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Message: <blockquote data-quote="htetickrt" data-source="post: 1390567" data-attributes="member: 16534">DM's note: I didn't really realize when I started posting this here that there was so much, well, talking, at the onset of the campaign. I've contemplated going back and deleting some, but, since the adventure itself has relatively few chances for discussion (and the related character development opportunities), I've decided to leave it in. Hopefully this doesn't mean the pace is too slow to make it interesting. Those craving for action need only persevere another two posts, whereupon the huge party starts being thinned by the bad guys.Randall Morn"It is nice to be in the Dales again," offers Dobi. "I for one would be happy to look into it, but I would ask of you one thing, if I may so presume, Lord Randall. "It seems that you are still in rather tumultuous times. Might I ask whether you are still in communication with a Cormyrian embassy, through which I might send a message? I should at least check in." Randall nods. "I will do my best, though roads are not what they used to be." Quid quietly intones, "...and so sayeth the Lady, free the lands from strife, for only in peace doth profits flow ... Acquisitions 32:3. "I would be happy to help you out, if the rest are willing anyway, though I do have some business matters I would like to discuss at your convenience." Randall responds, "I'm afraid such matters will have to wait until the matter of the drow is resolved, for until then I do not know if there will be a Daggerdale with which to trade." Danek looks hopefully over at Kai, who, lost in thought, is sadly stroking Snicker without noticing that the little animal is alertly and rather mischievously surveying the furnishings of Randall's home. The barbarian offers awkwardly, "Maybe we could come back in a few days and take care of the drow then. After we do some other stuff." Snicker suddenly darts over to Randall and, perching on the back of his chair, starts pulling at the hair on the top of his head. When Kai leaps up, horrified, the pseudodragon flies back to her shoulder and innocently wraps his tail around her neck. "I'm so sorry," Kai apologizes to Randall, "he doesn't think I've been paying enough attention to him. It won't happen again." Turning to Danek after the commotion settles down, she continues kindly, "Waiting will only allow more people to die. If everyone would like to take up this quest, I can put off my trip home. Although," she adds, turning again to Randall, "some time to equip ourselves before we depart can only increase our utility to you." Randall brushes off Snicker's assault without comment. "Though perhaps not what you are used to, Dagger Falls does have a basic array of armor, weapons, and miscellany for your purchase. I'm afraid I can't offer transportation elsewhere, though you are free to approach this problem in any way you see fit." Kyree turns to Randall and offers, as diplomatically as he can, "Thank you for directing us to a place where we can purchase some provisions. Unfortunately, we don't actually have money to use at this point. If you could, perhaps, offer us a loan of some sort...." Cerridwin, seeking to avoid being turned into a snail, interrupts with a dazzling smile. "Wait, this reminds me of a song I know...." For the next five minutes the air is filled with a pleasant melody expressing the sheer joy of meandering around someplace known as a ‘mall.’ Randall's eyes lose focus slightly during the song, and his head sways along with the rhyming. Upon its completion, the ruler of Daggerdale smiles politely. "That was pretty, thank you," he says, though his eyes betray a hint of suspicion at the bard's motives. Cerridwin’s own smile goes perhaps a bit tighter, but she makes no other sign of her disappointment. Turning back to Kyree, Randall says, "As I said earlier, I am afraid that Daggerdale is not wealthy." Sighing heavily, he adds, "However, I am prepared to offer a sum of 5,000 gold on completion of the task, of which half might be lent out beforehand. I can also grant 5,000 gold worth of healing from the local temple of Lathander." Kyree smiles and bows his head as he says, "Thank you, that will be most helpful." Trella slaps Kyree in the back and whispers, "Good work" after he secures some funds for their efforts. To Randall Morn, she says, "You have my staff and my aid, Mr. Morn. These drow will not know what hit them.” She pauses, stroking her cheek once. “I have a question about the raids. Did they choose farms of a particular size?" To clarify for her own sake, she adds, "I mean, were the targets and locations totally at random or could we reasonably guess where they'll strike next? If we could consult a map of the region, that would be most helpful." Randall smiles broadly. "I am most glad to hear of this. There were only two raids thus far, and, as I said, we tracked the origin of the raids to the crypts ten miles south of here. The raids' targets appeared to be whatever was closest to the crypts. You are, of course, welcome to peruse our maps if you think they would help." At Randall’s comment, an attendant provides the party with detailed maps of the region. Thinking aloud Trella says to no one in particular, "We need to get there from here. Maybe someone has a helpful spell; I could always become a bird or something and scout out the area while others are in transit." Rhien comments, "A scout might be very useful, but I think we can easily walk there in a few hours tomorrow before dark. Or, we could procure horses, though most of those would have to wait above ground unless specially trained like Steve." Steve whinnies his agreement. Snapping her fingers with a sudden thought, the druid offers, "If these drow are intent on mayhem, then I bet they'd love a chance to attack some representatives of Daggerdale's leaders, so, Mr. Morn, would you be able to send out word that you are sending royal survey teams with a small squad of troops to assess the damage? I am not asking you to do something huge or elaborate, just get the word out in case there are drow agents lurking somewhere who might relay the information. I'd like to see how or if they change their strategy. We'll need disguises if that idea is okay with everybody, something frilly for a few of us and soldier uniforms for others. I want frilly so they think I'm an easy target." She smiles evilly. Randall responds, "To be honest, I'm not sure this would matter, given the violence and seemingly random carnage of the raids, but I would be happy to do this. I can also find appropriate disguises for you." Andy clears his throat loudly. Approaching Morn with all the charisma he can manage, the monk extends a hand. "Captain Andy of the Thistlehome town guard. I have some experience in making preparations to repel invaders as my town was often attacked by, well, orcs and goblin kind. I would be eager to confer with my counterparts in the area regarding defensive measures we might take to minimize damage from future assaults. Maybe we can buy ourselves some time by taking simple precautions like strategic redeployment of local militia near sensitive or expensive assets." Randall returns the handshake. "I am pleased that you are willing to help. When this is all over and rulership weighs less heavy on my head, we will have to sit down and discuss this Thistlehome someday, as I have not heard of it before now." Danek scowls. "It's a dungheap," she mutters, nearly loud enough for Morn to hear her. Dobi, master strategist, offers, "If I might offer a suggestion, perhaps when devising a plan of attack, we might consider splitting up, a two pronged attack so to speak. At least from my training, such large bands were never good for infiltration. And the split does not have to be based solely on experience, perhaps." Trella replies, "I like that idea, maybe we could dispatch a small team to observe the crypts while the larger team looks pretty and sets the trap. The advance team would stall them—if they're spotted—and inform the larger group of the impending advance. Good thinking." Rhien looks aggrieved. "No splitting up!" the monk uncharacteristically exclaims. "Splitting up is always bad!" He seems unwilling to discuss the matter further. Quid asks, "Does anyone here speak any drow language, incidentally? I could prepare a spell to remedy that, but if someone knows, then that would be better.” There is collective head shaking in response to Quid's query. She continues, "Also, I like the bait idea. If we are to confront them, it makes sense to meet as many as possible out in the open, rather than on their home turf. "And, before heading for the crypts, it might be useful to visit the site of the last two attacks, to see if any clues were left behind in their tracks, perhaps talk to any survivors." Randall shakes his head sadly. "You are welcome to visit the sites, but my men have done a thorough job searching for clues there already, and I have shared with you all that they have found. As I said, the attacks were savage, even for drow, and seemed to have little purpose other than to create fear and foment chaos. Only twelve drow footprints were found, but that was enough to slaughter many of my people." Trella responds, “I think it’s probably best if we go anyway. No offense.” Randal shrugs. “None taken. If there are not any more questions, I have business to which I must attend. My attendant will produce the money you have been promised, and it will be made known to the temple of Lathander that you should be allowed a certain measure of healing, should you need it. If you have additional need to speak with me, you can find me here much of the time. Thank you my friends, and may Tymora watch over you.” The group leaves Randall’s presence somberly, anticipating another difficult road ahead. On the way out, the group is presented with 2,500 gold, split into five bags of coins. Quid sighs and mutters somewhat petulantly to no one in particular, "It never is easy, darn it. If not dragons or orcs, then Zhents and drow." Trella ignores this. Easily slipping into her mantle as party leader, she instructs, “Kyree, you and me will go check out the attack sites real quick. The rest of you hit the stores and pick up whatever we’ll need. We’ll meet back here by nightfall and plan our attack.”</blockquote>

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