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Message: <blockquote data-quote="arwink" data-source="post: 906086" data-attributes="member: 2292">Saturday, August 26th, 508 AF, continued Blarth stands at the base of the ramp, one of the children clinging to his legs.  The other is hiding behind Yip, although she seems a little bewildered by all four of her rescuers."What wrong with them?" Blarth asks, gesturing down. Halgo just shakes his head and points at the still form of the third child, the bloodstained bandage still wrapped around its head."Goblin hit boy?" Blarth asks, confused."Geoffrey thought he might be possesed," Halgo explains.  "He did a little exploring with his dagger.""Geoffrey find crystal?" Blarth asks.  Halgo shakes his head."Blarth think we need plan," the half-orc says.  "Town going crazy."Yip is left to calm the two children while the three taller adventurers trade information.  Stories of goblin battles and glowing eyed priests are exchanged, and a brief exploration of the front portion of the goblins cave is made.  There is little more to see, just a series of ledges that can be used to repel assult from below, and a splendid vista of the town and the surrounding mountains that is only mared by the blue flare of light from the town centre."I think," Geoffrey comments, "that everyone's going to die a few days earlier than Utrish predicted."The decision is made to camp.  Both Blarth and Yip are exhausted after fleeing the town, and both Geoffrey and Halgo are wounded after their fight.  A crude campsite is set up at the foot of the ramp, and that food that looks edible is liberated from the goblin camp.  Throughout it all, the only topic of conversation remains what happens next.  They have some new resources, gifts to Geoffrey and Halgo from their mentors including potions of strength, healing, and a wand that allows Halgo to cast shocking grasp when opponents close in for melee combat.  They also have a new Yip, who proves adept at keeping children quiet if nothing else."I think we're going to have to get back to town" Geoffrey says eventually.  "The child is going to need more medical attention than I can provide, and it's probably not all that long before the glowing blue goblin takes over the world or sucks Bellhold into a plane of hell.  I think we're looking at a quick infiltration and elimination mission."Halgo takes a moment to consider Geoffrey's armor and Blarth's oversized blade before restraining his guffaw of laughter."What?" Geoffrey demands."First we have to get down that ramp," he reminds Geoffrey.  "With three children, one comatose, and a dead body.""We leave Thrash here," Geoffrey says bluntly.  "We're probably going to need the time, and we can come back for him later when the towns safe."The others frown at this, but it's hard to argue with the clerics logic.  The morning is a grim affair, breifly punctuated by the sound of Geoffrey's prayers to St Cuthbert as he heals his wounds, Halgo's and the cut on the childs head.  The boy wakes up, but still moves as though half asleep and week."He's still sick," Halgo comments sarcastically.  Geoffrey glares at him."He shouldn't be," the cleric says as he inspects the result of his curing spell.  "All the damage from the knife is gone.  Whatever's affecting him, it isn't my fault.""So what do we do?""Town.  No other choice, really.  It's beyond my ability to heal, and those townsfolk are still in a lot of trouble.  I think it's time we moved out."With a sigh, everyone gathers together their belongings and prepare for the climb down the slick spiral.The trip down proves almost as difficult as the climb up, although the presence of the sure-footed Yip is calming to everyone.  The small kobold slides easily over the slick stone, his tail and scaled feet giving him a better balance and purchase.  He moves quickly, often serving as a steadying arm or encouraging presence when he's needed most.  In the space of a few hours, they have everyone safely gathered at the base of the ramp to contemplate the waterfall."How are we getting children through that?" Halgo asks.  Geoffrey doesn't answer, just looks at it in frustration.  "Blarth and I will have to carry them down," he says eventually.  "The only other way is to jump through and hope they can swim, and they're probably too weak for that.""I'll head down first," Halgo says eagerly.  "I can make sure there's no-one waiting."There's something eager in the dwarfs voice, and Geoffrey remembers the spell Valea had cast on him with her voice."No, Yip first," Geoffrey orders.  "Then I'll go .  We need someone who can swim if anyone falls of the rope, and Yip's the only person we've got who won't be hampered by dropping his equipment through."Time is taken to remove Geoffrey's armor, placing it into a sack so it can be lowered down once both cleric and the child clinging to his neck are safe.  Yip shimmy's down the rope, his small frame battered and beaten by the rushing water but otherwise fine.  Geoffrey is close behind, and he emerges the rushing water just in time to hear Valea hissing at the small kobold."You attempt to leave.  Leave without keeping your word.  You seek to leave me trapped here, bound forever.""The dragons dead," Geoffrey says calmly.  He places the child on the ground and motions for her to back away.  She does so without hesitation."If he's dead, why can't I leave?" Valea wails.  "Why am I still trapped?""We don't know," Geoffrey says.  He's keeping his voice even, trying to defuse the dangerously angry creature.  Valea's sharp teeth are bared.  "We'll find out.  You have my word.""No," Valea snarls.  The sound is dangreous enough that Yip leans forward slightly, his tail balancing him as he drops into a defensive stance.  "If you cannot free me, my only use for you is as meat..."Geoffrey swears, swinging his mace into position as Valea lurches forward with a dagger, two giant rats appearing on her heels.</blockquote>

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