After leaving Caer Elend the party headed for Lethien Lexigraphy. They find it closed, but knock anyway. At first there is no response. Askelon knocks again, and this time an Elf approaches the door and looks through the glass. Upon seeing Askelon he turns quickly from the door, the returns a few moments later and unlocks and opens the door. The party is ushered into a shop that is clearly high-end and very Sindarin. They see a tall (for a Sindarin) male Sindarin in very fine clothing standing in the center of the shop with his hands together in front of him. Green robes with gold trim. Long white hair and delicate features. There are three other Sindarin in the shop, apparently apprentices or journeymen. "Good evening. I am Pindras Lethien. How may I be of service this evening?" He scans the party, showing no emotion. Hjalgrimm steps forward and hands Pindras the sealed parchment from Alva Ferros in Geda. He deftly opens the note and reads it. He bows slightly to Askelon. "My prince of Gelarhun - Askelon, is it? My prince, I understand that you seek a rather rare map. Normally our shop is closed for business, cleaning, and work at these hours, but for you and with this recommendation I am honored to be your host. Would you all like to sit for some Shava tea?" He turns and leads the party into a salon with tall glass windows that give an impressive view of the crossroads of Medrik Way and Torastra Way, with Mangai Square just beyond. The furniture is luxurious. The party sits as tea is brought to each of the party members in a fine ceramic set.
The party learns that Pindras does have a map that shows Daquinasel, explaining that few ever ask for such a map. They learn that a scribe and linguist from Cherafir, producing impeccable credentials, did pass through here weeks ago, and commissioned a copy of a map of western Kaldor to include the location of Daquinasel. When asked, he said that he came across that name during translation research and wished to travel there. He paid well.
Pindras would have his chief assistant craft an excellent copy of the master map if the party were willing to return in two days. When they balked and said they were leaving the next day, one of the Sindarin whispered into Pindras' ear. Pindras then cleared his throat and declared "I have been reminded that we do, indeed, have a copy of that map we set in reserve." When the party expressed relief, he added "and I will part with it for 25gp." Hjalgrimm said "Aye, that is a bargain!" and proffered the requested coin. After a few moments the other Sindarin brought Hjalgrimm a finely embossed map case, opened the lid, and unrolled the map. It is quite detailed and exquisite.
Noctis asks about the mushroom looking marker on the map. Pindras explains that it marks the rumored location of a tall mushroom-shaped fortress built by Sindarin Wizard and Fighter that is likely now destroyed. There was some sort of disaster at that location nearly a century ago. The reports were that it was some huge fireball from the sky, not unlike the meteors that the Khuzdul seek out for the fabled mineral Adamantine. Hjalgrimm has heard of it, but never seen it worked.
They then ask about the three symbols nearby, and Pindras seems to search his memory. After a few moments he declares "Those mark another site, also believed to be ruined by the disaster. It was call the Temple of Three Wisdoms." Faelon declares that that location is on his map too.
The party thanks Pindras and are ushered quickly out of Lethien Lexigraphy.
They then travel south to Christopoulos Trading Corporation Trade Goods. Again, the sign says the shop is closed, and again the party knock insistently. After a few minutes the door opens and they see a rather curvaceous human woman in her 40s in the door. To Noctis and Faelon she is clearly Kerejian. "What in Yashain do you want?" The party greets her in Kerejian and apologizes for the late hour, but they have a very rare deal for her, and mention Ardail's name. She invites them in and treats them all to Ouzo. Tenktovie does not drink, but the rest do. She purchases their Sindarin wine for 360gp, and they ask what she has to sell. They purchase two Potions of Healing, one of Greater Healing, and a Wyvern's Venom.
They next travel to the White Ravens Ravens to procure scouts for their trip. Gavron tells them what they have to offer:
○ 2 Junior Fighter, 15sp/d
○ 2 Stock Fighter, 30sp/d
○ 2 Senior Fighter, 60sp/d
○ 2 Junior Scout, 25sp/d
○ 2 Stock Scout, 50sp/d
○ 2 Senior Scout, 75sp/d
○ 2 Druid, 75sp/d
○ Battle Mage and Cobalt Monk, 100sp/d
○ Kath Scout and Kath Barbarian, 75sp/d
○ Drover/Cook/Healer, 25sp/d
○ Ilviran Priest or Peonian Priest, 75sp/d
They review the three paths, south along the Efrel River, central up the Hemurin River and along either shore of Lake Myen, or north on the Fur Road. The Fur Road is safest and most boring. The Hemurin/Myen path is probably most direct, but can be dangerous. Hjalgrimm notes that this is the path they were "instructed" to take. The Efrel path is the longest and most dangerous path.
The party will have to estimate travel time and pay half up front, the rest when the job is done. If they finish the job away from Tashal, there will be a small travel stipend charged. They party discuss options, focusing on a Senior Scout who was with the group that obtained the enchanted lute from the Gnolls. The senior scout, Denneth, tells you that if you want to know where their team encountered the Gargun/Gnoll raiding party, he can point to it on a good map. If you want to be escorted there, they you have to take the southern Efrel River route. Mind you, the raiding party killed three of the White Ravens before they had a chance to react, and one more before the fight was over. Seriously dangerous shit.
(Continued from 6/24 through 7/06 via Discord)
It is mid-evening of Larane 1 in 721TR and you can all smell the dinner being cooked at the White Raven compound. Gavron and Denneth have reviewed your three proposed paths and given feedback, and Denneth has pointed to the place where they encountered the Gnolls and Gargun, on the Efrel path. Gavron tells you that he needs a decision in the next 15 minutes so he can tell the selected men/women, especially if you choose the drover as he'll need to collect cooking supplies - and he is getting hungry.
After discussing with the crew, Hjalgrimm relays our request to the White Ravenclaw leader. Gavron nods. You can see him do a little math in his head, talking to himself silently. "So, a Senior Scout and a Drover is an even 100sp per day. Two days travel to Olokand, then I estimate four to five days from Olokand to Daquinasel up the Hemurin and along the shores of Lake Myen. We'll call it seven days. If it is less, you can deduct the difference from the balance due at destination. That's 700 silver. Add 5 silver per day for return, so another 35. I normally charge a fee for rush service, but I will reduce it for you lot. It'll be 750 silver total, so 375 silver now and 375 payable to Denneth at destination. Denneth and Bish will take care of their own lodging, vittles, and supplies." He pauses and looks at you. "We have a deal?"
Hjalgrimm: "Aye, Gavron, we have a deal." Hjalgrimm pays the man 375 silver. Then shakes on it.
Gavron invites you to sit and have a drink while he draws up the contract.
Noctis: "Gavron, any other rations or supplies that you'd recommend for this trip? When traveling up here it was recommended to us to have some basic metal wares for trading to the Pagaelin if we ran into them." Gavron replies: "Well, tribal nations are not exactly my forte', but since you've put the front payment down for a senior scout, maybe I can let him answer,"
Denneth smiled. "I guess that would be me!" He pulled the map around so that it was oriented to the party. "So, it seems you've traveled here from the south, if you were prepared to deal with the Pagaelin. Genin Trail, was it? My experiences with the Pagaelin are a little aged by now, but I doubt they've changed much. Still rather bellicose, shoot fist, screw the questions. The tribes that stay mostly north and east or more likely to trade with travelers who stay on the road, except for Laranians. That affair south of Oselbridge probably still rankles both parties. Anyway, the Pagaelin are happy to trade for metal weapons and some armor, but they don't like the heavy stuff at all."
"Traveling from here to Daquinasel will involve possible contact with two tribal groups, the Kath and the Taelda." "The Kath are very nomadic, and there are not nearly as many of them as other tribal nations." He circles an area on the map with his finger. "They inhabit this area west of the Kald River, north of Evael, north to the Hemurin and Efrel, and west to the Gifuso Heights. Maybe one to two thousands of them, always moving. They are too weak and disorganized to be a threat to Kaldor, but Kaldor has never been able to make successful incursions into the Kathela Hills to enforce their claims. The Gargun in Gifuso harry the Kath from the west, but that is infrequent. The Kath won't attempt any incursions into the settled areas near Olokand or north into Taelda territories. And they sure as the Pillar will not cross into Shava Forest. As far as dealing with them, they are unlikely to attack a group that is obviously well protected or able to defend themselves. You lot present as quite capable of defending yourselves. If you take the route up the Hemurin and along the shores of Lake Myen, you'll have only brief exposure to lands the Kath defend along the Efrel and Hemurin. If you do want to prepare to trade with the Kath, they have similar desires to the Pagaelin, simple metal weapons or spear tips, simple armor, simple metal tools."
"The Taelda are a different nation altogether." He circles a different area on the map. "They populate the region south of the Anoth River, stretching all the way from the Felsha Mountains on the west to the Sorkin Mountains on the east, and bordered on the south by Kaldoran occupied lands. The Taelda are unlike most other tribal nations, or like some call them - 'Barbarians' - on Hârn. According to their traditions, a Kaldoran engineer was found nearly dead in a Taelda forest a little less than 200 years ago. His name was Amyll. The Taelda, being extremely adept at dwelling in the forests, nursed him to health and gave him shelter and safety. In return, Amyll taught the chieftains and shamans what he knew. It seems that was considerable. The Taelda have sophisticated dwellings and villages in their forests, are very skilled craftsmen, and capable warriors in their own territories. Skirmishes with the Anoa to the north or with Kaldorans are extremely rare, but they do have to deal with periodic Gargun raids from the mountain foothills in the west and east. They have an extensive communications network that uses drums, where they can get a message across their entire territory in an hour. As far as trade good, they primarily want rare materials and replacements for crafting equipment. If you don't stray into their forests, or too far from the Fur Road, you're not likely to have any trouble from the Taelda."
Tenktovie: "Denneth, appreciate the information. Well boys, you heard the man, we may want to acquire some materials to trade if we have the time. If we don't have the time.... we'll wing it." To the party, he said "I would like to personally pay for an extra day, as I would like to pop in on the folks and assure they are well."
Faelon-Cory: "I letta myah blades do the negotiating."
Noctis: "I think we can swing that Tenktovie, or even depending on the time we arrive in town, maybe we won't have to spend a full day."
Faelon: "It would be a great honor to meet the Pravdas, Tenktovie. Faelon bows to Tenktovie."