Chapter 3 - Harbinger of Tragedy

[Samurai]

Algerdar rolls his eyes at Durns proclamations, and responds, "Please, Durn. Your proposed course of action would lead to us facing eleven barricaded Goblins, rather than ten, and that is all. You may be willing to trust Oggri, but I am not. He would have already fled this place if it were not for us holding him here, as just evidenced."

"I already said I do not approve of what Lucuis was doing here, but that is a matter aside from how to deal with these Goblins. If I came upon a Demon who had been horribly tortured by a Devil, I would still treat him as what he was, and the same is true of these Goblins. Simply because evil has been perpetrated upon them does not change the behaviors usual of their kin."

[SuperJosh]

Although Roth is silent his face is turning red. "Well, how about you Dron? Do you feel we should lower ourselves to the same level as common goblins? Just kill whatever we we think might be a threat? Or should we try a different approach? If attacking ten plus goblins is going to be so hard don't you think we should do what ever we can to avoid bloodshed? Sure it might put us in a worse position latrer on, but it also might put us in a better on."

[BigRedRod]

"I'm no warrior. If seeing whatever is behind that door is so important then lets do it without having to fight a tribe of goblins. I do not think the world is as black and white as our little gnome wants to believe, if we simply kill them for their race then we no better than common thugs."

[Samurai]

"Ah, how unsurprising of you, Dron, to agree upon a course of action only to avoid a fight. You do realize the plan you support is actually the most dangerous of all, do you not?"

"This is not an issue of morality, it is an issue of practicality. The fact is, Goblins are untrustworthy, treacherous, craven creatures, and they should be treated as such. Maybe the experiements have somehow changed the basis of their natures, but then again, maybe not. And I prefer to err on the side of caution."

[Black Plauge]

"Algedar, I'm suprised at you. Being a wizard you should know the diffrence between a demon and a goblin," Durn replies, "A deamon is a creature of the Abyss, it is the very epitome of evil. Evil is part of its being down to the very core. Goblins are creatures of the prime material. While their culture may normally be one that supports and propogates evil, they are no more evil by nature than you or me. All creatures have the possibility to be good, just as much as they have the possibility to be evil. Cultures may lead certian races down one path or another, but without that culture, as is the case with these goblins, there is no reason to assume that they will become evil."

[Samurai]

Algerdar sighs in exasperation, and replies, "And I am surprised at you, Durn! As a Dwarf, you should well know the depraved nature such humanoid cultures breed, and that it can result in creatures nearly as wicked as those innately so. Oggri mentioned earlier that they were captured by Lucuis, so it would only be logical to assume these Goblins are as tainted as the rest of their race."

"By the Core, the Goblins do not even have a word for hope! Or quite a few other words, and do you know why? Because the societies they have created completely reject higher concepts like that, as do practically all Goblins raised in those societies. As such, it would be folly to assume the creatures we are dealing with are any more trustworthy than the usual for Goblinkind."

Algerdar runs his hand across his head, and continues, saying, "Besides which, as I just said, this is a matter of practicality, not morality. We have a job to do, and the Goblins are standing in our way. The best way to deal with them, with the least risk to ourselves, is a pre-emptive assault. Your proposal puts us at the risk of a surprise attack from the Goblins. We should strike first, and strike hard."

"Whatever we decide, however, we will need to know the capabilities of our foes." As he says this, Algerdar turns to Oggri, and says, "Why is Lee'ktan the leader? What are her skills? I also want to know if Lee'ktan or the rest of your friends acquired any weapons."

[Black Plauge]

Exasperated with arguing the point, Durn comments to no one in particular, "This is getting us no where, and there's still the issue of that big metal door to get by. Rizeth said that this Lucas was a wizard, maybe I can find something in his library that will help us by the door. If you need me, I'll be sorting through the books."

Heading back into the library Durn begins looking over the books and scrolls on the shelves, looking in particular for what might be a spellbook or a magical scroll.

[Samurai]

Algerdar holds out his hand as Durn begins to leave, and says, "Durn, wait a moment. Once Oggri answers my question, I will join you. Even if we do not locate the means to open this door, perhaps I can find a few scrolls to fill out the sparse pages of my own spellbook."

[SuperJosh]

Roth watches the argument, wondering how one individual can be so stubborn when it is obvious his point of veiw is out-numbered three to one.

As the two wizards prepare to leave Roth sits down to wait for them and ot watch Oggri.

[BigRedRod]

"Lee'ktan is the leader as she is best suited for the task. She is fair and just. We have hardly left the villa and there were next to no weapons here."

[Samurai]

Algerdar translates the Goblins words to the rest of the party, and then follows Durn to the library.

[SuperJosh]

Roth sits down and motions for Cy to lay beside him. He then takes out a few pieces of jerky and gives some to Cy and Oggri, then starts to inspect his sword for sighns of rust and any dinges in the blade.

[BigRedRod]

Oggri says something in goblin to Roth, it may be an insult, it may be thanks. But he sits and holds the jerky glaring at Cy, until the dog starts to eat his. Then he sits and carefully chews on the meat

--

The two wizards trawl through the library, searching tome after tome, and pulling hundreds of scrolls out of cases. Eventually the two find several volumes bound in a soft rubbery purple hide, each is securely locked, undoubtably a spellbook and has a seemingly random arcane rune on the spine. The two also discover a handfull of magical scrolls, five in total, each scribed in the now familiar hand of Lucas

[SuperJosh]

After Oggri babbles to Roth he puts on his most bewildered look and shrugs his shoulders.

[Black Plauge]

Starting with the scrolls, Durn studies each carefully, trying to determine what spell is written on each.

[OOC: Spellcraft checks for each scroll.]

[BigRedRod]

After several minutes of study the dwarf has made sense of the first scroll, it contains two spells sleep and ray of enfeeblement.

The second scroll seems far easier to decipher, but as he does so the wizard notices that something is very wrong with the scroll, the letters and symbols shift of their own accord. The realisation comes all too late however, there is an explosion of sticky strands and both wizards find themselves and the table trapped in a web stretching between the floor and ceiling. At the same time a bell can be heard ringing from some unknown source.

...

Dron, Roth, Cy and Oggri are each alerted to something having happened by the faint ringing sound coming from somewhere

[Black Plauge]

"Trapped," mutters Durn as he struggles against the sticky substance, "should have figured Lucas would protect his library from theives somehow."

"Well, at least it can't last forever. Still, it'll be more comfortable waiting it out outside the web. Algedar, can you manage to free yourself?" Durn asks as he tries to do the same.

[OOC: Strength check to get free and move towards the closest edge of the spell area.]

[SuperJosh]

Sword in hand Roth rushes in the direction he saw the wizards go. Once he finds them he stops short of the web.

"Are you OK? Besides the obvious I mean." he asks.

[Black Plauge]

"My pride's a little hurt at getting caught unprepared for a trapped scroll, but at least it was only a web," Durn replies as he strugles to get free, "Could have been alot worse."

[SuperJosh]

"True, let me just burn these webs away and you will be free in a jiffy." Roth jests, then starts to systematically hack away at the web.

[Black Plauge]

"No!" Durn yells, "No fire. You'll damage the books and scrolls on the table. You're welcome to help get us out, if you can do so without getting stuck yourself, but I would prefer if we just waited this out rather than try to rush it along and damage what we've found."

[SuperJosh]

Rot quits chopping at the webs, "Ha, I was only kidding about the fire! If you really want to wait I will let you."

With that Roth glances over his shoulder to make sure Oggri is there.

[BigRedRod]

The dwarf and gnome eventually struggle from the sticky mass, the scrolls and spellbooks remain encased in the thick white webbing and the alarm spell continues to ring throughout the building.

Looking over his shoulder Roth realises he is in the library, not at the secret room containing the large metal door where his companion Dron watches over Ogrri.

The strands of the web seem quite resilient against the sands of time, but after the best part of an hour the web spell slowly fades from view.

[Black Plauge]

While he waits for the web to dissolve, Durn idly wanders the rest of the library, stopping periodically to read from books which he finds interesting.

Once the web is gone though, he gets right back to work, trying to read more of the scrolls, though this time he is a bit more cautious, trying not to trigger any traps they may hold.

[BigRedRod]

With two of the five scrolls deciphered the two wizards carefully attempt to discern if the others hold anything of value. Luckily the remaining scrolls are easily translated and seem to contain no devious tricks to deter thieves

The first scroll deciphered contains the spells Summon Monster III and Summon Monster IV. The next contains the spells Slow, Identify and Glitterdust. The final scroll contains Summon Swarm and Web.

The sound of the ringing bell is finally silenced, which is a relief to the ears of all who could hear the irritating sound

[Black Plauge]

"All useful spells," Durn comments as he finishes with the last scroll, "but none of them will get us through that door. I wonder if there's any way to get into these spellbooks."

Setting himself down at the table, Durn begins to examen each in turn.

[OOC: Not trying to open them yet. After the trapped scroll Durn is a little more cautious. For now he's just serching them and trying to decipher the runes on the covers.]

[elpresidente]

Algedar wanders over to the secret room musing to himself "Perhapse the answer lies within these books. If we had a way to open them. Are we all sure we haven't seen anything even remotely like a key?" Algedar says to Dron. "Otherwise I think we are stuck for options. other than attempting to break through with brute force" He sighs. He turns to the goblin "Did the wizard Wear anything about his neck? or carry any keys which he used to unlock books?" he says in Goblin to Oggri.

[BigRedRod]

The Goblin simply shrugs and slumps back against a wall scowling at Dron and Cy.

Dron looks at the gnome,
"What books? Did you find Lucas' spellbooks? I think they'd be better protected than a simple lock, you know how wizards are"
Dron looks slightly sheepishly at Algerdar,
"...But would it even help to find a spell which can let us burst through the door? I'm still not agreed that we need to charge in there slaughtering them like animals, they're just making the best of what they have."

The mechanic coughs,
"Not to repeat myself, but we have some idea of what happened to Lucas, it involved Dragoons and his victims getting free, they aren't willing to talk and we can't make them on the other side of the door. I think we've tried everything we can."

[elpresidente]

Algedar scowls at Dron utters something in some language that only he knows and walks off to find Durn.

[Black Plauge]

"Yes, Dorn," Durn replies when he hears Dron's comment, "but there is far more that we don't know about what happened here than there is that we do know. Personally, I'd prefer to leave no stone unturned, or in this case, book unopened."

"Besides, its not like we're in any danger at the moment."

Durn then goes back to examining the spellbooks.

[OOC: Still not attempting to open them yet.]

[BigRedRod]

Durn is at a loss to exactly what the runes represent, they appear to have been picked at random, each of the six tomes has a character from a different language and there seems to be no pattern to what they represent

[ooc: I'll list them all here, but bear in mind what each individual character can read]

Strong Wind
Diamond
Exceptional
Almost
Simply
Definition

Careful examination of the books reveals little, except that however created the locks was a master of his trade. An attempt to prise open the lock on any given book would quite likely destroy any number of pages in the process. The Dwarf is far from convinced that the book lacks some form of magical or mundane trap to ward off thieves, but it is beyond his power to find it.

[Black Plauge]

"'Strong Wind', 'Diamond', 'Exceptional', 'Almost', 'Simply', and 'Definition'," Durn says, translating as he reads for the benefit of those who don't understand the languages, "I wonder what they mean..."

"It would make sense that each would indicate something of the contents so that Lucus would know what was in each book, but I can't make hammers nor anvils of a system behind those words."

Pacing around for a bit, Durn furrows his brow in thought. As he does so, he remembers Dron's work on the door earlier, and heads outside to find him with Oggri.

"Dron, you seem to be mechanically minded. Could you take a look at the locks on the books. I doubt they'll be simple to open, but maybe you'll see something that I missed."

While Dron examines the locks, Durn continues his pacing a bit before begining to wander through the rows of books. As he does so, an idea occurs to him; perhaps the words had something to do with Lucas' research. Perhaps some of the more mundane books might reveal clues as to the method behind the symbols.

Starting in the area where the book with the Dwarven word Simply was found. Durn begins a to check the other books looking for possile relations to the runes on the spellbook.

[The Alcotroll]

Dron examines the locks that hold the books closed. Having no experience with such mechanisms, he concentrates instead on looking for weak spots in the structure of the locks themselves.
"Sorry Durn, but breaking and entering was never one of my strong points." He calls as he works.
He stops as a thought ocurrs.
"Maybe we could strike a deal?
You know, 'let us in and we wont burn the house down...?'"

[OOC; sorry, I've not got either the skills or the tools to break locks. Its grease monkey stuff only]

[SuperJosh]

Once the group is in one place Roth speaks up "We seem to have hit a wall, so to speak." He waits a second for the pun to set in then continues, "I think we have enough information on what happened to go back to Master Rizeth. After all we were only sent out here to find out what happened to him, not to break into his lab once we found out. And lets face it, that is most likely what is behind this door. I say we return to Rizeth and let him know that Lucas was attacked by Dragoons and then his creations were freed. If Rizeth wants us to find out more of what Lucas was up to we can negotiate again at that point, but for now I say our duty has been fulfilled."

[BigRedRod]

Durn's search through the library seems utterly futile, scanning each and every book for a single word is more than a big enough challenge for a single dwarf. Eventually the mage finds a large volume written entirely in the runic dwarvern language, it is a dwarvern scolars account of Goblins, Orcs and Goblinoids in general. It even has sections on a few species the author hazards are somehow related such as ettins.

Dron finds the lock to be very sturdy and beyond his skill to smash without damaging the book itself.

Oggri sits in the library having been moved in by the exodus to this room, and sits on the ground trying to avoid making eye-contact and looking generally unhappy

[elpresidente]

Algedar adjusts his glasses and says "I feel that there are more answers in that room, so we have two remaining options. One we leave this place and return if need be, leaving them the goblin as a sign of good will. If we do need to return we would either enter into more diplomacy in the hope that this lowers their guard, or we suprise them. The second is we storm that room now! we take what we want and leave, if you so wish it we do not have to slay the beasts but subdue them. What say the rest of you?" Algedar looks around for their responses.

[The Alcotroll]

Originally posted by SuperJosh
"I think we have enough information on what happened to go back to Master Rizeth. After all we were only sent out here to find out what happened to him, not to break into his lab once we found out. And lets face it, that is most likely what is behind this door. I say we return to Rizeth ."

"At last, a sensible opinion!" mutters Dron, casting aside the book he was examining, though he frowns as Algedar repeats the suggestion of storming the room.

He sits back on his haunches, and waits for someone to second Roth's decision

[Black Plauge]

Sighing, Durn is forced to reluctantly agree with his comrades.

"I beleive your right. We aren't getting through that door anytime soon, and likely the information we would need to get it open is within these locked spellbooks. Its too late to begin our travels tonight, however. Let us set a watch and rest here. We can begin our journey back to Rizeth's in the morning."

[SuperJosh]

"It is settled then." Roth exclaimes. "I know you spellcasting types prefer to take either first or last watch so I will take second."

[The Alcotroll]

"I'll take third then", states Dron, hardly bothering not to look disgruntled at the prospect of being roused from much needed slumber in the middle of the night.
"Wake me up when you finish, Roth."
This conceded, he heads for the door, intending to find somewhere more comfortable than the floor on which to sleep.

[Black Plauge]

"Unless, you have a burning desire to take first watch, Algedar, I'll be glad to stay up a little longer. It'll give me a chance to explore Lucas' library a bit more."

"Just be sure to tell Oggri what we plan on doing so that he doesn't think that we plan on moving in. He and the others will be alone again tommorow morning."

After Algedar answers, Durn heads back outside to settle the horses and ponies for the night.

[elpresidente]

"I like to be awake with the sun anyway." Algedar says before wandering over to Ogrri "We will rest here for the night and then leave in the morning, Then we will leave you and your kin in peace " Algedar then settles for the remainder of the night.

[BigRedRod]

The goblin regards the gnome with deep suspicion,
"I'm am free? You are not holding me any longer?"

[elpresidente]

"Yes you are free we leave in the morning. You may do as you like " Algedar says
Stupid goblins

[BigRedRod]

The goblin sighs...

The night passes without any great event, the steel door seemingly remains shut and the captive seems content enough to try and sleep surrounded by his captors. Morning light spills through the windows of the shattered household

[ooc: Gaz, capital letters are your friends]

[The Alcotroll]

As blistering sunlight lances through the windows, Dron manages a slurred curse and rolls on to his front, trying to bury his head farther into the bedding. As he does so, his cheek encounters something slimy and cold and he jerks awake with a strangled yell.
Illuminated by unforgiving sunlight, he takes in the state of the room, littered with torn pages, rotting food and even more unspeakable things; shelves awry and the once-rich tapestries now rumpled and stained. One appears to have been pulled down and used as a makeshift latrine.

Memmo to self; Never sleep in a bed previously occupied by a Goblin, he thinks to himself.

Pulling threads of something viscous and sticky from his face, Dron staggers down to the Library, still cursing under his breath.

[SuperJosh]

Roth stumbles awake a moment after Dron only to be focefully jerked awake by the cry of his friend.

Sword half drawn, legs spread shoulder width apart, Roth stands behind Cy, who's fur is standing on end and throat is emiting a low growl as he looks at Oggri.

Once Roth realises what has happened he sheaths his sword, laughs and pets Cy reassuringly. "That'll teach you, won't it Dron?" he asks.

[elpresidente]

As Algedar was on last watch he was already awake. He looks to his commrades waiting for Dron to realise it was he who placed the something slimy and cold next to him.

A crude trick, but none the less effective he thinks to himself.

He sits on floor with his book attempting to disguise his chuckle.

[The Alcotroll]

Oblivious to the Gnome's childish trick, Dron finishes wiping his face with a rag of cloth and then sits down, his back against the wall.
As he takes a swig from his waterskin, a thought seems to occurr to him.

"Algerdar, could you ask that Goblin a question?
Ask him if his 'God-orc' drank any potions regularly."

[elpresidente]

"Not such a bad idea Dron. I don't think the goblin will be as helpful now however we have told it that it is free. It may feel like we lied to it. I shall still attepmt it." He turns to the goblin.

"Oggri we have just a few more questions before we go. Did the Orc-god drink any potions?"

[BigRedRod]

Oggri just scowls and shrugs

[The Alcotroll]

Watching intently, Dron is obviously dissappointed by the Goblin's response.

"Oh well, I s'pose it had to be worth a try." he says, settling back against the wall and replacing his waterskin.

He brightens; "What are we doing about breakfast?"

[Black Plauge]

The last to awaken, Durn shifts awake to the mention of breakfast.

"Seeing as we have little more than trail rations, I'd prefer to eat in the saddle and get moving back to Rizeth's. After the breakfasts we enjoyed at his place, anything else is best eaten in haste."

Gathering up his stuff, Durn repacks his backpack and then looks up at the spellbooks still on the table.

"You know, I think we should bring Lucas' spellbooks with us and give them to Rizeth. Now that we've seperated them from the rest of Lucas' collection, I'd hate for anything to happen to them."

[SuperJosh]

"I agree." Roth says, "Both about the spellbooks, and about eating on the road. I am anxious to get back to Rizeth's."

[The Alcotroll]

Clearly impatient to return to Rizeth's villa and heartened by the prospect of proper food, Dron begins shoveling his belongings back into his pack, saying over his shoulder as he does so; "S'pose it can't do any harm to bring Rizeth the books, and he may even pay us extra...".

[Black Plauge]

"There are five books. If each of us takes one that'll distribute the weight out fairly evenly. I'll be the odd man out and carry the extra," Durn says as he passes out the books for the others to stow in their backpacks. Absently, Durn also takes the remaining scrolls off the table and places them in his scroll case.

Once his belongings are packed and the others are ready, Durn heads outside to ready his pony and get underway.

[SuperJosh]

Roth takes his prooffered books and packs them up. He then readies his horse, and sets out.

[BigRedRod]

The four set out, collecting their horses and riding away from the remains of Lucas' home. Oggri is clearly pleased his captors are leaving, but intent on making sure that it is no kind of trick. The goblin lurks in the shadows watching the preparations, and the dust settle as they leave the domes behind them heading toward Gran Arco.
The ride is fairly pleasant, with the summer's day being warm but with a gentle breeze. The sun is considering setting and leaving the blue sky with apurple tinge when it seems like an idea to stop at the next village boasting an inn. Mere moments after this agreement is reached, a roadside inn looms up. A youth, too old to be called a boy, offers to take your horses, as you slow near the establishment known as The Red Moon. The wide doors to the tavern are open to the long Summer evening and the welcome scent of ale and cooked meat drifts to the travellers. The interior is pleasant enough, looking like a typical roadside establishment built for the common traveller. In on of the darker corners a large table is surrounded by what seems to be to groups of rather dangerous looking people, they talk quietly and the few other in the Moon pay them no heed.

[Black Plauge]

Wishing to avoid any trouble, Durn takes his cue from the other patrons in the inn and avoids the groups in the corner as he goes about getting a room and dinner for the night.

[SuperJosh]

Roth gives the group a cursery scan, not a stare, just a quick sizing up, and then sets about getting a room and dinner also.

[The Alcotroll]

Once, Dron would have swaggered confidently towards such a gathering of miscreants, assured that his sharp wit and silver tongue would carry him safe through any danger. His recent experiences however seem to have knocked some of the cock-sure confidence from him; placed warily as he is with Roth between himself and any sources of trouble.
He too orders food and a room for the night, and the observant onlooker migfht be forgiven for interpreting some signs of unease in his demeanour.

[elpresidente]

Algedar also orders a room oblivious to the group in the corner. He also orders a small amount of food, feeling drained after a day of travelling has also drained his appetite.

[elpresidente]

After passing a cursory glance at the group Algedar asks the inn keeper, making sure the group cannot hear "Who is the group in the corner my good man?"

[BigRedRod]

The innkeeper continues to wipe a glass with the slops cloth and leans down to the gnome over the bar,
"The kind of men who you call Sir, and don't bother with questions"
He speaks with an unreadable voice, keeping the practised friendly smile on his face

[The Alcotroll]

Doing a creditable impression of worried criminality, Dron leans furtively towards the barman and asks;
"Not......The law?"

[OOC; for those not aware, Dron is attempting to look like a worried criminal, in the hope of extracting more information from the barman. A bluff test or somesuch may be required here, but I'm not sure.]

[BigRedRod]

The barman raises both his hands and his smile widens slightly,
"Not my business. As long as there is no trouble and everyone pays, what does it matter?"
With everything which needs to be said out of the way, the innkeeper goes over to a weary young traveller further down the bar. The man is clearly tired and working on matching this state with drunkeness

[The Alcotroll]

Hmm. Sonny boy over there is certainly putting them away. Thinks Dron, regarding the object of the barman's attentions, He's drinking like there's no tomorrow, and at this rate there may not be one!

He waits while the barkeep has finished before making his way casually to the alcoholic, a frown of brotherly concern on his face; "Hey there friend, I hope I'm not intruding, but you've the look of a man with something on his mind, In fact, I was in the same way myself not long ago. D'you want to talk about it? You'll find it helps, I promise!"

He maintains his expression of sympathy and understanding as he waits for the man to reply.

[OOC, Go Go Gadget arms:- Diplomacy check!]

[BigRedRod]

The man puts down his tankard and turns slightly, leaning heavily on the counter,
"...juss drinkshing. Long day ... up ..."
He pauses and squints for a moment
"Up, before ... dawn. Pay day!"
The young man pauses for a long moment and leans toward Dron as he continues in an attempt at a whisper,
"Gon...Gonna go down to Shinsht ... make my money big! SHOW THEM ALL!"

[The Alcotroll]

Dron frowns in puzzlement; "Show who, friend? There's no-one round here worth showing to."
He gestures to the barman for a flagon of ale, glancing interrogatively at his inebriated copmpanion; "One for you too friend? What's there to do in Sinst that'll make you so rich anyway? Nothing but fish there, or so I heard."

[elpresidente]

Algedar shakes his head at Dron's futile attempt to make any sense of a drunks ramblings and goes up to the bar. "Barman a pint of ale please."

[SuperJosh]

Roth sits down at a deserted table and orders a beer. There is room enought for his companions at teh table if they should desire to join him and the table affords him a good view of the rest of the bar, particularly his buddies at the bar and the shadowy characters in the corner. Old habits dieing hard Roth gages the fastest way out the front door, and where the entrance to the kitchen is. Underneath his chair Cy curls up and waits for any mrsel Roth might "drop".

[BigRedRod]

"All of them. Every one"
The man either winks or nods when offered another drink, it's hard to tell. After belching loudly he continues,
"...battles. Mi cuz ... ropes ... after"
The drunkard takes a deep breath,
"Shinsht Cola... Colli... Colluk ... Coliseum! Jech, he's one of the besht. Sharted in the pits, but not any more!"
With this he makes a huge sweeping arm gesture and nearly falls backward, catching the bar he pulls himself back forward and continues his story,
"Doin' reeeeeally well. Da got a ... a..."
The missing word is accompanied by several small hand movements which seem to bear no relation to anything Dron can think of
"Anywaysh, he wants a man! So he can keep expanding. I'm that man. A real man."

[The Alcotroll]

Bugger. Foiled again., thinks Dron, horribly aware of the smirks of his companions. He waits for the Barkeep to bring him the drinks.

[Black Plauge]

A small smile hides under Durn's beard as he eats his dinner, enjoying the show of Dron trying to make sense of a drunk.

Once he's finished eating, Durn makes his way up to his room for the night, where he studies the two spell books of Lucas' for a while before turning in.

[BigRedRod]

[ooc: there were five spell books]

The evening passes uneventfully, although the table of dangerous looking men remain talking until long after the heroes retire to their lodgings. The dwarvern wizards study of the spellbooks reveal that the locks are still very much real, and very much unbreakable without damaging the books themselves.

With lighter purses and feeling refreshed the group leave the tavern, taking their horses from the same youth who stabled them and riding toward Lodez and Master Rizeth's Villa beyond. After six or seven miles of riding through a gentle Summer's day the group have left Lodez behind them and arrived at the familiar site of the villa.

A guardsman you recognise as being called Armant gives you a nod as you pass through the gate,
"The Master is in his study, best be off to see him."

...

The door to Rizeth's great untidy study stands open and he notices his pet adventurers returning, his face lights up and he sets the book he was studying aside,
"So good to see you have returned without injury. How is Lucas?"
He speaks as he waves you inside

[SuperJosh]

Entering the room, Roth is silent for a momet then addresses master Rizeth.

"Sir," he says sheepishly, "I regret to tell you that we found no trace of Lucas, and his abode looked as if it had been attacked."

Roth is then silent, letting Rizeth collect his thoughts and preparing to answer an questions his employer might have.

[Black Plauge]

"We're sorry sir," Durn continues, "We searched the place, but there was no sign of where Lucas might have fled to. There was one room whose door was locked that we couldn't get past, but we did recover Lucas' spellbooks. They're locked, but we figured you'd at least want to hold on to them until Lucas resurfaces. It wouldn't feel right leaving them where any one could just walk in and take them."

[BigRedRod]

Rizeth is silent for a long moment, when he does speak it's slow and packed with emotion
"No sign at all? What about the attackers?"

[Black Plauge]

"We found the foot prints of three, maybe, four dragoons. None of us are very good with tracks so we can't tell much else. There were signs of structural damage to some of the buildings, and many of the rooms appeared to have been searched."

"However, the two are not necessarily related," Durn continues, "We found creatures which Lucas had apparently been holding captive living in the house. I think they are the ones who had searched the building looking for food. Unfortunately they weren't very cooperative. Most had barricaded themselves in one room. That was the one we didn't search."

[BigRedRod]

"Leave me, I need time for this... Close the door behind you"
The old man's face is expressionless, from his voice you could hardly tell it was the energetic kindly old wizard who had been your patron since the burning of Naies. As he waits for you to leave he keeps the same facial expression and gazes out of the window, his eyes far away from the study and the villa.

[Black Plauge]

Taking the spellbooks from his backpack, Durn silently puts them down on the table and indicates for his companions to do the same. He then leaves the study and waits on the other side of the door for the others.

Quietly closing the door after they come out into the hall, Durn speaks in a low voice, not meant to carry through the closed door, "I'm wishing now that we had more information to give him. Rizeth seems to be taking this rather hard and the lack of information about what happened to his friend seems to hurt more than anything else."

[The Alcotroll]

Dron scowls.
"After what we saw in Lucas' house, it's hard to think of them as friends!" He murmurs, "In fact, I reckoned them for rivals, and that Rizeth's errand was nothing more than an excuse to check up on him. I even wondered if Rizeth had sent those Dragoons himself!"

He sighs. "I've not been doing too well these past few days. Must be something I ate..."

[Black Plauge]

The odd possibility that Dron raises brings a look of suprise to Durn's face who reflexively moves to the defence of their employer, "Surely you can't still think so after witnessing Rizeth's emotional state upon hearing the news we gave him? He is genuinly upset and probably worried sick over the possibilities of what happened at Lucas'."

[The Alcotroll]

Dron grunts. "Not any more I don't, you're right."
He is silent for a moment, "Even so, Lucas was a brutal, sadistic monster. It's hard to see what Rizeth could see in him to befriend."

[Black Plauge]

Quickly scanning down the corridor for signs of servant who might have over heard Dron's last comment, Durn replies, "That is an opinion that is probably best kept among us for the moment."

[SuperJosh]

Roth nods Sagely at Durns last comment. "I agree, there will be time for questions later. But for now let us leave Master Rizeth in peice."

Roth walks down the path a ways then turns to his friends. "I am hungery. I say we finish this conversation over lunch" Roth then turns and makes his way to the kitchen.

[Black Plauge]

"That is probably the best suggestion I've heard in quite a while," Durn exclaims as his stomach growls. "Lead the way Roth."

[The Alcotroll]

"Perhaps we could take our food out into the gardens," suggests Dron, "It's a nice day, and more importantly, we can talk without giving offense to anyone who hears us. I think we need to discuss how we're going to occupy ourselves if Rizeth remains... indisposed."

[Black Plauge]

Agreeing with Dron, Durn manages to finagle some bread and a plate of cold meat out of the kitchen staff to take outside.

In the garden, Durn finds a seat at the table they had used in the past for two very hearty breakfasts and begins munching.

[SuperJosh]

As the group sits in the garden and eats Roth strikes up the conversation. "So, now that we have a bit of gold in out pockets, what do you think we should do?"

[The Alcotroll]

Dron sets down his platter, piled high with bread, cheese and meat. After a furtive glance around the garden, he produces an earthenware jug of ale from under his coat and takes a swig.
"Well," he begins, pausing for another glug, "I've always thought that the only thing better than a pocket full of gold is a sackful of gold. Why don't we take this opportunity to look around the village for something to occupy our time in a constructive, lucrative fashion."

He proffers the jug. "Of course, there is also the matter of our payment..."
Sanctamoniously, and before any of the others can protest, he adds; "I hate to be so callous, but we must look after our own interests. In any case, it's possible that master Rizeth may have need of our services again."

[SuperJosh]

"I agree, we do need to look out for our own intrests, but I think we can give Master Rizeth a day or two to grieve." Roth pauses as he takes a bite of ham, savoring the flavor, and dropping a decent sized chunk to Cy. "Especially is he is feeding us. As far as setting up shop in town. Well I would prefer to keep working for Master Rizeth. I do not really feel ready to settle down yet... I still have some things I need to do before that happens."

[Black Plauge]

"I concur Roth," Durn chimes in, "Master Rizeth was concerned enough about his friend to send us on what he thought would be a simple delivery errand. I think it likely that he'll ask some one to look into the matter of his friends disappearence. By staying here, we make it likely that we will be those some ones."

"Besides, I'd love to get back into Rizeth's library if he'll let me. There are several more spells that I would like to add to my spellbook."

[The Alcotroll]

Dron nodds but doesn't speak, busy as he is with the difficult task of masticating a hunk of bread the size of his fist. He swallows hastily and gulps more ale to wash down the crumbs.

"I'll look round the village then; make tacit enquiries in the local watering holes, that sort of thing. Who knows, I may even learn something useful..." He pauses, looks down at the rapier sheathed at his hip in a thoughtful manner, "I may even find someone who can teach me how to use this oversized knitting needle, Puck knows i'm going to need it."

[SuperJosh]

"Sounds good." Roth says, "Most of us will stay here and enjoy Rizeths hospitality, while Dron goes to the village to see what he can find." he recaps.
"Would you like some company on your journey, Dron?"

[The Alcotroll]

"I never say no to a drinking partner," grins Dron, "Let's see if you drink as well as you fight! Besides, a bit of back-up wouldn't go amiss if any of the locals happen to take a disagreement to my questions, not that I won't be discrete..."

[Black Plauge]

"You might want to save any plans to head into town for tommorow," Durn interjects as he continues to eat. "The day is already more than half-spent, and Master Rizeth may call us back to answer more questions at any time."

"Then again," Durn continues after pausing for a moment, "If Master Rizeth holds true to form, it will be at tommorow's breakfast that we find out if he wants us to look into Lucas' disappearence."

[The Alcotroll]

"Late evening is the best time to peruse the taverns," interjects Dron, "But If you think it better to wait then I'll give it a miss tonight. To tell the truth, I could probably do with the sleep."
He pauses, frowns, "And no-one even think about putting anything in my bed, or I'll not be impressed..."

[SuperJosh]

Laughing at Drons jest, Roth agrees with Durn, "I think we should wait out the night in Master Rizeth's villa. Not only will we get a good nights sleep, but if our employer DOES have another task for us we will be here to accept or decline it and plan accordingly." Roth pauses to take a bite of ham and eat a handful of grapes. "As for me I think I will spend the remander of the day practicing with my sword. I have let it slide too long and need to get back in the habit if we are going to continue clearing out goblin holes."

[The Alcotroll]

Dron says nothing, merely setting his now empty platter down by his side and secreting the flask once more in his coat. Then he leans back, stretches out his legs, folds his hands over his stomach and closes his eyes.

[BigRedRod]

[ooc : I could let this continue, but it seems a happy point to stop and for me to take the reigns again. If anyone has a productive use for the rest of the day, feel free to mention it in the next chapter or the ooc]

EXPERIENCE

Roth [SuperJosh] 1171

Aldergar [Elpresidente] 979

Dron [Alcotroll] 1175

Durn [Black Plague] 1012