Homestar Runner Wiki Forum

"Simple, sir. I am a guest in their home, away while one of the sons sobers up. After they've all gone to bed, we do our business & leave."

_________________

The man in black said: "That doesn't seem like much of a plan to me. How do you plan to deal with the guards? The locks? The magical protections? Do you even know the layout of the place?"

_________________

"No, but I can figure it out. You're practically a phantom, sir--you can sneak past them in the shadows, with your black clothes and all." Marcus shrugged slightly.

"I haven't properly introduced myself." The lizard extended his claw. "Marcus Donaldson."

_________________

"They call me Olef the Black. You might as well have a seat. If we're going to plan this out proper, we'll need some time. You say you're a guest there. How well do they trust you?"

_________________

"Not very well, I'm afraid. I've only met them today. But one of the sons in the family, Farnham, is quite the drinker. If we can loosen him up enough to get us in, we'll be rich!"

_________________

Drek stepped out of the blacksmith's shop and cursed his bad luck. He was a wood elf, huntsman by trade. He lived outdoors, travelling from town to town, hunting with his bow. He kept enough meat to feed himself, plus a little extra to sell for money to buy fruit and bread to eat, arrows, and repairs on his bow.

His life was just the way he wanted it, until that fateful day. He was robbed as he walked through the forest. A gang of bandits knocked him out and took everything he had. His money, his bedroll, all the food in his pack, even his bow and arrows. When he came to, he walked to the nearest town and signed up for a run on a merchant ship. He figured it was a good job to take, good pay, plus room and board.

Unfortunately, there was a bad storm at sea, and the captain of the ship died. The first mate, who took over, didn't care for Drek much, and kicked him off the ship when they got into port, with just enough pay to buy a new bow, some arrows, a canteen for water, and a loaf of bread, with just 3 pennies left over. At least with a bow, he could make some money. But first to the Red lion for a drink.

He walked into the tavern, and looked around at the patrons. They were mostly human, but there was one lizard man talking to a fellow dressed in black over in the corner. He sat down at the bar and gestured to the bartender.

"A pint of apple cider, please." Drek loved cider, and the ship he was on had just brought a shipment in from the Isle of Enshae early that morning.

_________________

<GM's note: Welcome to Drek>
<Over at Marcus and Olef>
Olef explained that he used to be a locksmith before he was framed for a murder, and had to flee his home town. Since then, he's traveled from place to place, earning a living as a theif and a safecracker. He thinks that Marcus's plan to use the drunkard Farnham could work, but he wants to know more about the layout of the place first. He suggests that Marcus go back there and memorise the layout of the store, noting the placement of locks, the disposition of the guards and the location of valuables. With that, Olef says he will be able to consider a plan of action."

<Over at the bar>
The bartender says: "Welcome to the Red Lion Inn. Here's your cider. That'll be two Farthings and a Penny, please. Can I interest you in some stew with that?"

_________________

"That sounds like a good plan of action, sir Olef. Thank you." Marcus finished his cider & put his cloak back on. "I believe I am expected back...I will keep an eagle's eye."

With that, Marcus made his way back to Maxwell & Farnham's abode.

_________________

<At the Inn> The barkeeper was waiting patiently for either a reply to the query regarding stew, or a payment for the cider. He didn't care which, really.

<outside the Red Lion Inn>
Marcus steped out the front door to the tavern, just in time to see Maxwell heading his way. Seems he must have gotten Farnham squared away. Straped to Maxwell's side was a fencing sword of some type, probably an raiper or a foil... hard to tell with in a scabard like it was.

Maxwell was wearing a fine long cape with a fur trim over a fine suit of studded leather. His legs bore leather greaves with iron plates stitched on at the thighs and shins. His head bore an expensive looking cloth hat with a long feather extending from the left side. Hanging from his neck, from a golden chain, was an iron seal bearing the coat of arms of the Royal Household. Marcus imediately recognised that seal as identifying the bearer as holding a Royal Commision to the household of the king of Skara Brae. In high-society circles, such seals are very prestigious and highly sought after by those merchants who want to cater to the high-born.

Maxwell had just stepped off the sidewalk when he was acosted by four men who jumped out of the shadows, knives in hands. Brigands! Maxwell drew his blade, but he was caught flatfooted and took a blow upon his shoulder. In the distance the clang of chainmail upon cobblestone rang out, hearalding the hastened aproach of the Town Watch.

_________________

Marcus quickly pulled out his sword from its sheath, diverting attention away from the injured Maxwell. The lizard was quite agile, blocking every blade that came toward him. He managed to paint 2 of the 4 shadowmen red before the Town Watch showed up.

_________________

One of the brigands made a break for it, only to run right into the Town Watch. His gruesome end came at the point of a pike.
The other brigand was slewn by Maxwell. Despite his injured shoulder, Maxwell was still able to run the brigand through with the point of his rapier.

"Good to see you, Marcus. I was just coming to see you when these unpleasant chaps insisted on delaying me. Most rude of them, don't you think?"

_________________

"Quite rude, Maxwell. I was just about to come back up to your home myself. The Red Lion Inn has some very fine cider, I must say!" Marcus smiled.

_________________

Drek dropped two pennies on the bar. "No stew, thanks. Just the cider."

As he drank the cider, Drek thought about what he would do for the rest of the day. He neededa successful hunt, so he could afford replacements for the rest of the things he lost. Most important was a new bedroll so he wouldn't have to sleep on the dirt. It was still fairly early, so if he got lucky he could catch something before it got dark. However, ge didn't know the area very well, so he could use any info he could geton game near town. He gestured to the bartender.

"Excuse me sir, would you happen to know where I might find a hunter in town?"

_________________

<GM's note to Marcus: It's the Red Lion Inn. Aparantly you went to another Inn after you exited the Red Lion, drank some cider, exited, and didn't bother to tell us about it. Or not.>
Maxwell to Marcus: "Red Roof? Never been there. I thought you were at the Red Lion Inn."

<Meanwhile, back at a certain Inn some of us are having trouble remembering the name of... >
The bartender turned to his strongbox, and made change from the two pennies Drek had given him for the Cider. He handed Drek back a handfull of Farthings (46 of them) and a Half-Penny.

<GM's note: OK, so I screwed up. I duno what I was thinking when I said that a penny is worth 100 Farthings... and then didn't put in the Half-Penny. Oops. So, consider the Half-Penny retroactively added to the coinage of this world.>

The Bartender thought about it for a moment, looking away with a far-off look in his eye: "Well, it's funny you ask. We could use someone who's handy with a bow. Our usual supplier of fresh game and foul, he up and vanished a fortnight ago. Since then it's been nothing but fish and clams and squid on the menu. If you could bring us some fresh game, we'd pay right handsome for it. There's not much big game to be had near town, but we always had a good supply of rabbit and quail."

_________________

<OOC: My bad. I fixed it.>

_________________

<We'll just ignore that, then.>
Maxwell to Marcus:"Well, anyways I wanted to talk to you about a task I'd like you to do for the family. You see, my brother wasn't always a drunkard. He lost his pride when he couldn't save his sweetheart from a monster. I believe that if we gave him a chance to slay the monster he could re-gain his lost pride. I've convinced my brother to come with me to slay the monster, but we will need help. This would be a dengerous task, but it would unboubtedly give oportunities for both fortune and glory. What do you say? Will you goin our expedition?"

_________________

Marcus was a little uneasy. He could embark on a glorious quest, and put those muscles of his to great use...or he could get rich overnight. Marcus tried hard not to show this dilemma.

"A quest, to slay a monster? Oh, I've only imagined such things in my dreams, sir! But I don't want to jump into it right away. I'd like to have one last sip of civiliation before I throw my fate into the wind. I hate to invite myself, Mr. Maxwell, but may I spend the night at your home?" The lizard-boy's voice took a somber tone. "I'm a lonely child."

_________________

Maxwell said: "Hrm... well I suppose I could convince father to allow it. Alright then. I'll see if I can convince father that you're to be trusted. Meanwhile, though, I need you to stand with me as we try to convince others to join our quest. We'll need all the help we can get if we're to make it to the lair of the beast. You see, it lairs in the foothills of the Kaern Mountains, and that area is an uncivilized wilderness as I'm sure you know. To venture there unprepared would be suicide.
Come, we'll see if there are any brave men at the Red Lion Inn willing to aid us in our adventure. If we're lucky, we'll find someone who knows the area and can act as a guide."

_________________

"You have my word, Maxwell. I'm eager to embark on another quest. I guess you could say I'm on one anyway. I'm deserted...orphaned. It's too long a story. And too sad."

Marcus turned his head up. "But on to the Red Lion! We need every man we can find."

_________________

Maxwell and Marcus went into the Red Lion Inn.
Maxwell stood on a chair and waved his hands for attention.
"Attention, good citizens. I am Maxwell Birk, and I am puting together an expidition to slay the Monster of the Kaern Mountains! We need brave men to goin us in this adventure, and I am wondering if there are any in here who would join us."

_________________

As Maxwell was making his speech, Marcus spotted Olef & winked. He went into a corner & wrote out a note. It said:

Spending the night at his home. Will report in the morning.

"Barkeep, will you take this to the man in black in that corner?"

"Certainly, sir." The barkeep handed the note to Olef. "From the lizard."

_________________

Drek didn't get a chance to respond to the bartender, as Maxwell came in just then. The elf listened to what he had to say, and was intrigued. It certainly sounded more interesting than hunting rabbits and quail for a tavern. He approached Maxwell.

"Sir, I would like to accompany you on your quest. I am a skilled archer, and I know the wilderness well."

_________________

Several of the men in the bar stood up and looked in Maxwell's direction, but none of them said anything.

Olef took the note the bartender had passed to him, read it, and put it in his pocket.

Maxwell said to Drek. "Ah, a woodsman! Yes, we welcome you Sir Elf. Tell me, are you by chance familiar with the foothils of Kaern Mountains?

<GM's Note: Opps. Looks like I was typing as you posted, Exhibit A. I've revised that scene aprops..>

_________________

Marcus spotted the elf. He felt comforted that he wasn't the only non-human who would join Maxwell. Before the elf could answer the man, Marcus cut in & shook his hand. "Hello, sir. My name's Marcus. I'm on the fellowship with Mr. Maxwell here."

_________________

<GM's note: This is the point where Drek says something to Marcus, finaly kicking off actual player-to-player role playing>

_________________

Drek nodded to the lizard man. "Grettings, Marcus. My name is Drek. As for your question Marcus, I know the area well, I have hunted there many times."

_________________

Marcus smiled. "Wow, I've never seen an elf before! I've only read about your kind in books, Drek."

Elves are rich, Marcus thought, Maybe once I'm finished with Maxwell, I can get some gold from Elf-boy here.

_________________

Except for Drek, no one got up to answer Maxwell's call.
Seeing that he had gotten all the help he was gonna get. Maxwell sat down at a table.
He looked somewhat dejected. "Well, Sir Elf, tell us a little about yourself. Are you a woodsman by trade?"

_________________

<OOC: Sorry about the delay.>

Drek sat down at the table with Maxwell.

"I'm a hunter. I hunt game, and sell the meat in towns. Or at least I used to. I was mugged my bandits, and lost everything. I was, however, able to make back enough money to buy a new bow and some arrows. Now, tell me more about this monster you want to kill."

_________________

Maxwell noded as he listened to Drek.
"Ah, the monster. First, I suppose I should explain why we seek it. You see, my brother was once courting a lass who was fond of the outdoors. To woo her, he would take her on picnics and camping trips, fishing trips and all sorts of bird-watching things. It was on one of these trips that the monster attacked them. My brother tried to defend against the beast, but he found himself frozen with fear, unable to help as the monster carried off the love of his life. He was so ashamed and consumed by guilt that he turned to the bottle, but I think he's finaly snaped out of it."
"I've consulted with several sages, wizzards and loremasters, and they all say that the Monster we seek is called a "Dire Wolf". It stands about four feet tall at the shoulders, weighs about 800 pounds, and is about nine feet long. It's got long black teeth and a wicked set of spikes along it's spine. It's eyes are solid red spheres, and they say it's very gaze can petrifiy a man. It's fur is of the blackest of shades, so it's very hard to see at night. The wise men I consulted say it's not from this world. They say it comes from another plane, that it is demonic in it's orgins but not actualy a demon itself. What that means is that we don't need a preist to banish it; we can kill it like any other creature. I also learnt that unlike real wolves, this monster is a solitary creature. No packs of Dire Wolves for us to kill, just the one. So, there's four of us and one of it. I think we can take it. Also, I learned that these creatures seem to have some sort of vulnerability to Wolvesbane, which is a plant of some kind. I'm a gem dealer not a herbalist, so frankly I don't really know how some plant can protect us; but I'm not going to throw away any advatage we might be able to get. Traders tell of a herbalist who dwells in the village of Targos, so we will consult with him before we engage the creature. If he can help us in any way, it will be well worth it. The village of Targos is roughly on the way to the hills where the monster dwells, about two days walk to the south-east. I've sent a rider ahead to tell this herbalist to expect us, so with any luck he'll be in the village to meet us and not out scrounging herbs and roots and such."
"Now, what say we get you brave lads some better equipment. If ye are to battle with monsters at my behest, I'd best see you well prepared to the task. Come, let us go to the market square. I will buy you armor and helms and sheilds and such as you desire, and then we shall feast."

_________________