Post 012604 – The Calm After the Storm
Post 012604 – The Calm After the Storm, Alturiak 4, Evening.
Now that the battle is over and the adrenalin starts to subside, you take a look around you to see the devastation that surrounds you. Your muscles seem heavier as you see the bodies lying in the snow, which once was pristine and pure, but is now covered in red. It seems so senseless to you, but you feel helpless to prevent it. The world of Faerun is a dangerous and deadly place, more so in the Silver Marches. It is something you have accepted over time, but seeing its fury first hand is sobering.
The merchant guards move amongst those that still live, trying to bring everyone together. At a distance you see some of the merchants that had run away stopping and turning around, others still trying to reign in the horse and carriages. Many of the women are crying amongst the dead. You see guards lying in the snow, obviously dead. But you also see some of the merchants lying in the snow, arrows protruding from their bodies or deadly wounds the obvious cause of death. As you move amongst the bodies, you hear some of the men say things like, “They came out of no where”, ”. “Why would they attack us, we carry only wool and garments." Many of the merchants are just in shock.
The guards seem to be at ease with your presence, finally, one of the remaining guards and a merchant approach your group. “My thanks for your timely arrival. If not for you, then I fear all would have been lost. We were lucky enough to have been traveling with a Knights in Silver escort for part of the way, but even then, we were taken by surprise and could do little to stem the tide of battle. My name is Athil Golyista, I am from Silverymoon. We were traveling to Sundabar when these creatures came at us from the foothills here. It is strange that they would attack openly on the road, for it is well patrolled. I have traveled this road much over the past year and I have not heard of a similar attack so close to Silverymoon.” The merchant guard with him nods his agreement. “We must attend to the fallen. Will you assist? I fear, now that the guard and the Knights are slain, we are in a vulnerable position.”
The group agrees to lend assistance and start to police the bodies. Subconsciously, you divide the fallen into groups, the Knights in Silver, the Merchant Guard and the merchants themselves. The fallen orcs, goblins and ogre you unceremoniously pile their bodies in a heap, but first emptying their pockets of anything valuable or informative. You collect various coins from the goblins and orcs. The ogre has a full pouch of coins and a few gems. The merchants eye you as you collect and group the coins together (103gp, 218sp, 3 Gems). Once you have completed the task, Athil approaches you again. “I must once again thank you for your assistance. I cannot offer much of a reward, but in fairness, I would like to split the treasure with you. I would ask for only one share so I can pay for funeral services and rehire some guards.” You look over your shoulder and see that they are loading the bodies of the fallen guards and merchants onto wagons. Athil continues, “I do not know what to do with the fallen Knights. We are going to continue to Sundabar so perhaps we could take them to the next patrol. Which way are you going and what is your business? Perhaps we can travel together if you are heading my way? At the very least camp with us tonight, it is late and I doubt we will travel far, if at all this night.”
As you decide, you survey the field. 5 Knights in Silver fell in battle along with 6 of the merchant guard. There are only 3 merchant guards remaining for the seven wagons carrying goods. You do notice another wagon that is different than the others. Inquiring, Athil will tell you that this was another traveling to Sundabar and joined up with his group a day back. He does not know the people and has not spoken with them much.
What do you decide/do?
