D&D: The City of Shaldra~Zin

[Yesman]

Jaks watched the patrol as the cart rolled passed the field. He racked his brain to see if he recognized the crests. After his shift, the rogue patted the cleric until he was awake.


"Your turn to watch," he said before leaning back and closing his eyes."

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak nodded and set his eyes towards the horizon, keeping vigilant watch as long as he could.


[dice]20167[/dice]

 

[Grimsvald]

"Woh!" The messenger pulls back on the reigns slowing the horses to a quick stop. They huff, nay and clop dramatically. While looking out the window Jameak can tell they haven't reached the city yet. He has a sense that this means trouble.


Jameak can hear several voices ahead of the cart, but he cannot see from inside. A deep voice begins, " Hello mister money bags. Thanks for driving our roads today, but if you want to go any further you'll need to pay the tax." There is a pause in conversation, "25 gold aught to do it." Then 2 higher voices pitch in, "yeah pay up and there won't be any problems!" An unaturally deep voice makes final work, "Pay....or hurt.."


When they are done you can hear the messenger lose his nerves. "Ah, well. .you see.. uh, while the cart may be expensive I am paid a minescule some...Only a few coin...but not 25 gold."

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak silently shook Kelter and Jaks awake, taking care to keep quiet. He mouthed: "Thieves." and held up 4 fingers. "I'll go out and talk, get ready to back me up if they get violent." He whispered before leaving the cart to confront the thieves.

 

[Grimsvald]

When Jameak stepped out of the cart the highwaymen quickly turned their focus on him. He heard the click and locking sound of crossbows being drawn on him. He could see a broad shouldered human leading the group. Behind him to the right was a massive half ogre drooling and leaning on a tree he used as a club. To the leaders left were 2 skinnier human boys, twins by the looks of it. It was these two who trained their crossboys on Jameaks head.


The leader spoke, "Well it looks like we have woken up the princess." He grinned and stepped forward drawing a club with some nails sticking out of it. "If the driver doesnt have enough coin to pay the toll of the road. Maybe you do!" He pointed his sword at Jameak but didnt take a fighting stance.


The ogre laughed and whipped spit from his mouth. "Pay or pain"

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak uttered a short prayer to guide his words and actions. (Guidance)


Jameak lifted a hand. "Listen. We are a band of holy men on our way to help our city. We have barely any money between us, and if we fought, several of you would die along with us. I recommend you turn around now, rethink your lives and careers and make better choices."


[dice]20202[/dice]


[dice]20203[/dice]

 

[Grimsvald]

The leader sighs and shakes his head. "I hate when people tell me how to live my life. This is what I'm good at. I don't plan on changing now." The twins lower their crossbows, "damn it, these holy men never have any coin...we're starving!" The ogre looked to them, "pain now? Do I make the pain" Jameak can tell the only mind still focused on battle is their leader.

 

[Redsirrah]

"Look" said Jameak, "You can fight and die for a few gold right here and right now. Or, you could come work for us and make more gold honestly without risking your lives and necks. I imagine the city of Shaldra-Zin could pay more than a measly 25 gold." He drew his mace. "Choose wisely."


[dice]20204[/dice]

 

[Yesman]

As Jameak distracted whatever was out there, Jaks took his rapier, bow, and a quiver and got out of the cart opposite of the cleric.


[dice]20205[/dice]


He notched an arrow and aimed at one of the twins but otherwise remained still.

 

[Grimsvald]

While Jameak talks to the leader Jaks successfully sneaks around to flank. He steps on some sticks, but his nimble footing shifts all his weight onto the other foot and the sticks remain unbroken. It was a close call, but he now has a clear shot at the twins. They stand with their weapons down by their side. One of them complains about his hunger and the other one rubs his back. "Its ok brother boss knows what hes doin. Hes taken care of us so far. We will have food soon."


Kelter confidently steps out of the cart behind Jameak hold his sword in both hands. "I second my friends advise...think long and hard about this choice boy. My determination to smite the wicked outways your pride and greed."


The messenger rolled off the cart and ran under it. "Not today..not dying today"

 

[Yesman]

Jaks admires his reflection in his rapier blade


[dice]20208[/dice]

 

[Grimsvald]

The leader maintained his smirk and posture. "I don't know if you had noticed the 10 foot tall fellow holding the TREE behind me. But, he usually means I can make what ever stupid choices I want and walk away with coin in hand. Isn't that right Grut?"


The ogre stepped forward pasted the carts horses. "Grut, me. Pay or pain." The half ogre slings the tree over his shoulder resting the weight on his back.


The leader speaks a little bit lower, almost a whisper so the others can't hear. "Listen cleric. Can't you spear us enough for some food or..just give us some rations or something? My men are hungry and I can't show them any weakness. They need to believe in me."

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak lowered his voice. "Here's how. You and I go into the cart and sit there for 5 minutes. Then, you come out having convinced me to let you protect our cart in exchange for food now, and money when we return to Shaldra-Zin. Of course, you know if you bail on us before we reach the city then you don't get paid at all. How does that sound? I mean, your ogre might get along fine in a fight, but how do you think you'll fare? Moneys no good dead." Jameak gripped his mace menacingly. "Choose now. Fight me, or come to the cart."


[dice]20213[/dice]

 

[Grimsvald]

The leader threw his weapon full force over his shoulder. It stuck 2 inches deep in Grut's tree. "Hold onto this will ya Grut. I'm going to have a little talk with the cleric here. Real civilized chat that dont need violence." Grut looked at the sword stuck in his tree. He didnt understand anything the leader was saying.


On his way into the cart the leader saw Gruts confused look. "No pain Grut. No making hurt" the ogre understood and nodded.


The twins sat down where they were and started tinkering with their weapons. "I heard there were a man in Frellsdale who built a crossbow that fires 4 shots rapid." One boast. "Bullshite" the other replied, "where'd ya hear such a thing I aint left you side since Kathiford." The first twin snaps back, "Oi, I did hear it. Will I was pissin' in the ally behind Tanners Tavern. You aint always there." The second twin scuffed, "aye, and I bet he held your bate-tackle while you pissed didnt he? Real pretty fella in the dress. I don't believe a word of it."


Grut starts looking at the horses like food. Kelter wonders what land spits out creatures like this to pleague the highways. "Leave the horses alone Grut. No horses for you.."

 

[Yesman]

Jaks, still standing at the side, didn't hear what was being said but was able to deduce that Jameak and one of the bandits had decided to talk things out instead of bashing each other's heads in. He took this chance to take a look around, searching for possible cover or a hiding enemy.


(This would be a perception check, right?)

 

[Grimsvald]

(No need for a check. Your passive will show you everything you need to know)


Jaks could see two large bolders on the side of the road ahead of him. These are used as distance markers between cities. More than enough to hide behind. Beyond this there is the occassional tree, but for the most part this area is open. There are marsh lands and lakes, but they are kept distant from the road.

 

[Yesman]

The rogue silently snuck behind one of the boulders and peaked out. He then resumed aiming his bow at his intended target.

 

[Redsirrah]

In the cart, Jameak turned to the leader and pulled out 5 days worth of rations and enough bread and cheese to split between the gang. "Now here would be your initial payment. This should be enough to feed your boys right now. If your gang will act as our bodyguards all the way through our mission and back to Shaldra-zin, I can't see why that wouldn't be worth at least 10 gold." Jameak paused momentarily before adding, "Apiece." Jameaks eyes pierced the bandit leader. "Of course, you would be required to fight for us, and not get up to anything shady while on the job."


[dice]20250[/dice]

 

[Grimsvald]

The leader seemed frustrated with the offer during the pause, but his posture changed as Jameak noted, 'apiece'. "I think this deal can be arranged. Congradulations cleric you've just highered Armani Giuseppe and the Empty Tankards." The leader grinned and grabbed for the rations.


As Jaks creeps up in the twins her realizes he knows them from somewhere. The names Brody and Norwell float around in Jaks' head. Has he done a job with them before? Did he meet them at Troddin Court in Shaldra-Zin before the murders?

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak gave the rations. "Now you understand that if I find out, and I always find out, that your gang lies, cheats, or commit any crime or indecent act while working for me I will personally find you and finish you." Jameak frowned. "And the ogre will probably have to stay outside the city walls. But I'm assuming a fine leader like yourself can keep your boys in line. There may even be a small bonus if I can pay you with the confidence you stayed true to your word." Jameak opened the cart and looked under it. "You can come out now, we've come to an agreement."

 

[Yesman]

Seeing that Jameak had somehow defused the situation with the bandits, the rogue lowered his weapon and slowly approached the group. While watching, there seemed to be something odd about the twins to him. Then it hit him.


"Brody? Norwell? What the hell are you two doing here? I haven't seen you guys since the cattle job!" exclaimed Jaks, now standing upright and walking much faster. "Last time I saw you two, you guys were riding off with the cows we stole to go sell them off. How have two been since then?"

 

[Grimsvald]

Armani nodded, "Yeah yeah, tough guy persona achieved mate. Let's just get on with business." Then he stepped out of the cart and walked back to Grut. It was sometimes difficult to explain things to the ogre so the leader got to the task right away. Kelter gave them all a scolding look. He didn't feel comfortable working with these thugs. He sat back and waited for a reason to raise his blade again.


The twins jumped up right away. "JAKS!?" Their smiles faded when the cattle job was brought up. Brody scratched his head, "Well, that cattle job kind of got away from us.....literally.." Norwell interjected, "Yeah, we lost half of them before we made it back to town! What little profit we did make got squandered on gambling and upgrades for our crossbows." Brody pushed his way back to the front, "After that we were pretty bad off. That's when Armani found us and drafted us into this little group!" Both of the twins went pale at the same time, "OH! by the way sorry about all this. Just business you know, nothing personal." They laughed nervously.


The driver took his time before coming out. He was still very uneasy about the whole situation.

 

[Yesman]

Jaks laughed. "No, no, I understand. However, if we do somehow end up on opposing sides again," Jaks grinned and nodded towards Jameak. "Do me a favor and shoot the cleric first."

 

[Grimsvald]

The twins nodded, "Well noted friend, but lets hope it doesn't come to that." Grut lowered his tree club so that Armani could take back his sword. "It looks like we just went from highwaymen to sellsword boys! This cart is now under the protection of Armani Giuseppe and the Empty Tankards!"


The twins looked at each other, "So thats what we're going by now? Just the other day we were the Blazing Blades." They picked up their crossbows, "and what was it last week? The Throat Cutters Club." Brody puffed up his chest and did his best impression of the leader he could, "Give us your gold. You dont want to find out how we got our name do you!"


Armani quickly shot a glare at the twins and Body quickly deflated, "Heh, sorry boss. All in good fun..."


The messenger slowly got back into position on the front of the cart. He looked around at his party of heroes, "In or out of the cart, doesnt matter any more. Seems we will be moving at a walking pace now...hope were not late because of this. The mayor would have my hide.."

 

[Redsirrah]

"Haha" said Jameak. He went to Jaks and whispered "In all seriousness, keep an eye on them. You know how people like this act, make sure they don't do anything shady. I won't trust them until they prove themselves to be trustworthy." Jameak turned to the messenger. "Better to get the job done late than all of us get killed by whatever is out here. All of us includes you." Jameak got into the cart. "Lets get going as quick as we can."