"The mine sir in chaos, this lathes are en revolt an' the last mule train if are was tacked by brigands!"

Rolf puts his thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose as he lowers his head.  In truth, hearing Bromdaeg's deep voice would be cause for celebration in nearly any other circumstance, but presently, the thick, barely discernible brogue seemed to be one more bit of confusion to add to a raging bonfire of bad news, misinformation, and awful circumstance that seemed to have engulfed him in just the past few moments.

"An new,"  Bromdaeg is shouting at Broskow now, spittle flying far from his thick beard as he stops short several paces, as if he doesn't trust himself to approach any closer.  "Hans says yew bin tech in about geld in the mine!"

Rolf and the others in the caravan had made their way into Three Corners a few days ago and mostly disbanded, although the only months-old town did not really have the infrastructure to spread out just yet.  Though new clay brick buildings were starting to rise and form a town center out on both sides of a single, main road, most of the transient workers and miners were still housed in a large, barracks style building that housed hundreds of beds and a canteen with dozens of cooks working to produce enough food for two meals a day - a breakfast just before the miners went off to work at sunrise, and a supper as the workers returned back at dusk.

Rolf had therefore found himself in transient lodging for the time being, though he had made an appointment with the new governor to discuss the caves and the skulls the caravan had found just a day's ride to the north.

It was there, at that appointment, or rather here at that appointment, that Rolf had been barraged with new information, most of which was not welcome.

Firstly, just before he had entered, he had been told that the governor was none other than Lieutenant Broskow, though it seemed he had shed all ties to the military at this point.  Rolf didn't really dislike the man, yet anyway, though he strongly suspects that having Darran in charge of their missions to find the mines deflected much of the ire that could have been sent in Broskow's direction.  Overall, Rolf had the impression the man was self-important, overconfident, and useless.  Just the sort of person that could be catastrophic in the position of a governorship... especially in a new town that was scraping by for its survival.

Secondly, as Rolf entered the door and met Giles 'J'naeth' Hind, another lieutenant from the fort that he had not had the pleasure of meeting yet, he learned not only that his entrance into the city had been monitored, but that he had already been impressed into a sort of service here as the governor's mage...  with an apprentice no less.  It seemed that Broskow had been informed of his coming and assumed that he would take the position of Three Corners mage...  enough so that he had spread the word and Giles had been sent to assist and to improve on his own magecraft.

Lastly, it seemed quite clear after a few moments conversation, that if he did accept the position (and he hadn't really thought through any other options) that the task would be quite an uphill battle.  As could have been expected, without a real leader at the helm, Three Corners had devolved into a sort of lazy anarchy where the law was written but not enforced, and settlers would do what they felt they could get away with.

And now it seemed, based on Bromdaeg's frothing beard and rage-filled eyes, there was more bad news.

"Does anyone know what he is saying?"  Broskow murmurs, apparently missing the non-verbal cues the dwarf is shooting out like lightening bolts and looking about the room to Giles, Rolf, and Cinar, his executive of sorts.  "I never know what he's saying...  Can't you learn to speak proper Anglish?"

"Something about Gold I expect, sir."  Cinar responds before anyone else can, recoiling slightly from the dwarf.  "He seems to be quite angry though."

"Ah, yes!  Possibly one of my best ideas!  I started the rumor that we had struck gold in the mines!  Greed is a powerful motivator, and workers have been flocking here..."

"Yew slag-headed ass!"  Bromdaeg's words burst out, cutting across whatever else Broskow was about to say.  "Workers may have cam bet new they thin I'm held in out on 'em!  Leaving!  Bet the brigands don't seem to mine stick en around!  Hay get five men miss en with a full lead a cupper!"

"Easy..."  Broskow's eyes narrow.  Though he seems to have difficulty cutting through the dwarf's accent, there can be no missing his hostile attitude at this point.

"Hay kin dell with the miners..."  Bromdaeg starts over again in a slightly calmer voice, though his jaw is still squared forward.  "Bet the brigands need ta be dealt with.  Han our men found if et's possible."

"Well."  Broskow's easy smile returns as he glances over at Rolf.  "Who knew you'd be so well engaged so soon then?  Who better to deal with these pesky brigands than our own mage and his apprentice?"

This is an exclusive thread for Giles and Rolf

OOC:  Ok, welcome back gents and thanks for the patience.  Giles, obviously your side of the story is slightly different.  Major Brashear was told of the mage (Rolf) in the town and attempted to work with your wishes by apprenticing you.  If you two can't manage to cut through Bromdaeg's speech, the gist is that a shipment of copper ore was attacked and the 5 workers seem to have been taken hostage along with the whole wagon load of ore and the mules.  Bromdaeg wants the brigands dealt with as well as his men rescued if at all possible.

Giles looked between the dwarf and Broskow, and then back to Rolf. This was all a new situation and it appeared that his presence had come with its own smattering of storm clouds - or at least he was sure he was able to discern thudner in the Dwarf's voice.

Overall, he was happy with the new position. Initially, he'd been dismayed at Brashear's refusal to accommodate the request Giles made, essentially to leave the fort and have a more wandering role where he could focus on other pursuits but in the end, as was Brashear's style, things had seemed to work out. So now, here he was apprenticed to a mage and essentially helping another place hold off the woes of uncivilised life.

After the words had been spoken Giles interjected with a question, unable to hold back curiosity of the situation. "Is it common for brigands to try and steal copper ores? Isn't ore heavy - and it needs to go somewhere to be smelted? he asked. Giles felt sure he knew the answer was that brigands wanted gold, not copper, but felt maybe it pertinent that this affirmation be aired in a more explicit way.

"At least it seems to me that they'll have trouble hefting a lot of rock and metal any distance in a timely fashion - and indeed they are likely to be selling it in the only nearby place that could make use of it..." he said alluding to the closest city.

"But what do I know about mining and gold" he asked rhetorically with a shrug.


Giles wasn't used to the lack of order or the chaotic nature of this new world had given more laissez-faire approach to life in recent weeks. Indeed things followed a path that was hard to predict and left him wondering on a daily basis what the next day might bring. The ill-ease was further exacerbated by his low opinion of Broskow - a sense that was seeded by Major Brashear and was becoming more apparent by the day. The roughness of dwarves also took some time to fully understand too, especially with their broken Anglish.  Perhaps this was the price of adventure, or at least the cost progress he thought fatalistically.

OOC: Out of the frying pan and into the fire eh!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Sun 29 Aug 2021.

Rolf was disappointed at leaving the skull cave untouched, but it was for the best.  He needed a crew with specific skills and it didn't make sense to investigate them if he would only have had to return later with someone with mining experience.  The climb down is precarious and there's no need to have to do it twice.

After a few days decompressing in town, he had planned on speaking directly with the governor.  About his role and about his find of the new caves, but as he waits his turn, he finds the governor is none other than Lieutenant Broskow!  He groans internally.

It's not that he despises the man but he doesn't like him either.  On their venture to find the copper mine, he found him insolent, annoying and an all around pain in the ass.  But if there is one silver lining, is that he possibly can be manipulated as Rolf thinks he's not too bright.  And he owes Rolf.  The mage hasn't forgotten healing his broken arm, which coincidentally allowed him to skip the fight with the great worm.  He doesn't think Broskow cares about saving face in missing the battle, but perhaps healing his arm could be leveraged in some way.  Maybe.

Rolf's thoughts are interrupted by the mostly incoherent shouting of his former companion Bromdaeg.  Rolf listens to the heated banter back and forth.  He groans audibly this time upon hearing about the false rumor of gold, brigands and hostages.  And Broskow wants Rolf to be the town mage, whatever role that would be, and mentor another fledgling mage.  Something he's never done.

Mr. Erikson wipes his brow as he processes and thinks on what to say.

He notes the newcomer speak up and replies "Well met sir Giles."

"It would seem the highwaymen were after this phantom gold and since they didn't get any, are holding the workers hostage in return for whatever coin they can get." he says stating simplyh.

Addressing Broskow he adds "I agree with Bromdaeg that the situation with the rumor that gold is here is highly dangerous.  It may be bombastic to say, but the very existence of the Three Corners is at risk of collapse."  Pausing for effect he continues, "With every brigand for miles coming here for some quick easy gold, combined with the workers having gathered that there is in fact, no gold here, could spell doom for the entire venture."

"Workers flee while brigands attack.  It's a recipe for disaster."

Leaning forward in his chair Rolf looks directly in Broskow's eye for emphasis.  "If the Duke Bran finds out about what has happened here this could be even bigger trouble.  I'm not sure what he'd do, but I'm sure he'd be less than pleased.  He could ruin a man's career.  Quite easily I would think."

"We need a plan and we need it fast." he says hoping Broskow has some ideas on to mitigate the damage he's caused.

He sits back and contemplates the immediate.  "What to do about the hostages?  The brigands want coin.  If we don't pay and try to fight them, some on both sides will die, likely some of the hostages too, and some brigands will flee and regroup only to continue to harass us later."

"Or pay and hope the exchange goes well.  Though even if it does, they will likely continue to attack us.  And any attempt to convince them we have no gold will not be believed."

Addressing Broskow directly he says "Have they made a demand for what they want for the hostages?"

OOC:  Rolf will leave the notion of being the town mage untouched for now.  He'll wait for a direct offer to see what it entails.  He's also decided holding off on telling Broskow about the skull caves for now.  The less he knows the better.

The man nodded to Rolf's acknowledgement of his presence and returned a friendly greeting - though he was eager to see what might become of their new acquaintance and what magical lessons might be learned, Giles felt it prudent to wait until they were alone.

Giles leaned back in his chair and watched as Rolf laid the seends of doubt for Browskow - there was no direct threat but the suggestion that a Duke of all things should be unhappy and that the venture of this town would ulitmately fail because of his mistakes was an interesting method of dealing with an overzealous fool.

The way it was done seemed to be the kind of thing Giles expected of politicking courtiers  and so seeing it in a place so far removed was a refreshing refocus of the lens, so to speak. His experience thus far had called for more direct promises of force or anger - so he took the time to appreciate his new environment and re-adjust his mindset.

"Yes, perhaps."  Broskow concedes as Rolf suggests the highwaymen were holding hostages in lieu of the heavy load of gold they had hoped to take from the mule train.  "But whatever reasons these criminals have for waylaying our hard-won ore is moot.  The point is that they think they have found an area of Megalos where they can operate aside or even above the law.  Our job is to ensure that they learn quickly that is not the case."

But Rolf does not stop at the insinuation that Broskow may be the one responsible for the current dilemma, instead, he highlights the precariousness of the town and the potential repercussions should Bran become aware.

Broskow's eyes narrow as Rolf continues, his normal self-contentedness replaced with an expression of cool calculation.

He waits for several moments after Rolf is finished, glancing between Giles, Bromdaeg, Cinar, and Rolf.

"I'm afraid you're looking at this quite wrong."  Broskow starts, his voice slow and clear as he returns Rolf's look.  "It is not what to do about the hostages, but what to do about the bandits."

"They have made no attempt at ransom yet as I know, but the difference if they do is of little consequence.  If they do seek a ransom, then we will pay it for the hostages, have them returned, and then kill the bandits.  If they do not seek a ransom, we shall kill the bandits first then rescue our men.  Either way, the most important element is the dead criminals.  I assure you that Duke Bran cares far more for the damage these brigands can do  than in the continued occupation of five men who are as like as not to be captured again if these hooligans are allowed to continue to operate unabated."

"You can lead the expedition Rolf."  Browskow's expression softens somewhat with these words.  "Take Giles with you, and whatever help you can recruit from the town.  Get our men back, but more importantly, make sure that these criminals have learned not to interfere with our shipments.  Surely all new prospects will have their tests, and we shall come through this one undeterred."

"As for the mines,"  He turns to Bromdaeg.  "Take whatever measures you must to get the workers and slaves back into line.  And we'll need to increase the protection on the trains... for the time being at least.  A disruption in production could cause more problems that we don't need."

Rolf listens to Broskow plan on what to do.  He is right, the brigands must be dealt with and Rolf himself has little patience for thieves and less for those that kill to steal.  He'd love nothing more than to talk to the bandits, have them release the hostages and leave.  But he knows that is unlikely to happen.

He is happy to see his words knock a little sense into Broskow.  Playing fast and loose with the truth has put workers and the town itself in a tough spot.  But the mage is glad at least the newly minted mayor has admitted what he did, and more importantly in front of witnesses.  If there ever comes a time he tries to shift blame, Rolf knows there's others that will back up his story.

"Any idea where these brigands are?  And how many there might be?  Certainly there must be more than five that kidnapped the five miners." Rolf asks as his body language suggests he will indeed take the job.

"We'll need men too, and the more the better.  We should overwhelm them with greater numbers."

OOC:  Once the meeting finishes, I want to speak privately with Bromdaeg.  At least out of Broskow's earshot.  Giles is welcome to join.

Taking the job on, Rolf asks the room at large for more information on the bandits, though as Broskow learned of the attack no sooner than Rolf, it is Bromdaeg that ends up fielding the question.

"Ha dun neigh hew many err where."  Bromadaeg says with some resignation.  "We came eh cross where day tick the train...  err uh sand prints all ever.  Eyed guess at least a dozen... bet et sim possible ta tell."  The dwarf shakes his head.  "Ha ken have the men show yew where."

A few more moments pass, though little more of substance seems to come up.  Rolf needs more information, until which point it seems the right answers and even the right questions are out of his grasp.  Bromdaeg too, seems to be eager to get to his own problems.

Broskow seems to take note of the atmosphere and after some short time ushers the others on their way.

"I'll have Cinar work through the details with you.  We have some funds for hiring and supplies, though whatever we have comes from the town's coffers...  Best if you can keep from spending where you can."

Rolf, Giles and Bromdaeg make their way back to the front of the room, and through the door.  Rolf ensures the portal is closed though before he puts a hand on Bromdaeg's shoulder as the two walk side by side.

"Aye?  What else can nigh dew fir ye?"

OOC:  For expediency, all three of you are together as you walk out.

Giles wandered out through the door and Rolf, curious about how things were going to take place. In the back of his mind, his head was spinning with an effective way to manage the brigands. Just going in and hitting them with steel was a very good method and he'd have probably suggested that if it wasn't for the fact that he was the only proven combatant within his awareness. Non-soldier types trying to fight with swords and sticks usually got to being pretty chaotic, and one could not trust an untrained man to provide the approriate cover one might expect fighting in a group. So instead, he resolved to listen.

"Do you know where the bandits are holed up?"

he asked.

Rolf nods to Broskow about meeting up with Cinar.  He thinks to say something about not going on the cheap for this expedition, but decides not to.  It probably goes without saying he's going to push for as many men as he can get.  Even if he has to dip into his own somewhat meager funds to pay for it.

Once out of the room he pulls Bromdaeg and Giles to the side.

"We'll have to track them from where they attacked the workers.  Hopefully the tracks will be good enough to follow despite whatever time has passed since they were made." Rolf says in reply to Giles query.

"I myself can track, but I'm a middling tracker at best.  We should get someone who can do it well or we'll potentially be running in circles in the woods for days."

Shifting gears he says to Bromdaeg, "I know this is not a high priority, but I wanted to make mention the caravan I was with stumbled upon a canyon with a couple of caves nestled at the bottom.  About a days ride from here."

"I would have explored them, but one cave entrance was lined with skulls and it was decided it was too risky to search.  It could be inhabited by creatures, or not, or be filled with ore, or not, or be brimming with both.  Who knows."

Addressing the pair he adds, "Once this hostage affair is over if you would like we could go there to investigate.  With at least two more swordsman I would think."

"I was going to mention it to the mayor until I found Broskow has that job.  I think that maybe not telling him is for the best.  The less he knows the less he can find ways to interfere."

Bromdaeg shakes his head as Giles asks if the dwarf knows from where the bandits came.  "Aside said, we phoned da play straight enough, bet we was a surge party.  We weren't quipped for take in a fight to Moradin knews where.  The prince seemed ta go off clear enough ta da east.  Tis herd to hide wagons's whats been lewd dead down to the the bricking pint."

Bromdaeg nods at Rolf too when he speaks.  "Sewn sill ick a plan.  Oil lick fewer to it, bet won thing at a time."

He laughs too when Rolf makes mention of hiding the information from Broskow.  "Aye.  Ha dun much like held en things ta me self, bet bye the gods that man can't bet due harm when he says his mind."

OOC:  Let me know if there is anything else you need before moving on.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Sat 11 Sept 2021.

"To the east then." Rolf says in reply to Bromdaeg as he looks to his leave of the miner and let him get back to work.

"Lets find this Cinar and see how many men we can get.  I have to imagine there's more than a dozen since they likely break up into sub groups at any given time so we should expect more once we find them." Rolf says to Giles.  There's much the two need to discuss, but for now time is of the essence.  There are men taken hostage and for every minute that passes increases the chance harm will come to them.

Giles nodded, barely understanding the dwarf but it seemed to be the way he would expect things to go. In response Rolf spoke too, "I can't say I disagree Rolf. Things can wait until the bandit threat is neutralised. he said, while walking off with the group.

"The good news is, the bandits think we're probably holding out on them for the reserves of gold. That desire might help us manipulate them to a more advantageous position.

Rolf listens to Giles and ponders the Bandits motives for hostages.  "That's the thing, I'm not sure what taking captives gets you if you don't ask for ransom, which they haven't yet.  What's their play?" he asks openly.

"Is it to draw out our fighters and attack us in ambush?  Then overwhelm the Three corners and do as they please?  Or is it they have eyes on us and if they see us head after the hostages, the bandits do an end around and pillage while we chase a false trail."

"We're going to have to be really careful and keep a wary eye out for a trap if it's the former.  They have to know we're coming and we should expect them to be fully prepared."

"If it's the latter I don't know if there's anything we can do about it."

With the last information shared with Bromdaeg and a bit of speculation on the nature of their situation, Rolf bids the dwarf goodbye and focuses on his problem at hand.  It seemed the two most pressing issues were to advertise his needs for adventurers and to nail down as much financial assistance as he can from Cinar.  Unfortunately, it seemed likely that both items had the potential to fall far short of the need...

---

The word spread around the small town of Three Corners quickly, almost immediately after the word that bandits had taken hostages from one of the mining trains.  A party was needed to rescue the workers, and if possible deal with the bandit problem right at the source.

Rolf was not entirely unsatisfied with the outcome...  Though it was not the dozen men he had hoped for, he no longer expected that he would have the funds to pay for such a party anyway.  There simply wasn't the money to pay for it.  Instead, what answered Rolf's call was a motley band of adventurers he had never as yet met, although some of them seemed familiar with each other.

There was the swordsman, Gustav, who was building a bar in the town.  The work had stopped on his premises due to a lack of materials, and Rolf had managed to insinuate that the bandits were likely at least partially to blame.

There was the Minotaur, Magnus.  Though quite literally a monster, Rolf was surprised by his rather quiet demeanor and gentle baritone.

Then there was the slight Muslim woman, Sajaa.  Of all of them, she was perhaps she was the most out of place, although the wicked looking blade at her waist and the steel gleam of her eye did not leave Rolf any impressions that the girl couldn't defend herself.

And then there was Rolf and Giles.  The mage and his apprentice.

Though it was far short of his goal, Rolf felt his chances were low of anyone else showing up.

Magnus, Gustav, and Sajaa join the thread.

OOC: It is 1630 on the 3rd of January.  Each of you may have a few months to kill for timeline alignment here, with the exception of Rolf/Gustav/and Giles who have just a few days, but I'm not going to get too fussy on the details.  Magnus, your trip down with Arnold was successful (despite all the great ideas I had for roleplaying the trip down, alas, we'll have to skip it), though Brashear was less than ecstatic that he was being brought a one-handed, criminal recruit.  Sajaa, you've had a month or two around the border towns moving from place to place.  I've added the funds from the sale of your horse and assumed that you've been doing odd jobs to keep your funds around the same place.  Gustav, while I had the intention of letting you build your bar, there simply hasn't been enough game time, though we'll get around to it soon, I promise.  Thanks again everyone for the patience.

Over to you Rolf and Giles for your recruiting.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:33, Tue 28 Sept 2021.

Gustav has brough a Pony Keg of beer down and is selling off pints for 6 coppers.
He hasn't been able to do much in the way of food and has staked out a location for the Tavern he hopes to build, but only his waon and tent is there now.
He notes Sajaa, who seems quite out of place... Young Lady, you seem far from your kind. I would not affront you by offering you a beer, but I will offer a dry and private place to sleep with less chance of being accosted during the night.

Magnus did not have any place he could really call home. His parents owned a roadside inn way out east, but he had never even been there, just having heard about it in letters.

But if he had to claim some place, it would have to be Three Corners.

The Minotaur had lived there for some months during his rest and recovery after Perdition, and he had volunteered to stay and to defend the fort during the now infamous Wazifi siege.

The truth had mingled with fiction as the stories were told and retold. Some of the deeds were painted as heroic, others terrible, some sickening. The one where he had charged and then gored a horse ridden by a Wazifi cavalryman was particularly popular.

Whatever had happened that day, Magnus had been in the thick of it, and he seemed to know Brashear fairly well. Giles and Gustav and even Terri as well by the look of things.

He had hauled in a prisoner shuffling along in hobbles when he had returned, something about being involved with catching a murderer up in Raphael, but he was back with a new ugly stab wound and apparently planned to stay for some time.

He had wept, quietly and by himself, when he had heard the news about Rondald and had been making sure Terri had plenty of firewood, in addition to checking in on her frequently to offer manual labor or friendly conversation.

But for the most part, he kept to himself, catching up with old friends and a few of the legionaries he had come to know, and trying not to grow fat in his little loaned room in the Fort during the chilly winter weather.

Upon hearing that there had been trouble with Bandits, and now having good reason to reunite with many of his friends at once, Magnus now attended the meeting in his sturdy winter clothing, seeming a little older and perhaps even a little larger than he had before.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Wed 15 Sept 2021.

Sajaa al-Kassem looks up from her plate, her golden eyes meeting the keen, green ones of the tall, dark-haired man standing over her.  It has been a month since she made the decision to abandon her nijab and burqa to better blend in with the heathens, and still she feels naked and exposed. Always on the alert for the trouble that seems part and parcel to a woman traveling alone in foreign lands, she is immediately suspicious of this man.  Between her constant fear of being caught by the Sheik’s bounty-hunters; and her natural wariness over the often less-than-honorable intentions of the men she’s encountered at home and abroad, Sajaa cannot help but go immediately on the defensive.  As she meets the man’s gaze, it occurs to her that her right hand has closed discreetly over the handle of the sword that rests in its scabbard beneath the table, in the empty chair beside her.

From his heavy accent and the cut and style of his travel-worn but expensive-looking clothing, Sajaa presumes the man is no native to Megalos. Earlier, she saw him lug in a keg of ale and begin selling it to the locals.  Perhaps he is a traveling merchant.  That he is mindful of her religious intolerance to drinking alcohol is comforting, but his offer of a dry and safe place to sleep puts her on edge…  More than once in her travels she has been duped by a lecherous pig’s falsely kind words and gentle smile.

But Sajaa does not rebuff the man.  She has come here to this rustic little shack of an inn, in this backwater village, desperately searching for work.  And perhaps this man can help her in her endeavor.

”I already have a place to stay, but thank you for your kindness, Lord.” She lies haltingly in Anglese, dropping her eyes and bowing her head on instinct.  ”But I do beg your assistance, Lord, if you will.  I have been told a capable woman with horse and sword may find employment here.  Would you know, Lord, if anyone is hiring?”

OOC: It has been 6 weeks since Sajaa crossed the Makarem River and entered Megalos.  Since then she has remained on the move, wandering from village to village, doing her best to remain incognito while at the same time finding work here and there to support herself.  Whether it is washing dishes at an Inn, to mucking out stalls; to scrubbing laundry, no job is too menial for Sajaa.  To make up for her deficit in earnings, she sold the bay gelding, but has kept the black mare. She has paid off her Quirk, “always wears hijab” so has shed it, and replaced it with some comfortable, average wealth clothing of leather and wools (loose fitting trousers if this is something the women often wear, otherwise whatever dresses or gowns). She keeps her long black hair intricately braided as seen in her Character Description pic. I’m not experienced playing in large group threads, so let me know if I should avoid branching off into individual conversations such as what I’ve done with Gustav, so as not to jar with the flow of the narrative, or if I’m cool to continue this side-scene.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Wed 15 Sept 2021.

At the mention of Sajaa looking for work Magnus perked up a little from where he was hunched over the table on his elbows, a mug of Gustav's beer in hand. He was happy to support his compatriot in his business venture after all.

The interest was professional, although that huge, broad face with its large black upon black eyes the size of a large chickens eggs were always difficult to read for the unaccustomed.

His coat was thick and had turned a russet brown with the cool winter months, his long tunic some sort of green wool with a belt wrapped around his middle.

Even after his time south of the border and there living at the Fort, he had difficulty figuring out the Wazifi. It was not the people in general, they seemed pretty similar to the common folk everywhere he had been, but it was all the different sects, styles of dress and customs. What's more he always felt awkward asking about it during the few occasions he had been in a position to do so.

Magnus happened to be a mercenary by trade, just about the only semi-steady work he had been able to find in his life given his obviously inhuman features, and so the prospect of this beautiful young woman with her horse and her curved sword pursuing the same line of work had obviously drawn his curiosity.

Even as she is waiting for the Ale Merchant’s reply to her question, Sajaa glances past the man to see the huge bovine monstrosity that had so astonished her earlier when she first walked in, swiveling its great, horned head to gaze directly at her.  Its hairy mass is squeezed into a chair at a nearby table, sipping from a tankard, and its attention is suddenly drawn to her.

Quickly, she looks away, her face flushing.

Her people know the creatures as Rajulalthawr -- what Megalosians would call Bullmen.  And though Sajaa knew they existed, she has never before seen one in the flesh and it both fascinates and terrifies her at the same time.  That it is lounging so placidly here in this establishment, eating and drinking like any other human customer -- and not crashing about bellowing and slaying everyone in a berserk rage as the stories told -- mystifies her.  Barely anyone seems to be paying any mind to the shaggy brute, and this surprises her even more.

Perhaps it is safe, after all... She thinks to herself, though the hand on the sword beneath the table tightens.

Looking now with focused interest on the Man to avoid the Bullman's gaze, Sajaa tries to interpret the meaning in the beast’s big, liquid black eyes.  She has long learned how to read meaning in the eyes of lustful Men -- but surely the way the beast’s eyes perked up when they locked on her -- could not mean the same thing. Indeed, a human woman must be just as hideous to a Rajulalthawr as it is to her!

...Or perhaps it just wants to eat me! She thinks to herself.

OOC: Pretend not to notice Magnus. Keep conversing with Gustav.  In back of head, thinking of the lyrics of an old love song she’d heard as a child back in her village:  Tale as Old As Time...  True as it can be… Barely even Friends… Then Somebody bends… Unexpectedly…. LOL, just kidding! PS, not sure if I was supposed to make a Perception Roll to even notice Magnus noticing her, so delete if the roll was required and should have failed.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Wed 15 Sept 2021.

I am Gustav, late of Arraterre. I expect your offer of a sword for hire will soon net you some work, but I can use some help as well. Can you cook?  I won't ask you to wait tables here, as the men have no manners. Safety for a woman is hard to find here, hopefully you have better than my tent which offers better protection from the weather than the ill mannered brutes that work here. Oh, and Magnus there is a friend and companion from past adventure, I vouch for him.

“Cook?”  Sajaa replies to the man -- Gustav of Arraterre’s -- inquiry.  So, he is not just a traveling merchant, but the proprietor of this establishment!  Her heart leaps at the prospect of a job.

“Why … why yes, Lord.  I can cook.”  She says, bowing her black-haired head.  ”Not professionally.  Though I have been cooking for my family since I was a little girl.  I would need to learn the recipes of your local cuisine, for my experience is limited to Al-Wazif dishes -- rice, poultry, beef, vegetables and nuts flavored with saffron, lime, cinnamon, turmeric and parsley, and the like.” She risks a smile.  ”Not everyone likes Al-Wazif food.  But I am a quick learner, Lord! And a very hard worker!”

The ember of hope flickers in her heart at the prospect of employment here.  Perhaps her arduous, constant flight can come to an end and she can start planting some roots. But then her smile fades: ”Oh, but, Lord Gustav, you should know that my God forbids me to touch the flesh of swine in any fashion.  I hope that does not present a problem?”

At Gustav’s casual mention of the Bullman -- Magnus its name -- speaking as though the beast is an old friend, Sajaa is comforted.  She glances around the room, marveling at the variety of ethnicities and races -- this Minotaur -- and, over by the hearth, a whiskered Dwarf.  Her own countrymen are far less tolerant of non-humans and non-Muslims, so she is intrigued and encouraged by the progressive nature of her new home.

Taking a deep breath, she turns her head back to meet eyes once more with Magnus's and offers the brute the slightest of a nod and a smile.

What an amazing and wonderful place is Megalos!
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Thu 16 Sept 2021.

Magnus raised his clay mug a few inches and nodded in greeting. "How's it goin?" he asked, the baritone of his voice causing a slight but perceptible tremor in the diaphragm as it rolled out over the other conversations in the establishment and the clinking of utensils.

Amid the other conversation, Gustav mentioning the "ill mannered brutes" that did seem to abound in these out of the way frontier towns. The prospect of employment. Magnus waited for an opening to ask Gustav a question, and when he found it a hint of an almost nostalgic smile tugged at the corners of the Minotaur's mouth.

"Hey Gustav, do you remember the name of that little Wazifi girl that came along with us out to the tower? The one that never spoke?" he asked in a way that suggested that while she was obscure to him, that he was asking purely out of curiosity. The tone was classic, and recognizable as an "old war story" told among those that had served together.

When he said the "tower", it was obvious to Gustav that he referred to the Tower of Octavius. The Wazifi village of Tabuk was less than an easy weeks walk south of Three Corners, and the infamous tower was but another thirty miles from Tabuk. The place where the mad wizard Haj Umr ibn-Hussein abd-al-Rahman al-'alim Takali, who consorted with the dead, had made his stand.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:37, Thu 16 Sept 2021.

I can't say as I do, Magnus,

My Lady, I am no Lord, just Gustav is enough.  Your cooking will do fine, compared to what they eat now, they will think it a feast, assuming we can get the things to cook.  Yes, I am aware of the prohibition, we don't have a lot of four legged pigs here, so I doubt it will be a problem. We should talk about how we wish to do this and how much you wish for your cooking services. First though, by what name would you like to be addressed?

Sajaa feels a great weight lifted from her when Gustav agrees to hire her.  Since fleeing Al-Wazif, she has been constantly fretting about finding the financial means to support herself.  Though she presumes the pay she can earn as a swordswoman will trump that of a cook’s salary, she has to start somewhere and, as her mother used to say,  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

”Ashkuruk! Thank you, Lord …. er … Master Gustav!  I promise I will work hard.  I can start whenever you need me.” She says, rising from her seat and bowing, her eyes glistening. ”Though I do ask that I be permitted time away now and then should I receive opportunities to earn additional wages as a swordsman!”

In answer to his request for her name, she smiles.  ”You may call me ….” She hesitates for just a second, then:  ”Mitra, Sire.” It isn’t so much an outright lie as it is a diversion from giving her real identity. One can never be too careful.  Hopefully Allah will forgive her for this minor infraction.

OOC: I figure with her on the run from bountyhunters, Sajaa is going to use an alias, I hope it doesn't cause too much confusion. I suppose Gustav and I can work out the details and logistics of her employment in OOC if that cleans up the thread more.   Google research says the average salary of a typical cook is about $29,500 per year, which calculates to about $570 (rounded up) which comes to about $14.25 an hour (US dollars).  Not sure how the economy works here.  But she’d make an initial offer of $15 an hour plus be given the opportunity to earn tips. These wages are negotiable, of course, as she’s in dire straights.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

Magnus seemed to see his "in" when Mitra mentioned that she would prefer time away to pursue mercenary work. With his initial curiosity peaked, he cleared his throat.

"So you're a sell sword?" He asked her, and settled his large glossy eyes upon hers. Gustav's inability to recall the girl, and the change of topic both seemed to flow easily. His time was neither suspicious or doubting, but rather had all the intonation of somebody trying to spark up a conversation.

To be completely fair, there was nothing about Magnus that suggested that he was a mercenary himself, well aside from maybe his heritage and his hulking build. His woolly appearance, comfortable looking green tunic and lack of any sort of armament hardly spoke to a hired killer.

Sajaa (who has now adopted the alias, Mitra) turns toward the deep, rumbling voice addressing her, and once more finds herself meeting eyes with the great, shaggy Beast.  It is still seated at its table and so she takes a tentative step nearer, her golden eyes wide.

”Well … Sir … “ She stammers in her heavily accented Anglese, uncertain how to address a monster.  ”I am not yet a sellsword … but I am quite interested in pursuing such an occupation.” She glances to Gustav.  ”On the side, of course, as Master Gustav has honored me by hiring me as his cook.”

She finds herself staring, slack-jawed at the brute.  It seems far more intelligent than the stories described Rajulalthawr to be.  Her breath suddenly catches when it occurs to her she had mentioned beef as one of the main ingredients in Al-Wazifian cuisine.  Is a Minotaur not beef, too?!  She wonders, praying that this Magnus did not overhear that particular comment -- though judging by the size of the creature’s ears and obviously attentive demeanor, she doubts she could be so lucky.

She steps over to her table and pulls out the spare chair on which lays her rolled up prayer rug.  From within the roll, she draws out a slightly curved saber, its handle ivory studded with gems -- clearly a sword designed for someone of a means far greater than that which “Mitra” would apparently have.

”You see.  I have a sword, Sir Magnus.  A good one, and I believe I have a natural talent with it.”  She says, her mind flitting back to how she ran her husband through … and the way she so efficiently butchered the two bounty-hunters south of the river.  ”I have a horse, too.  And will soon have armor.”  She steps nearer, fascinated by the beast.

”Are you, too, a mercenary, Sir?  Or do you know of anyone seeking such services?”

Oh, Allah, how much my life has changed! Here I stand unmasked, unchaperoned, chatting with mythical monsters in this far away land, sword in hand, and adventure in my heart!

OOC: GM reserves the right to veto this as the sword’s image if he thinks its too fancy looking for Sajaa’s character.  I took a risk hoping the sword was fancy seeing it belonged to a wealthy and powerful Sheik.


This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

Magnus listened attentively, in a way that suggested that he was actively curious and not just waiting for a turn to speak.

The admission about her "not yet" being a sell sword met with a nod of evident approval, if that confirmed his suspicions or he simply appreciated the honesty, or the humility, it was difficult to say.

When she produced the sword he looked at it mutely, but he made no move to inspect it more closely nor did he seem particular moved by its beauty or decoration. He did not even seem particularly surprised by the girl possessing such wealth, or at least that broad face did not show it.

"I suppose I am, yeah" he nodded slowly a few times, raised his mug to his lips and took a sip.

"I've found that it gives you a lot of freedom, but you do pay for it, in other ways" he told her with a hint of weariness. He rubbed at his mouth idly with his hand before he continued. "Have you looked into the laws up here in Megalos by chance? About arms, armor and whatnot?" he asked her with a slight cocking of his horned head.

”Goodness, no! I did not, Sir!” She replies, aghast, suddenly lowering the blade and stepping back to her table to return it to its sheath and then sliding the ensemble back to hide it in the rolls of the prayer rug.

”Am I breaking the local law here by possessing this sword?  And if so, how do I remedy that?”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

Magnus raised up one hand in an almost sing gesture. "Well Major Brashear, who kind of runs the show around here, he's a good man. I don't think you'll see any trouble in Three Corners." he explained, a rural twang rounding out his words.

"But you're gonna draw more attention than most, that's just the truth, so if you travel around up here in the north you are probably gonna find that some people might take notice, and a lot of that is gonna depend on where you are and if they generally enforce that sort of thing." he took another sip. "Swords...well, that complicated. I want to say folks that own land can carry a sword?" He glanced to Gustav, who carried one regularly

"I've never quite gotten a straight answer to that one. But I would stay away from any sort of pole arms, cross bows, the heavy armors. Leathers are fine...and you can get a writ from the local authorities for the right price, just to make things official. It helps if you're with the Armsmens Guild" he told her, before he gave a sort of gentle smile. "Just trying to give you fair warning, it would be a shame get such a pretty sword confiscated over somethin' like that."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

”The Armsmen’s Guild?” Sajaa asks.  ”Is that the local militia?  Do they hire? Or are they all volunteers?  Might one earn coin through them?” She asks.  Then she smiles and bows her head apologetically.

”Forgive me for all my questions, Sir Magnus.  I am new to these parts and do not want to start off on the wrong foot!”

OOC: Love the dialogue and happy to continue unless the conversation needs to be segwayed to OOC.  Still figuring this group thread stuff out.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

"Oh, it's no problem" Magnus shrugged. "The Armsmens Guild..." He began, then trailed off in thought for a few moments. "I want to say it began as a way to organize all these various mercenary groups? I imagine if you have a pack of trained killers roaming around the countryside, you're gonna want to keep track of them, know how to reach them in an emergency...tax them." He theorized with little gestures of his hand. "Also a way to keep them in line, so if they wind up causin' trouble, you can kick'em out of the Guild, which means that can't work on the big official jobs for the Empire." his tone seemed to indicate that this would be a big deal in the mercenary world.

"I have been meanin' to look into it more, I talked with a Guild Officer about it years ago, just, have not kept up with it.  But for you, it's a way to hear about jobs, get some legal protection, make some good connections. There's an annual fee to belong I think." he clucked his tongue. "Should probably look into that myself...there's been plenty of work lately, so it hasn't been as big a deal last year or so." he grew silent for a few moments before he looked back to her. "You've got a horse though, and a weapon already. Sounds like you're well in your way. Do you have any, well, training?" he asked delicately.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:38, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

Gustav Listened attentively, he had to fight not trying to pick up the fancy shamshir she produced, obviously it was not hers, but had been acquired by her, that might be an interesting story too.   Well Mitra, I think we can help you there too, I also have been a sell sword, which is how Magnus and I know each other.  May I look at your  uh sword please, I am always intrigued by swords. I will not harm it or you and will return it in a moment, but would like to test it's balance. As for instruction in sword fighting, I can provide the basics at least. [Gustav is quite sure that she needs to learn Saber, not sword, with this blade, but wishes to be sure].

Sajaa frowns and shakes her head.  ”No, Sire, I have never been formally trained.” She replies. ”The only learning I did was by watching the Sheik’s houseguards during their training, back when I was a little girl.  I would watch what they did, then play against the boys in my village with sticks.  Such play was forbidden by my parents and I had to do it in secret.”



Sajaa turns to the man, thrilled to hear that, not only has he hired her to cook -- but he is also a sellsword and is willing to train her!  The thought wets her eyes yet again.  Surely Allah must have forgiven my sins if He is bringing such fortune to me!

”Why, yes, Master Gustav!” Says Sajaa, returning to the table and rug and withdrawing the sword yet again and then presenting it to him.  ”I would be most grateful for any help you can offer in teaching me to fight.  At home, the women of my village are not allowed to learn much besides childcare and housekeeping -- certainly not warfare!  So your tutelage would be most appreciated!”

It occurs to Sajaa as she presents the weapon to Gustav that she is taking a risk.  Surely if word reaches the family of Sheik Aarif al-Jalali that there is an Al-Wazif girl in southern Megalos, fitting her description, traveling about flaunting the unique-looking blade -- the bounty hunters will be back on her trail.  But she has no intention of denying her new employer’s request -- and the prospect of being taught by a Master is too great to pass up.

OOC: I will defer to GM on the sword factoids.  I did pay 1 CP to own such a saber.  And it has been described as jeweled, so its probably worth something.  Its not magical to my knowledge, but to the extent of whether its fine or very fine, I will let the GM decide that. Suffice to say, its overall a pretty nifty looking sword. Sajaa's skill is in Fencing and the weapon stats are for "saber".
This message was last edited by the player at 23:13, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

Magnus made a low sound of affirmation when Mitra mentioned that she had no real training. "Well...everyone starts somewhere. Gustav is one of the best you'll find in these parts with these, ah, lighter weapons." He gestured faintly to the curved sword.

"What I would do, in your place, is to see if one of the carpenters at the fort can carve you up a copy and to fill it with some lead." He suggested while glancing towards where the fort would be, if they could see through the wall. "That's how the legionaries do it, double the weight of your waster and practice shield, so when it comes to the real thing, well, you're already used to far worse. Besides, that things too pretty to spar with." he glanced again at the decorated weapon.

He took a sip from the beer, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and chuckled low. "Going to be interesting, a Wazifi girl trained by a fencer from Arraterre, but takin' work in Megalos. I imagine you'll have a style all your own if you stick with it."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Sat 18 Sept 2021.

Interesting, indeed! Sajaa thinks to herself.  For, in addition, here I am taking advice from a Bullman!  But it is good advice and Sajaa makes a mental note to seek out the local carpenter for assistance in fashioning a training sword.

”I thank you both Sirs Magnus and Gustav.” Says Sajaa.  ”It has been some time since I left my homeland and you two are the first to make me feel welcome. You honor me with your kindness and generosity.”

She watches Gustav hold her sword, interested to hear his verdict as to whether or not he approves of the weapon.

She looks back to Magnus.  ”Sire, forgive my earlier stares.  It is just that you are the first Rajulalthawr I have ever encountered. In truth, the tales told by my people of your kind are not flattering -- but I see now how very wrong they were.  Would that things were different, I would love to take you back to my village and introduce you as my friend.”

She cocks her head.  ”Are there other … Minotaurs … in these parts, Sir Magnus?”
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Sat 18 Sept 2021.

Gustav takes the Shamshir..

My thanks for your trust, Mitra

He holds it and twists his wrists, then feels for how it swings and thrusts, both of which he does away from Mitra and anyone else.


It seems a well ballanced weapon, Mitra, it should suit you well.

He reverses it so as to hand it back to Mitra grip first.

Magnus had never been called "Sir" in his entire life, and he seemed to find it a little novel. This Mitra was very polite, and while the ruddy camp girls, no-nonsense caravan women and the various other females in his life had their own rough and tumble charm, Mitra's refined presence was different in a way he had never really seen.

The kind sentiments brought a smile to the Minotaur's admittedly monstrous face, but the following question tinged it with a hint of sadness. He licked his lips with his huge pink tongue before he shook his broad, shaggy head back and forth.

"No...no, I've actually never met another of my kind, besides my parents." he clarified. "I've heard a few rumors now and then over the years, but, nothin' ever really seemed to come of it. Not really sure what I would say if I did run across one." he admitted, his eyes seeming to become unfocused for a few moments. He seemed to remember himself after a moment and looked back to her.

"My parents came down from the Nomad Lands before I was born, and I'm guessin' there might be a few more of us up that way. I've never been myself." he shrugged. "You'll find folks from all over the world up here. Just did business with an armor smith from Sahud up in Raphael, and we've done work with Mages, a Viking once...even Gustav here aint' from Megalos. Hopefully you find you like it." he told her sincerely and gestured to her with his cup.

Rolf looks the assembled group over.  Being a bit shorter than most at five foot eight inches tall, he finds himself a bit intimidated by the much larger Minotaur.  He's certainly heard of their kind, but has never been this close to one before.

All in all it's a motley crew for sure.  And far less in number than he thinks they'll need.

Gustav he already knows and has worked with in the past.  A fine swordsman in his own right and someone he trusts. As for the rest he's never met any of them.

"We should probably introduce ourselves.  My name is Rolf and I hail from Craine.  I have training in combat, as I'm sure we all have, and magic." he says matter of factly.  "But beyond hand to hand fighting, does anyone here beside myself have a bow or crossbow?  It would be good to know who does.  I personally have a crossbow."

"I have some outdoorsmanship in me too.  I can track and mostly survive in the wilderness.  Both good things to know."

Shifting gears he adds, "I have it on good authority there are about a dozen bandits that kidnapped the miners.  They took them cart and all."

"They haven't made any ransom demands which I find odd.  Why take prisoners if you aren't going to try to exchange them for coin?  I for one suspect a trap.  Maybe they want to draw us out and into a carefully laid ambush.  Or attack the Three Corners itself while we futilely search for them. I have some thoughts to address the former, but none for the latter."

"Fortunately I have five gold marks from the mayor to use at our disposal.  For supplies, and hopefully to hire more men if we can find them."

"In any event, I've only led smallish groups in the past.  I can take command or defer to someone else if anyone wants that role.  Though it likely makes sense I have some say in what we do, what with my magic ability and how it can be best applied."

OOC: We have $1000 to spend as we see fit.  Rolf has a horse, but no saddle bags which I'll see if he can buy.  This would help I think with carrying gear.

Magnus did not seem to notice Rolf's smaller stature, now did he seem to have any issue with directing his full attention towards Rolf, who he presumed to be his new employer, and in a sense, his superior.

The format was time honored and familiar to him, name, maybe where you were from, and whatever you were bringing to the table. As such he elected to go next after Rolf and cleared his throat before he spoke.

"I'm Magnus" he raised his hand slightly. "I've done work under the Major a few times, and was here during the siege." he did not feel the need to elaborate beyond that, and was not sure what Rolf had been told about him in particular.

"If we were in the Legion I guess I'd be with the Heavy Infantry, at least that's what Brashear used to say. I've got some good armor, a scutum, and they normally just stick me right up front." He explained casually enough. "I've got a few javelins, and a sling, although I mostly just use that for helping to top off the stew pot. I do have'a mule, if we need help haulin' things in"

He seemed to briefly consider continuing, decided against it, and look to the next person in line.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Sun 19 Sept 2021.

I have  crossbow, but am only fair at best with it, but I do have assorted swords an a shield. Rolf, Magnus and I have all worked together at one time or another.

Sajaa retrieves her sword from Gustav. She is about to return it to its hiding place in the folds of her rolled up prayer rug, but stops herself, realizing that the only way she can prove herself worthy of being hired as a sellsword is to show a potential employer that, at least she owns a sword.

For now Gustav and Magnus begin speaking with a newcomer -- a little man with a youthful demeanor who calls himself Rolf of Craine.  Without preamble, Rolf dives right into the business of assembling a group of sellswords -- which is more than Sajaa could hope for.  He speaks of a gang of bandits who have kidnapped miners.  Sajaa presumes the job will be to rescue the miners and drive off the bandits.  The little man speaks of magic in a matter-of-fact sort of way, and this astonishes Sajaa.  Between her encounter with a hulking Minotaur and now a Magician -- she is finding herself overwhelmed.  Surely a backwards Muslim girl from the badlands south of the river has no place consorting with such an eclectic gang of seasoned adventurers!

But despite her feelings of inadequacy, and her natural hesitancy to speak up in the presence of men, Sajaa swallows hard and raises her voice to be heard.  If, indeed, she wants to find employment as a mercenary, now is the time to dive in.

”As-Salam-u-Alaikum, Master Rolf.” Sajaa says, bowing her black haired head.  ”You may call me Mitra.  I am new to this village but seek work.  I have this sword, as you can see, Sire.  And a good horse, too.  You would honor me by inviting me to join you and Masters Gustav and Magnus on this quest.  I own neither crossbow nor bow, but would be happy to purchase one if it would benefit the cause.”
This message was last edited by the player at 11:53, Mon 20 Sept 2021.

"I'm probably about the same with a crossbow too.  I'm ok with it, but I'm no sharp shooter.  But still, having some ranged firepower won't hurt." Rolf says in reply to Gustav.

"Good to hear." he adds genuinely when he hears Gustav vouch for Magnus.  If the minotaur is good with Gustav, he's good with Rolf.

"I wouldn't go out an buy an expensive weapon if you don't already know how to use it.  Armor and shield might be a better choice if you don't have any already." the mage adds Mitra's way.

Rolf pauses and collects his thoughts for a moment.  He thinks about how they might best beat any ambush the Bandits might set for them.  He could transform into a bird and spy from above, but he can't maintain, nor should he try, that spell for the many hours he might need to as they track them.  Plus he might be required to track himself which he can't do flying around.

"In regards to searching for the Bandits, does it make sense to buy a mutt that might sniff out any ambush and bark out their presence?  Dogs have a keen sense of smell that might invaluable to us." he asks the group.  "At least as long as the dog isn't a constant yipper that would give away our presence."

Looking the group over he notices his new apprentice Giles hasn't spoken up yet.  Rolf looks his way expectantly.  Other than he wants him to show him what he can about weaving magic, he knows nothing about the man and is curious to what he might say.

"An ambush is a concern,"  Giles offers in response to Rolf.  "Though I'm not sure that a dog is our right answer...  Apart from the yipping, I doubt that there are many dogs in these parts that would know of an ambush any sooner than a well trained soldier."

"I think the more pressing matter though is your comment of ransom.  If they have offered no terms yet, then what are they waiting for, or are they offering a ransom at all?  If they aren't, then what purpose do these captives serve?"

Giles shakes his head.

"The slave markets are one possibility, Lord knows there is plenty of want for that foul trade throughout the empire, but it seems like an odd place to take slaves by force.  After all, the market is going to be most feverish here in Three Corners where the mines are clamoring for work, and that seems no different than offering the workers back for a ransom..."

GM posting in player's absense

Magnus remained hunched over and attentive as the suggestions went back and forth, and when he felt the time was right he interjected himself.

"If it's just us, I don't see a lot of options. Unless you two have some sort of magic that's gonna give us an edge, we're just gonna have to go in there and clean'em out. It won't be pretty, but we've got no scouts, no cavalry and no real archers." He pointed out. "No way to infiltrate them either, as far as I can see." the tips of his fingers drummed softly on the table top as he thought. "So unless we can talk them out, it might just be all stick"

Sajaa tucks her sword away, then stands quietly, listening to Men and Minotaur discuss battle tactics.  Yet another newcomer joins in the conversation, a handsome young man with a curly mop of dark auburn hair who does not give his name and who leaps right into the subject being discussed.

Her father so often preached: Women should be seen and not heard. And so she remains silent.  That the group has not denied her recruitment is fortunate enough to keep her content.  Why risk things by opening my mouth? And, besides, what can she offer in her ignorance of such manly things as warfare?

They seem mostly concerned about the possibility of an ambush.  Certainly Sajaa can appreciate their apprehension.  Did she not, herself, ambush the two bounty-hunters, cutting them down before they even knew they were under attack?  They speak of magic as a possible tactic -- but she doesn’t even attempt to understand how that could be employed -- so ignorant is she of such arts.  The little one named Rolf mentioned possessing some magical ability.  She finds herself eager to witness Rolf in action.

So cautiously optimistic that she is now part of the group is she that she doesn’t dwell on the logistics.  Of traveling, unchaperoned, with a gang of male heathens and their bestial comrade, Magnus.  She decides to stick close to the Rajulalthawr, for it, alone, would have no reason to develop any unhealthy interest in her that its human male counterparts might out in the wilds.

She wonders to herself what kind of pay one can earn as a sellsword.

More than I have now!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Tue 21 Sept 2021.

"Agreed, lets ditch the dog idea.  It might do more harm than good." Rolf says in reply to Giles as he mulls over the slave question.  He hadn't thought of that possibility.  "Indeed it could be the miners are already sold.  But the only way to know for sure is to try to track the Bandits down."

"Stick it most likely is then.  I have some spells that might help, but it'll depend on what we find for defenses in the Bandit camp so I can't say for sure.  And generally some of us will surely get hurt and I should try to keep my power in reserve for that very possibility." he adds in response to Magnus.

To the rest he says, "We should get as many men for hire as we can with our five marks while still buying as much food to feed us all for at least ten days, plus another five days worth of food for the miners."

"I would think ten days should be more than enough time.  If it goes longer than that I think we should call it."

OOC:  For our five I calculate 150 meals needed for 10 days. (5 x 10 x 3 meals as day = 150).  Plus another 75 for the five miners.  At $2 per meal, 1/2 lb each.  That would cost $450 out of our $1000.  Leaving $550 for men and food to feed them.

Weight for the food is 113. My horse can carry 40 of it.  Let me know how much the mule can carry.   I have a bag of holding that I can use to likely carry the rest.

Gustav still has his small riding Jenny (Mule).

I think carrying food will be minor compared to water.
And a large mob of fihters may be more problems than value; everyone is a geat fighter until combat starts, then the numbers thin quickly.
The same will apply to the bandits, wejust needto catch them at an awkward time and get a bit ahead. I doubt they will fight to the death if things are going poorly.

"It's rough, ya know, hunting bandits." Magnus said as an aside as they discussed their plans. "I wouldn't underestimate these guys. I mean, we call them bandits, but twelve armed men running around the wilderness with nothin' to lose." he looked about as he spoke. "If they do chose to fight, probably gonna be ugly."

He coughed a little and adjusted his weight on his seat. "If I were them, I'd be thinkin' spies in town, doin hit and run attacks as we come in, maybe even somethin' like poisoned arrows. Just makin' our lives hell in general." he sipped his beer and then jerked the cup to Gustav. "And yeah, if all that didn't work, I'd probably beat feet instead of fightin' it out to the death"

He looked back to Rolf. "If you do decide to try to hire on some help, maybe some archers of our own might be the thing? I mean they don't need armor, and the risk is lower...just some people to shoot back if they do get the jump on us, or pin us down." he suggested, as if the thought of getting ambushed by bandits in the hills was already making him tired.

"I was hoping we could find water along the way.  But having more on hand couldn't hurt." he says in response to Gustav.

Rolf listens to Gustav and Magnus and harkens back to the fight with highwaymen his group had on their trip here. Unbidden to his mind comes the recent memory of the combat he and Gustav had when their camp was ambushed.

"The caravan I was with before reaching the Three Corners was attacked by about five bandits in the middle of the night.  Most were armed with knives, but one had a bow.  They fought well and without fear until we got the better of them.  We defeated them soundly, but suffered a few wounded.  None on our side died so ultimately we did well."

Adding soberly Rolf continues, "We outnumbered them though which greatly helped.  This time we won't be with our five to their roughly dozen.  I'd like to hire at least three more men to help even the odds.  More if I can get them.  Preferably with bows."

Addressing Gustav's concern he adds, "Certainly not all men can handle the stress of combat.  It's a risk for sure, but going in with better than two to one against us is riskier I think. I expect them to fight us hard.  Especially as their greater numbers will likely inspire confidence on their side."

Sajaa returns to her seat and resumes picking at her plate as she listens to the discussion.

A feeling of dread rises from the depths of her stomach as she listens to these veteran warriors discussing past battles.  Somehow she has maneuvered her way into their ranks, but what in the Name of Allah is she thinking?!  What do I know about fighting … really?! She thinks.  That she defeated her husband is nothing to brag about --for he was fat and unarmed and extremely drunk.  The two bounty hunters were equally unchallenging -- they entirely unaware of her presence when she struck.  But these bandits?  They may number a dozen or more and may very well have vigilant lookouts posted to warn of their coming and time to launch an ambush.

For a moment, she considers declaring to the others that she is reneging on her offer to join them.  That she would better serve Three Corners and her new employer Gustav, as a cook or a maid or through some other domestic occupation.  That she is no warrior and undeserving of the fine saber that lies hidden under the table. That she made a terrible mistake when she offered to join them.

But she holds her tongue.  God has been kind to her so far, if she prays hard enough, He will see her through this new phase of her life.

Supplicate Allah Almighty and be certain that He will answer your prayer.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:44, Thu 23 Sept 2021.

OK, but I still think we need to asses any potential new hires so we don't expect too much. Mitra here would like some training with her new sword, I expect others have weapons they hardly know how to use, let alone use well.

"Well,"  Giles answers as the conversation steers to water.  "The only reliable source of water is the river, but it's not exactly rare out the the bush.  I've never had too much trouble heading out on patrols, we almost always find some along the way, a ground spring or small creek somewhere, but I suppose it's not guaranteed.  I don't think we'd need to take all the water we'd need for the whole time though...  Just something big enough to last us a day or so in case we don't find anything for a while.  Maybe a barrel that holds a few gallons or so?"

Giles shrugs his shoulders.

"As for men, I doubt that the Major will be willing to allow any of the soldiers off for more expeditions...  He complains enough about being undermanned as it is.  But I'm sure there are workers here in the town that would be willing to take a chance to earn some extra copper, especially if it meant avenging a few of their friends.  Talus is the name of a merchant I think that has excellent connections here, I can see if he knows anyone we could try and convince to come to our aid."

But just then, the door of the great room opens and a flood of the last bits of the evening sunlight spring into the room along with the tiniest boy any of them have seen in some time.  The lad can be no older than eight, and is probably younger, though his clothes are torn and his body bears fresh scratches and bruises that portend some familiarity with abuse beyond his tender age.  His eyes are wild, his face pallid and thin...  All in all he seems far too young to be walking into the commons of the border town.

Runt joins the thread

OOC:  Somewhere along the line I made a mistake in the calendar math.  It is now the 3rd of January, and Runt has just hiked 4 hours at a feverish pace to make it into Three Corners.  He is quite tired.  I think I need to edit Runt's thread, which I will do just after this.

A couple of quick notes:

Let me know with a quick private Rolf if you want to use the group funds to buy food, and if so, how much.  I'll split things up evenly (or just quickly) among the animals if there is a bunch of group items to track.  Also let me know if you want to take Giles up on his offer to ask Talus for more hires and what you are offering them for pay.

Other than that, I think we are close to set - just give me the word when you are ready to head out, and what preparations you want to make.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Wed 29 Sept 2021.

Not sure what amount of time we are speaking of, as last I remember it was late afternoon, so we have a few hours. Gustav will take sometime to give Mitra some very basic fencing tips. Say an hours worth.

OOC - If I've been keeping time right, Gustav, Sajaa, and Magnus joined the thread at 16:30 and Runt should be arriving somewhere around 17:30 to 18:00 (probably closer to 18:00).  Sundown should be a bit after 18:00. I think this is correct.

Good stuff, thanks Runt.

Magnus glanced over as the door opened, and then stared for a few moments.before his expression became progressively more crestfallen.

His concern only seemed to mount when it became obvious that the boy had arrived alone, despite his tender age.

"Christ..." he muttered and then stood and made his way over to the lad. "Easy kid... over here, we'll get you a seat by the fire." he did not touch the boy, although he gestured towards a bench that had been pulled up next to the hearth.

"Hey guys, do you think we can track down some warm soup? And maybe a blanket?" He asked the group that he had been planning with. He was not sure if the young man would simply flee back into the cold, but given his state, he had his doubts that the boy was going anywhere quickly.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Wed 29 Sept 2021.

Sajaa sits alone at her table, listening to the others talk tactics and logistics.  She continues to question her decision to join the war party but knows, if she intends to go through with this, she will have to ask the village leatherman to step up his timetable on completing the adjustments to the boiled cuirass she recently purchased from the proceeds of the sale of the bay gelding.  The armor was oversized for her slender physique so she paid to have it tailored to fit.  The leatherman is also fashioning a new chin strap for the heavy steel helmet she bought to add to her protection.

As these thoughts are mulling through her mind, her eye catches the flash of light from the opening door and sees a tiny little boy limp in.  She inhales sharply at the boy’s terribly beaten condition.  Having tended children all her life, her maternal instincts have her beginning to rise from her seat to go to the boy, but the big Minotaur, Magnus, is first to lumber over to him.



Sajaa is quick to bend to her belongings piled beneath the table and fish out a threadbare blanket she pilfered from the bounty hunters.

”I have a blanket.” She calls.  She rises and hurries over to the boy and drapes the blanket over his narrow shoulders.  ”And I shall look for some soup … or perhaps hot tea?”  It occurs to her that she is now the cook of this establishment, so takes the liberty of searching about for any hot beverage she may offer the boy.

If Sajaa’s father had not held out for the best bride price and married her off at thirteen like most of the girls in her village, Sajaa would likely have already birthed four or five children by now.  But Kassem waited and waited, haggling with all suitors until, at seventeen, the Sheik made her father an offer he could not refuse.  And yet, relieved to be rid of her husband, Sajaa has always wanted children, so finds herself endeared to the battered little urchin and eager to help.

OOC: Note, Sajaa's Disadvantage: Sense of Duty (to women, children and animals). DM I took the liberty of having Sajaa pre-order the leather armor and helmet that I ‘bought’ from private messages. If that’s not cool, or there is no armorer or leatherworker in the village, just say so and I shall edit.  Sajaa will look for any kind of hot beverage she can find and offer it to the boy.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:59, Wed 29 Sept 2021.

Jason listens to Giles, and he agrees that having another days worth of water makes sense.

"Hopefully we can get at least two more men to join us.  Three would be better, but our funds might make that a stretch." he says as he scribbles down notes and figures on a scrap piece of paper.

Lost in thought he doesn't immediately notice the child enter.  He looks up as Sajaa and Magnus look after him.  Seeing he's being cared for he returns to his figures, wondering if they can somehow pull off a third hireling without having to dip heavily into his own funds.

"Good God son!"  Giles remarks as he watches the waif of a child scuttle into the room, attempting not to call attention to himself.

"What happened to you, look at your hand!"

As he says it, the others recognize the boy is indeed nursing his right hand which appears inflamed and purple.

GM posting in player's absence.

OOC:  I'm inclined to agree with Sajaa.  While I'm more than happy for players to RP their character to the nines while the GM is sitting on his fat, lazy ass and doing nothing, I don't like holding the show for it.  So here's the deal - if I don't get a note that people need more time for admin (buying food, etc.) then I'll start working on fast forwarding the thread tomorrow.  Feel free to post to your heart's content here until that time.  If you do need more time to look over equipment, etc. feel free to let me know.  Otherwise, I'm just going to move things along.

As a side note, Rolf, I have your private and for the NPCs, Terri will volunteer, as well as a former Miner named Hamish who is a sure hand with an axe.  Just let me know what pay you are offering (and what you are giving them in advance).

Runt plodded his way among the small collection of buildings.  He didn’t know how much further it was to Three Corners but it shouldn’t be too far.  Maybe he should stop and rest here for a short time, get something to sooth his parched throat.

He pushed open the door on the largest building and stood there, waiting for his eyes to adjust.  A very, very large figure approached.

  "Easy kid... over here, we'll get you a seat by the fire."

He sat where the person indicated, cradling his right arm in his lap.  His eyes adjusted to the light level now he could make out the details of the person.  He wasn’t sure what it was, he’d never seen anything like it before.  Not only was it big, but it looked like a bull walking upright.  Still it seemed friendly enough, calling for some warm soup and a blanket in a pleasant, very deep bass voice.  A woman came over with a blanket and draped it around his shoulders.

“Got no money,” he croaked out.  “How far to Three Corners?  Got to get help.”

He heard other voices asking questions, but it was all coming a bit fast.

OOC – On closer examination Runt is more the size of a five to six year old and thin even for his height (about 3'8").  He’s dressed mostly in threadbare sackcloth clothes one step away from the rag bag, the only exception being a blue adult sized half length cloak with the trim removed and several gashes crudely repaired that has what might be old blood stains.  Of note is that he is barefoot.

"You're already there" Magnus told the waif simply as he eyed the injured hand uncertainly.

"And don't worry about the money, just take a deep breath and tell us what this is all about. What happened?" he asked, then took a step, selected a split section of log and tossed it into the hearth where it sent up a little shower of sparks.

“This be Three Corners,” Runt asked in confusion. You could drop this whole place in any block of Craine and have plenty of space for a market square.  He shook his head to clear the thought and tried to answer the things question.

“Caravan ambushed.  Everybody cept me kilt or captured.  Got to get help to rescue them.”

Magnus was alarmed of course, but he tried not to show it aside from a knowing glance at his companions. "Well you made it kid, just, rest up yeah? Take a minute and then you can tell us the story from the beginning. Don't worry about the cost...we'll see about gettin' that hand looked at too." he patted Runt's shoulder lightly.

Runt nodded his head in agreement and concentrated on what had happened.  Hopefully these people would get someone who could rescue his friends.

"More hostages?" Rolf says in disbelief.  "Are these the same bandits we're after?  Or a different group?" he wonders openly.

"Any idea how many men there were?" he asks the lad.  Before he can reply he asks the others tasked with this job, "And are we to track this group of bandit's trail or the miners trail?  Will both paths lead to the same place?  Does it matter which way we go?"

Rolf shakes his head at the mess they have to unravel.  Which path to take he is clearly unsure of.  "We must make haste.  This has gotten out of hand."

After wrapping the diminutive boy up in her blanket, Sajaa heads over to her table, takes up her mug of water and the plate which contains the remainder of her lunch, returns and sets food and drink in front of the boy.

"Eat Little One." She murmurs sweetly in her broken Anglese, lightly caressing the boy's cheek.  "You are safe now. We shall see to your friends and tend to your wounds soon."

She then takes up her belongings and hastens out the door.

OOC: Sajaa is going to go pick up her armor and helmet and saddle up her horse in preparation to go.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

Runt opened his mouth to answer the somewhat short young man but never got a chance as he continued on with more questions for the others around.  Runt cooked his head to the side listening carefully to the man's voice.  The way he talked was very familiar, like he was from Craine.

The young woman brought over a mug and plate of food to him.  He croaked out a quick "Thank you" and began to empty both, waiting for the adults to question him.

Gustav didn'tget a chance to act before Magnus and Mitra had things going right. At the mention of soup, he headed back to his cooking area and found some stew that hadn't been taken yet, he added a small amount of water and put it over the heat, stirring it back into something edible. He grabbed an apple andd  crust of bread as well, bring ing it all out about 15 minutes later.

Seeing the young man being tended to, Rolf waits till he has some food in him before he approaches.

"Lad...how many bad men did you see?  And did you have any carts in your caravan?" he asks Runt quietly and slowly.

Some food and drink in him helped.



Runt tilted his head to the side and closed his eyes, replaying what had happened.

"Der was four or five brigands that I saw.  But I could hear others.  Don't know how many der were," he said slowly and deliberately.  "Six carts is what we had.  And ten and one adults and me."

With the news of another attack by brigands, the group presses Runt for details, and slowly but surely the story comes out in drips and drabs.  Magnus and Gustav are surprised to learn that Rudyard, the same man who had accompanied them on their first trip to Three Corners, is one of the captured.  Everyone agrees to set at the problem with haste, though once final preparations are made, there is not enough light left in the day to truly begin their search.

The group comes to an agreement to press out most of the way to the ambush site, stopping short by several miles to ensure they do not have any night time interruptions, and tackling the beginning of their search with the fresh light of the morning.

---

The morning dawns with a thick blanket of fog after a night of cool rain.

"Start of the rainy season."  Giles moans as he finishes packing up his own equipment.  "I'm not sure whether that hurts or helps us.  I suppose it will be all the more difficult to track down these bandits, but there's something to say for the fact that they won't see us either."

"If there's more of them,"  Terri says in a deadpan response her bow already strung and her pack thrown over her shoulders, "I'll take the fog any day."

"'S better than trying to do it in the summer, that's for sure..."  Hamish responds in the throaty hum of a seafarer.

The newcomer, Hamish, apart from a complete moment of panic when he was introduced to Magnus, has been quiet and kept mostly to himself.  However, he seems to make the most of his few words with additional quirked smiles, sly winks, and one word responses to make an impression.  It is not his cheeky attitude, but the pair of axes on his hip and his shirt of chainmail that attracted Rolf to hiring him.  That and the fact that there wasn't a single other person he could find that would take the work.

"...  Get's hotter than the devil's balls, and not a lick of rain for months."  Hamish finishes, nodding his head as if closing the point.

"Yeah, well, you get used to it soon enough."  Giles responds somewhat defensively.

"Like hell you do!"  Hamish snaps back immediately, his face already contorting into the roguish grin.

"And where do you come from then, that the weather is always perfect?"  Giles replies somewhat waspishly, realizing that his original, innocent comment now coming under sustained fire.

"Dekamera."  Hamish replies with another nod.  "And it is perfect.  Winters are as mild as a babe, and the summer never gets too hot to work out of doors.  Don't think there's been a drought that I can remember..."

"Ha!"  Giles laughs.  "And what made you give up this perfect city for the heat of the devil's balls?"

"Wasn't on purpose..."  Hamish grunts, the question souring the smile from his face.  "Came with a ship a few years back...  I was supposed to go back home with them, but I got hurt...  Turns out I've stayed longer than I wanted.  Hired myself on as a miner here from up north when I heard there was gold in the mines, but I haven't seen any.  Harder work than it was worth, and the pay didn't exactly match up with what I was promised neither."

The easterner re-dons his chainmail shirt, slipping his axes back onto his belt.

"I suppose we should just get on then."  Giles finally says when everyone is ready to move out.  "Perhaps we should hold short of the ambush site, just in case the bandits are planning to use it for en encore?  But I suppose we probably won't know where it is until we are right upon it!"

It seems Giles would be in the wrong for the second time that morning.  For a half a mile off from the ambush site, Runt tells the group the wagon will be just up ahead, despite the fact that the visibility doesn't go half that far.

Rolf is shocked when, after just a minute or so, the bleak outline of a small cart appears in the fog ahead.

"Should we track from there, or just go straight to where Runt followed 'em?"  Terri asks.

Though perhaps before they had doubted his directional skills, Runt assures the others that he can find the gulley again, even with the densely hovering fog.

OOC:  Sorry for the wait there.  Runt has led everyone to the ambush site, which is now just at the limit of visibility.  The options as I see them are to investigate the site fully and perhaps track the group from there, or to simply follow Runt.  Or you can do anything else you can think of.

When the party got to where they could see the ambush site Runt slipped down off whoever’s mount he was on and went over to wait by Magnus.

“Here be where dey ambush us,” Runt proclaimed, giving Rolf an I told you so look.  “Dey went off dat way like I said.”

OOC - OOC -some addition details Runt would have told the party when being questioned. - 1) the ambush site was about 5 leagues from Three Corners, 2) it was about 2/3rds of a league from the ambush site to where he could see the canyon/gully that he followed the bandits to, 3) one of the bandits he could see was a bowman and was real real fast with the bow, 4) out of the others he saw there was a hatchet, an axe (maybe 2), and a staff.  There was a large cave opening (about 5 foot wide) at the base of the cliff on the south wall of the canyon and another opening 30 – 40 feet up on the north wall.

Two conversations he heard – the first sort of at the end of the fighters

Brigand -  "Yield!  You are of more use alive than dead!  We just want the goods!"

Rudyard "Put it down Peter!  Would you rather be robbed or dead?...  We yield, alright?"

The brigand again -  "Throw your weapons down!  Pick up and tend to your wounded if you wish, we are no savages."

 Rudyard - "Where's the kid!"

Another brigand with a voice like rocks grating together - "There was a runt that scampered off that way!"

First brigand - "Go on!"


Conversation 2 (while Runt was hiding under a bush -

Yet another brigand - "Scarpered, seems like."

Gravel voice brigand - "It matters not,  Niall isn't looking for kids, there's no time to search for him."

Just as a RP aside, during the ride out in the dark, he would have strongly preferred to be in as close to the middle of as many people as possible because wolves.

Let me know any other details you want.

Magnus stared at the wagon mutely for a few long moments.

The Minotaur had reluctantly agreed to lead this excursion after some prodding, and as such he had opted to purchase a good deal of extra water, seemingly very concerned about running out should things take longer than expected. The hiring had gone about as expected, although he was happy to have a familiar face around in Terri, and he knew she could probably use the money.

Although they had only been apart for a few months, or a span of weeks in the case of Giles, Magnus was apparently continuing to invest in his profession, and had obviously become influenced by his continued exposure to the Legion.

His round shield had been replaced with a rectangular, concave scutum decorated in simple dark red and black, and he now carried two javelins in a long sack cinched to his pack. Not pila, but lighter, handier weapons with long, thin heads.

But the most obvious was his helmet, which was recently aquired and which he was obviously proud of. A masterwork, it was not only custom forged to fit his very irregular skull, but it permitted his horns to fit into "slots", and left much of the face and ears uncovered to allow for comfortable breathing, and hearing.

A pronounced flange covered his neck in the back, and it had a short but prominent horizontal crest, much like an ancient centurion, but smaller and made of thin steel instead of horse hair, adding another half foot or so to his height.

"That way?" Magnus confirmed with Runt softly. "Alright...we'll follow you then"


Magnus was perhaps a bit biased, as he had never met a tracker worthy of the name, but he was also concerned about time. He wanted to maintain a brisk pace, and milling around an ambush site was just not conducive to what he hoped to achieve.

They had a solid witness who had no reason to lie, and so he put their fortunes on the small boy, on the off chance that he really could lead them to their quarry.

He removed one of the javelins and held it by the balance, then glanced around at the others and moved to follow Runt.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Sun 03 Oct 2021.

Gustav followe quietly until the the wagon appeared, where upon he cocked the crossbow and placed a quarrel in the weapon; he was careful about where it was pointed, but wanted to be ready should anything arise. He had the saber and main gauche on his belt.
The black sword concerned him and until it was assessed, he was not willing to use it again.

At dawn, Sajaa took up her prayer rug and found a quiet spot off the road to lay it out.  She had to ask Magnus which way was south, for the cloud cover was thick and the sun nowhere to be seen.  As the party began to break camp, Sajaa got down on her knees and prayed to Allah with all her heart for a safe, successful day.

Her robes are damp from the previous night’s inclement weather and she is puffy-eyed from lack of sleep.  She had been reluctant to bed down among the men, so positioned herself between the little boy and the beast.  The former tended to twitch and whimper in his sleep, while the latter’s snores and wet-animal smell kept Sajaa awake most of the night.

Now she is in the saddle again, the black mare whickering amiably, eager to be on the move again.  Sajaa has decided to name her horse Jameela -- Pretty Girl -- for the Arab is, indeed, a beauty.

Sajaa has been quiet for most of the journey.  Neither warrior nor tactician, she has had little to offer, but helping with the chores -- gathering firewood, cooking meals, helping with the animals, washing out pots and pans.  She has fussed over the little boy, who calls himself Runt -- being sure he has had enough to eat and changing the bandages around his injured hand.

Now Sajaa watches as the party prepares to make their advance on the bandits.  Today she appears much different from the woman she was yesterday.  For she is clad in a sturdy coat of studded leather, and wears a steel helmet with visor which she tilts downward to shield her dark-skinned face.  At her belt hangs the scabbard in which rests her sword and cradled in her arms is a newly purchased crossbow, cocked and loaded.  Though Sajaa may not feel like a legitimate warrior -- she at least looks the part.

”Give me strength, O Lord.  Give me courage.  Help see me through this day.

OOC: Sajaa is in leathers and pothelm with mask, and has her sword sheathed and crossbow cocked and loaded. She will follow the lead of the others.  If they advance mounted, she will too.  If they lead their steeds, she will to.  If they leave the horses behind, she will too.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:39, Mon 04 Oct 2021.

Wary of any tricks the bandits may have in store, Magnus elects to let Runt lead the way to where he had followed the villains on the previous day.  Runt cuts slightly off the road to avoid where the broken down cart lays, and then quickly leads his way over a few shallow hills, then down into the saddle where the terrain slopes up on either side.

As the group continues on, the thin sound of a small stream begins to emerge through the fog from their right.

"These are definitely cart tracks..."  Terri whispers as she crouches down, touching a few spots on the wet earth.  "And shod horse prints.  Fresh too.  It's lucky the rain didn't wipe them all out."

After a short time, Runt stops near a clump of brush that grows out of the slope to their left.  He points through the fog to a cave ahead on their left, then points off to their right and up towards where he saw the second one, though the fog obscures any detail in the distance.

"We go after this one then?"  Hamish offers, pointing towards the small cave to their left.  "Makes sense that they'd be hiding in the closest place they could bring the carts right?  You see where they went tyke?"  He gestures back to Runt.

OOC:  It occurs to me that I have had some oversights in preparations that need to be made for you guys.  While I think everyone did a good job thinking of food and water for themselves, I sort of completely ignored the horses/mules, and unfortunately, right at the beginning of the rainy season, there isn't a whole lot of natural greenery around for them to take advantage of.

To keep things from getting overly complicated, I'll suggest that everyone who brought a horse/mule (Gustav, Magnus, Sajaa, Rolf) pay $50 for a 50 lbs bail for their own steed, which should last about 3 days.  I don't think that will stretch any of you funding wise.  If everyone agrees to that, I'm just going to subtract the money and ignore feeding the horses.  If that doesn't work, each of you can let me know individually what you want to bring/share with others, then we'll break things down into individual meals (about 8 lbs twice a day to avoid losing fatigue) and roll with it that way.

Magnus I think, has taken care of the water they would need to drink, and anyway there is a small stream in the close proximity so there isn't a need just yet to store a ton of it.  Below is a rendition of what you see, though the distance is obscured by fog, so you only see the close cave to the left.

Directed to lead the way, Runt scampered along to the west of the ambush site, making his way from one area of concealment to another and occasionally checking behind him to make sure the adults were following.  He came to a stop after a couple of miles and pointed out the cave openings.

"Dis is where I stopped.  Din't see where they was and din't want to get caught so I went back."

It was somewhat cliché to say that Magnus was trying "think like a bandit", but he figured that it was not so difficult. It was kind of like being a mercenary, only the work you were looking for was easy pay instead of a contract. Lower risk, lower reward. In theory.

But one did not have to be a bandit to know that when the weather was shitty outside, caves were not a bad place to be. Magnus and his family had stayed in dozens of little depressions, scree slopes, over hangs and legitimate caves over the years. They kept the rain off, were not hard to warm up, and they limited the angles that you had to worry about about.

"Yeah, we'll take a look" Magnus replied to Hamish. "If you could stay here with Terri and keep an eye on things...it's gonna be important that you don't let anybody out." Magnus emphasized "Can't risk anybody runnin' off to alert the others. We'll try to give you plenty of warnin' when we come back out."

He turned to the others.

"The rest of us will buddy up. Try to stay near your buddy, and don't get drawn into a skirmish with these guys. We are gonna need to push in, and settle things quick like, just in case those poor folks are down here." he looked around seriously. "That's a lot to ask, I know, but I do think it'll pay off for us. These guys are used to pickin' on farmers. They see soldiers comin' in with'a purpose, they might just cut'n run."

"Alright" he adjusted the strap on his helmet and took a sip of water. "Let's get to work." he gave one last nod to Terri in support, and then headed in.

Sajaa slips out of the saddle to the ground and pats her horse gently on the neck.  She leads it over to the only other woman in the band, Terri.  She lifts the face-shield of her helmet and nods respectfully to the woman.

”Her name is Jameela.”, Sajaa says in a low voice, indicating the black mare and placing the reins into Terri’s hand. ”She will eat constantly, so please be mindful not to overfeed her. She means the world to me so I am grateful and and in your debt for watching over her.”

Free of the horse, Sajaa takes up her loaded crossbow and walks quietly over to the front of the group where stands the great Minotaur.  When it speaks of “buddying up”, Sajaa turns to the one called Runt and beckons him over.

”Come, Little One.” She says quietly.  ”Stay close to me.”

OOC: Sajaa will keep most of her gear on her horse. I believe once she drops her crossbow she may be in, at most, Light Encumbrance?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:52, Mon 04 Oct 2021.

Preparations for the trip are done in a rush.  Food and water are hastily requisitioned for the morning's trip as Rolf hurriedly prepares to leave in the morning.  In the late hour and with the immediacy of the mission, there is little time to search for more help.

Fortunately Terri, with whom Rolf knows well, and a newcomer Hamish, both sign up on short notice and join them in their search and rescue mission.  Terri he knows will be a valuable addition to their band, but Hamish he's not so sure.  But he does wear decent looking mail and if he's even just competent with his axes he should be of some help.

Rolf says little and keeps to himself as they travel to the ambush sight.  He looks over the ragtag band with a careful eye.  They are likely to be outnumbered and fighting a fierce enemy.  At least that is the experience he had in the ambush on the way to Three Corners.  Though poorly outfitted, the bandits fought well.  Aided by surprise they took strong advantage of the opportunity.  Ultimately his group defeated them, but it was not without cost.

He does listen intently to the information Runt provides.  A look of concern washes over his face at the prospect of the bandit's cave and potential sniper keeping watch from above.

He looks the ambush sight over, and to Runt.  "Let's keep moving.  If the kid knows where they went, then lets him show us where." he says to Magnus, glad not to have to try to track with his meager ability.  Which would be further hampered by the poor light from the dense fog.

Soon enough they find the bandit campout.  It is eerily quiet.

Pulling near Magnus he says "Before we go to the cave, I have an idea.  Sounds like they are holed up in that lower cave like you said.  But they will surely have an armed bowman or two in the upper one, if the not the lower as well.  It would be good if can avoid that missile fire if we can."

"I'm thinking I would hike to be over the top of the caves and use magic to fly down to get real close to the upper cave.  If someone's inside I'll cast a spell to create impenetrable darkness that I can see out of, but they can't see in.  That would give the rest of you cover to get to the main cave."

"In any event, if I see the coast is clear I'll motion you up, and if anyone comes I'll use a darkness spell or two to cover you all.  But once I'm in the air, you have to all move fast.  My magic doesn't last more than a minute."

Rolf thinks some before he continues, "We'll need light once inside too.  If you care to wait for an hour I so I can create a couple of magical lights.  One for me, and another for the rest of us."

"Sound good?"

OOC:  Rolf is fine with spending $50 on food for Lilly.

Magnus listened to Rolf, then a curious expression sort of came over his face. "Hey, look, you're payin' for all this, or at least you're who the money is comin' through. If it were up to me I'd keep you on the ground with us, close at hand and well rested. I've seen a mage get into a tight spot or two, tryin' to get fancy."

He shrugged. "But that bein' said, I don't know the first thing about magic. So you do what you feel is best, but I will ask, don't push it, yeah? I know magic can do all kinds of wild things, but we may not be able to come save you if you get shot down."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:23, Mon 04 Oct 2021.

Rolf is an agreeable man.  With his skills there's always more than one way to solve a problem and the minotaur was right, being alone up in the air anything could happen and maybe not so good for him.  Being on the ground is probably safer.

"What if we advance to what we think is on the edge of their effective arrow range, then listen for a bit.  Then I'll lead the way.  I have a couple of different spells that help protect a single person.  One in particular protects from all arrows and bolts that might come my way for about a minute.  It's very powerful in the right situation.  And I can usually get myself out of trouble if things go south."

"It's almost certain there's an attack waiting for us there.  They have the advantage with the upper cave, I see no reason they wouldn't want to use it."

"I'll be in front to draw their fire.  With the rest of you behind."

"Of course maybe we catch them off guard and the entrance is undefended and we go right in.  I doubt it, but it's possible.  But it's also possible their defenses are too fierce to mount an attack on the caves.  Which if it is I think we withdraw and rethink our plan."

Many thoughts bounce around in Rolf's mind, but he thinks the plan is sound.  He really wants to avoid getting anyone hurt unnecessarily and he's confident his magic will be able to protect him.

"What do you think?" he asks Magnus.

Gustav slides over next to Rolf and Magnus, not sure whom to pair up with. he had considred Pairing up with Mitra, but she obviously was more comfortable with Runt for several reasons no doubt. He'd keep an eye out for an archer in the high cave.

The $50 for the Mule's food is fine.

"Well, let's not give them too much credit..." he told Rolf softly with a smile tinged with pre-combat nervousness. "Stick with us, for now, any of those tricks will still be handy once things get movin', but let's not kick the hornets nest just yet. Sound good?" Magnus was obviously intending to move right then if the conversation was over, and did not seem inclined to wait another hour this close to the enemy for a magical light source.

Sajaa swallows hard and exhales slowly, trying to calm herself.  She listens to the whispered conversation of the others, her eyes scanning the numerous cave entrances -- particularly those at higher elevations on the gorge's rocky face -- trying to identify any manlike shapes that may be crouched in the shadows.

In truth, Sajaa is terrified, but she is also strangely excited. Her heart is pounding and her blood is running fast and hot. Though she knows death could strike any moment, she has never before felt so alive.

She finds she is standing behind the big Minotaur, using its shaggy mass as cover from potential snipers.

Enough talking! She thinks silently to herself, the anticipation more than she can bear. Let us go!

OOC: Sajaa will follow Magnus's lead and set out when he does. She will hang back a wee bit, letting Magnus's big body stand between her and the caves for possible cover. If she passes a tree or any other cover/concealment, she will pause there, have a peek at the cave entrances. If she sees anything suspicious, her goal is to brace and aim. Otherwise, she will continue the advance at Magnus's pace. Extra Effort Diving Dodge vs. any missile fire.

Preparing to leave, Rolf looks for a large stick.  "I may be paranoid, but I think we should be wary for a trap.  I will prod the earth before us as we advance for any pits they might have dug and covered." he says to Gustav as they buddy up get ready to probe the Bandits main camp.

"You do what you feel's best" Magnus agreed amiably with a smile to Rolf and started walking down the cave. "I was gonna be in front anyway" his hooves made curious sounds as the sand ground into the rock beneath them.

It was also clear that he did not plan on tapping his way down the tunnel, he just, walked at an easy pace down the cave, taking his time as the visibility was obviously not great.

"Movin'" said said over his shoulder, just loud enough to let the group hear.

While the big folk were making discussing their options and plans for entry into the possible lair, Runt kept his eyes open carefully watching for any sign of movement.  More importantly, he listened for anything that might be important.

When Magnus said to advance, he positioned himself behind Sajaa and followed.  That way if anyone started shooting or came charging out, he would be well protected and perhaps not even noticed.

OOC - Yes, Runt is using others as cover.  And quick question that is important, did Runt have his injuries healed or just bound up and cared for by Sajaa?  If healed, then he would have picked up 2 or 3 rocks (for throwing) to add to his arsenal of a stout stick.

Edit - Forgot Perception roll (if needed)  10:33, Today: Runt rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,1,3.  Perception (+2 if hearing).
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Tue 05 Oct 2021.

After some moments of conversation about strategy and tactics, and considering the dense fog, Magnus decides that the simplest, if not the best method of routing out the captured workers was to look for them one cave at a time.  If they found nothing here, then they would move on to the other cave, and so on, eliminating things bit by bit until they had reached their goal.

And so, the six move ahead, leaving Terri and Hamish behind to hide the horses and guard them while they began their expedition.

Very carefully and slowly, with Rolf tapping the soft, rain spattered earth with a stick he had found the six approach the cave, peering in the wide mouth and boldly stepping in.  The light fades quickly as they step within the mouth, though there is enough to see that while the cave opening is natural, there is evidence of cut stone almost as soon as they walk in.  The floor and walls are smooth, rather than rocky or pitted.  The walls are damp, though there is no sound of water.

Immediately, the cave opening splits into three separate tunnels, each of them wide enough to walk two abreast.  Directly ahead, the natural light shines just enough to show a doorway some ten yards or so back, to the left and right, the tunnels continue on for some ways, each with some dim, reflected light bouncing off the dew-slicked walls...

OOC:  No traps have been noted up to this point Rolf.  I'm going to go ahead and roll for you if you don't mind, so that it's not obvious where the traps are and aren't when I say "roll against traps" and also so that I don't have to tell you to roll for traps every post arbitrarily.  Just let me know when you are checking for them and where if you have specific suspicions.

Please give me a march order, and what each of you has in your hands.

Runt, I assumed that you were healed last night, your HP has been restored on your character sheet and your hand is no longer crippled with the "funny bone" injury."

OOC - Runt has a rock in his throwing hand and a stout stick and a spare rock in his other hand.  He will be listening just about everywhere (roll as appropriate for me so as not to slow things down).  Was just making sure on the healing.  He would have paid close attention, especially if it was magically done.

Magnus barely slowed as they came to the intersection. He glanced both ways, cast an eye down the hallway, and continued straight on towards the dimly visible doorway ahead.

Magnus has a javelin in his strong hand and his shield in his off hand. Helmet on, .

Gustav is behind Magnus on his left and has a crossbow loaded and aimed down and away as they move. The Crossbow does have a sling, so if dropped will hang off his left side away from the hilts of his blades.

Through the gloom and the mist, Sajaa moves as quietly as she can, her body hunched forward, her loaded crossbow cradled in both arms.

She sees her new employer, Gustav, fall in behind Magnus and to the brute's left, so Sajaa pads up beside the Arraterrean's right side, while still using part of Magnus's shaggy bulk as cover.

She glances behind her and sees the little boy, Runt, gripping sticks and stones, and breathes a silent prayer for the boy...

OOC: Positioned beside Gustav (he's on my left) and behind Magnus, and in front of Runt. Both hands holding crossbow.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Thu 07 Oct 2021.

With each passing step Rolf grows more and more concerned that a well prepared attack is coming.  He taps ahead of him expecting a deeply dug and carefully concealed pit that lay in wait for them....but nothing happens.  No attack.  No trap.  Not a peep is seen or heard.  Before he knows it they arrive at a cave entrance and begin to enter unabated.

Is this some kind of trick he wonders as his shoulders relax and he tosses the stick aside.  But no, this is no trick it would seem.  "Rather anti-climatic..." he mutters.  He puts away his shield and takes out his crossbow as he steps into the dimly lit chamber.

"Does someone have light?  Or shall I make one?" he asks the group.

OOC:  I'm fine with you rolling for traps Raddek.  Makes sense.  Rolf will have his crossbow in both hands.

We need a light which I can create, though I would prefer to not have to if someone has a lantern or torch.

Marching order:
10' hallway:
Magnus/Gustav
Rolf/Giles
Runt/Sajaa

5' hallway:
Magnus
Gustav
Rolf
Giles
Runt
Sajaa

The only noise betraying the six is the soft cloping of the minotaur's hooves on the stone, though the sound does not seem to bring any attention as the six move on into the cave.

"I'll get it."  Giles says, as he pulls a lantern out of his pack and lights it, holding the thing aloft with his left hand as he grips his sword with his right.

The light sheds a little more detail in the opening, though there doesn't seem to be any additional information for them to glean without moving on.  It does however, wash out the reflected light coming from the tunnels on either side.

With their light source acquired, the six move forward in ranks of two towards the door straight ahead.

Magnus steps up to the rotting wood door, looking the thing over for a moment before gripping the pull with his javelin hand and pulling the thing open.

There is a moment of confusion...  For several things seem to all happen at once.  The door opens easily enough, once it's pulled past a catch in the frame, but once there is a sliver of space for Giles's light to shine through, it becomes apparent that this door doesn't seem to lead anywhere.  Instead, there is only rough stone wall behind the door.  But more intriguing is the mechanical noise, a sort of dull clicking that echoes back and forth across the stone walls.

Giles turns abruptly with the light, just in time to shine the light back on a rickety wooden portcullis that falls down into place behind them with a crackling thud!

"Shit!"  Giles curses, hurrying back up the tunnel.  His light shines upon the wooden contraption, which seems of a hasty construction.  The bottom corners are weighted by heavy stones and the sticks (for they are not much thicker than two fingers across) which make up the lattice are woven together with thin rope at the intersections and are slightly crushed at the bottom from the impact of its fall.

"What in the fuck was that?"  A heavily accented voice echoes off the walls of the tunnels.

"It's the gate!"  Another voice answers.  "They're here!"

OOC:  The portcullis gate that is holding you in place (for the door that you opened doesn't go anywhere that you can tell) doesn't seem sturdy enough for permanent holding, though it is quite an inconvenience in the short term.

The space around the edge of the wood is easily big enough for Runt to get through (no roll required), and possibly wide enough for Sajaa (roll vs. escape or DX-6 if you want to try it.  Everyone else is simply too big to seriously attempt it, though there are undoubtedly many ways besides that to get out.

Inwardly the Minotaur was no doubt as surprised as everybody else, but rather than curse and state the obvious, he went into action.

"They're coming!" He called out to Terri and her axe wielding companion.

Reacting instinctively, he lowered his head and simply tried to barrel through the contraption, sticks, rope and all to order to tear down the barrier and free their small group.

He moves to the back as well, but behind Magnus so as not to impede his efforts, He holds the crossbow in his left hand and draws th mainGauche to cut any ropes that might be a problem.

Runt jumped as the trap came down just behind him.  He was about to slip through to the other side of the flimsy barrier when Magnus shouted and came barreling his way.  Not wanting to be trampled he flattened his body against the side of the passageway.

Rolf hears the portcullis slam the moment Magnus opens the false door.  He whirls and sees their way of egress blocked!

He thinks for a moment that he could use his magic to make good his escape, but that would leave everyone else behind to fend for themselves.  And in any event he has magic that would make attacking them from the gate's other side difficult and costly.

He decides to stay put, but quickly gets out of the way of the rampaging Magnus as he barrels to smash his way through.

"Everyone with a bow get it ready!" he commands as he grips his loaded crossbow.  That wonderful contraption made of wood and iron.  Easy to use and exceedingly deadly, though slow to reload.

Sajaa lets out a cry of surprise when the portcullis crashes suddenly to the ground...

Panic threatens to overwhelm her when she realizes she and the others are trapped in a confined space, with enemy aware of their presence.

Quickly, she shoulders her crossbow and steps to one side to find a clear field of fire.  She poises the crossbow in the direction the strange voices came from ...

OOC: Will aim crossbow in direction the voices came from. If enemy appear, will take 1 second aim, and then, provided no friendlies are in the way, will fire the crossbow center mass. If attacked by missile fire will take extra effort diving dodge. If melee attacked, will take extra effort retreat dodge. Once she fires, she will lay the crossbow on the ground and draw her saber.

Time was something in short supply and Magnus did not spare a moment but hurled himself forward towards the barrier, slamming himself against the sticks!

Wham!

The portcullis creaks with the impact, but it appears the hastily made contraption is strong enough to withstand a few hits and Magnus springs back, rebuffed by the wood.  Gustav meanwhile leans down, hacking away the cord holding the heavy stones at the bottom, which seem to function to hold the contraption in place.

Wham! Magnus slams up against the barrier again, and again the wood holds, though it cracks and groans with the impact.

Shouts and calls run across each other and across their echoes, making the words impossible to understand, and Sajaa and Rolf ready their weapons while Giles holds the lantern high to illuminate anything that may come from the side tunnels.

And come something does...

The man is barely in view for a moment, spear in hands and clad in little more than a loincloth, when...

Twang!

Sajaa's crossbow unloads in haste, rocketing the projectile forward, straight at the man only a moment after he emerges.  The man recoils at the light and the noise, rolling his body back and the bolt barely misses, clattering against the cave wall behind him.

"They brought FUCKING MONSTERS!"  The man shouts and turns and flees out the cave entrance.  "RUN AWAY!"

Chaos reigns!  Shouts and men's screams erupt on all sides, and two, three, four more half-naked men charge past the groups view in a pell-mell rush for the exit!

"Good shot Mitra!"  Giles exclaims just as Gustav hacks away one stone from the structure and Magnus manages to deform the other side of the gate enough for a normal sized man to slip through.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 18:35, Fri 08 Oct 2021.

Magnus slams against the portcullis again and again, but yet it holds and men shout from the halls.  The minotaur is frighteningly powerful, so Rolf stands as close to the side and away from him as he can so as not to get caught in his tow.

Voices continue to ring out and Rolf curses himself for not being ready to fire a bolt as Sajaa fires, driving off the first interloper they see round the corner.

Multiple men flee at the mere sight of Magnus!

Bringing his crossbow to bear, he watches intently beyond to see if he can catch a Bandit in his crosshairs.

OOC:  I'll take the wait maneuver.  If I see a bandit, I'll aim one turn and fire (torso).  If they flee faster than I can fire, I'll wait for the next one.  I don't want to waste the shot. Defense dodge and drop.

Edit:  As people leave by the gate I'll maintain my wait maneuver for cover.  I'll follow everyone past the gate if no bandits appear.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:01, Fri 08 Oct 2021.

Sajaa is confused by the praise from the tall, handsome one called Giles. How could her missed shot be a good shot?!

Of course it is no surprise the bolt she launched missed its mark. Until this morning, Sajaa has never before held a crossbow in her hands. She will need plenty of practice before she improves her aim...

That her target appears to have panicked and fled, does not seem to be her doing. More likely, the fellow and his mates took one look at the raging Minotaur battering against the portcullis to persuade them to beat feet.

Even as she thinks such thoughts, Sajaa sinks to a knee and lays her crossbow on the ground. Then she straightens and tugs her saber from its scabbard. If there is going to be fighting, she wants to be ready for it!

OOC: Having a wee bit of difficulty visualizing the battle plan. But Sajaa will lay down her crossbow, draw her sword and take Wait maneuvers, to see what her comrades will do and/or if more opponents appear. If our gang breaks out, she'll be sure not to leave her crossbow behind.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Fri 08 Oct 2021.

"Go on!, go!" Magnus urged the others onward and out of their trap as he pulled the battered lattice to the side to permit the others to escape. If he had noticed that they were fleeing because of him, he did not show it, but rather had that some of frantic, nervous expression on his flat, broad face that suggested he still believed they were in for a real fight.

Once the Minotaur clears the obstacle blocking the passage, Sajaa stoops and snatches up the crossbow in her left hand. Sword in her right hand, she advances, ducking through the wreckage of the portcullis.  She pauses for Magnus to get ahead of her before continuing...

The battering Magnus gave the barrier was impressive but took more than one blow for it to be rendered useless.  More interesting to Runt was the reaction of the brigands to the sight of Magnus.  They simply started running in panic.  Yeah, Magnus was really big, really strong, and not a normal person but he wasn't scary to Runt.  The briefest thought went his mind, I wonder what Deng would do if he saw Magnus?  He cleared that thought and cocked his arm back to throw at one of the fleeing brigands and let fly.

OOC - 20:57, Today: Runt rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,6,2.  throw rock.
That just might make it.

With an opening made large enough for any save himself, Magnus levers apart the offending branches, making the gap as large as he possibly can.  Gustav and Giles immediately make more the opening, while Sajaa pauses only to stoop down and grip her missile weapon.  Rolf on the other hand, leans forward with his own crossbow, waiting for another of the devils to make their way around the corner.  As it occurs, there is not one more bandit fleeing, but two.

Twang!

Rolf unloads and the missile, which buries itself with a meaty thunk! all the way to the fletching into the exposed shoulder blade of one of the fleeing bandits.

The man drops with a scream, hitting his head and bare chest on the hard floor of the cavern with tremendous force!  Even still, his friend does not so much as miss a step as he runs on, into the obscured white entrance of the cave and the dense fog beyond...

Runt throws one of his stones as well, though the fallen man's movements spoil his aim and the rock sails over his prone form.

With a cry, Giles bears down behind the last fleeing foe, though he is not near close enough to catch him, nor foolish enough to leave with the only light source of the group.  Instead, he stalls at the intersection, shining his light down each of the other tunnels before he stoops down to check on the man Rolf shot in the back.

"He's not long..."  Giles says after probing the wound mildly.  "Bolt's near come through on the other side and he's probably bleeding far worse on the inside than he is without."

OOC:  Giles, Gustav, and Sajaa have made it outside the barrier, while Rolf, Runt, and Magnus are still inside.  If Sajaa moves forward slightly, she'll have a good view down the tunnels which branch out to the left and right, and she can determine they are indeed empty for the time being.  5 people have run outside, and 1 is dead or dying halfway to the mouth of the cave.

Edit:  Everyone do me a favor and roll vs. IQ-5.  PM me if you are successful.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:20, Sun 10 Oct 2021.

Rolf takes careful aim with his crossbow as one of the fleeing Bandit's rounds the corner.  With a gentle squeeze he releases his bolt and it hits square in the man's back as he falls with a heavy thud.

It's almost too easy and Rolf feels a tinge of regret in doing so, but at the same time he knows Terri and Hamish are at risk if the Bandit's decide to attack them.  By his count there are five enemies loose out there to their only two.  And the horses they guard would make a tempting target for someone looking to make good their escape.

With his crossbow spent, he moves to squeeze himself out of the portcullis.

OOC:  Rolf missed his IQ roll.  He will move past the portcullis and then reload while he waits for Runt and Magnus to leave as well.  I figure this makes more sense than to reload then try squeeze through with a loaded crossbow...

He sheathes his Main gauche and picks up the crossbow, ensuring it is still ready to fire. He then moves to exit the portcullis.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:00, Mon 11 Oct 2021.

Runt walked out of the trap area and peaked down both of the other passageways, mulling over what he had heard the bandits say before they ran in fear of Magnus.

Magnus tried not to show how hard his heart was hammering after he had lead them straight into a trap. Thank God they had not had time to really fortify this thing, because that could have been it, trapped in a hole with others that had entrusted their lives to him.

When everybody but himself was clear of the trap, he gave the whole contraption one hard tug to try to rip the existing hole a little larger so that he could fit, and as he did so he grunted out some quick advice. "Don't chase 'em, stick together...I'm almost free here..." he uttered as he worked on fitting his big, horned head through the gap.

Reloaded crossbow in hand, Sajaa advances and repositions herself enough to have a look down the passage, ready to aim and fire at the first sign of trouble...

She risks a glance over her shoulder to see how the Minotaur is progressing, navigating himself through the rupture in the portcullis.

Her heart is pounding fast...

OOC: Just keep vigil over the passage and aim (brace if available) and fire at any adversaries who show themselves. Once Magnus gets through and starts to move again, she'll fall in behind him.

Magnus tears at the wooden gate, finally making a hole large enough for his massive frame to squeeze through.  The last of them, including Runt, Rolf and Magnus make their way out and into the four-way intersection just at the entrance to the caves.

Runt glances down each of the passageways with the benefit of Giles's lantern, and notes that down the right passageway, it appears to branch into two more tunnels, while the left seems to open up into a larger room.

A quick glance down at the fallen bandit validates Giles's claim, for though his crossbow wound is a puncture, it is already pooling blood around the center of his body and down the side of his naked back.  The man wears little more than a leather wrap around his loins and the spear that has fallen along his side is crudely made.  The exposed area of his skin which is not obscured by blood displays many prominent tattoos and scars, some of the latter appearing to be decorative in nature, though various of them and set in parallel stripes down the left shoulder and are clearly not.

OOC:  Ok, we're back in the entrance of the cave where the split is.  You have two route you haven't yet tried, either left or right, or you can head back out the cave entrance.

Runt went over to look at the body of the fallen bandit, carefully studying the tatoos and scars.

"Two halls down that way and big room down the other way," he said, pointing at the right and left passageways.

Sajaa makes room for Magnus and waits to see which way he will go, prepared to follow...

OOC: Following Magnus's lead.

As Magnus rips the portcullis off the wall enough for the minotaur to exit, Rolf follows along with Runt to the main antechamber.

With practiced hands he pulls his crossbow string back into place and in a smooth motion he pulls out a bolt and loads it.  He glances over to the fallen man and does a double take.

"Who are these guys?  What's with the tattoos and terrible gear?" he asks openly.  The whole situation has been strange from the start, and it continues to get stranger.

"Check on Terri and Hamish and regroup?  Or keep going?" Rolf asks Magnus.

Magnus rose to his full height as he escaped from the rather simplistic trap, he craned his horned head this way and that, noting how odd it felt to be the one giving the orders rather than following them. He was so used to simply wading in at the behest of another, than having others that he was responsible for...it was some how far more stressful.

"No, we push on...need to find those prisoners." Magnus replied confidently.

Given that the men had been fleeing from a direction...probably not where the prisoners were being held, he decided on the other hallway. "This way" he began moving in the direction as he raised his javelin down the hallway, his pace fairly quick, more of a "power walk" now that the enemy knew they were here.

Gustav falls in on his left rear and follows, crossbow ready.

As the group was reassembled in the antechamber Runt frowned in thought and finally decided to speak up.

"Why did dey say 'They're here' when the trap got us" he mused.  "I'd of said 'Somebody's here.'"

"It seems they are expecting us." Rolf says in reply to Runt.  "But the whole thing feels queer.  Like maybe kidnapping the miners was done solely to draw us out.  But for what reason I do not know."

"And I get the impression these men ran not from us, but from something else."

"We need to be wary for more traps, myself especially." the mage adds soberly.

OOC: Rolf will stick close to Magnus, keeping an eye out for trip wires and false floors.  Rolf has the traps skill, though he's not great at it.

Runt bends over to study the tattoos and scars on the man, intrigued, much as Rolf is by the out of placeness of the man... indeed, their whole interaction.  In truth, apart from the marks on the man's skin, there is not much to study.  The man's hair is long and unkempt, his beard several weeks old and shabby as well.  His body smells of blood and sweat, with the ripe sourness of a body that has not washed in many days...

But as Runt moves over the ink marks, childish and sloppy drawings they are:  a knife and a bird, a woman with wild hair and overlarge breasts, some plant with a black flower and massive thorns, he comes another mark that strikes his memory...  A brand...  He had seen this one before, at the docks of Craine on slaves that had been shipped to the docks.  He had never given the brand much thought before, but he wonders now exactly what the beetle-shaped mark means.

The discovery does not change the need to find the prisoners however, and Magnus pushes the group on, through the right passage, as most of the bandits had exited hurriedly from the left one, and Magnus surmised that the men would not likely gather around the prisoners...

Only a few dozen feet on, the tunnel splits again, though the left fork is quickly discounted, as it ends rather quickly with nothing of note to be seen.  The right fork however, opens into a larger room.  Here and there are a few and small poorly dried sleeping skins, a crude spear leaned up against the wall, and a miner's pick shoved off to the side.  There is also a pile of various foods, fungi, rat, and some plant matter at the center of the room.  Apart from these meager belongings however, the room appears to be empty, though another tunnel continues on at the end.

Rolf follows along, but finds no traps.  He looks over the two forks and finds it odd that the left one goes nowhere.  Sure perhaps it was started and then abandoned, but it also could be more than it seems.

"I'll check out the left passage." Rolf says as he thinks of a ruse that could be in play.

OOC:  Rolf will check for traps in the left passage.  Trip wires and a false floor primarily.  Also, he'll check to see if the end of the passage actually ends or is illusioned only to appear so.  He will touch the wall and see if his hand goes through.

If nothing is interesting there, he'll move on to the right and check the floor again as before. Leading up to the tunnel that leads out of the barracks room.

Sajaa shakes her head in disapproval at Runt’s boldness.  The little boy has already survived a perilous incident, and now he is scampering about an enemy encampment with little regard for his own safety.  She opens her mouth to call him over, but holds her tongue.  Perhaps there is more to the diminutive waif than meets the eye.  If anything the boy appears far more comfortable in these grim surroundings than she, herself, does.

She makes note that the scholarly looking youth, Rolf, a Megalosian, she suspects, and apparently a magician of some sort, is behaving as much the leader of the band as Magnus.  Rolf seems competent.  Courageous. Determined.  When she sees the man turn down the left passage by himself, she finds herself following him, crossbow at the ready.

OOC: Will accompany Rolf down the left passage.

Magnus glanced over his shoulder as he jogged along to find...that their band was scattered.

Some were heading in another direction, some were inspecting the fallen, and...nobody was following him. He slowed, came to little more than a stroll, then heaved a sigh in private.

He glanced around the room he had entered, prodded at a balled up sleeping pad with the butt of his javelin to make sure it was just detritus under the blanket and not some drunk, and stopped to wait, his momentum waning.

They were paying him for his experience, and these were all hired hands and a boy. This was not the Legion, he was not going to bellow or stripe their backs with a vitis when they strayed, and so he waited in a spot that gave him a little cover, seemingly patient, listening and keeping a wary eye on the tunnel as he waited for them to catch up.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Thu 14 Oct 2021.

After looking at the dead man's marking, Runt followed Magnus down to the sleeping area to wait for the rest of the rescuers.  He took in the sparce contents of the chamber and began to search amongst the sleeping bundles, looking for anything that would catch his eye.

OOC - make any necessary rolls for me please.  He's especially looking for any money or other valuables and any weapons other than the aforementioned spear and pickaxe.  Also of note, how many sleeping pallets and are there any clothes?

While Magnus is focused entirely on returning the captives, it appears the rest of his group's interests are divided, or at least they are divided in their approach.  Giles attempts to hold his lantern to give everyone enough light to see by, though he finds his back pressed into an odd corner, with not enough nearly to go around with everyone going this way and that.

The moment matters little however, as Rolf spends little time down the short corridor.  He does spy some groove in the ceiling...  perhaps a place to fit a hinge or else something more devious, though there is nothing within it nor any apparatus that Rolf can find to set the thing off.  He surmises in the end that it must be either the seed for a trap that has never come to fruition, or else the remnants of one that has long since been dismantled.

Once everyone has returned to small common room, Runt goes about his own search, which fares little better.  The food all bundled together is of the sort Runt cannot recall off the top of his head, though he sets himself to the task of trying to figure it out.  The mushrooms are small and grey, with pointed caps like arrowheads.  The plantlike substance is a common wildflower with jagged leaves and a dull, orangish bud.  The rat at least, seems edible enough, and is fresh enough killed that it has not started yet to decompose, though Runt knows that it will need to be cooked and eaten quickly if it is not to go bad.

Next, Runt walks around to the sleeping skins, most of which are worn and wet, and smell of slow rot.  It doesn't look as if there is anything to be spared to be of much long-term use, though Runt shakes each of them out and finds a pair of small, bone dice hiding in the folds which he quickly inspects.  They do not appear to be anything marvelous, though it is just such a treasure that Runt had lost when the bandits had come to ambush his convoy.

Rolf's sense of danger is heightened knowing the enemy is near, and especially so since his group has already tripped one of their traps.  Fortunately for them they had the Minotaur Magnus with them, who made short work of the portcullis keeping them held in a small passage way.

Not wanting to fall into a scenario where they wind up fighting a two front battle, the mage moves to the dead ended left passage and checks to make sure no secret passage lay that way that would allow the bandits the element of surprise.

He nods Sajaa's way as she follows.  Ever the protector he is glad for her company.  If trouble were to be found he wouldn't want to be caught alone.

Seeing nothing of note besides the remnants of what might have been the start for some trap, Rolf returns to the room with the others. Finding Runt rooting around he moves to the passage that lay beyond and stops.

"That way is safe." he says to Magnus.  "If it doesn't look like is anything of note in here I'm ready to move on." he adds as he surveys the meager belongs of the fleeing men.

OOC:  Rolf will keep an eye and ear on the passage ahead of us till we're ready to move on.

OOC - just making sure here, Runt found no weapons and no clothes, right.  Also, how many sleeping pallets were there?

Runt thought over what he observed, the little wheels almost visible as his brain worked.  He walked over to where Magnus was waiting.

"There be something wrong here Master Magnus.  Dey ain't got clothes.  I got more than dey do," he stated.  "And where be dey weapons?  I do not think dat these be bandits.  Least not the ones dat attacked yesterday.  Maybe dese be slaves?

Magnus hefted his shield once more and sort of rolled his shoulder as if nursing some old injury. As he began to continue their search, he briefly glanced to Runt and nodded. "Yeah, I imagine some are. All of them could be I guess, escaped slaves I mean." he shrugged. "For every one that fights I imagine maybe ten make a run for it. Then what do they do? Not like there are a lot of people willing to take them on."

Slavery was...a fact of life. His parents had been slaves, and as far as he knew it was the same all over the world. He imagined Mitra might be able to educate him a little more on that topic, but now was hardly the time. While some regions or cities might take a different stance on it, on the whole and as far as he knew, slaves, slave rebellions, and slaves on the run were all part and parcel of the Empires history.

He pressed onward into the tunnel on the far end of the room, moving with a purpose.

Runt shrugged his shoulders and followed behind Magnus.

Still just off Magnus' left rear with his crossbow ready.

When Runt looks up from the body, suggesting that the poorly clad wretch may not be an enemy, after all, Sajaa silently thanks Allah for making her miss the crossbow shot.  The thought of shooting an innocent person mortifies her!

She glances over at Rolf -- the one who killed the man -- trying to read any guilt in his expression.

But she does not dwell on what occurred, for now the Minotaur is moving and Gustav is falling in behind him.  So Sajaa quietly follows, cradling her own crossbow.

OOC: Sajaa will travel close behind Gustav and slightly to the right, hopefully using Magnus for partial cover.

Magnus moves on from the room down the long and narrow cave beyond, Giles's lantern leading the way.  Twice, the cave branches off again to the left, narrow channels that do not go much more than twenty or thirty feet... each time Rolf quickly moves down to inspect the passages, finds nothing, and joins back up with the group.

Ahead, Magnus can see firelight flickering from a recession off to the right.  Slowing down to a crawl, the group approaches the opening, Magnus and Gustav in lead, weapons ready.

The cave beyond is not large, perhaps thirty or forty feet square, thought the back of it continues on in tunnels to the left and right.  A low, smoldering fire burns in a pit against the left wall, there are a few skins here and there, dotting the floor of the cave, and a pile of long grass or hay tucked into a corner.

What immediately grabs their attention however, is the four large men, spread wide in the room, most of them dark-skinned and clad like the last ones, with little more than a leather skins or cloth over their loins.  However, one of the men wears a sort of leather smock of skins which draped over his shoulders and hangs down to his stomach in the front.  Each of the men has one of the home-made spears, pointed straight at the group as they enter.

"Leave...  We are not going back."  Huffs the man in the skins in heavily accented Anglish as he curls back his spear arm, making the weapon ready to throw.

OOC:  The man's accent appears to be Arabic, which any of you would be able to tell if you've spent a little bit of time in this area.  Magnus, please roll vs. Reaction, or vs. a social skill of your choice (with a -4 penalty) if you would rather.  Sorry for no map...  It's possible we won't need it but I'm running into difficulties at the moment anyway, and I figured it would be more worth it to just get the post up first.

Sajaa is surprised by the man's Arabic-infused accent as he struggles through Angles. More and more convinced that these wretches are not the enemies her party thought they were, she opens her mouth to speak, but then, holds her tongue.

She is a woman, after all, and as her Father always said: A woman should be seen and not heard.

So she watches on quietly, lowering her crossbow in a non-threatening gesture, and looks to Magnus to respond. She prepares to serve as interpreter if the need arises.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Tue 19 Oct 2021.

Let us speak, Mitra, can you speak their language?

Magnus cocked back his own javelin right as the apparent leader did so, his scutum coming up defensively alongside. "That's how you wanna do this then?" Magnus shot back, not in a provoking way but obviously not deterred. "If you wanted to run, run...but you take hostages, and you had to know what would happen."

The Minotaur seemed to expect a fight no matter what he said, given the reception, but his tone was not exactly the sort to placate or draw out the conversation despite his efforts.

Sajaa turns to Gustav and gives him a short nod of her helmed head.  She then reaches out and gently touches Magnus’s brawny, shaggy weapon-arm.

”Hold, please, Master Magnus.” She says quietly.  ”Let me speak with them.”

She swallows hard and then turns to the raggedly dressed spearman.  She raises the face-shield of her helmet to reveal that she is a woman.  She risks a wan smile.

”Allah 'akbaru.” She greets the man in Arabic, bowing her head, her crossbow pointing to the ground. She injects respect and humility into her voice and demeanor.  ”Sayidi almuhtarami. 'Arjuk alq 'aslihatik walan nudhiaka. Laqad jina 'iilaa huna li'iinqadh 'asraa qitae alturuq. Min fadlik qul lana min 'anti.”

Rolf looks round the room warily.  He holds his crossbow at the ready, but doesn't take aim just yet.

OOC:  If they attack, I'll aim and fire at one of them.  Defense dodge and drop for missile fire.  Retreating feverish dodge otherwise.

Runt was pretty sure that these people were not the ones who had stolen the caravan and taken his friends, but they might know where the bandits were.

"Where be Niall" came his normal high pitched voice from somewhere behind Magnus.

It is a minotaur's lot that there is often not enough time, nor sufficient words to explain a situation.  Magnus has often found that even those who do listen to him, do so with the intent of twisting their meaning, or solidifying their own prejudices.

It is not that no one will listen to him, though Magnus had his doubts when he saw four men with their makeshift spears already raised that words were only going to go so far.

This is part of the reason he keeps his discourse short, all the better to get the point across quickly, so that their surrender, or their fighting come along without wasting any more of their time.

And so it did.

Magnus has barely even spoken his words, Sajaa barely even opened her mouth in Arabic before the man in skins shouts at the top of his voice, "Now!" and the men all hurl their weapons forward.

Four spears flash from their grips, sailing forward like a flock of birds that dive towards Magnus and Gustav.  Magnus throws up his shield, though his reaction seems clumsy and late, and one of the spears connects with his mail in the shoulder with the feel of a sharp jabbing punch.  Gustav manages to dodge madly out of the way, though Giles behind him instead catches the spear, much like Magnus though in the mail at his chest with a clinking thud before it dips down to the floor.

"Damn! Giles curses, his lantern arm dipping down in response to the injury.

Twang! Rolf's crossbow sings out!  Though the shot is wide, crashing into the cave wall behind the men, who are already receding back and out of sight!

"Come on then!"  Giles charges forward to give chase, though as the men are running away through the exit in the back of the room another of the wooden portcullises crashes down behind them, blocking the way to give chase!

OOC:  Sorry for the long pause between posts here.  I've found that there are several things that I have failed to work through in this module before starting it and for some reason I chose to obsess about them for the past couple of days rather than just moving things along.

I also feel like I owe an explanation for how things worked out here:  Some may note that Magnus may not be the best choice for "talking the bad guys down," especially when I gave out there was a -4 modifier to his diplomacy roll in the last post.  While it's true that someone else might have been able to get a better result, in the end he's still leading the party at the moment and is going to be the first impression on anyone you are trying to make your way through.  To Magnus's credit I think he was trying to role play his particularly bad roll with the blunt words he chose.

The bad guys managed to get an initiative over you, and used it to run away smartly and close another one of their trap walls between their retreat and you.

As I see it, you can hack away at the gate and follow them, or you can investigate the other exit (to the left) at the back of the room, or go back towards the cave entrance.  Or anything else you can think of.

Both Giles and Magnus have taken light wounds to the torso (mainly just bruising).

Startled by the sudden aggressive action of the wretches, Sajaa lets out a short scream when a sortie of primitive spears comes sailing her way.
She ducks behind Magnus’s bulk for cover, barely avoiding the missiles.  One thuds into Magnus, the other Giles.

As soon as they pitch their spears, the wretches whirl about and make a run for it … Giles in hot pursuit.

”WAIT!” Sajaa finds herself calling out -- though whether she is addressing Giles or his quarry, even she is not entirely sure.  For some reason, she does not believe these people are in league with the bandits.  But with the Minotaur’s aggressive behavior and Rolf’s missed shot, she fears the opportunity to parlay may be lost…  She prays this will not turn into a bloodbath on innocent people.

She hugs her crossbow to her chest, unwilling to fire it yet.

”Sir Magnus… are you sure these men are with the kidnappers?” She asks, pausing to see if the rest of her team will join Giles in the chase...
This message was last edited by the player at 21:02, Thu 21 Oct 2021.

The mood is tense and as Rolf waits to see what happens, the men throw spears!  Not waiting for a return volley, they turn tail to make a run for it.  Reflexively Rolf aims at one of the fleeing men, but his crossbow bolt misses its mark.

The mage starts to run after them with Giles, but stops short.  Both at Sajaa's plea, and the fact another portcullis falls that blocks the exit the men took flight through.

"Blast.  Not sure it's worth the effort." he says as he glances the room over.  "This way?" he asks Magnus as he points to the left passage.  "But maybe we should search around a little first though." he adds as he pokes a skin on the floor.

OOC: If it's not broken, Rolf will retrieve his bolt and reload his crossbow.  If it's no good, he'll draw another.  He wants to go down the left tunnel, but not before searching.  There are various skins, a pile of grass and low burning fire in the room.  If given the time he'll search the pile of grass.

Magnus sucked in his breath as the spear hit, a pained sort of grunt as the spear rebounded off and clattered to the floor, he took half a step forward, cocked back his javelin...and decided not to throw, too far, and they were too fast.

Even before he could call out to Giles the portcullis came down. Somewhere through the pain he was a little gratified that he had been right, traps, hit and run tactics. He had called this one, not that it had done them much good so far.

"Watch yourselves..." he called out to the others with a warning tone. "Nothin' says they can't shoot through that thing." He kept his shield raised. "Rolf watch that other passage, Gustav with me...Giles, give us some light to work with please." he walked sideways, trying to give any onlookers a moving target and heading towards the wooden obstacle, looking to get alongside it so that anybody on the other side would be unable to see him. He trusted Mitra and Runt would take the hint and stay out of sight or do what they felt best.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:35, Sat 23 Oct 2021.

At the sound of combat Runt backed into the passageway about halfway to the other sleeping area, keeping an eye out for anyone coming up behind them.

"Will do." Rolf replies to Magnus as he peers down the left facing passage.  Not wanting to present an easy target, he leans against the wall and only peers around the corner, keeping most of his body in the room.

OOC: Rolf will forgo searching and leave that to others.  He will keep watch on the left passage.  Using the wall to get as much protection as he can.

Perturbed by the missiles flung at them, Magnus wastes no time in approaching the second wooden portcullis, and inspecting the thing for faults.  It appears that this one is even more shoddily made than the last, as if it were designed in greater haste, or perhaps without any experience.  Magnus lays his javelin down for a moment after assuring that there is on one on the other side looking to attack him from hiding and uses his free hand to look over the hastily made trap.

Meanwhile, Runt and Rolf look over towards the back of the room, ensuring that no one comes from the other tunnels, which do indeed stay dark...

"Are you mad?!"  The voice carries upon the echoes from beyond the new portcullis.

"What would you rather?"  The echoing voice of the man with the skins replies with vitriol and desperation, "The slow, certain death behind us, or the likely, quick death ahead?"

The voices quiet for a moment, though Magnus hears the heavy grating sound of scraping stone...

OOC:  After a minute of looking at the portcullis, Magnus is fairly sure that this one can simply be lifted after hacking a few of the ropes away and it doesn't appear there is any danger of (at least immediate) ambush.

As I see it, you can hack away at the gate and follow the men, you can investigate the other exit (to the left) at the back of the room, or go back towards the cave entrance.  Or anything else you can think of.

As is so often the case, the men ignore the words of a woman. This does not upset her -- for she is accustomed to being overlooked by the stronger sex. In Al-Wazif Courts it takes two women's testimony to equal the testimony of one man.

She watches the Men and Minotaur contemplating the tunnels, the voices and this new portcullis, and hangs back quietly, keeping a lookout, her crossbow ready.

She suspects the people here are not hostiles, but victims, and it grieves her to know one of them has been slain.  But this time she holds her tongue and follows the lead of the others.

OOC: Sajaa will tag along and react to whatever development occurs. Sorry I, Sara, am not contributing much, but to play this character, Sajaa must be submissive and strive not to draw too much attention to herself.  Plus, too many cooks spoil the broth, as the saying goes. :)
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:58, Mon 25 Oct 2021.

Magnus listened and sort of grunted. Hard to say one way or another, but they were here now. "Gustav, can you cut through these?" he gestured to the ropes that held the impromptu barricade together. It was a somewhat rhetorical question, he knew the swordsman could split them easily, but it seemed a polite enough way of asking.

A glance to Rolf...fine, and the back to Mitra, his response evidently delayed by his fear of getting shot at while trying to converse. Now tucked more or less safely behind his corner, he regarded her again, his broad skull peeking over the edge of his scutum. "Who else would they be?" he seemed a little confused, but interested, his tone earnest. Humility had always served the Minotaur well, and it seemed that extended into his "leadership" as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Tue 26 Oct 2021.

Sajaa was not expecting Magnus to respond and is caught off guard by his question. Her face flushes.

"I ... I know not, Sir." She says.  "But I cannot help but wonder if they are the captives of the bandits and not the bandits, themselves. Mayhap they somehow became liberated and are now trying to defend themselves. They seem in such a sorry state..."

She shrugs her shoulders. "Should we not at least try to speak with them, Sir? Though at this point, with one dead, they may not be willing to listen..."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:44, Tue 26 Oct 2021.

OOC - Runt is staying in the passageway (about half way down) between the two sleeping areas until the adults either call him back or come back down that way.  He will continue to watch behind the party.

In reply to Sajaa al-Kassem aka Mitra (msg # 151):

Magnus broke into a toothy smile as if he was amused, not in any kind of malicious way, but the fact that he had just been struck by a spear, that the spot where it had struck still really hurt, lent a dark humor to the whole conversation.

"Well you're sure welcome to try. I didn't have much luck myself..." he glanced briefly again around the corner and through the wooden lattice, then back to her. "You're a lot prettier than I am though, who knows?" he added in the same jovial tone.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Tue 26 Oct 2021.

Sajaa tries to interpret Magnus’s toothy grin and playful tone.  Understanding the body language of these northern Man-heathens and their alien culture is hard enough.  Finding meaning in the expressions of this brutal-looking bovine monstrosity is all but impossible.

She glances at the spear-scored links of mail on the Minotaur’s chest armor.

”They are terrified.” She explains.  ”Desperate.  For they do not believe there is any way out of this.  Let me try, and if I end up with a spear stuck in me, then we shall do it your way, Sir.”  She says.

Then, swallowing hard, she kneels and places her crossbow on the ground, rises, and walks determinedly to the flimsy portcullis and peers down the passage beyond.  She clears her throat and then calls out in a loud voice:

”You down there! Listen to me!” She calls.  ”Please! Nahn naeni lak la darri. Ladayk kalimati kamuslmin!” She adds, in Arabic.  ”We have each shed the blood of the other. Let us call a truce for the moment.  I believe you are not the enemies we seek.  We have come looking for a gang of criminals who have kidnapped friends and countrymen. Tell us where our friends are.  Tell us of these brigands.  Let us talk and fight no more!”
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:36, Tue 26 Oct 2021.

Rolf picks up the voices of the slaves behind the portcullis and ponders what they mean.

"I think we should leave the portcullis up, at least for now.  It sounds like they are contemplating the release of something very dangerous." he says softly in case Sajaa's treaty falls on deaf ears and motions to Gustav to hold off dismantling the portcullis.

Returning to the left passage, Rolf keeps a wary eye out for any interlopers trying sneak up on them.

The exchange of words between the six takes only a few moments, by which time Gustav has gotten down on one knee with his sword to hack at the thin chord holding the makeshift barrier in place.  He stays his hand, however, when Rolf mentions the possibility of something monstrous being released upon them.

Sajaa then steps forward to the grated wood and calls out to the men, both in Arabic and Anglish...  However, her voice only echoes back to her with no other response.

The six wait for a several more moments, though only the sound of the still flickering coals at the edge of the cave breaks the silence.

"Oh, this is rubbish!"  Giles bursts out once it is clear the men are not going to respond.  "They threw their spears at us!  Whether they are the bandits or not it's clear they are no friends of ours!  We can run them down to make them talk or run them down to subdue them, but either way we must go on.  And I think it likely that we'll find we are doing the latter."

OOC:  Sajaa's plea gets no response what so ever, nor are there any more sounds of conversation between the men or sounds of their movement that you can hear.

I've held off on Gustav breaking the portcullis, though if you want to go through, you can assume that it only takes a minute or less to rend the thing inoperable enough to get by.

Runt and Rolf continue to see and hear nothing from the other passages.

Gustav continues to hold his hand (not cut the porticullis) looking around for Rolf and Guidance.

Magnus slowly straightened, stretching the muscles in his shoulders and back then looked around.

Mitra was trying to negotiate, Gustav seemed to be waiting, and Rolf didn't like the plan. Then, seeming to play off the others, Giles went off in frustration.

He contemplated taking a moment to drink some water, but decided on trying to get the attack moving again.

"Alllright" Magnus said with the tone of a patient father, trying to refocus the groups attentions. "Let's get back to work. Looks like it's gonna be this other way then." He gestured with the point of his javelin towards the passage that Rolf was currently guarding as he started walking that way. "Stick together..."

Without any ceremony, he walked across the room and down the passage.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:49, Thu 28 Oct 2021.

Rolf nods to Magnus and falls in line as they prepare to investigate the left facing tunnel.

It would seem the way the slaves went is safe for now.  Whatever fate they go to doesn't seem to be of impact to them for the moment.  And they can always backtrack that way if they have to.

Rolf shakes his head as he tries to contemplate what is going on here.  He keeps going back to what they said, his group is a slow death vs a fast death ahead.  What did they mean by slow death he wonders.

At first Rolf thinks maybe a slow death in combat, but that can't be.  Certainly death in combat is a fast one.  At least in Rolf's experience men die fast when struck with a sword.  Especially when compared to something like the consumption.

"I think they believe we are hear to herd the slaves back into slavery.  Which I guess would be unavoidable if any slave were to return to society." he says as he thinks he's sorted their motivation.

"I for one am not here to return anyone against their will.  I don't fashion myself a slave bounty hunter.  But if someone doesn't want to be here I'll help them to leave and return to the Three Corners."

As her little band decides to press on, Sajaa falls back to her place in line and retrieves her crossbow.  She is disappointed the wretches have decided not to communicate with them, but is not surprised.  Things have escalated beyond that, she realizes, but it was worth a try.

She lowers her faceshield once more and prepares for combat, determined to perform well enough to impress her comrades.

More blood will be shed.

Magnus glanced back at Rolf, just a little peek out of the corner of his helmets eye slit, as to to acknowledge that Magnus had heard him.

"One thing at a time." He replied without looking back over his shoulder, the Minotaur's bulk kind of swaying noisily from side to side as he plodded along. "Let's get all our own people home first, then we can worry about politics."

Gustav sheathed his knife and picked up the cross bow, verifying it was still ready, and follows Magnus on his left rear side.

The sound of the party grew fainter as they went down the left tunnel. Runt dashed from the passageway where he had been keeping watch to catch up and fell in at the back of the party.

Deciding to check the way forward that was unobstructed, Magnus leads the group on into the tunnel at the back left corner of the room.  This branch however, seems to come to an end fairly quickly.

After a stretch of only twenty or thirty feet, the tunnel opens up into a small cave, perhaps only twenty or thirty feet across.  This too, seems to be sleeping quarters, though there is only one set of skins here, somewhat larger and less shabby than the others.  Apart from the one set of skins however, the cave is empty, with no other exits apart from the one that the group came through.

Gustav had stopped momentarily to see if there ws a portcullis on this tunnel as well, alerting all if there was.
Assuming not, he followed along. Looks like the bosses room.

"Yeah, that'd be my guess too." Magnus agreed and shrugged. "Nothing for it then, back through that wooden gate...and they'll be waiting for us. Could be a rough scrap." he added seriously.

A "rough scrap" could be the death of any one of them, they were walking into a prepared ambush, but they had lost their momentum, their attack had stalled out, and now they would all need to pay the price, or so Magnus believed.

He began to head back. "Going to need somethin' sharp to cut those ropes. I'll try to cover you as best I can, but I think your our man for the job." He told Gustav. Once again it seemed they would be taking the lead on the attack.

Rolf hoists his crossbow for the short return trip to the makeshift portcullis.  He's unsure what will be waiting for them once they go that way, but whatever it is, it'll likely be unfriendly.

Sajaa mimics Rolf's action, her own crossbow in arms, as she slinks along behind the big Minotaur.

Once back in the room Runt spoke up, "Why we be here?"

Gustuv kneels at the portcullis and draws his knife, but Runt's question causes a pause... good question in his mind, but he goes to cutting the ties holding this crappy stick thing apart.

Taking a moment to consider Runt's words before setting about to his work, Gustav never the less begins to hack away at the bindings of the portcullis.  Magnus and the others set watch, guarding the entrances and exits to ensure they are not ambushed, but the vigil proves to be unnecessary, for no one else comes.  Gustav quickly makes the portal unsound after only a few swift blows, bending the remaining sticks to the ground to make enough room for even Magnus to pass.

"Easy now."  Giles intones, his sword held at the ready and his lantern held high to shed as much light as he can before them.  "They could be anywhere."

Though this corridor too is short, ending after thirty or so feet in another cave that is forty or so feet long and about twenty or thirty wide.  This one too is empty, save for a few fur mats on the ground.  There seems to be no trace of the four men who locked the portcullis, sealing the only exit from this cave...

OOC:  Sorry for the absence again.  It's been a long few days.  We are having our kitchen redone in the near future and are trying to finish up all of the home projects we can before that work starts.  That in addition to Halloween has made this weekend busy.

Magnus was momentarily caught up in their hunt for the prisoners, and as he had feared, it seemed that their delay had cost them. If there was a door here, it was likely hidden, barred, fortified and with desperate men waiting on the other side.

"Well, looks like we missed them..."

The Minotaur sighed softly and began his search, which included a wary eye towards the ceiling one they could get some light on it, before sparing a glance back at Runt. "What do you mean kid? We're here to find the people that got kidnapped. You were there right?" he asked quietly, and distractedly as he worked.

"Den why we be chasing dese guys?  Don't think dey be the ones dat took them, Sir Magnus," Runt replied.  "If dey had the captives, den why they not have some of the stuff from the caravan?  Dese guys got less than me and I got most of my stuff stolen."  Runt gestures back the way the party had come, "How bout we try the other way?"

Magnus stopped and turned to look to the kid, a patient look upon his face. "No...no I think we're in the right place. There's probably a bunch of them, and they probably have more than one place to lie low." he explained, then cocked his head a fraction. "If you don't want to be here, we can take you back to Terri, she'll look after ya."

Runt pondered the offer and slowly replied, "No, I stay with you.  So you don't get lost."  Still think you going wrong way, he thought.

Added - OOC - excellent job Magnus and others not taking Runt seriously.  There's going to be a lot of eye-rolling going on behind your backs.  LOL
This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Wed 03 Nov 2021.

Rolf is surprised to see another sleeping chamber without an exit.  At least an obvious one.  He begins to search to see if he can find a hidden door, or perhaps some magical effect.

OOC:  I will help search the room.  Especially along the walls.

While the Men, Minotaur and Boy root about this latest chamber, Sajaa hangs back near the entrance, crossbow at the ready, keeping watch.

Runt's remarks have unsettled her, for she is more and more beginning to believe this has been a tragic case of mistaken identity.  She wonders if the Man slain earlier was not, in fact, in league with the kidnappers and instead an innocent. A shudder runs down her spine as she thinks of how close she came to slaying him, and not for the first time is she thankful that she missed the shot.

OOC: Will keep watch. Sorry not contributing much, but too many cooks spoil the brother and she's the low gal on the totem pole, anyway.

Gustav is not as interested in the room as in the lack of ways to get out of it, he moves back to the corrider with his cross bow ready, but does not go down it.

Don't like dead end rooms, tho' thy did leave somehow

Though the room seemed straight forward enough, there was no denying the fact that the four fighters had gone somewhere, which left few possibilities apart from some hidden exit out of the cave, or else a hidey-hole where they were still lying in wait to either await the six leaving or to spring a trap at the most opportune moment.  Untrusting in case of the latter possibility, Gustav and Sajaa hold fast near the entrance, their crossbows ready for the first flicker of movement.

Meanwhile, Giles, Magnus, and Rolf each take a small piece of the room, with Giles holding his lantern aloft to provide as much light as possible to everyone.

Magnus is the first one to make a discovery, a picture of sorts which is scraped into the rock on the long western wall of the cavern, barely visible in the low light.  The picture displays several long tubes and a handful of ovals, with slashes here and there and one large 'X' off on the left side of the picture.

Though just as Magnus is making this discovery, Rolf too is making his own.  For low in the base of the western wall is a crack in the earth large enough for a man's fingers.  Rolf tests the crack, lacing a single hand in the gap and finds the area behind to be completely open.  With a little manipulation, Rolf manages to peel back the thin shell of rock and dirt, exposing a small hole large enough for a man to crawl through.

"Would you look at that!"  Giles cries as he sees the way forward opening up in the wall.  He abandons the study of the picture for the moment, instead moving towards the opening where he shines his lantern low, casting a light that exposes another long tunnel, forty feet or so long, which ends in a T intersection.

OOC:  Picture displayed in my own hasty scrawl below.  Thanks again everyone for the patience.

Rolf pokes around the western section of room he finds himself in.  Quickly he notices a crack in the wall.  "Curious." he says as he attempts to pull on the crack.

Without much force he pulls and opens a small crawl space to a hallway beyond.

"They went this way." he says as he tries to widen the gap.

OOC:  Rolf will try to scrape more of the wall away to widen the gap.

Sajaa cocks a brow at Rolf's discovery.  She looks from one comrade to the next, awaiting them to take action, prepared to fall into place and follow once they all get moving again.

Rolf begins to dig away at the edges of the tunnel, trying to widen it for the group.  Much of the dirt crumbles away, though before long he finds that the earth has given way to stone.  Still, the tunnel is easily large enough for any of them to get through, nearly large enough for Runt to get through without even ducking his head.

"Should we send someone to look first?"  Giles turns, shining the lantern back on the picture on the wall.

Runt glanced over the crude picture Giles illuminated and then at the size of the exposed tunnel.  He crouched over a bit so he wouldn't bump his head and walked down it.

OOC - looks like a perfectly good picture to me Raddek.  Of course Runt has no idea what it represents.

Gustav frowns a little, an even smaller tunnel going who knows where ... what are they getting into he thinks.

"Ok." Rolf says in reply to Giles as he stands to take a closer look at the map.

OOC:  I assume Giles is speaking about the map.  Rolf will give it a close look and touch to see if he detects magic or notes something hidden.

Sajaa stands quietly watching the others conduct their search. She remains vigilant, crossbow at the ready.

OOC: I apologize for the one-liners. But Sajaa is a follower not a leader, and not one to speak much. She will quietly watch on, keep look-out, and continue on when the others do.

In reply to Raddek (msg # 182):

Magnus looked to Giles with a sort of resigned expression. Magnus knew that he should go first, he had been chosen to lead this thing, and hell, he couldn't expect anybody to do what he was not willing to do himself. But it was a tall order.

He imagined himself crawling on his belly into a room full of armed men ready to stick him as soon as he put an arm outside the hole he was crawling down. It was a bleak picture. He turned to Rolf. "I don't suppose you have any, ah, magic to help us with this one? Maybe to see what's on the other side?" he asked with faint hope in his voice.

As Rolf moves to examine the map, he thinks for a moment and says in reply to Magnus "Sorry, I don't have much in the way of spells that would help in detecting danger."

He thinks for a bit more and adds, "A simple mirror might be an effective way to check for what lay around the corner.  Tis a pity but I didn't think to buy one."

"In any event I don't mind leading the way.  I could check to more of those portcullis traps, or traps in general, and listen once I get to the split for anything laying in wait.  And if anyone can lend me a mirror all the better."

Magnus seemed uncertain about Rolf going. "Are you sure? We can try to find another way around...I doubt they crawled in expecting to get trapped." he surmised. "And no, no mirror, I should pick one up next time we're in town." The Minotaur was very conscious about his grooming, surprisingly enough.

"Though I don't have spells that work well at detecting potential harm, I have several available at getting me out of trouble.  Especially if I'm alone."

"I can transport myself instantly from one place to another which comes in handy.  Though it works best for short distances.  The farther I go the harder it gets."

"I don't mind scouting a little ahead." Rolf adds confidently. "I can keep an ear out and look for any traps they might have setup.  At least till we round the corner."

"I shall go too, Master Rolf." Sajaa finds herself saying impulsively.

She is painfully aware that she is simply tagging along with this group and not helping at all, and has a sudden desire to prove her worth and bravery.

As Rolf proceeds, Sajaa is quick to fall in behind him, sinking to hands and knees and crawling up the low, narrow passage. Crawling along like this is difficult and awkward, especially as she tries to maintain her hold on the crossbow. She is sure to poise the crossbow away from the diminutive Megalosian advancing ahead of her...

OOC: Sajaa is going to follow Rolf ignoring any verbal protests not to.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

Magnus had grown increasingly used to bring put at the front of the formation. Where as earlier in his "career" he had resented the increased danger, and silently wished that the others would take their turns at the front, at this point he was nervous when anybody but himself was put in the position.

"Be careful" was the only advice he could offer. It made sense, they were smaller, their weaponry did not depend on room to swing it and they were more nimble in their lighter equipment. Still...it would be a long few minutes while the others scouted ahead.

Rolf and Magnus debate ways and means for several moments, though in the end, decide for Rolf to scout ahead, and Sajaa elects to stand with him as he goes.  However, as the two turn to start up the passageway, they find that Runt is already ducking his head to pass into the tunnel alone!

The two hasten to catch up, hoping that the boy's impatience does not cause him permanent injury.

In the end, it doesn't.  Runt walks easily into the tunnel and pauses for a moment to listen before creeping forward.  Rolf takes somewhat longer at the entrance, his larger frame and sturdier clothes requiring him to get down low such that he balances on two feet and a hand, though his sword is ready and poised for action in the other.  Sajaa follows in much the same position, though she needs not do nearly as much maneuvering to get her shoulders through the pass.

Giles follows the three up to the entrance of the tunnel, holding the lantern low to give the three light to see by, but not entering the passage himself.

Runt walks all the way to the end of the passage, up to the intersection ahead and the very edge of the light of the lantern.  Here the passage opens up again to ten feet wide and nearly as tall with tunnels going both to the left and right.  However, whatever lies ahead is bathed in darkness too thick for Runt's eyes to penetrate.

In another moment, Rolf and Sajaa have caught up to the boy and take the opportunity to stand...  Though their eyes do nothing more to see through the darkness, the acrid tang of smoke hangs in the stale air, and underneath there is some sickly smell, like spoiled food or worse that leaves sour traces at the back of their tongues and throats.

OOC:  There isn't any interaction up to the end of the passage, though the light simply isn't strong enough for you three to see any farther and Giles doesn't want to force either party to be in the complete darkness.  If you three want to scout any farther, please let me know how you plan on proceeding.  Otherwise, it seems possible to regroup here and use the light from the lantern again.

Thanks again everyone for the patience.  My family stuff is done for the time being and I should be able to get back into a normal posting routine.  That being said, I know this is the time of year a lot of people slow down, so no pressure to post right away, as that would make me a complete hypocrite.  I'll NPC as necessary so that hopefully we can start actually moving along.

"Y'all is loud," Runt commented when the two adults caught up with him.  "If you be quiet maybe I can hear something."

OOC - Runt will listen carefully.
13:06, Today: Runt rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,4.  listen.
Good chance of success there, if there is anything to hear.

As an aside, we just hit the 5000 post mark!

So busy in preparing to scout ahead, does Rolf not notice Runt scurry down the tunnel.

"Hey..." he says, his voice trailing off as he scrambles to catch up to the boy.  He finds the tunnel difficult to walk down through and wonders how Magnus will manage.

It doesn't take long for him to catch up and the mage stops as the way forward is bathed in darkness.  "You shouldn't run off like that.  You could get hurt." he says softly as he puts away his blade.

Kneeling against the way of the tunnle, the mage takes out his shield and waits for the others to catch up.

OOC: Rolf will hold for everyone to catch up and listen while he waits.

Sajaa cannot help but smile when the little boy admonishes her and Rolf for being noisy.  When at first she thought Runt was just an undisciplined, overly excitable child who needed to be protected, she is now beginning to notice that he is far more resourceful than meets the eye. Perhaps living on the streets has transformed the feral little thing into some stealthy, cunning creature of the night.

She heeds the boy's commands and sinks to a knee, crossbow held but arrow pointing at the ground, remains as quiet as she can, and listens. Her nose crinkles to the tang of rot hanging in the smoky air...

OOC: 14:23, Today: Sajaa al-Kassem aka Mitra rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,3,4.  listens for noise (PR 12).

Giles waits and watches from the entrance of the tunnel, shining the light as best he can for everyone to see.

Ahead, at the edge of light, Runt, Rolf and Sajaa strain their ears to listen for sounds of the fleeing men... but despite their best efforts, silence prevails.

"All right down there?"  Giles whispers from the end of the corridor.  "Ready for everyone else to come down?"

"Come on.  It's clear." Rolf whispers back to Giles.

I'll take the rear as a rearguard.

He turns and faces the direction the came from, letting everyone else go, before he tries to back down the tunnel

One by one, the others file in by Giles, who holds the lantern as best he can to give everyone light to see by.  Despite the small space, everyone, even Magnus makes it through, though the minotaur has to give special attention to how his horns fit through the gap before he can actually squeeze the rest of his body through.  Giles and Gustav move through the space last, leaving the previous room unoccupied and entirely in darkness.

It takes some minutes, but eventually the group reforms in the larger tunnel.  Giles holds the light aloft, shedding some clarity on the way ahead in both directions.  To the right, it seems like the tunnel opens up in only about ten feet into another small cave.  To the left, the tunnel starts to climb up into the mountain face so that only about thirty feet distant, the far side cave floor disappears behind the nearer ceiling.

All the while, no sound emerges apart from the exertions of the group.  Only the thin film of black smoke betrays the earlier passing of the four men.

Does that thin film tell us which way they went?

Sajaa shrugs at the Araterrean's inquiry. She says nothing but sinks to one knee to study the tunnel floor in hopes of finding a clue as to their quarry's direction.

OOC: Will try a default Tracking Roll for haha's.

"Hmm.  They went left likely.  But we should see what lay in that cave to the right first." Rolf suggests as he puts away his shield and sword.

He takes out and readies his crossbow.

OOC:  If no one objects, lets check the cave to the right before continuing on the left tunnel.  Whichever way we go Rolf will check for traps on the floor and ceiling as he doesn't want to get caught in another portcullis trap.

Makes sense, we don't want a surprise in our rear.

~That’s what she said!~  Sajaa muses to herself, a snort escaping  her nose which she masks with a cough.

”The smoke burns my eyes.”  she says softly.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:51, Mon 22 Nov 2021.

Magnus clambered to his feet, the weight of his armor making the motion significantly harder than it might have been otherwise. For the first time he wondered about the wisdom of putting the crest on his helmet, potentially a poor decision there, but he had been so proud of it when it was being made. The shield, backpack and javelins was the whole thing slow, noisy and awkward.

Wiping a clump of spiders web from one horn he looked about, exhaling sharply through his huge nostrils. "Yeah, let's get out of here." Magnus agreed, and pressed forward.

Runt followed right behind Rolf, paying close attention to what he was doing.

Thoroughness was the order of the moment, and though Rolf feels confident that the men went to the left, he nevertheless beckons Giles and the lantern on to the right, as Sajaa leans down to study the cave floor, coughing slightly as she goes about her work.

However, Sajaa finds little of note.  The cave floor is worn stone, and even in areas where there is enough dirt or mud to leave prints, the sediment seems so smashed down and settled that it is impossible to make out real footprints, let alone tell which direction they are heading.

The whole point appears moot in another moment however, as the room to the right appears to be a dead end.  The cave is small and seems to be little more than dumping ground.  There are burned torches, food waste and animal bones, and various other debris that seem to be scattered across the edges.  In one corner, there is a six inch hole which drops away and prickles with the smell of urine and feces.

OOC:

Sajaa:

The smoke burns my eyes.

ROFL!  Amazing post.  I award you 1 CP for nearly making me choke on my coffee.  Sajaa's thoughts are really branching out from the devout Arabic daddy's girl she started as :p.

Nothing of particular interest that you can tell in the room to the right apart from trash.  If there is a particular item of trash that you think might be useful to the group, feel free to state what you are looking for and roll vs. Scrounging.

"Yuck.  Seems we've found their trash bin and outhouse." Rolf says as his nose crinkles.  "Let's head back the way we came."

OOC:  Assuming no one wants to search around, lets head back down the left tunnel that climbs up into the mountain.  If someone wants to search, Rolf will wait.

Sajaa gives the one called Rolf a nod of acknowledgement.

Silently, she turns about and begins walking back down the left-hand tunnel that leads into the mountain.  Though she and her party have been in this cave system for only a short period of time, the stink, dankness, and claustrophobic confines of the place make her feel like she's been wandering about for an age. She is eager to finish this search and return to fresh air and the light of day...

She pauses a moment, turns and whispers: "Come, Runt." beckoning the little boy with a jerk of her helmed head.

OOC: Crossbow readied, Sajaa is heading down the left-hand tunnel. Whether anyone including Runt joins her or not, she will press on as far as light allows. Just posting to keep the thread alive.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Tue 07 Dec 2021.

Runt looked over the pile of refuse.  If this had been back in Craine he would have probably poked through it thoroughly but considering how little these people had so far he didn't see much reason to.  At the warrior woman's urging he followed down the other way.

OOC - just in case there is something to be noticed
09:22, Today: Runt rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,4,1.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:23, Tue 07 Dec 2021.

As Runt draws silently up behind her, Sajaa glances back at the little boy. A slight smile touches her lips.

"When we return to the village, perhaps we should consider a new name for you?" She whispers. "You are small, yes, but you are much more than a 'runt'. Where I come from, my people might call you: Zilun Saghir."

She smiles again and gently ruffles the hair on the boy's head. "It means, Little Shadow."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:38, Tue 07 Dec 2021.

With no objections to Rolf's statement, but a base objection to the slow creeping stench that only seems to get worse as time draws on, the group turns around and heads back up the tunnel which climbs upwards into the side of the cliff.

Giles holds the lantern high as the group climbs the slope, and though they progressively put more and more distance between themselves and the latrine, the rotting stench does not seem to abate in any sense.  The tunnel climbs for a short ways before broadening out into a larger cave, this one nearly twenty yards across.

Despite the room's size however, there is little to be learned here.  Here and there, there is disturbed dust and even the mark of an occasional footprint, however, with no wind nor rain to disturb the marks, it's difficult to know how old they are.  After a brief search, there is nothing to find with the exception of a knocked away stone at the back corner of the room that leads to a small path leading on.

Giles moves forward to the tunnel, this one large enough to traverse while crouching.  Here the dust at the floor is dry and looks recently disturbed, and there are marks from where the stone was rolled from the opening.  Giles pushes the light forwards, though he recoils a step before stepping a foot into the tunnel beyond, pushing his arm and mail sleeve over his face.

"Well, that explains the smell."  He says.

The tunnel ahead is short, less than two full walking paces before it opens up again into another cave.  though the view of most of the room is blocked by the tunnel walls, there is enough open to see a man's body laying across the floor ahead, rusted blood soaking his chest and the floor around him.

OOC:  Thanks for the bump.  Things have been busy around here, and will probably continue to be so at least through the weekend, but I'll do my best to keep things moving.

Gustv follows behind Saja and the Boy, mostly because he can't get in front of them.

Rolf is glad no one objects to leaving the latrine room behind and not tarry there.  The mage thinks little to nothing is to be gained digging around in the foul smelling muck.

As they follow in the other direction, he is surprised to find the smell doesn't improve much, if at all.  Eventually the passage enters a large unoccupied cavern with little of note besides disturbed dust and the ever present smell.

Following a small path a short distance they find another cave and the source of the odor.  A dead man lay lifeless and has clearly been deceased for at least a day, if not longer.  Enough at least to start the decomposing process.

Rolf sets down his crossbow and takes off his backpack.  Inside he retrieves a cloak and begins to wrap it around his head, paying close attention to his nose but allowing for his eyes to still see.

"I'll search him." he says with little enthusiasm.  He knows someone has to accept the grisly business of searching the poor soul.  And after what he encountered at the Witten insane asylum, he expects he can handle the job.  A brief shudder escapes him upon remembering the room with the black obelisk and the unliving worshipping at it's altar.  It's a sight he'll never forget and hopes to never see again.  The evil of the place was unparalleled in his mind and is glad the place has been wiped from existence.

"Giles please follow from behind with the light." he adds to his apprentice.  He has yet to take on the role of mentor with the aspiring mage and wonders how he'll handle being close to a rotting dead man.  But best to know if he's squeamish.  Such a quality would be a hinderance in the pursuits he often finds himself in.

OOC:  Rolf has a couple of spells to cleanse air, but if the smell is bearable with a cloth barrier he'll forgo casting to save the FP while he searches the body. He'll ask Gile to follow a few paces behind so he'll have light.

Edit: Rolf will search for traps leading up to and including the body.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Wed 08 Dec 2021.

Runt followed along with Sajaa and the rest of the group.  The smelly corpse gained a wrinkling of his nose but otherwise no real reaction - just another dead body.

OOC - Though if it looks to be better dressed/equipped than the people they have encountered he's much more interested and will have no problem "assisting" Rolf.  ;-)

Sajaa buries her nose into the fabric covering the crook of her arm, her lip curled in revulsion at the sight and smell.

"How do you suppose he died?"

She asks quietly, her voice muffled.

Violently most likely

"I'd guess he's one of the guards from the caravan maybe, captured, or wounded" Magnus suggests as he brought up the rear and watched the groups back. The odor from the fruiting corpse as was unpleasant as it was familiar, that cloying, rotting, miasma that all living things seemed to leave behind in death. Humans of course, being larger, stunk all the more.

"It's probably too much to hope that the other's they snatched up have been treated any better." he added off hand, and felt his stomach turn a little at the stench.

Rolf moves on again through the small passage, Giles following shortly behind and raising the lantern high for the two to see by.

At first, Rolf's attention is split.  He uses his hands on the tunnel walls, searching for hidden facets or catches.  However, as the light spills over the corpse ahead, a skittering motion catches Rolf's attention and makes it hard to look immediately away.

Rats.  And by the look of it flies and worse...

Rolf approaches, wary of traps or hidden thugs, though nothing presents apart from the atrocious smell by the time he makes it to the body.  Rolf presses his forearm tight about his face, doing his best to block the stench as he carries on.  There is little there apart from the body - only a small loincloth for clothes and no shoes to speak of, and the soles of the man's feet are dirtied and worn.  Neither are there any weapons about, with perhaps the exception of a rusted metal hook that lies on the ground a dozen feet or so away.  The corpse itself is mostly in tact...  though it seems to be quickly decomposing.

There is a large cavity ripped open at the man's gut where his rib bones protrude from the skin.  Maggots leak from the festering wound, feasting upon the dead flesh and skin which is already beginning to peel back and away.  The carrion eaters too are bunched and oozing from the man's eyes, nose, and mouth, not to mention a bloodied dent at the back of the man's head that is barely visible without turning the body over onto its other side.  What blood remains about the corpse, pooled mostly by the man's head, through there is a smaller puddle near its stomach where the gaping wound is, is congealed and darkened to brown with flies buzzing all about the sticky mess.

"Another way through over there."  Giles murmurs, casting the light on the far wall, where indeed another tunnel leads on.

OOC:  The rest of the group has moved to the entrance of the room to maintain enough light to see by.  Rolf and Giles are the only ones who have actually moved into the room, though only a few steps in, which is where the body lays.  The cave is about 20' long x40' wide with another exit protruding from the far wall.  There is little else to speak of about the room, there are a few bone fragments here and there amongst the blood, though nothing large or identifiable.  The metal hook on the ground looks more like a butcher's meat hook than a weapon, and a short investigation of the room will reveal another rusted hook set into the far wall.

The stench is quite bad here, though not so bad that spell casting is required.  Any character with squeamishness or necrophobia will need to make a fright check though at a -3 penalty.  Again, there is no real sign of the four men you were following... clearly the corpse was not one of them.

As a note, the rats scampered away as you approached and have not returned to the body yet.

Eager to escape the carrion-stink of the corpse, Sajaa slips past the others and makes her way briskly toward the newly found exit on the opposite side of the room. She gives the body wide berth, her nose tucked into the crook of her arm.

OOC: Sajaa will go to the new exit on the far wall, but slow to a stop when/if she exceeds the pool of light thrown by the light source. She will examine the floor, ceiling, walls and threshold before advancing, just in case there are any boobytraps. Her crossbow is still cradled in her arms.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Mon 13 Dec 2021.

Rolf has seen a couple of portcullis traps in this lair and he's wary of finding a third.  Especially with the prospect of being trapped in a tight space with a rotting corpse.  With Giles close behind he keeps a careful eye out for a trap plate or trip wire, but he sees none.

The mage keeps a hand on his cloak to keep the worst of the stench at bay.  It kind of works.  He quickly looks the corpse over after pausing to let the rats make their escape.

"There's hooks here on the wall and there is a wound on his head.  He might have been impaled on a hook and left there to rot.  Not sure." he says to the group.

Standing he follows Sajaa and waves to the others to follow.

OOC: Rolf will not tarry here and will want to move on.  He sees no need to investigate the corpse further.  Once out of the room he will put his cloak away and ready his crossbow.

He just grimaces at the stench and hurries past the poor soul, stopping near Sasha, Crossbow ready as well.
Something very wrong here, I feel.

"Yeah" Magnus agreed as he moved with the group towards the exit with the others. He agreed with the sentiment that there was more going on here than they had first expected, but he had yet to put all the pieces together. "Somethings not right." he added in a low rumble as he shifted uncomfortably within his armor.

As if to make himself feel better, he moved back up to the very front of the group. Although he had led them into this vile place, at the least he could face whatever they were up against head on.

Runt moved past the corpse quickly, not really bothered by the smell or even that it was a corpse.  But the presence of rats was another story.  He gripped his stick tightly, ready to fend off any of the rodents that he might spot.

The group moves ahead, leaving behind the decomposing corpse.

Though Magnus had been sure there was some sort of trap lurking ahead, an ambush the four men had laid for them, he can't help but be pestered by the fact that they hadn't yet encountered it.  Certainly, there had been exemplary ambush locations already.  Were the men really simply running?  And what of that corpse?  Even if it were a caravan guard, gutting him and leaving him to rot so near to their own living spaces seemed foolhardy at best...  It was vile and wasteful on a level even Magnus's kind would find hard to understand.

Bothered by these uncertainties, Magnus takes the lead, Giles falling in line with him and holding the lantern high as they walk out through the tunnel ahead.  At least if trouble was coming, Magnus would be there to face it first...

The tunnel bends to the right, before turning back to the left.  As they make their way around the bend Magnus can see up ahead dim but gleaming reflections of white light on the wet stone of the tunnel.  There is a clear contrast to the yellowed reflection of the oil lantern that Giles holds.  Up ahead, the tunnel bends off again to the right, though before the bend, another small cave opens up to the left, with an even more macabre scene than the one they had seen previous.

Filth.  It is the only word to describe it, though it falls far short of the way the scene feels.  Beetles and rats scurry everywhere, fleeing from the lamp-light as Giles shines it in the room.  There are bones everywhere, most of them solitary and scattered though there are two partly in-tact corpses including a giant snake that lays headless in a pile of ribs and mottled skin and something else more humanoid that is long since dead and festooned with bugs of every description.  Shit too, lies scattered about the room, large piles, the size of a grown man's foot.  Here and there are other left over bits of the dead...  leathered patches of skin or fur, and other various debris.

The stench is also quite something to contend with...

"Good Lord!"  Giles gasps as he takes in the scene.  "This isn't much like it was in the other caves below, is it?"

OOC:  The small cave to the right is a disgusting hovel of what looks like filth accumulated with dedication over an extended time.  If anyone wishes to go in the room, roll vs. HT.  A failure will result in nausea causing a -2 to IQ for the duration of exposure.  Failure by 5 or more will cause retching per B 429.

Magnus's bovine features crinkled in disgust as the miasma washed over their little band, but he continue forward at a creep, his large glossy eyes dancing about the various filth and detritus. Framed in the metal of his centurions helmet and cast in the glow from the lamp it gave him an unusually severe countenance on the normally friendly face.

As he advanced slowly in the silence, every step was a faintly echoing combination of hoof, shifting chainmail and the creaking of oiled leather.

"No..., no, odd place for a midden." he agreed in a rumble, and advanced to the point where he could more clearly see what was left of the humanoid. With a deft hand he reversed the javelin he carried and used the butt end to prod the pile, looking for something that would give them some hint of why all of this had been left here, and by whom. He was not about to paw through it, but if he could identify the sentient, he would feel he had at least done his duty. The feces was also unusually large, and his mind began to wonder at the size of the being that had left it.

Gustav Looks and winces,then he pushes past it and down the tunnel and looks at where the tunnel goes, his crossbow ready.

Even Runt wrinkled his nose at the smell and looked somewhat disgusted.

"Dis be worse than the leather works an the pig pens both together."

Rolf travels quickly past the corpse and is glad to leave behind the dead man.  He is also glad to be away from the camps latrine as he finds that ripe smell lingering in his nose and is just now fading...but his joy is short lived.

He takes in the scene of the small cave and curses audibly.  "By the gods!...What manner of beast lives here?  And why?" he mutters as he brings a hand to his nose...relentlessly battered by the miasma festering this section of the bandit lair.

Rolf feels a little dizzy and maybe a little sick as he stands and takes in the disgusting gore splattered throughout the room.  "Magnus, I for one don't like the look of this.  Whatever 'lives' here I don't want to meet.  Should we consider backtracking and trying the other tunnel?  I believe there was one we could investigate.  Or we could continue on."

The gruesome imagery of the corpse, the filth, and above all, the stench is almost more than Sajaa al-Kassem can bear.  She hurries after the others, nose pressed deep into the crook of her arm, letting the fabric of her shirtsleeve filter out some of the odor. But even still, she feels her mouth fill with the sickly sweet taste of bile and her stomach spasms several times.

She begins to wish she had stayed outside to watch the horses and finds herself envying the two who have.



”Continue on!" She announces her vote. "And may we move faster, please?”

OOC: Sajaa is sick of this place and wants to speed up the search to reduce the time she lingers in this terrible place.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:02, Fri 17 Dec 2021.

Determined to brave the refuse to find what sort of man or beast lived in these caves, Magnus steps a resolute hoof into the cave, quietly taking in the macabre scene as he mentally steels his stomach against the stench.  Despite his resolve, Magnus can't help but feel the miasma lingering at the back of his throat and mouth, threatening to upset the contents of his stomach if things were to get much worse.

There is little extra information to take in for the room abroad.  Roaches and rats scatter as Magnus approaches, one crunching delicately underhoof as he moves.

He approaches the more human-looking pile, noting the scattering of other bones around, many crushed or smashed into bits.  The form itself appears to be mostly decomposed, for the rats have left this bit of the room alone and the beetles are only one or two here and there.  Only patches of moss and lichen remain to feast on the bones, sucking away the last bits of moisture and life.

Magnus prods the skeleton hip bone, which breaks under the gentle pressure of the javelin as the connected femur and vertebrae fall away with the jostling movement...

Meanwhile, Giles braves the tunnel just a little ways farther until the bend.  Though he had expected complete darkness, he notes with a pleasure that there is some bit of light ahead, enough to see the tunnel splits again in twenty feet or less.  Against the far wall (for none of the tunnel branches seem to go straight ahead), Gustav can see the reflection of some natural light...

OOC:  Magnus, I went ahead and rolled vs. Naturalist for you to keep us moving.  The roll failed, but you've deduced the following information from what you've seen and your common sense:
1.  Whatever did all this was likely larger than a human, though probably not enormous - possibly your size or only slightly larger.
2.  You'd have a hard time believing humans could/would live here.
3.  Whatever did this was incredibly wasteful...  Especially if the last corpse in the previous room is to be considered.  If this was a predatory beast, nearly none of the corpse was eaten - almost all was left for carrion.

Gustav - if you wish to continue farther up the tunnel to look at the intersection without the others, we'll need to separate you into a different thread.

I'll wait for the group to make a decision on where to go from here.

Gustav moves a little ways past the grusome area, then pauses to see if anyone is following, seeing Sajaa coming his way he moves a bit further to make room a he looks and listens, something has been here and he expects trouble although hesenses nothing immediate.

Runt followed Sajaa past the midden area.

Rolf wishes to put a little distance from the malodorous cave and himself and moves to join Sajaa, Runt and Gustav.

With little further information to go on, and the unrelenting stench only seeming to get worse, the group pushes onward up the tunnel to join Gustav.

Though the worst of the charnel and stench has been left behind, the ground still seems littered with odd bits of refuse (the sort so small and useless even Runt would not think to collect) and shards of bone.  Finger length hairs are scattered here and there, muddy brown and dirty rust color.  The odd beetles still scatter here and there, hovering at a distance and watching the group as they proceed.

They find the swordsman perched at a four way intersection.  To the left, the short but wide tunnel opens out into the light of day.  However, the heavy fog still seems to obscure any view outside.  Ahead, the tunnel twists and turns out of sight after only a thirty or forty foot stretch.  To the right, the tunnel continues to climb higher and higher still into the cliff face.

Giles holds his lantern aloft again, though the positioning of the light does not seem to add anything to their view.

"Well."  He grunts.  "I suppose if they've made it this far it's been simple enough to get away...  Unless..."  He turns the lantern again, shining it up towards the right and the climbing tunnel ahead.  "They simply wanted us to think they'd run off, and went back for the hostages instead..."

OOC:  It is 0900 on the 4th of January.

Three more ways to go:  Left clearly goes to the outside, straight ahead and right continue on to other parts left unexplored.

Rolf is glad to be leaving behind them the fetid odors and unspeakable acts that will be difficult to shake from his mind for some time.  Done by some foul beast they have yet to face.  And it's this prospect of crossing the path of this messenger of death and destruction that concerns him.  He voiced his reservations about continuing forward and the possibility they'll be striding right to it, but fell short of outright saying he refuses to continue on.  Though the mage is still relatively new to adventuring, he's faced his fair share of near death experiences.  The great worm (and the source material for his base armor), the summoned lion-like creatures and even mind flayers.  The latter of which he had the sense to turn tail and run from and let other, more powerful people than he handle them.

But there are no others to handle this creature, or creatures, so continue on they must, even if he thinks it's unwise.

"I'll try to see which way they went." Rolf says as he stoops low, looking for traces of the four slaves passage.

OOC:  Rolf will check for traps as he moves forward and will try to find the 4 slaves tracks to see which way they have gone.  And if he can detect any other non human tracks.

Sajaa falls in a few paces behind Rolf, watching him studying the ground. She, too, peers intently at the rock and dirt floor of the passage, trying to discern any signs of foot traffic. No tracker by any stretch of the imagination, she is fascinated by people who possess such skills, so she watches the smallish Megalosian, trying to understand his process...

Rolf stoops down to check the floor of the cave for tracks or tripwires, spending several moments in examination before rising up again.

Runt looked at the various passages for a moment in concentration before heading down the one leading to the outdoors.

"Jus' gonna check and make sure where dis one come out iffin we needs to get out fast.  Be right back."

OOC - he'll stick his head out to make sure where this exit is in relation to the way the party entered.  He's fairly sure but making certain.

Good thought Kid, I'll cover you   He also moves to the fresh air.

Rolf motions for Sajaa to come closer as the mage finds a portion of an imprint of a foot. A very large foot.

"That I believe is our midden maker. And by the look of this imprint is a giant. I would guess at least seven feet tall." He says as he points out the print that is about the length of his forearm.

"I don't know of which way he went and I don't see sign of the four men that came this way." He adds as he stands.

"In any event if we cross this large creature please don't rush to greet it. There could be spells I could cast to keep it at bay for a bit while we run, or give us a better chance to kill it. Depending on what it is and how much time we get to decide what to do if we find it."

As Rolf and Sajaa, known as Mitra to the group, inspect the single print on the floor at the intersection, the small boy and the swordsman follow the light of the morning towards the outside world.
 They step forward slowly, not wanting to tempt fate with another ambush or trap, though seems to be no need for concern...  or at least any immediate need.  For as Runt peers out into the daylight from the mouth of the cave he notes that the walls at the edge of the tunnel are adorned in human skulls.

Gustav catches up to the boy only a few moments later, noting the skulls nearly just as quickly.  The skeletal faces strike a chord in Gustav's memory, but he has no time to think on it, for just as he is contemplating where he has seen these skulls before, he hears a familiar voice screaming off in the distance.

"Damnit!"

Though Gustav has only had a short time exposed to the man, He does not mistake the eastern accent of Hamish, and the man is surprised and angry in spades!

Runt and Gustav hurry to the edge, a small shelf jutting forward from the lips of the cave.  The two train their eyes, willing as best they can to find the voice which has called out so violently.  But below them the gulley falls away into an impenetrable mist.  Above, the sun hangs in a film of milk, so dense that it's impossible to tell exactly where the light is coming from.  But Gustav spies with his keen eyes a small trail off to his right where boots or feet have passed, sliding downward into the fog on the steep slope of the gulch.

OOC:  Let's start off with saying that I'm allowing the characters to spread a little thinner than I would like while keeping everyone in the same thread.  I am making some assumptions, firstly that Runt and Gustav are going to share what they hear with the others before charging ahead.  I'm doing it this way with the hope that I can avoid starting a separate thread and then immediately closing it with one response as the group rejoins together again.

I've also tried to respond a few times here as things up to this point have mostly been a mundane 'pick a path.'  Hopefully, from here on, the group's decisions start meaning a little more in the long run.  Therefore, here for sure, and maybe for a bit, I'm going to wait until everyone has posted, with Magnus casting the final vote (though of course everyone controls their own character in the end).


The skulls on the wall

Runt, That was Hamish yelling, go tell the others quickly ... I think we have a problem.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Mon 20 Dec 2021.

The wall of skulls was creepy to Runt.  He'd heard that there were tunnels under Crain though he'd never seen them himself.  He might have stopped and looked closer but the sound of a voice screaming in the distance gets his attention immediately.  At Gustav's command, the boy turns and runs immediately back to the rest of the group.

"Gustav said Hamish was yelling and he think we have a problem."

"Well shit." Magnus immediately perked up to his full height, his face full of concern. "Is that a way out?" he asked Runt with an obvious gesture to the direction he had just come from. "Or is it back the way we came?"

"Different way out."

At the sound that Hamish and Terri are in trouble, Rolf commands his protégé Giles with a direct "Let's go!" before taking off running in the direction of Gustav.

Gustav starts down he path carefully, reconnoitering for the group.

Sajaa is touched by Rolf’s patient tutorial on the finer points of tracking.  Her extraordinarily golden-colored eyes grow wide with shock and awe when the little Mage points out the shape and behemoth size of the print in the dirt.

What manner of Beast or Monster is this?!!! She wonders anxiously.

Not for the first time the woman second-guesses her decision to join up on this rescue mission.  Fighting brigands is one thing …  doing battle with Cave Monsters is yet another!

She moves behind Rolf as he rejoins the group and finds herself shuddering with superstitious dread as she slinks past the wall of skulls.  Her lips move as she murmurs under her breath a quiet prayer.

“In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All-Knowing, I beseech Thee to see Me and My Friends safely through this Quest!

OOC: Will continue tagging along, crossbow ready, eyes and ears peeled.

Having delivered his message, Runt followed along with the others having no desire to remain in the cavern system by himself.  After all there was something here that would consider him a snack!

Magnus takes but a moment to assess the situation, though the words Runt uses are few, his nervous eyes and his quick retreat back to the ledge are more than enough to understand that something serious is about...

The rest of the group still left in the cave, Rolf, Runt, Magnus, Giles, and Sajaa all make with haste towards the daylight ahead.  The morning sun and open air are welcome gifts, even after only a few dozen minutes in the cave.  However, the fog still blots out any hope of a clear understanding of what is going on down below.

"Stay your hand!"  Terri calls as the party steps out into the air, surprise and anger speckling her words.

Not one to wait for matters to get worse, Gustav pushes forward off the small ledge, carefully choosing his footholds on the steep slope, making his way as quickly as he can down to the bottom.  However, the way is slick, and his boots slide slightly on the fog-dampened rock...

OOC:  OOC:  Everyone is out on the terrace.  Gustav has started his way down.  Gustav - I need you to roll vs. Climbing (defaults to DX-5).  The roll is penalized as follows:  -1 for each level of encumbrance, -1 for only using 1 hand to steady yourself, -3 for using no hands to steady yourself.  Last I saw you had your crossbow ready, so if you didn't want to reduce your penalty, you could either let go of it (let it hang from the strap) and climb down using both hands, or else unready it and climb down using only one.  Failure by less than 5 will result in a controlled slip down the mountain, failure by 5 or more will result in a fall.

Please note in your roll what penalties you are taking, otherwise, I'll assume that you are putting all your weapons away and using both hands.

Anyone else who wishes to follow Gustav down can make the same roll.

Geronimo! ... what's the roll for a good PLF?


19:21, Today: Gustav Du Meseries rolled 15 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,4.  Climbing default, using both hands.

Runt went down after Gustav, tossing his stout stick to the bottom to be retrieved went he got down.

OOC -
21:18, Today: Runt rolled 16 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,6,4.  Climbing.

Good ole controlled slip.  Once he hits bottom, he'll get well out of the way so rubble (or one of the other characters) coming down doesn't hit him.

After wandering through the dark cave, the gloomy daylight seems so comparatively bright Sajaa blinks her eyes against it.

She pauses at the brink of a steep, crumbly descent and watches Gustav and Runt slip, slide and stumble their way to the bottom.  Now she draws a deep breath, whispers a prayer to Allah, and begins her own descent.  She rests the crossbow in the crook of one arm, leaving the other hand free to catch herself should she lose her balance and fall.

Back in her homeland, on those rare occasions when Sajaa and her girlfriends got to venture into the hills outside the village, she had earned the nickname Maeizjabalium for her talent at negotiating the steep, rough terrain.

Now she begins hopping from one rock to the next. Down, down, down she goes, faster and faster, until, at last she springs to the bottom, breathless and giddy. A girlish giggle escapes her lips.  Mortified and shy without her niqaab, she buries her face in her hands and pretends to mask the laugh with a fake sneeze.

She then readies the crossbow and advances a half dozen strides and sinks to one knee, eyes peeled as she provides security for the rest of her party’s descent.

OOC: Climbing Skill 13, Descending Medium Encumbrance (-2) using one hand (-1) - 10.Seek best available cover, drop to one knee, keep crossbow readied, scan the area while the rest of the group descends. Maeizjabaliun = Mountain Goat00:22, Today: Sajaa al-Kassem aka Mitra rolled 9 using 3d6 ((4,3,2)).
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

Rolf follows the group outside of the cave and into a heavy bank of fog.  He hears Terri's strained voice call out and he knows she's in trouble, even if he can't see why.

The mage looks at the way down with concern.  Not a great climber, Rolf knows he'll likely just be a wrecking ball rolling downhill and taking out anyone in his wake if he were to try go down that way.

Instead of subjecting himself or anyone else to that, he begins to cast...

OOC: Rolf will try to cast flight at a 5FP cost.  It takes 2 seconds to cast.

In retrospect, Magnus probably should have gone first.

Hooves we're not as suited to climbing as feet for obvious reasons, although mountain goats did have hooves, they were not the sort the their Minotaur had been born with.

And given his size, if he fell, he could well smash into his comrades below causing even more trouble.

Perhaps it was this threat, that he could injure or even kill those in his care if he slipped, that granted Mangus the strength to make it down without incident.

By sheer muscle and grit he clung to the rocky outcroppings with a death grip, one limb at at a time as he made his way down, his shield on his back, his mace in the worn brass ring on his belt and his javelin back in the long narrow sack lashed to his pack.

Although his armor and helmet scrapped at times, he made it down without incident and could not help but smile in relief, and at Mitra's giddy excitement.he obviously caught her embarrassment, and shit her a grin when he did so before he retrieved his javelin and shield before husting after the others.

It does not take much imagination to know that something is amiss below.  It seems the whole of the group comes to the same conclusion that doing something now, anything, is preferable to the whole slew of possibilities that could come to pass if they wait.

"Get away from me!  You'll not hold me back!  Hamish shouts, even as Gustav slips himself forward, slipping his sword and shield back into place on his gear before charging forward and down towards the sound of the voices.

Gustav is no climber.  He had relied on his natural athleticism, but the bad visibility of the fog and a wayward step are enough to send the swordsman tumbling, instead of skidding.

Clink!  The scales of Gustav's armor rattle as he rolls, end over end, towards the bottom.

"See!  There's more of them!"  Hamish shouts again, his voice alert and argumentative.

Seeing Gustav's fall, but not tracing him visually to the bottom, Runt follows, though his steps are much lighter, skipping downward here and there over the stones though he manages to keep his feet.

Thump!  Gustav rolls to the bottom, his chest and sides heaving after having struck several rocks on the way down.  Though everything hurts.  It only takes a quick moment to find that no permanent damage is done.  Though his breath comes in short, stabbing gasps, Gustav makes his way to his feet, searching out into the fog ahead.

"You don't know who that is!  Terri responds, aggravation clear in her voice.

Rolf takes a slightly more cautious approach, casting a flight spell upon himself and flying his way down to observe the scene below.

For a moment, it is only the minotaur and the soldier at the cave.  They give a brief glance to each other before Magnus stores his weapons and follows down, his hooves scrabbling down, casting small stones and dust spewing out in his wake, though he manages to keep his feet.

"Well, shit."  Giles says to himself, before stowing his sword, and holding the lit lantern out as he tries to brace himself with one free hand.

He doesn't last long before he tumbles down to the bottom as well.  Thump, thump, thump, SMASH!

As Giles hits the bottom, the glass of the lantern smashes to pieces.

"Shit."  Giles groans, though he too quickly makes his way to his feet.

"Giles?"  Terri calls out.  "Hamish!  It's them!  See?"

---

It takes a moment for the group to reassemble in the fog, though it is quickly learned that Terri and Hamish were in no danger at all, but were simply arguing amongst themselves.

"She grabbed me by the damn scruff!"  Hamish accuses, his ire rising immediately when asked why the two of them had been so loud.

"Because you were acting like an ASS!"  Terri immediately fires back, just as worked up as the easterner.

"I was trying to do the job we were hired to do."  Hamish retorts, suddenly quiet, though his cold and hard voice none the less carries quite well.

After some mediating, Magnus manages to get the pair to start back at the beginning.

"It was only a few minutes after you had gone in the cave."  Hamish starts off.  "We was way back there, over by the trees where you left us.  And all of a sudden there's yelling and screaming coming out of the cave.  Bunch of voices in Arabic it sounds."  Hamish spits on the ground.  "We coulda stopped 'em if we had been a little closer, but we was too far away, and they ran off out the ravine.  Couldn't even see 'em in all the fog.  So I says we should move closer, less there are others who think they can run off."

"And I agreed."  Terri harrumphs, her eyes still narrowed, though she bides her time.

"So we bring the horses up some."  Hamish continues as if he hadn't been interrupted.  "Almost all the way to the cave so we can see who is coming out.  But then, just a few minutes ago, we hear voices from up there."

Hamish points upward and down the ravine in the direction of the cave where the group had just recently exited.

"So I figure that's no different right?  We'll get these sons of bitches!"

"Except you had no idea who it was!"  Terri spits, her ire bubbling up again from within.  "We had all the horses and you expected to just leave them alone, put our back to the other cave, and blindly attack any number of assailants... or possibly our friends?"

"Weren't them!"  Hamish defends himself.  "They came out later!  Anyway, doesn't make any difference.  I start moving up when we hear more movement, people coming down the slope.  And she grips the back of my collar like a misbehaving kit!"

"To stop you from dying!"  Terri hisses.

"I don't need yer mothering."  Hamish snarls back.  "I know when I can risk my own neck."

OOC:  It is 0930 on the 4th of January.  The fog is no just starting to clear off, and visibility has improved up to about a quarter mile.

Sorry for the long post.  There's a lot in it - feel free to ask questions in or out of character if things aren't clear.  The long and short of it for those who came to the bottom first is:  Hamish tried to ambush some of the 'bandits' as they fled and Terri thought the decision rash, so she grabbed him by the collar to stop him.  The shouts that ensued were a fight between the two of them rather than with anyone else.

You can assume you've moved back a good ways from the caves for the moment to avoid being overheard.

You have not heard anything else from the caves or any trace of the men who fled.

Gustav has sustained moderate bruising injury to the torso from his fall, though there is no permanent damage.  Giles has sustained light bruising injury from his fall, though the lantern shattered as he hit the bottom.  It will not be usable for the rest of the adventure.

Rolf has cast flight, then rested for 30 minutes, and is down 2 fatigue (I'm assuming you wouldn't upkeep the spell after it was clear there wasn't much reason to).

Runt just shook his head at the antics of the adults.  "Dey be acting like a couple of fishwives," he said quietly to no one in particular.  He turned back to where the group had noisily clambered down to find the stout stick he had tossed down.

OOC - I'm laughing over here.

Gustav, sore and irritated, finding his risk and effort were  for a dumb disagreement, frowns; he knows Terri and suspects she was right, not that anything is solved.  You weren't asked to block the canyon, you were asked to keep the animals safe.  he growls.

"Easy" Magnus interjected in his somewhat paternal baritone. Despite being among the youngest of the group, he was also the largest and they lent him a sort of artificial gravitas.

"Just glad you're both in one piece." he glanced back at their wounded, saw that they were also battered but alright and then commenced to dusting himself off.

"It's been pretty much as we thought, hit and run...no sign of the caravan yet, or anybody that looks like a leader." he explained. "These ruins though, they're odd. Not what I would expect from a...bandit camp." he admitted in a concerned tone as he glanced up roughly in the direction the skulls had been before he looked back to Terri and Hamish. "You see which way they ran?" He asked hopefully.

Sajaa cocks a brow at the little boy's comment. "I would say they were acting more like children than fishwives!" She says softly.

"Mayhaps we can track where they went?"  She asks the group as a whole, and then, turns to Rolf.  "Master Rolf ... will you show me how to read their footprints?"

OOC: Sajaa will wait for Terry & Company to point out the direction the others went, then will walk over and begin default-tracking the ground.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:57, Thu 06 Jan 2022.

Rolf floats down through the fog.  Prepared for battle he is relieved to see it was a simple disagreement and everyone is safe, though some a bit battered and bruised from the climb down.

Taking leave from the group, the mage finds a comfortable place to sit and rest from his exertions, and to think on what to do next.  Time passes and he rises.

Approaching Magnus he says "We'll need light as our lantern is broken.  I can cast a magical beacon, but I'll need time to recover from it.  It's a tiring spell."

"And should we try to climb back up?  Or go back in the way we originally went in?  I'm not much of a climber and it'll take more of my strength to cast another flying spell to get back up there.  Maybe instead some of us skilled at climbing could go up, and using rope pull the rest of us up?  Or maybe I could cast flying on you who and then ferry us all up there, but again it'll come at a cost.  I would likely only be good for one more spell after that unless I can rest again in the cave."

OOC:  To cast continual light will cost 6FP and take 30 minutes to recover from.  Flying costs 5FP.  I'm thinking I should cast light, rest, then cast flight on Magnus to get us all up and move on.  If this is the plan, after casting light I'd like 40 minutes to rest so I'll be at full FP before casting flight.

OOC - player opinion here, go back in the first entrance and try the left hand passage, or maybe try to see if we can find tracks where the wagons went (those should have left some marks on the ground)

Terri lowers her head slightly at Gustav's chastisement and though Hamish casts a defiant eye in the swordsman's direction, he holds his tongue from retorting.

At Magnus's question, Terri speaks first.  "We never saw them, just heard them, but it sounded as if they went off that..."  Terri points out the end of the ravine, though her words are cut off by Hamish.

"Went off that way for sure!"  He interjects.  "I bet we can catch up with them if we get moving!"

When Sajaa suggests they can track the way the bandits went, Hamish responds with enthusiasm.  "That's the spirit Mitra!  It won't take us long to find out which way they went!  They were in such a hurry they likely didn't have much with 'em to keep 'em going!"

"Ludicrous!"  Terri spits, her eyes stitching back together in ire.  "They have a twenty minute head start on us at least!  If they were fleeing, what purpose does it serve to follow them?  If they weren't fit to fight in the first place they are hardly bandits we need to be worried about!"

"They're bandits that took away friends of mine!"  Hamish spits back after a second of thought.  "The purpose is to find where they hid them!"

"I have to say I agree with Terri for the moment."  Giles interjects, trying to force a wedge between Terri and Hamish's hostility.  "It didn't look like there was much in those caves we were looking at."

At Rolf's suggestion of going back up, Giles furrows an eyebrow.

"I suppose my point is that it didn't look much like the men were using that area... didn't they say something about 'likely death ahead and behind' or something?   Mayhaps that passage was more like a backdoor.  If we need to search the ground level again, so be it, but do we really think there were prisoners or people living in all that filth?  Mayhaps we should look farther down the ravine?"

"That's where they came from."  Hamish responds defiantly and points towards the immediate cave.  "I say we search out those caves entirely.  Rid the place of the lot of 'em."

OOC:  I think I've answered all the questions in the IC banter somewhere.  Again, the short and skinny is that the men who fled have quite a head start on you and were likely headed out of the ravine and into open land.  You are of course welcome to track them if you wish to do so, just let me know who is going.

Runt wandered back from retrieving his stout stick.  "One guy said 'Are you mad' and another said 'The slow, certain death behind us, or the likely, quick death ahead,'" Runt replied, pitching his voice differently in imitation of the two "bandits" he had heard.  "'sides. don't think dey be the bandits dat took the caravan.  Des got less than me.  Dey ain't even got clothes."

Rolf thinks on the matter.  Despite his relative youth, he doesn't like to make decisions in haste and prefers instead to mull things over before deciding a direction to take.

"We found evidence of a creature that lives in the caves that feasts on humans.  We found human remains among the filth the creature wallowed in.  It could be these primitive men we saw are feeding this creature the prisoners they have collected.  If that's true we have to continue investigating the caves and try to free any that may be left.  And if we can, kill this creature and end it's menace."

The mage pauses a moment and thinks over their other option to pursue the men that fled.

"It could also be the prisoners are held elsewhere, but I'd rather search the bird we have in hand, than to try to track the fleeing bandits to their bird in a bush."

"Lets avoid the climb up and try the other path we saw in the cave entrance to see where it goes.  We can always track our way back to where we left the caves if the other path doesn't pan out.  That would spare us climbing up at least."

OOC:  If we decide to go back to the cave where we started I'll cast an 6FP continual light.  I'll still want to rest for another 40 minutes after casting before going in.

When the debate is raised over whether to pursue the fleers or reenter the cave to search for the prisoners, Sajaa, ever mindful of being helpful and proving her worth, speaks up.

"If the bandits fled afoot into open lands, I would think even with their headstart we could catch them on swift horses, yes? Why not send some of us after the bandits and the rest to search for the captives? Qutl aithnayn min al'afeaa bieasa wahidatan. How do you say...? Kill two snakes with one stick? We are now stronger in number by Terry and Hamish."

She thinks a moment, blushes and then says, sheepishly: "Then again, splitting up would make us two sticks, wouldn't it?" She smiles shyly. "But you know what I mean."

OOC: though I'm sure I'll be overruled by the dreaded suggestion of 'splitting the party' for security and DM sanity reasons, Sajaa is going to volunteer to ride after the bad guys if approved.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:05, Fri 07 Jan 2022.

Magnus seemed unconvinced that sending a few riders after then was sound. Part of it was just him being nervous about his friends, another was likely the belief that sending the beautiful young girl into the hands of mountain bandits could end very poorly.

"Even mounted...you don't have a bow, right? Not worth the risk I think." Magnus shook his broad shaggy head. "And yeah, back the way we came O think, to the left this time. Let's not chance the slope, we got lucky last time." he sort of mumbled the last part and decided to take advantage of the rest period to have a snack of hard cheese.

The Minotaur was too used to waiting in Mages now, the stop and go of their exhausting efforts, and when they were ready to head back in he out his things away and took up his javelin again.

"Alright, we better get back to it." He looked to Terri and Hamish. "We'll try to be back soon."

Bandit hunting, notoriously frustrating even in military circles, part of him seemed resigned to just do their due diligence in hopes of finding the prisoners, although it seemed that hope wained by the hour.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 13:55, Mon 10 Jan 2022.

But may I suggest we let Hamish go along this time and have someone else stay here with Terri?  Giles or I perhaps, or someone else. That way, we prevent any flare ups and Hamish can get his fill of fighting.

At the Minotaur's mention of Sajaa's lack of a bow, she raise her brows and raises the loaded crossbow in her arms. But she does not protest his decision to let the bandits run free. It seems Magnus places greater priority locating and freeing the prisoners than exacting justice on the perpetrators, and that is okay by her. Too, it seems he is loath to separate the party, which makes some sense to her.

"Of course, Lord Magnus." She says deferentially, with a slight bow of her head. "You would know more about these things, than I."

She steps back and observes, waiting for the order to move out again.

The kind words seemed to mollify Magnus somewhat. "Do you really want to go after them? Can you load that thing in the saddle?" He asked, being generally unfamiliar with the notions of fighting from horseback.

"I'd prefer we make sure the kidnapped are not still trapped here before setting off for those that fled.  We have found evidence of human sacrifice in these caves and the miners could be locked in a cell we haven't found yet, ready to be fed to whatever that thing was that lived in the room with all the refuse and body parts."

"There's even a wall lined with skulls just overhead that we passed on our climb down here." Rolf adds to reiterate his point.

Done with his plea he waits to see if he needs to create a light or if someone has a torch or two they could use instead.

That makes sense, but we need to ensure we have no more unnecessary distractions, I still hurt from the last one.

Sajaa shakes her helmed head. "No, Lord Magnus. The more I think about it, you and the others are right. The welfare of the captives is more important. I suppose I let my anger at their crimes get the better of me. I was being selfish."

She smiles.

"Shall we proceed, Friends?" She asks the group as a whole, marveling inwardly that, in a way, she has indeed made some friends.

Though Sajaa's question implies immediate departure, she finds herself disappointed when she finds that Rolf's insistence on a magical light will require him to rest for quite some time.

Rolf hacks off a small branch of one of the nearby shrubs with his sword and casts his spell of light on it, making the thing glow a dull white, even in the growing light of the day.  And then the mage sits down to rest...  much to the annoyance of some of his younger, and more restless comrades.

Runt and Sajaa in particular seem incapable of sitting still, the younger one venturing to the edges of the fog, looking down at the earth and testing it with his fingers to see if he can find any tracks of the caravan he was part of so recently.  Sajaa tags along mostly in the way of protection, though she keeps in mind how Rolf had looked at the ground and the prints when they were in the cave above.

As the visibility gradually improves, the young boy and his guard venture farther, while still maintaining sight of the others.  By the time Rolf has finished his rest, the fog has cleared above the level of the cliff, giving the group their first clear view of the canyon.

Trees and shrubs grow thickest near the center of the ravine, where a thin river trickles out from the canyon's depths.  A handful more of the caves are now visible, two in particular at the back wall of the canyon that are quite high, three quarters or more of the way up to the top of the cliff.

And Runt manages to find something for all his searches, or at least, he thinks he does.  It's a man-sized boot print that's close to the water, where the ground is softer.  Though when he calls the whole group over to look, Terri quickly finds a handful of other such prints going in nearly all directions, such that it's difficult to say where exactly any of them are really going.  Unfortunately, Runt finds nothing of the cart, despite all his efforts.

"May as well just keep going where we were."  Hamish surmises, pointing the way back to the ground level cave the group had entered earlier.  "Like you all have said, we're going to have to clear everything out anyway."

Gustav takes a moment to suggest switching the outside party, as Hamish and Terri seem to be getting off on the wrong foot, though there is little other interest in switching things out...  and Terri takes a brief moment to reassure the swordsman.  "It's fine Gustav, we'll be fine."  Before he grudgingly accepts keeping things as they are.

Now, with a lighted stick and a refreshed mage, the group makes their way back into the cave again, this time turning left instead of right.

The first room the group comes to is cleared quickly, it's another room with a fire pit complete with a handful of low burning coals and two sleeping skins placed on either side.  At the edge of the room is an old barrel, the bottom band beginning to rust, and the top one broken all together, though it seems to still support its function, as a quick look down through the deteriorated and broken top shows the shimmering reflection of the magicked stick and probably a dozen gallons or more of water.   At the back of the room is another exit, which ramps upwards higher into the mountain.

Finding nothing of interest, the group follows the sloping ramp up, halted only for a moment as Magnus trips over a small length of chord which has been strung less than a foot above the ground.  Sajaa gives the rope a single whack with her sword, parting the line and the pointless trap swiftly before continuing their climb upward.

The cave above is long and narrow, perhaps forty or fifty feet in length but only twenty wide.  This one appears nearly featureless with one notable exception...  At the back of the room, all mater of debris are piled up seven or eight feet high.  Rocks large and small, wooden planks, whole dead shrubs, and dirt are piled high and braced with three of the wooden spears.

OOC:  It is now 1020.  Sorry for the wait.  After taking so long to update, I figured I'd try and move things as far along as I could.  Feel free to walk back through the post if you are digging for more info.  The short and sweet of it is that Runt's tracking roll failed, the fog lifted, and there isn't a whole lot more so far on the left side of the cave.

While I registered your complaint about changing the party up Gustav, due to the rest of the group's complete silence on the matter, I just kept things as they were and moved forward.  Feel free to blame me later if it ends up changing something.

Runt watched the mage very closely as Rolf cast his spell.  The brightly glowing end of the stick held his interest for a brief bit, but then as it did nothing else he wandered around with Sajaa/Mitra following behind.  He was briefly excited by his discovery of a clear print but nothing could really be made of it.

Once back in the cave system he was quite happy for the new light source, much better than the single lantern before.  Following the group to the left, through the first chamber, and upwards to the second he kept looking around for anything interesting.  He looked at the barricade of debris at the end.

"Bet dats to keep the monster in."

Sajaa looks curiously at Runt and then the barricade of rock, dirt, boards and debris. Anglese is not her first language, so it takes her a moment to decipher the word: monster.

In her tongue, it is muskha... And among her people the word is used to describe all manner of beastly or fantastic creature -- from both the natural world and folklore.  But in her experience, Sajaa has always considered the word to best be associated with the human male gender. Not all, of course. The men who adventure with her even now would defy the moniker. And, too, even in her village there were good men, kindly men. But in her young life, Sajaa has seen the worst of men. She has been ravaged and abused. She has been treated like chattel to be sold and whipped and used for selfish, carnal purpose.

Perhaps, thinks Sajaa, it is not men exactly, that are monstrous. But the lusts of men. The greed of men. The pride of men.  Perhaps the monster is something that can be unleashed within even the best of men. An urge that drives otherwise fine, upstanding men, to do monstrous things.

Thinking this, she takes a few steps nearer to Runt, raising Rolf's light-infused enchanted stick for a better look at the barricade, cocking her head to listen.

Whatever may lurk behind that wall may, indeed, be a muskha ... Perhaps a fierce, hideous, slathering predatory one.  But Sajaa would rather it than an evil man.

"Then we'd best not disturb it, Little One." She whispers warily.

OOC: Will look and listen to see if there's anything behind the barricade. She now has the light stick in one hand and her drawn sword in the other.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

Rolf is glad the group is sticking together and is going to finish investigating the caves.  Still, at the same time he has deep concerns over whatever the creature is that he tracked in the cave opening above, and what it might be capable of.  If they cross its path, some of them might die.

Leaving these thoughts for now, he finds a nearby tree and hacks a branch off with his sword.  It's a short bladed falchion and of fine quality.  It pains him to some degree to use such a weapon to hack at wood, but the branch is thin and he is able to cleave it in one blow.

Tumbling the green twig over he focuses his mind on gathering the mana needed to weave his light spell.  With a wave of his hand in an intricate pattern he utters LUX and a brilliantly bright glow slowly begins to emanate from the stick.

Weakened by the spell, he hands it to Sajaa and finds a comfortable place to rest.  He is pretty tired and it takes a long time to recover his strength.  But as luck would have it nothing happens, and after forty minutes, he stands refreshed and ready to go.

He is tempted to leave his backpack to lighten his load, but it contains some useful items that they might need, mainly rope and grapnel, so he decides to keep it on him.  He takes out his deadly crossbow, leaving his sword at his side and his shield slung on his back, and joins the group as they reenter.

He notices the group is the same and wonders if maybe Runt should have stayed behind and have Hamish replace him, but it's not his call so he says nothing.  Though he wonders if he'll regret not doing so later.

They find little in the unexplored section of the caves except for a blocked room with a mountain of various debris.

"Maybe." Rolf says in reply to Runt suggestion of keeping the monster trapped.  "But maybe it's something else.  In any event they seem awfully determined to keep this way blocked.  Might be a good idea to keep it that way.  I don't see them keeping prisoners locked up like this.  Too cumbersome.  Must be something else."

OOC:  Rolf will search for tracks around the barracade, then join Sajaa in listening to see if anything might be behind it.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:32, Thu 13 Jan 2022.

Gustav has his crossbow armed and ready again, shield slung so he can pull it around quickly and sword & saber sheathed.

Magnus once again felt compelled to take the lead, putting himself at the fire. He pressed on with a sort of dogged persistence, knowing that this was his trade, and knowing that procrastination would only draw the task out.

He seemed more focused now on his hunt than on conversation, but he acknowledged the banter between Runt and Mitra with a glance, even as he inspected the barricade and seemed to consider how it might be dismantled.

Though the piled debris seems to be a clear barricade against something on the other side, the group is none the less interested in what sort of thing these bandits would be shutting away.

Runt, of course, sheds the first thing on his own mind.  A monster.  The only sort of thing he can think of which would live in squalor and filth quite like they had seen on the other side.  Rolf has his doubts, but never the less, there is only one way to go about finding out what it is.

Sajaa and Rolf investigate what they can of the area, looking for tracks and listening for anything that might be moving around behind the wall.  However, there seems to be little evidence of what that thing might be.  There are no prints in this room that are recognizable save their own, and what partial smudges or prints on the damp cave floor they do find are impossible to tell how old they are without any natural deterioration from the elements.

As for listening, it proves to be just as much an exercise in futility.  For if there is any noise from behind the barricade, it is so muffled by the stone and masked by their own movements that it is completely indiscernible.

Finally, Sajaa climbs up on one of the low, stable boulders, shining her stick high over the wreckage.  As she suspected, she sees what appears a tunnel continuing on ahead, though the gap between the barricade and the cave wall is narrow and leaves little room to see beyond.

Magnus has somewhat more luck as he looks at the barricade itself.  While he is no engineer, it seems quite clear that neither were the men who designed it, for the pile is quite wide at the base and narrows as it climbs.  The wooden spears push the whole thing forwards agains the wall of the cave and seem to give the whole thing stability.  Magnus surmises that if they pull out the spears, there is a decent chance the whole thing will collapse on its own, or at the very least the pile will be much easier to shove in one direction or the other.  Furthermore, it seems the spears are long enough that even if the pile did collapse immediately on pulling them out, it was possible to stand far enough away to likely avoid any sort of falling debris.

I see no reason to unblock that tunnel, there is a reason it was blocked and not likely becuse of drafts.

Runt nodded his head in agreement to Gustav.  "Yeah, the monster's probably back there."