Brother Jacob stops midway in bandaging Siegen's wounds. "Oh," he mumbles, jamming his supplies back in his backpack, "it seems that the forces of evil were deluding us."
He then looks about at the rising water level.
"Um, we might want to vacate this damp hole. It seems to be getting quite a bit damper."
Jacob then helps up Siegen get off the ground and grabs his backpack, while running back into the transformed room to pick up his weapon.
Siegen gets up.
"That deceptive witch! Anyway, we are leaving this place. Kenny, come along now. It is time for you to go home!"
Siegen strides towards the crying boy and stands next to him.
"Kenny. It is *over*. Water is flowing into this chamber. If you stay here, you will drown. Come with us instead."
Seeing the rising water level, Brother Jacob shouts: "We can have detailed discussions later! Just grab the child and lets get out of here."
"Right you are, Jacob!", Siegen calls back.
He turns back to Kenny, sheathing his sword. Then he moves towards Kenny.
"Come on boy.", as he reaches to help Kenny up.
The strange woman and the phantom warriors both fade away, the scene shifting from one of awe into one of confusion. There was relief upon Siegfried's face to see that his allies were not as greviously harmed as he imagined.
"Perhaps it was the ethereal nature that so confused my technique. Maybe one of these fine men are skilled in the arcane and give me advive." He thinks to himself, resolute to not be such a burden the next time that blades are drawn and needed.
The rising water is a concern though and the warrior's face turns into a grimace. Sheathing his weapon and settling his shield upon his back, he approaches the young boy with the dwarf.
"Come home Kenny. A king of a well is no king at all. Let us bring you home." He offered quietly. While his voice was soft, he was more than willing to throw the boy over his shoulder and take him home forcefully. Children these days.
(8) Success
"It's a bit chilly out. Let's hurry home and get you a warm meal, and a good sleep. You're mom will be so happy to see you".
On the way out, muttered mostly to himself, "So, was that what I came here to find. Hardly what I'd hoped, but not far from the legends, I suppose."
Finally out of that well, Sigfried does what he can to wring out the well's water from his cold, soggy clothing.
"Ach, I'm chilled to the bone. Maybe we should light a fire?"
"We will find red fire to warm ourselves by back in town. I say we march now. Get this lad back to his family and ourselves out of these woods."
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Even with the darkened woods, you are easily able to find your way back to the town. You arrive at the tavern to a number of down-cast villagers. Upon seeing the young Kenny, they cheer and rush over to congratulate the party.
A much more festive air takes over the once gloomy tavern as the party is showered with warm food and drink. After awhile the villagers part and allow Kenny's parents to speak with the group.
"We cannot thank you enough for finding our Kenny! We do not have much to offer you in way of a reward, but I am a cobbler and the least I can do is make you each a set of sturdy footwear to show my gratitude."
The cobbler's wife then steps forward and hands you a white kerchief that is wrapped around an object.
"This has been in my family for some time...handed down from mother to daughter and, well since we have only a son, I would like you to have it."
Opening the square of linen you discover a silver and gold broach in the shape of a unicorn. It is amazing in its detail and craftsmanship...perhaps even beyond the ability of a human jeweller.
Brother Jacob seems relieved to get back to town and warms himself next to the fire in the tavern. When people stop to thank him, he humbly explains that it was a group effort. When offered a new pair of shoes, Jacob looks down at the soaked and ragged bandages covering his feet and nods in acceptance.
"Thank you Master Cobbler, a new pair of shoes would be much appreciated."
While he is surrounded by the other villagers, Jacob asks around to find out if anyone knows anything about either the structure with the bats or the hole (and its ghostly inhabitants) where they found the body.
Siegen eats and drinks heartily, making sure to get warm near a fire.
"You are welcome. My boots could use some work."
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When asked about the ruins, the local storyteller steps forward and tells the tale.
"That old ruin was once the home of some Eld Fae in times long past. A war with them was being fought and it was not going too well for our side until Sir Chyde and his army were able to break the back of the Cold Lord and send his 'frost elves' back to the realms they came from. Alas, Sir Chyde was mortally wounded in this final battle and was laid to rest in a great barrow."
"There was an apparition down there. Who might she have been?"
Siegfried trudged through the forest without complaint, even with the cold night air biting into his soaked clothing. Yet the trek, the young boy's tantrum, and the trouble with the phantasms beneath the well were all worth the look in the woman's eyes when she embraced her son. He couldn't help but smile at the scene, the tough and maybe even intimidating figure's appearance warming up.
When the cobbler offered to make them a sturdy pair of boots, he was tempted to say that the scene before him was reward enough. It would be the knightly thing to do but he was no knight yet. He had no stately income to support himself, to allow him to be properly chivalrous. He was still, as some would say, just a mercenary.
"In time, Siegfried, in time. We'll get there." The warrior thought to himself, shaking the man's hand. When he saw the treasure that the wife was offering, his eyes widened. Perhaps there was some benefit to mercenary work.
[b]"This...is beautiful craftmanship. Thank you."[b] He said honestly, delicately taking the broach in his hands. It was pristine, well-crafted, moreso than any blade he had the priviledge to lay eyes upon. Maybe it was something more? The others were already talking to some of the townspeople so he held his tongue for the moment, wanting their expertise on who may have crafted such a work of art...and how much it could be worth to them all.
Pickles sit back enjoying the praise heaped on the group. His dirty calloused bare feet propped up on a stool as he puffed on his long stemmed pipe.
"I always thought shoes were over-rated, but I never turn anything down offered for free".
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As the evening wears on, the townsfolk begin to depart for their own homes, until it is only the party left in the commons room of the Greene Fairie. The barman offers a final round, then he and the other staff begin to clean up and head for their own beds. It becomes quiet...the crackle of the dying fire the only sound now in the tavern.
[ooc]For this first adventure each party member has earned the following:
Battle of the Bats: 120xp
Fighting the figments: 200xp
Defeat the Phantom Princess: 500xp
Treasure Found and Won: 800xp
RolePlaying and Misc: 500xp
Total: 2120xp each
Treasure:
silver and gold broach in the shape of a unicorn: 500sp
Small chest covered in bat poo!: 125 sp, 2 gems (bloodstones-75sp each)
Brother Jacob looks approvingly around the group, glad to have survived the harrowing search for the boy and the encounter in the barrow. He then lets out a huge sneeze.
"Well, bless me, I think I caught a cold down there in the darkness. Barkeep, can you brew me a Hot Toddy or something of the like that will keep out this chill?"
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Eventually the inn began to grow quiet; the staff heading to their respective beds and it left just the heroes of the hour alone together. Just like Brother Jacob, he looked over his comrades with an approving smile before bringing a blanket for the sneezing cleric and clearing his throat to get their attention. Lifting his mug, he would speak.
"A toast to us, heroes of the day." It was a quiet thing as he clinked mugs with whoever was willing, finishing his ale before he continued. "We worked well together, I think. I would like to make a proposal to you all..." Siegfried continued, the dying fire being the only illumination around them.
"My mentor disappeared in these woods years ago on some great task, a task he could not tell me about. I have trained for years to come looking for him but upon arriving here...fear struck at my heart. These woods hold ancient secrets and even more ancient dangers..." Siegfried murmured, staring down into his empty glass for a moment. The somber moment only lasted for that moment before he spoke again. "Yet when others volunteered to find that young boy, I found my courage. I don't want to lose it, not when I still don't have my answers about what happened to him."
"My proposal is this; a joint venture. You are all obviously capable, courageous, and skilled. I know not what brings you all out to these dark woods but I believe that together, we could accomplish much than if we were alone. So...will you join me in this fellowship?"
Siegen gives the manling an approving look and then presents his ale mug to clink.
"I seek the past of my people. Ruins and word of strange dwarves in these woods. I ran out of coin by the time I got here and Brother Jacob-", he nods to the sneezing cleric - "-covered my first meal in this place. I have seen similar good character from the rest of ye, willing to risk life and limb for the boy. I would gladly journey with ye."
Siegen then takes a long sup of his ale.
"Doesn't sound boring... I'm in".
Brother Jacob listens to Sigfried's speech and silently considers it while the others chime in with their responses.
He finally gets up to address the group.
"I must tell you all something. I came here after making a terrible mistake and have been exiled from my fellow brothers of the faith. I am an outcast, an exile, an apostate. I came to the forest in search of redemption, but have not found it so far. Although I am honored that you would include me in your fellowship, I cannot accept. I must tread my own path until I can find some way back to salvation. I am just a liability until then."
Siegen turns to Brother Jacob.
"You are wrong, Brother Jacob. You helped save the lad. You are no coward. Stick with us."
Brother Jacob looks down at the ground listening to Siegen and Ziyad's comments. "I realize that I have done some good here, but I have not been absolved of my sins. That is a much longer road that I must travel and only the blood of the Martyred One can cleanse me."
He seems to intentionally not be mentioning anything about why he was exiled from his order.
"Brother Jacob, tell us then."
The priest meets the dwarf's eyes and looks like he is some emotional distress but finally his gaze returns back to the floor and he shakes his head.
"No, I don't think I am ready."
"I see. I will not rescind my words. I am happy to have you with us."
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On a bit of a sad note, the group lies down on the floor and benches in the commons room. The darkness slowly takes over as the glow of the fireplace dies into the night.
The morning comes quickly, and with a pounding on the Tavern's door. The party groggily wakes, stretching and shivering in the cold dawn light. The pounding continues and rushing from his room in the back, cursing and trying to pull on his trousers the owner, Abe, stumbles and hops to the door, unlatching it and ready to give whoever was bothering him so early an earful. When it did not happen, the group look over to where the man now quickly was reversing his direction...two well-armed and brightly garbed warriors in his wake.
Both of the soldiers are dressed in dark hose and a highly polished breastplate. Enamelled on the armour a family crest prominently is displayed. Each carries a 6-foot Halberd and shield, with a short sword and dagger hanging on opposite sides of their belt. They both stop a few steps into the common room and the older of the two calls out.
"All bend the knee for Lord Murkin, Count of Kolstoke."
Sweeping in after this announcement is a young man, perhaps in his early 20's in reach clothes and a long, flowing cloak in deep crimson.
Abe swiftly drops to a knee, keeping his head bowed.
Brother Jacob has been up for some time, quietly praying in the corner of the common room so as not to wake the others. At the sound of the knocking he looks about for the innkeeper, unsure whether to open the front door on his own. He is relieved when the man appears and opens the door.
Having had some experience with noblemen whom came to visit his distant monastery when he was young, the cleric quickly drops to both needs and lowers his head to the floor in a sign of utter supplication.
As one by one his comrades agreed to join him in his venture, a wide smile spread across his face. This was exactly what he had been hoping for. Ser Tennon had made it clear that one man was just one man; no hero was ever truly alone. If Siegfried hoped to find his mentor within the dark woods, he would need the help of everyone here. Yet it was Brother Jacob's refusal that caught him off-guard, drawing a frown across his face. It seemed that the holy man among them was not here for the most righteous of reasons.
The others tried to learn what it was that had occurred but Brother Jacob could not will himself to reveal it to them. Siegfried understood to a degree the shame; he had been too fearful to go off into the woods on his own. He could've braved the darkness if he had the strength of character but something held him back. Was it fear or was it the instinct for survival? He knew not but he knew that his shame ate away at him until today.
"You do not need to reveal your reasons Brother Jacob, not until you wish to. Like Ziyad said, we've all made mistakes. Perhaps...helping me will help you find your redemption? Sleep on it." The fires were quickly dying and soon their heat would be gone as well. Undoing his armor and helping Pickles do the same, he would take a little bit of time to maintain his weapons and gear in the fading light before laying down in the common room properly.
The banging of a heavy hand against the door stirred the young warrior from his deep sleep, a groan leaving him. It was too damn early and the ale had made his head swim just a bit. Sitting up, he rolled the aches out of his stiff muscles as Abe made his way to the door.
"Tell them to piss off Abe, too damn early for this..." Siegfried grumbled, rubbing his face. When the torrent of obscenities did not come flowing like a raging river, it drew his attention. As Abe backed into the room, the two warriors following in after him, Siegfried rose to his feet quickly and a hand instinctively went to the blade that rested upon the table. The announcement was made and Siegfried's eyes would widen until they were like saucers. "Nobility!? Here?! What in the name of the Gods is happening?" Siegfried thought, releasing the blade before quickly falling to one knee. His head bowed down respectfully, though his eyes tried to keep the guards and the young lord in his peripheral.
Siegen takes one look, realises that this is indeed the rightful liege lord of this place, and gets down on one knee.
A petty tyrant would receive a very different reception., Siegen muses to himself.