Chapter 1, Day 1 Afternoon: Drellen's Ferry

"I came across a band of those myself. Nothing I couldn't handle. How long did you say those brigands have been wreaking havoc around these parts? Weeks? Months?" I continue watching the card game. We have some time to kill, perhaps a game is in order...

Aug 21, 2015 9:02 pm

Zaris sighs gently and rises to his feet. "No, thank you greatly for your time. You've been most helpful." The wizard rises and makes his way to the door and back to join the others at the Inn.

Aug 22, 2015 9:12 pm

Old Bridge Inn

As Xara inquires about the hobgoblins, Zaris and Rurik stroll into the inn and take seats beside Kaiakas. Just as they settle in, a tall balding man of about fifty and a capable-looking swordsman strolls into the inn. Behind him is a strong-bodied woman in heavy armour. Her face betrays no emotions except seriousness. The man glances around the tavern before spotting the trio sitting at the table and he steps up, "Sorry to trouble you, travellers, but I'd like a few minutes of your time," the man says. "My name is Norro Wiston, and I'm the Town Speaker for Drellen's Ferry. This is our guard captain, Soranna. I'll get right to the point: We're in a lot of trouble, and I was hoping I could persuade you to help us out." He gestures towards an empty chair at the table, politely waiting for an invitation to sit.

Aug 24, 2015 12:52 am

Zaris rises again almost as quickly as he sat down and politely points to the empty chair. "By all means, please."

Aug 24, 2015 12:42 pm

Norro sits and gets into the details, "Our town is under attack" he begins. "Hobgoblin raiders have been harrying our lands for several days now. They've attacked and killed people in the outlying homesteads, and they've been waylaying travellers along the Dawn Way."

Captain Soranna, who has remained standing, adds, "We've had some trouble with them before - a quick raid on homesteads on the west side of the river, usually no that bad - but this is different. It looks like a large, aggressive tribe has moved down out of the Wyrmsmoke Mountains. Frankly, I fear they might be numerous enough to sack the town."

"Beyond the immediate threat to our homes, the road is our lifeblood," The speaker continues. "If the hobgoblins make the Dawn Way impassable to the west, trade won't come this way, and we'll be ruined. Not only do we need to repel the raiders fro our town, but we've got to keep that road open. Can you help us do it?"

Aug 24, 2015 11:43 pm

Moofsalot Inactive for 1 months

Zaris steps over and offers his hand to the two. "I am Zaris. This seems like a pretty big problem Norro. What makes you think adding a few more of us will be enough to help?"

Xara Nemetsk

Aug 25, 2015 11:01 pm

I glide over to the table and introduce myself. "The name's Xara Stormwind. Perhaps you've heard of me? We'd be glad to help, but before we sign up to risk our lives to save yours, what sort of compensation are ya offering? At minimum we would need food, supplies, suitable weapons and armor. What say you?" It's not about the money. It's the principle of the thing. Someone wants help, they should be willing to pay for it.

Aug 26, 2015 12:07 am

Moofsalot Inactive for 1 months

"Yes yes Xara, we will need equipment!" Zaris says, slightly annoyed. "But we're talking about aggressive groups-large groups-of hobgoblins. Compensation is worth nothing if we face insurmountable odds!" He shifts his gaze from Xara back to Norro.

Xara Nemetsk

Aug 26, 2015 12:33 am

unique_exemplar Inactive for 3 months

"Insurmountable odds? No need to be overdramatic, Zaris. We're just having a conversation here, aren't we?" I cross my arms and wait for more information to follow. Surely there are other guards or townsfolk who are even more invested in ridding the forests of the hobgoblin nuisance.

Aug 26, 2015 12:52 am

Visibly uncomfortable at the demand of monetary compensation, I steer the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Please, tell us more."

Aug 26, 2015 11:38 am

Norro nods, "We could pay you as much as 500 pieces of gold each, if you can drive off the hobgoblins. There's no need to kill them all if it isn't necessary, just get rid of them. As for the odds, we're not sure how many there are. A hundred, maybe. There have been at least three different warbands around our lands at the same time, each about fifteen to twenty strong, so fifty at the minimum. The hobgoblins are using fearful monsters and evil magic against us. Until you showed up, we haven't had any heroes here who could stand up to them."

Aug 26, 2015 12:43 pm

Ceadron Inactive forever!

Zaris shakes his head. "We are grossly outnumbered!

Rurik Ironfist

Aug 26, 2015 3:41 pm

I look up from my morose contemplations at the mention of evil magic "what kinds of evil magic?"

Aug 26, 2015 4:31 pm

Norro shrugs, "Spells. Dark chants. Black tendrils and beams of light." He sighs, "I can say little more, as the guards we've sent to fight them have either returned, whispering of dark magic and terrible monsters or have not returned."

Aug 28, 2015 6:55 pm

"So..." Norro smiles faintly, "Are you in? Will you help? 500 gold each is no small sum, and you'd be saving the lives and livelihood of everyone in Drellen's Ferry. No one's asking you to kill all of the hobgoblins, just convince them to leave us alone - and maybe even return to their homes in the Wyrmsmoke Mountains."

Aug 28, 2015 7:42 pm

Moofsalot Inactive for 1 months

Taking a deep breath and looking at the expressions of his companions, Zaris nods. "If everyone else agrees then I will do what I can."

Xara Nemetsk

Aug 28, 2015 9:57 pm

unique_exemplar Inactive for 3 months

"Alright, I'm in. But in case we don't live to see that 500 gold, how about you give us half upfront and we collect the other half when we finish the job? Once that is settled, I swear on my honor as a lady that I will do everything that I can to purge your town of this menace!"

Rolls

Persuasion - (1d20+1)

(13) + 1 = 14

Aug 29, 2015 12:27 am

Giving careful consideration to convincing the hobgoblins to leave and go back to their home, I smile and nod. "We will absolutely help, Mister Speaker." I turn to Soranna. "Captain, can you tell us where we might find these creatures? Do they have camps nearby?"

Aug 29, 2015 8:25 pm

Watching Xara's expression Zaris nods in agreement.

Aug 31, 2015 12:37 am