4.0 A new beginning

[harknail]

Vetch was sitting in a corner nursing the last of his drinks. He had come to town to restock his supplies, and had wisely done so before hitting a tavern. While there were three taverns in town, the one at the Moonhaven Inn was most often visited by outsiders who might need to hire a guide.

As he was nursing his drink, he saw an unusual group walk in. The elf in chainmail and the human in robes weren't that far out of the ordinary. But the third member of the group was something Vetch had never seen before. It appeared to be some kind of construct made of steel plated stone. Yet it talked like a person, though one with a strange accent.

He tuned his ears in their direction. They were not particularly quiet as they discussed what sounded like an extended trip somewhere. They didn't talk about where they were going, but they were discussing if horses or a cart would help.

[tag]

[rhinobullet]

Vetch looked at the dregs of his ale which swirled at the bottom of his cup. This represented the last of his savings. It wasn’t often he came to town, and it was even rarer that he left it with any coin left in his purse. As he was staring at the last of his funds, he continued to listen to the strangers sitting at the nearby table. It was clear that they were planning some sort of trip, why else would they need a cart for the strange thing sitting with them. It seemed like a bad idea approaching them, especially with that....thing. Not to mention one of them was an elf (his mind wandered to the elven village in the Ridge Woods he had avoided for years). Swirling his cup one last time he downed the remainder and made his mind up. Strangers or no, elf or no, talking stone-thing or no, they were the best prospect for more coin in this place.

Vetch stood and did his best not to look any more menacing than a six foot two half- orc looks on any given day and approached the table.

At a respectful distance he approached the table, looked at the elf, human and......thing... and said “Can’t help but overhear your talk. I hope you walk quieter than you talk. Sounds like you will be traveling out into the Ridge Woods.” He paused a moment, resting his hands on his belt (and pointedly away from his sword hilts). "My name is Vetch. I have scouted these woods for many a year and I some times offer my services as a guide to folks as need it. Lived here all my life, and figure I can help you keep from getting carved to pieces as you stumble around my woods.” He paused to stare at the stone/steel plated creature at the table. “Might be you have need of my services. If so, I am available.....for a price.”

He shifted his feet and looked at the group at the table.

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

amused the elf reacted how he does to Orcs, if only he had a bow, o well so much for tradition .

Interesting choice of words about being hacked to bits. See my friend here i dare any ax or arrow get through him. I mean no offence but your an half Orc and i have seen what your kind has done. Give me a reason i can trust you and that you don't condone what they do. Then you and I can talk about what your price is. i need to know for sure you will Not be trying to kill me or my friends in our sleep, or leading us into an ambush deep in the forest. Yet in not like other elfs if you can prove your worth i hold no grudge. Yet give me a reason to not trust you then you would have given me no other option, i hope you can understand that. ( passive insight being used so 16)[/color]

[rhinobullet]

Vetch scowls at the elf.

Well I s'pose I shouldn't be surprised that an elf would just assume anyone not of pure blood would be a threat. Any excuse to look down your nose at those who ain't so pretty as you. Your kind has been looking that way at me my whole life. It is why I tend to avoid your group out yonder in the Ridge Woods.

Vetch looks at the others at the table.

First off I ain't an orc and don't run with 'em. Second, you can ask about Moonhaven. If it was my habit to waylay travelers, this bunch would have had my head on a pike by now. Leastways they wouldn't let me be in here offering to keep you from staggering into trouble in the woods. If I was intending to kill you in your sleep, I could have just followed your lot into the woods and waited for you to bed down, assuming that one yonder (nodding at the Stone/Steel creature at the table) ever really sleeps

Vetch looks sourly about the Inn. Don't have much use for civilized folk. But I earn my coin and keep by keeping folks out of trouble. You go on and ask around about me. Better yet, hire me and watch me. My actions speak louder for me than anything else. But don't go assuming my looks lump me in with a bunch of brigands and the like. You wan't my help, I'm available. Don't wan't it. Then good luck to you and yours. I expect I'll find your bleached bones on the sward some weeks from now. Won't be skin off my nose either way

[harknail]

The steel and stone construct answered, "Nay, I not sleep. Just rest a bit while keeping watch. I beeth to Ridge Woods, helpeth rescue captive elves, slayeth a dragon, and killeth many kobolds. We goeth elsewhere now."

OOC: The construct is speaking mater-of-factly about killing a dragon, he doesn't seem to be boasting. Vetch had heard of a young green dragon being killed soon after the winter storm in the middle of summer.

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

( seeing how he reacted he knew this half orc was not out for blood or money. Any slight to them normally led to a fight or they attacked without warring. Should have been your first clue dub-ass, now say your sorry. Happy he did not have to defend his friends he saw the newcomer in a different light.)

I meant no offence by my words, i don't like how my own kind treats others and i am sorry for how they treated you. And no i don't think im better then you right now your the better man in this. I got along with half-elfs way more then i did my own kind. I can tell you mean your words and that your being up front and i respect it. These two i meet today in the street in black robes. Found out we are on the same side. By your response to my words i see now that your more then I though and i apologies. I would like to hire you on full time, that is if your offer stands?

[rhinobullet]

OOC I will respond to Harkin first, and then post a separate reply to Bas. I will respond as if Harkin speaks first, I reply, then the elf speaks and I reply

Vetch raises his eyebrows at the construct and says "That was you lot?" He gazes slowly at the beings gathered at the table. "Perhaps I spoke too hasty about you getting chopped to pieces in the wood then. Word of those events reached even me in my hide in the woods. In fact it resonated throughout the forest."

Vetch's eyes lingered on the construct a little longer.

While you may can handle yourselves, my offer still stands. If you need a guide, I'd be available for ye".

[rhinobullet]

Vetch stares at the elf for a moment. After a moment of internal thought he says "As I said to yonder being. I was hasty in my words as well elf. As to respect, I don't expect to have your respect or any other's until I earn it. That I know how to do, once we leave this dunghole of an Inn.

He looks around the Inn and says "I'll join up with ye, and guide ye. I have a keen nose for treasure if that is what your looking for. Sort of a knack of mine. I'f I am to join you, it would be for a fourth of any treasure or items, and if there is no treasure, we'll talk of a fee. Might be we should start with names and what it is you folks do. Then discuss where it is you are going. This time, perhaps in lower voices so no others poke their noses in as I did. Not everyone here is as on the up and up as me."
Vetch smiles(not a particularly handsome sight) at that last comment.

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

He pulls out a seat for his new comrade and in a low voice says.

My name is Zem, i am not from here . I work for a few people that wish artifacts be found and kept out of evil hands. So My job in short is to prevent evil from getting powerful things so they can't keep using them vs others. I must complete all missions given to me even if it kills me while doing so. I took on these two for i needed the help doing a mission that has be given to me. So i can't promises loot, only a dangerous journey. we set forth of a small town not fair. as to the fee i don't have much gold but if things do try to kill us, we can split what we do find on them. There is no dibs and we divide according to need over want. At times we need to take some things that attack us alive so we can get info they may have, how we get it will be humane so no trying them up and stabbing til the talk . lastly No steeling from others period. Harknil has a code and i respect it as will we all. He can tell you the does and don'ts

[at]

Barbatos let Zem talk, more interested in a hot meal than another hired sword - though someone to take a night watch in his stead was always welcome.

[rhinobullet]

Vetch absently pats at his empty coin bag while he listens to the elf. He thinks to himself that while the prospects of making money look poor, its the best thing going for him. This marks the first time he has ever travelled with an elf, and the idea of it concerns him

"I can abide by these terms I suppose. I ain't one for stealing as it is. Seems like I can be of help to you and yours."

He looks at the human, who continues to eat, and at the construct.

"What can you tell me about this place you need to go? The more I know of it, the better I can help find it."

He looks at the construct and says "What is this code he speaks of.........." (Vetch clearly isn't comfortable addressing the construct and lets his words trail off)

[harknail]

Harknail the construct answered, "My commandments from Kord be: Be strong, but do not use your strength for wanton destruction; Be brave and scorn cowardice in any form; Prove your might in battle to win glory and renown."

He continues, "These be the commandments Kord has given me, as a Paladin of Kord. Thy need not follow them less thy also follow Kord."

He adds, "Since I escapeth my prison, I and others hath saved the Moonhaven lighthouse by retreiving the stolen magic mirror. Others helpeth me saveth the entire valley from freezing. Still others and I rescueth elves taken as food from kobolds and a dragon. Most recently, Barbatos, I, and many others saveth Elk Ridge from drake attacks. There be no more towns in need of saving, so I seek other battles now."

[rhinobullet]

Vetch does his best not to look impressed.
"you folks have been busy haven't you. So what is your plan now? If I am to best utilize my skills in your service, I need to know your plan.

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

Zem ponders if he should tell the new comer, He seamed way to eager to find out info but if he was to help he needed to know, he seamed on the level and Zems gut is almost never wrong. He was not looking out for one person anymore, now it was 2 other lives on him. Yet he was a leader and had to act like it. Hard calls were hard and as their leader he had to make them and take the responsibly of such.

Dropping his voice so low that you could almost not hear him. " I met them after all that, but looking at what they have done I can say i trust them enough. The less people know the safer they are, but im not going to protect u from this because ill do you know good if i don't. You need to know what you up against. I said i trust you, and i meant it what i say next is very important. We are heading to a place call ( need dm to retell us cause i forgot). It may hold a clue to a hidden artifact capable of wiping out towns and cities. We don't have much to go on other then X location. Your job is to help me find it, protect it or in the worst case destroy it. If you tell anyone you hold the fate of a lot of people and kill many more if others find out. We are the only 4 that need to know. If a person asks we are just passing through, i don't want a mass panic. lastly i can't be sure but i may have people trying to hunt me down and stop me from finding it. They will do their best to kill me so trust me when i say these guys don't mess around and are out for blood. The rest is now up to you."

[at]

Barbatos glances over towards Harknail, eyebrow raised at the announcement of impending doom, and then returns to his drink. Their new employer certainly gave an eccentric performance.

"Sarnath is one of the lost cities from Harknail's time, I doubt you've heard of it personally but our first task is to find the specific location of what remains. We have a general idea of where to look but if the area has become overgrown we'd prefer not to spend days travelling blindly in circles around it."

[rhinobullet]

Vetch scratches his head and thinks quietly, looking around the room.

"The name doesn't sound like anything I have ever heard, but there are lots or ruins around these places. These woods are far older than Moonhaven. I believe I can be of service to you, though I agree you shouldn't trust anyone with this information. I am surprised you didn't attack me outright the way I blundered up here. I thought you was some group of wealthy folks looking for 'adventure' by which I mean wandering around the woods a few days and go home."

Vetch looks around the common room and then back to the party and says "As I said, I can help. I have ranged these regions for years. I also have a knack for finding things, especially if it is just one item. I can sorta....focus...on it. Helps me track it down. "

Vetch leans back in his chair and says "I'm in if you'll have me. When do we depart?"

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

Offering a hand shake to Vetch, "We are heading off as early as we can tomorrow after picking up supplies. Ill knock on your rooms when i get up, or meet you down here if your already awake. Ill pay for your room Vetch since your now apart of us. It has been a very long day for me so if you can excuse me I need sleep. Talk to the bar maid about your rooms when your ready. With that he heads to the bar maid pays her for all 4 rooms and then goes to his room and goes to sleep. ( Enter ninja goblins )

[rhinobullet]

Vetch nods at the elf and watches as he leaves. He only remembers to say "thanks for the room" after the elf has left the table, so he sort of lets it trail after the departing elf.

Vetch then looks at the construct and the human and says "I suppose that is enough talk for now. I will gather my gear and be prepared for an early departure. Until then." He nods at the human and wanders towards the barmaid to secure a room. It marks the first time he has ever been allowed to sleep in the Inn. Usually he is encouraged to head back to the woods. Watching the barmaid's face as she gives him the room is enough to justify the entire night.

Vetch glances back over his shoulder at the common room as he departs for the night. He wonders what exactly he has gotten himself into. He mutters "traveling with an elf, a human, and a walking statue. I must be losing my mind"

With that he wanders to his room for the night.

[harknail]

As Vetch is about to head up the stairs, a goblin peeks in, and then enters the common room.

Does Vetch pause to see what happens? Or continue up to his room.

[rhinobullet]

Vetch notices the goblin peeking. Sensing that this is unusual behavior, and not expecting a goblin, Vetch eases back down the stairs and leans against the wall of the Inn. He starts watching the Goblin closely to see what it is up to.
Perception roll [dice=20][rand=60250360331450210635977194101096167879424225013875704238235606065]