Well, if that is the case, then I will defer to the ladies judgement.
Heinrick looks towards the others
Any suggestions on where we might go to take a break?
Remembering the conversation before leaving, Irabeth had stated that they didn't think the Garrison could be taken in one attack. Her Eagles were going to make guerilla type attacks to try and stall any kind of reinforcements, but they too were going to retreat to the "Heart" after any such attacks.
Gathering up everything that looks semi and partially valuable, Heinrick suggests that we return to the heart for the night.
Lavinia shrugs her agreement, keeping a watchful eye and ear out while valuables are gathered.
Returning to the Heart, the mood is tense, but upbeat. Several of the Eagles tend to wounds themselves while the clerics tend to the more severely wounded. As you enter, you're greeted with everything from claps on the shoulders, from the soldiers that are still up and about, to nods and even some salutes from the soldiers that too beat up or too tired to rise.
Irabeth, standing over the table that's become the war map, sees you enter and greets you with a toothy grin. She shows several small wounds, and some bruises, but, like the others seems generally upbeat. "How went the foray into the Garrison? We gave those abyssals all they could handle today. I doubt you'll see any kind of reinforcements tomorrow."
Well, that is good. However I think we will need a bit of rest then for tomorrow, and we will go for round 2
Heinrick takes a couple of moments to look over the injured in the Heart, including himself and Bollwork in the list.
He will then expend his last CMW on one of the more injured of the soldiers in the heart.
He asks that the guards at the heart wake him at sunrise.
After that, he will return to the groups bed area, set out his bedroll,
then spend 2 hours working on a cloak.
Irabeth chuckles a bit at Heinrick's comment, "I don't think we'll be ready much before then either. We gave them a surprise to be sure, but we still took a bit of a beating ourselves. Her countenance turns a bit grim, And we're still badly outnumbered. Once they figure out what's going on, they'll come in numbers, and assuredly reinforce the garrison.
When Heinrick heals the soldier, the man looks up at him with thanks, and then asks, [b]"Do you think we can really win this? I mean, your group can destroy that stone, right? I've got my family here, and if you think you can do this I'll have them stay. If not, we need to leave."
Looking down at the injured man, and answering his question.
If there is any method of destroying this stone, then our group will do it.
For right now, just keep your family in a place of safety.
The people that started this, they had years to plan this,
and it will take time to right the wrongs that were done over the last couple of days.
But with Iomedae's grace, this city will prevail.
He then looks back at Irabeth with a grin, as they stroll back towards the location of his gear.
Cold Iron, Silver and Faith, as far as I know is enough.
But stress to your people that they should not risk themselves with unneeded heroics.
Stone and Mortar can be fixed. Death on the other hand, tends to be a bit more permanent.
He pauses and then responds about the Garrison.
Aye, that they will most assuredly do,
but unless they stuff it to the rafters with Abyssals,
we should eventually succeed.
With that, he wishes her a good night
The halfling nods a greeting to Irabeth, trotting alongside her and Heinrick as the two make their rounds and chat. "Surprise them once, shame upon us." After checking her gear, she finds a comfortable table to squat under and watches the big folk go about their business. Living in one place for so long, I'm surprised this hasn't happened more often. Not much sense in building homes you can't move. Eventually something's gonna to come along and knock 'em down.
As Lavinia settles under a table to watch, she becomes aware of another presence there. When she looks, she spots a small boy in simple homespun. He wipes a spot on his face, and looks around before whispering in a conspiratory whisper. Whatcha doin?
"Watching. Waiting." She keeps her voice a whisper to match the child's. "You?"
The child fidgets a bit, looking around, and then pulls a small loaf of bread from under the dirty homespun. It smells fresh baked. She offers some to Lavinia Um..I'm looking for a place to eat this. It's a picnic"
Lavinia takes a chunk of bread, sniffs it, then takes a bite. After a moment she nods appreciatively. "This picnic is good." She slips out from under her pack and briefly rummages through it, producing a handful of trail rations - rabbit jerky and dried berries - which she offers the child in return.
The girl grins broadly and accepts the rations. My da says that you're the heroes that are going to chase the bad things away. I don't like them, they chased us away from our house. You should punch em in the nose!"
Activity at the heart continues to bustle about as the group begins to relax. An elf with a white cloth tied around his head covering his eyes is led to where Irabeth still tarries over the map table. After a brief exchange, Irabeth nods and looks about and finally points to where Ashnah is resting. The boy that is helping the elf find his way about peels off from the table and approaches Ashnah. "Miss, my master requests your company. Some of your company rescued him from the cave in after the festival, despite his new handicap, and he wishes to reward you."
"My da says that you're the heroes that are going to chase the bad things away. I don't like them, they chased us away from our house. You should punch em in the nose!"
"I am not good at punching. But I will put an arrow in one for you."
Keeping his horned head helmeted Bollwerk kneels down."I have an sausage you can have with your bread!" and takes out half a sausage from his stash of travellers rations
The words of the boy brings a smile on Bollwerks eyes and he takes the hand and introduces himself.
Ashnah raises her eyebrows before standing and stretching slightly, nodding in agreement. "I wasn't part of said group, so as long as he knows this, and is still comfortable granting a reward, then I'm perfectly happy to receive his thanks>" she mummers
Well, I kind of found the group down in the caves. But I am thinking the same as Ashnah
Heinrick gets up and approaches the table, where he waits for the rest of the group to join up with him.
The halfling takes another chunk of bread in exchange for another handful of trail rations, then nods farewell to her young confidant. Re-shouldering her pack as she stands, she makes her way over to her companions and the blindfolded man, curious as to what's going on. Looks like the last day he saw wasn't a good one.
As Heinrick approaches Aravashinial.
I joined you down in the Caverns. I was unaware that you could not see.
However, sir, if you give me some time, I will ask my lady if she would be seeing to letting me restore your sight.
He then waits for the rest of the group to show up. while he waits for an answer.
The young girl accepts the sausage and places it on the bread with a smile, taking a large bite. Bowurk, pwisse ta meet u. She says around a mouthful of food. Her eyes widen a bit when she sees Bollwerk's features, but then looks a bit curiously at his livery, and the trappings of Iomedae's faith.
Aravinashal turns his head towards the sounds of Heinrick and Ashnah's voice, and smiles a bit, Ah yes, I do remember you joining us, and young lady, you are part of the group, changed though it is, that is taking the fight to the Abyssal creatures that plague us. I simply wish to help. He pulls out a somewhat burned book from his travel pack, and lays it carefully down on the table. It is not much, and mostly ruined by the fire, but it should help you on your travels. Or at least help you if you have someone trained in the arcane arts. As for my eyes, Heinrick, there is nothing to cure. The backlash of the demon's sword caught me across the eyes, burning them away. Clerics have started what they could, and have sent for some powerful regenerative magics, but they may take time getting here.
Curious, Lavinia stands on tip-toe to get a look at the cover of the book.
Ashnah takes the book reverently, flicking through the pages with a slim hand as she checks its contents. Ashnah loved books, and the knowledge they tended to contain, and was curious how Aravinashal's offer would help.
Aravinashal watches the group look over the book. There is not much left of the book, and it was only a primer, but I think you'll find some use of the spells that are left.
Ashanah studies the book for a while and notes that several spells were burned away, but the book still contains:
1st: mudball, protection from chaos, ray of enfeeblement, shocking grasp, summon monster, web bolt,
2nd:Agressive Thundercloud, arcane lock, boiling blood, Whip of Spiders
We appreciate the gift of the book, and I am sure that a member or two will be able to make good use of them.
Heinrick pauses for a moment, looks at the others.
I will promise you that I will do what I can to help restore your sight.
He then steps back and lets Ashanah step forward to take the book.
Ashnah is a little overawed by the valuable spells. While some had little practical use, in her experience versatility was always welcome.
"You honor us with your gift" she responds simply, deciding to transcribe the spells at first opportunity.
After ensuring that Ashnah has the book packed.
Heinrick heads over to the table.
I guess it is time for us to do a second round against the garrison?
He looks at the others quickly to ensure that they appear ready to conduct a second run to the Garrison.