Skrack & Stadard

We regrouped back at the tavern, Takon's Tiefling friend seemed to be well rested since the night before at the graveyard. Hellah however, was nowhere to be found... After some food and drink it was decided that we would venture back to the cave vs. following what's left of the cart tracks. Night came and went and we headed out at first light after breakfast. In his excitement, Tycone, upon entering the cave set off a trap that almost caused a complete cave in as rocks came down on him. Fortunately he was able to move enough of the rocks around and squeeze through. We slowly moved past the rubble as we came to the first small room and were greeted by arrows. Skaven! Rats!
 
We dispatched our foes after a short skirmish. They had taken cover behind a few barrels of snow, one barrel which they dumped at us contained even more rats. The barrels were dragged from deeper inside of cave however, so we pressed on. I prayed to Morr to guide their souls to his domain and we did find some loose change among them as well. 14 Brass, 17 Tin We also found a room where they slept, another where they cooked, which was ventilated to the surface, a storeroom, and of course another shit hole. I did find another trap, however that didn't stop Carilius from getting his tail caught on fire from it. Turns out an entire hallway was rigged with several magical runes (4), which were fire traps so we had to stay low, crawling through the tunnel as to not set anymore off.
 
As I came out of the tunnel a couple arrows whizzed by my head. This was a significantly larger room. There were women (3), children (6), and towards the back of the room a couple guards and a much larger, older Skaven sitting in between them. I stepped aside, grabbed my shield and buffed myself while waiting for my companions to step through. Fortunately, Carilius was behind me and when he came out started speaking to the Skaven. The initial conversation seemed to be enough to hold off further confrontation at the moment, so I grabbed my dagger and cast Comprehend Languages so that I could join in the conversation. One of the Skaven guards almost let loose another arrow at me, however their leader noticed what I was doing and told him to stand down for the moment.
 
Their leader was named Skrack. He told us that his kin was selling dead bodies to a person named Trandarc for supplies for their nest. He said he meets him on the 5th day of the week for a drop off south of Deep Bank. After further conversation to avoid any additional confrontation, we gave Skrack back the money and gem we found off their cart for their supplies in exchange for them leaving after winter passes. I also asked him in good faith to disarm his traps so that we may leave their home in peace. Much to Malor's disagreement in not dispatching the Skaven, an accord was reached and we left peacefully.
 
It was still early when we got back to Pine Grove. The party went to receive healing and talk to the priest Baxter, I went to see if I could arrange a meeting with Samuel. I cast Comprehend Languages again as I don't speak the common tongue here in Pine Grove. I spoke with Reece outside of the estate about local issues within the valley of Pine Grove. After some small talk, he agrees to relay my message to Samuel and for us to come back an hour before noon tomorrow. I met up with the rest of the party on the way back to the Dead Raven. They said Baxter wanted everyone to leave Deep Bank as he feared for their lives from impending goblin raids.
 
Back at the tavern inn, Tycone and Carilius took notice of the traveling noble woman sitting alone by the fire and decided to chat her up. I thought, this will be interesting... Clearly she wasn't having any of it, she apparently isn't fond of Tieflings, and by not fond of, I mean it looked as if it took some restraint to not end his life. I did step in for a moment and asked her if she wanted a drink, but she wasn't one for furthering the conversation and ask me “Why does a follower of Morr, travel with an imp that worships Samara?” and soon left with her servant Bassu. Not having much else to do, we ate and drank our fill and headed off to bed waiting to hopefully gain an audience with Samuel in the morning.
 
The following day came and we headed up to Samuel Stadard's estate at the pointed hour. We met with Reece who escorted us through the grounds and into the manor house. The estate was a bit worn down as if it hadn't been being properly attended for some time. We waited an hour or so past the scheduled time and Samuel finally appeared. Again, casting Comprehend Languages so that I may join in the conversation. I really need to learn this local dialect... Samuel tells us that since the war and losing his closest Dwarven friend to Half-Orcs, the estate hasn't had the funds or manpower to keep it up properly over recent years. He said he hasn't heard any news from Pearford in the North and that there is a merchant traveling to Deep Bank in a day. He also mentioned talking to farmer Nortun if horses were required for longer travels. Towards the end of the conversation I discovered Samuel had a library, however, I was not worthy nor permitted to view it at this time...