IC

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

"What did he say? Do any of you guys know what Telemachus is saying? It sounded smart whatever it was. Alright...it seems like these goblins did not take much wealth from their tribe. I'm willing to keep exploring as long as we can get the body back to town today.

Once he gets the word from Telemachus, he begins executing any goblins except for the "herald".

[Pulpatoon]

Hearing Telemachus state that the other goblins will be killed, he says to the mercenaries, "Clean kills! We hate them for their sadism, so be sure we don't indulge in sadism ourselves. And then, collect their heads, I suppose.

"Do you think that mining operation will accept skulls? Heads get gruesome pretty quickly—not to mention whiffy. And let's wrap the fisherman up in some canvas or something, and get him in the shade until we take him back to his people."

[VonAlric]

Gardo

Hearing that there are to be no captives, Gardo goes about dispatching the foes and any other task.

"Should we stack the bodies or leave them? Taking all the heads is a pain. Wish we knew if they would accept something easier to carry."

[shaidar]

Newton

While the others worry about loot or chopping off goblin heads Newton will find something to wrap the man's body in.

"Leave the goblins to rot where they lie"

[sulldawga]

Telemachus

The mage agrees with Newton, arguing that a message needs to be sent to the beastmen that kidnapping and torture of Men will not be tolerated.

[thirdkingdom]

Thirdmonth, Eighteenthday
Hex 73.47

The adventurers quickly and painlessly dispatch the living goblins, save the one Telemachus commanded to spread news of the advent of Man. The lone goblin takes off, its overlarge feet flapping against the soft pine needles. It does not look back, but flees to the south. The adventurers and mercenaries wrap up the dead fisherman in a bedroll and finish off the day exploring the southeast corner. They find nothing else of interest, and return to Junction as evening approaches.

Subhexes 0606, 0607, 0707 explored.

[shaidar]

Newton

On the trip back to Junction Newton checks wild Nald to see how the injured mercs are and whether any need magical healing. He also speaks to the lieutenants of the dead mercs to see if there is anything they, or the family of the dead, need from him.

If we pass by the guards as we head over the bridge Newton will see if they can identify the dead fisherman and direct us to his family or direct us to somebody who might know.

[Pulpatoon]

On the way back, Aldus does a little figuring in his head, and pipes up, "You know, we could be done with the clearing in a few more days. And... well, we have right to plunder as long long as we're engaged. But the Baron might not like us hauling treasure out of his land once we have it nice and pacified for him. If we want to take a crack at that door, or go visit whatever's living in the lake, maybe we should do that while we're still under contract."

[shaidar]

Newton

"That's not a bad point you have there. If the creature in the lake isn't hostile then I don't think there is any need to bother it, but it would be good to at least find out what it is"

[VonAlric]

Gardo

"As long as we are not showing off what we find and until we decide all of the area as cleared, I don't think we have to tell the Baron anything. Showing people the dangerous things we find and are defeating should be the only thing that word of should get back to the Baron."

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

On the trip back to Junction Newton checks wild Nald to see how the injured mercs are and whether any need magical healing. He also speaks to the lieutenants of the dead mercs to see if there is anything they, or the family of the dead, need from him.

If we pass by the guards as we head over the bridge Newton will see if they can identify the dead fisherman and direct us to his family or direct us to somebody who might know.

Nald checks on the mercenaries and finds there are several in meed of healing. He tells Newton, "and, uh, there's some grumbling going on amongst the troops. They've suffered some deaths, horse riders and foot both, whike you all have remained relatively unscathed. They say we haven't even really traveled that far from civilization, and what will the losses be like once we go further afield. It's not me saying this!" he exclaims, defensively, "just what the troops are saying."

It takes just a short time to identify the body. It is that of a man named Brin. "No family", says one of the guards, "I think they all died from the pox that swept through town some ten years ago. I believe he prayed to Sarnis, if you want to take his body there."

[Pulpatoon]

Aldus will accompany he body to the temple of Sarnis. along the way, he asks Wulfka is she has a particular religious persuasion.

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

On the way back, Aldus does a little figuring in his head, and pipes up, "You know, we could be done with the clearing in a few more days. And... well, we have right to plunder as long long as we're engaged. But the Baron might not like us hauling treasure out of his land once we have it nice and pacified for him. If we want to take a crack at that door, or go visit whatever's living in the lake, maybe we should do that while we're still under contract."

Feargus is sucking on a long piece of wild grass as he listens. "I don't disagree but as I see it the hex ain't cleared until that door's busted down and dealt with."

When he arrives back into town, he accompanies Aldus back to the temple and then heads to the Tavern to blow off some steam and maybe perform a bit.

[shaidar]

Newton

Newton
Nald checks on the mercenaries and finds there are several in meed of healing. He tells Newton, "and, uh, there's some grumbling going on amongst the troops. They've suffered some deaths, horse riders and foot both, whike you all have remained relatively unscathed. They say we haven't even really traveled that far from civilization, and what will the losses be like once we go further afield. It's not me saying this!" he exclaims, defensively, "just what the troops are saying."

"No, not at all, I appreciate you telling me. I'll discuss it with the others this evening".

He will use his healing spell on the most badly injured merc. He'll also offer money so the mercs can have a decent meal and drinks to see their fallen comrades off. Injured mercs can stay in Junction until they have recovered.

Let me know how much this costs and how many mercs are injured

Once this is sorted he'll accompany the body to the temple.

He will also ask Madame Fleur to find a portrait artist, one who can draw portraits of Gajo and his lieutenants from his descriptions.

At the evening meal he'll tell the others about the mercs being unhappy

"I understand what they're saying. We've been using them as a blunt instrument and they've taken the brunt of it, with quite a few losses"

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

Newton
Nald checks on the mercenaries and finds there are several in meed of healing. He tells Newton, "and, uh, there's some grumbling going on amongst the troops. They've suffered some deaths, horse riders and foot both, whike you all have remained relatively unscathed. They say we haven't even really traveled that far from civilization, and what will the losses be like once we go further afield. It's not me saying this!" he exclaims, defensively, "just what the troops are saying."

"No, not at all, I appreciate you telling me. I'll discuss it with the others this evening".

He will use his healing spell on the most badly injured merc. He'll also offer money so the mercs can have a decent meal and drinks to see their fallen comrades off. Injured mercs can stay in Junction until they have recovered.

Let me know how much this costs and how many mercs are injured

Once this is sorted he'll accompany the body to the temple.

He will also ask Madame Fleur to find a portrait artist, one who can draw portraits of Gajo and his lieutenants from his descriptions.

At the evening meal he'll tell the others about the mercs being unhappy

"I understand what they're saying. We've been using them as a blunt instrument and they've taken the brunt of it, with quite a few losses"

You could probably spend 25 gold and treat *all* of the mercs to a night of food and drink.

[thirdkingdom]

Aldus will accompany he body to the temple of Sarnis. along the way, he asks Wulfka is she has a particular religious persuasion.

Wulfka allows that she is not especially religious. "My family maintains a shrine to Tarida, who is there when animals are birthed, and we always set out a saucer of cider for Sabeth on the 3rdday, but other than that I have never felt a particular calling to worship."

Feargus

On the way back, Aldus does a little figuring in his head, and pipes up, "You know, we could be done with the clearing in a few more days. And... well, we have right to plunder as long long as we're engaged. But the Baron might not like us hauling treasure out of his land once we have it nice and pacified for him. If we want to take a crack at that door, or go visit whatever's living in the lake, maybe we should do that while we're still under contract."

Feargus is sucking on a long piece of wild grass as he listens. "I don't disagree but as I see it the hex ain't cleared until that door's busted down and dealt with."

When he arrives back into town, he accompanies Aldus back to the temple and then heads to the Tavern to blow off some steam and maybe perform a bit.

As the adventurers are taking Brin's body to the Temple they pass a curious sight: a man, disheveled and wild-eyed, standing atop a wooden crate on the side of the main thoroughfare, screeching to passers-by. "It will happen in a week's time!" he exclaims, gesturing wildly, "a great event, that will change the course of history! The Gates will be opened!"

[shaidar]

You could probably spend 25 gold and treat *all* of the mercs to a night of food and drink.

Newton will do that, let all the mercs enjoy themselves.

[Pulpatoon]

At the evening meal he'll tell the others about the mercs being unhappy

"I understand what they're saying. We've been using them as a blunt instrument and they've taken the brunt of it, with quite a few losses"

Aldus scoffs. "It's not as though we've been hanging back and sending them in alone. Well, okay, sometimes I hang back, but the rest of you always plunge right in there with them. It's just numbers. There's more of them than us, and so they're more likely to take injuries as a collective, but not as individuals." Passing over 25 gold, he says, "Buy them some booze and a decent meal, and then give them an evening of bragging about themselves to the barmaids, and I'm sure they'll be fine."

Wulfka allows that she is not especially religious. "My family maintains a shrine to Tarida, who is there when animals are birthed, and we always set out a saucer of cider for Sabeth on the 3rdday, but other than that I have never felt a particular calling to worship."

Aldus nods. "Me neither. I mean, of course, I make offerings when it's prudent, just like sometimes you have to pay the king his taxes. But the gods mostly seem to stick to their business, and I mostly stick to mine."

After a moment's consideration, he adds, "You know what I like? Those celebrations where everyone gets worked up into ecstatic frenzies and dance like crazy and spout gibberish and all of that. People really let go when they have a god's permission to do so."

As the adventurers are taking Brin's body to the Temple they pass a curious sight: a man, disheveled and wild-eyed, standing atop a wooden crate on the side of the main thoroughfare, screeching to passers-by. "It will happen in a week's time!" he exclaims, gesturing wildly, "a great event, that will change the course of history! The Gates will be opened!"

Being in what passes for a contemplative frame of mind, having just been thinking of holy eccentricities, Aldus pauses before the man to listen to his ramblings with an amused air.

[thirdkingdom]

[

Wulfka allows that she is not especially religious. "My family maintains a shrine to Tarida, who is there when animals are birthed, and we always set out a saucer of cider for Sabeth on the 3rdday, but other than that I have never felt a particular calling to worship."

Aldus nods. "Me neither. I mean, of course, I make offerings when it's prudent, just like sometimes you have to pay the king his taxes. But the gods mostly seem to stick to their business, and I mostly stick to mine."

After a moment's consideration, he adds, "You know what I like? Those celebrations where everyone gets worked up into ecstatic frenzies and dance like crazy and spout gibberish and all of that. People really let go when they have a god's permission to do so."

Wulfka

"You'd love Sabeth, then. My da took me to a ceremony when I was maybe fourteen or so. It's in this underground grotto, and at a certain time of the month the moon shines down through this hole in the ceiling and shines directly on a statue of Sabeth, with his crown and pipes, and the spirit of Sabeth comes into the statue and it comes to life! It starts to play this music, and you can't help but dancing to it. We danced all night, until the sun rose, and were absolutely useless the next day we were so tired for dancing. But my da said that every once in a while a dancer receives the god's blessings, and is granted a boon."

[shaidar]

Newton turns down Aldis's money.

"I've already given them money so they can mourn their compatriots properly. There might be more of them, but they are not as tough as were are. But I suppose life is cheap around here and we can always buy more mercs"

(the last sentence has a sarcastic tone to it)