With another lay of hands Oscar wakens the halfling. Even with the repeat of the charges and such the halfling just sits there quiet and downcast.
ar will repeat the accusation gently to him So now that you have heard everything, is there anything you wanted to say in your defense? Did you know you were convicted for a crime by a court ? What is your side of the story? And please don't try to lie if you want our help in this
The halfling looks pitiful not looking up at anyone he simply says, "Yes, I... you, you won't believe me."
"I was born sickly and my parents were not good people, they thought they could make the bad situation to their liking. They sold me for a devil contract. The Devil would make it so that I never died of sickness and my body would hold out from those weaknesses, in return my soul would be his once I died. What they did not know was that I hold a connection to the arcane as well. Some would call me a sorcerer but the more knowledgeable call me a witch. I have turned my abilities to help others but that still did little good with my parents always looking to make money. One night, the night in question I had enough. They beat me and I could do little but just take it. The devil or something took over me and began the fire. I woke up weak and sick like always but the lashes were gone. The caravan cart burnt and that is when the guards came. There was some laughing and I could not see where it came from. I was convicted since I was the only one there and conscious when the guards came."
If i understand in a court of law people will only care what you can prove
After hearing the story
This is going to be a hard one to prove tough. Not that i don't believe you mind you. First things first. do you remember how the devil possessing you started the fire ? Do you know if that contract you spoke off was written ? (and if so where it is ?). How far away from here did all of this happen ?
Oscar will during all of this on the hafling
Oscar you think the halfling is telling the truth at least what he knows. The halfling answers Oscars questions to the best of his ability, "I don't know how the fire was started. I don't know much about the contract except that my parents spoke about it a few times, the caravan wagon was burnt about a month ago in Restov."
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"So either way the halfling is a dead man. At least in the sight of the courts, so he stays with us and shows by his actions he can be better. Ardent you can stay with us to make sure he does not act out again and if he runs I am sure some of us will help you track him down." Sable says thinking this being the best route for the condemned halfling.
Ardent begins to protest but looks to Oscar for assistance.
hum, can you repeat one.more time what you re orders are ? he ask ardent
Ardent takes a moment to calm herself and slowly says, "I am burdened with the task to bring Wellby Rubybottle back to serve his sentence or if needed to carry out the charge of witchcraft and murder with my own blade. I am sure I can't easily take the halfling from your group, I won't like it but I could go along with the elf's request."
While downing his drink, Reknar quietly listens to the recounted story with a curious look - "It is none of my business to be honest" - he adds - "But what if his story is true?" - the man comments to Ardent - "Is it irrelevant to you?"
She looks at Reknar and simply says as if it is fact, "I am an inquisitor of the church and state, I do what I am ordered and moreso when done by both."
"Then by the powers invested in ye, Can ye not use yer magic to figure out if the little one speaks truth?" Koldur asks having heard the story from Hundor.
"It seems to me that this little one was treated badly and none of yer townfolk seemed to know until this happened. If this was caught on early, would this not be termed as self defence as sorts?" Koldur presses on.
She looks around at the different faces and sees them all against her, "Dwarf I can see what you say, the case was likely pressured to be a conviction. It does happen but I have a job to uphold. I will let him stay with your group to help and so that his actions can prove himself not be what he was convicted. Though that is as far as I am willing to act or not act." She says with reservations.
Turning to Hundor,
"Well Little one? You have a choice here. Go back and face what ever fates awaits you back home or make a new one here for yourself. What say ye?"
She looks at Reknar and simply says as if it is fact, "I am an inquisitor of the church and state, I do what I am ordered and moreso when done by both."
"I thought as much - just checking" - the man retorts, taking another drink from his ale.
Turning to Hundor,
"Well Little one? You have a choice here. Go back and face what ever fates awaits you back home or make a new one here for yourself. What say ye?"
"I would grab it with both hands if I was you" - Reknar suggests, and even though it may sound like a jest, he is not smiling.
"Really there is a choice in there, I stay with you Koldur." His spirit seems to be rising.
Well then it seems that your orders do not include a time table. By escorting the hafling who is coming with us you have apprehended him. And for the moment you can't carry out the second part of your order as some people he nods to koldur are preventing you from doing so. And so we shall depart and do some investigation into this and then at the end if we have a case for appeal, it shall be so. And if there is no case then he will be released into your custody. Is that agreable to all and within the confind of the law and everyon's wishes / orders ?
"Aye." without hesitation, Koldur answers.
Ardent agrees to Oscar's statement, "That works for me. It might be nice to enjoy the wilderness for a while."
The halfling pipes up, "Yup that is best!" He goes over to Koldur and gives him a quick hug.
"It would actually be nice to know what you are up to in this neck of the woods, before you guys decide to take me along" - Reknar laughs in a good mood at Sable's comment - "Just saying"
Downing some more ale, he adds - "Maybe now I get to know what the celebrations are all about? And what you are planning to investigate?"
yes sable, we are waiting for you to agree to all of this, and i am fine with reknar if you think we can use one more. You are leading all of this after all
Koldur grins at the attempted hug knowing his rather considerable girth might make it hard for the halfling as he gives a friendly pat on Hundor's shoulder.
"Come Elf, Ye the leader of this expedition and me moonshine has already given us some directions. Having more would be good as someof us be needed elsewhere."
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"Reknar, we have a charter to explore the stolenlands. We are also looking to expunge the darkness that is in this region. I agree to remained unbiased concerning the halfling, should he try to run off I will assist in hunting him down. Should he prove that his actions outweigh his 'conviction' he will be released after 5 years of service. It looks like the lad could use some direction." He says seriously.
He looks to Reknar again, in a more jovial voice he says, "Celebrations? Ah yes, the dwarves like to have their merry making whenever we show up, also we saved them so it makes sense."
"You have definitely been busy" - Reknar nods - "Got the exploration of the Stonelands, it is one of the reasons I traveled here. But what sort of darkness needs to be expunged?" - he questions.
"Also, and if I may ask, what did you save the dwarves from?"
From hordes of the living dead he replied without looking at him
"Alot of them walking bones and their ilk. Took some time to clear the pieces Ah Suppose." Koldur adds on without missing a beat.
"A horde of undead you say?" - Reknar ponders - "We'll, I guess I would be celebrating every time I saw you guys too then" - he chuckles, staring at Oscar for a moment, wondering why it is the man will not look at him, but dismissing it as shyness with a shrug.
"What next then?"
Koldur Grins at that question.
"We find trouble or we make a loud enough ruckus that troubles finds us."
"That's a plan if I ever heard one!" - Reknar laughs, raising his mug in a toast.
Then we set out back to exploration simply says oscar
Ardent keeps an eye on the halfling the rest of the night staying by herself unless someone comes and joins her. Sable goes back and talks with the other female for the rest of the night. The merchant dwarf is the only one abstaining from the merry making and shows each of you where the guest quarters are, a large rough cut room with pelts for beds. The room is about 7 feet high, 15 feet wide and 40 feet long. If you want private quarters you can pay a few silver and one of the two private rooms is yours.
The next morning you are woken up to the sounds of the forge. Hammers beating down on anvils and also the sound of mining. The group slowly rises from their bedrolls and eat a simple breakfast of biscuits and eggs provided by the dwarves. Your mounts are easily found in the stable where you left them and as you walk them out the gate is opened by the dwarves on duty.
Grabbing Blankets, Koldur tosses one to Ardent, passes one to Hundor and then takes his own seat and joins the viglilant one to watch.
"Someone has to keep an eye on dis Villain right?" he chuckles even as he winks to both nd shares watch with Ardent, ensuring enough sleep for both of them.
Waking up the next morning to the sound of Hammers beating down on forges, sweet music to his ears, Koldur stretches and grins.
"Come on ye lot. A new day awaits." leadning them outside.
We are in no hurries for the moment so lets save up on the rations. I'll go hunting
We are in no hurries for the moment so lets save up on the rations. I'll go hunting
"Not alone" - Reknar pipes in, as he follows Oscar.
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"Let us all hunt together!" Sable says happy to be out on the road again in the wilderness without responsibilities.
Sable is enjoying the sights just a bit too much not seeing most of the things that could be food but at the end of the first day of exploring he finds a small berry bush that his horse pretty much walked through.
It takes the group on their horses only a few short hours to get to the next mostly unexplored region. Spending most of their time exploring and looking for food the sights of the area seems a bit blurred. The forest is similar as they search until they come upon the familiar onion patch. Even a few kobolds are there collecting the onions.
Testing the weight of his Axe, Koldur manages to find a few bushes loaded with edible berries though sour after an accident where he misjudged a thrown and sent it spinning further then he intended.
Koldur grimaces.....
"Ah hate to break it to ya ol friend, but Ah don't speak their language......"
Nope sorry. remember last time we had a translator. he replied as he approches the kobolds. Both of his hands are extended forward palms up to show his peacfull intentions
We mean no harm we rare friends with Zarlex, forager to his tribe and of Nakpik. We only want some onions if possible he says mimicking the action slowly with his hands of eating onions
"I will do it if I have to but begrudgingly. Then again they are better than mites, gremlins, goblins or orcs. They have a semblance of order, perhaps with some guidance... still Oscar you know the Draconic tongue?" Sable says as he thinks out loud.
"I do know the Draconic tongue" - Reknar comments - "Have dealt with kobolds many more times than I would have liked to" - he shakes his head - "Which brings me to the question - what negotiations do you expect to be able to carry out with those little monsters?"
True to Sable's word the kobolds offer up a basket of onions to Oscar and wave to the rest of you before they begin to head South.
Ardent found some leeks, a family of rabbits, and some lettuce.
The group takes the basket of onions and adds it to their pile of forage.
With Ardent and the halfling the setup for camps is a bit easier. Ardent demands to be on the same watch as the halfling, any objections? Though the halfling does what he can to make each of your nights better by making sure your beds are not on rocks and just tidying up the campsite, Ardent does it just naturally even as she keeps watch, 'Things have their place' she would say if anyone asks.
Moving into this next area you first find some signs of habitation. Off in the distance is some smoke coming out of the forest, closer you can see that there are some huts and hovels in a clearing.