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mshady
2008-02-11, 07:51 AM
Tolrin lets the others speak briefly and gestures to the captured note and moves a bit closer to the table.

“Yes well, that note.” Tolrin frowns gravelly, “They knew I was coming and to expect an escort, so I rather think that means there is a spy here in Hundlestone. Meaning, someone here in this town just tried to kill me and I be rather taking offense to that. None of you, I trust?” Tolrin looks at the assembled Council. The lone dwarf on the Stone Council, Knute Hammer, glares at Tolrin in return. The powerfully built dwarf is middle aged and a veteran warrior who’s father had came to Hundlestone after the fall of Mithril Hall. Tolrin’s only real ally on the council, he takes the measure of his compatriots and rises.

“Ambassador Tolrin, respect to ye as kin and of yer line, ye and yer cohorts here accuse this Council of overmuch ye hot tempered royal runt! Now we plot to murder ye, eh?” Knute glares at Tolrin, his hands planted on the table and leaning forward.

“Explain the note, Knute” Clinkscales says from the back of the room as Tolrin and Knute exchange glares.

“Explain the note, eh? Well from one old axe idiot to another, get over it. Ye left with no notice to us, so if there be a spy, it be in yer ranks and I can tell just from the look’n that it is draconic. Someone here would o’had to run ahead of ye without yer noticing to give word to set an ambush well in the making. So look to yer own camp on that one before grinding yer jack boot on our balls!” Knute stands and crosses his arms and gives them all a firm, reproachful look. Tolrin even stops to consider the point and shrugs.

“A possibility, although mayhaps someone sent a message ahead. By magic? By pigeon? You admit you’re compromised and perhaps your residents more than yourselves.” Tolrin replies with little edge this time, although that hardly deters Knute’s stone faced glare.

“Oh, by all means hold one of yer famous Inquisitions and make forge bars of yer foes for yer bloody great weapons and golems, eh? Don’t forget yer caravan be what? Two days out?” Knute’s tone drips of sarcasm. None of the rest of the Council wants to get between the two at this point.

“No, no time for that and gnomes and humans simply wouldn’t due for a proper forge bar anyways.” Tolrin replies, almost lightly.

“Oh yes, a good joke Ambassador. Ye’d make a good alesinger, you and yer alewives.” Knute retorts, earning a snicker or two from the Council members. Tolrin only grunts in reply, having lost the point.

“So… shall we move past this point? We had nothing to do with yer troubles today although we were goin’ to see them the next day, I assure ye on my honor I knew noth’n of it it. Why tomorrow? To make sure yer caravan go through safe, ye bastards. We need that to go through too. If I find out someone here be to blame, I’ll make’em a head shorter and ye can add’em to yer trophy collection. Ye can plainly see. What do ye plan to do now?” Knute says, than looks at the right and left side of the table but no one shows sudden nervousness. Clinkscales in the back continues to stare ahead, ever wary.

“Yes, where do we go from here? We could occupy Hundlestone and under the Patriarchate, or make ye the 11th Town of Icewind Dale and ensure the safety o’the town and the caravan route. Humans ruling humans and all, only proper.” Tolrin states very matter-of-factly before continuing and the tension in the room elevates considerably. He lets the message hang out there long enough for the statement to sink in but before any protest can be registered.

“While that solves the problem with you, it doesn’t solve the problem you face with them. How do ye deter those who can control the winter itself? The white wyrm cannae be killed and we nay have the troops to control the region above and below.” Tolrin says and the Council grumbles in agreement as their own dilemma is brought up.

“Aye, ye curse us but ye’d be in the same fix we’re in!” quips a gnome to the left of Knute.

“Aye, short lad. Inform Frostmaiden Livius the Patriarchate’ll be taking a larger interest here in Hundlestone and I want to meet with her in… four days at the mines between here and the tomb of Hundle Hurler-of-Hammers. We’ll keep a permanent representative from the Patriarchate and Ten Towns here, Moradin help’em, with a suitable detachment of Forgemark to protect’em and a reduction of tariffs and caravan. That’s the best deal yer going to get outta me for this and lets all forget about today, eh?”

The Council members look to each other and grumble to each other and Knute speaks once again.

“So yer just going to tell us the way it is now, eh?”

“Umm… yes, I am actually. What? We met their demands well enough, say no to me and I’d think you rather like them better.” Tolrin smiles and his eyes twinkle in the face of the challenge, “Who has a stronger hand to negotiate, eh? Two dozen heads say me.” Tolrin smiles and the Council but says nothing.

“Woe to poor Hundlestone, so far Moradin yet so close the Patriarchate and Aurilites alike…” Knute pronounces gravelly.

“Indeed. I think that concludes this meeting, eh?” The Council members grumble in agreement and make to leave, having no desire for further conversation.

After everyone else has cleared out, Tolrin turns to the party and states. “Ye have one day to get rested up lads. Move over to the barracks and stay ‘here now. Be ready by midnight tomorrow”, Tolrin states. Suddenly wearing the exhaustion he must obviously have felt, Tolrin smiles and says “I rather think I need some sleep.”

Sorry for the delay there, I was alot sicker than I thought... game's back on!

Yuki Akuma
2008-02-11, 12:04 PM
Raltise, for his part, looks... incredibly bored. He actually sighs with relief when told he can go, and wastes no time in retreating!

mshady
2008-02-11, 01:27 PM
OOC: Please work out your characters for level 6 and let me know ASAP.

If you plan on taking a PrC for level 6 but the trainer is not available in Hundlestone, you can take your existing PC class and convert to the PrC later. PrC training is something that will take a fair bit of time to do and there is only so much you can do by yourselves. Tolrin might be able to find a trainer or tell you where to find one, so he would be a good IC resource. You'll have the time to do the training a bit later

As for the loot, a PC with the ability to identify the magic equipment and trinkets will be required. You are still in possession of the mysterious note as well.

The party has about 30 hours before Tolrin wants to see you all again.

Katasi
2008-02-11, 05:08 PM
You said that a wizard has to spend the time and stuff for the spells they get for free at each level, but the PHB and SRD states that they do not have to spend any time or anything on them. Are you making this a houserule then? My character sheet is updated for 6th level, do you want me to message it to you?

Arum steps outside into the cold after the meeting he shivers slightly and looks up into the sky, then reaches out his arm as his hawk familiar Screech lands softly onto it. He gently caresses the hawk's head, then turns to the group. "So what shall we do about the treasure?" He asks. "I'm all for splitting it up evenly, personally."

bchilders
2008-02-11, 11:09 PM
OOC: Do we have enough XP over 6th lvl for me to brew a few potions....I think max I'm talking 96 XP. And also how many potions will you say I can do in the 30 hrs? The DM guide says it takes 24 hrs to make a potion but didn't mention anything about running more than one at a time. I'm thinking five max...2 cure serious and 3 cure mods. Just let me know.

"Whatever the split is just let me know. I'm going to make a few potions before we run into any more of those cold bastards," with that he heads of to find the ingredients he will need to work.

ArmanMadero
2008-02-12, 12:19 AM
Glad you are feeling better Shady. I am working 3-1130 shifts for my intership right now, and one week of overnights soon. I should... SHOULD.. be able to post a LITTLE more...

Arman listened to the accusations flying and nodded to himself a few times before decisions were finally made. It seemed as though Tolrin won this small battle, but he couldn't be sure.

The question still stood though, who was the spy? If the council denies sending anything to this Livius Frostmaiden, and non of the group he was with did so... then who?

Arman watched around him carefully as people started to disassemble and filter out of the hall. They had a little over a day to rest and equip themselves for what lay ahead. And if someone here planned an ambush again for them, they might need more help. Another fight like the last and someone may be lost.

The wyrm itself was another issue. Whos to say that the beast wouldn't just decide for fun to freeze them all into a block of ice for the next unfortunate to find? And for as rebellious as Hundlestone had been, what kept it from doing just that? Wyrms were not noted for their patience or benevolence of ANY race, with the exception of mayhap their own or their betters, which were not many.

Much to think about while he studied up.

Arman would like to know how many people were in the council room, council members vs. party members vs. guards vs. others. Do any seem like they do not belong? Do any seem like they are taking too much interest in Tolrin or the party? I will also give you my spell list as soon as I look at it and stuff.

Diarmuid
2008-02-12, 11:44 AM
Potions

I'm fairly certain you cannot create more than 1 potion at a time, so you'd be able to make 1 potion in the time we have allotted. Also, do you have access to the proper alchemical equipment to make potions?


Leveling up

I've been all leveled up to 6 since it was first mentioned. Simply took my fourth level as a Fighter and continued my focus on staff fighting.


Bundok is glad to be dismissed from the meeting, and finds a nice hard bunk to plop down on. Pulling off his chain mail, he relaxes a bit and pokes around through the accumulated loot from their epic, wintry battle.

"I dunno what most of that is, but if there's a magic staff or some chain armor that no one's claimed I wouldnt mind taking a look ta see if it's better'n what I got already."

Loot

Of the loot, there's only a few items that would be of any use to the party as some of the magic items are Large or Small sized and will be of little value to us. Bolded items should get priority for identification, assuming we have a wizard who can identify. If not, maybe we can find someone in town to pay to do it, and use the coins we got to pay for it.

1 x Large Greatsword (unidentified magic)
3 x Large Greataxes (unidentified magic)
3 x MW Shortswords
1 x Magic Shortsword
2 x MW Battleaxes
1 x Magic Mace
3 x Magic Rings
1 x Magic Cloak
1 x Magic Amulet
1 x Large Mithril Chainmail (magic)
1 x MW Large Breastplate
1 x Small Robe (Magic)
24 x Thunderstones
7 x Tanglefoot bags
7 x Caltrops bags
4 x Gems
1 x Spellbook
4 x Scrolls (stinking cloud, mage armor, summon monster III and glitterdust)
8 x Cure Medium Wounds potions
3 x Cure Critical Wounds potions
Approx 2000 in gold coins or equivalents
50 feet of hemp rope

There was also mention of a wand in the description of the loot, but one did not appear in the list as shown above.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-02-12, 01:15 PM
Kelith

{{I myself myself have a python program, two books, and 15 pages of notes to study for this thursday so I won't have lots of free time to level up my character till then. Though I can say now that I'll take another level in Favored Soul and NOT take a prestige class.}}

"I'm not too concerned how the loot is too be divided, whether it be all sold and split or items are to be given to whoever needs them then splitting the rest to make it equals matter not to me. I'll be in my room resting and if there be no plan for division tomorrow i'll make one up if need be."

With that Kelith walks up to his room and falls into bed.

Katasi
2008-02-12, 02:46 PM
Arum can cast identify 6 times per day, enough to cover the items you marked, plus that magic robe. He'll need 8 hours to prepare it though, and to get to his other spellbook. He'll also need to use 24 hours of the 36 to research and write down the first of his new spells.

Arum nods to the pile of loot. "I will go study me spells and prepare the spell to identify the magical items. While I'm gone will someone please try to detect which ones are magic and set them aside? Also, I want that spellbook that we found." He then sets off for the small crevice outside of town where he buried his Grimoire for safe keeping, musing about new spells he could create.

ArmanMadero
2008-02-12, 04:31 PM
Arman nodded when someone asked about being able to identify some of the items. Then, muttering a few words, a small spell was cast. Some of the items took on a strange blue hue to his eyes and with some help from the rest of the party, they soon had everything sorted out that seemed to be magical.

"I will be able to help with that as soon as I can rest up a little and study the appropriate spell a few times. Where should we all meet to split everything and identify some of the more curious items?"

Casted Detect Magic on our pile of goodies

bchilders
2008-02-13, 09:31 AM
OOC: Crossed out last post after considering my options

Magnum

Noticing the amount of potions in the loot, Magnum decides a good drink is a more pressing concern. "I'm off for a drink, anyone joinin'?" With that he heads off to the bar.

mshady
2008-02-14, 02:56 AM
OOC: The next 36 hours or so for you folks is going to be rather self directed and free form. Let me know what you want to do, who you want to see, etc. Basically lay out your schedule. Feel free to advance the timeline as well - if you want to advance to identifying and distributing the loot, go ahead but let me know. If you're going to the bars or whatever, pretty much RP what you're doing, the place etc. I'll jump in with some DMing as appropriate. If you want to meet someone, let me know. We can either do it via PM or on the boards.

Also, we may be getting 2-3 new players from the other campaign, as I could not sustain doing two of them. I like to put alot of work into stuff, but it was harder than I anticipated to do both campaigns.

Katasi
2008-02-14, 04:38 AM
Ok, but just one question, does the 24 hours for scribing a new spell have to be CONSECUTIVE, or can I split it up over time?

mshady
2008-02-14, 10:54 AM
[OOC: Same rule of thumb as crafting with that. While it takes X number of days to make an item, in terms of actual work on it the requirement is 8 hours a day. The rest is assumed to be other activities and sleeping. That is the trick of the increased productivity of a forge of sustenance for example; it lets you work all day. So if you're in a time crunch, I'll allow double the productivity but there will be a spellcraft check of DC15 + spell level for the second spell.

Katasi
2008-02-14, 08:54 PM
[OOC: Same rule of thumb as crafting with that. While it takes X number of days to make an item, in terms of actual work on it the requirement is 8 hours a day. The rest is assumed to be other activities and sleeping. That is the trick of the increased productivity of a forge of sustenance for example; it lets you work all day. So if you're in a time crunch, I'll allow double the productivity but there will be a spellcraft check of DC15 + spell level for the second spell.

[OOC] Um, spell scribing time is measured in hours- 24 hours per spell, so would that be 3 days of work at 8 hours a day then?

mshady
2008-02-15, 01:50 AM
OOC: You can split it up over time if you like. You're right on the 24 hours, I always took that as being like crafting. Learn something new every day...

Katasi
2008-02-15, 02:51 AM
Arum allows screech to fly ahead to the crevice and find a nice perch near it. After about a half hour walk he arrives as well and crawls inside to pull out his Grimoire. He carefully avoids reading the cover and the first page, to prevent setting off the spells on them. On the second page he pauses to look at the picture of his friend Doran which he inscribed on it. He takes a moment to reflect on their adventures, shedding a tear as he thinks of his friend's death, then flips through some more. He spend the next 8 hours carefully reading through his spells, memorizing the ones he would use today. He spends another 8 hours inscribing the new spells going through his head, he starts with one to summon monsters (summon monster 3). After that he takes the hike back to the town to get some food and sleep, but not before sliding the Grimoire back into it's crevice.

bchilders
2008-02-17, 11:00 PM
Magnum

Magnum spends several hours at the bar drinking his fair share of ale and then some before retiring to a room. He stops for a moment before bed to pray but ends up passing out in the middle. This is not the first time he hasn't made it completely through a devotional but he assumes that worshiping a dwarven god gives you some leniency on piety, especially when it comes to good ale.

ArmanMadero
2008-02-17, 11:49 PM
Arman went back to his rented room and studied studied studied. As soon as he studied as many of the Identify spells as he could manage, he went back to where they had the stash of items, and cast what he could to identify them. He was able to identify seven items before his spells ran out, and by then he was smiling to himslf and those others that were helping him to identify the other items left.

Identifying items as follows: Large Greatsword, the 3 Large Greataxes, Magic Shortsword, Magic Mace, Magic Amulet. That should cover all my identify spells that I have. I believe Arum can do the rest. : ) There are 6 more items to identify according to the list that Diarmuid provided in a spoiler. If you could let me know Shady what I have discovered on these seven that would be most wonderful. After that, Arman will go back to his room, and study the list of spells that I will give you.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-02-18, 01:28 PM
Kelith

As he awakens from a nights rest he gathers his gear and heads down to get himself some breakfast. After breakfast he searches for his companions to find how the loot is to be split/

{{So like I said earlier, taking another level in Favored Soul, get 3 new 3rd levels spells known, Cure Serious Wounds being 1 of them; still haven't decided on the other 2 still gotta check out some more spells in complete divine and such. So for my HD and everything do I need to roll or are you doing it for me? And do I need to go ahead and edit my char sheet to show I'm 6th level now?}}

mshady
2008-02-20, 03:10 AM
After resting to prepare the spells to go over the spoils from the battle, Arman and Arum go to the warehouse barracks for the Forgemark and take over the mess area and begin the arduous identification process. Duervar and Hjalmar had brought everything and laid it all out for examination. The two had spent a couple of hours cleaning the armor and weapons up particularly, bring it up to nearly passable condition after its abused treatment by their foes. Much of the equipment was also quite bloody; the armor from their former wearers and the weapons from the party themselves. Tolrin has also joined the gathering, evidently curious about what they had taken but otherwise wearing a somber, troubled face. He is dressed in his well worn brown earthsilk fatigues commonly worn by Forgemark soldiers under their armor. Tolrin is otherwise wearing his fine winter wolf fur coat and has a drink in hand. That is actually a rather uncommon site, for Tolrin at least. The barracks is otherwise full of other dwarves, either sleeping, cleaning equipment or sitting by the fire pits playing dice poker. Before Arum and Arman start, Tolrin steps forward and addresses the group, drink in hand.

“Lads, I’ll spare ye the speech ye no doubt wish to be spared. I’m far too… too well, deep in my cups tonight to manage that and ye prolly heard me rant enough in the field or that da-damned council meeting today.

I gots two things to say though… firstly, at sunset I’ll be lead’n prayers and we’ll be hav’n a bit o’celebration and dedication to Clangeddin come morn’n. Lots to drink, we’ll be burnin’ them heads as offerings and o’course the Silver Order ‘nd Valkyrie lasses be here as well. I hear one’s been ask’n about ye, Arum.” Tolrin says mischievously and winks. “After that, ‘round midnight, I need ye to all go outside o’town and meet some reinforcements com’n from Barakbar bringing supplies we’re gonna need. Be ready to move out ‘rom there. Bring the big gear too…

That be it fer right now, so… get at it, ye two. Lemme know if ye need any help. Also Bundok, I took the liberty of giv’n that mithril chain ye got off that ogre mage over to the smiths with us and they turned ‘hat into a decent set o’mithril chainmail for ye. Yer a crazy son of a worg so I owed ye that, I thought. Hate to waste good mithril! May want to grab yerself an axe too for next time ye need to lop off a head, eh? Also, threw in a couple things o’my own as thanks into the pile.” Tolrin finishes, his words a bit slurred from alcohol and exhaustion. He plainly has not slept and goes over to plop down into a chair to observe. Duervar stands over by him, protectively.

Arman and Arum take the list they have made and inform the group regarding of what they have learned about the recovered equipment. While much of its too large for their own use, it may still have value so that was examined as well.


3 x MW Shortswords
1 x Shortsword +1
2 x MW Battleaxes
1 x Magic Mace +1
3 x Magic Rings (2 x Ring of Protection +1, 1 Ring of Shielding +1 – Provides a +1 Shield AC if not using a shield)
1 x Robe of Battle (+1 AC – counts as padded armor without penalty, +1 saves)
1 x Magic Cloak (Cape of Winter +1 Universal Saves, 1 DR (Cold)
1 x Magic Amulet (Amulet of Natural Armor)

4 x Scrolls (stinking cloud, mage armor, summon monster III and glitterdust)
8 x Cure Medium Wounds potions
3 x Cure Critical Wounds potions

1 x Magic Amulet (Amulet of Shielding – Magic Missile Immunity) (from Tolrin)
1 x Bracers of Ogre Power +2 Str (from Tolrin)
1 x Mithril Chainmail +1 (from Tolrin)

24 x Thunderstones
7 x Tanglefoot bags
7 x Caltrops bags
4 x Gems (500 gp each)
1 x Spellbook (Will send PM with spell info)
1 x Wand (Ice Knife lvl 3 caster/20 charges)

1 x MW Large Breastplate
4 x Large Chainmail
1 x Large Greatsword +1
3 x Large Greataxes +1
50 feet of hemp rope

Approx 6000 in gold coins or equivalents

Sort out distribution amongst yourselves now, lads!


PS - Please include links to your character sheets for me in your next posts.

Katasi
2008-02-20, 09:42 PM
Arum nods to Tolrin as he finishes, then turns to the rest of the group. "Right, business first, party later. We now know what we have, now we must decide what to do with it." He says as pulls out the spellbook, as well as the scrolls of glitterdust and summon monster III. "I want these, if noone else objects." He puts those off to the side and begins to talk again. "As I see it, the most logical way to do this is for each person to take the things that would be useful to them, and we will have the best hagglers among us sell the rest and split the gold evenly after the fact. The healing potions can either be split as evenly as possible among us, or be carried by those that can cast healing spells to help them preserve their spells."

Arum:http://www.coyotecode.net/profiler/view.php?id=1556

Yuki Akuma
2008-02-21, 04:14 PM
Raltise strides into the room, carrying his bow, as well as his quiver, loosely in his hands. His armour has been polished to an almost mirror-like shine; painted on his right shoulder is a silver arrow, pointing down towards his hand.

The archer walks up to the table, and sets his bow and quiver down. "Anyone who needs it, take it. Or sell it, I don't care. I don't need it anymore." He sits down, lounging in a chair as he looks over across the table. "...If there are no objections, I think I'd like to take those thunderstones, as well as the tanglefoot bags and caltrops. I'm faster than the rest of you, and I'm used to fighting at long range, so I can make the best use of them."

Something seems oddly different about him today. He seems more confident with himself, more at ease. Also, his eyes, which often glow faintly, are currently glowing a faint silver, matching that new design on his shoulder.

Diarmuid
2008-02-21, 04:17 PM
Bundok (http://www.shonuffstudios.com/gothmoor/profiler/view.php?id=40)

Bundok had poked at a couple of the items, nothing seeming to jump out at him. His eyes lit up when Tolrin brought in the altered mithril chainmail. Propping his staff on the wall, he took the armor up in his dirty hands and admired the material's quality. The entire suit of chainmail armor weighed less than the shirt of chain armor he normally wore.

Clapping his fist to his breast, he thanked the priest,

"Me thanks t'ye Tolrin. This be more'n a dwarf could ask...a small fortune by itself."

Gently putting the armor down, Bundok slipped the chain shirt over his head and began donning the chainmail armor. He marveled at the flexibility of the lightweight metal.

Moving over to the pile, he picked up one of the battleaxes and brought it over to his pack,

"Not a bad idear on th' axe. I'm 'appy with what I've got 'ere, but if no one else wants tha rings or that amulet that makes ye 'arder to 'it, I wouldnt mind one of those also."

mshady
2008-02-21, 06:20 PM
"Ye deserve it, lad. I'm still try'n to figure out if yer crazy or brave." Tolrin chuckles. "Chargin a giant, by yerself, with a staff after ye kill an ogre mage? Helluva thing." Tolrin laughs again.

"Ye may wanna grab a ring or somethin' to protect ye better too. Don't let that armor deter ye, outside o'smith'n it was't gonna be of use to anyone, anyhow. Good bit o'mithril left, have to figure out someth'n to do with it. That big, blue, ogre had that shielding ring on it. Anyways, the armor's good, but it can be a wee bit better if a smith has a few days to fit it out 'nd such. Was a quick job, eh? The rest o'that stuff'll be goin' to the minotaurs that'll be arriv'n soon."

Tolrin says and takes a drink from his bottle and leans back into his chair once again and watches Raltise add his longbow to the pile. Taking another swig from his bottle, he watches the unusual man.

"Ralty, ye ain't gonna need yer bow? Ye quitt'n on me before we make the Dales or just lost yer mind, lad? Yer gonna need weapons where yer going next."

bchilders
2008-02-22, 12:56 AM
Magnum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=23908)

While others might wake up groggy after the quantity of alcohol Magnum consumed he woke cheerful and ready for the day. He spent an hour praying to Clangeddin both thanking him for the strength to get through the trials so far and asking him to continue to support him and his companions endeavours.

After this he heads down to join the rest for breakfast. He admires the new set of armor Bundok recieves and respond to Tolrin's comment by saying, "I'm thinking he's a good share o' both, if ye ask me." Magnum spends quite a while looking over all the loot before grabbing a ring (protection) and a healing potion (critical). "Can't quite make one teh this strength yet. I have plenty me'self so make sure ya split up the rest of these" He eyes the bracers a good bit before deciding to himself that they are better of in someone elses hands but he does go back to look at them a few times as he peruses.

mshady
2008-02-22, 01:38 AM
Lithe follows Raltise up to the table with all the recovered loot and looks around herself. Seeing the shiny gems on the table, she stares at them in an almost trance like state. Her hand darts out quickly and grabs a gleaming emerald off the table before anyone has a chance to react. Emerald in hand, she rushes to push the gemstone into her mouth, like a child who had just found their favorite candy. After swallowing the gem, she turns out gives Raltise a beaming smile.

"Raltise... yer rock runt just ate a gem worth 'lmost a thousand gold! Mind tell'n it nay to eat off the table?" Hjalmar says, the only one able to compose a reply as others look on in surprise.

Lithe looks back at the rest of the silent party, surprised at the response. Her thoughts echo into Raltise's mind, questioning the reaction.

Why are they angry? I thought everyone got something? I was hungry, Raltise... Only cold dirt to eat here.

bchilders
2008-02-22, 12:29 PM
Magnum

Magnum roars with laughter as the elemental eats a gem. Between his fits he manages to say, "It's only fair the little bugger gets 'is share too...but boy does he 'ave expensive taste."

Yuki Akuma
2008-02-22, 08:26 PM
Raltise tilts his head to one side, then grins at Tolrin. "Mm? Oh, don't worry. I just don't much see the point of carrying a weapon when I am a-"

And then, Lythe eats an emerald! Ralts gives her a bemused look for a while, then bursts out laughing!

They're mad because that was worth a lot of money... but it's fine, you deserved it. I'll get you something else good to eat later, okay?

Katasi
2008-02-22, 08:33 PM
Arum begins laughing at Lythe to. "Don't worry about the emerald, she deserved it, and we have plenty of other loot."

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-02-22, 10:13 PM
Kelith

Kelith shrugs as the emerald is eaten. "Just gonna need to remember to hide any gems you want to keep." With that, he walks up to the pile of loot and takes a Ring of Protection, putting it on his right ring finger. "This should be all I need... I'll pass on the gauntlets." He adds after seeing Magnum continuing to glance at them.

{{http://www.coyotecode.net/profiler/view.php?id=1547}}

mshady
2008-02-23, 02:31 AM
"Oi, yer all pick'n at that table like a buncha elderly hin!"

Tolrin takes a swig from his bottle again and stands, tottering a bit. He weaves up towards the table and looks over the pile. Reaching down, he grabs the goblin mage's robes and holds them up.

"Lets move 'hings along, we got some heads to roast! As fer the obvious, that goblin's robes should go to Arum unless one o'ye planned on wear'n it as an apron. It's a nice dark grey and black for ye lad. Won't show the stains next time yer rummagin' through a gian't chest, it'll nay stain as much."

Tolrin pushes the robes towards Arum and reaches for the last ring.

"Bundok, ye take this last ring. See'n as yer way too far to the front as it is..."

Tolrin flips the ring of shielding +1 to Bundok.

"Now as fer this armor amulet, what about ye Hjalmar? Duervar?" Tolrin asks.

The two look at each other.

"No. Tainted. Just the gold, aye?" Hjalmar says, who returns to watching the proceedings with a bored look. Tolrin gives him a confused look and shrugs.

"Have 'ne already, thank ye Lord Tolrin." Duervar says, and says no more.

"What about ye, Magnum? Or ye Raltise?" Tolrin asks and waits for a reply.

"Arum's already called 'he spell book, but I suggest both ye and Arman look that one over for anything ye don't know. Course, 'ts a hedge wizard's scratching so don't kill yerselves... Same goes fer the scrolls.

But what 'bout that wand, ye two? Only two 'ho can use it. Clever spell on that one, at least..."

"Ralts, what 'bout this other amulet? Gives ye some protection 'gainst magicked missile spells. Interest to ye?"

Tolrin looks at Raltise for a response while keeping an eye on Lithe to make sure he doesn't eat anything else.

"Anyone else interested 'n any o'the weapons up here? Swords, a nice mace maybe? What 'bout those gauntlets? Gold I assume yer just gonna split up?"

Katasi
2008-02-23, 03:17 AM
Arum takes the robes handed to him and puts them on immediatly. He nods to Torlin. "Of course I will be sharing with him, if that last battle was any indication, we are going to need everything we can get in order to survive." He says, then continues on. "If noone else wants that amulet, I could certainly use them, some of those goblins got annoyingly friendly during that last battle, but it would be more use on one of the front line fighters." He turns to face Tolrin directly. "How much mithril is left? I have no doubts Scree would appreciate some barding, maybe a breastplate or a shirt of chain that could fit over her wings." He asks, then looks over his quickrazor. "and this is quite heavy for me.

bchilders
2008-02-24, 12:26 AM
Magnum

"I'll pass on the amulet, I think I'm good fer now. Already 'ard enough to hit. If no one else wants those guantlets I'd love to have 'em. I ken always use hittin a bit harder."

If anyone else wants the gauntlets feel free...I'll only pick them up if their is no interest

mshady
2008-02-24, 12:50 AM
Tolrin looks at Arum, momentarily confused.

"Who in the Hells is Scree? I ain't seen no one around here with wings? Ye referr'n to yer bird cause I nay 'hink mithril is that light No, we have 10 lbs of mithril left. So aye... what to do with it?

We'd need five more pounds o'it to make a nice breastplate out of it or ten pounds fer chainmail. Need fifteen or twenty more fer plate armor, 'lough that'd take some doing to get made. I reckon there's enough fer a chain shirt for Lithe, but nay sure she can tunnel with it on. Hmmm. Them Aurilites must 'ave access to a vein o'it somewhere, bet ye come across a bit more." Tolrin scratches his chin in thought.

"It wouldn't take more than 2 1/2 pounds to make a buckler outta it or 1 1/2 fer the gnome if he can bear the weight. Wouldn't really hinder yer casting either." Tolrin snickers at that, although not meanly.

"Other 'han that ye could make weapons outta it, from a mithril staff to axes, gnome knives or a damn fine set o'dinner plates. Or a damn fine mechanical short or long bow. Course, ye could also be used as a reagent if we have the time to make something. Prolly twice to thrice the power o'that armor amulet here." Tolrin shrugs. "Figure that out 'mongst yerselves. Believe me, I'm fine", he smiles and continues.

"So, about those gauntlets... I reckon Arum be fix'n to make some o'these judging from what he did to those ogres. Might help'em move a little. Otherwise, Arman hasn't gotten anything yet and likes to mix it up. I'd say Arman on that and Arum gets the wand. Any objections?" Tolrin looks around.

"As fer the amulets, Duervar 'as one and Hjalmar Bouldershoulder there obviously doesn't need one; armored war pig that he is", Tolrin says and smirks at that then ponders. "I'd say Magnum or Bundok on that one, as Kelith already has one, Arum got that robe and no one's likely to get close to Raltise very often. That okay? No shield, afterall..."

"Other amulet goes to Raltise, as while no one can catch'em to swing at'em, spells be a different story. It'd be good protection 'gainst magic missile spells, even if its a little used. That leaves that cloak...." Tolrin walks over and examines it.

"I'd say its between Kelith and Raltise on that. The ring Kelith took be worth more than Ralt's amulet, but Lithe did eat that emerald so that balances out. Kel can heal'em self but is the more likely to be need'n it and that balances, so... eh, whomever wants it. Figure it out yerselves." Tolrin shrugs.

"As fer the gold, even distribution on that 'ween the seven of ye. Call it 850 gold for the each of ye be the even distribution and 300 gold in coin and gems as pay from me. As fer the three remain'n gems, I'd suggest one fer Kelith and Arman each as they got a bit shorted and the last to Hjalmar. Ye did yer gold dwarf kin proud today, lad and ye obviously have stones so large, ye need to walk with a cart in front of ye," Tolrin looks around at what's left on the table as he sets out the pouches of gold from him. Hjalmar's smiles slightly and tip his head towards Tolrin respectfully.

As do ye, Lord Tolrin. Hjalmar says in his quiet, gravelly and detached voice.

"Thank ye, lad. Now with the potions, two o'the big ones left. I'd say one to Hjalmar and one to Bundok, just outta sheer need. Otherwise four o'the smaller ones to Magnum to make good his own potions and one each to Arum, Arman, Duervar and Kelith. I think 'hat covers everything... Grab whatever grenades ye like, I suppose. No throw'n them at that nasty gnome woman, alright?"

Lithe watches Tolrin set down the bags and examine the remaining gems as he speaks with a hungry look in her eyes.

Ask them for another gem, Raltise! That was good!

I'm sure this isn't the funnest part for everyone, so Tolrin made these suggestions to help expedite things. His suggestions are in character, not DM fiat, of course. We have a couple new players and I want to get them onboard soonish. They are just suggestions though, so feel to change anything. Just trying to move things along...

Katasi
2008-02-24, 01:16 AM
Arum nods his head "That sounds good to me Tolrin. We still need to see what we can get for those weapons though, they aren't much use to us, but some of them are high qaulity, and some of them are magic I suggest we just sell them and split that gold evenly as well. Any objections?" He says, taking his coins and gems, as well as a potion.

bchilders
2008-02-24, 01:23 AM
"Got no problem here either, though I'd prefer these potion go to others than me. I got my own share and I don't wanna be chasin you down to give you another if you run out," Magnum says as the four potions are handed to him.

mshady
2008-02-24, 01:43 AM
"Well if ye object, lets give it to Bundok. Nice armor, but the lad bears no shield. Needs all the help he can get." Tolrin shakes his head at that, but wears an amused smile. "Just take the potions though and give'em to whomever ye wish. Need to get a bit o'a move on as we'll be meet'n the reinforcements sooner 'hen I thought. Old Silvernail is a damned impatient one..." Tolrin says, grimacing slightly.

The dwarves might wonder if the reason he is drinking has to do with "Old Silvernail" actually. Glorian Silvernail, the leader of the Forgemark Arcanii was notoriously quick tempered and an enormously powerful mage, it was said. Many thought the temper was just to keep others on their toes around her, to demand excellence. Others just thought her brilliant, but mean.

"Lord Tolrin, the Silver Rune herself is coming here?" Duervar asks, a note of sudden concern in his voice.

"Mage Commander now but aye, lad. She is. The Patriarch and the rest of the Forgemark Brotherhood are considering it too. Depends how bad things get here." Tolrin says, a bit more quietly then usual.

Duervar raises an eye brow and whistles in exclamation at the news. Hjalmar reflexively adjusts his eye patch for a moment and turns his one good, piercing eye towards Tolrin and mutters something under his breath. Tolrin misses it but seems to guess the meaning. He frowns slightly and shrugs, although the meaning of the wordless exchange is lost on the rest of the group.

"As fer the weapons... the big stuff is goin' to the Minotaurs that're coming. The Turrock Herd Mercenaries. Be a good fit for'em. Less we have to work our mages and smiths to death equipp'n them, the better. Hjalmar, don't ye carry a short sword?" Tolrin says as he turns to grab the naked blade by its handle and offers it to Hjalmar. The two look at each other a moment and nothing is said for a long moment. Almost seeming to sigh as he gets up, Hjalmar lumbers over towards Tolrin and takes the sword wordlessly and sits back down.

"Now what 'bout the rest? A good mace is good to have in case o'undead or meet'n someone in plate mail. What 'bout ye, Magnum? Ye carry an axe, but this might be better 'gainst the deaders. Anything else o'interest up here lads? If ye don't got a short sword, I'd take it. Can be the only way to be fight'n in tunnels or shield wall on shield wall. Otherwise it'll be goin' to the armory." Tolrin asks.

"Aye, Tolrin. I could use an axe. A pick's no good for tak'n the heads yer fond of and I hate to keep borrow'n yours." Duervar rises and takes the remaining axe. He looks it over and snorts. "No one it be a good axe. It be one o'the axes from Mirabar that they sell in town!" Duervar snorts derisively and adds the axe to his belt loop.

Three masterwork shortswords and a +1 mace remain. In very close quarters tunnel fighting where you are should to shoulder, shield to shield, medium sized or two handed weapons would be penalized realistically. No room to swing them.

mshady
2008-02-24, 03:08 AM
Two identical female dwarves, clearly twins and comely in appearance for dwarves, walk into the area as Tolrin and the party finish up dividing the spoils. They are wearing what can only finely made mithril breast plates and chainmail underneath, although it is hard to tell the extent with all the cold weather gear and furs they have on. They each a flight lance in one hand and hold a shield at their side, along with a heavy, unusual flanged mace on their belt loops. Their approach is heralded by the clanking of their silver spurs and they can only be the newly arrived Valkyries of Berronar from their distinctive winged helmets. Flying atop griffons, these paladins supported the Forgemark, provided a last reserve to save an endangered dwarven position, evacuated wounded or delivered clerics to them. Fierce as they were, they were not aerial cavalry by choice and the tenets of their religious order. The step into the area and bang their lance against their shield by way of salute and Tolrin pounds his chest in reply. It is an old form of dwarven saluting not practiced elsewhere.

“Hargreth! Weresli! Good to see ye lasses! How goes it? Did you see anything?” Tolrin asks the two, his mood suddenly brightened.

“Freezing” says one. “We live” says the other. The two women are clearly very cold and likely frostbitten, but none the less here.

“I forgot, which one is the depressing one?” Tolrin says.

“She is” they both reply. Tolrin snorts and shakes his head.

“How’s the pass look from the air?” Tolrin says, an edge of eagerness for the news in his voice.

“Open” says one, “Watched”, says the other.

“What do ye two mean by watched?”

“Worg riders patrol the ridgelines in the middle of the pass”, says one. “Winter wolves as well.” Tolrin nods at that, as if expecting it.

“Well… they know we’re coming. Any sign of frost giants? Anything like that?”

“No. It was dark” says one, “We were flying” says the other. Her tone leaves carries some annoyance at the question, as if asking Tolrin what exactly he expected.

“Thank ye. I know it was cold and dark and that isn’t what yer here for and I’ll hear no end of this from First Mace Nega. The more we know, the better we can our next move.” Tolrin says, trying to explain himself a little to the two frozen women.

“We know” says one. “It’s why we did it”, says the other. Tolrin nods in response.

“Thank ye, lasses. Thank ye kindly. I know yer father’d be proud of ye both if he were still here, Moradin bless his soul.” Tolrin says. The two women share a glance between each other. “We ‘ave a fire and warm food & ale here if you’d like to warm up?” Tolrin offers.

“Thank ye, Lord Tolrin. You've done enough. We -” says one. “will go unthaw with our sisters and tend our mounts.” The two Valkyries bang their flight lances against their shield again and Tolrin returns the salute and they clank out.

“Damn good, but damn odd. Thunder twins, closer than I ever seen” Tolrin shakes his head. “So where were we?”

Katasi
2008-02-24, 03:21 AM
Arum give a low whistle when the dwarves come in. "Well anyway I think we have this mostly sorted down, are we ready to go? He asks, after they leave. "I don't know of anything more we can really do."

Yuki Akuma
2008-02-24, 01:24 PM
Raltise stares at the pile of grenades for some time. "...I think we should probably share these out. I don't think I could carry all of that." The psychic promptly stands up, and starts arranging the grenades up into 8 neat piles; seven of them contain 3 thunderstones, 1 tanglefoot bag and 1 bag of caltrops each, while the remaining pile only has 3 thunderstones.

Raltise takes one of the piles with caltrops and tanglefoot bag. "It's best for us to distribute the weight, I'd think..."

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-02-25, 01:43 AM
Kelith

"Well Raltise, i'll just take the cloak and you can have my gem; seems that gem would come in more handy for that pet of yours and the cloak for me."

With that Kelith will pick up his share of gold, wrap the cloak around him and walks out to do a bit of shopping before returning to the tavern.

{{Purchasing 2 daggers make that 15(new spell requires small dagger as spell component. They all go in my bag of holding), and another spiked chain (just a regular one).

HP Roll: [roll0]}}

ArmanMadero
2008-02-25, 02:08 AM
Arman watched while everyone distributed the goods around, wondering what he might want. In truth, he really didn't need anything, but want was a different matter entirely. A few things caught his eye, but he immediately dismissed them. The spellbook stayed in his mind of course. As a wizard, magic was what he was after all.

Maybe he could talk with Arum into letting him borrow it one week or so. Enough time to perhaps read and copy a few spells that he may not have.

Tolrin soon walked in and expedited the splitting of everything. The bracers were to go to him, along with a good amount of gold, a gem and a healing potion.

"I am glad to accept everyting Tolrin. The healing potion however would best serve someone else. I have a few wands with me aside from my own potions, and have no need for another. Mayhap to Bundok, seeing as he likes to charge creatures larger than him." Arman smiled at his last few words to the Dwarf.

Just then the tinkling of spurs upon the ground could be heard and Arman turned to the doorways, his hands absentmindedly taking the gold from one of the piles that were put together and placing them into a pouch at his side. He would see later about perhaps trading them into something more carryable.For now, he watched the two Valkyrie Dwarves walk in, amazed by how much the two looked alike.

When Tolrin asked which one was the more depressing one, Arman chuckled at their statement. When the two looked at him at his chuckle. He smiled and gave a small bow in their direction, before turning back to the task at hand of placing the bracers upon his wrists. He would soon be meeting them all, and soon after that, they would be travelling on the road to the Ten Towns.

bchilders
2008-02-25, 08:39 PM
Magnum

Magnum takes Tolrins advice and picks up both the mace and the rest of the potions, "Don't feel quite like the axe, but I get the purpose of 'aving something that can deliver a punch."

Magnum listens intently as the valkyries give there report. After they leave Magnum lets out a louds whistle. "Now there is nothin' more attractive than a woman who can fight." Magnum quieted down for a moment before bursting out in laughter as if he just thought of something humorous. "Unless it's two women..."

Katasi
2008-02-26, 12:39 AM
Arum laughs out loud and moves to high-five Magnum. "Right you are, and those two are a very attractive pair. A bit sharp though." He says

Yuki Akuma
2008-02-26, 07:02 AM
Raltise just stares at Magnum and Arman for a moment, then sighs. "Lythe, come on. We need to get you fitted for that chain shirt." And so he hops up from his chair, and wanders out, one hand raised in a sort of half-wave. "I'll see you people later." And he's gone.

Once Raltise finds the armourer, he buys a chain shirt for his geodite companion, as well as an earthsilk shirt for the pair of them.

After that's done, he makes his way to the archery range, to practise his newfound skills. The look of awe from onlookers as he throws arrows of silver energy never cease to amuse him.

mshady
2008-02-27, 12:14 AM
Tolrin nods to Magnum as he grudgingly takes the last axe.

“Better to have one o’those for the job ‘han trying to head butt it to death. Although, I hear Thimbledorf Pwent did that once…” Tolrin shrugs tiredly. “..and Magnum, lad? I had that idea once. Listen to the Longbeard lad, it ain’t worth it. They do think a nice mace makes a fine gift though, if well used. See? I was look’n out for ye.” Tolrin half laughs at his own humor and is joined by an unusual soprano voice in the corner that joins in his laughing.

“Always a dirty beard, Uncle! And a name dropper too!” The dwarf says in near perfect common as she steps into view from behind some timbers and crates. She is shorter than an average dwarf, but also thinner with long, silky black braids of hair. The dwarf is wearing a fine black and gold blouse and fatigues and cloak of fine pelts. She bears a sword on one hip along with a lyre slung under one arm and a bulging satchel under the other. The dwarf also bears an emerald eyed mountain lion amulet on a silver or mithril chain. Grinning ear to ear, the two quickly move towards each other and Tolrin engulfs her in a furry bear hug and kisses her on the cheeks.

“No one told me ye were com’n down here, Valina!” Tolrin says after their long embrace, still weary but smiling. “I assume that means ye weren’t supposed to come?” The two laugh once again.

“Uncle Tolly, did your spies and oracles fail for once? Of course I’m supposed to be here. Sorry to miss your parade, but I wanted to surprise you and, somehow, I did!” she says. Tolrin laughs and roughs up her hair.

“Either they failed me, they have a sense of humor or ye know’em all I told’em to shush or you’d sing for’em.” Tolrin grouses. “I take it ye rode here? And how’s my wife and me children doing back in de Halls?”

“Oh, they’re fine. Ole Grumpypa Hignar was bouncing the lad on his lap tell’n him about home. And Andra Moyen. Again. Or was it Mira Thiltender?” She shrugs and laughs.

“Prolly the wyrm again. Tis always that bloody wyrm he slew. Favorite bloody story, and a good one too! Least it wasn’t the time with the bear when he fell with the honey… How was the ride down? I heard ‘bout it from the Second Mace but I be liking to hear it from ye myself.” Tolrin says.

“Ah, am I to be your spy once again, Uncle Tolly?” Valina says.
“Always.”

“Hmph! Well if that’s the case, fine. It was a long, bitter, cold ride down. Just outside the pass, we were shadowed by a pair o’worgs and riders. Too little cover out there and we seen’em easily. Once we got into the Icewind Pass, the snow got very fierce and I daresay it wasn’t natural. About halfway there a small avalanche came down near on top o’us, but Forgemark Buna carved through it quickly for us. Buried one o’the Silvers, but we dug’em out quick enough.

About a day’s ride out from here we came across a wagon train. Twelve of’em, including four carriages. The top o’the carriages were destroyed by boulders, must’ve been the first volley and stones all over the area. Must’ve been twenty dead there, two dwarves even. We found a dead ogre that must’ve been part of a frontal attack, judging from the pike in its guts. All the dead, well…”

Valina becomes quiet for a long moment.

“Well Uncle… it looked like they were all cleaned. Cleaned like animals for meat! some were stuck in snow banks to stay frozen till they came back, I think. We seen a winter wolf look’n for a meal off the ogre, at least they don’t eat their own, and drove it off. With a fireball. From the boulders and other sign there… must’ve been at least eight frost giants there, some wolves and an ogre troop. Means a Jharl was probably there…”

“A what?” Duervar says, intruding on Tolrin’s exchange.
“A giant chieftain. The big, big guy.” Hjalmar says, his boredom self-evident. Duervar frowns and leans back in his chair and somewhat embarrassed.

“I just had a similar reception today. Grand fun… I ‘hink that confirms another ambush, and mighty bold of’em right on the trail. Looks like ‘hey were already sending Hundlestone a message, right before the annual payoff.” Tolrin’s eyes twinkle in recognition of something. “I bet they’re still close by…”

Valina nods in response, but seems unsure of his intent.

“So Uncle, would ye like to get supper with me? I’d hate to take you away from your heads and piles of blood spoils, but I missed you!” she says, tilting her head slightly and smiling sweetly. Tolrin feigns mulling over the issue and finally shrugs helplessly.

“Oi lass, how could I say no?” he says and extends his arm to her, which she takes. “Lads, I’ll be hav’n dinner with my neice, so no interruptions short o’the second coming of Shanatar! Meet back here in full kit ‘n six hours. Get yer sleep’n, drink’n and Gods forbid wench’n outta the way now, ye won’t be back fer a couple days this time!”

Donning an overlarge white fur hat that matches his billowing winter wolf cloak, complete with ear flaps, Tolrin leaves the barracks, leaving the rest of the party behind.

Okay everyone, you have six hours. It’s enough to prep spells and such and get enough sleep to be functional. In your next posts, let me know if you’re hitting the stores. Everything in town is at a 25% mark up and you are limited to 1st level potions, basic gear and masterwork equipment at a 30% markup.

In your next posts, let me know what you’ll be doing during this time and then we will move out rather directly.

For Raltise:

Raltise and Lythe go to the dwarven quartermaster in the barracks and acquire two earthsilk jerseys for 150 gp apiece. He also visits the town's armorer, a large, crude, sweaty man who greets him with a old leather apron, a bare chest and a well used smithing hammer in one hand. He can buy either a stock chainshirt for 125 gp or a masterwork one for 310 gp. After choosing the armor and having it fitted by the smith, Raltise and Lythe make their way to the archery range.

Raltise begans projecting his strange arrows at the targets from varying distances with chilling accuracy in the twilight. At first, a passing child notices and than a small crowd gathers to watch. It is not in admiration, however and some of the townsfolk, particularly other humans, begin heckling him. Cries of a "demon in their midst" or a "freak" have just begun to rain on Raltise when some guards lead by Knute Hammer arrive. The squad of guards quickly sends the crowd home with a minimal amount of blunt force encouragement. With that settled, Knute approachs Raltise.

"I'd appreciate it if ye went somewhere else too. Yer a strange one and yer scaring people. Ye may not like our sensibilities, but they are our sensibilities so I'd ask ye once to stop what yer doin' or do it where no one can see it. Its scarin' people, people think yer rock hound is some sorta pet monster so... just move along", he says and waits for Raltise's response.

Yuki Akuma
2008-02-27, 10:12 AM
Raltise stands with his right arm still outstretched, fingers pointing towards the target he just hit. "...No, sir. That wasn't fear. If they were afraid, they would have given me a wide berth, not heckled me in an attempt to provoke me. No, sir, these people were unfortunately practising the mortal habit of hatred of what they don't understand or deem 'different'."

He turns to face him, stretching a little bit. "I would suggest against referring to Lythe as a 'rock hound' in the future." And then he's off, heading towards the barracks. "I need sleep anyway, sir. Good night to you."

Katasi
2008-02-27, 05:14 PM
Arum leaves the building after giving a short goodnight to the rest and goes off to find a place to buy a dire badger and a burrowing saddle. If he can't get a burrowing saddle he'll get a military saddle instead.

ArmanMadero
2008-02-27, 09:25 PM
Arman decided to take his stuff at that point and walk to the stables to look in upon his horse. Making sure everything was as it should be, he soon left the stables and went back to his studies. He soon had everything studied and packed, and still had enough time for a two hour nap.

mshady
2008-02-28, 01:51 PM
Raltise:

Before Raltise walks off, Knute glowers at him.

"More often then not, "different" is what gets people killed around here. We had one like ye come through here a few months back, a mercenary, called himself Sniper. Kilt two folks and we ain't seen'em since. Now... get ye gone, scaring folks..."

Arum:

RPed via IM with Katasi

Arum departs from the barracks and wanders around town, wearing his new robes. It occurs to him that these robes are well fitted for a gnome, leading him to wonder how the goblins acquired it. Any emblems, monograms or embroidery has long since been removed. The robes also have the distinct smell of the goblinoids race, which most would recognize as the smell of stale urine, blood and bad alcohol. Good wizard robes are hard to find, but this one could use some laundering.

Strolling through town, Arum soon finds the only gnomish stables in town. Small ponies mill about in a cramped pen while a gnomish boy mucks out the stalls in a squat, white, bar. Next to the pens is a large, open air, training arena with a wooden roof over it. Adjacent to that structure is a square, stone building where an occasional squeal and hiss of what can only be a dire badger can be heard. Arum walks up to the boy as he cleans a stall out.

"Excuse me, where is the owner, I would like to purchase one of those dire badgers." He says, shifting comfortably in his new robes.

The young gnome looks at Arum and wrinkles his nose involuntarily at the new arrival. "Who're you? I don't recognize you from town."

"I'm Arum Faer Wed young one, and you should be more respectful when you're talking to your elders, boy." Arum says coldly.

The boy looks at Arum for a long moment and chews on a piece of straw, not overly moved by what Arum said.

"I'm the 'young one' that'll be waking up Yondel and telling him what you want, actually. You new here? I don't know that name", he says. The boy takes his pitchfork and throws a pile of fouled hay out of the stable again.

Arum nods softly. "I am here temporarily and will be leaving soon, I require a good strong mount on my travels shortly though, so I will be needing a dire badger." He says. "Now please go get Yondel for me. I'll give ye 1 gold now and 1 gold after if you do..."

"Oh. You're one them, aren't you?" He pauses a moment and chews on the hay again, examining Arum once again. "Sure you don't want a pony? Easier riding….", the boy says.

"No..." Arum grates.

The young gnome shrugs and takes the gold and looks at it suspiciously. He tries to look like he knows how to examine a gold coin and finally bites down on it and nods.

"I'll get'em if you want, Mr. Arum, but you don't seem the riding type to me. You'd really be better off with a pony. The badgers aren't really for sale either. Really for the Hundlestone militia. Course, they're the only ones who buy'em anyways." The boy smiles suddenly. "Hate to see one o'them hurt you."

The young gnomish boy walks up to the old house and disappears inside for a quarter of an hour. Oil lamps come on and he can hear people talking inside. Eventually, an old gnome is escorted by the boy back out of the house. He is greeted by an old, white haired gnome who is missing a finger and what looks like a chunk of his leg. To a gnome, this is the sign of an experienced badger trainer. An old, experienced, badger trainer amongst the living is a rare find as most eventually get killed by their charges.

"Arum Feed Wheat or Feet Wet whatever ye said your name was? Doesn’t matter… I'm Yondel. The boy said a stinky gnome cousin wanted a mount, right farking now. Ye look like ye might be able to handle a pony” the gnome says pleasantly enough, but his tone suddenly turns sour.

“Why can't ye come back at a decent hour? Think I'm on the bloody Stone Council like my niece? Eh? Eh?” He pokes Arum with his finger repeatedly as he makes his point and grumbles. "Bloody barg'n in makin' demands... So what do ye want? The boy said ye wanted a pony?"

Arum shakes his head. "I'm afraid I can't" He replies. "I leave in six hours to protect the caravan, and I need a badger, there's going to be some tough fighting."

Yondel looks him over and snorts derisively. "Oh, so ye had a sudden need for a big badger, eh? Why didn't ye say so? My badgers are for the militia. Why'd I want to sell ye one?"
Arum gives him a small smile.

"Because I'll pay you 25% extra for it and it's saddle" He replies. "…and it's in the best interests of Hundlestone that the caravan not get taken, isn't it?" The old gnome looks at him suspiciously and his big, bushy eyebrows raise.

"Eh? Best interest eh? That some kinda threat?"

Arum sighs and shakes his head.

"Not at all, but doesn't Hundlestone lose money if the caravan fails to get through?" He says.

Yondel shakes his head. "Once ye pay the tariff and leave, what happens north o'here is yer luck." The gnome pulls at his beard pensively. "My interests though? Lemme see your coin…." Yondel says quietly and looks around to see if anyone is watching.

Arum sighs again, starting to get annoyed. "As I said, I'll pay extra." He says, opening his coin purse for Yondel to see. Yondel holds the lantern in the air over the bag and looks.

"So long as yer coin's good."

"Check for yourself." Arum says softly.

"Heh, I will, I will… well, the boy will for me. I’ll sell ya a badger, but it'll be one o'the younger ones. Only one I can spare."

"Fine by me, as long as it's at least trained for a rider."
"..and you've rode a badger before?" Yondel says, with very obvious skepticism.

Arum shakes his head. "Not really" he admits.

"Heh, then I'll sell it to ye for the amusement than."

Arum rolls his eyes, thanking his lucky stars for rudimentary training and being too stubborn for his own good. Yondel gestures towards the stone barn.

"I know just the one too. Boy! Bring out Baurus!" The boy looks at him and smiles. A few minutes later, he returns. Arum begins to wonder if this is really a good idea as the boy is leading a leading a snarling brown and white badger with a noose around its neck at the end of a long pole. The badger is trying to pull itself back towards the barn and it hisses and the boy is fighting it the whole way.

Yondel laughs as the boy struggles with it and smiles wryly. He approaches the snarling badger and reaches into his satchel. Pulling out a cluster of grapes, he holds it out towards the badger and it calms down, watching the berries. It reaches for them tentatively and Yondel pulls them back. The creature hisses.

"This is the one?" Arum asks.

"Here... take the berries. Ye try and feed it. If he doesn't take off yer arm, ye have a new friend. If he does, remember Garl Glittergold gave ye got two arms." Yondel says. Arum takes the berries from Yondel and hold them out gently to the badger.

"Come, take the berries..." He says softly, hoping to soothe it. The badger lunges at Arum violently and only the boy planting the pole in the ground saves him from being wounded. Arum does his best to get out of the way of the badger as it lunges while Yondel laughs and wheezes with delight.

"Can’t ye spare a couple fingers? Try again, lad." Yondel says. He then tries again, wondering if Yondel is playing him.

This time the badger hisses and snarls at him. Turning its head, it surges forward again and nearly bites Arum. He can feel the hot breath of the animal on his hands as its sharp teeth snap.

Arum sighs and speaks in the badger's own tongue this time telepathically. "Please, do not attack me, I need your strength great one. Be my friend?"The badger tips its head and looks at Arum, a glint of recognition in its eyes. It gestures with its nose towards the berries this time, a bit more gently. Arum hold his hand out, hold the berries within reach of the badger.

"Thank you." Arum says softly to the badger in its own language.

"Boy... drop the pole. Lets see if Baurus likes him..." Yondel says. The boy smirks, drops the pole and quick falls back, going to the point of jumping the fence. Arum stand his ground, hoping his words soothed the badger enough. Baurus looks at the berries and steps forward.

The badger reaches out and snatches the berries from his hand and chews on them happily. It appears contented for the moment. Arum smiles softly. And then it starts sniffing the air again for more berries and looking at Arum.
Yondel smirks

"Now what?" The trainer takes a couple steps back as well. Arum speaks softly in the badgers own tongue again.

"I don't have more berries at the moment, but I assure you I'll keep you well fed." The badger does not particularly react, but it does not react aggressively either in response. It stands there and sniffs the ground instead and claws at the cold earth tentatively.

"So... what did ye just learn?" Yondel says.

"The badger prefers being talked to in it's own language, and it likes berries” Arum replies.

"Somethin' like that..." he says. "It needs to understand ye. It’s a fierce animal. Territorial. It needs to recognize ye as one of its own. Why only gnomes can really ride'em. Safely, anyways."

Arum nods softly. "I just hope I can stay on it's good side, if it has one." He replies.

Yondel reaches into his satchel and pulls out another bunch of berries. He hands it to Arum and smiles, slightly. Arum takes the berries and goes to the badger.

"Here friend." He says in its language once again, as he offers the berries.

"Dire Badgers?” Yondel laughs. “They don't have a good side really... They're simple and they be fierce. If they see ye as a source o'its favorite food, it'll protect you. If you talk to it like ye did, it'll be protective of ye but ye have to be careful around others with'em.”

Yondel says, and smiles slightly.

“Ye do have some intelligence though..." Yondel says. “Ye didn't try to hit it. To show it who's in control. Ye do that, the damn things go frothing, raging mad at whomever did it, or looks like they did it. Won't stop till its ripped yer guts out and tore out yer throat. No training for that, just what they do. I train'em to do it better o'course” he smiles, proudly. Arum nods in response.

"Not much sense trying to show control over something bigger and stronger than me." Arum says.

"No. Good way to get yerself killed." Yondel nods, "I think ye can work the rest out yerself?"

Arum smiles. "I believe so. How much do you want for him and a saddle for him?" He replies.

"Hmm." Yondel says. "Boy, how much we charge for this one?" The young gnome smiles at Arum. Arum looks between the two silently for a long moment while the boy tries to figure out how much he can get away with charging Arum.

"Oh… I call that one... three hundred and ten for Baurus, fifty for the saddle. Five more for a bushel o'the berries he likes", the boy says.

Arum replies. "I will happily pay you that." He says. "A good badger is a great thing."

Yondel looks at the boy and smirks. "His first badger, that’s for sure." Arum sighs. "Fine, hand over the gold to the boy. I'm goin' back to sleep. Ride it 'round town to get used to'em a bit and don't run outta berries, eh? That one rather likes a good berry juice or wine in a bucket every now and then too. Course, he ain't much good for rid'n after that!" Yondel laughs to the point of snorting at that.

After the young gnome, very carefully, adds the saddle to the badger and gathers the bushel of berries for Arum, he takes the payment and the extra. Rooting around in the bag of gold Arum gave him, he takes a couple extra coins for himself.

"Been a pleasure, Mr. Arum. Try not to get yerself killed or Baurus, eh?"

Arum replies before leaving. "I will do my best." Arum nods and gives the gold to the boy, include the 1 gp tip he had promise the boy, then mounts up and rides around town for awhile in the darkness. The badger is difficult to control, but doesn’t attack anyone largely thanks to the bit in his mouth.

After riding for an hour, Arum returns to the barracks and leaves Baurus in the stables while he talks with the dwarven armorer there. When Arum explains what he needs done, the tired smith is none too happy with it but agrees to fit some chain barding for the badger. The total charge for it would be 435 gold and it would take him five hours to alter some chain and fit it to the creature, as he had worked with badgers before and there was an armorer in town he could work with. Arum also asks for a lance, choosing between a 10 gp stock lance or a 160 gp for a more finely made one.

While the armorer works to ready the barding for Arum’s new mount, Arum gathers the thick rubbery skins taken from the ogres and giants. He has a total of seven roughly cut pelts, five from ogres and two from the frost giants. The most prized is the blue skin taken from the ogre mage. He brings the skins to a tanner in a wheel barrow to the tanner, who is actually working late at night which he says is due to the stink of the tanning. Arum finds the tanner, an older human male, standing in a large pot walking around in it and kneading the leather in the stinking pot, likely a mix of urine, feces or animal brains necessary for the curing process. It was one of the oldest methods of tanning and perhaps the easiest to perform in rough conditions. Brains were particularly common, as It was said that most animals had enough brains to preserve their hide, dead or alive. Arum can see several dogs of various size and barrels full of ‘material’ in the corner. Standing in the pot and continuing to work, the tanner looks at Arum as he steps into the barn.

“Pick’n up or dropping off, short one?” He looks at Arum and then at the hides in the wheel barrow. The man asks what kind of hides he has and Arum explains. Curious, the man steps out of the fetid water and examines them. Explaining he only rarely gets to work with these, the man explains it will cost him 5 gold per hide (35 total) and take a five days to turn it all into useful leather. If Arum wants anything made out of it right away, he could have that done for him, ranging from leather armor, belts, cloaks, gauntlets or gloves.

Diarmuid
2008-02-29, 10:49 AM
Bundok

Bundok deftly caught the ring of shielding and slid it onto his finger. He grunted a thanks and kept quiet while the rest of the spoils were distributed. The dwarf felt a bit uncomfortable accepting so much of the loot, the mithril armor itself was worth a small fortune.

As his name kept coming up with regards to being given things, he continued to feel awkward, but accepting everything offered to him with all the grace a socially inept dwarf could muster.

Not exactly sure what else was thrust upon Bundok. I think some potions? How many potions total should he have, and what was the individual gold split for each person?

As the newcomers came in, Bundok slunk into a corner and kept his head down. These people seemed important and had important things to talk about. He had had enough of that with the council earlier and had not desire to get embroiled in further debates.

When everything is settled, the dwarf heads over to the barracks and unceremoniously plops himself down on a bed after carefully removing and stacking his new armor. In a few hours, he readies himself and heads over to meet the rest of the group to move out.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-02-29, 02:27 PM
Kelith

Already rested and fully geared, when he hears he has another 6 hours to spend he goes up to his room and mediates before coming back down an hour early to grab another wine and see how the rest are coming along (if they are in the tavern).

bchilders
2008-02-29, 06:52 PM
Magnum

Magnum spends a few hours in the Inn but doesn't drink too much, at least for him. He goes back to his room and spends an hour in prayer and meditation and then takes a nap for a bit. He wakes up and gets ready to meet up with everyone else at the given time.

My posts may be off and on for the next few days as I'm out of town

Katasi
2008-02-29, 07:23 PM
Arum picks out three standard lances and carries them with him back to Barbaus. He quickly devises a way to secure the lances to the badger so they are easily accessable, ten gies the badger some more berries and goes inside and prepares spells before leaving. About half an hour before leaving he goes and picks up the barding and helps put Barbaus in it, soothing the badger in it's own language and with berries. Then he puts the saddle on, after that, if there is still time, he will get out the new spellbook and cast read magic on it.

mshady
2008-03-01, 02:19 AM
Six hours later, the party begins to assemble at the Goblin’s Groin again. Innkeeper and his sharp tongued wife provide no food or even make an appearance, although the cabinets are all locked up; especially the ones containing alcohol. Hjalmar is the first to take notice of this, but does little more than utter a contemptuous snort and shake his head. The lack of even a hearth fire to warm the place and no apparent wood makes the room rather chill. The message is clear enough.

The last to arrive at the Inn would be Tolrin, accompanied by his ever-present guardian Duervar and Valina. A fourth figure is in attendance as well, another female dwarf dressed in heavy armor with a shield on her back that bears the distinctive heraldry of the Forgemark Arcanii: Moradin’s hammer and anvil set atop an open book. This marks her as one of the feared armored battle mages and golem makers of the Patriarchate. Fearsome reputation aside, she is chatting away with Valina and they seem fast friends.

“So… “ Tolrin says “Ye be ready for another trip?” He smiles and looks over everyone. Still somewhat tired and bearing all the outrages against their armor from the previous battles, the time to depart is now. Tolrin grips his meaty hands around his amulet and it glows a subtle green before he begins to speak.

“For right now, we’re just goin’ to bring the reinforcements in from Barakbar. They’ll be gating in a few miles outside o’town along the road so no one here can see’em. Rather prefer folks not know we can do that or they get the wrong idea ‘hat we be summoning devils or someth’n. I hate to ask ye to come instead o’giving you more time here but the reason’ll be clear soon enough. Moradin knows ye deserve the time! I could be using some o’it myself!

We’ll be meet’n the Mage Commander o’the Forgemark Arcanii, Glorian Silvernail. Watch yer words with her, I certainly do! She’s about as sharp as an axe and about as bloody minded. A cohort of the Forgemark will be coming through with some mercenaries and a few other toys. A team o’Forgemark Hammer Strikers under Arcanii Carmard will be coming down along with four Minotaurs. Also, the Minotaurs will be hanging on to a trunk yer going to need to take with ye.”

Tolrin takes a deep breath and reaches into pocket. In his hand is a set of badly worn cards that he shows to the group to make a point now...

“We’re going to play a wee bit of a game with these Aurilites. I’m going to accompany the Forgemark and Old Silvernail back to Hundlestone and if there be any spies, they’ll be far more interested in where I’m going and hopefully loose ye in the mix. Through a bit o’magic. A spur o’Underdark caves runs through that area as well and when we all mix around and stop in a particular cave, you’ll head out the back so to speak.

A few hours from there will be a small cavern with some old Delzoun ruins. It may ‘r may not be occupied, but yer to hold there until I signal ye with a Sending spell. A good chance to get some rest and such.”

Tolrin stops and reaches in a satchel and withdraws a leather scroll case sealing with wax and a rune and sets it on the table.

“From there, ye will open the sealed orders and follow the map the Hammerstrikers are bringing for the rest o’yer instructions. If ye get the signal.”

Taking a deep breath, Tolrin continues.

“I’ll be try’n to negotiate with the Aurilites. If they don’t negotiate in good faith; han I’m going to start apply’n pressure to’em. The less they want to be reasonable; the more I’m going to twist their arm. Up to the point o’sending all the Forgemark we have here right into their teeth. You’ll be a small ‘ut important part o’this pressure as yer going to go deeper than the rest.

I don’t LIKE negotiating with these buggers, ‘ut we have to be realistic ‘ere as well. We’re the lesser power here. They’re lead by a white wyrm ‘hats also a Chosen o’the Cold God who’s ruled the Spine fer hundreds of years. They can control the weather, the mountains, passes; a lot o’the cards. Some o’the bad things in this world, ye just have to find a way to live with. The only way ye can ever do that is ye have to show them yer willingless; yer will to make them pay after a certain point. In your cases, 'his could be a one way trip if things go badly because yer going so far out, but really most fights are, eh?

We’re not here to cleanse the Spine but fer the Crusade. I know that doesn’t mean a lot to many o’ye right now, but it means a lot to the dwarves and our Gods, for it is a great stain on all o’our honors. That’s one that we cannae be lived with. It’s why we left. Its why we shed the blood o’our kin. But we must be patient and only strike when the iron’s just hot enough and still have enough force to do it.”

Tolrin frowns and his shoulders visibly sag, as if he was suddenly reminded of a great weight. After a moment, he looks up again.

“So, any questions ‘or we leave?”

bchilders
2008-03-02, 07:41 PM
Magnum

"Sounds good ta me boss. As long as I have somethin' to swing an axe at I'm ready t' go." Magnum makes his way to both of the females around Tolrin and gives an introduction having not officially met either, "The name is Magnum Rorik, fist of Clangeddin, s' pleasure to meet ya' both"

mshady
2008-03-04, 01:19 AM
Tolrin only has enough time to nod in acknowledgment to Magnum before the dwarven cleric brushes past him to introduce himself Valina and Buna. They both shakes his hand in quick succession, but have a look of bafflement on their faces before finally laughing.

For his part, Tolrin’s look ranges from surprise and astonishment to a frown.
“Yes, Magnum…” he looks at the dwarf gravelly, “I was getting to that, lad.” Tolrin says, suddenly a bit indignant. Buna grimaces at what is coming.

“It is Shanatan custom that an unwedded dwarven lass in the company o’a family member be introduced formally before one speaks to her or she to them. It helps avoid… misunderstanding of intent and allows the Clan leader or senior family member to oversee her and the Clan’s best interests. Especially in regards to nobility and family of Thanes or those with particularly distinguished lines…. I suppose today, it’s just a matter o’courtesy, yes?”
Tolrin smiles slightly.
“So aye, I was remiss in my duties a bit but try not to be such an eager lass with me only surviving niece?” Tolrin both smiles and frowns at the same time. “But aye, I present my niece Valina Glanrak, daughter of Tolwyn , blood of Marltok and Thogan the Pious of the Jilker Clan most recently. Also, I present to ye Buna Bekadrin, Forgemark Arcanii of Mirabar, daughter of Harkness of Glen in Mistledale.”

The two dwarven women restrain a smile.

“Oh, don’t mind Uncle. He’s a stickler on the oddest things!” Valina says.
“You’re not helping, lass…” Tolrin says, chuckling.
“I know!” Valina beams.

Buna shakes her head at the exchange.

"My uncles not quite as formal as hers, thankfully" Buna says. "A pleasure to meet ye. Magnum, is it? Whatever possessed you to sign on with that mad beard Tolrin?" Buna quips and laughs, then shakes her head. "I always respect a brave lad though, tempting the dragon like ye just did." She smiles and winks.

"Don't encourage the boy!" Valina says.
"As if I have such motives? Ha! I like to think of it as inspiring him and the rest to protect me." Buna smiles. Valina and Tolrin shake their heads.

"Hopeless. Simply hopeless..." Tolrin pronounces. "So... any actual questions or shall we get moving? Sorry we'll be missing the roasting, but we'll pass by on the way out..."

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-04, 05:47 AM
Kelith

Kelith wraps his spiked chain around his waist and checks his backpack ties before replying, "Ready to go, just lead the way...

I can only assume the hospitality of the Aurilites will be better than what we've been given thus far; can't even get a proper breakfast or glass of wine in this tavern."

Yuki Akuma
2008-03-04, 06:03 AM
Raltise stands with the rest of the ground, one arm curled around his neck, while the other pushes down on the elbow, the man obviously trying to stretch. "Lythe and I are ready, willing and able, as always. Well, I am. Lythe doesn't particularly care either way."

bchilders
2008-03-04, 05:54 PM
Magnum

Magnum looks a little embarressed at the misstep. "Sorry never could keep up with social niceties. I meant no disrespect" Magnum embarassment qui9ckly turns to blushing as the ladies began their comments. He manages to smile back and say, "It would be my pleasure to protect ya, m'lady," but decides not to push the conversation any further.

Katasi
2008-03-04, 06:26 PM
Arum refrains from speaking as Magnum commits a social blunder, laughing silently and glad he hadn't greeted the ladies by making a comment about his "rod of wonder", not wanting to offend Tolrin. He gives a soft nod to the two ladies. "I'm happy to protect you as well laadies, ArumFaerWed, Abjurer extrodinaire at your service. You may call me Arum." he says, before turning to Tolrin. "I am ready to go when you are. Shriek is doing an arial survey of the land right now and Barbaus is saddled and ready to go."

mshady
2008-03-05, 02:19 AM
Shaking his head, Tolrin looks around for any last questions. Seeing none, he almost seems disappointed.

“Well… time to get our arses on our mounts. If ye don’t have a mount, they’ll be some ponies for ye outside.”
Tolrin turns to walk out the door and glances back with a sideways grin.
“Oh and Kelith, the group we’re meeting will be bringing breakfast. Hope ye like salt pork and mushroom. A bag o’holding full o’trail rations too.” Tolrin chuckles, while Valina groans at the prospect.

The party exits the Inn to find two dwarves standing with a horse for Kelith and enough ponies for the rest of the party that lacks a mount. All are covered in dappled white and grey horse wool barding, but the distinctive sound of chainmail beneath it can be heard as the wind buffets them. The weather has suddenly turned to sleet and the wind has picked up. Tolrin throws back his hood and the wind blows his black hair into shambles as he laughs, the sound cutting through the wind.

“Ye see, lads? Tis a spell! No more ‘han half a candle ago, it was fine out. Now they’ve started with the weather witching! Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! They won’t be able to see us leave now!” Tolrin says and laughs again, shaking his head. Buna and Valina exchange a look between them.

The party takes to their various horses and ponies. Arum and Hjalmar stand out, with Arum mounting his new dire badger and Hjalmar mounting a thunder tusk, a giant dire war pig. Tolrin, Buna and Valina each sit atop fine white ponies, with Tolrin’s clearly outfitted with mithril plate armor; a magnificent feat of craftsmanship. It clacks and clatters softly as it walks, barely audible because of the wind. The group rides out of town, through the gates and past the suspicious guards, heading south towards Mirabar. Stone milestones mark the distance. Lythe trots along next to Raltise, oblivious to the weather.

After passing five stones after two hours in the miserable weather, the trail drops off into a depression as the trail leaves the immediate area of the Spine of the World into a flat, wide open area. A large area has been scrapped flat amongst the pines for wagons to pull off of the road. The small campsite has a rotted palisade facing towards the Spine, a single rickety tower for a sentry. There are also several attached overhands to the wall and the area is dug out to provide further shelter, along with a recently used fire pit. Buna produces some small logs from her haversack and empties a flask of oil on the jumble of wood before tossing a tinder twig on to the soaked wood. A fire erupts with a dull, bass whump and she bears an almost gleeful look as she watches the flames ignite before taking a step back from the heat. Tolrin watches in bewilderment a few steps away, hoping he does not have to use his fine cloak to smother a reckless dwarf. When only the wood catches on fire, he seems greatly relieved.

A half an hour passes while the party warms up around the fire. Tolrin produces a fresh loaf of bread from his seemingly bottomless satchel and passes them out to the huddled party. As they finish with the bread, he gives Buna a barely perceptible nod and the Arcanii steps away from the party. She begins preparing to cast a spell by winding a copper wire around her finger. After a minute of careful preparation, she begins casting a spell and says something inaudible to the rest of the party, but the copper wire slowly dissolves. Returning to the group around the fire, she nods to Tolrin and sits again.

“So…” Tolrin says. “Now we sit and wait a little while and enjoy the fire a little while, ‘fore we have to part ways. Careful what ye say out here due to scrying, but anyone know any good stories? Also Arum, what do ye intend to do with all them hides and hearts and teeth lad? Oh and Ralts… what happened ‘tween you and Knute in town earlier? He came to me, said ye were scaring folks, somehow? What happened there?”

Lythe seems to bristle at the last remark, and while she does not say anything, Raltise can feel her emotions flare at the mention of Knute and the earlier incident. She also makes a sound somewhat like gravel shifting in a bucket, audibly noting her displeasure at the mention of the name. Tolrin raises an eye brow, but says nothing as he works a piece of jerky around in his mouth.

Katasi
2008-03-05, 02:47 AM
Arum watches as Buna casts the spell, ever curious he tries to figure out what she casted.

[roll0]

Before settling down he feeds Barbaus a few berries and settles him down, then settles shriek into a perch nearby. Shriek settles down and ruffles her feathers a bit.

Arum replies to Tolrin "I'm having the hides tanned. Once that's done I'll be making on of the giant's hides into barding for my animals.I hope it will protect them from some of this cold. As for the hearts and such, I will use them in my reasearch. Also, if anyone needs anything crafted, I'm a fairly skilled crafter for things like armor and weapons. Just ask."

With that he pulls out the new spellbook and begins to decipher the meaning of the arcane symbols, calling of to Arman. "Hey, how about helping me decipher this, I bet with both of us working on it we can do alot better than with just me." He then calls to Buna. "Hey do you know anything about magical writings and such? If so you could gie us a hand as well."

[roll1]

Yuki Akuma
2008-03-05, 06:49 AM
Raltise does not enjoy the ride through the miserable weather at all. He's not as stocky as a dwarf, and is also much taller, giving him hardly any insulation against the cold at all. He huddles up in his cloak, glad he thought to bring cold weather gear on this expedition.

As the campfire is lit, Ralts scoots towards it, holding his hands out towards it to bring some life back into them. As Tolrin asks about Krute, he waves a hand dismissively. "Oh, nothing important. Apparently, archery practise with a wooden bow and arrows made of steel is fine, but when you start focusing your mind through your soul into semisolid arrows of pure mental energy, people start to get testy." He reaches over and places one hand on Lythe's head. "Don't worry about it, I'm used to it. At least they didn't call me Illithid-spawn like most people seem to."

bchilders
2008-03-05, 10:33 PM
Magnum

As the Arcanii stand near the fir Magnum says, "A lady of the flames, ey? You look as if you got red dragon blood, baskin' in the blaze." Magnums brows furrow a bit while listening to Ralts account from the archery range. It's a shame the way some people are. At the mention of stories his ears perk up a bit. Magnum always enjoys a good tale of battle, as long as the story tellers good enough to make you feel you're there.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-07, 02:57 AM
Kelith

Also curious about the spell cast: spellcraft: [roll0]

Kelith thanks Tolrin for the food given to him and takes small chugs of his water flasks. After eating he lays back on his pack and rests in front of the fire, trying to soak in as much warmth as he can for the trials to come.

mshady
2008-03-07, 03:02 AM
Tolrin listens to Arum describe his intentions while he chews on another piece of jerky and washes the piece down with a pull from his flask.

“Oh, I was trying to decide if ye were just an ambitious taxidermist or if ye had more practical intent. Might be just enough to properly bard yer ill-tempered new friend and ye certainly have a right to it, considering ye were the one that bothered with the skins. I can tell ye though, they’ll offer enough protection to keep him warm and earn the ire of any giants ye meet that notice, but you’ll need a good bit o’enchanting to protect yer mount from cold magic. Ye could make a couple of decent cloaks out of them though. As fer the hearts, if ye know yer alchemy ye can dry, powder and distill’em for some decent reagents if yer into that branch o’magic. We mainly use runes and such.”

As Raltise speaks, Tolrin tips his head and listens intently.

“Illithids be where head magic comes from. For duergar anyways. Be careful, I say.” Hjalmar says flatly as he stares into the fire. Tolrin grimaces slightly at the backhanded insult and Duervar gives him a sideways glance.

“Ye don’t suppose focusing yer soul to create arrows of mental energy might come off as a bit… well, different to folks?” Tolrin says carefully, then pauses for a moment.
“I’m not say’n I have a problem with what ye do or how, Moradin knows I have an unusually… broad view on such matters, but however prevalent magic and such may be amongst those o’us sitting around this fire, it’s a… mystery to most common folks. Most of what they hear and see of it, if at all, is usually all bad. Indeed, that’s why we dragged our tired arses outside o’town like this. Opening up a glowing tear between the planes in all its glory is damn sure someth’g that would frighten the Hundlestoners.” Tolrin grins. “If it wouldn’t have revealed anything to’em or the Aurilites, I would’ve done it just to frighten them a little. Nothing says “be polite” better then a portal opening in yer town square and some troops marching out o’it.”

Tolrin flashes a toothy smile and takes a pull from his flash again. Hjalmar harrumphs and continues to gaze into the fire, working on his bread.

Buna smirks as she listens to what Magnum says as she sits near the fire. Tossing the empty flask into the fire and watching it crumple, she turns back towards Magnum.

“Oh, so ye like yer women fierce and hot blooded, huh? Or ye just say’n I have bad skin, lad?” Buna says, quickly followed by Valina’s laugh. “I certainly love a good blaze though, no denying that” Buna pronounces with a twisted smile.

“Yes… Buna is the Forgemark’s resident Pyromancer. I do believe only one at that, at that. Ever since she slew a Red Wizard a few years back and took his book.” Tolrin says, and shakes his head. “Watch that one Magnum, yer playing with fire and not sensible enough to know when yer beard’s gett’n burned.”

For Arum and Kelith:

Arum recognizes the spell that Buna just cast is a Sending spell, marking it as a spell of the 5th circle of arcane magic – far beyond his own current abilities.

Kelith does not quite recognize the spell itself, but he knows the purpose is a kind of communications spell.

mshady
2008-03-07, 03:25 AM
Tolrin glances back towards Raltise.

"Almost forgot, absent minded old codger that I'm becoming, Knute said they had trouble before with someone like ye. When he brought his guards, thought the fella had returned to town, which was the only reason he bothered to get on his armor and get outta his smithy. Another human psion was through Hundlestone a few months back. A mercenary. Killed two with arrows like yer doing and vanished. Prolly a potion.

Killed himself a cleric of Mystra and a half-elf bard. Those two kept to themselves and were head'n north on the next caravan. Just ambushed'em walking through town without 'heir armor on or anything and ye can guess how that went. Sure isn't an Artemis Enteri type, more a scruffy feller but well, a disguise is easy enough. Knute calls'em Sniper, but really nothing else about'em. " Tolrin shrugs. "So... that was also why. And damn, I wish I brought some sausage!" Tolrin says, looking at the fire.

"Oh, your spell book Arum?" Buna says. "I'd love to another time but we'll be having company shortly." She smiles and looks behind her, then stretches like some sort of content and very square cat.

bchilders
2008-03-07, 02:00 PM
Magnum

"No ma'am....um....I wasn't saying anything 'bout your skin," Magnum stammers at the bluntness of Buna's response. He opens his mouth to say something else but almost as if considering Tolrin's words he stroke his beard and stays quiet.

ArmanMadero
2008-03-07, 11:13 PM
Arman smiles at Arum and gies a small nod of his head. "I would be happy to help you with some of the spells there." Arman looks at the spellbook that Arum has and starts to help out.

My appologies on the short post. Its been a long week and my brain is fried.

Aid Another on Arum.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-08, 02:47 AM
Kelith

Content in the assumption that the spell was meant for the "company" to come, he relaxes back into his rest and vaguely listens to the small talk that goes around the camp; none of of it peaking his interest enough to take part in it... but enjoyable enough to listen to.

mshady
2008-03-12, 03:36 AM
The group sits around the fire for the next half an hour, waiting and talking idly. Most of the time is taken up by Tolrin telling stories. Most are amusing but incidental, but he spends the greatest amount of time discussing some of his previous adventures, mostly the kind of old battle stories that dwarves would appreciate. They range from Calimshan and the Underdark to the Dales and far north. One of the tales is particularly amusing.

“So, did I ever tell all o’ye about the time I became an accidental pirate? Valina, I’m sure ye know this one. Anyways… I be with the Patriarch and this elf mage friend of his at the time, Aravilar. We were returning to the Pirate Isles, specifically Immurk’s Hold.

A few months prior, the three o’us had helped turn back a siege of undead that was conjured up from the sea, Umberlee’s tomb ye see? We just happened to be there as this elf dragged us along to buy a parrot for his she-elf, Amalatha. The government there wanted to try and give it a legitimate go o’things in hopes o’getting aide from the Sembians and Cormyr. So, they wanted someone who could lead things for a few moons who was capable but not ambitious and ye won’t find anyone less ambitious then a dwarf on an island! O’course the Patriarch is far too busy for this kind of thing so he asks me to do it in his name – which as ye know is mostly what I occupy my time with anyways. But he still needs to go at least to begin with, for honors sake so we go.

Now, the Patriarch has his honor guards and such now but when he wants to get out from under the mountain, he normally travels with just one or two friends at a time. Says it’s a good way to get to know people, and as us dwarves know the best way to get to know yer shield mate is get into a few scrapes together. Who knows? Maybe one of ye will get to accompany him sometime when next he gets the urge. So o’course, very important dwarf, in a hurry and neither of us like to travel by boat. His elf friend offers to teleport us to the Isles, says he remembers it pretty well so we agree and off we go…

Problem is where we arrived! Instead of in Immurk’s Hold, we end up on our arses on ship heading out to sea! Hardly any crew and a faster ship overhauling us from behind and we recognize the sail as one o’the pirates. Now, this here Captain’s nervous to begin with and we just terrify him and his crew!

So after we all point weapons at each other for a little bit, I do my bit and talk real nice like the fella and calm him down, as much as I can. Says he is a merchantmen being pursued by the pirate ship after he got double crossed by someone he thought was a merchant. We look and can see this is a Sembian ship and agree to help.

An hour or so goes by and they come up alongside us and their Captain orders the merchantman to surrender. He says no and they start shooting, cannon and ballista across at us, tearing down the sail and hulling the boat pretty good. Quick as a cat, very good shooting and we don’t even get a chance to reveal ourselves to scare’em off it was so fast!

Now the pirate ship grapples us and now come the boarders. Hignar, Aravilar and I jump right into the fight and cut through the boarders quick enough and we go and board the other ship. Nasty, quick fight but we get the upper hand and the Captain of the pirate ship surrenders. We timed it pretty well, as our own ship got hit a lot harder than I think the pirate’s intended.

So here’s the funny part. I go and ask the pirate captain why he was chasing a merchant under Sembian flag from the docks out to sea like this. The man’s obviously confused as he thought we were part of the other ship’s crew. We introduce ourselves and the man goes white as a sheet. It turns out the merchantmen we landed on was loaded with chests full of platinum, gold and gems and had been sent by the Overmaster of Sembia to help out the new rulers and was hijacked on the docks. The “pirate” Captain was one of the Council, a pirate who wanted to give it legitimate go o’things and he was trying to get the treasure back. Of course… that was on the boat that just sunk!” Tolrin says, with a grin.

“I recall that being awkward when ye came ashore, Uncle.” Valina says.

“Quite. Quite expensive too. The three o’us turned over enough treasure to make good on the lost treasure ship and it was all kept quiet. I still did six months on the Isles as the “Governor” and keep a home there, if only for the weather. Which reminds me….” Tolrin stops midsentence and looks behind him.

The air suddenly tingles with magic. Hair stands on end and even your teeth ache momentarily from the powerful magic. What little light there is in the permanent twilight is darkened and the temperature rises suddenly. Snow melts and steams up, filling the area with water vapor, making it difficult to see. The various animals in the group grow panicked, shying away and making frightened noises as they feel that something supernatural is coming.

An azure blue spark appears in the air 50 feet behind the group. The arc sizzles and hisses as it traces a brilliant circle through the air, making increasingly faster revolutions. Within moments, the area behind it cannot be seen as a swirling black and red vortex forms and low, throaty rumble

The inside of the circle turns completely black for a moment and a gust of wind blows through the air as the Gate spell opens, nearly snuffing out the fire and blowing debris around the area. A low, rumbling growl that can be felt in your very bones can be heard, almost like a wind through a cavern. As the Gate spell's portal finally forms, there is a long moment of anticipation, wondering who or what would emerge from it.

Several dozen Forgemark Legionnaires come charging through the gate with a battle yell. These Forgemark troops lock shields and form a circular perimeter around the gate, brandishing urghoshes, long spears or crossbows.

A dozen minotaurs come through next, followed by four stone-like golem creatures and a dwarf with wild blue hair. She holds a glowing staff in one hand and a golden waraxe in the other. With a wave of her hand, the Gate closes with a thunder like clap and the electric crackle of an enormous amount of magical energy dissipating.

“That would be our company, everyone. Someone want to go say hello for me?” Tolrin grins and watches.

ArmanMadero
2008-03-12, 06:20 PM
Arman listened to the tale that Tolrin was telling everyone, and chuckled. "You will have to excuse my laughter, Tolrin. It's just hard to imagine one such as yourself landing upon a ship upon the sea. A Dwarf of your stature doesn't fit the mind's eye of a shipman."

Sitting astride his horse and waiting for the trip to begin was stirring excitement all around. Soon enough everyone started to look restless and ready to get moving. Tolrin was starting to discuss the weather when he broke off and cast a spell. The air around him suddenly seemed infused with magic, and the snow beneath their feet started to melt and turn into slush, making the ground turn muddy.

Suddenly a group of dwarves, golems, minotaurs and what appeared to be a dwarven wizard? soon joined them and with the sound of thunder the portal closed and the biting wind once again found them. Arman's horse had startled at the sudden arrival of more people and magic and pranced around on his feet, biting his bit and flicking his ears back and forth.

Soon everyone was settled and Tolrin looked around to everyone. “That would be our company, everyone. Someone want to go say hello for me?”

Arman finally got his stallion still under him, the horse giving his own opinion by shaking his head and snorting. With a smile and a bow in the saddle, Arman greeted the new group."Welcome newcomers. Arman Madero here to fight by your side if need be."

bchilders
2008-03-12, 08:45 PM
Magnum

At the arrival of the newcomers Magnum lets out a hearty laugh, "Never a dull moment with you, eh Tolrin. The name is Magnum Rorik, fist of Clangeddin, sorry you missed storytime but I'm sure you all have your own tales to tell."

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-13, 04:59 PM
Kelith

Still resting during Tolrin's tales he smiles as he listens to him give his story of pirates, but promptly stands to his feet as the portal violently opens and closes.

"The name's Kelith Firestorm, Kossuth's servant and current healer for our group."

Katasi
2008-03-13, 10:13 PM
Arum ignores the newcomers and continues to study the book, still trying to decipher the spells in it. His hawk flies over from it's pierch to land on Arum's shoulder softly, not used to such powerful displays of magic, as they are well beyond Arum's abilities.

loopy
2008-03-14, 10:56 PM
Johannes

Another Dwarf steps through the Gate shortly before it closes, looking around in bemusement. Dressed in travelling leathers and Mithril mail, with a neatly trimmed beard cut closer than most Dwarves, he carries himself with more dignity and grace than most.

"My merciful gods I hate portals..." He sighs, his dialect reminding you more of a human scholar than a proper dwarven warrior. Sighting the party, he seems to perk up slightly.

"How do you do? Johannes Forgeteller, scholar and scout in service of the Patriarch, at your service. Who might you all be? I was hurried here in almost unseemly haste."

OOC: Oh, and Mshady? Do you have the method by which you generated my skills around anywhere?

thorgrim29
2008-03-15, 02:25 AM
Thordrek

When the portal closes, you can see a dwarf standing near it, looking at the dissipating remnents of magic with nearly childish glee and interrest. He then approaches you with a wide smile. He wears the standard unifprm of the forgemark warriors, but his sheild bears a sigil very few know.
Well, greetings there, Thordrek Torrun, at yer service and you kin's. Pleased to meet you. You seem puzzled by my sigil, I'm from the Forgemark Levtokuld, were multitaskers, warriors, mages, scholars, a bit similar to these elven duskblades. Anyways, listne to me ramble, its just all that fascinating magic...... who might you be, and who is Tolrin?

He is fairly young, looking not a decade over 150, and his accent is far less pronounced then most of yours, marking him as a dwarf of Mirabar, and seems very exited for some reason.

mshady
2008-03-15, 02:48 AM
The circle of Forgemark stands, shields locked and weapons ready in the small clearing they just emerged in. The ground itself glows with a blue hue from the powerful magic that was just used to tear a hole from one Plane to another. They look around the area warily, as much looking for any enemies as getting their bearings. Most appear momentarily shaky as they stand poised from the travel. As Arman greets the group, the dwarves make way for the female dwarf carrying the staff and axe. She wears a blue and red tabard over her armor and wears a headband that holds her wild, blue-dyed hair up. The dwarf looks at Arman skeptically and snorts, looking past Arman towards Tolrin.

“My Tolrin, using an elf as your herald now? I don’t know if I should laugh or… laugh at that.” The woman smiles, thinly and narrows her eyes. “Your mercenary MIGHT even be willing to fight for us? I can see why ye failed here. They have the same lack of resolve you do. Quite the little host ye have”, the dwarf says.

Tolrin’s face glows red and he bolts to his feet.

“Mind yer tongue, Glorian! I know yer not happy, don’t dishonor their deeds with yer words, eh? Remember yer orders.” Tolrin glares fiercely at the woman.

“The Patriarch didn’t say I had to LIKE them.” Glorian snaps back. “I agree for once with Johannes, hin masquerading as a dwarf that he can be about unseemly haste. Your failure here forces our hand greatly, so NO I’m not happy about that.”

“Failure? Failure!? We get ambushed, barely survive but learn just how compromised Hundlestone was? Can prove it! You call that a failure?” Tolrin spits on the ground.

“You didn’t know already. Mind not what it used to be?” Glorian bares her teeth in a predatory smile.

“Stop it you two! Not here, not like this! You two of all dwarves, just… stop it!” Valina yells out, looking between Tolrin and Glorian, almost like a child who can’t bear watching her parents fight over something they don’t fully understand. Tolrin shakes his head at the riposte and Glorian bows slightly, acknowledging her small victory.

“Glorian, ye may be the Mage Commander herself but I’m still in charge here. Have yer soldiers secure the area and have the chest brought, we have much to discuss. Bring the Hammerstrikers as well. NOW.” Tolrin says, stressing the last word.

loopy
2008-03-15, 04:23 AM
Johannes

Hearing Thordrek talking about the sigil, interest flickers behind Johannes' eyes. "What part of Mirabar are you from? Your words gave you away, I've spent quite an amount of time in the city myself." I say, wandering over and eyeing the rune.

Knowledge Arcane - (1d20+6)[25]

OOC: Are you guys using a roller, or are you just rolling from home? If you are using a roller, can ye tell me how to access it? :)

Yuki Akuma
2008-03-15, 06:05 AM
Raltise watches Tolrin and Glorian with a mixture of amusement and concern. However, when it seems to get sorted out without his involvement - or, indeed, the involvement of anyone else in the group - he stands, and nods towards the newcomers, before bowing with a flourish. "Raltise Siprite, at your service." He then puts his hand atop his little elemental's head. "And this is Lythe. Try not to let her near any gems you might want to keep."

Katasi
2008-03-15, 05:58 PM
Arum sighs and closes the book and puts it up, then he walks over with a sgh. "I can't ignore you anymore with all the bloody racket you are making. I'm ArumFaerWed, Abjurations specialist, you can call me Arum though. He points to Shriek, who is still on his shoulder. "This is my friend Shriek, and over there.." he says, pointing. "Is my mount and buddy Barbaus."

Arum wonders if the sigil on the shield might be magical; [roll=spellcraft1d20+16[/roll]]

We've been using the forum roller

thorgrim29
2008-03-16, 09:44 AM
(no, the sigil itself is not magical..... its just the emblem of a little known warrior mage society, the forgemark Levtokuld, and I have no idea what the dc for that would be.)

hearing about his home town, the newcomer's face darkens a bit.
I prefer not to talk o Mirabar, suffice to say I dont call it me home anymore, most of me clan relocated to Mithral hall a few years ago, and I decided to work for the patriarchate, it's much more interresting then my old job.

He then turns to Arum.
Sorry to disturb you.... I'm Thordrek Torrun, o the Forgemark levtokuld, and I'm quite profficient at a lot of thing, including magic, fighting and making sense out of Netherese ruins.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-16, 03:28 PM
Kelith

Kelith will nod his head to each of the newcomers in greeting as they introduce themselves.

"I welcome you Thordrek and Johannes, I'm always happy to have new companions on a trip that seems as dangerous as the one to be."

mshady
2008-03-17, 02:36 AM
OOC: Been run ragged the last few days. I'll have a post up shortly to move things along. Sorry all!!

thorgrim29
2008-03-17, 07:40 PM
About that.... I'm afraid my breifing on the situation was a tad rushed, do you thing one of you could fill me in on the mission?

mshady
2008-03-18, 01:43 AM
Glorian looks back at Johannes and Thordek with a perplexed but withering glare. As Johannes is within arm’s reach and smacks him on the back of the head.

“Did I say you two could speak?” she snaps. “Of course yer briefing was a tad rushed! I told you to get your gear and move yer arse. Thank Tolrin fer that.” Glorian continues to glare at Johannes with her pitiless eyes and gruff, utterly blank face.

“Umm yes… about that briefing” Tolrin jumps in to save Johannes. “Come… sit by the fire. The plan’s a bit…complex.” Tolrin smiles, a bit fretfully.

“Fine” Glorian says. She snaps her fingers. “Forgemark, secure the perimeter. Half on, half off. Set up a camp. If it’s in the way, chop it down. In the open. Plain sight. Make it loud. Now, please.” The detachment’s commander nods and barks out his own orders to his squads. The Forgemark soldiers break formation and set to work, with orders bellowed and cadences sung loudly.

Glorian rubs her ears with an irritated look on her face. “Now I’ve got to put up with that bloody racket on top of your plan”, she mutters.

The group convenes around the fire and Tolrin uses a familiar enchantment from his amulet again. The area feels momentarily warmer as the magic encompasses the area. Glorian snorts and has a bemused look on her face.

“Still haven’t learned that one?” Glorian says as she takes her seat. Tolrin doesn’t react, but Valina almost does until he places his hand on her lap. Glorian smiles at that and lays her staff across her lap. It is covered in runes and it is finely made and straight. The top is forked and it glows softly with magic, while also providing some illumination. Four minotaurs tower behind her. They bear fresh scars across their chests and arms. Standing almost docilely, the two in the center hold a heavy trunk between them. Glorian snaps her fingers and gestures at her feet. The two massive minotaurs take their cue and set the trunk down with a thud. They lumber back to their position behind her and stand.

“So. There it is. None of these should have ever left Barakbar. Happy?” Glorian says.
“More so if you hadn’t come with it.” Tolrin replies coolly.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Yes well… you’re going to like the rest of this even less.” Tolrin says, frowning slightly.

Reaching into his satchel, Tolrin produces a map and a small tarp. He lays the map down on the ground where Glorian and the rest can see it. It is a map of the immediate region, from Hundlestone to Soulhammer Hall and this section of the Spine of the World. It has several markings on it.

“We’re going to have to start a bit of a war with Xurshin and his Aurilites” Tolrin says and takes a deep breath, taken back a bit by the boldness of what he just said. “Dragons, especially whites, are territorial and bullies. As ye know, the Patriarch has a kind of… understanding with him to leave the Dales alone. Him and his own dragon. We keep to ourselves and don’t go into their territory without permission and hope for the same courtesy. Which is… rare, but it’s enough. With Hundlestone though, it seems they are slowly choking off only caravan route to the north. They were content to accept a good sized tribute from Hundlestone, from gold and gems and perhaps the occasional caravan of someone who caused trouble. As well as actual townsfolk to serve as clergy, slaves and likely a good snack.

Now though, they’re getting greedy. I suppose they finally got the idea they can demand tribute from us to keep the pass open. While they leave the Dales alone… access to’em is a different matter, which they’re figuring out. Another good example o’why I should negotiate such things, I suppose.” Tolrin says, and frowns. Glorian laughs.

“As if Xurshin wouldn’t have just ate you for a snack!” Glorian says, and laughs. Tolrin rolls his eyes.

“He would’ve choked a little, I assure ye.” Tolrin smirks. “So… while I’m surprised at the subtlety, which isn’t something I’d credit the Wyrm for, ever but perhaps an underling looking to make some coin till the boss got a better idea, it’s happening. Now, we have to renegotiate. The pass has to remain open at any costs. They know that now and they’re going to keep pushing us, starting with the caravan I’d be assuming. Destroy that, they demonstrate they can close the pass down at will now matter the opposition and we have to meet his terms, and we really, really can’t afford to do that. His name may as well be Avarice. We’d have no choice but to pay.

So… we need to strike first. Demonstrate we can contest the pass. Dragons are greedy. Either we’ll slay enough o’his minions and cause enough damage he’ll be willin’ to be more reasonable. Or, it’ll provoke him into attacking directly. I’d presume he’d start with Hundlestone first and raze a couple other towns as punishment. We… may have to accept that. Eventually that path leads to a confrontation between us and the Patriarch against the Wyrm. I doubt the whole Brotherhood survives that…” Tolrin says, takes a deep breath and takes a pull from his canteen. Glorian listens intently.

“The plan is this. Valina, ye will be paying a visit to the Malarites with a large bag full of gold and gifts. The negotiation’s been handled a ways back, each enough even if the locale and company was appalling, so all you need to do is deliver the gold and give them a map. You and an escort leave soon as we’re done. Ye know the place.” Tolrin says. Valina grimaces and nods. “Lass, I wouldn’t send ye there if it didn’t require someone o’stature. You’ll do fine, just skip dinner if offer. Believe me…” Tolrin and Valina share a smirk. “They should attack by the end of the day. If timing works out right… I’ll be meeting them right after they get the message o’the attack. You'll come back here to stand with the Forgemark. Tolrin says, and then continues.

“We have two Hammerstriker teams here. One is around this fire, the other has been in the Spine for a month watching. If I don’t send a message to ye Glorian, ye are to use a Sending spell to order Bargan Rockeye’s team to attack a small camp in the mountains. Sack it, burn it, take heads and leave’em in a pyramid. We want to provoke’em. Bloody work, but necessary and move on to the next village. Leave the actual villagers and children, o’course. If negotiations don’t turn around immediately, which I doubt, I break off negotiations and tell’em we will open the pass ourselves. The Valkyries reported they may be fortifying a section o’ the pass and we’ll march on it. When I leave to head that force, assuming they don’t just kill me there, the whole region’s going to go mad. Everything in a hole is going to start pouring out of it to come meet our forces. Hopefully, we hit the area before many reinforcements arrive and fall back to Hundlestone with the survivors and fortify. There, we wait for an attack by either Xurshin, his forces, or both. We either hold’em off or die in place, I suspect although I think we’ll be able to hold against any assault and ye can deter the dragon, at least Glorian. We have to cover this place while the Patriarch protects the Ten Towns and Soulhammer Hall. Or tries to.” Tolrin simply shrugs, seemingly resigned to either outcome.

“Now comes the tricky part.” Tolrin says and smirks. “All o’this has been to provoke’em enough to clear out and move away from their encampments. We can’t swing for the head, but we can play dirty and kick for his stones instead. The biggest encampments are underground. Old dwarf holds, mainly Delzoun or independents who migrated up this way. While the Aurilites just love this damn weather, most o’their minions do not. There’s one particular place I’m interested in. An old hall we’re calling the Dragon’s Claw is the home o’what we figure to be several hundred o’his forces. They be there for one reason, primarily. The dragon keeps a part o’his horde there for whatever reason. When he’s in this part o’the Spine, he lairs there as well.

The idea be to cause enough trouble, provoke’em enough that they’ll send forces out of Dragon’s Claw. For that to work at all, it’ll mean that we’ve otherwise killed most of the forces in the immediate area ‘tween us, the Malarites and Rockeye’s team they have to pull forces outta Dragon’s Claw to take the area back. Likely those forces’ll be used to attack Hundlestone directly.”
“And Hundlestone agrees to this?” Glorian says, a skeptical look on her face.

“No. They will when they have to. We're acting in their best interests, so they have no choice. I sense they’d do quite a bit for their independence back and stop giving over their townsfolk from time to time. If not, well… you may end up negotiating in my place if I don’t survive all this. Try not to wipe out the town, eh?”
Glorian grumbles at that particular prospect. Intimidation was far more her forte than diplomacy.

“Suicidal attacks make great tales in Moradin’s Halls, I hear.” Hjalmar says flatly, leaving one to wonder if he was being sarcastic or truthful. Tolrin winces.

“What's not to like, eh? But aye… it won’t be easy, no.”
“What do we do when we get there? We only have the one pick between us.” Duervar says and thumps his war pick into the ground, nervous but smiling.

“Well… we bring down the mountain, that’s what. With that trunk.” Tolrin smiles and gestures to Glorian. Taking her cue, she sighs and begins.

“It’s called a Stoneburner or a Volcano bomb” Glorian says and taps the chest with her boot. “It’s an old weapon o’Shanatar, used for destroying entire strongholds or enemy cities. Twas so devastating, it was outlawed along Deepspawn after the Spawn Wars. O’course, like Deepspawn, everyone kept a few ‘just in case’.

A Stoneburner uses several glowstones, which only the Patriarch and I can create really to keep pumping raw magical energy a Stoneburner spell. Only a very high priest can cast such a spell. The spell burns a hole into the stone around it and throws magma around the area around the spell. A runic Stoneburner bomb like this can keep the same spell going for an hour or more and instead o’just straight down, it effects all stone within the radius.

It be encased in a big mass o’adamantine, is covered in defensive runes and requires the right kind o’wand discharging into it's heart to start the bomb. At which point, ye either run for yer lives or portal back.

I’d not chance running away from it, never tested it before and its tradition that the one who activates the bomb sacrifice their life with the stone. I’m not for that particular tradition though. Arcanii Carmard has a Rune that’ll get ye back safely though. We WERE going to save these for the heretics, but Tolrin had better ideas.”

Glorian says, flashing a scowl at him.

“Yes… so that’s what is in the box. The idea be to bring down the entire mountain, destroy Dragon’s Claw, destroy the lair and destroy the horde. What ye don’t take with ye” Tolrin smiles. “I reckon if we can bleed his forces good enough AND take down an entire mountain, we’ll have a much better negotiating position, don’t ye think?”

“And here I thought ye never had balls, Tolrin” Glorian frowns. “That could all actually work. I’d prefer just killing him and being done with it, but…” Glorian shrugs.

Yuki Akuma
2008-03-18, 06:50 AM
Raltise listens in silence while the two talk at length, frowning slightly. This was going to be dangerous, naturally. He wasn't worried about the danger, but...

He reaches over and places a hand atop Lythe's head. "Are you okay with this? You can stay behind, if you like."

bchilders
2008-03-19, 08:55 PM
Magnum

Magnum listens intently as the plan is unfurled. After Tolrin is finished Magnum bursts into laughter, "This sure is a kick to the stones of our large scaled friend. Sign me up, it'll be a story to tell your great grand-pups about."

loopy
2008-03-19, 09:29 PM
OOC: I should of given my character spectacles.

Johannes

Glaring at Glorian for a second, Johannes finds a spare patch of spare ground and sits down. Pulling out a book from his pack, he waits for marching orders.

ArmanMadero
2008-03-19, 09:53 PM
Arman's eyes narrowed and a slight twitch was seen in his cheek for the briefest of moments.He waited until Tolrin quieted down before he looked to the lady dwarf. "Not a herald, dwarf. I can see that the rudeness of your race prevails with you. I have fought well with the mercenaries that you see here next to Tolrin. They have also fought well beside him. And he with us all. Do not take your anger of being here on us, for we have done nothing to deserve it."

Arman drew himself straight and dismounted, seeing that it would be some time yet before they left. He ground tied his horse, and joined the group where Tolrin was. He wasn't sure if what he said made sense to the thick headed dwarf, but he didn't care. For the most part, he was generally a pretty easy going elf as it were. But the animosity between dwarves and elves was long, and Arman was too interested in the ongoings to take it further.

With a nod to Tolrin, showing his appreciation for supporting them all that fought with him, he studied the map that he had, and listened to the preceedings. A wyrm. It seemed they were going to fight a wyrm. Interesting times ahead.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-20, 10:21 AM
Kelith

Kelith listens to the plan again while he goes over his gear once more to check it's condition. His eyes flash with anger at the comments of race at his companions but remains silent not wanting to put a wedge in the group before the big event. If they were to prevail they would need to stay on decent terms with each other; an outbreak or fight would only lower their chances of success.

thorgrim29
2008-03-21, 12:29 AM
As the arcanii described the working of the bomb, all could see the newcomers widening eyes, as his face blanched while he slowly realised the implications of such a device's existance. He whispers to himself:
That..... thing, with it, ye could destroy Gratchlunk, Castle Zenthil, make most of drow society crumble with their tunnels... in the hands of others, Mythral hall, Waterdeep...... but I would'nt envy the poor bugger who has to live with having destroyed a city.....

He then hears the full plan, and smiles at it, destroying a small army and pissing off a dragon, much more palatable, all the while getting fabulously rich, what was not to like?

Now I have to say, I like this plan. the way I see it, the job of the infiltrating team depends on who, or what, commands at dragons claw. If the old drake put one of his spawn in command, the treasure room is going to be much more heavyly guarded then say, if a human or giant is in command.

mshady
2008-03-21, 01:46 AM
Tolrin continues outlining the plan.
“So that’s the overview o’all this and now I want to give ye some more details” Tolrin says, then pauses to massage his temples.

“Valina… ye know where to go o’course, having the map that ye will and such. Yer to speak with the werebear Cormack and only him. I’ve sent a message ahead to let’em know yer coming to uh… avoid any misunderstandings, shall we say?” Tolrin smiles slightly at that.
“Cormack was an arctic dwarf, still is most days really, before he got bit by a lycanthrope polar bear he was hunting. He killed it of course, being a dwarf. As it turned out, that particular lycan was the head Malarite for a particularly large den and they considered Cormack’s victory and new afflication to be a sign from Malar and considered it a trial by combat and a sign from Malar.” Tolrin laughs.
“Umm… as ye can guess the previous leader wasn’t well liked and when Cormack tracked the den down, maddened with fever, they all reached an accommodation about matters. His own Clan would’ve turned him out and hunted him down, being both a now-wicked lycan and looking like their favorite meat, afterall. Now he runs his den outta an old dwarven mine and stronghold like a kind of bastardized Clan where he calls himself the Were-King.”
Tolrin says before taking a sip from his flask again.
“You’re not sending me off to marry him, are you Uncle?” Valina smiles sweetly, laughs and bats her eyelids. “I’ve always wanted to marry a King!”

“Well the thought of at least a betrothal did occur to me, under the circumstances.” Tolrin says, completely seriously.

“You would.” Glorian sneers.

“You’re right. I’d rather send you if we have to, but I doubt even he would like you. Truly, you’re a hard one to find a mate for, although perhaps we could summon a devil for ye. We just slew one with a similar temperament, ye know? I just kept thinking of ye two together.”
Tolrin responds casually. Glorian’s face goes red and she fights off her temper. Some of the soldiers in ear shot can be heard snickering in the dark and even one of the minotaurs snorts.

“Does the trick for the drow, I hear-tell but it’d probably have ended like yer last marriage.” Tolrin shrugs and Glorian has a positively murderous look in her eyes, which only draws a smirk from Tolrin. He turns his head back to Valina, who looks back at him with a slack jaw and a shocked look.

“So now that everything is in its place” he glances towards Glorian again, “Take him the gold along with my letter. Not that the gold would do him much good; not a great deal to spend it on out there but it’s the thought that counts. The letter’s sealed but I also offer to bring him any goods he wants to buy with the gold, so you’ll be bringing back a return letter. Of course, I’ll be the one selling him the goods as well so it won’t be that expensive and I’ll probably get a nice commission from the merchants for setting up a new trade route with a ‘small but distant town’.” Tolrin laughs.
“Everyone gets everything they want, except for Cormack ultimately as what he really wants is a cure for his lycanthropy. Considering the losses he’ll incur with this, he won’t be much o’an asset to us anymore so it’ll probably be time to bring’em in and let the Patriarch and Moradin cure the lad. He’s been a very, very bad Were-King before I met him, but I think he will have done enough penance after this if he survives and we don’t need him waging a war for us. Oh… and give him this axe. Tell’em it has already drank in battle and is a gift worthy of him now.”
Tolrin says, than reaches into his bag of holding to produce a black adamantine waraxe wrought with gold and mithril engravings and covered in runes. He tosses it at her feet casually, with a heavy thud. Duervar and perhaps others recognize it as the axe they used to take the heads after the battle and it is still crusted with some blood. He also takes a book with the holy symbol of Moradin upon it and sets that on her lap.

“So… there and back again Valina, alright? The book is for him to study, but ye MUST make sure no one sees it. It’s glamered to look like some unsightly book o’their faith with the command word in the letter. Imagine us, helping a heretic out? Ironies…. Comely lass that ye are, should just make it easier to convince’em to do what we want. The whole lot of ye may have to go back there at some point with the stuff he wants or bring him in finally. But that’s for another day.

The idea is for Cormack to send his forces into the Spine and hit a concentration of caves and camps that some o’the orcs, goblinoids and giants are living. Shouldn’t be too hard to convince’em as they’ve wanted to go “recruiting” for awhile but the Wyrm needed to be sufficiently distracted and weakened. Any questions, Valina?”

Valina thinks for a long moment, mulling it all over.
“No, Uncle. I’ll even sing some songs for him if I have to” she says, nervous at the prospect of the journey.

“Just don’t let him bite you and get right back, as we’ll need you for what I think we’ll call the Battle of the Northern Passage. Sound about right to ye, lass? Yer the bard, afterall.” Tolrin says and Valina nods.

mshady
2008-03-21, 02:29 AM
Tolrin nods when he hears Thordek’s question, but holds up a hand while he outlines Valina’s task.

“Aye, ye have a point. Thordek, isn’t it? I’ll get to that” Tolrin says, before launching into the next explanation.

“Now… the battle plan I’ll have to go over in detail with Clinkscales and Glorian. At length, I’m sure but we are committed to that battle. If we don’t, your group stands no chance for success. I wish the caravan would get here sooner ‘han it will, we could use the extra forces that guard it and it’d surely draw’em out of their holes.” Tolrin shrugs. “Ye can’t have everything in the Prime, can ye?”

“So as fer Dragon Claw. There’s a cave very close by here. You’ll be entering the Underdark through that, but you’ll need a Passwall rune to do it, as the locals collapsed it years ago. Personally I be half-outraged folks think everything that comes outta the Underdark is bad but well… its largely true.”

Tolrin grabs a stick and draws a circle in the snow.

“That’s the cave. You’ll be walking a day to an old stronghold and waiting their like I said. With luck, you’ll be meeting some allies there but they may not be there when you show up. The place could be occupied. You’ll be meeting the duergar ye met earlier. They say that is where they’re going to be holed up there, but it may not be true and I couldn’t blame them for not being truthful on that point. Or maybe they haven’t had a chance to do clean it out yet? Either way, watch yerselves getting there.” Tolrin looks at the group to make sure they understand.

“Yer to hold there until ye get my signal, alright? Not sure who I’ll send it to, I always like my voice in someone’s head to be a surprise when possible” he laughs, than continues.

“After that, ye need to start the infiltration. The duergar will have a map o’the area, I’m sure but Dragon’s Claw will be ringed by old strong points to warn of approach. I suspect this side o’the Claw will be the most weakly defended as there’s no passage from the surface down that way anymore… well, before us. It’ll depend how smart the leadership is down there. There is also an underground river that flows either right by or through Dragon’s Claw, something pretty common as ye can’t build on a place without water.

Truly, I don’t know as much as I want but that’s what the duergar can help ye out with. They may even join ye, I don’t know. Up to you” Tolrin shrugs. “The one thing I DO know is that Dragon’s Claw has a very large hole that goes all the way to the surface for the Wyrm and his brood to enter. It won’t be in the center o’the place because it’d collapse the ceiling but it’ll be a long passage down to it. Which brings me to Thordek’s point.” Tolrin gestures at him and smiles slightly.

“We don’t know who or what is in command there. Whomever is, is likely to go with the forces when we draw everyone outta their holes. I’d expect no less than a hundred defenders though, simply to watch the loot and watch each other. I know that’s still a lot, but they’ll probably be weedy goblins and such. I’m quite certain though yer gonna find a temple to Auril in there, and I understand the temple is also the lair and adjacent to the horde. Worship Auril and the dragon at the same time is the idea, I think. Whoever said white dragons are dumb?” Tolrin chuckles.

“The problem is that when we start pulling all these forces outta the Spine for this, Xurshin himself is likely to move to Dragon’s Claw. He’ll want a lair nearby and this one is his. Each lair is otherwise left to one of his brood. As the Hammerstrikers will be in that general area, I hope that whatever dragon is roosting in there will be out looking for them while the other is going to fight with us.

IF the timing is right, we will have butchered their forces and we’ll be retreating back to Hundlestone. Likely whatever drake is in the Claw will be in the air watching us retreat while Xurshin is in the Claw. Or maybe he won’t be there, but out marshalling his forces and killing whatever thralls we didn’t manage to kill for cowardice and a good snack.” Tolrin shrugs and smiles.

“Either way, that’s where the Valkyries come in. They’ll be dragon baiting and Glorian, you’ll be up there with them.” Tolrin says, looking at Glorian and searching for protest. While she is still seething from earlier, she nods her head in acknowledgement.

“ They’ll get the big wyrm in the air and, while I’m sure it’ll be quite harrowing and tales sung of it, its ultimately to distract whatever dragon is close to the Claw. However… it’ll only last until that dragon gets word that the ‘Claw is under attack and it’ll come winging its way back.

Two options with that, as I see it. There SHOULD be just one priest of Auril or a mage there high enough to use a sending spell. If yer very, very clever you might be able to kill him or her before the main attack but that’s no guarantee they don’t have sending stones around like we do. They just may not be that clever.

Otherwise, ye need to collapse the dragon’s passage back into Dragon’s Claw.

Whatever ye do, it’ll only be a temporary fix as it’ll be able to claw through the stone but it’ll buy ye the time ye need because… and this is the fun part…” Tolrin says, but frowns this time.

“That egg you’re carrying out there? The Volcano bomb? The Stoneburner? It’ll take about an hour to prepare and begin to cook off. That’s after ye clear out the Claw enough to set the charge.”

Rubbing his hands together vigourously, Tolrin smiles.

"Any questions now?"

loopy
2008-03-21, 07:10 AM
Johannes

"Just lead the way." He calls over his book, before losing himself again in its pages.

bchilders
2008-03-21, 12:02 PM
Magnum

"So if I understand ye, we'll have an hour to keep goblins, mages, and maybe the blasted wyrm himself away from our little egg before we can turn tail," Magnum chuckles to himself for a bit, "can't say it won't be fun."

Katasi
2008-03-21, 06:20 PM
Arum rubs his chin softly. "This sound rather dangerous. I think we can do it though. When do we leave?" He says.

thorgrim29
2008-03-21, 09:14 PM
Does sound rather fun.... what we need is a means to fortify the area around the bomb.... maybe ye could provide our mage with a wand o' iron wall? Plus maybe a couple of blasty wands and other things for me an others who feel so inclined? Oh and, would I be wrong to assume we wont be carrying the "egg" as it is, but perhaps in a portable hole, one we could fill with shiny bits o' dragon hoard before going away? Tis just a shame we cant take the time to study the ruins before blowing it up, but war is war.

He seems a bit awed by the senior officer's aknowledgement, you did'nt get that often working under Glorian, and gets a distant look in his face when he contemplates all that wealth, as most dwarves are wont to do.... But snaps back to reality as he remembers the grey's.

What was that about Duergar? Hope there not the faction we bloodied back in the tunnels a few week ago....

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-22, 12:31 AM
Kelith

"Hour, kinda seems long; might as well just kill everything there than think we can walk in and set up camp for an hour w/o getting a response.

Although a little bit of arcane help in the form of invisibility might make it a much easier job of setting up the bomb. Granted they aren't all prepared enough to deal with invisible folk."

bchilders
2008-03-22, 11:21 AM
Magnum

Magnum looks over to Thordrek as he speaks and says, "One thing I do like that our new friend said, is how to get out as much of that dragon's loot as we can. Cuz I'm much fer putting his gold to use instead of burning it all."

mshady
2008-03-22, 07:36 PM
"You two would make Buelyir proud." Valina says, looking between Magnum and Thordek, smiling. "Of course, you do realize its one thing to take from a dead dragon's horde. It's quite another to take from a living ones. They tend to want it back.

Carmard the Forgemark Arcanii has listened to the entire conversation silently as the plan unfolds, deep in thought for some time before finally breaking his silence.

"An hour's an eternity, Tolrin. The battle takes time. The dragons will be called quickly once the fight starts. It's a move we must make, but its an obvious one. They can't know about the Stoneburner, but they can expect an attack. More important than the horde and temple are all the supplies. They can't possibly keep a horde in the field long without it." Carmard frowns. "This won't be a complete surprise."

"No" grates Glorian. "I can kill any smaller dragon. Xurshin? Playing chase won't keep that old drake away for long. Most of my magic will be wasted in the first battle of the day." Carmard nods slightly.

"We can't hold an hour. He could dig a new tunnel in minutes, perhaps? We can trap the tunnel or collapse it on him but there's really only one way."

Tolrin looks at Carmard, curious.

"What's that, lad?"
"We start the bomb before the fight." Carmard says flatly. Tolrin's eyes go wide at that prospect.

"That's crazy even for a madbeard. They're fragile and untested." Tolrin says quietly.

Carmard shrugs and stretches.

"See another way? It'll certainly cut into the treasure hunting time."

Tolrin thinks for a moment and shakes his head.

"I can't order it and ye shan't either, Carmard."
"Why not? A glorious battle delivering a blessing of Moradin to the heart of an enemy? I can only hope to die so well. You?" Carmard says. Barrel chested Hjalmar snorts in amusement.

"Why not? I don't send kin on suicide missions anymore!" Tolrin snaps back at him.

Glorian soon jumps into the bickering as the three argue about what to do. It becomes heated between Tolrin and her again while Carmard watches impassively.

Lythe, for her part sits on her haunches, starting at the black metal chest in the center of the group. Her gemstone eyes are fixated on it and she trembles slightly.

It burns the earth! The stone! Home! These dwarves scare me, Raltise. But please, let me come. I don't want to be alone. Dragons scare me more. They have gems too though so... not all bad.

thorgrim29
2008-03-22, 08:45 PM
If you'll pardon me, I dont see how that would even be possible, that.... that thing is hideously powerfull, its activation'l alert any magic user a few miles away I imagine. However, if it IS possible, let it be recorded I volunteer for the mission, I'll try to survive it if at all possible, and if I dont, I'll be drinking to your health and success in Moradins halls. As Arcanii Carmad said, there are plenty worst ways of losing your life then helping to save a whole region from a dragon's tyranny. And if it comes to combat with one of the Drake's whelps, I have a few moves I've been wanting to try on something like that. Just... tell my father I died well.

The young dwarf showed an impertinance the would baffle most career soldiers, interrepting these important dwarves, but his career as a clek in Mirabar and his instructors at the Forgemark Levtokuld had tought him more independance then most dwarves have.

Katasi
2008-03-22, 09:12 PM
Arum gives a low curse. "You people are insane, but I'm going with you. And If I get killed I'm going to fireball death where the sun doesn't shine and come back fighting."

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-23, 04:59 PM
Kelith

"If there is some way we can plan for it to go off at a desired time, I think a simple scroll or two of teleport could work wonders.

I myself would rather not go sacrificing myself and others with only limited thoughts into other options."

mshady
2008-03-23, 07:03 PM
As Thordek interrupts the argument between Tolrin and Glorian, the two dwarves turn to face him. Both seem angered by the interruption and are about to turn on Thordek when they listen to what he has to say. They sit quietly for a moment before Tolrin speaks.

“Well… umm” is all Tolrin can manage as he looks at Thordek, a bit moved by what he said.

“He’s right, Tolrin” Glorian says quietly, almost bordering on kindly. “There are worst ways to go. Likely they all don’t come back from this. Or any of them. It might be the only way. Remember our Words, Tolrin. The one hope of the damned is to have no hope of anything good anymore. They’re old, and grim and true and us. You need to come to terms with what you’re asking, ordering even. I remember what happened to you, Tolrin. I know this is hard for ye.” Glorian says and sighs. Tolrin thinks for a moment and sighs.
“Thordek, I thank ye for volunteering like that and willing to accept death. Ye will be welcome in Moradin’s Halls, I’m sure.” Tolrin says as he looks Thordek straight in the eye. He surveys the rest of the moment, looking at each person in turn.

“The one hope of the damned is to have no hope of anything good anymore. Those aren’t the words of the Patriarchate or Soulhammer or Barakbar, but of the few remains of the Jilker Clan. We trace our line back to Barak Shanat, founder of our Clan and brother to Taark Shanat, founder of the Shield Dwarves and Shanatar. Those words have sustained us during rise, during fall, during exile and rise again over the millennia after millennia. What do they mean though?

When you have no hope of survival, of winning, or life the only hope you have is to give up any hope for those things. When you give up everything you have to lose, willingly even… THAT is your only hope when you don’t have any left. That’s what it means.” Tolrin says and pauses again.

“I can’t ask ye to do this, but we have to ask. This whole strategy be dependent on this. I wish I could go with ye; it’d make asking ye to do this a helluva lot easier for my own guilt. Ah… I suppose that ain’t the most dwarven thing to say? What Carmard said, what Thordek said… that’s the dwarven way. But I do have to ask… if any of ye want out, I’d understand.” Tolrin says before looking up again.

"The one thing I don't intend is for any of ye to become martyrs. The best martyrs aren't the ones who go looking to be one. The day may come when we have to ask some of ye to do so, but that day isn't here. Clear on that?" he looks around the group to make sure that point is understood.

"Now... as Kelith said... options. First be some problems. This lair is old and it has a dragon's defenses, whether the wyrm is there or not. He'll have lair wards in place, on top o'whatever dwarven ones are left. We know more by what we don't know than by what we do know. If that makes sense.

The Dragon's Claw is utterly impenetrable to scrying. That's clearly a very powerful ward. Like a Mind Blank for the whole complex.

The weather around the lair is a constant high wind, snow and sleet and bone chilling cold. That covers the dragon's entrance. How they move troops through that frozen hell is a mystery. We assume they have tunnels that come out outside it, but we don't know. That might be important to find though, because of another ward. No one can teleport in or out of the lair, either apparently.

That's.... going to make escape a bit tricky for ye. The rune we'll give ye will work outside it, but ye have to get outside it, meaning ye may have to fight your way in and out. We don't know what else they have in their, but there are wards that prevent anyone from casting many kinds of spells too. So... any questions on this part?"

ArmanMadero
2008-03-23, 10:28 PM
Arman listened to everything and thought for a moment. "What about getting rid of the wards? Is there anyway to remove them at all? I think that starting it ahead of time is a good idea also. But who will start it and when? before we enter or after we enter. And if we start it before, we would have to have a guard around the carriers to ensure that it doesn't get dropped in the wrong place. Does that sound about right Tolrin?"

Yuki Akuma
2008-03-24, 06:18 AM
Raltise puts his hand atop Lythe's head, stroking soothingly down her hard rock 'skin'. "These dwarves are crazy..." He groans, his free hand going up to his face. He doesn't speak out against the plan, but it's obvious what he thinks of it.

loopy
2008-03-24, 07:42 AM
Johannes

Setting aside his book, Johannes turns to Raltise. "I'm fairly sure that everyone believes that all others are at least slightly crazy. It comes from having different viewpoints from ones own. Wars start when we find the friends and family who we believe only slightly crazy and gang up on those that are too crazy."

Johannes frowns reflectively. "I may have to write a thesis on that when I get back to the library." As he picks up his book, he mumbles, almost as an afterthought.

"...if I make it back to the library."

thorgrim29
2008-03-24, 09:26 AM
Indeed, but even so, what fun would being completely sane be?

Thordrek was a bit confused by the effect he had had on the commanders, of course he had wanted to stop their bickering, but to his mind, every mission carries with it a heavy chance of failure and death. but still, they had'nt answered his question.

But sirs, madam, my question remains, would it be feasable to sneak in and activate the device witout the defenders noticing? Because if not, we still have to fight our way in and hold out for an hour, and to do that we'll be needing some pretty powerfull magic items.

bchilders
2008-03-24, 10:18 AM
Magnum

Magnum quites down for a bit with all of the talk about not making out of this mission. He thinks on it a while, and says out loud, "'Theres no stoppin' a dwarf when he sets his head to something.' My dad used to say that when I was growin up. The way I see it, we got something that needs to be done and I pity anyone who stands in the way of this group. I've seen 'em mow through giants and demons, what would an overgrown lizard have to challenge us." Magnum tries to sound as confident as possible, because all this talk of martyrs was dampening his spirit of adventure.

mshady
2008-03-24, 01:09 PM
Tolrin laughs bitterly.

"Of course ye dispel his wards. With what time though? As for sneaking in... its possible but unless he's seriously daft, they'll have wards that'll reveal anyone using invisibility spells.

Now... you might be able to sneak the BOMB in, obviously close counts but as no one's used one o'these in a few thousand years, not sure how close it has to be. Did I mention we're only pretty sure this thing works? Hard enough to make, we can't exactly test'em a great deal... all a bit o'rush, but I trust in Glorian's handiwork, at least."

mshady
2008-03-25, 02:15 AM
Glorian listens impatiently and fidgets before speaking.

“Ye can’t sneak the Stoneburner in” Glorian pronounces. “It won’t work right if ye do.”

“Oh?” says Tolrin, looking at her a bit baffled. “It’s a big spell, right? Why not?”

“Did ye even listen when I showed ye and the Patriarch?” Glorian snaps. Tolrin tries to protest, but she cuts him off.

“The Stoneburner needs to be set in an open cavern. At least a hundred foot radius, depending on foot size o’course. The old ones didn’t because magic was a damned bit more powerful. It's how the Netherese floated cities and such. Stoneburners were used to make huge caverns and such deep in the Underdark. One might’ve been used to start the Everfire in Sundabar. They destroyed cities. Civilizations even. They’re why dwarves be leery of magic. We’re too practical to not use a tool, even if we don’t remember why now. The one here…” Glorian kicks the chest with her metal clad boot “is not one of those.”

“This one here uses glow stones to power it. Several actually and they be hard to find and harder to make. While a Stoneburner in the old days used brute arcane power, this one… required decades o’study, on my part actually.” She smiles a most chilling smile. “It starts with a basic spell and sustains it while a spell suspends it in the air. The runes on it spin, with each rune aimed a bit farther out above or below than the other and the glow stones power each rune individually. As the runes spin faster, it drags the spell along with it, tracing big circles o’magma around it. Eventually it all collapses in on itself into a molten mess and the runes continue to stir it which, while clever is not that impressive for the trouble.

The real trick, once the area within several hundred feet all around it has been slagged is a Gate spell. The runes, they open up a gate to the elemental Plane of Fire, something that human should appreciate. Try not to watch though or worship me or me work, eh?” She smiles a twisted smile. “The gate opens up a blast furnace and the Stoneburner sinks down into the magma. In the end, the whole Stoneburner is really a permanent gate. The lava flows and heat pour in from the other side and the whole area floods while the Stoneburner keeps stirring its brew. Portals though… the Planes, have an energy to them which let ye do one o’two things with a Stoneburner. Sustain the magma forever and eventually create a volcano as the only way fer it to go at this depth is eventually up.

Or it'll draw all that energy into the Stoneburner and explode the whole thing. Overcharged like that, all at the exact same time hopefully and it’ll blow the top off a mountain. The tremors from it should be felt to Menzoberranzan, the City of Blades and even wake the High Lady o’Silverymoon from her nap. We may even get some interesting secondary effects outta it, a tear in the weave, a forced portal, dead or wild magic zones. I’ll certainly be back to look at it.” She smiles, before barking again.

“But it won’t work right if it doesn’t have the bloody room. Which I told you Tolrin. I doubt the details made any sense to most of ye, beyond ye I’m sure, but that’s the WHY at least. Oh… and inside that chest, you’ll find four immovable rods. You’ll need’em to hold the Stoneburner in place. Still though… if its moved or damaged when still fully charged, you’d feel no pain at least. As this isn’t an old Stoneburner o’Shanatar, at least the energy it unleashes won’t be enough to destroy yer very souls. I think.”

Tolrin frowns slightly. “So I was wrong ‘bout that. It’s like stirring a batter and then cooking it. Must’ve thought it was cake ye were talking of.”

“Yes you were wrong, you impossible arse. And just so no one thinks o’taking it…” she looks at Kelith “I have ways of dealing with that.” Glorian says, glaring at him suspiciously for a moment. Tolrin scowls at him, but her eyes swivel back to him and she smiles.

“I don’t think that’ll be an issue, Glory…” Tolrin says, giving her a sideways scowl. “Now… as to needing something extra fer this, we do have some stuff for ye to use “on loan”, so to speak. Any other questions though?”

thorgrim29
2008-03-25, 07:37 PM
Moradin's beard...... I knew ye was powerfull and extremely smart Arcanii Glorian, ye dont live in Barakbar for long without hearing rumours, but this, I never knew ye was THIS ruthless..... Just.... never ask me to bring one of those in a city... thats not an order I'll be able to obey. Now I dont know much about gates, but wont anything try to come out? Though I guess that wont be our problem... So, just to be sure, we get in the main room, light it, we defend the place for an hour, and then we get the hell out of there before the mountain explodes, hopefully not all burned and corpselike and a few thousand gold richer right?

mshady
2008-03-26, 01:03 AM
Glorian turns her head slowly. Her eyes have become slit and her face twitches as she restrains a sneer.

"Who do ye think we are?" Glorian says, her voice slow, measured and cold. "Who do ye think I am?"

No one speaks for a moment and her words hang in the air.


"I'm a demon. I'm an evil dwarf summoned fourth into this paradise, sent by the forces of death and our Gods to spread devastation, death and destruction wherever I go to our enemies. However I can.

It is my purpose. It is my life. By extension, it is your life. To purify this world of heresy and betrayers, false and faithless, with fire. I'm surprised you didn't know that, Thordek."

The camp fire is quiet for a long moment and Tolrin looks at her a bit uncomfortably. Glorian calmly stares at Thordek until Tolrin breaks in once again.

"Umm" he says, "I think talk of theology should be left to the Patriarch and I, when we have more time. Glory has good cause to be passionate, I assure ye. She is ruthless though, have no doubt. I assure ye, she be far nicer than her sister if ye have to face her. When we have time, somethings require explanation, like why we have a Stoneburner. The short answer is we're not the only ones and ye don't enter into a fight unarmed, eh? No worries about things coming through the tear though, at least not our worries."

mshady
2008-03-26, 01:24 AM
"Now as fer extra equipment, I don't think yer hurting for potions. I did have a few extra things brought, however. We'll be need'n these back, though." Tolrin says.

He sets down an oil cloth tarp that one of the minotaurs had brought to him.

"The first thing here be a Dwarven Thrower. Ye throw the hammer, it returns to ye and packs a punch when it hits. As ye seen. That, I think, goes to Hjalmar as carries a warhammer anyways.

Next be a Wand o'the Heavens. It'll drop a flame strike spell on an enemy.

We also have some grafted runes. Before ye leave, I'll add them to whatever ye wish. Doesn't take too long, particularly.

One be a giant's bane rune. Another be a Holy rune fer a weapon. Two more'll set yer weapon aflame, although its not a particularly powerful rune.

There be one adamantine axe and two repeating crossbows with a basic enhancement as well.

Two more runes will provide thrice the armor enchantment then a basic one.

I've also brought two helmets o'dark vision, so everyone can see in the dark.

There's also one bead of force.

Oh yes, and a Iron Wall rod as well as a Force Wall scroll and a Fire Wall spell.

Again... this be borrowed, they be things we've largely taken in battle but none the less, valuable.

Oh yes, and a bag o'holding full o'enough trail rations for yer entire team fer a week, as well as water.

Lets sort this quick, eh? Take what ye need. Don't lose it. Well, I don't expect the bead back.

Katasi
2008-03-26, 02:20 AM
Arum gives a small laugh. "Hope you don't want the scrolls back either, they tend to be destroyed with use. I need one of those helms, I can see decently in low light, but in the dark I've got problems. I'm good on everything else unless Arman doesn't want those scrolls and noone wants the rod."

chiefwaha
2008-03-26, 07:41 AM
OOC: Howdy everyone.

Carmard, the quiet Forgemark pipes in with a gravely voice. "I could use one of the armor enhancements. The axe or hammer if someone else doesn't need them and any of the consumables I can use."

loopy
2008-03-26, 09:56 AM
OOC: Still too new at this to figure out what'd be good for Johannes the Factotum to take.

Yuki Akuma
2008-03-26, 10:14 AM
Raltise raises a hand. "I'll be fine with what I have." He glances down at his geodite companion. "...Although an armour enhancing rune on Lythe's armour would be nice. She's more fragile than she looks, honestly."

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-26, 03:48 PM
Kelith

"Since I'll be upfront I'll take one of those armor enchantments. I'll also take the Wand of the Heavens if there isn't anyone else who can use it. If there is someone who can cast the spell and wants to stand near the back, take it and put it to good use. Sounds good?"

bchilders
2008-03-26, 09:30 PM
Magnum

Amgnum responds to Kelith with, "Though I'd prefer to be in the front with ye, if this if half the tussle were sayin' it'll be I'll probably be staying back and healing where it's needed so I might as well take that Wand o' the Heavens." Magnum takes the wand and looks of the weapons apprectiatively saying a small blessing the Clangeddin over each.

OOC:
Is it a one time use or X/day? Just checking

thorgrim29
2008-03-26, 09:59 PM
Slightly subdued, Thordrek ponders what Glorian said, he was a soldier, not a murderer... He decides not to press the issue further, for now.

As you say mam. As for the runes.... I'm partial to the holy rune if noone else takes it, armor or fire otherwise..... i channel magic through my weapon, but i have to hit and be alive for that to work, and any plus is welcome.

OOC:
other then that..... I still have 1k gp to spend, and no idea what to do with it, so ideas are welcome, I already have healing and a bit of buffing (animalistic power and enlarge person). Oh and, I just realised something, I know next to nothing about the Holy War we're fighting, explaining in part that little.... missunderstanding, if someone has a link or something, or pm me please. also, hp?

Katasi
2008-03-26, 10:47 PM
OOC:
Is it a one time use or X/day? Just checking

it's I wand, that means it has a set number of charges, use it as many times in a day as you want, but eventually you run out of charges. 50 is the max if I remember right, and this one may have less

ArmanMadero
2008-03-26, 10:50 PM
Arman listened with a slight frown on his features as the full nature of the weapon was described. A gate. Into the plane of fire. In Icewind Dale. Armans chosen path was of the Art. Magic flowed through him like adreniline through a barbarian in the middle of a fight. But he was, after all, an elf. And because of this, chose to not make some decisions too lightly. He would help with this weapon where he could. But at what cost?

"With no offense meant to you Glorian, how big of a gate exactly will open? What kind of after effects will we be talking about here? Will this explosion be enough to change not only the immediate area of the cavern where it will be set, but also the entire region? I am assuming of course that with this gate permanently open, that more than creatures will be coming from it. I imagine heat also. What will that do to Icewind Dale? What kind of repercussions should we expect from this weapon, for I am assuming that an explosion such as you are describing, will not not change Icewind Dale. I am not against using it fully, but I think that we should know what will happen, and for how long it will last, before we use such a weapon."

While waiting for the dwarf, who introduced herself as a demon after the fact, a demon of fire and death, Arman heard what Tolrin said, but shook his head. He didn't think he needed anything that was offered, but decided to take one of the helmets of Darkvision. "I think that it is good to see ones enemies before casting upon them." With a smile, he grabbed a hold of one of the helmets, looking at it for a moment and then placing it under his arm. With a nod to Arum, Arman also takes the two scrolls. "I don't think that I will use the rod, but the two scrolls may come in handy."

mshady
2008-03-27, 01:33 AM
Glorian snorts as she listens to Arman's protestations at first, as she is not fond of being questioned. When Tolrin looks at her and nudges his head in Arman's direction, she responds.

"Short answer be no one's used one in thousands o'years and no one's ever really used one built like this. The Spine'll certainly be short one less peak though, if it works and no doubt enrage geographers all over" Glorian smiles, wryly. "Xurshin should get the point 'bout not pressing us. Even arrogance has limits."

"As fer the Gate, that's the difference 'tween it being purely a Stoneburner and it being a Vulkanized Stoneburner. It'll drop down down into a lake of magma it just created till it hits bottom and opens the Gate to the elemental plane of fire in a very particular spot.

It's what the ancients called a Planar weapon in that respect. 'nother example would be opening two Gates from opposing Planes in near-contact, such as the Positive and Negative Energy plane. Helluva explosion, I'd suspect and one o'many reasons why when Mystryl died things changed. The Gate opens, floods the chamber with gases and a torrent o'magma.

Now ye can leave that Gate open, where ye can leave the Gate open and the Stoneburner uses the Plane's own energy to hold open the Gate fer a long time. This'll flood the surronding Underdark slowly till it runs outta space and finds a way upwards. That's slow and nasty business. As we're just trying to take out a mountain, that energy just builds till the whole thing explodes. End of the peak. End of the Gate.. shortly there after at any rate. Despite yer... concerns, anything that sneaks through'll regret it. Neat and clean. Except fer the mountain.

Now... that large o'a discharge o'magic? Effects o'that'll probably be local damage to the Weave. Wild magic zones likely and maybe tear a hole into another Plane. Being their backyard, the Aurilites should be able to fix it. If not, we'll use it as a bargaining chip and I'll fix it. Or maybe its just left as one o'many very strange places in the Realms? Maybe a note from Alustriel 'bout the noise?

Life's rough. Bring a shield."

Glorian shrugs.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-28, 10:12 PM
{{So I guess we just finish splitting the loot and then we are ready to go. Like I said, all I want is an armor enchantment. What all stuff do we have left again?}}

mshady
2008-03-29, 02:49 AM
As the group stakes their claims on the various extra equipment, Tolrin makes a list as the group goes back and fourth on the matter. After a short time, he raise his hand for silence.

"I've gone ahead and looked at what ye were all interested in and who needs bolstering and whatnot. Here're the assignments for all this, and I assure ye I'm writing it down... Some stuff fer Bundok here as well, to help with yer scouting. The bottle's fer Lythe, figure she can take it far forward for ye. Same with the bombs, my thought at least. What do ye think, Raltise?" Tolrin smiles and starts with the list.

Glorian grumbles and rummages around in her own satchel and produces a few more items and tosses them carelessly in Tolrin's direction.

Carmard: Dwarven Thrower, Underdark map
Magnum: Giantbane Rune, +1 Repeater Crossbow, 2x Mass Shield of Faith Runes.
Kelith: Fire Rune, Armor Rune
Bundok: Armor Rune, +1 Repeater Crossbow, 1 x Cloak of Elvenkind equivalent, 1 x Boots of Elvenkind equivalent
Raltise: Dark Vision Helmet, Bead of Force
Lythe: Armor Rune +1 AC, Eversmoking bottle of the Efretti, 2x Smokepowder bombs.
Arum: Dark Vision Helmet, Wall of Fire scroll, 1 x Cloudkill rune.
Hjalmar: Holy Rune
Johanssen: 1 x Cloudkill rune, Wand of the Heavens
Thordek: Adamantine Dwarven Waraxe, Rod of Wall of Iron (10x)
Arman: Wall of Force scroll
Duervar: Fire Rune

With that sorted out, Tolrin and Glorian add the grafted runes to the groups equipment through a most extraordinary dwarven process using the grafted runes. This takes the better part of an hour.

While Tolrin and Glorian graft the runes on to armor and weapons and you inspect your new equipment, the Minotaurs claim their own near gear that you claimed in the previous battle but was too large for your own use. They all seem surprisingly intelligent, not as beast like as one would expect as they fit their armor and test their new weapons. The largest one with the scars and carrying a large horn at his side seems like a capable armorer as well.

OOC DM note: This is a very important mission and the Patriarchate is trying to provide all the support it can. This extra kit is powerful, but they have access to such and this is an important task. Realistically, they'd help out. So no worries if you do about such things. It'll be a much harder fight than last time presumably.

Dwarven Thrower: +2 (+3 enhancement with dwarves), 2d8 v. Giant/1d8 bonus thrown.
Holy Rune: 2d6 v. Evil (holy damage)
Giantbane: 2d6 v. Giantkin (extra weapon damage)
Fire Rune: 1d6 Fire
Armor Rune x2: +3 Enhancement
Armor Rune x1: +1 Enhancement
Rod of Ironwall (x10 use)
Scroll of Wall of Fire
Scroll of Wall of Force
Scroll of Teleport Circle
2 x Darkvision helmets
1 x Bead of Force
1 x Adamantine dwarven waraxe (+1, Keen)
1 x Wand of the Heavens
1 x Bead of Force (see SRD)
1 x Eversmoking bottle of the Efretti
1 x Cloak of Elvenkind equivalent
1 x Boots of Elvenkind equivalent

dcjr
2008-03-30, 01:22 AM
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location:

Michigan
Gender: Male

Default Re: Hello and Welcome New Members Thread 6!
Hjalmar sits over a bowl of rothe stew licking his chops looking out of his one good eye. Bunch a pastied face hole diggers. Filling his mouth he chomps noisily, his waraxe draped across his knees Why by Moradins hairy pair I'll have ye oop en dem caves gettin et dragons treasure. Lifts a mug of ale and downs it letting the now empty mug down with a solid thud and burp

Greetings RPG'ers. Just stopped in for a how do and a hello. Been playing Alfa for a few years now and a long time DnD player. Knowing Shady, this ought to be a good time. So I look forward to your posts. See you IC.

mshady
2008-03-30, 03:58 AM
As Tolrin finishes with the equipment, he stands up and stretches. He reaches into his bandolier and produces a small, stubby wand. He excuses himself from the group.

Tolrin takes the small white wand and aims it in the air directly over his head and a spell arcs high up into the air and explodes with a blue and white light that illuminates the area for several seconds. Saying nothing else, he sits back down. The Forgemark, seeing the flare and having no idea as to why, look around their perimeter suddenly, unsure of what is going on. When Tolrin sits back down, they go back to their work but glance at their perimeter.

"So... where were we again?" he says. "I had to take care of something."

loopy
2008-03-30, 07:32 AM
Johannes

"I think you were about to order everyone to get some rest. No use trudging about in the dark, after all."

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-30, 02:21 PM
Kelith

Kelith will set up his sleeping area near the camp fire and huddle on in for the night. "Sounds like a sound idea there Johannes, I'll see all of you in the morning.

bchilders
2008-03-30, 02:26 PM
Magnum

With his blood pumping after all the talk of battle, Magnum is not quite ready for sleep yet. He spends an some time talking to some of the newcomers, swapping stories of blood and battle. He makes his way over to the large scarred minotaur figuring he has quite the stories to tell.

After all of the talking is done Magnum will spend an hour in meditation, praying to Clangeddin for his guidance and strength for the coming ordeals before heading to bed.

mshady
2008-03-30, 02:46 PM
Tolrin sees that people are getting ready to wander off or get some rest and politely interjects.

"Ummm, lads? Lasses? The Forgemark that just arrived are bedding down here fer the night so they get noticed and draw some attention. Yer going to be heading out right now, as they're your cover. You'll be able to rest at the ruins yer heading to when ye meet the duergar. Oh and no, these wouldn't be the duergar ye Barakbar folks just met. These be allies, followers o'Moradin, actually. So get yer booted and suited, time for ye to go. With the exception o'Arum, ye needn't bother with yer mounts. We'll be using them to get back." Tolrin says.

Glorian snickers.

"Now that's discipline, wandering off without being dismissed. As commanding a presence as ever, Tolrin" she says. Tolrin glares at her for a moment and wears a sour look on his face, a bit embarrassed.

thorgrim29
2008-03-30, 10:58 PM
Admiring his new axe, and trying to get a feel for it Thordrek barely takes notice as the other drift away. When the orders come he gathers his things and waits for the rest.

I've had a rough day too, but I reckon we can push forward for a few hours before setting camp. We can get to know eachother on the way. Just one thing.... how do we carry the stoneburner?

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-03-31, 12:26 AM
Kelith

Hearing Tolrin's wake up call, Kelith mutters under his breath and packs up his things again and checks his equipment again.

"Well, if there shalt be rest then lets get this on with. Better use the cover of night best we can."

Yuki Akuma
2008-03-31, 05:46 AM
Raltise just smirked with mild amusement as everyone else seemed to just wander off. Looking up at the sky for a moment, he sighs, before clambering to his feet, stretching a bit. "We're off, then? Good. My legs were starting to cramp."

bchilders
2008-03-31, 07:10 AM
Magnum

Magnum feels slightly ashamed at making Tolrin look bad but he quickly forgets about that as he readies for some excitement.

chiefwaha
2008-03-31, 07:29 AM
Carmard hefts the hammer experimentally. Should be useful if I run out of runes. He quietly prepares to leave.

mshady
2008-04-01, 02:04 AM
Glorian snickers at the question about carrying the Stoneburner.

"Ye don't think we bring the bulls around just to be intimidating, do ye?" she says and glances back at the now armored minotaurs, who are practicing with their new weapon against each other.

They exhibited surprising discipline and skill to those who new to Patriarchate service. To the rest, they would know these powerful shock troops were fierce and given the harshest, most effective training the dwarves could offer.

"They'll be guarding the bomb. From everyone. Until its time to set the bomb. Something like this, tis the only way. They'll have no allies with you taking it and you'll have no ally with them if ye do. Tis my idea o'a perfect relationship" Glorian smiles.

"That sounds suspiciously like yer view on yer own marriage..." Tolrin grumbles. Glorian turns on, her explosive temper bubbling but she suppresses it and is content with a sneer.

"Yes well... they can also carry it easily between each other and trained fer handling it with what passes for care. Now.. last thing about this Stoneburner and how its armed. Carmard's been trained on it but in case he dies, I figured I should pass it on the very basics. The long and short o'it is ye need to insert a rod into it." she says.

Glorian reaches down and produces a long, thin key and inserts it into the lock on the chest. She doesn't actually turn it, but you can hear tumblers tumbling and latches unlatching and the chest opens after a few moment. With both arms, she pulls open the trunk to reveal the Stoneburner.

Inside the trunk is a large black sphere with an almost glass smooth polish to it. You can make out the faintest of lines of the runes and grooves they will rotate within. There is a slot at the top of the sphere. Glorian takes out a rod and stands poised over it.

"So, ye take the rod just like so and ye carefully insert the crytal rod no more than half way. That'll start the glow stones and the runes spinning. If ye go more than half way and just jam it all the way down, the whole thing'll just explode. It won't do a fraction o'what it could do otherwise, but'll be the largest explosion ye ever seen for a blink o'yer eye before yer dust. Reason it's like this is that, if its going to be captured, ye have to blow it. Tis be a bad thing to end up in the wrong hands, I reckon" Glorian smirks.

Apparently that passes for humor with her.

"One other thing...." she removes her gauntlet and places her hand on the sphere, which stands at half her height. The sphere glows with a soft incadencent hue for the longest moment.

"Yesssss Glory? I feel your presence. Has my timeeee come?" a soft, hollow voice says.

"Aye Barauk, tis almost time for ye to end. Ye shall not serve amongst the False or join the Wall of the Faithless, I promise ye that." Glorian says, almost a bit sad.

"Oh... what can this ooolddd soul do for ye? I... sense the burning, like looking into a dozen suns, my hands in a hundred fires. At first it burned and now I've become the burning. The fire, your fire, tis my blood now. It moves through me like a river that is always moving. Yet I am still. I do not move yet I control the river now. I felt the crystal near me, may I start the burning?"

"Not yet Barauk... I needed to show you to your bearers, so they'd know of you and your sacrifice" she says, stroking the glassy metallic surface.

"My sacrifice? I was a heretic, a traitor for your sister. Have you brought me home to the Halls? You have shown me the path of redemption. I want to burn the Halls. I am the Purifier. I want them all to burn and run and scream as I burn them. I am the Heretic's Bane. The never ending fire. Let me burn with them! Burn them! BURN WITH THEM!!" the sphere says, its voice become frantic and the whole assembly glowing a fierce blow and quivering.

Tolrin takes a step back, his face white and his hands shaking.

"What in the Hells did you do, Glory?! What did ye do to him?! He was a prisoner!!!!" he screams at her.

Glorian stands, unphased by Tolrin's protests. Her eyes blaze intensely but her face is calm.

"What did I do with him? He was a spy. An assassin. He tried to kill me. I was a High Priestess of Beronnar of the Silver Rune back home. He hated me but worshipped me. So he sought to kill me. To save me from my own heresy. I offered to spare his immortal soul by destroying his immortal soul. Had I killed him, he would have been rejected by the Moradinsamman, judged in the City of the Dead and tormented for millenia on the Wall. He was quite willing, in the end...."

"You could have saved him! The Patriarch could have! He was the only one in YEARS who came up! You should have TRIED!!" Tolrin shreiks at her.

"Could I? Could I really?" she says. "I offered. He said no. He swore an oath to the Unalloyed Church and would not break it, even though I showed them it was wrong. He only had his honor left. The only way to remove that stain was to remove them and on the off chance his soul did survive, well... maybe it'd be looked upon more kindly. In the end, we had similar goals. He volunteered. I trained him for months before I bound him to it. He screamed for days. Weeks even. I was with him the whole time like a good mother. It was the only way to make the Stoneburner do all it must was for an intelligence inside it. The magic must be manipulated directly." Glorian says, her voice calm and uneeringly flat.

"You never told us this, Glory. We never... You never told us...." Tolrin rasps, seething with anger, his face red and a thick vein on his forehead bulging.

"No? Well, I don't tell you many things my Prince. And since when did you start asking? I'm the Demon and you're the Celestial, fiddling from high atop Mt. Celestia while my eye is on winning. It's my only focus. Holy Wars may be done in Moradin's name, but they've always been done by the rough, the ruthless, the bloody minded and above all, the merciless. During the Beldarak Inquisitions in Shanatar, we took thousands o'followers of Diirinkan, Dinkarazan and Ladugeur, what did we do? We took every one of them and dropped them, slowly, into vats of molten metal. Then we made weapons from them. The Heretic's Bane weapons we still carry above and below or long lost." Glorian says. "I rather thought naming the Stoneburner's that was rather apt, considering Clan history."

Tolrin seethes and paces, looking at the sphere. The blue light almost seems to follow him as he circles it.

"I want an end. An utter end. Nothing. Mo more. Never. Forever. Blessed Matriarch Glorian of the Rune gives this to me. Thank her! Thank her! Bless her!" the voice inside the sphere says, it's voice shrill, pathetic.

Tolrin turns away from her, shoulders slumped and walks over to a tree. He sits down. He just stares at his own feet, muttering to himself.

Glorian watches him for a long moment, one hand on her hip, the other on her magnificent stave and turns back to the group.

"Understand it or don't. It's too late for Barauk. He chose to be a martyr when he tried to kill me and now he's a proper martyr. Yes. I am ruthless. I am beyond ruthless at this point. A ruthless person must at least have sense of mercy is to deny it so utterly. I've already sacrificed everything for this cause. You may not like me. I don't like me. But after all this moaning about the plan and pontifications about it, ye know its the only way. Tolrin has.... grand and clever plans but has difficulty with the price at times" she looks back at him for a moment and frowns slightly. "I understand it. Maybe he'll tell you why, but its a fault of his. Don't develop the same one. You need to be hard for what is to come." Glorian says.

Glorian turns to the minotaurs and snaps her fingers and points towards the casing. The stop their practice immediately, sheathe their weapons and head over to the chest. Glorian closes and locks it and takes the rod and key. She wraps it them in an oil cloth and tosses them in Carmard's direction. The two minotaurs heft the trunk easily between them and stand to wait.

thorgrim29
2008-04-02, 09:39 AM
Crazy..... she's crazy, raving mad. And that poor soul.... he thinks he's going to sacrifice himself to end it all, but his soul will be destroyed for a.... a border dispute..... Damn it all to hell, after this mission, I'm having a long talk with this Tolrin, he seems decent enough....

The turmoil of his thoughts starting to show on his face, Thordrek turns away and starts to walk towards his goal. He knows he wont be able to contain his emotions much longer.

Well then, you heard the commanders, lets go. Farewell.

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-02, 04:20 PM
Raltise is currently having trouble keeping his emotions in check. His eyes burn black, almost seeming to exude darkness. He closes his eyes tightly, brow creasing as he concentrates. His teeth grit, and he gives a grunt of exertion... but then he opens his eyes again, face sudden a picture of serenity. He does not need all those pesky emotions getting in the way right now.

I'm just gonna take a 20 on the Concentration check. We have time. Gaining Psionic Focus...

Melody
2008-04-04, 05:07 PM
[ooc: Hi all, my name is Melody and I'm looking forward to meeting you all IC.]

Sable stands in the shadows long after the flare dies into darkness. She watches as the items are distributed and runs her fingers over the paper in her hands. To join or not to join? Nobody said anything about a dragon when they told her to meet up with this group. Certainly nobody said anything about a bomb. She watches as the bomb is opened and her eyes grow wide as she understands the fullness of what is planned. She figures on her chances of getting away from Buelyir without joining and knowing what knows. With a quiet sigh not even heard above the breath of wind through a nearby bush she steps quietly out into the firelight.

bchilders
2008-04-04, 10:03 PM
Magnum

Magnum watches the practiced movements of the minotaurs as he waits for the instructions to leave. His focus makes him oblivious to the newcomer arriving from the darkness.

ArmanMadero
2008-04-04, 11:52 PM
Arman stared in a fascinated horror at the unveiled bomb. It was a thing of destruction, and yet the glass that enclosed it was flawless, making it look harmless.

Until the voice.

A soul. A soul resided in the sphere and thought itself a martyr for the cause. Arman closed his eyes and shook his head a little. How much horrible would this get? Arman opened his eyes and stared thoughtfully at the sphere that Glorian seemed to be stroking with almost tenderness, her face seeming to hold that same expression.

Tolrin looked horrified.

Arman looked to him and raised an eyebrow. "I admit that I am a bit fearful of this. You have said that he was the only one in years. What was he? Who was he?"

And did I hear you right in saying that we will not be taking our mounts? Or are we?

mshady
2008-04-05, 12:56 AM
Glorian looks at Arman. Her free hand rests on the trunk now as the minotaurs stand by it while her other hand grips her staff. The magical aura from it assaults Arman’s keen sense; its presence is even slightly euphoric to him. When the Voice inside the bomb spoke and manifested itself as a light, the air had an almost electric feel to it. Neither feeling was like anything he had quite experienced before. Was it merely the result of being in presence of such an awesome amount of magic?

If Tolrin hears Arman, he does not respond. He sits muttering by the nearby tree with his back to the wood line. He seems to be reciting a prayer, his head moving in rhythm as he speaks and he clasps his holy symbol tightly, his knuckles white. Following Arman’s gaze towards Tolrin, she sighs a condescending sigh.

Just as she turns back to face Arman, her sharp eyes catch something just beyond Tolrin. She turns her head to face him, but shifts her posture and her eyes keep looking out into the darkness. She suddenly has the presence of a coiled, dangerous, being but Arman or anyone else who notices is not sure why. Yet she addresses Arman anyways, in a calm, measured, chilly tone.

“Fearful? Of what, fair lad? What I have wrought and brought here? Ye can only deter a powerful enemy with power as terrible as they are. Aye in that sense, are we any different? In that sense, is anyone different? Harpers and Zhentarim, Drow or Elf, Shade or Silverymoon? The difference is who they be and what they do with it. This is.... balance.

So… you must be fearful of me. Of us. You would understand it if you understood us and understanding us involves a great deal of nay just dwarf business but Clan business I leave to the Patriarch to share.

But I’ll say this. Barauk was the first one in years; from the Underdark though. We fled there when we learned the truth. That we had become a cult, so dogmatic, so paranoid, so bloody minded, so twisted our own Gods deserted us and we thought we weren’t faithful enough. Reasonable when ye were once the Chosen Clan of yer people’s Gods and they desert you, eh? Barauk came, we “saved” him when he was found by the duergar that Tolrin knew.” Glorian says.

Her teeth now grate as she speaks.

“We accepted him. He swore oaths in blood. He forged bonds. He learned from us. He became one of us few who had returned. Family” she says.

“He was Beldarak. He betrayed us for a year to our old home. He stole the secrets of the very Stoneburners ye are about to bear. And instead of skulking back to that den of heresy that spawned us all, he tried to kill me and set one of these off. I don’t accept… betrayal… well” Glorian concludes, her voice as sharp as any axe with her last words.

“Yet he was still one of us. So I offered him purgatory. To cleanse his very soul of all he did in fire. He wants to share that fire now. To just kill him would have been cruel. I showed him what truly happens to our souls and offered him a kinder fate. Oh it’s a terrible one to conceive for you yet, isn’t it? No pretty Arvandor for ye? Horrifying. The very soul of someone, bound to such a thing and destined for destruction? Who would do that? Why? Me. Because I had to and I could. Morality isn't such a neat and tidy thing, especially in service of a higher cause. And that’s ALL the justification you get out of me, a rare thing I assure ye. Especially to an Elf.” Glorian concludes.

“As for yer mounts, they’re coming back with us. I’m rather fond of yer horse, actually. It should serve me well on the ride back, I think” Glorian says, smiling. Her teeth glisten white.

It’s a lot like looking into a wolf’s maw.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-05, 01:24 AM
Kelith

"Not to waste much of the little time we have, or start a debate; I would like to mention while flames and fire are indeed soul cleansing, it only does its work if the one being cleansed is truly faithful and believes. Fake or feared conversions are nothing more than a grand mockery of which deserves a much different fire... enough though, if you survive the trials to come we may have more time to discuss such things; for I don't plan on leaving this world just yet, there is much to be done."

Kelith is too occupied with replying to the dwarf and keeping on eye on that energy ball to put much attention on the newcomer. Instead he continues to stare at the device and the holder while keeping the corner of his eye on the newcomers actions.

mshady
2008-04-05, 01:35 AM
"Well at least the fire worshipper understands the theology. Ye and followers o'Moradin would see eye to eye on quite a bit, I suspect. Sticking hands in fires as a test o'faith and all..." Glorian says sarcastically, but trails off, a bit distracted.

"I'm sure I'll no doubt be besieged by fire priests in the coming weeks and years..."

Melody
2008-04-05, 12:16 PM
Sable steps through the shadows thrown by the fire and walks quietly from behind Tolrin to his side. She touches him lightly as he finishes his mumbled prayers and hands the paper to him without a word. Her hair dark in the shadows find fire in the firelight deep brown with glints of a deeper red. Her gear is chain and leather, rapier and bow all well cared for and much used. Her eyes move over everyone in turn before settling on Tolrin's face.

[ooc: Human female 5'5' brown hair hazel eyes trimly built with the above visible equipment plus a belt with many pouches and pockets built into it. Much like a spellcasters belt, though that may just be convenience. She moves with grace making no sound crossing ground covered with the shed leaves of the trees behind her.]

Paper_Bard
2008-04-05, 04:17 PM
OOC: Hey guys! I'm back. The DM invited me back in, just spent the last three hours or so getting caught up to date. I thank mshady for keeping my character, and while I haven't received some things from him, I feel i must post an RP event lest the opportunity leave me.


IC:

A malevolent chuckle issues from Deurvar. Quiet at first, barely discernable, Duervar's laughter begins to rise, louder and louder. His shoulders begin to shake, up and down, until he throws back his head and his chuckle shifts to outright laughter. Not the laughter of mirth, but laughter with a twinge of madness. His hood falls back, and his glowing blue eyes pierce into Glorian.

"So... the bitch finally shows her true colours." He takes a menacing step forward, drawing his weapon, which he holds tightly gripped in his right hand whilst his left hand waves around almost nonchalantly. "You know what pisses me off the most about you priest types? You are the single most selfish brand of creature on this planet. You pronounce judgment upon people, calling them heretics, and offering them up 'forgiveness' and 'blessings' to save them from the hell that you've convinced them exists when they die. But you know what's funnny? You priests serve one God, and one only: yourself. You've made yourselves Gods to the people. You demand respect, and fealty to those who serve you... and to those who don't. You manipulate people into taking a cure for a disease you yourself made. If the Gods really do exist, and after what I've been seeing, I'm willing to concede that they just might, imagine how pathetic and revolting you must seem to their eyes? Killing thousands just because they don't beleive the same thing you do. Even killing followers of your own deluded faith simply because they decide to pray at a different time than you, or decide to wear different priestly vestments. It's sad and pathetic! You priests put yourselves almost to the point of divinity, acting like you're better than everyone else just because you've got the ear of some big figure in the sky! You talk of killing innnocents like its some virtuous crusade!"

He looks back at Tolrin, and sighs. "I'm sorry to put you in the same group as this CREATURE... but if you are indeed working with her, I have to speak my mind. You know my feelings on this and I am NOT going to sacrifice my life for someone I am really beginning to doubt..."

Melody
2008-04-05, 09:13 PM
Sable watches as Duervar laughs doing nothing until he raises his pickaxe as if to strike. Her first movement is towards the unstrung bow on her back, and then moves to the rapier at her hip. She draws the weapon and moves her center of balance forward onto the balls of her feet with her stance wide and knees slightly bent. She moves only slightly but the impression is that of someone about to leap. Yet she stays still, waiting to see how things will play out.

mshady
2008-04-05, 10:05 PM
Glorian shifts her attention from Arman and the new comer fully to Duervar, quiet Duervar who had said nothing. Her reaction at first was one of annoyance, at being interrupted. When she realized who was speaking, her eyes narrowed and now she was irritated. Then what Duervar was actually saying and the fact he brandished his overlarge mining pick fully caught her attention.

Glorian’s face now became a complete, expressionless mask. Blue eyes that once blazed with anger become dead, passionless orbs and her stance becomes relaxed as Duervar’s anger flows over her.

“Are ye done, Duervar?” she asks. It may as well as well have been a rhetorical question.

In one sweeping motion, her left hand lifts her axe from her belt with a quick snap and the axe leaps into the air from her belt. Her hand glides along the weapon’s hilt until she catches its grip and the terrible axe is now held high in the air, a demonstration of frankly astonishing agility for a dwarf. She kicks her stave backward and its glowing tip, covered in fetishes and runes, is leveled at Duervar’s chest. Glorian thrusts it towards her kinsmen.

The staff pulses and flares with a blazing light. The air distorts around it. A terrible sound, like both a scream and metal tearing can be heard as a lance of blue light leaps towards Duervar. It strikes him squarely in the chest and his body feels numb as he is driven backwards , into a tree and pinned helplessly to the ground.

Duervar is on the ground and helpless now. Two of the minotaurs quickly unlimber their weapons, one a vicious looking great axe and another an all too familiar greatsword and immediately move to protect Glorian. The two others fell back with the Stoneburner, axes suddenly appearing in their free hand.

Unable to escape the grapple and held by this tremendous force, Glorian looks at him for a moment and smirks. Glorian walks over to Duervar, holding her stave level with his body. A boot on his throat, she leans and looks at the helpless dwarf.

“Never. Ever. Draw a weapon on me” she says. “That was yer only warning.”

Removing his boot from his throat, but keeping him pinned to the ground with her spell, she speaks now. The edge of anger is now back in her voice.

“Now you show your true colors, ye faithless heathen. Answer me this now. What is a faithless, God hating, clergy hating lad like ye doing with a Crusade? Or are ye a betrayer too. ”

Tolrin looks up and has just accepted the paper from his visitor, too surprised already by her sudden appearance to react with more than slack jawed astonishment at what was going on.

Glorian's eye catches the rapier being drawn by the newcomer and drives her foot into Duervar's chest, knocking the wind from him. The terrible staff pulses one more time and the woman is driven into the ground, crumbling in on herself and tumbling to the ground.

"Ambush! Ambush! Forgemark to me!" Glorian cries.

This meeting was not ending well.

Feel free to roll initiative if you’d like to get involved.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-05, 11:58 PM
Kelith

Init:[roll0]

Kelith will back himself away from the group just such that he can cast silence in between the feuding members w/o it's range reaching him.

"BY THE 9 HELLS WILL YOU PEOPLE BE SILENT AND QUIT BICKERING AMONGST YOURSELVES! It's bad enough we have a near impossible mission on our hands, but then we have to compound that with two hard-headed asses?! If you can't put aside your differences and work in a group you are risking all our lives, either compromise or leave! It's time for our group to move out. NOW."

With that Kelith will move away from the large group of people in the direction we are to be headed out waiting for the rest of the group to gather up.

{{OOC: Would also like to make a diplomacy to get them to stop fighting long enough for us to leave. [roll1]

Hmm. with my init being that low maybe this action could go in between/right after Glorian's two staff strikes? Certainly she can't be using quickend with that thing so she gets two casts in 1 round? ;)}}

thorgrim29
2008-04-06, 01:10 AM
Ah bloddy hell! As Duervar started to speak, well, shout and menace realy, Thordrek, who had hoped to go now and talk it over with the group, turned back towards them. When Glorian flipped out, he held his peace, but when she called the guards and harmed the human lass, he felt he had to act.

For shame, what are we, orcs? I dont like this godsdamned mission anymore then you, but hell, I swore I'd do it and I will, and I still would, if only to ensure that at least the bomb wont explode in an unsuspecting city. And please, Arcanii Glorian, let the lass go, she was about to protect ye, not bring you harm.

By now he was shouting, as he came to stand near the human girl. Seing there was no permanent damage, he turned to the group. Calming himself.

In case you fools hadn't noticed, this is war, not a godsdamned faerytale. In war, difficult choices are made, and bloody orders are obeyed. What happens now is anyone with the stomach to do this follows me, Kelith and the minotaurs, the others go hang themselves or whatever, see if I care. Then we complete the mission. And be advised, from this point on deserters will be end up with a fiery hole through the head or an axe through the spine, curtesy of me. LETS GO!

He starts again on the path, standing near Kelith.

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-06, 04:45 AM
Raltise taps Lythe gently on the top of her head. "Come on." And he begins following, with that completely neutral expression of his, ignoring the 'battle' completely.

Melody
2008-04-06, 08:51 AM
Sable drops the tip of the rapier into her scabbard and turns the motion into an akward bow from the ground with a rueful smile to Glorian. Her voice is low and smooth and her hands are empty as she speaks, "No ambush lady. Only guarding my employer." With a wince Sable draws herself to her feet with the aid of Tolrin and the tree. "I trust my papers are in order?"

[ooc: changed post to reflect my position on my arse didn't realize she had the extra action.]

loopy
2008-04-06, 09:03 AM
Johannes

Johannes sighs behind his book.

"Soldiers..." He mumbles as he stands up and dusts himself off.

"Don't mean to interrupt, stalwart companions..." He says in the general direction of the fracas, his voice clearly showing an attitude of disdain. "But if you could please tell me which way we are headed, so I can get going. I'd hate to waste a nights travel because of your... bickering."

Diplomacy: [roll0]

bchilders
2008-04-06, 12:15 PM
Magnum

Magnum slowly walks over to stand by Duergar, "I don't know how many times I've told ye that yer mouth was going to kill ye one day. Yer not sacrificing your life for anything....we're walking in there, delivering a package and walking out. And killing everything that get's in our way, and I know ye have no problem with that."

Magnum then looks over to Glorian, "My friend here is a little quick with his tongue, and headstrong at times, but theres no reason to start a fight over it. Ye proved your point, he knows how tough ye are. So let's get back to the job at hand." With that he moves to help Duervar up and get back to the rest of the group.

mshady
2008-04-07, 01:38 AM
Tolrin springs to his feet just as Sable is struck to the ground by Glorian’s stave and watches the scene unfold in horror.

Forgemark are throwing down their work tools and pounding ground towards the position with weapons drawn. Minotaurs are right behind them while the mages start to urge their golems onward.

“Everyone! Just, just bloody stop!” Tolrin yells as he concentrates on the unfolding scene. He stands poised to stop any more spells, or try to at any rate. Glorian hesitates for a moment and looks at him, just as Kelith begins casting his own spell.
With a fluid hand movement and gesture in Kelith’s direction, a sizzling orb of white energy appears his fingers for the briefest of moments and streaks through the air as Kelith is forming his own spell. The two energies interact and light bends for a moment, darkening the area before a brilliant flash of light explodes around the camp fire.

Kelith’s magic has been counter spelled, the spell lost and any night vision he had momentarily lost.

“Are ye daft!” Tolrin screams. “She attacks Duervar and whomever the hell this lass is for drawing steel, so ye try to throw a SPELL at her from behind?! You want her to kill you??”

Glorian is tense and poised as she watches, stave leveled at Tolrin. She hears his words and the rest of the party, but no one else makes a threatening move.

As the Forgemark soldiers arrive and surround the entire group, Glorian watches. With no other threatening actions or words, at least directed towards her, she slowly raises her stave but has a wary look on her face still. With an exaggerated, disdainful snort, she raises her staff and plants it into the ground.
Glorian turns to Kelith and gives his an intense glare and a sardonic half smile. Then she waggles her finger at him.

“Not smart. Cute though. Don’t get too cute, Red” she says. And then she winks at him.

Glorian nods to Thordek and takes her foot off of Duervar and steps away, giving him some space. She falls back to the minotaurs, who look around the camp fire with their big brown eyes and great weapons in hand. They appear confused by the situation.

“Ye should listen to Thordek, mutt. This is a war. Follow yer damned orders. It’s hard enough giving difficult orders without having to deal with… whatever the hell point ye were trying to make. The only difference between sacrificing someone and ordering them to do something very dangerous are the lies ye tell yourself about their chances” Glorian says. She gives Duervar a withering look.

“Sad to see two humans more disciplined than a dwarf and one doesn’t even know she’s here. Try to be like that woman over there, eh? Yer problem is ye just can’t accept anyone over ye, be it a commander, me, the Gods, anyone tellin’ ye what to do. Ye would think a couple decades in the slave mines would’ve beat that out of you. Wouldn’t join the Forgemark and Tolrin’s hanger-on. Yer pathetic. Get up and fall in or Thordek’ll sort you out. We’re done.”

The Forgemark surrounding the group watch wordlessly. No doubt they are confused by what’s going but they wait for her to speak. They don’t even look in Tolrin’s direction for orders, making their loyalty quite clear.

“Get back to work. Three people did something stupid and got put on their arse, put in their place or both fer it. Lack of bloody discipline…” she says. “They’ll be moving out right now.”

As the dwarves look between each other and return to their work, Glorian stands and rests on her powerful stave watching the party presumably assemble and her own soldiers return to their tasks.

“Tolrin, I hope yer… entourage has more wisdom, common sense and discipline than they just showed here, considering the tasks. This be exactly why I wanted Forgemark with dem” she says.

Tolrin’s face flushes red at that.

“Ye don’t expect them to wonder what in the Hells we are, why we have a Stoneburner or why you flaunt binding someone’s soul to it, ask’em to carry it and say ‘yessir, yessir right away’ to it?”

“No. Which be why Clan business needs to stay that way. What must be done be a little hard to understand without the Why, ye know that as well as I. This all be exactly why we don’t explain things either” Glorian says, a deep frown on her face.

Sighing, Tolrin nods his head.

“Maybe. But we can’t ask such things and keep them in the dark. Not that this is the time” Tolrin says. He looks at Duervar for a moment.

“No, it’s not. At all. It’s bad enough we have what, humans, a gnome and an elf bearing this things.”

“They’re good enough. Once we turn a mountain into a molten crater, ye think any o’that will matter? It shows some level o’openess we’ve long shunned. Diplomacy.” Tolrin says, nodding to himself.

“Such… fine notions ye have Tolrin. Fine, shiny notions. We’ll see how fine they are when Shades see this, Silvy and Waterdeep come screaming and our heretical cousins learn of this.”

“They may threaten and scream, but they won’t attack us. Especially Shade. You’ve tangled with them too often fer my tastes with yer incessant relic hunting, Glory.”

“Ah, so yer latest charge is I have fine tastes? So be it. I’m not a diplomat Tolrin. I’ve burned my own kin alive and blown them away. Longbeards and straplings, men, women, boys, monsters. I just don't care anymore. Yer art is talking. My art is death.” Glorian says, and shrugs. “Oh well. It’s what I do” she says. Glorian reaches for her canteen and takes a drink.

"Glorian... ye really are a crazy bitch."
"Thank you."

mshady
2008-04-07, 02:00 AM
Tolrin finally turns to Sable.

“So umm, who in the Hells are ye, anyways?” Tolrin says. Absentmindedly, he realizes he was given a sealed letter that was crumpled in his hands. Bits of wax drop to the ground and he smirks. “Ah”

Taking a small crystal from his bandolier, he holds it up and rubes a small rune on it and speaks a word in dwarven. It comes to light and illuminates the letter and he squints at it.

Muttering to himself, he retrieves monocle from a small leather pouch and puts it on. Squinting, he reads it once, twice and three times before speaking.

“Buelyir sends his regards and a scout fer us. Sable of the humans, outta Sundabar, by way o’Mirabar, by way o’the caravan heading our way as we bicker. No mention o'yer family line though, usually he researches that. Hard to track that down with ye lot, keeping living and dying so fast. No offense. Yer to be paid… my, that is a lot. Typical o’Buelyir, sending his regards and no gold to pay fer it” Tolrin says.

Turning, he looks over the woman, inspecting her and her equipment.

“Well, she looks the part. He says ye have Underdark experience, do ye? Hard ‘nough to find in a long leg with their head still on. I’m Tolrin and yes, yer my employer. Err, I’m yer employer, yes. Sorry ye were put on yer arse. Since ye apparently heard everything, no point in doing so again. He said ye were to stay hidden till I sent up that signal and you’d have a job. Hmm… oh, that’s a bit daft. Why would Buelyir tell ye to just watch a meeting? Suppose ye ran off? And what were we supposed to do with ye if we found ye?” Tolrin says, a bit miffed as he rereads the letter once again.

“I know what I would’ve done.” Glorian says, smiling. “Good job, lass.”
“Oh… umm. I would’ve stopped that, I’m sure.. in time.” Tolrin says, a bit sheepishly to her. He rubs his temples and sighs.

“Well… fall in. Everyone, this be yer new scout. Yes, we have a scout now. Wish ye were here a day or two ago.” Tolrin says.

“Now Tolrin, can we finally just leave?” Glorian says.

Tolrin nods.

“Aye. One last thing though. Xurshin. I used a spell to protect us here, but never say his name. He’s a Chosen of Auril and when ye say his name, he can hear what ye say afterwards fer a bit otherwise. Why we refer to the Patriarch as such and nay by name as such. Now, let’s leave. Glorian will lead us to the caves. We’ll need her stave to get in.”

mshady
2008-04-07, 02:11 AM
OOC: I am going to run the full Battle of the Northern Passage. I'll probably be using Warhammer rules for simplicities sake. This is the battle all those Forgemark are going out to fight.

If anyone is interested in playing on either side, let me know. It's going to more or less be IC, barring a rules issues or highly improbable result.

If anyone is interested but do not know the rule set, let me know.

MShady

Paper_Bard
2008-04-07, 10:29 AM
Duervar scowls up at the female dwarf. His blue eyes galre hatefully at her, a hate surpassing anything you've ever seen him show.

He gets up slowly, breathing heavily.

"Damn gakkin bitch!" He mutters quietly, but not too quiet.

He takes a look at Tolrin, scowls. "You... me...talk...NOW!"

He motions for Tolrin to follow him away from the main group.

OOC: mshady, PM me and we can RP this out.

mshady
2008-04-07, 11:34 AM
Glorian returns Duervar's gaze, but says nothing more. Instead, her staff tips in his direction again and she smirks slightly.

Tolrin looks at him and sighs. Frowning, he speaks after a moment.

"Duervar, ye drew a weapon on Glorian. Ye frankly owe me a helluva lot more explanation for that then we owe ye at this point. No excuse for that. Make it quick, ye all need to leave. There's a task to do.. remember?"

Tolrin motions him over.

Paper Bard - PM me with whatever he wants to talk about

Melody
2008-04-07, 01:18 PM
Sable brushes a few clinging leaves from her bottom and turns her wry smile on Glorian. "Quite a greeting you have lady." Sable chuckles softly seeing the humor in the situation. "As to my Underdark experience, that was a job for Buelyir. Pardon for drawing the weapon earlier, wasn't sure where that fellow was going with that oversized mining pick. I'm packed and ready to go. Might as well pay me after, since I've no need for clanking where we're going."

chiefwaha
2008-04-08, 07:37 AM
Carmard sits quietly through the exchange, making a token effort when Glorian orders the forgemark forward, knowing she can surely handle herself against the rest. When things calm down again, he sits again, watching.

mshady
2008-04-09, 12:28 AM
Duervar and Tolrin step aside and have a short, heated and sharp discussion for a few minutes while the group continues to wait. Tolrin gives him a long speech a couple of times and Duervar seems to calm down, only to flare again once more. In the end, Duervar returns to the group to varying degrees of relief for all.

Glorian watches the exchange, her expression cool but her eyes are narrowed. She strikes no one as a forgiving sort. Having finally settled on a mood for the incident, she seems to have elected to be extremely annoyed about the whole thing. To her, Duervar was far below what merited real anger from her.

“Tolrin, ye best control yer lad there before some else has to. Fine credit to dwarven discipline, that one…” she sneers.

“I’ve talked to him, Glorian. Now leave this be. But when this is done, yer going before the Patriarch to answer for Barauk. He’d never condone what ye did. There has to be another way, or that’s it. No more.” Tolrin speaks through a clenched jaw and his soft features are now much harder, tenser.

“Ye sure, Tolrin? Ye really sure about that? No doubt the necessity of it all will sadden him greatly, at the least”, Glorian says. The edge of a taunt is in her voice. She sniffs and shrugs nonchalantly.

“I’m through with this. Ye might well be right in the end, but thank ye for making my point that letting ye rule Barakbar alone was a mistake. Ye lack for nothing else but a conscience” Tolrin says.

Glorian’s face twists with a smug look and she swaggers towards Tolrin. Side by side, it’s clear she stands tall over him. Tolrin looks up at her, arms crossed and defiant.

“Try, Tolrin. Just try. In the end, the Forgemark is me. My mind, my power. I built this all with my own bare, bloody, hands. From nothing as sure as anyone else… Yer… I’m not sure what you are for Tolrin. When the Crusade starts, who are you? Where are you? I know who and what I am.”
“Maybe I’m the conscience? Some things ye just don’t do, Glorian. Not even in the God’s name.”

Glorian shakes her head and chuckles.

“Ye might be right. But that’s what I’m for. What conscience does a weapon need? That’s left to the wielder. Now… I’m growing bored talking to you.”

Glorian snaps her fingers once, twice, thrice to get everyone’s attention and gestures down a barely discernable pathway.

“This moot is done. Follow me and… just don’t speak to me. Any of you. I’ll open the cave and get ye on yer way so I can get on my way.”

Before anyone else can protest, Glorian pushes past the group and strides down the steps towards a barely visible ridgeline. She doesn’t look back or even to see if anyone is following her. The minotaurs realize what is going on and quickly follow and the rest of the group as well.

Tolrin lingers a few moments while Buna and Valina sit and watch, having kept their silence during the argument. Tolrin looks into the dancing flames and squats down beside the campfire. He reaches his hand into the flame itself and holds it there for a time, watching his hand. He finally pulls it out and steam pours from his gauntlet. Pulling off the gauntlet, he looks at his hand over and over as the small pocks of blisters appear on his skin. Frowning, he stands and replaces the gauntlet with a grimace and heads down the trail with the rest of the group as he thinks about the results of his test of faith. Buna and Valina fall in silently next to him and place their arms around him. The three walk wordlessly.

mshady
2008-04-09, 12:58 AM
The group walks down the thin trail and everyone presumably keeps their distance from Glorian. The area is lightly wooded, with pine trees interspersed and covered with snow. Animal tracks cross the trail in places and three caribou stand on by a hill 200 yards to the south. Glorian stops and looks at the animals and looks at them hard. A large caribou, with its grey white fur and black nuzzle is lazily chewing on a low hanging pine bough. One of the fawns suckles from its mother after pushing its sibling away. The smaller of the two fawns walks back to another pine with its head hanging low and curls up to watch and wait its turn.

Glorian steps off the trail by a few feet and closes her eyes for a moment. The wind tussles her blue and red streaked hair and the snow blows lightly. Her eyes open and she looks hard at the three caribou. Slowly, she leans her staff against her shoulder and raises her hands. Her fingers flex and move, the faintest of glows forming around finger tips as they trace azure streaks. The familiar feeling of magical energy begins to permeate the air like an uncomfortable, static, energy. To those attuned to such auras, it has the feeling of something wild; something explosive.

Glorian appears to be thinking hard, fighting something. Her breath becomes ragged and faster; she appears almost gleeful. The three caribou all raise their heads too look at her, sensing a danger. Sensing a predator… The caribou do not move as Glorian takes another step in their direction. The minotaurs behind her stay in their position, but look away from what is about to come.

mshady
2008-04-09, 01:10 AM
Running as fast her short little legs will carry her, Lythe plows through the snow frantically towards the caribou. She makes her own noises, an unintelligible but loud, rocky, growl.

The caribou suddenly notice the movement and their heads look towards Lythe’s direction. The doe hesitates for a moment, unsure of exactly what Lythe is. Then they into the trees, dodging right and left as they run until they are over and past the hill.

Lythe turns to look back at the group and then right at Glorian. She growls in the dwarf’s direction and disappears into ground below, throwing up a spray of tundra and snow.

Glorian’s face is at first confused, than surprised and finally angry. Raging, explosive, frustrated, anger. Cursing, she snatches her staff off her shoulder and spins around, stomping back to the path.

“Yer elemental just cost us a fine dinner, Raltise. Ye know how hard it is to get fresh meat this time o’year? Frakking little rock runt, pebble shatting, tunnel breaking...” she says, her curses trailing off into the unintelligble. She kicks the snow bank and marchs forward once again.

Tolrin, Buna and Valina catch up with the rest of the group finally, catching the very end of whatever just happened.

“So…” Valina says, looking amongst the group as she brushes snow from her black locks of hair, “what was THAT all about?” Buna looks at the group, while Tolrin stands there, sullenly.

A familar head pops up from the middle of the trail and drags itself out of the dirt, shaking off the bits of tundra from its new armor. It looks around, tenative and unsure of what people will say. Leaping for Raltise, she latches on to his leg.

For Raltise:

Blue dwarf was going to kill the little woods cows! They not hurt anyone. Just munch and graze and live. Raltise, what wrong with her? She scares me! Tell her sorry, sorry, sorry! I had to.

Paper_Bard
2008-04-09, 07:16 AM
Duervar grins and lets out a great, dwarven bellow. Unlike his previous display, this laughter is obviously full of mirth, not malice.

"Looks like I'm not the only one to piss off 'her monstrous', harharhar! Oh... If I had known yer little elemental would be givin' me such mirth, I'd have fed her a hundred gems!"

He grins, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

Drawing his warpike, he starts to go through the motions of several strange maneuvers. You've never seen them before, but they look as if they could pack a punch.

OOC: Preparing Stone Bones, Stone Vise, and Mountain Hammer Manuevers.

thorgrim29
2008-04-09, 09:48 AM
A bit of fresh meat would have been nice.... but, I'm not sure what you were doing, but seems to me it'd have been charred meat more then fresh meat. If you see some more, just ask me, I'll bring it down, and there will be some left to eat after.

All seems well, Glorian is hopefully about to get what's coming to her, and they are finally moving, so Thordrek feels happy and helpfull. Even then, that aborted spell scared him.

spellcraft to identify the spell[roll0]

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-09, 10:01 AM
Kelith

Content that the group is now heading towards their goal and there is a somewhat peace lingering in the air, Kelith walks along at the head of the group keeping an eye on Glorian and Duervar.

Spells Cast
2nd-1

Melody
2008-04-09, 10:35 AM
Sable reaches back over her shoulder as she walks, her hand reaching into the pack behind her and drawing out a smallish package of dried meat wrapped in paper. She removes a piece and offers it to Thordrek with a smile.

"Might not be fresh, but it will last you a long while and keep you from being hungry. Besides, no doubt lady Glorian is a fine," Sable pauses trying to think of an adequate word for Glorian and can't seem to find one. She shrugs instead and continues, "but cooking with spells seems a mite difficult." She nods agreement to Thordrek's words.

The meat is dried, seasoned, and tough. Sable takes a piece for herself and pops it into her mouth taking a long drink from her waterskin. She lifts the wrapped meat and offers it around to the rest of the party.

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-09, 07:03 PM
Raltise sighs a little bit, watching Lythe's antics. He then watches Glorian's tantrum impassively. "No. You weren't going to kill them for food. You were going to kill them for the sake of killing them." He shrugs. "Lythe has been hanging around me for too long. She's picked up on this thing some humanoids have called 'respect for life'. You have enough food, you don't need to go around killing things." He glances towards Tolrin. "Especially as you're currently in the company of a man who can create food from nothing through sheer force of his faith."

Paper_Bard
2008-04-09, 07:17 PM
Duervar looks back at Tolrin, a puzzled look on his face. "You've been making me eat trail rations all this time, and you could have magicked a gakkin' steak for me? You bastard!"

He grins even wider, and laughs.

You're actually sruprised to see him this happy, especially after what just transpired with Glorian.

thorgrim29
2008-04-09, 07:37 PM
Thanks lass, I'm Thordrek o' clan Torrun by the way, at yer service. Now, if we could just have good beer.... Hey Tolrin, got any holy beer in that backpack for the valliant warriors about to risk life and limb for the Gods?

Calls Thordrek good naturally.
The duskblade (well, Forgemark levtolkuld....) eats the strip of dried meat with relish.

Might not be fresh, but it beats the hell out of trail rations and what passes for food in the underdark. Make no mistake, I love the caverns and passages and the endless hidden secrets, not to mention the facinating ruins near Barakbar, but there's just something about walking in the sun, outside, in the North, without having to worry about more then orcs or the occasionnal giant raid.

mshady
2008-04-09, 07:56 PM
Glorian stops, turns and looks at Raltise.

“Oh, yer in my head now, boy? I have boots older than ye, for Berronar’s sake.” Glorian says and snorts disdainfully. “I have a respect fer life. That ye can ask Duervar about it is proof.

But I also ‘ave a powerful need to eat! I’ve had my fill of conjured food over the better part o’three centuries, thank ye kindly. First a faithless traitor’s soul ‘m actually sparing a horrid fate and now a walking steak? What's next? And didn’t I tell all of ye NOT to talk to me unless spoken to? I'm only about to lead a large battle and bait a wyrm in the air and this is what I get from ye? Hmph! Hate me all ye want, but do it silently, eh?”

Glorian waves a dismissive hand in Raltise’s direction and continues her walk.

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-09, 08:05 PM
Raltise pauses for a second. "You did speak to me. You complained to me about how Lythe has scared away those animals you intended to burn to death. It only happened five minutes ago."

mshady
2008-04-09, 08:20 PM
Glorian turns back once again, stunned and beyond exasperation. She grips her staff and looks between Raltise and the terrified Lythe, then back up again after a moment.

"Yer right, I did" she seethes. "I told ye not to talk to me, ye aggravating boy. If I want to yell at ye and yer elemental fer ruining my dinner, I'll damn well do it. Don't push me..." she gestures at him with her finger, turns and walks away again.

Tolrin puts a hand on Raltise shoulder and speaks quietly.

"Lad, don't provoke her more."

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-09, 08:28 PM
Raltise is lucky his self-discipline stops his face from betraying his emotions; he's finding this far too amusing for his own good. "If that's the way you see it, ma'am, I won't argue with you." He reaches down to put a comforting hand on the top of Lythe's head, as silent words are obviously shared between them. Yay psionics.

Don't worry Lythe. She's not going to hurt you. I don't think she's quite that petty."

Melody
2008-04-09, 08:37 PM
Sable finally finishes chewing her small piece of meat, washing it down with more water. She chuckles and looks at Thordrek.

"Nice to meet you Thordrek o' clan Torrun. My philosophy about arguing is that it's nothing that good jerky can't fix. Either your mouth is full, or your jaw is so darned tired from chewing the stuff you don't have the strength to argue."

She casts a glance over at Raltise.

"You certain you don't want some jerky?"

She smiles after a moment to share the joke with Raltise and rewraps the remaining jerky in its paper. Reaching back over her shoulder she drops it into her pack without looking. Then her voice takes on a more serious tone.

"So let's talk about ways to seal off entrances to our big cavern. I heard something about a wall of iron scroll. How many entrances are there, and how many different things to we have to block them? If we have a map, I'd like to take a look at it. Also, I assume they'll have a way to get warning out to the rest of the army when we show up? Any ideas on that or just catch as can?"

mshady
2008-04-09, 08:51 PM
Lythe looks up at Raltise and back at Glorian, who is walking away again. She stops grasping his leg and squats on the ground. The two look at each other as they continue whatever exchange goes on between the two of them.

But she kills for fun, yes? Because she can? Dwarf hate me now. Leave her alone or she'll hurt us. I want to get into the rock roads. Dwarf bomb less scary then the dwarf...

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-09, 08:59 PM
Raltise raises his hand at Sable's offer, shaking his head. "No, thank you. I'm not hungry." He does tend to snack on trail rations every now and then. He actually likes dried fruits and nuts, after all. Not a huge fan of jerky, though.

He sighs, looking down at Lythe, before stooping down and putting his hands on her shoulders. He looks directly into her eyes.

She will never hurt you, Lythe. Don't think for a moment that I'd ever let anything happen to you. This isn't our fight, it's theirs. We're just along for the ride, and it's not worth risking you over. Alright? Trust me, Lythe.

Paper_Bard
2008-04-09, 09:06 PM
Duervar moves over to the psion, and whispers into Raltise's ear.


"I guess our lady monstrous isn't so quick on the draw. Let's not provoke the beast into mawing us, but we can poke at it enough to really discomfort it... her. Make her life a living hell, but not enough for her to start hurting us, eh? Keep the bitch in check, you know what I mean?

thorgrim29
2008-04-09, 11:57 PM
Happy to have someone to brainstorm with, Thordrek animates, ponctuating his words with wide, sweeping gestures.

You see lass... what was your name again? Anyways.... The plan is to fight or sneak our way in, preferably eliminating the command echelons on the way. After we get to the hoard room, we need to fortify our position, an' hold for an hour untill the bomb is activated, then we open a portal and get the hell out of there before we're vaporised. O' course, if we can fill our pockets, backpack, and that bag of holding with gold and jewels.... lucky us. Most o' the garrison will be off, fighting Glorian, Tolrin and that army here, as will the resident dragon.

Now, what I tink is we should find a way to kill off the leaders, especially the clerics and mages ASAP. With these out of the way, the rabble wont be too keen on assaulting a fortified position held by a crack squad like ourselves. hum.... we should see if we can get about a dozen heavy crossbows and lots of ammo. They pack a punch, and if we have enough we can make quite a killing before it even comes to hand to hand. Ideally, we'll have several defensive lines too. If it turns out like I think, it'll be pretty heavy fighting, but we'll have a chance at least. We drilled that kind of defence in the Axe, and I,m sure our collegues have similar experience.

chiefwaha
2008-04-10, 07:19 AM
Carmard looks over, "Heavy crossbows are too slow. Go for light, almost as deadly but twice as fast."

Paper_Bard
2008-04-10, 08:32 AM
Duervar grins wickedly.

If only we had about ten Dwarven Defenders from Mithral Hall! Now THAT would be an unbreakable defensive line!"

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-10, 10:07 AM
Kelith

"While I agree with taking out the leaders, I'll pass on the crossbows; rather have a bow myself."

"Instead of 10 dwarven defenders I'd feel much safer if we could all work together as a team, although I am happy to see we all have atleast one common... cause."

Spells Cast
2nd- 1

Melody
2008-04-10, 10:15 AM
"Well, I heard tell we'd be in a great open room and I've no idea how many entrances we have into it. My idea is we block off what we can. If there are too many we'll be spread really thin guarding them. Those scrolls of cloudkill for example. If you set one off at the mouth of an entrance it will keep it clear for a good little while."

She grins showing white even teeth. "Had a mage friend do it once and then cast a plain Fog Cloud spell." Her grin turns into an amused laugh. "Even when it clears off nobody wants to go into the area. The other good thing about them is it will be moving away from us. You set it off in the big room.. well.. you gotta take your chances some mage doesn't try to blow it back in our faces. Wouldn't be as useful."

"Now clerics and wizards, it depends on how many there are. I might be able to catch one or two before they start casting, and then again it depends on how tough they are. I've got some ideas about it, but you guys would need to be a little way down the tunnel. If they hear us no doubt they'd cast straight off. I know I would at any rate."

Her face looses the grin and she really looks like she doesn't like what she's about to say next. "I think the best plan for that is for me to go a ways ahead into the room and silence them as quick as I can. With you guys running in as soon as you hear the commotion break out." Sable pauses waiting for other ideas.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-10, 11:53 AM
Kelith

"The best plan is never to separate especially not into groups of one, so I'd have to say we need to think up a different plan. For starters what spells do you have that can block those doors Arum, and whoever else can cast. I myself specialize in healing and buffing/offensive spells, so mine aren't of much use holding back an area. Although if it came to it I could hold a 15ft wide or smaller hall by myself for a length of time."

Turning back to Tolrin, "You wouldn't happen to have any ideas about the layout of this place would you?"

Spells Cast
2nd- 1

Melody
2008-04-10, 12:10 PM
"It's not what I really want to do, but if I was them I'd cast as soon as I heard us coming. To keep them from pulling in reinforcements we need to stop them from casting almost before we're there. Otherwise word is gonna get back to that dragon, and I'd like our chances even less if that happens."

She frowns, thinking. "I've got a hat of disguise that should let me get close enough to take out the guy they left in charge. The trick after that is causing enough havoc that they don't guess it was me that did it. I've got something that sends up a lot of smoke, figure I can slip away with that. Maybe duck into a tent or somewhat, pick up any papers I find for later, set some fires." She pauses and shakes her head, almost talking to herself. "No fires in the main cavern, take forever to get that bomb ready to go off and might end up smoking us out. Although.."

Sable looks up the trail at the bomb casing being carried by the minotaurs. "Figure that thing isn't gonna be bothered by fire. And if we set a good enough fire we can get out while it's burning since they won't be able to enter the cavern to stop it. It would give us a good while to get out of there before the thing blew and keep people from messing with it too."

bchilders
2008-04-10, 04:54 PM
Magnum

Magnum slides in with the rest of the group, always eager to talk about a fight. "I ken control some stone that might can 'elp block a few paths. And anyone who's worth their salt inna fight i ken imbue with size and strength to make the enemy tremble in their boots," Magnum says to let others know what he might can contribute.

Paper_Bard
2008-04-10, 05:43 PM
Duervar waves his ahnd dismissively, as if the planning were for not.

"Before we make any plans, we must realize something. Things can, and will, go wrong. No well-thought out plan ever survives the fires of battle. We need to make allowances for problems and setbacks, which is why I'm hesitant. This stoneburner is incredibly precise. Things need to go as planned, and they won't. I'm just saying that form experience."

mshady
2008-04-10, 05:59 PM
"No... we don't actually have a map yet. The ones you'll be meeting, they should have some kinda map. Accuracy?"

Tolrin shrugs.

"I would nay trust it fer more than generalities. Yer gonna have to scout it out some. No scrying though. It may well alert'em. Tis a great power if those yer watching cannae do anything about it. Nay the most reliable way to go unobserved. Why we didn't even try here."

Melody
2008-04-10, 06:15 PM
Sable turns and smiles at Duervar. "I realize that, but it's good to have an idea to go on before we get started. Usually I'm way out in front of the group and I'm not gonna be able to talk to you all once we get started. Also, I'm still waiting for someone to tell me that a fire is a bad idea."

mshady
2008-04-10, 06:19 PM
"Aye, Duervar. I think we all knew that, lad. Nay the first time in a scrap for anyone here, I reckon." Buna smirks and shakes her head.

Tolrin and Valina smile politely.

Paper_Bard
2008-04-10, 06:43 PM
Duervar scowls and makes a rude gesture.

"I get it, I get it... let the smart people talk... I'llb e over here preparing to kill things..."

mshady
2008-04-10, 06:59 PM
"Duervy, don't do that!" Valina says emphatically and places a hand on his shoulder. "We're just teasing you a bit because we could all use that a bit right now. Yer one of the smart kin here. Ye have more Underdark experience 'hen most anyone here, ye know mining, metals and ores. What could ye do to collapse an entrace into these crumbly old Halls?"

She smiles at him and musses his hair a bit before returning to Tolrin's side.

Melody
2008-04-10, 08:05 PM
"We're all preparing to kill things. I just need to know how everyone else does it. Myself, I'm gonna be way ahead after we head in, trying to keep things quiet. So, might as well give you some of the signals now."

Sable holds up her right hand palm flat, fingers splayed. "That's for stop, I've seen or heard something. I may need to go forward, but I'll want you to stay back until I give the sign for come forward it's clear." She brings the fingers together and makes a beconing gesture to show what she means.

She holds her hand up in a fist. "This is to get everyone's attention. I'll give further gestures from here like," she holds up four fingers and points left, "four off to the left." She makes the fist again and thrusts it forward suddenly. "That means all out charge, and move fast. Most of it is common sense, but even if I ask for a charge try to do it without yelling. The further we get in without causing an alarm the more likely we are to pull this off."

Paper_Bard
2008-04-10, 08:36 PM
Duervar blushes slightly as the female dwarf tousels his hair. He stutters for a moment, caught off guard.

"I... hey... you... uh... well...... um... if I can get my balance right, I've learned this technique where it won't matter what I'm chipping into, it's going to break away. I suppose if I had some alchemist's fire and about thirty kegs of beer, I could probably take the damn thing easily. I'm guessin' we don't have that... so... hm... now you should know that I only was a miner as a lad, so I don't know a whole lot... but... well... I would have to see the area in question. If we could get Gloria to whip us up some explosives, I could direct the placement..."]

He whipes his forhead, looking somewhat embarressed. "I appreciate the kind words miss, but I'm thinkin' that its not right for one of yer stature to be touchin a dirty head like yer servant Duervar's."

He shrugs. His lack of self esteem is obvious in his words.

thorgrim29
2008-04-10, 08:45 PM
Right.... good idea the signs, I know it does wonders fer the drows... And the point of the crossbows is that we shoot each one once, then drop it untill we have time to reload. There is something about what you say Sable... If we give em half a chance, they'll swarm us... unless they think we're a lot more then we are and their commanders are dead or captured. In that case, we should be mostly okay. However, that means risking you and any other capable of sneaking, not something I'm comfortable with, but it's yer choice in the end. And about fire.... I doubt ye could set one big enough to smoke us out, especially since the ceiling is supposed to be open, but if we're not timed carefully, the drake will see the smoke and come back before Glorian can kill him. Good idea about the cloudkill, for that manner.... something as simple as a few greace spells under it, maybe combine with fog, ye've got yerself a deathtrap, as long as the ennemy maegi are eliminated.

He chuckles.

Forget the defenders, set loose a dozen gutbusters in there, and we wont even have to fight!

Melody
2008-04-10, 09:06 PM
"Right then, no fire." She smiles. "Figured it wasn't a good idea for some reason or another, but never hurts to ask. If we do have some explosives Duervar might be the fellow to place them. Any tunnel we can collapse is one less to guard. Just remember we have to have one to escape through. And speaking of that, there's something that's been really bothering me."

Sable looks over at Thordrek with obvious worry. "How do we know when we should be running? Do we have to wait till it starts to work and the stone starts melting? How long will we have from then till it goes?"

mshady
2008-04-10, 09:37 PM
After a half hour of walking, the party approaches the foothills just before entering into the Spine of the World Mountains themselves. The locals called this area the Knees of the World, or just the Knees. Not overly far from the road, the immediate area was kept clear by mercenaries, outriders from a caravan or passing adventurers whose attention span ended when the rough country started.
Over the last few decades, many of the caves that led into the Underdark or at least somewhere unknown were sealed or collapsed. This was often a constant work in progress. Those same adventurers or explorers would often clear these collapses subsequently failed to return or if they did, reseal them. Quite a few from the Underdark did not take too kindly to having their access to the surface closed, especially considering the nearby lakes, readily available ice, food or pillage to be had. This all no doubt frustrated many a bear who had either left their cave for the day or perhaps hibernating. It was far from rumor that a few bears roamed the Underdark in this region, growing scared and enraged about matters.

To the dwarves of the Patriarchate, having inherited many of the old Battlehammer maps of the area which were themselves very old when they took over their nearly abandoned Halls, these maps showed many such places. Checking her map and regarding a compass, Glorian leads the party off the trail and away from the frozen lake they were approaching. Plowing through the snow, her pace is slowed somewhat. The ground becomes rougher and the area is interspersed with evergreens. A chill wind blows and there is little sign of animal life.

The Knees themselves are irregular rocky outcroppings capped in white. Boulders dot the area, as well as a small waterfall and yet more trees. Just behind a dip in the terrain, the party sees a small hill with an overhanging stone wall. It looks like the rest of the overhang was somehow sheared off and the rubble is piled just below it.

Stopping, Glorian turns to the group.

“You’ll be going in there” she says, gesturing at the collapsed entrance. “Duervar, finally a use for you. Get digging” Glorian says seriously. Then she laughs. Taking off a small satchel, she lofts it towards Carmard the Forgemark Arcanii.

“Some things for ye, as well as the detailed version fer starting the kettle boiling. Tis a long check list ye need to follow precisely. Can’t emphasize enough ye need to be careful with it and not let anyone attack it. May be made o’hard metal, but if the runes get damaged or the rollers damaged or insides knocked around… that could be… bad. If it gets damaged, I’ll be livid but bring it back. Should be a few scrolls in there as well, but nay open it till ye get to the ruins down this path.

As fer the new lasses question, actually a good one so I wanted to wait on ‘hat. The ways Barauk is supposed to work is to be armed and the glowstones start power’n the wards and the runes. When the runes start making turns at a rate o’ one per the time it takes ye to snap yer fingers normally, Barauk will suspend the Heretic’s Bane in the area. Should see an arcane energy shift around it and it’ll become obscured in a haze. After that, no idea. Obviously I shut it down first; something I made sure ye can’t do anymore incase someone gets clever. The spells will start shortly after that, but o’course ye need to hold the position till they do. Then leave… quick.

Other than that, unless it’s a duergar bearing gifts, kill it. Almost anything native ‘o the Underdark is damned dangerous. Things down there are tougher than anything natural ‘as any right to be and there be a lot o’unnatural things too. If ye see any other dwarves down there, especially one ‘hat claims to be with us or a Jilker, do whatever it takes to make sure they nay get the Heretic’s Bane. Anything.”

mshady
2008-04-10, 10:47 PM
As the group stands, Tolrin steps in front of the group and speaks as well. He clears his throat and tries to strike a very stern, leader like pose but it did not particularly suite him. His strengths were his wit, faith and an occasional sermon, not a battle speech. He seems to realize that and relaxes a bit after a moment.

“Well… I want to thank ye for taking on this task. We’d do it ourselves but we be stretched beyond thin. I’ll be seeing ye again before this is all done when we go before the Patriarch to report our success. No doubt Valina’ll compose a fine ballad for all of ye. Change o’plans, minor though it be… Buna’ll be joining ye. A little more help can’t hurt, just don’t let her talk too much. Good lass at burning things. Including supper.

Something else I want to make clear to ye. Trust that yer doing the right thing here. Trust that we go with Moradin here. Ask yerself if such is truly possible without him, ‘ven if he does work in mysterious ways. The… disagreement Glorian and I had, I believe it an unnecessary sacrifice but it has been made and cannae be undone. At this point, let’s not make it a sacrifice in vain and hope an alternative can be found next time…” Tolrin makes a point of glancing in Glorian’s direction. If she cared, no one can tell.

“Ye are all experienced. Ye are all good lads and lasses. Some of ye have been with me a little, some a long time. I’ll be worrying every moment for yer welfare and hope to survive all this to thank ye. That said, ye may not all be coming home from this. It may ‘e too much to dare hope for. But I dare anyways. Because I believe right causes have right outcomes. I have faith in that because that IS my faith. Should you fall, know that ye will be welcomed in Moradin’s Halls. If yer not a kin to me by blood, today ye are in purpose and know ye will have a mighty tale to tell yer own when ye are with them. Fight with courage. Go with honor. Walk the path of the pilgrims in yer faith.”

Tolrin looks at the group, looks at each one for a long moment and nods.

“Glorian, open the cave. It’s time we all parted ways” he says.

Glorian nods and snatches her staff up off the ground. She walks over to the collapsed entrance and looks at it for a moment, judging the best place to do whatever she is about to do.

Casually, drives her stave into rocky crevice with a booming crack. The a vortex of energy swirls around the end of the staff and the whole mage staff glows white and seems to shiver. The energy swirls for several seconds and seems to be driven deep into the stone. Amazingly, the stone disappears quickly as a glimmering tunnel is driven through the stone. When the spell stops, a blue fog hangs in the tunnel. The effect nauseates many in the party. Ears ache and eyes feel dry, almost scratched. Your bodies tingle.

Stepping away from her handiwork, Glorian leans against the side of the cave. Leaning her stave against her shoulder, she fishes a stubby object out of her satchel and lights it with a snap of her fingers.

Clenching the cigar between her jaws, she sucks in the smoke and holds it for a long moment, enjoying it. She lets out a billowing cloud and gestures at the party. She snaps her fingers and points into the cave.

“Now move. That’ll nay last all day. Good hunting, eh? Kill a few o’the bastards fer me.”

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-10, 11:38 PM
Kelith

"Well, it's about time we started something. Put the bomb at the back, but we need one person to help guard it by staying at the very back. Any volunteers?"

If the passage is dark Kelith will open his left hand and hold it outstretched palm up. As you hear him mutter divine words to Kossuth flames suddenly burst forth from his fingertips before gathering in the middle of his palm; after which he touches it to his shoulder were it "alights" and stays flickering on his back. {{Casting Light}}

Kelith will sweep his hand forward towards the hole looking at Sable, "I presume you are wanting to take point?"

Spells Cast
2nd-1

mshady
2008-04-10, 11:56 PM
One of the minotaurs near Kelith turns his head and looks down at him. It speaks in a very deep, rough and accented voice. No one is sure what kind of accent a minotaur has, but they apparently have one...

"Red Man. You think we here only to carry this to cave? We carry to dragon cave. Move now."

It snorts, its nostrils flair and its chain rattles. The other three laugh, although is more like a bellows and a drum at the same time.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-11, 12:09 AM
{{How many of them is it taking to carry that thing? I was under the impression it was taking all of them to carry it. Is that correct?}}

mshady
2008-04-11, 12:48 AM
OOC: Two to carry, two to guard the Stone Burner itself

Paper_Bard
2008-04-11, 08:03 AM
Duervar grins wickedly, hoisting his mighty pick with glee.

Let's kill some gakkin' beasts!"

He moves in front of the minotaurs, but lets the human scout the area first.

OOC: I assume Gloria doesn't really need me to dig?

thorgrim29
2008-04-11, 09:49 AM
I... agree with you Tolrin, the methods are distastefull, but it's necessary. Just one thing before we go....

Raising his voice, he adresses the soldiers all around him.

Oi! Lads. You may have heard a bit about our mission... suffice to say we'll be blowing up a lot of gold, so I have a bit of a gamble for you. If any of you has a bag of holding or whatever, lend it to me, I'll fill it with treasure if we succed, all I ask is 40%, the rest is yours. Of course we might die, and then you lose your investment, thats the risk you take. So, any takers?

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-11, 09:59 AM
Kelith

Kelith turns to look at Thordrek,"While I have a bag of holding, I only plan on loaning it if it is an even split between those who make it out alive. Don't think for one second that the job of sneaking around and stealing it makes it harder than trying to fight off the monsters that come while you are gone and we are down a man. I'd say they are right at even and as such will accept nothing less than an even split between the whole group."

"This is all in the good faith we won't be so pushed against the wall in there we will actually have a chance to try and steal anything of value."

Spells Cast
2nd-1

Melody
2008-04-11, 10:39 AM
Sable pulls some goggles out of her pack and slips them on, for a moment looking rather like an oversized gnome. She groans quietly and half mumbles. "Not gonna last all day? Ah great, looks like we'll be having to find another exit then. As far as treasure, I'll be getting paid when I get back. Dragon's treasure sounds fine, but I've heard tales of them tracking every golden coin in their horde. Figure it's really only safe to pilfer when the dragon is dead. But that may be only tales."

She strings her bow quickly and checks her quiver, locating five arrows with heavier fletching and separating them so that they are behind the others and won't be the first she grabs. She pulls some soft slippers out of her pack, trading them for the leather boots she was wearing. Out of her pack comes a wire garrote that she hangs on her belt along with two vials from her pack that she puts at the ready in little pockets on the belt made for carrying such. She unties the leather cord holding her hair and reties it, pulling back the few strands that had escaped.

She turns towards the party and smiles, "Keep as quiet as you can. I'll be up ahead a little ways, so don't worry if you can't see me." With those final words she takes a last deep breath and slips through the glittering tunnel, heading down.

Diarmuid
2008-04-11, 10:42 AM
Bundok

I know it's been a while, things got crazy for a while but I'm ready to jump back in. Sounds like now's about a time you all could use another warm body anyways.

Bundok had been very quiet for a while now. He had wandered off a few times, claiming he needed to check a trail but eventually he would return and no one really noticed his lack of participation in the conversations. With a cave full of enemies, and his God's will to be done though, renewed vigor seemed piped directly into his veins.

Hefting his ironwood staff, he ducked into the cave with only a simply nod to Tolrin and Glorian as he disappeared into the darkness.

bchilders
2008-04-11, 07:15 PM
Magnum

Magnum ignores most of the comments made in heads into the tunnel next to Duervar. He slaps him on the back as they enter, "Nothin' better than the prospect of killin' somthin ahead, aye?"

mshady
2008-04-12, 11:42 AM
One by one the party enters the freshly carved tunnel passing through the fog of bluish steam. The passage is still quite hot from the powerful magic used to carve it. The heat can be felt through your feet and armor causing you to sweat. The air has a salty tang to it, almost like sulfur, which probably has more to do with the rock than the magic cast.

Emerging on the other side of tunnel, the group stops and looks around the chamber they now find themselves in. For those with darkvision or low light vision, the chamber appears to be black and white. For those without it, the humans amongst the group, the room appears pitch black. They can do little more than feel the person next to them to have any sense of location as very little light trickles into the cave. When Kelith casts his light spell, the chamber is revealed to him and in color to the rest.

The chamber is a roughly cut cave that shows some sign of being worked long ago, judging from how the corners have been squared and the path to the Underdark below is reinforced by a single set of beams. If touched, they are wet and crumbly from rot so they have little more load bearing ability than a pile of hay at this point.

A camp fire is set to the right of the cave that was long since ash. Instead of logs though, skeletons of what appear to be goblins are in a heap upon it. Bones are broken or cut off, signs they died a far from peaceful death involving a meeting with someone with large, edged weapons. It is hard to guess how long they have been there, but it has probably been for decades. One of the minotaurs walks over by fire and takes the cracked skull of a goblin and holds it up, staring at it. After a long moment, he drops it back to the fire and shakes its enormous head.
A voice echoes down into the chamber from above.

“Glory’s gonna close the cave now. Can’t ‘ave anyone noticing it and it won’t last long enough for ye to do yer business and get back. Good luck!” Tolrin’s familiar voice says.

“Quiet, Tolrin. That’ll echo down there. Outta the way, ‘m closing it…” Glorian’s familiar voice says.

A few moments later, the maelstrom of light is set spinning in the tunnel again and all the rubble that sealed it just… reappears. Before the group leaves, the largest minotaur that bears the enormous horn at his side speaks. Previously mute, he speaks with surprising intelligence but the formality of someone who knows the rules of a language but not how to speak it natively.

“Now we are alone” he says. The other Minotaurs grunt in acknowledgement. “We are to protect the dwarven thing. We fight as well. I am called Kerik of Many Skulls” he says and gestures to a belt adorned with the skulls or other body parts of foes he has slain. “The other is Wrexer. He will fight with me. The other two are Pollux and Gore, they who guard the dwarven thing.

We have worked for dwarves for many years and fought many places after Patriarch defeat our bull, spare him move our herd of hundreds to the north and elsewhere. He do this instead of slaughtering us. He gave us gold and food and steel and land and battle. Do not doubt our loyalty or intelligence” the minotaur says. His nostrils flare and chest swells a bit with pride.

“As we go below, know that minotaurs are the bane of the dark below. We never get lost and no maze deters us. Now Kerik of Many Skulls has spoken and suggest you be quiet. Your light will shine far in tunnels. Enemies see us but we not see them. Weak eyes should use shrouded lantern or hold on to rope and let those who can see be at front.”

With that, the minotaurs all grunt and then are quiet once more. They are not a talkative sort, but Kerik of Many Skulls seems wise at least.

With little other reason to stay, the party heads down into the Underdark. The path is narrow in places, wide in others and quite humid. Roots and dirt hang from the ceiling at first and the whole tunnel seems precarious.
At one point, a section is blocked by a partial collapse and the party has to move the dirt aside. More specifically, Arum’s badger and Lythe find get the party safely through that section as Lythe carefully widens the tunnel and the badger throws the dirt out of the way. It seems to work and behave for berries and berries alone, however. It has dangerous, if not wild, look to it. At another point, the trunk the Stoneburner is in bangs against a narrow pass of stone. Kerik of Many Skulls growls at the two bearers.

Sable ranges far ahead of the group, out of sight but not out of mind. Occasionally, the party finds her waiting for them in the darkness, so she can tell them what is ahead and she is still with them. Then she disappears into the darkness, her steps noiseless.

Paper_Bard
2008-04-12, 12:34 PM
Duervar relaxes slightly and takes a deep breath, taking in the sweet, underdark air.

Ah... great to be home..." He says softly.

OOC:

Does anyone need Duervar's survival skill, or are we fine navigating the underdark with Sable as guide.

mshady
2008-04-12, 12:43 PM
OOC: Well... Sable is guiding the group right now, so hopefully she has a good enough navigation skills not to get lost. At the moment, it would be difficult to get lost going in a straight line, however.

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-12, 05:15 PM
As he enters the cave, Raltise pulls a helmet from his backpack. He puts it on, carefully strapping it in place so it doesn't fall off. "Seeing in the dark is useful, but... why is it always in black and white?"

He then follows along in silence, his faintly glowing eyes the only real colour in the darkness. Assuming that light spell was shut off.

[OOC: Pretty sure I was given a helmet of darkvision earlier... <.< I was, right?]

thorgrim29
2008-04-12, 05:26 PM
Well met Kerick, I fought with some of your clan errr herd a few times before, it's a pleasure and an honor to do so again.

(are those the same minotaurs that fought the devil and the grey dwarves with him?)

bchilders
2008-04-12, 05:35 PM
Magnum

Magnum unstraps his shield and checks the edge on his ax as he moves farther into the caves with the rest of the party. He mouths the words of a prayer to Clangeddin for the success of the mission.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-12, 11:39 PM
Kelith

Turning towards the minotaurs, "It is good to have you along. While I would agree with the light being a bit of a give away, I think with all the armor and clanking we are doing it shouldn't be much of a problem if I stay near the back (The light only goes out to 40ft, after that it's complete darkness for all who don't have darkvision, while those w/o low light vision can only see 20ft)." Kelith will then shush himself and follow along near the back with the rest of the group.

Spells Cast
0-1
2nd-1

mshady
2008-04-13, 12:16 AM
Kerik snorts and shakes his head.

"Red Man, you have not fought in darkness or Underdark before have you? If you stand with lantern in cave, you not see far. Anyone looking down cave straight see you? Hear us they may. Sound harder to aim at than light? We understand you blind otherwise, so keep light low at least."

ArmanMadero
2008-04-13, 12:51 AM
My appologies for being so slent this last week or so. I have one week left of school and the pressure is on...

Arman had been thinking silently since the altercation between Duervar and Glorian. He wasn't sure if what was going to happen to the soul was good or not, but since it was a clan affair, he really had no say in the matter. He was still unsure of it though.

He hoped that the gate would close soon after its arrival when the Stone Burner opened, or at the very least was sealed by the molten rock that was sure to flow around it. If not, well, more fighting was to be had.

Upon arriving at the caves, and as soon as it was opened by Glorian, Arman handed his mount over to Tolrin, grinning wryly. "He does better with those of a good disposition such as yourself Tolrin, rather than those of demonic qualities, such as Glorian. No offense meant to you, Glorian, but 'tis true. Have a care for him." And with that he handed the reins to Tolrin and gave Tintreach a few pats upon the neck.

Walking into the cavern, he waited while it was sealed up and for his low vision to kick in. Soon he could see those around him for a few feet, after that it grew dimmer. He heard Raltise ask why it was always in black and white, and he smiled at him. "Because my friend, light and darkness are but two colors, and they are the two that matter. However seeing in color would be an added bonus I think. Upon reaching Evermeet in my later years, should I gain the right to ask Corelion, I shall, and write to you or your descendents with the answer."

Arman withdrew his rapier and held it at the ready, prepared to meet anything that attacked him or his group. The bad thing about using the spells he had was they caused light, and he feared they would be needed upon meeting the dragon guarding these halls. Staying away from the lit lanterns, so that he wasn't blinded by them, he followed deeper into the caves upon quiet feet, wondering how long it would take to be found.

Being as this was his first trip into the Underdark, he hoped he would not screw up.

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-13, 01:36 AM
Kelith

Kelith just nods his head in understanding and agreement to Kerik as we move down the tunnels. He has drawn his +1 chain in hand and ready should something stumble into our path.

mshady
2008-04-13, 02:25 AM
OOC: Combat in the Underdark

Fighting in the Underdark is very different from fighting above ground. Ceilings are low, passages are narrow and they are rarely straight for long. The Underdark has its own ecology, with mushrooms and fungus and a variety of unusual animals and monsters, if there is even a difference here. A kind of lichen grows in the area that casts a very faint light, in places. The deeper you go into the Underdark, the warmer it becomes as you approach magma vents and the molten core of Aber-Toril.

Moving in the Underdark is much different than other areas. In places, you may have to crawl or duck or even go into the water.

The point is that using weapons can be difficult in this environment. In a narrow passage, like you are just in, you will move at half speed and have a -2 with a light weapon or -4 for a one handed weapon of normal size. Two handed weapons are simply unusuable as you need space to the side or above to use them.

Ranged weapons of any kind are usable here, but engagement ranges may be pretty short.

If an area is narrow AND low, double the penalties apply.

If an area is so narrow you can only crawl through it, the penalties remain doubled but only a crossbow can be used.

Awkward spaces, which are even smaller, only allow the use of light weapons at a severe penalty.

A tight area requires an escape artist check to be able to move through it.

In a narrow area, you also lose your dex bonus to armor class. There is simply nowhere to dodge.

Of course, there will be wider tunnels in places and outright chambers, like where you are going. Otherwise, short swords, knives and the like are the best options for getting by.

Welcome to the Underdark. Please enjoy your stay.

Katasi
2008-04-13, 03:54 AM
Arum takes off his helm. "Do any of you need this?" he asks. If someone speaks up he will give it to them and strap himself into his saddle, his badger was born for travel underground and he trusts it's ability.

sorry I've been away lately, I'm back. And as for those rules of underdark fighting.... if we gain any levels and any of you get a feat.... may I suggest tunnel fighting, lol

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-13, 04:56 AM
Raltise walks along in silence, keeping close to his geodite companion; it is rather his natural state of being, one might realise. He's not carrying any weapons at all; this might strike a few people who don't know him very well as rather weird.

[OOC: Now I just have to wonder what my Mind Arrows count as... a bow? They don't exactly need as much room as a bow does... >.>]

Paper_Bard
2008-04-13, 11:36 AM
Duervar turns to the elf.

"Like your magical explanations... don't ye lad? Listen up pointy... and hear a real explanation. Now this is just a ibt of me own observations, and something this gnome wizard once told me... but I figure that there's a little light, even in the really dark places. Now... we all know that colors are much more vibrant when ye see 'em in the light of the noonday sun, but come dusk, the colors fade. The way I see it, colors need more light to be visible then jus black and white. The dwarven ability to see in the dark, which ye emulate with yer magic, I think it lets us see that little bit o' light that's in the darkness. It's in black and white, however, cuz we ain't got enough light ter see colors."

He shrugs. "Makes sense ter me... and it don't need no magical wish wash to explain it..."

Melody
2008-04-13, 11:39 AM
Sable slips back into view and gestures for everyone to halt. She comes back to the party and whispers quietly with the s's clipped off so that the sound won't carry as far. Ahead there i' a campfire and 'omething roasting meat. Couldn't 'ee what did it but heard chewing. Then an orb the 'ize of a small barrel rose from one of the corpse'. Thing was floating in the air, looked like it had one large eye and several 'maller ones' Don't know what it i' figured I'd come back and ask how you want to proceed. She gestures with her hands to give the approximate width of the creature as she describes it.

Melody
2008-04-13, 11:47 AM
I'll tell you all if it's a beholder shortly. Sable would have seen the stuffed one in a shop in Waterdeep, so I'm getting confirmation from Mike before saying yes or no ic. Till then, just describing it as I saw it so to speak.

Paper_Bard
2008-04-13, 11:51 AM
Duervar shrugs his shoulders.

We could...you know... kill it?" He whispers, a grin on his face.

"Of course... with you people, nothings that simple..."

bchilders
2008-04-13, 12:37 PM
Magnum

"We either need to silence it quick or find a way around because stealth is the most important thing in this mission. And I'd suggest you put out that light. I understand your reservations to not being able to see, but either take Arums helm or tie yourself to one of us because light travels much further than you know down here," Magnum says as he tries to think of ways to quickly and quietly put down this creature, preffering himself to fight rather than leave a threat behind them.

Paper_Bard
2008-04-13, 12:50 PM
Duervar turns to Sable,

"How big is the cavern?"

thorgrim29
2008-04-13, 01:12 PM
(OOC: just a bit of musing..... knowledge history, if pumped enough, can pretty much replace a low rank in many other knowledges right? I mean, somewhere in all those books and folk tales, there's bound to be a mention and perhaps a general description of a beholder. So, I'm rolling a history roll, you just tell me if it works or not. [roll0])

Melody
2008-04-13, 05:15 PM
"Looks like a stuffed beholder I saw in a shop once, but much smaller. So figure something like that but not as strong. I'll loop around behind it to block it's escape, you all come forward quiet as you can."

Sable grins, "Count to fifty and then come up slow. I'll be in place by then."

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-13, 05:33 PM
Raltise glances down at Lythe, then puts his hand on her head. His eyes flash brilliantly; a soft sound, like the murmur of voices, can be heard for a moment if one really pays attention. Lythe's eyes, as well as the crystalline 'veins' that run over her body, begin to glow the same blue as Raltise's eyes. Then, he concentrates again, his brow knitting with exertion; a slightly slimy substance seems to cover everything within a few feet of him and the geodite for a moment, before evaporating. It's disturbingly similar to something that happens when Illithids manifest their powers...

[OOC: Manifesting both Force Screen and Skate, assuming we have two rounds to buff ourselves in. Share Powers is fun.]

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-13, 06:26 PM
Kelith

Kelith will extinguish his light and don the helmet given him, thanking Arum for it. He will cast silence on himself right before we charge in. This silences all sound (us moving, etc) in a 20ft radius =).

thorgrim29
2008-04-13, 06:44 PM
Everyone who can attack at range, let's attack it at the same time, then charge. Kerik, do you want to take part?

As he advances slowly, Thordrek takes his newly acquirered axe in his left hand, preparing to cast with his right.

mshady
2008-04-13, 11:00 PM
Kerik looks down at Thordek. The enormous minotaur is already hunched over due to the narrow corridor.

"No. We will stay here, dwarf. Too big for us to move fast. Your plan sounds like stampede. Kerik will wait here with dwarf thing. We bring dice and money gold. You go stampede, Kerik will take all of Pollux money gold. Remember to lower head and straighten back before you hit little eye tyrant."

Kerik smiles in his odd minotaur way after throughly insulting everyone and sits down. The other three follow his example and soon a tray is produced. It appears they are settling in for a few hands of poker dice.

They set the tray on top of the trunk, using it as a table and begin playing.

mshady
2008-04-13, 11:54 PM
Sable moves off around the bend in the tunnel and disappears as the party waits for her to make her attack.

Please post your moves by Tuesday midnight EST

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/185/underdarkt1od9.th.jpg (http://img160.imageshack.us/my.php?image=underdarkt1od9.jpg)

dcjr
2008-04-14, 12:06 AM
Hjalamar chews on the end of a pipe and grouses, *Jus because the bugger is made oop of a big Eye doesn't mean ye can't poke em in it.* Hjalamar unshoulders his throwing axen and prepares to launch one at the ol lidless target*

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-14, 12:20 AM
{{Sadly I was left off the map. And i'm assuming the B1 is the beholder thing?}}

mshady
2008-04-14, 12:29 AM
OOC: Sorry about that! Map updated.

mshady
2008-04-14, 01:46 AM
OOC: Anyone here good at web programming btw? I have been thinking it might simplify things for me as a DM and for you as players. We could keep all of the character sheets there, background text, post pictures of your PCs and such. I'm still decent at it, but hosting and some of the more technical stuff I could use a hand with.

Yuki Akuma
2008-04-14, 04:21 AM
Raltise pats Lythe on the top of the head. "Use the walls to travel, Lythe, so you don't cramp up the tunnel. Alright? There's not enough room to move here." Even if he's been silenced, he can still communicate telepathically!

Meanwhile, he begins moving, surprisingly quickly; he glides over the ground, as if it were ice. He stops, just behind Sable, and crouches down slightly. His eyes glow a tiny bit brighter, as he charges energy into his right hand.

Move to L-24 and ready Psychic Strike.
Initiative: [roll0]

Tharar_Greenleaf
2008-04-14, 01:01 PM
Kelith

[roll0]
Kelith will delay his turn to let the spell casters move ahead of him and cast their spells if they want, then he will move.

As he moves towards the eye he sheaths his spiked chain and draws one of his daggers.

Spells Cast
0-1
2nd-2

{{Well if you give me a month or two I out to be able to help you with the web programming. Just started learning the PhP and MySQL stuff this term for a class.}}

Melody
2008-04-14, 02:01 PM
Sable keeps moving to try and stay ahead of the group and unseen from the beholder, moving from the first little alcove to the next. She keeps her head towards the wall, making sure that the glint of glass from the goggles doesn't betray her as she inches along the corridor. An odd thought occurs to her as she creeps along, "How had the thing spitted the meat without hands?" She inches forward, drawing closer.

Seeking to move from M23 to O14 without being seen. That would be the first move. From there to M7 before the group gets seen, if possible.

thorgrim29
2008-04-14, 05:05 PM
Seing that he is blocking the others, Thordrek edges closer to the beholder (M23 for now)

init: [roll0]

He risks a look and whispers to the others:

I cant see it, but it looks like theres a small chamber down there, if we reach it, we wont have to fight it one on one. Looks like a tough fight, I,ll probably need those...

He takes out a stubby wand set with a fang from his belt. He murmurs a short incantation, waving the wand around, and his beard suddenly grows wilder, his teeth point, and he takes an almost feral appearance. When he speaks again, his voice is almost a growl.

Lets do this!

(OOC: casting animalistic power from the wand. +2 to dex, str and con for 3 minutes)

Diarmuid
2008-04-15, 09:40 AM
Bundok

Taking his measure of the cramped quarters, Bundok straps his trusty quarterstaff to his back and retrieves his new repeating crossbow. Loading 5 bolts into it, he then moves ahead, following Sable's direction to get into a good position to shoot the beasty.



Loading 5 bolts into the xbow, moving to O14 sneaky-like.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Paper_Bard
2008-04-15, 02:44 PM
Initiative
[roll0]

OOC: So... since I forgot to give duervar a secondary wpn, im useless?