"Rasper." Dak says dryly. "Less bleeding, more making the poor dumb bastards who fight us bleed."
|
The iron gate out to the courtyard stands slightly ajar. A short flight of stairs leads down to an open-air courtyard surrounded by imposing octagonal walls, while a heavy iron gate separates it from the halls to the south. A few errant milkweeds and tufts of crabgrass protrude from the cracked cobblestone flooring. the ground to the west is sunken in, creating a natural pool of rainwater. To the north the battlements above have partially collapsed into a huge mound of stone and wooden rubble, under which some sort of reptilian creature seems to have been crushed. The top half of a flight of wooden stairs rises up to the battlements above a collapsed section of the walls; broken plants from the bottom half lie amid the rubble below. A thick rope has been affixed via a grappling hook to the lower portion of the stairs, dangling down to within a few feet of the top of the rubble pile.
The desperate shouts and barking growls continue here, but now their sources are obvious. the shouts come from the battlements above, where a few goblins and a halfling man holding another goblin at knifepoint can be seen. Calmont seems to be threatening the goblins, while the goblins look like they are pleading for mercy. The source of the growling is of even greater concern, though-for it comes from a large, draconic beast not far away at ground level, roaring at the delicious but inaccessible prey above!
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
Kelvin (20/20)
-------------------------------------
Draconic Lizard (Arcana to ID)
-------------------------------------
Cabaguil (14/14)
Dori (23/23)
Raspar (17/17)
Alak (-20)
Ðakaþos (17/17)
Cuthberwyn will take an action to try and ID the beast.
He'll share what he knows.
Of more immediate concern is Calmont trying to kill the goblin! Put that person down! Cuth shouts, not very convincing at trying to be mean.
|
|
Cuthberwyn recognizes the draconic beast as a Grauladon. He knows that they can release a noxious breath of halitosis, sickening those around it.
Grauladons are vicious predators that appear crocodilian in form, but are in fact distant offshoots of dragonkind. They make their dens in the shallows of fetid ponds or isolated corners of larger bodies of water, usually in rural swamps or woodlands. Driven almost entirely by their base desire to feed, grauladons spend most of their time swimming leisurely underwater looking for prey such as fish or waterfowl. Possessed of a greed befitting their more majestic dragon cousins, grauladons often take down prey larger than they need, jealously guarding the corpses to keep scavengers away even as the meat rots. A typical grauladon is 16 feet long from its snout to the tip of its tail and weighs 1,500 pounds.
A grauladon’s stench may seem supernaturally disgusting, but it is simply the result of the creature’s fetid habitat and diet of rotting, waterlogged meat. As grauladons’ exhalations bear a passing resemblance to dragons’ breath, they have earned the nickname “mud drakes” from rural folk. Grauladons can be found in both fresh and brackish water in most temperate climates. They prefer to lair in shallow waters, particularly where reeds or other foliage conceal their bulk from unsuspecting prey. Grauladons are highly territorial and won’t tolerate other predators living or hunting near their homes.
Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Strike
"That the best you got? You need to try harder, Cuthberwyn. Mean it!" [b]
He then looks at the big lizard-thing. [b]"Now I'm going to distract this. Go stop Calmont!"
He takes advantage of the momentary surprise to close the distance and try to smash the Grauladon.
Sheepish, the gnome scurries down after Kelvin, making his way across the open earth, knowing he doesn't have anything at the moment to save the poor goblin. While it would be beneficial to study a cadaver, I have no interest in doing so right now!
|
|
Cuthberwyn darts out into the field and screams at Calmont in an attempt to intimidate him. Unfortunately he is too far away that a lot of it's effect gets lost as a strong gust of wind cuts through.
Kelvin heroically puts himself in between the Grauladon and his companions as he smashes his morningstar into the beasts backside. The morningstar causes the Grauladon to raor in pain as it's head whips about reflexively releasing a noxious cloud.
The Grauladon's tail swats around it's body as it bite's at Kelvin's legs.
The tail slams back into Kelvin, knocking the wind from his body as it raises again, smacking him on top of the head.
Up top on the battlements the goblins look down and begin calling out for help. "Help us! He has Helba!" Calmont hisses back at them. "Hurry and tell me how to get down there. NOW!" He slowly backs away towards the northeast tower.
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
Kelvin (7/20)
-------------------------------------
Grauladon (-12)
-------------------------------------
Cabaguil (14/14)
Dori (23/23)
Raspar (17/17)
Alak (-20)
Ðakaþos (17/17)
Kelvin coughs as the smell hits him. "Oof! Change the bath water now and then, will you?"
Round: 1
Weapon Equipped: Lesser flask of bottled lightning
Conditions: None
Spooky: 5/5hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +7 (T), Spell DC’s 17 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (2/3) Charm*, Heal, Purify Food and Drink
Cabaguil moves quickly into the room (•>) and summons his Produce Flame hoping it effects the beast.
”Hang in there, we’re coming!” he calls out, unsure if he's talking to Kelvin or the goblins.
Round 1
Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Strike
Raspar triple moves strides towards the rope, trusting others to handle the lizards.
"I will bleed for her! Take me instead," Raspar says, reaching for the rope he will climb next round.
AC: 18 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 6/6/6
HP: 17/17
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
Hang on, Kelvin! I think I can help! Cuthberwyn is reluctant to direct attention from the goblins, but he can't let Kelvin fall if he can help it. He moves closer — though not too close — and lets a grim tendrils fly at the beast.
"Go! Go help!" Dak shouts to the rest of the party as he hustles down to stand by the bloody mess of a dwarf. "Gods what a mess!"
He hustles down the stairs as quickly as he can, bringing his bastard sword to bear with a large overhead swing:
for
|
|
Cabaguil's bit of flame cascades against the grauladon's scales. Blue, red and yellow flames stick to and climb across it's body. Dori moves in to help but ends up dodging the tail again as he misses.
Raspar makes his way to the rope as he begins to take hold, placing his feet flat against the rubble as Alak stomps in behind him. "Those the goblins and halfling you were looking for?"
Ðakaþos stabs his bastard sword into the grauladon's softer underside as it slides down to the hilt. Ðakaþos jolts to the side as dark, grim tendrils crawl across the ground and eat away at the beast.
The dark tendrils cling to the grauladon as it slowly devours large, gaping holes through it's body, killing it on the spot.
With the Grauladon down this allows you to get up to the battlements above. Citadel Altaerein’s battlements provide a breathtaking view. To the east rise the majestic Five Kings Mountains, looming as ageless rocky monoliths in the hazy fog. To the south, rolling foothills unfurl, nestled around Breachill’s rooftops. Along the battlements, six bonfires have been heaped, although currently only the southwestern three are burning fitfully, sending plumes of reddish smoke into the air.
The hunched halfling man, his hair wild and gestures manic, has a terrified goblin in a headlock as he waves a knife about menacingly, standing in the only surviving doorway in the northeast tower. His screams and threats escalate as he notices the group approach up the stairs.
The surviving eight Bumblebrasher goblins have gathered, eyes wide and faces locked in expressions of worry. The goblins themselves have no weapons other than a few brands and torches, having lost their dogslicers and other weapons during their flight up to the battlements. As the goblins beg for help in Goblinoid, Calmont calls out in a shrill voice, switching over to Common. “And who are you? Oh... wait! The one that were in the bookstore from town! You were supposed to burn in the fire! What are you doing here... No closer! I’ll cut this goblin’s ears off if you don’t leave at once!”
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
Kelvin (7/20)
Cabaguil (14/14)
Dori (23/23)
Raspar (17/17)
Alak (-20)
Ðakaþos (17/17)
Raspar's right fist almost reaches across his burned starknife, brows furrowed in barely contained fury.
HOW. DARE. HE.
Raspar's usually happy face turns stern, angry. But then he remembers the whippings on this back and the pain of thorns, then he remembers his sweet release. And he relaxes, humbles himself to the memories of his pain.
A smile flickers on his face, before submerging to anger again.
This must be the same halfling they say set fire to the townhall. Who almost murdered all these innocent people. And there he is, threatening to hurt an innocent. In the name of Desna and his Release, he must be stopped from bringing further harm.
People could have died. My knife was burnt!
Again, Raspar's hand reaches angrily for his burnt blade, drawing it. And again, a submission of humility for his own painful release hits him. It was what he paid for Desna's blessing.
"Stop, please. Let the goblin go,", he pleads, holding out his burnt knife for the halfling to take. "You have already destroyed the thing I most treasure in this world. Take this instead. Take me instead. Harm no others."
Raspar offers the blade and his own flesh to be cut should the man release the hostage. He smiles in earnest trade.
|
This halfling is DAFT! he is so in love with Desna that he rushes to meet her in the afterlife? I cannot let this brave and foolish halfling die...
Dori moves toward the pair with his axe safely stowed on his back. The only thing on his arms is his shield.
"I am unarmed, halfling. let us figure out a way to handle this so no one else has to get hurt."
When their opponent catches fire, Cabaguil is pleased, ”That’s how we set fire to our enemies.” he says with the confidence born of a first success.
When they move up and see the state of the halfling, he laughs.
”Son, son! Pay attention to us. Did you see what we just did to that dragon down there? We smoked him in seconds. The lot of us just walked up to him, and snuffed him out. Now… our orders are to bring you back alive, and we want to do that, we really do. But if you hurt that poor goblin, well, we’ll have to fight you. And in fighting you, well…” he gestures down below to the poor mangled smoking body.
”So put down the knife, release the goblin, and let’s have a little chat, shall we? Nobody has to die today.”
"Tell us about Alseta's Ring. Maybe we can help."
|
|
Calmont snorts, though he doesn't release the goblin. He does seem a little more open to talking though. “Alseta’s Ring? It’s only a ring of elf gates. Connected to places all over the world. Elf. Gates.” Calmont emphasizes those last two words slowly. “You know those? You’re not daft, are you? Don’t you realize how valuable that information is to richies who want to travel fast? Selling that information would get me out from under Voz’s thumb!”
“These freaks know how to get to the basement. They used to live down there! Everyone knows that! Those blocked stairs on the first floor, they can’t be the only way down. There’s an elf gate down there." He jerks the knife a bit as the goblin struggles. "Only these worms won’t tell me how to get downstairs!”
Raspar gives Calmont a hard look. "Maybe if you didn't break into their home and threaten to murder them, they would be more inclined to cooperate...", he notes, sternly but helpfully.
"You're wanted in town, for setting that fire. We don't have any interest in a ring — you almost destroyed dozens of lives, and you must answer for it. Doing so *will* release you from Voz, by the way. Please release the goblin! This isn't right." Then, out of curiosity, he adds: "Who's Voz?".
Upon seeing the standoff, Dak whispers to the group, "Ears for the halfling seems a fair trade, I'd rate it as a pawn for a bishop on the table." When no one seems cold enough for that plan, the elf lets the others do the talking....
....until mention of the gate. "What do you know of the aiudara? What business do you have with the work of my kith and kin?"
Cabaguil helps Raspar, "Voz is the owner of the Reliant Book Store in Breachill. I don't know what an Elf Gate is though... Let me think a moment."
"So, do you travel down them, or just pass messages? What'll it take to get you out from under Voz. Maybe we'll help you out. Just let go the goblin, and we'll chat." Jangling his purse, he tries a different tack - bribery. But, as he's lying...
He doesn't do it very well though, and you can hear the copper coins, not gold.
Cuthberwyn considers Dak's plan a moment, but shakes his head. I've less concern about Calmont than he had for the town, but I won't willingly see innocents hurt, he says, clearly meaning the captive goblin. [bI'd fry him on the spot. But we need to get his prisoner free first.[/b]
Trying to help Dori and Cabaguil's attempt to talk the halfling down, Cuth adds, It should be clear to you that you've no way to escape while dragging a goblin along with you. You'll need to release them eventually, or else add murder to your crimes. Consider this. As he speaks, he moves in front of Dak and Kelvin to get alongside Dori.
Kelvin simply glowers for the moment, waiting for when talking nicely runs its course and intimidation becomes necessary. He keeps his weapon ready too.
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"You're wanted in town, for setting that fire. We don't have any interest in a ring — you almost destroyed dozens of lives, and you must answer for it.
Calmont chides. “Of course I set that little spark. Whoosh! Aha! You should’ve seen everyone’s faces. How else was I supposed to stop that stupid council from sending heroes”—Calmont sneers at the word—“to Hellknight Hill? That would have interrupted my plan to find the elf gates! But now you’re here anyway. Bah!” Calmont slaps his own forehead in frustration. “Should have set an even bigger fire!”
"Who's Voz?"
“You know, Voz—the bookseller? In Breachill? Half-elf? Boy, you’re not too quick, are you?” Calmont’s slight amusement shifts to rage as he begins to rant. “Voz is my employer, but she thinks she’s my god. Always bossin’ me around! ‘Calmont do this, Calmont read that, Calmont that’s not how you pronounce Norgorber!’ She’s a jerk! I hate her! I’ve been digging around her stuff for weeks, trying to find something I could sell to buy my way out of this stupid job. Didn’t find any goodies. But I did find her notes about Alseta’s Ring. What’s she planning to do with that information? Don’t care! I just want to get paid!”
From what Cabaguil understands one actually physically travels through an aiudara or 'elf gate'. These portals, which he called aiudara, allowed for instantaneous travel between distant locales.
Cuthberwyn continues to try to speak some sense into the halfling. His eyes widen in shock as Helba, takes advantage of the distraction and wriggles loose. Calmont tries to slice off one of her ears, but only manages a shallow red line along her green skin as he drops his dagger. Helba manages to flee to the south to rejoin the other goblins.
Realizing he has been captured Calmont drops to his knees and begins sobbing. "Pl...please, just let me go." He begs as tears begin to drop from his eyes leaving clean trails along his dirty face.
Alak watches the entire spectacle. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Ðakaþos's expression matches Alak's. "Interesting indeed. Paid by whom? Also, buying your way out of a job is not how a job works. I... This is ridiculous. I suggest we take him back and start asking some questions. Alak, what are your plans right now?"
Cuthberyn hurries over to Helba and the goblins, thoroughly ignoring Calmont to ensure she is not hurt.
Kelvin strides forward and punches Calmont in the face. He then pulls out rope from his pack and ties up the halfling. "Aye, you'll get to live. But you only get to go after you answer some questions back in Breachill."
|
|
Alak, what are your plans right now?"
"My plans remain the same, find my way into the crypts below to look for my families ring." Alak answers.
As the dust from the drama on the battlements settles, you hear a distinctive, garbled throat-clearing coming from the goblins as Cabaguil speaks with them. Soon, the short, slight goblin woman who’d been held hostage by Calmont approaches. “Excuse me,” she says, in a voice like that of a hoarse bird. “Excuse me, and thank you, friends. You are friends? You must be friends, because you’ve just saved the Bumblebrashers from that man. So much flailing! And shrieking! Ack!"
“I am Helba, and I am the Bumblebrashers’ chieftain. We have been stuck up here for so long—days it feels like! Maybe even weeks? Hard to keep track. First those awful monsters chased us from our comfy basement, then that dragon-dog came, and then that awful halfling man showed up talking about elves and other nonsense! No elves live here! Just us Bumblebrashers!”
Helba looks back at her people, and a deeply morose look settles upon her face. “I just want to protect my people. But everything—everyone—wants us dead.”
Calmont continues to sob as Kelvin punches him in the side of the head. The halfling flips to the ground, hitting his head on the stone as he lies there sobbing as he is tied up.
"Helba, you're story raises more questions. To which monsters are you referring? Someone needs to help straighten out the actors in this production."
Dak then remembers to take everything of import off of Calmont.
Calmont continues to sob as Kelvin punches him in the side of the head. The halfling flips to the ground, hitting his head on the stone as he lies there sobbing as he is tied up.
Horrified by the hit, Raspar draws his starknife and stands over the sobbing body of Calmont, interposing himself between him and halfling. He glares at Kelvin, indicating that this behavior is wrong.
”Careful, dwarf. Such actions dishonor you and your kind,” Raspar rasps, now almost as angry at Kelvin as he is at Calmont. ”This one surrenders peacefully and may try to repent on his actions. Will you show the same strength and ask his forgiveness for what you have done?”
Raspar would like to speak with his new goblin friends, but considers Kelvin’s action too worrisome to leave the prisoner.
Cabaguil is pleased when Calmont gives up. He is however surprised at his callousness. ”You should not have set a fire at all, do you not see that?” When he begs to be let go, Cabaguil fiercely shakes his head and nods again when Kelvin pops him one before tying him up. He very nearly died in that fire, as did many others.
”My plans remain the same, find my way into the crypts below to look for my families ring." Alak answers.
”I wonder if it’s the same ring? Wouldn’t that be a hoot!” Cabaguil wonders at Alak’s true purpose here. He watches him carefully to see if he knows its the same ring.
He listens as Cuthberwyn speaks to the goblins in their own tongue, and wonders if he should learn it too. Perhaps not. After all, Cuthberwyn can always translate.
”Oh, Helba, we don’t want you dead. You can trust us!” he smiles warmly. ”We can help you with your monsters. Our warriors are plenty tough."
He looks to the others, thinking about his new found skills and knowing he’s going to need some help. He wonders if he should just hire someone to accompany him and carry all this gear.
In the awkward tongue of goblins, Dak speaks calmly to Raspar, "I can talk to the goblins, though I'm not much for talking. I'll keep Kelvin in line. Go. I have this."
In Taldane he adds, "No bleeding for anyone."
Raspar turns to look at Dak, a smile spreading across his face as he cranes his neck up to hear the elf speak. He nods, offers one last departing glare-warning at Kelvin, and goes to speak with Helba.
”You are Helba?!” Raspar greets with a smile. ”Yes? Well Warbal sent us to ensure your safety. She is very concerned.” Raspar lets that sunk in, then sees what else he can do to help.
”What can we do for you now? I’m sure Warbal would love to see you. You have some friends yet here.”
|
|
To which monsters are you referring?
Helba gets a panicked look at her face, but then she glances back to her tribe mates and conspicuously rights her posture. “Cultists—at least I think they’re cultists. They called themselves the Cinderclaws, and they said our home was their home now. They threatened to roast us! To peel us and eat us! Ack! And they had dragon monsters with them! So of course we ran from the vaults. Then so many monsters on the ground floor, so we ran up here, to the battlements. That dragon thing down in the courtyard kept us from getting away! It wanted to eat us!”
Cabaguil watches Alak's demeanor to see if he shows any sign at Alseta's ring being his Families ring. He finds none as the man remains stoic.
”Yes? Well Warbal sent us to ensure your safety. She is very concerned.”
“Warbal, yes! Cousin Warbal! My good friend. Good cousin! Such a smart lady; now she lives in the big city. Please, new friends, if you could tell her that we’re alive—and that you’ve saved us!—the Bumblebrashers would be most grateful. We’ve still lost our home down below, but maybe not forever—right?” Helba looks at Raspar hopefully at this last comment.
"Don't get your leggings in a bunch," Kelvin says, ignoring the drawn starknife. "A punch in the head after burning down a building and putting countless lives at risk is far from fair, but it's a start. And if you call that Varisian stand-off we just had peaceful, you should check your 'morals'."
Seeing the exchange in Goblin between Dak and Raspar, he adds, "No bleeding. Just a bruise. I'm the one who is bleeding, after all. But please, defend this wretch."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"It's not the pathetic wretch, it's the ideals I'm defending." Not looking to make the already cantankerous dwarf moreso, he lets it drop.
"Alak, We have business to attend to in the town. We can wrap this up and return, it's a short trip. Can you wait for us to return before plumbing the bowels of the fort?"
Raspar glaces at Ðakaþos one more, grateful for the elf's help in upholding the fundamental values of justice...and compassion. He's eager to return to town to share news of the goblins with Warbal, and to await further instructions on what to do about the threats still lurking within the bowels of the fortress.
"Let's take Calmont to town and let him answer for his crime," he suggests and turns to the halfling: "You’re wrong, but we’ll try to make sure you get back to town safely. Think about how you can fix what you have broken," he adds, trying to help the halfling along the path of forgiveness.
Then, addressing the wide-eyed goblins, he worries: ”I don’t think it's not safe here for you. Where can you go that is safe? Would you like to come to town and consult with Warbal on how to where to stay while we clean up the monsters? We could petition the temple of Desna to provide sanctuary... in fact, there are some unattended chores that need to be done." His voice trails off, wistfully. Those are his chores but...but he will sacrifice those if the goblins would be happy doing them.
Cabaguil is very happy with how everything is turning out. He’s even picking up a few words of goblin. It’s a guttural language to be sure, but as with all languages, there is beauty to it if you look hard enough. Cabaguil is still looking, but he’s sure it’s there. He’s not sure he wants to try it out just yet, he’s still working on his accent. So he just listens keenly.
”Yes Alak, we’ll be back shortly. We just need to drop off a halfling for justice and we’ll be back to, er, help everyone out. After all, we’re heroes!” he grins broadly and with confidence. ”You could come with us if you liked. Your injuries look, well, severe. I can help you, but I’d rather do it in a nice inn than here on the dirty floor.”
”Raspar makes a good point, uh, Helba. Why don’t you come with us as well. At least camp out of the fortress for now. It’s dangerous in here.”
Kelvin simply shakes his head at Dak, keeping to the business of his halfling prisoner.
When talk turns to returning Calmont now, he adds, "I'd like to finish searching this place. The others are right. Return with us, Alak. We can come back to get the job done. I'm willing to bet that the Breachill folks would like to meet you."
(Does that count as an aid on the diplomacy roll from Cab? Does he want help from Kelvin?)
|
|
Alak nods in agreement, "It is better to not tempt this fortress alone. I'll join you back at Breachhill, if nothing more than to make sure this one gets the justice he deserves." Alak frowns deeply at Calmont. Several bruises and near open wounds cover his body still.
Helba looks a bit worried at the prospect of returning to town. She shakes her head and waves her hands in a barrier fashion. "Town not safe for my tribe. Warbal do fine there, but my tribe too many." She gestures to the nine of them, obviously not knowing how to count. "We wait in the woods near the hills for it to be safe again."
With Calmont tied up with rope, Alak lifts him to his feet and paces the halfling in front of him. He looks a bit confused on what to do with Calmont as some of teh group wishes to explore further.
Thinking that they are in somewhat agreement (though he wishes the goblins would come to town and do some delightfully productive chores), he knows that the next proper step is to return to town and turn in the prisoner.
That was the job and that’s the job now. Also, Warbal might be worried.
He marches back to Calmont, joining Alak (and some others, I think), in taking the quick trip back to town. It’s only a mile or so.
”I’ll take care of Calmont, Alak,” Raspar notes helpfully. ”He is our charge and its what we agreed to.”
He will try to help Calmont walk back, but is also not adverse to carrying the half-man back like a sack of potatoes if that is necessary.
He nods to Helba, "Good. Keep your people safe in the forest then, and we'll return as we can."
He looks to the others, "Back to town then?"
Cuthberwyn tries several times to convince Helga and the tribe to come to town, but like Raspar, eventually surrenders to her decision not to. We shall return, he says brightly, and drive these interlopers from your home! Our friend Alak is seeking something below as well, so we will be achieving both goals at once!
He nods to Cabaguil, gives Calmont a dark look, and joins the party in returning to Breachill.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dori shakes his head as Kelvin attacks a defenseless person. Just as he's about to say something. The Daft Halfling took the words out of his mouth, well most of them anyway. As the group gets ready to leave Dori growls in the younger dwarf's ear, "I don't who is more daft! you or that halfling. but this time he was right and you were in the wrong." He gives him a disproving look and moves off towards town.
|
|
We shall return, he says brightly, and drive these interlopers from your home! Our friend Alak is seeking something below as well, so we will be achieving both goals at once!
Helba stands stunned. "You going to free our home?" She reaches out and hugs Cuthberwyn tightly. She looks back at her tribe and they nod in agreeance. "Yes, yes we tell you how to get to vaults then. You need our help." She stands, looking quite proud. "You're friends, there is secret door just down the hill to the west. It's not hard to find when you look, but I can show it to you when you come back! It goes right to the vaults, where we used to live; we used the door all the time to go out and hunt for food." She sneers at Calmont. "We would have told him but he grabbed me too fast and started screaming, and waving that knife. I couldn't get a word in!" We froze, I froze! He's awful. Don't let him get near us again. Helba seems to ramble a bit as she tries to tell you everything at once. She ticks off items on her fingers as if she is counting in some manner. though sometimes she raises a single finger and sometimes three, lowering one. "Watch out for cultists, dead people and oh! Careful of Big Bumble, he's our mascot!" You notice one of the goblin's nurse deep wounds on his side. "Though he is probably angry and hungry now." She waves. "See you soon!" The goblins begin to scatter, gathering their weapons and rushing for the woods.
The trip back to town isn't long. As you enter the gate with Calmont in tow the town begins to curse him, and stare as murmurs spread wide and fast. Not just because of Calmont, but because you also appear to have a Hellknight with you as well.
"They caught him!"
"Is that a hellknight?"
"Are they returning to Hellknight Hill?"
Before returning, "Cultists of whom? IF you don't know can you draw a picture of their jewelry?"
Once back in town, Ðakaþos stoically ignores the peanut gallery questions and comments, marching eagle-eyed to deliver the prisoner...
Raspar has his shield out as he marches Calmont back into town, ready to intercept any angrily thrown projectiles or attacks upon the halfling. He wants to wave and smile at people, but is more concerned with getting Calmont to the guards safely.
He will head to the guards or Greta’s office, whichever is closest and seems safest.
”Greta? Greta Gardania? Are you here?” Raspar will present the prisoner. ”We have caught and returned Calmont as charged us. We have more work to do back on the ‘Hill, though. There are still some troubling monsters within and the goblins will not be safe until they are removed. Some of us intend to return to the ‘Hill and deal with them.”
Raspar smiles when Calmont is handed off. Then he puts away his shield.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"They caught him!"
"Is that a hellknight?"
"Are they returning to Hellknight Hill?"
"Yes, yes we did, the hero's of Breachill caught the villain! Red handed he was, with his knife to a poor woman's throat! He was threatening the whole goblin tribe! Can you imagine it. Setting that fire for his own greed." he shakes his head sadly.
"That is indeed a Hellknight, say it with some respect! This is Armiger Alak Stagram of the Order of the Nail Formerly of Citadel Altaerein, currently of Citadel Vraid in Varisia. He's come to visit on a personal errand of his own. He helped us against a dragon sort of creature and some devils! They were amazing battles I can tell you."
Cabaguil heads into town triumphantly happy. He follows Ðakaþos to town hall. He talks to the crowd the whole way and is somewhat hoarse from the effort by the time the party gets there. It does not stifle his smile though.