Boggel climbs up a tree to see if he can get a better look from up above.
The foliage is fairly dense though, well, except for the clear trail that the giant has left behind him.
Wulf looks about trying to take note of a ring well that he could double as a wheel.
Wulf beats aside the brush with his staff, but he finds nothing other than harmless grass snakes slithering for cover.
From his higher vantage point, Boggel points out a tangle of briars growing upon a fallen tree that sits within a depression just south of the road. Naomi picks her way down and finds the ring! When Kardoblag dropped it, it must have rolled down the incline and crashed through the brush like a runaway barrel.
It is fortunate that you found the ring quickly. You worry that spending too much time out here could allow the storm to catch you, some hungry beast to find you, or - worse yet - give Kardoblag time to sober up and rethink sparing you.
The drunken giant eagerly snatches up the ring, nearly picking up Helgrim (who carried it) along with it. He shoves it back on his knotted finger and rises unsteadily to his full, towering height.
In his broken, gurgling Common, he gratefully promises not to pound you to paste the next time he sees you. Kardoblag bounds back into the forest, tearing a new path northward through the trees.
With such a largely unexpected crossing of paths resolved with no one splattered upon the forest floor, the party is left to resume the hike back home.
Boggel watches the giant drunkenly stumble away. He climbs down the tree to rejoin the others. "No one had to die. I'm going to call that a win." He smiles as he stows hi bow across his back and walks down the trail.
Liam slips out of the trees and heads wordlessly back down the giant’s path, looking for a large metal hoop of some sort.
”Nobody is ever going to believe that story. It’s going to be a pub favorite though. I can’t believe that Giant was so drunk, I mean that just actually happened!”
The dumbfounded dwarf continues on as they continue towards Wulf’s Farm.
"I know that poor sod, to think what would have happened to him if his Wife found out. Probably find him deadbeat to death by a frying pan" He said a bit perplexed at the giant.
"As for me Naomi, I wouldn't worry I got my eye on a very fine woman. She doesn't know it yet, but I plan to tell her soon enough. Preferably without her favorite weapon in hand if she gets too excited" he says with a smile as he walks beside his companions.
Not so much as a moorsnake, let alone anything as bewildering as another drunken giant, crosses the party's path as you continue down the old road. Peering over your shoulders, you see dark clouds gathering in the distant horizon at your back, inexorably borne along by the westerly wind.
Emerging from the forest's edge and into the stump-dotted rolling plains, you notice that few loggers appear to be returning to camp just yet. Most of them will continue to swing their axes and drag their saws until the driving rain is upon them.
In fact, Wulf and Liam suspect that the camp foreman may keep the men out through the storm depending on the quota and his mood.
Returning to the farm, Wulf finds his animals noisily waiting for him, impatiently kicking their hooves against the fences.
”I am feeling especially hale after our trip! Let’s do some chores Wulf, I’m startin to get flabby, either that or I’m gonna need to start logging to keep my muscles in shape so I can lift a flagon and fork at the inn.”
”After that I can count the coins and figure out what the runes say on this armor.”
"Ye sure you want to try an wrestle some of these critters. They don't take kindly to being left to get wet. So if you want to help me get them into the barn and get them some of the hay then, by all means, I'll let you. Especially if you want to get some of the work in."
"AS for yer armor and needing a place for it I got a couple rooms empty for ya. Feel free to use it. As for a desk I might have one in the loft. Used to keep journals up there til they started repeating the same ol' day to day routine."Wulf said with no real worry about the rain as he strode forward towards the paddocks.
"If fact if any of ya wish to get in and get dry help yerselves, I would feel awful if I'd let such fine folk as yourselves to walk home cold wet and hungry. Well, at least cold n' wet I am not much a cook. So if any of ya know how to cook feel free to do so"
Boggel is really beginning to feel comfortable around this group. "Thank you, friend Wulf. I will stay the night." He offers to help cook, too, though he has little skill. "Perhaps maple syrup will help the flavor."
”No problem Saint Naomi! I can gather up what you need and I’m glad we’ll all have a night together to share some downtime.”
Helgrim pauses a moment.
”It’s really great to, um, well to have a . . . Good time. Right!? Yeah, everyone likes to have a good time.”
He begins shedding his extra gear and changes the conversation.
”Heh, heh, heh, wait until I get some bacon for you to put that maple syrup on Boggel!”
The dwarf prepares to go out into the rain to work with Wulf.
”Hey Wulf, you never told me if you want my armored coat. It’s heavier than your leather but it goes on faster and it gives you a fair amount better protection than leather and no offense, but mine is dwarven made.”
Boggel thanks Naomi. "I will need more syrup when we get back to town." He mutters something about stockpiling it for the winter.
"I guess it is a sleepover. Naomi, you can have my niece and nephews room. Unless Helgrim minds switching for the night. I have a nice spartan room I sleep in. Not sure where you'd be the most comfortable Boggel or you Liam."
As he quickly takes off his leather and sword, as well as his cloak, he then rolls up his sleeve and grips his staff."Seems an alright piece of equipment. I think it would a great replacement for my leather. As for a good time, I know I will have one. Nothing is better than sitting down and sharing a meal with friends. In fact, when we grab the milk and eggs I grab a few bottles of a stout I bought a few months past. Should still be good"
Wulf can scarcely remember when his farm hosted a more raucous night, even when compared to the seasons spent raising his niece and nephew beneath the same roof. The sunless hours pass as the newly assembled companions strengthen their bonds further with talk, laughter, and maple syrup.
In the morning, a folded message is found slipped under the farmhouse door, though no one saw any figure or figment skulking about during the night to deliver it.
Tomorrow night, Kabran Bloodeye will be smuggling something - or someone - into town by river. He doesn't want either the sheriff or Kreed to know.
- T
Waking early to go clean off his body and begin chores, he notices the paper and reads it. Rubbing his eyes he curses the message and the morning as it was too early for both. He turnss to take it back in and set it on the table keeping it secure with a cup.
Not really reading it he goes to start his morning routine with little worry. For him it was like an old familiar glove. Get Up, Wash Up Do a bit of light chores, Breakfast, Chores, Lunch, Chores or trip to town, dinner then sleep
Helgrim reads the note.
”Hey, get a load of this. You think it’s another ambush opportunity set up by Kreed? I am guessin T is that Tim character. Who the heck is Bloodeye? He sounds pleasant. Not many Jim Goodfellows or Angela Angelhearts around these part.”
Boggel glances at the note and nods. "Perhaps the herbalist can help identify him?"
He owns the Rouge Lady, the gambling hall and brothel just outside of the palisade on the western edge of town. Despite its silken hangings and carved wooden ornaments, the establishment is one of the roughest places in Andoran's frontier.
However, it is a well-known but rarely spoken secret that the real source of Bloodeye's money and power is from his role as leader of the Redrock Guild, a criminal syndicate operating within Falcon's Hollow. It is also widely assumed that Bloodeye pays a portion of his take to Kreed to ensure that the Gavel's men look the other way, allowing the Redrock Guild to operate under the tacit protection of the Lumber Consortium boss.
Of course, without concrete proof, these are merely rumors - albeit rumors that many Valers accept as a fact of life in the Hollow.
"Bloodeye is a Brutal Thug turned self-proclaimed Crime Boss. He is the other thorn in the side of Falcons' Hollow. He claimed the life of my Brother after the Lumber Consortium was done with him and had my sister turning tricks for him.He is scum." Wulf says spitting on the ground cursing the bastard.
"He is however entrenched, more so then Kreed as he has people indebted to him." He finishes coming back in from a bit of chore taking off his shirt and wringing out the sweat.
"Also if we look into this and he is there do not. And I am dead serious about this talk about his nose" Wulf walks over and grabs a pitcher and heads outside."I'll leave it up to you"
He walks away his back and torso a map of various scars from his fights and his past. He was young yet had always looked older than most thought.
Liam sleeps wherever there's room. Really, just have a roof over his head and no rocks under him is plenty for the experienced woodsman.
"At the very least, we need to find out what he's trying to sneak in. Knowledge is power, and knowing something he doesn't want us to could come in handy. But I suspect we'll want to prevent him from succeeding, at any rate."
”Maybe we ambush his ass at at the river. Maybe make it look like Kreed’s hand, maybe we burn his place down. Sounds like the town will be better off without him and his ilk.”
The dwarf slams a fist down on the table.
”If he killed Wulf’s brother and sister that makes it personal for me too. Does he hold youngin’s at his place?!”
"the Man makes his money off of vices. Probably gives kickbacks to Kreed to keep him outta his business. At least it makes sense. Oh, and he didn't kill my sister Helgrim. No, she still lives. She was the one that lives with me. As for my brother. Yeah, the debt collectors Ol'Gold Nose sent got to him when I was away." He said as he took a towel and wiped off his hands.
"I suggest you all go about your day to day, see what you can find out about the area and well about anything really. I am gonna work a bit out here. A farmers job is never done. We'll meet at Jaks say sundown?"
”You both are right. I just can’t get over how things are in this town. I am glad Naomi is here to chill things out or I would be burning the place down and destroying mill. Heh heh.”
”What!? Look I am mostly joking here.”
The dwarf goes over and picks up his shoulder bag.
”Yeah. Let’s go to town and let ourselves be seen. I wanna talk to your gnome buddy about those rock gnomes we saw anyway. Maybe pick up some candy for kids, etc. and of course we need to order Boggel here a decent supply of syrup. Heh.”
"Ah yes, I'd hate to forget the syrup." He picks up his bow as the prepare to leave. "I have spent much time near the river. I could take a quick look to see if there are any advantageous places for us to remain unobserved."
The storm that you predicted yesterday broke during the night, leaving the farm thoroughly soaked. Rain continues to fall, but now it is only a drizzle from a gray but otherwise calm sky.
On the farm, Wulf finds his animals huddled together in their shelters, avoiding leaks that have formed in the roof.
Naomi realizes that the rain may be a blessing in disguise. Brickasnurd often spends mornings wandering through the forest, searching for unusual discoveries to stock in his store. Between the rain, and the fact that Naomi is not there to watch the store for him, it will be far more likely to find the gnome where he should be.
"Yeah! lets get in there. I've got coin burning in my pockets!"
Wulf sighs and does his best to get on the roof and patch some of the holes. He then will feed check them, and do some general repair on fencing. He will also cover any plants that seem to have too much water forming in hopes of keeping them alive.
You hustle along through the light rain towards town, avoiding wide puddles that have collected in the muddy roads, and head for the Goose 'n' Gander.
You stand in the entrance, stamping your feet and shaking water from your shoulders, as the cool, dry air within the eclectic shop falls upon you. Brickasnurd is finishing up erecting a parasol over the petrified psuedodragon sitting atop the sales counter. Drops of rain falling from the ceiling rafters catch on the parasol surface only to run down into a bucket on the floor.
"Welcome, welcome," the old gnome beckons gaily, his bristling sideburns shaking as he turns to you. "I'm glad to see that the weather hasn't kept everyone away today."
...
Back on the farm, Wulf effects repairs that are not too dissimilar from the same upkeep drills back in boot camp. He has wooden shingles already cut and set aside to patch such roof holes, and he spreads canvas and oilcloth over some of his plants - including the newly transplanted fangberries.
Water seems to slide off Boggel without much problem. After a good shake, he's more or less dry, or at least not dripping. "Of course. Rain cannot prevent the needs of the locals," he says smiling.
Helgrim listens to Bricksanurd’s response with interest.
When there is a break in the conversation he asks.
”So I hear that you are the local expert on all creatures and things strange. So I was wondering if you’ve ever heard of a being that looks like a gnome made of rock. They evidently have an interest in bits of rusty things like old tools and whatnot. Anyway. They are about yay’big and their eyes . . .”
The dwarf goes on to describe in great detail what he has seen.
Brickasnurd strokes the graying stubble upon his chin and nods along as he listens intently to Helgrim's description of the creatures.
"Well, I'm certainly tickled that you call them 'rock gnomes.' Quite the curious moniker you came up with," he chuckles with a faint rattle in his throat. "However, from your description, it sounds like you had a run in with some earth elementals - albeit some wee ones. I wouldn't find it surprising at all to learn that those chasms the old Rending opened up contained some portals to the Plane of Earth. Probably in the deep recesses and crannies. Hard to get to places where only small ones can climb out and explore."
The gnome busies himself, darting between his shop's shelves like a frantic hare, moving with speed that belies his age. He seems to adjust and dust the eclectic wares, though in no recognizable semblance of organization.
"I'm not sure if you can tell, but I'm quite excited. Thanks to the aid of some contacts of mine, I've secured some items of exceptional rarity. Never before have I found anything like these in my wanderings. I can hardly wait until they come in tonight on the river."
All of Brickasnurd's favorite inventory - the unusual items that no one ever buys and simply collect dust for you to clean, such as the petrified pseudodragon or the taxidermied pixies - he claims to find during his long walks in the forest.
However, you well know from local gossip that many residents suspect the gnome of consorting with the cryptic fey that lurk in Darkmoon Vale. That would explain some of his most peculiar "finds," but you doubt that such beings would simply float items down the river by boat. You also doubt that Brickasnurd would talk so openly about these suppliers if they were, indeed, fey creatures.
As best as you can reason, these suppliers approached Brickasnurd - rather than the other way around - and offered to sell him something of interest. Of course, if these men are truly affiliated with Kabran Bloodeye (of whom you've heard the most troubling of rumors), as suggested by the mysterious note, they likely posed as hunters and concealed their true employer. Brickasnurd would never willing work with Bloodeye's agents - at least, you hope he wouldn't.
"That's interesting, We also heard about..." Boggel is cut off as Naomi elbows him. "What was that for?" he asks her. Deciding that he must have said something wrong, he continues, "We heard about how good your maple syrup is. Does it also come from river traffic?"
"Why thank you, Naomi," the gnome says sincerely, almost with a twinkle in his eye. "You're one of the best persons to come to this town in a long time. I'm very glad I hired you. Perhaps I'm crazy, but if you vouch for these boys, then I trust them, too.
"A pair of hunters they are," he explains. "Said they found some bizarre egg specimens, larger and unlike anything they've ever seen. Even from their description, I was at a loss to identify them. At their suggestion, I agreed to pick them up at the ferry dock tonight. They thought they could swindle me, though, and asked for some gold up front. I told them, 'not a copper until I see the eggs.' Oh, I know the way the town talks about me. If folks want to call me eccentric, I won't argue, but a fool I am not!"
Brickasnurd begins opening a line of thick mason jars, sniffing the contents, then resealing them once he's content with the smell.
"If you want to help me, I suppose you could accompany me to the dock tonight," he suggests. The smell that wafts up from one jar strikes him like a punch. He reseals the jar and removes it from the shelf, still shaking his head and wincing at the odor. "Integrity is not paramount among a woodsman's skills, so I don't trust them not to attempt some skulduggery when I meet with them."
The dwarf listens intently wondering what the party is getting into.
"You think they actually have an egg? Could it be a ply to have you meet them with the gold outside the store? Why not just have them bring the things to the store? Or are they that big?"
"It was a mutual decision," Brickasnurd answers Helgrim. "They didn't want to tarry long in town - bad blood with either the sheriff or the Gavel, I'd suppose - and I didn't want them around the shop, making off with anything while my back was turned. As for the size of the eggs...well, these men didn't have the best of imaginations when it came to descriptions. One fellow just held up his meaty fist and said they were bigger than that."
"Seems like a good idea, to go with you to the docks," Boggel says. Boggel has several scenarios of eggs in his head, most of them involve a large breakfast.