Turn 92 -- Decisions and Endings

Hands fanned out before him drawing in the cleansing warmth of the fire, Ras smiles deeply as his body slowly begins to warm. Pulling the blanket tight again around his shoulders, he turns to look toward his companions where the discussion of Randor's burial continues.

Dain thinks for a moment at Talimar's proposal and replies, "When the chain mail was found, it was Randor's share of the magical treasure and rightfully his. So, I vote that he be given up to the priesthood wearing it. At the very least it will help to further his cause."

"The chainmail's a moot point since Garth revealed it was now worthless. No reason fer us ta keep it," states Ortho flatly.

"If Randor were dwarven," begins Garth, "I would have suggested that we bury him where he fell. However, I feel that as a human, he would probably prefer to be buried above ground. No need to worry about who will dig his grave. I can do it. I would appreciate help in navigating his body out of here when the time comes."

"Yes, we definitely should bury him ourselves," nods Kre solemnly, "He was much more than just a priest of Tyr, he was our friend and I'll not trust a bunch of 'priests', to ensure care of Brother Randor. I think that if possible, we should establish a headquarters near Milbourne and bury Brother Randor there, it would be fitting."

Kersath sighs with relief as a conflict has been avoided, "I also think we should bury him. His fellow priests could not offer him a truly honorable burial. They might be of the same faith, but we were part of something much closer. As for his belongings, I was taught that a warrior should not face his gods without his armor and weapon, unless he has an heir. His other belongings do not matter."

"For my own part," begins Garth again, "I ask that when my own time comes that I be buried in the blanket I carry. Somewhere where the moonlight can touch my plot. Give what money is mine to my church. My other possessions are to be shared amongst the party."

Kre shrugs slightly, "I have no qualms about stripping a dead body, but he was our companion, and he did earn it. If we can't give him his fair share of the loot as if he was leaving on his own, we might as well give him what we owe him as we bury him."

"Ah still think Garth should get that scroll. For the betterment of us all. As to burial, it would be days before we could get Randor's body to the temple. It might be best to bury him ourselves," voices Ortho.

"I also agree that Garth should keep the scroll held by Brother Randor, it makes plain sense," Gnore remarks then clears his throat to continue. "As for the burial, Brother Randor may have been a follower of Tyr but he died a member of our Company. I think we, as his comrades in arms, would be able to offer Randor a far more meaningful burial than his order could. He was not one of many to us...he was one of our own. Whether he is buried in his armor or not makes no difference to me, personally." Gnore finishes with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

"'Course my offer of carrying his body to the temple of Tyr still stands...should the Company decide that way."

"I say we bury him and take the stuff that's useable," states Druckner. "Fer the record, if't happens that Morradin calls me to his halls I wish you'd do the same ta me."

Seeing that everyone appears to be in agreement on the burial of Randor and dispersal of his goods, Druckner decides to get the party moving, "We should gae on now. I'm going to explore this cave to the southwest and see if ah can't free this poor soul. I'll also check fer your belongings Snagger. Anybody else coming?"

Turning to Druckner, Kersath looses his swords in their scabbards and cocks his hand crossbow before nodding to the fiery dwarf, "I'll come with you, see if there's any scum left to clean out."

Druckner grins at Kersath, "Gae on, I'll cover ye."

"Ah'm right behind ye, Druck," says Ortho. "Snagger, it's yer stuff. Ye comin'? Ah'd hate ta claim somethin' fer meself afore ye could say it were yours..."

Gnore turns to Snagger with a grin on his face, "Go ahead, young kin, it is yer belongings they go in search of, ye might as well be with them when they find it. Just watch that one, he may strike you with a barter not in your favor." Gnore chuckles while pointing to Ortho.

Snagger nods to Gnore and taking up the hand axe borrowed earlier from Ortho, steps into line behind him.

As Kersath silently passes the dwarves and moves forward, Ortho whispers to Druckner, "Ye know Druck, that darkie elf is alright. Not as practical as us sometimes, but alright. Glad he didn't draw those knives of his. Might have marked up me bootiful features." Druckner can see Ortho smiling in the semi-darkness. As the trio passes the necklace of the orc woman, Druckner stops to pick it up and examine it. Noticing the fine quality of the necklace despite the hideous ornaments on it, he tosses it to Ras to keep. Ras, stowing away his now dry clothes into his backpack, puts the necklace in the sack with the other goods collected by the party. Druckner straps his newly acquired axe to his belt and winks at Ortho as he loads his crossbow. He, Ortho and Snagger then move toward the southwest at a cautious pace at the disappearing dark elf. Before the three get very far, Kre decides to join up with them.

"In case you find anything worthwhile," he smiles to the others. "You know, need help carrying it..."

As the five members of the company venture further into the caves, Gnore grins with fists on hips, "Well look at this now, it seems me two kin and the Drow are too proper to dig in the dirt now, eh? Never mind, you fellas have yer fun, Brother Randor knows your devotion to him. When you return, perhaps you'll consent to have your hands dirtied a bit."

In mid-laugh, Gnore stops abruptly with a startled look on his face, "Eh, Talimar, where were we to bury Brother Randor and were we to carry out this service now? Perhaps the Company could use labor other than battle to settle our wits right now, eh?"

"I believe the others have it right in that Randor should be buried above ground, once we exit the mines. I do not believe he should be buried here in this place of evil," answers Talimar. "Perhaps then, Ortho and Garth can perform a suitable service for him." Having spoken, Talimar moves over to join Dain in the identifying of the items acquired earlier.

Gnore shrugs his shoulders and draws forth his bastard sword before moving to the north to join Garth at his post there, grabbing a wineskin on the way. Taking a seat on a fallen rock, he lays his sword across his knees, offering the wineskin to Garth. The dwarven priest shakes his head to Gnore's proffered spirits.

"More fer me," smiles Gnore as he takes a long draught of the spirits.

Ras finishes his preparations as he is finally fully clothed once again and his body returning to as close a warm temperature as possible in the cold caves. Having tucked all his knives in their hidden compartments along his body, he begins to update his inventory of the goods acquired by the Company as he awaits the return of the others.