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"Yessenia speaks true. A large group of bandits are holed up in that place and have enslaved such monks as have made pilgrimage there. We have seen it ourselves."
"Yessenia speaks true. A large group of bandits are holed up in that place and have enslaved such monks as have made pilgrimage there. We have seen it ourselves."
Kilur, who had not slept since the last evening, made a futile attempt to suppress his yawn.
"Mhmmh!" - Managed dorf through clenched teeth and nodded with agreement. - "Just like that! Ye
have nearly half-a-hundred armed bandits up the mountain. And they are damn well organized. They
have patrols, lookouts, set up ambushes on roads and, that's the worst bit, they have a spy in yer town!"
Kilur made a short pause to suppress another yawn and rubbed eyes with his fists.
"And I can bet a pint of beer against a cup of damned milk, that the spy - goes by the name of T-something, Tyrel or Toren - that the guy might some ties with the guards. So, in short, master Commander, sir, I say we can help ye root that rat out, so ye won't have to double-guess who of ye people ye can trust. All we need is yer approval, permission to act as representatives of the town law and" - another stifled yawn - "and money!"
"Whatever their numbers may be, as of tonight there are three fewer of them,"said the Colonel in response to the dwarf, "but yeah, we need to find their informant."
"Yessenia speaks true," Brytter said. "A large group of bandits is holed up in that place have enslaved such monks as have made pilgrimage there. We have seen it ourselves."
The commander looked shocked.
"You mean to tell me, that the pile of rubble, the same one many here considered abandoned and is currently fortifying a bunch of crooks?" he asked incredulously.
Jess shook her head.
"We didn't physically seethe monks but confirmed, through that man we brought into custody, that the ones who've come into town the past few weeks and 'disappeared' were taken captive."
The commander nods.
Kilur, feeling exhausted from the expedition, chimed in.
"Just like that, ye have nearly half-a-hundred armed bandits up the mountain," he said. "And they are damn well organized. They have patrols, lookouts, set up ambushes on the roads. And, that's the worst bit, they have a spy in yer town!"
"Who?" the command asked.
"And I can bet a pint of beer against a cup of damned milk, that the spy - goes by the name of T-something, Tyrel or Toren - that the guy might some ties with the guards. So, in short, master Commander, sir, I say we can help ye root that rat out, so ye won't have to double-guess who of ye people ye can trust."
The Colonel spoke up as well.
"Whatever their numbers may be, as of tonight, there are three fewer of them," he said. "But, yeah, we need to find their informant."
The commander gritted his teeth. "I have a sneaking suspicion of who that might be," he said, raising a hand. "However, I need to check with some of my contacts. I don't believe in pointing a finger at someone and accusing them of being a traitor to this town without having sufficient proof. Please, give me the rest of the day to figure this out."
He opened his desk and pulled out a small piece of parchment. He scribbled a few, illegible lines.
"Marcus!" he shouted.
The door opened, revealing the same guard that led the party to the command. He shuffled to the desk.
"Take this and give it to Richard," the commander said.
The guarded nodded, took the slip and weaved through the party, out the door.
"Master Commander, sir, I saw we can help ye root that rat out, so y won't have to double-guess who of ye people ye can trust," Kilur said. "All we need is yer approval, permission to act as representatives of the town law and money!"
"I appreciate the offer, sir" the command said. "But I prefer to handle finding the traitor myself."
He paused.
"I am, however, willing to let you assist in this investigation," he said. "If I can find the person, I will allow you to escort a few of my guards to make the arrest."
"Yessenia speaks true," Brytter said. "A large group of bandits is holed up in that place have enslaved such monks as have made pilgrimage there. We have seen it ourselves."
The commander looked shocked.
"You mean to tell me, that the pile of rubble, the same one many here considered abandoned and is currently fortifying a bunch of crooks?" he asked incredulously.
Jess shook her head.
"We didn't physically seethe monks but confirmed, through that man we brought into custody, that the ones who've come into town the past few weeks and 'disappeared' were taken captive."
The commander nods.
Kilur, feeling exhausted from the expedition, chimed in.
"Just like that, ye have nearly half-a-hundred armed bandits up the mountain," he said. "And they are damn well organized. They have patrols, lookouts, set up ambushes on the roads. And, that's the worst bit, they have a spy in yer town!"
"Who?" the command asked.
"And I can bet a pint of beer against a cup of damned milk, that the spy - goes by the name of T-something, Tyrel or Toren - that the guy might some ties with the guards. So, in short, master Commander, sir, I say we can help ye root that rat out, so ye won't have to double-guess who of ye people ye can trust."
The Colonel spoke up as well.
"Whatever their numbers may be, as of tonight, there are three fewer of them," he said. "But, yeah, we need to find their informant."
The commander gritted his teeth. "I have a sneaking suspicion of who that might be," he said, raising a hand. "However, I need to check with some of my contacts. I don't believe in pointing a finger at someone and accusing them of being a traitor to this town without having sufficient proof. Please, give me the rest of the day to figure this out."
He opened his desk and pulled out a small piece of parchment. He scribbled a few, illegible lines.
"Marcus!" he shouted.
The door opened, revealing the same guard that led the party to the command. He shuffled to the desk.
"Take this and give it to Richard," the commander said.
The guarded nodded, took the slip and weaved through the party, out the door.
"Master Commander, sir, I saw we can help ye root that rat out, so y won't have to double-guess who of ye people ye can trust," Kilur said. "All we need is yer approval, permission to act as representatives of the town law and money!"
"I appreciate the offer, sir" the command said. "But I prefer to handle finding the traitor myself."
He paused.
"I am, however, willing to let you assist in this investigation," he said. "If I can find the person, I will allow you to escort a few of my guards to make the arrest."
"Yessenia speaks true," Brytter said. "A large group of bandits is holed up in that place have enslaved such monks as have made pilgrimage there. We have seen it ourselves."
The commander looked shocked.
"You mean to tell me, that the pile of rubble, the same one many here considered abandoned and is currently fortifying a bunch of crooks?" he asked incredulously.
Jess shook her head.
"We didn't physically seethe monks but confirmed, through that man we brought into custody, that the ones who've come into town the past few weeks and 'disappeared' were taken captive."
The commander nods.
Kilur, feeling exhausted from the expedition, chimed in.
"Just like that, ye have nearly half-a-hundred armed bandits up the mountain," he said. "And they are damn well organized. They have patrols, lookouts, set up ambushes on the roads. And, that's the worst bit, they have a spy in yer town!"
"Who?" the command asked.
"And I can bet a pint of beer against a cup of damned milk, that the spy - goes by the name of T-something, Tyrel or Toren - that the guy might some ties with the guards. So, in short, master Commander, sir, I say we can help ye root that rat out, so ye won't have to double-guess who of ye people ye can trust."
The Colonel spoke up as well.
"Whatever their numbers may be, as of tonight, there are three fewer of them," he said. "But, yeah, we need to find their informant."
The commander gritted his teeth. "I have a sneaking suspicion of who that might be," he said, raising a hand. "However, I need to check with some of my contacts. I don't believe in pointing a finger at someone and accusing them of being a traitor to this town without having sufficient proof. Please, give me the rest of the day to figure this out."
He opened his desk and pulled out a small piece of parchment. He scribbled a few, illegible lines.
"Marcus!" he shouted.
The door opened, revealing the same guard that led the party to the command. He shuffled to the desk.
"Take this and give it to Richard," the commander said.
The guarded nodded, took the slip and weaved through the party, out the door.
"Master Commander, sir, I saw we can help ye root that rat out, so y won't have to double-guess who of ye people ye can trust," Kilur said. "All we need is yer approval, permission to act as representatives of the town law and money!"
"I appreciate the offer, sir" the command said. "But I prefer to handle finding the traitor myself."
He paused.
"I am, however, willing to let you assist in this investigation," he said. "If I can find the person, I will allow you to escort a few of my guards to make the arrest."
Kilur's vote is for the long rest, so we can be up at full strength at the evening.
Is there a badge or door label with Commander's name, I hope it's not Cmd. Torel?
Kilur's vote is for the long rest, so we can be up at full strength at the evening.
Is there a badge or door label with Commander's name, I hope it's not Cmd. Torel?
"Always happy to help the authorities with the arraignment of seditious elements, sir. What remuneration did you have in mind for our services?"
As the party headed out following the meeting with the Commander, Thomas turned to address them. "We mustn't forget our primary reason for going up the mountain in the first place, either. We need to report our findings to our current employers. And if they make us another offer... I don't think any of us believes at this point that they won't... I believe I'm going to need a little more time in the city archives, or some other source of information on what went on at the Monastery. I feel I didn't properly convey what I felt down there in the roots of that prison. It was - it was strong. I don't know how much, but sensing arcane power that clearly, through so much physical interference...? I think we'll need to find any information we can before going back. I can't believe there wouldn't be some telltale of that power's presence somewhere in the city that constructed the place."
Tom turned to face Jess. "Lady, have you got a consistent method of contacting the Bro-... our employers? The sooner we receive direction the better, I think."
Thomas reminded the party about their mission and turned to Jess.
"Lady, have you got a consistent method of contacting the Bro-... our employers? The sooner we receive direction the better, I think."
Jess nodded. "If I can get a message out in the next hour or so, I should get a response in the morning. In that case, if you'll excuse me..." Jess shimmied her way out of the room, leaving the party with the commander.
Thomas turned to the commander.
"Always happy to help the authorities with the arraignment of seditious elements, sir," he said. "What remuneration did you have in mind for our services?"
The commander stroked his chin. Then, he burst out a guffaw, slapping his knee.
"Well, I ain't payin' you to escort my boys to make an arrest," he said. "However, for brining that lowlife from the mountains alive, how does 20 gold pieces sound? To sweeten the deal, I would pay a hefty bounty for bringing the leader of them ruffians in the mountains here... alive. What say you, master wizard?"
The party stood in silence. The commander smirked.
"Well. Based on your silence, I'll take that as a yes," he said, pounding the table. "That's done."
He stood up, motioning the party to leave his office.
"Now, if you don't mind, I have some work to do with my sources regarding this 'T' character, and I'll need the office."
The party filed out of the office. A different guard met them out the door. "Follow me, please," he said, guiding them through the narrow hallways of the garrison until they were outside. Once the last person was out, the guard slammed the door behind them.
It's dusk now, and looking around the group, you see the fatigues on each of your faces. You all decide to head back to the inn to take a long rest.
Margaret greeted the party, asking rhetorically, "Same rooms as last night?" The party was too tired to answer. "Very well. I'll collect payment in the morning."
***
DM said:
The party slept very well, restoring all health and spell slots. For bringing in the bandit alive, you all receive 50XP.
The next morning, the party gathered in the lobby, rested, refreshed, and ready to take on the day.
They spot Jess sitting on a table. She had a smirk on her face. The party approached.
"I heard back from The Brotherhood," she said, plopping a dark sack on the table, coins jingling inside. "That's your payment -- 50 gold pieces -- for finding out that the monks have been taken prisoner in the mountain fortress. They were also so grateful for the information, that I persuaded them to throw in an additional 30. You're welcome."
Jess divided the coins, giving each person 15 gold pieces.
DM said:
For completing The Brotherhood's initial mission, each player gets 100XP. With that, everyone should at least be at Level 2.
"That's not all," she said. "The Brotherhood is keen to gaining access to that fortress, and they are willing to pay a very hefty sum -- 100 gold pieces each -- for finding a way to remove those ruffians. What do you think?"
Tom took a long look at Jess in the wake of the offer. "Lady, you've proven you're willing to fight in deadly combat by our side, and your securing additional payment is greatly appreciated. So please don't take this as an insult. But 100 gold apiece is laughable for what they're asking of us. Reconnaissance and cleanup of a former prison complex now run by a well-organized and -equipped band of cutthroats, making use of slave labor - part of which includes the Brotherhood's very members, mind you - for who knows what purpose, who oh by the way also happen to have an as-yet unknown presence in the law enforcement and government of this city? And I stress that said band may not even be the biggest problem we'll be facing. I must emphasize, again, the power I felt radiating from that complex.
"No, if we are to take on a job of this magnitude I feel either we must be paid a great deal more, or we must be able to secure much greater support from our possible employers than well-wishes and a cart with a donkey. Possibly both. We need time to research the threat in front of us, and resources to prepare. Again I say with the greatest newfound respect, lady - but perhaps another meeting between the Brotherhood and our full group is in order. There is simply too much that must be hashed out.
"Speaking of respect... I believe if we're to take on a task of this nature, perhaps it is time you told us a little more about yourself. How did you become involved in all this mess? I still remember your saying you've been "stuck" in this town due to Thalen. What is his role in all this?"
Following Jess's answer, Tom turned to the rest of the group. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am prepared to accept the Brotherhood's offer, so long as they give it the attention and resources it deserves. I feel my home is under a grave threat, and I didn't leave behind my family legacy to sit and wait for it to come to us. What say you all?"
LMAO gottem. That's what we get for not responding in time to your prompt :D
Two questions:
Did kitty report anything unusual during her tailing of Jess to the Brotherhood meeting? I know I set those orders waaaay back in the thread so if you don't think it's fair for us to have that kind of information I'm fine with that. Depending on what my familiar saw I'll probably stop having Jess tailed. She did fight and kill with us, after all.
I was also wondering if you had any general direction vv how we should be playing out this section? Like, anything you want to let us know to focus/not focus on? I don't want spoilers, just to make sure we don't unnecessarily bog you down going off on rabbit trails, if that makes sense.
Did kitty report anything unusual during her tailing of Jess to the Brotherhood meeting? I know I set those orders waaaay back in the thread so if you don't think it's fair for us to have that kind of information I'm fine with that. Depending on what my familiar saw I'll probably stop having Jess tailed. She did fight and kill with us, after all.
You made that order a long time ago (in game time), so I'll rule that you don't have the current information. If you're still suspicious of Jess' motives, then you're free to figure out a way to get to the truth of her motives.
I was also wondering if you had any general direction vv how we should be playing out this section? Like, anything you want to let us know to focus/not focus on? I don't want spoilers, just to make sure we don't unnecessarily bog you down going off on rabbit trails, if that makes sense.
I don't have anything I want the party specifically to focus on. The choice is yours
There are a couple of things to do at the moment:
1. Figure out who "T" is by helping the commander with his investigation.
2. Take The Brotherhood's new contract to clear out the mountain prison. You know its location and that it's heavily guarded. You could try to recruit Brookhaven's garrison to launch an operation; Or you could figure out a way to sneak in (the prisoner you captured is still alive in the jail somewhere); Or figure out a third way to do it.
3. None of the above. You got your money from The Brotherhood's first contract. Your business is done, and you're free to tell them all to fuck off and embark somewhere else. Don't be surprised if they track you down somewhere else, though.
Following Jess's answer, Tom turned to the rest of the group. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am prepared to accept the Brotherhood's offer, so long as they give it the attention and resources it deserves. I feel my home is under a grave threat, and I didn't leave behind my family legacy to sit and wait for it to come to us. What say you all?"
"They are some stingy bastards!" - admitted Kilur with grudging respect in his voice. - "Damn it to damned pits, count me in. But can ye make them to throw in some healing mixtures at least? We were lucky none of us met our ancestors last night."
The dorf looked around to see if they could talk without being overheard by anyone.
"So how about we find that T and see what he knows?"
Kilur proposed a few thoughts.
In dwarf's opinion, the Spy could be a guy with some connections and money to be able to arrange all those supplies deliveries without much suspicion.
Perhaps a merchant who deals with hunters or woodcutters or coal-burners, or whoever who has a reason to spend time in the mountains.
"Jess, yer being a guide and all, do ye know if anyone here buys meats or claws and shit from local hunters? Maybe a tailor who always needs pelts?"
And for the Tavern-mistress the dorf had another question, in the moment when Margaret was not busy with other customers.
After giving some ham-fisted compliments to the quality of food (and the way how well stocked the menu seemed to be), he inquired if the tavern-lady could advice a good supplier who might be willing to arrange deliveries from Brookhaven or nearby villages to a camp in he mountains.
"Hah, I was about to suggest we spy on their camp and see who supplies them and track him to the local element. I see we are like to hit the same target from opposite ends, friend dwarf."
"A hundred gold pieces may not seem much for a job this dangerous, but remember we're free to do as we please with the spoils,"said the colonel, smirking and patting his newfound set of armor, "And a fortress ran by thieves and bandits for who knows how long now sounds like the right place to look for loot. Hell, I might have done it for free, had the Brotherhood fools not already offered us money."
"But I'd say it's better to avoid charging head first at the prison," he continued, weighing their options,"The commander seems confident he'll find the traitor on his own, so we might as well focus our efforts on helping our good friend Thomas here in investigating the power he sensed."
"If a guy who can set people aflame is worried, I am worried."
"Well," she said. "Let's take a set and talk this out."
The party found an empty table in the tavern and took their seats. A waiter arrived.
"Anything you all would like?"
"We'll take the grand breakfast," Jess said.
"Excellent choice. That includes pancakes, bacon, eggs, toast, sausage links, shredded potatoes, fruit, cow and goat milk, and coffee. That sound all right?"
Jess nodded.
"Very well, madame."
Jess turned to Thomas. "I admire your boldness at refusing 100GP. That money would buy many people in this town a new life, including myself. That meeting you want? We're having it, as I am the only person in this town who has direct communication with The Brotherhood. If it's more money you seek, then I suggest you make a counteroffer, and I can relay that to the group."
"Perhaps it is time you told us a little more about yourself," Thomas said.
The waiter returned, coffees in hand. Everyone took a cup. Jess used her to warm her hands.
"Very well," she said.
***
Jess was born an only child in Neverwinter, a city far off near the coast. Her mother died when she was 10, and her father moved them to Fourtower Bridge, where he worked odd jobs until finding steady employment as a scribe. They moved again after her father found a job in Brookhaven, assisting the city counsel with managing the prison and keeping the underground network at bay.
A few years later, her father died. A doctor concluded his death to a rare disease from beyond the mountains. Something in Jess told her the doctor was lying. She wanted answers and started looking.
Her investigation didn't get far until a mysterious man approached her with a proposition: Help him steal a prized jewel from Thalen, one of the most powerful men in the city, and he can help her find out what really happened to her father. Jess took the deal.
After a few months of planning with the man, the night of the heist arrived. The plan was a complete failure. As Jess entered Thalen's study, where a large ruby sat on a stand, guards barrelled from side doors and arrested her, as if they were waiting for her.
The city put her on trial, threatening five to 10 years in prison. But, from the shadows, Thalen emerged and convinced the council to release her, arguing that her father's death had taken her down a path of crime and someone who can be saved. The council, somehow, acquiesced
Turned out the deal wasn't as sweet. The city council released Jess on a few conditions: She could not leave the region, she needed gainful employment, and she must report whereabouts and activities to the council.
The most sinister condition came from Thalen. "I own you now," he later told her. "And you will cease your little investigation into what happened to your father. And if I find out you've disobeyed me, I'll throw you down the deepest, darkest hole I can find."
Jess, terrified about the consequences, agreed. The agreement was for the duration of the minimum punishment for grand theft: five years. As of today, it's been seven, and Thalen has not shown any sign of relinquishing his grip on her.
Despite that, the checkins have relaxed, and she's traveled farther out, even beyond Fourtower Bridge, on the condition she sent work in writing.
Like her father, she did odd jobs for years -- bar maiden, librarian, scribe -- until she landed on being a guide. She is a skilled rider and hunter and found her calling helping groups traverse the treacherous roads through the mountains.
Word reached beyond the region about her skill and, soon, The Brotherhood reached out to her about some contracts. At first, it was protecting and helping priests get to Brookhaven, then guiding them through the mountains. The Brotherhood trusted her, and she became a contact for them in the city. The pay was lucrative, and Jess established a small life for herself in the city, albeit one silently controlled by Thalen.
"He's a scoundrel," she said, shrugging. "But, what am I to do? I cannot run. Thalen will find me. And then I'll lose everything I've done so far."
***
By the end of her story, the party finished the massive breakfast. Plates and cups stacked on the table. Some sat with pants unbuttoned after overindulging themselves with pancakes. Others sipped on their second, even third, cup of coffee.
Kilur brought the conversation back to the job offer, raising the priority of finding out who "T" was and suggesting the informant in town could be connected to the deliveries being made between the town and the prison. Brytter suggested the same thing, and the two shared a laugh and a fist bump.
He turned to Jess.
"Jess, yer being a guide and all, do ye know if anyone here buys meats or claws and shit from local hunters? Maybe a tailor who always needs pelts?"
Jess nodded. "There are many tradesmen here, a few of them I've worked with some of them personally."
Kilur thanked her and quickly walked over to Margaret. He inquired about a reliable delivery service, but the woman could not answer his question. He returned to the table.
The Colonel reminded the group that, despite the seemingly low offering price, they do have a dibs on whatever spoils might be at the prison. He suggested investigating the power Thomas felt while outside the prison.
***
This was my 5,000th post on this site. I'm glad this was the post that got me past an interesting milestone
Before I make a post, just how large Brookhaven is?
I had an impression it's a small backwater town on the frontier.
If Homlet (a village) is 1 and Baldur's Gate (regional capital) is 10, what size would be Brookhaven and Four Towers.
Before I make a post, just how large Brookhaven is?
I had an impression it's a small backwater town on the frontier.
If Homlet (a village) is 1 and Baldur's Gate (regional capital) is 10, what size would be Brookhaven and Four Towers.
Fourtower Bridge is a 7-8. Brookhaven is about a 4-5. My use of "city" and "city council" came to me in my writing flow, so I apologize if that misconstrued things. I can address the group of leaders running Brookhaven as The Council from now, if that helps.
Brookhaven is definitely a smaller town than Fourtower Bridge, but it's the largest among those situated up in the mountains. It's a central hub, like a river delta: one road goes into town from flatter regions, and multiple roads sprout out the deeper you want to go into the mountains.
