Post
by waysoftheearth » Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:24 am
waysoftheearth wrote:
Dugel, Wendel, and Mads. Your adventure begins...
Now.
"Thank you for coming, err, gentlemen," mutters the representative of the Traders' Concourse stiffly. He is apparently an irritable merchant, of sorts, and clearly his thanks amount to a formality rather than any sincere gratitude.
Behind him stand two thick-limbed guardians -- fighting men in the Concourse purple and white livery, but sell sword thugs without any shadow of doubt -- who each carry a quietly burning lantern, and the orange light cast by these illuminates the grimy, claustrophobic stone vault.
"I apologise for the rather unconventional circumstances," continues the Concourse man, smiling half-heartedly as he casts a bony hand about.
It truly is an eerie, and slightly frightening place to find yourselves in, and you have several times already questioned the wisdom of agreeing to this crackpot scheme. Still, and empty coin purse will drive a Man or Dwarf equally to desperate things...
"...but discretion is paramount in this matter, as I am sure you three, em, gentlemen, can appreciate." The Concourse man sniffs irritably, then indicates to one of his guards and the burly fellow hands his burning lantern over to the dark-cloaked fellow among you named Mads, who takes it silently and nods. He turns to look at each of in turn with a dubious eye, which each of you return in kind. You are an unlikely trio to be hired for any "official" business, that much is certain.
"The entrance to the catacombs is directly ahead, there," the Concourse Man continues, indicating the great dark arched doorway directly ahead. "My Men here, Meinhard and Gregor will await you at the top of this stair, and ensure that nobody else comes this way. Remember, all you need do for your hundred gold pieces is verify that the Old Vault remains sealed -- you must report to me the four numerals that are visible on the face of the lock. You should find the vault one level down, and some hundred yards or so ahead."
You remember now that the agent was specifically looking for Men who could read and figure... he was very insistent on that.
"But I warn you once more!" he shakes his bony finger at you, "These warrens have long been disused, and we suspect they may be inhabited by... various unfriendly sorts, best avoided." he sniffs again.
"Right then," he says, suddenly irritable again, "I shall be off. Good luck... gentlemen."
The Concourse Man and his two guards all turn about to tramp back up the steep, narrow stair which you recently descended in order to arrive at this place.
Before long, it is only the three of you. And the foreboding dark...
[f=32]
Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak,
lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges;
torch[/f]