"It is very good to see you father - now you just make sure to rest and recover, we will get everything sorted" - Hegron speaks softly to father Albius - "And I have a surprise" - he adds, bringing Alda forth.
Then Hegron will meet up with the others - "Anyne had a chance to speak with our dwarven friends, and understand exactly what is going on - who is attacking us and why?"
Maqan shook her head to answer Hergon. "I'll go speak with them. I need something to do else I'll just sit and worry. She explained.
She made her way to one of the Dwarven senior fighters. "Do we have any idea who they are?" She asked them, "Or why they're here?"
"No, a force of dragon people attacked us first and that just shook the hornets nest. Our other troop will find some answers. We heard some talking about slaves." he grumps.
Soon enough you are within the mine and the dwarves are making room for the survivors to rest. After about an hour or two another dwarf in heavy armor made of gold walks forth and asks, "Who will fight and find the answers we seek? If ye think you are brave enough come to the brewing hall."
From the dwarves around they easily tell you that is the chief of arms, and it looks like he is looking for volunteers.
At the hall you ses that many of the dwarves are here hurt. The Cheif of Arms points out, "Our troop was ambushed, though they won't be fighting back again we took too much bruising too. We have enough to protect us and the mine. But we need a group to find answers outside our village."
Urdrsk swipes his nose and marches to the brewing hall.
Hegron follows after Urdrsk without a word, heading to the brewing hall.
As Urdrsk walk up to the Chief at Arms, he asks in Dwarven, "Де мій дід, лідер клану? Де мій батько?"
The Chief at Arms shakes his head and looks mournful.
Urdrsk looks downcast. "My gràndfàthèr ànd clàn lèàdèr, dìèd ìn àn àttàck by thè dràgòn mèn."
Maqan placed her hand upon Urdrsk's shoulder. "I am so sorry my friend." She said softly. "I'm here if you need an ear." She promised.
Then she looked to the Clan Leader. "Some of ours are still out there, looking for the ones who got stolen. Saronis is among them and I promised I would remain and watch over those here." She explained.
"I... I am sorry to hear that Master Urdrsk - I hope he had a good life, and an honorable passing" - Hegron steps forward, offering comfort to his dwarven companion.
In broken common the Cheif at Arms asks, "If you are able please aid in healing our people. As the rest of you are here for the mission. I want you to go down the main road, until you find another town or village. Find out what you can about the area and about their problems with slavers, bandits, and dragon men."
"So what are we doing? I am no good at healing others, never needed the skill before. Who do we have here with us, Hegron, Urdrsk, Maqan, and Amelia. Let's get out there and see what we can find. Come on!" She says excitedly and rearing to go.
Urdrsk looks back to the Chief at Arms. "Мені так багато сказати. Щоб сказати батькові. Я дізнався про давнє минуле нашого клану. Я сподіваюся розповісти вам про це колись. Скажи батькові, що я добре."
The dwarf salutes the clan's Chief at Arms, and follows the emerald halfling.
"Let us go then" - Hegron nods, retrieves his gear and some travelling rations, bids 'see you later' to Albius and Alda, and follows after the others.
"I have to healing skills outside of simple bandaging. But I promise Saronis I'd remain with those we saved." Maqan stated. "however I'm not sure I can just sit around..." She sighed as she crossed her arms. "Maybe I could leave a note with my brother for Saronis." She decided. "Go on ahead. I'll catch up once I finish the note." She told the group before she left to find something to write on and something to write with.
The Chief at Arms quickly moves into Urdrsk's way, and urgently speaks to Urdrsk.
The Chief at Arms seems alarmed by what Urdrsk says.
Maqan leaves a verbal message with your brother which might take a few rounds, finding paper might take minutes or more...
Urdrsk is delivered to a middle-aged dwarf, one of the clan's sages. In dwarven, the former miner explains to those within earshot, of the Ward Stone, it's purpose and the earliest members of Clan Stoneward's connection to it. Urdrsk goes on to described the mausoleums and tombs under their feet and the famous members of that necropolis. The dwarven hero goes on to explain his experience in the tombs, how he got a masterwork dwarven waraxe, the betrayal by Saronis's sister, and the harrowing journey back to the surface.
the dwarves ask questions and you relay what you know. Soon enough in another 20 minutes you are on your way. Plenty of time for Maqan to find paper, quill, and ink to make her note.
Then if nothing else you are on your way.
Urdrsk humbly asks his fellow Stonewards to borrow a suit of armor, whatever they can spare.
Maqan took a moment to speak with some of the dwarves who had been fighting. "When this all first started, did any of you see which way some might have run off to?" She asked. "There where also others that have been taken... Do we have any idea the full extent of that yet?"
It seems to be a complex maze of tunnels. There is a section for their homes, smelting, forging, farming mushrooms and other tubular plants. The brew hall seems to be the largest room. There is a general store of sorts.
The dwarves don't seem to understand what you are saying Maqan, "Who 'some' might have run off to? We don't know where others of your village were taken. That was one of the purposes of sending out a scout."
Some of the dwarves pull out a medium armor made of metal that is cheapest for Urdrsk.
Amelia gives her brothers a huuuuuuuge hug and a kiss on the cheek each before blasting them with a plethora of questions.
Are ya both OK? have either of ye seen our parents eh? What happened here? Is tha house okay? How did ye manage ta get away? OMG I saw this lady's life when I touched this sarcophagus and she had something ta do with making the gem that we went to check on, an I met that lady Jade and a big talking rock that granted wishes, but I think the wishes had a twist of sorts. I'm so glad ye'r alright. She turns and shouts toward Jade.
HEY, JADE, come here an meet my family! Well, half of it anyway!
Amelia seems content to ignore the more militaristic and logistical talk between the dwarves and the other members.
After grabbing his gear and meager rations, Hegron is mostly ready to leave, but he does stop by the general store to make sure he can get additional provisions - "It may be useful to obtain extra travelling rations" - he comments with his companions as they approach the store.
"Well met" - he greets the shopkeeper with a nod - "I am looking for travelling provisions, mainly preserved food. Would you have any for sale?"
Amelia's brothers respond just as fast and asking their own questions, "Yeah we are good. Nope, when the bandits came through da was in the fields and ma was in town. Bandits. The house may have not been burned to the ground. It was lit as we were being drug away. Dwarves saved us. Tell us more. What else happened? You got to find ma and da. Who is Jade, she is pretty! what happens now? Don't leave us again!"
---
The shop keeper nods his head and brings over several packages of rations in wax paper. "How many you want? I have at least 20 of em."
She comes over and pats them on the head, even giving hand shakes if they like. Once you are all done talking she says, "What?"
The shop keeper nods his head and brings over several packages of rations in wax paper. "How many you want? I have at least 20 of em."
"Hmmmm, I have already five packed, and I should be able to forage some if needed" - he ponders - "I will have another five please. And thank you. My name is Hegron"
Maqan gave a small nod to the dwarves as a form of thanks before she left then to check on the others. She found Hegron buy some rations. "Hey." She said some what somberly. "How is everything going for you?"
"Nice to meet you Hegron, the name is Merrick, that will be 5 silver." The dwarf shakes your hand and then gets three more rations for you.
Maqan gave a small nod to the dwarves as a form of thanks before she left then to check on the others. She found Hegron buy some rations. "Hey." She said some what somberly. "How is everything going for you?"
"I am glad Alda and Albus are safe" - he nods back - "But so many others have been wounded or killed... And without anyone understanding why... I don't know what to think, but I know I cannot just stand idly by and let them harm the people or the place which welcomed me, and offered me a home" - the half-orc seems resolute - "Even more so, after..." - Hegron pauses and stares as his own strong, knotted hands, flexing them, and feeling the strength.
Then he looks at the magical tatoo over his arms and back - "All this must have happened for a reason, don't you think?"
"Nice to meet you Hegron, the name is Merrick, that will be 5 silver." The dwarf shakes your hand and then gets three more rations for you.
"Thank you Master Merrick" - he pays the five silver - "I will hopefully see you soon, after my travels. Good luck and prosperity with your business" - he adds, then moves away with Maqan.
"But so many others have been wounded or killed... And without anyone understanding why... I don't know what to think, but I know I cannot just stand idly by and let them harm the people or the place which welcomed me, and offered me a home" - the half-orc seems resolute - "Even more so, after..." - Hegron pauses and stares as his own strong, knotted hands, flexing them, and feeling the strength.
Then he looks at the magical tattoo over his arms and back - "All this must have happened for a reason, don't you think?"
Urdrsk walks behind him, flexing his arms to stretch the armor more to his liking. "Thát's whàt Révéngé ìs for, Hègròn", the dwarf said with determination, his eyes staring into the horizon. "Ànd wé'ré gónná gìve ìt fòr áll thòsè ìnnócénts whò dìed."
"I believe some things are never avoidable. Death for example. But other things are from our choices. For example, the choice to fight and kill or fight and knock out." Maqan explained, hoping she was doing it well enough.
Maqan nodded to Urdrsk, in some form of agreement. "None of this would of happened if it wasn't for her taking the stone. This lies at her feet and she will answer for it."
"I am with you Master Stoneward" - Hegron nods at the dwarf, then turns to Maqan again - "It is true I have found myself sometimes torn between how to better use my fists, in the heat of combat.."
Maqan nodded to Urdrsk, in some form of agreement. "None of this would of happened if it wasn't for her taking the stone. This lies at her feet and she will answer for it."
"Her?"
The elf is not with you, nor is Amris. Right now your crew is Hegron, Urdrsk, Maqan, Amelia, and Jade.
Saronis has pretty good ears. Maybe he did hear Urdrsk. Or he senses the dwarf is talking $#|+ about his sister. Fantasy worlds are mysterious.
"Yeah, what Hegron said! What or Who Her?!" Jade quickly asks not knowing what they speak about.
"Well I can tell you, Saronis' daughter, the black maid of Ilnarissa is still on this plane of existance. I can use my monthly power to tell you where she is and how far away she is... to you. If you ask nicely. hmmmmm? I also accept shiny things if you ever want to treat me." The little fairy spouts out.
"Ì'll kèèp thàt ìn mìnd, sprìté", Urdrsk looks back to Kat. "Wé dwàrvès knòw whèrè mòst shìny stùff ìs bùrìed."
She rubs her hands together as if she is going to get some now and spouts out, "Yup, yep, yIP!"
"She stole the stone which protected the whole town. Then when we forced her to return it she used some form of magic to escape." Maqan explained further. "So she still has it and we have no idea where she is. So asking our fairy friend for help will likely be our saving grace."
"I think I understand..." - Hegron nods - "But for now, we need to make sure Sanctuary is safe, yes?" - he adds - "I am ready to depart. What about you?"
"As ready as I can be." Maqan said with a nod. "If Urdrsk is also ready to go. Then we'll likely be all set to head out."
In broken common the Cheif at Arms again asks, "As the rest of you are here for the mission. I want you to go down the main road, until you find another town or village. Find out what you can about the area and about their problems with slavers, bandits, and dragon men."
Urdrsk nods resolutely. "Thèn rètùrn hèrè tò rèpòrt."
"AYE! Now is there any thing else that ye would need before your off?" the dwarf in golden armor asks.
"I am ready to depart" - Hegron nods, then moves to head out.
"No, now let us hurry." Maqan said with a sigh. "The sooner we find another village the sooner we can returned."
The Chief at Arms escorts you out of the mines. Then he points out, "The only path that we really have used is the one connected with your village. So go that way and continue to follow it."
You take to the dirt path and quickly come upon your village. It seems the smoke has finally stopped for most of the buildings. The inn still stands but that is one of only a few left standing.
You don't see any villagers. Near the inn you see the rope and chain you left behind.
Urdrsk grim expression deepens as he walks through the destruction of Sanctuary. I'm gonna choke that elven b|+<h with my bare hands, the dwarf hero laments.
Watching the changing scenery, Urdrsk ponders out loud, "Òthèr thàn whàt's ùndèr thè mòùntàìn, Ì'vè névér bèèn thìs fár áwáy fròm Sánctùáry bèforè. Whàt àbòut yòù lòt?" The fighter askes his compainions.
Maqan simply shook her head at Urdrsk's question. "However I believe we are going the right way... It's hard to explain." Maqan said as they kept down the path. "I just can't believe this happened... Or the fact that we never even tried to leave before."