Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"It might be smart to camp outside of town. Send someone in to get rooms, so that our special guests are not seen. Our winged child and Burnbright should stay out of sight. I feel we would have less trouble this way. We bring them in after dark. Maybe Masama and I could stay in camp. While the rest go into town. We do not want reports of our group spreading to our enemies. Plus the mentality of people in these parts, seems to be burn anyone out of the ordinary and those that are with them. I prefer not to have to kill townspeople, but if they intend harm to the group, I will do what must be done. Or should we camp out of town as a group?"

Bressel:
"I could go into town and get two rooms, One for Aliron and I, and the other for Masama and Branwen. I will say the other room is for a friend that is arriving later."

 

[Philster401]

"I think I should go I am the most normal person in the group and we don't know how the people in the city will react to elves, and possibly Baldhart should come with me to get rooms and check out the town for danger," Zoran stated.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"I won't worry too much about coming into town with the children. One thing I want to do in town is look for a way we can get to the mountain pass. The map showed a river. I'm not sure what we'll need to do to get Branwen across unseen. Maybe there's a place we can camp along the river, or even west of it so hunters are less likely to stumble upon our camp."

Or would hunters normally cross the river before they hunt? I suppose I can find out where hunters go.

On Alin's point, I add, "Let's do all in our power to avoid killing people who are not evil, but just superstitious. Dangerously superstitious, yes, but we don't want a trail of dead townsfolk following us. I suppose if Geralt were alive, we'd have a witch-hunters following us. But silencing a man through murder gets rid of one enemy and creates many more. Hopefully, our words with Brecht will focus the Inquisition on the real threat to the north... and the rest of the world."

I give Burnbright the ring for warmth.

"Sorry, Burnbright. Alin's right. You and Branwen need to camp out. When we get to Drimmen-Delve, you won't need to hide anymore. Hopefully, they will accept Branwen as well. Maybe if they know Darin accepted her." Begrudgingly, but still...

 

[Keitsumah]

Keitsumah

"I don't like the idea of them staying alone. I would become a bit of a spectacle myself If I were to enter that town with Batos. Maybe until we move on, we'll stay with them at camp." I suggest, gripping my staff a bit more tightly as I scan our surroundings. "Batos can look for food, so we may or may not even need you to come to the camp and arouse suspicion until we move on."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Yeah. Batos should stay out of sight, too. As much as I don't want to become famous, I hope our deeds will be known. Whatever happens in Drimmen-delve, I want payment from the people of the north. Just one kind of payment: never having to hide who we are or who we're with."

If I survive this.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"Zoran is probably right. Elves do draw attention. It might also set the spies to talking. A group of elves come into town, even if Burnbrite is not with them, it might draw attention. We will need to camp well away from the road, so as not to draw attention from passersby. But I think it will be safer. I need nothing from town. If I did Bressel could get it. So I will stay out."

Bressel
"A night in a warm room and good mug o ale, might be nice, I can stay in camp also. Unless you think I'd be needed in town?"

 

[Philster401]

"I don't think we should be in a group smaller than three or larger than four and we can't let Baldhart go off alone with those jewels someone might try to steal them, so I think it might be a good idea for Bressel to come to," Zoran stated.

 

[Philster401]

"Either that or we could let Baldhart stay here and just me and Bressel could go, because Baldhart will most definitely stand out in any crowd." He continued.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"I would actually prefer to go to town. I know how to deal with the religious people. You might need that, Zoran. A paladin who follows no god would raise as many questions as a woman who ducks through a door. Let's face the fact that none of us are normal." I turn to Cadell and Liadan. "I'm indifferent about you coming into town. Maybe it's true we need to keep a low profile, but hiding bores me. I'd rather go into town and leave a good impression. As long as no one murders the local priest, that should be an easy feat."

 

[Steerpike]

The party is able to get close enough to make out some of the details of Ballara as they're trying to decide who goes into town. The area in which the party find themselves is heavily treed and at the top of a rise where the road dips down toward the river and the town. A wide area around Ballara has been cleared of trees, so that it sits exposed along a stretch of flatland that flanks a wide river. The town is bigger than Arendal, with a number of buildings spread out in a wide arc that follows the curve of the river.

The road leads directly into Ballara and then continues beyond it, still on the same side of the river. A number of thick tree trunks have been bound together and raised around parts of the town, as though the townsfolk are in the process of building a palisade, but have not yet completed it. There is no visible traffic on the road currently. A couple of guards can be faintly seen flanking the road where it enters Ballara, and workmen around them are working on the palisade.

A single dock extends partway into the river from near the center of the town, and there is a square raft of some kind floating next to it. It may be used as a ferry, though it is hard to tell from where the party stands.

Smoke from numerous chimneys rises into the sky, as well as from a few cottages dotting the landscape outside of the town limits. The edge of the Taint is just barely visible from the party's elevated location, well beyond the border of Ballara.

 

[SeverinR]

Baldhart

"As long as no one murders the local priest, that should be an easy feat."

Aliron
"Had I not chosen to get Branwen out of town to safety, I might have been the one to attack the priest. Had Mauve still been locked up when I returned, I would have freed her and might have had to kill to do so.
That is why I chose to stay out of town. I might get into trouble, if I go. Masama, Burnbrite and I can keep Branwen safe. Anyone else wants to go into town or stay is free to choose."

Bressel
"I can go into town or stay out. I am not easy to anger, I can hold my own in a fight. So if the town group needs me I can go. I need nothing in town, other then a night in a warm inn with an ale, but I don't have to have it."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I give Nissa her backpack. I tell Alin, "Maybe it's not so bad my appearance will draw attention. It lessens the chances of Branwen being discovered."

I give Burnbright and Branwen each a kiss and say, "Stay safe." I make sure Burnbright has the ring so she can stay warm as well. Nissa asks Dalla to bring the children, and I suppose the rest can figure out whether to go to town or camp. I do say to Bressel, "You can always do both. I mean, have the ale then come back to camp out." I may do just that, depending on how all goes with the children.



I move forward carrying a bag with the new clothes we purchased—mine, Nissa's, and the children's. Nissa's weapons are with me, though I don't anticipate a need for them.

I follow the road to Ballara, then introduce myself to a guard as "Baldhart Eisenberg, servant of Brynhild." I introduce Nissa van Donk as my spiritual guide, and the others with me. After introducing Dalla and the children, I tell the guard,

"The little ones suffered at the hands of dark elves. The dark elves are dead, and regrettably, so were some of the children by the time we arrived. I want to see that these survivors are bathed and fed well. Their old clothes can be burned for all I care—the sooner the smell of death leaves them, the better.

"Would you be so kind as to guide me to a suitable inn—or point me in the right direction, if you cannot leave your post?"

 

[Steerpike]

Burnbright grinds her teeth at learning she is to be kept tucked away once more, but she says nothing, just taking the ring and nodding to Baldhart. Dalla coaxes the children to follow her, and they do so, keeping close to her and just behind.

The group that is heading into Ballara makes it to within about fifty yards of the guards at the road when one of them calls something over his shoulder. A moment later a couple of additional guards arrive and the one who called to the others breaks off from the group and moves down the road, meeting the party a good twenty yards from the entrance to Ballara. The guardsman is wearing leather armor and has a sword sheathed at his side. He doesn't make any move toward the weapon. His beard is black flecked with gray, and there isn't a hair on his head. His eyes are bright blue and alert.

"That's far enough now," he calls to the group. "Least ways until you tell me who you are and what your business is in Ballara." He looks at the children huddled near Dalla, then at Dalla, then flicks a quick glance over the rest of the group before letting his eyes come to rest on Baldhart.

The guard listens to Baldhart's introductions, and her story, then scowls. "Dark...elves? I'm not a man you want to take for a fool, Ms. Ostenberg. Now why don't you tell me what your business is here in Ballara, and what you're doing out in the wild with all these kids? Once you tell me that, we'll talk about an inn. Where have you come from? Did you follow the road up from Alfoss?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

"She has already stated our business," I say, moving to Baldhart's side. "We seek safe lodgings for these children and ourselves. We come from Arendal, if it's any of your concern."

 

[Steerpike]

He guard opens his mouth, then closes it again, seeming to notice for the first time that Cadell is an elf. His eyes drop to Cadell's gauntlet-hand.

"There's no offense meant. These are dark times, and growing darker. A group of strangers comes up the road - and an unusual group at that - telling stories about dark elves and dead or rescued children. A strange tale, you have to admit. My own children live here. And my wife. And we're on the edge of a hostile land that's gotten a might worse since that taint fell a few years ago. If you're honest folk, then answer my questions."

He lets his right hand slip down toward his side but doesn't touch his sword. "We just like to know who's coming into our town, that's all."

 

[Philster401]

"I'm Zoran Alaster, a palladian and I promise you Baldhart speaks the truth, and we seek a place to relax, eat, and rest. Also was wondering if you had a library, some old books, or a storyteller that might know something about history?" Zoran said.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Yes, as Zoran says, we were honest from the start." I reach into my purse—not the pouch with the gems—and I show the guard a drow coin. "This is the currency of the dark elves. Had I known I would need to prove my story, I'd have brought the heads.

"I understand you have a family to protect. I serve Brynhild. Serving Her means I fight just battles. I am no threat to your family, and would risk my neck to save them if I had to. Well, certainly you don't doubt I at least look like a servant of the Battle Goddess. Is there anything about my appearance that gives you reason to doubt that four of the dark elves died by my bare hands?

"You have children of your own. Look at the children with us. Is there anything about the children's appearance that gives you reason to doubt they have suffered? A warm bath, a warm meal, a warm bed. That is the business. And perhaps a visit to the armory or ranch. We pay in regular coins, not spider coins."



Nissa

I look up at the man. I flash a smile.

I'm cute. May as well use that.

"Sir? Are you going to let us in or not? It will be rather embarrassing to inform Inquisitor Brecht that the children could not be brought to the temple because the town guard denied us entry.

"Brecht expects that the temple in Alfoss is safest for the children, but we agreed we'd care for them here first, then send word to Bretch through your temple."

 

[Steerpike]

The tension in the guard's face lessens slightly when Zoran mentions he is a paladin. When Baldhart pulls out the drow coin to show him, he makes a warding gesture, eyes widening. He listens to what everyone has to say, growing less tense but more worried as Baldhart recounts more about the drow, and giving her an appraising look when she talks about killing. When Nissa mentions Brecht, he starts suddenly.

"You know Brecht?" He glances over the children again. "I see. I may have been a bit hasty in coming out to meet you on the road this way. Lots of trouble in these parts lately. Mostly across the river - bandits and orcs, or worse. It's why we're fortifying the town, though it's been a couple of weeks since we've seen trouble, thank Tyr.

"We have folk come through on occasion. Farmers and trappers, mostly, if you don't count the merchant who comes up from Alfoss. We're northern folk, so we can fight, but that's not our main business. You folk look like you're meant for fighting." He casts a glance over the kids and Dalla and the small valkyrie. "Well, some of you do at any rate. When folk show up who look like fighting is their business...well, we don't get that much. Got a dwarf come through a while back like death was at his back, but apart from that if we see folk bent on fighting, chance are they're bandits. Though having the children along did throw me."

He holds out a hand to the group members in turn. "I'm Conal. I can show you to an inn or the temple, whichever you like. If you're looking for books and the like, the temple is your place, though you may want to get cleaned up first. I have no doubt they'll take in the children too."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"An understandable reaction, Conal. We met Brechtel on the road and conversed for a while. Just the one interaction left quite an impression. He's a good man—humble for one in his position.

"Perhaps we should head to the inn first. I want to see to the children cleaned right away. Let's walk as we talk."

As we head to the inn, I tell Conal, "If there's any trouble while we're in town—orc, bandits, worse—I serve Brynhild. You can count on me to help, though I must warn you that since I vowed not to use weapons, my kills are… not pretty. That said, I suppose I should hop in the tub myself when I bathe Abbi.

"About the dwarf. Any chance his name was Bren?"

 

[Steerpike]

Conal leads the group in through the gate, past the other guards who appear alert but also relaxed at seeing Conal more or less at ease. He leads you all through what passes for an entrance (since the palisade is not yet complete) and down streets of hard-packed dirt. There are townsfolk going about their business, a few tugging at children who have stopped to stare at those accompanying the group. The town is laid out around a center, where a building that is obviously a temple to Tyr stands. Conal leads you around that toward a two-story building with a large sign of a somewhat fierce badger hanging over the door. There are no letters on the sign.

As you walk, Conal says "More hands to fight bandits and orcs are always welcome. Ballara has always had trouble with them - mostly with orcs. But nothing too serious, or folk might have packed up and left this place before it had a chance to get going. Last few months, though...well, something's either driving them down out of the mountains or making them bolder, because they come a lot more often. They're a bigger problem than the bandits."

"But why would you want to fight with no weapons. No offense, miss, but you're one who could swing a sword. And Brynhild herself blessed the spear maidens of old?"

When Baldhart mentions the name "Bren," Conal nods. "Yep, that was him. A surly one, and no mistake. Took a meal here at the badger then went on his way north. Didn't cause no trouble, and he paid what he owed."