Wilburd vs the jerk from his past

The party is preparing to explore more of the Greenbelt. They are finishing getting their mounts ready when a small group rides into the trading post.

As Wilburd puts his traveling spellbook into his backpack, he hears a voice that causes his teeth to grind.

“If it isn’t ‘little’ Wilburd. Is this where washed up hacks go when they can’t handle the university life?” He asks, a sneer on his face.

More info on this npc is in the npc database.

Professor Vareye wrote:“If it isn’t ‘little’ Wilburd. Is this where washed up hacks go when they can’t handle the university life?” He asks, a sneer on his face.

"Almost. Just go to the dung heap in the stable and tell the horses you've arrived." Continue what I was doing.

"And there are the manners that I expect from someone as low as you. I'm so happy now that I have left my post at the university. I no longer have t waste my breath on the dregs of society" he says as he looks down his nose at you.

As he dismounts, the horse seems to give a grunt of relief to be rid of the round man.

(OOC: nice one btw )

"You left your post voluntarily? To pursue your love of horse manure no doubt? It may be to much to hope you were fired for gross incompetence ... or even just being gross. You weren't caught with a student again, were you? Was it a girl or boy this time?"

"Indeed I did leave voluntarily. My love of horse manure..." he chuckles a bit.. "I mean the students... died when they stopped weeding out the filth" he says as he looks towards you.

"The King of Pytax to the west has personally asked that I join his court. It is in a foul area, but anywhere is better than that rubbish of a school."

"And what would you be doing for the bandit king? Other then eating him out of house and home."

(Ooc) did the players guide mention the king of Pitax as the bandit king? I don't remember that one lol.


"He asked for my help boy. The rest is my business. While I find talking to you to be the joy of my existence, I have the supplies I came for and must be leaving."

With that he gets up on his horse who grunts a bit. He then rides off.

OOC: Pitax was in the players guide.

(Ooc) huh... ill have to go back and read that. It is the only city other than varnhold in the stolen lands. Why I chose that city as his destination.

OOC: There wasn't much there. Just that it was a bandit kingdom in the River Lands that claimed one of the four areas being explored but was not really in control there.

"Wilberd, I like the way you handled that. Me, I would have probably lost my temper. It's too bad our fey friends couldn't pay him a visit. Take out some of the starch in his shirt."

I would like to send a letter to friends at the university describing the encounter and asking for any information they may have about why the professor left and what his job in Pitax is.

Dear Wilberd.

Thank you so much for writing. It has been lonely since you left, but we all understand that it was the best thing for you to do. Tom and Mathias say high.

So, I guess you heard from the horse’s mouth (literally) that Professor Vareye has left the academy. I wish that I could say that things have gotten easier around here. When Vareye resigned his post, it left a void here. Whether we like him or not, he was an important figure here. Everyone is so tense. Who will fill his spot?

Rumors are flying about people who have applied for the position. I won’t mention who, but I fear they may be worse. Mrs. Taggard told me yesterday that she is considering it though, so there is hope. She asked about you when we spoke. She wanted me to tell you that the offer still stands if you need her to be your reference into another academy.

As to your question. We don’t really know why Professor Vareye left, but GODS am I glad he did. I still think he was casting his scrying spells and watching me bath. I hated his sneer and wink when he passed in the hall.

I only know what I heard. The king of Pitax heard of his abilities to find things. He needed him to find something that was stolen. He paid more than the university so Vareye left. You know how rumors are though. He is gone and that is all that matters.

I hope all is going well with you in the Greenbelt. Please write again soon Wilburd. I miss you!

Melinda

Dear Mellinda,

It has been a busy month since I received you letter and I this is my first chance to reply. In that time we have annihilate a nest of Mites, made a peaceful deal with a tribe of kobolds and defeated a bandit leader known as the Stag Lord. With that done the swordlords, in their infinite wisdom have granted us a charter for organizing and ruling a nation in the Greenbelt.

This is a monumental task and challenging task and we have our hands full. My hope is to have things stable in six month or so and to continue the exploration of the area.

The connection to the First World continues to puzzle me: there was the dead unicorn, the fey pranksters, the water nymphs, the mites and the winged owlbear kept by the Stag Lord as a pet and protector.

How have you been and how are your studies progressing? Who ended up replacing Professor Vareye?

The way our little nation (and we still haven't come up with a name) is growing, I hope to build a library about the time that classes end in the spring. If you feel yourself up to the challenge, I think I can arrange to put you in charge. Keep in mind that the town (not named yet either) is still small and short of comforts, so I'll understand if you wish to stay in Restov and continue your studies. If you do decide against taking the job please ask Tom and Mathias if they are interested and if they aren't then anyone else you might think qualified. We terribly short of talent people down here!

I hope you'll consider coming for a visit when the weather moderates.

Sincerely,

Wilberd

Peace with Kobolds? I did not think that possible! I guess anything really can happen in the Stolen Lands.

I am happy you told me about your fight with the bandit lord after it happened. My stomach is in knots just thinking that you were in such danger. I’m sure your superior skills came in handy!

As to the part about you ruling a kingdom… surely you jest! The Wilberd I went to school with, the Wilberd who dropped out, is now helping to rule a city? Did you ever think that your life would change so much when you left to map the Greenbelt? I bet Vareye would be fuming right now if he knew.

I looked around in the library for anything on the First world being connected to the stolen lands and I did not really find anything of use. Nothing in the old records mentions it at all. There are some obscure references to fey in the stolen lands in the more current records, but nothing of use.

As to professor Vareye’s replacement, the council has decided to delay the matter until mid summer. Some want Mrs. Taggard, others Professor Ganth who was Vareye’s assistant. There is mention of an applicant not affiliated to Brevoy at all. I think his name is Jerry Potter or something.

As far as my studies are concerned, I have finals in two weeks. I think I will do great on everything except enchantment. I have never been comfortable with that school of magic.

While it pleases me to think you feel so highly of me to put me in charge of your library, I can’t leave my studies here. Please understand. I have one year left to go before I finish. My parents have worked hard for me to go here and I want to honor their work. I also need to prove to myself that this is something I can do! Please do not be mad at me. After I am out of school, I will need to intern somewhere. I would be honored to do that at your library then if it is built.

I will be on summer vacation soon, though. I would love to see you and this city of yours. Mrs. Taggard said it was something she had to see for herself. Do you think you can arrange to meet us at that trading post out there? Mrs. Taggard said she has been there and would teleport me over there. You and your brave friends could escort us to your city from there.

By the way, Tom laughed at being a librarian. He thinks they are to stuffy. Tom may not come back to finish his studies. His parents are from a house that is a rival of Restov and, with the increasing tensions, they want him closer to home. He is torn on what to do, but it is his decision.

Thank you for your letter and please write back soon.

Melinda

Dear Melinda,

The kobolds we encountered seemed more pathetic then evil so peace - at least for now - seems possible. The battle with the Stag Lord was indeed full of peril - our fighter was put out of action several times during the fight and only only survived thanks to healing spells. I managed to avoid taking major damage but, in hindsight, I could have used my spell more effectively. Live and learn!

Yes I am on the ruling counsel for our little state - we're calling it the Free State of the Greenbelt. And yes, I know the irony of someone with my disposition towards those in authority be in charge. I keep thinking: maybe I can help do it right? It seems to be working so far. We have grown and only had one major riot. I guess that's something!

The delay with the Vareye's old position is typical of the bureaucracy - what can you do. I seem to recall something of this Jerry Potter - wasn't he a student of the great Dumbledork? If so, he may be fairly friendly to the students and probably have a great deal of knowledge to pass on.

I completely understand your desire to complete your formal education and bear you know ill thoughts because of your refusal. The fact is I miss you and was hopping to have you around for longer then just the summer break.

I am surprised at Tom's refusal. I would have thought he'd jump at the chance to escape from under the thumb of his overbearing mother. I guess his alleged thirst for independence was just talk. I wish him luck in whatever happens though - I still count him as friend.

A visit from you and Miss Taggard would be most welcome. I will make every effort to meet you at Oleg's trading post and escort you to Tuskberg (our capital) but please keep in mind that the summer month are season for exploration, much of which still remains to be done, and I may be quite occupied with that.

Hoping to see you again, soon,

Wilberd
Magister of the Free State of Greenbelt

PS I just recalled the Jerry Potter is a bit of an athlete and captain of the quidditch team. The one thing I miss from college ...