IC I

[GreyWolfVT]

ooc: I don't really want to tie him back up again. But yes ditch him asap.

[Bigtaff]

Elerik

Looking from the coins to the barrels and crates and then the two mules. "So how are we going to do this?"

[Rex]

Drust

"I just finished loading up the mules, rest we carry. The good gnome knows the way so he is point, I will follow him. Everyone on alert, I don't want to end up like the rest of the gnomes caravan."

[GreyWolfVT]

Nerith "Yes lets be gone from here before another giant comes by and tries to eat us."

[thirdkingdom]

Yarthmont 13, AC 1000
Hex 25.22
Subhex 0304
Noon

The sun is high overhead, burning through the clouds, by the time that adventurers are ready to leave. Ralgil Bao is hesitant and unsure of where he is. "I think if we follow the giant's tracks we should be able to follow the backtrail to where it ambushed my caravan, and from there I can lead us to my warren. You will no doubt be richly rewarded for bringing me to my home!"

It is a relatively easy manner to find the giant's tracks in the barren ground, and the adventurers head north. They leave the strange area of no vegetaion after a half hour or so, and continue north. After about six miles, in subhex 0705 of hex 25.21, the adventurers come across the ambush site. It's nearing 4:30 -- the laden mules are drastically slowing their travel time -- and Ralgil Bao implies his warren is another half day's travel to the north.

The land they have been traveling through is sparsely wooded rolling hills, and the companions behold a sad scene spread across the valley floor. From where they stand a half dozen gnomes are sprawled across the ground, as well as twice as many mules, and all of them are covered in a carpet of vultures, feasting upon the bloated remains. "It slew the guards," Ralgil says, "taking only us merchants, as it claimed we were fatter and more tender than the warriors."

[Bigtaff]

Elerik

Elerik looks at the bodies, "Should we look to make camp? I for one would like to ensure these unfortunate gnomes get a decent burial."

[ybn1197]

Bohdi looks around a little nervously. "I agree with Elerik to make camp here, but I do not agree with the idea of burying the carcasses. Though pungent to the nose, they will cover our scent should any predators come looking this way."

[GreyWolfVT]

Nerith "If someone has a shovel sure but I'm not digging by hand. Unfortunately this is the way of the wilder lands."

[thirdkingdom]

Ralgil Bao, gnome

Surveying the corpses of his dead companions Ralgil takes on a stricken expression. "I tell you what, my new friends. If you can gather their corpses onto a pyre and help me see them off into the afterlife I will relinquish my claim on the trade goods and coin you salvaged from the giant's lair. I have no desire to leave my kinsmen here, at the mercy of the carrion crows."

[Rex]

Drust

"I will help burn them." Passing by Nerith, whispering, "Keep an eye on the gnome, I don't trust him."

[Bigtaff]

Elerik

"I will help gather the bodies also."

[GreyWolfVT]

Nerith feeling mercy for the gnome "A Pyre I will help with for sure. I can help pile the bodies or I can go cut some wood if you would like." ooc: I didn't post it but before we left the giant I would have gone to retrieve my weapons thrown at the giant.

[ybn1197]

Bodhi, not one to get his hands dirty, keeps his eyes on the gnome.

[hammerHead]

Preacher Cardicus

We shall build a pyre.

[thirdkingdom]

Yarthmont 13, AC 1000
Hex 25.21
Subhex 0705

It takes the rest of the day to gather dried wood and stack the bodies on the fire. This is all a wise precaution, the adventurers know, as dead bodies left unattended in the wilderness have a disturbing habit of animating as ravenous undead and troubling the living. Ralgil Bao doesn't cause any trouble, and as night falls the pyre is burning brightly, the spirits of the dead gnomes rising up into the sky to be with their Immortal patrons. "Thank you for this," the gnome says, "and my apologies for attempting to claim gold that was not mine. I saw that our expedition was ruined, and was consumed by the need to salvage what I could. When we reach my warren I will recommend to the elders that you are well compensated for returning me, and for laying my kin to rest."

[GreyWolfVT]

Nerith admits to the gnome "When you tried to claim more coin I wasn't sure if I could trust you. To that I'll admit. Though I suppose desperate times bring about desperate measures. I don't wish for any compensation once more it was just doing the right thing. As for the good and coin all that was yours and your kins can be returned, it is only right."

[thirdkingdom]

Sorry, it's been a crazy weekend. I'll update when possible.

[thirdkingdom]

Yarthmont 13, AC 1000
Hex 25.21

The adventures move a safe distance away and camp for the night. The night passes uneventfully.

http://orokos.com/roll/624920: 1d12 10

Yarthmont 13, AC 1000
Hex 26.21
Noon

The companions press on northwards under darkening skies, reaching the gnomish community of Smallburrow around noon, and with an early spring thunderstorm nipping out their heels. It is nestled in a small valley, and comprises maybe two dozen stoutly built houses of brick and adobe, with steeply sloped roofs lined with slate. The entire community is laid out in an orderly fashion, and roughly 2/3 the scale of a human village.

"Storm's a-comin," says Bao, looking to the south, "let's get inside and out of the rain." He leads the adventurers into one of the larger dwellings -- the humans having to stoop to enter the door, and calls for a stableboy to attend the adventurers' mounts. The room has relatively high ceilings, and is larger than it should be, until they realize that the much of the interior space is actually recessed into the walls of the valley, and the back half, at least, must be underground. There are a half dozen gnomes seated at long wooden tables, eating some sort of soup with brown bread. There are gasps and shouts as they lok up and see Bao, and chattering in gnomish soon fills the air. "These are my new friends," Bao exclaims, in Common, gesturing at the party, "they saved me from certain death!"

The oldest gnome approaches, with wrinkled brown skin that looks like tree-bark, and an enormous, elaborate hat that is almost as tall as he is, and bows deeply. "My many thanks. Journeyman Bao is my nephew, and I am pleased that he was not eaten. What may we offer you as a reward for this service?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Nerith holding a hand up in a stop signal "Nothing needed for a reward. We returned the goods that were on the caravan along with the 2,000 gold coins Bao said the caravan had. We too gave the dead a rightful pyre to save them from the carrion birds. We were just doing what is right. All I would ask is that we can take shelter through the storm if that possible maybe a warm meal and bed for the night?" the outdoors-man informs Bao's uncle.

[Rex]

Drust

"Thank you for the offer, and as we wait out the storm perhaps some information on the area would be of value to us. We are looking for a good route to build a road from Threshold to Penhaligon."