1: Destitute in Esperance (the campaign begins)

[Hogscape]

Quinlan: "Wise words friend Charles. Whilst you pop that sack back on your head <shiver>, I shall obtain detailed directions from our new companion Floris here - then we should make haste, whether that be by land or sea to the tower of Móric the Conjuror before some other band of brave souls seeks to make their name and fortune from his passing!"

Quinlan: "Drugan, how was the squid? You seem to have spat out the best bit?"

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Drugan picks a piece of baby octopi out of his teeth with a dirty fingernail.

"Pretty good, still young enough that the heart isn't to chewy, I never eat the beaks though"

"They play murder with my bowels"

"Charles is in the right about getting to the tower as fast as we can, wizards can smell death like vultures smell rotten meat on a savanna"

"If we don't get there soon some enchanter will swoop down and loot the place before we get a chance to"

Here Drugan grins evilly.

"Besides if no one will pay for the return of the fishermen we can always keep their boat"

[burke]

"I doubt any of the fishermen would want to sail down there now. But if you want, I can ask around later today? As for a reward, although many might mourn their passing, there is no one the pay it. The fishermen and their wives are poor, otherwise they would not be fishermen."

It is quite obvious that Floris has never set foot outside Esperance. But he does his best to describe the way to the tower.

"I've never seen the place, mind you, but as I understand it, it's some 10 miles south of Esperance as the pelgrane flies. The mountains are difficult terrain, but if you follow the southern road you can go through the pass. After you have cleared the mountains you will have to take to the west, the tower should be plainly visible up on a rocky cliff by the shore."

"Be careful, that you do not stray too far to the south or you might come upon the ruins of the old city. An ancient evil is said to dwell there and travelers shun it."

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

"Ancient evil you say,hmm, I'll give that a thought"

Drugan scratches his tangled beard.

"Well if we are all set on this, should we go by sea or land?"

"I'm sick of boats myself, but it might be faster if we can find one to take us"

[Porkbelly]

Poncho: "Agreed, I think we should head for the tower."

"The thought of a 20-mile hike through the mountains without sandals gives me pause... surely some small vessel can be found to run us down the coast?"

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Drugan swings his crowbar at his side.

"Either way lets be off, if I'm not going to get my meat I'll take some loot instead"

"Here Poncho" Drugan digs some money out of his kilt. "Take some coins and get yourself some boots" "A good pair of boots can save a mans life as sure as a sword"

OOC: Drugan hands Poncho 5 coins for some boots, if thats OK.

[Porkbelly]

Poncho: "Thanks very much Drugan! I shall pay thee back twice-fold for your kindness."

"Aye, if there's no boats to be had... the south road then!"

OOC: A quick visit first to the footwear stall then... if I can get a 5gp deal for 3 pairs of sandals, I'll do that and set up Quinlan and Alwyn too.

[Hogscape]

Quinlan: "Nice work poncho. So fixated was I, on my wondrous hat, the thought of shoes never crossed my mind."

"When were fully footed I vote for a hike cross-country. I too have had my fill of the ocean for now. Let us be off and on our way before nightfall. We can camp under the stars and feast on relatively fresh squid."

...

"Anyone seen the squid?"

[danhem]

"If there is a path to follow I too vote for walking. My legs could use a good stretch. Speaking of food, does anyone have any besides the squid? I had planned to purchase some provisions with my remaining coins but they appear to have grown feet of their own and left without me."

[Hogscape]

Quinlan: "Charles, I have this squid beak if your interested in something a little al al denté?"

"Let us not forget that city of 'ancient evil' to the south though. Drugan would be right at home there."

[apeloverage]

Jun 24, 2009 6:22:08 GMT -5 danhem said:

Speaking of food, does anyone have any besides the squid?

"Behold!" Alwyn brandishes his sandwiches.

"Food for one day!"

OOC: Does 'clothing and a pack' include shoes?

[ragnorakk]

"I've spent what little coin I had stashed on the journey - but part of that expenditure
was for several days provisions," says Verklud, "which will be eaten by my companions
before I watch you wither and starve."

"As far as getting to the wizard's demesne - I'm of the opinion that we'd the wages we'd
pay for a boat would be small - and finding favor among the only other souls to frequent
that area might be wise. We might need to rely on their foodstuffs at some point too! I don't
mind the boat - provided we're not shackled in the hold! But, I will not stand in opposition
to walking through the mountains...2, 3 days? Perhaps some bowhunting can augment our
resources there..."

"I am curious. Perhaps this conjuror has only fallen under ill-luck and lives yet..."

[burke]

apeloverage, clothes and pack does not include shoes.

porkbelly00, Poncho gets a 1 GP discount for 3 pairs of sandals in a nearby stand.

Going by boat, the only fishermen knowledgeable about those waters are the ones that are missing. The other fishers have avoided the bay because they are afraid of wizards. Floris offered to ask if anyone would take you, but that won't happen until later in the day.

As for walking there, I made an error, Floris was supposed to say 10 miles south of Esperance, not 20 (1 hex on the map is 5 miles). In open terrain that would be one days journey by foot, but as half of it is through mountains I'd say it's more like one and a half. If you leave now (It's about noon), you might clear the mountain pass before the day is over.

Concerning food, a healthy person (normal or better ST and CON) can go without food for at least 3 days without any negative effects (has to drink water though) and can live on half rations for at least a month.

A suggestion, so far a small majority seems to favor walking, perhaps a leader could be chosen to settle small details like this? Based only on CHR the leader would be Alwyn and based on CHR and conduct so far, Quinlan.

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Drugan makes his way to a nearby stall and purchases another pair of sandals three large water skins and three days worth of perishable food for the party.

"Here this should set us right for a good walk"

"After that damnable ship I'll not see any of us go hungry or footsore while I've a penny to my name"

"Someone will have to help me lug this around though, I'm fit to keel over with my load already"

OOC: OK 1 have 14 gold left at this point, how much do I need to spend to outfit us with the above supplies?

[burke]

Jun 24, 2009 14:08:17 GMT -5 Toad-Killer-Dog said:

OOC: OK 1 have 14 gold left at this point, how much do I need to spend to outfit us with the above supplies?

5 gp for three large (1 gallon) waterskins (bought separately 2 gp each), plus 2 gp for the sandals if you really want them? (I think Poncho already bought for all the barefoot people.)

The food would cost 18 gp according to the price list (1 gp/person/day), Alwyn tries to help you out with the haggling but it's no use, the old crones in the food stands remain unaffected (rolled 3, for a total of 19).