Amed draws his sword with an easy expression and holds it against wizard's throat, yet not hard enough to draw any blood.
Tush also heads out to look for the buried chest. Just in case there are magical items, she casts Detect Magic as she moves.
For a long moment there was a skeptical look on the elven man's face but then he inclined his head slightly.
"I would like to take you up on your offer, and would be in your debt."
He offered a smile.
"as a further show of good faith, somewhere about the campsite over there Gretlon buried a small cask that held our party funds in it. I've no clue where exactly it might be, but he was only gone for a dozen moments or so, I would imagine close by."
Ha! I think we shall be great friends someday. Aurelain says clapping the man on the back, seeming heedless of Amed's blade. Colewin will find a place for you where you can contribute and make a difference. We can get drunk and talk of that time you tried to ambush and kill me in the woods.
Ramona moves to keep those searching in her line of sight, ready to cover them should anything nasty be lying in wait
"Probably. He seems to be interested in money and saving his skin more than hurting us more. He's clearly a hired guy, and not some crazy cultist. I've run into those before. They can't be trusted."
Not having a keen eye, specially in the mid of the day, Nicenzia let's the others look around for the digsite.
No sign of the digging appears to you folk searching, you've plenty of time to continue the search if you wish and still make the ramshackle inn by nightfall if you wish.
Tush continues to Cast Detect Magic as she moves to the west, and looks for fresh turned earth.
Time seems to crawl, though in short order after a dozen minutes or so Swen you come upon what looks to be a pretty hefty sized rock between two thick tree roots... only problem is, how would that rock that looked simular to a mile marker placed along side a road be so far out from the road. Just nudging it aside and you are pretty sure you found the hiding spot. You dont even need a shovel or anything to pull some of the dirt out, within moments you pull out a little wooden coffer, the sound of coin clinking in it as you lift it from from its hiding spot.
inside the coffer is 42 gold, 63 silver, 18 copper, 3 dull red gemstones about the size of a pea (DC 10 Appraise), and a tarnished silver ring (DC 10 Appraise)
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Swen gives the coffer a quick glance inside just to make sure they aren’t being had. Satisfied with the contents, she tries to assess the value of the gemstones and the ring.
Carrying the coffer under her arm she returns to the group. “Found it. At least he was honest about one thing. Let’s get going.”
As they set out on the road again, Swen asks Nicenzia to take a look at the ring to see if it’s magical.
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"Another ring eh. You like handing me those." She says laughing as she examines it. Detect magic.
"It doesn't seem to be magical, but should still fetch a decent price if we sell it." She confirms tossing it back to Swen.
The three stones are commonly called sard, Its a red variety of chalcedony that can be polished to a bright red sheen. You gather you could probably sell the stones at 5 gold a peice.
The ring is not magical, and if given some polish as well would be
worth about 5 gold.
Zanzibral could only chuckle at Swen's words.
"Um..Swen?" questions Amed, still with his scimitar to the wizard's throat. "Do we keep our 'new friend' tied up or not?"
"He's a spellcaster. I'd say hands tied behind his back, and maybe a gag.... just to be safe of course." Ramona suggests.
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Swen clicks her tongue in disappointment when Nicenzia hands her back the mundane silver ring. "I keep giving you rings, and you keep giving them back..." She pockets the ring instead of returning it to the coffer.
As she walks past Amed and Zanzibral, she waves her hand flippantly in response to the Suli, "He's Aurelain's problem, not mine. But, I like Ramona's suggestion." She shrugs and continues down the road.
"Well you do keep giving me other peoples rings instead of your own, so I'd imaging you wanted to sell them for a better ring. I'd happily make you a ring, but the surprise is more fun then one of my masterworks "
"I like rings." Tush waves her hands which are covered with cheap rings.
"We taking him back to the Shields correct? We have to trust him sometime."
Yes, my problem, and I'll not make the man walk miles tressed up and chafing. He has surrendered and has not proven his word is worthless yet. For now I will trust him. Besides, his current fate is not something a reasonable man would want to run from. He put his arm around the wizard's shoulder as the group begins to walk. It seems you have not convinced all of my friends that you are trustworthy yet my new friend. Something to work on I think.
"I've no complaints about your caution. but It would be be nice to not be gagged. It leads to a dry mouth."
He stated but in the end he gladly walked with you all however you chose to detain him back torwards the Last Chance Inn. It about an hour away when you notice the dark plume of smoke arising from where the inn should be.
"That's not good." Ramona says with a hint of alarm.
Aurelain becomes alert and asks What spells do you have left my friend? And can I trust you with this? he fingers a spell component pouch.
"I only have spells to lock people down in some way or form, you have seen the shadow I commamd but I can also drain a targets strength in worst case."
The magus looks up at the billowing black clouds. "Well, damn."
"We don't know if we could have helped with anything here Swen, if the orcs had more people nearby they could have attacked as soon as we left or during the night we spend in the old mine. Let's get closer and look for survivors and enemies, before we point the finger on anyone." She said resting a hand on Swen's shoulder to calm her a little, so she can focus on the task at hand.
"Best we get back there and deal with whatever it is!" Ramona says, steel in her tone.
Tush puts a move on. "We have to find out what happened. She rushes toward the smoke.
As you all close the first thing you notice in the early evening is that the tall rickety building that was once the last chance inn is clearly no more. Parts of it lie smoldering in a large pile of ash only a few beams of wood from the rafters lay outside of it undamaged by fire. The stable seems fine from the distance. A large body, orc sized at the least lays face down on the stoop of the porch.
Getting even closer you can see movement from the stable, though its 'small' movement. Glancing about one of the young gnomes pokes his head out, looks left and right, then hurries over to the well, bucket in hand. He gives out a screech of fright and starts to run a half dozen feet when he notices you, but quickly stops when he recognizes you, waving wildly as he hurries back to the bucket and the well head.
Amed breaks from the group and searches for another bucket or like item, to help the gnome to put out the fires.
Turning to the wizard who the group was “escorting” back Aurelian says Here is your chance. Do what you can to help.. With that he tossed the wizard back his spell components and moves to help fight the fire.
Not having anything to help with the fire, Nicenzia finds a place in the shadows to not get in the way of those capable of helping in dealing with the fire.
Nothing seems to catch your Eye Amed except for the dirt, the collapsed building and the fire, valiantly you begin to blast it with rays of conjured ice though what good it is doing is anyones guess.
Despite not really being trained in the art of tracking Swen, you quickly come across a whole horde of footprints, its hard to tell but unless they were dancing you place about... 30 different sets of footprints... and from the way they are spaced... they are in? Formation? Its looks like the dead orc was cast forth from someone at the lead of the formation.
Aurelain you rush forward and with no water availible grab a thick slav of dirt and use it like a make shift shovel, tossing heaps of dirt on the edge fo the flames helping to starve out the flames access to oxygen.
Those not fighting the fire notice the young gnome rushes not to the fallen inn to fight the fire but to the barn.
"Everyone shut your eyes!"
Your captured mage begins, weaving his hands and pulling out a pinch of dark powder. he throws it upwards and a large section of the fire engulfing part of the fallen roof suddenly shoots up about 40 feet in a series of red blue and green steamers of fiery energy that explodes into flower like blossoms before they slowly fall downwards and sparkle out.
Inside the barn . . . . .
Krink lies in a makeshift pile of straw unconcious a large bolt sticking from his chest. The gnomish inkeeper is breathing, but shallowly. The other gnomish boy too lies unconcious his pale skin covered in dark soot. The dwarven bard is there leaning against one of the walls thick bandages covering his arms, parts of his formerly elegant beard burnt almost to his cheeks.
"Good work Klank! Good to see ya folks again Was worried those hobgoblins caught you in the hills and ended ye. I dont suppose ye got some healing in ye? Poor Krink had barely stepped outside when the large hobgoblin I 'ad ever seen barked something and he was shot. They lit the place on fire and I barely was able to pull Klank out before it spread. Thank the gods they didnt stick around. As it were it took too long getting Klonk out."
He paused in his explanation to start coughing something feircely. The young gnome boy hurriedly lifted the bucket up trying to help the dwarf take a drink since he could barely move his arms.
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Swen tries to get a read on the direction the orcs came and went before returning to the group.
Not being around when the wizard gave his warning, the sudden burst of colored light from the fire catches her attention and she can’t help but look up while checking the tracks.
Confused, but not affected, she slowly wanders back to the group. “Orcs. Lots of ‘em,” she informs them, “That way.” She jerks her thumb roughly in the direction of the tracks.
Tush closes her eyes. She makes her way into the barn, and lets out a small shriek as she sees Krink lying hurt. "Somebody heal him. Please." she looks to her companions for help.
Not orcs? Hobgoblins?" Tush looks confused.
The younger gnome however boggles your mind. why is he so pale?
The younger gnome Klonk, seems to be suffering from smoke inhalation and shock. fluids, fresh air, warmth and he will be fine.
"Aye missy, Hobgoblins, all in formations and marching in here like they owned the place. I didnt hear what the leader said to Krink but he didnt like what the gnome said to 'im and had him shot. Krink's got stones let me tell you, telling off some smelly ol' hobgoblin with two dozen soldiers behind him."
The dwarven bard began coughing and wincing slightly from his burns.
Tush looks torn. "Do you think he'll be ok while we take care of the hobgoblins?" She asks the dwarf.
"I don't know if thats wise missy."
The dwarf began with a slight frown. You could see he was doing some headcounting.
"I mean it twer two dozen of the hobgobs at the least, and they looked all battle experianced. You folk can do what ye please, but as soon as i can manage im packing up the ol' cart with what we can and getting outta here. Let the armies deal with hobgoblins and their ilk."
He began glancing at both his heavily bandaged arms and scowling.
"I could certainly use you folks help in with the cart."
"Any idea where any of the commanders might've last been seen?" Ramona asks. She loathed the idea of running form a fight, but they had a responsibility to any survivors first.
"I guess it's just the price for doing business out here to suffer the occasional raid by orcs and hobgoblins, and I wouldn't be surprised if some normal goblins comes next. They are drawn to a flame like a moth and they wouldn't miss an opportunity for chaos like this." Nicenzia says rather coldly.
She considers Ramona's question. "I think we might have to return to base to find one. I have no idea where they would otherwise be."
The young gnome, who once he had gotten the water bucket to the dwarven bard had started to load up a small cart in the back of the barn rushed forward suddenly his eyes wide.
"I..i ha..ha..had forgo...forgot! Unc...uncle Krinks ch..ch..che... treasure box! Po..potions!"
He began eyes looking pleadingly at you all. He took the bucket and hurried back out torwards the collapsed and burning building. Pointing to part of the building that was collapsed and still slightly burning he sputtered out.
"Th..there!"
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Swen suggests they load up the injured gnomes on the dwarf’s cart, “We can take ‘em to Macridi, there should be a healer there. We should get a move on before anything returns.”
But she is quickly distracted by the words ‘treasure box’.
She tries to pinpoint the location the little gnome indicates.
“Got it, right there, see?”
If the flames can get under control and it is deemed safe, she’ll try to nimbly navigate the collapsed building to get the loot.