"Books huh. I think the tower might have some powered mithril. I can't be certain but found a fine powder and a list with powdered mithril on it. Perhaps some one more versed in metal can end the mystery. I think there is more in the tower, I heard voices but that might only make for two."
Nathan looks up the tower and wonders how high it is. He whistles briefly.
"I've passed this place before, but I've never inquired as to how high that tower is, must have at least seven floors if I might guess. I see five floors with windows from this side, but the top part might be another floor or two."
He looks to you all questioningly.
"So we're gonna climb that tower now or do we explore the rest of the village? I believe we still have some houses to explore."
"Just watch out for any ladders, they might be crooked." Taliesin adds, rubbing his sore leg and butt.
"How much did you actually explore Elenzar?" Taliesin asks.
Nathan listens to Elenzar's reaction, and seems contemplating the things you've found so far.
"So we've possibly got mithril, engineering schematics and dead goblins. We don't know yet what the goblins were after, or tie them to the things that we've found. We'd need a witness or a clear clue to draw any conclusions to report to Heartham."
"Just the first floor. The condition of the he first floor made think that perhaps it was not towns folk living above."
"Perhaps we should, we could try to scout the houses out in the remaining hours of the day. At least you five should, one of us should keep watch over this tower just in case anybody enters or leaves."
Nathan says, looking up at the tower again.
"Perhaps I can catch a glimpse of whoever is in there."
Taliesin nods.
"It's a good idea, we could leave the tower for tomorrow. Though we'd need to think about a shelter for tonight as well. The smithy wasn't that whole anymore." He says.
The abandoned group of houses seem quite like your regular sort of houses, they are much the same like the ones in Heartham or even in Greenbrook. Old log cabins coupled together with wooden homes with more flair to it and old farm style kind of buildings with thatched roofs which have been mostly burned.
Some houses look in decent shape, not having been raided that much, others looks like ghosts of themselves, with only thrashed furniture and personal belongings lining the insides, the outer skeleton of the house with holes in them or blackened by fire.
Searching the houses, you find stale meals as if the families were ambushed during supper. But there is still some hard tack bread and dried beef amongst the houses to be found (12 trail rations). There are blood smears across the floors mostly, also a few large pools of dried up blood and children's toys dropped to the floor.
Taliesin picks one doll up and gives the others of the group a sad look.
"These people must've fled for their lives to leave everything in such a hurry. I hope at least the children made it out safely."
Searching the houses takes a long time even with the five of you searching them from top to bottom. In some attics you find old weapons, rusty and chipped but still usable if given a proper cleaning. (1 Rusty Sword, 2 old handaxes, a chipped heavy mace and a bent rapier)
Most of the families didn't seem that prepared to handle a goblin attack, seeing the condition of the weapons they still kept.
In a house or two you find some old tools of their trade, good ones, carpenter tools and woodworking tools in one, and a half-filled black suitcase with bandages, herbs and small surgical tools in the other. (mwrk woodworking tools and a half medikit)
In one of the sturdy houses, actually the last one you search through (The one wiht medikit in it) there is again an attic, but the ladder has been pulled up and sticks out over the edge of the attic for a small part.
Nathaniel walks alongside is friends. At the sight of the doll Taliesin holds up his face grows grim. "You and all of us...."
Scouring the houses he does notice the weapons.
"Not too shabby, i reckon we could get these to the lord."
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Forfax is saddened by the whole scene. The houses were to similar to those they had left behind in Greenbrook. And thinking of the houses made him think of his parents and a twinge of guilt crept back into his heart. Before it could take root Forfax pushes it out "I know they're in a better place and nothing can hurt them anymore. Maybe their spirits came here and help the those lost here to find their own place of peace." This thought made Forfax smile and helped him to continue the search.
"That ladder. Looks like someone up there pulled it up after them . . . otherwise it would be down so some one could climb up. Maybe we could hook it and pull it down."
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David, will search the homes, even though it is somewhat difficult and "odd" for him to do so. He doesn't like the idea of going through another persons possessions, but knows that others would do the same given the set of circumstances.
He smiles when he sees the child's doll, but then instantly turns to one of sadness when he thinks of why it is there. The random weapons, and tools, he is unsure what to do with.
He is pleased to find the medic kit, or well what was left of it. It would come in handy on their travels, so he packs it up with his gear. He also takes the child's doll...perhaps he can give it to a child back at Hearthem to brighten their day.
He looks up at the ladder, and while concentrating on the ladder, he hears something from the attic. Without saying a word, he gets the attention of the group and motions that he heard something in the attic.
The soft sound of Scout's hooves on the floor echoes through the silent building before he comes to a stop before the stairs up to the first level.
It takes some time for Forfax to get Scout up the straight steps, but he manages. The sound of horse hooves and Scout's own neighing will probably have been heard by whatever is in the attic.
The attic remains awfully quiet, only the sounds of the wind blowing against the roof seem to be heard.
I agree Forfax, Before we leave this village i think we should get all the schematics we found and bring them along with us. he says
Elenzar looks at the ladder and nods. "I'll go."
As Elenzar goes up first he takes a first glance into the darkness of the attic, when his eyes adjust to the image directly in front of him, he can see messy bedrolls and dirty plates on the floor right in front of him.
As he turns towards the corners where this is a lit candle illuminating a small group he can see two bolts flying towards him.
One bolt slams into the wall next to Elenzar and sticks right into the wood, the other bolt buries itself into Elenzar's leg, though it didn't have that much power behind it.
As Elenzar takes a deeper look he can see a group of 4 children and a young woman huddled together in the corner.
Two older boys fired the crossbows and a young boy and girl are holding some sort of large kitchen knives in a defensive way in front of them. The woman holds no weapon, but clutches her right arm tightly.
The rest of you see the bolts go into the wall and Elenzar's leg, but not who fired it.
"Argh mmmm! Good shot boys. We are here to help. We were sent from Heartham, what happened here. "
The two boys with crossbows attempt to reload their weapons before the young woman speaks up.
"Put down the weapons Raff, Mica. He's no goblin or orc, I think he tells the truth, no goblin would just stand there and talk to us."
The woman slumps back onto the sack she's lying on.
"You've come from Heartham?" She pants slowly and heavily.
"I didn't think any of us had gotten through... Who are you?"
The boys lower their crossbows but have kept them loaded, the smaller children drop their knives and hug the young woman tightly.
"Goblins attacked...so sudden...They went through our houses and belongings so fast..."
From the opening where Elenzar came through, they can hear a calm voice, trying to calm them down.
"Pardon for startling you, but like you said, we are not orc or goblin. As a matter of fact, we are sent to search the town for survivors and slay any orc or goblin we see."
"You are safe now. I am Elenzar. Come on down. Are you hungry?" He motions them to follow him down the ladder. "These are my friends; David, Daniel, Taliesin, Nathaniel, & Forfax. We are happy to find you."
One of the children lights a stronger shining oil lamp in the corner and Elenzar can see remnants of dinners and meals strewn about the opposite corner, as well as more than 5 bedrolls in total.
The woman looks up at Elenzar from where she lies.
"Safe is a strange word nowadays. We've not seen that many goblins around Olkirk for a few days now... They show up randomly now, but up here they don't search..."
The young girl speaks up with a highly pitched voice.
"I am a little hungry sir." she looks to the others to see if she should follow them downstairs, the wounded woman nods and the girl approaches Elenzar, the older boys approach too but are wary.
The little boy clutches they young woman still, but she strokes his hair and says to him.
"You should go as well Jemiah, have something to eat, get back some strength. I'll be alright up here."
Jemiah walks up towards Elenzar and looks him sheepishly in the eyes then looks over the edge of the floor at the others waiting beneath.
"One, two..three, four... Where's your fifth friend mister?"
The young woman doesn't seem to want to move and closes her eyes.
Elenzar looks to see is missing. He looks to the boy, "Don't worry lad, he must have stepped out. Let's get them something to eat" He looks back to the woman whispering so the children do not hear. "Are you hurt? I might be able to help."
Elenzar can clearly see that the woman is hurt, she has a thinly bandaged wound on her right arm and seems to be in pain.
"Taking care of the little ones is help enough...I've been shot by a wandering goblin...two day ago... it feels like there's still a part of the arrow inside my arm...I can't climb down the stairs...it hurts too much..."
The others can now see a small group of four children standing on the loft and slowy coming down, two boys carry loaded crossbows. They come down first and the smaller children stand and watch in awe at the assorted party.
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Forfax puts away his bill and pulls out a couple trail rations which he carries to the two older boys making sure not too make any quick movements that may startle the boys. He then backs away slowly to retrieve some rations for the younger two. "Take and eat, it doesn't look like you have eaten in a week."
standing on the lower floor and having heard the characteristic clank of a weapon fired You ok up there i take it?
The young girl eagerly accepts the rations from Forfax, while the little boy stares up at Scout and pats his manes.
The two boys with crossbows still look a little wary as one starts to talk.
"I'm Raff and this is Mica," says the one with blond hair, indicating his friend with a quick nod in his direction. Mica has red-brown hair and many sun spots on his face, Raff himself has blond hair that is somewhat curly and messed up. They look like boys about 11-12 and 13 years of age respectively.
"The little ones are Sara and Jemiah, we've been rationing the supplies we had and got over the past weeks. We've had something to eat everyday, though it wasn't much."
If it's any surprise, Raff and Mica look very protective of the younger two. Sara actually looks a bit like Raff. Raff looks up at the ladder and calls back.
"Mariel? Mariel are you coming down?"
"I can help with your arm too." Elenzar approaches the woman. "Let me see."
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What is going on, are you okay Elenzar. I heard you a thud come up from there, David asks with a worried tone, as he hears the thud of bolt into flesh.
He is relieved and surprised when a small gaggle of children start flowing from the attic, and wonders if the "train" will ever end. When the final child comes down, he looks around, and offer the child doll to one of the smaller girls to try and ease their transition of what is going on.
David looks to Sarah and Jemiah, Would you like to see a magic trick?
Elenzar looks down toward David, "I will be fine. A little to the left and they might sing a different tune. But it is good to see the young lads taking care of their own. They will be fine men someday."
The light and healing of Elenzar's spell seems to do much for the young woman, which you've heard is called Mariel.
The wound closes and the splinters of the bolt are pushed out of her arm.
She looks quite amazed at Elenzar's work.
"Are you a priest? Usually only our priest was capable of such healing wonders."
She looks to her arm and tenses her muscles, feeling little to no pain she moves it to check if the pain is really over.
"Thank you so much, Elenzar was it? At least now I can protect the young ones again should the need arise."
She slowly stands up and dusts herself off, collecting a few scraps of gear before coming down toegether with Elenzar.
When she walks in more light, she is what some would call a natural beauty, though her common heritage is obvious. Blond hair falling past her shoulders and a little nose and simple earrings complement her fair face. If anyone would have to guess, she's about 19 years old, perhaps 20, but the look in her eyes seems to conflict that, her stares like someone who has witnessed more of the world than her age assumes.
"Checking if every limb still works, she moves over to Elenzar and pats him on his back as he stares down the ladder.
[b]"We only miss one person from our party, Ciril hasn't returned yet and he knows the way around the village and the forests. Not as good as Darius, but good enough to avoid the goblins, I hope nothing has happened to him, he looked out for all of us after the goblins had struck. I mainly stayed here to watch the children and scare away lone goblins, Ciril even hunted the small patrol groups."
The younger children, especially Jemiah, nod in agreement to David's suggestion of a magic trick. Raff and Mica just shrug and pay more attention to the weapons you've brought along with you.
We have pretty much search the own and you are the first we found. There was some movement in the big tower and we are headed there to investigate next. Could it be Ciril? Do you know where the villagers fled to? he ask with a smile
Mariel thinks for a moment, then answers: "The wizard tower has been our hideout at first, it could be Ciril up there but I can't be sure. The goblins only explored the first three floors or so from what I've seen and what they brought out. The upper floors should be where we hid before."
She then looks downin disappointment, sadness in her eyes, she continues on a whispering tone with side glances to the children.
"Some of us were killed in the first attack, some of us captured, mainly craftsmen en people who did not resist or had time to. I Don't know where they took the prisoners and what they've done with them, the dead Ciril and I buried, the same with the following raids by the goblins to find survivors."
"Darius is also still out there I believe, he has two others with him, Jack and Urla. Darius is our most skilled hunter and survivalist, lately he had also taken to crafting new weapons, though I'm not sure if he made any headway with it."
"I'm a blacksmith, if he is still alive i can teach him when he gets back."
Mariel shakes her head. "No not that kind of weapons, he hunts with crossbows and wanted to make use of new designs. I'm not sure as to how complicated his designs were."
She also grins with Darius being taught something by a rookie like Nathaniel.
"I think you've heard the expression about teaching old dogs new tricks? Well Darius is a very stubborn old dog, he's not to be trifled with."
We found some schematics in some house maybe they are his. Alright lets all head to the wizard's tower and see who is up there. If it is Ciril then all for the better. Maybe we can try to meet up with Darius should we find him or leave him a message if we don't. We will figure out the rest after that he points at the exit shall we?
"If it's okay with you I'd like to leave the children here. Until you came here, nobody looked twice at this attic, I'd think they'd still be safe here." Mariel says, looking at the two older boys.
"You two keep you all safe now, okay? You're the men here>" She says with a lovable pat on their heads.
They both nod in unison and decide to climb back up on the ladder and back to the attic.
Mariel joins you in your search of the tower, when getting there, Nathan is still keeping guard in front of the tower. He hasn't seen anything yet.
"I am a man of faith yes." Elenzar continues to listen to Mariel's story of the town. "Do you think there are any other survivors in hiding?"
in hiding, there is this Ciril and then this Darius fellow Elenzar. Lets head to the tower and find out if it is indeed Ciril that is holed up there
As you five and Mariel enter the tower you come across a scene that is familiar to Elenzar and David, the fine mosaic on the floor consisting of white marble and blue floortiles, the crescent moon, the sun and several constellations.
Broken ceramics and spilled liquids line the floor as though someone has gone through the place quite roughly.
Mariel walks up slowly at the back and nods in agreement to some gasps of awe.
"This tower belonged to our resident enchanter; Serassus Olvant. No doubt you've heard of Olkirk's dealing and producing magical goods, Serassus was the main reason for that. Though he was usually just holed up inside his tower, he was a pretty friendly man if you got to know him."
The rest of the tower sounds eerily quiet, only the sound of the wind rushing through the length of the tower. The stairs to the first floor appears in good condition as you come to the northern section of the ground level.
Elenzar draws his crossbow and makes sure it is ready. He nods to Forfax. "Mariel stay back just incase. No need to see you hurt again."