The 25th day of the month of Sunsebb comes all to quickly for some of you. The day is overcast with a blustery wind.
You all meet in the common room for breakfast, which Krista is serving. A plain breakast (porridge and toast, plus tea) is 15cp. A full breakfast (eggs, gammon or bacon, blood pudding, kidneys and fried mushrooms, plus tea) is 2sp.
There is still no sign of Zendar.
Tragon looks around the room for Zendar and shrugs. "Well, maybe he'll join us along the way."
Tragon orders a full breakfast.
Bryana, looking a bit sleepy still, sits next to Tragon and orders porridge and tea.
Tragon smiles at Bryana, "Did you sleep well?"
Bryana looks over to Targon with a quick smile. "I slept okay. Just a slow riser I guess." Bryana warms her hands on the cup of tea in front of her and takes a sip.
"Well I will take the full meal. Got to keep my strength up." says Thrwyn with a smile to Krista.
Krista returns his smile. Then, with a deft finger slides slides a few wayward locks of hair behind her ear, and turns toward the kitchen to fetch meals for all. When she returns, she serves Thrwyn last, and says, "You'd better eat up then..." and her smile bursts into a short fit of very happy laughter.
"Well last night was kind of pointful. I think that we should head over to that burnt inn. That is where the lizard guys are coming from. Krrl saw how they come and go so I will let him explain that aspect. As far as the temple goes it has just the one obvious entrance into it. It seems to guarded by some kind of dogs at night." states Thrwyn.
Bryana nods in confirmation.
"Did you encounter any of the lizards? And how many did you see?"
"You will have to ask Krrl. Brianna and myself didn't see any. He said he saw them and how that got into the burnt inn. Didn't want to tell us how being we didn't know who was around" says Thrwyn.
Fianna says, "Well do we need to send out a search and resuce party for Zendar? I'm supposed to go back up to the temple and meet with the priestess. If no one's opposed I plan to do that - does anyone want to join me? Safety in numbers and all that."
Bryana looks to Fianna and asks, "Do we have any idea where he's gone off too or why?"
Tragon shakes his head. "He was drinking with us and then he just took off. Didn't even realize he had left until I looked over at his empty chair."
Krrl joins the conversation at the table after wolfing down a full breakfast. "I gots a feelin' this is gonna be a long day," he says with a satisfied belch.
"Tis my opinion that a few of the group ought ter join Fianna, while the rest of us kin look fer some sign of Zendar. Then we kin meet back here fer lunch and go troglodyte huntin'."
Tragon shakes his head. "I'd like to go, but I'd be more of a danger. I stick out like a sore thumb, especially in there. You've got to take people who can play a role other than their natural one. People who know how to blend in. Bryana, Lombard and Krista come to mind.
"Thrwyn, you scream warrior, so I'd suggest you avoid going as well. You don't stand out as badly as I do, but you do stand out."
Tragon grins. "Besides, I think we should go talk to the mayor and I need someone at my back, just in case."
"Hey I have a few other skills but that sounds good to me" states Thrwyn.
Bryana nods. "Sounds good to me. I'll help find Zendar, though if we find him just off enjoying himself somewhere I might just smack him."
After the breakfast is over, then, the group splits again. Tragon and Thrwyn leave to seek the mayor. Lornard, Bryana and Krrl set out in search of the missing Zendar. Fianna leaves alone to go to the temple. Krista remains, and washes dishes.
"Why don't we look in the woods?" suggests Krrl.
Bryana shrugs.
"He shouldn't have gone off alone in the first place." she comments.
"I did," mumbles Krrl. "And if'n I were lost, I'd hope yer all would come lookin' fer me." After a moments pause, he continues "of course, I wouldn't be fool enough ter git lost."
Bryana laughs.
"Quite right Krrl, quite right", she replies.
With that Krrl, Brianna,and Lornard set out to search the woods.
Assuming no objections, we will start east of town. Krrl suggests that you keep within view of one another. You are looking for footprints, bits of torn cloth, weapons, packs, blood, etc on the ground or caught in the flora. I assume those with tracking ability will also be looking for additional signals of human or humanoid passage.
Bryana nods and walks a little away from Krrl, keeping just in the range of sight. She keeps a eye out for the signs Krll said to look for and tries to move as silently as possible.
You do a perimeter search of the entire village, and turn up nothing until at last you go under the little bridge which crosses the millstream just south of the Slumbering Serpent. There, you find three sets of footprints in the soft, muddy earth next to the stream: a set of elf-sized footprints, as well as two much larger sets, made by heavy, clawed feet.
Going by the way that they are scuffed about, it is apparent that there was a struggle here. This is confirmed by the presence of blood in the mud.
"Not good", comments Bryana crouching down to examine the footprints more closely.
Krrl eyes the evidence of the abduction with a stony, cold stare. Then turning to his companions, he suggests "Let's gather the others. We gots no more time ter waste."
Bryana nods.
Lornard, however, attempts to track them. "Some of you go get the others, and I will attempt to identify these prints so that we may follow them when we are all gathered here."
After Lornard speaks up, Bryana changes her mind, "If you can track them, I will go with you.", she says in an unusually serious tone.
You see signs that the claw-footed creatures dragged something into the stream...
After that, you cannot tell where they went.
"Damn," Pointing to the claw-footed prints, Bryana looks to the tracker and asks, "Any idea what kind of creature this is?"
Lornard says, "Give me a few moments."
He will go up and down the stream looking on both sides for signs of claw footed creatures leaving the stream.
Bryana waits.
Before Lornard leaves, Krrl reminds him that the group is reassembling at noon at the Slumbering Serpent.
As Lornard moves off, Krrl grumbles, "Too many folks going off on their own is gonna whittle us down to nothing."
The dwarf turns to Bryana. "C'mon. Let's return to the Serpent and see if any others are returning from their errands. Or perhaps yer think he needs to be looked after," snorts Krrl, looking towards Lornards retreating form.
Bryana looks unsure. After a pause she says, "I'll wait here for Lornard to finish up and meet you back at the inn. We won't be long I think."
Krrl leaves.
Some two hours after you all parted ways, Tragon, Thrwyn, Bryana, Krrl and Lornard reassemble in the common room of the Slumbering serpent. The paladin and the warrior elf were waiting when Krrl entered alone, and a short time later the lady elf and the ranger also join you.
You note that Fianna and Krista are still absent.
"So? What did you find? And where are Fianna and Krista?"
Bryana enters the room looking upset. She looks at Tragon and quietly says, "Nothing..but some tracks of a claw footed creature. It looks like a brief struggle occured between the creature and someone else...with the claw footed creature dragging a body into a nearby stream afterwards. Lornard tried his best to follow them...but it proved impossible. It doesn't look good."
Lornard nods agreement. "Lost them in a creek," he says.
Tragon shakes his head. "Well, we'll put a stop to this. We talked to the mayor. We have his permission to root out the evil. And he has promised to get the constable to step up his patrols. I still worry about the innocents being hurt in this war, but the mayor doesn't worry, so we'll do our best to prevent that from occurring."
"Fianna and Krista is probably still at that Temple," states Krrl. "And if'n yer asks me, that's the source o' the troubles. Now I thinks I knows how them claw-foots is gettin' in and out of the temple. I suspects they moves around mostly at night. That's why I thinks we kin catch 'em napping' if we go in at noon. But with everyone goin' off on their own, we're fallin' behind," he complains. "So should we waits another half-hour fer them two, or should we try the back door now," he asks of the others.
"So, what did you find at the temple? And I do think we should wait. As far as I know, Fianna's the only mage we have. And we seem to have lost our cleric on the way here, so if anyone runs across one, please invite them to join us."
"If they don't show in an hour, we'll leave a note and head off on our own with the magic support."
An hour passes instantly, it seems. Fianna and Krista have still not returned.
Tragon sighs. "Well, I hope they're okay. So, Krrl, where are we going?"
He quickly pens a note for Krista and Fianna, telling them that the rest of the party has rejoined and gone off exploring. He writes that the party will meet them back here.
He hands the note to the innkeeper. "Should Krista or Fianna return, please give them this." He also leaves a silver tip with the payment of his bill.
Krrl stands, "it's about time. I'll shows yer what's I know." With that he departs the inn and heads towards the Foaming Mug.
"Bryana, Lornard, please trail the party to see if anyone follows."
Lornard says, "Allright," and nods to Bryana to join him.
Bryana nods..and trails the party as they make there way.
Just past the Slumbering Serpent to the north is another intersection, as a road runs east here. This road continues north. Some distance up that way you see another farm, obviously abandoned.
Having been this way before, you know to head east. To your right is the inn, and to your left is a prosperous looking farm. The farmhouse looks to be solidly constructed and has been recently whitewashed.
Continuing on, a short distance beyond is a lane on your right, leading down to the mill.
You continue walking east, and soon the road is running along the north shore of the millpond. After a bit the road angles southeast, still paralleling the edge of the pond. At this point, on the left side of the road is another farm. This residence gives the impression that it has seen much use and that its owners have had little time for improving its appearance. A small infant is playing next to the house, and several chickens and a huge rooster poke about in the yard.
You continue on, and the shore of the pond edges away from the road. Trees block your view of the water. Then, set back in these trees, you see a small, neatly kept cottage. Clean shutters flank several large windows, and fancy curtains are visible inside. This is Vilma's house.
To the left, up on a low hill, you see the temple. Following the road, though, you come to an intersection and several more buildings: obviously a hog farm, going by the smell. A road runs north and up to the temple, while the road that you have followed turns south. You see more buildings down in that direction.
You head that way.
After walking another 140' or so, you come to a four-way intersection. Roads run north (the way you came), south, east-northeast, and west. At each of the corners are buildings.
On the northeast corner is a farmhouse and barn. It is in darkness, but looks to be relatively prosperous, though you note that several flower gardens are choked with weeds.
On the southeast corner is another farmhouse. However, the barn has collapsed. Doors and shutters swing freely here. The whole appearance of the place is one of abandoned desolation. Weeds choke the yard before the house. It is in darkness, as well.
On the southwest corner is a large shop. A wooden board in the shape of a saw hangs before this well constructed building. Like all of the buildings around here, it is in darkness.
On the northwest corner is the inn. The doors and windows of this large building are boarded up. A sign lies face down in the weeds before the porch, which may be reached by climbing three broken steps. The roof has several gaping holes, and the general appearance of the place suggests that it has been long abandoned.
Upon reaching the Foaming Mug, Krrl looks around for prying eyes. Seeing none, he walks around to the back of the inn. He points out the secret door to the others, whispering, "Weapons ready. I will open the door (I hope) on the count of three."
Tragon draws his sword. "Hold on, for a moment, Krrl. Let me see if I can detect any evil on the other side of the door."
Tragon closes his eyes and scans the area.
Satisfied, the paladin motions for Krrl to open the door. This the dwarf does, with a splintering crash.
Inside, the inn is in total disarray...left as it was the night of the fight. You see several mice scurrying away as light from outside enters the larder, that the door opens into.
You search the ground floor, but find nothing but a door to the cellar, hanging on one hinge. Beyond it, a staircase leads down into darkness.
You head down there.
The cellar is a gloomy place that smells musty and rotten. Bryana notices a faint, swampy odour down here. Most of the cellar is one large room containing several crates and three kegs. Two door lead off of this room, however. Opening the first door reveals a fruit cellar, empty. Opening the second door reveals a toolroom.
As soon as you open the toolroom door, three large reptillian creatures leap out and attack you! Each carries a stone axe.
With her short sword drawn, Bryana charges into the room to attack the vile beasts.
Smiling grimly, Krrl attacks one of the reptiles with his war hammer, but also with shield engaged to parry axe blows.
Lornard draws his longsword and moves forward to attack.
Tragon meets the third creature with a sword thrust.
Thrwyn guards the rear.
A good old slugfest erupts.
Bryana's first swing with her sword is wild, and she misses. The troglodyte, though, chops at her for 3 hit points, opening a gash in her arm.
Krrl also misses badly. The second trog's axe clangs off of his shield.
Lornard misses as well. He is struck for 3 hit points, opening a nasty scalp wound.
Tragon finishes off matters by fanning as well.
Bryana dodges the next swing of the now bloody axe, and just barely misses the troglodyte.
Krrl swings wild again. The troglodyte misses as well.
Lornard is whacked again for 3 more hit points, as the blood pours into his eyes. He misses badly with his sword.
Tragon misses badly with both of his attacks.
Thrwyn releases a magic missile spell into the trog on Lornard and Tragon. At last, some damage is done.
The monsters begin to emit a terrible stench.
Bryana plunges her sword into the thigh of trog number one. It in turn misses her.
Krrl feels weakened by the repulsive stink. He misses with his axe. The trog does too.
Lornard and the last trog trade misses, and Tragon, also affected by the smell, also misses.
Thrwyn moves up to help Bryana, as she misses yet again, then takes another hit for 3 hit points. The half-elf with all the weapons selects a har hammer and chops away at the troglodyte, killing it.
Krrl and his trog again trade misses, as Bryana and Thrwyn move over to lend a hand.
Lornard is chopped again for 4 hit points, and drops.
Tragon faces troglodyte number three alone, and fans both times. He is feeling weaker still, thanks to the odour.
Lornard lies on the floor, bleeding away. Thrwyn and Bryana are free at the moment. Tragon and Krrl are still battling troglodytes.
Krrl continues to battle, determined to smash his foe into oblivion.
"One of you see to Lornard and the other help us here."
Tragon continues to swing at the troglodyte.
Bryana continues to attack...
"Thrwyn, see to Lornard and stabalize him, please. Then, join us."
The dwarf is conked for 2 hit points but then lands a solid hit with his hammer. You hear the sound of breaking bones, and the troglodyte lets out a yelp.
Tragon and his trog again trade misses.
Bryana rushes over to help him, and stabs the creature in the back with a glancing blow with her shortsword.
Thrwyn staunches Lornard's wounds, then moves to help out Krrl.
The battle continues for another minute before Bryana cuts down one trog and Thrwyn takes down the other.
After a few more minutes, Lornard regains consciousness.
You search about. The room that the monsters were hiding in was a toolroom. Besides an assortment of hammers, nails, lumber and a saw, you find in an empty wooden tool box 7pp, 80gp, 120ep, 130sp, and five gems.
A further search of the Foaming Mug Inn reveals nothing of interest or value.
"Well," mutters Krrl, "I coulda sworn this were the backdoor ter the temple. Guess I were wrong."
"It still might be," mutters Thrwyn "We should come back again and check out the upstairs or what is left of them and any cellars there might be. If nothing else we might find some good wine left down there" Thrwyn says smiling.
"I suppose we're gonna have ter get back to the Serpent ter let Lornard git better," adds the dwarf. "While we're all mendin', we kin figger our next move. But considerin' how tough these critter were, I don't think we should venture out in onesies and twosies, especially at night."
"I agree. I think the next time we go out, we'd better go out with everyone."
With that, the dwarf picks up the tool box.
"We kin divide this up back at the Serpent, too."
Tragon sighs, nods and replaces his well-aired sword.
You return to the Slumbering Serpent without incident.
Once there, you tuck Lornard in for the night.
A good night's sleep is all the ranger needs to put him back on his feet. By the next morning, he is ready to roll again.