Quote from scorch19 >>

“I can stand. And I can help. A few mere skeletons won’t put me down, but it was a near thing.”

Standing Dain fireman carries the other dwarf waving off Aldun’s help knowing that the “help” from a wizard trying to carry things would most likely be a hindrance.

 The body weights 200lbs.

(arcana roll 21)

(History roll 17)

I tell Dain this signet ring is of the Whiteline family and the owner must be an important person. His family is probably interested in giving him a proper burial. 

Sometimes I hold up the arm of the corpse to have the idea I'm helping Dain carry but in fact I'm not.

I would also, as we walk, like to do a medicine check on the corpse to be able to tell what caused his death and how long ago he went. (Medicine roll 7)

While walking back I rattle on about all sorts of things. Everything I know about the Whiteline family. Undead. The area. Magic. Etc.

Dain hands over a collection of items (60lbs) to Aldun from his Backpack to reduce his weight with the stocky dwarf weighing more than he expected.

”you can help by carrying this stuff. Let’s get this body back asap if he’s so important like you say.”

A member of the Whiteline family resides in Kazdahr-Dum, Therro Whiteline a very old dwarf.

The potion of healing was made locally similar herbs and sweet water from an artisan well.  High roll.

Dain unloads several items for Aldun to carry.

It looks like the undead killed this young man…

as you walk back to Kazdahr-Dum you have no encounters and you may short rest as you return.

You are met by 3 dwarven guards about to head to Fjörn’s ford, when they see you two they quickly approach offering to help with the body.  “What happened?  Who’s this young man?  Were you near Fjörn’s Ford?  Come with us the Stonelord will need a report immediately.”

(I take a short rest and use my arcane recovery to get a spell slot back.) 

I explain what we saw and happened in Fjörn's ford and that we suspect this corpse is of a member of the Whiteline family because of the signet ring.

I ask if the guards have something like a stretcher to put the corpse on and a blanket to cover him. If it is a member of the Whiteline family the stone lord would probably like him to look a bit more representable and not tossed over the shoulder of Dain.

The guards use the shafts of their pikes and their cloaks to quickly put together a field stretcher and a cover, which covers the upper torso.  They then lead the way back to the Stone temple.  Once inside they usher the duo quickly through the lower level to a large lavish conference room.  There Stonelord Pleunket and the famous explorer Thrain Blackbeard are sitting at a table with the young boy from earlier, and the elderly gentleman whom he was speaking to during the autumn festival.

Link post #20

Thrain’s eyes turn towards Aldun, he nods and says, “Well my day is at least getting a bit better.  Stonelord may I present Aldun a true survivor and scholar, perhaps he has already gained some insight into this tragic event.”

Dain recovers one rage and uses both hit dice to max out his hp during the short rest.

Aldun blushes by the compliment in the presence of the stone lord and says; " uhhhh uhh well uhhum... It was mostly Dain (pointing at him). He got some serious hits but managed to get rid of the undead. We found this corpse (pointing at the stretcher) when we were investigating Fjörns ford while it was being dragged away by some skeletons. The brewery seems mostly destroyed and I saw a lot more undead but we wanted to bring this news and the corpse back before maybe giving it another try....

I would also need to do some reading about how to beat shadows and specters because those are there as well. And stock up on one or two healing potions maybe...."

Then Aldun bows awkwardly 

Dain indicates the body. “Unfortunately it seems the undead were bringing him to the brewery for some reason. I suspect there are more bodies there as well. Any help would be appreciated.”

(Upon the guards taking the body, Dain accepts back his items from Aldun)

Stonelord Pleunket, “Well met Aldun and Dain Thrain has spoken well of you both actually.  It seems his words ring true.  These two here are also of the Whiteline family Elder Therro and his great nephew Master Jeorge.  Perhaps Elder Therros could verify the body.  Also guard no not you him, hurry over to archive and fetch my kit and coffer.  As for your reconnaissance and very prompt initiative a reward is quite in order.  Do you prefer money or perhaps a couple potions say one healing and one holy water?”  The Stonelord waits for Elder Therros’ confirmation and your preference of reward.  “Of course we will need to cleanse Fjörn’s Ford of any remaining desecration.  Are you also willing to return, you two are obviously very capable.”

"I would return to help cleanse the area if my companion here chooses to return as well. As for reward, potions seem to meet the current need."

“ Excellent my guards and acolyte will head to the ford and set a camp, you two may eat & rest here at the temple research these shadow and specter spirits.  Then meet at the ford.  I would say it’s best not to go in at night but at first light.  Do you agree?”

The guard returns with a calligraphers desk kit and a coffer as well as the two potions.

”Consider the coffer an advance for tomorrow least you need make some purchases tonight.”

Elder Therros with tears in his old eyes nods to Stonelord Pleunket, (in dwarven) “This is indeed my grandson heir inherent of Fjörn’s brewery which now shall pass to Jeorge if it still stands my Lord.”

A letter of command is written and handed to Aldun entitling Aldun and Dain to direct the guards and acolyte during the foray.

" first of all my condoleances Sir with your loss. I would, with the help of Dain and some more capable people, be willing to join and cleanse fjörns ford. The potions are a generous and royal reward. I would like to ask for one more favour. During my magic studies I must have not paid enough attention. I learned a cantrip with a range of touch (chill touch). I found myself real helpless when out of normal spells in the battle with the undead and as a wizard I don't want to get in touching range. I saw Dain chop down one after the other and all I could do was tickle them a bit (Aldun bows his head a bit as if ashamed). I don't know, my lord, if you have powerfull wizards in your service who can change this

After all the formalities I would like to goto the temple and do some research on the specters and shadows. (History roll 20/ if investigation then roll 22)

The Stonelord looks at Aldun with empathy, “I too was once held against my will helpless to defend innocent victims… I would grant you a blessing from the Forgefather Himself.”

Pleunket holds his arm outstretched in your direction, a hot flash burns through your entire being.  When the reforging is complete Aldun you have one level of exhaustion but may change your cantrips if you’d like.

Pleunket bows his head, “Now if you’ll excuse me.”  He turns looking worn and tired like a river boulder as he leaves presumably to his quarters.

Your research is successful you find a single tome detailing the finer points of such ephemeral beings… ‘The Shades of Grey’

shadow specter

After his studies Aldun joins Dain: "I think we were lucky not to have tried to fight the specters. They're hard to hit and pack a punch themselves as well. It's fascinating reading about them and scary at the same time." 

"You feel up for it tomorrow?" "I got myself the holy water and thought you should have the healing potion. I even have another potion for you if you want cause the amount of beating you got today did scare me."

After some more chitchat Aldun goes to bed wanting to be fit in the morning.

Morning comes on swift wings, mushroom ‘coffee’ and hot ham cheese n egg sandwiches delivered to your rooms a few hours before sunrise.  Good luck best wishes and you’re on your way.  As your leaving you see the wizard’s table from the day before covered by a heavy tarp but apparently just out in the open still laden with items.

looks like the tankard is just under the table on the ground…

I take the tankard just out of curiosity.

Have my breakfast and then on our way

"You keep the other healing potion just in case a loose arrow catches you. I've heard even these skeletons can sometimes wield bows with effective accuracy. The rest has done me wonders and I am ready to shatter more of the undead scourge."

Dain moves over to the table to examine the intricate tankard, pointing it out to Aldun. "This seems a fancy tankard, seems a shame it was left on the ground."

He picks it up and places it onto the tarp covered table.

(edited since Aldun already picked it up)

When you arrive at the Ford the dwarven guards and acolyte are wide awake and rush to meet you as you approach, “Shall we head into Fjörn’s?  They seem very anxious.

(Like scared anxious or anxious to get going and head in?)