Logs > Gamma Logs > On the Middle of the Fence

On The Middle of the Fence

[Vinre Road, Quagmire Expanse]
Constructed of crushed seashells, the road remains on its steadfast course through the quagmire. Shrouded in a hazy mist of marsh gases, a short stone wall surrounds a large city. To either side of the man-made embankment, green algae-covered water blankets the swampland below, from which cattails and lily pads spring in vast numbers. You see two orcish longknives, two simple backpacks, some sticky webbing, and an Imperial Guardsman. Also here is Shala and Kahund.

The putrid scent of marsh gases bombards your senses.
Obvious exits are west and southeast.

Shala says, "But.. I think Eyssa must have.."
Shala exclaims, "Jurion!"
You say, "Shala..."
Kahund nods to you.
You nod to an Imperial Guardsman politely.
You nod to Kahund politely.
You ask, "What's up? Any news?"
Shala says, "Jurion, this is Thind... please, sir... listen to Jurion. He was there."
An Imperial Guardsman turns toward you and executes a salute with his sharp low-steel falchion.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Friend or foe."
Kahund says, "We got a r-re-regular pack of orc killers n-n-now."
Shala says, "We didn't mean to hurt him. And then we saw him again.. afterwards."
An Imperial Guardsman peers at you.
Kahund grins.
You say, "Friend, I should think."
Shala says, "Friend. Oh, he's a friend."
Shala nods emphatically.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Whew."
You smile cautiously.
Shala wipes her face nervously with the back of her hand.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I had enough of foes today."
You ask, "What seems to be the trouble? Is this about Shiman?"
Shala exclaims, "I was trying to tell him, Jurion, but I can't talk right!"
Shala nods to you.
You nod slowly.
An Imperial Guardsman asks, "Miss said that Shiman the innkeeper is dead?"
Shala says, "Shala."
Shala blushes.
Shala says, "I'm Shala."
You say, "He was, but through Eyssa's grace I believe he lives again."
Shala says, "He was dead, but then we saw him again. Running away."
Shala nods.
An Imperial Guardsman nods to Shala.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Miss Shala."
Kahund peers off to the west.
Kahund peers off to the southeast.
Kahund says, "I see n-no more orcs."
An orc prowler strides into the room, brandishing his weapon.
Shala says, "Anyway, this merchant..."
Shala says, "He..."
An Imperial Guardsman gasps.
Shala mumbles some obscenities.
Shala gets a perfectly-balanced low-steel dagger from a deep brown wool cloak.
Kahund exclaims, "Up!"
You say, "Orc, watch out."
Kahund attempts to retreat.

[ A jhakor warrior follows, then a quick combat in which the critters are dispatched. ]

[Vinre Road, Quagmire Expanse]
Constructed of crushed seashells, the road remains on its steadfast course through the quagmire. Shrouded in a hazy mist of marsh gases, a short stone wall surrounds a large city. To either side of the man-made embankment, green algae-covered water blankets the swampland below, from which cattails and lily pads spring in vast numbers. You see the corpse of a burly jhakor warrior, four perfectly-balanced low-steel daggers, the corpse of an orc prowler, three orcish longknives, two simple backpacks, some sticky webbing, and an Imperial Guardsman. Also here is Shala and Kahund.

The putrid scent of marsh gases bombards your senses.
Obvious exits are west and southeast.

Shala pants rapidly, trying to regain her breath.
Kahund says, "I ran out of arrows."
Kahund chuckles.
Kahund searches the corpse.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "What is this world coming too...orcs and jhakors together.."
Shala asks, "You all right, Jurion?"
You pant.
An Imperial Guardsman walks over to you.
An Imperial Guardsman pats you on the back.
Kahund searches the corpse.
You nod.
Shala glances at her hands.
Shala picks up a perfectly-balanced low-steel dagger.
You say, "More or less."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Nice kill Sir."
Shala puts a perfectly-balanced low-steel dagger in her deep brown wool cloak.
You say, "Nay, twas Shala brought him down. We all did well."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Orcs and jhakors...the Sarge is never gonna believe me."
An Imperial Guardsman shakes his head.
You ask, "Didn't that merchant say something about this?"
You pick up a perfectly-balanced low-steel dagger.
Shala says, "That was something else the merchant said..."
You ask, "The fellow who lost his cart?"
You sheath a perfectly-balanced low-steel dagger in your polished steel thigh sheath.
Shala says, "He said he saw orcs talking to jhakors."
You act: Jurion collects his scattered daggers.
Kahund blinks at Shala.
An Imperial Guardsman sighs.
Kahund asks, "The orcs with allies?"
Shala says, "He said he thought they was in it together and Shiman was mixed up in it somehow."
Shala nods to Kahund.
You ask, "Did you tell him what had happened from the beginning?"
Shala nods to you.
Kahund asks, "Does anyone have a quill?"
Shala says, "At least I think I did."
Shala sighs.
Kahund glances at something in his threaded forest green leather backpack.
Kahund says, "I n-n-need t-t-to write some of t-th-this down."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I canna write..."
Shala shudders.
An Imperial Guardsman blushes.
Kahund smiles at an Imperial Guardsman.
Kahund says, "Tis a-al-alright."
You say, "I think I've one somewhere."
You open a sleek black leather scroll pouch.
You open a lacquered box.
You get a cream-toned plumed quill from a lacquered box.
You offer your cream-toned plumed quill to Kahund.
Kahund gets a piece of yellow parchment from a threaded forest green leather backpack.
Kahund accepts your offer.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Not a skill I needed on the farm...so my pap never held with lessons."
Shala smiles at an Imperial Guardsman.
Kahund peers off to the west.
An Imperial Guardsman smiles shyly.
Shala says, "Cappy says if it's worth remembering you won't need to write it down."
Shala nods to an Imperial Guardsman.
You act: Jurion makes a face.
You say, "Cappy says a lot of things."
An Imperial Guardsman asks, "Ye know Cappy, Miss?"
Shala walks over to you.
Shala pokes you.
An Imperial Guardsman beams!
Shala nods to an Imperial Guardsman.
Kahund peers off to the west.
Kahund peers off to the southeast.
Shala says, "Oh yes. He's almost an uncle to me."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "He be a trusted friend of my paps."
An Imperial Guardsman grins.
Shala smiles happily.
Shala asks, "Truly?"
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Crusty old soul but good as gold."
An Imperial Guardsman nods to Shala.
Shala says, "He nearly beat my Poppa to death a few times, but I adore him anyway."
Shala grins.
An Imperial Guardsman laughs.
Shala says, "Poppa almost always deserved it."
Shala nods.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Sounds like the Cap."
Shala smiles.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Ya know..tis good to talk of homey things when trouble is around ya."
You say, "Yes, he's a real prince."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Makes ya feel safe."
Shala pokes you.
Shala nods to an Imperial Guardsman.
You grin quickly at Shala.
An Imperial Guardsman sighs.
Shala says, "Yes, it does help to remember what's important."
An Imperial Guardsman runs his hand through his hair.
Shala says, "Nothing should ever hurt Cappy or home."
An Imperial Guardsman chuckles.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I don't think Cappy would let anything happen to him or home."
Shala asks, "You'll tell your superiors, won't you?"
You ask, "Will someone need to see Severin about all this?"
Shala glances at you.
You act: Jurion hooks his fingers behind his belt-buckle.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Even orcs walk on the other side of the street when they see that old codger."
An Imperial Guardsman grins.
Shala grins at an Imperial Guardsman.
Shala nods.
You say, "Yeah, or he'll break their arms."
You say, "In several places."
An Imperial Guardsman asks, "Severin?"
Shala chuckles at you.
Shala blushes.
An Imperial Guardsman asks, "Who is Severin?"
You ask, "You didn't mention Severin?" of Shala.
Shala says, "Yes, see... Severin was the one who tried to... restrain Shiman."
Shala sighs.
An Imperial Guardsman scratches his head.
Shala says, "He didn't mean to hurt him."
Shala shakes her head at you.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Ohhh."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Aye."
Shala says, "I didn't see the need to name names." to you.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Well...looks like I won't be going home."
You act: Jurion flushes slightly.
You say, "I think... I believe Shiman went back and struck his head on the cliff wall."
You say, "And that, well, that was it."
Shala asks, "Would you like a message taken to your home, Thind?"
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I don't know nothing bout anything happening to Shiman."
An Imperial Guardsman winks.
You say, "Ahhh."
Shala smiles warmly at an Imperial Guardsman.
As Shala approaches an Imperial Guardsman, he shakes his head.
Shala says, "Thank you."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Its okay Miss..."
You act: Jurion smiles, clearly relieved.
Kahund pens some words onto his piece of yellow parchment.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "He was very nasty to me and Valorian the guardsman this week as well."
Kahund shows his piece of yellow parchment to an Imperial Guardsman.
Kahund asks, "Look good?"
Shala raises an eyebrow.
Kahund asks, "Sound like an accurate recount?"
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I canna read."
An Imperial Guardsman blushes.
Kahund mutters.
Kahund says, "Sorry, forgot."
Shala says, "I think if you see him about, you might like to ask him a few questions."
Shala nods.
Shala says, "Something's strange there."
Shala says, "It's been noted several times that he never gets trouble even though there's lots of trouble near him."
An Imperial Guardsman asks, "Shiman?"
Shala nods to an Imperial Guardsman.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I think he sits on the middle of the fence as my pap calls it."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "The man don't care who he serves."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Long as they have the coin."
An Imperial Guardsman sighs.
Shala nods to an Imperial Guardsman.
You say, "It would explain why his Hostelry's always full of jackers."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "There be plenty of those around."
You say, "Maybe they're into him for rum."
An Imperial Guardsman nods to you.
Kahund opens his mouth as if to say something.
You say, "It would explain the spittle, certainly."
Shala says, "Even if he's not an enemy, I think he wouldn't qualify as a friend."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I don't think anyone ever owes to Shiman."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I don't think he'd trust his own mam."
Kahund shows his piece of yellow parchment to Shala.
You ask, "May I trouble you for my quill?" of Kahund.
Kahund asks, "L-L-Look right?"
Kahund peers at Shala.
Kahund offers his cream-toned plumed quill to you.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Prolly sell her to the highest bidder too."
You accept Kahund's offer.
An Imperial Guardsman smirks.
You say, "Thanks."
You grin quickly at an Imperial Guardsman.
Shala nods to Kahund.
Kahund says, "Thank you sir."
You put a cream-toned plumed quill in something in your sleek black leather scroll pouch.
You nod to Kahund.
You close a sleek black leather scroll pouch.
Kahund puts a piece of yellow parchment in his plain dark green leather pouch.
An Imperial Guardsman asks, "Can I see that parchment sir?"
Shala says, "Three. That must have been the three you saw."
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I'd dearly love to letter."
Kahund asks, "Letter?"
Kahund gets a piece of yellow parchment from a plain dark green leather pouch.
An Imperial Guardsman asks, "Think it be too late to learn?"
Shala shakes her head at an Imperial Guardsman.
Kahund shakes his head at an Imperial Guardsman.
Shala says, "No, not at all."
Kahund says, "Never too late."
You say, "No, but it's tough when you start."
Kahund offers his piece of yellow parchment to an Imperial Guardsman.
An Imperial Guardsman nods to you.
You say, "If you keep at it, it comes eventually."
Kahund goes to stand behind Thind's shoulder.
Kahund says, "Take it."
An Imperial Guardsman slings his polished high-steel shield over his shoulder.
An Imperial Guardsman accepts Kahund's offer.
Shala puts an orcish longknife in a simple backpack.
An Imperial Guardsman looks long and hard at the parchment.
An Imperial Guardsman sighs.
Kahund points at an Imperial Guardsman's piece of yellow parchment.
You say, "Well, if there's no more trouble, I'm going to head back to Kaezar and see if we can't tell Bargo we couldn't find his tools."
Shala nods to you.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "Could be orcish for all I know."
You ask, "Will we see you later, Shala?"
Kahund says, "Have you learned e-ev-even a little, will h-he-help g-gr-greatly."
Shala says, "Aye, I'll be heading back soon."
An Imperial Guardsman offers his piece of yellow parchment to Kahund.
You say, "All right."
Kahund accepts an Imperial Guardsman's offer.
An Imperial Guardsman says, "I can letter my name."
Kahund says, "Thind."
Shala asks, "Tell Severin?"
You say, "Well met, Guardsman Thind, Kahund."
You nod to Shala.
You say, "I will."
Shala nods to you.
Shala says, "Be careful."
You wave.

Logs > Gamma Logs > On the Middle of the Fence