Eight Legged Freaks

Death-Consent On Plot

Ronak: Cleric/2/16 HP/15 AC/15 FF/10 Touch.

Madok: Fighter/2/16 HP/21 AC/15 FF/12 Touch.

Aleron: Pal 2/Rogue 1, 3, 26, 21, 17, 14

 

 

Encounter 1: 6 Small Monstrous Spiders

CR: 3

APL: 1.7

 

 

Encounter 2: Large Monstrous Spider (8HD)

CR: 3

APL: 1.7

 

 

Even on the front lines, there is somewhere for members of the Guild of Explorers to pick up contracts, and one particular contract is for extermination. Apparently, a remote corner of the front line has been overrun with giant spiders, unleashed by Bludgun forces upon the line. The threat needs to be contained, and neutralized before they can begin expanding their lair and weakening the line.

Aleron seems a measure tired. He peers at the posting and snaps his jowls, then reachest to his belt to draw a gulp of something within a waterskin before sealing the container and setting it where he had taken it from. His fingers slide into his pockets as he looks about with lidded eyes.

Madok has finally made it to the front lines. This is where he belongs. It took him a bit of wandering through Alexandria before he could find an airship to take him here, but now that he's arrived, he heads immediately to see how he can contribute to the war effort. Heading to the Explorers' Guild area, he checks for what's current and heads to the contact to see what he can do about these spiders.

Ronak is an acquaintance of Madok's, and so, when the other Orc headsout to check in on the job, he accompanies the Yrch warrior. The Cleric of Maul'thog lets him do the actual inquiry, waiting to find out the exact details and see just how much it's going to pay. Not that he wouldn't do it just for the thrill of it, but it's nice to know all the same.

The contract simply gives the location of the infested area, lists a rewards for spider eyeballs collected, and suggests that you bring torches to burn the webbing. The eyeballs are to be handed in to a goblin representative of the guild upon completion of the contract.

Madok grunts a greeting to Ronak in the harsh Yrch language as the cleric accompanies him. In the common language, he continues, "Practicing the human language, will try to use that much as I can. Many in the city speak Yrch, but more don't." He sees about purchasing torches and small bags for eyeballs. Well, not too-small bags. He doesn't carry torches with him, generally, but he's familiar with them. And fire. Again in general. Gathering torches, he glances at Aleron

Madok grunts a greeting to Ronak in the harsh Yrch language as the cleric accompanies him. In the common language, he continues, "Practicing the human language, will try to use that much as I can. Many in the city speak Yrch, but more don't." He sees about purchasing torches and small bags for eyeballs. Well, not too-small bags. He doesn't carry torches with him, generally, but he's familiar with them. And fire. Again in general. Gathering torches, he glances at Aleron and asks, "You going after the spiders, too? Want to join our group?" he gestures to refer to himself and Ronak.

"I guess..." replies the man in red as he walks about. He seems to be far overpacked for someone on the front lines. In his backpack is a slot containing... a briefcase? Otherwise, amalgamous blob of equipment jutting from the cloth, neat, though definitely overkill.

The Cleric responds to Madok in the same language, and then nods at his follow-up comment. "Yes. I've been mostly speaking Trade since I came to this city. Too many people don't speak a proper language." He grins as he says this, baring his oversized tusks, showing that he's not terribly serious about that comment. He turns towards Aleron as the Fighter makes his offer, studying him curiouly for a few moments then nodding. "Aye. We could use another pair of hands." He studies his equipment for a moment, then adds, "I'm assuming you don't need to get ready to go."

And soon, two orks and a lawyer walk into a monstorus spider nest. No, it's not the punchline to a joke. As they approach the part of the line that has become infested, it is quite obvious. The soldiers have set up a pike line to block it off and prevent further expansion- an area of trenches has been completely covered over with white spidersilk webbing. It's dark inside.

Madok takes a look over the scene and grimaces at the mass of webbing. "Why don't we burn it first then just fight what comes out?" he asks his companions thoughtfully in somewhat broken Trade, shouldering his tower shield and planting the base of it at his feet.

Aleron sighs as he slings a shield from behind him to clap against his arm and steps past the pike line, drawing a rapier to start to slice a measure at the webs that coat the path. "If you want... I do not know how flammable this webbing is." he says tersely.

Ronak studies the webs thoughtfully, while they're still on the outside of the nest. He starts to open his mouth, turning towards Madok...then the Fighter suggests what he was about to suggest, smiling slightly. "That's a good idea."

Madok rubs his chin and takes one of the torches they bought specifically for this purpose, to take out the webs, and fumbles out his flint and steel. He unfastens himself from the tower shield to do this because, really, otherwise it's like having his arm tied to a wall. Lighting the torch, he straps into the shield and warns the others, "Stand back." He thrusts the torch forward into the webbing, then pulls back behind the huge shield.

The flames catch quite readily, and the webbing begins to burn. After a few moments, there's the sound of screeching... and screaming, yelling too. The web gradually burns back to reveal that there were soldiers in there, captured by the spiders and stored for later consumption. No time to worry about that now, though- giant spider egs are bursting here and there, those premature ones that manage not to die in their first living moments, rush towards those that disturbed their nest. Their mother is no-where to be seen, for now.

Ronak steps away from the webbing as Madok puts the torch to the wall, and begins to cast in preperation for what's about to come. He passes his hand over the head of the Great Maul and intones, "Maul'thog, lend a fraction of your strength to my weapon this day." The hammer briefly crackles with electricity, and then there's a faint glimmer clinging to the metal. And then, the baby spiders come into view.

GAME: Ronak casts Magic Weapon.

Ronak rolls initiative: Roll: 12 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 12

You roll initiative for Spider1: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 13

You roll initiative for Spider2: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 17

You roll initiative for Spider3: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 10

You roll initiative for Spider4: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 8

Aleron rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 23

You roll initiative for Spider5: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 14

You roll initiative for Spider6: Roll: 3 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 6

Madok rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

GAME: Aleron rolls weapon11-2: (4)+7+-2: 9

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8

Aleron sighs upon hearing the screaming. "Guess we'll have to rush in, hrm?" he says, far too tired and... almost cold in his manner upon hearing the screaming. As a result, when he walksup cautiously to skewer one of the large spiders... he manages to clumsily miss whilst trying to keep his shield in front.

Madok's eyes widen as he hears the screams, and his face twists in a scowl, which is to say he looks marginally more fearsome. Drawing the monstrous sword, he advances towards where the onrushing spiders, thrusting deep into it with the massive sword he wields, running it through, then flicking it off the tip of his blade into the fire.

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d6: (2): 2

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4-2: (2)+-2: 0

The spiders rush forth, despite some of their number perishing in flames, or simply dieing for being hatched prematurely, those that remain swarm upon their attackers. One bites nothing but the leather of Aleron's boot, while another manages to sink its wicked fangs into Madok's leg, injecting it's poison- causing little more than an irritating stinging.

Ronak rushes into the flames...and is stuck in the webbing! Curses, he thought the damn stuff was burning!?! He ignores the heat of the flames as they sear him slightly, struggling against the webbing to try and break free, so he can get to the burning soldiers. He roars loudly in frustration, and tries to lean forward enough to reach some of the trapped men.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Spdiers 3 and 4 attack madok, Spider 6 attacks Ronak."

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15

GAME: Chiddle rolls 2d4-4: (7)+-4: 3

<OOC> Chiddle says, "You take 1 damage. Fort save."

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4-2: (1)+-2: -1

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Ronak takes 1 damage, fort save."

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14

Another couple of spiders swarm against Madok- he was the one who set the fire, after all, they nash and bite at him, another managing to piece his flesh, while one simply gnaws at his armor. One spider, though, sees Ronak in the flames, and rushes to attack him, apparently not caring about the fire.

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d6: (6): 6

GAME: Aleron rolls weapon11-2: (15)+7+-2: 20

GAME: Aleron rolls 1d6+2: (2)+2: 4

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Disabled. Pose it. Madok, your turn"

Aleron seems to be overly cautious today, almost hiding behind his shield, though not cowering. He thrusts his blade through one of the spiders... though not enough to drop it, though it appears weakened, while holding the 'front'.

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13

<OOC> Chiddle says, "The spiders attack Aleron and Madok again"

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Wait! Nope, just Madok"

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18

This time, the spider that previously bit Madok can find no purchase on the tricksy bipedal, and only succeeds in plunting its fangs on the orc's armor.

Madok continues to fight off the spiders, his huge shield unwieldy against the smaller targets, seemingly inneffective against these loathsome pests. He eyes Ronak, but the priest is on his own for a bit, he swings at the spiders that are biting at him, though his large weapon doesn't move fast enough to catch the little pest.

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d6: (5): 5

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+6: (16)+6: 22

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4-2: (2)+-2: 0

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16

Ronak strains against the webbing, trying to break free of the damnded grip they have. The fire continues to eat at his flesh, and he knows he can't take much mroe before he dies. But..he has to get to the men, however small the chance they're still alive. He just hopes their cocoon of webbing has kept them somewhat protected from the flames.

The spiders move around, encircling Madok as he faces one of them, and they attack again, going for his legs, attempting to bring him down to their level. Slowly witling away at the pyromaniac.

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11

Madok grimaces as the spider bites accumulate. Still, no Yrch should allow himself to be overcome by pests like this, and so he drops the oversized bastard sword at his feet, drawing the heavy mace from his hip to continue his crusade against the spiders with something a little more suitable. However the spiders surrounding him have him distracted and disoriented as well, and his mace swings wide of the target.

A spider leaps at Madok, and attempts to latch onto his arm, but only manages to bite the orc's armor once again.

GAME: Aleron rolls spot: (12)+4: 16

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d20+5: (15)+5: 20

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Spider 3 attacks Madok, Spider 4 chases after Aleron and leaps at him."

Ronak rushes deeper into the flames, and...steps into more webs. Maul'thog smite all eight-legged bastards! He also notices that the poor soldiers inside are already dead, and grimaces. He strains against the webs, and this time manages to break free right off, turning to start back out of the burning nest. Curses.

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18

GAME: Madok rolls 1d8+6: (7)+6: 13

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4-2: (1)+-2: -1

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Just made it. No poison."

As Madok turns his back to strike the fleeing spider, another leaps up and catches ahold of him,. sinking his fangs into the ork's hip before being shaken off. Again, it stings, but the damage is minimal. Even so, all these minor hits are beginning to build up.

GAME: Aleron rolls weapon11: (4)+7: 11

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+8: (2)+8: 10

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6

Aleron moves to treat the wounded orc in front of him... more of a bandage than anything, for that matter. As the orc rushes off to fight, he walks up to the spider nearest to him and attempts to make a kabob... emphasis on attempts. He finds dirt.

The spider, scuttling around on the floor, addempts to lay it's fangs into Madok's ankle, but the ork is too quick and moves his foot out of the way in the nick of tie.

Madok doesn't have much attention for the others he's with as the spiders swarm around him and his friends. Despite the burning webs and the lack of screams from the captured victims, Madok's concentration is in the here and now, splatting one that moves away from him and grumbling as the ones still on him prove too swift for his defenses. He lapses back into Yrch, a few choice curses for the spiders as he brings the heavy mace around again and swings from the shoulder, trying to take out the one that nimbly avoids Aleron's attack. However it nimbly avoids his attack as well, the mace spilling up a small spray of dirt as it slams into the earth.

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d20+8: (3)+8: 11

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4-2: (2)+-2: 0

Ronak strides out of the flames, seared all over his exposed arms, his lips curled won in a scowl. He strides up to the nearest spider, and swings his massive hammer down at it...but apparently his eyes are still a bit dazzled, because the steel head buries itself into the ground instead of into its scuttling body.

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26

The spider leaps up at Madok, this time sinking its fangs into his shoulder- he's lucky it was not his neck, but even so the damage is still negligible. The repeated strieks are beginning to wear at him, though, and the weariness of battle is ever so gradually setting in.

GAME: Aleron rolls weapon11: (12)+7: 19

GAME: Aleron rolls 1d6+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15

Aleron seems to be getting frustrated at not doing enough. He mutters and just throws his arm out at the spider he just missed... and manages to accidentally sever its legs. A kill is a kill, even if it is missing the center of mass...

GAME: Madok rolls 1d8+6: (2)+6: 8

Madok is getting sore and annoyed with the spiders, but given our less than stellar peformance, he's glad we burned as many as we did. He moves towards the final one that he can see and raises his mace, coming down on it like, well, an orc with a blunt, heavy object in his hand and crushing a spider in his heart. *SPLAT*

Ronak sighs, and settles the head of his hammer in front of him, resting on the handle. "Well. That could have gone a lot better tahn it did." He glances over the duo, and adds, "Are either of you hurt badly?"

Madok drags his macehead through the dirt to clean the spider-gunk from the flanges and hangs it back at his hip, retrieving his huge bastard sword and sheathing it after cleaning off the one little sticky part. Mostly all it has on it is whiff, he reflects as he slams it home into the scabbard.

Aleron says, "Everyone alright?" as he peers at the charred bodies. "... beyond the obvious..."

Madok makes sure he's all there, apart from the spider bites. "Should've brought some antitoxin," he muses as he flexes to make the tiny wounds ooze, hoping to wash out any poison that might've gotten in.

Ronak nods his head towards Aleron. "Aye. I'm a bit charred, but nothing too bad. The healing you gave me helped." Since he already established that the other two are fine earlier, he doesn't ask again. He looks down at the spiders, then glances at the buring nest. "Well...I guess we should start harvesting eyes. I hope they accept them once they've been cooked."

Aleron states, "I'll keep watch..." as he peers further down the tunnel and listens. There's gotta be a larger one... or more after seeing these...

Madok nods to the others and pulls out a smaller knife, a camp tool rather than a weapon, and begins cutting out as many eyes as he can get at, the gore rising as he separates the spiders and spider bits crudely.

There's a sudden, horrifying, gut-wrenchingly loud chittering, hissing sound from in the burning webbing. Something wicked this way comes, and fast, too.

Aleron steps toward the passage. "Ready?" he asks as he holds his shield in front and braces, squinting his eyes to see.

Ronak glances at his weapon, and frowns. The glow of the Magic Weapon spell he cast on it earlier has faded. It's just a normal weapon now. Ah well. He hefts it up, stepping over to the entrance of the tunnel, and nods. "Ready as I can be." He hefts the maul with both hands, preparing to swing at whatever ends up coming out of the tunnel. Not that it's hard to guess what it might be.

Madok puts down his spider bits, leaving his knife in it so he doesn't forget where he left off, readying his massive shield and drawing the large blade once again, ready for ... something bigger, by the sound of it. He moves to stand with Aleron and Ronak, ready for the onslaught. "Bring it!" he bellows into the cave, the ancient Yrch battle cry.

Madok rolls initiative: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 13

Aleron rolls initiative: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 18

Ronak rolls initiative: Roll: 9 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 9

You roll initiative for SPIDER!: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 22

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d8+3: (4)+3: 7

GAME: Aleron rolls fortitude: (18)+8: 26

GAME: Aleron rolls weapon11-2: (2)+7+-2: 7

The spider comes hurtling up the passageway, seeing Aleron, it barrels into him, it's massive fangs punching deep into the man's flesh, drawing copious blood. The poison hurts like hell, but the bleeding means it doesn't take purchase.

Aleron has not quite braced himself yet against the ground... and is caught with the jaws catching his arm and sinking in. He yelps as he attempts to stab it back in return, but finds himself accidentally scraping the wall beside him.

<OOC> Madok says, "Fell Call (Su): Whether by bestial roar or fell song, the cry of an angry orc has shaken walls, shattered windows and quailed the hearts of many who count themselves among The Mighty. As a move action an Orc can sound a call that strikes fear into the hearts of others. Each foe within thirty feet must make a Will save (DC 10 + half of the orcs character level + charisma bonus) add 2 to the Will save DC if you have at least five ranks in intimidate. A foe that fails this saving throw suffers a -2 morale penalty to attack rolls, Will saves and AC for 1 round. This is considered a mind-affecting effect."

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+4: (12)+4: 16

GAME: Madok rolls 4d8+12: (20)+12: 32

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8

As it charges out, Madok reaches back with his massive bastard sword and brings it forward with all his might, subtlety thrown to the wind. He unleashes a wild call of terrible purpose and earthshaking intensity. The spider might not be succeptible to fear, but the Yrch warrior is completely psyched up as he drives his blade deep and hard into the terrible foe, driving it in as far as the hilt and twisting it as he drags it out in a shower of ... whatever spiders have inside them. Mess.

GAME: Ronak casts Shield of Faith.

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d8+2: (8)+2: 10

<OOC> Ronak says, "Healed for 10."

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+7: (17)+7: 24

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d8+3: (8)+3: 11

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19

Ronak can't reach the terrible foe that's come upon them, so, he steps up to the presumably more badly injured Aleron, and rests his hand on him, crying in Orcish, "Maul'thog, lay your hand upon this warrior and bind his wounds!" Lightning seems ot briefly crackle around his hand, playing over the Roguadins flesh, and where it touches, wounds disappear.

The giant spider rears back, green gooey blood gushing from it's massive wound, as it thrashes about. He bears down on Madok, it's gigantic fangs puncturing his armor and chest alike, cutting a massive gouge in his flesh and drawing blood.

GAME: Aleron rolls weapon11-2: (17)+7+-2: 22

GAME: Aleron rolls 1d6+4: (6)+4: 10

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10

GAME: Ronak casts Divine Favor.

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d8+3: (3)+3: 6

Madok's guttural cry of pain as the spider pushes aside his huge shield and sinks its fangs into him mixes with the cry of rage, his position making it awkward to counterattack, the sword flailing more than striking at the big nasty spider that's inside his guard.

Ronak steps over to Madok (before he's hurt, somehow), and lays his hand on the other Orc, crying out the same prayer he said for Aleron. However, the capricious healing lightning doesn't strike his wounds as accurately as it did the human, but it's enough to keep him standing when the Spider tears into his flesh.

Aleron seems to feel much better... to the point of feeling unhurt. He manages to thrust his sword deeply into the thorax as he withdraws back, just in case the other orc wants to step in. He the moves to step back in after seeing the healing applied and the orc that nearly cleaved the spider in pain. "... Hrm... shall I hold it for the moment?" He moves back in.

The spider lunges forwards at Madok again, as Aleron moves out of range, and once more the spider's fangs sink into the Orcishw arrior's flesh, this time puncturing his shoulder. The foul smelling liquid conqinues to gush out of the spider, it's legs failing it as it stumbles about, writhing and thrashing.

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12

GAME: Aleron rolls weapon11-2: (5)+7+-2: 10

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d6: (1): 1

<OOC> Chiddle says, "And suffers 1 point of strength damage."

GAME: Madok rolls 1d20+5: (10)+5: 15

GAME: Madok rolls 2d8+7: (12)+7: 19

GAME: Ronak casts Magic Weapon.

GAME: Ronak rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4

Aleron gets covers in ichor. He spits. "I don't think there is a clean way to take care of spiders... Is that the last one?"

Madok grunts in agony as the spider bites into his shoulder, but he bears it, shaking off his massive shield. So far it hasn't helped any and it's impeding his attack. The spider venom seems to be slowing him down, but he grips his heavy sword in both hands and swings it into the spider with all his remaining might, catching it just behind the head and slicing it clean through, opening it up, catching a spray of its vital juices that soaks him in its disgusting mess. Spitting, he growls an Yrch oath, then shivers at the healing provided by Ronak. He mutters a muted, "Thank you," in Tradespeak and looks around for any more foes.

Ronak steps over to Madok, once he finishes decapitating the spider in question, and lays his hands on the Orc again. The prayer is intoned a third time, and more healing lightning plays over him. Again, it's fairly inaccurate, but should take the edge off his hurt. "I hope so. I don't think Madok here can take another hit like the ones he's been given so far."

Madok nods to Aleron, "I don't hear any more, and this one made enough noise, I think we'd hear another." He growls at Ronak. "I can take ten more," he claims. A lie, of course, but he's not going to admit weakness at this point. A smirk crosses his tusks and he asks aloud, "I wonder if these spider-eyes are worth more than the others?" More to the point, he cleans his blade and sheaths it, then moves forward to see about any caches of loot. The victims, or previous victims, may have had treasure on them?

"You can find out..." he says as he continues to brush gunk off from his form, sheathing his blade and stepping into the antechamber. "Sometimes, I wonder why I leave the courtroom for this..."

Ronak grunts softly. "I'm sure you could. If the Brawler granted me more spells. But as it is, I only have some Orisons left, and they're not good for much besides keeping somebody from crossing to the afterlife, or closing minor cuts and scrapes." He rests his Maul on his shoulder, and reaches out to slap Madok on the shoulder. Carefully. "But then, we can't all be great warriors like me, Eh?" Before the looting begins, Ronak steps over to the charred corpses, and lowers his head, touching his Holy Symbol, and starting to pray for Maul'thog to speed their souls onto their respective afterlives.

"'Fraid I'm out of my innate abilities... I don't have much." He cracks a smile. "Guess that's what I get for being a scion of a death goddess..."

Madok eyes Ronak critically as he brings up the healing that kept him in the fight, if only just. "This is a draw, then?" He doesn't seem pleased by that, but he doesn't argue any farther, either, silently gathering up the personal effects and soon, such as survived the fire while keeping an eye out for more spiders. "We can return the ... stuff," he doesn't know what else to call the little personal gewgaws. "But they lost where we won, the gold is ours."

Ronak grins at Madok. "A draw, then." He starts deeper into the nest. "Let's see what other spiders we killed. They might be a bit charred, but their eyes are still worth gold." He glances at the corpses, and adds, "And we need to bury these men."

"I'll handle those rites..." he says as he wanders toward the corpses... and draws out a measure of cloth as if to form a makeshift stretcher.

Madok 's massive shoulders shrug at Aleron's comment, though he wrinkles his nose at the mention of scionness. "If that's what you are, then you'll know all about burials," he says, "So grab a shovel and we'll do that at least." But the fellow is already on it, so Madok brings the bodies out, ready for their last rites and when there's no more left, he'll begin digging. Surely one of those soldiers had an entrenching tool?