In reply to Adan Rae (msg # 673):

Someone is skinning the weasels, Ulle I think.

As you re-enter the village, sweaty, smelly, and exhausted, the whole village is there to greet you. Doonfitting steps forward, asking if the kobolds are gone. The village grumbles, babies cry, children cling to their mothers and mewl, everyone considerably hung over. When he hears the answer, Doonfitting frowns, nods, and shouts to the others that the kobolds are indeed gone. The village collectively lets out a painful groan, mild insults passing through the community. The miners stumble about the yard, complaining as they find and pick up their tools. They glower at you as they gingerly make their way back to the mine. Only Donagh looks at the scene with a smile. Doonfitting walks up to you and places something in one of your hands. "You did good and you saved us, but please, ask us tomorrow how we feel."

It is a bag, it contains more crystals, 75gp worth.

Can we sell or barter any of the excess things we've looted?
   ...which unless any folks want any of it is: 10 leather armour, 10 daggers, 1 half spear, 5 spears, 6 crossbows, 60 bolts.
   ...and possibly also 5 Sparrows, 2 Hawks & 1 Crude Net.

Ulle does indeed skin the weasels. the skin needs to be stretched and dried to have any real value, and wonders if we will be resting long enough to accomplish that.

 Kestrel laughs and gives Adan a warriors' pat on the back.

Once they have confirmed that there are no more kobolds, Kestrel sheathes his sword, and sighs, "I wouldn't have minded a few more of these little rats to exterminate. Still, we have completed our task. Birahu will be happy and the gnomes can return to their peaceful life."


"Not very grateful are they! I suppose drinking themselves into a stupor is more enjoyable than working in the mines. But I don't see anyone holding a blade to their throat making them!"

Looking to the rest of the group, Kestral asks, "Shall we spend the night here and then head back to Cryllor in the morning? Ulle's pelts will have the rest of the day to dry."

---

I think Birahu is in Cryllor, I can edit if I am wrong.

Still under the opinion that the buy-out was the entire point of the Kobold's presence, Piestar determines to share that fact with Birahu when they return, to see what he thinks of that strange occurrence.


For the moment she is content to examine the invisible pouch, and purchase a hot bath.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Wed 20 July 2022.

In the aftermath, Astrid sighed to herself.

It was more than likely the party had been pawns in Danagh Morrid's shady scheme, just like the kobolds themselves.   The thought was vexing to her, but there was nothing for it now.  Save to report what had occurred once they rejoined Master Birahu.

"Unhappy about their new employer, perhaps?" she said to Kestrel.

"But, aye; let's spend the night, and then be on our way in the morning."

"Would nay of you folks," asks Adan, addressing the gnomes, "be interested in some leather armour?

In reply to Adan Rae (msg # 680):

"The new guards could use it."

"Sure. Good idea. What are you willing to give for it?"

In reply to Adan Rae (msg # 682):

"Not much, covered with blood and full of holes! It needs repaired, what you asking? 10 silver for all of it?"

Adan chuckles. "One set of leathers would be worth tow or three times that on its own and that's at second hand rates. The tiny bit of patching's neither here nor there but I can see your point about some bloodstains. Not that that would worry someone who's about to be stabbed. Anyway, I'm feeling in a good mood today, so how about this for a bargain: you double your price for the leathers and throw in two weeks worth of dry rations and we can shake on it now?"

In reply to Adan Rae (msg # 684):

Doonfitting smiled and threw out his hand, "Done!"

Adan takes his hand to seal the deal.

In reply to Adan Rae (msg # 686):

The trip back to Cryllor and Birahu's townhouse is uneventful. You make it back in three days and trundle up to his door in a driving rain.

Knock on the door loudly then, so that it's going to be heard over the driving rain.

In reply to Adan Rae (msg # 688):

"Come in, come in! Get out of the rain, come into the parlor and sit by the fire, food? Drink? Toddy to fight off the colds? It's been raining for 2 days!"

"Feels like it!" says Adan, not really minding too much as he was more or less impervious to natural cold and colds. "Toddy? Sure, why not."
He doens't mntion about the kobold clearances being sucessful as he wasn't the one with that as a primary task. It would just be rude.

Astrid liked the rain, generally.   But, this was a little much...

Once in, she removed her drenched cloak and hung it where appropriate, near the door.

"Master Birahu!  Your hospitality is considerate and generous, as always!   We return with good news -- the kobolds are dealt with; and the mines of Pindangoogly are...well, the gnomes opted to sell out their share.   To a human man; a rather supercilious, dandy sort of character -- one Danagh Morrid.  From the Gem Cutter's Guild, it would seem. He promised to employ the gnomes -- but, in a deal that will no doubt benefit himself, first." 
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

In reply to Astrid Silverveil (msg # 691):

"Ahhh, so sad, I'll have to consider gifting some of my share back to them so they aren't slaves to the guild, no doubt the guild's plan. They aren't a nice sort you know. Have a seat all by the fire and take comfort, we can talk later when time affords, you'll be chafing if you don't get into dry clothes."

"Thank you, master!  You're right about that!"  Her mind eased after hearing Birahu's intention to possibly gift back some of his shares.  It was an altogether kind act, and would wrap things up in a cleaner way for the gnomes.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:23, Thu 04 Aug 2022.

When sat by the fire Adan asks Astrid, [Language unknown: "Ol, k Ad tiooretin k ll?"]

She laughed briefly, lightly. [Language unknown: "Realateen niiore conss nalo'fiis olto plwi rear thierante ecca malean ac o?   Cainil i alltioive n forstiant eauardcon u Si cewhti mo m ain winaek antith, sta nepronth tetece P acrini pooun." ] She winked.

[Language unknown: "Hooer om ate elni'anwhal ckst thu, Na teha thi benc thuwi thoundone larentsti pe toilwa ev, os thu tereenles ill m ro saleng a ssble."   ]

Adan nods and stares into the fire, content to wait and see what will unfold next.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:02, Thu 04 Aug 2022.

This message was deleted by the player at 23:14, Mon 15 Aug 2022.

Townhouse thread Kestrel.