Loriel & Kayos:
Tyrion approaches Loriel saying, "Hail and well met Loriel. It's a beautiful day for a stroll is it not?"
Tyrion & Kayos
"'Tis a beatiful day indeed friend Tyrion!" Loriel is suprised to see the halfling in these parts. "What brings you out so far from Bronzewood Lodge pray tell?"
The strangler moves to try to grab at Kells again, seemingly enjoying that everyone keeps missing for fear of hurting the paladin. Zereta gives a small irritated growl and less gentle than the others she swings her oversized weapon cutting one of the eyeballs in two and sending the whole thing crashing to the floor utterly still.
Loriel & Kayos:
Tyrion smiles at Loriel and says, "Well it is such a beautiful day I thought I would take a walk to the Whispering Cairn. Some of the other members of the Lodge have talked about some interesting creatures that live in that area. I would love it if you joined me. What do you say?"
"Thanks, Zereta," Tobin says, with a smile. "I admire those who act decisively, though I'm not always able to do so myself." He glances briefly at the bloody mess on the floor, then shudders, and turns away to look around the group of assembled companions, weighing up their condition. "What now? Does everyone feel able to explore down here some more, or shall we head back to the mine building for a rest?"
"Thanks, Zereta," Tobin says, with a smile. "I admire those who act decisively, though I'm not always able to do so myself." He glances briefly at the bloody mess on the floor, then shudders, and turns away to look around the group of assembled companions, weighing up their condition. "What now? Does everyone feel able to explore down here some more, or shall we head back to the mine building for a rest?"
"Sounds like a plan Tobin," Kessel says, "I'd liked to have found something to show for our efforts, but I think we have lots to talk about."
Darie breathed deeply, quite glad to have survived the confrontation with the strange beast. While the disapproval of the clergymen was still weighing heavily on her, the relief of having stood that test outweighed it for the moment. "Yes, i agree. I hope there are not too many of these beasts lurking about, though. This one was tough enough." She grinned somewhat sheepishly. "I mean, we probably will have to go back soon, anyway. I don't have much food left, maybe three days if i stretch things out as much as i can" Truth be told, it was enough to eat well for one day, but going hungry for two wasn't such a bad thing.
"Perhaps a few of us could go back to retrieve supplies whilst the others make the mine office more like home or carefully explore a bit more of the mine" Khadath suggests.
"Jeny should get somewhere safe, she is too scared to be here" Zereta adds deceisively.
Kells rubs his neck and coughs a few times, enjoying the sensation of oxygen flooding back into his lungs. "What in the hells is it with this place and trying to strangle or crunch the air out of me?? I could do with a bit of a rest in a place that's not likely to throttle me in my sleep."
Kells rubs his neck and coughs a few times, enjoying the sensation of oxygen flooding back into his lungs. "What in the hells is it with this place and trying to strangle or crunch the air out of me?? I could do with a bit of a rest in a place that's not likely to throttle me in my sleep."
"No promises from me," Kessel jokes, "but I doubt I could squeeze with the strength of a python or strangler so I'm sure that even if I do try throttling you a little while you sleep it'll seem like a welcome respite from what you've come accustomed to in this place. Let's all return to the shack and get some rest."
Kayos & Loriel:
With Loriel out for the moment can we assume that we continue down the road to the cairn?
The group exit the cairn and back into the fresh air, away from the strange breezes and screaming horror of the tomb's inhabitants. As the party moves to head back towards the mine office they spot a couple of humanoid forms heading in their direction, one human sized the other a little shorter.
Tyrion & Loriel:
Kayos & Loriel:
Tyrion approaches the people coming up from the cairn. He looks everybody over as he gets closer noticing that they appear to have been having some difficulty down below. "Hail and well met gentlefolk! Have you been looking within the Whispering Cairn?" Tyrion stays a respectful distance from the strangers until they have been properly introduced.
Kayos & Loriel:
** spoiler omitted **
Tyrion approaches the people coming up from the cairn. He looks everybody over as he gets closer noticing that they appear to have been having some difficulty down below. "Hail and well met gentlefolk! Have you been looking within the Whispering Cairn?" Tyrion stays a respectful distance from the strangers until they have been properly introduced.
"We were indeed," Kessel says, anyone from Bronzewood lodge will recognize his deep rich voice, "but I fear we haven't had much luck. It seems as though the place was raided decades ago. We were just about to return to our camp, tell me, were you planing to try your luck in that place? Perhaps we should compare notes."
Tyrion looks apologetic for a moment,"I'm sorry I think I misspoke. This isn't the Whispering Cairn is it? I believe this one was looted long ago and the only thing you'll find down there is worth far less than any trouble you may find."
He motions motions down the road,"There is another cairn not to far from here called the Whispering cairn that I am travelling to. I've been told there are some interesting creatures there that I would be most interested in seeing."
"We were indeed," Kessel says, anyone from Bronzewood lodge will recognize his deep rich voice, "but I fear we haven't had much luck. It seems as though the place was raided decades ago. We were just about to return to our camp, tell me, were you planing to try your luck in that place? Perhaps we should compare notes."
Looking at Kessel he asks,"Excuse me my good sir but you sound very familiar to me. Have we met before?"
Darie paled a little bit when she heard they might be in the wrong place after all, but how likely was it? The cairn had had the spooky sounds which had been quite like someone whispering, and the (admittedly few) things of value they found did not look like worthless bauble. "I am sorry, but i think this is the whispering cairn, and you are probably mistaken" the large woman replied, a bit bashful
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Darie paled a little bit when she heard they might be in the wrong place after all, but how likely was it? The cairn had had the spooky sounds which had been quite like someone whispering, and the (admittedly few) things of value they found did not look like worthless bauble. "I am sorry, but i think this is the whispering cairn, and you are probably mistaken" the large woman replied, a bit bashful
Tyrion smiles at the woman,"Hmmm. Perhaps you are right young lady, I may be mistaken." He laughs at himslef,"Yet again!."
Tyrion sets his pack on the ground and rumages through it for a moment coming out with his tinder box. "Perhaps I can make it up to you. You all seem like you could use some rest and I love a good story. Please tell me about your trip into the cairn so far while I make you some tea." He gathers up some wood from nearby and sets about making a fire to boil some water. After removing a pot from his pack Tyrion motions to the others, "Please come sit with me and tell me your tale."
Kells nods at the new folk and shrugs. "Well, we may not have been pulling treasure up by the bucketload, but the Wispering Cair does seems to be far from empty. I've had a couple of ribs cracked and was nearly throttled by some vile little eye-ball creature. We've found some baubles. You might be thinking of Stirgenest Cairn a ways over... There are a group of adventurers striking out to plumb the depths of that place, but I don't think they'll find anything but the detestable little blood suckers."
Looking at Kessel he asks,"Excuse me my good sir but you sound very familiar to me. Have we met before?"
Kessel smiles, "there aren't many halflings in these hills, fewer still in Bronzewood, I've only been home for a few months but I think we crossed paths at least once sense I've been back. Tyrion was it? How do you do? I'm Kessel Cobey, although my sister Morra is probably better known to you . . . she's the ambitious one. Perhaps you'd care to join us at our camp, we have walls and a roof, little else, but it's better then a cave or tent in these wilds."
"Thank you for your offer. It is most appreciated." Tyrion gathers up what wood he has found and follows Kessel to their camp. When they get there he starts making a fire for tea.
"Your sister sounds familiar but I can't say that I recall anything in any great detail. But tell me more about this creature you encountered. It sounds as if you barely made it out the cairn with your life!" Once the tea has been brewed he offers some to any who wants it.
"Thank you for your offer. It is most appreciated." Tyrion gathers up what wood he has found and follows Kessel to their camp. When they get there he starts making a fire for tea.
"Your sister sounds familiar but I can't say that I recall anything in any great detail. But tell me more about this creature you encountered. It sounds as if you barely made it out the cairn with your life!" Once the tea has been brewed he offers some to any who wants it.
"You don't know Morra? She is sort of unforgettable. By human standards she's beautiful and ambitious, a promising and capable druid by most accounts, and a woman that's not exactly afraid to speak her mind. I love her, but then I have to, she's my twin, and some would say she got all the ambition."
"Now that you mention it i do seem to remember a woman of that desciption. I am myself newly inducted into the circle. You two do share a striking resemblance to each other. You say she is the ambitious one yet you are here and she is not, eh?"
Darie hesitated quite a bit when the tea was offered to her, and even eyed Kessel for a moment. Somehow, sharing such familiarity with strangers was... disheartening. She had grown used to her "adventuring companions" in a very short period of time, but even more new people brought back the Billown clanishness and her own reclusive nature all the more prominently.
Finally, she took the cup, though, and mumbled a "thank you" under her breath. Kessel seemed to know these people, so they'd probably be halfway decent folks - or so she hoped sincerely.
"Now that you mention it i do seem to remember a woman of that desciption. I am myself newly inducted into the circle. You two do share a striking resemblance to each other. You say she is the ambitious one yet you are here and she is not, eh?"
"I seek fuel and life for my music," Kessel says, speaking with his hands, and very much acting like an orator and story teller, "stories to tell, experiences that will improve my skills as a bard. Knowledge and song that I might share with my patrons to shorten the journey and quicken the night. I have no political aspirations. I don't want to be head of anything, mayor of anywhere, I don't even want fame or riches, living a quite life with my music, good food and wine, and perhaps a wife and a healthy brood of children would suit me just fine. Morra couldn't be happy with that. She needs to lead. She was born for it. She lead the way into the world and she's been looking to lead even sense."
Kessel glances to his companions.
"I really need to make some introductions, everyone this is Tyrion, Tyrion I'd like you to meet, Tobin, Kells, Darie, Zereta, Jeny, and Khadath. Who's your elven friend . . . he looks vaguely familiar."
"I seek fuel and life for my music," Kessel says, speaking with his hands, and very much acting like an orator and story teller, "stories to tell, experiences that will improve my skills as a bard. Knowledge and song that I might share with my patrons to shorten the journey and quicken the night. I have no political aspirations. I don't want to be head of anything, mayor of anywhere, I don't even want fame or riches, living a quite life with my music, good food and wine, and perhaps a wife and a healthy brood of children would suit me just fine. Morra couldn't be happy with that. She needs to lead. She was born for it. She lead the way into the world and she's been looking to lead even sense."
Upon reflection Tyrion says,"It is true you do not share your sisters ambitions but ambition can take many forms and travel many avenues. Chasing ones dreams can be an ambitious venture if those dreams are difficult to obtain."
After the introductions of Kessel's friends are done Tyrion nods and smiles."It is good to meet all of you. My friend here is Loriel of the Bronzewood Lodge. I know not why Loriel has traveled here but I found myself intrigued by the rumors of interesting..."wild" life in the area. I came to see for myself what creatures might inhabit the cairn. I am greatly interested in what you can tell me of this "eye" creature you happened upon." He quietly sips his tea as he waits for their reply.
After the halfling's introduction, the elf breaks his long silence. "Forgive my lack of manners. I am Loriel Gilded Leaf of Evermeet, late of the Bronzewood Lodge."
He turns to the bard, "Kessel Colby, we have not met, but you are the reason for my journey here today. When your sister Morra and I arrived in Daggerford, she was quite distressed to find you missing. 'Wandered off with no explanation!' is how she put it I think. She asked me to come out here and 'Check up on you' was the exact phrase. I suggest you get word of your continued good health back to her at Bronzewood Lodge at the soonest opportunity. Otherwise, she will probably come after you herself in a day or two, likely with half the Lodge in tow."
Kessel Rolls his dark eyes at the mention of his sister's antics, "that sounds like Morra," Kessel says, "she likes to think of herself as my keeper, but I doubt she could draw half the lodge for such a silly family affair, far too many strong independent thinkers . . . still," Kessel stops to scratch his chin, then he shakes his head and waves his hand in disgust, "no, I'm not going back. This is dangerous work, but it's the first time in months that I finally feel alive. I feel like I'm accomplishing something. My sister will have to wait!"
Kessel gladly accepts the tea from Tyrion.
"Now gentlemen," Kessel says to the new comers, "is it my understanding that you also wish to explore the Cairn?"
Tobin takes a sip of hot tea, then leans back against a nearby wall with a contented smile, stretching his legs out in front of him. "It really is most kind of you to make us this tea, Tyrion," he says. "In return, I offer you the sanctuary of the Daggerford Delvers' hideout!" With his free hand, Tobin gestures grandly at the run-down, derelict building. "You are most welcome, too, of course, Loriel, especially if you have Morra's remit to keep KC in check." He winks broadly at the elf, then takes another sip of tea.
"It really is most kind of you to make us this tea, Tyrion," he says. "In return, I offer you the sanctuary of the Daggerford Delvers' hideout!" With his free hand, Tobin gestures grandly at the run-down, derelict building. "You are most welcome, too, of course, Loriel, especially if you have Morra's remit to keep KC in check." He winks broadly at the elf, then takes another sip of tea.
"Humph," Kessel mutters.
Darie smiled at the halflings grandiose words. So now they had a proper "company name" and a hideout. It was like children playing bandits, only with them all fully grown and no parents to reprimand them for not behaving and thinking banditry was fun.
Her brothers and cousins probably were worried about her - either for her safety, or that she might bring dishonor and worse to the family. Maybe one would even come looking for her, too. Yet in that case, Tea was the last thing she expected to exchange with them.
She kept quiet, only occasionally sipping at the brew.
Smiling at Tobin,"Daggerford Delvers is it? Quite the clever name! And thank you again for your hospitality." Tyrion gestures around him,"It may not be a palace but it serves its purpose."
He turns to Kessel,"Maybe it would be a good idea to send word to your sister. Just to let her know you are alright."
Looking at the group assembled around him Tyrion asks,"So are you giong to be going back into the cairn?"
"I'm not traveling back to town just to suit her," Kessel says, "I've only been out of her clutches for a couple of days now. Besides she never had a problem with exploring when she was the one leading. I'm staying here thank you very much. So unless we happen across someone making their way back to town I guess Morra will half to do without me for a few more days. She's a tough lass, she's survive."
Loriel turns to Kessel and shrugs "Do as you will, friend. I have kept my promise to your sister to find you and ascertain your well being." He smiles slyly "Attempting to force you to return was never requested of me, nor would I have agreed to it."
As talk turns to supplies, Loriel excuses himself to 'have a quick look around.' He explores the immediate area around a the shack and returns about an hour or so later (assuming nothing exciting happens) with some berries, wild onions and a rabbit.
When Kessel declined going back to town, Darie nodded. Her own lack of supplies should not slow down the expedition. She had to pull her own weight, after all.
After another long gaze into her teacup, she added. "We need to. We're far from having enough salvage for me to move away from this place, and start living somewhere else." That was probably the most frank admission of her future plans yet... and in the presence of strangers, no less.
Kells says little while the others are talking. His neck is sore, his ribs still throb... he's not at his most social. He does enjoy the food the elf rounds up and offers genuine thanks for the tea, but he soon excuses himself and moves his bedroll over to a corner to rest.
After the group is having a meal of roasted rabbit and tea, Loriel asks "So what prompted you all to explore this old cairn? Have you discovered why it was built in the first place?"
Darie was eating from the meal with quite a good appetite, and her reserved behavior thawed rapidly. If anyone had drawn a parallel to a dog being friendly to whoever fed it, Darie would have been furious - at herself. But truthfully, the elf had just gained a major bit of appreciation.
"I am not certain, but what i remember would make it old. Older than the empire of Netheril. I am not a scholar, just a farmgirl. But.. well, what i heard might connect them with some noble creatures of elemental air." Darie answered between bites. "As for why, i think robbing the place blind before the Waterdhavians do so sums it up. Auric Talstag is a charming fellow, but... this is our Cairn, not Waterdeeps. They have their own catacombs." She chuckles. "And with that money, we might just get out of town. Not much holding me here anymore."
Strange, for her to say that. Anyone even halfway versed in the clanish farmer families surrounding the town of Daggerfort would recognize the Billowns as one of the most withdrawn ones. Their men and children attended market alright, and they attended any holiday of Lathander, but meeting "a Billown" rather than "the Billown family" was a noteworthy occasion.
Whilst you foraged well for your meal and are all happily full you're fairly certain that you should buy some more supplies from town to stock the cupboards if you're going to be using this place as a base of opporations whilst you explore the cairn.
After some lengthy discussions it's concluded that Zereta can go speak with Morra to stop her sending along a stream of people to chase up Kessel, besides she needs to check in on her father.
Khadath meanwhile has business with Liam Sunmist, the main lathandar cleric of the town that je needs to attend to, reporting on the expedition so far, and checking in to see if there are more important priestly matters to be checked in on.
Khadath or Zereta both promise that one of them will come back and dop of supplies for you.
Jeny meanwhile is still a little too scared to head into town, afraid she'll run into bandits or snap and kill things again. She's also quite scared of how dangerous the cairn is. She asks very nicely if she can stay at the mine office and do some tidying for you all whilst you explore.
"Of course you can stay if you want Jeny," Kessel says, "if you'd feel safer here by all means stay. And thank you Zereta for delivering my message . . . Morra can be bossy but I'm sure some of that is genuine concern."
"Well if you wouldn't mind another, I know my way around a bow pretty well." Loriel says holding up a rabbit leg. "Having a look around this cairn sounds rather interesting."
"Exploring the cairn is fascinating, Loriel," Tobin says, through a mouthful of rabbit, "particularly with sharp minds like Darie and KC around to explain some of the mysteries. It would be great to have you along - you, too, Tyrion, if you've a mind to it. I'm sure the place hasn't yielded up all its secrets yet, and I hope we'll find out more about the wind people who made it." He stretches, then clambers to his feet. "But that's for the morrow, I feel. With a hot meal in the belly, and our future provisioning in the capable hands of Khadath and Zereta, I think the only thing left for today is to get some rest!" Tobin shakes out his bedroll, and quickly settles himself in under his blanket.
"Thanks" jeny murmurs before finishing her food and settling herself out of the way to rest, soon fast asleep. Khadath and Zereta turn in a little while later, wanting to get an early start to get back to town. The evening draws on and eventually you all get down to rest and the morning soon comes.
Khadath and Zereta leave early and Jeny gets to work pulling rubble out of the delvers HQ.
I think we should continue on the same path we were exploring earlier. We should probably keep exploring the same area till we've discovered all we can see and then move onto the next area. That way we can be sure that we're not leaving anything important behind.
Kells wakes up feeling much better than he did when he went to sleep last night. He tries to be extra chatty to the new arrivals to make up for his stand-offishness last night. When Kessel mentions that he thinks they should continue on with the same area, Kells agrees. "I don't think we would be doing ourselves any favors doing a little here and a little there. Exhaust one passage completely then move to the next sounds like a good strategy."
Darie returned inside, having risen early, and gotten herself washed and cleaned up. She had a smile on her face, and a spring in her step. With supplies off her mind, and some more support down in the Cairn, she was even overlooking the nearly-argument with the priest she had yesterday.
She ruffled through her still-wet hair, and took a smile at Kells. "I think so too. There is no reason to fan out over a dozen entrances and follow none to the end."
Loriel greets the others brightly as they breakfast and make ready for a day of exploring the underground complex. "Have you encountered any boobytraps in your explorations so far?" he asks the others.
Tyrion wakes up early feeling refreshed from the long hike to the cairn yesterday. He ventures outside looking for breakfast and finds some mushrooms, eggs, various herbs and wild vegetables. As the others prepare for the day and discuss their plans for exploring the cairn Tyrion serves everyone. "Yes I agree that we should explore the cairn to it's fullest. Can you tell me what you have discovered already?"