Iron Kingdoms: War and Glory

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-09 07:49pm

Konrad uncermoniously dumped the troll head into the indicated troff, and collected the bounty. He wasn't expecting much, and frankly getting anything out of that nasty fight was a bonus as far as Konrad was concerned. He wasn't even particularly wary about the bureacrat possibly cheating him.
Should have asked around to see what they were paying. To late for that now.
Once outside, with some new coin in his pocket, Konrad adressed his companians after checking to make sure no outsiders were close enough to ovverhear him.
"Well, gents, I'm heading off to the Winter Gaurd barracks, see what's shakin over there. At the very least I might be able to get some leads on other jobs even If we don't like whatever the Gaurds are proposing."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-09 08:33pm

The minor functionary took a key and unlocked a strong box. He took three small bags of gold coins out and gave them to the adventurers. "Your reward."

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-03-09 09:31pm

Guren raised his bag of coins in one hand, then wiped away a tear. "I'm going to go buy some components for rune bullets." he waved with one hand and strolled off, immediately placing his new coin in his old purse on his neck.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-03-10 03:33am

Arkady pocketed his share of the reward, pondering where he could find a fellow wizard with some spells to exchange, or buy. It would take a few days to scribe them in his own spellbook - though it was almost full now, so he'd better buy a new one as well. Better go to the Winter Guard at once, and with a bit of luck there would be a couple of days before the actual assignment started.

"I will be following you, then, Konrad," he said, pulling his hood on.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-03-10 08:19am

"If you're headed over to the barracks, I'll follow." Auric said. "I'd rather hear firsthand what we're getting into."

He pocketed the gold from the troll heads and fell in beside Konrad.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-10 09:26pm

Konrad found himself somewhat amused by Guren's emotional reaction at being able to buy new rune bullets.
That is a man who is serious about his ammunition.
" Good luck getting the bullets you need, Guren."
Konrad then turned to Auric and Arkady and said with a smile,
"Well gentlemen, what are we waiting for?"
He then left with the two other mercenaries and headed over to the Winter Gaurd barracks.
I hope they want more than just grunts for some sort of gods damned frontal assualt.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-03-11 09:27pm

"Lets get this done. And keep on your best behaviour. As I can attest, the Winter Guard is not very tolerant of goofing off." Auric reminded them.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-16 06:37am

The mercenaries headed to the Winter Guard barracks. Mostly young men and a few young women were on post, wearing heavy long coats over light armour. Most of those on duty were armed with axes and simple firearms. A man in his early thirties with a line of stubble looked at the mercenaries as they approached. "What's your business?" he asked.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-16 10:10am

Konrad adressed the man who had challenged his entry,
"Hello, we're here on bussiness. We heard that the Winter Guard was looking for manpower for some kind of job."
Konrad was using the blunt approuch, as being mysterious (or attempting to be), would likely only try the man's patience.
"Who do we talk to about that kind of thing?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-21 11:17pm

The grizzled man took a hit on his pipe and pointed to a building. "Kapten Vasiliev is there in his office. You should speak to him."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-22 01:02pm

"Thank you soldier,"
Said Konrad to the veteran. Without further ado he went over to Vasilev's office, while noting the positions of men and likely escape routes, just in case everything went to hell. The Captain wasn't particularly busy at the moment, so his adjunct was able to show the mercenaries in very quickly. Konrad came to a parade rest and adressed the captain,
"Sir, my name is Konrad Krueger. I've heard the Winter Gaurd is looking for men for some sort of job. Is that a random rumor, or have I heard correctly?"
Konrad decided to be rather forward with Captain Vasiliev. He did it in order to feel out the Captain's personality. If Vasiliev bristled at the lack of protocall, at least Konrad would know early he was likely dealing with a spit and polish asshole.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-22 06:10pm

The kapten was a man in his early thirties with dark and thick mustaches. "This is a matter of some seriousness," he said. "It is not an endeavor to be lightly considered by a handful of men."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-03-22 06:29pm

"I quite assure you that we are capable men here. Perhaps you could let us know what you require men for and let us decide whether we can handle it?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-22 07:01pm

"Something destroyed a village about thirty miles north of here. A company of Winterguard were sent to investigate and did not come back."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-22 07:27pm

Well, at least the Captain is a straightforward fellow so far. But a whole god damned company disapeering? At least he doesn't want us for a frontal assualt, though this could be far worse.
"So basically you need someone with some talent to go take a look-see and find out what happened to the company of Winter Gaurd, eh? But why do you want outsiders to look into it?"
Maybe he doesn't want to waste more men when mercenaries can serve as cannon fodder for him. Or maybe he wants us mercs to take the fall for whatever the hell went wrong up there. I'd definitely need to check around before taking a job like this, as it could very well be something out of our league.
"Also, what is it worth to you to find out what happened?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-22 11:55pm

"I don't have the men to spare," said the kapten. "Six hundred men to guard a large town with a serious troll problem doesn't leave me with enough me to adequately investigate this disaster. As for what it is worth to me it is ten pounds of gold to discover who is responsible for this and where they reside. A hundred pounds to kill them."

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-03-23 09:21am

This is indeed intriguing, Arkady thought, having sent Sycorax scouting around the building for unwanted listeners. If something really foul is running, somebody in Tverkutsk might be involved. It might be better if nobody knew that we have been hired - but then, if they saw us heading north, they'd draw the logical conclusion regardless.

With a nervous smile which he hid with his hand, looking pensive, he thought : And it would be very ironic if the man who sent us investigating is the one involved. He hesitated about probing the man's thought, but decided against it - he hadn't prepared a silenced version of his spell, and the kapten was very attentive to their reactions - he couldn't cast the spell right now. Perhaps once they'd be outside of the room, there would be an opportunity.

I've read too many novels.

"I like solving conundrums, and I don't mind burning some meat if need be," he commented, blushing a bit at the side glances and sardonic smiles of his fellow adventurers.

EDIT : Damn, the town's name is a pain.
EDIT2 : Double damn, I forgot that Guren wasn't with us.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-23 01:39pm

Ten pounds of gold ain't bad payment for a scouting mission. Anyone that can deal with a company of Winter Gaurd can certainly kill me, so no way I'm getting 100 pounds of gold.
"That's a lot of money Captain. Enough that many others would be interested in this job. Has anyone else taken it up yet? And before we take this mission on, we'll need some more details. Such as the name of this village that was wiped out and its location for instance. Also, how did you find out the town was destroyed? Were there any survivors?"
I can probably find out plenty of other information on my own. I'll have to ask my contacts what they know about this, I'm sure as hell not going into this blind. If I'm going into this at all. Arkady seems keen to go though.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-23 03:10pm

"A routine patrol found the village, sent back to us, and gathered reinforcements. Haven't heard from them since. It's fifty miles northwest of here, called Korovo."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-03-23 04:56pm

"We can certainly take on the investigation, Kaptain. If nothing else a few man should be able to get in, perform a reconnaissance, and then get out."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-25 05:25am

"Very good and best of luck to you."

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-03-25 07:47am

Arkady told his two companions as Sycorax landed on his shoulder: "I say we find Guren, and start picking supplies for the expedition, as well as a convenient means of transportation. We will probably rest for a couple of days before departure, if you don't mind."

He thought a bit and added : "Konrad, don't you have contacts within the local underground, that would have reliable information about... shady events going on around the region?"

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-25 01:09pm

Konrad nodded.
"I know some people. It will take time to contact them however. I'll reconvene back back at the tavern with everyone in the evening. Hopefully I'll have something by then. If I see Guren I'll let him know what the score is."
Konrad tipped his hat to the other mercenaries and said,
"until this evening gentlemen."

Konrad kept his reservations about the mission to himself for the moment. Best to get more information first. Konrad went to acquire said information immeadiatly. He started by talking to, and bribing, a number of small time lowlifes around the city that kept their eyes open. In a city like this one, a man could make a decent living by showing people where to go to get information. Konrad had managed to find a few of these sorts, who were at least half way reliable, when the Company had swung through town earlier. These contacts were able to shunt Konrad up the food chain towards people who might actually know something. He had never been in the city long enough to make real inroads with the people 'in the know,' so he was forced to use this slow and expensive process.

After about six hours and 7 gold coins, Konrad finally had set up a meeting with someone truly promising. The man went by the the name Lonny 'Longshot.' The meeting was to take at a bar near the marketlace. Konrad knew the place, and it should be sufieciently public to avoid too much mischief. Apparantly all Konrad had to do was ask the bartender for Lonny and give him a rose.

Konrad went into the bar with his militry pistol, fine knife, handaxe, and holdout piece. He also had a blackjack as well. Konrad's overcoat hid most of them from casual inspection.
Let's hope Mr. Longshot actually knows something. If he is even here. Or real.
Konrad then approached the bar tender, keeping a carefull eye for other armed men, possible escape routes , and anything else that might be dangerous.
He then went up to the bartender, a thin man who looked somewhat like a weasel, and said,
"I'm looking for Lonny."
Konrad then placed a rose on the countertop.

Edit: for spelling.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-03-26 05:45pm

A slim, dark haired man moved up behind Konrad and took a seat. "You want to talk, talk."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-03-26 06:04pm

Konrad took a seat at the bar next to who he asumed was 'Longshot.' He faced Longshot sideways , so he could keep an eye on people coming up to the bar.
" You probably already know why I'm here."
I've certainly been asking around long enough. Everybody probably knows.
"What do you know about Korovo? Any particular reason it was wiped off the face of the earth? Though really I'm interested in who might have done it. And if there are any survivors from that place around."
Or what might have done it. The less god damned evil spirits and magic involved, the better.