Rumors of the Northern Sword Coast

[kleomenes]

Paid-for Masonry

Mel Darenda heads south under the auspices of the Golden Wheel Merchant Company. His task - recruiting a work gang of labourers for some construction work in the town of Soubar. He travels to Crimmor first, where he gets mixed results, hiring two skilled masons and eight amateurs with barely a few moons worth of experience.

Frustrated there, he seeks the half-orc muscle of Purskul for recruits, where things go better. He recruits two skilled masons and ten skilled half-orc workers with long experience in masonry and carpentry. He also recruits eight experienced half-orc lumberjacks as muscle.

The skilled masons are appointed as team heads. Each of the amateur masons and the lumberjacks each form a sub-team with with one of the skilled halforc stone workers, with these teams being allocated to the skilled masons.

Once recruited, these thirty workers travel north with the next Golden Wheel shipment to Baldur's Gate. Some cargo space on one of the wagons is given up for a block of stone and some mason's tools, and one of the skilled masons is paid a bonus to run lessons each evening, when the caravan stops, for the less experienced workers to give them a grounding in the necessary skills. Upon arrival in Baldur's Gate the stone is replaced, so that lessons can continue while the workers are escorted to Soubar with a single wagon.

The wagon and the workers are met on the edge of Baldurian lands by a troop of Ebon Blade mercenaries, so that the dangerous trip to Soubar is undertaken safely. Upon arrival, the workers are turned over to the work the Ebon Blade had in mind for them as promised. The Ebon Blade would find that the amateur masons faired considerably better as a result of the training over the course of thejourney, while the lumberjacks could perform the basics tasks required in stonework.

[DM Arrakeen]

Tytos Lyonson of the Ebon Blade Mercenaries can be seen around Soubar, laughing at the antics of these newcomers and making his own lewd comments at the expense of the women in question.
Later, he attempts to locate a member or two of these 'Frilled Lizards' within the Winding Way Tavern for a chat over drinks.

As expected, the mercenary's comments were ill-received. A bucket of piss hurled at him fell short of its target; only a few speckles reached their mark. Following his arrival at the Inn, Tytos found himself ignored by Mag's helping hand, but his presence caught the owner's eye, and she beckoned him closer. As he walked toward the bar, the mercenary caught a glimpse of a shield with a crudely drawn Lizard on its front.

"I wondered when would ye find yer way to my Tavern, Sergeant. Been meaning to ask about that Militia of mine," Mag poured the man a drink

[Sputnik]

Cold eyes took note of who threw the waste bucket, but whatever vengeance Tytos had in mind was postponed, and the mercenary officer made his way undeterred toward the tavern.

He nods his greeting as Mag beckons him over, and seats himself at the bar, nearby the lizard-sigil shield.
The handsome man smiles at the village leader, and replies in a barritone voice, with none of the disrespect seen earlier present at all.

"I bring good tidings, Lady Mag." Tytos dips his head graciously before continuing. "The Militia has tripled in size since you've tasked us with recruiting them. They are very well-equipped, and their training has begun in earnest." He takes up the mug of ale she offered, and adds with a casual wave of a gloved hand.. "You can expect to see regular patrols around the village."

The mercenary then looks down the bar as he awaits Mag's reply, trying to locate the owner of the curious shield..

[Rain]

Many wandering locals would likely notice a man wearing a plague doctor mask and a large orc wielding a staff dripping of acid and blight, conversing among-st each-other nearby the merchants stalls in Soubar. The sight would seem odd, although the horrifying stench and gathering of flies around the two individuals would likely bring forth ill-intended whispers from the many by-standards nearby. Those listening into the conversation would likely hear words exchanged about Talona the mother of plagues, and some history of the army of their patron that once marched upon Bauldurs Gate some time ago. The conversation would not last long before the two went their separate ways. . .

[DM Arrakeen]

Cold eyes took note of who threw the waste bucket, but whatever vengeance Tytos had in mind was postponed, and the mercenary officer made his way undeterred toward the tavern.

He nods his greeting as Mag beckons him over, and seats himself at the bar, nearby the lizard-sigil shield.
The handsome man smiles at the village leader, and replies in a barritone voice, with none of the disrespect seen earlier present at all.

"I bring good tidings, Lady Mag." Tytos dips his head graciously before continuing. "The Militia has tripled in size since you've tasked us with recruiting them. They are very well-equipped, and their training has begun in earnest." He takes up the mug of ale she offered, and adds with a casual wave of a gloved hand.. "You can expect to see regular patrols around the village."

The mercenary then looks down the bar as he awaits Mag's reply, trying to locate the owner of the curious shield..

"Tripled, you say?" Mag cocked an eyebrow. "How did you drum up such interest all of a sudden?"

The Tavern was quite busy that night; on Tytos' right, at the table by the wall, a small group gathered playing cards. When a sudden commotion broke out, over what seem to be accusations of cheating, one of the brawny, barrel-chested men, grabbed the shield and slammed it against the wall to silence the rowdy band. The silence that followed was but a fleeting moment, eclipsed by boisterous laughing and cheering. The game was back one, and the stakes were doubled. Mag cast one glance their way, otherwise focused on the Blades' Sergeant.

[Rain]

Cold eyes took note of who threw the waste bucket, but whatever vengeance Tytos had in mind was postponed, and the mercenary officer made his way undeterred toward the tavern.

He nods his greeting as Mag beckons him over, and seats himself at the bar, nearby the lizard-sigil shield.
The handsome man smiles at the village leader, and replies in a barritone voice, with none of the disrespect seen earlier present at all.

"I bring good tidings, Lady Mag." Tytos dips his head graciously before continuing. "The Militia has tripled in size since you've tasked us with recruiting them. They are very well-equipped, and their training has begun in earnest." He takes up the mug of ale she offered, and adds with a casual wave of a gloved hand.. "You can expect to see regular patrols around the village."

The mercenary then looks down the bar as he awaits Mag's reply, trying to locate the owner of the curious shield..

"Tripled, you say?" Mag cocked an eyebrow. "How did you drum up such interest all of a sudden?"

The Tavern was quite busy that night; on Tytos' right, at the table by the wall, a small group gathered playing cards. When a sudden commotion broke out, over what seem to be accusations of cheating, one of the brawny, barrel-chested men, grabbed the shield and slammed it against the wall to silence the rowdy band. The silence that followed was but a fleeting moment, eclipsed by boisterous laughing and cheering. The game was back one, and the stakes were doubled. Mag cast one glance their way, otherwise focused on the Blades' Sergeant.

As the silence broke out by way of a shield slam the door to tavern would slowly creek open letting in a whistling tune of air. A foreboding figure walks into the tavern with a slight limp aided by a wooden cane. A plague doctors gas mask resides on the man's face as he entered, before slowly removing it displaying an old grizzled face of a teifling. The man looks around the tavern some before spotting the card game taking place at one of the tables. He hobbles over one slight limp at a time, as his wooden cane taps along with him. Before reaching the game table the man would grab another chair from an empty table nearby, placing it backward at the table hosting the card game before lifting a quick glance at the ruffians seated there. With a swift movement a few coins are thrown on the table as well as a sparkler card, a jack of hearts.

As the jack of hearts falls atop the pile of cards the man turns his gaze to Mag and Tytos attempting to make eye contact.

[Sputnik]

"Tripled, you say?" Mag cocked an eyebrow. "How did you drum up such interest all of a sudden?"

The Tavern was quite busy that night; on Tytos' right, at the table by the wall, a small group gathered playing cards. When a sudden commotion broke out, over what seem to be accusations of cheating, one of the brawny, barrel-chested men, grabbed the shield and slammed it against the wall to silence the rowdy band. The silence that followed was but a fleeting moment, eclipsed by boisterous laughing and cheering. The game was back one, and the stakes were doubled. Mag cast one glance their way, otherwise focused on the Blades' Sergeant.

Tytos eyes the commotion, his face a mask of cold impassion.
He then turns back to Mag.. "You have your secrets, and we have ours." His facial expression remains serious, though a wink betrays the jape for what it is.

"Furthermore, construction crews have arrived, and have begun work on the walls." He pauses to drink, and to gauge the woman's reaction. His eyes then drift to the man who picked up the lizard-sigil shield. Should their gazes meet, Tytos offers him a curt nod and beckons him over with a hand...

[DM Arrakeen]

As the silence broke out by way of a shield slam the door to tavern would slowly creek open letting in a whistling tune of air. A foreboding figure walks into the tavern with a slight limp aided by a wooden cane. A plague doctors gas mask resides on the man's face as he entered, before slowly removing it displaying an old grizzled face of a teifling. The man looks around the tavern some before spotting the card game taking place at one of the tables. He hobbles over one slight limp at a time, as his wooden cane taps along with him. Before reaching the game table the man would grab another chair from an empty table nearby, placing it backward at the table hosting the card game before lifting a quick glance at the ruffians seated there. With a swift movement a few coins are thrown on the table as well as a sparkler card, a jack of hearts.

As the jack of hearts falls atop the pile of cards the man turns his gaze to Mag and Tytos attempting to make eye contact.

One of the cardplayers glared at the old man. "Looking for a game, pops?" Another one picked up the foreign looking card. "Dat be what?" he grumbled.
Mag's fleeting glance did not rest on anyone in particular.

Tytos eyes the commotion, his face a mask of cold impassion.
He then turns back to Mag.. "You have your secrets, and we have ours." His facial expression remains serious, though a wink betrays the jape for what it is.

"Furthermore, construction crews have arrived, and have begun work on the walls." He pauses to drink, and to gauge the woman's reaction. His eyes then drift to the man who picked up the lizard-sigil shield. Should their gazes meet, Tytos offers him a curt nod and beckons him over with a hand...

"Secrets in shared endeavors like to bite the parties involved in the arse when enough attention isn't paid and trust me when I say so, Sergeant, it ain't a jolly experience then," the Innkeep smirked. "Are they locals or have ye gone fishing for able bodies outside of Soubar?" she did not seem to care much for Tytos' attempt at evasion. "And how do ye rate their morale?"

"And as for the construction crews, that is a piece of good news. It's been a while," the Soubar's leader was mildly pleased. "When can we expect the first results to be visible?"

The man who picked the shield faced away from Tytos.

[Rain]

As the silence broke out by way of a shield slam the door to tavern would slowly creek open letting in a whistling tune of air. A foreboding figure walks into the tavern with a slight limp aided by a wooden cane. A plague doctors gas mask resides on the man's face as he entered, before slowly removing it displaying an old grizzled face of a teifling. The man looks around the tavern some before spotting the card game taking place at one of the tables. He hobbles over one slight limp at a time, as his wooden cane taps along with him. Before reaching the game table the man would grab another chair from an empty table nearby, placing it backward at the table hosting the card game before lifting a quick glance at the ruffians seated there. With a swift movement a few coins are thrown on the table as well as a sparkler card, a jack of hearts.

As the jack of hearts falls atop the pile of cards the man turns his gaze to Mag and Tytos attempting to make eye contact.

One of the cardplayers glared at the old man. "Looking for a game, pops?" Another one picked up the foreign looking card. "Dat be what?" he grumbled.
Mag's fleeting glance did not rest on anyone in particular.

Tytos eyes the commotion, his face a mask of cold impassion.
He then turns back to Mag.. "You have your secrets, and we have ours." His facial expression remains serious, though a wink betrays the jape for what it is.

"Furthermore, construction crews have arrived, and have begun work on the walls." He pauses to drink, and to gauge the woman's reaction. His eyes then drift to the man who picked up the lizard-sigil shield. Should their gazes meet, Tytos offers him a curt nod and beckons him over with a hand...

"Secrets in shared endeavors like to bite the parties involved in the arse when enough attention isn't paid and trust me when I say so, Sergeant, it ain't a jolly experience then," the Innkeep smirked. "Are they locals or have ye gone fishing for able bodies outside of Soubar?" she did not seem to care much for Tytos' attempt at evasion. "And how do ye rate their morale?"

"And as for the construction crews, that is a piece of good news. It's been a while," the Soubar's leader was mildly pleased. "When can we expect the first results to be visible?"

The man who picked the shield faced away from Tytos.

The head of the old man turns back to the ruffians sitting at the table after a long pause. "Aye you young lads know how to raise the stakes, and I wouldn't mind leaving here with a bit more gold then I came in with." The old man head turns to the ruffian who picks up his sparkler card. "Bit of an heirloom, a few of the lucky lads back home all had one. Often times ment the lad who dropped it would win the next game. But. . . Then again, I never lose. . ." A sly smirk grows on the old man's face.

[DM Arrakeen]

The head of the old man turns back to the ruffians sitting at the table after a long pause. "Aye you young lads know how to raise the stakes, and I wouldn't mind leaving here with a bit more gold then I came in with." The old man head turns to the ruffian who picks up his sparkler card. "Bit of an heirloom, a few of the lucky lads back home all had one. Often times ment the lad who dropped it would win the next game. But. . . Then again, I never lose. . ." A sly smirk grows on the old man's face.

The brute holding the heirloom card narrowed his gaze at Larfleeze, but then rumbling laugh rolled off his barrel-like chest. "Ballzy, old man. Keep ye lucky charm. Ye may need it," he returned the jack to its owner.

The one responsible for handing out the cards for the next round peered at the aged tiefling with a look full of dry amusement. "Current bid is 600 pieces."

[Rain]

The head of the old man turns back to the ruffians sitting at the table after a long pause. "Aye you young lads know how to raise the stakes, and I wouldn't mind leaving here with a bit more gold then I came in with." The old man head turns to the ruffian who picks up his sparkler card. "Bit of an heirloom, a few of the lucky lads back home all had one. Often times ment the lad who dropped it would win the next game. But. . . Then again, I never lose. . ." A sly smirk grows on the old man's face.

The brute holding the heirloom card narrowed his gaze at Larfleeze, but then rumbling laugh rolled off his barrel-like chest. "Ballzy, old man. Keep ye lucky charm. Ye may need it," he returned the jack to its owner.

The one responsible for handing out the cards for the next round peered at the aged tiefling with a look full of dry amusement. "Current bid is 600 pieces."

After a bit of rummaging the old man lays down a higher bid of coin, dropping a bag of 800g on the table. "Let's up that a bit shall we." The old man looks to the one responsible for the cards, with a quick glance before leaning back a bit, comfortably in his chair. "Start us off, lad."

[DM Arrakeen]

After a bit of rummaging the old man lays down a higher bid of coin, dropping a bag of 800g on the table. "Let's up that a bit shall we." The old man looks to the one responsible for the cards, with a quick glance before leaning back a bit, comfortably in his chair. "Start us off, lad."

The man in charge of the game flashed Larfleeze a predatory grin, his incisors and canines were filed into sharp, pointed fangs. Another player added some coin to the pile. Each of the players ended up with 5 cards after a moment. The ones in the old man's possession are the queen of spades, the king of hearts, two deuces clubs, seven diamonds. Two of the players folded soon after seeing their decks.

[Rain]

After a bit of rummaging the old man lays down a higher bid of coin, dropping a bag of 800g on the table. "Let's up that a bit shall we." The old man looks to the one responsible for the cards, with a quick glance before leaning back a bit, comfortably in his chair. "Start us off, lad."

The man in charge of the game flashed Larfleeze a predatory grin, his incisors and canines were filed into sharp, pointed fangs. Another player added some coin to the pile. Each of the players ended up with 5 cards after a moment. The ones in the old man's possession are the queen of spades, the king of hearts, two deuces clubs, seven diamonds. Two of the players folded soon after seeing their decks.

The old man gives a casual look to his cards, his eyes jump from one to another slowly. After a short pause he looks up from his hand focusing his gaze on the other players at the table. "Check."

[Sputnik]

Tytos eyes the commotion, his face a mask of cold impassion.
He then turns back to Mag.. "You have your secrets, and we have ours." His facial expression remains serious, though a wink betrays the jape for what it is.

"Furthermore, construction crews have arrived, and have begun work on the walls." He pauses to drink, and to gauge the woman's reaction. His eyes then drift to the man who picked up the lizard-sigil shield. Should their gazes meet, Tytos offers him a curt nod and beckons him over with a hand...

"Secrets in shared endeavors like to bite the parties involved in the arse when enough attention isn't paid and trust me when I say so, Sergeant, it ain't a jolly experience then," the Innkeep smirked. "Are they locals or have ye gone fishing for able bodies outside of Soubar?" she did not seem to care much for Tytos' attempt at evasion. "And how do ye rate their morale?"

"And as for the construction crews, that is a piece of good news. It's been a while," the Soubar's leader was mildly pleased. "When can we expect the first results to be visible?"

The man who picked the shield faced away from Tytos.

"Shared endeavors?" Tytos snorts.. "That's cute."
He listens to her series of questions, then replies. "Soon enough. The lead mason will know more; you can ask him." The other questions are not addressed.

He then stands, without touching the offered drink. "It's been nice"

With that, Tytos makes his way toward the door, listening to any possible reply on his way out.

[DM Arrakeen]

The old man gives a casual look to his cards, his eyes jump from one to another slowly. After a short pause he looks up from his hand focusing his gaze on the other players at the table. "Check."

The remaining players revealed their hands. A burly looking half-orc held the best one in this round containing straight flush of clubs. Cheer's and grumbling followed.

///FYI, it's been a while and a day since I played poker, so if I'm messing something up, don't hesitate to shoot me a PM.///

"Shared endeavors?" Tytos snorts.. "That's cute."
He listens to her series of questions, then replies. "Soon enough. The lead mason will know more; you can ask him." The other questions are not addressed.

He then stands, without touching the offered drink. "It's been nice"

With that, Tytos makes his way toward the door, listening to any possible reply on his way out.

A flicker of amusement gleamed in the barkeep's eyes. "I'm nothing but cute. Be seeing you, Sergeant."
The Tavern's patrons sitting within earshot of that conversation exchanged glances and did not take their eyes off Tytos as he was walking away. There were looks of both condemnation and approval; someone even raised their stein to the man in silent salute. If the Sergeant was paying attention, he perhaps could have noticed a light nod offered to him by the man with the Lizard Shield.

Mag beckoned her helping hand and exchanged a few quiet words with the girl.