(069) Pilgrims & Practicalities

[sully]

Dorgan gives Armando and Helmut hearty pats on the back as he passes through the gate.

Some guy who says he's from Ket. Seems ok.

[ehiker133]

"Tha's Morgan. One of the blokes what made it outta Ket while the going was good," Desmond explains further as he again enters the abbey.

"We're lucky to have him, 'cause Beringar and Valorn aren't coming back." Once he sees he has Armando and Helmut's attention, he finishes, "We found the ogre cave and it had four more ogres in it. I scared 'em off, with WORDS, even, but... there weren't no sign of Beringar or Valorn and the ogres made mention of them in a past tense sort of way. Didn't get any of the coin that was left, neither, so the trip was mostly a bust. What's the word on the stone ring?"

[Condorcet]

Helmut accepts the pat on the back from the dwarf and returns it with a nod, perhaps just slightly warming to this stalwart 'rock', who walks-on even with the very specter of death festering inside him.

"You have been busy...err Desmond ahh...and Mondes" says Helmut carefully, "...and your return is timely. We are decided on venturing into this ring, and soon to depart if any would accompany us."

[flightcommander]

"Indeed," continues Armando. "Wen and Highbough have returned but the others remain on the ... other side of the Ring. It has been discovered that not only is a mirror or reflective object required to affect passage through the mysterious portal, the object is destroyed in the process. We've scrounged up a few mirror-ish items around the Abbey but would naturally prefer a surplus.

"We've seen no sign of Nizzib." Here Armando glances sidelong at the soldier named Morgan, but withholds further comment.

"The others are resting in the dormitories. Mind yourselves around the old Elf, he's in a bit of a lather!"

[sully]

Dorgan stops in his tracks and, with a speed that belies his dwarven heritage, rounds on Armando, grabbing him by the lapels and practically shaking him with excitement.

What'd ya say? The Ring works? Where's Gustave? Didja see him? Is he still alive?

[waysoftheearth]

Hiridrhen raises an eyebrow at these latest revelations, but says nothing.

The front door is shut and barred once more and the company file down the left-hand passage, to navigate a perilous jumble of rocks and beams scattered about Guntram's Breach (a 10ft wide hole in the wall and ceilng of the passage, through which Morgan catches a glipse of a razed interior courtyard) and then intot he dormatories wherein they join Josiane (aka The Saint), the Elves Wen and Highbough, and Ulric the Wizard (aka Firestarter).

They appear to be prepared for an imminent departure...

"What news of Beringar and Valorn?" asks Ulric without pomp. "And what is this stray?" he adds as his intimidating gaze comes to rest upon Morgan...

For Morgan's benefit, the following person are present:

Ulric Firestarter: heroic-tier magic-user (presently NPC)
Josiane The Saint: heroic-tier cleric,
Highbough the ancient Elf: heroic-tier warlock,
Wen the Elf: heroic-tier fighter/M-U,

Desmond/Mondes Double Trouble heroic-tier two-headed halfling,
Dorgan The Rock: heroic-tier dwarf,
Hiridhren the Elf, normal-tier sword-master (presently NPC),
Ashtad, normal-tier maiden marksman,
Helmut, normal-tier templar.

It is "quite" a company...

What now?

[ehiker133]

Desmond relays their adventure to the ogre's cave...

"We found the hidden entrance easily enough. Unfortunately, it was already occupied by four more ogres! It being just the four of us - and taking into consideration the relative inexperience of half the group - we figured it best to try and avoid a fight. I... er, got their attention and asked about our friends. I do not quite remember their exact reply, but the implication was that Beringar and Valorn were, at some point, umm... they were... well, they are no more. I told them the human had ingested several valuable gems and that my benefactor, one Ulrich Firestarter, was going to be most displeased if they were not recovered. I told them to send out the ogre what'd eaten his middling bits so we could retrieve the stones and we'd leave the rest to watch their bridge in peace, thinking at least we might get away with just fighting one of them. But apparently your reputation was too great. They all buggered out through a secret doorway, taking whatever valuables they had with them. I searched the cave and found naught but some stew and bowls and utensils."

Desmond pauses for a moment before continuing, "Erm... if we have the chance, we might consider sending a larger contingent back to deal with the ogres at some point in the future... if they're still alive." He sniffs uncomfortably.

"Begging your pardon, Dorgan, but while The Sain... er, while Miss Josiane was tending you during your unfortunate mishap with that potion, I may have collected the bottle and what remained of the poison. And then... well, it is possible that the rest of that poison somehow ended up in the remaining stew and on the wooden spoons those ogres left behind." Desmond's brow scrunches in anger, "I hope they do come back to guard that sodding bridge. And I hope they don't have anyone around with the powers of our Miss Josiane when they eat their next meal out of those bowls."

In an unusual moment of solidarity, Mondes spits on the ground and Desmond finishes, "I wouldn't normally do such a thing to a man, but such should be the fate of the foul creatures what ate our friends."

Desmond stares at the dirt in the following silence, then finally looks at Armando and asks, "Did you guys check that nest at the bottom of the library for any shiny objects we might use for a mirror? Seems like that floating beak might have collected such items. Might also find a mirror or two in the shadow lair. Oh," he says, turning to Dhren, "we also had that silver bowl that wasn't really an artifact... it might better serve us as a mirror, as well. We would, of course, compensate you for the loss, Master Elf."

[Fatal T]

"I am Morgan, once of Maine, lately of Ket. My sword, er, flail rather, is yours if you'll grant me shelter and safety from the wild!"

[mushgnome]

Highbough meets Hiridhren's raised eyebrow with a subtle weary expression, as if to say you think that's bad?! to the young Elf. He isn't going to get worked up over four ogres, not when there are dimensions of time and space to be explored and Alcazars to be plundered. He performs a series of awkward stretching exercises (Maester Pycelle style) to stay limber for the journey.

[sully]

Dorgan asks, What word of Gustave?