Farad says, "We'd best see what the dwarf wants to heal him first. If its not possible, I'd rather bury the elf now than tote him around for however long it takes to get the money."
Illyana disagrees.
"I don't believe we can just carry his body around. Perhaps we can leave it somewhere? People will look at us strangely if we are carrying around what could be a dead body. It is several days there and back.. assuming we all have horses that is. On foot, it takes longer. The corpse will smell quite bad by then. If we go to the dungeon first, then the corpse definitely stays behind.. I don't want to lug it around only to worry about losing it or having some necromancer raise it on us."
After a short time you notice a high elf, standing in the doorway, regarding you. He wears chain mail and carries a longsword.
The recovering elf ignores the new arrival for now.
The newcomer swaggers over to the table and flashes his friendliest smile, "Is this seat taken?" he sits and wave over the waitress, ordering a light breakfast of preferrably bread, cheese, fruit and some water. "I've been travelling lately and its seems my pouch has become somewhat light. Do you have any idea where I might find some adventure?"..
"I guess you've come to the right place. We were just discussing starting over at a new locale. Farad Golamarth is the name."
"Excellent." "The name is Aldarin, and I see that you all seem capable of taking care of yourselves. My particular profession tends towards the, as some people refer to it, combatative nature".
Raz, dressed in his usual magic users robe, notices the elf and says,"What are you looking at?"
Frowning and then shaking his head slightly, Raz continues, "Oh..I'm sorry...bad hangover...let me rephrase that...ah...Are you looking for someone? Can I help you?"
Sasha smiles at Raz's mood. "Poor dear, you did overdo it a bit last night." Looking up to the stranger she says, "Let me guess, the Sandas Town Council sent you to find us? Right?"
Sasha laughs, "I'm sorry. I"m just as bad as my friend here. But we seem to attract lots of folk, so you are welcome to join us for breakfast - though we do have business to work out. You will be treated to lots of discussion on totally boring subjects."
Sasha again asks the innkeeper for a private dining room and asks everyone to follow her.
"We can leave it at the Temple of Tyr. I think they would care for it while we went about our business. Also ... " Sasha hesitates briefly.
Farad smiles. "Well, as my first example of leadership, I will say this is a bad idea. One thing I have noticed is that you folks do not think that far ahead. I will try and remedy this for this case: Are we to travel to the borderlands to find that Hlarn can raise him, and then have to travel all the way back to fetch the body? No. The best thing is to take it there. If the dwarf can't or won't raise Farad, or perhaps wants payment first, then we can bury or intern the elf up there, where it will stay temporarily or permanently until we find a solution. A wish doesn't need the body present, and only Hlarn is known to have a rod. Thus its best if the body stays near to the dwarf. When things are ready, it is too."
"Assuming we go directly to the keep. I'm unsure as to the location of the keep compared to the dungeon, but they can't be too far apart. Someone in town will know exactly how far it is though."
Sasha shakes her head. "I have no wish to be encumbered with a dead body while we work the dungeons or even travel." Sasha gives a little shudder. "Just remember what happened to Jarimar! We could very well lose him as we are running for our lives. Adventuring is for the living."
Farad shrugs. "I had hoped that we could have him raised sooner rather than later. If he is left here we have to wait until the dwarf again visits the city. They may do business here, but that does not mean they come here often. Travelling two days with the body is not too much to ask. Then, as I said, we can bury or intern it at the Borderland Keep where it is much more likely to be seen to quickly rather than late. I believe there is a road between here and the borderlands. Civilized travel at least. We are not likely to lose a body on the way."
Sasha looks thoughtful for a moment. "You mean we will be able to leave his body there? I did not think that would be likely. If that is indeed possible, then that would make sense. Wonder if we can pay for a message to be sent to Hlarn instead. A magical message ... even a normal one. That would settle the matter nicely. Perhaps even Ming could do it. Would it cost more than several hundred gold?" Sasha asks.
"We would get there before a normal message. A magical one could work, if we have the money for it. Since everyone has been bothering Ming lately, I should be the one to do it. I haven't been there in a while - but we need to gather some money first."
Sasha smiles. "Give Ming my regards, and enjoy yourself. He seems to have his own agenda with women ... though one day I might take him up on it just to see what all the fuss is about."
"A message would be excellent. But make sure you are able to get an answer or it will do us no good. As for leaving J'Harast there, why not? Surely there is a place he can be buried, even if it is outside in some empty field. Better the ground keep him than he be left out for the flies and scavengers. Sasha, you are a cleric, can you not bless his grave if we are forced to dig one? This is all assuming we have to bury him though. Your clerical friend may just raise him then and there."
"Besides, I first met Hlarn here in this very city, I think leaving J'Harast here is fine. It seems they do their business here, so we can them here if indeed Hlarn will use that rod of his. We have no way of knowing they will be at the keep when we arrive -- I understand they are fighting evil somewhere nearby and are likely to be there."
"I believe that they are under Yuri's personal direction. He was the one who directed us to the orc hold so if we don't find them at the keep he would know. We can bring the body to the keep and leave it there. If anyone asked us we could say that we were bringing him back to his home so his family could bury him. Its not uncommon with an elf."
"Exactly, they are likely to be nearby. But they are nearby the Borderland Keep, not Sandas. We will have to wait for them. Best to wait with J'Harast in hand than to have to go back and fetch him and wait again, or wait even longer for the cleric to have a spare week to go to Sandas and do the deed. It may cost more in any case if he is forced to travel."
"Also, perhaps we should check his possessions. It is possible he has funds or items that can help us."
"If I remember right, both of the weapons he fought with were magical. Not powerful, but at least magical. Those are all I can recall being magical. Any thing else I doubt would be of much use unless we needed spare clothing." says Illyana.
"Well, we should check his pockets and clothing too. Bel? Would you mind doing that? Thank you." Sasha says.
"Has anyone asked about the local moneylenders to see if J'Harast or Rane left any unclaimed funds? If they were stealing from the till, they had to stash the money somewhere unless they spent it quickly. Also - "
Sasha nods. "Good idea. Raz, would you be willing to check that angle for us please."
Raz nods, "Yes, I can do that."
Turning towards Raz and with an inquisitive look on his face, Aldarin asks, "And who is this Rane fellow, I hope he is no worse off than old J'Harast?"
"Well Hawk...Rane was a scout/ranger of some sort who turned out to be plotting against our group. I don't know if we was evil at first, but did turn evil later on.... he died a sort while ago after murdering one of our party members." Raising his voice a little Raz continues, "No one wants to try to resurrect Rane."
" - one of you take his weapons and the other magics we are willing to trade and see what Ray Jay is willing to trade for them. That way we can tell Hlarn what their value is if he has no use for such items. If no one else will, I can do this myself, but I won't be getting out of this inn for at least a week."
"I have a magical sword from a battle while I was training. The other sword we should keep considering we have nothing else. I could have sold mine but it is the only magic I own and thus it is worth more than it normally would be."
"So, shall we begin our meeting and decide how to conduct ourselves in the future? Leadership has been mentioned. The first question would be if we want just one leader for all, or a 'general' leader and a battle leader."
"I would say one leader. If you have two then they are bound to conflict at some point. Anything non urgent will be discussed by us all in any case."
"There is merit in that."
"The general leader has a simple job.. to prevent the really long arguments we get into from occuring by settling it. Of course, if someone's views are very different from someone else's then that kind of disqualifies both due to the bickering possible. The battle leader will make sure we survive in combat by preventing us from doing sucidial things like charging at undead which kill with a touch. I should also suggest that when people have the chance to train they learn a missile weapon of some sort. There are times when you simply _don't_ want something to get close to you."
"Good idea!" Sasha replies.
"So far, Farad has offered to lead us, and Illyana has offered to be battle leader. I have offered to lead also -- though I have no real wish to do so. As you can tell, I get rather single-minded about things - to the detriment of the party. Now that I have discovered this, I know I can avoid a similar mistake in the future. However, if one of you wishes to lead, please speak now."
"Since none of you will accept me, I say Illyana as our leader. She has been with you from the beginning, and as she says, has been in large scale battles, and seems to know and get along with influential people. Since I'm willing to lead also, perhaps I can be her second until you feel I have gotten to know you better." "I do know a few people around.. and Yuri will be glad we took him up on his offer. He knows quite a bit provided you know how to ask politely for it."
"I like the idea of a leader and a second. And I like the idea of Illyana taking the role, if she will have it."
Illyana looks around. "I agree to this. We need the direction."
"And since I am trying to think of all the loose ends, I think we should try and contact the thieves guild. With J'Harast dead, perhaps they will drop their attempts at killing him. If not, perhaps they can tell us what would satisfy them. Their mark was against J'Harast, not us. They may be willing to talk. I despise the notion of dealing with their kind, but it is better to know what your enemy plans than to walk in fear at night. "
"That could be tricky, but it can be done. They would want proof of his death though. Like his head or some such. You know, if we let them see the body on the condition that it not be damaged in any way, we might even be able to collect the 'reward' on his head. A bit sneaky and underhanded considering we will most likely bring him back later, but even the guild has to deal with the fact of ressurection in this world."
Farad smiles. "Thieving from the thieves. I like the idea, but I fear they would not give us the gold without J'Harast's body in exchange, not that that is such a bad thing."
"We wouldn't be able to get it back later, you know."
Farad nods, "As I said, not such a bad thing. You know my feelings for that elf."
"I had thought of that also as we left Ming's last night, carrying the body. I guess it would be too much to hope they noticed. Perhaps we should hire the services of a crier to announce the fact. I for one do not know where the guild is -- I'm sure they do not advertise the fact. Anyone know how to contact them?" Sasha asks.
"A crier is a bit extreme I think. Sasha, why don't you see if your priestess knows anything. An influential person like her should have one or two contacts. I would say to ask Ming also, but we have bothered him quite a bit. If someone goes to get the weapons and other magics appraised they might bring up the question though."
"My priestess has left town, gone to Strabath. But if you mean Verona of Tyr, yes, I can ask her. And Ming for that matter. It seems much simpler to ask Hlarn via message since we have to wait for you to heal anyway. And I need to shop! I have only this borrowed robe and cloak."
Farad raises an eyebrow. "Oh, I had thought you were of Verona's order. My apologies."
"Shopping would be good. We need food to carry as well as some other things. We can't have an inn to give us everything in the wilderness. Also, has anyone ever ridden on a horse, or am I the only one? I could use my horse to carry the body until the keep. That way we wouldn't be slowed down too badly."
"I grew up around horses. I can ride anything on four legs, and can help with their care and feeding. I am quite skilled in that area." Sasha says.
"So, if we are agreed on things, let us get busy. Illyana? Do you wish to lead this motley crew? Kelar? Raz? Bel? What do you guys say?"
"I'll do it, but you people have to be kind enough to listen to me. I know I would listen to any of you."
Sasha smiles and nods.
"I shall run some errands then - some clothes, to see Ming about the guild and a possible message, and to see Verona. Anything else? Oh, Raz, you will see to the moneylenders and Bel, you will check J'Harast for anything we can use to help him."
"Yes, any equipment on him we won't have to spend money on."
"And we might find other stuff as well. Didn't he say something about giving us back what he could retrieve? I don't know that he ever had the chance to ... but perhaps he did."
"Don't forget to take the magic items to Ming. Best if we know their value before we may be forced to trade them."
"I agree with you, Sasha. I feel as though the only reason why everyone chose you at the time was because they weren't willing to take the responsibility. No offense to you, it just seemed that way."
"I don't mind the responsibility, as long as someone will take the time to point out when I am being too single-minded! I think now that I have a good idea of how to proceed, but things change quickly around here as you all know."
Illyana smiles. "A little too quickly sometimes if you ask me. How long have I been away from home? Four months? It seems like ages have past."
Sasha smiles. "Of course, we can always lead by committee."
"Isn't that what we've been sort of doing? Hasn't this approach been causing us the problems to begin with?"
Sasha laughs and nods. "That was a joke Illyana. That is exactly what has been going on ... and it is time for a change."
Looking in Sasha's direction and flashing a smile, Aldarin says, "and what might your name be, my dear?"
"It's a bit soon to be so intimate, but I am called Sasha by most. And you, dear?" Sasha asks.
"The name is Aldarin Hawk, and it is a pleasure to meet you. Who is your glib tongued friend?" he asks, motioning towards Raz, with a smirk on his face and a sparkle in his green eyes.
Sasha looks to Raz. "Have you been speaking, dear? How odd." She rubs her ears and looks perplexed. Then she laughs.
"Sorry 'bout that. I'm a bit silly today. So Mr. Hawk, what brings you to fair Sandas at this time of year? I'm sure you have a tale to tell."
She winks at him, then goes back to her breakfast, waiting for his response.
"Not a lot to tell. I found myself in this area a little over a year ago with no memories of my previous existance."
Sasha raises a brow. "Really? Wow! I recently met a woman with the same affliction! How odd. Fallon is her name. Don't suppose you know her? No? Oh well."
"I wonder what could cause people to lose their memory? It doesn't sound to be a nice thing to have happen to yourself."
"I've been travelling the area since then, mainly as a bodyguard for those who can afford me, searching for any clue to my lost memories. I have become a little short on funds, and somewhat restless from lack of excitement and decided to seek out a little, if you know what I mean..."
Sasha laughs. "Hmmm, shall I fill in the blanks or leave it to my imagination? Nevermind, don't know why I said that. I am strangely lighthearted this morning -- perhaps because Illyana has consented to lead the party. Well, if you are looking for adventuring, maybe we could use you. What skills have you? Fighter? That would be most useful."
Illyana smiles. "Its about time someone did. We need it."
Farad looks at Illyana, "When J'Harast is back, we shall have enough."
The grey elf then turns to the newcomer, "So, you say you are a dabbler in magic? I too am a swordsman with some skill in spells. What spells can you cast? If I am to be holed up in this inn for a week due to my injuries, perhaps you, Raz and I can exchange spells."
Raz nods.."That sounds good to me."
"Yes, I possess some skills in the art of combat, I also have somewhat of a knack for magic, though very little." Looking around the table at the others, "So, do you have any leads on any jobs. Anyone looking for an Orc exterminator?" Laughing slightly. "Perhaps a princess, that needs rescuing?"
"Hmmmm. Well, a fighter would have been better." Sasha looks up at the others. "What do you think guys? Can we use a fighter/dabbler? He says he can exterminate orcs and such - perfect for where we are going."
Illyana facefaults. "Orcs? Ugh, if I never see another orc corpse it won't be too soon. I lost count that day as to how many were killed.. 100? 150? Yuck what a mess."
Aldarin's face lights up a bit, "Sounds interesting, do elaborate...."
"Well.. Yuri asked me, Hlarn and two other people to help him get rid of some orcs which were causing problems. We folowed them through a forest in the rain which messed up my clothing and hair mind you, to this old abandoned wizard's lair. The fight against the army of orcs lasted, oh five or six hours, us five versus a hundred of them. After they were all dead, we entered inside and fought another hundred or so. The rest of the force got there in time for breakfast."
Sasha smiles warmly, her deep green eyes alight with mischief. "You can rescue me anytime, Hawk." She says quietly.
Looking very intrigued, and smiling warmly, "And where exactly is it that 'we' are going, somewhere warm and cozy, perhaps?"
"What's your story" Aldarin takes his plate from the waitress, and begins to eat a breakfast of bread, cheese and fruit.
Raz smirks, "Well, There's really not much to tell...I've been learning magic since I was very little. I lived my whole life in the magic user's guild until recently when I was told that I had to leave due to ...ah...some..unfortuate problems."
Illyana walks forward. "I grew up not two days outside of here in Castle Yuri, the Paladin who settled here after retiring from adventuring. I got bored of living there so I came to the city." She looks around the group. "Me and Sasha have been here only four months, although it seems like ages. The rest of the group came in later."
Turning towards Illyana, "So, what exciting events have transpired for you two over the last four months, anything worth sharing...". Aldarin takes out a dagger and begins slicing an apple.
Sasha smiles. "Well, actually, I have some errands to run." She pouts and stands. "I'm off to buy some things -- Illyana, you did say you would see Ming, right? Do you need any herbs ... to ... ah, well you know?" Sasha asks, blushing a bit.
Aldarin stands and bows slightly to Sasha, "Until we meet again...".
Pushing himself away from the table, Raz gets up and nods to Hawk.
"My name is Raz. Glad your willing to help us out...we need all the help we can get." Raz then gathers up his staff and other assorted items and heads out for the money lender's to see if J'Harast or Rane deposited any money with them. "I'll meet you all bank here in a little over an hour", he says.
Turning toward Illyana, "perhaps you could enlighten me somewhat on the mission we are about to partake in?"
"Yuri, the owner of Castle Yuri, not two days out from here has asked me and this group to clean out a dungeon for him. I know where it is but seeing as how we spent the past four months in this city we are ill equipped for wilderness travel. We just need to buy supplies and then we can get moving. We also need to transport our friend's body to a keep until we can locate one of my friends who has a rod of ressurection."
"No, problem. I'll help give your friend a lift to the keep. Then I can come back here and see if I can get a room to stow my equipment. After that I'll meet you all back here later, for dinner."
Farad smiles. "The keep you are giving a lift to is two days from this city. To the north at the border of this land. We will all be travelling together at the end of the week when my wounds have healed."
Farad then illuminates the story further, "You see this dungeon we are now exploring wasn't this groups original task. The past four months they have been attempting to clear a local house of evil. But it was tougher than expected, and several of the group died. Thus, since many of us are new, we are looking to try our hand at something else until all of us feel we can handle the house again safely."
"During our last trip to the house the elf J'Harast died. As you may know, elves are resistant to being raised by clerics. Only powerful magics can restore us. It is for this reason we have to go north, for we hope Illyana's friend will aid us and use a rod we have heard he possesses."
"The problem is we do not know how much this will cost us, and we have spent the last of our funds in paying the clerics to keep us alive. Thus we may have to bury J'Harast while we enter the dungeon and obtain enough wealth to have him brought back. Many of the errands being performed now, which you may hear about, have to do with seeking out funds, perhaps some J'Harast left behind, or finding the value of items we may be able to trade for the dwarf Hlarn's use of his rod."
"Finally, you may hear a few negative comments about J'Harast. He is not a pleasant person, and has previously done ill by the party. But Sasha thinks he can be redeemed, and he seems set to atone for his misdeeds also. His brother, a half-elf named Jaramir, was killed soon after he joined this group. Part of J'Harast's redemption is to have his brother brought back to life. That too is frought with peril, because Jaramir consorted with evil also, and his soul is now in the Abyss."
"So you see, we shall have quite an interesting future. The house and the Abyss are something you shouldn't worry about now, as we will need to learn much in the dungeon we are going to before we are again able to tackle those places."
Farad leans back, groaning slightly as a bandaged wound is stretched too far. "Argh. Well, that pretty much brings you up to speed."
Leaning back in his chair and grinning widely, "excellent, it seems that I have truly found a path to follow. Thanks for the commentary."
Farad nods. "Yes, Rane. I forgot about him in my story didn't I. Better so. Rane was J'Harast's accomplice in crime. As I said, J'Harast has done the party wrong, but wishes to make up for it. But Rane is now dead for his part in the crime."
Farad gives a strange look to Sasha, who is still hanging about, "Why some would want one criminal raised when another is to remain dead I do not know. I still think we would be better off if both remained dead."
"Because J'Harast understood his wrong and wished to atone. Rane did not, and given every opportunity, used his powers for evil -- even at the last. That is why." Sasha replies.
Farad scoffs, "I still think J'Harast isn't worth the effort, but as I have said, I will help."
The grey elf turns back to the newcomer, "But the decision was not mine. Thus we are seeking a means to raise J'Harast."
Eventually the introductions and discussions peter out, and you set to about your appointed tasks for the morning.
Bel searches the dead J'Harast and his room and comes up with the elf's glowing longsword and glowing dagger...nothing more.
Raz heads out and checks out the money lenders and banks. He returns to report that Rane and J'Harast did have a joint account at a rather sleazy establishment that he found, but that Rane closed the account and withdrew all of the funds about a month ago.
Sasha heads out shopping and to the church of Tyr. Upon returning, she informs you that yes, Verona does maintain a line of communication with the thieve's guild and yes, she will tell them that J'Harast is dead.
Illyana visits Ming with the magic, and returns with this price list:
wand: 20,000gp
leather armour: 1000gp
flail: 2000gp
ring mail: 1200gp
dagger: 1200gp
J'Harast's longsword: 1700gp
J'Harast's dagger: 300gp
Farad asks concerning Verona, "But can she find out if they will drop the death mark now that he has died? What happens once he is brought back?"
"I believe she will let me know as soon as she finds out. I guess it takes a bit to contact them." Sasha replies.
"If it isn't being too forward, may I have the leather armor?" Asks Sasha. "Assuming someone else doesn't have greater need for it."
"Go ahead, I doubt anyone else here would have much use for it." replies Illyana.
"Great! I am set to go then. Onward and upwards mighty adventurers!" Sasha says, grinning.
"And I do need to replace the things I lost when I died. I think 100 gp should do it."
Raz speaks up, "Ah...It is my opinion that these magic items may prove more useful to us then gold. I would not suggest selling them. I would also like to say that I am interested in that wand....what type of wand is it?"
Illyana shrugs. "We've never bothered to find out what it does. It might come in handy but we should figure it out before trying to use it."
Farad nods. "Magic is indeed more useful than gold. But it is best to know their value if we are forced to trade them for J'Harast's worthless life."
"Okay, in that case let me take it and get it identified.", Raz takes the wand.
"We've owned the wand longer than a simple identify spell is effective. You may simply see if Ming can activate it and recognize the spell effect."
"Well then, can someone lend me 100 ? We can leave as soon as I get my stuff." Sasha replies.
Raz hands Sasha 100gp.
Bel comes down with the sword, dagger and is reading a book and mumbling, "Jalren, 1, Jamien, 3, Jel, -1,Sas..oops." Bel quickly puts the book away and sits down.
"What about having Ming send a message to Hlarn? Or should we just stop by there on teh way? And I assume we will take the body with us -- you both seemed to be sure that we could leave it at the Borderland Keep." Sasha says, looking to Illyana and Farad.
"Have we funds to buy horses, or are we walking? As I mentioned before, I know my way around horses and would be happy to care for them, etc." Sasha adds.
"I don't know about you all, but I don't have the money for a horse...besides I need what little I have to get someone to identify that wand for me."
Raz ignores Farad and goes skipping off with the wand to the magic user's guild.
An hour later he returns. No one could do an identify on it at this late date...including Ming.
During the following week Sasha checks back with Verona. The high priestess tells her that the guild wants J'Harast's body...presumably to destroy completely...
Farad gives Sasha a smile, "Are we sure we don't want to let them have it? Save us a lot of trouble."
"I think not." Sasha replies. "Illyana, shall we buy horses then? I am competant in picking them out - but I don't know if we have enough riders among us to make it worthwhile. Perhaps we should skip it -- I'm sure there will be no one to care for them in teh dungeon anyway."
"I never bought mine, I got it from the castle. But lets skip it, I doubt everyone here is properly trained in the use of one."
Raz walks back into the inn, wand in hand. "Well, I tried. I can't figure out what this wand does...should we keep it or sell it? This will probably be our last chance to sell it for awhile and we could use the money for traveling." Raz still looks frustrated.
Farad frowns. "Well, if we can't use it, we might as well get the gold."
Raz nods. "Okay. Farad why don't you come with me to sell the wand."
Kelar agrees.
"Sell the wand like you said we have no way of using it... Also I think we should walk. I trust my feet more than some horse anyway.
"I am ready to leave any time you all are."
"Yes, lets go."