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<blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 4565902" data-attributes="member: 11"><p><strong>Session #28 – “Drie-Hoek Jaunt” (part 1 of 3)</strong> [sup]1[/sup]</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Isilem, the 16th of Syet - 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)</span></p><p></p><p>The young nobles who had signed the so-called <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Charter+of+Schiereiland" target="_blank">Charter of Schiereiland</a>, and who at times had referred to themselves as the ‘Sons of Thricia’, at other times, ‘the Scions of Thricia’, and at least once as ‘Timotheus Smith and his Mystery Men’, made their way back to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sluetelot" target="_blank">Sluetelot</a> from <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Weirspierogen" target="_blank">Weirspierogen</a> upon <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sea+Wyvern" target="_blank">the Sea Wyvern</a>. Morning was waning at the beginning of the third week of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Syet" target="_blank">Syet</a>, the second (and last) month of autumn, but it had been a sultry autumn with little rain. It hardly felt that winter was coming, except perhaps to Markos, who could taste it in the changing wind off <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Drie-Hoek+Bay" target="_blank">Drie-Hoek Bay</a>. Timotheus, however, felt the constant chill of his cousin, who continued to barely speak to him since the second assassination attempt.[sup]2[/sup]</p><p></p><p>They had gotten back to Sluetelot late in the afternoon two days before and had a large lunch as a group, discussing their next moves, and some logistical things with their steward, <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Euleria+Finch" target="_blank">Euleria Finch</a>.[sup]3[/sup] Coins were handed out to cover the incredible expenses of their stay at the <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Golden+Arch+Bridge+%26+Inn" target="_blank">Golden Arch Bridge & Inn</a> in <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Lilly+City" target="_blank">Lilly City</a>, [sup]4[/sup] and it was decided they would travel as a group to retrieve their boat. In the meantime, Euleria would investigate a place to keep the boat while the party continued with their journeys. </p><p></p><p>The bay had been cold when had they crossed eastward on a ferry to Weirspierogen, and the sight of the low gray buildings and many small nest-like clustered brown houses was a letdown to those who had never passed through here before. Sluetelot was a metropolis in comparison. The only impressive features were upon the tiered side of the nearby great hill, the temple of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Anhur" target="_blank">Anhur</a> and the walls of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sparlange" target="_blank">Sparlange</a>, and at its top High Hill Tower. </p><p></p><p>The Signers walked north along the wharf towards the harbormaster’s office at Bleys’ direction. As they passed some townsfolk, Timotheus smiled and waved, greeting them happily, but they looked down or right past him, saying nothing. “Great! A town full of Bleyses,” Tim sighed.</p><p></p><p>Bleys did all the talking at the office, getting quickly past the clerk to talk to the Harbormaster himself, who complained at length of Sir Gregor Harrold’s defiance of naval regulations and his circumventing the law and the extra work it caused. The Signers a gave a collective “Hear! Hear!” though some with a slight mock in their tone. The harbormaster made a note of mentioning that Sir Adrian Devenpeck had come down to ask after the boat himself, and to see if any of the Signers had come to claim it. The fine was paid and they found the Sea Wyvern. Markos immediately began to inspect it. There were a few things they’d need to get her into shape for the trip back across the bay, but all of them would be easy enough to get.</p><p></p><p>“What is there to do around here?” Timotheus asked, squinting as he looked around.</p><p></p><p>“You’re looking at it,” Bleys replied dryly.</p><p></p><p>They were walking towards the market when they saw a tall man approaching. He wore ornate plate armor, and a soft blue cloak. He had long brown locks that blew in the harbor wind, and his face had a kind of brutal handsomeness, and unsettling ice blue eyes. He wore a longsword at his side, and a boy of about fourteen summers followed a bit behind him.</p><p></p><p>“Sir Adrian Devenpeck…” Bleys said quietly to the others. “He is not a man to be trifled with…”</p><p></p><p>“The Signers of the Charter of Schiereiland…” The imposing knight greeting in a deep voice as he approached. He reached out his hand and shook of their hands firmly, speaking to each of them as he did, revealing his awareness of each of them. </p><p></p><p>“Young Bleys, favored of the Margrave and kin of our house… Telémahkos Briareus, ever-affable and becoming known for being something of a duelist? If not a very good one yet… And his cousin, Timotheus, the recognized bastard of Briareus… I heard you almost beat Floris Tenbrook…?” Timotheus’s hands were the only ones that could match the noble’s size and strength as they shook. He nodded. “It is too bad that you were not able to teach that upstart a severe lesson… But it matters not… Someone will eventually…” He turned to Laarus. “Laarus Raymer of Ra… Ever an honor to meet a loyal follower of the King of the Gods, and Victoria Ostrander, I fear that the waterways and hills of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Hoofdlan" target="_blank">Hoofdlan</a> and <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Black+Thread+Island" target="_blank">Black Thread Island</a> are likely not as satisfying for you as the open fields of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Schiereiland" target="_blank">Schiereiland</a>… And finally, Markos Ackers, the poor victim of kidnappers… You do seem to have nearly finished learning the ways of civilization…”</p><p></p><p>There was a pause and then the Signers awkwardly greeted him back, and he continued. “I see you have come to retrieve your sloop. Very good… I pray the harbormaster informed you of the violation of law?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, sir… He did…” Bleys replied.</p><p></p><p>Sir Adrian nodded. “Good… It chafes me how some nobles think they are above the law, and you would do well young master Bleys… You would all do well…” He surveyed the faces of the young nobles. “… To avoid such people, and avoid being drawn into their web of corruption…”</p><p></p><p>“Yes… yes…” They nodded.</p><p></p><p>“Take for example the recent events in <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Kraken%27s+Cove" target="_blank">Kraken’s Cove</a>…” He looked at them again. “I hear you all were willing to do what <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/House+Wetherwax" target="_blank">House Wetherwax</a> was not… Clear that foul smugglers cove of criminals, bringing them to the justice of the blade at the same time as making business profitable for legitimate Thrician merchants… It is to be commended…”</p><p></p><p>“Most of the people there were dead already when we arrived…” Telémahkos interjected.</p><p></p><p>“I am sure they were,” Adrian replied dismissively. “And now, forced to keep others from returning to that area and trying to handle the chaos in the illegal trade up from <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Devil%27s+Grasp" target="_blank">Devil’s Grasp</a>, House Wetherwax is struggled to keep a watch over those waters that fall under their duty, and House Devenpeck has been called upon to fill the void and take over more patrols in Drie-Hoek Bay. If House Wetherwax had not turned a blind eye to this smuggling and handled it aggressively to begin with this would not be happening… Hopefully your actions have forced the issue and we are on the verge of a more lawful and stable era on the bay… At least, it shall be so across the Drie-Hoek now that Devenpeck ships are more ubiquitous on her waters…” </p><p></p><p> “I think this is excellent news!” Telémahkos burst out, wearing an over-wide smile.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, then things shall be as they should be…” Bleys agreed.</p><p></p><p>“I am glad to hear it,” Sir Adrian Devenpeck replied. The corner of his thin-lipped mouth moved slightly in an abortive smile. “And know that if on your time traveling on and around Drie-Hoek Bay, if you are in need of aid, rousting smugglers, pirates, inhuman creatures that threaten our security, or even some smaller aid, do not hesitate to seek out agents of House Devenpeck and give my name. And if you plan to stay in Weirspierogen for any amount of time, allow me to offer you my father’s hospitality in Sparlange.”</p><p></p><p>“Thank you…” Bleys said.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, thank you… Your promise of aid means a great deal…” Laarus said. The rest of the Signers echoed the thanks, though Markos’ was mumbled and forced.</p><p></p><p>“I am very pleased to have met you,” Telémahkos smiled more as they all shook the serious knight’s hand one more time before he left.</p><p></p><p>Markos looked around at his companions in the silence that followed the knight’s leaving and noted the unsettled feeling on most of their faces. He could tell that each of them were disturbed in his own way by Sir Adrian Devenpeck’s words and demeanor, and he smiled. “You know… I am actually starting to like some of you some of the time…” He said.</p><p></p><p>“Well, that’s something,” Timotheus slapped Markos on the back hard, and the sailor-mage went back to his usual sneer.</p><p></p><p>Going back across the bay, Telémahkos spent his time shadowing Markos to learn more of the sailor’s craft. When he wasn’t needed and the wind grew cold, he went back down below, where Timotheus, tired of the silent treatment confronted him.</p><p></p><p>“You know, if you didn’t ignore my own interests, I would be happier about bodyguarding you,” Tim said.</p><p></p><p>“I’m sorry that ditching the group for seedy bars and syphilitic whores and then waking up not knowing how many coppers you have left is more important than protecting the life of your cousin,” Telémahkos sneered. “If you want to be a noble, you need to start acting and talking like one… You may have a reputation as a fighter, but not as a leader of men, and to be leader you need to take on responsibilities…”</p><p></p><p>“We used to go out all the time and have fun…” Timotheus complained.</p><p></p><p>“That was before assassins were after me, and before we had a responsibility to the rest of the group,” Telémahkos explained. “We all have to grow up sometime…” </p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Teflem, the 20th of Keent - 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)</span></p><p></p><p>Four days later the Signers of the Charter of Schiereiland were riding south along the Beach Road from Sluetelot, headed to New Harbinger to answer the summons of Lord Swann.[sup]5[/sup] Before leaving there was some talk of going to Quillton to search out the halfling mentioned by the assassin interrogated in Lilly City, but it was generally agreed that he was likely long gone. As it was, Laarus of Ra insisted that a lord’s summons was not something that could be delayed any longer. Also in this time, Victoria picked up her finished masterwork armor, and a decision was made that Telémahkos would wear <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Magical+Item+-+The+Warding+Ring" target="_blank"><em>the Warding Ring</em></a> when the party was in civilization, but out on the road, it would be Bleys the Aubergine who would wear it.</p><p></p><p>Misty rain dogged their ride and slowed them down, as the Beach Road was muddier and narrower having given way to the sea in several places. And on the second miserable day, they were nearly right upon a wrecked fishing boat when they spotted. Two men were sitting on the edge of the beached craft, while another lay curled in a ball on the sand. They looked bedraggled and downcast.</p><p></p><p>“Hail! And well met, what has happened here?” Bleys called, rearing his warhorse.</p><p></p><p>“Sea monsters?” Timotheus called, barely concealing his hope that his guess was true.</p><p></p><p>Victoria rolled her eyes. “You have quite the imagination, Timotheus…”</p><p></p><p>“What? Don’t believe in sea monsters?” Tim frowned.</p><p></p><p>“It is not that… But sea monster don’t beat people up and leave them on the beach…”</p><p></p><p>“What has happened here?!” Bleys’ voice boomed when he called to the men.</p><p></p><p>The fishermen explained that local rogues set them upon when they pulled their craft in. Their friend on the sand was beat into unconsciousness for fighting back, and a whole sack of their freshly caught fish was taken from them.</p><p></p><p>“Who were they?” Bleys asked.</p><p></p><p>“MacHaven’s Brood, people call them…” A fisherman explained. “They have been brazenly pushing their weight around since all the soldiers have been busy fighting lizardmen in the bog… They are probably at <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Wringneck%27s+Pub" target="_blank">Wringneck’s</a> right now…”</p><p></p><p>“Okay! Let’s take care of this!” Timotheus announced.</p><p></p><p>“I agree,” Markos murmured. “These poor saps are suffering for our failure to settle this matter the last time we were here…” </p><p></p><p>The Signers doubled their pace to get to Bog End before nightfall, leaving the appreciative fishermen behind with a couple of silver pieces each to cover their lost fish and promising to look into the banditry.</p><p></p><p>A light rain began to fall as the Beach Road turned west, and climbed up towards the High Road and the crossroads at Bog End. The hamlet was already dark as they made their way on horseback past the ramshackle houses and dilapidated boathouses and stables. They soon saw the lanterns hanging from the awnings of the Wringneck’s, the tavern upon the dock. It was the only building lit up in the growing gloom. </p><p></p><p>“Hail!” Bleys addressed a man standing out front of the tavern, as if on guard. He wore studded leather armor, and carried a longsword at his side. “Is Wallaby about?”</p><p></p><p>“He’s inside,” The man gestured with his head, wearing sneer as he looked over each party member as they dismounted and tied their horses out front.</p><p></p><p>“Cousin… Stay and watch the horses,” Markos suggested.</p><p></p><p>“It is my duty to check for injustice here,” Laarus of Ra replied. He began to walk towards the tavern’s entrance.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“Let Tymon and me watch them…” Telémahkos said, eying the guard.</p><p></p><p>“You need me, Cuz?” Timotheus asked, looking back to Telémahkos, but Telie ignored him. The brawny fighter walked in behind Victoria and Markos.</p><p></p><p>Inside were none of the usual local regulars. Instead there were a handful of armed men in leather and studded leather armor, drinking and chew roasted fish. One of them sat up on one of the large tables. He had a broad back and wore mud-caked studded leather armor, but had bare arms covered in countless tattoos of streams of ants emerging from and going into small green anthills, and many bangled braclets on his forerarm and above the bicep. He wore a hunter’s cap and had bright green eyes. There were three bedraggled wenches, laughing and screaming as they were groped, pinched and tickled. “Ten to one, one of these guys is McHaven,” Timotheus said under his breath as he walked up behind the watch-mage. Bleys the Aubergine walked past the men towards the bar, where he recognized <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Tickle" target="_blank">Tickle</a> sitting at one end.[sup]6[/sup] He noticed there were fewer benches and tables than there had been before, and those remaining were abused, stained, cracked or warped. As the watch-mage reached the dark man, <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Wallaby+Wringneck" target="_blank">Wallaby Wringneck</a> popped his head up from behind the bar. The portly halfling had a blackened left eye and a cut lip. His hair was tousled, and his shirt askew and stained with sweat, ale and fish guts.</p><p></p><p>“You don’t mind if I sharpen my weapon do you?” Telémahkos walked up to the man standing out front. He appeared in his mid-twenties, with his pale freckled skin darkened by dirt. The man was smoking a pipe, and cocked an eyebrow, but then shrugged his response. The blond Briareus drew his rapier and began to sharpen it on a stone with exaggerated effect, only a few feet in front of the man.</p><p></p><p>“That’s a nice blade ya got,” the man said. “Can I see it?”</p><p></p><p>“Sure,” Telémahkos cocked his chin and then flipped the sword with an expert flourish, passing it over pommel first. The man took it and swung it with some obvious martial knowledge. He held it up to the light of one of the hanging lanterns. “Nice…” He said, and handed it back.</p><p></p><p>“Thanks…” Telémahkos replied as he took it, and then continued to sharpen it</p><p></p><p>“What happened to the watch-mage?” Bleys was questioning Tickle about the recent occurrences, and the news of the skirmishes against the lizardfolk.</p><p></p><p>“Rumor is he fell in the bog fighting the lizardmen,” Tickle replied quietly. Every once in a while his eyes would dart nervously towards the drinking men, one of whom was giving a detailed account of a drunken night another spent with a donkey.</p><p></p><p>“Do you believe this?” Bleys asked.</p><p></p><p>“Why don’t you cast a little spell and find out?” One of the armed men was at the bar. He sneered at Bleys, while the man’s companions quieted down finally noticing the new arrivals.</p><p></p><p>“Bleys, we are wasting time…” Victoria said, standing near the middle of the tavern, just a few feet away from the table of drinkers. “Why don’t you tell them why we are here so we can get to the bottom of this?” She struck the butt of her spear on the floor to emphasize her point.</p><p></p><p>“I’d sure like to give her a taste of <em>my</em> spear!” One of the men said, softly, but with the obvious intention of being overheard.</p><p></p><p>“Shut your filthy fncking mouth!” Markos yelled, stepping right up to the man, who was leaning on one of the long tables. “You had better apologize right now and learn to show the proper respect!”</p><p></p><p>“And who is going to make me little man? You?” The man smirked. He stood to tower over the diminutive mage</p><p></p><p><em>…to be continued…</em></p><p></p><p>---------------------------------------------------------</p><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p><p></p><p>(1) This session was played Sunday March 30, 2008 in Brooklyn, NY.</p><p></p><p>(2) See Session #27.</p><p></p><p>(3) Some of this logistical stuff was handled over email and on the messageboards.</p><p></p><p>(4) The total cost was just over 100 silver pieces.</p><p></p><p>(5) Bleys received the summons in Session #26</p><p></p><p>(6) The party met Tickle on their first trip through Bog End. (See Session #2)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="el-remmen, post: 4565902, member: 11"] [b]Session #28 – “Drie-Hoek Jaunt” (part 1 of 3)[/b] [sup]1[/sup] [size=5]Isilem, the 16th of Syet - 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)[/size] The young nobles who had signed the so-called [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Charter+of+Schiereiland]Charter of Schiereiland[/url], and who at times had referred to themselves as the ‘Sons of Thricia’, at other times, ‘the Scions of Thricia’, and at least once as ‘Timotheus Smith and his Mystery Men’, made their way back to [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sluetelot]Sluetelot[/url] from [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Weirspierogen]Weirspierogen[/url] upon [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sea+Wyvern]the Sea Wyvern[/url]. Morning was waning at the beginning of the third week of [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Syet]Syet[/url], the second (and last) month of autumn, but it had been a sultry autumn with little rain. It hardly felt that winter was coming, except perhaps to Markos, who could taste it in the changing wind off [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Drie-Hoek+Bay]Drie-Hoek Bay[/url]. Timotheus, however, felt the constant chill of his cousin, who continued to barely speak to him since the second assassination attempt.[sup]2[/sup] They had gotten back to Sluetelot late in the afternoon two days before and had a large lunch as a group, discussing their next moves, and some logistical things with their steward, [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Euleria+Finch]Euleria Finch[/url].[sup]3[/sup] Coins were handed out to cover the incredible expenses of their stay at the [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Golden+Arch+Bridge+%26+Inn]Golden Arch Bridge & Inn[/url] in [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Lilly+City]Lilly City[/url], [sup]4[/sup] and it was decided they would travel as a group to retrieve their boat. In the meantime, Euleria would investigate a place to keep the boat while the party continued with their journeys. The bay had been cold when had they crossed eastward on a ferry to Weirspierogen, and the sight of the low gray buildings and many small nest-like clustered brown houses was a letdown to those who had never passed through here before. Sluetelot was a metropolis in comparison. The only impressive features were upon the tiered side of the nearby great hill, the temple of [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Anhur]Anhur[/url] and the walls of [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sparlange]Sparlange[/url], and at its top High Hill Tower. The Signers walked north along the wharf towards the harbormaster’s office at Bleys’ direction. As they passed some townsfolk, Timotheus smiled and waved, greeting them happily, but they looked down or right past him, saying nothing. “Great! A town full of Bleyses,” Tim sighed. Bleys did all the talking at the office, getting quickly past the clerk to talk to the Harbormaster himself, who complained at length of Sir Gregor Harrold’s defiance of naval regulations and his circumventing the law and the extra work it caused. The Signers a gave a collective “Hear! Hear!” though some with a slight mock in their tone. The harbormaster made a note of mentioning that Sir Adrian Devenpeck had come down to ask after the boat himself, and to see if any of the Signers had come to claim it. The fine was paid and they found the Sea Wyvern. Markos immediately began to inspect it. There were a few things they’d need to get her into shape for the trip back across the bay, but all of them would be easy enough to get. “What is there to do around here?” Timotheus asked, squinting as he looked around. “You’re looking at it,” Bleys replied dryly. They were walking towards the market when they saw a tall man approaching. He wore ornate plate armor, and a soft blue cloak. He had long brown locks that blew in the harbor wind, and his face had a kind of brutal handsomeness, and unsettling ice blue eyes. He wore a longsword at his side, and a boy of about fourteen summers followed a bit behind him. “Sir Adrian Devenpeck…” Bleys said quietly to the others. “He is not a man to be trifled with…” “The Signers of the Charter of Schiereiland…” The imposing knight greeting in a deep voice as he approached. He reached out his hand and shook of their hands firmly, speaking to each of them as he did, revealing his awareness of each of them. “Young Bleys, favored of the Margrave and kin of our house… Telémahkos Briareus, ever-affable and becoming known for being something of a duelist? If not a very good one yet… And his cousin, Timotheus, the recognized bastard of Briareus… I heard you almost beat Floris Tenbrook…?” Timotheus’s hands were the only ones that could match the noble’s size and strength as they shook. He nodded. “It is too bad that you were not able to teach that upstart a severe lesson… But it matters not… Someone will eventually…” He turned to Laarus. “Laarus Raymer of Ra… Ever an honor to meet a loyal follower of the King of the Gods, and Victoria Ostrander, I fear that the waterways and hills of [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Hoofdlan]Hoofdlan[/url] and [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Black+Thread+Island]Black Thread Island[/url] are likely not as satisfying for you as the open fields of [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Schiereiland]Schiereiland[/url]… And finally, Markos Ackers, the poor victim of kidnappers… You do seem to have nearly finished learning the ways of civilization…” There was a pause and then the Signers awkwardly greeted him back, and he continued. “I see you have come to retrieve your sloop. Very good… I pray the harbormaster informed you of the violation of law?” “Yes, sir… He did…” Bleys replied. Sir Adrian nodded. “Good… It chafes me how some nobles think they are above the law, and you would do well young master Bleys… You would all do well…” He surveyed the faces of the young nobles. “… To avoid such people, and avoid being drawn into their web of corruption…” “Yes… yes…” They nodded. “Take for example the recent events in [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Kraken%27s+Cove]Kraken’s Cove[/url]…” He looked at them again. “I hear you all were willing to do what [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/House+Wetherwax]House Wetherwax[/url] was not… Clear that foul smugglers cove of criminals, bringing them to the justice of the blade at the same time as making business profitable for legitimate Thrician merchants… It is to be commended…” “Most of the people there were dead already when we arrived…” Telémahkos interjected. “I am sure they were,” Adrian replied dismissively. “And now, forced to keep others from returning to that area and trying to handle the chaos in the illegal trade up from [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Devil%27s+Grasp]Devil’s Grasp[/url], House Wetherwax is struggled to keep a watch over those waters that fall under their duty, and House Devenpeck has been called upon to fill the void and take over more patrols in Drie-Hoek Bay. If House Wetherwax had not turned a blind eye to this smuggling and handled it aggressively to begin with this would not be happening… Hopefully your actions have forced the issue and we are on the verge of a more lawful and stable era on the bay… At least, it shall be so across the Drie-Hoek now that Devenpeck ships are more ubiquitous on her waters…” “I think this is excellent news!” Telémahkos burst out, wearing an over-wide smile. “Yes, then things shall be as they should be…” Bleys agreed. “I am glad to hear it,” Sir Adrian Devenpeck replied. The corner of his thin-lipped mouth moved slightly in an abortive smile. “And know that if on your time traveling on and around Drie-Hoek Bay, if you are in need of aid, rousting smugglers, pirates, inhuman creatures that threaten our security, or even some smaller aid, do not hesitate to seek out agents of House Devenpeck and give my name. And if you plan to stay in Weirspierogen for any amount of time, allow me to offer you my father’s hospitality in Sparlange.” “Thank you…” Bleys said. “Yes, thank you… Your promise of aid means a great deal…” Laarus said. The rest of the Signers echoed the thanks, though Markos’ was mumbled and forced. “I am very pleased to have met you,” Telémahkos smiled more as they all shook the serious knight’s hand one more time before he left. Markos looked around at his companions in the silence that followed the knight’s leaving and noted the unsettled feeling on most of their faces. He could tell that each of them were disturbed in his own way by Sir Adrian Devenpeck’s words and demeanor, and he smiled. “You know… I am actually starting to like some of you some of the time…” He said. “Well, that’s something,” Timotheus slapped Markos on the back hard, and the sailor-mage went back to his usual sneer. Going back across the bay, Telémahkos spent his time shadowing Markos to learn more of the sailor’s craft. When he wasn’t needed and the wind grew cold, he went back down below, where Timotheus, tired of the silent treatment confronted him. “You know, if you didn’t ignore my own interests, I would be happier about bodyguarding you,” Tim said. “I’m sorry that ditching the group for seedy bars and syphilitic whores and then waking up not knowing how many coppers you have left is more important than protecting the life of your cousin,” Telémahkos sneered. “If you want to be a noble, you need to start acting and talking like one… You may have a reputation as a fighter, but not as a leader of men, and to be leader you need to take on responsibilities…” “We used to go out all the time and have fun…” Timotheus complained. “That was before assassins were after me, and before we had a responsibility to the rest of the group,” Telémahkos explained. “We all have to grow up sometime…” [size=5]Teflem, the 20th of Keent - 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)[/size] Four days later the Signers of the Charter of Schiereiland were riding south along the Beach Road from Sluetelot, headed to New Harbinger to answer the summons of Lord Swann.[sup]5[/sup] Before leaving there was some talk of going to Quillton to search out the halfling mentioned by the assassin interrogated in Lilly City, but it was generally agreed that he was likely long gone. As it was, Laarus of Ra insisted that a lord’s summons was not something that could be delayed any longer. Also in this time, Victoria picked up her finished masterwork armor, and a decision was made that Telémahkos would wear [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Magical+Item+-+The+Warding+Ring][i]the Warding Ring[/i][/url] when the party was in civilization, but out on the road, it would be Bleys the Aubergine who would wear it. Misty rain dogged their ride and slowed them down, as the Beach Road was muddier and narrower having given way to the sea in several places. And on the second miserable day, they were nearly right upon a wrecked fishing boat when they spotted. Two men were sitting on the edge of the beached craft, while another lay curled in a ball on the sand. They looked bedraggled and downcast. “Hail! And well met, what has happened here?” Bleys called, rearing his warhorse. “Sea monsters?” Timotheus called, barely concealing his hope that his guess was true. Victoria rolled her eyes. “You have quite the imagination, Timotheus…” “What? Don’t believe in sea monsters?” Tim frowned. “It is not that… But sea monster don’t beat people up and leave them on the beach…” “What has happened here?!” Bleys’ voice boomed when he called to the men. The fishermen explained that local rogues set them upon when they pulled their craft in. Their friend on the sand was beat into unconsciousness for fighting back, and a whole sack of their freshly caught fish was taken from them. “Who were they?” Bleys asked. “MacHaven’s Brood, people call them…” A fisherman explained. “They have been brazenly pushing their weight around since all the soldiers have been busy fighting lizardmen in the bog… They are probably at [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Wringneck%27s+Pub]Wringneck’s[/url] right now…” “Okay! Let’s take care of this!” Timotheus announced. “I agree,” Markos murmured. “These poor saps are suffering for our failure to settle this matter the last time we were here…” The Signers doubled their pace to get to Bog End before nightfall, leaving the appreciative fishermen behind with a couple of silver pieces each to cover their lost fish and promising to look into the banditry. A light rain began to fall as the Beach Road turned west, and climbed up towards the High Road and the crossroads at Bog End. The hamlet was already dark as they made their way on horseback past the ramshackle houses and dilapidated boathouses and stables. They soon saw the lanterns hanging from the awnings of the Wringneck’s, the tavern upon the dock. It was the only building lit up in the growing gloom. “Hail!” Bleys addressed a man standing out front of the tavern, as if on guard. He wore studded leather armor, and carried a longsword at his side. “Is Wallaby about?” “He’s inside,” The man gestured with his head, wearing sneer as he looked over each party member as they dismounted and tied their horses out front. “Cousin… Stay and watch the horses,” Markos suggested. “It is my duty to check for injustice here,” Laarus of Ra replied. He began to walk towards the tavern’s entrance. “Let Tymon and me watch them…” Telémahkos said, eying the guard. “You need me, Cuz?” Timotheus asked, looking back to Telémahkos, but Telie ignored him. The brawny fighter walked in behind Victoria and Markos. Inside were none of the usual local regulars. Instead there were a handful of armed men in leather and studded leather armor, drinking and chew roasted fish. One of them sat up on one of the large tables. He had a broad back and wore mud-caked studded leather armor, but had bare arms covered in countless tattoos of streams of ants emerging from and going into small green anthills, and many bangled braclets on his forerarm and above the bicep. He wore a hunter’s cap and had bright green eyes. There were three bedraggled wenches, laughing and screaming as they were groped, pinched and tickled. “Ten to one, one of these guys is McHaven,” Timotheus said under his breath as he walked up behind the watch-mage. Bleys the Aubergine walked past the men towards the bar, where he recognized [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Tickle]Tickle[/url] sitting at one end.[sup]6[/sup] He noticed there were fewer benches and tables than there had been before, and those remaining were abused, stained, cracked or warped. As the watch-mage reached the dark man, [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Wallaby+Wringneck]Wallaby Wringneck[/url] popped his head up from behind the bar. The portly halfling had a blackened left eye and a cut lip. His hair was tousled, and his shirt askew and stained with sweat, ale and fish guts. “You don’t mind if I sharpen my weapon do you?” Telémahkos walked up to the man standing out front. He appeared in his mid-twenties, with his pale freckled skin darkened by dirt. The man was smoking a pipe, and cocked an eyebrow, but then shrugged his response. The blond Briareus drew his rapier and began to sharpen it on a stone with exaggerated effect, only a few feet in front of the man. “That’s a nice blade ya got,” the man said. “Can I see it?” “Sure,” Telémahkos cocked his chin and then flipped the sword with an expert flourish, passing it over pommel first. The man took it and swung it with some obvious martial knowledge. He held it up to the light of one of the hanging lanterns. “Nice…” He said, and handed it back. “Thanks…” Telémahkos replied as he took it, and then continued to sharpen it “What happened to the watch-mage?” Bleys was questioning Tickle about the recent occurrences, and the news of the skirmishes against the lizardfolk. “Rumor is he fell in the bog fighting the lizardmen,” Tickle replied quietly. Every once in a while his eyes would dart nervously towards the drinking men, one of whom was giving a detailed account of a drunken night another spent with a donkey. “Do you believe this?” Bleys asked. “Why don’t you cast a little spell and find out?” One of the armed men was at the bar. He sneered at Bleys, while the man’s companions quieted down finally noticing the new arrivals. “Bleys, we are wasting time…” Victoria said, standing near the middle of the tavern, just a few feet away from the table of drinkers. “Why don’t you tell them why we are here so we can get to the bottom of this?” She struck the butt of her spear on the floor to emphasize her point. “I’d sure like to give her a taste of [I]my[/I] spear!” One of the men said, softly, but with the obvious intention of being overheard. “Shut your filthy fncking mouth!” Markos yelled, stepping right up to the man, who was leaning on one of the long tables. “You had better apologize right now and learn to show the proper respect!” “And who is going to make me little man? You?” The man smirked. He stood to tower over the diminutive mage [I]…to be continued…[/I] --------------------------------------------------------- [b]Notes:[/b] (1) This session was played Sunday March 30, 2008 in Brooklyn, NY. (2) See Session #27. (3) Some of this logistical stuff was handled over email and on the messageboards. (4) The total cost was just over 100 silver pieces. (5) Bleys received the summons in Session #26 (6) The party met Tickle on their first trip through Bog End. (See Session #2) [/QUOTE]
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