[2026/02/10 14:29] Sapphire: -☼- -☿- -☼-
[2026/02/10 14:29] Sapphire: Previous Logs: http://81.133.27.194/Dungeons&Kittens/logs-2025arm/20260120.html
[2026/02/10 14:29] Sapphire: Good evening! Last time, the duo heard about a trouble bothering the messengers of the order, as well as other people traversing the roads north east of here. A howling monster with corrosive phlegm and a great dislike of the suns light.
[2026/02/10 14:29] Sapphire: -☼- -🌓︎- -☼-
[2026/02/10 14:29] Sapphire: You'd decided that you'd take the afternoon and night to make preparations. What supplies do you intend to gather? Do you wish to recruit any of the castle milita as shield grogs?
[2026/02/10 14:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: do we need either?
[2026/02/10 14:31] Mecha: Sarah is packing basic supplies, and food
[2026/02/10 14:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'll share with Sarah
[2026/02/10 14:32] Sapphire: Depends, does your school of wizardly combat prefer to get up in peoples faces or to stand behind someone else holding a big shield and an axe? You might also want enough food and water and tents to handle being out for a time.
[2026/02/10 14:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sarahs' got this.
[2026/02/10 14:34] Sapphire: Alright, heading out in morning or evening?
[2026/02/10 14:35] Mecha: Morning might be best get a good early start
[2026/02/10 14:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: morning it is
[2026/02/10 14:38] Sapphire: ( Weather roll )
[2026/02/10 14:38] D10: Sapphire rolls 3
[2026/02/10 14:40] Mecha: SO a wintery mix with little bits of pennies from heaven?
[2026/02/10 14:43] Sapphire: -☼-
[2026/02/10 14:43] Sapphire: Alright, it's the next morning, Sarah has assembled a decently sized pack of supplies, the kitchens helpfully providing from the supply of cheese, bread, and dried fruits, plus a couple skins of wine.
[2026/02/10 14:43] Sapphire: Troya earlier provided Syra with a couple of her "experimental" horses that tolerate wizards, at least most of the time. They have black coats, manes of fluffy white, and starkly red eyes that seem to disturb regular horses.
[2026/02/10 14:43] Sapphire: It's bright and only a few pale clouds in the sky. As you get down to the castle gates you can see a pair of wagons trundling their way north east, each pulled by a pair of stout mules. the contents are covered, with two people at the front of each, attention locking onto the two mages warily.
[2026/02/10 14:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: Syra: "Ho there, citizens, what might you be doing on the road this fine day?"
[2026/02/10 14:45] Sapphire: The citizens look around to the one at the front wagon with somewhat nicer linen shirt and tall boots than the others. "Ho there. We be merchants, hauling our wares up to the next town." He looks Syra over. What have the magi chosen to wear today?
[2026/02/10 14:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: The usual, I expect; good hard-wearing travel gear. "Well met, merchants. Do you have names, and just what wares are you haulling?"
[2026/02/10 14:47] Mecha: Sarah is in basics. clothes a long skirt of thick fabric a tunic and carrying the supplies that wont go on the horses
[2026/02/10 14:50] Sapphire: They have slowed down but not actually stopped. It'd be pretty easy to keep walking and talking, but standing still will take them out of range.
[2026/02/10 14:50] Sapphire: "I'm Lionel Ironmonger," he replies, one fist pounding his chest proudly in the process, "And we're hauling ironsmithed tools and goods. Pots and pans, got a big stack of horseshoes, boxes of the finest nails you'll find short of the kings own manors."
[2026/02/10 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: Syra circles round in front of the wagon and stops. "Haulling them where?"
[2026/02/10 14:54] Sapphire: Syra, roll a Perception + Folk Ken check.
[2026/02/10 14:54] Sapphire: Sarah too
[2026/02/10 14:54] D10: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 10
[2026/02/10 14:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: 11
[2026/02/10 14:54] D10: Mecha rolls 3
[2026/02/10 14:55] Mecha: 3
[2026/02/10 14:57] Sapphire: "Woah!" He pulls on the reins to stop the cart. Several of the other folk seem to get their hands onto clubs and knives, not yet brandishing them. They expect you're about to try and rob them.
[2026/02/10 14:57] Sapphire: "To the next towns north, as is my business," Lionel answers more coolly. "I must point out that you're blocking our progress, and I do not believe this road to be tolled."
[2026/02/10 14:58] Mecha: Are they going the same way as us?
[2026/02/10 14:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me takes a paper out of her pocket and flashes it quickly. "Leutenant Kaelen, Warwick City Watch. We're on the trail of some monster that spits acid at people. You're of course aware that impeding the progress of the City Watch is a criminal offence."
[2026/02/10 15:00] Sapphire: ( Isn't Warwick a german town? Area Lore + Int to use a suitably nearby town for this deception )
[2026/02/10 15:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( It's English. )
[2026/02/10 15:00] Sapphire: ( and you're in *Provance* )
[2026/02/10 15:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( Close enough )
[2026/02/10 15:01] D10: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 6
[2026/02/10 15:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: 10
[2026/02/10 15:02] Sapphire: ( *riffling through setting book* )
[2026/02/10 15:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( Feel free to pick a suitable town, I don't know Provance geography )
[2026/02/10 15:03] Sapphire: ( Langon is decently close to Castra Solis )
[2026/02/10 15:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( we'll go with that then )
[2026/02/10 15:07] Sapphire: There's some byplay from the other folk on the wagons "The City watch?" "Didn't know they'd started hiring ladies." "That one is big enough to," before they get elbowed in the ribs by their fellow.
[2026/02/10 15:07] Sapphire: Lionel looks suspicious but doesn't press the matter. "I don't know anything about acid spitting monsters. Just the rumors, but I don't give those any weight. Why would you be looking for made up monsters around here?"
[2026/02/10 15:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: "You've not seen these acid spitting monsters? And you're haulling -metalwork-? Next you'll save you've not heard about bandits on the road."
[2026/02/10 15:09] Sapphire: "Bandits seem rather more believable," he answers. "I'd imagine even they would be foolish to appear within sight of this castle," he adds, gesturing at Castra Solis.
[2026/02/10 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Then it's fortunate indeed our paths crossed. You clearly need informed guards. We'll accompany you. I'm sure you're aware of our daily rate as City Watch members - a mere 10 gold pieces per day or per part there of. We'd better get going. Lead on!"
[2026/02/10 15:13] Sapphire: "Ten gold a day!!" He sputters. "That's a kings ransom," he says, mildly hyperbolicly. "I think I'll be trusting to the strength of my own arm over a price that high."
[2026/02/10 15:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: "While you're haulling highly dissolveable metals? Please tell me you jest!"
[2026/02/10 15:14] Sapphire: "I feel it is you who jest at me, in more ways than one." He tugs the reins on his mules, attempting to turn the wagon off the road to get around your horse.
[2026/02/10 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me moves to stay squarely in front of the cart. "I can see it is economics, not common sense that is the issue here. In exceptional circumstances, I can reduce our government mandated fee by fifty percent, to a mere five gold per day."
[2026/02/10 15:17] Sapphire: ( Question, how valuable are you thinking 5 gold a day -is- ? )
[2026/02/10 15:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( Valuable enough to get two mages on their side )
[2026/02/10 15:18] Sapphire: ( You have at no point claimed to be mages. )
[2026/02/10 15:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( Indeed not )
[2026/02/10 15:18] Mecha: Sarah shakes her head and begins walking. this much talk does not get the job done." you Haggle, I move."
[2026/02/10 15:18] Sapphire: ( pulling up price lists )
[2026/02/10 15:19] Sapphire: ( since a pound of silver is approximately the annual cost to life a nice, mage or noble suitable lifestyle )
[2026/02/10 15:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( Wow, cheap! Put the price to whatever the usual might be )
[2026/02/10 15:23] Sapphire: ( *flips through notes*
[2026/02/10 15:24] Sapphire: ( Your own militia, to travel, would expect 1 silver denarii, or silver penny, a day )
[2026/02/10 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( We'll go with that, then. )
[2026/02/10 15:26] Sapphire: ( 12 pennies to a shilling, 20 shillings to a pound, and for game purposes an english penny, french denier, and roman denarius are treated as equal )
[2026/02/10 15:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( I'll have my first guinnea before we know it )
[2026/02/10 15:28] Sapphire: "You, as guards? With no sword or shield?" He frowns at this. "A penny a day for the both of you," he counter offers.
[2026/02/10 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: Syra frowns. "Seems we are the better informed. Swords and shields would only attract an acid monster. But I'll strike a bargain with you. Two."
[2026/02/10 15:30] Sapphire: "One per day and an extra two when we arrive safely to the next town," he answers back.
[2026/02/10 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Syra: "Done. A wise choice."
[2026/02/10 15:31] Sapphire: "Fine. Now, shall we be on our way? I don't want to spend more daylight than I have to."
[2026/02/10 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Indeed not, let us make speed!"
[2026/02/10 15:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: And that, Sarah, is how you get paid to find monsters.
[2026/02/10 15:33] Mecha: Sarah looks at Syra ."I am doing this in trade so I can work on the contents of my book in a study area. I have what I need."
[2026/02/10 15:34] Mecha: Also, I thought I was Bob.
[2026/02/10 15:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: Syra waits for Sarah to put her nose back in her book before pulling rude and unflattering faces at her back. "Bleh eh nuh nuh uh."
[2026/02/10 15:34] Mecha: It doesn't take long for the nose to be in said book
[2026/02/10 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: can I make a roll to resist smacking the back of her head so her nose gets shoved in the book
[2026/02/10 15:35] Sapphire: The wagons get going, some muttering between Lionel and the crew, surmising as to what -exactly- is going on and to be extra on guard for bandits as soon as the pair of women on horses ditch them to report on whatever ambush is ahead.
[2026/02/10 15:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: Syra: "What's this? Bandits?"
[2026/02/10 15:37] Sapphire: The mutterings become more quiet. "Always men with empty bellies and stolen swords these days. Or heretics trying to avoid the Lords eye by stealing from their betters."
[2026/02/10 15:37] Sapphire: Rather, the mutterings quiet and Lionel speaks up to answer
[2026/02/10 15:37] Sapphire: Alright, proceeding along the road it sounds like?
[2026/02/10 15:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me eyes the mutterer, points to fingers to her eyes, then one at the mutterer, the universal language for "I got my eyes on you!"
[2026/02/10 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: Indeed, if that's where the wagons go
[2026/02/10 15:42] Mecha: Sarah looks up and puts her book away." If we are going to help, I should keep an eye out for trouble.."
[2026/02/10 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Aye."
[2026/02/10 15:43] Sapphire: -☿-
[2026/02/10 15:43] Sapphire: The wagons and their "guards" proceed down the dirt road, passing the farms as they thin out to pastures and then squeezing between uncleared woods and steep hills over the next several hours. The wagons approach a road shrine, a small brick alter with a wooden cross raised high. Inside there are several painted slats of wood with the local saints on them.
[2026/02/10 15:43] Sapphire: "Should we stop?" "We'll lose time, but..." Lionel looks up at the sky, to the donkeys, and to the rough bushes by the woods. "We might want to fodder the beasts, and here is as good a place as any."
[2026/02/10 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: "You know your business best. There's a shrine, too, if you think a gods' favour might aid."
[2026/02/10 15:44] Mecha: "It would make sense to rest." Sarah looks at Syra. "Would be a good time to stop and eat."
[2026/02/10 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me figures it won't hurt to investigate these wooden slats in the shrine
[2026/02/10 15:50] Sapphire: Roll Divine Lore plus Int please, simple die
[2026/02/10 15:50] D10: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 9
[2026/02/10 15:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: 11
[2026/02/10 15:51] Mecha: Sarah pulls out some travel food and eats as she watches Syra
[2026/02/10 15:54] Sapphire: "Gods favor, you mean of course," one of the men comment, while they pull the wagons off the side of the road and unhook the donkeys to start chewing on the scenery.
[2026/02/10 15:54] Sapphire: Syra, as you enter the shrine you feel a faint ripple at your magic. Humble as it is, this is a house of the Divine, not of Magic.
[2026/02/10 15:54] Sapphire: Within, the painted slats are fairly humble carvings and paintings of the Virgin Mary, Saint Christopher leading travelers across rivers and hills. On the inside of the door, a scene of Knights Templars (you can tell by their tabards) spearing a gaggle of horned devils with their swords and lances. A couple offering bowls of copper hold a few silver coins, and broken loaves of bread within.
[2026/02/10 15:54] Sapphire: The merchants seem to be leaving Syra alone while she inspects the shrine, instead a couple are waiting in line outside. Lionel eyes Sarah, "would take too long to make a fire, i think. But we have a few pockets of food to eat as we go."
[2026/02/10 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: Do I have some silver?
[2026/02/10 15:57] Sapphire: yes, you likely have around a shilling or so unless you specifically took effort to have more. Which is a lot for normal folks, even armed men, but castle wizards trend towards more
[2026/02/10 15:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'll throw in two silvers and leave.
[2026/02/10 15:57] Mecha: Sarah smiles and looks at Lionel as she eats her own supplies." I mean I can try to help with a fire. though I am unsure you plan to rest."
[2026/02/10 16:01] Sapphire: The other merchants nod and give polite blessings to Syra as they pass on their way into the shrine as well.
[2026/02/10 16:01] Sapphire: Lionel nods. "This is more for the donkeys than us at this point. They'll need some time, and there's a spring where we can water them three hours from now."
[2026/02/10 16:02] Mecha: *Unsure how long you plan to rest.*
[2026/02/10 16:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: (talking of rest...)
[2026/02/10 16:02] Sapphire: "Half an hour is my plan," he answers.
[2026/02/10 16:02] Sapphire: ( but as Sonja points out, we're close to usual stop time, was about to ask if you want to pause here or try to push on )
[2026/02/10 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: We go with them, when they go
[2026/02/10 16:03] Sapphire: (( Ah, OOC i mean
[2026/02/10 16:04] Mecha: We can call it there for tonight and the pick back up with the travelers as wellas Jay and silent Bob here
[2026/02/10 16:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: Oh! I need to sleep, dead tired and I work tomorrow
[2026/02/10 16:07] Mecha: /me snuggles."Sleep well Mistress."
[2026/02/10 16:07] Sapphire: Rest well Mistress
[2026/02/10 16:07] Sapphire: may you dream of warm bread and fluffy dresses
[2026/02/10 16:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: you too, you two