Island Paradise III

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12a8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id230.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Frontier Map"><U><B>Map of the Frontier</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U><B>Archive Directory</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Missiledine's Archives</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missiledines Archives"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id302.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="An Island Paradise I"><U>An Island Paradise I</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id306.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="An Island Paradise II"><U>An Island Paradise II</U></A>   |   <B>Island Paradise III</B>   |   <A HREF="id310.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Island Paradise IV"><U>Island Paradise IV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id311.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Island Paradise V"><U>Island Paradise V</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id316.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Island Paradise VI"><U>Island Paradise VI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id317.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Island Paradise VII"><U>Island Paradise VII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id318.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Island Paradise IIX"><U>Island Paradise IIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id320.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Island Paradise IX"><U> Island Paradise IX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Island Paradise X"><U>Island Paradise X</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id325.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Island Paradise XI"><U>Island Paradise XI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id326.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Island Paradise XII"><U>Island Paradise XII</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Island Paradise III</I></div> <div> You have just entered room "Dukejr01 Chat41."</div> <div> Docportal has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: hey</div> <div> Dawn12 has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Dawn!</div> <div> Docportal: Duke!</div> <div> Dawn12: hi</div> <div> Missiledine: Hi everyone</div> <div> Dukejr01: What's the word?</div> <div> Docportal: Hi there all. Hope you are doing well were you are at.</div> <div> Docportal: we seam to be short by two of our players.</div> <div> Dukejr01: <making pizza></div> <div> Docportal: <Sounds like fun. Tho I would do that during the day.></div> <div> FinLongham has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: pizza done. cooling now</div> <div> Dukejr01: yo fin</div> <div> FinLongham: Hey Duke.</div> <div> Docportal: <Well, I for one, like to see this island we are on></div> <div> Dukejr01: wonder where Rev is.</div> <div> FinLongham: Good question....</div> <div> Missiledine: I am opening a couple files, then we will start</div> <div> Dukejr01: Good to go!</div> <div> Dukejr01: <even if I am watching Buffy></div> <div> Dukejr01: <the two hour special when she was resurected></div> <div> Dukejr01: <UPN></div> <div> Missiledine: uh huh</div> <div> Missiledine: Ok, we ready?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Good to go, Sir!</div> <div> Dawn12: ready</div> <div> Docportal: ready but I am runing in and out.</div> <div> FinLongham: Sure go. I will be a bit slow right now.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok then... When we wrapped up last time, the Jixin was bumping up against the stone jetty of Sharpstone harbor. You can see a couple men pulling in the ropes and making them fast to secure the boat</div> <div> Dukejr01: Right. Corren gets the horses.</div> <div> Missiledine: Tulan and Rolb wrestle the gang plank in place, as they work you see one man, a weathered looking fisherman type come to the edge of the jetty. "Is that you Guyan? What in the nine hells are you doin out here in weather like this?"</div> <div> Missiledine: Guyan calls back, "Had a delivery to make."</div> <div> Missiledine: The man peers into the vessel, "Horses? We don't need anymore horses?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren goes to test the footing.</div> <div> Missiledine: Guyan laughs, "Not the horses you old carp, the people! Tis a charter."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Ah." the old man replies and looks you all over rather carefully, then turns and heads down the jetty towards town</div> <div> Missiledine: The gang plank seems secure enough</div> <div> Dukejr01: Once the horses are offloaded. Corren gets his gear</div> <div> Missiledine: <GM note: An addition to the party... Dawn has a horse which she brought along</div> <div> FinLongham: I will get my gear and follow with my horse .</div> <div> Docportal: <So I am the only one with out a horse.></div> <div> Dukejr01: <rev doesn;t have one either. and the cart horse has no saddle></div> <div> Missiledine: The jetty is about twenty feet wide and maybe eighty feet long. The stone surface is old, but appears to be well maintained. As you lead the animals down the jetty, you can dimly see the houses of Sharpstone</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren takes point.</div> <div> revrat235 has entered the room.</div> <div> Docportal: <Good.></div> <div> revrat235: Howdy.  Held up with familly stuff.</div> <div> Missiledine: All the ones you can see are of stone construction with slate rooves... The houses are crowded together and the srteets are paved with cobbles and appear narrow and twisty, as well as wet and shiny from the fog</div> <div> Dukejr01: <Rev! the rev-man.. makin' copieeeeeeeees!></div> <div> Docportal: Get gear and follow others with there horses</div> <div> Missiledine: <Welcome!></div> <div> Dukejr01: do Gyan and his cousin need help squaring away? they must be exhausted.</div> <div> Missiledine: Not too much for them to do, and one of the men from the jetty has scrambled aboard to help unload the little bit of cargo they have.  One thing you do note, Guyan pulls out a large leather bag, like a saddle bag, and passes it to </div> <div> Missiledine: the man helping out, who sets it on the jetty with great care</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren politely minds his own business.</div> <div> FinLongham: I make know of this and walk on.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Okay, where is the nearest inn?"</div> <div> Missiledine: The street that begins at the end of the jetty is paved and the area around the water front has racks of fishing nets and a number of two wheeled carts parked off to the side. As you clear the jetty and start getting organised </div> <div> Missiledine: (saddling up?) you hear the sounds of running footsteps and five or six xchildren come running around the corner and stop short, staring at you</div> <div> Dukejr01: what time of day?</div> <div> Missiledine: <Who are you asking Corren?></div> <div> Dukejr01: Guyan or Rolb, who has apparently been here before</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren grins at them</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb hasn't been here before, Guyan is back on the boat</div> <div> FinLongham: Look to see what the children are wereing.</div> <div> Missiledine: It is about noon, though you would never guess it from the amount of light filtering through the fog... it is a very grey, wet and cold day</div> <div> Dukejr01: oh. okay. it was a general question then. and what time of day is it? Lunch?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Lunch</div> <div> Dukejr01: Got to be something near the dock</div> <div> Missiledine: The children seem to be dressed as one would expect kids their age to be dressed anywhere in Velitrium. The clothes are not exceptionally ragged or worn looking</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: The children, who have clearly come to see the strangers, are staring at you in silence</div> <div> Missiledine: From the boat you can hear the men talking about the trip across, from up the street in front of you, you can hear what sounds like the tramp of feet approaching</div> <div> revrat235: I smile and wave, then make a funny face.</div> <div> Missiledine: they remain impassive, watching you</div> <div> Dukejr01: "What is our story, boss?" Corren whispers to Rolb.</div> <div> Docportal: I stay away from the kids as I move up the street. (edgy)</div> <div> Docportal: And follow the boss.</div> <div> Missiledine: "Good question," He mutters back, "Lookin fer a buried treasure." He laughs</div> <div> Missiledine: "Unless ye ave a better idea."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren shrugs "Nope. I dunno nuthin', Boss!" Corren grins "Which is true, for the most part"</div> <div> FinLongham: "I like to find a house to buy." then laughs</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb chuckles, "Aye, to sit by the water an grow me beard long."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren busies himself with his horse.</div> <div> Missiledine: The sound of footsteps, multiple footsteps, is growing louder</div> <div> Dukejr01: IS there an Inn around?</div> <div> Missiledine: Not that you can see from here, the buildings immediately in view appear to be related to the fishing fleet... There are a dozen coasters of varying size, tied along the wharf and the jetty. The buildings are warehouse space, </div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren loosens his sword in his scabbard unobtrusively</div> <div> Missiledine: sail lofts, repair shops etc</div> <div> Dukejr01: k.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Pick a street, I guess.</div> <div> Docportal: I will also loosen my sword. try to hide myself behind a horse when doing it.</div> <div> Missiledine: The wharf where you are standing is at the bottpom of the hill which the town is set on, the street climbs steeply and curves to the right... From around that bend comes five men at arms, in mail, still clearly buckling their gear </div> <div> Missiledine: on as they come</div> <div> Dukejr01: k. wearing a coat of arms?</div> <div> Missiledine: you can either go left or right along the wharf, or straight ahead and climb the cobbled street</div> <div> FinLongham: Passs don't let them ask me quesions. I will never stand up to it.</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, the lead man has a talbard with the arms. From the size and shape you know that this man is a hauscarl, not actually of the family. The four men at arms have shields with the arms, but no talbard</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmm.... gotcha</div> <div> Docportal: "I say left if that is a good way to go. Boss?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren fiddles with his horses gear unnecessarily.</div> <div> Missiledine: They march confidently diown the hill to you, the leader looking you over as he approaches. His face is impassive. He appears to be a stocky, muscular man in his mid forties with a short beard and a scar along the left side of his</div> <div> Missiledine: face</div> <div> FinLongham: "Did you all hear the one about the lam worrior?"</div> <div> Missiledine: He stops about twenty feet short of you. He is armed with a broadsword and a hand axe, both of which are still at his belt, though his hand rests easily on the hilt. The four men at arms have crossbows and broadswords</div> <div> revrat235: uh oh</div> <div> Docportal: "Fin my friend this my not be the time."</div> <div> FinLongham: "But this is a good one."</div> <div> Missiledine: <lol></div> <div> Docportal: "Fine Fin, Get it over with."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren chuckles and stretches a bit. He looks relaxed</div> <div> FinLongham: "Ok ok. He was so lam that he had to limp to the fight."</div> <div> Missiledine: The leader says, "Welcome to Sharpstone." His voice dosen't sound particularly welcoming. "I am Valack, what is your buisness here?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren is still waiting for a punch line</div> <div> FinLongham: "Looking to buy a House."</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb pushes through the horses, till he can see the speaker and he can see him.  As he comes into sight you see Valack stiffen and his face go still. You hear Rolb mutter, "Bloody Hell." under his breath</div> <div> Missiledine: "Good ta see ya again Valack>" Rolb says</div> <div> Docportal: I take up one side of Rolb. leaving the other side for Corren.</div> <div> Missiledine: "How's that shoulder of yers? Still given ye trouble?"</div> <div> revrat235: I kep silent</div> <div> Missiledine: Valack stares at him for a moment. "What are YOU doing here?"</div> <div> FinLongham: I play with my gear. just a quick check to make sure every thing is there.</div> <div> Missiledine: "I'd heard ye'd taken up with a Lord." Rolb continues easily. His hand is resting on his sword hilt as he speaks. "Has garrison life been kind to ye?"</div> <div> Missiledine: The men at arms seem oblivious to their leaders obvious tension. They are watching you carefully, but they don't seem unusually tense</div> <div> Dukejr01: Rubs his nose. looks bored. wants beer.</div> <div> Missiledine: "well, I'd be happy to share that wee secret with ye, but I wouldna want ta share anythin else, if ye take me meaning."</div> <div> Missiledine: "What are you talking about?" Valack demands "Speak plainly or leave this island at once!"</div> <div> Missiledine: "we'll now that wouldna be profitable fer anyone, not us or Lord Ashton, I dunno think that would be in yer master's interest, do ye?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hmmph!" He snorts with scorn. "Let me guess, your here about the silver. You always were a fool! There is no lost bullion, its a myth."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Aye, perhaps it is, then again, perhgaps not. But that is nah concern of yers."</div> <div> Missiledine: Valack looks past Rolb at the rest of you. "I see you still associate with tavern scum." He sneers. "Listen up, all of you!  I'll not tolerate any foolishness on this island. If you are contemplating trouble, you had best leave no</div> <div> Missiledine: now</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren raises an eyebrow.</div> <div> Missiledine: Lord Ashton is not a man to be trifled with and neither am I."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren nods.</div> <div> Dawn12: Dawn gives him a funny look </div> <div> Docportal: Looking at Rolb. Then noding to the man.</div> <div> FinLongham: Giving a would I make trouble look. Nodding to the man.</div> <div> Dawn12: i also nod</div> <div> revrat235: no trouble here.</div> <div> Missiledine: He stares at you for a long moment <Dawn> then continues "I will be watching you. If anything happens to the people, their property or my Lord and his properety, I will be all over you! Understand? I'll be watching." He looks</div> <div> Missiledine: you over one more time, nods to his men and turns and stalks back up the street</div> <div> FinLongham: "Befor you go Can you tell us where the Pub is?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren shrugs. "Hot food. Beer."</div> <div> Missiledine: The four men follow, a couple give you half friendly nods, but they don't say anything</div> <div> Missiledine: One man looks back at your question and points up the hill.... Valack ignores you</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren grins and nods. Up the street it is.</div> <div> Missiledine: soon they are out of sight</div> <div> revrat235: well, Rolb, it's so nice meeting new friends.  Is there anyone else we should know about?</div> <div> Dawn12: yea i dont think he liked me to much</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb says quietly, "I dunno ken about Lord Ashton, or any of those spear carriers, but you all watch out for Valack, he's a mean cuss an right handy with a sword."</div> <div> FinLongham: "So if he cuss a problem we take his right hand."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Bad for business, messing with a Hauscarl."</div> <div> Missiledine: "If ye can I'll stand ye a round of the best." Rolb says</div> <div> Missiledine: "aye, tis a point to remember."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Beer, Food. Now.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren leads the way sniffingthe air for savory smells</div> <div> Docportal: follow Rolb to the Pub.</div> <div> Dawn12: dawn follews evey one else</div> <div> Missiledine: you go up the street and around the bend.. Ahead on the right you see an inn/tavern named "The Lantern" it has a large lantern hanging in front</div> <div> Dukejr01: yay. Find a place for the horse.</div> <div> Missiledine: There are hitching rings set in the stone wall, but nothing else is handy</div> <div> Dukejr01: Hitch.</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb ties his and takes the saddle bags "Canna see anyone stealin em." He says "Where are they gonna take em."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren grunts in agreement</div> <div> Dukejr01: Take saddle bags.</div> <div> revrat235: I go in nd find us a table.</div> <div> Dawn12: iDawn ties her horse as well</div> <div> Missiledine: Pushing through the doors you enter a low ceiling but spacious common room that is warm, full of good smells and crowded with what seem to be fishermen. The room is full of conversation, which stops instantly as you enter</div> <div> FinLongham: Ties hores in then take gear and all and gets a room for me and Vance.</div> <div> Missiledine: There is total silence, all eyes are on you as you enter the room</div> <div> revrat235: Well, that was a warm welcome.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren strides in, he stops and looks them over as well. Spot a table.</div> <div> Missiledine: There is a bar with an elderly looking man working behind it. With him is a girl, perhaps sixteen, with a strong family resembelence</div> <div> Missiledine: there are a couple empty tables</div> <div> Docportal: "Take my gear in and put it with Fin's"</div> <div> Dawn12: i also take my gear and go in</div> <div> Missiledine: <You do not have a room yet></div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren walks over to the table.</div> <div> FinLongham: "Well I get the room as fast as I can. For the night."</div> <div> Missiledine: There is still silence in the room. The man behind the bar comes out, "Errr, may I help you folks?"</div> <div> Missiledine: <Who are you talking to Fin?></div> <div> FinLongham: <That was ment to have<> around it></div> <div> Missiledine: <ok></div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren grins. "Yeah. A round of beer and something warm to eat would be nice. thanks."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren sits.</div> <div> Missiledine: He nods his head, "Of course. The same for everyone?"</div> <div> FinLongham: "I would like a shared room please for my self and one other."</div> <div> revrat235: I'll share.</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb nods "Aye, a beer will do fer now."</div> <div> Missiledine: The man licks his lips "You will be staying then?"</div> <div> FinLongham: "and the warm food and beer. ok make that two others then."</div> <div> Missiledine: "All of you? For how long?"</div> <div> FinLongham: I look at Rolb looking for an answer</div> <div> Missiledine: "Aye, all of us." Rolb nods "Till we leave."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Errr, certainly... uhmm, how many rooms will that be? Two? Three? A single for the lady?"</div> <div> Dawn12: please</div> <div> Missiledine: "Make it three." Rolb says</div> <div> Missiledine: The man nods again and heads back to the bar</div> <div> Dukejr01: Waiting for a beer.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren looks over the crowd</div> <div> Missiledine: You see him telling the girl to bring the food while he collects three keys. One of the fisherman sitting close by at the bar has a whispered conversation with the inn keeper, then gets up and leaves</div> <div> Missiledine: the inn keeper returns with the keys. "I...I can show you your rooms now.. if you like."</div> <div> FinLongham: Please.</div> <div> revrat235: yes, I think that would be a good idea <looks around nervously></div> <div> Missiledine: "That will be 16 pennies per day..($16) Please pay in advance."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren digs out his share.</div> <div> Missiledine: <That will include a meal></div> <div> revrat235: I pay up</div> <div> Dawn12: i pay</div> <div> Missiledine: <How many days are you paying for?></div> <div> Dukejr01: one.</div> <div> FinLongham: I will pay for the one room with me vance and (rev). for one day.</div> <div> Dawn12: one</div> <div> Missiledine: <Dawn, your tab is $8 of that...you have the private with the better food></div> <div> Missiledine: <ok></div> <div> Dawn12: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren pays extra for better food.</div> <div> FinLongham: I ask the man how much for the best food in the place would cost with the room?</div> <div> Missiledine: He takes the money and leads you upstairs to show you the rooms. They are clean and cozy, but the furnishings are old and worn</div> <div> Missiledine: "An extra 5 pennies ($5) per person." He answers</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb will stay at the table while the rest of you go upstairs</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren is downstairs too</div> <div> FinLongham: <How much of tab of 16 is for my room</div> <div> FinLongham: ?></div> <div> Dukejr01: <call it 2 pennies. divvied among the lot of us></div> <div> Missiledine: < about 1.50></div> <div> FinLongham: <I am paying for the room for the other two who are staying in there with me. So count them out. then how much></div> <div> Missiledine: <What do you want?></div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren looks over the crowd. Drinks his beer and orders another. he tips the girl.</div> <div> FinLongham: <I want the one room I am paying for. For the one night and the best food in the place for me and my room mats></div> <div> Missiledine: By the time the tray of food is brought to the table, the conversation has started again, though it is much quieter in volume and accompanied by many a curious look</div> <div> Missiledine: <hang on a sec, brb></div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren looks them over as well. noting weapons and disposition. then he ignores the looks</div> <div> FinLongham: <How about this I pay for both rooms plus the best food for myself. That would be $16 + $5 =$21 yes?></div> <div> Dukejr01: I presume that Corren and Rolb are bunking. their room is 4 bucks. thanks, but don;t worry about it. </div> <div> FinLongham: <If I take dawns $8 out I am left with $2 bucks. This makes no sinces.></div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. three rooms. Dawn's is 8, each of the other two rooms is 4 bucks. all adds up to 16. you are bunking with Vance and Thorin, presumablt. 4 divided by 3 is 1.33, so for convenience sake call it 1.5 like Missledine said.</div> <div> Dukejr01: add 5 for your meals.</div> <div> FinLongham: ok that makes sinces.</div> <div> Missiledine: <sorry></div> <div> Dukejr01: no</div> <div> Dukejr01: no problem</div> <div> Missiledine: The men in the bar are common fisherman, each one has some type of belt knife, but that is the only weapons you can see</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> FinLongham: <I have pay for the room plus best food in the place for myself. that comes to 9.></div> <div> Missiledine: Once everyone has put their stuff away and come back down, the inn keeper approaches again. "We have a stable behind the building... If you want I can have my son take your horses around."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren nods. "I will give him a hand. Thanks"</div> <div> Dawn12: thanks</div> <div> FinLongham: "I will help him with that also."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Toss off beer and go outside.</div> <div> Missiledine: <So you aren't going to eat?></div> <div> Dukejr01: Horses first.</div> <div> Docportal: I will eat. </div> <div> FinLongham: I will eat after I get the horse moved.</div> <div> Dawn12: i sit and eat</div> <div> Missiledine: There is a boy of about ten leading the horses in pairs around the building, down a narrow alley, to a stables</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren grabs a pair.</div> <div> FinLongham: I grab the last</div> <div> revrat235: I'll order food</div> <div> Missiledine: Once the horses are away and unsaddled, you go back inside?</div> <div> Dukejr01: When we get to the stable, put them inside and see to their food. Give the stable boy a penny tip. "Hi, name is Corren." Offers hand.</div> <div> Missiledine: <Food has already been brought out, stew, bread and beer></div> <div> revrat235: eating</div> <div> Missiledine: The boy takes the coin and says that his name is Tal</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Nice place you have here, Tal. Is it always this foggy?"</div> <div> Missiledine: <Fodder will be $1 a day per horse. Grain is $2 a day... all the water they want and the boy will curry comb them once a day></div> <div> Missiledine: "Yes sir, most days, especially in the fall, winter and spring."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren pays for grain for all of them for today.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Any other towns or villages on the island?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "no sir, just a few farmsteads. Why are you folk here? We don't get many travellers."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren nods, "I am under Contract." Corren grins "Heard there was an old silver mine hearabouts."</div> <div> Missiledine: "oh yes sir, but there hasn't been any silver mined out of the hills for longer then I've been alive."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren nods. "Aye. Where is it exactly?" Corren gives him another penny.</div> <div> Missiledine: He points to the east and north. "That way out of the town, sir. Are you a katallahn?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren smiles. "Aye. I am Katallah. Sharp eyes ye have." Corren's voice has a note of pride.</div> <div> Missiledine: "My uncle is katallahn." The boy answers</div> <div> Dukejr01: "He is here on the island?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Yes sir."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Maybe I will buy him a beer. What's his name?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "But he's not a fighter. Not any more. His name is Jessup. He is the smyth."</div> <div> Missiledine: From inside the inn you hear someone calling the boy's name "I have to get back to work!" He says and runs off</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Smyth is a fine profession. A man can't fight his whole life."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren goes back in.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Eat his cold stew.</div> <div> Missiledine: <lol></div> <div> FinLongham: I will also eat my cold stew.</div> <div> Missiledine: You are all sitting eating at the table when the front door opens and a young woman, wearing men's clothes, stalks in the door. She stops a few feet in. Stares at all of you for a long moment, turns around and leaves quite </div> <div> Dukejr01: "fodder for the horses is a penny a day, grain is 2 pennies. I paid for grain for all the horses."</div> <div> Missiledine: abrobtly. The conversation dies off for a few seconds, then resumes</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren looks at Thorin and shrugs.</div> <div> Missiledine: ,abrubtly></div> <div> Dukejr01: "Must have been your nose."</div> <div> Dukejr01: :-)</div> <div> Missiledine: "They dunno see many strangers ere abot." Rolb observes as he takes out his pipe and lights it</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Aye. Tal the stable lad said as much. The local smyth is a Katallah by nameof Jessup. The old silver mines and east and norrth of here."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren says this quietly</div> <div> Missiledine: The general tone of conversation in the common room is just loud enough to cover your talking amongst youirselves if you are discreet about it</div> <div> Dukejr01: good</div> <div> Dukejr01: "What first? Talk to the local wizard?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "I dunno ken..." Rolb stares off into space for a bit. "He said that there be darkness spreadin through the folk. But I dunno ken wat that means. Any ideas?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren shrugs. Yon innkeeper was nervous about our staying. A man left soon as we got here. Running to tell someone, I think."</div> <div> Docportal: "Stay away from the kids as much as we can. I don't truth them."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Huh?"</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb raises his eyebrow, "Eh? Why is that?"</div> <div> Docportal: "Just seams they came running to see us for some reason."</div> <div> Missiledine: "they heard a boat was comin in, not a daily event this time of year."</div> <div> revrat235: Personally, I'd be more concerened about the sudden silence  that greeted us when we walked in here.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I think I will have a little job for the local smyth, ask a couple questions. Need some extra rope too, I think. Start nosing around there. If Darkness is "engulfing" people, then rumours have to be about, I would think."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren finishes his beer.</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb nods, "Aye, one would think."</div> <div> FinLongham: "That Fred guy would be handy..."</div> <div> Missiledine: "No snappin turtles ere abot." Rolb says</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren grins. "Right fond of em. He was."</div> <div> FinLongham: "No. Not that the information gathering."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Someone should stay here, keep an ear out and an eye on our equipment. I'll nose arounda bit. Anyone for it?"</div> <div> FinLongham: I will stay here.</div> <div> revrat235: I'll go with you</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren nods.</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb will stay here for now</div> <div> Dawn12: does not matter to me</div> <div> Docportal: I will stay with Rolb untill something else comes up.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Stands up, takes his stuff up to his room. </div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> revrat235: likewise</div> <div> Missiledine: Vance, Dawn, stay or go?</div> <div> Docportal: I am staying with Rolb....</div> <div> Missiledine: oops, got it Vance</div> <div> Dukejr01: Up and off we go. </div> <div> Dawn12: i will stay</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: when we are on the street corren asks "need any equipment like a climbing harness?"</div> <div> Missiledine: Corren and Thorin... where are you going?</div> <div> revrat235: uh?  for what?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren heads up the street, he listens for the hammer of a forge</div> <div> Missiledine: Ropes are probably easily obtained at the shops down by the wharf</div> <div> Dukejr01: rigth.</div> <div> Dukejr01: right. Corren is still going to the smyth first.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> revrat235: I'm following Corren.  </div> <div> revrat235: God help me.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "For climbing. mighty useful to have a harness. Do ya have a weapon harness?"</div> <div> Missiledine: the street curves to the right as it climbs the hill. There are a number of alleys going off on either side. The main street ends in a market square</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Eh? Calling on Mitra for any particular reason?"</div> <div> revrat235: not that I know of.  er.. never mind.</div> <div> Dukejr01: allrighty a market. Look around there. browse a bit. we have time.</div> <div> Missiledine: The square is mostly empty now, the stalls are closed and curtained... across the square is another street going out, next to which is a chapel of Mitra</div> <div> Dukejr01: empty? in the middle of the day?</div> <div> Missiledine: not a market day</div> <div> Dukejr01: oh.</div> <div> Dukejr01: nevermind</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Speaking of Mitra. I think I need to pay my respects."</div> <div> Dawn12 has left the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren walks over to teh chapel</div> <div> revrat235: um... okay.  what does that involve?</div> <div> Missiledine: the front door is open and you are free to walk on in</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren looks puzzled. "eh? If ya are Old Faith. then wait outside."</div> <div> revrat235: um... okay.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Be a few"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren goes inside.</div> <div> Docportal: <Oh the Faith questions are so much fun.></div> <div> Missiledine: the inside is lit by several oil lamps and you can see a portly looking man in the robes of a friar sorting through some papers at a table in an alcove</div> <div> Dukejr01: <Old Faith are Druids, they comprise 10 percent of the human population. very few nobles are Old Faith. The Mitrean Church is much more powerful.></div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren drops a couple silvers into the alms box.</div> <div> Docportal: <Yeah I know it is just a fun question to be asked.></div> <div> Dukejr01: <its all found on the website></div> <div> Missiledine: the sound makes the Friar turn around. He starts in surprise "Welcome stranger."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Thank you, Father. My name is Corren. I have come to pray a moment."</div> <div> Missiledine: "You are most welcome. Please take your time. I will try not to disturb you."</div> <div> Missiledine: He will return to his papers, but he is definately keeping an eye on you</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren nods. He goes and prays for a few minutes closing his eyes and genuinely offering thanks to Mitra for His Blessings and protection from evil. Asks for strength and guidance to battle the Darkness here in Sharpestone.</div> <div> Missiledine: right</div> <div> Dukejr01: it only takes a moment or two. He has things to do.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren stands. "Thank you, Father."</div> <div> Missiledine: Thorin, while you wait outside you see Valack leave one of the houses overlooking the square and go up an alley</div> <div> Missiledine: The Friar nods, "The Chapel is always open to the Faithful my son. You have just arrived?"</div> <div> revrat235: I follow him. discreetly.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Aye, Father, on the Jinxen." Corren grins. "An eye opening vogage it was."</div> <div> Dukejr01: <voyage></div> <div> Missiledine: the alley winds past several houses, all one and two story stone buildings with various sheds and out buildings in their rears (these are what border the alley) you will see chicken coops, pig pens and small gardens along the way</div> <div> Missiledine: "I had not heard that a boat had arrived, I have been engrossed in work all morning. Yes, it is a tricky voyage this time of year. What brings you to Sharpstone? Other then a boat." He smiles</div> <div> Missiledine: The alley ends at a treelined lane that seems to follow the outer edge of the village and runs just below the crest of the hill that the village is set on... The fog makes it difficult to see more then a few hundred feet ahead</div> <div> Missiledine: THorin: You can just make out that Valack turned right at the end of the alley... left seems to head back towards the water</div> <div> revrat235: try to get a look at where he went.</div> <div> Missiledine: right... he is on the lane, but will be out of sight due to the mist and the curvatures in about a second... He does not look back</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren smiles. "I'm under Contract, Father. Have a task to complete here in Sharpstone. Nothing illegal or anything like....." Corren hesitates a moment "Father, has there been any trouble on the island? Odd things?"</div> <div> revrat235: I move a little closer and try to blend in with my surroundings.</div> <div> Dukejr01: <wanna pause Corren?></div> <div> Missiledine: "Trouble? Odd? Hmmm, No I wouldn't say that. We have had our share of tragedey, but such comes to all villages and places as Mitra wills."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren grins, "Good. No use borrowing some."</div> <div> Missiledine: Thorin: Following the lane you have houses and their back yards on your right and a row of leafless trees and winter killed briars on your left, beyond which is the steep slope of a hill covered in close cropped grass and </div> <div> Missiledine: scattered trees</div> <div> Missiledine: Meanwhile...back at the tavern...</div> <div> Docportal: <Yeah?></div> <div> Missiledine: The four of you are sitting around the table, soaking up the loacl atmosphere as it where, when the front door opens and a young boy comes in carrying a metal bucket with a lid. He takes it to the counter and gives it to the girl </div> <div> Missiledine: who starts filling it with beer. While she does the two are talking quietly, she nods briefly in your direction and the boy turns to stare at you for a moment. She hands the bucket back and he gives her a coin</div> <div> Missiledine: They talk a bit more and he heads for the door, looking at you curiously as he leaves. No one else seems to pay much attention to him</div> <div> FinLongham: I will follow him. </div> <div> revrat235: <ahh, the carefree and drunken days of childhood></div> <div> Docportal: See in fin get up I will follow Fin out the door.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: Rolb and Dawn stay where they are</div> <div> Docportal: k</div> <div> Missiledine: the two of you can see the boy going up the hill from the tavern</div> <div> Missiledine: he is not looking back</div> <div> Docportal: Follow him tying not to be seen.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: Corren: The friar looks a bit puzzled "Why do you ask my son?"</div> <div> Missiledine: Thorin: Still following Valack?</div> <div> Missiledine: The boy goes up the street into the main square and turns right. He goes to the door of a bakery. You can see him talking to someone and that person hands him a sack, for which the boy gives some money. He then turns down an alley</div> <div> Docportal: "I wander what he is up to?"</div> <div> Missiledine: V&L: You still following him?</div> <div> FinLongham: No clue lets follow him untill we know.</div> <div> revrat235: still following</div> <div> Docportal: <yes></div> <div> Dukejr01: "May affect my job, Father. I like to know where I am and what's about. A few weeks ago I was in the Palood, fightin' ghouls and such. yech. Priests in DRunmore hadta do a Cleansing, since I got clawed by one a em"</div> <div> Missiledine: thorin:  The lane you are on climbs a bit more until you are now on the crest of the hill. Looking down to your left you see a long open slope of pasture that is dotted with sheep.  Ahead you see a low stone wall with an ordinary</div> <div> Missiledine: gate, perhaps three feet high. Beyond is an orchard which the lane cuts through. The wall is to keep the sheep out. Valack opens the gate, passes through and closes it. You notice that the hinges squeak</div> <div> Missiledine: "I see, that is indeed a matter of concern." He eyes you in a calculating way</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Won;t take up too much more o ya time, then, Father."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren thanks him again and makes to leave.</div> <div> Missiledine: <AIM just dropped my message!></div> <div> Docportal: <It is too long then></div> <div> Missiledine: V&L: The boy follows the alley till it meets a lane, lined on either side with low stone walls and rows of trees. Ahead you see a denser section of woods that the lane enters. Visibility is about 200'</div> <div> Missiledine: Cor: "May Mitra guard you my son." Is all the Friar says</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren takes his leave.</div> <div> Docportal: Follow the boy.</div> <div> Missiledine: Thor: You reach the gate. Valack has disappeared into the orchard</div> <div> FinLongham: Stay with the boy.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: V&L: The boy takes the lane into the woods... a few minutes later you enter the woods. You can just make him out through the gloom as he continues down the road</div> <div> Missiledine: Cor: You exit the chapel, there is no sign of Thorin</div> <div> Missiledine: Thor: Are you still following?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Corren looks about, puzzled.</div> <div> Dukejr01: He heads back to the Inn.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> revrat235: I survey the terrain to see if it looks as if I could stay hidden while not loosing him.</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, the orchard will provide cover if you enter it</div> <div> revrat235: I'll keep following, then</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: Thor: The gate hinges squeak as you pass through, just as they did for Valack. There is no sign of Valack at the moment, you will have to speed up to keep him in sight in the orchard</div> <div> revrat235:  how loudly did the squeek?</div> <div> Missiledine: V&L: You continue along until you suddenly realise that the boy is no longer on the lane. As you approach the area you last saw him, you see a narrow path branching off to the right. He must have gone that way</div> <div> Docportal: Are there many people out right now?</div> <div> Missiledine: Thor: You heard it some 200 plus feet away</div> <div> Missiledine: V&L: There is no one around right now, except you two and the boy, whom you can't see at the moment</div> <div> Docportal: If not we will try to listen for the boy. then follow the sound.</div> <div> Missiledine: you think you can hear him on the path</div> <div> Docportal: Follow and pick up the pace</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: Cor: You will arrive back at the inn to find Rolb and Dawn at the table. There is no sign of the others</div> <div> revrat235: I'm going to bail- I shudder to think what could happen if he figures out he's being followed.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Stopped by the chapel... Thorin stayed outside. Went back out and he wa gone."</div> <div> revrat235: Run quietly back untill I hit a denser area.</div> <div> Missiledine: V&L: The path winds through the woods for almost a half mile, then it opens into a clearing that seems to be on the edge of a cliff. There is a large two story stone house on the cliff edge. The boy is at the door which is open</div> <div> Missiledine: Thor: A couple hndred feet back you won't be able to see the gate through the fog, or anything beyond it</div> <div> FinLongham: <Is this the old wizzard house I am looking for?></div> <div> Missiledine: V&L: You see a man standing talking to the boy, taking the bucket and sack and giving him some money. What are you doing?</div> <div> Missiledine: <You have no idea></div> <div> Docportal: Well might as well get a closer look at the house.</div> <div> Missiledine: V&L: The boy turns away with a wave and the man closes the door. The boy is headed back your way</div> <div> FinLongham: "I step out and ask the boy if he would know of an Old wizzard. If so could he tell me how to get there."</div> <div> Missiledine: The boy stops short at the sight of you and takes a couple steps back "Who are you and what do you want?" He asks with his voice sounding a bit fearful</div> <div> Docportal: "We just want to ask a few questions. We are new around here and see that you know your way around and all. We thougth you might be willing to be our guild here."</div> <div> Missiledine: He shakes his head, taking a few more steps back. "No, you followed me."</div> <div> FinLongham: "Yes we be willing to pay you $5 pinnes a day for your help."</div> <div> Docportal: Yes, we did sorry but you took a bucket of beer that is something stargen to us. So we thougth we would follow for a little bit.</div> <div> Missiledine: The boy backs up some more, he takes a deep breath and yels, "Master! Help me! There are strangers here!"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Master! Help! Help!"</div> <div> Docportal: "Great, Long you got us in trouble again. This time I am not sure what will happen."</div> <div> Docportal: Follow the boy to the house.</div> <div> Missiledine: You see the door of the house slam open and the man appears with a staff in hand. The end of the staff is glowing and sparkling... "Leave the boy be!" he thinders</div> <div> Missiledine: thunders</div> <div> FinLongham: "We are not after the boy. We wanted to ask him some questions that was all."</div> <div> Missiledine: He aims the staff in your direction "Run lad! I'll deal with these!"</div> <div> Missiledine: "They want you, Master!" The boy shrieks as he ducks and darts to the right</div> <div> FinLongham: Look we will not hurt you or any one. Lets us talk pleas.</div> <div> Missiledine: "Do they now! Well then, they shall have me!"]\</div> <div> FinLongham: "Look we will not hurt you or any one. Lets us talk pleas!!!!!!!!"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Oh? Why should I istranger? Throw down your weapons and run like dogs and I shall let yuou live!"</div> <div> FinLongham: "We were sent by Druids from Drummore."</div> <div> Missiledine: "I care nought for Druids! Do as I say or die! Last chance!"</div> <div> Missiledine: The sparks have increased in frequency and intensity</div> <div> Docportal: "Ok we will drop our weapons pleas hear us out."</div> <div> Docportal: drop them</div> <div> Missiledine: <Fin?></div> <div> FinLongham: I drop all weapons.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: "Now leave my land!"</div> <div> FinLongham: Look I am looking for an Old Wizzrd. I need to find out what is happen here."</div> <div> Missiledine: "OLD? GET OFF MY LAND!"</div> <div> FinLongham: "Well that is what the person I had talked to said."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Say your prayers fool!"</div> <div> FinLongham: "We are unarmed. We are the good guys."</div> <div> Missiledine: "I will count to three, then I will slay you!" There is no sign of the boy anymore</div> <div> Missiledine: "One."</div> <div> FinLongham: <Hold a scond Trying to find something.></div> <div> FinLongham: "Farnoch I think that is you name if you will hear us out then maybe you can help us save this island."</div> <div> Missiledine: "So you know my name. Tell me yours, so I can have the stone carved right. Two"</div> <div> FinLongham: I am Long Fellow. </div> <div> FinLongham: I am from Minfolin.</div> <div> Missiledine: "Easily spelled, the stonecutter shouldn't mess it up. Three."</div> <div> Missiledine: "You want the body sent back? Time to die trespasser!" He aims the staff with care</div> <div> Docportal: I am here to fight the darkness.</div> <div> Docportal: "That is engulging the people of Sharpstone."</div> <div> FinLongham: "As is a group that we are with."</div> <div> Docportal: "If you will stop try to kill us then we might be able to help you."</div> <div> Missiledine: The spell goes off, there is a flash of lightning that arcs between the end of the staff and you two. Vance, who is in plate, gets hit first</div> <div> Missiledine: Vance, you are hit for 6 points of electrical damage</div> <div> FinLongham: I will hug the ground.</div> <div> Missiledine: the bolt does not stop with Vance though, it leaps from him striking Long, though with reduced energy, and causing 5 points of damage</div> <div> Missiledine: The bolt then flashes from long and grounds itself on a small tree to Long's left.</div> <div> FinLongham: Grab all weapons and run.</div> <div> Docportal: Grab what I can and run also.</div> <div> Missiledine: Farnoch is raising his staff again</div> <div> FinLongham: Return to the Inn.</div> <div> Missiledine: you are able to make it into the trees before you are hit again. You hear his voice thunder "And DON'T COME BACK!"</div> <div> Missiledine: you make your way back to the Lantern</div> <div> FinLongham: As we walk back to the inn. I make idiled treaths about burnning that house down.</div> <div> Missiledine: You will find everyone present</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: Well, Corren was going back out to see the blacksmith.</div> <div> FinLongham: Well Rolb we found Farnoch and he is not happy.</div> <div> Docportal: Oh that hurt. a Quick first aid on myself.</div> <div> Missiledine: He looks you over, "Did ye fall inta the campfire or summat?" You are a bit scorched looking</div> <div> Missiledine: ok...1 point each</div> <div> Dukejr01: if corren is there. he looks amused.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I think you two need beer and sleep."</div> <div> FinLongham: "No one said he would be a lightting mage.......!"</div> <div> Missiledine: <I think we will close it for the night></div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. night</div> <div> Missiledine: thank's for playing!</div> <div> Missiledine: see you next week</div> <div> Docportal: That was fun. But it hurt.</div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: <following delivery boys around. shady goings on....></div> <div> Dukejr01: thanks for running us</div> <div> revrat235: see you next week.</div> <div> Missiledine: my pleasure</div> <div> Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> <div> revrat235 has left the room.</div> <div> Missiledine: yep, good night</div> <div> FinLongham has left the room.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>