Katina since the Ork Raid

Cookie was just clearing away the dishes from another excellent meal and all of Local 509 were sprawled back in their chairs. Stallen was smoking a huge cigar and Dromar was sending plumes of pungent herb smoke out of his black briar pipe. The rest were nursing the last of the Ruby Port from Amn that had been their desert.

"Back at last!" hissed Galranwyn in the middle of a long stretch. Her head was thrown back and her arms were high overhead stretching to touch the ceiling.

"Yes, but for how long I wonder." grumbled Dromar. "I can see it now. I'm 3 weeks into researching one of my new spells and Beourn ponces in and we're off to Quackamora or some other place no one has ever heard of. I hate to be rushed when doing spell research."

"I'll say this about the adventuring life" said Katrina, "when you get a chance to relax, TAKE IT!"

"How true." rumbled said the half giant. "I don't think I've ever felt this good in my whole life." He grinned and Cookie

They had been back from Mt. Celestina form a couple of weeks, and it was begining to sink in that Beourn (regardless of Dromar's fatalistic assessment) might not be back for years. For people as used to going through life at breakneck speed, this presented some new problems.

Galranwyn finished off her wine with a flourish. "So Katrina; we've both been so busy copying in our spell books, we haven't really had a chance to talk much. How are all the folks doing this year. Are they recovering from the Ork raid OK? I assume you've been back to socialize with the town folk."

"Naturally! I snuck off early in the mornings long before you got up.
"The folks are all doing fine. It's been a good year fortunatly, so not many are worried about the future at this point. Not like they don't have problems though."

"I guess the bigest change has been in Mayor Turnelmore. You know he lost his wife and a daughter in the raid. He positivly dotes on his remaining daughter like he never did before. Hell, he didn't use to talk about them at all, and now he makes a point of letting everyone know what his little girl did that day. But that's not the big change. He's gotten militant. Since the raid he has been diligent about making sure the Militia and the soldiers among the followers are ready for action at any time. In council, he always makes a point of considering how an action will affect the towns security and the like. Funny how adversity often brings out qualities in someone even they didn't suspect."

"One kind of funny thing happened that the wags of the town are having a field day with. You remember that woman who was running around without nothing on? She kept crying that she couldn't find her husband? The guy that was with her was their field hand right? Well, her husband turned up dead by the front door and they went out the back. The new is that she and the field hand got married in mid-Kythorn. Most wonder why neighter the woman or the field hand had any clothes on, but her husband was found in his nightgown and a robe!"

"You remember Cretin? The landlord of the Bark and Bite. Died right? So his wife Bettsy has taken over the place. But I don't think her heart is in it. The place has really gone downhill. No body goes there except they feel sorry for her. Quinat at the Trident is getting all her old trade. Alarontha ended up staying on though and helping out. Mostly just bouncing (like they need any these day) but she does some cutting and carrying too. You might go over and visit her sometime. I hear she has a tale or two to tell about her daredevil days."

"Karis and Flarnia adopted a little boy of about 2 last year. They lost two daughters and a son about the same age. One of the floozies that followed a wood carver here from Waterdeep decided to run out on him and her kid. The poor guy felt really guilty, but he was only 19 and was in no condition to take care of a baby just weened. So Flarnia offered to raise the kid, and that was that. They're going to be OK."

"Do you guys remember seeing that really nice farm with the big red barn and the good fences? Poor old Regia put her heart and soul into that place. But her heart broke when her husband, her mother and all the hired hands were killed in the fire that took the bunk house. She didn't plant this year. Said she had all she needed and I guess she was right in a way. Folks were keeping an eye on her, but they couldn't watch her all the time. She hung her self in the kitchen about 3 months ago."

"But other than that theres money around town, crops are growing and so are the kids. It's funny seeing them at year intervals. It's like watching them grow in spurts."

"Yah, Regia was a sad case" said Stallen with a puff of deep blue smoke. "She said she couldn't stop seeing that Ork kill Eugin. Who did she leave the place to?"

"She didn't have any kin as anyone knows of, so I don't know" said Kartina. "I expect it'll be fallow till next spring and the council will put it up for auction".

"Why next year? Why not sooner?" asked Victorex.

"To give anyone as no one know of a chance to put forward a claim. It the custom around here." answer Katrina.

They heard the door to the Hero's Rest open and a uniformed man strode in. His black, silver and gold uniform identified him as a member of the Waterdeep guard and his face as the Captain of the Militia named Mordicity. He smiled when he saw that there was no one in the Inn except for Local 509 and a table with the elete of the construction crew who were keeping to themselves. Everyone greeted Modicity with unfeigned gladness.

"Good to see you all Local 509! Sorry to hear about Duzy, but thats the business for you. Mind if I join you for a while?"

He was assured that he was very welcome, so he sat down at the end of the table between Krom and Brodda.

"I'm glad I found you mostly alone" he began. I've been wanting to talk to you about some things. I wanted to let you know that because of the good reports coming out of the raid, I was promoted to Captain. I don't know how much you all had to do with it, but I'm grateful all the same. We would have been cut down if it wasn't for you. 'Course, it probably wouldn't have happened if you hadn't been around, but no one can blame you for living!"

"Anyway, we now at a standing force of 50 with 2 patrols of 20 each and the rest are on active reserve on a rotating basis. So we have a bigger force in the field and the men are getting a break without depleting the patrol size. We haven't seen any Orks at all in the area since the battle. I guess it's like you figured, that the priest had them riled up to attack. Without him, they must have all headed back to whatever stinking hole they came from. May it be ever so."

They all agreed that the orks were well gone. Calling for Cookie to bring the port back, they made sure Mordicity was comfortable before going on.

Victorex asked "So what is your assessment of the battle readyness of my fol... I mean the army of the Illustrious Bobocob? Are they ready for anything that might show up or is there something of their training that has been under stressed?"

"I must say they've done a bully job at repairing those old weapons you found. They are't quite as good as new, but they are quite servisable. I would recommend getting a few new long swords as the non-coms have grumbled to me about using the same "crappy" swords as the trainees. I might have them drill more, but when I suggested it to your head man; can't remember his name, he said it would get in the way of their devotions and that was the end of that!"

"Thats right!" said Victorex. "Their souls relation to the great Bobocob is more important than any other duty they might have. But you say they are in good fighting form?"

"I would say so. And I will also say that I feel quite a bit better now about our ability to throw back attacks than I did before. In fact, I know of few places that are as well protected givin our distance from Waterdeep and re-enforcement."

"Glad to hear it!" says Victorex. "I would like to work more with you now I am back. I think you have a lot to teach us."

"This may be, but I don't feel comfortable assigning men to train you. However, I have no objections to my men helping you on a volentary basis. I think you all should meet my new officers. I'll bring them over tomorow night if that's OK".

Everyone said this would be a good idea and promiced to be there the next evening.

"Has anyone gone back to the Crumbling Stair lately?" asked Galranwyn. "Even though the orks are gone, I still worry about some of those creepy spiders finding their way here."

"I have the patrols get within a few miles of there, but I didn't want to tempt the men into approaching the ruins." He smiled and said "In some ways, you guys are a bad example. I mean, I don't want them taking un-nessary risks and there you are popping off to one deadly place after another. I don't think any of you realize how their image of you has changed since the battle. There is a closeness that warrors who fight together feel. They brag about fighting side by side with Local 509 and it makes them feel stronger."

No one knew what to say to this, so they sipped their port and Dromar stoked up his pipe which had gone out.

"So Stallen, I still don't know what you were up to the last year." asked Pisheo. Stallen frowned at this and Pisheo said "Now don't get your back up, I can see how far all the construction has progressed and I'm sure we all thank you. I mean the rest of the stuff."

"Well, I spent a lot of time working on my songs. I re-wrote several and I'm about ready with a couple more. In fact, I started working on one about your adventurers a couple of days ago. I thinks it's going to come out well."

"As a kind of training thing, I took some of my warriors down to secure the levels under the house. It didn't go all that well actually. Things went well down to the 5th level. The rats in the tunnels near the surface were the toughest to get rid of. I still have a couple of guys patroling the area weekly. Except for the odd insect and a bunch of killer bats, the other levels were clean.

"But every time we got down to the 6th level, these damn gremlin like guys would turn them back. They used fear, illusions and poisoned darts. Tough little bastards too. We didn't clear it out, but we mapped most of the place. And we found a stairway down. No one felt inclined to go down and I didn't think they were ready. I think we need to do some exploring down there. Maybe this winter, we can tackle it just to keep in practice! We really should know how much is down there. We should then completely block off the areas we don't need."

"As long as we're on the subject of our followers, I'll tell you about MY guys. They train on their weapons and then spend a couple of hours learning instrunments. Hey! How about if... Hang on, you guys are planing to go to Waterdeep soon aren't you?"

Everyone answer with an enthusiastic yes.

"Then how about if I start planning a end of summer party for us. The Reunion party was a ton of fun, but I didn't have much notice. This time, I can get creative cause I'll have more time. When did you plan on heading out?"

Victorex said "I'm not going anywhere for another week minimum. Thats about how long Jon Keel said I would need to train with my trident."

"So I'm not going anywhere either I guess" said Jon with a whistfull tone.

"And then I've gotta write some scrolls" said Victorex. So, I'll be busy for another couple of weeks at least altogether."

Katrina "I'm working on some training myself, so a couple more weeks here at home sounds good."

Everyone agreed that going to the city in a couple of weeks was a good idea.

"Great!" said Stallen. "I'm going to get the followers working on some group tunes. I hope you all like penny whistles. Thats what most of them started with. Hopefully, we'll get some new instruments in Waterdeep.

Every one began talking in small groups, discusing how they could help out to make the party memorable. After a few minutes, they were interrupted when the Archetect came over to speak with them. His name was Jezai O'Dulali. They all respected him and his abilities even more since they had had time to inspect all the work he had supervised that year.

"I hope you don't mind if I butt in here?" he asked.

"Sure, come on over and sit down" said Timber. "Have a drink, make yourself comfortable." He moved over to let Jezai sit down next to the Captain.

"I'm pleased that you pleased with the way the building is coming. I must say that making something of this scale com e to life here on the edge of the frountier has been the most satisfying experience professionaly that I have had. No one has made a big deal about it, but you certainly didn't do much to hide the fact that you brought a fortune back with you. I haven't discussed this with you sooner as I really didn't know my own mind yet. You see, it's been almost 2 years I've worked here. It's a lot harder than working in Waterdeep. I wasn't sure that I didn't want to go back home again. I'm still not convinced to tell you the truth, so I thought I would sound you out on your plans and see if we can arrainge something." He leaned back in his chair and looked at the folks who were his employers expectantly.

Stallen speaks first and says "We've talked about the improvements to the amhitheatre and build a theatre I would like to build next to it."

Victorex interrupted Jezai's afermative answer. The words tumbled out in the rush. "I have been working on this drawing the last week or so. See, this is the temple and here are the rest of the rooms. I want to make the whole level into The Dungeon Temple of Bobicob." They could all hear the capitol letters in Victorex's tone of voice.

"First, I want to make this area into a kitchen. That means we need to vent the kitchen via chimney to surface to take the smoke and fumes out. I would like to make some privies; lots of privys. Bobicob demands good personal higene. Thats what these 8 new rooms are. And these existing rooms I need turned into privys too."

"We need a new room here about 30x30 feet square for... well it's kind of a secret. And all my followers need private places, so I want to use these three rooms to be made into about 20 or so. They don't have to be fancy, just timber and clapboard would be OK."

"Then I want to turn this room into a storage room, this one into a study, this one into a library and this one into a private room. But that's mostly a matter of getting the right furnicture. I think maybe some of the worshipers will build some, but I'll buy the rest in Waterdeep. What do you think?" finished Victorex breathlessly.

"I hardly know what to think" Jezai replied. "Hmm. It's ambitious and curious." He pulled the intricate map of the proposed Dungeon Temple toward him. "Quite a lot of work here. Particularly putting in that new room. I've never done a "dungeon" as such before. Not much call for it in Waterdeep. Still there is a great tradition of underground architecture. Unfortunatly, the original builders ignored most of it. Rather crude down there you know."

"Yes, this will take a long time. Cutting, pulverizing and removing stone is time consuming and hard work. Fortunatly, the gross removal can be done by relativly unskilled labor. And the additions..." his voice trailed off as he pondered the map.

Dromar interrupted Jezai's study saying "Well, there a lot of work I'ld like done".

Jezai's head came up and he looked at Dromar with some surprise. "Of course Dromar. What did you have in mind?"

"Victorex isn't the only one who can make a map!" Dromar said an pulled a couple of sheets of partchment out of his back pocket.. Unfolding them he said "It's kind of a different place. See this building on this page is this building on this other page. These are all rooms, but they don't have any doors or windows. And then this building is the palasade with the arraks and towers and oh yah, these rooms (except for this one) are underground. What do you think?"

Dromar and Jazai spent some time working out a basic concept. Jazai asked Glukas Glee the foreman of the contruction workers over to answer a question about the Palasade. He was obviously pleased to be sitting in with the Local 509.

Phrases like "But how will you breathe much less get in or out?" and "How am I supposed to get men down to work on them if " and the like, but at the end Jazai was smiling.
"A true chalange I must say. I can see the logic of it now, but I have never heard of anything similar. I will take these if I may, and prepare an estimate and some specifics. If I decide to take them on, we can talk about the cost."

He pulled his chair closer to the table and spent the rest of the evening covering the maps with tiny numbers and structural sketches. Occasionally he would interject a comment, but most of his attention was on the plans for new buildings.

By this tie, the room was begining to fill. There were no seats at the bar, and Boris was moving fast to keep up with the demand. Alexa too was busy carrying platters full of drinks to the tables. There were only a few empty seats.

Cookie hurried out of the kitchen and up to Stallen. "You get corn flower like I ask? Better get pritty soon or no one have good food. Corn flour best like I say. You get soon." She almost sounded like she was repremanding Stallen.

"I know Cookie. It was supposed to be on the last wagon from Waterdeep and I'm sure it will be on the one comming in three days. I told you this yesterday." Stallen spoke politely.

"OK hope so" she said.

"So Cookie, the place is really crowded" Katrina said to Cookie. "Is it like this all the time?"

"Most time, not have you big bellys sitting at table." Cookie said with a smile looking down the long table where Local 509 lounged. "But most times like this. We no rooms empty, fix much food and sell many drinks. It very hard for me. Toby help much, but take much care. He very good boy. Oh, toast burn!" She ran off back to her kitchen.

Jon Keel had been quietly watching and listening to all the conversations around him. He seemed to think for a while then said to Stallen "You all seem to know everybody here. Is there any one you see thats a stranger?"

Stallen looked around and replied "I don't think so. It's the same old crowd."

"So who are all these people?"

"Lets do some introductions" said Katrina. There several I haven't had a chance to talk to since I got back. Tell you what, how bout if I go get Soos and bring him over?"

Everyone agreed, and Katrina stood up.

"Hey everybody! I've seen those curious looks you've been giving our friend here. Now don't deny it. I would like to introduce the latest member of Local 509. His name is Jon Keel (he says it a little different of course). Say hello and make him welcome if you would."

All the heads in the bar turned toward the 1/2 giant and he was surprised to see the smiles on their faces. It was so different here! Jon was used to dealing with everyone as if they were out to get him. Here they seemed satisfied with what they had and weren't interested in stealing what was his. On his world, a place like this would be full of people compeating to have clean water and enough food. There would be some guarded enjoyment perhaps, but never the genuine welcome he felt just then. It troubled him.

In ones and twos, the people in the Hero's Rest Inn wandered over to introduce themselves to the biggest person most of them had ever seen.

A small thin man of about 40 with a thick beard came over and said "I'm glad to make your aquaintance Jon. My name is Soos Voy. I'm an animal trainer. I'll bet they have a lot of interesting animals on your world. Do you have any dogs?"

"No. No dogs Soos. Only some wild ones in the far north maybe. Most animals I know have scales and are poisonous."

"So what kind of pets did you have there?"

"Pets. I did not know what they were until I met them" replied Jon Keel. "We don't have them. Except for gamblers who bet on ptharth races and rich nobles who keep certain snakes to make potions."

"Sad. Well if there is anything I can do, I mean, if you would like a animal to be your helper and companion or for hunting or anything, just let me know. Tell you what, how about if you come over to my place tomorow. I've been training the spring liter from Flossy. She had 7 pups" Soos said proudly "and some of the pups are coming along well. If you need a horse, let me know. There are several for sale around town, and I know who's got the good ones."

"I've never ridden a horse before" said Jon.

"Really! We better get started train... I mean teaching you. Come over tomorrow morning early and I'll try and find something that will take your weight." He laughes and shakes his head. "Even with a great war horse you'll look like your riding a donkey. No offense!"

Jon Keel didn't really get the joke (he didn't know what a donkey was), but he laughed along. It was obvious that this total stranger really cared enough to offer to help him.

"I'll let the others come over and meet you Jon, so maybe I'll see you tomorow."

Jon said "I will be there Sos. Thank you. Good to meet you"

Kamin 3rd level Alchemist - Camelion Potion, Oil of Impact, Sweetwater

Anakan the artist
Has been working on canvases and has 3 ready. One is of a battle sciene, one is of the sea (he made a trip to Waterdeep for inspiration with the caravan supplying the outpost, and a picture of n incredably beautiful woman She is in waterdeep and he is in love and pining. He would like to move there somehow.

Kus Ahke - Smoked ham from his own pigs. Would very much like to have some salmon or other fish to smoke.

Dorlan tree farmer has completed the plans for the Garden around the Inn. He would like to have the acre around the building to plant. He has in mind a setting that will concentrate on relaxation. Nothing formal, his design has 3 gazeboes, gravel paths, shade trees, scattered benches, arbors suitable for midnight assignations, all hidden in a maze of broad leafed plants. The path to the inn from the road is of fallen logs halved then placed into the ground.

Lanic - gold worker/gems is willing to inscribe the Basin of Bobicob. He is excited about the gold they brought back from Seker. It is a little different from the local stuff and he suggests it be used for matching medalions for Local 509. He is thinking of something that would increase the visibility of the Local 509 (a souviner thing) and also could be given out as tips and rewards for those helping the 509. He will ask for design suggestions.

Lee Jymridel - Potter and hedge wizard
Wants to return to Celene. Is still willing to honor his 5 year agreement, but his heart isn't in it. He misses his family. He has been working completly alone on a secret project, (no one much cared) that is close to completion. He has been using his spells to create a kiln about 1/4 mile down river in a small riverside cave. He has also helped Kamin find the right kind os sand along the river. He is an expert on the area one mile in either direction of the HOS. He was the one who discovered the remnants of the old bridge. He also knows about hunting info (what kind of tracks are where).

They want to search the area around for other resources and will think about taking an expedition to the crumbling stairs.