In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 108):

[DM looks up websites on tanning hides in the wild]

Dwarghar: You've skinned the creature and rubbed the inner layer down with salt. If you had at least 8 weeks, you could string up and tan the hide to make all variety of leather garments. Probably best to sell it to the tanner in the next town and place an order for the leatherworker to pick up on your way back.

Because this creature spoke and had some human features there's a taboo about eating its flesh. Besides, since its mostly feline the meat probably tastes terrible.

There's about 18 spines left. If you were a kobold you'd greedily snatch them all to use as javelins. Perhaps Amalrik is interested...

You take a closer look at your blade. You're quite certain it was made by and for humans. You can tell by the flowing pattern across both sides of the blade that it's pattern-welded, a time-consuming but very effective technique. The hilt strikes you as a pattern used by the island raiders to the northwest.

Brodd figures the hide should be worth quite a bit, the quills and other organs and feathers from the wings might have value too, but the time to harvest everything would be high. The warriors would not be back, they lost their archers or abandoned them.

Travis drops off three tightly wrapped boxes of rations (iron, 3 weeks worth) beside the campfire remains.

"Where else do I have to go? Clark and his men hired us when we fled the minotaurs. Now he's left us for dead. I'm no adventurer...I was just a castle guard. A guard who ran when he saw the enemy was too strong to fight. It seems...I'm as terrible as a bandit as I am as a guard..."

"But you live to fight another day, don't you? How many Minotaurs are there?"

"It was total chaos when they struck, but there was definitely more than one. Two at least, possibly three."

"Were there others with the minotaurs?"

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 125):

"The minotaurs were already in the castle when we found them. As we tried to corner them and get everyone to safety, we heard that the orcs had broken through the mountain pass to the northwest."

Brodd shakes his head, "not sure we can help with all of that, Einhard? What do you think? I know we'll try, are you willing to go back Travis? Or are you heading for greener pastures?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Mon 02 Mar 2020.

Dwarghar listens to the others speak. He makes no attempt to butt in.

"We're here for the minotaurs, didn't expect orcs too."

Leohart eyes the rations by the fire. "How shall we divide the foodstuff?" he asks. "I'm willing to carry a portion."

"And which one of them was in charge? Did it look like one of them was a leader? Any distinctive mark on the leader?"

Manaku realizes he may only confuse Travis further by bombarding him with questions, especially since Brodd seems to have far more coherent discussion with him at the moment, so the elf goes silent after these questions.

Manticore spines as javelins ?? Hmmm. Amalrik collects them all. He can clean them as spare time permits.

How well do you know the castle Travis ?? Was there a lady recently brought there ?? Where was she staying when the minotaurs arrived ?? Do yu know any secret ways in and out of that castle ?? Yes, many questions, but Amalrik asks when an opening arises.

Amalrik then looks at Einhard. Finding the lady alive is one thing. Retrieving the seal could be difficult. Would you be willing to sneak in and out of the castle ?? Or do we need to liberate it too ?? Perhaps a time for some planning as we hit the road / trail / whatever.

Amalrik also collects a bow and a quiver. A ranged weapon, finally.

"Travis, you've been a great help.

There is no pressure to stay with us or you can take your leave when ready.

No hard feelings.

It seems the orcs have joined the party.

The Lady Masondain and the Baron's seal are our main concern.

Once everyone is ready shall we continue?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

Bah, no one will think worse of ya lad, but ye May have trouble sleeping with yerself if he never stand up to the fight ya should have died for. Come with us and he may get to draw more than apples with that bow - Ye may survive with a chance at better for yer life than banditry and cowards black shields. 

Travis begins scrubbing the charcoal off his shield with a rag, showing the livery for Braunstein; a stone tower on a gold background.

"My sword and bow are yours, Brother Brodd."

[Travis is now a PC>]

"I know the layout of Castle Braunstein. I worked there for years. The largest minotaur I saw carried a battleaxe of strange design. I'm almost certain it was magical. I suppose he was the leader."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:25, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

"Domonic Ate a Biscuit Amen Bless you brother Travis."

"I shall carry one of the boxes of rations," Leohart says. "They are party rations." He puts one of the boxes in his backpack, to carry for his fellows.

"I'll carry one as well." Manaku nods to Leohart and secures one of the boxes to his backpack.

Rations ?? Well at least they are eaten and the weight is lost. He grabs one food load as well.

"Are we ready?

If so Travis can be our guide."

"Yeah, I'm ready." Durek says, hefting his axe. "Lead on, Travis. We got yer back." The sturdy dwarf adjusts his backpack to be more comfortable for walking about.  It settled onto his shoulders and he nodded his readiness to soldier on.

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