WRAP-UP OF SATURDAY-MONDAY ACTIVITIES
In addition to picking up some new help over the first
three days in Fairbrook, the members of the Free Company take care of business:
banking cash, handing bonuses to the veteran hirelings (who are most
appreciative!), picking up rations and gear, engaging in spell study and
acquiring vittles for Karnak.* During his downtime, Gaven volunteers to help out
at the temple and visits Elsie Miggins and Bob Barley to check in on them and
let them know of the goblins' demise. Elsie seems sullen, depressed, and
withdrawn, though her mother is greatly pleased to know that justice has fallen on
the heads of the goblins. Bob Barley, though still grieving, is happy to
receive Gaven's visit and also gets some small comfort from the defeat of the
goblins.
Following his conversation with Cosmo, Gaven wraps the Moon
Ribbon around the grip of his club. While he does not speak of his vision and most of his conversation with the Abbot, the
cleric does tell the party about Cosmo's trips to Blackwell and about the
bandits, as well as the information he gained regarding Brother Abraham and the
Ham's Fork werewolves. He reminds everyone that next week is the full moon, and
suggests everyone buy some silvered weapons and/or wolfsbane. This prudent
course is adopted by all.
When the subject of the bandits come up, Varros fills the
party in as well on Belloc's information and suggests meeting up with Alanna
and developing a plan to go after the bandits. Upon learning of Brother
Abraham, who is also in the vicinity to which the party intends to travel,
Varros says: "Perhaps this Brother Abraham may have information on the
bandits as well. Gaven, I think we should find him, he may aid us
greatly."
Varros also suggests talking to Belloc and letting him know the
company's intentions, as he may agree to equip the new mercenaries from their
armory in order to pursue the bandits. Gaven, in turn, proposes searching out
Dagwood to get more information about the miscreants.
*****
TUESDAY'S INQUIRIES
On your fourth full day in Fairbrook, you awake to a downpour and
a gray and dismal day. Nonetheless, you set forth to follow up on Varros' and
Gaven's suggestions, visiting Captain Belloc and Secretary Dagwood in turn.
The captain has you come right in when you are announced to
him, and seems pleased to see you. Karnak is already sitting on his window
ledge, watching the heavy rain and keeping dry. Once Belloc learns of your
intentions he gives a low whistle, and Karnak flutters over from the window to
land on Varros' shoulder.
When Varros mentions the possibility of Belloc equipping the
mercenaries, Belloc replies: "As I mentioned the other day, we're still
putting ourselves back together following the battle, so I have no gear to
spare. However, I just gave Berthold, the blacksmith, an excellent deal on
all the metal weapons and equipment we took from the goblins, so he should be
inclined to give you a good price on any armor you might want to buy for your
men."** The captain quickly writes a message. "Give this to Berthold,
and he should take care of you."
"Also," he adds, handing you another rolled up
piece of parchment. "Here is Lieutenant Alanna's current location. She's
set up headquarters just about a half mile east of the village. Safe journey
and good hunting!"
*****
After leaving Belloc's headquarters you walk to the mayor's
office to speak with Dagwood. A guard leads you into the building. As you wait
for a moment in the vestibule, you hear the croak of a raven within the
secretary's office. A minute or two more pass, and the guard then leads you in.
As you enter you see Dagwood closing an open window.
Turning around, Dagwood recognizes you from the Red Tankard:
"I hear you've been quite busy of late. Not a bad bit of work from a
company that was completely unknown a few days ago. I'm rather
impressed."
Once you explain your business, he nods: "Ah yes, our
bandit problem. My latest information from lieutenant Alanna suggests that the
bandits are working out of a hideout in western Blackleaf. We originally
thought they were based on Cobb's Hill since there have been bandit camps there
in the past. But all the incidents with this band have been between Ham's Fork
and Fairbrook. And a number of the surviving eyewitnesses claim that the
bandits ran off east toward the forest. Her men have tracked them as far as the
edge, and they've seen several trees on the border of the forest marked with
the same runes." Dagwood holds out a drawing of it:
"This came in by raven not two minutes before you. It's
from Alanna's most recent report. But I don't know what the runes mean, nor does she. They read 'R' and 'S' in the common tongue. But what they
stand for is unclear. Apart from that, I have no new information to give
to you. I agree with Belloc that you should consult with lieutenant Alanna once
you arrive in Ham's Fork. It takes almost a day for information to get from her
to us. She can give you the most current details on the situation once you're
there."
As he rises to see you out, he adds: "It's a shame
mayor Adsul's currently out of town on the King's business. I'm sure
when he returns he'll be glad to hear that you've taken an interest in this
bandit business. Oh, and one more thing," he says, handing you another
piece of paper. "We're putting out a 500 gold piece bounty for the bandit
leader, dead or alive. We had hoped to take care of this without a bounty, but
the situation is getting worse. I was going to have these posted today; there's
no reason you shouldn't get an advance copy."
*****
The rain continues steadily as you return to the inn.
When you arrive at the Red Tankard you see Master Filbert standing under the
eaves hammering up a poster of his own:
As you approach, he turns and greets you. "You fellows seem to be heading south. I understand
you have to do what you have to do, and I appreciate your earlier offer of help. But my stolen gems
went north, so that's where I'll have to go, with or without you. If you finish
your business down south before I get underway in the next few days, I'll be
glad to have you join me. I'll be here at the Tankard until I have enough men
to go after the robbers."
*************************
OOC: Actions?
*Feel free to double check that I made correct note of the
hirelings' gear you just purchased. It's over on the PC information page,
beneath the links to your own pages. If you guys choose to buy better armor
and/or missile weapons for the hirelings, just let me know so I can add that to
the list.
**With the captain's paper in hand, Berthold will give you a
one-time 10% discount on any metal armor you buy for the mercs and/or for
yourselves.
