Seeing that her shot did not distract the tatzlwyrm from the paladin, Rhasadilara will fire again, going for a hit rather than a killing shot this time. She will close into melee, drawing her sword as she goes. She will drop her bow after taking the shot and before she starts moving.
Calinder distracted by the tatzlwyrm's hissing, defensive posture, is caught by suprise when Gorguk and Durok rush at the wyrm that they first saw sleeping.
Calinder will draw his crossbow off his back and then cast Magic Weapon on the crossbow now in his hand.
Barnabus sees the tide of combat shift and quickly determines that his magic is un needed.
Rhasadilara will keep the arrow nocked and move to join the paladin, shaking her head at his prowess. "So very glad you are on our side. That was impressive."
Gorguk wipes the gore off of his blade and turns to Durok to see what the extent of the damage is to him. Finding that most of the blood was the creatures, Gorguk relaxes a bit before resting a hand on Durok's flank and letting some of his healing flow through him.
Lay on hands
Once that is completed Gorguk will turn to the rest and see how they fared. Hearing Rhasa Gorguk responds, Actually I think that it was Durok who did most of the hard part. With Barnabus giving me the extra reach the combat was straight forward for myself. Your shot was well placed and allowed us to still these creatures quickly. I am glad is was quick for them. Since we needed to clear them out I had hoped it would be quick and relatively painless as possible. Thanks for your accolades though Rhasa.
Gorguk starts to tear apart the den both to make it easier to cross and to prevent some other creature from claiming it as its home. Will leave the searching of it to others though for any loot.
Cal, didn't you say that Oleg wanted a wyrm for a decoration? Do you think you can preserve the body of one of them or perhaps on the morrow preserve the body? Then we can deliver the wyrm when we have time.
Grinning, "Maybe I was talking to the horse, sir knight."
"I know not a spell tah preserve such, I can help look amongst tha river with Gozrehs hex I can fall but can slow myself then fly free o tha water, ....risk not yourselves in danger...but first is anyone injured?"
Rhasadilara looks from Barnabus to Gorguk to Calinder. "Was language was that in? I didn't understand a word! Barnabus, did you take a blow to the head?"
"Gorguk, yes I have the ability to preserve a corpse through a power that Erastil will grant me if I ask for it, next time I meditate."
Looking at the ring, Rhasadilara offers, "Someone might know who this was. He might have family that still wonders what happened to him. Is there anything you might be able to learn from the body, Calinder?"
I think that Barnabus is talking about flying just so he can dive into the water. Why I don't know but sounds like it could be fun. As far as the ring goes, it could be a clue to his or her identity but by the state of the body it could be someone dead for years. If there is an inscription on it then we have a chance to discover its origin but beyond that I am out of ideas.
Although it is rather obvious that the explorer met his end due to the tatzlwyrms, Calinder examines the remains to see if there is anything else that can be learned.
....
"A scroll tube. I would expect something important in one so tightly made." She holds it up to Calinder or Barnabus, whoever is closer. "What do you make of this?"
The other items she will put in Sunset's saddlebags unless someone else wishes to carry them.
As much as I would like to see what is inside, perhaps we should return and open it with Lothar present. He may have an idea of what is inside or can decipher any writings. Plus we can open it in a relatively safe environment rather than out here in the wilderness. If everyone agrees, then Rhasa would you make our way back to the fort.
"We have accomplished much in brief days let us ride hard fer tha fort an see wha is tah be seen."
Rhasadilara nods at the paladin's wisdom and packs the scroll tube with the rest of the items. climbing into the saddle, she leads out when the rest of the group is ready.
Gorguk follows quickly as well taking one last look back to make sure the area is clear before moving on. AS they travel, Gorguk liberally uses his lay on hands to push the horses and remove the fatigue they may feel after a long arduous journey such as this.
Calinder at his next opportunity to meditate and ask Erastil for his aid and gifts of power, Calinder ask for the ability to preserve the physical remains of the tatzlwyrms and the ability to detect magical auras.
Calinder then stands over the remains of the two wyrms, much as he did with Tuskgutter, and asks Erastil to preserve the remains while they travel.
During the first day's journey back to the fort, Calinder ponders what the scroll tube may contain. It could be an arcane or divine power ready to be used by just reading and completing the mostly prepared casting.
It could be a long lost message of some great import that could have turned the tide of history for this part of the world.
Or, it may just be the personal journal of the explorer and meant much to him and so was kept well protected.
Gorguk is right though, the fort is probably the best place to examine it.
That night in camp, Calinder goes over his notes for their latest exploration of this new area. He thinks back on their new friend the exiled boggard, the statue and shrine to Erastil where they felt such peace, and the battle with the tatzlwyrms and the finding of the deceased explorer.
He then says, "Rhasadilara, can I please see the objects that were recovered from the deceased explorer?"
If Rhasa gives the objects to Calinder, he lays them out carefully in front of him and then prepares to use one of the daily powers granted to him by Erastil.
Calinder chants quietly to himself and waving a hand over the objects, he then picks up or visually examines each concentrating very carefully.
Rhasadilara retrieves the items as requested.
Lothar found himself standing in the middle of the fort's courtyard, surrounded by former bandits going about their daily routines, his expression more serious than usual. By all rights, he should be happy with what he was seeing. A greater number of the Stag Lord's men had been receptive to the Wardens offer of redemption than he initially believed would. This was, after all, an embodiment of the Iroran ideal in improving upon one's self. And though the magician felt a measure of pride at what he was witnessing, something else gnawing at his sense of well-being, something that he he was having a hard time figuring out, even with his considerable intellect.
Perhaps I'm dwelling too much on spiritual matters. The Vudran shook his head at the thought, somewhat surprised that the thought had even entered his head. What brought that on?
You are perhaps dumbest smart man I've ever met, Lothar.
Lothar looked up, seeking out the speaker, half expecting the Old Man to be standing close by.
He was sorely disappointed.
Striding toward him, the other inhabitants of the fort oblivious to his presence as he made his way through the throng, was a powerfully built man in black armor. As the magician watched his approach, he noted the eerie grace of movement that was incongruous to the being's size. The pommels of a pair of swords peeked over the man's shoulders.
Who are you and why do you torment me so? Lothar stood his ground, defiant in the face of this strange visitor.
The expression on the face of the larger man became a twisted sneer. My identity is one you already know, assassin. You merely deny that which your soul already knows. Cast off this facade and see yourself for what you truly are.
Lothar glared up at the man that towered over him. And that would be?
Its smile growing larger, something lunged from over the dark man's shoulder, catching the magician completely flat-footed. Lothar had been stabbed by the six-segmented tail of a scorpion, the sting piercing him through armor and flesh. The pain Lothar felt was excruciating. He felt first an intense burning inside. Then that gave way to a cold so great as to cause his body to go numb.
A murderer.
Lothar struggled to speak. I...am...no murderer. The Vudran moaned as he felt himself be lifted by the dark man's scorpion tail.
There is one who would disagree with you.
And at that moment, Lothar found himself standing over himself as he stared into the face of the bandit from the tunnel. He was being made to witness the moment play itself out again, Lothar taking the man's life using his knowledge of pressure points and ki flow.
Why...?
The Stabbing Beast laughed cruelly, his pleasure obvious in the face of Lothar's suffering. It is not I doing this to you. It is you doing this to yourself. You who deny the truth. I am merely enjoying the torment you inflict upon yourself. Accept the truth of yourself and the pain will stop. Continue to deny it and the torment you feel will only grow worse. The choice, as always, is yours.
Lothar's vision darkened, the pain too much for him to bear. When he next opened his eyes, the magician found himself staring at a tiny black scorpion on the ground attempting to scuttle away from him. His first impulse was to stomp it into nonexistence, but the thought was immediately cast aside.
He was no murderer and Lothar would prove it by letting the creature live.
Rhasadilara reins in and rests her hands on the pommel of the saddle, appraising the stranger on the wall. She does not respond as she waits for the rest of the travelers to catch up. I presume I know how he would react to my possible responses. How will he react to no response at all?
Hearing the sentry call out, Lothar put aside his issues to deal with the matter at hand. Ignoring the scorpion, the magician hurried quickly up the nearest walkway to reach the sentry's position. Shielding his eyes from the sun, Lothar cast gaze out over the wall.
Seeing the Vudrani's familiar face over the wall, Rhasadilara smiles. And waits.
Gorguk is slightly taken aback by an unfamiliar face calling out to them. He thought he would recognize those bandits that had reformed and lived at the fort. Standing up in his stirrups Gorguk calls out It is I, Gorguk Tsadok. I, along with my companions here and one Lothar Narda make up the Wardens of the Green. We have come back to our home after weeks of exploration of the wilderness preparing this great area for civilization. Now who are you that inquires as to who we are, since your are in our home and bastion?
Diplomacy if needed
Rhasadilara nods in acknowledgement, then rides toward the gate slowly to give them time to open it. She will dismount and lead Sunset in once the doors open.
Barnabus looks at the fresh faced lad on the top of the fort taking into consideration how he is armed and armored.
"Perhaps those in tha fort should be outfitted wit tha scalemail, an trained in tha longbow....."
Barnabus sniffs the air before heading inside.
"Do I smell rain?"
It would be nice if we could outift everyone in the same livery, but I think that is beyond our finances at this time.
Your guess at the weather is better than mine.
To Erin: I do indeed. They are my comrades. You sought confirmation of their identities rather than taking them at their word. Good job!
To whoever is manning the gate: Open the gate!
Barnabus notes the familiar and not so familiar faces in the fort.
He turns his attention to Calendar and adds...
"We ken now ask bout broken things which we ken repair wit a simple spell an save much labor."
Nods his head at Lothar in greeting.
Rhasa nods in acknowledgement to those within, but her first order of business is to get Sunset rubbed down. She will move toward the stable, appraising the work and trying to determine if it's in use or still being constructed. If it's in use, she will lead her horse into an available stall and start removing tack and rubbing him down. Otherwise, she will try to determine where the other horses are being kept and follow suit.
Upon hearing about the noble out hunting, Gorguk shakes his ahead and jsut smiles. The area is still untamed and would probably provide some good sport. I just hope he returns intact.
When it is mentioned that the lord will return to Oleg's Gorguk volunteers to accompany him. Not only will it show the settlers taht we wish to help and promote safety, but we have something to bring to Oleg as well.
Gorguk will let Rhasa fill Lothar in on the exploits while he attends to Durok. Once cleaned and taken care of, Gorguk will let Durok roam as he sees fit.
"He will not soon go out again, once he sees tha Tatzelwyrms!"
Calinder waves to Lothar when he appears at the top of the wall and nods in the direction of the new watchman.
When the gates are opened, he leads his horse into the new stable and begins to remove the tack from his horse and rub him down as he has seen Rhasa and Gorguk do many times. If a stable hand offers to help he will gladly accept the aid.
Once his horse has been taken care of, he finds Dyfrig and Lothar and greet them both with smiles, and says, "Dyfrig, the fort is looking great, you've all been hard at work while we we're gone and it shows."
"Lothar, so good to see that you've returned to us safely, and have rejoined us at our new settlement. Welcome home my friend."
One of the former bandits in in the new stables, watering the horses which are there. He offers to look after Sunset.
Rhasa gives the former bandit a long appraising look, then gives him a little shrug and a nod. "Sunset expects certain treatment on the rare occasions he gets to stay in a stable. Allow me to demonstrate and you let me know if you still want to."
She proceeds to provide directions in the care of her horse, storing his tack where indicated by the stablekeeper. She does not do anything 'unusual' in his upkeep, but she is thorough, including brushing him down twice, checking his hooves and teeth, etc. She makes sure he will allow the bandit to check and handle him before she pats the man on the back and gives him a genuine smile - probably the first she's ever bestowed on him. "Looks like he likes you and you have a job. If I can aid you somehow later, let me know."
She puts her face against that of Sunset and closes her eyes, whispering to him quietly in Elven, before heading out into the courtyard, carrying her personal gear and Sunset's saddlebags, where she's sure the watchful Vudrani waits patiently.
"I trust all was well here? The men seem to have made this quite the outpost. They've worked hard. We had some encounters while we were out, but the warrior of Erastil remains as devastating as ever and his steed is a formidable opponent even without his master. The rest of us had little need for our weapons. Have you a place where we can discuss this alone? I have some items you might find interesting."
@Calinder: It is good to be back. And welcome back to you as well.
Though he had not been standing there long, Lothar is not surprised that his partner was aware of his presence.
The upkeep of the place has been going very well, but it is nothing I can claim credit for. The foundation was laid by Gorguk, while the Lord Jothan-Sales built upon it.
Gorguk is a crusader, a shining knight for his god Erastil. He feels at home on the frontlines of the battlefield. Do not begrudge him that. The time shall come where his position as leader will forestall his ability to act in so decisive a manner. When those moments come, it will be then that our leader will need his Wardens the most.
The magician's dark expression took on a thoughtful mien as he began walking in the direction of the main gate.
I have not settled on a place to call my own here. But I suspect we can discuss whatever you wish beyond the walls of the keep.
Gorguk busies himself after Durok is taken care of by visiting with the inhabitants of the fort. In particular he spends time with Akiros to see how the man is doing and what his internal state is. Gorguk has not given up hope that he can find some inner peace. He eats Rhasa and Lothar have heir one and let's cal and Barnabus do what they want. There will be time enough tomorrow to work and they have deserved their rest.
Barnabus eventually makes his way to the barn as well removing all hinderances from the horse and hanging them near the stall. He checks both water and oats..hay for his mount.
He waves to Lothar and Rasha before heading to see if any are hurt or injured....