Port Llast - The Quarry

[hedgeknight]

Right As Rain - A Copse of Trees and Shrub Outside Port Llast

While the companions gather their wits, the Dwarves from the Quarry are quite relieved to see.. "Old Nelda!" exclaims an older Dwarf, whose beard is nearly as white and fluffy as the clouds overhead. Others join in, saying her name with relief, and "Old Nelda" chuckles and reaches into a large satchel hanging from her shoulder. She pulls forth a bundle wrapped in soft cloth and peels back the corners revealing...oatmeal cookies with raisins and chunks of walnuts.
"Now, my dears, I baked these bright and early this morning. Something...someone...urged me to do so. And we must explore our urges, yes?" she chuckles again, handing out the fresh cookies to everyone. And she addresses the companions as they speak up.

Moan - "My, aren't you a big fella? Where's your dog?" she winks with a knowing smile as she hands the big ranger a cookie...which looks very small in his large hands; so she gives him another and pats his arm.

Ari - "I learned a long time ago, my lovely, to stay away from the bitter brews of Dwarves." She casts a look at the Dwarves munching on her cookies and smiles. "But...and don't tell anyone I told you...I do enjoy a dollop of fermented honey in my evening tea. Especially when it is a cold night."

Mag - "Magic you say? That speaks volumes coming from one who is by nature familiar with the art. You're a long way from home, child. What brings you and your friends to this side of the Realms?"

Barin - "Best not to remember some things, my dear," she says, cupping Barin's cheek with her small pudgy hand. "Have a cookie and in no time, you'll be as right as rain."

Thurm - "I like your name. Mine is Nelda...usually preceded by "Old" but then, I am old and blessed to be so. She has a few cookies remaining, but no one to give them to. "Are the rest of your friends back at the Quarry? If so, best we be getting back, alright?"

[Rex]

Moan


He eats his cookies. "Thanks, very good."

"Oh no, did he run off after something again. Cu! Get over here!"

[Edeldhur]

Thurm

If he is not feeling an overwhelming compulsion to run away:

"Yes, ahem... Let's do that" - he said, shaking away the embarassment - "And well met Mrs Nelda"

Thurm begins heading back to the quarry, grumbling to himself.

[Computer +1]

Grumble stops his Chanting and is eager to catch his breath. He wasn't sure how to hurt the ghost, this aid was was well timed.
My thanks fer yer help he says momentarily putting aside the fact that those who saved him were not kin.

He moves to check on anyone injured by the ghost and give aid.

[shaidar]

Barin

The dwarf takes the offered cookie "Thank you ma'am. I'm Barin."

He sniffs and then tries the cookie.

[Darithe]

AriClose.jpg (16.75 KiB) Viewed 565 times

Ari

The bard smiles at the elder woman, "I am Ari and yes, I've long ago learned to avoid the bitter brews due to past experience and troubles thereafter. Tea indeed is a much better brew, little finer in my view. And on occasion I do the same," she takes the cookie and begins to munch upon it gratefully.

[gurusql]

Mag

Mag will politely try the cookie. He replies, "You are right we are from quite a distance. At the moment we were trying to understand some strange runes in the quarry, someone pressed them and we saw a quite fearful creature especially when I thought it was a female's tomb."

[hedgeknight]

Walk of Shame?

As the companions and Dwarves nibble and eat Old Nelda's cookies, the fear that once consumed them and sent them running for their lives, melts away. Relieved and a little abashed, they begin the walk back to Port Llast. The elderly woman takes Mag by the arm as he tries to explain what they were trying to do at the Quarry. She chuckles and looks over at Ari, then back to blonde haired Elf, and says, "So...are you telling me you ran because you thought it was the ghost of some woman come to haunt you?"
She chuckles again and ribs him playfully.
Moan hollers for Cu as they return and after a few minutes walking, the great hound finds him! The reunion is somewhat touching as the big man and his big hound greet one another, relieved to see each other still alive.
On the way back, several of the Quarry Dwarves chat with Barin and Thurm, asking if it is true they ventured all the way from Mithral Hall to help them in Port Llast. "How is the new king of the Hall? We've heard all sorts of tales."


Meanwhile, back at the Quarry, Grumble stops chanting, hoarse from the effort, and eager to catch his breath.
"Many thanks fer yer help," he says, before checking on the Dwarf that was grabbed by the ghost. Unfortunately, another of his people has passed beyond this mortal realm. The Dwarf is gray in color and his lips are black and his dead eyes are filled with the horror that consumed his soul. Brantas approaches him and introduces Marilynn, the woman with him, as well as the priest of Lathander, Martin.
Raz is quiet, perhaps trying to wrap his head around all that's happened since breakfast.

A few minutes pass, and the rest of the Dwarves and the newly arrived companions return to the Quarry...

[shaidar]

Barin

On the way back, several of the Quarry Dwarves chat with Barin and Thurm, asking if it is true they ventured all the way from Mithral Hall to help them in Port Llast. "How is the new king of the Hall? We've heard all sorts of tales."

Barin smiles "Yes, Thurm and I originally come from Mithral Hall. The new king, well I suppose he's the old king too, Gandalug, seems a solid fellow. But just after he was crowned Marthammor Duin called us both south to his church in the Starmetal Hills, and it was there that the high priest received the letter from Haljal Throndor asking for help. What have you heard about the king?"

[Rex]

Moan

"Good to see you Cu, glad you were not hurt." He walks along with the others.

[Darithe]

AriClose.jpg (16.75 KiB) Viewed 426 times

Ari

Ari finishes her cookie, once again thanking the elder woman, before following the others back to the quarry.

[GreyWolfVT]

Raz has no idea what is going on anymore one minute he is directing his magical hammer to strike a formerly ghost dwarf now he doesn't get what is happening anymore like coming out of a dream fog. "Wha....what's going on?"

[Computer +1]

Grumble gives a nod to the companions who have returned.No shame in running. The undead have the power to make anyone run. Next time ye will hold fast.

[gurusql]

Mag

"It turned out she was the ugliest woman I have ever seen. So yes." he says clearly trying to make a joke and this his tone turns serious. "Thank you."

[Edeldhur]

Thurm follows along, eager to get back to the quarry.

[hedgeknight]

Dwarves and companions alike begin trickling back into the quarry. Upon seeing one of their own lying dead on the cold ground, the miners are deeply saddened, some ashamed for running; Trell Rockbreaker, the Quarrymaster, is angry and upset.
"I shoulda stayed! I shoulda been stronger!" he says, his eyes wet, his beard quivering.

"No need to berate yourself, Trell," says the woman who came with Brantas and the priest; Marilynn is her name.



"Ya, I know, but..."
"No buts my friend, nothing to be done about it," Brantas interjects. "Now, we must decide how to move forward with this mine. Do we reseal the shaft and hope for the best or venture in and lay the ghost to rest...and whatever else is down there? What say you, Martin?"

The young priest in the red robes of Lathander sighs, glancing at the dead Dwarf, and then at the faces of those gathered around.



"Ghosts are not necessarily evil creatures. This one appears to have been a guardian of some sort. My guess is once it either died here or sacrificed itself as part of pact of guardianship. Perhaps if we fulfill its...appointed task, it will leave. I realize, that could be a costly endeavor." Martin looks down again at the dead Dwarf.
"What was his name?"

"Jaden. Jaden Stoneaxe." Trell says softly, sniffing and looking out at the ocean.

Raz somewhat comes back to reality, wondering what is going on...seeing his companions back around him, and Grumble declaring with confidence about them not running again. "Master Gnome, are you alright? Were you touched by the ghost?" Brantas asks, recognizing Raz from the night before.

Old Nelda, still holding Mag's arm, sighs and looks up at the Elf. "So...what will you do now? Do I need to bake another batch of cookies?" Her smile is radiant.

[Rex]

Moan

"I say we go in and try to deal with any evil within."

[GreyWolfVT]

Raz shakes his head fuzzy feelings ebbing "Hmm no I tried defending him, but i am not sure what happened. The ghost looked alive after he touched that dwarf. But I think we should do what is right and put the ghosts to rest if my opinion matters at all." the gnome responds cutting into conversations. "I a sorry for your loss of mister Stoneaxe."

[gurusql]

Mag

"My only question, is will special weapons be required?" read as silver or magic

[shaidar]

Barin

"I'm sure Grumble and I will ensure Jaden gets an appropriate ceremony. As for the ghost, I certainly think it is a danger and needs to be dealt with, assuming we have what we need to do such things. How do we determine what we need to do to put it to rest?"