16th of Marpenoth - Meriti Arrives
In the late morning hours, the towns folk witnessed a small parade of heavily armored Dwarves descend from the southern mountains. Leading the column of eight Dwarves was their leader, a stout black-bearded dwarf in dented and blackend half-plate named Meriti.
The town guards quickly meet with Meriti and his entourage and lead them to the town hall. The Dwarves were greeted with friendly waves and other pleasant gestures as they walked through town.
Upon arriving at the town hall, they all quickly disappeared inside to meet with Mayor Baugh and the other Council members.
After about an hour, the Dwarves left the hall flanked by Council member Cassandra Boliard and Sheriff Enoman. They headed towards the town entrance and presumably up to inspect the cave entrance.
After spending several hours outside of town, the party returned for another brief meeting in the town hall.
Due to the lateness of the day the Mayor and town Council approached the Olden's to see if they could host the Dwarves for the night. The Dwarves were found fresh beds and warm meals at the Olden Inn. They are due to depart at first light in the morning.
The town guards quickly meet with Meriti and his entourage and lead them to the town hall. The Dwarves were greeted with friendly waves and other pleasant gestures as they walked through town.
Upon arriving at the town hall, they all quickly disappeared inside to meet with Mayor Baugh and the other Council members.
After about an hour, the Dwarves left the hall flanked by Council member Cassandra Boliard and Sheriff Enoman. They headed towards the town entrance and presumably up to inspect the cave entrance.
After spending several hours outside of town, the party returned for another brief meeting in the town hall.
Due to the lateness of the day the Mayor and town Council approached the Olden's to see if they could host the Dwarves for the night. The Dwarves were found fresh beds and warm meals at the Olden Inn. They are due to depart at first light in the morning.
posted by GM/Brannic | 7:22 AM
11 Comments:
Inside the inn the lanterns are casting a bright warm light. The fireplace keeps out the chilly fall evening air.
A large group of Dwarves sit behind two of the larger tables, pulled together so they could all fit around. Several spots remain open as Vig comes in and has a seat.
Meriti raises a mug of ale to his approach and all the Dwarves at the table let out a loud cheer.
"You boys sure seem like trouble magnets," Meriti says with a smile.
"Looks like that cave was closed off before by someone quite some time ago. I brought with me the best rock busters," Meriti's words elicit a loud cheer from the other dwarves as they all drain their mugs. Wiping the ale from his beard Meriti continues, "My boys here took their time studying the formations of the inner cave. They think they've got a good temporary solution. We should be able to carve out a big slab and drop it over the portal thingy. It'll be tough to move once it's in place but not impossible. Should make it really tough to come through though. What do you think about that?"
Meriti scratches his beard with a look of deep thought across his face.
"I figure it we can have the whole thing done in about 2 days. We'll have to head back to the Mining camp to gather additional supplies and workers. I'm guessing we'd start on the 21st or 22nd."
Meriti looks at Vig, "You look like you know your way around a forge pretty well. We could use your help building some of the braces and brackets we'll need to move the stone once we've cut it from the nearby cave walls."
Brannic walks over to the table full of Dwarves.
"Is this a Dwarf only table, or can I join you?", he says with a wry smile.
He sets down a large tray with ten fresh tankards of Olden's finest ale. The Dwarves let out a loud cheer and point to an empty seat for the scout to sit.
"Good to see you again Meriti, has Vig here talked your ear off about all the recent adventures we've been on since we were last up in the mountains with you guys?"
::: Just as Brannic sets down the large tray of ale's along comes Jellen walking into the inn... looks around as if he sensed there were free drinks to be had and walks over to greet the dwarves::::
"Meriti...Hail and greetings!"
::: sits down next to Meriti and grabs one of the remaining ale's and continues to quaft it in two long gulps :::
"Ahhh...thanks for the ales Brannic!
So Meriti tell me how I can help with closing up this portal. I have been known to get my hands dirty from time to time if needed."
Meriti gives Jellen a hearty slap on the back and bellows, "We can always use a strong back and arms for this task."
He then waves to Mrs. Olden to get some food brought to the table before turning to address Jellen, Vig and Brannic.
"You boys interested in some work when this is all done? I've got a problem with a bunch of Giants who are hiding in the hills near us. They've been making a mess of the pass up there and I haven't had an opportunity to send any of my guards out to search for them. If you can get rid of those thugs, I'll make it worth your time."
Brannic chuckles, "Sure I'll pick this one up."
He tosses Mrs. Olden a platinum piece, "Let me know when this is looking to run out."
:::From a nearby table Seraph can be seen drinking some of the Olden black tea. Listening to the conversation between the dwarves and some of the Regulators, Seraph decides to send a message to Jellan.
Then with a few motions of his hand and a minor word of incantation, Seraph's spell goes off.:::
"Jellan" Seraph says whispering, "I believe this may be an opportunity to help cement Grey's Deep's alliance with the dwarves. Perhaps we should accept his offer."
Meriti scoffs at Jode's remark, "Bah, we're not talking small ones like Ogres here. The damage done up there has to be something bigger. We saw their tracks along the trails."
He wipes the ale from his beard using his forearm before he continues.
"Bootprints as long as my arm and half as wide. I'm guessing these things must be over 10 feet tall. 15 feet maybe."
The other Dwarves carry grim expressions on their faces as they nod in agreement at Meriti's words.
"Take it lightly if ye will but if ye wander into those hills and sutmble on them critters don't say we didn't warn ye."
Meriti nods to Vig and Jode's comments.
"Well then, once we get this portal issue of yours solved, come up to the mines and we'll get you geared up to go Giant hunting"
The other Dwarves at the table raise their mugs in the air and let out a loud "Huah!"
::: Jellen looks around after hearing the voice of Seraph in his head and wonders if he is going crazy. :::
"ah..ahem, er...ah...yeah...huah!"
"Yes...I am willing to help too, but I agree in that we must be cautious. Wrestling giants seems like a bigger challenge than what we have come up against recently."
"I think I can hear Seraph in my head...er I mean I think I can speak for Seraph too in that that the Regulators are willing to help out against these Giants."
::: Looks around again hoping that the voices do not come again into his thoughts...:::
"Meriti, once we wrap up the portal closing lets talk more about these giants and their where-abouts."
::: Grabs another mug of ale as the waitress sets a new tray on the table ::::
Throughout the night Meriti and his fellow Dwarves regale the patrons of the bar with the status of the mines in the hills South of town.
What might normally be a boring talk about veins of Iron and Copper was actually made very entertaining by Meriti. The hard struggle to survive and thrive underground seemed to strike a common cord amongst the villagers.
Eventually, Mrs. Olden came over with a broom and started shooing people out the door.
"For Lathander's sake, it's going to be dawn soon and I need to clean this place up for the breakfast crowd." The townsfolk still remaining in the Inn say their goodbyes and quickly make their exit.
Mrs. Olden wags her fingers at the Dwarves, "You boys should get some sleep, you got a long day on the trail ahead of you."
She then turns to the Regulators still in the bar, "and you boys, I'm sure you've got important things to be doing in the morning too."
She waves the broom in the air to get people moving. Once everyone was either headed out the door or off to their rooms she takes a cloth from her apron and wipes her brow down.
"I don't think I've ever seen a group of people drink so much!"
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