Iron Kingdoms: War and Glory

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-21 10:16am

Konrad hoped this trip wouldn't take more than half the day. He had a lot of business to discuss with the other mercenaries, and that really couldn't be done in the field surrounded by strangers.
Damn loggers. Probably got major issues with trolls attacking the wagons. Or it could be they got a rival outfit gunning for them. Or it could be absolutely nothing. Damn loggers.
Konrad kept marching, as the road was in pretty good condition, and kept alert for any problems.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-02-22 06:15pm

The trip took up most of the day. The road was less than wonderful and the speed of a heavy wagon was less than impressive. Towards evening they reached the fortified town of Tverkutsk, the last spur on the northern rail line.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-23 03:58am

Arkady let loose a sigh of relief. Looks like there was nothing to worry about.

He turned to his companions : "I'd say we bid our logger acquaintances farewell and get rid of the troll heads as soon as possible. We should get to the relevant city office immediately, if it isn't closed yet, or find an inn and bring them early in the morning. If I were a petty scoundrel it would seem easier to take three troll heads from a handful of tired adventurers than from those pugnacious giants."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-23 10:26am

After parting with the loggers, Konrad said to the other mercenaries,
"We are probably going to have to wait until morning to get the bounties. Bureacrats rarely work into the evening. I happen to know a good place to stay, The Troll's Head Inn, interestingly enough. I stayed there when I was doing pre movement work for the Company before our last disasterous mission. The barman doesn't put up with any nonsense, he rents some rooms above the taphouse, and the drinks are good. While you guys relax, I can go find out about where we can get our bounties. After that I'd like to discuss what you gentlemen plan to do in the future."

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-24 07:02am

Guren clapped his hands together and grinned. "An inn means rubes, which means money to be made!" he laughed heartily and took a big step forward, then stopped, fingering a place on his chest - his money pouch. He turned and placed a hand gently on Konrad's shoulder, and held up the ugly troll-head. "Konrad, my love. Could you take this head and turn it into money?" he tried to put on his best pouty, puppy-eyed face. "Please?"

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-24 07:16am

Arkady eyed them in mock disgust. "When the two of are renting a room together, Auric and I will be sure to leave you to your er... private... business... whatever!"

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-02-24 01:55pm

"Indeed. What two men and a troll-head do is between them and their god." Auric said. He didn't mind the banter but some time, like now, he couldn't quite understand it all. "I suggest we find a place to stay for the night. I've had enough wilderness for a while."

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-25 04:47am

"Well, at least your sense of humour haven't been worn out completely." Guren laughed again and dropped the heavy head in Konrad's hands.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-25 01:07pm

Konrad smiled at the jokes at his expense and said,
"I'm sorry, but being alone with a man and a dead Troll's rotting head isn't my idea of a good time. Getting a few drinks and a good meal however, is. Let's get off the street."
Konrad then led the group to the inn he had mentioned, only checking for a tail twice out of habit. Once inside he turned to the barkeep and declared,
"A round of drinks for me and my friends!"

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-25 05:20pm

As they entered the inn, Arkady whispered to his friends : "It might be a good idea to conceal the heads in whatever piece of cloth we have - I doubt the bureaucrats would mind if somebody other than us brought the heads and claimed the bounty."

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-26 04:50am

"Pfft. If anyone is stupid enough to attack men carrying the heads of trolls and hard calibres, then they deserve what they get." he said, helping Arkady wrap a head in a rather handy stretch of sail cloth. If he noticed the irony, he ignored it completely.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-26 05:08am

"A knife in the dark or a drop of Widow's Draught can overcome many obstacles, my friend. Still, even if somebody managed to steal our bounty, I guess our friendly lumberjacks could testify on our behalf."

He patted the clothed head with disgust.

"Besides, how can one fully appreciate a meal with those heads exposed?"

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-26 02:50pm

Konrad, having reeturned from the barkeep with several large mugs of ale, said in low voice,
"Well, this is the Troll's Head Inn. We might even get a free drink for showing these heads off."
Konrad apparantly didn't want to do anything of the sort, as he had placed the head he had been carrying in a burlap sack he had acquired from the bartender that used to hold potatoes.
"You gents enjoy these on me. I'm off to find out about Troll bounties."
Konrad then tipped his hat and went off to get the information he needed. He was quite experienced at putting his ear to the street and finding people who would talk about almost anything (gather information); but before he started creeping around the city at night asking questions, Konrad would simply ask the Bartender about it.
"I heard that bounties are being offered on Troll's. You happen to know anyhting about that?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-02-27 01:15am

"Yeah," said the barkeep wiping down the bar. "An office just by all the timber concerns by the railyard. You guys just want beer or do you want something a little stronger? If you hungry, my wife cooks better than most of your mothers."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-27 09:11pm

"Hey, thanks buddy. I'm fine with beer, and since your wife is such a good cook, I'll take the house speciality."
Konrad then went back to the other mercenaries, who had procured a booth from which all the doors to the joint could be seen and was free of lowlifes. Konrad approved.
"Apparantly we can get our bounties down by the trainyard, the lumber companies got an office down there. What we do after that is something I'd like to discuss. I'll tell you straight up: I like you guys. You all got good heads on your shoulders, and I'd like for us to stay together and find some more jobs. It's a hell of a lot easier to make it with a crew than without one. I've had it with large unit work though. The money you get for that shit just ain't worth the risk."

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-28 05:20am

"We're a fair bunch, to be sure." Guren sighed, taking a draught from his mug. It wasn't so bad, especially seeing as he wasn't paying for it. "We've had experience as mercenaries and are deft hands at dealing death. I'd thrown in with ye all, if ye'd have me."

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-28 08:39am

"I admit the thrill of adventure is quite a change, if you compare our last few days to the typical bookworm - lab rat routine I had until a few months ago," Arkady commented. "I don't know yet exactly when I will settle down - I'd rather retire from adventuring life with a comfortable sum of money to set up a good laboratory - but until then I have no objection to continuing our association."

Sycorax nodded, trying to gobble a piece of cheese.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-28 01:20pm

Konrad nodded at Guren's and Arkady's statements. He then said,
"Glad to hear it gentlemen."
I know Guren is on the level, and Arkady seems alright, but he sure as hell knows a lot of battle magic for a guy who hasn't seen much campaigning. He's a really carefull sort as well. Maybe somebody burned him bad in the past. Whatever, he could just be smart. I'll worry about all that shit later.
Konrad then turned to Auric and said,
"Well Auric, what say you? I know you've got enough expierience that any large company would take you, and at a reasonable rate of pay at that. That as it may be, I'd be honored if you would stay on with us. I'm sure we could find lots of work with our combined skills."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-06 12:25pm

"Well Auric, perhaps your decision on whether or not to stay with us would be determined by the kind of work we plan on doing? Arkady, Guren, what sorts of jobs do you think we should try for?"
Konrad wanted to hear what everyone else thought before he suggested any ideas.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-06 02:13pm

"If you are looking to die for money, you might want to check the Winter Guard barracks," said the barkeep. "After you settle your bill."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-06 03:04pm

Konrad was inwardly infuriated. How much had the bartender heard? Their booth had been away from other people; or so Konrad had thought.
Next time I'll have to get a private room. At least all we are talking about is basics, as I sure as hell am not in the habit of discussing operations in a bar.
"This should cover the bill."
Konrad slipped the bartender several large denomination coins, quite a bit more than he owed, while smiling in a warm way to keep up apearances.
Hopefully he'll take the hint and not blab about us. I don't have too many of those coins. That was some good info he gave us though
"Thanks for the info buddy."
Konrad then tured back to his campanians.
"All this shit about the future can probably wait until we get paid. LIke I said earlier, I'd love for us to stick together. For now I'm going to sleep though. See you gents in the morning."
Konrad then went over to the bar/inn keeper and secured himself a room for the night. He stayed in the common area a little bit longer to check and see if anyone was taking an unhealthy interest in Konrad or his group. He then went up to bed and slept, after putting a pistol by the nightstand and his dagger under the pillow. Konrad got up early in order to claim the bounties on the Trolls as soon as possible, as well as see what was stirring at the Winter Gaurd barracks.

Edit: In order to get things moving!

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-03-09 03:42am

Arkady finished his meal, and went to his room to get some long-overdue rest. Not having used his magic today, he didn't even have to spare some time in the morning to memorize spells, and so could sleep some more. He longed for a decent bed - the journey in the cart had wreaked havoc on his back.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-03-09 07:01am

As he passed by Konrad's room, Guren knocked heavily. "First thing in the morning. Sell the troll heads." Fiscal concerns meant something only when there were rune bullets to make.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-09 08:17am

Konrad's ribs were hurting somethin awefull once he got up.
Damn, I can probably look forward to many days ahead like this.
He did the usual morning exercises he could, as well as some weapon practice, before gathering the other mercenaries to get the bounties. Everyone seemed eager to get paid. Arkady had seemed to have as rough a night as Konrad.
They passed many local businessmen setting up their shops and farmers moving their goods to market. It was a little bit after dawn. At this time of day, spotting tails would be easier, as there were less rough looking men moving about. Besides taking advantage of the situation to check for a tail, they heading straight for the lumer yards and their bounties. The place busy already, so the mercenaries could go straight in to get paid. Before doing so, however, Konrad took a carefull note of all the entrances and exits in the lumber yard as well as any muscle that was visible.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-09 05:00pm

The lumber yards were busy. A train was nearby and log after log was being loaded onto flat bedded cars and then secured with steel cable. The piles of lumber gave the whole area a slightly maze like quality. After a few false steps they found the relevant office. A bored minor functionary sitting at a desk looked up briefly as they came in. "Throw them in the troff outside," he said.