You start making the travois and loading them when Bodur returns to his home. He looks a lot happier than before and seems ready to start his new journey.
He seems very happy at the prospect of his own new home.
Following his directions you find a cart that would suffice to tow along the larger and heavier stuff in the room. It looks a bit run down but it should do for the trip.
A little into the treeline you see his mother, trying to hide. She grips the tree like club and seems uncomfortable.
Nagbur tugs on Almalik's pant leg. "You talk giant? Tell momma Bodur not leaving forevers, he come visit. We come visit too maybe?"
After a moment's thought he adds, "And make Bodur promise he come visit his momma."
Almalik swallows nervously, and then approaches mama Bodur, speaking in giant.
"YOU SON STRONG. YOU MAKE GOOD SON. HE MAKE YOU PROUD, COME VISIT LOTS SO SHOW HOW STRONG HE IS."
I feel like an idiot.
Mother giant looks slightly relieved at Almalik's words and after one more glance full of doubt she turns around and moves away.
You pack Bodur's belongings and start moving all his stuff to his new cave with aid of the cart and several travois. You camp in the same caves as before at the end of each day and make slow progress. The first journey only took three days where the moves costs six days, of which the last day is spent with decorating the new cave.
On the last day close to evening you hear and feel the ground shaking as you sit around in Bodur's new home. Mother giant suddenly steps inside and her look of worry changes into a smile.
After a good nights rest you head back to the guild. After quite a time traveling back you are finally home near midnight. The inn, as it most often is, is empty save for Vaara behind the counter. She works you upstairs to bed and says she will have breakfast ready in the morning.
Come morning you are met with the children and Vaara with a hearty breakfast.
"Was that the giant you met on your first mission?" Asks Vaara. "I thought you said he was fairly skinny, he was as fat as I've ever seen them."
"You've met giants before?!" The two children look curiously at Vaara, as they both ask the same question at the same time. "But you are an innkeeper!" Elard also adds.
After some more talk over a fine breakfast Elana motions you to keep your seats.
"I want to show you something!"
She says with a big smile.
"I have been practicing and I learned something new!"
She runs to the back of the inn and comes back with a dagger, looking fairly dull and normal. She lays the dagger on top of the table, and sticks out her tongue in utter concentration whilst she holds her hand over the dagger. After what seems an eternity the dagger takes on a shine, it looks sharper and better than it previously did. Before you get time to react the dagger changes again. The air around the dagger seems to pulse when she finishes what she is doing.
"There!"
The dagger turned from normal to a +1 thundering dagger.
Almalik marvels at the dagger, turning it over in his hands.
"You may have just created the noisiest dagger in existence... fascinating!"
Fish draws his greatsword and places it on the table. "Do Fish sword next."
Elana looks a bit doubtful when Fish places his sword on the table.
"It is very tiring to do... But I could try?"
She looks over the group and back at the sword. Sticking out her tongue again she holds her hands over the sword and remains very still for some time, after which the sword seems to get a keener edge.
"I... No more."
She sits back on the bench, looking very tired.
"Axe!", the large man impressed by the small blade looking small, but shinier after the change.
"Very nice, Elana! I'll come to you next time I need an enhancement!"
Ama sits down and looks at Vaara. "I took a look at the mission board. Could you tell me more about this organized crime mission? I'm really not looking forward to seeing those crazy dwarves again just yet."
"The head of the city guard sent me a letter with the request. A problem with some group of criminals that seem to have infiltrated the guards or something, or at least know their schedules. The man is unable to catch even a single thug and many homes have been ransacked by now. He wrote something about a clue he found but that he was no investigator."
Vaara answers Ama.
"Looks like you are to route out this group of thugs and bring them to justice."
Nagbur snorts at Ama's remark. "Nagbur no look forward to crazy dwarfs again ever."
As Elana demonstrates her new ability he gives her a blue thumbs-up and a huge approving -- if terrifying -- grin.
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"Axe!", shouts Axe as he raises his axe into the air!
"Justice!"
Elana looks really proud from all the compliments she gets. She shoves the dagger towards Nagbur.
"As a present for the hard work."
She says with a big smile in return.
After several days of hanging around, and emptying the stores of the guildhouse, you move on to the next mission.
You head out to the villages you have connected through a bridge and see that they are getting along pretty well. Both the towns looks to be prospering from the road you have made for them.
Upon arriving in Morwald you head north through the mountains. After many twisting roads and several days of traveling you finally come across this sight. You enter the huge sprawling city and head, with some directions, to the location noted on the mission board. You enter the building and are led into a room several stories up.
You stand before the captain general of the guard, a man in full plate with his helmet under his arm. A long large axe and a large shield stand in the corner of the room you are in. He eyes each of you as you enter his room and seems not much impressed.
”This is what they send me? A weird collection of street thugs? Or do you say otherwise?”
He pauses a moment but before you have the chance to respond he continues.
”No, no talking from you. I will tell you what needs to be done and you will do it or die trying.”
His eyes go over you again, hard eyes which have seen many a battlefield and which demand respect.
”You will go out there and find the heart of this problem. Thugs are robbing people and homes, nothing the guards aren’t able to handle. But, they seem to evade the guards. Every time we arrive at the scene they are long gone with all the gold and silver. They seem to know when and where we are before we even know it.”
He walks over to the window, to watch over the city below him.
”The time, place and day seem totally random. See if you can find a pattern or a place they are working from. I have a single lead, an innkeeper in the city. He sometimes gets requests from merchants to get a private room. He and his personel are asked to not enter the room, no matter what happens. That and he has to let the back door unlocked, so the other participants may enter through that way. He never sees them though. He found the whole going on not to be trusted and came to the guards. Follow this lead and report to me when you find anything of use. You will get rooms in said inn and the owner knows who you are and what you want.”
He turns around to face you, his hard eyes boring into you.
"What are you waiting for?"
"When the guard cannot do the job, set 'street thugs' to catch street thugs. It's as good a plan as any, I suppose. Not to rain on your well-polished parade, but do you have any ideas on how the thugs know where your patrols are? Magic? Traitors? Little fairies that pass messages back and forth on rainbows?"
The man turns his stony glare on Idris. Although you are very strong the man seems imposing and might even outmatch you should you try to cross his path.
"If I had any idea I would have told you so, don't you think? That is why I hired you lot."
He replies in an irritated voice.
Elana looks really proud from all the compliments she gets. She shoves the dagger towards Nagbur.
"As a present for the hard work." She says with a big smile in return.
The vitalist blinks in surprise, then looks from the dagger to Elana. "Muchly thanks but Nagbur not one what should get this. Axe fight Momma. Nagbur no fighter besides." He picks up the dagger and offers it around. "Somewho else use this better?"
***
Nagbur's eyes get narrower and his lip line tightens as the captain general talks insultingly to the group.
One can practically see smoke wafting out of his ears, but he somehow manages to hold his tongue... though those standing near him can hear a low growl deep in his throat.
Almalik arrogantly dismisses the captain's insults.
"Cease your gibbering, you hired us because we are smarter than you. Also, if your street thugs look like us, you live on a strange street. We will investigate this and solve your crimes because we are professionals and experts. We will begin with the lead you have indicated and proceed from there. I trust you will not interfere in our work."
With that, Almalik makes his way over to the inn to begin investigations and questioning the inn keeper.
"But Axe wouldn't have made it without you," Ama says when Nagbur holds up the dagger.
"You should keep it. It's impolite to refuse a gift, and a cutting tool that's easy to carry around can always come in handy."
------
"My gut tells me your hard exterior hides a very sensitive man, mister guard sir."
Ama places a hand on the captain general's arm and smiles her warmest smile. She speaks with a firm, but reassuring voice. "We will find the men who bully you and your guards."
The man's eyes narrow at Almalik, him looking like a noble he keeps his mouth closed. However when Ama starts talking he grows angry.
From the hallway one of the guards passing by pokes his head inside to see what is happening.
Before things really escalate you leave, Almalik pulling you along. You head to the inn mentioned by the man.
You arrive at the inn, which are two medium sized buildings at the edge of the city. The place is fairly secluded and is in a forested area. The area gives good cover for anyone who might want to sneak in from behind.
You approach the inn by the main road and head inside. You are met by bald, fat, slightly nervous man with an apron on. The place has several visitors and maids serving them. The smell of roast fills your nose as you enter.
”I eh… What can I do you for?”
The man, obviously the innkeeper, asks you. He eyes your weapons as a drop of sweat slides down his face. He glances back at the bar and back at you.
”There be a table free for you if you like.”
Seeing you aren’t aggressive towards him so far he looks back at the bar again, where a serving girl is filling a tray with foodstuffs and mugs.
”Or will you be needing a more secluded place to talk?”
He beckons one of the serving girls and gives her a few quick commands. He beckons you to follow him and he brings you to a back room in the inn. A minute or so later the serving girl comes in and serves you some food and drink. The man nods to the girl and starts talking to you the moment she is gone.
”I didn’t think you would be here so soon. We can talk safely here.”
He pulls a rag from his apron and wipes his forehead.
”What do you want to know? I will show you the room they meet in later, let us talk first.”
Almalik bursts out laughing as the guard captain loses his temper at Ama.
Seeing the very nervous-looking innkeeper, Almalik launches into a smooth conversation.
"Good sir, we're interested in a secluded place to speak with you. I trust you that our intentions are honourable and forthright, but they are somewhat confidential. If you would?"
The man relaxes a bit as Almalik talks to him.
"You can talk freely here. The maids will not disturb us here, and guests do not come here."
Seeing that Almalik didn't get everything he said he adds what he thought he missed.
"I didn't expect you here so soon, but ask anything you like. I will show you the room the shady merchant meets in later."
Ama smiles a cheeky smile at the innkeeper. "Don't mind Alma, he's a bit daft. I think he has hearing problems. Apparently there's no spell to fix that."
She shifts in her seat and scratches her nose. Her nose has been feeling incredibly itchy ever since the party arrived at the inn.
"Could you perhaps start by telling us what they look like, and which weapons and armor they carry with them? Also, have you ever overheard something they spoke of?"
Axe, now smarter, figures he should ask his question mentally then have someone else ask it. How did they approach you? Menacing-like?
The innkeeper nods in all seriousness to Ama.
"How they looked? It's always the same man, dressed in merchants clothes. A while ago, just after the robbings started, the man came up to me and told me he needed the room in the other building. At first I said no, it be my bedroom you know. Then he placed a pouch full of coins on the table. Not just any coins, but gold! Rarely see that much gold in one place. Couldn't well refuse the man could I now?"
His conversation halts as he looks at Ama.
"Ah yes, yes. Back to the point, sorry. The man wears no weapons or armor as far as I could tell. He be alone when he comes here also. The room he wanted has a back door though. And when he be gone from the place it always looks like there be more men inside than just him. Very shady business."
For the last question Ama asks he shakes his head.
"He was very clear in the matter, this be what he said to me first time."
He rasps his voice and tries to imitate the accent of the merchant.
'No one will come to this room you hear? Not you, not your maids. I pay you for the room and to leave me alone in there.'
He nods to himself, very convinced that it sounded like the man.
The innkeeper starts to get nervous again as everyone stares at him intently but no one says a thing.
Nagbur squirms silently in his seat, trying to stay focused and pay attention.
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"Two more questions," Ama says with a dead serious undertone.
"Exactly when are you next expecting them, and do you have cheese?"
The innkeeper raises an eyebrow at Ama and looks at Almalik questioningly.
"I, eh... He will come by tonight again, at around 9 he will enter the inn. As for the cheese... yes, give me a moment."
He stands up and disappears in one of the rooms behind you, returning soon with half a wheel of cheese, a plate and a knife.
"Here, suit yourself. Do you have any other things you would like to know? Otherwise I will bring you to the meeting room and will show you your rooms afterwards."
"Nothing else," Ama responds.
Just before Ama follows the innkeeper to the meeting room and bedrooms, she points at the cheese. "You'd better still be here when I come back!"
Almalik nods very slowly.
"I believe I have no further questions, show us to the room."
As he heads over, he turns to his companions.
"I can maintain an invisibility spell, or even an illusion of a false wall which can contain someone to overhear the contents of the conversation. I believe that our job should be reconnaissance, not combat. We do not wish to have harm or ill repute come upon this good innkeeper. Once we have our information, we can decide how to approach next."
"Fish small....good at hiding." Fish says in reply to Almalik's comments.
Having discussed anything that came to mind the man shows you your rooms and hurries on to the room the merchant normally meets in. The meeting room is in the other building, next to the stables. He tells you that the merchant enters and that, he assumes, the other men come in from the back. The area to the north is forested and the men have good cover, so he has never seen any of them entering.
”They be meeting here this evening again. They come here regularly and the man asked me yesterday to get the room ready for tonight.”
The rag he used to wipe his forehead earlier is now being wrung in his hands, making him look even more nervous.
”I’ll let you to it, but if they see you it wasn’t me that told it!”
He stuffs away the rag and heads back inside, after looking around him to see if anyone saw him.
Fish small....good at hiding."
Nagbur looks at Fish. "Nagbur smell. Bad at hiding."
Before leaving the back room, he pulls a jar of goblin pickles from his pack and offers it to Ama. "Be muchly good with cheese," he declares.
Almalik nods assertively as he looks over Fish.
"Very well, the remainder of us shall remain in the inn and handy in case violence should occur. Come Fish, let us inspect the room - perhaps there is a mundane way we can hide you so as not to expend my own considerable magical power."
You make a circle around the building and take a quick look inside. You notice several places a small person could hide:
- Under the bed in the main room
- Under the bed in the bedroom
- Under the table
- In the closet in the bedroom
- Outside the building in one of the bushes next to the walls
- In one of the stalls adjacent to the rooms
Fish crawls under the bed in the main room. "This good spot for Fish." he says from under the bed.
Invisifish?, Axe thinks to the party.
Infishible, Nagbur thinks back.
Come evening the merchant enters the inn. You sit in the corner enjoying some fine dinner and beer as the innkeeper gives the merchant a key to the room he showed you earlier. The merchant places a pouch on the counter and leaves again.
Someone in fine clothes and clean shoes enters the building locking the main door behind him. Once inside you hear the scraping of a chair and a thud as the man sits down at the table.
”Filthy place. Personal hygiene of the man is just horrible.”
The unfamiliar voice says before you hear a violent sneeze.
After waiting some time the creaking of a door can be heard as two men enter the building, the second door also opens and the two men and the merchant are in the same room. A loud thud and the sound of metal clinging against metal can be heard. The merchant starts to talk.
”No need to inspect the room again. We did that the last few times and the man seems to be trustworthy, although filthy.”
More clinging is heard and the merchant grunts.
”Is this all? Well, never mind. I assume the information I gave you was correct? Streets were empty and no guards in sight.”
The room stays quiet but the merchant starts to laugh.
”I will relay that the job was successful. Here take this, on there are the instructions on where to hit next. It also contains your pay, which is more than you will get from this sorry hit.”
You hear the creaking and scraping of the chair again followed by the clinging metal.
”I will take this off of your hands, I hope you do better next time.”
The rooms falls silent again before the doors can be heard again. Everyone seems to have left the room.
"Tastes good!"