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Brytter helps Mumbles upon the cart.
"And whilst master dwarf and Thomas share with us what they have learnt, I would ask you to tell me what you know of Thalen. " He regards Yessenia with unwavering stare. "I have been on the roads too long to know what is happening within guarded walls. If our paths must collide, I would not fain meet this Thalen blindly."
As soon as the dwarf was on his feet, he aimed Fouruner at Jess.
"Stand sill, ye damned bitch!" - Kilur spat out blood. - "In yer best interest to talk before I make an extra hole in yer hide. What do ye know about Thalen?"
Just an FYI that Jess did not strike or do any bodily harm to Kilur that warranted him to spit out blood. She picked him up and slammed him against a wall, like a bully would to someone smaller than him. If he's spitting blood for ... another reason ... then that's on him
Just an FYI that Jess did not strike or do any bodily harm to Kilur that warranted him to spit out blood. She picked him up and slammed him against a wall, like a bully would to someone smaller than him. If he's spitting blood for ... another reason ... then that's on him
Tom's face froze as Jess faced the two of them. He squatted down to let the cat go where she pleased, then dusted his hands off as he stood up to address her.
"Assault one of us again, not to mention your disgraceful treatment of the young lady, and you'll have more then your anger at this Thalen to be upset about. I'll beat you black and blue myself, if no one else will bother. The good Dwarf asked a question. A rough and blunt one, to be sure. But a legitimate concern for all of us. If you truly serve for our employers, you might do well to remember we're not the first you've led to the Monastery. Only the latest. And I don't see any of the others walking around in good health. A little skepticism and scrutiny from us should be expected. And we make our own judgments."
Tom glanced at Kilur to ensure he was in good shape, then looked at Brytter. "What do you think? I'm sure we can keep an eye on her for the duration of the trip, at least. Shall we follow her lead to the Monastery?"
Tom glanced at Kilur to ensure he was in good shape, then looked at Brytter. "What do you think? I'm sure we can keep an eye on her for the duration of the trip, at least. Shall we follow her lead to the Monastery?"
"Stand sill, ye damned bitch!" he hissed, spitting out blood after he bite his lip from being dwarf-handled against the wall."In yer best interest to talk before I make an extra hole in yer hide. What do ye know about Thalen?"
Jess's horse reared up, neighing in fright. Jess soothed the mare and put her hands up.
"Now, now. There's no need to be pull out weapons on each other," she said, through gritted teeth, "and drawing unnecessary attention to us."
Thomas stepped up.
"Assault one of us again, not to mention your disgraceful treatment of the young lady, and you'll have more then your anger at this Thalen to be upset about," he said. "I'll beat you black and blue myself, if no one else will bother. The good Dwarf asked a question. A rough and blunt one, to be sure. But a legitimate concern for all of us. If you truly serve for our employers, you might do well to remember we're not the first you've led to the Monastery. Only the latest. And I don't see any of the others walking around in good health. A little skepticism and scrutiny from us should be expected. And we make our own judgments."
"I'll explain it to you all for the last time," Jess said. "A while ago -- the date now escapes me -- the Brotherhood needed a guide to help take a group of monks, members, brothers -- whatever you all call them -- up to the monastery. I did. I offered to stay, but they asked me to return. I obeyed and didn't hear anything from since.
"Sometime later, I receive the same request from the Brotherhood. The first trip was lucrative, and I didn't hesitate to put more coin into my pocket. So, I took the second group up. They, again, asked me to return. I resisted, telling them the last group that did never returned. The second group's leader did not seem perturbed and threatened to report my disobedience to the Brotherhood. So, I did. And, lo and behold, I didn't hear from them again.
"I understand your suspicion, but I have nothing to do with those groups' disappearances. I was merely doing my job."
She slowly put her hands down.
"As for Thalen: he's a bandit, a scoundrel, and someone heavily connected to the 'underground,' if you could call the criminal network in these parts, within these mountains. I don't want to talk about it, but he's the reason why I'm still in Brookhaven against my will."
I’m going to be away from home until the evenings my time (CST, GMT - 6 I believe) over the weekend. I’ll try to keep abreast as things go on, but my replies might be late and slightly out of sync with what’s going on. Catacombs feel free to run me as you see fit today and tomorrow if there’s a time crunch or whatever.
- We arrived at Brookhaven and spent the night in Clover, the local inn.
- There we met Thomas, who was also recruited by the Brotherhood for the same job as us.
- Mumbles made babies with the innkeeper lady.
- In the morning we were found by Yessenia (or Jess) who acts a bit suspiciously and claims to be the guide promised by Desmond.
The rest of that morning:
- Brytter and Mardrey spent the time preparing horses for the trip to the monastery.
- Mumbles and Colonel went out to beat information out of some locals bois; the plan somewhat worked, as the beating took place.
- Thomas and Kilur went to a library to learn that the "monastery" is, in fact, Gotham Asylum a former prison for the worst scum in the land, which was closed about 30 years ago to lack of funding.
- Upon reunion at the inn, Kilur got into a confrontation with Jess, accusing her of collaboration with Thalen (the bandit behind the ambush on the road).
- Jess, in response, assaulted the dwarf without really alleviating any suspicions but hinting that she or her circumstances in some way connected with the guy.
- Now we have a mexican stand-off, as the butthurt proud dorf is about to shoot the guide.
Can I roll insight on Jess? Is she really "righteously angry" or it's just a play?
If I have the means of stopping this from getting violent, I'd like to attempt it. Want to wait at least till we get to the ruins.
If I can throw dorfo's aim off, I'd like to roll for at. And maybe attempt to call for a ceasefire.
If I have the means of stopping this from getting violent, I'd like to attempt it. Want to wait at least till we get to the ruins.
If I can throw dorfo's aim off, I'd like to roll for at. And maybe attempt to call for a ceasefire.
If I have the means of stopping this from getting violent, I'd like to attempt it. Want to wait at least till we get to the ruins.
If I can throw dorfo's aim off, I'd like to roll for at. And maybe attempt to call for a ceasefire.
"Friends, whilst we tarry here our task at the ruins await. The longer we wait, the colder shall the tracks be and it would be a sorry tale you take to the Brotherhood. Let us make use of daylight as best we can and set forth!"
Brytter's and Mardrey's words cooled the dwarf a bit down.
"Damn it to the damned depths, lass! I don't know what yer hiding, I don't like it and I'll keep an eye on ye!" - Kilur reluctantly lowered his crossbow and stomped towards the stables. - "Now where is my damned cart".
On the way up, the dorf sat on the cart-bench brooding and grumbling under his breath. It looked like he was practicing the "I told you so!" speech for the inevitable case of horrible death in an ambush.
Brytter breathed deeply and let out a long sigh. He grew impatient with the constant bickering and knew they must leave for the monastery soon. He spoke, letting his calm voice wash over the party.
"Friends, whilst we tarry here, our task at the ruins await," he said. "The longer we wait, the colder shall the tracks be and it would be a sorry tale you take to the Brotherhood. Let us make use of daylight as best we can and set forth!"
Mardrey, who has been quiet for some time, piped up.
"I-I think Brytter is right," she said. "We should move on instead o-of fighting each other! L-Let's keep our spirits up."
Jess nodded in agreement, mounting on her horse. The rest of the party knew Brytter was right: They had to leave.
"Thank you both," she said. "That's exactly what I've been imploring us to do this entire time."
She glared at Kilur. Her eyebrows furrowed, her hands tight on the reins.
"Despite some trying to throw around baseless accusations."
"Damn it to the damned depths, lass! I don't know what yer hiding" Kilur roared. "I don't like it, and I'll keep an eye on ye! Now where is my damned cart?"
Jess thumbed to a horse in the back of the pack.
"Over there, sir dwarf," she said mockingly. "You look exhausted, not to mention grumpy. Perhaps a nap might do you some good. Make sure there's enough room for your bloodied half-orc friend. He seems in much dire need of the rest."
Kilur growled toward his horse. Thomas helped him strap the horse to the cart. The Colonel, still holding Mumbles, circled around the cart and loaded the half-orc onto it.
After a few minutes, everyone was ready to depart. The Colonel, from his horse, held the reins of Mumble's steed.
"Let's depart," Jess said. The party followed.
***
The party left Brookhaven, heading east, and, for the next six hours, followed a string of snow-covered paths up the mountain. The roads became narrower the higher they climbed, eventually forcing everyone into a single-file line.
During the climb, Jess and Brytter discussed the path ahead. Thomas shared what he found in the library with Mardrey, Kilur, and the Colonel. Mumbles was out cold, often snoring loud enough for some to hear him and chuckle.
Night came.
Brytter inquired about the distance. Jess shook her.
"We are still a few hours away," she said. "We left later than I liked, and I fear traveling up the mountain, in complete darkness, might be too perilous. I know of a clearing coming up with enough room to make a tight camp and let us wait for morning."
"I don't like sitting in these mountains now that we have an idea what... who... might be up here. But I like walking through pitch dark on these trails even less. I can take care of security for the night, at least. I'm for turning in. Brytter? Kilur? Mardrey? What say you?"
Two Alarms: one for the camp, set to make an audible alarm. One for Jess's tent, set to make a mental alarm for me only. If necessary I'll putter at each sleeping spot as part of the camp's Alarm casting to set Jess at ease.
My familiar is still set to follow Jess if she leaves my direct observation.
Spells prepped right now: Color Spray and Grease. For tomorrow morning and the Monastery: Grease and Fog Cloud.
I don't like sitting in these mountains now that we have an idea what... who... might be up here. But I like walking through pitch dark on these trails even less. I can take care of security for the night, at least. I'm for turning in. Brytter? Kilur? Mardrey? What say you?
Still grumpy, Kilur announced that he's not going to close his eyes at all. The dorf lay around all his tinkering tools and gizmos, cleaned and polished some, tightened a few springs and bits on the crossbow, counted the bolts. He also sharpened his sword and braided his beard.
Does Jess have a backpack or saddlebags which the dorf can inspect for um... "incriminating evidence", while she's asleep?
Jess nodded, feeling relieved the party agreed to take a rest for the night. She manuverued her horse to the front of the group.
"This way," she said, pointing up the road.
About an hour later, the party pulled off to the side of the road, into a clearing that had signs of previous use by travelers: footprints on the snow, chopped wood, makeshift fencing to hitch the horses.
"Don't be alarmed," Jess said. "I, and several other guides, have used this place to stop several times. Seems like someone else used this within, I'd say, the last week or so."
Jess got busy making a small fire, while others unrolled their bed linings in the center of camp.
Thomas and the Colonel moved Mumbles, who was still asleep, to a small patch on the ground, near the fire. The half-orc was out cold. The clearing wasn't a big space, but the party made do with seven people, seven horses, and a cart.
Thomas muttered an incantation to himself and secretly cast two alarm spells: one around the camp and another near Jess' bedroll. Brytter volunteered to take the first watch. Kilur, still grumpy, didn't plan on sleeping, deciding to spend the night tinkering with his tools, braiding his hair, and staying alert for any hostiles.
***
The cold night got darker. It was about 2 a.m. The fire had died down, leaving a light glow that gave Kilur, still awake and alert, some illumination. A loud snap echoed along the treeline. Kilur grabbed his weapon and remained still. He heard another snap, not as loud as the first. He got up and decided to investigate. He walked about 20 feet into the woods but didn't have a problem seeing through the darkness with his natural darkvision. He heard another snap, this time is sounded closer. Another snap.
What looked like a crossbow flew through the air and struck a tree near Kilur, nearly piercing his face.
Back at camp, Thomas' eyes shot up in frantic alarm. He sensed five, six, possibly seven figures in the vicinity.
"Everyone, wake up!" he shouted.
Brytter, the Colonel, Mardrey, and Jess quickly rose, arming themselves. Mumbles, feeling groggy, jumped to his feet.
Kilur heard Thomas' shout.
"They're in the woods somewhere!" he yelled back to the camp.
Another bolt whooshed past him, landing near the camp. He turned and sprinted back, taking cover behind a tree.
