🚀 go-pugleaf

From: dparsons@jarthur.claremont.edu (Daniel Parsons)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp
Subject: Navero VIII
Reply-To: dparsons@jarthur.UUCP (Daniel Parsons)
Distribution: world
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA
Keywords: Navero, of the Correct and Unalterable Way

Last time, we explored the Orc caverns, Rizudo died in an idiot trap, (such
traps turned out to be very effective against our party), and we found a
dwarven prisoner and about 500gp in assorted loose change.  There were also
various weapons, armors, all in fair condition, but nothing we didn't already
have enough of.  Somewhat dissapointed, we went back to the great hall, and
stared over the east barrier; beyond, we could see a little bit of a large
cavern, which seemed utterly devoid of life.  However, we were not about to
go over and start exploring; first, we would have to go back to Swamp Keep,
report that the Orcs were gone, and claim the rewards that we so richly
deserved.

Guard 1: "Aw, shit, its them again."

Dania: "Will you PLEASE just open the goddamned gate for once?  You know
	who we are."

Guard 2: "Look, yu.  Yu go' a might big fa' hed there, l'il lady.  Now, be
	  nice, an' maybe I'll le' ya in."

Rourk: "We are not amused at your attempts at humor.  And our patience is
	wearing quite thin.  This ill-treatment of those who should be your
	honoured guests speaks volumes of this pitiful place.  I demand
	that you open the gates at once!"

Guard 2: "Say please."

Kortul: Punches Guard 2.  Guard 2 drops unconscious.

Guard 1: "Oh, good.  He's been especially crass this morning.  Roger!  Could
	  you open the gate for these lovely people, and put Mungo to bed?"

Roger: (From above) "Is he out cold?"

Guard 1: (Checks guard 2) "Yes, he is.  Lovely, isn't it?"

Roger: "Quite."

	And so we entered the keep.  Naturally, the first thing did was get
ourselves healed to full strength (We use a spell-point based magic system,
and Navero had just enough spell points for everyone.) We then went to go
see the official we had spoken to the previous day, to report on our success
and see to our reward (A reward had been promised; I forgot to mention it.)

Official: "You succeeded?  Wonderful!  I really can't tell you how happy we
	   all are to hear that.  They came about every couple of months;
	   they used to stay away from the keep completely, but since all
	   the caravans started travelling on the North road, they have
	   given us their attentions.  The lord of the Keep will naturally
	   wish to see you."

Rourk: "Think nothing of it.  It was childs play."

Official: "Ah.  Well: did you bring the Chief's head with you?"

Rourk: "The coward fled into the swamp, and so I was unable to obtain it
	for you.  Rest assured that if we meet again, the oversight shall
	be corrected."

Official: "Did you bring any heads back?  Or hands, or ears...?"

Navero: "That's... kind of barbaric, I mean, mutilation of the bodies?"

Official: "...So you have no actual proof that you ever went near the Orcs?"

Dead silence.

Kortul: "Stupid."

Rourk: "You doubt my word?  Those who do learn not to."

Kortul: "Real stupid."

Official: "I, of course, believe every word you say.  However, the Lord of
	   the Keep is a hard man to please.  He will want to be certain.  I
	   must say, that under these circumstnaces, seeing his Lordship
	   would be out of the question.  And, of course, the status of your
	   reward money is placed somewhat in jeapordy..."

Navero: "Well, there's the money we found in the *ow!* (Dania drives her
	 staff into Navero's foot.)

Official: "What's this?"

Dania: "My young friend here was just saying how short on cash we were.
	Would it please you if we were to go back and get battle tokens?"

Rourk: "We may find a few more, if you absolutely insist upon this matter."

Navero: "oww..."

Official: "Yes, I think that would be the best thing for you to do.  A word,
	   children; 'foresight makes all matters go to your advantage.' Now
	   please go finish your task."

	We did spot one other Orc out in the marshes; it was not the Chief.
Kortul killed it with arrow shots.  We collected all the right ears we could
still find, even the females and children.  It was a very unpleasant task,
and accomplished hurriedly.  The total came to 32; not bad.  We arrived back
at the Keep that night.

Guard 1: "Oi, this lot.  Fuck it, le' 'em in."

As even officials need to sleep, we decided to be nice and not bother the
government people until morning.  Instead, Kortul, Rourk, and Dania went to
the only tavern, where they saw a few familiar faces.  The first was that of
the rescued Dwarf, whom they had dropped off at the inn; he had recovered
enough to go down to the common room, and wished to thank his rescuers.  His
name was Arlor. The second was a mercenary-looking type who rather resembled
the late and largely unlamented Rizudo; this worthy turned out to be his
twin brother Razudi, who wished to hear of his brothers death.

Rourk: "So, Dwarf, you were captured by the Orcs while trying to steal from
	them.  Being naturally incompetent, you were unable to fight them
	off or escape."

Arlor: "I, um, was jus' trying to earn a liven', yup."

Dania: "God, that guy looks familiar.  Unpleasantly so."

Razudi: "Hi there, kids!  Say, you look like those idiots who were hanging
	 around with my brother!"

Rourk: "Oh, no...  Please leave us at once."

Razudi: "Not 'till you tell me what happened.  Say, are you the little..."

Dania: "Shove it, asshole."

Razudi: "I see you are.  Well, kids; wanna have some fun?"

	The remainder of their evening is best left to the imagination.
Navero did not go to the tavern.  While he did not approve of the others
going to that place, he didn't know what to say without offending, and he
desperately didn't want to offend anyone.  Especially so soon after his
failure in trying to protect his friend Dania.  She had been so very angry,
and rightly so; he had done so very much harm.  They all must think so badly
of him.  It was very late at night.  Most everyone else was indoors, asleep
or otherwise, like good people should be.  Navero wandered through the
streets for a little while, but found nothing that required his aid, nothing
for him to help.  Once a patrol of night watchmen passed by, and eyed him
with obvious suspicion.  He went to the only temple in the town, which was
consecrated to some Defender goddess he did not recognize.  He apologized to
the goddess, as she was not of The Order and he had no right to be in her
place, found a prayer alcove, and curled up and went to sleep.


Dan Parsons	   "Forgive me, Lords, for I have tried and failed.  Again."
NAVERO VIII
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