Dark Hearts (Inactive)

Game Master Trup

His hopes buoyed by the apparent sanity of the unknown man, Lem carries over the water and ladle he had left by Krular. "We'd thought you lost.", he says to the man. "We'd thought you dangerous. We'd thought you damned, and damning. I'm not sure how many of us have changed our minds." Lem leaves the water close at hand, and meets Jessop's eye. "If you do remove the gag, he'll be thirsty.", he says to the healer. "Mind he doesn't bite.", Lem says, perhaps in jest, as he goes to find something helpful to do.

LOL, cantrip-ninja'd!

Everyone has earned 400 XP from the combat, and earned an additional 150 XP for rescuing the possibly corrupted man

The man thankfully drinks down any water offered, and after a moment to collect himself, leans back.
"Thank you all... well... Thank you to the ones who didn't want to slit my throat and leave me for dead.
D'ya think you could undo these bindings? I swear to you I am no threat. I give my word as a soldier.
He holds out his bound hands hopefully.

"By the end of this last fight", Lem says from where he's set to searching the Hound for injury, "I don't think there were any who wouldn't have let any other of us lay you by and speed you on your way to wherever you were bound. So don't thank us singly for that. And I'll tell you directly; it saddened me, but I was about to do it. It was your own recovery, turned that page. But while we're no experts, what learning we've got doesn't speak of recoveries such as yours, so, I'll trade on your thankfulness, for your forgiveness, of our leaving you bound a while, yet."

"ye still 'ave da' corruption in ya though. You may beable ta keep yer word but that disease in ye might decide otherwise. I think it better that we keep yeh tied up fer now."

Gardsin, eyes the corrupted man. He's never dealt with this type of thing before and its not something he wants to take risks with. We ready to be moving back on the road Gerald?

The man sighs and then looks depressed as he looks over his devastated arm. "I don't feel it anymore. the corruption I mean. It felt like.... like ti was twisint gmy insides up and about. I never felt pain like that before... it only got worse with the howling. It all stopped though, every bit of it, when you killed the big one over there. He motiong with his hands to the bigger corrupted creature.

Gerald waves from the first wagon smiling "we are ready to get moving again. Let me know when you guys are ready to... I don't mind you taking a breather if you need it."

"That may be a good sign. Or maybe not. Some sicknesses let up their pain just before killing you. The others are right. For now, you'll have to stay bound. Just until we can be sure. Who are you and how did this happen?"

Szarka returns landing on Malwyns shoulder. " Cawldn't see any more. Caw. "

Malwyn scratches his friends neck with his right hand . " I'm ready to move on. No doubt the smell of this place will quickly become even more unpleasant." He moves to the back of the second wagon planning to walk along behind and listen in to Jessops conversation with the stranger, his interest rekindled by the mans quick recovery.

Ice doesn't trust the man. Wild animals she understood. This was magic and bad magic at that. She finds Gerald alone right before they move out and asks him.

"Is there enough room for me to ride with you? I don't like the feeling I've got, and someone should be with you to watch your back."

And yes she is a bit paranoid about the man that seems to be perfectly fine now.

Ice Eyes - Gerald smiles warmly and scoots over (although there had been plenty of room before due to his small size) and nods. "Well hop up then! I don't mind having someone here helping to watch my back if things get out of hand! And like my second cousin Filch used to say, it never hurts to have a pretty woman sitting next to you!"

Jessop and listeners - The man sighs and lowers his hands. He looks towards his mangled arm at your question and doesn’t speak for a moment. When he does his voice seems distant, as if though he is reliving the moments he describes. ” My name is Private Jace Windlow, and I am a soldier currently stationed at Fort Steel Heart. I had been there for about 3 years, and we never had trouble… well I mean we had trouble, this land is dangerous and all, but nothing like this. I had never seen a corrupted face to face until then. My platoon had been ordered by fa… by my Captain to investigate the rumors of cannibalistic tribes of barbarians plaguing farmers and small villages between Fort steel Heart and the edge of Western Druin. The Druinites did not take any Acton to help us as normal, after all it wasn’t bothering them. It was night… I was on watch… … they…. I never saw them coming. Quiet like trained assassins, they slipped by me and every other watchmen. We heard the screams begin as they attacked men in their sleep and slaughtered any who tried to raise a defense. The only one properly armed were myself and the watched, so we ran to aid our brothers… that’s when…. Well they got me…. And…..I … I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

At this point Jace shuts his mouth and looks down. Although he is trying to hide it, it is obvious he is holding back tears.

Krular has been listening the whole time. [b] "We were still miles from the Fort when we found you, how did you manage to make it so far with your life? And..uhh...I guess this is yours, I..uh..took it from you when it seemed there was no hope."

He hands the pendant that he took earlier, then goes back into his silence.

"We won't make you talk about it", Lem offers gently, "But we'll listen if you decide you have more to say."

The man looks alittle shaken and sweat begins to appear on his brow. "I... they took us far away when they... captured us. I think they had a lair nearby.... I don't... I don't remember much of my escape...."

Meanwhile, Gerald looks back and says "Everyone ready? I'm feeling a little restless.

Ice climbs up into the wagon next to her employer. She keeps an eye out, but can't keep her gaze from lingering on the man that seems to be healed of whatever malady was afflicting him.

Ready
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Gardsin Jumps out prepping to walk directly next to the wagon with the "healed" man. He keeps his good eye on him [/b]"let's get"[b] he says with a bit of a growl

also ready

"On with it."

Also Ready

I will post the next segment tommrrow and it will be a large leap in the story, so yay.

wootness.

The rest of the day passes by without incident. Your new passenger Jace, sleeps most of the day, seemingly exhausted from the ordeal he experienced. He wakes during the night and converses with whoever is on watch about small things (favorite foods, his job as a soldier) but refuses to go into detail about his experience. As morning breaks, Gerald cheerfully loads up the wagon as everyone gathers their gear. Someone is forced to feed Jace like a baby as he has no means of eating by himself.

The next day is equally peaceful as you move further towards the Steel Lands. The jungle has grown dense as you have moved west, and you find yourself wondering if corrupted creatures hide just behind the trees....

You are safe however, and by the end of the day Fort Steel Heart stands ahead of you. The fort is a impressive stone walled structure that lays on the western bank of a fast flowing river. A drawbridge connects the eastern bank to the fort, and soldiers can be seen manning the walls and gate. The jungle opens up around the fort as if though it has been cleared, and in its place are groups of tents huddled together in close groups. Amongst the tents are people going to and fro in a hurried fashion. You are not sure as to what such people might be doing camped outside a fort, but the soldiers seem to not mind.

As you approach the gates you hear one of the guards let out a gasp, ”Jace! Wilhem, rouse the Captain now! As for you bunch! Don’t move!”

As he says this, at least 10 soldiers appear on the walls with bows drawn and arrows knocked. 5 more soldiers join the guard, swords and shields drawn and ready for combat. Gerald looks unhappy with the reception and sighs loudly as you are forced to wait. It takes several minutes for the captain to appear, but he does so by running out yelling, ”Jace! Jace! My boy are you alright lad!”

The captain appears to be a elderly dwarf, his armor was obviously put on in a hurried fashion and hangs loosely from his shoulders. He has a long white beard that has been made into 2 large braids. Mixed into the braids are pieces of jewelry and gold. He spends a few moments simply hugging his boy before realizing he is tied up. That’s when he turns on you.

”WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!” He demands.

"I don't mean to offend", Lem raises his voice, tilting his lance away to ground the point, and drive another home, lowering his voice when he adds, "But since we already seem to have done so, I must refuse your answers, until such time as we might make them more privately. You will of course want to cut your man free. None of us will stop you. But none of us would do it. And we'll explain, when we can do so discretely." Lem leans closer to the dwarf. "Or if you insist, we will have to say things here, now, you may later wish we had not."

I guess that's a Diplomacy?
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

a terrible diplomacy indeed!
The dwarf narrows his eyes and motions for a soldier. the soldier cuts Jace free who promptly rubs his hands together and then lowers his head tot he ground, "Father... there is a lot that you need to know about what happened...These people did no wrong and I in fact owe them my life. Please heed the halflings advice... we should speak of this privately."

The captain look to Jace and sighs. when his gaze falls back upon you, it is much gentler than before. "My son vouches for you, and even says you saved his life. I will of course honor your request. I will allow you entry into the fort, and provide lodging for you. Get settled in, and meet me for dinner in my quarters tonight."

The Dwarf then takes Jace by his horribly scarred arma nd leads him into the fort.

Soldier will then escort you to a small building and hand you a key, "usually meant for diplomats and the like, but I suppose you lot will enjoy it a tad better than they.

Anyone who eneter the building discovers a rather spacious home with several beds lining the walls. It is very comfortable and well decorated it seems fit for a noble.

The entire environment of this place had Gardsin feeling a bit uneasy. Surely Guards were watching the half-orc he was used to it.. but he still didn't like it. Keeping his hands close to his weapons of course he followed the group. Grumbling a bit when they were introduced to the humble abode. tossing his stuff to a corner, laying out his bedroll, he then steps outside, setting himself up next to the door to watch passersby. He converses with any who join him, though for the most part keeps as quiet as possible especially around guards.

Lem leads the Hound around the space given to the party, giving the beast freedom to linger at anything of particular interest to it. During one or another of these pauses, he grumbles to whoever is nearby, "Oh yes, your boy was howling at the moon, and singing harmony with the beasts attacking us. So we give him back 'is tap shoes, an' wished 'im well. Oh! That's different, then! Come along to dinner!", the halfling pantomimes, lifting his shoulders to hide some of his neck. He sighs, unamused by his own comedy. "Damn near ended him myself, and would have thought it a mercy...", Lem says softly, settling beside the Hound, sniffling and blinking his eyes. The Hound laps at his face, but soon Lem gentles him away, "Pfeh... You're just after the salt." Lem rises, and they continue their patrol.

Krular joins Gardsin by the door. He did not like the way the guards accepted them, he is used to more welcoming arrivals after doing a dangerous job. He stays silent, ever alert.

Despite the frosty reception when the guard shows the group thier room for the night Malwyn smiles. " Look! Proper beds! " he watches Lem go about the place with his dog and thinks the actively very strange, not knowing a thing about dogs. When Lem does his dwarf impression Malwyn chuckles. " You know that could have gone a lot worse, considering the stubbornness of dwarves. "

"Malwyn, I'd like to ask, that while you are at your ease before dinner, you try to recollect all you can on the matter of the corruption. As the most educated among us, surely so, in such matters, it is perhaps likely, perhaps fitting, that our explanation come from you." Lem finishes his introduction of the rooms to his Hound, then joins Gardsin and Krular at the door a while.

" Yes I suppose I probably do know the most. I'll just get comfortable first. " Malwyn drops his pack down at the end of his chosen bed (as far from the door as possible and preferably close to a corner.) he pulls back the covers and removing his shoes and coat he sits down. He places some jerky on the bedside table for Szarka and says " Once you are done with that maybe you could fly around and listen in to a few people's conversations. See what you can learn about this place and it's surroundings. Like why all those tents are out the front? " Malwyn then closes his eyes and will spend some time trying to recall everything he can about the corruption.

Szarka crunches down the jerky and then takes of through the door. He flies down to the tents out the front of the walls and begins picking his way between them acting like a regular raven he simply listens to people.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Ice doesn't say anything, just follows the others to their quarters. She finds a bed in the corner and curls up as tight as she can get. When Lem asks about the corruption, Ice only has one thing to say.

"It's not natural, is it?"

Lem asks the assembled party (less Szarka, I guess) if they need anything, before he goes off to do 'a spot of shopping'. He'll be looking for cooking herbs, washing soap, ribbons suitable for hair, and some flowers. This is all actually secondary to two more-true missions: codenamed 'Hot Water' and 'Why all the Tents?'. :)

If he returns with ribbons or flowers, they are left near Ice Eyes. Herbs go into his kit. Soap is hoped to be joined by hot water, which is first offered to the Lady, with an eye-blinking silent suggestion to the other menfolk to perhaps leave the quarters for a time.

"We're invited to dinner. I doubt the last day's trail dust is.", he says, smiling.

Lem's teakettle is to provide freshly-hottest water after that, suitable for shaving, with Lem making a general observation to the menfolk that dwarves may prefer beards, but usually fully developed ones. Lem removes any hint of his own.

LEM
You are able to find a merchant who is willing to bargain for all the items you have listed. He offers to sell them all to you for 1GP and 2 SP. If you accept the deal the items are now yours.

Lem will charge an urchin among the tents with a penny and a mission: "Three pretty flowers, for another penny. But only three, and only from you. And I'd like to meet your mum or your da'. That's another penny for you."

Otherwise, Lem will pay the merchant for the goods. Any saving made through the urchin can go to the parents, hopefully in exchange for their story.

(Basically warming up my KN:Local)

LEM
The boy is unable to find flowers for you, but will take you to meet his mother. She is alone in a laughably small tent(even for you) and seems to be attempting cook something that smelled awfully like ear wax. She seems to be crying as the boy enters with you, and she hastily dries up her tears. "Oh!... I... What do you want of me?

"Well, I've asked your boy for flowers. He says there's none. I had a lady to bring cheer to, you see. And now I've found another. Madam, I am LemmingKaynen Lyminder Kocannut Menayd...", the halfling says with a deep spritely bow and flourished feathered hat-doffing. "And I might be of help. If I may. I mean, If I may, I could. Or rather..." Realizing he'd lost the thread, Lem changed colors. "Does this cinnamon seem fresh to you?"

Under guise of getting her advice on the herbs, share what he can with her. He's heard Stone Soup in the original Hobbit. And he's heartfully feeling the privation of these refugees. If he can Aid Another, he might give her +5 on her current tasks. And that might buoy his mood.

LEM
The woman watches you carfully but seems to soften up. "I see now, you come with the kindness of Tal in your heart. Not many like you nowadays. Let me see that cinnamon.

Aid another successful
You go about aiding her in her tasks when you realize that ti may be soon time to report to the Captains quarters for dinner.

You go about aiding her in her tasks when you realize that ti may be soon time to report to the Captains quarters for dinner.

"Oh dear! Where has the time gone! Lad, here is your coin; you did your best, and deserve it. And ma'am, I promised your lad a coin for the parent he showed me; please do not make of me a cheat by refusing. Your coins are so large, and they weigh on me; I trust you might bear them more lightly than I.", Lem jokes, giving each a coin, filling the air with patter pre-emptive of any protest, before making his escape under cover of another deep spritely bow, and a peekaboo look, as though expecting the same. Then while they bow, he rushes off.

If he returns with ribbons or flowers, they are left near Ice Eyes. Herbs go into his kit. Soap is hoped to be joined by hot water, which is first offered to the Lady, with an eye-blinking silent suggestion to the other menfolk to perhaps leave the quarters for a time.

"We're invited to dinner. I doubt the last day's trail dust is.", he says, smiling.

Ice looks at the ribbons then the halfling.

"Uh, t-thank you. I guess your right."

She looks at her clothes and fishes out some coins from her pack.

"Can you grab a nice set of clothing for me? I don't think these will be dry in time, and they are more suited to hunting than dinner parties. You can keep what you don't use."

Ice Eyes hands over the coin and waits for Lem to leave while looking for something to wrap herself. She bathes and washes her clothing before drying off and wrapping herself in a blanket.

@ Lem: Sorry I wasn't paying attention to the posts, Hopefully you and Trup don't mind a little retcon. Ice gave you 15 gp to get clothes.

OK, Lem does his best to manage whatever. He doesn't keep the change. He might inquire after the mother's skill with a needle, and perhaps fetch her and the boy back as a seamstress and waterboy. But only if it seems it will be of benefit to all. (factoring in that Aid Another, a time-honored staple of the Menayd line. :) )

All Krular does to get ready for the dinner is wash his face with some soap and water. He wets his hair and brushes it out of his eyes. He also cleans the wound on his leg from the corrupted. And, reeking of a few days on the road heads to the captains quarters.

Gardsin keeps to himself through most of the time not doing much to clean himself up, other than a splash of water to his face. Making sure to have his gear he at least tries to keep his hide shirt and lightmace on him when they leave. being rather stubborn if anyone attempts to take it from him.

As you ready yourselves for the dinner, a Steel Legion soldier will approach and announce loudly that he is there to escort your group to the Captains quarters. He will lead everyone out at this point to dinner.

You are escorted into a small building at the edge of the forts walls. Inside you are taken to a cramped dining room and just barely manage to fit yourselves into seats (except for Lem who fits comfortably). The captain joins you a short time later, his beard is undone and flowing wildly now, and he looks like he hasn’t slept in days. ”Welcome… dinner will be served soon, I invited you a little earlier because I wanted to hear… I wanted to hear what happened to my boy.”

Malwyn looks around the group I guess this is where I speak up... " Well sir, I believe I know something of your boys condition. I am Malwyn, your boy, Jace, has been infected with the corruption. The beasts take people to their lairs and corrupt them with profane rituals. Jace must have escaped after the process... He is lucky to be himself right now, most people do not recover. Did you know you had these beasts in your lands? I have never heard of the disease being here before... " Malwyn pauses to give the captain a chance to answer before continuing. " The corruption is a horrid thing that grips at the soul first and changes the body second. I seems we saved Jace from the second fate when we killed the leader of the corrupted beast that attacked us on the road here. The reason we still had him bound, well, his soul is already tainted and he'll soon turn to evil things! At least that is what I have been taught. "

"We all hope to be wrong about that.", Lem says softly. "There's some hope, in that the other foul things wilted with the passing of their leader. If it was the leader's presence, that buoyed them, then the loss of it, might let your son fight off whatever was... is... might be, in him. It's a hope, at least."

The dwarf sinks his head into his hands and shakes a little bit, as if though trying to contain a sob. He brings his head up again and there is a fierce expression on his face. "These creatures have been plaguing our lands for the past few weeks, coming by and consuming every town they could before moving on. Our lord general Lucian is already hard at work combating the forces, but they be like roaches and pop up even when you think the last one stamped out. I... I had hoped for different when you brought my son home. He...You are right. He will change. It may take a few months... but no matter the time, he will become like them. I must thank you for bringing him to me to at least face death honorably like a true soldier of the Steel Legion.

He motions in the air and a servant approaches and lays down a large bag on the table. "Will there be anything else master Dar?

The dwarf, Dar, shakes his head and motions for the servant to leave. He then opens up the bag and proceeds to dole out payment to each of you who accept (250 gp each).

Dar then closes the bag and his face once again grows serious, "The news you brought me today is grim, but you protected my boy when any sane person would have left him for dead, even battling the corrupted beasts to do so. You have the gratitude of me, and my men. Fort Steel Heart will always be home to you few who stood bravely against the corruption.

Captain Dar claps his hands and a delicious feast is brought in by several servants, who somehow manage to not bump any of you despite the cramped quarters. There are roasted meats, spiced soups, honey bread, and mead just to name a few. The smell is intoxicating, and you find yourselves wondering when you last had such a delicious meal… if ever.

“Please, tell me of your experience on the way here, maybe tell me about yourselves, I would enjoy knowing more about such fine gentleman as yourselves!”

"The finest of us gentlemen, is the Lady.", Lem smiles. "We are all warriors of some stripe, ere these past days. All schooled in and scarred by violence. But the lady, I think not. The threat of battle, it's aftermath, all the worries a warrior might not notice, were new to her. Yet she bore it all well, brave in the moment, standing strong as any of us men. And we saw that, though I think she knew it not. When I met her, her eyes reminded me of stars, or of ice. But I think I was wrong then; I think they might be steel."

Two things quickly become apparent about Ice Eyes right before and during the dinner. The first is that when she takes the time, she cleans up nicely. Her new clothes are a little richer and more finely detailed than what she's used to, and her new boots shine in the light. All in all, if it wasn't for her taciturn personality, she'd be a rather pleasant girl. The second is she is very socially awkward. Her cheeks gradually grew pinker and pinker as the dinner wore on. The multitude of utensils, the way she was expected to eat daintily, and the procedures and protocols of such a meal were all foreign to her, and her embarrassment only increased as Lem began singing her praises.

By this point she's bright red and has remained mostly silent, just quietly thanking the servants who helped her muddle through which fork to use when.

I'm guessing Lem got the clothes to her before heading off to the Mother and her son? Otherwise, Ice may have to borrow some clothes.

Gardsin attends the dinner thanking the dwarf for his invitation and not saying much else. He barely paid attention to the conversation at the table as his hunger renewed when the food was brought out. His nostrils flaring to the smell of well cooked meat. Dishing up without much concern for others he begins scarfing his food down. Not exactly the most pleasant way either, though at least his elbows aren't on the table and he's using utensils... most of the time.

Pausing with a bit of food still in mouth "Simply lookin fer a bit a coin really" He explains the extremely short story for the reason of his current way of travel. Not seeing much reason to tell all about his full intentions. "Alflings Are Intrmsting" He adds chewing a chunk of meat.

Something about the juxtaposition in Gardsin's full-mouthed praise of halflings tenses Lem, but only an instant before he smiles.

"For my own introduction, I am LemmingKaynin Lyminder Kocannut Menayd, simple shirefolk, a bit too fond of racing hounds to herd sheep, too fond of breads to be a baker, too careless of glass for alchemy, but apparently nimble enough a fencer, helpful enough a hand, it's hoped; it is our friends, could best speak to that. I am, like the rest here, contracted to Master Bright's caravan, and sadly bound onward, perhaps too soon. There are many people here, who might be helped."