SE06 : EP09 - Kidnapping in Mortenfield pt. 2
General Summary
The party comes to alert as they register the scream from inside the cave's mouth. Rushing to action, they descend into the gnoll den. Just a short drop down some feet into the earth, they come upon a gloomy cavern with three figures before them. Two small gnolls are standing near a much large one. To the side of an extinguished fire is farmer Rhymer in a heap.
Alder try to speak to them, but they only grunt and bark in broken Gnoll speech. The party attempts to communicate but gets nowhere with adjacent As their eyes adjust to the darkness. They see females and cubs behind the line. Gavin begins to use gestures and non-verbal communication to connect. There is some awareness and a small relaxation in their posture. Kayla and Ryder Reach out and gently pull Rhymer's knocked-out body towards the exit. Gavin and Sentinel keep a calm "conversation" with the largest gnoll. They manage to pull the farmer out of the cave, the party following along.
Once out of the cave, they pull back to the tree line. Gavin makes sure Rhymer is healthy. He is but unconscious. The party discusses the situation. It is decided that they will split up. Gavin, Ryder, and Alder take the farmer back to town. Kayla, Sentinel, and Merit stay to stake out the Gnolls. Alder casts polymorph on himself, becoming a triceratops that the rest of the team rides back to civilization.
As the hours wear on, the stakeout team sticks to hiding spots. And nothing happens. They start to wonder if there other entrances to the den. Gnolls are known to be nocturnal, and it's strange they aren't moving around. Once five hours pass, they decide to move out.
At the cusp of town, the Kobold mage shifts out of his dinosaur form. Once in town, they are intercepted by Harold, the mayor. They drag Rhymer back to his home. They lay him out on his bed. They tell the tale so far to the Mayor and then retire to the inn.
By the next morning, the party is gathered (Ryder had to stay up late enough to let the others into their room.) They discuss the previous evening's activities. The mayor joins them. They notice that the ale has a pungent taste, the same taste Ryder noticed the previous night. It has been "cut," watered down. Alder and Ryder seek to investigate. They head back to the kitchens to find the pre-cut alcohol. It is pungent, almost overwhelmingly sour.
Alser steps outside with a ladle full. He sets to light, and I burgh bright and hot. They found the accelerant that was used to burn down the barn. They decide to head out to Rhymer's farm. The man is belligerent and cruel, sending racial slurs at Gavin as he tries to interview him. They leave the man to his acerbic self. The group bonded as they named all the mocking cuss words they could for him in elvish.
They return to town and hire a cart and a team of two horses. Then they head out north to seek the children.
Related Reports
Report Date
24 Apr 2023
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