Surprise Supper Guests

After confirming that Bramlin is in no imminent danger, Elowin and Morik carry the human fighter's body down off of the sprawled collection of broken barrels, crates, and moldering sacks that form the loot pile and rest him more comfortably on a bed of grass at the forest's edge. Gunter looks to him there, and watches over his body while the others quickly examine the camp for other threats, valuables, and useful items.

Morik is quickly able to ascertain that no more than eleven creatures bedded down here: six goblin nests under bushes at the edge of the clearing (two of them seemed to be sleeping together), a place where meat and bones were thrown to the trained wolves, and a big tussock by a thick-trunked tree that, judging by the way the bark has been stripped and worn smooth, indicates where the ungual ogre was tied and fed a diet of succulent leaves and grass when it wasn't out pillaging. Adran's candlestick, once cleaned, would probably be worth at least 20 gold suns.

Zik's lifeless body has collapsed backwards over a wooden box he was using as a stool/throne in the wagon. In death, Zik the werewolf is gradually reverting to Zik the goblin. Around his neck is tied a leather bracelet studded with ostentatiously large, smooth ovals of precious turquoise, worth even more than the candlestick. The polished mahogany box under him is locked, and bears an elaborate seal of a coastline and rampant goat (INT History check to discern what the seal is) carved into the lid. Elowin's eyes see that the lock on the box is magical, and that it contains magic.

It is clear that most of the goods looted from previous victims are in much the same condition as the wagon here: too damaged to be useful or salable. But scattered amongst the mildewed bolts of cloth, broken casks of ale, spilled spices, shattered furniture, and rusted pieces of metallic equipment are an assortment of gold and copper coins. Anyone who wishes to can quickly dig through the pile with either an INT Investigation check or a DEX Sleight of Hand check to retrieve some of the money. Or, alternatively, the party can take an hour to thoroughly retrieve every last coin that can be found.

Adran recognizes the emblem carved into the box immediately: it is the Seal of the noble house of Draymore, the Duke of Grayhaven. He figures that this was likely what the Royal Courier was transporting, or at least part of that courier's cargo.

While Elowin rifles through the piled goods, Adran sets aside the silver candlestick in a safe place, then with some distaste climbs the rest of the way into the broken wagon. He rolls Zik's body over to free the mahogany box and get at the ties for the bracelet, then brings both items out.
In that time, Elowin has found 73 coins: 3 gold krugerrands crafted with small holes in the middle, and 70 copper bits embossed with circles: Grayhaven currency.

Gunter helps Morik craft a litter to carry Bramlin. The wood of the wrecked wagon is befouled enough that the druid finds some branches instead. Gunter digs through the piled goods until he is able to find a bolt of cloth that is only barely rotted. Knowing that they will have to carry the weight for some time over uneven terrain in the dimness of darkvision, they take their time to make something sturdy enough to be certain that it won't fall apart from the torque, large enough to hold the big man (Morik has to go back to get a longer branch for one side, having unconsciously thought about toting a dwarf-sized person), and comfortable to carry.

This gives Adran and Elowin time enough to more thoroughly search the pile. Together they excavate an additional 32 gold krugerrands, and something over 2300 copper bits...about 50 pounds of coins. In the process, Elowin finds a small silver disc bearing the image of a raven. They are able to find an emptied cask, which they can use to contain the money and carry it out alongside the litter bearers. Recognizing the silver raven as Bramlin's treasure and figuring it must have fallen from him when he fell, Elowin slips it back into the unconscious fighter's pocket before they leave.

The heroes lug their fallen comrade and the retrieved money back to the caravan. You hear Princess' voice raised in song as you approach the firelight; clearly she has been playing and singing to soothe the caravan's nerves, but still everyone gives a start when they first notice something emerging from the darkness. Cries of alarm turn to laughs of relief as they recognize that it is their beloved guards, returning victorious. Everyone rushes to congratulate you and express their appreciation, but Belany is particularly solicitous. Bram's been hurt!" she exclaims, "Is he alive??" On seeing his breath, she rushes to her wagon and retrieves a leather satchel. "These are virtuous liquors from the Drakallin Temple in Mara," she explains to Gunter and Morik as they set the litter bearing the fighter down by the fire. She lifts the crystal stopper from the phial and brushes it across his more obvious wounds, then deposits one drop each on his eyelids and lips. At the askance looks from the other merchants, she says, defensively, "Oh, and am I the only one of us to have a side business?" Bramlin's breath deepens, then he snorts and comes awake. She graces him with a rare smile: "Welcome back, hero!" Then she hands him the phial. When he drinks it, he regains some of his color and vigor (Bramlin gains 5 HP). Seeing his improvement, Belany then stands with her normal, slightly scornful expression, and points an admonishing finger at you. "Not a one of you who saved my wagon are going to die if I have anything to say about it!" She approaches each of the party members in turn, reaching into the satchel again, and gives each one of you a phial of virtuous liquor (each PC gains 1 healing potion).

Dugal takes you aside and tells you "You have saved me; when I started this journey, I wasn't sure whether I would continue running the caravan, what with the increased fear of bandits. But now that you've done such valiant service as guards, the story will spread and I'll see a lot more business! I think that'll be worth a bonus for each of you, when we get to Grayhaven!"

Gunter checks in on Gavath, to make sure that he's recovering well. The half-orc groom is shaken by his near-death experience, but he's already up and limping around to check on the various horses in his charge. Clearly somewhat embarrassed at the attention, Gunter assists Gavath for some time, just to get away from the speculative looks of some of the female drivers.

At some point, kar'Javon approaches Adran, absent-mindedly brushing his fingertips with his thumbs. "I couldn't help noticing the locked box you have there. I'm...ah...I'm a bit of an amateur expert with locks; opening locks is a hobby of mine. I suspect I could get that open for you with little difficulty." When Adran doesn't reply with immediate enthusiasm, the dwarven knight nods. "It was just an offer. Of course, you're reluctant to pry into others' affairs. But have you considered that it might be best to ascertain whether the contents of the box are intact? Let me know if you'd like any advice or assistance. I always like to try my hands at a new lock." He walks away, and accepts a cup from Swelvie and joins in a rousing (and somewhat ribald) song that Princess is singing as her latest attempt to make Turighe blush.

As Swelvie goes around the campfire, making sure everyone's drinks are filled, Findal Dinfizzle Findazzle the gnome sage stands up and announces: "Quiet! Quiet! It is now time for seriousness!" At this exact moment, Flint gives off a thunderous belch, and the crowd, including Findal, laughs and applauds. Flint stands, a little unsteadily, and takes an elaborate bow, then sits with what he probably thinks is a dignified expression. After a few moments, the smiling gnome holds his hands up for attention again. There is no immediate response, so he snaps his fingers, and the large campfire leaps up to twice its height with a roar that drowns out all the conversation. The fire subsides again, and Findal continues. "A toast, and our thanks, to the heroic guards of our caravan, every one of whom demonstrated valor, skill, bravery, and selflessness! They have been our companions, but have also become our friends, and we wish them all many happy returns!" There is a cheer from the crowd, and applause, and pauses for quaffing more drinks.

The rest of the night is spent celebrating, with the drivers and merchants asking you to retell the story of your fight after each round of toasts during the feast that Jalon prepares for the occasion. Jalon's so jubilant that he doesn't even mind that Tesko comes in to "assist" him (you'd never tell the dragonborn cook this, but Tesko's touch definitely improves the food in subtle and surprising ways).

The carousing celebration of surviving and conquering the bandits lasts late into the night, and so the caravan is slower to get moving the next day. But the day dawns bright and clear, and the rested and only-slightly-limping Gavath rounds up the horses and hitches them to the wagons. Now that sunlight aids in identifying spots he missed, Findal helps Belany by removing blood- and other stains from her wagon and merchandise using his magical prestidigitation, wicking the goblin and human blood out of the materials and flicking it out onto the grass. Usually feckless, Turighe surprises everyone by having dragged the wolf carcasses out of sight and competently skinned them, draping the hides over the top of his wagon to dry a bit before he treats them with the successive stages of preservation. Jalon chuckles "If I knew he could skin so well, I would've tried to hunt more mammals on the trip..." as he butchers the wolf carcasses. No one else seems particularly enthused at the idea of eating wolf, and all are glad that the journey is almost over.

The caravan leaves late, but Dugal still seems in good spirits; his good feeling from the heroes' rescue of the caravan lingers. Throughout the day, as the PCs come within earshot (getting out to stretch their legs, shifting from one wagon to another, going hunting, etc), Findal asks them: "What are your plans once you get to Grayhaven?"