Arabelle Adventurers Quest Notes 2011-08-21
Characters Involved: 
Book, 
Nora, 
Merry, 
Tempest, 
Ugly, 
Mahina, 
Rust, 
Lock, 
Stock, 
Barrel
From Last Game
See Arabelle_Adventurers_Cottage_With_Jux_RP
Questing
(Note: The party has not yet slept).
First Meeting with Rust
Merry leaves Lock & Barrel, takes Stock.
Mahina stays with Ugly to watch the captives
Rust opens the door himself when party gets there.
Party exchanges pleasantries, Rust says he was just talking about Tempest.
Tempest introduces the party who is there with her: Nora, Book & Merry.
Merry gives Stock a command to stay outside.
Tempest explains she met her new friends through various circumstances and that they want to help her with Rust's problem.
Rust invites them inside.
Hard to tell how old Rust is but carries himself as if he could be 45 or 50.
Rust is nervous that Tempest showed up with people he doesn't know because his investments have caused him some drama. He states that they have gotten more investors because he has reassured them that Tempest has been guarding their plans.
Rust offers another, more posh cottage to Tempest on the other side of town if she needs it.
Merry tells Rust about ambush in vague terms and Rust is thrilled, saying it's another story he can give about how great Tempest is at thwarting rogues.
Merry leverages this to see if Rust can figure out who might have sent someone to ambush them because he's afraid it is someone high up in the city and thinks there might be some security issues with keeping the rogues in the town jail. Rust says he'll make a big stink to keep them secure and it would help his cause immensely.
Rust is confused when they tell him that the captives are at the cottage, and Book reassures him that they are in the shed. Rust is still not thrilled that they are at his property. He calls for one of his servants.
Malcolm is briefed by the party about the captives (H Trick & Jux). Tempest goes with Malcolm to get town guard. Malcolm explains these brigands attacked Tempest, the town heroine, and easily gets them to comply.
Arresting Jux & H. Trick
Merry moves his dogs into a clearing nearby.
Malcolm speaks to the guard and explains that Tempest was attacked again by Rust's enemies, and that she "kindly accosted" them (since she could have killed them easily). The guard go with Malcolm and Tempest to the cottage.
Merry goes back to the cottage and briefs the rest of the team on what's going to happen. The guard talks to Jux through the door, since he is still fully armed.
Jux is complaining about charges. Guard threatens to burn down shed if he doesn't come quietly.
The guard takes away Jux but sees Nora. Looks at her and Book and says that the deceased man is a wanted criminal. The innkeeper has completely changed his story, says they were banging around all night.
Merry asks where the information has come from and says lots of people have come forward to identify it. Book asks what he was accused of and the guard says to come down to the station tonight and they'll explain, want to ask them some questions.
Merry says he doesn't want to go if they are being set-up, Book says that is surely what they are trying to accomplish.
Mahina looks at everyone and listens with interest. She raises her eyebrows at Book's suggestion of opening some kennels.
Tempest doesn't think Rust is going to be happy with the fact that Nora is associated with Waldthear who apparently is now a criminal.
Malcolm walks up & commends them. Says he warned some shopkeepers about attackers about- circulating stories of the party's accomplishments.
Party agrees to go back and see Rust. Book comments that they actually do have plans tonight. He recommends an "8-hour power nap" and then have dinner with Rust.
Mahina walks into the cottage, sits down in a chair, and goes to sleep. Book says it's a good idea. The rest of the party tries to decide what to do with her. Tempest asks if Ugly wants to stay there and guard her.
Malcolm stops the rest of the party and says that Rust would want to meet them. Book says he's got it. Ugly goes to pick up Mahina. She appears to be asleep but 
Squirt is agitated.
The party goes to see Rust again. Merry leaves his dogs outside.
Second Meeting with Rust
Malcolm fills Rust on how things went & gives some covert instructions to Malcolm. Mahina overhears this as does Nora. He's telling Malcolm who to tell the propaganda to so that they can establish public guilt for Jux and H Trick. Names names that they don't recognize.
Tempest tries to awaken Mahina through nudging, talking... then a little harder nudging. She appears to not awaken.
Rust looks at party- is taken aback by Mahina and Ugly. Merry explains she is so exhausted that she couldn't take another moment of standing.
Rust leads the party inside and Ugly sets Mahina down on the couch.
Rust wants to talk to Tempest privately. He leads Tempest away and asks her how much she trusts her new companions. She says that she does trust them.
Rust introduces himself to the party. He states he is the lead investor in the Walgorg family weaponsmithy. He introduces them to the Walgorg family members who are inventors of the Walgorg-Tempest Crossbow.
Ugly introduces himself, Tempest clarifies that his actual name is Roscoe. Ugly then tries to proselytize to Rust.
Tempest introduces Mahina. Asks the party where they are from and Merry explains that Mahina is from Arabelle.
| GM Text | GM: Merry is likely from Cordeiro. |
Book states he is from nowhere he would heard of- Hakan. Rust says he is well-learned and may know where he is from. Book just looks at him. Tempest says he is a bit abrupt but talent, Rust comments that he must be a bit "bookish".
Nora tells him the name of her town. Rust says he's familiar- it's just right outside of Gallenfeld.
Rust says he needs their help. The Walgorgs' competitors are pulling out all the stops. They just learned that the Walgorgs' bodyguards may have been infiltrated.
Eins Walgorg, Jr: We found out competitor has a lot more money, etc.
They need to get the first few prototypes to a crafting village up north. They need escorts to get to the village- it is very important.
Book states they are not allowed to leave the city. He says he'll leave anyway, but just an FYI.
Rust questions why. Merry explains that they have mutual friends who went through recent peril and the guards wanted to ask questions about the lady at the church, etc. Continues in terms vague enough to explain but not specific enough to implicate them in anything.
Rust says if they don't have a magistrate summons, they are free to leave. Asks about the sick woman. Tempest explains she is very ill, is not Mahina, is in the care of the church. Rust asks which church. Tempest pretends like she is trying to remember the name.
Book changes the subject and loudly asks about escorting. Rust asks if that is something they would like to do. Ugly asks if he can punch things.
Merry says it would be good for us all to strengthen our bonds of friendship by accompanying her on the journey.
Rust says he needs some reassurance from the rest. He pulls out a solid gold handle- looks like a wax sealer. Hold it up. "This is a contract mark and this will magically assure that you do what you say you will do." (Within what you are able to accomplish, that is.)
Everyone senses he is sincere and not uncommon for him to do this- nothing shady.
Book asks about payment. Rust says he thought it was payment to make their "problem" go away, and will consider that pre-payment, but will mention monetary compensation when they return.
Merry interjects that information would be more useful than money.
Rust says he would be happy to help him research anything- wants to know if there is any subject on which he could get started. Merry says he'd like more information on Waldthear and why they believe he is a criminal. Tempest explains that the rest of them do not know him well, but Nora explains that he was her teacher.
Rust thinks it is odd that a college professor was found dead, but will do what he can and it is a fair exchange. He says if everything goes perfectly than they will all be quite pleased.
Then Rust asks the party to hold out their hands and approaches them with the enchanted, gold sealer. He approaches Ugly first and re-explains the purpose. Merry simplifies for Ugly, Ugly is satisfied that he gets to hurt someone but is still a bit unsure. Merry holds his hand out and takes the pledge.
Ugly holds out his giant hand, while Tempest tries to wake Mahina.
At Tempest's first touch, Mahina jumps up & stands uncomfortably close to Rust. She juts out her hand and states, "By placing my hand on this I agree that I shall see the belongings safely."
Rust asks the group to meet him on his driveway first thing tomorrow morning. Book requests some kind of armor, to which Eins Waldgorg, Jr agreed. Eins is going to fit Book up with leather armor in the morning. Afterward, Rust kicks the group out of his house.
Later that evening...
Merry goes in search of information on the Walgorgs.
Merry sets Nora and Book up at the inn he's staying at, so that they can avoid being taken in for questioning by the town guard. Tempest, Ugly, and Mahina go back to Tempest's place to rest and get some sleep. Everyone is to meet up back at Tempest's at dawn.
Merry learns that the Walgorgs have been in business for 160 years and it's been passed down for a few generations. The current father has been in charge for a long time (Eins Walgorg). During the Interegnum, they helped build a a lot of crossbow weaponry for soldiers from this area. That established them in the good graces of people in this area. After the war was done, a lot of the weapons spread throughout several areas of the world. Merry was not able to unearth any dirt about the Walgorgs, which is a good thing.
Gathering at Tempest's Cottage
Lots of activity at the guardhouse, it is noted.
The party gets a good night's rest and Merry, Nora, and Book awake shortly before dawn and walk to Tempest's house to meet up with the others.
Merry lets his dogs run around the yard. Mahina runs around with them. Squirt eats little pieces of meat off the table (that Mahina sprinkled around on it) and squirms around happily.
The Journey Begins
The party preps, gets their animals, and heads to Rust's. Rust is grateful for their help. Everyone loads up on Merry's wagon.
Book asks if we're expecting undead, states that he's useless, and will be waiting under the cart.
Mahina appears to be mumbling under her breath throughout the stories to her chest. She then leans one ear to her chest, then explodes in laughter. Tempest asks what she's laughing at but Mahina just shakes her head.
Merry explains he has lots of supplies because he is often out travelling at months at a time. Merry hands three journal-sized novels to everyone- they are notes of his adventures, "Tales of the Outland" as well as various stories that tribes of the Ulan tell.
Book asks Mahina if she can lower the river. She shakes her head no.
As Mahina knows the area, she will occasionally jump off the wagon and frolic about in the area.
Book starts to memorize the books that Merry wrote.
The journey continues! Merry talks to Ugly and Ugly is happy to talk to him about his tribe.
On the second day of our journey, the wagon slows, the driver lets go of the reins and looks over as the elder Eins Walgorg slumps over and falls off the wagon.
Merry stops the wagon, Book looks around, and Nora goes to the elder Walgorg. Book leaps up from his seat. Book notices the wagon driver is holding a bloody dagger and is backing up towards the junior Walgorg.
Rage Against the Assassin Driver
Book overchannel mindthrusts the driver because he can see the bloody dagger in his hand. Book yells, "Assassin!" and points at the driver, who is reeling now.
The driver then lunges at Walgorg, Jr, stabs him, and leaps off the wagon.
The dogs are alert and guarding the wagon.
A fighter comes up from the forest! Book tries to punch him in the nose but misses. He then overchannel mindthrusts the fighter. The fighter is reeling!
An arrow comes from nowhere and misses Tempest. She then attacks the driver with her whirling scimitars. The driver doesn't stand a chance and falls over, lifeless!
Stock attacks the fighter.
Nora discovers that Walgorg, Sr. is dead. She takes a step towards Walgorg, Jr. and finds he is just unconscious but he is poisoned. Nora shouts this to the rest of the party.
Ugly charges to the fighter and slices him in half with a mighty roar!
Mahina heals Eins Walgorg, Jr. to full. Merry keeps a sharp eye out for the other assailants. Barrel runs off toward the thing that shot him.
Book searches the rogue, who has 42 gold, 20 arrows, 1 compound longbow, empty vial, a masterwork dagger, masterwork studded leather, and thieves tools. The fighter has splint mail and 15 gold.
Tempest hears a dog wheezing. An arrow flies from the direction of the noise and hits her in the shoulder. Tempest moves toward the sound and slices the archer.
Nora attempts to identify the poison afflicting Walgorg, Jr.
Ugly rushes toward Tempest, along with Lock. Ugly finishes off the archer with a point-blank shot from his giant compound bow.
Mahina gives Walgorg, Jr an antitoxin capsule to help counteract his poisoning.
Merry runs off towards Tempest, Ugly & dogs.
Lock sniffs Barrel's corpse to get his attacker's scent. Merry goes over to his fallen dog. He yells out for a healer to come help. Mahina runs over to Merry and Barrel. She gets the arrow out of him and stabalizes him. Merry then carries him back to the wagon. Mahina follows.
Assassination Attempt Aftermath
Tempest searches the archer and finds 257 gp, longsword, longbow, and studded leather.
Book asks Eins Walgorg Jr. who hired the driver, and he says that he was a long-time friend of the family. He is heartbroken about his dad.
Merry searches for arrows and other party members assist. They find more arrows than there were available for people to fire. He calls Stock over and commands him to track based on the scents found on the arrows.
Stock comes back. Merry informs them that there are two other archers. Walgorg, Jr wants to know why they would want to get them. Book says to interrogate, Merry agrees to get more information. Walgorg, Jr just wants to get to safety.
Book knows of a logging village north of here. Merry takes the arrows, carefully rolls them in cloth & stores them in a trunk.
The party continues on to the logging village and arrives safely.
GAME ADJOURNED
Final GM Message
XP Awards
In Character
