[Game Thread] Part 1.1 - A Meeting of Heroes

[idilippy]

Ardusk comes down late and hungover, though the breakfast and some water helps him in that regard. He introduces himself to the others with a quick, Ardusk, well met, and offers to help them out, though he chuckles at the cart idea, Aren't ye getting a little ahead of yerself? He asks Evendur, We haven't even found any greenskins yet, who knows if they'll be carrying thousands of coins, only thing I've heard of that likes that many coins, copper or gold, are dragons and if we see one of those all the cart and mule's gonna be are dessert to our main course!

He listens to the others in a minute and shrugs at Lunette when she comments on the adventuring registration, Ye need a charter in Cormyr to adventure, otherwise we'd be nothing more than a band of outlaws to the Dragons and War Wizards. Still, nobody charters in Sembia and I'm sure nobody here along the coast would either but maybe someone in the barracks can point us the right direction to start looking, if nothing else.

[ForgottenOne]

[Evendur]

"Well met, fair dwarf. My name is Evendur. Have a seat, we're planning our crusade against the green . And, YES, as you could hear, we DO need your hand, and the other, and your back, to carry the gear of our enemies . I'm joking, of course." Seeing that his mule idea is getting rejected, he decided to explain it a bit more : "Well, tell you what. I don't know if we'll need the mule, but if the need arises, I'd rather have it than not. Even if it serves as a distraction to a dragon while we try to run away from the table, I consider that money well spent. And, I'm willing to sponsor it if no one else sees the need for it. And attack dogs. We need a dozen of them." He says fast, in obviously ironic tone. "Or not." Followed by a big grin.

[Jocularity]

Lunette ate her soup quickly but steadily as she listened to the others. "Well, we can get a mule if you really want, but i can't spare any more than five silvers for one. Either way, who's ready to get going? If we do decide on getting a mule, we probably cant get one until we're passing the farms outside the city, so we may as well head off to see the captain for now."

[Beany081]

After a slightly warmed up breakfast, of last night's stew, you all head out to the city's barracks, picking up Larin on your way. The weather is chilly and the sky looks to be promising rain, as you see black clouds on the horizon. The city itself seems busy whereever you go, as merchants sell their wares, peasants go about their daily chores and homeless seek shelter from the coming rain. After several minutes walking you find yourselves in front of the city barracks where a city guard stops you, with a raised hand and asks, "What is your business here?"

[lbshaggy]

Larin sees the group from the night before as he exits the alley. "Hey there wait up." he calls out.

As Larin races to catch the group he looks around to see if the crimson chested ape that he will now call Red is anywhere around. Not seeing it he catches up to the group.

"Sorry for the delay. I had a small animal situation this morning. Why are we headed to the barracks?" Larin asks with a little uneasiness in his tone.

He pulls a cloak from his backpack and throws it on with the cowl covering his face.

[Jocularity]

"I was wondering where you'd got to." Lunette said to Larin, once they re-united in the streets. "I didn't see you come down the stairs in the morning. We're going to the Barracks to find out more information from the captain of the guard. Have you met everyone?" She asked, and gestured to the rest of the group, and Tordek in Particuler.

She was surprised then to turn forward only to find she had nearly walked into the guard's outstretched hand. "Good morning sir. As i was just saying to my new friend, we're here to hear more about the bounty on feral goblins?"

[Beany081]

The guard looks you all over, sizing you up. "More bounty hunters, huh? Caps gonna be pleased, uppin' the gobbo bounties hasn't had much effect so far and anyone who has gone looking for som easy greenskin kills hasn't come back, so far." The guard, noticing his loose tongue, shook his head and his voice gained a more cheerful tone, "But I'm sure you folks 'll be alright. Err, anyhow this way. I'll take ye to the cap." After finishing his short speech, the guard aruptly turns and heads inside the barracks, beckoning you to follow him. "More bounty hunters Cap." he says as he leads you into a small room with a rough wooden desk and a muscular brown haired man sitting behind it.

"Aright, that will be all Manson," the man tells the guard that lead you in and as he does so the guard steps out of the room, back to his position outside. Turning to you the captain says, "well, it's good to see a competant looking group after all the farmers and dreamy peasants I seem to have sent to their deaths. Are you just here to ask some questions about the bounties or are you wanting a more specific task than just hunting down any old goblin?"

[mikeym41240]

Tordek

"Well,what other tasks do you have in mind there?I could use some good old goblin killin but we can do that anytime."

[Beany081]

The captain looks at Tordek and says, "Well don't worry, you'll still most likely need to kill some greenskins, but I need a group to get some information about the tribes around the Cloak Woods down south. Names, numbers, magical ability, whatever you can get us. It seems now is the time to do it however since we've heard rumours of unrest between the several main tribes, which should give you plenty of opportunity to hunt them down or spy on them or whatever method you wish to use. Now as a reward I will give you five gold coins for every tribe which you can get us a decent amount of information on, as well as that I'll add an extra gold coin to every bounty you bring back, if you can get information on at least four of the main tribes. Any questions?"

[lbshaggy]

Larin turned to Lunette, "I spoke to most of them during the evening at some point. We can go over pleasantries later once we are on the road. Look ..." Larin tried to warn her about the guard. Hoping none of them noticed him from his previous excursions in Baldur's Gate, he kept his cowl as close as possible to hide his features.

Great, in to the captain. Why me gods, why me. I hope I do not give myself away. This group could be very profitable to work with. Larin thinks to himself hoping he is not thinking out loud like he has done in the past.

[Solomon777]

Korch’k waits until the group is barely out of sight. He pulls his cloak tighter around himself and lumbers down the roadway, trying to stay to the shadows when profitable. When the group nears the larger stone structure he slows and looks around for a way in. He notices the plethora of well-armed guardsmen and sighs. Perhaps it would be better to just wait it out, the cloaked baboon searches for a relatively safe vantage. After some searching he finds the awning of a tailor shop and huddles up in the shadows; his eyes on the entry to the large stone structure.

[ForgottenOne]

[Evendur]

Even though he planned on leaving this part to the rest of the group, Evendur wanted to know, and doubted that anyone would ask : "Actually, I have one, kind captain sir. You said that we'll get 1gp for each "bounty we bring back", that would be a head or something, I presume, if we gather info on at least four tribes. I got that right, right? There's something on your right." He said pointing to the right of the captain, followed by a smile whether the captain turns to the right or ignores the obvious jest. "But how much do we get if we don't gather info on four tribes?"

[Beany081]

The captain frowns slightly then smiles politely at Evendur's joke. "The extra gold piece is added onto any greenskin bounties you bring to me. As for proof of your kill, you should bring the right ear of any bounty kills in order to be paid. Without the bonus you'll be given two golden coins for each goblin ear you bring back."

After a final look around the group, the captain says, "Well then, if you want to start collecting your bounties today then you'd best set off. It's usually a quater day's walk to the Cloak Woods, follow then road south and remember that the Cloak Woods are the forest on the western side of the road." At that, the captain looks back down at the parchments on his desk and starts to scribble something down.

Fifteen minutes later, you find yourselves leaving the city's main gate, following the road south. The road is mostly clear, though you see some farmers heading towards the city.

[idilippy]

Ardusk shrugs, Seems easy enough, two gold for each right ear and an extra piece for any info, should be a quick, easy job to get me started. He frowns, Now if only I knew a guy who could counterfeit the ears, doesn't seem like it'd be too hard to do but I just can't think how. Having already bought everything he needs for the trip Ardusk slips away from any shoppers to wait by the gate instead, chatting with any returning travelers in case they have any information to offer.

Once the group is together Ardusk follows along in the middle of the pack and silently enjoys the morning, not too interested in asking about any of the others' backgrounds or thoughts. To him they are just people who happen to be going the same direction and he doesn't expect to be with them long enough to get too attached.

[lbshaggy]

Larin now drops the cloak since they are out of Baldur's Gate central. That was a closer incident than he wanted to have this early in the day. Still hoping to see Red he continues to search around as they walk looking for the ape he saw in the alley.