An Arl's Ransom

[HorizonsDream]

"Works for me," Simone says with a shrug. She could use a little rest after all. "Be careful out there."

[spyguy1503]

"Sure, why not" Wallace says as magic flickers between his fingers.

[JadedDM]

"Excellent," Alenka says. She gives Davne and Wallace specific instructions on how to reach the grove. "Return here when you are done and we can have a quick meal before continuing on."

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(OOC: To hunt or forage at Alenka’s suggestion, you can choose from a variety of focuses: A TN 9 Cunning (Natural Lore) test can be used to identify appropriate types of plants and animals that may be found. A TN 11 Perception (Searching) test can be used to find the plants available. A TN 11 Perception (Tracking) test can reveal a suitable animal to shoot with a bow or crossbow and a TN 11 Dexterity (Stealth) test can prevent it from bolting while the hunter aims. A TN 11 Dexterity (Traps) test allows a character to trap small game.)

[HorizonsDream]

"So, how long have you worked for the Arl?" Simone asks. Since they were waiting, she figured it would be a good idea to have a little small talk with Alenka.

[JadedDM]

Alenka waits for Davne and Wallace to leave for the grove before answering. Once they are out of earshot, she says, "Long enough to know he is a cheap bastard who mistreats those under him. You know, you are definitely not getting paid enough to risk your life fighting the likes of genlocks." She shakes the sand from her boots. With an almost casual demeanor, she adds lightly, "You could probably earn a fifty coin payment in gold sovereigns--one hundred times what you'll make otherwise--if the children were held and ransomed, instead of escorted back to Stenhold." She watches Simone carefully for a reaction.

This is no paltry sum. The Arl offered to pay them 50 silver coins each for this job, but a single gold sovereign is worth 100 silver coins. So 50 gold sovereigns would be worth 5,000 silver coins. With that sort of money, Simone could do just about anything, including hiring some Antivan Crows or an Orlesian bard to 'take care' of the bastard who got her exiled to this wet, cold dog-loving nation in the first place, so she could finally return home.

[HorizonsDream]

Simone's eyes widen a bit at the mention of the sum, then shakes her head. "What I could do with money like that," she comments with a sigh. "And it is tempting, but I'm not going to ransom his kids back to him."

[JadedDM]

Alenka makes a sour face. "I expected such talk from the other two, but you struck me as somewhat more reasonable. Listen, Ser Blaker is the children's escort back from Denerim--the one we are meeting. I know for a fact that he has some debts in need of settling. He could easily be talked into ransoming the whelps providing that his share covers his debts." She crosses her arms. "If things go well, the children won't even know what's happening. When we meet I'll tell them that there's been a darkspawn incursion and it's too dangerous for them to return home. Which is not untrue. I'll say that the arl has tasked me with imploring Ser Blaker to keep them for a bit longer. In the meantime, we return to Stenhold with a ransom note. Neruda pays the money, we all get richer, and his children are returned unharmed."

She approaches Simone, looking her in the eye. "You've met the man. You've seen how he treats those around him. What harm is there to spread his wealth around a little? You'll take your share, won't you?"

[HorizonsDream]

Simone looks up to the mage, though she tries to keep a rather neutral face. "What about the other two?" she asks curiously.

[spyguy1503]

I'll try the Natural Lore test. Wallace should know some plants and animals.

[JadedDM]

Simone and Alenka (Campsite)
"Those two...may be an issue," Alenka admits. "We can try and convince them to see reason and aid us. If they agree, all the better. If not...well, the road is dangerous and accidents happen. More gold for the rest of us."

Davne and Wallace (Grove)
Once Davne and Wallace reach the grove, they look around. It's a lovely place full of wildlife that might possibly make a meal.

While Davne tries to decide if she wants to try foraging, hunting or trapping, Wallace decides to try and find some plants that might be edible. He tries to remember his herbalism classes back at the Circle Tower. However, he couldn't seem to remember the exact details. What was the difference between elfroot and deathroot again? Is deathroot poisonous? I mean, it's called deathroot, right? So...probably? He was not entirely certain. What if he brought them some food and killed them all by accident? That would be embarrassing. Perhaps he should try trapping or hunting instead.

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Wallace makes a Cunning (Natural Lore) test [TN 9] to identify plants (3d6+3): 8, fail.

[HorizonsDream]

Simone seems to think about the idea before she shakes her head. "Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of more money. Though, this leaves the children in danger while we go back to the arl with the ransom note. The longer they are out here, the higher the risk of a darkspawn attack."

[spyguy1503]

Wallace, dejected, tries setting up some tracks, and then hunting.

[JadedDM]

Simone and Alenka (Campsite)
"I wouldn't worry about that," Alenka says. "Ser Blaker has a good half score of men with him. They should be able to keep the children safe for one more day."

Davne and Wallace (Grove)
Leaving Davne to do his own thing, Wallace starts searching around for animal tracks. Luck is with him this time. He spots the tracks of a small animal. He follows them and eventually comes upon his prey--a fennec, a small fox-like creature native to this area. It's small, but meat is meat. If he can sneak up on it, a good blast from his staff might take it out.

Fennec.png (757.33 KiB) Viewed 5367 times

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Wallace makes a Perception (Tracking) test [TN 11] to track an animal (3d6+1): 12, pass.

[HorizonsDream]

"Why are you wanting to do this?" Simone asks. "And don't tell me it is because the arl is unjust, and all of that," she adds. "There is another reason behind it for you."

[spyguy1503]

Wallace tries to sneak up on it, and then uses an arcane lance.