[3.5] Answering the Call

[Mark Chance]

"Thanks," Kyl says after Lars lays on the hands.

The party shoulders their gear and heads out toward Borderland Keep. It is a pleasant enough day, except for the strange chill as the party passes the area of the haunted cairn. Before too long, the adventurers leave the Silent Woods. Ahead a few score yards is the road that runs east to west between the forest and the Winding River.

The heroes pick up the road, walking with a lighter step to the west. For a time, they can hear but not see the Winding River running to the south in the direction of the swamp. The group makes better time than anticipated. It's still an hour or so before noon when Borderland Keep rises into view.

At least for the return trip, the hardest part of the walk back is the steep, narrow road leading up the sheer-walled mount of stone. The familiar figure of Corporal Mitch meets the party just as the pass through the gatehouse into the entry yard.

"Lars, Orinar, Menno, and, let me see, Kyl, right?" he says.

 

[Mark Chance]

Meanwhile, in the Pierced Goblin, Korax the dwarf looks up from his cheese wedge. His dull gray eyes slide over Tiax with undisguised contempt. The half-elf woman nudges one of the human men, who laughs and nods.

"You join us?" Korax says. "I'd sooner join a leech to my scotum, runt. Walk away while you can still walk."

The willowy elf giggles. It's a squeaky, unpleasant sound. Tiax can see the serving wench freeze almost in midstep. Piotr backs away toward the open trapdoor. The gnome's harpsichord concert slows its pace.

 

[hellrazor111]

"I will respect ye wish, sir." replies Tiax, bowing again, mainly to see if he still has his pants, before turning and returning to his table, prepared to dodge should he hear an attack. The elfs giggle sounded mean and the way the serving girl froze...

 

[Rhun]

"Aye," answers Orinar to the Corporal's question, his voice deep and booming. "We've had some success against a band of hobgoblins. We've a dozen or so of their hands to collect our bounty on..."


OOC: I went back through the thread. Looks like we have 15 hobgoblin hands:

1 - Stairs
5 - Common Room
5 - Ambush in the Hall
4 - Reinforcements

 

[Arkhandus]

"Aye, sir," Lars responds, saluting. "We've slain over a score of hobgoblins and a few nasty beasts with 'em. Now we're back to collect a little gold and have ourselves a hearty drink before we strike again."

 

[Mark Chance]

Corporal Mitch says, "Well struck! You need to see the exchequer at the temple for payment. Good to hear you did better than that group headed by that dwarf. They had little show for their outing."

 

[Mark Chance]

"I will respect ye wish, sir." replies Tiax, bowing again, mainly to see if he still has his pants, before turning and returning to his table, prepared to dodge should he hear an attack. The elfs giggle sounded mean and the way the serving girl froze...

Korax waves goodbye with the point of that delicate silver-bladed dagger, sparking another round of laughter from his companions. As Tiax walks away, the gnome's play gets more lively, Piotr looks more relaxed, and the serving wench goes back to work

Tiax will have no trouble finding a seat away from the unpleasant dwarf. There are few other patrons in the tavern. Aside the dwarf's party, there's a thick-necked man in tradesman garb, in front of whom the serving wench is laying out some food and a tankard.

The tradesman catches Tiax's eye and gives the halfling a nod before scooping a spoonful of stew into his mouth.

 

[Rhun]

"Har!" laughs Orinar. "Good to see that the dwarf isn't living up to his own opinion of himself." The half-giant claps Mitch on the shoulder, and gives the soldier a wide smile. "We shall seek out the exchequer, and once we have some gold in hand we shall feast at the tavern! Feel free to join us for a drink later, Mitch. We'll tell you all about the hobgoblins!"

 

[Neurotic]

Not as boastful as his big friend, Menno still smiles especialy immagining the face of dour dwarf when he buys a round for whole inn and announces that hobgoblins are buying.

OOC: by my math: 75 x 15 = 1125 /4 = 281,25...let's say 280 for each of us. Mark, how big is the city, is there a place to buy magical equipment, scrolls and/or potions?

OOC2: Also, consider that Menno will dutifuly even enthusiasticaly (but cautiosly ask around about mithral 'dagger') ... if you think that there is not much RPing to be done, please roll Gather Info and describe the effect...

 

[Arkhandus]

Lars frowns for a moment, and asks Mitch "Sir, do you happen to know if the dwarf's party, or anyone else, recently came back into Borderland Keep with a mithral short sword or dagger? I have it on decent authority that it is likely stolen, and not from goblinoid filth."