11. Return to O'Hare

[Alethan]

Does the voice sound calm or stressed?

[saalaria]

Kaltar looks around to see if he can detect the source of the voice.

[tooleychris]

Grim looks for a guilty looking window in need of smashing

[dmw71]

Ewell begins to enter the residence. "Can you speak up, so we can find you... we are here to help." he says. The voice excitedly responds. "In here. In here."

It is evident that the sound is coming from beneath a fallen section of the ceiling on the far side of the room.

[onlyme]

Ewell will work his way over there, attempting to lift any pieces he can to extract the man.

[dmw71]

Ewell begins to close the distance between the entrance and the source of the voice. As the young knight closes to within a five feet, the fallen section of the ceiling is thrust upwards. Four men, two older and two younger, all armed and armored, spring up and assume defensive positions.

"Halt!" one of the older men commands. "Come no further." He quickly scans the room and begins to gauge the strength and intentions of the group. He glances back at his companions and one of the younger men nods. The man turns back to face the group and sheathes the blade he was brandishing. With a simple wave of his hand the three other men follow suit and completely sheath their weapons.

The man steps to Ewell and extends his hand. "I am Thelodeus. Mayor of O'Hare. Pardon the welcome, but you can never be too sure nowadays. My eldest son -- " he beckons his son, the younger man that earlier nodded affirmatively, to step forward. "-- Aaron, confirms that it was you that came to the defense of O'Hare earlier. We are indebted to you."

[onlyme]

Ewell quickly extends his arm to grab the mayor's hand. Well met, your honor. Name's Ewell from Dalton. It is my pleasure to assist such a fine group of folks as yourselves. He then looks around, and adds" And of course with these folks, as well.

[Alethan]

"Greetings, Mayor," Gwillt says with a nod of his head, "We only wish we could have done more. But there were just too many of them for us to contend with. Indeed, two of our little band lost their lives that day. The little one poking about over there," he points at Shanny, "and I barely escaped with ours."

[ravenn4544]

"Ahhh...clever hideout! If there is anyone in bad a' shape as this building? I'd be sure to help with seein' they get back on their fightin' feet if I can."

[dmw71]

The Mayor introduces the other two men as Tillman and Darrin, his bodyguard and youngest son respectfully. "Now, boys, go help your mother and sisters.  There's much work to do here." the Mayor instructs his sons; the pair exit into a back room, dutifully complying with their directive.   Turning his attention back to the party, now all inside his residence (feel free to position your character elsewhere (Shannigans?) if I'm making incorrect assumptions).   "My boy tells me he witnessed your battle a few moons back."  His look turns solemn.  "Many people were lost that day.  My apologies for the losses you experienced..." his voice trails off and the Mayor clearly stops himself from continuing, but you sense he had more to say.

"We suffered many loses that day." he repeats himself, growing visibly distraught.  They're becoming more aggressive lately..." he starts before trailing off again.  

"Your offer is gracious," he says, addressing O'rek, changing the subject. "The people of O'Hare are a resilient lot.  Besides, I fear most would not accept your help even if offered."

He stops.

Clearing his throat before continuing, the Mayor says: "Your return is most unexpected." he says.  "Welcomed, mind you, but unexpected nonetheless.   What brings you back?"

[tooleychris]

Grimnail eyes the man suspiciously but lets the more charismatic /diplomatic of the group speak.
He goes to a window and peers out, keeping an eye on the exterior.

[Alethan]

"My boy tells me he witnessed your battle a few moons back."

Just to clarify, do you mean nights? I've always thought "moons" indicated a lunar cycle, like a month...

Gwillt casually sizes up the other members of the party before speaking. "For some of us, I'm sure the answer is something akin to 'retribution' or 'reconciliation', even if it is disguised as 'honor' or 'loyalty', though for others it may just be boredom," he adds, glancing over at the barbarian for the last part of his sentence.

"Personally, it is sour mixture of retribution and duty. I'll not deny I want to avenge the deaths of two who I had not known for long, yet fought along side them as brothers. On the other hand, I feel the compulsions of my past telling me to hunt down the scourge of the land and defend those who cannot defend themselves. In the end, I suspect it doesn't matter much why we are here, only that we are here..."

[dmw71]

Just to clarify, do you mean nights? I've always thought "moons" indicated a lunar cycle, like a month...

Yes, nights. Sorry.

[Stonjuz]

Seeing absolutely nothing of interest in the perimeter's rubble, and hearing the conversations 'inside', Shannigans gives the southern area of town one more scan for incoming trouble. He steps into view, and then further into the debris field, yet still to the rear of our group, and gives the 'thumbs up - all clear' signal. "How can we help them, boys?"

[saalaria]

Kaltar listens with interest to the conversation :

"You mentioned the situation deteriorated recently, we were thinking of dealing with the Trogs once and for all. Perhaps you could tell us everything you know about them to help us? Why do you think they are attacking the town?"

[dmw71]

The Mayor listens to Gwilt intently. No matter the reason, the Mayor is thankful for the party's return; if only because he was afforded the opportunity to thank them for their previous defense of his town. Then Kaltar asks the question: Why? "Why?" he stops and thinks. "Why do I think these creatures have decided to attack O'Hare? That is a good question. Perhaps it's as simple as, because they can."

The Mayor begins.

"I'll have you know, O'Hare was once a thriving, friendly town. When the town came under the occasional attack, my town folk stood up against them and fought them off. You've seen first-hand what has become of these once formidable defenses, no?" he asks rhetorically. "It was about a year ago. For the life of me, I haven't been able to figure out why, or what even happened, but our population slowly started to decline. Good, honest folk were leaving O'Hare without reason or warning. Many would not return. Those that did..." he pauses. "Well, they were different somehow. This happened more and more until, well, until the town end up in its current state."

"I'm afraid I've lost my town." the proud man says, on the verge of losing his composure. "And I don't know what I can do to get it back?" he pauses, recalling what the cleric and ranger said before he ran off on his tangent. "While they were nuisances before the real problem started, eliminating those foul smelling swamp creatures, I believe, would go a long way towards restoring a sense of safety. I don't know much about them, other than their attacks have grown more and more frequent, and deadly."

[Alethan]

Gwillt asks, "Has no one tried to track them down and see where they are coming from or how many there are? Or, indeed, if there may be some viable solution to stopping them?"

[onlyme]

Ewell listens, with eager anticipation of possible battle...
Don't worry, Your Honor. I, uh We'll see to it that your town is restored to you. If you could lead us to anyone who would know more about them. Also, anyone who may know why folks started changing their dispositions after the attacks?

[dmw71]

"Has no one tried to track them down and see where they are coming from or how many there are?" Gwilt asks.   "Nay." the Mayor starts.  "There was never a need.  We has an adequate defense capable of handling their infrequent raids.  Now, our defenses are few and their raids are more common." he admits.  "I'm in no position to ask this of you, but if you are looking to seek them out, we'd be even further in your debt."

"If you could lead us to anyone who would know more about them.  Also, anyone who may know why folks started changing their dispositions after the attacks. Ewell asks.  "Something is influencing my people for the worse.  That is true.  And while they are a strain on the town, and something I do hope you're willing to put an end to, the attacks are not what's causing my people to change.  At least I don't think so."

The Mayor and Tillman, his bodyguard, exchange a glance.  "I don't know who would know more than I.  The people that's changed, obviously, but they ain't gonna be the most helpful.  You been to the 'Bronze Goat' or the temple lately?" he asks.  "They seem to be the hangouts for the changelings, but you're only asking for trouble if you spend too much time in either, or ask too many questions.   Even I, as Mayor, have almost given up on them."

[Alethan]

"We can worry about that lot later. The trogs are a more pressing concern, especially since their attacks seem to be escalating," Gwillt replies. He addresses the rest of the party, "I say we start tracking them down, see what we can find out." He looks back at the mayor and asks, "You need anything else? If not, I'd like to get to work..."