2. The First Delve

Jessica stands quietly, wondering to herself if there was anything that she could do to help the poor gnome.

Fenwick is impressed with the level of wealth on display in the room, as well as the refined nature of the Boss' speech, the Open Sore Tribe may be more than the brutish bunch she'd been expecting.

Not trusting herself to not say the wrong thing, she does a little curtsy after seeing Ricard bow--very awkwardly and probably unrecognizable in her armor--and decides to wait to see if he gets a response.

Gabbro surreptitiously eyes the signs of prosperity on display. ::And here I am, not even able to afford a drink...::

The elf tries to mask his unease at being surrounded by the usually-chaotic orcs by gabbing. "We come seeking our fortune, as I imagine most visitors to Stonehell do. I think we're all curious what work you could have for us that you couldn't do just as well yourselves. And what the pay is."

Realising he was not melding as wished for Pickles pretends briefly to admire any nearby wall hangings, "Very lovely, interesting." he says before gulping as the Gnome comes into view and scooting after his companions.

Orc Chieftain’s Room
"Let me explain the little task I have for you," the chieftain begins.

"There are a group of humans who live somewhere above Stonehell. Go by the name of the Ghost Beggars. They seem to be little more than roadside thieves, but they do have a scam by which they charge adventuring parties such as your good selves for safe passage through the canyon. If you haven’t met them yet, you soon will."

"Anyway, reliable sources tell me that the leader of the Beggars, one Zorrel Gnast is looking for something in Stonehell. He seems sufficiently preoccupied with finding this thing that it must have some value. I’d like you to find out what he is looking for. If you can do this, I have five hundred gold coins waiting for you."

"I’ll also offer up to the same amount again for any intelligence on the Beggar’s operation - where they’re based, layout, numbers, how they come and go from Stonehell, and so on."

"As my generosity apparently knows no bounds, I will also grant you unhindered passage through Open Sore territories. If you really are intent on seeking your fortune in Stonehell, you may find that concession more valuable than the coin."

To Gabbro: "In light of the nature of the task, I’m sure you can appreciate how it might be easier for a group such as yourselves to gather this information. There are likely to be certain trust issues if Sores were to approach the Beggars directly, and some of my tribe are not known for their subtlety."

"So, do we have a deal?". You see the patrol leader to the chieftain’s right tense at this final question.

---
Day 2, 2:00 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

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Fenwick shrugs.

"Sounds fair to me. We've met these Ghost Beggars already, and they're bullies who I'm not too fond of, " says Fenwick. "So, I don't have any objections to telling you anything I find out about them. "

Jessica frowns but nods her head. "I agree to your terms." Turning to her friends, she adds, "I think that we should do this, if for no other reason than the ability to move freely through Open Sore territory. The fewer enemies we make, the better, and if those who would be an enemy are actually an ally, then that's better yet."

"We'll do it, on one condition."

Ricard straightens up subtly, raising his chin ever so slightly.

"Give us that gnome out there, I need a squire and it looks like your boys are about done with him anyway. We'll find out what they want and how they work."

Gabbro nods thoughtfully. "Yeah, we have no love for these 'Ghost Beggars.' Is there anything else you can tell us about them? Numbers? Identifying marks, costume, insignia? Any details about this Gnast character we should know?"

Pickles listens to Orc leader and his companions as they discuss the job at hand, only signaling his approval of the job by nodding like one of those supporters standing behind a politician. The conversation fades into a collection of blah this and blah that, as his thoughts wander and his face showing the internal confusion . . .

Are these ‘Ghost Beggars’ the same as the nice guy that gave him the silver coin, or are they a different group. It is always hard to tell the tall ones apart. The Elves make it slightly easier by having pointed ears, but the flat ears all have the same bland, flat faces. Only the changing shades allows one to tell them apart.

Orc Chieftan’s Room
The orc chieftain shrugs. "OK, it’ll save us the job of disposing of the body. He’s all yours. I’ll get the boys to cut him down."
"They wear yellow and black as their colours. I only know Gnast by sight. Tall fellow, bushy beard, one eye. He’s hard to miss. In terms of numbers, I don't know. I've heard tales of them coming off worse from one of their recent attempts to rob a caravan, but that they've since bolstered their numbers by teaming up with a group of highwaymen."

---
Day 2, 2:00 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

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Upon the description on the humans wear yellow and black he calls out, "Bingo!" He quickly clamps a hand over his mouth as the Chieftain describes the giant man he met in the market place. He moves over to Fenwick and tugs on their armour, "They’re the ones at the market . . . " he says in hushed tones before quickly cutting himself off. He seems ready to burst and ready the leave.

Tiberious remains at the back of the group and considers the request. This "item" obviously has a lot of value. We might be better off claiming it for ourselves He thinks to himself.

He let's the others do the talking with the chieftain. There will be hell to pay when he finds out we have double crossed him. We will have to prepare for the backlash

"Good work, Pickles, it sounds like we've got a lead already! " Fenwick repeats her bow to the orc leader. "In which case, we'll just collect our gmome from the other room and be on our way."

She turns to leave and heads to the other room of no one stops her.

Pickles gives the Chieftain a wave before skipping after Fenwick and Tiberious, keen to be out of there and to help the poor Gnome. He reflected on how noble Richard had been asking to rescue the tortured soul.

You are dismissed by the orc chieftain and escorted back to the guard post. Moments later, you are joined by the poor gnome who has been unhooked from the barracks wall. He is in a sorry state, battered and bedraggled, but he’s upright and capable of walking.

"Thank you … my friends," he croaks, clearly finding it difficult to speak, "You have my … undying ... gratitude. The name’s ... Johann. Could I ... trouble you for ... a drink of ... water?"

---

It is up to you what you do with Johann. He is currently weaponless, unarmoured and badly injured, and is considered to be a level 0 NPC. However, he would happily join the party as someone’s retainer if asked (no hiring roll required). If he does so, he will become a level 1 Gnome (as per the Old School Essentials "Advanced" rules).

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Day 2, 2:10 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Johann, Gnome 0: 1/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

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Fenwick will share her waterskin with Johann.

"Let's head back to the Korners to get him cleaned up and ask after the Beggars."

"How did you end up here?" she asks the gnome.

Jessica does her best to dress the gnome's wounds.

Ricard looks over the bady wounded Gnome and sucks air through his teeth. He passes off his waterskin to the thirsty gnome upon request.

"Think nothing of it. What say we get you fixed up a bit, I have need of your services if you are willing. Nearly impossible to strap this armor up without help you know. And the bearing of torches is most necessary as well."

Ricard offers a chuckle and a half smile to Johann to ease the tension.

Johann drinks from the waterskin, tentatively at first, but then in longer draughts, panting between gulps.
Inspecting his wounds, Jessica can see that Johann has suffered a myriad of minor injuries - burns, cuts and bruises - but there doesn’t appear to be anything immediately life-threatening. A couple of days of uninterrupted rest should do much to revive him.
"I’m an adventurer, just like you. My party was ambushed by orcs in the magnetic cave. I became separated from the rest of them in the scuffle, but they just scarpered and left me for dead, the bastards."
Johann smiles back weakly. "I fear I’m good for little else at the moment. The orcs stripped me of my equipment and took my spell book. But, if I can serve in any capacity I will willingly do so. I owe you my life."

---
Day 2, 2:10 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Johann, Gnome 0: 1/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

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