Tairdo has been surveying the scene as the others were speaking, pulling out a small book and jotting some notes.
he is mumbling something about orcs and the proximity to Oakhurst.
eventually he realizes the need to bury the fallen husband. going to gather a shovel (this is a farm after all) he does his best to help dig a grave.
Fargus nods at the widow's request and begins digging a furrow with his axe. By the time Tairdo returns with a shovel, Fargus has outlined a plot where the wife wished. Between the two of them it didn't take very long to create a suitable hole. Fargus helps lower the body down then offers a prayer in his native language.
Aren asks if he followed a particular god and attempts to remember words from that gods burial rights. Remembering only the fewest words, he offers a more generic sounding prayer that he knows translating from elven to human. There are a few miss-interpretations but over all the words come out right. Nothing inspiring however.
Entering Oakhurst, Aren finds the place to be quaint. He surveys the small village to get a good lay of the village and sets it to memory.
Fyird assists in the burial process, then leads the group to Oakhurst... thankfully without further interruption. On the way he questions the woman about the incident.
"Is this the first time you've had trouble with orc raiders? Have you heard of any other trouble from your neighbors or friends? Do you have any idea where they might be based, or have come from"?
"Kobolds are pesky little bastards!" Joxi says putting her bow back to where it belongs. "Once fought a Kobold at my village once, they tried to take our mine. Thought it would be a good place to plot and scheme against all us good folk. Instead, it just leads to there doom. Them Kobolds will never learn to try and encrouch into our lands. Dumb reptiles" she says followed by a spit and a weird hand gesture over her heart.
Tairdo has a seat. Just an ale please. he orders.
Once the drink arrives, Have you heard of a place called the Sunless Citadel? he asks I'm looking for some compatriots that caame here not long ago search for such a place.
Aren enters hearing Tairdo’s question. ”Right to the point that one is.” He walks around the inn taking in its aura. Soon he finds a seat and sits, waiting politely for service.
"Less you have some Dwarven Ale, bring me whatever pisswater you have here that passes for beer." says Fargus, as he sits down with a *THUMP*, followed by a *THUD* as the point of his axe hits the floor, which he then leans up against the table.
"The local fare my good tavern keep! I'd love to taste the flavor of the local spirit." She says with a smile as she looks to her party members."So my fellow travellers aside from this interest in the Sunless Citadel what do we call ourselves or do we have some goal in mind?" She asks climbing onto a chair.
"I'm assuming this sunless citadel place is full of drow. I'm going so I can lop the limbs offa some drow. Math seems simple enough to me."
When Fyird finds a moment, he approaches the barkeep for a private conversation.
"I hope you can help me my good man. I'm actually here to bid for and hopefully procure a rumored "Golden Apple" that some goblins near here sell every year. I don't want to publicly declare my intentions, however do you know of such an event, or perhaps can recommend someone who might know?"
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Drinks are brought to the table (sadly, no dwarven ale) and the barkeep seems amiable enough.
"The Sunless Citadel? Of course, I know of it. It's about 7 miles up the Old Road. No one knows for sure what the Sunless Citadel once was, but legends hint that it served as the retreat of an ancient dragon cult. 'Course, you're the first to ask about it in some time. Well, aside from that group about a month past.
"Seems to me that I recall a man about 13 winters past came through asking about it as well. Had an unusual name... started with a D? No, a B, I think. Belkar, Belter... Belak! That was it! His name was Belak! Weird fellow, always muttering to himself. Had a big pet frog. He went in the direction of the citadel and hasn't been seen since.
"If'n you're here about the reward, you'll be wanting to see Kerowyn Hucrele at the general store. They were her children. If'n you ask me, I think that they're all dead, killed by whatever haunts that old ruin."
In response to Fyird, the barkeep chortles. "Son, if you're looking to keep that a secret, then you're out of luck. Every midsummer the goblins auction off a perfect apple said to cure whatever ails you. They've done it every year for the last twelve years. Sometimes, around midwinter, they sell a different apple. Corpse-white, it is, and poison, even to the touch.
"No one knows where the apples come from, but all efforts to grow our own trees have met with failure. Somehow, the goblins manage to steal all saplings from these apples. Needless to say, anyone who found out where the apples come from and how to grow them would be in possession of a great secret."
"Well the intent of my silence was to keep any undesirables from knowing I might carry enough coin to purchase such an item... but I guess that no longer applies". Fyird looks around the room to see if anyone is paying undue attention.
Perception
"How do we know when this apple is for sale, and where is the auction held? Does anyone know where these goblins come from"?
At hearing Belak’s name, Aren turns and regards the speaker. Taking note of what was mentioned. ”Apperantly this Sunless Citadel is where I need to go as well. I wonder if Tymora has had a hand in this group of travelers forming. We all seem to have similar agendas.“
"Yes that is what I needed to know. As for these apples, seems interesting. Wonder if those goblins might let me see one!" She says with a giggle before looking at Fyird.
"So you want a magical apple that cures all things? Are you sick?"
When Jaynie gets to the tavern she automatically picks up a tray and begins to wait tables. She moves over to the group.
"Greetings travellers. What can I get for you?"
Fargus chuckles as Jaynie resumes her server role and says "That's cute. You're an adventurer now...That's a job for a townie."
I think advancing is good.
And go
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The next day is largely uneventful. Along about evening, a covered wagon comes to the edge of town, led by six goblins. The goblins make camp just outside the town and announce that the bidding for their wondrous apple will begin at noon the next day.
The next day, as the sun reaches its zenith, the goblins come into the center of the village and begin the auction. The auctioneer, a particularly fat goblin, holds forth an apple that appears perfect in every way.
"I has a tasty apple that cures many ills. We starts bids at 100 gp." the auctioneer croaks.
The crowd looks downcast. It appears that very few if any, people in these parts have that much cash. All eyes settle on your group.
Aren recognizes the Fey influence on this piece of fruit and has no doubt that Belak is involved. He intends to follow these goblin back from where they came. Trying to find out where this apple came from. He does not however plan to bid on the apple. Not that he could afford it anyway.
"I bid 75 GP". Fyird speaks up, stepping to the front of the crowd.
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A murmur runs through the crowd, as though this were an unexpected turn. The goblins certainly seem surprised. "75 golds is bid! Do we hears more?" Silence reigns. "Very well, 75 golds it is! Payment in full, please." Fyird feels the eyes of the crowd upon him. Whendace seems particularly pleased and offers to safeguard the apple until you are ready to return.
After the auction, your group is approached by a local merchant, Kerowyn Heracle. She introduces herself and offers to buy you drinks in exchange for hearing her story. The goblins will be an hour or so in breaking camp before they leave.
"You had me at free drinks." jokes Fargus.
Trying not to seem a bvious about watching and following the goblins Aren returns to the tavern with the others.
”Thank you for the offer of alcohol but I will decline. My senses must remain sharp. By all means though, tell us your story.”
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"My name is Kerowyn Heracle, the matriarch of the Heracle family. A month ago, a warrior came through town, looking for the Sunless Citadel. He was an adventurer and had a partner, a ranger. They convinced two of my children, Talgen and Sharwyn, to join them. I would know what has happened to my children.
"Each wears a signet ring, not unlike this one," she shows you her ring. "If they are dead, please return the rings to me. I will offer 125 gold dragons to each of you for each ring returned. If you return one or both of them, alive and well, I will double the reward."
"I know what it means to lose a child. I give you my word that I will return them if it is within my power to do so."
Aren listens and nods when it comes to the woman’s children. ”Of course, we will do what we can.” Aren keeps careful track of time and does not wish to dally here. He will soon head back to the goblin camp to ensure they do not get far. He is sure however that he or his companions could track the stupid creatures but he is not positive who out of his traveling mates are continuing for this leg of the journey.
Fyird had counted out the 75 GP beforehand, as he knew that this would be his opening bid. He approached the goblins and paid, taking possession of the golden apple. He studied it a bit before handing it off to Whendace.
His mission completed, and the left over gold heavy in his purse he listens with eagerness as his travelling companions consider the plight of the lady.
Well, this group seems capable, and I'm free at the moment. Perhaps I'll tag along... who knows the origin of the apple might reveal itself as we help out. Don't really have any clues otherwise.
"I'll be happy to lend my skills to this endeavor", Fyird interjects.
Not sure what is happening, Jaynie smiles and says, "Well you will need me there to...after all who will serve you drink and food...right?!"
She looks at the others, the same sweet smile on her face, but with eyes that seem to belong to...something else.
"That is aweful they just up and left! Anyways we will see what happened and bring back what you need be it the rings or your children!" She says sitting crosslegged on the barstool now after a slight climb.
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Moving swiftly, your group follows the goblins at a safe distance, far enough to not be noticed. The overgrown Old Road winds through rocky downs, near stands of old-growth oak, and past abandoned farms. The goblins follow the road for about 7 miles. The Old Road passes to the east of a narrow ravine. At the road's closest approach to the cleft, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most lean atop sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the dark depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine.
A sturdy, knotted rope is tied to one of the leaning pillars on this side of the ravine. The goblins take pains to hide their wagon in the foliage and then descend the rope (unless you choose to attack them while they are hiding the wagon).
The ravine runs for several miles in either direction, with an average depth and width of 30 feet. At the point where it most closely intersects the Old Road, it widens to 40 feet.
"Sneaky buggers!" mutters Fargus as he watches the Goblins shimmy down the rope.
"Exciting!! Mysterious Goblins, magical apples, shrouded ravines all seem the start of some wonderful fantastical tale!" She said with the exuberance of a child as she watches along side her compatriots!
Aren waits for the last goblin to descend and then quietly moves toward the rope. When he arrives he looks over the edge to see which way the goblins are moving from the rope.
Aren waves the other forward and prepares to climb down following them. He stops then and regards the others. ”Should be let them go and follow thier tracks or just continue tailing them so closely. We put ourselves at risk on this rope. “
In answer to Arendyl's question, Fargus leaps out, grabs the rope, and starts shimmying down it.
Fyird shrugs, and follows the dwarf down. I do wonder where those apples come from...
athletics.
Athletics (Advantage if applicable)
Looking down, Jaynie smiles and grabs the rope.
"Last one down serves the beer!"
Athletics:
JOxi looks at the rope and winces."Okay not the best at this but You'll catch me if I fall right?' She says reaching out to grab the rope and climb down.