On the way back Berashel tells his story, "My father, Calendrel, fought in the war that took place here many years ago. He was always tight lipped on what happened here so after he died I started traveling to find out more about him. Eventually that lead me to come here, or to Yanmass. I met up with the gnome there as well as Halloi and Kaedth. Together we set out for Hommlet, but we never made it."
"About halfway to town we were ambushed by a group of very well armed men wearing cloaks with a yellow eye of fire sewn into them. We fought hard, but they were too many for us to stop. When I woke I was in that room with the others. The Ogre wasn't alone however as I heard him talking with others, though they kept their voices low enough to keep us from hearing. Yesterday the ogre took Halloi and I did what I could to stop him, which earned the beating I got from him."
"So keep your eyes open as we travel around here, I know I will be as I do not want to be taken again! Hopefully Kaedth made it back to Yanmass or Hommlet, his faith in Iomedae was strong so it isn't beyond hope."
To Berashel, We killed or captured a fairly large group of bandits the last time we were here. We can check where they are being held to see if you recognize any of them.
You can help give em what they deserve...a good hangin'.
As we head back, Maybe we should take a day or two to rest up. Sounds like some people want to do some magic writing and stuff and we have a lot of goods to sell and a magic item to figure out! What say the rest of you?
Hey Berashel, maybe you should join us if you want some revenge. Our other Dwarf decided to go home, some holy quest or some-such. We could use another strong-arm. Me and Ty have handled it so far with lots of magic help from the others, but if we run into 2 Ogres we could use another sword...hey Braden, nice spell by the way, once that hit him he didn't stand a chance!
Arindale continues his scattered thoughts and chattering through most of the journey back...
Maegge allowed Tybek to do all the talking with some misgivings, but apparently he didn't seem to have offended their rescuees too badly.
With the furor over and the "resource-gathering" begun, he makes his own introduction. "Hi, I'm Maegge, and this is Gimpy. Don't mind Tybek, he's a very 'Dwarfy' Dwarf as I'm sure you've already seen. We've only seen two bandits with a cloak like you describe. It was weird; we captured one and the other used a blow gun dart to kill him - probably to keep him from talking. But we'd known the dead one from in Hommlet; we thought he was another adventurer til he tried to ambush us in the upper levels of the this keep. Jaroo, in Hommlet, said the cloak with the eye could be really bad and that there's no knowing what evil things could be left over from the war even further down here in the Moathouse."
Something about Bera made him feel friendly and comfortable speaking this much to, despite not knowing anything about him.
As an FYI - don't forget what you all found in the storage rooms.
Braden cleans off the cloak and sees if he can identify what it does.
He then leads the group to the remains of Falco and the wolf. "That was my nephew Falco, a wolfrider from home. I could never earn my wolf mount, but Falco did, and at quite a young age. I would like to see him buried above and given a ceremony to consecrate his remains and the grounds he is buried upon. His grave and monument should be near where he fought, not back home."
Braden then adds: "We can bury all those who have been subverted to fight as undead and consecrate their remains."
As Braden realizes there is manual labor involved, he hastily adds: "Well Tybek, Aari, and our new strong swordsman can do the heavy digging. Scholars are not cut out for this sort of thing. I will document this event in my journal while you transport the bodies and inter them."
The cloak is a Cloak of Elvenkind.
Braden tries on the magic cloak to see if it will fit him.
He approaches Barashel and puts out a small, delicate hand that has seen no labor or tool larger than a quill: "Braden Montajay, scholar and wizard. I know the dwarf has problems making friends, but he is quite useful at times. If we didn't look out for him, he would have been run out of Hommlett by now. There are those that just rub others the wrong way. We try to channel his aggression at the forces of evil."
Although physically weak from his grip, the aging hobbit moves with agility and exhibits a wiry frame that can take a lick or two.
Pointing to a riding dog: "Dworkin here does my fighting for me. Every time I fire a crossbow I put someone's life in danger. Unfortunately it is not always the enemy's" Braden chuckles wryly, as it is clear that the statement is less of a joke and more like a fact.
"Hey Berashel, maybe you should join us if you want some revenge. Our other Dwarf decided to go home, some holy quest or some-such. We could use another strong-arm. Me and Ty have handled it so far with lots of magic help from the others, but if we run into 2 Ogres we could use another sword...hey Braden, nice spell by the way, once that hit him he didn't stand a chance!"
"Wid yae stop invitin every stranger we meet on the street and in the dungeons tae join the company! Dae yae nae think that we should at least tak some time tae get tae ken the elf b'fore yae start makin offers. Dae yae nae remember what happened tae that fella Zert when we invited him along on the goblin hunt?! He soon turned into a fanatic of Zugtomy and then we had a real mess tae deal with! Let's just hae a wee chat and find oot what he's like tae hang oot with. First find oot if he likes ale. That might be a gud start!"
"Don't mind Tybek, he's a very 'Dwarfy' Dwarf as I'm sure you've already seen. "
"Did yae just call me a Dwarfae Dwarf?!! That's a strange thing fer a Hobbity Hobbit tae say. What exactly daes that mean, Dwarfae?! If it means that Ahh'm damn gud at mae job o' craftin watches and workin with gears, pistons, levers and wee traps that could cut halflings in half, then Ahh should be proud tae be a Dwarfae Dwarf! Ahh doubt any o' yae folk wid be gettin far withoot my expertise, especially when yer dealin with all the nasty folk that dannae like visitors doon here!"
"Well Tybek, Aari, and our new strong swordsman can do the heavy digging. Scholars are not cut out for this sort of thing. I will document this event in my journal while you transport the bodies and inter them."
"Oh dear Cayden, dannae gie me that line again! Just because yer wee, daesnae mean that yae can get oot o' the chores sae easily! Noo put doon yer books, scrolls and quills and let's see those muscles flex. Ahh ken the muscles in yer jaws work really well when yer eatin. So, let's see those arms put tae use helpin us oot! Come on! Gie up! Mebbae yae could tak that dead rat and try tae sell it tae a cat back in toon!"
" I know the dwarf has problems making friends, but he is quite useful at times."
"Dannae be daft! Ahh dannae hae any problem makin friends! The problem is that they just dannae understand mae sense o' humor. Besides bein racists, they're a bunch a fat nosed dolts that just dannae hae any appreciation fer dwarven culture and all o' the gud deeds Ahh dae. First, some dang miscreant destroyed mae drum that Ahh was usin tae entertain the gud folk o' hommlet. Then, when we dispatched a bunch o' nasty wee gobbies tae help improve the climate surrounding their toon, they got all bent oot o' shape and accused us o' incitin trouble! Then, when Ahh was just listenin in tae their conversation in the back room, they accused me o' spyin and lyin. Just because Ahh didnae knock first, the elders got their nickers all in a wee tizzy!"
"Every time I fire a crossbow I put someone's life in danger. Unfortunately it is not always the enemy's"
"Aye, sadly Ahh can attest tae that! In fact if yae lock em in a barn and shut all the doors, Ahh think he would hae trouble hittin the wall! At least he has same fightin pets that come oot and bite the beasties that we be fightin!"
Hey Berashel, maybe you should join us if you want some revenge. Our other Dwarf decided to go home, some holy quest or some-such. We could use another strong-arm.
"I would like very much to get another crack at these bandits or whatever they are. It doesn't sit well that I was so easily taken last time and would like another chance to prove my worth!"
At the talk of burying the remains, Berashel doesn't seem to mind and asks for a shovel.
"I would like very much to get another crack at these bandits or whatever they are. It doesn't sit well that I was so easily taken last time and would like another chance to prove my worth!"
"Well Ahh dannae ken what yae wantae crack at. We destroyed practically all o' the bandits and the few that got awa willnae be returnin any time soon, that is if they ken what is gud fer them! So is it true what they say, that yae're gud with a sword? Did yae tak doon any o' the fanatics in the cloaks wid the big beady eye?!"
The Elf seems a nice sort, but you are right, you need to be able to hold your ale if you are going to join this group! he says to Berashel
"That's exactly what it means, Tybek! You're the very model of 'knowledgeable' and 'determined'. What else could you possibly think I meant? Shame on you, for thinking anything less of me like that!" the diminutive, youthful halfling replied scoldingly.
When Tybek's attention was turned on Braden, he gave Bera a none-too-subtle wink.
Bersahel grins, "Then we shall have a drinking contest back in town!"
"That's exactly what it means, Tybek! You're the very model of 'knowledgeable' and 'determined'. What else could you possibly think I meant? Shame on you, for thinking anything less of me like that!"
"Dwarfae dwarf means 'knowledgeable' and 'determined'?! Ahh didnae ken that. Aye, yae're a strange creature, halfling. Yae dae use funny words, but as long as yae show yer proper respect, Ahh'll let yae!"
Bersahel grins, "Then we shall have a drinking contest back in town!"
Tybek is taken by surprise at the white haired elf's eagerness to participate in a drinking contest. At first he is unsure what to say, but then thinks."Well, how much ale could a skinny wee white haired elf drink anawa?!" Finally the dwarf replies, "All richt, elf! Yer on! Jist wait til yae get back tae the Wench and we'll hae a wee contest! Hehe. This should prove tae be a richt gud sight!"
"We can't leave anything behind. Dwarves are capable of great feats of strength. Their capacity for bearing huge burdens is legendary. I will help advise how we distribute this large windfall of goods."
Braden directs the loading of the foodstuffs on Dworkin and will walk. He will tell Maegge to put many of the suits of armor on Gimpy. His idea of how much Tybek can carry shows he has great faith in the dwarf to carry a prodigious load.
He smiles at the new addition to the group and speaks: "Tybek will probably complain about his load. I was hoping you would help carry as many of the weapons as you can."
Berashel smiles, "Its the least I can do for all your help. Load me up, I'll carry as much as I can"
He puts out his arms in anticipation of someone throwing a number of heavy items there
"We can't leave anything behind. Dwarves are capable of great feats of strength. Their capacity for bearing huge burdens is legendary. I will help advise how we distribute this large windfall of goods."
"Whit dae yae think Ahh am, a damn mule?" Tybek complains. "Nae doubt that yae'll be carryin yer pea sized share as well! Ahh shouldae guessed that Ahh would be left carryin the heavy stuff. If only we could harness the energae frae your bossy bletherin, then we could move a mountain!"
Berashel smiles, "It's the least I can do for all your help. Load me up, I'll carry as much as I can"
Tybek gives the willing elf an incredulous look that says, Whae dae yae think yae are?! Suddenly a strangely competitive side comes out of the dwarf and his tune changes considerably. "Load me up yae wee scamp and dannae hauld back! Ahh'll show yae hoo it's done!" Tybek bears whatever burden he needs to show that he can carrying more than Berashel.
Arindale is oddly silent during all of this. His thirst for treasure seems to be muted by his concern over the freed prisoners.
He helps load up his mule and carries what he can but he spends whatever time left with the people who have obviously been through a hellish experience.
@ the freed prisoners, Don't worry, we will make sure the town takes good care of you.
After the ogre's snacks have been removed from his latrine/larder, and moderately well cleaned using the powers of the arcane. The party begins the process of moving the mounds of armaments up to the main level of the moathouse with the help of their new drinking buddy. The little girl offers to help, but usually ends up underfoot and slowing things down. The gnome and the older merchant find places to sit and appear to be in shock of their former predicament and the unexpected rescue.
It is mid-afternoon by the time the party gets everything assembled and are prepared to return to Hommlett. With everyone weighed down with the equipment, the movement is slow at best and soon the bugs are biting while the blazing unseasonable sun beats down. Fortunately, Arindale's deity is happy to provide refreshments, although this does cause the general nature of the conversation to soon take on undertones which are likely inappropriate for the young girl.
About half way to Hommlett as the sun is making a much too rapid descent toward the horizon and the group is trudging merrily along, there is a sudden movement and a second later, a strange reptilian froglike creature darts out from the underbrush on one side and grabs the little girl who lets out a scream before being carried into the marsh on the other side.
"Halloi!" Maegge cries out in surprise and dismay, drawing out his dagger to cut the makeshift harness of the travois so Gimpy could chase after the creature who'd stolen the girl.
Tybek will immediately drop everything extra that he is carrying. He then reaches for his axes and prepares to use them.
"Dannae mak a move, yae big green toad! If yae dannae want tae get hurt, let the lady gae free!"
Before leaving, Berashel sizes up what Tybek is carrying and says, "Here I think I can hold one or two more things. Yeah that looks about right"
When the frog man grabs the girls, Berashel drop everything he is carrying as quickly as he can and darts off after the frog-man and girl
While Berashel and Tybek begin to drop their armloads of equipment and Maegge tries to saw through the tough harness he made, Just as the froglike creature enters the swamp, you suddenly hear a whooshing sound and you see the fletching from two arrows appear from the creature's back as the creature stumbles and falls forward with a grunt, dropping the girl in the process.
Turning your heads, you see a man standing on the edge of the trail not more than 20 feet behind you shaking his head and holding a massive longbow with another arrow already notched. A battleaxe and shield are slung over his shoulder. The man is dressed in mostly green, but you can clearly see the glint of mail peeking through.
Ranim, having dropped her own load, runs after Eelin as well. Seeing the creature drop her, she runs up and makes sure she's all right. "Are you okay, Eelin? Are you hurt anywhere?"
After making sure the girl is okay, she will turn to greet the newcomer. "You have our thanks sir. My name is Ranim, and these are my companions, Tybke, Arin, Braden and Maegge. As well as Berashel, Eelin, Naern and gnome."
The man continues to look back at you. I know who you are. We have spoken on several occasions.
With that, the man walks forward, bow still in hand scanning the swamp to either side.
Once Ranim returns with Eelin. I was supposed to watch, not interfere. But I could not let that boggard take the little girl.
The man shakes his head, and then after pausing for a moment, he pushes back his hood and you see the town drunk, Elmo, looking back at you without a single sign of drink about him.
"I know who you are. We have spoken on several occasions."
"Aye, that mebbae so, but Ahh dinnae ken whae yae are! From what Ahh remember, the only shots yae took came in a wee cup. Did Cayden Cailean finally grant yae some divine powers tae help yae rescue wee bairns?"
"I was supposed to watch, not interfere. But I could not let that boggard take the little girl."
As he reflects on what the cloaked archer just said, Tybek asks,"What dae yae mean yae were suppose tae watch and nae interfere? Whae sent yae tae spy on oos?"
Berashel checks on the girl to make sure she is OK and thanks the newcomer for his timely aid
Elmo frowns again: Gather up your equipment. I am sure that someone will wish to talk with you, and me, when we get back to town.
With that, Elmo turns and heads into the dense brush surrounding the path and within moments has disappeared without a trace.
Just after he disappears, you hear his voice once more.
Take care and remember, I may not always be near if the denizens, or evil, that inhabits this region should decide that a bunch of over burdened adventurers looks like a good mark.
"Gather up your equipment. I am sure that someone will wish to talk with you, and me, when we get back to town."
"Wid yae stop bein such an enigma and speak plain? Hae wants tae see us and what sneaky bugger sent yae tae spy?"
Just after he disappears, you hear his voice once more. "Take care and remember, I may not always be near if the denizens, or evil, that inhabits this region should decide that a bunch of over burdened adventurers looks like a good mark."
Tybek shouts back in reply, "Well how dae yae expect us tae bring back oor plunder?! A royal coach? It isnae like somebody back in Hommlet is payin us a good wage tae dae all these gud deeds. In fact, Ahh think they charge us extra b'cause they think they can get awa wid it! The only way we can pay oor bills and stay oot o' debit is tae try tae sell and haggle oor plunder with yer local traders. We dannae exactly hae much o' a choice!"
Surprised at the reveal of the archer as Elmo, Ranim is unable to respond before he heads into the foliage. "Unless you wish to track him into that foliage and leave this stuff for the bogarts, we best just pick it up and head into town. We have to get the others to safety as it is."
Berashel begins to pick everything he dropped so they can continue to head back to Homlett, "I have seen some strange things so far in my short time in this area, but I am tired of being ambushed. After we get back, I'm going to start to be a little more vigilant."
"Unless you wish to track him into that foliage and leave this stuff for the bogarts, we best just pick it up and head into town. We have to get the others to safety as it is."
"O'er mae deid body are we tae be leavin oor goods! Aye, let's stop dawdling and press on!"
As Tybek picks up his burden, he tries to take some of Berashel's load from him. "Gie me some of that loot, elf! Ahh dannae want yae tae throw yer back oot!"
Once Tybek is loaded up and ready to go, he huffs and puffs and gets the following words out, "What . . . are yae . . . slackers . . . waitin fer?! . . . . Move!"
The stubborn dwarf huffs and puffs all the way back to Hommlet, grumbling to himself, but refusing to let his new elven friend hear his curses.
As the group nears Homlett, Berashel will push himself to try and cross into town before Tybek
"Second place is the first loser!"
Maegge grins bemusedly at the dwarf and elf competing with each other.
Tybek is not about to let himself be outdone and puts on the steam to try and catch up.
"Aye, not sae fast yae don't!"
However, as Tybek's breathing grows heavier, and his lack of conditioning is clearly evident, the hearty dwarf grumbles and swears as he works up a sweat and cannot get anywhere close to the elf. He then changes his tune and makes up the following excuse, "Aye, Ahh dannae want tae break any o' the valuable goods. We need tae keep everything in prime condition fer sellin and Ahh'm not aboot tae risk damagin them! Clearly in the best interest o' the company, Ahh had tae let the elf win!"
Braden is startled by the appearance of the frog-man. Although his load was light, and he could easily intervene, out of magic the dreaded crossbow was his only option. Before he could raise his crossbow, the town drunk was showing that he was quite the warrior. Afraid of hitting the girl, the elder hobbit held his shot.
Braden speaks to Tybek; "So you find spies to be offensive. Now you know how the town elders felt when you spied on their meeting. Tit for tat my da used to say."
As the elf and the dwarf race towards town, Braden relates in a droning, lecturing tone: "In a contest of speed, an unladen elf should always beat an unladen dwarf. As the subjects get more laden, the advantage should go to the dwarf."
Taking it upon himself to prevent the poor girl from being taken yet again, he offers her to ride on Gimpy while he walks beside her.
"You know, just seeing them huffing and puffing like that makes me hungry. Braden, have you got any snacks...?" Maegge asked hopefully.
Braden offers Maegge some salted pork from Dworkin's load and a waterskin.
"This salted pork is excellent as long as you drink plenty of water. This pork is making me thirsty."
"Yeah, I can see how that would be. Just think of the ale ahead at the Wench, eh, Arin?"
Aye... Arindale continues his more quiet return to the town, fussing over their rescued fellows on the way back.
As they get to the edge of town, We should probably have another one of those meetings with the town leaders and tell em what we found. Of course we need to unload all of this stuff as well.
It's a good day to be an adventurer and a bad day to be one of the evil doers that's for sure!
Don't wory Caily, you get a reward as well, we couldn't have gotten all of this stuff back without you, right girl? Arindale reaches over to pat the mule...crunch!
Ow!, Arindale pulls out his morningstar, Damn beast, you bite me one more time and I swear I will knock your teeth out!
Maegge, can you do something about this foul tempered beast before I do?
"Damn beast, you bite me one more time and I swear I will knock your teeth out!"
Tybek was in a bit of a sour mood after having lost his race with Berashel, but he actually smiles and finds it quite amusing that the mule, Caily, is biting Arindale. The dwarven rogue cheerfully comments, "Hehe. What are yae dae'n swearin at yer beast o' burden, Priest?! Are yae havin a wee quarrel with the lass? Mebbae yae should feed her mair hay. She's probably tryin tae tell yae that she's hungry. Mebbae she wants a drink o' some of yer ale?!"
Because, I saved this beast from the Goblins, now I pretty much saved it from whatever is in the castle! I promise it a reward and it decides I am food! It is a foul tempered women. If I didn't know better I would think it is mi ma's spirit placed in a mule...well Maegge!
The sun has just set as the animals herd the party into town. The work seems to have ceased for the day at the castle and raucous laughter is heard from the worker's camp just the north of the road across from the worksite. You do get a number of odd looks from some locals heading home for the evening as you pass with your animals carrying piles of weapons and barrels of foodstuffs.
You arrive in the middle of town just as Jaroo walks out wiping his hands on his rather soiled pants. When he sees you, he stops and looks the group up and down.
I understand you have some new friends. He then looks at the piles of armaments and barrels of goods. And, from the look of things you intend to create an army? As he says this, he has a rather wry smile.
Berashel clears his arms of his burden and greets this new man, "Greetings, I am Berashel. We may not be creating an army, but we sure are preventing one from being armed!"
Berashel slaps the overloaded Tybek on the back seeing if he can jar loose some of the things he is carrying.
Berashel dislodges a heavy shield from Tybek's load and the dwarf is required to do some hasty maneuvering to keep the item balanced on top. Finally, after running back and forth like a circus clown, Tybek comes to rest with the shield safely balanced on top. The dwarf grins under his bushy beard, content with his balancing act. Finally, Tybek stops near Jaroo and says, "Why are yae sae critical o' all we dae fer yer toon?! Here we jist put an end tae a company o' zombies, preventing them frae attackin yer hooses in the night, and all we get is an accusation that we're gonnae outfit an army like we were supportin a rebellion! Did yae nae think aboot what the elf said? Isn't it nae better tae tak awa the weapons o' the enemy than tae let them keep their pointy spears and sharp blades?! When are yae gonnae appreciate ahh the gud things we dae fer Hommlett?!"
Even I know he was kidding Ty!
@ Jaroo, We should talk again...we think the threat to the town is greater than we first believed... he says much more quietly than last time...
If wisked away he will ask Ranim to tell the story of their battles into the Fort and what they ecnountered.
"Even I know he was kidding Ty!"
"He was?!" Tybek replies as he tries to cover up the fact that he misread the elder's intentions. "Ahh mean, Aye, naturally he's a kidder! Hehe. Creatin an army. Aye, that's a gud ane."
The druid looks from one member of the party to the next as though trying to read your thoughts. Finally, he looks to the old man and the little girl.
Kneeling down, he looks directly at Eelin.
My dear, how did you end up at the old moathouse?
Before anyone an stop her, not that any of you would be capable, the girl starts talking.
My name is Eelin. My grand pop and me was with a caravan. We had lots of guards but the big man wanted to go fast so we went by here. Then bad people in black cloaks attack us. I don't know where the rest are. One of those dead men these adventurers killed had armor that looked a little like our guards. The bad men in the black cloaks taked us to this dungeon. There was like seven of us. Each day the big ogre take one. Suddenly the girl gets a very fearful look in her eyes and begins to cry.
The usually grumpy Jaroo takes her and gives her a hug. In a kind voice unlike anything you have heard from him before. It is ok Eelin. If it is too hard, we can talk about this in the morning.
Before Jaroo can say anything else, the girl shakes her head and takes a big gulp of air.
No, I'm a big girl. The big ugly ogre, I think it ate my friends the guards. Just like it ate the nice lady that the bad men in black cloaks brought in when they brings the nice elf Berashel and the gnome. When she finishes saying this, her eyes once more tear over, and she then runs to her grandfather, grabs him and begins to sob uncontrollably.
Jaroo then turns and looks to the rest of you.
We definitely need to talk. I shall see who is available and meet you all in the Inn later on. He pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts. Then, looking at the mountains of equipment you have dragged back with you, he simply shakes his head. Go now and take your equipment, I hope you have a spare room to store all that stuff in as you do look to have enough weapons for a small army.
Finishing this, he waits for a moment to see whether anyone else has anything to say before he turns and heads back into grove while talking to himself in a language that none of you understand, although Maegge does pick up a few words about "trouble to come" and a "return of evil."