By May 10th the temperature is up into the mid-80s and it is still very humid. Soon after noon you come to a cleared area of the forest. The road runs close by the Mississippi River at this point, and you see a stone wharf down by the water. A small shell keep guards this place, and a stone barracks hall sits nearby. There are quite a few people about, mostly in military uniforms.
Off in the distance, perhaps a mile away, you see the walls of a town.
A soldier comes out to greet you.
"Welcome to Riverland," he says, "Toll's 2gp per person."
You pay him and proceed to the town, which you soon discover is Point. You pay another toll (1sp per person plus 1sp per mount) to enter the place.
Point is actually a village (population 900). It seems to be built around the river trade, and you get the impression that it might be a rough place. You see a fair number of soldiers - clad in the green and blue livery of Riverland - and also a lot of what can only be mercenary types. Several ships are docked at the wharf, and the taverns down by the waterfront seem to be doing a roaring trade. There is only one inn in Point, The River Place, and it appears to be fairly run-down. The place is dominated by a small castle and four temples built around the central square (Mielikki (NG), Vidar (CG), Idun (CG) and Uller (N)).
A road runs east out of the square, and there is a signpost to read -
North: To Portugual and Bridgewater.
South: To End and Orleans.
East: To Mobile and Arble.
In the square there is a market. You see some farmers selling livestock and fowl, along with a few early vegetables. Most of the vendors, though, seem to be selling weapons, armour and military supplies. War seems to be a big business here.
Niko whispers to Kadlian, "This might be as good a place as any to get some information about what's going on about the war and any other activity in the area."
Kadlian nods. "Let us find the River Place and get some food and drink. After that, we can resupply and pick up some gossip."
"Maybe we can find a good boxing or wrestling match, too," Dor responds loudly as they near one of the groups of military men. He flexes his muscle and grins wolfishly at the group.
The men regard Dor.
Kadlian rolls his eyes. "Gods, save us from the fools."
The River Place is down by the waterfront as well. It is a large, ramshackle inn of stone and wood which has seen better days. The paint is faded and peeled, the steps well worn. Upon entering, your noses are assailed by the pleasant smells of urine, vomit, stale beer and smoke. The place is dirty, and flies buzz lazily about you.
Entering the common room, you see that it is quite full of patrons, again mostly sailors and soldiers. A card game goes on in the corner while a group of men at a nearby table argue with each other loudly.
You sit down.
After awhile a barmaid comes over. You order lunch and beer, not expecting much. Eventually it arrives: catfish, fried potatoes and some greens. The fish is overcooked and perhaps a little off, the potatoes greasy. Even Sir, who has surfaced, turns his nose up at the fare. The beer, however, is an unexpected pleasure: rich, frothy and potent. When you ask about it, the barmaid replies shortly that it is from some city far upriver called Omaha.
As you enjoy your beers you tune your ears in to pick up any gossip...especially from the table of arguing mercenaries.
The civil war in Saltar, of which you had heard only rumours of up to this point, is clearly the big news here in Riverland. It has been going on for over four months, and it appears that a victor is beginning to emerge from the rabble of would-be successors to the throne. Clarvis, the Duke of Arble, has consolidated his hold on his own province and after a few battles brought his cousin, Drake of Tybolia, into his camp. Tybolia is the province of Saltar that lies closest to Riverland. Now, his growing armies are clearing out resistance to the north and south, before marching on the capitol of the Empire, Atlantia. Clarvis' hand has been much strengthened by his recent acquisition of the Sceptre of the Gods, an ancient artifact lost for centuries. Apparently his court magician, the Arch-mage Razamataz, was able to retrieve it from a powerful daemon on the lower planes. For this feat Razamataz has been richly rewarded. Now, with the Sceptre in his hands, the populace of Saltar is flocking to Clovis' side.
The demand for warriors to fight in the civil war is great, and mercenaries have been flocking into Riverland from upriver and down, as it is the natural jumping off point into Saltar.
Far to the east, another war rages. The Dwarves of Kludar, under the great general Prince McTavish, have overrun the western part of their land which has been held for decades by the armies of the Black Wizard Imrimil. Now they are invading East Nolthen, and the latest news has the dwarves taking the ruined city of Yorkk.
To the west, The armies of Mestom are slowly driving their way up the west coast of the Bay of Hork, and deeper into the Kingdom of Nlad.
"Dang you, Clem!" swears one of the men at the card table, throwing down his hand, "You're such a lousy player...I bet that danged cat over there could play smarter than you!"
Kailar's cat, taking this as an invitation, jumps down and walks over to the table.
The men start laughing as Sir jumps up onto a vacant chair at the table.
"Deal him in!" chortles another man, not anticipating the fate that awaits him.
Dor feels a tap on his shoulder. Looking up, he sees one of the soldiers from outside that he made a face at earlier...a big, nasty looking creature.
"I don't like that look you made at me earlier," he grunts. "I'm gonna break your face."
Niko waits to see Dor's reaction, but is ready to pummel the soldier.
"Do you want to fight first, then drink? Or the other way around?" Dor asks.
Kadlian looks up from across the table. "How about you let him buy you beer for the rest of the day, instead?"
The man glances at Kadlian then returns his stare to Dor.
"My feud ain't wit you, elfie...yet."
"I understand that, but I am the Captain of this mercenary group and although he is a young, stupid, new recruit, I need him in good condition. If I let him fight you, we will likely have to bury him."
"Are you serious?" Logan snickers at Kadlian's remark. "Dor will use him as a mop."
He regards the ranger for a moment, then glances back at Dor, before returning his gaze to Kadlian.
"Yer soldier needs discipline," he says, "An' if'n you can't do it I will. Be out of town by sundown. Go east or south, there's lots of work those ways fer yer kind. If'n I see yer still here tonight I'll show what I mean."
He wheels about and walks out of the inn.
Rage rolls her eyes. "Testosterone. Is there a cure for it?"
"It is called using your brain. Some of us appear to be better at it than others."
"Indeed. I thought castration worked pretty well too," the mage says, frowning. "Well, I guess that tears it."
After the soldier is out of earshot, Niko smirks at Dor. "I woulda put money on ya, kid."
"If it was only that one soldier, Dor and he could have gone at it all day if they wished. I was worried about the soldier's friends and everyone else in here itching for a fight. We have to watch it around here."
Niko sticks to the beer and seems very cheery, despite the food and smell of the place. "Not a bad place...all we need now is a decent fight to break out!"
Kadlian shakes his head. "Not with all these soldiers. If you fight and get thrown in jail, more often than not, you end up in the army. If you do not end up in the army, sometimes you end up dead. So, let us avoid any fights, okay?"
Niko snorts, "Good to know we're headed the right way."
Kadlian hisses. "Razamataz? Here as well? I wonder if this Clarvis (or is it Clovis?) has the real one or a fake? And I wonder if Occa and the others know about his dealings here. That man, if he truly is one, gets around more than a common whore."
"Probably a copy...like Cannon Fodder."
"Hmm... That is a good point. Although, I wonder if someone like him would be willing to relinquish any amount of control to someone else."
Niko chortles to his companions. "Betcha Sir cleans them out within the hour!"
"And that will not be good for us, more than likely."
Niko looks around, cracks his knuckles and grins "Nothing we couldn't handle..."
"It is not them, I am worried about. It is the army and the local constabulary. With this being the only inn, they are likely to watch this place pretty close. I do not want to find us a part of the army, unwillingly."
Kailar shoots Kadlian an apologetic look and whispers, "I will see what I can do."
Kadlian nods. "Just tell him not to win too much."
Niko smiles. "Hear that Kad, maybe we should head there first..."
Kadlian whacks him upside the head. "Where do you think we are? Pay attention!"
Niko frowns. "Why? Joining Clarvis' army may have its advantages..."
Kadlian rolls his eyes. "I mean, we are already in Riverland! As far as joining the army, if we could do it as a mercenary group, that might be a great idea. But, I would rather stay free. When you are part of an army all sorts of rules start applying. Along with all the bureaucracy...
"Okay, let us finish our meal, get some supplies and then get out of here. Staying in this place tonight would not be wise anyway. So, after lunch, let us go to the market and get more food for our stores. Consider purchasing some other general supplies. Maybe new boots if yours are too worn away. And keep your ears open for any interesting tidbits of information."
After lunch, Kadlian, with his followers, will purchase iron rations as well fresh bread, salted meat and some fruit. He'll also pick up three more quivers of arrows and anything else his followers need.
The mage will get up and walk out, looking to see if there is any sort of alchemy/magic shop to see if they have any supplies.
The party scatters. You should be able to find most of what you are looking for in the way of supplies. You can pick up iron rations (or the equivalent thereof) at the inn. Salted meat is available at the butcher. Bread and a limited amout of fruit can be had in the market square. There is a bowyer arrowsmith in Point as well, along with a shoemaker. However, there does not appear to be any sort of alchemy or magical supply shop here. Niko does spot a winery, though.
Prices are here are much cheaper than Sandas.
You meet again on the wharf late in the afternoon. Sir has Kailar carrying a large bag of coins, and Niko is staggering even more than usual.
You load your supplies and ride out of Point well before sunset, heading south for End.
You camp in the woods that night.