Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[Ahlmzhad]

Raven

Having finally given up on the dryad he has returned to Helix. Glad to see Moriartus back in the inn, he arranges for a room (8gp), and joins the others in the common room with a bottle of wine.

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

July 6th - 10th:

Several characters hustle and bustle, in and out of the tavern during inter-expedition downtime. Some plan next options, others just recuperate with good food and ale, others lock themselves away in private rooms to conduct spell research or study newly found tomes and ledgers.

Cadeweed chats with Deucalion, enquiring regards the Adventurers Guild. Whilst the current Guild members are absent (in this time line they are conducting research and rituals prior to the current Barrowmaze expedition), therefore not available to talk in person, the steward can fill in any gaps.

"We have an area of land currently undergoing regeneration. Building the Guild Lodge and more permanent facilities as well as seeding the lower field for a rare harvest.

In a few days I will collect some antiquities that have been carefully restored by the artisans and we intend to auction them in Ironguard next month.

Until then, my duties constrain me to oversee the labouring team and administrative affairs. However I do have a particular need to arrange in terms of continued support to the Barrow delve and we seek Guild member to commit to escorting the next cargo of equipment that might help consolidate the excavations taking place."

He can take your Membership Fee, -100gp and introduce you to the others at the Guild site if you would like to join.

"Have you more questions?" he asks.

Elsewhere in the tavern, Moriartus, Dougal, Raven & Dufr, a new dwarven character recently arrived, sit at a table and fellowship iver ales and stories. A suggestion is put forward to follow up the Impurax influence which seems to be at the root of many wider regional afflictions. A journey to a druid who lives in some weird 'exile' in his derelict riverside stronghold is planned.

Actions, each please make further comments and plans and any last minute preparations.

Bublé the bard seeks out Dougal, wondering how his musical talents are progressing. Moriartus also takes his commissioned Harpy Quills, using them to ink his latest studies and spell research.

Perseverance Hake & Jorly are about the village, each seeing to personal interests and upgrading of equipment or class skills.

Actions everyone in the tavern, please post as you wish

[Karaunios]

Dougal greets Bublé.

"Hey, Bublé. Hoo are ye doin'? Ah've just come fae a lang expedition an' want tae hae a bit o' a rest an' celebrate the fact I'm still no' deid. Come join us fur a while!"

He then talks with the bard about music and said the instrument he got from the satyr. After some drinking and more eating he goes with him somewhere else where they won't disturb anyone and tries to practice his abilities with the flute of pan and ask the bard for some pointers. He will gladly pay him a couple gold pieces.

Thanks for reminding me of this.

[gurusql]

Cadeweed

Cadeweed will join the guild and will ask Deucalion, "Would you be able to take me down and introduce me - thank you."

100 gp deduced.

Once down there Cadeweed will volunteer for any physical labor required until Moriartus is ready to depart.

[Ahlmzhad]

Raven

Speaking to the Dwarf: Well, Dufr tell us about yourself?

When the Dwarf is done he'll respond then he'll look to Moriartus I agree this Impurax thing is an issue, I am very willing to work with you to get to the bottom of it.
I'm a bit worried about this "adventurers guild" it could make it hard to get the help we need as they'll be looking for easy loot not doing the right thing. I also worry that they will try to monopolize the magic market as well.

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus


"I have met the guildmaster and sergeant, Sven and Orgoth. They are both committed to rooting out the cults operating out of the Barrowmaze. Chiefly, those of Nergal, Orcus, and Set. I have a particular interest in Set as a high priest, Nathalas, has been organizing humanoids in the western forest. That said, you have valid concerns which we should consider."

"As for our planned expedition to Bjornak, I fear that the root of this corruption lies within the Fey Realm. The dryad we rescued said that a Corrupted One rules over the treant grove. It somehow prevents her from entering a tree there. Hopefully, Bjornak and this poor lignifying man can provide us more information about how to effectively fight it."

[Rex]

Dufr

"I am a simple traveling Locksmith. I specialize in any mechanical device really. I don't know know anything of the guild so can't comment on it, but it sounds like the fey is the bigger concern at the moment."

[Jernau35]

Hake

Hake, holding a mug of ale, joins the conversation. "Wandering through the forests is not something I enjoy. But this is an expedition that St Ygg approves of. I shall be happy to continue with it."

[Ahlmzhad]

Raven

Well you have not steered us wrong so far, so I'm good to go where you suggest. What should we expect and are there any supplies we should obtain?

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

By midday, the tavern is fill of adventurers and village patrons. Moriartus, Dougal, Raven, Jorly, Perseverance Hake, Jorly, Cadeweed & Dufr are joined by Dalin, Gunter & Golgarth who have returned to Helix mid morning following a brief but deadly encounter with a Barrow Wight driving a herd of Undead buffaloes to stampede into the Herne Shrine.

The Wight's corpse delivered first to the church then given to mage Mazzah to compliment the heart organ recently donated for his research.

In particular Hake and Cadeweed have taken on aspects of study in Undead / level drain / Wights as Class specialisms, so this new event will undoubtedly provoke their attention.

Dalin can reunite with Moriartus, healed now of the Mummy Rot that he received in their last adventure together. You can compare stories and touch-base on experiences over lunch, sharing a bond and interest too in the lignified man and Bjornark the druid.

Delayed from leaving in the early hours may prove a blessing for characters can mingle and team up into two prospective expeditions; one to Bjornark and investigating the Fey pestilence and the second currently being proposed, but having a focus in rooting out the cause of recent coordinated Undead / demonic / cultic activity that has afflicted the region, with a proposed exploration to the Barrow Mounds.

Actions everyone please I would like everyone to post here and at least mingle, ask questions, finalise any last character downtime activities. I will try to move any updates quickly to get you all on the Expeditions road again by the weekend.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin "So someone recently came back from the Crooked Yew how is the old druid doing out there? And on another note did someone say they are heading out to Bjornark? I might have to go with we left some unfinished business out there, a fellow being slowly turned into a tree."

[Rex]

Dufr

"Dufr is my name, Dwarven locksmith. I volunteered to head to Bjornark to help out. Can you tell a fellow dwarf anything about the place?"

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Well you have not steered us wrong so far, so I'm good to go where you suggest. What should we expect and are there any supplies we should obtain?

"The journey to Bjornak is relatively short. As I understand it, he lives in a ruined moathouse roughly southeast of Helix. I'm not sure what to expect, though ... ah, but here is one who can enlighten us!"

He waves at Dalin and motions for him to join their table. "You have certainly been quite busy, Mr. Dalin! Yes, we have just returned from the Crooked Yew. Brother Clive is doing well and he mentioned your exploits out east, but was short on details."

"I understand that the Sylvanus temple was infiltrated by agents of Impurax? I suspect such may also be the case with the elves of the Thornswild. They have turned apostate, abandoning the Green Man, though we do not know why. We do know they have evil intentions upon a sacred tree of the elves. We were far south of Crooked Yew, near the Merisc, cleansing the sacred groves of Sylvanus."

"We have yet to cleanse the treant's grove, however, the focus of our effort. The corruption afflicting it appears to extend into the Fey Realm. When Clive told me about Bjornak and the lignifying man, I thought they could provide more information about this evil and how we could effectively combat it. You are certainly welcome to join us, if you wish."

[Karaunios]

Dougal, busy with the food and drink (and the occasional burp, casually and unpretentiously launched), is glad to see the dwarf return hale and hearty.

"Dalin! I'm so glad tae see ye and ken ye've recovered. Forgie us for no joinin' ye on yer quest for a cure, but ye ken we're on important missions tae restore the health o' the forest... as Mr. Moriartus has explained."

Now and then, he tosses a bone to his Irish Wolfhound, Conmhaol, which he eagerly devours.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin "I've dealt with Bjornak a few times now. Just know he will aid you but you'll likely have to do something for him in return. That forest cure is likely related to what cursed that poor man I left with Bjornak that was being turned to a tree. Bjornak indicated that the cure would require a trek to the fay realm or something of that nature to cure, and I vaguely recall he mentioned something about the forest as well. And yes it was a hell of a solo adventure but I did find the cure for ahem my former ailment. Which I was trying to keep quiet mind you..." he sighs at the last bit. "Well met Dufr." he says not forgetting his pleasantries. "Sadly I know my kin were on a mission and I wanted to join it but managed to be too busy with other things like twarting cults out in bogtown and areas beyond. If there is a group heading to see Bjornak I'd be quite up for joining up."

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus


"Excellent! You are most welcome to join our expedition. Your previous experiences with the cult of Impurax should prove most helpful, I'm sure. You mention that Bjornak can concoct a remedy for the man, I assume a rare ingredient is required for this cure?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Moriartus


"Excellent! You are most welcome to join our expedition. Your previous experiences with the cult of Impurax should prove most helpful, I'm sure. You mention that Bjornak can concoct a remedy for the man, I assume a rare ingredient is required for this cure?"

Dalin smiles and nods his head "Yup, that's how it sounded. At the time there were only a few of us so we decided it was not a good idea to go witch small numbers."

[gurusql]

Cadeweed

Cadeweed will make an odd appearance at the Brazen Strumpet since he has been camping at the land of the Adventurers Guild when he hears his best friend in the world, Moriartus is heading on another quest. Cadeweed will fine Moriartus and tell him, "I am sorry that I am not going to be able to join this expedition, I am still learning about this this new Guild - and will be staying in town for the Guildmaster to return. We will see how things go after that meeting. Perhaps we could split some fine wine."

5 gp subtracted.

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus


"Ah, Mr. Cadeweed! Your skills will be sorely missed, yet I am curious about this new guild and having a friend inside would be quite helpful. Let's share your wine." He raises his glass in a toast, "Friends never say goodbye."

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin "Sorry you won't be joining but Gunter and Golgarth might be up to joining us and I do have my new friend Froed pretty much goes where I go." he indicates the dwarf standing nearby.