Round 9, Init 14
Rae rushes up to the others as fast as she can. holding out a squirming backpack. gonnabesorry, I just know it..
"Here, take this!"
Mort readily accepts the backpack and hefts it.
If it's total weight exceeds 40.5 lbs, he'll suggest the load be split with Solrisa.
In any event, he says "Let's go, hurry!"
Round 9, Init 24
"Oh Mort, look! It's Rae!" Sol says cheerily, accepting the whatever from her sister. She moves toward the exit.
Tynan finds his stride, encouraging efficient departure. Mortimer delays with Solrisa engaging the flaxen-haired sister in light strategy. Ascaria gains the entrance to this tomb, first hearing, then seeing the heavy downpour that awaits the group on exiting. Pillette regains her crossbow, and leaves behind the dead wolf as she accompanies the others. Raella finally emerges, handing off a lumpy backpack, to someone, while at the same time awkwardly maneuvering a burning torch while holding what appears to be a malnourished wolf pup.
The first beetle swarm lands upon the dead spider, a light clicking and hissing beginning to sound as it starts its work. The second beetle swarm seems to pick up on Raella's presence, gaining purpose in its advance, until it slows, and reverses course, fusing once again into the original beetle swarm that had greeted you earlier.
What's that smell!? Rain!!!
Mort appears to be suddenly more cheerful than his usual self.
When he gets to the entrance, he waits for the others to catch up.
Round: 10, Initiative: 16
Weapon Equipped = None
Cold Iron Bullets (9/10), Silver Bullets (10/10)
Conditions = None
Channel Energy (1d6+1) (0/5)
Sling Attack: BAB +0, Dex +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 1, Concentration +5)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (14): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
First (15): (0/4) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Liberating Command
Ascaria gets outside and takes a deep breath of the clean free air.
He turns and waits for the others in the relative safety of the great outdoors. As everyone leaves he takes stock of their various wounds and injuries. When Raella finally exits, he casts his last on her.
"There, that should help set you right.”
”Shall we head over to Benazel the Alchemist? I have enough for maybe three alchemy fires. We should wait to return until tomorrow at least so I can heal us up the rest of the way before we confront the denizens of this particular deep. But we can resupply today so as to get an early start.”
Ascaria’s eyes twinkle at the thought of burning that swarm…
Sol runs out (as long as Rae is coming too).
"Rae, look! It's rain! I love rain!" Sol says cheerily. Sol runs outside and looks up, allowing the rain to pelt her face and hair, cleaning her of the grime of the cave.
When she is satisfied that she has appreciated the rain enough, she looks at the backpack in Mort's arms.
"What's in the pack, Mort? Rae?"
"Well said, Ascaria. Let's get back to town."
Tynan studiously ignores the backpack full of wolf cubs.
"What's in the pack, Mort? Rae?"
Tearing from his delight in the rain, Mortimer looks at the backpack he suddenly remembered he was carrying.
"Ummm.... well..."
Looking slightly uncomfortable, he carefully places the backpack onto the ground and unbuckles it, revealing another wolf cub like the one Rae is holding.
He starts to reach in to pull out the cub, then stops in apparent nervous uncertainty.
"Here, Sol -- would you like to take him for now? Maybe Lazare knows someone who can house them for you until we're done here. I would like to stop in and see him anyway."
Solrisa does, indeed, take a puppy...two, if two are offered.
"Rae, look! Puppies!!!" Sol says to Rae, snuggling and cooing and petting, but also trying to keep them warm in the rain.
"Oh, Rae!! What are you going to do with them?" Sol looks at her sister, then turns to the puppy in her hands, explaining things to the puppy.
Sol addresses the puppy, holding him/her nose to nose, looking into its eyes. "You see that over there, puppy? That's Rae! And she's your new mommie! And she's going to be the best mommie you've ever had!" Sol conveniently forgets about the mommy that Sol just had a hand in slaying.
Ascaria looks surprised at the new pack and its contents.
"Those aren't puppies exactly are they? Those are wolves I think. Best be careful rearing those guys." he grins.
He pokes around the pack to see if it contains anything other than puppies like puppy-chow.
This was for puppies? Some of these humans may need a slip to keep them out of trouble.
Seeing the door ahead, the halfling moves as quickly as she can, putting the others between her and the dangers that lurk inside.
"We should perhaps leave and regroup, and perhaps see if we can unearth any information about... well, whatever that is."
She eyes the rain, sighing at the weather, and pulling up the hood on her cape. Eying the little wolves, she wonders if they have enough of a pelt to make a proper hood.
The heavy rain proves to be a constant companion as the group travels back to Diamond Lake. Footfalls sink easily into the mud and grass, leaving a well-defined trail back to the hillside's entrance.
By hour's end, the rough outlines of Diamond Lake come into view through the rain. There is light traffic along the East Branch of the Vein, but, for the most part, the town's embers remain extinguished under the downpour.
The wolf pups are both female. And they both appear to tick- and flea-infested.
By the end of your walk, you become aware of a light itch along your arms, and possibly the back of your neck. And maybe between your shoulder blades...
"Ascaria, you seem to be on good terms with the local alchemist. Maybe you can use this to purchase more materials to use against the beetle swarm."
Tynan gives Ascaria 50 pieces of gold, then excuses himself to go and buy more mundane items that he neglected to bring earlier.
Solrisa hands the Rae's puppy back to Rae.
"Oh Sister! You're going to have your hands full!" Rae says cheerily. "I suppose you'll have time to train them now that you're between jobs though! It's going to be very exciting for you."
Sol smiles sweetly at her sister as she walks on.
"...purchase more materials..."
Sol looks to smile at Tynan and Ascaria, gently butting into the conversation.
"We found some money in the cave. Maybe you could use that as well to buy supplies too!" Sol says, reaching down for some coin. She counts out 50gp and hands it to Ascaria.
"Here. Is that enough for 2 of the fire flasks?" Sol asks Ascaria with a trusting face.
"We found some money in the cave. Maybe you could use that as well to buy supplies too!" Sol says, reaching down for some coin. She counts out 50gp and hands it to Ascaria.
"Here. Is that enough for 2 of the fire flasks?" Sol asks Ascaria with a trusting face.
Ascaria smiles, "When I bought mine they were 20 gold each, but if I take your 50 and Tynan's 50 I can buy a spare for the group and two for each of you. OK? Let's meet at Lazare's for dinner shall we and plan tomorrow's action."
Assuming it's OK, and gathering up any other donations for fire, Ascaria heads over to the alchemists. He greets him with a hearty hello, and dumps his pile of gold on the counter, "Alchemy Fire please!"
If it looks like it is worth anything of value, he'll take it to where ever people take these things to sell it.
Otherwise, he'll plan on recycling any part of it that he can into some kind of armour.
Addressing the group as a whole he says, "I need to check in at Osgood's -- I'll meet you all at Lazare's this evening."
Mortimer heads off to the other side of town.
The backpack is nicely made, well worn, but wouldn't compete on the shelves of Osgood's.
As you enter Osgood's, you are buffeted by the heat of the forge. It's a good heat, as the cold and the rain lose their hold over you. The observation room and shelves of goods currently harbors no customers. After several moments, Wyon flicks his long blond hair from his eyes, staring at you with bloodshot eyes. "Well, look who the cat drug in. Esobel, go change! You're not presentable, what, with the king showin' up with his presence." Wyon laughs heartily, and returns to banging metal.
Benazel's head pops up in surprise, as you enter, dripping wet. As you drop gold on blue marble, Benazel smiles grandly, his eyes traveling from the pile up the falling stream of coins. He seems to understand immediately how much gold is put forth.
As you ask for Alchemist's Fire in quantity, Benazel's eyes narrow. "Surely, you're not investing all this coin in Fire, are you? What would you be using them for? You're not part of any of the blast crews. And you don't strike me as a pit fighter attendee. Oh, I don't ask out of my own curiosity, understand. I only want to make sure you're not going to do anything I'll have to explain to Sheriff Cubbin." Benazel leans in.
"You can tell me, friend."
The mines are due to empty after the afternoon's fifth bell.
"You can tell me, friend."
With no guile, Ascaria answers quickly and happily, "We encountered a swarm of beetles up in the hills and need to get past it. We figure on dumping a on it! Burn the little guys to a crisp."
"Swarm of beetles?? And you're trying to get past it?? Why not give it a wide berth? How close is the swarm to the Lake?" Benazel shows open concern.
"Swarm of beetles??"
"Oh, there's nothing to worry about. The swarm is a good hours walk away and has lots to eat so it won't come all the way here I'm sure. Certainly not before we end it in a fiery death!" Ascaria pounds his little fist.
"Ah, well, that sounds like a noble task indeed. Consider yourself well-armed then!" Benazel excuses himself, departing the office through a door at the rear, and returns shortly thereafter, carrying a rack of bulbed vials. Setting it down carefully, he pulls a handful of loose pieces of cloth, wrapping them individually, and leaving you to collect them while he collects his gold. "Easy does it with these things. I'd hate to lose a patron of your means too soon." Benazel speaks without guile as well. He shakes your hand, then sits himself down to his books, where he loses track of you almost immediately.
He pulls up a chair and sits on it facing the back, resting his arms over it.
"When is the last time either of you have seen Osgood or Aseur?"
Wyon smiles, a gap from a missing incisor showing prominently. "Ha! You'd know we already ate if you cared to stick around any part of the slow, slow afternoon, you big lug. Too bad all your meat's below your neck. Couldn't hurt to have some between those ears a yours. As for Aesur, I'll not speak for him. He can do it himself."
As Wyon speaks his name a second time, Aesur raises his head, lifting a pair of glass goggles from his face. "Mort." He lowers his goggles again, and pours white-hot molten into a mold.
Wyon chuckles. "Osgood is likely still at the Captain's Blade, having a row with Tyrol. They were pretty disappointed with some haggling they'd been doing with the capital traders." Wyon leans in. "I'm betting they're trying to stand firm together on prices, is my bet." He straightens his back.
"Feel free to stick around, and maybe Osgood'll consider your pay half-day today."
Solrisa, unless bidden to service by her sister, makes the long trek across town back to their wonderful apartment that overlooks everything.
She takes time to bathe and clean and use a bit of rock polish to clean her armor. She hums and smiles as the does the little things to refresh herself.
She will be ready to dine at Lazare's. In stead of wearing her freshly polished armor, she will wear her nice traveler's outfit and sturdy cloak as she is not willing to get it dirty just yet. She, of course, brings her sword with her to dinner.
"Oh Sister! You're going to have your hands full!" Rae says cheerily. "I suppose you'll have time to train them now that you're between jobs though! It's going to be very exciting for you."
Sol smiles sweetly at her sister as she walks on.
"Oh, we aren't keeping them, Sister." Rae corrects as she struggles to balance the two pups now that Sol has grown bored. When have my hands *NOT* been full?!?
"I'm taking them to Lazare."
Pretending to finally notice Aseur Mort says, "Oh, hey Aseur. Didn't see you past all this thick hot air."
He looks briefly to see if there is any reaction from Aseur, but doesn't press it if there is not.
"Tyrol... can't blame Osgood for that. I'm off to dinner, then to gather more... material. Thanks, Wyon. Esobel, Aseur." He nods and takes his leave.
Manlin takes his dinner at home most nights. When he chooses to spend coin rashly, he lets the Spinning Giant take his money, though reluctantly, and usually as business expense with capital city traders, or Tyrol, or both.
Aesur grunts in response, his hands steady as steel as he continues to craft. Wyon waves you on, shaking his head.
Varying arrival times eventually coordinate everyone's presence in Lazare's main hall. The evening hasn't quite set the sun, so the interior is mostly quiet. There appears to be a handful of patrons getting ready to settle in for an evening's pastime. Of note, an older gentleman, receding hairline, light stubble scattered across his face, sits in a booth, arranging his dragonchess pieces. He wears a fine, silken shirt, and his hands appear soft and well-manicured. He occasionally reaches over to a cheeseboard, where he snags a piece of soft cheese.
This must be Khellek, a new arrival to Diamond Lake, only several days present. He claims to be an adventurer, in league with two other companions, who are not present. The three have been quite vocal of late regarding their intentions to investigate the Stirgenest Cairn, on the lake's southeast shore. The Stirgenest Cairn is quite well known to the locals as harmless exploration for the youth of Diamond Lake.
Dannath beckons you in from the rain, until she spies the pups in Raella's possession. The rain fails to find patrons on the front porch, so anyone remaining with Raella outside is at least spared that.
Tynan arrives at Lazare's shortly before opening time, having changed clothes and cleaned up from the adventures within the cavern. He takes up his usual spot near the door, and welcomes the patrons in. As is customary, he studies each guest in turn to size up their likelihood of both causing problems, and cheating at the games.
He looks over the older gentleman, sitting alone, and tries to place who he is.
Tynan gives a small smile as he recognizes the gentleman, making a mental note to keep an eye on the table once his companions arrive.
I doubt they'll find anything at the Cairn. Then again, I would have thought the same of the wolf cave, before we entered it. I'll have to warn the others to keep their voices down, lest we have a rival group heading back to the "Crypt of Lights"... that sounds like a good name for the caves.
As each group member arrives, Tynan gives a quiet warning to remain discreet about the cave, as a rival adventuring group is here in the gaming house. He explains it especially slowly and carefully to Solrisa, when he sees Dannath turn Raella away at the door.
Blast it... she's going to spoil everything...
Ascaria arrives early and plays a few table games if he can, dice and simple card games that don’t take much attention seem to attract him more than chess, though he does glance in the newcomers direction.
Huh
He listens to Tynan’s suggestion and shrugs whispering back, ”It’s a tightly knit community - everyone is going to know what we’re doing soon enough, we’ll just have to hurry. I wonder if we should stake a claim like miners do?”
He plays happily until the others arrive, not spending too much, just having a little fun.
Khellek associates with a human mercenary, Auric, as well as an elven associate, Tirra. If the other two aren't here, Auric is likely enjoying himself at the Spinning Giant, tavern of the Garrison, and Tirra has been seen most often in the Feral Dog, though it gets rowdy enough, you've not lingered long there.
Lazare makes a point to get your attention while you're spending time at his tables. He does it in a way that your new affiliates don't witness, but a light tap on the side of his nose with a finger that then lightly taps in your direction, and you're duly reminded.
Dannath is joined soon enough by Wreck, who seems to have the energy at the moment to get up from his position by the hearth to welcome familiar smells. He gets overly excited, forcing Dannath to welcome Mortimer in quickly, while stepping outside and closing the door behind her. Wreck scratches for a moment, before Lazare's voice rings out, and the scratching stops.
"What were you thinking, bringing these animals here?" Dannath looks a mixture of concern and annoyance.
Solrisa enters Lazare's before her sister Rae, looking around at the people she now knows.
"Oh hi Tynan!" Sol says before spying the cheese. She sticks her head outside. "Rae, look! It's cheese!" She pulls her head back in to respond to Tynan.
"We can't tell him what about what? Who is he?"
Oh no, here we go...
"Don't talk to him about anything we saw in the wolf cave... it's our secret. Come over here to this table we have reserved." Tynan leads her to the opposite side of the gaming hall to a discreet booth, then calls over one of the servers.
"Could you bring my friend here a cheese platter and some of the artisan ham? Solrisa, you look famished, and I remember how much you liked the ham earlier."
Tynan scans the room, spotting Ascaria. "I need to get back to my post. I'll send Ascaria over to keep you company... I think he likes ham, too!"
Tynan crosses over to Ascaria "Can you keep Solrisa out of trouble until Raella solves her wolf cub issues? I've ordered some food to be sent to the table." He gestures to where Solrisa sits, and gives her a happy wave. "Sorry to cut into your gaming time..."
No wonder Raella is angry all the time...
Ascaria looks up at Tynan and smiles, "Oh, no problem!" and heads over to their table.
"Hey Sol. You look nice, all fancy and such. Where's your armor?"
He can't imagine the itchy, uncomfortableness of armor, having never worn any on his little portly frame.
What's this?
Mortimer avoids Tynan for the time being upon hearing Lazare's voice. He boldly walks into the room attempting to seek him out in the dimmly lit environment.
Having adorned himself in a simple tunic and wollen trousers, Mort spies the well-clad man at the table.
Dammnit. I forgot to shave again.
Solrisa smiles sweetly as Tynan explains.
"Oh Tynan, but who is he?" Sol asks again, wondering why a valet would forget to politely do introductions. "You didn't answer my question and now my curiosity is piqued."
"Where's your armor?"
Solrisa smiles sweetly as Ascaria asks about her armor.
"Oh Acaria! Hi! I left it at home...I didn't want to wear it here and have it get wet again. I can't imagine too much trouble here."
Solrisa looks over at the other guy again.
"Do you know who that is, Ascaria?"
"I have to get back to work, Solrisa." Tynan excuses himself.
"Piqued"? I wonder who she heard say that... or if she even has any idea what it means.
Tynan resumes assisting patrons as they enter the gaming hall.
"Do you know who that is, Ascaria?"
Ascaria takes a bit of cheese, "It's a man named Khellek. He, along with Auric and, uh, Tirra, are adventurers. Rumor has it they're checking out the Stirgenest Cairn, southeast of here on the lake. Doing some spelunking - hoping to find hidden loot."
He takes another bite, "'course I don't think they'll find anything. That's where the local kids all go to hang out and such. I can't imagine there's anything there worth finding, but I don't know I never went that deep there."
Taking another bite of cheese he mumbles, "You know, there really isn't much food here. We should go somewhere else to eat." he picks at a piece of ham, "This is nice, but it's not proper food if you know my meaning. Just finger-food."
"I have to get back to work, Solrisa." Tynan excuses himself.
Sol smiles at Tynan, embarrassed for her rudeness in keeping the man's attention. She listens to Ascaria raptly, only glancing over at the Khellek occasionally.
"We should ask him for help!! If he's done this before, he might be of use! He might know things!" Sol replies excitedly.
"We should ask him for help!! If he's done this before, he might be of use! He might know things!" Sol replies excitedly.
Caught up in her excitement Ascaria nods along a moment before his thoughts catch up to him in a rush.
"I don't know Sol, maybe, maybe not. They might try to horn in and take it all for themselves. Er, whatever's down there anyway. I mean we haven't found much ourselves really, but there was that nice gemstone that might be worth a gold or two. I'd hate to have to share that with three more folks."
"I think, if we can get past that damnable swarm, we can climb down that shaft and maybe find something really cool! We found it, not them, and I'd hate to give them some of whatever's down there."
He looks for another piece of cheese, "Now where is everyone? We should get going and get some dinner!"
"How about the Hungry Gar?" suggests Mort. "Dinner's on me if you're willing, but I must talk with Lazare at some point."
He pushes his way past the tables in search of Lazare.
Sol tilts her head at Ascaria. She also tilts it down so she can look at the gnome in the eye.
"What? I thought we were trying to save Meghan and stop this from happening again. Are we doing that or something else?" Sol looks confused...or wondering if she is misunderstanding.
"If that man can help us get passed the swarm and stop the whispering, why wouldn't we want his help?"
"I don't know about you, but I could use some food and rest first."
Now that you think of it, Mort really does look like hell.
Sol tilts her head at Ascaria. She also tilts it down so she can look at the gnome in the eye.
"What? I thought we were trying to save Meghan and stop this from happening again. Are we doing that or something else?" Sol looks confused...or wondering if she is misunderstanding.
"If that man can help us get passed the swarm and stop the whispering, why wouldn't we want his help?"
Ascaria responds slowly, as if figuring it out in his own head as he goes, "Well yeeas, that's how all this sort of started, but you see there's treasures in the caves 'round here. Of course most folk know this, and check things out themselves, and so no one finds anything much these days."
"But we got lucky. We found what looks to be an unspoiled cave. Could be all manner of things down there really. Cool stuff! Might even be worth something too. I need a new vest." he gestures to his own finery, a little thread bare though still in reasonably good shape.
"But I see what you mean, what if he can help? Well for that matter, why don't we get the sheriff in here to do it? Bring a whole posse back with us." he shrugs, "What could they do that we cannot? You and your sister seem formidable warriors, and Mort and Tynan are no slouches either."
"It's just a little swarm or two. We've enough oil here to burn down half the town, surely we can kill a couple swarms. Frankly I'd be embarrassed to ask for help at this point. I mean sure, if we run up against something we can't handle, we'll ask around, but right now? No, we don't need it."
He smiles at himself, satisfied that he came to some sort of conclusion in all that.
He looks at Mort levelly, "Hungry Gar?! That sounds GREAT! Let me gather the others and let's go!" He watches Mort walk away in search of Lazare.
Damn we're scattering like kids on a playground.
He sits back down and nibbles at more cheese waiting for a free dinner at the 'Gar.
Sol lstens to many of the good points that Ascaria makes, agreeing with some of them.
"Oh, I think stopping the whispering is more important than getting credit for it, Ascaria," Sol replies. "And you're right, we should bring a posse back with us! I'll see if Khellek is free if you..." Sol's voice trails off as Ascaria turn his attention away.
"Well, we can talk more later..."
Sol ponders, then thinks more, then thinks again and again, eying the cheese and then Khellek, then the cheese again. Finally, she decides to do what she knows is right.
She approaches the distinguished gentleman with an outstretched and calloused hand. "Hi, I'm Solrisa...are you new in town? How do you know Lazare?" Sol asks. "People say that you're in an adventuring party. Is that true? What do you do?"
Tynan watches Solrisa walk across the gaming floor to go and talk to Khellek, and shakes his head in frustration.
What an idiot! I'm going to buy a blasted leash so Raella can keep that moron under control. Note to self: don't tell that lackwit ANYTHING, ever again.
Tynan catches himself scowling at the next guest who arrives, then quickly blames his foul mood on the rains, and helps the patron to a table.
"Hi, I'm Solrisa... are you new in town? How do you know Lazare? People say that you're in an adventuring party. Is that true? What do you do?"
The older man continues to set up his side of the dragonchess board, finishing his assembly, before looking up to reply, oblivious to Solrisa's outstretched hand. "I am relatively new to Diamond Lake, yes, but apparently long enough for word to..." as he looks up, he takes in Solrisa. "...reach such pretty ears as yours. My name is Khellek. Pleased to meet you, Solrisa. Yes, I'm on an expedition, into one of the local cairns." His attention returns to the board in front of him, and he considers moving his sylph ascendant for the basilisk descendant, but reconsiders.
"Do you play?" Khellek looks Solrisa over interestedly.
...
Lazare pulls up short, his destination located somewhere behind Mort. "Yes, Mort? You have something on your mind?"
Mortimer turns about, seeking to look the man in the eye. When he finds him, he says quietly and with sincerity:
"Apologies about my behaviour in our last meeting, Lazare -- my keeping some score. I don't know what I was thinking. I hope you can forgive me. Please feel free to call upon me for anything you might need in the future."
With that he surveys the room that was behind him as though he'd lost track of the entrance. When he finally spots it, he starts for it, then turns back to Lazare.
He hesitates, then shakes his head slightly in what might be admonition.
I've asked for too much already.
"Later." he shrugs one shoulder, turning back for the door.
He nudges Ascaria on his way muttering "Let's go."
He calls out to Sol, "Dinner -- ' you coming?"
He turns to Tynan at the entrance. "You and Pillette are welcome of course -- that is -- if Lazare can spare you."
Without waiting for responses, he exits the establishment wondering what might be happening to Rae and the wolf cubs -- hoping to find them still on the threshold.
Tynan keeps an eye on Khellek's booth while Solrisa is there, trying to piece together what they are talking about as he watches them speak from his post near the door.
If and when Khellek's companions arrive later, he'll continue trying to piece together what they are talking about.
"You and Pillette are welcome of course -- that is -- if Lazare can spare you."
"Thanks Mort, but I should stay. I need to keep an eye on things here. Maybe we'll catch up with each other later."