DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3P - Arrival at Calling Horns

DM

It has been a long four days of travel, but as the sun edges toward the western horizon behind the party, bathing the landscape in a warm, golden light, the eastern horizon slowly transforms from a hint of something, to a shimmering mirage, to finally, definitely a well-maintained settlement.

Well-maintained is a relative term. The village ahead is walled, with 20-foot high stone walls surrounding it, although bits and pieces here and there are showing signs of age. The wall is still serviceable, however.

In the last mile before the city, a road can be seen branching off to the north toward a small, weather-beaten wooden hut with a thatched roof. The road leads to a wide gate entering the village proper, flanked by two armored men one would assume are keeping guard duty.

Jaliera

She sends Whisper aloft to take a closer look at the hut and then to fly over the village,

"Take no risks" she cautions her friend.

<Bern>

He spent some time as they approached, looking things over. The wall looked as if it had been there for some time and he was curious about the hut ... Why it was outside the wall.

Sindar

He continues to ride and observe. It is good to be in someplace new.

Davroar

He looks over the large wall that looks to be surrounding the entire town and says, "That merchant we met outside of Yartar, said Bern's twin was buying weapons here. Guess we should be careful."

Zindra
She simply smiles at all of the precautions being taken but as their guide on this road the scout chimes in.

"Calling Horns is a pretty isolated village out here on the edge of the Evermoors but it should be pretty safe here. Tamalin Zoar built up this town from being just a small roadside inn into what you see here now. Her deputies sees to that protection. Let's stay on their good side. Maybe we can learn something here."

Arus

He stretches his back and casts his eye about, including their six, before recounting their travel plans:

"Overnight at the inn here, then Noanar's Hold tomorrow."

The triton ponders a moment, perhaps wondering how best to enjoy these next two nights of civilisation.

"After that Bern and Davroar depart and we have at least four nights on the road before the rendezvous at Olostin's Hold."

Zhu

She glances at the cottage as they pass it by, musing about the various possible reasons someone would choose, or be forced to, live outside the walls. She can think of several. As they get closer, she frowns. Whoever is in charge of this village's defenses went to all the trouble to build a wall and then allowed the forest to close on that wall to the point any enemy who wanted to could walk right up unseen. It is normal military practice to clear cut the woods to a distance of more than a bowshot. But it is not her village. She'll offer advice if asked, but as Zindra said best not to get on the defenders bad side by criticizing.

She pulls her mount to a halt in front of the Gate Guards and nods politely, waiting for them to wave them thru or ask questions.

DM

Whisper flies ahead to gather whatever intelligence it can with its keen, avian eyes, relaying images to Jaliera. Inside the walls the settlement is large enough to support a hundred-or-so locals, but its position at the junction of Evermoor Way and Jundar's Pass makes it a prime location for travelers passing through to stop, rest, and/or trade. Small tracts of farmland, a small market area, and a few dozen homes are arranged neatly within the walls, strong enough to keep out random wildlife but likely not able to stop any organized attack.

The lone hut outside the walls does indeed exhibit signs of recent occupation. Whisper relays an image of a faint wisp of smoke rising from a crooked chimney, suggesting that a fire burns within although there is no way to discern whether anyone is currently inside or what they might be doing. Around the hut, the owl sees scattered belongings – a pair of well-worn boots left haphazardly on the doorstep, a partially unrolled bedroll propped up against one side of the hut, and a small garden of herbs and vegetables growing nearby, suggesting a somewhat self-sufficient dweller... and one not concerned about his or her safety from whatever the village-dwellers think the walls protect them from.

The pair of guards (or whatever they are) at the gate have definitely noticed the approaching party, but don't appear to be doing anything different, flanking the opening and apparently conversing with each other.

As the party approaches the gates, they are welcomed... if that's a word, by the pair of guards, although it's not clear the two are on the same page as far as what is required of travelers to enter.

The first guard, a burly and bearded fellow clad in chainmail, has a gruff demeanor and a suspicious squint in his eye. With a grumble, he thrusts his hand forward and declares, "Stop there, travelers! If you wish to enter Calling Horns, you'll need to pay the toll. Five gold pieces from each of you, and you may pass!"

His companion, a lanky and wiry guard with a perpetual smirk, responds with a hearty laugh. "Grommund, you old mountain of coin! Always trying to fill your purse! No, no, my dear travelers, you don't have to pay a thing," he says, extending his hand in a friendly greeting. "I'm Seraphim Quickfoot, and all we need is a bit of information. Any news, rumors, or tales from the outside world? That's payment enough for us!"

Grommund grumbles in protest, "Seraphim, you daft fool! We should be collecting the toll!"

Seraphim waves him off dismissively. "Oh, come now, Grommund, where's your sense of adventure? These folks might have some juicy tidbits to share!"

The back-and-forth continues. It seems likely neither would actually stop the party from passing by, although their gold vs. gossip debate is somewhat entertaining, even attracting some young villagers inside the wall to giggle at it. Still, they're not completely ignoring the party and would likely actually respond to any questions raised.

Jaliera

In a quiet voice before they are in hearing of the guards, Jaliera relates what Whisper had seen.

<Bern>

He starts to turn away when the first 'gate keeper' starts talking about an 'entry fee', but turns back when the other speaks. But he is not convinced that he wouldn't be happier ... =and= safer ... sleeping outside the walls. He decides to wait and hear what the others think.

Sindar

He smiles at both men. Not willing to pay 5 pg for the comforts of civilization just to enter. Yet not showing his feelings either.

"My good man, we have tales to tell. Would you prefer them in song tonight at the local inn over a libation or here and now in the street?" He swings his lyre forward clearly willing to entertain the pair of them as is decided.

"I am Sindar a humble wandering minstrel always happy to entertain for my keep," he finishes with a modest bow.

DM

Seraphim smiles at the bard. "Songs tonight at the inn!" he grins, turning to his gruff companion. "C'mon Grommund, how about you settle for an ale? You know Tamalin will appreciate their business."

Grommund huffs, still looking surly. "Fine," he mutters. "You're lucky my friend is here, 's all I gotta say."

Zhu

She listens to the exchange, then tilts her head back over her shoulder. "Might I ask who lives there?", she points to the house outside the walls. "I am curious why they choose to not live in the town with everyone else."

<Bern>

He smiles now that their entry has been accomplished peacefully. He then becomes intrigued with Zhu's question and turns back in anticipation of the answer.

DM

Grommund is quick to answer Zhu. "A witch," he says, adding, "Ain't right in the head. Don't go there, all sorts of magic around that hut."

"Nonsense," Seraphim counters his companion. "Wouldn't hurt a fly, and she's the only one in town if you need something enchanted."

"The blacksmith enchants his weapons," Grommond fires back.

"He buys them from somewhere else," Seraphim replies. "You think he's got magic?"

"I seen people get attacked by.... somethin' approaching that hut," Grommond answers.

"I've seen people walk right up and have tea," Seraphim counters.

Grommund huffs. "I still say she ain't right in the head," he states firmly, crossing his arms across his chest.

"That, my friend, we can agree on," Seraphim answers with a firm nod.

It seems Zhu has her answer. Or two of them, if she can pick which one.

Jaliera

"Is the blacksmith a dwarf?"

It might fit with the rumours she has heard? As to the witch, no reason to visit right now but somehow she expects they will find a reason before too long.

DM

Grommund's stern demeanor breaks and he lets out a hearty laugh. "Are any blacksmiths not..." he begins, before Seraphim, suddenly being the stern one, stops him with a shushing sound.

Seraphim turns to the adventurers, "No more questions unless you're going to answer ours..." he says, then gestures at his companion. "Or you can pay his price if you wanna keep your secrets."

Sindar

"I thought you were coming to the inn and going to hear our stories over the libations?" The half-elf offers a kind smile.

[OOC: Try to persuade if we need to push the guards along. Sindar is not paying them. ]

Jaliera

She feels they did answer the question but she is ready to move on if they can avoid the toll. She smiles at them.

<Bern>

Listening to the 'belligerent' one, he was starting to think seriously about just camping outside the walls. But he was willing to let the others continue ... for now.

Zhu

Her eyebrow rises as the label 'Witch', and she turns her head to look more closely at the cabin. That is definitely a place she plans to visit, but no rush right now. She thanks the guards and flicks her reins to move into the village and towards the indicated inn.

DM

"And stories we will share and you can ask me about dwarf blacksmiths then," Seraphim replies with somewhat of a smirk. "If you don't see him on the way to the inn."

His friendly demeanor slowly returns much as Grommund resumes a more stern expression.

"But let this be your first welcome to this town. We thrive on trade. We buy and sell information. We buy and sell food and libtations. We buy and sell weapons. We buy and sell protection and safety. We buy and sell more personal entertainment for those so inclined. Treat fairly and you'll be treated fairly."

He gestures toward the gate, indicating the party is welcome to enter.

As the party passes, Seraphim adds, "Market straight ahead if you need a blacksmith. Take your first left for the inn."

Davroar

As he enters he looks to the left and suggests, "I'm thirsty and hungry. Let's get to the inn."

Sindar

Having made an accord, the half-elf gives the guard a warm nod and proceeds into the town.

"I could do with something to wash the dirt from my throat as well," he agrees with Davroar.