In reply to Oren (msg # 26):

"Yes, which is why the Church of Grom would want the item. I will be heading to my church in the mountains to inform them of this before returning to Northport, though perhaps after getting the treasue, I would hope you would come with me, as that is likely where you will get the best price for it."

"I won't be heading out without a firm offer," Oren said, "But I'd be willing to wait a few days while you go yourself and make the case. Or just send them a letter, I suppose."

In reply to Marlena DuBois (msg # 20):

You think the treasure is inside this creature?

In reply to Syvanus (msg # 29):

"No. I think the treasure was hidden in the lich's tomb
In order tpo keep treasure hunters out, and this joker,"
she points at the dead mage,
"Entered it to get the rod, and took some coin on the
way out."

Oren studied the map, to see how far they had to go to get to the tomb.

In reply to Oren (msg # 31):

the X on the map looks to be two to three days out at your previous rate of travel. without the mule, people are even slower with all the remaining food.

"We're a few days out from our destination yet. But it's further yet back to Northport. If you would like to continue on, we can do so. Head back... we'll run right into the enemy that pursues us."

"What's it going to be?"

Well since we know they are behind us, we don't have to run into them... we could skirt around and let them come here to find out what happened.  What's with Snorri?

In reply to Syvanus (msg # 34):

Snorri is still badly wounded, and at the moment only semiconscious. he is also covered in mud.

In reply to Snorri Roslovich (msg # 35):

Marlena turns her attention to the mud covered provisions, and sets about magically cleaning them.

"Wherever we go, we bring Snorri. He betrayed us, but he admitted it. I want to give him the chance to earn back his honor."

Fair enough, so long as he ceases leaving markers for Kalvo & Co.

"Syvanus, is hunting as we travel an option? I'd rather not weigh ourselves down with food if possible."

It's an option, but one that would slow us some... Kirpich's way is faster, if perhaps a bit less appetizing.

"If he says it is okay to bind elementals to our will using magic to enslave them, I won't argue."

I was talking about his creating food... as for using the elementals, his God sends them to him, I don't see where asking this one to aid us is different.

"Yeah, that's a theological question I suppose. But for now, let's let Kirpich act as a food dispenser, and if he dies we can rely on hunting."

And go between with his God and the Elementals... this large one could assist us greatly.

Oren investigates to see what other supplies besides food have survived.

"I am afraid I do not see why the large elemental cannot help carry our supplies, once its foot is repaired.  The small elementals were able to help that way, why not the enormous one?"

In reply to Stringfellow Hill (msg # 46):

"The small elemental still is able to assist. I cannot agree with any enslaving elementals though. We should work with them."

He finishes fixing its foot.

No one said enslave... we want their help...

"Then release them from your control and see if they stick around," Oren suggested. "Anything less is slavery."

"What about finding a spot near here, but away from the signs of the fight, where we can cache a portion of the food that we need for the return journey, but is just additional weight now?"

He looks at the pile of recovered supplies.  "We really only need enough to get us there and back to here, with a day or two of reserve."

In reply to Stringfellow Hill (msg # 50):

"That is probably a good idea, Stringfellow. Chunky is carrying a tent, mainly, which we can probably do without if I make stone huts, and I can provide food as well. But I won't be coming back: I will be continuing on once we have the treasure to my bretheran to let them know about this abomination."