Witty. Well, lets see what the others think,no?
Half-turning to follow the tiny finger of Miss Nikki, he already knew who she was pointing at.
Ahh, half-half you could say.
The stoic, stocky man is Cain-purr.
He's the most lethal fighter of our small group-meow.
That big, green lady begin him is Vuzi-purrur.
She's... Good with magic too.
Her heals saved us all repeatedly-meew.
Well, then there's Dalkk-meour the dwarf... Sadly he's not with us at the moment.
And Maglin-pururr the Elf, also good with magic but doing his own business.
Yeah and that fancy-fellow... I don't know actually.
We wanted to sell him something we brought back from the dungeon and now it seems like he is determined to follow us as well-chhh."
As he finally catches the gaze of one of the others, Simon will wave them over and introduce everybody in person.
Vuzi looks confused by the fop in front of them for a few minutes, and then when she realizes that he wants to JOIN them her eyes widen in horror.
"Why in the hells would you want to join us sir? Rappan Athuk is a horrible place crawling with evil. Thunder is it? I agree with Cain we can't possibly take you with us unless you prove you can handle yourself or find someone else to protect you."
She gives Cain a look that clearly says we should leave him. As he heads out of the store she turns to Puck.
"What in the world were you thinking bring that Lord." her lip raises in a slight snarl at the word. "here. He wants to go with us. Can't he feel the evil of the thing just by touching it?" She towers over the man arms crossed.
Pye looks positively browbeaten. You should have met his father. They wouldn't take no for an answer and, well, they were the last option. Everyone else had taken one look at the thing and flat out refused me. You must believe me, I looked! I looked so hard! But they were the only takers. He's pleading at this point. Poor man looks like he hasn't slept in days. I put everything on the line for this sale! If this goes through, we'll all profit. If it doesn't...
Vuzi waves dismissively at the man. "I get it. Babysit the fop, and don't let him die."
She starts out of the store mumbling under her breath. "Maybe he'll believe us when we show him just one room and want to leave. Waste of a trip, but if we could get rid of him fist it might be worth the wasted time."
She looks up when Simon waves and heads in his direction.
"What do you need Simon?" she asks noticing the small creature in front of him.
"it's fine. If his bodyguards are up to snuff we should be fine. We can take out any of the foes and the bodyguards can keep him alive long enough for us to do so. Sorry for speaking for you. Should we go see what simon's getting himself into?"
The scaled, winged, and horned creature will remove her hands from Simon's knee and turn to face the half orc. She will give a slight bow in acknowledgement. ”Greetings and salutations Miss Vuzi. I am Nicodemus Tempest, Miss Tempest if you prefer or Nikki if you insist on the familiar. I am an acquaintance of Ulman Dark. He told me that there was a few in town who were making trips into the 'Dungeon of Graves' that he helped to patch up not long ago. This has lead me here to Mister Simon and now to meet your acquaintance. I don't believe I have received a formal invitation, but I am petitioning to 'band up' as they say. I am quite handy with spell and making our foes fumble fabulously." Here she will shake her fist in enthusiasm.
”Mister Simon mentioned you were quite handy with spell as well, and quite the healer."
The impish rat continued in polite and matter of fact tone. When done she will look back and forth between the 3 (4 if Cain came along, for which she would also of greeted as Mister Cain)
"So, may I come?"
Cain walks out and assesses the tiny creature "can you handle the dungeon small one?"
Nikki will nod with enthusiasm ”I believe I can indeed Mister Cain. I assure you I am very self sufficient and will not be a drag on your resources. If it is all the same though, I generally prefer not to be in front." She will purse her lips in thought and stroke a whisker. "I can offer a demonstration if you wish, however we should do so in an area with less collateral at risk. It is a crowded day for Zelkor's Ferry after all."
Vuzi looks interested. "Ve did just lose Dalkk. Miss Tempest lead de vay. Vone question before ve go to see your demonstration, and dis does matter. How do vu feel about workin alongside de undead?"
The little rats tail would flick sharply as Vuzi's question lands. More then a few moments would pass as she stared dead ahead perhaps waiting for a punchline or just lost in thought. Finally in carefully measure words "I don't know that I've ever come across that situation before or considered that a possibility that there could be undead that were safe enough to work alongside. I'm content to leave the undead be, however usually they are not content to do the same."
Out of instinct Nikki's right hand will push back behind her ear what would be on anyone else a patch of fur. Instead it meets hard reptillian scale and bumps across her horns. The little wings sprouted from her shoulder sink slightly while lost in thought. Rare for her she thinks outloud. "Miss Vuzi it may or may not suprise you that I have been misjudged in the past for my appearance. Some have even judged my work as dark and evil... I prefer to think they are merely misunderstood." Her words trail off speaking as much to herself as she is Vuzi.
Rather suddenly her wings and head snap to attention, focusing on Vuzi more directly as she has made up her mind. "I suppose it's a lot like working alongside pirates. It is not an impossible thing to do so, but yielding positive results should not be the expectation." Nikki gives an affirming nod quite satisfied with herself. She turns to leave, taking quite a few steps, pausing, and quickly returning. She'll hold up one finger as it dawns on her. "Excuse me, Miss Vuzi, am I to take that this is not merely a theoretical question was it?" Miss Tempest suddenly looks a lot more concerned, but shakes it off.
These people have survived at least one trip into the dungeons depths. The must have done something right. Is it possible to work alongside the souless? The cat's didn't seem the type to spread evil. Regardless... this is not my battlefield...
----
Supposing her answers were satisfactory the witching will lead the party to the outskirts of Zelkor, likely just beyond the fence line, far enough to avoid inciting panic but ideally no where near far enough to leave the relative safety of the area.
The way she scampers along is almost magical in itself. For one with such tiny legs she casually keeps pace along with the others. As she moves the party may notice a bat flying about. The bat is larger then most cave bats, but no larger then herself. If gone unnoticed Nikki will point him out once he's run out of buildings to cling to. "That is Bartok. He is bound to me closer then any mere pet and helps me focus. Please do not be alarmed and strike him in surprise."
The small fast thing once on the outskirts will look for a stump she passed on the way here. "Yes, this will do nicely. No need to waste a perfectly healthy tree for our purposes."
Nikki will run about gathering fallen branches and setting them upright into the ground. She will do this 23 times, spacing them 5ft apart in a straight line to the stump. She will put a single copper coin on the center of the stump. As it leaves her hands it goes from being appropriatly scaled to her to being proper size. She will return to the beginning of the row of sticks, and insist that the observers step back even further. "I do realize of course that not all enemies will be kind enough to line up for me, but this is a new one I've been working on."
The nearly 2 foot tall creature will turn to face the row of sticks and take a breath. In a voice louder then seems capable for someone so... mousey... will come a loud flurry of harsh syllables and a dramatic pose with her fist starting near her body and jolting forward. "Luqmzulq badz!" A flash of lightning will burst from her hands and a flash of light later it's over. All 23 branches are set on fire, and she will rush the group over to view the stump, now topped with melted copper. Almost immeadiatly she will jump behind turn her back on the group and with another chant summon forth from nowhere a sheet of snow that extends in an ever growing triangular form until it puts out the nearest 6 lit branches. She will turn to face the party once again and pat some fallen snow off her robe. "I do hope that demonstration will satisfy. I do have other abilities but that demonstration would require a living target. Such a thing seems innapropriate at this point in time."
Nikki will calmly hold her hands together and lean in, eager to hear the response on whether or not her demonstration is enough to prove herself.
No it's not a rhetorical question." She shrugs. "Vu may see about de undead. I am a half orc. People think I ham evil just by my looks. Dey don't matter little vun."
She will follow Miss Tempest to the outskirts of town. "Very nice." she looks at the others. "She iz better dan dat fop will ever be. I agree she should join us."
Cain grunts "she's not a replacement for Dalk, but we'll give her a shot"
Satisfied with her performance the rat-thing will rest on her haunches and move her fingers through her long whiskers a few times. "I fear I may be rushing to an early grave, but do we have a time table? Is that funny man from Pye's place joining us? Perhaps I shouldn't judge based on appearance but I have to believe he is harboring a great power or is exactly as he appears?"
The two Cats jumps 20cm off the ground as the powerful discharge flattens all the wooden sticks in the blink of an eye and hiss in surprise.
Quickly followed by applause from Simon and whistling.
"Wow, you really got some powerful magic running through your tiny body-meow!
I think, she will be helpful, what do you think-miii?
Sure, she's not Dalkk ... but no one can ever replace Dalkk-purrurr."
As Nikki asks for the nobleman, Simon frowns audibly.
"He smells fresh.
No way will he be actually helpful-frch.
But he's rich and we need him to sell our salvage..."
Miss Tempest will do her best to hold back a look but likely fail. She is too polite to say anything to her new acquaintances, but she if fighting back an expression frustration and puzzlement of why she had to be tested if fellows like that meet the requirements for joining. She doesn't wish to set off her new party members so all that come out is a tart and but measured ”Very well."
She will turn to face Vuzi. ”Miss Vuzi perhaps you can fill me in now on our non rhetorical status?"
Something in the scent and voice of the tiny Ratfolk changed and Simon turns his head to the right, looking at her quizzically.
Then a coin drops and he adds:
"No disrespect, Miss Nikki-meew.
Dalkk was a very good friend of us and we just said goodbye to him a couple of days ago-miaur!
I am sure you will help us greatly in the time ahead, much more than this naive noble will ever be able, let alone willing to-meow!
It's just that we ... Have found this super evil sword and are trying to find someone willing to buy it...
Who would not use it for something even more evil-grfrch.
And that's how we ended with fancy-new-pants."
His words are accompanied by a low purring sound and his eyes and gesture speaks of honest acknowledgment and ... welcoming?
"De man vill not be vith us longer than he must be." she waves a dismissive hand and curls her lip. "Vu may be vith us for a while. If vu can stand it. Dat is the reason for the test. Ve vill depend on vu. Him I expect to run at the first gargoyle."
She starts to move out of town at a brisk walk. "I vill introduce Miss Tempest to Vance und de twins. Ve vill return soon. Den we can shop."
"also he has money. even then I told him he'd either need bodyguards or to fight me to first blood"
Nikki's head will lower a bit slightly embaressed that she was unable to mask her tone and will let out a sigh at the explination. "Well I suppose money is as much a resource as anything else. For the hassle it seems he will cause I do hope he makes up for it in spades."
Those small feet will dart Nikki forward until she is alongside the half orc, ready to set out to apparently meet the rest of the party. "Do tell Miss Vuzi, which one of these 'Vance and Twins' is the undead one?"
The party spends a few days bartering, recovering, and resting. Archibald "Thunder"blossom can be seen trying to recruit just about everyone in town with no success. He then mysteriously disappears for a day or two just before you are scheduled to depart.
Pye has held up his end of the bargain and he happily provides your orders you places with your miscelaneous gold.
As you finish preparing to depart for the dungeon again, Archibald rides up at the head of four officials. He approaches you with a brilliant grin and waving hand. Friends! I have procured a bodyguard! Meet Sherriff Ostland, his lieutenant, and Seargants!
The four riders begind him consist of the Half-elf Ostland, a human woman who rides beside him, and two half-orcs that ride behind, one man and one woman. They are sport well-maintained gear and look comfortable in their armor. You have yet to meet them.
The sheriff and about two dozen guards patrol the Coast Road leading to the deepwater harbor to the south. Their jurisdiction doesn't not include the town of Zelkor's ferry, so they are rarely seen there.
Vuzi gives Nikki a slight grin. "Vu vu vill see." She comes into the clearing where Vance and the two trolls sit waiting.
She waves in the direction of the trio, "Dis is Vance, and that's Uurk und Furk, De Twins.
Her body language is tense waiting to see what Nikki will do when faced with three undead creatures.
"Dis is Miss Tempest. She's joning us for our trips into de dungeon."
Vuzi looks absolutely dismayed at who Archibald brought along. She mutters under hear breath, "Dis iz bad, very bad. Dey vill try to take over. Vat about Vance and de twins?" She gives the other half-orcs a nod in greeting.
Cain would suggest to Vuzi that Vance and the twins hide during this trip, but to the soldiers's faces he makes a show of walking back and forth to inspect the soldiers "by show of hands, how many of you can use any form of ranged attack...... how about magic?" after he takes note of this, unless they interrupt, he'll say "the current plan is for you men to stay at least a room behind myself and my companions while we clear the area. Until such a time as we encounter the monster we stole this sword from you are merely a precaution in order to keep our mutual benefactor alive. If everything goes as planned, you will not have to actually fight more than maybe once or twice. if we are exceedingly lucky the way down to the grave knight may have even stayed clear since we were last down there, and we'll only have to fight the boss, and even then, you will only fight if our benefactor is threatened. are there any complaints, questions, better plans or other suggestions? keep in mind that my saying this is only words of wisdom from one who has been down there."
They all look at each other when Cain starts bossing people around, but follow his directions. They are all competent with weapons, but there is no magic to be had. The Sheriff nods in agreement with Cain's proposal.
I agree. Youall are clearly better equipped for this kind of thing. We'll keep the boy safe.
Archibald looks slightly annoyed at being called "boy", but the expression is quickly hidden away.
Cain nods, glad to see that they wouldn't be running into one another "glad to hear it. hopefully we'll be back without too much issue"
"Vance can't stay behind. I have to um. Do my thing or he'll go bad. He has to stay close. How are we going to hide the twins?"
"we can buy hats of disguise then. I feel like this is appropriate for a party fund purchase"
The rat thing will carry along keeping pace with the Half-Orc. Along the way she will ask questions and talk about the groups past history. Partly this is curiosity, but also so she is not completly caught unawares by what lays ahead.
Nikki will freeze at the sight of the Undead who have come out of hiding. Once the shock settles she will dart behind Vuzi's legs, barely rising even to her knees. Once Vuzi makes the introduction the little rat will walk forward between Vuzi's legs. "Oh... uhm... well hello there." When time permits Tempest will turn to face Vuzi, now finally in on the joke and give a playful wag of her finger.
Although slow to get close the rat thing will not be short on questions. In addition to learning everything that has happened so far she will take great interest in the rituals involved in Vance keeping himself, well, himself.
"Mister Vance... do you feel as though your friends will remain loyal to you at any distance?
Nikki Tempest will make her services as a magical crafter known to the party should anyone need anything.
Nikki is quite content to sit back while Cain marches back and forth measuring up the body guards. Upon learning that these gentleman are some kind of law enforcement she will share a similar look of concern with Vuzi regarding the undead. She will whisper back "They are a good way out of their normal patrol, that they are. The financier would have had to go far to have found them."
Once pulled away from the others where it is safe to talk. "I'm afraid I can not fund this myself, but I believe I can manufacture what Mister Cain is suggesting." Miss Tempest will count on her fingers for a moment. She will hold up 3 fingers "Barring distractions... it should take no more then 3 days, and just under 2,000 gold. I will need some common scrolls, and ribbons would help. Perhaps in a nice mauve or teal?"
"De twins vill be lovely in teal. Vance needs a bright red." She almost doubles in over laughter thinking about the trolls wearing teal.
Cain is not amused "it's illusion magic. the color doesn't matter
Miss Tempest will grin up at the tall warrior quickly becoming a general "Unless your the one making them Mister Cain, I assure you the color definitly matters." She will turn back to Vuzi "Miss Vuzi would you be so kind as to source out three suitable pieces of headwear for this ritual? Perhaps that cats can help find some ribbon? I trust you to find a proper headband, or hat, or hair barrette for our friends? I am off to find the other components."
+++ Nikki's getting talkative +++
While on the way over to the undead Simon really is getting into the mood for some retelling of their shared adventures.
With wide gestures and lots of acrobatic moves he will reenact several of the more memorable situations, highlighting Dalkk whenever possible (plus some ... Creative reinterpretations of the accurate situations).
As they finally reach the undead, the Cats become quiet and keep their distance.
+++ Cain the Warchief +++
Simon is clearly impressed by the matter-of-fact acting and talking of Cain and keeps to the back. Only as Vuzi and Nikki starts to discuss the matter of Vanze and the Trolls, the sweat starts to run.
Just as he wanted to add something, Cain trots over and drops the idea of magical disguise, quickly followed by Nikkis and Vuzis ideas for how those would look.
This is enough to make Simon break into a long laughter, shedding tears as he tries to regain his composure.
He will quickly agree to search for some ribbons in the town - having something to do there after all.
+++ Seeking out Pye +++
Entering Pye's shop, Simon will walk around and check out the items he has currently in stow before addressing the (probably quite exhausted) man.
"Heyho Mr. Pye, hope you're doing well, now that you had a few days to recover from your stressful journey-miii?"
After exchanging one and another niceties and story, Simon will approach the issue he came for.
"First things first, I'll take these three sets of clothes-meew.
Yes, the deep purple, four of them, four more from the blue one's and a set of those crimson."
"That was the cheap part-meow.
Now for the interesting part.
I need you to search for a new knife for myself-mew.
Take a good look at this one", he will put one of his masterwork kukris on Pyes desk, "balance and form should be like wise but I need it to be even sharper-meow!
Sharp enough to cut through bone with a single swipe, sharp enough to cut stone if need-be!
Here, look at this dagger we found in the dungeon, at least as sharp as this one, even better if you can find it.
I know that it requires some fairly powerful magic and thus is probably quite expensive... I am not sure if I have enough coins right here and now for that ... But we found that super magic sword over at the trolls and I guess it should provide more than enough funds to complete the transaction of my new knife-miii?"
After finishing his visit to Pye's Trading Post, Simon and Emily will go on a stroll to Big Morgan's smith.
Keeping the paws above his hears, Simon will wait until the impressively muscular man has finished the shoe he was working on.
Glad that the infernal loud hammering finally stopped, Simon will greet the man friendly.
"So, Mr. Morgan, we came here for you, with a task that should prove ... quite interesting for you-mehmehmeh."
Simon waves for Emily to step closer and will show the Smith how tight Emilys armor has gotten recently due to her continued growth.
"See, not long and it will stop fitting, let alone protecting her properly-meowr.
Soo, I thought that it has gotten time for a change.
See, we found this ...", he opens the bags strapped to Emilys back and grunts heavily as he tries to lift the heavy chainshirt he took from the fallen Troll priestess.
"Can you help me, please-miii?
Its heavy!
Ahh, thank you.
See, we took this chain armor from a huge Troll we slayed, and I thought, maybe you could make it fit for my Sister-purrurriii?"
+++Nikki and the Boys+++
"Mister Vance... do you feel as though your friends will remain loyal to you at any distance?"
Vance seems perplexed at the question. Yes, but I'm less and less sure that it's a result of the innate magic I was first using. As Simon implied, I've been trying to exert my will over them less and less every day. As of a couple days ago, I'm only controlling their hunger, not them, per se. It's rather hard to explain as you are not a monster as I am. I am keeping them from feeling their hunger. They are following me as a... chief... of sorts. I killed them personally, which has triggered something in their troll instincts. They no longer follow me because I tell them to. They follow because I... have established dominance? As I said, I'm not sure how I can explain.
+++Simon the Trader-cat +++
Pye looks over the knife. I've seen a few of these on sailors from more easterly ports, Tian and there abouts. I'm sure I could get ahold of one. As for the enchantment, ya. I know a guy. He's reputable and almost bought the evil sword, but he lacked the skill to remove some of it's more dangerous magic without ruining it, so he turned me down.
+++Simon asks nicely+++
Morgan turns the large chain shirt in his hands and inspects several areas that look exactly the same as all the other areas. You would think he was crazy if you didn't recognize that he was looking for very specific marks of craftsmanship.
This'z a good shirt. Lots of material. Sure. I can do it. Let me take some measurements...
He produces a knotted cord and asks before approaching Emily. He measures a bunch of lines and mutters to himself about the number of knots.
It'll take a week or two to get done. I have a couple orders ahead of you, but I can send for ya when I get it together.
+++Nikki wants a spell+++
There is one person who is guaranteed to have it, but you check with Pye first
Pye doesn't have one, but you get lucky with Dark. He rummages around in his library for a moment when you ask and finds an old scroll in a book bound in dark, old leather.
+++ At the smithery +++
"Super-meow!
We probably will be gone for at least a week if not longer, so that's all right.
Just make sure to size it one the big side of her, she just won't stop growing, you know-mehmehmeh."
Vuzi heads out to look for proper headgear for the hats. She follows Simon into Mr. Pye's shop, and tries really hard not to laugh out loud as she watches him purchase clothing for their followers. "While vu are at it Mr. Pye. Dose three tricorn hats vith de feathers. Yes those. Ve'll take dem as well."
She waits for Simon to finish asking about the knives. "I also haf a request. I vuld like an Efficient Quiver. Can vu order it?"
+++ Back at Pye's +++
After a good laugh at the prospect of seeing the Trolls walk around with feathery hats, Simon gets back to business.
"Soo, its just as I said, I probably do not have enough funds right now for that enchantment, so I can't pay you fully from the get go-meew.
But, we found another really powerful artefact during our fight with the Trolls of the swamp - which are gone, if you didn't heard about it before.
Yes gone, in all dead-miaur.
And the dwarves have a new leader, which is ... less hard-headed than the last one.
So trading with them should be possible again.
Anyway ... Yes the sword...
Here, look at this one-meow!
Doesn't look to impressive, yes yes, but have a closer look.
Magsi said, that those runes there mean 'Fire' and those along the hilt translate to 'Quick Strike'.
He estimated its value to be very close to that evil sword that got us Mr. Fancy-new-pants - but without the complications of being entirely evil-frchh.
I guess ... That contact you know, the one who nearly bought the evil-sword ... He would probably be very interested in this one-miii?"
Simon will let the trader have a good and long look at the sword before continuing, knowing instinctively that now, the problematic part will start.
"Sooo, if you sell the sword to your contact ... Which happens to be the same person you will visit to have my new knife enchanted ...
Would you agree to directly use my share of the sold sword as fund to have the knife enchanted-miii?
If we do not return from the dungeon ... You would have not lost anything-meow.
Just have gained a deadly knife plus all the funds of the sword sale you can keep for yourself.
What do you say, Mr. Pye-purr?"
Nikki T. will spend as much time as the Necromancer will afford her with Ulman Dark and Kanndra his (wife?) and enjoying the tea that was presumably offered. "I am ever so great Mister Dark for putting me in contact with the catfolk and his party. If you have time at some point I think you may appreciate a longer conversation with Miss Vuzi the Half-Orc. Nikki will flash a knowing smile to the Necromancer. "If half the rumors about you are true then you might find similar tastes in friends."
Nikki savors her tea looking quite longingly into it with a soft sigh. She knows the road in front of her will be long and not nearly as hospitable as a cozy room with warm drink. Still though, I must do this. I've put it off far too long. I knew I'd have to go sooner or later and after eighteen years it's already too late to be 'sooner', and if it gets much later, soon it'll be too late to even be 'later'. Nikki's head will lift and she will smile so as to delay her departure just a little longer.
"Thank you and yours for being there these past many years, and for the scroll of course. If you had any kind words, sage advice, or even a blessing to wish me well, this one would appreciate it that she would."
+++Begging the Trader+++
Pye notes down Vuzi's request without batting an eye. Simon's request, however, gives the merchant pause. I have already bet the farm on this, Simon. So why not. Sure. What's a few thousand more... He signs and wanders off into his supplies muttering something about adventurers and absurd risk-reward ratios.
+++At Black+++
Black gives a little chuckle at Nikki's attempt at friend-maker. You know I do not make friends easily, my dear. is all he says on that topic. And it's true. It took you several years and a few nice finds in the swamps to weasel your way into his good graces.
Your request for a blessing garners another chuckle. Blessings are not a thing I usually preform, but I do have some advice. Everything I've heard and the curse I recently removed from Simon have led me to believe that there is more down there than a simple Temple of Evil. Simon's curse was placed by one called Saracek the Fallen. He was formally a paladin that came to this area chasing a remnant of a cult of Orcus with an army and several powerful fellows at his back. If he has fallen then the threats in that hole are formidable indeed.
The small impossible creature will set her teacup down. "That is something. It's not uncommon for some to fall from their path... but to begin walking the opposite in the other direction." She will push herself off the chair and drops to the ground. Even though it decreased in size in her hands the rolled up parchment it still well oversized and tucked under her arm. "I suppose I must be off. These ventures always seem to resort to some level of tomb raiding to continue their funding. Should I have the opportunity, is there anything you'd like me to keep an eye out for that you or your wife would be interested in?
Nikki will return to the others, scroll in hand. When she is met with the laundry list of requests she is only too happy to oblige. True she felt well enough to survive she was concerned about her ability to contribute to the rest. Besides, if she didn't like obsessing over spells she would of trained with sword instead.
With all the requests coming in she will explain it will take the better part of a week to accomplish.
Nikki will ponder awhile almost afraid of saying anything for fear of getting his hopes up. "That is beyond my capabilities of creation and at least beyond Mister Dark's willingness. If you really want to though there is a wizard out in the swamps. Now I don't know so much as his name Mister Cain but I do know he had some kind of association with the Troll's in the area. I'd like to think that those who toy with the Arcane appeal to logic over anything, but there are those who find more power in their emotion. I couldn't begin to gauge what his reaction could be, but he would likely be your best shot without leaving the entire region or taking your chances with Pye."
"something to try on our next shopping trip I suppose. Is everyone ready for the trip into the dungeon?
"I'm as ready as I'm going to be. Can we please just leave "His Majesty" behind, please?" Vuzi packs and unpacks her things.
Cain fastens his new cloak around his shoulders "if you can pay for the sword, certainly
The party gathers their things an prepares to dive back into the closest thing to hell on earth outside the Worldwound. As you are exiting to begin your second journey you are met by Archibald and his band. You set off down the road where you meet up with Vance and his two Very Large Bodyguards. The hats don't quite cover up the gods-awful stench of three ghasts,
But Vance passes it off as them getting sprayed by a particularly nasty skunk and everyone save the Lieutenant, a fierce lady named Felrara, accepts this. Felrara's eyes narrow, but she doesn't say anything.
The first day goes pretty smoothly. You set off in good spirits (though Felrara asks that Vance and company stay to the rear because WOW), and make good time under the sun.
The two half-orcs, the female Erlin and male Goritizen, are dressed in heavier scale mail and carry metal shields paired with longswords. They are mostly silent and speak only when necessary. The Lieutenant is also quiet, though she is friendly enough and will hold a polite conversation. She wears banded mail and carries a huge ax across her back.
The Sherriff and Archibald, however, make up for the silence of their comrades in spades and then some. The two spend the day discussing fabled battles, heroic stands, last-ditch charges, and other such things. The sheriff is wearing a chain shirt with a small steel shield and longsword. Though he is the lightest armored of the bunch, he is clearly the most comfortable on a horse and often uses his knees to guide this animal instead of the reigns.
When it comes time to camp the hired hands make short work of setting up the camp site and getting a fire going.
For the few days it takes to get to the Graveyard the weather slowly turns against you. The days are progressively more overcast and chilly. You arrive at that sunken pit of death in the earth that is just the beginning of the show, as you know, but Archibald obviously shudders.
How foreboding. he says to himself. For once, the Sheriff is silent.
Cain suggests they go down the same way as last time. "It might be partially cleared"