"me? I'm fine, I didn't get hurt or anything" Archie answers unaware of what may have provoked the question from Reya, "I should be asking you that question, I got a bit distracted with roo and now this, is your leg stiff or anything? Sometimes arcane healing leave you a bit stiff."
Half listening to the response from Reya and half listening to the story from Nib, Archie ends up concerned once more, but let's the others get more info out of Nib, the miner situation sure did sound like something that the group could handle, and Archie's sense of justice and vigilantism takes over her mind a little bit.
Corlith looks at the state Nib is in, both physically and emotionally, and then across to Reed who is resolutely preparing to leave the group.
"Reed", he says, looking to get the halfling's attention. "Everything I am doing is to keep my family safe. My parents live in Baldur's Gate, and over the last few days you have helped make them safer. As much as I am keen to get to Candlekeep, I cannot carry on down that road until I know your loved ones are safe too".
"If it is ok with you, I will tag along?", he offers. "I mean, I know it is not like you need the company", he adds, motioning to the air around Reed with a grin. "But perhaps I will prove more useful. Assuming we get a chance to rest on the way that is".
"We come from Thornvalley," Reed says, indicating Nib as part of the we. "It's a few days east, in a valley in the Trielta Hills."
He helps Nib up on to the pony and introduces the tressym to his sister. "This is Slobberchops."
Reed turns back to Corlith.
"These miners came once before when they found gold not far from the village. They forced many in the village to work for them in just terrible conditions. That's really when I discovered how quiet I can be, especially on homicide missions. I thought that without most of their leaders they'd never come back."
He steps closer and shakes Corlith's hand.
"I'd be glad of your company. I think there's an awful lot more killing that needs to be done."
"Hey uhh, me too! I mean I'll tag along, if that's ok...? I don't think a few days there and a few days back is gonna kill me... I hope.
But if there's people being pushed around, then we're with you, the IronMaiden doesn't stand by when things can be done to help! And I'm sure Corlith and I aren't the only ones, right?" Archie looks around the group, lingering on Reya, for signs that they'll stay as a group and help out Reed's home, though she very much doubts Fisk's loyalty and willingness the most.
The rooster, having apparently bolted during the battle, was gone. The hen, however, remained. Roo spends a moment preening himself in front of her, and then preening her neck feathers before puffing up to his full height so she could see his magnificent (and blood spattered...) plummage.
It only takes a little bit of listening for the Gallus to look confused again. He watches the interaction with Nib and Reed and keeps tilting his head from side to side quickly as he takes the whole thing in. Finally he pipes up so that anyone can answer him.
"Why is his face leaking, buck?" The Gallus says, unsure of what he is watching. "Where is all that water coming from?"
Then he straightens up more, ruffling his feathers when Reed says something about killing.
"Oooh...yes! Yes yes, sally forth, every man Jack of you! We were looking for a scrap, and it looks like we found one possibly worthy of our time! No half assed featherless flying falsities! This time we're killing honest to Gallus miners! The absolute worst thing ever!"
Corlith listens to Reed and Roo speak of murdering the miners and finds himself unsurprised. More unsurprising is that he cannot find any strong feelings within himself that disagree.
"If these miners are enslaving your people, and they haven't learned from the previous lesson, then I will follow your lead Reed. Although I might also indulge my curiosity as to their motives in this matter. I mean, folk go a bit mad for gold it is true, but it takes a certain kind of person to stoop to slavery".
Turning to Archie he replies, "You are a full grown adult now Archie, of course able to make her own decisions. If you are sure it is what you want to do".
He hears Roo is on board, which was expected, it only remains to be seen if the others will also follow Reed on his detour.
As the serious moment approaches Virro sits on his horse, face resolute, nodding. Then he hears Roo ask “What is a miner?” And he makes a snorting laugh, breaking the tension. “Absolutely Reed, count me in. Maybe I can help as well.” He hops down off his horse and then starts to act like a puppet on a set of strings, with herky jerky movements and speaks in a stuttering voice, “Oh, if only - my - shield - will - let - me - do - so…..Uhhhhh”. He moves and acts contorted with his body, then jumps up straight and smiles, laughing. “Of course I’m going! Let’s get on with it! We can take a detour away from Candlekeep to Thornvalley. Let’s handle these miners once and for all.” He looks around, seeing if anyone got alarmed at his mummer’s play or got his joke, then gets back onto his horse, ready to head on.
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A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Corlith can't stop the slight grin appearing on his face as he watches Virro prance around like a marionette.
"You know, I don't think anyone would be surprised at the devil shield being ok to tag along with Reed on his proposed killing spree", he says to Virro whilst giving off a bit of a chuckle, showing he wasn't trying to be all serious still. "I appreciate your lightening the mood, things did get a little tense there".
Archie leans down real close to Roo and whispers to him, "human minors are any of them that are roughly under 18-20 years of age, but I'm not sure at what age halflings stop being miners, all you gotta know is they're featherless... Probably."
She straightens up at Corlith, and let's some warmth enter her voice, "yeah actually, with all this crap going on I'd forgotten, I'm an adult! I can do what I like! Hah!"
Reed smiles at his companions and claps his hands together.
With everyone going this should be the work of a moment.” Reed says.
He laughs as well at Virro’s performance though his eyes do linger on the shield for a moment or two longer.
”I don’t know how many actual miners there are. It’s just what we called them because of the gold mine. Bandits is probably more apt as they made the villagers do most of the actual mining.”
Reed tousles Nib’s hair.
”Mum and dad are as good as saved.”
Reed turns his pony around and starts leading the way to Thornvalley.
Wilfred grabs the armor from the fallen demon once it cools.
As Nib runs from the bushes, he grabs his glaive. Then he loosens his grip as Reed introducers her. He jumps off of Bart and watches from the side, not wanting to intrude. As the talk of family comes up he busies himself with cinching up the pack on Bartholomew. If any one looks, he wipes a tear from his eye.
He smiles as the others say they are going. He turns back. There is a tear mark in the dust from the road that Wilfred doesn't notice. "Family is... Ahem, sorry something's caught in my throat. Family is important. It's the most important thing. We will help save you parents. Let them try and stop us! So.... which way is Thornvalley?"
Roo hears Archie and bobs his head up and down on his absurdly long neck.
"Ah, I see I see...so we must kill this bandit children who have abducted Reed's mother." He says, like this makes instant sense. "This should be wonderful! I have always found featherless children to be abominable little creatures. So ugly and brutish. This should be quite the scrap indeed, buck! Oooh! I hope it's those featherless children that used to come to the edge of the flockyard and throw rocks at the hens! I could use the weird long fur on their heads to make a cloak!"
Reya looks on to Candlekeep as the others start gathering and in a meek sort of fashion.. "What about Elturel?" Split by her love for her city and home and by this new group of misfits that are winning her over, she knows there is no way she would let them face whatever Reed's family is facing without her. Turning her horse to follow the rest, she looks over her shoulder towards Candlekeep once more and sighs.
Not wanting to let the puzzlebox out of his sight and figures that should he try to leave the group, issues would arise, Fisk shrugs and trails the rest as they all follow Reed and Nib towards their home town.
The way east is quiet during their travels. After a couple nights of campfires and chats, the party finally crests the last hill and Thornvalley lays at the base. It is midmorning and you arrive into the small hamlet from the East, as you look around, you don't see anyone walking around enjoying the day. Until you get closer to the center of it all and see a small girl running away from the well with a bucket of water, most of it sloshing out, soaking her ankles. She disappears down the road to the north.
During travel Archie attempts to quell the anxiety that Rents must be feeling, promising her that she has made the right decision and that this group has all the tools needed to save Elturel, after this side stop.
Once he town is in sight and the group are meeting the first of the houses Archie pipes up "Reed? Which one is your house, maybe we should stop and plan before we seek out the mine?"
On the second night of camp on their journey to Thornvalley, Corlith will offer to share watch with Virro, adding with a whisper only he can hear, "I would like to talk". He doesn't push it if Virro declines though.
As they arrive in Thornvalley, Corlith comments quietly, "It is as lovely as you said Reed, although quieter than I would have expected. Do you think these bandits have taken more of your people, or are they just keeping out of sight of us strangers?".
After the girl runs off from the well, he scans the houses to see if there any eyes watching them, focussing as he does so.
Reed smiles as they crest the ridge and see the village spread out in front of them.
In response to Corlith's and Archie's questions, Reed quickly goes into proud tour guide mode.
"That's our place there, the Boughbuck Brewery. Mum and dad make the best ales in Faerun," Reed says, indicating a large building across the plaza. He then quickly starts pointing out other buildings too. "That's Thunderbee's Honey and Mead. Good honey but be careful of Sheryl and Daryl Thunderbee. They get really worked up if you sneak into their wildberry patch. Oh, and that's Grandcheek's Fromagier. Eowyn makes the best stinky cheeses."
Reed turns his head around, also taking in the complete lack of people.
"That's the Faded Frog. Callum runs the place now." Reed says. "That's the Whistling . . ."
Reed trails off when he really registers clear how quiet the village is.
"They're always cautious with outsiders, but this is too quiet." Reed says then looks at Nib. "This is bad. Let's get the animals settled and then we can see if there's anyone around at all."
Reed leads the group to the brewery and around the back of the building to a fenced in yard where the pony, donkey and horses can graze.
Archie hangs back by the main road as the group settle their steeds, handing off the reins to Reya and asking her to do the honours whilst Archie takes a look around.
She is back pretty quickly, not wanting to wander off, "Reed, I caught the tail end of that girl who ran off, she went into the farmstead just up the road, the one that says Longglade above the door. Should we go over and give it a knock?"
Reed looks down the road in the direction of the Longglade's home and nods.
"Yeah, good idea," Reed says but then look at Roo and Archie and the pouches full of fingers at Virro's waist and pauses for a moment. "Maybe when we do, let me knock while the rest of you hang back a little in the street."
He first goes to the back door of the brewery / home and opens it, calling inside "Anybody home?"
Assuming nothing has changed since Nib left and the home is empty, Reed leads the group to the Longglade home and knocks on the door.
While waiting for a response, he asks Nib "Are they mining in the same spot as last time?"
Nib notices Reed's reaction to no one around and she hangs her head a bit. "Yeah, we've stayed away from the roads and the windows the best we can, as miners come and go, if they see one of us they deem strong enough to work the mines.. we no longer are in Thornvalley. I hope no one else has been taken away since I've been gone."
As they enter the brewery, Nib breathes a sigh of relief and goes to wash her face in the basin quick, trying to rinse some of the grime away. Looking to everyone she asks, "Anyone want some food? There is still plenty of food in the pantry.. there is no one home to eat it." she looks down at this and shrugs. The elation of finding her brother has been sucked out of her being in the midst of their troubles.
"Mind if I hang out here for awhile? I'm not really up to meeting the neighbors." Fisk doesn't really look the best, he's been malnourished while imprisoned and the traveling hasn't done him any favors.
As they wait for the Longglades to answer the door, Nib nods, "Yeah, same spot."
After what feels like a long time, you hear on the other side of the door the sound of a little girls voice, "What do you want"
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"me? I'm fine, I didn't get hurt or anything" Archie answers unaware of what may have provoked the question from Reya, "I should be asking you that question, I got a bit distracted with roo and now this, is your leg stiff or anything? Sometimes arcane healing leave you a bit stiff."
Half listening to the response from Reya and half listening to the story from Nib, Archie ends up concerned once more, but let's the others get more info out of Nib, the miner situation sure did sound like something that the group could handle, and Archie's sense of justice and vigilantism takes over her mind a little bit.
Corlith looks at the state Nib is in, both physically and emotionally, and then across to Reed who is resolutely preparing to leave the group.
"Reed", he says, looking to get the halfling's attention. "Everything I am doing is to keep my family safe. My parents live in Baldur's Gate, and over the last few days you have helped make them safer. As much as I am keen to get to Candlekeep, I cannot carry on down that road until I know your loved ones are safe too".
"If it is ok with you, I will tag along?", he offers. "I mean, I know it is not like you need the company", he adds, motioning to the air around Reed with a grin. "But perhaps I will prove more useful. Assuming we get a chance to rest on the way that is".
Reed smiles at Corlith and nods.
"We come from Thornvalley," Reed says, indicating Nib as part of the we. "It's a few days east, in a valley in the Trielta Hills."
He helps Nib up on to the pony and introduces the tressym to his sister. "This is Slobberchops."
Reed turns back to Corlith.
"These miners came once before when they found gold not far from the village. They forced many in the village to work for them in just terrible conditions. That's really when I discovered how quiet I can be, especially on homicide missions. I thought that without most of their leaders they'd never come back."
He steps closer and shakes Corlith's hand.
"I'd be glad of your company. I think there's an awful lot more killing that needs to be done."
"Hey uhh, me too! I mean I'll tag along, if that's ok...? I don't think a few days there and a few days back is gonna kill me... I hope.
But if there's people being pushed around, then we're with you, the IronMaiden doesn't stand by when things can be done to help! And I'm sure Corlith and I aren't the only ones, right?" Archie looks around the group, lingering on Reya, for signs that they'll stay as a group and help out Reed's home, though she very much doubts Fisk's loyalty and willingness the most.
The rooster, having apparently bolted during the battle, was gone. The hen, however, remained. Roo spends a moment preening himself in front of her, and then preening her neck feathers before puffing up to his full height so she could see his magnificent (and blood spattered...) plummage.
It only takes a little bit of listening for the Gallus to look confused again. He watches the interaction with Nib and Reed and keeps tilting his head from side to side quickly as he takes the whole thing in. Finally he pipes up so that anyone can answer him.
"Why is his face leaking, buck?" The Gallus says, unsure of what he is watching. "Where is all that water coming from?"
Then he straightens up more, ruffling his feathers when Reed says something about killing.
"Oooh...yes! Yes yes, sally forth, every man Jack of you! We were looking for a scrap, and it looks like we found one possibly worthy of our time! No half assed featherless flying falsities! This time we're killing honest to Gallus miners! The absolute worst thing ever!"
He looks at Archie.
"What's a miner?"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Corlith listens to Reed and Roo speak of murdering the miners and finds himself unsurprised. More unsurprising is that he cannot find any strong feelings within himself that disagree.
"If these miners are enslaving your people, and they haven't learned from the previous lesson, then I will follow your lead Reed. Although I might also indulge my curiosity as to their motives in this matter. I mean, folk go a bit mad for gold it is true, but it takes a certain kind of person to stoop to slavery".
Turning to Archie he replies, "You are a full grown adult now Archie, of course able to make her own decisions. If you are sure it is what you want to do".
He hears Roo is on board, which was expected, it only remains to be seen if the others will also follow Reed on his detour.
As the serious moment approaches Virro sits on his horse, face resolute, nodding. Then he hears Roo ask “What is a miner?” And he makes a snorting laugh, breaking the tension. “Absolutely Reed, count me in. Maybe I can help as well.” He hops down off his horse and then starts to act like a puppet on a set of strings, with herky jerky movements and speaks in a stuttering voice, “Oh, if only - my - shield - will - let - me - do - so…..Uhhhhh”. He moves and acts contorted with his body, then jumps up straight and smiles, laughing. “Of course I’m going! Let’s get on with it! We can take a detour away from Candlekeep to Thornvalley. Let’s handle these miners once and for all.” He looks around, seeing if anyone got alarmed at his mummer’s play or got his joke, then gets back onto his horse, ready to head on.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Corlith can't stop the slight grin appearing on his face as he watches Virro prance around like a marionette.
"You know, I don't think anyone would be surprised at the devil shield being ok to tag along with Reed on his proposed killing spree", he says to Virro whilst giving off a bit of a chuckle, showing he wasn't trying to be all serious still. "I appreciate your lightening the mood, things did get a little tense there".
Archie leans down real close to Roo and whispers to him, "human minors are any of them that are roughly under 18-20 years of age, but I'm not sure at what age halflings stop being miners, all you gotta know is they're featherless... Probably."
She straightens up at Corlith, and let's some warmth enter her voice, "yeah actually, with all this crap going on I'd forgotten, I'm an adult! I can do what I like! Hah!"
Reed smiles at his companions and claps his hands together.
With everyone going this should be the work of a moment.” Reed says.
He laughs as well at Virro’s performance though his eyes do linger on the shield for a moment or two longer.
”I don’t know how many actual miners there are. It’s just what we called them because of the gold mine. Bandits is probably more apt as they made the villagers do most of the actual mining.”
Reed tousles Nib’s hair.
”Mum and dad are as good as saved.”
Reed turns his pony around and starts leading the way to Thornvalley.
Wilfred grabs the armor from the fallen demon once it cools.
As Nib runs from the bushes, he grabs his glaive. Then he loosens his grip as Reed introducers her. He jumps off of Bart and watches from the side, not wanting to intrude. As the talk of family comes up he busies himself with cinching up the pack on Bartholomew. If any one looks, he wipes a tear from his eye.
He smiles as the others say they are going. He turns back. There is a tear mark in the dust from the road that Wilfred doesn't notice. "Family is... Ahem, sorry something's caught in my throat. Family is important. It's the most important thing. We will help save you parents. Let them try and stop us! So.... which way is Thornvalley?"
Reed smiles up at Wilfred.
"Thank you," he says. Then points east. "It's east, nestled in the most idyllic valley in the Trielta Hills."
Roo hears Archie and bobs his head up and down on his absurdly long neck.
"Ah, I see I see...so we must kill this bandit children who have abducted Reed's mother." He says, like this makes instant sense. "This should be wonderful! I have always found featherless children to be abominable little creatures. So ugly and brutish. This should be quite the scrap indeed, buck! Oooh! I hope it's those featherless children that used to come to the edge of the flockyard and throw rocks at the hens! I could use the weird long fur on their heads to make a cloak!"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Reya looks on to Candlekeep as the others start gathering and in a meek sort of fashion.. "What about Elturel?" Split by her love for her city and home and by this new group of misfits that are winning her over, she knows there is no way she would let them face whatever Reed's family is facing without her. Turning her horse to follow the rest, she looks over her shoulder towards Candlekeep once more and sighs.
Not wanting to let the puzzlebox out of his sight and figures that should he try to leave the group, issues would arise, Fisk shrugs and trails the rest as they all follow Reed and Nib towards their home town.
The way east is quiet during their travels. After a couple nights of campfires and chats, the party finally crests the last hill and Thornvalley lays at the base. It is midmorning and you arrive into the small hamlet from the East, as you look around, you don't see anyone walking around enjoying the day. Until you get closer to the center of it all and see a small girl running away from the well with a bucket of water, most of it sloshing out, soaking her ankles. She disappears down the road to the north.
During travel Archie attempts to quell the anxiety that Rents must be feeling, promising her that she has made the right decision and that this group has all the tools needed to save Elturel, after this side stop.
Once he town is in sight and the group are meeting the first of the houses Archie pipes up "Reed? Which one is your house, maybe we should stop and plan before we seek out the mine?"
On the second night of camp on their journey to Thornvalley, Corlith will offer to share watch with Virro, adding with a whisper only he can hear, "I would like to talk". He doesn't push it if Virro declines though.
As they arrive in Thornvalley, Corlith comments quietly, "It is as lovely as you said Reed, although quieter than I would have expected. Do you think these bandits have taken more of your people, or are they just keeping out of sight of us strangers?".
After the girl runs off from the well, he scans the houses to see if there any eyes watching them, focussing as he does so.
Perception (with Guidance): 5+5+4 = 14 (Passive: 15)
Reed smiles as they crest the ridge and see the village spread out in front of them.
In response to Corlith's and Archie's questions, Reed quickly goes into proud tour guide mode.
"That's our place there, the Boughbuck Brewery. Mum and dad make the best ales in Faerun," Reed says, indicating a large building across the plaza. He then quickly starts pointing out other buildings too. "That's Thunderbee's Honey and Mead. Good honey but be careful of Sheryl and Daryl Thunderbee. They get really worked up if you sneak into their wildberry patch. Oh, and that's Grandcheek's Fromagier. Eowyn makes the best stinky cheeses."
Reed turns his head around, also taking in the complete lack of people.
"That's the Faded Frog. Callum runs the place now." Reed says. "That's the Whistling . . ."
Reed trails off when he really registers clear how quiet the village is.
"They're always cautious with outsiders, but this is too quiet." Reed says then looks at Nib. "This is bad. Let's get the animals settled and then we can see if there's anyone around at all."
Reed leads the group to the brewery and around the back of the building to a fenced in yard where the pony, donkey and horses can graze.
Archie hangs back by the main road as the group settle their steeds, handing off the reins to Reya and asking her to do the honours whilst Archie takes a look around.
She is back pretty quickly, not wanting to wander off, "Reed, I caught the tail end of that girl who ran off, she went into the farmstead just up the road, the one that says Longglade above the door. Should we go over and give it a knock?"
Reed looks down the road in the direction of the Longglade's home and nods.
"Yeah, good idea," Reed says but then look at Roo and Archie and the pouches full of fingers at Virro's waist and pauses for a moment. "Maybe when we do, let me knock while the rest of you hang back a little in the street."
He first goes to the back door of the brewery / home and opens it, calling inside "Anybody home?"
Assuming nothing has changed since Nib left and the home is empty, Reed leads the group to the Longglade home and knocks on the door.
While waiting for a response, he asks Nib "Are they mining in the same spot as last time?"
Nib notices Reed's reaction to no one around and she hangs her head a bit. "Yeah, we've stayed away from the roads and the windows the best we can, as miners come and go, if they see one of us they deem strong enough to work the mines.. we no longer are in Thornvalley. I hope no one else has been taken away since I've been gone."
As they enter the brewery, Nib breathes a sigh of relief and goes to wash her face in the basin quick, trying to rinse some of the grime away. Looking to everyone she asks, "Anyone want some food? There is still plenty of food in the pantry.. there is no one home to eat it." she looks down at this and shrugs. The elation of finding her brother has been sucked out of her being in the midst of their troubles.
"Mind if I hang out here for awhile? I'm not really up to meeting the neighbors." Fisk doesn't really look the best, he's been malnourished while imprisoned and the traveling hasn't done him any favors.
As they wait for the Longglades to answer the door, Nib nods, "Yeah, same spot."
After what feels like a long time, you hear on the other side of the door the sound of a little girls voice, "What do you want"