Aftermath: Return of the conquering heroes, days 1-5

The heroes ate a hearty meal at Blackwall Keep. 5 of the survivors of the attack of the Lizard Men were present, three escorted McCubbin the drover back to Diamond Lake and survived, two were rescued by the group from the Twisted Branch lizard folk lair. Each shook the hand of the group, and Commander Trask broke out the ale, to raise a toast to the group.
Later that evening Aardgal explained that the horses were lost, and promised to pay for their loss. Commander Trask said that would be fine.
Marzena, though older than Felnar was impressed with his magical ability, and they each had been apprentices under Allustan. She's very charismatic, and much better suited to dealing with people, in her case as a wizard in the Greyhawk Militia. Allustan is a sage at heart and prefers books to people. He gets excited when hired to seek out rare information, not eager to help but eager for the hunt for knowledge. Each pupil knew he had some sort of falling out with Tenser, to whom he was apprenticed. No one knows why. Tenser's love of money and manipulation are legendary, wheras Allustan cared for his brother, the former Mayor, and obscure and esoteric information.
Morgrim left the party as it was winding down with a full belly to go curry the horses and get them ready for the day ahead.
Shaft spent his watch that evening honing his tools and fletching arrows. His mumbled refrain 'Green and blue always strike true.' as he fletched blue jay and quail feathers to his best arrows.

The next day Commander Trask named Lieutenant Mikkela temporary commandant of Blackwall Keep. He took 10 men on horseback, and Lieutenant Trovost and Marzena back to Diamond Lake. High Priest Jierian Wigierus stayed at the Keep temporarily, while Mere travelled back to town. Naturally the group, afoot and on Morgrim's cart were invited to travel along.
During the trek Commander Trask asked Azrael to walk with him, intending to speak with the young priest. "I'm told you're Azrael Barak, an elemental priest. I'm told you are on friendly terms with Chaum Gansworth (the mine owner in town). It seems Mister Gansworth wishes to speak with you when we return to Diamond Lake. It is his intention to persuade you to run for the position of Mayor of Diamond Lake.
Mayor Neff was convicted on charges of abduction, theft, and unlawful imprisonment. The next election will occur in a month. Currently the only other candidate is Edgar Tilgast, the son of Gelch Tilgast (also a mine owner, who has a reputation almost as poor as Balabar Smenk).
I've been hoping and working towards cleaning up Diamond Lake for over a decade, and this your groups exposure of Smenks and Neff's dirty deals are the best chance to stop the corruption in town.
All I ask is you think about the offer. It may not be as exciting as adventuring, but a good mayor or commander can do more lasting good than a sword or flail ever could."
After almost 2 days of travelling the band reach the stinking shores of Diamond Lake. The smelting plant belches out coal and wood fired smoke and soot into the early summer air.
"Charming" sneers Lath.
"It brings a tear to me heart." Says Morgrim.
"Need Beer." Says Bornir as he spies the Spinning Giant tavern right away.

At the edge of town the groups separate. Mere tells Aardgal she will let Amariss know of your arrival. She hurries towards the ferry which will take her to the far side of Diamond Lake.
The group gets a few rooms at the Spinning Giant, though several people have to intention of staying there. Everyone except Krech and Edgrin know the drill. Felnar will stay with as a guest of Allustan, Lath and Shaft will stay at Ellival's compound, Bornir and Morgrim will go to the house which headquarters the traders from the Greysmere Covenant. Aardgal will split his time between the shrine of the Green Lady across the Lake and in town. Azrael, Krech, Edgrin will hang out in the inn and trade goods for cash, keeping an eye out for thieves trying to steal their hard won loot.
Azrael looks a mite worried. This morning he was unable to pray for new spells. In speaking with Mere, she wondered aloud if he had done something to offend his goddess. Hmmm, I've been working against evil earth creatures. He wonders if his new change of outlook has affected his rapor with Akadi. If so an atonement from another priest of his goddess would be needed, and they are few in number.
After a quick meal several folk congratulate the group on saving Blackwall Keep, and you are the toast of the town. A night of revelry does you good. Felnar, not in good spirits goes to speak with Allustan immediately. During the third version of Edgrin's 'Delve at Droskar's Crag' which recounts the groups slaying of the Iron Tooth tribe, a dwarf messenger comes in looking for Bornir and Morgrim. "Excuse me sirs, but I am come to fetch you on behalf of Bitrus Ruthek." Both Morgrim and Bornir recognize the name as a female dwarven trader for the covenant. She was second of the three traders under Dulok Blitzhame.
The three dwarves excuse themselves and leave.
By this time 'Prince' Ellival Moonmeadow, Sheriff Melinde, and several other notable folk have joined the celebration at the Tavern. Krech is brought food and ale as he dutifully guards the treasure upstairs. He sighs when he hears the singing begin anew. Aardgal slips out the side entrance and heads for the ferry.

Felnar reaches Allustan's residence. The lights are on and upon knocking he finds Allustan has a house guest whom he introduces, Benezal, a half elven alchemist and wizard. It seems Allustan is helping Benezal set up a potion making business within town. Benezal can see that Felnar is clearly agitated and he leaves for the night.
Allustan looks grim "Have you heard? Your friends Master Dannen, and his apprentices Terra and Willow have gone missing. They bought the old observatory, and were living there. A local craftsman brought around supplies, and found they had left. No one knows where they've gone, and I'm afraid there was blood found in one of the rooms. It doesn't look good."
Felnar: "I know. Somehow they were slain and turned into vampires."
"We encountered them. We slew the master vampire, and slew Willow. Master Dannen escaped and Terra helped us fight them. She is a vampire, but doesn't seem evil. My friend, Aardgal, a paladin of Wee Jas determined there was no evil in her, though she was clearly undead. Perplexing, but we agreed to meet in Diamond Lake. That was over a week ago. Have you seen her or any word of her arrival? As such a creature she can only be out at night."
Allustan was puzzled by this turn of events. As one friend to another he would research the matter, but it would take time. After several days had gone by Allustan would eventually broach the subject of payment. 50 gps for such an undertaking would not be unreasonable, though the question of how to cure such a thing might take longer.
Felnar also asked Allustan for aid in either casting or teaching Analyze Dweomer to him. Alas Allustan said, such a spell is beyond his ability and above Felnar's also (6th level spell).

Morgrim, Bornir and the messenger return back to the sturdy brick and timber quarters of the Greysmere traders. As they aproach the front door they see the carving of Berronar's over the entrance way, the dwarven goddess of the home and hearth and wife of Moradin, has been covered with cloth. This indicates a house in mourning. Inside the servants and assistants are dressed in black. The two heroes are brought into the dining hall, the smell of spiced wine and ash hang in the air. Dulok's body has been removed, likely on it's way to Greysmere Covenant.
Bitris Ruthek is nearby, she hands several scrolls to an assistant, and as she recognizes Morgrim and Bornir she glares before a mask of mild disintrest settles on her face. She is in her early middle age, with blond unbraided hair, a plain face with the minimum of make up. She is thin and tall for a dwarf.
"So you've returned. By the furnace, where have you been? Dulok Blitzhame was murdered. Ragnolin Dourstone is missing and likely the culprit. Your mission was to serve us and our interests in town, yet he's slain and you two go missing for weeks!"
Morgrim responds "Where have we been? Out protecting our interests thats where! Now before you you throw us on the anvil you can rest assured that Dulok's murderer has been sent back to Moradin's Forge. We'll answer all your questions in a few hours but for the moment I see this house is in mourning and things have happened so quickly lately that Bornir and I have not had time to pay our respects until now. Even though his body may be on its way to Greysmere I'd still like to raise a toast and drink to Dulok Blitzhame."
Bitrus rises up "Who do you think you're talking to?! Your only job was to protect him." She points at Bornir. "His ONLY job is to work for us and our interests. Dulok was far too lenient with you two. Allowing you to go supply Blackwall Keep rather than staying by his side and working deligently to expand our interests. Morgrim Ironeye and Bornir Axehand you will explain where you've been in detail this moment and with no attitude or by Berronar's mace I will see you washing floors for a year!"
Morgrim flinches as if physically slapped, he whispers to Bornir "Bornir, it appears I have stepped on my beard. I'll let you explain."
Bornir whispers back "Are you quite sure of that lad? Though I have no idea why, whenever I try to talk fancy I seem to dig the mine shaft that much deeper..."
After some hemming and hawing Morgrim explains much of what transpired in the last few weeks since they left to help guard the supply caravan to Blackwall Keep.
Morgrim also stresses that "Protecting Greysmere interests" is a job with a much wider scope than playing bodyguard especially with no prior knoweldge that our charge is being targeted. Its very easy to kill someone if the assassination comes out of the blue - even if he has a bodyguard. Now that we know Ctenmiir, a vampire, was behind Dulok's murder - we now need to ask "what was Ctenmiir's motive?" Since he's is now back at Moradin's Forge (hopefully being remade into something more useful) perhaps is brother Fionor 'the Rude' laird of the Greysmere Covenant might have some insight into his brothers motivations.
Morgrim adds "If you're alarmed to hear about Ulla, Toric, The king of Karkast --- Good. Forwarned is Forarmed. Is it not better to have a clever negotiator aware of the 'not so nice' actions of our neighbors/possible trading contacts. We've been 'protecting Greysmere interests' away from Diamond Lake."
"It was unfortunate that we killed Ragnolin Dourstone, he was a thrall of the Vampire Ctenmiir. As he stands next to Moradin's Forge.... for him at least I will say a prayer."
Bornir blurts out "What they was up to was not defensible, they was wrong. We're telling da truth I swears it on Clangeddin's Axe."
Lastly Morgrim adds "Aside from killing 'em and finding this stuff out we've recovered 2 Dwarven weapons - Possibly Legacy weapons. The warhammer Whelm and the Blood crier's Axe."
(I rolled a diplomacy check for Morgrim and rolled a 17-1 for charisma, note not the -2 for his 6 charisma since he's dealing with a fellow dwarf, her overall reaction to them is indifferent and he changes it to friendly. Note: Paul, see I try to merge role-play and roll play with social skill checks)
She listens attentively. She fills in a few details of which Morgrim and Bornir were unaware. Dulok, according to several speak with dead spells cast by the temple of Wee Jas, had searched for Fionor's brother Ctenmiir and his legendary weapon Whelm. A dwarven adventurer in his employ recovered the War Hammer Whelm, which was in the lair of a young white dragon far to the north. How it got there is unclear, but Ctenmiir's last recorded adventure was to seek the dragon and slay it to save a barbarian community.
Dulok had recieved the war hammer a few days before, and no trace of Ctenmiir was recovered, but he was thought deceased. The Hammer was to be a birthday gift to Fionor for his up coming 300th birthday.
During a late night, the house guards were ensorcelled by a dark cloaked figure and Ragnolin Dourstone aided this figure. There was a fight between Dourstone and Dulok and Duorstone struck Dulok down and killed him, stealing the war hammer.
It is regrettable that you were unable to capture Dourstone, the cleric of Abbathor or Toric. She will have you both recount your tales a few more times so that their scribes can write of your tale. She will take you, the transcipt of your tale, and the two of you and travel immediately to the Greysmere Covenant.

Later that evening, with only half of the group assembled, Edgrin takes a good look at the many magic items assembled.
Edgrin says “I believe the Large Maul has no special properties beyond being a magical weapon of large size. I think the broach may be a broach of shielding, which wards the wearer from the effects of magic missile spells. I am unsure how many charges it may have since it is not noteworthy. Hmmm.” He rubs his chin and turns over a few items, scratches his head. Takes a sip of wine , then proceeds to stuff a pipe for a smoke. Once he has the pipe lit he takes one of the items and has a seat turning it over in the light. “Hmmmm. I think this Dwarven War Axe, Toric Coalbrow’s not the Earth Magus’ Axe, is also not notable except as a magical weapon. The Earth Magus’ axe. Not that’s something else. Quite up my bailiwick if I do say so myself. The rest of the items I can’t place” He gestures towards the many rings, weapons and trinkets then takes a few puffs of his pipe, coughs a bit. Then sets the pipe down.
“The Blood crier’s Axe. Belonged to a great dwarven hero of Stonefist named Bhazad Blood crier. He claimed he wrested it from a creature called an Earth Magus. He is reported to be a mortal son of Moradin. He is said to be the first dwarf to discover mithral, with a mine which pierced the center of the earth. He awoke greater powers within the Axe before a group of elemental beings slew him and the axe was lost. Three hundred years went by, then the axe turned up in the hands of a great barbarian lord named Huragam. Since then the axe hasn’t been seen since. It’s a legendary weapon reported to have earth related powers. I believe the first thing a wielder would do to unlock it’s legendary powers is defeat an earthen creature at least as tough as the wielder in personal combat.”
Edgrin seems pleased that he could contribute, and takes a deep draught of his wine.