The first leg of the trip is a 6 mile ride southeast on an unmarked but well traveled road to Creek Town. The ride, for Kaylen, is in the back of a very bumpy and empty wagon. Remy is returning home having sold all his goods on his spring route. The wagon, which belongs to Mr. Bender is returning Remy along with Kaylen to Black Gate, a fairly large Human city on the East side of the Black River. There Earl and his wagon will part ways with Remy and Kylen. They will continue by ferry across the river. But that is 3 days in the future.

Today they hope to pass through Creek Town, a rugged little town on the edge of Blackberry Creek, which flows out of the lake. They will cross the Creek via a fiord then continue south east to Kings Road. That will take two days. They will spend 2 nights on this stretch of road. It is here that they are liable to be solicited by halfling highwaymen.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:00, Sat 10 Feb.

Remy is a talker under normal circumstances. With a captive audience, new to most of his stories, he truly is rivaled in energetic oration by very few. In this case it is a blessing as there are many nuggets of useful information in his gab, and Nylen craved information.

He described Glitterhovel, as all Gnome towns, as an architectural marvel. Entirely underground, Glitterhovel was known for commerce. They boast master artisans in many trades. They are also known to have a shadier side as the black market and The Guild operate their basically out in the open. The motto in Glitterhovel is to mind your own business unless that business involves food, then by all means, come eat!

Despite this Shady side, the town is very friendly to outsiders and welcoming to all who can comfortably fit in their streets. They keep the location of there town as all gnomes do, secret to outsiders. To a Gnome, an outsider is anyone not a Gnome. They welcome outsiders but cautiously allow access. On the other hand, all Gnomes are considered family in Glitterhovel.  The spirit of Garl Glittergold is strong here. Jokes, laughs and pranks are considered a love language. Hard feelings are rarely held onto.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:01, Sun 11 Feb.

"Glitterhovel manufacturers many sought after products. They have a master armorsmith, a master leather crafter, a master alchemist and herbalist, a master jewler. They have engineers and inventors who build clocks and compasses, stoves and tools. They specialize in fungi and forest herbs, berries and root crops. But what Glitterhovel folk do best is hospitality and food preparation. Oh, and they do love to drink and dance."

Remy goes on like this for hours. The road is long, the air is cool and hinting of rain. There is no sign of another living soul save a few deer and rabbits. If it were not for the bumpy ride it might almost be a pleasantly relaxing day. But oh the bumps.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Sun 11 Feb.

Kylen is enraptured by the stories being shared by Mr. Remington. He is fascinated by the culture and mannerisms that he will be experiencing and is continually making mental notes for potential lyrics. His question is how to write a song about Gliterhovel without betraying their desire for privacy, but disuading any doubt in the listeners mind as to the authenticity of his song.

Despite his lack of any quality sleep the previous night, he has no problem maintaining attention to his enthusiastic speaker, but knows the information shared will lead to vivid dreams when next he sleeps.

"Yer Ma says ye can wiggle the Gnomen tongue eh? I hope so, not many in Glitterhovel speak Human. Maybe ye could do with a bit a practice now, eh?"

"It is good to speak your native tongue after a long absense. Mr. Bender cant comprehend a word. He wont mind. Doesn't talk much anyway.

You're gonna find the town to be a bit cramped. In the streets you should be fine, the ceiling is generally a solid 8 feet off the ground, but indoors it varies. Gnomes like individuality even as they live a very communal existence.  Each Gnomes home is different on the inside, though they look very uniform on the outside. Some indoor areas will have you hunched over and doorways are going to be tricky. The Travelers Inn accomodates Humans with higher ceilings and doorways. They even serve food on big plates and full pint mugs. There is a grand bazaar with master artisans. In the bazaar you'll feel much less cramped. The ceilings are well over 10 feet."
This message was last updated by the player at 15:53, Sun 11 Feb.

Kylen, listens very intently. Although he started speaking gnomen at an early age, it is still not his primary langauge and requires some concentration.

"I look forward to this whole emersive experience, I think this will be the best way to enjoy this new culture. Please let me know if I speak poorly or inadvertently offend anyone. I have had occasion when interacting in Sylvan, put my foot in my mouth so to speak."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:27, Sun 11 Feb.

"Those hoity toity high and mighty elves are offended by everything. Gnomes on the other hand have very thick skin. You'll find it a challenge to offend a Gnome so long as your intentions are kind. You will find that Gnomes enjoy few things more than laughing. Ha ha ha! We do it just causevit feels good! Ha ha!"

He literally breaks in to a gut busting laugh.

"Hey Mr. Bender? What has five toes and it is not your foot? ..... Huh? Huh? You give up? My foot Mr. Bender! Ha Ha Ha!"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Sun 11 Feb.

Passing through Creek Town is uneventful.  The town is active but not bustling. Mr. Bender hardly slows down until he approaches the fiord. The crossing is slow but easy. The horses almost get stuck at one point, but Mr. Bender expertly coerces them into get the job done. On the other side the open plains await. For the next 2 days this will be the scenery. Lush meadow grasses with occasional stands of oaks, hickory, sycamore and cedar dot the landscape with occasional small creek crossings. Wildlife is plentiful. They see elk, deer, bears and antelope. Rabbits, fox, coyotes and prairie dogs are also spotted on occasion. Occasionally they pass a wagon moving the other way, but not often.

As the day wares on more clouds roll in and thunder rumbles on the horizon. Within a few minutes the rain starts. Slow at first, then steady for about thirty minutes. Long enough to get everyone pretty damp.

This has the effect of dampening the Gnomes spirit. He falls quiet. Until the rain stops and he sees the road block atop the next ridge, about a half mile away.

"There they are, the little buggars. I really am in no mood for getting hustled today. I hope for their sake they dont piss me off."

In the distance the road can be seen cresting a hill. On the road are several wagons. They appear to have the road blocked and they are not moving.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:53, Sun 11 Feb.

Kylen is now not only wet, but wet and nervous. He starts running through the things his father has taught him in the past. He has learned that the sharpest weapon he owns is his tongue and can be used to resolve more problems then steel. He sinched up his sword belt and double checked that his bow was nearby all the same.

The sun is setting. The light from fires ahead are seen. A wagon is heading toward them from the gypsie camp. They carry torches. It's hard to make out more than that. Music is heard coming from the camp at the top of the hill.

Remy reaches behind his seat and lifts out a hooked hammer. He sets it on bench seat next to him.

As the wagons come together the halfling coach stops in the middle of road. All 4 halfling jump down. They are all armed with short swords and leather armor. They look young. 3 young men and a girl.

The leader of the group hails Mr. Bender to stop. He does.
This message was last updated by the GM at 01:32, Mon 12 Feb.

"Sorry kind folk but i afear the road is closed till morning.  You see our enclave 'as set up camp atop. Cant be lettin' anybody pass, unlesson its a pressing matter. Is we having some urgency Mister eh?"

"Urgent enough my friend. Perhaps I can offer a donation to yer enclave for free passage"

"The lady is pretty insistent we keep folks back tonight.  But it sounds like you are pretty desperate and you look like you could spare 10 of your kings coins.

"I offered a donation, not partnership. Let's just stop beating around the bush andcget straight to the point shall we?

I was just sayin' to Mr. Bender here that I sure dont want to wet me hammer on a wee kinder knob today. I says I think it would be worth about 5 gold to avoid having to do that. He says, supposn' it took 6 gold? I says nah, only worth 5. So I supose you will take 5?"

He asks the last question with an almost youthful sense of innocence, fully expecting agreement. He reaches for his hammer in order to drive the point home.

"What you say little forest fey? Did this little man say he wants to wet my knob for 6 coins eh? I say you better hop down offn' that wagon and bring yer hammer to bare old man."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 01:58, Mon 12 Feb.

Remy takes his hammer and stands to get down from the wagon. The 3 foot tall man looks down from the wagon,

"That is not what I said, but you are not so bright eh? If you was, you'd a'taken the 5 crowns. So you're itchin' fer some hammer time are ye?"

He hops down from the wagon. Remy makes the Halfling look big. This does not dampen his spirits.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Mon 12 Feb.

Kylen keeps an eye on the three non-speaking halflings. He readies an arrow to knock. he tries to determine which of the remaining three looks the most formidable. He knows they are outnumbered and the halflings probably have reinforcements just up the road.

His intention is to follow Mr. Remington's lead, secretly hoping that this is just bluster and not leading to bloodshed. He also is thinking up a good battle song that may help shift the balance if things get ugly.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:48, Mon 12 Feb.

The halfling puts a hand on the hilt of his blade.

"Go easy now little man. You dont want to write a voucher you cant live up to. I suggest you get back up on your wagon."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Mon 12 Feb.

"Oh, I will be honoring my debts boyo. You and your Kinder friends need to let us pass or m
We might as well just get down to buisness. I offered ye five but I am feeling less generous by the minute you delay me."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Mon 12 Feb.

" I warned ya Gnome. I am losing my patients. There is no need fer ya to get hurt.  I know you got the coin. Ill let ya by fer 8, Take it. "

"Hey Kylen, this guy is either deaf or stupid. I think I told him 5 didnt I?"

Kylen, is excited to be brought into the conversation.

"You did, which, up until now seems to be customary. As a frequent traveler of this route, I doubt, these fine halflings would want to drive traffic away. If word got out that the price went up, which frankly is already a little steep, I may cause other caravans to seek out a different route. There is a point when the gold outweighs the inconvenience of a longer route."

Kylen, feels he has made a sound argument, but continues to finger the arrow just in case.



Diplomacy to resolve conflict
1d20+7 (Rank 2+Racial Bonus 2+ Charisma Bonus 3)
Kylen Nyteshade rolled 23 using 1d20+7 ((16))

"A man with reason. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement.  If you pull off your dog here, I could let you by for five. However, how about I do you one better. You are all wet, its getting dark, why dont you be our guests. You can stay at the camp ahead on the hill, free of charge after your generous donation. There is food and drink, entertainment,  games of chance and even a fortune teller. Come, be our guests."

The highway man shifts from a thug to a carnival barker almost instantly. The other three have an expression of relief.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:49, Tue 13 Feb.