A map... a memento of my service but of a somewhat sensitive nature and an amulet, magical in nature. I'll provide a sketch of it if you take on the task.
The mage paces back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back while he continues to question the gnome, ”You mentioned that these ruins might have be inhabited by something other than humans. Can you elaborate on that?”
As the others spoke, Terion calmly enjoyed a hearty breakfast and listened - ”Yep. What Din said” - he added, between bites of boiled egg, seasoned only with salt and pepper.
I definitely heard goblin being yelled in the background. Wearing a bag on your head sharpens the ears to no end and I have a working knowledge of their tongue... and as for the rest? I remember when I first got to the place you rescued me from I smelt something indescribably foul... and no, it wasn't a skunk.
”One or two goblins don’t scare anyone” - the warrior grunted, proceeding with his breakfast - ”But usually those vermin band together. And when it is so, they pose a very real threat” - he added.
”As for the payment, and seeing as we have good references, I am thinking ten gold for each of us if we bring this Valanunthe back dead, and twenty five if we bring her alive. How’s that sound” - he added, cleansing his palate with a mug of ale.
Thats potentially quadruple what you earned on your last job... that's a very steep price increase. Let's say then the same for bringing her back dead, but increase the reward for a living captive along with the objects to that 25 each? That's what's called "pay for performance" these days.
Din nods his head in agreement at the gnome’s counter offer. He looks to his companions, ”Sounds fair to me. What say ye?”
As Brother Cwaenfluù would often say “Sarn has no head for figures. In fact, he has no head for much!” So Sarn tries to look like he has been following the arithmetic. After he feels the appropriate amount of time has passed in which to complete said arithmetic Sarn nods.
“Sure!”
"Sounds like we have a deal?" - Terion smiled after acknowledging Din and Sarn's agreement, and looked questioningly at Nilelane and Eddrikk.
Then you better persuade those that are in that location to give you a lead.
After the deal is struck Din retired to his chambers and began gather his gear and prepare his spells for the next day.
Before they all leave, Terion remembers something else - "About the amulet - anything we should know? I don't want to grab it to find out I did something to ruin its magic thingamajig" - he asked Fonkin.
The gnome thinks then grins If you don't wear it, then it won't have any effect... but if you do happen to put it on? I wouldn't recommend any self pleasure until you got used to wearing it. In any case, I imagine you've places to go and people to see. I will see you on your return.
You set out at midday and make good time towards the site of the ruined wagon. Such a structure would prove a defensive boon to any who would use it. Knowing its location, you make good time. Then you smell smoke, and see a thin column of smoke rising from that direction...
That can’t be anything good, Din thought as he scanned the horizon watching the dark stain rise into the air. ”Best be on our guard, he warned in his dry dry voice.
He stopped, stood motionless and continued to stare for another ten seconds. He slowly turned his head toward the thief, ”Nielane, it might be best if you scouted ahead.”
”Are we expecting anyone? Perhaps Gyrion’s other friends are also there to sleep?” Sarn says seriously. Dropping his pole and pack, Sarn strings his hunting bow. ”Or Tiny Tim has come to look for his father…” he finishes lamely, somewhat sadly thinking that now Tim is probably an orphan, his father hanging on a gallows pole.
Making sure that her more rattling and clanking friends are sufficiently far away she crawls through a bush and comes up next to a goblin look out... who's looking the wrong way. So far the goblin look out seems clueless as to Nilelane's presence.
Following his line of attention she can see a few goblins moving around the wagon, and something disturbingly akin to bits of yesterday's foes roasting over a fire.
The gnome thinks then grins If you don't wear it, then it won't have any effect... but if you do happen to put it on? I wouldn't recommend any self pleasure until you got used to wearing it. In any case, I imagine you've places to go and people to see. I will see you on your return.
"No self pleasure - got it" - Terion laughed, and bid his farewell to the gnome.
----
"Take no unnecessary risks Nielane" - Terion urged his companion, as she moved away into the underbrush.
Since coming to the surface Eddrikk has developed a fondness for three things, fighting, carousing, and sleeping. Having gotten his fill of the first two yesterday he enjoyed the latter until midday. Rousing from sleep in time to catch the end of the pay negotiations.
6 goblins... maybe. Might be more resting behind the wagon... and maybe another scout or look out.
"If you are looking to me for subtelty, you've got the wrong man unfortunately" - Terion chuckled at Nilelane - "But no harm in giving it a try though - worse comes to worse, we just have to fight it out plain and simple, so I am ready to go" - he added - "Or we can just try cowing them into surrendering?"
The mage shrugged, ”Or we could wait for them to move on or fall a sleep and deal with them. Ain’t much profit it dealing with these critters.” He nodded his head in agreement with his own suggestions and continued, ”We could even go around them and continue on our way with them none the wiser.”
Sarn rests his bow on the ground and leans on it.
”Din has the right of it. I do not look for fights. There is little to be gained, and much to be lost. I say we wait and see if they move on, or if possible, skirt them completely.”
"Only good goblin is a dead one," the dwarf says in a gruff tone, "but no point in risking our own lives... fer now
”When you turn to banditry becoming goblin food is a fitting end,” Din stated callously. ”Best make sure we don’t be joining them and skirt around the buggers then.” With a consensus formed Din takes his place in formation continuing the journey.
"Fair enough - let's find a way around" - Terion agreed, then headed off, trying to skirt around what he could as best remember might be the location of the wagon.
"Not a big fan of letting cannibals roaming around the region though..." - he grumbled - "Tomorrow they may be eating someone from the village"
... Good enough for my purposes.
Slowly working your way back away from can be now called a Goblin BBQ (it even looks like they are setting up smoking racks fashioned from branches) you swing wide by what you think is a mile or so, before angling back towards what you hope is the way you approached the ruins from last time.
And while there is a bit of muttered swearing and anxiously checking the position of the sun it appears you are back on track after an hour or so... and the sun is going down.
Din threw his pack to the ground and collapsed on top of it. He let out a deep sigh and remarked, ”Probably best if we have a cold camp tonight. We don’t want to attract any beasties.”
He rummaged through his pack and removed a smelly bit of cheese and some hard bread from it. Between mouthfuls he mutters, ”I can take first watch.”
Sarm likewise dumps his hear and plants his pole in the ground before collapsimg to sit next to it.
“Tired…” he mutters. ”I’ll take second watch…”. He looks up thoughtfully, and takes his pole down. ”No need to advertise…”
Wandering Monsters
Wandering Monsters
Wandering Monsters
A bear comes snuffling at the edge of camp. It seems confused as to if it wants to draw closer to the group sleeping on the ground. It clearly smells the party...
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:D
The mage tosses and turns in his sleep grateful he can no longer hear the dwarf’s snoring. He sleeps on unaware of the approaching bear and it’s attraction to his cheese laden breath.
“Hkkk…schnorpfl…..hkkk” breathes Sarn.
A crack of broken pottery and a as the campfire, largely coals, devours the oil like a greedy monster, and shoots a column of flame 10 feet into the air!
The bear startled, turns and runs into the darkness!
Sarn’s dream of an unsuitably clad tavern helper turns apocalyptic as the inn explodes into smithereens and his eyes open wide.
”Wha! Where?!?” He leaps up, clutching at his spear, blinded by the conflagration emanating from their campfire.
The mage slept through the inferno only to awoken by Sarn calling out. Din rolled over, never opening his eyes, and testily inquired, ”What are you going on about?”
The scorched surrounds about the fire pit, and patches of burning grass belie the statement but as the bear seems to have run (and may likely be still running) there is no reason not to try to sleep for another hour or so until dawn.
You break camp and make way towards the ruined keep.
You come to the outskirts.
Nilelane can see several tents but only 2 humans, laughing over a morning meal. The keep itself is semi intact. The walls have been much reduced but the ground floor, from you can see by a stout door way, looks intact.
There is a definite smell to the place... like the waste needs of many creatures are being met close by. Maybe there is a sewer pit?
Having some experience with large groups of people and communal if primitive waste facilities, Sarn scrunches up his nose.
”A latrine perhaps. Sometimes you can find a good treatise therein.” he offers conversationally.