The Keep

[Rusty Tincanne]

Clay Dreaver, former locksmith-journeyman
Pocketing the blue liquid, Clay feels more and more like he made the right decision to leave the locksmith. Looking over the treasure he addressed his band. There is a door over there and I think I have the key. Maybe the merchant and his wife are hidden there... As soon as you lot sort out your weapons we can look-see.

[Mister-Kent]

Anne catches her breath, and checks to make sure the ogre is truly dead.
Gustav offers to carry some of the big coin sacks, licking his lips eagerly.
Napius sits happily on a rock as the others search the rest of the cave.

Full disclosure time--here's what Gustav and Napius discovered in the cave:
7 sacks, 200-300 coins each sack
#1 silver coins
#2 large wheel of cheese
#3 copper
#4 gold
#5 keg of some kind of liquor << They left this one behind
#6 copper
#7 gold

[Bloodaxe]

Anne catches her breath, and checks to make sure the ogre is truly dead.
Gustav offers to carry some of the big coin sacks, licking his lips eagerly.
Napius sits happily on a rock as the others search the rest of the cave.

Full disclosure time--here's what Gustav and Napius discovered in the cave:
7 sacks, 200-300 coins each sack
#1 silver coins
#2 large wheel of cheese
#3 copper
#4 gold
#5 keg of some kind of liquor << They left this one behind
#6 copper
#7 gold

=================

#1 287 silver pieces
#2 large wheel of cheese
#3 182 coppers, 91 electrum
#4 289 gold coins
#5 keg of fine brandy - still sealed
#6 303 coppers
#7 241 gold coins......but as you examine them, you notice they are FAKE! just coppers with gold paint.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Gared Harth, surly woodcutter
Hearing Clay's intent, Gared spoke up.It's a fool's errand your on right now. We got lucky that beast didn't smash one of us like he did that tree. We're ill-equipped to continue with folks attacking monsters with shovels and such. And if that cave leads into a mountain, we're likely to get lost. We should head back and get folks proper weapons at the least. What do the rest of you think?

[Mister-Kent]

Anne Summerisle, fighting farm-girl
"Indeed," Anne agrees.

Gustav the Grasping
Gustav briefly frowns--already this group wishes to be spending this treasure trove? His frown leaves him when he remembers that while his first true joy is finding money, is second true joy is spending it.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Clay Dreaver, former locksmith-journeyman
Clay shook his head at Gared and Anne. He pointed out that the coins they had found so far amounted to next to nothing when split ten ways - barely 30 gold coins each. Let's bury everything but the gold and the food, and go a bit further. We have a few better weapons now and every moment we waste going to town puts the merchant and his wife more at risk, right?

I just did the math on what we've found and it would buy a weapon and padded armor (or a shield) per person. (And Clay is counting on more treasure from Gunther's share... ) Why don't we bury the coins and press on?

[ybn1197]

Kennard Harrisson; Town Gravedigger
Kennard places the keg of brandy next to the sacks of coin fully intent on taking the keg back to the keep with him. "We need to press on. Every minute we waste is a minute the merchant loses. We can't afford to return to the keep, we must press on." He begins to eye up the hand axe. "Anyone want this? If not, it will work a heck of a lot better than this knife of mine."

Adair Dabney; Merchant's Illegitimate Son
Adair inches his way over towards Gunther, staring over his shoulder at the parchments. "Why, those are prayers written to St. Cuthbert. Do you mind if I take a look?"

[Rusty Tincanne]

Gunther Biltimere, eighth son of a peasant farmer
Gunther steps aside, holding the torch up for Adair. Sure. Is that what it says? Having never learned to read or write, Gunther was impressed his companion could make out the words.
His interest did not hold long though and he soon was nervously offering the battered shield to Anne Uh... I thought you might use this. For protection... He cursed his shyness.

Gared Harth, surly woodcutter
He looked at Kennard. True words, grave digger. If you all have a mind to press on, I can make some use of this tattered metal shirt. Maybe we can load the gold and silver into the wheelbarrow and be off.

Clay Dreaver, former locksmith-journeyman
Clay hesitatingly offered the bow, arrows and a dagger to the Willard brothers. Better than shovels, maybe. Speaking of which, we need the cheap coins buried outside. He gave the old man, Napius the final dagger. Once the coins were buried he headed to the secret door and listened once more to prepare.

That should account for everything but the spell book. I assume
Napius will want it, if not we should take it to sell. Gunther would grab the shield if no one else wants it. Gared can pack the cheese (to keep he smell down).

And I'm loving Gustav, who has the best equipment and probably the only training in fighting, yet hiding at the back of the group.

Everyone ready to head through the door?

[ybn1197]

Kennard and Adair are ready.

[jdluna]

Kevam and Keram accept the dagger and short bow w/arrows.

Kevam looks around,Let's get that door opened, we shouldn't keep death waiting.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Keram can grab the broken longsword too.
And at this point we have a lantern, candle and torch lit. Bloodaxe, can you let us know when they have burned themselves out? As soon as one torch starts guttering, Gunther will light another.

Clay Dreaver, former locksmith-journeyman
With the weapons distributed, the more precious treasure loads in a wheelbarrow and the less precious coins buried in a memorable place, Clay pulled out the iron key and headed to the stone door. He had seen many a booby trapped lock as a journeyman, but never one that was triggered by its own key. Trusting that, he placed the key in the key hole. With a candle in one hand (and the more heavily armed party members at his back) he turned the key and opened the door an inch or two to peak in. He wanted to listen too, but all he could hear was his heart pounding in his chest.

[Bloodaxe]

The secret door opens to reveal a large open room. A barrel of water sits near the secret door, crude furniture is scattered about. A half dozen short stunted creatures stand about, mouths agape, totally surprised. One mumbles something.....
Bolg??

The six small evil looking creatures are about 3 1/2- 4 feet tall and have small spears.

ACTIONS?

[jdluna]

What is our range?

[Bloodaxe]

The closest is 10 ft away, they are scattered about a 40x20 room.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Being total noobs, I figure they will just keep the same arrangement they had before: Clay has the candle, Napius the lantern and Gunther the torch in one hand, the sword in the other. If anyone else wanted to hold a torch, please just say so and - with Bloodaxe's permission - have that be in effect retroactively since I am going to just go ahead here. (I was thinking Gustav might be a good candidate since he isn't into fighting anyhow...

Clay Dreaver, former locksmith-journeyman
Totally dumbfounded, Clay hoped he could trick the goblins into an ambush. He poked his head into the doorway while shooing his companions away with his hand. Err... Bolg said to come out here now. He has a... a human for you to eat? It was the best he could come up with. He withdrew his head and stepped behind the door, ready to shut it if he needed to.

Gunther Biltimere, eighth son of a peasant farmer
Stepped behind the door with Clay, ready to ambush the goblins.

Gared Harth, surly woodcutter
Hearing Clay's words, Gared rolled his eyes but tried to play along. He sat well back from the door but in plain view with the hammer to his side and squeaked, Oh no! Bolg, please don't let them eat me!

[Mister-Kent]

Gustav can indeed bear a torch in hand, which Anne will proceed with the fighting men. Old Napius is confused by the ruse at first, but Gustav nudges him until he figures it out.

[Bloodaxe]

The goblins grab for their weapons, small spears.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Gared Harth, surly woodcutter
Knew it was a stupid plan! Gared rose to his feet as quickly as his knees would allow and hoisted his hammer. He raced through the door, into the darkness, striking out at the closest creature, knowing that if it was a friend of Bolg's, it was no friend of his.

Gunther Biltimere, eighth son of a peasant farmer
Still trying to figure out what was going on, Gunther stammered, Right. Okay, right. He followed Gared brandishing his sword wildly in his torchlight. He attacked the next closest goblin with his sword.

[ybn1197]

Kennard will let out a huge sigh and then dart after the others directed at the nearest goblin which the others have NOT picked. Adair will follow him but a little slower, mumbling prayers of protection to himself.

[jdluna]

Kevam takes aim with his new bow at the furthest creature. Keram attacks nearest with his shovel.