Session 1-07: Lets Just Wing It
Year 116 on Heiligtag the 16th day of Kalt
A few hours to dusk, meeting in the Dead Raven Inn.
Having ordered lunch from Nora the barmaid, the party finds itself in the Dead Raven Inn. Sitting in a back corner of the Bar where the shadows are a bit deeper they are removed from the rest of the patrons in the bar. Qhreetch is cloaked and sitting in the back corner where the shadows are the most pronounced, head down, but eyes scanning from under his hood. Generally trying not to pull attention from anyone in the bar.
Nora says she will fetch your drinks right away.
The group talks about Deep Bank and Pearford, Sypha fills in more details of her conversation with Skrack that morning. That Trandarc is a large, old, tusked, snarly, pale-skinned creature. Seemingly unnaturally pale. She conjects that he sounds like a large white orc or possibly even an ogre. That he lives towards the South of Deep Bank, as he comes and goes from that direction.
Ravens flock around him and preempt his arrival and leave shortly after his departure, which is similar to what Carilius witnessed in Pearford. One raven on his shoulder seems unnatural as well, hollow eyes, molten feathers, doesn't eat, might be an undead familiar?
Sypha has many questions that the group can not truly answer?
- Who really is Trandarc?
- What is Trandarc's goal?
- Why is Trandarc collecting bodies?
- Is Trandarc a leader or a pawn?
- Is Trandarc connected to the enchantment at Deep Bank?
- Was Trandarc just at Pearford and if so why?
Sypha’s first suggested plan was to gather the cart and dead bodies from the first cave encounter with the skavens to bring to Trandarc. Qhreetch and Carilius can offer the bodies to Trandarc for payment, otherwise, it might look suspicious, and Carilius can gather further intel. Hellah could scout ahead and track him after the meeting, while Malor, with Tycone and Sodrin, stand back ready nearby should the worst happen, keeping in mind those two can't see in the dark. Tristan and I can cover the opposite flank, should he want to accompany me. Should things start to go wrong, Carilius can "Message" us.
Tycone agrees but adds that they should surround the area and cause him to watch multiple fronts and on top of it if he comes with friends we would be more likely to be able to defend with them fighting all fronts where we only have one front. Failing that we can follow behind and find the layer.
Carilius also likes this plan but indicates his "Message" will only work in an arms throw of a rock or two. But he can put on the act of selling the bodies to Trandarc, think that it would not be too much of an issue.
Nora brings over the food for the group. Rabbit Stew with some sharp cheese, baked potato, and some bread.
Malor, informs the group of information from Reece but asks for an update of the group’s travels noting the skaven in the room. Sypha talks about the skavens, spiders, and wolves quickly bringing them up to current events.
Malor lets the group know that Stoddard was not really pleased with either party over the little incident we had here in town. I’ll venture he wished to be the only stubborn one. I met with Reece while you were rescuing the skaven, he offered us both a task, a warning, and an aide.
The warning and task were related. He wants the skaven out of the valley. Due to the actions of our party, it is now our task that we are responsible to get them out of the valley now, and the warning is that we are responsible for the outcome of any problems if the skaven are not gone from the valley in 5 days’ time.
The aide comes is the form of transportation. The farmer, Nartun, will transport us to the meeting with Trandarc via wagon. It will save travel time and allow some rest for those that need it. I have to give the farmer a couple of hours’ notice of our intent to depart. Nartun will not take us off road, simply get us out to the turnoff, so we can save some time.
Malor continues saying Reese also spoke to him of the Road Wardens. Reece warned me, that they have cost the Wardens their bounty over this, and they are likely not going to be pleased with them. To watch your backs for a bit, until they calm down, as they may make our life harder than it needs to be out on the roads.
Hellah asks about the bodies being used in this plan. How do we even know if the bodies are still there or in somewhat tacked? Trandarc seemed to like fresh bodies, and the ones from the cave were already old a week ago.
Tycone starts to waver on the plan, with the assumption of bodies being in the first cave. The only one strong enough to haul the bodies in the hand cart would be me. While everyone else rides with the farmer but going to find the bodies that may or may not be there to sell, will eat up any rest we might be able to have tonight. Tycone was not in favor of getting no rest for us tonight or pulling a cart for a two or three-hour walk.
A heated debate on bodies, carts and moral ethics of using the deceased in this manner consumes the next few minutes. Nora gives the group a long glance as see brings a refill of the drinks to the table, then quickly retreats to the bar.
At one-point Tycone tries to offer the skavens they are hiding in the room as bait. “They could act dead and then we sell them off, covering two birds with one stone. I know none of you would go for killing them, thus selling them and acting is our next best solution.” After Tycone's last statement the whole group involuntarily looks at the Skaven, sitting at the table. Qhreetch returns the glance seeming to look at Carilius to translate the statement that caused the group to look at him.
This does not go over well with Carilius, who’s normal happy smile fades from his face to be replaced by a much more solemn look. “I really would prefer we not put the Skaven into any unnecessary dangers..." Carilius says as he puts his spoon down. "We killed off a large number of their clan. then a few days later when they were following our instructions that they leave the valley, they were ambushed by those ... hunters..." as he says this a small shiver runs through him, and his tail twitches. "when I found them... there were bodies everywhere... bodies of women and children were scattered around. and the blood.... so much blood..."
Carilius takes a moment, his eyes glazing over, staring off into the distance. A few seconds later he snaps back. "I did all I could for them, saving as many lives as I possible, but I couldn't save more than 3 of them." he releases a sigh, " Had we not made them flee the valley, those 13 women and children would still be alive, I know a few of you have issues with the skavens mere existence, but I really could care less about those complaints. We owe it to them to help get them to safety, and I will not stand by and let the last of their clan be used as bait. We need to find an alternative. If Qhreetch is willing to help us find Trandarc and the meeting place, then that is on him.”
With that Carilius looks over to Qhreetch and translates everything that has been said.
Tycone, talks over Carilius as he translates to the skaven. “I understand that, but unless you have a grantee of bodies and a better way of getting them there we need a new plan! The plan we have is ‘I assume’ or ‘I hope’ but yet as we sit here and talk there is no solid plan and these skaven aren't innocent and in no way need our sympathy after all if they weren't grave robbing and selling to this Trandarc they would not be involved.” Looking directly at Carilius, Tycone continues. “YOU are way too trusting and always willing to put yourself in danger to prove that everything can be saved.”
[8:51 PM] Carilius Damachles: "How about this then, what if we loaded some of ourselves onto the cart to act as "dead" bodies, and have Qreetch lead the cart to Trandarc, while he's doing that we can have some of the others flanking him. Then if/when he comes over to examine us as the bodies, we all pop out to surprise him and or anyone else he may have with him. This will help to ensure that we don't have to put any of the innocent's lives at risk."
Qhreetch starts talking to Carilius in the tongue of the Skaven. The words seem forceful and pointed. "Snichzitqholk qhri thron xeen Qhri qhri snichqhri Tinqzitkrua snich thron chotqholk ss qholkthronqzak thronsnich snichqhri snich Tinqqholk thron Tinqqholk." Carilius translates for the skaven. “There is no way I will stand allowing you to use my people more than you have to date. Bait, we will not be, these are unblemished, you ask to hazard there existing!”
Shelving this idea, a new plan starts to brew within the group. To hide out and observe the space, then follow behind as Trandarc leaves empty-handed and track him back to his layer. This new plan puts no innocents at risk and gives them better intel on Trandarc’s operation if they can find his Layer.
Malor, goes to inform the farmer Nartun, that they will be needing to leave soon as dusk is now approaching. This is done while the rest of the group settles the bar tab and prepares to leave for another adventure. Hellah goes to find Sodryn and get her ready as well.
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