[Game Thread] In Search of the Unknown

[Solomon777]

The Cozy Hearth Inn sat nestled along the road just outside the boundary of the lumber town of Falcon’s Hollow. It was a small place, if you compared it to the multi-room structures of Absalom, however to a settled, rural lands such as the Cozy Hearth was a substantial development. What made it more appealing is that prior to a year ago, no one could recall seeing the Inn under construction. The placement was just far enough from the road that prying eyes, could very well miss it if attention was not paid. Of course, the delicious odor of fresh wildberry pie was a constant from the Cozy Hearth kitchen.

The Inn today was half-full of would-be travelers, mixed with a few of the logger regulars of every creed of the ‘good’ races that populated Golarion. In their midst, a beautiful middle-aged, human woman took the stage, her lute in hand, a tambourine on her hip. She was a traveling minstrel, going the road alone, as she had lost her husband years ago to a worg attack in the country to the north. Her name was Esmarine. She had dark hair, long, just lightly salted, and deep-ocean, blue eyes. She smiled almost all the time.

Esmarine begins lightly plucking the strings of her lute, allowing the sound of each tune to fade before carrying to the next. She begins spinning her story in her melodic voice, speaking the ballad she a nod to each word.

“Many years ago, rumor has it, the warrior and wizard duo, Rogahn the Fearless and Zelligar the Unknown pooled their resources and expertise to construct a home and stronghold for the two of them to use as a base of operations.

The location of what was to be called the Caverns of Quasqueton were chosen with care; both men disliked visitors and intruders. Far from the nearest settlement, away from traveled routes, and high upon a craggy hill, the new construction took shape. Carved out of the rocky protrusion which crested the heavily forested hill, this mystical hideaway was well hidden, and its rumored existence was never common knowledge.

Construction of the Caverns, it is said, took over a decade, even with the aid of magic and the work of hundreds of slaves and laborers. Vast amounts of rock were removed and tumbled off the rough cliffs into large piles now overgrown with vegetation. A single tower was constructed above ground for lookout purposes, even though there was little to see other than a hilly, forested wilderness for miles around.

The deeds and adventures of these two characters were never well known, since they both kept their distance from civilization. Some say, perhaps rightly so, that their motives were greed or worse. No one knows for sure.

What is known more widely is the roll they had played in the history of Falcon’s Hollow. Both Rogahn and Zelligar capped their reputation of power when they joined forces to stop a barbarian invasion threatening the fledgling lumber encampment. In a crucial battle at a narrow pass in the hills, the two combined powerful forces and decisively turned back the invasion. Rogahn slew a horde of barbarians single-handedly and Zelligar's powerful magic put their army to flight. A grateful populace rewarded the pair and their henchmen with considerable treasure, after which the two retired to their hideaway.

An age ago, Rogahn and Zelligar decided upon a joint foray into the lands of the hated barbarians. Taking most of their henchmen and associates along in a great armed band, the two disappeared into the barbarian lands. Songs tell of some great battle where Rogahn and Zelligar had met their demise.

However, certainly the treasures of Rogahn and Zelligar must still be within their mountain hideaway; there must be great things to explore and priceless artifacts to recover! Who knows what riches of wealth and magic might be there for the taking?”

She allows the last tune to fade as she nods to those around, a coy smile on her ruby lips. Finishing with, “It is told, among those of the highways, that you could still hear the hammers and picks of those carving the great Caverns; only if you listened closely to the westward wind.”

TAG Feel free to post for Argus if you choose to play along. Thank you for your patience.

[JasonWFD]

Argus Argus and the other loggers sitting at his table all raised their mugs with a cheer towards the minstrel as she ended her tale. They downed their cups and asked the nearest barmaid for more. One of the younger human loggers asked the table, "You don't believe those tales are true, do ya?" "I reckon so boy. Mah gram used ta tell 'em ta me when I was li'l," replied an older, haggard looking woodcutter. A third worker, after giving a boisterous laugh, cried out, "Bah! That's just ghost stories parents told their kids to keep 'em from running off away from town." The young human turned toward Argus, and asked, "What do you think?" The dwarf was in the middle of spooning a heaping helping of stew into his mouth, so he took some moments to chew and swallow before responding. Eventually, he answered with a shrug. "If I don't know about, I don't talk about it." Without missing a beat, Argus lifted his newly refilled mug of ale and took a hearty swig. "Yer no fun, Woodpecker!" "Lay off the dwarf ya drunken imbecile, he's smart enough to not fall for that ghost story stuff." "I ain't no im-bee-cyal, ya puny git!" "That's it! Now we're gonna settle this once and for all!" As the two humans cleared part of the table and started a rather dramatic arm wrestling match, Argus quietly shook his head and methodically finished his dinner.

[Solomon777]

The night’s activities carried on. The arm wrestling competition between two grew to an event of several and brought quite the crowd of onlookers, loggers and other patrons alike. After the bouts the crowds began to disperse for their homes, to start the day anew in the twilight hours of morning. Argus found a fresh tankard of drink waiting before him. Which the barkeep placed and departed in one smooth motion, not waiting for payment or refusal.

Esmarine had taken a seat at the farthest end of the bar, after her tale, and sat sipping from a small goblet of wine the barkeep had offered earlier. She remained there still.

She watched the people who lingered in the Cozy Hearth, making quick notes with quill onto small, loose pieces of parchment. After a few others, her eyes settled on Argus, and she jotted a note quickly onto the parchment.

Four humans, a gnome, and Argus remained in the Cozy Hearth. The barmaid began cleaning tables and pushing the empty benches underneath.

An ever so faint ‘ting-ting’ sound echoed around the tavern. The sound similar to a door-bell chime, though much heavier as if...a distant smithy. None of the remaining patrons appeared to notice.

[JasonWFD]

Argus Argus lifted his head, tilting it to one side as to point an ear towards the center of the tavern. His forehead furrowed as he raised one eyebrow and attempted to listen more intently on the metal-y sound he just heard. He said nothing, and remained perfectly still.

[Solomon777]

The sounds were swallowed by the sounds of the remaining patrons as they finished their drinks and began to step out, one of the humans appears to have drank too much and staggers a bit as they depart. Esmarine remains at the bar, sipping away at her wine.

The gnome also remains at a table and plays with a copper coin, appearing deep in thought.

All had gone silent as the barkeep asked Esmarine if she was done for the night, she nodded and said yes. The barkeep moved on to the gnome with his question.

In the silence the faint metal ringing sounded again, as the winds outside seemed to bluster, pushing in on the shutters of the Cozy Hearth.

Esmarine voice spoke softly, though it sounded as if immediately near Argus, "Do you hear the Slave's Song, dwarf?"

She is still sitting at the end of the bar, goblet in hand, glancing toward the shuttered windows.

[JasonWFD]

Argus This some kind of bard trick? Troubadour sorcery, can't trust it. "Don't know what I hear, but I hear something." Argus spoke low but clearly. He turned his head towards the minstrel at the bar. "Speak plainly or leave me be." With that, he hoisted his mug, tipped it back until it was finished, placed enough coin to cover his tab for the night on the table, and started to stand up to leave.

[Solomon777]

Esmarine turned to look at Argus and stood to match the dwarf as he did. She moved quicker than her age foretold and attempted to intercept Argus before heading out the door. Her voice with genuine surprise and hushed, ”You did, you can hear the westward wind….”

The gnome stood and retired to the rooms on the Inn’s second floor.

The minstrel spook quickly, “I am Esmarine, at your service, dwarf. In all my years passing through these parts I have not met a soul who heard the Slave’s Song from the Caverns of the Unknown,” she tried to meet Argus’s brown eyes, “… until now.” She smiled with excitement, “I implore you, sir dwarf, might your talents be for hire? If its plain talk you want I certainly can oblige. The riches of the Caverns are solidified in tales of legends past, but I know they are true. I have been witness to these treasures. You, as a dwarf, possess an uncanny talent that would prove useful in an earthen setting such as those.”

[JasonWFD]

"Argus The dwarf paused and allowed Esmarine to speak her case. He remained silent for a few long moments after she pitched her plea, motionlessly looking up into her eyes. Finally, he took a deep breath, exhaled, and replied, "Name's Argus. I'm not agreeing to anything just yet, but I'd hear more about this song, and these caverns. You know more than you're letting on, but at least you're smart enough to not tell everything all at once." Argus gestured to the nearest table. As he sat down, he made eye contact with the barkeep and silently raised his right hand, extending two fingers up into the air.

[Solomon777]

The Cozy Hearth waitress arrives with two drinks, one tankard of Argus’ drink and the other a similar goblet to that which Esmarine had before. The minstrel nodded, “Thank you, Nasillea.” Laying coin on the table. ”It is good and fortunate to meet you, Argus.” When the waitress was out of evident earshot, Esmarine began. “The legends are scant, but I have travelled through these parts taking not on the denizens of the surrounding hills. They speak of how the two warrior-champions had a collection of orc slaves they had acquired in their journeys. These slaves had accomplished menial work and it was told of at least one named Ilk, who was a personal servant for Zelligar.”

She sipped her wine and continued, “Another tale I had heard of these orcs, was that they all escaped following the disappearance of Rogahn and Zelligar, including Ilk. Now the Caverns have become home to a tribe of goblin.” She placed a single folded cloth out between Argus and herself, and unfolded it and held to him. ”The only other tale I know concerning the Caverns is that it has more than one level, cutting deep into the hillside. This is the only evidence I have of these truths, it is an iron casting with the symbol of the Caverns of Quasqueton.” The small coin-sized, emblem that had been wrapped in the cloth, is indeed a casting used to hammer into a molten piece of metal … or coinage and scrawled in the edge is ‘Quasqueton’. ”That is what I know, for sure.”

Esmarine sipped her wine again, "All that need be done to reach the Caverns is to follow the sound of the Slave's Song."

[JasonWFD]

Argus "So how is it that only you and I can hear this song? And how do you know this ghost music won't lead us to something else, or nothing at all?" Argus takes a slow pull of his tankard. "Not to mention, I've been living here, on the surface, for most of my life. I'm no caver. No explorer. I just cut wood."

[Solomon777]

As Argus finished his surmise, Esmarine’s head began to shake slowly, “Alas, Argus, I hear no Song. But, I know when someone does. I know in my soul the westward wind carries its tune, as is the winds of this night, and your own acknowledgements confirm my suspicions.” She smiled, proud of what she has discovered. She added, ”Woodcutter you may be, but the unerring truth is that you are also a child of the earth and possess talents I do not.” She looked into her goblet at the rich red wine, “I only bring about this news for what its finding could bring about.” She took a drink of wine and began to fold the stamp back into the cloth. “The legends of the Caverns have been told for generations and there may be dangers, but the rewards could be far greater, Argus. Is there anything you’ve ever longed for that was unattainable to a woodcutter?”

[JasonWFD]

Argus The dwarf's eyes drifted away from Esmarine's gaze, temporarily lost in thought. He was silent for about a half minute. "Aye," he responded. It was softer and less pronounced than the voice he was using until this point of the night. "That there is. This place is my home, and these people have been good to me. But, there are things I would know, and do, given the chance. Perhaps my chance is now." Argus took a long, slow look around the tavern room. A place he frequented over his years at Falcon's Hollow. He gazed out the window into the evening air, out into the sky he lived under for so long. Finally, he gave a quick nod to no one in particular, emptied his tankard, and returned his gaze back to the minstrel. His voice rang out as clearly and directly as it had before. "What's your plan?"

[Solomon777]

A grin crept across her face, she was no young girl, she had spent several years on the road and her hair possessed salt-and-pepper streaks, but the smile she now wore appeared to bring a new youth to her appearance. ”I know the innkeep, and I am staying here in the rooms above. Is there anything you need prior to beginning your journey? I recommend we depart before the westward wind ceases to blow.” She drained her wine, not too much remained of it anyway. ”If here are plans and items you must collect, you can find me here. I will prepare my things and be ready in an hour’s time. I believe the winds will hold at least that long.”

 

Gearing Up Feel free to collect any items you can outfit Argus with prior to departing. Even though in game time the hour is late and no stores are open, we can say any new gear had been purchased prior, just packed away. Anything mundane (cheap, less than 5 sp) is no cost.

[JasonWFD]

Argus Without saying another word, Argus exited the tavern. He walked steadily towards his home, taking in the night air and listening for the "song" he heard before. Each time he heard the clang and ting on the wind his curiosity grew and grew. When he arrived, he quickly placed what he believed he'd need for the journey into his sturdy backpack: some rations he had on hand in case of emergency, a grapple and a decent length of rope, a fishing net, and an old camping bedroll. Then, he sat down and wrote a short letter. 'Letter" Went on a sudden business trip. Gone for a few days. Look after my things. Argus placed the letter on a table in plain view for anyone who might enter his home. He then began the process of donning his armor, a scratched but functional suit of scale mail. He then strapped on his belt pouch, waterskin, backpack, belt loops for two throwing axes, and a sling for his greataxe he earned through serving in the local militia. Fully equipped and ready for whatever dangers he might face, the dwarf gave one last long look around his home before setting back out into the night.

[Solomon777]

The song faded in and out with the wind, though its metallic chime sounded fainter.

As Argus neared the Cozy Hearth he overheard some voices speaking, however they happened to be just far enough not to be understood. At a glance, the dwarf could make out two figures standing at the entrance to the inn, the Nasillea stands silhouetted in doorway. The only noticeable thing Argus can make out from the distance he is standing, is that she shakes her head ‘no’. The two figures depart and Nasillea closes the inn doors. Both are cloaked and on foot.

The metallic ring sounds as the breeze slightly picks up, rustling the foliage nearby.

 

Tag Jason You can make whatever move you choose for Argus at the moment. If you want to try and get closer to hear anything I need a Stealth and Perception. However, Argus can always make a Perception whenever you feel it is appropriate.