Aided by Ermangard the wounded Fiene returned toward the entry stairs. In the passage between the two ogre's mouths were trails of blood that led northward.

OOC Day: 6. Time: 10:30am. Turn: 9. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Fiene 6 Turns - lit

Fiene stops and listens for pursuers. The trail of blood reminded him to look and see if he was leaving a trail that could be followed as well.

"Ermangard, this wound may yet be fatal.". He says, waving off her objections. "Ben has a potion with him that will cure wounds. At least I pray he still has it, it was among the things we found in the study in the gatehouse.". He reminds her. "I was hoping we would meet him in his way to us after showing the dwarf the stairs.  If we find him we may yet be able to help the others if they yet survive.". Though he personally doubts after seeing Teodore and Arietta fall, and the dwarf crying for aid, he tries not to let on.

"I would like to think Ben would willingly part with the potion, though he may not. If not, I have a spell to make him a friend, as I did with the orcs.  I fear though that the effort of the spell may take more out of me than I can give and I would trust you to see to the potion and my safety."

"Let's follow the blood for a bit, but I don't want to get to far from the stairs."

The blood trail led Fiene north passed the crossroads ended at the eastern door in the passageway.

Ooc: Is this the door with the rats and cadavers?

"This does not bode well for Ben" Fiene days pressing his ear to the door.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:00, Thu 22 July 2021.

The door Fiene recognised as the room for cadaver storage. A moment of listening and he heard the chittering of rodents on the other side.

OOC Day: 6. Time: 10:40am. Turn: 10. Weather: Sunny, stormy, high winds. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Fiene 7 Turns - lit

"Rats." Fiene says, a bit surprised.  "I would have thought the kobolds, or whomever is cleaning up the bodies might still be in their and could be bargained with."

"Ermengard, light a torch." he says, setting his lantern on the floor. "I'm going to pour oil under and around the door.  If the rats run out again, this should take care of them.  I'm in no shape to fight, so its going to rest on you."

He pours two flasks of oil onto the floor in the doorway, letting the pool spread."If you don't see Ben's body, or the rats are too much, just yell, and I'll push the door closed." he says "When you are ready."   He stands behind the door, so that when he opens it, he is hidden behind it, hoping that keeps him safe enough, with Ermengard on the other side.  "If there are kolold's and we can parley, say so. I have coin and brandy to bargin with."

Fiene with his last flask of oil in one hand.
Ermengard, with lit torch and sword.

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  F/    E
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Prepared Ermangard set to follow Fiene's orders. The warrior opened the door looked inside then yelled for Fiene to close the door "rats!" she screamed. Ready Fiene was able to slam the door shut.

Frenzied chittering and squeaks were heard behind the door. Ermangard confirmed that the room was still occupied by half a dozen giant rats and cadavers hanging from hooks including the wizard Barnabas.

"Could you tell? Was his pack there?" Fiene asked.  "The oil is pooled at the door. We can open it just a crack and when they try to come, light it ablaze.  Your sword can kill the rest."

"The body was fresher than the others" Ermangard explained how she identified it as Ben's "his pack wasn't in there" she shook her head.

"Then there is naught else to do but return to four towers." he says collecting his thoughts and his things. "At least we may arrive alive."

As they start south, he glances at the pool of oil and her torch."Let it burn?"

The burning oil behind them Fiene and Ermangard made it safely to the stairs and ascended up into the canyon. The storms and high winds of her early travel had disappeared to be replaced by sunshine.

OOC Day: 6. Time: 10:50am. Turn: 11. Weather: Sunny. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used
Fiene 8 Turns - lit

If Fiene has the stamina, he will continue to Four towers, if not he will ask to intrude on Eloise's hospitality again.

The walk to Fourtower Bridge took the rest of the afternoon and on the journey Fiene and Ermangard met no danger.

The feast of sausage and cider continued at the Moorland Magpie Inn, Lorna charging four silver pennies for the meal.

XP 0

Afternoon of Day 6.

Fiene will heal 1d3 hit points per full day of rest.

Fiene rests and recovers for four days.


08:16, Today: Fiene rolled 1 using 1d3.  night 4.
08:16, Today: Fiene rolled 1 using 1d3.  night 3.
08:16, Today: Fiene rolled 1 using 1d3.  night 2.
08:16, Today: Fiene rolled 2 using 1d3.  night 1.

While he recovers, he gives Ermengard another 25GP to look for retainers.  In addition, he gives her 32GP for herself for the days he is resting.

After four days and nights of bedrest Fiene recovered from the grievous wound he had received from the Stonehell berserker. Ermangard paid well remained attentive and at the mage's side.

When Fiene was feeling ready for activity Ermangard had been busy spreading the word of further recruitment. She did well in finding three applicants. The youngest Eadburgh du Perche was well passed her prime and of equal age to the venerable fishman Hopkins. Despite her age she was a merry woman perhaps a little mischievous in her mirth. She brought with her a dagger and sling, her hiring fee nineteen silver a day for as a porter and servant. The other two applicants were older than her and probably best described as decrepit. Holden d'Aumale was dressed as a hunter in leather with longbow and dagger. In his enthusiasm he asked for twenty nine silver per day for the same service as Eadburgh. The last of the three was Gullveig Torteval a cleric of Yg, suiting her goddess Gullveig was as snappy and quick tempered as a viper. She demanded a half share. She wore leather armour and a shield, her weapons were a club and sling.

OOC Day 10