Post by TheUdjat on Apr 16, 2009 15:20:26 GMT -5
Arnaud takes the lead in speaking to the innkeeper while the others keep an eye on the prisoners outside. Amalric and Elric accompany the troubadour, but let him do the talking—a wise choice, as the innkeeper gives Amalric a sour stare, the Gift working its usual magic on the locals. But the sound of coinage and Arnaud’s smooth, accented tongue work their own sort of enchantment, and the innkeeper is willing enough to rent out rooms to those that would stay—and pay, of course. He makes no discount for the magi and their group, but at least he’s not charging extra. Even the troubadour charged a small fee, perhaps because of his association to the magi.
However, the innkeeper makes it very clear that there will be no dead bodies staying in his inn, and nor is he interested in criminals taking up residence in the rooms. They are forced to stay outside—with a pair of guards to watch them, no doubt. Thomas and James are amenable to the task, if it is put to them, enjoying a bit of the outdoors.
Rupert easily locates a stable at the inn, and there is able to perform his duties on the trip—that of caring for the animals and brushing them down, feeding them, and so forth. Helmut takes charge of this activity, doing some light work with the horses and telling Rupert to do things he already has a mind to do—but nothing unusual there. The guardsman isn’t unknowledgeable about animals, but he does have a gruff nature about him that is somewhat off-putting.
All are able in turns to partake of the tavern’s food—except the prisoners, unless they are brought food from inside the inn. Jakob soon retreats off to the woods after his meal, and Rupert follows after his own meal and duties, offering to help the woodsman with gathering wood or making a fire or any other matter of duty Jakob is well prepared to handle himself and likely more skilled at. But perhaps it is the spirit of the gesture one should consider.
Then Rupert launches into talk of the battle. Surely there is something amiss with this boy.
The magi are able to go wherever they please, though the guardsmen advise them not to stray far—and the reason is soon clear enough. The innkeeper’s glares do not let up, and even the other patrons move away from the pair, or speak discourteously to them. An occasional rowdy man seems inclined to pick a fight, if not for the presence of the guardsmen. Even the barmaids are a little cold, though eager enough to earn coin and do their duty.
The guardsmen are all happy to have something besides trail rations, and take turns inside the inn listening to Arnaud, and outside at their little campfire listening to Tawno. At first the men seem distrustful of the gypsy, but they warm to her, perhaps impressed by the wound she took earlier, or the way she stood up to the bandits to get it. Either way, they are soon taking turns getting fortunes read while the prisoners sit by sullenly listening. Eventually all the guardsmen move inside while Elric watches over the captives alone.[/b]
The surly bandit brother spits back “Oh, yea, a special occasion—‘tis a Tuesday.” He snorts.
The other captive is somewhat more forthcoming. “Tha’s how we done it afore. Works most times, e’en wit’ guards as yours. But I ‘tain’t ne’er seen things as happened today. Winds an’ hawks an’... an’ what are them fellows?” Clearly he is referring to the magi.
He continues after a shaky moment. “We only robs when we tain’t got nothin’ left. Can’t do honest work no more, don’t want t’ starve.” He shrugs helplessly. “Was a farmer once, but one bad crop, an’ tha’s th’ end o’ it.” It seems this bandit is at least slightly repentant, if not especially bright or well-spoken.
Eventually it is time to retire for the night, some of the group enjoying the comfort of well-earned rooms, some the quiet embrace of the woods, and the others take up a spot in the wide clearing in front of the inn. The night passes quietly, though those unfamiliar with the wilderness are constantly waking up to sounds of wolves howling or creatures moving in the night—the usual sounds that make men in towns uncomfortable and fearful. Clouds overhead obscure the stars and moon, making the night no less unnerving as it is pitch black.
But morning does come in time, a damp, grey day that threatens rain in the coming hours, though it has thankfully held off through the night. The group reacquaints with one another for a brisk breakfast—either oats and cream in the inn or more trail rations without. Either way, Rupert and Helmut soon hitch the wagon for the next leg of the journey, which should bring the group to Freiburg—the town where the Covenant’s business can finally be tended to.
[Pause for reactions/interaction. Feel free to post roleplaying for the night that’s passed and/or the morning.]
(Character Status)
Amalric – Normal
Arnaud – Normal
Elric – Normal [Mounted]
Jakob – Normal [Mounted]
Joseph – Normal [Mounted]
Rupert – Normal
Tawno – Normal
Isabeau – Normal
Covenant Guardsmen:
Helmut – Normal [Driving Cart]
Thomas – Normal [Mounted]
James – Normal [Mounted]
Joost – Normal [Riding Cart]
Bandit Leader 2 – Normal [Tied to Cart, walking]
Bandit Prisoner – Normal [Tied to Cart, walking]
However, the innkeeper makes it very clear that there will be no dead bodies staying in his inn, and nor is he interested in criminals taking up residence in the rooms. They are forced to stay outside—with a pair of guards to watch them, no doubt. Thomas and James are amenable to the task, if it is put to them, enjoying a bit of the outdoors.
Rupert easily locates a stable at the inn, and there is able to perform his duties on the trip—that of caring for the animals and brushing them down, feeding them, and so forth. Helmut takes charge of this activity, doing some light work with the horses and telling Rupert to do things he already has a mind to do—but nothing unusual there. The guardsman isn’t unknowledgeable about animals, but he does have a gruff nature about him that is somewhat off-putting.
All are able in turns to partake of the tavern’s food—except the prisoners, unless they are brought food from inside the inn. Jakob soon retreats off to the woods after his meal, and Rupert follows after his own meal and duties, offering to help the woodsman with gathering wood or making a fire or any other matter of duty Jakob is well prepared to handle himself and likely more skilled at. But perhaps it is the spirit of the gesture one should consider.
Then Rupert launches into talk of the battle.
"What'ya think of m' new crossbow? Took it from the guy in the tree, after cuttin' his throat! Look, his blood's still on ma clothes!"
The magi are able to go wherever they please, though the guardsmen advise them not to stray far—and the reason is soon clear enough. The innkeeper’s glares do not let up, and even the other patrons move away from the pair, or speak discourteously to them. An occasional rowdy man seems inclined to pick a fight, if not for the presence of the guardsmen. Even the barmaids are a little cold, though eager enough to earn coin and do their duty.
The guardsmen are all happy to have something besides trail rations, and take turns inside the inn listening to Arnaud, and outside at their little campfire listening to Tawno. At first the men seem distrustful of the gypsy, but they warm to her, perhaps impressed by the wound she took earlier, or the way she stood up to the bandits to get it. Either way, they are soon taking turns getting fortunes read while the prisoners sit by sullenly listening. Eventually all the guardsmen move inside while Elric watches over the captives alone.[/b]
"Was that your MO on the road? You leave an overturned cart to hide in and demand a toll from everyone that passes, or was today just special?"
The surly bandit brother spits back “Oh, yea, a special occasion—‘tis a Tuesday.” He snorts.
The other captive is somewhat more forthcoming. “Tha’s how we done it afore. Works most times, e’en wit’ guards as yours. But I ‘tain’t ne’er seen things as happened today. Winds an’ hawks an’... an’ what are them fellows?” Clearly he is referring to the magi.
He continues after a shaky moment. “We only robs when we tain’t got nothin’ left. Can’t do honest work no more, don’t want t’ starve.” He shrugs helplessly. “Was a farmer once, but one bad crop, an’ tha’s th’ end o’ it.” It seems this bandit is at least slightly repentant, if not especially bright or well-spoken.
Eventually it is time to retire for the night, some of the group enjoying the comfort of well-earned rooms, some the quiet embrace of the woods, and the others take up a spot in the wide clearing in front of the inn. The night passes quietly, though those unfamiliar with the wilderness are constantly waking up to sounds of wolves howling or creatures moving in the night—the usual sounds that make men in towns uncomfortable and fearful. Clouds overhead obscure the stars and moon, making the night no less unnerving as it is pitch black.
But morning does come in time, a damp, grey day that threatens rain in the coming hours, though it has thankfully held off through the night. The group reacquaints with one another for a brisk breakfast—either oats and cream in the inn or more trail rations without. Either way, Rupert and Helmut soon hitch the wagon for the next leg of the journey, which should bring the group to Freiburg—the town where the Covenant’s business can finally be tended to.
[Pause for reactions/interaction. Feel free to post roleplaying for the night that’s passed and/or the morning.]
(Character Status)
Amalric – Normal
Arnaud – Normal
Elric – Normal [Mounted]
Jakob – Normal [Mounted]
Joseph – Normal [Mounted]
Rupert – Normal
Tawno – Normal
Isabeau – Normal
Covenant Guardsmen:
Helmut – Normal [Driving Cart]
Thomas – Normal [Mounted]
James – Normal [Mounted]
Joost – Normal [Riding Cart]
Bandit Leader 2 – Normal [Tied to Cart, walking]
Bandit Prisoner – Normal [Tied to Cart, walking]
