Valdisara was far enough away from the shadow that she had to move close to it during the surprise round. I'm taking her attack roll as the attack she makes during Round 1. She still has a move-equivalent action, if she'd like to take it before the shadow gets to act.
Val grunts in frustration as her blade passes through the creature without affecting it. With a muttered prayer, she waits for its attack. No move assuming we can maintain flanking.
Valdisara, shaken by the ease with which Cale removed her from the fray, launches herself headlong at the incorporeal figure, her blade descending wide and uncontrolled in a wicked overhand cut. 1d20+4=10, 1d8+2=8
Val's next action, assuming the first-floor situation remains stable
Color returning to her face, Valdisara squares her shield and steps to the man who so recently tried to bespell her, leading with a fierce thrust at eye-level. The fury in her eyes belies the chill tone of her voice as she calls upon her goddess.
"Iomedae, let me be the vessel for your wrath, and the instrument for your justice!"
using Smite Evil, bonuses already added to attack and damage roll
Valdisara, you brush against some cobwebs which, to your surprise, hide a tripwire, about elbow-high. Please make a Reflex saving throw.
Unable to refrain from letting out a small cry of shock, Valdisara instinctively attempts to dodge as the wire stretches across her torso even as Cale's sing-song warning reaches her ears.
The Paladin's cool gaze takes in the scene, and her eyes open wide in silent startlement. "Who could do this to an innocent," she whispers, drawing her blade with a brief litany commending the youngster's recovery to stern Iomedae in her wisdom.
Her eyes move from the rescue efforts to the weapon-brandishing dwarf, and follow the line of his hard stare.
She moves to her right, trying to gain an advantageous position should the dwarf's target attempt to flee.
The paladin narrows her eyes at the figure in the window. "I am not sure we need to worry about that one." She nods, indicating the "guard" there. "To me it looks like he has already gone to his god, via the end of a noose."
She continues to whisper, "Dallying here doesn't get anything accomplished. Let's decide now - stay together or split into two bands? The cliffs look dangerous to me, so my preference is to stick together and approach on more solid ground through the brush."
Chris, based on the map, it looks like the only way of getting into the windmill is through the front door or windows on the second floor. Is that correct, or is there a way in through the back? If there is only the one way in (door), then I don't see the advantage in approaching separately/splitting up, except perhaps to offer fewer targets to any defenders. There is nothing to attack outside where the sneaky rear approach would be of obvious benefit. However, if Cale is inside and keeping watch (through a window?), Martaug and I could approach from one way and draw his fire/attack, while the other two hug the base of the mill and maybe sneak in without being seen from above. The effectiveness of that would depend on the position of any watcher/Cale though.. and we haven't seen any yet
Martaug shrugs "If ya think ya can climb 'round dere be my guest. I sure wouldn't wanna try it. Whadda ya think? We should give 'im da chance ta explain whut he's doin' here. But we can wait until Yalka is in position ta start."
The paladin nods in agreement. "I too have no skill in climbing, and would prefer not to attempt something foolish. However, I am not certain it would be a good idea to split up, unless we had a definite plan where it would give us an advantage. Perhaps if Grumble and Yalka approach by climbing, and you and I go through the brush? Would there be an advantage to splitting our attacks??"
Chris, Grumble asks if there is any signs of Cale's scuffle with the kids outside the windmill, and where the attacker(s) might have gone?
So, it looks like the party is Martaug, Yalka, Grumblenaught, and Valdisara. A druid, a barbarian, a ranger, and a paladin. A great party for melee strength, with some divine power as well.
This is a fine party, and I can certainly design adventures for you. My question is: would you like me to actively scout around and find another couple of PCs? (And from where, I suppose, would new characters enter?)
My vote is to keep a small party - if we add anyone, I would say 1 PC would round us out well. My vote would be for some healing or a magic-user. However, I am fine with continuing with just the 4 of us.
All right. I have an adventure set for Yalka and Martaug (et al.). If Grumblenaught and Valdisara are also able to play, we can accommodate them, too. But nobody else has stuck their head in the thread for over two weeks, so I think it's just the four of you.
Valdisara, you detect vague traces of evil in the direction of the mill, but the sense is fleeting, and you can't pin down much more than that.
Here, just slow due to holidays
Having no interest in the spears, the paladin keeps her eyes trained on the mill, looking for signs of those inside. "There is evil here, I sense it. Have any of you been inside the mill before, and know the layout?"
Even at Medium Load (which is pretty much anything more than bare minimum), the horse still benefits from the Run Feat (x5 movement, retains DEX), so I should catch up fairly quickly.
Before setting off to the barn with bandaged boy in tow, I'll clarify as to the group's planned route, and agree on some bird calls, so it'll be easier to find them and let them know when I'm coming near. Any requests for stuff at the Barn?
Valdisara nods in approval at Yalka. "Good idea, the boy will be much safer with the others at the Roslen's farm. The rest of us will go to the mill and see what is going on."
Does the party know that the weapons detected as magical? If so, then I would say it would be prudent to grab them. If not, then I can't think of anything Val would want from the farm.
That would take you another three miles or so to the west, opposite the direction of the Rolsen farmstead. But it would be sloer going: the grasses and shrubs are taller, and it's almost all up a long, gradual hill.
The paladin listens to the boy's tale and the comments by the others before letting out a deep sigh. "The living are more important than the dead. If there is a chance one of these children still lives and is in danger, we should head to the windmill at once. The dead can be put to rest after.."
Valdisara, how would you like to go about checking to see if this is, indeed, blessed?
My first thought was to examine the sample in the waterskin, to see if it gave off the "vibe" that I felt earlier in regards to a consecrated area - skillwise, the only thing I can think of that would be relevant would be an educated guess using Knowledge: Religion. Assuming I get nothing definitive from the first two options, I will, with a silent prayer for Iomedae's discernment, drink a mouthful hoping for an epiphany.(Assuming of course that there are no visible Icky Things floating in it when visually examined...)
The paladin frowns at the options before the group, liking neither. Following Grumble's lead, she steps towards the exit and motions the others near. Speaking in a low voice, she says, "I like this not. We left the farm to hunt these undead, and cannot in good conscience let them survive. We came here seeking access to their caves and the chance that the mace of legend I spoke of yesterday was here somehow, thinking it might aid us in our efforts against them. However, we do not have the time to look for whatever the boy found - at least not at the moment. As I said, I do not like leaving enemies at our backs, and with no other information about the tunnel he was in, we could search for days. The important thing is to destroy the evil here. I say we prepare for battle with them, and end their suffering."
Turning to look at Yalka, Valdisara nods in approval as she says, "Your thoughts on the water are good. I may be able to tell if it is sanctified if I had a sample... Anything we can use to aid us in the fight to come, we should take. As for returning to the farm, why would that be of use?"
The gnome said the blackspears were removing the water, and that it would take a month. Assuming they are using the windmill, we could always incapacitate it to slow them down, if needed later. There is no urgency to the "treasure" [i.e., the mace, if it is even there], the party decided to seek it only to aid them in their fight against the wights. Val certainly doesn't think it is necessary to defeat them, although the lack of both the wizard and cleric is going to make things pretty hard.
Martaug bristles as he hears the invisible undead shuffling away. After a moment he looks to Val "Raschka-Tor means fire mountain in my fadder's tongue. Dere's a huge mount over in da east part of Belkzen. Supposed'ta be da home'a some massively powerful red dragons. Dere obviously wantin' us ta find da weapon. Maybe dey wuz ta bring it ta da dragons long ago... a geas or curse ta be paid off? Dunno, but I don' like da sound'a any artifact goin' ta dem!"
Valdisara nods in agreement at the half-orc. "Well, either way we probably should investigate the caves and see what we find. We may be walking into a trap, but if we leave now without seeking it, we are only leaving it for them to get as soon as the water is drained.... assuming we trust the gnome that is."
She glances at Yalka and then the rest of the group before stating, "I prefer to have my enemies before me rather than at my back, so my inclination is to follow and engage them. Of course, again it could be a trap.." Her voice trails off as she looks to the others for their input.
Valdisara, are you going to keep the detection focussed ahead, or will you be sweeping it around as well?
sweeping it around, to see if there are other threats near us. I assume the voice came from the other side of the chasm?
The paladin draws her blade as the creature's words sound across the cavern. "You are right, there is no sense hiding. Come meet us and let us put an end to your unrest."
In a low voice, the paladin says, "That is fine, Kara, I will go before you and Grumble. Beware, all of you - my goddess tells me that there are several sources of evil ahead, 4 total in range, and one of them moving."
I will continue to detect evil every round (hoping to get more info on the sources near us) until it is my turn to go down to the water, or until the sources move out of range or act
As Martaug explores the watery cavern below, Val focuses her concentration on the area across the chasm, hoping to sense the presence of any evil that might be there. (Detect Evil)
Val will stay with the rope holders for the time being, and will lower herself down after Yalka. She has no swimming proficiency either, so will definitely need to haul herself along any rope we have in place. Before doing so, she will remove her chain shirt and do what she can to mitigate any hindrance her shield might create.
Turning to face Sachiko, the paladin states, "Martaug is right, now is not the time to fling threats and insults. But know this - I will be watching."
With that she turns back to face the cave opening. "Cross the crevice or down like Gunlar went? If the latter, we may be able to use magic to detect whatever treasure is hidden within... or we might wander for hours."
"We will not be going back to our homes and letting these creatures continue to kill innocents," the paladin says sharply, a frown marring her face. "However, we first seek the undead that attacked the Roslen's farm last night. The tracks led here, although there were no spiders among them that we saw. These blackspears - does their lair connect with this by chance? And what payment is it you believe they still seek, that persists beyond death?"
Watching Yalka as she exits the tunnel, Val sees the dwarf who jumped in to aid her is not with the woman. "Where is Grumblenaught?" she queries in a brusque tone.
Just to clarify, Val's attack from her earlier post was meant for the smaller slasher that has landed in L11
Hearing the gnome's reassurance, Valdisara raises her voice, her shout clear and strong, pitched to be heard over the din of battle. "Grumble! Yalka! Regroup aboveground - the wards should keep the creatures at bay!"
I assume Val is still in the tunnel with the majority of the party. Can she hear the gnome and Martaug?
On init: Raising her blade and shield, the paladin steps forward to
attack the unnatural spider, hoping at least to deflect some of the blows from her wounded companions. Over the sounds of battle she says, "Gnome! Will your ward hold them inside?"
We aren't doing much for Thanksgiving this year [tv dinners?] so any day would likely be fine with us.
As for delivery/baby details, I don't know if any of you have kids, but let me tell you it was crazy. This is our first baby, so I was completely unprepared for what happened. Keep in mind I had been told labor takes 12-24 hours usually, for first babies...
It was about 1pm, and we were on our way to my doctor's office for my flu shot when all of a sudden I felt this sharp pain. 5 seconds later there was this gush of fluid, and I knew my water had broken. We were all the way across town from the hospital [in lunch traffic too] so we kept driving to the OB's office. Bad idea - road construction had traffic backed up for a mile. It took us 15-20 minutes to drive what normally takes 5 minutes. I walk in, and the nurses tell me immediately to go to the hospital. So we get back in the car and drive back the way we came, through traffic. Every slowdown you could imagine seems to get in our way, including a tractor driving in front of us on a 1-lane road. 40 minutes later we get to the hospital. By then, the contractions are pretty strong and coming fast, and my clothes are soaked. Of course there is a line outside the hospital to drop patients off. Matt gets so frustrated he starts yelling across the lot at people, telling them to move it so his pregnant wife can get inside. LOL they just stared and kept going slow.
I make it upstairs to labor & delivery at about 2pm, only to see a line there too! Seriously there were no beds, so I stood a while waiting or one, contractions and all. Finally they got me in one, then left me there for more than an hour before the doctor came by. By then the contractions were only a few minutes apart. He seems surprised when he examines me, and says I am already 5cm dilated [the goal is 10]. I tell him I want an epidural, and he says the anesthesiologist will be by soon. While I wait, I continue deep breathing through contractions and focusing on a spot [a knot] on the curtain that separates me from the other patients. They move me to a birthing room a half hour later, and the anesthesiologist FINALLY shows up around 4:15. By then the contractions are maybe a minute apart [they seemed almost continuous]. 45 minutes later he finishes explaining the damn procedure and actually gives me the meds. They take the edge off, until a nurse tells me to give myself more every 10 mins so I feel no pain at all. Shortly thereafter, a doc comes by to see if the epidural is working, and I ask her to examine me. She does, and seems shocked that I am 9.5cm dilated. I started pushing maybe 45 minutes later - I had only been in labor 5 hours and 45 mins at that point. Livia was born a little while later, 5 pounds and 17.5 inches long. The funny thing is that there was no doctor in the room when I delivered, it was so fast[a nurse caught her]. When she finally decided to make her appearance, there was no stopping her!
She is beautiful and worth every second of pain. :)
Valdisara looks at the dwarf and then at the rest of the group. "The Deputy said only, 'don't trust after boy', which I take to mean the attackers needed him for some reason. Didn't one of you tell me that one of the men also said something last night about needing the boy? Perhaps they needed him merely to act as a guide to wherever the caves are, or to gain access to them. It is a moot point, though, at least at present. Again, we need to track the evil while we still can, and put it to rest before more harm is done. Leave the caves be for now.. whatever is there will still be there tomorrow. Can we say that about the being that escaped or whoever is guiding it? I for one will be following the wights' trail - and in light of what you encountered last night, I would not advise splitting up."
Val looks at the others, one brow raised questioningly. "Well? What say all of you? Do you come with the dwarf and I on this hunt for evil, or seek the treasure and mysteries these .. things.. came to kill for?" Without waiting for a formal response, the paladin turns and walks to stand next to Grumblenaught.
Shadows don't leave tracks, being immaterial. And, if you ever find that you can follow the trail of something because its passage is recognizable through Detect Evil after 12 hours, um, don't.
Again, if you all see a Beta ruling on the development boards, feel free to say what you think of incorporating it into our campaign.
And, we should start to plan for a "play by chat" session, sometime between now and Christmas, when we'll all log into something like Lilith's DM Chatroom and run in real time.
What times work or don't work for y'all?
I have played and GMed play by chat games, and love them. I think Grumble and I would be in :) How long of a session are you thinking?
We have a baby on the way, so pretty much anything after Thanksgiving (about the time she is due) in the afternoon or evenings would theoretically be fine. We will do our best to be there!
Val listens as plans are discussed, keeping silent for a long while. Eventually, she adds with a frown, "And what of the one that escaped? Can he.. or it.. be tracked? We know it went west from here. I think eliminating the threat of its evil and possibly finding its source is more important than exploring the caves."
I am assuming my detect evil will not allow me to track him, considering it is the next day. Is that correct?
The paladin solemnly hears the tale of the fight when Martaug and the others have a moment to spare. The following day, she assists in the consecration and burial of the fallen. Once that is completed, she purifies herself and prays to Iomedae for the strength and courage to do what next needs done - find and destroy the source of the abominations.
Hearing Martaug's softly spoken words, Val halts her exit from the thicket temporarily and turns back to the two Roslens. "Martaug is right, we should wait here for just a moment or two." Val will essentially try to block the crawl-through exit.
Once Martaug gives the signal it is OK to emerge, Val plans to quietly speak to him to find out what occurred. If told Jonash's words she will confirm that 'elman' is an archaic regional elvish term that means "constable" or "law-man". She will also ask about the one that fled, and volunteer its direction when she last stopped tracking it. We are going to need to question Gunlar about the underwater tunnel(s) and whether he found anything. Also, we should probably search the bodies closely to see if we can discern any clues about who they are or serve.
Valdisara looks at the remaining Rolsens. "I think the immediate danger has passed, at least for now." Moving to the thicket's cramped and thorny exit, she says "I will go first. Stay close to me, and we will return to the house."
Assuming no protests from the family, Val will get on her hands and knees, crawl out, and proceed to escort them back to the house, still wary and with her weapon readied.
Out in the back, Valdisara, you pick up one moderate source, in the direction of the farmhouse, just at the extreme range of your spell. There's another, just as strong, which has taken of to the east at a decent clip. And there's a third source, lying 30' to the north of the house, slightly fainter than the first two.
"Whatcha doing?" asks Gunlar.
In the Hedges
Valdisara (Q4): Detect Evil round 3.
Hilden (P2): Delay
Gunlar (P3): Delay
Making a mental note of the sources and locales of the evil beings she's detected, Val spares a moment to glance at Gunlar. "Iomedae is showing me where those who threaten your family are, so that I am better able to serve both her and you. Do not worry, their numbers are dwindling."
The one(s) remaining at the house, are they moving at all? If not, on initiative, Val will change directions of her spell to check the corral - assuming that hasn't been has already been scanned. If is has, she is going to check the berm.
Valdisara, again, presuming that you're scanning in the direction of the farmhouse, there are two evil auras in your range, both of them moderately strong.
Beside you, Gunlar comes to a realization. "They're after me! Maybe they think I stole from them. I'm putting all you people in danger! They're going to kill everybody!"
Besides him, you can see Hilden, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "By Providence, that sounds so much like your father's voice."
In the Hedges
Valdisara (Q4): second round of Detect Evil
Hilden (P2): delaying
Gunlar (P3): active listening
Doing her best to maintain her concentration on the auras, the paladin keeps her comments brief. "Gunlar, calm down. They are bandits, and will be dealt with by the others. You are certainly not to blame for their attack. And both of you, don't let your ears be fooled. These scoundrels are certainly capable of mimicry to try to lure you from safety. Rest assured that is not Ulrich."
If I maintain the detect evil cone towards the farmhouse for the third round and beyond, will that allow me to functionally track whether the creatures move and where? Val wants to get a sense of where the auras are - location - and whether the location changes, for example, coming closer to the thicket.
Valdisara, your first round of Detect Evil, pointing, presumably at the farmhouse, indicates that, yes, there is evil there.
Gunlar touches your arm and whispers "There's someone out there on the other side of the horses, I think."
In the Hedges
Valdisara (Q4): Detect Evil
Hilden (P2): Delay
Gunlar (P3): Actively Listen
Actually, I assumed there would be evil in the direction of the farmhouse, so I was planning on checking areas nearer the thicket, starting with the corral. Since I didn't specify, I will do that next round if necessary. I want to center the cone at square N11 (corral). If Val detects nothing unusual in the corral, she will switch to F7 to check the berm. If she detects evil in either locale, she will continue to check that area (rather than switching) to learn more specifics about the evil presence(s) there.
The paladin nods at Gunlar and says only, "I will check there - my goddess will show me if there is evil about."
Hilden calls after her son, "Gunlar, let her do her job. Besides, if she goes after you, who'll stay here with me?"
The boy stops, stands straight, and takes Valdisara by the elbow. "I -- I'll stay. But it's really hard, you know?"
In the Hedges
Valdisara (Q4): Attempts Diplomacy
Hilden (P2): Aids Valdisara
Gunlar (P4): Takes Valdisara's advice, and returns to the thicket, now at P3.
Valdisara nods her head at Gunlar's words. "I know - sometimes the hardest things are the right ones though. Now, keep your ears sharp for sounds of anyone approaching, but remember, if you hear anything, let me know. We stand here together - no running off unless I tell you, OK?"
With that, the paladin turns her attention to what she can sense outside the thicket as she calmly holds her blade ready. As the sounds of battle drift towards her, she sends a prayer to Iomedae for the success of her comrades. Then her soft words change, and she begins to invoke her goddess's power to sense if any evil is near.
Seeing the boy start to slip away from her, the paladin tries reason one last time. "Gunlar, stop - you need to stay here with your mother, to help me protect her. The others will see to your father."
Val will definitely try Diplomacy, hoping the mother lends enough support to convince the boy to stay put. If talk fails, she will pursue the boy out of the thicket by whichever method - crawling or clearing - seems fastest
I ask the young boy:
"Can you point where is shaft? Yalka curious see before dark come."
It sounded really close, so I figured I might run/ride over and just look at the outside, if nobody minds.
The paladin shakes her head at Yalka. "You stay with us for now." Turning to address Hilden, she says, "Is there an outbuilding inside or behind which we can put the wagon and team?"
I really don't think it is a good idea to go exploring, even for just 10 minutes. For all we know, the farmstead is being watched as we speak. What does everyone think about qt least 1 of us staying with the family in the thicket? Alternatively, we could abandon the farm and all (except maybe our eyes, Martaug) cluster in the thicket and stand together. I hesitate to do that because a. the quarters might be cramped for melee fighting, and b. if they find us all there, there is nothing to prevent them from targeting the Roslens first if that is their aim. Of course, if the farmstead is being watched and only 4 (the Roslens, guest - I wonder if she is referring to the deputy? - and me) go to the thicket and we get attacked there first, that might be bad. I guess Val can scream if that happens, to sound the alarm!
Valdisara listens with growing concern at the rapid exchange between the group and the two Roslens before them. Despite the knowledge that further delay may very well mean Ulrich could perish, she adds nothing but a nod to Martaug's suggestion that the family get somewhere safe and the group go about searching for the missing man later.
At a break in the discussion, the paladin interjects, "We really have no time, assuming the Deputy's warning is true. Madame, you and your son need to get to a safe place immediately. The thicket sounds like it might do. We can discuss the whereabouts of the cave and your husband later, after things are secure here. I am sure that is what both your husband and the deputy would want. The rest of us need to get into position - Martaug's suggestion of the tree for keeping watch sounds good, and at least one of us should stay with the Roslens. The rest perhaps should take position in the house, assuming that is where the family usually is this time of day."
She looks towards the woman for confirmation.
Yalka, there is no wagon handler with us. There are 7 of us I think, 3 with low light or dark vision I believe: Grumble, Martaug, and myself. One of the three should probably go with the family, since using a light source will be out of the question - I will go, unless we come up with another plan (I can be the last line of defense). I don't think the herd needs moved other than to be in its normal evening spot/pen, as they will make noise. We want everything to look as close to normal as possible from the outside of the house. Maybe Grumble stays at the house (he is probably of a similar height to the boy), as well as Kara (she can pretend to be the wife). Assuming there is at least one window, they can be visible figures within the house while the rest of you are hidden in and around the house and outbuildings. Martaug's bird call will be the signal the attack is coming.. Martaug, you should probably have a couple signals you will do in different eventualities, like direction and if the attack is going for the house or (the gods help us) the hiding hole/thicket.
After Valdisara's story, Kara will ask her, "I've heard differing portions of that tale about many places in Lastwall. Do you hail from there?"
At Kara's question, the paladin's eyes become shuttered and her demeanor instinctively more distant. "I come from nowhere."
Hearing the chill in her voice, Val sighs and adds in a more conversational tone, "I was raised in Vigil, so in a sense the answer to your question is yes. Iomedae's faithful in the Holy Citadel of Light reared me. And you?"
Valdisara nods her head at Martaug's words, seemingly accepting them at face value. Sense motive check? "No man deserves to be bound to a life of slavery, so it is well that we were able to fend them off. I have no doubts we will see them again, however, and the rest of their band as well."
The paladin takes a moment to consider Grumblenaught's suggestion. "If these rogues know that a holy relic was lost in the area, then it is possible you are correct. However, I don't know if it indeed was lost in the failed assault, or even if the battle took place near here. The landscape through which we pass looks very similar to one I saw depicted in a painting of the attack while I was in Vigil. Other than that, I only know the legend of the failed stand and the forging of the golden weapon. It was said that the holy mace held evil at bay as long as the sun shone upon it."
"The motivation behind this attack is important to understand, I think. Does anyone know of any reason why this family might be attacked? Are they wealthy, or do they have enemies in the area? Now that we are underway, does anyone know the layout of the farmstead, how many live there, and whether the family has children? Remember what the Deputy said: 'Don't... trust... after.. boy'. If not, what did that mean? Our time will be short once we arrive, we need to discuss what we know and can guess and lay whatever plans we are able now."
After the break Martaug gives the horses, something stirs at the back of your mind. There's something ... familiar about some of these elements.
An hour later, you remember. It was an aside you heard during a lecture once. Sometime early in the reign of the Whispering Tyrant, a resistance movement formed, led by a small group of paladins. One, a holy champion of Aroden, had gone on a quest through the upper planes, looking for a weapon. What he'd found was a gigantic spoon, which he remade into a golden mace that could keep powerful evil at bay, but only when the sun shone down upon it.
The assault failed, of course, but within a few years, an anonymous painting, commemorating the battle, found its way to the temple at Vigil. The setting in that painting, from the foothills in the west to the types of trees and grasses, matches your current surroundings.
If the painting is accurate (and who knows? Maybe the painter just lived around here and picked a local landscape as her background...) then something important, brave, and upright made a stand not far from here.
The paladin bows her head in remembrance of those who likely fought and died in these hills, offering a prayer to Iomedae for their brave sacrifice. When finished, she raises her eyes and again scans the landscape to the rear and sides of the trail, alert for any signs of pursuit or danger. After a moment, she says to her companions, "Very near here, I believe a great battle was fought many years ago. A holy champion of Aroden, armed with a weapon forged in the god's name, bravely tried to prevent a deep evil from spreading through these lands - unfortunately he and his companions gave their lives in the process. We should attempt to locate the site if we have the time, to pay our respects to the honored dead. Perhaps after this foul business tonight is completed."
After a time, she turns to look at the others who were with her during the recent attack - Martaug, Orislav, and Kara. "So, to which of you three did Brach and the hobgoblin refer when they called for the "return" of a murderer and escaped slave?"
Val will keep watch from the rear of the wagon, much as she did before the attack by the Vipers.
"So," says the paladin, her voice chilly still, despite the apparent cessation of hostilities, "When we are out of sight, take the remnants of your friend - We do not condone slavery, even to those who may warrant it - and you may go from here, swearing to leave us in peace, since as you say, your charge is withdrawn."
She looks briefly to Kara and Orislav, then back at the Hobgoblin, narrowing her moss-green eyes. "And know this: should my friends perish from your bladerot, we will meet again, you and I."
"Martaug," she calls over her shoulder, not taking her eyes from the mercenary, "see if you can calm that extra horse. We can return it to the rightful owner once we return."
