The Lamentation of Lolth - Chapter II

[Majin]

"My name is Urthar Gorehammer. I'm the only one in charge here, if you don't count my employers. But I don't know their names. They never give them," he growls.

At Ayden's words the other guards do not make eye contact and do not say a word in reply. They also drop their weapons at Drogo's request.

At Calenthang's inspection he takes in for the first time how large the reservoir actually is. It's easily a mile long and almost that far wide. The stream of water itself gets smaller as it leads into the swamp. The work area is filled with tents for all the workers, as well as tables, chairs, and the like. There is another hill opposite the reservoir of the previous one you came down from to the west. From there a better vantage point of this side of the reservoir should be viewable.

 

[Verbatim]

~Thank you Uncle for granting your strength to my words...~

As the situation seemed firmly under control for now, Ayden approached the slain guard and knelt beside the deceased warrior.

"May the melodies of Finder's fields give you comfort on your path to your new home."

His blessing done, Ayden will remove the guard's weapons and place them in the pile with the others.

"While I do wish to investigate this area more, I do believe or first move should be to return Urthar to Orchard Meadows and return here with the Council, or at least as many that will come with us. Then I believe we should start our search for the gnomish engineer as well."

Pausing for a moment as he watched Moss walking around taking in the new sights and smells, Ayden smiled once quickly and then pressed onwards with his thoughts.

"I also believe we should speak to the Broken Axe clan still. Now that we know the reason behind the swamp's drainage, perhaps we can restore the peace they once had with the people of Orchard Meadows."

Stopping there, Ayden waited to see what the others thought their next move should be.

 

[Majin]

"His name was Richard..." Urthar says, nodding in the dead guards direction. "He was my Lieutenant.. A good man."

 

[Verbatim]

"Were it not that gold guided your moral compass, he would still be a good man...", Ayden replied back hoping that his words drove his message home.

 

[hippocrachus]

Spotting the hill Calenthang walks up it and takes a final cursory look at the reservoir site.

 

[Majin]

Urthar nods again solemnly before turning away from his former compatriot.

Climbing the other hill Calenthang notices something to the north where the stream of water begins to enter the part of the swamp fully cloaked by trees. It appears to be a large capstan, a pump of some kind, which is apparently the form in which the swamp is being drawn into the reservoir. Further details cannot be surmised from this distance however.

 

[Velmont]

"Dwarf, we will carry the body of your lieutnent for proper burial. He may have work in something we consider not really good, but it will be to the God to decide his faith, not us. Do you have some staff and blanket, it will help to carry his body."

 

[Manzanita]

Drogo

"Yes. Let's gather up and return to the town. Our encounter with the lizardmen can wait for now, I think."

 

[Majin]

The trip back to town is again an uneventful one, although some of you feel as if you are being watched as you traverse the edge of the swamp until you've broken out onto the main trail towards Orchard Meadows.

Assuming you bring the guard's body to the temple for a proper burial Ernest accepts it and assures you everything will be taken care of. Eventually, upon gaining access to the council building, the town clerk Cedric Thornton is the only one present. As it is early afternoon the council is no longer in session, and the mayor has retired to his home for the rest of the day, but Cedric suggests you visit Trond at his shop to relieve yourselves of Urthar, and fill him in on all that's happened.

 

[hippocrachus]

Calenthang returns to the group and informs them of the "capstan." When at the Sheriff's smithy he relieves the dwarf's axe with a smile.