Ares considers the offer of service to the Baroness.
"I was in search of meaningful employment when I arrived in this town. If we can be of service to the community in the process, I for one, am interested. ."
"Color me interested as well."
Reynaldo gives a sweeping bow to the Baroness. As always, my lady, we are at your service. We shall be only too glad to do whatever we can to resolve this little matter for you and for your town.
Hammerfist nods and grunts a bit and baring any serious objections will hand the plaque over.
Ares, in addition to checking the local shops and pubs, would visit or observe any temples or chapels in town. Especially any capable of healing services, for future reference.
"This town is not very large, much smaller than my home, but worth fighting for nonetheless. Kobolds are a nuisance at best and from what they did to the tower, may have more notorious ambitions . "
"Well, we certainly can't wait to see what happens next. We should head out as soon as we're able. If everyone is feeling better now?"
"A few days o' rest did me wonders, bout ready to go deal with them pesky dragonfruit."
Abadar: The Abadarans hope to see Belhaim someday become a hub for trade and export again. Ever pragmatic, the Abadarans frequently come into conflict with the Shelynites, whom they regard as layabouts.Green Faith: Green Faith NPCs are patient and hard working, and tend to be easily frustrated by politics.
Shelyn: Shelynites prefer Belhaim as it is—a cozy town that doesn’t see much action. They see the Abadarans as greedy traditionalists who have forgotten how to take the time to enjoy life.
While perusing the town, the party hears of some rumors and finds that a few establishments have rare magic items.
House of Abadar +1 light crossbow, +2 longsword, scroll of restoration (3)*, wand of cure moderate wounds (39 charges)
Shrine of the Seven Roses deep red sphere ioun stone, goggles of minute seeing, wand of lesser restoration (43 charges)
Sensina Hides +1 studded leather armor
Delbin’s Devices +1 frost short sword, golembane scarab, ring of minor acid resistance
Chance Smithy +1 bashing heavy steel shield
"Our druid and his wife were due back by here more than two months ago, but no one’s seen them. I think they took a wrong turn or came upon some nasty trouble—though what could be scary enough to give them trouble I’d rather not think about!"
"Isadorer Malak still hasn’t given up hope that her daughter Bophre might still be alive, but she’s been missing for three months now! Just last week, Malak increased the award for Bophre’s return to 200 gold pieces—that must be most of her life savings!"
"They say Bassy’s the oldest person in town, but how can that be? She looks like she’s a child! They say her grandmother was a friend of Lady Belhaim."
"That wizard Hunclay always spooked me. I heard he worships devils and collects evil books!"
"There’ve always been wolves in the woods, but lately, there’s a pack led by a beast of a wolf that’s got a taste for livestock! Ol’ Prake Abrassus saw it run off with a sheep in its mouth like a dog carries a bone! Guess that’s why he put a bounty on it, hmm?
Ares seems to get along best with the greedy Abadarans, although the green faith gas a place in his heart from his childhood and Erastil.
"Lia, Seem there may be more going on than just the kobolds...or they are behind some of the missing persons. Seems like we will find put soon enough, and sooner better than later from the tales around town. "
"Agreed. And if we can find that daughter we heard about, all the better. She may even be extremely grateful if she's survived this long." She smirks coyly at the thought of that, eyeing Ares for a reaction.
After a couple days of rest and rehabilitation, the party heads out toward the old quarry....
Assuming 10 feet wide we could go Reynaldo and Hammerfist in front with Lia and Ares in the second row and Lao guarding the rear.
" We best head out and uncover this plot. Hammer and Reynaldo, right behind you. Glad you are both looking your normal color again. "
The party makes much needed purchases and heads toward the old abandoned "Old Abandoned" quarry. After a a couple mile walk, the party approaches the quarry.
A fifty-foot-wide strip of shore stretches between the lake’s edge and the forty-foot-high quarry wall. It’s strewn with stony debris—the result of centuries of rockslides. Several larger boulders stand against the middle of the quarry wall.
Walking along the shore, Lia and Hammerfist spot some kobolds skulking about the boulders!
Hammerfist will 5ft step and try to squish the nearest kobold.
Lia will move around the forward kobold and tell Lao to come by her side.
Hammerfist steps up and swings on the nearest kobold, but misses!
Lia circles the nearest kobold, calling Lao the her.
Two kobolds attack, one striking at Lia with a spear, while the other slings a stone at Hammerfist. Both attacks miss. The other four kobolds move up, weapons ready!
Lia tells Lao to maul the kobold which is not beside her.
Saddened that her tiger has no luck, Lia tries her own slashing against the one by her.
But she also can't land a hit, either.
Hammerfist steps back to get a flank on the kobold bothering Lia and tries to squish it.
Lia and Lao both attack and both miss!
Hammerfist then steps up and squashes a kobold!
The kobolds then swarm forward...
The kobolds prove to be mostly off target, though one stabs Lao with a spear. The cat manages to twist away avoiding a deeper wound. Two others hit Hammerfist and Lia with sling stones, but only leave bruises.
Ares moves 15' south and shoots at the goblin due west.
for
Reynaldo steps up to administer some pain to the kobold near Hammerfist.
Have at thee, fell creature!
Lao once again tries to eat a kobold.
Lia reprimands his lack of ability quickly as she steps up between Lao and Hammerfist before swinging at the kobold by Lao.
Hammerfist will stand his ground and fail to squish the Kobold 10 feet south of Lia.
Ares fires his bow and takes out a kobold!
Reynaldo attacks and misses the little creature!
Lia and Lao also attack and miss!
Hammerfist smacks down his weapon and misses as well!
The kobolds all attack with spears, though only one manages to connect, stabbing Reynaldo!
Reynaldo grimaces at the wound, but does not make a sound.
He five foots into flank with Lao (and Hammer, for that matter) and tries again, targeting the one between he and the tiger.
Ares will move and shoot at another of the attacking kobolds in the back ranks.
for
Reynaldo steps in and stabs a kobold, taking it down.
Next, Ares moves over and shoots a kobold, the force of the arrow sending it tumbling over a boulder as it loses consciousness.
Lao continues to attack the lizard before him, intent on taking it down and earning his new chewing toy!
Lia's turn to take on the one before her before Hammerfist puts it down.
If Lia/Lao finish off the close one Hammerfist will attack the far one, otherwise he will step back (east) and attack the close one.
Lao manages to make a small bite on the far kobold!
Hammerfist steps back and smashes the near kobold!
The kobold stabs the big cat, but can't pierce the skin, but bruising the rib!
Ares looks at the remaining kobolds.
"Crazy critters. Seems like rest of you have them under control. I am going to save my arrows and not risk shooting one of you."
Lao tries harder, encouraged by his recent success rather than angered at the jab.
Lia then tells his to take a step to the side so she may flank with him as she herself takes a step.
It has no effect.
"Dammit, Ares, I'm about to trade spots with you. You may have better luck than I with this thing."
Lao clamps his jaws down on the kobold's windpipe, crushing it, then tosses the little body aside!
Lia puts her scimitar away. "That's it. I'm just going to shoot these things now..."
"Well Ares, time to give the wand a spin on Reynaldo. Hopefully we didn't buy a lemon."
Ares activates the wand and raps Reynaldo with it once.
" Hold still. This will take but a second...I hope.."
Ares sticks the wand back in his wrist sheath, grabs his bow and follows the others.
Once everyone is ready, the party heads into the southern tunnel. Carved from the earth and stone, the tunnels are low and narrow, better fitted for kobolds than bigger folk.
Traveling about fifty feet into the tunnel, the party encounters a fork with tunnels branching to the left and right.