Ran and Ragnar, pt 2, Happy New Year
Subject: Ran and Ragnar, pt2
Ran nods "You've given me something to think about. Let's hope this Steward does not give us too much time to think." He smiles at the dwarf and Ragnar returns the smile. It is another half hour before the two are called before the Steward. A short dwarf, dressed in fine cloth comes out into the waiting room "Ragnar and Ranthir, representatives of the Order of the Silver Sword?" The two raise their hands and the dwarf gestures to them "I am the Second Assistant to the First Steward. Follow me. You will have five minutes to discuss your needs with the Steward." The two nod and follow after the short dwarf.
Five minutes later the two find themselves in an opulent office. Most of the furniture is sized for dwarves, but a single chair of human size has been place with a dwarven chair in front of the large desk at one side of the room. Ragnar and Ran advance towards the chair and see an old dwarf sitting behind the desk. His hair is white and his beard is long and white. His desk sits on a raised part of the room, so that even though he is much shorter than Ranthir, he looks down on the two. He looks up at the two when they take their seats and says in a brusque voice "I am the first Steward and I am busy. What do you want?"
OODM: I will let Jason and Randy role play this.
From: Mark
Subject: Happy New Year
I just wanted to send out a note to all of you to thank you for another great year in Kalevan. We are entering our 4th year of play. I hope every one has enjoyed themselves and continues to enjoy themselves in the game.
I have lots of stuff planned for the next several years.
From: Jason
Subject: Ran and Ragnar, pt2
"Then I shall be brief, Steward. I am Ragnar of the Order of the Silver Sword, and this is Ranthir. Centuries ago, our order entrusted an enchanted gemstone to the King of the Dwarves of World Spine Mountains against a time of need. We came hoping to speak of it with he who was king previously, with whom the order always enjoyed good relations. Seeing as how King Barden now holds that position, we now also wish to greet him on behalf of the order with the hopes of continuing what has always been a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship. In short, we seek an audience with King Barden at a time of his convenience."
The Steward
Subject: New Year
You've all done wonderful job of making DnD what I imagined it always could be. Thanks for a great year everyone.
From: Mark
Subject: The Steward
"You have your papers of Introduction?" the Steward asks? Ragnar nods and hands over a set of papers he was given before they left. The dwarf takes out a small piece of glass and looks over the papers. "Yes, they are all in order. The Knight Marshal vouches for you. Well, let me see. I don't know anything about any gem stone, but you can bring that up with the King. The next open appointment with him is a week from this Tuesday. Will that work for you?"
OODM: It is in effect Sunday right now, so the meeting time he is talking about is nine days away.
The Steward, cont
Subject: The Steward, cont
Ragnar replies "Well, its later than we'd hoped, to be honest, but I'm sure the king is a busy man right now. Will we need to return to see you, or will we be sent for when the time comes?"
OOC: Ragnar has all he wants out of this meeting, but he'd like to ask a few questions of other people, someone not quite as important and busy (like the person who brought us to see the Steward, for example.)
From: Randy
Subject: The Steward, cont
Ran adds in "If, by chance, an earlier appointment opens up, we would be grateful to meet with him earlier."
Things taken care of
Subject: New Year
Thank you yourself. I've had tons of fun with y'all, and look forward to more.
From: Mark
Subject: Things taken care of
The Steward nods at Ran's and Ragnar's request "I will do the best I can but do not get your hopes up. Leave where you are staying with my assistant on your way out. We will send someone if things change. Otherwise be here at first horn." The two nod and leave the room, stopping by the assistant posted outside the office. They leave their names and where they are staying and head back to their quarters. On the way they try and talk to their guide but find him less than forthcoming.
******
Salix looks at Surin who only shrugs "How about first thing tomorrow morning?" The dwarven druid nods "You and the three who will come with you should meet me at Doli's place at the first horn. We will go then. It is several days march to where we need to go so be ready." She drains her flagon and gets to her feet "It was nice meeting you. From what Flint said in his message, I expect things might get exciting around here in the next few days." She says goodbye to Doli and heads out of the bar. Salix and Surin make their goodbyes to Doli and head back to the room.
*********
Galeheart looks on in disbelief when his partner falls over. There is a stricken look on his face as Mund starts to collect their winnings. Galeheart mumbles a weak congratulations and moves off back into the crowd. Many of the dwarves are clapping Mund and Ally on the back, whopping it up. It seems like the dwarves liked this game. As Ally looks around the room he sees others starting to play their own games. The mage moves closer to his brother and whispers in his ear "We should go now. I'm going to need some sleep if I'm going to be any good to us in the next couple of days. I haven't drunk like that in 10 years." Mund nods and whispers back "You did a great job. Just don't fall over on the way out. After that, I can carry you back." A slap on the back and the two start to head out the door.
The two are only a few yards from the pub when they hear a voice from a darkened alley way "Any chance for a dwarf to win his money back?" Mund spins, holding tightly to his brother who almost falls over at the quick motion. Galeheart steps from the alley way, unarmed and his hands to his sides. "What" Mund asks "You want to fight us for what we won fair and square?" At first the dwarf looks offended "Fight? Oh you think I'm going to rob you? You must be new to the warrens. Naw, this is nothing like that. The thing is, I bet too much. My wife is going to kill me if I don't bring home at least some of that gold. I was wantin to know if there is someway I can win or work some of it back?"
OODM: Sorry this is late but I had a bad day at work and am bushed. I will write more tomorrow. I expect the party will be back in their rooms when I am done and they can decide what to do next. On a timing note, in the warrens a horn is blown every three hours, basically at noon, 3,6,9 and midnight etc. The party has seen hour glasses in most places and it looks like when the horn is blown people turn the hour glasses over. Each hour the glass is turned again. If someone falls behind they just have to wait a few hours to make sure that they are caught up.
Salix prepares
Subject: Salix prepares
OOC: Mark, I am going to review druid spells tonight so I can update Salix's spell list before he joins the dwarf druid.
He will ask for suggestions as to who should go, but he will feel like Ragnar, Harp, and Surin should join him. Ragnar makes sense (and has some stone sense), Harp can go as a fighter, and Surin might be able to detect if there were any traps set.
If anyone wants to make other suggestions, Salix is willing to listen to suggestions.
Harp and Kal, pt3
Subject: waiting on things
I am still waiting to hear from Mund/Ally how Galeheart can win back his money.
I am trying to work on Kal/Harp now.
From: Mark
Subject: Harp and Kal, pt3
Kal turns to Bordin and gives him a respectful nod. "I thank you for the contest. It is not often that a Bladesinger gets a chance to test his worth against the skills of the dwarves." The murmuring of the crowd stops when Kal speaks. Bordin turns to Harp and asks quietly "Are you telling me that this elf is a Bladesinger?" Harp stop collecting his winnings and turns to the dwarf "Well, yes he is. Does that make a difference?"
"A difference?" Bordin almost sputters. "By Moradain's Hammer, of course it does. You would have had to offer better odds. Every one knows those elf dancers are almost impossible to touch. They're like the wind. Hell, I bet King Barden couldn't have touched him." A grumble goes up from the crowd of dwarves around them.
From: Kevin
Subject: Harp and Kal, pt3
Harp looks a bit chagrined (OOC: even though he can't spell it, he can look it). "I didn't mean to hide anything. I didn't know that being a bladesinger would mean so much. I'll tell you what, with my friends approval, you can settle the debt with food and drink at the tavern of your choice. How about it?"
Galeheart
Subject: Galeheart
"I'm sorry fer callin' you a theif. That wasn't fair. I guess I'm used to dealing with less civilized folk."
Mund is surprised to realize that it's not just BS that he's saying. He'd never liked the little he'd seen of dwarves, with their uppity attitudes, looking down at people from such a low height. But he's liked what he's seen of the dwarve's city. Clean, orderly, but with folk who still know how to kick back and enjoy themselves. If only they didn't like to live in a hole in the ground..."
Mund looks at his brother, trying to ask him without asking whether he can handle talking with Galeheart right now or whether it needs to wait until tomorrow.
From: Mark
Subject: Harp and Kal, pt3
Bordin looks at the dwarves around him "Since I was the one that got whupped, let say my bit. I thought I might snap this elf in two but he showed me. I never got close to him. I still think I could put him down if I hit him, but hittin him is the problem. You saw him. He moved like the wind. I say we take them up on their offer. When we get off duty we meet them at the Broken Cask. What say you, fellow dwarves?"
The other dwarves give a cheer, mainly at the expectation of a good meal. Bordin turns to Harp and Kal. "Meet us back here at the 4th horn and we will head out."
Harp and Kal nod thanks and head back to the room.
******
Later that afternoon, just around 3rd horn, all eight of the party members are back in the room.
OODM: OK once Porter/Derek and I finish with Galeheart, the party can decide what to do next.
Deals
Subject: Deals
Galeheart grins "Naw, I know how it looked, some guy who just lost a bet coming out of the dark like that. Wouldn't have done with with some folk, but I think you is ok folk, even if you are too tall by half. So about my getting my gold back?"
From: Porter
Subject: Deals
Mund waits for his brother to take the baton -- he's so much better at figgurin' out stuff like this. But Alley's normal sharp mind seems to be considerably dulled by the dwarven ale, so Mund decides to handle this on his own.
"You know, I just wouldn't feel right, putting you in bad with the Missus. Let's sit down and talk about it."
Mund gets two drinks for himself and Galeheart and the three of them sit down in a corner away from prying ears. When they sit down, Mund hands him a purse containing a third of what he's won from him. "That should keep you good with the Missus for now. For the rest, I'm gonna have to ask you for some favors. Favors that I can't ask officially. For example, I've gotta get a cask or two of this dwarven ale of yours. It would be downright criminal for me to be damned forever to the pisswater they serve as ale back where I come from. Can you help me buy some under the table?"
If Galeheart is willing to facilitate shady dealings, Mund will begin asking questions about the current situation in the warrens, including the recent transfer of power.
From: Mark
Subject: Deals
Mund doesn't think he has ever seen somes eyes go so wide. Galeheart's mouth moves but no sound comes out. Galeheart looks so much like a fish out of water that Mund almost laughs but Allys hand on his arm restrains him.
A second later Galeheart starts laughing. It is a loud booming laugh. He points at Mund and says "You almost got me. Good thing I don't play cards. You've got the best poker face I've ever seen in a human. For a second there I thought you were serious. That's a good one." Tears are streaming down his face as his laughter fades "But seriously, I thank you for the coin but what do you want from me in return."
Check in and dwarven ale
Subject: Turn and check in
Waiting on Ally and Mund to finish with Galeheart.
I know Derek is out of the country.
Can everyone else please check in?
From: Porter
Subject: Deals
Dammit! I'm not good at this suttle stuff. Gimme somebody to rip the arms off of, not this diplomatic crap.
"I really do want that ale, but I think I see what you're asking. I need information about your warren and the goings-on here. I might also need a guide to help me get places. I need a friend who knows his way around and can help me get things done."
"Is that somethin' you'd be willing to do?"
From: Mark
Subject: Deals
"Well a guide I can be. And information is ok, as long as it's not about anything that might be used against the dwarves. I mean if you want to know where the best cave fishing is, I'm your dwarf. If you want to know where the dwarves keep all their magical weapons, you're out of luck. Of course I don't know where we keep all them neat weapons, but if I did know, I wouldn't tell ye. Yah know?"
"So where do you want to see and what do you want to know?"
From: Porter
Subject: Deals
"Um, yeah. Of course. Just like you, I ain't tryin' to rob nobody."
"First of all, tell me more about how y'all have a new king. I heard part of the story before, but parts of it didn't make sense."
From: Mark
Subject: Deals
Galeheart looks sharply at Mund and then all around him "Not here. Let's go someplace more private. You guys got a room or somethin?"
From: Porter
Subject: Deals
"Sure. My brother's needing to lay down anyways. That was a close match -- I thought you were gonna win for a while there."
Mund will lead Alley and Galehart back to their chambers.
From: Porter
Subject: Ale
While walking, Mund says "Just so you know, I really do want some of y'all's ale to take with me."
From: Randy
Subject: Check in
Check.
From: Kevin
Subject: Check in
check.
From: Bryan
Subject: Check in
Check. I'm also out of the country, so my hours may be a bit off the norm :)
From: Josh
Subject: Check in
Check.
From: Jason
Subject: Check in
Check!
From: Porter
Subject: Check in
I was assuming that I didn't need to check since we've been RPing today, but I'll go ahead and check.
From: Derek
Subject: Check in
OOC: I only have very intermittent internet access here in Taiwan. I'll beback up to speed next week when I'm back in Austin. IC: Ally gives Mund a hard elbow every time he seriously talks about wanting to smuggle out the Dwarven Ale. That was pretty potent stuff, and he has to concentrate on walking straight and not slurring his speech. He whispers to Mund, "That Ale isn't just quality liquor to them, it's practically sacred to the Dwarves. I think it's best you forget about trying to get any to take with you."
Mund brings home a friend
Subject: Mund brings home a friend
Mund and Ally lead Galeheart back to their rooms. As they go Mund keeps trying to broach the subject of the ale. Each time Ally jabs him in the ribs making him stop. After Mund's fourth attempt Ally leans over and whispers to Mund "That Ale isn't just quality liquor to them, it's practically sacred to the Dwarves. I think its best you forget about trying to get any to take with you." Mund shoots his brother a dirty look but stops trying to ask Galeheart about getting more ale.
Half an hour later the three show up at the room. It is just after noon and all the party members are their telling each other what they have found out. Galeheart looks at Mund "Quite a large group you got here. You planning on a war?"
OODM: I realize that some time frames may have over lapped. Over all I don't think it is all that big of deal. The only major appointment any one has is Salix and Surin with Agrana tomorrow morning and Harp and Kal with Bordin later this afternoon.
I will let the party ask Galeheart questions or discuss what they want to do.