"That's not your decision, Wulf." Charles blocks his way.
The moment Wulf goes for the rope, the alchemist, using quick draw, pulls a bomb from her side, this one not ice, but rigged to explode. "Now now there large one, let the grownups talk. Now, you have your prize-though you want to let me go. While my employer is anonymous, they would not take kindly to me failing to deliver this" She pats the barrel of gunpowder. "I was sent to see if, with the Torch out, there could be fuel or business to be made with the leftovers. Though if the Torch is back, then I have no business here. Turn me over to the town I never wronged, however, and they'll lynch be for association. And if I fail to deliver... well, I may as well be dead anyway. Now, take your prize and leave the rest of us be!" Based on her pose, she seemed ready to smash that bomb into the barrel if she taken out or if she felt the compulsion.
"Ton, control your heavy. Miss, how'd you like to survive here?"
"Charles, he ain't 'my heavy, he's his own man." the elf replies but rather than taking it further he turns back to the woman.
"You really willing to die over this?" he asks her. "If you ain't done nothing wrong then the town don't have anything on you. Come with us and no one gets hurt, the town will judge you fairly which sounds like a damn sight better deal than burning up or getting killed by whoever you work for."
"She protected herself, that's it. I'm just saying maybe she'd like to work with a syndicate that doesn't get caught. I can offer that."
Wulf grits his teeth at Charles. "Nows not the time Charles." He then takes one step closer to the woman ignoring Charles and talking over him. "Don't be stupid." He stares down at the woman. "You throw that you aren't getting out of here. You gave up that doesn't mean we just let you go, you attacked us. He shows the cold burns along his arm. "You had the chance to leave when my friend here shouted out to you. Now you're coming with us." He throws the rope on the floor.
"Now IS the time. She only attacked after we did. We're not f%&%ing constables. You've no authority here. She wants to leave, she can. She wants to work for my family, she can. We came here for Ulreth. I'll be no part of imprisoning anyone else. Be glad I didn't just slit his throat."
Wulf grits his teeth as he turns to look down at the small man. "Screw your family Charles. We aren't here to recruit for whatever you and yours get up to." He clenches his fist. "We have the authority of the town they sent us. I'm more than sure they won't say no to us bring them part of Ulreth band back. Now let's just get this over with.
"Screw my family? Say that again, human." Charles' face loses all affect and he goes very still.
"We're all family," Zeke says quietly, gently. "If these free agents will agree to work for us instead of for Ulreth, perhaps they might return to town with us of their own volition, to see their former boss and his goons brought to justice?"
Wulf takes a few deep breaths and waves off Charles he knows fighting talk when he hears it. "I don't want to fight with you Charles. Zeke I thought I'd have a little support from you. But this has to happen." He looks to Ton and Garfaulk for support.
"Only thing anyone HAS to do is die. Everything else is optional. You're not making me a rat. No Caskgrip has ever been a rat. Never will be. Ulreth f~$#ed with us. He dies. These people defended themselves. No crime and even if it were I'd not turn them in. This is non-negotiable."
"We're family, Mr. Wulf," Zeke says with obvious sympathy for the big man. "I'm just saying, as long as they agree to come back with us, maybe you don't have to tie them up?"
Charles turns to the halfling girl. "Reáchtáil. Anois."
Garfaulk looked from Charles to Wulf, shaking his head. "Lads, let's not let a lass tear us apart, eh? If she's really just ere on business and gets in trouble fer it, tha blood is on us. If we let er go and we run into her again and she's in more trouble, tha blood is on her. Though I spose if she hurts anyone and we let her go, tha's on us as well... but look, we gotta decide together, cause tha's what e do as a team. And as a-" and as Garfaulk is contemplating what opinion to have, Charles speaks up. Everyone sees her muscles tense, her eyes darting around, and her hand twitch towards her flasks.
Initiative:
Charles, then Ton
Charles stands still, but at the ready.
Ton holsters his weapon, takes a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lights it as he walks out of the cave.
"I ain't dyin' for this piece of garbage." he says through a haze of blue smoke.
Looking from one party member to the next, she glanced to the other two ropefists. With a slightly apologetic look, she quickly drew not another bomb, but a small vial-one she chugged and, upon doing so, made her vanish from sight.
Zeke
Charles
Garfaulk
Wulf
Ton
Go all
Charles moves to ensure Ulreth isn't going anywhere. "Let's focus on why we came here."
Wulf swings down at the spot the woman disappeared from with the miss he just shakes his head. "Charles... I think I was the only one focused. I hope she doesn't end up hurting anyone you know. I've left someone bad get away before and it bit me and those I count as friends in the ass later on. He sighs, moving over to Ulreth not wanting to look at Charles. "Let's just get back to town, I'm done with this now."
With no sign of the alchemist, the group is easily able to tie up ulreth, the half elf, and the female rogue to being back to town. Ulreth sneered at them, especially as Wulf and Charles worked on his binds. "Trouble in paradise eh? Ya know, that woman was poking around all sorts of weird stuff. Dangerous stuff. Better hope she forgets about you, or I may be avenged afteral"
Charles shows his dagger. "Speak again and I take your tongue."
He then does a thorough search of the premises.
"Don't worry about it Wulf." Ton says through a veil of smoke. "I don't like it either but it ain't worth gettin' sour about."
Wulf doesn't say anything as he moves to tie Ulreth up. Then pulls the man along out of the cave not caring about what else might be found in there now just wanting to get home.
Little of interest remains in the cave-seemed they'd moved most of their stuff out already, and interrogating the half-elf reveals they were mostly still there to finish off the deal with Delissa-that's what the halfling woman had called herself anyway. So there wasn't much in the way of loot aside from personal items and their camp equipment, as well as food and water for the long journey ahead. Garfaulk muses that maybe they had a cart stashed away nearby, though Delissa likely had it now. Aside from a few weapons and the gunpowder barrel, there wasn't much there. Except: **insert loot (if any) from our real gm here**
As they get back to town, they do meet up with Dolga and Lizbeth once again, turning in yet another problem for the town of Torch. Garfaulk may or may not be seen again till the following morning and, for those in the mood, drinks are on the town again! Though it seemed the heroes weren't in as high of spirits as before
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The group finds several casks of ale and numerous bottles of fine wine. Time to party like it is 4699! Because tomorrow, the Heroes of Torch set out on their second adventure... The Lords of Rust!
Charles goes home to his parents.
The Heroes of Torch party long into the night saying their goodbyes to family and friends that the group had made during their time in town. Charles and Sam have to keep cutting themselves in order to give all family members numerous hugs.
The next morning, the group gathers outside the Foundry Tavern and takes a long look at the place that was your home the past month. Khonnir Baine, Val, and Joram Kyte gather around you and again wish you the best and give you thanks for bringing in Ulreth, who is safely locked up in a Torch jail cell.
Khonnir says, "Remember, friends, your job is to discover why the android Meyanda was sent to Torch and what she wanted with the power from the ship below our town. She was transmitting that power to Scrapwall. But for what purpose? Will her allies send more people to Torch to attempt to start the power transmission again? You must not let that happen! And of course, find out more about this Hellion character!"
He continues, "Watch out for my Ezekiel, you hear me? Keep him safe. I will look forward to your return, my son. Be careful..."
Val picks up when Khonnir's voice starts to catch. She gives everyone a hug, starting with Zeke, and ending with Wulf. This final hug lasts just long enough to make everyone uncomfortable, and then she wraps it up by grabbing his butt and then swatting it. "Stay away from the ladies in Scrapwall, killer."
Joram, his new hands fully etched with runes and carvings, gives some final instructions. "On your way to Scrapwall, stop by Aldronard's Grave. I mentioned it some time ago... it is an old fort near Scrapwall, a stopping point for crusaders heading up to the World Wound. There I'm sure you can get information about Scrapwall and prepare yourself for its entry. Remember, Scrapwall isn't a city, really... Don't expect to find stores or inns. It is a rough place, full of gangs and beggars."
The party waves again and starts heading down the road, out of Torch. The townspeople cheer as you go by... "The Heroes of Torch! The Heroes of Torch! Onward! Come back safe! We will pray to Brigh every night for you! Zeke, marry me!...." and so on and so on.
*************************************
One week later
*************************************
The road was long, but the company is pleasant... for the most part. Days when Sam makes an appearance instead of Charles make the journey a lot more fun. The mid-spring weather brings some rain, but largely the weather is warm and pleasant.
One afternoon, you walk around a bend in the road and you can see Aldronard's Fort in the distance! The place has seen better days; this is clear even from a distance. The walls are partially crumbling and marked with soot and stains.
But wait!
There is a heavy black smoke coming from the fort's interior! That is no cookfire... the Fort must be burning!
== Charles
Torch gave you mounts. The fort is still about a half-kilometer away.
"I'm finding it hard just taking them off you. I will be back and I'll have a lot to make up for the time I was away." He smiles down at Val, the thought of leaving now hitting him. But he pushes on knowing the business they have left over. The time back in the cave comes flashing back thinking of the woman they let go, he places a hand on Val cheek. "Be safe." Then kisses her one last time.
--
On the long ride, Wulf had no time for Charles and was happy with his quiet ways but found it hard to ignore Sam, even though the whole thing was strange it just felt wrong to ignore the happier side of them.
As they ride closer Wulf exclaims loudly. "It will be good to be off this damnd horse, I don't see why we couldn't just walk all this rocking back and forth is making me ill." He is about to continue when he looks up and sees the smoke. "That doesn't look good... Let's get down there now." And as Wulf does he starts to push his horse towards the fort.
"Aye but let's be careful Wulf, don't go charging in like you did back in Crowhollow!" Ton shouts over the rising wind as he spurs his horse.
As he does so he scans the horizon for signs of anyone coming or going from the fort.
Charles moves forward as well.
As you get closer, it is hard to miss three figures on the fort walls. They don't seem too overly concerned about the black smoke emanating from the courtyard of the fort.
As you get within shouting distance, they yell in muffled lisping voices, "STOP TRAVELERS! This fort is under quarantine. We are burning the corpses of plague victims. You are not welcome here and must turn around."
Charles notices that the guards have cloths stretches across their noses and mouth, presumably to keep them from breathing the soot and ash.
You approach the side of the fort and can't see inside... The walls are about 30 feet tall.
Zeke is startled from his deep, worried thoughts about leaving his family by a voice shouted from the crowd asking him to marry them. Puzzled, he turns in his saddle and looks wildly about, but he doesn't see anyone with an obvious marrying look. I must have imagined it, he thinks wryly. Good thing too, since Groetus would likely have commanded me to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak. He shakes his head in wonder, marveling at his subconscious, and tries to keep his eyes on the road.
He didn't like horses, and in his experience they didn't like him much, either. Something about his magical aura, but they always moved away as he tried to step into the saddle, or resisted being led, or gnawed at the ropes he used to tie them up. While the young man was rarely grouchy, horses could put him over the edge. Fortunately, his friend Wulf was good with animals, and Zeke left their care to the big man while he attended to other menial tasks at camp.
As they approached the fort in the distance, Zeke noticed the smoke at about the same time Wulf did, and he stopped to look around at the others wondering what they should do. When Ton'iel, Wulf, and Charles spur their horses, he sighs and retrieves a scroll from his pack, which he proceeds to quickly read. Now protected by invisible armor of force, he kicks the horse to urge it to catch up to the others.
Ton reigns his horse to a stop. He didn't like the thought of plague at all and in a fort like this he can imagine that it would spread quickly and to deadly effect.
"An illness has taken you?" he shouts up to the wall. "What of the crusaders headed to the World Wound, haven't they been able to help? If not then maybe we can, a couple of us are pretty handy with that kind of thing."
Wulf laughs deeply as he remembers Crowhollow, continuing to move with his horse shouting back at Ton. "Crowhollow! How could I have known it was just a party."
He pulls on his horse's reins, skidding it to a halt with word of plague. He looks up at the men his normal instincts are to not trust their words believing something bad is happening. "We wish to offer any help we can, we have healers that are pretty good. We came for information on Scrapwall!" Echoing Ton's sentiment.
They are lying through their teeth... and it is pretty obvious to everyone. They are shifty and extremely suspicious; glancing to the side, forward and back, as if to make sure that there aren't more of you.
Wulf in particular notices the strange lisp the masked men have, and it occurs to him that they might not even HAVE teeth to lie through.
At the offer of healing assistance, the two closest guards look at each other shrug as if to say, Sure, why not?
They wave forward and gesture to the north of the fort, where the front gates lie open.
About 30 minutes after leaving Torch, Zeke slowly realizes that there is something hanging off of his hair. With a terribly bemused expression, he draws forth a skimpy piece of leather, tooled with holes like lace on its edges, with a cord like a belt. He looks at the others in confusion, as if he has no idea where this supposed item of clothing might have come from or what he should do with it.
---
Zeke offers a brief prayer to his god, and then stares at the men in masks, trying to remember where he has heard of people like them before.
With those masks on and at this distance, you simply can't tell who they are.
The dwarf made sure to give plenty of people in the town proper send offs. Saying brief goodbyes to Jorum, the family, and Dolga, with a bit of a longer goodbye to Lizbeth. She would even gift him with a kerchief, one he put on as he hopped on the horse to help protect his face. Garfaulk waved goodbye to the town as they rode off, smiling widely as they hit the road. "We'll see all ya soon enough! An don't worry bout these lads, we'll all keep an eye out fer each other."
For the ride going forward, Garfaulk did his best to keep Charles company and keep up his spirits, especially when Wulf gave him the cold shoulder. He chuckles as Zeke struggles with the horse, and nearly busts a gut when Zeke finally notices what's in his hair.
Of course, he's also right there with them as they approach and hear the lies of the gentlemen up on the wall. He shook his head a bit riding up to the gate with the rest. "Hmph. Some quarantine, leavin the gates open like tha. Look alive fellas, and be ready fer whatever sort of mess may be in there" Pulling Slagbreather, he took the bandanna off his neck and covered the weapon, both hands holding that together on the reigns, bracing himself as they went up to the gates, if the rest of them went as well.
"Something is off here..." Ton mutters as he sidles up beside Wulf. "Well you know I'm a careful man Wulf, let's take a coupla precautions here." he adds before laying his hand on his friend's shoulder.
Wulf flexes his shoulders as he feels the magic wash over him, he could almost get used to the feeling. "You've got to be careful with plague about." He smiles.
Then turning back and speaks quietly, looking to each of the party. "Let me go in past the gate first, wait a moment if they spring anything I'll take whatever they have and then you move in." He then looks up at the men. "Ok, everyone down here has been told whats going on and we're coming in to help. I'll be leading, I've never been sick a day in my life." He says attempting to keep up the conversation as he pulls at his horse moving it forward slowly towards the gate.