Allansia Wildlands Campaign.

Rufus says, "Getting them back to the city may be challenging. They had friends that may regroup and come back in larger numbers to ambush while we are travelling. I was mostly going to inquire on why they attacked us and if they had seen anything of Connar. But I'm sure if we could get them safely to Chalice the authorities would both appreciate it and get all the information they needed. The dead have no secrets from wizards. What do you think, Brocc?"

After all the conversation the men began to rouse and struggle against their bonds glaring at the companions.

"Well, we can just hang them now. Look, there's a good hanging tree right over there," Hatch said. "I mean, I think I can work out how to tie a noose," he finished, taking out his rope and and placing it around the neck of one of the glowering men. "Hold still while I get this knot right. So you tried to kill me huh, bet you didn't see this coming. Don't suppose you have any last words or something like that do you?"

Quote from Vakanai >>

"Well, we can just hang them now. Look, there's a good hanging tree right over there," Hatch said. "I mean, I think I can work out how to tie a noose," he finished, taking out his rope and and placing it around the neck of one of the glowering men. "Hold still while I get this knot right. So you tried to kill me huh, bet you didn't see this coming. Don't suppose you have any last words or something like that do you?"

 

 " Yer looking to kill us, fer protecting our land? Demon scum."

" We seen you an' yer men creeping about, taking our food and walking our hills.  Using foul sorcery to skeet off our kin."

" Our clan been here since before the Trolltooth Wars, we'll be here long past now...ye kill us yer starting a blood feud, demon.  Will never be safe for ye to step foot'n these hills again."

" Yer be'n watched now. The hills have eyes."

"Wait a moment there..."  Brocc says, holding up a hand.  "We scared off people who were creeping up on our camp without any greeting or offer to talk."  He tells the two.  "We defended ourselves here when you attacked us, again without provokation on our part."  He glares at the two now.  "We have done nothing but travel through these lands, minding our own business.  You call us demons, but it is your people who have antagonized us twice now, and forced us to react as we did."

He nods to the two.  "Both times we acted without force or attempt to do harm to your people."  He glances to the ropes binding them.  "Even when you attacked us here, with weapons, we only worked to disable and our spellcaster put you to sleep instead of casting fire or lightning upon you." He meets their eyes.  "When your people came onto our camp, like thieves in the night - as we slept, our magic user only used a spell that would scare them away instead of blasting them where they stood."  He pauses a moment.  "Does that sound like the actions of demons?"  Brocc moves over and unties them.  "Defend your land as you wish, I have no problem with that." He backs away.  "But do not cast stones at people who you do not know nor who have done no harm to you, when you yourself have done things against them that could be easily seen as nothing but acts of evil."

Hatch sighed as Brocc untied the attackers. "You're really just going to take their word upfront and untie them? I wasn't done scaring them into talking. They actually believed I was going to hang them, you know how valuable that is in interrogation?"

Hatch started putting his rope back into the bag. "Guess the scary bloodthirsty demonborn gig is up. Don't think just because we won't hang you that it means we won't respond with deadly force if you attack again. Seriously what in all the hells is wrong with you people, thinking everybody passing through is creeping and skeeting off of you and your kin? You aren't getting your weapons back, so don't ask. I don't know what previous travelers have done, but your kind of murdery paranoia is something that I will be taking to the proper authorities when we get back to the city."

" Most times them adventurer sorts they be jus' slaughtering our kin, straight up."

" I'm a-marking yer mans words though, yer don't seem so bad. Despite the....", he made vague hand motions around his head and face looking in Hatchs direction.

" To be fair....some-a-time we be stoppin' wagons and taking food and shinies too....but tis our land, so I'm a t'inking its a fair."

" My bror Kletis and t'others will note ourselves not be dead and treat you four kindly from now on."

The other younger man pulled him aside and whispered to him pointing at the four companions.

" Aye, J'thro. Dats being a great notion."

" Can I impose on you folks a little? Theres a critter nearby....been eatin' a few of our youngsters these last weeks....now...our bows are good for deer, birds....occasionally folks....but we can' even scratch the darn thing."

" I know it et a couple of tinkerers last moon....might be summit worth yer while in its cave."

Rufus looks at his comrades and says, "Perhaps we can spare a visit. I don't want anyone's children being eaten. Where be the lair of the nasty beast then?"

(what race are these guys anyways?)

Quote from Vakanai >>

(what race are these guys anyways?)

 (Human.)

Brocc considers the men for a bit.  "Safe passage through these lands and aid if you see us in need of such whenever we pass through."  He counters with a glance between the two.  "If you agree to this, upon the very land of your people, then I too will agree to go and hunt this beast."

"I however require a different assurance - that you will no longer attack travelers unprovoked," Hatch said.

The two men looked back and forth between themselves, " Safe passage is given, assistance is promised."

" We promise no killing unless they try to kill, we will still ask for payment to walk our hills. It is fair."

Brocc nods to his companions.  "I don't think we'll get better than that."  He glances up at the sky.  "Best get some rest if we go hunting this creature in the morning..."

(How much longer for the long rest?)

The man looked uncomfortable, " Sure. Uh...its a big critter....if'n I were you lot I'd get some more folks.  The caves just downslope from here, so you'll find it easy enough.  Just light a fire up here when your ready and we'll know to come."

Rufus looks from his three companions to the two hill people. Finally he says, "We should return to Chalice to complete our current mission. Perhaps Connar is there yet. We can regroup and come back to deal with the beast then. How's that sound to you lot?"

The two hill men nod agreeably.

"Works for me." Brocc confirms.  "We can resupply that way and these two can return to their people to spread the word of our agreement, so there is not any misunderstandings before they can do so."

"And maybe we can find out something about this stone stuff while we're back in Chalice. And maybe resupply a bit."

Bidding farewell to the two Hill Men the four companions got back on the road towards Chalice making their way through the foothills and down onto the plains.

A few hours along the way they saw the northern gates and then were nodded through by the Man-Orc guards.