dojango
 
 

It is a dark night in the shadow of the Inselberg.  The caravanserai buzzes with activity as some of the men from the caravan are waking up as they realize that two strings of horses have gone missing, ridden out past the sleeping guards into the wilderness.  The caravan master, a tall, thickset man, is screaming at the two guards as a few others are scurrying around examining the tracks.  The men (and one woman) are ignoring Severin and Gabriele as they run about.  Harman has remained on guard back at Lorenzo's camp, after all, it wouldn't do to leave it unguarded when horse thieves are about.
Haval
To Severin quietly,  'I think  someone  had a little too much to drink. Or they've never had to stand watch before.'  It was good to feel like she knew what she was doing. 'You want to see which direction they went in? If there's that many horses they shouldn't be hard to follow.' 
dojango
The path the riders took south is fairly clear.  With Gabriele's sharp hearing, she hears one of the guards growl, "Gods-damned goat-lovers.  Pack of useless thieves."  Another guard mutters back, "Might be those halflings.  They're always up to no good."  Although it's dark, there might be enough moonlight to get some clues from the tracks.
rax
 "You need any help tracking the thieves? It's night, but Gabriele's a good tracker and my eyesight is better than yours in the dark,"  Severin asks the guards.
LarsWester
Harman maintains a lonely guard of Lorenzo's camp as Gabriele and Severin can be seen discussing something with the guards from the other caravan.  He can't make out the words but it appears that something went very wrong with their guards neglecting their duties.  Harman decided to do a quick walk of Lorenzo's perimeter.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "You need any help tracking the thieves? It's night, but Gabriele's a good tracker and my eyesight is better than yours in the dark,"  Severin asks the guards. 
 

 'Maybe I can point you in the right direction anyway. Techically we're supposed to be on watch.' 
dojango
Harman does another lap around Lorenzo's camp, and is satisfied that there are no thieves lurking in the darkness.  It is getting close to when the watch will switch, and his warm bedroll is calling.  At the other camp, it's not difficult to see where the horse-thieves have headed, even at night; the path of the torn-up ground leads clearly to the south.  One of the guards (the one who had muttered about halflings) looks at Severin and says, "I ain't riding out into the darkness to hunt thieves.  If the boss wants us to go out there we'll do it in the morning."
rax
 "It's your call,"  Severin replies with a shrug.

 "Let's head back to our posts then,"  he says to answers Gabriele.
Haval
 'Fair enough. Easier to track when it's light anyway.'  It would frankly be embarrassing if someone decided to rob Lorenzo's camp while she was distracted.  'I wonder if they're right and Gretchen has a few more horses now?' 
dojango
The two of you return to the camp and consult with Harman.  Another hour or so passes and it is time to wake the other guards.  They get out of their bedrolls, grumbling, and nod grimly when warned about the theft in other camp.  Then you turn in for the night.  When you wake up there is the faint chill of autumn lingering in the air.  You can see smoke rising from the chimneys of Inselberg and from the nearby campfire, where Bastien is making stock from the rabbit bones from last night.  He ladles out a generous portion of stew for the three of you and the other guards begin speculating about what happened last night.  Hearing the news, Lorenzo hikes over to the other caravan's camp, saying cheerfully, "It's an ill wind that blows no good."  The guards shrug at that.  The day is young and you all are released from your duties as watchmen.
LarsWester
Harman looks at the other two.   Should we go lend our skills in tracking down the horse thieves of that other camp?  Or should we run that by Lorenzo first?   Harman looks eager at the thought of tracking bandits again.
rax
 "The other lot didn't sound too enthusiastic about it when Gabriele and me offered to help last night,"  Severin replies.  "And I'd say Lorenzo seems quite pleased with this incident. I'm not sure he'd want his employees to be helping them out of a hole they dug for themselves by having guards who sleep on the job. Speaking of jobs, I think we've all got enough on our plates without adding this to our list. Gabriele and I still need to do some exploring and questioning up top,"  he reminds Harman.
Haval
Gabriele will gratefully take some stew.  'I wouldn't say no to trying, but if Lorenzo's happy enough with the situation. At the very least I think we could see if they'd pay us for that sort of thing. If they don't want their horses being knicked maybe they should have got better guards.' 
LarsWester
Harman sits and pokes the fire with a stick.  When it is just the three of them he speaks up.   Since the two of you are helping me look for Lustig I've been thinking.  That scum
 "Tick" you pointed out up the mesa.  He jumped that young lad for a pair of boots.  What do you think he might try against a drunk guy with a pistol complaining about a lack of powder?   Our next free night if I can act a drunk with a loose tongue perhaps I can lure him out into the woods where the two of you are waiting and spring a trap.  Do you think it might work?   Also what do you think about getting Lorenzo to offer the three of us guards as troubleshooters to work on any problems the mine might be having in meeting production quotas?  Harman stops talking to scarf down some stew and give the others a chance to think and reply.
rax
Severin scratches his whiskers as he considers Harman's suggestions.  "It might work,"  he concedes of the idea to lure out Tick.  "I don't know if he'll consider a pistol with no powder that much of a draw, though. There doesn't seem to be that much of a market for firearms down here - getting hold of powder is apparently tricky,"  he says.

 "As for using Lorenzo to worm our way into Sol's good graces, that's not a bad idea either. It would help to have someone put in a good word for us, and Sol might not be too suspicious if Lorenzo offers our help as a way to get a better deal for himself. Of course, before that happens, we need to make sure Tick isn't around to identify us, " he muses.
LarsWester
Harman nods and adds  Which brings us back to that first point.  Tick jumped a guy for worn out boots and even if the pistol isn't enough bait.  The complaining about the uselessness of my crowns when there is no powder should entice him.  If we could convince the bartender to water down my drinks for a few coins that could help the act.  Harman shakes his head and mutters  it's only an idea it might be dumb. 
dojango
Gabriele spends some time at the pulqueria gossiping with the drinkers.  For the price of a few rounds, she starts to develop a clearer picture of the cliques in the town.  The locals mostly keep their heads down and their doors locked at night.  As refugees and their children, they know that things can always get worse, and as long as the bandits are paying for their food and drink it beats the alternative...  The caravan guards are a motley bunch and they are full of endless complaints about the crappy food and booze, having to sleep on the ground, having to hike up the blasted hill for all that, the lines at the brothel... but it makes good money for their bosses so at least they get paid.  And overland travel has been pretty safe for the past few years.  They have a few lurid stories of the attacks on the riverboats, whole crews slaughtered and ships left to drift down the cataracts, to be smashed into flinders by the angry river...

Finally she talks to a few of Sol's men.  The newer ones, signed on in the past few years, are mostly stuck with the worst jobs, guarding the slaves in the mines, or actually going out on patrols, while a few old-timers are thrilled with their new status.  She does learn that the newest hires have the worst jobs, and have to work seven days out of eight.  One of them, an older man, missing a few teeth and fingers, says, "Lady, this is great.  We shoulda figured out this scam ages ago.  Instead of hunting down the caravans and raiding them, they come to us and give us money.  We don't even have to beat them up, they just hand it over."
Haval
Gabriele will consider Harman's point carefully.  'A drunk man with a gun might be kind of persuasive if he doesn't have many mates with him. And we wouldn't need to even go to any woods. I'd be happy enough to knock him off the top of the mesa if I had the chance.'  She'll look at Harman to assess him,  'I'd say if you look drunk enough around him there's every chance he might have a go at robbing you no matter what you say to him. The question would be, can we stay close enough to step in if things go bad for you, or else how well can you handle yourself anyway? We're not seen you fight yet?' 
 Later 

For all that Gabriele was hearing about it second hand, the stories of the attacks on river boats sounded like worse then bandits. Were there any survivors?

To the older man,  'This must be how nobles happen. Tollares will be calling himself a Duke any minute.' 
LarsWester
Harman laughs  I'm not a great champion but I should be able to hold my own against a middling bandit.  At least for long enough for the two of you to jump in and help.  I think we give this plan a go the next night we have off guard duty. 
dojango
The man laughs and says, "Of course there were survivors.  The attackers made it out just fine."  And at the Duke comment he says, "Ya know I saw a guy try to become a Duke once.  Back in Stralwald.  Otto just walked up and stabbed him in the eye.  Next thing we knew there was fire all around and everyone was tryin' to settle their scores.  Me and Sol cut our way out.  And Beau.  Nah, best to stay the way he is, we all know he's the boss."

 
 Spoiler 
Planting bait rumors and finding more about Tick's schedule will need gossip checks from Harman and Severin
 
Haval
 'Maybe. But they sound like the enthusiastic type to kill everyone. Why worry about leaving witnesses down here.'  On hearing about the aspiring Duke,  'I didn't hear about that. I suppose neither Sol nor Otto like putting on airs. I can respect that.' 
dojango
Harman spends some time drinking and showing off his piece.  He finds some of the more disreputable guards while they are drinking and talks to them for a while.  He definitely spots some of them eyeing the valuable weapon.  When he complains about the lack of powder, they sympathize with him.  Apparently Sol has a small store of it, but the only one who uses guns around here is Beauregard Scully, Sol's "troubleshooter".  When he sees trouble, he shoots it, they say.  He has a pair of good pistols that he keeps in spotless condition when he's not wandering around the town, looking for trouble.  They point him out to Harman, a thin, rangy man leaning on a wall, keeping an eye on the pulqueria and the brothel for a while.

Severin also speaks to some of the guards and finds out about their schedule.  The guards complain endlessly about it; they have to stick around the mine, working, seven days of an eightday week.  On their days off the guards usually head up to the pulqueria and the brothel to get drunk, pick fights, blow off some steam, gamble, and generally cut loose as much as they can.  After all, there isn't much else to spend their meager wages on.  Some of the guards are having a laugh at the plight of one of the herdsmen.  Apparently a few days ago one of them, some kid, came up to sell some livestock and then couldn't handle his liquor at the brothel.  He somehow managed to lose a fat purse of gold while drunk and get beaten up and tossed in a midden heap.  His tribe or clan or whatever is proper pissed...
LarsWester
Harman performing more intoxicated than he really is stumbles over to a section of the wall near this Beauregard Scully.  Harman places a hand on the wall and leans into it turning his head slowly towards the "troubleshooter".    Rumor has it that you shoot guns.  Got any spare powder or shot.
I'm nearly out.   Harman pulls out his pistol at this point and shows Beauregard frowning.   It's pretty but pretty useless without powder and shot. 
Haval
Gabriele has made sure she stays in sight of Harman this whole time. To her new friend,  'You said you worked with Otto? How is he as a boss? Or does the fact that you're working for Sol answer that?'  She won't ask him about whether he's robbed many caravans himself because she didn't think she could keep pretending to be indifferent about that.
dojango
Harman feels the troubleshooter's eyes on him as he fake-stumbles towards him.  The man is assessing Harman as a threat or not, and as Harman leans up next to him, he gives Harman a quiet nod.  "Enjoying yourself, friend?" he responds.  As Harman pulls out his own pistol, the man's hands twitch, but he decides Harman isn't a threat, and he rests his hand on his own pistol.  "Don't take your guns to town, kid," he then says.  "Especially if it's out of powder.  I get it special from the Tilean merchants.  Might want to talk to them, see if they can deliver some next time they come through."

The old veteran says to Gabriele, "Hah, it's ancient history.  Me and Sol and Otto and Beau all usedta work for Sir Oliver.  This old geezer of a knight.  Ruled Stralwald from the castle there.  After, uh, he died, Otto killed the captain of the guard, this pompous git, who thought he'd take over.  Then ****, Otto's boys jumped all the officers and me and Sol legged it.  Then, uh, we were in Stralwald for a bit, you know set ourselves up there until the Duke Bremcote chased us out.  So we came here.  I guess Otto and his boys went south, across the river.  Can't say I miss them.  Weird, vicious bastards."
rax
Severin has been keeping a low profile, dividing his time between trying to keep an eye on Harman and Gabriele as they pursue their respective plans, but he's closest to Gabriele when the veteran reminisces about the death of Sir Oliver.

 "Weird and vicious how? Ambitious sorts knifing their leaders isn't that uncommon around here, is it?"  he interjects.
Haval
 'I don't think I was ever going to work for Otto but it's always nice to hear about him from those that know him.'  Gabriele interjects.  'And here's me never having to knife anyone. Maybe I'm just lucky.' 

To the veteran,  'Is Sol hiring by any chance? What's the work like?' 
LarsWester
Harman manages to act sheepish as the troubleshooter scolds him for his foolishness.  Tucking his pistol back in its holster he mumbles  suppose you're right, sir.  then louder  Know any good Tileans?  he then laughs as if it is a great joke.  Serious how long do you think it would take for them to come back with some powder? 
Harman during this discussion is looking over his shoulders.  He looks paranoid but is actually trying to see if he can locate Tick.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

  Perception  - (1d100)[ 32 ]   looking for Tick or any River bandits from my days in the Empire
spending a FP if it fails.  Vs 56
   Perception  - (1d100)[ 29 ]   not needed
 
dojango
"Ah, that guy was askin' for it.  But Otto and his boys... man, I dunno.  They'd spend some time torturing captives because they were bored.  Whipped horses to death just because.  Killed a bunch of servants for no reason..."  You reflect on the life of this old mercenary and soldier and what crimes and cruelties have become commonplace to him.  For "Otto's boys" to have unsettled him, they must be quite sinister indeed.

The veteran says to Gabriele "Honestly I dunno if a woman like you wants to work for Sol.  Newcomers haveta work as guards in the mines for a while to prove their loyalty and I don't see your type as wanting that.  If you gotta try it, if I'm wrong, you can find Renn the Chiseler and he'll sort you out."

Beaurgard shrugs to Harman and says "I don't keep track of the merchants except to make sure their boys don't cause trouble while enjoyin' the town.  A new caravan just came by the other day, might want to talk to them if they have any spare powder."  Harman doesn't spy Tick lurking around.  Thinking back, someone had said the guards only get one day week off, so the next time Tick will probably be off is in four days.
rax
 "Otto sounds like the sort o' fellow that might serve everyone best by embracing Morr sooner rather than later..."  Severin responds darkly. " People like him seem distressingly common around these parts,"  he adds.
Haval
Gabriele agreed,  'Sort of person who might be worried about everyone else ganging up on him.' 

To the veteran,  'Would depend on what the pay's like wouldn't it. What's so bad about working down the mine anyway? Assuming you got light and the roof isn't falling in. Or are the stories about you boys having some trouble down there true?' 
dojango
"His hideout is somewhere south of the Igerang River, in the trackless wilderness.  You're welcome to take a shot at him... but best make your peace with Morr before you go.  Don't know of anyone whose gone there and come back.  Besides, let him rot down there!  Here there's beer and women and song!  Well, this stuff.  It grows on you!"  He grabs another mug of pulque from the bar, the bartender merely nods in acquiescence.  Back to Gabriele he says, "Those tunnels were built by the dwarves, you know."  He holds his hand about neck high.  "You want to be stooped over all day, breathing in fumes and smoke, just waiting for the roof to close in on you or a slave to pick you in the back!  I dunno what happened, couple men went missing a few weeks ago.  Some of the workers too, I guess.  Probably managed to run away if you ask me."
rax
 "Isn't Sol curious about what happened? Surely someone must have seen something if they ran off?"  Severin asks concerning the missing guards and slaves.
Haval
Gabriele holds her hands up,  'Hey, I wouldn't go that far. But there's a fair few local bigwigs down here who all seem to have their own armies.'  She'll drop it.  'But you're probably right. Sounds like they couldn't pay me enough to go down there. I don't mind getting my hands dirty but there are limits.' 

On the mines,  'Ok, a Dwarf mine isn't going to fall down at least. But has anyone explored it properly?' 
dojango
"You sound like that old guy who came by a few days ago.  He wanted to explore the place too, probably looking for treasure or something.  But you couldn't pay me to go down in those dark tunnels."  The man shudders at the thought.  "Sol will figure it out, he always does.  What's it to you, anyway?
rax
 "We're working a contract as guards for the Beltramo caravan,"  Severin answers with a shrug.  "Beltramo was pissed to find out that the copper production is down since it seems like he won't be able to buy what he needs from Sol. We heard these rumours, so we figured we'd see if we could connect the dots and see if there's some money to be made on the side." 
LarsWester
Harman leaves the troubleshooter and makes his way across the bar loses his stumble act as he passes a few other people.  He walks up to Severin and Gabrielle.   I forget are we on guard duty tonight or is it our night off?   the man asks innocently inserting himself into the conversation.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Since Tick isn't drinking tonight no point playing bait.  I thought I'd reunite with the others.
 
Haval
Gabriele nods at Severin's comment about money,  'And I wouldn't say no to treasure either  if there's anything down there. Just as long as the tunnels aren't full of goblins or anything.'  She had heard the stories of the sort of thing that moved into Dwarf tunnels once all the Dwarves left. To Harman,  'Aren't we off tonight. You got plans?' 
LarsWester
Harman shrugs his shoulders.  Nothing comes to mind.  Don't see anything here of interest and if I have any more of the drink I may get sick.  What about you any plans for tonight? 
Haval
 'Let's just try and stay out of trouble then.'  Gabriele will buy the veteran a drink as a thankyou. It wasn't as if they could discuss anything properly with other people there. There was always the matter of investigating the mine properly.
dojango
The veteran tips his hat to Severin as he drains the offered drink.  As the three of you discuss your plans, the older man heads off towards town.  Before disappearing into the maze of alleys, he talks briefly with Beauregard.

 
 Spoiler 
OK, so do you want to try to sneak into the dwarf ruins, investigate the slave-labor camp, or something else?
 
LarsWester
Harman sat there chewing his lip for a second before offering up  Your friend isn't around tonight.  I say we go and talk with Lorenzo about his offering us up to maybe sort the mine shortage out.  It's really low risk to Sol to let us have a crack at it and it might lift Lorenzo in Sol's eyes if we can provide any sort of solution. 
Haval
 'It'll let us see what Sol's like to deal with up close'  Gabriele considers. Le Houet might actually appreciate that.  'If Lorenzo's willing I'd say there's no harm in asking. Maybe Sol would see us as disposable enough to let us go down there. If we don't come up again, it's not like he'd lose out on anything.'  She can't help but remember the mutants at the Red Temple.  'You ever been underground Harman? We had some experience with something similar since we came south.' 
LarsWester
Harman shrugs his shoulders and answers Gabriele  I'm not even going to pretend that the smuggler caves I've been are going to be remotely like going down in that mine.   It will be new territory for me.  Any advice? 
rax
 "I think Gabriele is less concerned with the mines themselves than what we might find down there,"  Severin offers.  "When we first got here, our caravan was attacked by cannibal mutants, and we ended up tracking them back to a temple cut right into a cliff. There were things there that...well, let's just say that the witch hunters would've had a field day smoking them out. Could be just about anything causing the disappearances, but I don't think either of us is in a hurry to run into more man-eating monsters..." 
 "We should still try and get ourselves hired, though. Probably the only way of checking for Myrtle anyway. So let's go see Lorenzo and find out if he wants to play our game!" 
LarsWester
Harman shudders  Mutant cannibals.  No can't say I've run into anything like that.  Downright terrifying if you ask me.  I'll follow your lead out of here Severin, let's find Lorenzo.  Maybe you do the talking to him and explain the offer? 
Haval
 'All I'd say is that we try not to get lost down there and we get out in a hurry if we really have to.'  Gabriele will go looking for Lorenzo.
dojango
Lorenzo is having a meal at the Millstone Inn with Galeazzo Carafa and another man you don't recognize.  They are speaking in Tilean.  As you approach, Lorenzo notices you and waves you over.  He introduces you as his lead scouts.  The third man is Arcadius Zeller, the master of the caravan that has just arrived.  After everyone shakes hands, Galeazzo asks you how you are enjoying the delights of the town.
Haval
 'Honestly, given what I'd heard, it's a lot less rough then I was expecting'  Gabriele replies.  'But maybe that's because we haven't got too close to Tollares' boys yet. We saw some of them rob a drunk the other night.'  She's surprised to see Lorenzo's competion here.  'Did you find out what happened to your horses, Herr Zeller?' 
rax
 "Eh, it's no Altdorf, but it's got a kind of rustic charm,"  Severin chuckles.  "Rumour mill's buzzing, though. We hear there's been disappearances in the mine - guards and workers both. Though Tollares' people seem to be chalking it up to desertion and escapes so far." 
LarsWester
 Maybe it's all got something to do with why there isn't enough ore for all of you merchants to take as much as you can carry.  Harman says with a bit of a laugh unsure if anyone else found it funny.
dojango
Arcadius Zeller shrugs and says, "Aye, some of them thieving goat-loving tribesmen must have taken them.  I tell you this, if I were still a condottiero I would have those watchmen flogged within an inch of their life.  Sleeping on guard duty is one of the worst crimes imaginable.  But I will settle for stopping their pay and putting them on half rations until we return to Nirena."

Galeazzo adds, "The local tribesmen often try to steal horses and livestock whenever they can.  They believe that if you cannot keep them safe, you do not deserve to own them.  Mostly a minor nuisance, unless you now find yourself short on horses for your wagons..."  he chuckles at that, and then says, "Yes, my colleagues and I were just discussing the problems with the mine.  This copper mine is one of the more valuable projects in the region, and it would be a shame if it were to fall apart.  That man... I talked to Nasir and he said there was a collapse in some of the deep galleries... but he is not the most reliable of narrators... so we do not know the full story.  I should like to know what has happened, yes, very much.  The head office needs to know."
rax
 "Well then, how about this? Us three have been talking, and while we can't fault  signor  Beltramo for his pay, we're thinking there may be a chance for us to make a nice little bonus here. But, we'd need your help to make it happen." 
 "We're just a bunch of nobodies to Tollares, but you're his business partners. One or all of you could approach Sol, indicating that you've also heard the rumours of mysterious disappearances in the mine, and let him know that if he'd like some help, Lorenzo Beltramo's got some gold-hungry scouts that'd be willing to look into the matter in return for a fair sum. And you're willing to let us try if it can help restore the productivity of his mine. Then maybe we get an extra payday and you get to know what's up with the mine, eh?"  Severin suggests.
Haval
 'Thanks for the warning. I haven't had a horse for very long and would really like to hang onto him.'  Gabriele is capable of staying awake on guard duty but with talk of flogging she's thankful they weren't working for Zeller.

After Severin speaks,  'At worst Tollares can only say no. At if there's anything going on down there that we should all know about, better to find out about it now.'  
dojango
Galeazzo raises an eyebrow and looks at Arcadius and Lorenzo.  "That is an interesting idea.  We are meeting with Sol very soon, we can make this proposal.  Arcadius, do you have a few volunteers to go on this expedition?  To make sure it goes the way we want it to?"

Arcadius looks closely at Severin, Gabrielle and Harman, and says, "Aye, I've got a couple of veteran bruisers who might be willing to have a little fun.  They could use some... how do we say it... carne de los cannones...  to accompany them."

"Well!  It is settled.  I'll pay 10g a head to find out what the problem with the mines is.  Maybe we can connive Sol into throwing in a little extra for the pot.  Any questions?" Galeazzo reaches out to shake hands.
LarsWester
 Very good.  You'll let us know once you have Sol's blessing for the undertaking.
 Wouldn't want to trespass.  Harman shrugs looks over to Arcadius  Used to be a Riverwarden old habits die hard. 
Haval
Gabriele will shake Galeazzo's hand. To Arcadius,  'Tell me about these lads of yours?" 
rax
 "Deal's a good 'un, I reckon,"  Severin says.
dojango
Arcadius says, "Well, one's a lass.  Marina was a deepwatcher back in Tobaro before she got a hair to see the world.  She'll be in.  Zdenko, her man, he'll probably want to go with her.  And Pietro's always good for for a brawl."

With that, the three merchants leave and head across the plaza to Sol's headquarters.  After about an hour, they emerge into the afternoon sun and return to the inn.  They sit back down and Galeazzo orders a bottle of wine, which he pours out into six cups.  "We have a deal.  Sol told us that problems started about six months ago, when they opened up some new tunnels in the mine.  A few workers disappeared here and there, and he thought they found a secret exit to the mine.  So they sent the workers in chained up so they couldn't escape.  And it was fine, for a while, until a month ago, a whole crew disappeared.  Eight workers and two guards.  They sent a patrol in, but found nothing.  Sent a second patrol and it disappeared.  Four guards.  So they closed off the new tunnels, and now they're not making their quota.  He's been trying to cover it up because he didn't want us to know he wouldn't have enough.  But now we know.  So we've got permission to send in a patrol to the deep tunnels to see if we can find out what's going on.  We'll meet up at the mine tomorrow morning.  Bring whatever supplies you think you'll need.  Oh, and he'll match our reward.  So 20g per person if you can find out what happened to the missing guards."
Haval
 'Glad to have her along. Can't see why anyone would want to do all that for a living.'  Gabriele will add to the others in private,  'We don't have to trust them, but I'd like to think other mercenaries aren't going to be acting too stupid if there's something dangerous down there.' 

Later Gabriele will take the offered wine,  'They haven't found any sign of the disapeared? No blood or anything?' 
rax
 In private 
 "They're probably just there for the money, so I think we can count on 'em to be thinking about getting back in one piece to collect. That should keep 'em from doing anything rash,"  Severin chuckles.  "I reckon we'll need to stock up on rope, lamps, food and water. If people have been disappearing from newly opened tunnels, it stands to reason there's more ways about than the tunnels the current miners have made. So we don't know how long we'll be down there,"  he suggests when discussing the sorts of supplies they might need.
Haval
 In Private 
 'And wouldn't be a shame if we found a back door down there.' 
rax
 In private 
 "Positively mortifying,"  Severin sniggers.
LarsWester
Harman gathers all of his supplies and coin for the trip into the mines except the pigeons.  Birds tend to die in mines in all the stories he's heard.  Once he has his gear he waits quietly with the others feeling like he's missing something when Severin sniggers but that's fine by him.
Haval
Gabriele notes Harman's expression. She'll talk quietly even if there wasn't anyone obviously in earshot.  'You know who they have doing the mining right?' 
LarsWester
Harman answers in hushed tones.   I heard rumors that it was slave-labor, right?
 Is it a goal of yours to break them free? 
Haval
 'I feel like talking about that too openly would be bad. I think freeing them ourselves might be difficult, but I wouldn't say no.'  Gabriele replies.  'Maybe it'll change things if we find out some of the slaves are the ones killing the guards.'  
rax
 "Much as I'd like to, that's not the main goal, no,"  Severin agrees with Gabriele about breaking out the slaves.  "We're looking for a girl. She disappeared at the end of the battle of Stralwald and we don't think she's dead. Tick, the human rat, may have grabbed her and sold her to Tollares. If she's down there, I'm gettin her out some way - I made a promise." 
LarsWester
 Maybe if we resolve the issue with the mine Sol will be pleased and arrange for her freedom as part of our reward.  Harman paused cautious against raising too much hope.     Failing that you could possibly purchase her freedom.  A mine is no place for a girl and if Sol was provided coin I'm sure he could find a more suitable worker.   Describe the girl and I'll keep an eye out for her while we do this job. 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
  Maybe if we resolve the issue with the mine Sol will be pleased and arrange for her freedom as part of our reward.  Harman paused cautious against raising too much hope.     Failing that you could possibly purchase her freedom.  A mine is no place for a girl and if Sol was provided coin I'm sure he could find a more suitable worker.   Describe the girl and I'll keep an eye out for her while we do this job.  
 

 'I'd like to believe it'll be that easy.'  Gabriele will give a description.  'I get the feeling they take anyone to work down there that they can catch.' 
dojango
The next morning, after breakfast, Lorenzo and Galezzo lead you over to Arcadius's camp where you meet with the other three adventurers.  Marina is a woman with short wavy hair, and is carrying a huge pack with all sorts of gear strapped to it.  Most curiously, she has a cage with a pigeon in it sticking out from her pack.  Zdenko is a broad-shouldered bald man with tattoos covering his bare arms and neck where his skin is exposed, carrying a much smaller pack.  Finally, Pietro is a lanky man with visible pox scars and has a half-dozen daggers strapped to his pack and belt.  After introductions are made, the party heads around the edge of the mesa to the mine, where you are met outside the gate by Beauregard and another man who is introduced as Nasir.  Beauregard looks over the group and stops to inspect Severin closely.  He then says, "So these are the mercenaries who are willing to explore the mines.  I don't know what, if anything, is down there, but don't touch anything and don't cause any trouble."  He then looks over at Harman.  "I had a feeling you'd be one of the volunteers."  He hands Harman a powderhorn with enough powder for 10 shots.  "From my personal supply.  I'll want it back, if you return."
Haval
Gabriele will look into getting some extra supplies before they go to bed. At the very least she'll look into getting more food and water. At the meeting she'll regard the other three mercenaries warily, especially Pietro.  To Marina,  'What's with the pigeon?'  It was hard not to find the other woman interesting given her job.

Later she will try to take Beauregard's inspection impassively, but will bristle a little at his obvious interest in Severin.  He's wondering whether he can trust sending another Halfling down there. 
rax
 "Morning all,"  Severin greets the other mercenaries and Sollares' men.  "Before we head down, is there a map of the mines we can borrow? Preferably one with the locations marked where the workers and the patrol went missing?"  He blithely ignores Beauregard's searching looks.

 OOC:  Severin will have tried to get hold of the following before the expedition:
- Waterskin; 8 s
- Rations for 24 hours; 6 s(?)
- Lantern; 5 gc
- Lamp oil x6 (24 hrs worth); 30 s
- Healing draught; 5 gc
= 12 gc, 4 s

Let me know if any of this is unavailable.
LarsWester
Harman takes the generously offered power and shot from Beauregard.    Thank you kindly.  I'll return whatever of this I can.  And it very well make the difference down there.  What ever I use I'll end up paying you for of course.   He finishing packing away the recently purchased rations and hefts his sling bag over his shoulder ready to depart with the others.

OOC:
Harman would like to have purchased a week of rations I paid the book price of 6s let me know if it is higher.
He is leaving his pigeons and horse up with the caravan.   Everything else he is bringing with him.
dojango
Marina says, "Down there, beneath the earth.  There is, what we call, the mal-aria.  But the bird is so small, it will be sick first?  So watch the bird.  If it falls over, then we go back.  Quickly.  Quick enough and maybe the bird will get better."

To Severin, Nasir says "There ain't no map of the caverns.  Those who belong know the way.  Take some chalk and mark the passage, nobody will disturb your marks."

Then Beauregard says, "Last chance to back out, friends.  If you don't return in three days, we'll hold your funeral.  And seal off the lower chambers for good."
rax
 "Ah! Chalk! Of course, the one thing I forgot to bring!"  Severin exclaims dramatically.  "Foolish of me, I'm sure, but I was under the impression that Master Tollares would be  wanting  us to succeed in solving his mystery. Chalk is all well and good for when we start exploring, but supposing you make it easy on us by telling us how many passages we can expect to be searching and whereabouts your people went missing?" 
Haval
With a worried look Gabriele will take the explanation about the bird seriously.  'And otherwise you wouldn't even know you were in danger. Good to know.' 

She will try to be more diplomatic then Severin,  'How cramped are these lower chambers? Did any bother to go down there when the mining started?' 
dojango
"If something is down there it will find you," says Nasir.  "Go down to the third level of the mine and head west sixty paces.  You'll know it when you see it.  These mines were built by dwarves so most everything is dwarf-sized."  He indicates with his hands.  "The little one will have no trouble.  The rest of you... hope you brought helmets."
rax
 "We're all professionals here, eh? I'm sure everyone's practiced at keeping their heads down,"  Severin chuckles in reply.  "But did anyone else think to bring chalk, or do we need to trudge back to the village and scare some up before we head down?" 
dojango
Marina pulls out a piece of chalk from her pocket, breaks it in half and hands a piece to Severin.  "Charcoal works too, and rouge, if you got use it.  Depends on the color of the rock.  There's a lot of symbol we use down there, like... uh, I'll tell you about them later," she says.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 "If something is down there it will find you," says Nasir.  "Go down to the third level of the mine and head west sixty paces.  You'll know it when you see it.  These mines were built by dwarves so most everything is dwarf-sized."  He indicates with his hands.  "The little one will have no trouble.  The rest of you... hope you brought helmets." 
 

 'Can't exactly swing a sword while I'm sitting down. If this doesn't work out maybe you can see if Gretchen's available.'  Gabriele can imagine her response to being asked.

On marking the walls,  'I'd rather rely on taking slow and not getting lost but it's best to be prepared.' 
LarsWester
 Wall markings seems very sensible.  And luckily I have a leather helmet.  Harman pipes up.
rax
 "Well then, let's get on with it. If we wait any longer, I'll need a second breakfast before heading down there,"  Severin jokes.
dojango
You enter the mines and head down the main shaft.  The main shaft is large enough for a man to walk upright.  The mines have been cleared of workers, so the only sound is your footsteps and the only light is that of your lanterns.  Soon you reach a large pit that has ladder going down into the darkness.  Several rope and pulley systems hang from timbers set into the ceiling.  There are ledges around the pit, with much smaller tunnels leading off into the rock, but you keep climbing down to the bottom of the pit.  A few more tunnels branch off, and Marina points to the one leading west.  She heads down the tunnel in the lead, with Zdenko following behind.  This tunnel is much smaller, anyone under 5 feet tall has to crouch uncomfortably in order to fit, lest they bump their head on the rough ceiling.  After 60 paces, you come to a change in the tunnel.  There are the remnants of a wall, it appears that the passage was once walled off, and then broken through.  Just beyond, you see that the tunnel opens up into a much larger subterranean cavern...
LarsWester
Crawling on his hands and knees Harman breathes a sigh of relief when they reach a more wide open cavern.  He stands up, placing his hands on the small of his back he stretches forwards and back then side to side.   That was some tight quarters there for bit.  Guess not for you Severin.  he says softly.
Haval
Gabriele is on the look out for the Halfling 'workers' but is on balance grateful that they weren't around. It would be easy to misconstrue their being here. Inside the mine she is tall enough for the passage to be uncomfortable to move through.  'That wall would be from the Dwarves I take it?' 
rax
 "Not being a longshanks has it advantages sometimes,"  Severin replies to Harman with a sly smile.

Studying the wall, he notes:  "Generally speaking, when someone puts up a wall, it's because they want to keep people out or keep something in. Why doesn't it surprise me that Tollares didn't worry about stuff like that before breaking it down..." 
 "I'm pretty light on my feet and I see better in the dark than the rest o' you. Maybe I should be the first one through, eh?"  he suggests to the others.
Haval
 'Wouldn't the cave wall be enough for that?'  Gabriele isn't convinced.  'Maybe it's decoration? You live underground but you don't want to look at the bare cave wall all day.'  She'll wave Severin on,  'Just be careful.' 
dojango
Severin enters the cavern first, with Marina and Zdenko on his heels.  The big mercenary straightens up and says, "Ah, thank the gods, my back is killing me."  Marina shushes him loudly, and casts her lantern light on the walls of the cavern.  The ceiling is perhaps 10 feet high in most places, and there is a row of stone spikes descending from the ceiling, and a matching row coming up from the floor beneath them.  The walls are slightly damp, and the cavern floor is sandy in patches and bare rock in others.  There is a cluster of fat-looking mushrooms growing in sand.  There are two exits to the room, one to the south and one to the west.
rax
 OOC:  Stone spikes as in stalactites/stalagmites or spikes as in man-/dwarf-made?
dojango
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  OOC:  Stone spikes as in stalactites/stalagmites or spikes as in man-/dwarf-made? 
 

Stalactites/stalagmites but does Severin know what they are?
LarsWester
 Should we continue goin' West or change direction to see what's beyond that door to the South?  I think staying going the same direction is easier to avoid getting lost.  Harman staring at both room exits.
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Stalactites/stalagmites but does Severin know what they are? 
 

 I doubt it. I asked mostly to find out if we as players were supposed to assume that they were some sort of man/dwarf made feature.

However, I've been in enough caves to feel that it's fair for Severin to not immediately assume that the spikes have been put there by the dwarfs. His reaction will be more along the lines of "what the h*ll are those?"
rax
 "Marina! What in Sigmar's name are those?"  Severin whispers urgently, staring at the stone spikes.

 "It'd be nice if there was a clue as to how to proceed,"  he answers Harman.

 "Hmm, if there's sand, there may be tracks. Can you see anything, Gabriele?"  he asks his friend.
Haval
Gabriele will gratefully follow the others into the cave.  'Does that happen a lot?'  She whispers about the spikes. Maybe the Dwarves had made them. She'll move around closer to the two exits to see if she could hear anything. She'll also check the ground for any sign that anyone might have come through here recently.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Will add a follow trail test to the rolls made in the ooc in case there are any tracks
Vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 48 ] 
 
dojango
Marina whispers back.  "They are the teeth of dragons.  When they roamed the earth.  After they died, their bones turned to stone and caves.  We are walking in what used to be a dragon's skull."  And then, "Whichever way we go, we should mark it."

Gabriele and Harman study the mushrooms.  They smell good, if nothing else.  It seems familiar to Gabriele, but she can't quite remember what type of mushrooms they are.  As she looks for tracks in the dim latern-light, she sees that the ground, where there's sand and dirt, has been churned up.  Although she can't tell how many people have gone that way, there are tracks around both exits to the cavern.  The only sound she hears in the cavern is the dripping of water, but as she gets closer to the exit to the west, she thinks she hears water flowing from that direction.
rax
 "Right, so here's a theory. If there's running water down the western exit, we're likely to reach an impassable point sooner rather than later. So exploring the western passage could be quickest. Anyone have a problem with us going down there first?"  Severin asks.
Haval
Gabriele just looks impressed at Marina's comment and will go to get a closer look at the 'teeth'.


 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "Right, so here's a theory. If there's running water down the western exit, we're likely to reach an impassable point sooner rather than later. So exploring the western passage could be quickest. Anyone have a problem with us going down there first?"  Severin asks. 
 

 'So there might be a river or a lake down here? As long as we don't have to go swimming. Might as well rule out the western side first.' 
rax
 "Alright then, let's get moving. I can take the lead if someone takes care of marking our passage. And maybe Marina should come second - you're the most experienced delver among us, eh?"  Severin suggests.
dojango
Marina nods at that and marks the passageway with her chalk.  After Severin heads down the passageway she follows. Soon it gets cramped enough that she has to duck, and the other two men are nearly bent over. The rocky floor holds no tracks, and after a few moments Severin comes to a room hewn out of the rock. The room is at a crossroads of sorts, with passageways heading in all four directions, and on one side there is a stairway heading up and down into the depths. Inside the room strewn about are all sorts of sundries, pots and pans, wrecked furniture and shattered crockery. Amidst the mess are broken, splintered bones and a few smashed skulls...
rax
Severin stops to examine the wreckage of the room, trying to determine who might have made the furniture, pots, pans, and the like.

 "How long did Sol's lot say this new area was in operation before people started disappearing?"  he asks the others.
Haval
 'Weren't these Dwarf mines at one point? Maybe all this has been here a long time.'  Gabriele will get a closer look at the skulls to judge what race they came from.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

In case it's not obvious where the skulls came from
Common Knowledge (Empire) vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 24 ] 
 
dojango
It's a sad truth but everyone's become very familiar with the dead over the past few years.  The skeletons don't have the size of humans nor the thinner bones of halflings; the skulls are solidly thick and wisps of hair cling to some of them.  Dwarves.  There are four skulls in the room, so four of them must have died.  The bones are old and dry.  Marina looks nervously at the exits to the room and fidgets, while Zdenko and Pietro rummage through the rubble.  "Nothin' but junk" mutters Zdenko, while Pietro picks something up and stows it in one of his pockets.
rax
 "Dwarves, eh? So this happened a long time ago then. Of course, whatever killed these fellows and wrecked the room could be responsible for our disappearances as well, but I guess we'll find out soon enough. Gabriele - just a thought - are the bones showing any indication that they were...chewed on?" 
Haval
 'Might not prove anything. Could be rats down here.'  Gabriele will check to see if she can make out any sign that something larger might have been chewing on these remains.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Outdoor Survival if it helps vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 13 ] 
 
LarsWester
Harman searches around the room for any clues that something within the area caused the deaths of these four dwarves.  He is looking at the cavern walls for any scratches or runic writing.
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

  Search  - (1d100)[ 72 ] 
I think search is the correct skill but he also has perception and outdoor survival.
 
rax
 "I figure if something bigger than a rat chewed on these poor buggers, then you'll probably notice,"  Severin chuckles in reply to Gabriele.
dojango
In the penny dreadfuls, the heroic roadwarden is always able to tell a long tale from the state of a body; but to Harman's eyes these are just old bones.  Very old bones, to be sure, and a lot less water-logged then the corpses he used to see floating down the river.  A quick search of the room reveals a great deal of runic graffiti and a few stone tablets with runic dwarfish writing on it, but unfortunately he can't read dwarfish, so it means nothing to him.

Gabriele, of course, has seen plenty of chewed up bones in her times wandering through the woods, including human bones.  Although these bones are old, they definitely have been chewed upon, and in many cases, deliberately cracked open to get at the marrow inside.  Of course, the bones are so old, anything organic and edible would have decayed long ago.
LarsWester
 Well these dwarves may have come to their end here I believe this is just the start of our exploration.   We have many choices here.  Do we want to go up, down or stay on the same level?     Harman looks at all the options for continuing forward and sees nothing indicating which way to go.
Haval
Gabriele looks suitably disgusted.  'Something's definately been at these. Rats can't ususally break a shin bone in half like that. Whatever it was hopefully it's long gone though.' 

To Harman,  'I'd say explore up here before we go any lower. Seems like everything might be more unstable the further in we go.'  
rax
 "With everything smashed up in here and four dead, eaten, dwarfs, I'm thinking that this all happened at the same time...and maybe it's the reason this place was abandoned. We should tread  very  carefully,"  Severin says, worried eyes glancing at the exits from the room.  "But I agree with Gabriele - let's try and cover this floor before we go up or down. I suggest we go left first." 
dojango
It takes about an hour, but you carefully explore this level.  Immediately surrounding the central room, which Marina speculates is some sort of resting room for underground workers, are two larger store-rooms.  One is filled with broken barrels and boxes, the wood little more than firewood now, while the other has a lot of heavy and specialized mining equipment and other assorted tools.  There is also what is obviously a latrine.  Finally, there is a third room that contains a large piece of complicated machinery attached to large copper pipes that lead into the wall.  Exploring the tunnels that lead away from the room, one ends abruptly in a cave in, where the timbers supporting the mine have collapsed, while another one twists and turns through the ground before eventually petering out in a dead end.  While most of what you find is either too damaged and rotten to be of use, Gabriele finds a small pouch with 9 unfamiliar silver coins in it tucked away in some clutter, Severin finds a very good-quality steel dagger under a pile of rags, and Harman opens up a relatively intact box and finds 17 heavy tallow candles.  Both Zdenko and Pietro occasionally pocket something, and Marina finds a copper kettle that she hangs from her backpack, next to the bird cage.  After a short rest back in the central room, Marina whispers to Severin, "Should we go up, or go down?  Down is likely more dangerous.  Keep a close eye on the bird if we go down."
Haval
At the site of the machinery,  'The Dwarves made this didn't they? Not that anyone could get it out of here but it's probably worth something.'  Gabriele will talk quietly just in case there was something else down here with them. To Severin,  'Might be a back exit to all this further up. Although maybe there's another way out at the foot of the mesa.' 
rax
 "Whatever's up there, it's closer to the surface, and that means the tunnels will come to a stop when we reach it. The stairs down could go on for who knows how far? So if we want to make sure there's nothing coming up behind us, it would probably be fastest to check upstairs first and clear out any trouble we find there first,"  Severin reasons.

 OOC:  Sorry for the delay in replying. I needed more time than I thought to rest up.
LarsWester
Harman was intrigued by the machinery and copper pipes its function a complete mystery to him.   I agree with Severin. 'After all what goes up must come down.' Do we know anyone who knows dwarven technology that could fix that machine? 
dojango
Heading up the stairway for a quick few turns finds you in a room with a metal frame set into the far wall.  Below the frame is a deep shaft that disappears into the depths below, above the frame a shaft seems to go up into darkness as well.  Marina says, "When this was open there was probably a lift going up to the surface and down to where the mine workings were.  No such luck for us, we have to climb."

Heading back up the stairs you ascend towards the surface.  After many turns of the staircase, you find yourself higher than the valley floor, so you must be within the heart of the mesa.  The stairway keeps going up until you find a corridor leading off into the mesa... but it is blocked by a stone wall.
LarsWester
Harman cautiously peers inside the metal frame.   He's looking for any type of control mechanism inside the frame that would have be used to raise of lower the frame.    Marina do you think this lift would still be operable?  At least just to raise it enough for us to get underneath.  Do you think the air would be good down there?  Since it opens up to here. 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
 Harman was intrigued by the machinery and copper pipes its function a complete mystery to him.   I agree with Severin. 'After all what goes up must come down.' Do we know anyone who knows dwarven technology that could fix that machine?  
 

 'Not personally, but there's probably a Dwarf around here somewhere. I'm not sure they'd be ok with us taking things though.' 

After they moved upstairs.  'No idea how this thing is supposed to work but I suppose the Dwarves know their business. If the lift is still working down there maybe we can use it to come back up?'  Gabriele will take a look at the blocked corridor while they were up here.  'They wouldn't just build a corridor going nowhere would they? Did they drop this big rock to cover the entrance?' 
rax
 "Stone walls here, stone walls down there. The Dwarfs didn't want anyone roaming around their old digs once they'd left,"  Severin mutters.  "How are we for time and torches? Anyone fancy a bite to eat before we head down again?" 
Haval
 'Couldn't hurt. But I don't want to hang around too long. I'd rather get out of here before night.' 
LarsWester
Harman smiles  Never good to go exploring on a rumbling stomach.  Especially a halfling's rumbling stomach. 
rax
 OOC:  That was just a bit of fun on my part. 🙂

If dojango doesn't intend to spring an ambush on us while we eat, I suggest we can just fast forward to us having eaten and gone back down to start exploring the lower levels.
dojango
Marina inspects the elevator more closely but shrugs.  "Those engineers keep their secrets well, I don't know how these work.  I think this looks broken though, there should be more... stuff... here to make it work.  At least it brings good air into the depths and lets bad air escape.  If we wanted to someone could try to climb up the shaft to see if it goes somewhere else, but it might just be a dead end."

Pietro seconds the idea of taking some time to eat, and the three mercenaries break out some dried rations and water and sit and rest for a bit, chatting in Tilean.  Marina refills her lantern with oil and salvages some wood from the debris to make some crude torches, which she passes out to the others.  They watch the shadows, twitching, worrying about an ambush, but nothing materializes.
rax
 "Alright then, everybody ready to go? Then let's head back down and see how deep we have to go..."  Severin suggests once everyone's eaten their fill.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Marina inspects the elevator more closely but shrugs.  "Those engineers keep their secrets well, I don't know how these work.  I think this looks broken though, there should be more... stuff... here to make it work.  At least it brings good air into the depths and lets bad air escape.  If we wanted to someone could try to climb up the shaft to see if it goes somewhere else, but it might just be a dead end." 
 

Gabriele thinks of how far down the shaft goes.  'Probably too risky, even if there's something valuable up there. Tollares is free to come back here with climbers if he's that interested.'  Afterwards she'll listen to the mercenaries talking in Tilean and try to see if any of it was familiar. Reikspiel and the smattering of Estelian that she'd picked up from her Grandma would only take her so far though.

Eventually she'll get up to follow Severin,  'And how deep is that? Is that story about the Dwarves having tunnels everywhere actually true?' 
LarsWester
While the others are discussing in Tilean amongst themselves and Severin and Gabrielle are having a discussion Harman inspect the open shaft more closely.   Thinking that he could possibly climb keeping tension between two adjacent walls of the shaft.   Marina I'm going to give it try.    Harman takes out his rope and ties one end around his waist before handing the other end to Zdenko.  The tall and strong investigator begins slowly creeping his way up a corner of the shaft.  Keeping his tension alternately between his arms or legs he shimmies up the shaft.   Progress is slow and tiring but he seems to be making progress none the less.
dojango
With the strong mercenary (hopefully) having a firm grip on the other end of the rope, Harman climbs up into the darkness.  It's hard going at first, and it doesn't get any easier after he leaves the comforting bubble of light down below.  After a number of minutes, Harman's reaching hand feels the edge of a ledge and he is able to haul himself up and light one of his candles.  He sees another room similar to the one he just left, with a twisted and wrecked metal frame around the shaft, and a tunnel leading off into the darkness.  This room, however, is carpeted with shattered and wrecked bones covering most surfaces...

 
 Spoiler: Harman 
The bones are dry and desiccated, with no flesh or skin remaining.  There are also dozens of weapons in their ruined hands.  He estimates them to be the same age as the ones he examined earlier.  The metal frame is study enough that he can affix the rope to make it easier for him to climb down, or for someone to climb up should they be so inclined.  He also spies some dangling chains from some machinery at the top of the shaft.
 
LarsWester
Relief floods over Harman as his candle light spreads across the chamber.  That is until it reveals the rooms contents.  Harman lays on the floor with his head over the shaft calling down.  I made it up to the floor above.  It's strewn with skeletons.   I think there was a battle here long ago.  There's also a passageway out of this room.  Anyone else interested in coming up?  I can secure this end of the rope so it will be an easy climb for you. 
 
 Spoiler 
 Harman quickly secures his end of the rope.  He then inspects the dangling chains more closely does it look like the chain broke at some point.  He also searches the weapons in the room for any that are of usable quality.  As well as just a general search of the room.   SearchVs36  - (1d100)[ 78 ]   spending a Fortune Point if it fails   SearchVs36  - (1d100)[ 27 ]  or if Perception works instead the check is vs 56. 3/4 fortune points remaining.
 
rax
Severin looks around at the others.  "Well, he made the effort to get up there, and we would likley have had to investigate the shaft eventually. If there was a battle, I'm thinking it was probably against the same creature or creatures that did for the poor buggers we found earlier. I'm game to go up there and see where the passage leads if the rest of you are,"  he says.
Haval
Gabriele will look at the rope suspiciously.  'Maybe once we're up there we can find another way down. I can't believe he actually made that climb.' 
dojango
While the others are climbing up, Harman takes some time to search the room.  A closer look at the chain reveals that it wasn't broken... it was cut cleanly.  Deliberately.  Meanwhile, everyone takes turns to climb up the rope with another rope tied to them for support.  Zdenko, the heaviest, goes last with both Pietro and Marino holding onto the rope tied around his waist as he climbs up.  He curses has he hauls himself over the ledge and says "Yah, let's find another way."

 
 Spoiler: Harman 
While the others are climbing up you examine the bodies.  The way the bones lie tells you that they were disturbed after they died, and were torn through and scattered.  You've seen bodies torn apart by wild animals before in your previous career.  Most anything of leather or wood has rotted away or is falling apart, leaving shining axe-heads and spear-points, and a few picks and shovels.  The torn scraps of their clothes and leather armor is falling to pieces, while metal buckles and plates gleam in the candlelight.  One of the bodies, however, has gold ring with purple stones set in it on the hand, and the skeletal hand is wrapped around a heavy dwarf-crafted sword covered with geometric decorative engravings.  You can hear Severin making his way up the rope, you can quickly pocket the ring before anyone notices...
 
LarsWester
Harman hears the others climbing up and heads over to the ledge where he offers a hand up to Severin.
 I think the dwarves cut the chain to keep whoever killed these dwarves from using the elevator years ago.   Most of it is useless scrap but there is a fine sword over here you should look at Severin.  I think it made the bit of effort getting up here worth the chance.  Should fetch a nice price. 
 
 Spoiler: Private 

Harman would pocket the ring rather than share it with the other mercenaries. But he is calling Severin's attention to the fine dwarven sword.  Don't think we can hide it from the other 3 mercs.
 


Once everyone is up Harman suggests catching their breaths and then proceeding down the passage to see where it leads.
dojango
Once he's up, Severin sees the bodies. The way the bones lie tells you that they were disturbed after they died, and were torn through and scattered. You've seen bodies torn apart by wild animals before in your previous career.  Most anything of leather or wood has rotted away or is falling apart, leaving shining axe-heads and spear-points, and a few picks and shovels. The torn scraps of their clothes and leather armor is falling to pieces, while metal buckles and plates gleam in the candlelight. One of the bodies, however, has a skeletal hand wrapped around a heavy dwarf-crafted sword covered with geometric decorative engravings.  As Severin examines it, he can hear Marina and Pietro climbing up the rope behind him.
Haval
Gabriele will climb up very carefully and try not to look down the shaft as she does so. At Harman's comment,  'But it didn't work did it? Whoever attacked them just found another way in.'  When she sees the sword,  'Looks expensive. Dwarf weapons are supposed to be the best aren't they?' 
LarsWester
Harman shrugs at Gabriele's comment  May have bought some time for the defenders elsewhere.   Do you think it's a runic weapon?   I hear the dwarven masters could enchant weapons with special powers.   Harman looks down at the sword before kneeling and grabbing it by the hilt and lifting it for closer inspection.   Best to lay hands on it in case the others hold to some first touched equals ownership mindsets.  he reasoned.
Haval
Gabriele shrugs,  'They made Sigmar's hammer didn't they? I suppose the only way to be sure would be to hit something with it.' 
rax
 "Well, don't just stand there playing with it, you might go blind,"  Severin chuckles as Harman examines the sword.  "If you want it, tuck it in your belt for now." 
 "Funny thing, though. To me it looks like these bones were scattered  after  these lads were already dead. So maybe there's some beast or beasts that moved in later...or maybe whoever killed them had something with them that they let chew on the poor beggars after they'd been killed,"  he speculates.
LarsWester
Harman lets out an embarrassed chuckle before putting the sword in his belt.  Severin I agree these bodies were picked clean and bones scattered well after these warriors died.  Should we check the passageway for any signs of what did those deeds? 
Haval
To Severin,  'As long as whatever it was that messed with the bodies isn't still here.'  
dojango
Pietro and Zdenko look askance at Harman as he collects the sword, but say nothing.  They also root through the scattered bones as well for a few moments, until you decide to move out.  There is a short hallway, also strewn with bones, and then you are in a large open room, some sort of dining hall and gathering place.  At one end is a large open basin, with a very well crafted statue of several dwarven maidens pouring pitchers into the empty basin.  Zdenko and Pietro spend a few moments admiring the details of the statue before Marina pokes Zdenko with a sharp finger and they get to searching the room.  There are more bones here, but little in the way of anything useful.

It takes another few hours to explore this level; the tunnels and rooms here are a far cry from the crude workings below.  The passageways are lined with statues of dwarves, and the walls and floors have been carefully smoothed out and in many places, covered with detailed engravings.  You pass workshops, dormitories, more kitchens and storerooms and offices.  You find bones, both dwarven and animal now, rats, cats, dogs and chickens.  You also find garbage strewn about here and there, mostly clustered around what appear to be ventilation shafts.  Here and there you can find natural sunlight filtering down from above.  Marina takes a few moments to close her eyes and stare up at the light the first time you find one, ignoring the garbage heaped up at her feet.

You also find some cisterns with buckets and rope descending from above; these must be the wells from where the town above draws its water.  You also find the fortifications overlooking the paths winding up the mesa; this is where you had briefly explored a few nights ago.  You also find what must have been the main entrance, but it is now blocked by tons of rubble from the collapse of the roof above.  There are also two places where the halls have been blocked by crude walls; next to one of them you find two broken skeletons, one of which has some mason's tools scattered around the body.
rax
Severin is quiet as they explore the Dwarf halls. Even empty and desolate, they're a wonder to behold compared to the Human cities and towns he's familiar with. At one point he leans over to Gabriele and whispers:  "Well, now we know what the halls look like. Shame we haven't got the time or equipment to map this place properly - we'd be making Le Houet a very happy woman. I wonder how much of this Vorgrimler got to see?" 
 "So, about these walls. It seems pretty clear that whether or not the guards and workers were taken or fled, they didn't pass through any bricked up passages. Do we try and knock one of the walls down just to see what's on the other side, or do we head back down and see if we can find a trace of the missing folk?"  he asks the rest of the crew. "
Haval
Gabriele will help search the rooms for anything interesting. If the stories were true this place wasn't even a particularly large settlement by Dwarf standards.

At the ventilation shafts,  'Careful where you step. I hate to think what people have been dumping down here.'  At the blocked off sections,  'You think they lived like this with the walls ready to collapse the whole time?' 

To Severin quietly,  'You open the place up and it'd make a hell of a fortress.'  On the walls,  'If we can be sure we're not going to bring more of the ceiling down if we try breaking the walls.'  She'll point to the skeletons with the mason tools,  'If things were bad enough to start collapsing the entrance maybe these ones were the rearguard. Maybe they didn't expect to make it.' 
dojango
Marina starts to get nervous when Severin mentions breaking down walls.  "We was hired to solve problems, not open up new ones," she says.  Meanwhile, Gabriele searches  some of the rooms she passes and some of the bodies.  She can't help but notice that this area has been picked over by scavengers; fixtures are pried out of walls, bodies are rummaged through, and anything remotely useful seems to have been carried off.
rax
 "I doubt it. I think they were probably facing an attack of some sort, so they blocked off passages they couldn't defend properly. Doesn't seem to have helped much in the end though,"  Severin answers Gabriele.

 "That's a fair point,"  Severin answers Marina with a grin.  "I guess that means we climb back down and then go down the stairs, eh?" 
Haval
 'Someone stole everything that wasn't nailed down.'  Gabriele is frankly disappointed to have to make the climb down in reverse.
LarsWester
Harman finds a good size stone and carries it over to the shaft that he had climbed up and drops it counting out loud softly until he could maybe hear it hit something down below.  One... Two... 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

  Perception  - (1d100)[ 33 ] 
Harman is trying to figure out how far down the shaft goes by the old dropping a stone and multiplying number of seconds by itself then by 5 to get a rough estimate of yards down.   If it's something over 10 seconds then Harman probably can't do the math very easily.
 
rax
 OOC:  Is this where we all go "Fool of a Took!" 😁
Haval
Gabriele will listen in case the shaft was somehow a lot smaller then it seemed. To Harman,  'Just don't fall in right. Maybe it's best not to think about how far down it goes.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Just in case
Perception vs. Int 38 (+20 Acute Hearing)
 (1d100)[ 46 ] 

 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  OOC:  Is this where we all go "Fool of a Took!" 😁 
 

 'They have a Rat Ogre.'  😛
 
dojango
Harman drops the rock and waits.  He counts to eleven and then hears the clatter of the rock hitting bottom.  A few moments later a few other rocks and bones go down the shaft as Pietro and Zdenko toss debris down as well, grinning as they watch it ricochet off the walls.  "Stop, stop!" hisses Marina, waving her arms.  "What are you doing?  We have to go down there too!"
rax
Severin shakes his head briefly at Pietro and Zdenko's foolishness, but keeps his mouth shut, expecting that they're more likely to accept a dressing-down from Marina than a Halfling.

 "So now we know there's an end to the shaft as well,"  he says with a look at Harman.  "Are we supposed to try and climb all the way down using ropes, or do we take the stairs we saw earlier...like sensible folk?" 
Haval
Gabriele will watch Pietro and Zdenko with a grimace.  'Try not to make so much noise. If there's anything else down here I don't want to encourage them.'  To Severin,  'Climbing down all the way to the bottom seems like asking for trouble honestly. Unless the stairs are blocked.' 
LarsWester
Harman simply shrugs at Severin keeping his reasoning to himself for the time being.   Stairs would be safer but we'll have to take the rope down to the level below either way.  Speaking of rope do we wish to leave this run of rope here or should I untie the end here and climb down on my own means?  I regret not buying more rope. 
dojango
It takes a few minutes for everyone to climb down to the next level, and then for Harman to untie the rope.  Then you all head back down the stairway to the rest area.  After a everyone pauses to catch their breath Marina cautiously moves to the edge of the lift shaft and peers down into the darkness.  "I think you kin lower yourself down this way.  Or we could check if the stairway is clear."
rax
 "My arms are getting tired from all this rope climbing. I say we check the staircase first,"  Severin replies.
Haval
 'Stairway first. Let's not tempt fate until we have to.' 
dojango
You head down the stairway from the resting room, descending another few twists of the staircase.  After a few minutes, you find yourself in a large underground cavern.  At your end of the cavern you see the wreckage of the lift, twisted and rusted.  The chain that held it is piled up around the bottom, as is the broken counterweight.  The builders of the mine have built out a stone platform at this end of the cavern, rising out of the water that covers most of the rest of the cavern.  A causeway of sorts leads further across lake, into the darkness.
Haval
If they were on the surface Gabriele would have felt the need to scout ahead. As it was she'll stick close to the torches and try and keep an eye out.
rax
 "Well, at least we can be sure that Inselberg won't be running out of water any time soon,"  Severin whispers at the sight of the underground lake.  "Seems to me there's only way forward from here - I'll go first,"  he says and begins moving cautiously towards the causeway.
dojango
After checking the platform and finding little of interest, the small group cautiously heads out across the causeway.  It's well built, with a flagstone path about five feet wide atop it.  Every so often there are ornately carved stone lanterns; here a kneeling dwarf, there a few strange animals.  They are obviously unlit at the moment.  The torchlight flickers and reflects off the water as you move.  It's not surprising that Harman, from his experience taking a long watch on the riverboats, spots it first... the ripples in the water are going across the current.  Something's moving down there... moving directly towards the causeway!  Severin spots the strange ripples a moment later.  Some sort of shadow in the water.  He sees, out of the corner of his eye, Marina twitching as she reaches for her sword.

Then the water explodes in a wave outward and upward as six huge shapes burst outward, huge pale lizard-looking things, with long claws and a scaly, spiked head filled with jagged teeth.  They charge up the side of the causeway, biting and snapping...

 
 Spoiler 
Roll for initiative!   (1d10)[ 10 ]   Gabriele, Zdenko and Pietro are surprised.
 
LarsWester
Seeing the ripples head towards him Harman tightened his grip on his sword and raised the torch in his left hand trying to cry out a warning but not being able to get it out before the lizard folk sprung from the water.
Harman slashed away at the one that landed closest to him on the causeway.   Quick the enemy is upon us.  he shouted as his sword cut through the air and sliced towards his targets arm.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full Action = Swift Attacks
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 4 ]  left arm
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 13 ] 
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 52 ]  miss
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 7 ] 
 
rax
 "Sweet Shallya have mercy!"  Severin cries out as the aquatic horrors come scrambling up the causeway, but he keeps his nerve and reacts quickly, ducking and weaving back down the causeway to load his sling.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Disengage 8 yards back down the causeway.

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 86 ]  vs. 62
Pre-emtpive Parry  (1d100)[ 84 ]  vs. 41, assuming it's okay to say that Severin had his shield equipped
 
Haval
Gabriele is evidently paying too much attention to the darkness ahead of them to be looking to the water.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
I'll wait until the lizards take their turn
 
dojango
One of the beasts heaves itself on the causeway.  Severin backs away from it, shield up between him and the beast.  It hisses at Severin, long tongue flickering out at him.  Severin now finds himself cut off from the rest of the group...

Harman strikes at the beast but it skitters out of the way before his blow lands.  Meanwhile, it lunges towards him and bites at his leg with its needle-sharp teeth.  Harman fends it off with his torch and the beast hisses at him.  Gabriele hears the beast lunge out of the water at her and as she turns to face it, it bites at her side.  She nimbly sidesteps it and it's mouth closes on air.  Behind them, they hear Marina shriek as she is bitten by one of the other beasts, and Zdenko and Pietro curse as they draw their weapons.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
They're basically swole underground komodo dragons, so they can't quite elevate enough to hit your heads... well, except for maybe Severin's.
 
Haval
Gabriele is surprised but she's a bit more prepared then she was when she crossed the mountains. She'll wrench her leg back even as the creature's jaws snap shut. Only her training with Morillo allowed her to keep her feet. With the torch held in one hand she'll draw her sword with the other and try to force the lizard in front of her to keep it's distance.   'Stay close.'  
 
 Spoiler 

Belated Dodge for the surpise round in the ooc so I'll roll another one here just in case

Half Action - Ready Sword
Half Action - Attack

vs. WS 42
 (1d100)[ 91 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 5 ] 

Dodge Blow vs. Ag 48
 (1d100)[ 7 ] 
 
rax
 "Oh, you must be joking!"  Severin curses in desperation as the giant lizard cuts him off from the rest of the group.  "What're you coming at me for! The big juicy ones are over there!"  he shouts, unhooking his mace and doing his best to fend off the monster.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Half action:  Ready mace
 Half action:  Standard attack with mace  (1d100)[ 79 ]  vs. WS 31
Damage  (1d10+2)[ 6 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 5 ] 
 (1d10)[ 2 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 21 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 76 ]  vs. 41 (WS 31, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  12/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  3/3
 
LarsWester
Harman swinging down with his torch is barely able to deflect the things jaws from clamping down on his unarmored legs.  He lets go a swift combination of downward slashes and stabs trying to carve the creature in two.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full action = Swift Attacks
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 19 ] 
  damage  - (1d10+5)[ 9 ] 
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 39 ] 
  damage  - (1d10+5)[ 11 ] 
  TorchParry  - (1d100)[ 42 ] 
  Breakage  - (1d100)[ 19 ] 
13/13 wounds 3/4 fortune points
 
dojango
Harman hacks down with his sword on the lizard's leg as is it tries to lunge in for another attack.  His sword crunches through the lizard's scaly hide, and blood begins to flow.  Severin and Gabriele jab and swing at the beasts attacking them, and the lizards snap and hiss back at them.  Behind you, you can hear a loud booming shout from Zdenko.
rax
Ducking and weaving to avoid becoming lizard lunch, Severin swings wildly and ineffectively at the scaly beast.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack with mace  (1d100)[ 96 ] ,  (1d100)[ 82 ]  vs. WS 31
Damage  (1d10+2)[ 12 ] ,  (1d10+2)[ 8 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 47 ] ,  (1d100)[ 79 ] 
 (1d10)[ 7 ] ,  (1d10)[ 9 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 86 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 21 ]  vs. 41 (WS 31, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  12/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  3/3
 
LarsWester
This was bad Harman thought as the lizard still was pressing its attack.   He had hoped to kill it quickly to come to the aid of his allies.  He could hear their cries of pain and shock.   Time to finish it Harman he told himself as he kept pressing his attack on the lizard trying to bite his legs.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full action=Swift Attack
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 26 ] 
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 12 ] 
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 21 ] 
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 7 ] 
Below is either a Ulric's Fury confirm or if the lizard is still up a Fortune Point Spend to gain a 1/2 action to make a third attack.
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 50 ] 
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 10 ] 

Preemptive Parry with torch   WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 45 ] 
if successful does it break   BreakOn50Up  - (1d100)[ 96 ] 
 
Haval
Gabriele will chop downwards with her sword. She didn't even need to kill it really, she just needn't to hurt it enough to get it to leave. She'd have to worry about the others later.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Full Action - Swift Attack

vs. WS 42
 (1d100)[ 69 ] 
see ooc - FP used to reroll to 27
 (1d100)[ 58 ] 

Damage
 (1d10+3)[ 12 ] 
 (1d10+3)[ 13 ] 

Dodge roll if needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10)
 (1d100)[ 78 ] 
 
dojango
With a satisfying crunch Harman smashes his sword into the beast's back, and it twitches for a few moments before going still.  As he pauses to catch his bearings, to one side he sees Severin fending off one of the lizards, and to the other he sees Gabriele strike a quick blow at another lizard, only to have it lunge forward and bite down hard on her left arm.  The light of the torches flickers madly as it reflects off the cavern walls and the water below and the ceiling above.  There is a splash as another of the lizards rolls into the water, blood streaming from wounds on its back.

 
 Spoiler 
Gabriele takes 12 damage to the left arm, before wounds and toughness, and everyone can make another awareness check, Gabriele and Severin at a -20 penalty because they are still fighting.
 
Haval
Gabriele will swear in pained surprise as the lizard bites down on her arm. She'd been bitten by a wolf before but this was so much worse. There was nothing else to do but to try and hit it with the sword in her other hand as she shook it off. If she gets it off her arm she'll foccus on trying to avoid getting hurt like that again.

 
 Spoiler 

Half Action - Standard Attack
Half Action - Parrying Stance to parry with sword

vs. WS 42
 (1d100)[ 7 ] 

Any Damage
 (1d10+3)[ 5 ] 

Any Dodge against the first successful attack
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 87 ] 


Any Parry against the same
vs. WS 42
 (1d100)[ 87 ] 
 
dojango
Although distracted by the pain in her arm, Gabriele hears the faint scratch of claws on rock.  Severin's hackles rise and he dares a quick glance upward.  And as Harman scans the caves, he suddenly remembers to look up.  Almost directly above them, climbing along the ceiling is a huge specimen of the lizards, far larger than than the others.  It is crawling along the ceiling, claws grasping on the rough rock as it hunts for prey...
Haval
  'Big one above us.'   Gabriele doesn't want to panic anyone in the middle of all this, but it was better then having that thing land on top of them.
LarsWester
Harman let's out a cry  Shallya have mercy!  as his eyes take in the monstrously large lizard creeping along the ceiling of the cave.  He moved quickly to free Gabriel of the lizard snapping at her.   Harman could tell the woman had already been bite hard in the arm as red was spreading along her sleeve.  He came up behind the lizard with a flurry of stabs and slashes hoping to catch it off guard as it's attention was on Gabriel.  However the fear coursing through Harman as he took in the creature above was sensed by the lizard before him and it successfully evade all of Harman's attempts.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 


 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 You are too close to Gabriele's lizard to charge, but you can get into melee with it if you want. 
 

My interpretation is that Harman can Full Action-Swift Attack this lizard. But if he needs to move than his actions would be.
1/2 Action Standard Move
1/2 Action Standard Attack *1st attack below*
If the lizard is not killed after this attack then he will spend a fortune point to get an additional 1/2 Action to use to attack again. *2nd Attack below*
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 90 ]  fail
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 6 ] 
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 98 ]  fail
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 7 ] 
  Parryvs42  - (1d100)[ 55 ] 
  Torch  - (1d100)[ 4 ] 
 
rax
 "Above us! We need to fall back!"  Severin calls out to the mercenaries, but with the first lizard still doing its best to rip him to shreds, he keeps swinging, hoping to scare it off.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack with mace  (1d100)[ 88 ] ,  (1d100)[ 21 ]  vs. WS 31
Damage  (1d10+2)[ 3 ] ,  (1d10+2)[ 8 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 73 ] ,  (1d100)[ 33 ] 
 (1d10)[ 4 ] ,  (1d10)[ 3 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 82 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 59 ]  vs. 41 (WS 31, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  12/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  3/3
 
dojango
Severin manages to strike the lizard with his mace.  The creature's thick scales crack under his blow, but his attack leaves him open to the creature's swiping claw and it manages to hit him in the head.  Harman takes a couple of swings at the lizard attacking Gabriele, but its thrashing tail and sinuous movement makes him unable to land a good hit.  Fortunately, the lizard is perhaps, too distracted by Harman to be able to hit Gabriele again.

Behind Gabriele, you can see Zdenko turn to try and help Marina, while Pietro is trying to fend off the attacks of one of the lizards.  Then, with a silent jump, you see the big lizard above let go from its grasp... it twists its body as it leaps, and opens its limbs wide, giant folds of skin stretching out.  It glides down from the ceiling and with a sudden thump, it lands just behind Pietro, and advances towards him.
rax
Severin ducks the worst of the lizard's attack, but still stumbles backward from the blow. Looking up as he steadies himself, he observes the giant lizard landing behind Pietro.

 "They FLY?!! The bloody things FLY!! Behind you Pietro! It's behind you!"  Severin shouts out loud. Knowing he can't abandon his comrades, he return to the fray with a frustrated growl, snapping his mace forward in a series of swift attacks.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack with mace  (1d100)[ 43 ] ,  (1d100)[ 45 ]  vs. WS 31
Damage  (1d10+2)[ 12 ] ,  (1d10+2)[ 8 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 57 ] ,  (1d100)[ 76 ] 
 (1d10)[ 10 ] ,  (1d10)[ 5 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 46 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 22 ]  vs. 41 (WS 31, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  10/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  3/3
 
LarsWester
Dismayed by his failure to draw blood from this second lizard and the arrival of the giant one Harman presses the attack to free up Gabriel.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

wounds 12/12 FP 2/4
Full action = swift attacks
[Roll=WS+10]1d100[/roll]
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 14 ] 
[Roll=WS+10]1d100[/roll]
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 7 ] 
  Parry  - (1d100)[ 45 ]  if attacked but don't know thay anything is attacking.
  torch  - (1d100)[ 10 ] 
 

[
Haval
Gabriele will do her best to finish off the lizard in front of her while it was distracted. Either they needed to focus on the big one or else get the hell out of here.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Away from book, isn't it +10 for outnumbering?


Full Action - Swift Attack

Vs. WS 42 (+10 outnumber?)
 (1d100)[ 14 ] 
 (1d100)[ 87 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 13 ] 
 (1d10+3)[ 12 ] 

Any Dodge
Vs. 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 59 ] 
 
dojango
With a strong blow, Gabriele strikes down at the beast menacing her.  With a loud crunch, her blade cuts into the creature's foreleg, slicing through it.  The beast collapses a moment later.  Severin tries to strike a blow against the beast he's facing, but is unable to hit it.  He does manage to avoid its swiping claws a moment later, though.

You can see Zdenko take some wild swings at another of the beasts, managing to strike it.  It tries to crawl off the causeway, only to tumble down the rocky causeway into the water.  At the end of the line, Pietro tries to turn to fend off both of the lizards attacking him, and is unable to protect himself.  He screams as the smaller one bites into his leg and the larger one clamps onto his arm, and with a sudden twist of its head, tears it free.  Pietro falls to the ground, blood spreading from a mortal wound.

 
 Spoiler 
There are two of the smaller beasts left on the causeway, and the larger beast.
 
Haval
There was no time to feel satisfied by that blow. Gabriele will do her best to to ignore the sight of Pietro dying in front of her and will instead go after the lizard that was trying to kill Severin.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Full Action - Charge
vs. WS 42 (+10 Charge) (+10 outnumber)
 (1d100)[ 82 ] 
Rerolled to a 5 in the ooc

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 4 ] 

Any Ulric's fury
 (1d100)[ 85 ] 
 (1d10)[ 9 ] 

Dodge as needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 30 ] 
 
rax
 "Harman! Go help the others, we've got this!" 

With Gabriele once more backing him up, Severin keeps pressing the attack, but his aim is off and he hits nothing but air.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack with mace  (1d100)[ 67 ] ,  (1d100)[ 75 ]  vs. 41 (WS 31, Outnumbering +10)
Damage  (1d10+2)[ 10 ] ,  (1d10+2)[ 4 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 63 ] ,  (1d100)[ 76 ] 
 (1d10)[ 10 ] ,  (1d10)[ 2 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 77 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 52 ]  vs. 41 (WS 31, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  10/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  2/3
 
LarsWester
 Wounds 13/13 FP 3/4 
Horrified in the giant lizard that just tore Pietro apart like he was a toy in the hands of over rough child, Harman stands stunned for a few seconds before Severin's call brings him back into the action.   At the halfling's words the Tall man springs into action running down the narrow causeway to join Zdenko and Marina against the two beasts at their end.   If they could eliminate the smaller one first than the three could team up against the larger one.
Harman calls out to the others  Marina and Zdenko finish off the smaller one.  I'll try to keep the monstrous one focused on me.   Harman whispered  Verena watch over me.  and started his attack on the giant lizard sword slashing wildly and torch waving.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

  WS  - (1d100)[ 61 ]  vs42 swing and a miss
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 13 ] 
  Parry  - (1d100)[ 22 ]  Successful parry
  Torch  - (1d100)[ 9 ]  still lit.
 
dojango
Harman runs up towards the big lizard, pushing past Zdenko and Marina, and takes a wild swing at it, but misses.  The big lizard hisses at him and flares out its jaw before it bites into Pietro's body, starting to drag it away.  Severin takes a few swings at the smaller lizard facing him, but can't quite close in safely.  Gabriele lands a weak blow on the beast's side, but the animal's scales absorb the impact.  The beast, angered and confused by the onslaught hisses and slides off the causeway back into the water.  At the edge of the causeway, near where the body of the killed lizard is, several extremely small lizards clamber out of the water and begin worrying at the body, trying to tear chunks out of it.  The last lizard on the causeway also slides off into the water and disappears beneath the water.  Marina and Zdenko stare wildly around.  "Pietro!  Pietro!" shouts Marina, while Zdenko mutters something like, "Morr's balls, what was that?"
Haval
 'Keep the torches steady.'  Gabriele will attempt to stop the big lizard dragging Pietro's body away. As long as there was some light perhaps she could convince it to let go.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Free Action - to drop sword and torch
Half Action - Ready Bow
Half Action - Shoot the big lizard

Vs. Bs 57
 (1d100)[ 15 ] 

Any damage (I think it has AP?)
 (1d10+3)[ 10 ] 
 
rax
 "At last!"  Severin mutters in relief as the smaller lizards abandon the fight.  "Let's get that filthy beast for what it did to Pietro!"  he shouts.

Hooking his mace back on his belt, he quickly unloops his sling, drops a stone in the pouch and snaps off a quick shot at the giant lizard.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Half action:  Ready sling and "sheathe" mace.
 Free action:  Load sling.
 Half action:  Standard attack  (1d100)[ 80 ]  vs. BS 63 (-20 penalty if Harman is still in melee with the big lizard)
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 10 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 84 ] 
 (1d10)[ 1 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 16 ]  vs. Ag 62

 Wounds (remaining/total):  10/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  1/3

 Edit:  Spent an FP in the OOC thread. Roll to hit is now 25, and thus a hit even if Harman is in melee.
 
LarsWester
 W 13/13 FP 2/4 After this post 
Harman's hair is blown back against his face as the giant lizard hisses at him and clamps its tremendous jaws around Pietro's shoulders and starts dragging the corpse away from the fight.   Harman is stunned for a second until he sees an arrow fly over his shoulder and bury itself deep in the lizard's hide.   He also saw a stone from Severin find its mark against the beast.

 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "Let's get that filthy beast for what it did to Pietro!"  he shouts. 
 

 That settles it then.  The revenge for Pietro will be swift and white hot.   Harman thought as he surged forward with a yell.  Marina.  Zdenko on me that thing dies now! 
Harman charges towards the giant lizard slicing away with his sword.  Still brandishing the torch lighting up the giant beast as a target for his companions ranged fire.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Not sure the situation but first spoiler is if it is as I read it.   That the lizard moved away from Harman on its turn.
 
 Spoiler: Contigency1 

Possible Parting attack on the lizards turn.
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 54 ]  miss
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 15 ] 
Full action Charge if possible
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 45 ]  +10% for charge. hit
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 13 ] 
FP for either a reroll or extra 1/2 action standard attack if the charge attack hit.
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 43 ]  vs 52 if the charge attack missed as it is a reroll. miss
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 8 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: Contigency2 

If Harman was still within melee then the rolls would be the same except against 42 for all three rolls.
 

Either way   ParryVs42  - (1d100)[ 6 ]  Success and   Torch  - (1d100)[ 93 ]  Torch out on a hit!
 
dojango
Gabriele drops her torch and shoots an arrow into the scaly hide of the beast.  Next to her, Severin flings a stone at the beast, hitting it with an audible thunk.  The beast tries to back away from Harman, who in his fury, charges at it and hacks away with his sword on the beast's scaly snout as it tries to drag away Pietro's body.  He sees blood fly, and the beast flinches in pain.  It raises its claws at him, and with a sudden movement, heaves itself back in the water with a loud splash, taking Pietro's body with it.  Harman can see its dark shape underwater swimming into the depths.  Behind Harman, Marina starts crying, while Zdenko lets out a loud yell as he kicks at one of the smaller lizards swarming over the body of its larger brethren.
LarsWester
Harman let's go a scream of impotent frustration after the giant lizard.  Arghh! You cowardly freak get back here.  Fine run, but know the scales of Verena pursue you. 
He then turns to look at Zdenko and Marina.  When he sees Marina in tears he hangs his head as he walks back to rejoin the group.  His torch still spreading light throughout the chamber.   Unsure what words could bring comfort at this time he just puts a hand on Marina's shoulder as she cries.
rax
 "Yeah, you'd better run! If we see you again, we're going to turn you into boots for a whole company!"  Severin yells after the giant lizard.

He then fumes silently for a moment before speaking again.  "How is everyone doing? Marina, Gabriele? It looked like you both got bit hard by these monsters." 
Haval
  '****.'   Gabriele swears in frustration.  'A little to the right and I could have taken the bloody things eye out.'  Not that it would have mattered, but she would have felt better about it.

 'Marina...'  Gabriele was at loss over what to say that would make anything better. If Marina assented she'll give the other woman a hug. To Severin,  'I've had worse.' 
dojango
After a few moments, Marina shakes off Harman's hand and pushes away from Severin.  "I'm fine," she says.  "What are we doing?  Are we done?  Should we go back and tell them there's monsters down here?  What in the hells are they doing?"  To that, she spots the smaller lizards tearing into the body of the slain lizard.
LarsWester
Harman looks over at the myriad of little lizards feasting on the larger lizard.    To me it looks like a food shortage.  Those little guys are going to grow up to became big and nasty though.   Harman will fire his pistol at the crowd of little guys hoping the gunshot and impact will frighten the little lizards back into the water.
rax
 "Hey now!"  Severin yells at Harman when he fires his pistol.  "These monsters may not be the only nasty surprises lurking down here!" 

Once the echo of the discharge fades, Severin answers Marina.  "If everyone else is alright with it, I'd like to press on to find out what's at the end of this causeway. We came here looking for missing people, and so far we haven't found any evidence of them at all." 
Haval
On the missing,  'Maybe they're down there.'  Gabriele points to the water. It was easy to imagine that there was a pile of bones around here somewhere.

Gabriele will bend down to retieve her torch. She'll keep her sword out.  'If we stay we try not to stay out in the open. I don't want to be suprised again. Then after maybe we can talk Tollares into coming back here with enough men to kill that thing.' 
dojango
The smaller lizards do scatter when Harman fires the shot and disappear beneath the water again.  Everyone picks up their torches and relights them, if needed.  Once again the group slowly moves down the causeway towards the center of the cavern.  In a few moments there is an island rising out of the underground lake.  In the torchlight you can see two large statues standing at the edges of the causeway, with unlit braziers at their feet.  A short ramp goes up to the island.  At the top you can see a huge pile of mud and rotting leaves and branches, and you can see another of the massive lizards staring down at you from atop the pile...
Haval
 'What do you reckon?'  Gabriele says to the others while keeping one eye on the lizard ahead of them.  'Even if we can take it between us the problem is if any more of the big ones decide to show up.' 
rax
 "Could be a mated pair, in which case I'd guess there's only room for the two of them in here,"  Severin mutters while loading his sling.  "If they're mates, then the other one was probably on a hunting expedition to feed this one. If we attack, the other one will probably turn up soon enough..." 
 "I don't like leaving these beasts alive, and I don't like not knowing if our missing slaves and guards ended up as lizard lunch, but we're not really here to clear this place of wildlife. There's still the southern passage in the entrance cavern to explore. I say we go back and check that out for now. If we draw another blank we can vote on whether to come back this way then."  
LarsWester
 I agree that most likely the larger two are a mated pair.   Pointing to the mound of mud, leaves and branches.   That has all the signs of a nest.  I think the first lot we fought may have been the remnants of a first hatch.   Those smaller lizards probably belong to a more recent hatch.  They will have to be dealt with to restore the mine to operational status but not necessarily now and not necessarily by us.  Maybe for more coin but we now know what might be behind the disappearance of the guards and miners.   Harman talks in a low volume to not prompt the nested lizard to move while also keeping an eye out for Pietro's killer.   I think you have the right of it Severin let's go check that other pathway and make a report. 
dojango
As you retreat from the nest, you can see movement in the water.  Keeping eyes peeled, you can tell that some of the lizards are watching you.  But soon you reach the beginning of the causeway and make your way back up the stairs towards where you had come from.  By retracing your steps (and the marks on the wall) you find yourself in the cavern with the mushrooms and the dragon's teeth.  Following the passage to the south, it twists and turns and the ceiling gets lower and lower until Zdenko is practically crawling, and the others are not much better off.  Zdenko grumbles and says, "I will go no further.  Keep going if you must, but I won't get stuck down here."
Haval
Gabriele will keep her torch steady in case one of the smaller lizards decided to try anything. As it starts to get cramped she'll nod in agreement with Zdenko.  'He's got a point you know. Even if there's nothing dangerous down there there's no guarantee there's even room to turn round. I wouldn't want to have to crawl out of here backwards.' 
LarsWester
 Severin if you wanted to continue alone you could go further but I wouldn't judge you for pulling back with the rest of us tall folk. 
Harman calls out from his hands and knees as he also has been crawling the last bit of the cramped tunnel.
rax
 "I suppose it doesn't make much sense to think that any guards pressed through this way, but if I were an escaped Halfling slave, finding myself a hidey-hole where longshanks fear to tread would be top of my to do list. I'll keep going a bit further. If the tunnel opens up further along, I'll call back to you,"  Severin replies. Taking a brief moment to check that all his gear is properly stowed so as not to catch on any projections, he continues on slowly through the passage.

 OOC:  I'll keep going as long as Severin can still stand, unless that's going to put him waay ahead and out of voice contact with everyone else. Note that Severin stands a mighty 4'2", so he's like the tallest Halfling of his generation. 😁
dojango
Severin finds that he, too, will have to crawl to get much further forward. There isn't much danger of him getting stuck just yet, but he will need to crawl over through gaps in the rock.
rax
 
 Spoiler: dojango 
Well now you've done it. Now I have to find out where this tunnel leads after all. 😛

Did Severin have to start crawling at the same place as everyone else or has he moved forward and out of sight already?

Does this tunnel appear natural or could it have been made by the dwarfs or someone/sonething else? And is it a tight fit because it's partly collapsed or just naturally low/narrow?
 


Severin grunts in dissatisfaction as the passage narrows. Worried about getting stuck, he removes his backpack and his shield before pressing on...
dojango
Severin could go a little further without crawling, but soon he found himself on his hands and knees, trying to keep the torch ahead of him and lit. After dropping his pack so it wouldn't catch on the rock above, he pushed forward for about fifty feet. The rock floor felt polished smooth beneath his hands and feet, as compared to the rough ceiling. The walls were not as smooth, more smooth at the bottom. The passage went slightly up, and at one point he put his hands in wet sand. As he looks down, right in front of his hands is a handprint. A little smaller than his. He then has to climb over a rock ledge that has worn grooves in its face. He can stand up there, and as he climbs over the ledge he sees natural light at the end of the passageway.
rax
  Maybe an old watercourse?   Severin thinks to himself as he worms his way along the passageway.   And a way out...   he speculates when he sees the natural light ahead.

Holding the torch in his left hand, Severin draws his mace with the other and slowly makes his way toward the light, keeping an eye out for any further signs that anyone has passed this way.

 
 Spoiler: Perception test if needed 
 (1d100)[ 1 ]  vs. Int 44
 
Haval
 'I really don't want to have to follow him down there.'  Gabriele mutters.  Maybe we should have brought more Halflings. 
dojango
The exit to the passageway is covered with brush and spiny plants, although some of it seems broken aside. Severin emerges into the afternoon light and finds himself at the bottom of a sinkhole maybe 20 feet deep. The sides are steep and covered with brush and small trees, and the bottom of the hole is covered by loose sand. It looks like something or someone has torn up some of the spiny plants to eat. As Severin turns to look back at the entrance, which is almost concealed under the brush, he notices a pile of pale, almost translucent scaly stuff.
LarsWester
 
 Originally Posted by Haval 
  'I really don't want to have to follow him down there.'  Gabriele mutters.  Maybe we should have brought more Halflings.  
 

Harman shifts his feet waiting for Severin's return.   Gabriele I don't think we could follow him down there even if we wanted to. 
rax
Severin stiffens at the sight of the scaly stuff.   More lizards?   he worries. Carefully stowing his mace, he jabs the torch into the sand, pulls out his sling and loads it.

He then slowly makes his way towards the scaly stuff to inspect it, all the while keeping his eyes peeled for any sudden motion.

 OOC:  The tunnel Severin came through wasn't big enough for a lizard like the ones that attacked us to crawl through, was it?
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
 Harman shifts his feet waiting for Severin's return.   Gabriele I don't think we could follow him down there even if we wanted to.  
 

Gabriele will look at Harman and assess his size,  'Maybe. I don't want to get stuck down there, but it doesn't sit right waiting. I'd like to think Severin would have the sense to know when to come back.' 
LarsWester
Harman shrugs his shoulders.   You've neen with him longer than I have.   He seems to be a perfectly reasonable fellow.   Honorable too.  He'll do the smart thing if his honor will let him.   At least that's my read of the little guy.   You might have further insight. Shall we say a prayer to Verena for him?  Harman asks Gabriele as she seemed worried for her companion.
dojango
Severin cautiously looks around the passageway. The biggest of the lizards would not fit through it, but the ones that attacked first could probably wiggle through. Certainly the littlest ones would have no problem.  The scaly stuff is just that, shed skin. Severin doesn't detect any movement around other than the wind blowing through the bushes at the edge of the sinkhole.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
 Harman shrugs his shoulders.   You've neen with him longer than I have.   He seems to be a perfectly reasonable fellow.   Honorable too.  He'll do the smart thing if his honor will let him.   At least that's my read of the little guy.   You might have further insight. Shall we say a prayer to Verena for him?  Harman asks Gabriele as she seemed worried for her companion. 
 

Gabriele looks sceptical,  'If you think it'll help. I feel like Taal himself wouldn't bother coming down here.' 
LarsWester
Harman bends one knee and lifts his head up beginning to matter a common prayer to Verena.  Mother Verena we beseech thee.   Let our eyes see the truth.  Let our ears hear the truth.  Let our feet carry us to the truth.   Let our minds reason out the truth still unrevealed.   With the truth known let us pursue justice with all our strength, mind, and spirit. Mother Verena we beseech thee thus.   Harman raises back to his feet gives a faint smile to Gabriele.   Can't hurt right? 
Haval
Gabriele will mumble along with Harman's unfamilar prayer. 'It couldn't hurt. Don't think I've ever met a Verenan before. Does she ever answer back?' 
LarsWester
Harman smiles at Gabriele.  Oh she answers.  Sometimes not as fast as you'd like or with the answer you'd prefer.  We often have our own ideas of Justice and own views of what it is True. You know I've been seeking to bring justice to a specific person so still waiting for that answer from Verena regarding that matter.  We'll see how the mother goddess answers in this case. 
rax
Satisfied that he isn't going to be ambushed by a giant lizard right now, Severin turns to inspecting the sandy floor of the sinkhole, edging his way towards the nearest spiny plant that's been bashed open. While he's no tracker, he carefully studies the sandy floor to see if he can discern any halfling-sized footprints...or lizard-like ones.
dojango
As Harman prays towards Verena, Marina listens piously.  She says, "It is good, she is a light guiding us out of darkness.  May she lead Pietro through Morr's realms."  Meanwhile Zdenko amuses himself by drawing with chalk on the rock walls.  Severin spends some time examining the area around the sinkhole, but his tracking skills are not sufficient to determine what type of foot has walked or crawled through this area, only that something has passed through.
Haval
To Harman,  'So the Gods help those who help themselves? Maybe we should try and look for this man of yours to see if Verena's paying attention.' 
rax
Frustrated in his attempts to figure out who or what came this way, Severin picks up his torch and makes his way back into the tunnel. Once he reaches the rock ledge, he calls out gently down the tunnel to the others.  "There's a way out here, but I can't tell if anyone's made use of it. Found some shed lizard skin just outside, though, so maybe this is the way those nasty critters got inside." 
 "Gabriele! I could use your help checking for tracks. It's a tight fit, but if you leave your pack, cloak and any long weapons behind, I think you can make it,"  he adds.
Haval
 'Remind me to teach you how to do that.'  Gabriele will discard her larger gear.  'I'll go take a look if you're sure I can turn around. But you realise it's not always easy to find tracks even if they're down there?' 
rax
 "No need,"  Severin mutters.  "When this is over, I'm going to make my living doing something less dangerous, like...I don't know...professional gambling?" 
Haval
 'Don't win too much and don't cheat openly. Sounds about right.'  Gabriele will make sure she has a knife with her but will leave her larger gear behind.  'Harman. Can you look after my stuff? I am not going to be down there long.' 

Assuming the others don't object Gabriele is going to gingerly try to see if she can even get through the narrow gap.
dojango
The tunnel is claustrophobic as she wriggles her way through.  She has to contort a little bit to get over a ledge and climb up, but once she does that the tunnel opens up again, enough for her to have space around her.  Soon she finds herself in the light of the outside again; she is at the bottom of a large sinkhole.  The sides and bottom of the hole are covered in brush and there are a few small trees here and there.

OOC:  Follow Trail roll for Gabriele to see what she can find out
Haval
Gabriele will do what she can to search for tracks.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Follow Trail vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 39 ] 
Last Fp if needed
 (1d100)[ 23 ] 
 
rax
When Gabriele drops down into the open tunnel, Severin indicates for her to keep quiet and then points out the handprint he discovered earlier. Motioning for her to follow him outside, he then quietly fills her in on his thinking while she studies the sinkhole for traps.

 "Don't tell the others, but that handprint and the fact that you longshanks have to drop everything to make it through the passage makes me think that maybe some of the disappeared Halflings made it out of the mine this way, but I can't tell if they made it out of the sinkhole as well. Someone or something has been at these spiny plants as well - probably looking for something to eat. But then I found the lizard skin, and I got to thinking that maybe they eat plants too, you know?" 
 "Anyway, once you're done looking around, I want to have a go at climbing up the sides to see where we end up, but I may need help getting up and down again. Us Halflings are built low to the ground for a reason,"  he quips.
Haval
Gabriele will do what she can to stretch when she's outside again.  'I'm all for escaping. It's better then staying down there with the lizards. But where are they going to go afterwards? Would they try to make it down the mesa in the dark? Or would they try to find a place to hide out in town?' 
dojango
Gabriele heads out into the sinkhole and starts looking around.  Once Severin points out the tracks he's seen, she is able to get a better picture of what passed through here.  The lizards apparently come through here often enough that their tracks are all over the place.  Looking up the sides of the hole Gabriele can also see signs that a small figure passed through here, its hands and feet smaller than Severin's for comparison.  The figure seems to have climbed out of the sinkhole as there are broken branches and torn leaves that weren't made naturally.  It should be fairly easy for someone to climb out as long as they don't mind pushing through the occasionally spiny vegetation.  Gabriele estimates that this probably happened a week or so ago based on the condition of the tracks and the broken brush.  Some of the lizard tracks are fresher than that, perhaps made within the past few days.
LarsWester
Harman leaned against the cool stone wall of the mine system stretching his back.   It had been a while since he was in heated mortal combat like that against the lizards.   His stomach churned as his mind played over the lizard tearing into Pietro.   He looked over at Zdenko and Marina with sympathy.   He had lost companions before while serving in the River Wardens it was always hard dealing with the loss and the knowledge that it just as easily could have been you.   He struggled to think of any words that could bring comfort to the situation and decided there were none so he simply resolved to get them talking about something else.   Have you two been in the service of Arcadius for a long time now?  From what little dealings I've had they seem fair but could be harsh with discipline. 
Haval
Gabriele will point out the tracks to Severin. 'Just got to pay attention. Other then the lizards I'd say whoever it was was definitely smaller then you. Maybe it's our girl.' 
rax
 "Just the one? I was hoping for clear signs that more of the slaves had found this way out. It's the only path I've seen down here where I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be followed,"  Severin replies glumly.  "And I don't like the sound of the lizards passing this way regular-like. Makes this a dangerous path to try in any case." 

Looking up at the top of the sinkhole, he makes up his mind.  "Alright, I'm going to see where climbing gets me. Want to come or do you want to wait until I've gotten a look around?"  he asks, heading over to where the small figure seems to have climbed out.
Haval
 'Only one that I can see anyway. Maybe a week or so back. The lizards might just be up here to find whatever prey they can catch. I'd like to think we'll be able to see them coming if we run into any up here.' 

Gabriele considers the climb.  'If you think you can make it up there I'll give you a boost. If I need to I'll follow you up but I don't want to leave the others alone down there for too long either.' 
rax
 "I don't intend to stay long - just enough to get the lay of the land so we can take a closer look once we've reported back. I'm thinking the best thing to do is to not let anyone but Harman know that it look like at least one Halfling escaped this way. Which means that we're looking at reporting back that there's man-eating lizards down here, and that they may be the reason slaves and guards have disappeared. Of course, the only way we'll know for sure is if we can shift them from their nesting places - if they've eaten anyone but Pietro, there should be items left behind to prove it,"  Severin explains, then turns to begin climbing out of the sinkhole.

 OOC:  Does Severin need to make a Climb check?
dojango
Severin spends a few moments clambering up the steep sides of the sinkhole.  Debris and stones fall down behind him as he hauls himself up using roots and branches as handholds.  After a few moments he cautiously emerges, finding himself in the open landscape of the plains around the mesa.  The sinkhole is in a small depression in the ground, and to the south he can see the Inselberg rising out of the plains.  From where he is, however, it seems unlikely that they could see him back, if they were watching.  The mine is also likewise out of sight, hidden behind one of the shoulders of the mesa.
rax
Severin nods with satisfaction, then turns around and kneels to call down to Gabriele below.  "Well, if I was trying to get away from Sol's place unnoticed, this is pretty much the best spot to come up unseen from either the Inselberg or the mine. If Myrtle came through here, the odds are on her side for making a clean getaway." 
 "You want to come up here and have a quick look around for tracks? If we wait till later, the wind and the weather may wipe them clean, assuming there's any left to begin with,"  he ventures his opinion.
Haval
 'So maybe she's hiding out somewhere. Can't see her walking back to Stralwald though.'  Gabriele will try to follow Severin up.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Scale Sheer Surface vs. Str 35 / 2
 (1d100)[ 39 ] 

If she makes the Climb, Follow Trail vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 89 ] 
 
dojango
The climb up is not difficult, but there is some scrambling as she pulls herself up using roots and branches as handholds.  Some of this ends up scraping over the tracks leading up, and when she reaches the top she looks around for a little bit before realizing that the tracks in the open have faded away by the restless wind of the plains.  She searches for tracks in areas that might be protected or sheltered, but is not able to find any.  The sun is getting low in the sky by the time she stops searching for signs in the area.
Haval
 'Nothing. Which might not mean very much depending on how far back it was. Maybe I can take a look around in daylight and see if there's any sign that someone's been living rough out here.' 
rax
 "Ah well, I already figured we'd have to be proper lucky to find a good set o' tracks up here. If you think it'll help to come back later, I'm all for it. For now, let's get back to the others and fill them in on the fact that the lizards seem to be coming and going this way. Then we'll have to decide whether to report back or take a stab at clearing those scaly bastards by ourselves,"  Severin answers Gabriele, then begins to make his way back down into the sinkhole.

 OOC:  Unless Gabriele has other ideas, Severin's ready to crawl back to the others. He'll make sure to mess up the Halfling tracks in the sinkhole and most especially the handprint in the tunnel as he goes.
Haval
 'If no one stops me looking I can see if Myrtle left a fire anywhere. If everyone thinks she's dead maybe no one's bothered enough to look for her.'  Gabriele will relunctantly follow Severin back down,  'I don't want to leave the others too long. How long would anyone wait for us in a place like that.' 
dojango
Marina and Zdenko look at each other and she rolls her eyes.  "He was a, you know, condotierri, and still wants to be.  If we wanted to play at soldiers, we'd do it, right?"  Zdenko grunts at that and she continues, "We've been with him for a few years now.  Haven't had too many problems with him, so we keep staying, yeah?  Better than striking out on our own.  It's better to run with a crew than on your own out here.  I gotta say, we just started running through here a few months ago and I don't really like this place.  Even Nirena is better than this."

Meanwhile, Severin and Gabriele return to the the rest of the group, with Severin dragging his knees through the tracks he'd previously spotted, effectively erasing them.  They squirm through the narrowest part and emerge into the torchlight.  Zdenko reaches down to help you stand up and grumbles, "You were gone a while, find anything good?"
LarsWester
Harman decided to push his luck with the two mercenaries.    In your travels in the Borders have you heard any whispers about a man calling himself The Drunken Weasel.  Real name would be Gerhart Lustig.    Harman proceeds to give a physical description of the criminal that led him to the Border Princes.   With Verena's help Justice will find the man no matter where he runs. 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

  Gossip  - (1d100)[ 89 ] 
 
rax
Severin dusts himself off before answering Zdenko.

 "Yes and no, is the best I can answer. The tunnel leads into a sinkhole and like I said before, there were clear traces of big lizards coming and going. Gabriele can confirm that - right Gabriele?" 
 "We didn't find anything certain to indicate that our missing guards or workers came through here, though. I'm guessing that no guards would have put themselves through the ordeal of crawling through there, and if some Halflings got out this way, then any tracks they left are gone now. So, our best guess is that any traces of missing persons are going to be found in the lizard nest we found earlier - that's the only place we haven't been able to search properly." 
 "So, what next? Do we give the lizards another go, or report back and let Sol's lot decide how they want to handle this?" 
Haval
Gabriele will retrieve her gear.  'That's right. I take it no one has heard any stories about those things coming into town? If we're lucky maybe they only come up to hunt birds and the like.'  To Severin,  'I'd say it depends on if we can find somewhere to fight those things where there's no chance of us being surprised again. And even then only if we're all agreed. Otherwise I'd assume Tollares has a few more lads on the surface who aren't doing much.' 
rax
 "I have a hard time believing we can get most of the lizards to oblige us by fighting where we have an advantage. One or two of the smaller ones, maybe, but the big 'uns probably won't budge from the nesting area unless they feel like a bite to eat,"  Severin ventures his opinion.
dojango
Zdenko shrugs and says that he might have seen someone like that hanging around in Nirena a few months ago, which could be plausible.  But the man didn't sign up with any caravans that he knows about, and had disappeared the next time Zdenko had gone through.  Harman had also passed through Nirena on his way to Bremcote, it was a strange place.  A small trading post built up in the ruins of a larger city.  Zdenko also mentions that some of the tribesmen accused Arcadius of goat-rustling.  Apparently goats and other livestock have been disappearing in the night lately.

As far as getting revenge on the larger lizards, Zdenko is all for it.  "We know they'll try to ambush us so we can be prepared.  If we let Sol's boys do the killing, they'll get first crack at whatever is hidden down there."  Marina, on the other hand, is against it.  "Can't loot anything if we're dead.  And besides, what is there gonna be in a lizard's nest?  Bunch of lizard crap and bones?"  She thinks the job is done and wants to go back and get paid.
LarsWester
Harman adds his two pieces of clank to the conversation.   I guess the main question is if Sol thinks we completed the mission and pays us or if he thinks we left the job undone and orders us punished for not completing the job.  I hardly know the guy but what's everyone else's read of the man? 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "I have a hard time believing we can get most of the lizards to oblige us by fighting where we have an advantage. One or two of the smaller ones, maybe, but the big 'uns probably won't budge from the nesting area unless they feel like a bite to eat,"  Severin ventures his opinion. 
 

 'I think they might follow me if I start shooting arrows at them. But if they want to stay there until I run out that's good too. Marina has a point though. I'd say if we do it we do it very carefully or not at all.' 

 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
 Harman adds his two pieces of clank to the conversation.   I guess the main question is if Sol thinks we completed the mission and pays us or if he thinks we left the job undone and orders us punished for not completing the job.  I hardly know the guy but what's everyone else's read of the man?  
 

 'He's a slaver.'  Gabriele says simply.  'Maybe not a complete madman though. I'd like to think he'd still appreciate hearing about this.' 
rax
Severin shrugs.  "The job was to find out what happened to the guards and slaves. We haven't actually found any of them, but we did find man-eating lizards. Given that we haven't found any other signs of life, it's fair bet that the lizards are the ones that have been making Sol's people disappear. Remember, he started sending in the slaves all chained up - they wouldn't have stood a chance if the lizards found them." 
 "Anyway, if the lizards ate the slaves and the guards, there's likely to be some...indigestible...stuff in their nest. That would prove the theory, if Sol doesn't think our story sounds plausible. Bit if he wants proof and to be able to get back to digging, then it's in his interest anyway to send some people to help clear out the lizards." 
LarsWester
 Well we can decide this by a vote if all are in agreement to follow it's outcome.  Harman suggests mildly.   I vote for seeing what Sol thinks of our news.
 Maybe we can get further pay for coming back with more help. 
dojango
Marina votes to go back as well.  Zdenko votes to attack the lizards.  "If a paymaster can screw you over, he will, you can count on that," he says, glumly.
Haval
 'Even so, I vote that we go back. Maybe he'll see the sense in us bothering to come back and give an update. It's still better then if no one came back at all.' 
rax
 "Then it's settled. We report back and let Tollares decide what he wants to do next. If he stiffs us out of our pay, we'll deal with it when it happens,"  Severin says.
dojango
With the vote 4 to 1, the party heads back towards the surface.  There are a few guards waiting for you nearer towards the surface; they seem surprised to see you back alive.  It is evening by the time you make your way out of the mine and you are escorted out of the labor camp and up the path to the top of the mesa.  After a short hike by torchlight you are brought to Sol's hall and the guards usher you inside.  You are in a large room, lit by a few torches.  There are tables and benches for followers to sit at and a few servants are slowly making an attempt to push away some of the detritus from an earlier feast.  A few guards are lurking around in the corners, and Beauregard comes in through the front door a moment after you.  After a few minutes more, Sol strides out another door and heads over to you.  He is an older man, with a clean-shaven scalp and a short beard.  He is wearing an old, comfortable looking robe.  He takes a seat and a servant brings him a flagon and he says, "So you're the mercenaries who went poking around in the mine.  Find out what's happening down there?"
Haval
Gabriele answers flatly,  'There's a couple of really big lizards and their brood living down there. Looks like they ate your miners.' 
LarsWester
 As they did one of our number.  Harman adds sorrowfully.
rax
 "More than a couple, actually. Two really big ones and a bunch of smaller ones, but they were still big enough to do real damage. They've got themselves a nice little setup in a cavern with an underground lake. The nest is on some sort of island in the middle, and there's just the one causeway that goes there. They ambushed us from the water when we were going out to have a closer look and then one of the big ones dropped down on us from the cavern roof. They climb too, you see..."  Severin elaborates.  "Your foreman said the workers were chained when you sent the last lot in. If they met the lizards, the poor beggars never stood a chance - wouldn't even have been able to run..." 
dojango
"Giant lizards, eh? I've heard of stranger things lurking in the depths, suppose we should be relieved. Beau, get a posse together, a score of men should do it. You lot, come back in two days to collect your pay. If your story holds true. You're dismissed." He waves you off and yawns. As the guards escort you out you hear him shout over to Beauregard, "Tell Herr Vorgrimler to come see me in the morning! I think we found what he was looking for!"
Haval
To Severin and Harman,  'Why's Vorgrimler interested in the lizards?' 
rax
 "Who knows? Tollares could have been speaking of something else that's got nothing to do with our business down there,"  Severin answers.  "Though if it's related to this dwarfhold, then I suppose it's a mighty handy coincidence of timing that Sol's people should have found what Vorgrimler's looking for while we were down there scouting around." 
 "You want to sneak back in and see what Tollares' lot do with the information we delivered? If you're up for crawling through the sinkhole passage again, we can get in and out unseen." 
Haval
 'You mean after they've cleaned out the lizards? Not opposed but remember that I won't be able to see a damn thing down there without torches, which'll make it hard to hide from Tollares' boys. Could we try talking our way into letting us accompany them down there? Vorgrimler didn't seem very talkative when we asked him about it before.' 
LarsWester
 We can always try the thirst for revenge angle.   That we want to make the lizard pay for for taking one of our group.   Maybe they would let us go along.   Harman offers up with shrug of his large shoulders.
rax
 "That could work, I suppose. Or maybe just suggest that it would be a good idea to have us along to guide them to where they need to go?"  Severin answers.
dojango
While discussing this, you see the millstone inn across the square and head there for a night's sleep.  The proprietor takes you in, and lets you stay in the rooms you had used earlier.  It's been a long day and soon you find yourselves fast asleep.

 
 Spoiler: Harman 
You don't sleep well.  You have a very vivid dream of yourself standing amidst the bones from the mines, with an angry dwarf shouting at you surrounded by the bones.  He is shouting at you in what you assume is Khazalid, which you don't understand, and once the dwarf seems to realize you don't understand him, he gets even angrier, if that were possible.
 


You are woken by the sound of someone knocking heavily on the door of Harman's room, shouting for him to wake up.  You recognize the voice of Beauregard, who is loudly saying, "Wake up in there!  Rise and shine!  I need that powder I lent you, come on out!"
LarsWester
Shaken from his vivid dream during the nights sleep Harman jerks to a seat in his bed at the sound of Beauregard's calling.  He slides out of bed, grabbing the loaned pistol shots and powder.
 Here you go with thanks Beauregard.  I ended be engaged closely right away so there was little cause for the pistol.  Are you part of the group going in to deal with those giant lizards?  One of the large ones snapped one of my group in half.  Watch out they can climb on the ceiling of the caverns down there and drop on you unexpectedly.  Say do you think there'd be some coin if me and mates tag along?
I'd love to extract a bit of revenge for poor Pietro. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

  Charm  - (1d100)[ 65 ] 
  FP  - (1d100)[ 76 ]  if needed wow thanks dice.
 
rax
Severin is sound asleep but wakes from the knocking. Sitting up in bed he scratches himself distractedly and listens to Beauregard's raised voice.

 "Well,  someone's  in a bit of a rush to get themselves killed,"  he mutters.
dojango
Beauregard takes the powder back, checks it, before slinging it over his shoulder.  He says, flatly, "I thought we'd hired you to deal with the problem, frankly, and the way I see it, goin' down as a guide is part of your original duties, not somethin' we pay extra for."
Haval
Gabriele is already awake and will stick her head outside the door of her room just in case Beauregard actually meant Harman harm.
LarsWester
 Think someone misinformed you Beauregard.  Our contract was to uncover the problem.  Task completed there's giant lizards eating your workers and guards.   You want us to go down there again and deal with it.  I'm thinking that's worth some more clink but I suppose that Sol might see it differently.  Harman says with a yawn.   When are you planning on heading out? 
Haval
Gabriele will add,  'Better off those things die then they come up to hunt. I wouldn't have a problem helping out with that.' 
dojango
"That's the spirit," chuckles Beauregard at Gabriele.  "We're leavin' at noon.  Meet us by the mine entrance and we'll head down.  Glad someone wants to help us get rid of whatever's down there."
LarsWester
Harman shakes his head at Gabriele when Beauregard leaves  Was trying to barter a little coin for us but I guess its better that we are there then not there.  I just don't like a slaver thinking we work for free. 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
 Harman shakes his head at Gabriele when Beauregard leaves  Was trying to barter a little coin for us but I guess its better that we are there then not there.  I just don't like a slaver thinking we work for free.  
 

 'Normally I'd agree, but I'd say there are other ways to get paid if Tollares feels like he owes us for helping out. Long as he pays us for going down there in the first place. At least this way we'll have some bodies to hide behind.'  Gabriele would not be particularly bothered if the lizards eat a few of them first.  'If money is a problem though, maybe we could work something out.' 
rax
Severin emerges from the room, absent-mindedly scratching his sideburns.  "We're not getting paid for two days anyway, so it's not like we've got money to burn in the meantime. In any case, I'm sort o' curious to find out if our theory holds up. We haven't actually found any trace of either guards or slaves - them being eaten is just our best guess, remember?" 
dojango
Shortly after, while you are eating breakfast, a messenger from Galeazzo finds you.  He tells you that Galeazzo has his half of the money for you down at the warehouse.  He also wants to hear how things went down in the mines.  Once you're there, he pays you your wages (ten crowns apiece) and sighs heavily.  "If it's not one thing, it's another.  Giant lizards, eh?  We've been pouring a lot of money into this operation.  Tell me, when you wandering around down there did the tunnels seem stable?  Would operations resume if we can clear out this nest of monsters?"
Haval
 'They're probably living down there because the town's full of food. The good news is that if there's many more of the big ones we probably would have heard about it already.'  Gabriele assumed that someone would have noticed if there were more of those things coming to the surface.  'The mine wasn't falling down if that's what you mean. The Dwarf tunnels are a mess and their lift isn't working anymore but it's safe enough if someone kills the lizards.' 
rax
 "We passed a lot of tunnels on our way down to where Tollares men had broken into the Dwarf caverns. I'm no miner, but I guess if the lizards are removed then there's nothing to keep Tollares from sending his workers down there again. As for the Dwarf tunnels, it didn't seem like there was much mining going on in there in the first place. There was one tunnel which I guess was a mine once, but it had collapsed and it didn't look like anyone had tried to clear it recently. All in all, unless there's more to the Dwarfhold than we managed to scout, my guess is that Tollares can't really expand his mining operation through there anyway." 
LarsWester
 I'll echo what Gabriele said the dwarfs had a lift but I think the mine came under attack years ago.   I believe the dwarf's collapse part of the mine to safeguard themselves.  They definitely damaged the lift to refuse easy access.  If some engineering minded folks got down there I think the blocks could be removed and the lift repaired.  But not sure how much those investments would cost nor what's beyond the blocked passages.  Harman adds with a yawn.  He didn't get a good nights sleep with troubled dreams and Beauregard waking him early.   Oh yeah Sol's guys mentioned something about Vorgrimler being interested in something within the mines.  Not sure if it's the lizard's or what the lizards are nesting on.  But either way we intend to guide Sol's boys to the lizards and take a few shots of our own at the beasts.   There's some confusion over the what we were hired to do in the first place but I think we want to be there anyways so that's not really a concern. 
Haval
 'With more men there's less chance any of us get our arms chewed off. I'd say Marina and Zdenko didn't deserve it either. Not so sure about some of the guards here.'  To Harman,  'We might be a little curious about whatever Vorgrimler's into as well.' 
dojango
Galeazzo listens and nods.  "Clearing out those monsters is the next step.  Yes.  All I know is the dwarves abandoned this place many years ago.  Before any of us were alive.  They have no more claim to the place."  He sounds like he is trying to convince himself, and moves on.  "Let me know if you need anything before you head down and I will try to obtain it, if I can."

After you leave his warehouse, it is nearly time to head over to the mines.  Once you arrive, you see Beauregard trying to organize a posse of a score of men, while Vorgrimler and Jedidiah stand to the side, watching the chaos unfold into something orderly.  Also standing to one side, eating a roll and eying the scene is Gretchen Manglepie.  She spots you coming and saunters over.  With a grin she says to Severin, "Hey, it's the Imperial.  How ya liking Inselberg?  No place quite like it, I reckon."
Haval
To Galeazzo,  'You reckon the Dwarves might object to anyone poking around down there?' 

Later she'll be keeping an eye out for Tick.
dojango
 
 Originally Posted by Haval 
 To Galeazzo,  'You reckon the Dwarves might object to anyone poking around down there?'  
 

He scowls.  "They seem to think that everything their ancestors touched belongs to them.  They ain't been around here for at least a century."
LarsWester
Harman leaves the sword he was using before with Galeazzo and straps the one of dwarven make in its place.  Between meeting with Galeazzo and the posse forming up to enter the mines Harman will pull Gabrielle and Severin aside and show them the ring he recovered from the mine.
 It looks valuable and I didn't really want to share any profits from selling it with Marina and Zdenko.  You two are a different matter.  I figure I've been with you a bit longer and actually trust you as much as you can trust someone you  met  in the Border Princes.  What do you think it's worth? 
Harman shows the both of them a gold ring with purple stones set in it before slipping it back into his coin purse and hiding his purse under his armor.
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Also standing to one side, eating a roll and eying the scene is Gretchen Manglepie.  She spots you coming and saunters over.  With a grin she says to Severin, "Hey, it's the Imperial.  How ya liking Inselberg?  No place quite like it, I reckon." 
 

  "It's as wretched a hive of scum and villainy as I've ever come across. So a lot like Altdorf, really. Just smaller, with more Dwarf tunnels and no Emperor,"  Severin answers with a nasty grin of his own.  "Say, you're Tollares' chief scout - how come he didn't send you down to look for his lost lambs?" 

  It looks valuable and I didn't really want to share any profits from selling it with Marina and Zdenko. You two are a different matter. I figure I've been with you a bit longer and actually trust you as much as you can trust someone you met in the Border Princes. What do you think it's worth? 
Harman shows the both of them a gold ring with purple stones set in it before slipping it back into his coin purse and hiding his purse under his armor. 

 Severin let's out a low whistle.  "I haven't the first clue, but it sure looks like it could fetch a pretty sum. Not here though - I'd be surprised if there's anyone in Inselberg with enough loose change to give us a fair price even if they wanted to,"  Severin replies.

 "By the way, have you given your new sword a swing yet?"  he asks with a nod at the Dwarf weapon now hanging from Harman's belt.
LarsWester
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  Severin let's out a low whistle.  "I haven't the first clue, but it sure looks like it could fetch a pretty sum. Not here though - I'd be surprised if there's anyone in Inselberg with enough loose change to give us a fair price even if they wanted to,"  Severin replies.

 "By the way, have you given your new sword a swing yet?"  he asks with a nod at the Dwarf weapon now hanging from Harman's belt. 
 

Harman nods his head.  I was thinking a piece like this might be of interest to your employer back in Bremcote.   I haven't tested in combat yet but it seems finely crafted.  The dwarfs usually made good stuff.   I might give it a go against those lizards down there.  
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 He scowls.  "They seem to think that everything their ancestors touched belongs to them.  They ain't been around here for at least a century." 
 

 'If they ever want me out of somewhere I'm happy enough to leave. Until then I don't see any harm in it.' 

 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
 Harman leaves the sword he was using before with Galeazzo and straps the one of dwarven make in its place.  Between meeting with Galeazzo and the posse forming up to enter the mines Harman will pull Gabrielle and Severin aside and show them the ring he recovered from the mine.
 It looks valuable and I didn't really want to share any profits from selling it with Marina and Zdenko.  You two are a different matter.  I figure I've been with you a bit longer and actually trust you as much as you can trust someone you  met  in the Border Princes.  What do you think it's worth? 
Harman shows the both of them a gold ring with purple stones set in it before slipping it back into his coin purse and hiding his purse under his armor. 
 

 'Oh I'm very trustworthy.'  Gabriele grins. On the ring,  'That's pretty. I'd have to agree with Severin though. Maybe find someone who can give you a decent price for it if you're going to sell it on.' 
dojango
Gabriele's comment seems to touch a nerve and Galeazzo says "Harm?  Harm in letting them have all the good mines just because they saw it a few hundred years ago?  This land is full of good, high quality ores and Tilea has just as much claim on it as anyone.  They abandoned the place and we're running it now, and they don't get to come waltz back here and take it all back..."

Gretchen says to Severin, "Oh, I don't do underground stuff.  I told Sol back when they opened the mines I wasn't goin' down there.  I mean, yeah, I guess I wanna see these giant lizards too.  But patrolling down there?  Count me out.  Although, I guess, those goat-herders been complaining about somethin' stealing from their herds lately.  If these lizards are doin' it then we got ourselves a culprit."

Gabriele looks around for Tick while they're near the mines, and she spots him at the far end of the compound, berating some workers who are dealing with the smelter.  He seems to be occupied with that, for now.

Harman hefts the sword, getting a feel for its weight and balance.  It is of best-quality make and has dwarven writing etched onto the blade.

 
 Spoiler: Harman 
As you examine the writing you have a memory of your dream, the dwarf shouting at you in his foreign tongue.
 
LarsWester
Harman is bored as the group gets organized he gives his new sword a couple of slashes at the air in front of him.     He mutters to Severin who is standing near by.  It's a fine blade despite it's age.  He shudders a bit while admiring at the blade's edge in the light of the tavern.  Then looking up and across the room to Beauregard he calls out  Beauregard are we ready to go give them lizard brains a meeting with shot, arrow, bolt and blade? 
 
 Spoiler: The Blade 

Oh Harman hasn't forgotten the dream.  He just doesn't know what he can do about it.  He doesn't know dwarven or know anyone who does that is near enough to consult with.
 
Haval
To Galeazzo,  'Hey I'm with you. All I'm saying is they don't seem like the type you want to piss off without a really good reason. I've heard the stories.' 

Outside the mine Gabriele will make a point of keeping others between herself and Tick whenever she can.
rax
 "What's the trouble with going underground?"  Severin asks Manglepie.  "Is it these specific tunnels or being underground in general?" 
dojango
Beauregard looks up suddenly at Harman and then sighs.  "Yeah, yeah, hold your horses.  We're just waiting on a few things.  Gods damn it, what took so long," he turns and snaps as he sees a man leading a few halflings over, pushing a cart full of supplies.  "Come on, come on," he shouts at the men.  "Grab rations, torches, rope, let's get moving!"

Fortunately Tick is busy with bossing around some of the slave laborers and he doesn't really pay attention to the commotion at the other side of the mine.  Gretchen turns to Severin and gives him a look and says, "It ain't natural bein' underground.  Not unless yer dead.  Gimmie the open air and sky, thanks."  She chuckles a bit and says, "Lookit these tall boys, gone all soft living in garrison.  Keep movin, sleep under the open sky every night, there's the life, eh Proudfoot?"

After a few minutes the crowd coalesces into some order.  Beauregard tells Harman to come up front with him, and lets the rest of you sort yourself out into some form of order.  "Lead on," he tells Harman.  "You know the way."
Haval
Gabriele will stock up on food and a fresh torch. If she hasn't already had the opportunity, she'll see if she can replenish her quiver.

If Harman was going to lead the way she'll stay close behind him.
LarsWester
Harman nods to Beauregard.  He turns back to address the mob  Alright fall in by two or three.   He waits for the shuffling to die down.   If you're in the center of a three light your torch.   Your job is to keep the rest of us in light.  If your torch goes out Sol will see to an appropriate punishment.    The rest of you weapons at the ready.   Keep your eyes peeled.   Don't forget to keep an eye on the ceiling as well.   These lizards can climb and drop on you unexpectedly.  Alright after me. 

Harman will lead the posse down into the mines intent on heading directly to the large chamber with the causeway where Pietro died.
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Gretchen turns to Severin and gives him a look and says, "It ain't natural bein' underground.  Not unless yer dead.  Gimmie the open air and sky, thanks."  She chuckles a bit and says, "Lookit these tall boys, gone all soft living in garrison.  Keep movin, sleep under the open sky every night, there's the life, eh Proudfoot?" 
 

  "Eh, I'm partial to soft feather beds myself. Camping under the open sky is a dangerous business back home - there's bandits, Beastmen, and worse in the woods. The more time you sleep outside, the more chances you have of running across something that wants to eat you,"  Severin replies with a shrug.  "Maybe it's different down here though?" 

When the posse moves out, Severin sticks close to Gabriele and Harman. When he thinks no one else can hear, he whispers furiously:  "Someone want to tell me why  we're  the ones in front?" 
Haval
Gabriele is on the lookout for side tunnels and the like that might allow one of the bigger lizards to show up unexpectedly. It was hard not to glance at the ceiling as well. Her shield is out.

At Severin's comment she'll glance back at the posse to assess how well armed they looked.  'Would like to think I could hear one of the big ones if it's interested enough to get closer. I'm going to drop back once we get closer to the big cavern.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Perception vs.Int 38 (+20 Acute Hearing)
 (1d100)[ 4 ] 
 
dojango
"Feather bed?" says Gretchen with surprise.  "Didn't realize you were a toff back north.  What're you doing out here?"

The large group heads back through the caves and tunnels towards where the lizard nest was.  As you go through the room of bones, Vorgrimler stops and starts looking at the bones, and the walls, and sifting through debris until Beauregard politely reminds him that they are hunting beasts and need to keep moving.  Harman points the way to the down staircase and the party starts heading down the stairs.  Once again you see the underground lake and the causeway stretching out into the darkness.  Vorgrimler pushes his way to the front and says with awe, "Watercrypts..."

Beauregard is less impressed, and has one of his pistols drawn, and is scouting intently for signs of the lizards.  Even checking the ceilings, per Gabriele's warning.  Gabriele spots the animals moving around in the water, just at the edge of sight, and points them out.  They don't seem to be willing to approach the large crowd of people.
LarsWester
 Alright let's press on to the nest.  Yesterday one of the largest lizards was resting there. On your toes everyone.  They may all charge at the same time as we approach the mother. 
Harman will start out towards the lizard nest he has the dwarven sword drawn and his shield out.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
   Vorgrimler pushes his way to the front and says with awe, "Watercrypts..." 
 

Gabriele is close enough to pick up on that.  'Is someone buried here? I don't suppose you speak Dwarfish Herr Vorgrimler?' 

At the sight of the lizards she will try dropping back among the posse. Gabriele was mindful of Severin's point, but if these men had any sense they should be more worried about the lizards then using them as shields.
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 "Feather bed?" says Gretchen with surprise.  "Didn't realize you were a toff back north.  What're you doing out here?" 
 

  "Didn't say I slept in 'em  all  the time,"  Severin grins.  "In the Empire, most proper roads have coaching inns. They may not have feather beds for everyone, but when you're riding for the Messengers' Guild, you can usually get a bed and mattress instead of having to sleep in the taproom - and in my view, even that's better than sleeping in the woods." 

Down below, Severin straps on his shield and loads his sling before jostling his way in among the posse. If the lizards come at them, he has no intention of bringing up the rear.
dojango
Vorgrimler responds to Gabriele, "Hmm?  Yes, I know a little dwarvish.  Khazilid, as they call it.  This place was named 'Arelmomuz' in their tongue.  'Watercrypts' in ours.  They are a very literal place; I suspect this is where they buried their dead."

Slowly the group pushes down the causeway towards the center of the cavern.  The small hill rises out of the waters, with steps carved out of the rock.  As you approach, you can see the bulky form of one of large lizards atop the muddy pile.  It is looking down at you, and it starts hissing.  Then from the sides, and from the upper ledges of the island, you hear the sounds of multiple lizards hissing at you...

 
 Spoiler 
Perception tests, I guess?
 
LarsWester
Harman puts a hand up to halt the advance of the posse along the causeway and signals for them to quiet down.   This hissing of the lizards was new and must be their response to a threat whereas before Harman and his companions were viewed as food.   Harman waivers between having his pistol out or keeping his sword at the ready.    Deciding that it might be best to get the one pistol shot off before the lizards close with the men Harman secures the dwarven sword and readies his pistol with a shot then grabs a hold of his shield again.  Now armed with the pistol and shield Harman strains to hear anything above the hissing lizards.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

  PerceptionVS61  - (1d100)[ 16 ]  4 Degrees of Success!
 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Vorgrimler responds to Gabriele, "Hmm?  Yes, I know a little dwarvish.  Khazilid, as they call it.  This place was named 'Arelmomuz' in their tongue.  'Watercrypts' in ours.  They are a very literal place; I suspect this is where they buried their dead." 
 

 'It's a tomb? Then I can't see them being into us picking around down here. Maybe we get points for clearing out the pests.' 

On the causeway, Gabriele is naturally alert for another ambush.  'Every one stay close.'  She wants to use her bow but didn't want to get jumped on while she was doing that.

 
 Spoiler 

Perception vs. Int 38 (+20 Acute Hearing)
 (1d100)[ 81 ] 
 
rax
 "Get ready to fight,"  Severin warns the longshanks surrounding him.  "And keep your eyes peeled - there was another of those big 'uns when we came through here." 
 
 Spoiler: Perception test 
 (1d100)[ 52 ]  vs. Int 44
 
dojango
Gabriele's hearing is overwhelmed by the echoing sounds in the cave, and she can't tell where the hissing noise is coming from.  Harman, on the other hand, spots at least six of them, clinging to the rocky ceiling above the island, hiding in the ledges and crannies.  Beauregard shouts out for the men to get ready, and then mutters, "Where's that damned noise coming from?" as he sweeps the area with his pistol.  Up ahead, the bulky form of the lizard looms out of the darkness.  It lowers its head and opens its jaws, showing a mouthful of jagged teeth.
rax
Severin stays inside the press of the men, not yet ready to risk being caught outside the protection of the longshanks.
Haval
Gabriele will wait for the big one to get closer.   'Watch for the second one.'   She's alert for the possibility that another one was approaching them from behind or from the cave roof.
dojango
The beast seems to become enraged that the intruders are not responding to its display of territorial dominance, and it suddenly charges into the pack, teeth snapping and tail thrashing.  Beauregard shouts out a warning as he manages to duck under the tail, and with a loud bang his pistol goes off as he tries to keep his footing as the beast pushes past him.
LarsWester
 There's many of them above us!  Harman shouts as the giant lizard charges.  Harman can feel the heat of the creatures breath as his shield catches the lizard's bite before it's jaws could rend his flesh.   Harman aims his pistol at point blank range and fires at the creature echoing Beauregard's own retort.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Half action Ranged Attack
  BSvs39  - (1d100)[ 76 ]   not sure on the timing of this shot.
  Damage  - (1d10+4)[ 8 ] 
  Impact  - (1d10+4)[ 11 ] 
Free action drop pistol
Half Action Ready dwarven sword.
 
Haval
If there was no one in the way Gabriele will dart closer to slash at the thing's head. She just had to avoid getting knocked off the causeway.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Full Action - Charge

vs. WS 42 (+10 Charge bonus) (+10 Outnumbered?)
 (1d100)[ 1 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 10 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 4 ] 
 (1d10)[ 10 ] 

More Perception just in case
vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 100 ] 

And see Dodge roll in the ooc
 
rax
Seeing the big lizard launch itself at Beauregard and Harman, Severin quickly whirls his swing about his head and launches a couple of stones at the oncoming monster.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative and actions 
 Initiative:   (1d10)[ 7 ] +Ag 62

 Full action:  Swift attack with sling  (1d100)[ 35 ] ,  (1d100)[ 31 ]  vs. BS 63
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 5 ] ,  (1d10+4)[ 12 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 41 ] ,  (1d100)[ 17 ] 
 (1d10)[ 5 ] ,  (1d10)[ 10 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 2 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 37 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  11/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  1/3
 
dojango
Two sling stones fly past Harman as he points his pistol at the beast, and strike it squarely.  He fires off his pistol a moment later.  It narrowly misses, and suddenly the beast is on him.  Harman manages to fend off the attack, and by his side Gabriele lands a telling blow with her sword on the creature's scaly hide.  It roars in anger and defiance as it tries to clamp its jaws on Gabriele, who easily avoids it, but then it strikes a vicious blow at Harman as it swings its tail at him...

Severin is caught up in the press of men as they jostle and shout in surprise.  The beasts higher up on the cavern ledges suddenly launch themselves, spreading their arms and legs and gliding quickly towards Sol's thugs.  The man next to Severin, a tall rangy sort who's been smelling of wine-sweat and unwashed clothes, lets out a loud scream and then a splash as one of the creatures hits him and drags him down into the water.  Further down the line there are other shouts as well.
LarsWester
 Harman Round 2 Wounds 11/13 Fortune 3/4 
Harman armed with his new sharp dwarven blade slashes back at the enormous lizard on the causeway attacking him and Gabrielle.   Gabrielle we need to kill this thing fast.  he yells as he is too slow with his shield and his left arm gets battered with the thing's tail.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full action Swift Attacks
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 18 ]  not sure if dwarven blade is BQ or not?
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 12 ]  this is to front leg I believe.
  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 70 ] 
  Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 10 ] 
  ParryVS52  - (1d100)[ 55 ]  fails to parry 2 wounds after armour and toughness.
 
Haval
 'Trying.'  Gabriele is mostly too busy to reply. She'll try to attack from the opposite side to Harmon but she doesn't want to go too far and risk falling off. Swiming in chainmail seemed like a terrible idea.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 


Full Action - Swift Attack

vs. WS 42 (+10 Outnumbered?)
 (1d100)[ 77 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 13 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 25 ] 
 (1d10)[ 7 ] 

See second roll in the ooc thread
5 damage on the lizard's head

Dodge if needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 58 ] 

Parry if needed with Shield
vs. WS 42 (+10 Defensive on the Shield)
 (1d100)[ 75 ] 
 
rax
Seeing that Harman and Gabriele are dealing with the biggest lizard, Severin turns his attention to the smaller ones. Grabbing another two sling stones from his pouch, Severin aims for the closest of them and looses two quick shots at it.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack with sling  (1d100)[ 30 ] ,  (1d100)[ 75 ]  vs. BS 63
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 9 ] ,  (1d10+4)[ 10 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 96 ] ,  (1d100)[ 59 ] 
 (1d10)[ 6 ] ,  (1d10)[ 2 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 37 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 9 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  11/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  1/3
 
dojango
The man in the water starts thrashing violently, his screams echoing around the cavern.  The big lizard manages to evade Harman's blow, and then swings his tail at to the side.  There is a loud thump and with a sudden yelp, Beauregard tumbles into the water by the causeway.  The lizard then hisses at Harman and tries to clamp down on him with its huge jaws, but with a whiff of rotten stench, they snap closed too short.

Gabriele's blow scratches the beast's hide, but doesn't draw blood.  Her hunter's instincts can see the maddened rage in the creature's eyes; a wild beast fighting to defend its nest.

Severin spots one of the dark shapes attacking the man in the water, and sends two stones at it.  One of them connects with a hit, but the creature keeps going.  A few of the thugs, armed with crossbows, also shoot into the water at the swimming beasts, with several bolts going home.
rax
Severin mutters in annoyance as the second stone misses, but loads his sling again and continues loosing stones at the lizards. This time he's more careful, and both shots are on target, but the water blunts their power.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack with sling  (1d100)[ 7 ] ,  (1d100)[ 56 ]  vs. BS 63
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 6 ] ,  (1d10+4)[ 9 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 92 ] ,  (1d100)[ 96 ] 
 (1d10)[ 8 ] ,  (1d10)[ 8 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 80 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 7 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  11/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  1/3
 
LarsWester
 Harman Wounds 11/13 Fortune 3/4 
 Yekes!  Harman exclaims as he narrowly avoids the creatures snapping jaws.  He continues to harry the large lizard with his dwarven steel.  Sparing but a second to glance in the splashing Beauregard's direction.
 
 Spoiler: Preemptive Defense Rolls 

  ParryVs52  - (1d100)[ 65 ]  with shield.
 
Haval
Gabriele has no problem trying to finish off the creature. If they couldn't manage to drive it away somehow a predator this large was too dangerous to leave alive. While it was distracted trying to bite Harman she'll do her best to drive her sword through the lizard's neck.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

FP:2/3

Full Action - Swift Attack

vs. WS 42 (+10 Outnumbered)
 (1d100)[ 15 ] 
 (1d100)[ 93 ] 
-FP used to reroll to a 2 in the ooc

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 4 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 14 ] 
 (1d10)[ 7 ] 
 (1d10+3)[ 5 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 19 ] 
 (1d10)[ 6 ] 

Dodge if needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 12 ] 

Parry if needed with Shield
vs. WS 42 (+10 Defensive on the Shield)
 (1d100)[ 53 ] 
 
dojango
Harman's powerful swings are right on target, but the beast manages to twist out of the way at the last second.  In retaliation, it snaps its jaws down again at him, this time drawing blood as it it bites at his side.  Meanwhile, Gabriele lands a few blows on the creature, but they glance off its thick hide again, and she easily avoids the powerful blow of the tail aimed at her head.  Harman spots Beauregard getting his bearings and moving further along the causeway into the darkness of the cavern.

Severin slings a few stones at the swimming lizards.  The one he hits turns and hisses at him, and dives under the water.  The man in the water yells out some more and starts swimming back towards the causeway, as one of the thugs on dry land throws a rope towards him.
LarsWester
 Harman Wounds 8/13  Fortune 3/4 Initiative 50+7 
Harman cries out in pain as the giant lizards teeth pierce his armor and sink deep in his shoulder.   Verena guide my blade that all may see truth.  he prays as he again brings his new dwarven sword to bear against the creature stabbing and slashing away.   Hoping that the creature is not as successful in dodge his blows this time.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Rolled attacks and damage in OOC thread.  Both hit.
First one for 23 damage as it was an  Ulric's fury  Verena's Justice.   Second one for a weak 7 damage.  Really hoping for a failed dodge from lizard face.
 
rax
 "Yeah, swim away, you overgrown toad,"  Severin mutters as the lizard dives to avoid his sling stones. He continues his barrage at any lizard in sight, but keeps a nervous eye on the water in case the diving lizard is trying to swim closer while under water.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Free action (I assume):  Perception check  (1d100)[ 65 ]  vs. Int 44
 Full action:  Swift attack with sling  (1d100)[ 69 ] ,  (1d100)[ 94 ]  vs. BS 63
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 14 ] ,  (1d10+4)[ 12 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 50 ] ,  (1d100)[ 56 ] 
 (1d10)[ 10 ] ,  (1d10)[ 3 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 74 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 21 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  11/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  1/3
 
Haval
 How do I even hurt this thing?  Gabriele wonders as her blow seemed to bounce off it's hide. She'll do her best to smack it in the head to keep it from biting Harman again.

 
 Spoiler 

FP:2/3

Full Action - Swift Attack

vs. WS 42 (+10 Outnumbered)
 (1d100)[ 66 ] 
 (1d100)[ 22 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 10 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 13 ] 
 (1d10)[ 10 ] 
 (1d10+3)[ 4 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 40 ] 
 (1d10)[ 5 ] 

Dodge if needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 18 ] 

Parry if needed with Shield
vs. WS 42 (+10 Defensive on the Shield)
 (1d100)[ 83 ] 
 
dojango
The beast lunges at Harman and for a moment its throat is exposed.  Harman launches a vicious stab at it but it manages to twist out of the way at the last moment.  Distracted it snaps its teeth at him and swings its tail at Gabriele but doesn't come close to either of them.  Meanwhile, Severin spots a ripple in the water and hits it squarely in the eye and it breaks in half... before realizing it was a floating piece of wood.  The second stone hits the water with a splash.  Two of the thugs clamber down the side of the causeway and help pull the swimming man out of the water.  He staggers up, bleeding from a few wounds on his legs and side.  Further down the line, there is a shout and then a splash as another man is suddenly knocked down into the water.
LarsWester
 Harman Wounds 8/13  Fortune 3/4 Initiative 50+7 
Harman swears in frustration as he his deadly thrust with the sword is deftly dodged by the giant lizard.  He grunts as he continues to press the attack against the lizard.  Damn this beasts thick hide and quick feet.  Garbrielle did it get it's jaws on you, yet?   I want to see it bleed damnit. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full Action = Swift Attack
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 100 ]    Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 6 ] 
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 40 ]    Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 10 ] 
  AnyVJConfirmVs52  - (1d100)[ 29 ]    Damage  - (3d10)[ 9 ][ 7 ][ 7 ](23) 
 
rax
 "Sigmar's balls!"  Severin curses beneath his breath. Seeing no immediate target in the water, he tries his luck hitting the big lizard, aiming as carefully as he can in the chaos of combat.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Half action:  Aim for +10 BS on next attack
 Half action:  Standard attack with sling  (1d100)[ 6 ]  vs. 53 (BS 63, Aim +10, Shooting into melee -20)
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 10 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 9 ] 
 (1d10)[ 5 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 28 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 46 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  11/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  1/3
 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
  Damn this beasts thick hide and quick feet.  Garbrielle did it get it's jaws on you, yet?   I want to see it bleed damnit.  
 

 'Not yet. It's slow. Just keep hitting it.'  Gabriele will do what she can to keep on the opposite side from Harman.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 


FP:1/3

Full Action - Swift Attack

vs. WS 42 (+10 Outnumbered)
 (1d100)[ 98 ] 
FP to a 19 in the ooc
 (1d100)[ 97 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 12 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 86 ] 
 (1d10)[ 7 ] 
 (1d10+3)[ 8 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 64 ] 
 (1d10)[ 8 ] 

Dodge if needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 61 ] 

Parry if needed with Shield
vs. WS 42 (+10 Defensive on the Shield)
 (1d100)[ 8 ] 
 
dojango
Both Harman and Gabriele manage to draw lizard blood with their swords, and then Gabriele manages to block the thrashing tail with her shield.  The lizard does manage to gnash at Harman with its teeth, however.  Severin also threads a stone between the two combatants and hits the beast as well.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d100)[ 66 ]  dodge, (1d100)[ 36 ]  to hit Harman for  (1d10+4)[ 12 ]  dmg,  (1d100)[ 5 ]  to hit Gabriele for  (1d10+4)[ 11 ]  dmg.
 
LarsWester
 Harman Wounds 8/13  Fortune 3/4 Initiative 50+7 
Catching the giant lizards powerful jaws on his shield, Harman laughs at Gabrielle response.   And Verena be praised for that!  If this thing was quicker I'd be finding my weight in her scales presently.  Harman notices that the creature is starting to bleed from some of the strikes.   Good news Gabrielle it bleeds which means we can kill it.   Harman continues his attacking of the lizard hopefully that his next few blows land more cuts and scrapes through the thick hide of the creature.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Swift Attacks
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 36 ]    Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 11 ] 
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 23 ]    Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 7 ] 
 
rax
 "I think we're wearing it down!"  Severin encourages Harman and Gabriele.  "We  are  wearing it down, right?" 

Dropping another sling stone into the sling pouch, he waits for another opening and looses the stone at the monster.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Half action:  Aim for +10 BS on next attack
 Half action:  Standard attack with sling  (1d100)[ 7 ]  vs. 53 (BS 63, Aim +10, Shooting into melee -20)
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 7 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 63 ] 
 (1d10)[ 1 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 90 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 79 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  11/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  1/3
 
Haval
 Oof.  Gabriele grunts with the effort of keeping her feet.  'Maybe we should see if it wants to leave?'  The possibility of getting behind it had occurred to her but at the same time she really didn't want to get knocked into the water while she was wearing mail.

 
 Spoiler 

FP:1/3

Full Action - Swift Attack

vs. WS 42 (+10 Outnumbered)
 (1d100)[ 84 ] 
 (1d100)[ 41 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 6 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 30 ] 
 (1d10)[ 9 ] 
 (1d10+3)[ 12 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 40 ] 
 (1d10)[ 2 ] 

Dodge if needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 65 ] 

Parry if needed with Shield
vs. WS 42 (+10 Defensive on the Shield)
 (1d100)[ 69 ] 
 
dojango
Harman and Gabriele's swords continue to prick at the beast, and Severin sends a stone bouncing along its hide.  With an enraged roar, it suddenly charges forward, using its powerful tail and head to try and send people sprawling.  It charges down the causeway, its massive size taking up most of the space, and it runs through the mob, sending men flying into the water.

 
 Spoiler 
opposed strength test at -20 to try and stop the beast, otherwise a straight agi test to avoid being knocked down as it charges along the causeway, causing havoc.
 
Haval
Gabriele will try to get out of the lizard's way.

 
 Spoiler 

Ag test vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 45 ] 
 
LarsWester
Harman toward the front of the beast sees its muscular legs twitch differently.   Gabrielle I think it is attempting to flee.   Harman looks back a the band of ruffians and toughs he's led down here to fight this monster lizard.   Through the crowded causeway he sees Severin reloading his sling.   An overwhelming sense of duty causes he's nerves to harden and he sets himself against the charging giant beast.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Well let the dice decide what he was going to do and it's opposed strength checks.
  Svs30  - (1d100)[ 93 ]    I'm probably going to throw a Fortune point at this but let's see what it is first.
 
rax
The lizard is big, but Severin is far enough away to easily see it coming. With a little flourish of his cloak, he easily sidesteps the beast when it closes on him.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Agility test  (1d100)[ 5 ]  vs. Ag 62
 
dojango
Gabriele tries to get out of the way of the charging lizard, but the weight of her armor unbalances her and she tumbles into the water.  Harman, in a moment of boldness, tries to stop the beast, but with a twist of its massive head, he goes sprawling down and is lightly trampled before he tumbles into the water.  Severin lightly evades the charging beast and finds himself crouching down by the edge of the causeway next to Gretchen, who looks at him with wild eyes as she fumbles for an arrow.  The beast manages to grab one of the men in its jaws as it goes, who lets out a brief scream before the beast dives into the water, dragging its victim with it.  "What is that thing," Gretchen hisses.  "We gotta get out of here!"  A few more men are in the water, shouting as they try and clamber out.

 
 Spoiler 
Harman takes  (1d10)[ 4 ]  damage reduced by toughness as the beast runs him over.  It is now in the water, in the dark.  You can still see a few of the 'smaller' ones, who are merely alligator sized.
 
rax
 "Make for the island then! We'll be no more surrounded there than here, and we'll have some space to form up and help each other out!"  Severin answers Gretchen.

 OOC:  Gretchen's here? I got the impression she definitely wasn't going into the mines?
Haval
Gabriele has swam in a lake near her home town before but hasn't really had any reason to bother since she was a child. After most likely dropping her shield she'll do what she can to get a hand on the edge of the causeway and maybe pull herself back up.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Fortune 0/3

Swim test vs. Str 35 / 2
 (1d100)[ 98 ] 
Fortune point if needed
 (1d100)[ 22 ] 
 
LarsWester
 Harman Wounds 8/13  Fortune 2/4 Initiative 50+7 
As the giant lizard runs Harman over the tall man topples off the causeway and into the subterranean lake.  Harman starts splashing around attempting to get back towards the causeway and scramble back up.  He hears the cries and splashes as several of the others are forced into the water.
 Gabrielle are you okay?  he cries for his companion on the opposite side of the causeway.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

I rolled an initial swim test in OOC thread.   Not sure if it was required.   If it is here's a fortune point reroll.
  SwimVs25  - (1d100)[ 13 ] 
 
dojango
The beast finishes its charge and turns around.  It hisses again and slaps its tail in the water.  The boom echoes around the cavern and a few of the other lizards join in the chorus.  The noise is deafening and disorienting.  Gretchen and Severin scramble towards the island and head up the stairs towards the island, away from the lizard.  The island is a raised platform with four massive statues of dwarves seemingly holding up the ceiling.  At their feet are four large stone biers covered in dwarvish writing.  Three of the biers have weapons being held by smaller statues at their other end, the fourth bier has a statue but if it had a weapon it is missing.  The area surrounded by the biers is full of a huge nest of mud, sticks, and assorted bones.  A few much smaller lizards, perhaps a foot or two long, scurry away as they approach the area.

Down in the water by the causeway, Harman, Gabriele and a few men struggle out of the water.  They are all almost in the dark, most of the men have dropped their torches into the water or they have been trampled out by the lizard.  There is one near Gabriele, sputtering, half in a pool of water.  Further down, over the din, someone shouts out, "Herr Vorgrimler?  Where are you?  Grab my hand?" and from the other direction you can hear Beauregard shouting out, "Get me some powder gods damn it.  Harman, where's your powder?  Shoot it!"

 
 Spoiler 
Gretchen doesn't usually patrol the mines, because it sucks and she hates it, but she wanted to come down and see the lizards because it was an unbelievable story.  Harman, when you reach down to your powderhorn give me a luck roll:  1 it's dry, 2 it's wet.
 
LarsWester
 Harman Wound 8/13 Fortune 2/4 Initiative 50(+7) 
Harman one hand pushing him up on the causeway the other reaches towards his powderhorn.   He feels the water pouring away from the horn as he pulls his waist out of the water.
 No good Beauregard!  I also took a swim powder is wetter than a sewer rat.  he shouts back pulling himself upright.  He tightens his grip on the dwarven sword.   Looks like the halflings are make a defensive stand on the island!  To them if you can!  he tries commanding over the racket of lizard tails slapping the water.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

After standing up and checking his powder if Harman has any remaining 1/2 actions he'd use them to move towards Gretchen and Severin.
 
rax
 "Keep your eyes open, and don't forget to look up!"  Severin admonishes Gretchen.  "We don't want them things dropping in on us unannounced!" 
 "I'm going to have a quick look around and see if I can find something that burns. The longshanks need the light to be any use,"  he adds, before doing a quick search of the island for anything that could be used to make torches or a fire.


 OOC 
Perception test if necessary:  (1d100)[ 47 ]  vs. Int 44

BTW, I have Severin as having one Fortune point left. How often did we say we would recover them?
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
   Gabrielle are you okay?  he cries for his companion on the opposite side of the causeway. 
 

 'Not drowned yet'  Gabriele calls back. Once she's out of the water she'll help the man next to her onto the causeway. She still has her sword but with the lack of light this could be very bad indeed.   'Anyone got a torch?'  
dojango
One of the men takes Gabriele's hand and she hoists him up out of the water.  Unfortunately as he struggles over the edge of the causeway, a pool of water spreads out from him, dousing the sputtering torch.  In the sudden darkness there is a lot of shouting and screaming.  Meanwhile Harman makes his way towards the stairs and heads up there as the lights go out.  He sees the four stone biers, the statues, and the huge mess of the nest in the center.  Severin, thinking quickly, picks up a large bone, probably a human femur, that is relatively intact.  There are also some torn and extremely foul rags which he can wrap around to make a crude torch.  Now to try and light it in the darkness...

 
 Spoiler: Harman 
When the lights go out, Harman also sees the dwarf from his dreams, lunging out at him with outstretched arms, as if to try and choke the life out of him.  Fear test!
 
rax
Severin lays down the makeshift torch on the ground next to him and fumbles around in his backpack until he finds his tinderbox. With practiced strokes, he begins striking the flint against the firesteel to make sparks...

 OOC:  Is a characteristic or skill test needed?
Haval
Gabriele will tell the man she helped out of the water to stay close and gingerly head towards the nearest light. Her sword is still up and she's expecting to be attacked at any moment.

 
 Spoiler 

Rolling just in case

Perception vs. Int 38 (+20 if Acute Hearing)
 (1d100)[ 100 ] 
 
LarsWester
 Harman 
Harman had reached the top of the stairs and was taking everything at the top the stone biers, the statues, the nest when the only light in the area someone's torch was extinguished.
 
 Spoiler: Dojango 

I failed the fear test in OOC so not sure what happens next. Just wanted to post something IC but not sure what happens so I'll let you take over here.
 
dojango
A weak light is kindled at the top of the stairway.  Down on the causeway, Severin can make out the group of men, some are panicking, some struggling against the littler beasts, and the large beast is at the end of the causeway.  In front of it is a man, who has his arms spread out, as if to keep the beast from passing him.  Gabriele sees none of this, to her the light looks as if it is as blinding as the sun.  She then sees two figures tumble down the stairway and land in a rough heap right in front of her.

Harman, for some reason, turns and runs away from Severin, colliding with Beauregard who is just climbing up the stairs.  There is a shout of "What the blazes?" and the two of them fall down the stairs, hitting each one on the way down.  It hurts.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d10)[ 5 ]  damage, less toughness but not armor
 
LarsWester
 Harman Wounds 7/13 Fortune 1/4 Initiative 57 
Harman lands on his butt on the causeway body still shaking with fear.   He rubs his right elbow where it had impacted the stairs with a loud thud.  He turns to see Beauregard in a heap at the bottom of the stairs as well.   Slowly he stands up and offers the man a hand up to his feet.    Didn't know you were so close behind me.   Why don't you run up to the halflings up there?  I'll help the others make their way up. 
With that he tightens his grip around the ancient dwarven sword and his shield looking down the causeway to see where he could offer the most assistance.
rax
Lifting his makeshift torch as high as he can, Severin calls out to the men and his friends on the causeway.  "Everyone! To me! Follow the light and regroup on the island!" 
 "Gretchen! See if you can make more torches or set some of those sticks in the nest on fire!"  he hisses to Tollares' scout.
Haval
Gabriele is almost tripped up herself as Harman and Beauregard land in front of her. The light made her less tense. It wasn't much but it wasn't as if she was going to develop actual night vision down here. She will swing round and look back into the dark before edging her way backwards.   'Can anyone see it?'   Unless the big lizard had fled into the water it was bound to still be out there.
dojango
From atop his vantage point Severin sees the biggest lizard dive into the water and submerge.  The man standing at the end of the causeway is then dragged away towards the cavern exit by a second man.  Beauregard turns away from Harman and starts shouting out at the men on the causeway and a few of them form a ragged line at the base of the stairs.  A few of them don't listen and are still attacking the smaller beasts in front of them, and a couple more seem paralyzed with fear or indecision.  Gabriele can't see much in the dim light, she doesn't see the biggest lizard although there are two smaller ones on the causeway.

Behind him, Severin hears Gretchen say in surprise, "Eggs!  There's flippin eggs in here!  Shoulda known!"

 
 Spoiler: Harman 
Harman feels an unearthly chill from atop the stairs and sees the form of a ghostly dwarf drifting down the stairs...
 
rax
 " Of course  there's flippin' eggs! It's the monster lizard's nest!"  Severin calls back. Slinging his shield on his back, he fumbles a stone into the sling pouch and keeps a sharp eye open for the mother lizard.

 "Everyone! The big one just dove back into the water! If you stay on the causeway, it's going to pick you off one by one! Get to the island and  stand together !" 
Haval
The eggs did mean something to Gabriele,  'It's why she's so pissed off.'  Coming here might have been a mistake.   'Everybody leave the little ones and get to the light.'  
LarsWester
 Quickly up the stairs men.  To the light!   Form a line at the top!  More torches once you are at top!   Harman is calling out orders to the men on the causeway before turning his gaze back up the stairway.  His mouth hangs open and he stammers loudly.   Begone! Why do you torment me so!?! 
dojango
The men begin to assemble on the stairs, weapons drawn.  There are fifteen me leftt, and Beauregard brings up the rear.  Well, almost.  "Get movin'!" he shouts down at Harman.  Harman stares up the stairs as if he had seen a ghost, ignoring what's behind him.  The ghostly figure lurches down the stairs, only to wink out of view as it reaches the bottom of the stairs.

Meanwhile, behind Severin, the light brightens as Gretchen starts lighting crude torches.  "****!  What's that?" she says in some surprise.  Gretchen points down into the murky water on the other side of the island from the causeway.  The island you are on rises out of the water gently, such that the massive skull of one of the lizards rests gently at the water's edge, standing taller than a man.  Huge ribs also jut out of the water behind it, and the cavern continues off into the darkness.
LarsWester
Harman stands at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the lizard's nest as Sol's men rush by him up the stairs.  Every time Harman steals a glance at the stairway the horrifying visage of the raging ancient dwarf is closer.  Every time Harman quickly turns his gaze back down the causeway looking for the lizards on the stones or in the water.   Finally as Harman pushed one ruffian up the steps and turns to the stairway again the ghost is right in front of him before it winks out of existence.   Harman still terrified but now unimpeded in his ascent bounds up the stairs to the gathering crowd at the nest and where the number of torches were growing.  The tall man was still shaking when he got to the top and looked around.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Rolling 2 perception checks one for noticing lizards and one for the top of the stairs.
  Perception  - (1d100)[ 94 ]  vs 61
  Perception  - (1d100)[ 66 ]  vs 61
 
rax
 "That's  good  thing - means that even the big ones can be killed,"  Severin tries to encourage Gretchen while scanning the water for any sign of the biggest lizard.

 OOC 
Perception check  (1d100)[ 10 ]  vs. Int 44
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
 His mouth hangs open and he stammers loudly.   Begone! Why do you torment me so!?!  
 

Gabriele is close enough to register that,  'I need you not to lose it. Wait till we get out of here if you have to.'  She's also looking for any sight that the biggest lizard was still here. At the sight of the rib cage,  'That's a big boy. Feel like it would have trouble getting down here.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Perception vs. Int 38 (+20 if Acute Hearing)
 (1d100)[ 85 ] 
 
LarsWester
A shaken Harman struggles a nod towards Gabriele stammering  Sure you got it.
Lose my mind later, not on your watch.   He'd be fine now that the nightmare ghost had vanished.   What did it want with him anyways? 
dojango
The water is dark and murky and the light reflects off its surface madly.  Gabriele, distracted by Harman's panic attack, is looking in the wrong place to see it, but Severin spots a huge dark shape under the water moving quickly towards the island.  It will be there in mere moments.

 
 Spoiler 
Severin can take one turn since he spots it, then it will be back!
 
rax
 "Over there! The big one's coming at us under the water! Everyone in position and hit that monster when it shows its ugly face!"  Severin shouts pointing at where he thinks the lizard will make landfall. Whirling his sling, he envisions where his shot will hit when the beast shows itself.

 OOC:  Assuming we're considered to be in combat right now, Severin will move (if necessary) to the best spot from which to sling at the beast and then end his turn with an Aim action.
Haval
Gabriele will move towards where Severin was pointing and try to make out it's shape in the water.
LarsWester
Harman makes note of the top of the platform the smaller statues and the missing weapon.   There is not time for further pursuit down his line of thinking as the Severin shouts warning that the larger lizard is coming up the side of the platform.  Harman tightens his grip on the dwarven rune carved sword and his shield.   Steadying himself to meet the charge of the enormous beast and trying his best to forget the statue and the ghost for the time being.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Does the statue with the missing weapon bear any resemblance to the ghost troubling Harman?
  Perception  - (1d100)[ 67 ]   vs 61
Harman is taking the Delay action to do a standard attack if the lizard gets within striking distance.
 
dojango
Gabriele spots the shape just before it surges out of the water and starts trying to clamber up the side of the platform.  It isn't quite as agile out of the water and trying to climb up the rocks, and it makes it near to the top of the platform where it roars and opens its jaws wide as it spots the intruders.

Harman glances briefly at the little statue but it's hard to say if there is a resemblance, while the fine craftdwarfship has withstood the test of time, it is very dark and the area is coated in mud and grime, and there is also an angry lizard trying to bite your arm off.
rax
 "Oh! That's IT! I've had just about enough of you, you overgrown windbag!"  Severin curses the lizard as it roars. As he speak, he unleashes a precisely aimed sling stone at the beast.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Half action:  Standard attack with sling  (1d100)[ 61 ]  vs. 73 (BS 63, Aim +10 carried over from previous round)
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 12 ] 
 Half action:  Move to get the best field of fire he can against the lizard for his next shots
 Free action:  Reload sling

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 99 ] 
 (1d10)[ 5 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 64 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 5 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  11/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  1/3
 
Haval
Gabriele will get her shield up and try to meet the lizard as it came towards her. To the others,   'Try and get behind it. And don't get knocked in the water.'   If she gets the chance she'll try to hit it in passing.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Longshot command test to make people pay attention to her
vs. Fel 32 / 2
 (1d100)[ 18 ] 

Full Action - Guarded Attack
vs. WS 42 (+10 Outnumbered) (-10 Guarded)
 (1d100)[ 62 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 11 ] 
Any Ulrics
 (1d100)[ 96 ] 
 (1d10)[ 6 ] 

Dodge if needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour) (+10 Guarded)
 (1d100)[ 95 ] 

Parry if needed with Shield
vs. WS 42 (+10 Defensive on the Shield) (+10 Guarded)
 (1d100)[ 22 ] 
 
LarsWester
Harman hears the giant lizard's roar and it shakes off the remaining shroud of fear.   As Gabriele said plenty of time for a nervous breakdown later.   Cursing his wet powder Harman joins a line of Sol's toughs shield out and dwarven rune-carved blade in his hands.  The old riverwarden had taken more than his fair share of blows from the giant creature so he sought the safety of numbers.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Harman is going to standard action move and standard action delay an attack until the giant lizard comes within melee.
  Parry  - (1d100)[ 81 ]  if required.
 
dojango
The giant beast surges over the edge of the platform and lays into the ragged line of men in a fury.  With gnashing teeth it tries to grasp onto someone, but the man gets out of the way.  The man next to Gabriele is not so lucky, and he is suddenly thrown back into the water as the beast hits him squarely with its tail.  There is a sudden shout and then unnerving silence.

Severin is rewarded for his patience and his shot by spotting a large gash in the beast's side, but Gabriele is not so lucky and not able to land a telling blow.  She sees another man land a blow stoutly on the creature's flank, but it bounces off the scales, leaving scarcely a mark.  Harman spots an opening and is able to make his attack...
LarsWester
Harman lunges forward slashing away with  his  new dwarven sword.   Form a line men. Attack as one. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

  WSvs42  - (1d100)[ 22 ]  Plus some outnumbering bonus not sure what's appropriate.   Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 11 ] 
 
rax
Severin quickly reloads his sling and lets loose another stone, trying his best to find a clear shot now that the others are attacking the beast.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Half action:  Aim +10
 Half action:  Standard attack with sling  (1d100)[ 94 ]  vs. 53 (BS 63, Aim +10, shooting into melee -20)
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 13 ] 
 Free action:  Reload sling

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 3 ] 
 (1d10)[ 10 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 82 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry if second attack  (1d100)[ 38 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)

 Wounds (remaining/total):  11/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  2/3
 
Haval
Gabriele will go back to trying to hit it in the face. As long as she wasn't getting knocked into the water maybe they could tire it out.

 
 Spoiler 

Full Action - Swift Attack

First Attack
vs. WS 42 (+10 Outnumbered)
 (1d100)[ 11 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 10 ] 
Any Ulric's
[roll]1d100)[/roll]
 (1d10)[ 4 ] 

Second Attack
vs. WS 42 (+10 Outnumbered)
 (1d100)[ 97 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 4 ] 
Any Ulric's
[roll]1d100)[/roll]
 (1d10)[ 8 ] 


Dodge if needed
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 83 ] 

Parry if needed with Shield
vs. WS 42 (+10 Defensive on the Shield)
 (1d100)[ 81 ] 
 
LarsWester
With Gabrielle attacking the lizard's face Harman moves to attack it's flank lunging and slashing away with his dwarven sword.  Harman keeps his shield ready to block any counter attacks from the lizard.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full Action=Swift Attacks
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 10 ]    Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 12 ] 
  WSvs52  - (1d100)[ 74 ]    Damage  - (1d10+5)[ 9 ]   Miss!
if required   UlricsConfirm  - (1d100)[ 27 ]   Damage  - (3d10)[ 1 ][ 6 ][ 10 ](17) 
  ParryVs52  - (1d100)[ 30 ]  if needed
 
dojango
The beast is getting weaker.  Its movements are sluggish and labored, and although its thick hide protects it somewhat, more blows rain down on it.  Gabriele chops at its head, leaving a deep gash, and it swings its head and attempts, weakly, to bite at Harman.  But it is too slow, and he side-steps it and neatly drives his sword deep into the beast's head.  It shudders for a few seconds and then flops over on its side, bleeding massively from its wounds.   The only sound left is echoing moans and light screaming form the wounded men... the giant lizard is dead.
rax
 "Haha! Yes!"  Severin exults, pumping his fist in victorious relief.  "Gabriele! Harman! You okay? How about a roll call? Who's still with us?" 
Haval
Gabriele will take a moment to lean on her shield to catch a breath,  'I'm ok...barely.'  The lizard wasn't getting up after it had taken a sword through the head.  'Didn't this thing have a mate?' 
LarsWester
Being reminded about the other giant lizard Harman makes a quick scan of the cavern from their lofty position.   Trying also in the dark to pick up how many of the medium sized creatures remained.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

  Perception  - (1d100)[ 57 ]   Perception is 61 so if no negative modifiers that's a success.
 
dojango
Harman looks over the body of the beast that he's just slain.  After a few moments he realizes one thing... that it doesn't have the wounds on it that he had inflicted the day before.  Looking around nervously he can still see a few of the medium sized lizards swimming around in the lake, snarling and fighting over their latest dinner.  They seem to be staying away from the causeway and the nest for now.

Meanwhile, Beauregard shouts out at the men to start some sort of roll-call.  After a few moments, he counts five missing men, including Herr Vorgrimler and his bodyguard.  There are also five badly wounded men will probably live, assuming they get the chance to recover from their wounds.  "What a mess.  What a gods-damned mess.  Herr Vorgrimler!  You out there!" Beauregard starts shouting.
LarsWester
Harman stands up from inspecting the beast turning to Gabriele.   This is not the one we faced yesterday or they heal incredibly fast.  There's no sign of the wounds I gave yesterday. 
Turning to face the nest.   How many eggs are in there?  I'm sure Sol is the kind of man who would appreciate getting those eggs whole and finding someone to tame the creatures if possible.
Am I wrong Beauregard?  Should we smash 'em or find some way to carry 'em off?  For now I suggest we regroup here.  Is anyone capable of seeing to the wounded? 
rax
 "If it's not the one that attacked us yesterday, it's a good guess it's the one that was hissing at us from the nest. So yes, the mate is still out there - there's no way you wounded it bad enough to kill,"  Severin says.
LarsWester
 Right I agree so keep your eyes sweeping for it.  It is out there somewhere.   Now that there is a break in the action the pain from the lizard strikes hit Harman.   I'm going to sit down.  That beast struck me more than once.  He stabs the giant lizard corpse with his dwarven sword.
Haval
To Harman,  'It's probably out looking for food. Which means it might show up here again at some point.'  Gabriele will lean against the nearest rock.  'Are we in any state to do that again?' 
LarsWester
 Gabriele  Harman looks up at the woman with a wince of pain.  right now we are in the best defensive position possessing the high ground.   The mate might choose to attack us here at the nest or some of the smaller ones might come back. At least here we can see them approaching and brace for their assault.   Unless they are an intelligent lot that can plan a massive assault I think we catch our breath here.  Tie up our various wounds and decide what to do with these creature's eggs. Do we attempt to bring them back to Sol for some reward or smash them here and now? 
rax
 "Don't much care about the eggs, but I would like to confirm if this beastie is responsible for the guards and workers who've gone missing,"  Severin interjects.  "And if the other big one doesn't turn up soon, we're going to need to decide when we're going to leave this island. It's a good strongpoint, but there's only the one way out that we know of - the same way we got here,"  he notes.

With that, he moves closer to the nest to see if he can discover anything that looks like human remains...
Haval
 'Fair enough. Better we fight it here then we meet it in the tunnels.'  Gabriele looks towards the wounded.  'No objection to taking the eggs with us but we might have to carry anyone who can't walk themselves.'  She'll force herself to get up and go over to Beauregard,  'You think Vorgrimler made a run for it?' 
dojango
Beauregard swears for a moment and says, "I don't know, I fell in the drink and didn't see much until this lout..." he points at Harman, "fell on me.  Sol will be pissed if he's dead.  I don't know what to do with the eggs.  Make em' into omlette, probably."

Severin searches the nest for a few moments and turns up a mess of splintered bone and torn cloth.  A lot of the fragments are mixed in with the creature's droppings, so it is not entirely easy to tell what species they belonged to, but there are pieces of rotting fish, scraps of goat hides and some torn bits of leather armor and clothing.  There are also some metal trinkets in the nest.  Severin picks up one and Beauregard looks at it.  "Looks like Gerhard's medal he was always wearin'.  Guess that answers what happened to him..."

Behind you, you can hear the men looking in awe at the statues and the bones of the lizard that dominate the far side of the island.  Also you hear someone say, "Hey, lookit this axe?"  And then a moment later, "I saw it first, give it here!"
LarsWester
Harman feeling a little offended by Beauregard chooses to ignore the man's insults at this time.   I suppose that explains the recent loss of the miners and guards then.  he says in reply to the finding of Gerhard's medal.  He looks towards the two men arguing over a found axe.   Beauregard better get your men in order before they start killing each other over found ancient secrets.   As he's saying this Harman's thoughts return to the statues and the missing weapon near one of them.   He shudders as he recalls the dwarven specter of his dreams and a few minutes prior.   The weapons be cursed I tell you. Handle at your own peril. 
Haval
Gabriele swears in turn at Beauregard's assessment,  'Whether he's dead or not it'd be a hell of a thing to have to track him in the dark.'  Nevertheless, she will go to take a look to see if she can find any sign of fresher tracks or of a body being dragged out of one of the exits to the cave.  'One of you give me some light. But be careful where you step.' 
 
 Spoiler 

Follow Trail in case there's any really obvious tracks
vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 40 ] 
 
rax
 "Careful, Gabriele! Don't go on the causeway by yourself!"  Severin called out.

 OOC:  Maybe I'm misremembering, but I thought that Vorgrimler was last seen near the other end of the causeway? Seems dangerous to go looking for tracks by your lonesome...
dojango
There is a clang as one of the men drops the axe.  Beauregard gives Harman a dirty look and says, "Jes' grab everything and we'll show it to the boss when we get back."  The men look at each other and none of them seem to want to pick up the weapons.  Gretchen picks up the weapon and takes the two others and wraps them in a coat.  "I ain't afraid of no curse," she grins at Harman and Severin as she does so.

Gabriele moves to head down the steps but nobody follows.  She can see movement in the water but the bodies floating, both human and animal, are being quickly torn apart and are unrecognizable from the shore.

After a few moments, Beauregard then says, "I think we're done here, yeah?  Let's get moving..."
rax
Severin nods, makes sure his shield is firmly strapped to his arm, and picks up his makeshift torch.  "Let's stick close together, eh?"  he mutters to Gabriele and Harman when he thinks no one is listening.
LarsWester
Harman shrugs his shoulders at Beauregard's glare.  It's your sleepless nights.
Hope you speak Dwarven.   Harman is still sitting on the ground catching his breathe and nursing his wounds.   Severin we either take those eggs or we smash them.  Can't have any more of these giant lizards being born.   I think we might try to take one back for Sol. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Can you describe the size of these eggs, are they larger than a chicken egg?  Could Harman fit one in his backpack?  Harman is going to wait to be the last off the nest platform and he will return the sword to the stature that didn't have a weapon when he got to the top and draw out his normal sword.
 
rax
 "Smash 'em, or burn them if we can,"  Severin agrees.
Haval
 'Curse or no curse, we got other things to worry about at the moment.'  Gabriele chooses to be practical. On the eggs,  'Normally I'd leave something like that alone, but I don't think anyone should have to come down here and do this again at some point.' 
dojango
The eggs are large enough that it takes two hands to hold it.  They feel solid, but not solid enough to place in a backpack unless you don't mind a huge mess.  A few moments shows that there are about a dozen eggs clustered together in the center of the nest, and it takes a few swift blows to reduce them to a bloody, yolky mess.

The rest of the mob starts heading across the causeway and back towards the stairway leading up.  With Gabriele, Severin and Harman taking up the rear.  As Harman places the sword back on the statue, he sees, just for a moment, an image of a ghostly dwarf picking a ghostly sword and fading into the darkness.  But then, out of the corner of his eyes, he thinks he sees ghostly forms emerging from the coffins... and then darkness again, as the light of the torches starts fading in the distance.
rax
 "I'll be sorry if Vorgrimler didn't make it. He seems like a decent enough fellow,"  Severin confides in the others as they make their way to the stairs.  "But once we're topside, I'm going to hit the sack, collect our pay and steer well clear of any dwarven ruins for a while." 
Haval
 'And it's not just the lizards. If you can't see all you have to do is take a wrong turning and get lost down here.' 
dojango
It takes a longer time to climb up the stairs from the watery crypts, with the wounded being supported by their comrades.  Eventually you find your way back to the central pit of the mine.  There is some shouting as they push their way past the slave laborers, yelling at them to move out of the way.  As the wounded men are slowly helped up the long ladders towards the surface level, you start to notice that there are maybe a score of halflings clustered around the small tunnels leading to the ore veins.  They are not working, they are just watching coldly.  They seem to reserve their coldest scowls when they see Gretchen and Severin. When Severin makes a brief eye contact with one of the older halflings in the crowd, he slowly and deliberately spits on the ground.
Haval
Gabriele will catch Severin's attention and gesture towards the other Halflings.  'Should we have left them to it?'  she'll say quietly. She wasn't against letting the lizards eat Beauregard and the others if they could avoid going down with them.
rax
 "I'm not sure. Maybe there's more than one of 'em found a way out through the dwarven tunnels, and now they're worried that Sol's people will have a free run of the place again. Or maybe they just don't like to see another Halfling working for Sol,"  Severin mutters back so that no one else can hear.

 "Those are some mighty frosty looks we're getting,"  he later points out to Gretchen.  "Any idea what that's about, other than them not liking the look of two Halflings helping the man that's keeping them here?" 
LarsWester
Harman continued to lag at the group's rear as they passed the mining halflings.   He noted the sour looks and reflected that these were the slaves that Sol had been forcing to be down here.   They would now once again be forced to work long hard hours under the ground.   There was good reason for their disdain.  He would have to speak with Severin and Gabrielle in private when they reached the surface.
dojango
"Eh?"  Gretchen hands the bundle of weapons to one of the men climbing the ladder.  She turns and scowls back at the halfling slaves.  "Get back to work, Riverhopper!" she shouts.  "If you ain't movin, yer fallin' behind!"  She scoops up a chunk of rock and throws it hard at the old halfling.  He grunts in surprise and pain as it hits him.  A few of the human guards emerge and start shouting as well, and the miners turn and shuffle slowly back into the darkness of the mining tunnel.  The old halfling is the last to leave the central cavern.  Gretchen doesn't wait, though, she turns and climbs back up the ladder muttering about fresh air.

Once you emerge, blinking into the sunlight, you can see Beauregard talking with Vorgrimler and his bodyguard.  Beauregard is clearly relieved to see them safe and and presumably sound, although Vorgrimler looks pale and shaky while Jedidiah has a bandage wrapped around his arm.
rax
 "Riverhopper? I think I've heard that name before. One of the local clans?"  Severin asks Gretchen innocently as they continue the ascent from the mine.
LarsWester
 Herr Vorgrimler happy to see that you found your way back safely.  Those creatures proved very deadly.   We killed one of the larger one but it's mate is still down there.   Quite a few of their offspring as well.   Harman greets the survivors when noticing them standing next to Beauregard.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "I'm not sure. Maybe there's more than one of 'em found a way out through the dwarven tunnels, and now they're worried that Sol's people will have a free run of the place again. Or maybe they just don't like to see another Halfling working for Sol,"  Severin mutters back so that no one else can hear. 
 

 'Wasn't like we could not fight off the lizard.'  Gabriele mutters back.  'Maybe we can make it up to them.'  She'll grimace at the rock thowing but can't exactly intervene. She'll follow Severin out of the mine.
dojango
Gretchen scowls and says, "Right bunch of bastards.  My sodding in-laws.  If ya see them, give them a kick from me, alright?"  She starts reciting a litany of complaints, but stops when you reach the surface and spot Vorgrimler.

Vorgrimler nods at Harman and says, "Sometimes the best course of action is to run for it, your friends know that lesson well, as I recall.  I am glad that the beast was slain, if that was the female guarding her nest, perhaps the others will move elsewhere for their hunting.  If the way is safe now, perhaps I can return and examine the beast?  I would like to bring a specimen back to the university.  What else did you find down there?"  He spots one of the soldiers carrying the bundle of weapons and asks to take a look at it.  He picks up the axe and examines it carefully, tracing his finger over the dwarven runes.  "Interesting.  An antique.  I would be happy to purchase it off you as a souvenir..."

"Hold on.  Talk to Sol about it," interjects Beauregard.  "And nobody's goin' down there again today, we gotta figure out what to do about it if there's more of those big beasts lurkin' around."
Haval
To Vorgrimler,  'You're not wrong, but it seems a bit dangerous when you're that far underground. How did you know you wouldn't meet another one of those things on the way out?' 
LarsWester
When Harman sees the Vorgrimler inspecting the ancient dwarven weapons he waits until Beauregard leaves before seeking Vorgrimler alone.    I must warn against the ancient weapons I fear them cursed I found one and took it as my own for a time.   I was visit by a dwarven lord ghost.   If you speak their language perhaps you'll fare better than I did with reasoning with the spirits.  I tried warning Sol's men but it only angered Beauregard. 
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Gretchen scowls and says, "Right bunch of bastards.  My sodding in-laws.  If ya see them, give them a kick from me, alright?"  She starts reciting a litany of complaints, but stops when you reach the surface and spot Vorgrimler. 
 

  "Bad marriage, eh? Sorry to hear that,"  Severin commiserates.  "And the old one? He someone important in the clan?"  he asked.
dojango
Vorgrimler looks chagrined for a moment and says, "Ah, I did not think of that, only that it was best to flee...  better the danger unknown then the one in front of you with terrible teeth and jaws, eh?"  To Harman he says, "The dwarves have their secrets, but I did not think such dark magic was one of them, are you sure that you saw a spirit?  Come, tell me..." there is a thud as the soldier carrying the other weapons drops them and backs away, looking pale and making the sign of the evil eye.  Vorgrimler continues, "perhaps it would be best if we discussed this later?  Meet me at the Millstone tonight, I'll treat you to dinner and you can tell me what you saw."

Gretchen says, "The geezer is my husband's uncle, I think.  Waleran.  Wish I'd gotten my mother-in-law instead..."  She grabs Severin's arm.  "C'mon, let's ditch these guys and go get drunk."
Haval
The notion of a Dwarf ghost has Gabriele glancing back towards the mine in case she can she anything. To Harman,  'That was what you were scared of wasn't it? You handled it better then I would of. You think it was mad at us for trespassing?' 
LarsWester
In a hushed voice to Gabriele.  Last night I dreamed I was visited by a Dwarven spirit that screamed to me in an incomprehensible language I can only assume is dwarven.   Thought it was  strange but no more troubling than the usual nightmares.   Until as I approached the nest where those statues were the spirit from my dreams charged right at me.   Damn near ruined my trousers.   Fell off the ladder and crashed into Beauregard.   I now fear for what may happen with all of these other looted weapons.   in an even soft volume he adds  I returned that sword I found and hopefully that's the end of it. 
rax
Severin gives Gabriele and Harman an apologetic shrug and then allows himself to be dragged off by Gretchen.  "Catch you later,"  he mouths silently.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by LarsWester 
 In a hushed voice to Gabriele.  Last night I dreamed I was visited by a Dwarven spirit that screamed to me in an incomprehensible language I can only assume is dwarven.   Thought it was  strange but no more troubling than the usual nightmares.   Until as I approached the nest where those statues were the spirit from my dreams charged right at me.   Damn near ruined my trousers.   Fell off the ladder and crashed into Beauregard.   I now fear for what may happen with all of these other looted weapons.   in an even soft volume he adds  I returned that sword I found and hopefully that's the end of it.  
 

 'If he's actually mad at us for even being down there we can't do much about it now. I don't suppose they have a Morrite Priest around here somewhere?' 
dojango
Severin finds himself led by Gretchen away from the mesa into the surrounding scrubland.  As they walk, she gives Severin a rambling account of her unpleasant marriage and shoe-leather divorce.  She has a lot of negative things to say about the personal and intimate habits of the Riverhoppers, life in Stralwald and the Southern Ranges generally.  After a short walk Severin finds himself in a sheltered dale where the halfling scouts have made a camp.  There are a few tents and a campfire where a few of the scruffy-looking halflings are roasting some birds.  They give Gretchen and Severin a knowing grin.  Gretchen mostly ignores them and pulls Severin into her tent and she rummages around a pile of clothes and belongings before pulling out a bottle.  She pulls out the cork and takes a long pull before handing it over to Severin.  "Good stuff, from the boss's private stores.  All the longshanks that come and scrape before the boss bring him some ta curry favor.  He don't miss a few..."  The wine packs a heck of a punch.

 
 Spoiler 
If there's any information you'd like to get out of Gretchen about Sol or Northdale or the area in particular, let me know, she is in a chatty mood.  But she does seem to want company for the night.
 


Gabriele and Harman find themselves ignored by Beauregard once Vorgrimler heads out.  With the hard stares of the guards behind them, they leave the mine behind.  A few hours later they head up to the Millstone Inn to meet with Vorgrimler.  True to his word, he has the old woman bring out warm bowls of stew and bread to everyone, as well as mugs of pulque.  "I have been thinking about what you said," he tells Harman, "The clans of dwarves are as different from each other as the nations of men are, much as they would deny it.  I think the dwarf-lords of this region believed that they need to be buried with what they used in life... craftsmen their tools, warriors their weapons, and the like.  Their caste system persists even in death..."

 
 Spoiler 
If there's any information you'd like to get out of Vorgrimler about Sol or Northdale or the area in particular, let me know, he is willing to talk.  He does want Harman to tell him everything about the apparition he saw.  If there's anything else you two want to do in the afternoon as well, let me know, and if Gabriele wants to do something else, let me know.
 
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Severin finds himself led by Gretchen away from the mesa into the surrounding scrubland.  As they walk, she gives Severin a rambling account of her unpleasant marriage and shoe-leather divorce.  She has a lot of negative things to say about the personal and intimate habits of the Riverhoppers, life in Stralwald and the Southern Ranges generally.  After a short walk Severin finds himself in a sheltered dale where the halfling scouts have made a camp.  There are a few tents and a campfire where a few of the scruffy-looking halflings are roasting some birds.  They give Gretchen and Severin a knowing grin.  Gretchen mostly ignores them and pulls Severin into her tent and she rummages around a pile of clothes and belongings before pulling out a bottle.  She pulls out the cork and takes a long pull before handing it over to Severin.  "Good stuff, from the boss's private stores.  All the longshanks that come and scrape before the boss bring him some ta curry favor.  He don't miss a few..."  The wine packs a heck of a punch.

 
 Spoiler 
If there's any information you'd like to get out of Gretchen about Sol or Northdale or the area in particular, let me know, she is in a chatty mood.  But she does seem to want company for the night.
 
 
 

  
 Spoiler: @dojango 
 OOC:  Well, Severin pretty much walked right into that one. 😁 He'll take one for the team and do his best to keep Gretchen happy.

I went back and checked over the summary of our mission I wrote in  this post. 

Gretchen doesn't seem all that interested in the business side of things, so she's likely not a candidate to ask about who's buying the copper, but I'm pretty sure we already know the answer to that - it's the Tileans. Or have I misinterpreted what Galeazzo and Lorenzo have told us?

She also seems unlikely to know any details of the mine's output, though obviously we may just have helped solve the problem of the current drop in output. 😳

Having seen the inside of the dwarf hold, I think we've also got a pretty good grasp on the defences Sol has in place apart from the general inaccessibility of Inselberg. If Le Houet wants a means of staging a surprise attack, the best bet would probably be to enter through the mines, though the only way inside that Sol's people probably don't know about is the tunnel Severin and Gabriele crawled through...and that would be tough going for any human-sized soldiers.

I suppose that leaves three areas of questioning which Severin might be able to weave into a conversation:

1. Who's been attacking the river traffic? Severin's heard rumours that there might be an independent gang operating in the area (Tick's story). What does Gretchen think about that? (Yes? No? Is Sol doing anything about it?)

2. Sol's losses - does Gretchen think getting rid of the lizards will be the end of it? Did she lose any of her scouts or anyone she cares about? (I.e. Severin is trying to get her to spill how many men Sol had before and how many he has now)

3. How did Gretchen get to know Sol and what are her plans for the future? Does she foresee an end to working for Sol or is she personally loyal to him?
 
Haval
Gabriele will take the offered food and drink gratefully. To Vorgrimler,  'So no ghosts following us up here unless someone is stupid enough to steal their stuff. Seems like a sad thing to be that attached even after you've moved on. Do you intend to try going back down there Herr Vorgrimler, or did you find what you were looking for?' 
dojango
Afterwards, Severin and Gabriele are lying in the tent and talking.  She tells him about how during the rains of ash her village was starving to death, and she and Sol had struck out together, doing what they could to survive.  Now that he's got a position of power, she's in a great spot.  Better than in, well, her whole life.  And she ain't going to give that up, although nothing lasts forever, she's loyal to Sol.  Unlike some of those other jerks, hangers-on, who haven't known him their whole life.  She says Beauregard is too stuck up and full of himself, and Renn the Chiseler is just a thug; useful to keep the slaves in line, but not for much else.  Brandmeister Ethan is a mercenary Sol picked up somewhere, he runs most of the boring ****, taxes and supplies and whatever.

As far as losses are concerned, she and her crew o' halfings are mostly outcasts and outlaws from the halfling villages scattered around the Southern Ranges.  None of them were down in the mines so they haven't lost anyone.  As far as Sol's losses are concerned, she doesn't know for sure, but she does say "There were a bunch of deserters from Otto's crew a while back, give em' a club an a place to sleep and they'll do for grunt work.  Wouldn't trust them as far as I can throw them..."

About the river bandits she blames Otto's crew for that.  Says they got real vicious all of a sudden, sinking boats and killing the crews.  Some northerner named 'the Drunken Weasel' had signed up with Otto and was leading the gangs.  Seemed to want to shut down the river trade, because it's all but stopped lately.  Turns out that means there's more work that Gretchen has to do since all the trade now goes overland through Nirena and the Tileans instead of the halfling clans of Appledel.  Although she heard things are starting to start back up back Stralwald way after Otto's failed invasion.  There's mostly been quiet peace between Otto and Sol, but she says "There's not really any peace with a rabid dog, ya just hope he's distracted by easier targets..."

The next morning she is in a good mood and slaps Severin on the back as bowls of mush are served. "We're packing out, see you next time yer in town, Proudfoot," she grins as the other halflings are striking camp.  "Try not to get eaten by flippin' lizards, OK?"
dojango
Vorgrimler shrugs and says, "Who knows what lies beyond Morr's door.  Perhaps they have reasons to fear going past it.  In the old days, human necromancers would bind their souls to this world, at least until Sigmar put a stop to that sort of thing.  The danger is past, is it?  I did not get a chance to inspect the tombs after all.  The dwarves called this place 'Water-crypts' and believed that the underground rivers would deliver their souls past Morr's gate.  I believe Thrakdul Grimfeet is buried there, it would be interesting to see his final resting spot.  He was one of Heraklon's boon companions in his adventuring days and as a ruler.  It was abandoned some time ago though, I suspect the lizards we saw had something to do with it."

E:  Severin, your post is on the page before this.
rax
 "I'll do my very best,"  Severin promises. After Gretchen and the other scouts ride out, he makes his way back to the inn to meet up with Gabriele and Harman.

He fills them in on what Gretchen told him and inquires about what they learned from Vorgrimler.  "Does the moniker 'Drunken Weasel' mean anything to you, Harman? You were looking for a river bandit from back north, aye?" 

( OOC:  I'm assuming that the other PCs conversation with Vorgrimler is taking place the night before as well.)
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Vorgrimler shrugs and says, "Who knows what lies beyond Morr's door.  Perhaps they have reasons to fear going past it.  In the old days, human necromancers would bind their souls to this world, at least until Sigmar put a stop to that sort of thing.  The danger is past, is it?  I did not get a chance to inspect the tombs after all.  The dwarves called this place 'Water-crypts' and believed that the underground rivers would deliver their souls past Morr's gate.  I believe Thrakdul Grimfeet is buried there, it would be interesting to see his final resting spot.  He was one of Heraklon's boon companions in his adventuring days and as a ruler.  It was abandoned some time ago though, I suspect the lizards we saw had something to do with it."

E:  Severin, your post is on the page before this. 
 

 'Maybe Dwarves have their own thing going on after they die. It would stand to reason but the Sigmarites back home didn't go into details.'  Gabriele is slightly aghast at the idea that Vorgrimler would consider going back down there so soon.  'Remember that there's at least one more of the big lizards down there and it took a lot of effort to put it down. I'd say if you're really interested you might want to come back with more men. Or even see if you can find a Dwarf that's willing to show you around. Having to fight in the dark is the real problem.'  Gabriele watches Vorgrimler carefully,  'Saying all that it seems a lot to go down there for idle curiosity. You writing a book?' 

 
 Originally Posted by rax 
 He fills them in on what Gretchen told him and inquires about what they learned from Vorgrimler.  "Does the moniker 'Drunken Weasel' mean anything to you, Harman? You were looking for a river bandit from back north, aye?" 

( OOC:  I'm assuming that the other PCs conversation with Vorgrimler is taking place the night before as well.) 
 

 'What kind of name is that anyway? Wonder if he just has one of those kind of faces.'  Gabriele will pass on what she'd been told of Thrakdul Grimfeet.  'Feel like we should talk to someone who knows the local history when we get back.'  Gabriele skates over the details of who they would be talking to with Harman here.  'Vorgrimler's obviously looking for something but I'm not sure if I could work out what even if we went down there on our own time. Do you think he's visiting the graves of Heraklon's other friends as well?' 
dojango
Vorgrimler's eyes widen as Gabriele mentions the other one, and he says, "Ah, that is interesting.  But also worrying.  Another one of those beasts.  Hmm.  I don't think Sol would let the dwarves poke around there, and if I know the dwarves, they would make all sorts of claims to what is beneath there.  And yes, I am writing a book.  An epic of Heraklon the Great, for I forget, since you are not from around here, you probably haven't heard of the stories they tell of Heraklon the Great.  His tale deserves to be known by the other realms of men; a mighty warrior and cunning general, he carved out a kingdom here several centuries ago.  Legend has it that he owned a magic sword, given to him by the dwarves.  While the claims that it could call down lighting or cut through solid rock seem unlikely, it could certainly cut down the wizards who ruled this place down, and their servants.  At any rate, as the legends go, when Heraklon was an old man, one of his companions, the dwarf Thrakdul Grimfeet, came to him and asked for his help one last time.  The two of them set out, with Heraklon's magic sword, and only Grimfeet returned, several years later.  He gave Heraklon's grandson, who had become the new king, several paintings, and told him that if there ever was a need for the men of this region to use the sword again, they should follow the path laid down in the paintings.  Several of the paintings have disappeared over the centuries, unfortunately, so whatever riddle was hidden there may have been lost as well.  Ofttimes the dwarves record their deeds and secrets on their tombs; I thought if I could locate the tomb it might have some interesting information about Grimfeet or his exploits with Heraklon."
rax
 Gabriele will pass on what she'd been told of Thrakdul Grimfeet.  'Feel like we should talk to someone who knows the local history when we get back.'  Gabriele skates over the details of who they would be talking to with Harman here.  'Vorgrimler's obviously looking for something but I'm not sure if I could work out what even if we went down there on our own time. Do you think he's visiting the graves of Heraklon's other friends as well?'  

  "It seems to me that he's looking for Heraklon's sword. Wasn't he working for some fella calling himself the new Imperator? I'll bet having the sword of Heraklon would help a lot in legitimizing that claim - symbols are important for the ruling class everywhere,"  Severin offers his opionion.

 "I didn't realize all the paintings were made or commissioned by this Grimfeet fellow, though. That explains why the painting in Goodchild's attic had Dwarf writing. We really should get round to getting that translated, and then take a closer look at the two in the castle. I recall Le Houet saying that the others are in Monteche, but going by Vorgrimler we can probably be sure that the Imperator only has some of them,"  he added.

 OOC:  Jumping in on the assumption the Gabriele will have passed on all the info in the latest post as well.
dojango
Returning to the merchant's camp you find it a bustle of activity as Lorenzo is breaking camp.  He says, "This place is getting on my nerves.  I am fairly certain they won't be delivering any more copper.  We're heading back to Bremcote soon, if you have any last business here, you should attend to it, quickly.  Oh, and Galeazzo dropped this off for you."  He hands you the rest of your pay from exploring the mines.

At that point, Harman speaks up.  He says, "I'm heading south.  To Appledel.  Heard rumors there's a witness to the attacks down there."

Lorenzo seems a little put out by that, but shrugs.  "Try not to get yourself killed," he says as he walks off to yell at a few of the drivers, who are slacking off.

Harman says to Severin and Gabriele, "Sorry to leave you in the lurch, but if there's a witness alive it can't wait.  Here," he says, handing Severin a gold ring with purple stones in it.  "Pawn it if you can.  I'll try and meet you in Bremcote in a few weeks and you can give me my share then."

 
 Spoiler 
10g apiece, the other half of your pay.  Harman is heading out to do some scouting on his own, perhaps your paths will cross again?  Who knows.
 
Haval
To Vorgrimler,  'I got the gist of it. He was Sigmar or Magnus reborn somehow. And we don't know where he was buried? I wonder if this Grimfeet actually bothered to tell anyone where he ended up or if it was just the case that no one else bothered to record it.'  They really needed to pass this on to Le Houet.  'Whether or not you're going back into the mine, maybe Grimfeet had children. I think the Dwarves are supposed to be big in recording everything their ancestors got up to.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 
Sorry for the delay. Brain doesn't seem to be working
 


--------------

To Severin,  'And a magic sword probably wouldn't be half bad either. Whatever it actually does that's magic.'  On the paintings,  'Seems like it doesn't narrow it down if they aren't mostly together. How do we know they're even all still in the Border Princes?' 

----------------

To Harman,  'You're going alone? You can fight and all but maybe find a group to travel with. Look after yourself.' 
rax
 To Gabriele 
 "We don't, but if we can track down the ones that  are  here and get a good look at 'em, maybe we can do what Vorgrimler's doing and use other sources to fill in the blanks,"  Severin suggests.  "I mean, if we find the sword, we can probably name our price to any of the local bigwigs, as long as we're sly about it,"  he chuckles.

 To Lorenzo 
 "You don't thing Sol's going to send any more men down there to finish clearing out the lizards?"  he asks when the Tilean suggests that the mining operation will be shutting down.  "Any idea what might happen to the...workers...if there's no more mining to be done?" 
 OOC:  Maybe we can have one more go at seeing if we can find a clue as to where our Halfling escapee/escapees might have gone before we leave? We should be fairly well trusted by now, so us poking about on the surface near the mines might not be something anyone cares too much about. Plus, do we want to see if we can find a means of making Tick disappear for good?
Haval
 To Severin 
 'Yeah. No point in trying to sell it to someone who can just take it off you by force.' 
 Lorenzo 
 'Presumably they're more valuable alive at least.'  Gabriele adds darkly.

ooc - It's worth a try. Maybe we can find out where the slaves are kept when they aren't mining. Unless that's already obvious from passing through the area on the way to the mines.
dojango
The last thing Vorgrimler had said to Gabriele was "Sigmar reborn?  I remember when just saying that could get you in a lot of trouble.  If you ever have an interest in learning more about applied theology, we have a professor at the university in Monteche who studies that."

Lorenzo says to Severin and Gabriele, "The trading houses won't let something simple like a bunch of overgrown lizards stop the mines.  If Sol doesn't do it then Galeazzo will find someone to take care of it.  They've spent enough that hiring a few more mercenaries probably wouldn't be a problem.  Just don't leave me hanging..." he trails off.  "There are other mines in the region, I'm sure the workers can be employed somewhere if the mine is truly unsalvageable."

OOC:  You've been through the mine often enough that you could see a bunch of tool sheds, some slightly better quality buildings that are probably for the guards, and some rather poorer-quality buildings that might house the workers.
Haval
 Earlier 

Gabriele will shrug off her unintended heresy.  'If Heraklon was going around being heroic I'd hope the Sigmarites wouldn't object too much, but I might just look the man up.' 
Haval
 Lorenzo 
 'Well if they did take them somewhere else it's got to be easier for them to escape then it would be from a place like this.'  Gabriele replies looking towards the mesa. To Lorenzo,  'We'll not keep you too much longer.' 
 Renn 

Gabriele is going to go to the mine to see if the people running things there took her seriously.
dojango
Severin and Gabriele arrive at the gate and ask if they can deliver a message to one of the workers.  There are two guards at the gate.  They look at each other and then one of them says, "Let me ask the boss, I dunno."  He starts to lope off.  The other guard then says, "Yeah, gimmie the message, I'll give it over," and makes the universal gesture for 'bribe me'.
Haval
Gabriele will hand over a gold piece.  'How much would it take to buy the lot of them anyway? Just out of interest.' 
rax
 "Sorry, can't hand over the message - we was hired to hand deliver it, so that's what I'm going to do. Professional ethics, you see?"  Severin adds.  "Besides, we don't even know for sure if our man is here. But we certainly won't begrudge you a commission for your help in finding him." 
dojango
The guard shrugs at that and a few moments later a short thug shows up.  He looks broad and tough, though..  "You lot again?  Clear off.  This is private property and you ain't welcome."  He whistles and a few of the guards lounging at the barracks perk their ears up and start hustling over.
rax
 "What, no appreciation for the swords that took down the lizard what's been eating your guards and workforce?"  Severin shoots back.  "I don't think we've met - would you be Renn the Chiseler?" 
Haval
 'Private property? I feel like anyone who cared about that would have stayed in the Empire.'  Gabriele will keep her hand close to her sword.  'Unless you think we look like a threat to you all?' 
dojango
"Yeah, that's me.  You helped us out, yeah, so maybe you think that means we like you?  Nah, get lost.  You want to help out again maybe you can.  Or you can grab a pick and..." he sees Gabriele and says, "Yah, you ain't a threat to us.  Ain't nobody here a threat to us.  Other way around, I think.  I dunno what the Empire is about, but here, everything you see belongs to Sol and his lads."  Four guards come up to the gates and look around.

"What's up, boss?  You want us to bounce them?" asks one of them.

Renn just looks at Severin and Gabriele, waiting for their next move.
rax
 "I don't particularly expect anyone here to  like  me, but I was naturally hoping for a friendlier reception when all I want is to finish a job I started. I suppose we can always see if Sol is feeling friendlier, but I figured we try to get this done the easy way, seeing as how we'll be shipping out soon. So, anything we can do to right here and now to get in and deliver the message, or do we actually have to trouble Sol with something like this?"  Severin asks.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 "Yah, you ain't a threat to us.  Ain't nobody here a threat to us.  Other way around, I think.  I dunno what the Empire is about, but here, everything you see belongs to Sol and his lads." 
 

Gabriele takes the man's meaning and glares at him before replying.  'It's all Sol's until someone bigger takes it off him. Isn't that how it works down here? Maybe you'll get lucky and get to grow old here gracefully' 
dojango
Renn looks back and forth at the two of you.  After a moment, he turns to the guards and says, "If they are still here by the time I get back to my office, give em' a good thumpin' to remind them who's in charge here."  Then he starts walking away.
rax
 "Well, it was worth a try. Some people just can't be talked to,"  Severin says to Gabriele with a shrug.  "Let's head back to the town." 
 Out of earshot of the guards 
 "I don't know that it's worth the trouble of actually trying to get Sol to let us speak to one of his slaves, but I think we should still see if we can get a lead on Myrtle. Either we go back out to the sinkhole and look around again, or we find Tick and see if we can beat some information out of him...and then maybe he slips and accidentally falls on his knife a few times. What do you think?" 
Haval
 Out of earshot 
 'Depends if we have anything to give Sol in return doesn't it. We can always have a go at getting in without asking. I know they're guarding the place but how hard are they going to work to keep people from getting in.'  On the sinkhole,  'I can try but its not always possible to find something even if it's still there to found. Maybe look at the land and ask ourselves if we were an escaped slave where would we run to first.' 
rax
 "What  do  we have to offer Sol that wouldn't seem suspicious to him? I worry that the more noise we make about speaking to old man Riverhopper, the more interest Sol's going to take in why we  really  want to speak to him...and maybe my professional ethics won't sound so convincing to a jumped up bandit. And breaking into the compound is going to get us into a lot of trouble if we're caught. At the very least, we won't be reporting back to Le Houet any time soon,"  Severin answers.

 "So, yeah - unless you've got a particularly bright idea buzzing around in your noggin, I'm feeling that our best shot is to head back to the sinkhole and take another look at the lay of the land." 
Haval
Gabriele sighs.  'You're probably right. At this point a fight with one of those guys might cheer me right up. Let's take another look at the sinkhole then.' 

Gabriele will go and have another go and looking for tracks. This time she will try to expand the area that she's checking to see if there's any sign that a Halfling might have passed through.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Follow Trail vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 26 ] 
FP if needed
 (1d100)[ 36 ] 
 
rax
Severin does his best to assist in the search...

 
 Spoiler: Follow Trail check 
  (1d100)[ 100 ]  vs. Int 44 

Used an FP to re-roll in the OOC thread.
 
dojango
Gabriele finds the trail again and follows it for a bit. It is over a week old and the traces are faint. She finds where the quarry has stopped to relieve themselves, and where they stopped to forage. The trail is meandering for a while, and then heads southwest. Gabriele and Severing spend a lot of time combing for tracks, and soon realize that the sun is going down over the mountains soon. They can keep searching in the dark, or head back to the caravanserai before sunset.
rax
 "If our escapee stopped to forage, my guess is he or she wasn't planning on sticking around,"  Severin mused.  "Plus, they're heading southwest, which would be the most direct route to...Taal's Crossing, maybe? Closer to Stralwald and the Duke's lands, at least. I think maybe we'd best just wish them luck for now, and if it is Myrtle Hornwood, I hope she makes it home safely." 
Haval
Gabriele is inwardly kicking herself for not noticing this the first time.  'I wouldn't say it's safe but it's a lot better then staying here. I can't exactly track them all the way to the next town even in daylight. Let's get back.' 
rax
 "Right. One more thing then - deal with Tick before we go, yea or nay? We haven't actually confirmed that he took Myrtle and brought her here - it'd be nice to at least get that cleared up,"  Severin says as they make their way back to town.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "Right. One more thing then - deal with Tick before we go, yea or nay? We haven't actually confirmed that he took Myrtle and brought her here - it'd be nice to at least get that cleared up,"  Severin says as they make their way back to town. 
 

 'Heh, never actually had to threaten anyone before, but it's not like he doesn't deserve it. So we going to looking for Tick and then see if we can leave in a hurry? Maybe his mates here won't care that much but maybe they'll take it personally.'  
rax
 "I reckon a knife to the throat or the crotch should make him cooperative. He knows us - he knows we've killed his like before and can do so again..."  Severin answers darkly.  "And a swift exit is what Galeazzo wanted, so..." 
 @dojango 
Actually, what's the time frame for us leaving with the caravan? Did Galeazzo want to be going today or are we looking at another night at Inselberg before he's ready to go?
dojango
You arrive back at the caravanserai and Galeazzo looks at you with both annoyance and relief.  "There you are, we were getting worried.  One of the teamsters was jumped in town and robbed.  I was worried the same had happened when you hadn't returned..."  Galeazzo looks at the sun getting low on the horizon.  He sighs.  "I had hoped to get started as soon as the wagons were loaded but I fear it is too late to start tonight.  We're heading out first thing in the morning."
Haval
 'Sorry. We were held up talking with some locals.'  Gabriele replies thinking of the guards at the mine.  'Did the one who was robbed get a description. Maybe we could have a word before we leave.' 
dojango
Galeazzo points to a nearby tent and the two of you duck inside while Galeazzo waits outside.  Bastien, the driver, is lying in his bedroll, in considerable pain.  His face is bruised and swollen from a thorough beating.  He cracks an eye open and moans a bit, before relating his story.  Having some free time and coin he decided to pay one last visit to the brothel.  Heading up alone, he had been waylaid by a group of three toughs, who had beaten him down and taken his coin.  They had been angry that he didn't have a purse full of gold, and gave him a vicious beating, demanding to know which of the caravaneers were the ones with the money.  He hadn't been able to answer and they slunk off, arguing over their meager haul.  A while later, passing townsfolk had found him and helped him back to the caravan where he had been resting since.
rax
 "Can you describe any of them in detail? We're heading up to town anyway - maybe we'll happen to run into them and be able to show them the error of their ways?"  Severin suggests.

 "No promises, of course,"  he hastens to add.
Haval
Gabriele is not unsympathetic but at least the man was still alive.  'This is why you don't go anywhere up there alone. Even if you were trying to enjoy yourself.' 
dojango
He describes the three assailants as best he can.  "There was a big man, I didn't get a good look at him.  He grabbed me from behind.  The other guy, tall, youngish, dark hair and blue eyes.  He worked me over while the third man, a skinny guy was askin' questions about the gold.  I didn't know nothin' about it, so the others started gettin' annoyed at him, but then he put the boot in when I was lyin' down.  Bastard."  He gives you a vague description of two of the thugs.
rax
 "Well, we'll see what happens up there,"  Severin answers the man.  "Ready to go, Gabriele?" 
 @dojango 
Could you give us a reminder of Tick's appearance? I want to say that he might be called skinny, but I could just be confused...
dojango
He's skinny, thin, greasy unkempt hair. Not grey yet. Leather coat, concealed dagger in his boot. Perhaps in his thirties, forties? Hard to say.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "Well, we'll see what happens up there,"  Severin answers the man.  "Ready to go, Gabriele?"  
 

 'Yeah, let's go.' 
dojango
It's dark, of course, with the campfires of the carvanserai behind you and the bonfires atop the mesa ahead of you, the two of you pick your way towards the path leading up to the mesa.

 
 Spoiler 
Roll perception.
 
Haval
Gabriele will try to keep an eye out for anything that might be a threat.

 
 Spoiler 

Perception vs. Int 38 (+20 if Acute Hearing)
rolled a 39 in the ooc
 
rax
 
 Spoiler: Perception check 
 (1d100)[ 95 ]  vs. Int 44
 
dojango
You arrive at the trail leading up to the top of the mesa and start heading up.  As you pass the first switchback, a figure suddenly emerges from the shadows in front of you with a drawn sword.  "Stand and Deliver," he growls, with his sword pointed at Gabriele.  From behind, you hear the sound of footsteps and Tick's familiar voice chuckles, "These are the ones!  I know it!"
Haval
Remembering something of what Murillo taught her Gabriele will move back and to the side so that the man in front of her would have to come to her if he wanted to use that sword. At the same time she'll try and get a look at how many people were actually trying to mug them. She's already carrying her shield in one hand and if no one actually tries to stab her she'll draw her sword with the other.

 
 Spoiler 

Defensive rolls just in case

Dodge Blow
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 79 ] 

Parrying roll
vs. WS 42 (+10 defensive)
 (1d100)[ 50 ] 
 
rax
Severin turns slowly around to face tick while remaining back to back with Gabriele.

 "Well, well, well. If it isn't Tick the gutless wonder. Figures we'd find you skulking about here. Are you the ones that jumped Galeazzo's teamster?"  he challenged the bandit while unhooking his mace from his belt.
dojango
There's a big one in front of you with a drawn sword, Tick and another man are behind you with drawn daggers.  They've got you sort of trapped on the trail.  "C'mon, yer money or yer life!" says the big one.  But Tick laughs and says, "They're too dumb to know they're beat.  Get em'!"

 
 Spoiler 
Roll for initiative!   (1d10+4)[ 14 ] 
 
Haval
 'You're going over the edge Tick.'  Gabriele replies in a mocking voice. Keeping Severin behind her she'll angle herself to face the larger man.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Initiative
 (1d10+3)[ 4 ] 

Full Action - Swift Attack towards the bigger man

vs. WS 42
 (1d100)[ 35 ] 
 (1d100)[ 14 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 4 ] 
 (1d10+3)[ 13 ] 
Ulric's Fury with 7 more damage in the ooc

Dodge Blow
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 86 ] 

Parrying roll
vs. WS 42 (+10 defensive)
 (1d100)[ 94 ] 
 
rax
 "You sure you want to do this? Tick has a history of running out on his mates when they're bleeding out in the mud,"  Severin grunts at the other dagger-armed man. Keeping his mace ready, he equips his shield for extra protection and then snaps his mace forward at the man.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Initiative:   (1d10+6)[ 15 ] 
 Half action:  Ready shield
 Half action:  Standard attack  (1d100)[ 73 ]  vs. WS 41
Damage  (1d10+2)[ 10 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 67 ] 
 (1d10)[ 7 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 91 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry  (1d100)[ 57 ]  vs. 51 (WS 41, Defensive +10)
 
dojango
Severin acts quickly, lashing out with his mace.  The bandit steps back and avoids the blow, and then slides in with his dagger, landing a solid blow (9 damage) to Severin's body.  Tick, perhaps out of caution or simply cowardice, does not close in with Severin on the other side and can't hit him with his dagger.  Meanwhile, the big bandit facing Gabriele lunges forward, slips past her guard and hits her hard in the leg (12 damage).  He's a lefty, and Gabriele isn't used to fighting one.  However, Morillo had once told her, 'If you're going to get hit, don't flinch, take the hit and hit back harder', and she does just that.  Although the bandit parries her first wild swing of the sword, he isn't able to stop the second as she smashes her sword into the man's arm.  He howls as blood flies and he drops his sword.
rax
Severin grunts as the dagger manages to cut through his brigandine, but in the heat of battle he can't tell if it's a serious injury or not. The howl from behind him is more encouraging though.

 "First blood to you longshanks, but it sounds like we're about to be even in numbers,"  he says with a nasty grin as he tries to get under the bandit's guard and break his kneecaps.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack  (1d100)[ 52 ] ,  (1d100)[ 92 ]  vs. WS 41
Damage  (1d10+2)[ 6 ] ,  (1d10+2)[ 3 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 25 ] ,  (1d100)[ 43 ] 
 (1d10)[ 2 ] ,  (1d10)[ 4 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 42 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry  (1d100)[ 88 ]  vs. 51 (Ws 41, Defensive +10)
 
Haval
Gabriele can't help but cry out in pain. The strength of the man's blow had almost knocked her over. Of course he had managed to hit her in the one place where she was least protected. If she can, she'll try to step on his sword as she keeps her footing before trying to put the man down.

 
 Spoiler 

Full Action - Swift Attack towards the injured man

vs. WS 42
 (1d100)[ 97 ] 
 (1d100)[ 93 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 10 ] 
 (1d10+3)[ 13 ] 

Dodge Blow
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 36 ] 

Parrying roll
vs. WS 42 (+10 defensive)
 (1d100)[ 79 ] 

Wounds 2/15
Fortune 2/3
 
dojango
Tick and the bandit facing Severin try to pin him with their daggers.  Despite being outnumbered, he manages to evade their blows.  Tick's swing comes close, but Severin manages to get out of the way.  The bandit calls out, "Breaker!  You good, man?"  Opposite Gabriele, the man stumbles back, wide-eyed, clutching his arm.  He heads back into the darkness of the trail leading up the mesa.
rax
Severin mutters something filthy beneath his breath as the bandit evades his attacks, but he continues to press forward.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack  (1d100)[ 66 ] ,  (1d100)[ 31 ]  vs. WS 41
Damage  (1d10+2)[ 7 ] ,  (1d10+2)[ 11 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 84 ] ,  (1d100)[ 54 ] 
 (1d10)[ 8 ] ,  (1d10)[ 6 ] 

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 78 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry  (1d100)[ 58 ]  vs. 51 (Ws 41, Defensive +10)
 
Haval
  'Yeah..you'd better..run.'   Gabriele mutters to herself as Breaker runs. She'll turn and stagger over towards Tick's other friend. All she needed to do was knock him over.

 
 Spoiler 

Full Action - Charge

vs. WS 42 (+10 Charge)
 (1d100)[ 64 ] 

Any damage
 (1d10+3)[ 5 ] 

Dodge Blow
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 18 ] 

Parrying roll
vs. WS 42 (+10 defensive)
 (1d100)[ 27 ] 

Wounds 2/15
Fortune 2/3
 
dojango
Gabriele turns and runs to Severin's side,  She tries to attack the bandit, but is not able to connect.  Severin also swings hard at the bandit, but he avoids the attack and lunges back with his dagger and slices Severin on his left arm (7 damage).  This leaves Severin open on the other side, and Tick brings down his dagger and cuts Severin's head (7 damage as well).
Haval
  'Hey!'   Gabriele shouts to get the second man's attention. She'll keep her sword and shield up without immediately trying to use it on him.  'What's your name anyway? Him I already know.' 
dojango
He sneers.  "Who wants to know?"  He shifts to the side and feints with his dagger at Gabriele.  Gabriele sees right through the maneuver as the clumsy attempt to distract her that it is.  Meanwhile, Tick says, "C'mon, get her!", while trying to stay out of reach of her sword.

 
 Spoiler 
Opposed WS test:   (1d100)[ 98 ] 
 
Haval
Gabriele keeps her shield up.  'You see how it is. Tick wants you to do all the work once I already saw off your big mate. Feel like you could do better for a partner.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Charm test vs. Fel 32 / 2
 (1d100)[ 49 ] 

Full Action - Defensive stance to impose a -20 WS penalty for the next turn

Dodge Blow
vs. Ag 48 (-10 armour)
 (1d100)[ 44 ] 

Parrying roll
vs. WS 42 (+10 defensive)
 (1d100)[ 96 ] 

Wounds 2/15
Fortune 2/3
 
rax
Trying to hide the seriousness of the wound to his arm, Severin brings up his shield to eye level and steps close to Gabriele. He keeps his mace ready to strike but like Gabriele, he doesn't attack, choosing to try and persuade Tick's compatriot to back off instead.

 "Here's the thing, longshanks - you came out here to make some easy money, right, but you brought a knife to a sword fight and there's two of us to one of you. We've got unfinished business with Tick, y'see, and if we have to go through you to get to him you can bet on Ranald's wonky eye that's what we'll do. So you should ask yourself - are you willing to die for him, or do you maybe want to cut a deal with us an' walk away in one piece?" 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Defensive Stance - all melee attacks vs. Severin take -20 penalty

Charm test  (1d100)[ 56 ]  vs. 21 (Fel 42 / 2 = 21)

Pre-emptive Dodge  (1d100)[ 32 ]  vs. Ag 62
Pre-emptive Parry  (1d100)[ 97 ]  vs. 51 (Ws 41, Defensive +10)
 
dojango
The man looks at Tick, he looks out into the darkness behind for a moment or two.  Then he spits and says, "Next time I see you aroun' yer gonna regret it," and turns and runs down the path into the darkness.  Tick shouts, "Hey!" and turns and tries to follow...
rax
 "Grab him!"  Severin calls out to Gabriele as he quickly stows his mace, snaps out his sling and looses a stone at Tick.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Half action:  Ready sling and put away mace
 Free action:  Load sling with Rapid Reload
 Half action:  Standard attack with sling  (1d100)[ 87 ]  vs. BS 63
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 12 ] 

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 64 ] 
 (1d10)[ 10 ] 
 
Haval
 'Good choice.'  Gabriele calls after the second man. She'll move to the other side of Tick from Severin.  'Put down the dagger Tick before I take it off you.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Intimidate vs. Str 35 / 2
 (1d100)[ 63 ] 
 
dojango
There is a yelp of pain as Severin's stone hits Tick squarely in the leg.  Gabriele sees him make a rude gesture at her as he limps off into the night.  Gabriele can hear Tick cursing at the other man, "Hey!  Wait up ya bastard!  We gotta stick together!"
rax
 "Better stop running, Tick, or I'll knock you down like a rat from a rope,"  Severin calls out as he quickly reloads his sling and fires off another two stones into the darkness.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Rapid Reload enables Severin to load his sling as a free action.
 Full action:  Swift attack with sling  (1d100)[ 75 ] ,  (1d100)[ 90 ]  vs. BS 63
Damage [roll]1d10+4[roll], [roll]1d10+4[roll]

Ulric's Fury if applicable
 (1d100)[ 63 ] ,  (1d100)[ 40 ] 
[roll]1d10[roll], [roll]1d10[roll]

Well, no need to redo those damage rolls...
 
Haval
Gabriele will do what she can to bring down Tick in a tackle before he can get much further.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Sorry for the delay

Full Action - Charge Tick

vs. WS 42 (+10 Charge)
 (1d100)[ 81 ] 
FP if needed
 (1d100)[ 77 ] 

FP: 1/3
W: 2
 
dojango
The two stones sail past Tick, while Gabriele chases him down.  He hisses and turns and lashes out with his dagger at Gabriele but misses.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d100)[ 78 ] .  (1d10+1)[ 8 ] .
 
Haval
Dropping her shield, Gabriele will reach out to try and grab Tick's knife hand to keep it away from her.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Another attempt at a grapple
vs. WS 42
 (1d100)[ 83 ] 

Rolled a 41 against TN 38 on a Dodge Blow roll in the ooc

FP: 0/3
W: 2
 
dojango
Tick keeps his dagger between him and Gabriele and grimaces at her.  "Leave me alone, ya witch," he shouts as he tries to make space and head out into the darkness.
rax
 "Oh Ranald, why do you vex me so?"  Severin curses as he once again misses his target. With a snarl of frustration, he drops his sling and races forward to try and grab hold of Tick before he can escape.

  Harder to run with 120 plus pounds of Halfling hanging on  , he thinks grimly.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Charge attack to grapple  (1d100)[ 35 ]  vs. 61 (WS 41, Charge attack +10, Outnumbering +10)
Pre-emptive opposed Strength test  (1d100)[ 19 ]  vs. 21

Pre-emptive Dodge if grapple attempt fails  (1d100)[ 67 ]  vs. Ag 62
 
Haval
Gabriele will respond to Tick between gritted teeth,  'Shouldn't have tried to rob us should you.'  She'll jerk her other arm up to try and clout Tick in the head with the butt of her sword.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Grapple
vs. WS 42 (+10 Aim) (+10 Outnumbered)
 (1d100)[ 41 ] 

Any dodge vs. Ag 48 (-10 Armour)
 (1d100)[ 6 ] 
 
dojango
Gabriele lands a solid blow on Tick with the hilt of her sword, and he gasps as he is stunned.  Then from out of the darkness, Severin launches a flying tackle and the man tries to wrest away, but topples over.  In a moment, it's all over.  With Gabriele's sword out and Severin pinning him, he looks up in fear. "Watchyou want?  I gots a stash, I'll give it ta ya, no hard feelin's?  I'm onea Sol's men now ya know, a made man.  I can get ya in with him, ya know?"
rax
Severin clambers off Tick, wiping his hands on his clothes as if to clean off something  nasty .  "No hard feelings? You murder and enslave innocent folk minding their own business and you think there's no hard feelings? You consort with Chaos worshippers and you think there's no hard feelings?!"  he says through gritted teeth.

 "I want one thing from you and one thing only. Tell me what happened to the Halfling girl you kidnapped when you ran away from Stralwald. Myrtle Hornwood - what did you do with her?!" 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "I want one thing from you and one thing only. Tell me what happened to the Halfling girl you kidnapped when you ran away from Stralwald. Myrtle Hornwood - what did you do with her?!"  
 

Gabriele prods Tick lightly with her sword.  'Better talk quickly Tick. It's the only reason I was happy to see you again.' 
dojango
"What?" he says, confused for a moment. "I dunno, back in the camp, I guess?  You wanna meet her?  I can arrange it, no problem."
rax
 "The camp? You sold her as a  slave ?"  Severin growls.
Haval
 'He doesn't even remember.'  Gabriele said increduously.  'Maybe this wasn't the first time he's done something like that.' 
dojango
"Hey, I was starvin'!  Man's gotta eat, and Sol's crew always seems ta have their bellies full.  Could do worse out here... an' you halflins are at home underground.  She's with her kin and she ain't starvin' either..."
rax
 "We may be at home underground, but that doesn't mean we want to be traded like livestock to some jumped up longshanks thug,"  Severin snarls.

 "Get on your feet, and don't get any stupid ideas or Gabriele 'll cut you a new smile!"  he orders Tick.
dojango
Tick stands shakily and wearily, with the two of you holding him.

 
 Spoiler 
So what do you want to do with him?
 
Haval
Gabriele will try to look threatening even though after the wound she had taken she'd mostly like to sit down for a minute. At this point stabbing Tick would be a pleasure.

To Severin,  'Do we actually need him for this? It's not like they'd give Myrtle back even if we made this one ask nicely.' 
rax
 "Nope, I guess we don't, " Severin answers curtly.

Suddenly there's dagger in his hand. Lightning quick, he hamstrings Tick and then pulls him down, stabbing the blade deep into the bandit's neck.

 "That's for Myrtle and every other poor bastard you've ever sold out to make it one more day. I hope wherever you end up, you'll suffer like they did!"  he spits at the dying man.
Haval
Gabriele will watch Tick bleed out for a few moments.

She had had thoughts about doing something similar but Severin had reacted quicker.  'You ok? He deserved it, but its not quite the same when you aren't in the middle of a fight. Speaking from experience.' 
rax
 "I'm good, but I could use a drink,"  Severin rasps in reply.

 "You know, once upon a time, I was part of a group who dreamed of righting the wrongs of the world, starting with the high muckety-mucks back in Streissen who were oppressing honest Halflings and longshanks alike. Tick weren't no high flyer, but he was just as much a wrong 'un as some of the nobles in the Empire. It feels...satisfying...to have put an end to him. I wonder if this is what it would have felt like if we'd ever gone through with the rising back home?"  he ponders, scratching the long scar on his face.
dojango
It's over.  The night noises slowly resume.  He was in many ways a little man, a small, petty man, and the world seems a better place without him.  But he was only one man, and Myrtle and the other halflings are no closer to being freed.  Searching him reveals a handful of coins, a simple dagger and a few personal possessions.  What do you want to do next?  His companions have escaped into the night, after all.

 
 Spoiler 
More precisely, 2 gc and 13 s
 
Haval
 'Nothings worth getting hung over. But maybe it's easier to get away with things down here.'  Gabriele looks up the mesa.  'I don't think we're in any state to do the same to the rest of them. What would it take to talk Le Houet into invading?' 
rax
 "Since she tasked us with gathering intelligence on the place, maybe there's already such plans afoot,"  Severin shrugged.

 "And I agree - we've run out of road down here. Maybe we can work out a way to sneak back and help the slaves get free in the future, but for now I think we need to get back to camp and get out of here. I can send a message to Stralwald about Myrtle once we get back to Castle Bremcote. Who knows, if Ranald's in a good mood, perhaps she's even one of the ones that crawled out through the caves?"  he says, though he sounds unconvinced.

 "Here, you take his coin - you took the worst hits of the two of us. And then let's see if we can hide his body in some bushes or something. The longer it takes to find him, the smaller the chance of anyone trying something,"  he adds.
Haval
Gabriele will take the coin without arguing.  'Well his friends saw us already. Maybe Sol's boys are the sort to take offence even if they didn't like Tick that much.'  She'll look around for somewhere that she could use to hide Tick's body.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Concealment vs. Ag 48 (+10 if Rover applies)
 (1d100)[ 50 ] 
 
dojango
Gabriele is an experienced hunter and realizes that the first things that will find the body are wild animals... buzzards and the like.  She remembers a jumbled pile of rocks not to far away and the two of you drag the body over and wedge the body in between some of the boulders and throw some brush over it.  It won't hide the remains forever, but hopefully it will hold for a day or two.  That takes a little time, and the two of you return to the camp.  The men on watch see you approach and beckon you over.  "Rough night?" one of them asks.
rax
 "You could say that, but you you should see the other guy,"  Severin answers somewhat curtly.

 OOC:  Does Galeazzo have a medic of some sort in his employ? I think we're both heavily wounded now, but if we can get bumped up to 4 Wounds each, then we'll be healing a wound a day instead of one per week.
dojango
OOC:  You don't know, you haven't asked him about it yet.
rax
 OOC:  But we did travel here with him. Surely we would know already? 🙂
Haval
 'I've had better.'  Gabriele will find somewhere that she could sit down and rest.  'Feel like we should have brought some of you boys with us.' 
dojango
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  OOC:  But we did travel here with him. Surely we would know already? 🙂 
 

Galeazzo is the factor who lives here and is better connected.  Lorenzo is the travelling merchant you're working with and none of his boys know anything better than basic first aid.
rax
 OOC:  Ah, right. Got the two mixed up!
rax
 "You wouldn't happen to know if Galeazzo the factor has a surgeon of some sort in his employ here? Bastard on the trail back there stuck a knife in me an' my jack didn't stop all of it,"  Severin mutters to the guards.
dojango
When Severin mentions his wounds, the watchmen leap into action.  Someone wakes up Lorenzo who comes up rubbing the sleep from his eyes.  "A surgeon?  Here?  I'm sure there are some rude practitioners around somewhere but I don't know... how bad is it?" he asks.  Someone runs to fetch Galeazzo and wake him up.  He also come out, wearing a night-robe, and looks at Severin and Gabriele and Lorenzo.  He shakes his head.  "Trouble? Why am I not surprised?  There's a midwife who lives up in town who has some skill with poultices and the like.  And there's a Shallyan hospice about a week's travel to the east, in the town of Edgemire (S19).  Although if you are well enough to make it there, you may not need their services..."
Haval
 'I'll manage. I can still shoot.'  Gabriele replied.  'For what it's worth we got your man some of his money back.' 
rax
 "My guts are still on the right side of me skin, so not as bad as it could have been, but neither of us is in a fit state to go toe to toe with anyone if there's trouble on the way back,"  Severin answers.

 "If you think this midwife might know enough not to make things worse, it couldn't hurt to have her look us over. But we should make sure to be gone by morning - the fellows that tried to rob us claimed they had friends in high places..." 
dojango
Lorenzo asks Severin and Gabriele, "Are you well enough to ride or are you going to need to ride in one of the wagons?"
rax
 "I can ride, I think. If I'm wrong, I'll let you know before I fall off me pony,"  Severin replies.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Lorenzo asks Severin and Gabriele, "Are you well enough to ride or are you going to need to ride in one of the wagons?" 
 

 'I'll manage. Just don't expect me to gallop anywhere.' 
dojango
Lorenzo mutters, "One of my scouts has run off, two more are wounded, half the wagons are filled with junk and we're slinking out at night.  Miss Le Houet is not going to be happy about this.  Why don't you get an hour of rest and we'll head out as soon as everyone's roused up.  We'll leave before dawn to avoid any trouble."  With that he starts waking up the rest of the camp.  Since the wagons are already packed it's mostly a matter of getting all the animals hitched up and generally pointed in the right direction so the caravan can leave quickly.  Fortunately, although Mannslieb is waning it's half-light gives the animals and men enough light to see and after an hour or so starts trudging west into the pre-dawn darkness...
Haval
 'Maybe. But she might appreciate hearing about the state of this place.'  Gabriele will take the opportunity to lie down for a while although they didn't really have time to sleep. When it was time to go she'll lash herself to her horse with the reins wrapped around her arm and rest her bow across her knees. She just had to stay alert until the sun rose.
dojango
"She asked me to come here and buy copper for her.  I doubt knowing what a craphole of a place this is will make up for it..." he grumbles.

 
 Spoiler 
Toughness tests please
 
dojango
Everyone pushes themselves that day to get as far down the road as possible.  There's no sign of pursuit, no messengers rushing after the caravan, and by the end of the day there is a palpable sense of relief.  Bastien, the injured driver, is sitting up and smiling again, much recovered.  However, Severin finds himself falling asleep moments after the caravan stops for the night and in the morning finds that he has no energy and isn't able to pull himself up, much less spend the day scouting ahead of the caravan.  To make matters worse, a thin and miserable drizzle lasts most of the morning, only letting up about noon and after the primitive road has turned to mud.  Severin rides in one of the wagons with Lorenzo that day, and the next.  But on the third day he finds that he is unable to get out of his bedroll.  His injuries, instead of starting to heal have started to turn reddish and inflamed.  He lies in the bed of one of the wagons, as comfortable as the others can make him and spends the day in a delirious haze.  By nightfall, Lorenzo takes Gabriele aside and says, "Your friend is in a bad way.  Spent the whole day muttering and talking to people only he can see.  Not sure how best to help him.  We're not quite half way to Castle Bremcote yet."
Haval
 'We should have gone to that healer. He said he was managing. You know the area better then I do. Is there a village or anything nearby?' 
dojango
"Stralwald is a day's journey to the west.  Across the river.  You'd know it better than I.  There's a military fort maybe three days to the north, they probably have a sawbones or at least a vet there."
Haval
Gabriele looks worried.  'I'll not get him over the river like this, but is he going to make it if I take him to the fort?' 
dojango
Lorenzo puts his hand on Severin's forehead and shrugs.  "I'm not a physician, but he's not looking good.  Might be some farms or something on this side of the river in the woods.  We've had our troubles with the locals, but maybe you'd have better luck?  Otherwise we might not have a choice but to push for the fort.  You'll make better time on your own then with the wagons slowing you down.  I'll have the boys put together a travois tonight so you can try to make faster time."
Haval
 'What sort of trouble? Or do they just don't like strangers? As long as no one's going to take a shot at me on sight.' 
dojango
"Ah, you are strangers here.  The locals are... were prone to banditry.  They would harass, sometimes rob caravans that passed through here.  The Duke brought his men down to try and drive the worst of the bandits out, but they just moved... Otto is secure on the other side of the river in the rugged lands there, and Sol has his little fortress and copper mine to try and make his fortune.  I wouldn't put it past them to try and steal horses or make off with what they can pilfer at night.  But then, they were recently invaded by Otto's bandits, so maybe they will have learned a little empathy?"

 
 Spoiler 
He's talking about the Stralwald halflings, remember the guys whose village you just saved from Otto's men.  They have a reputation for turning to banditry themselves to help make ends meet, although the halflings would probably characterize it differently.
 
Haval
 'If they've got ties to Stralwald we might do ok. We helped them out over there a while back. I'd like to think they wouldn't try to rob me anyway. You going to follow us Lorenzo? I don't want you getting robbed either given we're supposed to be guarding you.' 
dojango
He just smiles thinly and says, "You don't really need guards until you do.  We'll manage, and once we get past the fort we should be in safer territory.  I will pray for your friend, come find me in Bremcote for the rest of your pay.  I'd give it to you know, but..." he shrugs.  "This was not the best venture we've had."

When Gabriele wakes up the next morning, Severin is conscious and seems to be awake enough to be fed broth and water, but soon falls into an uneasy sleep as he is lashed to the travois.  As the merchants break camp, she heads into the forest, following game trails and meandering paths west, in the direction of the river.  Towards the late afternoon she crests a ridge and sees the glint of the river in the distance and a thin plume of smoke coming from the woods between her and the river.

 
 Spoiler: Severin 
He tosses uneasily, caught in fever dreams.  But suddenly he finds himself sitting in the garden at Stralwald.  An old woman sits by the tree, knitting.  She looks directly at him and says, "Strange fish are caught in my nets these days.  Tell me, child, what misfortune has brought you here?"
 
rax
 
 Spoiler: dojango 
 "Here?"  Severin replies in confusion.  "Last I knew I was on a travois, being dragged behind a horse. No clue as to how I ended up  here ... But my misfortune was being stabbed in the gut. Wound's infected, see?" 
 "Who are you?" 
 
Haval
 'Wasn't all we were expecting either. Better luck next time I guess.' 

When Gabriele's in the woods she'll do her best to keep good time but she's still barely average as a horse rider. Normally she'd go out of her way to avoid a campfire but with Severin and a horse in tow that may not be possible.  Normally bandits wouldn't want to announce where they are to everyone wouldn't they?  She'll head in the general direction of the campfire.
dojango
As Gabriele approaches the area where she sees the smoke rising from, a small figure emerges from the woods.  She sees Bert Willows, one of the halflings from Stralwald.  He is holding a bow, not drawn, just holding it.  "Gabriele?" he asks.  "What're you doin' in these parts?"

 
 Spoiler: Severin 
She says, "I am not in the habit of giving my true name out to wandering souls.  But if you want to know, you may have a true answer for every true answer you give me.  You are a well-travelled halfing.  Tell me.  Can I trust your kin with my garden, once I am gone?"
 
rax
 
 Spoiler: dojango 
 "I suppose that depends on what the garden's for?"  Severin counters.  "Flora and her family seem to care a great deal for it though. Enough so that they stayed to fight when Otto the Hunter sent his thugs to pillage Stralwald." 
 "If you don't mind me guessing, would you be the one the locals call the Green Witch? A friend of Heraklon's? Aren't you supposed to be dead?" 
 
Haval
Gabriele breathes a sigh of relief.  'Alright Bert. I've got Severin in the travois. He got hurt down south. Any chance you can help me out?' 
dojango
Bert goes to look at Severin, who is tossing and turning and muttering.  "He don't look so good," the halfling agrees.  "Uh, I guess we can take over ta town.  See if they can help him.  Uh, we can't take the horses over in our boat, though.  I'll get the lads to keep an eye on them for ya."  He leads Gabriele to a small clearing.  There is a burned-out shell of a house and in the garden there are a few other halflings are clustered around a bunch of big pots and jars and there are a few roaring fires.  They eye Gabriele suspiciously but Bert says, "Nah, she's alright.  I just gotta take her over ta town, don't let her horses run oft, OK?"

 
 Spoiler: Severin 
"One answered question for one answered question is the deal.  Now I don't know who any of those names are, but I suppose it is an answer of a sort.  As for your first question:  Magic wells up from the ground.  This spot a great deal of it wells up from the ground and can be used for all sorts of purposes.  The garden is a way of, you would say, capping the flow and using it for something constructive.  In my case, growing beautiful and useful plants.  This prevents the wellspring of magic from being used by evil wizards, of which there are a lot fewer lately thanks to Heraklon.  But that may not always be the case.  My second question is this.  What happened to the bloodstone crown, which you stole from the keep of Magos Valens?"
 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 I just gotta take her over ta town, don't let her horses run oft, OK?" 
 

 'Look after them properly and I'll give you some gold when I come back. My friend's come a long way with that horse.'  To Bert,  'How is everyone doing anyway? I'd like to think things have been peaceful since I was last here.' 
rax
 
 Spoiler: dojango 
 "They're the Goodchilds, the halflings running the inn where your garden is. They reckon they're descendants of Leonidas, a friend of Heraklon's?"  Severin clarifies Flora's history lesson as best as he remembers it.

 "A crown?"  Severin replies, struggling to remember.  "Oh, wait. Aye, we found a silver circlet with red gemstones in the temple throne room. Is that what you're talking about? I remember Alyssa was right fond of it. Torendil said it suppressed some magics in the Magos' private rooms and controlled an abomination he built. I don't rightly know what became of it - I assumed that it was sold off with the rest of the loot, but now that you bring it up, I wouldn't be too surprised if Alyssa kept it for herself. Seems like the kind of thing she might do." 
 OOC:  I actually can't find a post anywhere detailing what happened to the crown after we left the temple. I had assumed that it was sold off, but unless I've missed it, that was never actually stated clearly.
 
dojango
Bert just shakes his head sadly and says, "Worse then bandits.  Tax collectors.  Back at the village.  They's trying to see how much they can squeeze out of us when we're down."

 
 Spoiler: Severin 
She merely nods at Severin's answer and says, "I owe you an answered question, now."
 
Haval
 'Same everywhere. You think they might have waited to let you recover first.'  Gabriele is obviously not going to mention what she'd heard from Le Houet.  'Just got to hide anything valuable and say the bandits nicked it.' 
rax
 
 Spoiler: dojango 
 "Well, since you asked about the crown - why did you want to know what became of it? Is it dangerous?" 
 
dojango
Bert gestures back towards the smoke.  "Ya, that's what we're tryin'.  Might be lookin' to start moving some stuff downriver ourselves.  If we can find someone in Appledel or Inselberg ta buy this stuff we can make a little coin on the side without the Duke tryin' to take a piece of it.  But," he sighs.  "They also want ta bring back the corvee.  The mayor says we'll get a chance ta vote on anything but... who knows.  Who knows..."  He leads Gabriele down to the river where a small rowboat is hidden under some brush.  With some effort, Severin is loaded into the boat.  One of Bert's friends takes the horses back into the woods and Bert tells Gabriele to take an oar.  They start rowing the boat across the river...

 
 Spoiler: Severin 
She says, "One answer.  I want to know because what was buried should stay buried.  A sword in the hands of a child is no threat, but in the hands of an evil swordsman is extremely dangerous to the world.  Another question for you.  Why did you abandon Myrtle Hornwood in the hands of her captors?"  She looks at you intently, but before Severin can respond he feels a sensation of falling, of darkness swelling up to embrace him.  And the overwhelming scent of apples fills his nostrils and he awakes...

Severin finds himself in a bed, his inflamed wounds have been bandaged.  Flora Goodchild is sitting on a stool next to the bed with a bowl.  She almost drops a spoon on Severin's chest as his eyes pop open.  "Oh, Severin!  You're awake!" she says.  "Thank the Gods, we've been so worried about you!"
 
Haval
Gabriele is happy to help with the rowing.  'We've just come from Inselberg. If you try there I'd say go armed. They're taking Halflings to work the mines.'  
rax
 
 Spoiler: dojango 
 "What're you talking about, abandoned?!"  Severin began his retort, when suddenly he found himself awake again.

 "Flora? Where am I? How in Shallya's mercy did I get here? I....owww!"  he groaned as tried to sit up and the pain of his wounds returned.  "Stralwald? I'm in Stralwald?" 
 OOC:  Should we switch to non-spoilered conversation from here on?
 
dojango
Bert is a little disturbed at that, and mutters something.  And then, "I thought that Riverhopper girl had run off there, I know there was some bad blood... did she get put into the mines?"

Once Gabriele and Bert land on the other shore, they drag the boat ashore and use the oars to make a quick stretcher and head towards Stralwald.  Soon they encounter farmers, woodcutters and the like on the way to the village and soon a large crowd of people is helping carry Severin to the village.  It's dark by the time they arrive, and Severin is quickly hustled to the inn where the innkeeper clears out a table and he is laid upon it.  The midwife is summoned and she examines his wounds.  "Very bad," she pronounces.  "He is strong, but these are not healing right.  You know what he needs most," she says pointedly to the innkeeper, who nods.  Severin is brought upstairs to rest in a room.  Gabriele finds herself the center of attention.  "What happened to him," asks Belisarius, who hurries over from a corner table.  "Not more bandit trouble?"  Behind him Gabriele sees a thin man and a guard wearing the livery of Castle Bremcote.

Upstairs, an hour or so later, Severin wakes up with Flora at his bedside.  She tells him, "Your friend brought you here, you were so sick!  I was worried so I made sure you got some of the special apples..."  Severin examines his wounds and sees that the redness is beginning to fade.  They still hurt quite a bit and his ordeal has left him feeling weak and tired.  But very much still alive.

 OOC:   Yes no real need for spoilers.  Severin recovers 2 wounds, bringing him up to 5, making him only lightly wounded.
Haval
In the boat Gabriele just looks sad,  'We think she was there, but maybe not anymore. Might be good news even but we don't know where she ended up. Maybe better if we talk about it when Severin wakes up. It's a long story.' 

To the midwife,  'Wasn't a good place to be getting intio any fights. I was getting worried.'  To Belisarius,  'Not bandits, or not anymore anyway. We had a run in with a little **** who was part of the army that attacked us here. He's been working for Tollares down in Inselberg and robbing people whenever he gets bored. We did for him but we both got a bit messed up in the process.'  She'll nod towards the man,  'Should I introduce myself?' 
dojango
"Dangerous times," mutters Belisarius, and then shrugs.  "Most people try to avoid meeting tax collectors when they can, but you're welcome to talk to him.  Sent here to figure out our 'proper obligations', he is."
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Upstairs, an hour or so later, Severin wakes up with Flora at his bedside.  She tells him, "Your friend brought you here, you were so sick!  I was worried so I made sure you got some of the special apples..."  Severin examines his wounds and sees that the redness is beginning to fade.  They still hurt quite a bit and his ordeal has left him feeling weak and tired.  But very much still alive. 
 

 "The apples? Maybe that's why...no, it was probably just the sickness making me see things..."  Severin muttered.

 "Thank you, Flora. You've saved me again,"  he thanked the young halfling lass.  "I think I'd like to try and get up, if I can. See how Gabriele's doing and find out what happened after we left Inselberg." 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 "Dangerous times," mutters Belisarius, and then shrugs.  "Most people try to avoid meeting tax collectors when they can, but you're welcome to talk to him.  Sent here to figure out our 'proper obligations', he is." 
 

 'Well I don't live here. I don't think he's allowed to tax me just for passing through. You reckon he's the sort of tax collector who might be talked into looking the other way?' 
dojango
"I think you should stay resting..." Flora says uncertainly, but Severin is able to stand up and has enough energy to make it to the door.  From below he can hear the sound of people talking and laughing and can smell cooking food and spilled ale.  And he realizes just how hungry he is..

Belisarius says to Gabriele, "He's more the boss tax collector rather then the ones that come knocking on doors.  He wants to set a percentage of the harvest, he wants to bring back the corvee, he wants to tax the river traffic... I think I've got the negotiations sorted but if you have any influence back at court that might help, well, I'd certainly owe you a favor if you could bring it down..."
rax
Checking to see that he's decent, Severin takes a deep breath and opens the door. He makes his way slowly down the stairs, looking for Gabriele as he does so...
Haval
 'I can ask. You did help us out and all, but I expect you can't put it off forever. How do you think this tax collector man would take it you lot were talking about moving somewhere cheaper? Just thinking out loud of course. I thought the whole point of moving down here is that you can move somewhere else if you don't like the local lord.' 
dojango
Belisarius snaps back, "My family's been runnin' this inn for generations.  We didn't abandon it during the famine, or during the orc invasion, we didn't abandon it to bandits and we ain't going to abandon it to tax collectors!"  This last part is said quite loudly and there is a lull in conversation.  The man from Castle Bremcote looks into his cup, pretending not to be listening in.  "Besides, nobody wants ta be like those damned Riverhoppers."

Severin gets up out of bed and confirms that he is still wearing his pants, blood-stained and dirty from travel.  He heads down the stairs with Flora following nervously behind, ready to catch him if he falls.  He sees Gabrielle and Belisarius conversing, and he hears Belisarius say, "damned Riverhoppers!" as he emerges.
rax
Severin makes his way over to where Gabriele and Belisarius are talking.

 "Room for one more?"  he asks.  "I think you must've taken a wrong turn somewhere, Gabriele, we were supposed to be going to Castle Bremcote, aye?"  he jokes weakly as he eases into a chair.  "Flora says I was right sick when you brought me in. What happened? Wounds got infected?" 
Haval
 'My Dad would have said the same at one point before the war up north. But I grant you that a little tax isn't the best reason to move on.' 

Gabriele will relax a bit at the sight of Severin up and about.  'Looks like it. We probably should have gone to see those Shallayans when we had the chance. Should you be up and walking around yet? I was getting worried.' 
rax
 "Flora wanted me to stay put as well, but you know what they say - an apple a day keeps the Shallyans away,"  he quips.  "I guess I'm gonna need a few more days before I'm ready to ride out on new adventures, though. I  will  be riding right? Bertrand's okay, aye?" 
Haval
 'Had to wing it. The horses are with Bert's mates just over the river. Couldn't exactly get them in the boat. I'm sure they're ok.' 
rax
 "Who's that fellow? Doesn't look like a local?"  Severin asks with a nod towards the tax collector.
Haval
 ' That  is the tax collector down from Bremcote. Obviously no one's happy to see him here. Maybe we know some of the same people?' 
rax
 "Didn't Le Houet order Master Faria to come down personally and work out a deal?"  Severin answers Gabriele.

 OOC:  See  this post . I assume this tax collector isn't Luiz Faria?
Haval
 'I'm sure he didn't come alone. Assuming he didn't have problems on the way down.' 
dojango
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "Didn't Le Houet order Master Faria to come down personally and work out a deal?"  Severin answers Gabriele.

 OOC:  See  this post . I assume this tax collector isn't Luiz Faria? 
 

 OOC:  Good remembering, it was only a few weeks ago in character but a while ago as the thread moves.  Uh, I guess he's out lurking around somewhere and that's one of his assistants.
rax
 "I hope not. I remember Le Houet's exact words were for him to  "...find out what Belisarius wants. And what he needs. Work out a deal with him, and the Duke can ratify it when he returns."  And this was after we'd made it clear that the villagers hadn't been able to get all the harvest in, not to mention a bunch of homesteads being burned. It would be a shame if they ended up sending someone who hadn't gotten the message,"  Severin points out.
Haval
 'Tax collectors not being known for their subtlety. Maybe we should see if Faria's around somewhere.' 
dojango
Belisarius thinks for a few moments and says, "There were a few guards, and another man.  A scribe, they said.  I haven't seen him around much, he went south to inspect the ruins a day or two ago and then was snooping around the granaries.  They haven't been asking too much about what we need, but if I make up a list and present it to him, or better yet, ask him to present it to the Duke, maybe that will get the message across."
rax
 "Well, Faria was of the opinion that you don't pay enough taxes to begin with, so I wouldn't put it past him to go snooping about incognito to see if you're  exaggerating  the trouble that Colten's attack caused,"  Severin says to Belisarius.

 "By the way, I was wondering something - has anyone seen Myrtle Hornwood about? If you recall, she was missing after the attack and we suspected one of Colten's survivors had grabbed her and sold her to Tollares at Inselberg. Well, we found the bastard and he confirmed it before we slit his throat, but we also had a look round the mines and it's clear that at least some Halflings have found a way to escape. We couldn't find Myrtle, and we were sort o' hoping she might have been one of the lucky ones that got away." 
Haval
 'No one who was here would say that anyone was exaggerating.'  Gabriele muttered.  'Where else could Myrtle have gone if not here?' 
dojango
"We haven't seen her.  I'll ask around at some of the outlying farms, see if any new faces have showed up there.  Some of the farms up north weren't damaged, they might take in strangers.  Only other place I could think of is Appledel.  Don't know if they've had much trouble with Sol or not, haven't been able to trade with them for a few years."  The room at the inn has slowly been emptying over the past few minutes.  Eventually Belisarius tells you goodnight, and heads back to his rooms.  Flora and the other servers finish cleaning up the common room, and head out to bed as well.

The next morning, Severin and Gabriele wake up, once again to the smell of fresh apples permeating the inn.
Haval
Gabriele just looks sad at that. It didn't need to be said but finding a single lost Halfling in the whole of the Border Princes seemed impossible.

In the morning she'll ask if she could have one of those apples if anyone was willing to give them to her. Then after getting cleaned up she'll go looking for Luiz Faria.
rax
Severin joins Gabriele when she leaves to go looking for Faria.

 "Do you mind a strange question, Gabriele? While I was unconscious, did you have any weird dreams?" 
Haval
 'Think I've been too tired to dream lately. Why, you remember something?' 
rax
 "I, umm, I dreamt of a woman. An  old  woman. She asked me all sorts of questions about what we'd been up to and whether or not  her  garden was safe in the Goodchilds' hands. Except, she didn't know 'em by name, she called 'em my kin. I think...I think it might have been the Green Witch we've heard about. The one that planted the garden and the apple tree,"  Severin says, his words fairly tumbling out once he begins to speak.
Haval
 'Thinks all Halflings are related does she?'  Gabriele replies amused.  'Did she say where she is by any chance? And what's so important about that tree anyway?' 
dojango
When Gabriele goes to ask Paulus for one of the 'special apples', she finds him in a nervous conversation with the tax collector.  The collector is pointing to the sign that says, "Finest apple pie in the land, 1 gc."  He says, "Tell me, goodman, how many of these pies do you make in a day?  How many of them do you sell in a day?  Apple harvest season is nearly upon us, from which orchards do you source your produce?  The price is, to be frank, ridiculous.  Even in the height of the famine I never saw such a thing.  I think that I must try for myself such a pie, but if it is not the finest in the land..."

Paulus responds nervously, "My brother handles the money, you know, I just run the inn.  It's more of a joke, you see, we only charge that to out of towners... for locals Belisarius decides who gets what...  for you it's on the house..."

"Nonsense," responds the tax collector.  "That would almost look like a bribe, and Mr. Faria does not approve of such things.  I will pay your asking price, goodman, and I should like to see your books that show how many of these gold coins you generally collect from the sale of this 'pie'."

Paulus shouts back into the kitchen, "How we doin' on the pie?"  Then he looks around nervously, sees Gabriele and asks, "How can I help you, miss?"
rax
 
 Originally Posted by Haval 
  'Thinks all Halflings are related does she?'  Gabriele replies amused.  'Did she say where she is by any chance? And what's so important about that tree anyway?'  
 

 "Well, every right-thinking Halfling knows his ancestry. I guess if we go back far enough someone's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother must've married someone else's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather to get things started,"  Severin grins.

 "She said that magic wells up from the ground and that it's especially strong here. She said she made the garden and the tree to cap the magic and to prevent evil wizards from using it for evil wizard stuff. She also asked what became of the bloodstone crown we took from the Red Temple. Do you remember - a silver circlet with red gemstones? Alyssa was well fond of it. I thought it got sold along with the rest of the loot, but I don't know for sure. Maybe she held it back?"  he adds.
Haval
While he was talking, Gabriele will make a face about the tax collector where only Paulus could see. To Paulus,  'Those apples smell pretty good. Is there any left of them to buy?' 
 'Heh, in that case maybe I could go around claiming Tsarina Katerin's my distant cousin. Whose going to know any better down here'  On the crown,  'Well I can't say I'm in favour of evil wizards. If Alyssa didn't hold onto that thing it should be easy enough to track if she sold it.' 
dojango
"I think we've cooked most of them up..."  He sticks his head in the kitchen and comes back with an apple.  It smells wonderful.  Paulus looks nervously at the tax collector looking on.  "On the house," he hands the apple to Gabriele.

 
 Spoiler 
WP + 10 test to hold off on eating the apple immediately.
 
rax
 "Say, friend, about that apple pie?"  Severin suddenly addresses the tax collector.  "Like you say, the price is ridiculous, but I can attest that it really is the best I've ever eaten, and  I know pie . But then, after clearing out the Red Temple with Sir Laurens, I happen to have a little coin on hand for luxuries. Who else in this neck o' the woods do you think has gold to spend on  pie ? If you're looking for taxable income, shouldn't you be looking for some sort of regular cash flow rather than one offs?" 
Haval
 'Thank you'  Gabriele is briefly distracted by taking a bite out of the apple.  'Suppose it depends on how often they intend to collect. Can't see anyone down here having much if their village keeps getting raided.' 
dojango
The apple tastes  fantastic  and Gabriele soon finds herself holding just the stem and a thin core.  The tax collector responds, "If they're being raided they'll need soldiers stationed here to protect them.  Those soldiers need to eat and, so it is said, like to be paid at least somewhat regularly.  His lordship is happy to protect the village, but we need to know what they can contribute in exchange for that protection.  I understand that the northern farms were not as badly hurt by the raiders, and we must collect what surplus we can and ship it over to Fort Besoin to feed the soldiers there.  Back at Castle Bremcote his lordship has not yet instituted a 'pie tax' but if the pie is delicious as you say, and generates revenue... perhaps it might be something to consider?"
Haval
Gabriele looks like she's enjoying the apple.  'The pie would be cold wouldn't it? Though maybe deliveries isn't the worst idea if this fort is close enough.' 
rax
 "I'm confused, good sir. Didn't the Duke  conquer  this stretch o' land after the old lord died? And now he needs these people to pay extra taxes to protect them? If he doesn't want the expense, why did he declare Stralwald and the east bank part of his domain in the first place?"  Severin questions the tax collector.

 "As for the northern farms, they may not have been attacked by Otto's men, but they got problems of their own - Solomon Tollares' has been using a private feud to take a lot of 'em as slaves,"  he adds.
dojango
He responds, "The Duke didn't conquer this stretch of lands, he liberated it from the grip of the bandits who were using it to raid his lands.  The locals here... they treated the tax collectors roughly so the Duke left them alone.  I hope they've learned about the benefits of being under his protection now, and that they don't forget it by next year once the harvest is in.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I am not here to debate the merits of the feudal contract.  I do have work to do, so good day.  Master Paulus, you can send the pie to me, I'll be down by the shore dealing with the boatmen."  He heads out.  Once he leaves, Paulus tells Gabriele "The apples don't keep well.  Not like normal apples.  If they don't get used by midnight they just kinda... fall apart."
Haval
Gabriele looks impressed.  'I'd say I'd like to see that but it'd be a waste of a good apple.' 
rax
 "I guess when you're at the top of the food chain there's not much difference between conquering and liberating someone,"  Severin mutters to Gabriele and Paulus once the tax collector has left.  "Either way you're in charge and getting people to pay you for the privilege." 
 "He's got a point though - if you advertise selling something for a gold coin, then it's going to be hard to convince the bailiff that you haven't got bags full o' money lying around,"  he points out to Paulus.
dojango
Paulus shrugs and says, "That's the price for out of towners.  Uh, Belisarius says as long as he's mayor he'll make sure the locals get their pie for free.  So he keeps winning the elections."

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
What would you like to do next?  Your horses are stuck on the other side of the river still.
 
dojango
Paulus looks at Severin suspiciously when he asks to speak with Flora, but lets him into the kitchen.  Several young halflings are busy at work; Flora is busily churning butter in a wooden churn.  She looks up at Severin and smiles.  "Morning!  How are ya feeling?" she asks.
rax
 "Much better, thank you,"  Severin replies.  "Listen, Flora, when I was...sick...did I say anything strange while I was sleeping?" 
Haval
Gabriele will accompany Severin.  'Feel like that doesn't narrow it down. People say a lot of things while they're dreaming.' 
dojango
"Mostly you were just kinda moaning.  Talked about someone named Gretchen and Myrtle and Alyssa.  Girl's names.  I know you're worried about Myrtle though, you asked about her."
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 "Mostly you were just kinda moaning.  Talked about someone named Gretchen and Myrtle and Alyssa.  Girl's names.  I know you're worried about Myrtle though, you asked about her." 
 

 Gretchen made an impact did she.  Gabriele will grin to herself at that. Aloud she'll say,  'Flora. I don't suppose you know anything about the people round here having weird dreams?' 
rax
Severin coughed to cover his embarrassment at hearing that he had mostly been talking about women in his sleep.  "Well...that's, ah, good to know. I suppose...I suppose what I really wanted to ask is the same as Gabriele. You see, I was having a weird dream myself. I was here in your garden, but there was an old woman there asking me lot's of questions, like, umm, if your family could be trusted to take care of  her  garden when she's gone. I don't suppose anyone in your family has dreamt of an old woman like that?" 
dojango
Flora looks kind of funny and says, "You know, sometimes I have weird dreams where I'm walkin' in the garden and there's this lady who's like lecturin' me about how to take care of it.  She says a lotta the things that gramma says, so I figured it was ya know, dream logic tellin' back to me what gramma said?  But sometimes she asks me about how I'm doin'.  I know gramma talks a lot about the Green Witch, so sometimes I think about her living here, and what she'd think of the place."
rax
 "Thank Esmeralda! I was afraid I was losing my mind, but that sounds just like the woman from my dream!"  Severin exclaims.

 "Flora, I think...I think she might actually  be  the Green Witch,"  he continues in a hushed tone to keep the other Halflings in the kitchen from overhearing.
dojango
Flora simply nods and says, "I don't know much about magic and witches and all that, but I suppose that's possible.  Either way she died a long time ago so I don't think she can hurt us or help us anymore."
rax
 "Well it ain't right either way, invading a body's dreams like that,"  Severin mutters.  "But thank you, knowing you've dreamed of her as well at least means I'm not losing my mind." 
 "I'm about ready to go get our horses. How about you, Gabriele?" 
Haval
Gabriele considers Flora's account of her dreams.  'It's nice to know she's looking out for you by the sounds of it. What does your Gran say about this Green Witch anyway?' 
dojango
"Oh, she knows all the stories.  The Green Witch learnt magic from the elves, she was Heraklon's companion an' lover, she used her magic against the old masters.  One time she enchanted a bunch of trees so they came alive and grabbed a bunch of beastmen and held them tight; all Leonidas an' Thrakdul had to do was walk past cuttin' throats!  She was a great human mage, probably one of the best.  Died of old age in her bed, which is more than all the other old heroes can say."
rax
 "It's the only proper way to go,"  Severin agreed with a chuckle at Flora's mention of dying in bed.
Haval
Gabriele mulled that over.  'There's supposed .to be a bunch of nature wizards up in Altdorf. Maybe she one of theirs. Or it happened long before all that got started. Obviously this woman is dead...?'  She didn't sound certain about that. Who could tell with wizards.  'Does anyone know what happened to her before that. Does anyone know where she's buried?' 
dojango
"I don't know anything about Altdorf. She lived here for many decades. Gramma said her Gramma knew her. She's buried over in the old cemetery outside of town, someone put up a stone for her, but it's mostly worn down by now."
Haval
 'Me neither really. I just know there's a bunch of wizard schools up north. Supposed to be a lot of trees around one of them.'  To Severin,  'I suppose at least we know where to find her.'  Gabriele awkwardly decides to talk around the fact that a dead wizard might have been talking to Severin.
rax
 "Aye, and she knows where to find  us ,"  he mutters back.  "Let's get the horses. I could use some fresh air after being stuck in me own head this long!" 
dojango
Bidding farewell to Flora and a few other well-wishers, you head back across the river in a small boat to where Bert and his friends are encamped.  Bert, at least, seems glad to see you and shakes Severin's hand enthusiastically.  "Good to see ya looking well, chief.  I knew they'd do ya right back in town.  Look, if you're headin' north, we're headin' that way tomorrow.  Why don'tcha rest up here for the day and we can travel together for a spell?  Might be a sight safer than travelling separately, you know?"
rax
 "Sounds like a plan to me. What do you think, Gabriele?"  Severin asks his friend.
Haval
 Sounds good. I'd appreciate the company.' 
dojango
Bert gives Severin and Gabriele a hearty slap on the shoulder and says, "Great!  We'll be finishin' up here shortly.  I know this stuff should be aged a bit, but the soldiers don't care, they just want to get drunk, and we gotta get this stuff moved before the tax collectors figure out what we're up to, ya know?"  He and the others spend the rest of the day finishing off their work, and by the next morning they have a few barrels of beer loaded up on a small cart.  Bert and the others pass around a cup of the stuff, offering some to Severin and Gabrielle.  It smells terrible, and Bert just shrugs and says, "It'll probably improve with age," but he doesn't sound entirely convinced.  At any rate, they lead you on some back trails north for two days until you make camp in the hills northeast of Stralwald.  Bert turns to Severin and Gabriele and says, "We gotta go meet my guy, you want ta stick around?"
Haval
 'As long as no one goes blind you should be fine.'  Gabriele will cautiously take a sip of the beer.

Later,  'This would be the type of guy that lets you make some money quietly? You trust him' 
rax
 "Depends on how much further you're going,"  Severin says.  "Or are you looking for backup for your meeting?"  he chuckles.
dojango
"Trust him?  Nah, I know him better enough for that.  An' if he wants to beat us up and take our money there ain't much we can do what with bein' in an army camp an' all.  But if I know soldiers they wanta get drunk more than anything and that's what we're offerin'.  Seems like the Duke don't hold with it and the soldiers here are gettin' bored.  So I think we got a good opportunity here on both sides, a chance ta make some money."
rax
 "Well, I don't suppose a detour to meet the Duke's men will cause us much of a delay. We might even be able to pick up some news about the state of affairs back at Castle Bremcote. Shall we tag along?"  Severin asks Gabriele.
Haval
 'Sure. Might as well help Burt out. And if this guy is doing this behind the Duke's back for all we know he might be useful to know.' 
rax
 "Looks like we'll be going with you then,"  Severin says to Bert.
dojango
The three of you leave the others with the cart and head towards the camp.  It appears to be a well-built fort; a wooden palisade surrounded by a ditch command a small valley in the hills.  As you approach, a few sentries run over, hands on their blades.  "What's your business here?" a sergeant asks.  Bert responds, "Got a message for Barnaby," and the guards relax a little.  They let you into the camp.  There are a few wooden buildings at one side of the camp and the rest is filled with neatly-ordered tents and a small open space for assemblies, complete with stocks and a small review stand.  A few unfortunate soldiers are taking their time in the stocks as you pass by.

The soldiers lead you to one of the buildings.  You go inside.  It is clearly a storage depot, mostly filled with boxes, barrels, sacks and the necessary gear required by an army.  In the front, in a narrow open space, an older man and a few cronies are playing cards on a small barrel.  They look up as you enter and the man laughs and says, "Bert, you old rascal!  You made it!  Set for a bit and play some hands while we talk business.  Yer friends too.  Any friends of yours..."

Bert responds, "Don't have much coin to lose at the moment..." but the man, Barnaby, retorts, "You're here to fix that right?  Set and play for a bit.  Like the old days."

The other men clear a space for you and Barnaby starts dealing some cards.  "Heard you had a spot of trouble back in Stralwald?" he says as he throws a few coins into the pot and examines his hand.

 
 Spoiler 
Perception test, gambling test if you want?  Playing for coppers, for now.
 
rax
 "I'm no great shakes at cards, but why not? Deal me in,"  Severin says before taking a place at Barnaby's barrel.

 
 Spoiler: Tests 
Perception test  (1d100)[ 60 ]  vs. Int 44

Untrained Gamble test  (1d100)[ 47 ]  vs. 22 (half Int 44)
 
Haval
 'You just got to be lucky don't you.'  Gabriele will decide to be sociable and join in, but is admittedly just as interested in watching the soldiers. Just in case.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Per vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 90 ] 
 
dojango
The four of you play cards for a while and Bert and Barnaby haggle over their business while gossiping over old times.  When it is finally over, they shake hands on a price.  When you count up your losses, Severin finds his purse  (1d10)[ 6 ]  silver lighter, while Gabriele is out  (1d10)[ 7 ]  silver.  However, you do have a chance to insert a few questions into the conversation and probably get honest enough answers as the two of them are somewhat distracted with their haggling.

 
 Spoiler 
you can ask them a few questions about them or what they are up to if you are interested, otherwise you can take your losses and we can move on to Castle Bremcote
 
rax
 "What was that about being lucky again?"  Severin comments wryly to Gabriele as he watches his silver disappear from the barrel.

 "You two been in business long?"  he asks Bert and Barnaby during the game.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "What was that about being lucky again?"  Severin comments wryly to Gabriele as he watches his silver disappear from the barrel.

 "You two been in business long?"  he asks Bert and Barnaby during the game. 
 

 'We're still alive aren't we.'  Gabriele replies amused. She could afford the losses although perhaps it was a reminder why she should avoid gambling.

To Barnaby,  'Trouble's an understatement. Next time I'll try and get besieged in a place with actual walls. You from the Border Princes? How do you find working for the Duke?' 
 
 Spoiler 
Forgot to reply to the earlier question
 
dojango
Barnaby and Bert don't respond directly, but from their shared references, it seems that they knew each other during the Duke's first invasion of Stralwald.  Barnaby says he's been in the Duke's service for a few years now and he says "He's a strict bastard.  Too much for floggin' and discipline in the ranks.  That son o' his ain't much better either."  Bert adds, "An' he's got a grudge against us little folk for some reason..."  Barnaby makes a line across his cheek where the young lord has a prominent scar and they both laugh.  "But I reckon that sometimes the lads need a bit of morale-boosting, and that's where Bert comes in.  Especially if the rumors are true that we're moving out soon."
rax
 "Moving out? Not back to Bremcote, I assume?"  Severin asks innocently.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
  Barnaby makes a line across his cheek where the young lord has a prominent scar and they both laugh. 
 

 'Did someone take a shot at him?' 
dojango
"During the fighting in Stralwald, someone took a shot at him.  A stone hit him on the cheek, made a bloody mess.  He's ain't been too fond of the little folk since then..." says Barnaby.  "Ain't nobody saw who done it though," adds Bert.  "I reckon we're marching south, gonna punish the bandits what made a mess of your lands," says Barnaby.  "The Duke's got a thing about 'his lands', don't like it much when bandits come bother him."
rax
 "A worthy endeavour, but I'd be careful if I were you,"  Severin says to Barnaby.  "The men that attacked Stralwald - their leaders and a good many of them worshipped the Dark Gods, and from what we heard, it's a good bet that this fellow Otto does as well. It's a bad business when men turn to Chaos...bad, and dangerous!" 
Haval
Gabriele will watch Bert's face after the mention of the attack on the Duke's son and will try not to look too amused.  'Could have been anyone. Best not to worry about it then.'  After Severin speaks,  'Probably better if someone deals with them anyway. Just don't assume they're going to run away at the first sign of trouble.'  
dojango
Barnaby makes a sign with his hand and says, "Dark gods?  Like the old masters?  They had strange powers in the stories... did you see anything of that when you fought them?  I don't plan on doing any fighting, mind you... someone's got to make sure the wagons keep getting filled with supplies and delivered."
Haval
Gabriele had heard similar stories,  'Not like that. Nothing weird anyway. Just someone who really liked fighting. Like more then anyone sane should. He didn't look like one of the Northmen, but maybe that's what happens when you really get into worshipping the same gods.' 
rax
 "Really loved fighting  and taking heads . Back home, they say that once a body's started down that path, it just gets worse and worse, until they don't care if they live or die, as long as the blood flows. And you really, really don't want to fall into their hands. Neither the bloodthirsty ones nor the...other ones...will treat you civilized if they catch you. You're just their plaything...for as long as you live,"  Severin added.

 "Look, just don't underestimate this lot, alright? If Otto's got more men like the ones he sent against Stralwald, then they'll fight harder than they ought to and they won't be fighting according to His Nibs' rules..."  
dojango
Barnaby is a little shaken by your warning and promises to take it seriously; after all he knows enough about how bandits fight from, er, 'prior experience' to know that they don't fight fair and often target the supply lines which he will be dealing with.  Afterwards, he and Bert collect the booze and bring it back into the camp, and Bert waves you farewell.  He slips you each a silver coin for thanks, and heads back towards Stralwald.  Gabriele and Severn then spend the next four days on the road back to Castle Bremcote.  It's just after noon when you arrive at the eastern gates of the city.  A few soldiers are at the gate controlling the line to get into the city and charging a toll.  The guard looks at the two of you and says, "Welcome to Castle Bremcote, home of the great Duke, defender of the west!  Two coppers a leg to get in, my friends."
Haval
Gabriele is tired from the journey but is able to respond amiably enough.  'If the Duke pays us at what point do we stop having to pay to get in anyway? Seems like a waste of everyone's time just to pass the money back and forth.' 
rax
 "If we bring it up, I think he's most likely to dock it from our pay as an administrative short cut,"  Severin chuckles. Digging into his purse, he drops the requisite coins into the guard's hands.

 "Where to first? Check up on Lorenzo and collect the rest of our pay, or report back to Le Houet?"  he asks Gabriele.
Haval
Gabriele will also begrudgingly pay the money. She felt there was an obvious bias here against people with horses.

To Severin,  'Lorenzo first, just in case he has to be off somewhere else.' 
rax
 "Then lead the way, m'lady! Maybe he'll be happier to see the scout who  didn't  fall off her horse first!"  Severin jokes.
dojango
After Severin and Gabriele grudgingly pay over their 10p each to get in, they head through the halfling district, over the southern bridge past the docks and to where Lorenzo's warehouse is.  A few familiar faces spot them as they approach and wave.  Lorenzo comes out a moment later and waits until they get close and he goes up to Severin.  "You look so much better, thank Shallya that you've recovered.  We were worried..." He pauses.  "But you're a tough bravo, there's no keeping you down.  I don't think we'll be going back to that place for a while, it just isn't worth it.  But that's not your business, I suppose."  He has one of his clerks bring you your wages while he talks out a litany of complaints about business and trade.  When you count it out, you notice that although he paid you for the days that Severin was unconscious, he's only paying up until you left the caravan a few days ago.  "... at least the river's clear to Stralwald but everyone's too afeared to head all the way down to Appledel.  Probably be good money for the first merchant to make it down there, but they'd need a crack team of guards..."
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "Then lead the way, m'lady! Maybe he'll be happier to see the scout who  didn't  fall off her horse first!"  Severin jokes. 
 

Gabriele grins,  'Well I haven't had a horse for as long as you. It's bound to happen to me too at some point.' 

She'll let the issue of their pay go. Under the circumstances  it was only fair.  'No point in getting paid if someone robs you on the way back. Has anyone even heard how Appledel's doing? Whose to say someone didn't go for them like at Stralwald.'  
rax
 "We heard rumours that the Duke is looking to teach Otto a lesson while I was laid up in Stralwald. Appeldel is in Otto's territory, isn't it? If the Duke goes through with a punitive expedition, perhaps the river will be safe again?"  Severin suggests. He too decides not to make a fuss about the pay - he could hardly claim to have been doing the job he was hired for while recuperating in Stralwald.
Haval
 'Dangerous or not, maybe it's better if someone deals with Otto sooner rather than later.' 
dojango
"Oh, Appledel was a nice enough village.  Apple orchards in the hills.  Nice market and an overland trade route to Vayonne.  They were paying off the bandits of the hills for years, but I guess Otto didn't think it was enough?  I don't know what changed, but things have gotten worse over the last year or two.  If the Duke is planning something..."  Lorenzo thinks for a moment.  "It would be good to know.  Good for business.  But I reckon Otto will just slip back into the hills instead of fighting like the Duke wants.  It's what happened back in Stralwald after all."
rax
 "I reckon we'll all find out soon enough,"  Severin answers.

 "Nice doing business with you, Master Lorenzo. If you're planning any other caravans you'll likely find us around here somewhere if you'd be interested in hiring us again. Now we've got some other people waiting for us to bring news from our trip. You ready to go, Gabriele?"  
 OOC:  There's Le Houet to report to and Severin also needs to let Alders know that Waleran Riverhopper is likely a slave in the mines.
Haval
 'Guess it depends on how many people Otto has to fight for him. Or if he's crazy enough to think he can take the Duke in a fight anyway. Does Otto have anyone backing him up?' 
dojango
Lorenzo shrugs and says, "He's got a fewer than he did a while ago, thanks to you..."  He thinks for a moment and then says, "The lands to the south are wild and uncivilized.  Inhabited by beastmen and mutants.  It is death to travel into the broken lands to the south of the river.  And yet somehow, Otto survives.  It's not that I don't think the Duke is capable... but Otto has been ranging there for many years and knows the land far better than any of the Duke's scouts will."
rax
 "Given what we saw at Stralwald and what we heard about Otto's proclivities, I'd hazard a guess that he can call on both beastmen and mutants to back him up,"  Severin says.
Haval
 'If that's true and we were back home maybe one of the churches could deal with Otto for us. I know the witchhunters might want to have a word with him. As it is, maybe the Duke could do with some allies.' 
dojango
Lorenzo quickly knocks on a wooden post near him.  One of the guards makes the warding sign.  "Speak no evil," he mutters.  That puts a damper on things and after a few moments of awkward silence, Lorenzo excuses himself to get back to work.  The two of you wander up the riverside docks until you arrive at a central square.  You could keep going north towards the castle or cross the river again to head to the  Singing Pike  to talk to Destiny and old Alders.
Haval
 'You want to pass on the bad news about Riverhopper? You probably have to tell them at some point but it doesn't seem like you're doing them a favour.' 
rax
 "It's probably best to get it over with,"  Severin answers Gabriele with a weak smile.
dojango
You head over to the inn and settle down for a drink.  When you ask about Alders, the young halfling behind the bar says he usually shows up around supper time, so within an hour or two.  After a moment, you can then hear Destiny's voice coming out from the kitchens.  "Whaddya mean they're out of eggs?  There's still chickens in this town, aren't there?  Go out and don't come back until you've found some..." she emerges from the kitchen with a harried-looking halfling in tow.  She stops short when she sees Severin and Gabriele and ducks back into the kitchen.  A few minutes later she emerges again with her hair under a scarf and wearing a shawl.  She sits down besides Severin and says, "I didn't I'd see you again.  That merchant said you were dying of your wounds... and here you are.  You look... you look better than ever.  Are you alright?  Do you need to rest here for a while?"
rax
 "I'll be glad to, once Gabriele an' I have finished some business up at the castle,"  Severin accepts Destiny's offer with a warm smile.

 "Lorenzo wasn't far wrong. If Gabriele hadn't gotten my sorry carcass to Stralwald, I'd be pushing up daisies right now,"  he admits.  "I don't rightly know how they fixed me up, but.. .I think there may have been magic involved ,"  he whispers.  "I was having the strangest dreams - an old woman talking to me an' asking about things she had no business knowing. I...I think it may have been the Green Witch herself, or maybe her ghost,"  he trails off.
Haval
 'It worked didn't it.'  Gabriele added.  'Maybe ghosts and wizards aren't all bad.' 
dojango
"You talked to the Green Witch herself?  And what else happened?  There's a song in this, I'm sure.  The ballad of Severin the strong.  You should tell me everything... did you... did you find out if he is keeping the halfling slaves?"
rax
 "I don't know if speaking to someone in your head qualifies as  talking , and it's more like Severin the Lucky, if anything..."  Severin answers with an embarrassed look.

 "But yes, Solomon's got plenty of Halflings slaving away in his mine, and they're not there by choice, that's for sure. That's where we saw the fellow I'm guessing is Waleran Riverhopper,"  he adds.
Haval
 'I can't say I saw it but I'm happy to take Severin's word for it.'  Gabriele added.

On the mines,  'I don't know what we can do about it at the moment but maybe spread the word. If you have to go down there for anything. Have a really good reason if you need to go at all.' 
dojango
She nods.  "I'll tell Alders when he comes in for the night.  As far as the bigger question... I have some thoughts.  It might be worth trying to smuggle some weapons in or break them out... I need to talk to some people around town.  We can talk more about it tomorrow or the day after, so we know what we're up against."
rax
 "Revolts and prison breaks now, is it? I'm beginning to think you're a dangerous woman to know, Miss Destiny,"  Severin chuckles.  "And here I was thinking I'd settle down and take up gambling for a living..." 
Haval
 'Yeah, no one will ever get angry at you for taking their money like that.'  Gabriele grins. To Destiny,  'Just let me know what I can do to help.' 
rax
 "At least most of 'em won't have an  army  to back them up if they do take offence,"  Severin grinned.
dojango
"It's good of you to want to help," Destiny says to Gabriele.  "So few of the big folk will.  I need to discuss things with some people, but if we could smuggle a crate or two of daggers into the camp you described, the people there can help themselves.  If you don't want to do this," she adds, turning to Severin, "I will understand.  I know some others who might be able to help."
rax
 "Hey, I didn't say I  wouldn't  help, just that it wasn't what I was thinking I'd be doing next..."  Severin protested in embarrassment.
Haval
 'We saw what it was like in there. If it was me I'd want someone to do something about it.' 
dojango
"Good.  Thank you, Severin.  And you as well," she adds to Gabriele.  "Can you meet back here tomorrow night?" Destiny leaves after a few moments, back into the kitchens, leaving the two of you to finish your drinks in peace.

Once you finish at the tavern it's a short hike back across the bridge towards the castle.  The guards wave you in and a servant asks you your business.  You're told to wait for a few minutes outside the door to the keep before the servant returns and takes you back through a side entrance and then through the servant's passages to a discrete parlor.  Mademoiselle le Houet is waiting for you .  "I am glad to see you two safe and sound.  I was worried when it took so long to hear back from you.  I trust that you fared well?"
rax
 "Got stabbed hard enough that we had to do a layover in Stralwald on the way back, or we would've been here sooner. Bit o' personal business that got out of hand,"  Severin admits.
Haval
 'Inselberg seems pretty lawless.'  Gabriele will add.  'The good news is I feel like most of the people living there might welcome someone better running things if they ever had a choice.' 
dojango
Le Houet winces in sympathy when Severin mentions he'd been stabbed, but says, "You look hale and healthy as ever, I wouldn't even guess you'd been hurt."  Then she leans in closer to Gabriele and says, "Do tell...  I asked you to find out about the town.  How many men does Solomon have at his command?  Where are they stationed, usually?  If I were to get some parchment and charcoal do you think you could sketch out a map of the town's entrances and defenses?"
rax
 "I think we can manage that,"  Severin answers regarding Le Houet's request for a map.

 "As for the number of men Tollares has, it was hard to pin down. Folk we talked to reckon he had about a dozen men when he took over, in addition to five officers who keep the men in line and run his mine. He keeps some in the town and the rest at the mine. He's expanded his numbers since he took over and most recently he took in a bunch of deserters from Otto's side of the river - probably survivors of the attack on Stralward. "

 "On the other hand, he's been losing men to incidents in the mine. We did a job for him down there to help with that an' he collected a posse of about twenty men for the job - five of 'em didn't make it back though, and another five were wounded. I reckon as long as he's got money he can probably hire himself some new sword hands from among the local ne'er'do-wells,"  Severin opines.

 "One o' his officers is a Halfling calling herself Gretchen Tollares - no relation to Sol, in case you were wondering - an' she's got herself a crew of Halflings that scout for Sol and "escort" caravans entering his territory. We saw about a dozen of 'em when we entered Sol's territory. Gretchen's also been pursuing a feud with the Riverhopper clan - alot of 'em are now slaving away in Sol's mine,"  he adds.
Haval
 'It's not much but maybe that's enough men to have a good go at defending the pathway to get up there'  Gabriele added.
dojango
Le Houet has the charcoal and parchment brought over and as the two of you work on the map she peppers you with questions about your time at Inselberg.  Who you met there, what was on top of the mesa, what the mines were like, how your travels to and from the place were, that sort of thing.  From time to time she makes notes on some paper she has at a writing desk.  Once the map is done she takes it and says, "We're going to have a little council meeting soon.  If you'd join me to answer any questions asked of you, I'd appreciate it.  We will have dinner afterwards if you haven't eaten yet."

 
 Spoiler 
If there's anything you want to keep from her or anything you particularly want her to be aware of just let me know.
 
Haval
 'You're the boss.'  Gabriele isn't sure how much she'll be able to contribute but appreciates being fed.
rax
 "I'm not one to pass up a free meal,"  Severin agrees.  "Uh, should we get cleaned up or something first?"  he asks Le Houet, glancing down at his travel stained clothes.
dojango
Her ears perk up when you mention Vorgrimler.  "So, the Imperator's flunky was lurking around Inselberg?"  She muses.  "I wonder... well whatever he's scheming can't be helped.  And hopefully won't matter.  And you say the locals didn't bother you much?  Except for those renegade halflings?"  And then at the end, she says, "I'll have the servants get you some clean clothes before dinner.  But keep those on for the meeting... it will give your report a sense of, shall we say, 'urgency'?  Being fresh from the field?  Even if they do need an urgent meeting with the laundresses."

She leads you to the Duke's study, where Sir Denis and Sir Laurens are sitting behind their father at his desk.  Joshua Carbey, the quartermaster is there, as well as an older knight that you don't recognize.  Le Houet gives an extremly slight curtsey to the Duke and allows Sir Denis to kiss her hand and she says, "It is good to see you well, Nephew.  And you too, Sir Laurens.  Brother.  My scouts have returned from Inselberg and they have an interesting report."  She then launches into an extremely brief summary of what you told her, and displays the map you drew on Duke Bremcote's desk.  "As you can see there are only two main access points to the top of the mesa.  It should be trivial to besiege the place.  With minimal farming atop the mesa, it should be a quick siege.  The locals can be bought off and Sol does not have much support from the population aside from his crew of bandits and ne'er-do-wells."

The Duke responds, "This is not new information.  Of what benefit is it?  A campaign of this length is expensive even if victory is certain."

Le Houet responds, "What's new is that we're cut off from the eastern trade routes.  Most of the merchants aren't willing to pay his tolls and with the river trade cut off it means we are lacking in a good deal of material we need.  Thanks to Sir Denis's victory against the orcs we are safe enough for now but we may not be able to support our knights and warriors without trade..."  The Duke's eyes had glazed over when she mentioned trade but refocused when she mentioned the soldiers.  She continues, "The copper mines are extremely profitable as well.  The Tileans are purchasing as much copper as can be moved out of the mines and why should that go to Sol instead of our knights and soldiers?  After all, we are the ones holding the lines against the orcs..."  It's clear that she's had this speech rehearsed for some time and it is tailor-made to appeal to the Duke.  He is nodding along as she mentions his victories against the orcs and the need for the resources to support the war with the orcs.  Eventually, he turns to Severin and Gabriele and says, "So, you've just returned from Inselberg.  How well is the place defended?"
rax
 "Ah, well, that was one of the things that was difficult to pin down, but between what the locals said and we could see for ourselves, Tollares has about a dozen men working full time for him and about as many Halfling scouts. Besides them, there's Tollares himself and his five chief officers, as well as an unknown number of deserters from Otto the Hunter - most likely survivors of the attack on Stralwald. Inselberg also seemed to have plenty of thugs hanging about and Tollares was able to hire a score of them overnight to do a job for him while we were there,"  Severin tries to lay out what they know of the strength of Sol's forces.
Haval
 'The biggest problem with taking the town is probably going to be getting up there in the first place'  Gabriele added.   'Tollares probably has enough men there that he can hold the path for a while anyway. Anyone who tries to go through them is going to lose people even if they win.' 
dojango
Sir Denis speaks up.  "Do we have enough food for a siege?"  The others look to Carbey, who rubs his stubbled chin with the stump of his missing arm.  He says, "Food ain't all the problem, the problem is gettin' it where it needs to be.  I reckon we'll have enough for maybe 8 weeks, maybe more depending on how Luiz is doin' down Stralwald way."

The others consider this for a few moments, and then the Duke turns to Severin and Gabrele and gestures for the two of you to leave.  A servant leads you to a small room where you can change and maybe wipe yourself down with a perfumed towel and some water.  Shortly afterwards, dinner is served.  You're seated at the lower tables again, although today's meal is not nearly as raucous as the last one you had here.

 
 Spoiler 
Anything else you want to do in the castle?  Otherwise you can have a training montage to spend 400 XP over the next few days.  You were also pre-paid with a letter of credit, as you may recall, so if you want to do some shopping you can as well.  Castle Bremcote does have a master armorer in town.
 
Haval
After they leave the room Gabriele will say to Severin,  'You reckon the Duke has the patience to starve them? It wouldn't be great for everyone else living up there.'  Then there was the matter of his dreams,  'Should we see if that Elf is still around? Maybe he doesn't know anything useful but he seems like the closest to an expert round here.' 
rax
 "I didn't want to bring it up just yet, but there's another option besides committing to a siege - Destiny's plan. Sneak into the camp, arm the slaves so that they can take and hold it by force, then mount an attack through the mines. Time it right, and it might just make a siege unnecessary,"  Severin answers.

 "Aye, maybe the Elf is our best bet for now. I'm also curious as to what happened to the crown. The Green Witch seemed really concerned about it ending up in the wrong hands. Could be it's more dangerous than we knew,"  he says.
dojango
Dinner this time is more sedate than the first time you were here, although the Duke and his family and a few close advisors fill up the main table.  This time there are only two lower tables, and you find yourself sitting with Lena, the elven woman that runs the Duke's stables.  Alyssa also comes and sits with you, while Laurette sits nearby but studiously ignores Alyssa.  You ask about Torendil, your one-time elvish companion, and Lena tells you this, "My mother always warned me against having affairs with wizards.  They are studious and quick to... well, quick.  Torendil seemed very sweet, and needed a lot of... instruction.  I thought things were going well, but once we got to that stupid temple he got all weird and obsessive over it.  He barely said a word to me the whole time we were there.  I told him off once we got back and he left the castle and I haven't seen him since.  I bet he went back to that stupid temple."  Alyssa chimes in and says, "He didn't say a single word to me when he got back.  I went to talk to him and he was acting like I was beneath him.  Guess we didn't know him as well as we thought we did."
rax
 "Well...that doesn't sound good,"  Severin answers Alyssa with a worried look.  "Do you know what happened to the crown we brought back from the temple? The one with the red gemstones?" 
Haval
Gabriele grinned at Lena's mention of 'Instruction.'  'He did seem a little odd, but it's not like I've met another wizard before. Maybe they're all like that.'  On Torendil's disapearance,  'I suppose it's not like we can keep him here if he wants to leave, but I hope for his sake he's not hanging out alone in a place like that.' 
dojango
Alyssa looks around nervously and says, "It's hidden somewhere.  I'll show you after dinner.  Why do you ask?"

As the last course is served, Le Houet comes over and tells you, "Go out and have enjoy yourself for the next few days.  Report back to me on Aubentag, in four days."
rax
 "I...umm...heard a story about it. Might be that there's more to it than meets the eye, and not in a good way. Does Torendil know where it is?"  he answes Alyssa.
Haval
 'For that matter, how many people know where it is?' 
dojango
"Nobody but me.  It's in my room," she leads you to where her 'official' room is.  She opens the door and stops short.  The room seems to have been completely ransacked.  She rushes to where the mattress has been shredded apart and starts digging through it.  She pulls out a purse and checks it.  "They missed the coin-purse.  But the crown!  It's gone!"
rax
 "Oh Sweet Esmeralda!"  Severin curses.  "How long since you were here?" 
Haval
Gabriele had expected a room in Bremcote castle to be more secure.  'Alyssa, you reckon anyone's annoyed at you enough to break in here? I saw the way Laurette was looking at you.' 
 Downtime 

Over the next few days Gabriele will mostly enjoy the fact that no one is likely to try to kill her here. She will though see if she can find someone in the castle to spar with. The trip to Inselberg and what had happened to Severin had shown the importance of being prepared. Otherwise she'll see if she can get the hang of this gambling.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Doing some things to justify xp expenditures unless something else comes up

I do need to check the thread for some things, but at the least she'll see how Murillo's doing as well.
 
dojango
Alyssa is a little rattled and says, "A couple of days?  I spend most nights with Laurens... the servants don't really come here too often."  And then, "Laurette?  She wouldn't..."  Alyssa trails off.  "I mean, she's petty and spiteful and jealous, but..."  She shakes her head.  "Only the crown was taken.  What did you learn about it?  Why were you asking about it just now?"
Haval
Gabriele looks to Severin,  'Maybe it's something, maybe it's not, but it seems worth checking.' 
rax
 "The only reason for Laurette to take the crown would be to show the Duke that Alyssa was holding back some of the spoils from the temple, but how would she even know about the crown?"  Severin answers Gabriele.

 "The crown worries me because of what someone told me on our latest trip. She seemed to know a great deal about Magos Valens and the Red Temple. She asked what became of the crown - said that in the wrong hands, it could be very dangerous. And now you're saying the Torendil's been acting all strange since you came back from the Temple. I...I'm worried that maybe something happened to him in the Temple, and maybe that something is why the crown's missing. When was the last time you saw him?"  he says to Alyssa.
dojango
"He left the castle about a week ago, I think?  I wasn't really paying attention.  That's what Lena said.  But whether he left the city... I don't know.  I used to get weird dreams when I slept with the crown next to me.  They were..." she shivered.  "I wish I still had it.  So I could see the other place again.  It was beautiful in it's own way, you know?  Before it was ruined.  Valens was a creator..." she sits down on the torn-apart mattress and starts shaking.  "I just want to dream again.  My home.  I lost it all when I was so young... to see something beautiful again..." she starts crying.
rax
 "The other place? You mean the temple?"  Severin asks Alyssa.  "Maybe Valens was a creator of beautiful things once, but we all saw what he was doing at the end,"  he adds.

 "Alyssa, listen to me, this is important. Did Torendil know that you kept the crown? Or did you ever mention your dreams to him?" 
Haval
Gabriele will sit on the bed next to Alyssa and give her hug.  'At least your still alive. I think you just have to rebuild as much as you can.' 
dojango
"No, I don't think so.  I don't remember talking to him about it. I didn't... nobody cares about my dreams.  I'm the only one that does... Sorry you had to see that," she says, wiping her eyes.  "Yes.  Rebuild.  Don't tell Laurens about this.  Or anyone.  I need to... I don't know.  I need to secure my place here."
rax
 "Well now, that's not true at all! Over the past few weeks I've suddenly found myself a great believer in them. When you feel up to it, I'd very much like to hear more details of the dreams you've been having, and your plans for the future as well, if you want to share them,"  Severin says.
Haval
To Alyssa,  'I'm saying nothing. It's not like anyone would believe me anyway.' 
dojango
You spend some time helping Alyssa put the room back together and she tells you a somewhat disjointed story about her past.  She says that she had been a noblewoman in a minor family, but that her family home had been taken over by vampires and she had fled into the streets where she had to resort to theft to survive.  What she wanted was her childhood back... but failing that, to be a noblewoman again.  She tells you that she is trying to convince Sir Laurens to ask his father to put him in control of a fief.  That she has plans about how to develop it... she takes down a book and hands it to Gabriele.  She also tells you about her dreams.  Some of them are anxiety dreams about losing her home, about the trials she's faced over the years,  about her recent struggles.  But she also has dreams about the Red Temple.  About how it was built, on the blood of a hundred sacrificed victims.  About the final days of being trapped in its dying halls.  She seems to realize something.  "I'm glad it's gone."  And then a few minutes later, "I need to find it again."

By the time the room is relatively cleaned up, it's pitch black outside.

 
 Spoiler 
Roll perception to search for clues while you're cleaning, and maybe Common lore: Empire at a -10 penalty if you want to recall any info about her story.
 
Haval
Gabriele will glance at the book before handing it to Severin,  'You know how to read that? Mum tried to teach me the basics but it didn't take.' 

On the Red Temple,  'I feel worse about going down there if it was like that. Maybe their ghosts are still mad about it.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Perception vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 4 ] 

Common Lore Empire vs. Int 38 (-10)
 (1d100)[ 33 ] 
 
rax
 "Umm, no. A messenger needs a good memory, not reading skills,"  Severin admits.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Perception test  (1d100)[ 7 ]  vs. Int 44
 
dojango
As Alyssa talks, Severin and Gabriele try to recall life back in the Empire.  Gabriele's rural upbringing did not expose her to gossip about the high and mighty around the empire, but Severin's job as a messenger had him in the thick of it.  He recalls the scandal from about 5 or 6 years ago, a long tale of gambling debts, extremely poor investments and, ultimately, some rather extensive embezzlement by the Baron Rosenstern.  Severin remembers that there was a great deal of work for the messenger's guild; delivering summonses, demands for payment, affidavits, and (rumor has it) that a small box containing a pistol and a single shot had been delivered to the Baron's manse before it was foreclosed upon.  Just business as usual in the Empire, of course.  But that's all in the past.

As Gabriele and Severin help Alyssa put the room together they also pay attention to the room.  First of all, there is no lock on the door, just a small latch on the inside.  So anyone could have entered at any time.  Secondly, the room is on the third floor of one of the wings of the manor.  There is a small window, about a foot square, that lets in light and air.  When Gabriele goes to close it, she notices that something is fluttering from the shutter, snagged on splinter.  It looks like a patch of snakeskin.
Haval
Gabriele will unsnag the patch of snakeskin to show the others.  'Look at that. Anyone seen many snakes in the middle of town? Seems like bad luck to have had one in your room.' 
rax
 "Can a snake even climb? Never mind us being three floors up..."  Severin queries.
Haval
 'In trees sometimes.'  Gabriele will stick her head out of the window to check the state of the castle walls. Did it seem feasible that a snake had managed to get up here?
dojango
You all have seen plenty of snakes out in the scrublands and fields, but they are a lot more rare in the city.  Sometimes you'll see them sunning themselves on a wall, but not often.  When you examine the wall outside, it is made of mortared stone.  While it's not perfectly flush and even, climbing it would be a difficult feat for something possessed of arms and fingers, much less something without limbs.
Haval
 'Ok maybe not a snake.'  Gabriele climbs down from the window.  'So something that has skin like a snake that flys? I don't think I want that anywhere near me.' 
rax
 "Well, this is quite the mystery. If not a snake, then what?"  Severin thinks out loud.  "I seems too coincidental for this theft to have occurred while you were dreaming of the Temple and Torendil has become, as you say, obsessed with it. I fear there must be a connection between the two. Perhaps there were other Sigmar-cursed mutants hiding somewhere? Perhaps one of them made the climb up here and stole the crown?" 
Haval
 'We could ask around. There are guards aren't there? Maybe somebody saw something.' 
rax
 "I suppose, but how do we do that without drawing attention to the fact that Alyssa's been robbed? I don't think it would help her standing with the Duke - or our own for that matter - if he learns that the only thing that was taken was a crown recovered from the Temple. I'm pretty sure he'd take a grim view of it not being turned in as part of the spoils. Even more so if we have to let him know it might be dangerous..."  Severin mused.
Haval
 'Maybe I find out where the guards go to drink. If someone has seen something weird there's a good chance they'll want to talk about it without me needing to ask.'  Gabriele replies.  'Or there's always the chance that it's still around somewhere and it'll show up anyway.' 
rax
 "Aye, that sounds like a plan,"  Severin answered Gabriele's suggestion to speak to the off duty guards.  "We could take a look around the base of the tower as well. If this is some sort of mutant, perhaps there's some tracks to be found below Alyssa's window." 
dojango
As you finish up in Alyssa's room, a servant knocks on the door.  She politely but firmly offers to escort you to the castle gates.  Alyssa merely gives you a nod and waves goodbye, either she doesn't have the influence to override the servant or she is unwilling to do so.  Soon you find yourselves at the gates of the castle.  An autumn chill lies in the air and the streets below are quiet.

 
 Spoiler 
You don't really have the standing to wander around the Duke's home late at night so you'll have to try and return in the morning.  A gossip roll to get info from the off-duty guards would work tonight and you can try a follow trail roll in the morning if needed.
 
rax
Gossip test  (1d100)[ 70 ]  vs. 52 (Fel 42, Gossip +10)

FP re-roll if needed  (1d100)[ 64 ] 
 
 Spoiler 
I'd honestly forgotten that this was happening after dinner. 🙂
 
dojango
You head down to a small drinking hole by the castle gates where a guards like to hang out and drink and dice away their pay.  They are not in the best of moods and your queries are stonewalled by the guards.  Apparently they are also being ordered to follow the Duke and they are not terribly happy about that.  But nobody seems to have any insight into unusual activity at the castle, or the movements of any suspicious elves.
rax
 OOC:  "...ordered to follow the duke"? Seems perfectly normal for a Duke to order his soldiers about. What are they unhappy about? 🤨🙂
dojango
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  OOC:  "...ordered to follow the duke"? Seems perfectly normal for a Duke to order his soldiers about. What are they unhappy about? 🤨🙂 
 

These guards are garrison guards.  They aren't happy about having to leave the comforts of the city to go march around for who knows how long.
Haval
ooc - Actually having to fight is dangerous 😏
rax
 OOC:  I hadn't realized the Duke was going to use all available forces for his campaign. 😉

I guess this moves us to the following morning?
dojango
Yes, the next morning rises, gray and drizzly.  I assume you are staying at  The Singing Pike ?  You are supposed to leave in three days.  Gabriele wanted to go talk to Morillo and train with him.  Is there anything else you would like to do in town especially?
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Yes, the next morning rises, gray and drizzly.  I assume you are staying at  The Singing Pike ?  You are supposed to leave in three days.  Gabriele wanted to go talk to Morillo and train with him.  Is there anything else you would like to do in town especially? 
 

More to see if he's recovered then anything else. Sword practice can be with anyone whose willing to indulge her.
rax
 OOC:  Severin will stay at  The Singing Pike , for sure. If Destiny wants to discuss her plan to arm the slaves further, he's open to that. He'll also let her know that Le Houet is trying to convince the Duke to take Inselberg in order to get her view on whether her plan could or should be used to support such an attempt.

Checking the base of the tower for tracks is obviously something we want to do as well.

I'll probably be picking up Specialist Weapon Group (Crossbow) to complete the Scout career, so Severin is going to find out if he can buy or commission a crossbow pistol somewhere in town. Feels like a waste to have the talent and no weapon that makes use of it. 😁

As for us leaving in three days, I don't recall where we're supposed to be off to? Didn't Le Houet tell us to come see her again in four days (Aubentag)?
dojango
Le Houet wants you to accompany the Duke on his expedition.  Don't remember if I said that directly.  She paid you for 8 weeks in advance with that letter of credit.  As far as a crossbow pistol is concerned, roll gossip at -10% I suppose to see if you can find one.

Destiny is more than happy to talk with you about her plans and introduce you around the halfling side of town if you are interested.

Morillo hasn't fully recovered and isn't able to spar but he'll watch you go through sword exercises and critique your technique.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
 Checking the base of the tower for tracks is obviously something we want to do as well. 
 

Assuming it's not something with wings.

Rolling Follow Trail assuming no one has any problems with Gabriele looking around

vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 42 ] 
rax
Severin will give Follow Trail a try as well:  (1d100)[ 67 ]  vs. Int 44
dojango
You return to the castle and try to look around outside Alyssa's room.  The castle courtyard is, as always, buzzing with activity.  Carters are loading up wagons, soldiers are being marched around while servants carry laundry and food back and forth between outbuildings.  You do not spot anything out of the ordinary as far as tracks are concerned.  When Severin comments about 'something with wings' the two of you can see that the castle wall is about thirty feet from where Alyssa's room is.  The wind picks up and it seems colder.  Eventually you are forced to concede that whatever happened did not leave any more traces to detect.
rax
 "I don't like this one bit,"  Severin admits to Gabriele.  "Torendil acting all obsessed with the Temple, Alyssa dreaming of it and wanting to be rid of the crown but also wanting it back. What if the Magos managed to do something like the Green Witch - become a ghost or spirit, and now he's messing with their minds?" 
Haval
Gabriele grimaces,  'If that's true what the hell can we do about it? It's not like I can hit a ghost with my sword. Should we tell Le Houet? The Elf might have been helpful if he hadn't run off but I don't expect there's many other wizards around down here. Maybe if you dream about the Green Witch again you should ask her about this.' 
dojango
Severin had asked Destiny where a crossbow pistol might be found, and after a funny look, she had suggested a small pawnshop down at the foot of the castle.  They had an assortment of junk and poor-quality weapons, but no crossbow pistol.  The owner suggested another place, which Severin had been unable to find, and then after speaking to some of the merchants by the docks (including Lorenzo) and rummaging through several store-rooms, Severin was forced to abandon his search by the arrival of supper-time.  A cold, light rain began to fall as it grew dark.

Meanwhile, Gabriele had sought out Morillo, and found him supervising two small boys fighting with sticks.  When Gabriele asked to spar with him, he grimaced and said that his wounds were still bothering him; it would be poor practice to fight with someone so impaired.  He would be happy to watch her go through the seven forms and stances of the sword and offer her critiques if she so chose, however.
rax
 "Well, we could always ask around town if anyone's seen Torendil recently. Just because the guards had nothing to say, doesn't mean he hasn't been seen around town. Maybe I can get Destiny to spread the word we're looking for him as well. She's got connections in the community we don't,"  Severin suggests.

 "As for what to do about whatever's going on, we can work that out when we've figured out...what's going on. I'm just worried that the crown is heading back to the Temple and maybe that's the wrong place for it to be. And sure, if the Green Witch decides to invade my head again, I'll ask her." 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "Well, we could always ask around town if anyone's seen Torendil recently. Just because the guards had nothing to say, doesn't mean he hasn't been seen around town. Maybe I can get Destiny to spread the word we're looking for him as well. She's got connections in the community we don't,"  Severin suggests.

 "As for what to do about whatever's going on, we can work that out when we've figured out...what's going on. I'm just worried that the crown is heading back to the Temple and maybe that's the wrong place for it to be. And sure, if the Green Witch decides to invade my head again, I'll ask her."  
 

 'Might as well see if she can help. And it's not like an Elf and a wizard would be that good at hiding.'  Gabriele will consider why the crown would want to be somewhere.  'If it's bad for the crown to be back in the Temple because something weird and unholy is going on I take it it might be the sort of thing we're going to hear about. One way or the other.' 

 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Meanwhile, Gabriele had sought out Morillo, and found him supervising two small boys fighting with sticks.  When Gabriele asked to spar with him, he grimaced and said that his wounds were still bothering him; it would be poor practice to fight with someone so impaired.  He would be happy to watch her go through the seven forms and stances of the sword and offer her critiques if she so chose, however. 
 

 'Don't need to be good as you, I just need to be good enough to not get killed. Glad to see you're healing Morillo.' 
dojango
You ask Destiny for any news about "an elf", and you describe Torendil as best you can. She shrugs and says she'll ask around. Later the next day, she drags in a few misfit looking halflings who tell you sullenly that they had tracked an elf to the city gates a few days ago, hoping he was an easy mark, but he was moving fast and had got away from them.
rax
 "If Torendil was in a hurry to leave, I'm inclined to think he's also got the crown,"  Severin suggests to Gabriele after bringing her the news.  "The timeline's a little hazy, but Torendil left the castle about a week ago, Alyssa said she hadn't been to her room for a couple of days, and now he's been seen leaving a few days ago. I guess none of that matters if we're going to follow Le Houet and the Duke on campaign, though." 
Haval
 'Maybe thats fine. If we go back in there maybe we could see if we could borrow half a dozen soldiers to go in there with us. You think we could convince Le Houet to have someone keep an eye on Torendil in case he comes back?' 
rax
 "We tell Le Houet and we're going to have to give her  something  in order to believe us. I'm not sure which I like less - telling her a dead witch has been speaking to me or that Alyssa kept a possibly dangerous artefact in her bed and now we think it's taken over the only known wizard west of the Inselberg..."  Severin grumbles, clearly uncomfortable with the entire situation.
Haval
 'I don't want to drop Alyssa in it if we can help it. Maybe we just say we think the Elf might be losing his mind. If he's going out to the Temple by himself I'd say that's evidence enough.'  Gabriele shrugged.  'If he's got a good reason to be out there he shouldn't mind answering some questions.'   
rax
 "Hmmm, yes, that might work,"  Severin agreed.  "Maybe we can even prevail upon her to have some people go out and look for him? You know, just in case he's at the Temple and up to no good." 
Haval
 'Long as we let them know what to expect from that place. Maybe they should send a priest. There must be a Morrite around here somewhere.' 
dojango
Le Houet listens to your story about the elf wizard's strange behavior and she shakes her head.  "Elves. Wizards."  Judging from her tone, it is hard to tell which she has more distaste for.  "We try to leave them alone and they mostly leave us alone.  But if you are worried enough about this to bring it to my attention, I will send someone to keep an eye on him.  Meanwhile.  When you're on campaign with the Duke, all I need from you is to help scout out the area around the town.  He doesn't expect you to do any fighting.  Just keep your eyes and ears open and if you see anything you think he needs to know, be sure to let him know."

You return to the  Singing Pike  for dinner where Destiny meets you.  She says, "Have you had a chance to think about helping the poor halflings down at Inselberg?  I've taken up a collection and scrounged up some weapons.  If you can smuggle them into the work camp down there, if they are desperate and brave enough, they may be able to secure their freedom.  With a little help, of course."
rax
 "Well, umm, it looks like we're going down there anyway. Seems the Duke's decided to take Inselberg for himself and we've been invited to tag along and do some scouting..."  Severin replies with an embarrassed look.

 "We haven't said anything about your plan, but it occurs to me that it might make taking the town a lot easier if the Duke's men could get in through the mines, and that would be a lot easier if friendly forces were holding it for him..." 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "We haven't said anything about your plan, but it occurs to me that it might make taking the town a lot easier if the Duke's men could get in through the mines, and that would be a lot easier if friendly forces were holding it for him..."  
 

 'So we see if the Duke has any thin soldiers? What are the chances he's got other halfling's working for him.' 
rax
 "The mines seemed plenty big to me when we were down there. All we need is to secure the camp and his men should be able to make it up through the dwarven mansions,"  Severin suggests.
dojango
Destiny says, "Oh Severin.  I know from experience how tempting it is to meddle in politics... but I don't want these poor halflings to fight and get hurt just so the Duke has more lands.  If you can help them run away so they can go back to their families and farms it would be best."
Haval
 'I suppose we could ask then.'  On the Halflings,  'I don't think anyone whose stuck down there will be im much condition to fight anyone.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Realised I was thinking of the hole on the surface of the mesa which wouldn't be much help to us
 
rax
 "We can give it a shot, Miss Destiny, but I fear that the slaves aren't going anywhere without  some  fighting, and Gabriele and me can't do it all by ourselves,"  Severin admits.

 "Perhaps if we can get the Duke to attack from the outside while the slaves break out from the inside? Could end up working out for both parties,"  he thinks out loud.
Haval
 'Attack at dawn or something like that.'  Gabriele nods.  'Course, if there's an army showing up at the bottom of the mesa they might be a little too distracted to guard their prisoners properly.' 
dojango
The rest of the evening you spend hashing out your plans for travel.  Destiny provides a small two-wheeled cart to hitch to your horse to carry two boxes of weapons and your supplies.  The next morning there is a cold drizzle as you over to the city gates where a small crowd has gathered to watch the Duke and his soldiers march out of the city.  While they are heading out, Carbey comes over and slaps Severin on the back with his good hand while his assistants look over your cart.  "Civilian contractors march in the back" he tells you.  "When ya get to Fort Besoin report in ta Sergeant Barnaby Hochmann, he's my assistant down there.  Tell him I said ta make sure ya get the good rations, stuff that ain't too full of weevils, eh?"

With that, you follow the column of soldiers down the muddy track.  The rain continues to get worse throughout the day and the carts and wagons and men and horses find themselves struggling through mud.  When you do finally camp about a mile away from the soldier's camp everyone is too exhausted to do much other than fall asleep where they stand, trying vainly to find a spot that is a little more dry and less muddy then every other spot in the camp.  After a poor night's sleep, you are awoken by the sound of reville from the soldier's camp.  The rain continues to fall, soaking everyone through and through.

 
 Spoiler 
Make a survival test and a toughness test please
 
.
Haval
In the face of the bad weather Gabriele will travel with her hood all the way up. Normally she would try to find cover in weather like this till it passed.  'Bloody hell, if soldiering is like this it's a wonder anyone ever sticks around long enough to get to a battle.' 
rax
 "It's my understanding that a lot of 'em don't,"  Severin answers with a wicked grin.  "Either they catch some horrid disease and die in camp, or they sneak off when things get too bad." 
dojango
The next morning you wake up, cold and weary.  Breakfast is cold food, Gabriele and Severin have it slightly better since Destiny had provided you with better supplies, but it does not warm you up.  The next few days pass like this, slowly lurching forward towards the fort.  After a few days you meet up with the contingent from the fort and the supply train grows even larger.  You spot the sergeant that you had lost at cards to, Barnaby, who takes charge of the supply train, at that point.  Soon you leave the open plains of the valley and into the Stralwald forest.  Up until then, the road had been crude and potholed but then it gets worse.  At the head of the supply train you find yourself having to pick your way around fallen branches and narrow paths; although your small cart is mostly able to get through the larger wagons start having considerable difficulty.  Eventually it comes to a head in a large clearing.  It had probably been a farm once; there is a small ruin in the open field.  Severin and Gabriele are able to pick their way across the field but as you finish crossing you notice that the heavy wagons have stopped and there is a lot of cursing and yelling...
Haval
Gabriele makes a note to find warmer clothes somewhere even if she had to get the animal furs herself.

She'll go and investigate what the hold up was about.
rax
After making sure their cart is safely secured, Severin jogs after Gabriele to see what the commotion is about.

 "Careful, we don't want to get too close or we may have to help 'em drag some overloaded supply wagon out of the mud!"  he snickers softly.
dojango
One of the larger wagons has sunk up to its axle in mud.  From the way it leans it looks like the axle is broken, as well.  Behind it the other wagons are stopped and they appear to also be sinking into the mud.  Drovers and teamsters are looking on with dismay while Barnaby and a few soldiers are inspecting the scene.  The man simply stares off into the distance for a few minutes before ordering everyone to make camp here for the night.

Severin, having seen this exact scenario play out on the roads of the Empire, instinctively moves out of Barnaby's line of sight as he looks around and starts ordering a dozen people to unload the stuck wagons.  Two of the soldiers run off to inform the rest of the column.  The rain continues to fall.  The others in the supply train begin trying to light fires for warmth and cooking and some semblance of a camp begins to spring to life.  For now, Gabriele and Severin are left alone to their own devices...
Haval
Gabriele is aware that wagons tended to break down sometimes but has no idea how anyone would go about fixing that. To Severin,  'Maybe the Duke should start a road building programme. How long do you reckon it'll take them to get that moving again?' 
rax
 "Dunno, but it looks like we're stopping for a while if everyone's lighting their campfires,"  Severin answers.  "In any case, we won't be going anywhere until they shift that wagon, whether or not they can repair it. How about we light our own fire and have something to eat? I'm starving!" 
Haval
 'I'll get the firewood. I'd see if I could get a rabbit or something as well but there's probably too many people around here.' 

Gabriele will go looking for some wood for a fire before everyone else on the column made their own fires.


 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Outdoor Survival in case Gabriele can find something better to eat
vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 45 ] 
 
dojango
Gabriele goes to cut firewood. A lot of the camp followers in the supply train have the same idea and so there are a dozen or so men and women going through the brush, making noise and chattering as they work.  While she does take some time to look for game trails or animals surprised by the activity, she does not have much luck and so she returns with firewood, but no game.

The two of you spend the cold, wet, and muddy night as best you can.  The next morning you find Barnaby coming over with two soldiers with him.  He looks over at your cart and your horses and then says, "We're double-teaming the remaining wagons.  We're commandeering your horses.  You'll get them back at the end of the campaign.  Get your tack together and bring them over immediately..."
rax
 "Hang on a minute! You take  our  horses, how're we supposed to move  our  cart, eh? And what good is double teaming going to do anyway? Unless you've got a herd o' spare horse flesh back there, you're going to have to lose a bunch o' wagons and move all the supplies to the rest. Seems to me all you'll end up with is half the wagons carrying twice as much as before. You'll be stuck again in no time!"  Severin protests angrily.
Haval
Watching the soldiers with Barnaby, Gabriele is wondering whether they intended to take their horses by force if they refused to hand them over.  'Severin has a point. Doesn't this sort of thing happen all the time without decent roads? What do you do when there's no one around with spare horses?' 
dojango
"If it don't work you can laugh at me while you're carrying supplies on your back," he says, shortly.  "If we have to abandon the wagons everyone carries a load.  You want to ask the knights if they can lend their horses?  Go on, I'll wait for you to come back missing some teeth."  He turns and walks away, muttering something to the soldiers with him.  Gabriele, whose hearing is excellent, hears "Keep an eye on those troublemakers.  Bet they got contraband in there."
Haval
Gabriele grimaces and mutters,  'Seems like a way to get robbed.'  Maybe a column of soldiers ought to have less to worry about from bandits. To Severin once they were out of earshot,  'He thinks we're smuggling something.' 
rax
 "Well we are, in a manner of speaking. These lummoxes just don't know that we're doing it to help both the slaves and His Nibs. Don't much like the way he's disrespecting us, though. We're not just  civilian  contractors, we're  specialist  contractors,"  Severin mutters angrily in reply.

 "If we're going to lose our cart, I don't know how we're going to move the weapons and our own supplies. I guess we can stick 'em in one of the Duke's wagons, but the odds of keeping our stuff secret will go down drastically..." 
Haval
 'Should have asked Le Houet for something to make people leave us alone. If all else fails maybe we can try to pull rank. If we're lying that's our problem, but if we're not maybe she'll have words for him later.'  

On the second point,  'So we find another driver who seems trustworthy? Better to find someone who might keep their mouth shut.' 
rax
 "Pulling rank might be worth a shot. We  are  here because Le Houet  wants  us here, even if arming the slaves isn't part of her plan. We could always just make it clear that we're on a special mission for her and the Duke. No one needs to know exactly what and if Destiny's plan works, we'll have been a bigger help to the Duke than just scouting around the Inselberg,"  Severin replies.

 "Plus, we're Carbey's mates, aye? Sergeant Barnaby's his assistant and he's  supposed  to be treating us nicely. We might want to remind him of that as well, just not in front of all his men." 
 OOC:  Leaving the question of finding another cart and driver unanswered for now. Hoping for some feedback from dojango in the OOC thread first.
Haval
 'I suppose we wouldn't be good spies if people know we're doing something for Le Houet. Maybe we try talking to Carbey if we don't have any other choice. Let's see if we can talk one of the drivers into helping us out.' 
rax
 "As in we ask about loading our gear onto their wagon? Those boxes are pretty heavy..."  Severin says.  "Don't suppose we've got much choice right now, though. You see anyone you like for this job?" 
Haval
 'Let's find out. We can start by finding someone that's willing to talk to us.' 
 
 Spoiler 

Probably should roll Gossip

vs. Fel 32 (+10 for Severin?)
 (1d100)[ 100 ] 

Rerolled to 77 in the ooc
 
dojango
Gabriele starts talking to some of the drivers about what's going on, but suddenly realizes that idling civilians are being roped into doing some manual labor.  Some of them are unloading the broken wagon, some of them are helping extend the hitches to the stuck wagons, and a company of soldiers are being ordered to both help out and enforce orders.  By shuffling around and looking busy she manages to avoid any extra work, but isn't really able to talk to anyone beyond a few words.

Meanwhile, Severin spots two halflings slip away under the shade of a spreading tree.  As he approaches and they notice him, one of them tucks away a  flask back under his coat.  The two halflings nod at him as he approaches and one of them says, "Another fine morning, squire.  You looking for something?"
rax
 "Just somewhere to take the load off my feet, seeing as the Sergeant just commandeered my horses,"  Severin answers with a wry grin.  "How about yourselves? What're your jobs in this mob?" 
Haval
Gabriele wonders if there was anything she could do to no longer be seen as a civilian here. Perhaps there was a uniform. She was visibly armed but there was more of them then there was of her and she didn't want to test them. Whenever people looked like they were recruiting she'll try to look busy or outright move in the oppersite direction.
dojango
"I'm a saddler, and this here is my apprentice," says the talkative one.  "Goin' ta be a lot of work for us after all this.  But for now, we're stayin' outta the way.  How about you?  You a teamster?"

Gabriele manages to move through the edges of the crowd and watches as the drivers try to get the stuck wagons rolling.  Soldiers and workers try pushing from behind while the horses strain at their traces.  She spots the Duke himself sitting motionless on his own horse looking down at the work.  Next to him sits Sir Laurens who is looking around restlessly and fidgeting with his gear.  Suddenly there is a cheer as one of the wagons starts moving.  It moves, it lurches, it rattles, and then when the men pushing falter for a second it sinks back into the mud.  There is a loud groan, but then Sir Denis steps out of the mass of muddy, filthy men and orders them to pull the boards out of the mud and place them in front of the wagon.  The process repeats, and Sir Denis is in the fore, pushing against the wagon with his shoulder alongside the common soldiers and laborers.  The wagon starts to move a little bit.  It is going to be a long and exhausting day.
rax
 "Nah, not really. My partner Gabriele an' me, we scouted the Inselberg for His Worship a few weeks back. Got a few weeks more on our retainer, so we've been sent along to check the place out again an' maybe cause some trouble to make the siege easier. Had to bring some extra gear for that, so that's why we've got our own cart. Or we did, until Barnaby nabbed our horses. You think there's any chance we'll get 'em back, or is this double teaming malarkey, going to last until we make the Inselberg?"  Severin asks.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Gabriele manages to move through the edges of the crowd and watches as the drivers try to get the stuck wagons rolling.  Soldiers and workers try pushing from behind while the horses strain at their traces.  She spots the Duke himself sitting motionless on his own horse looking down at the work.  Next to him sits Sir Laurens who is looking around restlessly and fidgeting with his gear.  Suddenly there is a cheer as one of the wagons starts moving.  It moves, it lurches, it rattles, and then when the men pushing falter for a second it sinks back into the mud.  There is a loud groan, but then Sir Denis steps out of the mass of muddy, filthy men and orders them to pull the boards out of the mud and place them in front of the wagon.  The process repeats, and Sir Denis is in the fore, pushing against the wagon with his shoulder alongside the common soldiers and laborers.  The wagon starts to move a little bit.  It is going to be a long and exhausting day. 
 

Gabriele assumes that if anyone asked her to help get a wagon out of the mud things would be getting desperate. She'll approach Sir Laurens with a nod,  'This sort of thing happen a lot? I know we're not in the Empire anymore but I thought there might be Dwarf roads around here somewhere.'  Gabriele was firmly of the opinion that a Dwarf made road would never get this bad.  'Anything I can do to help. Besides the obvious?'  She'd like to think that there having fought together at Stralwald might excuse her lack of deference. She wouldn't try this with the Duke.
dojango
The two halflings shrug.  The elder one says, "Well, once the wagons are unstuck he'll probably give them back.   Or give you a receipt for taking them so you can get reimbursed after the campaign is over.  And once the road gets better they won't need them."  The apprentice adds, "If it gets better."  "True," nods the elder.

Meanwhile, Gabriele approaches Sir Laurens.  He is pleased to see her and says, "Rough weather we're having, eh?  No dwarf roads around here.  That would be something to see.  Um, the rainy season started early this year.  We weren't expecting this for at least another few weeks.  I don't know... one moment." he catches his father's eye, who is idly watching the two of you.  Sir Laurens moves his horse closer to his father who mutters something at him.  He listens and then returns.  "We've got scouts, you know, looking around.  But yes.  You should go as far ahead as possible and check to road conditions closer to Inselberg.  If streams are flooded or impassible.  Come back and let us know."
Haval
Well, at least he was polite.  'I'll let my partner know.'  And Gabriele decided that it couldn't hurt to ask.  'Hey. Your boys nicked our horses to help with the carts. I take it we'll get them back eventually? It's only that we might need somewhere to leave our gear while we're off scouting.' 
rax
 "Hmmph. That's a  big  if,"  Severin replies wearily.  "Even if we get days of sunshine all of a sudden, it's going to take forever for the road to dry up what with all this forest cover. And in the meantime, Sol will have his scouts out an' about. They may even risk an ambush or two to slow us down and bleed us some,"  he says.

 "Word of advice -if they do show up, make sure you stick close to some of the tall folk. Sol's scouts are Halflings, but they've go no compunction about grabbing other Halflings and dropping them off at the Inselberg to slave away in Sol's mine." 
dojango
Sir Laurens agrees enthusiastically.  "Yes, of course, you'll need your mounts back.  Point them out to me..."  once he sees where they are he heads over.  They've just been hitched up to one of the other wagons, as part of a large team.  Laurens orders your mounts to be removed, which undoes a lot of long and complicated work.  The teamsters are not going to refuse the Duke's son, of course, but he catches a lot of dirty glares when his back is turned.  A few of them fall on Gabrele as well, who they recognize as the one on who's behalf this is being done.  After about ten minutes or so your main riding horses are unhitched and brought over.  "Right then, off you go," Sir Laurens says cheerfully, and he heads back over to where his father is watching.

The other halfings look at each other for a moment.  One of them taps on the trunk of the tree with his hand.  "Nasty business.  But still a bit safer than orcs, I reckon."
Haval
Gabriele had not expected that to work and has trouble not smiling as she recovers their horses. To Sir Laurens,  'Thankyou your lordship.'  Techanically she owed him a favour for this but she appreciated that he had not made it difficult.

She'll lead the two horses over to where ever Severin was.  'Hey look what I found.' 
rax
 "Well, I'll be! How did you pull that off?"  Severin answers Gabriele in amazement.

 OOC:  I'm guessing neither of these is Bertrand, right? It would be weird if we were using a horse and a pony to pull our cart...
Haval
 'Sir Laurens pulled rank, but we got to do some scouting in return. I don't know if they'll let us keep em though.'  Gabriele looked suddenly disappointed realising this didn't neccessarily solve anything.   'Can we take the cart with us?' 
rax
 "I suppose we could, but we won't be going anywhere fast if we bring it along. On the other hand, if we do bring it, and we can get to Inselberg without running into any  old friends , we might get a head start on causing trouble for Sol,"  Severin admits.  "But I'm guessing His Lordship isn't really expecting us to hitch up the horses and drive off in a cart if we're supposed to go scouting..." 
dojango
OOC:  I think Gabriele has a horse and Severin has a pony, technically.  I just use 'horse' to describe them both since it's easier and I'm not too clear on the distinction between the two.  Like between an SUV and a prius, maybe.  Destiny provided you with a cart (and the proper equipment) to hitch to one of the horses so you could bring your supplies + the weapons.  Although you were relatively successful in not getting the cart stuck in the mud (so far) you'd need to keep on doing that if you wanted to bring it with you.  It will also slow you down a great deal, possibly even as slow as a walking man, which would defeat the purpose of being mounted scouts.  But you're contractors not soldiers so nobody's going to second-guess you with what you decide, unless you don't deliver results.
Haval
 'And we might just get the bloody thing stuck somewhere anyway. I can't see us getting it out if we get into trouble. What if we pay someone to look after it for us? It's not like we're short of cash at the moment.' 
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 OOC:  I think Gabriele has a horse and Severin has a pony, technically.  I just use 'horse' to describe them both since it's easier and I'm not too clear on the distinction between the two. 
 

 Horse big, pony small. 😁

I hadn't realized our cart was pulled by just the one horse - I assumed it was a two-horse job, that's why I thought neither of them could be Severin's pony (Bertrand).
rax
 
 Originally Posted by Haval 
  'And we might just get the bloody thing stuck somewhere anyway. I can't see us getting it out if we get into trouble. What if we pay someone to look after it for us? It's not like we're short of cash at the moment.'  
 

  "Aye, that's probably our best bet,"  Severin agrees.

Looking over at the saddler and his apprentice, he asks them.  "Friends, do you think you could do my partner an' me a favour? For fair pay, of course. We need someone to look after our cart and see that it and the gear in it don't get left behind if the convoy gets moving before we get back. How does three shilling a day sound?" 
 OOC:  I'm basing the offer on the cost per day for an artisan in the rulebook (34 p) and rounding up a bit. Obviously we're not paying for the saddler's professional services, but he could fairly claim we should pay for his time, so making 36 p a day between the two of them seems generous to me and will hopefully keep them interested in upholding their end of the deal.
dojango
"It's a deal" the saddler says.  "You can pay me when you get back.  If'n ya don't come back I'll just keep the cart."

The saddler has a pony of his own which is laden down with his tools and gear.  He unhooks some of the kit an tosses it in the cart.  They hitch it up and go back drinking.  "We ain't moving too far today, that's for sure".

The two of you head out on your horses past the stuck wagons and out into the forest...

 
 Spoiler 
Roll survival to find the best path and to scout.
 
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 "It's a deal" the saddler says.  "You can pay me when you get back.  If'n ya don't come back I'll just keep the cart." 
 

 'Trust me, we're coming back.'  Gabriele says with confidence.  'And if we don't you get to deal with whatever got us.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

 Outdoor Survival vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 72 ]  
FP if needed
 (1d100)[ 30 ] 
 
rax
 OOC:  Outdoor Survival  (1d100)[ 70 ]  vs. Int 44

 Edit:  Looks like we're relying on Gabriele here.
dojango
With Gabriele expertly leading the way through the forest, you leave the stuck supply train behind.  Soon you pass the weary, mud-covered soldiers ass well, who are trying to shelter under the trees from the persistent rain.  They grudgingly make way for you as you pass.  The two of you keep heading west, following the old cart-road that you had taken with the caravan so recently.  Every so often you pass one of the army's scouts, who give you a wide berth.  Eventually, the road leaves the sheltering eves of the forest and starts to make its way up into the hills that separate the broad Igerang valley from the Northdale.  Shortly after you crest the first hill, as night is falling, you look down into the ravine below.  What had, a few short weeks ago, been a small trickle barely enough to fill your waterskins, was now a raging torrent.
Haval
Gabriele sighs.  'I bet it does this all the time. We're not going to get many wagons over that.'  It was possible that if the rain died down the level of this new river would as well but she wasn't sure if they had the time to wait.
rax
 "Looks like Sol's been paying his dues to Ranald. They said these rains are early and - wouldn't you know it - they came just in time to slow the Duke down or maybe even make it impossible to get to the Inselberg,"  Severin sighs.

 "Shall we take a gander up and down the ravine to see if there are any spots where it might be easier to cross?"  he asks.
Haval
 'Or someone worse.'  The idea that some God was with Sol hadn't even occurred to her. Gabriele will absently make the sign of the Hammer.

She'll look around and try to judge the state of the terrain from here.  'There's got to be a ford around here somewhere. We just need somewhere big enough for everyone else.' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Best direction to find a place to cross if a test helps

Int test for Per or Outdoor Survival as needed
vs. Int 38
 (1d100)[ 30 ] 
 
dojango
Gabriele ponders for a moment and determines that while upstream the torrent might be canyon might be narrower, it also more likely to be rockier and less accessible to the horses.  Downstream the canyon might widen out and hopefully make it easier to cross.  However, while going off road would be difficult, but possible, for men and horses, the wagons would not be able to make it.  But unless they want to go searching through unknown terrain in the dark, it is time to make camp for the night.
Haval
To Severin,  'Ought to be easier to get the wagons across that way. Assuming there's actually a ford around here.'  This horseriding business was getting easier the more practice she had, but she wasn't sure how much she wanted to be riding around in the dark.  'We could go on a bit?'  If they were stopping here, Gabriele will look around for a tree that was thick enough to keep any rain off.
rax
 "Feels like too much of a risk. We'll be no use to anyone if we get ourselves hurt trying to find a decent crossing in the dark,"  Severin replies.  "Let's find a good spot to set up camp and try to get a fire going. It's going to be cold, wet night without one." 
dojango
It takes a few tries but soon a smoky fire is burning and you camp for the night.  In the morning you wake up, refreshed and only a lightly soaked.  The weather seems to have taken a break for now.  You follow a very narrow path downstream for about an hour, and turning around a spur of rock, you spot two youngsters trying to chivy a flock of goats across a wide and shallower part of the canyon.  The goats, being goats, are not enthusiastic about the process and there appears to be a lot of cursing and waving switches around on the part of the goatherders.  They don't seem to notice the two of you at the moment.
Haval
In the morning Gabriele will walk around a bit to dry off.  'Haven't had to do that for a while. I'm getting soft.' 

On the trail she doesn't have any reason to hide from children and so will lead her horse around the spur of rock.  'Morning. You live round here?' 
rax
Severin follows Gabriele, leading Bertrand down the track. When they spot the goatherders, he waits for them to respond to Gabriele's greeting before saying anything.
dojango
You startle the young teens, one of whom grabs for a sling hanging from their belt and the other one shouts back, "Who?  What do you want?"  A few of the goats take the opportunity of the distraction to start heading back to the wrong side of the river to start grazing on some bushes.
Haval
 'Well I was looking to cross before the rain started.'  Gabriele will put her arms up and try to look unthreatening.  'Is there a flat place to cross around here anywhere? I don't want my horse to break her leg trying.' 
rax
 "Maybe even some place where wagons could cross? We're outriders for a caravan heading for Inselberg and the caravan master wasn't expecting rains this early. He's tasked us with getting the lay of the land,"  Severin adds.
dojango
One of the herders gestures vaguely towards the ford where they are trying to get the goats across.  "Here's good enough," and as if to demonstrate, the other one grabs a goat by the scruff of its neck and tries to force it to walk across to the other side.  "Downstream the canyon narrows a bit an probably ain't good for you.  Dunno about wagons, maybe further south by the great river?"
Haval
 'How far's that then?'  Gabriele wonders if the pair had been that far from wherever they lived.  'You ever have any trouble out here? Being all alone and all.' 
dojango
"The great river?  Maybe a day's journey away.  We ain't alone, our whole clan is camped nearby.  And there's a lot more of them then there are of you so don't try anything funny."
Haval
 'Wouldn't dream of it. There's enough dodgy people around out here. What's this about a clan? Does that mean you're just passing through then?' 
rax
As before, Severin keeps his peace in order not to overwhelm the goatherders with suspicious questions.
dojango
"Yeah, rainy season is here, innit?  We're moving to our winter grazing grounds out of the hills.  In the summer we live up in the mountain valleys and let the herds graze up there.  Then when it gets too cold and wet we head down here to let the grass regrow and to stay outta the cold and wet.  There's a score of us clans and we lived this land before all you merchants and refugees came here.  Just don't let your beasts overgraze our fields and we'll let you pass."
Haval
 'If no one has a problem with me I don't have a problem with them.'  Gabriele chose not to mention the army that was following behind them. Presumably they couldn't do much about that.  'Thanks for the directions boys.' 

After they had left the goatherders behind,  'How far south do want to go? If they want to get the wagons across maybe they have people who can build a bridge for them.' 
rax
 "I'm not sure,"  Severin admitted.  "If we take these lads at their word, then this gorge is impassable as things stand, but I'm betting the river's flooded and fierce from all the rain as well. It'll mean a big detour in any case, if I'm reading the land right. I suppose it's up to His Nibs in the end though. He knows why we started on this path - I guess he'll know if he wants to take the risk and cost of going to the river." 
 "We might as well see what it's like for ourselves, though. We wouldn't be doing a proper job if we don't take at least take a look,"  he adds.
dojango
Leaving the goats and their herders behind, you travel south along the flooded torrent.  The canyon does get more narrow as they had suggested, and you are forced to pick your way through the hills as the path fades into muddy dead ends and brush-covered steep hillsides.  At one point, from a high ridge, you can spot a thin plume of smoke from campfires a few miles to the east, and in the south, you can see the wide expanse of the Igerang River.  From there, it takes a few more hours to reach the great river.  The river has cut its way through the rolling hills and you soon find yourself on a bluff overlooking the river.  A hundred feet below you, the torrent that you've been following empties into the river, a drop in the ocean.  On the other side of the river you can spot a few small homesteads clustered along the hills above the river, but on this side you only find a jumble of ruined buildings.
Haval
Gabriele sighs at the size of the river,  'Well, we're not getting over there. Not unless we want to try swimming. You think the Duke is just going to have to wait for the weather to turn?' 
rax
 "It's beginning to look like it, I agree. Can't cross this canyon unless the Duke's got men that can build a bridge or something. Otherwise, I reckon his best bet would be to march down to the Igerang, try and ship his men over to the other side, then march along the river until he can find a spot where they can be ferried across again and march to the Inselberg. Either way, it's not going to happen by following this path,"  Severin agrees.

 "Let's get some rest and then start heading back." 
Haval
 'Seems like a big coincidence to me. Like Tollares knows how to make it rain or something.'  Gabriele chooses not to dwell on the implications too much.
dojango
By pushing yourself and the horses you retrace your steps to where the army has camped out; the smoke from their campfires a beacon in the distance.  It is past sunset when you arrive.  They haven't moved very far since when you left, the road still a path of churned mud and debris.  The sentries report that the Duke has taken to his bed and that you can deliver your report to him in the morning.  With that you are left to find shelter for yourself that night.  The next morning you are asked to attend to the Duke as he takes his morning meal; you are invited to sit with him at a camp table and are served fresh hot food a far cut above the rations that the rest of the soldiers are eating.  "So.  You have returned.  What are the road conditions ahead?  Do things improve once we get out of the woods?"
rax
Severin glances over at Gabriele before speaking.

 "M'lud, I'm afraid conditions are grim all over. We followed the road out of the woods and up into the hills until we came upon a ravine. It looked like it might have been possible to ford, except that the rains have turned what was probably a trickle of a stream into a raging torrent, so we decided to head south and look for a better place to cross. There was a very narrow path which brought us to a spot where a couple of local goatherders were trying to move their flock across - them goats weren't too enthusiastic about the idea though." 
 "We spoke to the goatherds an' they reckoned there weren't any better places to cross further south. We checked, an' they were right. The ravine narrows the further south you go an' the path pretty much disappears. It all ends in a waterfall a hundred feet above the Igerang,"  Severin reports.

 "The way I see it, there's only two choices. Try and move the wagons to the ford the goatherders were using and cross there, or go south from here to the Igerang, find a way to ship this army over to the other side, and march along the south bank until you get to a spot where you can ferry back across and march for the Inselberg." 
 OOC:  We never actually checked, but what was Gabriele and Severin's impression of the ford the goatherders were using and the path leading to it. Would it be possible to move the Duke's wagon train along the path and did the ford  look  like it would allow wagons to cross?
Haval
Given they weren't exactly bringing good news Gabriele looks uncomfortable. She'll add,  'It'd be easy enough to get across on foot, your grace. Maybe even with the horses if you're careful, but you'll have a hell of a time with the wagons. Not without someone to build you a ramp anyway.' 

On the matter of crossing the Igerang,  'Maybe there's locals in this army who can better speak on a likely place to cross.' 
dojango
The problem with the ford, as far as you can tell, is that while the wagons might be able to cross it there, there is no path for the wagons to and from the ford, so they will have to be manhandled up and down the hills to get there.  After describing the situation to the Duke, he merely nods and seems lost in thought.  Not so his sons; Sir Laurens says, eagerly, "If horses can get across, why not simply leave the wagons until the waters die down?  A small force... maybe fifty horsemen moving quickly and quietly can try to seize the fortress in a  coup de main  and wait for reinforcements to arrive later!"

Sir Denis snorts and says, "And what will you do for supplies?  Those brave horsemen will be eating their horses before long."

"We can forage, or requisition from the locals..." Sir Laurens replies.

"And see their knives at our throats as well?  There's timber aplenty in the woods and we can call the corvee at Stralwald for labor.  It shouldn't take more then a few weeks to get a workable bridge across the torrent and we'll want one anyways if we are to rule this land as part of our own duchy."

The Duke listens and says, "Turning back is admitting defeat.  If we wait until the spring it will be too late.  The only bridge across the river is at Castle Bremcote and even if we hired all the boats on the river to use as ferries and managed to bring them south it would not be enough to perform a crossing in a timely fashion.  Stay in the camp for now, I may summon you later."  The Duke turns to one of his aides and says, "Tell the men we will remain camped here for at least one more day.  And call a war council."

The two of you are shown out of the tent.  Sir Laurens follows and says eagerly, "What do you think of my plan?  Do you think it will work?"
Haval
 'And get Tollares before he knows whats happening? Maybe if you have the right bunch of men. I think Sir Denis is right about the food thing though.' 
dojango
Sir Laurens tells Gabriele, "A dozen knights and some mounted retainers ought to do the trick.  If you can lead us to Inselberg we will do the rest.  Without their leader the ruffians will flee like rabbits."
Haval
Gabriele isn't discounting the idea out of hand.  'Do any of these retainers know how to hunt? It might be a lot easier if we don't have to carry all our food with us.' 
rax
 "It was about a four day trip from here when we were working for Lorenzo and his caravan. Better weather, more wagons. How much food d'you reckon each of your riders can carry, young Sir?"  Severin adds.
dojango
"Hunting for game, eh?  I know a few of the lads can bring down a bird if they see one...  I will talk to the quartermaster and find out if we can get enough rations to carry.  Hold that thought, Severin; we're having a war council in a few hours... I need to see who's willing to go and I have to talk to quartermaster... that Barnaby ought to be around here..."  Sir Laurens is seized with energy and good humor and spends a moment trying to race in three different directions before siding on one.  "Be at the council meeting!" he shouts over his shoulder at you as he strides off.
Haval
After Sir Laurens has gone,  'I get the feeling he's going regardless of anything we say about it. What do you think?' 
rax
 "His old man might have something to say about, " Severin replies.  "If we want to, perhaps we can help sway things by pointing out that a surprise attack on the mining camp could enable an attack through the mines. Maybe even get some help from the slaves to do it?" 
Haval
 'That might be our best chance to get the prisoners out of there.'  Gabriele muses.  'And it's not the most important thing but if it works out they'll owe us a hell of a favour.' 
dojango
After a short rest in the camp you are called into the Duke's tent again for the war council.  The Duke and his sons are seated at a small folding table, while Gabriele and Severin are told to stand at the back of the tent.  After a few more minutes of everyone milling around and young officers trying to push their way to the front, the Duke raps the table and says, "Gentlemen.  The plan is as follows.  Sir Denis will use the camp followers and laborers from Stralwald to build a bridge across the torrent so that the wagons can cross.  Work parties will begin logging immediately to acquire timber for this, the soldiers will provide security as necessary.  Meanwhile, Sir Laurens will lead a hand-picked force of mounted men to perform a chevauchee around Inselberg to try and draw out Tollares, and, if possible, defeat him.  If we can defeat him on the field without having to storm the Inselberg, so much the better.  If not, then once the rest of the army is able to reach the fortress, we will besiege it and storm it, if needed.  Are there any questions?"  The Duke pauses for a moment and then resumes, as if to indicate that he does not intend to answer any questions.  "Sir Laurens will leave with his chosen men tomorrow morning.  The rest of you will work with Sir Denis to construct the bridge and move the supply wagons across the canyons.  Dismissed."
Haval
Gabriele leans down to Severin and asks quietly,  'Wait, what's a chevauchee?'  Did she need to learn Bretonnian at some point?
rax
 "Dunno, some sort of trick or feint, maybe? Sounds likely if it's intended to draw Sol out of his hidey-hole,"  Severin whispers back.
dojango
The rest of the day is spent in a welter of activity; mounts and spare mounts are collected, swords and lances are sharpened, tack is repaired and supplies are parceled out.   Your saddler friends are more then happy to accept their payment, in between their rushing around.  The cart is tucked away out of sight of the rest of the army and everything is still there.  Unfortunately, due to the state of the roads and the ford, even though the cart is lighter than the heavy wagons it still won't be able to cross the flooded ravine without a lot of work that the horsemen are unlikely willing or able to provide.

Sir Laurens is in high spirits by the time he finds you at dinner.  "This is just splendid, splendid," he says.  "If we can draw out the old bandit and take his head there'll be no need for a messy siege."
rax
 "Sir Laurens, about this chevauchee thing. I'm guessing it's some sort o' feint or something to provoke Sol into leaving his fort?"  Severin asks the young knight.
Haval
Gabriele is grumpy about the cart.  'And there's people who move goods around all the time. I don't know how they get anything done.' 

On the chevauchee.  'So we pretend to be bandits or something? What would he care enough about to send guys out to look for us?' 
dojango
"Yes, precisely.  We attack something he has to defend.  His honor... but he is a bandit and doesn't have any.  His food supplies or his allies... he must defend them or he will lose them.  And if he can be beaten on the field, we fight, and if not, we fall back and wait for reinforcements.  We win either way!  Or so my father says."
Haval
 'Well he's only got so many people hasn't he? Anyone that get's caught outside is one less person to defend the town.'  Gabriele looks to Severin,  'What would the chances be that we might run into Gretchen again though?' 
dojango
"Gretchen?" asks Sir Laurens. "Who is this Gretchen?"
rax
 "She's Sol's chief scout. A Halfling, like me, but with a mean streak a mile wide. She's got her own crew of scouts and raiders, and I reckon she'll stick with Sol unless things are going really badly. So yes, if anyone's going to respond to us raiding, it'll probably be her gang first,"  Severin answers.

 "Sir Laurens, there is another option. When we were scouting Inselberg, we learned that the mines connect to the old dwarven mansions. The dwarves blocked off the entrances from the mesa, but with enough strong men, we could probably break through and assault the town from below. If we can take the mining camp nice and quiet, it would give us control of the mines and a window of opportunity to launch a surprise attack from the mansions,"  he adds.
dojango
Sir Laurens pauses for a moment as he takes in Severin's comments.  "Aha, you have the bold heart of a chevalier.  If we could take the fortress in a coup de main that would be a triumph indeed, and one over the doubters!"  He glances to where his older brother is.  "What do you think we would need to make this work?"
rax
 "The camp is a short distance from the mesa and protected by a palisade and guards. A suprise attack at night by your raiding party might be enough to take it by storm, though there is another option as well. There are many Halfling slaves in the camp, or rather below it. If they could be freed and armed then they could strike from within as you attack from above. We, umm, came prepared for that eventuality and we also know a secret way in that's not passable for heavily armed men. Getting enough weapons through that way could be quite difficult as well, but if we make several trips, it might work. What do you think, Gabriele?"  Severin answers Sir Laurens.
Haval
On Gretchen,  'There's always the chance she'll not be loyal enough to Sol to stay with him if we could make her a better offer. Just in case we run into her obviously.' 

On the Halflings,  'Depends on how healthy they are after being kept down there doesn't it. But it might be the best chance they're going to get. And any guard that gets taken down by surprise by the mines will be one less to fight on the surface.' 
rax
 "Maybe, but I don't think Gretchen would fancy serving the Duke much. Too fond of her feuds, I reckon. She might agree to cut and run if the odds are stacked too hard against Sol, though,"  Severin says. On the matter of the slaves, he offers no comment, waiting to hear Sir Laurens' reaction.
dojango
Sir Laurens is enthusiastic about the idea, but the man leading the horsemen, a dour-looking sergeant named Simeon Talbot, scowls and says, "That don't seem to be in keepin' with his lordship's orders, sir.  And we got a few score horse with us and they can't go in mines nor up the hill neither.  And if we lose the horses yer father will hang us, that's if Sol's men don't get to us first."

Sir Laurens listens, and then says, "Well, I daresay the mines are the one place we can attack that Sol will have to respond to.  And if we can, as she says, take out his men there will be that much fewer to oppose us.  I won't order anyone to go into the mines but... perhaps with a few bold volunteers..."
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "Maybe, but I don't think Gretchen would fancy serving the Duke much. Too fond of her feuds, I reckon. She might agree to cut and run if the odds are stacked too hard against Sol, though,"  Severin says. On the matter of the slaves, he offers no comment, waiting to hear Sir Laurens' reaction. 
 

 'Don't need to get her working for the Duke, but paying someone money to go away. What's not to like?' 

To Talbot,  'He'd hang us for losing his horses? Seriously?'  Must be a Bretonnian thing.  'If anyone's going down there it would be a hell of a lot easier if you bring someone along whose been there before.' 
dojango
"Sure, if we done screwed up badly enough to lose all our horses.  Either him or that weird elf chick who takes care of them.  She treats them like her own children, she does."

Sir Laurens frowns and adds, "My father would not hang a man for an honest mistake, I am sure.  I do not favor bribery as a whole, but if you think it might work..."
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Sir Laurens is enthusiastic about the idea, but the man leading the horsemen, a dour-looking sergeant named Simeon Talbot, scowls and says, "That don't seem to be in keepin' with his lordship's orders, sir.  And we got a few score horse with us and they can't go in mines nor up the hill neither.  And if we lose the horses yer father will hang us, that's if Sol's men don't get to us first." 
 

  "Ain't going to be no horses  in  the mines, Sergeant. The only way in is through the camp gates or the secret entrance I mentioned before. There's nothing preventing you from riding right up to the camp gates if you like, but the secret entrance - that's a crawlspace, nothing more." 
 "If you do decide to attack the camp, Sir Laurens, you could always leave a man or two behind to tend to the horses while the rest go in on foot. Having the horses nearby will be good if we need to beat a hasty retreat." 
dojango
The sergeant says, "One man in five to stay with the horses."  Sir Laurens nods and says, "Then we have a plan.  We approach the mines and if Sol comes out to fight us, we fight.  If he hides in his fortress we try attacking through the mines.  Severin will lead a hand-picked crew into the mines to arm the slaves and we will challenge Sol in his own fortress.  We leave at dawn so get a good night's rest."  As you leave, the sergeant tells you, "I hope you know what you're doing.  We ain't supposed to stand and fight."
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 Sir Laurens frowns and adds, "My father would not hang a man for an honest mistake, I am sure.  I do not favor bribery as a whole, but if you think it might work..." 
 

 'We'll have to see how she takes it first, but I don't think she's any more interested in dying then the rest of us.' 

To the Sergeant,  'He didn't say anything about having to leave in a hurry if things go bad didn't he?' 
rax
 
 Originally Posted by dojango 
 As you leave, the sergeant tells you, "I hope you know what you're doing.  We ain't supposed to stand and fight." 
 

  "If things get hairy, we can stop after releasing the slaves and torch the mining camp. That would shut down Sol's most important source of income for a good while. I reckon that would count as a proper chevauchee, eh?"  Severin answers.
Haval
 
 Originally Posted by rax 
  "If things get hairy, we can stop after releasing the slaves and torch the mining camp. That would shut down Sol's most important source of income for a good while. I reckon that would count as a proper chevauchee, eh?"  Severin answers. 
 

 'Just got to talk Sir Laurens into not doing anything silly.'  Gabriele agrees.  'Although who knows, maybe all of this will work out.' 
dojango
 
 Originally Posted by Haval 
  'Just got to talk Sir Laurens into not doing anything silly.'  Gabriele agrees.  'Although who knows, maybe all of this will work out.'  
 

"Well.  That's my job, at least," the sergeant says.  "See you bright and early in the morning, we leave as soon as there's light enough to see by."

 
 Spoiler 
Roll perception and navigation to see how well you scout a path ahead
 
dojango
You leave the camp as early as possible.  Once again, Sir Laurens is a little late as the rest of you are saddled up and waiting.  But soon enough you head into the hills towards the ford.  Over the next few days you lead the group up and down the hills and through the arroyos of the valley floor.  You are able to keep out of sight of the wandering herdsmen.  Mostly because they aren't trying to hide, while your group is.  However, this winding route does not make for easy travelling, and Gabriele and Severin soon get turned around.  Eventually you find a small rise and can orient your party, finding yourself too far to the north of Inselberg.  You start heading in the right direction again.  In the afternoon, Sir Laurens and the sergeant meet you for a quick council.  "It's getting late.  A quick push could see us arrive at night, if you want to risk it.  Otherwise, we could camp here and arrive earlier in the morning."  The sergeant tells you, "We're almost out of rations.  We could raid the herders for food, or try and steal it from the town.  Worst comes to worst we could slaughter a few of the horses, but that's a last resort.  The real trouble is that the horses'll start starving soon unless we can find some fodder."  Sir Laurens nods.  "This is your plan, Severin, what do you recommend?  And are there sufficient supplies outside the town for us?"
Haval
 'How much would we need for all the horses? Maybe someone in town is willing to sell us what we need.' 
rax
 "The land close to Inselberg and mining camp is pretty barren. I reckon the horses would have to graze all day just to keep in reasonable shape. As for food for the men, there's probably some supplies in the mining camp itself, but I don't know how much. Since the camp is within eyesight of the town, I'm guessing there's no piles of food waiting for us, at least," Severin ponders Laurens' questions.

 "As for buying supplies in town, that might seem a tad suspicious. We'd need to buy in bulk and transport it down from the mesa - someone's going to want to know what we're up to,"  he says to Gabriele.

 "I reckon we should ideally hit the camp when most of the guards are asleep, so preferably at night or early in the morning. If we rest here for the night, do you think we'll get there early enough in the morning to launch an immediate surprise attack? What with our supply situation, it sounds like we only get one shot at this and there won't be too much time to scout around anyway." 
Haval
 'Depends on who notices, but I grant you it might spoil the surprise of us being here. The mining camp it is then. I feel like they're more worried about people getting out then anyone else getting in.' 
dojango
"If we take a few hour's rest we should be able to make the town before sunrise.  As long as it isn't too cloudy we should be able to find our way.  Mannslieb is waxing strong," says the sergeant.  "It's settled then.  We strike just before sunrise," says Sir Laurens.  "The horses will have to do their best to graze for now, and hopefully we can find some supplies laid in soon."

With that settled upon, watches are set and the men try to get some rest.  A few hours later the second watch starts waking everyone up and everyone gathers their gear and slowly, carefully, start marching towards the distant Inselberg.  Unfortunately, soon after you wake up, the heavens open up and it becomes a torrential downpour.  You see lighting striking the distant mountain and peals of thunder begin to spook the horses.  It takes far longer then you expect to get there and everyone is bone-tired and soaking wet.  It's hard to tell precisely when but you can tell that the sun has already risen by the time the mesa is in sight.  The soldiers turn to Sir Laurens who turns to you.  "Any last thoughts?  Now is the time..." he asks.

 
 Spoiler 
The advantage of the rain is that nobody sees you coming, however, roll against toughness to see how well you handle the ordeal.  Also you realize that the secret tunnel is probably flooded given that it had been carved out by running water.
 
Haval
Gabriele has her hood up to try and keep the rain off.  'If I was up there keeping watch I might find somewhere to stay dry instead of doing my job.'  In response to Sir Lauren's question,  'How's this going to work if we have to swim down there?' 
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Toughness vs. T 41
 (1d100)[ 42 ] 
 
dojango
Sir Laurens says, "I always wondered how they keep the mines from flooding.  But look; the gate is closed.  And I don't see any sentries.  They are probably, like you say, warm and dry somewhere.  We'll need to have a few people climb the fence and open the gate from the inside.  Then the rest of us can charge in and defeat the enemy.  Any volunteers?" he calls back towards the men.
rax
 "I'm not much of a climber, but I've got 10 yards o' rope here on my pony if it'll help any o' you longshanks to get over the wall,"  Severin offers.
Haval
 'I can give it a go but climbing quietly is the thing.' 
dojango
A few of the soldiers volunteer and they move their horses up to the wall.  Standing on the saddle and using ropes they hoist themselves over the wall and lower themselves down on the other side.  Within moments you hear someone shouting "Help, intruders!" from inside.  Then the gates open and one of the volunteers says, "We've been spotted!"  The guards are running out into the rain, brandishing clubs and swords.  Sir Laurens just laughs and says, "Lancers, to me!"  He charges towards the knot of guards followed by about a dozen of the solders.  The Sergeant grunts in annoyance and orders another squad to guard the gate and the spare horses and then leads a second squad off into the rain.

Gabriele and Severin are left at the gate without any clear instructions; the weapons they'd brought are in the supply train, and at the moment none of the halflings are visible.  There are a cluster of shabby buildings and a bunch of raggedy looking tents scattered throughout the mining camp.
rax
 "What do you say? Grab the weapons, sneak in, and try to get them into the hands of the slaves, or rush in, help take out the guards, then hand over the weapons?"  Severin asks Gabriele.
Haval
 'I think we need the rest of this lot with us if we're getting everyone out.'  Gabriele draws her sword. 'I don't want Sir Laurens getting into trouble while we're distracted. Unless you want to split up?' 
rax
 "Sticking together is more to my liking, and I suppose if we can take out the guards now, we can free the slaves and arm them afterwards. But I'm not going hand-to-hand with any o' those ruffians if I can afford it,"  Severin says. Pulling out his sling and a bullet, he nods towards the open gates.  "Let's go, before I change my mind!" 
dojango
Sir Laurens, of course, leads the charge with his lance down and the man he rides down is knocked aside.  He does not get up again.  The momentum of his charge leads him deeper into the camp, out of sight in the pouring rain.  The rest of the mounted crew try to keep up, but there is no cohesion in their ranks, each man seems to go a different direction.  Soon there are a dozen little struggles across the camp; shouts for help and the clash of blades being strangely muted by the downpour.  Directly ahead of the gate is a large building where more guards are coming out of; two horsemen try to face off against nearly a half dozen guards.  More horsemen have run off to the left into the tent camp, while Sir Laurens went off to the right towards the minehead and smelter.  A few horsemen cluster just outside of the gate guarding the spare horses and supplies.  Three guards, lurking along the fence line, start running towards the gate.

 
 Spoiler 
BS tests at -10 due to pouring rain
 
Haval
This was exactly what Gabriele had worried about. Perhaps their side was more organised then it looked but splitting up like this seemed like it was asking for trouble. First things first was to keep the guards away from their supplies. Gabriele's bow is in hand until someone tries to charge her so she'll take a shot at the closest of the guards that was running towards the gates.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 


Half Action - Aim
Half Action - Longbow

vs. BS 57 (+20 for aim with Sharpshooter)
 (1d100)[ 69 ]  (Left Leg)

Any damage (Longbow has AP -1)
 (1d10+3)[ 5 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 28 ] 
 (1d10)[ 8 ] 
 
rax
 "Ugh, that boy needs to learn there's safety in numbers!"  Severin grunts as he sees Laurens go haring off on his own, abandoning command of his men.  "First things first, though,"  he adds, following Gabriele's lead in trying to take down the ruffians approaching the gate.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full action:  Swift attack w/ sling  (1d100)[ 77 ] ,  (1d100)[ 38 ]  vs. 53 (BS 63, -10 for rain)
Damage  (1d10+4)[ 5 ] ,  (1d10+4)[ 10 ] ; -1 AP on all hits from Sure Shot talent

 Ulric's Fury if applicable: 
 (1d100)[ 12 ] ,  (1d100)[ 22 ] 
 (1d10)[ 6 ] ,  (1d10)[ 7 ] 
 Wounds (remaining/total):  12/12
 Fortune Points (remaining/total):  3/3
 
dojango
Gabriele's bowstring has gotten a little wet and her shot misses.  Severin manages to hit one of the men with a sling stone and he curses and points towards the two of them.  The two guards draw their weapons and run towards where Severin and Gabriele are standing.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
With the rain penalty I think that was a miss.  The guards spend their turn running towards you, you're up again.
 
rax
 OOC:  Will running put the guards in melee with Severin and Gabriele on their next turn if we stay where we are?
Haval
It wasn't like she had time to dry her bow off, but now her target was coming towards her. She had hit things in worst situations. Without missing a beat, Gabriele will try and put another arrow in the nearest man before she draws her sword.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

I was going to wait for an answer to the question above and then I got distracted. Can probably make this post anyway.

Free Action - Rapid Reload
Half Action - Aim
Half Action - Shoot the nearest
Free Action - Quick Draw sword

vs. BS 57 (+20 for aim with Sharpshooter) (-10 Rain)
 (1d100)[ 92 ] 
Rerolled to a 35 in the ooc - Left Arm

Any damage (Longbow has AP -1)
 (1d10+3)[ 7 ] 
Any Ulric's
 (1d100)[ 15 ] 
 (1d10)[ 7 ] 

FP: 2/3
 
dojango
Sorry I've been absent a lot, this summer's been really hectic between work and family and stuff.  Hopefully should be back in the swing of things soon.
rax
No worries, I'm coming out of a long creative slump myself. Work and stuff have been getting me down.