Session 14: Digging up trouble. Report

General Summary

At the Bucklebee burrow, Gertrude and Ernesto have decided to sit down and finally rest a little before taking on the challenges of the road. After taking a rest, it was time to prepare dinner. Ernesto at first was calmly observing, but as time went on, the more he saw the more he began taking over the kitchen. Galbo, the eldest of the four Bucklebee children began to instigate some animosity and yet Ernesto expertly diffused it and took over the kitchen altogether, even teaching Galbo a few things which he could then impress his family with.   Finally, dinner was served and as they ate the Bucklebee Matriarch sat at the table. She was an imposing woman (for a Halfling) by the name of Verna. She filled in the group on the current situation and some of the history of the Digs. Originally founded by the Blackwood family, there was a sense of family and gratitude between the community and the Blackwoods for helping everyone get settled. A few hiccups were had during its growth as the community continued to grow, especially after the tragedy at Cragmouth, but the Bucklebee family helped keep the peace.   That was until the Stillcrest family moved in. The Stillcrests were akin to nobility in Cragmouth, elevated due to their shrewd trade deals which afforded them the rare gift of having their own inhouse militia trained. Bringing with them said militia, initially they helped the Blackwoods instill order and structure the Digs into a settlement which could become profitable and perhaps even the basis of something new, organizing the workforce and ensuring that schedules are adhered to and that the peace is kept, through the use of force if necessary.   This has resulted in several attempts to oust the Bucklebees due to their influence in the town's people. And that brings them to the current problem, that they require Ernesto and Gertrude to find a way to oust the Stillcrests from the Digs once and for all.   However, Lillygold, the youngest Bucklebee sister chimed in with the wedding. That the scions of both Blackwood and Stillcrest family are getting married, effectively uniting the two into one, which would consolidate their control over the Digs beyond belief. Meria has a plan to replace the security provided by the Stillcrests with the people at Beggar's Rest, but this alone is not enough to stop the union of the two families.   After eating, Lillygold and Falbo (the second youngest of the four) offered to guide the group through a tour of the town. As they began, they decided to start at the lowest circle and soon found a trio of miners discussing something and then furtively hiding inside one of the shacks. They sent the two kids to try and discern what they were discussing. Alone, Meria revealed why she had wanted to come out with Gertrude and Ernesto. She wanted their help in convincing Verna to delegate control of the Bucklebee burrow to Meria, and that she could be a steadfast ally, should they help her. The two were indecisive on the matter and attempted to dissuade Meria from her course, presenting her with other options and even being shocked when Meria showed willingness to follow through with more lethal options.   Then the children beckoned them over and after following them to a shack, Ernesto cared little and walked in on them discussing their displeasure with the current arrangements at the Digs and planning an escape. Ernesto rallied them up with a speech, planting the seeds of a rebellion before they proceeded up a few levels.   As night fell, in the upper circle they saw a campfire and in it, there were a few men discussing something in hushed tones. They grew somewhat silent as they passed but Gertrude was able to recognise the voices. These men were with them in Grapetown.   Putting some distance behind them, they now were headed towards the Blackwood "manor" which was the building which also served as a makeshift town Hall for all their needs in regards to gatherings...