1 - 002 - A Raid Too Far

[Wicksy]

Please forgive the old "Adventure starts in a tavern" Hook. Its seemed the most likely place to start you considering you have no permanent base
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Coppertop, you go to the girl. It is clear to your eyes that she has been severely abused. Quite literally beaten to within an inch of her life. Your magic heals the physical wounds. The cuts and bruises rapidly vanish to leave cold, damp skin. You know though that the worst injuries that she bares are beyond your skill. Her emotional scars will take years to heal. However, the human spirit is strong, and you believe with help she will yet endure.

With a little prompting from the men who look after her, she manages a lttle more information. "There..there were three of them. Two men and a woman. Cold as the night. The one who did this to me...he killed papa" She wails uncontrolably for several minutes before managing "They killed everybody but left me. Why? They should of finished me and be done with it..." With this, she returns to sobbing. You doubt she will provide anymore information this night.

As she is lead away to the storeroom, the first man who spoke up, Geraint lowers his weapon. "This is different. Only three? Last time many came. They killed our livestock and burned our homes. They didnt sneak up in the night to take us?" There is much muttering and disscussion. Clearly this latest attack marks a change in Drow tactics.

Again Geraint speaks. "We'll track these bastards down. If theres only three, we'll take them easily!" He turns to another "Get old Brytack. He should be able to track them. They say he could track hawk at night" With that, the younger man vanishes into the night. Geraint turns to you "So, will you aid us in our hunt? I'm sure Lord Randal Morn will reward you"

[Fangor the Fierce]

Mal sees the decisions in their eyes. He was sure that the mention of reward would draw the theif's attention, as it usually does. Besides, this change in tactics warrants an investigation. Was it a warning, or a trap to lure the townsfolk towards the waiting drow? Like a single strike, luring the target towards an ambush. Needless to say, there was work to be done. His thoughts are broken by the ever curious woman. Her demeaner always intruiged him, as her appearance did not fit the playful nature of her. Even Slythre had much to say about her, when Mal would speak to him about the constant joke of hers. This time though, Slythre speaks up, as Mal grins. Whispering to the woman, Mal says, "Slythre says to watch yourself, as he would not take lightly to being taken from me. Besides, he says he left you a little surprise in your pack..."

Before she can reply, Mal stands walking calmly towards the crowd, to be seen by all. "If there were only three, then there is something wrong, something that does not feel right. Drow are cruel creatures, yet this is something different. Perhaps an act to show that the town should leave or die. Nonetheless, there is work to be done. As for aid, I am sure we could hunt them down easier without a mob of townsfolk alerting them to our presence. Besides who will stay and defend the town, should they want you all to run off to them, leaving the town unguarded? I say you all stay and be on alert. We will see what this attack means and deal with it swiftly."

If Diplomacy Check is needed, then at +8

[Althael]

Akatas nods at Ewan. His thoughts are wise, as always.
She know drows, the blood will stain snow indeed. Most evil are too proud to go back, they'll fight to death.. which isn't a bad thing.

Upon hearing Tender, she answer him, without looking at him, with a cold voice.



''Then, we can sit there and wait for them to come. No?'' Since there is no rush.''

She move near the little man, move down on one knee and whisper.

''Or stand there, waiting for your mortal life to end. We are in no way less important than them. The fact that we can do something make us better than them.''

She get up, moving slowly.

''Though, coming is not an obligation, as you surely know.''

With a loud step, she move at the stairs and say loudly while moving up.



''I'm going there tomorrow at the first hour. Whoever want to follow is welcome''

She look at Lusione, who nod back instantly before disapearing in the darkness of the second floor.

[Althael]

Lusione smile again, with a light laugh from what Mal just said. She got used to always be 'rejected' that way and learned to enjoy it, making some fun out of it.


''Bad mouse!''


She listen to what Akatas say, and nod. She now know she have to get as much information as she can from these peoples.
She start talking to Geraint.

''Do you know where they come from? There must be some sort of cave near, allowing them to come here. We cannot hunt something without knowing where it hide.''

She follow Mal's jugement.

''The best thing for you would be to stay and protect the town. If others come, it might not be wise to leave the place empty. What else can you tell us about these fouls dark skinned elves?''

[spiral]

Tender looks at the rest of the party with a bemused look on his face.

"Come on!? Somebody! We're not going are we!?"

No answer comes, the party look back at him, the locals look at him scornfully.

"What's the point of going to this farm, tomorrow morning?"

Tender pauses.

"Come to think of it," he stands up and looks around, "did this happen in the day time?"

He waits for an answer.

"It's unusual, if not unheard of, for Drow to raid in day time. Was it day time?"

He paces a little more, and drinks some more before going on. "Maybe this family were poking around. It sounds like a revenge killing to me. It wasn't a real raiding party, it was isolated, maybe just some passing Drow thought of having some sport. We don't go kill wolves everytime they take a sheep do we? Why go after Drow and stir things up because of one isolated event?"

"I tell you...we should leave it...for now...but if you want to go up there tomorrow, I'll come with you."

The change in tune was a sudden one, but it didn't surprise Tender. That house was full of the family's belongings.

"Actaully, we should go there tonight," he says, "there might not be anything left of the family possessions if we wait until the morning."

"And the Drow might come back tonight..we can be waiting for them.." he persuades.. a tinkle in his eyes.

[Japic]

At Tender's uncaring attitide Coppertop about throws a fit. For the sake of good you went and hunted down the murders of women and children. For the sake of good you kill a rogue wolf lest it continue to kill. For the sake of good you give your life to save an innocent. Some days it didnt' seem like Tender remembered these things, even though they'd stood shoulder to shoulder often enough to fight for those very ideals. Just before Coppertop loses his cool Tender's attitude changes and he claims to be interested in the hunt afterall. While Coppertop isn't sure of the wisdom of hunting creatures of darkness in the night; he feels that the best chance to find them is while the trail is fresh.

He addresses Ewan first. "What say you friend; can you track them tonight, or should we wait for the morrow?"

If he's up for it then Coppertop calls to Akatas and her trusted student. "Pack your bags ladies, we've got some Drow to find!"

[Fangor the Fierce]

"SQUEEK", comes a twichty little sound, often heard when the bard spoke to the mouse. Mal turns his attention to the mouse, as if listening to another human. He nods, almost invisibly, then turns to the group as the monk takes her leave. The healer had the right idea, as well as the ever-uncertain rogue.

"They are right. We should start now, at the house, and gather what information we can. Besides, we can stay there tonight, should we not prove to find anything of use to tracking them. The bodies would need burying and prayer as well, while we search for clues."

He kneels low, towards the strucken girl, resting a calm hand on her shoulder, asking the obvious questions that Slythre had mentioned. "We will aid in what way we can, but we would need some help from you. The three that did this, did you see which way they came from and which way they left? And did they speak of any names that you may have heard? I know it is hard to lose such an important part of your life, yet you must be strong. Come girl, tell us if you know anything. If not, then we will be on our way."

Mal waits for the answer, then deciding that it would be best to start tonight, as the farm where the incident took place can be used to stay at, should they decide to then...

[Lin]

Ewan lowers his voice some, attempting to keep his words between the members of his party as best as possible. "I can follow the secent of evil from here to the center of the Stygian Glacier," Ewan admits. "I know little of the burrowing elves except for their cruelty. If you are suspicious as to the nature of this offense, then make them known and clear. It is deadly to travel nose first in the dark."

Casing the crowd, their anger is apparent. However, if seems that their is an ignornant fervor as well. They know nothing about this attack, not the reason or the fallout yet to come. Even if it were only three, they might be powerful warriors or magicians. Numbers were always deceptive. Should there be just one dragon, the tune being song would be one of defeat. Letting this rest was a grave mistake in the making.

"I will follow at first light," he proclaims, avoiding eye contact with the people of the tavern. "If evil is everywhere, then good must never hibernate."

[Wicksy]

OK, so it seems that Ewan and Akatas will trail them at first light while the rest would go out imediately? Let me know who is going and who is not or if the party will wait until tomorrow.

[spiral]

Tender's going now.