Liam nods "Yes, we probably should get these plants into the ground. Best try the trails another time."
”Crud. Oh all right, berries it is this trip I gues, but I want to get back here sometime.”
”Uuummmmm.”
Helgrim looks about for a spot to place the elf in a proper location near the lake.
”I don’t think this guy would approve of us settin this place on fire to burn his body, but let’s place him over hear where he can return to the earth and sustain the beauty of this place.”
"We will come back soon, Helgrim. The halls might yield things to aid us in our goal. It might also house things that could threaten the village and we do not need that to worsen the state it is in already!"
"Heh. Maybe, but if we let Kreed and his corporation up here, they will find treasures enough to let them liquidate the petty lumber trade. I don't plan on letting that happen, but you are right, with the dwarves gone plenty of evil things will fill their void. The worst of which would be the traitor dwarves themselves if any still live."
'I would like to see the dwarven mines.' Nodding in agreement, Naomi joins the others, going back to the farm. "I would like to come back to see the mine. If we stay at the farm can we come back tomorrow?"
"Agreed. But it may depend on how Kreed responds." Boggel rubs his chin on the way to the farm. "What does Kreed hold over these people? Why do they tolerate his leadership?"
"Among my people, decisions are made by the group, for the group. It seems like such an easier system." He shakes his head sadly as he tries to understand this different system (or perhaps it's because he's thinking of his former home).
The march back is uneventful and quiet, as though the forest itself grows hushed as you drag along the carcass of the tatzlwyrm.
Once you emerge from the treeline, returning to the stump-dotted open lands, you are loudly greeted as heroes by the lumberjacks who see you pass with the slain, nigh-mythical beast borne upon the litter.
Passing the logging camp, a crowd gathers and follows you with applause and cheers.
Under the watchful eye of the foreman, however, they quickly disperse and return to work as you continue onward, in the direction of the farms just outside town.
Upon returning home, Wulf is privately relieved to have his new fellows joining him, for his farmstead feels almost abandoned now that his sister and their niece and nephew have gone away.
Boggel pulls out a skinning knife and begins the process of preparing the carcass of the wyrm. He separates out the meaty parts and a few choice organs, putting the rest into an offal pile. He does his best to keep the skin intact, given the wounds it received in combat. "I have little experience with taxidermy, but I have kept the hide in one piece. All in all, a fine trophy," he notes.
"There is enough meat for all." He takes a large lump out of the morass of meat. "Helgrim, for the killing stroke, the heart is yours," he says handing it to the dwarf.
Seeing Boggel begins to skin the carcass, Naomi remembered what her employer asked her. Turning to Boggel she asks, "My employer Brickasnurd asked if he could have the wyrm exactly for that purpose to display in his store. I think he would give us a good price for it."
Looking at the meat, "I don't think I will be eating any, it bothers me that it may be sentient."
Turning to Wulf, "If we are heading back out early tomorrow, I would spend the night here. If we have no plans I should probably let Brickasnurd know I'm ok." She nods toward the where the people were, "Of course the crowd will be telling everyone, everything they know, so he will find out eventually."
”Boggel, if the heart is rightfully mine, then I happily gift it to you in appreciation for your joining our fellowship. I’m still not sure why you threw your lot in with us, but it seems you might be doing it for the benefit of the kids that play down by the river and that makes you alright in my book.”
”May eating it give you strength an uhhhh . . . Everything else eating it is perported to benefit you with.”
”And uh, lets take this guy, um, skin, to the buyer post haste. He’ll want to put it in salt.”
Boggel bows his head to Helgrim's gift, clearly unaware that the dwarf simply didn't share his reverence for the heart. "You honor me."/b] He takes a bite and sets the rest on a spit for roasting.
He turns to Naomi. [b]"Of course. A fine trophy. It may even become a tourist draw."
He's happy to spend the evening here. The farm seems very comfortable to him.
Wulf heads over to the garden and pokes around a bit before he finds a good spot for it. He looks over at the others with better woodlore then him.
"This isn't a plant that if I plant it next to these.." he looks at the plants and notes flowers before continuing on."These Lilies they wont fight them for water and food will it?"
Liam piles his plate high with tatzylwyrm meat. In the wild, you take what food you can get. No point turning down a meal. "Very good, Boggel. I am quite impressed with your cooking." he says between bites.
The cooking fire brightens the farmstead as dusk settles upon the Vale.
Wulf and Liam judge that rather than competing against each other, the fangberries and lilies would likely complement each other.
Roots and Remedies is far more placid than it has been in past days now that the fight against the Blackscour Taint has been won.
"Come right in," Laurel calls as she works. Rather than mixing any concoctions, she seems to be using this rare quiet moment to tend to the long-delayed task of reorganizing her workspaces and shelves.
"How may I help you?"
Wulf plants the fangberries and then gets up and heads over to the food line. He grabs a plate and puts food on it. The plates are nice well-finished wood and wooden utensils.
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Boggel bows to Liam's praise. "I added a maple syrup baste," he says conspiratorially.
Although you are not on your guard, socially, with Miss Gebre, it is still abundantly clear that while she recognizes you, she has forgotten your name and is trying to avoid admitting it.
"I'm sure I'll have a few days' reprieve, at least," she sighs. "Even though Pay Day was served a public embarrassment, Kreed will keep him on a leash for now.
"Once he's satisfied that everyone's forgotten the incident and my shop is no longer the talk of the town, that's when he'll send someone to collect a 'special tax.' They'll wait until there isn't a mob to be rallied against them."
Based on your knowledge of the Gavel, this seems like a surprisingly accurate analysis of his likely tactics.
"I don't know what I can do, but at least I have some time to think about it. Then again, that could be a torture all it's own."
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He sighs, and begins fidgeting with something nearby, as if lost in thought (). He starts, as f going to speak, and then drops it, letting it go.
'Maple syrup baste, that's actually a good idea.' Laughing at Boggel's response, She adds, "when I introduce you to Brickasnurd you should sell him some of that as well!"
As the meal winds down She aks their host. "Wulf, tommorow promises to be a busy day, where should we bed down?"
"I sent the family away to my parents so any of the rooms is fine." He says as he begins to lead the group into his wooden house with wooden shingles. He shows you the kids room with two beds, His sister's room and then he goes past a small study and across from it is a small walk-in where there is a cot.
"Anywhere but here this is my bunk. I let my sister have the master bedroom. Me I get the cot in the closet.
[b]"In the morning If you know how to feel free to use the kitchen is still stocked. Got the salted pork in the basement, preserves, and outside is the chicken coop. Just don't ask me to cook" He says with a smile as he walks into the study and grabs a glass decanter topped inside as a rich golden liquid and he produced several green glasses."If you all wish I have some apple berry mead if any are interested. I foolish attempt in my youth to try and make acohol out of the local goods."
Miss Gebre's lips momentarily stiffen and she takes a barely perceptible inhale of breath at the mention of the sheriff.
This reaction is of little surprise to you. Your business has long been knowing the things happening in town, so you are well aware of rumors of a secret relationship between the herbalist and the sheriff. You've never had the interest to investigate the rumors' truth, but her response can be taken as subtle confirmation.
"That is my best course, isn't it?" she asks herself, although not seeming entirely convinced. "Of course, he can't be around all the time."
She slips off her spectacles, taps them down on the counter, and runs a palm across her forehead and over her tied-back hair.
"I just want to run my business. I came out here to the wilderness to help people. I don't need this kind of trouble!"
.....
At the crack of dawn, you are approached by one of the local children used as messengers by the Consortium for a candy or copper.
Gavel Kreed is convening a meeting of his agents and cronies at his manor on the edge of town.
Such an early and unexpected summons is highly unusual.
.....
On the morrow, the light of breaking dawn falls upon Wulf's farm, heralded by a cock's crow.
A woman and child can already be seen cresting a hill and approaching the farm with buckets, the first of the locals visiting in hopes of drawing clean water from Wulf's well.
Wulf rolls out of bed and heads to the kitchen. He grabs a percolator and puts coffee into the top and poor. He lights the stove and stretches as he then puts on his pants and shirt. Followed by his hat as he heads out and grabs some water from his well.
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At the crack of dawn, you are approached by one of the local children used as messengers by the Consortium for a candy or copper.
"Of course, he can't be around all the time."
"Trouble comes to everyone, everywhere, Miss Gebre,"" Timothy commiserates. "Whether they ask for it or not. And I am sorry for that. Well and truly, sorry." He looks up at her when he says that, meeting her gaze with a quiet intensity.
He looks down, and breathes in, before continuing "But, you've heard of the group that stood up to Kreed? In front of your shop, here? Well, word is, they're still doing good, standing up to him. Things are changing around here. For the better. Do you believe that?"
"In fact, I'm going to sign up to help Sheriff Deldrin patrol this town. Work for the good of people, and I'm sure I won't be the only one. This way, he won't be the only one enforcing the law around here."
His eyes twinkle for a second, as he adds "Help keep him out of trouble, too."
-----------------------------------
Timothy accepts the kid's message, and throws him a copper, for a candy. And then, doing his best to take back alleys and avoid notice, he heads to Kreed's Manor. As he does, he'll keep an eye out for anyone he might recognize also coming, to keep a tally in his head.
Helgrim walks out to meet the woman.
”Mornin’ ma’am, and who’s your little helper here?”
The dwarf says with genuine warmth.
After he draws a bit of water he heads over to a small stall and pulls across woven curtains and begins to take off his shoes, pants and shirt and hat. after stripping down he takes some of the water and pours over himself. He reaches up and grabs some soap and soaps himself up before he pours the rest over his body. After that, he towels himself off and then puts on his pants. His body honed from his years of labor and combat shows. It also shows a variety of scars he suffered. he steps out and smiles as the coffee whistles and he heads back to grab a cup.
Boggel begins the morning as he always does, with prayer to his deity. Following that, he heads to find Wulf and the others. He's not much into coffee, but he will help with any chores that need to be accomplished.
Liam strolls around the perimeter of the property, keeping an eye out for any less innocent newcomers.
Not wanting to hog one of he beds, Naomi pulls out her bedroll and lays it near the fire. dozing in and out of sleep as the others talk. Once they all go to bed, she falls into a deep restful slumber.
In the morning, waking slightly later than there host, she packs up her bedroll. Once Wulf is done, she uses the small stall and pitcher of water for her morning ablutions. Finishing, she joins him and the others around the coffee pot, and asks. "Once we are done with the chores are we headed back into the woods to explore the dwarven trail?"
Laurel seems put remarkably at ease by your words. Her breathing is easier, and her mood seems to have lifted.
"I would be worried for those folks' safety, too," she sighs with an emerging grin, "But they seem very capable. If Kreed means them harm, they'll probably be far more of a challenge for him to quash."
...
In the morning, it comes as no surprise that Teedum is the first man you see hustling along to Kreed's manor, always responding to the Gavel's summons like a loyal cur.
Magistrate Vamros Harg is another expected face, as the cowardly failed barrister has been essential to Kreed's keeping ahead of Andoren law, both for his labor abuses and his personal indiscretions.
Kilarin Salk is more of a surprise. Seeing the halfling woman march down the road, a bored and frustrated look on her face, leaves you wondering who's overseeing the High Market in her place. Perhaps it is simply closed for the morning?
Ergin Tock and Jalene Artem both approach the manor from the direction of the Sitting Duck, although they travel separately.
Tock is clearly trying to compose himself as he walks, the previous day's events still weighing upon his mind.
There are two notable people whom you do not see traveling to the manor: Kabran Bloodeye and Sharvaros Vade.
Bloodeye's absence is understandable, as the crime boss never meets with the lumber boss by day nor in his own home.
As for Vade, it was more of an uncertainty whether he would be invited (or if he would accept an invitation) since this former arcane ally of Kreed's has long been on the outs with the Gavel.
.....
"Good mornin', sir dwarf," the woman says politely though a bit nervously.
Her son, a tall and lean boy of perhaps thirteen years, beams a bright smile and speaks far more freely.
"Good morning, mister. I'm Mikra. This is my mom. We're here for water. Your beard smells like smoke."
The boy's manner is kind and carefree, but as Mikra's mother reins him back to her side, you suspect he may be a bit simple.
"Pardon my boy," she apologizes, harried but with well-practiced tact, "He means no offense. He tends to just say what's on his mind. My name is Darla Jabbs. My husband, Colbrin, is the town butcher. Mr. Wulf has been kind enough to let us use his well while Brookman's is still befouled."
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"I'd appreciate it if you'd put in a good word with the Sheriff for me, Miss Gebre." he asks, and then stops.
After a silence, he politely asks "Well, is there anything I can do for you, Miss Gebre?"
----------------------------------------------
Timothy watches, and waits till everyone has entered the manor, then quietly slips in.
He's surprised that Tock has arrived; he'd thought he'd made it clear to the man that working with Kreed was no longer an option for him. In fact, he'd made to out the man to Kreed even before receiving the summons, hoping to force Tock to help the newcomers while simultaneously isolating Kreed; but something holds him back from that. Now, today, he's not so certain. Instead, he resolves to keep a close eye on the man as Kreed begins his meeting.
”The name’s Helgrim Ironstar.”
The dwarf gives a slight introductory bow.
”The boy is honest, my beard does in fact smell like smoke and there is no harm done. It is nice to meet you both and if you come by every morning to get water anyway, maybe you can bring me some sausages?”
The dwarf presses a gold piece into to good woman’s Palm.
”Bring enough for six people each day, until that runs out. If I’m not here when you come to get water, you find someone in the village in need to give them too. Does that sound fair?”
He pats the boy on the shoulder.
”You help yer momma ya hear? Hauling water and goods will give you a strong back.”
He looks back to Darla.
”Wulf is a good man. Please keep us up on the goings on in the village. We are here to help and we’re friends of Jax’s.”
Miss Gebre appreciates your concern, but she insists that she is fine for now.
...
Tock casts you a nervous, sidelong glance as you both approach the manor.
He changes the course of his steps to bring him closer.
"I had to come," he hisses in a whisper. "If I ignored this summons, Kreed would have me flogged. Or worse."
Thuldrin Kreed's home is more akin to a stronghold than a mansion. The grounds are surrounded by 10-foot-high darkwood walls and patrolled by a mix of Consortium sellswords and rogues hired from the Redrock Guild.
After rioters attempted to burn him out a couple years back, Kreed had four water towers installed within the walls.
When flights of harpies began skulking about on moonless nights, Kreed took to posting crossbowmen on the rooftop.
Furthermore, a rigorous series of pass phrases was implemented after a shape-changing hag even infiltrated the manor and attempted to kill Kreed.
The invited cohorts are ushered into the first floor meeting room. Only Kreed's inner circle - Teedum, Harg, and perhaps Bloodeye - have ever been privy to the house's second floor.
Elegantly carved wooden cups sit upon the table, and matching wooden pitchers of water accompany them.
Kreed stands at the head of the table, hands upon the back of his chair, and he watches everyone take their seats.
.....
Darla accepts the coin, but her eyes widen when she realizes it is no mere copper.
She eagerly nods her head in assent, but then leads her son to the well while trying to disguise a demure embarrassment from the generosity.
"Thank you, Mister Helgrim!" her boy, Mikra, calls out loudly as he turns and waves back.
'Having them bring sausages back, both generous and smart. That gives me an idea...' Walking over to Helgrim as he finishes speaking to the woman and boy, Naomi, making sure she doesn't interrupt, waits to speak with the dwarf. "Very industrious and generous. It gave me an idea that might be worth looking into once we make more money. Instead of trying to overthrow Kreed in 'Falcons Hollow.' What if we were to start our own business here, outside of town. So we can supply the people with the things they need, at as low of a price as possible. It would force the consortium to rethink their business practices. Heck we could build our own town, call it 'Wulfsburg.'"
She smiles at the thought, but then refocuses on the task at hand. "Good idea or not, we need more money if were going to make anything happen. What say we go find that Dwarven trail and see where it leads. Maybe we can find a different sort of business venture."
"Wulfsburg" He chuckles as he heads over to his garden and begins to water them. It was a smart idea, and it would help the people something he really wanted to do.
"I like it. If we can get word to my family to the south they can help arrange it. My sister and dad are good at making deals and talking to people. My mother, well she is good at product control and can easily thump people who cross them. She has a helluva hook with her club." he laughed at that and then nodded.
"If you all want to draw some water for the livestock and then grab the feed I'll grab hay. Then we can grab some of the blood sausages, fill our water skins and head to the trail." He says finishing up with the garden and then going to put on a shirt.
”Heh, imbedding ourselves in the local community and economy. Protein is the hardest food to come by in poverty. Lack of it keeps people weak. I don’t get why human live like this, your communities are weaker for all this attacking and controlling of yer own kind. Now I get that you’re not all the same and maybe all this chaos is what makes you so successful, but still.”
The dwarf looks northward his lips pressed together for a moment.
”Lettin the little ones suffer and die when it can be remedied . . . “
The dwarf picks up a barrel and heads off in a huff to get water. His face turned away from the group.
”Yeah! Kreed has got a war on his hands now. F$$& that guy!”
In a grumpy tone he adds.
”Let’s get the chores done, drop off the skin in town and see what we can see on the trail.”
As soon as he hears about Wulfsburg, and the plan to be embedded in the economy, Boggel adds, "You know, it is not difficult to grow many species of edible... what is the word... ah, mushrooms. They are quite nutritious and easy to grow. I will keep my eyes open for any valuable species along the way."
And they might taste better with maple syrup. Hmm.
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[spoiler=Timothy]Timothy ignores Tock's statements. Best not to be seen too much conversing together.
Timothy takes note of everything in the Gavel's manor, carefully noting the passages needed to get into this room. It's mostly out of habit than anything else; you never know when you might need to make a quick escape. What does interest Timothy, however, is Kreed's reason for summoning them. So he uses his senses to try and see what's going on.
Unfortunately, Kreed just isn't giving anything away today.
Owing to his steely resolve, and perhaps some enchanted item on his person, you cannot get a handle on Kreed's mood or thoughts.
"I've gathered you all because we have two important new matters to address," Kreed rasps in a voice near a growl.
"The head office in Oregent has sent word: the latest crop of bleeding heart representatives elected to the council in Almas are fixing to send a delegation for a 'surprise' inspection. They'll look for any excuse to shut us down, or at least tie us up in their courts. It's time for Spring Cleaning. I expect everyone knows what to do," he says with a glaring eye turned around the table.
"Harg!" he barks, his face snapping back to face the halfling magistrate. "This means getting Bloodeye to move his wares."
You probably aren't supposed to know about the secret cellar beneath the tribunal building, and it's even less likely that you're supposed to know that Kreed allows Bloodeye to store contraband inside. You do know, of course.
"He's on his own for now. If he complains, remind him that his business is his business to protect, not ours."
"B..but what if he gets violent?" Harg squeaks.
Salk rolls her eyes, Teedum chuckles, and Kreed groans at the magistrate's trepidation.
"Then remind him the penalty for damaging Consortium property," Kreed answers. You're fairly certain that the "property" Kreed refers to is the magistrate himself. "I won't protect him from Almas, but I can make things more difficult for him."
Kreed begins to walk around the table, casting an appraising eye upon each person seated before him.
The tense silence is finally broken as Artem asks, "What of the second matter?"
Kreed stops, standing between you and Tock, with a hand on each chair back.
"We have dissension in the ranks," he says with a predatory sneer. "Someone in this room has been working against the Consortium. I don't know who yet, but I trust that the rest of you loyal, valuable employees know the importance of being true to the company - and the rewards for nipping such trouble in the bud."
You aren't sure whether Kreed's suspicions have been sparked by you or by Tock, but you don't like the idea either way. You especially don't like the implication of Kreed's employee pep talk: he's declaring an open season, spurring his other agents to root out and turn over the turncoat.
"We have a fortnight before the inspection. I want everything taken care of before then. If it's not...well, if we were to weigh the good of the company against the lot of you, I think you know how the scales would balance."
You retrace your steps from the previous day, past the logging camp and into the forest's eastern fringe. Beyond the side trail that leads back to the darkwood grove, you follow the old dwarf road further as it curves along with the edge of Darkmoon Wood.
After another eight miles or so, the old overgrown road emerges from the forest. Freed from the trees and wild growth, the road widens into the remains of an ancient dwarven highway leading towards the mountains.
The city-state of Taggoret continues to thrive in the mountains to the northwest, protected by gates of iron and thick stone walls, but the rest of the namesake kingdom fell to orcs more than 2000 years ago.
However, you reason that any number of old ruins from its heyday might lie down this road.
"been a while since I marched like this. Feels good." He says standing and taking in some water.
"So Helgrim, any idea if we are close to one or not. I really hate to camp out here if I don't have too"
'Interesting, out of the woods, headed away, I wonder if it was a trade road.' Seeing the road meander off into the distance toward the mountains. Noami unshoulders her waterskin, taking a sip. "This is beautiful. I bet this road could tell some storied if it could talk."
She looks at Wulf, and smiles. "Funny, ones perspective. I always like the camping more than the marching."
As they travel along, Boggel keeps his eyes open, partly for interesting plants, and partly for danger. "I cannot help but wonder what this Kreed man's next action will be. I simply cannot understand his motivations or reasoning. That makes me nervous."
" Just something in the woods here don't take kindly to poking around after dark. Not only that but I have become accustomed to sleeping in my own bed. Still I will do what is necessary to free my fellow citizens." he says with a determined smile.
"I suppose he will retaliate in some manner Boggel. We just have to stick the course and when we are ready to strike while the iron is hot!"
Helgrim closes a well worn book with a confident and exuberant snap.
"Ha! This is great!"
The dwarf taps his axe handle on the weathered stones.
"Its confirmed! This old route once led into the Everlasting Kingdom of Taggoret, one of the old dwarven kingdoms that lent the Five Kings Mountains their name. This very road."
"The city-state of Taggoret continues to thrive in the mountains to the northwest, protected by gates of iron and thick stone walls, but the rest of the namesake kingdom fell to orcs more than 2000 years ago."
"With such a destination any number of old ruins from its heyday might lie down this road."
"This is great uh?!"
'What does motivate a man like Kreed.' Looking at her amphibian friend, Naomi frowns. "It's hard to even take a guess what motivates him Boggel. Greed, anger, hatred, who knows, perchance he just likes hurting people." She smiles and winks, "Maybe he didn't get enough maple syrup when he was little."
'I would love to see a Dwarven ruin.' smiling widely, she claps her hands. "I think it would be wonderful to visit at least one ruin."
She turns to Wulf, "Come on Wulf what do you say? Look we'll be out of the woods. A couple nights camping isn't so bad. It will make Kreed wonder what we've been up to."
She looks toward Liam, hoping he would side with her. "Liam, what do you think? A night or two away from town sound like a good idea to you?"
"Interesting Helgrim, so part of my farm could have been under the rule of Dwarves." He says pondering the thought.
"I guess it would be okay. I do not like to be away from my home for too long. Gotta tend to the animals and plants. Also make sure none of Kreeds people come sniff'n around" He says looking at the others before he looks forward.
"However if we can find some ruins and they yield some things that may help the people of Falcons' Hollow from getting from underneath Kreeds thumb then that is fine. I hope with Helgrim here they won't mind us taking what we need. Heard of stories about the dead rising up against those seeking to pilfer and loot them after they have died." He says looking at the others willing to do.
"A night away from the city always sounds good to me." he says, wracking his brain to try to remember if he had ever learned any tales of dwarves.
Although he knows little about dwarves, Boggel is very familiar with living away from "civilization." And he's always interested in finding out something about the history of an area. "Ah, I shall make sure to collect edibles I find along the way."
”Yeah, let’s follow it in a ways. We can turn back so we can make it to logging camp by night. There might be all manners of things in the ruins, but we would be reclaimers in the eyes of The ancestors. Errrr, as long as you are with me that is.”
The dwarf addresses Liam.
”Hey do you have any family or know any of the tribes in this area? I was thinking, if we could get some of your people to move to the grove we could stake it out. You know found Wulfsville or whatever we want to call it.”