Reuniting the Band

Travel to Shalecliff remains uneventful.  You arrive there in the second day without incident.

Changes have occurred since your last visit.  There are additional palisade walls now.  The four gatehouses are rebuilt with stone as well.

Assuming the guards recognize the returning saviors and heros The Company are and aren't harassed at the gate Chadwick will head directly to the Temple.

Starker goes to Arnak’s Tower and invites others to join him if they like. 

Kragen will head with Brother Chadwick to the Temple.

I suggest we meet up at Jotrun's Later and download with Haney and others.

We should also check in with Bronk, see how he is doing? Anyone have an issue if i gift him the Bracers of Defense if we can use them?

No objection from the wizard. 

Fine with Trolkarl also. 

Trolkarl will inquire about the town to check if there have been any incidents along the trail leading to the tower or sightings of wraiths outside the town. 

Shalecliff is familiar and renewed.  The walls and gatehouses have been rebuilt, this time with stone.  Twenty foot high walls now surround town in a slightly expanded footprint.  Attached to these walls are new palisade wooden walls enclosing many of the housing areas that were previously outside of the walls.  There are many new buildings as well.  Town has grown since you were here last.

Bessia is happy to see Chadwick and Kragen at the temple.  The building damage to the temple has been repaired.  Two new novices are there as well.  She catches you up on local news.  There have been more 'occurences' related to the ruins to the south.  Sighting of strange beings dressed in full armor leaving behind a strange resinous substance.  Very unusual stuff for sure.  

Jotrun's becomes more lively on your arrival.  Several folks you recognize are there.  Jotrun greets you himself and sets you up with drinks and a meal.  Hanny joins the room later in the day and greets you when he sees you.  Arnak is not in town, unfortunately.

You learn that the relationship with the Stonejaws has been good for all sides.  They have delivered stone from the mines which has been incorporated into the new walls and gatehouses.  Shalecliff has traded their agricultural goods and supplies.  Growth has been great for all involved.  

Bronk is currently out of town with his Blood-Eyes.  Sannek, the guard captain is there as well.  He says he will have them hoist the Blood-Eye pennant.  That should get him back soon.

Starker inquires as to Arnak’s expected date of return and leaves a message with the majordomo that he (Starker) has important information about Kellistor and his Tower. He leaves a note of where he can be found for the next few nights.

He heads to Jotrun’s. 

Starker to The Company: “I would appreciate it if you were to join me when I summon a new Cyrus. Father Kragen’s remarks led to a hypothesis that is fascinating:  perhaps Cyrus took on aspects of my personality because I was the only one around when he manifested. Imagine instead a spider monkey who combines the exceptional nature of each of us. A strong, dextrous, wise, intelligent, and charismatic mangophilic murder monkey. I have some deas about how to change the emPHAsis of certain syLAbles in the incantation to bring this result about.

“Please join me at dawn.”

"That's not going to require any blood letting will it?" Chadwick looks suspiciously at Starker

Chadwick enjoys the day visiting with old friends and checking out the new defensive fortifications. He inquires if they are preventive, or if they've had any trouble. He compliments the work and mentions he's likely to incorporate some of their ideas when he builds the palisade for his farmstead. He takes some notes in his normal chicken scratches along with a few drawings. 

When visiting with Bessia and the novices he donates a few hundred gold various coins. He also gifts them the mace and behalf of The Company. If one of the novices will be taking it he offers to spare the next day to help them get familiar with it (if they're of the martial sort). He listens carefully to the stories and news from Bessia. He is excited about the growth of the town, he is clearly invested in their well being. “It's almost like a second home.” He tells Bessia. “Would it be ok if I come back tomorrow so we can discuss and reflect on another (pauses) matter that has been weighing on me?”

To the amusement and slight confusion to the local gruff horse trader he tells him happily how Daisy the mule has survived through their ordeals and has retired to a quiet farm. He buys some feed and apples for The Company's horses and mules.

He visits the smithy and thanks him again for the arms he provided. “While I might have switched them out now, they served me well over the years. You should check out Kragen's new hammer, it was forged by Storm giants!” He gleefully tells him with amazement and wonder of the process. He doesn't go into any detail of where the materials came from to forge the new hammer.

Finally he heads to Jotrun’s for drinks and a hearty meal with his friends.

During his visits and conversations he never mentions anything of the lich or artifacts. In the retelling of the defeat of Grynder there is no mention of betrayal. 

Starker to Sir Chadwick:”No, no bloodletting. Incense burning, yes; bloodletting, no … but wait…. , now that I think about it, … hmmm … <takes out his notebook, checks a few notes, does a few calculations> … no, not while The Tears are lacking the perelandrian syzygy.  Thank you though, Good Sir Chadwick. I will remember your suggestion next time I lose a monkey.”

The people of Shalecliff are happy to see you.  Even the innkeeper at the Hallowed Tree seemed unaffected by Starker staying at his establishment.  Real progress.

Hanny is unsure about when Arnak is due back in Shalecliff.  "He is off at some library somewhere.  Looking into some Guardian of the Veil, or, some thing like that," he tells you.  "I do have good news for you.  The Stonejaws were able to get the mine up and running quickly.  Your assistant Gohumbee was successful in his mission to Granitestead.  Several dwarven families returned to join the Stonejaws in addition to a group of refugees from far east in Vaasa.  With all of the working hands there now they were able to get the forges operational and have returned much of the gardens to growing food.  The miners are clearing rubble from the mines which Shalecliff has traded them food and other supplies.  You can see the result of that in the new walls.  After that blue dragon destroyed the wooden gatehouses and walls a more sturdy solution was desired.  Lastly, all of this good fortune has resulted in a profit.  I am helping them manage their books.  In their first full year of operation there were a lot of developmental costs offsetting profits.  But, a profit was made nonetheless.  The Stonejaws determined it was more productive than initially hoped to be.  They were able to pay off loans from other investors without giving up ownership as a result.  Once this was accomplished, they unilaterally decided to increase the ownership of The Company to 3% each and Gohumbee to 2% for a total of 20% of the mine.  Each of you that were a part of the agreement are due payments," Hanny tells you the story of his now second crystal goblet of wine.  It is a deeply purple vintage from Cormyr.  He looks around and exclaims, "What? I had not even noticed that there are new faces amongst you!  And old faces, missing?"  He has a worried look, "No bad news I hope in regards to Gneuman and Hoid?"  Not waiting for an answer, he continues, "Each of you are now due 375gp as your shares of profits."

Kragen greets their old acquittances with a fond smile and hearty handshake. He is pleased to see the improvements and progress that has occurred in Shalecliff. He discusses the reconstruction of the Temple with high priestess Bessia and commends her on her stewardship of the Temple and continuing to expand it's influence in the area. To assist her in continued growth efforts, Kragen adds 300gp to the temple coffers.

When Kragen meets the others at Jotrun's, he is pleased to see the gruff innkeeper, greeting him with a smile. He listens intently to Hanny account for the recent events and the beneficial trade that has occurred with the Stonejaw's. Hearing the news of profits of the mines, Kragen bellows "Huzzah, by Tyr those Stonejaws have already turned a profit!" takes a hearty drink of Dwarven Stout.

Kragen smiles hearing Gohumbee's well earned reward for assisting the Stonejaws.

When Kragen hears of the refugees from Vaasa, he becomes somber and thoughtful. Once Hanny has finished, Kragen looks to the group. "This news of refugees from Vaasa is very concerning to me. It appears that conditions have worsened in my homeland. I am keen to find out what this scrouge, The Warlock Knight Thistlepig, has been up to in my homeland. By Tyr, he will be judged and the scales of justice require balance." Looks into his mug as he contemplates his homeland and his lost parents.

"Master Hanny, it sounds as if Shalecliff continues to prosper, this news warms our hearts. Stay your concern sir, our comrades Gneuman and Hoid are well, the last we saw them, and they have ventured on to attend personal matters."

Master Hanny, have the brothers been able to get the old forges going? Many fine weapons and armour were forged there once from the tales we heard. I would humbley beseech them for the possibility of an upgrade to my old armour. It's served me well, but after years it patching and repairing I would certainly relish a set of fine dwarven plate" (aka magic of something cool).

Chadwick turns his attention to Kragen...

"We've been discussing our next course of action, I think it's been plainly laid out before us. It's time kick this pig!"

Chadwick claps Kragen on the shoulder. I know you dwarves like your sour expressions, but let's try and forget our woes for this evening and enjoy this fine stout and ale with our friends. Tonight we drink, tomorrow we set about righting wrongs."

Starker:”When the Kyton called forth your greatest fear it was the swinish Thistlepig. I owe you much, Good Father Kragen. I will help kill this malfeasor in a manner so convincing that his memory will no longer linger to trouble you. Hopefully this will keep us ahead of Manlor’s vengeful minions.

“Hanny, if you communicate with Albrek please give him this copy of my notes regarding Kellistor and the Veil. I deeply regret that I can not confer with him on this issue of cosmic importance. Certain importance; unknown urgency.”

Hanna looks to Chadwick, then the others.  “Yes.  They have the forges operational.”

He then brightens up responding to Kragen, “That is good news indeed about Hoid and Gneuman.  I can hold their portion here, if you like.”

More rounds of ale follow and the bard is called upon to sing, “Tell us of your travels Song of the Caverns.  What tales of The Company do you bring?”

Hanny accepts the notes from Starker as well, “Consider it done, good sir.”

Kragen smiles and then blushes when he hears his friends vociferous commitment to investigating concerns in his homeland.

Smiles at Sir Chadwick, looking up at him. "Of what i remember, which isn't much, he will be a formidable opponent. However, if my companions are with me, Justice will be served!" 

He looks seriously at Starker "Mage Starker, i would be honored to have your support. Your expert knowledge of the arcane and timely usage has saved use many times." You owe me nothing, Sir."  

He pauses for a moment and then you hear him speak very formally, looking directly at Starker. "Your companionship will be welcome at my hearth and you will always find shelter under the Mountain." Spreads his hands wide and bows formally. Then looks to the others "All of you". Again spreading his hands wide and bowing formally. You get the sense that this last statement is of grave import to Kragen, and seems to be a type of Dwarven formal commitment or pact amongst He and each of you. The silence gets a little uncomfortable....Kragen is hoping Sir Chadwick's country jests will break the silence.

Hanny smiles while watching The Company interact with Kragen.  This seems to affect him in some way positively.  "What are your plans in how to face your former homeland, Kragen?"

Kragen looks to Hanny "That is a good question Master Hanny. My first instinct, knowing there are reugees from Vaasa at Deep Wave, would be to go and interview them and see if i can gather some information about conditions. This may lead me to my next course of actions. Any suggestions you might offer?"

Pauses for a moment to hear the response.