Tales of the Old World 4

<Tales_GM> The year is 2512 on the Imperial Calendar...
<Tales_GM> Several hours of punishing work to keep the vessel float pass by. Not a single occupant of the Serpent having a moment's respite from the life-or-death toil.
<Tales_GM> Suddenly, lightning illuminates a building just off the river. Once your attention is drawn to it, you notice lights burning in the windows.
<Seig> "Reckon we are close to the border yet Forian? That storms messed up my sense of time and place."
* Far_Foririan works with Seig to figure out how far they have traveled, from what he is able to figure out is that they have not traveled far enough to reach the border.
<Far_Foririan> "From what I can tell we still have a ways to go to get to the border."
* Thorek is too busy helping with the buckets to keep this kruting vessel afloat to worry about much else at the moment. Thorek was sure the sailors were more than pleased to have two stout, strong dwarves help with the manual labor.
<Tales_GM> "We'll have to put 'er along the bank and call fer help!" shouts the bargemaster, noticing the building too.
* Shivva_Runna helping with the buckets to remove the excess water.
<Roderick> "You sure that's a smart idea captain? We got no idea who lives there."
<Tales_GM> "She's takin' on more water than we can hope to hold. Rather 'er lodge in the shallows fer a while than see 'er go to the bottom," he says with visible frustration on his face.
* Roderick scratches his beard. "Right captain, just had ta mention it an all." Roderick loosens his blade in it's scabbard, glaring towards the town with suspicion.
<Tales_GM> "Right, all hands to the taffrail! Lean out, and level 'er as we come in... and hold tight!"
<Tales_GM> The deckhands rush to the back of the barge, grabbing onto the rail while leaning over the side.
* Seig follows suit adding his weight.
* Far_Foririan goes to help out as well
* Afrock helps out.
<Tales_GM> The bargemaster eases the vessel as lightly as he can towards the shoreline.
<Tales_GM> When the depths rise, and the hull begins to drag against the muddy floor below, the barge fights against your weight, wanting to tilt over in the opposite direction.
<Roderick> "Everyone be on yer guard. I have a bad feelin about all this."
<Tales_GM> The tilt turns into an abrupt stop as the keel slams against a rock, sending several of the Serpent's occupants flying off the rail, down to the shore.
* Thorek adds his dwarven weight the task, perhaps not at all against seamanship. Umgak, give him good solid ground, he overrode that initial thought with a grunt.
<Thorek> The bounty hunter somehow keeps his balance and his sturdy grip on the rail keeps him planted to the deck. "Umgak!" He curses.
<Afrock> "Ow."
* Afrock after falling leaps back up and seems a little energized.
<Tales_GM> "Mannan's balls..." the bargemaster curses as the barge comes to its abrupt, grunting stop.
* Shivva_Runna falls flat on his back, rolls over, and stands back up. He pretends nothing happened.
<Tales_GM> The storm rages on, heavy clouds turning the afternoon skies ever darker.
* Seig falls overboard but rolls to his feet before sitting down again realising how hurt he is.
<Tales_GM> "You landsmen head to tha buildin' an find us help. A hot meal too if they can offer," he says to Roderick finally adding, "I'll pay."
* Roderick sixth-sense allows him to channel his reflexes into grabbing the railing seconds before being thrown over.
* Far_Foririan is hit in the chest and falls off the ship, after landing he then rolls and hops up. "This is going to hurt for a while."
<Roderick> Pulling himself back onto the deck he nods at the captain. "Aye. It's on you then." He clambers down over the side and lands on the shore, his boots squelching the muck.
<Roderick> "Grab your gear, we go ashore!"
<Thorek> "Aye that's probably for the best." He joins Roderick by clambering over the railing and ropping safely into the mud before walking onto more solid ground.
<Afrock> "Already ashore."
* Far_Foririan makes sure he has all his things with him as he waits for the others still on the boat.
* Seig mutters to himself as he stands up "Fucker taking such a big risk just to score a few extra coins on his ale, hope it doesn't cover his repairs."
* Shivva_Runna grabs his tools and handcart to take with him.
<Thorek> It's a good thing that Thorek's possessions were so little at this time. Makes it easier to keep them on his person. He stretches a little as soon as he's on dry, solid land.
<Thorek> "Come on Dawri!" He gestures to his colleagues to join him quickly.
<Tales_GM> The walled, gated, two-storey building becomes visible to all as you emerge from the riverbank onto the firmer ground of the road, then. The lights still burning through the windows.
<Seig> As they move outside of earshot of the boat Seig is sure to say "Make sure we avoid that captain in future its no wonder they were short handed, bounties useless if he drowns us."
<Tales_GM> The road, running parallel to the river, takes you all the way up to the wooden walls and the shut wooden gate.
<Thorek> "I somehow doubt the Captain was trying to drown us intentionally." He pauses. "Does such freak weather happen that often on the Teufal?"
<Seig> "Its not about the freak weather, I heard from the crew that they knew about the storm."
<Thorek> "Are you sure?" He furrow his brow a bit at that.
<Seig> "Yeah the crew weren't thrilled but they had coins in their eyes."
<Seig> "Might be the ones that weren't so happy about it already left."
<Tales_GM> Now standing before the walls, you see the swinging sign of a hooded man.
<Tales_GM> By its looks, it appears this is a riverside inn.
* Roderick steps up and slams his fist on the door a few times.
<Tales_GM> Shoreward from the inn, a small ferry house is just visible, the feint light of a burning candle sneaking out from within.
* Thorek steps up beside Roderick, lopping his thumbs in his belt.
<Tales_GM> The knocking brings forth no response.
<Thorek> "I'll check the ferry house." He says after a moment of no response and turns around to head towards it. He brings up the hood of his cloak to keep the rain from his head and face for at least a little while.
* Roderick slams his fist on the door several more times. "Open up ya shitlings! Cold and hungry people wait outside!"
<Seig> "I'll go with you Roderick seems to have this in hand."
<Far_Foririan> "Have you tried opening the door?"
<Roderick> "Take Shivva with ya. He's good at bein quiet."
* Seig follows Thorek.
<Roderick> "Piss this. We're gonna go in." Roderick reaches down and tests the handle.
<Tales_GM> The gate is securely barred from within.
<Tales_GM> The ferry house is a small building next to the rising and falling river bank.
<Thorek> "Hello there!" He yells out as he approaches the ferry house. Doing his best to warn whoever might be inside. Best not to sneak up on people on such a night as this.
<Tales_GM> The ferry itself consists of a battered raft secured in place by a winch coil.
* Roderick looks around at the others. "We wait for Thorek to check the ferry house, but ifn no one is there someone is gonna go up en over and open the gate." Pantomiming with his fingers people going up the wall and dropping down inside.
* Far_Foririan goes to look through one of the windows.
<Tales_GM> The ferry house door is open, and as you look closer you find signs of a struggle inside.
<Tales_GM> The building's furniture is overturned and there is no sign of the ferry keeper.
<Seig> "Awh fuck this..."
<Thorek> "Well, that can't be good."
* Shivva_Runna walks around looking inside the Ferry House.
* Thorek notices the blood and the trail left behind by a body being dragged out of the ferry house, but it abruptly ends not giving any indication to where it would lead due to the weather obscuring it. "Umgak."
* Far_Foririan sees that there are people inside of the building, moving around inside along with the sound of clinking glasses.
<Far_Foririan> "Roderick, looks like there are people inside."
<Thorek> "Let's regroup with Roderick." He starts trudging through the rain back to Roderick.
<Thorek> Noting the open gate, he catches Shivva's attention. "Get the rest, we have an opening to go through." He points to the open gate to their north-east.
<Roderick> "Shitlings must be might happy inside out of this damn rain."
<Shivva_Runna> "Right, be back in a second." He heads off to fetch Roderick.
* Shivva_Runna runs to Roderick "Boss, there's another gate on the other side and it's open."
* Roderick stares hard at Shivva for a moment processing the information and begins uttering a string of cruses. "Alright lead tha way mate."
* Shivva_Runna leads the group to the other gate.
* Shivva_Runna whispers to Roderick "Found something in the ferry house."
* Roderick raises an eyebrow at Shivva.
<Roderick> "Yeah?"
* Shivva_Runna hands Roderick a bag "Your cut of the spoils, Boss."
* Roderick cracks a grin and claps Shivva on the shoulder. "Well done mate."
<Thorek> "What say we have a look?" He says to Roderick as he points a thumb to the open gate to the north.
<Roderick> Roderick's grin fades and he glares up at the clouds. "Aye let's Thorek. Let's get the hell out of this weather."
<Seig> "Looked like somebody robbed the ferryhouse so keep your wits."
<Thorek> "Aye, left behind a lot of blood as well, stay on your guard dawri."
* Roderick spits on the ground. "They better hope they aren't here still if they try n get in my way of a warm meal and dry clothes." Roderick reaches across to grab the hilt of sword.
<Tales_GM> Passing by the building just after the gate, you find the coach house, a coach sitting within.
<Thorek> Noting the coach inside the coachhouse, Damnazeki nods. "Fate would indeed be kind if our target was here." As they approach the door to the inn proper Thorek nods to Roderick. "Second try's the charm?"
* Far_Foririan looks at the coach as they start to pass it but stops as he notice something.
<Roderick> "Looks like it Thorek." Keeping one hand on his blade Roderick once more steps forward and hammers on the closed door.
<Far_Foririan> "Not sure this will be useful Thorek, but this Coach seems to belong to the Cartak Lines of Altdorf, seems like it also arrived about an hour to two hours."
<Thorek> "Well they're not exactly uncommon. The Cartak Lines of Altdorf are a big company, due a lot of travel along the main roads. I wonder if that might be some connection with this merchant that guard mentioned earlier." He rubs his chin in thought before shaking his head. "Good eye, elgi."
<Tales_GM> Roderick's knocking halts the laughter.
<Roderick> "I'll back you dwarf, you can introduce us."
<Thorek> "Oh aye aye, wouldn't want to insult the good people with your rough sensibilities." He chuckles.
<Seig> "Not sure we are so welcome..."
<Tales_GM> With the dimming of laughter, chairs scrape against the wooden floor, as floor boards creak with steps. A bottle falls on its side on a disturbed table, as all sounds come to a stop.
* Seig watches the closest window.
<Tales_GM> After a minute or so, the bolts are drawn and the door is opened by a horrendously fat man, standing as tall as he is wide.
<Tales_GM> "Ah, now what 'as the storm blown in?" he calls, playing with the bottom of his strained apron.
<Tales_GM> He eyes you all up and down.
<Tales_GM> "Step on in out o' that 'orrible rain," he adds waving you into the bar room.
<Tales_GM> Here, a fire burns in the fireplace. Sitting next to it is a man in the uniform of a road warden.
<Thorek> "Greetings, innkeeper! We're travellers who are in a bit of a tough spot. See our Captain and his barge are in a slight...pickle as you umgi would say. We're looking to see if we can secure some help and maybe some room, board and a hotmeal." He of course doesn't mention the blood and evidence of a scuffle in the ferry hourse.
<Thorek> He steps inside as he explains their situation.
* Roderick turns sideways and begins waving the rest of the group inside after Thorek.
<Roderick> "Eyes up everyone."
* Afrock approaches casually.
* Seig heads in.
* Far_Foririan begins to make his way in.
* Shivva_Runna enters following the Slayer.
* Thorek continues to fill the innkeeper in on their issue as the rest make their way inside.
<Roderick> After hearing what happened at the ferry house Roderick goes in last and keeps his hand on his blade, prepared for the worst.
<Tales_GM> A loud thump from the back of the bar catches your attention, where a man with bulging eyes appears and begins to mop the floor.
<Tales_GM> "Quite a risk navigatin' the Teufel when she's become an angry bitch!" the landlord exclaims, slaming his large hand against the bar counter.
<Roderick> Roderick's blade rasps slightly as he pulls the blade about two inches from the scabbard at the thump and subsequent slam.
<Thorek> "Aye well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. And as my ancestors would say, good gold is always worth the extra effort!" He laughs and holds his gut.
<Thorek> "Your man alright there? Looks like he's seen a ghost!"
<Tales_GM> "Aye, Fegor's as good as he'll get, gods keep me patience," the landlord nods.
<Tales_GM> "Now, here's the trouble lads. Inn's all filled up for the night. Coach party taken residence, ya see. They're retired for the night, 'n not the type to want gentlemen o' yer kind 'round, thank you."
<Thorek> "As much as I am the understand type, good innkeeper, we're not exactly in a great situation ourselves. We desperately need the help." He looks to the roadwarden. "Oi, would you be willing to give a hand as well?"
<Seig> "Noticed the the dock there. Don't suppose the ferryman here would have basic repair materials? We could do with patching up either way."
<Tales_GM> The road warden eyes Seig carefully at this.
* Thorek narrows his eyes at the innkeeper and then he looks over to the road warden and then upstairs. He lowers his voice so only the large man can hear him. "Are you under duress, good sir?"
<Tales_GM> "Afraid he's no longer with us," the Road Warden stands up. "I don't suppose you happen to know what happened to him?"
* Far_Foririan notices something on the road warden as he looks around.
<Tales_GM> At this, Otto shifts away, "Suppose I'd better get the stew heated up," he says leaving the room.
<Seig> "Thats a shame, just most riverinns run ferries. Figured I'd ask."
<Seig> "The river almost took some of us tonight, rough mistress."
<Tales_GM> "I'm sure of it. Now please, take a seat, and hands where I can see them."
<Thorek> "Aye, thanks for consideration, master umgi."
<Seig> "Sorry?"
* Afrock takes a seat.
* Roderick looks at the Road Warden deadpan. "Piss off."
<Tales_GM> "This is a command, sir. Rivermen navigating in these conditions? I think not. Now do as instructed."
* Far_Foririan pulls out his one parchment and makes a note on it about the blood stain he saw as he takes a seat and pulls out his book.
<Seig> "Look I can take you to our captain if you want, I'm as pissed about his decision to travel in this weather too."
<Tales_GM> "Until I can ascertain that you had nothing to do with the bandit attack earlier, you will cooperate."
<Roderick> "It's as he says now back off boy. Tired and hungry and no time for an arseling."
<Thorek> "Easy there, master roadwarden." Thorek doesn't take a seat just yet, looping his thumbs in his belt.
<Tales_GM> "A man was murdered, corpse taken for gods-know-what intend. I was attacked," he drops his hand towards the hilt of his sword. "You will do as commanded, or face the Emperor's justice."
<Tales_GM> "Catfish or quail?!" Otto calls out from the kitchen.
<Roderick> "You're either the bravest man in the empire, mad or just fucking stupid. We outnumber you six to one. I know you boys don't learn much but you can count to ten surely."
<Tales_GM> "Not now, Innkeeper. Stay put where you are," the Road Warden calls back, eyes never leaving Roderick.
<Seig> "And if we are talking stakes a barge and its crew might lose it in this storm without a little help, we hit a rock coming in."
* Far_Foririan hands over his paper to Thorek, "Would you say this would be accurate of Dwarven Culture?"
<Thorek> "Master Elgi, this really isn't the time. Ask me to review that later, please." He rolls his eyes.
<Far_Foririan> "I need you to read this over." he pushes the paper to Thorek.
<Tales_GM> "This is not a discussion. By authority of the Reikland State Army, you will sit down, and submit to interrogation!"
<Afrock> "Not now Elgi."
* Roderick snorts in derision.
<Seig> "Do you want me to fetch the other 20 people to interrogate too?"
<Seig> "Reikland will reimburse the captain if his barge sinks while in custody right?"
* Thorek sighs with exasperation and takes the paper from the elf, looking it over quickly as he moves closer to the table.
<Roderick> "He's an arseling Seig, he doesn't beleive there's a barge or other people. He want's a scapegoat for the dead ferryman. That's all this is."
* Afrock get's out of his seat.
<Thorek> He hands the parchment back to the elf. "Oi, master roadwarden, are you injured? You mentioned an attack from bandits?"
<Roderick> "Honestly he's not probably not even a real Road Warden."
* Far_Foririan takes the paper back and puts it away.
<Roderick> "Just a shite blowing air."
* Afrock prepares for possible combat.
<Tales_GM> He pauses, not expecting Thorek's question. "Yes. Stabbed in the lower back by a coward. Perhaps you or your friends might know more."
<Afrock> "Do I look like a bandit to you Umgi?"
<Seig> "I like to think I dress a little better than a bandit."
<Thorek> "How about this, we submit to your questioning if these two go fetch our Captain." He nods to Forian and Seig.
<Seig> "And never mind do you look like a bandit Afrock we have this guy with us." pointing at Forian. "An elvish scholar would hardly hang out with us."
<Tales_GM> "And allow your scout to report that only one of us remains?" he replies to Thorek. "I'd rather die fighting to protect these people than assist you."
<Seig> "Oh my good god man, but if we are telling the truth you die for nothing."
<Tales_GM> "You threaten a Road Warden. Act on this threat, and you will hang."
<Seig> "If we are bandits you die regardless. If we aren't bandits I bring back the captain and this is all resolved."
<Thorek> "If we wanted you dead. Do you think we'd just be talking to you? And where have you ever heard of bandits harboring two dwarves and an elf?!" Thorke was starting to lose his patience.
<Seig> "It wasn't a threat holy shit."
<Seig> "Look I'm getting the captain."
* Seig fucks off.
<Thorek> "Look! I'll prove to you we're not bandits."
<Thorek> Thorek approaches the man, keeping his hands in view as he brings out a certain scroll of parchment with a certain signature on it.
<Tales_GM> He takes a moment to read it, never lifting his hand off his weapon.
<Tales_GM> "If this is legitimately yours, then you will cooperate. You risk your livelihood simply by refusing to follow my lawful orders."
<Tales_GM> Nonetheless, he appears to be less tense.
* Seig sighs in relief.
<Seig> "Catfish please!"
<Tales_GM> "Aye, catfish it is!" the reply comes from down the hall.
* Afrock sits at the table waiting for food.
<Seig> "Would it even be safe for me to even head back to the ship if these bandits are around? We're about a mile away."
<Thorek> "Given the circumstances you'll forgive me for our own caution." He sits down near the Roadwarden, away from his own group but still close to him.
<Tales_GM> "I wouldn't chance it. Now first things first. How did you get in?"
<Seig> "The gates open?"
<Thorek> "One of the gates was wide open. To the south."
<Tales_GM> He glares up at Thorek.
<Tales_GM> "Open?"
<Afrock> "Yes."
<Thorek> "Aye, do I look like the climbing type?"
* Seig heads to check the windows "I don't like the sound of that."
* Seig makes a small gap in the curtains to peek through.
<Tales_GM> He looks shocked at this. "Unless you lie, we have had further intrusion."
<Afrock> "Should I prepare for combat?"
<Tales_GM> Otto returns bearing bowls of hot stew.
<Seig> "Thanks alot and sorry for the disturbance we made."
<Afrock> "Ah, warm food after cold rain is nice."
<Thorek> "Did you arrive before or after the guests above?" He asks.
<Tales_GM> "Likely as not they've snuck in to steal from the coach... not worth the risk of another murder. Everyone stay indoors."
<Afrock> "Aye."
<Tales_GM> "After," he nods.
<Roderick> "There could be more than one, if ya go out by yourself you'll get killed arseling."
<Seig> "The coach house was open that makes sense."
<Afrock> "Let me know if you need help Umgi."
* Far_Foririan takes a bowl and begins to taste the fish but it taste like stew.
* Afrock starts eating stew.
<Thorek> "Regardless, we do need to get word to our Captain."
<Tales_GM> "You'll enjoy your meal, and I will come with you to your distressed barge," the warden says, finally taking a seat.
<Tales_GM> "I'll fire up more food," Otto says returning to the kitchen.
<Afrock> "Best get something warm in you."
<Afrock> "You never know when Grimnir blesses you."
* Seig eats standing up, watching the southern gate at a window.
<Thorek> "And will you be eating with us as well, mister...?"
<Tales_GM> "Conrad. I've already had the pleasure, thank you."
* Thorek narrows his eyes for a moment before joining the others.
<Tales_GM> "Every morning, there's a change of patrol. We can expect more Wardens to stop by, and give your captain an added set of hands."
<Afrock> "That would be most helpful."
<Seig> "Either way we shouldn't all leave here in case the bandits return in our absence. How many were there?"
<Tales_GM> "Five, at least."
<Afrock> That's fair odds."
<Seig>  "Either way one group would be severely undermanned if we split up. Could the travellers here handle themselves?"
<Tales_GM> "Otto and his runt will have to secure the gates and make do. We will have to make haste."
<Far_Foririan> "How long ago was the attack by the way?" he ask the Warden
<Tales_GM> "Some two hours ago," he replies.
<Thorek> The bounty hunter finishes his stew in quick fashion. Dwarves could be quick eaters, especially when the meal was just a bowl of stew.
* Seig collects the empty bowls and stacks them on the bar.
<Far_Foririan> "Did any of the guest see the bandits?"
* Afrock waits patiently after finishing the stew.
<Tales_GM> "Perhaps. They certainly know of the attack."
* Roderick makes no move towards the table, the disgusting fish stew, or taking his hand from his blade.
<Tales_GM> "Now, if you're ready, we can tend to your men."
<Roderick> "I think we should get the full story from these "guests"."
<Roderick> "More information an all that."
<Tales_GM> "Otto. I'm afraid you will need to suffer the rain. Bar the gate behind us, and do not open up until we return."
<Far_Foririan> "I agree, it would be wise to get the full picture of the bandits true size before we return to our barge."
<Seig> "True enough last time we traveled with incomplete information we ended up nearly shipwrecked."
<Afrock> "Aye."
<Tales_GM> "No need. I have spoken to them, and their account is as rattled as might be expected from a merchant and his accolytes. Storm raged, and they remained indoors during the ordeal."
<Tales_GM> Otto emerges from the kitchen with a keyring in hand.
<Far_Foririan> "How long have they been here before the attack?"
<Tales_GM> "Otto?"
<Seig> "I'm glad they recovered so quickly from their ordeal."
<Tales_GM> "Few hours, arrived a short while before you did, Warden."
* Thorek keeps his mouth shut, but he narrows his eyes.
<Roderick> "We'll speak to them arseling. I don't like secondhand information."
<Roderick> "Innkeeper, go an fetch the guests if ya please."
<Tales_GM> "Control your assistant, bounty hunter."
<Seig> "Sorry we're as paranoid as you are."
* Roderick snorts once more.
<Tales_GM> "Or worse."
<Seig> "They were wide awake not 20 minutes ago I'm sure they can cope with seeing us."
<Thorek> "He does have a point Conrad, what harm is it in getting their opinion again?"
<Tales_GM> "I have their account. Your sudden wish to see a vulnerable man you just learned is a merchant, however, puts us at odds once more, sir."
<Roderick> "Catching him in a lie, that's the risk.
<Tales_GM> He rises, and takes a step back.
<Seig> "How vulnerable could he be everyone sounded quite merry when we arrived."
<Roderick> "Especially since I bet the one we hunt is right upstairs, shit in his britches."
<Tales_GM> "The State Army has no interest whatever to do with the way this man and his party spend their time in their rooms. That has no bearing, however, on my duties. A duty to secure the roads, and this establishment."
<Tales_GM> Otto now steps back behind the bar, concerned.
<Seig> "Thats not in conflict with our goals, finding our mark makes the roads and this establishment safer too."
<Thorek> "With all due respect, master Conrad. As a man loyal to the Reikland, you should have no problems with us talking to the guests to verify their story as well. These are trouble times after all.
<Afrock> "I feel light headed."
<Seig> "Fuck we've been had. The stew."
* Afrock draws his axe.
* Far_Foririan suddenly passes out.
* Roderick finishes drawing his blade.
* Thorek starts to feel a little light-headed, he sways as bit and falls over.
* Afrock falls over.
<Roderick> "This is why we fucking listen to me Thorek!"
* Seig falls to the floor but is able to remain conscious.
<Thorek> "I'm used to non-human marks, Roderick, I'm a quick learner though." Thorek says as he tries to pick himself up. "That's a grudging, Conrad." He says between gritted teeth.