(015) Near Saxxon's Gatehouse

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
"You'll be all right, brave Man," says Highbough to the patched-up Pelenwin.

Turning his attention to Desmond he says "Your timely whistle saved us from further losses, thank you. I suppose then the owlbears were not trained hunting hounds, but rather wild beasts... perhaps the occupants of the lair we passed earlier?"

(OOC: Great entrance, Desmond, way to make a good first impression!)

"It appears mule meat will be our dinner tonight. As for the cart's bulkier contents, if we build a cache in some hole or hollow, I can conceal it from the casual observer using shrubbery and leaves, an old Wood-Elvish trick. We can collect it once we've found suitable transport."

[waysoftheearth]

ehiker133 wrote:

"You'll be all right, brave Man," says Highbough to the patched-up Pelenwin.

Turning his attention to Desmond he says "Your timely whistle saved us from further losses, thank you. I suppose then the owlbears were not trained hunting hounds, but rather wild beasts... perhaps the occupants of the lair we passed earlier?"

(OOC: Great entrance, Desmond, way to make a good first impression!)

"It appears mule meat will be our dinner tonight. As for the cart's bulkier contents, if we build a cache in some hole or hollow, I can conceal it from the casual observer using shrubbery and leaves, an old Wood-Elvish trick. We can collect it once we've found suitable transport."

Desmond turns to the elf, "Alas, I knew them not, for had I, my eyes would have seen less darkness and my body been less bruised over the years of my youth. I think it unwise to try and tame them at the time being, but... maybe such an opportunity will present itself in the near future!"

"If it is transportation you seek, I've heard of an old, but occupied, fort near here. Perhaps we could inquire within as to the purchase of a steed of such stature as the fine specimen before us..." He glances at the dead mule. "Only... a bit more lively, I should say."

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Olaf will see the others looking at their quivers and say, "I still have many arrows. Ulric, Wilbert, I will let you each have 5 of mine if you want them."

Wibert will take 3 arrows from Olaf, as he still has some.
"Gee thanks Olaf, you are a friend if ever I had one. Rest assured I will watch your back so none sticks you", smiles a red-cheeked halfling who talks serious but looks cute. ;D

"Thanks for that Wibert!" Olaf grins, "For I have been stuck in the back by arrows from friendly fire and it hurts just as bad...if not worse...than being shot by brigands or goblins."

Wibert will go help clean up the coin on the ground and see if he can fix the open chest to use again. Then go pick up some arrows from the dead bodies to add to his quiver.

Olaf takes position on the ridge line and keeps a sharp look out for any dangers.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Your arrival is timely indeed, Desmond", adds Gustave, taking a last puff on his cigar and stubbing out the butt with some regret.
He stands and faces the new arrival, "If it was you who scared those beasts away then you have our sincere thanks".
"Now, perchance we can make something from this mess? A fire from the broken pieces of chest and wagon, and a stew from our animal?"
"While Wibert works his magic, we can reorganise our profits as Highbough suggests - if he can hide it with elvish arts."
He looks up the hill in the direction of the keep, "Then, perhaps, when we are rested, we can finally achieve this fortress - and its stock of fine wine and pastries", he adds with a tired grin.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf overlooks the company from a rocky vantage, some two score yards distant. He espies that late afternoon is closing about the land, and dark storm-clouds appear thick on the windward horizon. He guesses there will be rain during the night.

Around them, the landscape of undulating grassy hills seems desolate and still. There is no sign of the brigands nor the Owlbears. Even Saxxon's gatehouse now appears as a silent, long-abandoned rook...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Meanwhile, Ulric oversees the bodies of Fix and Thorgrim being laid out and their goods examined, while the others see to introductions, and also the gathering up of the spilled treasure.

It turns out that the cart itself is not too badly damaged. One of the arms of the harness which would be hitched to a beast is snapped clean off, and one of the cart walls is scarcely holding together. However, it might be partially righted with minimal carpentry.

The broken chest could still serve as a makeshift crate, so long as it didn't need to be independently moved.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Fix had about his person the following:

• A coat of ring mail,
• A single meal of stale bread and dry fruit,
• A waterskin,
• A backpack,
• A purse containing 2gp, 12sp and 12cp (given to Boris),
• A spear,
• A dagger,
• A handaxe.

3 stone of gear.

Thorgrim carried the following:

• A carapace of tough hide armour,
• four days of victuals,
• A backpack,
• A waterskin,
• A purse containing 14sp and 3cp,
• A bedroll,
• An empty sack,
• A poke of Dwarfish Anvil Coal (his boon),
• A whetstone,
• 6 torches,
• A tinderbox,
• A dagger,
• Two handaxes.

7.5 stone worth of gear.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
FYI -- A recounting of arrows missiles has revealed that the company now has;

• Mads 24,
• Olaf 9,
• Ulric 7 (2 from brigands + 5 from Olaf),
• Wibert 21 (4 from brigands + 3 from Olaf + 11 from Padrig + 3 silver arrows from Padrig),
• Andaros 3 (from brigands),
• Nidhogg 8 (from knaves),
• Victor 17 crossbow bolts.

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
Wibert will return the 3 arrows to Olaf. "Sorry mate but I had a memory lapse, my quiver here has 18 arrows so I don't need more. In fact if you run out of arrows I can lend a hand!"

Wibert will take Thorgrim's whetstone and empty sack. "Gee thanks Thorgrim, I need this to sharpen my knifes for dinner. You know if you shave off your half beard you would look like my uncle Brandystoe who had a face a baby would only love. Oh you make me home sick."

"I'm happy to cook up mule for dinner tonight. While you lot rest, let me found some herbs to season this poor animal, and at the same time I would like to scout out the gatehouse. Maybe I could find a back entrance to invade", states Wibert.
If noone says anything he will trundle off.

[waysoftheearth]

Valandil wrote:

Gee thanks Thorgrim, I need this to sharpen my knifes for dinner. You know if you shave off your half beard you would look like my uncle Brandystoe who had a face a baby would only love. Oh you make me home sick.

Andaros looks with curiosity at the halfling, sits down next to him and Thorgrim's body, and says:

"Well... if you can talk to the dead, I can do it too, I guess... Farewell, master Dwarf! My journey with you was brief, but it was an honor. Rest with your ancestors now!"

He will take Fix's spear (if no one objects), and his hand axe too. I will return Mads the hand ax he lent me sometime ago.

"Thanks brother, a good, sturdy weapon it is. Take care of it, and feed it regularly jaja"

After that, the southerner puts both Thorgrims both hand axes in his hands, and watches that no one takes them.