LpDnD: Boom Company and Wolf Company

[Blackferne]

@Tony "Skulls and blood you say? Why that is a marking I haven't seen in a long time. When I was young, probably nearer your age in fact, I traveled and was part of the Duke's vanguard. The duke at the time was a deeply religious man, may the gods give peace to his soul, and as such he swept across the eastern shelf [the part of the world you are currently in] eradicating non-believers to the gods. One such group bore markings and sigils similar to what you described. From what I understand they were followers of a dead god named Bha'al. In ages past, Bha'al was the god of death, corruption, and murder and other such nastiness. He apparently had quite the following in their time. But when Bha'al fell to the sword Godsbane by a hero of the age, his followers didn't give up the cause. His portfolio of dominion was divided among the gods, and ever since the Raven Queen, praise be to her, has been a fair adjudicator of death. Now in the time since that age, there are periodic revivals of his followers. People seduced by the path to riches and power by inflicting evil on others sometimes turn to these cults. Now I thought our purge had broken the last of them in hundreds of miles, but looks like they are back and the question is how many are back and what are they looking to do. Have you informed the sheriff or the baron?"

[Furiel]

"Not yet. Several of my companions on this mission were stuck outside of town with a broken wagon, they should be arriving back in town later today then we will take this information forward to them at that time. Tony Plush had to be in town today to see justice done to a criminal. Plus to Tony Plush's knowledge none in our party were aware of the exact significance of those markings until now so there was no reason to go to them until now. Since that ring has been eliminated though Tony Plush does not feel that there is an urgency to do so now, this information can wait until this evening when my companions have returned.

Is there anything Tony Plush can do for you to assist you this moment in return for your kindness and the information you have given him?"

[Blackferne]

@Tony
The old man smiles, "I have not much need myself in these, the twilight of my days, for I can't take it with me. But the orphans can always use a little extra if you are able to give." He motions to a collection box near the door.

[Blackferne]

@trinal

The Professor and Victae get rooms at the inn across the street but come back to you. The Professor says, "If you can excuse me, I'll be off to see the Baron's clerk and get that business set up. I'll return in a few hours, though you may find me across the street in the tavern." Victae says, "I'll stay with you if you don't mind Trinal."

[Jimer Lins]

I don't mind at all, says Trinal. I'd like to find my other friends so I might share what I've learned with them.

Joun did brago show any concerns?

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[Blackferne]

@Trinal He thought is was dark and ominous, but thought it might be the ramblings of a lunatic.

[Jimer Lins]

"Well, it seems that there is some more to discuss." Trinal bows politely to Brago and walks with Victae back to the wagons with the intent of seeing when a good time would be to arrange for a group discussion.

To Victae, he says as they walk, "Although we didn't part on the best of terms, I think this information I've learned is of import and interest to them."

[ooc- did I get paid also? ]

[Blackferne]

Everyone (except Maizan, and the NPC party members) can add 180g to their inventory.

[Furiel]

@Tony
The old man smiles, "I have not much need myself in these, the twilight of my days, for I can't take it with me. But the orphans can always use a little extra if you are able to give." He motions to a collection box near the door.

"Thank you for your time and your counsel. Tony Plush suspects that you will find peace and an easing of your burdens here soon. If there is someting else you need while Tony Plush is in town do not hestate to send for him."

Tony will stand up and give him a respectful bow and start walking out. On the way to the door Tony will fish out his coin pouch and drop 5 gold into the box. If he turns to look or is watching Tony leave he'll give the man a wink and say to him

"Make sure they get something nice out of that."

then he will make his exit. From there it's to the Mighty Elk for lunch and Tony is ready to jump ahead to the rest of the group arriving in town.

[Blackferne]

@ EVERYONE but Spintik and Professor

You are gathered at Bragos. It is the evening and are getting paid.

And go.

[Jimer Lins]

Trinal introduces Victae to the group, then starts talking.

"I'm glad to see everyone made it back safely and in one piece. I feel I should apologize for the manner of my departure."/

He clears his throat and moves on.

"I did some research on the symbols we found, and also spoke with Victae's companion, a professor who has a good knowledge of such matters. It seems that the symbol is of one Bha'al, a dead god, killed by a weapon called, appropriately enough, Godslayer. Since then, cults have sprung up worshipping this dead god with the intent of bringing him back to life, which they believe they can do with artifacts of some kind. They also attempted to kill a lady of the Baron's line some three centuries ago, and have at times cropped up and been put down again."

Trinal then gets out the letters. "I believe that Heppil was not just part of this cult, but was heavily involved in it as a leader or at least supplier. Our benefactor " - here he nods at Brago "helped translate these writings." He points at the letters. "These letters are from one 'Steezo' to Heppil, discussing plans to "secure the Eastern barbarians", and mentions that these Easterners remain loyal to some "usurper". It seems that Heppil was supplying the cultists via the theft of the iron pieces and whatever he could produce himself. The letter also mentions that there is a 'League of Death' operating in the area, which they hope to recruit, but are uncertain of at this time."

Now he gets a serious look on his face.

"The most interesting part, at least to me, is that the last part of the letter mentions that a certain 'Nycro' has found a 'relic of power from hundreds of years ago'." I don't know what the relic is or who this Nycro might be, but I think it might be at least worth discussing looking into this further, because I tell you, this entire matter is very disquieting to me."

[ooc- not trying to steal Tony's thunder, Trinal is totally unaware that he found out much of this already]

[Furiel]

"Thank you for that detailed rundown Trinal, that coroborates what Tony Plush was able to learn earlier today while the rest of you were returning. With the additional information within those letters Tony Plush believes our next move would be to take this information to the the sheriff and through him to his lordship. If there is some sort of death cult making a revival here then that's the sort of thing that needs to be nipped in the bud immediately.

In the interest of full disclosure as well Trinal, we found several kegs of gunpowder at the quarry. While that could have been used to aid in the mining, it is of a concern as well because whenever you put gunpowder near a forge that was making wagon equipment it makes Tony Plush think seige equipment. It's not a long step from wagons, horse harnesses and gunpowder with a forge to be producing mobile cannons.

Once we get Brago here to consign the rest of our payment to us for goods recovered Tony Plush thinks it's best we talk to the sheriff about this tonight with the intent of talking to his lordship likely tomorrow."

[Jimer Lins]

"I concur. I would also like to point out that the Professor is already going to be seeing the Baron on some matter- " here he looks at Victae - "and perhaps we might ask him if he could facilitate an introduction."

Joun, while the conversation is going on, Trinal is going to take another gander at Brago's history books and see if he can find any references to anything that might qualify as the "artifact of power" that the letter mentioned.

History: d20+6=20+6=26

[ooc- I swear to you that I rolled a natural 20 a second time, and did not in any way mess with the result.]

[Blackferne]

Victae says "We should see how his meeting goes. His manners can be all over the map. I'm sure it will be fine, but there is always a chance he'll make some remark turning the whole affair sour. Either way we'll know when he gets back."

[Jimer Lins]

"hmm. Speaking of cannons..." Trinal shows the group a passing reference to some type of artifact being used to hurl fireballs and make clouds of smoke to obscure soldiers attacking the Duke's vanguard in a battle.

"One wonders if perhaps this 'artifact' is perhaps a cannon or something similar."

[Furiel]

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Did the letter say when the relic was found? Tony Plush has some sources that could potentially provide more information on this relic. The more background Tony Plush can give his sources though the better chance they will provide accurate and detailed information."

[Jimer Lins]

Trinal pokes around in the book some more. "...it seems that this was about 300 years ago. Interestingly enough, around the same time the cult of Bha'al tried to murder a lady in the Baron's ancestry. It does not say much about what it was or when it was made or found. But I would imagine that three hundred years ago would predate the creation of cannon or the discovery of gunpowder."

[Whiteness]

Syric listens closely but doesn't have anything to add. He would have left after being paid if it were not for the guilt he is harboring, both his treatment of Tony and the others and his failure to connect with nature.

[Blackferne]

Brago interjects, "I know I'm satisfied with your work, and I'll be seeing that product gets returned to the proper artisans, but cults, dead gods, barbarians, and a league of death is outside my areas of interest or ability. But you lot seem well suited towards assisting the Baron, Duke, hells even the King in rooting out these threats. Have you guys ever considered forming an adventuring party or two? Work together in groups to help the kingdom stop these threats? Just an idea."

[ooc] one of the problems in writing an open introduction campaign is giving people common in game cause to want to work together on a continuing basis. so here is Brago 'suggesting' you guys split into a party or two to solve these mysteries and threats. Sort of a freelance agency for the baron or duke or whomever. Think DnD A-Teams. And however you guys split one of the two groups has to take Maizan. don't worry about how yet. His in will come soon.[/ooc]

[Jimer Lins]

[ooc- I'm inclined to stay together; assuming that works for everyone else. And I'm definitely interested in looking into this artifact.]

[Furiel]

"Well, Tony Plush would agree with Mr. Truque and he thinks that we have a pretty good handle on what is going on here and our next stop should be to see the sheriff to share with him the news of the cult and the murder league or whatever they are calling themselves again. Tony Plush intends to continue to investigate this as he is confident that no good will come of it if left unchecked and Tony Plush just doesn't do business that way. Tony Plush would be happy to work with one and all of you to continue this investigation. While we may have gotten to a rough start Tony Plush believes that all fences have mostly been mended and going forward we would only continue to mesh into a more cohesive whole.

All of this is of course as soon as we finish up with our current employer as Tony Plush believes there is still a small matter of another 300 gold that he owes us..."

Tony will look at Brago with a raised eyebrow and a bit of a questioning look on his face

[Maizan]

[ooc]If the party wants to stay together I am ok with moving back to the sidelines[/ooc]

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[Blackferne]

Victae speaks up "If I'm out of line, please forgive. One way that my father organized military units was he'd have small groups be part of a larger group. So if there are eight or nine of us, we could divide into two subgroups to investigate different elements of the threats. Go together if we identify a large threat, trade information etc. Something like The Adventuring Party with squad Eagle and squad Stallion, and membership could swap based on mission objectives."

[Blackferne]

Brago says "Ah yes. An honest mistake. My mind has been racing today." He parcels out 50g to each of the original 6.

[ooc no maizan, don't sideline! I actually have made 2 different semi related adventures one is targetted to 5 players and the other is targeted to 4. I can rework it I suppose, your guys call.]

[Maizan]

[ooc] Yippie, I get to shoot party members in the back with my stick thrower.

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