In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 213):

"Saying that something is wrong in Bryn Shander is an understatement dear brother.  Are we going to try and head back now or go forward and see if there is anything else here?  Do you remember the way back?"

Marek was armed with a long sword and long bow. Both were serviceable but not of unusual quality. The same can be said of his armor, scale mail.

The strongbox is locked and no key is found on Marek's person or during the cursory search of the premises. The lock looks like it could be picked.

In total, there are about 20 gp of loose coins, mostly silver and copper, around the overturned Three Dragon Ante game. Morgrim gathers the cards while scooping coins into a waiting sack.

The larder is considerable, containing several weeks' worth of rations to feed a company of men. Hauling all of it back to Bryn Shander might prove problematic however, especially given the party consists of three adventurers and their lack of any sleds or beasts of burden to aid in the task.

OOC: DC 15 Dex check to pick the lock

"Feh!" Morgrim grunted, having tried and failed to unlock the bandit's chest. "Have a go, Dal. Maybe you'll have better luck."

Any good bottles of brandy, wine or the like in the larder?

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 216):

Dal sat down and looked at the lock for a minute and then pulled out her cloak pin.  She put it in the lock slowly turned it.  She wasn't sure who was more surprised when the lock clicked open, her or Morgrim.

She took back her cloak pin and refastened it.  She tried to keep her smile to a nice neutral smile and not a smirk as the point out her success to her brother.  "There you go.  You must have loosened it up."

She stepped back to allow big brother to open it up.  "Be careful opening it please.  It could be trapped.  Perhaps you want to open it up away from you.  I'm just going to be over here in this corner for a bit."

Dal, not that she didn't trust her brother, went to a corner that the front of the chest wasn't facing.


20:16, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  Dal lock pick attempt.

Morgrim smirked but he waited until Dalgura was well out of harm's way before trying the lid, and when he did so, he did it with caution.

Dalgura manages to pick the lock. Opening the strongbox reveals a small cache of 200 gp of Luskan mint.

Morgrim searches the larder and finds a cask of wine. Smelling and tasting the wine, Morgrim judges it to be of good quality.

Morgrim's eyes go wide at the treasure. He carefully closes the lid once the others have peered inside. "Luskan coin. It may be important to show this to someone."

"Lets get heading back!"

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 220):

"Hey!  Don't be stingy on that wine.  Let us have a drink too. It was a thirsty job to miss the hobgoblin."

Dal grinned at Morgrim.  "So what are we taking back?  We should split it up a bit so nobody has to cart it all by themselves."

"Cart it all by themselves?" Mogrim said with a whimsical grin. "I'll be doin' all the carting, missy. You two will be riding on my back. Unfortunately I left my saddle in my other trousers, so you'll have to hang tight. We've got time to make up in a hurry."

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 222):

Dalgura looked over at Ellie.  "See what I have to go through?"  But she did wink and grin.

"Well then we had better get going."

The party finishes up in the bandit's hideout and makes their way back toward the exit. It is now near sunset, the trip here having taken 3 hours and a couple of hours having transpired since the party first arrived and began scouting the place out. Getting back to Bryn Shander with the benefit of daylight still present will be quite a challenge and require a hasty march over snowy ground. Not impossible, but challenging.

There is also the issue of what to do about the bound bandit in the outhouse, assuming he's still there and has not escaped...

As soon as the trio are out beneath the setting sun, Morgrim pitches forward and arches his back, growing at an alarming rate until he stands above the height of most men. Taking a knee, the towering Clydesdale waits until his passengers have climbed over his shoulder before plodding off through the drifting snows. Hooves the size of dinner plates ought to have little difficulty grinding down the miles, whatever the conditions.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 225):

"You ARE handy to have around dearest brother.  Thanks for the ride but do be careful."

Dal turns to Ellie and grins.  "He's always full of surprises."

As Grim carries them towards town, Dal will keep her eyes out for any ambushes or bad guys.  They do, after all, have a tendency to find them.

Borne by Morgrim, in massive Clydesdale form, the three adventurers bound effortlessly over snowy ground, weaving their way through the game trail back toward Bryn Shander. There is no evidence of Algonell along the way: he either already has returned to the walled town or is out elsewhere checking on his animal traps.

In any event, the journey back to civilization is uneventful and the party soon is welcomed by the sight dark smoke rising from the chimneys of homes and businesses that make up the walled city of Bryn Shander.

Morgrim took a knee before the walls of Bryn Shander, and once his riders had dismounted he resumed his normal guise. "We need to speak with Duvessa Shane at once," he said, brushing himself down. "We can figure out lodgings after."

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 228):

"Ok Grim.  Although don't let time go too far before we get shelter.  You know what it would be like out here without lodging.  Lead the way."

Morgrim nodded and set out to find the Speaker's official residences. He did not trust anyone else to receive the news.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 230):

Dal looked over at Ellie.  "You coming with us Ellie?"

Dal waited for Ellie to answer and then followed Grim.


ooc:  Not sure how long you're planning on keeping Ellie around so sort of set it up in case this will be an exit for her.

The non-stop travel since arriving Bryn Shander has not treated Ellie well. The young woman is quite physically weary and is overeager to return to her room at once to regain vitality. Upon entering town, she begs off for the night and suggests her companions consider waiting until morning.

"We haven't had one moment of respite since arriving, not that the journey up from Luskan was exactly restful," she offers with the hint of a smile. She's right. The party has essentially been going non-stop for over two weeks and all must certainly be weary.

Before departing she says, "I intend on treating myself to a hot bath, food, drink, and a good night's sleep. I will inquire after you in the morning..."

OOC: I am going to effectively write Ellie out of the game from this point forward.

"Go rest, Ellie," Morgrim replied. "The Gods know you have earned it. We all have. I must go a little further tonight, but that should not deter you. We will look for you in the morning."

After Ellie takes her leave and departs for Geldenstag's Rest, Dalgura and Morgrim push through their weariness for perhaps one more stop on what has already proven to be an eventful day. Their destination: the Speaker's Palace.

Daylight has all but faded as the dwarves make their way through the streets of Bryn Shander. Welcoming light filters through soot-stained panes and the smell of smoked meat wafts through not-too-tightly fitting windows, enticing the adventurers to see to their basic need for warmth and shelter. But they will not be deterred.

The Speaker's Palace is not at all difficult to find. Located on the south side of town, the "palace" as it is referred, is the only two-story building in all of Bryn Shander. The structures of Ten Towns ar largely sunk deeply into ground to avoid exposure to the punishing winds that sweep down from the Reghed Glacier.

Arriving at the palace, the dwarves take in its appearance. Possessing the tell-tale characteristics of dwarven construct, the palace is sturdily built of cut stone with a pitched slate roof. A functional but unadorned colonnade wraps around the front and side of the palace, a design feature which puts it largely at odds with the squat, rough wood dwellings that flank it on either side. Taken altogether, the Speaker's Palace appear as if it has been magically transported to this wind-blasted realm from some other far-flung region of Faerun.

As the dwarves approach the exterior gate, they see a man departing the Speaker's Palace, his large frame illuminated by the glow of light emanating from the front door. The man exchanges a few pleasantries with someone at the doorstep and then calls aloud, "Right then. Well met as always, honorable Speaker. I will do my utmost to find the one you seek."

Turning on his heel, the man departs and begins walking down the steps toward the adventurers, the palace front door closing shortly thereafter.

A heavyset man of medium height bounds down the walkway toward the adventurers, lost in his own thought and not noticing either until he draws to within 5 feet or so. Looking up, he excuses himself for nearly running into them.

"Pardon. Good evening," he comments while side-stepping to allow either to pass. He pays a second glance to both dwarves, seemingly intrigued by either.

Drawing his brown robe set with a fancy white mantle inward with one hand, the other gripping an ornate metal staff tipped with a glowing sapphire, the dark-haired man moves to continue on his way.

Morgrim spares a passing glance for the departing stranger and proceeds up the steps of the Speaker's palace, rapping on the door with his gloved hand.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 235):

"Take care then Ellie.  We'll get our sleep in a few."

While Grim knocks on the door, Dal watches the man who almost bumped into them. She smiled when he said pardon but was curious about him.  She would watch Grim's back.

Dalgura and Morgrim make it to the steps leading to the front door when they are intercepted by a pair of guards posted at either side of the colonnade. The men are armed with polearms and wear studded leather. The guards briefly interview the siblings to ensure neither has come looking for trouble and then allow both to proceed to the front door.

Moment after knocking at the door...

Dalgura and Morgrim hear footsteps approaching on the other side of the door and then the door swings open while a woman's voice comments, "Vael..."

The woman standing at the open doorway looks confusedly at the dwarven siblings, then to either side of them as though expecting someone else. "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else," she offers in apology to her awkward greeting.

She looks past the dwarves again, her vision drawn to the walkway and gate. Returning her attention to Dalgura and Morgrim she says, "Well met and good eve. How can I help you?"

The woman at the doorway, Duvessa Shane, is of slight build, sparkling gray eyes and a short mop of tousled hair. She is functionally dressed in trousers and shirtsleeves, over which she wears a sable pelt.

In reply to Duvessa Shane (msg # 237):

"Good Eve.  I am Dalgura Ironhammer, follower of Sharindlar and this is my brother Morgrim.  We have some news you need to hear.  My brother can go into more details."

Dal smiled when she introduced them and would let Grim tell the tale.  He liked to talk and he had the note.