As you wish...
Continue to bid up to 625 at which point we are out of coin...
The half orc sees the exchange between Dol and the finely dressed man.
Half-orc: "600!"
The finely dressed man looks towards Dolgrin and raises an eyebrow.
Confirm your 625 bid please.
625!
@the half orc Winning this bid might be bad for your health...
The half-orc spits in your direction. "Watch your mouth filth or I might have to cut off your cock and stuff it in there to shut you up. Might be doing the boy's arse a favor."
However, he does not up his bid. The finely dressed man remains silent too.
The auctioneer shouts: "Sold to the dwarf!"
Ooh! That was exciting!
Breathes a sigh of relief.
To the half-orc, You ARE smarter than you look. Don't worry, I only hate half of you; I'm sure the other half is just a real gem of a person.
Nod at the finely dressed man and try to give an appreciative smile.
Approach the stage and making sure Ben can see me as I approach.
There's my lad! Who do I pay?
Pay whomever I need to (now dead broke except for a few silver BTW) and round up Ben giving him a fierce hug, Stone boy! Thought we'd never see you again and damn near walked our legs off to find you. Let's find a quiet place to swap stories.
You pay the 625 gold and Ben is turned over to your care.
Ben to Dolgrin: "Who are you?"
After a few moments of stunned silence, Dolgrin replies It's me boy, Dolgrin. Don't you recognize me or Char or Maqej?
~in his mind~By the first Stone! I've hunted this rascal all this way and he doesn't RECOGNIZE me? Gods give me strength...
cast detect magic on Ben
"Ben, its me Char. Dolgrin, Maqej and I were your traveling companions before you were kidnapped, we have been tracking you for many days tyring to find you. Do you remember if you hurt your head? Have you had any headaches? Any other ailments?"
To Dol and Maq: "I can't find anything wrong with him that would explain this."
Maq does not detect any magic on Ben, but his spell reveals the magic items held by his companions so he knows the spell is working.
Ben: "I don't remember any of you, what do you want with me?"
Char to Dol and Maq: "What now? Maybe time will bring back his memory or we could try a healer with more skills than me, but we would need money for that."
Do you remember your uncle?
Ben just stares at Maq and begins to cry.
Whispered to Dol and Maq: "I thought maybe his memory loss was just recent events but if he doesn't remember his Uncle..."
Char shrugs helplessly, she is obviously very frustrated by the situation.
Dolgrin grits his teeth trying to restrain his urge to slap the boy and instead gives Ben a firm shake, growling out in a low voice- Quit your crying boy. If you can't remember then I'll have to fill in the details. Here's the short version: Your name is Ben; your father died when you made your way down from the surface; and your Uncle Donos died later trying to defend you. You were taken by a were-rat fiend who may or may not be known as 'Deadeye' and the three of us have chased your trail through half of the Underdark risking everything to rescue you.
Dolgrin pauses to calm himself a little and with a slow release of his breath, What do you remember of the last few weeks Ben?
As best as possible I keep an eye out on the crowd, specifically the well dressed man and half-orc, to see if there is any reaction to our converstion with Ben.
Come on Ben; out with it boy!
The auction is continuing while your conversation is ongoing. A few people near you are looking at you, some are starting to give you dirty looks as your conversation is disturbing to the auction. The half-orc who is close to you and is watching, obviously amused at your situation. The well dressed man is involved in the bidding and does not appear to be watching your group.
Ben is freaking out and screams at Dolgrin: "Get away from me!!!"
Dolgrin make a will save.
As Ben screams, a couple of the guards start to head in your direction.
This kid will be the death of me yet...
Give Ben a quick clout to the side of the head and start binding his hands and arms.
Shut your mouth boy! I bought you, you're mine, and I don't give a damn if you don't remember which way is up. Let's go.
Gods forgive me, but the last thing we need is a scene or a scuffle in this horrible place.
Dolgrin gives an anxious glance to Char and Maqej, Let's get somewhere less public quick and try to sort this out. You two are going to have to do the heavy lifting here; I'm afraid I don't have the most comforting demeanor.; he gives one of his horrific smiles.
Quickly head to the closest quiet spot I can find.
Dolgrin knocks Ben unconscious with his blow, and quickly throws him over his shoulder and heads away from the auction in the general direction of the Inn from the previous night. The guards lose interest once the distracting behavior ends. Char and Maq quickly follow.
Char: "If we are staying, and we probably should until we sort Ben out, maybe we should get our room for another night. Do we have the silver? If not, I guess we take our chances out in the cavern."
Dolgrin fumbles through his purse trying to keep quiet the meager clinking of coins, I have some 36 silver and 23 copper. Let's go to the inn and see what in the Hells has happened. I don't mind the caverns, but I'd rather have answers about Ben before then.
Dolgrin turns to Ben and gives him a stiff shove growling, Move your ass boy. I'm hungry and tired and not in the mind for any of your lip.
"By the first Stone I hope he's OK..."
Start moving towards the inn.
Ben is still out, Dol will have to carry him. You get a couple of glance was you make your way back to the Inn. Your room is available and you get back in and bar the door.
Char: "Any ideas on what is causing Ben's memory loss? Spell, curse, disease or maybe just the trauma of all he has experienced? And how to cure him? Hmmm."
Unless zapping him with color spray works, I'm fresh outta ideas.
Dolgrin looks down at the still comatose form of Ben, Hot tongs! I hope I didn't crack him too hard...of course maybe if I rang his bell hard enough when he comes to he will remember everything....
Sighing in depression at the situation Dolgrin leans over and gently, almost delicately, carries Ben towards the inn. Catching the looks of passersby he scowls and stares them down until they look away, sick from the scarred Dwarf's visage.
Reaching the inn, a quick conversation with the mongrleman keeper ensues If you would, please send up some hot tea or water and let us know when dinner is on. and a few moments later the party is up in the room.
Again, Dolgrin lowers Ben's quiet form carefully into a cot. A look of concern, mixed with grief and anger washes over his face.
Hearing Char's words, he looks back at the party and growls out, Whoever did or caused this is going to pay. Pay very...slowly. If it's Ratty, I think his account is almost full and due to be cashed in at the earliest opportunity.
He takes a breath and continues, I'm not sure what's wrong with Ben. My guess would be either curse or trauma. Maybe he's been turned into a were-rat and that change wipes your memory? Maqej, you should ask around and see if there is anyone in town that could help us.
Ask about town, giving the appropriate symptoms...(what do you want me to roll against?)
Maq drops by to see his friend the tax man after the auction concludes.
"There is a healer in town, he's a half-Orc shaman called Agor. He lives at the back of town along the cavern wall, you will recognize the place by the contained devil outside his shop. If anyone can help your friend regain his memory it will be him."
Report back to Dol and Char. "Guess we need to get some money, huh?"
Still watching over the prone form of the boy, Dolgrin's face contorts with one of his hideous smiles, Maybe we can sell Ben for the money... Heh! Maybe he's just a really nice half-orc and will help us out of the goodness of his heart.
He wipes a tear of laughter from his eye, Well unless either of you have a better idea, let's go see this fine gentleman. Maqej, you do the talking. My word muscle is just about worn out for the day.
The burly dwarf leans over and gently scoops up the still form of Ben, making his way to the lair of the Shaman.
You head to the back of the town which ends in a row of dwellings that back up to the cavern wall, outside one of the dwellings is a hulking red bearded devil, he repeatedly paces a circle about 10 feet in diameter. He studies the group as you approach but does not otherwise acknowledge you. He appears unarmed.
You can reach the entrance to the dwelling closest to him without entering the circle he paces if you wish. The door is nothing more than some hides hanging down across an opening.
I wonder what the deal is with the devil? Well, not my problem; got to stay focused on Ben!
Dolgrin walks through the entrance wihthout passing throught the devil's circle.
Dolgrin pushes through the hide door and enters the shaman's abode with Ben in his arms. He finds a small dimly lit room that is smoky from burning incense.
A rather small half-Orc sits on the floor his back to the far wall, he opens his eyes as you enter the room. The left side of his face has a scar running from his hairline down to his jaw, passing through his eye which is milky colored and obviously sightless.
"Hail Dolgrin of the Ironstrike clan, you wish the boy's memory restored?"
Ooohhhhhh, that was neat. How did you do that??
Always with the half-orcs... Are there no good dwarven folk about to help me? Just be cool Dolgrin, this is no time to be yoruself.
Biting down his usual salty retort, Maybe I am, but before we get to that I'd like to know how he came to lose it and other questions besides. I assume you are Agor the shaman? You either have long ears, a lot of friends in this town, or the right title for your skills. What can you tell me and what will it cost me?
"Agor, yes that is what I am called in these parts. I will have to study the boy before I might be able to tell what caused his memory loss. Sometimes we subconsciously block our own memories to avoid pain, if that is the case here and I restore his memory it might break his mind. As to the price, i think you will find it to your liking Dolgrn Ironstrike: kill the ranger Deadeye and bring me his backpack unopened, do what you will with his other possessions. You cannot strike at him in town, leave tonight and head to the lava river near the Orc lands, I have seen that he will head to the crossing within the next few days. In the meantime leave the boy here so I can study him, no harm will come to him, this I swear by Asmodeus!"
As he swears his oath, the shaman draws his dagger across his forearm and the blood wells up and then starts to burn.
Hearing the oath, Char turns a paler shade of green and whispers to Dol:
"He speaks truth."
Maqej gets a little queasy and pretends to look at other things around the shop.
Dolgrin stares at the burning blood and smiles mirthlessly, You are wise indeed Agor and it has been many days since I have felt so much...joy. I look forward to some answers upon our return with your prize. Maybe one of them will be about your kept devil.
He then turns and addresses the party, I'm ready and I hate to ask, but are you with me? You have now found a 'safe' place to live if you wish it and I'm sure with your abilities, you could find comfort here. I'll not ask you to do anything that is absent in your heart but I want answers and most of all, satisfaction.
"Deadeye must pay for what has happened to Ben, I'm in."
Shoot, the way I see it...We're family. I'm with you Dol.
A huge smile washes over Dolgrin's scarred face, Through everything that has happened Desna still smiles on me. You are good friends indeed. Let's settle our accounts with Deadeye once and for all.
Dolgrin leads the party towards the lava river trying to pick up Deadeye's trail.
Cast Mage Armor on myself.
The trek back to the lava river will take until mid day tomorrow if you move at a good pace,today you can probably make it to the small lake you passed on your way to town.
Dolgrin does not find any tracks that he believes to be Deadeye's.
The party makes it to the small lake without any problems where Dolgrin's survival skills result in a dinner of fresh fish and lake lettuce.
Perception rolls for watch please.
Thinking to himself during the journey, How do you find a ranger that doesn't want to be found? I can't believe he's going to give us anything easy and this seems to be his home turf. Maybe we'll get luck and he'll get copy killing something. Well, that's tomorrow's problem isn't it?
During Dolgrin's watch he is surprised by a rock tiger!
Surprise round
Dolgrin takes a solid strike from the great cat's claw.
Dolgrin only initiative this round, Char and Maq are waking up.
So focused on thinking about how to find Deadeye, Dolgrin is completely oblivious to the stalking figure of the rock tiger. The mighty swipe of its claw is barely enough to break his concentration as he is slow to take a defensive stance and try and hold the ferocious feline off until his companions can join in.
And here I went and left my ball of yarn at the inn....
Thinking, I wonder if this is Deadeye's animal companion? Need to keep an eye out for that bastard and make sure he isn't setting us up.
The creature strikes at Dolgrin again, this time ripping into him with its razor sharp teeth. Dol returns the favor with a blow from his great sword.
Round 2. Party's action.
Cast infernal healing on Dol, gain 1hp a round for 10 rounds.