Tales of the Old World 3

<Tales_GM> The year is 2512 on the Imperial Calendar...
* Thorek continues to lead the way across the bridge, not stopping as the elf gawks and takes notes. Once over the bridge he leads them further north before turns left as they reach the inner walls of the precinct and as they move west, Black Rock.
<Tales_GM> The fortified castle complex is so-named for the dark granite that forms the imposing ancient walls that stand tall before you. Standing in its shadow, you can see the galling gesture of disrespect as the von Jungfreud banners have all been replaced with the red and blue colors of Altdorf.
<Tales_GM> For generations the very symbol of von Jungfreud power, it is now ruled by General von Dabernick, and within its walls, the occupying regiments are housed.
* Thorek shakes his head, not really caring that the von Jungfreud's have been so disposed after such a long rule. Umgi business. "I will say the look and work of the rock here is absolutely stunning, for umgi work at any rate." He chuckles as he raps his knuckles on the wall.
<Seig> "Can't claim to know much about stonework but if its aiming to be imposing it achieves its goal.
<Roderick> "Admire stonework on your leisure time dwarf, let's keep movin, use yer fancy paper to get us in the door."
<Thorek> "I can very much reflect on the stone work as I walk, umgi." He shakes his head and mutter something in dwarven. As they approach the gate to the inside of Black Rock he slows.
<Thorek> "Same as before, we'll see if the guards have seen our disguised target, maybe even get through to have a look around if possible." He nods to everyone.
* Roderick grunts in agreements and nods. "Let's get on with it then."
<Tales_GM> Four halberdiers and swordsman in the trappings of an imperial sergeant converse with a pair of returning riders, blocking the wide gatepass.
* Thorek approaches the guards, appearing as cordial as possible. Though he waits patiently for the riders and guards to finish their conversation before introducing himself.
<Tales_GM> "Once the regiment returns we'll know for certain. Ride on in and report," the sergeant finishes saying before turning to face Thorek.
<Thorek> "Greetings Sergeant! My name or Thorek Damnazaki, bounty hunter, and these are my deputies. I'm currently looking for someone dressed as a woman." He then described the hag, including all the details given from the Captain of the barge, jingle-jangles and all. "They're a dangerous traitor on the run from your own forces, and General Jendrick von Dabernick wants him clapped in irons. Any info or memory of this person would speed
<Thorek> my hunt for the umgak right along." He flashes a smile.
<Tales_GM> "Neither a cross-dressing traitor, nor a band of oddities like yourselves can, or will, enter Black Rock unannounced."
<Tales_GM> There's a low chuckle from one of the halberdiers at this.
* Seig shrugs "Can't argue with that description."
<Thorek> "Riiiiight." He furrows his brow and nods. "Thanks either way." He motions for everyone to follow him south and away from the gate.
<Thorek> Once they're far enough away he'll grunt and look back. "Rude umgaks, the lot of 'em." And he shrugs. "Well for now that lead is a dead end, on to the port gate." He'll then lead them south to the river front and then west towards the gate.
<Far_Foririan> "Yes this is quiet the predicament isn't it."
* Roderick scratches the underside of his chin. "Well if'n that doesn't pan out I may have a way to get us inside Black Rock."
<Tales_GM> On this side of the Teubruecke district, larger, better-funded warehouses and merchant concerns fill the streets with all the buzz of its southern banks. Here, mostly manufactured wares are moved about by the stevedores of the city, fueling trade in and out of Ubersreik.
<Thorek> "Oh? But what about once we're in, Roderick? I take it the army is camped inside and our own party isn't exactly...discrete." Noting it's three humans, two dwarves, and a bloody elf!"
<Roderick> "You let me worry bout that dawi. We'll try it your way with the dockside gate first."
<Thorek> "Sounds good to me." He says as they strut ever onward to the gate.
<Tales_GM> Wagons and coaches fill the street in either direction flowing through the Teugate on the west of the docks district.
<Thorek> "Greetings!" Thorek will announce himself to the nearest guard before going into his spiel again. Asking if the guards had seen anyone who looks like an old hag and jingles as she walks. Along with all the other descriptors he has. Thorek of course explains his reason why he's lookin for said person and his retinue of deputies. "So if you can think of anything at all that might help, it would surely aid me as it would your
<Thorek> General Jendrick von Dabernick."
<Tales_GM> "Ain't the first to come askin' about yer beloved," one of the Altdorf troopers says.
<Thorek> "Really?" He rubs his chin and looks to Roderick and his group. "Might you have a rough estimate on how many others have been asking after my 'beloved?'
<Tales_GM> "Never took Ubersreikers to have such peculiar tastes," another says nodding along to the first.
<Tales_GM> "Late last night, just after the change of watch," pipes in a third, younger trooper.
<Thorek> "Aye must be quite the culture shock for you." Thorek says dryly. He looks to the younger trooper. "Aye?"
<Tales_GM> "Couldn't help 'em much, but seems they found what they were after when they had a word with a fat merchant. Took off westward soon as they finished their chat."
<Thorek> "Out the gate and to the west then, eh? And was the merchant local to the docks?"
<Tales_GM> "Wouldn't know, sir Dawi, only just arrived on the--"
<Tales_GM> "That's enough. Back to your post, boy."
<Tales_GM> "We're Emperor's men, not thief catchers. You want to ask the ones came 'fore you, head West, and bring arms."
<Thorek> "Aye, my thanks either way." He especially nods his thanks to the younger trooper. "Hope you've got your woodsman boots dawri," Thorek says as he leads them out of the city and west.
* Seig flicks a brass penny to the young guard as they walk out.
<Tales_GM> The young man catches it in the air, and bows his head in thanks.
* Roderick leans down towards Shivva. "Looks like this chase'll take us across our territory mate. Eyes sharp, this is where we get revenge and make our pay."
<Far_Foririan> "Well this will make this adventure more interesting then our last one, right Afrock?"
* Shivva_Runna whispers to Roderick "I'll keep my knife ready, Boss."
<Afrock> "Hopefully."
<Thorek> "Hope you won't be too uncomfortable Seig. I assume you don't much care for the open roads as you do the rivers." Referring to Seig's previous occupation.
<Seig> "Just cause I'm used to sailing doesn't mean I don't know how to use my legs. I'll be fine."
* Roderick chuckles at the thought of Shivva actually managing to knife someone.
<Roderick> "See that ya do Shivva."
<Far_Foririan> "Well then what is our plan for walking?"
<Roderick> "Let's rent us a barge and beat tha bastard to tha border Thorek.:
<Seig> "Well look, if we're trying to get to the waystation ahead of our mark the quickest way would be the river but only if you guys can make yourselves useful on a barge."
<Thorek> "Better idea than my first. And we definitely want to get there first."
<Far_Foririan> "Well Afrock I guess its time for another boat trip."
<Seig> "I daresay paying would be a tad rich for our blood right now."
<Afrock> "Agreed."
<Roderick> "You're a boatman, the dwarves have strong backs, me n Shivva can hold a blade. We can work for our passage, yeah?"
<Roderick> "Not sure what good the elf is but we can figure it out."
<Seig> "If we're going without pay It'll likely cover it."
<Far_Foririan> "Well I am good at book keeping, it was something I tend to do in my spare time."
<Seig> "Lets see what work I can rustle up for us."
<Roderick> "You take that up with the capn when we find him."
<Tales_GM> And so it is that you soon find yourselves aboard the Serpent, a short-handed river barge on its way up river. Some of the cargo is time-sensitive, and so the bargemaster agrees to let you work your fare to help him cast off as quickly as possible.
<Tales_GM> "Any of ye got good eyes, stay fo'ard and keep sharp fer any rocks," Bargemaster Johann calls out, "River's swellin' and upsettin' the banks."
<Tales_GM> Catching opportune wind with sails set at a strained angle, the Serpent makes its way through the river traffic out the western rivergates.
* Shivva_Runna points at the knife ear.
* Afrock looks at Far.
<Seig> "Forian make yourself useful!"
<Far_Foririan> "Oh well yes I can be a look out as well." he then walks forward to keep his eyes on the look out.
<Tales_GM> Following the path of the river ahead, the overcast skies darken, giving the woods at either side of the riverbanks a foreboding look.
* Far_Foririan watches looking out on both sides from the front and well as ahead for any issues that may arrive.
* Thorek makes himself useful, doing his best to take the captain's orders. Though he was truly no sailor.
* Seig makes sure to quickly explain any orders to the landlubbers that aren't immediately obvious.
<Tales_GM> Just before the first hour of uneventful travel is up, with steady progress up the river, the skies open up and a heavy downpour begins, further affecting visibility and control.
* Afrock makes himself useful doing what he can.
<Tales_GM> Overhead, from the dark rolling clouds, lightning flashes across the sky.
<Shivva_Runna> "Boss, I think I heard something!"
* Far_Foririan not seeing anything he begins to listen as well, he hears something strange, and its getting louder as the ship gets closer to the shore.
<Far_Foririan> "Turn the ship away from the shore!" He shouts back to the crew piloting the ship.
<Tales_GM> Soon, the river begins to roll the Serpent from side to side, suddenly aggressive with the disturbance caused by the storm.
* Shivva_Runna says "It ain't norm...". His sentence is cut off by him vomiting all over the floor.
<Roderick> As the barge heaves and pitches wildly Roderick sprays what remains of his breakfast over the side railing and into the river.
* Seig passes on Forians message making sure it got through the noise of the rain and water.
<Tales_GM> "Ya heard the lookout! Get yer backs into it!" the bargemaster shouts orders up and down the deck.
<Roderick> "Damn...boats..."
* Far_Foririan continues to listen to the sound and looking out for what ever is causing it.
* Seig walks up to Forian "I wouldn't worry yourself too much about it, there's lots of creatures in these woods."
<Tales_GM> With a sharp, uncomfortable turn away from the shallows, the Serpent manages to avoid disaster.
* Far_Foririan can't hear the sound but begins scanning the edge of the bank for any signs with his eyes.
* Thorek holds on to the nearest fixed piece of boat, glad to be able to keep his breakfast down. "Umgak rivers!"
* Afrock manages to hold down his last meal down.
<Tales_GM> From below decks, the cabin boy and one of the sailors run up and down, carrying full buckets to dump overboard, filled with water.
* Far_Foririan is only able to get a glimpse but is able to make out what he sees, a creature almost cow like and a dog like beast with it pursuing a stag.
<Far_Foririan> "What in the elven kingdoms is that." he says to himself.
<Tales_GM> "All hands! Buckets, mugs, shovels, the lot of it! We're leakin' down 'ere!"
* Afrock grabs a bucket and starts getting rid of water.
* Far_Foririan moves to help out with bucketing out water.
* Seig assists in bailing out the craft.
<Tales_GM> Travel comes to a crawl, as the river's swell works against the barge. Strong winds and floating debris of vessels less fortunate make the bargemaster's job incredibly difficult.
<Roderick> Roderick continues to grip the rail, unsteady from losing his breakfast.
* Thorek runs as fast as he can to join in keeping the barge from sinking. "By Throngnir's beard!"
<Afrock> "I'M NOT DROWNING TODAY!"
<Tales_GM> In the chaos of it all, the bargemaster calls all hands up once more, when you arrive on deck, with the listing of the vessel dangerously steep.
* Shivva_Runna tries to get a bucket to help with the water.
<Tales_GM> A loud, cracking thump is felt as the keel of a previously wrecked barge rams against the side of the Serpent's hull.
<Tales_GM> Thorek, Seig, and Afrock are toppled by this, and one after another, find themselves in the raging river below.
<Tales_GM> "MEN OVERBOARD!"
<Thorek> "Umga-" he roars out as he's flung overboard.
* Roderick rallies and grabs a rope, tossing it towards the overboard men.
<Afrock> "AAAghh."
* Far_Foririan sees the two dwarfs and Seig and thrown overboard and moves into action, he moves to grab some rope and tosses on end overboard.
* Seig reacts as calmly as one can in such a scenario managing, to keep his wits in the water grabbing the rope thrown out to him.
* Afrock barely manages to grab the rope.
<Thorek> Somehow though, through divine intervention, by the grace of Grimnir, Thorek grabs hold of the side of the hull of ship and starts to heave himself up.
<Roderick> Working in concert with Shivva and Far, Roderick heaves the two aboard.
<Tales_GM> "Lifelines, fore and aft!" the bargemaster calls seeing the safe return of Seig and the Dawi.
* Roderick tosses down the rope and growls at the two who wished to emulate fishes. "Next time tha two of ya wanna go for a swim choose a better time eh?"
* Far_Foririan wipes his forehead, "Well, glad we were able to save both of you, would not have been a glorious death Afrock." He then looks around for Thorek and see him climb up over the rail of the barge.
* Afrock get's up and barks back, "Wasn't my intention umgi."
<Tales_GM> "No chance we're settin' ashore in these woods, lads. We ride the bitch until we can't no longer, bailin' water, afixin' the hull breaches, and navigatin'er til we're clear, or rightly wrecked!"
<Seig> "Less quips more bailing, thanks for the ropes."
<Afrock> "Aye."
* Afrock get's back to work keeping the barge from sinking.
* Far_Foririan makes a metal note to ask Thorek more about how he was able to save himself.
* Far_Foririan then get back to work bailing water.
<Thorek> "Grimnirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" He roars out once he's safe back aboard. Thorek is on his knees steadying himself with labored breaths.
<Afrock> "We're still not of this yet cousin!!"
<Roderick> "There ya are Thorek, was startin to think ya had drowned when ya didn't grab tha rope."
<Tales_GM> Lightning flashing across the skies, battering of the swelling river. The conditions are dire, yet the Serpent limps along thanks to the unyielding efforts of its crew, even as it lists to port with waist-deep water in the hold.
<Seig> "Do you offer hazard pay Cap?"
<Thorek> "I'll not have a river claim Thorek Damnazeki. My ancestors wouldn't let me live it down."
<Afrock> "Then keep working."
<Tales_GM> "With charm like yers, I'll throw in a go at me sister, too," he calls without skipping a beat, his eyes fixed on the waterline.