Uthal extends his arm to assist the newly healed Fenris to his feet. "Good to see you fighting fit again!"

Fenris said, "Though part of me agrees with you, my gut tells me there is still something here to find. Though as I am not originally of this group, I will not investigate them alone, and will follow the group's lead on this."

Also a new commer to the group, Uthal will follow the group's lead too, "If you have somethign to find, then I'll help with the search. I say we heed the Dwarf's advice."

After the naga disappeared into the dust the group decided to explore the other tunnels.  Backtracking ot the other areas that looked like likely collapse zones, the group moved cautiously.  When Gerdar looked at the areas he didn't think they were about to collapse, but all it would take was some small push to initiate a collapse.  A load noise such as a hammer or a lightning bolt would likely do it, but if they moved quietly and cautiously they would be unlikely to collapse.  But all it might take is an accidently kickjed stone.  

So the group moved cautiously and quietly.  The passage on the left was traveresed with no problem but ended around a turn about 50' further on.  Another dead end.  Moving back to the other passage it simply did a little loop about 80' long with a small (20x20') chamber at the end.  There was nothing there either.  Overall, it apperaed that the only things present in these deeper caverns were the horrbily smelling sacrifice room and the disappearing naga.  

*If you want to do anything else specific in either of these tunnels or elsewhere feel free to let me know.  We can assume you did those things while there and don't need to retraverse the dangerous zones.  

With the Naga having disappeared and the rest of the tunnels seeming to lead to nowhere, the party decided that it was time to head back to the village of Botkinburg.  With the decision made they slowly made their way back out of the cave – past the cave with the howling water, through the various rooms, and into the gulley where the great battle had been fought a day earlier.  Bodies were still strewn everywhere, although many were missing their left ear, courtesy of the bounty that the party had been promised.  Passing through the remains of their fallen enemies they left them for the crows and continued onwards.  They crossed the river using the ford and made their way north along the western side of the river, eventually passing by the old bridge and joining the old road that would lead them on to the town. 

               All told it took about a day and half to return to town and the group arrived back in Botkinburg in the early evening.  There they received a hero’s welcome from the townspeople – the Malkin twins having arrived safely back home the day before bringing with them stories of the battle beside the river and the piles of dead goblins and gnolls in the gulley.  Back at the Bent Hook Tavern (Also known as Ortolf’s Houe of Sludge as you discovered on your previous visit due to the owners homemade dark brew which he called Kaiseren Bock but everyone also simply called Sludge, particularly after they’d had a few.) the group ate for free and was constantly pressed for stories of their daring during the battle and rescue. 

               After a couple of hours the sheriff, Aaron von Bedering, arrived in full uniform.  He announced himself with more pomp than expected in a little town as “the representative of Lord Volkmir Botkin.”  He announced that the Lord was pleased that you had rescued his citizens and killed the goblins.  If you present yourself at the keep in the morning he would see that you were appropriately rewarded.  The crowd cheered at that and you were bought another round.  (Although several suggested that you could buy the next one with your reward!)  Once he had made his announcement the sheriff seemed lose his sense of importance and mingled with the crowd. 

               The next day you went to the keep to claim your reward.  Volkmir Botkin met you in the main hall and gave a little speech about protecting his people.  You were then given your reward as promised – 50 GP for each of the twins and 2gp for each (right) ear of a goblin presented.  With 55 goblin ears your total take for the adventure was 210gp.  Lord Botkin spent a few minutes asking about he goblins and other creatures in the area – he seemed to be trying to find out if they presented a continuing problem and if you knew anything else useful.  In particular they wanted details on the location and nature of the Vargolg.  Afterwards you were sent on your way with a comment to “talk to the sheriff if there are other problems they should know about.”

(If you wish to do more with this portion or ask any specific question let me know.)

 

               Later that day you were approached by Erhardt – one of the Sheriff’s detectives and the one who had seemed to know the most about the woods and the Ridge when you first arrived.  Like those at the keep he pressed for more information about what you found on the Ridge – the Vargolg, the goblins, the bugbears and even Boris the talking fey otter.  When asked by the group he had some information of his own.  Over a meal at the tavern he told the group about a few different things that had come to his attention. 

               *A days ride to the northwest along the Hreusen River was the town of Luddensheim.  He has heard rumor of problems there as well.  It seems that at least one farm was destroyed and several people had gone missing.  This last news had arrived just a day before your return and so likely hadn’t been the work of the Redcaps, unless there were more of them then those at the Vargolg.  A small caravan headed to Ludensheim is scheduled to leave in two days. 

*Loggers and hunters had recently gone more to the west into the Barren Woods to ply their trade than along the Ridge due to the recent troubles.  There they reported seeing several deer and bear that were slaughtered and left to rot.  Nothing natural did that. 

*There were old stories about an old temple in the caves under the Ridge to the Northeast.  Rumor put it under a rock formation shaped like an eagle, vulture or dragon depending on who you asked.  Despite his years in the area, he had never spotted such a hill.  Perhaps it required being seen from the eastern side of the Ridge?  (The Plains of Achrothos – and area with numerous nomadic tribes but cirtually no permanent settlements is to the east of the Ridge.)  One way or another the Ridge has secrets.

*Continued stories that the old evil was returning persisted.  The Dark One’s old fortress of Aufstragg lay far to the north within the swamp of the same name.  But rumors also seemed to suggest that things of a foul nature had been seen throughout the Ridge. 

 

A few additional notes:

*Everyone can level up to level 5.

*If you want a town of any size by far the closest is Ludensheim to the North.  Past that there are several other towns along the river. 

*Go ahead and ask whatever questions you want of either Lord Botkin or Erhardt. Or anyone else in the town for that matter.  It is a small village with the usual types - you met some other folk in early posts for those who were here for those.  

*I will try to get a regional map up fairly soon but you should be able to make some decision without it.  If you have geography questions, please ask.   Please don't wait for the map - it may be awhile.  Besides, none of you really know the arean well anyway.  

A general overview from Botkinburg:

East and North East - across the river is the Blacktooth Ridge and then the Plains of Achrothos.

South and West of the River - the Barren Woods

Far South - More civilized lands and kingdoms - places most (but not all) of you came from.

Northwest - Following the river a series of towns leading eventually to the city of Wickham on Wickham Lake.

North - the Ridge which here runs North West but eventually turns straight north.  Past that the swamps of Aufstragg.

Given his propensity to living in nature and this, being his first time at the village of Botkinburg, Uthal is noticeably uncomfortable amongst so many other folk.

He listens quietly to what Erhardt has to say.

Later, when the opportunity presents itself to speak privately with his companions. "A lot of trouble in these parts! I am on a quest to avenge those that took the lives of my people and am thinking of heading back to the river and to the south-west, into the Barren Woods. But, I have grown fond of traveling and fighting with you all. So, if you'll still have me, I would like to continue to travel with you." he ponders for a while before turning to Thäoran and saying with a wry smile, "Besides, you are going to need all the help you can get if you plan on chasing dragons."

"Thank you, your honor, of this fair reward", Gerdar bent into a slight bow in front of Lord Botkin, "But alas, my heart longs to ask you, would your lordship have heard of the Cordorehk clan that once held dominion in a part of the area? Anything left behind from them, keeps or crypts or scriptures?"

 

 

After leaving the lord and inquiring the sheriff of a blacksmith in town, the dwarf followed the group to hear Uthal. Nodding and stroking his beard he answered: "Then our purpose here is somewhat similar, though my vengeance goes back a couple generations. I've come to free these lands of evil so that my clan could reclaim their old home they left behind when the darkness first came, and indeed you people seem capable of aiding me in that."

Thäoran's thin lips spread into a contented and joyful smile as the elf watched the young twins reunite with their family. It had been a long and arduous journey, but at last they had achieved their quest, making Botkinburg and its surrounding woods safer once again. Maybe-just maybe-if the party continued like this, they could, in some small way, assist in resisting whatever darkness was looming on the horizon. Thäoran didn't know what would happen in the future, but the young elf was determined to face whatever comes his way with courage and perhaps one day he'll finally find who he had set out on this quest for, the one he wished to make proud of him: his beloved father.

I am coming, Father, he thought as his emerald eyes gazed at the distant mountains. No matter how long it takes, we will see each other once more.

The Eldritch Knight turned to his fellow travellers. 'I think the most logical step is to traverse to the next town,' he suggested. 'It seems the best place to gather information and perhaps find other people in need of help. What say you?'

((OOC: Thäoran hasn't heard that Ludensheim is the next town after Botkinburg. He's just suggesting we go to whichever town is closest. Which, I assume, is Ludensheim))