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Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!

Prologue

Braz sat in the corner of the tavern, a tall mug of warmed mead nearly empty sitting in front of him. The door opened and a freezing wind swept through the tavern causing Braz to pull his cloak closer and hug the warm mug of mead. Glancing up at the door to the man entering, he kicked the bench across from him out as a gesture of greeting.

"Barmaid, we are going to need two more over here," tossing a few coppers on the table to encourage timely service.

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Ryric Krael
Former Vice President AGN
Former Director, Section 6
Former Head of Department of the Treasury
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Ask not what your PA can do for you, but what you can do for your PA
"Gone Section Five"

Gednan walked through the door into The Duelling Swords tavern. The room visibly shivered as the cold air blew in; Gednan closed the door quickly. He was looking for a familiar face, the son of a Swordlord who he had dealt with in the course of helping his father with business. That face was not hard to find. Gednan walked up to the table and sat down on the offered bench, carefully resting his staff within easy reach, as the barmaid returned with two tankards.

"Well met, Friend." Gednan said. He took a long sip at the tankard and sighed as the warmth from the drink flowed through his system. "I understand my mentor and your father have plans for us."

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X2-PB

Pathfinder Kingmaker Campaign:
Gednan Malithanar - Wizard (1)
Dukin Thunderstrike - Ranger (1)

Star Citizen: - https://www.robertsspaceindustries.com/
AntanKarmola on their forums

Star Wars: The Old Republic: - Not really playing
Antare Karmola - Jedi Guardian (32)
Antan Karmola - Jedi Shadow (21)
Arianae Karmola - Gunslinger (20)

old men should not be left too near a warm fire with a full flagon of ale... They start making grand plans and looking for instruments to do the walking for them. Not that I am opposed to the shape of those plans - but they should not be encouraged.

Still, they have secured this charter [tossing the document to the wizard], I am tired of training, the city and the politics. Plus, I don't see any provision requiring us to relinquish or pay a tax to the swordlords when we return - so we may even make some coin.


Braz shook his head as he pulled down some more ale.

Have you gone and joined the circus, or are we attaching those hares to a sled to pull our gear?

Gednan laughed and held up the hares. "A Resurrection spell would be required first for these two to be able to do that!" He said. "No, the kitchen in this fine establishment makes an exquisite winter stew ... and I have no other means to pay for dinner!" Gednan caught the attention of the Barmaid and handed over the hares. She took them through to the kitchen and, moments later, added winter stew to the specials menu.

Gednan inspected the charter. His frown deepened as he read. "Hmm." He said, finally. "I am sure the Old Men have their reasons but I do not relish the thought of working for the Swordlords or the Crown ... However, it is entirely possible they know something we do not." The barmaid returned with two steaming bowls of stew. "Let us eat and think. Such a decision should not be made on an empty stomach."

_________________
X2-PB

Pathfinder Kingmaker Campaign:
Gednan Malithanar - Wizard (1)
Dukin Thunderstrike - Ranger (1)

Star Citizen: - https://www.robertsspaceindustries.com/
AntanKarmola on their forums

Star Wars: The Old Republic: - Not really playing
Antare Karmola - Jedi Guardian (32)
Antan Karmola - Jedi Shadow (21)
Arianae Karmola - Gunslinger (20)

Braz sipped his soup, "well the crown has very little to do with it, or anything for that matter. Besides, they have not bothered to civilize the Greenbelt until now, and they only handed out a few of these charters. I think everyone except us is going to have their hands full in Restov, and Brevoy."

Braz slid the bowl away and shrugged.

"You have something better to do around here?"

Gednan finished his stew and considered. The din around the tavern was increasing with the quantity of ale drunk and a few large men by the fire were getting particularly rowdy.

"You have a fair point." He said finally. "However, two doesn't maketh a party. We will need others."

Gednan took in the scene going on around him. It looked as if a fight could break out any moment. "Unless you feel like working out your sword arm, I would suggest now would be a good time to make an exit."

He took advantage of the din to cast a spell and then got up to leave. A ghostly figure arose out of the flames of the fireplace and drifted into the room. The noise quietened and there were a couple of screams. The large men by the fire backed away and started making warding signs. Gednan got to the tavern door.

"MALITHANAR!" The landlord called out from behind the bar. "Stop scaring my patrons with your party tricks!" The voice was scolding but the man's face betrayed amusement. Gednan grinned and pulled his cloak tight before opening the door. The cold blast entered the tavern and, with a wave of his hand, the ghost disappeared.

_________________
X2-PB

Pathfinder Kingmaker Campaign:
Gednan Malithanar - Wizard (1)
Dukin Thunderstrike - Ranger (1)

Star Citizen: - https://www.robertsspaceindustries.com/
AntanKarmola on their forums

Star Wars: The Old Republic: - Not really playing
Antare Karmola - Jedi Guardian (32)
Antan Karmola - Jedi Shadow (21)
Arianae Karmola - Gunslinger (20)

"Aye, your right. I think we will have better luck closer to the border." Braz glanced at the escalating commotion, "unless you are in the market for a professional drunk."

Braz's rose to leave with Gednan, he turned to his friend as he heard him mutter something under his breath, Braz raised an eyebrow unsure of the meaning.

A figure stirred and rose from the fireplace and Braz's hand found the hilt of his dagger, before realization slowly dawned on him. Gednan was either causing a distraction so they could leave or having a go at the drunks.

Braz followed Gednan quickly out the door of the tavern.

"We will start towards the trading post first thing, I don't fancy starting at this late hour, and a good nights rest in our own beds would probably be wise."

Sorry it is taking me so long to be involved...

Thursday, March 1st -

The day dawns cold and clear, with a bite in the air. By the time the sun actually peeks above the horizon at roughly 6:30 AM, the temperature is barely above 0°F. There has been some light snow the past two days, with a dusting still remaining on the ground and clumped around small bushes and tussocks of dead, dried grass. Thankfully the wind has died down completely, and it is perfectly calm.

As Gednan and Braz make preparations to get on the road, the smell of wood smoke fills the air from cooking and heating fires throughout Restov. The middens have all completely frozen, leaving no hint of smell, and the hoarfrost on the wooden railings of the inn glisten in the early morning light. The sun shines strongly in the pale blue sky, with a hint of light, wispy clouds high, high up in the sky.

It seems an absolutely gorgeous, perfect day, if you didn't have to be out in it. Indeed, the cold makes your nose run, which of course immediately begins to freeze in your nostrils as well, leading to a tight, prickly, tingly, almost burning sensation, and thoughts start creeping into your head wondering about the wisdom of walking to Oleg's today. Maybe hiring a coach wouldn't be so bad, although that money pouch feels awfully light. The fire back inside sure seems inviting. Maybe waiting a day or two, or a week, or a month, wouldn't be so bad. Or really, maybe just next year. That serving wench did seem pretty cute...

_________________
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!

"Oleg's Trading Post" Gednan said. The coachman nodded and reigned up Gednan's horse to the two pulling the carriage.

Gednan looked at the sky to get a general impression of what the weather would be doing for the day (Survival check: 8 + 10 = 18).

Gednan and Braz got inside the carriage. Gednan looked around. "Hmm, it's been a while since I last saw the inside of one of these." He said. "A final spot of luxury before life of the frontier, ay?"

_________________
X2-PB

Pathfinder Kingmaker Campaign:
Gednan Malithanar - Wizard (1)
Dukin Thunderstrike - Ranger (1)

Star Citizen: - https://www.robertsspaceindustries.com/
AntanKarmola on their forums

Star Wars: The Old Republic: - Not really playing
Antare Karmola - Jedi Guardian (32)
Antan Karmola - Jedi Shadow (21)
Arianae Karmola - Gunslinger (20)