Delays

17Delays

During the adventure putting the sense of a time pressure or constraints can add to the adventure. It they have only a few hours to catch up to a certain NPC then every interruption, each encounter and each character who stops the party could cost them their mission. Only, it wont. The perceived delay, whether random combat encounter or request for aid, doesn’t actually have to impact the time frame applicable for their quest.

As long as it conveys the message that it could potentially delay them it will have the intended effect that we want for the party.

The alternative is making it so that each side track or distribution does impact the progression of the quest. If we, the DM, choose to run the game this way we need to make sure the distractions are manageable if not completely optional so that we don’t force the party into a lose-lose situation where two competing quests or jobs (or one main quest and a distraction).

Filo

16Filo

As Red looked up from filling his waterskin at where he had stopped over to feed and water his beasts he gazed upon his magnificent eight draught horses and he couldn’t help but admire how perfectly designed and built they were.

Each beast was around 1700lb of pure muscle, determination and grit. As he went to pat one he particularly admired it attempted to bite him then stamp on his foot, succeeding on the latter. As Red cursed and hopped around a comforting muzzle pressed on his back, Rue. Now Red wasn’t a bitter or resentful man but his horse, Rue, was particularly proficient enough for the both of them and hence the nickname Rue. It was given the name. Due to how he felt when he first encountered the beast and purchased him as a young colt. He rued the day he bought him and there and then on the spot the name stuck. However since then Red had not come across a horse more brave or loyal that Rue and they had been inseparable since.

Red climbed aboard his horse and as he linked him to the other eight horses who were already tethered to his wagon, the Merribringer, they nuzzled Rue affectionately. The horses respected and feared Rue more than he as there was no beast more demanding or respected as he.

After a while of travelling down the road Rue stopped as they came across a clearing in the wooded road they had been traveling down. Either side of the road lay ripped and torn fabric and splashes of dark dried blood. Something had killed some traveller’s brutally here and recently enough.

Nudging Rue onwards the pack of beasts and their driver moved hastily but silent through the clearing, the goods he contained in his wagon were for a small town who had come into some bad luck where their recent seed storage for crop planting had been devoured by vermin. As he moved through Rue whinnied a high pitch noise as a warning as they moved through to the other side of the clearing. They likely wouldn’t be safe until they reach the village.

Luckily they made it through the forest and the village was visible now. As they moved down the road into the village people came out to greet him, Red was well known as a bringer of joy and hope and when his wagon and it’s train of horses approached word spread fast of his arrival.

That night he and his horses rested as his wagon was finally finished being unpacked he couldn’t shake the foreboding feeling of danger he felt ever since finding the site where the travellers were butchered. As the villagers danced in celebration a strange quiet came about the grasslands. Rue whinnied out a warning as Red also felt the uneasiness grow.

“everyone. Something comes this way. Help me with the horses on the wagon and everyone climb in.” He called. After a moments panic malicious howling could be heard from the road leading towards town. Red had heard this before. Worgs.

Getting the horses onto the wagon was easier this time as his urgency seemed to resonate with the animals desire to also leave this place. Soon the small village, around 25 people were on or in the wagon and just before Red could tether Rue to the convoy of animals an arrow burried itself into the ground at their feet. Rue caller out and bit one or the other horses causing it to dash forward with the village onboard, the eight horses making the wagon load of people almost skim across the ground with how much power the horses had. Moments after the wagon took off and Rue jumped out of the way a spear flew into the wooden post where the horses were just tethered and lodged itself into the wood.

“let’s buy them some time Rue” Red said as he moved the massive horse to the spear and yanked it out. Looking up he saw the glowing eyes ot worgs taking off after the wagon with goblins riding a them shooting arrows and throwing spears. Rue jumped forward and kicked a worg and it’s rider before it could attack Red or himself. As Red whirled around he plunged the scavenged spear into the worgs side as Rue kicked out and shattered the beasts jaw. Worg and goblin alike ran off before stumbling to not rise a few dozen feet away.

Rue and Red took off after the wagon wagon and worgs but as he drew closer he could tell things were not going well.  The wagon had come to a stop and the smell of blood was ripe. Rue whinnied a sound of remorse and sadness before taking off.

“Rue, we need to check for survivors” Red called as Rue continued to try to pull away but Red was more stubborn in this case. Whirling the horse around he trotted towards the wagon the sticky tangy smell of blood was overpowering when they got closer to the wagon. As they came alongside the wagon the lack of movement and eight dead horses and piles of mauled humans.

“We shouldn’t have come here” Red muttered as he released the reign and Rue took off away from here quickly the twang of bows and thud of arrows and spears hitting wagons.

After a few minutes of galloping Rue slowed down to a trot and his breathing was laboured. It wasn’t for a few minutes until Red noticed the arrows embedded in Rue’s chest. Bringing him to a stop he checked the wound, the sinking feeling in his chest told him enough. The arrow had pierced Rues lungs and he wouldn’t survive.

Under the tree

16FirTree

Red stirred, he was barely aware of his surroundings or how he received this thumping headache. A quick glance around revealed nothing and memory was foggy from the past – well however long it has been until now. Closing his eyes and putting his head between his knees he tried to remember what happened, the last things he remembered was the apples spill before the bridge then the short tunnel under the bridge seeming to go on for ages. He tried to reverse the wagon to no success enchanted as it was with its nine wheels or otherwise. Eight supporting the weight of the wagon and another where the two reigns attached to and acted as a way to street the wagon as it traveled along the roads meant that it couldn’t turn in tight circles and moving it backwards wasn’t an easy ordeal.

Sighing he went to stand but found himself with straight legs but unable to stand. Moving around he became acutely aware of him drifting in nothingness. Drawing his wand Merry, a length of rich cherry wood, he one of the stored spells and created a ball of light that shon like the sun. Immediately he could tell that he was stored in some immense extra-dimensional space and it appeared to go on forever. Well, he was stuck here for now and what made matters more confusing was the magical items that he was transporting to the Supreme high magus were floating around him. He could almost rule out the old wizard as he had bo interest in the magical items and instead only in the obtaining and learning of knowledge.

As he pondered where he was a blinding light appeared from somewhere in front of him and a colossal hand reached in and neatly plucked a floating item out of the space before disappearing. He felt around for his other items he kept on himself to aid in his travelling and came across an unfamiliar bag on his hip. Opening it slowly, curiousity getting the best of him he found two waterskins one filled with water the other with what smelt like wine. There was also several hard little loafs of bread that were about palm sized. As he wondered what the purpose was another memory pierced his mind sharply and painfully.

As he moved through the tunnel and breached the other side a wall of canvas enveloped him and the wagon, throwing him and it into darkness. Spinning for what felt like ages he blacked out when his mind couldn’t take the spinning any more.

He knew this item, though he was only aware of a few that remained, and he owned one in hid wagon. The loaded knapsack, an item that can. Hold untold amounts of goods but only a limited amount of time. Depending on the amount of items it will then rupture all of them forward in a number of weeks, days or even hours depending on how loaded it is. Looking at the food and drink he had in the provided bag he believed he had about two days of supplies in there. Who ever was responsible knew their stuff but they best be prepared when he gets out, everyone knows Red doesn’t go down easily in a fight.

Grant Weathermane

16GrWm

As Grant sat down and delved into his roasted meat sandwich he dreaded when his break would end. He had already pushed out the last few minutes of his lunch before going out and was dreading going back to patrolling the south district and nearby shops in the market districts.

“Grant, we have a young halfling out here who claims we have a situation in the southern district. She’s been waiting a while for you, you’re up” his captain said sternly from the door.

“No worries captain Harrix, I’ll get onto it once I finish up here” Grant replied as he leisurely took a bite out of his roll. His captain sighed and could be hear calling out for Dane down the hall. “Good“, thought Grant, “Dane will be able to deal with it and I’ll get to finish my lunch“

Grant was so engrossed in avoiding work that he didn’t hear the first call for the rest of the guard to report to and deal with the fighting in the north of the markets. Once he had avoided work for as long as he could be left the mess room and head out to a bustling hallway.

“Whats going on?” He called but several people ignored him and pushed past.

“Get out the way you waste of space. Real Market Watch coming through” one guard said as he pushed through and past Grant, gritting his teeth fought back a response. It wasn’t the first time someone had said something about his attitude or dedication to the Guard and it in wouldn’t be the last so he let it slide. Walking to the entrance room to the building he approached the front desk, a woman named Karen manned it today. They got on well.

“Good to see you avoided the commotion Grant. A lot of the Market watch have head off to try and stop the street fights to the north of the Market district. Reports coming back from runners or those returning is that it’s a fruitless endeavour we are almost getting as many injured men as the gangs are.” She said as she cut off an offending section of a finger nail with a small knife. “Let them sort it out I say, more dead thugs means less paperwork we have to do when we can’t question them.

Nodding Grant agreed. Glad he dodged that bullet, “there was a halfling who said there was trouble down in the southern district, what happened to her?” He asked going to avoid more work with a leisurely stroll into the area of the city where the rich employ their own guard.

“Dunno. She took off after Dane questioned her. One less thing to deal with now. I can’t have anything holding me back after work today. I’ve got a date” Karen said with a toothy grin.

“tell me about it tomorrow. Will be more interesting than work I can already tell that.” He laughed as he started to walk back to the mess room before stopping. “You said the halfling spoke to Dane yeah? Where is my little brother?” He smirked, he would do anything for his little brother but his dedication to work was exhausting to be around.

“I think he went off with the captain to the fighting..” Karen said before stopping mid sentence as a man was carried in with an arm missing. “Nasty business this, I hope this won’t hold me back” she said.

The warmth drained from Grant. Hoe could the street gang fighting be this bad. They are normally just a handful of kids who pick pockets or occasionally break into shops. Fighting and serious injury is rarely seen if ever. A stone fell into his gut. Dane. His little Brother was probably on the front lines looking at trying to break it up.

With that Grant was off, grabbing a short sword from the weapon rack to add to the dagger at his hip he made haste for the north. The normally charming remarks from Karen grating on him as he ran out “let the market guys deal with it Grant, its not your job!’

As he dashed through the streets more and more injured people and smashed stalls were revealed. As he followed the train of guard returning from the front lines he constantly scanned for his brother, nothing, a good sign surely as he isnt injured. Relief started to relax his mild panic but the seriousness of the wounds on people was distressing.

Then he started to find the dead. Bodies cut nearly in half with such savagery and brutality he had not seen before. The sandy ground was red and tacky from the blood and everywhere he looked a new body or dying person lay. As he got to the fighting itself he saw the captain fighting several thugs at once, his longsword flashing in the light as it parried and wounded, not killed, thugs. As they fell injured and incapacitated guards ran up and bound them.

“Captain!,” He called as he ran to join him, drawing his blades.

“Grant, good, reinforcements are coming. They are organised Grant. Some guy called Carter is behind it or so we have worked out. His men number in the hundreds and he is fighting all gang members who have territory in this area. We are sustaining casualties, mainly injuries though,” he continued, Grants relief was visible to all near by, even when parrying an attack and knocking out a man with his elbow.

“And Dane sir?” He asked, hope in his voice as he stepped forward and knocked out the last man attacking them. A meaty hand clasper his shoulder.

“I’m sorry Grant. Dane didnt make it. He lies over by the warehouse, we had to retreat when we were ambushed, he held them off whilst we escaped with some civilians…” Grant looked towards where his captain was pointing, rage, white hot and burning surged through his body as the words from his commander vanished as he stepped forward, one foot at a time, towards the heat of the battle where his brother lay against a broken door.

---

Reports from that day speak of a great push to regain the market, of courage and planning that went of perfectly. What they leave out is how one man fought more savagely than all the gangs combined, never killing just leaving the gang members unable to fight as he moved across the streets like a fissure of wrath and rage, only stopping to pick up the body of a young Sergeant, his brother, and return him to his people.

Broken Bonds

16BrBo

Dee stepped merrily into the house that she had been living in with her friend Carter for the past few months having finally made enough money to upgrade from staying in a local inn. It had been a number of years since they had left Carters family residence and everything she had known to start things brand new, from scratch with a skillset not accustomed to life on the streets. She had to learn quickly and had even discovered a bit of magic coursing through her veins. Using her magic, her charm and her natural talents as a halfling she made a name for herself as part of Carters crew in retrieving or locating objects and people for the right price but always at the behest of Carter.

As she past the kitchen old habits kicked in and she found herself tiding up bottles, plates and utensils that had been left across the table from when the other members of the crew had come to discuss the next job they had. She had been out helping a groom found his lost ring from when he had been guarding a caravan in a nearby marsh. The pay had been good but the marsh was not a safe place for the ill prepared, lucky for her no one expected her natural talent for this type of work, herself included.

“Carter?” she called as she walked up stairs to where the bedrooms and where they kept their plans in private she found Carter snoring in his room with his Fiancé, Gwen. Closing the door to give them more privacy she walked forward towards her room but stopped when she passed the room where they conducted most of their planning due to the thickness of its windowless walls and loose boards on the walls and floor to hide things in quickly should the need arise. the door was open which was something that they had agreed to not do, secrecy in their clients private matters was the highest priority for her. Entering to make sure that the room hadn’t been broken into she found a series of papers and plans on the table, it looked like the Crew had been planning late into the night. Tiding up the papers she noticed that several of the papers referred to streets and buildings between the market and the docks. Looking further into it she noticed several names she didn’t recognise as well as detailed movement of people or groups. Her guess was that, like the rest of their work, these people were thieves or people of interest that they were needing to apprehend and hand into the Market Watch to be returned to their rightful owner. But there was a nagging, a tug at the corner of her mind that told her that there was a large number of weapons listed amongst the documents for planning and the more she looked the more the numbers of names listed, the areas that they were listed and a few key names of people who own stalls in the market. This looked like something that wasn’t normal for their little crew and it gave her a bad feeling. Backing away from the table with the ill-boding plans she left room, checking that no one was in the hall way before she stepped through and closed the door.

“Morning Dee, didn’t here you come in. What are you doing?” Carter asked with a yawn as he leant against the door frame to his room.

“Just came in Carter, just closing this door as it was left open. Don’t want to risk someone walking in.” Dee said with a smile, and imitating his yawn to hide her true feelings on her face. Carter just smiled before walking downstairs towards the kitchen “I cleaned up, there should be some salted meat and bread on the table!” she called out.

Carter smiled “What would we do without you Dee?” he said before walking down to investigate what was for breakfast. Dee practically ran to her room and started to pack her back with her valuables. Something was wrong and that little voice that kept her safe in the past was telling her that she had to get out and so she packed and made plans.

“So Dee, we’ve got a job. Our largest yet and I need you to do something for us that only you can do. Without you the job will fail and our client will not be reunited with their father.”

Dee bit her lip before turning around with smile painted on her face “No worries Carter, what do you need me to do?”

“I need you to have a little chat to the Market Watch.” Carter grinned as he took a bit out of the fresh bread that she had brought back the crew.

A few hours later, all belongings stuffed inside a backpack Dee was standing in front of the Market Watch guard post, a large building in the middle of the the mark district. “Just this last job and walk away, we owe him that much” she thought to herself as she pushed through the doors, with a little more effort due to her size. Walking up to the front desk she stood on a stood that was to the side and cleared her throat. “I am here to report a theft, well its about to happen in a manor, the Youngbanks manor, Lord Ruther Youngbanks’s house” she said putting as much effort as she could into her face remaining concerned and, no effort required, worry and fear showing in her looks. She was quickly shown a seat and asked to wait for someone to come get her.

Minutes ticked by and she began to worry, Carter needed the Market Watch sent in the other side of the city so that he could complete the job – what ever it was – and she was out of time. Panic began to set in as she knew she was out of time and as she began to fidget and sweat more a hand gripped her should and she looked up into a guardsman’s face who was kneeling next to her.

“Are you ok miss?” A kind human man asked smiling as he took a seat next to her. “I am Sergeant Dane Weathermane, you are probably waiting for my big brother Grant to come and speak to you but he is a bit preoccupied at the moment, is this something I can help with? he said, his smile calming her nerves somewhat.

“I have to r-r-rreport that there is going to be a robbery at the Youngbanks residence in the southern district. I overheard a few men at the bar saying that they were going to storm the place looking for some treasure that the family had stashed away and so I came here straight away. You have to take as many men as you can and get there, it sounded like it was one of them street gangs” she blurted out, her nerves returning to give her lies a tingle of real urgency and nerves.

“Okay okay little miss, I believe your name is Dee is that correct?” Dane asked, Dee’s face dropped and went blank. Her real name being exposed was not part of the plan. “I have heard that we have worked with you before, you collect a lot of bounties and make quite a few people happy by reuniting them with their kids, parents or lost things.” Dane smiled, he was actually genuine.

The door burst open and two Market watch guardsmen ran through the door, weapons drawn and their armour already smeared with blood. “There is trouble in the south, by the docks. We are requesting all available able body men and women to come help break up multiple fights between street gangs. From the looks of it a someone has rallied multiple gangs together and they are all fighting for the one guy they call the Gent.

Dee’s heart sank, The Gent is what her crew was called due to the nature and how Carter worked and treated people – fairly, if not ruthlessly at points, much like a gentleman. Carter was behind this.

“I’m sorry Dee there are people that could need help. Someone will come help you with your report and we will see if we can be of assistance to the Youngbanks” Dane said as he stood and received a tunic and sword that he strapped on.

“Please don’t go. I.. I really.. ” Dee didn’t want this genuine kind man to get involved. She had a bad feeling about all of it. “really think that someone, you!, yes you should look into the Youngbanks”

Dane sighed but smiled “The Youngbanks residence has been vacant for years, ever since their son disappeared and the family was thrown into ruin. If wealth still lies within their walls I doubt that it has gone this long without being discovered. When I return I will investigate it personally” Dane said with a smile.

As he stood and walked out tears came to Dee’s eyes and she got up and walked out of the building. She was never going back to Carter, it all made sense now. His ambition had outgrown doing what was right and he was revealing his hand, he wanted the city like his parents ahd but he wanted to take it with violence instead of schemes alone.

As she left she shed her moss green cloak and let it sink into the mud. She would not be called Dee any more, she would change herself, become self reliant and it would start with a new name and a new place to stay. She, Discordia, would disappear. Dis. Dis had a nice ring to it.