Chapter 6c - The Inspection and Aftermath

[Zorroroaster]

Arnulf eyeballs Angus and dramatically lays a finger aside his nose. "I was thinking the exact same thing. Exact. Same. Thing. It's not paranoia if they really ARE watching you!"

[onlyme]

Dandelion is still a bit distracted by her "episode". She smiles at the thought that they were booing the guards for sitting her. The crowd must really like her, then.

oh, the discussion...I agree. Lets see what it takes to rid of whatever ails that side of town. Lets get all the citizens happy and comfortable. Then they will love us forever.

[enn.in.me]

"Whether or not these amulets can track us, we are all now marked. Might be that chasing orcs and helping halflings become the safe activities. I'd like to spend the evening in prayer and I will be ready for our next adventure early tomorrow."

[tkrexx]

At the collective dismissal, Hyde looks to the "rabble-rowsers," his tribe, Master Johan, then his tribe again. Finally he barks to those noise-makers. Hey! Hey!! Yeah, yous! Ya gotta minute, hah? Like a word or two with ya, hah? He bounds off the stage and strides toward the men, possibly unintentionally appearing aggressive, and asks politely about the area suffering under the Orcs. Ain't makin' no promises, no, but that's kinda what we do, clearing hostiles, and we be trying to figure where to go next, yeahh. If you could see your way clear to show us the whereabouts, we have a Rainja, and he's a good tracka, yeahh, real good. Me and him, we be good pals, yeahh.

[enn.in.me]

Yenny follows after Hyde, her robe sweeping out behind her, and looks with interest at Hyde and what he has to say to the rabble. She wanders out to the edges and tries to hear any gossip or side talk that springs up amongst those not directly replying to Hyde.

[Marullus]

Hellebore arrives in a timely way with Captain Castleman and his men. Her clothes are fresh and cleaned, her hair neatly re-plaited with new dried batchelor-buttons woven within. She leaves the wolf inside the cottage and the raven upon the gables, both with instructions to watch and guard. She is confident that Qatkir can handle any break-in, and quorks with the raven, directing her to fly to her with a warning message should trouble occur.

With a shrill cry, the eagle takes to the sky, circling above throughout the ceremony. Hellebore stands stoicly, beautiful but detached as she looks over the assembled humans, appreciating the added height of the stage as it is not a normal vantage for her.

She emits a shrill whistle as Hyde leaps from the stage, the eagle responding with a responding shrill cry and by circling obviously lower. She stands, watching, lips pursed and a finger in the air, still as a tree as long as Hyde is in the crowd.

[Keehnelf]

Ilfrien is circling around behind the rough crew, close enough to hear and with a hand on the hilt of her sword.

[Nuke66]

Galan, resplendant in his shiny new robe watches the fetivities with intrest. Once he has a bronze medal, he thinks with little more effort it could be gold! "Yeah" he says "Let's go get the rest of those dogmen"

[AleBelly]

Hyde jumps down and accosts the unruly members of the crowd. Perhaps he looks a bit too much like the orcs they've faced - two run away screaming. But a couple remain behind, perhaps ready to attack. The presence of the guards and Yenny calm tensions. They are raised again briefly as Hellebore's large eagle circles lower and lower. The guards raise their bows, but see that the bird is under the control of the druid.

"They come from all over the west" cries an irate farmer. "Don't need to be no ranger to find their tracks. The patrols don't give a hock about us on the edges." It becomes clear that they would be pointed in the right direction by anyone dwelling near the western edge of the perimeter.

The discussion over, others in the crowd approach in groups, offering thanks and congratulations. No sign of trouble is apparent. After an hour or so, the crowd begins to thin out. The more paranoid party members suspect a sinister motive behind the medallions.

[CAI4]

As people disperse, Angus looks at his medal with a skeptical eye. "Huh," he says. "First time I ever got me a piece of shiny just for killin' vermin." When the group is alone, he leans close to the others and whispers. "We get somewheres safe, one of y'all mystical types might check to see if these are enchanted to track us."

He looks around and scratches the back of his head. "Them folks in the crowd got a point. We still got lots of other rats out there what need squished. Wouldn't mind killin' me some of 'dem pigmen fookers,' tell you what. 'Course, sounds like the little hobbits could use a hand too."

"They aren't in more trouble than anyone else in the safe zone" replies Chet.

[Marullus]

When they get back to the cottage, Hellebore assists with detecting magic on the medals, but for what kind of magic she defers to Arnulf's speculation.

"The orcs are already keen to hunt us. I do not think we can take on their city, but we could Harry their patrols to ensure none who come for the farmers return. It is honorable, but with scant profit. We know of an ogre pit, of a wizard tower, and have much more unknown to explore...". She looks at Ilfirien with concern. "How are you feeling? "

[Zhym]

"I thought the hobbits had them some spider problems?" asks Angus, confused.

"Anyhow, orc-harryin' sounds fun to me. Mighty cold out there, though. Might freeze our hoo-yas off waiting around for orc patrols to show up."

[enn.in.me]

"Maybe you men should stay inside where it's warm while those of us not worried about freezing hoo-yahs will take of business."

[Marullus]

Hellebore snerks at Yenny.

"Chet said those spiders were some time ago, by his estimate. While I like helping Hobbits, they're not in more dire need than others." She considers a moment. "Our group is a bit too large for surprise anyway. Perhaps we divide in two each day and return to a base camp location at night to compare notes? I think we'd benefit from some continued exploration. Doing so westward as we work to ambush orcs is fine by me."

[tkrexx]

Hyde nods after taking in everyones' suggestions. We need to be getting rid of them Orcs, yeahh. That was the original plan.

[Keehnelf]

Ilfrien frowns suspiciously at Hellebore's question. "Fine, why? Didn't I just say I want to get out and kill some things? No better measure of my condition than that."

[AleBelly]

Hyde jumps down and accosts the unruly members of the crowd. Perhaps he looks a bit too much like the orcs they've faced - two run away screaming. But a couple remain behind, perhaps ready to attack. The presence of the guards and Yenny calm tensions. They are raised again briefly as Hellebore's large eagle circles lower and lower. The guards raise their bows, but see that the bird is under the control of the druid.

"They come from all over the west" cries an irate farmer. "Don't need to be no ranger to find their tracks. The patrols don't give a hock about us on the edges." It becomes clear that they would be pointed in the right direction by anyone dwelling near the western edge of the perimeter.

The discussion over, others in the crowd approach in groups, offering thanks and congratulations. No sign of trouble is apparent. After an hour or so, the crowd begins to thin out. The more paranoid party members suspect a sinister motive behind the medallions.

The crowd thins out and the team makes way for the farmhouse. Ilfrien likely remains nearby, unseen and looking after their wellbeing. They near Alleborg’s east gate, noticing a lone figure following them. It’s a cloaked, dreadlocked hobbit accompanied by a large dog. Under his cloak they see the glint of a weapon and leather armor, but he is not wielding anything harmful. When he’s spotted, he clears his throat loudly to address the group.

"Hello there, heroes of Alleborg. My name is Tempus Werefoot, an aspirant of nature. I believe you knew a brief comrade of mine, a brave paladin sadly slain by the undead. I noticed a member of my own kin and order and wondered if I might say hello and offer my services. And those of Fluffy here too of course." he says motioning to the massive hound by his side. He gives a little wave to Hellebore and then chews one of his long blonde dreadlocks nervously waiting for a response.

[enn.in.me]

"Greetings Tempus. Perhaps you would walk with us for a bit and tell us about yourself. We are a dangerous crew to work with, but friendly, for the most part. My name is Yenny. You are a were-halfling? Sometimes you change into a human, or some other nasty creature?"

[Storm11]

Tempus laughs nervously and his face reddens. Smoothing his vibrant green sleeveless robes he clears his throat.

"Oh no no no, nothing like that. I am of a family of Werefeet, our famous great grand sire Jeebus Werefoot was said to be a really hairy footed hobbit so he was. Whenever the moon was full his hair was said to grow thicker. He was a Druid and the power of nature runs strongly through our line. I recently completed my apprenticeship and I met your poor paladin friend at the inn in Alleborg. He persuaded me to visits some nature spirits at a near by lake but we were attacked by skeletons, walking upright all on there own now less. He was overwhelmed before I could slay the last of the monsters and here I am." the little halfling says pushing his long dreadlocks over his shoulder. Gathering his fur cloak about him the aspirant pats his large hound affectionately.

"So you are after orc's are you? I heard what was said at the town square."

[enn.in.me]

"We are at that. So aside from killing skeletons, a mighty fine skill, what do you offer? We offer danger in number, limited riches and the chance to part of one of the most misfit group of 'heroes' to be heard of in many a year.

What was the name of this paladin friend of ours you were so intimate with?"