The three of you are escorted into the tower. You pass through a small hallway into a large, dark chamber containing benches, weapons racks, desks, a curving stone staircase, and a couple of tables. Three guards are here, together with their boss – a burly, aging, but somewhat imposing man with a wooden leg. He stands and greets you. "Good evening. What brings you to the tower tonight? Let's start with your names. I am Eliander Farbern, captain of the town guard and servant of the crown. Who are you?"
"Good evening, Captain. My name is Periwinkle Fenwader, recently arrived aboard the Alisane. My companions here are Dwal Fiercehammer and Qivys -- I don't believe I got your surname? I'm sorry, Captain, but the three of us only just met this afternoon, during the events in question. I regret to inform you, sir, that one of your men has been killed, by something presumably from another plane."
Captain Farbern finds chairs for you. He listens carefully, and asks a series of measured, sober questions. What, precisely, did you each witness? When did this occur? How did the guard die? Where is the body now? He also asks how each of you came to Saltmarsh, and your plans here.
Overcome with the emotions if the day, Qiv starts telling the tale. Not a condensed version, he has verbal diarrhea. He tells a story of the screeching step, bugs that bite, Stumpy, hobgoblins, mages, secret exits, ham over the fireplace....nothing is left out. Except for his brewing hatred of Sanbalet. He doesn't mention the hatred. He bottles it inside, no doubt for use later. As he reaches the part about the death of his friends his voice drops to but a whisper. It's at this part of his take that he asks the Captain "is it too much to ask that a compliment of guards be sent to retrieve the bodies of my friends? I would be happy to accompany them if you wish." Without missing a beat he continues on to the encounter with Dwal and Peri, leaving out his floating through Quicksilver, but making sure to mention that the Dwarf and Halfling had helped without question and that neither had anything to do with the guards death. On the completion of his narrative he stands motionless for a moment. The weight lifted from his shoulders, he actually appears taller, more himself.
Farbern listens thoughtfully, and instructs the four of you to return at sunrise. You will direct his guards to the location of the body, and also assist them in investigating the house. He seems just as concerned about stopping a potential smuggling operation as he is about the death of his guard.
Peri listens to the dwarf's tale with growing amazement. These strangers they'd met had been through the Nine Hells. He can see the grief on the dwarf's face as he describes his friends' deaths. When Qivys finishes his story, Peri tells the captain his own. He describes seeing flashes of light from the moors, running into Dwal and the boy, then seeing the stag. He describes the aliens as best he can and wraps up when they tumbled out and met Qivys and Red.
When the captain shows them out he turns to Qivys. "That's truly a heavy tale, friend. If you need a drink I'll buy at The Wicker Goat, there."
The captain's guards escort you out of the tower with strict instructions to return tomorrow morning at sunrise. If any of you do not appear, guards will be sent to retrieve you, you are warned. (You are not suspects, but your assistance has now been formally mandated by the crown.)
Where to? Red is long gone, back to the Mariners' Guildhall. Peri is staying above the Wicker Goat; Dwal is staying at the Mining Company Headquarters not too far from the Goat.
Dwal, Peri, and Qivys head west down the hill and enter the Wicker Goat (#3 on the map) - an ancient thick-timbered two-storied wooden building, carefully patched and repaired and remodeled over centuries.
Inside is a lively crowd of mostly dwarven miners and human guards, hosted by the middle-aged man Peri introduces as Lankus. There's plenty of drinking, and a bit of off-key singing, but it's a fairly benevolent crowd by the looks of them.
There's a decent selection of mead and ale and beer available, and a couple of choices of small empty tables to sit at.
Lankus is holding court with a trio of old guards, but takes a moment to give Peri and his friends a smile and an invitation to get a drink.
You listen to the guards chatter about the silver orb and the missing guard (his name was Onald) not realizing that some of the characters in their tales are sitting nearby. (You learn nothing new, however.) They also chat about a band of goblins that robbed a caravan yesterday and disappeared into the marshes - there's a bounty out for the return of the goods.
The dwarves are mostly talking about the mine - Dwal is aquainted with a couple of them. This is a favorite watering hole of the miners he works with.
"Well first things first, we need to show up in the morning. I made a promise to my two lads and while I may have failed them, I WILL NOT dishonour them by leaving them in that accursed house. I intend to help the guards as best I can, but mostly I want to see to the retrieval of my friends." He takes a slug of dwarven spiced mead "after that.....goblin theives sounds like a good a fight than any. Plus, they might be linked to the smugglers"
Qiv will indulge in one more mead if the others are staying, he will then head to the Mariners Hall to sleep it off, ready to meet up with Red for the mornings task.
You listen to the guards chatter about the silver orb and the missing guard (his name was Onald) not realizing that some of the characters in their tale are sitting nearby. (You learn nothing new, however.) They also chat about a band of goblins that robbed a caravan yesterday and disappeared into the marshes - there's a bounty out for the return of the goods.
The dwarves are mostly talking about the mine - Dwal is acquainted with a couple of them. This is a favorite watering hole of the miners he works with.
As Peri finishes his first pint, his face taking on a rosy glow, he stands on the bench and raises his (empty) tankard. "Aye, we'll not leave our friends in that foul place! I too will travel with you to retrieve the fallen heroes! Their bodies shall be returned to the sea... or the earth, or whatever... At dawn, we ride!" He attempts to chug down his ale, then frowns at the empty tankard. Then realizes he's still standing on the bench and awkwardly climbs down. "Ah, if you'll excuse me gentledwarves, I should take myself off to my room. I'll see you tomorrow at the Tower." With that he'll climb the stairs to his room.
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Peri:
"One of your guardsmen is dead on the road west of town. It's a bizarre tale and I'll need to tell it to your commanding officer."
The three of you are escorted into the tower. You pass through a small hallway into a large, dark chamber containing benches, weapons racks, desks, a curving stone staircase, and a couple of tables. Three guards are here, together with their boss – a burly, aging, but somewhat imposing man with a wooden leg. He stands and greets you. "Good evening. What brings you to the tower tonight? Let's start with your names. I am Eliander Farbern, captain of the town guard and servant of the crown. Who are you?"
Peri:
"Good evening, Captain. My name is Periwinkle Fenwader, recently arrived aboard the Alisane. My companions here are Dwal Fiercehammer and Qivys -- I don't believe I got your surname? I'm sorry, Captain, but the three of us only just met this afternoon, during the events in question. I regret to inform you, sir, that one of your men has been killed, by something presumably from another plane."
Captain Farbern finds chairs for you. He listens carefully, and asks a series of measured, sober questions. What, precisely, did you each witness? When did this occur? How did the guard die? Where is the body now? He also asks how each of you came to Saltmarsh, and your plans here.
Qivys
Overcome with the emotions if the day, Qiv starts telling the tale. Not a condensed version, he has verbal diarrhea. He tells a story of the screeching step, bugs that bite, Stumpy, hobgoblins, mages, secret exits, ham over the fireplace....nothing is left out. Except for his brewing hatred of Sanbalet. He doesn't mention the hatred. He bottles it inside, no doubt for use later. As he reaches the part about the death of his friends his voice drops to but a whisper. It's at this part of his take that he asks the Captain "is it too much to ask that a compliment of guards be sent to retrieve the bodies of my friends? I would be happy to accompany them if you wish." Without missing a beat he continues on to the encounter with Dwal and Peri, leaving out his floating through Quicksilver, but making sure to mention that the Dwarf and Halfling had helped without question and that neither had anything to do with the guards death. On the completion of his narrative he stands motionless for a moment. The weight lifted from his shoulders, he actually appears taller, more himself.
Farbern listens thoughtfully, and instructs the four of you to return at sunrise. You will direct his guards to the location of the body, and also assist them in investigating the house. He seems just as concerned about stopping a potential smuggling operation as he is about the death of his guard.
Dwal
Qwal will just sit back and let Qivys tell his tale, taking mental notes.
Peri:
Peri listens to the dwarf's tale with growing amazement. These strangers they'd met had been through the Nine Hells. He can see the grief on the dwarf's face as he describes his friends' deaths. When Qivys finishes his story, Peri tells the captain his own. He describes seeing flashes of light from the moors, running into Dwal and the boy, then seeing the stag. He describes the aliens as best he can and wraps up when they tumbled out and met Qivys and Red.
When the captain shows them out he turns to Qivys. "That's truly a heavy tale, friend. If you need a drink I'll buy at The Wicker Goat, there."
The captain's guards escort you out of the tower with strict instructions to return tomorrow morning at sunrise. If any of you do not appear, guards will be sent to retrieve you, you are warned. (You are not suspects, but your assistance has now been formally mandated by the crown.)
Where to? Red is long gone, back to the Mariners' Guildhall. Peri is staying above the Wicker Goat; Dwal is staying at the Mining Company Headquarters not too far from the Goat.
Qivys
"If the offer of a pint still stands...." He looks at Peri with a sly grin.
The three of you head off to the Wicker Goat.
(Will post more later today!)
Dwal
Dwal will follow along, not saying much. Once the get to the Wicked Goat and have a pint in their hands, at a table, he will say:
"Twas a tale befitting any hall. What are your plans now Qivys?"
Peri:
Peri will introduce his new friends to Lankus and then buy the first round.
Dwal, Peri, and Qivys head west down the hill and enter the Wicker Goat (#3 on the map) - an ancient thick-timbered two-storied wooden building, carefully patched and repaired and remodeled over centuries.
Inside is a lively crowd of mostly dwarven miners and human guards, hosted by the middle-aged man Peri introduces as Lankus. There's plenty of drinking, and a bit of off-key singing, but it's a fairly benevolent crowd by the looks of them.
There's a decent selection of mead and ale and beer available, and a couple of choices of small empty tables to sit at.
Lankus is holding court with a trio of old guards, but takes a moment to give Peri and his friends a smile and an invitation to get a drink.
Dwal
Dwal drinks little and listens more. He is unsure that drinking and the like will help folks with their grief but will go along.
There is little else for Dwal to do but will ask Qivys:
"So" he asks, "What is you next move lad?"
You listen to the guards chatter about the silver orb and the missing guard (his name was Onald) not realizing that some of the characters in their tales are sitting nearby. (You learn nothing new, however.) They also chat about a band of goblins that robbed a caravan yesterday and disappeared into the marshes - there's a bounty out for the return of the goods.
The dwarves are mostly talking about the mine - Dwal is aquainted with a couple of them. This is a favorite watering hole of the miners he works with.
Qivys
"Well first things first, we need to show up in the morning. I made a promise to my two lads and while I may have failed them, I WILL NOT dishonour them by leaving them in that accursed house. I intend to help the guards as best I can, but mostly I want to see to the retrieval of my friends." He takes a slug of dwarven spiced mead "after that.....goblin theives sounds like a good a fight than any. Plus, they might be linked to the smugglers"
Qiv will indulge in one more mead if the others are staying, he will then head to the Mariners Hall to sleep it off, ready to meet up with Red for the mornings task.
You listen to the guards chatter about the silver orb and the missing guard (his name was Onald) not realizing that some of the characters in their tale are sitting nearby. (You learn nothing new, however.) They also chat about a band of goblins that robbed a caravan yesterday and disappeared into the marshes - there's a bounty out for the return of the goods.
The dwarves are mostly talking about the mine - Dwal is acquainted with a couple of them. This is a favorite watering hole of the miners he works with.
Dwal
Listening to Qivys plans Dwal will ponder a moment then say:
"If you could use the company I'll attend with you and we can give your fallen companions a proper ceremony."
Peri:
As Peri finishes his first pint, his face taking on a rosy glow, he stands on the bench and raises his (empty) tankard. "Aye, we'll not leave our friends in that foul place! I too will travel with you to retrieve the fallen heroes! Their bodies shall be returned to the sea... or the earth, or whatever... At dawn, we ride!" He attempts to chug down his ale, then frowns at the empty tankard. Then realizes he's still standing on the bench and awkwardly climbs down. "Ah, if you'll excuse me gentledwarves, I should take myself off to my room. I'll see you tomorrow at the Tower." With that he'll climb the stairs to his room.