Talk:Reaching the Surface

Steadily, loaded down, the party wends its way to the surface again. You stagger up the back-and-forth stairwell and you stumble along the ledge that follows the underground river. You finally reach the narrow crevice that you bridge yourselves, uneasily carrying your loads across it. You make your way along the passageway until you come to the stone pits where you fought the ticks; and then upwards through the main lair of the froglings, where everything of value has been stripped away. There are no workmen left and it is quiet. Finally, after a long, steady day of work, you see daylight ahead; you climb out into the sun, half-blinded from it; it has been a week since you've felt its rays upon your flesh.

Fjall is there, watching the things you left on the surface and your donkey (or was it a mule). And there is a party of soldiers there as well, lounging about until you emerge. They rise at once, ordering themselves, while a leader takes a step towards the puffing, weary party; the leader is tall, emotionless and clearly a veteran of some war, as he stands as if his hip is troubling him. He says in a gruff, orderly manner, "You are Pandred, Embla and Engelhart, with associates. Is that correct?"--The DM (talk) 10:04, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

(i look to the party waiting for someone to respond)--Marcule (talk) 10:15, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

"It is so. And glad we are to see you too, by God's grace. Who might you be, o captain, that you'd expect or know of our return here?"--Engelhart (talk) 10:48, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

He appears to be concerned with his officialdom. "I am Fenrik Sven Jorgensen." Fenrik is his rank, the lowest rank there is above a man-at-arms. He holds out a small board, the sort used for scratching contracts into the soft-stone surface. "Will you sign this?" Engelhart can read and it says, "Provides One 23rd Share to [your names] in compensation as finder's fee" or words to that intent.--The DM ([User talk:The DM|talk]]) 10:56, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

"Well now," I say as I gently motion for the board "I'd need to mull it over with my confederates if you will", I stare into the contract quizzically "just how much are we talking about here, and who mandated it?"--Engelhart (talk) 11:04, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

"I'm not in the way of knowing," Jorgensen says. "Whatever one 23rd part of whatever was stripped of the underground area here. The actual value is waiting for you in Stavanger."--The DM (talk) 11:43, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

"I'm sorry, Fenrik;" I motion apologetically "This takes us quite by surprise. Might be you're to head back to Stavanger, much like us? We'd like to meet up with someone who can elucidate us as to the provenance of this figure and what value it would entail."--Engelhart (talk) 11:23, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

[I'm done probing, I can't properly proceed with a decision unless someone else weighs in]--Engelhart (talk) 11:25, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

(I step forward reading the paperwork) "I imagine this is a matter of splitting your wealth, do you have any reason to distrust this?" --Marcule (talk) 11:44, 17 September 2020 (MDT) "As a matter of deliberation would they have reason to combat you on your share?"

There seems nothing out of the ordinary. Before anyone can transfer money even in the 17th century, someone has to sign for it.--The DM (talk) 11:57, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

I'll give a grumble. "Sign it and let's get our due. They've stripped the very bricks from the place." --Pandred (talk) 13:20, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

Just checking in -- I have no input on this because the Fenrick is not addressing me. –Vafrandir 14:31, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

Vafrandir, I don't understand that. Those three names were mentioned because they went down at the beginning of this adventure; but there is never any situation where players are not entitled to step in and PLAY. Say what you think. I haven't understood this at all. Pandred, you have as much right to "sign" as anybody. What's with this CONSTANT refusal to just take an action. PLEASE, stop this eternal waffling and non-action nonsense, where Engelhart mumbles out phrases, then DOES NOTHING, then Pandred mumbles out a phrase and DOES NOTHING, and now I've got Vafrandir saying he has no right to do anything, for what, "reasons"? We've wasted the whole day with this Nothing Burger. I'm checking every twenty minutes or so, all day, for what?--The DM (talk) 15:11, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

I'm going to start writing, "I'm ready to play when you are." EVERY TIME I check into this feed and find absolutely nothing has happened.--The DM (talk) 15:11, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

I can't read. I assume that means I can't write, including my name. Should I just put a big X? I'd have been happy to handle it if I believed it was in my power to do so. So, I slap my big X on the clip and we move on. --Pandred (talk) 15:21, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

Surely you've seen enough examples of a time when people could not read or write, where they were told, "Make your mark." In any case, you were entitled to ask before I had to scold. Moreover, your father was a thief, I believe, so you would have encountered situations where responsibility was assumed for something illegally. Please do not assume that because your character is a fighter, it only knows how to fight. I give you all this background for a reason.--The DM (talk) 15:38, 17 September 2020 (MDT)

Does anyone want to physically stop Pandred from signing? No? Good. Jorgensen bows to Pandred, produces a heavy folded paper enclosed with a wax seal and informs you this is your writ; if you'll present it to a lender in Stavanger, you'll be sure to receive your funds.