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14:03, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Part 22 - The road to Derindin.

Posted by Dungeon MasterFor group 0
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 1318 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Thu 7 Jan 2021
at 05:08
  • msg #354

Heroes Welcome

Though his first inclination is to be truthful (and certainly though there was blood-letting a-plenty, it was considerably less than battles of his usual experience), Aarnr chooses not to crush the hopes and aspirations of young enquiring minds and at the same time to take this opportunity to impart some helpful and wise advice.

"Froggin lots !" he agrees, grinning encouragingly at the children.  "Ye should've seen it - blood soaking the gleepin' ground all over !  The trick is to keep your blades sharp - blunt weapons don't cut the rank fat-kidneyed skullions so well."
Eilieen
Player, 1098 posts
Cure Serious Wounds!
Cure Serious Wounds!
Sat 9 Jan 2021
at 14:40
  • msg #355

Heroes Welcome

"My thanks!" the priestess calls after the departing Ildra, offering a bow of her own.  With a sigh, she abandons the idea of any kind of comfortable night, musing over her schedule of 'Whose clothing gets fixed tomorrow?'  For a moment the children capture her attention, and concern flickers over the question.  Aarnr arrives at an answer first, and Eilieen sighs, knowing full-well that some of those listening will find his gory-but-truthful answer absolutely glee-inducing.

And those it does not might be further persuaded towards a peaceful occupation.

"We should ready ourselves for travel," she decides aloud, glancing around to the others to ensure all is well.  Arkan gets a long appraisal, the priestess still concerned about his envenomed wound.
Arkan
NPC, 325 posts
Magic Missile!
Magic Missile!
Sun 10 Jan 2021
at 20:52
  • msg #356

Heroes Welcome

Arkan shakes his head at Eilieen's examination of his wound.  "It's a little sore, still, but it doesn't feel as if it's burning.  I took a quick look at it as we came back from the tree.  It isn't turning green, or oozing black pus, or anything like that.

Meanwhile the children, perhaps having recognised a sort of kindred spirit, have formed a rough semi-circle in front of Aarnr (at a respectful distance and, possibly by pure coincidence, mostly upwind of him).

"'ere, mister, how many of the monsters was there?"

"Was they 'aving swords and stuff?"

"Wha's the biggest thing what you ever killed?"
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 1321 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Thu 14 Jan 2021
at 04:53
  • msg #357

Heroes Welcome

Since Aarnr would only be interested in the wounds if they were as colourful as Arkan denies, it's lucky he's got the children's questions to keep him occupied.

The first one is a real puzzler, since counting isn't numbered amongst the priest's rather martially oriented skill set.

"Froggin lots," he assures them.  "Lots an' lots of the currish, dismal-dreamin' barnacles !"

"The beslubberin', bat-fowlin' widdle-shins had gleepin' spears drippin' with poison !"  He didn't really notice them himself as he was a bit busy at the time dealing out mayhem and destruction.

The biggest thing ... now that gives Aarnr some pause for thought as he's more like to be looking forward to the next thing he kills, not mulling over the last, or the one before that.

"We killed a fobbin' giant," he dimly recalls. "Took its ripe-reelin' head as a trophy ..."

"An' a dragon ..."
Dungeon Master
GM, 1050 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Thu 14 Jan 2021
at 09:08
  • msg #358

Heroes Welcome

The children seem duly impressed by Aarnr's replies, if the chorus of oohs and aahs is anything to go by.  The fact that one little girl burst into tears shortly after Aarnr mentions poison may just be coincidence.

It's perhaps fortunate that Aarnr finishes his gruesome tale  shortly before Ilra returns to find the youngsters behaving themselves, and apparently fascinated by something the stranger is explaining to them.

The woman smiles.  It's good that the village children are learning from travellers. who can teach them of the world that exists more than a mile or two from their home.

"I have arranged provisions for you." she announces, "Bread, a wheel of cheese, two bushels of corn, some apples, a leg of salted mutton, and a skin of wine."  An apologetic smile, "It's little enough, bearing in mind what you did for us, but we can spare no more."
Erista
player, 720 posts
Sat 16 Jan 2021
at 21:02
  • msg #359

Heroes Welcome

Erista smiles up at Ilra.  "It sounds delicious," she says, cheerfully.  "And a kindness we'll be happy to accept, but Rose's smile was all the payment we could have hoped for."
Dungeon Master
GM, 1051 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Sun 17 Jan 2021
at 20:46
  • msg #360

Heroes Welcome

Ildra gives a half bow at Erista's response, "You are most welcome to what little we can give.  The provisions will be brought soon."

"Until then, you are free to make yourselves comfortable.  Do any of you have wounds that need tending to?  We have a healer in the village, I can send for her, if you wish?"

Colwyn Akbar
NPC, 412 posts
It's a trap!
No problem.
Wed 20 Jan 2021
at 22:14
  • msg #361

Heroes Welcome

Colwyn takes the invitation to make himself comfortable literally.  He pulls himself up and perches atop a fence outside one of the houses.  Then he begins checking his knives...

He soon stops though, and says quietly, "Ayup!  'ere's Rosie's dad comin' over. an' 'e's bein' lookin' worried 'bout summat.  Nobody be 'mittin' ter nothin'."

Velanya scowls at the rogue, "Personally, I have nothing to admit to.  Apart from a positively shameful liking for cinnamon rolls, that is."

Rosie's father stops near the group.  He is holding a cloth wrapped bundle in the crook of one arm, and he shuffles nervously from one foot to the other.  "I just came to say as how grateful me and the missus are to you folk.  Rosie is everything to us, and you saved her.  We'll never forget that, long as we live."

"Anyhow... this were my granddad's, and We'd like you to take it, for what it's worth.  Just as a sort of thanks.  I've no use for it really."


He holds out the bundle.  It's a bit less than three feet long, as thick as Aarnr's forearm, and tied with waxed string.
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 1323 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Thu 21 Jan 2021
at 07:02
  • msg #362

Heroes Welcome

The priest is enjoying himself providing some factual and blood-curdling advice to the young of the village, and appreciates the offer of a meal.  All that chopping and slaying does build an appetite.

The old woman's enquiry does cause him to notice a few scratches he's acquired, but he disdains to accept any healing ministrations.  Nothing that won't be gone by morning and certainly not worth yelling at his god over, amusing though that can be.

As Colwyn makes himself comfortable, Aarnr elects to ready the oxen and cart for the road ahead ...

As one who would cheerfully admit to an crimes laid at his door and dare the finger-pointer to do something about it ... well, he can't think of anything he's done this day that might provoke ire, though he is interested in what the bundle holds.  By its size he can only assume that it's either a severed arm or a severed leg, probably from some dangerous beast.  As he manoeuvres the oxen into place, he nods to Eilieen (the priestess most at home with the ways of these villagers) to accept the bundle and uncover the mystery as to which it is.
Colwyn Akbar
NPC, 413 posts
It's a trap!
No problem.
Fri 22 Jan 2021
at 21:48
  • msg #363

Heroes Welcome

Colwyn looks at the gift.  Given their surroundings, it's probably a leg of beef, or something.  In which case, being wrapped up in a piece of cloth, possibly for years (since it apparently used to belong to the man's grandfather) probably hasn't done it much good...

He makes a mental note not to have any of it, no matter how well it's cooked.

Except maybe in a pie.  You can't go wrong with a bit of pie.
Arkan
NPC, 327 posts
Magic Missile!
Magic Missile!
Sun 24 Jan 2021
at 13:30
  • msg #364

Heroes Welcome

Arkan regards the bundle with some interest, surreptitiously  waggling his fingers and muttering under his breath.  "ᚠᛁᚾᚾᛋ ᛗᚨᚷᛁ!"
Eilieen
Player, 1103 posts
Cure Serious Wounds!
Cure Serious Wounds!
Wed 27 Jan 2021
at 01:49
  • msg #365

Heroes Welcome

A touch awkward, Eilieen steps forward at Aarnr's request and bows to Rosie's father.  "Good sir," she states.  "It was our pleasure.  I assure you, the sight of Rosie safe and sound, and back with a family that loves her, that is all we had hoped for."  She bows again, holding out her hands for the bundle and taking it carefully - a gift offered in true gratitude should not be refused.  To do so might very well feel as if there is a lack of value in what the family has regained.

"I trust Rosie is doing well?"  Worried, the priestess delays opening the bundle for a moment to inquire.  "She seemed to have weathered her experience, but one never knows."
Dungeon Master
GM, 1052 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Wed 27 Jan 2021
at 22:21
  • msg #366

Heroes Welcome

The man nods, "She's home with her mum, that's my missus.  She looks to be right, just a few scratches and bruises that she says she got crawling under bushes and things.  Says as how those things didn't hurt her, because they were too busy fighting 'twixt themselves."

He essays a sort of half bow, but it's clear that, while he may have heard that there is a correct way to show respect to people of higher station than himself, he hasn't met enough of them to quite manage it properly.  The bow doesn't quite combine well with his attempt to sidle away...
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 1324 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Fri 29 Jan 2021
at 14:07
  • msg #367

Heroes Welcome

From the man's awkwardness, Aarnr can only assume he is suffering from some malady, and obviously is in a hurry to leave.  This seems to be true of most villagers he's met - matter not what foes of theirs have been slain, all are happy to return to their dreary plodding lives.

The priest shakes his head.  And with Rappan Athuk so close one can all but smell it !  Wild horses (or wilful oxen) could not keep him away from such an opportunity !
Erista
player, 722 posts
Fri 29 Jan 2021
at 21:02
  • msg #368

Heroes Welcome

Erista smiles and waves to the father.  "She's going to be great," she says cheerfully.  "She's clever and kept her head straight.  You look, in twenty years she might be head of this town, and she'll've forgotten all about this."
Dungeon Master
GM, 1053 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Fri 29 Jan 2021
at 21:34
  • msg #369

Heroes Welcome

The villager bows awkwardly again, and actually manages a smile at Erista's comment.

Luckily for him, he is saved from further embarrassment by the arrival of several of his neighbours, bearing gifts of food.  Four loaves of bread, a basket of apples, some cheese, a skin of wine, plus a cask containing a leg of mutton and a fair quantity of salt.  In addition, there is a sack containing grain.

Arkan sidles up to Eilieen as the villagers are loading the goods onto the ox cart, and murmurs to her quietly.
Eilieen
Player, 1105 posts
Cure Serious Wounds!
Cure Serious Wounds!
Sat 30 Jan 2021
at 17:23
  • msg #370

Heroes Welcome

Well.  The polite thing to do would be to open the gift, and show some appreciation before the man leaves.  Though Arkan's information does draw a wide-eyed glance from the priestess.  Really?  Impressive.  And it has been in his family...  With a bow of her own for the giver, she carefully unwraps the item.

OOC - I'd say more, but there's not much to comment on until I know what it is!  :D
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 1325 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Sun 31 Jan 2021
at 14:20
  • msg #371

Heroes Welcome

The priest is impressed.  Usually people are happy to see them go, but the food these idle-headed bugbears are giving them is froggin' better than the coin that Colwyn generally gets excited about.  And he's recently discovered salt and is happy to put it on and in everything.

Today was a good day.
Dungeon Master
GM, 1054 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Sun 31 Jan 2021
at 20:39
  • msg #372

Heroes Welcome

Eilieen carefully unwraps the bundle, untying the twine, the unrolling the cloth that's bound around the... whatever it is.  And there is a lot of fabric, mostly somewhat dirty linen, though there are pieces of ragged sackcloth interleaved with that.

Finally she removes the final layer to reveal a bronze cylinder some two feet long, the end caps held in place by red sealing wax and copper wire.

A scroll case...
Eilieen
Player, 1106 posts
Cure Serious Wounds!
Cure Serious Wounds!
Thu 4 Feb 2021
at 01:11
  • msg #373

Heroes Welcome

Her eyebrows rise, and Eilieen lets out a long, slow breath.  "Well, that is beautiful," she whispers, easily as taken by the simple craftsmanship of the case itself as with its potential contents.  "My thanks, my good sir; I am most certain that one of us should be able to put this to good use."  Raising the case slightly, she blinks at their resident mages.  "Erista?  Arkan?  Which of you would like to do the honors?"
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 1326 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Thu 4 Feb 2021
at 06:13
  • msg #374

Heroes Welcome

The unwrapping of the bundle results only in disappointment as Eilieen reveals neither severed limb nor useful weapon, merely some unwieldy metal rod ... though the priestess is right, perhaps one of the mages might make some use of it, their kind being generally unsuited to sharp blades, though he'd not so denigrate either of his companions.
Arkan
NPC, 328 posts
Magic Missile!
Magic Missile!
Sun 7 Feb 2021
at 19:25
  • msg #375

Heroes Welcome

Arkan rubs at his chin thoughtfully.

"Well... I can't say for certain.  Once we're on the road I'll take a look at it and see if it's anything useful to myself or Erista.  For all I can tell, for now, it could just as easily be a scroll of Zadasthan prayers.  Or Thyrsi, for that matter." he finishes, with a nod to Velanya.

At this point, about the only thing he really knows, beyond any doubt, is that it's not a tome of prayers to Bowbe.
Eilieen
Player, 1107 posts
Cure Serious Wounds!
Cure Serious Wounds!
Tue 9 Feb 2021
at 01:22
  • msg #376

Heroes Welcome

"Such things," Eilieen reassures the farmer, "could prove crucial at a critical point.  This scroll may be something that changes the balance for our lives."  Nodding happily, she bows to Arkan.  "I will await your examination.  Of the scroll," the priestess reflexively corrects herself, a habit learned quickly in Temple.

"Well!"  The pleased priestess dusts off her hands.  "If all is loaded, we should be going...I will pray for the safety of your child, your family, and your community."  She'd bow to the farmer, but there has been quite enough of that already, and Eilieen knows it's possible to overdo such things.
Dungeon Master
GM, 1055 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Wed 10 Feb 2021
at 22:25
  • msg #377

Heroes Welcome

Farewells are said, and the party clamber into the two carts, Aarnr driving one, and Arkan the other.  The mage promise, however, that he will study the scrolls at his first opportunity.

The road to Derindin stretches ahead of the group, and somewhere beyond lays Rappan Athuk, and the fabled horrors contained therein.

Tomorrow they should reach Derindin, and what could be, in all likelihood, their last chance for peaceful respite before the end of their quest.  Assuming, that is, that all is well in the city.

And, further, assuming it doesn't mysteriously burn to the ground.

A short way into their journey, Arkan finds himself whistling a song from his homeland.  A ditty about a man who sets out to make his home a beacon of light and joy for weary travellers, but succeeds only in setting the house alight after using too many candles...

He forces himself to stop, and sits in silence for a while.

Finally he speaks up.  "We should think about our quest, and anything we might need to complete it.  We may be able to buy such supplies in Derindin.  Herbs, powdered silver, and crushed gems for use in working spells, for example.  Incense, and holy texts.  Or even just food and drink."
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 1327 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Thu 11 Feb 2021
at 05:01
  • msg #378

Heroes Welcome

Having no intention of bringing any of the denizens of this city to Bowbe's attention, Aarnr merely gives them a grunt that could well signify anything but in this case strongly implies 'not sure about the tube thing but the food and drink will go down well'.  He spurs to oxen into action, somehow causing them to lumber forth in what would never be described as a heady fashion ...

Arkan's mention of scrolls attracts a momentary flicker of interest until it eventually dawns upon the priest that the mage might not be talking about skulls after all.  Indeed those who follow Bowbe would never stoop to scratchings upon parchment.  Perhaps rune-inscribed (or even rudely-inscribed) rocks might have caught on, for as Aarnr understands siege warfare, it'd be amusing to drop them on the heads of those scaling ladders to gain the walls, were in not for the lack of ladders, walls and, it must be said, rocks out in the swampy fens.

The song about houses burning down is amusing, though any irony is lost upon the priest, merely sinking into the swamp as they say.

"Spare weapons," Aarnr adds to Arkan's shopping list.  Why he, himself has only Valkyria, the Sword of Gonder and his shortbow, little more than what he might take to visit his mother.
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