Episode 51
The party arrives in Critwall

The Biscuits Gimar - Fighter 8th Level (PC)
Jaron - Paladin 6th Level (PC)
Rheaphlyndar - Thief 8th Level (PC)
Nicola - Cleric 6th Level (PC)
Dollin - Druid 6th Level (PC)
Wed - Mage 5th Level (NPC)
Little John - Fighter 6th Level (NPC)
Locale Dyvers
Date 5th day of Wealsun, 585 CY (Common Year)
Time early morning

The Biscuits arrived in Barmanos' office early the next day. A variety of disguises were in evidence, including

Barmanos Very good disguises, I am impressed. Here are 800 gold that the mercenaries were carrying.
Gimar Thanks. What was our mission again?
Barmanos According to the journal, they were supposed to enter town with the wagon load of poisoned food and sell it, then the mock trial two days later.
As I said earlier, you should probably leave the town by tomorrow afternoon and rendezvous with the Pirates Bane on the coast, just before dawn, a little less than two days from now.
Nicola I've been thinking about this idea of poisoned food, and while you are a high priest of Pelor and all, I still don't think it's right.
Barmanos (chuckling) Ah, yes, I forgot that little bit. The poisoned food the mercenaries were supposed to sell has been replaced with food that is tainted with a mild sleeping poison. The city residents should sleep very well tonight.
Jaron (smiling) Now that sounds more like it.
Rheaphlyndar We can sell it to the guards!
Barmanos As I told you yesterday, I've been wholly unable to use this mirror for it's intended purpose for months. That is not, of course, to say that it is entirely useless.

The high Priest reached over and touched the mirror, and the surface rippled like water. In fact, his finger actually went part way in.

Barmanos This will take you to Herechel, where you must cross the river on the Scagbane, as we discussed earlier.
It won't last long, you know. Pelor only grants me so much energy for such endeavors nowadays, so you'd best hurry up.

Gimar stepped through, followed by the rest of the party.

The harsh stone walls of the high priests chambers had been replaced with thin beams of timber. To the left, a bed, recently made with woolen sheets. The only other furniture was a small and plain wardrobe adorning one of the far corners.

Wed moved over to the window to the front of the party, which provided a view of a fine harbor.

Wed Wow, this is no river harbor. We must have been transported several leagues to the northeast!
Gimar Wed, can you think of where we are?
Wed I've never been here, but the priest said it was a town near Critwall. Those ships over there have some battle damage.

The party exited the inn, and found a man standing in front of a brightly painted riverboat. The man was motioning to them, and Dollin went over and talked with him for a moment.

Captain Come aboard.

The boat set out across the river, and the Captain came down and pointed out the food stored on deck, and a small cargo hold that contained a wagon and two mules. Dollin merely nodded, and there was no other discussion as the party made ready for what lie ahead.

 

The Biscuits Gimar - Fighter 8th Level (PC)
Jaron - Paladin 6th Level (PC)
Rheaphlyndar - Thief 8th Level (PC)
Nicola - Cleric 6th Level (PC)
Dollin - Druid 6th Level (PC)
Wed - Mage 5th Level (NPC)
Little John - Fighter 6th Level (NPC)
Locale south of Critwall
Date 5th day of Wealsun, 585 CY (Common Year)
Time mid morning

After maneuvering through a rocky cove, the Captain brought his boat to a landing underneath a large willow tree. Gimar and Dollin came up from checking the mules and made ready.

When the boat actually landed, all the Biscuits chipped in to unload the wagon and then fill it up with the food. Dollin and Gimar led the mules off the boat and Dollin worked his druidic magic to help cure their slight seasickness.

Captain Well, the luck of Ralishaz to you, then.

As the riverboat maneuvered away and into the fog, Wed speculated that Critwall should be to the north or northeast. Gimar nodded, then noticed an unusual thing -- a flock of ravens perched on a dead tree some forty feet away. They seemed to be staring at the mules.

Gimar Dollin, what do you make of those?
Dollin Oh, I've heard many bardic tales of ravens.
Nicola Any consensus?
Dollin They are either omens of good or bad luck, or perhaps messengers of the men or gods. Killing them would bring bad luck, but that would mostly be from me harassing you.
Rheaphlyndar (jokingly crestfallen) OK, no squab tonight then.

The party topped the nearby rise and found a well-worn cart track, heading to the north. As the party travelled north, Rheaphlyndar spotted more ravens occasionaly circling overhead. Rounding another bend, the group came to a small village.

Gimar Maybe we should chat with the villagers?
Nicola Maybe not!

Indeed, there were several zombies working in the fields, assisted by humans working closely with them.

Gimar We can't afford to be noticed.
Dollin I agree. How are you holding up, big guy?
Jaron (gritting his teeth) If we come back this way, I'll care less about being noticed.
Nicola Amen, brother.

Within another hour or so, the city walls were visibly close. Work crews seemed to be repairing some of the breeches in the wall and castle keep. However, that was the least of the parties problems right now. A lone Glabrezu approached the party on the same road.

Gimar Act natural.
Glabrezu (in a guttural common) Hmmm, you give me mule for the road.
Nicola Ullp.
Glabrezu (licking it's chops) You won't need when you reach city, besides, I save you cost of stables. Big favor.
Dollin (swearing revenge under his breath) As you wish, great one.

The fiendish incident behind them, the party continued on. Now that the wagon was approaching the city, they could see that the work crews consisted of primarily giants, ogres, and hobgoblins. Dollin kept a close eye on the black-robed spellcasters, who seemed to be busy directing the work crews. The occasional dwarf was also spotted, perhaps an advisor.

A well-armed mounted escort rode up to the parties wagon as they approached the main gate.

Guard Your passes, please.
Dollin (thinking better of a jedi mind trick) Here you go.
Guard (looking them over) These will be fine. Are you new to trading at Critwall?
Dollin Yes, we are new.
Guard Ah, then welcome. You can start trading at noon, which is about, ah, two hours. You can sleep in your wagon or in the diseased, eh, I mean "unrepaired" party of the city. The fee to trade is 20 gold orbs.

Gimar handed the guard the sum of gold, and he rode away. Wed and Dollin helped navigate the wagon to the location marked on their map. As the rest of the party began to set up shop, Jaron knelt for a quick bit of reassuring prayer between the wagon and the now grazing mule.

The three gnolls and one half-orc headed off to scout the area. In hushed tones they discused the possibility of doing some sort of locate item spell, but Nicola thought that the range was prohibitive. All around them were ruins of city buildings, nothing taller than two stories and that quite rare.

The good news was that there weren't many wagons selling food, so Dollin estimated that the Biscuits should be done with their business by evening. Cautious inquiries about the temple of Pelor were met with sarcasm, one resident saying "Yer standing on it, har, har."

There was a clang from a large bell, obviously opening the trading day. The scouting party returned to the wagon, to find a glowering Jaron being held back (barely) by Gimar and Rheaphlyndar.

Jaron Slaves!
Hawker (his voice carrying) I've got six hale men, strong as oxen and weak-willed as kittens.
Gimar (whispering) Keep it in check, Jaron -- we are in enemy territory here.
Prospect What price for the food, eh?
Reaphlyndar Well sir...would you like a free sample? Just a taste?
Prospect (amazed) Sure!
Rheaphlyndar Here you go, fine sir.
Prospect (nibbling) It's pretty good. How much, eh?
Reaphlyndar Tell me, good sir . . . what do the markets charge for a loaf of bread? It's my first time here in the city . . . and I wouldn't want to price myself out of business, now would I?
Prospect Usually 1 silver for bread, three for cheese. Fruit for 2 cp each. Is the meat any good?"
Reaphlyndar (schmoozing) You don't look like the sort of man to take advantage of an honest businessman like myself. Well, try a bite of this beef while I calculate prices.
Gimar (whispered) You are doing a good job. I am keeping an eye on Jaron . . .
Prospect Har har, an honest business "man" working with these humanoids, that's funny. OK, the meat's pretty good too. I'll take a block of cheese, 2 loaves of bread, and a haunch of that meat.
Reaphlyndar Well, my good man, how about 1 copper for bread, a silver for cheese, and 2 pieces of fruit for a copper? And meat at 1 electrum per pound?
Prospect That's a deal, I'll take it.
Reaphlyndar With one condition . . . you tell all your friends and neighbors that I've the lowest prices in the city?
Another Prospect Klaatu Barada Nikto?
Rheaphlyndar Hey, only common spoken here. Get yer meats and cheeses! Fresh fruit! (aside to Gimar) Er, do we have any wine or beer to sell?



Read the preceding or succeeding episode, or return to the index.

Typographical Conventions
Normal Text Character's words or descriptive text if part of a paragraph
Italic Text Character's thoughts or actions if surrounded by parenthesis
Bold Text Character is shouting.

Disclaimer

This is not an authorized site for material relating to AD&D (© TSR).
AD&D (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons) used to be a trademark of TSR, which held exclusive rights on the material associated with the game.

Quote: Gary