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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8030954" data-attributes="member: 7015827">The BeastOn Ches 8, after Shanni and Dermot had visited some additional stores and Darrow had conversed with Jandrico Swift regarding plans for a brewery business, the company gathered at the Gatereach Inn to begin their journey to “Veranbrok”. Rahnee had some business to finish up in town, so the others headed for the South Gate, which Aerikoth informed them led to the road to Glees village, the first stop on the way to their destination.Hiking into the afternoon, the four adventurers were set upon by a pack of worgs near the Turnton/Glees crossroads. Dermot, Shanni and Darrow made quick work of them before Aerikoth could even get off a spell, impressing the wizard. Walking up the smaller track to Glees, Dermot observed a large collection of tents on the outskirts of the village. One of the villagers greeted them and asked if they were with Baron Pahar, Darrow replying that they were associates of his. The villager mentioned that there had been a number of “dangerous critters” such as large wolves in the woods over the past several months. Some giant bugs in the village fields had been previously cleared out by adventurers, he said, although a few had returned recently and were dealt with by the Baron’s troops. The villager also mentioned that the troops had been lodged in their tents for a while, waiting for something.As it was already dinnertime, Darrow suggested they stay in the village rather than tramp around further in the dark. Aerikoth noted that the village innkeeper, Undt, would not mind the trade, although he was unsure if there would be enough rooms. The villager, clearly relishing his unusual audience, told them about the manticores in the forest between Glees and the old Hallton lands (Veranbrok). At this point Rahnee stepped up softly behind Aerikoth, having caught up with the others, and mentioned that the manticores had “b-i-g” spikes, recounting to the group how a previous encounter with them had gone badly. Aerikoth stated that he would prepare appropriate spells overnight, in order to protect them.At the Glees village inn, Rahnee and Aerikoth were greeted warmly by the innkeeper Undt, who was then introduced to their other three companions. A group of baronial soldiers in the common room paid obvious attention to the company, especially Aerikoth’s glowing staff. Undt was delighted to hear that they were there to retake Hallton’s old lands and drive the monsters from the forest, although Shanni seemingly had some doubts about the proposition.While Undt was off arranging their dinner, Rahnee told her three newer companions about the last time she and Aerikoth had been in Hallton lands, about a month beforehand. Hallton, who had styled himself a Duke, had ruled his lands with an iron fist. Among other things, he made a point of claiming “first night” rights with all the women that caught his fancy. Two of Rahnee’s previous companions, her husband Brok-Tul and the monk Veran, had been killed in an assault on Hallton’s manor; Rahnee had barely managed to crawl away from the battle. Vengeance was then taken, however, with Hallton and his men all killed and their lands claimed for the adventuring company. Baron Pahar of neighboring Turnton supported them and had promised to provide some troops to help maintain the territory.After Undt returned with food and drink, he discussed the situation with the adventurers, who were interested to know what had been happening. The unusually harsh winter was now over, but strange creatures still remained, apparently having been driven from their original homes. Because of the manticores in the forest, no one had been able to travel to Tallwell in the former Hallton lands, so there was no news from there. Undt then brought the Baronial commander over, who introduced himself as Guard Captain Calen.In a guarded tone, Calen welcomed them to Glees, mentioning that he had been waiting there for over two tendays for their arrival. Rahnee briefly explained that they had been waylaid somewhat in the interim. The baronial captain related that the priest of Helm who accompanied them from Turnton had departed after the first tenday, but that the remainder of his forces remained to guard the village, including taking action against some giant bugs in the fields.Calen indicated that his forces were ready to accompany the adventurers to Tallwell, but confessed that they were not equipped to deal with the manticores in the forest. In response to a question from Rahnee, who had been hoping for assistance from Clan Ironhelm, both Calen and Undt said that they had seen no dwarves come through the village. Darrow said that the clan was likely occupied with its own problems. Calen then departed to see to his men, with Rahnee asking that he be ready to move out an hour past dawn. The company, after some further discussion, then went upstairs to their rooms for the evening.</blockquote>

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