OOC Plan and role-play your next expedition here.

At the Moorland Magpie Inn, Bea stands and announces to all present, "I am going to hunt bear near Stonehell. Are there any other trappers or hunters who would split the beast?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:02, Wed 28 July 2021.

"I saw a bear near the dungeon entrance, but apparently she's considered a mascot by the community. You might be run out of town if you bring back a bear pelt."

A strange, hooded and old man shook his head in wonder "you'd be best forget any undertaking to harm old Coal. He's a mascot to many that wander of the dungeons of Stonehell" the old man smelt slightly fishy as he approached "nothing wrong with a bear in the woods" he stated then leaned closer, the smell of fish and cider grew stronger "there's much more sinister things in the woods you'd be better off hunting. I've seen things lurking by the old tower in the woods. Some of the forest folk might even reward ye."

"The name is Bea Bear-Fighter, not Bea Fights-Sinister-Things-In-The-Wood. I don't care about Stonehell, their denizens, or going to chase monsters in the woods. I'm going for Coal, if that's what the bear is called."
This message was last updated by the player at 19:04, Wed 28 July 2021.

Devin tried to ignore the boisterous woman and turned to those at his table.  "Is everyone going to be ready to go back in tomorrow?"

Derry's rejoinder is that if she's going for Coal, she'll "go it alone."

Intrigued by the old man's piscine odor plot hook talk of an old tower in the woods, the still-battered dwarf gives him his full attention.

"A tower in the woods, you say? Forest folk in need of aid?"

OOC (1) Derry will need 3 full days of rest to fully recover from the battle with the five young cannibals. (2) Does Derry see Snorri anywhere?

Fiene spends several days in his room, Ermengard made her presence known, going in and out, running errands for the recovering wizard.  When he does reappear, he makes a few announcements.  "I found Ben, or rather, his body.  We were unable to recover it, and his pack was no where to be found.  The healing potion he had is lost to Stonehell."

"I intend to return to Stonehell, the locked doors are still my goal." He adds.

Devin wasn't sure what had happened to the wizard during their battle, but he did know that the man and his guard hadn't been in the fray.  If their was another option, other than chasing down an old bear, he'd take it.

Having had it made clear that she would have to go it alone, that is exactly what she did. Bea left to go hunt down Coal, or whatever other bear presented itself.

The old fellow introduced himself as Frode, a fisherman who lived near the river "aye a ruin in the woods, shunned by the foresters and the wood colliers. I've seen strange lights and the such there. The folk are worried" he explained to the dwarf.

There was no sign of Snorri in Fourtower Bridge.

After returning from the dungeon, Teodore spent the next two full days resting and recuperating in his room.

04:06, Today: Teodore rolled 3 using 1d3.  2nd day of rest.
04:06, Today: Teodore rolled 2 using 1d3.  1st day of rest.

On his third day back, feeling like his usual self, he walked around Fourtower Bridge, to the smithy, the general store, and even the fighter's tower if the adventurer was in the mood to talk. Teodore even spent sometime in the common room of the inn, keeping his eyes and ears open for information about the local region and Stonehell.

Bertilak's first priority is to see that Arietta receives a proper funeral and burial.

The magic-user spends his down time over the next few days looking around for any potential henchmen to replace Arietta.

He also makes inquiries at the smithy about having her plate armor re-sized for any potential replacements.

On the bridge Teodore found Athalgrim the fighter at the northwest tower. Athalgrim was a large man with a black beard. It was Athalgrim's duty to collect the toll on the copper pot and secure the iron bound wooden gate at night time.

Athalgrim invited Teodore in, he was welcoming if a bit surly. Inside the tower the walls were decorated with the broken and splintered shields of his enemies.

"You've come to store your treasure?" he asked Teodore.
Mourned by the villagers and residents of Fourtower Bridge a funeral is arranged for the warrior Arietta. Her family and friends were more even tempered than her and mourned her loss in quiet dignity.

After the funeral Bertilak was able to advertise for another man-at-arms. Within a day he had a varied bunch of applicants. All arrived wearing leather armour, Roark the blacksmith confirmed it would be possible for the platemail to be adjusted to fit any of them. The youngest was Ingrede de Reynes, an adolescent with a short sword. She was rather nervous and asked for one gold per day. The other two were older men. Oakes Fitzalan a man in his prime, a bit of dandy he dressed well too. He had a shield, club and shortbow, he asked for fourteen gold per day. The last was Darby Aguilon, the spearman was just past middle age and asked for eight gold per day. He was cheerful if a bit of a prankster.

Derry considers what the aged man has said.

"Whereabouts would we find this tower, during the day, you know, if we didn't want to rely on the lights?"

"If we comrades are of one mind, we could find this tower and extinguish the evil within."

"But we are not of one mind."

He turns to opportunistic magic man, before speaking to him, "Comrade, why are you so bound to find these locked doors?"

It is known that "comrade" is one of those words with limitless meanings depending on tone and usage. It is clear that Derry's use of it here does not match his earlier ones.

The old fisherman answered Derry "follow the east road until it turns to the north. Leave the road to continue east into the woods. You'll find the ruins before you reach the foothills. There is a large clearing of the trees around the old tower"

Fiene smiles at the dwarf, speaking simply as one explains to a child. "I am here to explore Stonehell, to take its riches and knowledge". He says."The doors are near the entrance and as they are locked I don't expect them to have been raided yet."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Fri 30 July 2021.

As much as Devin wanted to explore Stonehell, he felt safer with the dwarf.  With Ben's death, he'd come to the conclusion that wizards were not as powerful as he'd thought they were.

It is true that among Derry's native gifts intelligence is not foremost among them. He has enough, though, to recognize logic and, occasionally, exercise it himself.

He snorts in acknowledgment.

"What you say has reason. By the same token, I would expect the old tower is shielded by fear in the same fashion locks shield the chamber beyond your doors."

"I propose that the people venture beyond those doors ... first."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:16, Fri 30 July 2021.

Teodore answered Athalgrim, "Actually, I was hoping you could give me some idea as to what a fighter like me could spend some of my treasure on. Standard armor and weapons don't seem to be enough in Stonehell, as I was saved from death by a Cure scroll read by our cleric."

The large fighter guffawed at Teodore "aye lad an' I'm sure they'll be similar near death experience in those halls before ye are rich" he rubbed his black beard as he considered Teodore's words "am afraid there's nothing mightier than sword and shield" he gazed around at the broken shields of his defeated enemies "save you treasure, build a stronghold, stop adventuring, that's what I did!" useful advice but perhaps not what Teodore was searching for "don't fret lad, keep your friends close and I'm sure they will pick you back up again. Any of your party are welcome to keep their treasure in my vault. Only rule is if ye die or go missing for more than one year then I keep it."

The magic-user Dagunn Rakel was in the southwest tower next door whenever Teodore was ready to visit.

Valerian slips back into the inn, having purchased some more supplies.

"Well, yes...ruins have always been an ideal spot to go adventuring. Hopefully I can find an arcane parchment or two ensconced in a preistine catacomb..."

Now Devin wasn't sure where the dwarf wanted to go.  The locked doors in Stonehell or the doors at the ruins?

"Where are we going?" he asked the dwarf in newfound confusion.

Derry considers where they should go next: into the forest or to the locked doors.

"I don't like to leave a job undone even if it has been started by others. I will join the magic man in his journey to the doors and beyond."

"The forest folk will have to live in fear a while longer," he concludes with an uncharacteristically wry expression.

The fishy smelling old man nodded to Valerian "arcane things maybe. It was once the tower of Modnar and his apprentices. The stories say that a terrific explosion destroyed the tower and flames of unnatural hues burnt the trees all around."

Teodore thanked Athalgrim for his time and advice, adding that if he ever scored it big he might store treasure here. Then he headed for the tower of Dagunn Rakel to make their acquaintance.

The magic user Dagunn Rakel was a tall woman in her sixties. She was friendly and invited Teodore in the tower and offered him tea. On the bottom level of the tower Rakel kept a stuffed crocodile. An intelligent woman she asked her visitor "how can I help you?"

"I was hoping you could show me some items that a fighter like me could purchase from you. Standard armor and weapons don't quite seem to be enough in Stonehell, as I was saved from death by a Cure scroll read by our cleric. I would appreciate any help you can provide." Teodore sipped at his tea, trying not to burn his tongue.

In reply to DM (msg # 25):

Valerian nods.

"Not an uncommon occurrence, apparently. Hopefully there will be something useful left to salvage."

Sophisticated Dagunn served tea and offered witty conversation. She could offer no aid to Teodore however "there's little I can offer to aid any adventurer. My collection of pottery or other mystic goods won't protect you from harm nor strengthen your sword arm" she apologised.

After three days in town all injuries had healed and provisions had been restocked. The rain and clouds of the last few days cleared. The sun rose but brought no warmth, the weather was unseasonably cold.

There was frost on the boughs of the trees as they passed through the forest and into the foothills. Their breath clouded in the air. No wildlife was spotted and they reached the canyon safely.

OOC If any characters have anything else left to do in town let me and we can sort it out.

Day: 10. Time: 6:00am. Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

In reply to DM (msg # 31):

[Do we need to buy winter clothing?]

OOC A cloak is enough to keep warm unless it gets colder.

As as become his custom, Fiene spends a few moments at the statue of St Ras, leaving wine and a cake, and then leaves a offering of meat at Coal's cave.

He and his hirelings Ermengard and Holden follow closely as he goes to towards the entrance.

Devin would rather have explored in the other direction, but no one was going that way.  Reluctantly, he stuck with Teodore, Valerian, and the dwarf.

"Comrade Fiene willing," Derry smiles. "We will free the forest folk from their fear."

"But, for now, we must free him from the geas of the locked doors."

Amiable in the company of his fellows, Derry cheerily moves towards the entrance.

The passed safely into the mouth of the canyon and through the gatehouse in the curtain wall safely and into the clearing beyond. The black bear Coal was nowhere to be seen. Fiene diligently laid out meat for the bear, other adventurers had clearly had similar rituals as other animal bones and much chewed adventuring gear lay strewn about the entrance to the bear's cave.

A prayer at the fallen shrine of St Ras took only a moment before those that chose to venture further reached the stone archway carved into the cliff at the end of the canyon.

OOC Day: 10. Time: 9:10am. Turn: 2, Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

"Show us where these doors are," Devin said to the wizard.

Fiene raises an eyebrow at Devin's question. "The doors are locked.  The oracle said they key was south.  Do you think you can open them without the key?"

Despite their disinterest in a bear hunt, Bea guarded the others as they went to the Stonehell area. But when they moved on from Coal's cave, she remained behind. With a grim look, she watched them go, wondering if any of them would be coming back or if goblins would devour the lot. Not for her to suffer the same; it was far safer to go hunting bear.

After the others were gone from sight, she went over and took the offering of meat Fiene had left behind, and moved it further away from the cave opening. She then moved to a concealed position, at the longer end of medium bow range. Placing some oil and a torch to her side, she lit a small fire for warmth, and then sat and watched the cave, waiting patiently for a bear to show.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:50, Mon 09 Aug 2021.

In reply to Fiene (msg # 39):

"Lead the way, Comrade Fiene. Surely no one has ever been mislead by an oracle before," twits Derry.

The party entered the dungeon through the stone archway carved into the cliff. The spiral staircase led them downward. Inside the dungeon the stonework was rough faced limestone blocks, flagstones and ceiling slabs. The floor was worn by regular travel. The floor, walls and ceiling all had signs of cracks and crevices. The air was not fresh but was musty and dank.

The foyer was a forty foot by forty foot square chamber with a vaulted ceiling. The staircase was in the middle of the chamber. There was five exits. To the south west an archway led south. To the south east a corridor led south. To the east was a door. To the north east a short ten corridor ended in a door. To the north west was an archway that resembled a fanged ogre mouth with murals of cavorting imps on the walls beyond.

OOC Day: 10. Time: 9:20am. Turn: 3, Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Devin waited for the wizard to lead the way as this was his quest.

"Of course." Fiene says.  He lights his lantern, and has Holden light a torch. "All in due time." With his third pole in hand, Fiene moves south, towards the pit that Ermangard fell in to at their first delve.  He looks to see if it has been reconstructed, and test it with his pole to see if it is still hollow below.

Once satisfied with that knowledge, he will lead through the ogre's maw, and north to the morgue, noting if the blood stains remain or if they have been cleaned.  "This is where Ben was taken, but a swarm of rats kept me away, twice." he says as they travel.  "I've heard told those that die in Stonehell return to unlife, so there may be more than rats beyond."   Once they arrive, he will wait for one better armored to open the door, having learned a hard lesson.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 17:24, Thu 12 Aug 2021.

There was no pit in the corridor to the south, A tap with the pole resulted in a hollow echo.

To the north the party passed through the ogre's maw and passed the rusty pole at the crossroads. They reached the door to the cadaver storage without any interruption.

OOC Day: 10. Time: 9:40am. Turn: 3, Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Knowing the door opens out, Fiene stands behind on the hinge side, and gestures for one of the fighters to open the door.

Devin put on his shield and stepped back to let Ermengard open the door as well.

Teodore waits until everyone is ready, then opens the door.

The rat chewed door was opened by Teodore with ease. Beyond the room was a forty foot by forty foot room. The room smelt of bodies, linen and chemicals. The beady eyes of eight giant rats turned to face the door as it was opened. Hung from hooks were fresh humanoid corpses.

OOC Declare your actions and roll any dice.

The rats were not surprised and I didn't roll for the party as they knew to expect rats.

Shoulder to shoulder with Teodore (or Ermangard), Derry introduces his sword to one of the rats.

If we win init, then the front line will advance to the best tactical position. Otherwise, we'll strike the ones that end up next to us.

19:03, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 13,8 using d20+1,d8+1.  Attack Rat.
Hits AC 6 for 8 dmg

Teodore stabs at an advancing rat as well. It is not his most accurate effort.


18:12, Today: Teodore rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  attack rat.

Devin pulled out his hammer in case any of the rats gets past the dwarf and Teodore.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 4,2 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

Fiene stays behind Ermandgard's protection, lending his light as well as Holden's to the battle.

After an initial squeak the rats paid no heed to newcomers to the larder. One of the corpses was hanging low enough that the rats could feast on it hands and fingers. Devouring the flesh their ignored Derry as the dwarf stepped into the room and killed a rat. Teodore and Devin followed but did not strike any rats.



OOC Derry killed a rat. Declare actions and roll dice.

Fiene keeps clear, thinking the rats were more aggressive when he was here last.

Not wanting to rile them up if they weren't attacking, Devin checked his swing in order to let the other two work while he covered their flank.  He readied a strike if any of the rats turned on them.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 20,3 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

Derry advances to the northeastern corner to make space for Ermangard and another warrior, before skewering another one of the vermin, terminating its time at the grotesque larder.

"This is an abomination," he bellows, just in case it wasn't clear to the others. "Kill them all!"

14:07, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 14,2 using d20+1,d8+1.  rat attack.
Hits AC 5 for 2 dmg

Teodore attempts to kill a rat - again.

13:28, Today: Teodore rolled 8 using 1d8+1.  sword damage.

13:27, Today: Teodore rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  attack rat.

The rats cowered and squealed as they were massacred by the adventurers. The four rats that weren't killed fled to hide in the corners of the square room.

OOC Day: 10. Time: 10:00am. Turn: 5, Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil and torches
Fiene: 5 Turns - lit
Holden: 5 Turns - lit

With the rats retreating, Fiene scans the bodies, to see if Ben was still there.  Without venturing too deep, he looks to see if there is any equipment abandoned, or if something might be lost in the drain, if there was such a thing to catch drips and other fluids.

The corpses appeared to be fresh and Fiene did not recognise one of them as Ben. Toward the back of the room Fiene could a flagstone that was slightly lifted and a streaky mixture of blood and chemicals drained away into the gap.

"Who put these bodies here?" Devin asked grimly, remaining on the defensive if the rats regained their courage.

"I think it's the kobolds." Fiene replies to the priest.  "All the ones I've met seem like the are doing repairs and the clean up."

"Ermangard, would you check that loose stone. Maybe something was missed."  The wizard gestures towards the back of the room.  "I expect the koboolds are keeping the supplies and clothes.  We did encounter a couple of storerooms, but didn't find anything of worth in them."

As quickly as Derry's blood had risen to a boil, it subsides to a simmer.

"Well, alright, if that's how it's going to be, I won't skewer every last one of you," he declares after the rats retreat to the corners.

He, too, looks at the bodies to see if he recognizes any. He will also search them for any clues to their identities.

The rats stayed in the corners away from the adventurers. The corpses were of all humanoids. There was humans, goblins, kobolds and orcs. All were fresh.

Ermengard checked the loose flagstone. She found that it was moveable if enough strength could be found.

Devin kept an eye on the rats.  He didn't trust them to remain neutral.

Always eager to contribute to a communal cause, Derry joins Ermangard in attempting to shift the flagstone.

The rats remained cowed as Devin watched them. Helped by Derry the loose flagstone was lifted and pushed aside. Beneath flagstone was a bloodstained sack.

Fiene takes the sack, and carefully opens it.  It wasn't what he was expecting, something overlooked, but something hidden on purpose.  "Perhaps this is something we can use."

The blood stained sack was very large and very heavy. Fiene found it difficult to drag out of the hole. When he opened the sack it was full of silver coins, probably thousands of them.

"Should we bury it again, and get it on our way out?" The mage asks.  "I don't know that we want to be too heavily laden and explore deeper.  Or we could just carry it all out now, and return to town, and come back in the morning." he offers.

"Is it really that heavy?" Devin asked, unable to see what the bloody sack held.  "What's in it?"

It couldn't be that valuable as they weren't that deep into the dungeon and anything worthwhile would have already been picked over this close to the entrance.

"Well over a hundred pounds of silver." Fiene replies.

"I don't think we should leave that here," Devin replied, eyeing the rats.  "Let's pack it out now."

OOC: I don't seem to be able to post in the ooc thread.

"I agree," adds Teodore. "Anything we leave will be gone by the time we come back for it in a place like this." The fighter starts digging into his pack for the large sack he had packed there for such an occasion.

</Captain Obvious>   :D

Devin pulled an empty small sack from his belt and tossed it in the wizard's direction.  The other was full of his own items.  Probably time to buy a backpack like some of the others had.

"Let's split it up for easier carrying," he prompted.  He was ready to carry whatever anyone handed to him.

OOC: 900 cn capacity remaining until 1600.

"Does that bag have no end?" marvels Derry as they distribute its load to all but him. Thus encumbered (or in his case unencumbered), he leads them right back out of Stonehell.

The large bloody sack was emptied. Burdened with much silver treasure all the adventurers and their hireling had full backpacks and carried full sacks in their hands.

The rats did not move from their corners and Derry was able to lead the party to the bottom of the stairs.

OOC Derry and Fiene will movement 20', everyone else has 10'.

What is in your hands:
Derry - sword and shield.
Devin - two sacks
Fiene - sack and lantern
Teodore - sack and sword
Holden - sack and torch
Ermangard - sack and sword

Day: 10. Time: 10:10am. Turn: 6, Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 10'

Lantern oil and torches
Fiene: 6 Turns - lit
Holden: 6 Turns - lit

ooc: can Fiene's 10 pole be used at carry a couple sacks across the shoulders to free up another fighter? (Teodore)

Fiene puts the gems in his pouch.  He will tie his bag to his pole so he can bring that along, even if it drags behind him.

OOC How long will Fiene need the lantern? If he puts it down after they get up the stairs he'll have a spare hand to carry Teodore's sack.

ooc: can the lantern hang from his belt.  it cost more to replace a lantern than a pole, if I have to leave something   I was just thinking the pole would make it easier to carry the load once we're out.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:01, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

OOC Yes, the lantern can be hung and the sacks and pole can be carried.

Fiene helps carry the bags to the top of the stairs.

From the top of the stairs, Derry leads the expedition back to Four Towers. He remembers the tomfoolery of the bear huntress and hugs the opposite side of the canyon on the way out.

The walk to Fourtower Bridge was slow and took much of rest of the day. On the journey the party met no danger.

At Fourtower Bridge a merchant with his caravan was delivering goods to Millie's store whilst his two caravan guards were gambling in the Inn with Thomas.

Late Afternoon of day 10

98 XP each, don't forget to add any +5/10% bonuses yourself.

Once back to safety, Fiene will help tablulate the coins recovered to divide amongst the group, and perhaps to return tomorrow to search for the key.

Valerian carries a dagger.

Their sacks and backpacks emptied the adventurers huddled around a pile of three thousand silver pieces and two gems.

OOC Divide the treasure however you choose then let me know what you are doing with it.

Devin has never seen so many coins in one place before!  They aren't gold, but there are so many that he'll be able to make another donation for another scroll if the old nun has one.

Derry prudently deposits his share of the silver in Athalgrim's vault.

At the Magpie, he enjoys another evening of hospitality, spending the customary 15 silver to do so. With another expedition to Stonehell looming, he retires to his room before the twelfth bell.

At some point in the evening, he had turned to question Fiene, "Where do you propose we look next for your keys, magic man?"

*How much was that share?

Fiene seeks out Thomas to value the gemstones.

Athalgrim the fighter was found at the northwest tower. Athalgrim was a large man with a black beard. Athalgrim invited Derry in, he was welcoming if a bit surly. Inside the tower the walls were decorated with the broken and splintered shields of his enemies.

"You've come to store your treasure?" he asked. When Derry confirmed this the fighter took the dwarf's sack of silver pieces and stored it in his vault. He explained to Derry that if the dwarf died or was missing for more than one year he would claim the silver for himself.

In the Moorland Magpie Inn the farmer's sausages had all been eaten last night so this evenings meal was cheese cake and a tankard of bitter for four silver pieces.

Thomas was found in the Moorland Magpie Inn. The one legged man was busy playing dice with a couple of overly confident caravan guards. Thomas was winning. The beautiful Thomas offered Fiene fifty gold pieces for both gems.

Fiene will keep the gemstones as a portion of his share, giving 763 SP to Derry, Devin & Teodore, and keeping 711 silver and the 2 Gems.

---

"The oracle said it was south.  I intend to continue south, beyond where we were attack, doing a systematic search." Fiene answers.  "I plan to set out again in the morning."

His room already being paid out in advance, Feine will pay for Holden and Ermangard for their upcoming second and fourth delve as well.  He also gets another offering for Coal and St Ras.

ooc: ready to go back to Stonehell.

Teodore would like to visit Mother Majken if the hour isn't too late when we return.

Some time ago...
Kara suspected the shattering the snake cultists had done to her core would not be returning naturally. Was it some poison they used or a more sinister influence from their foul god that had robbed her of her strength? There was no way to tell, and it seemed the clerics here could do naught for her either, at least in her current state of poverty. Save for her spellbook and the sacrificial robes they had adorned her with, everything else she had owned was likely split up among the cultists.

But there was nothing to be gained from cursing fate. She spent her time keeping a very low profile as her physical wounds healed, casting a spell here and there to earn the coin to pay for the bed, enough to buy a new outfit (burning those damnable robes), and to re-equip herself with the most essential of delving essentials.

Presently..
Kara finally felt recovered and healed enough from her last expedition to consider making it a return. But going it alone was folly- that was a good way to be sacrificed by cultists, or devoured by a dragon or even trampled to death by elk. So, she elected to find a group to accompany. Moreover, she wanted to find a brave warrior to serve as a personal bodyguard, since, if she could even find a group, they might be the sort to kill one on the stairs out, just to keep whatever treasure was found to themselves.

So, she began by asking Lorna if she had any leads, continued with various patrons at the Moorland Magpie Inn, and then asking around town in general, seeking a mercenary for hire.


(ooc)
As she rolled the barest minimum for gold (a 3!), Kara does not have 5 gold for buying drinks, etc. as listed in the 'How to recruit retainers' thread. I am hoping that her footwork can make up for some of that, or that Lorna might allow her to run a tab. If the vault loans money at interest, she would take out a loan if possible. Likewise, since she has little to offer up front, she is willing to pay more to a retainer willing to take the job on promises.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:23, Thu 26 Aug 2021.

At the southeast tower Devin and Teodore were greeted by a stern faced woman of middle years. The roof of the tower held a bronze bell. Mother Majken nodded her head "Acolyte Harper, do you come bearing some relic" she commanded an answer from the cleric, she acknowledged the presence of Teodore by her carefully scrutiny of the fighter as he stood on her porch.

---

The patrons of the Moorland Magpie Inn shook their heads and blank refusals to Kara. None were willing to risk their lives in the dungeons of Stonehell on the promise of some future reward. All the locals hereabouts knew that many that entered the dungeon did not return. They would not leave their families destitute.

She does learn that in the southwest tower lives the magic user Dagunn Rakel.

OOC I've assumed Devin was also visiting Mother Majken again from his reference to buying another scroll.

The response was disappointing, but certainly not unexpected. Given how she had arrived in town- broken in body and purse- it would not have exactly engendered confidence in anyone to put themselves at risk for a promise. So, she bore no ill will towards any of those who turned her down, and instead just looked at it with a positive- she had been able to gauge interest, so perhaps if she could go and return with something to show for it, she would better know who to re-approach. And if the delve proved unsuccessful, well, there was always that confused woman who offered her a job selling slimy tarts.

The lack of success did not give her hope her next destination would be any more fruitful at this time, but perhaps a silver lining could be found here as well. She approached the tower of Dagunn Rakel, querying the guard if he was available if one was posted, or knocking, if there was nobody present.

Kara found herself on the bridge. There was an open iron bound wooden gate at each end. A copper pot sat on the bridge for travellers to pay the toll for crossing. There was no visible guard.

She approached the southwest tower and knocked. The door was answered by a tall woman in her sixties, presumably the magic-user Dagunn Rakel. She asked politely "how can I help you?"

"I have not yet discovered any relic, but I have called upon the blessing of the scroll you gave me," Devin replied solemnly.

"I have another offering to make," he said as he began pouring silver from his new large sack into the offertory box.  He was going to add the contents of the small sack as well.

He wasn't really sure what the nun was actually looking for in exchange for another scroll as she'd only asked for an offering the first time and this one.  To him, at least, this seemed a lot more than the handfuls he'd passed over before.

OOC: A total of 776 silver. 

"Come" the matronly Mother Majken commanded the two men inside. The inside of the tower was spartan besides an altar draped in a black cloth upon which were lit candles and a silver basin.  She led the two to the altar and pointed for them to kneel. She gave a sermon that spoke of the fearlessness of the seekers of the lost relics in Stonehell and that even those that fell in their pursuit would be remembered and respected. At the end of the sermon Mother Majken sprinkled her congregation with water from the silver basin and offered Devin a scroll "be worthy" she warned the acolyte as handed it to him.

Teodore looked at Mother Majken and said, "My comrade-in-arms is too modest. It was my life he saved using the magic you gave him, and I am here to make a donation to the cause in gratitude." The fighting man gives his offering reverently, and pauses a moment.

"I have been wondering. Is there a potion, or a salve of some sort, that would allow someone like myself, unskilled in magic, to repay the favor should my comrade fall in the future? I would gladly double, nay, triple my offering for such an item. I owe it to him to find out if there is such a thing." Teodore waited hopefully for the Mother's answer.


OOC: Donated 750 silver, 25 gold for a total of 100 gp.

The donations from Teodore and Devin were substantial. Mother Majken listened intently to Teodore's words "Acolyte Harper's actions are commendable. Your donation and service is admirable. Perhaps your other companions could be reminded of their duty also" she criticised. However she generously reciprocated and handed Teodore a scroll and a vial of holy water "I would expect the solution to your problem is obvious" she patronised "you must be Acolyte Harper's shield and protect the virtuous from harm"

OOC Two scrolls of Cure Light Wounds and a vial of holy water received from Mother Majken.

Teodore bows to the Mother, thanking her for everything. When Devin is ready, he takes his leave of Mother Majken and returns to the inn.

Devin is both happy and disturbed that Theodore is looking forward to a time when he is struck down and in need of the fighter's aid.  he was thoughtful of this as they returned to the inn.

Face to face with her, or face to chest, as Dagunn Rakel was considerably taller than her own petite size, Kara felt a little intimidated. She had come up with a whole speech, but all those words escaped her, and she hemmed for a moment before responding off the top of her head. "With respect, Madam Rakel, I had hoped to help us both. My name is Kara, and I intend to go to Stonehell. As a knowledgeable mage, you seemed to be the one most studied of such a place, and its environs. And as you live close by you surely have concerns. Since I intend to go, I wondered if there was some necessity or task therein or about you would wish to see accomplished by one who might go? My own arcane skill is but small, but I hope to meet with others who might make such an accomplishment possible."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:28, Fri 27 Aug 2021.

Upon their departing Mother Majken reminded the pair to hold their faith and remain strong in the face of evil.

---

"You are welcome dearie" mistress Rakel invited Kara into her tower. On display in the tower was a taxidermy crocodile. Rakel served tea and entertained Kara, the magic-user was witty and intelligent. She talked of mystical items in Stonehell which she was collecting. Also of interest she spoke of Modnar's tower. Modnar Buun was a magus who built a tower in the forest to the west. The tower was destroyed in flames of a most unnatural hue a long time ago. The ruins have been shunned by the foresters and woodcolliers so there may be items of interest their too.

Kara relaxed quite a bit when Dagunn Rakel proved to be so personable, thanking hr for the ta, and the time. She listened to the stories attentively, making mental notes about specific things Mistress Rakel might have an interest in, and asked if there was a story behind the crocodile. "A trophy of an old foe, perhaps?"

She was also interested in the story of the tower. "Is there any indication of what might have caused the flames? A failed experiment of Modnar's, perhaps? Have they ever appeared since? Was he focused on a particular type of magic, perhaps?"

And she finished with, "Mistress Rakel, as we spoke, I am interested in increasing my knowledge of the arcane arts. If I am fortunate enough to recover items or wealth within Stonehell or Modnar's tower, would you consider taking them in trade for instruction?"

Once their business was concluded, she thanked he once again, promised to return again if she was amenable, and then departed. She went to the Moorland Magpie Inn, to see if there was a group already interested in going out, or if not, if she could form one herself.

"The fire was long ago, by my reckoning over one and fifty years ago" she explained to Kara "the fate of Modnar and his students is not known"

"Ah yes, although I am retired now" she replied to Kara's enquiry about the stuffed crocodile.

"Yes I willing to teach you in trade for mystical goods or gold" she agreed.

It had gone better than she had expected. She had one last question for now. "Were Modnar or any of his students elves?" If so, there was a chance that some might yet live, despite the passage of time.

And with that, as noted, she would be off to the Magpie Inn.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:17, Sun 29 Aug 2021.

The next morning, Devin wondered where the dwarf would lead them next.  He was still unsure of the trustworthiness of their remaining wizard, but he had led them to a substantial windfall.

Overall, his estimation of wizards had diminished.  One had been killed, the other departed, and the last questionable.  He had to admit that he was learning a lot about how things worked in the real world.

"Modnar and none of his students were ever sighted again. Perished in the fire no doubt" mistress Rakel.