Nicolai clamps down on a snicker at Corros' well-veiled barb toward Balefyre's political leadership.  Not for the first time, he lets a brief flicker of regime change fantasy play out behind his eyes before clamping down on that, too.  With Corros and Gronk taking point on the conversation, he carves out a moment to survey the mining compound.  He's not yet certain what he should be looking for, but gauging a place's "normal" has always been useful in identifying "not normal..."

The two miners look at one another and shake their heads. The dwarf answers, "Not much. I mean, not out of sight of the camp. It's too dangerous!"

Still listening, Nic surveys the camp. It looks better than it did when last he saw it- more semi-permanent and permanent buildings. The inn's been repaired and looks to have added a second story. By appearances, Yonder's Hole must have been doing quite well before the latest... setback.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 23:09, Fri 31 Mar 2017.

Taking a step forward Amaldaris joined in the conversation with the miners and Corros.  "Why is it too dangerous to go out of sight of the camp please?" he asked politely.  "What threatens the camp and this mining operation?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Sat 01 Apr 2017.

Nicolai waits for the men to answer Amaldaris' query - and to finish their nutritional supplement.  Then he tilts his head toward the inn.  "Tell you what.  If you gentlemen can keep an eye on our horses here and keep the other eye out for Zima and Kerek, we'll go check in with Deepdelver."

"Some big fuckin' monsters, that's what!" the dwarf answers impatiently. The human looks sidelong and down at his shorter friend and adds,

"Some assholes musta tunneled into their den."

His tone is somewhat accusatory. This draws a dirty look from the dwarf.



"Yeah, OK," the human answers. The dwarf rolls his eyes, not at Nic, but at his companion, and nods his head in acquiescence.

-

Mayor Berald Deepdelver's office is in one the inn's new upstairs bedrooms. Filled, as it is, by the Five and the just-arrived Sergeant Jaff (present at Deepdelver's invitation), the room is a rather cramped.

"All the miners were given explicit instructions to stop digging immediately upon finding anything unusual, but of course, some people just can't be bothered. Perhaps it's poetic justice that those very same people are dead now," Deepdelver explains.

"Twice," Jaff adds.

"Yes, there were the zombies: all the bodies in the cemetery, plus those killed by the first wave."

"The things that came out of the tunnel were worse," Jaff continues, "I lost a few men trying to keep the monsters out of the town. After we retreated to the fort, most of the monsters wandered off- back into the tunnel, or still roaming the badlands, I reckon. They left the town pretty much untouched. I'm down to a dozen effectives. With some healing and a couple of new recruits from among the miners, I can put maybe twenty- total- spears into the field."

"I suggested covering over the tunnel entrance, but I can't get enough volunteers to do it properly," Deepdelver complains, "But even if we had the manpower, we'd need someone to hold off the monsters long enough to get it done."

The mayor looks plaintively at the Five, inviting their thoughts.

Sergeant Jaff interjects, "Where's Zima?"


Your Turn.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Fri 07 Apr 2017.

Amaldaris bowed politly to the Mayor.  "Mister Mayor.  Though I have not known my companions for long I believe that we can be of help to you in this task.  Firstly though please let me introduce myself.  I am Amaldaris Cenovir, a member of the Ral'Keth Order, and I would be honoured to help this community in this way.  I have a question though.  Do the people holding off the monsters for a long enough period for you to be able to cover the tunnel entrance need to be inside the tunnel to do so?  If they do would they be trapped inside?  Or have I misunderstood in some way?  My apologies if I have."

"It would be tricky, for sure. I'm not sure how it could be done- I'm just throwing ideas out there. I invite everyone here to do so as well."

-

Amaldaris nodded in understanding and pondered for a few seconds before asking another question.

"Would it be possible to go and see this tunnel entrance to see what is spewing forth and how it might be sealed shut?"

"We got separated from Zima while dealing with a gnoll encampment.  They had prisoners and were conducting their own mining in the area.  It is our hope that she either turns up back here, or someone is going to have to go back out looking for her, yeah?"  With the monsters wandering around the area, The Four-no, The once again Five, couldn't just leave things as they were and hope for the best.

"As long as we have creatures spilling from tunnels," that we asked you not to dig, "we're going to have an unstable situation.  Something really bad is hiding underneath us, and sealing the tunnel off isn't going to solve the problem.  It's looking like we might have to go down there and clear out the problem."

"The ones who kept digging," Nicolai speaks up slowly.  "Are there any survivors?  We'll need to speak with them."

He pauses just long enough for Deepdelver to wonder if there's an implicit threat there, then adds, "I'd like to hear their firsthand impressions of what happened beneath.  And give our sword-priestess," he nods toward Jenna, "the chance to see if there's any residual taint upon them."

Jenna meets Nicolai's eyes, nods her head in agreement with his suggestion, then turns to Deepdelver. "I have heard that there are servants of the Reaver here, masquerading as prospectors. If this is so, do you know where they are?" Jenna knew that if she crossed paths with the Reaver's minions it was likely to immediately lead to violence, for it was the duty of the faithful of Arma to ensure that scum like that were dealt with, wherever they may be found. It was even enshrined in the tents of her faith. Those who succumb to Him and turn from Arma to His Dark path, must be hunted down and slain where ever they may be found. Arma's will made no allowances for Jenna's current state of fatigue.

"Well, I wouldn't take just anyone, but your companions here have proven quite capable so, with Sergeant Jaff's permission..."

The Fire Watch officer smiles knowingly and nods his head. "I won't try to stop them."



"Not that I know of. They're all dead or disappeared. Ogar's cousin was on the crew. As far as I know, he's still around here somewhere. Hangs out with a tall human named Mak. He might know something."



"They arrived just before the shaft was opened, then left the camp during the confusion causes by the zombies. By the time their presence was reported, they were already gone- I didn't have a chance to investigate. A witness claimed that he saw them go into the shaft itself, but he was killed during the monster incursion, so it might not be more than a rumor."

-

"Hmm."  Nicolai nods noncommittally.  "Ogar's cousin.  I think we met Ogar and Mak when we arrived."

"He'll keep for later, though.  First, I think we want to take a look at the quarters the Reaver's followers were using and see if they left any, ah, information we can use."  The verbal correction away from "intelligence" is almost natural by now but he's pretty sure Corros and Jenna noticed it.  "Then the excavation, at least the mouth of it.  After that, we'll interview Ogar and see if he knows anything.  Hopefully, by the time we're done gathering information, Zima will be back."

He turns to the rest of the reconstituted Five.  "Do you see any wrong paths there?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

Jenna shakes her head in reply to Nicolai. ”I see no flaws in your logic. Although I find the idea of being in close proximity to anything to do with the Reaver to be...unpleasant –“the involuntary shiver that courses through her body serves to underline the distaste ”- it needs to be done. We need to see if they have left any clues as to why they are here.”   The Priestess doubted that it was random chance that had brought them to this place. Something in the mine had drawn them here.

Nicolai nods silently.  Through Corros' link, he sends Jenna a rare moment of candor: If you're unsettled, I'm fucking terrified, but you're right - it needs doing.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

We're here and we're here together.

It's a rare moment of global support from the warlock.  He's used to propping up Jenna when necessary or giving Nic a lift, but he's not one for the group hug.  Except now it seems like his companions could use one.  If he's being honest, he could use a pep talk, too.

We'll deal with this together, too, yeah?

"If you could point us to the quarters, then, we'll start sorting this out."  Corros tells the leader of the mines.

"Certainly. From what I understand, they spent one night in one of the common tents. I don't know why they didn't stay here. It's been said that they had quite a lot of coin."

Sergeant Jaff interjects, "I'll take them."

"Thank you, Sergeant."

As they leave, Deepdelver informs the Five that they may stay at the inn free of charge, and that he will pay for their dinner this night.

Jaff leads the Five to a large canvass tent a bit down the road from the inn. There are very few people staying there now- a result of casualties, flight, or using the daylight hours to prospect and/or dig. No one there now had any direct experience with the Reaver party, but all can share second and third-hand information. The rumors aren't particularly helpful. It's more or less a dead end.

"Do you want to visit the shaft now?" Jaff asks. "Pardon my saying this, but you look a little... tired. Perhaps you rest tonight, then I take you there first thing in the morning?"


Your Turn.

-

Nicolai canvasses his companions.  Gronk is as stalwart as ever but he still bears the marks of the day's fighting.  Amaldaris' elven inscrutability appears intact.  Corros and Jenna, though, almost certainly need communion with their respective patrons - and probably some alone time in as much privacy as is to be found in the camp.

Outwardly, his face remains impassive as he thinks for a moment.  "That would be good, Sergeant.  If you can tell us where we can find quarters, I'll fetch Ogar and bring him in for a talk while the rest of us dump our gear."

Amaldaris looked around the area of the inn.

"Is there such a place as a bath house here?" he enquired rather naively of those present.  "I would wash if possible and, though a stream will do, hot water would be preferable."

Sergeant Jaff volunteers to find Ogar, leaving the Five to clean up as best they can. Deepdelver rings for the innkeep, a convivial dwarf named Goli, who arranges for the companions to take turns using the bath (located downstairs, next to the kitchen)- hot water is two silver scribes a kettle.

The garrison commander arrives with Ogar. He's not the best source of information regarding the discovery, but he shares what he can. None the companions get the sense that he is being dishonest or prevaricating- the dwarf simply knows nothing.

"One day, he's over the moon, talkin' 'bout how he's gonna be rich- next day, he's barking mad. Tried to stab me, he did! Said I was 'gonna to take it from him. I had to defend myself, didn't I? I knocked him down, he started shaking and spitting, eyes rolled back in his head, then he's dead! I thought I'd killed him! Then I found out that everyone else in his party was acting more or less the same way! He wasn't buried five minutes before he comes out of the ground tyrin' to bite people- didn't stop until Mak caved his head in. Never thought I'd have to bury my cousin, let alone twice!"

-

Nicolai perches on a table, one foot drawn up along its leg, and frowns in thought.  "Did he show you anything he'd brought up from the mine?  Or did he describe what he'd found in any great detail?"  He blinks as a particularly unpleasant thought strikes him.  "Also, did he say anything about needing to travel - to take something someplace or to someone, perhaps?"

One of the benefits of being a couple is that Corros and Jenna could use less hot water through that most intimate of methods: sharing.  Not that they actually use less hot water, but they could.  That's enough to make Corros feel better about forking over a gold piece for hot water in an encampment they've come to save.  He has a brief fantasy of explaining in quite explicit terms why Goli should let them have whatever they want, but it's a fantasy that he doesn't give voice to.  The dwarf is too polite and Corros has resolved to not be an asshole to people when the dead are coming out of the ground shortly after being killed.  You never know who may try to eat you or need to unlock a door to let you hide from zombie hordes.

"The people that got bit.  Did they end up crazy and undead, too?  Or was this more of an 'I'm just going to eat your flesh' kinda thing.  Not that that makes it better, yeah?  I'm just trying to put all the pieces together..."  Corros enjoys a sip of lukewarm ale that is also featuring weak taste and nosebleed prices.  "And are all the dead people accounted for?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Thu 20 Apr 2017.

Jenna had found her bath most...refreshing. The Priestess is now sitting on a simple wooden chair, one leg crossed over the other as she listens to her companions question Ogar. Her hair is still damp. When the dwarf mentions his cousin accused him of wanting to take his discovery from him it stirs a chord in Jenna, although it takes a moment before she can drag the thought from her memory. Before the Bloodforged, when they had been in the underground City, and Corros had retrieved the crystals, some other artefacts. Jenna had been jealous.

The Priestess shivers visibly, looks over at her half elf lover. She had been more than jealous. The emotions had been much deeper than that. Much darker. Maybe there was a connection, maybe not. Although then there had been no sign of anyone having risen from the grave. Clearly dark forces were at work here, with the waters made even more murky by the presence of Reaver’s minions, who were no doubt here to further their own torn and twisted ends.

Jenna leans forward in her chair, uncrossing her legs as she does so. ”The ones that rose, I take it you buried them again, yes? Have they shown any signs of stirring again?”

Ogar seems a bit overwhelmed by all the questions but he does the best he can.

"I didn't see anything besides some platinum- nothing out of the ordinary there. But he said they found 'power'. That's it. 'Power'. No explanation. Course, that was when he'd started losing his mind. He didn't sayanything about going anyplace 'cept deeper into the shaft. Said it- 'the power', I guess- was calling to him. When we told him he was sick, and shouldn't go back, that's when he tried to bite and stab us.

"As for the zombies, I don't know why they tried to bite people. The people they bit got sick and died, then came back as zombies too. But then, so did everyone who died, from whatever cause."

At this point, Sergeant Jaff weighs in, "Once we'd killed them, again, we didn't bury them. We burned 'em. Nothing left to come back, you know?"

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