Chapter 11 - Back to No-Go (Knob Forest)

[Zhym]

In OSRIC it's just "significant cloud cover," so wouldn't overcast skies count? Or at least enough clouds that "Sure looks like it's gonna rain!" wouldn't be a silly thing to say?

[AleBelly]

Yeah, that's what I meant by nearly complete cloud cover.

[AleBelly]

With daylight to spare, the party goes over the large house with a fine-toothed comb. But everything of value seems to have been taken. There is nothing behind any paintings, hidden in fireplaces, etc. There is virtually no clothing, either. Tempus finds some old swift nests in the chimney, probably waiting for their builders’ return in late spring. This suggests an opening at the top. A search of the kitchen reveals only utensils, but they are enough to enable a home-cooked meal from the diverse rations our adventurers possess.

No magic remains in the main room, if there ever was any. Eventually, the party eats supper and retires. Hellebore secures the front doors with a powerful enchantment. She croaks with the raven, assigning it to Tempus and Chet for their journey to meet with Saphrax.

Chet counts the coins. Wise party members will check the dull-witted monk’s arithmetic. 1783 gp are counted from the sack found in the church crawlspace. The gnomes estimate the pieces of blue quartz found on the ghouls to be worth about 10 gp and 33 gp. And there are the 20 foul orc coins forged from electrum. This gives a value of 204 gp split for each party member. Chet takes 204 gold coins if there are no objections.

The night passes uneventfully. A roaring fire and solid walls keep out the cold breeze blowing in through the windows. Two hours before dawn, Tempus and Chet ready to leave. Hellebore, on the last watch shift, opens the front doors and bids the pair and Rrkox farewell, making plans to meet in Alleborg. A nearly full moon will offer enough light to travel by for at least an hour before sinking below the horizon.

The others rise at dawn on a cold, clear day.

Actions? I forgot to ask to deduct rations last time, so please deduct 2 days’ rations, 2 days of feed for the mounts. Hellebore should deduct another to feed Qatkir. Let me know about spells too if they are to change.


Date: 6 Culling, Year 42
Time: 06:20
Conditions: 21F, clear, wind from north 8 mph, 2 inches of ice-crusted snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: Galan, Arnulf invisible, front doors firetrapped
Light bearers: Fire in fireplace, sun
Intended Direction of Travel:
Injury Status: Dandelion, Chet, Angus slightly wounded

[Zhym]

Angus puts his share of the gold in Beelzebub's saddlebags. "Back to Alleborg?" he asks.

Rations and feed deducted, 204 gold added.

[Storm11]

Tempus asks Hellebore to keep his share until he returns from the meeting with Saphrax, no sense in having all of his money potentially stolen. If the druidess is willing he hands over his 204 coins for safe keeping until they are reunited. He will ensure all his spell's are ready before leaving.

With a nod he leaves with Chet and makes for the tower, using the moons light and his infravision to guide the way.

[Marullus]

Hellebore agrees to take custody of Tempus' portion, but asks Angus if Beezelbub can carry it. She will deposit it at the Bank in Alleborg under Tempus's name so it is safe waiting for him.

Hellebore is anxious to get underway to Alleborg, wanting to ensure she is there for Rrkox's return.

(Three days standard rations deducted; 204 gp added. Assuming the two small sacks were returned to her inventory with the coin. Clarity: Both fire trap spells are on the front, one on each door, then?)

[Zhym]

Sure, Beelzebub can carry Tempus's share back to Alleborg.

[AleBelly]

Hellebore agrees to take custody of Tempus' portion, but asks Angus if Beezelbub can carry it. She will deposit it at the Bank in Alleborg under Tempus's name so it is safe waiting for him.

Hellebore is anxious to get underway to Alleborg, wanting to ensure she is there for Rrkox's return.

(Three days standard rations deducted; 204 gp added. Assuming the two small sacks were returned to her inventory with the coin. Clarity: Both fire trap spells are on the front, one on each door, then?)

Yes, I thought that's what you wanted. If not, please clarify and let me know.

Thanks.

[Zorroroaster]

Arnulf puts his share of the loot in Sucks' saddlebags.

"Are we waiting at the farmhouse, or in the city itself? I'm confused. Either way is fine with me. We're gonna have to face the music with Castleman over the escort job. Not sure I wanna be in the room when that happens. But I will be."

A rustling of fabric is heard. Then the distinct sound of someone passing wind. "Sorry. Just thinking about authority figures makes me...nervous. My palms sweat and I get...gassy."

2 days ration and feed deducted, loot added.

[Zhym]

"City's where the sage is," says Angus, pointing to the lump in Beelzebub's saddlebags where the salvaged book sits.

[onlyme]

Dandelion will go into the city with whomever is leading the apology tour.

-2 std rations, +204 gp (let me know if she wasnt supposed to add that yet)

[enn.in.me]

Yenny will head to the city and meet with Castleman and the sage. I'll deduct rations and redo spells in a bit.

[tkrexx]

You going to the farm first, Yenny? Hyde asks as he begins packing bags, Might wanna check them we hired to look afta the place, hah?

Rats & GP altered.

[enn.in.me]

"Hmm. I thought I'd leave checking the farm to Hellebore. Not much with crops, me. Or did you have something in mind?"

[Zorroroaster]

Arnulf will attend the meeting with the Captain, although he'll have to lose his see through status along the way.

[Marullus]

"I'd like to get to the city first," Hellebore says uncharacteristically. "Wait for the raven, as he knows to return to Castleman's. The ground is still frozen so there is little to check on at the cottage for the next few weeks. It can wait. The only thing to do there was Yenny's interest in further investigating the hired lady who wished distance from the city's elite who we've hired to manage the place."

She pauses. "Speaking of which, does anyone have interest in accepting the Council's offer to own and fortify what was the goblin hole? A lumber trade would be profitable for investment and more secure than the cottage. He might ask us about it again. If we find it is more secure on that quarter, perhaps I could invite some of the displaced hobbits to move there, make it a bit more hospitable."

[tkrexx]

Or did you have something in mind?

Um, Hyde stammers, What Hellebore said, yeahh. Just wanna make sure them we hired to tend the place ain't amongst them who wanna drop us, that's all. And I think maybe it be a good plan to occupy that Goblin hole, too, yeahh. Keep any mischief from movin' in there. If needs be, it's a good, defensible place.

[enn.in.me]

Yenny - "I'm not against working on fortifying the old goblin hole, and it would make it easy to keep a watch in that region, but I do want to keep some eyes and coins in town. If we spend too much time away, especially if it looks like we're building up a power base, it makes it mighty easy for those who have it in for us to talk anything about us. If the folks see us around town, and we do some good for the folks there, or even just shop and walk, it makes it a lot harder for them to be talked into hating us. I'm thinking I might join some of the good works crews. Of course, being out with you all getting paralyzed by ghouls and attacked by orcs is way more fun."

[Zhym]

"Can't say as I'm against engaging in the lumber trade," says Angus with a grin, "but I ain't got much interest in keeping house in a big hole in the ground—no offense to the Shirefolk."

[Marullus]

Hellebore shrugs. "Lumber was Castleman's idea. Not something that I usually condone, in fact. I'd prefer it be kept more modest and for the health of the forest." She ruminates, commenting as they walk. "My thoughts go back ever to the Shire... the orcs will get worse there before they get better. Some of them might prefer to move. It is clear on the other side of the city. Perhaps we could convince my mother, too. We'd need to know what types of threats ARE there, if we're to offer any semblance of security."