(026) Happenstance in Ket

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Mads pulls out the merchants' purse and loosens the strings, then easily pulls forth a single silver shilling to cover the cost of the meal. The purse remains satisfactorily heavy despite this withdrawal. Mads has a feeling there might be 20 to 30 coins in it.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Percy considers the other patrons while Josiane inquires after directions. There are four other merchants at two separate tables, all muttering about their business over coffee and bread, a group of three recently arrived porters who appear to be taking a breather from their duties at the front bar, and two other thick necked fellows standing cross armed near the front bar. They might be what passes for "security" around here, but none of them are armed.

Meanwhile, Dans the barkeep is explaining to Josiane as he collects the silver coin;

"Glib Court 'tis a short walk. Pass across the market and then straight along Bow street to the miller's. Then turn to your right and head along Crib street towards the warehouses. Just before you reach the docks you'll find it on yer left. Have a care though, you might encounter some rough folk down that way at the wrong time of day..."

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
"My thanks to you," says Josiane, and at her fellow adventurers convenience, she sets forth for Glib Street and the private club of Master Grumolg...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Josiane leads the way, Percy and Mads following after her, from the common room of The Jolly Noose into the town square where they stand a moment blinking in the mid-morning sun.

For a miracle the cloud cover is brushed aside by the fitful wind, and a touch of coming spring sunlight is upon Ket. The ivory light is warming to the soul after the long, dreary winter, though in truth many cold and wet days yet lie ahead before spring shall be declared proper.

"Let us away," beams Josiane, and pushes on without waiting.

From the market square there go the Gate way, Main street, Bow street, and Flea street, each a muddy, cobbled avenue almost 10ft and surrounded by inward leaning buildings of timber upon stone foundations.

Josiane leads confidently down Bow street, as directed, wherein the small company passes by the busy workshops of the cart-wright, the carpenter, and the fletcher before the come upon the mill. The smell of resin and saw-dust hangs richly in the air before they reach the open saw-yard, and soon enough the rhythmic hack of two pairs of lumber cutters reach them. The thick-necked, bare-chested Men are working two great toothed saws in counter-point to cut fresh lumber into broad planks. It looks to be very physical work.

The mill stands at the cross-roads of Bow street and Crib street, with latter tending somewhat uphill to the left -- toward the well-to-do end of town -- and downhill to the right -- toward the cheap end of town.

The company turn left, downhill, and soon find the way narrower and muddier than before -- they can almost reach out and touch the squat warehouses to either side of the street, and the dirty little alleys that run between these structures seem dark and uninviting...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Soon, the company spy the loading yards ahead of them, where merchant caravans would be stocked before departure or else unloaded upon arrival -- and also where the town's single pier might be accessed by merchants in possession of a key that opens the rusty old pier gate.

However, before they go so far Josiane stops in the narrow street and declares "The Glib Court!"

To her left is a marginally wider alley that leads into a soiled looking cul-de-sac surrounded by dreary, washed out warehouses. The are several uninviting doorways -- each amply boarded up -- and overmuch refuse gathered in the apparently disused street curb.

But alas, there is no sign of anybody about, much less any "club" to speak of.

"Outta tha way!" growls a heavily burdened porter -- one of many shoving his way past the company on his way to the loading yards yonder...

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
Josiane takes in the uninviting scene calmly, seemingly unfazed by her dreary, ominous surroundings.

Then she steps away from the entrance to the court and does what she can to find a spot where she can stand without obstructing the traffic. Once this is located, she takes the opportunity to enjoy the sunny sky, a peaceful smile on her face.

She appears to be waiting for something.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Josiane, Percy and Mads all are forced to stand with their backs to the grubby warehouse opposite the entry to Glib Court, for there is much traffic attempting to the ply the narrow street. A train of porters, one after another, burdened by stout barrels and huge tubs of vegetables trek up and back, along with scruffy merchants and their sons and hired help. Some with mules, other with dogs. Urchins feet patter down the street at a hazardous run accompanied by their laughter and the cursing of adults.

"I don't suppose this sun will last," mutters Mads to himself, gazing strangely at the sky...

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
"Then let us enjoy the moment," says Josiane pleasantly.

Then, with a look of sudden understanding and a slight nod to no-one in particular; "A few silvers from the purse, please..."

And assuming Mads obliges, she drops into a crouch and, flashing her prettiest smile, hails the rag-tag band of tumbling urchins.

"Young gentlemen? Young ladies? A moment of your time if you will?"

She makes sure the silver is visible in her hand...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Fathoming here plan, Mads reluctantly digs out three pieces of silver from the little purse and hands them over to Josiane.

"This purse will be empty ere sunset, I swear," he complains from beneath the hood of his robe...

Josiane simply smiles, and when the group of street urchins make their next galloping pass she draws their attention with the silver...


Of course, Josiane is well aware that she has 10 copper pennies remaining in her own purse.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
OOC status check:

Josiane (Maiden T1, AC5/7, HD 1+3, hp 6/6, Load 9/13)

Clothing, Backpack (1), Bedroll (1), Purse {10cp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Victuals {7 days} (1), Leather armour (2), Shield, wooden (1), Jehen's Sword (1), Holy Symbol, Holy water {2 quarts} (1), Wise silver piece, Leather scroll case, Spell scrolls {3}.

Memorised: The Fiat Libation.


Percy (Man F1, AC6/6, HD 1+3, hp 8/8, Load 12/12)

Clothing, Backpack (1), Bedroll (1), Purse {1sp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Victuals {7 days} (1), Leather armour (2), Shield, wooden (1), Crossbow (2), Boltcase (1), Bolts {20}, Dagger, Pick (1), Oscar's bejewelled dagger, Sack, Torches {6} (1).


Mads (Man W1, AC6/7, HD 1+2, hp 6/6, Load 7/8)

Clothing, Backpack (1), Bedroll (1), Purse {9sp 4cp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Victuals {7 days} (1), Leather armour (2), Belt pouch, Waxed satchel, Leather scroll case, Spell scrolls {3}, Tinderbox, Short sword (1), 4in glass lens, Merchants' purse {22 sp}.

Memorised: The Preposterous Foment, The Genuflect Yaw.