Faint sounds of men shouting, fighting and dying tickle the edge of Rolf's mind as his body slowly recovers enough for him to regain consciousness.

He awakens to find himself alone.  Kept company only by a plethora of dead men that litter the cave floor, slickened dark by spilled blood.  He does though note the sound of the others in his group not far away.  Just to the west of him in the unexplored, at least to him, part of the cave.

His body feels absolutely broken.  Exhaustion and the lingering pain from his leg rock him to his core.  It's all he can think about.  But he must join the others.  Being alone in such a state as he is, would be most unwise.

Rolf musters what little of his strength he has and grabs the staff he tried to use earlier as a crutch.  Attempting again to move under his own power he starts to roughly shuffle his way west, avoiding the dead as best he can.  He desperately needs time to rest and cast another healing spell on his leg.  And plenty more to time for healing on the wounded surely waiting for him once he rejoins the others.

OOC:  Rolf will spend as much time as he can to cast healing spells on himself and others once he recovers enough to do so.  If anyone is in serious need he will cast on them first, otherwise Rolf needs a full 4FP minor healing on himself to regain the use of his leg.  Then he will cast on others.  Though he is reluctant to do so, he really needs to regain the use of his leg so he can be mobile.  This hobbling on one leg must be addressed as soon as possible.

Also, he has a healing kit in his bag on his horse Lilly if anyone wants to retrieve it.

Sajaa is kneeling over the powerfully built youth called Erwin.  She bites her lower lip at sight of the angry-looking chest wound, fearing it may be festering.  Though his bleeding seems to have slowed, Erwin’s comatose state worries her.

She looks up, first at the one called Rudyard and then Lisa, and shakes her head.

”Alas, this man’s injuries are beyond anything I am capable of tending, though I shall pray for him.” She says sadly.  ”He needs a skilled Physician … or more likely, a Healing Mage, if he is to survive.  We have such a Mage in our party, but he, too, is hurt and weak.  Pray that Erwin can hold on until my friend Rolf can cast his healing sorcery upon him…”

OOC: Sajaa will try to make Erwin comfortable, then wait for Rolf to heal his own self enough to perhaps cast on Erwin.  In the meantime, she will volunteer to run to Rolf’s horse, Lilly, to fetch his First Aid Kit.  Otherwise, she will rest and pray to Allah for the recovery of those injured and a safe return to Three Corners.

Lisa curtsies to Sajaa and says, "Thank you, Lady Sajaa al-Kassem, for what you have done for him. Even more so for our rescue. We, I, owe you much." Lisa looks at the lady warrior and says quietly, "Perhaps I may be able to help after a short rest* and a little food**, if such could be spared?" She lowers her voice, "But I would pray that you keep my secret?"

======
OOC: * Perhaps twenty minutes.   **Enough to take the edge off stavation.

Sajaa lowers her head and smiles shyly. You honor me with the title, but I am no Lady." She says, rising to her feet.  "I am but the youngest daughter of a humble Candlemaker south of the Makarhem. And my role in your rescue paled in comparison to the bravery and fighting prowess of the others -- Magnus, Gustav, Giles, Rolf... And even that little boy, Runt.



Sajaa places a hand on Lisa's arm. "Food? Yes! Of course. I am going to run to the horses to fetch Rolf's healing kit. I shall bring all the food I can find to nourish you and the others." Sajaa, looks around and lowers her own voice when Lisa speaks softly.

"On the name of Allah, I swear to guard your secret as though you were my own sister. Do tell..."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Fri 03 June 2022.

"You have the grace of a lady nonetheless," replies Lisa. "That would be wonderful. I think the others are starved too, so let me help get the food from the horses."

Runt held onto the bandit's legs, trying his best to keep him occupied but mainly afraid of possibly being attacked by the wolves if he made too much movement.  Once Giles brought the savage beasts (Where did they keep coming from?) to heel and Magnus came up to secure the prisoner, Runt let go, got back onto his feet and helped Magnus as best he could.  With that task completed, he looked over to the bullman knight and asked, "Can I go and check on my friends?"

Magnus stooped at the waist and searched the man roughly as he lay on the floor. When he was satisfied, he heaved a soft sigh and looked up and around.

What could he say to Terri after he had failed her? Failed her late husband? She was alive, and that was what really mattered, but it easily could have been otherwise and he had no idea what she had suffered during her brief captivity.

He locked eyes with her. "I'm sorry Terri." he threw up his hands. "I messed up...that's all there is to it. I'll make it up to you, if I can..." he shook his head, unsure exactly how he was going to do that. He moved closer "Can you walk?"

Giles hobbled forward after recalling the wolves, secretly chagrined that they'd overstepped the mark. He could justify it however with the notion that most of their party were injured, spent or otherwise diminished and could not really handle another even or worse fight, so he'd just used what he could and hoped that nobody would become collateral. Still, as he limped forward, he gritted his teeth and held back his embarrassment.

Approaching, Giles was thankful that Magnus had engaged Terri and was apologising for failing her. He wasn't sure how the big man had done so, or to what extent their history was but Giles was pragmatic in situations like this, thinking that bad things come about and just happen irrespective of the best intentions and often the blame was shouldered, at least partly, by some of the wrong people. But, one thing was clear, even if Magnus had been self admonishing. He had led the group to rescue his friend, and respite unfortunate issues with her husband, he had found and rescued her - it caused Giles to smile.

Giles made his way over to the injured people to see if he could help and commented as he walked "I can't do much, nothing much more than dressing and making sure people don't die, but I'll do what I can" then looked for the worst injured person to help.

It's clear after only a moment that first aid supplies and food are desperately needed in the group of captives and Sajaa and Lisa volunteer to go back to the horses as a pair to fetch the supplies.

The others make their way towards the captives, assessing the situation.  Runt is perhaps the most desperate as he charges in the cell, searching this way and that in the meager light.  He recognizes most of the faces, Rudyard was standing and appeared uninjured, Erwin was obviously down for the count.  But Bakar too was lain against the wall, gingerly holding a bloodied right arm.

Runt looks around for Conal, the man who had gone to move the wagon with Runt before they had known they were stepping into an ambush.  Of him, there is no sign whatsoever.

But there is also at least two faces that Runt doesn't recognize, a balding thickset man, and a darker skinned and bearded Wazifi whose skin is covered with tattoos.

Magnus, for his part, goes straight towards Terri, who immediately shakes off his attempts to apologize.

"NO.  It's not your fault, it's mine.  I knew that man was up to no good.  Skulking off as he was, trying to follow everyone and see what was in the caves when you went.  Trying to chase down those poor souls that ran.  I knew he was no good, but I got lazy...  I didn't think he'd attack me...  but after you went in I was tying to keep an eye on the other caves in the canyon, and that bastard came up behind me and grabbed me."

Terri goes silent, forcing her eyes closed for a few moments before looking back at Magnus.

"I guess I got him once, a good slash across the face before he overpowered me...  I was just worried that he'd keep doing it.  Start picking all of us off one by one after I couldn't expose him."

"I think I can walk."  Terri finally says, pushing herself up to a knee, though as soon as she tries to put weight on her wounded leg she grunts with pain and falls back to the ground, wincing and gritting her teeth for several moments before she can relax.

As the story unfolds, Giles takes the one remaining strip of bandages and goes towards Erwin, likely the worst of the injured, and begins to wrap the injury.  The cloth immediately turns pink and red in places, though the bleeding has already stopped enough that the bandage doesn't soak through, and after a few wraps, Giles is confident that the treatment should hold, at least for now.

Meanwhile, at the horses, Sajaa rifles through Rolf's bags, finally finding the first aid kit, then stuffing another bag with food.  The two maintain a quiet conversation as they walk back, up until they reach the narrow path that leads up to the cave.

One of the bandits lies there, his neck turned at an impossible angle from a headfirst fall down the slope, a knife and bow, as well as copious arrows splayed out close to where he lays.

Lisa bites into the hard rind of a wedge of cheese, taking in her surroundings before the climb and notes a flash of color up at one of the caves.  The cave is high up on the far side of the river, nearly at the top of the ravine.  It's a cave that the group has not explored yet.  Lisa takes a moment, unsure at first at what she is seeing, though it is clear in a moment, when the form steps back into the shadows, that it is a man... and he's watching them.

Lisa nudges Sajaa and intones what she's seen.  Sajaa briefly looks up at the cave, though cannot break out anything of note.  In either case, the answer of what to do is clear in her mind.

"We must warn the others." Sajaa says, pushing quickly up the sloped path.  "Come!"

The women return uneventfully and pass out food to the captives who are well enough to eat it and begin to care for those who are not.  After several minutes of assessing the prisoners, it seems most of them are mobile.  However, Erwin is still unconscious and Terri is unable to walk.  Additionally, there are two others, Jamal with an arrow wound to his right leg and Michael who is reeling from his wounds who will need assistance in leaving.

OOC:  It is 1230 on the 4th of January.  Rolf has gotten about 20 minutes of rest and is up to 5FP.  Note that you can only cast a minor healing for up to 3 HP if I remember correctly.  Feel free to call me out if that's wrong.

Of the 12 prisoners (including Lisa and Terri) 4 are immobile, 2 for crippling injures and 2 for cumulative injury.

Giles attempts at first aid were successful on Erwin, and he can continue to administer first aid now that the kit has been delivered.  Remember that bandaging takes 1 minute and heals 1HP, while treating for shock takes much longer and could potentially heal more.

Let me know how long we want to wait and what spells are going to be cast.

Rolf manages to join the others and plops himself down heavily to rest.  He is tired and needs to rest a long spell.  But there is work to do and from what he can see, there are a lot of wounded people to tend to.

"Are there any other healers beside me to help?" he pleadingly asks the others in hopes of sharing the workload.

OOC:  I checked, and yes there is a restriction of 3FP on minor healing.  I was unaware of this.  It might be best if someone else helps me get the last 4HP I need rather than casting on myself.  I think Lisa can heal?

I can try to heal the last of my leg, but it'll take either multiple minor healing spells of the same type and I'll cast at -3 penalty, or cast another major healing and try to make the -3 roll.

For now I'll cast a 4FP major healing on one of the 4 immobile prisoners in hope of getting them on their feet.  After that rest more and cast on another immobile. My plan is to focus on the immobile first, then the two crippled.  Then myself if I have to heal myself.  (I'd go with a 2FP major healing if indeed I need to cast on myself and hope I make the adjusted skill roll)

"Alas, Master Rolf.  I am no healer, but I did bring your medicus kit!" She says, placing the bag beside the injured Mage.

This sword heals it's user when it kills, not ailways a good thing, but it does work. I need to get it blessed or something to keep it from taking me down to a senseless killer.

Lisa looks into Sajaa's eyes and then nods in agreement. She takes half a pace towards Master Rolf and then looks back at Sajaa.

Runt went to Rudyard first, the leader of the caravan being his favorite.  He pointed out each of the rescue party and naming them with the names he knows them by.

OOC - Sir Magnus, Princess Mitra, Master Rolf the Mage, Gustav, and Giles.

After checking on each one, he came back to Rudyard, a look of concern on his face.

"Where be Conal?"

Magnus gave Terri a one armed hug, nodded and then dropped his pack.

He fished out his own first aid kit, dabbed with old blood stains and restocked many times, and added it to the general pool to help the suffering caravanners.

"Well, you want to take first watch then?" He suggested to Gustav, having long suspected that the strange sword was having a I'll effect on his friend, but not being able to put his finger on just how until that moment.

"Alright folks!" Magnus raised his voice and looked at the group. "We're gettin' you outta here and back to Three Corners, everyone that can move go ahead and line up so can get a look at you. If you can't get up we'll do what we can for you." he assured them and urged the nearest person to him to their feet.

Gustav moves to block the stairs and watches the other hallway as best he can too.

As Magnus gives the order to prepare for departure, and those injured capable of walking climb stiffly to their feet, Sajaa takes Lisa by the shoulder and leads her forward to where Rolf sits, battle-weary and drained of magical energy.

"Master Rolf." Sajaa says. "May I present to you Mistress Lisa, who may be able to assist you in tending the hurt. Lisa, this is Rolf. He is a fine man of great courage and skill..."

Bowing to each consecutively, Sajaa steps away.  She heads into the cavern area where the greatest fighting took place, and begins to scavenge any weapons, shields and other equipment to distribute to those emancipated prisoners well enough to wield them in their defense.

OOC: Sajaa will collect weapons and such throughout the scene of the battle, passing them out to any willing to take up arms. She will also have communicated to Magnus and the others of the presence of the sentinel across the river in the caves.

"With your permission, Master Rolf?" Lisa says and reaches to gently touch the healing mage..

She sags, clearly really tired by the effort. "I think I suffer from no food and little rest. If we can afford a little time to rest and eat I can help with healing." She looks strained when she says this, strained beyond the exhaustion. With a trapped look on her face Lisa glances in the direction in which Sajaa left. "But if I try it just now, I may lose consciousness."

====
OOC: Lisa successfully casts Lend Energy and gives the healer 6FP.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:36, Tue 07 June 2022.

Slowly but surely the mob of fighters and merchants from the caravan is fed and organized.  Gustav heads towards the stair, posting up a guard to ensure that there are no surprises from other bandits while Giles tends to the wounded with the medical kit.  He starts his work with Terri then moves on to Jamal, his mood seeming to perk up as he continues to work.

"I think you'll be alright."  Giles murmurs to Terri as he inspects the bolt.  "Just went through some muscle...  I think it's best to get it out though...  One, two three!"  Terri's body seizes with pain, though she slowly relaxes back down to the floor as Giles quickly covers up the wound with gauze and applies pressure to the bleed.

Across the room, Lisa and Rolf team together to perform their healing magics.   Rolf first casts his strongest healing spell on Erwin who stiffens and coughs as he stirs awake.  Lisa then casts her own magic, flooding her own rejuvenating energy directly into Rolf and restoring him from the brink of exhaustion.  Rolf then moves on to Michael, the other man who boasts several serious wounds across his chest and casts his healing again, again brining the man back from the brink and into consciousness.

Runt meanwhile, is accosting Rudyard.  The merchant shifts uncomfortably at the question, though he eventually returns Runt's gaze and answers.  "Conal couldn't walk up the slope to the cave.  Wasn't even conscious after the fight.  We said we'd carry him up, but their fighters weren't appreciating the offer to slow things down...  Never saw him after that..."  Rudyard looks down, appearing to teeter on the edge of saying something more, though eventually he just shakes his head and turns towards Magnus.

"I think I represent everyone else here when I say all of us who've been imprisoned are looking to get out of here as soon as we can.  I know we can't all walk, but those of us that can are more than happy to carry or support those that can't...  We just want to avoid at all costs the chance that any more of these mercenaries come and try and trap us in here.  Take the chances given and all..."  Unsure of what else to say, Rudyard simply nods in emphasis.

Just at that moment, Sajaa comes down from the upper floor, both her arms laden with staves, spears and knives which she spills out onto the table, fair game for the captives.

OOC:  It is 1240 on the 4th of January.

Rolf has cast major healing on both Erwin and Michael, and both of them are out of -HP and are now mobile, though Erwin is still moving very slowly and with significant pain (but he can walk).   Giles has succeeded in first aid on Jamal and Terri, and has assessed that Terri's injury is only temporary if anyone cares.

Sajaa has taken the following weapons from upstairs (totaled with the weapons already downstairs):
Crossbow x 2 (with quiver bolts)
Spear
Quarterstaff
Axe x 3
Club x 3

Sajaa also took the following from the corpse outside when she walked from the horses (added to group loot):
1 coinpurse
1 knife
1 medium bow and quiver

This doesn't include the things already looted by players, including the knife Runt took and the two broadswords that Gustav took.  At the moment, I'm not adding the top stuff to group loot, I'm just putting it up as fair game for the merchants/caravan guards.  If the players want this added to the loot, let me know and I will.

Everyone has regained some fatigue due to down time, which is reflected in character sheets.

Lisa says to whoever's listening near the weapons, "Would anyone mind if I have a crossbow? I can make do with something else, maybe a knife or staff, if that's a problem."

Catching up with Terri, she says, "You were very brave. I was scared they'd kill you. And me. How are you feeling now?"

Gustav waves and has them add the two broadswords to the table.
He is tempted to add the damned Black Sword as well, but knows he condemns someone if the take it. He keeps it.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:52, Tue 07 June 2022.

Rolf busies himself healing others.  He doesn't concern himself too much with the talk going on around him as he is too busy and focused on healing the wounded.  That is until there's some discussion of trying to move on sooner than he thinks wise.

"There's two more that can't walk.  Me and Lisa need to at least attempt to get them on their feet before we try to move." the mage says as he prepares himself to keep casting.

"I'd like even more time to fully cure us all before we move on, but I'm willing to acquiesce and compromise to have us all at least mobile."

OOC:  Me and Lisa have gotten two of the 4 immobile on their feet and moving.  That leaves two more.  I would like to spend the time to try to get the last two on their feet.  Also, is Rolf's leg healed? My sheet still lists me as having a temporarily crippled leg...

Lisa eyes the broadswords and says through her tiredness, "I have some skill in using a rapier. A broadsword is a bit like that. Not much, but closest of the things here. Would anyone mind awfully if I change my mind and opt for a broadsword instead, please?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:37, Wed 08 June 2022.

Runt's expression hardens at what Rudyard reveals.  He thinks for a bit, and while everyone else is busy with other things, he goes over to the captive.

"Hi, I be called Runt.  What you be called?"

OOC - I am assuming the guy answers

"Things be looking bad for you.  They was gonna ask you to give up, but you had to go and shoot one of their real good friends.  They not be too happy bought that.  Maybe if you answer me some things go better for you.  What did y'all do with Conal?  He was the guy you made the people you catched yesterday not bring up here.  And where be Sally the Mule and the rest of the animals?  If you tell me true then I not hurt you and mess you up more.
 You already messed up pretty bad from the wolves.  You gonna haf to pay a girl lots to be with you.  If you not tell me true then I gonna make it so they throw up when they look at you.  So, what you got to say?"

OOC - Runt is not bluffing.  If the guy doesn't start spilling his guts (figuratively speaking), he'll pull his dagger out and start cutting pieces off, starting with an ear.
 And the others will have to physically pull him off to get the boy to stop.

Added - Fast Talk or Intimidate or no roll.  Whatever you feel like.  :-)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:19, Tue 07 June 2022.

Giles tended the wounded as best he could, it held not a candle to the ministrations of those capable of magically healing, but it stopped bleeding, and meant that precious energy could be spent on more serious wounds. He smiled as Terri went back to her feet and, then offered to help with anything else he could.

In fact, he noted when Sajaa came down she was carrying an array of equipment, which he took some of and helped to lay out.

At hearing Rudyard's words, Giles felt his heart sink as his empathy for the ordeal they'd suffered became apparent and very present. "Don't worry, we'll get everyone up and walking again then we'll go..." he said following on from Rolf "... just need to make sure everyone's up and running then we can start making our way out of this god forsaken place. he resisted the urge to spit while lifting the spear from the table.

While finishing feeling the balance of the new weapon, he caught Runt's words and then made a glance to Magnus, nodding in the boy's direction. Worse him seeing and being part of the bloodshed was him partaking in it, in such a cold manner.




OOC:

Thanks for keeping me ticking over there! I'm back and fully in action now!

I don't know if I quite made it to welcoming the new folk proeprly, so I'll just say I'm very glad you're here and welcome to the party!