Farming Out, Prologue
Log Info
- Title: Farming Out, Prologue
- Emitter: Williwaw
- Characters: Auranar, Jinks, Mercy, Paenitia, Seyardu
- Place: Auranar, Lyme, Mercy, Seyardu, Paenitia, Jinks
- Time: Friday, October 15, 2021, 11:48 PM
- Summary: Adventurers meet in the guild and are briefed on an assignment. Livestock and people are going missing in the farmlands and it needs to be investigated. The adventurers are warned that the guild is on thin ice, and they should be careful about their reputation and actions.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Auranar 4'8" 123 Lb Wild Elf Female A wild elf with dark skin and a red dress. Lyme 7'2" 435 Lb Orc Butch Black-skinned oruch of suitable stature. Mercy 5'5" 150 Lb Human Female A platinum haired Aesir woman, in flamboyant black. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Jinks 3'4" 39 Lb Gnome Male A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Williwaw -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The man's name is Frances Harde, and he looks tired. He's also one of the clerk's currently in charge of handing out job offers to any affiliates currently looking for work, glory, excitement, and any combination of the three. The combination of his height and failing eyesight has forced him to stoop at his desk as he examines a report that seems to be giving him some stomach issues.
Auranar stands ready, or as ready as she ever is. She has a bow in hand this time at least, and that's more ready than she's been practically any other time she's gone out on a mission for the adventuers guild. She's also wearing a pair of pants under her dress. Just in case. Sandy gave good advice and she wasn't about to ignore it and have any peeking accidents!
Lyme is, in fact, one of those affiliate. He's in the Guild office, thumbs hooked into his swordbelt. "Frances," he drawls affably past his tusks, "there any jobs in there that don't involve sewer-cleaning?"
The office door opens suddenly, framed in the arch, with her black cape, and ash-blonde hair blowing in the breeze, Redeemer Mercy Hjarlhundr of the Order of the Radiant Sun, looks about the room with eyes focused on spotting inJUSTICE! wherever it may hide. She smiles and doffs her plumed floppy hat with a bow and a flourish.
Well met all!
Seyardu was one of those who happened to be around that day, and a listing for the guild that needed to be done, there were many jobs to be done, and not enough people to do them at times. So she had signed up, and the cleric was waiting quietly off to the side, taking in the others who had signed up.
"Peace on your nest, Mercy. You are here for the job as well? I do not know what is expected, but the more reliable people joining, the better."
"Hola!" A little Lucht in Red Armour says cheerfully. She has a wide brimmed hat, a cloak of peacock feathers, and rusty armour that has seen better days. It actually appears to have been crushed, then beaten back into shape, and it squeaks with her every movement. "I am here for the errant quests for the knight errant, as the coin is in great need."
She taps her gauntlet to the brim of her hat, acknowledging Lyme.
Jinks peers into the hall from the doorway of one of many meeting rooms, mouth half-open in yawn as he rubs sleep from the corner of one eye. He sticks his head a little further into the hall to peer the opposite direction to verify a clear coast and steps out, plucking the "IN USE" sign off the door and tossing it into the room. He makes for the foyer, elbows extended and hands curled into loose fists as he allows himself a full and proper yawn.
Frances winces a little bit, dropping the multiple paged report as he raises his hands in something of a placating, pleading gesture. "Please.. not so loud..." he complains, then straightens with an audible creaking in his spine that seems a little out of place for someone who doesn't look all that old. His squint, however, remains, as he looks upon the disparate collection of people in the room., then he grabs a random form from his desk, studies it, then grunts.
"Alright. Look. I'll be honest. The pickings are slimming down quite alot with all of the recent... bad publicity we've been getting. But we had a wagon driver come in this morning... Thomas Crowe of Crowe and Sons Deliveries... said a collection of farmsteads he regularly delivers supplies and sundries to has had a bit of trouble, and they're looking for problem solvers."
He holds the form up. "Paying. Looks like you get to help some decent folk in need. But it's a bit of a travel.. and to be honest? Probably best for the guild if some of our business is taken out of town. Any interest?"
The blonde inquisitress speaks up. "Protecting the innocent is always an act of JUSTICE! I shall take this quest. True the pay will be nice too. I am eyeing yet another weapon for my collection." She shrugs and there is martial rattle of ... things... beneath her cape.
Auranar lifts her hand somewhat hesitantly at the end of this message. "I am interested." She glances around the room a little bit then hesitantly lowers her hand once more. "Are there any details on what kind of trouble or just... trouble?"
"Yes!" Paenitia says decisively, "I am the Knight of the road, and support the common folk." She glances around, at Seyardu, at Lyme, "With much experience in the farms around. Happily, I take this up!"
She laughs, looking at Auranar, "that is the good question! Do you have hints, Frances, for what we should prepare?" Lyme nods once, curtly. "Sure thing -- let's get out of town, get paid." He frowns, rubbing the base of his skull. "What kind of trouble?"
"All manner of problems can crop up on a farm," Jinks announces, stepping from the hall. He's returned from an important meeting. He certainly wasn't squatting in an unused room sleeping one off. His studded doublet is open and his shirt untucked, his belt dangling unclasped below his hips. His hair is half-back to one side, the other dangling in a tangle. "But their teamster allies are driven to find solutions."
The gnome scratches at his cheek and little flakes of dried spittle are knocked loose. Quite the meeting. "For if Thomas can't solve this problem his family will have nothing to eat but... crow."
"If there is business that needs tending to, then I will do what I can to assist, within reason." Seyardu nods, once she finished waving to all the others, and the lucht-knight who entered. "This is, yes, the less vague the request is, the better, so we may be properly prepared." She agrees, thoughts of previous problems with vague requests on her mind.
Frances looks away from his report, squinting at Jinks. "I was about to send Geosep to check on you... he's not going to find anything strange in there, is he?" Yes, he's positively squinty. While waiting for the response, he addresses the other concerns that appear to be shared almost unanimously among the rest of you. "Ah. A moment."
He lifts the form closer to his face, murmuring as he reads. "Here we go. Missing animals, and then missing people. Expect local predators. Farms butt up against a swamp... says the place is called the Swamp of Sadness. But you know how local names go. Probably just trying to keep the kids from wandering off the farms. Still, might want to be prepared to get wet, from the sounds of it. "
Auranar looks down at her pants and skirts and then up again with a mildly horrified expression. There will be saving her clothes if she goes tramping through a swamp of all places. But... restoring the name of the guild was fairly important to her. She sighs. "I suppose that there is nothing to be done but track down this animal and stop it from stealing livestock and people." She can't imagine what kind of animal would choose to hunt humans; a very hungry one? But she's not overly familiar with the wilderness (being an elf aside).
Mercy looks thoughtful. "Missing livestock is a tragedy but missing people. who knows what inJUSTICE! could be happening to them. we must spare no time getting there and beginning our inquiries!!
"Ha! It is not the Bog of Eternal Stench, we will be fine. I have the wards against sadness." Paenitia says cheerfully, glancing around with her ever grinning mask. Her head bobs as she hears the complications of the task.
"The missing animals, the missing people, this is a common thing. Well," she places her hands on her hips, clank, and peers around, "I shall get the boots."
Lyme nods once. "Alright, that'll be how it's going to be." He nods. "We'll need the boots, for sure." A neck-crack later. "Do we need to sign now?"
"So the animals, and the people now, too?" Seyardu asks, a brow raised. The news was not a surprise, it was something she was used to back home, but, in softskin lands, it was much more uncommon. "This does require us looking into, for certain. If people are going missing, then it is dangerous still, and the farmers likely cannot leave, or will not. So we should look into it."
"Fantastic meeting." Jinks smiles, wide and with teeth. Genuine. "Buffooniert and von Larks have agreed on my rate after lengthy negotiations. There were points where I felt as if neither would give ground and I'd be better off resting my head on a table and having a nap." He clasps his hands together and shakes them enthusiastically. "Once that job is done and I'm paid the guild is sure to have its cut; let's just hope these copper-pinching nobles keep up their end."
Jinks wrinkles his nose at mention of the stinky bog and then offers, generally, "Doesn't sound like a standup fight; it's another bug hunt."
"Yes, yes. Here." Frances reverses his hold on the form, pushing it forward on this desk to the side. "Members sign here, at the bottom. If you're not yet a member.." He scrounges about a little, producing other forms, "Then fill these out. Indicate whether you'd prefer to be considered a temporary contractor, or if you're interested in seeking full affiliate or membership status."
He leans back, giving leave to read over the details and sign. "I'd suggest big boots. Rain gear. Food. The Crowes have offered transport back... Thomas was planning to set back out tomorrow. But if you have your own means and wish to leave sooner, I'm sure the farmers would appreciate that." He pauses, then with the distinct look of someone biting into something sour, goes on.
"Now.. I don't like having to bring this up, but I've been reminded to remind you that our reputation is under attack. So.. we have a long standing tradition of trusting those we send out to use their best judgement regarding the situations they encounter, but please factor in how certain actions might... ah... reflect badly upon us? The guild has a long history of protecting this city, gives us some latitude other mercenary types wouldn't get. But if they decide we're more trouble than its worth... "
Frances shrugs, looking even unhappier than before. "So help these people. Do you what you can. If you have to burn something down... please, please, please, have a good reason for it?"
Lyme nods, signs the forms. "Alright. Minimum fuss, minimum mess. I will be careful swinging this around." He pats the hilt of his two-handed war-knife. A subtle weapon, truly.
Stepping forward to the desk with a rattle of ironmongery, Mercy takes up the pen as if it is a holy sword and signs her name with a grandiose flourish.
Auranar steps forward to sign her name, her cursive quick and stylish on the page and she gives the gnome a rather wary look. "I will be very careful, and do my best to help these people." Her tone is that of one giving their most solemn oath and she nods once before stepping backwards so that someone else can sign their name to the document. She stares for a long time afterward at the mark on the paper as if wondering if she can actually be of any assistance to those that she's promised to aid.
Seyardu steps to the side and takes out an elegant looking pen from her bag, and uncapping it, she signs her name to the form in question with an equally elegant flowing script, albeit in draconic runes. Then she steps back, and nods.
"I can speak as a cleric of Althea, that I will do everything I can to help those in need, and will avoid any situations that will cause trouble for the guild to the best of my abilities. And I will keep an eye on those with me, but knowing many here, I trust their judgement and good sense."
Paenitia signs on as a temporary contractor. She watches Frances as he speaks, her expression concealed by the stylized mask that completely covers her face. He is met with a wide grin, curled mustache, eyebrows arched in surprise or mischief. "I am a Knight of the Pillar and a Mad Dog of Isobar. I have upheld the common people and overthrown the corrupt tyrant."
"I act with honour, but do not empower fools. I will not add to the suffering of farmers. Also, I have found, the swamps do not burn easily." She laughs, just a little.
Jinks likely remembered a joke at a similar time and isn't chuckling in direct response to Seyardu's comment about 'judgement' and 'good sense.' The emerald-eyed, golden coyote's head brooch only seems to sparkle and flash more than it should in the lamplight. Finally, he steps in behind the paladina, re-dips the offered quill, and makes a quick scribble that could be interpreted as his short name.
"Big damn heroes, Frances." He pushes the contract back and twists the quill, offering it back vane-first.
Frances settles back in his chair completely, now, seeming to settle as a great deal of his apprehension falls away. "Okay, good, good. Now... just a word of advice. I know some of you are quite experienced here," he says.. "A good reputation. I appreciate your offer in particular, Hearthguard. My brother and I really want to see all of you make it back, so watch out for the new faces, alright?"
He looks at Mercy. "It's good to be prepared.. but remember, all those weapons might only weigh you down in the swamp. Don't be afraid to ditch them if you need to." His gaze moves over to Auranar. "Careful first. Helping the people is a close second, alright?" Then to Jinks, and by this point it's obvious he's 'making the rounds.' "Please don't make that crow joke around Thomas if you take him up on his offer." Eyes settling on Paenitia, then. "These people will appreciate honour, and their like don't suffer fools that gladly either." And then, lastly, Lyme. "You should probably take some rope." Finally, a sigh. "When you get back.. I'd appreciate that whomever submits the report is at least somewhat literate?"
OOC
<OOC> Jinks says, "More often than not I'm the only male character. I was actually just remarking on that to someone else."
<OOC> Williwaw says, "Gonna start with an OOC pre-amble, then assuming things are still good for folks I will get rolling. WE'll see how far into it we can get."
<OOC> Williwaw says, "For starters, my style tends to be less in the major, epic, HUGE IMPACT story lines that other staff are quite able and famous for. Mine tend to be lower key, no less heroic for the NPCs involved, but more sort of your small town stories. For the most part. There may be connections, but for the most part they're kind of like short stories as opposed to the novels/series that the others do."
<OOC> Williwaw says, "I also make shameless use of references, some more blatant than others, to various things that shaped my childhood growing up. Alot of plotlines will be borrowed/adapted from other things. I sometimes try to drop some goofy humour in it, as well, but like all humour, sometimes I'm the only one that finds it funny. As an example, the last event I ran had characters that may or may not have been based on Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
<OOC> Williwaw says, "If this breaks immersion too much for any of you, and you don't enjoy that sort of thing, no hard feelings. The other DMs here are great, and much better at this than I am anyways :D"
<OOC> Williwaw says, "Okay, that being said, let's kick this off.. our story begins as many do at an Adventurer's Guild dispatch office."