Feint Whispers Chapter #5: The Excavation

[Tokiwong]

Norri gives a little salute from his spot in the back of the wagon.

"Happy to assist," he notes jovially, should anyone ask his opinion.

"Of course ye is wee man," Jericho glances to the wagon, "And ye know we can always use your skillful wee hands, I mean look at them hands, no bigger then a wee lad's hands! I mean just look at them, tiny wee man fingers, all dainty..." Jericho chuckles, at his own wit.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Norri shrugs and smiles.

"Best hands to have when dealin' with pockets or locks I say," he says and grins broadly.

 

[Krug]

Bhartus agrees. "Aye best to stick together, particularly against fearsome Orcs!" His crossbow is armed and ready, as always.

 

[Mirth]

Tarowyn hangs back, letting the others talk, as he thinks deep thoughts and gets lost in self-reflection...

 

[jasamcarl]

Dusk becomes night and the caravan rolls into a sizable clearing adjacent to the road. The area is walled in by trees. The wagons are set up in a circular fashion. Women and children bring out supplies and set up a fire, while the men, some dozen or so, take out scythes, spears, and the occasional short sword. As the dinner fires illuminate the enclosed space, the armed figures station themselves around the perimeter, obvioiusly on guard.

As supper is being prepared, the group of men who had asked the party to join the caravan for the night approaches. The gray haired man, shortsword in his holster speaks, his voice hoarse, but firm "Excuse me sirs. I am Jorut, the elder of these people. We noticed de arms you be carrying, and be thinking you important folk. I know holy ones often be traveling with those such as you. Might ye have a priest amongst yous?" His gaze is set on Jericho.

 

[Tokiwong]

Jericho looks to Bhartus, "We got us a Holy Dwarf, Moradin watches over him, if that is what you mean."

Jericho calls Bhartus, "Bhartus, these men are looking for a holy man, but I figure you can fill in a pinch?"

OOC: Jericho will use his Battle +6 skill to help maximize the defenses of the camp, he will take 10, for a total check of 16.

 

[Krug]

"I be a priest," says Bhartus. "What does thou need?"

 

[KaintheSeeker]

Whitney dismounts as the others do so, and keeps quiet as the strangers converge on Bhartus to speak, her eyes taking in all she can about the assembled folks

 

[Mirth]

Tarowyn follows Jericho's lead and helps to arrange the defense of the caravan.

 

[jasamcarl]

As Tarowyn and Jericho use their experience to improve upon the peasent's defence, the elder speaks to Bhartus, looking a bit surprised:

"We haven't seen a dwarf priest in these parts. But the Dwarffather (Moradin) the blessed ally of the All-Father....the fighting forced my people to move to safer lands to the east. I live in a small village, but me cousin Drasik be workin at a keep about one mile north of here.." he motions to the woodland, "He be a blacksmith for the garrison commander, Lord Hurazrod. The Lord is said to be an evil man, practicing sacrafices and vile magics on his peasents. We have heard news that his keep be attacked and sacked by some Paladins and he be dead, but I haven't heard word of Drasik. I want to know what happen to him, but I have to look after my people, and I don't know if any of the evil still be around the place. We be lucky that such powerful sirs such as yourselves happend by. Would you see it in your heart to go to the keep and see if there are any survivors? As a priest, you can bring the gods' damnation on the foul things that be there and assure that me cousin's body not been perverted. There might still be some of the Commander's gold there; Paladins don't have no care for gold after all. What do you say?"

You hear sincere longing in his voice.

ooc: Tarowyn's advice on the camp's defense is helpful. Jericho's Battle check is raised to 18.