Saliq was rapidly losing sympathy Kazmerak. He was not of Stormhaven but he was a noble himself, and while he was fully prepared to admit many of his class were scoundrels and thieves (or worse) he bristled at the arrogance of this bureacrat.

Drawing himself up stiffly, he replied: "As I see it sir, you are condemning your people by your own obstinancy and arrogance. Independence is a wonderful thing, but if you cannot maintain it becomes a selfish thing, and you have already proven you cannot. It was sheer luck we saw your townsfolk being carted away. Well, so be it. We will return with the head of this ogre but when you are in trouble next, as you will do not come crying to us for help."

In reply to DM Storm (msg # 529):

While the talking continued Eagle wanders away from the group, out of sight of the traumatised villagers, and concentrates his spirit towards the sky. A moment later a golden eagle takes to flight over the village.

OOC: eagle will return to the ziggurat where he will try to make contact with the lizard he charmed, casting speak with animals to tell them demonstone is free.

Norion's eyes pop open wide, this last exchange having awakened his wits to what is going on, though clearly the Mayor doesn't understand.  He almost blurts something out, then, bites his tongue, then tries again,

"Lord Mayor, I am afraid I cannot agree entirely with your stance, Saliq here is a true Nobleman, and not a scoundrel at all, in fact, I'd trust him with mah life, an' have done so.  Ah do agree, there arr many such that take advantage ov their positions, but naught all...."

"So you want protection, but are unwilling to pay the price for it then lord mayor? Fair enough, I think we'll be off then, but I might suggesting trapping the ford. The sharped wooden stakes in the water should teach those ogres a lesson or two."

Kazmerak appears wounded by Ben's comments, "Who said anything of the such! I offered to recompense you for your assistance, which is a far more preferable course of action than groveling at the heels of Stormhavian Lords mind you. I take it none of you have had much dealings with those scoundrels, lest you might be a bit more circumspect suggesting it."

Assuming none of the heroes which to take Lord Mayor Kazmerak up on his offer, he will thank each party member individually and bid them all farewell.

Ben shruged. He had dealt with the Lord's of Stormhaven, from the standpoint of their guards and laws and such, and he would never trade being free of them for a life where he and his family would have to live at such peril as these farm folk. Freedom was a relative term it seemed...

Rath frowns uncomfortably and squints. He stifles the impatience he feels for Ben's intolerance for authority figures. Gods know Rath has no love for the wealthy and powerful, but he knows that nothing under Pelor's light is pure, and that the wealthy and powerful are as varied and inconsistent as the lowly. Regarding Kazmerak, Rath has no judgment. Whether the Mayor pays tribute to a liege who would pay the party to protect Windham or the Mayor pays them directly hardly matters in the end.

"He did say he'd pay," Rath says quietly, and mutters under his breath, "And I'd lose sleep leaving these folks to be eaten like chickens, just 'cause someone gets rankled by attitude."

In the end, he follows Saliq and Norion's lead in this matter.

Located deep within the Witchlight Marsh, The Ziggurat of the Serpent King lies about 15 miles southwest of Windham. Eagle, in raptor-form, covers the distance in under an hour and finds it in much the same state as when the party last departed.

The Scarlet Ibis flock, located just north of the ziggurat, is gladdened to see Eagle. Their leaderchieftain, Hook-Bill extends a friendly salutation to the druid and also relays that they have enjoyed friendly relations with the lizard-folk since the adeventurers departed.

Some time later, Teal-Tongue, the lizard-man Eagle befriended, is very happy to hear Eagle's news that Demonstone has been cleared of the Man-Eating Winged Demons. Teal-Tongue further comments, "This good news indeed! The Greenscale Tribe will make its return to our ancestral nesting grounds. I can only hope we will find some of our egglings, safe."

Teal-Tongue approaches Eagle and tilts his head forward in deference, "We owe you a debt of gratitude, Eagle of the Land of Rising Stone and Light."

***

Meanwhile, back in Windham, the party goes about its business, awaiting Eagle's return.

Rath finds a bowyer selling bows and arrows at prices comparable to what one might find in Stormhaven.

OOC: Rath, and others, you may purchase PHB items here in town at normal price.

Despite his hard words to the Lord Mayor Saliq did look a bit troubled with doing nothing. Kazmerak might be wrong headed but it would be his people who suffered. "We should wait for Eagle to return and then vote on a course of action."

While they waited Saliq arranged to have a bath at the nearest inn, to have his clothes washed and should a barber be available to trim his beard and moustache.

Curious as to what this word 'bath' means, Ben follows after Saliq and gets himself some grooming as well...

Eagle returns from his journey later that afternoon, a few hours before evening. Now the party must decide what course of action to take next:

Return to Stormhaven?

Return to Demonstone to further investigate the Abandoned Duergar Citadel in the Darkness Below?

Help Lord Mayor Kazmerak and the villagers of Windham by striking out against Ulvuzgraf One-horn?

Attempt to rally the surrounding villages into a federation of sorts?

Vie for political clout in the region?

Something else?

It's only been a few days (I think) but Ben misses his family and would like to head home for the day. He also has some budding business interests to check up on.

Personally Ben doesn't feel it is time to go back into the Underdark just yet, as we barely made it out last time.

It might due to do some research in the town and figure out the normal protocol, if there is any, to try and get Saliq ennobled, or landed, or whatever the proper title is.

While in the town maybe some other opportunities will offer themselves.

I wouldn't feel entirely comfortable leaving the villagers to their fate, even if I don't think much of the mayor. Since we are going south anyway (to get to Stormhaven) maybe we should deal with them enroute?

Longer term Saliq is beginning to think political.

"Take down this ogre lord," Rath votes, arms crossed and scowling, speaking without passion. "Take him down now, and hard. He's eating people, and that's just wrong."

He thinks and his brow furrows. "Wonder if Lord Mayor has any ties with the other villages, or if he's so dead set on independence he won't consider it? Some sort of mutual defense pact might be effective." He glances at Monvo and Bruno with a sour smirk. In the old days, they had themselves helped to drive a few villages into mutual defense pacts, and the irony does not escape him.


[OOC: As a player, I have no particular desire to eliminate the ogre threat, but I don't mind taking that hook. Rath will walk away if the party votes that way. So, no pressure.]

Lor Mayor Kazmerak does have mutual defense ties with the rulers of Newstead and Salt Flats. The main issue is that their combined forces are no match against foes like Dread Ogres. They do well enough to ward off humanoid bandits and brigands, but against giants? Militia-men are not match.

That's where hiring wandering adventurers come along. In the event the party decides it is not worth their time, Lord Mayor Kazmerak will send messengers far and wide, hoping to pique the interest of an adventuring party.

Norion, having spent a moment talking with the Mayor, returns to the others.

"Ah'm not one ta make decisions on vague statements such as we'll make it worth yer while, but the Mayor has promised 500 gold and a large area of land to be given to whoever rids them of this Ogre threat.  I'm in favor of killing Ogre's just fer fun, so with real money in the mix, ah'd be game fer it...plus, the filthy Ogre Lord probably has been stealing stuff fer awhile, so I'd bet he's a tidy some of his own we could claim by rights of his defeat".

Saliq looked at the others uncertainly. "Well I think we are all in favour of heading back to Stormhaven and dealing with the ogres on our way but how about this land? Having a base up here could be a great boon if we are going to continue adventuring up country."

In reply to Saliq Musfara (msg # 546):

Eagle stares misty eyed into the distance, 'think of the trees, the hills, the meadows we could give over to nature. . . I for one will happily take these ogres out if it means some land I can dedicate to Melora's grace.'

Norion shrugs, "Ah have no idea ov what land mah mean to us, but if it ov value to several of you, someone who knows of these things should go and see wot the Mayor is offering, on a map, or go walk it, lets naught die fighting for the crapmoat."  He chuckles to himself, already happy it seems they will be hunting Ogres.

If questioned about the quality of land being offered in exchange for the party agreeing to rid the ogre threat, Lord Mayor Kazmerak claims, "...sizable tracts of land, certainly enough to house all of your families, in the event you decide to retire from adventuring."

In total, the Lord Mayor offers up about 100 acres of undeveloped land, most of which, he claims, is suitable for sowing crops.

Never buy a pig in a poke...

"Is this land on the way? We'd certainly like to see it first. How does it fare by way of roads and fresh water?"

He suspected it might be back the way they came, deep in the Forlorn Hills, or perhaps within the Witchlight Marsh.

Saliq still intended to found an independent principality on the opposite bank of the river but that was an interesting prospect. Besides if (as Ben feared) it was total wilderness at least Eagle would be happy.

Ben's suspicions prove unfounded, for the land in question is located about half a mile south of the village proper, along the Elsir River and coincidentally enough, near the ford the Dread Ogres have been using the cross the river.

The land is lightly wooded near the river and mostly arable; however there are some tracts of wetland that would likely prove problematic for any serious agricultural pursuits. There are also several small springs and ponds interspersed throughout the land, in addition to a ruined cottage that is little more than a stone foundation and some rotting beams.

"I think we should take it... it's not much, but it's got potential. On a ford, on a river. Even the wetlands could have their value. Hey eagle, maybe some of your long legged bird friends would like to move here!"

Inas had been quiet during the discussion, having little liking for politics and those who engage in it. But when it came to the time to privately make a decision he finally broke his silence and spoke up to his comrades. "Whether or not we care for this mayor is moot. These are poor but honest folk trying to make a living is this hard world. We can do much to alleviate their suffering at the hands of these ogres. Also, our lizardmen friends would be at risk should the ogres develop a taste for their flesh too, especially when they realise the manticores have gone. It hardly seems fair to advise them that their ancestral home is safe only to be assaulted by a squad of ogres shortly after they return."

He paused for a moment. "I am willing to return to the city if need be to conclude any business you have there, but would like to return to deliver my blade through this ogre lord's black heart. And don't forget... this villain may well be enraged by our actions and take out his vengeance upon this poor village. We could have spelt out their utter destruction by our actions, no matter how well intentioned. We must see this through to the bitter end."

OOC - is Ryiz still with us? If so can he give us a quote for an Identify spell as we have several magic items that could do with being identified.