A Simple Adventure (IC)

[CrimsonKnight]

Jaina follows Kosnark's example and dons her own cloak before raising her hammer once again and heading for the door.

"We'd better go door to door and check all the houses, make sure the good folk of this town are unhurt. There could be more of the bloody things roaming about, or mayhap this wasn't the first place they attacked in town. I'd recommend moving in pairs so that they don't have a chance to overwhelm you before calling for help. Anyone care to join me searching the northern part of the town?"

[The Dragon]

Brandon breathing heavily, hopped down from Oswald in a somewhat dignified manner. He spent some tie petting the dog, while the other patrons were cheering. He didn't quite know how to handle this. He were mostly used to people he knew thinking him wierd.

When Jaina asked for help, he decided to follow her. "I'll join ye. Can't have them out and about eating people."
He sheathed his sword, and drew his shield, before hopping back up in Oswald's saddle. Grabbing his lance from where he'd left it, he was ready.

"Let's be off, no?" He padded after Jaina out the door towards the northern part of the town.

[Blue_C.]

Acknowledging the gnome with a nod, and seeing no signs of a struggle, Osra follows the walls of the building as best she can to meet up with those that left out the back entrance.

[u-b]

Atalayne goes outside and follows the larger bunch of people. He's looking around as much as the sunrod and the rain allow and waits for any loud screams to indicate the location where the events are happening.

[Raginmund]

Magnar stays out in the arbor, waiting for the Marshall and wondering how the creatures came through both doors at the same time. He stands in the doorway, keeping an eye on the arbor and taproom at once.

[Seharvepernfan]

Kosnark didn't see anything else of note in the arbor with his darkvision.

Osra leads a few others around the corner of the building, then to where the open passage exits onto the street. From there, they can see into the arbor. The ghoul could have come from this way.

Then, everyone except the human Magnar goes towards the north end of town to patrol, you think; none of you are actually sure which way north is. The rain is still coming down in sheets, and you are all cold and completely drenched. You don't hear anything unusual while walking around town; probably because you can't. It is hard to even hear each other speak. You often have to raise your voice to be heard by the people next to you. Sometimes Grimm can be seen trailing just behind the group, sometimes he's just gone...sneaky little bastard.

You check every house on your way, the group split in two for each side of the street. Some are dark, and no one answers the door, but most have lit windows. Every house where someone answers the door asks the same questions and responds the same, "Who are you? What? No, we're fine...haven't heard anything."

Within a few minutes of wandering around (maybe aimlessly), you turn a corner and see two cloaked figures in the middle of the street walking in your direction, perhaps 150ft away. One is holding a lantern high in one hand and a sword in the other, the other is holding a polearm, probably a halberd. They have noticed you, due to Atalayne's sunrod.

Magnar:

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While you are standing vigil, the people from the front room of the Inn come over to the tavern to inquire about what happened. They shriek when they see the ghoul lying on the floor, and take great caution in stepping around it. They speak with the people in the tavern for a bit, and it seems like everyone keeps looking at you. Several people come over to look at the ghoul lying on the floor with looks of horror and curiosity.

The Innkeeper hears the story and just shakes his head. "Sir, you and your friends are welcome here as long as ye like, no charge. Without ye, this would have been a bloodbath to stain Woodhaven's history for years to come." There are several nods and 'Aye's from the small crowd, even a "That's right!"

After a few uneventful minutes, lantern light can be seen outside. Several cloaked and armored people approach the tavern's front door. A couple are clad is scale and wield heavy wood round-shields and longswords, the rest are leather-clad and wield halberds. They are led by an athletically built woman of perhaps thirty years. She wears a leather helm, from which medium-length copper-red hair spills out, and is clad in chainmail. She stops the group with a raised hand to inspect the ghoul by the front door, then looks at you. She holds a slender longsword raised in one hand.

She has bright green eyes that stare at you coldly for just a moment, then warm up; she gives you a half smile, lowers her sword, then steps into the tavern to scan it over for a long moment. Two of the leather-clad folks step in behind her; the others turn around to guard the front door. She looks all around the tavern, apparently taking in the scene with all it's details.

"You killed that one." She points to the one at your feet with her sword while looking at the ceiling for some reason. It wasn't a question. "Where are the others? Out looking for more trouble?"

[Tyrann]

Risper was glad to be outside. He had always liked rain. It made other people quiet. But as he stood there under the warm and dry eaves of the Arbor, observing the thick gray curtains of water roaring loudly down and transforming the dirt roads into splashing mudslides, he wasn't so sure he wanted to brave it. Even breathing felt wet. And he'd only just gotten these boots too..

But when he saw the others go, he decided it would be best to go with. He pulled up his hood, tightened the cords and started sloshing down the road, trying very hard to not take point or tail, as well as trying his best to avoid at least the larger puddles when at all possible.

After a few minutes of walking he shouts to whoever is at the front of the group

"Did you ask for directions before we started walking?"

Just when he's thinking that he should probably ask at the next house they come across, he notices the two figures, as well as their weapons.

"They're holding weapons, so they probably aren't ghouls. Talking to them over this rainstorm means we have to get close. Damn it. Better get the bow out just in case."

He makes sure to stay behind the beefier front liners and lets the others do the talking while he's trying to get a read on these two strangers. The whole time this is going on he is fully expecting either of them to randomly charge at the party.

[Raginmund]

"Yes, I guess they thought more might be out in the town." He answers. "Does this sort of thing happen often here?"

[Cavir]

As the party heads out Kosnark sticks to the center of the road, keeping an eye out towards both sides, letting the others check on the residents and being in the best position to respond to either side. The darkness didn't bother him, nor did the hard rain. It was just another unpleasant environment like he had spent countless hours in training. At least here he had a cloak on and he had just eaten. His eyes and ears were on his surroundings, but his mind was on the failed parry that led to him being paralyzed. He was not happy with himself.

As the armed strangers approach Kosnark calls out to either side. "Here comes the Watch I think ." He is still armed with axe and shield, but both are lowered to be non-threatening. He stops and waits for them to approach.

[CrimsonKnight]

Jaina narrowed her eyes at the approaching figures.

"Maybe, but after those ghouls came out of nowhere, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious."

With her right hand holding her large hammer casually by her side, her left grasped at the wooden replica hanging from her neck, and she muttered a few words in Dwarven beneath her breath. Her eyes briefly glowed as she scanned the figures with her holy powers.

Spoiler: Action

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Paladin Senses, activate! Using Detect Evil on the approaching individuals.

[Seharvepernfan]

The two cloaked figures stop, hold perfectly still for a moment, look at each other, and then begin approaching at a slow pace, with their weapons held up. The one with the halberd glances backwards once, as if they were expecting trouble. When they get about halfway to you, Risper can just be heard from the back of the group, "They're not ghouls." A moment later, Jaina confirms that they're not evil anyway.

They approach within maybe forty-feet, then stop and stare for a moment. The one with the lantern is a human male, not quite middle-aged. The other is also male, but might be half-elven, judging from his jawline and build; he seems young. They both wear leather armor, and seem suspicious of you, with narrowed eyes. They both wear horns on necklaces.

The halberd-bearing one shouts out to you, "I might guess what you're out here for, but I'll ask anyway!" His voice is fairly high and clear, and his tone might be described as "polite caution". He seems amiable enough. Nobody in this town seems to be offended or apprehensive about you carrying weapons around.

Magnar:

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The woman sheathes her sword, lowers her hood, and takes off her helm to hold under one arm, but is looking at the tavern crowd as she speaks, "Good, I suppose. I already sent out a few patrols; we'll know soon if anything is happening about town." She goes to check on the crowd, seeing if anyone is hurt, then speaks with the innkeeper for a moment; just asking some basic questions. She gives him a copper. Then, she walks back to the front door and says something to the guards outside, who come in and stand at either door, backs to you.

She then flips one of the tables back over and motions for you to sit back down. The two leather-clad men...actually, you see that one is a woman, come and turn over the other two tables, then take seats themselves. The crowd gradually spreads out to sit. She sits her helm on the table, drapes one arm over the back of her chair, leans back in it a bit and puts one folded knee on the edge of the table, balancing the front two legs off the floor a couple inches. She is fairly attractive, if rather unfeminine.

"Often? No. Sure, we get a problem now and then, usually more towards the edges of town or on someone's farm, but the only trouble we see in town is your odd drunk mercenary or the occasional thief. A young dragon flew about town once twenty-years ago." She looks at you and shrugs when she says that. "The militia stays on top of most things, and we're in the center of a rather peaceful area, besides." She seems distracted for a second, then continues; "This however, is something I've never seen in Woodhaven. I'm going to have a local priestess come and check this out when the storm dies down; things seem quiet now, but this can't be good."

A barmaid comes around with several mugs, serving the guards and the Marshall, then the two at either door, who seem very pleased. The other barmaids go about serving the crowd, and by then, the place is almost back to the way it was before the fight started. "Have you tried the cider?"

Your tribe did not have women like this.

[u-b]

"Looking for more ghouls. Seen any?" - Atalayne steps forward a bit as not to hide behind others while he is talking to two men - "We had two in "The Arbor". And you? Any ideas about it?"

Atalayne is holding the shield down and the sunrod up (just outside of direct view so the light from it does not interfere too much with night vision). The ghouls do worry him somewhat, though though this feeling is less about himself and more about "the situation". Getting drenched, on the other hand, is pretty much about himself, and does not exactly improve his mood. He tries to talk without showing any of these feelings.

[JanusJones]

"Who, us?" Grimm is leaning against a house under the eaves on the other side of the strangers, a good thirty feat away.

"We're just the stand-ins for the local constabulary. We happened to be having a beer when undead attacked the inn. If you've seen the local law enforcement, would you let them know they have some corpse cleanup and a bit of investigation to do? I, for one, am tired of being wet and underpaid for my work."

Spoiler

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Readied action to hide and move - swift + move - if attacked.

[Seharvepernfan]

With that, the two men's eye's widen, then they relax and approach with their weapons down, though the half-elf (and it's obvious now) glances back behind them again. The lantern-bearer says something to the other, but you can't make out what. "Good, you had us worried. No, we haven't seen or heard anything. Some folks came screaming up to the Marshall's office, and she sent us out at once to patrol. 'Walking dead', they said...we didn't believe it." They look at each other as if letting it sink in.

[JanusJones]

"Not walking any more - just dead. Me for a beer and a good stare at some ugly corpses, then!"

With that Grimm pops out of sight.

Spoiler

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Heading back to the inn!

[Seharvepernfan]

The lantern-bearer just shakes his head and mutters, "Gnomes..." He watches Grimm walk off in the rain with an annoyed look. The other turns back to the group, "I don't think I've seen you folks before..." He trails off as if expecting a reply.

[The Dragon]

Annoyed with the lantern-bearer, yet prone to sharing his sentiment, Brandon is rather flippant with his friend, the half-elf. "Aye. You haven't."

[Blue_C.]

"I was a caravan guard. We're not a formal group. Just the ones willing to fight when those creatures attacked." Osra says. "If you're patrolling, we can head back to the fire."

[Seharvepernfan]

"You'll have to excuse my partner, sir, he lacks our keen vision." The half-elf seems rather perturbed at the insensitive remark himself. The lantern-bearer looks at him as if confused.

"Aye. The Marshall'l want to see you anyway. A favor? Tell her you met us, and that we said it's all clear so far, but that we'll keep patrolling."

If you walk away after that, he waves and says, "Good luck!"

[Raginmund]

"Cider? No, I have not." He replies, getting a mug. "You are young for such an important job. Are you a great warrior?"

[Cavir]

"Aye. Be wary, they can paralyze with their claws. It's more important to seek help and 'et the word out. What names do we tell her?"

After their answer, Kosnark heads back to the inn.

[Seharvepernfan]

The half-elf nods in respect, "We'll keep that in mind, sir dwarf. It's Faelar and Marek." With that, the two guardsmen continue their patrol down the street. They seem tense and grim now that they know undead were afoot.

Your walk back to the tavern still instills you with a sense of dread, despite the good news that no other ghouls have been noticed. The rain hasn't let up, and it's heat-sapping has started to nip at your extremities and leave you shaking. Every dark window, alley, tree, and bush that you pass starts to seem like an ambush waiting to happen. However, you are among warriors and spell-wielders, and do not fear for your own life overmuch. It is a good feeling.

The front door to the tavern is wide open as you approach from down the street. As you get near, you can hear folk talking and laughing inside, as if the night's events never happened. A scale-clad figure leans out from the doorway to look at you, sword and shield in hand, but when it becomes apparent that you mean no harm and are not a pale-skinned walking corpse, the guardsman moves back in through the doorway to make way for you.

Magnar:

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"Don't leave town without trying it." She takes a drink of her own, and then snorts with mirth at your comment, "Well, I can swing a sword, but that's not why I'm the Marshall. There are plenty of better warriors than I in these parts; I'm just the best at coordinating them." She stares into her cup for a moment. "Truth be told, I haven't swung my sword at an enemy in several years. I sometimes wonder if I still have the nerve."

Her eyes go hard again, and you start to think she feels guilty about something, and is unsure of herself over it. You get the feeling she is confiding her insecurities to a fellow warrior, one who doesn't share the same social circle. You begin to wonder what the matter is, but before either of you speaks again, you hear a group of people coming into the tavern at the front door, and at least one of them is wearing metal armor. You think it might be the others.

[u-b]

Atalayne gets inside and is the first to order "Hot bath now, please, if you would be so kind." then thinks that "now" might be a bit too optimistic, so he adds "And some hot tea with a cookie."

Then he's waiting for the marshall, the bath, or some more undead, whatever comes first.

[JanusJones]

Grimm hops up on a barstool to order a round before the rest stagger in from the rain. "A few for the wet and bedraggled heroes, yeah?"

Grimm is busily burying his face in a tankard of cider, feet propped on a table, when the others arrive. He nods at the full cups. "Refreshments!" He accompanies this with a raised mug.

[Blue_C.]

Making a mental note to purchase a cloak, Osra accepts the offered drink with a demure nod.

[Cavir]

Kosnark comes back into the tavern and heads back to the chair he was using by the fire. As he removes his cloak he notices the tables and folk back to normal. He leaves his cloak, shield, and pack at the chair, axe strapped to his back, and walks over to the table where Magnar is sitting with others. Seeing his tablemates are well armed he gives them a respectful nod and turns to Magnar. "Thanks for coverin' for me and finishin' it off. My name's Kosnark. Kosnark Stoneblood." He removes the gauntlet from his axe arm and holds out his hand to Magnar.

Spoiler

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If Magnar goes to shake hands Kosnark will instinctively shift it to a wrist embrace (each hand grasping the other's wrist).

[Raginmund]

"No need to thank." he replies to Kosnark, taking the proffered hand."All true warriors would unite against such creatures."

[Cavir]

"Aye. I see the Watch is here now." Kosnark glances around the table again. His beard hides his facial expression but the look in his eyes is confident and non-threatening. Still addressing Magnar- "Any issues?"

[Raginmund]

"No new problems." He then adds, gesturing to the doughty woman he'd been conversing with."This is the Marshall."

[Cavir]

Kosnark turns toward the woman leaning back in her chair. "Are ya now?" Nodding his head "Well, we came across Faelar and Marek. They were doin' their duty well and report all clear so far. We also found alls quiet besides the storm."

"We heard to find you for some work. Sounds like there are a few of us interested."