The Lamentation of Lolth - Chapter V

[hippocrachus]

Just as Calenthang begins to nod his acceptance to Ayden's request he looks past his companion to a familiar shape in the crowd. His eyes widen in distress when Mother Grundy speaks of his companions Andreas and Chastity. He listens to Ayden begin to question the old woman and silently commends his ability to remain calm, if not collected. He places his hand on Ayden's shoulder.
"Revered Ayden, I'm sure Mother Grundy has been through much to get this message to us," he motions for the two of them to join him in the temple proper, away from prying ears.
"Do not stress yourself unduly, Mother Grundy. If you do not feel up to our questions then we can wait for another time," he looks to Ayden to gauge his reaction.
My duty is to my friends, but I have given my word to Master Therav...

 

[Manzanita]

ooc: Well, it looks like the fecal matter has certainly hit the oscillating cooling device now...

OOC: You crack me up. Is anyone else around for this conversation?

 

[Majin]

OoC: Not from my understanding of where everyone was Manz, but I suppose you could always have your character wander around and catch the sight with his own eyes to get in on things if you want to contribute.

~

"There is really not much to tell," Grundy replies, "it happened so fast... I was going over some potion recipes with Andreas in my shop when Lady Chastity burst in and told us the Brotherhood had arrived in force and were investigating everyone's homes. Once we saw the numbers they came in we knew there was nothing anyone could do, so your brave friend Andreas rushed me off to the edge of the swamp and gave me his valubles, saying to seek you all out at this fair and that these things belong to you now. I should have went right then, but my curiosity got the best of me, so I returned to see if the Brotherhood had left. I peered over a hill not far from the village and saw Lady Chastity and Andreas bound in the back of a wagon.

Mayor Trond was there in protest, gladly they musn't have found his axe or he would have been right up there with them in that wagon! After that they got on their horses and rode southwest. Luckily my familiar was down there to overhear where they were going. A town called Twilight Hollow one of them told the wagon driver."

 

[hippocrachus]

Numbers?
"This is grave news indeed. I shall seek out the others immediately," he says to the two of them. He heads out of the temple and begins searching for his companions.
He finds Drogo first, seeing the little figure of the halfling atop his riding dog Rex in the busy crowd of non-quadrupeds, and sending him off to the temple. He next finds Teleri and Sielwoodan already on their way to the temple, taking a round-about path, and sends them off to the temple as well. He has some trouble finding Dunstand, but luckily finds him with Broddy, limiting his search for his companions.
"Come my friends, we must gather at the temple. There is terrible news concerning our companions at Orchard Meadows," he blurts out in a rush.

(OOC: I took some liberties, but hey... :\ )

 

[Velmont]

"Just don't try to get lost in your thought when we will be exploring more dangerous region than this town. It could cost you precious seconds. And your suspicions seems right..."

Sielwoodan see Calenthag coming to them. As he speak to them, he goes to the temple.

"So, what is that bad news?"

 

[Manzanita]

Drogo

Drogo scowls as he listens to what has been learned from Mother Grundy. "Our duty to our friends is clear. We can discuss our plan while we travel. Come, let us first speak to Therav. Perhaps we can refund him some of his coin, if we still have it, for we must get free of our obligations."

"I also fear I've lost track of some of the details. Why would Trond's axe have gotten him in trouble? Do we know what this Brotherhood is after?"

 

[Majin]

Cleary seeing Drogo's confusion Mother Grundy explain, "Not many people in the village know this, but the mayor's axe is imbued with magical enchantments. If the Brotherhood would have caught him with that axe and saw it to be what it is for real then as I said, he would have joined your friends in their captivity."

Mother Grundy diverts her gaze and directs it to sounds across the fairgrounds. It appears to be others expressing concerns for lost friends and loved ones, missing since the morning and inquiring if they had left word of an early departue. By the looks on their faces as they turn away from the guards they did not find much help with them. "It appears such a carefree place as this fair is not without it's troubles as well it seems," she sighs.

 

[hippocrachus]

Calenthang returns with Dunstand and Broddy in-toe, a tired expression clear on his face.
"Hold, friend Drogo. Our duty is to these folk here just as much as it is to Andreas and Chastity. We can not hastily make a decision," Calenthang stands stark-tall, waiting to hear the opinion of everyone.

 

[Dhes]

Dunstand follows the elf with a disgruntled look on his face, getting a bit worried because he never seen Calenthang this anxious. On entering the temple, Dunstand is surprised to find him self face to face with mother Grundy. Making a deep bow, “Ah miss Grundy, this is a pleasant surprise. What brings you to this fair?”

 

[Verbatim]

~It would seem that we are to choose between the pot or the fire...~

When the others arrived, Ayden gave Calenthang a tired smile and nods his head in appreciation of the warrior's prompt return.

"I do not know if Calenthang has told you all of what Mother Grundy has passed to us, so I will speak as quickly and as plainly as I can. Andreas and Lady Chasity have been taken by the White Brotherhood to a place called Twilight Hollow. I can only suspect they waited until our strength was divided to commit their foul act of treachery, but before they were taken, Andreas sent Mother Grundy to find and alert us of what had happened to them."

Ayden paused and opened the bundle in his hands, knowing what he would see, but dreading it at the same time.

"He also sent us the enchanted items he carried, to keep them from falling into the White Brotherhood's hands, but even though it was a smart move, I wonder if he could have harmed himself more than helped by that decision. If Finder is willing, it will be a conversation I will be able to have with him after the dust has settled when this is all over."

Ayden's eyes sought them all as he continued speaking, and even to his ears, it seemed as if he was trying to convince himself as well as them.

"However, we can not rush blindly into what could also be a trap set using our friends as bait, nor can we ignore what is happening around us as we speak. I do not know what secrets the Mellorn hide from us, but the time for secrecy has come to an end and we must help those around us while we can."

Pulling the three wands and the enchanted bracers from the bundle, Ayden turned and extended them to Broddy.

"These are the wands and bracers that Andreas carried. One has the ability to open locked doors, one has the ability to cause a harmful laughter, and one can conjure a bolt of eldritch acid. The command words are open, burble, and sssizzle. I do not know the strength of the spells or the number of charges still stored within, but if you will help us in the days to follow, they are yours to use."

Pulling the short sword out, Ayden extended it hilt first to Calenthang.

"I know you prefer the fine longsword you have on your hip to all others, but there may be a time when you face a creature simple steel can not harm. Please carry this one to err on the side of caution, at least until we can return it to its rightful owner."

Ayden stared at the ring for a moment before picking it up and handing it to Drogo.

"While I know the leather armor serves you well, please wear this for now and let it assist you as well."

Ayden felt a fatigue settle upon him as he looked out among his friends and wondered if it was truly his place to ask them to press on when he felt the dangers they could face would measure more than the gains.

"Let us speak to the high priestess and listen to what she will say, and return to the grimlock cave. We must stay focused on this task, as we will be no help to our friends should we fall in battle before getting to them."