IC VII

[thirdkingdom]

The adventurers return to Threshold, bruised and bloodied, with Saul's body slung across his horse and the hobgoblin stumbling behind. They arrive at the gates in the late afternoon; their friend Quintas is not on duty, and they are stopped and hailed by an unknown guard, this one wearing the uniform of the Baron's Guard.

"Ho there!", she calls, "stop right there and identify yourselves, and tell me why you've got a bound hob with you!"

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny steps forward to address the guard.

"Greetings, my friend. We are an adventuring party known to Captain Quintas and Captain Arthol of the Town Guard. We are also friends of the Church in Threshold. We clashed with some gnolls and this hobgoblin near Castle Mistamere today, and we found some disturbing items with them which we believe will be of great interest to Father Varis and the Church. If we might speak with Father Varis, perhaps he will vouch for the necessity for us to hold this prisoner in a jail cell overnight that we might question him more thoroughly in the morning... after we have had a chance to rest and recuperate. As you can see, many of us are badly wounded..."

Lanny pauses, then continues.

"We also lost one of our dear companions during the battle... We would like to ask Father Varis if he can arrange for a proper burial for our friend in the town cemetery."

Lanny intends to show Father Varis all of the items that were found on the gnoll shaman - the medallion, the club, and the amber stones - and to relay the events of the past day. He will suggest to Father Varis that the party itself can handle the questioning of the hobgoblin, so as not to burden the Church or the Town Guard any further.

[thirdkingdom]

Guard

"Very well," she calls, "I have heard of you. I am Captain Sere. I will send two men to escort your captive to the jail to await interrogation. But I am sure you know the drill -- I must divest you of your weapons before you enter the city!"

Where to, guys?

[Bouv]

Tratiln hands over his sword, quarter staff, and two throwing hammers. "Has there been any word yet on the thieves guild & slavers mess going on in town?"

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys silently hands over sword and bow as he enters the city.

Assuming Saul's weapons are all bundled together and turned in, as well?

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

After checking weapons at the gate, Lanny goes with anyone or everyone in the group to the Church to see Father Varis. He asks if the Church can arrange for a proper burial for Saul in the town cemetery.

Lanny intends to relay the events of the day to Father Varis, and to show him all of the items that were found on the gnoll shaman - the medallion, the club, and the amber stones. He asks Father Varis if these items (the medallion in particular) suggest that the gnolls might have some connection to the cult of Elwyn the Renegade Cleric. He indicates a willingness to part with the items if Father Varis wishes to study them any further. Lastly, he mentions that the party captured a hobgoblin who appears to be a military trainer working with the gnolls, and that the hobgoblin is currently being held in a jail cell in Threshold and would be questioned by the party tomorrow morning after the party has rested and recovered from its wounds.

[sulldawga]

Marodin will free Semele to visit friends and family as she wishes, with a reminder to come back to to the party tomorrow refreshed and ready to cast healing spells.

Marodin will accompany Lanny to see Father Varis.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf will go to the pub, toasting to Saul. He will then talk with the locals and find out if anything else is going on around here.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys will likewise go with Lanny to see Father Varis.

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

edit -- Bregalad surrenders his weapons to the guards before entering the city.

"Lantharios, would you please ask Father Varis if we could have words added to Saul's gravestone? I think, 'Here lies Saul, brave scout and son of Threshold,' would be fitting."

Bregalad takes his time stabling and caring for Castanha and Elfwing, treating them to fresh apples.

The elf will spend the remainder of the day at the Green Lady, remembering his fallen friend, and starting a memoir of the group's adventures.

[Innana]

Innana the fighter:

Innana hands over her daggers and sword to the guards. "I see you are wearing the Borons crest. Why all the changes?"

Innana will go hang out with the women and children to get some food and the latest rumors, and then join Thordin to get a drink. She will meet up with the group the next morning for coffee and find out what transpired with Father Varis.

Innana will say her goodbyes to Saul over a large ale.

[thirdkingdom]

Captain Sere

The captain shakes her head grimly. "The Town Watch is overworked, and the Baron has decided to declare martial law. You say you enjoy favor in the eyes of Father Varis; perhaps he will tell you more. I have my orders not to."

[Bouv]

Tratlin rubs his chin for a moment and speaks softly "hmmm...sounds like things might be getting serious on the island..."

[thirdkingdom]

The city is unusually tense; people scurry to and fro, casting suspicious glances in the direction of the adventuring party. There seem to be an unusual number of people selling from makeshift stalls; upon closer inspection it is revealed that the majority are hawking either clean water or various charms, foci or icons guaranteed to detect the presence of impurities in one's food and drink.

Thin columns of black smoke rise from the direction of Fogors Isle, and there seem to be twice the number of guards present as yesterday. Many of them are stationed quite obviously around the public wells that dot the city.

So, is the whole party going to Varis?

[Finglas]

So, is the whole party going to Varis?

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad will take his time stabling and caring for Castanha and Elfwing, treating them to fresh apples. He will tip the groomsmen an extra 50 gold pieces, to take good care of the horses, and then he will spend the remainder of the day at the Green Lady, remembering Saul, and starting a memoir of the group's adventures.

For now, the elf will refrain from drinking or filling his waterskins from the public wells. He will trust the food and drink at the Green Lady.

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Drudsa hands over his knife and whip, but will keep his staff and sling unless the guards ask him to hand those over as well.

He won't complain or make any fuss about it, rather just assuming those are not the type of arms the guards would be worried about.

After the group enters the city walls he will excuse himself and leave to the Inn to resume his studies.

"I assume you fellas will not need my aid at the church. If there is any cost related to Saul's burial I will gladly pay for it. I will now go back to my books if you excuse me."

I don't recall if I did indicate which spell Drudsa would be studying now. TK, if I haven't told you anything different before please consider that he will be studying Analyse

[Bouv]

Tratiln will try to see Fr. Varis with some of the party as well to get some answers on the items from the shaman, help arrange Saul's burial, and inquire about the events in Threshold over the past day.

[thirdkingdom]

Those companions who choose to go on to the church do so whilst others perform various errands and tasks. Upon arriving at the church the adventurers discover that Varis' office is a hive of activity, and the elderly priest looks haggard and drawn as he deals with a large array of petitioners. After an almost hour long wait the party is granted an audience.

Varis explains that during the night three wells in the city were poisoned by an unknown saboteur, the fighting on Fogors' Isle has intensified and he has, with the Baron's permission, brought in the Royal Troops and declared martial law within the city. "The Watch is now under the command of the Baron's troops; at this point I am afraid that, with the hobgoblin in the custody of the troops, that I cannot allow you to question him. Any interrogation will be performed by the Baron's men, and I have no control over that." He examines the items taken from the shaman and shown to him by Lanny. "A medallion of Leptar, no doubt, and some sort of enchanted club. I'm afraid I can't tell you more without spending considerable time examining them, and time is something that I simply don't have at this point."

[Bouv]

Tratiln will turn to his companions, "Well, what do we wish to do with them? I personally would like to see them santicified and destroyed but that is just me."

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Innana wonders why there are people selling water. The questions just keep adding up until her brain is spinning. She can't wait to get to her friends that she had made in Threshold so she can ask them what is happening.