Epilogue: The Thrappled Lemmings and the Giant Mound of Treasure (Five Leagues from the Borderlands)

The Thrappled Lemmings knew the way back to Fikaby well and the trip passed uneventfully. Carin the Seamstress had a letter that needed delivering to Elsfjord Kloster, so the party took the opportunity to deliver the locket they had found at the same time. The weather was miserable on the way there and they roads muddy and deep. They were hugely grateful to arrive without having caught their death of a cold, although Wido did complain that he could feel some sniffles coming on.

After completing their errands in Elsfjord Kloster, the party travelled to Haitabu, where they met Asmundr the Mendicant and returned his treasured silver ring to him. There they sold the rest of their loot and dissolved the company of adventurers known as The Thrappled Lemmings. Each of them was wealthy enough in his own right to fund a new company of adventurers, but they were all ready to retire after the close run in the Temple. They said their farewells and departed. Only Lysanthir remained in Haitabu. The others had plans elsewhere. Each of them promised to stay in touch, but each also knew this was a lie.

The Thrappled Lemmings, scourge of taverns and evildoers everywhere

Lysanthir sat nursing a flagon of ale in the Ferret and Hose in Haitabu. It had been a couple of months since the Thrappled Lemmings had cleared the Temple of Elemental Evil. He was disgruntled because they might have missed something there, but was doing his best to be content in the knowledge that everyone had escaped alive, and the important thing was that he had recovered the magical tome that was his original goal. He had studied it intensively and was learning new spells and new magical lore. He had done what he set out to do, and he had become really quite wealthy along the way.

His wandering wizard's hat now hung on a peg by the door of an old tower that he was renovating just outside town. The treasures he had accumulated filled its vault and he was using them to acquire new books and new lore. He had a map that might point him in the direction of more valuable lore and treasure, but deciphering it would take a while. He had various documents that the Thrappled Lemmings had acquired along the way that could also offer opportunities for knowledge and more wealth. The only thing he was certain of was that he would not lead the party himself next time. He had wealth enough to pay others to do it for him.

He drained the last of his flagon of ale and thought about getting up and going home. As he did so, a full flagon thumped down in front him.

"For old times," declared Wido, for it was he who had put it there. He thumped his burly frame down on a stool at the table and raised his own flagon of ale in a toast to The Thrappled Lemmings.

"Did you know that job opportunities for a Slayer of Aberrations are limited? Seems like no one wants to let you take up a peaceful career like becoming a baker's apprentice. I tried. Always thought that crafting bespoke baked goods would be a good career path for me. Nope, it's all kill this monster, raid that hostile camp, and put your life on the line for us for little reward. At least with the Lemmings I knew the rewards would be good. Don't suppose you have room in your tower for a live-in baker?"

Lysanthir took a long draught of his drink and looked at Wido.

"You know, I just might. How do you fancy training a new company of adventurers by day and baking by night? Or vice versa. You can train them by night and bake by day if you prefer. I have a lead on some new sources of wealth and will need help."

Wido reached out his arm. Lysanthir grasped it. They were in agreement. Wido would aid Lysanthir in his research and quests and Lysanthir would ensure that Wido had time to bake. The Thrappled Lemmings had dissolved their company, but that did not mean that they would forever remain dissolved.