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Post by Josiah on Sept 14, 2011 18:20:08 GMT -9
(GM)
It was a simple piece of parchment. Copies of it had been passed around and put up around town - on news boards, posted in taverns, and generally passing by word of mouth as well. The merchant ship Clandestine had just come into port, but a particularly nasty storm had left them a little short-handed - as the paper explained. Getting their goods to Arkhosia has just become a lot more complicated.
"Time is money, and depending on how well you prove yourself able, it can be your money too. Show up at the Rashi's field today and show yourself a capable escort. You have until sun-down. We're leaving tomorrow."
Further instructions follow below, directing the reader towards the farmer's homestead a mile out of town and to show up equipped with whatever they'd take with him or her on the journey.
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Post by Matthew on Sept 15, 2011 3:02:51 GMT -9
(Medrash Reddyar of Bloodbane)
Medrash walked through the town looking for work to do. Travelling outside the temple was an adventure within itself. That was what he had learned when he had started his training as a paladin. It was a challange naturally, but thats what he loved. Finding out what he could and couldn't do, and then pushing himself to do better.
It wasn't all fun and games, he had also seen the horrors of the world as well. He wanted to work towards ridding the world of such evils. He didn't know where or how to start stopping the forces of evil. Until then he was going to do small adventuring quests to boister his ability to fight.
He hoped by doing such; he'd gain the knowledge, ability, and allies to fight against the forces of injustice and evil. It also provided him with some coinage to spend on room and board at the inns.
It was then he noticed the piece of parchment with a job offering of sorts. He read it a few times to see if it was worth getting into. After a few moments of debate he decided it was worth the effort.
The part about showing up as a capable escort seemed down his alleyway... cept he didn't have a mount. He checked his money pouch and did a quick calculation. He figured he had enough for a decent mount. After all... showing up as is wouldn't be as classy as it would be showing up on a mount of some sort.
He should have time to buy a mount and get to farmer's homestead before sun-down. That is if he started now and quit standing around and looking pretty. He started off in a direction where he'd find what he was looking for.
(Yes... he's going searching for a mount to buy... specifically a Warhorse. If that's not available i'll settle for either; a riding horse, a giant lizard draft, or a Camel.)
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Post by Josiah on Sept 15, 2011 7:46:58 GMT -9
(GM, @medrash)
The stables are located on the outskirts of the main city, just to the right of the main road. From a distance, it seems almost like a massive brown barn, and it has a smell to match - animals, dust, and hay weigh heavy on the air. Large, open fields are attached to the side of the barn away from the main road, and there's a pair of smaller buildings nearby, each the size of a two-story house. The one closer to the city has a plaque proudly proclaiming it as Ricket's Stables. A few workers are milling about, carrying hay or moving equipment, for one reason or another, yet it seems like most of the horses are out in the fields grazing or playing.
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Post by Matthew on Sept 16, 2011 1:00:26 GMT -9
Medrash walked to the stables that looked to be a large barn with large open fields. Lots of other buildings that were nearby, but what gave the place away as a stable was the smell. It wasn’t as bad as he would have thought it was. The smells were different from the other smells that he had smelled from before. It was refreshingly disgusting in a way that really didn’t bother him as much as he thought it should.
The place was identified as Ricket’s Stables by a plaque on a building. Hopefully they’d have a perfectly suitable mount for a good price. If not then it was no scale off of his back, he’d simply have to walk to the job location.
Medrash walked up to the nearest person that he could see that wasn’t busy.
“Excuse me. I was wondering to whom I should inquire about buying either; a Warhorse, a riding horse, a giant Draft lizard, or a Camel.” He asked keeping himself humble but held with dignity.
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Post by Josiah on Sept 16, 2011 8:25:03 GMT -9
(GM, @medrash)
The laborer regards you warily because of your armor and your obvious draconic features. He points to the main building - the one with the plaque - without saying anything else. He quickly gets back to work, shooting just a few darting glances at you over his shoulder.
The door to that building stands closed, but upon closer inspection, a smaller sign on it says that it is "Open" in common.
If you go inside, you'll find that the first room looks like a business office, with a high-seated gnome writing behind the biggest desk. His wavy red hair sticks up several inches high, almost as if his head is on fire. A large sheepdog lays to his side, half-asleep. Another pair of desks also sit on either side of the broad room, though the one to your left is empty. The one to your right has a quick writing bespectacled Tiefling woman.
At the site of a well-armored Dragonborn, the gnome lights up immediately.
"Ahhh, welcome!" he says happily, scooching forward in the chair that was twice his size. "How may I help you today? Are you looking for a rental, or something you can keep over a longer period of time?"
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Post by 4lphanumer1c on Sept 16, 2011 13:40:56 GMT -9
(Lucas)
It's been hours now, and he has no idea what he's doing.
"Your extensive study of the art will be utterly wasted if you don't get off your derriere and make something useful out of it," his mentor told him this morning as he waved the flier in his face. "This is the perfect opportunity for you to start. Get out there, see the world from a vantage point where it can punch you in the face if you don't check yourself. It's the best way to learn how to live in it, one that all my books and all your father's tales could never hope to match."
"And get a haircut. You look like someone tried to polymorph a chrysanthemum into a bird's rear end and gave up halfway."
Lucas holds up the map again and frowns as he matches the directions up with the street before him. Maybe it's upside down? - It isn't.
He's asked five people for directions already - one of them twice, he suspects. That last fellow looked rather familiar, though it's hard to tell - he isn't that good with recognizing strangers' faces. Each time after, he's taken wrong turns and has had to come back to the town center and start over, using an oft-travelled detour that takes him past the library.
It's odd. He can make his way to the library from anywhere in the city, but can't find the nearest gate out of the city and to Rashi's field. He tried following the perimeter of the city walls until he found a gap earlier, but gave up when that proved fruitless.
He isn't sure how good an escort he'll make if he doesn't even have a sense of direction.
A sense of direction. That sounds right. He should get one of those.
He's certain he has everything else he needs. Light armaments that he can use if hand-waving and chanting won't fly, a day's rations - he can never finish a full meal in one sitting, which means it can last longer - a waterskin, bedroll, spellbook... and a rope. Someone always seems to need a rope for something or other.
Maybe he should ask someone to show him the way out. Again. There's that thing people say... seventh time's the charm?
(Diplomacy check for help: [dice=20+7])[rand=74182510050013668911816906183958241775187663733961375564062036574]
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Post by Matthew on Sept 16, 2011 14:02:20 GMT -9
Medrash nodded his thanks to the laborer. He was obviously scared of him, which was saddening. No one should be scared of a paladin, though it was most probably because of his draconic features. He did have to remind himself that not all paladins were exactly good and nice. But he was digressing in his thoughts, he should be more worried about getting a mount.
Walking into the building that the nice person had graciously pointed out to him. He saw a gnome working at on something. A sheepdog was half asleep nearby the gnome. A female tiefling with glasses working on something.
Medrash looked around for which one was the one he needed to talk with. Both looked like they were in charge and busy. He didn't want to disturb them unintentionally, but at the same time he didn't have the time to wait for them to notice him. It was a dilemma that bothered him quite frankly. But it was a dilemma that seemed to have solved itself as the gnome addressed him and asked him a question.
"Well I'm looking for something that could be kept over a longer period of time. Hopefully something that is sturdy, can carry a lot of weight, can move quickly if need be, and is easy on the wallet. My funds at the moment don't allow for a great deal at the moment." Medrash explained while moving to the front of the Gnome's desk.
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Post by Josiah on Sept 16, 2011 14:26:12 GMT -9
(GM, Alexei @lucas)
Currently holding his staff across his shoulders, the tanned figure gives back a bright smile to the shorter human. The half bear-like creature on all fours behind the blond apprises the haggard figure with animal suspicion and curiosity.
"Well I reckon if that's where you're aiming to go, you've asked the right person," he says with a slight accent from some region not of this area.
"I'm on my way there myself," he says as he indicates a path and starts walking along, fiddling with the walking stick he didn't really need. Glancing back to ensure the other is following, he keeps going towards the western exit and the fields beyond.
"You want to join the caravan then? Do you think you're up to it?"
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Post by Josiah on Sept 16, 2011 15:13:16 GMT -9
(GM, @medrash)
"Well, perhaps if you tell me more about these 'funds' I can be of better service to you," the gnome replied in a tone of cordial business. "If you'd like complete ownership of an animal, the cheapest I can do for you is a riding horse - covers 4 miles in an hour, up to 40 miles in a day, capable of dragging upwards of a thousand pounds. I could put you down for one of them at a mere ... 75 gp."
"If your funds are instead a little bit higher, a knight of your stature may find himself in need of a good warhorse. I have a few of those beauties. The extra training and work that goes into such a beast does wrack the price up some, you understand - though if you haven't been trained yourself, you may not find it a good use of your wealth. I can sell you one right now for 200 gp."
"But I've got something much more interesting if your funds lie in that neighborhood," he added before leaning in, dropping his voice like it was a big secret.
"Giant draft lizards."
"They're hard to get way out here, but I managed to snag a few from this guy I met in Arkhosia. Terrific beasts. Absolutely terrific. Not as quick as a horse, but capable of getting to a lot more places. These things can practically climb sheer surfaces with their claws and can navigate a swamp like we can rock. Hardy beasts, too. Things can take a licking and keep on ticking. Nothing to 'em at all. Far less needy than a horse, let me tell you that. 200 gp is a bargain for one of them, friend."
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Post by Matthew on Sept 16, 2011 16:08:44 GMT -9
Medrash listened to the gnome, and did a mental facepalm for not stating how much he had to begin with. On the other hand, one could not be out front with how much one carried with thieves that could be lurking about. Call him paranoid, but the temple he grew up on taught him to be careful with what you state about your financial standing.
He nodded as the gnome listed the animals he had for sale from 75 gold to 200 gold pieces. This worked for him, as he probably couldn't afford some of the more expensive animals at the moment. Maybe later on if he had the funds and something happened to the mount that he bought today. Currently though the warhorse was sounding like a good idea, because of the training that went into them.
He leaned forward when the gnome mentioned something that was more interesting. It sounded like it was going to be good.
He blinked when the gnome mentioned Giant Draft Lizards. From what the Gnome was saying, the lizards were more useful then a horse. He thought about it... horses were good on speed, but lizards didn't need as much attention though. He decided to go with the Giant Draft Lizard... it may dig deep into his money pouch, but it'd be worth it.
"Okay... I'll take a Giant Draft Lizard. I'd also like to purchase a Light Barding for it too if you have one available for purchase." Medrash said getting out his money pouch to pay for his new mount.
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Post by 4lphanumer1c on Sept 16, 2011 16:37:32 GMT -9
"My mentor certainly seemed to think so." Lucas sticks close to his guide as they depart, occasionally sending a wary glance towards the huge animal tailing them. "Personally, I've never stepped outdoors to tangle with the unknown and potentially dangerous before, but I'm quite sure I can rely on his judgment."
Bears... good for hiding behind while they maul someone else. Not so good to be on the receiving end of their teeth and claws. When confronted by a bear in the wild, one should... escape by climbing a tree, was it? Climbing a tree, running downhill, or playing dead.
He hopes it's playing dead. He's not too good at climbing trees and too much running makes him giddy.
"You've done this before, haven't you?" He asks. "What's... out there? On the roads between cities, and off them? What are the biggest threats, and how should we deal with them? Do bandits come by often? I've heard rumors of a nest of giant spiders - that's why the road to Harkenstrath is closed off, they're saying - and a band of travelers came in from Doshrun last week, saying something about a pack of dire wolves that were foaming at the mouth. I think I might know a way to deal with each of them, individually, provided they aren't looking my direction, but a giant dire bandit wolf-spider might be a bit too much to handle. I really don't know what we'll be facing on the roads that might necessitate an escort over the High Roads, and while I'm being sent into this by someone who believes I fit their description of 'capable'... I'm not sure what that is. Exactly what counts as 'capable', in this context? Why would they need people of that sort, if the High Roads are meant to be relatively safe? What's going on out there that I don't know about?"
He takes a deep breath. It doesn't calm him as much as he's hoping. He isn't sure why he's so nervous to begin with.
"Maybe I'm just being paranoid," he adds with a sheepish grin. "I become like this quite often. Though that's not always a bad thing, is it? Paranoia is caution. We might need caution out there. Or not; anything in excess is always bad, I'm told."
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Post by Josiah on Sept 16, 2011 18:00:29 GMT -9
(GM, Alexei @lucas)
The blonde-haired fellow raises his head back and gives a gay laugh at his newly acquired 'paranoid' companion.
"Right on both accounts, my good friend!" he said with a happy, incorrigible smile. "Tempered caution is the only way to travel. You definitely want to be careful whenever you go outside the walls - and most don't, for good reason. Dire Wolves are particularly nasty. Don't let more than one get close to you. They're raised for pack hunting, and when you're down, they can be absolutely vicious. But don't worry about those too much. They usually can't climb the High Roads. Usually."
"Spiders ... don't usually have to worry about spiders in this area, and then only at night. Not big fans of light, spiders. Something to keep in mind. Course, they're a lot more dangerous. Deathjump Spiders, man. Death. Jump. Spiders. If you can't figure out why they're dangerous from the name, say it to yourself again. Slowly. With emphasis on 'Death'. And 'Jump'."
They passed through the great gates of the city's walls, heading out into the fields beyond it. The greater walls were still several miles off in the distance, but they wouldn't see those till tomorrow. The farm they were headed to was much closer to the city and little more than a short walk away.
"But really, don't worry! We're much more likely to get attacked by bandits than anything. That's the real problem with the High Roads. They keep you up and away from most of the wild creatures, but line you right up for anyone smart enough to wait for travelers and cruel enough to rob them. If it's any consolation, you're far more likely to end up getting shot by a goblin then getting mauled to death by a frothing giant dire bandit wolf-spider!"
"Seriously, no worries," he said with an utterly blase tone. "Just stay near the beast, and you should be fine. He's magic. He protects people I like. I like you. Ergo, he'll protect you as much as he can."
"Course, that's if they hire you," he suddenly thought absent-mindedly. "Professional advice: try not to act so 'paranoid' until after you're hired. Merchants get to be paranoid all the time, but they take comfort when you act confident, or can blow a hole through something's chest with your mind. Either or. Chest explosions are usually good for getting work, so long as it's not your own."
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Post by Josiah on Sept 16, 2011 18:29:39 GMT -9
(GM, @medrash)
"Oh, a fine choice, sir!" the gnome said ecstatically as he started pulling papers and writing things down on it immediately. "Now, barding as you know is quite costly - almost as much as a mount itself, minus daily upkeep of course. Takes three or four times as much material to armor such a beast than a man, you realize. I could sell you some Light Barding for 75 gp, but if your funds are larger than you imply, Heavy Barding stands around 150 gp. What do you say?"
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Post by Matthew on Sept 16, 2011 18:45:17 GMT -9
Medrash listened and watched the Gnome work ecstatically. It was true that Barding was expensive, but it was worth doing if it helped protect his mount. Heavy barding at the moment was to expensive a thing to consider at the moment considering his coinage limitation. He could haggle the price down further, but the pricing seemed fair to him. It didn't seem right to him to haggle the price down for such a thing.
"I'll go with the Light Barding for 75 gold pieces. The heavy barding is out of my reach at the moment." Medrash said putting his coin pouch back.
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Post by Josiah on Sept 16, 2011 18:52:43 GMT -9
(GM, @medrash)
"Well then, my friend," the gnome said as he turned in his chair and jumped off onto the floor. Walking around the desk that was as tall as he was, he moved next to the dragonborn and started leading him outside. "You are soon to be the proud owner of your very own giant draft lizard! Let's go out to the stables and pick one out..."
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