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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 7945434" data-attributes="member: 7015827">Garens thanked the companions for saving the lives of his family, as well as the house, asking them what they would do now. In response to Brok-Tul’s suggestion to talk to the Mayor, Garens stated that it had been Hallton who had ordered the torching of his home, so speaking with the Mayor would do little. As the others discussed the need for Garens and his family to leave Tallwell, Veran moved among the dead soldiers, saying words over them and closing each of their eyes in turn. Eventually it was decided that Therena and Aley would have Belle accompany them for security to a secret place in the forest known to the Winnfalls, while Garens volunteered to guide the rest to Hallton’s estate in order to finish things with the erstwhile Duke.After confirming that the others indeed wished to take on Hallton in reduced numbers, and stating that they could expect no help from Tallwell’s villagers, Garens made sure to gather everything useful available from the house, coming up with some food and healing herbs. Brok-Tul provided the farmer with one of his spare magical swords and Veran, after confirming that Garens had previous militia training and could use plate armor, gave him a suit salvaged from one of Hallton’s men. Garens struggled into it, thanking Rahnee for her help in buckling it on. As a final gift, Brok-Tul handed Garens a magical ring of protection.Rahnee indicated that the plan was to scout around and see what they were up against. Garens said that it would not be a problem going through Tallwell, as there was no longer any threat there from Hallton’s soldiers, so the four re-entered the village, stopping for a spell in order to take advantage of fresh water from the well. They then headed east along the road to the Hallton manor grounds.Once there, Garens pointed out the manor, which sat at the top of a hill and was enclosed by a wooden palisade. A few abandoned outbuildings lay nearby. Rahnee said she would scout ahead, when an uncomfortable-looking Garens said he was not good at such things. Brok-Tul and Veran accompanied her and the monk used his stealthy skills to circle the manor, reporting back that there were two guards outside, with more probably on the inside. After Veran confirmed that the other two wished to proceed, in spite of the monk’s better judgment, they walked up the misty slope to the manor gate. (This is the sole place in these chronicles where I must criticize Brother Veran's decisions. A monk's obedience to his Order and principles does not imply that he must similarly obey whatever plan is put forward by his comrades of the moment - especially when they are not of the Order. Veran, somewhat surprisingly, showed independent thinking in the matter of Melissa - which I personally do not fully agree with, but nonetheless respect. Here, however, his lack of assertiveness had terrible consequences. I would say that this is one of the principal lessons to be taught us by these chronicles. --R)Outside the gate, they were challenged by the two guards, who appeared to recognize Brok-Tul, likely from a description they had been given. The half-orc declared that they were Helm’s servants and wished an audience with Duke Hallton. The guards quickly opened the gate and then ducked inside, locking it behind them and leaving the adventurers outside. Showing his determination to advance at all costs, the half-orc cleric unlimbered his maul and declared that he had a key. Several powerful swings later, the gate was broken and the three adventurers advanced to the manor’s entrance. Pausing for a moment to prepare themselves, they then charged in, Brok-Tul yelling “HELM AID US!”Several guardsmen were waiting in the entrance chamber and more of them quickly emerged from a nearby barracks to engage the three. However, their skills were no match for that of the adventurers in a straight-up melee and were quickly and efficiently cut down. Moving down the hallway to Hallton's audience chamber, they prepared themselves to face more foes, with Veran slipping into the shadows and Brok-Tul quietly chanting the words of a prayer for a glyph of warding.As Brok-Tul walked into the chamber to cast his spell, several heavily armed and armored guards, Hallton's personal elite, rapidly moved to engage him and spoiled the spell's effect. Rahnee and Veran came to their comrade's defense and intense fighting erupted inside the chamber, moving to the corridor outside as Hallton screamed encouragement to his men and epithets at the adventurers.Veran went down first, bloody and unconscious, but was able to rally to his feet as the other two fought on. Although a few of Hallton's elite guards by now had fallen, Brok-Tul could no longer hold off the rest and was the first of the adventurers to die, spilling his life's blood on the cold stone floor. Rahnee attempted to execute a fighting retreat, but was rendered unconscious. Her opponents then went back to finish off a helpless Veran. (A terrible end for a legend in the Order. He certainly misjudged his foes, or as my predecessor "R" believes, ignored his own judgment regarding the situation, which may well be worse. --C)</blockquote>

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