Season 1 - Episode 7: Homeward Bound

[JoeCarr28]

With the sun rising above the forest on a cool, but bright, autumn morning, the party ambles off back west towards the old man's cave. As always, Barnaby leads the way, followed by the party and the horses.

Under Barnaby's stewardship, the hike is uneventful. After just under two hours of easy-paced walking, the smell of wood-smoke from the old man's fire enters your nostrils and you emerge from the trees into the glade in front of his cave. Jumbles looks up briefly, before returning to his grazing. The hermit is standing in his cave entrance looking directly at you, as if he was expecting your arrival.

"I see you found the girl then," he states matter-of-factly, "I hope that means you killed the rest of those filthy goblins."


Doughbert: HP 1/5. No '0' level spells remaining today.
Hiker: HP 16/16.
Karl: HP 1/8.
Mandross: HP 5/5. 2 '0' level and no 1st level spells remaining today.
Nivek: HP 11/11. No '0' level spells remaining today.
Paladin: HP 8/8.
Tannen: HP 9/11.
~8 am, 29th day of Harvestide.

[Iain_IF]

Well, there's a bit of a story there, says Paladin sleepily. The bandit leader was, well, intransigent. His men were almost equally so. Oddly enough, the bandits were more interested in fighting us than in acquiring the ransom, I mean reward, for Alma's return. It didn't go well for them, or Karl, but in the end, might, I mean right, prevailed. Paladin yawns mightily. I am certain that Alma can tell you of the depredations she faced, but she's been mighty quiet since she and the farmhand were reunited. In any case, we freed both her hands and didn't slaughter some very reasonable folk out of hand. Plus we brought you rope!

Paladin looks about a bit in confusion. We also have some spare clothes if you are getting married, but probably not? he asks. Once we settle up accounts with you and with Bertie, I'd be happy to come on back with a half-dozen hired hands to deal with the goblin issue for you. Right now though, I'm about to fall over.

Paladin smiles at Barnaby. Plus, I owe Barnie some honey!

[Joe the Rat]

"Goblins, you say? Ah, that must be who those bandits were referring to. Nasty fellows, from what I've heard. But I believe we need to return our dear Miss Alma before addressing the Goblin menace. Ah, where are my manners." Mandross steps out and removes his hat, with a practical flourish. "Greetings, I am Mandross Sedge. Er... I'm new." He waits for a bit for the old man to make any sort of introduction.

A log on the fire crackles. Barnaby grunts.

Awkward.

[JoeCarr28]

Mandross steps out and removes his hat, with a practical flourish. "Greetings, I am Mandross Sedge. Er... I'm new." He waits for a bit for the old man to make any sort of introduction

The old man looks Mandross up-and-down for a couple of seconds. "Right ..., " he drawls slowly before turning to talk to Paladin. "Sounds like a job half-done to me. You best get the lady back to wherever she came from, and then return to fulfil your side of the bargain. I can't have goblins running around my forest."

He starts to turn back towards his cave, but as he does so he catches sight of the wounded party members. "Ah ... yes ... I forgot that you never visit me unless at least one of you is near-death. I do wish you'd be a bit more careful. It's a terrible waste of my talents." And without a further word he inspects and heals Doughbert, Karl and Tannen (back to full hit points).


Doughbert: HP 5/5. No '0' level spells remaining today.
Hiker: HP 16/16.
Karl: HP 8/8.
Mandross: HP 5/5. 2 '0' level and no 1st level spells remaining today.
Nivek: HP 11/11. No '0' level spells remaining today.
Paladin: HP 8/8.
Tannen: HP 11/11.
~8 am, 29th day of Harvestide.

[Iain_IF]

Alrighty then. Anything you want from town then? asks Paladin politely. If you could point the way back to town, we'll be off. The sooner we return Alma, the sooner we get back to deal with your goblins.

Paladin is ready to go, shopping list of the Old Man in hand. Tearfully, he waves goodbye to his best and only bear friend.

[Hywaywolf]

"Thank you, sir. You have truly been a blessing to our enterprise. Master Loche himself could not have asked more of you."

With that, Doughbert is also ready to return to town.

[Joe the Rat]

Mandross is slightly taken aback, but he's grown to expect this sort of response from country folk. And elves. Well, just the one group, really.

"Ah... well. Two missions at once? My, this group is an ambitious one." Speaking to mostly to Tannen, but also to the group in general, "Would you mind if I stayed on for the goblin hunt? I've not been on one, but my talents may be of use. And I would hate to leave the farmers, and their wives (and daughters) vulnerable to further goblin predation."

[Hywaywolf]

"it would be a pleasure to be accompanied by one that can sing such a sweet lullaby as you. Come, be one of our merry band."

[JoeCarr28]

Alrighty then. Anything you want from town then? asks Paladin politely. If you could point the way back to town, we'll be off. The sooner we return Alma, the sooner we get back to deal with your goblins.

"Hmmm ... anything from town?". The old man strokes his beard, pondering. "Just a band of willing and capable goblin slayers. Do let me know if you find one. Oh, and don't think I'm going to let you wander through my forest on your own after the unfortunate incident with the wolves. Barnaby will escort you to the edge of the trees."

(Are the other party members - Tannen, Nivek, Mandross & Hiker - also ready to return to Northridge/Marketstone, or does anyone have any unfinished business in the forest that they would like to conclude before you depart?)


Doughbert: HP 5/5. No '0' level spells remaining today.
Hiker: HP 16/16.
Karl: HP 8/8.
Mandross: HP 5/5. 2 '0' level and no 1st level spells remaining today.
Nivek: HP 11/11. No '0' level spells remaining today.
Paladin: HP 8/8.
Tannen: HP 11/11.
~8 am, 29th day of Harvestide.

[Birthright]

Tannen is ready to go!