Landau continues to laugh at the hobgoblin saying in Goblin, "Before you die, can you tell us where your leader is?"
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Quinrick flicks his wrist again and the remaining hobgoblin sprouts a dagger in the stomach. The creature barely has time to comprehend this beforeRuriks' hammer slams into its armor again, pushing the hobgoblin aside and resulting in a glancing blow from Kord, but it is enough. The hobgoblin sinks to the ground wordlessly.
The six prisoners chained to the walls are, from closest to the door to farthest: a portly, half-dead human, an orc, a male human, a female human, a creature that looks like a hyena crossed with a human being, and a male human. All beg to be released (in the case of the non-humans, what you presume to be begging, anyway). The portly man and the woman are dressed in remnants of nice clothing, the other two humans wear common clothes. The hyena-like creature is naked and covered in fur, and the orc wears a loincloth.
"Free us," one of the human males pleads, "And we will stand with you against the creatures!"
"Speak for yourself, good sir," the portly man replies. "I desire only to return to the keep with my wife. I will provide a generous reward for any who see us there safely."
"Горагты босатыңыз және Гораг сізбен шайқастыQ!" the orc cries.
The hyena-like creature says nothing, it merely looks expectantly at the party.
Landau looks for a key on the hobgoblin jailers/torturers and goes to unlock the chains of the humans. "Carmycal. Laudau Carmycal. Pleased to of service." He greets each one politely.
If the orc is truthful, Laudau unlocks the orc's chains and introduces himself in orc.
"What can you tell us about this place? What can you tell us about the hyena prisoner?" He asks the released prisoners and repeats in orc, too.
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The humans seem to be genuine in their desire to aid you if set free. The orc seems frightened, but earnest.
"Гораг білмейді. Гораг гнолл тілін білмейді," he replies to Landau's question.
"It's a gnoll," one of the human males responds. "They are not to be trusted. He'd like as eat us as work with us."
The man turns to Landau, rubbing his wrists. "I am Aramis, and this is my companion, Bruonar," he says, indicating the other human male. "We were caravan guards for Lhodis here," he nods towards the portly man, "When we were ambushed en route to the keep. Most of us were slain, but we were taken to be eaten later. I speak a little goblin and based on what I've overhead, Lhodis and his wife are due to be the special guests for dinner tonight. Bruonar and I are skilled men-at-arms and will serve you in exchange for room and board if given weapons and armor."
Lhodis harumphs. "As I said, I only want to get my wife to the safety of the keep. If you will escort us, I will see you rewarded."
Landau unlocks Gorag and hands him a hobgoblin's sword, "Қазір мені қорғайсыз"
"Good to meet you Aramis, Bruonar, Lhodis, and m'lady. We look forward to returning you to the keep. We feel compelled to clean as much of this hive as possible before leaving. We want to ensure that more caravans are not ambushed. Please have patience with us." Landau attempts to set expectations.
"Aramis, Bruonar, you've got these hobgob weapons and armor here. Back where we came, there's another batch of hobgob equipment. Get equipped."
"Which way to more bad guys? Do you know much of the way around in here?"
After he hears the answers, he'll try to converse with the gnoll. "How about you? What's your story?" He translates into Elvish, Goblin, Orc, Giant, and Sylvan, in case anything works.
Gimble retrieves his dagger and looks for any more small blades and money on the hobgoblin, while he listens.
"The better question is should we move on or should we take them back right away?" gimble looks to the Gnolls' cage and tries to get a read on the creature's demeanor.
"Well, it's good that we found you in time, then!" Quinrick says, visibly shocked to hear about the dinner plans.
The halfling gathers his daggers from the floor, and joins the others in helping to free the prisoners.
"Well, this is not a very nice place for the gentleman and madam to wait while we investigate the rest of the place. Did you find any room with a lockable door, before we joined?" he asks the senior members of the group. "That would be a more easily defendable position for them."
"I do not like the looks of the Gnoll, he might have a disease with all that frothing coming form his mouth." he says looking about.
Hess returns his weapons to the sheath, and listens as the conversation develops.
"Maybe if we just take them to the entrance and let them find their own way back to town? Perhaps we could let Aramis and Bruoner escort them at least to the main road, then rejoin us. If they decide not to we're no worse off than we were before we found them".
"As for the Gnoll... That's more difficult decision. Perhaps once the merchant and his wife are safely away we could arm ourselves, take position and free him to see what he does. If he attacks we'll be ready for him, if he runs we've not lost anything, and if he stays and acts like he wants to help we've gained a perhaps valuable ally".
Landau looks around the adventuring crew, "Do we want to take a break and return these nobles to the keep? We can resupply and return afterwards. What say you?"
Did the former prisoners equip from the dead hobgobs? Landau made sure that Gorag the orc grabbed a sword.
Ah let's take 'em back. We can't leave this gnoll fella here if we're taking the others though." Addressing the gnoll, You there, you're going to go after these gobbos in the cave right? And once they have been dealt with you can go about your business elsewhere. How about you wait for us to escort these good folk back to the keep and come back to provide you with backup before you go raging after your captors. Or go after them yourself and probably get yourself killed."
Kord waits patiently for a response both from his party and the gnoll. "He does speak common right?"
"I say we leave the keys where it can reach them, but then we get these good folks someplace safe, I don't want anything to die in a cage. But I know better than to trust one of them.
"I do not believe the gnoll is lucid enough to rationalize its surroundings. He is quite angry, like a fighting dog forced into a cage. It's best to leave him for now" he says looking at the others.
'How about you folk did you speak with the gnoll? Did it speak back, did the Hobgoblins do anything extra to the gnoll opposed to the rest of you?" he then looks to Gorag.
" What's your story? How did you come to be here? Did you come here alone?" he says l before looking at the ensembled humans. he stares them down intensely before he smiles.
"Personally a trek back to the Keep means a chance for the enemy to regroup, but if you are adamant I will not stand in the group's way."
"Right, so it sounds like the majority want to escort these fine nobles to the keep, while leaving the keys within reach of the gnoll with whom no one can communicate." Landau looks around for consensus and direction to move this along.
Gimble acquiesces to the rest of the group and awaits for them to get moving. Hoping the fastest and hardest among them leave the keys.
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The party leaves the keys within reach of the gnoll and evacuates the caverns. The walk back to the keep is largely uneventful until about the halfway point. At that time, Quickrick suddenly perks up and ushers you quickly off the road. Peering from the tall grass on the side of the road, you watch as a group of six humanoids approaches. They are:
A female human dressed in a simple brown robe
A female gnome dressed in leather armor, with a shortsword at her side
A male elf dressed in a blue robe with silver trim
A male elf in half-plate with a shield and mace
A male human in half-plate and shield with a longsword and flail
A male tiefling dressed in a chemise and carrying a quarterstaff
Landau whispers to ask if the former prisoners recognize any of the new group.
Then, he looks to see if the new group displays any obvious symbols.
"Well now a group with a sensible and attractive leader" he says gesturing to the gnome woman his smile broad and welcoming.
Gimble looks over each as they begin to approach them trying to puzzle together the group as best as he can.
Not a dwarf among them, hrummph
"Well met" Rurik raises his hammer to the group of adventurers.
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The group seems a little startled by your sudden appearance from the grass and their hands go to their weapons, but upon seeing your friendly manner, they relax.
"Well met," the human male responds. "Glendor, of the Company of the Golden Dagger."
The gnome steps forward and introduces herself. "Estra Zo! How're ya?!"
"And this is Tassit, Farned, Trebbelos, and Lappoy," Glendor continues, motioning to the human female, the elf in armor, the tiefling, and the elf in robes, each in turn. Tassit and Farned each wave as they are introduced. Trebbelos looks you over with a critical eye, and Lappoy merely nods his head.
"We are seeking the fortress of Quasqueton, said to be somewhere near here. Have you, perchance, seen a lone tower?"
Hess... never one to trust strangers, simply watches the new arrivals without making eye contact.
Kord nods his greeting and responds, "Fortress of what now? I've not seem any kind of tower around here. Just caves is all."
Gimble thinks on this wondering if he has heard of anything similar to this Quasqueton.
Quinrick's head appears from a nearby bush.
"Oh, hello! Quinrick, nice to meet you," the halfling says, extending his hand as we climbs out from his hiding place.
"Lone tower, you say? Mmm.. No, I cannot say I've seen it. What did you say the name was, Quasqueton. Let me see my maps here.."
Quinrick starts rummaging through his backpack, pulling out various maps and notebooks.
"Nope, no mention here. Why are you looking for this fortress, if I may ask?"
Landau tries to divine any secret agendas of the new group.
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Looking over the group offers no clues as to their motives, and neither Gimble nor Quinrick can bring up any useful information about Quasqueton.
"Quasqueton was the home of a mighty mage and a powerful warrior who lived in this region, Rogahn the Brave and Zelligar the Mighty. They disappeared about a century ago, but it is said that their fortress was somewhere in this area, designated by a lone tower. We hoped to enter and see what might be left behind."
"Would you please leave a trail of bread crumbs, so we may follow? We need to first escort these fine nobles to the local keep for protection. Then, we probably need to rid these hills of the threat of humanoids before we can find your tower of Quasqueton." Landau offers.
"That sounds very reasonable friends. We wouldn't dream of trying to steal from fellow adventurers. If you all run into trouble, you can leave word for Kord Silvershield and company at the fort. We can do our best to mount a rescue. May Berronar watch over your delve so such a rescue will not be necessary! " Kord delivers this with a wide friendly smile.
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"Our thanks to you, good sir. May Helm give you his blessings in your endeavors."
The remainder of the journey is uneventful and you arrive at the keep at mid-afternoon. Your names are recorded and your weapons peace-bonded and you are permitted entry.
Lhodis seems on the verge of tears in his joy to be returned. "Please, come with me," he says. He and his wife lead you to the Guildhouse and bid you enter. There, Lhodis explains to the guild master what you have done.
The guild master smiles. "You have saved one of our members from a fate worse than death." He takes out a pouch that rings of coin and places it before you on the desk. "This is the 100 gold piece reward that we set aside to give to his rescuers. In addition, I am pleased to offer each of you an honorary Guild status, and to exempt you from any dues, fees, or taxes that would otherwise be incurred by the Guild for a period of one year."
His wife reappears and says, "I would see you rewarded as well. Please, take this token of my esteem." She hands over an ornate dagger about 8 inches from tip to pommel. "This blade is enchanted. It increases the wielder's prowess in combat."
Rurik Looks at the dagger, "That is fine make, but not really the weapon of a warrior"
"Your generosity is well noted, I'm sure there are several among us who would consider it a great honor to bear this enchanted blade in your honor".
Hess picks up the pouch of coin looking at the others in turn.
"Is there something we need as a group... perhaps some healing potions... or do we just split what is here"?
"And back home you are, Lhodis!" Quinrick says cheerfully as the group approaches the keep. He patiently goes through all the formalities while getting in - and it turns out it was well worth it. 100 gold is plenty of money.
"I thank you most graciously. And most happy I am to have delivered Lhodis and his wife home safe and sound." He says, and bows while Hess picks up the gold. Then, the dagger catches his eye.
"A fine weapon indeed. And since I am no warrior, I will not scorn any weapons not meant for them." The halfling winks, and accepts the dagger. He is tempted to give it a few swings and thrusts to see how it performs, but decides just to admire it up close instead. Well, it certainly will come useful, but he'll have to agree with Gimble who gets to use it.
Then is the question about the gold, how to best use it.
"Were you lacking anything on the last trip? Now would be a good time to get it. I could use a lantern or a similar source of light, that I could put on the ground during a fight."
"I do love the idea of healing potions" he says looking around and then looks at the dagger."I would gladly take the dagger, it is effective in capable hands, and I believe mine are quite capable"
"You all are most kind. Im just glad we could get you back in one piece. Hopefully that gnoll fellow isn't causing more harm while we're gone. Perhaps we could restock on some standard gear. Some extra rope and the like couldn't hurt. Extra healing magic would be nice too."
"Thank you very much, master and lady. Please let us know if there is anything else that you might need from us."
Landau will try to get some free weapons and armor from his new noble or mercenary friends: studded leather armor and a longbow or heavy crossbow would be excellent.
He will also make secret contact with his Harpers contact which brought him to the area, deliver his message, and receive any orders or information. If he can't get free weapons and armor from the former prisoners, he tries to upgrade by his contact.
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The mercenaries have nothing to offer except their service, which they will in exchange for armor and gear. The merchant and his wife would be more than happy to supply you with a suit of studded leather and a heavy crossbow.
Gimble will make sure to restock, get some more daggers and arrows and then also look up his Harper Contacts.
The half elf effusively thanks his noble patrons for the weapons and armor.
Landau bumps into Gimble at their mutual friend.
Afterwards, he suggests to explore the keep of the borderlands and exchange life stories over an ale.
"So they sent two of us eh? Seems something in there has our friends worried to send two of us" he says as they walk thinning his mustache trying to look dashing and handsome.
Landau grew up in the attic of an inn where his mother worked. She, the innkeeper’s family and couple other ladies kept the rooms and served meals. Occasionally, his mother would perform for extra coin, but it made her extremely sad. Singing reminded her of Landau’s father who left without returning before Landau was born.
The old lute hung above the fireplace. As soon as, Landau could climb and get it down, he picked at it. The young half-elf was fascinated with the sounds. His natural ear tuned the lute and allowed him to learn to play songs that he had heard. At an early age, he replaced his mother entertaining the guests of the inn. At first, he became locally famous as a child prodigy.
The Harpers secretly recruited Landau during his childhood and secured an apprenticeship in the renowned College of Fochlucan. After graduation, they sent him to the Keep in the Borderlands.
"Indeed. Wonder if we should clear out the hills of humanoids or find this tower of Quasqueton next. What do you think?" The harpers plan.
"I say we seek out this Quasqueton, it may hold some answers or at least grant us more loot for operating capital. It may also be a great place to set up a base to rest between without traveling all the way back here to the fort" He says fiddling with his mustache.
"I guess it doesn't matter to me... but I don't like leaving things undone".
"If you have some guidance, I am willing to listen."