Interlude 1: Back in Town.

[drpete]

No problem, Bob

As to the bladedancer thing, I think it's unlikely. Generally, that involves training as a member of the clergy, rather than combat experience. You can train them to be fighter equivalents, I think... swashbuckling dual wielders, etc. At least at the moment, these ladies are just mercenaries. If they (or someone else) were to become henchmen, we might look at that as a possibility. I'm pretty sure the "official" way to become a bladedancer is closer to how you become a mage... study for a period of time, followed by a roll for success.

[Zorroroaster]

Torgyr could also part with a few coins of his own to secure some good meat shields. I mean, hench persons.

[Dogma]

Ranulf would chip in a few coins for the help, provided he has any left after his "night of drunken debuchery"

[drpete]

After Othor agrees to join the company as a mercenary, Ranulf and Galen try to sweet talk the others, offering them shares and scale armor. Two, Emm and Audi, agree to join up for shares of treasure, and improved armor.

A peasant named Ernie with a large, horse-drawn cart speaks to you. He'll happily haul your gear the few miles up the road for 5 sp per trip. His wagon will hold 80 stones. If you want help loading and unloading lots of gear, he can get two strong guys to load and unload for you, too, for a total of 1 gp/trip. He suggests that if you want them to lug stuff up the stairs, you should probably tip the men a little extra.

[kalstone]

Solaine pays Ernie 1 gp for the trip up to the camp site. She discretely asks Ernie, "We may run into a variety of locks and traps. Have you heard of anyone in town that may have experience in dealing with such matters?"

[drpete]

Ernie doesn't seem to have an idea about that, but he might be able to find you someone who could pry a lock off, or force a door, if you need that.

Going back to talk to Climent, you find the mage in the tavern, talking to another man dressed as a mage. Ajax, meanwhile, starts taking an interest in another man in the tavern with a small dog of his own.

(Let's see if we can integrate a couple more pcs, etc, then head out )

[Zorroroaster]

Wait... Did Ajax just go see a man about a dog?

I'll show myself out.

[Zorroroaster]

Torgyr walks over to Climent.

"We're near ready to leave. Who's this?"

[drpete]

Climent smiles at Torgyr eagerly. Maybe a little too eager...? "Great. I'm ready to go." Then, he introduces his friend, the man dressed in a mage's cassock. "This here is a guy I know from Adamas. His name's Rudolpho."

Meanwhile, Ajax has started snuffling the little dog. The little dog's owner looks over at you. He looks like he might be an adventurer, too.

Did you guys mark off the 50 gp for Climent's "advance"? Also, these are Rudolpho and Osan.

[kalstone]

I'll mark off the 50 gp.

[barkman]

Fairly tall, with thinning hair, Rudolpho appears emaciated, almost to the point of being cadaverous. He wears a blue mage's cassock, carries a quarterstaff, and has 2 daggers at his belt.

Greetings All, I am Rudolpho the Ambiguous. I have some knowledge of the systems of magic, but since a mage is only as good as his spellbooks, and i have none, i cannot call myself a mage. Currently, i make my living as a man of my wits. It has served me well. It is a pleasure to meet you.

[Dogma]

"Hey Torgyr," says Ranulf, giving the dwarf a nudge with his elbow, "Don't we have that spell book that we took off Frederico's corpse after the orcs got him? Ain't no good taking a mage with us that can't cast any spells. Other than some blood stains on the cover it's still in good shape." he finishes with a grin.

[Zorroroaster]

Torgyr nods in agreement with Ranulph's suggestion.

"Aye, that's a sound idea, Ranulf. I've no idea what's in the book, but perhaps Rudolpho here can make it out. Worth a shot, for sure."

Torgyr leaves for a few minutes and comes back with the bloodstained tome. He holds it out for the mage to take, but as Rudolpho reaches for it, Torgyr pulls it out of reach.

"You need to know that the previous owner of this little book got himself stuck between a wyvern's teeth. Only after he died of rapid blood loss at the hands of some stinking orcs though. As if that's any consolation. Put it this way: we'd hate for this to become the "Party Spellbook" if you know what I mean. Handed down from one dead mage to the next. I hope you can make better use of it than Rico did. Good luck to you with it."

He hands the spellbook to Rudolpho.

[drpete]

Climent looks on during this exchange with a bit of shock, and at least a flash of jealousy. He seems like he wants to say something, but is biting his tongue.

[barkman]

Randolpho nods his head. "My Thanks, I will attempt to use it in good health. It will take me some time to decipher my good predecessors notes and formula. I will endeavor to do so. I hope it will serve me long and better."


turning to Climent. "Good Sir, in return for introducing me to this group, perhaps you would like to peruse this book at a reduced cost?"

[Lamech]

OOC: Added, 27gp to the character sheet, added machinist tools to character sheet, 150gp added to the reserve via sending money to some combination of Steel's father, family of fallen comrades, people mistaken for family of fallen comrades, and/or scammers.

Steel has been spending most of his time trying to track down the family members or someone trust worthy enough to ship gold despite there being no chance of getting caught if they just steal it, repairing his metal automaton and trying to find some very short term work. He is still alive.

[kalstone]

"Good Sir, in return for introducing me to this group, perhaps you would like to peruse this book at a reduced cost?"

Solaine laughs. "Yeah, Climent. How about an advance of 50 gp and your share of the treasure from this outing?"

[drpete]

Climent smiles weakly, raising his hands innocently. "Oh, no need for that right now. I'll just wait my turn. You won't be needing it for long, will you, Randolpho?"

Steel, good to see you back. You can put that in the rewards section. Specify what you spent, and on what, and the xp reserve benefit.

[barkman]

"Perhaps, or indeed, i will get yours in some sort of double or nothing death agreement?" Rudolpho smiles weakly, taking advantage of Climent's uneasiness.



Rudolpho stows the spellbook in his backpack.

[drpete]

Climent chuckles, clearly a little wounded by the exchange. "Alright, but no trying to speed each other along. The mountain will do that for us, I think."

So what now? I imagine setting up the camp with the rest of the day, then hitting the dungeon. That sound right? NJ told me Thursday he was in, but hasn't been around since. If Osan wants to chase you to the camp, that's fine, but he's not on the expedition unless we get him in before you go into the dungeon.

How about coming up with a marching order & torches, and I'll narrate the camp stuff, unless there's a significant encounter?