The sound echoes out thru the forest. Before it can die away, a shutter from one of the windows opens up. A older man, his full beard mostly white with only a few streaks of dark brown thru it and wearing what appears to be an apron of some kind, looks out. He sees the two of you, then scans the forest behind and either side of you. His gaze returns to you, he gives a scowl, and closes the shutter.
Ruby looks at you in confusion. Just when she opens her mouth to speak on it, you hear the creaking of a heavy door opening. A few moments later, you hear a loud scraping, wood against wood, and the gate in front of you opens.
The man is standing there, the scowl gone but a hard gaze still on you. Beyond him you see a younger man, not far out of his teens. Blonde hair, dark pants and a blue-ish top. A bucket is in one hand as he looks at you.
"You are not nobility. So you must have heard from Phandalin. Which of them sent you?"
He sees your glance at the figure behind him. "That's Pell. He doesn't talk. Vow of silence or some such. Only he and Himself know. I'm Corwin. You're in luck that Himself is home. Step on in, step on in." He moves back to let you inside, then slowly closes the gate. You see the heavy bar that you only heard before slide across and bar the gate opening.
"You missed dinner, but there is something that can be gotten ready. If you bring a tale, Himself will listen. A great one, he might even write down. Follow me."
He leads you to a small house to one side of the courtyard. It has the look of a barn that is not longer used as one. Inside you see the floor is covered by clean straw. There are nine cots placed around. The pillows look soft and the blankets are of thick wool.
"Pick a cot and stow your bag. No worry, you're the only guests at the moment and we have no need for your stuff. When you're ready, I'll be waiting by the door to the main house."
He walks out, leaving the two of you there.
"So, this is interesting. He looks like he should be meaner than he's been so far." Ruby looks the cots over, picking one and putting her bag on it. She starts to step away before remembering the bottle of wine. She retrieves it. "Do we have any tales worth telling?"
"Worth a shot. Guess could mention the dragon as well. Maybe he has some ideas about it."
The two of you leave the guest house and walk to where Corwin is standing. The door is thick and made of dark oak. There are carvings of animals in it. Some are worn, others newer.
Corwin opens the door and leads you inside. The first thing you see is a long dinner table. There are carvings in the legs and along the edge, but you can't quite make them out. Around the table at regular intervals are tall-backed chairs, seven on each side. As you watch, the younger man comes in. He has two wooden plates in one hand, and two mugs with cutlery sticking out of each in the other. He nods to you, sets the dinnerware down in front of the chairs on either side of the center chair, facing away from you, and leaves.
"Go ahead and sit down. I'll go fetch Himself." Corwin leaves you and walks left toward a staircase. As you watch him walk up, you realize the second floor is open above the table, with a balcony running along all four sides. As you walk toward the table, you see more and more. The various animal heads are to be expected. What catches your eye are the orc heads. There are about half a dozen, here and there on the walls.
You look at each other as you sit down. "Okay. Orcs close enough to hunt. Good to know."
After a moment, you hear footsteps coming down the staircase. You turn to see Corwin leading a taller man, over six feet tall. He has black hair, with a trimmed beard. He has on a heavy fur cloak, and under it you catch glimpses of studded armor. Corwin branches off and goes into the same door the younger man stepped out of.
The tall man walks around the table so he is facing you. He rests his hand on the chair back and gives a curt bow. This close you can see his eyes are like ice, in both color and warmth. They dart between the two of you.
"I am called Falcon the hunter. I welcome you to my home."
As he introduces himself, Corwin comes back out with a plate and a jug. The plate has meat and some carrots on it. He sits the jug on the table and serves you the meat and carrots. Then he pours out the ale from the pitcher into your mugs. Collecting everything, he returns through the door.
"Please, eat. I already have. No need to stand on too much ceremony here. To who do I have the pleasure of hosting."
"Ruby. Ruby Hammerwacker. A pleasure." Ruby gives a half bow from her seat.
"From Phandalin? It has been quite the while since I've visited there." Falcon sits down, waving his hand. "Do not think it impolite, to eat while we talk. If you've come from Phandalin, you've had a good trek. Glad to see nothing gave you trouble. The forest likes it's fun. So, how are they there? Did you pass a good night a t the inn?"
He nods to Corwin, who has brought him a mug of you think of the same ale that was served to you.
"We did. We have brought you this." Ruby brings out the bottle of wine and sets it on the table. "Toblen and Bram send their regards. They hope you'll stop by next time you're near."
Falcon smiles before taking a drink. "They are good lot. Always nice to me. Send new people my way. Is that what you've come for? For some hunting? Bit early in the season. But then, we have new game of late." His gaze drifts up toward the trophy room above.
"I told you best to leave them alone. If they get into their heads to 'repay' you..." Corwin scowls as he grabs the bottle and walks toward the kitchen door.
"Gnomes?" Falcon frowns. "I have heard of some. Recluses, the lot of them. But they're some distance..east? I think. But dragon? What do you mean by that? There hasn't been a dragon near the forest in some generations. Are you sure of this?"
"Hmm, a dragon. An interesting thing indeed. But nothing you can tell me... Perhaps I should visit Phandalin soon. See what more I can learn." Falcon glances back up to the gallery. "I shall have to leave the orcs alone for a bit. Though I am expecting an arrival from Neverwinter soon, so wouldn't be able to trek over there." His gaze drops to you two. He looks from one to the other, then leans forward. "Unless, perhaps, you would be willing to give them my regards. And bring some more heads for my collection."
Falcon shrugs. "As you would. I dare say they will still be there. Them and those half-orcs." He makes a face. "Have half a mind to just burn that manse. But there may be things of interest...Anyway. We are glad to have you for the night. And thank you for the wine. It will be well enjoyed. Is there anything I can help you with? I could part with a bit in way of supplies. You seemed to have avoided the usual dangers coming into the wood. Didn't see any little stick creatures, did you?"
Falcon nods. "Blights, I believe. Act as guard dogs around the manse. Sneaky things. They haven't gotten this far out, yet. More first line of defense than an attack force." He takes a drink. "They're bastards to see most times. Blend in with the regular trees. A few different types, I think. Past a certain point in the woods, I mistrust every tree and bush. If you leave the forest the way you came in, you should be safe."
He shakes his head. "A dragon. I do not know if that is an improvement. A different challenge, at least. One I am finding myself wanting to take. You know not even the color of it?"
"White? Here?" Falcon frowns as he sits back in his chair. "That is interesting. A young one would be bad enough, but if it is older... but what could have driven it here?" He reaches for his mug and takes a drink. "If it was from anywhere else, I would call you a liar. But this I have to at least give a thought to. I might have to send word, let my usuals know of it. A few might be up for such a hunt, but it would keep many others away. And without any idea of where to start..."
He shrugs. "Well, maybe there'll be more news. You might get something from the gnomes. Though what I do not know. Not much I've heard about them. Warning them of the dragon too? Oh, before I forget. Just tell Pell what you need before you turn in and it'll be waiting for you in the morning. I'll have him walk you back and wait. You have need of any weapons?"
"I wonder too why the dragon is coming here." after a long pause. "thank you for you generosity, I will take a gander though I am not much of a weapon person myself, Ruby might be interested"
Ruby smiles. "I would never say no to more arrows. Thank you, Falcon."
Falcon returns the smile and nods. "My pleasure. And my apologies. I planned my day to turn in early. But I shall be up to see you off tomorrow. And please, enjoy the meal. " He toasts you and drains his drink. "Whatever you need, don't be afraid to ask Pell for it." He stands up. "I wish you good night. Fair dreams."
Falcon heads up the stairs. From the door to the kitchen, you see the younger man from before. He nods at you both, points to your plates, then cups his ear. After a minute, you figure out he is telling you to call when you're done eating.
You finish the meal, the food satisfying and the drink good. Ruby calls out to Pell and he comes in to retrieve the dishes. When he returns, he has a bit of paper and a pen in his hand. He stands at one corner of the table, pen to the paper and looks at you with an expectant look.
Ruby frowns, then shakes her head. "Right. Arrows, however much you can. Food...I'm good with anything." She turns to you. "What else?"
Pell looks at the two of you for a second more, as if expecting more requests. When he realizes there are no more coming, he seems a little surprise and gives a small smile as he stands up. He gives a nod, then motions for you to follow him as he walks toward the front door.
He leads you back outside and toward where your packs are. He gives another nod, then walks away. Instead of heading back to the house, you see him head toward the thick wooden gate. He climbs up a ladder to a walk that you see runs near the top of the wall enclosing the building. He starts a slow walk, eyes looking over the wall toward the forest.
You and Ruby enter the room, taking care to lock the door behind you. Ruby flops onto the bed with her pack on it. "So, I'm not sure what I expected here. But interesting. Not so sure about those trophies. Hope we don't run into any problems with those orcs. Kinda strange that we didn't see anything really weird on the way in. Least we'll have plenty of daylight to see our way out. Then on to the gnomes. What do you think about how Falcon went on about them being all reclusive? Think they'll believe us?"
The sound echoes out thru the forest. Before it can die away, a shutter from one of the windows opens up. A older man, his full beard mostly white with only a few streaks of dark brown thru it and wearing what appears to be an apron of some kind, looks out. He sees the two of you, then scans the forest behind and either side of you. His gaze returns to you, he gives a scowl, and closes the shutter.
Ruby looks at you in confusion. Just when she opens her mouth to speak on it, you hear the creaking of a heavy door opening. A few moments later, you hear a loud scraping, wood against wood, and the gate in front of you opens.
The man is standing there, the scowl gone but a hard gaze still on you. Beyond him you see a younger man, not far out of his teens. Blonde hair, dark pants and a blue-ish top. A bucket is in one hand as he looks at you.
"You are not nobility. So you must have heard from Phandalin. Which of them sent you?"
He sees your glance at the figure behind him. "That's Pell. He doesn't talk. Vow of silence or some such. Only he and Himself know. I'm Corwin. You're in luck that Himself is home. Step on in, step on in." He moves back to let you inside, then slowly closes the gate. You see the heavy bar that you only heard before slide across and bar the gate opening.
"You missed dinner, but there is something that can be gotten ready. If you bring a tale, Himself will listen. A great one, he might even write down. Follow me."
He leads you to a small house to one side of the courtyard. It has the look of a barn that is not longer used as one. Inside you see the floor is covered by clean straw. There are nine cots placed around. The pillows look soft and the blankets are of thick wool.
"Pick a cot and stow your bag. No worry, you're the only guests at the moment and we have no need for your stuff. When you're ready, I'll be waiting by the door to the main house."
He walks out, leaving the two of you there.
"So, this is interesting. He looks like he should be meaner than he's been so far." Ruby looks the cots over, picking one and putting her bag on it. She starts to step away before remembering the bottle of wine. She retrieves it. "Do we have any tales worth telling?"
Well we can tell him about the healer and hope that will do.
"Worth a shot. Guess could mention the dragon as well. Maybe he has some ideas about it."
The two of you leave the guest house and walk to where Corwin is standing. The door is thick and made of dark oak. There are carvings of animals in it. Some are worn, others newer.
Corwin opens the door and leads you inside. The first thing you see is a long dinner table. There are carvings in the legs and along the edge, but you can't quite make them out. Around the table at regular intervals are tall-backed chairs, seven on each side. As you watch, the younger man comes in. He has two wooden plates in one hand, and two mugs with cutlery sticking out of each in the other. He nods to you, sets the dinnerware down in front of the chairs on either side of the center chair, facing away from you, and leaves.
"Go ahead and sit down. I'll go fetch Himself." Corwin leaves you and walks left toward a staircase. As you watch him walk up, you realize the second floor is open above the table, with a balcony running along all four sides. As you walk toward the table, you see more and more. The various animal heads are to be expected. What catches your eye are the orc heads. There are about half a dozen, here and there on the walls.
You look at each other as you sit down. "Okay. Orcs close enough to hunt. Good to know."
After a moment, you hear footsteps coming down the staircase. You turn to see Corwin leading a taller man, over six feet tall. He has black hair, with a trimmed beard. He has on a heavy fur cloak, and under it you catch glimpses of studded armor. Corwin branches off and goes into the same door the younger man stepped out of.
The tall man walks around the table so he is facing you. He rests his hand on the chair back and gives a curt bow. This close you can see his eyes are like ice, in both color and warmth. They dart between the two of you.
"I am called Falcon the hunter. I welcome you to my home."
As he introduces himself, Corwin comes back out with a plate and a jug. The plate has meat and some carrots on it. He sits the jug on the table and serves you the meat and carrots. Then he pours out the ale from the pitcher into your mugs. Collecting everything, he returns through the door.
"Please, eat. I already have. No need to stand on too much ceremony here. To who do I have the pleasure of hosting."
"Ruby. Ruby Hammerwacker. A pleasure." Ruby gives a half bow from her seat.
"Sam Flamel. Sir, we were sent from the next town over."
"From Phandalin? It has been quite the while since I've visited there." Falcon sits down, waving his hand. "Do not think it impolite, to eat while we talk. If you've come from Phandalin, you've had a good trek. Glad to see nothing gave you trouble. The forest likes it's fun. So, how are they there? Did you pass a good night a t the inn?"
He nods to Corwin, who has brought him a mug of you think of the same ale that was served to you.
"We did. We have brought you this." Ruby brings out the bottle of wine and sets it on the table. "Toblen and Bram send their regards. They hope you'll stop by next time you're near."
Falcon smiles before taking a drink. "They are good lot. Always nice to me. Send new people my way. Is that what you've come for? For some hunting? Bit early in the season. But then, we have new game of late." His gaze drifts up toward the trophy room above.
"I told you best to leave them alone. If they get into their heads to 'repay' you..." Corwin scowls as he grabs the bottle and walks toward the kitchen door.
"They're in my forest. I will not allow that."
"we are looking for gnomes to help us slay a dragon."
"Gnomes?" Falcon frowns. "I have heard of some. Recluses, the lot of them. But they're some distance..east? I think. But dragon? What do you mean by that? There hasn't been a dragon near the forest in some generations. Are you sure of this?"
"I am not but old Tolben seems to think so and set us on this quest."
"Hmm, a dragon. An interesting thing indeed. But nothing you can tell me... Perhaps I should visit Phandalin soon. See what more I can learn." Falcon glances back up to the gallery. "I shall have to leave the orcs alone for a bit. Though I am expecting an arrival from Neverwinter soon, so wouldn't be able to trek over there." His gaze drops to you two. He looks from one to the other, then leans forward. "Unless, perhaps, you would be willing to give them my regards. And bring some more heads for my collection."
clears throat "well we are on a mission to the gnomes we can see what we do"
Falcon shrugs. "As you would. I dare say they will still be there. Them and those half-orcs." He makes a face. "Have half a mind to just burn that manse. But there may be things of interest...Anyway. We are glad to have you for the night. And thank you for the wine. It will be well enjoyed. Is there anything I can help you with? I could part with a bit in way of supplies. You seemed to have avoided the usual dangers coming into the wood. Didn't see any little stick creatures, did you?"
"Any and all help you can supply us will be great, stick creatures?"
Falcon nods. "Blights, I believe. Act as guard dogs around the manse. Sneaky things. They haven't gotten this far out, yet. More first line of defense than an attack force." He takes a drink. "They're bastards to see most times. Blend in with the regular trees. A few different types, I think. Past a certain point in the woods, I mistrust every tree and bush. If you leave the forest the way you came in, you should be safe."
He shakes his head. "A dragon. I do not know if that is an improvement. A different challenge, at least. One I am finding myself wanting to take. You know not even the color of it?"
"I believe they have mentioned of a white dragon no clue the age"
"White? Here?" Falcon frowns as he sits back in his chair. "That is interesting. A young one would be bad enough, but if it is older... but what could have driven it here?" He reaches for his mug and takes a drink. "If it was from anywhere else, I would call you a liar. But this I have to at least give a thought to. I might have to send word, let my usuals know of it. A few might be up for such a hunt, but it would keep many others away. And without any idea of where to start..."
He shrugs. "Well, maybe there'll be more news. You might get something from the gnomes. Though what I do not know. Not much I've heard about them. Warning them of the dragon too? Oh, before I forget. Just tell Pell what you need before you turn in and it'll be waiting for you in the morning. I'll have him walk you back and wait. You have need of any weapons?"
"I wonder too why the dragon is coming here." after a long pause. "thank you for you generosity, I will take a gander though I am not much of a weapon person myself, Ruby might be interested"
Ruby smiles. "I would never say no to more arrows. Thank you, Falcon."
Falcon returns the smile and nods. "My pleasure. And my apologies. I planned my day to turn in early. But I shall be up to see you off tomorrow. And please, enjoy the meal. " He toasts you and drains his drink. "Whatever you need, don't be afraid to ask Pell for it." He stands up. "I wish you good night. Fair dreams."
Falcon heads up the stairs. From the door to the kitchen, you see the younger man from before. He nods at you both, points to your plates, then cups his ear. After a minute, you figure out he is telling you to call when you're done eating.
You finish the meal, the food satisfying and the drink good. Ruby calls out to Pell and he comes in to retrieve the dishes. When he returns, he has a bit of paper and a pen in his hand. He stands at one corner of the table, pen to the paper and looks at you with an expectant look.
Ruby frowns, then shakes her head. "Right. Arrows, however much you can. Food...I'm good with anything." She turns to you. "What else?"
"I could always use more crossbow bolts"
Pell looks at the two of you for a second more, as if expecting more requests. When he realizes there are no more coming, he seems a little surprise and gives a small smile as he stands up. He gives a nod, then motions for you to follow him as he walks toward the front door.
He leads you back outside and toward where your packs are. He gives another nod, then walks away. Instead of heading back to the house, you see him head toward the thick wooden gate. He climbs up a ladder to a walk that you see runs near the top of the wall enclosing the building. He starts a slow walk, eyes looking over the wall toward the forest.
You and Ruby enter the room, taking care to lock the door behind you. Ruby flops onto the bed with her pack on it. "So, I'm not sure what I expected here. But interesting. Not so sure about those trophies. Hope we don't run into any problems with those orcs. Kinda strange that we didn't see anything really weird on the way in. Least we'll have plenty of daylight to see our way out. Then on to the gnomes. What do you think about how Falcon went on about them being all reclusive? Think they'll believe us?"
"a white dragon this far out is going to be hard to believe, we are going to need some convincing for sure."