Expedition - Bromric/Reclaim the Mountain - June 3, 1 VC

[Marullus]

Seeing Perthrin's dilemma, Bromric turns to the half-dozen civilians now under his care and talks amongst them. Do any have skills in animal husbandry? Would they be willing to take on the breaking of a horse?

He contemplates to Perthrin, "Falling asleep and waking bound is a rougher way, perhaps, than finding which might be more docile through a waking interaction. However, by luck it is the stallion which you have acquired. The mares usually follow as he leads the herd. If the stallion can be tamed, perhaps the mares can be re-encountered. I've spent many a year around ponies but have no special affinity for husbandry, perhaps there is another here who will and can set their price for helping you."

[Keehnelf]

Dwarves are not ill-suited by their natures to learning the subtle arts of animal husbandry, being equal parts keen observation, intuition and force of will among the untrained (it's natively Wis-based). However, because dwarves raise so few animals that are not simply livestock (for most dwarves there is no need to travel great distances), ponies being the only real exception, a dwarf trained or raised to the life of an animal handler is a rare find indeed. The assembled dwarf-folk all shake their heads sadly at the request. "Fine looking horse, though," one offers.

[Marullus]

Oh well, I tried. Rusty - back to you!

[Rusty Tincanne]

well... I've been thinking about this so weekend. Perthrin could go either way with this. Having a horse would be nice, but he wants to be off on this adventure. Well chalk this up to intelligent but not wise.

His hubris damaged and his hopes of gaining an easy mount dashed, Perthrin packs his rope and shoulders his pack. The frail, monstrous-looking elf falls back in line. Life had never been easy before and he had hoped for a change in fortune with the move to the West Marches but it had only gotten worse. He was starting to envy the men in the group. At least their misery promised to be short.

unless the humans want the horse, we can just move along. Perthrin is out of spells now.

[Marullus]

Well, we can see how Keehnelf handles the waking up. If it comes along okay but isn't rideable, that's still a thing. If it is going to derail the expedition again, then you're right, not much choice. But that's a shame. I hoped that worst-case it would stay to farm with the dwarves... Too bad.

Bromric helps hold the rope steady as the stallion wakes, keeping Gustav the pony nearby to provide the stallion reassurance.

[Keehnelf]

Just to be clear: you're not harnessing, tethering, or in any way restraining the horse?

[Marullus]

Huh?

Okay then... Perthrin follows Gilgamesh to the horse and ties on a bridle as instructed.

Perethrin harnessed and tethered it. He's concerned he's not strong enough to hold it, so Bromric is helping hold the rope. I'm also introducing Gustav the pony as a calming/herd factor.

If it works, then we bring it along. If it is unmanageable, my understanding is that Perethrin will cut it loose rather than damage things or derail the expedition.

[Keehnelf]

Sorry somehow I only saw the OOC section of your post.

[Marullus]

It's all good. Glad you asked.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Huh?

Okay then... Perthrin follows Gilgamesh to the horse and ties on a bridle as instructed.

Perethrin harnessed and tethered it. He's concerned he's not strong enough to hold it, so Bromric is helping hold the rope. I'm also introducing Gustav the pony as a calming/herd factor... Perethrin will cut it loose rather than damage things or derail the expedition.

Perthrin was going to give up entirely but really like this plan. He'll stay back a bit too avoid further injury.

[Keehnelf]

June 5, 1 VC - 7:20pm

Perthrin and Bromric hold lines on either side of the horse, ready for its wild awakening--and they are not disappointed. The stallion wakes from his magically-induced sleep with a start, hauling himself abruptly to his feet and nearly dragging the willowy elf off his balance and tumbling him to the ground. By pulling from both sides, the two adventurers are able to barely restrain the beast until its initial wildness has passed.

Eventually, Perthrin is comfortable enough the the horse isn't going to immediately trample him, and over the space of a couple hours he is able to calm the creature and get it to be led. Two individuals still need to hold leads, but the horse walks along with the party as he snorts indignantly.

Horse taming [1d20] = 9

The train continues on toward the tower, and after another day or so of travel they reach it without incident just as twilight approaches.

(Please deduct two days' rations apiece)

[Keehnelf]

The tower does not appear to be newly-inhabited or tampered with.

[Marullus]

Bromric tells Perethrin, "Find a place to tie him off." He then turns to RhodriKennit, smiling, "It is a good place! If you'd kindly show the Seneschal here your wishes, they can begin settling in. We can set off in the morning for the mountain?"

I'm assuming the perk of taking on seven civilian mouths to feed is that they handle non-adventuring tasks. Even if they aren't adept at husbandry, is it okay that they maintain the hobbled stallion until we return from the expedition?

[Keehnelf]

Yep.

Also, Rhodri is dead

[Marullus]

Oooops...

[KingOfCowards]

Kennit smiles when they finally reach the tower again. He checks the door and the inside to make sure their are no unintended visitors.
The halfling is not much for the details of building, but he relays his plans and expectations to the dwarves, which I expect have already been finalized if construction materials have been purchased. The dwarves are free to make whatever housing arrangements are needed during the construction time.

I assume this is also a good time to hand out payment for the guards.
20 gp and two days rations deducted.

[Marullus]

Good call.

-2 fresh rations
-20gp for other have of mercenaries

[Rusty Tincanne]

Perthrin thanks Bromric for his aid with the horse as they walk with it to the tower. I wonder if you are right and the mares will come looking for it. When they arrive, he ties off the horse near the other pack animals just outside the main door and listens to Kennit's report to the seneschal, nodding in agreement. When completed, he heads to the upper level and lays out his bed roll, feeling it would be nice to go right to bed.

2 days food deducted.

[Spartakos]

Gilgamesh eyes the tower dubiously as they approach; despite long living among humans, he is still uncomfortable with structures of more than one story. Still, the interior looks secure and cozy enough. He makes himself at home for the temporary duration of their stay.

2 rations deducted.

[Keehnelf]

Valorei takes out a sheaf of parchment and sets up a portable folding desk he's carried on his back through the journey outside the tower, getting to work surveying the property and making diagrams. He consults repeatedly with Bromric and Rostof about the planned expansions and renovations to the tower, eventually noting that the property should be assessed at a value of 2,250 gold pieces once the construction is complete. He tells Kennit and Perthrin that a deed will be drawn up upon his return to Vaul in both of their names, to be claimed for the price of 10gp 7sp as a processing fee (half the standard cost, because of it being a bounty) by either of them should one die or be lost during this or another expedition. The stipend of 100gp will be payable after six months of residency and every twelve months thereafter so long as the tower remains fortified and inhabited and its owners are responsive to the security needs of Vaul.

edit: did the Varas/Valorei thing again, dammit