Phill Eversons AD&D PBEM game - Merchant - Episode 5

From: malcolm@cstr.ed.ac.uk (Malcolm Campbell)

Date: Thu, 21 Jun 1990 15:10:36 +0000

Campaign: merchant
Date:     2 Mirtul, 1358DR Year of the Prince
Weather:  Clear, Warm (65), None, Calm,
Location: On the road North West of Searloon, Sembia.

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DM:
                 Phill_Everson everson@cs.bris.ac.uk

Players:
 Dennis_Michaelson_Cooper          Alex_Newman troll@world.std.com
                Castellan      Charles_J_Cohen charles@zip.eecs.umich.edu
         Toran_Cimberlain        Daniel_L_Rouk gt6940a@prism.gatech.edu
                  Almarik         David_E_Wall wall@hubble.ifa.hawaii.edu
            Nerod_Jergens      Jason_D_Lampert potential@oak.circa.ufl.edu
      Riandor_El_Annoreth     Malcolm_Campbell malcolm@cstr.edinburgh.ac.uk
               Tas_Felric       Mark_Giaquinto wolf@ariel.unm.edu
                    Kroda             Sam_Bell bell@sgi.com
             Sedate_Foote       Terry_Kelleher terryk@encore.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This campaign episode compilation is Copyright '90 by Phillip G. Everson
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riandor says, "Well, friends, I hope you like the tale so far, for
there are many parts yet to tell. What are we going to do with these
bandits? Myaself, I suggest we turn them in for the reward, as
compensation for our injuries (rubs acheing side).  Otherwise, they may
still be here when we come back again. How's Milember fairing, that
wound looked pretty nasty.."

"Well, I'm neither a highly trained healer, nor a cleric, but I've
learnt a bit or two about healing and the binding of wounds - a bit of
herb lore too along the way. Come, Milember, how fare you?", Castellan
says as he bends over Milember binding his wounds and crushing some
small plant leaves into some water Milember has cupped in his hands.
"Drink this", he continues.

"When you've done that Castellan, could you have a look at my ribs.. I
don't think they are serious, but they hurt a bit..", Riandor says.

"Here, Almarik. Back on the wagon with a bow. Keep watch. Take what
ever cover you can. There may be more than one archer with the bandits.
And if you see something moving call out but think before you shoot as
we'd better send out a scout", Kroda says gruffly.

Almarik clambers on the wagon, notches an arrow in his bow and looks
around, alert.

"More a scratch, than hurt. I suspect. Thank 'e for thy ministrations,
Castellan", Milember croaks. Unfortunately, it is fairly obvious that
Milember is just about beyond mortal intervention. Not even Castellan's
skills look like they're going to turn Milember around. Indeed, within
a couple of minutes, despite frantic efforts led by Castellan Milember
dies choking out the words, "'Neath the great bell o'er water -
Midsummer's Eve. Back axle, last ...ugh"

There is silence for a minute and then Castellan turns to Riandor.
"Have a seat, Riandor," Castellan says, as he looks Riandor over.  "Now
tell me, does this hurt?"  Castellan pokes Riandor's lower back.

"No, no pain there, " Riandor answers.
"And here?" Castellan pokes again.
"Nope."
"Here?"
"Nothing."

Castellan continues to check Riandor's ribs, but can find nothing
wrong.  "Well, you have been bruised, but I think you will survive!" and
with that Castellan gives Riandor's back a friendly slap.

"Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaooooooooooooowwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!" Riandor yeaows,
as he falls to the ground in agony.

Riandor looks up and grins.... "At least we gave everyone a good laugh.."

"We need a scouting party to go and see what sort of condition the rest
of the bandits are in", Castellan says, taking the initiative.

Sedate and Tas quickly volunteer.

"Good, you'll be best. A bit of advice.  Don't be heroes!  Your mission
is to find out how many are still out there, not to get yourselves
killed.  And remember, returning and telling us that nothing is out
there is better than you not coming back at all.  May Torm go with
you.", Castellan warns.

"Well spoken, Castellan.  But before you go, do you, or anyone
else, know this land?  Where is the closest safe place and what lies
between us and it?", Kroda interjects.

Dennis speaks up, a little sheepishly, "I'm not completely certain, but
I'm fairly sure if we press on that way," he raises a lanky arm, one
long finger extended towards the east "we'll hit Selgaunt.  Otherwise,
Daerlun is several days behind us.  Probably two or three times as
far."

Castellan turns around and feels stupid, "Has anyone bothered to search
the dead bodies and captured bandits yet??? Damn. (slaps hand onto head
-- yes forgetting the head wound, OUCH) nope I don't think we have, we
should do this before any of use leaves....."

Rhaindor says, "Damn. Forgot that too, Castellan, why don't you and I
search the bodies, make it look like we are looting them to the
prisoners, then try some real mean scare tactics on them. I mean, show
them a box of fish-hooks and snigger about what we did to the last ones
we caught and they'll tell us _anything_! Not that I'd go for doing it
... Tas, why don't you and Sedate get ready to set off while Castellan
and I check the bodies and prisoners. Kroda, you're the one with
experence.. Why don't you make a plan in case we're attacked by the
rest of them?  Castellan and I can catch up later. Maybe you'd better
ask our new-found friend how he fits into all this, and what he can
do.."

"Well met, Dennis, you don't mind me calling you Dennis do you, well
nevermind that, I'm Tas Felric, just call me Tas.  I am from the city
of Luskan.  Where do you hail from?", Tas asks the newcomer from atop
his wagon while still keeping a sharp lookout.

"Well...um...hullo," says Dennis, tugging nervously at the patch of
white hair over his forehead.  "My name is Dennis Michaelson Cooper.
I'm a wizard."  Dennis looks down at his long fingers in silence, then
bursts out "Look, if you lot think I was in on this with *them*," he
wrinkles his nose towards the captured bandits "Well...you're quite
mistaken! I'm just a traveller from Daerlun; I was on my way towards
Arabel and I got a little turned about.  When I came across you all
and the mess you were in...well, it was clear to see who was on the
side of the angels, am I right?  So I pitched right in."  He smiles,
openly and honestly, and the wrinkles about the corners of his eyes
and mouth show him to be older than you first suspected.  "I like to
think that any of you would have done the same for me...If I may ask,
where is this odd assortment off to, anyways?"

"Who knows anymore?", comes the reply.

Tas and Sedate head off the road, quickly slipping into the trees.

Speaking out of the hearing of the prisoners, Riandor says, "Umm.. I
don't think we should loot them for our own benefit folks. If we take
their stuff it should go in compensation to the families of those who
have been killed by these bandits first. We'll hopefully get the reward
for turning them in, and if there's any left after that, then we can
keep it. Mind you, I think we should scare them into telling us how
many others are out there, and what they are likely to do.. Still, if
you don't agree with me, I'll go along with the majority."

"I agree about the compensation, but I still think we should keep some,
because we have no coin of our own now, and our future employment is
not very secure, " whispers Castellan, while keeping an eye on the
prisoners.

Dennis scratches his head and frowns.  "Well, friend, that's all well
and good, but we haven't a clue as to who these rogues have
victimized; and it'll be a hell of a job tracking them down.  P'raps
we could just make a donation at a church, or something?"

"Well, we met the Sembian Guard on the way here, and they said there
was a reward out for this lot.. I'm sure we can arrange something with
them.  I heard they were reknowned for honesty - or am I being to niave
here...? We ought to have something from them to pay for the blood
they've shed.", Riandor replies.

"Heard a bit of what you've said about the money.  If our boss here is
dead, then we're out of funds unless we take this caravan back
ourselves and sell it.  He said it was wine or some drink in there...
maybe we'd best see.  Drink might be well and good for some, but it
isn't so hot to cause bandits to attack, is it?  Any of them alive
still?  Hmmm...", Toran says.

A wicked look passes over his face... then fades... He continues, "Oh
well, probably best to turn them in and try for a reward.  Sporting
would be fun though, but I imagine some of you would object to that...
Thieves they are and a thieves lot they should get, I say either hang
'em now or send them to the locals to deal with.  I feel sorry for any
body they've already stolen from, but not much we can do about them
now.  Lets keep it and divide it between us.  Coins hard to find when
you're out of work, which we might be... If we decide to leave the
wagons or hide them, we need to find the rest of those brigands.
Probably have a base around somewhere...  Its never too late to rid the
world of a few thieves..." He looks around before adding, "Present
company excluded I guess..."

Castellan and Riandor search the dead bodies and pile those of their
assailants near the prisoners. Riandor leering at them, murmurring
about fiskhooks, eyes and the like, but it doesn't really seem to have
much effect. There's perhaps 10 silvers and twice that number of copper
bits in total. Three short swords of dubious manufacture, a lot of
clubs and Garithnor's chainmail. Not a huge haul. They place the kit on
the rear wagon and give the money to Kroda for temporary safe-keeping.

"By the Gods, that fight felt good! Got to exercise my muscles a bit at
last ...", Toran says as he walks down towards the front of the caravan
with a huge grin on his face. "Better get to work on clearing the trail
for these wagons. Anyone want to help? We'd best leave soon lest anmore
of these scum get notions", he adds.

Dennis and Nerod follow Toran up to the front of the caravan.

As they walk Nerod asks Dennis, "How did you do that?"

"What?"

"You know with the sticky spider stuff - web."

"I really haven't done anything interesting.  I'm not being modest,
that's just the way it is."

"But, what's that?", Nerod asks pointing at a wooden stick hidden in
Dennis' garments.

"Sharp eyes, my lad ...", Dennis replies looking sharply at Nerod
before continuing, "Ah, well.  If you must know."  Dennis puts aside
his staff and stands, drawing himself to his full height.  He takes one
or two deep breaths and begins:

"Friends, I, um, am unaccustomed to public speaking, but...I shall, ah,
endeavor to both entertain and...educate.  Therefore, and with no
further delay, I present for your entertainment and..ah...  education,
the story of Dennis and the Wand of the Spider!"

Dennis looks about, blinks once or twice, and says "Well I can see
there's no way you're going to let me out of this one is there?  All
right then, here we go; but I'm no good at this, so you've only
yourselves to blame if I bore you all to sleep or make you want pelt me
with vegetables or something.  And I won't stand for *that*.  Being
pelted with fruit or what-have-you."

"I found it.  In the street.  Oh, there was a terrific commotion and
people running and yelling and some nonsense about dueling wizards,
but i must have missed all the excitement.  So I walked on to the inn
where I was staying...did I say that?  All right, so I was going back
towards my inn, wait, um."

"It was the middle of a glorious afternoon and i was going back to my,
ah, tavern.  Not really mine; the one where I was staying.  Anyway,
the place was nearly deserted, the streets and stuff , not the tavern.
I mean the tavern was too, but I hadn't gotten there yet so I didn't
know that.  And there was this wand just lying in the middle of the
street.  I knew it was a wand because I'm a wizard.  And since nobody
else seemed to know anything about it...I asked around; I'm no
thief!...then I just kept it.  Thank you."

Dennis looks about expectantly for applause, but when it becomes
apparent that none is forthcoming, notices that the others have
continued walking towards the lead wagon. "Wait for me!", he shouts
hastening after them. "I told you I was no good at this", he mutters.

Toran is clearing the road. He starts singing ...

Hay in the haystack,
wheat in the field
Farmers work hard...
but give me a shield.

Sawing and cutting
Nails in a board
Carpenters work...
but give me a sword.

I'll swing it high
swing it low
A warrior I'll be...
just give me a foe.

Bloodin's my job
to keep men free
A soldier I'll become...
just wait and see.

"There that should do it... did what I could... see you've been busy
too. Good.  Whew!  Kinda tired now..." he says.

"I didn't know you were a singer, Toran... I'll give you a good song
tonight then. As to the money, let's see what we've got, then decide
what we'll do with it.", Riandor shouts up along the caravan.

Castellan turns to Kroda and says, "It seems to me, my friend, that
with Milember is out of commision, because of all your experience, you
should become the leader of this group, at least for a while.  You have
my full support."

"I believe that as soon as the scouting party returns, we should
move our camp a few miles down the road at least.  They might have
missed the bandits, and it would be foolish to stay where they know
we are," adds Castellan.  "I also have a good feeling about Dennis.  He
did, after all, save my hide.  It has been mentioned that we should give
any money found on the bandits to people who have been harmed by them,
and I agree, but do note that we should keep some for ourselves, as we
have no coin of our own, and our futures are shaky, at best."

"Thank you.  I agree that we should get moving again after the debris
is cleared and the scouts return.   I think worrying about how to split
the spoils is premature at this point.  Everyone is keeping their head
now.  I just hope that when the thrill of a quick victory wears off
these kids don't start squabbling over copper or wanting to run of in
ten different directions.  We're not out of this yet.", Kroda wisely
replies. "Here, Castellan. Help me place Milember and Galier's bodies
on the rear wagon and cover them with tarpaulin so that we can take
them for a proper burial in the next town."

They move off towards the rear wagon, leaving Riandor to watch the
prisoners.

A short time later the bodies of your ex-employers stowed safely,
the road ahead cleared successfully, and the wagons checked everyone
gathers as Tas and Sedate return leading a horse.

"Garithnor's horse, I believe.", Tas says.

"We found the bandit's encampment - they've gone. Left you in the
lurch, haven't they?", Sedate says, leering at the prisoners.

"We'll have to hand them over to the authorities at the next town we
reach. Searloon, didn't you say, Dennis?", Castellan says sternly.

Nerod says excitedly, "There's no room for them on the wagons. We can't
just let them go! They refuse to talk."

Kroda says, "Nothing else for it. Have to kill them."

Dennis objects, "Look, this is a major road.  Well-travelled.  They
won't starve.  Let's leave them here, stripped of the weapons and
what-have-you, and send the authorities back the next chance we get.
Otherwise we bring them with us - to the authorities."

Nerod makes a move towards the prisoners reaching for his sword.

Both Castellan and Dennis react swiftly with Dennis quicker, putting
himself between Nerod and the tied-up bandits, saying, "I said no, and
I meant it."  His voice is low and dangerous.  Not at all the mild
Dennis of an hour ago.  He raises his hands in front of him, fingers
crooked in odd positions, he begins moving them in intricate patterns.
He starts a harsh, alien chant:  "Gnifful b'misiht daer nacu oyfi!" The
sky darkens and eldritch energies seem to crackle around Dennis'
outstretched hands.  The hair rises on the backs of the party members
necks; this is sorcery indeed!

References

Phill Eversons AD&D PBEM game
malcolm@cstr.ed.ac.uk (Malcolm Campbell)
Thu, 21 Jun 1990 14:57:27 +0000