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Post by Judas D'arc on Jan 3, 2013 12:43:21 GMT -5
*A letter arrives for Edred Lanfel at the Falconer's Inn of Skara Brae*
Edred,
I hope this finds you well and that your hunt has been favorable. I am writing regarding an offer of work that I wish to to send your way.
We have been asked by the Lady Evelyn Crowley, the owner of the Emerald Trading Company, to look into some missing trade goods from Vesper that never arrived at their intended destination. The merchants of that city had previously hired a man called Finer to investigate the matter, but he has also vanished. Before disappearing, this Finer had tracked the stolen cargo to a brigand camp south of the Shrine of Valor in Ilshenar. Last evening, we journeyed to this camp, and while we encountered plenty of brigands, Finer was nowhere to be found. Although we did find a map of the region between Vesper and Nujel'm, we are not certain if it it bears any relevance upon our investigation.
You may be wondering how all of this relates to the aforementioned offer of work, but I will address that now. Lady Crowley has asked that we watch the brigand camp for any suspicious or out of the ordinary communications or visitors, and I immediately thought of you. If you are interested in the work, please let me know, and I will provide further instructions.
As always, I may be reached at the Salty Dog in Britain.
Your friend,
Judas of Yew
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Post by Edred Lanfel on Jan 9, 2013 23:39:20 GMT -5
Elerius and I reached the encampment, late, the same evening we had met several others at the Salty Dog Tavern in Britain. Luckily for Elerius' map we were able to quickly pass through the difficult terrain and evil that lurked through the thick of the brush in this land.
Elerius took cover just inside the tree line while I scouted the perimeter of the premises. I was forced to take the life of a wandering brigand who stumbled too close to my position. It was quick, and effortless. I unclothed him, thinking the clothes would possibly come in handy for blending in, and drug him into the forest and hid the body. I returned to Elerius and filled him in on what I found.
Quietly we spoke:
"There is anywhere from fifty to seventy-five locals here. The encampment is poorly protected, other than by brute strength and force of their numbers. To our East is a river and lying to our West is a large mountain range. The few roads I managed to uncover are lined with filth and some abruptly halt, crashing into thick brush that's covered the road."
We discussed our situation further and kept hidden. We took shelter in the tree tops for the evening. I settled in for a long night. Normally I preferred to sleep beneath the canopy of the forest, tonight though, was different. I could tell Elerius was a bit out of his element, he was a mage in training after all, but he was just as up to the task as I was, and I was happy to have someone a long for the trip.
Darkness covered the land...the encampment roared through the night. Bright fires could easily be made out from our secure position. The smell of cooking filled the air while we tried to catch just a wink of sleep.
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Post by Edred Lanfel on Jan 9, 2013 23:46:05 GMT -5
The night was long and cold. Our position was secure and we were safe.
The sun rose waking me with her warm rays of light. Just enough light lit the floor beneath us as I was able to make out a strange man approaching the encampment. He was dressed in leather, was on foot, and seemed unarmed. He carried a medium sized satchel around his shoulder. I saw several brigands bring him into their camp. They treated him well, giving the impression that they knew him. He disappeared into a building for awhile. The activity around the camp was the same as it was yesterday. When the man reappeared, he left quickly, heading the direction he came. This time he was not carrying the satchel...
Later that morning Elerius returned. We discussed what had happened and continued to survey the camp.
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Post by Edred Lanfel on Jan 10, 2013 14:50:18 GMT -5
The day was long and gruesome as we sat mostly perched in the tree tops. We limited the trips down to the forest floor. Staying hidden and safe was more important than food or water at this point.
Elerius and I spoke quietly, mostly of our situation and reporting. Small chat was mixed in periodically. Elerius spoke of another mission he was working on with Minalan. It sounded very interesting...later that day he made his way out of Ilshenar, towards the moongate to return to Minalan and their mission.
I spent the remainder of the day in thought. I wrote a few notes in a book, made one last trip to the forest floor to gather a few items, then settled in for the evening. It was strange I thought to myself, no fire going to keep me warm, a very strange few nights it had been.
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Post by Edred Lanfel on Jan 10, 2013 15:13:51 GMT -5
The second night passed quicker than the night before, which felt good.
I made a small morning meal; oats, a bit of honey, water, and a small apple. I watched the camp perched from above in same tree tops as yesterday.
Movement caught my attention early that morning. The camp seemed quiet, only a few people moved about this early. Several brigands met the same man from yesterday, though today he had another man with him, who was similarly dressed. The man from yesterday carried another Satchel. When the two men met the brigands there was a short discussion. I was unable to hear their conversation, but tried to read their lips. I may have made out something about a "package". They may have given a location at some point, however it was too difficult to decipher.
The discussion went on for a few moments and then the men departed. They went in the same direction as the Valor moongate.
Thinking to himself; twice now...something is up. I should return to town, find Judas and inform him of what we've found.
He tore a small section from the book and jotted down a brief message.
"Elerius, I witnessed the same man showing up again this morning. I am going to return to town and seek a meeting with Judas as soon as I can. For now, I don't believe we have a reason to spend any more time here. - Edred"
Attaching the message to a small bird he spoke a few words and off the bird flew.
Edred climbed down the tree and quietly, but quickly, made his way to the Valor moongate. Time was it was mid morning, he was only a short period of time behind the two men that left just a few moments before he did. He quickly found their tracks and followed behind.
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