Soroza drops her short sword and quickly draws her short bow, knocking an arrow. She trains her sights on the treacherous little goblinoid.
"I'd listen to Anthony if I were you, Knu. Mostly because I'm not as nice as he is and this arrow is going to hurt many, many times more than his pretty lights."
Nirashi lays dying on the floor. Grelm glares at Davi and limps over towards Nirashi. "What we need to f+#~ing do is move before this damn place burns to the ground thanks to little miss firestarter over here." He grabs ahold of her shoulders, and drags her away from the fire.
Knu's beady little eyes dart from Anthony, to Soroza, back to Anthony. He smiles wide, revealing a maw full of tiny, sharp teeth.
"Armssss? I am not armeddd?" He spreads his empty arms wide, then attempts to take a step away from Davi. Anthony reacts swiftly, uttering the elven words of power, emitting a vivid cone of colors from his hands towards the goblin, knocking him out cold.
Combat Ends at Round 8! Whew!
Grelm drags Nirashi out of the building into the outdoors, where it is raining lightly. The fire begins to spread, filling the room with black smoke. It is getting harder to breathe. Flower brays, panicking, backing herself into a corner as far from the fire as she can go.
"Shit girl, don't give up on me now." He mutters, and grabs a potion from his belt. He tilts it down her throat. When the first one doesn't rouse her, he desperately uses another one. She sputters and gets up, the burns on her body healing away in to shiny, raw, new skin. Grelm looks incredibly relieved.
Soroza reacts quickly once Knu drops to the ground unconscious. She returns her short bow to the strap on her back, then picks up her short sword. Her whip was on the ground somewhere, lost in the fog and smoke. She regretted leaving it, but she could hopefully buy a new one when they reached Falcon's Hollow.
Soroza then circles around to Adracs side and begins dragging him outside. "Not today, Gramps. I get bored if I don't have anyone around to challenge my worldview."
"It's ok baby, you're alright" Davi croons to Flower. She pets Flower and keeps talking baby talk until the donkey starts to relax. She begins leading Flower out of the smouldering inn. As they pass the Spirit Staff Davi snatches it off the ground
Herral chats on with Alicette about this Lumber Consortium.
"So tell us about these 'ere Tree Consortium, please. I isn't from Falcon's Hollow. Tis my first time in this Vale."
As everyone scrambles through the fog and out the door, Anthony struggles with a moral dilemma. Should he leave the goblin here to die? Here was a living being that Anthony could save from imminent death. He'd probably stab them in the back the first chance he got, but Knu was still a living being. Pudge, or Byron, was already dead, but would his family miss him? Someone might want his body for a funeral. He could easily make it out with one of them. Coming back for the other would be more dangerous than it was worth.
He headed toward the door and picked up the damn goblin. Byron was already gone. Taking his body with them wouldn't bring him back. This was the adventurer's way to go, anyway. In some lost corner of the world with only a few people to mourn your death. After getting out of the building he'll take the rope he left in Flower's saddlebags and restrain Knu with them. Anthony pronounced to the unconscious goblin, "You're going to prison. And you're not going to like it."
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Adrac seems to be in one piece... though he is unconscious.
Or sleeping! Perhaps that battle was so below his caliber he got bored and took a nap! Perhaps he could've ended this whole catastrophe with a single action!
...nah, he's an old man who got hit by a tree. He's probably out cold. And doesn't offer much resistance to being dragged.
Herral & Tarkus
Aliciette stares at Herral, then rolls her eyes. "Uhhh only one of the most powerful businesses in Andoran? They hold a monopoly on all of the darkwood in the Vale, which the Andoren navy needs to build their superior boats, obviously. People in Augustana like to complain about them, but they're ultra-efficient, something to look up to in my opinion."
Tarkus spends an hour doing the following:
Leaving Herral to distract the woman, Tarkus looks over Derrak's body and sighs. Saving Derrak would keep a murderer alive. But was there justice in letting a person die? Tarkus didn't know, and did not want this on his conscience either way. He rips up some of his own clothing and applies pressure to the wound until it stops bleeding, then patches it up the best he knows how. Derrak is still unconscious, but no longer bleeding. He then takes the curved blade for himself for his own safe-keeping.
"Blasted Bard..."
Unfortunately, the only rope that Herral and Tarkus have is ripped on the ground. Herral's rope is on Flower, and who knows where they are? He tries his best to repair the rope but finds it unsalvageable. He curses in Dwarven under his breath, and hauls Derrak's body onto Elsie. He does not stir.
"My apologies Master Hinn, but I cannot let a man die. I think that Derrak should be returned to Highhelm for judgment. The elders will decide his fate. It is our way."
Everyone Else
In a few minutes the Forest's Heart is overtaken with flames. Thankfully, the rainfall keeps the fires from spreading to the forest. A great deal of smoke rises from the building and into the trees.
Anthony takes his rope from Flower and ties up Knu. The goblin awakens soon after. He glowers at the group furiously, but does not say a word.
Grelm, covered in horrible burns, cradles Nirashi in his arms. He shakes his head at bewilderment at Anthony. "By the Abyss. Should've just let the a#%~~*# burn in the flames of his own making."
Nirashi shakes her head. "Sssh, don't get all worked up, you're badly hurt." she whispers to Grelm. She pulls out a small pendant, in the shape of a botfly, and attempts to heal Grelm's wounds.
"Yer a shitty healer. Should leave that crap to Sarenites," Grelm snorts.
Nirashi slaps him lightly. "Fine. Heal your own damn wounds then." She stands up, just as a small group of falcons circles overhead. She draws her scythe, glaring at them suspiciously.
"Druids," she mutters contemptuously. "Great, we've drawn the tree-hugger brigade here."
The falcons land before you, and quickly shift back into the forms of men and women, clad in brown robes. At their waists are scimitars. Four total, their leader steps forward to address the Black Banners and the heroes. He is a human man, possibly in his mid-30s, with long brown hair and shadowed eyes. "I am Tablic, leader of the Greenfire Circle."
"So you are the ones who have left such a trail of destruction in our forest." He eyes the adventurers suspiciously. "And now you've destroyed the sacred resting place of our former leader, Willowroot. Explain yourselves."
"Master dwarf, I be no judge an' jury here but I guess if'n you wish to see this Derrak to justice then the least I cun do is help some. Here be a potion of healing. It be valuable and yours to use on him as you see fit. Young mistress Alicette here, she did pay for half of it with her gold so seems fair enough to me."
Herral hands over one of his potions reluctantly, "by Desna's teachings I be doing this thing even 'Ee doan deserve it."
Tarkus smiles at Herral and shakes his head.
"Ah, I have potions myself. The problem is, if we give him that, he will likely wake up and we have no rope, as the stuff we have is ruined. Unless you'd like to use Aliciette's bindings....but then she'd be free."
"Oh, I was of a thought that you drunk yurn potions afore. I see'd what you say an' agree. She be a much more talented girl than Derrak ever be, ha ha! Not come out so good those words, did they? Okay we save 'um and wait fore the rest."
Davi passes the staff to Soroza as she makes it outside.
With all the living safely outside Davi turns her thoughts to the dead. Maybe she can get Pudge out for a proper burial? Aren't there ways to resurrect the dead? But the fire spreads too quickly. She stares at the burning inn. When the druid arrives she spares them a quick glance.
Going back to staring at the inn, her back is turned as she begins talking.
"I don't really know who you all are. Druids yes, but friend or foe? I do not know" Her voice rises as she talks, full of sorrow and accusation. "And I can't speak as to what's happened in the rest of the forest; I have not seen all that has occured. But here? I saw it all. I saw the bones of the dead in the inn. I watched that monster rise, unprovked, to attack us."
She gestures towards Adrac. [B]"I watched it knock out this man" Now she rounds on Soroza and points at her still visible injuries. Davi draws herself up to her full height and stares at the druid leader.
And I watched that creature kill one of us. His bones lie in the ruins of that inn. As far as I am concerned, you have lost the right to judge us in this. Even tbe rabbit may try and defend itself against the wolf"
While Herral is talking, Aliciette wriggles...
And pouts. Herral's knots are too good for her.
Suddenly, a songbird lands on Aliciette's drenched head. The girl shakes her hair vigorously, unable to whisk it away as her hands are tied. The bird flutters over to Herral before transforming into a young human woman, clad in brown robes. She has a round face and long blonde hair filled with a veritable cornucopia of fruits and flowers, making her look more akin to a nature goddess than a person.
"'ello! Liese's my name. Liese Kahkosa. What brings you to Willowroot's Grove, exactly?"
After Grelm berates him for his compassion, or stupidity as Anthony was beginning to think, Anthony scowls back at him and growls, "Every man should have a chance at redemption. Even if they are goblins."
As he gets his things ready to head back to the Inn, the druids descend upon them as swiftly as a summer breeze.
Anthony was not exactly personable, not just due to his appearance. A fact he was always aware of. But he trained himself in the old ways, and he knew the Greenfire Circle would be as well. As he begins to formulate a response to the leader, Davi pipes up and accuses the Druids for being at fault! If only his tongue were as quick as his mind! He could still salvage the situation, he just had to be careful. Stepping in front of Davi, he bows and implores Tablic,
"Druid Tablic, my comrade meant you no ill will. She's just been drained by our journey. We have come to ask a small favor of the Circle: we wish to borrow the Panopoly of King Narven to produce a burial shroud for His Majesty and allow him the honor denied to him for 200 years. We are not as wise to the ways of the forest as you, and have caused you grief because of it. For this, we apologize. "
Tablic laughs. "Be at ease. You're a fiery one, aren't you? Wise for your years." He adds, looking back into Davi's eyes. He looks at her, then Grelm, then Adrac. "You're wounded." He glances back at the other druids. "Cairde . Só leigheas na daoine seo."
The druids walk over to the wounded, and murmur, "A leigheas na díobhálacha ", holding their arms over the wounded's shoulders.
While his friends help the wounded, Tablic scratches his chin, seeming contemplative. "One thing bothers me. The Wooden Protector rose against you? It was summoned half a year ago, to fight a group of goblin bandits that took the life of Willowroot and the Forest's Heart's workers. It should not have risen again. Unless..." He narrows his eyes at Knu, and walks over to him. His strides are long, and measured. Knu glares right back.
Tablic tilts Knu's head and pulls the collar of his black cloak back, revealing a small tattoo in the shape of a dagger along his collarbone. "Hm. You're one of Grimshank's men."
He stands, and turns to the group, his voice far more serious than before. "How about a trade. You can keep the Panoply, but we retain this little fellow for questioning. If he knows the whereabouts of his leader we can finally bring Willowroot's murderer to justice."
Grelm chuckles. "I don't give a damn about that backstabbing little shit. Chuck 'im in a portal to the Plane of Fire for all I care."
As the druid tending to Adrac heals the elder man's wounds, he gasps as he is so quickly yanked back to the world of the living and consciousness. Coughing and hacking, Adrac groaned as he took a moment to take inventory of his internals, before slowly sitting up and rubbing his head. "Oooohh... I'm getting a tad too old to keep up this pace."
Sitting up a little further, he looked about, before his eyes lingered on Tablic a little, quirking his brow as his head tilted a little. "...Lorefel? Lorefel, you old monkey, is that you?" Adrac slowly moved to his feet, still studying Tablic before leaning back and shaking his head. "...no, can't be. You don't have the scar over your cheek. You look so much like him..." Adrac folded his arms over his chest, a hand coming up to stroke his white whiskers in contemplation, before smiling. "...well, I'll be. Tiny Tablic, is that you? Irori's touch, you've gotten big. Last time I saw you, you were knee high to a kobold. Lemme get a good look at you, son." Adrac smiled as he looked the younger man over, giving a nod. "By the divines, you look so much like him. How is the old monkey faring?"
Looking about, Adrac took in the surroundings a bit before looking back at Anthony. "Looks like things got a tad out of hand, hm? Sorry for my little nap there. Guess these old bones just don't have the strength they used to." He chuckled a little at that. "Take my advice, lad: never get old."
Tablic turns to look at Adrac, and his eyes widen. "Uncle Adrac? Is that really you?" He smiles a huge smile and rushes over to give him a hug. "Ah, it has been too long."
He lets go of him, his voice somber. "I'm afraid my father passed two years ago. The Circle has grown so much smaller since his time, so many members have left." A shadow of self-doubt flickers over his face momentarily, but he regains his confident posture only a second later.
"Oh. I wish we would sit and talk. I've missed your stories sorely. But there is the matter of the goblin.."
Knu snorts, and hocks a ball of phlegm onto the ground, his way of showing his displeasure.
After dragging Adrac out of the building, Soroza sits on the ground next him, her back to the rapidly intensifying blaze behind her.
"Some days, Gramps", she addresses the unconscious Adrac next to her, "Just too damn much happens. I don't know how someone who's seen as many as you keeps it all in your head."
Soroza is a sharp woman, and good at taking things as they happen in stride, but today had confronted her with some difficult surprises. Pud... Byron was an awful man, and he'd only sided with her companions out of fear. But... Perhaps that's how it starts, someone changing? Small, token things? But it didn't matter now because a sodding magic tree clubbed him to death. What was the damn point of today?
When the druids arrived, she didn't have the energy for witty quips about how of course a bunch of self-righteous folks in robes show up after all the hard, sad bits were done.
Somehow Davi managed a bloody speech after all of this. Her admiration for the woman grew. Soroza would have clapped if she were feeling like herself.
A few more inexplicably elegant words from Anthony (the young man was truly a wonder of contradictions) and everyone was friends, which was good because she wasn't sure if she had another fight in her.
When Adrac is on his feat and waxing nostalgic yet again, she grumbles. "Is there anyone in this horrible forest that isn't your friend?"
Years of training to veil the true feelings in her words fail her thanks to mental exhaustion, and anyone caring to pay attention would detect envy where Soroza intended dismissiveness.
Anthony allows his body to sag with relief at the druid's words. Doubly delighted from the serendipitous conclusion to their quest, he almost laughs. At the mention of an old friend of Adrac's, Anthony had only the faintest idea of whom he was referring to. He bows to the Druids. "Thank you for your help. I hope you find your man... err woman? Is Grimshank a male? I suppose it doesn't matter, just like to have my facts straight. Oh, but thank you. I said that right...?" he stumbles over his words sheepishly.
"Well I baint see'd that trick afore, Madam Liese. I be 'Erral, 'Erral 'Inn at yurn service and we is waitin' for us comrades. We bin sent on a quest by a Professor who cun make memorable pictures of famous people from their belongings. 'Ee wants to do it of the druid Willowrot I think and so we be collecting five things of 'Ees like a staff if'n I remember roight. I be tellin' you the top an' bottom of it so you cun helping me get to grips with how things be done in the Vale. I be a traveller and not wantin' to make enemies juss friends if you please. A traveller in deep with the Goddess Desna."
Herral moves over to Alicette and straightens her hair where the bird scuffed a few curls out of place.
"That be Tarkis, me buddy and this is Alicette. A rival charmer from a competing band by the name of the Black Banners. But she be mostly 'armless now that her naughty voice is stopped frum casting enchantments and the loike."
"An' Ooo be you, if'n you don't mind me askin'?"
Davi's eyes widen as the druid leader calls her wise. Whatever answer she was expecting from the druids it certainly wasn't that. The fight drains right out of her, replaced by bone deep weariness. As the healing spell washes over her she lowers herself to the ground. It's been a long, long day.
Davi's glad to see Adrac back on his feet, surprised to learn of his connection to the druid leader. A small smile brightens up her face as they speak. It's good to know there's somebody in the forest on their side.
"Well, we're only borrowing the Panoply. We'll bring it back as soon as the Professor's made his shroud so we could have time to visit then? Ah, you and Adrac I mean." The changeling clears her throat and adjusts her armor, hoping that she isn't blushing at all. Once she's composed herself a bit she continues.
"Are you still having issues with bandits in the forest? We've got a job to do right now; aside from the Panoply there's getting the alchemist Laurel back to Falcon's Hollow. But once that's done, well, if the locals need help we'd be free to do so. Well, for a small fee." Davi smiles at Tablic. "Girl's gotta eat right?"
"Oh, he's a male. My wife would appreciate you not assuming that though, friend."
Tablic smiles at Davi, an unusually rogue-like grin for a druid. "I'm afraid we don't share the same ah, reverence, for possessions that the city-dwelling folk do. As long as they aren't in the hands of people who would abuse them, we don't much care where they are."
He continues, "The Arthfell is too wild and untamed for bandits. These days our hands have been full negotiating with the Lumber Consortium, who think they're being sneaky sending small contingents of loggers into the forest. The fey don't like them breaking the pact made with King Narven so long ago. I admit I'm not the greatest diplomat, either." He scratches his head, frowning. "Maybe...if this Professor could help re-educate the people about King Narven our job could be made easier? It'd be a start at least. I appreciate your offer for help though. I will keep that in mind. Not just any regular group of mercenaries could have handled finding the Panoply."
Seeing no one explicitly arguing with him taking Knu, Tablic nods to his companions. "Tóg an bhaile príosúnach."
Two of the other druids, both male elves, walk over to Knu and hoist him up between them. The goblin laughs in a shrill, scratchy voice. "Never gonna talk! Gonna have to kill me!" he gasps out between laughter.
Tablic seems unfazed. "We have our ways, I assure you," he says softly, as the two elves disappear back into the trees. His final companion, a willowy gnome female with thin blue hair and brown eyes, stands at his side. His expression brightens as he turns to the group.
"Now, contrary to what you might think, us tree-huggers don't enjoy standing out in the rain all evening any more than you do. Do you need help getting to the Inn of the Wood? I'd offer our lodgings, but I imagine you'd prefer duck-feather pillows to laying on tanned hides in a cave." He smirks at Nirashi as he speaks.
Herral
Liese giggles. "Well 'ello 'erral! I'm Liese. I'm a druid acolyte of the Greenfire Circle. Willowroot just so happens to be our deposed leader, and it's a bit queer to see non-druids poking around his things, much less with a bunch of tied up ruffians in tow so I figured I'd be doin' my duty to check in, eh? The Black Banners ain't a name I'm familiar with, no sirree. Nor none of this talk of shrouds. The Green Faith teaches us to let our dead nourish the scavengers, so that they may be returned to the Cycle and live on in the world around us and so forth and whatnot." She pauses to take a breath, as she speaks incredibly fast, and gives the halfling and the dwarf a long, searching look. After a moment she seems satisfied with their story.
"Follow the Song of the Spheres, hmm? That's an old faith. Not as old as the Green Faith but I admire it nonetheless. Now, I might be a bit confused cuz you say you be a'searchin for his staff, am I right? But you be just sittin' here in the rain! If I be correct in my understanding, the staff is at the Forest's Heart, which is a good two hours walk to the south. Now I wouldn't waste me time going down there though, cuz I believe its on fire for some reason. Probably just some ruffians thinkin' they're bein' funny. My leader, Tablic, is already on the case checkin' it out."
Tarkus sighs. "Well, in that case, maybe we should head back to the Inn? The quicker we can get the Shunned here in manacles the better. I think I've tussled with 'im enough times for one day. And we do have this scroll thing, so it's not like we'll be returning to the Professor empty-handed. I pray to Torag that our companions have fared well in their search for the other pieces. What do you think, Herral?"
Adrac smiles and hugs Tablic back as he hugs. He gives a solemn nod at the news, patting his shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that... though not too surprised. The old monkey was getting on in years when I met him so long ago. Still, you're the spitting image of him, and if you have even half his skill, you'll do fine." Adrac placed both hands on Tablic's shoulders, smiling kindly. "You haven't lost members... just folks faithful to your father, not his cause. Cherish those who have remained; they treasure your dedication to the ideal as much as you do theirs."
Adrac nodded to Davi as he continued. "Sadly, you're both right. YOu have your duties to tend to, as do we. But if you happen to be within distance of Falcon's Hollow, please drop by and visit. My son is living there now, and much to my surprise, he's got a family of his own. It's what brings me here now. We can catch up then, hm? And I'll introduce you to my granddaughter." He beams with enough sunny disposition to nearly cancel out the rain at that statement.
Turning back to Anthony and the others, he nods. "Fine job, all of you. I'd say we have what we came for, hm?" His eyes linger on Soroza, nodding a little slower with a knowing smile. "When you get to be my age, you start to realize there is plenty of friends to be made in this world."
Stroking his chin hairs a bit more, he eyes Grelm, stepping lightly over to him and looking with a polite smile down at him. "I trust this little incident has given you some insight into who among your allies to trust, yes?"
Grelm looks weary, and much like he has aged 10 years in a day, though that may be due to having second-degree facial burns healed in under ten seconds.
"Save the lecture, oh great venereal-" "Venerable." Nirashi corrects. "Yeah yeah whatever. I've had enough f#~+ing shit today. Pudge is dead. Knu's a backstabbing little shit. Who the f$&$ knows where Aliciette and Derrak went to. They were supposed to meet up with us here like, a f~+*ing hour ago. F%+%. If they're dead..." He trails off.
Nirashi stays silent, rubbing his shoulder comfortingly.
"Yeah. You're right, Nirashi. They're probably backstabbing little shits too. Probably in cahoots with Knu. F$%#. Where did I go wrong? What's gonna happen to the Black Banners now?"
"We'll rebuild," Nirashi says confidently. "As long as there's work to be done, theres Black Banners to be doing it."
Grelm's shoulders sag. Tablic nods. "The mantle of leadership is heavy, friend."
Davi barks out a laugh. "Aliciette? Working with goblin bandits? Aliciette?!. Gods above but I'd pay money to see that. Aliciette Cardoso, 'lowering herself' to work with a pack of goblins. It would be hilarious, the condensation would be so strong you'd smell it."
She grins and shakes her head. "No no, I can assure you Grelm, if anything's delaying her it's that we send Herral and Tarkus after her. In fact, now that I think about it, would you druids have any idea where our missing friends are?"
Adrac's polite smile suddenly switches into a stern glare down at him. Hands still behind his back, he raises a foot into the air, before stamping into the ground with a remarkable *THUD!*... and in the process, somehow, the air around the impact grows bitterly cold, as rain drops and blades of grass suddenly start to freeze as if touched by some frost.
Just what sort of adventurer was this old man?
"Young man!" Adrac barked firmly, though with a hint of elderly guidance to it. "You may not wish to hear it, but if you insist on taking up the task of leading your Black Banners, you will heed the advice I'm offering you!" He frowned, a partly sympathetic and partly stern expression still on his face, having finally pronounced Grelm's group name right. He turned back to Tablic, looking a little more gentle as he nodded, as if thanking him for his assistance.
"Your decisions will affect the lives of your team greatly, and they are looking to you for guidance and direction. Pursuing things in haste will lead to danger, and inevitably result in someone's death." His eyes briefly jump to Nirashi, before looking back to Grelm. "It's evident they have concern for you, and you must take the same care into consideration with your decisions."
Adrac frowns as he finishes. "Grelm Hammerlock... I encourage you to rethink your attitude and courses of action. Such behavior attracts like-minded individuals, such as our goblin friend here... but a kinder, more noble disposition will similarly attract those whom you can trust." Adrac turns around, walking back to the rest of the group, but stopping part-way, not looking around. "...you have quite the talent for battle. If you wish to explore it further, and unlock your true potential... I will be in Falcon's Hollow, should you wish." At that, he finished, returning to the others.
"Now then... shall we return to the Inn and deliver the good news?"
Grelm chuckles at Davi's comment. "Yea, you're right. She's a freaking diva."
Tablic shakes his head at Davi. "Honestly, we wouldn't have found you if it wasn't for the smoke. The commonfolk like to say that we spy on people through the trees but we actually aren't quite capable of that..." He winks at her. "Keep that between us, though, won't you? Hopefully they've already made their way to the Inn by now. If they're lost, I'll send some of the Circle looking for them. The moon waxes still, it shouldn't be too dangerous tonight."
Then...
"Augh! What in Hell, old man? You a freaking secret sorcerer too?" Grelm jumps at Adrac's sudden magical ability.
He puts his head in his hands while Adrac talks. He runs his fingers through his hair, tangling the soaked locks until his hair is a big, matted mess. He doesn't say a word, but it's obvious that he is listening, at the very least.
While Adrac speaks, the sun begins to set, tinting the sky the same color as the flames.
"Leise, you be a fair maid an' yurn words sound pretty sweet to us. You lead me dear an' I cun bring Elsie. Me donkey begging yurn pardon."
Herral makes sure that Derrak is secure then follows the friendly druid.
Sorza sighs and hoists herself up to standing.
"Well, we've got the lion's share of the Panoply and I have faith Tarkus and Herral were able to handle themselves. More importantly, Tablic is extremely correct about those duck feather pillows and the Inn isn't getting any closer while we all just stand here."
She gestures forward with both hands with an exaggerated courtesy, her sense of humor beginning to return. "Shall we, then?"
And with that, though separated into two groups, the heroes follow the Greenfire Circle druids back to the Inn of the Wood. The rain has slowed to a sprinkle, but the mud is still something to contend with. Liese walks through the morass as naturally as one would walk down a road, whistling a cheerful tune as she went, seemingly utterly out of place in the dark, wet, miserable forest. Tablic, in contrast, moves quickly and stealthily, akin to a forest predator. His long strides make it difficult for the rest to keep up at times. As the sun sets and the forest grows dark, both sets of druids cast Light upon their scimitars to illuminate the darkness.
Before leaving, Liese offers to help restrain Derrak with a small amount of rope she is carrying. An hour into their journey, he rouses, and curses Tarkus and his family's name, until Tarkus decides he is tired of listening to the other dwarf's ramblings and shoves a gag in his mouth.
Although Herral and Tarkus were actually closer to the Inn than the rest of the group, the fact that they move slightly slower than their taller companions meant that they all arrived at the Inn around the same time: roughly two hours later. It is almost twenty til eleven in the evening when they arrive.
Tablic arrives with his group first, then Liese with her smaller group emerges. "Oy, 'erral, Tarkus. This the rest of yer group?" she asks, before spotting the gnome druid that travelled with Tablic. She runs over to her friend, eager to catch up. She waves to Tablic, but the druid leader is distracted.... as the road to the Inn of the Wood is full of Diamond Regiment soldiers in full blue and white regalia, bearing torches.
Tablic runs up to the most decorated of the Diamond Regiment soldiers, a woman taller than he, with long blonde hair and a stern expression. When she sees Tablic she smiles and the two embrace.
"Tablic, my little bear, we were about to have Findit send for you. Why is there a fire in the Arthfell?"
"Ingrid, my love. It is nothing to worry about, it was only an accident. But we have much to talk about. We finally have a lead on Grimshank..." You lose wind of their conversation as the two quickly head into the Inn and out of earshot.
Sheriff Cage Blunnde is scowling in the rain himself. The appearance of the heroes does not serve to lighten his mood. "Bah, there you are! Didn't think a damn mission to borrow some objects from some druid would take all damn night. Don't tell me you're the cause of this forest fire that has the Diamond Regiment all a'flustered..."
Despite the Sheriff's dour expression, Anthony is glad, like everyone else, to be back at the Inn. He explains to the Blunnde, "He wasn't there and his effects were scattered about the forest." He bumbles on into the inn with everyone else afterwards and greets Laurel, "Apologies for the delay. Things were a bit more complicated than we thought." His stomach gurgles raucously and he scratches his head self-consciously as he inquires, "Also... do you think it's too late for supper?"
Tab pokes his head curiously out from the stables, a torch in hand. Upon seeing the group he lets out a whoop and a cheer, running over to Davi and Herral.
"Oh man, you're back! You're back! ....Did you win?" he peers at the Black Banners curiously. "Wow, you're soaked! Do you need help with your animals?? Elsie...and Flower, right? I'll take good care of them! You can count on me!"
Aliciette groans against her gag. She can't speak clearly, but she's pretty obviously demanding that Herral let her go immediately.
Sheriff Blunnde chuckles. "That's how it always goes, hm?" He follows them inside. Tarkus leads Derrak to Sheriff Blunnde and says,
"Pardon me, Sheriff Blunnde, but this man is a wanted criminal at Highhelm. He is a known murderer and furthermore attempted to take the life of myself and my friend Master Hinn. I request your assistance in delivering him to justice at the hands of the elders of the Five Kings Mountains."
The sheriff strokes his chin and looks Derrak up and down. "I do not doubt your words, but I will need a letter with an official seal from the authorities of Highhelm before I can allow you to retain custody of this man. In the meantime I will be happy to keep him in the jails at Oregent for you to await trial, whether it be at the hands of the stoutfolk or our own." Derrak groans under his gag and gives Tarkus a horrible glare.
Tarkus nods. "Aye sir, I am agreeable to your terms." Sheriff Blunnde pulls out a set of manacles and sets them about Derrak's wrists. Grelm and Nirashi watch the scene from afar and whisper to one another, but do not interfere with the Sheriff.
Meanwhile, Laurel stands upright from her chair with a jolt, nearly spilling her tea all over herself. "Oh, Anthony," she looks, and sounds relieved to see him. As is typical of Laurel, she only lets her guard down for a moment, as her face quickly reverts to its usual stern expression. "It's about time you got here!" she barks. "I was about to try and hire some of these drunkards to guard my wagon." She drops herself back down into her chair, seeming much more relaxed than she was before.
Indeed, the Inn of the Wood is as full as ever, actually, it is packed, with Diamond Regiment soldiers, the regular local crew, and now even a few Greenfire Circle druids. Professor Krane is at his usual seat, pouring over a large book covered in arcane symbols. He has a jug of elderberry wine and a half-filled jar of pickled eggs at his table, and is so engrossed in his reading he does not notice the group's return.
Sara, laden heavily with a serving plate covered in drinks, hears Anthony's plea for food. "It's never too late for supper, Master Read! What can I get you all? Today we have roasted cabbage, roasted mutton and leek, millet or barley biscuits, and soft or sharp cheese. To drink we have beer, cider, stout, and elderberry wine!"
"It all sounds good to me! But I think I'll have some of that mutton, and a stout," Tarkus announces, ambling over to the group. "I'm so glad to have found you! For all me 'n 'erral knew, you guys got eaten up by a bear. Did you have any luck gathering the Panoply? For our credit, we managed to get the Codex. I had to climb a blasted tree to get it too." Tarkus scowls at the memory.
Davi is incredibly glad to see the inn again. It’s been an exceptionally long day and she’s asleep on her feet. Tab’s enthusiastic welcome gets a tired grin out of her. ”Hiya Tab. Yeah, we got the stuff. It was a pain in the a- rear but we got it. Here, have a look” Davi produces the Breastplate of Sacred Fire from her saddlebags. She lets Tab look the item over, the boy’s obvious wonder brings a smile to her face. After a minute she hands him Flower’s lead and heads inside the inn.
On seeing how packed the inn is Davi scowls. ”Better not have given up our rooms. I’m not sleeping in the stable. Throw some fancy soldier out of their bed, don’t even care” she grumbles under her breath as she pushes her way through the crowd. Professor Krane is so engrossed in his book that she has to push the breastplate in front of his face before he notices her. As the professor gapes she pushes it into his hands.
”Ehem” Davi clears her throat. ”Nothing up my sleeves” Davi shoves her arms under the professor’s nose, rolling up her shirt sleeves with dramatic flair. She pounds out a drumroll on the table. The noises attracts the attention of the soldiers at the neighboring tables. Having a larger audience just makes Davi turn up the dramatics. A comically exaggerated look of surprise crosses her face. She gasps. ”But wait, what’s this?!?” A quick flick of her wrist and she’s pulled the Wand of Earth’s Ire out of her armor. ”Tadaaaaa!!” She drops the wand onto the table while plopping herself into a seat at the same time. Her head drops onto the table with a slight thunk
”Happy Independence Day, Merry Crystalhue, Good Silverglazer Sunday, Happy Birthday and so on so forth. Now, someone please shovel food into my face then take me to bed. Today has been far too long and I’d like to be asleep before tomorrow”
Nirashi and Grelm slump into a seat and grimace at all the attention the group is getting. Grelm can't keep the envy out of his sour expression as he watches the rest of the inn turn curiously to inspect the magical artifacts Davi laid out on the table.
Professor Krane nearly falls out of his seat. "Ah! Oh my! The Breastplate of Secret Fire! And the Wand of Earth's Ire! But those are only two pieces of the Panoply. They are far more beautiful than the tales would have suggested. But...Where are the rest?"
Ingrid Odeber steeples her fingers together and watches the proceedings, the slightest hint of a smile on her face. Her troops are far less subdued, and are about as awestruck by the objects as the commonfolk are.
Adrac has taken the journey through the rain in great stride, both figuratively and literally, his hands folded pleasantly behind his back as he moves swiftly over the muddy ground. On entering the inn, Adrac quickly removes his wooden sandals and places them with consideration at the side of the door. A smile flickers over his face as he overhears Tablic speaking, before requesting a quick pot of hot water as Sara passes.
"I don't think I will be sleeping in my bed tonight, so someone else is quite welcome to take it. I have a bit of meditation to catch up on, and I would hate to have another incident like the previous night, hm? Yes, I believe I will stay down here for the while." When the hot water pot arrives, he takes it gingerly and grabs a quick seat at the same table as Grelm and Nirashi, smiling kindly as he produces some simple wooden cups. Pouring water into each, he draws some small pouches from his sleeves and places one in each, before sliding two towards the duo across the table.
"Come. Drink up. These come from a border town in Tian Xia. I understand they do wonders for the soul and even ward the drinker against cold weather." he offers with a nod to the rain outside. He takes the remaining cup and swirls it in his hand a little, before taking a quick sip. "Ahhh... I cannot speak to their other properties. I simply enjoy the taste."
If they refuse, he nods insistently to the cups, as if an old man trying to get his grandchildren to try something they'd find questionable. Which, frankly, isn't too far off from the truth. "Drink. You'll feel better."
Outside, Soroza approaches Herral with a smile.
"I'm glad to see you and Tarkus handled yourselves just fine on your own. Though fickle fate would have it that we found ourselves up against an ill-tempered tree while Tarkus and his axe were on the other end of the forest..."
Soroza's words trail off, as does her mirthful tone. Her gaze moves to Aliciette. "I realize this may be asking a lot, Herral, but would you mind letting her go? I'd like to sit down inside and speak with her. If you're going to... press charges, or whatever, don't worry. There's an entire regiment here, I doubt she'll be able to steal away."
Soroza smiles awkwardly as she finishes speaking her request. Her intentions are sincere, but she has little experience in being wholly transparent when she wants something from someone she isn't close to.
Grelm eyes Adrac suspiciously. "Calistria's tits. You gonna lecture me all night? Or...do you think I'm gonna steal all them magic artifacts when folks go to bed tonight?" He grins nastily. "Not gonna deny I didn't think about it. But I'm not so dense that I'd try to take it under the constabulary's nose," he jerks his thumb at the tables of Diamond Regiment soldiers.
Nirashi has an enormous plate laden with mutton, cabbage, biscuits, and cheese in front of her. For a bone-thin girl she can really put it away, too. When Adrac offers her tea, she takes it without any form of thanks, and greedily drinks it down. Grelm pokes it morosely. He lifts the cup to sniff it, and wrinkles his nose in distaste.
"Just cuz Nirashi drinks it doesn't mean I will. Girl drinks anything you put in front of her."
Nirashi stops in-between mouthfuls of food. "Existence is hunger, Grelm," she affirms, softly.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Tarkus , us'll best give the Prof 'Ees scroll. Twasn't there a pearl? I forget. As for Miss Alicette, she be fun to 'ave about an' truth be told I like her. All those spells and courageous poems be pretty good. Derrak on the other hand jess loikes to fight an' he be rubbish at it."
Herral frees the girl quickly and easily. helping Soroza to get her seated safely. Then he sets about the Battle of the Leeks with his big knife and spoon.
Tarkus laughs at Herral's comment. "Aye, Derrak lets his emotions get ahead of him in a fight. Wonder why he's so angry all the time?"
Aliciette rubs her face and lower jaw. "Ugh. Did you need to keep the gag in that long? I couldn't have enchanted the three of you at the same time if I tried." Once Herral is away, she stares at Soroza, dumbfounded at her altruism. "Do I know you? Are we related? I have...distant family in Cheliax."
Tarkus takes the Codex of Firmament from Herral and slaps it down on the table in front of Professor Krane. Phineus looks startled. "Easy, easy! That's fragile, you know!" The dwarf looks at him sheepishly.
The Professor admires the three parts of the Panoply. "So you were only able to obtain three pieces?" he asks, his voice trailing off into disappointment.
"As much as it is a test." Adrac nodded, pouring more water into his cup and sipping it lightly. He'd let the others see to the panoply and the sheriff. The man was a fair man, and if need be, he'd head back out and collect the remainder of the treasures himself. Perhaps he could enlist Tablic's aid... ah, nostalgia.
"As I said before: I do not care for your attitude, but I do not think you a fool, Grelm. I will not indulge notions that I can change you by sunrise - after all, one does not achieve perfection in a single lifetime." Adrac continued, sipping his tea and setting it down on the table, kindly pouring some more water into Nirashi's cup. "But I have no doubt you will make the effort... and not at my behest, either." he said matter-of-factly, taking up his cup again and sipping gingerly.
"No, you will do so because you crave it. You'll desire it. It will fascinate and confound you, how such a shift in thinking can even yield such satisfaction, that you will find yourself compelled to try and attune yourself to it. You are not terribly unlike my young friend, Anthony..." Adrac's eyes drifted to the tiefling, a flicker of a grimace tugging at his face before resuming that polite smile of his. "You are hungry to know. To learn. To understand what makes you what you are."
Adrac set his cup down and exhaled in satisfaction. "BUT! That is enough mysticism for one night. Nirashi, yes? Tell me, how does a young lady such as yourself retain such a physique with such a hearty appetite?"
Grelm rolls his eyes and stabs his fork into a slab of meat. He leans back in his seat to gnaw it off of the utensil. Mouth still full, he grumbles, "Don't have the slightest idea what you're rambling on and on about, old timer."
Adrac continues to talk, and Grelm does his best to ignore him.
Nirashi clears her second plate and grins. "My goddess rewards her faithful by shaping them in her own image."
|
Anthony gives his order to Sara, "I'll have the Millet biscuits with my mutton and a pint of beer." He sits with Professor Crane and Davi as she brings the Breastplate and Wand.
Anthony asks Davi, "You brought the Staff right? Is it still in Flower's Saddlebags? Don't worry, I'll get it for you, you're tired." He heads purposefully over to the saddlebags and returns with the Staff. After handing it to the Professor he scans the room trying to recall where the last piece should have been, murmuring to himself, "Lets see... we have everything except... the Vial of Pure Water. That should beee... Soroza and Davi? He laughs sheepishly and realizes, Its in the saddlebags as well, isn't it?
|
|
Anthony gives his order to Sara, "I'll have the Millet biscuits with my mutton and a pint of beer." He sits with Professor Crane and Davi as she brings the Breastplate and Wand.
Anthony asks Davi, "You brought the Staff right? Is it still in Flower's Saddlebags? Don't worry, I'll get it for you, you're tired." He heads purposefully over to the saddlebags and returns with the Staff. After handing it to the Professor he scans the room trying to recall where the last piece should have been, murmuring to himself, "Lets see... we have everything except... the Vial of Pure Water. That should beee... Soroza and Davi? He laughs sheepishly as he realizes, Its in the saddlebags as well, isn't it?
Soroza clasps Aliciette on both shoulders with her hands, a wide, manic grin on her face.
"We read the same Book! I'd wanted to speak to you about last night, but everything was so tense and, well, it's not that things are less tense now... But we've all knocked each other around a bit and what better way than that to break the ice, eh?"
Soroza is speaking in a fast, clipped manner. Informal even for her. She begins to lead Aliciette towards the Inn. "Grab us a table, I have to drop some things off first! Oh, and try not to get arrested. Or anything like that."
Once inside, she breezes up to Professor Krane's table. She sets the Spirit Staff down across the table and then places the Vial of Pure Water gingerly in front of it. "There you are, Professor! And with only a moderate amount of horror and maiming on our parts. Let me know the next time you need someone to risk life and limb for a bunch of old junk!" She blows a flirty kiss to the Professor, then whisks back to wherever Aliciette has found them a place to sit.
Aliciette seems uncertain. She peers into the Inn at Grelm and Nirashi's table, then frowns as she notices that Adrac is sitting with them.
"I...what? You're a Calistrian?" She smiles, looking relieved. "Ah...That's good. I really don't need to be owing my cousins any favors." She finds a place to sit at the bar, as the tables are all full.
Professor Krane is ecstatic upon receiving the completed Panoply. "Ah, my dear, I could kiss you! B-but I won't of course....But I can kiss these!" And he does, lifting the beautiful Spirit-Staff of King Narven to his lips and kissing it on one of its golden wings.
Sheriff Blunnde strides over, having transferred Derrak to the attentions of two Diamond Regiment soldiers. "So am I to understand that you won't press charges on these people over the shroud?"
"Ah! No! Of course not! These fine men and women have done no wrong against me! They owe me nothing!" Phineus Krane busies himself with admiring each piece individually for awhile.
Sheriff Blunnde pulls out the fiery dagger from his belt and hands it to Adrac. "Well, sir, it seems like your lot has won this thing fair and square. Do with it as you wish."
Grelm huffs, eyeing the dagger enviously, but he doesn't say anything. "Hmph. I've had enough of this crap. I'm going to bed." He storms off to his room. Nirashi is undaunted, as she is not finished eating quite yet, and remains behind. She seems utterly indifferent to Adrac's presence.
Aliciette smiles at Soroza when she returns. "Your old monk have a huge crush on Grelm or what?" She snickers. "Eh, Grelm shouldn't turn him down, honestly. He hasn't gotten laid in ages."
Herral keeps eating alongside Adrac and lets the conversation wash round him, listening as he works. When he finishes he wipes the plate clean with a bread roll, eyeing the surface to make sure no surface has sauce left.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Adrac takes the dagger with a nod, before sliding it into the sash at his waist and bowing his head respectfully. "Our humblest thanks, Master Blunnde." He looks to the others, patting the dagger. "Sadly, I have little use for such a weapon. I suppose I could hold onto it and place it in my collections room on my return to Absalom... but I'd rather see it find some use in the hands of someone. Perhaps one of you would be better suited to it's uses?"
Eying Grelm as stomps in a huff off to bed, he frowns, before looking down at the dagger. "Such trouble for a simple object... I've come to learn that there are much more worthwhile pursuits than powerful items. Family. Friends. Self-improvement. The like..."