With a nod Bowen slips out the door first with his bow ready. He continues to look around scanning all the faces trying to see if any of them work for the Lumber Consortium. He motions to the rest when he doesn't see anyone new and continues on trying to keep an eye on all directions treating the village as if it were the forest. "At least there are no trees for them to jump down from or hide behind," he mumbles as he scans the surroundings.
"Do you mind if I get my dagger back...it is a bit small for you, afterall." Turnipin says.
"No problem," says Rall returning the dagger "I thought it was a letter opener. ... Say, how'd you do that floating dagger thing anyhow?"
...
"Okay, let's get these guys moving." Picking up his longsword, Rall points at the one not in Manacles. "On your feet. You try to run and the gnome's magic dagger is going to track you down and kill you in your sleep."
Turnipin:
Dunham moves from the enforcers back to the table where he was sitting. He mutters and stammers "where is my Ale? Do I have to kill someone around here to get me cup full of drink? Wench!!! Bring me a pint and make it quick!"
"No problem," says Rall returning the dagger "I thought it was a letter opener. ... Say, how'd you do that floating dagger thing anyhow?"
"Many and varied are my arcane masteries..." Turnipin says flamboyantly.
"Okay, let's get these guys moving." Picking up his longsword, Rall points at the one not in Manacles. "On your feet. You try to run and the gnome's magic dagger is going to track you down and kill you in your sleep."
Picking up on the idea, Turnipin hands the dagger back to the unseen servant and orders it to keep in line with the men.
Picking up on the idea, Turnipin hands the dagger back to the unseen servant and orders it to keep in line with the men.
Rall holds his longsword out in front of him and glares angrily at it "Now, why can't you do that!?" He says to the sword.
The sword does not answer.
Turnipin:
** spoiler omitted **Dunham moves from the enforcers back to the table where he was sitting. He mutters and stammers "where is my Ale? Do I have to kill someone around here to get me cup full of drink? Wench!!! Bring me a pint and make it quick!"
"Sir," Rall says to Dunham, fearing that the dwarf will not be joining them, "Are you sure you wouldn't be willing to help us? We need to take these men down the street, disarm them, take their possessions into safekeeping, and lock them up. We could really use your help"
Fee moves into position to follow everyone out of the tavern with the prisoners. He gets his sling out and a stone (still enchanted - they last 30 minutes) in hand. He does this surprisingly quiet.
Balnar shakes himself out of his guilt induced stupor.
"Right, I'll help on the escort."
He rapidly unties the knots on his axe cover and stows it. "Anyone who runs, I will assume wants to lose body parts."
"Patience," growls Frelda to Dunham as the dwarf calls for his ale, "You get blood everywhere and then expect quick service!" Without bothering to serve him, she returns to mopping up the floor.
Meanwhile the group 'escorting' their prisoners moves out into the street. No-one bothers them though there are now a couple of enforcers, scowling darkly, in the crowd. They make no threatening moves however. Picking on a lone deputy is one things, a group of armed and armored men is another altogether.
As they make their way down the street, the young half elven girl runs up to Bowen and walks besides him. Savram Vade walks just behind her.
"You're a ranger," she says excitedly, "My father is a ranger too. His name is Idris Eavewalker. He's very famous..."
Bowen has heard of Idris, a renowned elvish adventurer.
"Where are you taking them!" yells someone from the crowd.
"That stunt will just let them go again!" someone else calls out, no doubt referring to Magistrate Vamros Harg, a halfling.
"That stunt will just let them go again!" someone else calls out, no doubt referring to Magistrate Vamros Harg, a halfling.
"The most difficult aspect of true freedom is allowing the ignorant to speak freely. Truly enlightened know that the freedom of speech is often best practiced by not."
Fee hurries alongside Rall. "These people are all so angry. Why?"
Fee hurries alongside Rall. "These people are all so angry. Why?"
Rall thinks for a moment "We're like the smell coming out from a bakery when you're poor. We're reminding them of their hunger but without feeding their bellies ... they're hungry for safety and security and we're pretending to bring them that. Kind of the way I feel when you talk about your God."
Rall cuts off whatever the halfling is about to say in response "Let's get them inside ... they'll be time enough for talking later."
"You're a ranger," she says excitedly, "My father is a ranger too. His name is Idris Eavewalker. He's very famous..."
"His name is well known. They say he can move with the wind and talk with the wild nearly as well as my people," Bowen doesn't turn to look at her rather keeping an eye on all the enforcers he sees. "Though I'm sure I can learn many things from him... But I don't think you came to tell me your father and I have the same calling though, did you?"
Turnipin follows along as quickly as his stubby little legs will let him, keeping the unseen servant nearby (with the dagger), and wishing he could take 15 or 20 minutes to prepare a spell.
"Though I'm sure I can learn many things from him... But I don't think you came to tell me your father and I have the same calling though, did you?"
Bowen
The young girl laughs and says, "I just wanted you to know I think you're great!"Then she skips away, Savram at her heels. She calls back loudly, "I'm gonna be just like you when I grow up!"
The party reaches the Tribunal without violence, though several of the enforcers, and there seem to be more with each step, glower.
As the prisoners are escorted inside, the diminutive Magistrate comes out yelling, "What is the meaning of this? What are you doing with these men?"
When he sees Rall, he grimaces.
"Are you responsible for this?"
The party reaches the Tribunal without violence, though several of the enforcers, and there seem to be more with each step, glower.
As the prisoners are escorted inside, the diminutive Magistrate comes out yelling, "What is the meaning of this? What are you doing with these men?"
When he sees Rall, he grimaces.
"Are you responsible for this?"
"You're a bit early magistrate. You can't cut them loose until they've actually been taken in," says Rall " ... And, no, I'm not responsible for this. These guys became responsible when they drew swords and attacked an officer of the law."
Rall makes his way inside.
"I saw the whole thing!" Fee says excitedly when he sees a brother halfling. He smiles so wide he is certain he'll need a cure minor wounds spell to mend his face.
"See I was trying to talk to that big ol' sneaky looking guy and then all these rough looking guys came in a started saying all this mean stuff about one of the serving girls and this fella and then weapons were drawn and the main guy, the bad guy doing all the threatening, his cloths turned the nicest shade of pink I've ever seen but it made him kind of look a bit sissy but that didn't detere him much because then they attacked him and then these guys joined in to defend him it sounded like a bunch of people were going to help us but they never showed up but it didn't matter because the main bad guy froze still and then fell over dead, I tried to save him, honest to Cayden Cailean I did, but he was gone but while I was down there he fell over and I did manage to save him, thank Cayden Cailean, then this dwarf jumped into the fray and more bad guys started dying and this big glowy person-like thingy seemed to block one bad guy and that dagger started floating over my head and he grabbed it but it was basically over because these guys gave up and that's how it happened." Fee pants for breath.
"Hi, my name is Fee, what's yours?" Fee rumages in his pockets, pulls out his lovly flint and steel set and offers it to the Magistrate since Halflings give gifts to each other as a form of greeting.
Bowens blinks a few times in a amazement and the string of words come flying out of the small halfling. He then on seeing the magistrate puts away his arrow but continues to hold his bow hoping not to get another lecture about bearing arms in town... "Stupid man fits in the pocket of the Consortium perfectly," Bowen mumbles just load enough to be heard but quite enough not to be fully understood referring to the magistrate of course.
"I saw the whole thing ... <SNIP> ... and that's how it happened." Fee pants for breath.
"I think Flea has explained everything clearly, your magistratedness," says Rall "Now, if you'll excuse us."
"Stupid man fits in the pocket of the Consortium perfectly,"
"Perfectly enough that he uses Kreed's balls as an armrest," mutters Rall back hoping that Fee's explanation has left the magistrate's ears ringing to much to overhear them.
"I think Flea has explained everything clearly, your magistratedness," says Rall "Now, if you'll excuse us."
"Flea?" Fee says, puzzled. "No, wait, my name is Fee," he corrects cheerfully.
Though he is clearly unhappy, the magistrate accepts the prisoners for the moment, under the charge of assault, and has Rall take them to one of the two cells located in the basement.
The magistrate also accepts the flint and steel from Fee, though to Fee’s mind, the fellow seems awfully serious and depressed for a halfling. For one thing, the magistrate offers nothing in return, other than a handshake, and seems to think Fee's gesture is amusing somehow. For another, he doesn’t seem all that talkative, he’s practically taciturn.
About the time that everything seems to be halfway sorted out, the sheriff arrives. Hearing the tale, he grimaces and shakes his head.
“This is a hornet’s nest. There’s no two ways about that son,” says Sheriff Baleson, speaking primarily to Rall. He appears to think and then suggests to the whole group, “It might be best if the lot of you spend the night here together in the Magistrates Hall. There’s some spare beds on the second floor. The morning may bring new council, but you won’t know if you’re killed in your sleep. The Gavel doesn’t take kindly to those who get in the way of his enforcers.”
Though Rall has a room nearby where he keeps some of his tools-of-the-trade, he figures the sheriff has it right. He'll bunk down in here tonight.
He eyes the building, "Is there an access to the roof? I'd much rather sleep in the open. Buildings give me terrible night wakes." After he says this he looks around again and eyes all of the enforcers that have shown up. "I think we should be safer inside, a crowd is good at hiding spineless assassins who find bravery in anonymity."
Turnipin says thanks, finds a quiet spot, and gets out his spell book. He spends 30 minutes muttering to himself and then puts the book away.
"If we are done for the day. I would be interested in hearing a little about the men I will be spending the evening with." Before Fee can say anything, the gnome waves vaguely in the direction of the humans and says "Starting with one of you if you please."
Balnar nods, "Thank you for your hospitality. Hopefully we can get this mess straightened out in the morning."
Turnipin says thanks, finds a quiet spot, and gets out his spell book. He spends 30 minutes muttering to himself and then puts the book away.
"If we are done for the day. I would be interested in hearing a little about the men I will be spending the evening with." Before Fee can say anything, the gnome waves vaguely in the direction of the humans and says "Starting with one of you if you please."
"Not much to say here ... I worked as a guardsman in Oppara but came to Falcon's Hollow for a change. I was under the mistaken impression that it would be a nice quiet place to find a pretty girl and raise a family. The sheriff was kind enough to take me on before letting me know how wrong I was," Rall says with a smile.
"Not much to say here ... I worked as a guardsman in Oppara but came to Falcon's Hollow for a change. I was under the mistaken impression that it would be a nice quiet place to find a pretty girl and raise a family. The sheriff was kind enough to take me on before letting me know how wrong I was," Rall says with a smile.
"Well met," Turnipin says.
"I am but a humble scribe with a propensity for the arcane arts. I've settled in Falcon's Hollow because of the rare and mystical wood that have been reported in these parts." Turnipin finishes his sort intorduction and looks toward the other big men.
Balnar places his axe head down in front of him, leaning on the grip as if it were a quarterstaff.
"The name's Balnar, sometimes folks in these parts call me the Frostblade. I'm a local, or as much as can be called one."
Pulling a local root out of his pack he begins to slowly chew it as he listens. He smirks as he looks to the Sheriff as Raff says his story and sees that the Sheriff knows more than he lets on about the young deputy, and as the giant man talks he just nods "I've always had a calling to help people... And I think I was led to this town for just that reason."
1d20+2=21 sense motive
Dunham has downed a few too many Ales and takes a nap at his table to shake off the grog. He starts to awaken when he thinks he hears something.
Dunham has downed a few too many Ales and takes a nap at his table to shake off the grog. He starts to awaken when he thinks he hears something.
What Dunham hears is the kindly, sweet serving girl shouting at him, "Get out of here, you worthless drunken dwarf! The Sitting Duck is a tavern, not a boarding house! You want to sleep find a room with a bed!"
It is after dark.
As soon as there is a moment of silence, Fee jumps up and says "My name is Fee Templefound because I was found at a temple. See how that works?" He pauses a moment, takes a deep breath and continues. "Ok, the short version: I am a wandering priest of Cayden Cailean
but my calling is towards his teachings on freedom, not wine. I came here because I heard there is a lot of oppression going on. So far I'm beginning to believe it since I couldn't even enjoy my tea before all this began...oh, yeah, that's all."
With supreme effort the halfling sits back down. If the magistrate is anywhere nearby Fee smiles at him.
"Well, that's us then. ... Anyone know anything about the dwarf who threw in with us?"
"I wouldn't say we fought well today ... not bad for strangers ... but we did not hesitate to come to each other's aid and that is saying something in this town. Thank you all for I would have died on the floor of that bar were it not for you."
"Well, that's us then. ... Anyone know anything about the dwarf who threw in with us?"
"I wouldn't say we fought well today ... not bad for strangers ... but we did not hesitate to come to each other's aid and that is saying something in this town. Thank you all for I would have died on the floor of that bar were it not for you."
"Usually I do not like to get involved with the towns politics but my conscious would have gotten the better of me if I wouldn't have jumped in to your rescue... That and I really wanted to let some aggravation out on those thugs." Looking around, "I am worried for this dwarf. I'm wondering if it is safe for anyone that stood up to them to be on their own tonight."
"I thought he left with us. Did he stay behind or did something happen to him on the way?"
Moonday morning dawns bright and fair. It promises to be a beautiful day. Long before dawn, the ‘Jacks head to the cuttings, their pay mostly spent. The town is a little slower to come alive but as the sun breaks upon the squallid little community, the streets slowly begin showing signs of movement and life.
Dunham
As Dnham looks over at his window (he’s on the second floor), he realizes that there is something there that should not be. With disgust, Dunham realizes that it is a dead cat, gutted and skinned and then tied up with a rope to the sash. The window is slightly open. There is a note upon the cat.
Written in block letters, the note reads, “Stunts that don’t know their place get skinned.”
Those that wake in the Magistrates Hall do so to the sound of raised voices. One of the voices is that of the Sheriff.
Looking over the banister of the upstairs hallway reveals the owner of the second voice. Surprisingly it is The Gavel, Thuldrin Kreed, the most powerful man in Falcon’s Hollow. Two large burly men stand just behind him, but their long swords are sheathed and their arms are folded.
“I don’t care what your problems are,” shouts Kreed, “I’ve been easy on you Sheriff up to this point but I expect action! He wasn’t home all night!”
“Maybe he got sick and tired of hearing your voice,” retorts the sheriff trying to stay calm, “I got one deputy, you’re men seem to take care of making sure I can’t retain help and now you want me to send the men I don’t have out into the wild. I just don’t have the men and I have other things that need done. I ain’t a nursemaid.”
“You got one deputy,” shouts Kreed, “send him!”
“What, so your enforcers can waylay him on the way?”
Rall feels his gut twisting into a knot with fear of what this man could do to him but ... something in his voice sounds earnest. He decides to at least hear him out. To the others he says "If you want to slip out without being seen, now is your chance."
Rall rubs the sleep from his eyes and presents himself before Kreed and the sheriff.
...I can’t retain help and now you want me to send the men I don’t have out into the wild. I just don’t have the men and I have other things that need done. I ain’t a nursemaid.”
“You got one deputy,” shouts Kreed, “send him!”
“What, so your...
Moving down the stairs Bowen walks up to the side of the Sheriff with no signs of just waking from his slumber.
"If you pardon my intrusion good Sheriff," He passes an uncaring eye at Thuldrin, "but it seems there may be a problem in the wilds. I know I have no true power but the wilds outside these walls I call my home and I may be able to help you."
Bowen adds as much infuses on the word you so Thuldrin knows it has nothing to do with him.
Fee's eyes get larger than a saucers. He runs over to his pallet, grabs his spear, and runs back. "All I need to do is pray for some spells and I'm ready," the Halfling whispers very loudly.
"It seems," says the Sheriff, "That Gavel Kreed's son has disappeared. The boy snuck out of his room last night and did not return in the morning. The Gavel thinks the boy might have left town."
When the Sheriff uses the word 'Gavel', he manages to make the word sound like an insult.
"It seems," says the Sheriff, "That Gavel Kreed's son has disappeared. The boy snuck out of his room last night and did not return in the morning. The Gavel thinks the boy might have left town."
When the Sheriff uses the word 'Gavel', he manages to make the word sound like an insult.
Rall, forgetting his animosity, immediately begins to pepper the man with questions: "How old is the boy? Excuse me for asking but could he have gotten it into his head to meet a girl? ... Was anything missing from his room? Did he take a horse or was anyone else missing from nearby? ... Anything suspicious that might suggest ... all the gods forbid ... foul play?"
Turnipin was standing quietly, not wanting to draw any attention to himself.
"It seems," says the Sheriff, "That Gavel Kreed's son has disappeared. The boy snuck out of his room last night and did not return in the morning. The Gavel thinks the boy might have left town."
Left town? he thinks to himself.
Turnipin steps forward and says "I too volunteer to find the man-child. I only need an hour or so to prepare."
In answer to Rall, Gavel Kreed growls, "I bet there was a girl, that no good half elven b..., that is,..." he composes himself a little, "The daughter of Idris Eavewalker. My son, who is eleven, spends a lot of time in her company. There are no horses gone. He has snuck out of his room before, but this is the first time he failed to return."
"Sheriff," Rall says "Despite any misunderstandings that may have occurred last night, I think this is worth looking into to."
Turning back to Kreed, Rall says "Chances are he will come back on his own but with all of us looking for him, we may be able to get him home faster."
"Perhaps friend Bowen could start at...Gavel's house and look for any signs of the youth's passage?" Turnipin offers. "Or we could start at this Idris Eavewalker's?"
To the Chronicler:
Dunham stretches a bit and ponders the significance of the carcass and the sinister nature of the note. He stumbles through his hazed mind and remembers the actions of the previous day. It dawns upon him as he ponders his current situation that perhaps he needs to find his band of friends if not for the reason that he knows he won't last long in this town alone. He relieves himself, wipes his beard clean, and grabs the cat. Perhaps the town Sheriff will know what to do about this "threat" and maybe point him into the right direction to search for his friends. He heads out the door of the inn and begins to look for any passer-bys for directions to the Sheriff or if anyone has seen any of his friends.
After listening to all the talking he ponders for a moment.
"Yes, I am sure we would be able to find the boy but as of wanting to come home that is a different subject entirely. Though I think this should allow a time of peace between your other children and all the people that were involved in an 'incident' yestereve. Or can you not control any of your children," Bowens eyes look as if they are made of steel as he stairs into Thuldrin's eyes.
"If you agree to these I'm sure the faster we get started the better chance we have of finding a fresh and clean trail."
“I understand there was some sort of misunderstanding last night,” says Kreed gruffly, not quite addressing Bowen, “I’ll see what I can do with clearing up that misunderstanding and seeing that it does not happen again. Be assured, my son is very important to me and whoever finds him and returns him, assuming that he does not find his own way home, will be well rewarded.”
“I am not a man to cross,” continues Kreed, “But I take good care of my friends,… and my family.” Then, turning on his heels, he strides from the room. His two large ‘companions’ go with him.
As Kreed leaves, a dwarf enters. It is Dunham, and for some reason he is carrying the skinned carcass of what appears to be a cat.