"Sorry."
Thumpy shakes his hammer over his head triumphantly.
"Woo-hoo! We won! We won!"
"I suspect the howl was indication that our visitors this evening weren't typical scavengers. It's too bad that some got away."
Felwyst quickly gets to work clearing the wolf corpses.
"Felwyst, could I have the dire wolf's pelt as a trophy? I know, warrior's code dictates that the one who deals the final blow gets the spoils, but I really want it." Tatsu asks as she starts to help him clear the field.
"I don't think the wolves were all that special, except for this one. Wolves howl all the time, it's how they talk to each other. But we should keep an eye out, anyway."
"That'll make a nice rug. I still want to keep one next time we meet any. You think the ones that ran are rounding up support?"
Clovis sounds hopeful.
"I have no qualms with... how you choose to commemorate the victory. I just didn't want to attract any other predators to our campsite."
"Thanks, Felwyst." Tatsu begins to skin the large corpse, taking care to preserve as much of the pelt as possible.
"Anyone up for some wolf meat?" Tatsu cheerfully asks. "No sense letting it all go to waste."
"Clovis, you got some herbs on you? I am hankering for some hot and spicy spare ribs."
"That'll make a nice rug. I still want to keep one next time we meet any....."
"You can keep one when you learn some kind of magic to either control, charm, or talk to one. Otherwise, we will deal with it in kind, just like this one." Tatsu replies, using her motherly voice.
Time goes by as the group prepares the wolf meat. A strong cool wind blows from the towering Droskar's Crag. It blows through the monastery halls causing an errie moan to rise up. Above the stars shine bright above the group.
Thumpy hums a sentimental tune as he putters around the camp doing chores.
"Kid, I keep telling you. I can only just tell trees from grass. Why would I have herbs?"
"That's a pretty tune Thumpy," Clovis hums along with the dwarf.
"Anyone know anything about wolf-taming?"
"Uh Clovis, I think it's too late for that. The wolves are dead," says Thumpy.
"I'm just being prepared, Thumpy. There might be another one."
"So - are we going to build this hut for Tats or not?"
"It's a clear night, Clovis. Let's just get some sleep." Tatsu answers.
"Does anyone want to take first watch? If not, I will. It's easier with two people, but it's been a long day, spiders and wolves and such."
"I'll watch with you. Kid gets distracted, but I am a halfling of iron will."
"I'll get the next watch then"
"I'll watch with you. Kid gets distracted, but I am a halfling of iron will."
"I'll get the next watch then"
"I'll wake you up, Ser. Anyone else? Ser could use a melee type. Thumpy, Felwyst, Kidlat? One of you should join him."
"Course they will, Tats. You said it and it will happen. Inspiration is your thing, remember?"
As the part sets watches another low, deep howl comes from the monastery. As if something is beckoning the tired adventures in.
"There's your wolf, Clovis." Tatsu slaps Clovis on the back hard. "Go and get him." She smiles widely, pretty amused with her self. "Just go to sleep, guys. Whatever that is can keep until tomorrow morning."
"I'll stand first watch."
"There's your wolf, Clovis." Tatsu slaps Clovis on the back hard. "Go and get him." She smiles widely, pretty amused with her self. "Just go to sleep, guys. Whatever that is can keep until tomorrow morning."
"So am going to get him," mumbles Clovis, reeling slightly from Tatsu's enthusiastic backpat.
"You're welcome to join us, Kidlat. Just keep your banter with Clovis down, the others need to sleep." Tatsu says as she stirs the fire into a bigger blaze. The warm of the fire feels good in the chilly weather.
Oblivious to the talking and the howling, Thumpy falls into a deep slumber.
"It's not banter, Tats. It's my way of helping Kidlat through his life-changing experiences."
Even as he speaks, it occurs to Clovis that this particular piece of blarney might even be true.
"Well, whatever it is, keep it down. I want the others to be well-rested so I can sleep later tonight." Tatsu says in a hushed tone, pointing at the snoring Thumpy.
The night passes and the those on watch can see the sun burning to the east.
A nip hangs in the air as they prepare for the day ahead...
What can we resist today? (1d10=4).
"Nobody better try to push me around to day." Clovis adjusts his pothat and glares at the inoffensive ruins.
"Maybe we'll get to see your wolf today." Tatsu teases Clovis. She gets up and stretches, taking a few practice swings away from the group. "Rise and shine, boys. Today we're hunting MUSHROOMS. Let's break out the torches and other light sources. I want to be out of here by the end of the day. I can't stand these creepy ruins." She shivers involuntarily.
Thumpy stands to attention and salutes Tatsu. "Yes sir!"
Already awake from taking watch, Felwyst is impressed by the sudden serious tone of the party. "I can take point," he volunteers.
Tatsu smiles as the others get themselves ready. "Okay, so, here's what I am thinking.... Felwyst, you are point. Followed closely by Thumpy, then me, then Clovis, then Ser, and lastly Kidlat, you are the rearguard. I need a strong defender to make sure we are not flanked by something bad." She walks over and puts her hand on Kidlat's shoulder. "That has to be you. You're faster than Thumpy, so if we get in trouble, you can move up to the front faster than he can."
"Does anyone have a problem with that marching order? If not, then as soon as everything is stowed away, we'll take off." Tatsu looks to the ruins. "That mushroom had BETTER be there or there'll be HELL to pay."
"Tats? Just what do you think a mushroom is going to do to us? I'm not good at nature, but last time I looked, mushrooms didn't bite."
"I'm ready."
Kidlat flips a coin and catches it, "I say we go through the double doors."
"I agree. That was the way Felwyst and I were leading the battle before the wolves ran off. We just need to find some stairs leading down to the forges, since that is where we think the ironbloom mushrooms will be."
"Tats? Just what do you think a mushroom is going to do to us? I'm not good at nature, but last time I looked, mushrooms didn't bite."
Tatsu responds to Clovis's banter with a sigh and rolls her eyes. She looks to the sky as to appeal to the gods for strength. Then she gets back to business.
"Move out."
Clovis smiles angelically and dutifully takes his position beside Ser.
"Ready to rumble."
Clovis smiles angelically and dutifully takes his position beside Ser.
"Ready to rumble."
Kidlat draws his sword. "Music, maestro."
Thumpy stretches and shrugs on his backpack. "I'm ready."
Beyond the double doors is a small dark hall. Littered with mounds of debris and a year’s worth of dead leaves, it is clear that a narrow path winds inside.
To your left and right are shut doors. In front of you, you barely make out, is another set of double doors.
"I can see shapes," whispers Clovis. "Door shapes."
Thumpy tries to pay attention to his surroundings, but ends up daydreaming about the litter of puppy dogs he was raising back home. How they must have grown since he's been away!
Kidlat flings a stone into the darkness. Inasmuch as they have been open in their exploration of this area, there is no use for stealth, hence, tis best to spring any trap at their convenience.