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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 634502" data-attributes="member: 6294">"Hooberan's Stockade" by Wicht  - Part 10The group move to the next building.   The settlement is more or less laid out in a grid pattern, so they just stick to the row closest to the western wall.  The new structure proves to be the village smithy.  The house itself is one of the few to be built of stone, while the forge abuts the southern wall of the main building.  A quick glance around shows that the fires of the forge are cold.  Nor do any of the tools appear to have been used; at least not for quite some time: there is a faint layer of dust on some of them.Once they are convinced that there is nothing of value in the forge, the group carefully push open the front door of the building.  A grisly sight meets their eyes: a partially consumed corpse lies sprawled in the corridor before them, still swarming with bloated, red-jawed rats.These vermin are only the normal kind, however - not the more aggressive dire variety - and they scatter at the group's approach, running out of the hallway through three different doors.Approaching the body, the Padre crouches to examine it."A young male ... dwarf, I think." He reports, "Must have been dead  while before the rats got to him - there's not much blood."As the others begin to move up, the Padre stands again, speaking a quiet benediction over the body.Peering into the first door on the left, Sirdros visibly pales, then reaches in and sharply pulls the door closed before anyone else can join him."Nothing you'd want to see." He assures the others, at their surprised looks. "I think it ... they ...were his parents." The ashen-faced priest nods at the body in the hall."We should see to their last rites." The Padre's statement all but drowns out Mantreus' "But there could be gold in there!""Whatever gods they follow, they are already with them." Sirdros stands firm, and the Padre acknowledges his point with a nod.  The group moves a few steps further up the corridor, reaching the next door, which is set into the opposite wall from the first.They peer through the doorway at a neatly organised living room, filled with dwarf-sized furniture.  There is a plush, overstuffed sofa with carved mahogany legs, several equally overstuffed armchairs, and a low ("Well it would have to be, for dwarves." Twinkle quips) table."Everything seems in order." The Padre remarks doubtfully, "No bodies, no sign of a disturbance.""There's a chair overturned in the corner." Mantreus' sharp eyes have picked it out, for all that it is three-quarters hidden by the table."Best to be ready, then." Stormstrider brandishes his quarterstaff.The group moves carefully into the room, fanning out slightly as they do so.  The two rangers have the flanks, while the clerics take the middle, holy symbols readied in case of an undead attack. It is however rats, rather than ghouls or zombies, that burst out from under the furniture and dash to attack.  There are three of the large, red-eyed dire rats, and they lunge forward in a group, jaws slavering and bristle-black fur matted with dried blood."Ahhhh!  Rats!" Twinkle drops the lantern - which fortunately does not shatter on the carpeted floor - and bolts out of the room.  It seems the recent battle in the watch tower has affected the young gnome more than they realised."Damnit, get back here!" the Padre roars after her, letting his holy symbol drop as he draws forth his mace and swings it into one of the creatures.  There is a dull crunch as the blow smashes into the rat's flank, but the beast is still on its feet.Stormstrider speaks a few words of the sylvan tongue, and a green glow surrounds his quarterstaff.  Looking more than a little pleased with himself, the ranger moves to block one of the rats.  As he does so, Mantreus also moves forward and snaps off a shot with his crossbow at the third, so far unengaged, rodent.  The bolt flies true, lifting the rat off its feet and pinning the twitching body to the sofa.Elspeth cuts in beside Stormstrider and slashes at the rat with her swords.  Both blades bite deep, and the creature is immediately disembowelled.  The male ranger's look of pleased anticipation fades to one of annoyance, as he realises that might not get a chance to try out his new trick.The look changes to an outright scowl as Sirdros steps up and dashes the brains of the rat that was already wounded by the Padre.  With the third and final rodent slain, the room falls silent, except for the rather bashful return of Twinkle, who mutters an embarrassed apology as she picks up the fallen lantern.  The Padre gives her a glare, and the gnome scuttles behind Elspeth.They quickly check the rest of the house - an empty bedroom and a kitchen filled with rotting food - but find nothing of interest except for more rats ... of the normal kind, Twinkle is pleased to note."Right." Mantreus rubs his hands together briskly, then loads his crossbow again.  "Time for the next house."</blockquote>

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