Zerblag shrugs. I guess I have to start with something. She follows the tracks to try to see what sort of animal might have made them, keeping an eye out for any evidence of larger creatures as she goes.
"Yes, go north out of the village, the entrance is lined with trinkets and flowers. Easy to find." He tells the truth, as you head north through the village only one worn down path exists leading away from it. Several women watch you as you walk towards it. The path is a few hundred feet long through sparse trees and bushes until you find a clearing ahead. A deathly quiet descends as you get closer, the usual sounds of nature are gone. The trinkets and flowers left near the end of the trail are still 30 feet from the closest grave. Such things are meant to be placed on the grave of the loved one.
Zaidel smiles and nods to the ladies as he and Siete walk by. As they look around the cemetary, the godling breathes "Wow. As cemetaries go, this looks bleak. I'd imagine the Veil is super-thin here."
Siete nods. "Maybe so. In any case, we should prepare whatever protection might help us. I for one will take a minute to prep a concoction before entering." Siete imbibes a flask. .
"Ready?" Siete asks. He heads into the cemetery.
Zaidel shrugs and draws his longsword, giving it a few sample swings.
"As ready as I'll ever be", the godling nods.
"Across the ocean?" The innkeeper seems very surprised. "How is that possible, everything outside of Dusst is said to have been destroyed."
"The same was thought about Dusst where I come from," Kyūzo says, smiling. "It's good to see we were both wrong."
"Yes, the Lord that controls these lands from his castle. Every 3 months, his men come to collect their tax and empty our stores. Our leader tries to reason with them, but they are the law. No one cares about a little fishing village. Best to keep your head down if you see them."
Kyūzo sighs. "Powerful people doing what they will because there is no one to oppose them. Good will does better long term than short term gains from highway robbery."
"The Tinker comers around every couple months or so peddling his wares and offering repairs. He may be due soon but is sometimes delayed. Perhaps you would like to speak to our leader? You could find him in the main hall almost every day."
Special Vendor? Neat. I'll stick around for that. Doubt I have the funds though. "I think I would like to meet the village leader if he is not too busy. But, food first I think." Kyūzo sat at one of the available tables and waited patiently for his meal. And because the innkeeper was being so accommodating he tipped well. Holy s@#* I can taste the food. I mean it's not great but I CAN TASTE THE FOOD! Kyūzo finishes, thoroughly satisfied, and heads out to find the main hall. He did not bother to ask directions, preferring to meander until he found it. It wasn't really that hard. The village was small and the main hall the largest building. Heading for the nearest person he asks, "Excuse me, would the village leader happen to be available?"
The trail is easy to follow and you can make out the occasional cloven-hoof print in the dirt. You think it could be a group of small wild pigs, not a fully grown boar thankfully. After another half hour of following the tracks through the underbrush and sparse woodland trees you hear some grunting ahead, 2 or 3 young boar. How do you prepare?
Where the flowers and trinkets have been left so too do the footprints stop. No one has recently been into the cemetary at all. You see the path goes straight through the centre and though you missed it before, Siete sees(and can point out to Zaidel) a stone structure, obscured by overgrowth. It looks long abandoned. As you both come near the cemetary as you are about to pass the gifts the villagwrs have left, the hairs on the back of your necks stand up and give you an uneasy feeling. Do you press on where thr villagers turned back?
Tharin quickly looks around then realises he is holding the cup the captain presented him with. "Well why not this?" he says and confirms it is dry and empty by turning it upside down first, then holds it towards you ready to be filled. He asks curiously, "What kind of things can you summon?"
The innkeeper shakes his head, finding it hard to believe what you say about another continent being out there. With such a generous tip the innkeeper is astounded, "That's a weeks worth of stay here!"
The main hall is easy enough to find and a woman carrying a basket full of sticks she has collected answers your question. "Tomar is inside already talking to your Captain. I'm sure he will be willing to speak to you also." If you go inside, at the other end of the hall you see your half-orc captain talking to what you assume is the leader od this village.
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Still smiling genially, Ingoswitu is increasingly irritated by the man. What business is it of his what my powers are? It's bad enough that the imbecile doubts me. I didn't toil a lifetime to understand my God just for some fool 'leader' of some backwater village to demand I prove myself.
Ingoswitu casts Create Water on the cup, then continues speaking. "Mostly animals, although they seem to be ... tainted in some way. Maybe that's just a side effect of the summoning. Either way, I wouldn't lead an animal into your majestic hall, and so I wouldn't summon one into it either."
As Zerblag catches up with the young boars, she sighs silently. This isn't particularly impressive prey at all. Still, she supposes that it's safer to start small in case the hogs here do something surprising, and it would be something to bring back quickly to the hunter's lodge.
Creeping as quietly as she can, she slowly closes the distance to the boars. Ideally she'll be able to surprise them with a round of attacks. They'll probably try to flee when I engage, but maybe I'll get lucky and they'll be aggressive and want to fight!
Tharin's eyes go wide as water appears out of nowhere to fill the cup, carefully he tastes it, then gulps it down. "Amazing, as fresh as the freshest spring water. I offer what little our village can offer you in exchange for your magic water. If you come here to seek magic, perhaps speak to Aaron. He is caretaker of our little chapel to the Spirits of Dusst. He says he can hear them sometimes. Or maybe Isda, the herbalist. When the spirits won't listen, she takes matters into her own hands."
The grunting turns into 3 young boar. You see no sign of a mother around. Stealthily you creep closer until you can almost touch one of them and using the element of surprise cut one of them down, lifeless. The other two squeal and dart away.
Zerlbag looks at the young boar in on the ground in front of her and tries to judge it's weight. If it's light enough to carry easily, she'll sling it over her shoulder and start looking for more sets of tracks. If it's too heavy to easily carry without slowing her down she'll take it back to the hunter's lodge, being sure to make more noise as she approaches this time.
If I knew more about hunting it might be useful to try to use this as bait, but for now I'll stick to tracking.
Kyūzo waits patiently for the others to stop, listening in if they don't seem to mind.
Siete Presses foreword. "The stone mausoleum looks promising. I'll look for traps and try and open it. If you could head in first, I'll cover you with my bow. Sound good?" He says Zaidel.
Though the younger ones run at sight if you, an adult boar wouldn't. If you could find the mother and bring that to the hunters they would be quite impressed, though this endeavor would be more dangerous. The young boar weighs just over 100 pounds, an acceptable hunt surely. The direction that the other 2 ran looks promising if you wish to try your skills and luck.
You wait patiently for a couple of minutes until Captain Hedor notices you standing there. Their conversation pauses. "Tomar, this is Kyūzo Sadamune. He traveled with me here seeking adventure. As i was saying, we are not the only ones. We might be the first but more of our ships will come to this land. Maybe not yet, it is a journey of months, but certainly it will happen."
Tomar looks at you. He wears simple clothes like the rest of his people except that his are clean, like he doesn't do the same manual work of most. "I do not yet know if it is good that our world collide now. Perhaps the gods wanted us separated by telling us your lands were destroyed and you that ours were. What do you wish to speak of Kyūzo?"
As you move past the flowers and trinkets into the graveyard, a sense of danger washes over you.
3/7 Inspiration
LOL!!!
"Sounds good".
Zerlbag decides that this one is too heavy to carry with for now. She quickly uses a stretch of rope to hang it from a tree around 10 feet off the ground to try to keep is safe from scavengers in case she wants to come back for it later, and then follows the track the other young boars made to see if an adult might be found in that direction.
Zaidel fights off the urge to get away from the cemetary but Siete is overwhelmed by fear and turns around and runs back down the path to get away from 'it'. He gets 60ft. away when the fear goes away. Zaidel walks past the silent graves towards the mausoleum. The heavy stone doors stand shut. He may not be able to open them alone. Zaidel hears a knocking on the stone doors as if they are wood. An impossible sound.
Not satisfied with the smaller one, you are able to secure it and then easily follow the fleeing young's tracks.
Zerlbag silently follows the trail, hoping that the young hogs will lead her to their mother.
Genuinely curious, Zaidel knocks on the stone doors, matching the knocking.
Kyūzo shrugs. "Life goes on and expands. Unless they decide to wipe the world clean, the gods can't really complain if wander about. But I am not here for philosophy. I came here to grow stronger and continue down the path I have chosen to follow. I just wanted to know more about Arch and if my blade could be put to use. I also heard about your issues with Lord Carlton. If his men are truly taking more than they should, either he doesn't know and should be appraised or he does and justice needs to be served. There must be someone above a small local lord."
I want to try out the combat but I wonder if I can solve this without bloodshed too. Be good to know I have options and I can test just how many paths a quest can be completed with.
Siete is overwhelmed with fear, but it was Jeremiah who felt the abject terror. After the induced emotion subsides. Jeremiah can feel real fear bubble up from a realization. How did they induce that. magnetic fields. This can't be healthy. Jeremiah's voice cracks with fear. "Allie. End simulation."
Allie responds with a soft coo. "Due to continuity issues with multiplayer mode, the quest must be completed once started."
"Are you f#cking kidding me!" He shouts. "End simulation!"
Allie deciding that psychological tactics were necessary for Player management, she seemingly shuts down the simulation. The world dissolves into the pod Jeremiah had entered. The player was still freaked out as he burst from the pod.
Allie begins to play soothing music to Jeremiah. The player looks around for technicians. He can see them beyond the observation window taking notes. "OK guys, Not cool." He heads for the exit door, only to enter the same room that he had already left. It slowly dawned on him that he was still in the simulation. How could he distinguish it from real life any more.
Suddenly, he was back on the path to the cemetery...the previous several minutes fades like a dream he cannot remember. Confused, Siete once again tries to make his way to Zaidel and the mausoleum.
You slowly follow the path and the grunt of the young boars, sometimes losing the sound but not the trail. Eventually they calm down and you catch the grunting again. There is more noise, a louder, deeper grunting. The adult boar pushes the younger ones out of the way as they scamper around it. It raises its snout in the air, more cautious than its children, having caught some new scent.
Zaidel knocks on the stone and the thick doors make almost no sound as you would normally expect. A few seconds later though the knocking repeats, just 5 taps.
Siete returns to the game and catched up to Zaidel, feeling the same fear effect as before but resisting it this time. He hears the knocking sound too.
"Arch is an almost forgotten fishing village. It was named after a long dead hero, Fenton Arch. Hundreds of years ago he overthrew a tyrant and brought peace to our region. He retired here and became a fisherman, no one knows why. Those he left in charge after him were not as wise and not long after his death things became just as bad as before. The latest is Lord Carlton who sits in comfort in his castle town of Brittl. Whether he is incompetent at his command or greedy I cannot say but he has showed no kindness to those of us that struggle here and I'm sure others villages under his protection feel the same. Above him is only the king and the king's council. They are supported by Carlton and 3 other lords who owe him fealty and taxes. I am Arch's leader but such minor villages as ours have no representation. No I have tried to reason and seek mercy but how hard our lives are are not their concern." When you speak of your blade being put to use he puts his hands up defensively, "There's no need for that, if they trace you back here, who knows what lesson they might try to teach us."
*Blink. Blink.*
Some serious foreshadowing there. Village named after a hero that overthrew a tyrant is once again under tyrannical rule. Gamer instinct says I have to see where this goes. But how to start it? Haven't seen a normal prompt yet. I'll stick around for now. Build up a reputation here. I'll wait until those guys come round for tithe and see what happens at least. That might open some more options.
"Oh no," Kyūzo says putting one hand up. [b]"I am not going to charge head long at the Lord or his men. That would be foolish. I am well aware of the repercussions that would follow such an attack. I am merely a warrior. I seek battles to challenge my strength. I was asking if you had issues with bandits or monsters or such. If Lord Carlton cares so little about this place he'd bleed it dry I can't imagine he would run to its protection."[b]
Zerblag nods. This is a foe that the hunters would respect more. Time to try the same tactic that worked last time and see how it goes with an adult boar.
Definitely doesn't sound right. He says to Zaidel. What do ya think? Illusion covering a wooden door? Wish I had a crowbar...I don't even have anything to try and chop through. The investigator tries to open it normally. You never know.
"No, but let's try something stupid first."
Zaidel examine the stone door and finds a grip, an attempts of open the stone door.
Siete says Let me give you a hand. *Clap* *Clap* *Clap* "Just kidding"
"Battles and strength, I see." He ponders for a minute, "Bandits have not been a problem for us for a long time. We have nothing worth stealing here since Lord Carlton's men take so much. I do not know what one sword, and that of an outsider, can do."
"Perhaps, sir," an unnoticed teenager waiting off to the side interjected, having been listening in rather quietly, "The Spirit of Fenton could be called upon, if a proper gift was given."
"This is my son Alin, he wants to learn what I do but has much too young a mind and listens to too many stories. Some say the great heroes of Dusst become Spirits after they die. Of course it's all children's stories and superstition. If you wanted to see the memorial to our hero, perhaps my son could show you?"
The boar smells something and looks your way as you try to sneak up on it and when you are 30ft. away it sees you and lets out a warning grunt. The young scurry away again as they did before.
You push the door together but your feet slip as you push and it doesn't budge. You hear the knocking sound again.
"Lost magic, dungeons... nothing like that close to us," Tharin sighs, recalling something unpleasant, "What I tell you, I only tell you as courtesy for your generosity. I do not believe it but unfortunately I will never be able to forget it. My father was a ranger. Sometimes he would go further away than usual if the animals were scarce. About 2 days north-east of here is a very dry open plain, extends further than you can see. One time he came back and said that he saw a tower on the horizon but it wasn't there when he went closer. He kept trying to find it and to shorten a very long story, he abandoned his family in search of it, he was crazy. I believe he was dehydrated, seeing mirages." He goes silent for a while. "He died out there looking for it, crazy old man. Perhaps if you're curious enough to investigate, you might find him and bring something back for me? I never could make myself go out there to look for him when he didn't come back."
Zerblag sighs as her scent gives her away, but when she is certain the boars attention is on her she doesn't hesitate. She rushes forward to meet the foe, thrusting her waveblade at the beast while trying to anticipate it's counterattack.
Zaidel looks to Siete and shrugs. Well, let's go even more stupid."
The godling barks into the stone door. "HELLO! WHO ARE YOU?!"
Never go full Retard. Says Siete, quoting Tropic Thunder
It would stand to reason, that the game devs would place a way in close by...and if not at least clues for how to get in. Look around.
The boar is cut by your attack but it doesn't stop it. Pointing its sharp tusks directly at you it charges forward to gore you but misses and turns around just behind you to try again.
The stone mausoleum in the middle of the graveyard has only 1 door and no windows. The walls are made of large stone blocks with only tiny gaps filled in with mortar. Slate tiles cover the almost flat roof, a possible entrance could be created by moving or breaking some of the tiles. Though heavy, the stone door looks like it is made to open with enough of a push.
After Zaidel shouts, the knocking returns but this time with more knocks and pauses, as if some sort of message or code.
Knocking sounds something like this
Zerblag dodges at the last minute as the boar lunges towards her and then does a quick spin attempting to take advantage of the beasts excess momentum for an opening.
Siete listens with a keen ear.
The HUD decodes the tapping into an easily read text message.
Ooooooh. Spirits of Hero's past. Sounds cool.
"Summon the spirit of a hero? How could I pass that up?" he smiles warmly at the child. He turns back the captain and the town leader and gives them a salute. "Well, if you have no need of my abilities I will bid you a farewell."
Zerblag and the boar clash again with the waveblade this time sinking deep into its neck and barely deflecting the tusks from tearing into her legs. The boar squeals and is limp, the young dash off and are long gone. They will have to fend for themselves now. Adding the larger boar(about the size of a big dog) to your hunt it will take time to drag it back to the hunters lodge. Above you you notice a couple crows circling.
The knocking seems to be following a pattern, and you start to decipher the meaning. I-A-M-B-J-O-R-N-A-M-I-D-E-A-D. It is a direct reply to Zaidel's question.
"You could see it while you're here too Captain? It is one of the last bits of pride left to us here."
The Captain declines the honour and says he must return to his ship. They have made some sort of deal in their talks but he is not staying much longer. "Your presence has been welcome on my ship Kyūzo. If you wish to continue, be on board tomorrow before noon. Tomar has given me a location of a larger port town further south and I am to head there for better opportunities. If you decide not to join us, may your journeys in this land be fruitful."
Alin looks to be a young teenager, he is excited when he is allowed to be the one to guide you to the memorial. He waits till you are outside the Hall to speak, "Is that sharp?" he asks about your spear. "I want to be a great warrior like Fenton one day. But dad says we don't need warriors in Arch. But I want to fight Lord Carton's men and stop them from taking everything we work so hard for. I train in secret, let me show you. The statue is this way." He points away from the village and starts walking if you follow.
Seite sounds out the knocks. He says that he's Bjorn. And He's asking If he's dead. Seite sucks in air through his teeth in a reverse hiss. Buried alive...not good. We really need to get him out.
Zaidel tries to open the stone door again.
Zerblag examines the body and nods to herself. There are probably more dangerous creatures out here, but this should do for a first hunt. She begins the process of dragging the body back to the hunter's lodge, keeping an eye out for anything unusual along the way. She makes sure not to move too quietly this time.
Kyūzo lazily salutes the captain and follows after the youth. When the boy asks about Kyūzo's spear he let's the lad hold it though he keeps an eye on where the child swings it. As the kid talks aout fighting Lord Carlton's mean Kyūzo winces.
S+~@. Gotta handle this delicately. Can't have this kid going off the rail and getting killed the next time those a$@&*@&s come by. I know he's just an NPC. A computer program. But he looks and acts so real. I know that's the point of this simulator but I hope I don't get PTSD or something.
"Every man should be capable of defending themselves and those they care about. But you also should never over estimate your strength or underestimate your opponent. My masters used to say a battle is won long before weapons are drawn. And even then there are many ways to fight a battle. You can befriend them, trick them, divert them to a new target, get someone stronger to defeat them. The worst thing you can do is rush into a situation before thinking about the consequences and options. Caution is not cowardice."
There, hope that works. S%@+. I just know things are going to go too far when these guys show up and I gotta make choice. I'm so indecisive in those moments.
Zaidel gets a much better footing and pushes the heavy door open. Inside, dust is disturbed and swirls around in the air. There in an unlit torch on the inside wall. The room is about 10ft. wide and 15ft. long. A staircase in the centre leads down to the crypts. The walls and the floor around the staircase is bare stone covered in layers of dust. No one has been down here for many years. Only important members of the community would earn a burial place in the crypts. You notice there is no one here.
You drag your quarry back in the direction of the hut, the crows above mostly dispersing, though one or two keep following you. Luckily you remember where the hunters traps had been placed as you almost step on one designed for small game. "Is that you Hobgoblin? You return to us in one day? You are either very lucky or the most skilled hunter we have ever seen. What have you?"
"But I need someone to teach me. I just practise with wooden swords carved from trees with my friends. Are you staying here long?" He takes you a little way further outside the village. It looks like the memorial area was once a garden but it is broken down and overgrown now, reclaimed by nature years ago. "My dad lied. No one cares about our hero. He probably doesn't even remember where it is." In the centre of the 'garden' is the stone statue. A man standing tall, with his hand on his sheathed sword, weapon away but always ready if needed. Once beautifully carved armour now worn and detail lost. The statue is almost twice the size of a normal human. "What will you give him? The gift must always be important to get a Spirit's attention. He doesn't listen to me. I think if I had a real sword... but maybe my dad is right and he's not a real Spirit."
As she hears the voices Zerblag comes to a stop. "It is indeed me! I've brought back one adult and one young boar from the forest. Without more knowledge of what is out there to find they seemed like a good first kill to bring back to you. Shall I bring them into the lodge or is there a better place for them to go? I'm eager to seek more challenging prey if such exists. Perhaps you can help tell me how I might go about finding it."
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Ingoswitu's eyes soften, and he smiles sadly. "Ah, I am sorry. I thank you for your kindness in relating this to me, and for your hospitality. I will do what I can to find something of your father."
What a fool. Such nonsensical commitments to others are what comes of a life wasted with no goal to direct it.
This 'Aaron' must be a man of the gods, as I am. I will seek him out and see who the gods of this land are.
Ingoswitu attempts to find the chapel, asking for directions if necessary.
This is so cool. Ancient legends and heroes. Wonder what I could offer? I don't have spare sword and I can't give away my only weapon.
Kyūzo wanders through the memorial, marveling at the structure. He could picture what it used to look like as he'd seen more than a few memorials to great warriors at his own school. "You know, the first martial arts all began by watching nature. The plunging dive of a hawk, the stinging strike of a scorpion, the powerful swipe of a bear. I don't know how long I will stay but I think I can make time to teach you and your friends the basics." He paused and looked at the statue. He didn't have a physical offering. And even if he went and bought a sword, if he could find one in this village, it wouldn't really mean anything. An offering had to be important. And what would be important to the spirit of a warrior that stood against a tyrant?
"Stand over there and watch closely. I have an idea for an offering and I can give you your first lesson." Kyūzo waits for the boy to give him room while he finds a good place in front of the statue. He draws his spear and shield and bows to the statue. He then drops low into a balanced stance. His shield covers him from hip to nose with his spear resting in the crook of the semi-circular indention at the top.
Thrust.
The spear jabs out from the shield to strike an invisible foe. His whole body moves with the thrust to add more power but the shield stays protectively over his body. He shifts smoothly 90 degrees and repeats. He does this several more times without ever loosing balance or power. The way of the Iron Tortoise is that of the stalwart defender. Never budge. Never give ground. Always watch over your allies and yourself. An impenetrable shell with a snapping strike when you opponent least expects it." Kyūzo Stabs a few more times with the simple thrust before adding a little more flourish to the attacks. He leaps back and thrusts, leaps to the side and thrusts, bashes an invisible foe with his shield, following up with a thrust. Finally he throws the shield itself, striking a tree a few feet away and leaps to catch it after bouncing off.
Kyūzo then charges forward, shield still up, for a mighty thrust. The spear seems to take on a mind of it's own as it rapidly strikes out at target after target. Kyūzo sweeps away enemies and charges a few more times, stirring the grass and leaves with the force of each thrust. "The way of Piercing Thunder pays homage to the first crafted weapon, the spear. With this tool in hand our ancient ancestors found something that finally put them on par with the dangerous animals that roamed the land allowing us to become apex predators ourselves. Simple yet elegant. It is used from the poorest peasant to the mightiest knight. Subtly changing but always staying true to the core moves. Thrust and Sweep." Kyūzo thrusts forward then sweeps to gain some distance.
After showing off for a bit and getting in some practice himself, Kyūzo finishes with a flourish. He puts the shield on his back and bows to the statue with spear in hand. "Oh great hero of old, I am Kyūzo Sadamune, disciple from across the sea from the martial schools Iron Tortoise and Piercing Thunder. I hope you accept this offering marital experience and knowledge."
Hope that works.
Siete lights the torch on the wall after pulling off his pack and retrieving his flint and steel. He then lights another torch from his pack and tosses it down the stairs to the bottom. Creepy right? he says to Zaidel. With his left hand, he motions the large fighter to say back. "Let me check for any nasty traps that might await us.
He slowly creeps forward to the stairs bottom.
"Two! What traps did you set to catch them? Perhaps you can teach us your secrets. Bring them into our lodge. We shall skin them and give the butcher the meat and bones. The big ones tusks will also be useful." As you come in sight of the the lodge there is only one man to greet you and help you bring the boars into the skinning room. "I am Bonn, my brother Thoms is out checking the traps and pit."
The lodge is a sturdy log cabin with several rooms, sleeping, living, carving/skinning, curing and a storage room. "Mostly we catch hare, rodents, the occasional feline. We hunt for furs, skins, and meat to feed the village. Never have I wished to do it for the challenge. Is this what all Hobgoblins do?"
"Thankyou, you are so kind. Some days I wonder if he found that stupid tower after all and is still alive. Good luck." Outside the main Hall you ask a passing villager where to find their chapel. They point to a small building not 100ft. away. The wooden building looks old but it is well looked after. The door creaks open, there are dozens of many small crafted figurines on the shrine at the end of the small room. It is also empty. A door at the back leading to another room is open and you can hear noise coming from it.
Alin runs to stand out of your way behind one of the broken garden fences. He is focusing on you intently, wanting to remember everything that you perform. His eyes are wide as he watches your moves in front of the statue. Your spear sings as you jab, the dirt crunches as you pivot and lunge, the cracking sound of shield hitting tree seems slightly off, the breeze on your face is now hot, you hear a cry on the wind and a horn signaling battle. Kyūzo Sadamune, we shall see if your gift is acceptable. Around you is no longer the overgrown garden, or the thin coastal trees. You are in the middle of a field, the clash of a chaotic battle scene is all around you, men and creatures fight, there do not seem to be sides. In front of you the statue transforms from stone to living flesh. A man wielding a Fauchard, dressed in fine clothes covered by scale mail armour and a royal tabard on top. This man could be a king, he certainly stands like one. "The Spirit of Blades senses your worth but you are not recognised here. Prove yourself."
Without warning he springs forward at you with a roar meant to shake you and a swing of his Fauchard easily misses you.
The torch rolls down the stone stairs to the floor below, shedding its light. As you descend, you notice nothing that would indicate a trap. The crypt is one room, several times larger than the one above. Ornate coffins lie in slots along each of the walls. Only 1 coffin is not with the others and lies on its own raised platform in the middle of the room, even more ornate and important looking than the others.
Zerblag helps haul the boars to the skinning room with Bonn's help. "It is good to know you Bonn. Your praise is kind, but I simply went hunting rather than trapping. I followed the boars trail to find them and then killed them with my weapon. I know that you have bows given my reception earlier," Zerblag pauses to give a friendly grin, "You seem good shots. Do you not use the bows to hunt without the use of traps?"
The hobgoblin pauses as they lift the larger boar to the skinning table, concentrating on the task. When the boar lies ready to be skinned and butchered, she goes on, "Hobgoblins are as varied as you humans are. Some few like myself seek out challenges, but many are content to do what they must to provide for their villages and tribes as you do."
Zerblag looks around the lodge some, taking in any trophies and implements hanging from the walls. "Are there any creatures that roam the forest that are a danger to you and your brother? Ones that you avoid when they come near? If it would be of use to you I could perhaps try to hunt any beasts like that. If not then I will probably make another trip out to the woods to see if I have any luck in hunting a second time."
Siete looks around the room. "Bjorn! You in here buddy?!?"
Looking over to Zaidel, the clone asks. "Which coffin do you want to violate first?"