The Band of Four (The Village of Oester)

[Hairy Minotaur]

His strength sapped from the long cold trek through the forest, Tharhack's pace has slowed to a stumbling half walk, half limp. Even the anger filling his heart no longer fuels his legs to run. At least it wasn't sleeting or snowing, he thought to himself. Stopping to rest a moment, Tharhack puts his hands on his knees and fights to keep himself upright. Staring up at the distant horizon, Tharhack can see the faint signs of smoke wisping up through the night air. Breathing in the crisp air, Tharhack stands and steadies himself again. He finally succumbs to the fact that without a spell to take the bite out of the cold air, he won't make it even halfway to the Hamlet.

Casting his spell, Tharhack Feels his muscles relax and his bones warm, even the air seems warmer to his lungs. With a renewed vigor, Tharhack starts off towards Thumble in as quick a walk his tired body will allow. He reaches the hamlet within two hours, crossing the river near Roplin's old house, most of the hamlet is asleep. A couple of homes have candles burning in a window, Tharhack wonders if Rebrey stayed or left. Walking along the river's edge, Tharhack makes his way first to Durac's house. Finding the house filled with darkness, Tharhack enters looking for some sign that Rebrey has remained in Thumble. Alas Tharhack finds that all of Rebrey's belongings are missing, and the house completely empty. Tharhack leaves Durac's and heads to Opee's where a single candle still burns in the nearest window. Walking up to the door, Tharhack knocks and awaits an answer.

After two more knocks Opee answers the door in an annoyed mood, his clothes disheveled like he'd been sleeping in them.

"What! Oh it's you. What are you doing here? I heard the rest of your companions left earlier today, and without so much of a good-bye as well." Opee says agitated and sleepy

"Do you know where they went?" Tharhack asks ignoring Opee's mood

"Back over the bridge, the guards thought they saw them head north after that. Shouldn't you know that?" Opee asks clearly confused by Tharhack's last question

"Do you have a tracker?" Tharhack asks

"A what?" Opee responds

"A tracker, or maybe even a trapper. Someone who knows their way around the woods like the back of their hand." Tharhack replies

Opee stammers as her tries to take in Tharhack's question, and then think of the answer. "No, not really. We don't have any particular need for that around here. We generally avoid going to far into the woods." Opee answers

"OK, Thank you for your time." Tharhack says as he takes leave of Opee

"Bye" Opee says shaking his head, and walking over to the window he blows out the candle cloaking his house in darkness.

Tharhack heads to Rillkep's. Finding no candles lit, Tharhack bangs on the door until Rillkep answers in his night clothes.

"Um, what's the problem?" Rillkep asks

"I need your assistance. Please get dressed and grab your blade." Tharhack states

"Great? What's attacking now?" Rillkep answers pulling off his night clothes and putting on his trousers.

"Nothing, I need your help in locating someone." Tharhack says

"Who?" Rillkep asks

Tharhack relates his situation to Rillkep, telling him it is of utmost urgency that Xanoniel be found before Alriand or Rebrey dies.

"Well, truth be told, I didn't really care for your elf all that much anyway." Rillkep tells Tharhack

"And? Truth be told I didn't care for you. However you're the only one I trust to help me." Tharhack says

"Gee, you're really swaying me here. Maybe they left you behind for a reason? Ever consider that?" Rillkep asks

"Whether or not we function together in a social setting, is of no interest to me. I need your help. Please." Tharhack pleads

Rillkep mulls over Tharhack's offer, he sits down in a chair and raps his fingers on his desk.

"How do you think I could help you exactly?" Rillkep asks

"I'm going to locate my query, and once her location is discovered I'll need someone who can handle a blade, to keep any of her summoned friends off my back. Are you up to it?" Tharhack asks

"I've seen you fight, you don't need any help, least of all mine." Rillkep answers

"Alright, you got me. I really need you because I have no clue where I'm going, and I'd prefer to travel with someone who doesn't faint at the sight of a slug." Tharhack replies

"I'm not about the leave the Hamlet unattended, not after the week we've had." Rillkep responds

"I'm sure Wilby will do a fine job. We won't be long, once I catch up to them you may leave." Tharhack answers

"I'm not going to do it, find someone else." Rillkep states

"There is no one else! I've already gone to Opee. It's you or no one." Tharhack thunders

Contemplating Tharhack's new offer Rillkep gets up from his chair and walks over to fireplace. Rillkep throws another log on the fire.

"I'm not going to travel more than a couple of hours from Thumble, I just can't do that." Rillkep answers

Tharhack sighs in disbelief and hangs his head, turning to leave he opens the door. Tharhack then comes to a halt.

"You don't want to travel more than a couple hours outside of Thumble correct?" Tharhack asks

"Yes, that's correct." Rillkep responds

"Then I'll take it." Tharhack replies "Plan B is almost as good."

 

[pogre]

Lots of good roleplaying from your folks here (and good writing from you of course). I eagerly await your next update.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

Reluctantly, Rillkep begins to get dressed. "I still don't what I'm needed for, if you're going to stay close to Thumble." Rillkep says to Tharhack

"Well, There's at least two people who know where Xanoniel is going. One is Xanoniel the other is an old hag living somewhere out in the woods. I intend to get the information I need from the witch." Tharhack replies

"Witch? If there was a witch living out there, I'd know about it." Rillkep answers

"Yes, I'm sure you would. I mean you sniffed out the kobolds with no problem." Tharhack replies demeaningly

"If you're going to be rude the whole time, then forget it, you can do this by yourself." Rillkep says pulling his boots back off

"Rude? I speak the truth, if we hadn't stumbled into your little happy village, I'd be talking to a kobold chieftain right now. I offer you the chance to eliminate a problem now, before it's gets beyond anything you could hope to contain." Tharhack states

The words while stinging were true, and Rillkep knew it. "Fine what's the plan? How are we going to find her cave or whatever?"

"I know the location of where she wanted to meet Alriand. I think we should start from there." Tharhack answers

"OK, let me go tell Wilby where I'll be." Rillkep states as he leaves to wake Wilby and to tell him he'll be back later that day.

Tharhack tells Rillkep to meet him by Roplin's in ten minutes. Leaving the sheriff's, Tharhack goes straight to Roplin's and awaits Rillkep's arrival. Kneeling in the snow covered grass, Tharhack begins his daily prayer to Kord. Rillkep arrives and watches and waits for Tharhack to finish. Not a very pious man himself, he wasn't going to argue with the results Tharhack got from it.

Meanwhile.........

"Isn't kind of odd that we haven't seen any sign of Tharhack?" Rebrey asks

"No, it just shows he's doing a wonderful job of staying invisible." Xanoniel replies

"Yeah but, you haven't even looked for his passing" Rebrey counters

"I showed him a little trick, I see the signs perfectly. In time you may grow to notice them as well. If you don't trust me, feel free to stay here or go back to the halflings." Xanoniel responds

"No, it just feels weird without him here, first Bimbar, then Alriand, and now Tharhack. It feels lonely." Rebrey says

"I'm here with you, and so is Alriand. She needs you now more than ever." Xanoniel answers

"Speaking of Alriand, how long is she going to be out?" Rebrey asks

"She'll be catatonic until Tharhack lets us know we've made it to the wizard's tower." Xanoniel responds

"Does she have to be in a coma?" Rebrey asks?

"Unfortunately yes, otherwise her brain would rip the fabric of her reality, and she would go insane. Taking you with her." Xanoniel replies

"If the witch is that powerful, shouldn't we have dealt with her on the way out of Thumble? I don't think leaving her alive is a wise decision." Rebrey asks

"Once Alriand is revived, we can go back and deal with this witch, Tharhack and I thought it better to save Alriand first as opposed to lose time by trying to chase an old hag through the woods." Xanoniel replies

"But you're a druid, aren't forests your turf?" Rebrey asks

"True but I don't live there, she does. So, just because I can tell the difference between a pine tree and a fur tree, doesn't mean I can spot a well hidden pit trap." Xanoniel responds

Satisfied with those answers, Rebrey lays down next to the fire, and gazes at the black mat that is the sky. "I wish the stars were out tonight."

"I hope this clears up for tomorrow, how I long to feel the suns rays on my cheeks again." Xanoniel replies

Rebrey drifted off to sleep, while Xanoniel prepared another batch of poison that would keep Alriand comatose for another twenty-four hours.

 

[Ed Cha]

I'm anxious to see how they deal with the residents of Oester, and if they try to humanize some of them. Should be interesting. Now I just have to wait for 1B to FINALLY come back from the printer.

LOL, that should definitely be interesting, considering the nature of the residents there!

I'm also wondering if they'll like the "shenanigans", as Jeremy so aptly calls them, in Mullikin. They were fun to write, at least.

 

[Ed Cha]

"Witch? If there was a witch living out there, I'd know about it." Rillkep answers

"Yes, I'm sure you would. I mean you sniffed out the kobolds with no problem." Tharhack replies demeaningly

Yep, you've got Rillkep down pretty good.

I think Opee should be a bit more friendly and grandfatherly though.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

LOL, that should definitely be interesting, considering the nature of the residents there!

I'm also wondering if they'll like the "shenanigans", as Jeremy so aptly calls them, in Mullikin. They were fun to write, at least.

They'll probably stab first and ask questions later.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

Yep, you've got Rillkep down pretty good.

I think Opee should be a bit more friendly and grandfatherly though.

Most of the party's contact with Opee just hasn't been interesting, or plot forwarding. Opee's trying to keep his residents calm and trying to talk them out of leaving the Hamlet, after a very bad week. His first priority is with his Hamlet, so he's been meeting with Rillkep and most of the halfling parents all day. I would think the strain of watching the life of your town come down to 1 halfling would make any friendly person just civil. Although he's very proud of the showing Rillkep did on the Ogre Mage.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

It is midday by the time Tharhack and Rebrey make it to the clearing where Alriand was to meet the witch two nights ago.

“Well, looks like there’s about five more hours of light. I’ll give you two of them, and then I’m heading back to Thumble.” Rillkep tells Tharhack

“OK, well we just came from the south, and there’s nothing in that direction. What’s north of here?” Tharhack asks

“The river winds back around, I assume it’s got to be pretty close to us.” Rillkep answers

“What about east or west?” Tharhack asks

“The river would be to west as well. I don’t know about the east though.” Rillkep responds

“East it is then.” Tharhack says walking off to the east

“What makes you say that?” Rillkep asks

“I don’t feel like wading through icy water.” Tharhack answers

“What kind of game is this? You’re just guessing now. There could be bears, wolves, or more kobolds out here.” Rillkep laments

“Scared little one? There is nothing out here that you couldn’t kill yourself. With the exception of the witch, and maybe an ogre, might be a dragon or two out here as well.” Tharhack tells Rillkep

“Hey, hey, hey now I definitely know there’s none of those out here.” Rillkep states

“Must we go through this again?” Tharhack asks

“I still says those kobolds had to of been using invisibility.” Rillkep answers

Tharhack laughs out loud as the two of them make their way out of the clearing and into forest again. They walk for about an hour before Tharhack smells smoke.

“Someone’s near.” Tharhack whispers

“That would be me.” Rillkep answers smiling

“I said near, not rear. I smell smoke, there’s a fire burning near here.” Tharhack answers

“Hmm. smells like sandalwood, and maybe some pine mixed in as well. Pretty sophisticated for a witch. Maybe a trapper or maybe someone collecting maple. Whoever it is, I think we should go check it out, they’ve got good taste in wood.” Rillkep replies

“Are you inhaling the smoke? Could be bandits, a forest fire, a fire elemental looking for perfume, or the witch.” Tharhack asks Rillkep

“You have to inhale, how in the heck are you going to smell it?” Rillkep asks

“Let’s just find out where the smoke is coming from, you can go nuts on the firewood after that.” Tharhack tells Rillkep

Tharhack walks in a slow circle, trying to determine what direction the smoke is coming from.

“East. I need you to circle around from the south, while I’ll do the same from the north. If you find the source of the smoke, don’t act; wait for me to arrive. OK?” Tharhack asks

“Gotcha.” Rillkep answers

The two men separate and head off in opposite directions. Heading north for about fifty yards and then turning east, Tharhack loses the smoke scent. Figuring the source must be closer to Rillkep’s location, Tharhack takes off in a jog in a straight line south. Rillkep goes about seventy-five yards south before turning left and heading east. He finally picks up the scent and as he walks east, feels that the scent is getting stronger. Rillkep slows his pace down to a slow walk, and keeps his eyes focused in front of him. Walking about one hundred yards, Rillkep finally sees a small wisp of smoke rising in the sky. Coming to a stop he waits for Tharhack to arrive. Leaning against a tree, and taking out some wrapped cheese he had taken from his house before they left Thumble, Rillkep bites off a chunk and wishes he had remembered his wine. Rillkep gets about halfway through his cheese when he sees Tharhack jogging off to the west, Rillkep stands up and waves at Tharhack, motioning for him to stop and come to him.

“See that little finger of smoke, right there.” Rillkep points out the smoke

“Looks like it’s coming straight up from the ground. Lets go.” Tharhack says heading off towards the source of the smoke.

“Uh, maybe we should plan or something? I mean what if we’re attacking a hot spring?” Rillkep asks

“Come on.” Tharhack says grabbing Rillkep’s arm and leading him towards the smoke as well

The two walk up to what appears to be just a small rise in the ground, until they realize the smoke is rising from a small circle of piled rocks on top of the small incline. Tharhack tells Rillkep to stay put as he circles around the rise. Tharhack makes his way around to the opposite side of the rise and sees that the rise is more like a man made hill than a natural rise. His suspicions are confirmed when he sees a small wooden door built into the mound. Thinking this looks familiar and wondering if kobolds where going to jump out, Tharhack notices a set of small footprints one leads away from the door, the other leads to it. Hoping that means someone’s home, Tharhack heads back the way he came and meets back up with Rillkep.

“She’s home. Here’s what I need you to do. Go up and knock on the door.” Tharhack starts

“Wait, wait, wait. Go up and Knock?!? ME?!! Um, bad plan, you’re going to have to think up another one.” Rillkep states.

“All I want you to do is knock. I’ll handle the rest.” Tharhack tells him

“The rest? The rest of what? You’ll be dealing with the rest of me after that witch melts my face off.” Rillkep responds

“I promise she won’t melt your face off, I also promise that she won’t have time to do anything to you. The reason I need you to knock, is that I want her by the door or near it when I act.” Tharhack replies

“Couldn’t I maybe yell at the door? Or call for her to come out?” Rillkep suggests

Tharhack thinks for a moment. “I suppose that would work just as well, ok here’s what I want you to do.”

Rillkep sighs deeply, facing the witch’s door he wills his feet to move. Slowly be begins his trek towards his goal.

“Help! Help! Is anybody home? Wolves have attacked my brother. We need help!” Rillkep shouts while waving his arms at the earthen structure.

Tharhack meanwhile casts bull’s strength and then calls forth Kord’s blessing. His muscles grow and then begin to glow a soft blue color, even in the waning light of a winter’s day; the light is very visible. Walking towards his predetermined tree, Tharhack waits for Rillkep to give the signal.

Rillkep watches the door closely; he’s almost closed the distance between him and the door to twenty-five yards. Not wanting to get any closer, Rillkep hopes either the witch opens the door, or that there’s no one home. Taking two more steps Rillkep sees the door crack.

“Go away, I have nothing to offer you.” The voice comes out from behind the door.

“Please ma’am, he’ll die without some help.” Rillkep pleads

“And what makes you so sure he’ll live with my help?” The voice returns, as the door opens wide to reveal an elderly woman with a warty complexion.

Rillkep lowers his arms and turns to run

“And stay away!” Raziel shouts at Rillkep. She stares at the quickly retreating halfling oblivious to the sound of heavy lumber heading for her roof.

WHAM! The tree lands onto of Raziel’s roof, bits of earth and thatch fall inside her abode. Raziel, stunned momentarily from the earthshaking blow. Steps out from her door and looks up to see a tree swinging in a wide circle, and then crashing down on her house again.

“Aaaaahhhh! Stop! Wait” Raziel’s words fall on deaf ears, as the tree winds up for another blow

“Knock, knock witch. I’m sorry but you owe back taxes on this property, I’m here to repo it.” Tharhack yells at the witch

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

Raziel’s moment of panic quickly subsides, as hatred builds up inside her. Tharhack slams the roof of her home again, creating a huge dent in the top of her abode. She quickly summons another one of her spiders, having this one appear on the trunk of the tree wielded by Tharhack. The spider scuttles down the tree, and sinks its fangs into Tharhack’s arm. The surprise of the attack and the pain of the bite, conspire to cause Tharhack to drop the tree onto Raziel’s home.

Rillkep watches from afar as the huge spider scurries down the tree, then watches Tharhack drop the tree onto the earth mound. He watches Raziel bound up the fallen tree with unearthly speed, the witches hands change into long fingers which sprout even longer nails. Tharhack swats off the spider, and shakes his left arm. The witch springs off the tree like a cat pouncing on a mouse, Tharhack puts his hands up to ward off the witch but even though he manages to keep her body off of him, her nails are long enough to rip into the flesh on his chest. Rillkep sees the rivulets of red almost immediately.

Rillkep rolls his eyes and starts off towards Tharhack, figuring he’ll have to save the day again. Just as he rounds the tree he was hiding behind, Rillkep spots a dark figure moving through the trees to his left. The figure is a mountain of man, easily bigger than even Tharhack. Rillkep stares at the figure walking straight towards him, Rillkep pans over the Tharhack and can see that more of Tharhack’s skin is bleeding, and the snow under Tharhack’s feet is a bright pink. The witch moves with cat like quickness and reflexes, dodging in to swipe at Tharhack before Tharhack is able to return the blow. Rillkep doesn’t see the spider and is hopeful it no longer lives. Looking back to his left, Rillkep doesn’t see the giant anymore. Rillkep’s heart pounds as he tries to locate the giant, looking around he can’t find him. Rillkep decides that it must’ve been a trick of the light, shrugs his shoulders, and turns to go help Tharhack.

“Wait little boy.” A deep gravely voice comes down from the sky

Rillkep reflexively covers his head, and falls to his knees.

“What goes over there?” The voice sounds off again

Shaking with fear, Rillkep looks up, the voice isn’t coming from the heavens. It’s coming from the mouth of the ugliest thing he’s ever seen, standing midway up the tree next to him, Rillkep tries to twist his body to get his feet back under him.

“There. What goes over there?” The man asks Rillkep while pointing at Tharhack and the witch

“Uh. A witch.” Rillkep stammers out “Attacking my friend”

“Witch bad yes?” The voice asks

“Oh yes, very much so. Very bad. I should go and help my friend.” Rillkep answers backing away from the giant.

“You like witch dead?” The giant man asks

“Yes, dead witch is good.” Rillkep answers shaking his head yes

Rillkep looks up at stares at the man; the first thing he notices is the man’s face. Pointed ears like an elf’s frame a face that has bulging eyebrows, red eyes, and black hair that resembles a lion’s mane. It’s massive body is encased in plate armor save for his hands, one of which clutches half the trunk of the tree next to him, the other points at Tharhack and the witch.

“Me kill witch, me hero?” Rillkep didn’t know if that was a question or a statement

“By all means, be my guest.” Rillkep answers

The man strides out towards the two combatants. Rillkep gets to his feet and tries to follow but to quickly out distance by the long strides of the giant. Rillkep looks up and sees Tharhack fighting with only one arm, the other grips at his side. Rillkep wishes he had acted sooner, but hopes that the giant can make a difference before Tharhack falls. The witch looks more like an animal than a humanoid; even her teeth have become longer and drip with blood that surely came from Tharhack. Another swipe from the witch, and Tharhack drops to one knee.

“Now my orcish friend, I will show you true fear!” Raziel shouts. Stepping back she barks out words to bring a summoned creature to her aid. This time not one but two large spiders are brought into existence.

“Tear into his primed flesh my babies, unleash your burning poison, make him suffer. But, do it slowly I like the anticipation of death.” Raziel

“To hell with you witch, I’m done playing your game.” Tharhack answers, unsheathing his greatsword from his back.

“Oooo, big man carries a pointy stick.” Raziel states “Take him” She orders the spiders

The spiders begin their slow crawl towards Tharhack. Tharhack attempts to stand but drops back down on one knee. Looking for Rillkep Tharhack turns to see a large man leap over the downed tree Tharhack put on Raziel’s house, and land on it’s roof.

“Aargg!!” The man shouts as his greatsword slices through the air and splits both spiders in two.

A small smile escapes Tharhack’s lips, as he sees Rillkep circling around behind Raziel.

“Witch, me kill you” The man points and tells Raziel

“EEEkk!! Raziel shouts turning to face this new threat. “You killed my babies! I shall fillet your hide with my toenail as you wail in agony beast!”

“Gothmog say no to aginnee, yes to wailing on you.” The man says

“You’re a stupid beast, and your threat is hallow. Feel my threat!” Raziel shouts as she bends her knees ready to spring up and onto the man.

Rillkep’s blade slashes out, and slices across the witch’s back. Causing Raziel to do a small hop instead. The delay in battle has allow Tharhack enough time to pump two cure moderate wounds into himself. Raziel looks around to see a halfling to her right, a half-orc in front of her, and a half-something to her left.

 

[Jon Potter]

Pointed ears like an elf’s frame a face that has bulging eyebrows, red eyes, and black hair that resembles a lion’s mane. It’s massive body is encased in plate armor save for his hands, one of which clutches half the trunk of the tree next to him, the other points at Tharhack and the witch.

The new PC, perchance?

Something yummy from Bastards & Bloodlines? I seem to recall you saying that you had that book.