Feeling a bit awkward, Eri also puts some water on her hand. See? I'm fine too she informs him calmly. It was like talking to a child. She'd never been comfortable with children.

14:25, Today: Secret Roll: Eri Sato rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  persuasion attempt.

Griswold held his chin in thought.  "Hmm.  Maybe the water hurts because his skin is sore?  Is there anyway to clean him without soaking?"

As Wrenn and the rest of the group attempt to do what you can for the beleaguered Grunt, Wrenn makes a pair of startling discoveries. The first is that he knows the disease afflicting Grunt. Known as goblin rot or orc pox, it is a debilitating disease that slowly causes the skin to slough off the victim. Goblinoids seem to be immune to it and it can be cured with large amounts of herbs and bed rest. In the field, soldiers have been known to pour boiling water on the wounds to stymie it spreading.

The second discovery turns out to be that Grunt has been receiving the boiling water treatment and crude shaman magic to keep him sick but alive. Without clerical aid, Grunt has only a few weeks before he succumbs to the disease.

"Well, Grunt, it seems you've caught yourself a case of Goblin Rot. And unless I'm mistaken, there was someone in the group of goblins that you were with who knew how to use magic. And whoever that was, they are the ones who gave you Goblin Rot in the first place, and they kept you sick even with the treatment that they were giving you."

"The burning water did help you with the rot, but if we can get you to a cleric soon then you won't have to deal with the burning water any more." He shares the other information with the group, such as the time before the disease takes him, when Grunt is not around to hear.

Eri listens with dismay. Funny how minutes before she was prepared to run him through and now she felt sorry for him. Well I'd say we'd better get to it soon then. Any idea where the closest cleric is? she turns to her companions. I don't know the area well.

Grunt looked hesitant at Wrenn as he spoke. ”The big one always pour the burning water on Grunt. He said it was my punishment for not killing more small people. When Grunt squash small people, the furred one always made Grunt feel better,” the big guy comments but sits down and allows Wrenn to work.

You are able to guide Grunt to a nearby stream; to the remnants of a mill on the farm. Filth washes off of him like an oil slick that creates a film on the water. By the time you’re done, the multitude of lesions are all that remains. Grunt looks like a kid as he splashes around in the shallow water, leaving your group to discuss the next course of action.

"I've traveled through the area a great deal, but rarely did we have need or reason to seek out a healer. Griswold?"

Eri watches Grunt with the barest hint of amusement, her face rarely morphs into a full smile and today was no exception. I don't know this area at all so I fear I am no better she adds to Wrenn's words, also waiting for Gris to lend his opinion.

Griswold gives Grunt a thumbs up.  "Looking better already!"  He then rubs his chin in contemplation.  "Well, I was meant to study maps as part of my training, of course."  He turned his head up to the others with a big grin.  "But 'sitting still' was never a skill I did well at!"

Still the knight takes a few moments to himself to see if he can recall anything useful.

History: 5 (Hehe, woops)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Wed 11 July 2018.

"Well, there are sure to be clerics in any large city. The problem will be trying to get him inside the city. We may be able to talk our way inside, though. If not, some of us can camp out in the open fields while someone else goes inside and hires a cleric to come out and meet us."

Sounds like a good plan she nods. How far is it to the city? If there's any convincing to be done I can try to help if needed but my money is on Gris here. she gestures to the man. I'm not nearly so silver tongued.

Griswold's eyes twinkle as he turns to Eri, smiles and bows.  "Do not underestimate yourself, Miss Sato.  I'm sure you could convince me to do almost anything!  But perhaps you're right in this instance.  My being a knight might carry weight.

"I don't know how far it is, but we shouldn't dally any longer."

To the city we go, ogre in tow...

Eri allows herself a small smile at Gris's words and shakes her head with amusement. Silver tongue indeed she thinks inwardly.

Meanwhile she is happy to head back as quickly as possible. She was eager to get Grunt taken care of not only because the poor thing needed help, but his wounds were not pleasant to look at either.

As the group travelled, Griswold tried to keep Grunt motivated and distracted from his condition with jaunty melodies.

As the group collects itself and begins to move towards their goal, an uneasy feeling settles in. Grunt is hardly inconspicuous and despite being mostly docile, you find that his nature is prone to tantrums that have the potential to cause massive problems in more civilized areas. The road before you stays mostly empty as you continue towards the small town of Verlaine to address their problems. On the thrid day of your travels, you can see the lights of the palisade towers on the horizon but you know that it will be dark before you arrive. What do you do?

"Good news, Grunt!" Griswold jubilantly proclaims.  "Those lights over there contain the salvation to your condition!  Uh, A healer.  But we must be cautious.  People will be scared of you and that means they may become agitated.  That's what happens when people get scared.  They get stupid.  So its best to not scare them, understand?

"Anyway, its getting late now.  So let's find a nice little spot to set up camp?  We can get closer to town in the morning, then have someone go in and recruit a healer."" Griswold looks at everyone expectantly.

"Agreed. It's best if we don't go into the city, far too much opportunity for misunderstandings in there. Griswold can go find us a healer while the rest of us wait out here with the big fellow."

Agreed. Eri nods vigorously. Grunt was already becoming more complicated than she had expected. He was a lot of trouble, and though she still wanted to do right by him, she hoped the others didn't expect to make him a permanent member of the party. The last thing she needed was to be a babysitter for the massive creature.

Grunt sits quietly as the group debates and discusses. Eventually, a plan is hatched and a campsite found. The task is easy enough and by morning you are ready to enter the town. Grunt begins to complain about his sores and hunger early but the town seems to be bustling for early in the morning. Even this far away the smells of a baker can be found.

Griswold offers Grunt three of his rations, and eats one himself.

Once breakfast was over, he stands up and claps his hands together.  "Wish me luck!" He shouts.  Turning and waving as he heads into town, he calls back, "If anyone wants to and thinks it safe to do so, feel free to ask anyone you see about the shady goings on around here!"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

Eri nods at the suggestion, trying her best to get a lay of town gossip and also keep an eye on Grunt. If he shows the slightest inclination to be a bother she will suggest they take him back out of the town. The last thing they need is for things to escalate...

[Private to GM: If you need a roll for gather information you can either do it for me or I'll try to get it tomorrow. Unfortunately I'm out of time for the day and can't look up my character sheet right now. Sorry!]

"Well get some food soon enough, Friend Grunt. Patience is important here, we must get you healed of this sickness before we go into town or else they'll likely try to harm you so as to prevent spreading the illness."

As the group goes about your business in town, trying to find help and assistance for Grunt and yourself, you come across a venerable town guard at the road entrance. His armor fits poorly and someone three sizes smaller. Though his face and hands are worn and calloused, it is not from holding a weapon. He holds a hand out and shakily asks, “Halt! Who approaches?”

Griswold approached the guard with a swagger born of self-assurance.  "Hail good sir!  I am Sir Griswold, of the League of the Golden Thread and also of the newly founded adventurer's guild.  Here to offer aid an assistance to those in need.  My companions and I have found one such unfortunate on our way here.  They are too sick to enter town and as such we seek the aid of a healer.  Would you happen to know of any and their likely whereabouts?"

The knight wondered at the state of this guard's attire.  Was it his of old that not been replaced, or a worrying sign of this town's ailing fortunes?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Tue 04 Sept 2018.