Turn 19 -- Another Job Offer

Following another delicious meal prepared by Dain, the group set about discussing a new watch order as well as marching order for the next day. The final agreement was to have Gnore, Randor, and Ras provide the first watch to be followed by Druckner, Beleg and Ortho; and finally to have Dain, Kre, Talimar, and Kersath finish out the evening. After that bit of business was taken care of the group settled in for the evening and those not on watch went off to sleep. Everyone was a bit on edge as the group lay down to sleep in the shadows of the woods that provided the final resting place for Zir'zool.

The night passes uneventfully and nothing is reported unusual on any of the watches. Wanting to get back to Milborne and continue the search for Jelenneth, the group woke early and had a quick breakfast before setting out along the road again.

This day the group passes more travellers along the road between Milborne and Thurmaster than normal as the weather has warmed quite a bit. Each time another traveller was met, the party would ask about the missing mage but again, no information was forthcoming. Finally, in the late afternoon, the company rode into Milborne once again.

Entering the town, the group sees that there is a large auction going on outside the Exchange area in town. Curious about the happenings, the party goes over to check it out.

"Afternoon, kind sir," says Beleg to a spectator, "What is happening here today?" "Afternoon," replies the man, "A sad day here today, the Denfast family has been forced to sell their farm due to the spread of that New Mire as they calls it. The bog just swallowed up what a year ago was fine farm land."

"Aye, if it keeps happening, we'll all be here sellin' out lives away 'fore long." replies a second man.

As the party moves among the crowd for a few minutes to watch auction they here a lot of concern about the New Mire and what could possibly be causing the land west of the Patchwork Hills to become waterlogged. It is obviously an important problem for the people of Milborne and the surrounding areas. After a few minutes of watching the auction, the party grows tired and returns to the Baron of Mutton for refreshments.

The Baron of Mutton

There are very few patrons in the Baron this late afternoon as most everyone is either at the auction or still working. The few patrons in the inn pay no heed to the company as everyone takes a seat. Drinks are ordered and the party begins to wash away the dust of road. The party has been in the inn for only a half hour or so before they receive a summons from Darius Carman asking them to visit him at his manor house.

"About time we get some recognition from those in authority around here," says Kre with a smile.

"I would think you would be one wantin' to stay out of the eyes of authority, friend Kre," says Druckner.

"True at times, my friend, but others it can be quite advantageous if you know what I mean." replies Kre.

"Ha, ha! True indeed my friend, I know what ye mean."

"The question here friends, is what could he be wanting with our company after a week in this valley?" offers Talimar.

"Only one way to find out," says Beleg, "Go and see the man!"

And with that, the party finishes off their drinks and heads out the inn to go see what Darius Carman could possibly want with them. The 'Mansion House' of Darius Carman is not at all hard for the party to find as it is one of the few stone buildings in the area. Plus, it is the only one surrounded by a high wooden wall. As the group enters the house, they are shown to a sitting room off from the main entrance to wait for Darius. The room is rather nice, with plush furniture and tapestries on the walls.

It appears that the Carman family has made quite a decent living from mining and farming in the valley. Druckner takes a seat in one of the plush chairs but as his feet dangle above the floor he quickly gets up grumbling about the chair not having any support.

Beleg and Randor stifle chuckles as they turn their backs and attempt to examine some of the tapestries on the wall.

After a few minutes, the servant that took the party to the sitting rooms returns and directs you to another room where Darius Carman is waiting for you. The party is greeted by a stern and aloof man who is getting up in his years. He appears to be in his late 50's but he appears to be in fairly good shape for his age. After meeting everyone, Darius speaks with obvious concern to the party.

"You've heard about the New Mire? Bad business. Some evil magic, I thought. Well, I sent an emissary off to find a decent diviner who could learn something of the matter. The wretched old charlatan charged me a fortune, and all he could tell me was that there was magic involved, but that it was not evil. He could not identify it, but he said that it was something going wrong. Going wrong! I ask you?! I could have told him that myself! I want you to study the area for me. Find out anything you can. I shouldn't be surprised if the trouble lies somewhere in the Patchwork Hills; after all, the farmland itself has been settled a good many years and has always been fertile."

"What about payment?" asks Druckner after Carman finishes.

"Aye, well I will pay you 50 gp each for up to two weeks of scouting work in the area. If you find the answer before then, you get paid the full rate," offers Darius before continuing, "If you can actually solve the problem of the waterlogged lands I'll pay you 1,000 gp total for your troubles. Hell, the loss of income from my lands will exceed that within two years if this isn't stopped. What say you? From what I hear, you are men of valour and have done this valley a great service, I ask you now to help us once again."