Trollsblood
As the four adventurers carefully picked their way through the marshy ground, Dermot took the lead and cautioned the others to be careful where they tread, given his knowledge of the troll traps that Old Hamish normally set. Aerikoth, in response to a question from Rosten, told the hin that he had never met the hermit ranger; in fact, the wizard had not realized his daughter Belle was a former comrade, until it was mentioned. Rosten expressed his liking for the old man and his commitment to staying in the wild - although upon seeing a handwritten sign warning of troll traps, the hin said he would like Hamish a damn sight less if one of them got him.Dermot called out a warning to hold as they came to the base of the hill where the hermit’s cabin was located, Rosten also spotting a large trap at the same time. The figures of Old Hamish and his dog Runner were barely visible in the mist at the top, as Dermot waved and called out a greeting. Hamish told them to scoot on over to the west and around the stand of trees there, to avoid the traps. The adventurers complied and after a funny look at the wizard by Hamish and a request from their host, Aerikoth unsummoned his Dire Tiger before they entered the open cabin door.
Dermot introduced Aerikoth and mentioned the wizard had worked with Belle - what Old Hamish had figured, he said, as he bent down to start a fire with flint and tinder in the fireplace. Aerikoth stood holding his staff in both hands, his unblinking gaze on the old man, as Rosten – the piratical hin evidently sensing the tension in the room – glanced between them silently. Lloria, ever-practical, piped up and asked if there was any news on the trolls. Smiling for the first time, Hamish said he had found their lair in a nearby swamp and asked if they were still up for destroying the nest. This earned a grunt and nod of affirmation from Rosten and further questions from the others.
The hermit ranger related how the trolls’ nest was in an old ruin, underground. However, he had not gone down into it, as his old bones didn't move as quick as they used to, so he had no idea how many inhabited it. Rosten perked up at the possibility of treasure in the ruin, while Lloria warned that sizable troll dens would usually have a large shaman leading them. Dermot said they could use the chance to fight something real and mentioned he brought some firepowder traps of his own. Old Hamish commented that it was nothing some intrepid adventurers couldn’t handle, especially with a wizard who was good at surviving things. These last pointed words, evidently directed at Aerikoth, earned an arched eyebrow from the wizard, who nevertheless remained quietly watching the old man, as Rosten again observed the tension between them. (Old Hamish certainly has not forgotten about his daughter Belle's personal decline after accompanying Aerikoth's party against the ancient lich Ashnakzeroth. Her subsequent death at the hands of trolls would not have happened had she been on form, is no doubt what he thinks...and this is perhaps the case. How deep will a father's love and hate go under these circumstances? Does he truly blame Aerikoth for his daughter's death? --C)
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