Lara smiles. "The dig has always been my reason for being out here," she says. "I will gladly take the Thane's offer when we return from the Desolation, however."
Well for mine you've more than proven yourself Lara. And don't worry about that arrow. Durin still complains about how I singed his favorite cloak with a fireball he charged straight into. And that was years ago.
But you should know our real mission if you wish to travel with us.
The conjurer provides a quick summary of the party's quest to find out what happened to Bishu the paladin-lord and his company.
So our end goal is Tsar itself once we've managed to carve out enough of a foothold from both the Camp and the Desolation. With us taking over the inn at the Camp and two defensible positions in the waste we've made a good start but we've work to do yet.
But truly we've little to offer beyond danger and comradeship.
"That was good enough for me I only came to deliver a letter! Next thing I know I'm being turned to stone and assaulting a tower full of daemons. Aye your more than a fair shot and it will be nice to have some company when all these melee weapon wielding lunatics charge off to have a competition to see who can get hit the most. If you want to come along you will be wholly welcome."
"I could not agree more" - Telurion adds - "Also from my part you are most welcome to join us Lara, as you have more than proven more than your worth through all we have been through"
He does move toward Thane Fenris before the dwarves leave - "It has been an honor to fight at your side, and to perhaps offer a measure of respite to you and your clans" - he smiles, bowing - "Your invitation will not be forgotten"
Durin takes the offered breastplate and bows deeply while replying respectfully, You honour me. I will wear it with pride.
Durin throws his two coppers in. The invitation is certainly tempting, but we cannot abandon our friends in the Desolation. Nor our mission. Perhaps in the not too distant future we can take them up on the offer. Turning to Marcus he adds, Speaking of... how is your study of teleport magic coming?
You sure you want to get tangled up with this lot Lara? Durin teases the archaeologist. And my uncle gave me that cloak Marcus!
Lara's eyes light up at the mention of Tsar. "Really?" she asks, her interest and curiosity evident in her tone of voice. "I don't think I could live with myself if I turned down an offer to explore Tsar, of all places! I'll gladly tangle with whatever comes our way for the opportunity to delve that site!"
"Then I guess it is time to recover, and hit the road come morning?" - Telurion smiles - "If we're returning to the camp, mayhaps Thane Fenris will travel with us for this portion of the trip? Perhaps recover some more before moving on?"
Durin throws his two coppers in. The invitation is certainly tempting, but we cannot abandon our friends in the Desolation. Nor our mission. Perhaps in the not too distant future we can take them up on the offer. Turning to Marcus he adds, Speaking of... how is your study of teleport magic coming?You sure you want to get tangled up with this lot Lara? Durin teases the archaeologist. And my uncle gave me that cloak Marcus!
And you should have thanked me. Whoever heard of a dwarf in a purple cloak? Even the ogres were laughing. Well before the fireball and you hitting them with your hammer a lot.
Thyr's oath I swear I'm almost there. Just a few days and I should be able to teleport myself and perhaps even a few others short distances. A bit of time with that and I can start on the spell to take us hundreds of miles. I can't rush these things though. At least unless anyone wants to feel like teleporting into the middle of a mountain feels like. But don't let that put anyone off volunteering.
The wizard stares off outside the camp, clenching and unclenching his hands by his sides. I can barely feel Kiri anymore.. I hope she has the good sense not to track those vampires somewhere dangerous..
Marcus bites his lip, apparently not at all sure about Kiri's good sense.
Purple is the color of royalty Marcus...
Well you'll look the part in that armour once you give it a clean. We can always dye your current cloak....
"Should we try to find her Marcus? Is it usual for her to wander off such as this?"
Thanks for the offer but with both her and her quarry flying I see no way for us to catch up. And there's still plenty of nasty things left on the ground. She should be OK, I hope...
Kirilarien flew back a short time after the group had settled down; she smugly told everyone willing to listen about how she had followed the mist into a concealed cavern, sticking the vampire she had followed with a stake made from his own coffin. Seeing more coffins, she had waited and dealt all of the others the same fate.
The group settled down fully for what was left of the night; watches still posted; this was the Desolation after all. However, what was left of the early hours was finally uneventful, as though the Desolation had finally been sated of chaos and bloodshed for the day; either that or perhaps the presence of the powerful Lich could still be felt and was keeping other predators at bay.
Exhausted, the Dwarves bade the group fond farewells, exchanging warrior-style forearm grips with amiable shoulder bashes and in some cases, warm embraces (the Dwarves seemed especially fond of trying to hug Lara goodbye).
The group hustled furiously to reach the relative safety of the camp in a single day; and with Kirlarien removing their fatigue on the march they did eventually reach the camp late that night. Nothing seemed to have changed much except that a few nervous looking men were actually out and about around the camp late, where normally they would be under shelter. Word of the destruction of the Hanged Man was clearly getting around...
Lara bids each of the dwarves an emotional farewell, returning their hugs while blinking back tears--they had been through a lot together, after all. The group departs for the Camp, and the archaeologist remains studiously quiet. Once they arrive, Lara ventures, "So...this is the Camp?"
Durin saluted each of the dwarves farewell before joining the others on the march back.
Upon their arrival at the Camp, and noticing the nervous looking men, Durin inquires of them, You there. What news?
Five vampires, no problem!, Kiri is somewhat disturbingly chirpy as she returns with the news.
"My hat is of to you for what you have accomplished Kirilarien" - Telurion smiles - "Amazingly well done"
Once they arrive, Lara ventures, "So...this is the Camp?"
"I have only been here once Lara, and it was not peaceful. Best keep our wits about us at all times"
Before leaving the dwarves Marcus takes the Thane and priest aside and gives them a quick summary of his plans for the Desolation, with a restored caravan route supported with secure bases at the Camp and the fortified tower.
He offers access for dwarven caravans and suggests that they correspond further as matters develop.
The Dwarves expressed (cautious) interest in the routes Marcus brought up and promised to be in touch.
The group were utterly exhausted from the journey back and the locals certainly not in any mood to talk, the man shying from Durin's question and huddling in a makeshift tent. Khun-Duhn greeted his fellows with a round of drinks from the underground stores of the boarding house, which was currently well-supplied, but the revelries did not go late into the night; it was already late and many were exhausted from the intense march of the day and the two telling skirmishes of the day before. While magic had healed the physical wounds, the mental fatigue of battle, injury, shock and horror had not yet fully been shaken yet.
After a long morning of rest, the adventuring company sprang into action. Ale was drunk, bolts restocked, equipment sharpened and mended, food packed. Not much had changed within the Camp (except the time at which the drunks went home); a heavy ash wind had obviously descended in the adventurer's presence and several of the lean-to, makeshift buildings and tents had been destroyed or replaced. Other than the more prominent locals, many other bandits and ruffians had already drifted away to more promising parts, fresh meat from the more civilized lands replacing them. In the centre of town, the Usurer's steady hammer blows replaced an calm constant in what was clearly a turbulent, ever-changing settlement.
Samuel had little to report. He had spend some time trying to ingratiate himself with Skeribar and his rangers but had found them to be a cold, insular, tight-knit group of men for the most part. That did not stop him plundering their thoughts. He was able to put together a mental picture of the place Skeribar and his men called home; and it wasn't anywhere in The Camp, but a place within the eastern reaches of the Ashen Waste. A lush, verdant areas of gardens and forests; with animals, singing birds and trees soaring as high as eighty feet. In the centre of this verdant blooming of nature, a totem wall of thorny foliage, dense trees and tangling branches surrounds a crystalline pool of pure water, grown patches of moss acting as comfortable places to sleep in an idyllic, beautiful clearing inside the wall of foliage. Deeper, past the clearing, crude huts of sticks and mud plastering were situated. Roofs of grass and living moss cover these simple dwellings. At the east end of the clearing is a thick old oak with a few splinterlike branches atop its stunted trunk.
Carved into this trunk is a crude face with a grim line of a mouth, well-defined nose, and two hollows for eyes. The entire carving gives the appearance of a giant wooden head resting on the ground. Green trails of ichor trickle from the hollows, like some slimy moss, collecting in a stone basin set before the old trunk.
He had also divined much of the Ranger's motives. They served a small druidic circle, situated in this verdant paradise, who venerated Telophus, the Lord of Crops and the Seasons. As well as earning coin for the good of the settlement and scouting the Desolation for their own purposes, one of the things Skeribar has been asked to do is to point travellers towards the grove. Unfortunately, none of the rank and file seem to know exactly why he has been asked to do this and Skeribar himself has been away from the camp for a few days now (though this itself is nothing unusual). Skeribar's men are skilled and hardy but other than brief visits to the peaceful grove, they know precious little of Telophus' creed and in truth are more loyal and devoted to Skeribar himself and coin, than to the faith.
This god is the embodiment of the uncaring changing seasons. He is prayed to not so much to bring good crops, but to be convinced to hold off the early frost or bring the spring thaw.
Telophus requires appeasement and devoted following, being known to test his followers’ faithfulness and resolve when it suits him.
Symbol: Raining cloud partially obscuring a radiant sun
Garb: Green and earth tone woolen robes and vestments
Favored Weapon: Sickle
Form of Worship and Holidays: Telophus is worshiped by harvest and planting celebrations as well as the first frost and first thaw.
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Domains: Air, Animal, Earth, Fire, Plant, Water
Followers of Telophus took no part in the conflict of Tsar and are generally known to be uninterested in the battle between good and evil; focused only on helping to restore balance and bring nature back to desolated areas of the world.
Marcus is pleasantly surprised to see Samuel still at the Camp and thanks him for his efforts.
It's good to confirm our suspicions about the druids although I'd tend to think followers of Telophus would be uninterested in acting as an ally against whatever dwells in Tsar.... Still this grove seems like it would be an ideal place to rest in the Ashen Waste.
We also need to make a decision about what to do with the orcish mercenaries. Thanks to Samuel we know they had something to do with the attack on the Caravan. Personally, I'm eager to put a stop to it before they do the same to anyone else.
"Very well then" - Telurion adds in - "I completely agree with you Marcus - the druid grove is well worth investigating, even if only to make allies which may allow us a place for respite" - he nods, pondering the situation - "This seems more of a diplomatic mission than anything else, but no less important as any other"
Listening to Marcus recount of an event that took place before his arrival at the camp, the oracle stays initially silent, but then comments - "If these mercenaries prey on the trading caravans, they are isolating us out here - this matter seems to take precedence, no?"
Lara tilts her head, eyebrows furrowed inquisitively. "What mercenaries?" she asks.
"Exactly, what do we know about them?" - Telurion reinforces Lara's words.
A group of local mercenaries, the "Clantock Furious Fourteen", who we suspect of betraying their clients and attacking caravans in the area. They were the 2nd best mercenary group in the Camp, now the number one, as the previous number one group, the "Pounders", were ambushed in the Desolation and killed along with caravan they were escorting.
We sent our agent to make inquiries and he reported that he couldn't get much out of the half-orc Clantock and his men, but he was very keen on us hiring him. Samnel read his mind and said something very nefarious was going on. Clantock has allies in the Desolation that he sometimes leads his customers to. Between them they've slaughtered adventurers, explorers and merchants before; and they'd happily do the same to us. Their entire group hires for 100 iron bits a day plus the cost of provisions. 110 a day in total. Samnel didn't think he's afraid of us; even after seeing us take down Gurg.
"It seems they are as guilty as can be" - Telurion ponders - "But we cannot simply attack them without proof, can we?"
His mind looking for alternatives, he adds - "What allies would those be in the Desolation? Perhaps we could somehow persuade them to turn on this Clantock, and testify against him, or something of the sort?"
Durin lets out a snort of laughter before realizing Telurion is serious and composing himself. Testify? To whom? he asks gravely.
"Exactly my point" - Telurion smiles - "Or should we simply head their way, and put them down?" - he jests.
You know I am up for anything. It seems like the mercenaries are priority number one. What story are we going to give for hiring them? Perhaps Samuel special talents can be of assistance. Pose as someone in need of their services.
"...What 'special talents' are those, exactly?" Lara asks, somewhat dubiously.
He is a shapeshifter... and can read minds.
"Marcus, Arachiel, you on board with this?" - Telurion adds to his companions.