Act 2 - Crown of the Kobold King

[Trogdor]

Celevan understands the smallest part of the childrens' loss. He feels it every time Suletor is banished - particularly because of injuries. It hadn't happened much, thankfully. But each time it pained him. And this was with the knowledge that Suletor would be healed and return to him. How much worse for them to lose their friend and protector for good.

"We'll have a small service in a short while," he tells the children. Then he grabs his shovel and begins working on digging Elsbeth a grave.

[Muskrat]

Given her own past, Dreams knows what the children feel all too well. And it must be even worse for them, being so young and having lost the one adult they knew well in their life. She holds Nessa rocking her gently, and takes any of the other children under her arms that she can. Even as she lets the children weep on her, murmuring comforting sounds to them in Elohim, another part of her sorts through her memory. There's no telling if the kobolds will desecrate Vren or Ellsbeth's graves if they get the chance and she tries to remember if there's anything they can do that might stop them.

Display

Knowledge--Religion and --History checks to see if there's any symbolism or something that would make the kobolds leave the graves alone.

[Vardaen]

Dreams holds Nessa close as the young girl is trying to hold back her emotions. Then the wind starts and Edgrin tosses a stick on the small fire he has built. You realized now that the rush of battle is over, and that the news of Vren and Ellsbeth has been spoken that you are outside in the freezing cold of the early winter.

The ground is covered in snow, it must have dumped a storm's worth on Darkmoon Vale while you were inside the tunnels below. The wind kicks up and blows snow around in swirling tornadoes around the courtyard. The little man has a fire going where the kids are, "They refused to stay inside." He comments if asked while they children are out in the snow and not inside the monastery.

Celevan produces a shovel from his pack, and Torias begins to make his rounds among the children. The dwarven cleric blesses each one, hoping the simple prayer will guard them against their pain and the cold. Dreams sits with Nessa and the kids to help them cope, her presense is a comfort, perhaps simply because she is a woman, and Vren and Ellsbeth were as well, perhaps it is her paladin training, or her Elohim aura, whatever the case she joins the kids around the fire and warms their spirits as Edgrim keeps the fire going to warm their bodies.

Torrak silently joins Celevan and Syrronas, the three march off to the cemetery to dig the grave. The ground is hard, frozen already on the top layer. The Sorcerer uses his acid spell to burn free rocks and stones, as the dwarf and summoner take turns in digging and digging, and collecting stones for the top of the cairn. It takes the trio over an hour to get a suitable hole ready, and even then you'll have to cover her with stones. The body is moved, and laid to rest along side Vren. Once she's buried, and covered in stones, Dreams and Torias bring the kids to the plot. The Paladin has been working on carving a small holy symbol to place on the burial mound, a symbol she hopes the kobolds will respect and so leave the body alone out of fear and honor (she hopes).

With the sun how hanging low in the sky, and the clouds overhead starting to dump snow on the mountain north of you, and soon you, you hold your funeral services for Ellsbeth, a woman you hardly knew, but one you hold great respect and reverence for. With the kids shivering, out of cold, and sadness you must decide your next course of action.

OOC

The funeral is over, Dream's symbols should help keep kobold looters at bay.

It is about 7pm now, and its starting to snow. Remember its winter out (I forgot before).

What next, what's the plan.

[Trogdor]

"It's a long trip through the Vale," Celevan offers. "Best we wait until morning to start out. That way we'll have Suli back with us." He looks out at the cold. It also might be a good idea for those that can to pray for protection from the cold for the children. They've been through a lot; they may not have the reserves to deal with the cold for a long journey."

OOC

I suggest we camp until morning, memorize as many Endure Elements spells as we can for the kids, and head out at first light.

[Wayloss]

Syrronas quickly agrees with Celevan "We have been through much today both the children and ourselves. Let us find shelter and build a fire to keep the chill a few inches away at least."

[Muskrat]

As they lay Ellsbeth to rest alongside Vren, she prays to Junil and Lugus to keep watch over the souls of these two blessed warriors. And she prays for them to look after all the kobold souls that have fallen today, to guide them away from the darkness and into the light.

Dreams only nods her agreement to the discussion of camping, looking up at the moon to gauge how long they have until Celevan's possible lycanthropy kicks in.

[Vardaen]

The group remembers a small bedroom chamber inside the Crucible, and you manage to bring the kids back inside, despite their desire to not go in there ever again. Heading inside you transport some burning logs from the outside fire and soon have the place warmed up. It is cramped but it will work, a place for the kids you can easily guard, and you are out of the wind and blowing snow.

You have something to eat and are able to talk to Edgrin in a bit more detail during the dinner time hours.

Recap

Edgrin Galesong, a chubby bard extraordinaire, is a member of the Gray Eagles, an adventuring troupe based in Falcon's Hollow who ventured into the vale a week ago seeking treasure. The Gray Eagles were swarmed by a large hunting party of kobolds. Most of Edgrin's companions were killed, but he was captured alive and dragged back as captives destined either for eating or sacrifice. Originally dejected by the death of his friends, Edgrin consigned himself to his fate, but when the children were hurled into the holding pen with him Edgrin grew determined to help them escape. The bard and Ellsbeth overwhelmed their guards with more than a little help from the courageous Nessa. As they sprinted for freedom, Gunner and Elsbeth were felled by paralytic-poison-coated spears, but the other children and Edgrin made it to level 1. They took a wrong turn, where Edgrin watched helplessly as the forge spurned there dragged little Jurin Kreed into the darkness. The escapees reversed direction but the kobolds, fast on their heels, caught up to them here in the Mess Hall. Edgrin and Nessa decided to make a stand and buy Jak and Greit time to escape. Now the overweight and short man and brave little girl fight for their lives against a band of evil kobolds in a pitched battle. Edgrin is a sweaty, moon-faced little man whose heart is as big as his stomach. His once debonair, brocaded, green-velvet doublet and silk leggings are torn and covered in grime, and his lute still hangs on a strap at his side although he splintered it on a kobold's skull in defense of the kids. Edgrin is all courage and spitfire, willing to die to save any of the children.

After the meal is finished you tuck the kids into the old bed, they don't seem to mind the smell too much (they are from the ruins around The Pit after all). You post guards and keep watch. At some point in the middle of the night Jak wakes up and Torias, who is on guard, takes the young child to see the graves as he requests. The dwarf stands silent as Jak weeps over the graves before falling asleep on them in the snow. Torias lifts the small boy back up and returns him to the bed and tucks him in.

Morning will eventually arrive and after a good rest you are ready to set out.

September 15th, two days before the next full moon.

[Muskrat]

Dreams listens to Edgrin's tale sympathetically. "You are a brave soul," she says to him. "It is difficult to lose the companions one loves and to keep going in the face of adversity"--Edgrin can probably tell from her tone than Dreams speaks from experience--"but the benevolent gods look favorably on those who do. And hopefully Jurin Kreed's father will look kindly on you." Her voice sounds more skeptical as she speaks the last sentence, but she says nothing out loud, not wanting to shame Jurin by unkind, if all too true, statements about his father.

The kids may sleep comfortably in the room they have found, but Dreams finds herself looking forward to a good bath when they return to Falcon's Hollow. What with the squashed spiders, soot, and blood from battle, she is filthy.

[Trogdor]

"You're a good man, Edgrin," Celevan says when the bard finishes his story. "I'm glad the kids had you for their protector down there. They couldn't have asked for a more stalwart defender." He pats the man on the shoulder. "We owe you a lot. If there's anything you need to get yourself back on your feet when we get back to Falcon's Hollow, you just have to ask."

[Vardaen]

Edgrin blushes at all the attention, "No I'm not, but thank you for your kind words. I didn't do anything a decent person would have." He hangs his head, "I only wish the bodies of my companions had made it out. They deserve a good burial as well, not to be stuck down in there with the gods know what." He sighs and holds back his emotions.