Ludi Blog

The camp was quiet as everyone rested after the battle and trek back to the carts. Edgeler rifled through the body of the dead mage pulling out coins and spell components - Celad passed a scroll to Womac and a wand to Alana.

Once everyone had caught their collective breaths, the discussion turned to what to do next and it was decided that a trip back to town would be the best idea now that whomever was still in the fortress temple would know that they were under attack. Bones were aching, supplies were low and a bit of rest and recuperation would be welcomed - and anyway Grogg was out of beer.

So the horses were unhitched from the carts and made ready to ride back to Daggerford - the journey only taking 4 hours. On the outskirts of the town the party stopped and made camp next to the busy Western trade route - it was market day with people, carts and horses moving in and out of the town.

Celad was dispatched to have a look around and maybe make some contacts within the town to find a couple of safe rooms and somewhere to get rid of the weapons and loot procured in the last few days. Upon entering the very busy main square he spied a couple of likely looking candidates and a few bored looking militia.

Celad approached the dodgy looking characters in a round-a-bout sort of way whilst making small but not insignificant gestures indicating that he was not a threat and just wanted to talk - a sort of thieves guild language. When he reached the more important looking individual he offered his hand, "Celad" he said simply in greeting.

"Den", replied the man shaking the extended hand and taking the concealed coin, "How may we help a stranger to Daggerford?"

"I'm looking for lodgings for one night - for 6." answered Celad, with more unspoken words passing between the 2 men.

"Well we have 3 nice inns in this square - I would recommend the Dog if you want to keep a lower profile. Plus it is cheaper than the other two. Or were you looking for something less public, more safe?" asked the non-descript man.

"Less public, more discrete." replied Caled simply. The deal was made and Celad told to meet after dark in the Dog Inn just across market square.

Later, back at the camp after Celad had told the rest of the group of his meeting, it was decided that the group should split once more with Celad and Edgeler taking some of the acquired booty back into town to sell (with the pair of them being inexpertly followed on their way back to the camp). Then finally towards the end of the afternoon the group moved back in to the town with the Dog Inn being the destination where hopefully Dirty Den would meet them.

"Right everyone. Let's keep a low profile - no burning, fighting or killing men this evening. A low profile!" emphasised Edgeler. Nods, grunts and glares were returned to his steely gaze.

The party split into two again and entered the town without attracting unwanted attention but then Grogg was the first to enter the Dog, barging, pushing and aggressively making his way directly to the packed bar. Dropping his empty keg down on the bar he gestured gruffly to the barman and said,

"Oi! Here's 15 gold - now fill it and if there's any money left then anyone else can use it to get an ale." the stampede almost crushed him as 30 or so other patrons of the Inn made a bee line for the bar and Grogg. In the ensuing scuffle and minor fight, the rest of the Wedding Crashers passed relatively unnoticed to a table at the back of the room.

Once things had settled and Celad had dealt with an attempted pick pocket, it was noted that Den had not been seen in the Inn. Now doubts started to surface about whether he could be trusted and whether the group would see the 5 gold that Celad had given over as a deposit. After a little more time it was decided to approach the innkeeper about rooms for the night who realising that there was a group of outsiders with money here offered two rooms at an extortionate price.

"We want to rent the rooms for the night ... not buy them!" came the outburst from Edgeler.

Finally the group agreed and returned to their drinks with the cloud of doom hanging over the table and there was not much chatter in the packed, noisy inn until Celad noticed Den enter the inn and approach them.

"It's hours after dark." said Celad.

"But it's still after dark now." countered Den.

"Well we've organised to stay here in the Dog now." said Celad, "So we won't be needing your place."

Den shrugged, "You do realise the deposit was non-refundable right. Oh well no loss." he held his hand out to Celad to shake which he did, palming the small coin in the process. "Just in case you need any more help - this will help identify you to others like us." And with that he left the pub. Four other men left at the same time.

The group soon decided to move to the relative quiet of their rooms to rest and planned at the same time to leave by the back windows early in the morning which they did after a refreshingly quiet night, jumping down into the back alley.