"Burning the webs may attract the attention of other creatures from the forest" Gyp warned morosely, the fool's sad and cowardly demeanour made many of his comments negative.

"If the spiders laid eggs, burning the webs will kill them.  This will prevent others from having to face more of them."  She glanced at the remains of the prior victim and shuddered.  It must have been a horrible way to leave this life.

One voice spoke up for the new shield, that of Reea.

"Then it is yours, Reea! No point in being backward about it, take every advantage you can."

There were some conflicting views on the webs, but Leozaren could stand only so much debate. He nodded a few times then got out his tinderbox, lit one of his torches and then set it to the webs.

"We can move out while these burn, rather than standing around watching them. Question is: what now? Scout, or return to the keep?"

The webs alight Gyp moved away from the trees and back to the road. The fool nodded to Leozaren "aye tis done. Let us explore the caves or at least see them" the fool moaned. Gyp had not a copper piece to his name and without treasure he would find no lodgings at the keep.

"Seems nothing else of import here," Falco says after prodding around the body with his spear, "If you want the shield, then you are welcome to it, Young Warrior Reea. Hopefully, it will serve you better than its previous master."

Falco answers, "We should return the boy's body to the keep. We are yet to even know where these Caves of Chaos lie. We could be searching for days before we come across this foul lair."

Grateful for the shield, Reea carefully moved through the trees after the webs were destroyed. She stared at the remains lying there, but quickly looked away. Focusing on the shield, she picked it up and brushed off as much of the dirt and debris as she could.

Though someone died for her to have the shield, she smiled, proud of herself. It was her first reward, fighting her first battle. Though afraid, she overcame it and stood with her friends. For the first time, she truly, deeply believed she could do this. She moved back onto the road, rejoining the others.

Holding the shield at the ready, Reea looked at Falco, a twinkle in her eyes.

"Thank you."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:46, Sat 21 Aug 2021.

Feeling the young lad Dynlor took a life-defeating blow that could just as easily have targeted him, Falco feels the need to at least get the brave boy's body back to the keep for his rites so that his spirit can rest in peace.

He silently takes it upon himself to pick up the boy's body over his back after slinging his shield over his shoulder. Of course, he still has his spear to carry but he bears the burden.

After picking up Dynlor and balancing his weight, Falco starts his solemn journey back to the keep.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Tue 24 Aug 2021.

Without hesitating, Reea followed Falco.

"I'm sorry this happened to you, Dynlor," said Reea in a soft and solemn whisper.

Jori looked at Gyp and Leozaren, a look of bewilderment on her face.

"Should we go with them? I don't think just the three of us can handle what we might find in the caves."

Why there was confusion Leozaren had no idea. Humans were a strange bunch indeed.

"Of course we are going with them," he replied to Jori, as calmly as he could. "There is greater strength in numbers, at all times. We have nothing to gain from searching for the Caves, other than a bitter end. Let us all head back to the Keep and see that Dynlor receives the proper funeral rites, it is the least he deserves.

Falco, if you wish to take turns carrying Dynlor, I am happy to take a share."

Eager to not be left behind Gyp followed the others closely. With them he was sure to be able to pass through the gates of the Keep. Then he'd find some hole to sleep in.

The companions return to the Keep, plodding along in sorrow.  The guards at the gate open without a word; though many adventurers depart the Keep never to return, few are brought back dead by their companions and Dynlor's lifeless form is a somber symbol of reality for them.  It is late afternoon when you arrive, and the guards direct you to take him to the Chapel.  Thorona and Abercrombie receive him along with the other acolytes, taking his body to prepare for the rites.

"What happened?" Abercrombie asks.  He will let the companions sleep in the chapel for free in gratitude for returning Dynlor, if they so wish.

Falco had been agreeable to sharing the burden of carrying Dynlor's body back to the Keep and traded off with Leozaren along the way.

Once back, after handing off Dynlor's remains to the acolytes, Falco answers the religious leader. He says, "The lad bravely stood with us against two foul, eight-legged spider-abominations the size of horses, but he fell in battle. We put the beasts down...but at a grave cost." He looks sadly towards Dynlor's body as the acolytes take him away.

Simon, the wizard's apprentice, has quietly followed along while reflecting on how short life can be. He hopes to live a long time and read many books, but the world can be cruel...it seems.

It was nice to be treated like a hero. Gratefully Gyp gave his praises at the chapel before finding a pew to sleep upon.

He called out to his companions "I'll be on the road in the morning to explore the caves if any wish to join me" before he curled up to sleep as his belly grumbled loudly at not being fed for more than a day.

Falco and Simon are greeted warmly in the Inn, the others (presumably) rest in the chapel for the evening.

In the morning the sun rises as always, promising a bright day ahead for the expedition.  Falco and Simon meet another recent arrival to the Keep, Faldal the acolyte, who arrived in the evening and also spent the night in the Inn...

---

Welcome back to Faldal, Dynlor's replacement.

Sleep under a roof and on a pew was a luxury for Gyp. The fool gave his praise to the gods in the chapel before he went around the back for his ablutions. Then readied but still hungry he left the keep and awaited beside the road for his companions of yesterday. In his waiting Gyp exercised his art of entertainment and foolery for any passersby, doffing his cap in hope of a share of bread or a coin whenever someone came near.

Reea was grateful to be allowed to sleep in the temple, though a wood pew wasn't the most comfortable place.

In the morning, she joined Falco for a simple breakfast of bread, cheese, and water. She also purchased some extra bread, which she stored in her backpack.

Though it once belonged to someone else, Reea was proud of her new shield. Before turning in for the night, she took great care to clean and polish it. She hoped she could pay tribute to its previous master by fighting with honor and courage.

On the road again, the sun warming her face, Reea nibbled on a slice of bread.

After finishing up his breakfast, Falco gathers his gear and heads out to meet up with the others. He gives a nod in passing to the recent arrival. Although not a learned man, he can't help but notice the surprising number of acolytes the Keep seems to attract. He reasons there must be plenty of poor souls in need of saving out in these untamed frontier lands.

He speaks up and says, "Young Reea, it seems you have done a good job of cleaning your shield. More important though is learning how to use it well. Even a battered shield can save your life...if used well."

The bright day ahead was made brighter by the appearance of bread alongside the appearance of Reea and Falco. The court fool danced a jig and landed a cartwheel at the feet of fighters, his eyes pleaded with Reea whilst his belly grumbled "won't you share a piece of bread with a fellow adventurer?" he begged hungrily.

Reea waved at Falco when he joined her outside on the road.

"Young Reea, it seems you have done a good job of cleaning your shield. More important though, is learning how to use it well. Even a battered shield can save your life... if used well."

Reea was glad Falco was proud of her. She beamed a bright smile that rivaled the morning sun.

"In my village, my master taught me the basic way to use a shield. I just need to practice."

As Gyp approached, Reea watched him, taking another bite of the delicious bread, her mouth savoring every bit of its wonderful taste. The fellow was odd and she didn't know what to make of him. She was simple in her thinking, so she shrugged it off, figuring she would probably be wrong anyway.

When Gyp arrived, he seemed to be staring at the remnants of the bread. He danced a short jig, flipped a cartwheel, and looked at Reea as if he were expecting something in return.

"Won't you share a piece of bread with a fellow adventurer?" said Gyp.

Reea stopped chewing and looked at Gyp. They had spent the night in the keep, which had an inn. Why didn't he order breakfast? Unsure, she unslung her backpack. Reaching inside, she broke off a chunk from one of the loaves she brought.

"Here you go," said Reea, offering the food. If he truly needed help, it made Reea feel good inside to give it.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Fri 27 Aug 2021.

The fool beamed a smile from ear you ear. The smile soon vanished as Gyp began to cram the bread into his hungry mouth. Between chews he thanked Reea profusely "thank... you... a... perfect... lady... you... are" he swallowed hard to clear his mouth and smacked his lips "don't suppose you have any wine to wash it down with? he weaseled and rubbed his hands together.

"Thank... you... a... perfect... lady... you... are."

Reea smiled again.

"Don't suppose you have any wine to wash it down with?" Gyp rubbed his hands together.

Reea wrinkled her nose. She would always do her best to help a person in need, but she hoped that person would at least be sincerely grateful and not expect more than was offered.

"No, I don't have wine." Even if Reea did have some, drinking it before exploring, wouldn't be smart. She had seen what wine could do. Everyone needed to be alert and ready.

"Well, let us be off then," says Falco.

With his spear resting over his right shoulder and his shield on his left, the middle-aged spearman starts to head back down the road towards adventure. Along the way, he yawns and scratches his head once. He perhaps drunk a bit too much beer the night before as his nose is a bit rather red-ish in tone.

"Tis a shame, mayhaps we will be more successful in finding treasure today and I can repay your kindness" the fool replied to Reea disappointing news that they hadn't brought wine.

When their leader ordered them onto the road Gyp followed. He was slightly better prepared this time than yesterday. Today he had eaten and Dynlor's mace swung at his hip. Rather than the frown of yesterday Gyp smiled.