Difference between pages "Morning of July 18th, in Camp" and "On to Bergen"

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Continued from '''[[Stavanger Again, Now in July]]'''
Continued from '''[[Chieftain's Room]]'''
 
  
'''The DM:''' Waking up at your camp on the 18th, you find the weather is not bad for Norway: a thin mist with plenty of visibility, no more than light airs that can just be felt and a pleasant temperature.
+
'''The DM:''' On the morning of July 25th, you leave Stavanger in a moderate rain, a strong steady shower, getting aboard the boat at 7 a.m.  The rain doesn't matter much, since you'll only be allowed in the open once a day, for half an hourBy the time you're allowed on deck on the 25th, you'll see the familiar peninsula north of Mimmarudla passing on the starboard side, and the rain will have easedYou won't see anything again until the next day; it will rain all day and all night of the 25th, and still be raining the next dayBy noon on the 26th, you'll come on deck during a deluge, with heavy rain sluicing off the deck, though the sea is relatively calmThe wind has been perfect all day and night, veering from a gentle to a moderate breeze, and the ship is making good time.  You drift below again at one o'clock, and eight hours later, at nine p.m., the ship docks in Bergen.
: However, before committing ourselves to a furtherance of adventuring, let me first explain I'm slightly under the weatherI have a little to do this morning, so I'll be checking less rarelyAnd I'd like to be absolutely sure that everyone is up to speed on changes in character — and that includes Lexent, who also went up to 3rd just recentlyThis is '''the right time''' to ask questions about any new abilities you've acquiredI didn't have time to work them up, but I can get some details sorted right here, and work them up later.
 
  
'''The DM:''' Pandred, when you get back to your camp late on the 17th, you'll find Anduin there.  He'd come into Treborg, heard some stories about your party, followed you out and found your camp, spoke to your followers there and has been waiting to meet youHe and Pandred get along very well from the start and though the relationship realistically builds over time, you may accept that he's your henchfolk and you're running him.
+
: Master Larsen tells you the ''Morkinskib'' will be departing on the morning of the 31st; he needs four full days in Bergen to unload and load goods.  He will save your berths until then, if you wish to continue onto TrondheimYour paid price so far only gets you to Bergen; it will be a like price again for the next journey to Trondheim.
  
'''The DM:''' I've been thinking about '''Set Injury''' Lexent, and I think it should probably work, initially, that when you set the injury, three effects take place.  One injury point is removed.  You improve the character's mobility (which will depend on making up individual rules for each kind of injury eventually).  And finally, you can aid the hit points gained the same way as aid rest works, with Pandred restoring 7 sup-points of injury per day, as opposed to 5.  The injury page will need to be updated at little, to make the healing section there clearer, and the Set Injury page will need to be made, but for now consider this canon.
+
: Working out a market table for Bergen now.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Can we retcon to the night of the 17th? There were some things we wanted to accomplish prior to resting.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Funds deducted for passage. Vafrandir, can you tell me how much the party netted from the sales in Stavanger less what we gave to the hirelings? I'm assuming we're just planning to keep that as party funds for the time being?
  
'''Pandred''': I've changed Arduin's fourth spell from Purify Water to Shillelagh if you don't object, as his background allowed him to get proficiency in club.
+
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' 516 after sending Nadia back to Treborg with 200 - shit, did we send Nadia back to Treborg? Yes, party funds, please.
: For other questions I think I would most like to be clued in to what advantages Pandred gets from her new amateur Motivation sage ability, and what Natural Astronomy would provide for Arduin. Will it grant us some ability to avoid getting lost, or is that mainly a benefit while sailing? Should I add a sextant or anything similar to my starting equipment to allow use of the skill?
 
  
'''The DM:''' '''Motivation (sage study)'''.  
+
'''Alexis:''' Never mind, found it Lexent.  I've sent copies of the Bergen Market to the party. Prices have adjusted. Bergen has access to markets in England that Stavanger hasn't got; plus it has many more ships that travel direct from place to place, so prices are lower in Bergen than they are in Stavanger, in some things.
: 1. '''Improve Morale (sage ability) ''': All hirelings gain a +1 morale when within 60 feet of Pandred’s person or voice.
 
  
: 2. '''Recruit (sage ability) ''': the character has excellent skills at recruiting new hirelings for duty, with skills at finding new people.  The character adds +1 ability stat to the hireling’s totals, per 5,000 city population, to stat desired, provided no single stat is increased 3 more than the least unincreased stat.  Let me know if that needs an example.
+
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Nice!
  
: 3. '''Raise Group (sage ability) ''': essentially it allows you to raise a posse in cases where the enforcement of law and order is neededI’ll put this into more medieval-speak when I write the page but that’s the short hand.
+
'''The DM:''' Total time of the journey, 36 hoursCosts only 2 lb. per person per day aboard ship to eat.
  
'''The DM:''' Yes Lexent, go ahead and run the night before, though remember you're too tired to do anything seriously work-like until you rest.
+
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Accounted.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Once things have settled down back at camp, I ask for a moment of Marit's time. I apologise to her for aksing her to open the door in the dungeon earlier, and thank her for her efforts of the day.
+
'''The DM:''' Okay, you've got the equipment list; you can chat about how or if you want to approach the Hamish Ross question. I'm out for the weekend.  I'll check in after a couple hours to see if there were any last questions.  Thank you all.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' How many hit points does everybody need, including hirelings? I show Marit as needing 1, and I'm down by 17.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Funds now up to date. Well, I think its a bit late tonight to do anything, but in the morning we could try to find the seat of government and make inquiries, and also try to search out any local Catholic communities as Hamish Ross could be known among them.
  
'''The DM:''' Natural Astronomy has a good write up on the old wiki: '''http://tao-dndwiki.blogspot.com/2018/03/natural-astronomy-sage-study.html'''
+
'''Pandred''': Surely.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' When I add my new HP, do I add it to my current as well as my max?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Pandred, Don't forget to use your bottle on the 17th.
+
'''The DM:''' InSorry, slept in.
 
 
'''The DM:''' Lexent, casting a spell is hard workWhen you’ve been staggering around doing heavy stress activities for 12 hours, you’re hardly in a condition to pray effectively.  Why not just let it wait for the morning?  I know, I know, you want the benefit of doing it twice, tonight and the next day.  But I’m afraid not; you’ve spent your wad for the 17th.  You’re pooped.
 
 
 
: As regards Marit, she waves it off.  “I’ve forgotten already,” she’ll tell you.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Vafrandir, yes.  If your current is 10, and your max is 24, and you added 7 h.p., your current would be 17 and your max would be 31.
 
 
 
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Very well.
 
 
 
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Has my ''Olfactory Acuity'' added any types of potions or substances I can recognise?
 
 
 
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Other than using my spells and having Pandred use a healing salve from her bottle, I don't know of anything else we were planning to do on the 17th.
 
 
 
Pandred: Salve gives 2 to whomever is most needful.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Understood.
 
 
 
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Are we going to head back up today, or would we like to rest a day? Helga is in the negatives and Asger is below half hit points.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Let's rest up. We're not terribly bad off but we've had a good beating.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Lexent, yes.  “Some potions” would include the most common: healing, heroism, sweet water, protection potions.  Since this is an amateur ability, I should have covered this earlier.  Marcule took a heroism potion; it lasted until he woke up the next day.  You would have had time to sniff it so yes, the OTHER potion is also heroism.
 
 
 
== Breakfast ==
 
'''The DM:''' Assuming you still want to cast that augury spell, Lexent.  You removed the questions, so you’ll  have to write them again.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Out for a bit.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Remember that '''Aid''' can add more hit points than a player character’s maximum, so you may want to do that last after other healing takes place.
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' In
 
  
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
  
'''The DM:''' Vafrandir, do you have any questions about the increased puissance list?
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I assume we can sleep on the ship - if we want to go ashore, I don't see prices for rooms on the Market sheet you sent. Am I just missing it?
 
 
'''[[Lexent]]:''' We rest for the day. I use my ''Aid Rest'' to assist Vafrandir, Marcule, Helga, Asger, and Bjarni. Before sleeping I would like to cast my spells and encourage Pandred to use her bottle. The most injured was Helga, so I assume that those '''2''' points from the 17th went to her.
 
 
 
'''Pandred''': Oh! Before I forget, I'm so sorry. Alexis, could you drum up Arduin's encumbrance? For some reason I can't use the excel sheet from your wiki: it saves as "read only" and I can't access the hidden sheets to copy the formulas.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' What were the questions for augury, Lexent?
 
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I cast ''Augury'' and ask the following questions:
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Let's do some poking around on Ross. I've no idea where to go, though.
: "Can Grond be reasoned with?"
 
: "Will Grond retaliate against us tonight?"
 
: "Is Grond bound to the dungeon?"
 
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I am curious about the details of Draw Speed.
+
'''The DM:''' Can't sleep on the ship.  You'd be in the way during the loading-unloading process.
  
[[File:Arduin Encumbrance.jpg|center|630px]]
+
== Staying Overnight ==
 +
[[File:Innkeeper.jpg|right|600px|thumb|]]
 +
Use the file on the right for the innkeeper for the time being.  Note [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Travel#Finding_Lodging the travel page] for how an inn works.
  
'''Pandred''': Thank you.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Well, given what we're carrying, I believe we should probably get ourselves at least 1 private room. Thoughts?
  
'''The DM:''' Vafrandir, it drops the number of AP to draw a weapon by 1.  So something with 1 AP counts as zero, 2 AP as 1 and 3 AP as 2.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I agree. One of us can stay with the shield, the rest, I'm fine with a common room.
  
'''The DM:''' Lexent, in order, your answers are:
+
'''The DM:''' Table gives a choice, doesn't it?
: No.
 
: No.
 
: No.
 
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Thank you.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Private rooms are a single pallet, correct?
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' All weapons, or just bows?
+
'''The DM:''' correct.  Let me know when you've settled things and we can start the next day.  Do you wish to ask anyone around the inn any questions? The tavern is still in gear when you enter.
  
'''The DM:''' Oh, it means getting your weapon ready.  Not drawing an arrow.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I ask around if anyone knows Hamish Ross
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Understood. Very helpful!
+
'''Patron:''' "Hamish?  You mean King Hamish?"  (Hamish would be a rare name in Norway)
  
'''The DM:''' Out.  'Bout 45 min.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "A King? King of where?"
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I've created a '''[[Hirelings|hirelings]]''' page, (linked from the main page as well) to keep track of our hirelings.  
+
'''The DM:''' Vafrandir’s question elicits laughter throughout the bar.
: I wasn't sure if we were each keeping track of our 'own' hireling's XP or not.
 
: If any of the XP or HP totals are incorrect, please update them.
 
: I did not include Odds, since he has his own page already that it looks like Pandred manages
 
: I have also deducted wages for Valda for this month as today is the 18th
 
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Looks good, Lexent
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Ouch, haha
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' At this time, I'd like to take account of all the gems and who's got what.
+
'''Patron: ''' “If you’re really interested in finding Hamish, you should try the Courtland Inn.  It’s further along the waterfront.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' What details there are exist on [[The Search Continues]]. I think the only thing we specified is that we apportioned some of them out in shares to all of our hirelings.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Thank you for your help; I hope to assuage my ignorance."
  
: '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Yea, I'd like to be more specific (if possible).
+
'''The DM:''' Action?
  
'''The DM:''' In.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Let's just get 7 private rooms. Lexent, can you pay? We'll also spring for a leg of mutton (3 sp) and a pint of meg (10 cp) each, before retiring.
  
'''The DM:''' Is there anything else.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I don't believe it is possible for this inn to have that many private rooms still available at this time of night. I ask how many private rooms are available.
  
'''[[Pandred]]''': We going for another dive today? Who is coming? Can we get Helga in fighting shape?
+
'''The DM:''' None.  As the linked page on the Authentic wiki tells, “The number of private rooms in a common inn will be 5-8, with an additional 2-12 shared accommodations available. The latter depends on how many permanent residents lodging at present. This is the number that will be available at noon on any given day. For every hour after noon and before 6 p.m., subtract 0-2 from each total; starting with 6 p.m., subtract 1-2 from each total.”  It is well after 9 p.m. now.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' How much did we get from Aid?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' So are our goods still aboard the ship, and may they remain there?
  
'''The DM:''' It’s been established you’re going to take the 18th to rest.  You heal as 2 levels higher than ordinary; so for Vafrandir, 6 a day of restDoesn't count until the 19th.
+
'''The DM:''' Worse, as it is a Friday, the 26th, the common room has only six spaces at this timeYes regarding your goods.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' If no one has anything else for the 18th, I'll effect that healing.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Would someone want to accompany me to the Courtland Inn to see if they have any room?
  
'''[[Pandred]]''': If we're resting, I'm good. Nothing further to add from me.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I will. I recommend everyone else board here.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I cast ''Aid'' on myself for '''1+6+8=15'''
+
'''The DM:''' Pay for that and we'll move on.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I use the healing staff on Helga for '''4+4+3=11'''
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' So, which entry on the table is that?
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Pandred, would you let Vafrandir have a dose from your bottle, please?"
+
== The Cour and ==
 +
'''The DM:''' The dockside becomes more seedy as you move along north, as you learn to go when asking directions.  Eventually you come to the “Courtland,” though the ‘t’ and the ‘l’ have been rubbed out on the sign.  This is a flophouse, and as you enter you find that unlike the earlier place (the “Quaypost”), there’s only a ten seat tavern and only two seats are needed for the patrons.  There’s no chatter, and nothing here looks to have been clean since 1647.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I cast ''Cure Light Wounds'' for '''3+4=7''' and distribute 2 to myself, 2 to Asger, and 3 to Vafrandir
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I inquire as to bed availability.
  
== Night of the 18th ==
+
'''Proprietor: ''' “Nearly all taken ... but for fine gentlemen such as yourselves, I’ve a room in the attic that would serve you better that one of the pallets downstairsThere’s naught a place that foreigners like yourselves should visitThere are real mattresses in the attic, though I ‘pologize, their bound to be a bit ticky. Would 8 s.p. be enough of a bargain for yeh?”
'''The DM:''' The weather actually cools a little towards mid-day, though the wind doesn’t pick up; the sky clears until there is one puffy cloud.  Then, from out of nowhere, the temperature plunges, straight through cool until it is briskOut to the west, you see an enormous storm moving from south to north ... but you’re untouched by itThe wind doesn’t change at all. By the time the sun goes down, it has warmed a little so that it’s cool again, with a gentle breeze blowing out of the southeast ... though the sky is completely overcast.
 
  
'''The DM:''' Marcule is on watch and gives a start.  It’s 2 AM and there is something very large approaching.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' It's too late to haggle. "We'll take two. Also, we were told to inquire after a certain Hamish Ross here."
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' May we finish healing before going to sleep?
+
'''Proprietor: ''' “Oh, it’s a room unto itself, sir.  Privacy for the both of you, I assure you.  Pardon me for asking ... did you say you were looking for Hamish Ross?
  
'''The DM:''' This happens after you heal.  It is technically the 19th.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "That's correct."
  
'''Marcule:''' can i see anything with my infravision
+
'''The DM:''' He looks very surprised.
  
'''The DM:''' Something about 9 to 11 feet tall and vaguely humanoid is moving across the landscape about 125 yards awayIt is hunched forward and moving in an irregular fashion, but still seems humanoid.
+
'''Proprietor: ''' “One moment sirI’ll ask my girl.
  
'''Marcule:''' i cast thinamagig and produce a telescope, what do i see?
+
'''The DM:''' You hear him talking beyond the door behind the bar, and a girl’s voice answering.
: '''The DM:''' That [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Thingamajig_(cantrip) cantrip] doesn't allow a telescope.
 
  
'''Marcule:''' sorry my error, i would wake lexent and pandred quietly
+
'''Proprietor: ''' Marla, have you seen King Hamish tonight?
  
'''The DM:''' Count yourselves awake.
+
'''Marla: ''' He was out in the back an hour ago.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I begin strapping on my shield.
+
'''The DM:''' The proprietor comes out and relays this information.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I also awaken Vafrandir
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Can you tell us about him? We'd like to see him tonight if we can."
  
'''The DM:''' Takes five rounds. The humanoid approaches slowly, not rushing, about five yards a round; so, a hundred yards away now.
+
'''Proprietor: ''' “Well sir ... it’s not my place to gossip about others; and if you don’t mind my saying so, you’re strangers to me, sirs.  Most likely best if I hold my tongue sirs.  I’d say you ought to go out back and see if he’s there.  I’m sorry I can’t let you through the back of the house, sir.  You understand I hope sir.
  
'''The DM:''' Vafrandir is awake. There's something familiar about the way the shape is moving.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "No offense taken. Thank you for your help." Lexent, let's go around and see what we can see. When we're out of the building, I'll also mention that I don't think this the Hamish we're after.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Does Vafrandir recognise it as Dilhak? (hope, hope, hope)
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Oh, I suspect it is, and that he has fallen on hard times having expected items that never made it to him.
  
'''The DM:''' Saying the name, everyone recognizes the giant immediately.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Lodging and food paid for.
  
'''The DM:''' And as soon as the giant comes within 50 years, and sees your low fire, he recognizes you also and raises his hand in greeting.
+
'''The DM:''' “Out back,” after checking all the possibilities, appears not to be some sort of yard or even a stable, but in fact no more than a scummy alley, full of offal, rotten-smelling bags and a single drunk, sleeping face towards one of the alley walls.
  
== Dilhak ==
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Oof." I cover my nose with one hand. "Hamish?" I call.
'''Dilhak''': "Didn’t expect to find you out here."
 
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "My goodness, you're every bit as tall as Vafrandir described."
+
'''The DM:''' No response.
  
[[Pandred]]: Vafrandir gets '''4''' from my salve. "Aye, he is. What brings you this way Dilhak?"
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Thought so. I'll get closer and gently shake him.
  
'''Dilhak''': "On my way to Ioglefeld."
+
'''The DM:''' The figure groans.
  
'''The DM:''' He’ll start to unload some food and a keg of drink from his backpack, and starts sharing the latter around.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Hamish Ross?"
 
'''Pandred''': "Oh? What awaits you there?" I'll accept his offer gratefully, and offer what little the camp provides.
 
  
'''Dilhak''': “Moving off to see family I have in Opland; I’ll be back before winter sets in. What have you been up to?
+
'''Drunk:''' “Damn ‘im.”
  
'''The DM:''' Until tomorrow.  Out.
+
'''The DM:''' Says it with a Scottish accent.

Revision as of 13:19, 22 June 2021

Continued from Stavanger Again, Now in July

The DM: On the morning of July 25th, you leave Stavanger in a moderate rain, a strong steady shower, getting aboard the boat at 7 a.m. The rain doesn't matter much, since you'll only be allowed in the open once a day, for half an hour. By the time you're allowed on deck on the 25th, you'll see the familiar peninsula north of Mimmarudla passing on the starboard side, and the rain will have eased. You won't see anything again until the next day; it will rain all day and all night of the 25th, and still be raining the next day. By noon on the 26th, you'll come on deck during a deluge, with heavy rain sluicing off the deck, though the sea is relatively calm. The wind has been perfect all day and night, veering from a gentle to a moderate breeze, and the ship is making good time. You drift below again at one o'clock, and eight hours later, at nine p.m., the ship docks in Bergen.

Master Larsen tells you the Morkinskib will be departing on the morning of the 31st; he needs four full days in Bergen to unload and load goods. He will save your berths until then, if you wish to continue onto Trondheim. Your paid price so far only gets you to Bergen; it will be a like price again for the next journey to Trondheim.
Working out a market table for Bergen now.

Lexent: Funds deducted for passage. Vafrandir, can you tell me how much the party netted from the sales in Stavanger less what we gave to the hirelings? I'm assuming we're just planning to keep that as party funds for the time being?

Vafrandir: 516 after sending Nadia back to Treborg with 200 - shit, did we send Nadia back to Treborg? Yes, party funds, please.

Alexis: Never mind, found it Lexent. I've sent copies of the Bergen Market to the party. Prices have adjusted. Bergen has access to markets in England that Stavanger hasn't got; plus it has many more ships that travel direct from place to place, so prices are lower in Bergen than they are in Stavanger, in some things.

Vafrandir: Nice!

The DM: Total time of the journey, 36 hours. Costs only 2 lb. per person per day aboard ship to eat.

Vafrandir: Accounted.

The DM: Okay, you've got the equipment list; you can chat about how or if you want to approach the Hamish Ross question. I'm out for the weekend. I'll check in after a couple hours to see if there were any last questions. Thank you all.

Lexent: Funds now up to date. Well, I think its a bit late tonight to do anything, but in the morning we could try to find the seat of government and make inquiries, and also try to search out any local Catholic communities as Hamish Ross could be known among them.

Pandred: Surely.

Lexent: In.

The DM: In. Sorry, slept in.

Vafrandir: In.

Vafrandir: I assume we can sleep on the ship - if we want to go ashore, I don't see prices for rooms on the Market sheet you sent. Am I just missing it?

Vafrandir: Let's do some poking around on Ross. I've no idea where to go, though.

The DM: Can't sleep on the ship. You'd be in the way during the loading-unloading process.

Staying Overnight

Innkeeper.jpg

Use the file on the right for the innkeeper for the time being. Note the travel page for how an inn works.

Lexent: Well, given what we're carrying, I believe we should probably get ourselves at least 1 private room. Thoughts?

Vafrandir: I agree. One of us can stay with the shield, the rest, I'm fine with a common room.

The DM: Table gives a choice, doesn't it?

Vafrandir: Private rooms are a single pallet, correct?

The DM: correct. Let me know when you've settled things and we can start the next day. Do you wish to ask anyone around the inn any questions? The tavern is still in gear when you enter.

Vafrandir: I ask around if anyone knows Hamish Ross

Patron: "Hamish? You mean King Hamish?" (Hamish would be a rare name in Norway)

Vafrandir: "A King? King of where?"

The DM: Vafrandir’s question elicits laughter throughout the bar.

Vafrandir: Ouch, haha

Patron: “If you’re really interested in finding Hamish, you should try the Courtland Inn. It’s further along the waterfront.”

Vafrandir: "Thank you for your help; I hope to assuage my ignorance."

The DM: Action?

Vafrandir: Let's just get 7 private rooms. Lexent, can you pay? We'll also spring for a leg of mutton (3 sp) and a pint of meg (10 cp) each, before retiring.

Lexent: I don't believe it is possible for this inn to have that many private rooms still available at this time of night. I ask how many private rooms are available.

The DM: None. As the linked page on the Authentic wiki tells, “The number of private rooms in a common inn will be 5-8, with an additional 2-12 shared accommodations available. The latter depends on how many permanent residents lodging at present. This is the number that will be available at noon on any given day. For every hour after noon and before 6 p.m., subtract 0-2 from each total; starting with 6 p.m., subtract 1-2 from each total.” It is well after 9 p.m. now.

Lexent: So are our goods still aboard the ship, and may they remain there?

The DM: Worse, as it is a Friday, the 26th, the common room has only six spaces at this time. Yes regarding your goods.

Vafrandir: Would someone want to accompany me to the Courtland Inn to see if they have any room?

Lexent: I will. I recommend everyone else board here.

The DM: Pay for that and we'll move on.

Lexent: So, which entry on the table is that?

The Cour and

The DM: The dockside becomes more seedy as you move along north, as you learn to go when asking directions. Eventually you come to the “Courtland,” though the ‘t’ and the ‘l’ have been rubbed out on the sign. This is a flophouse, and as you enter you find that unlike the earlier place (the “Quaypost”), there’s only a ten seat tavern and only two seats are needed for the patrons. There’s no chatter, and nothing here looks to have been clean since 1647.

Vafrandir: I inquire as to bed availability.

Proprietor: “Nearly all taken ... but for fine gentlemen such as yourselves, I’ve a room in the attic that would serve you better that one of the pallets downstairs. There’s naught a place that foreigners like yourselves should visit. There are real mattresses in the attic, though I ‘pologize, their bound to be a bit ticky. Would 8 s.p. be enough of a bargain for yeh?”

Vafrandir: It's too late to haggle. "We'll take two. Also, we were told to inquire after a certain Hamish Ross here."

Proprietor: “Oh, it’s a room unto itself, sir. Privacy for the both of you, I assure you. Pardon me for asking ... did you say you were looking for Hamish Ross?”

Vafrandir: "That's correct."

The DM: He looks very surprised.

Proprietor: “One moment sir. I’ll ask my girl.”

The DM: You hear him talking beyond the door behind the bar, and a girl’s voice answering.

Proprietor: Marla, have you seen King Hamish tonight?

Marla: He was out in the back an hour ago.

The DM: The proprietor comes out and relays this information.

Vafrandir: "Can you tell us about him? We'd like to see him tonight if we can."

Proprietor: “Well sir ... it’s not my place to gossip about others; and if you don’t mind my saying so, you’re strangers to me, sirs. Most likely best if I hold my tongue sirs. I’d say you ought to go out back and see if he’s there. I’m sorry I can’t let you through the back of the house, sir. You understand I hope sir.”

Vafrandir: "No offense taken. Thank you for your help." Lexent, let's go around and see what we can see. When we're out of the building, I'll also mention that I don't think this the Hamish we're after.

Lexent: Oh, I suspect it is, and that he has fallen on hard times having expected items that never made it to him.

Lexent: Lodging and food paid for.

The DM: “Out back,” after checking all the possibilities, appears not to be some sort of yard or even a stable, but in fact no more than a scummy alley, full of offal, rotten-smelling bags and a single drunk, sleeping face towards one of the alley walls.

Vafrandir: "Oof." I cover my nose with one hand. "Hamish?" I call.

The DM: No response.

Vafrandir: Thought so. I'll get closer and gently shake him.

The DM: The figure groans.

Vafrandir: "Hamish Ross?"

Drunk: “Damn ‘im.”

The DM: Says it with a Scottish accent.