The EARTH story - May 16, 1372
Morning comes.
Lothar is back up to snuff, and you debate in what order you are going to do things.
Jo-owrn packs his things.
"If you're going to take some time off to train, then I've got an errand I can run, to Demon's Neck."
"Well, I think we should do both at same time. It will take some time until the magic-users memorize the spells and identify the stuff we've got. So, I think those need training, go train and then when their training is over, come back here and join up and continue explore the place," says Kithus.
"So, Kithus you think that being as I don't need to train right now that I want to stick around in a dungeon while others are off sleeping in beds having good meals and messing around in a city? I don't think so. If we are stopping for training...which usally is two weeks...then I would rather spend that time away from here where I don't expect to be jumped by something," states Kelar.
"Good point," admits Kithus in a-matter-of-fact manner. "Then I should go back to the city as well...to...ah...supervise."
Jon looks expectantly at Beth for approval to copy spells from her spellbook. "Was that an okay Beth?"
Sharone smiles at Beth,"The scroll is of little interest to me so feel free. Perhaps it's useful for starting campfires or something "
Sharone checks her pack. " I don't need any training at this time but can amuse myself in Sandas for a few weeks. Rather than sell the dwarven armour I'll take it, if no one else has a use for it "
Farad nods to Jo-owrn. "Meet you back here in a month? Or do you want a ride with us back to Sandas and we'll meet there in the same time frame?"
"Demon's Neck is only ten days from Snurre's, so going there through Sandas isn't a good idea. What I think I'll do is wait outside of Snurre's until Leslie's people spot me, and then hitch a teleport ride."
"May I get the leather armour?" asks Kithus, "That is, if no one of you wants it."
Jon is interested also, and tries it on.
The leathers fit Kithus, who is human, but not Jon, who is an elf.
Kithus takes the leather armour, and puts it on.
Jon hands the scroll to Beth with the small fireball.
Sharone takes the dwarven plate mail.
With that, Jo-owrn takes up his pack, says farewell, and walks off, heading for the exit to Earth from the Underdark.
When the rest of you are ready, Farad does his mind thing and takes you to Sandas.
He materialises you in an alleyway just off of a large square. It is a warm but overcast day. You estimate that it is around noontime.
Farad leads you out into the main sqaure of the city.
Back when this party was founded in October of 1370, just about every member was either born in Sandas or had lived here for awhile. Now, all of those original adventurers have either left or been eaten by something or other, and many of the current contingent are from far off places. Indeed, only Kelar, Aldarin, Farad, Raz (the most senior member of the party) and Beth really know Sandas. Some of you have never been here before. Sandas is a small (population 10,000) city located in the northwest corner of the kingdom of Nlad, in the Barony of Sandas and the Borderlands. This is a fairly wild and untamed area, bordered on two sides by mountain ranges and wilderness. To the west lies the dwarf realm of Dwardarf; to the southwest is the elf-realm of Aldacan; and to the north is the halfling land of Milkland. It is a favoured area for adventurers.
Entering the square, you see that many temples line its perimeter. Mikodin immediately spots the temple of Tyr. Sharone knows that the temple of Idun is nearby. Also abutting the square is the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf, a popular watering hole.
Aldarin announces that he has business to attend to at the Mage's Guild.
You head over to the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf. Those of you who are staying there book accomodations.
Jon divides the treasure into eleven equal shares of the coin treasure and hands them out:
Left over in kitty:
Ayazin sighs as he looks around at the cityscape. "Better than underground, but.... I have no business here in town, so I believe that I'll go on 'safari' again for a while. I'll see you all in a week, and hopefully when I return I will have another animal companion with me."
Ayazin marches off to the wilderness with his wolf, looking for any large, dangerous animals that want to be his friend.
Mikodin bids farewell to the others, saying he will meet up with them at the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf when he has finished his training, approximately a fortnight hence.
After securing a room and splitting up the treasure, Farad will take a visit to Ray Jay's to catch up on the latest gossip. He looks over at Beth or Raz. "When do you want to start lessons?"
"I am prepared to begin also," Brennan says.
"Let's start tomorrow," Beth says. "Who else are we training besides you and Brennan? If it's just the two of you, perhaps I can train Farad while Raz trains Brennan. If there are more, then I guess Raz and I can lead a master class."
"Today, though," Beth continues, "I want to check in with my folks. My mom hasn't gotten a chance to nag me to get married and settle down into a stable life for a while, and I'd hate to deprive her any further. And, I want to see how my little brother is doing with the spice shop."
"I think I'll visit the Fighter's Guild and just to check if out," says Kithus to others. "I'll meet you guys somewhere. Where do you think we should meet?"
"What the heck am I doing with you guys?" exclaims Lothar, "I am going to the fighter's guild!"
Lothar goes to the fighter's guild.
So, Aldarin heads for the mage's Guild.
Ayazin makes for the mountains west of the city.
Mikodin heads over to the temple of Tyr.
Farad heads out to Ray Jay's tower.
Beth visits her family.
Lothar and Kithus head out to the fighter's guild.
Jon goes out to seek advice on...scouting.
A short time after departing the Inn, Mikodin returns.
Mikodin looks around the common room.
Kelar, Raz, Brennon and Sharone are still there.
Mikodin is glad to see his old friend, Brennon, doing so well. It seems like just yesterday they were complete novices, just starting out their adventuring careers, yet here they were, ready to train for 4th order of experience.
Sizing up the three Brennon is with, Mikodin decides Raz is the best bet to have an extra 4000gp handy. After greeting Brennon, Mikodin will turn his attention to Raz, and ask, "Is it possible I might ask for a loan? It seems I am a little short at the Temple of Tyr, and while I can pay in installments, I thought it might be easier to pay in a lump sum, and pay back whoever i borrowed from. After all, we are in an area of much treasure right now in our adventuring, so paying back 4000gp fairly quickly is not entirely out of the question."
Mikodin pauses to let his argument sink in, then asks, "What say you, Raz?"
Raz, however, seems more interested in watching a crap game going on at the next table than in thinking about loans.
Sharone smiles. "A bath and a good nights rest appeals to me. I'm off home for both. I'll be spending my time at the temple studying.
She waves goodbye and departs.
"That is a load of cash you are asking to borrow. I don't think any of us have that much...we spend it the same as you. Getting trained can dent your pocket," states Kelar.
Mikodin sighs, "Oh well, it was worth a try. The Temple indicated it was willing to accept payments, so I guess I'll go that route, in essence 'borrowing' from the Temple."
With that, he turns on his heel and walks back to commence training.
Looking around the bar, Sian comments with a frown, "It sure is kind of slow around here today. No women or anything."
"Hey barkeep, can you bring me a bottle of brandy so that I can at least enjoy that?" says Kelar politely to the barkeep while looking for a attractive serving wench.
Luthus hurries over with a bottle of brandy.
"At least service here is always good," says Kelar with a grin as he pours himself a glass.
"Hey Luthus what is the news around town? I havn't heard any good gossip in awhile," asks Kelar.
Luthus pauses, and shakes his head.
"Hard times, Mister Kelar, hard times. You been away in the wilds, ain't ye?"
He lowers his voice.
"The news just came in ten days ago. The armies of Mestom are advancing up the coast from Flab, and our troops is fallin' back. King Ormund don't seem to know what to do, and his lords an' barons is in a tizzy. The press gangs are out here at night, now...grabbin' any able-bodied soul for the Baron's army, an' marchin' them off south. If ye're wise, ladies an' gents, ye won't set foot outside after sunset. An' have ye heard about the humanoid raids into Strabath? For th' first time in generations the Southern Road over the mountains of Nlad into Milkland is closed. An' in the eastern lands there's rumours of war there, too."
He shakes his head and walks away.
"These is troubled times."
Several hours pass, and the three of you while away the afternoon.
Finally, Farad and Beth return, within a moment or two of each other.
Beth is distressed. She tells you that she is just back from her parents, and her mother tells her that her younger brother has been carried off by the press gangs to the war zone in the south!
"I just heard about the press gangs from Luthus an hour ago...we might want to be careful about going out at night," states Kelar.
"I think that we should help with the war if possible. I don't agree with press gangs and if we can help your brother that would be great....but what chance do we have of finding exactly where he is?" asks Kelar of Beth.
"What about Humphrey?" she asks.
Farad shakes his head angrily and mutters something about soft natured women below his breath. "So you'd rather your brother be branded a deserter and coward and become an outlaw for the rest of his days? I'll have no part in lawlessness, especially when one is called to defend one's homeland."
Farad looks up, "Not legal? I think you will find you are quite mistaken there. Conscription is a common policy of most nations during wartime. And it might be his choice if he wants to be a deserter, but I'll not be the one to put that idea into his mind."
Brennon follows the conversation the best he can, since the term press gang is unfamiliar to him. At least it hadn't reached his home as of yet.
Farad notices the puzzled look. "A press gang is usually a group of soldiers charged with conscripting new recruits into the army. They do this by rounding up people on the streets who do not already have wartime occupations. A necessity when most people want only to protect their homes and not leave to go fight on the front."
"Ooh. I see," Brennon says. "It must not happen too much from where I am from. I have never seen that occur. It doesn't sound like a good prospect to me. Being dragged off to fight that is, especially if that is not where my calling lies. It sounds like there would be a lot of desertions, or other morale problems."
Farad nods. "Conscripted soldiers aren't the most reliable I'm sure. That's why they are usually put on the front lines to act as a cushion versus enemy advances and to hopefully overrun your foe with sheer numbers. Casualties are certainly high. Mage-fodder is another word you might have heard for the same sort of troops."
"Yes, conscription is legal...press gangs are not. But as you have said most of the time when wartime comes about that is the most effective way of getting mage-fodder," says Kelar. "I don't agree with it but don't fault the king for doing it. And again I don't believe we would be able to find her brother even if we did agree to try."
"Look," Beth says, "I'm not interested in all the legalistic debates. What I want to do is find my brother. If it turns out he supports the war effort and is happy to be fighting in it, then fine, we leave him there. On the other hand, if he sees it as a form of enslavement-- pulled off the streets against his will and forced to fight-- then I'm going to try to get him out, and take steps so that he will hopefully not be caught and branded a deserter. Fake his death, for instance."
"The point is, I'm not going to just let this sit without at least talking to him. Will anybody help me?"
"I will aid in anyway I can," Brennon says. "I personally do not enjoy the idea of being yanked off the street, and thrown into combat. I would rather have that choice. It seems a little barbaric to me. How do you propose to locate him? However, I am ill prepared to head to the front lines, I am still in training."
Farad shrugs. "Ok, I will help you locate him as best I know how, but only that. If he wants to flee, I will not be the means by which he comes away. You will have to find another."
With that he touches her arm, and the two fade away into the Astral.
As they fade away, Kelar adds his two cents.
"Hey I already told you that I would help. We," he adds, looking over at Farad, "were just having a small side conversation on press gangs. That only took like five seconds. I don't think your brother will notice that."
Perhaps two hours after they departed, Beth and Farad walk into the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf. Kelar, Raz and Brennnon are still there, and look over expectantly at them.
Beth says to the others, "My brother is allright. In fact, he's loving it. This is because he's young, and stupid. I hope he learns how to take care of himself and watch his back before he becomes what Farad described as mage-fodder, along with all the other conscripts. In any event, I'm allright with leaving him there."
"Now, if anybody really wants to help me, let me Polymorph you to look like me, and then you can go tell my mother about that. Because I am sure not looking forward to that."