Visions of Fire. Group two (IC)

[madeyegeorge]

perception roll

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(1d20+10)[29]

[razovor]

A few hours from the encampment, the party come across a small river. The river runs east, in the direction of the parties travel.

After a short while, the river falls down a ridge, forming a waterfall. By chance, arnold spots a cave, concealed behind the waterfall. The cave is roomy, and provides plently of space for the party to rest and recover.

After one nights sleep, Mikhael has recovered enough to travel further. The spot is well hided, and arnold should be able to find ample food to feed the group if they decide to rest here longer.

[madeyegeorge]

arnold
apparently the only competent person in such conditions, arnold finds the food to make sure we dont all die on the way to safety. this will delay the journey, but we should be safe hiding out here.

[razovor]

The sun rises, a new day begins.

While mikhael was resting, arnold managed to find one days worth of food. This raises the parties food supply up to ten days.

The route to the kingdom of stars will take the party north-east, out of Saxony, Germany and Bolania. Using the roads will be faster, but bring more chance of encountering people.

Two days along the main road, before it leaves the region, is the city of Dresden. There are roads which bypass the city, but they add an extra day to the travel time.

---

* post roll count doesn't match database

[Imperial Psycho]

Despite Arnolds posturing, he is not the only one able to gather food. As much as he can with his injuries, he can also gather food as the party travels, to augment the large stockpile he brought.

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You're not the only one with Survival

As his companions stir from their sleep, Mikhael brings up the topic of where to travel next.

"If we are fleeing Ebartia, then the Kingdom of Stars seems the best choice of destination. I know a guy. He may not be as...giving as the sentinels, but he is about as well-supplied. Alternatively, we could take our chances with the beasts. Whatever we do, we should stop in Dresden. We can turn our plunder into valuables, to save weight, and we may be able to find supplies. "

[razovor]

22nd to 24th April

The decision is made, and the party leave for Dresden. They head north, and meet up with one of the main roads, to save time.

There are few people on the roads. A heavily armoured patrol passes by every few hours. The patrols aren't checking travellers, and the party are able to walk casually past them without danger.

The party rest for the night in a small forest grove, disturbed only by the soft chirping of bugs.

In the morning they set off again. As they near dresden, traffic picks up. Most of it away from the city. Civilians and merchants, who had fled to the city for protection against the goblins, are now free to return to their work.

The party rest again, by a hill on outskirts of the city, so they can enter in the morning.

Dresden itself is a medium sized city, housing over five thousand people. The city is spacious, and very green. It spans across both banks of the river Elbe, with three main bridges across the gap.

Two lesser lords rule the city, one situated in the lords keep, on the north bank of the river, and the other in his manse, in the southern city centre. The keep is surrounded by a high stone wall, which protects a good portion of the city, but the main city area is unwalled.

The party enter Dresden. Shops can be found all around the city. The party should have no trouble finding mundane gear. It is unlikely a magic item auction will be held for a good few weeks.

[madeyegeorge]

arnold
arnold returns to the inn which they had decided to meet back up in after they were done shopping. he inspected his new rapier and superior armour, and was pleased at it. he decided to look to his masters for guidance, the past days had trooubles him ad he needed help to find the right path back.
once he had taken out a room, he settled down to pray to the almighty air spirits, that he might know what he should do.

[Imperial Psycho]

Mikhael
Mikhael returns with two finely crafted sabres, much like the ones he had once owned in Albaia. Those sabres were lost, abandoned as Mikhael fled. For a small extra fee, Mikhael had convinced the smith to carve a symbol down their blades. That of Dis.

Mikhael did not pray to Dis. Dis did not ask for or want prayer. All he asked was the destruction of those who would censure him, and honourable death. So the priests said at least. A lot of them did not die honourably on the other hand, so who could say?

[razovor]

Arnold

As arnold sits, praying to his gods, a slight unearthly wind gathers. The wind ripples slowly around the room, brushing against arnolds clothes. A soft voice speaks, like a whisper.

"Instruo vestri, pro hiberna est coming quod is can non exsisto inquisitor. Reperio vestri semen, pro they velieris specialis non vel they teneo super. Vigilo sicco pro porta."

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"Prepare yourself, for winter is coming and it can not be trusted. Find your kin, for they hide secrets not even they know about. Watch out for the gate."

Zeyt

As Zeyt returns from the bowyers, he passes by a 'General Wares' shop. General wares is the first chain shop in the world, created by the halflings. The chain also produces a newspaper, sold from all their shops.

As Zeyt passes by the shop, a thick-haired halfling leaves through the door, carrying a bundle of papers. The halfling walks up to a nearby tree, and nails one of the papers to the bark. The paper reads as follows;

Mikhael Osteler. Wanted for desertion of the Ebartian army, and the murder of a divine sentinel. Skilled with the sword. Reward ₡1000 Gp.

Arnold Harnold. Wanted for desertion of the Bolanian army, and the murder of a divine sentinel. Skilled with the sword. Reward ₡1000 Gp.

It is believed that these individuals are assisted by a third person. Possibly a mage. Reward ₡1000 Gp.

Wanted Dead or Alive. Exercise extreme caution.

A rough picture is provided of arnold and Mikhael.

[Imperial Psycho]

Mikhael, after briefly questioning the innkeeper, walks up to Arnolds room.

"Arnold? We should not linger here. Camping out in the countryside is much safer than in this place. We should leave as soon as Zeyt returns. "

[madeyegeorge]

arnold
certainly, i am ready to leave at a moment's notice, however this is a suitable place to be for now, we are far less likely to draw attention to ourselvves if we act normally.

[Imperial Psycho]

"It is not unusual for travellers to be simply passing through. Renting a room and then immediately leaving it? A little stranger. "

[madeyegeorge]

arnold
it was your suggestion to leave, i am ready to leave in case of trouble. dont worry so much, you're going grey

[Imperial Psycho]

"Make jokes if you like. By renting a room, you have trapped us here. That is my point. We can only look stranger if we leave. Do not underestimate the Divine Sentinels. It will not end well if you do."

[=WhiteKnight=]

Zeyt

Zeyt frowned momentarily, kicking his step slightly as he recognised the likeness of the wanted men on the poster. They weren’t the best sketches but they were close enough to Arnold and Mikhael .. ish.

The Zimp recovered and shouldered his new masterwork Elm Bow, putting the extortionate amount of gold he had poured away on it to the back of his mind, and considered the seriousness of the situation. He deliberated on snatching the poster and rushing to inform his comrades, but then that would evoke suspicion as to who removed the poster should the Halfling that was disappearing into the crowds return. Zeyt turned quickly to the General Wares store instead, and making his way inside, picked up a copy of the Newspaper for sale. He casually glanced at the cover, flicked a few pages through, searching for what he hoped was there. As he reached the last page he flicked the paper over as he turned to the counter, aware the impatient Halfing attendant was watching him. What a time to be the only customer in the shop, and being so young no doubt he was being unjustly stereotyped as one of those rogue shoplifting youths wearing leather hoods and armed to the teeth. Not that that wasn’t entirely false.

To Zeyt’s relief the same Wanted details were printed on the back page, and he hid the flicker of satisfaction as he placed the paper on the counter, selected some other mundane item from a shelf nearby (What he would need 12 colour-assorted quill feathers for he didn’t know) and asked for an Ounce of Dresden Fine tobacco, which given it’s lowly price Zeyt doubted was anything near ‘fine’ but it would do as cover. To finish it he forced a scowl, as here was obviously a young teenager doing his dad’s shop-run.

[razovor]

The Halfling attendant looks a little curiously at Zeyt, obviously confused by his Zimpish appearance.

"That'll be two silver pieces. Will you require a bag?"

[=WhiteKnight=]

Zeyt

Zeyt handed over the money, “No, thanks” he said curtly and disengaging the conversation he turned about and left the shop. He looked about and then made off towards the Inn where they had taken out rooms.

---


“Ah here you are” said Zeyt entering Arnold’s room after overhearing the two talking and abruptly interrupting the conversation. He strode over and un-shouldered his bow to lean it against the wall, making comment on the shiny new swords Mikhael had bought.

“Oh I got you some Tobacco and some feathers Arnold” said Zeyt matter-of-factly, handing him the paper bag of would-be-quills and smokestuff, feeling a personal twinge of obscure amusement inside at that. “And you’re both named and profiled in the paper with substantial bounties on your heads. Any chance of a brew?” he asked, casting the paper onto the bed before seating himself cross legged on Arnold’s floor, and coolly looking about with disinterest. “I assume someone bought biscuits”

[Imperial Psycho]

"Let me see." Mikhael examines the pictures. "These barely look like us. It is as if the artist was working from someone else's description. Still, this is only further proof of my point. We should leave. Now. "

[madeyegeorge]

arnold
someone's parents didnt beat them enough mumbles arnold, before inspecting the paper.

well we have some problems. we need to get out without being seen. arnold goes to the window we need to wait until the shops close, we should be alright till then. get off the floor zeyt, we need to be ready to leave. and no, tea is for four o'clock, you can have some then, if you're a good boy.

[Imperial Psycho]

" The problem is not near so bad as it seems. The Guards did not stop us when we entered, they will likely let us go without too much trouble. Guards have families, lives. They are unlikely to risk themselves against the hardened killers these posters describe.

It is not them we should fear, but the bounty hunters. Sociopaths and misanthropes the lot of them, They will be the real threat.

....What is a brew?"

[=WhiteKnight=]

Zeyt's left eye twitched .. "You don't know what a .." he started incredulously before Arnold cut him off.

[madeyegeorge]

arnold
many bounty huunters will use an inn if they are passing through, if we get up in the morning they could see us in the lobby or something. if they dont already know we are here. did anyone visit a tavern? if so any bounty hunters there will likely have spotted us, and we need to leave as soon as possible. we should probably leave now anyway, before travelers check in for the night. travelers will often double as bounty hunters.

[Imperial Psycho]

"Indeed. It is unlikely a bounty hunter will be specifically looking for us now, but it will not be long before they come after us. The sooner we are far away from this place, the better."

[madeyegeorge]

arnold
then we are in agreement. off the floor zeyt, we leaving. try to keep a low profile, and dont kill any bakers. best to try and conceal the vast amounts of weapons we have as much as possible.

[Imperial Psycho]

" You did not sell the weapons we gathered? It seems folly to carry all that weight. "

[razovor]

April 22nd to 25th

Mikhael, arnold and Zeyt prepare their gear, and leave the inn. They pass through the streets with only a few odd looks, the majority of the area still devoid of posters.

At the city gates, no-one moves to stop them. A guard absent-mindely wishes them a good day.

The rest of the day is spent walking along the north-eastern road. The party rest by a tree stump for the night.

The next day, the party reach the crossing into Ebartia. It is marked by nothing more significant than a signpost. The signpost wishes travellers to have a safe journey.

The party follow the road the rest of the day, until midday, when they reach a crossroad. The road diverts north-east, or east. The north-east path should be faster, but it looks to be heading through mountainous territory. The east path is clear plains.

Decision made OOC: plains

The party turn east, and head into the plains. They walk until dark, and rest by a small river. The next morning, as the party are walking along the road, Zeyt spots a something up ahead.

A Toll Point. The point is marked by a large signpost. An ebartian soldier sits by the point, watching his lunch cook over a small fire. There are a few trees around the point. And a little stream.

[=WhiteKnight=]

Zeyt

"Yup, that's a Toll Point"

[madeyegeorge]

arnold
definitely a toll point. the kid's a genius.

we cant go through, we could be recognised, and he could put anyone following us on the right trail. zeyt, you are not on the wanted posters, you go and talk to him, keep him distracted whilst me and mikhael try to sneak around. dont give away our destination in the friendly chatter, we'll meet you on the other side when we are out of sight of the toll collector, after you've paid the toll and gone through.

[Imperial Psycho]

Mikhael takes a moment to decode Arnolds overly long ramble.
"Good a plan as any, I suppose. You are sure you can keep him occupied, Zeyt?"

[=WhiteKnight=]

Zeyt

"Sure, I'll talk about all the other stuff he and I have in common. We're bound to have some mutual grounding. Even better he might be a paedophile, but then I'm used to them .." Zeyt flicks a derisory glance at Arnold, ".. I'm on it Miks" he said, turning on his heel and wandering down the road "You two should probably start 'sneaking around' about .. now"