chapter 2 - heirlooms

[hedgeknight]

Graela listens quietly, trying to discern exactly how man separate voices there are.

[coil23]

As you continue listening, you hear banter between the men, occasional laughter, the clanking of cooking utensils, the quiet clatter of items being moved into and out of crates by the sound of it. Your best guess is five or six men are in the other room, judging by voices and grunts or other vocalizations heard while others are talking. The names Newhon and Unfed are used but no other useful information is gleaned. A sudden pop as from a fire is heard but is from another direction than the room ahead of you. An occasional horse's whinny is heard back and to your right somewhere.

[Mant72]

Tip:

Again whispering as quietly as possible, "Sounds to be five or six of them. Shall we move back to the horses? It could give us a more definitive number."

[OGRE MAGE]

Travix nods his head at Tip's suggestion and begins moving back towards the stable.

We can use surprise to our advantage. If they get unruly, I can put a few of them to sleep with my magic.

I would rather not simply rush in with our swords swinging if that can be avoided. Lets count their horses.

We may also be able to use the knowledge that they are waiting for their two friends to our advantage, possibly?

[Pulpatoon]

Salt Peter to Travix: "Ye kin ensorcell'em asleep? Ther 'ole lot o' 'em? Well, I reckon that makes ye the man o' ther hour! Go do yer busy-ness, we'll tie 'em up, and search 'em fer ther whatchermacall'ems."

[hedgeknight]

"Sounds like a good plan, Travix. Drop as many as you can and we'll move in swiftly on the rest. What do you need us to do?"
Graela peers into the darkness, wary of getting caught unawares.

[coil23]

Hennoth stands looking between the members of the group, wondering if they are going back to the horses or are going to do magic on the men in the next room. But then in the dim light he spots a stone almost perfect for slinging and reaches down to grab it. Turning it over and over in his hands while he admires this new acquisition, he forgets the question.

[Pulpatoon]

I'd assumed we had moved out to the horses during Travix's post:

Travix nods his head at Tip's suggestion and begins moving back towards the stable.

[coil23]

Ok

Heading back to creep down the front righthand hallway you hear the whickering of horses. About 60 feet along there is an opening into a large room on your left. The sound and smell of horses emanates from this room and dim flickering suggesting a torch can be seen. There is one torch lit and in a wall sconce a little further down the hall. Flickering shadows and dim light going to blackness hide what lies beyond.

[Mant72]

Tip:

Tip shoulders his bow, draws his short sword, and cautiously enters the room on the left to try to get a count of the number of horses.

[coil23]

The back right section of this room has been roped off for a makeshift corral and contains 15 horses, mostly standing and whickering quietly. Saddles are stacked to your right, you count 12. Two unstrung short bows with full quivers are propped up against a stack of saddles. A few crates are against the wall on the left. Most of the room is empty save for some rubble and debris. A portion of the roof on the left side is gone and open to the cloudy sky above.

[Mant72]

Tip:

Hissing through his teeth, the halfling whispers his concerns, "Twelve? That is almost three times our number...I care not for these odds. Friend Travix, are you able to ensorcell this great number of men?" Tip begins to look around for a quick exit if the mage's answer is not to his liking.

[OGRE MAGE]

Travix shakes his head back and forth.

I dont believe you will find my answer to your liking, Tip.

The mage looks around the stable a bit closer, moving to investigate the crates.

[coil23]

Four of the crates are open and contain grains for livestock. One crate that looks like it was opened and then partly resealed holds wooden dishes and utensils. A final crate holds two blank books, five tied packets of loose sheets of parchment (also blank), three vials of ink, and four quills.

[Pulpatoon]

Salt Peter nods to the crate of paper goods. "Tha' stuff's worth a few gold pennies, aye?

"Howsabout we wait til they puts the,selves ter sleep. Let Travix hex the guard."

[hedgeknight]

Graela watches the entrance to the stables, her ears straining for the slightest footfall that might warn her of someone approaching.
"Whatever we are going to do, we better make it quick. They could come in here any second."

[coil23]

The sound of footsteps is heard from somewhere further down the hall. Nothing can be seen in the dim flickering torchlight so it seems to be coming from the around the left turn in the hall ahead of you. The cadence of the footfalls sounds slow, casual.

[Mant72]

Tip:

With his short sword still drawn, Tip seeks to use his small stature to his advantage and moves further into the recesses of the shadows behind the crates. He motions for the others to take cover as well.

[OGRE MAGE]

Travix obliges the halfling, hiding behind the crates as best he can.

He readies some components, just in case.

[Pulpatoon]

Salt Peter steps into the shadows and slides his handaxe out of its sheath.