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When they enter the Silver Unicorn Inn, it’s very empty, except for a gentleman sitting alone at a table drinking. At the bar stands a well known person, Jorne Wijngaarden, the bar keeper and polish a few glasses with a towel. He is just about to throw the towel over his shoulder and call it a day when Gnosha loudly says: – “Not so fast my dear Sir, I need to know who bought and brought with them a bottle of Ostielais Pétillant recently, or do I need to threaten wake up Sir Heskan in the middle of the night to get some answers out of you this time too?”
Mr Wijngaarden replies in a very angry voice: – “Don’t you dare threaten me with Sir Heskan again! You can go and wake him in the middle of the night because I don’t want to have anything to do with you ever again!”
Gnosha turns to Aered and asks him who he thinks will be the most angry when woken up in the middle of the night, Sir Heskan or Captain Woode?
Mr Wijngaarden hastily says: – “It has become very popular that wine. There must be hundreds that have bought a bottle of it to bring with them. But we don't sell to anyone that hasn’t booked a room here, and stays at least one night.”
Gnosha thought and replied: – “Did the young gentleman who falsely claimed to be the son of Baron von Kettling buy any bottles when he stayed here, the person who registered as Galledd?”
Mr Wijngaarden replies: – “I honestly can’t remember, but I don’t think so. He only stayed a day.” Gnosha replied: – “Thank you good sir, now you can put the towel on your shoulder and call it a day, goodbye for now.”
The group leave the Silver Unicorn in. The bakers in the town had already woken up and were starting fires for their baking ovens to be able to sell fresh bread in the morning. It was late, very late, or very early, depending how looked at it, and Gnosha really needed to get some sleep, but he needed to get to the tower to do some alchemical experiments on the paper from the murder.
On the way back Gnosha silently thinks about this case. Who can it be? the elven apothecary? The Gnome bard Mira Quickwit? The Dwarven blacksmith Dorin Ironfist? The shady auxiliary militia guard Bhatanis Brus? Who is the spider behind all the things he had discovered tonight, One name has been popping up, Herman Gild Huml. Since the battle of von Kettling, he and his auxiliary militia had begun to be more visible in Erast, talking like they won the battle single handedly. This needs to be looked into as well.
Gnosha prepared an alchemic formula to remove the blob of ink on the paper to be sure what was written under it. He went to bed, and when he was woken up by the butler Mr Beniers early in the morning, he felt more tired than when he went to bed. He drank a cup of morning tea, served to him by Mr Beniers. Then went to his alchemic lab, just to find that the blob of ink was still there. He must have used the wrong formula for the type of ink used. He prepared a new formula, a new test and went to prepare to meet Mrs Cavehand who should arrive any minute now.
Gnosha yawned again, and looked through the window and saw Mrs Cavehand and three of her employees walking at a fast and steady pace towards the tower. Her employees carried tool bags with different tools and instruments, and she carried a briefcase. Gnosha tried once more to rub the sleepiness from his eyes, and told Mr Berniers to show the guests in, and that could sit in the lounge, he would be with them in a minute or two.
Gnosha had arranged for Mr Berniers to purchase a couple of sofas and a table and put them on the tower entrance floor, as a temporary meeting office, while the motley crew of builders kept slowly but steadily working on finishing the tower.
When Ghosha came down the stairs that now looked almost finished, Mrs Cavehand looked up and said: – “Gnosha, you look tired, didn’t we say early in the morning?” Gnosha replied that it had been a long night with a murder to investigate, but that she was correct, and shall we begin?
Mrs Cavehand sent one of her employees out to measure some reference points, and the rest went down to the now cleaned out basement level, where Ghosha had set up his Alchemic laboratory in one of the corners. Mrs Cavehand looked around, and then asked Gnosha if he could see the problem? Gnosha looked around, and used his knowledge about crafting and construction to try to understand the problem, then he saw it. Are the supporting pillars in good shape, and are they enough of them? He looked at Mrs Cavehand and said: – “Do you mean that the tower needs more and better supporting pillars?”
Mrs Cavehand smiled, laughed and replied: – “Exactly, you’re not as stupid as you look Mr Gnosha. We need to add some supporting pillars, and replace these wooden beams. It has been damp here, not anymore, but for many years.”
Mrs Cavehand ran her knife all the way into one and continued: – “See, rotten to the core. I would halt all constructions on the upper floors and tell all people to stay clear of the tower until we have stabilised it with new pillars. I also need to check the sewers to see how it looks, so we don’t place the supports on hollow ground, that could be a disaster. Maybe we should divide this basement into several smaller rooms, and build stonewalls that will help take the weight from the tower.”
Gnosha just told Mrs Cavehand that ok, get going, the sooner the better. Mrs Cavehand said that they could start tomorrow, but she just wanted to check the upper floors too.
After an inspection of the upper floors, she concludes that the tower is well built. Most probably built when the new town wall was built about 90 years ago, and it was built with dwarven techniques, and it looks like they did follow the drawings rather well. She said that she will return in the afternoon with a full offer, but estimates the cost to be around 50 pieces of gold. Gnosha thought that ok, he still has some gold, but it’s drying out fast, he hoped he would get some more gold, but when and from who was the big question. There are some issues with the roof, which can make water leak into the attic, but nothing Gnosha’s motley crew of craftsmen could not fix.
As Mrs Cavehand had the drawings he wanted to copy with her. The guests were served some nice tea and biscuits in the lounge, while Gnosha used his book-thief formula to copy the drawings for his own maps of the sewer system. Gnosha thanked Mrs Cavehand once again and said he was looking forward to her offer. The workers and the rest of the staff were dismissed from the tower until the work by Mrs Cavehand was completed. Mr Berniers was instructed to provide them with payments and make sure Mr Baro understands the situation. Ghosha called it stand-still fee, not full payments for a full day’s work, but enough to keep them happy with this temporary arrangement. The maids and Mr Berniers were living in rented rooms close to the rented room of Gnosha and the rest of the party. Now, Gnosha said to Aered and Thefvae that it was time to go and speak with the prisoner in the castle dungeon, Mr Relac Jouns. They headed off to the castle, and Aered, as traditions bid, grabbed a sausage skewer to go on the way. While walking, Gnosha thought to himself, I wonder, is Sir Heskan in on the deal he made with Duchess Maimux? Does he know about it? This will be an interesting meeting.
At the castle, Gnosha said to the duty guard officer that they were here to speak to the prisoner Relac Jouns. He replied that Sir Heskan has strict orders, that no one is to visit him without first talking to Sir Heskan. The guard also said that the prisoner is mad, insane, is screaming in the night, and also is a nasty piece of work. Gnosha said that he planned to try to figure out who he was working for, and the guard replied that the prisoner has been here several days and no one has gotten anything out of him. They asked if Sir Heskan was at his office, and the guard replied that Sir Heskan was indeed in his office, doing bureaucratic paperwork, which can put him in a bad temper, so be careful.
They went to Sir Heskan’s office, and Gnosha just opened the door and entered and said: – “Good day Sir Paragon Knight Heskan”. Heskan, sitting at his desk, quickly hid the magnifying glass he was using, in his hand, turned around and replied: – “So they just let you in these days? Much better than these boring documents anyway. So, what has happened, have you found out anything more?”
Ghosha says: – “I’ve been informed that there is a certain prisoner in the dungeons, a Relac Jouns.”
Sir Heskan replies: – “Yes, he came here with that odd ground, you know with the doll guy. I haven’t seen them since though, an odd group really. Relac Jouns worked according to them for Odan and Frori the bandit king.”
Gnosha says: – “I’m investigating a deeper conspiracy” and Sir Heskan’s nostrils suddenly release a puff of smoke. Gnosha continues: – “I think he might have information that no one has asked him about. Sometimes, the answer does not lie in what is said, but what is not said, and how a person reacts to the question itself.” Sir Heskan quickly writes a letter allowing Gnosha to see the prisoner.
Gnosha continues: – “There have been other incidents as well. At the town wall, close to the old cemetery, an intruder used a rope to climb in and out of the town. The Night Sergeant will leave a full report to Captain Woode, on my orders, but that is not all. Two of Herman Gild Huml’s auxiliary guards were very unhelpful in connection with a murder of a scribe at the Scroll Keep Tower. First they didn’t want anyone else nosing around, then when I made my presence clear, they suddenly were in a hurry to be elsewhere.”
Heskan puffs some more smoke out his nose, reaches to a shelf on the wall where he picks up a box, shakes it, and you could hear coins rattling it. He opened the box, and picked up a small red leather pouch with coins and gave it to Gnosha, while he said that he had promised Duchess Maimux to pay Gnosha for his services. Ghosha thought that ok, this answers the question, Sir Heskan is informed about his and Duchess Maimux little arrangement, very good, it simplifies things a lot.
Heskan then takes down a thick ledger and writes, Apples, one hundred pieces of gold, wagon broken, cargo vanished, write off, and put the ledger back on the shelf. Heskan said:
– “I heard about your work on the tower, and the reinforcements. It’s important to keep the defenses in good shape.”
Ghosha thanks Sir Heskan, and says that more information will hopefully come soon.
They walked down the dungeon corridor, to the last cell in the row and took a look. A man was sitting on a bench, knees bent, feet on the bench, looking straight into the void of nothing, or into the wall. When he noticed the characters, he slightly turned his head and kept looking straight at, or through Gnosha.
Gnosha looks straight at the man, using his lip reading skills, then says in a clear, strong voice: – “What is your relation to the Bald Wizards?” The man makes screaming sounds, but Gnosha can read his lips, which says: The pain, stop the pain, stop the pain please, I beg you.
Gnosha asks Thefvae if she can see any active magic around Relac Jouns, something that is tormenting him, but she replies that there isn’t anything she can see. Gnosha thinks, maybe I should just try to bargain with him? Gnosha says: – “If we help you ease your pain, will you then tell us what you know about The Bald Wizards and Herman Gild Huml?" Relac Jouns just nods saying yes, yes please, please.
Gnosha quickly looked through his recipes of alchemical, ah quick pain relief, sounds like what I need. He quickly mixes the brew up a bottle and gives it to Relac Jouns saying drink this, and he takes the bottle and downs the content ignoring how bad and bitter it tasted.
Relac Jouns says: – “Ah! ah! The bald ones, longing, like careful vultures, they hate this, a fight over the prey. The Bald Wizards never worked with Odan, I never worked with them.”
Gnosha says: – “Herman Gild Huml, have you ever worked for him or with him?”
Relac Jouns replies: – “Give me more, I need more medicine”.
Gnosha mixes another bottle of pain relief and says: – “If you tell me, I will give you this.”
Relac Jouns replies: – “Give it to me first!”.
Gnosha says: – “If you tell me, truthfully, I will assure that the guards will give you a bottle, several times a day, until we can figure out a way to cure you.”
Relac Jouns says: – “He who held the books, but never took the blame. Odan never trusts thiefs, Odan trusts those who can count and those who can move thíngs without touching them. He is in Erast. Please give it to me now. The pain, the pain.”
Gnosha gives Relac Jouns the second bottle, and he downs it, and falls asleep instantly, snoring.
I do love your stories!
After the interrogation of Relac Jouns, Gnosha and company return to Sir Heskan’s office to update Sir Heskan on the current developments.
When Gnosha knocks on the door to Sir Heskan’s office, Sir Heskan says Enter in his loud voice. When they entered Sit Heskan was sure that Gnosha hadn’t learned anything new from the mad man, but his keen eye spotted the confident look on Gnosha’s face, and Sir Heskan thought to himself, maybe they did learn something, and something useful even. When they all had entered Sir Heskan’s office, Gnosha saluted Sir Heskan and said: – “Sir, we do have some information for you. Some come from the prisoner Relac Jouns, and some we’ve known since last night, but we needed to verify some things first.”
Sir Heskan looks at Gnosha, and Gnosha starts to tell Sir Heskan what Relac Jouns had said, emphasizing on the parts Gnosha thought was the important parts, like Odan did not work with the Bald Wizards, and that the Bald Wizards were described as careful vultures, that hate a fight over the prey. He also told Sir Heskan that Odan didn’t trust thieves, but trusted those who can count and who can move items without touching them, and that the one that took the books but never took the blame. Gnosha continues to tell Sir Heskan about the tower, close to the old cemetery, Lorisa Saeunn, and that the auxiliary militia under Herman Gild Huml was involved with that tower. he also continued about the auxiliary militia soldiers that disliked him putting his nose into an obvious murder at the Scroll Keep Tower.
Sir Heskan replies: – “The Bald Wizards Circle are vultures, but I think it’s unlikely that they didn’t have anything to do with all that has happened. And I know there are some rotten eggs and corruption in the auxiliary militia, but we cannot do anything about that at the moment.”
Ghosha replies: – “I have a strong feeling that Herman Gild Huml, and everything surrounding him, has a certain foul stench about it, something isn’t really as it looks.”
Sir Heskan replies: – “So, you think Herman Gild Huml is a part of all this?”
Gnosha looks straight at Sir Heskan and says: – “Yes Sir, this is what my investigations tell me so far.” A huge plume of smoke erupts from Sir Heskan’s mouth when he tries to keep his calm.
Sir Heskan looks straight back at Gnosha and replies: – “This is the problem, Herman Gild Huml is popular among the common people of Erast, and he has gained a lot of power since the war with Odan. He has also gained a lot of support from the farmers, as his auxiliary militia has been saving farms from bandit raids all around the area. I just cannot bring him in without solid evidence.”
Gnosha understood exactly what Sir Heskan was facing, a dilemma of grand dimensions, and he replied: – “Sir, I do think the murder of the scribe Elias Fornwood of Scroll Keep Tower, was to cover something up, that Elias knew something that someone, potentially Herman Gild Huml, did not want to reach you.”
Sir Heskan signs and continues: – “He is too strong, too powerful. The problem with the Erast Council is that the Royalists always vote with the Duchess, and Halke de Roos, representing the Farmers, has lost power when more and more farmers support Herman Gild Huml. The auxiliary militia has expanded and has started to take more and larger jobs in guarding and protection and they now have a high support among the people who find themselves lost between the town watch’s limited resources and the diminishing knights of Erast when it comes to protecting themselves and their homes and families. And the people don't feel represented by anyone else in the council. Not Captain Woode of the town guards, not Lornud Ingotcoat of the Merchant’s guild, and absolutely not by Brunio Perrino, the treasurer and taxman. Herman Gild Huml is liked, and his power has multiplied, with more troops than the town watch and the knights of Errast combined since the war as he hasn’t disbanded most of his troops. If we touch him without solid evidence, we are risking a revolt.”
Gnosha truly understands Sir Heskan’s dilemma, but also sees that this is where the vultures of the Bald Wizards Circle want to drive Erast. This is dangerous, and we need to find solid evidence, and that is fast, before Heman Gild Huml utilizes his power, calls for a revolt based on a false accusation.
Sir Heskan says: – “I have an idea though. If we could find someone else that the people of Erast could cheer for, admire and rally behind, a person that could speak to the people and for the people. Right now, sadly, the only person who speaks for the people and to the people is Herman Gild Huml, and we really need to change that.”
Gnosha replies: – “Aered is a man with a good heart, and he really is hero material. If we could create or find a situation, where Aered steps in and helps the people of Erast, and becomes a true hero that the bards sing about in taverns, we could win the trust of the people back from Herman Gild Huml.”
Sir Heskan thinks aloud, and Gnosha realizes that he and his little investigation team with Aered and Thefvae are now deeply involved in the inner affairs of Erast, just where Gnosha likes to be, at the center of things. Sir Heskan says: – “We need to weaken Herman Gild Huml’s power and erode his support among the people. We need evidence that will stand up to scrutiny and cannot easily be dismissed, but the man is slippery as an eel.”
Gnosha holds his hand like he is holding a needle to puncture a balloon, and replies: – “Yes Sir, we need to puncture his inflated ego and inflated power.”
Sorry to be quoting from so far back in the thread, but can you please tell me which set this is from? At first I thought it was a ROG set but I don't recognise a lot of it. It's really the walls, furniture and door I'm curious about.
Only just spotted this thread and love the cosy lighting in these, very nice!
@3DIO: That is ROG tavern I think, but heavily reorganized I think and probably tossed in a bunch of other things, but I can check later when back home, I have all scenes saved from all 41 game sessions ( five years almost of scenes just for this).
Cheers Totte, that's much appreciated. Definitely works as being perfectly cohesive whatever you've mixed in there.
I thought I'd missed one of ROG's sets so went looking on the store when I saw it :-P
Will have to actualy read this story as well since it looks like something I'd enjoy!
@3DIO: Yes, it is ROG Black Crow Inn.
Sir Heskan smiles and continues: – “On other matters, any more news on Odan?”
Gnosha replies: – “That magic wielding woman, Lorisa Saeunn, that used the abandoned tower close to the old cemetery to enter and exit Erast without being noticed, the tower that was under control by the auxiliary militia, did have a strange undead guardian by her side. She might be connected to Odan and his powers one way or another, but I do not know that yet. On the other hand, she might be working for the Bald Wizards. She is a mystery that needs to be solved I will let you continue with your work now, and I will report any findings directory to you. I think Aered is getting hungry, it’s lunch time, and we’re all rather tired, and I have a meeting with Mrs Cavehand this afternoon.”
Just as they were about to leave, Gnosha turned back and said: – “Sir, the prisoner is suffering terribly, in body and mind. The affliction is most likely magical in nature. Tell the Duchess’ medicus to administer this twice daily. I shall return in a week to see whether his condition has improved. He may then be more inclined to speak.”
Gnosha handed him a folded note, neatly written, containing the recipe for his pain-relieving brew. Sir Heskan nods and the group leave Sir Heskan’s office to get some lunch.
Cheers Totte. I had unknowingly clicked-off the little arrows on the store and missed the rest. Amazing set, easy to forget how much there is in it. It's a shame ROG doesn't release matching "Medieval Dungeon" and "Medieval Torture Equipment" products in the exact same style as the Red Crow Inn. I know there are other products like that, but I mean in the exact same ROG style, and standard of quality.
One can hope, I suppose!
They grab some food on the way back to the tower, and the busy night with too little sleep has made them all quite tired. Back at the tower, Gnosha asks a little boy to go to the bridge and keep his eyes open for a Dwarven lady, describing Mrs Cavehand to the boy. When he sees her coming, he should rush back to the tower and alert Mr Berniers about her imminent arrival, he pays the boy two pieces of copper for the service, and the boy dashes off to the bridge like an arrow leaving a bow.
Back at the tower, Gnosha instructs Mr Berniers about the arrangement, so he will be awake this time and not feel like a fool in the presence of Mrs Cavehand. He also instructs Mr Berniers to prepare some afternoon tea for their guest. Then they all go to their half finished rooms for a quick nap, a couple of hours of sleep will do wonders.
In the late afternoon, Mrs Cavehand arrives, and Gnosha is already in the little reception waiting for her, as his early alarm system worked perfectly.
Mrs Cavehand looks at Gnosha and says: – “I have an offer for you. I know what this repair should cost, even allowing for the fact that everything has become more expensive. My own expenses have doubled, perhaps more. I now pay a small fortune to the auxiliary militia to protect the quarry where I get my stone. We have suffered constant bandit raids, and I had no choice but to hire protection. I know your trade, and I know what you have done. So here is my offer: if you can end the bandit problem for good, I will repair your tower for a quarter of the price — thirty pieces of gold.”
Gnosha replies while thinking that this is the needle they need to puncture Herman Gild Huml, an extortion operation, right under the nose of the Erast council: – “This sounds like a very good deal, and to stop bandits is something I really like doing. Aered and Thefvae, my business partners, are very competent and are getting a bit restless. Wait, I’ll be back in a few.”
Gnosha goes up to his chest and picks up a bag with 30 pieces of gold, and stashes another five in his pocket as they will need to rent some horses again and walks down to Mrs Cavehand and hands over the bag: – “Here Mrs Cavehand, thirty pieces of gold. And if we, against all odds, should fail in stopping the bandits, I will pay you the full cost.”
Mrs Cavehand replies: – “We can start to work on your tower tomorrow. The militia is still guarding the quarry, until midnight, but as they doubled the price yet again, I had no choice but to decline their last offer, so they will leave the quarry at midnight. They have been doing this for weeks, protecting the quarry and fighting off the bandits, but the bandits are still there, ready to strike again.”
Gnosha shakes Mrs Cavehand’s hand and replies: – “I look forward to getting this tower properly fixed, and together with Aered and Thefvae, we will do everything we need to do, to rid Erast of those bandits. No one should have to pay the militia for protection on my watch. Can you give us the directions to the quarry, and we will set off as soon as we have prepared ourselves, so we can take over the watch when the militia leaves, and rid your quarry of the bandit problem, forever.”
Mrs Cavehand replies: – “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, and the quarry is located about a two hours ride north west of Erast, close to the lake side. Good hunting.”
Aered, who just woke up after his nap, decided that Miss Andersdau’s cake looked way too delicious to waste.
Loving the story, Totte, glad you've got it rolling again.
What dress is the servant woman wearing?
Thanks! I got to play finally, and hopefully we can get another session soon.
Miss Andesdau wears this one: https://www.daz3d.com/dforce-tavern-maid-for-genesis-9
After the meeting with Mrs Cavehand, Gnosha gathers his staff to inform them that he, Aered and Thefvae will go out on a mission for a while, maybe a week. he compliments Miss Andersdau for the cake and Mr Berniers for having realized the baking skills she has, and Miss Gradis for doing an excellent work keeping the tower clean, even though there have been handymen working. He also informs the staff that Mrs Cavehand will start to reinforce the tower tomorrow.
He then looks at Mr Beniers and says: – “I have an idea, we have a group of currently hired but not working carpenters that are on hold until Mrs Cavehand is finished with her work. We do have a well working kitchen now, and a skilled baker, so, I suggest you contact Mr Baro and ask him to build some benches and tables and a stand to put up on the small square in front of the tower, were Miss Andersdau and Miss Grandis can serve coffee, tea and fresh pastries. Start small, but I think this can be a good way to keep busy, and also, a good way to make people know about our existence and the investigations agency.”
Now he turns to the ladies and continues: – “What do you say? Would you like to run your own little outdoor place? You’ll keep the tip and the salaries are already paid. If you can do this a few hours a day, like for afternoon tea, I think we can really do this.”
So, finally, he turns to Aered and Thevae: – “We have some interesting work coming up, so go pack for a week in the wild, and we meet down here in an hour.”
Everyone looks kind of puzzled about this rather surprising idea from Gnosha, but they have all started to know him, and how he works and acts. Mr Beniers heads down the street to find Mr Baro, Miss Andersdau and Miss Grandis smiles happily as this was something they really liked to do, make cakes, buns and cookies. And doing this, as they want, not someone telling them what they should do, what to bake, was a freedom they really enjoyed. Miss Andersdau thought to herself, this work just gets better and better.
After an hour, Gnosha, Aerad and Thefvae gather at the door, and Mr Beniers wishes them luck and promises to take care of the business while they are gone, which is why Gnosha hired him in the first place. Outside, they could hear the sound of saws and hammers, so it sounds like Mr Baro and his team has already started. The last thing Gnosha does is leave a sealed letter to Mr Beniers, and says that if they are not back within a week, he should contact Sir Heskan and give Sir Heskan the letter.
I don't think that's what you meant to say "buns" are baked goods that would go well with tea and cake. "Bunnies" are rabbits. Unless the ladies are planning on serving up rabbit stew as part of the menu?
Lol, sorry, was probably tired when writing up the log..
Or maybe they're going to run the plac dressed like this?
The group walked across Erast, Aered carrying two crates of essentials. First south to the northern bridge then across it to the market squares and back north to the North gate. At North gate, they decided not to bother Captain Woode or Lieutenant Gidaadee at this stage, so they saluted the town guards and exited through the gate. Outside the gate, there are several stables where caravans can rent horses and wagons. Gnosha knows that this isn’t the cheapest place to rent a wagon, but the concept of driving a two horse wagon through the narrow streets of Erast didn’t sound like a good idea either.
They arrive at Brownlock's stables, owned and run by the halfling Theodemir Brownlock. Mr Brownlock comes out of one of the large stable doors and walks with a steady pace to greet his potential customers, who seem to carry a lot of packing.
Mr Brownlock stretches out his hand and says: – “Greetings Gentlemen, lady, welcome to Brownlock's stables. I’ve seen you around a few times, but I can’t really place you.You’ve been working with the town guards I think, I’ve seen you talking with The Captain and the Lieutenant a few times. My name is Theodemir Brownlock. Are you here to rent a cart or a wagon, with horses? Then you have come to the right place. ”
Ghosha shakes Mr Brownlock’s hand and replies: – “Greetings Sir, my name is Gnosha Curosinei, these are my business partners, Aered Ealchfrilen and Thefvae, and yes, we’re looking for a wagon with two horses, to rent for about a week.”
Mr Brownlock asks them to follow him to the cart yard, where he has a few different wagons and carts to choose from. After some looking, they decided on a four wheel wagon with a good loading area and two horses, Dayspring and Mysty, two mares. While Mr Brownlock was fetching the horses and preparing the wagon, Aered and Thefvae asked Gnosha what this was all about, where they were heading, and what the mission was. Gnosha said: – “I tell you in due course, once we’re out of the town, too many ears. We will need to take a short dinner break, and we need to buy food now when we have somewhere to put it.”
With the wagon prepared and the fee paid, they drove it the short distance across the road outside the North Gate, stopping before Shanguh’s provisions store barely fifty yards away.
When they entered, Mrs Shanguh the half-orch smiled at them, telling them that today they had a special price on smoked and dried lamb legs, delivered this very morning from some of the farms south of Erast. Aered instantly said that they take a few, but only if he could taste first. Mrs Shanguh smiled even wider and took up a sharp knife from her belt and cut a rather large piece of meat from a piece behind the counter and handed it over one piece of meat sitting on the tip of her knife to Aered. Aered smelled it, and then he tasted it, and said: – “Mr Gnosha, this is delicious, we need to purchase some.” They bought provisions, including a barrel of ale, a good way to keep drinking water purified with alcohol. Gnosha asked Thefvae if there was something she particularly liked to have with the provisions, as he felt Aered sometimes was a bit perky and Thefvae was still rather reserved and careful. Thefvae smiled when Gnosha asked her, and she said that she would love some oatmeal with jam for breakfast, and it’s easy to make, just boil water.
After Gnosha had paid the bill he thought that, ok, it’s expensive, but hopefully I can save ninety pieces of gold on the tower repairs, so I’ll see it as business expenses.
They packed the wagon carefully, and as the weather was beginning to get even colder these days, they prepared themselves for the journey that only Gnosha knew the direction of. After about an hour of travelling northbound, in the direction of Vandamere’s tower and the Bugbear, they turned onto a small track leading west, right after Fenwick’s Stables, where you can water your horses and rest much cheaper than in Erast, and it is often used by caravans. After ten minutes Gnosha stopped the wagon as they all needed to stretch their legs and prepare a quick dinner.
When they had cooked some soup with slices of smoked lamb legs and eaten some freshly baked bread, Gnosha said in a low voice: – “Now I will tell you what this is all about. Mrs Cavehand’s quarry is about an hour's ride along this trail. She has a problem with bandits, and she has been paying the auxiliary militia, Herman Gild Huml’s little army, a large sum of money every week for protection. The bandits seem to still be a threat, and the militia doubles the price every week.”
Gnosha took a sip from his cup of ale and continued: – “What I suspect is, in conjunction with all our other findings the past week, is that the auxiliary militia is running an extortion ring, forcing farmers and other hard working citizens like Mrs Cavehand to pay for a protection that is not needed. They are both bandits and protectors. The auxiliary militia will leave the quarry at midnight as Mrs Cavehand refused to pay the doubled price. We should approach carefully, and watch from a hidden location until they leave. Then quickly move in, hide the wagon and the horses in the quarry stables, and then keep watch. We might likely be targeted by a bandit attack, so we need to defend the quarry, but we need a few prisoners alive to interrogate. The reason for a wagon? To bring some prisoners back to Sir Heskan as proof of Herman Gild Huml’s foul play.”
They follow the small road towards the quarry for almost another hour. The sun was setting, and the sky was clear and the stars were bright against the dark evening sky., When Gnosha decided they were close enough to the quarry, he looked for a possible passage to move the wagon and the horses off the trail to hide them. He had no idea what lay ahead. He found a narrow trail to the left, and they hid the wagon and the horses behind a small group of trees, far enough from the quarry road to be out of sight and hearing. The sun had now completely set and the moon was up, but the darkness should be their advantage, even though the moon gave a bleak light.
After securing the horses and the wagon, Gnosha silently moved closer to the quarry, and used his spyglass to get a better idea of what was there, what they might find. In the light from a fire and the dim light provided by the moon, he saw three shapes sitting outside one of the two smaller buildings at the quarry entrance. Aered and Thefvae came behind, but Aered wasn’t that attentive where he put his feet, so you could hear branches breaking, and Thefvae could not stop telling him that he had to walk more carefully. Gnosha decided to stop before they got any closer and the guards would hear them.
He picked up his spyglass again and carefully scrutinized the quarry. It was dug out from a hill, almost square. The lit fire close to the two small buildings had a cooking pot holder, but no pot was hanging there. He saw three backpacks, packed with attached bedrolls, and realized that the mercenary militia guards were about to leave, and they seemed to be only three of them.
Gnosha decided to back a bit then move closer to the road instead, but to a place where he still could observe. They decided to just wait and see what would happen. Time passed slowly, and Gnosha saw that one of the men looked at the moon quite often. When it was close to midnight, the person that Gnosha thought was some kind of leader or commander, suddenly spoke to the two guards: – “Boys, we can be thankful for this easy job, one of the easiest, and very well paid too. Now, it’s time to leave.” The man picked up a burning log from the fire and tossed it onto the roof of one of the two small buildings. Gnosha quickly warned Aered and Thefvae: – “Ready, it’s starting.”, then he raised his crossbow, and assessed one of the two guards, as he had already planned to take the commander prisoner. He aims and fires, and the crossbow bolt hits the guard in the right side of his chest, and it catches fire, alchemical fire. The commander yells: – “Kobolds! It’s Kobolds, they use fire arrows. Draw your weapons, defend yourself.” He then pulls up a shortbow and puts an arrow on the string.
Thefvae casts a Chilling Darkness at the guard that Gnosha hits, and the burning bolt makes him light up a very visible target, and she hits him with a beam of ice, in the left side of the chest. Aered draws his sword and his shield and takes a defensive stance, assessing the situation. The two guards draw their swords, and the one on fire successfully puts out the fire.
Gnosha aims at the guard he recently hit, but he is now standing in too much shadow and Gnosha cannot hit him, so he fires at the other guard, but misses. The commander tries to duck into cover and tries to surprise attack Aered from a different position, but Aered sees him and has total control of the situation. He skillfully blocks the arrow with his shield, but it penetrates the shield and hits his arm.
Thefvae casts a divine lance against the damaged guard, and the magic lance hits him in the stomach, and he falls backwards. After the successful attack, Thefvae casts a magic shield on herself to protect her from the arrows. Aered moves forward towards the other guard and attacks him with his new special double slice attack, using both his sword and his shield. He hits the guard, and the guard attacks back but misses Aered, as he trips and almost falls.
Gnosha studies the commander, he is a vanguard, low rank officer, like a commander of a small troop. He knows that he then carries a leather armor, and he hits him with a fire bolt. The vanguard now tries once again to dive into cover and move into the shadows to attack Gnosha from a surprise position. Gnosha lost sight of the vanguard. Suddenly an arrow strikes Gnosha from an unexpected angle and hits his arm. The wound hurts and the arrow makes it difficult to move the arm, Ghosha feels slow. Aered attacks the second guard with his shield and his sword and hits him. The guards counterattacks, but misses. Now Gnosha sees the vanguard again, and he aims carefully and shoots, and hits him, but the slowdown prevents Gnosha from reloading the crossbow again.
Thefvae casts a void warp spell at guard fighting with Aered. She hits him with a little ball of darkness, but he is still standing up. Aered bashes him on the head with his shield, and the guard falls to the ground. Aered shouts to the Vanguard: – “Yield! Lay down your weapon!”, and he is really frightening, but the vanguard refuses to yield. Gnosha reloads his crossbow, and walks towards the vanguard with his crossbow aimed at him and says: – “Drop your weapon!”. The vanguard drops his weapon and comes out from behind a few crates with his hands raised.
Aered ties him up really well, while Thefvae removes the burning log from the roof of the small building and puts some water on it. The fire hadn’t started so no real damage was done, yet. Thefvae then lights a few magic lights on the wagon for Gnosha to be able to really see the vanguard.
The vanguard looks at Gnosha and says: – “It’s you, Gnosha.”. Gnosha looks at the vanguard with cold eyes and replies: – “What’s your name and who gives you orders?” The vanguard replies: – “My name is Jorv and this is just a misunderstanding. I’m only following orders, I have done nothing wrong.” Gnosha looks at Jorv and continues: – “Is the person who gives you orders by any chance Herman Gild Huml?” And Jorv replies: – “Herman is the one who controls the militia. I’ve only met him a few times.”
Gnosha continues, and you could hear in his voice that he was not pleased with the answers so far: – ”Who ordered you to come here and try to set the guard building on fire?” Jorv looks at Gnosha with confusion and replies: – “Why are you asking such complicated questions?” Gnosha snaps back: – “Because it’s a complicated situation. You can either tell me who gave you the orders, or you accidentally died when we stopped you from setting the guard house on fire, your choice.”
Jorv looks in terror at Gnosha and replies: – ”Ok, ok, myself, Bucket and Bump works for Baelor Stavin. We were ordered to guard this place as long as we get paid, every night. When the deal was over, we were to burn something down, and the agreement was not extended.”
Gnosha replies: – “I know that much. I’m here on behalf of the very owner of this quarry, and she feels that she’s being scammed, and I now tend to agree with her. So, where can I find this Baelor Stavin? And by the way, you will get the honor to tell this story face to face to Sir Paragon Knight Heskan when we come back to Erast.” Jorv suddenly looks even more scared.