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Post by Game Master on May 9, 2009 10:57:04 GMT -5
Hal had come to Garrotten for the gold rush. Not that he wanted to chip away at a mountain with a pick-ax, but because the miners themselves were easier to pick. The guild had given him permission to move into the area. He would have to meet the local guild Master soon, but Hal had wanted to scout out the area first. Heading up the small mountain that overlooked the town Hal spotted dozens, no, scores of mining camps. Fire pits and tents for the most part. No real permanent structures. The Rush had only begun recently so there hadn't been time yet for the miners to start building if they ever would. There weren't even any real mine shafts to speak of just holes in the ground and small alcoves dug from small rock outcroppings. Rumor had it that the original vein that started this whole mess had been discovered in a natural cavern a little west of here. The dwarfs had claimed that vein and jealously guarded it as only dwarfs can. The local barony had opened up the rest of the mountain surface for claims. Anyone could go to the river warden and purchase a claim for 50 Timiro gold Crowns. It made for a tense situation. The dwarfs didn't want the humans parked in their back yard and the humans resented the dwarfs because...well humans always resented someone for something.
Hal meticulously categorized the camp sites for possible jobs later. Some were more removed then others making them easier targets while some were so crowded only an idiot would try pilfering from them. The trick was going to be hitting a tent that for sure had gold stashed away. Hal couldn't imagine piles of the stuff just laying around under pillows.
Just then he heard it. "GOLD!!! I've found GOLD!!" In a heart beat the camp was deserted as every miner within earshot stampeded toward the exciting discovery. Hal found himself standing by a firepit surrounded by 4 deserted tents and no one around except for a medium sized dog tied to a stake in the ground. He looked as menacing as a gold fish.
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Post by Dragon on May 9, 2009 23:14:54 GMT -5
Hal grinned to himself. This was the moment he was waiting for. He chose to check the tent closest to the dog, guessing it was put there to guard it.
Moving as silently and calmly as he could, he attempted to move past the dog without giving it reason to start barking, and slip into the tent.
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Post by Game Master on May 17, 2009 3:06:22 GMT -5
The passive dog actually licked Hal's boot as he passed into the tents threshold. It was unlit, but the sping day let enough light filter in through the material that nothing else was needed. The tents items were meager. a small three legged stool, bed roll, a rickety crate containing a couple iron skillets, a wood bowl and plate along with some cheap cutlery. A heavy looking dirt covered rug covered most of the floor in an attempt to make the place a little more home like no doubt. There was a also a small lantern that would probably fetch twenty gold if it was new (witch it wasn't) and well, that appeared to be it.
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Post by Dragon on May 17, 2009 23:28:42 GMT -5
Annoyied, but not discouraged, Hal moved back out of the tent, keeping an eye out for anyone that could spot him, and moved into the next text on the right.
As he passed the dog he gently patted it on the head.
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Post by Game Master on May 18, 2009 1:35:43 GMT -5
The dogs tail thumped the ground in ecstasy. The second tent was similar to the first, but with a few noticeable differences. Being bigger, the tent was residence for two people and by the looks of the contents one was either a child or a halfling. It had 2 bedrolls, chairs and tables all having one noticeably smaller. A water barrel was stuffed full of mining tools such as Pick axes, shovels and sifters of pretty good quality. On the larger table was a pewter hour glass of excellent quality as well as some calipers, scrolls and a tinder box. The small table contained a minute oil lantern, quill with ink well and some blank parchment. Both bedrolls had small chests besides them with heavy padlocks.
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Post by Dragon on May 18, 2009 12:25:42 GMT -5
Bingo. Hal thought to himself. He quickly grabbed the hourglass and scrolls and put them into his pack.
Then he pulled out one of his skeleton keys and squatted in front of the bigger man's bed chest. Put the key in and turned slowly, listening for any kind of homemade booby trap, and kept his legs tense in case he needed to jump back quickly.
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Post by Game Master on May 27, 2009 1:28:24 GMT -5
Being uneasy about discovery in broad daylight, it took longer then Hal wanted. After no traps were discerned though the chest opened with a satisfying 'click'. The container revealed in a glance that the owner must have been an ex or retired soldier. Now Hal really didn't want to get caught! Inside was a neatly folded suit of studded leather armor. It was oiled and well maintained. Under that was a white coat of arms, depicting a gray knights helm over a soaring Eagle fighting a Bear. Heraldry was never one of Hal's strong points so it meant little to him. Next to the clothing was a gleaming short sword complete with scabbard and belt. Judging by the looks of it, the sword was well made and for real use. It was not ornamental. Also in the chest lay a small sack.
Outside the dog began to bark.
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Post by Dragon on May 29, 2009 16:38:59 GMT -5
Damn. Hal snatched the small sack and threw it into his pack. Then he picked up the sword and drew it, he moved to the back of the tent and tried to use the sword to cut a hole in the cloth big enough for him to fit through.
Hal took a deep breath, when the hole was big enough, he'd bolt as fast as he could out the hole and out of the mining area, keeping the sword in hand to make others think twice about trying to stop him.
(OOC: will the sword slow me down with its weight? as in if my pack weight goes up will my speed go down?)
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Post by Game Master on May 30, 2009 1:30:39 GMT -5
(ooc: your CAD can Carry 150lbs. while running 11mph for 15 minutes before needing to stop. So no, a sword will not decrease your speed. You have above average strength at 15. The sword weighs 3 lbs.)
Hal heard shouting behind him. 'Thief. Thief... Stop him stop him...' Nothing he hadn't heard before and nothing worth turning around for. He ran like a gazelle until he reached the outskirts of town, winded. He leaned against the back wall of a house to catch his breath and figure out his next move. It was still mid-day. He needed a place to hole up as well as to introduce himself to the local guild and maybe catch a bite to eat though he could go a few days if he had to on just water. His life wasn't always easy.
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Post by Dragon on May 31, 2009 9:55:22 GMT -5
Hal slid down the wall and sat on the ground to rest. He checked to make sure he was out of sight, then he put the sword away and pulled out the scrolls and the small sack.
First he opened the sack to see what was in it, then he would open and read the scrolls to see if they were magic scrolls or something.
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Post by Game Master on Jun 1, 2009 1:40:07 GMT -5
The small sack contained 10 gold crowns as well as a tiny nugget of unrefined gold and a large mans ring made of copper and silver intertwined like rope. On the face was a small imprint of the same Eagle fighting a bear sigial. The scrolls proved not to be magical. One looked like a map of some kind with notes written all over it. After reading it for a bit Hal realized it was marking promising areas of the mountain to look for gold while other areas were marked off as not panning out. The second scroll was a stamped and sealed letter of 'duty'. It proved that the holder was a retired Captain in the Timiro Guard and should be given food and shelter if requested by order of the King for Valor in battle.
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Post by Dragon on Jun 2, 2009 14:47:22 GMT -5
Hal put the ring back into the sack and added the gold coins to his own. He pondered how likely he'd be able to fool a drunk into buying the gold mining map while putting the letter away.
One day he might get a free dinner and bed somewhere with the letter and ring, but first, he needed to find a guild member in the town. Hal didnt want to keep the sword with him for long, and he needed a fence anyway.
Hal put his goods away and step out from behind the house and looked over the town. Now, if I was a guild fence, were would I be?
(OOC: do i have general knowledge of prices in town, like for food, drink, and Inns?)
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Post by Game Master on Jun 4, 2009 1:05:03 GMT -5
ooc: Well if you go to the 'In town description Key' board, each place of interest lists (ok, it's not complete) prices and what they sell. Yes your character would know what a good or bad price for something is. The ten gold could buy you a full bottle of liquor.
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Lucky for Hal he's pretty street smart. A few well placed, but discreet questions to some local beggars points him to 'The Cutting Edge' jewelry shoppe. He was told the owner could help him.
(more to come)
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Post by Game Master on Jun 19, 2009 1:28:18 GMT -5
Casing the white washed building before entering Hal asks around for a little more info on the place and gets lucky while speaking to a merchant. Apparently 'The Cutting Edge' is known for it's quality jewelry and gem cutting. For a fair price, Jutton Silversmith the Dwarven proprietor will gladly make a fine piece of custom jewelry for any gem or precious stone given to him to work with. He will also buy, sell or trade Gems, precious stones as well as jewelry for gold. Jutton is a good, honest dwarf by reputation and never asks where People come by the items they sell him. If pressed he may even be persuaded to give LOANS of gold to people who have had business dealings with him.
The building itself is small, only 30' square. It stands out only because of its wonderful white washed walls. The technique is kept secret by Jutton. When one enters the building however one quickly realizes that it is only an entrance to a small catacomb of tunnels. Juttons main shop is up front so people don't get lost. He will escort customers to where they need to go for services.
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Post by Dragon on Jun 19, 2009 23:35:49 GMT -5
Hal looked the dwarf up and down. Is this guy part of the thieves guild? Jewelry shop could make for a nice front I guess. Still, best to play it safe.
Hal stepped up to the dwarf. "Good day, sir! Excuse me if I happened to be interrupting anything, but I've have a couple items I heard you might be interested in buying?"
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