffs, what eh? Blimey, ole Greaser must be makin' some fine lush these days?"
The man lets out a raspy laugh and spits out a huge gob of chewing tobacco a bit too close for comfort while he eyes your horses and the wagon.
"Lucky for ye lot, we still got room. That'll be one gen each for yer prads, and a thicker for the wagon. Elector's coins only, just as it says on the sign. Ye can get inside and talk to Greaser about the scran and the nethers." He points to main entrance to the inn, put aside his pitchforks and motions you to get the horses inside the stable.
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 20, 2008 7:00:18 GMT
Dirac nods to both the man and his companions, and gets off his horse uneasily. He seems to hold more regard for his possessions than the horse as he gives them into care, dropping enough coins to tend the group and include a tip he hopes.
"Does Greeban have anything good still?" asked Dirac to the hand, "I heard rumour with increased tensions has came increased demand around here, decreased supply."
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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 20, 2008 7:14:05 GMT
As the man takes the coins and make them disappear in one single movement, he peers suspiciously at Dirac, but then his face lights up in brown-toothed smile.
"Why, master Dirac, ain't`it? Blimey, you ain't hanged yet? Greaser'll be glad to see ya, that I'm sure! Well, if ye're here for sumthin special, I'm sure he can always find it for ya! Tell the boss yer first lush is on me. Ain't many people here now, local lads, a coupla soldiers from the castle, and some foreign toff in swanky dunnage, dunno who he is. Now let me just get yer mates prads and meself inside, it's pissin' out 'ere!"
With that, he starts leading the horses inside and prompts you to go inside the bar.
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Post by taden on Jun 20, 2008 15:57:11 GMT
Taden shrugs indifferently, though whether in acquiesence or disagreement is hard to make out in the rain.
"I believe that somewhat misses the point, Dirac, but never mind. You will, however, please leave off with that 'master' nonsense. It is both inappropriate, especially here, and impolite besides."
With matters apparently in hand at the inn, Taden walks towards the church.
Miv stares after his employer and then silently shrugs. He carefully leads both horses and wagon across the square to a water trough placed there for the purpose, and then begins unlashing some of the stays for the wagon from the horses.
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 20, 2008 23:24:45 GMT
Corwyn beckons in the general direction of one of the "guards", sits himself down at the table and gives the innkeeper a significant look, shaking his hand to mime wanting a drink. He has the hood of his robe down, so as not to look too out of place, and he still wears his travelling cloak.
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