Everyone who trained is now finished, and Petunia is recovered.
Rane is eager to head back to the house. "Lets see if we can finish off those monsters. We know what to expect now, and have trained more. I think we are a match now."
"I learned, during my training...well, maybe it was before...anyway, that the Church of the Troubled Gods owns the cemetary next door to the house. It is not clear if they know what is going on down under there...or if they are indeed a part of it." Sasha says.
"Perhaps we should also make some discreet inquiries in that direction...and continue with the house..." she finishes with a slight shudder.
So you return to the house...and head down into the tunnels under the adjacent graveyard.
You reach the door leading into the octagonal-shaped room without incident.
Bel discretely prays.
Raz looks for any sign of writings on the walls and floor by the door that may tell him more about the room next door.
Illyana will listen at the door to the room. "Anyone object to me going in first? The creatures which were inside gave me the least trouble last time, so I have the best chance of getting in and out quickly without harm."
"Go ahead... owww my aching head". Pillar slumps against a wall muttering under his breath and holding his head "Maybe I had one too many ales last night". Sighing Pillar drinks some water and pours it over his head which ilicits a small yelp of surprise "Bloody waters cold... Yep you can go first my dear".
Sasha gives J'Harast a reassuring squeeze on the arm and then steps back, staff ready.
"Be ready. The five bugbears are just beyond this door, with the gargoyles back in their own room. I assume the undead are either still locked away or are somewhere close by." says Rane.
"This time I may be of some more help."
J'Harast answers, "Rane, thanks for the info. I have a plan. After we open this door we let the bugbears in. Do you mages have a spell than can hold the door or fill it with something to keep it inaccessible?
"Further, let me open the door, and everyone else hide out of view of the door, Petunia and Illyana, if you hide right here, "J'Harast points to the wall at the side of the door, "I think that we can let them come in after me, and you two will be able to get surprise attacks on their backs."
Raz smiles..."Yes I have a spell memorized called 'hold portal' that should be able to do that! It will only last for 2 rounds though"
"How long is that? 1 minute, 10 minutes?"
"What does everyone think of this plan? Any other suggestions? I suggest that any offensive spells be saved for the next combat, with the garygoles. These bugbears should fall quickly under normal means."
Raz casts his eyes down..."Well...ya...that's only two minutes."
J'Harast smiles at Raz, and pats him on the back. "Well then be ready to cast the spell when I say so. I guess that means we have to finish them off fast. We'll have to keep it quick, no playing with our foes.
Illyana ponders the plan. "It could work, but rememeber if we get overwhelmed out here they might not stop following us like they did last time. As for the gargoyles, I'm sorry, but I won't be much help without some kind of magical weapon."
Bel considers the problem and says, "I can immobilize the Gargoyles with an entangle but do not know how long it will hold them. It should give the fighters a chance to get a few good free hacks in."
"Entangled or not, without a magic weapon I won't do any damage."
Bel says, "J'harast has a magic weapon and I have a heat metal spell that will cause them damage, I believe, if they are wearing metal. It is magic heat. I assume some of the other fighters have at least one magic weapon between them. Do you have an offensive spell Raz?"
"I just ahave 1 magic missle spell memorized at the moment."
Raz looks thoughtful, "You know people...maybe we should reconsider this...I think that we still might be outclasses by these monsters.....Rane is there any way the you or J'Harest could set a trap for the monsters when they come through the door?"
"Don't lose your courage now, Raz. We can handle them. J'Harast, you and Pillar handle the gargoyles if they come out. Until then all of us can gain up on the bugbears. We outnumber them, so hopefully I can get in an attack to their backs."
J'Harast speaks:
"Let's see, we have a magic flail and sword here. That's one on one, plus the magic missiles, so we can do some damage to one of them as well."
"Rane, you up for a backstab attempt on the gargoyles when they come through. It would only be with a dagger, but it might work."
"Can anyone use an axe?"
Illyana sighs. "I suppose I'll just have to go after the bugbears. I can use a longsword, but I'm far better with my two handed sword. Hopefully there are only two of them. Any more, and we would be in serious trouble."
Rane grins. "Lets see how good these boots really are at moving. I'll move about as fast as I can, backstabbing where I can."
"And if the undead show up, all of you clerics try turning them. They looked like only skeletons, so hopefully one of you will succeed."
"Hmm well someone else can turn the undead, I prefer to crush them in combat. Otherwise they really dont get the message." Pillar ready's his flail "Me and old Bessie here should be able to do some damage". Pillar's eyes take a vague look for a moment "Yes we shall destroy them all". Pillar begins to laugh softly.
With that Rane turns to Bel. "Would an entangle spell even work in this area? Don't you need to be in an area with plants?"
J'Harast hands his magic dagger to the Rane. "Use it well, Rane. Careful when you are dodging in and out."
Looking at everyone. "Are we ready? Hold door spell ready? OK, remember the plan, I'll try to get the bugbears to come in here. I'll tell you how many there are, so you know."
"Rane, you're in charge of closing the door. When the door is closed, cast the spell. Then, us fighters need to kill the bugbears quickly. Do not use any magic on these bugbears. OK."
"OK everyone. Get ready."
Raz stands ready.
Bel ponders a second and says, "No magic eh. Well it's not as if I have not died in combat before. I will hang back for the first round and watch to make sure a gargoyle or two do not sneak out. If they do I'll use magic on them, if not it's hammer time."
J'Harast will move to open the door when everyone is ready.
Rane backs away from the door, pressing himself against a wall where he is less likely to be seen. He again gets a faraway look in his eye.
After a moment, you hear cries of alarm from the octagonal room, followed by the sounds of a melee.
This continues for several minutes. Rane moans...seemingly in pain.
A few more moments. Rane cries out...and then silence...while simultaneously the half-drow falls to the floor.
Then, he opens his eyes.
Illyana blinks in confusion as she looks at Rane. "What happened? What did you do? I'm really confused now. Are you alright?"
Rane smiles weakly. "I'm not sure, but I think two of the bugbears just slaughtered themselves against each other. My drow blood is very empathetic to such violence."
Illyana won't ask anymore about it. Its a little too scary for her. "So what does that leave inside there? Three bugbears, two gargoyles and who knows how many undead?"
You take your positions. J'Harast is before the door, Rane will be hiding behind it. The rest of you are a little ways back...out of the view of the occupants of the room.
J'Harast opens the door. It sticks.
He tries again.
It still sticks.
He tries a third time.
Suddenly the door is wrenched open, and the elf finds himself staring up at a bugbear with a bloody sword.
"Got a problem, bub?" it asks in passable common.
"'E' does now," says one of his companions.
"Let's git 'im," says a third.
The bugbears need no encouraging to come after J'Harast.
As he backs up, they come charging into the hallway, whooping and yelling.
The lead monster swings his bloody sword at the elf but misses. J'Harast hits him with a deadly chop and he drops with a gurgle and lies still.
The others are in the hallway, now. Illyana, from behind the door, slams it, and Raz casts his spell upon it.
The glowing dagger of J'Harast's - now in the hand of Rane - flashes as the half drow tries to backstab the next bugbear in line. But suddenly Marvin the broadsword appears in his hand instead!
"Hello. It's me again. God I feel depressed."
Needless to say, Rane misses.
Rane's erstwhile target, however, spins about and nails the half-elf for 5 hit points of damage.
"Oh great. Not only annoying, but cursed." Rane runs away, moving behind Raz. "Use that wand on this thing so I can fight."
"Oh yes, please put me out of my misery. A mind as big as a planet, and what am I used for? Chopping bugbears into sushi. God I feel sooooo miserable."
The bugbear takes a parting swat at Rane, and the half-drow suffers another 4 hit points of damage.
Bel looks carefully at the Bugbear that has hit Rane and says, "I recognize those claws, eat this." Bel swings his hammer at the Bugbear annoying Rane. He misses.
The bugbear looks over at him.
"Hey. Didn't I eat you once already?"
He turns to try to eat Bel again.
J'Harast glances over at Rane and Marvin.
"Great. That sucks big time." J'Harast will press his attack. "Rane, get the dagger to Petunia, so she can fight the garyoles if they come in."
J'Harast sinks his glowing longsword into the next bugbear for 8 hit points of damage while said bugbear chops at him for 6 hit points. All of the elf's subsequent attacks miss, though.
Petunia scoops up the glowing dagger from where it lies on the floor, and turns to meet the next threat...heralded by a loud screeching and the sound of leathery wings beating.
Raz shouts, "I don't have the wand! No one ever gave it to me! Oh, wait! Yes they did!"
Raz moves quickly..trying his best to stay out of the way of any Bugbears. Pointing the wand at Marvin, he says 'crystal blue persuasion'. A pale grey ray shoots forth and strikes Marvin. Other than that, nothing seems to happen. The sword continues to glow.
"Well, that was a bust, wasn't it?" bemoans the broadsword. "You can't even kill me. I feel miserable."
"Lets kill them quickly - there is a lot more trouble behind that door." Illyana then goes on to practice what she preaches by skewering the last bugbear for 16 hit points of damage. Staggered, the monster grunts and misses her.
Bel, having an attack of dejavu, takes another swing and says, "Someone nail this sucker from behind please, I do not feel like being dessert to myself. Where's a fighter, we have three nonfighters on this boy and we're not doing well Sasha, you there oh glorious leader."
Illyana is trying her best. "This one should be dead soon, they don't stack up well against me."
Bel smiles and says, "I appreciate any help I can get. I have already proved I do not stack up well against these boys."
Bel gains initiative this round but still misses. The bugbear does no better, though.
Grinning Pillar enters the fray detaching himself from a nearby wall he was leaning on. "Sorry about not helping earlier but the team was running like clockwork, and I didnt' have the heart to interfere" Pillar swings his flail at the bugbear on Bel...and misses.
Rane sighs and glares at Marvin.
"It was worth a shot. I guess cursed swords aren't something a wand can simply negate."
"Too bad," grumbles the broadsword. "Poor me."
Rane is unfamiliar with a broad sword, and thus switches it to his left hand, but keeps it unsheathed and out, hoping that by doing so its curse will think its still being wielded.
With his right hand he'll draw his own dagger and see if he can get in any backstabs.
He moves behind the bugbear attacking Bel and tries a backstab with his dagger. Of course Marvin teleports into his dagger hand as he swings.
"Gotcha," says the sword. "Unfortunately."
Rane scores a perfect miss with a base 1 to hit.
J'Harast misses his bugbear with his longsword, but it carves a chunk out of him to the tune of 7 hit points of damage. Then the elf scores with his dagger for 2 hit points. The bugbear sneers at him.
Petunia shoves the glowing dagger into the belt about her slender waist and chops at the offending monster with her longsword. Alas, another miss.
Illyana takes a hit from the bugbear attacking her, for 7 hit points of damage. She in turn connects, and the bugbear bites it.
Sasha commands the bugbear attacking Bel: "Undress!"
The monster stops its attack and begins to disrobe.
Thus preoccupied, Bel sticks it and it dies.
Last, the cleric casts another spell at the last bugbear, and suddenly it freezes.
Good timing, too, for the door bursts open at this point, and in come the gargoyles...
Rane waves to all of you. "I'm less than useless here. I'm heading out to see if I can get free of this stupid weapon. With these shoes I might be back in only a few minutes."
Raz shouts, "Wait! Try talking the sword into jumping into Illyana's hand. Tell it that it will be more useful or important with her!"
Illyana glares at Raz. "ME? WHY MY HAND? What use could I have with such a thing? Honestly, sometimes I don't understand you people."
Rane just gives a scoffing laugh, and heads out. "It's cursed! I'm not going to debate with the thing!"
"Why should you?" laments Marvin. "I'm just a stupid sword. People would think you were touched if they saw you talking to your sword."
Sasha swings her staff again and again until the held bugbear is no more...then retreats rather than get nailed by the gargoyles.
As he kills the undressing bugbear Bel marvels at Sasha's spell and says, "My goodness, that is one of the most usefull spells I have ever seen. Must really break the ice at parties." Bel steps back and casts an entangle on the front gargoyle. He also prays that there are enough roots, microbes, fungi to allow the spell to work.
His spell does not work, for the exact reason that he was praying that it *would* work.
J'Harast drops his non-magical dagger and launches himself at one of the gargoyles, his magical sword swinging.
"Pillar, it's our show. Everyone keep an eye out. Sasha, watch out if the undead decide to show up. Petunia, be careful."
The gargoyle lunges at J'Harast's jugular, but misses. So does the elf. The next attack on the elf hits, though, and he takes 2 hit points.
Illyana backs away from the gargoyles. "Not much I can do in this situation."
Pillar jumps in, and misses. The gargoyle chomps into him for 1 hit point of damage. Petunia has a go with the glowing dagger and hits!
Next round, J'Harast suffers a further 3 hit points, but hits twice with his longsword, badly injuring the monster.
Meanwhile, Pillar suffers a further 5 hit points of damage while both he and Petunia miss.
Seeing his spell fail, Bel curses.
"Damn these tunnels, where is a potted plant when you need one!"
Sasha edges around the melees in progress and peeks through the doorway into the octagonal room. Illyana covers her. Sure enough, there are the undead: four skeletons staggering slowly and unsteadily across the chamber towards you, wearing rotted, filthy robes.
Meanwhile, the battle with the gargoyles continues...
"Owww, ow, that hurt" Pillar sighs as the gargoyle takes pieces from him at will. "Um people ... urgh ... this is really annoying" Pillar swings at the gargoyle but seems to have the uncanny ability to miss. "Well one day I might hit, one day" Pillar sighs again.
This time the cleric whacks his foe on the head for 6 hit points of damage. It in turns scratches him for 3 hit points, again for 2, a bite for 2 more, and a final claw for 4 hit points.
Pillar is badly wounded.
Petunia also connects, for 5 hit points of damage.
The gargoyle is also badly wounded.
Raz finishes the creature off with a single magic missile, doing 5 hit points of damage.
It drops to the floor, a smoking corpse.
Bel rushes over to aid Pillar.
Meanwhile, J'Harast makes short work of the remaining gargoyle, as he plunges his longsword into it to the hilt. The monster screeches one last time and expires.
Bel, in utter shock at the death of the first gargoyle, looks at Raz and says, "Raz, are you trying to ruin your reputation or something?. Next thing you know people will think your usefull in a melee." Bel turns toward the door and hefts his hammer while saying, "People will never think that of me. Come on you bone heads (said to the skeletons), I feel like bashing some skulls." Bel stands ready to receive the undeads rush.
"By the Power of Isis I command thee to return from the vile filth you came from!" Sasha calls out strongly, lifting her holy symbol high and advancing on the creatures.
The monsters hesitate, then one nudges another.
"Oooooo, a cleric," it says in an icy whisper.
"I think she's trying to turn us," replies the other, in a voice like death.
"Not a very convincing try, is it?"
"Not a very convincing cleric...noooo," says the third.
"Let us make her one of us...I would like her to be with us in our suffering," whispers the first, as it starts to advance again.
"She is beautiful...I can just imagine that beauty rotting away..."
"Here here..."
They all surge forward at Sasha.
"Sasha, drop behind us. Illyana, Petunia and I should be able to make short work of these creatures. Petunia, can I have the dagger back, so you will be free to fight with your ususal weapon and your wonderful skills *wink*"
The young woman grins back at the elf and returns his dagger, her hand lingering on his.
Sasha nods at J'Harast's words.
J'Harast turns to meet the latest foe. The undead touches him lightly, and the elf feels terrible pains in his heart, as he suffers 6 hit points of damage. Then, he clutches his chest and drops dead on the spot.
The second robed skeleton touches Petunia as her sword thrust goes wide. She cries out, and topples over, to lay atop J'Harast, dead also.
Bel, not happy at this moment, grabs the vial of holy water at his belt and throws it in a spread pattern at the skeletons and says, "Back to dust that you came from fiends."
The holy water splashes across all of them, hissing and burning where it strikes.
Raz shouts, "Stay clear...let's see if we can grab our fallen friends' bodies and get out of here!...Sasha...can you try turning those things again?"
Illyana gapes at the two bodies. "Geez, I didn't think they were that hurt, at least Petunia anyway."
Illyana will try to move the bodies out of there. "Come on Sasha, there are too many to fight. We have to come back later. I wonder how we're going to raise these two though.. Its getting pretty damn expensive. We should have enough."
Pillar stands up after healing himself twice for 11 hit points and says quiet excitedly "Um I somehow dont think these are skeletons, wights at the least."
Pillar grins and scoots around the party and says in a strange voice "Undead, go away, My god Tuoni dislikes your presence on this plane of existance". Pillar watches the response of the skeletal beings, but makes sure he cant be touched by any of them.
"Ack!" say the undead, and run away.
Sasha will try to retrieve J'Harast and shout "Retreat!"
As she touches him he shudders and groans. Apparently not quite as dead as originally believed, he opens his eyes. His chest is a screaming agony, but even that pain is subsiding.
Petunia, though, is dead.
"Come on - help me get them - and then we all retreat!" Sasha shouts.
Bel will pick up Petunia and retreat out down the hall. Bel Says, "Next time I'm bringing a barrell of holy water and a hose, I'm getting tired of this."
"Can someone heal J'Harast before we try to move him? I think we should stock up on Holy Water after this encounter. I remember seeing this staff somewhere which had a miniature container on the end of it and it was specifically made for distributing holy water. We'll come back after that so we can look around some more."
Sasha casts her last spell, cure light wounds on J'Harast...for 8 hit points of healing.
After the heal, we leave quickly and quietly AFTER we search the bodies of what we killed.
Raz says..."you guys go ahead...get Petunia and J'Harest got of here. I want to take a quick look in the other room to see what these guys were guarding...with our luck there will be more monsters here when we return. Don't worry...I promise that it will be a very quick look...I'll be right behind you guys."
Searching the dead bugbears - both in the hallway and in the octagonal-shaped room, Illyana and Raz find 108cp, 102sp, 72ep and 24gp. In the octagonal chamber they had a pile of odd supplies, and going through that you find an additional 1167cp, 500ep and a nice looking pair of earrings.
The undead fled into the room to the south, from where you can hear their teeth chattering...still suffering from the effects of Pillar's turning.
Raz and Illyana rejoin the others, and you leave the dungeon and house post haste...to return to the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf.
Lounging in the inn Pillar orders some ale "Anyone want a drink?", slouching over to a bench Pillar plonks himself down. "Well that wasn't so bad, those gargoyles were tough, but the undead, well the never really had a chance". Smirking Pillar slurps from his ale. "Come we had best attend to the wounded before I get too drunk". Pillar heaves himself of the bench and checks the condition of his fallen comrades.
"J'Harast? I will go to the temple and see about Petunia, okay? You stay here and get some rest - there will be nothing you can do." Sasha says quietly to the (hopefully) recuperating elf.
Turning to the other party members, Sasha asks, "Who will help me carry Petunia to the temple? And what kind of funds do we have left?"
Raz speaks up, "We're doing fine on funds...I calculate that each member will receive the following: 212.5 cp, 17 sp, 95 ep, & 4 gold from our last venture into the house. I'm not sure how much the chains from the 2nd venture are worth yet (I probably just forgot), but the stones we picked up alone have given us more than enough money to help out Pentunia. I'm sure that everyone in the group will give what they have to help her."
Bel volunteers, "I will help you with Petunia, I need to restock my supply of holy water anyway."
J'Harast, struck with grief just waves to them and then turns away, lost in thought.
Bel. "I sympathize J'harast, but please come with us. Petunia may be disoriented when she is revived and your presence would be the best way to comfort her."
"Bel, leave him be...please...Let's go now." Sasha tugs on his arm, trying to pull him along to the door.
Bel says, "Allright." and goes with Sasha.
"Sasha, that's ok," cracks J'Harast, his voice dry and emotionless. "I'll come with you." J'Harast stands up, and carefully, in exaggerated slowness, straightens himself up. "Let us go."
After Sasha tries to pull Bel to the doorway, she frowns and makes a motion, telling him to wait a moment.
She goes to J'Harast and whispers something in his ear...
Before Bel leaves Raz tosses him 100 gp saying, "Do you mind picking up four flasks of holy water for me?"
Bel says, "No problem, anybody else want some?".
After Sasha steps away from J'Harast, he smiles weakly and bows to her. "As you wish lady. I trust you."
Chortleing happily Pillar downs the last dregs of his ale "What a fine brew this is, come people lets drink to life and good fortune. All things come to pass." Pillar orders some more ale and a large hot meal for himself "Please now dont look so glum" Pillar turns to J'hrast "Come share an ale with me while the clerics do what can be done. Grieve after they have failed not before."
Sitting down next to J'Harest, Raz says, "Here let me buy you some food and a ale to go with it....I'm sure everything is going to work out fine. Right now why don't we just try and relax and get some food into us. Tell me J'Harast what do yuo think is going on in that house?....."
J'Harast, looks at everyone. "You can not understand what I am and what is going on. Please, just leave me alone for now."
J'Harast will then turn and walk out of the inn.
As Sasha and Bel head for the church of Tyr you see Rane coming out of the temple of Odin. He sees you.
"Hey! Rane, over here." Sasha calls out.
You can tell Rane is upset. Before you can ask, he tells you, "Do you know what it will cost to get rid of this cursed sword? 12,000 gold. I've sold the boots to cover it."
"I'm sorry. Was there no other way? I guess not...or you would have found it...oh well..."
"What brings you back from the house so early? How did things go?"
"We must take Petunia to the temple...she died at the house after you left..." She looks at Rane, puzzled. "Are you a worshipper of Odin?"
"Worshiper of Odin? Nah, not particularly. I don't really follow into any main church, but I respect them all. I figured if you have a curse, go to the best. The All-Father seems to fit that category."
Bel shakes his head and says, "Not very well, after we killed the Bugbears and Gargoyles 4 wraiths or ghouls or whatever they were attacked and killed J'harast and Petunia before Pillar turned them. Needless to say we ran. Somehow J'harast's heart restarted but Petunia was gone. We should have J'harast examined to make sure there are no ill effects from this experience, you know curse of undeath, etc. We wouldn't want to have to revive him as well as Petunia. In fact this was her and we are takeing her to be revived. Why did you get rid of the sword before we analyzed it. There may have been an easier way to do it or it could have been usefull. Ah well, you were there and we weren't so you knew best at the time. Those boots were really nice, do you think we could get them back somehow." Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, "Say no more."
"Is that necessary?" Sasha snaps. "Please show a little more respect and lets get Petunia into the temple, we don't need to stand here in the street making stupid jokes." Sasha turns away abruptly and goes into the temple.
Bel rolls his eyes and says, " Strategy discussions are integral to a parties cohesion. The question was just that, a question, not a criticism. I want to understand how every member of the party thinks so I know how they will behave and can predict their actions when I can't see them. The sword was his, he could do with it whatever he wishes and I will not naysay him. I like knowledge and there may have been circumstances I was not aware of, I do not like this. As to respect I was not proposeing robbing a temple, I thought he sold it to a moneylender or rich merchant. I have no compunctions in relieving them of property with their attitude toward the sanctity of the forests, or lack thereof. As a druid the divine forces are always held to the utmost respect."
"Ha. Thats a way of putting it. As if I chose to own this weapon. The fact is that it wouldn't release me from its magic. The boots though are a loss. But I figure a curse is like a death, and party funds should help to pay for it. As it is, I paid my last two grand to finish up the difference. I hope we come into some more money soon. So did you finish killing those undead, or were you forced to flee again? I wonder what other treasures are hidden in that area."
"What was there to analyze. Marvin himself told us all there was to know of him. He was cursed, and that is that. Sorry, but the quicker he's out of my life the better."
"As for the boots, life is scary enough without bringing down the entire Norse pantheon upon my head. Only fools steal from the gods."
Bel says, "Ahh, I thought you sold them to someone else and used the cash to rid yourself of the sword. You are right stealing from the Gods is not very bright. As to Marvin, I never believe anything a talking magic item says. "
Rane grins. "No, I simply asked if he would take them in trade, and the cleric agreed. Much safer than toting that much gold through the city. Besides, its just as dangerous to steal from an Arch Mage, and that is who I would have sold the boots to in that case. I don't relish being changed into a toad."
Bel looks at Rane and says, "It's getting to be a habit, every time you leave someone dies. We're going to try and fix Petunia, ineterested in coming?"
"And what was I supposed to do? With this blade," Rane points to Marvin, "I couldn't hit the side of a barn if I tried. I'm not a fighter, and this just makes things worse. If I hung around I might have slashed one of you folks by accident. Yes, the best thing I could have done was get out of the way, so don't go blaming me for any deaths."
Rane accompanies you back into the temple. "Where is J'Harast. I would have thought he would be mooning over Petunia and not let her out of his sight."
"He was sorely injured, I asked him to stay. I do not know what other effects he may feel from his injuries." Sasha replies.
"We'd best ask the cleric what he knows about such undead. If J'Harast is infected with some sort of undeath, the sooner we know the better."
"My thought exactly. I wished to keep him from further upsets though, until we learned something. Let's go." Sasha replies.
She opens the door of the temple, and asks somone if she can see Verona...
The three of you make tracks for the church of Tyr. There you are met by an acolyte, who sizes up the situation quickly.
"A donation of 9000gp should do it," he tells you.
Rane gives an appreciative whistle. "I'm in the wrong business. Do the rest of you have that sort of money? I've tapped myself dry getting rid of that cursed sword."
Sasha gives them the required donation.
The body is carried into the back room.
You wait.
A while later, Petunia reappears on the arm of the acolyte: alive, but a little unsteady.
She looks at you and bursts into tears.
"Can I speak to Verona - it is a matter of grave importance." Sasha or whoever requests, biting her lip.
The acolyte leads the cleric of Isis into the back of the temple.
Rane looks at Petunia, "Why do you weep? J'Harast is alive, but wounded. He will be needing your care. You also are alive and well."
She looks up.
"He's alive..? When I saw he wasn't with you, I thought he was dead!" she starts to cry again...tears of joy. "Where is he?"
"He's badly hurt, but safe back at the inn. We'll wait for Sasha and then go back together."
"Badly hurt? Then I can't wait!"
She turns and runs out of the temple.
"A miraculous recovery indeed..." murmurs the smiling acolyte.
Bel hurries after Petunia and says, "Petunia, wait! J'harast is not hurt that bad, he is fine and is just resting. He is just very depressed, as you can understand. We need to make sure you are fine after the experience so you shouldn't be rushing around quite yet."
"Then he needs me!"
She runs back to the inn.
An hour after Bel and Sasha left with the body of Petunia, the body in question comes running back into the inn...quite alive and a picture of health.
Petunia runs over to J'Harast and hugs him passionately.
"I thought you were dead, you silly elf!" she exclaims, smothering him with kisses.
J'Harast looks visibly less upset at the return of Petunia.
In a low tone, he speaks, "I was afraid that I had lost you before I got a chance to tell you how much you mean to me."
"Inn keeper, Bring a round for my friends here. No skimping either, bring the best. We must celebrate."
"No...we can drink later," says Petunia. She takes his hand and pulls J'Harast to his feet. "Right now I'm going to deflower you before I lose you again!"
She leads the elf away...
Bel smiles and gets an exagerated look of innocence on his face and says, "I didn't know Petunia was interested in horticulture."
"Hmm who cares, now where is that ALE we are promised" Pillar bellows across the room to the innkeep "Did you not hear the man ALE for us all, and quickly before I lose my appetite". Grinning Pillar quickly finishes his own ale and puts it on another table.
Bel grins and says, "C'mon, the joke wasn't that bad. An ale does sound pretty good, one for me too barkeep."
A short time after J'Harast and Petunia adjourn, Sasha and Rane return, followed by Raz.
Bel greets the returning members and says, " Did anything more happen after Petunia ran out? Sorry about leaving but I did not want Petunia running around alone so soon after she was revived. I was worried that she might overexert herself before she was ready. But she seems fine and quit energetic. Sasha, I will gladly give you any money I have to help pay for Petunia's ressurection but it is not much. Anyone want an ale with Pillar and I."
Raz waves to his friends as he comes into the front door, "So? How did everything go? Is Petunia okay?" Looking very concerned he continues.."She is okay....right?"
"She is fine - I don't know where she is though." Sasha replies, looking to the others for an answer.
Raz immediately cheers up...."Well, that calls for round of ales! Barkeep...give my friends another round. We'll wait here for J'Harest and Petunia to show!" Raz sits down next to Pillar.
"Where is J'Harast? Resting in his room?"
Bel says, "He's in his room but I don't think there is any resting going on."
"What do you mean?" Sasha asks with a concerned frown. "Maybe I should run up and check on him."
Sasha turns and heads up to J'Harast's room.
Bel says quickly, "Sasha, wait. He is busy right now and I'm sure Petunia is takeing care of him fine. I really do not think you want to go in his room for a little while. They'll come down in a bit."
Sasha stops and turns around with a puzzled frown. "Huh? Why? They are both likely to need aid after what happened. And I want tell them what manner of creature they encountered."
She shrugs and continues on.
Raz bursts out laughing.
Bel sighs and says, "Sasha, they are engaging in procreative activities at this moment and I don't think you want to participate and that is about the only reason to disturb them at this time. Either J'harast is well enough to perform fine or he does not want the world to know he wasn't up to standard, either way he does NOT want to be disturbed. We will have to interpret any noises from upstairs carefully before we take action."
Sasha laughs and rolls her eyes as she continues walking. "Bel, I think you need to rethink yourself. They both have suffered badly today - the last thing on their minds - but evidently not yours - are matters of procreation!"
She reaches the door and taps gently on it..."J'Harast? Are you okay?"
Illyana simply giggles as she walks off. "Don't worry Bel, she'll find out soon enough what they're up to. Besides, I can't wait to see the look on her face when she does find out."
In the midst of all this, who should walk into the common room of the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf but Athmyr, bladesinger extraordinaire.
Raz struggles to compose himself as he sees a new person approaching the table. Looking around at the rest of the group for signs of alarm, Raz realizes that everyone else seems to know him already. Relaxing abit, Raz stands and reaches out to shake his hand say, "Hi...the name's Raz."
Grinning Pillar stands, with the aid of the table "Hello old son, the names Ale, Pillar's my drink, would you care to ... zzzzzzzzz"
Pillar slumps to the table for a few seconds. Then quick as a flash his head jerks up "Uh who what where, hmmmm." Pillar looks around suspiciously then bursts into laughter "Ooo strong ale, peering around the room he sees Athmyr.
"Oh hello, would you like to join us for an ale?" Pillar takes a long pull on his tankard. "Oh and Sasha just for interests sake what were those creatures ?"
"Hello all... Raz good to meet you... Looks like you all are in about the same shape as you were when I left," says Athmyr. "How goes the house? Where is J'Harast at that Sasha has to go find him and his lovely helper?"
Sasha returns to the group, looking puzzled.
Sasha frowns at Pillar, "Will you remember anything I say in your state?" Then she smiles and fills a mug of her own.
"Well, this is what Verona had to say on the creatures." Sasha recites their conversation verbatum...
Verona:
"They were huecuva you fought," she says. "Their mere touch can cause the victim to die of a heart attack. That must be what happened to Petunia. They are somewhat more powerful than your average skeleton, dear. It would be best to attack them with hurled weapons, or holy water."
Raz speaks up..."speaking of holy water...Bel whatever happened to the money I gave you for holy water? Did you manage to buy some more?"
Bel says, "I still have to get some as I was running after Petunia in her mad, hormone induced rush to see J'harast. I am going to go out again to get some, you can either come with or leave the cash with me until I bring you back your order."
"Oh...speaking of which..money I mean - what is our state? I apologise that I have little concept of it...what did we have individually, before we left to take care of Petunia. I know we had necklaces and gems and such...and I gave another 9000 to the temple for Petunia..." Sasha rubs her brow, and laughs. "I need a bookeeper!"
Raz frowns..."well, it would be nice if we found out how much those chains necklaces were worth. Rane could you find that out for us? I really need to come up with some cash. The Guild wants to charge me a minor fortune to learn a new spell."
After Sasha finishes her explanation of the creatures they just fought, she seems to notice Athmyr for the first time. She frowns slightly, then asks, "How did it go then? We could have used you...things have gotten very serious at the house. Why did you leave..." She asks.
Raz laughs ...."Serious...now that's a understatement!"
Sasha laughs quietly. "Yes...I guess it is..." She shakes her head, and takes another long pull from her mug.
"I guess disasterous is a better word...or completely overmatched...and I am to blame for much of it." Sasha sighs.
Raz frowns deeply..."I don't think that you should take any blame for what befell us. All of us are fairly young still and I for one think that we did pretty well considering the difficulties we faced. Yes, we have made some mistakes...but like my mentor told me...mistakes need to be made if one is to grow and learn."
Raz stares at Sasha intently for a moment, blushes, and then looks away quickly.
Sasha slams her mug down. "But my mistakes caused injury and death - there *is* a difference." She rubs her eyes and softly adds, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I just take this very seriously."
Raz's almost boyish face hardens. Obviously upset, Raz looks directly at Sasha and in a low voice says, "Listen...the world does not revolve around you Sasha."
Sasha's mouth falls open in surprise, and for a moment she simply stares at Raz.
"You are NOT responsible for everyone elses actions. We all know the risks that are involved with entering that house. We all choose to enter that house anyway. No one has suffered anything that they haven't been able to recover from. In what way are you directly responsible? Did you act out of evil? Did you generate those monsters or intentially hurt one of us? I think not! You are not more responsible for what befell us anymore than me memorizing the wrong spell, Bel's constant attempt at an honourable death, or that stupid sword Marvin causing Rane to run out of the room!"...calming himself Raz continues..."we are a team Sasha..and as a team we all except equal honor and equal blame. It is very egocentric of you to place all of the blame upon yourself."
"You...you...how dare you..." Sasha stutters, anger coming slowly to her eyes. "You don't even understand what I was saying! *I* know what a team is - and what that means. I was *not* being egocentric! I was ...Oh nevermind - it wouldn't be worth the effort...I can not believe...arrgghhh!"
Sasha stands abruptly, causing her chair to fall over. She begins pacing, and you can slowly hear her count. "One...two....three..."
Raz shakes his head, "Listen...maybe you're right..may be I don't understand. So, tell me what are you saying? Tell me what is wrong or what you did wrong. Make me understand."
Sasha pointedly counts all the way to 10 and then turns to Raz. "What I meant...was that as a member of this team...I have not been very effective. And I just have this thing about...oh nevermind...I think I really don't want to talk about it...it doesn't matter...I know what to do now...let's just forget it, okay?" Sasha babbles, once again taking her seat.
She looks up, a little sadly. "I am just battling my own demons and should not have spoken. You are correct in your orginal assessment."
Sasha immediately looks more businesslike and suddenly asks, "Hey...did we ever discover what some of things we found do? I mean, we found a wand, a plain gold ring...some armbands - Bel? didn't you take those? And with Marvin was also a dagger...have we found out what any of those things do? It could be important - and if we don't know, we should investigate."
"And another thing - oh...don't forget the earrrings...anyway, as I was saying - another thing - does anyone know anything about the Church of the Gods of Trouble? We still have not pursued that matter - they own the cemetary...near the house. I think I should go tomorrow and find out more about that." Sasha adds.
Peering up from his tankard Pillar grumbles something about the curse of drink and bellows out to the inkeeper "Some water please". Stareing sullenly around the table he begins to speak "I work by myself your puny clerical abilities offend me as much as these irrational outbursts. If I was to combine my faith in my god with yours I am sure there would be serious reprisals. I have no time for small minded people who would bicker over past events, they are done and all that can be gained from them is knowledge, not anger".
The innkeeper strides over to Pillar with his water "Thank you my good man, anyway as I was saying I do not wish to pool my sources with someone as irrational and unreliable as you". Sighing Pillar slumps back down to sip from his water.
Sasha's eyes widen in surprise, "Well, that is good to know then. Thank you for speaking up now, rather than later."
She turns back to the others, "Even so, I shall still be able to provide some measure of protection on our next outing. Bel, what kind of abilities do you have access to? Have you something like bless or chant?" Sasha asks.
Bel says, "Well I have 4 spells, detect magic, purify water, entangle, and heat metal. The ring I have, I got examined and it is a ring that decreases somethings chance to hit you. I do not have the armbands. I am a Druid, not a Cleric, so I do not have any blessings, chants, etc. That is why I carry Holy Water around all the time. I have been trained in some weapons but am not at fighter level."
"But, I have learned some things, perhaps we will be more successful in our next venture. If Pillar and I combine some abilities, I may be able to improve our chances quite a bit." Sasha toys with her mug, running her finger through the rivulets of condensate.
"In any event, I am glad to have an extra person with us. The next time we go to the house, I will pray for some different spells - and Pillar can do the same, perhaps cumulating the effects. We can cast Bless - which should help, especially if Pillar will cast it also. And we can protect the lead fighters with a spell like santuary - another useful protection. And of course, we can load up on heal spells! There is another spell I learned recently that may also prove useful...but requires me to chant a good long time!" Sasha laughs.
"And you have not heard me sing...it will not be a pleasant thing, I assure you - but the protection is thankfully unaffected by my singing ability."
Athmyr speaks.
"Well we will just say that it was personal and that by Kodian I am glad to be back. But now I have guessed that you still are having problems with the house. If some one would like to tell me what has happened maybe I can fix any problems you have had. But first you need to let me know what has happened."
Raz turns to Athmyr..."I'm sorry for my outburst. We have all had a very hard time of it. Suffice to say that we still seem to be a long way from solving the riddle of that house. We have face many, many monsters, found a magical book, a sword named Marvin (I think), and various treasures, but are no closer to ridding that house of evil. I'm a little tired right now Athmyr...so if you don't mind I'll let one of my other collegues tell you about what has happened to us."
Rane comments, "Yes, the sword was named Marvin, and hopefully we are now rid of it, although it cost me those fine boots and 2000 of my own gold to do so."
Raz looks towards Rane, "I have a favor to ask....can you find out how much those chain necklaces cost? I need some money so I can learn a new spell."
Rane nods.
"Speaking of which, may I ask which spells you know - perhaps we can coordinate the use of them..." Sasha asks.
Raz grins.."Okay here we go. I know.....read magic, magic missle, sheild, charm detect magic, unseen servant, find familiar, push, floating disk, comp. lang., feather fall, Burning hands, and hold portal. In addition I am trying to get up enough money to learn invisibility (which I think will prove most useful)."
"And how many of these can you use in a day?" Sasha asks, busy scribbling down in her journal.
She looks up a moment later, "Some of these I have some idea of, but what exactly do the spells Push and Shield so?"
Raz smiles..."Well, right now I can cast two of these spells a day. If I can get up enough money..I'l be able to cast invisibility in addition. As for the spells...push allows me to cause an invibible force to strike against an object, sheild can place an invisible barrier in front of me, protecting me and any who stand behind me from attack."
"Now that sounds just like what we need! How forceful is push...and how fast..?" Sasha grins, " I have this mental picture of skeletons standing around at the end of a corridor...then flinging Push at them...knocking them down...sort of like a game the old men in my village used to play. They would stand 10 pins some distance away, then try to roll a very heavy, rounded rock at the pins...and whovever knocked down the most pins in one shot...well, anyway, you get the idea."
"Well...ha...I'm afraid that my spell isn't that powerful. I can only "push something at a force of 3 foot pounds....I guess I could topple over a monster that's already off balance though."
"Or..." Sasha quickly replies, "Use it as part of a trap that is triggered by pushing something...what is the range of the force...and what are foot pounds?" She asks with a puzzled frown.
"We could position nets on the ceilings, made to drop on the monsters...or something similar...and...bring some plants with us and entangle areas..." She continues, with a smile at Bel.
"Or we could use that heat metal spell to 'warm' their swords...can that spell do that? "
Bel says, "Oh yes! The spell works by increasing the heat each round it is up until the target is melted or out of range. The spell will get to the point of doing severe and continuous damage after 4-5 rounds."
Raz smiles, "I could set a trap off with it couldn't I? I never thought of that! Great idea Sasha! Oh, and a foot pound is the amount of pressure per square foot (ie 3 foot pounds means I can push with a force equal to three pounds in a 1 foot square radius). I'm afraid that I don't have a heat metal spell (if you were referring to me), but I do have burning hands. Burning hands is a great spell, but I was afraid to use it....I could accidentally burn down the house with it."
"Cool!" Sasha laughs, "I mean HOT! That would be useful to target on their best fighter type."
"So...for now, as a rough draft kind of plan we have the following:"
Sasha pulls a page from her book and sets it on the table.
(If single file - just smush together...ie, J'Harast, Rane, Sasha, Petunia, etc...If a big room...spread out in similar pattern...)
J'Harast Rane (Scouts)
Sasha Petunia
Bel Raz
Illyana Pillar
Athmyr
"Of course, this is just an idea - I was thinking, " Sasha says, pointing to the diagram, "That this way, the non-fighter types are fairly well protected - each with a fighter nearby. The scouts of course, will move to the back should some situation erupt, with the possibility of moving for a backstab later on...or scoping out an exit. If you have another preference - please point it out - this is just something to get us started..."
Sasha points to the next part of the page.
Spells: Will cast bless once we are in unknown territory - or returning to a room that has caused heaps of trouble before.
Then, will cast Santuary on one of our fighters.
Then will cast Chant.
(I'll have to check the way I need to time these things.)
Perhaps Pillar can pray for healing spells...and share them. I will only be able to have 1 if I use both bless and santuary.
"I'll need to figure out the best way for me to do my part." Sasha adds.
Looking up, Sasha continues. "And as for you magic users and such, Heat Metal seems like it would useful, as would be entangle - if we remember to bring plants with us. Invisibility, once you learn it, will also be useful."
Sasha pauses, frowning in thought. "Hmmm...Raz? Seems like magic missile would be the best spell for you ... along with push? Does Shield protect against anything...or just certain things? That would be a good one too..."
"We want to do two things mostly - give our fighters the best chances for succeeding, and protect those with magical abilities...so they can assist the fighters." Sasha laughs, "Well, that was an interesting sentence! But you get my meaning."
"I am hoping that with a general plan like this we will be able to act more quickly - if we get to moving around in a set order...we will know where to expect to find the folks we need..."
"And, if we know our general plan - we don't need to make important decisions in a moment when we really aren't thinking clearly."
"So...what do you all think? I would welcome any comments, ideas - and feel free to point out gross errors in my thinking." Sashsa concludes with a smile.
"ZZZZzzzzzzzz...." snoring Pillar rolls over on the table and falls off, swearing belligerently he stands and looks at the plan. "Great I get to be at the back how exciting, Pillar do this, Pillar do that, this voice is getting annoying".
Peering at Sasha Pillar's eyes seem to droop, and he sways on his feet, reaching the table for support he steadies himself "Whoa, too much ale, anyway back to the point at hand, who died and made you king... Queen?"
Pillar slumps back down in his chair grumbling.
Sasha chuckles quietly. "Well, shall I wake him and ask him where he would rather be in the order? Or shall we let him sleep it off?"
"Now I would like to see this magical book you all have found I might be able to make somethig out of it. And also I agree with you we should know what all we have in magical stuff for future use. It may come in really handy.
"Raz lay off her she has a right to be upset and you (though I don't really know you all that well yet) need to shut up and let her deal with it. If she feels it is her responsibility then let it be that means that she will be that more efficiant next time we have trouble. Which means she probably will save your ass."
With a very tired grin on his face, Raz looks at the group, "Of course your right Athmyr. I apologise to all of you...I'm just tired that's all."
Raz shouts, "Barkeep...another round of ale for those who care for more!" Sasha indicates she would like another round.
Raz continues, "now about the book. I seem to have misdirected you about that. I have to admitt that I'm a little obsessed with it myself. The book was very troubling...and I believe powerful. We choose not to deal with it at the moment and focus on other things. We were unable to find out the significance of it beyond its crude remarks."
Sasha grins at Raz. "A little understated, wouldn't you say? 'We choose not to deal with it'? That thing was calling all the monsters down on us it seemed! But, if we are sucessful next time, I'm sure we can retrieve it if it means so much. I confess, I am also intrigued."
"My, my, how exciting, Athmyr you have a silken tongue, a pity it doesn't match your intelligence". Smirking Pillar remains seated "If you cant settle a discussion with your mind what more are you than a stinking pig who wandered off the street with the ability to wield a weapon. Of course you fit the former not the latter".
Surprised by Pillar's words, Sasha immediately holds up her hand to stave off any angry replies, pleading silently with her eyes.
"Pillar? I don't quite understand your rambling..."
Sighing Pillar orders some more ale.
"I mean no offence if you judge yourself to be a man of intellect rather than Ug the troll, if however you find yourself more in favour with Ug, then perhaps you had best take much offense".
Yawning Pillar sips from his recently arrived ale.
"Lively discussion is good and with Sasha it sometimes proves to be belligerent, as often she says something without considering the ramifications, or the probability of such an arguement."
Sasha blushes, but smiles. "Yes, that has been brought to my attention - and I am taking your advice and learning from my past mistakes. Why bring it up again - I had thought you said you abhorred such behaviour..." She asks, a little puzzled.
"Your absence also is noted and your ability to comment on party dynamics is interesting, I however think you should watch rather than leap in where fools dare".
Sasha frowns, "And that means?" She asks quietly. "That we are all fools and you are giving warning? I think we knew that!" Sasha laughs.
Pillar drinks some more ale and continues "But please I am just a drunken sod so pay no attention to my ramblings if you feel so inclined. Wooo this talking is bad on the throat". Pillar finishes his ale and rests happily in his seat.
"Well, you must think they are important or you would not have bothered to voice your thoughts. But I confess, I do not understand the nature of your thoughts...would you care to clarify for us?" Sasha pauses, "After you wet your throat once more of course."
Athmyr speaks.
"For the sake of some here who I respect I will not get in an argument over this. But by Kodian if you ever pull this shit while we are working you can be sure that your god will not be there to protect you from what I will do to you.
"I would also like to here what you may have to say maybe something intelligent will come out after all. I do believe that it would be better understandable if you weren't drinking though." Chortleing Pillar wets his tongue some more "Oooo scare me please, just because I have the ability to vocalize my thoughts in a manner in which my physical presence is not required to enforce my words makes me a liability. Have I ever let you down? Have I ever left any party member in the lurch?"
"Pillar...I realize that recently I had thought you under the influence of the evil forces connected with the house...but I thought I explained myself...I am sorry that my careless words still pain you - I did not mean them to. Even the High Priestess chastized me for those words - how many times can I say I am sorry before you will accept it and put it behind you? I don't doubt your loyalty, or your strenght, or your value. What can I do to make it right with you?"
"As I recall I risked my life for Bel here", motions towards Bel. "However you would not have realized this as you were not with the party at this point in time. So perhaps you might watch and learn before you conjecture about the loyalties of this team. And although you may carry a weapon with greater ability than I could care to learn I am sure my god would not desert me".
"I don't think anyone but you were doubting loyalties...we are all in this together - if you want to be. If you have doubts about any member of this party - then I have a suggestion. Some may find it offensive...even I do ... but perhaps it will give everyone a measure of comfort...and I apologise in advance if you abhor my idea...it is just the only way I can think of to lay to rest everyone's doubts."
Sasha pauses, a little nervously. She looks up, biting her lip. "Raz has been through this one time - but I have access now to a spell a little different than last time. I can check all of our auras and see if there is evil intent in anyone here...shall I do that? Would it put to rest these doubts?"
Pausing Pillar seems to be thinking "Sasha what do you mean about clarification my mind is somewhat sidetracked at the moment".
Bel says, "I have no objections to being scanned and will understand if anyone else does."
Rane slaps the table he is at.
"You will certainly NOT do that. I won't have you looking at my aura or whatever just to satisfy your curiosity. I trust all of you here. If you can't trust each other then I suggest you leave. What you suggest is rude and undignified."
Sasha is startled by the slap and jerks back nervously. "Well...I did apologise in advance...I don't like this any better than you do...but it almost seems necessary - I know I was guilty myself of doubting...but only because I thought some influence related to the house was involved..." Sasha throws up her hands in frustration and lets out a long sigh.
"Look, I can't do it now in any case - and would not do it to anyone that objected. If you all think we can work together without doubting each others loyalties, I'm happy with that. And I will even try to take my own advice - but remember this - it is still possible that in the future we will come across some creature or device that may cause us to become evil...never forget that. When I trained and had access to this spell, I asked of what use it could be - evil folk are mostly obviously evil and you know your friends...my teacher related a long sad story that soon made things clear to me. I am tired...exhausted really...I'm going up to my room..."
"I must agree with Rane you don't need to scan us to figure out anything," says Athmyr. "If there are problems with someone then we will have to deal with them at the time. We don't need to invade any privacy. If you don't like it then any one is more than welcome to leave."
"Ah the voice of reason speaks, and I am inclined to agree with him, all those that have something to hide leave now and you will forever be in question of course if you stay then you will have proved your loyalty. As for an invasion of privacy I think that is a load of hogwash, when I look at you I see something, is that private. If I look at you through slightly better eyes is that any different, I think not." Sighing Pillar looks at his empty ale tankard "Hmmm more ale is needed".
Sasha rubs her brow wearily and makes her way to the room.
Raz sits back and watches the three talk amonst themselves...."Ah Athmyr, it seems that you are going to fit into this small group just fine." Drinking even more ale, Raz continues, "as you can see we are just a jumble of cooperation."
Raz tips back in his chair even further...and just ctaches himself before he almost topples backwards. "Well...ha I must say Sasha that what you are doing is fantastic...we need a leader and you seem to be ready to fill that role. I like your ideas. As for Pillar..that's just him. Pay him no mind...he's a good person, but he hates authority...just buy him plently of ale and pat him on the back."