Beneath the Moathouse

[Spanningtree]

Tavin - Monk

Tavin will let the master down and rebind him. Finishing that he will grab his belt and put it back on.

[kwll]

Calthas looks with a mix of contempt and disappointment at the dead man. Shrugging, he helps the others take care of the new master, wondering why it is always his kind who survives.

[greyarea]

The "new master" lungs cleared of the muddied water, he breathes again, yet still paralyzed. In such a state, it is easy enough to bind him tighter, although the old rope now wet was almost impossible to remove, due to swelling.

The party carries on, headed towards town, dragging the new master for the first hour and a half. When the paralysis fades, you are nearly at the tower. It is late afternoon by now. The guards see you with your prisoner and two rush to assist you while a third races inside. Soon both Burne and Rufus emerge.

I hear you have a prisoner, says Burne, Excellent, excellent.

Rufus looks on, grimly.



Perhaps we can take him off your hands. Question him. Unless you'd prefer to do so yourselves. In any case, I think we would like to do so with other members of the council, or at least Jaroo our druid and Terjon, the cleric of St Cuthbert's, present so we can have a fuller understanding of their wicked plans.

The flamboyant mage awaits your response. In the meantime, a small platter with cut meats, cheeses, bread, and honey is produced from the tower, as well as water and wine.

Actions?

[badams30]

Thurwin - Wizard

Thurwin will (with the party's help) give a quick narrative of what we came across, and all the baddies including the gnolls, bugbears, undead, etc. I don't have a problem turning over the guy to them, do any of you? We've got his stuff, so that's good. I would like to be apprised of what happens to this guy. If we turn him over to them, Thurwin will ask them out of earshot of the bad guy if they can inquire in case he has seen or heard of his brother's whereabouts.

Thurwin will gladly partake of some food, and is anxious to turn over this guy so we can hit the inn. What about everyone else?

[Spanningtree]

Tavin - Monk

I don't have an issue turning him over to them... I would like to hear what he has to say during his questioning though. They were pretty organized, I think there is more going on than meets initial inspection.

[merias]

Effric, Druid

"I would also like to hear what is said during this man's questioning. Sir Burne, is that possible?"

To the others, quietly - "We could also ask to question him ourselves first?"

Meanwhile, Effric partakes in some food and wine.

[GreyKatana]

Father Redmond - Cleric

Father Redmond agrees with his wise companions. "Yes this should prove very interesting indeed."

FR can't wait till they get back to the tavern so he can rest his weary bones and tell the grand tale of how he, a humble disciple of great Zagyg, and his brave companions defeated the New Master and reclaimed the powerful, but surprisingly realitively unknown, artifact known as the Mystic Broom at the moathouse.

[greyarea]

That evening, the new prisoner is brought before the whole of the town council:

Jaroo, the druid of the Grove
Terjon, chief cleric of the church
Elmo's father, Captain of the militia
Ostler, the Innkeeper
Mytch, the Miller
Burne, the magic-user
Rufus, the weapons-master

Calmert, Terjon's assistant cleric at the Church of St. Cuthbert, helps lead the proceedings. He casts Command (confess) on the new master/prisoner and the council proceeds to ask questions: What were his intentions at the moathouse? Who does he work for? What are his own masters planning? Things of that nature.

The new master's responses are terse and tense: he must answer truthfully to follow the command and does so, whilst trying not to.

• He is Lareth.
• He has been sent to this area to rebuild a force of men and humanoid fighters to gather loot and restore the Temple of Elemental Evil to its former glory.
• He answers only to Iuz the Old, and knows not what that great demon is planning, only that once more the Temple of Elemental Evil will rise.
• He gets his orders from a contact in Nulb whom he knows only by sight: a half-orc in a rusty-black cloak and foul breath.
• He only meets him when requested and only at The Boatmens' Tavern in Nulb.

Calmert, who seems to have gotten quite upset since the mention of Iuz, turns to the party as the council has no more questions. They want to deliberate on how to handle this. Does the party have any questions for the new master/prisoner?

OOC: It is assumed that the party took time that afternoon before the council met to shop and eat. Meals were free and regular items are available in various shops. No need to role play those interactions, just tell me what you purchase and deduct your money.

Actions?

[badams30]

Thurwin - Wizard

Thurwin politely asks the council if they'd ask this Lareth if he knows anything about his missing brother's update. Knowing that his brother's last location was Nulb, and hearing mention of Nulb, he fears the worst.

Thurwin, anticipating having to investigate this Temple, asks them to inquire as to any knowledge of occupants or garrison of this temple.

Last question: Does he know of any other representatives of the temple other than in Nulb?

[Spanningtree]

Tavin - Monk

How is the temple best approached undetected? He will say massaging his chin.