Into the Dolmenwoods (Inactive)

Game Master Daniel Stewart

Dzim says at the Wolfmaster as he goes away, "It may...be judged indecent in me to come forward on this occasion; but when I see a fellow-creature about to perish through the cowardice of her pretended friends, I wish to be allowed to speak, that I may say what I know of her character. You may find your steady hand will be much more goblinaine than one of my comrades will be.”

I think she was a goblin and I think I made up the word goblinaine... meh it sounds good.

Siegen realises that he cannot catch the wolfmaster.

He snorts, not wasting any more breath on the arrogant creature.

He then says:

"There is still the windmill before us. Let us search there."

Searching the bodies comes up with a total of 16 silver and 23 copper plus a gold necklace that was on the "squire" looking like it might fetch around 50 silver at a pawnshop.
Inside the old windmill, the group comes across a locked chest. The chest itself seems to be nothing special, but the lock looks new and complex!

There seemed to be no regalia, no heraldry, nothing to symbolize who their enemy was. The woods seemed to keep their secret dearly. Amidst the dead though was a bit of coin, a fair necklace, and whatever equipment happened to still be worthwhile. It was Siegen who seemed to find the locked chest within the windmill, hidden away just out of sight.

"I think it is best to return back now, report our findings to the lord. I feel that this will not be the last incursion by those within the forest." Sigfried murmurs, hefting the chest onto his shoulder with both hands. The trip back would be a long walk but perhaps whatever reward they found in the chest would add to their payment by the noble count.

"Good idea. Let's head out before that thing comes back and brings friends".

Pickles follows in Sigfried's footsteps watching the chest, and dreaming how he will spend the riches inside.

It is full dark by the time the group has examined the corpses and the old windmill.

Sigfried struggles to see in the darkness that is there, his eyes scanning the battleground before he lets out a sigh.

"It would be best to hole up here for the night. I fear our enemy would be able to see us well. Help me move the dead out of the way, we'll start a small fire in the windmill."

Setting down the heavy chest, Sigfried gets to work dragging the bodies to the hillside that they ambushed from and pushing them down the sides. They would collect out of sight and out of mind. The only one he keeps close is that goddamn wolf. He had plans for that one once they returned back to town.

The large young magician says, "I concur Sigfried."

He then goes about collecting kindling and other materials for starting a nice warm fire.

Pickles tries to find any spent arrows that might still be usable, with Pup trying to make a game out of it, and returning to the halfling with all manner of sticks... including one almost too big for the pup to carry.

"Good boy! You've got a name now. 'sticks' is your new name".

He then searches the mill for a juicy rat or something to cook up as a reward for his new companion.

The night passes swiftly and you awake to a cold, but sunny morning. The trip back, with Robyn as your guide is both swift and uneventful. By late morning you make it back to the ruined farmstead and a few hours after lunch you arrive back at the town of Kolstoke. Robyn bids the group fare-thee-well and skitters off into the town. Standing in the area before the Kolstoke castle, you rest your weary feet for a few moments before carrying on.

The guards seem to know who you are and usher you into the inner bailey, where you see the Count, Lord Murkin, practicing with sword and shield against one of his men-at-arms. The duel is halted once the party arrives and the Count, doffing his helm, comes over to greet you.

"Ah my friends. What have you to report?"

He takes a long draw on a waterskin as you relate your story.

Dzhimburt bows to the Count and says, "Your Excellency, it is indeed an honor to meet you in the flesh. These fellows were most gracious by first setting me free and thence permitting me to tag along on their most serendipitous encounter."

The walk is relatively quiet back to the town of Kolstoke; the enemy was still out there and Sigfried could not help but feel like he was still being watched. Arriving back within the town, he thanks Robyn for their assistance before looking upon Castle Kolstoke. With no hesitation, the warrior makes his way towards the imposing fortress. The guards quickly usher them in towards the inner bailey where the count was practicing with one of his men.

Sigfried bows to the Count reverently, taking a moment to breathe before he spoke.

"My lord, we encountered the goblins in the forest nearby the farmstead. They were not random marauders though. They fought with trained beasts, tactics, and seemed that there was one riding a massive wolf and dressed in armor like that of a knight. I could not see their face and they wore no heraldry. The knight and the massive wolf escaped into the woods and they made it clear that they planned on fighting us more, my lord."

"Lord, Sigfried has the right of it. This was more than a simple raid. There was a plan. In addition, our companion Ziyad has disappeared."

Pickles notices that Sticks is looking for a place to make a bowel deposit, and tries to place himself between the pup and the Count to hide his business as he nods in agreement to Sigfried and Siegen's statements.

The Count takes in your report and a look of anger and concern crosses his face.

"So, they think this county will be easy to take, do they! Well they are going to be very surprised."

He stops talking for a moment and suddenly remembers the group.

"Ah yes. Well, that is for me and my troops to take care of, but I do still owe you all your rewards. Come to the keep tomorrow before noon and I shall have your reward ready for you. For tonight, I will pay for your stay at the Green Fairie here in town as well as a filling dinner. I must go now and clean up and consult with my captain. Good day, and thank you for your help."

The Count turned and leaves and the party is escorted to the Inn when one of the guards speak to the Innkeeper and pays for your stay and meals.

"Lord, thank you.", Siegen replies.

He turns to face his companions.

"Let us avail of the Count's hospitality. A well-earned respite."

"Thank you, my lord. We wish you a good evening." Once the nobility had exited the room, Sigfried rose back onto his feet. His body was tired even after their night sleeping; he was too restless concerned about their lost comrade and the enemy who got away. It was evident in the man's face now that appearances weren't nearly as needed. He was grateful for the escort in to the town and once more to the Green Fairie. Settling into a seat, Sigfried looks amidst his comrades with a sad smile as cups are brought out to them.

"A toast to Ziyad! May he be safe even in the clutches of the enemy!" The words are more to reassure the caring warrior, who clinks drinks with whomever is willing and eagerly eats his meal. The hearty, warm food is a wonderful change from the hard and mostly tasteless rations that he had been eating the day before. Once he is finished, he looks to the assembled men and their newfound friend.

"Dzhim, you fought with us when it was not needed. I thank you for that. I do not think I am alone in saying that you should have a share of the reward we will be receiving tomorrow. Your help was crucial in the battles and I thank you for it." Sigfried finishes his glass of ale, wiping the froth from his mouth as he leans in. "We're a ragtag group but your magical skills could be incredibly good. Would you join us?"

The large magician sits down with the group and orders himself a rye, to calm his nerves down from all of the excitement of the day, he nods and blushes when Sigfried speaks to him directly and says, "The group was gracious enough to set me free, my sorcery seemed to be most helpful. Joining your group on a more permanent basis shall grant me the opportunity to put my enchantments to the test more often. I think I shall accept membership in your band."

He then orders from the bar keep a whole bottle of rye whiskey and poors everyone a glass and says, "The wolf master is a coward and we shall indeed run him through before this foul set of events shall be concluded."

The party enjoys a good warm meal and plenty of drink. The locals keep them plied with liquor in exchange for the tale of their adventure. After the sixth telling of the story, most of the townspeople had heard of your success against the goblin knight and his squires. You go to bed feeling like you have helped the locals against a possible great threat.

That night, your dreams feel particularly vivid...almost real and you awake with the lingering knowledge that perhaps the dreams were some sort of sending or prediction.

Dzimburt within his dream nonchalantly retorts,

Sigfried wakes from his dream with a start, his eyes wide and his heart hammering in his chest. Clenching a fist over that quick, thumping muscle, he would take a moment to breathe and calm himself. Light filtered in through the window of his room, his eyes staring at how the little bits of dust flitter through the air. The smell of food cooking downstairs was a small distraction but the vivid nature of his dream was too strong to disappear away.

"Was that a vision? Is my master still alive, even now?" His task with the count was done for now but the mystery of those forboding woods still remained. Rising from his bed, he shook his dark mane of hair and made his way downstairs. The serving wench gave him a shy, flirtatious smile as he settled on one of the chairs and awaited his comrades. Once they came down, he would've ordered a hearty breakfast of eggs, bread, water, and fruits if the tavern had them available.

"Friends, did you sleep well?" Sigfried asked, unaware of how interesting of a question that was to ask. "Once we eat, I will take the chest to the locksmith and work out a deal with them to get this open. Then we shall go see the Count, receive our reward, and perhaps there'll be more work for us." He was certain that the lord of the land would not take the threat of the forest lightly and would need men at arms to fight. Mercenary work was not so prestigious but it was good work to make a name for oneself.

While the group arrives for breakfast they notice a stranger already in the tavern room. The regulars seem to be keeping their distance from him, much like they did before you proved your worth by saving young Kenny.

The dream still echos in my head.

Indeed, it's been some time since my head has been full of anything -but- that. I hope this place will provide some answers. Or perhaps, salvation!

Anxious to let my body chew on something other than the strange fate ordained for me, I order things both familiar and filling. Though I am not normally one to indulge when I break my fast, this morning a great steaming bowl of porridge is accompanied in battle by a hefty platter of steaming eggs. The heavy squadron is complete with a great mug of early ale, and I attack the trio with the gusto of a desperate man who knows not when he'll see food again.

Maybe I'll get a visitation from one of the phantoms of my dream? You never know.

Pickles wakes up on the verge of crying out. Sticks sets atop his chest whimpering and tentatively licking his nose as he comes to full wakefulness.

"There, there now pup. It was just a dream... no a nightmare. I know you would never betray me, and I would... probably... never betray my friends. Let's go see what's for first Breakfast".

Dzhim wakes up and shrugs off said dream and makes his way down for breakfast, dark rye bread, butter, fruit and sausages sound delightful.

He then finds his companions at the table and says to the server, "May I could have some dark rye bread with the seasonal fruit with some sausages with a side of spicy mustard. Some kind of juice or mayhaps schnaps would be heavenly?"

To all my Canadian Friends...Happy Thanksgiving!

Your breakfasts arrive and, with only one other patron in the room, you are able to eat in peace. The food this morning tastes especially good, and you savour the flavours as you think on the weird dreams you had the night before.

You finally finish and begin to gather your things to visit the Count at the keep. The strange still remain seated where you noticed him when you arrived. He looks tired and worn, but also a strange intensity surrounds the fellow.

Dzimburt says, "We shan't want to waste the morning."

"Schnaps? They have schnaps here? Confound I was not aware of that. You, sir, are a blessed avatar of all that is right and good in this world!" he calls out to the man who was bold enough to venture into the deep end of the beverage list.

"Indeed indeed, Server! If schnaps are to be had let me also take a stand of the powerful beverage, and allow me to pay for that mans' breakfast, for he hast brought me wisdom more worthy than mere gold."

He salutes the schnaps-savior with his ale cup in recognition.

Sigfried stops at the sight of the strange man who was sitting there by himself, being given the somewhat cold shoulder by the town. Him and his compatriots had been given the same treatment when they first arrived before they had rescued the local boy and began to work with the local lord.

"Hail, friend. Your generosity to my new friend Dzhim is appreciated. I am Sigfried the Strong. What brings you so close to the Dolmenwoods?"

Dzhim coughs as he notices he is being beckoned and says, "Salve! Mine name is Dzhimburt the Nose, I do thank you for your genorosity, however, the Count has prepaid for my sustenance this morning. What pray tell is your name? I would dane to recommend the cinnamon schnaps fore it has a crafty bite that would knock the spider's webs out of your head if you had not had a pleasant sleep."

"Sláinte unto you sir! I am Father Connor Murphy. And nay, sir, Nay! A thousand times nay. I tap out and concede at the very mention of so potent a potable as cinnamon schnapps! Confound man the very mention of that name can clear the noses in a 50 foot radius!

Strange I know, but I can not rest until I sort its meaning."

Dzhim says, "на здоровье! and Thank You! Well do you normally spill out the contents of your rucksack on the floor for a bunch of strangers to see? It is a bit macabre to do so, we may have just imbibed schnapps together but I think it is too soon for us to be sharing our dreams with one another, Patrus."

"You had strange dreams, you say..." Sigfried ignored the wizard's apparent disinterest with the man's dreams, leaning in a little closer now with a frown. The man's description of what he had dreamed sounded remarkably like Sigfried and the others. It could also be a trick but his own strange dream lingered on him like the heaviest of smokes. "I too, had a strange dream last night. My master, he disappeared in these damnable woods. I have hoped to find him or, at least, what became of him."

"We are on our way to speak with the lord of these lands. Perhaps a reason why you were sent to find us will come in time?"

As you are finishing up your breakfast, the door opens and one of the Count's guards appears. He looks over the group and then nods towards the door.

"Alright let's get going. The Count is a busy man and should not be made to wait."

As the party gets up to leave the guard looks them over and then examines the other people in the room. Seeing the new traveller the guardsman seems somewhat surprised.

"You, over there! You are supposed to come as well, by order of the Count. Come on...we haven't got all day!"

To be fair, most people do not start talking about weird dreams to absolute strangers at a hotel breakfast.

Dzhim leaves a tip for their server and puts on his rucksack and follows.

He says, "A county is not normally as complicated as running a Duchy. We shan't keep His Excellency waiting."

To be fair, most people do not start talking about weird dreams to absolute strangers at a hotel breakfast.

Sheyeah! I wish! I just sat down to dinner at a new place last night and the guy across from me, within three sentences of meeting him, starting telling me how he was a ninja. Maybe we just hang out in different places... ;-)

"And when was the last time you spoke to your master, Sigfried the Strong? Mayhap you have experienced a premonition? Or perhaps your master is trapped in the ethereal plane and is trying to ask for help? You never know..."

Connor trails off as as courtly summons scoops him up in its imperial grasp. "Very good sir, very good! The winds of change are blowing and should not like to put to sea without a sail! Let us be about the things are about to be about!"

Father Murphy pays for his meal and follows the others out, anxious for the other shoe to drop.

Pickles pays little attention to all the chatter, concentrating instead on the playful nips of Sticks, and stuffing his chubby face with whatever comes to hand... even leftovers from other persons sittings.

"Master Tennon and I last spoke years ago, further west back in the Imperial Heartlands. He had found me on a farm and recognized my potential, taught my hands to wield a blade and shield rather than a hoe and shovel. He left for these woods on some...unknown quest. I had come here to find answers..." He silently thought over the priest's words; what could it all mean? What if it was a premonition? Was it a call for aid or a warning? He hated the complexity of magic and the strangeness of it all; sharp steel was as true as it was rigid. The door opens as the Count's men entered in to collect them, distracting Sigfried from his thoughts before he nodded.

"Of course, let us be on our way then." Sigfried murmured, collecting his things and making his way out into the morning light. The count had more business with them and there was still the locked chest that they needed to deal with. Why the man needed this stranger was also a curious thing.

The group is shown to the courtyard before the Count's keep. A table had been moved to the side of the yard, and a platoon of 12 guards in full ceremonial dress stand rigidly in orderly ranks as a sergeant of the Guard calls them to attention. At this time a soldier off to one side brings a trumpet to his lips and blows a single, pure note. As the sound echo's in the distance, the Count and two other men come out from the barracks, where they had been waiting. One is the Counts chamberlain and the other the commander of the Count's guard.

He steps up beside the table and looks the group over. As his eyes light upon Father Murphy, his face looks slightly astonished, but he retains his composure and steps forward.

"We are all here this morning to give our thanks to this brave group of adventurers. They were not only able to track down the villainous goblins that burned down the farmstead of one of our cotters, but they followed them and exacted our revenge upon them. For this, each of you will receive 100 silver pence in coin and the signate ring of House Murkin to show all your favour within my county."

Each of you is commanded to step forward and your reward is bestowed upon you.

Who is the Baron? The Baron is different than the Count.

Dzhimburt walks forward and tries his best to show the proper form of ettiquette, he then brings his feet together and clicks his heels together in a single motion as he speaks making a loud wood on wood sound, "Magister Junior Grade Dzhimburt the Nose, does hereby gratiously accept the honor of which you bestow upon me with much modesty and humility, your Excellency!"

He gratiously recieves his boon and nods his head with respect.

Whoops...should have been Count...fixed now

Father Murphy stands a bit sheepishly amidst the group, unsure what he should do as he wasn't part of the apparent festivities that went on aforehand.

As this ceremony seems to be a revel to commemorate a victory he feels he should hold his tongue, and not take away from those to whom the honor is directed.

"Woo hoo! Thanks! Pickles steps forward, and starts to hug the count, but then realizes that this is not proper courtesy, and instead Graciously accepts his rewards, and walks forward hands raised in celebration and acknowledgment of his heroics, before realizing there is really no adoring crowd to cheer him on, and stepping back into place with the remainder of his group... and Sticks of course.

Sigfried looks immediately caught off-guard by the ceremonial garb of the guards as well as the pomp and circumstance of the situation. He had become accustomed to the simpler life of mercenary work, not the noble customs that his mentor had trained him for. The horn is blown and soon after, the Count and two other men depart the barracks and approach. The murmurs at the tavern help identify which is which quickly; the count's chamberlain and the commander of the guard. Lifting his chin up and moving his shoulders back, Sigfried presents a strong and dignified appearance as best as he can considering his common clothing. Their deeds are called out for all to hear and a small smile creeps across his face.

"Are you watching, Master Tennon? I hope I am making you proud." He thinks quietly to himself, awaiting his turn to receive his reward from the count.

"Thank you, my lord." Sigfried says in deference, taking the ring from him and slipping it upon his finger. Such a gift was just as good as the silver pence that sat heavily within the coin purse. Once rewarded, he would step back an await the next step of celebration with the others.

As each of you is called up, the Count hands you your reward...even Friar Murphy is handed a pouch of silver and a ring. As he turns to go, the Count leans in and says something to the priest.

After the quickly whispered conservation, the Count addresses all those gathered.

"Let it be known that this group is in the good graces of Count Murkin and are heroes of Kolstoke."

With that final pronouncement, the Count and his people disperse, leaving the newly awarded 'heroes' to their own devices.

With their rewards in hand, Sigfried's smile grows larger. He looks back at the others and gives a nod towards the castle's entrance.

"Let us find the locksmith and see if that chest contained anything worthwhile. May our good fortune last." Turning towards Murphy, he gives a nod. "Be safe, good sir. May our paths cross again." With that, he would make his way back to the tavern with silver in hand to gather up the chest and bring it to the town's locksmith. Who knew what valuables laid within.

Dzhim responds, "That would be a grand idea."

He then turns to Murphy and says, "Good luck to you, padre, on your further path."

He then follows Sigfried.

Murphy nods and grins in silent acceptance of the pouch. Truly he did not feel entitled to any spoils or rewards for simply showing up, but this was a very unusual day. In the past he had seen other men being given things they did not want or earn, and attempt to ward them off, but the words, no matter how good natured, inevitably insulted the gift-giver, so he held his tongue and waited for more explanation.

That there was a dream in the offing seemed to tie the whole episode together. For one man to have a dream was simple happenstance, perhaps the cause of too much drink. But for two? Or more? To have dreams that made an interwoven tale? That can only be the hand of divinity at work.

The closest to an actual locksmith in town is a tinker by the name of Johanna Faust. Johanna works with her husband, the local smith, taking care of the more delicate or intricate work that comes their way.

The blacksmith is located a short distance from the keep's gate, and you can hear the clang of the smith working.