Valeros silently listened as the others validated his description of events, he must have covered most of it, as no one really added to it. He waited for the sheriff to reply.

Deldrin regards Larn with a closer look.  "You be one of Raen Lawfuller's boys.  The youngest, if I remember."

Of the hill tribes and barely old enough to be a man Larn was out of his depth here in town. He’d never seen the sheriff up close before and he couldn’t resist nodding his head in submission “excuse me sir” he answers meekly, he tries to avoid a beating “I’m Larn son of Fionn, came into town to help by brothers Hefen and Honan. I met Duivelssmak whilst my brothers were still abed sleeping. He asked for my help” he explains.

“that’s right sir” the tribesman answers “youngest” he agrees then tries to straighten his shoulders “not a boy” he adds quietly.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:22, Sat 21 Jan 2023.

"He's a man among men, bravely charging into zombies and flames alike to save the priestess and Dani from the pyre! He will forever be welcome at my side!"

"I can try to get the names right.  I have only met them this day." Myshra replies to the sheriff. "The story was told to me thusly.  Valeros, an elf named Alaion, and girl named Daniella, and a young mage named Xenaryn discovered the deceased in this office last night. They decided to track the killers and it led them to a farm where the children's parents were found to be brutally killed.  There was evidence of children in the family, but they were not present among the dead."

Myshra gathers her thoughts as the sheriff acknowledges knowing Larn, then continues when the sheriff looks at her to continue. "After a short rest riding out a storm, they continued tracking the killers into the farmlands north of here.  They had an altercation with some men, maybe bandits?  I'm not sure what that was about, but afterward they tracked the killers to a farmstead. They fought their way, fighting against Nerull fanatics, zombies, a brute of a man that was part ogre.  The situation became dire, but unknowingly, my mother had lain a quest upon a cleric of St. Cuthbert to find and rescue her daughter after communing with Iomedae.  His name is Duivelssmak, and he led a group that come upon the first when they were in the direst of need.  He was accompanied by Larn here, an elf named Almar, and a female Hin named Janser.  They all fought against the priest, then worked together to rescue me."

She takes a breath for a moment.

"There is much more detail to the story.  The evil priest used a scroll of recall and vanished. So that's the tale of it."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 13:14, Sat 21 Jan 2023.

Sheriff Deldrin's eyebrow raises at the mention of one of the names.  He reaches across his desk and picks up a piece of parchment.  "Xenaryn, you say.  Xenaryn Faustich, I take it.  She left me this note.  You have taken some items to help and will return them as soon as prudent.  Please forgive our necessary procurement of these items.  We track the killer than has brutally murdered your deputy."

The sheriff throws the parchment back onto the desk.

"Quite a tale.  There is sufficient evidence to believe the story as legitimate. I appreciate your diligence in finding this killer and you all should be rewarded.  I will take this matter up with the magistrate.  Unfortunately, it will be a few days before one can be awarded as I am sure Vamrose will consult with the lumber consortium on this matter.  You may keep the gear you have taken."

The sheriff looks at Valeros for a moment, thinking.

"Sir, you have proven a capable fighter, with a level head.  Would you be interested in becoming a deputy of the Hollow?"

"Thank you Myshra, I tried but I often have trouble expressing myself. She covered what I missed or didn't understand Sheriff. We don't know where the necromancer ran to, but we're going to keep looking for him. I'm sure he is around yet."

"I might consider it on a part time basis, I will be adventuring mostly, clearing the area of evil, perhaps I can have a warrant to be a roving deputy to clear the land around here?"

The sheriff puts fingers to his chin in thought, "I will give that some thought.  Ulimately, it is up to the magistrate.  I will seek you out if it is approved.  I really need someone in town more permanently though."

He moves forward and offers his hand to each of them for shaking.

"I thank you all on behalf of the town proper.  Please convey our thanks to your companions as well, and if you do find information on this necromancer, please inform me or one of my deputies."

Proud, Larn stands with his back straight as Valeros says his kind words. It was not oft that anyone speaks well of Larn, more often he was reprimanded by his older brothers for failing to complete impossible tasks.

When it is clear that he issn’t in trouble Larn relaxes a bit and when offered, he shakes the sheriff’s hand.

At the talk of the necromancer Larn turns to Valeros. “Will you be tracking down the necromancer?” he asks. Larn is used to attempting tasks, however impossible they might seem. He has had enough practice with running errands for his brothers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:44, Sat 21 Jan 2023.

"I want to find him, yes. Would you be willing to join in the search Larn? You would be welcome, though it will be dangerous! Like I said, you are a brave man with a strong arm."

Xenaryn carefully cracks the door open and is relieved to find Alaion and Loki standing on the other side.

"Might I come in?" he inquires.  "You wished to transcribe my spell.  I'm sorry if I am intruding, we can meet later if you wish. I followed you here, in case you wished to do it now in a quiet place. I would transcribe it for you, but I do not have the skill to do so."

Myshra thanks the sheriff for listening and says they will keep in touch.  She was amazed, though not surprised at the sheriff's offer for Valeros to be one of his deputies.  There wouldn't be much adventuring if he took the job, of course, but maybe the part time thing would work out.

She turns to her companions, "Well, should we make our way to the Sitting Duck? I wonder if Dani is back."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:45, Sat 21 Jan 2023.

"That sounds like an excellent idea Myshra, I'll buy the first round, if I can afford it!" he says to everyone present.

He lets Myshra lead the way to the Sittin' Duck. He was hungry and thirsty. He also wondered where Xen was off to. "The rest of you coming too? Janser? You? You?" he said looking around face to face.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Sat 21 Jan 2023.

A thirst for ale was not one of Larn’s common habits however he was ready to relax and see what the fates would bring.

“Aye” the boy nods to Myshra and smiles at Valeros as he offers to pay the bill. Later a bit sheepishly he asks Valeros “where in town can someone buy a sword?” the boy Larn had never owned a weapon, his small axe was a simple tool. If Larn was to take up a life of adventure he felt he should carry the trappings of one.

"Oh yes! I would very much enjoy that!" Janser replies.  "Let's go."

"Probably either the blacksmith, or the market Larn. If you can afford some armor, get that too. I need better armor too."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Sat 21 Jan 2023.

Duivelssmak grips the sheriff’s hand and smiles as warmly as he can, but his paranoid thoughts refuse to depart.  What if this hand he was touching had sacrificed to the foul gods of darkness?  Would this hand one day wield the knife that would pierce the hearts of his friends?

“Bless you, sheriff,” he says, his throat dry.  “We’ll do our best to keep you appraised of events.”

As their flesh parts, the cleric wonders if his palm is as cold and sweaty as his forehead feels.

On the way to the tavern, the Sittin' Duck, after answering Larn's questions as best he can, he turns to Duiv, "You interested in fighting evil in an adventure group for a while Duiv? We could use a priest. You can raise the money to start your own church!"

Eventually, all the companions except Alaion, Xenaryn, and Dani, are gathered at the Sitting Duck where a hot meal, drinks, and fellowship wash away all the stress of the day.  It has been over thirty six hours since some of the party has slept.  The revelry at the tavern begins to wane two hours into low moon (8pm), with some patrons insisting they have to rise early the next day. Others that they have to get back to their wives, or husbands. The revelry having died down, it is quieter in the tavern now. Its about this time when Dani makes an appearance at the Sitting Duck.  She saunters in, slightly stooped, and finds the others gathered at the table. She glances at all the faces visible to her and keeps looking over her shoulder.

"Well, I got better prices than I thought and sold everything." she says in a low quiet voice.  She pulls the straps to her pack off her shoulders and carefully places it on the table.  Then she withdraws the iron strongbox she originally took from the cabin with a grunt of effort.  She lays it on the table with a heavy thud and pulls the privacy curtain closed.  Opening the lid, there are thousands of gold and silver coins.  "Twenty seven hundred gold and three hundred silver. Split amongst us, that's two hundred seventy gold and thirty silver apiece."

"It's been a hassle lug'n this thing around for hours." she says, grinning. "That's about three hundred pounds.  I stopped by the church and gave the money we found in this to help with the children.  It was their money.  Anyway, Lady Cirthana says she has another two thousand hold waiting there for us to pick up tomorrow.  I couldn't add it to this and try to carry it all the way here."

"Dani my dear, you are magnificent and are a pure delight! Excellent! I need better armor to keep alive and this will take care of a lot of that! I suggest we split this up and get some sleep. Do some shopping tomorrow after we get paid by the temple, and then go for more adventure late in the day or stay here for a few more days? We'll get more of Xen's poultices and some potions of wound healing too. Want to rest a few days, or go back out late tomorrow or the day after?"

Dani just beams pride at Valeros.  She did good.  It was hard work, and she did not mention any of the trouble she skirted, but that's not important.  "I've got us all three rooms here tonight.  You know, for all the revelry going on here, there is a surprising number of rooms available.  Three beds per room.  Obviously, Janser, Xenaryn, and myself will have one room. I think Myshra is staying at the temple. Split the rooms up how you want between you men."

Dani closes the lid on the strongbox.  "Val, if you will, carry this thing for me and follow me to the room.  We can divide it up there."

Dani stifles a yawn, hands the keys to the other rooms to Duivelssmak, then guides them upstairs to the private rooms.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:43, Sat 21 Jan 2023.

Myshra yawns.  "I think I will head back to the temple now.  I can bring your rewards here tomorrow morning when I come.  I will be here two candle hours after new sun (8am).  Good evening."

Myshra exits the tavern.

"Thank you Myshra, see you in the morning!" He follows the others up the stairs to their rooms. He cleans himself up, locks the door and sets the chamber pot so it will fall if someone comes in while he sleeps so it will wake him. He cares not who shares the room, "I have beds in here extra, Duiv, Larn? Up to you, but I do snore some."

"Alaion!" Xen heaves an audible sigh of relief when she sees it's the elf at the door and not someone else. "You're not intruding at all. Please come in." She leads her new colleague in and introduces him to her parents. "Mom? Dad? This is Alaion. He's an elf. And he helped hold off the zombies and defeat that monstrous ogre and save the two children and the daughter of the priestess..." She realizes that she is (again) rambling, so she stops abruptly.

After the introductions conclude, she takes Alaion's book and attempts to transcribe from it the notation for the alarm spell he had cast earlier.