Another night passes. Again, watches are posted, and again, the night is quiet.
In the morning you are ready for action again.
"Did you want to work together, or should we split up?" asks the mayor. "I think we should secure the jail, first, so we'll have somewhere to put the cult members."
"Let's go out as one group to secure the jail and work together to take care of the inn. If these people don't resist, perhaps we can break into two or three groups, but I'd like to make sure of that first."
Krrl considers. "I tain't got much experience bein' an officer of the law, and I don't think I want much neither. I'd rather go back ter the temple ter search fer hidden compartments and such we may have missed the first time. Mebbe find some healing stuff."
The dwarf continues, "and seein' how the mayor and his kin is fitted, I don't think they need all of us ter round up a few townsfolk. I think we could split up in ter two groups without much worry."
"I'm up for just about anything", says Bryana, looking much better.
One of the mayor's sons winks at her.
Tragon shakes his head vehemently. "First, we don't know what kind of resistance we will face from the cultists. We have no idea how many troglodytes are left. Let's not split up our forces until we have a better idea of the task at hand. At most, we waste a few hours on a simple task. We've already seen how well our splitting of your group works. Fianna is dead and we put Krista and Zendar through hell."
"I agree, it would be better to stay in one group. No more losing people then wasting time and health looking for them. I'd rather waste time killing the trogs. Also lets keep in mind that we are not invincable even as a single unit. There still could, and probably are, many more "things" out there or this would have been over with long before we ever got here." concurs Zendar.
"I agree with you Tragon. There is no way we should split up again. I don't want to be buring any more people. That includes you Krrrl. Let's get the jail then we can see what that brings about. We also need to go after the monks. They might not want to attack us but they sure can still recruit more cultists." says Thrwyn.
Bryana nods in agreement with Thrwyn.
"Listen up Mr. Imperfect, replies the dwarf, angrily, to Tragon. "I didn't tell Zendar ter go out exploring on his own. I didn't tell Kristan and Fianna ter go to the temple on their own. At that time, I thought it was stupid fer everyone ter go their own way.But ye'r the one that said 'some go this way and some go that', and everyone followed yer dumb idea. So just cause yer got a pretty face and a nice manner don't mean yer a good leader. So far, my ideas ain't gotten no one killed."
Tragon shakes his sadly. "You might want to check up on history before you go spouting anything, Krrl. And I don't claim to be the leader nevermind a good one. I just seem to be more outspoken than the rest. If you wish to go into the temple alone, that is your right. We'll make sure we bury you right next to Fianna."
"Sorry but that is too good for him. We can find where they bury the village idiots and bury him next to them." says Thrwyn with a growl "Krrl all you have done since we got here was spout off how you would do things or how your ways are better. But you always want to be the one doing something different. Well go get yourself killed and we will pick up your pieces when we get the chance."
"Give me my share of the spoils right now," Krrl demands. "Yer have made up my mind fer me. I will definitely NOT go with yers ter round up the local folk. When yer ready ter go ter the temple, yer kin find me where the beer is flowing."
"Ok when everybody is done arguing who better than who, come and get me I'll be at the jail, getting myself killed (again). But, anything is better than listening to a bunch of stressed out, muscle bound, children fight."
With that, Zendar starts for the door.
"Zendar, wait a moment," Lornard says. The older Ranger turns and looks at the dwarf. "Krrl, please. This party has had a rough time of it, there's no need to go over old mistakes and the price we've paid for them. Regardless of who was responsible, we should learn from them and proceed forward. An orderly approach is probably our safest bet. Thanks to Cirilli, we now have some small idea who we're up against. Let us try to take advantage of that by moving in a considered fasion, rather than getting angry at each other and each doing in the moment what our passions drive us to do."
He looks over at Tragon and the mayor. "Let us all go to the jail and secure that."
Tragon nods and looks at the others. "Thanks for the words of wisdom, Lornard."
"Hmmph," grumbles the dwarf.
In the end, you all head out together, along with Ormond and his two sons. Stoutheart remains behind to protect the womenfolk.
The constabulary building lies on the southeast corner of the first intersection you encountered when you arrived in Orlane just a few days ago. This nondescript wooden building has heavy shutters closed over the windows. The door looks stout, but stands open. No people are visible. Behind this building is another long, low structure. Diagonally across the road from it is the Golden Grain Inn. This morning, the area around the inn appears to be deserted. There is no one sitting outside. In fact, there does not appear to be anyone around at all.
You head to the constabulary and the mayor knocks at the door. Without waiting for an answer, he walks in.
Within, you see a single room. Two cells are along the back wall. Sitting around a wood stove are three men, just rising to their feet. They wear banded mail, fancy plate mail and banded mail, respectively.
"Hello, Zakarias," says the first one to the mayor. He glances at the rest of you. "Where did you find this crew? I've been looking for them. There's a warrant out for their arrest."
"A warrant, Grover?" repeats the mayor, looking surprised. He casts a sideways glance at you.
Bryana frowns and steps back towards the doorway a bit...
Tragon shrugs. "First we've heard about it."
Lornard looks at Tragon, and says in a considered voice, "It may come as no surprise."
"No, I guess not. I guess I didn't expect something that required thought, though. Not that the charge is believable..."
Looking back forward at Grover, and not taking his eyes off of the man, Lornard says, "Mr. Mayor, is this the constable?"
"Yes, he is. I don't know who these other men are."
Thrwyn steps forward, "OHHHHH let me guess. We attacked the local church and killed all within. Therefore we are bandits and need to be arrested."
"Sounds like a confession to me," says Grover, drawing his sword slowly from his sheath as he glances at his companions. "Did you know about this, mayor?"
"I did," says the mayor.
"Then you are an accessory."
Tragon draws his sword. "Thrwyn... Now might be a good time."
"Mayor, I presume we have your permission to defend ourselves?"
"Errr...yes," says the mayor, as all and sundry draw their weapons and move to attack!
"Mayor, I know you can fight, but we need you to stay alive to resolve this mess. Please stay behind us and let your sons guard you."
Tragon meets one of the attackers with his blade and shield.
Lornard draws his sword and moves to attack Grover. "Surrender, Mr. Constable! You are sorely outnumbered!"
"Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated," is his reply.
Well, Gilstrock would say "Assimilate this!" has he attacks... but Lornard just sets his mouth into a grim and somber line as he attacks with his longsword.
Bryana draws her sword and prepares to defend herself as needed.
Zendar draws his sword and prepares to defend/run for his life ----- as needed.
"If they're this confident, then either they're stupid or it's an ambush."
"Well I've got yer back if it is," answers the dwarf. Krrl will wait with hammer drawn and shield ready, in case additional forces arrive. If none appear after two rounds of melee, Krrl will enter the fray.
"Thank you. But, if you don't mind me saying so, I hope we don't need it."
"Good idea Krrl...I would agree with Tragon there are probably more coming." says Thrwyn.
The battle is joined with a clash and a clang.
Tragon draws forst blood on one of the constable's accomplices, followed immediately by Thrwyn on the other. Lornard misses.
Lornard takes a glancing blow for 2 hit points from Grover, while beside him, Tragon fails to dodge a thrust from his foe's fancy looking spear, and takes 7 hit points of damage. The man laughs as his pulls the spear out of the paladin's thigh. The smile is wiped off his face, though as Tragon chops deeply into him with his sword. With a grunt, he buries the spear into Tragon's shoulder for 4 more hit points.
The paladin spouts blood and drops.
Thrwyn and his foe trade misses, as Bryana jumps in to fill the gap left by Tragon.
A round passes, as the combatants circle each other, waiting for an opening. Thrwyn sees one, and draws more blood.
Next, Grover lashes out, and Lornard takes 5 hit points, leaving him badly hurt. Thrwyn glances over, and his opponent dings him for a hit point.
The mayor and his sons move in to help, as the beleagered Lornard is hit again for 5 hit points and drops.
Bryana drops next, a spear in her belly, for 11 hit points.
Number one son, meanwhile, nails Tragons' and Bryana's assailant and cuts him down.
The mayor, meanwhile, lands a glancing blow against Grover.
Zendar goes to help next, as Grover badly injures the mayor. Grover does not see Zendar's incoming backstab, and the elf kills him.
Number two son, at last, chops down the last man.
You hurry over to aid the fallen.
Bryana, Lornard and Tragon regain consciousness to find that their companions have been victorious. However, the three fallen members of your party are badly hurt, Tragon the most. He will be out of action for six days.
"Ugh," Lornard says. "That didn't go very well. I have never seen so much combat before in my life. It is starting to really take it's toll on this group. Is there any way we can proceed without taking so much damage?"
"Sorry bout that all. Everyone charged quicker than my tongue could get my spell out. Just curious and all but am I the only one that knows any spells in our group? It would come in handy if we had someone throwing magic missle spells. They don't hit anyone but who they are thrown at. I have been dealing with my sleep spell because we have been seeing so many at once. SO speak up if you have any mage like talents." says Thrwyn looking at his companions.
Tragon groans and tries to sit up. "Yes, Thrwyn, you're the only one who can cast magic spells. Fianna is dead. And I thought you were going to cast that sleep spell. What happened?"
He realised that he would catch everyone in his own party in it...with disasterous results...
Tragon sighs. "I guess you folks will have to go on without me."
Zendar looks around for any "unnoticed" guests, and says, "Quick, watch the exits, barracade them if needed I'm sure the whole town heard that and last thing we need is another battle like that one."
Outside, the streets are deserted.
Across the road at a farm house, a child has come out to play in the yard.
"I tain't no ghoul, but p'raps one of these dead men has something on tem that will give us a bit more information," suggest Krrl. "Or mebbe there's something in the room, so if'n yer honor don't mind, mebbe some of us should search the place."
"Yes, yes," says the mayor, "Please do."
The dwarf begins to search the room, looking through drawers, etc. Throughout the search, he keeps an eye out for hidden or secret compartments. Once the room has been gone over, he searches the bodies.
He finds no secrets. However, in a sack in the desk he finds 21gp and 88sp.
Searching the bodies, he finds a set of large, ornate keys on Grover. These the mayor takes, as they are the keys to the jail. Grover wore a suit of banded mail and carried a shield, longsword and light crossbow. While of good quality, none of the items are exceptional.
The first fighter wore plate mail which seems to be of exceptional quality. He also had a shield, a finely crafted spear and a longsword.
The second fighter wore banded mail and carried an ornate shield of outstanding workmanship. He also had a longsword and a light crossbow.
Tragon, still propped up on one elbow on the floor, looks over at the mayor. "Now what, sir? We expected that they'd have very little backbone and we were wrong. Most of us are wounded, some severely so. Do we lick our wounds for a while and come back again at full strength or shall those that are healthy try to whittle down the opposition a little at a time?"
Tragon tries to sit up and, with no little effort, manages to do so. "In either case, I'm out for a while. It will give me a chance to pray, at least."
"I think we need everyone healthy before we continue on, if this is the sort of resistance they're going to put up," says the mayor. "Let's go home."
Tragon looks at the others. "What say the rest of you?"
"Aye, rest it is," Lornard says. "Three of us can accomplish nothing in our current state."
"Yes rest would be the best. We can't expect this to get much easier for a while yet anyway." says Thrwyn.
Bryana nods in agreement.
Taking what you want from the bodies, you return to the mayor's house. There, Bryana, Lornard and Tragon are put to bed. The rest of you return to the constable's office to deal with the bodies.