Healaugh surges suspiciously into the walled part of the town, seeking the source of the thin trail of smoke they saw earlier.
Darvyl follows closely behind the halfling.
Striding purposefully Ddraig joined them in the main settlement.
Cautiously, he approached the door of the nearest hut and knocked.
The group head to the walled village. Unfortunately, Ddraig cannot knock on a hut straight away. The town's only watch-tower ( a rickety, 15 foot tall wooden construction, seems to be abandoned. It overlooks a 10 foot deep, 10 foot wide open pit.
It would be possible for each of you to walk around the edge, one at a time. An 8 foot wide, 13 foot long bridge can be pulled over the pit, but for now it lies on the other side of the pit.
The tracks of many feet lead away to the north from the gate area.
"There's strange. Must be someone left to pull bridge back over. Round edge'll do me I'm thinking. Or over wall."
Healaugh contemplates the options available.
"Well, Healaugh, I would consider that ledge more likely to be safely traverseable by you than by me." Ddraig was conscious that, in full plate armour and at 320 pounds, he was not the lightest member of the party on his feet.
"If you can pull the bridge across the pit, it may greatly reduce the danger of me falling on my tail!"
DM:
Seeking to shield the bard from danger, Nechtan responds to the paladin's request first and picks his way around the pit.
"Nechtan, I am indebted to you. There seems little reason to risk injury over such a trivial matter as this."
Healaugh scuffs his feet and looks very embarrassed as Nechtan leaps into protective action.
"Tes just his way Ddraig lad." he mutters. "Reckons that's his job. Can be bit awkward like."
Darvyl
Ynyr finally catches up with the rest of the party and takes a look at the pit.
"Well, now, might I not be able to help you all across this gap? Do you know if you can't get the bridge working, I can give you a boost over it? Is it not only 10 feet to jump? I am sure I can manage that no?"
Darvyl simply tucks his weapons away and turns around and starts climbing down into the pit.
Darvyl clambers down into the earthen pit. At the bottom he finds the corpse of an elderly woman. She lies sprawled in a heap.
Healaugh scrambles down to join Darvyl. "Poor lass. What did for you then?"
Healaugh scrambles down to join Darvyl. "Poor lass. What did for you then?"
Healaugh and Darvyl realise that the old woman's neck was broken 48 hours ago.
Nechtan attempts to extend the bridge, so that the others can cross easily.
With much heaving and huffing, the little Krutne man starts moving the bridge over the pit (after Darvyl and Healaugh get out of course).
Ynyr looks at the bridge with interest, trying to figure out which historical period it was built in. Using his knowledge of history and artifacture, he inspects the bridge for any clues.
History check to learn about the bridge. (1d20+6=8)
After looking at it for a while, he walks across it into the walled village.
"That wasn't very interesting now, was it?"
"That wasn't very interesting now, was it?"
"Unless you care that they all disappeared no more than two days ago, not very interesting," Darvyl says sarcastically.
Ynyr can tell that... well... he can tell that it's a bridge of wood. It's one of those things that is probably remade every few years.
As the new comrades walk into the town in the dim glow of sunset, it is as eerily quiet as it was outside. Although in the distance you see some tall figures looking through boxes in what must be the town square to the west.
Ducking along the side of the buildings, Healaugh works his way closer to see what he can see.
Healaugh
The halfling stays low and quiet and gestures to the others to stay still.
Hope they've sense not to show theyselves...
Healaugh
Healaugh suppresses an involuntary intake of breath as his memory dredges up the bad news. Before sneaking carefully away again, he tries to identify what the Verbeeg are taking.
Mustering up all his skills, he moves shadowlike back to the others and unveils his findings.
"'Verbeeg'? Good sailors, are they? Or just better than ogres?"
"Big are they?" He takes out his prized dagger. "Would not this be of help then?"
"Now do you think we should be planning how to approach them?"
DM
Would these fall under the power of Ynyr's excellent dagger?
"Fhoi Myore?"
Nechtan readies his claymore and axe.
Ynyr
Having made his way over the bridge, Ddraig surveyed the scene inside the walled settlement. However, Healaugh's news did not please him.
"I care not how large they are; if they are defiling the bodies and possessions of the dead, they will answer for it with their lives" growled Ddraig.
Gently, he withdrew his sword from its scabbard, and tightened his grip on his shield.
"Is it your wish that we approach these unknown creatures and discuss their business here with them?"
Healaugh looks a little wild-eyed "My wish lad? Not for me to say. Daresay having a wee chat with them might give us answers. Not to say chat can't be using pointy things, but let's see if singing works first."
Briefly, the halfling outlines a rough plan.
"Now, my good friend, isn't that a small bit dangerous? Would your plan not be a mite better if we all walked in behind you, obviously showing that they will have a fight if they do not like your diplomacy? But out of your way, if you like, as a sort of supporting people. Don't you think that would be better?"
Cautiously, Ddraig re-sheathes his sword and begins to work his way behind the buildings, towards the Verbeeg; moving slowly and carefully and keeping himself out of sight. When he was around 35 feet away, he stopped, and settled in to watch Healaugh sing his mystical song to the Verbeeg.
Nechtan nods, "Sounds like Krutne plan."
He skulks off, ready to aid Healaugh.
Stealth (1d20+8=21)
"Ynyr may be in right ont..." Healaugh's voice trails off as he sees Ddraig and Nechtan sneaking away. He sighs and looks at his old friend.
"Ddraig's never got hold of idea he's noticeable like. Coom on lads. Let's be doing this. Stay in sight and let's see if me song of friendship does any good."
He shrugs his shoulders and resignedly unslings his hurdy gurdy, hoping that Ynyr, Darvyl and Greylan will all stay within reach.
Ynyr knocks an arrow to his longbow and grimly prepares to folly Healaugh at a (small) distance. Turning to Darvyl and Greylan:
"Now, will you two stay with us so that they will at least see that they should give my friend a chance to talk?"
He tries to ignore the thumps and other noises coming from the direction that Ddraig went in, hoping that, if he can pretend not to hear them, the Verbeeg might not hear them either.
Healaugh, Fabes, IMPORTANT
OK... and already stupid plan just got stupider...
Healaugh gestures frantically to his companions. "Get back here tha numpties. We'll need a better plan."
Nechtan sighs and returns.
"Otherr plan? Attack. Aisy as stealin a peg. Just Fhoi Myore, nae?"
"How many are there, Healaugh?"
"Good question Darvyl. Can't rightly say..."
DM
How many Verbeeg did half-pint see?