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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 7944516" data-attributes="member: 7015827">Confrontations and ConsequencesAfter the rigors of their respective ceremonies, Brok-Tul and Veran decided they needed to meditate and reflect on what had just happened, going a short distance into the nearby woods to do so. (This is a commendable practice, as the toll from dealing with the dead can be difficult to bear, whether it is magical or not in nature. --C.) Upon their return, they found Rahnee, Belle and Aerikoth sitting under the eaves of the farm building. Rahnee informed Brok-Tul that while they were gone, the other three adventurers had gone to visit the Mayor under the pretext of finding a place to put a wizard tower. This prompted a series of inane questions from the half-orc, with Belle contributing wittily to confusing things, before Rahnee starting pulling on Brok-Tul’s war braids. Aerikoth then calmly explained that they had in fact paid a visit to Mayor Haman Amraphel and his wife Grani. The Mayor informed them that they could visit “Duke” Hallton’s estate, located a few hours to the east, if Aerikoth was interested in working for him; the Duke had lost his most recent practitioner of the Art.Brok-Tul suggested that Aerikoth pretend to be interested and visit Hallton, in order to get as much information as possible from him. This prompted a debate about the group’s next steps, which included the possibilities of further investigating Hallton or simply departing for Westgate, now that their duty to Aratae’s family was done. Aerikoth declared that he would be willing to visit Hallton’s estate, but not be employed by him. The wizard pointed out that they already knew what Hallton had done to Aratae, so he saw no need for feigning alliance with the self-styled Duke. Aerikoth also argued that it was irrelevant to try and find out who Hallton’s secret patron was, something the others disagreed with.During the resulting back-and-forth discussion, Veran argued for returning to Westgate and attempting to uncover there who had sent the box and note, while Rahnee, Belle and Brok-Tul attempted to talk out various ways of getting information from Hallton, including infiltrating his estate. Aerikoth eventually agreed in principle with the idea of approaching Hallton and attempting to elicit information from him. However, the group nevertheless now seemed more interested in returning to Westgate.As they headed back toward the inn, it being time for the noon meal, a guard captain in Hallton armor approached them, backed by several squads of soldiers. He introduced himself as Captain Edwyn and inquired after their names and why they were in Tallwell. In response, Rahnee introduced herself and Veran and Brok did likewise. Rahnee inquired why Edwyn was asking about them and the captain replied that Duke Hallton had received reports of mercenaries in his domain, ones who matched the description of those who had fought at Glees. Not batting an eye, Rahnee told him that he was right, while Brok sent a short prayer to Helm skyward. When asked again by Edwyn why the companions were there, Rahnee in a bored tone commented that they were looking to speak to the Duke in the hopes of being hired. Edwyn informed them that they, having been in the service of the Duke’s enemy Baron Pahar, were not wanted on Hallton lands and should depart.Saying that the Mercenaries Guild would hear of this, Rahnee turned and walked away, the others following; Brok-Tul made a parting comment about the Guild head Palla, to further give the impression that they had been sent by the guild. Once back by the farmhouse, Rahnee slipped into the trees to watch back down the road, while Belle led the others toward the trail to Glees. Rahnee rejoined the others just in time to hear Aerikoth chanting the words of a spell, after which the wizard disappeared.Confusion reigned once Aerikoth had departed, the others trying to figure out what he had done. Brok-Tul, on Rahnee’s suggestion, prepared to try and detect any magic in the area, to see if perhaps Aerikoth had left some trace. Veran meanwhile went back up the road to see if the soldiers had moved any closer. He soon came running back to inform his companions that soldiers were setting fire to the Winnfall house, estimating their number at twenty. Brok-Tul immediately roared a challenge and a prayer to Helm, charging back up the road, with the others following closely behind.The resulting battle was hard-fought and long, with approximately half of Hallton’s forces using their bows to target the companions while the others joined in melee. Rahnee received the brunt of the archers’ attention and fell to the ground, bleeding to death. Unfortunately, by the time the others had finished off the remaining soldiers and noticed her plight, Rahnee had expired. Searching desperately, Brok-Tul pulled a scroll off of Rahnee’s corpse and hurriedly read it; it was a spare Raise Dead scroll, which brought Rahnee back to life, albeit gravely injured.Meanwhile, Veran and Belle had turned their attention to the farmhouse and located Garens behind it; the farmer informed them that everyone had made it out safely. They then frantically fought the flames still licking at the farmhouse, eventually extinguishing them as Therena and Aley cheered them on.</blockquote>

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