private The First Song: Clover's Rest

[Discorded Bluenote 126]

“Oy, where are ya headed?”

 

"Clover's Rest,", Bluenote started, but thought about it for a second, then said,"I'll pay extra is you get us there quick!" Then she turned around, waved to the others to hurry up, and trotted off. Finally, things were starting to go her way.

 

 

@, @@Kolth, @The-Master, I'm not lettin' this die now lads. Get your flanks up here! D:<

 

Edited February 5, 2013 by MicroBrony

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@,

 

"Good idea. I'll split the fare with you. I'd suggest we split it four ways but, well... I don't think Jabber would go for that, and I'm afraid Lance is going to find something stupid to freak out over again. So I'll split it with you halfway."

 

He turned to the ferrypony, "Of course we are on very important buisiness for the palace, so if you could see fit to give us a discount, sir, I imagine they would be most grateful."

 

(Roll Wit for discount: 5+5+1=11)

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,354]

"Well, you see we're headed for Clover's Rest as well. Problem is, that this time of year the river is clogged as shi-" He suddenly seems to recall that there is a mare present. "Eh full of boats that is. Of course there's rules for who goes first, but when all is said and done, it comes down to who's toughest. Now, usually me and the lads would just take it easy and make the trip in two or three days, but we got urgent business in Clover's Rest tonight. Now, the whole morning we've gotten word from pegasi come down from the city, that a mercenary with a sword has gone up against three Wonderbolts and came out of it with all his teeth."

He gives Lance a cautious look.

"News like that travels fast, by now probably halfway down the river. Now if Sir were to show himself on deck, I figure, we'd have smooth sailing all the way, no problem. Now, Sir would of course travel free of charge, for the rest of you that would be five bits each."

Edited February 5, 2013 by Silverwisp the Bard

[The-Master 1,176]

Seemed fair, and Lance was never to astray when it came to close combat. So long as his sword rested by his side he had no reason to fear harm. "Shouldn't be an issue, so long as this colt here coughs up the bits he's taken." Lance shot a scowl at Jabber, trying his best not to directly insult him. "After that then maybe we can get started."

[Standard User 2,127]

Of all the- how could he- what right did he- 

 

Jabber sighed. Lance was just one of those stubborn soldier bucks, with no hope of change. No matter - Jabber would prove him wrong about the whole "greed" thing.

 

"Master ferrypony, I have here the five bits you requested. In fact, here are t-ten bits f-for my friends here..." Jabber cringed and held back tears as he pulled out fifteen whole bits from his bag. "That should...that should...covertherestofuscomeon let's go." Not wanting to be seen with watery eyes in front of his companions, Jabber held his head up high and trotted towards the boat.

 

Not without pulling one last trick, of course.

 

 

Whoopsie, I only gave him fourteen bits!  Yeah, he's a greedy sonofabitch. Rolled a 5: 5 + 5 + 1 = 11 to get away with this really, really pathetic crime.

 

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,354]

The ferrypony slides the coins into a pouch slung around his neck, apparently too confounded by Jabber's outburst to bother counting.

"Right, right. Eh, you all can come aboard now. Put your stuff, where you like. We'll put up a canvas against the rain later.Any off you any good at staking a boat?"

While you make your way onto the ferry, the crew starts untying the ropes holding it in place. Slowly the current takes hold of the ferry and you start your journey downstream.

 

 

 

Possible activities for the day:

Helping around the boat (Strength roll or Dexterity roll, player's choice)

Entertain the crew: Dance, sing,plays music ect. (Wit or Dexterity, depending on the activity)

Gamble with the crew: (Wit: may lose or gain money, depending on result)

Anything else you can think of

 

 

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

(Does helping around the boat count as hired hoof work for the purposes of Rambler's cutie mark? Because more recently I have established in other role plays that Rambler has spent a lot of time as a sailor.)

 

Rambler saw Jabber's con and he wasn't pleased. As soon as they were on the boat he turned toward the greedy unicorn and said to him, quietly enough that the crew wouldn't hear, "I saw that, you know. I would have payed you back for my fare anyway. Not anymore, though. Have to teach you not to be so greedy."

While they were floating down the river, Rambler figured he should probably try and find something to do. He noticed some of the crew were gambling and, being an experienced gambler himself, Rambler decided he ought to try making some money for the group.

 

Sitting down at the table with them, he said, "Well, boys, I hope you're not too attached to your money."

 

(Roll to Wit to gamble: tremendous failure 1+5=6, yeah, should have stuck with helping around the boat.)

[Standard User 2,127]

Jabber glanced over the gambling ponies with mild interest. It would be entirely too easy to win at their silly games...not to mention how easy it would be for their bags of bits to "accidentally" fall into his own pouch. But Rambler seemed a little disappointed in his trick with the ferrypony - why? He had saved the group a precious bit!

 

Rather than cause any drama at the table, Jabber nosed around the ship, looking for anything precious a fellow traveler might have dropped or misplaced.

 

 

I roll WAY too often. Rolled a 5: 5 + 5 = 10 to find anything valuable or shiny. Or both. But preferably valuable.

 

[Discorded Bluenote 126]

(I really wanna entertain the crew but I feel too scared

 

But I will try)

 

Bluenote had nothing to do for a bit, but she wasn't bothered. She was used to waiting. But then again, it has been awhile since she has gotten to play her violin. She took it out and began playing one of the songs she knew by heart. She couldn't remember the name of the piece, but it had a country tone to it, and she liked how it sounded.

 

(Roll for wit = 4 + 4 (Roll) + 3 (Cutie Mark Ability) = 11)

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,354]

 As you make your way downriver, the lands gradually starts to change: The steep mountains giving way to hills and flowing fields of corn. Left and right of the river you can see earth ponies bringing in the harvest and stacking straw.

Even so, the river seems twice as busy with dozens of boats and ferries making their way up, down and across the river.

Rowboats and ferries seem to be the norm, either letting the current carry them downstream towards Horseshoe Bay or being pulled up the river by teams of oxen or earth ponies trotting along the shore.

But there are other, more exotic crafts as well: Shetland longships with carved figureheads and striped sails, Saddle Arabian dhows with brightly painted hulls and even a strange raft crewed by a dozen zebras.

Even so, news of Lance’s exploits seems to have preceded you as predicted and more than once other crafts move aside to make way.

A good three hours into the journey the dark clouds from Cloudsdale catch up to you; under much grunting and cursing the crew hoist a tarpaulin, that shields you and the more delicate cargo from the rain. The next hour is spend drinking tea from a small iron kettle and listening to the notes of Bluenote’s violin.

After the third kettle of tea, the rain diminishes enough to see the distant towers of the Castle of the Moon. Unlike Canterlot’s marble spires, these are crowned with battlements, and instead of the, multicoloured pennants of the capital, all of them fly Princess Luna’s banner, the silver moon on black.

Shortly after sunset you reach what crew assures you is Clover’s Rest, though between the gloom and rain you can make out little more than the docks and the silhouettes of some huge storehouses.

As the crew starts unloading the boat, Bert (the stallion who fist called out to you) comes to see you off.

“The Griffon’s Head is down the road, fifth on the left, can’t miss it. Real pleasure traveling with all of you.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluenote:
While playing your first song (before the rain starts), something is levitated unto
the ferry from a passing unicorn pleasure barge.  It turns out to be a rather lovely white silken
scarf with golden embroidery long the edges.

 

Jabber: Lodged
between the deck’s planks you find a total of 3 bits and one iron coin that you
don’t recognize.

 

Rambler:
You lose 4 bits to the dice gods, but gain several invitations to come and have
a cider or two in the future.

 

 

Edited February 7, 2013 by Silverwisp the Bard

[The-Master 1,176]

The conditions were dreary, the company less than pleasant. This trip had better be worth it in the end. On the bright side, Lance's presence seemed to encourage ships to part for us. It seems they know  when hey're in the presence of nobility. But as the fog grew thicker and the sun seem to fade behind blankets of grey, Lance could not help but feel a very real chill go up his spine.

 

When they had arrived he was less than amused with the location. Long gone were the tall and graceful structures of Canterlot, instead replaced with shabby docks and rickety floor boards. Even the water looked more intimidating here for some strange reason. Even though he felt uneasy about the situation Lance pressed on, grabbing his supplies and slinging them across his back.

 

It was true that the woven armour was much lighter than his traditional hammered iron, offering more unrestricted movement. Although he did bear elements of his Royal Guard armour. His shoulders and legs were well protected by an inch of heavy steel. On his back he still paraded his worn travel cloak, even though it's once pitch black fabric had faded to a dirty grey. He was still a bit crushed at having to depart from his helmet, one of the few things tat had been passed through his family. The only other thing they had left to him was their legacy and a duty to fulfil, a duty he had to take on himself.

 

"Let's just get a move on then, we can't waste time lingering here." He retained his foal mood, even when departing onto the shore. Lance had kept a close watch on Jabber and Rambler, trust neither as far as he could throw them. He hadn't really taken notice of Bluenote, almost falling asleep during one of her pieces on the violin. "Let's find a place to rest our hooves. There has to be something here."

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@The-Master,

 

Rambler nodded.

 

"I believe the place the guard mentioned was called the Griffin's Goblet? That sounds like an inn or a tavern, so we might as well head straight there. Give us a chance to rest and maybe learn something too. Kill two birds with one stone and all that."

[Discorded Bluenote 126]

"As long as we avoid any trouble, at least.", Bluenote replied  examining the scarf that had appeared after finishing her first song. It was pearl white, and had bits of gold around all the edges. It was too early to say whether it was something important, or just a gift from somepony.

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,354]

As you make your way down the unlit street, you become aware of a continuous, metallic banging.

As it turns out, what passes as the tavern sign of the Griffon's Head: A warhelmet clearly fitted for a bird shaped head.

Dented as it is, it seems unlikely that it served its purpose for the original owner. Apart from that it seems like a regular tavern: Three stories, lead glass windows and one broad door. Grateful to escape the rain you shuffle in.

The interior consist of one big common room, that seems to account for most of the ground floor. The furniture consist of small round tables with pillows and stools around them, benches along the walls, a long wooden bar and a huge fireplace. The decorations however is a bit more unique: The walls a filled with spears, swords and bits of armor, most of them broken or dented; motheaten flags and banners hang from the ceiling.

Only a  handful of seats are taken; heads turn as you enter, before the guests resume their conversations.

A young pegasus mare appears behind  the bar.

"Good evening to you and welcome to the Griffon's Head. My name is Viviane, my father is the owner. He's not here at the moment. If you'd like to stay for the night, that will be 3 bits each, including dinner and breakfast. Unfortunately we're pretty full at the moment, so two of you will have to share a bed."

 

 

 

 

 

Lance may roll for Wit (apply cutiemark bonus) to identify some of the military equipment

Others: Wit roll for observation

 

 

Edited February 10, 2013 by Silverwisp the Bard

[The-Master 1,176]

Shabby, quite shabby. This was quite a contrast to the usual Canterlot life that Lance had grown accustomed to, but he went along with it anyway, muttering his displeasure under his breath. The armor that adorned the walls was old and battered, not having seen battle for many years and simply left to hang.

 

The others trailed along behind him in their usual uncoordinated fashion, Lance sticking out from the group. He was pleased to be inside at least and out of the cold, this place does have a warm glow to it. But then the Lieutenant found himself stricken, looking across to the barmaid as they drew closer.

 

 

((Roll for Wit: 1+3+2-2, utterly failed))

 

 

Lance cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact with the mare in question. It seemed much of his old ego decided to abandon him all at once. He stepped up to the bar, resting heavily on the counter as he tried to turn his thoughts into words. "Ur, um- He-hello." I've seen worse, but that was pretty bad. He had her attention, but was coming across as nothing more than a nervous fool.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Rambler merrily strolled in, happy to be in a tavern, an environment he was very much used to and entirely comfortable in.

 

He looked at the decorations on the walls; not what he would have gone with, but not too bad.

 

(roll wit to observe: 1+5=6, my luck sucks lately)

[Standard User 2,127]

Jabber looked on at Lance's attempt to converse with the barmaid in delight. So the soldier did have a soft side! Seeing him trip over himself at the sight of a pretty mare was a delight, and it only got better when she said that two of the group would have to share a bed.

 

Like a sly snake, Jabber slid up to the counter. "Oh, that actually works out well for us. You see my cousin, Lance, is a bit, ah..." He leaned in towards the barmaid conspiratorially, "Slow." On cue, Jabber put a hoof to Lance's mouth to stop the expected cries of anger and shock. "Daddy put me in charge of watching him, but sometimes it's so hard..." With acting perfection that came from years of practice, tears appeared in the corners of Jabber's eyes. "Ponies make fun of him all the time because he can't always speak correctly. But I can see that he'll be safe in this fine establishment, especially if he and I share a bed -- then I can watch over him and make sure he has a good night's sleep. Because that's all he deserves is one night of peaceful sleep..." A single tear trailed down Jabber's cheek as he reached into his bag, subtly hiding the bag of bits inside. "Now, three bits each, you say? No problem- oh, oh no! I...I don't have any money..." With watery eyes and trembling lips, Jabber gave the barmaid the most pathetic "You just kicked my dog" look he good. 

 

"Ma'am, I know it would be a huge inconvenience, but do you think that my poor brother- er, cousin here and I could stay just one night? I can make it up to you come morning, I swear."

 

 

I really shouldn't make RP posts late at night...stuff like this comes out. Eh, might as well give it a shot. Rolled a 5 for Wit (Sorry, Alex, I think I stole all your luck...), so that would be 5 + 5 + 1 + 2 = 13

 

Also, Jabber is totally not planning on doing anything in that bed with Lance. Nope. Not at all.

No, really, I'm kidding. Keepin' this PG.

 

 

[The-Master 1,176]

Lance almost panicked for a second, biting down hard on Jabbers hoof making him flinch a bit. "Heh, I can assure you he merely like to kid. Please don't take him too seriously. I-I can pay for my own room." Lance reached into his cloth armor and pulled out a small cloth bag with a few bits in it. He placed it down on the counter and tried to regain his composure. "Please keep the change."

 

The he elbowed Jabber hard in the gut, pulling him off to one side ad speaking in a hushed tone. "One more word out of you and I will show you personally what it feels like to be impaled on 2 feet of cold steel. No more fooling around."

 

 

You were really tempting fate there bro. Luckily I rolled well and didn't lose my cool too much: ((6+3-2=7))

 

Edited February 10, 2013 by The-Master

[Standard User 2,127]

Jabber held back a guffaw and whispered back, "Please! The Royal Guard has threatened me with much worse than that. Next time, throw something about never seeing the light of day again. A little cliche, but it works." Turning back to the barmaid, he chuckled uneasily. "Sorry, ma'am. I'm working on becoming an actor in Canterlot...how do you think I did?" Begrudgingly, he pulled out three bits from his bag and tossed them onto the counter.

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,354]

"Oh, I always dreamed of seeing the royal theater! We only get the wandering stage once a year. Are you one of those actors that plays the mare roles? You got the crying down very well. You must tell me  all about it. Sit down, sit down; I'll warm up some stew."

And with that she's off into the kitchen.

There's some laughter and one of the guests looks over to you.

"Careful lads: Hasdrubal doesn't like colts sweettalking to his daughter and he took most of this stuff off people who didn't mean to give it up."

 

 

Jabber: You notice that Viviane's flight muscles look a bit odd and her ears seem a bit pointier than the norm,"

 

Edited February 10, 2013 by Silverwisp the Bard

[The-Master 1,176]

"Careful lads: Hasdrubal doesn't like colts sweettalking to his daughter and he took most of this stuff off people who didn't mean to give it up."

"I have a feeling I can deal with one overprotective father if it came to that, I've seen much worse. Keep your nose out of where it doesn't belong." Lance rested his hoof from his sword, the tension he'd built up easing off. "Jabber, if I hear one more word out of your mouth then I will have no guilt over what I do next."

Edited February 11, 2013 by The-Master

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@The-Master,

 

Rambler heard the conversation and walked over.

 

"Just keep your cool, Lance, we don't want to start a fight or anything. But, you're right, I've dealt with plenty of overprotective fathers in my time, I think we could probably handle it."

 

He wondered what it was about this place that made the guard suggest they start looking here. From what they knew about Jasper, it didn't really seem like the kind of place he would spend much time in.

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,354]

Viviane reenters the room, balancing two mugs of cider on each wing and two keys in her mouth, all of which she places on the bar.

"Stew will be done in a minute, hope you all like carrots. you got the rooms right under the roof, the one on the left is the one with the double-bed. Anything else you need?"

 

 

 

 

Lance rested his hand from his sword

Sweet Celestia, Lance is a mutant

 

 

Edited February 10, 2013 by Silverwisp the Bard

[Standard User 2,127]

"Actually, yes, there is. We're in town on important business- looking for somepony, to be specific." Jabber then proceeded to recite the details of Jasper as best as he could remember them to the barmaid. "Name's Jasper; he should have passed through these parts recently. Would you happen to know anything about him?"

 

 

There goes my luck; I rolled a 2 for Wit. 2 + 5 + 1 + 2 = 10 to get her to tell us anything she knows, IF she knows anything. *grasping at straws*

 

[The-Master 1,176]

 

 

 

Sweet Celestia, Lance is a mutant

 

A freaking super mutant!

 

 

"To put it crudely, but yes." Lance was still rather hacked of at Jabber, but he would have a chance to get him back soon enough. Right now however he was focusing on not being outshone by the loud mouth. He was only making things more difficult. He doubted his rank would help play any part, nor his nobility. Jabber seemed to have that charismatic attitude that drew ponies, even though it repulsed Lance.