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The Order of Initiative in: "Just a Simple Escort"
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<blockquote data-quote="Greyhawk" data-source="post: 3031051" data-attributes="member: 40355"><p><strong>To Immersea and back</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>To Immersea</strong></p><p>After much discussion it is decided that Rizzit, Bibabob, and Feng would stay at the mine whilst the rest escort Walter and Deirdre to Immersea. Once that is done the party will return to the mines. Immersea is approximately 8 hours away and the two groups part company at about 3pm, the larger group heading out through the snow towards the road from Arabel to Immersea.</p><p>"I think it was about 2:30 when we started so I hope that we can make it to Immersea by 10:30pm, grab a few hours in bed, and then get off at first light (4am?) to get to the cavern by midday. Even so I am sure that Rizzit and Feng will not be able to resist a foray against the drow, if drow there be."</p><p> "OK!” says Limara “If we hussle the wagon horses for the last hour, we can cut the journey to 7 hours.... each way that is a 2 hour saving... plus I get to pray on time.. We need 8 hours rest so we are not fatigued in the morning.... so we get in at 9:30pm... and leave at 5:30 in the morning, that’s assuming we are not jumped on the way...."</p><p>"We get our wards there safely!” says Sparhawk, ”That is what we are being paid to do! As for the others ...we can hope that which ever deity they believe in keeps them safe" he rides on lance in hand and ready.</p><p>Beltain is obviously annoyed at Sparhawk’s concentration on Walter, to the exclusion of everything else "Sir Sparhawk, we accept that you are being true to those who hired you, please also accept that others in the party have, not only this, but other loyalties in their minds. Their loyalty to their God, friends and fellow citizens. You may not share such loyalties but you must recognise that such exist"</p><p>As they ride along Beltain asks Nosnibor to look at the elvish ring ‘Bright Evening Star’ and assess its capabilities. </p><p>Sparhawk continues to argue with Beltain "My objection is to people expecting to just leave our wards and go off looking for adventure anytime it pleaseth them...we are being paid to do a job, either do it or don’t is my simple suggestion neighbour"</p><p>Which invites another response from Beltain "Look Spar, a man, like you or I strayed into those caverns and was killed, murdered by the goblins. In addition there was some evidence that drow either were or had been living there. Now drow are the most evil set of bastards known to man and it is anyone's duty to stop them if they can. This isn't 'Adventure' it's a moral duty, even if we don't get paid to do it!"</p><p>"So report it to the proper authorities...” Sparhawk retorts “Again you speak a personal opinion, I have met a couple of drow...and they did not attack or even try to be offensive. In fact they were quite an honourable pair as I recall"</p><p>"You have a point” Beltain concedes “Walter & Deirdre should not have been left out in the freezing winds and certainly not subjected to spells from Rizzit. I am with you 100% on that and" he sighs "I suppose that there may be drow that are not evil but yours are the first that I've heard of. But let's treat them with care, I'm not going to adopt Nosni's 'everything is good at heart' approach with them - not if I expect to live much longer!"</p><p>"I am a warrior sir cleric” says Sparhawk amicably “I too do not hold Nos' approach, lets face it , if there were no evil in this world I would be out of a job"</p><p>Beltain laughs, glad that the discussion has ended "Oh so true, Sir Knight. By the way do you know what sort of merchant Walter may be? He carries no obvious wares and didn't even have horses when we met him. Whatever he carries my be small, lightweight and valuable. Perhaps gems, information (is he a spy?) or perhaps drugs."</p><p>"A good point," says Sparhawk "However you can ask him yourself as you are riding next to the wagon!"</p><p>Walter turns to Beltain "I deal in all manner of things, buying/selling that kind of stuff. I had just arranged a shipment of rugs from Suzail to Arabel when I was kidnapped by those Zhent fellows" , he laughs "You know...in all the time i have been with this group, no one has asked me anything...to busy arguing amongst yourselves. Still, I’m glad to see the back of that half orc, and that kobold...mentalists I tell ya!"</p><p></p><p>The Wizard Nosnibor sits in the back of the wagon and gets a quill and some paper out of his bag. He sticks his tongue out of the side of his mouth and begins to pen a letter. When he hears the others talk about him he looks up and joins in their conversation, periodically turning back to his letter.</p><p>His thoughts are interrupted by the conversation between Spar and Beltain and he interjects " I say chaps, I feel I'm being slightly misrepresented or misunderstood in my intentions if you think that i believe that i have an 'everything is good' approach. I merely think that we should give people the chance to prove they are bad. If we try to parley first and leave combat as a last option surely that is an honourable approach? If we lead by example. say, by NOT butchering folk in their sleep or slaughtering prisoners. You know, simple things like that."</p><p>"You are at it again, Nosni" says Beltain in an exasperated voice "Using pejorative words like 'butchered', it's only slightly better than 'slaughtered', if we are to look at things in an even-handed way then 'killed' would be a better was of expressing things. Perhaps try and include some neutral language in the letter, so not 'murdering goblin bastards' or 'sweet, pink and fluffy goblins' but the tribe of goblins that attacked and tried to kill me and my friends' and we might be getting somewhere"</p><p>"Ok. How does 'killed while unable to defend themselves'; sound then?" responds the elf. "Unfortunately, it sounds accurate”, replies Beltain “But in the heat of battle, when an enemy is disabled for a round or two, it seems only common sense to take the advantage while its there. But I hope that you don't have me down as such a killer, for I value your high regard... Or the Lady Limara, as I'm sure we all see her as the inexorable & incorruptible bringer of justice."</p><p>Beltain leans over in the saddle to see if he can determine what Nosnibor is writing about him.</p><p>"What about in the heat of questioning?" continues Nosnibor. "Not much heat around here" says Beltain looking around at the snow, completely bemused by Nosnibor's response "Perhaps he's too engrossed in scribing to have been listening properly" he thinks and urges Salix back into position.</p><p>"I have to say I agree with Nos on the issue of slaughtering prisoners!” Sparhawk tells the party members “I find that totally wrong, If you take someone prisoner, you are by any accordance of war, under some obligation to not just disarm them and kill them. If you plan on slaughtering them then just be done with it. However that said on the flip side of the coin, If you try to talk to every foe to discern their intentions you will wind up very dead very quick. To make my point clearer the foes could have just been killed as they fought...why bother to even pretend to take prisoners...I am reasonably certain that technically the open murder of a prisoner would be considered as a war crime"</p><p>"Jeez" says Beltain, "We all, including you and Nosni left five stable but unconscious foes in the hands of Feng and Rizzit. Which is as near condemning them to death as I can think of. You didn’t even think to bring them with us. If you consider yourselves guilty of war crimes then you'd better hand yourselves in at Immersea, or do you consider that because you didn't actually kill them, just left them to be killed, you hands are clean? This is war against evil, ask the Purple Knights, and in war there are hard decisions to be made. One of these is what to do with foes captured for information, in reality we do not have the forces to guard them and we dare not leave them at our backs"</p><p>"I never expressed any preference in taking any prisoners...” retorts Sparhawk “Secondly my assumption was that between Coleridge and Limara at least some good sense would prevail...Ok what information did said prisoners give us sir cleric? I ask you that?"</p><p>"Very true” Beltain admits, “No information that I can think of, they were in our hands but they never accepted their fate and submitted the information they surely held. Perhaps you are right, Sir Knight" he says sadly, "That capture does not yield information that we can use to protect ourselves and our friends - Only time will tell"</p><p>"That is why you don’t just take prisoners everywhere you go...by making someone a prisoner you then have to give them certain rights as prisoners of war. Taking of them prisoner was simply and excuse to murder in cold blood unarmed foes....I am sorry but that goes against all I am and all I hold dear... maybe next time you could go one step further and stab them in the back so they cant see you coming"</p><p>"Wait just a minute - I took no part in prisoner killing although I have no problems with such battlefield 'justice'.” Exclaims Beltain incensed, “I have to admit that I don't subscribe to such notions as Human (or indeed Inhuman) Rights and such but treat each encounter on its merits - If I think we can gain an edge by capturing and gaining information by some means then I'm all for it, but in this case I do not think that I acted improperly even by your or Nosni's standards. I was down South in the mines trying (unsuccessfully) to keep Rizzit and Feng out of trouble."</p><p>"Hang on neighbour, a minute ago we all stand accused of said crime...how can you now say you were no part of this act?" accuses the knight.</p><p>"I am guilty of the act, the difference is that I consider it no crime and certainly will not be handing myself over to justice for.” Replies Beltain, “I have little time for the Purple Knights, who seem to prefer tying complex knots than chasing the orcs that trashed Arabel. If you think that you've committed a crime then hand yourself in, is all that I say. And while we are about it, I think that Limara is one feisty young lady for whom I have nothing but respect. Her conduct has been irreproachable, if a little more subdued than her earlier days. Justice needed to be done and she didn’t flinch from carrying it out – battlefield justice – none of the slow torture of days on the road, in prison and the inevitable hangman’s noose for those guys, despite their admission of killing the human poet without remorse!"</p><p>"They never said they killed him!” argues Sparhawk “There was no admission and no evidence of them murdering him....and by that token then surely Limara deserves the same fate as she is a murderess herself now? or are we into double standards again sir cleric? I believe your feelings for said fair cleric are clouding thine mind and judgement her neighbour" with a broad grin.</p><p>"I stand by my actions Sparhawk” interjects Coleridge “I also never agreed to the taking of prisoners and certainly not the woefully uncouth swine and a gaudy, sock-sucking sub-literate simpletons that tried to silence the flow of my art; I interrogated as I saw fit, the creature had the choice to live by providing me with answers, it chose not to so it died"</p><p>Beltain agrees “I have no doubt that Limara acted properly although, as I have said, I was down to the South. These goblins had murdered the poet, they murdered our bard’s poetic flow and were guilty of attempted murder on the party. Case closed! My feelings for Limara are simple and unbiased. Her actions here commend her to me, dispensing justice with compassion. As for them being prisoners I’m not even sure that is true as they never submitted or surrendered to us, they were just slept by Rizzit.”</p><p>Coleridge continues "I have known you longer than any of the others we travel with Sparhawk and value your friendship and trust, but in this matter you will not sway my view or opinion. I could have just slain the miserably blighted blackguard, the perverted, disease-ridden diaphanous drivel from a doddering dullard, but I chose to question it first to see if I could gain from the encounter.. if it had responded I would have honoured my word, it didn't so I kept my word to it"</p><p>"Coleridge we indeed have been part of the same group for a long time, And by the looks of things no one is going to sway in their opinions neighbour" concedes Sparhawk</p><p>Limara turns to Beltain and smiles fondly.."Thank you Belt", having been quietly listening to the conversation for a while, speaks up. "Spar, when I see lawless evil, it is my duty to slay it . The very fact that the goblins and duergar had set up camp in Cormyr is reason enough to act.....You ask why i questioned them.... well it was a goblin that we questioned that told us about the human and his sad demise. I am certain that I have broken no laws in my actions in the mines. This is Cormyr, evil hordes have no rights here, the whole state is at war at the moment. As a Red Knight cleric I ally myself to the purple knight’s cause and if I can kill their enemies then I will. Also, how can you murder a goblin???.... it’s like saying murder a rat or murder a poison ivy bush... "</p><p>She continues, the colour rising in her cheeks "I killed none of the sleeping foe, but would have had no problems in doing so if we weren’t being attacked at the time.... they were evil lawless scum, they deserved nothing else. As for the goblins not admitting to the death of the poet ... how naive are you... no wonder warriors don’t represent people in a court of law... they are evil goblins who hate humans, what do you think they did to him ? "</p><p>She finishes in a conciliatory tone "I don’t think we are that far apart in our opinions friends... let not the death of a few goblins cause a problem..... "</p><p>The beautiful lady cleric turns to the merchant "Walter... please can you hustle the wagon horses for the last hour, it will save an hour on our journey... thanks......oh, and what is your opinion of goblins and duergar camping along a merchant trail ?"</p><p>He replies "Well, I’m a merchant not a adventurer, and yes I dislike monsters and such. BUT, they weren’t camped along a merchant trail, they are in the underdark. From what I understand Underdark is below all of Faerun. As long as the monsters stay down there...and don’t impinge upon my profits, then all well and good"</p><p>"But they left the underdark and took a poet, killing him below.... " she points out but Walter responds "They said that?... I thought the said poet had stumbled into the underdark. If that was the case, it was his fault...no humans should be going underground"</p><p>"Where do you think the influx of evil in Cormyr is coming from Walter?" she responds drawing him to the conclusion, "Well, yes, I understand your point, but was it those Goblins...specifically. I mean, there’s an awful lot of beasties that roam this planet...cant tar em all with the same brush.. I mean, humans don’t have a great reputation amongst other beings"</p><p>"Also, if the poet stumbled into the underdark... what was all the blood in the snow outside..." says Limara pursuing her point and Walter responds weakly "I have no idea, maybe like you said, he’d killed something before he went in...who knows"</p><p>"If a being acts within the law and with consideration then i agree with you Walter, but they attacked us first without warning... they got the justice they deserved.".</p><p>Walter changes tack "Were you not on their turf?...How would you react if someone barged in your home. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like goblins but look at it from their point of view". "Well,” explains Limara “If someone walked onto 'my turf' then i would ask them what they wanted.. if I didn’t like their answer i would tell them to leave... if they didn’t I would make them... How would you deal with it ?"</p><p>"That the difference between lawful civilised society and the animals.." she adds pressing her point. “Well isn’t that the difference between civilized fellows such as ourselves and, erm, monsters” he responds lamely “.. I mean, we know they don’t adhere to the same rules, so you should have known what to expect - no?"</p><p>"If they are of a mind to attack first then they are the ones who have to deal with the consequences.... I do not make their decisions for them" Limara points out.</p><p>"Well, there we will have to disagree.” Responds Walter thinking himself to be on firmer ground “I think adventurers such as yourselves often tread on peoples toes...then you struggle to justify yourselves. Really, there are better ways of making a living and less dangerous"</p><p>Beltain looks at Limara with admiration as she puts her case to the party, after a while his face clouds, why should a professed merchant defend the position of such as goblins that traditionally prey on travellers. Could it be that this merchant has dealing with such creatures? There would certainly be a profit to be made. He resolves to watch the merchant more closely in the future and perhaps he would attempt to get more information from Deirdre, but, then again, perhaps not if he wanted to remain on good terms with the Lady Limara.</p><p></p><p><strong>The Owlbear</strong></p><p>Limara starts to reply to the merchant but her eyes have caught a strange sound, it sounded like a bear’s growl but somehow different. Looking to the west they see a strange creature stalking toward them. The bear-like stance and feather are quickly recognised, an Owl-bear! "I've heard these things are vicious,” says Beltain, glimpsing the creature off in the trees to the West, “But does anyone know anything about their attacks and defences?" he asks.</p><p>Nosnibor seems unaware of the approaching Owlbear and continues the argument "Well i for one am so very happy to be travelling with such a brave and morally forthright group of daring adventurers. Do you see Pussy? How they discuss morally ambiguous topics with such simple honesty? It's justy simply smashing to see. Although i myself feel the breaking the law argument to be more manufactured and spurious. I believe the killing of prisoners is wrong simply because it is. Pussy doesn't like it. I don't like it. Only naughty boys and girls kill prisoners." Said the Wizard Nosnibor as he stroked his Pussy and rocked back and forward with the motion of the wagon.</p><p>Suddenly he sees the Owlbear and he stands up suddenly with a look of joy and amazement on his face. "Look Pussy." He says, pointing with one hand and clutching his familiar to his chest with another. "An Owlbear. I've always wanted to see one of them. How marvellous it is!"</p><p>A sparkle comes to Beltain's eyes, action again, he gives Limara a quick smile "All this moralising & philosophy about good and evil is all very well, and well may suit the domestic clergy, but it is combat action that is the meat and drink of us War clerics!"</p><p>"These creatures are abominations part bear part bird and vicious to boot” Beltain tells Nosnibor, “I think that we will be lucky to escape from them with only minor injuries. You'd better keep Pus safe!”</p><p> "Pussy can look after her self” says Nosnibor indignantly, “She is an important cat, and has many and varied fantastical abilities. Why i have seen there stare off into the distance at seemingly nothing at all for hours on end. Such concentration requires the sort of mind that only a hugely powerful arch mage can possess."</p><p>"Um, yes" replies Belatain to Nosibor, but it's obvious that he was not really listening, he leans forward in the saddle the better to hear what Coleridge has to say. He relishes the lyric verse from the bard that precedes each encounter for its innate beauty”.</p><p>"Awwww. I remember now” says Nosnibor, unaware that Bel is no longer listening, “These Owlbears are lovely creatures. I'm sure they love to give people a big hug. Or something."</p><p>Limara is less than convinced "That thing looks vicious.... you give it a hug if you want, but I have no intention of getting that close ...and the way its homing in on us with those hungry eyes and dribble hanging from its beak, I'd say it think we are its next meal."</p><p>"Tish and pish, Just make a loud noise. That'll drive him off." Is Nosnibor’s only response.</p><p>"OK, Nosni, YOU make the loud noise, as loud as you like! If it runs away then we can continue - if it doesn't then it's fair game. Personally I think it would look better as a winter coat!" retorts Belatin</p><p>"Eewww. Wearing animal skins is soo Barbaric. I can knit you a lovely winter coat. And it has the added advantage of not causing the death of an innocent creature." wails the wizard</p><p>"You could be right, but it's just about the right size for in front of a log fire. A combination between a bear-skin rug and a feather bed - sweet!" laughs Beltain "Now tell me Nosni, do they have cubs or eggs when they have young?"</p><p>Coleridge begins a recitation to bolster his friends should it be necessary to engage this strange creature</p><p>“Downhill I came, hungry, and yet not starved;</p><p>Cold, yet had heat within me that was proof</p><p>Against the North wind; tired, yet so that rest</p><p>Had seemed the sweetest thing under a roof”</p><p>As he recites the poem, to inspire his comrades, he slides a bolt ready into his crossbow and cranks it back ready</p><p>Limara edges he mount forward to better sight the beast and adds a few words to Coleridge’s poem, adding to the inspiring effect.</p><p>"I like the rug idea Bel .." she grins</p><p>Beltain nods with appreciation at Cole's verse, he waits until the bard has finished unwilling to interrupt the rolling words that impact on his thoughts. He pauses to mull over the words and rhythm.</p><p>'Nosni, isn't shouting but I'll give it a try' he thinks and yells "GET BACK HOME FOUL OWLBEAR" a little self-consciously and looks to see if it had any effect.</p><p>Beltain urges Salix forward to beside Limara and then casts a spell creating a longsword made of pure force that lightly wounds the owlbear.</p><p>Beltain addresses Nosnobor: "Well I've shouted it and given it a smack on the rump, so by your reckoning it will be hightailing it back to it's lair and safety now! If it doesn’t then it can’t be the beast that you identified…"</p><p>"Perhaps i can scare it off by banging some cooking pans together?" reposes Nonsi, without much conviction.</p><p>The owlbear moves forward heading directly for the party, and Sparhawk wheels Faren and charges at the beast lance in hand. He strikes true and massively wounds the attacking monster. </p><p>The Wizard Nosnibor takes his bow up in one hand and draws an arrow from a quiver on his back. He prepares to fire at the Owlbear.</p><p>Coleridge sights at the creature and looses a bolt, hitting the creature, which stops in its tracks swaying from the damage it has received.</p><p>Without a pause Coleridge continues his poem</p><p>"Then at the inn I had food, fire, and rest,</p><p>Knowing how hungry, cold, and tired was I.</p><p>All of the night was quite barred out except</p><p>An owl's cry, a most melancholy cry"</p><p>Beltain exclaims at the Bard’s versatility "That was even more impressive, a massive hit while composing and reciting the, very apt, verse! ‘An owl's cry, a most melancholy cry’ as you disabled it – such timing!"</p><p>Meanwhile Limara swings her shield behind her back and draws her crossbow. She loads and fires, hitting the owlbear for massive damage. It slumps to the floor, blood seeping into the snow..</p><p>"Sweet" she says under her breath.</p><p>After waiting a little time, to make sure that it is dead, Beltain dismounts and loads the Owlbear body onto the wagon, covering it with a blanket to ensure it doesn't offend the sensitivities of Deirdre or Walter. "Unless there is a nest containing eggs, babies or the creatures treasure we should be on our way" he suggests.</p><p>Nosnibor protests "Ewww. Why are we transporting a dead creature? Surely taxidermy is not on your mind?"</p><p>"I do not have the expertise to skin it myself but, perchance, there will be someone in Immersea that can oblige " Beltain tells Nosnibor, "Then I will have to find some place with a fire to place it in front of. It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful pelt"</p><p>"Would it be called a pelt, or plumage do you think?", Coleridge muses, "No matter, it will make quite the striking centre-piece somewhere I should think... at the right price of course"</p><p>"If there is a nest or den we could spend five minutes looking for it... the tracks in the snow must be still quite clear. Then we should be on our way" suggests Limara, "...oh, and Spar... that charge was text book, sweetly done"</p><p>"Look for a den?” protests Nosni “Didn't we split from Rizzit and Feng because they got side tracked from the roll of protecting Walter? Should we get side tracked again?"</p><p>"Really Nosni” exclaims Beltain, shocked “I had you down as a caring individual, with a concern, perhaps too much of a concern, for the wellbeing of all creatures. Now, when the Lady Limara suggests that we look for the Owl-Bears nest, to rescue the poor pink and fluffy fledglings, who may well starve without their parent, you site the letter of the agreement with Walter and want to head South for the comfort of a warm bed. I had you down as someone with a respect for life and the spirit of the rules but not one that couldn’t bend a rule when necessary” he continues tongue firmly in his cheek.</p><p></p><p><strong>Immersea</strong></p><p>The party continues riding and as the afternoon shadows start to lengthen they come upon a snowman and milestone indicating 8 miles to Immersea. Although Beltain is deeply suspicious of the snowman is appears quite normal and the party increase their pace, arriving in the city as dusk falls. Walter and Deirdre bid a hasty farewell and retreat to the comfort of their friend’s house, apparently glad to be away from their uncouth guards for a time.</p><p>Nosnibor, regales the party with a ditty based on the name ‘Immer Inn’, which is a tad repetitious but has a very catchy tune and the party select this as the hostelry of choice. They sell the items found on goblins and deugar and (to Beltain’s dismay) the Owlbear pelt for a total of just over 2,000 gps, a nice haul, and then return to the inn for a hearty meal. Almost as soon as its over Limara and Beltain make their excuses and hurry upstairs as they need to pray. The others in the group exchange knowing glances and continue to sample the excellent ale.</p><p>The following day Nosnibor is awake before dawn and sits in his room and memorises his spells. Then he writes a letter to his Aunty Beryl before the party depart. With a grunt of satisfaction he completes his description of the finding of the mitheral mines and the goings on inside. As he writes his normally sunny disposition takes on an air of sadness and perhaps disappointment that the world isn’t the way that he feels that it should be.</p><p><strong>Feng’s story</strong></p><p>Beltain has an excellent night in the Inn's bed - enjoying the warmth and comfort and thinking of the morrow. As they come downstairs Limara suggests to Beltain that the wagon is left in Immersea so that they can make faster progress, pointing out that they can always come back to fetch it, should it be needed. </p><p>The whole party go downstairs in the Immer Inn to partake of a bit of breakfast before the off. "Neighbours”, announces Sparhawk “I have been doing some thinking whilst i slept, i have decided to stay here with Walter. I cannot abandon my duty. I will rejoin you once you have returned from the mines" and Nosnibor concurs "I agree good sir knight. i too will also stay behind, besides, pussy seems to be getting a lot of attention here, she’s loving it"</p><p>When they get down to the main room of the Inn there are amazed to see Feng sitting there. "Oh my word,..IS THAT FENG OVER THERE!" exclaims The Wizard Nosnibor, Sparhawk looks over at the barbarian "What is going on?" says sparhawk tersely.</p><p>When Beltain sees Feng in the room, waiting, his jaw drops. Letting go of Limara’s hand he sprints across to the big barbarian and throws his arms round him in a bear hug. “Feng??” he stutters “How come you are here? Where are Rizzit and Biba? Are you wounded? How? What happened back in the mines?” While the imperturbable Coleridge just acknowledges Feng with a nod. "Good to see you my friend, where are the others who stayed with you at the mine?" and turns to the barman and orders breakfast before moving to take a seat with Feng and await his food</p><p>Limara walks over and sits down to breakfast... "Well with you two as guards Walter and Deirdre will be more than safe here in town” she tells Spar and Nosni “But as it seems that two of our Order are missing, I feel it is my duty to go and rescue them."</p><p>Turning to Feng "Good morning Feng... what happened to our sorcerer and rogue?" she asks, " do they still live?"</p><p>Feng nods dourly to his companions, "As far as I know, Rizz and Stumpy are in the mines. If you value their lives, we need to get back there quickly."</p><p>"I left the dwarf asleep in a Drow encampment” he adds “He fell prey to their poison quickly, unlike me and Rizzit. After we stormed the gate and overran the guardroom - we met a Drow mage of considerable foul skill. As I've long maintained, the black arts are no substitute for cold steel, and I hacked him down."</p><p>Flexes his muscles until his harness creaks. He continues "In hindsight, that was the time to get careful - whatever that misbegotten bastard had conjured as a guard was still roamin' around. Typically Rizzit stumbled across it and I had to pile in to save the wretch."</p><p>"It had teeth and claws like I've never seen", he elaborates “It shrugged off two good hits with Laskur's bane here like I'd patted it with a feather."</p><p>Feng pauses significantly "Then it ripped me apart."</p><p>He looks around to the others, "The next I knew, I was outside the town and that purple ring had gone."</p><p>"I don't really care about stumpy,” Feng sighs “But that little Kobold has got some guts - I'd like to rescue him before the drow string him up with them. If they both stay quiet and hidden, they've got a chance if we hurry back."</p><p>"..Oh, and before I get a lecture”, he glances briefly as Sparhawk “When I left the dwarf, he was asleep. I took some trouble to hide him so he wouldn’t be found by a casual search."</p><p>"<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=":)" /> knows wher Rizz is by now. Probably flicking pebbles at a high priest and callin' him a tosser."</p><p></p><p><strong>Rizzit’s Story</strong></p><p>"Then we need to start off immediately" says Beltain looking around, "You can fill us in on the details and geography of the place as we ride. What says you?". Beltain looks rounds at the others and he smiles at Limara.</p><p>Given the seriousness of the situation Nosnibor and Sparhawk agree to accompany the party back to the mines and to check what has happened to Rizzit and Bibabob. </p><p>However they are in for another shock for when they get there outside the mines sits Rizzit and Bibabob. </p><p>Rizzit looks up...he looks very surprised to see Feng riding in the back of the cart. "Feng? How come you are there?" he asks "What happened to you bro?"</p><p>Beltain looks to Rizzit and then to Feng and back again. "I told you the kobald was indestructible" he laughs, "Sitting here, as calm as you like on a great pile of treasure!"</p><p>He turns to Rizzit and asks "Can you tell us your story and what the situation inside the mines maybe? Feng here was almost monosyllabic in his description of event, but the way he told it Biba was fast asleep and you were doomed when he left"</p><p>"Doomed, ha, it was only one huge demon thingy", scoffs the kobald.</p><p>Let me start from the beginning says Rizzit enjoying being the centre of attention "Well we sneaked back in and Bob and Feng 'scouted' discovering two drow guarding a door. We decided to rest so I could regain spells then set off to take out the guards, Bob used the potion of invisibility to sneak up behind the guards where he totally failed to hit one with his sword"</p><p>"The fight was then on, Feng charged bravely in whilst I stood my ground firing my magic into the weakling drow, we quickly slew the guards and went through the door" Rizzit adds in plenty of arm waving and boom sound effects. He continues "Well next we came upon more Drow and the fight was once again on!"</p><p>"Bob immediately got hit by a sleep dart and slept through all the rest of the events" glares are the dwarf, "Myself and Feng fought on, slaying drow about us until we met a powerful drow Mage, he used a mirror image spell to confuse us and wounded Feng, but the friends working together against the foe quickly removed the images and dealt a killing blow"</p><p>"After checking the area we proceeded north where my less than stealthy movements attracted the attention of a huge demon, Feng moved up to try and protect me as it attacked but still I took a vicious wound" points to said wound, now healing nicely. "Stepping back I threw magical missiles at the beast as Feng heroically stood his ground against what looked like the end of our days"</p><p>"The fell beast with a roar struck down the mighty Feng killing him instantly. The beast moved forward to finish with a kobold morsel not realising I had used more protective magic. Time and again the beasts blows found only my magical protections whilst I bravely sent missile after missile into its evil body"</p><p>"Then with my final magic missile spell the beast stood dumfounded, making one last pitiful attempt to hit me it slumped to the ground bleeding where I quickly finished it off with my dagger"</p><p>"As I stood looking at the carnage around me Feng’s body was covered in light and vanished. Heartbroken at the loss of a friend I returned to drag Bob out of the mine and make him comfortable by the fire whilst I awaited your return"</p><p>Sits back down by the fire "And that’s all we did, how about you guys? I hope you bought some bacon back with you."</p><p>"Wow!" exclaims Beltain, impressed "That sounds an amazing battle and I can see why you thought that Feng was dead. He says that the next thing he knew he was just outside Immersea and so he marched into town and met us for breakfast. Strange thing was that he purple ring was missing, couldn't really explain how that could of been."</p><p>"Um" he continues somewhat embarrassed, "We did have some excellent bacon for breakfast, but we didn't think to bring any for you as Feng was convinced that you were either dead or a prisoner... Sorry"</p><p>“Humph!” explodes Feng “Well bugger me with a cart-pole - Rizz, I thought you was a gonner for sure". "And the demon is dead? - The praise of the brave to you, Rizzit. Perhaps there's more to this arm waving than first I thought."</p><p>"By the way did the drow have any treasure? Not that it's any of my business, just interested...?". "Well we have this pile of drow crap here” says Rizzit modestly, referring to a sizable stack of armour and weapons “And did recover a wand and a cloak of resistance that have been split. I think we need to give Feng a chance of a pick though as he did considerable more than the bumbling dwarf in there"</p><p>"My goddess Sune was looking after me I think, I cannot see how a little kobold could stand up to such a beast otherwise"</p><p>"Well nice to have you back, now lets get inside and kick some drow ass" he concludes and beams at the others.</p><p>Rizzit makes sure Beaker has plenty to eat and is secure. Then walks back inside the mine</p><p>"By the way Rizzit" says Beltain as he follows the kobald into the tunnels, "Very well done, you are something of a hero on the quiet!"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greyhawk, post: 3031051, member: 40355"] [b]To Immersea and back[/b] [B]To Immersea[/B] After much discussion it is decided that Rizzit, Bibabob, and Feng would stay at the mine whilst the rest escort Walter and Deirdre to Immersea. Once that is done the party will return to the mines. Immersea is approximately 8 hours away and the two groups part company at about 3pm, the larger group heading out through the snow towards the road from Arabel to Immersea. "I think it was about 2:30 when we started so I hope that we can make it to Immersea by 10:30pm, grab a few hours in bed, and then get off at first light (4am?) to get to the cavern by midday. Even so I am sure that Rizzit and Feng will not be able to resist a foray against the drow, if drow there be." "OK!” says Limara “If we hussle the wagon horses for the last hour, we can cut the journey to 7 hours.... each way that is a 2 hour saving... plus I get to pray on time.. We need 8 hours rest so we are not fatigued in the morning.... so we get in at 9:30pm... and leave at 5:30 in the morning, that’s assuming we are not jumped on the way...." "We get our wards there safely!” says Sparhawk, ”That is what we are being paid to do! As for the others ...we can hope that which ever deity they believe in keeps them safe" he rides on lance in hand and ready. Beltain is obviously annoyed at Sparhawk’s concentration on Walter, to the exclusion of everything else "Sir Sparhawk, we accept that you are being true to those who hired you, please also accept that others in the party have, not only this, but other loyalties in their minds. Their loyalty to their God, friends and fellow citizens. You may not share such loyalties but you must recognise that such exist" As they ride along Beltain asks Nosnibor to look at the elvish ring ‘Bright Evening Star’ and assess its capabilities. Sparhawk continues to argue with Beltain "My objection is to people expecting to just leave our wards and go off looking for adventure anytime it pleaseth them...we are being paid to do a job, either do it or don’t is my simple suggestion neighbour" Which invites another response from Beltain "Look Spar, a man, like you or I strayed into those caverns and was killed, murdered by the goblins. In addition there was some evidence that drow either were or had been living there. Now drow are the most evil set of bastards known to man and it is anyone's duty to stop them if they can. This isn't 'Adventure' it's a moral duty, even if we don't get paid to do it!" "So report it to the proper authorities...” Sparhawk retorts “Again you speak a personal opinion, I have met a couple of drow...and they did not attack or even try to be offensive. In fact they were quite an honourable pair as I recall" "You have a point” Beltain concedes “Walter & Deirdre should not have been left out in the freezing winds and certainly not subjected to spells from Rizzit. I am with you 100% on that and" he sighs "I suppose that there may be drow that are not evil but yours are the first that I've heard of. But let's treat them with care, I'm not going to adopt Nosni's 'everything is good at heart' approach with them - not if I expect to live much longer!" "I am a warrior sir cleric” says Sparhawk amicably “I too do not hold Nos' approach, lets face it , if there were no evil in this world I would be out of a job" Beltain laughs, glad that the discussion has ended "Oh so true, Sir Knight. By the way do you know what sort of merchant Walter may be? He carries no obvious wares and didn't even have horses when we met him. Whatever he carries my be small, lightweight and valuable. Perhaps gems, information (is he a spy?) or perhaps drugs." "A good point," says Sparhawk "However you can ask him yourself as you are riding next to the wagon!" Walter turns to Beltain "I deal in all manner of things, buying/selling that kind of stuff. I had just arranged a shipment of rugs from Suzail to Arabel when I was kidnapped by those Zhent fellows" , he laughs "You know...in all the time i have been with this group, no one has asked me anything...to busy arguing amongst yourselves. Still, I’m glad to see the back of that half orc, and that kobold...mentalists I tell ya!" The Wizard Nosnibor sits in the back of the wagon and gets a quill and some paper out of his bag. He sticks his tongue out of the side of his mouth and begins to pen a letter. When he hears the others talk about him he looks up and joins in their conversation, periodically turning back to his letter. His thoughts are interrupted by the conversation between Spar and Beltain and he interjects " I say chaps, I feel I'm being slightly misrepresented or misunderstood in my intentions if you think that i believe that i have an 'everything is good' approach. I merely think that we should give people the chance to prove they are bad. If we try to parley first and leave combat as a last option surely that is an honourable approach? If we lead by example. say, by NOT butchering folk in their sleep or slaughtering prisoners. You know, simple things like that." "You are at it again, Nosni" says Beltain in an exasperated voice "Using pejorative words like 'butchered', it's only slightly better than 'slaughtered', if we are to look at things in an even-handed way then 'killed' would be a better was of expressing things. Perhaps try and include some neutral language in the letter, so not 'murdering goblin bastards' or 'sweet, pink and fluffy goblins' but the tribe of goblins that attacked and tried to kill me and my friends' and we might be getting somewhere" "Ok. How does 'killed while unable to defend themselves'; sound then?" responds the elf. "Unfortunately, it sounds accurate”, replies Beltain “But in the heat of battle, when an enemy is disabled for a round or two, it seems only common sense to take the advantage while its there. But I hope that you don't have me down as such a killer, for I value your high regard... Or the Lady Limara, as I'm sure we all see her as the inexorable & incorruptible bringer of justice." Beltain leans over in the saddle to see if he can determine what Nosnibor is writing about him. "What about in the heat of questioning?" continues Nosnibor. "Not much heat around here" says Beltain looking around at the snow, completely bemused by Nosnibor's response "Perhaps he's too engrossed in scribing to have been listening properly" he thinks and urges Salix back into position. "I have to say I agree with Nos on the issue of slaughtering prisoners!” Sparhawk tells the party members “I find that totally wrong, If you take someone prisoner, you are by any accordance of war, under some obligation to not just disarm them and kill them. If you plan on slaughtering them then just be done with it. However that said on the flip side of the coin, If you try to talk to every foe to discern their intentions you will wind up very dead very quick. To make my point clearer the foes could have just been killed as they fought...why bother to even pretend to take prisoners...I am reasonably certain that technically the open murder of a prisoner would be considered as a war crime" "Jeez" says Beltain, "We all, including you and Nosni left five stable but unconscious foes in the hands of Feng and Rizzit. Which is as near condemning them to death as I can think of. You didn’t even think to bring them with us. If you consider yourselves guilty of war crimes then you'd better hand yourselves in at Immersea, or do you consider that because you didn't actually kill them, just left them to be killed, you hands are clean? This is war against evil, ask the Purple Knights, and in war there are hard decisions to be made. One of these is what to do with foes captured for information, in reality we do not have the forces to guard them and we dare not leave them at our backs" "I never expressed any preference in taking any prisoners...” retorts Sparhawk “Secondly my assumption was that between Coleridge and Limara at least some good sense would prevail...Ok what information did said prisoners give us sir cleric? I ask you that?" "Very true” Beltain admits, “No information that I can think of, they were in our hands but they never accepted their fate and submitted the information they surely held. Perhaps you are right, Sir Knight" he says sadly, "That capture does not yield information that we can use to protect ourselves and our friends - Only time will tell" "That is why you don’t just take prisoners everywhere you go...by making someone a prisoner you then have to give them certain rights as prisoners of war. Taking of them prisoner was simply and excuse to murder in cold blood unarmed foes....I am sorry but that goes against all I am and all I hold dear... maybe next time you could go one step further and stab them in the back so they cant see you coming" "Wait just a minute - I took no part in prisoner killing although I have no problems with such battlefield 'justice'.” Exclaims Beltain incensed, “I have to admit that I don't subscribe to such notions as Human (or indeed Inhuman) Rights and such but treat each encounter on its merits - If I think we can gain an edge by capturing and gaining information by some means then I'm all for it, but in this case I do not think that I acted improperly even by your or Nosni's standards. I was down South in the mines trying (unsuccessfully) to keep Rizzit and Feng out of trouble." "Hang on neighbour, a minute ago we all stand accused of said crime...how can you now say you were no part of this act?" accuses the knight. "I am guilty of the act, the difference is that I consider it no crime and certainly will not be handing myself over to justice for.” Replies Beltain, “I have little time for the Purple Knights, who seem to prefer tying complex knots than chasing the orcs that trashed Arabel. If you think that you've committed a crime then hand yourself in, is all that I say. And while we are about it, I think that Limara is one feisty young lady for whom I have nothing but respect. Her conduct has been irreproachable, if a little more subdued than her earlier days. Justice needed to be done and she didn’t flinch from carrying it out – battlefield justice – none of the slow torture of days on the road, in prison and the inevitable hangman’s noose for those guys, despite their admission of killing the human poet without remorse!" "They never said they killed him!” argues Sparhawk “There was no admission and no evidence of them murdering him....and by that token then surely Limara deserves the same fate as she is a murderess herself now? or are we into double standards again sir cleric? I believe your feelings for said fair cleric are clouding thine mind and judgement her neighbour" with a broad grin. "I stand by my actions Sparhawk” interjects Coleridge “I also never agreed to the taking of prisoners and certainly not the woefully uncouth swine and a gaudy, sock-sucking sub-literate simpletons that tried to silence the flow of my art; I interrogated as I saw fit, the creature had the choice to live by providing me with answers, it chose not to so it died" Beltain agrees “I have no doubt that Limara acted properly although, as I have said, I was down to the South. These goblins had murdered the poet, they murdered our bard’s poetic flow and were guilty of attempted murder on the party. Case closed! My feelings for Limara are simple and unbiased. Her actions here commend her to me, dispensing justice with compassion. As for them being prisoners I’m not even sure that is true as they never submitted or surrendered to us, they were just slept by Rizzit.” Coleridge continues "I have known you longer than any of the others we travel with Sparhawk and value your friendship and trust, but in this matter you will not sway my view or opinion. I could have just slain the miserably blighted blackguard, the perverted, disease-ridden diaphanous drivel from a doddering dullard, but I chose to question it first to see if I could gain from the encounter.. if it had responded I would have honoured my word, it didn't so I kept my word to it" "Coleridge we indeed have been part of the same group for a long time, And by the looks of things no one is going to sway in their opinions neighbour" concedes Sparhawk Limara turns to Beltain and smiles fondly.."Thank you Belt", having been quietly listening to the conversation for a while, speaks up. "Spar, when I see lawless evil, it is my duty to slay it . The very fact that the goblins and duergar had set up camp in Cormyr is reason enough to act.....You ask why i questioned them.... well it was a goblin that we questioned that told us about the human and his sad demise. I am certain that I have broken no laws in my actions in the mines. This is Cormyr, evil hordes have no rights here, the whole state is at war at the moment. As a Red Knight cleric I ally myself to the purple knight’s cause and if I can kill their enemies then I will. Also, how can you murder a goblin???.... it’s like saying murder a rat or murder a poison ivy bush... " She continues, the colour rising in her cheeks "I killed none of the sleeping foe, but would have had no problems in doing so if we weren’t being attacked at the time.... they were evil lawless scum, they deserved nothing else. As for the goblins not admitting to the death of the poet ... how naive are you... no wonder warriors don’t represent people in a court of law... they are evil goblins who hate humans, what do you think they did to him ? " She finishes in a conciliatory tone "I don’t think we are that far apart in our opinions friends... let not the death of a few goblins cause a problem..... " The beautiful lady cleric turns to the merchant "Walter... please can you hustle the wagon horses for the last hour, it will save an hour on our journey... thanks......oh, and what is your opinion of goblins and duergar camping along a merchant trail ?" He replies "Well, I’m a merchant not a adventurer, and yes I dislike monsters and such. BUT, they weren’t camped along a merchant trail, they are in the underdark. From what I understand Underdark is below all of Faerun. As long as the monsters stay down there...and don’t impinge upon my profits, then all well and good" "But they left the underdark and took a poet, killing him below.... " she points out but Walter responds "They said that?... I thought the said poet had stumbled into the underdark. If that was the case, it was his fault...no humans should be going underground" "Where do you think the influx of evil in Cormyr is coming from Walter?" she responds drawing him to the conclusion, "Well, yes, I understand your point, but was it those Goblins...specifically. I mean, there’s an awful lot of beasties that roam this planet...cant tar em all with the same brush.. I mean, humans don’t have a great reputation amongst other beings" "Also, if the poet stumbled into the underdark... what was all the blood in the snow outside..." says Limara pursuing her point and Walter responds weakly "I have no idea, maybe like you said, he’d killed something before he went in...who knows" "If a being acts within the law and with consideration then i agree with you Walter, but they attacked us first without warning... they got the justice they deserved.". Walter changes tack "Were you not on their turf?...How would you react if someone barged in your home. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like goblins but look at it from their point of view". "Well,” explains Limara “If someone walked onto 'my turf' then i would ask them what they wanted.. if I didn’t like their answer i would tell them to leave... if they didn’t I would make them... How would you deal with it ?" "That the difference between lawful civilised society and the animals.." she adds pressing her point. “Well isn’t that the difference between civilized fellows such as ourselves and, erm, monsters” he responds lamely “.. I mean, we know they don’t adhere to the same rules, so you should have known what to expect - no?" "If they are of a mind to attack first then they are the ones who have to deal with the consequences.... I do not make their decisions for them" Limara points out. "Well, there we will have to disagree.” Responds Walter thinking himself to be on firmer ground “I think adventurers such as yourselves often tread on peoples toes...then you struggle to justify yourselves. Really, there are better ways of making a living and less dangerous" Beltain looks at Limara with admiration as she puts her case to the party, after a while his face clouds, why should a professed merchant defend the position of such as goblins that traditionally prey on travellers. Could it be that this merchant has dealing with such creatures? There would certainly be a profit to be made. He resolves to watch the merchant more closely in the future and perhaps he would attempt to get more information from Deirdre, but, then again, perhaps not if he wanted to remain on good terms with the Lady Limara. [B]The Owlbear[/B] Limara starts to reply to the merchant but her eyes have caught a strange sound, it sounded like a bear’s growl but somehow different. Looking to the west they see a strange creature stalking toward them. The bear-like stance and feather are quickly recognised, an Owl-bear! "I've heard these things are vicious,” says Beltain, glimpsing the creature off in the trees to the West, “But does anyone know anything about their attacks and defences?" he asks. Nosnibor seems unaware of the approaching Owlbear and continues the argument "Well i for one am so very happy to be travelling with such a brave and morally forthright group of daring adventurers. Do you see Pussy? How they discuss morally ambiguous topics with such simple honesty? It's justy simply smashing to see. Although i myself feel the breaking the law argument to be more manufactured and spurious. I believe the killing of prisoners is wrong simply because it is. Pussy doesn't like it. I don't like it. Only naughty boys and girls kill prisoners." Said the Wizard Nosnibor as he stroked his Pussy and rocked back and forward with the motion of the wagon. Suddenly he sees the Owlbear and he stands up suddenly with a look of joy and amazement on his face. "Look Pussy." He says, pointing with one hand and clutching his familiar to his chest with another. "An Owlbear. I've always wanted to see one of them. How marvellous it is!" A sparkle comes to Beltain's eyes, action again, he gives Limara a quick smile "All this moralising & philosophy about good and evil is all very well, and well may suit the domestic clergy, but it is combat action that is the meat and drink of us War clerics!" "These creatures are abominations part bear part bird and vicious to boot” Beltain tells Nosnibor, “I think that we will be lucky to escape from them with only minor injuries. You'd better keep Pus safe!” "Pussy can look after her self” says Nosnibor indignantly, “She is an important cat, and has many and varied fantastical abilities. Why i have seen there stare off into the distance at seemingly nothing at all for hours on end. Such concentration requires the sort of mind that only a hugely powerful arch mage can possess." "Um, yes" replies Belatain to Nosibor, but it's obvious that he was not really listening, he leans forward in the saddle the better to hear what Coleridge has to say. He relishes the lyric verse from the bard that precedes each encounter for its innate beauty”. "Awwww. I remember now” says Nosnibor, unaware that Bel is no longer listening, “These Owlbears are lovely creatures. I'm sure they love to give people a big hug. Or something." Limara is less than convinced "That thing looks vicious.... you give it a hug if you want, but I have no intention of getting that close ...and the way its homing in on us with those hungry eyes and dribble hanging from its beak, I'd say it think we are its next meal." "Tish and pish, Just make a loud noise. That'll drive him off." Is Nosnibor’s only response. "OK, Nosni, YOU make the loud noise, as loud as you like! If it runs away then we can continue - if it doesn't then it's fair game. Personally I think it would look better as a winter coat!" retorts Belatin "Eewww. Wearing animal skins is soo Barbaric. I can knit you a lovely winter coat. And it has the added advantage of not causing the death of an innocent creature." wails the wizard "You could be right, but it's just about the right size for in front of a log fire. A combination between a bear-skin rug and a feather bed - sweet!" laughs Beltain "Now tell me Nosni, do they have cubs or eggs when they have young?" Coleridge begins a recitation to bolster his friends should it be necessary to engage this strange creature “Downhill I came, hungry, and yet not starved; Cold, yet had heat within me that was proof Against the North wind; tired, yet so that rest Had seemed the sweetest thing under a roof” As he recites the poem, to inspire his comrades, he slides a bolt ready into his crossbow and cranks it back ready Limara edges he mount forward to better sight the beast and adds a few words to Coleridge’s poem, adding to the inspiring effect. "I like the rug idea Bel .." she grins Beltain nods with appreciation at Cole's verse, he waits until the bard has finished unwilling to interrupt the rolling words that impact on his thoughts. He pauses to mull over the words and rhythm. 'Nosni, isn't shouting but I'll give it a try' he thinks and yells "GET BACK HOME FOUL OWLBEAR" a little self-consciously and looks to see if it had any effect. Beltain urges Salix forward to beside Limara and then casts a spell creating a longsword made of pure force that lightly wounds the owlbear. Beltain addresses Nosnobor: "Well I've shouted it and given it a smack on the rump, so by your reckoning it will be hightailing it back to it's lair and safety now! If it doesn’t then it can’t be the beast that you identified…" "Perhaps i can scare it off by banging some cooking pans together?" reposes Nonsi, without much conviction. The owlbear moves forward heading directly for the party, and Sparhawk wheels Faren and charges at the beast lance in hand. He strikes true and massively wounds the attacking monster. The Wizard Nosnibor takes his bow up in one hand and draws an arrow from a quiver on his back. He prepares to fire at the Owlbear. Coleridge sights at the creature and looses a bolt, hitting the creature, which stops in its tracks swaying from the damage it has received. Without a pause Coleridge continues his poem "Then at the inn I had food, fire, and rest, Knowing how hungry, cold, and tired was I. All of the night was quite barred out except An owl's cry, a most melancholy cry" Beltain exclaims at the Bard’s versatility "That was even more impressive, a massive hit while composing and reciting the, very apt, verse! ‘An owl's cry, a most melancholy cry’ as you disabled it – such timing!" Meanwhile Limara swings her shield behind her back and draws her crossbow. She loads and fires, hitting the owlbear for massive damage. It slumps to the floor, blood seeping into the snow.. "Sweet" she says under her breath. After waiting a little time, to make sure that it is dead, Beltain dismounts and loads the Owlbear body onto the wagon, covering it with a blanket to ensure it doesn't offend the sensitivities of Deirdre or Walter. "Unless there is a nest containing eggs, babies or the creatures treasure we should be on our way" he suggests. Nosnibor protests "Ewww. Why are we transporting a dead creature? Surely taxidermy is not on your mind?" "I do not have the expertise to skin it myself but, perchance, there will be someone in Immersea that can oblige " Beltain tells Nosnibor, "Then I will have to find some place with a fire to place it in front of. It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful pelt" "Would it be called a pelt, or plumage do you think?", Coleridge muses, "No matter, it will make quite the striking centre-piece somewhere I should think... at the right price of course" "If there is a nest or den we could spend five minutes looking for it... the tracks in the snow must be still quite clear. Then we should be on our way" suggests Limara, "...oh, and Spar... that charge was text book, sweetly done" "Look for a den?” protests Nosni “Didn't we split from Rizzit and Feng because they got side tracked from the roll of protecting Walter? Should we get side tracked again?" "Really Nosni” exclaims Beltain, shocked “I had you down as a caring individual, with a concern, perhaps too much of a concern, for the wellbeing of all creatures. Now, when the Lady Limara suggests that we look for the Owl-Bears nest, to rescue the poor pink and fluffy fledglings, who may well starve without their parent, you site the letter of the agreement with Walter and want to head South for the comfort of a warm bed. I had you down as someone with a respect for life and the spirit of the rules but not one that couldn’t bend a rule when necessary” he continues tongue firmly in his cheek. [B]Immersea[/B] The party continues riding and as the afternoon shadows start to lengthen they come upon a snowman and milestone indicating 8 miles to Immersea. Although Beltain is deeply suspicious of the snowman is appears quite normal and the party increase their pace, arriving in the city as dusk falls. Walter and Deirdre bid a hasty farewell and retreat to the comfort of their friend’s house, apparently glad to be away from their uncouth guards for a time. Nosnibor, regales the party with a ditty based on the name ‘Immer Inn’, which is a tad repetitious but has a very catchy tune and the party select this as the hostelry of choice. They sell the items found on goblins and deugar and (to Beltain’s dismay) the Owlbear pelt for a total of just over 2,000 gps, a nice haul, and then return to the inn for a hearty meal. Almost as soon as its over Limara and Beltain make their excuses and hurry upstairs as they need to pray. The others in the group exchange knowing glances and continue to sample the excellent ale. The following day Nosnibor is awake before dawn and sits in his room and memorises his spells. Then he writes a letter to his Aunty Beryl before the party depart. With a grunt of satisfaction he completes his description of the finding of the mitheral mines and the goings on inside. As he writes his normally sunny disposition takes on an air of sadness and perhaps disappointment that the world isn’t the way that he feels that it should be. [B]Feng’s story[/B] Beltain has an excellent night in the Inn's bed - enjoying the warmth and comfort and thinking of the morrow. As they come downstairs Limara suggests to Beltain that the wagon is left in Immersea so that they can make faster progress, pointing out that they can always come back to fetch it, should it be needed. The whole party go downstairs in the Immer Inn to partake of a bit of breakfast before the off. "Neighbours”, announces Sparhawk “I have been doing some thinking whilst i slept, i have decided to stay here with Walter. I cannot abandon my duty. I will rejoin you once you have returned from the mines" and Nosnibor concurs "I agree good sir knight. i too will also stay behind, besides, pussy seems to be getting a lot of attention here, she’s loving it" When they get down to the main room of the Inn there are amazed to see Feng sitting there. "Oh my word,..IS THAT FENG OVER THERE!" exclaims The Wizard Nosnibor, Sparhawk looks over at the barbarian "What is going on?" says sparhawk tersely. When Beltain sees Feng in the room, waiting, his jaw drops. Letting go of Limara’s hand he sprints across to the big barbarian and throws his arms round him in a bear hug. “Feng??” he stutters “How come you are here? Where are Rizzit and Biba? Are you wounded? How? What happened back in the mines?” While the imperturbable Coleridge just acknowledges Feng with a nod. "Good to see you my friend, where are the others who stayed with you at the mine?" and turns to the barman and orders breakfast before moving to take a seat with Feng and await his food Limara walks over and sits down to breakfast... "Well with you two as guards Walter and Deirdre will be more than safe here in town” she tells Spar and Nosni “But as it seems that two of our Order are missing, I feel it is my duty to go and rescue them." Turning to Feng "Good morning Feng... what happened to our sorcerer and rogue?" she asks, " do they still live?" Feng nods dourly to his companions, "As far as I know, Rizz and Stumpy are in the mines. If you value their lives, we need to get back there quickly." "I left the dwarf asleep in a Drow encampment” he adds “He fell prey to their poison quickly, unlike me and Rizzit. After we stormed the gate and overran the guardroom - we met a Drow mage of considerable foul skill. As I've long maintained, the black arts are no substitute for cold steel, and I hacked him down." Flexes his muscles until his harness creaks. He continues "In hindsight, that was the time to get careful - whatever that misbegotten bastard had conjured as a guard was still roamin' around. Typically Rizzit stumbled across it and I had to pile in to save the wretch." "It had teeth and claws like I've never seen", he elaborates “It shrugged off two good hits with Laskur's bane here like I'd patted it with a feather." Feng pauses significantly "Then it ripped me apart." He looks around to the others, "The next I knew, I was outside the town and that purple ring had gone." "I don't really care about stumpy,” Feng sighs “But that little Kobold has got some guts - I'd like to rescue him before the drow string him up with them. If they both stay quiet and hidden, they've got a chance if we hurry back." "..Oh, and before I get a lecture”, he glances briefly as Sparhawk “When I left the dwarf, he was asleep. I took some trouble to hide him so he wouldn’t be found by a casual search." ":):):):) knows wher Rizz is by now. Probably flicking pebbles at a high priest and callin' him a tosser." [B]Rizzit’s Story[/B] "Then we need to start off immediately" says Beltain looking around, "You can fill us in on the details and geography of the place as we ride. What says you?". Beltain looks rounds at the others and he smiles at Limara. Given the seriousness of the situation Nosnibor and Sparhawk agree to accompany the party back to the mines and to check what has happened to Rizzit and Bibabob. However they are in for another shock for when they get there outside the mines sits Rizzit and Bibabob. Rizzit looks up...he looks very surprised to see Feng riding in the back of the cart. "Feng? How come you are there?" he asks "What happened to you bro?" Beltain looks to Rizzit and then to Feng and back again. "I told you the kobald was indestructible" he laughs, "Sitting here, as calm as you like on a great pile of treasure!" He turns to Rizzit and asks "Can you tell us your story and what the situation inside the mines maybe? Feng here was almost monosyllabic in his description of event, but the way he told it Biba was fast asleep and you were doomed when he left" "Doomed, ha, it was only one huge demon thingy", scoffs the kobald. Let me start from the beginning says Rizzit enjoying being the centre of attention "Well we sneaked back in and Bob and Feng 'scouted' discovering two drow guarding a door. We decided to rest so I could regain spells then set off to take out the guards, Bob used the potion of invisibility to sneak up behind the guards where he totally failed to hit one with his sword" "The fight was then on, Feng charged bravely in whilst I stood my ground firing my magic into the weakling drow, we quickly slew the guards and went through the door" Rizzit adds in plenty of arm waving and boom sound effects. He continues "Well next we came upon more Drow and the fight was once again on!" "Bob immediately got hit by a sleep dart and slept through all the rest of the events" glares are the dwarf, "Myself and Feng fought on, slaying drow about us until we met a powerful drow Mage, he used a mirror image spell to confuse us and wounded Feng, but the friends working together against the foe quickly removed the images and dealt a killing blow" "After checking the area we proceeded north where my less than stealthy movements attracted the attention of a huge demon, Feng moved up to try and protect me as it attacked but still I took a vicious wound" points to said wound, now healing nicely. "Stepping back I threw magical missiles at the beast as Feng heroically stood his ground against what looked like the end of our days" "The fell beast with a roar struck down the mighty Feng killing him instantly. The beast moved forward to finish with a kobold morsel not realising I had used more protective magic. Time and again the beasts blows found only my magical protections whilst I bravely sent missile after missile into its evil body" "Then with my final magic missile spell the beast stood dumfounded, making one last pitiful attempt to hit me it slumped to the ground bleeding where I quickly finished it off with my dagger" "As I stood looking at the carnage around me Feng’s body was covered in light and vanished. Heartbroken at the loss of a friend I returned to drag Bob out of the mine and make him comfortable by the fire whilst I awaited your return" Sits back down by the fire "And that’s all we did, how about you guys? I hope you bought some bacon back with you." "Wow!" exclaims Beltain, impressed "That sounds an amazing battle and I can see why you thought that Feng was dead. He says that the next thing he knew he was just outside Immersea and so he marched into town and met us for breakfast. Strange thing was that he purple ring was missing, couldn't really explain how that could of been." "Um" he continues somewhat embarrassed, "We did have some excellent bacon for breakfast, but we didn't think to bring any for you as Feng was convinced that you were either dead or a prisoner... Sorry" “Humph!” explodes Feng “Well bugger me with a cart-pole - Rizz, I thought you was a gonner for sure". "And the demon is dead? - The praise of the brave to you, Rizzit. Perhaps there's more to this arm waving than first I thought." "By the way did the drow have any treasure? Not that it's any of my business, just interested...?". "Well we have this pile of drow crap here” says Rizzit modestly, referring to a sizable stack of armour and weapons “And did recover a wand and a cloak of resistance that have been split. I think we need to give Feng a chance of a pick though as he did considerable more than the bumbling dwarf in there" "My goddess Sune was looking after me I think, I cannot see how a little kobold could stand up to such a beast otherwise" "Well nice to have you back, now lets get inside and kick some drow ass" he concludes and beams at the others. Rizzit makes sure Beaker has plenty to eat and is secure. Then walks back inside the mine "By the way Rizzit" says Beltain as he follows the kobald into the tunnels, "Very well done, you are something of a hero on the quiet!" [/QUOTE]
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