Second Adventure 04: Treasure and Intrigue

Sometime shortly after everyone went to bed and had said their goodbyes, O'ulan'takangaskan bid the town farewell and thundered off into the distance. While he had wanted to stay and assist with defending the caravan, he realized every minute he stayed put both him and the town at danger, and believed traveling by night would be the safest path. The party wishes him well as he returns to the Dires, heading west.

Ilya and Thonson of Nightsong have both decided to journey with the caravan in the morning. While they are not certain they can add much protection they will try, and need to hit a proper city to rest and recoup anyways. Their plans, for those who ask, are to reside in Al-Erat for several days while they get their health back, then turn around and journey back east to hit Al-Jalima and the Hub.

As dawn breaks many of the villagers of Kheynth are already gathered together, having wrangled what healthy oxen they still have along with the chest of treasure Rory gave them, several of their volunteer militia, and a few shrewd individuals so they can get as good a deal as possible. They are ready to leave as soon as the party is.
It is currently 5 AM, January 27th.

Edit: Adding detail I should have, was tired.

Rory heads to the village market to scout out quality equipment to be had, if any.

Tab took this opportunity to double check his gear and refill his waterskin's before heading out with the trade caravan.

There is no gear or equipment of note or quality to be sold in this town. However with the river clean you are able to refill your water supplies handily, and the villagers offer you each a large pack of salted, dried Auroch meat which is quite tasty and will nourish you for several days if spread out and taken with water.

"Thank you kindly."

Ashakel went to the river, drinking some of the water as he was refilling his waterskin. "Ah, it's precious..."

Later on, he went to the market in an attempt to sell one regular Iron Longsword he had no more use of.

Spoiler:

Zeiss also went to the river to get some water. He was surprised when some villagers offered some meat. He said thank you and waited for the caravan to go.

Rory heads down to the river and refills his empty water bottle, taking after the troll. After dipping his head in for a drink, he goes for a short swim and returns to the caravan, refreshed and ready to brave the desert winds.

Spoiler:

The caravan, Elves and party in tow, leaves just under an hour after dawn and automatically makes their way north, seeking to avoid the Armordillo territory. While one stray Armordillo does come near and barks its horrifying yelps at you, it does not approach and the group manages to stay far enough away to not enrage it. Only a minute or so later, several of its friends roll up through the sands next to it and sit with it, watching the caravan lumber by.
Aside from the close encounter the group makes fairly good time and pitches tent for the night.

January 28th: The group gets going but a fierce sandstorm is ripping through the region and the pace of the group slows to an absolute crawl. It becomes difficult to even spot the next post notifying where the 'road' is and after several hours the group wisely decides to setup tarp and canvas and wait the storm out rather than risk losing someone or something to the winds. The storm finally dies down shortly after the sun sets.

January 29th: The group gets up earlier than usual, before the sun has risen, and gets a move on, wanting to reach Al-Erat before anything else happens. The rest of the trip is difficult as the dunes have built up over the previous day, but by about high noon you finally make it to the town. The caravaners thank the group and Elves for your assistance and aid in the journey and quickly disperse to the market, wishing to make purchases and immediately turn around to head back to Kheynth. The Elves, also grateful for the trip, express their regret that they have nothing to reward you with but their words and retire to a local inn to recoup for several days.
The town is its usual bustling self.
Those of you who were expecting it to be under lockdown or have whispers of fear going through the streets are surprised, and after some clandestine questions are asked you find out that if war was declared, news of it has not reached the town yet. You also find out that Zigund has just left Al-Erat traveling north, most likely to attempt to restart his political career in the burgeoning Zaikhal state. There are still Naverre soldiers present, but the Governor has already left to return to Al-Jalima.
You inform the Guild that you have completed the Bill for Kheynth, and learn a few facts. First, yours was the only group to bite on that particular Bill. Second, at least two other adventuring groups have both headed towards Al-Ferin to look into the Golem situation, but both were several days ago and have not checked in yet. Finally, a new Bill has since been posted. Apparently in the city of Danby a ways to the south, in the Yaraq state, there is a colosseum of sorts which has been set up and adventurers are being paid to come in and fight other adventurers. The Bill does not promise reward upfront, rather you are paid based on how well you do. The fights are not to the death, but once disqualified twice any given group's ranking will be locked in and they will be paid based on that. It also notes that fighting groups are 4-man teams, so the party would have to split up and possibly fight each other. Finally it mentions that the events are seasonal, and as such any adventurers from previous seasons can return and make another stab at money and fame.

"Looks like it could be something nasty in Al-Ferin."

*Kezrinthka eyes the new bill in disgust. Of what use is violence for the sake of violence... she can be heard muttering to herself as she storms out of the guild hall

Skittish:

Spoiler:

*she continues to rage to herself in Skittish, as she storms around the library until a kindly looking old banderling woman approaches her and much to the shock and awe of the onlookers tells Kezrinthka in blunt but not uncivil words to "Stop your stomping and muttering or get out. You're disturbing the other patrons." Kezrin continues to move around much more subdued now, looking for texts on the "mirror key" and baring that one on runes of binding.*

"Yahooo! Danby arena fightin'!" Snarg yells in excitement as he reads the new bill.

"It would be a great way to test my fortitude," Rory mused. "You don't think they would pair me against a mage, do you?"

"But perhaps we should go check on the people who took the bill for Al-Ferin's Golem first, make sure they're still alive," he said, "and if not, get them back on their feet at the very least."

"ied say we head South to check out the Golem thing as its odd that the other adventurers havent checked in yet? and if that proves to be nothing or has been solved then we head to this Colosseum as it seams that some of us are interested in participating and the rest of us can maybe learn something from the other adventurers there and maybe help the rest of our team behind the scenes?"

There troll noticed how Kezrinthka got upset when she noticed the second bill. He needed her help so despite the fact that he would maybe enjoy a couple of fistfights, Ashakel quietly murmured: "..Al-Ferin.." before going to investigate the marketplace in Al-Erat.

"I do not condone gladiatorial games and will have no part in them. Instead of fighting each other, they should either join the military or the Adventurer's Guild to make the world a better place. In-fighting benefits no one."

With that, Gwydo takes the wagon of discarded equipment to the market to sell everything that was not claimed from Harkun and the mages.

Spoiler:

"It's not infighting, it's sport. If they were racing or playing tag or something, i doubt anyone would have a problem with it.

That's neither here nor now, though. We should head for Al-Ferin."

*Walks over to Ashkael.*

"Beer?"

Just as he was about to leave the monk approached him. "Well, as I remember you do owe me one. " said Ashakel with a smile. "And I never refuse a drink!"

"well, i wouldn't mind having a go at this sporting event! is anyone else interested? could be quite fun"

"I have to agree with Higaide on this it isn't as if its a fight to the death and its even supported by the Adventurer's Guild or they wouldn't have a bill up for it, and while i don't think i would be fighting myself the chance to meet other members of the Adventurer's Guild that may have storys to tell and info to share sounds like a Great idea?"

"And as both the bills are in the same general direction we can look in on the golem situation first and if that has been solved, head the the combat arena for some R and R then i do believe that Hanuel would very much like to pay a visit to the temple?"

Spoiler:

"but meanwhile i have one or to things to see to about town are we going to stay at the same inn as last time?"

Spoiler:

Tabran:
You learn that the Danby Colosseum isn't just being advertised on the Guild. Several fliers are up around town and quite a few people are abuzz about it, thinking of making the trip. Apparently people are quite divided in opinion about it as well; while some see gladiatorial combat as a barbaric past-time of a forgotten age, others see it more as a competitive sport not unlike the olympics, baseball, or football, and would rather see such violence organized and carefully controlled rather than spill out into bandits or thugs. Similarly, a lot of people are talking about the economic potential of such an affair, as the turn out is apparently quite large for people signing up (according to rumor at least) and there are talks of doing a monthly competition instead of seasonal or yearly.
Also it is likely that a richer city will be capable of converting coins. 1000 gold coins = 1 platinum coin.

They arrived in town. These last days of travel, Zeiss tried to talk to Snarg. He didn't really know how to say what he wanted to say to him. And then, they went to see the new Bill. Everyone was debating what their next move should be.

"...I suggest that we go after the golem Bill. But not before we gather informations about these adventurers who disappeared. They could have fallen in an ambush."

The others still debated what was the best course of action. That was the best time to talk to Snarg : when everyone would not listen to them. He walked up to him and said :

"Hey Snarg... Thank you. For throwing your waterskin to O'ulan. Back at the cave. So... okay."

After that, he walked towards the market. Trying not to think too much about what he just said.

Spoiler:

Zeiss:
There is a cloak in the market right now, just one, which is brown that the merchant is willing to part with for 1500g that he is willing to dye black for an additional 50g. It will grant +4 Stealth.

You learn that one of the adventurer groups consisted of a Moarsman, Lugian, and Elf that left from Al-Erat towards Al-Ferin. You learn nothing else.

Snarg looks up from gnawing on a piece of jerky and gives the leaving Zeiss an affirmative gesture before going back to his meal.

"Let's check out the golems. I'm sure they could use the help over there. There's no telling how much damage one of those could do if it's left to run wild."