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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 466395" data-attributes="member: 6294">"Unearthing the Past" by Jesse Decker (WotC Cliffhanger) - Part 2An acolyte greets the group as they arrived at the Sanctuary, "Pelor's blessings upon you.   How may we help?""We need healing potions." Ulfgar grunts."I'm afraid our stocks are a little low at the moment ... is someone hurt?  You do not appear injured ...""Not yet, but we plan to be." Macwood offers with a smirk, thoroughly confusing the young cleric, much to the group's amusement.  Even Ming Li's lip quiver into a half-smile."We gotta go look for a wagon.  It's full o' food for the festival, and it's late." Ulfgar brandishes his waraxe, "The guy that hired us thinks somethin' probably happened to it.  Bandits, maybe.""Well, if it is for the festival, I will see what we can do." The acolyte hurries off to consult with his superior, returning after a few minutes with two stoppered vials.  "We can let you have these potions ... for the usual donation, of course.""How much?""Fifty gold each."Grumbling about the price, the group clubs together and - thanks to Ulfgar's comparatively fat belt pouch and the advance from Gendrew - come up with the required funds.  Then, with the potions safely stowed by Ming Li and Briar, they shoulder their packs and set off along the road to the south east.The travel proves cold and muddy - the autumn winds carry more than a hint of winter - but the four new companions make good time by staying on the grassy verge of the road, away from the churned up mud that marks the passage of previous travellers."So what brought you to Amberdale?" Macwood inquires of Briar as the group marches along.  The young man grimaces, then gives a slightly bashful grin,"There was some ... confusion ... over the ownership of a few items, back in Tarkamul.  I decided it might be best to get some of the fresh, country air for a while." The young man looks around, "I actually like it more than I thought I would.  You?""I'm a cartographer and explorer."  Macwood explains, "And I write a mean limerick.  I came out this way with another group of adventurers - you saw them at the inn.""Won't they wonder where you are?""Probably." The halfling flashes a grin, "If that pompous ass Kyrnyn even notices I'm gone, that is.""I can see why you decided to leave them." Ming Li acknowledges. "The behaviour was impolite.""Aye.  Me and Kewpie Doll -" Macwood points at the longsword strapped to his back, "- we prefer to travel with folks who have a sense of fun."  The strangely-named weapon bobs up and down with each step the halfling takes, and seems improbably large in contrast to its diminutive owner.The four travellers are so engrossed in their conversation that it is not until they have crested a small rise in the road that they realise the wagon they are searching for is just a short distance ahead: and that it has met with a foul fate.Half a dozen bodies lie crumpled in the mud around the wagon, which is pulled over to the side of the road.  Two bestial-looking humanoids stand at the near end of the wagon, watching a third figure try to calm the horse from the wagon.  This third figure is too far away to determine what kind of creature it is, particularly as it is heavily bundled against the cold weather, but Macwood instantly recognises the greyish skin and tusk-like teeth of the closer figures."Orcs!" he hisses, waving for everyone to retreat quickly back over the hill.  This is done with some haste, the party scrambling to get out of sight while the creatures are still pre-occupied with watching the impromptu entertainment of the inept horse-handler.Having successfully got under cover without being noticed, the four adventurers take a few moments to check out the lay of the land and plan their next steps.  They have been lucky enough to escape without consequences from their own lack of attentiveness, but they do not plan to allow the same luxury to the two orcs."There are plenty of trees along the sides of the road." Briar indicates with a vague gesture over the hillock, "I could sneak down and get a shot at one of the orcs.""I'll go with you." Ming Li hefts her own crossbow.  "One each."Macwood nods his agreement,"When you get down there, I'll distract them for you."</blockquote>

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