"Hey! I let it go mate. It's this lot that keep going on about it, threating to hang me for asking a simple question! Alright I get the message - I'm not allowed to express my gods given right to wear what I I killed. Dumb animals and the ike is fine, but don't touch the dumb monsters that used to be people!" Vestan  crosses his arms a sulkily expression on his face. "Some people are so....touchy! It's not like I made those monsters myself! I'll stick to trophies like ears or fingers or something!"

Jaroo settles back at the table and lets out a big sigh. "Son," he says to Vestan, "the paladin, in his way, was right. Whatever they had become, they were people once and thats what they became again when you delivered them from their curse of unlife. They too had ambitions and asperations once, they definately never wanted to become undead. Imagine if one of them had been your mother? What would you have done then? No, the dead are best left in peace.  Let hear no more of this insane talk. Ostler! Bring some more food, we are all freinds here!"

"Hay! I didn't start it, those others did! Bloody interferring with a fellows wardrobe! Jealous, that's the problem, well it's theirs, not mine!"

"Aye and a round of ales to wash our worries and immediate concerns away." Ronalt adds.

Time slips by and the council meeting beckons. Following Jaroo, the party leave the Wench and approach a small keep on the South East side of the village.  An existing tower is currently being developed into a much larger fortification.  Labourers can be seen moving stone and breaking ground. Mounting some steps the party crosses a drawbridge into the tower where an imposing looking warrior awaits.

"My name is Rufus, welcome to our home.  Follow me please."  The warrior leads you down a flight of stairs to a room that must be about ground level outside and seem to occupy the entire floor.  It has been set up as a meeting room though it is obvious this is a temporary arrangement.  A large table has been placed opposite the stairs and several imposing figures occupy seats along its length.

Rufus quickly introduces everyone on the council, Jaroo the Druid, in the process of taking his seat, Burne the mage, Terjon the cleric of Saint Cuthbert and Rael the Village Elder. Seats have been placed for you comfort and Rufus beckons you to take them and then joins the rest of the council.

Rael stands and looks you all over carefully, before saying, "I bid you welcome to our council of war.  Despite some of the tales, I have heard I believe you are here to aid us against the dark forces and am willing to put differences aside in order to achieve victory."

He is about to go on when the cleric stands and says, "Rael, this is intolerable, I cannot agree! We cannot deal with a trafficker in the undead!"

Burne in turn gets to his feet and says, "Terjon, we agreed on this before they arrived so resume your seat and lets hear them out." It is obvious that this sort of bickering is part of everyday life in the leadership of Hommlet.  Jaroo can be seen smiling to himself at the discomfiture of the priest.

Rael speaks again as the others take their seats, "As I was saying, the forces of good need all the assistance they can get.  I know some of you represent these forces, if not all, so we are willing to forgo the matter of the…  ahem zombies, provided there is no further mention of them."  He holds up the cloak and looks at the symbol before going on, "We can confirm that this symbol of a flaming eye represents a combination of the elements and can only conjecture that elemental forces are once again attempting to subjugate the area.
Several years ago the moat house served as an outpost for the evil temple to the north east.  It was used as a base for attacks on this area and in particular Hommlet, which was smaller than it is today.  When the temple was overthrown, the moathouse was attacked and reduced to rubble. But not destroyed totally, it would seem.
As you could see when you came in we are attempting to fortify the village but it may be too late for that.  We need to gauge the strength of the enemy and his immediate purpose and we need you to do this. We do not have much in the way of treasure to offer you  so…

Again the priest stands up, "Treasure, rewards! Rael at least one of these people is a criminal, who for all we know may be in league with the enemy!'

For the first time Jaroo speaks up, "May I remind you, that you are not a full council member Terjon.  Until Priestess Y’Dey returns or you are confirmed in post you cannot direct the council.  We have no option but to go forward as Rael suggests, besides, the halfling is misguided rather than criminal.'

Rael continues, "If you agree to continue to investigate the moathouse, we can give you each one hundred gold and a potion of healing.  The weapons you have brought back can be traded at the store at an equal exchange.  Peter Sygor, is no longer willing to voyage with you, he will take some guards and a wagon to remove as much of the supplies you found in the moathouse as possible.  Anything else you find is yours to keep, though obviously any clues to the purpose of this evil cult should be brought to our attention. Now do you agree to this?"


[Private to Arek Blackiron: you get the strong impression that Jaroo was looking directly at you as he talked about misguidance of the halfling.]
[Private to Ronalt de Gault: most of the information regarding current events the council has had has come from your discussion with Jaroo and from Peter Sygor.]

"Aye, the boy needs a little time to mature. He's not all that bad, nothing a decade or two can't fix anyway..." His tone showed that the decade or two should probably be spent in either hard labour or learning the intricate details of diplomacy, possibly even both.
"GOLD? You offer payment for the work The Father of Battle, Clanggedin Silverbeard has demanded be done? Well, I'll accept it but only to help in the cause."

It seemed that the fish would have to wait for another day to be caught. This evil must be the reason Arek had been ripped from the comfort of his later years. Wisdom and experience would be needed in a great cause like this. Sure the youth could supply strong arms to swing hammers and axes but youth also had the disadvantage of hot heads!

"I suppose that's acceptable." Vestan's replies, smiling sweetly though his expression looks more like it's with a lemon in his mouth. "Along with a list of other creatures that may be deemed unacceptable to use the skin of. Just so we don't have another misunderstanding of course." He looks up and around at the gathered throng. "All this grief about summat and nowt is doing me head in!"

"The moathouse threat needs to be neutralised. It is like a festering boil which unless lanced, will turn in to a carbuncle. Something the village Hommlet can't afford."
"The gold and potion are generous start to dealing with the problem."
Ronalt glances to his companions, "Well are we all accepting or not?"

Adia-Ny steps forward.  "I am but a wanderer, though I have no wish to see evil spread once more.  I will do my part, whatever that may be."  He inclines his head briefly as a show of respect to those gathered before them, and steps back.

"Felcia, I know you'll be coming with us." She'd been fairly quiet of late but Arek was certain his travelling companion would be along for the ride.
"We should head back to the moathouse as soon as you get your guards and wagons organised." With the speed some garrisons reacted, that might even give him enough time to get a line wet...

Felicia nodded at the dwarf's statement.  Keeping her own council as to what the evnts they have encountered so far meant.

Rael smiles and says, "Good, it is settled. We should be able to get the wagons and guards ready for first light tomorrow.  Rufus will supply you the money and the trader's is open for buisness. If you don't have any further questions of us we have some other matters to attend to."

Ronalt knew a dismissal when he heard it, "Come my friends we have some preparations to make before heading back to the moathouse."
He heads back to the door and outside, waiting for his companions before moving back into town.

Adia-Ny follows the others outside.  "So, what is our plan?  Do we even have a plan?  Are we just going to head back and clean the place out, or do we actually have some kind of agenda?"

"A plan would be good. A few prisoners to question might help us understand the depth of the problem Hommlet faces and then we can take steps to safeguard the villagers."

"Well, I'm ready for the off," says Vestan. "Got everything I need." Vestan pauses and looks thoughtful for a moment. "Though perhaps some proper skinning knives might be useful. We got time to stop and get some of those?"

As the party are about to leave, Jaroo stands and says, "One last thing, without the good paladin, your strength is significantly reduced for what I believe will be a difficult trial ahead. I have a companion, a doughty fighter, who I'm sure would be willing to assist you if you would have her."

Once again the priest of St Cuthbert jumps in "Jaroo! You cannot mean that savage woman! The very idea!"

"As it would appear the church of St Cuthbert are washing their hands of this expedition, I do not think you have a say in this matter Terjon." the druid responded before turning back to you. "If you are interested, Rufus can make the introductions. Yesil is at my cottage, Rufus, or in the grove more likely."

"If you like I will introduce you before you make your minds up, She is...emmm a bit unusual for this neck of the woods.  Very capable mind you." said Rufus as he handed you each your money.  "We can breifly stop at the store on the way and I'll make sure you are credited for the items you brought back from the moathouse."

OOC: you all now have an additional 100 gps to try and spend...

"Aye, all right lets see this lass of yours then. Another strong arm may be of use as long as they know what they're doing with it." Fishing would once again have to wait. Hadn't he done enough to deserve a day off? Obviously not...
"Might as well poke in at the store. Vestan, you'll only be getting a knife if you promise to listen before cutting up anything, got it?"

Rufus leads you out the tower and back towards the centre of the village where he stops at an imposing building with a stable off the back of it.  A shield is suspended from a post identifying this as the village store.  Rufus says, "Well here’s the store, we’ll go in briefly and I’ll introduce you but let me do the talking for now! The owners can be a bit…Ahem testy."

Going inside you see well stocked shelves and two men who at first effect disinterest until Rufus goes over to talk to them.  An animated discussion ensues between Rufus and one of the men, tall and thin faced.  Glancing over at you a few times finally he seems to give in and Rufus brings the other, a rotund amiable looking type across to where you are standing.  "This is Gremag who together with Rannos run this store.  They have ..err agreed to give you full credit on any items you have now against other store goods.  Should you choose to sell them standard rates will apply. Future business deals are your own to negotiate." he seems relieved at this.

"Greetings fine sirs and lady.  It will be a pleasure to serve you." says the owner with an ingratiating sort of tone to his voice. "Bring you good here and we will do business!"

"You can bring your goods over later, lets go an meet the warrior." Rufus said and lead you all back out into the daylight.  Heading back towards the Wench, he takes a detour towards the south and into a pleasant wooded grove leading up to a small cottage.  A shine of some sort is outside. "This is the druid’s grove, she should be around here somewhere. Yesil! Visitors!"

The trees to one side part and to you surprise it is not a warrior but a black bear that emerges.  It pays little heed to you and makes no threatening moves before going across to the shrine and after sniffing a bit cocks it’s leg on it. Rufus clears his throat and looks a bit embarrassed "Best not tell Jaroo about that." he says and is about to shout again when a female human emerges from the same part of the grove the bear came from.

Even for those of you who have never seen a plainsman before, it is clear that she is from such a background.  Muscular and tanned, the proud bearing of the plains is evident in her every movement. Her deep blue tunic setting off her long dark hair.  There is an awkward silence as she looks you over, broken by Rufus as he says "Yesil, Jaroo asked me to introduce you to this group of adventurers, he thought you skills in battle might assist them in the days ahead."

[Private to Yesil: Your cue I think...]
[Private to Vestan Pance: While Rufus was in discussion with Rannos you noticed Gremag looking at you. Having caught your attention he made some subtle hand gestures that you recognised identifing him as both a theif and interested in talking to you.
OOC: I'll put up a thread in a different group if you wish to pursue this.  We can do it out with the time line as any bearing on the game will be not immediate.]

Vestan gives a mighty yawn and stretches his short frame."Well, I'll let you lot sort out this latest addition to us gang. Me, I've got knives to buy."

He struts away back to the store, kilt swishing as he moves.

OCC: What did the group bring back from the moat house last time?
IC: Surprised a little, with Vestan's exit, Ronalt turns to Yesil, "Well met, Yesil. Come join us please, later we must do a little blade practice together again like yesterday."
"Knowing companions style of combat always makes it easier to take advantage of weaknesses caused in the opponent's defenses. With diversity comes a natural strength afterall."

Rufus seems surprised that Ronalt has already met the plainswoman but says nothing.

OOC: there were several reasons for leaving the moathouse, the first being your injuy which was getting worse, the second the discovery that a cult may exist there and the desire of some to report it to the 'authorities'. Finally there was the game mechinics of recruiting and getting into the game two new players:)

'Rude, that little one,' Yesil thought as she squinted at the halfling's departure.  But at least the warrior she'd met earlier was welcoming, and she nodded to him as she stepped forward, her dark eyes glittering in the shady light of the grove.

"I am Yesil, daughter of Uruz, granddaughter of Altug, of the clan Atmaca," she said.  Her arms were folded across her chest, her shoulders back and stiff.

Yesil was golden skinned, and just a bit over five-and-a-half feet tall.  She was wearing a tunic of deep azure quilted along its length and trimmed with a wide border of dark green velvet sewn with bone and shell beads.  Where her calves showed below the tunic's hem, wide-legged leggings of doeskin dyed in the same dark green as her tunic's trim could be seen.  The young woman's face was broad and, some would say, flat, with folds to her almond-shaped eyes, and she had a small mouth with full, plump lips.

A bone handled knife was strapped to her thigh, and in her belt was a club with a slightly curved haft and a round orb of a head.

She looked around at those assembled, clearly expecting them to say something.

"So, can yea use that?" Arek said simply and pointed at the club. Although quite old, the Dwaren priest was still more than capable of holding his own in a fight. He was a cleric of The Father of Battle, Clanggedin Silverbeard after all, a fact most would forget at their peril!
"What about the finer things in life? Can yea fish?"