Overnight at the Inn
Louden Inn is in a clearing. A small paddock and stable block sits behind the inn. Louden has offered you overnight accommodation in the inn in payment for dealing with the thugs. But first, Erkai ensured their prisoner, the female Goblin Blackblade, is secured in the cellar.
In conversation with Louden, it turns out that Galindan wasn’t the first Eladrin to been seen about these parts, but on questioning he couldn’t give a name, only that he passed through about three days ago. Settling down to a meal, the adventurers divided the money spoils between them.
During the evening, several people arrived for drinks and tales. They came from the outlying farms and regularly spend an evening in the Inn. My mid evening, the common room is fairly busy, with several people sitting, eating, drinking and storytelling. The Lightfoot family, Halflings from Beaconsfield, are heading to Silverwell, having heard tales that the Drove Road has more than few bandits less patrolling it. Coran speaks little and listens a lot, and his wife, Evie, is a good singer. Their children, Jess and Matti are lively and cheeky youngsters. Matti, being bold takes and interest in Seigfried but is puzzled about his long blonde hair and can’t understand why a man should keep his hair so long. Evie later sings of the tale of the Lady of Athrad Yanna, who, reputedly was a witch who took her maid up the River Leathduin and threw herself off the bridge into the Temple Gorge. The maid managed to escape and tell her tale, but despite many a search The Lady was not found. The story tells that she had sold herself to a devil in return for everlasting life and youth.
An elf, by the name of Eadoin Lathar, sits in a corner watching the proceedings, and does ask the adventurers if they are looking for work, but as they are already engaged in tasks way beyond anyone’s comprehension, they turned him down. Some farmers also appeared, Dugan, Garron and Sheoras are farmers who regularly come to the inn of an evening. Dugan tells of a theft he has heard of in Huntsford. On being questioned, he tells that a silver circlet, part of the mayoral regalia has been stolen from the townhouse. He couldn’t elaborate on any further details.
Somewhat later, both Erkai and Bevan hear a noise coming from the cellar and carefully they go to investigate. Thrugg, heads down with the floating lantern to have a look. The cellar doors to the outside have been thrown wide open and there is no sign of Scar. As Thrugg descends, a crossbow bolt narrowly missed him thrunking into the wooden steps behind him. He swiftly dispatched the goblin.
Meanwhile Seigfried had decided on an early night, only to be approached by a rather friendly Bevan who had decided she would rather like to be with the fine bloke in the shiny armour. Seigfried was having none of this!
Bevan joined in the search for Scar, with Erkai on full alert. (Was it Seigfried who then headed in the woods himself?) As the investigation proceeded, a trail was found in heading out into the woods, but two Dire Wolves attacked. Louden, despite his age managed to dispatch one of the wolves. Scar was caught running off but Thrugg managed to drop her to an unconscious state. She was unceremoniously returned to the cellar where Erkai performed a thorough search on her, finding two concealed daggers with a third small one in a boot. She was proving to be a very slippery customer indeed!
Scar was brought round and further questioned by Erkai, who proved he could be even more slippery (and devious :->) than she, yet she was still incredibly reluctant to give up much information beyond denying knowing Astor, then person who had addressed a note she was carrying when first caught. On being ‘questioned’ about how messages were being sent between the bandits and their masters, she let slip that black hawks, goblins and Kobolds were used. Erkai, fed up with her reluctance to talk, strings Scar up and sets up a crossbow which would trigger if anyone tried to get into the cellar from outside. They left her in the darkness to stew.
After a nightcap, the adventurers prepared for bed, but were disturbed by a loud knocking at the inn door. A family of dwarves had arrived from Silverwell, having following the party in their wake, presuming the Drove Road to be cleared of danger. The Ungarts, Dellyn, the wife and strong matriarch had her husband Torm under her thumb and did most of the speaking. Pity the same couldn’t be said of her son, Rik, who was rather unruly and had a mind of his own. The daughter, Dara kept quiet, as did ‘Uncle’ Ock. They demanded lodgings for the night and paid well for it. These dwarves were returning from many years living in Silverwell and were heading back home to Leathforge. They had become rather soft, foolhardy and like their comforts… rather unusual for dwarves.
The Next Morning
After a night’s rest everyone woke to a rather fine morning. Erkai, checking on Scar, found her unconscious, but she was brought round after a little ‘persuassion’. The Ungarts, well Dellyn, speaks to Galindan and offers him (the party) gold to protect them on the rest of the journey to Huntsford. Some bartering ensued and Galindan accepted the contract on behalf of the group. Dellyn Ungart offered them a place to stay in Leathforge if they ever visited.
Meanwhile, Erkai has a quiet word with Groth. Giving the Kobold 2 Raven coins, “let her see the coin, try to trick her into giving up some information.” Groth, not experienced in deception has to try to make out that he wants away too whilst trying to find out:
- Where she needs to go if she gets away?
- What message she has if any and what it is?
He is to try sneak food to her when the others aren’t looking. Erkai, informed the others of this subterfuge. Groth was to be poorly treated to try and make out that he is a prisoner / slave.
