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Post by Game Master on Aug 28, 2007 2:51:00 GMT -5
Stone found himself in the company of the Caravan Captain and the rest as well as a Captain Lee Carter who was introduced as the Fort Commander. Carter was a human Timirian Knight in his late forties. He was a dashingly handsome man with golden locks of hair and well manacured mustache and thin beard.
"So this must be the Warlock you spoke of?" Carter asked Mohay. "Aye this is him. Tell us a little about yourself Easterner."
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Post by homeskillet on Aug 29, 2007 21:35:02 GMT -5
Stone bows with a smile. He stands straight and looks upon the group," I am called Stone. I am an Earthmaster from the Temple of Stone. I left the Temple to gain knowledge and skill within my talent. My path has led me to Garrotten. It is here I believe to achieve my destiny. I am here to aid you all, along with my brothers." Stone smiles and bows again, hoping this will be enough information for the group.
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Post by Game Master on Sept 1, 2007 23:24:07 GMT -5
"I see." With that Stone was quickly forgotten and the meeting started. "Well I suppose you wish to leave first thing in the morning Captain Mohay?"
"Aye Commander. I hope to stay ahead or at least out maneuver the trouble we ran into last time." Mohay stated cryptically.
"I should say so dear boy. I should say so. Keeping to the forts then?"
"For awhile yes. Whats the conditions of the roads?" Mohay inquired.
"Well the spring rains have closed a few of the smaller ones but we've maintained the fort trails well enough."
"That should do. Any bandit activity?"
"Just that damnable halfling highwayman and his gang. To small to worry your company any. How many mercs did you muster?"
"Nine in all including these here."
The conversation continued for over an hour like this with the two captains talking back and forth as if the rest of the occupants didn't exist. Stone was debating on starting a meditation when the conversation once again turned toward the Mercenaries.
"I say, Mohay dear boy I was wondering, if it wouldn't be to much trouble if I might barrow some of your mercenaries for the evening?" the Captain asked.
"Barrow my. Well what ever for? This is highly irregular." Captain Mohay seemed quite agitated.
"I know, I know, you see we have a bit of a problem and I think your mercenaries may be able to help. We have some sort of damnable creature tunneling beneath the keep. Its killed two of my men already and the rest are just to unnerved to go down there any more."
"Your soldiers are cowards?"
No, no, just spooked is all. Swords seem to just bounce right off and they are just regulars you know. Some are still green and haven't seen a single battle yet. I'd be willing to pay them of course."
"Well why not just hire your own. I can't afford to lose any man power or time for that matter over this. Deal with it." Captain Mohay was truly upset now.
"You see, there in lay the rub. If word gets out that I'm attempting to hire mercs to kill some beast in my own keep, I'll look the fool."
"You are a fool! Send in a squad and kill the beast."
"I didn't want to do this old friend but I'm afraid I have to call in my mark." the Fort Commander shook his head sadly when he stated this as if it truly pained him
"You wouldn't....BAHH! Take them then! Only if they agree to your payment and by Mistress Death they better be ready to leave with the rest of my troop by Sun up!"
With that all the non mercenaries left leaving the rest to talk with the Commander.
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Post by homeskillet on Sept 2, 2007 10:45:13 GMT -5
" Captain Lee Carter, my brothers and I could have helped you with so much of the lose of this "mark" of yours. It sounds like something right up my alley and I would be happy to assist a fort of the country," Stone smiles," I would like to be more of a patriot here than guest."
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Post by Game Master on Sept 4, 2007 12:52:32 GMT -5
"By Jove thats the spirit! I wish more men thought as you, and your not even Timirian. Ha! Well I'm still going to pay you. Its the proper thing to do and all considering some of you will most likely not survive the night. Now then can I count on all nine of you?"
The tatooed dwarf grumbled an affirmative and the ebony Giant simply asked "How much?"
"Why I should think a hundred gold crowns to each of the survivors should cover it. Ehh, Wot?"
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Post by homeskillet on Sept 4, 2007 21:20:52 GMT -5
" 900 gold crowns?" Stone mused," Are you sure you have that much?"
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Post by Game Master on Sept 5, 2007 0:41:45 GMT -5
"Well it would cost me a full months wages but well worth the cost if you could rid my Keep of that nasty worm. Do we have a deal? if so you best get the rest of your men and meet me in the store room. Anyone in the keep can show you how to get there."
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Post by homeskillet on Sept 5, 2007 1:39:29 GMT -5
Stone turns to the others," Are you all agreed?"
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Post by Game Master on Sept 5, 2007 3:21:48 GMT -5
The dwarf just nodds grimly while white knuckling his grip on his battle axe. The warrior Par-Nax nods as well, "Aye, lets get our comrads and kill this...worm."
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Post by homeskillet on Sept 6, 2007 20:06:35 GMT -5
"Let us go then," Stone replies as he heads to the door," As you know, I am an Earthmaster. I command the Earth to do my bidding through disciplined hand-to-hand techniques that focus my spirit. My friend Mason is a guide and man of nature, he is our scout. Briggs is a good warrior and and loyal friend. Tull is a hobit with many domestic skills and a heart bigger than the moon. Nothing scares him. Last, there is Sull the dwarf. He is a good dwarf with more questionable talents and full of surprises. These are my brothers, I trust them with my life. What talents do you and yours offer?" Stone asks hoping to help come up with the best method of exterminating this worm and getting that 100 Gold Crowns for all nine men.
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Post by Game Master on Sept 7, 2007 13:06:44 GMT -5
Par-Nax responded in his booming voice. "For myself I am skilled in hand to hand with many weapons. I was a gladiator for five years in the Western circuit until I was able to buy my freedom. shyar my Gnome companion was a knife thrower by trade until her entertainer group was attacked on the road. Only she survived by hiding. her sting may be small but trust me it is quite deadly. My other companion is Leknora, a wood elf claiming some skill with a long bow. We have traveled together for two years now and we trust each other with our lives Earth Master. What of you Master dwarf? What great skills to you bring?"
"Pain." is all the dwarf spoke grimly. At least Aiko now knew the dwarf had a tongue.
"We have one dilemma Master Stone." Par-Nax continued when it was obvious that no embellishments were forthcoming from the dwarf. "We are still charged with guarding our respective wagons. We will require at least one of our members to stay and watch over them all. You have the largest group, could not one of them be persuaded to handle the task? That person would still receive the 100 gold for the honor I should think."
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Post by homeskillet on Sept 8, 2007 20:54:10 GMT -5
" Actually, I have two brothers good for the job. Tull and Mason can stay behind and watch the carts. I will ask them and make sure." Stone answers quickly," Let us meet back at the carts."
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Post by Game Master on Sept 13, 2007 2:31:42 GMT -5
"Excellent." Par-Nax thundered. the group made their way back to the carts. It was getting dark. Stones brothers were quickly informed. As were the Elf, Leknora and Shyar the gnome.
"Worm?" Briggs asked dubiously. "Why does it always have to be some beastie." he murmured, resigned to the task at hand.
Stone noticed Sull fumbling around in his pouch and instantly thought of the bottles of fire the little dwarf had used.
Tull seemed to deflate when he was asked to watch the wagon but Mason gently reminded him that as Stones henchman he would often get stuck with undesirable tasks.
Mason himself seemed pleased to stay behind. Stone had guessed correctly that the ranger would feel a little more then out of place in the confined dungeons of the stone keep.
"Be careful Stone." Tull stated solemnly. "I won't be there to watch your back." Mason smirked and Sull chuckled. "What about my back?" Briggs whined softly to the sky or perhaps the Gods.
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Post by homeskillet on Sept 15, 2007 10:03:13 GMT -5
Stone puts his hand on Brigg's shoulder," I will watch your back, brother." Stone, Briggs and Sull made there to meet the others," Shall we go to this Store Room?"
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Post by Game Master on Sept 17, 2007 1:52:02 GMT -5
Just as Captain Carter had said the Store room was easy to find. Par-Nax asked a young page directions who immediately turned ashen. Once the giant informed the lad of the groups intentions the page sobered and escorted them to the room. "Down those stairs your lordships. May Mistress Death see fit not to take your souls this night." with that he scurried out and down the hall.
"Was that a blessing or a curse?" Briggs asked bemused. "Ah well, best get this over with. I need to get some shut eye to stay alert on the road tomorrow.
The door to the stairs was bolted, chained and pad locked shut.
"Well that wasn't bloody smart of them was it?" the elven bowman commented. "Silly humans." he continued. "How shall we proceed?"
Par-Nax rubbed his chin. "I could break it down, or the dwarf here could cut it with his axe I suppose. What say you Earth Master? Do you think the good Captain would mind if we destroyed this door to get to our quarry?"
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