Christ Centered Gamer

Kratimos lowered his swords as well, but has not sheathed them. Guy is doing well, but we don't know how the head gnome will react.
Probably will take us in to be tried. The idea of becoming a prisoner made Kratimos uneasy, but how far would he go to keep that from happening?

"Bring er out" Says the older gnome. The soldiers behind him stir. The next face you see is the small face of a gnomish child. She stands behind the oldest and peeks from behind his legs. "Are these th ones responsible? Don't worry girl, you're safe with me."

She leaves the safety found behind the gnome and steps to the left of him. "These....these are not the monsters I saw. They looked like icky dead people. Are my cousins ok?"

Its obvious to the group that you are blocking her view of the dismembered corpses of her family.

The older gnome puts his hand on her shoulder, aware of the the current circumstances. He kneels down to look her in the eyes. "Ye best head back now ok?" The little girl nods and one the other soldiers steps forward to take her by the hand and escort her through the other warriors.

"It appears I owe you an apology and a debt of gratitude. I am Ingruhn, warmaster fer th city." He extends his hand out to guy in a showing of peace.

XP Awarded TS (everyone can read)

Kratimos let out a sigh of relief, only loud enough for someone to hear if they were listening for it.
He sheathed his swords and relaxed.

((Fathom: That sounds good. I was just worried that we'd be at epic levels before labor day and not get a chance to work through the game.))

Brokan is pleased that combat had been averted, but he continues scowling out of habit. He hopes that the group and the gnomes can go their separate ways before too long. They have a long way to travel toward the tower yet. If the gnomes have a reward to give that would be helpful for the party's survival, then that might be worth lingering for. However, Brokan fears that the gnomes are about to offer 3 gold pieces for whoever can locate their lost puppy, or some other distraction the party does not need.

Brokan has been extremely attentive to his party mates, evaluating them and trying to determine which ones would be liabilities. Kratimos in particular had drawn Brokan's notice. Therefore, Brokan did notice the fighter's sigh. It assured Brokan that he may have misjudged the man as excessively battle-hungry.

Brokan continued to glare silently.

CrimsonBlade is relieved to see that this was resolved peacefully. Shall we press onward or shall we scavenge the wreckage?

Minather, lost in thought, has put his quarterstaff away. Hopefully we've just made some friends... he says thoughtfully, and sighs.

"I be sorry for yer loss. I've got some Dwarven Holy Water in 'ere, and I be a Priest o' the Forge Father. We can have a proper ceremony for them right 'ere." Kagor says, putting away his hammer and shield.

Guy sheathes his blade then takes Ingruhn's hand and grips it firmly. "It is our honor to meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances. How may we be of help with the... remains?" He looks uncomfortably toward the mangled bodies.

Brokan's scowl grows deeper. Why don't we stop to shine their boots while we're at it.

Kratimos leaned closer to Guy and with an outward smile towards the gnomes, he angrily muttered to the Paladin,
"We really need to do more adventuring and less digging." Kratimos took a pause and softened his voice, "After all, they have plenty of men and it's really best to not intrude in any funerary customs they might have."

Brokan is glad the fighter has said something. Brokan knows the group would not take him seriously if he started making demands of them immediately after joining their ranks. However, they could not be stopping every time an opportunity for a good deed arose. Making the best use of their daylight could mean the difference between life and death.

Brokan turned to Crimson. "I suggest pressing onward. This is not our wreckage to scavenge."

Guy nods, understanding, but doesn't relent just yet. "If these gnomes know the forest well, they may be able to speed our journey. If they know of faster, safer routes, and are willing to guide us, or at least share the information, then it would be well worth our investment of time helping them if we can."

He pauses, then adds "If nothing else, they may know more about these beasts, and we would be fools not to avail ourselves of that knowledge."

"Ye forget yerself lad. The duty to the dead is one of the highest callings. If we give up ourselves, how are we any better than the Darktide?"

Brokan feels uncomfortable that this debate is occurring right in front of the gnomes, but his patience has run out.

"Our mission is to destroy the darkness, not be 'better' than it. I'm sure our gnomish friends would much rather see the curse ended sooner than for us to avoid all lapse in politeness. If the rationale for us offering to intrude on their private mourning is that we might receive some reciprocal benefit, then we better hope that it is worth the price in innocent lives that will be lost for every minute we delay."

Kratimos turned and stared down the cleric, but did not reply. This argument will have to be continued later.
"Very well," Kratimos turned back to Guy, "Find out what you can, but if you take too long, I'll be heading to the tower, along with anyone who would join me."