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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7294991" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 96</p><p></p><p>Everyone turned to the door just as it opened and a man came in. The new arrival started a bit on seeing everyone looking at him. He was a rough if rakish-looking fellow, a human maybe thirty years old, skin deeply tanned with a soil-brown beard that looked like it hadn’t been trimmed in a few days. His clothes looked just as rumpled, functional leathers in dark shades that would blend into a forest or rocky terrain. But there wasn’t any rust on the sheaths of the two long knives tucked into his belt, or on the buckles on the straps that supported both a stuffed quiver and a small scout’s satchel slung across his back. His eyes were a bit bloodshot but intent as they took in the room, focusing for just a second on each of the unfamiliar outsiders.</p><p></p><p>“Rodan, your timing is perfect as always,” Brownwell said. “These are specialists sent from Adelar to help us with our… situation. Unfortunately, Golver Haran is dead, their caravan came under attack as well on the road through the mountains. Giants.”</p><p></p><p>Rodan took all that in with barely a blink, reaching up to rub his beard as Brownwell introduced each of the adventurers in turn. “Rodan is a ranger, he knows the western Silverpeak better than just about anyone,” Brownwell said.</p><p></p><p>“The Governor is too generous with his praise,” the man said. He had a slight accent that spoke of a distant ancestry. He shook each of their hands in turn, not batting an eye at either Quellan or Kosk, though when he came to Bredan he held his hand for just a beat longer, giving him an evaluative look before turning back to the others.</p><p></p><p>“What did you find out?” Coop asked.</p><p></p><p>Rodan glanced subtly at the adventurers, but at Brownwell’s nod he said, “There weren’t a lot of signs, but what little there was pointed to where we thought. It looks like the beast has chosen to make its lair in the High Hollows.”</p><p></p><p>“Is that far from the town?” Quellan asked.</p><p></p><p>“Not far enough,” the ranger said.</p><p></p><p>“Do you think it’ll come back?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>“We didn’t hurt it that badly,” Rodan said.</p><p></p><p>“According to Petellian’s <em>Bestiary</em>, the first chimeras were created by a demon prince that was brought to our world through potent magic,” Quellan said. “They bear all of the worst traits of their constituent creatures: greed, pride, and viciousness. They enjoy the fear and suffering of lesser beings… it will savor the terror it has created.”</p><p></p><p>“I’ve heard a few tales of groups that took one of them on,” Glori said. “The one thing the stories all have in common the fact that chimeras are tough and deadly.”</p><p></p><p>“Let’s focus on what we know, strengths and weaknesses,” Kosk said. “They can fly, obviously. The dragon head breathes fire, I presume.”</p><p></p><p>“Aye,” Brownwell said.</p><p></p><p>“Though not endlessly,” Rodan said. “In the first attack, it would breathe and then fly around for a bit before coming around to offer another gout. In close quarters it can attack with multiple heads and its claws, all at once.”</p><p></p><p>“You were fortunate to only lose a few men, it sounds like,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“Only because no one was stupid enough to face it head-on,” Coop said. He shot a look at Kosk as if inviting him to say something, but the dwarf held his tongue.</p><p></p><p>“We’re not warriors here,” Brownwell said. “Even the few soldiers we have in our garrison are not equipped to face a threat like this. We’ll fight to defend our home, but if the creature comes back determined to burn Wildrush to the ground, I fear there’s little we can do to stop it.”</p><p></p><p>“We took an oath to fight for the King,” Bredan said. “Whether it’s against goblins or monsters, I reckon it applies either way.”</p><p></p><p>“Well said,” Rodan said. “You have magic?”</p><p></p><p>“We have some,” Glori said. “Unfortunately, our blasting mage isn’t with us any longer, but we can still do some damage.”</p><p></p><p>“We’ve been making what preparations we can for the creature’s return, but Wildrush is still vulnerable,” Brownwell said.</p><p></p><p>“If we’re going to do this, and it’s still a big ‘if’ in my mind, then we have to do it right,” Kosk said. “Hunt the beast down, face it in its lair and destroy it. No half-measures, just keep hitting it until its dead. If it flies off, pursue it to where it goes to ground and kill it there. Keep harrying it until it’s either dead or has left the valley.”</p><p></p><p>“It sounds like this isn’t your first hunt,” Rodan said. “The dwarf has the right of it, I suspect,” he added to Brownwell and Coop.</p><p></p><p>Brownwell nodded. “I won’t order you to do this, but if you agree to accept this mission we’ll give you whatever support we can.”</p><p></p><p>Quellan turned to Rodan. “Sir, if you’re willing to show us the way, we will confront the creature,” the cleric said.</p><p></p><p>“It would be even better if you’d send a dozen men with heavy crossbows with us,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“I’m not sure you’ll find many eager for that duty,” Coop said.</p><p></p><p>“If they don’t fight it in its lair, they’ll have to fight it here,” Kosk pointed out.</p><p></p><p>“They’ll need men who can fight here,” Quellan said. “The thing can fly, remember; there’s no guarantee it won’t attack while we’re out seeking its lair.”</p><p></p><p>“And a small group can better escape detection,” Glori said. “Sneak up on it.”</p><p></p><p>“This is a monster that can fly and has three heads,” Kosk said. “I don’t think you can assume you’ll be able to sneak up on it.”</p><p></p><p>“I know a way to the Hollows that has good cover on the approaches,” Rodan said. “There’s a chance we’ll make it there undetected. But up on the heights, where the caves are, there’s a lot of open ground.”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe we can lure it into a trap,” Glori suggested.</p><p></p><p>“There’s a whole lot of maybes to figure out,” Kosk said. “But we’ve just finished a long and difficult climb over some mountains, and I for one could use a wash, a hot meal, and a drink, not necessarily in that order.”</p><p></p><p>“I know where you can get all three,” Coop said, rising to his feet. “If we’re done here for now…”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, of course,” Brownwell said. “We’ll talk later, once you had a chance to rest and recover from your journey.” He and Rodan watched until they had left, their eyes lingering on the departing adventurers with a mix of hope and careful evaluation until the door to the Governor’s office had swung closed behind them.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7294991, member: 143"] Chapter 96 Everyone turned to the door just as it opened and a man came in. The new arrival started a bit on seeing everyone looking at him. He was a rough if rakish-looking fellow, a human maybe thirty years old, skin deeply tanned with a soil-brown beard that looked like it hadn’t been trimmed in a few days. His clothes looked just as rumpled, functional leathers in dark shades that would blend into a forest or rocky terrain. But there wasn’t any rust on the sheaths of the two long knives tucked into his belt, or on the buckles on the straps that supported both a stuffed quiver and a small scout’s satchel slung across his back. His eyes were a bit bloodshot but intent as they took in the room, focusing for just a second on each of the unfamiliar outsiders. “Rodan, your timing is perfect as always,” Brownwell said. “These are specialists sent from Adelar to help us with our… situation. Unfortunately, Golver Haran is dead, their caravan came under attack as well on the road through the mountains. Giants.” Rodan took all that in with barely a blink, reaching up to rub his beard as Brownwell introduced each of the adventurers in turn. “Rodan is a ranger, he knows the western Silverpeak better than just about anyone,” Brownwell said. “The Governor is too generous with his praise,” the man said. He had a slight accent that spoke of a distant ancestry. He shook each of their hands in turn, not batting an eye at either Quellan or Kosk, though when he came to Bredan he held his hand for just a beat longer, giving him an evaluative look before turning back to the others. “What did you find out?” Coop asked. Rodan glanced subtly at the adventurers, but at Brownwell’s nod he said, “There weren’t a lot of signs, but what little there was pointed to where we thought. It looks like the beast has chosen to make its lair in the High Hollows.” “Is that far from the town?” Quellan asked. “Not far enough,” the ranger said. “Do you think it’ll come back?” Bredan asked. “We didn’t hurt it that badly,” Rodan said. “According to Petellian’s [i]Bestiary[/i], the first chimeras were created by a demon prince that was brought to our world through potent magic,” Quellan said. “They bear all of the worst traits of their constituent creatures: greed, pride, and viciousness. They enjoy the fear and suffering of lesser beings… it will savor the terror it has created.” “I’ve heard a few tales of groups that took one of them on,” Glori said. “The one thing the stories all have in common the fact that chimeras are tough and deadly.” “Let’s focus on what we know, strengths and weaknesses,” Kosk said. “They can fly, obviously. The dragon head breathes fire, I presume.” “Aye,” Brownwell said. “Though not endlessly,” Rodan said. “In the first attack, it would breathe and then fly around for a bit before coming around to offer another gout. In close quarters it can attack with multiple heads and its claws, all at once.” “You were fortunate to only lose a few men, it sounds like,” Glori said. “Only because no one was stupid enough to face it head-on,” Coop said. He shot a look at Kosk as if inviting him to say something, but the dwarf held his tongue. “We’re not warriors here,” Brownwell said. “Even the few soldiers we have in our garrison are not equipped to face a threat like this. We’ll fight to defend our home, but if the creature comes back determined to burn Wildrush to the ground, I fear there’s little we can do to stop it.” “We took an oath to fight for the King,” Bredan said. “Whether it’s against goblins or monsters, I reckon it applies either way.” “Well said,” Rodan said. “You have magic?” “We have some,” Glori said. “Unfortunately, our blasting mage isn’t with us any longer, but we can still do some damage.” “We’ve been making what preparations we can for the creature’s return, but Wildrush is still vulnerable,” Brownwell said. “If we’re going to do this, and it’s still a big ‘if’ in my mind, then we have to do it right,” Kosk said. “Hunt the beast down, face it in its lair and destroy it. No half-measures, just keep hitting it until its dead. If it flies off, pursue it to where it goes to ground and kill it there. Keep harrying it until it’s either dead or has left the valley.” “It sounds like this isn’t your first hunt,” Rodan said. “The dwarf has the right of it, I suspect,” he added to Brownwell and Coop. Brownwell nodded. “I won’t order you to do this, but if you agree to accept this mission we’ll give you whatever support we can.” Quellan turned to Rodan. “Sir, if you’re willing to show us the way, we will confront the creature,” the cleric said. “It would be even better if you’d send a dozen men with heavy crossbows with us,” Kosk said. “I’m not sure you’ll find many eager for that duty,” Coop said. “If they don’t fight it in its lair, they’ll have to fight it here,” Kosk pointed out. “They’ll need men who can fight here,” Quellan said. “The thing can fly, remember; there’s no guarantee it won’t attack while we’re out seeking its lair.” “And a small group can better escape detection,” Glori said. “Sneak up on it.” “This is a monster that can fly and has three heads,” Kosk said. “I don’t think you can assume you’ll be able to sneak up on it.” “I know a way to the Hollows that has good cover on the approaches,” Rodan said. “There’s a chance we’ll make it there undetected. But up on the heights, where the caves are, there’s a lot of open ground.” “Maybe we can lure it into a trap,” Glori suggested. “There’s a whole lot of maybes to figure out,” Kosk said. “But we’ve just finished a long and difficult climb over some mountains, and I for one could use a wash, a hot meal, and a drink, not necessarily in that order.” “I know where you can get all three,” Coop said, rising to his feet. “If we’re done here for now…” “Yes, of course,” Brownwell said. “We’ll talk later, once you had a chance to rest and recover from your journey.” He and Rodan watched until they had left, their eyes lingering on the departing adventurers with a mix of hope and careful evaluation until the door to the Governor’s office had swung closed behind them. [/QUOTE]
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