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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 551261" data-attributes="member: 6294">"Hooberan's Stockade" by Wicht  - Part 3An acolyte greets the group upon their arrival at the Sanctuary."We've been sent to pick up Sir Dross." Mantreus announces smoothly.  To his disappointment, the acolyte makes no reaction to the deliberately mangled name."I'll get him for you."After a few minutes, the acolyte returns with a young elf in tow.  The newcomer is busily strapping on scale mail armour as he approaches, and walks with a heaviness that is unusual in one of his race."Good day." He nods to the group, "I am Sirdros.  The High Priest has asked me to accompany you to Hooberan's Stockade.""I'm Tweedlefinkle Dessandri Rhowyn." Twinkle thrusts out her hand to the elf, who gives her a rather startled look, "Tweedlefinkle is the birth name my parents gave me, while Rhowyn is my family name.  I come from a long line of Rhowyns.  Now, Dessandri -""Maybe something shorter?" Sirdros interjects with a nervous smile.The gnome visibly deflates,"Oh, just call me Twinkle."Each of the other adventurers introduces themselves quickly, and they are all soon on the road again, heading north east toward the ranger's tower.As they enter the forest, a wolf pads out of the undergrowth and falls into step beside Stormstrider.  It happens so calmly and smoothly that most of the group don't even break stride.  The elves have been familiar with the druidic faith their whole lives, and their relaxed attitude toward the animal eases any concerns the others might have had.  Only Shadow appears displeased, retreating into Mantreus' familiar pouch with a dismissive twitch of his tail.Eventually, the tower comes in sight.  The building has obviously been the subject of recent care and attention.  The splintered front door has a crude but serviceable replacement and the brush around the tower has been cleared."Did you ever find the ranger who hired us to kill those rats?" the Padre asks Elspeth."No." the female ranger scowls at the reminder of the absentee whose work she has been doing. "Haven't seen a sign of him."  Her tone speaks volumes about what will happen if she ever does find a sign.The group presses on, making good time.  Shortly before dusk, they crest a ridge to find themselves looking over a shallow valley.  Most of the valley is lightly wooded, but about a mile in the distance is a cleared area, in the centre of which is a collection of buildings surrounded by a wooden palisade."Is that it?" Stormstrider asks."We'd have to be really lost for it not to be." Mantreus quips."Do we want to get inside tonight, or wait until morning?" Sirdros glances at the setting sun."It's already getting dark." The Padre shields his eyes as he scans the valley. "I suggest we make camp down there." He points to a copse of trees some four hundred feet from the stockade.  "It looks defensible, and our fire will be shielded from the town.""Does it matter if they see us?" Elspeth raises her eyebrows."It does if there's something untoward going on." The Padre responds, face carefully impassive. "Which seems likely, given the reasons we were sent here."The others see the wisdom in this remark, and decide to follow the priest's suggestion."We should wait until dark and then rake a closer look at the stockade." Stormstrider suggests."Good idea." Mantreus agrees, "We can check if there are any lights on, inside the town."Nobody points out that they could see any lights without moving a step: the idea of a midnight reconnaissance has fired their imaginations.The group makes camp, carefully shielding their fire from the town, then wolf down their evening meal, debating the composition of the scouting party as they do so.  The two priests are obviously not suited to the task, but all four of the others are keen to go.Eventually - and much to his disgust - it is decided that Stormstrider should remain behind.  More warrior than scout, he has the weakest stealth skills of the four."Remember," the Padre cautions the three who are to perform the scouting mission, "Just check it out and then come back.  Don't do anything risky."He has a sneaking suspicion he may as well be talking to himself.</blockquote>

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