* You stand within a torch-lit chamber, adjacent to two vaults you have just opened. Within the room are a few corpses laying on tables and the one at the base of the stairs, not counting the two very fresh zombies you recently took care of.

Akia eyes the group struggling with the prybar, but continues standing watch. She looks back and forth between the way we came in and the other corridor.

Norry says, "Flittertwig! Don't you worry, we'll have you out in a jiffy."

SteelBrow reaches into the now opened crypt to retrieve Flittertwig.

Flittertwig seems to be unconscious, as she doesn't respond to Norry's call, and she looks like she's had a rough time of it before being stuffed in the vault. The rise and fall of her chest indicates that she's still alive, though.

SteelBrow carries Flittertwig over to an empty table.

* Akia doesn't see any obvious threats, and the door to the east is closed.

Akia moves a little closer to get a look at Flittertwig's condition.

Norry follows along wringing his hands, and says in a worried tone, "Gods give her strength!"

* The young human girl also follows along, although still very wary of all of you. She keeps a particular eye on Akia, apparently not sure what to make of her. She also very obviously resists looking at any of the corpses.

* Norry rolls 1d8+1+1: 2,1,1 = 4.

Akia gives the young girl a cheerful smile, attempting to seem a little less intimidating.

SteelBrow asks the young girl they rescued, "can ye tell us what happened?"

* Several of Flittertwig's wounds magically seal themselves closed, and she immediately stirs. The halfling abruptly sits up with a brief cry of alarm, and is almost instantly cut off when she spots Norrelberry. "...Norry?" she says in astonishment, not quite believing it.

Norry says, "Yes, I've come for you. Have no fear."

* Akia rolls 1f20+2: 4,2 = 6.

* The human girl shakes her head fearfully to SteelBrow, but after a long hesitation, she says in a quiet voice, "They... came. I hid. They... found me. Trapped."

SteelBrow asks, "who came?"

Akia, painfully aware she is making the girl nervous, goes to investigate the door at the far wall.

Akia stoops down to examine the bones.

Norry asks, "Flit dear, why don't you tell us about it? What happened here?"

Flittertwig is so pleased to see her cousin that she reaches forward to give Norry a quick hug. "Oh, thank the gods. I thought they were going to kill all of us...." She trails off for a moment, shaking her head, then glances at the young girl, who is still in shock. "That's Tyra... I was here with her family when the... robbers... came here."

SteelBrow growls lowly at mention of robbers.

Tyra continues to watch Akia carefully. It's hard to tell if she's actively fearful of her, given that she's clearly still in shock. Aside from that, she remains quiet.

SteelBrow says, "'robbers' dinna tell us much."

Akia scowls a little at the bones, then examines the door itself.

Flittertwig takes a few moments to search her memory, and expands for Steelbrow, "Several humans... some different races... and what I think was a hobgoblin was leading them. They came from further inside... we didn't see them coming until it was too late." She lowers her voice so that Tyra won't overhear, and says softly, "They.. killed her family."

SteelBrow wanders over to see what Akia is looking at.

SteelBrow is suddenly interested in what's deeper in this crypt.

Akia holds up a finger at Steelbrow, indicating quiet. She listens at the door (assuming it's closed...)

Norry turns to Tyra and offers a comforting hug. "Ah, come here little one. You're safe now."

Tyra accepts the hug, clinging to the halfling. Her scratches and scrapes also disappear, leaving her in perfect physical health. She's still trembling, though, and she murmurs, "Want... out."

Akia stands up at Tyra's comment, seems to be about to say something, but does not.

SteelBrow nods and returns to the little ladies, "did either of ye see which way they left?"

Sebrinia says, "I seriously doubt they saw which way when they were inside a little tiny box, Steelbrow."

SteelBrow says, "ye said they cane from deeper, that way?", points towards the east door.

Flittertwig gets off of the table, standing unassisted, and nods to Sebrinia's comment. "They knocked me out even before they shoved me in there," and she shivers just a bit at the memory. "I think they're somewhere below, but that's just a guess." She looks back over the chamber and sighs slowly at the bodies of the zombies and two of the other corpses in the room, seeming to recognize them.

Akia moves toward the group a little, listening.

Norry says, "This is no place for you girls. We should get you out."

SteelBrow nods agreement.

Akia says, "We should get them to safety. There is more for us to do here, afterward."

Sebrinia says, "That is a good idea. Getting them out of here is a must do."

Norry says, "Come along then. No sense dawdling, as my father often said."

Akia says, "Tyra. Is there someone nearby who you can stay with?" She seems to flinch as she says it.

Norry reaches a hand out to each girl, and heads toward the exit.

Flittertwig looks uncertain, while Tyra nods, still holding on to Norry as much as he lets her. "I... what I brought with me I left in town," Flittertwig admits. "I wasn't expecting anything here. I... I'd like to help, but...." She trails off again, unsure of how far she wants to go, even though she is certainly angry at what these so-called robbers did to her friends.

Tyra briefly looks at Akia, then presses her face more firmly against Norry. That is probably a clear enough response.

Akia sighs.

Tyra and Flittertwig go along with Norry.

SteelBrow takes up the rear.

Akia follows along closely.

The DM displays an exterior image of the mausoleum on the gameboard that he forgot to post earlier.

Sebrinia follows along with the group.

* You make it out of the mausoleum without incident.

Norry continues out of the graveyard. "Where were you staying, Flit?"

Akia, freed from the confines of the masoleum, attempts to quickly survey the surroundings, and make sure that Norry does not get ambushed again.

Norry coughs.

Flittertwig answers, "At the Coronet and Cabbage Inn, although Tyra's family had invited me to their place. I just hadn't decided if I wanted to impose."

Norry says, "Well, we will go to the inn then. Tyra, you'll come with us for now."

SteelBrow says, "given the circumstances, I don't think it would be an imposition."

Akia eyes a tombstone warily, then appears to relax a bit and follows along almost jauntily.

Flittertwig just... stares at Steelbrow, and declines to comment, and continues walking along with Norry. Trya has since let go, but is also staying close to both of them.

Akia says, "We should find Ian, let him know what we've discovered."

Akia says, "I expect he would like to know of the... robbers."

Sebrinia says, "He'll probably be at the Inn."

SteelBrow says, "then let us be moving."

Akia heads toward the inn.

Norry agrees.

SteelBrow makes a solid march on his short legs towards the inn.

* All of you arrive at the Inn without further incident. There is a brief commotion among the patrons when you enter, and Ian is at the far end of the room. He looks up at the commotion, and spots you just as Tyra leaves Norry's side and runs over to him.

Akia raises an eyebrow, then heads toward Ian matter-of-factly.

Akia moves to Ian's side and says, "We were able to rescue these two, but I fear that is not the end of it."

Sebrinia doesn't move far into the Inn, in fact, she remains just inside the doorway.

SteelBrow feels like another drink, but not before business is dealt with.

Ian hugs Tyra back, and murmurs something to her, then sends her off with a woman you don't recognize, who takes her out of the common room - the two of them seem to know each other, though. Thus unencumbered, Ian gestures all of you to come over to an empty table, to talk in a rather more convenient fashion. He looks at Akia and nods to her current revelation with a solemn expression.

Norry adjusts his coat and clears his throat. "Gentlemen, I thank you for the information and help that led to the safe rescue of my cousin Flit. Flittertwig, that is."

Akia takes a seat at the table near Ian.

Norry looks abashed. "Not to be discounting the aid given by the ladies, of course."

Flittertwig also thanks all of you for her timely rescue, and she grins at Norry's correction.

SteelBrow takes a seat, and listens while other discuss what's known.

Akia speaks in a low voice to Ian, "It appears that the masoleum itself has become a doorway into... darker, less welcome places."

Akia says, "Now... we did not fully investigate, we wanted to get these two to safety as soon as possible. But I think heavy guard may be desired until further investigation occurs, at the very least."

Ian waits for the details of what he asked you to investigate, and he grimaces deeply at what Akia has to say. "I suspected..." he begins with a dark expression, then shakes his head. "What of the Yurlings? Tyra's parents, I mean. And the guards? Did you... find anything?"

Akia nods grimly.

Norry says, "As to that, well..." and shifts his feet a bit. "I fear it's not good news."

Ian gives Norry a grim nod, having expected that much when you came back only with Flittertwig and Tyra, but he still has to know.

Ian expands, "Tell me as much as you've discovered. Bad news though it may be."

Norry defers to Akili and Steelbrow, having put all his attention toward the rescue.

Akia says, "None of the guards survived. Mauled by wolves and warg."

SteelBrow says, "Inside we found zombies and animated skeletons."

Akia says, "And as far as I know, Tyra and Flittertwig were the only ones left."

SteelBrow says, "we think there are more killers we didn't meet."

Ian listens to what you describe, as well as Flittertwig's revalation that two of the zombies you defeated were Tyra's father and grandfather, and the corpse at the bottom of the stairs was her mother. "Zombies... and skeletons?" he says with a disbelieving tone, along he clearly believes you. "Even our worst fears...." he says grimly, then pulls out several small pouches.

Ian sets them in a loose pile of four, and says, "As offered, 50gp for each of you for investigating as far as you have. I'll quintuple that amount if you can put an end to whatever has defiled our town's long-honored crypt. We've had family buried there for as long as Kingsholm has existed, and it is clear we are not up to the task ourselves."

The DM expands 'gp' to 'gold pieces'.

Akia nods grimly, "I am up for this task. No town should live under this cloud of fear."

SteelBrow scoops up a pouch, "eye", glances down towards his injured leg, "can ye direct me to an armorer or blacksmith?"

Norry says, "It's not that I wouldn't like to help. The undead simply don't belong in the world of the living. Flit's been gone so long though, don't you know, and I'm sure her family is worried sick..."

Akia nods, "We should make sure these two are taken care of, certainly."

Flittertwig sits up straighter at Norry's ambivalence. "Norrelberry, don't you dare abandon this because of me! They were my friends! I could never look Tyra in the eye again if I abandoned her now. If *you* want to go, then *I'll* stay and help," she says with finality, crossing her arms.

SteelBrow chuckles, "little lady has spunk. not much use arguing with her."

Ian nods to Akia, and Steelbrow as well. "We have a smithy in town that should be able to see to your needs," he tells the dwarf. He carefully keeps out of the conversation between Flittertwig and Norry, and gives Sebrinia a questioning look, obviously wondering what her decision is.

Norry blinks at Flittertwig. "Now Flit dear, I won't let you face those things again. I'm sure these folks here can deal with it properly, and well... I wouldn't have come if mother hadn't lit into me to go see what was keeping you."

Sebrinia is half listening at the door but nods her agreement to the task at hand, ready to do what needs to be done.

SteelBrow asks, "Sebrinia, think there's a chance this is related to that other matter we had with the evil wizard?"

Akia raises an eyebrow, curious.

Sebrinia glances towards Steelbrow, then over towards Ian. "Anything is possible. And yes, I think it might have something to do with the other problem we had much earlier."

Flittertwig determinedly keeps her arms crossed, although the comment about her family does affect her a little. Still, she shakes her head. "Norry, we look out for our friends. Tyra is now an orphan because of these monsters. I have to do *something* to help." She is silent for a moment, and concludes, "I don't want to put you in danger either, but I'm not going to leave unless one of us helps put an end to this."

Akia says, "I suggest looking after Tyra. She'll need someone to look after her while we take care of the monsters."

Norry sighs. "Very well then. I'll go with them. And _you_ will stay with your friend Tyra until this is all over. She will need a friend you know, so that's as helpful as the other in its way."

Ian looks wary at the dwarf's mention of an evil wizard, but declines to ask. He doesn't want to attract any more trouble into his town.

Akia takes a 10 on her Diplomacy, 10+2 = 12

Norry tucks his pouch of gold into his backpack, and turns to Ian. "I will be going back in as well, it would seem."

Flittertwig caves in between Akia's and Norry's persuasion, and slowly nods. "I promise I will... as long as *you* come back, Norry," she says, holding out that last little inch.

SteelBrow says, "meet at the graveyard gates in the morning? I have some armor to buy before then."

Ian nods, and manages a smile to all four of you, despite the unhappy news of the Yurlings, as they were a well-liked family in this town. "I thank you, along with this town, for your attempt. If you need a place to rest, I will have rooms set aside for you, free of charge. And I will welcome any news you bring back with you."

Norry says, "I will need a room, good sir."

Akia says, "as will I."

SteelBrow says, "eye, a room would be good."

Sebrinia says, "Rooms are a good idea."

SteelBrow says, "if there's nothing else for now, I'll take my leave."

Ian nods, and claps his hands in a sign of a done transaction. "They are yours, then. Spare me one moment." He rises from the table, going behind a counter, and comes back with four keys, which he distributes to all of you. "Here you are. Adjoining rooms. Business is down with news spreading of what has been happening here," he admits. "I regret that I cannot afford to give you free meals, but you will get your money's worth, or you may do whatever pleases you in that regard. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Akia ohs, grabbing the bag of coin, "That will be fine. Thank you for your help."

Norry takes a 'down to business' stance, and asks, "Ian, how long has this business been going on? And Steelbrow. You said this is related to some other business. We'll need to discuss it. I want to know the whos and whys, as well as the wherefores etc and so forth."

SteelBrow says, "It's more Sebrinia's business with the evil wizard, if she's inclined to share."

Sebrinia glances towards Norry. "We'll talk about this later. Up in our rooms."

Akia asks, "Norry's right though... Ian?"

Akia says, "How long has this been going on? You say the news is spreading..."

SteelBrow says, "if you'll excuse me... ", and stands to make a visit to the local smith.

Ian answers Norry, "We've never had anything like this happen before in the town's history, but it only started a little while ago. Less than a week before you arrived here."

Norry asks, "How precisely did it start?"

Ian adds, "As to the rest, rumor runs faster than the fleetest of horses. How did it start? The Yurlings went over there, with your friend," he gestures to Flittertwig, who nods, "to inter their grandfather, as was their right. When they did not return for a considerable time, we sent two of our sentinels to investigate. They did not return either. Mia didn't want to send any more, after that."

Norry asks, "Do many strangers come through here?"

Ian makes a so-so gesture with a hand. "Adventurers like yourselves are not common, but we have fairly regular trade with some nearby dwarf clans and from gypsy caravans, that sort of thing. We all know each other fairly well here, but there would be what I'd call strangers from some of the ones we trade with. Our relationships with all of them have been peaceful."

Norry asks, "Well if you don't mind, have there been any of what you'd call 'strangers' in town, present company excluded of course, since this business began?"

Akia listens, surreptitiously stashing the bag of coin as she does.

Ian thinks for a while, but eventually shakes his head. "Not that I am aware of, and most news of such vists makes it to my ears. Still, all the trouble started at the graveyard, and we don't keep watches up there. We've never had anything like this happen before. If someone snuck in there first for whatever reason...." He makes a very succinct gesture as if to say, "And here we are."

Akia nods, "Well, I'm going to go get some food and rest... our day will likely be full tomorrow, and I'd like to be prepared."

Norry says, "I suppose Akia's got the right of it. Good night to you, Ian," and gives a meaningful look toward Sebrinia.

SteelBrow returns from a visit to the smith, "guess I'm going to have to do with the armor I have for now. Take several days for the upgrade I want, days we don't have now."

Sebrinia just shrugs her shoulders at Norry. "Later," she mutters and heads up for her room.

Akia goes over to the bar to get some food.

SteelBrow sits and raises a hand to attract the attention of a waitress.

Norry accompanies Akia.

Ian nods to Norry and the others, and rises from the table, leaving the common room after a few minutes of checking in with the staff.

Akia looks around at the bar, checking out her options.

* One of the serving staff gives Akia a double-take, not having seen this tiger-person up close, but recovers well, and inquires, "May I help you?" She nods to Norry as well, including him in the query.

Akia asks, "I'm a bit hungry, what have you tonight?"

Flittertwig also takes her leave of Norry and his fellows, then leaves the common room to check up on Tyra.

SteelBrow, seeing Akia and company, joins them at the bar.

* Another server catches Steelbrow's gesture and begins to wander over to his table, but turns away when he goes over to the bar instead, and helps another group of patrons.

Norry says, "I'll start with a mug of whatever's good, honeycakes if you have them, and a bowl of soup. Also bring a vegetable salad and..." Norry taps his lips thoughtfully. ""

Norry says, "Oh, some toasted bread with butter and jam."

Sebrinia stops just short of the stairs up and realizes the rest of her group is remaining down at the bar. Unlike the rest, she isn't hungry. But she does meander back over to the group and finds a place near them.

SteelBrow says, "a mug of whatever's good sounds like a good start. And something with some meat."

* The server at the bar, a middle-aged woman in suitable dress and a look as though she's been here for a while, says, "Well, we've got...." She trails off for a moment, staring at Norry, then shows a faint smile. It's clear he's not the first halfling she's been around.

Akia nods at Steelbrow's order, "That sounds like a good idea... I'll have what he's having... maybe something made from fruit to drink, however... some wine perhaps?"

Norry asks, "Ah, also bring a serving of that meat. What is it tonight?"

* After a moment, she regains her place. "Our ale is popular here. No honeycakes, I'm afraid, but we do have fresh bread, and beef stew. We have good wine, as well. I can't offer a salad, exactly, but I can give you a plate of some various vegetables."

Akia says, "Bread and stew... and some wine, then."

SteelBrow says, "Ale and beef stew is fine."

Norry says, "Oh, well, I'm sure whatever you have will do nicely."

* The server nods to the three. "That'll be five silver for each of you. Fifteen altogether."

SteelBrow fishes out the coin and places in on the bar in from of him.

Akia plops a gold onto the bar and smiles, then heads over to an empty table.

The server gathers up the coin with a smile, and goes back into the kitchen to have your meals prepared.

* After a surprisingly short time, she returns with a helper for your meals - one large bowl of a delicious beef stew each, two mugs of ale, a goblet of wine, three thick slices of bread, and a plate with a small pile of carrots, small onions, and peas. She smiles at you, invites you to enjoy your meal, then wanders off again.

Akia thanks the server before she vanishes, then sops some bread in her stew.

Norry digs in with a will. Slaying the undead is hungry work. As is waking up in the morning.

SteelBrow eats at a deliberate pace, pausing at moments to flex his wounded leg.

Akia finishes up her repast and stands up, "Goodnight. We reconvene down here in the morning?"

SteelBrow eats his fill, gets an idea, and downs the remainder of his drink in a gulp, "If you'll excuse me, again..."

Norry quickly finishes his soup, and stuffs a handful of vegetables and crust of bread into his coat pocket before standing up. "You can never count on the kitchens to be open when you're hungry, in these big-people places."

SteelBrow answers on his way out, "morning here is good."

Akia nods, and heads off to find her room.

Sebrinia notices that everyone is finishing up and heading up for the room. Now she rises up from her stool/chair and heads for her room in the inn.

Norry arrives in his room, and doffs his backpack and coat before returning to the hall in search of Sebrinia's room.

SteelBrow, later that evening, returns to the inn wearing a new suit of armor, and heads to his room.

Sebrinia is in her room, her door is open and she's just sitting on her bed.

* The rooms are spartan and somewhat small, but passable. There's a bed with actual bedding, and a small table and a chair. You'd guess that these are probably the least expensive rooms he has to offer... but free is hard to argue with.

Norry knocks surreptitiously on the open door before entering.

Sebrinia glances up at the knock on the door. "Come on in."

Norry says, "Good evening, miss. I understand you may have a story to tell, relating to... well, to the business at hand you might say."

Sebrinia shrugs her shoulders slightlly. "Not sure it's much of a story, Norry. Just an evil wizard had taken my family and what not. I got my mother back..." Another shrug.

Norry says, "Good, I'm glad," and blinks. "Erm, I mean that's terrible!"

Sebrinia blinks and looks curiously at Norry. "I had come here to talk to Ian about a few things. But I suppose the issue at hand is just as important to take care of."

Norry asks, "Yes well. I won't pry into personal matters, but if you can shed any light on the current goings-on...?"

Sebrinia nods slowly. "I'm not quite sure if I can shed any light on the going-ons. But if this is related, then we need to use extreme caution. As you can tell, killing someone doesn't mean to much to the one in charge."

Norry asks, "Do you mean he has no regard for life, or that he has no regard for death?"

Sebrinia says, "You can say that."

Norry fiddles with his collar a bit. "Well, I'll just get to it then. Do you think this evil wizard is behind the goings-on here? What makes you think so? What does he want?"

Sebrinia glances towards her bag. "Yes, I think this evil wizard is behind what is going on lately. Everything seemed to have started about the same time my family was taken. And I think he's after some powerful stones."

Norry asks, "Ah, I see. What are these stones, and why would he want them?"

Sebrinia glances back to Norry. The elf thinks back to the words her mom told her. "Ancient gates, I think she said. My mom also mentioned they could have some sort of powers. But nobody can be certain yet." Another glance is spared to her bag as though she wants to mention that there is a stone in her bag or just not bring it up yet.