When the worm finally stops spasming, Hektor rushes in with a handful of guards, stops and comments, "By the Three, what a mess!"  The wight then looks at Guile and demands, "Just what in the Nine hells happened here?" He then holds up his hand, "Never mind! Gather your gear and report to your boss while I send scouts down the hole."

(this is a good time for out of combat actions, as you see fit.)

Outside, Vanja's horned buddy, Ferrack the minotaur, comes charging up, snorting in concern.  "My sassy lassie! Are you ok?!?"

Vanja looks down in dismay as the acid spots her skin. "Yuck! Ow, that hurts." 

She stows her bow and picks up her shield again, and looks up when she hears the minotaur's voice. "Oh, hi Ferrack. Why are you visiting me at work?"

Quote from Bjorn_Stahle >>

"Ravager  (Now conscious with 13 hit points...)"

"The damage for the spray (doing an average for the whole group) is 13 Hp acid damage or 6 if saved."

 "Oh bilgewater!  Not ag..."  Thud.

Aegnor will move to bind Ravager's wounds and see if they have a healing potion in their backpack to give them.

Aegnor gathers his skelly bones to use for later on once he can cast his animate dead spell again daily.

Aegnor assist the others to get back to the boss in town.

Guile nods to Hektor, "We need to get a handle to security.  Betrayal and sabotage is all I've seen thusfar.  Root out whose behind this and make sure the guards who fled are 'educated' on their duties."

Guile heads off to the boss with the others.

(OOC:  IIRC Ravager was going to get potions, but I forgot to put them on the sheet.  Not sure if I forgot or if this fight came up first.)

A goblin page runs up to Guile and yammers, "Master! The great one has asked for your immediate attendance! Please make haste"  He looks at the weary group and continues on, "Master Phant has prepared healing for you..." The liveried servant scampers away from you towards the temple.

As the group enters the repaired temple, Kaylan Phant rises from one of the desks and looks you over.  "Gather together, let me take care of the wounds you have earned tonight." He then pulls out a small black orb form a pouch and whispers into it.  A feeling of well being rushes through everyone. (Everyone is healed 45 hit points).

"I have made rooms available for you, here, in the temple.  The reason behind this is I've learned that there are those here in camp who have decided that you are too dangerous of a group to let live."  Phant pauses to take a drink from his cup. "Unfortunately, I have yet to learn who they might be, just that they exist." 

He then orders the servant to bring refreshments, he then sits down and says, "Please, all take a seat, tell me what happened." This last statement he directed at Guile.

The servants will return with a finer feast than the rations that you are currently use to.

Guile provides a brief summary of the recent events,

"It would seem our enemies were using umber hulks and the monstrous worm to burrow a tunnel to the mine.  We rooted them out and brought them to the surface.  They were no match for bow, blade, and magic.  The guards, except for one, fled at the sight of the worm.  I'd promote the brave one and lash the rest.  They must know what it means to follow orders."

Guile sighs a heavy sigh from the long day, "I'd like to hear what is discovered from investigating the tunnel tomorrow.  As for tonight, I will enjoy this meal but then must retire to my quarters.  There is magic I must inscribe into the grimoire, as I see some things more clearly."

Vanja looks very interested in the meal and starts tucking in. 

Aegnor feeling much better looks the food over.

Aegnor bows to the master.  He'll enjoy fresh food and wine (a glass or two)  to ease the aching bones. 

He will listen if any information is provided about their duties and that might help them.  He retires to rest for the next day.

Ravager thanked everulyone who helped her on the way to the temple.  She sighs in relief from the healing, listening closely while she eats.

While Guile explains the situation to the priest, a runner comes in and hands him a note.  He frowns and scribbles a quick reply. He turns towards the goblin mage says, "Apparently my decision to have you bunk here in the temple was fortuitous. It looks like your enemies are demanding that you be turned over for treason."

Another runner with several sheeves of parchment and places them in front of Kaylan and whispers "These are the reports you requested." and then shuffles off to his next errand.

"Give a few moments to peruse these, then we'll continue on.", apologizes the human. He then quickly reviews the pages in front of him.

"Well, now isn't that interesting!" The priest then quickly brings you up to date on what has been happening.  You learn that the other members of your group have disappeared and "seemed" to have join the forces opposing your raider group.  That they may have given up information that would have allowed them to burrow under the town and set up if they hadn't encountered those umber hulks chasing that purple worm.   Looks like three groups are involved with the accusations against you.  The first one to make the accusations of your group helping the tunnelers was that gnome who was involved with the assassination of Lord Agnir. The other two groups are most likely making a power play so common among the raiders whenever accusations are made.

"I responded in my note that it could wait until after I had finished with you.  Do wish for me to handled it? I could send you out tomorrow to investigate the tunnels.  Or do you want to take care of it yourself?" Asks the grim man.  "You are officers and can take care of them with the usual methods of intrigue. Either way, I leave the choice to you."

"I'm afraid my method of intrigue is blasting.  I could try countering their arguments.  And we've seen enough duplicates of ourselves the trick is getting old and that gnome is getting me P.O.ed.  Should we go out blasting or investigate the tunnels tomorrow?"

Guile sneers, "I tire of cowards who throw accusations and plot our demise.  We have enough problems making this mine profitable.   With your approval, I'd like to terminate this gnome's service and oust those sympathetic to him."

"I can not help you with your plan because I have to be seen as above the conflict" the priest tells you as he gets up and walks over to a nearby table with a few small bags on it. "I can only allow you three days to take care of this little problem with all your rivals."  He picks up a large one, then walks back to the table that Guile is sitting at and then pours the contents of the out on the table in front of the goblin.  Kaylan looks Guile in the eye and proclaims, "Oh dear, I seem to have dropped all my money, could you help me with that?" The priest then starts to head up the stairs with a final quip, "Good luck in your venture dealing with your rivals, let me know when you are done and I'll update on what we learned about the tunnel."

"So besides that gnome, who are our other rivals?" Ravager asks to no one in particular.

Guile responds to Ravager, "Upstarts, it would seem.  I care little of talk; those who are bold enough to act need to be dealt with accordingly."

Aegnor nods in agreement with Guile, "Take out the leader might be a challenge, but it will send a clear message.  Likewise we can thin the underlings and scare away the leader pretty quickly.  I'm good either way."

"Point me at em and I'll start blasting."

Guile smiles at Ravager's enthusiasm.  "We have many tools at our disposal. I could incinerate the lot, but I am keen to explore all means of intimidation, manipulation, and phantasm to unthread the fellow.  Better for his lot to see him weak, so we can bend their allegiance.  Otherwise, we'll exile them with extreme prejudice."

"Aegnor, what magic do you know to enchant the mind or fabricate illusion?"