Father Joram looks up with pleasure as the party enters his temple and workshop. He is wearing one of Garfaulk's hands and using it to trace intricate designs on the other. In a couple weeks time, he really has come quite far in understanding them and mastering them, and they give him significant manual dexterity.
"Garfaulk, good friend! And the others! As always, happy to see you. Listen. Listen. I know you are preparing for the next leg of your journey, and Khonnir Baine has been giving you gifts. I have one for you too."
He goes into the back room and comes out with a large book, perhaps even rightfully called a tome. It looks like it is at least ten pounds. (5 kg)
He plops it down on a table.
"Baine gave this book to me quite a while back. He had most of it memorized, he said, and thought I would like it. I gave it a try, but it is complicated stuff. I decided all this high technology was more than I wanted. Brigh loves the clockwork machinery, you see. Gears and steam. Not all of this fancy elektrizity and nuklear engineering."
You open the book and look at the first few pages, on which is listed a table of contents. Your eyes open in shock...you see chapters for chemistry, physics, engineering, magnetism, electricity, combustion, genetics, nuclear engineering, pharmaceuticals, and cybernetics. Some of these words simply seem like gibberish, but you certainly recognize the potential value of such information!
Garfaulk smiles at Father Joram, tipping his hat in his direction. "Good seein ya again Father. Glad to see those mitts are working out fer ya, looks like yer gettin good use out of em" He raises an eyebrow at the naive time being plopped down into the table. "You don't have to give us anyth- Now tha's a big book ya got there" He whistles, opening it with wide eyes "I see-looks quite... involved. May have to give it a read some time. Thanks Father, tha's too kind of ya"
Zeke perks up and looks over the priest's shoulder, clearly interested. He frowns at words like "pharmaceutical" and "cybernetics" and tries to shape them with his mouth as he reads, but he quickly grasps their meaning from context and his eyes shine with enthusiasm. He is looking forward to studying the tome in more detail.
Wulf loses interest as the other look over the book. "Father can you tell us anything about Scrapwall? We were told you know someone there."
LaRA sends a glance at Father Joram. "Fact: Steam is also used in nuclear engineering.", she smiles, then glances over the reader's shoulder. "Statement: This is a remarkable book.", she notes, glancing it over. Hypothesis: The tome has been assembled over a long period of time by a group of individuals. As Scrapwall is mentioned, she blinks, staring at Father Joram.
Charles leafs through the book casually. "Hm. Good. Very useful. Diagrams ...should make it easier to disable this crap."
"A little light reading there.... if all else fails with this tech stuff I guess we could just throw this book at them. Damned thing is huge!" Ton laughs. "Seriously though, thank you Joram, without that I reckon we'd be lost in the dark with any new stuff we find."
As part of his preparations to leave Torch, Zeke seeks out Val at a time when she is alone, though he puts it off for a long while. "Val," he says. "I guess I'm off for Scrapwall. You gotta take care of Mr. Khonnir while we're away. And keep practicing those spells! It's hard, but... but most things that are worth doing are. I've been praying to the moon-god for both of you, asking that He'll look over you and keep you safe, so's we can see each other again after the End Times. I know I don't talk about Him very much, but I tell Him all about you, and the others. I know He's following us, for He gives me His blessing, though I don't exactly know why. Anyways, look after yourself, Val. Uh, Sis. I'll, I'll miss you."
"Scrapwall, eh? I can tell you a couple of things. I knew a gal once, her name was Dinvaya. She was kooky, even for a cleric of Brigh, and moved off to Scrapwall because she felt the best scrap was there for her golems that she loved so much. I advised against it; the rumors of the place is complete lawlessness, where only the strong survive and gangs rule. I don't know if she survived, but if she did, let her know you are friends of mine and maybe she will help."
"The other thing I know is that there is an old soldier fort near Scrapwall, between here and there. I think the place is still used by the forces traveling north to the Worldwound. It would be good place to stop and ask the paladins of Iomedae what they know of the "city". Place is called Aldronard's Grave after a former paladin who died there."
"Paladins?" Charles frowns.
"Aw Zeke, you softie. Dad and I will be fine... I'll keep practicing my spells... might even work a bit with Father Joram. Maybe when you get back I'll be a wizard and cleric too, just like you! Stay away from the booze, you hear me? And keep Wulf away from other women, please..."
Garfaulk nods at Father Joram with a smile. "Dinvaya. Got it. Will keep an eye out fer her. Thanks Father. Been real nice meetin ya. Will see ya round" He takes the book and hands it to Zeke "Ere ya go. Figured ya might like first crack at this, especially since I've got some work to do before we get goin."
And with that, he headed back to the foundry, to Khnonnir's workshop. After hearing everything they had about scrapwall, he figured he might need a bit more... firepower. Gathering some of the material's he'd gathered, from robots to other bits of scrap he'd picked up throughout the week, then made his way not to the small forge they had there, but to the Torch itself. Using his newfound title if need be, he makes his way to the front of any line, and starts working on his new weapon. Sweat dripping from his brow, he uses the newfound forges to begin the work on his weapon, though once he's gotten most of the pieces done under the forge, he goes into town, buying a few parts he didn't have to help make it properly, then heads back to the workshop to finish it up. However long it takes him, he eventually emerges with a wide smile on his face and a gun in his hands.
It was bigger than the others, more the size of his fire lances, but bigger, beefier-and far less ramshackle looking. The long barrel. The wooden stock. It even had an odd looking empty slot behind the hammer with some clockwork in it. Taking his bauble from his pocket, he added it to that indentation-a perfect fit. For kicks, he thumbed it, making it spin. He wasn't sure why, but it felt like the perfect addition to his musket.
Wulf nods. "An old friend I understand father." He smiles. "We'll seek this Dinvaya out, shes the best lead we have. Scrapwall doesn't seem like a place you should be asking too many questions on the street. Might get some unwanted attention." As the group leaves Wulf stops them outside the church. "We have a long trek ahead of us, let's be smart about this. Say our goodbyes and grab all the gear we'll need."
---
Stepping into the bar one day Wulf moves and picks Val up hugging her. "Val, it looks like we'll be leaving for Scrapwall soon. All of this has been insane, I want to thank you for showing me so much kindness, I won't forget about you and I will be back. I'd stay but I can't leave them to go off on their own." He places her down taking her hand and kissing it. "I will be back and I'll make sure to bring you back something."
"That's right, bring me something from Scrapwall. Let's see, I want a robot head, a flower made of rusty metal, and a gun. Everyone else has one and it's only fair."
She turns her head and looks at Wulf out of the corner of her eyes. Then she laugh. "I'll miss you too, you big thugs. Come back alive, and bring the others with you."
"Dad said you had the chance to lose the metal, and you decided against it. If you are happy, I am happy. I just want you to know that."
The two sit at the top of the Black Hill as the sun sets over the town of Torch. For once, everything is peaceful. Val reaches over and holds Wulf's hand as dusk turns to night.
"Are we going after Ulreth or heading straight to Scrapwall? I hate the idea of him getting away with it."
Garfaulk looks to Ton worth a nod, putting his new musket over his shoulder. "Aye. Would hate to see em get away with tryin to hurt the town. And we are the Heroes of Torch, it's almost part o the job description."
Zeke murmurs, "It would be nice to be able to come back to Torch with another success under our belts, before we head off to Scrapwall." He gestures arcanely-- or perhaps divinely? "I'm in," he says with confidence.
"Taking Ulreth out would help the family."
So chances are this cave he's holed up in is going to have just one way in. I say we just go up and knock. Ton says, gathering his gear once again, this time with the strange weight of the pistol on his good hip.
"I'll get you all that and more." He smiles at her. "Everyone will make it back if I have anything to say about it. Don't you worry about us." He then pauses for a moment. "I kept it... For so long I hated myself, people would look at me differently but you didn't turn away, the others don't see me as just this." He taps on his metallic chest. "I'm not a monster. It's helped me survive it helped me save the town, I'm a hero. I'm so happy you don't mind, when all this is done I'll need a place to settle down." He smiles again, moving close to hug her.
---
"Ulreth doesn't get a pass just because he ran, let's make sure that loose end is tied up. We'll storm that cave and take him down." He nods grabbing his hammer. "No mess."
Garfaulk grins, slinging his gun over his shoulder. "Well then let's go find tha sonuva-ya know, tha's not nice to his mum. Let's find tha bastard. Let's go see if the town's heard any word as to wha happened to him."
---
You all arrive at the town chambers to find that Dolga, the dwarven councilwomen who the group has had most of their dealings with, has stepped out for the day already, however her assistant is there, a young human woman with dark red hair in her mid twenties. Smiling at you all as you approach, she seems almost flustered at your arrival.
"Th-the Heroes of Torch! Well isn't this a nice surprise! What, ah, what can I do for you? Dolga is out today, dealing with some council things. But I'm, ah, Lizbeth, don't know if you remember me from... when you were here before. What can I do for you? As she talks, you notice she seems a bit nervous, stumbling over her words a little.
Garfaulk goes to say something, then looks to the others in the group. "Go on, fellas, tell her why we're here" He said with a wide grin, moving over to the door to peek outside, like he's watching their back. Seemed the dwarf wasn't taking point on this conversation.
Charles merely watches.
Dolga is out, huh? Well maybe you can help us Lizbeth. We heard that maybe Dolga knew where Ulreth might have taking to hidin' out. We're thinking about going to bring him in to answer for what he done. You know anything about that?
Wulf steps forward barging in slightly on Ton's questions, moving over to Lizbeth smiling as he goes, looking from her to Garfaulk. "Lizbeth it's ok, we're still just normal people even though we braved the depths of the darkest places under the town to relight the touch and save Khonnir Baine." He then slings his hammer onto his shoulder flexing his muscles slightly.
Lizbeth nods a bit as Ton speaks, though gives Garfaulk an odd glance as he speaks-right until Wulf steps in. "Oh! Right, right, normal people. Normal... She looks from one member of the group to the next, from the limping elf to the metallic barbarian, cracking a genuine smile. "Right. Normal. So, you were asking about Ulreth. As a matter of fact, we do have some more info. Word has it he and a few of his... staff took off shortly after the Torch relit. He was heading towards some caves just outside of town, which I believe you already know. However, we've recently heard word of a sighting of one of his men climbing a rockface towards one of the higher caves, just past the bridge over by the river southeast of the town. Kids used to climb up there to play in the caves, but after a few rockslides a couple of months ago, it's been too dangerous to go into."
"We tried to get this information to you sooner, though when we set an appointment with a member of your group... well there must've been a miscommunication, as he never showed up. Twice. But there you have it."
Garfaulk continues to stand by the door, cleaning the end of his new weapon while dutifully keeping watch for anyone outside-he seemed intent on being the best lookout possible.
An appointment with one of us? Ton looks confused. I can't remember getting any message. he says, scratching his head.
In any case, you have any idea how many of his cronies he took with him?
Zeke appears puzzled by the miscommunication, but seems content with allowing Ton'iel and Wulf to drive the conversation. He stands quietly behind them and watches Lizbeth with a curious expression.
Lizbeth shook her head "Unfortunately no-nothing official anyway. Though I heard a rumor that some of his people left in a huff, though I heard a rumor out of the Marrymaid Tavern that a few stayed with him. Enough that those he left behind didn't attack him outright, though enough left that they weren't attacked for leaving. Or that's what I heard. Don't know much else beyond that." She smiles at Ton, then Zeke.
"As for that appointment, you see, I had sent w-" Though at that moment, Garfaulk coughed loudly. "In the saves to the south of the town eh? Tha's a bit of a walk, perhaps we ought to get goin, 'fore it gets too dark, eh? Was nice ter see ya again Lizzy-come on lads!" He opened the door, hoping the rest would catch his cue and get a moving.
Lizbeth rolled her eyes, though Zeke, who had been watching her closely, might catch a hint of a smile before she stood up with a small bow "Leaving so soon? Well, glad to help those who relit the torch! Was a pleasure. Unless you need anything else..."
No I think that's all we needed. If we can, we'll bring him in. If we can't.... well that'll be his fault. Thank you, miss.
Once back outside Ton turns to the others;
Appointment? Anyone know what she was talking about? Anyway, we better make our ways to these caves. Straight up or cover of night, what do we think?
"She likes Garfaulk."
Zeke shrugs, having sensed Garfaulk's discomfort and not wanting to press him on the issue. "The sooner we head after him, the less chance he'll bolt to a new hiding place before we get there," he says.
"I didn't hear anything, maybe she just got us mixed up." Wulf says as they move outside. "You think Charles? She did seem to act strangely around him I assume it was just her meeting us." He moves beside Garfaulk. "Whats the story there? "
Let's make sure Ulreth doesn't get away. I can't imagine a guy like him being happy holed up in a cave like a rat for very long. Ton feels the weight of the new gun at his hip but still strings his much more familiar bow across his back.
Let's get going.
As they made their way out through town, walking and chatting, Garfaulk grins sheepishly, almost embarrassed "Heh, sorry lads, tha's on me. Remember when we got the torch relit, and the whole town went crazy fer us, and I didn't really come home fer a week? Well, I'm a gentleman, so yer gettin no details from me. But a bit o that time was spent with Lizbeth, and we had our fun. Thought I'd maybe see her again. But then she got tried to get a hold a me through the council offices the followin day, and I thought she was chasin me." he chuckles a bit, kicking a stone as they went. "Some folk can get a bit... attached." He glances back at the hall as they walked, then took a quick swig of his brandy. "Never occurred to me it was fer official business. Sorry bout tha"
---
As they made their way down road on the side of the plateau the town of Torch was up on they reached the bridge and the river, which is where Lizbeth had told them about the caves. Garfaulk pulls Slagbreather out, wanting to stick with his older weapon for the moment, loading it with regular shot. "Look alive fellas, I think we're here"
Looking about, Garfaulk notices a few caves in the side of the plateau, though isn't entirely sure where to start poking around.
As they made their way out through town, walking and chatting, Garfaulk grins sheepishly, almost embarrassed "Heh, sorry lads, tha's on me. Remember when we got the torch relit, and the whole town went crazy fer us, and I didn't really come home fer a week? Well, I'm a gentleman, so yer gettin no details from me. But a bit o that time was spent with Lizbeth, and we had our fun. Thought I'd maybe see her again. But then she got tried to get a hold a me through the council offices the followin day, and I thought she was chasin me." he chuckles a bit, kicking a stone as they went. "Some folk can get a bit... attached." He glances back at the hall as they walked, then took a quick swig of his brandy. "Never occurred to me it was fer official business. Sorry bout tha"
"Just be glad it's me and not Sammy today."
Charles silently points towards the offending cave, and makes sure his magic weapon is a dagger loaded in his right wrist sheath.
"I'm not going to be good at sneaking, let me climb up there and you lot give me some cover with them guns of yours. I'll throw a rope down then and we'll rush the place." He says slinging his hammer on his back and pulling out a long rope.
"Sure thing, Mr. Torstein. Uh, Wulf," Zeke corrects himself, loosely wielding his gleaming pistol with its skymetal band.
"I can go up quietly. Let me scout before you lot start blasting and yelling." Without another word, Charles takes the rope and starts climbing.
Charles's sharp eyes quickly find what looks like an occupied cave. Wulf and Ton struggle a bit, they are able to climb up to the ledge, lowering a rope down for everyone else to scale, making it easy enough to get to the mouth of the cave. As they peer in, Charles darts ahead for a better look.
Charles is able to sneak close, as there are a variety of rocks scattered about. The cave is actually quite wet for being in the side of the plateau. As he sneaks along, he freezes-having smelled it before on Ton, he looked over to see a scrawney, almost sickly half-elf putting out a cigarette before turning to head deeper into the tunnel, walking down the path, crossbow over his shoulder. Charles follows along silently, keeping to the shadows with ease until they get to the end. What he sees doesn't seem to bode well for the group.
The 10ft wide tunnel goes in for about 40ft as a slight decline, leading to a larger cave where they've made their camp. Seemed they'd pitched a few tents, each surrounded by a few crates, as well as a couple of barrels in the back next to one of the largest tent. In the center of the camp is not a campfire, but a few sunrods leaning against each other in the middle, with a few more lying on the ground around the edges to keep it well lit. But sitting around those rods are about four rough looking men and two women, a few with ropes tied around their fists like brass knuckles, though they seem to be in the middle of drinking and sharpening other weapons at the moment. The half elf joins the rest and taps one of them on the shoulder, who grumbles as he gets up, heading towards the cave exit and Charles-though the nimble halfling gets out of there with ease before being spotted.
Charles makes his way back to the others, a slight grin appearing on his face.
Black powder... Ton whispers. ...the stuff you put in your gun? He asks Garfaulk? I'd rather we try an' bring Ulreth in before we blow 'em all to Hell.
He begins to edge inside the cave.
Always good to have an exit strategy though.
"'Bring him in'? To whom? Why? Just blow them all up. No reason to risk our own selves."
"Bring him into the town". Ton growls, the answer being obvious to him. "You reckon what he's done deserves a death sentence? And even if it does, what about all the people he got with him? They take his money, but bein' a tough and thumb-breaker for him don't mean they should burn to death."
"God knows I'm not whiter than white, but doin' that ain't right."
"Ones with him decided to stay with him. You're not from here. Jailin' them will cost the town more than gettin' rid of them. Besides, we're outnumbered. Not a one of them are worth any of your lives."
"He might have valuable information we could use," Zeke suggests quietly as they discuss options.
Charles grunts. "Fair point. Maybe if we could separate with him ..." Damn it. Really wanted to blow those f!*!ers up.
Garfaulk looked to Charles, a bit surprised-out seemed like only yesterday he hesitated to fight, and now here he is wanting to blow bad guys up! "Aye, tha's the stuff. And I agree we may need to use it if need be. But we're town heroes-we ought to dole out comeuppance more than punishment. I like Ton's idea-burst in, give em a chance. But only one He pats the side of Slagbreather. "look, if we're gonna go, nows the fine. If we're gonna plan, we ought to move away from the cave " as he spoke,they'd notice a shadow approaching-the guard change was almost complete. And one was coming.
"We're going in, I'm not waiting around anymore he's had his time we're going to put them all down and get it over with." He grips his hammer tight. "If you want to get your magic get it done now, I'm going to walk in there now." Wulf waits a moment, then starts to walk down the cave stopping only if the others pull him back.
"Hang on Wulf. Let's make sure you are looking your best." Ton says with a grin.
He then summons arcane power and let's it flow through the Barbarian.
He then draws his new pistol, feeling the unfamiliar weight in his hand and steps in beside Wulf.