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Message: <blockquote data-quote="tariff" data-source="post: 2869830" data-attributes="member: 18635">Beltain rides carefully, testing the capabilities of his new mount.  He is pleased with the way Salix responds to his commands.  "Nice horse" he says to himself."Ohh. This is so exciting.” Exclaims The Wizard Nosnibor “We're just going to go and save Old Tom. Just like that. No arguments or debates. Good needs to be done. So we just do it. *sniff* I'm so Proud.""Dont get too excited my elven friend, with this party nothing is ever as easy as it first would seem...we normally end up in the proverbial <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> right up to our very necks" Sparhawk adjusts his lance , resting it in his stirrup, he nudges Faran forward to take up his usual place at the front of the column.Noznibor rattles the swearbox in Sparhawks direction.Feng snorts "If anyone wants to shake the tin under my nose, he'd better first invest in some bandages.  I never agreed to such a daft Idea - no-one will limit my freedom of self-expression...unless they are hard enough - of course. And I totally doubt that this will be the case with any of my companions... so if you want to amuse yourselves with the collecting tin, fine - but include me OUT!"Feng winks at Bob "I'm a nightmare to my enemies - you should be safe enough - for now!…" the barbarian smiles "Just joking, little-one".Feng selects his Orc Double Axe…and lays it across his pommel "I'm coming on this job 'cos it promises to be more interesting than sitting on my arse in the effete atmos of a large burg. I smell blood on the wind - fell deeds and renown call me onward - but dont mistake me in that I feel nothing for this daft old man who has got himself lost - ok?"Sparhawk looks around at the group  “We ride out with a few new members...all i can say is i have an agreement with Feng as far as this swear box is concerned, i keep my sword well sharpened, and on a lighter note ...any time thou feels ready Feng i will see thou in the lists for a tourny! As for the new comers ...show yourselves well is all i ask, do your respective jobs and i have nothing to argue with"The Wizard Nosnibor looks at Feng Gulping. He then quietly gets two gold coins out of his purse and puts them in the Swear box. The Wizard Nosnibor sighs. Swear boxes are such a good idea. But no one ever likes them."So Mr Nosnibor your magic comes from books?” asks Rizzit riding next to the elven wizard on his strange bird mount “Amongst my people this is unheard of, our magic comes from our links to the great dragons"  The kobold turns to Sparhawk “Think positive Spar, we are missing the root of most of our troubles in the past and now we have a much more positive influence in the party, another scholar like myself"Sparhawk leans forward and whispers to Faran "My point exactly, my good friend"The Wizard Nosnibor replies to Rizzit “Yes, Elven Wizardry as it is called now, or Simple Magic Using as it was known in my home land, is all about learning the thurmaturgical rules that bind the universe together and bending those rules to your will. It is a process that involves intense study and years of trial and error practice. I attended University for many years to learn my craft. I see the manipulation of the rules of the universe as more of a Science than an Art. I find it marvelous and incomprehensible that others can learn these same results through sheer talent. It is indeed awe inspiring.""Wow that sounds like a lot of hard work to me, I just got the urge to use magic and there it was, of course the spells I can cast are very limited” states Rizzit."I don't like to interrupt you conversation" Beltain calls to The Wizard Nosnibor and Rizzit, "But there is a cat back here struggling to keep up.  I think that if we venture off the road it will disappear under the snow never to be seen again.  Perhaps she should ride with you Nosi, all the cats I've know tend to prefer the warm to the cold."Limara pats the back of her horse and indicates to 'pussy' that she is welcome to catch a lift with her.  Limara looks at Nosnibors cat and smiles...." i sometimes wish that clerics could attract an animal companion..""I would have thought Bel was enough" says Rizzit."Purrrrr" says Beltain with a laugh.  Beltain then begins to whistle a merry tune…well, it would be, could he whistle.  He sees the pained look on the rest of the partys faces and stops abruptly.Coleridge lightens in mood recites some poetry... possibly inspired by Beltain's whistling or perhaps to stop him trying again."The morose mage met the poor pauper suffering sleepless nights""since his shabby house had been targeted by termites.""He had little lucre or wits left but said he could afford about""a couple of copper coins if the conjurer could help him out.""The mage gestured and incanted, and motioned and chanted till""the termites tumbled from the house, obeying his will.""The house holder paid him saying "You rose to the occasion."""To which the mage replied, "It did not take much persuasion.""Coleridge hums to himself a while riding on, enjoying the bright chill day, then continues his verse"Then there was the trouble with the jaded juvenile""Whose fatigued father found entertaining him futile.""If you can come up with an idea which proves to be a winner""Then we would be willing to if you want to stay for dinner."""The mage gestured and incanted, and motioned and chanted till""There were explosions, and lightshows, and fireworks to thrill""Later at dinner the father whispered, "You're a star."""To which the mage replied, "They're spells. That's all they are.""Coleridge once more hums to himself as they ride on, smiling to the world in general.. he brings his poem to a close"There was the raging river with a trader trying to get past""But who could not wade through as it was running too fast.""If I am to sell anything I must fetch up at the fair.""If you can get me across then I will pay any fare."""The mage gestured and incanted, and motioned and chanted till""The waters began to slow, and then they were still.""The man said as he paid, "That was just the job I confess."""To which the mage simply replied "Yes.""Coleridge his verse done, pats his horse companionably and urges him forward, just enjoying the ride and company of his companions."Col, i must declare that your verses always seem to lift the day." Says Limara to the bard.Beltain applauds Cole's verses, delighted by the changes in cadence and the smooth flow of rich words.Beltain rides up next to The Wizard Nosnibor.  They get talking about religion."I am not from this world i do not worship the same gods. In fact on my world there were only 7 gods and they were all gods of the Humans. Traditionally we Sidhelien, or Elves as you would call them, worshiped the earth as an entity of balance and nature. Not actually a God per se. Or gods invested their power into there Noble lines of the various lands giving them immense powers. These 'Scions' "Nosnibor makes little speachmarks with his fingers as he says the word Scion."...Were responsible for their countries and the people in it. It's sort of like the head of the state was also the head of the church. Unfortunately if another scion came along and killed the head of another country he could take all of his power and also steal the country. It was a terribly messy system, with alot of Nobles going around killing each other. Often at the head of large armies. So the Gods on Cerilia were never really the harbingers of good tidings. "Coleridge rides next to the dwarf "So, Bibabobalobadobalos" Coleridge ineptly attempts the dwarf's name "sorry i think i'll stick to Bob from now on too... I was going to ask where do you hail from, and how did you come to be here?""Yes" agrees Beltain "Come Bibabob, tell us your story to while away the time as we ride South" Bibabobalobadobalos replies "Coleridge, Beltain, I hail from Silverymoon. Things are a little hazy as far as how I got here is concerned. I believe I may have stumbled upon a magic portal." He strokes his beard and lapses into silence again.During the journey party fill in Bibabobalobadobalos on past events..  They tell him about Poacher."I have too have only recently joined them Young Bob.” Says The Wizard Nosnibor to the dwarf “I was also transported here through a teleportal misconcordance. Though it seems to have happened to me alot. I came from Icewind Dale to this place. Though i am originally from another world."  The Wizard Nosnibor briefly gets off his horse and picks up Pussy before climbing back on."Yes, faerun is blessed with many magic portals." Replies the dwarf."Yes. This i have noticed. " The Wizard Nosnibor wipes a tear from his eye.  "Most of them seem to turn your friends inside-out.""Is that your magical companion wizards are famed to have?" asks Bob."Pussy? Pussy is my best friend. She's lovely. And very warm and fluffy.""Did I hear correctly that they can talk?" says Bob."Pussy can talk to me. She's very learned. She used to be the Minister for Cat Affairs in a whole Country. She's a very important cat." Replies The wizard Nosnibor proudly.  "So Young Bob. Are you a right thinking fellow of Courtesy and honor?"Bibabobalobalos strokes his beard. "Yes . . . ""Well i had this idea. If we have a swear box we can save up money to give to charities and orphanages we pass buy. Want to sign up? It improves our behavior AND helps the needy?""Honour is paramount to the dwarves of my clanhome. Does this mean I have to start using foul language? For smeg's sake!" says the dwarf.The Wizard Nosnibor shakes his head."Oh..For NOT swearing? Interesting concept." Replies Bob, suddenly getting the idea.OLD TOM’S FARMSTEADPresently..the party arrive at a small Farmstead..Time of Day: 05:00 PM.   - Snowing Day 25, Hammer (Deepwinter) 25th, The Year of Rogue Dragons 1373 DR.Beltain shields his eyes as he scans the area, worried that the snow may conceal hidden enemies.  He moves forward to get a better view of the wooden farmhouse.Rizzit rides up to the farmhouse and looks through the windows.  He sees no-one inside.Limara waits patiently to see the results of Rizzits observations.Coleridge says out loud "I don't know whether someone has already been to check the farmhouse and this is how they know of Old Tom's disappearance, or whether they were just assuming due to him not coming to Arabel as is his normal routine.  Either way we should be cautious, and considerate if the property, in case it has been a mistake"The Wizard Nosnibor speaks "Perhaps we should announce our selves in case the poor chap is in his house and is afraid that we are raiders? And please don't be offended Rizzit, i know you're a lovely chap, but he may get afraid if his house is approached by one of your kind. Perhaps the least strange and threatening of us should approach. Perhaps Limara, as she is of the fairer sex.""I never thought of myself as threatening before" says Rizzit.Beltain replies to the kobold "I'm afraid that you must begin to see yourself as more and more threatening to humans as you take on your dragon ancestry.  We in the party probably don't notice the gradual change but someone new, like Nosi, sees it clearly"Feng, impatient with the vaporing prattle around him, moves over and checks out the old Well that stands beside the farmhouse. “Oi! Grandad!" he shouts down.  Feng's darkvision picks out a crumpled form at the bottom of the well.  Feng indicates to the others, who ride over.  “Theres someone down here” states Feng flatly.  Beltain rides over and dismounts and then casts a Light spell down the well to illuminate the body.  It does not move, and it appears to be a man.Limara speaks "Rizz..no anybody who is small and light that could go down the well in a bucket to tie a rope on the unfortunate fellow?.."Rizzit thinks hard "I cant think of anyone Lim"Feng grunts "Now I realize that I should have brought a harpoon - so this is the mystery? Some old twat has fallen down the well and broke his neck? Hardly heroic, or reward-worthy - still, at least It got us out of the city for a while.  Mystery solved - lets move on"The Wizard Nosnibor looks at Feng and places a coin in the swearbox. "Dear me. The language in this Party really is awful.” Says the Wizard Nosnibor as he looks anywhere but at Feng.Beltain listens to the banter, he gets out his rope and starts to make knots in it.  Someone's got to go down and logically it should be someone who can climb out again if they need to.  Biba isn't saying a lot but a small thief would seem ideal?" he raises an eyebrow enquiringly at the dwarf.  "I'd go myself but I'm too big, can't climb and am wearing armour..." he adds "If we put the rope around whoever we lower. and then attach the other end to one of the horses, we will be able to pull the explorer out immediate-like should there be any problem." Beltain continues "But we'd better get a move on its getting towards evening already"The Wizard Nosnibor looks down the well “We should be more respectful. This poor man has died down a well and we are being insulting and coarse about it. We should respectfully retrieve his body and inter him with good regard. It's the least we can do. We do have two Holy Me...er.. People in our group. "Limara sighs "ok everyone is in agreement then.. the body must be recovered......now for the second time WHO is going down the well to tie a rope to him? " She looks at the small, unarmored and light kobold. Then looks at the dexterously blessed rogue dwarf...Bibabobalobalos suddenly notices all eyes on him.  He looks down the well to gauge the ease of the task  Limara hands him a rope.  She ties one end to Venomblood., who seems uncomfortable with this.Bibabobalobalos begins climbing down the well.Limara calls down "i have faith in you... if you dont fall, i'll give you a cigar !" she laughs"But I don't smoke!" replies the dwarf as he descends.The dwarf successfully climbs down the rope to the bottom of the well.  The body is indeed that of an old man.  His back, leftside, has been pierced by an arrow.  The end seems to have snapped off.  The man is quite dead.  He ties a rope to the man.  The party all assists in bringing up Old Tom’s body.The party examines the body.  The arrow seems to be a standard arrow, the kind sold in every town and city.  Limara thinks that the single arrow killed him, hes been dead for quite a while, between one and two weeks, the cold has kept his body in good condition.."Well the arrow, killing him or not, is proof of foul play." Says Bob as he removes the rope from his waste."Oh the Poor man. What sort of monster could attack such a defenseless fellow."   Tears of anguish run down The Wizard Nosnibor's cheek. Tears he sheds for a man he has never met or known. He picks up Pussy and cuddles him."Maybe we should look inside" says Rizzit.  He dismounts from Beaker and moves to the front door..  He pushes the wooden door...it swings open."Covering you Rizzit," says Bibabobalobalos as he rushes after the kobold.Beltain recoils his rope and stows it.  "Time to investigate the house?" he asks Limara "There is a mystery here Princess""Oh Pussy. Why are people so cruel?"  Sobs The Wizard Nosnibor.Feng looks at the corpse "Hardly an act of a valiant foe to shoot an old man in the back....and they were afraid of the crime's discovery, so they pitched the body down the well?.  I don't think we should be too worried by the coward, concerned.  Just a job for the local flatfoot - not for braves like us"."We shouldn’t assume there was only one assailant... we need clues" says Limara.  She follows the others inside the farmstead.  Inside is a living area, a kitchen, and a single bedroom.  There is a empty stable also attached to the main building.  They begin to search it for clues.  The old mans personal items still appear to be here, although no money is found, and everything seems in an orderly state.Feng rubs a finger across the table, he looks at it and then holds it up to the party.  His finger is black, “Soot” he says.  They find that the whole house seems to be covered in a fine layer of soot.Limara looks up the chimney..it seems normal, she turns to the wizard "Nos..you are a learned mage... can you see any clues in here we are missing?.  Why is everywhere in here covered in a thin layer of soot.."The Wizard Nosnibor shakes his head.  “I know not” He continues "Can one of the Clerics ask their god for guidance? Some sort of Augury? Or should we carefully wrap old tom in a shroud and take him back to town where the authorities can contact his next of kin?""hmmm" muses Coleridge as he looks round at the soot covered house "the chimney is not blocked now, i wonder if the soot could have perhaps come from someone covering the chimney to cause the house to fill with smoke and thus getting the old man to exit.. Whereby he could be easily slain by whatever individual or individuals did this. It would indeed as Feng surmised be a very cowardly way of killing an old man, but would also mean they were trying to keep the crime secret by leaving no sign of struggle in the building it would mean there was the possibility that Old Tom had just gone elsewhere.  Once done it would have been a simple matter to uncover the chimney again, and as long as the body in the well was not discovered all that would be apparent should anyone come looking would be that the house was dirty with soot""Nicely said, Cole." Nods Feng  "But why?…The only remarkable thing about this palce is the well , and the nearness of the river. This is a law-ridden land, but some will try to make a profit on the margins... Rivers were the first highways. In the wilds, rivers are still used to get skins and suchlike down to the cities for the ladies to have them turned into rich clothes. Perhaps old Tom saw something he shouldn't, or fell out with his partners in a dodgy game.  Smuggling is one of the oldest games in the world - Don't know about anyone else here, but I'd walk barefoot over broken glass to avoid paying taxes to some aristo with too much time and money on his hands. A motive for keeping the murder secret might be either fear of discovery, OR they still need to use this area, and don't want to stir up the law".When The Wizard Nosnibor hears Feng begin to speak he reactively reaches into his back and take out his purse and the swear box. When the Huge Half-Orc fails to swear The Wizard Nosnibor looks a little abashed."You make a well reasoned and salient argument Mister Feng. I once read in a statistical analysis of city watch and Guard demographics that most murders are carried out by someone who the victim knows. And a financial motive is one of the most common. If Coleridges scenario is correct, which is it's self an adroit chain of reasoning, this murder was carried out in cold blood so it would follow that there was a motive. Unless he was killed by a wandering psychopath or wanton killer. I my self have seldom come across this type. So have little understanding of their ways. I personally follow Mister Fengs cogent train of thought and think that this may be likely some nefarious criminal dealing." Nosnibor spins round and shouts at his cat "Pussy. Get off the dead mans bed! Have some respect!"Limara stands quietly listening and thinking.... "The theory we seem to be forming is a good solid theory... unfortunately we have no evidence that points to who the killer or killers might be. "  She turns to Nosnibor "In answer to your question Nos, augury unfortunately is no use, the spell 'Speak with Dead' is the one we need to get information from old tom. But i cannot do that spell until i gain more experience. The priests in the shrine to Tempus could cast it, in Arabel.  We are in a lawful region and within a days ride from Arabel, which houses a platoon of Purple knights. I believe it to be in our own best interests to report our discovery promptly. As it is too late to set out for Arabel today, i suggest we return there in the morning.  Don’t forget that old Tom has been dead for at least a week, maybe two... "Sparhawk nods "Limara has a good point neighbours, let us take shelter here this night and return on the morrow to report our findings to the proper authorities"Beltain speaks up “I agree with most of what has been said but the soot is indeed puzzling.  Climbing up onto an icy roof to block the chimney to drive the old man out seems a perilous strategy.  Then he has to get down from the roof quickly but not falling and then chooses to kill the old man with an arrow to the back rather than a dagger thrust, which must surely be a more effective method?  And then he drops the body in the well, where it is sure to be found, rather than weighting it with stones and dropping it in the river where the likelihood is that it would never be recovered.  There are surely many puzzles here!”Coleridge nods at Feng "It is indeed a good hypothesis that Feng makes that the reason to try and keep the murder secret is that whoever perpetrated the crime needs to continue to use this area and needed the old man out of the way... in possible answer some of Beltain's questions, working on the supposition that it is the location, not the old man himself which were important to the miscreants, the may not have known who/how many people were in the farm house, it then becomes less of a risk to cover the chimney to get the occupants to run out where they can be picked off by bow, rather than face melee against a potentially larger force... as for dumping the body in the well i can only suggest that they either felt it may come to light too soon if dumped in the river, even weighted if the river is fast moving there would be the potential for it to wash a shore further down, or it would give them the possibility to retrieve the body at some later point for some other nefarious reason"The bard continues "This is all supposition on my part though, based on what i can see before me, i would suggest we stay here the night, one while we mull over our next course of action, viz returning to Arabel to report this matter to the authorities, and possibly gaining information by the ability to talk with the dead... also if whoever perpetrated this  is using this land/farmhouse we may encounter them if they return, for although tom has been dead some time they may be making regular use of the property.. i would suggest us stabling the horses and concealing our presence in so far as possible so as not to alert our being here to any n'er-do-wells""And two, it is getting late and i do not see the point in traveling back this late in the day this crime happened some time ago and reporting it will keep another night.”The party move old Tom to the stable.  Beltain prays for him.  They then settle down for the night.  The night passes uneventfully.Time of Day: 08:00 AM.   - Snowing Day 26, Hammer (Deepwinter) 26th, The Year of Rogue Dragons 1373 DR.The Wizard Nosnibor cooks up a hearty breakfast of Bacon, Sausage, Egg spiced with powerful herbs and with fried bread. He also brews a large pot of tea.  After they have had breakfast, the party head out, back to Arabel, with old Tom’s corpse."Great..now we gotta share the ride with a corpse!" moans Walter.Beltain snaps back "You are welcome to remain here if you wish it Walter, but I think it would be wiser to come with us back to the city"Sparhawk looks at the cleric “Whilst I agree with your intentions neighbours, let us not forget we are supposed to be escorting these good people, therefore they have a right to not be best pleased at riding with a corpse, as for suggesting they remain here ... I expected more from you Beltain!"The party ride back to Arabel.Time of Day: 05:00 PM.   - Snowing Day 26, Hammer (Deepwinter) 26th, The Year of Rogue Dragons 1373 DR.The party inform The Purple dragon Knights of their discoveries.  The Purple Dragon Knights inform the party they will look into the matter.  The party spend a relaxing day in Arabel.   There seems to be nothing else they can do for Old Tom, so they plan to head out of Arabel in the morning.  Hopefully they will be able to travel to Suzail without further interruption.  That evening they have a few drinks..Morning arrives..Feng yawns "More bloody snow - Rise and shine, all youse heroes!""I am so sick of snow" says Rizzit, standing outside the inn.Limara rises and looks out of the window at the beautiful snow falling on the town making it all seem so clean and bright. She contemplates the days travel lying ahead as she pulls on her leather trousers and boots.Bibabobalobalos comes out of the inn into the street where Rizzit stands "I prefer the Underdark, you don't get any snow there.""me to" nods the kobold.Sparhawk laughs "Do not moan neighbours...This weather , like this journey is character building...trust me in the future you will look back on all this and laugh , but will have learned from this experience"Beltain replies "I can tolerate this snow, it is far better than the mists of that accursed puppet village, Half-Hap" he shivers "We should count our blessings, our former companion Poacher is still in that god-cursed place""I'm not sure a tight fitting leather cap is the thing to be wearing in this weather." Bibabobalobalos pulls his cloak tighter about himself. "Anyone got an Endure Elements spell they can cast?"The Wizard Nosnibor reaches into his bag and pulls out a couple of woolly hats."me me me,” shouts Rizzit waving an arm in the air, “please" he addsThe Wizard Nosnibor smiles "If you chaps are cold perhaps you'd like a nice warm Bobble hat to keep you warm? I knit them my self."The Wizard Nosnibor hands a nice Lime green and Orange Bobble hat to Rizzit. He also reaches into his bag and gets him a lovely warm pink and purple scarf. "Those should keep you all cosy Mister Rizzit.""I'm not sure lime green and orange is my colour Mr Nosnibor." Says Bibabobalobalos."I've got a yellow and electric blue one?""That sounds wonderful, Nosnibor, I thank you very much."  Bibabobalobalos feels a bit of an idiot he places the bobble hat on his head."You're absolutely welcome Mister Bibabobalobalos. Knitting is my hobby, there's plenty more where that came from."Bibabobalobalos smiles at the Wizard "Cooking and knitting, you are talented in extraordinary ways.""How about some mittens if you time to make me some" asks Rizzit.The Wizard Nosnibor looks excited "Oooh. Mittens! Oh i'd love to make you some mittens. No one has EVER asked me to make them some Mittens before. Thank you. Thank you! I'll get on it as soon as i can.""I'm not sure mittens would do for me, Mr Nosnibor, could you knit me some of those gloves without any fingers?" asks the dwarven rogue."How about a technicoloured kobold balaclava" chips in Rizzit."I could use a matching cardigan, too." Says Bob.Feng curls a lip in contempt "Enduring the elements makes one harder.  Ya don't see me dressing up like the offsping of a woolen cod-piece and a maypole."Feng turns to his kobold buddy "Rizzit, I expected more of you, clearly I'm unsurprised by the antics of our Elvish and Dwarven interlopers".The party once again leave Arabel, heading for Suzail down Calantars way...They travel a day and rest the night, in the morning they set off again..Time of Day: 01:00 PM.   - Snowing Day 28, Hammer (Deepwinter) 28th, The Year of Wild Magic.FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOWBeltain drops back behind the wagon and draws up on the other side to ride next to Limara.  He leans out of the saddle to give her a kiss.  Limara returns Beltain’s kiss, then kicks Venomblood on noticing something ahead.. "hey boys ...look i can see footprints leading from the road into the snow...look southeast" she points at the footprints in the snow.Feng grunts "I'll stay right here with the wagon. I don't think that tracks leading to or from a main road are remarkable - not everyone starts at the beginning of a road and moves along it to it's ending. Some people have to join and leave a road half way along. This should not be seen as sinister - otherwise we'll be stopping every mile or so, tracking peasants to where they decide to <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> behind a bush!"The barbarian shouts "OI! BIG AND UGLY! FENG IS HERE! WANT TO FIGHT?"Feng snorts "I rather thought not!"The bard Coleridge interjects "I agree Feng, unless there is anything apparently untoward about these tracks why are we following them? we are on the road south, its not as if we are using it exclusively, someone may be out hunting, or went off the track to relieve themselves"Limara rides down the road and slowly follows the tracks for a way.  She shouts back "Is blood under a tree, splattered all  over the snow untoward ?"Coleridge sighs "I don't know Limara, it depends why its there, there is nothing to say that it is not simply blood from an animal a hunter has killed and skinned, or blood from a beast slain by adventurers such as ourselves... we live in a violent and brutal world sometimes, tracks and blood do not necessarily add up to something untoward and as Feng stated if we stop to investigate every set of tracks coming off the road we'll be stoppin' every mile or so"Limara follows the tracks..upahead she sees a outcropping of rock.  There is a opening, a section of track emerges from the cavemouth...a mine?.  She indicates for the others to follow her.</blockquote>

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