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Ilantes is silent for a moment.
"Most of the Elven Kingdoms that once ruled this continent have fallen to human rule. We have.... learned to adapt, for the most part."
Ilantes pauses.
"For many of us, the treachery of many of the humans will not be forgotten. But in our long years, we cannot help but see the patterns that humans succumb to. Yes, humans are capable of destruction, but they are also capable of healing, and cooparation, and listening to the natural world, and to the whisper of magic that flows through the planes."
"Thus we have learned, as a species, to be wary of the races that do not live as long as we do. Likewise, we make few judgments based on our interactions with humans. For we know that in the long years of our existence, there is much conflict between one generation of humanity and the next, and what one generation has promised, the next will forget. It is of no matter to us now. We have learned well."
Ilantes is silent for a moment.
"Most of the Elven Kingdoms that once ruled this continent have fallen to human rule. We have.... learned to adapt, for the most part."
Ilantes pauses.
"For many of us, the treachery of many of the humans will not be forgotten. But in our long years, we cannot help but see the patterns that humans succumb to. Yes, humans are capable of destruction, but they are also capable of healing, and cooparation, and listening to the natural world, and to the whisper of magic that flows through the planes."
"Thus we have learned, as a species, to be wary of the races that do not live as long as we do. Likewise, we make few judgments based on our interactions with humans. For we know that in the long years of our existence, there is much conflict between one generation of humanity and the next, and what one generation has promised, the next will forget. It is of no matter to us now. We have learned well."
"Don't forget that humans made my kind as well. We are stronger, more enduring and never age. If I am not destroyed I will outlive my maker and his entire race. More Forged are created each year and in time will out number our creators showing a lack of forsight on their part".
As you climb back into the wagon and place the warrior in it. You notice the rain shows no signs of letting up. Probably you'll want to get moving again.
A small, gnome-like creature leaps out of his bed in surprise. When he sees the others, Gary grins. "Hey, guys! What's--" He notices the unconscious warrior and his wounded friends. "Hey, did you guys get into a fight or something? It's really dangerous, you know, only a professional should try it. Somebody might get hurt! And..." He glances at the man lying beside him, "...looks like somebody did. Did he insult you or something?"
Ilantes shakes her head at Sergeant.
"No. If we face more summoned fiends, we may need another combatant. Let him live for now, and we can decide what to do with him when we reach the town."
The rain continues to pelt down on them and Ilantes climbs up into the cart.
"Galstak, let's continue our journey. We've almost reached our destination."
You do remember Commander Ismeir Odinburge repeatedly refer to the "six" of you. But you only have been aware of five people up to this point. There was something tossed in the back of the wagon just before you left, and it was about the same size as your "stowaway", now that you think about it.
Ulm frowns at the sight of the stowaway.
"Sergeant, you watch our newest guest. Make certain he hasn't stolen anything. We should hurry up and get to town."
He gets into the seat next to the driver's.
"STEAL?!" Gary looks offended. He stands straight up. "I don't steal things! I'm not a thief! You're more likely to find a toad flying than a kender stealing!" He glares.
Juco looks at the 'kender', and begins to say something in Sylvan. Seeing no reaction, he moves on to Gnome, and finally Elven.
[Elven]"Calm down. I would not like to be the only one under 4ft in this group again, it messes with my neck when I always have to look up to talk to someone's face instead of their waist."[/Elven]
As you start off again, you notice a couple of things. First off there is another road heading due west and the second thing is the warrior's horse is starting to follow you, albeit it keeps its distance from you.
After about another half hour of travel, you start heading down into the valley with the village dimly visible ahead. But as you draw closer the charnel stench of death fills your nostrils, polluting the air with decay. You see a number of crucifixes stained dark with old blood and crow's nests still holding a few corpses. Spread out around the base of these crosses are a dozen or more graves.
"I should lead; if there is undead I will be less vulnerable to them." "I should also carry the strangers silver dagger in case we encounter more of the creatures that attacked him."
Ilantes reluctantly hands over the silver dagger.
"You held your own in combat, Sergeant. It was I who could not seem to deal much damage with my blade, despite my long years of training. But perhaps, Ulm, you can enchant it for me, if you have enough power, and I will not feel so useless."
"I should lead; if there is undead I will be less vulnerable to them." "I should also carry the strangers silver dagger in case we encounter more of the creatures that attacked him."Ilantes reluctantly hands over the silver dagger.
"You held your own in combat, Sergeant. It was I who could not seem to deal much damage with my blade, despite my long years of training. But perhaps, Ulm, you can enchant it for me, if you have enough power, and I will not feel so useless."
"Good point , Keep the dagger."
As you start off again, you notice a couple of things. First off there is another road heading due west and the second thing is the warrior's horse is starting to follow you, albeit it keeps its distance from you.
After about another half hour of travel, you start heading down into the valley with the village dimly visible ahead. But as you draw closer the charnel stench of death fills your nostrils, polluting the air with decay. You see a number of crucifixes stained dark with old blood and crow's nests still holding a few corpses. Spread out around the base of these crosses are a dozen or more graves.
"Wow!" The kender looks both excited and horrified. He runs to examine the corpses (unless someone stops him).
Kneeling, Juco cast a spell and places a hand on his legs. He then stands and begins to look around and listen for any thing unusual...
You hear the sounds of the rain and thunder. The squeaking of metal rings on metal rings from the crow's cages, as they swing in the wind.
You can see a few lights still on in the village below.
Kneeling, Juco cast a spell and places a hand on his legs. He then stands and begins to look around and listen for any thing unusual...You hear the sounds of the rain and thunder. The squeaking of metal rings on metal rings from the crow's cages, as they swing in the wind.
You can see a few lights still on in the village below.
Some of the bodies have been slashed with weapons it appears like, but other than the fact they are dead, there isn't much to see about them.Wow!" The kender looks both excited and horrified. He runs to examine the corpses (unless someone stops him).
Gary stares at the bodies for a moment, then runs off to join the others. "Come on, hurry up! We don't have all day!"
After a few minutes of you entering the village proper, three armed men come upon you all.
"Who are? What is your business here?", barks one of them. The men keep their distance from you (about 30 ft).
All of them are human, dressed in chainmail, carrying large wooden shields, and brandishing longswords.
Ilantes steps down from the carriage, putting a hand on Sergeant's shoulder.
"Allow me to handle this one."
Ilantes turns towards the men.
"Gentlemen, our metal friend is correct. We have been sent from the Lord Mayor of Magnimar to investigate the Staufen family. In our travels here, we stumbled across an ongoing conflict between a mounted warrior and mysterious fiends. The mounted warrior fell in the combat, and now requires a healer's touch badly."
Ilantes hesitates, allowing the words to sink in.
"Perhaps we can find a place to rest here, find this man a healer, then continue on our mission?"
"We the ones in control of this town and the ones asking questions, Tin Can.", growls one of the men before another puts his arm up to indicate to him to relax.
Listening to Ilantes comments, and giving a vague acknowledgement towards the dwarf, the other man says, "Fellow hurt by fiends you say. Can't say I am surprised what with all the foulness that has been happening here over the last couple of years. If you are here to investigate the Staufens, then you'll get plenty an earful at the square. Best hope you are being honest, or you are likely to find an unwelcome reception. Follow us, but don't try anything funny."
He and the others then start down a road, keeping an eye on you to see if you are following.
As you come into the town square you notice several things.
Bodies of men dressed in uniforms have been hung around the square.
Groups of people are arguing amongst themselves. Snatches can be heard.
"... done it now. We best ..."
"Run, that's what I say. You've seen ..."
"... finish it, right?"
"Time to ..."
Almost all of the conversations end when the people notice your group come in. The tension in the air is electric.
One of the warriors who intercept you and lead you hear shouts out, "Where's Bergen? We got some folk here claiming they were sent by the Lord-Mayor of Magnimar to finally investigate the Staufens."
Ilantes remains silent as she takes everything in. She listens as carefully as she can to the arguments that are going on around her and waits to see if Bergen presents himself.
While you are waiting you notice a few more things around the square. A statue that was in the center has been knocked over and vandalized. A building has been razed. Part of a wall is still standing, iron bars are still where the window was.
From a nearby two-story stone building, three people exit.
The first is a human male. He is short, in his middle years, and soft around the middle. Wispy gray hair frames a kind face with a pleasant smile. He is wearing priestly vestments and has a slim dagger by his side.
The second one is also a human male. This one is a heavily armored warrior. Tall and stern with graying brown hair and rugged features. He has a large sword belted to his waist. His clothing matches some of the people who have been hung around the center.
The last one is a human woman. She is dressed in bloodstained studded leather armor. Neither of her hands are far from the weapons at her waist. Her face is a mask of barely suppressed rage, and her eyes are those a fanatic.
The man in priestly vestments steps in front of the other two and asks, "What is going on here? Who are these people?"