Pain is there to remind of the consequences of failing to avoid damage. To remove it from the healing process is foolish.
Welll... Fariza left her orb, I doubt she'd do that on purpose, do you think she was kidnapped?
Isaac's jaw drops open as he realizes what that could mean.
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It is hours past midday before Greevy appeared from within his hut. He carries some animals that looked freshly hunted that has small circular burns on their hides but are otherwise unharmed.
"You are still here? I was expecting you to leave earlier but it looks like you mean to stay for another night, hmm?" says Greevy, dropping down his food near the fireplace. He hobbles up to the line of weapons Crucible has repaired "Yes, these are very well made indeed. Much better than their original states when they first left the forge of their birth I think. It would fetch me quite a lot of gold."
Reaching down, he picks up one of the warhammers and inspects it more closely "The number of excess metal here shows that you spent so much time on this dwarf. It puts the balance off a bit, but still well made. Here, take it. Consider it as a gift for not running away with all these when you had the chance." Greevy hands over the masterwork warhammer that Crucible had to repair multiple times.
"Now, do you intend to stay for another night or do you wish to leave? I do not know where you are going but you might still make it to the next village before sundown if you leave now."
Weighing the balance of the exchange, Crucible accepts the new war hammer and sets down his standard weapon in it's place. He nods with new respect to the rat man. He looks to the two group members he has met.
I believe there are things that we must do. Thank you for your hospitality.
We were concerned about your sudden absence. And also wondering if you had any food we could buy from you.
Isaac chuckles a bit, embarrassed.
"Is there anything you can tell us about the village and its occupants?"
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"Them? They're mostly ratfolk as well, but much more afraid of the orcs than I am. There are many more merchants of various kinds there since it's the only village next to the river in these area next to the mountains and forest. Much riches to be found around here indeed." Greevy nods sagely.
"Maybe you guys can find what you're looking for there. I had a chat with that birdman last night and he mentioned something about a... errr... pansy-on?"
Isaac will buy two trail rations and the waterskin.
How big is it? Are there orcs there?
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"It's a small village with 30 or so houses... plus a few larger establishments for the village wisdom, inn, and a temple I think." Greevy shrugs, making it obvious he doesn't care much for them.
"No orcs lately though. The harpies have been trying to occupy the top of this plateau for months now and the orcs have all gone defensive. Who knows when they would even think to wander down here again." he says as he hands over his goods, in exchange for gold.
"Sounds like a lovely little place." Raffe tries to smile, but the prospect of lodging with more ratmen does not seem to appeal to him. Still, he hands over 5 silver for a ration to eat, so that he does not have to tap into his stockpile.
Shall we be off, then? I doubt we were brought here just to rent out a cave.
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The group swiftly follows the river trail upstream along its side. Nearly three hours pass before evidence of civilization showed itself; a chopped tree here and there, and trails worn into the ground through years of passing by the people of the village. From the distance you can see a thick column of black smoke rising above the treeline.
These creatures clearly know nothing of containing their own fires.
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You guys don't notice anything odd but you think you're much closer to the village which should be where the smoke is coming from. It's getting darker by the minute and you can't see the village through the trees.
There are two paths that you can see still:
- first is the path you've been following all afternoon alongside the riverbank which curves further ahead to the right;
- and the other splits off to the right and through the trees.
"Hm... well...might want to keep going along the river... we should be able to keep following that even at night without problem."
Thats a great point. We don't have to worry about water either.
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You reach the village without further hassle, or what's left of it.
As soon as you turn the bend in the path, you see that the largest building in the center of the village is in flames.
Ratfolk figures run about in chaos around it, many looks like they are ferrying buckets of water from the river to the building. However, the fires look like it won't be stopping any time soon.
One ratfolk lady (based on her dress at least) who runs toward your group. She grabs Issac by the sleeve and says "Help! The young ones are still inside the temple! Please! My Kassa is in there too!"
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The building was sturdy and should be able to remain standing even with most of the walls burned down; as long as the foundations and pillars stand, anyway.
You believe there is still a few critical minutes before it collapses.
Seeing the doubledoors in the front of the building, with opposite faces carved into is surface, tickles your memory. The flames around it animating the carving, giving life to them.
You realize this large building is a temple. A temple to Alseta.
Your building is well made, it will stand.
Crucible marches in to the flames to seek the younglings.
"Alseta protects your building well then." Raffe remarks on Crucible's comment.
Xin and Raffe look around for the younglings.
"Kassa! If you hear me come to the sound of my voice!"
Raffe mentally sends thanks to Xin, then carefully begins moving toward the room, trying to avoid the fires he can see spreading to it.
"Kassa? Are you here child?"
Isaac scurries in and, upon seeing the door on the left will try to open it. If it's hot he'll wave Crucible to kick it open.
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There are no doors in this place, only open archways (). Raffe, Xin, and Issac who was peering over the corner, easily spot the young ratfolks practically hugging the wall and trying to stay as far away as possible from the fire inside the room. They look at it with obvious fear in their eyes.
They are crying, in shock and will not talk nor move by themselves.
Raffe bends down and picks up the nearest child. "It will be ok, we will get you out of here. Crucible, Issac, grab as many as you can and lets get out of here." Placing the child over his shoulder and picking up a second one under his other arm, Raffe hurries to the exit.
Isaac picks one up and grabs another by the paw, pulling them along.
Come with me, little ones! We'll be ok.
If there are still children remaining Crucible will roughly scoop them up and shove them through the entrance. If the four the others grabbed are all of them, he will glance in the other side room then go to the alter and look for religious items than can be preserved.
Is the building coming down?
Isaac casts Summon Monster I, summoning a pony.
Put the children on the pony!
Cruicible takes his hammer up in two hands and steps forward to block the creature for reaching the children,smashing at its form.
Raffe will attempt to hit it with a Ray of Frost, moving as needed to ensure that neither Crucible nor Issac are in his line of fire.
"Issac, get the children out!"
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Crucible's hammer meets little resistance before it passes thru the fire elemental causing it to disperse in a wave of heat. Its form clearly falling back into the flames behind it.
The largest in the group of younglings seem to collect himself and say "You're very powerful mister! There was an explosion near the altars earlier before all this. I- I think..." he stutters and becomes silent once again when he realizes how intimidating your group look with flames in the background.
Suddenly, the flames near the room entrance coalesce and spews another fire elemental. A strange sound erupts from the elemental, filling the room with a melodic roar of fire.
We have been waiting for you...
Isaac will put the children on the pony, starting with the smallest, until they are all on board except for the biggest. He squats down to his level.
Look at me, don't worry about them right now. Lead the pony outside, the others are out there, the old lady will take care of you. Were there any other kids in here?
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Seeing the pony, the young ratfolk scramble to mount it while the eldest leads the pony out as quickly as he can while the fire elemental stared down at Crucible.
They only managed reach the archway before the fire elemental reacted. He did not charge after them however and simply attacked the nearest foe.
You chosen will soon meet your match!
Crucible barely felt the force of the attack through his armor, but could feel part of the metal heat up from inside.
Isaac mutters under his breath.
Osterp Cigam Ees Em Ees Ern
Isaac begins looking for evidence of where the elementals are coming from, or if they are merely hiding in the flames. He also moves, staying away from the elemental's reach as long as possible, but in a position to get away from the elemental and catch up with the children.
Crucible slides his shield to his arm and attempts to smash down this new foe as well. Missing badly he pulverizes a floor board.
Again, Raffe tries to hit the elemental with a ray of frost, hoping to cover the retreating children.
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Crucible's attack was easily dodged. As it noticed noticed Raffe casting, it tries to prevent him from finishing his spell...
... but Raffe managed to evade the attack and finish the spell. Unfortunately, Raffe had to be careful not to hit Crucile causing the bluish ray to go wide. ()
It continues to assault Raffe but he still managed to evade it with a wide margin. He steps back into the fire to avoid being surrounded. In the meantime, the younglings and pony manage to escape the building before collapsing.
Raffe backs up out of melee range and casts again.
Stepping forward Crucible swings round at it with both hammer and shield.