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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Thordrek plods back to the child in his ill fitting clothes.
Lad, we need you yo tell us anything you know about the aurilites if we're to defeat them. What do you know about their numbers, their leadership, their strongholds? Do they have many other prisoners such as yourself? Who was keeping you in that tower?
He speaks in a soft tone, but seems determined to get the information.
Then, we have to decide what to do with you.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
"Do with me? What are you going to do with me?" the boys asks, looking scared. He looks around fearfully again, but Hjalmar's presence seems to calm him.
"I'm Dagnar, son of Dwain of Hundlestone. You can call me Dagnar Dwainsonn if ye wish. I took my schooling and learned my letters at Berronar's chapel, so my father has me help him with letters and figuring. I just write what he says, on account of he sees so poorly. We're drovers. Carts and caravans up the Icewind Pass" the boy says, pride welling in him for a moment.
"The elders of Hundlestone came one day with their soldiers. Said my name was drawn in a lottery and I was to be given to the Auriltes so they left the town alone. Between those given and other slaves, must be near on a hundred of us. Keep to the mines we do. When their leader learned I had no skills but the quill and parchment, he took me and now I take his letters. He treats me well enough and only beats me when he is real mad.
His name is Horvrath of the Chill Winds. Says he was part dragon. He's older though, but not too old if ye know. He had a guard too, always with him. It's mask is always closed but it stands 7 or 8 feet tall. Never spoke while i'm around"
"Frak..." Buna remarks quietly. Carmard nods in silent reply to her.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Nega Silverhammer
When she hears the giving of children to the Aurilites to leave Huddlestone alone she Cries out By Berronar. She composes herself but a low grumbling is heard and she curses under her beard. She thinks to herself:By da time I am done wit(h) da leaders of dat place em will stand in front of Berronars justice. She listens eagerly to the rest of his story.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
"Really, Nega?" Buna says, as she walks within hearing range. She shakes her head. "Considering that if they didn't, the whole town prolly would've been either razed by dragons or them all carried off in slavery or worse, a tribute's a grim but lesser sin" she tells Nega.
"I'm sorry for it, but what are they supposed to do, eh? If anything, we were supposed to be protectin' Hundlestone from things like dis. Don't be surprised if some o'us, like Buelyir, Glorian or the Patriarch even knew. Least we're doin' something now. Too far for us 'fore, lest ye wanted us to go wage a war against the Aurilites in their mountains over this" Buna frowns and shrugs.
"Bloody paladins. When we get home, why don't ye take yer whole Order out and do that?" Buna frowns and walks away, upset and not willing to hear more.
Carmard looks between Nega and Buna, than shrugs simply.
"Horvrath's known as one o'the main clerics of Auril in the area. We've no idea what the warrior is. Just that it's known as The Warrior. It's some kind of hunter. It's been spotted roaming the mountains, hunting animals and humanoids alike. We don't know what it is, as no one has ever seen it lift it's visor and live. Never knew one to be in the company of the other though. Interest'n news. Bad news, but interest'n." day and never left Horvrath's side"[/COLOR]
"Um..." the boy pauses for a moment. "Several months maybe? He was just... here one day. Never left Horvrath's side since. I don't know what it is. Not that I would. I'm just a boy and a drover's boy at that" he says, seemlingly ashamed in front of such powerful warriors.
"You're Jilker's aren't you? The dwarves of the Patriarch? I was at your Halls once, 2 years ago. Wasn't there too long, but some fat old dwarf with a moustache gave me candy and told me to be a good boy for my father. Seemed nice. Father said he misses the Battlehammers though" he says.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Arum comes up as everyone is talking. He looks at Buna and replies to her statement. "Why not declare war on the Aurilites?" he says. "We can beat them, or die trying!"
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Nega Silverhammer
I will (h)Ave to do dat Buna. Ifn we didn't make em safe it will be my task to bring before da Patriarc(h) (h)'Imself. And maybe setup a garrison dere. I don't understand em not tellin. And I assure ye Buna dat Paladins (h)Ave saved da dwarven people aswell as magicksers like ye. Now wat can we do about dem Aurilites is our consern now.
She looks gravely at Carmard but keep quiet for the moment.
((ooc: I like that Buna can read Negas mind this will be fun ;)))
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
"That's what we're doing, gnome" Buna tells Arum as she pushes her way back. "Now that we can end it with those bombs, we can start it"
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
(any other questions or response to the kid here? going to move the scene if not, but if you want we can hang here a bit)
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Hjalmar Crownshield
The aging paladin listens to the bow and gives him a pat on the back. "Yar safe now, Lad. If ya kept is papers, do ya remember readin' anything that might be of use ta us?"
OOC: I'm in favor of moving on too!
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Johannes and Gratch on their own...
The disguised Johannes and his hobgoblin companion Gratch work their way through the old stronghold and towards the main common area of the stronghold. The tight passages are expertly carved to fit dwarf proportions. Several areas appear to be recently reinforced, and with some degree of skill as well. The stone is damp and cold though, which is unusual for this depth but perhaps best explained by the presence of the Aurilites. Clouds of dust still choke the air from the explosions, and when they enter the living quarters with their higher vault ceilings, one of the stone beams had cracked and fallen.
The area looks otherwise empty, with belongings tossed aside and cook pots in corners still simmering, left unattended. It would seem everyone either had went towards the fight, or to shelter. Either way, it suited Johannes just fine. However confident he was in his disguise, he did not want to push his luck with it before he had to.
The pair keep walking through the empty corridors until the enter the large common area and mustering field that is at the center of the stronghold. There, they see what remains of the enemy defenses. Knowing his companions and what the mercenaries and duergar were capable of, he felt confident they had thrown back any initial assault. Seeing the smoke and fires from the other side of an interior wall. Columns of dark black smoke rise up as well from beyond the walls, and Johannes could not help but wonder what pyromaniac had planned the assault. It seemed like Buna’s handiwork, in his mind. The explosions, now that he thought about it, were probably the blast globes that Arum had acquired at one point. If that gnome had unleashed those on formations of the enemy, the enemy losses must have been savage indeed
The Aurilites in the mustering grounds were rapidly building barricades, giant and hobgoblin working hand in hand. A few hulking ogres also wait in the wings. The area is wide, with a high vaulted ceiling that goes up several stories. Several great pillars of granite reach up a hundred feet to support the roof here; all look magnificent and intact. Rings of living quarters and workshops can be seen, and dim lights burn in many of the them. A house overlooking the common grounds was considered the best place in a dwarf hold; it was hard to get a view of anything else in a dwarf hall after all. Rather than forming an organized line, it is much more distributed now and an older frost giant with black armor and snow white hair seems to be barking out orders to everyone. However good his friends and allies were, this could be stiff resistance indeed.
“That’s the lieutenant of the Frost Lord” Gratch says, pointing out the giant as if he was hard to miss. “The Frost Lord himself gone to war against dwarf army, but left him here. He some kind of priest and warrior, and very mean” Gratch says, but does not seem to want to elaborate.
Across the common grounds is a large work area full two large forges and several places for smiths. It reminds Johannes of the home grown forges around the Great Foundry of Sigil, what was left of it anyways, in their haphazard nature. A large pillar of un-worked goes from the ground to the ceiling and makes up the southern wall of the hobgoblin’s foundry. Anchored to that is an interior stone wall that is blocking off an area. Two stone and wood towers stand over a set of gates and wooden platforms allow the few hobgoblins there to look into the blocked off area. A heavy wooden gate, shod with crude iron work is installed in the center of the wall. Torches burn around its perimeter and a handful of hobgoblins can be seen in the towers or on the wall.
“Those be the slave pens, chief. No one really there right now, so guards must have them all herded into mine shaft and shoot any who come out while rest of guards fight. We do not go in to the slave pens. Most have picks and most be dwarfs, who be only ones who last long here, haha. Only the cart goes in there with water and food, and it takes out ore and so on. A few slaves, the big mean human mercenaries that got captured her long time back, we give them special rations and stuff to do, they keep slaves in line” Gratch says as they approach. “The cart is by the foundry with a tarp. We could get in that way maybe? Take them water barrels and fill with weapons? Don’t know, Gratch only tried to stop slaves from running before not help them” he says and shrugs.
As they approach the slave pens and towers, one of the burly guards in the tower takes notice and growls at them.
“What you doing? Get back with the rest. We have them in their hole till fight over. You get back to your group. Go find yer sergeant before I put a bolt through yer arse!”
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Plan of Attack
Looking at the rubble of the tower that would be difficult to climb quickly and the still standing gates with their smaller duty doorways, the situation presents two unpleasant options. They could climb over and be exposed to enemy attacks and be slowed themselves without cover or be jammed up going through doors that would also be covered.
Nalrak and Grathalmor stand near Carmard, assuming their normal guard positions as their leader surveys the area and thinks things through before his neutral expression becomes a frown.
“Ye two aren’t going to like this” Carmard finally tells his two guardians. “I’ll have to take to the air and trust in my wards. Throw a few fireballs and get’em on their heels enough for all of ye to move forward. Now fer the next part…”
Carmard waves over Sonnlinor Stonebreaker, who appears to be enjoying a smoke with a metal hewn pipe.
“Sonnlinor, I’m expect’n the worst over that rubble. We can handle the giants or whatnot up there, but I want ye to move up to the crest o’the rubble with yer duergar. Use yer shields and crossbows and try to soften up the giants. They’ll toss boulders or worse at ye, so don’t stay long in one place and don’t stay in groups either. I nay want to advance over and down that mess, and it’ll be trapped now to boot I’m sure. They did give us some nice cover if we use it right. Use yer own spells and whatever else ye got as ye see fit to support us. Oh, and than these…” Carmard pauses and reaches into his satchel. There are paper & wood cans with a wick on the top and a handle on the bottom. “Smoke bombs. Have yer lads throw two in front of each gate to cover us as we come out. Least they won’t be aimin’ right at us”
Carmard wheels again and whistles for Thordek to come over.
“I want ye to go to both gates and knock the hinges off with yer black axe. Whatever’s holding them on, should cut through. Losin’ the element o’ surprise, but they’d have to have brick fer brains to not expect us to do that anyways so no real loss. When the smoke lands, ye go left. Tell Black’s Company to go right and take the minotaur’s with them. I want them to roll up the troopers and ours mainly go fer the giants and leadership. Bundok, Grathalmor and Duervar can keep the riff raff off yer side while ye go fer the big and ugly ones. Buna will join ye and I’ll follow if I can.
Suggest ye pair up, say Hjalmar and you, Magnum and Nalrak and let Nega handle her own business. Arum can chip in as he can with Buna. Tell’em not to charge anything with a lance again, Hjalmar may not be able to save his arse this time”
“We need to wait on Buelyir too” Carmard tells Thordek and anyone else listening. “He used a Sending to tell me he was going to start fires in the flour mill. If there’s a lot o’flour dust and other combustibles there, it should be a pretty mighty when it goes” Carmard smiles slightly. “He’s hoping to draw off some of their forces, but there’s only a few of them so I’m hoping he’s nay biting off more than he can chew. Open up the doors when ye want, but that’ll be our signal to start”
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
He nods his understanding and waves the 4 dwarves who'll be following him closer for a quick pow-wow and shows them the long range alchemist fire grenades
Right, I found these in the tower before it blew up, I was intending them for Wyatt and Sable but they might be of some use against the giants. I suggest we take two each. As for tactics... I have a few spells left, but not many, after that I'm down to my axe and crossbow. What about you Buna?
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Buna frowns slightly at the question from Thordek.
"I've used some of my big stuff, but I recovered a bit of it. Still a couple tricks in me gauntlets though" she smiles. "Why don't we get those duergar with the flame throwers and give them giants a fire bath, what do ye think? Keep the runts off us too, but we'd have to protect'em. I'd say just borrow'em but I'd rahter not wear the things, would you?" she smirks at Thordek.
She leans over and smirks at him again, a little gentler before her hardened face returns.
"As much as ye boys like to fight the giantkin, I'd try to pull'em away from the main fight and plug'em with yer crossbows and such as much as ye can before ye go toe to toe with'em"
Buna turns to Carmard, who is thinking over something again.
"Lets take a few o'those bombs on a rope we found, but give the rest to the duergar to keep folks from runnin' up on them, what do ye think Car?"
Carmard looks over at her and shrugs.
"Ask Thordek, I'm think'n over something"
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
So wat is our plan den Torderk?
Nega looks at him impatiently. I have more of dose fire tings in my pack. Ye got positions fer us Levtokuld?
She finger her mace and smiles ;)
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Hjalmar Crownshield
Hjalmar looks down at his hammer and then back to Thordek. He doesn't seem particularly pleased with the mention of the grenades but then again, he never seems particularly pleased by anything! As per his nature, he stands there with a scowl and waits for his orders.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Flamers would be nice, don't know if the Sollinor would part with them tough... Maybe you could go ask him while I go speak to Black? As for plinking away them with crossbows... Problem is that if we shoot them they throw huge rocks at us, on the other hand if we get up close they can crush you in a blow, apart from magic, in my experience there's really no good way to fight them, only slightly less horrible ones. So, I've got a wand with a spell called animalistic power, makes you stronger, faster, and tougher, not by much but it helps. So if you can use it you're welcome to it, I've also got an enlarge person wand, but making yourself a bigger target might not be the best idea today. Finally, a few shield of faith potions I'll never use. First priority is casters, then giants and leadership. I've got to go talk to Black, meet us at the gate in a minute or so, give me back what you don't use.
He uses the animalistic power wand on himself, then leaves to inform Black and Kerik of the plan.
All right, you two take your groups and go right when I open the gate, you're to break enemy formations, then go help us, Carmard's orders. There's gonna be an explosion at one point, that's our scouts so don't be surprised.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Arum chips into the conversation. "I can't use the blast globes again to annihilate the enemy, but I still have almost all my high level spells." he states.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Magnum Ruriksonn
The Alaghor remained alert but reluctant to speak until his next part in this was assigned him directly. He nodded at Carmard once and looked at Nalrak with a confident grin, clearly anticipating battle again, "We'll go ta da left. I'm near outta spells, but fer a good'n I saved fer da last; Divine Power. I've still got a few surprise fer giants yet, an' da wand o'Flame Strike ta use twice."
Shield in hand, Magnum made sure the wand was readily accessible, then stood ready while fingering the hilt of his still sheathed Giantbane axe and surveying the scene ahead.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Arman was having a hard time with his leg the way it was. He hoped that things would happen soon, if anything so that they could leave. The cold water helped somewhat in killing the pain for a while, and he relaxed enough at it being dulled somewhat. He almost didn't it make it across the river still, and was thankful for the help he received to get on shore when he reached it.
The waves of pain were soon back however, and the tension also with it. He didn't talk much to everyone, keeping what energy he had to himself. He knew he was going to need it.
He went over his spells in his mind, hoping that what he had would be enough.
OOC: I know. I have been absent. I blame my jobs.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
By the River...
With Johanness having left to cause havoc on his own with his hopefully faithful enthralled hobgoblin, the rest of the group waited. Talamir and Arman sat far apart from each other in the darkness and said little. Flint kept checking and rechecking his crossbow. Sable and Wyatt conversed quietly, their own task on hold for now. All of them waited for Buelyir.
The unusual dwarf had a stubby cigar in his mouth and a spyglass to his eye as he looked across the river at the old mill. He muttered to himself as he examined it, figuring out its layout and construction before finally setting the spyglass down on his lap. He set the cigar aside for a drink from his waterskin and seemed satisfied.
"Alright" he announced. "It should be in range of a fireball. I just need to get it through a window. Figure its old and dusty and not cleaned, should be a good one. The Delzoun engineers who designed it put vents going up to the surface for ventilation or in case of a blow out. Shame to do it, it's a fine piece of engineering" he says and shakes his head. "shame we've declined so much we have to blow up our old ruins rather than come back and reclaim'em"
"Least it goes out with a bang, eh?" remarks Flint.
"Um... should we be this close?"
"Well, I guess we be finding out. We go any further and I will nay be able to see it" he smiles a bit madly.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
"Crazy enough to work, I think, heh. So a fireball 'den, eh? Well... no time better 'dan the present. Let 'em have it."
Wyatt instinctively backed away slightly to get ready to run and dive behind cover in case things got out of hand. Getting out of dramatic situations like wild pitfalls and large explosions were things he was used to. It was old hat for him.
Just another day on the job.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Thordek and the Mercenaries
Marcus Black looks at Thordek, and the hard bitten mercenary merely shrugs.
"So yer finally gonna let me get my sword wet? Here I thought we were along just to mule out something for ye. Nothin' would surprise me with that dwarf Buelyir" he says and grumbles.
"Yer more than welcome to deal with the giants. You take the wheat, we'll thin out the chaff for ye. Our wizard'll help with that too." he says with a nasty smile, and pats the long greatsword he was running a whetstone over on his lap. It seems to have put a wickedly sharp edge on the end of the blade.
Kerik and Gore stand in ear shot of Thordek. Both glare at the Levtokuld and seemed pleased with their orders. Gore looks weary though, and his armor looks like he had been fighting someone with a can opener and indeed he had been.
They only grunt in acknowledgement and say nothing else. The message had been communicated.
With his task accomplished, Thordek now had to speak to the Sonnlinor about his flame throwers and open the doors with his adamantine axe.
OOC: If you're fighting here, please post what buffs you are going to use in your next post. We'll assume you cast everything right before you go through the door, ok?
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
OOC: I have no idea again Help!!!
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
ooc: check you sheet and spells listed. How do you want to buff, if at all? Not that Nega needs to buff, but all the same.
Anyone has a Mass Shield of Faith?
While fighting giants, you'll get a +4 AC remember? For those of you who are dwarfs anyways. Well, playing one :)
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Hjalmar will cast his remaining spells (Bless and Protection vs Evil).
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Thordrek then marches off to the Duergar priest, and speaks to him respectfully.
Sollinor, I will be taking a group and targetting the leadership and the giants, I was wondering if one or two of your flamethrower lads like big game hunting, because we could assuredly use some help.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
Magnum will cast Bull's Strength right before entering. He also has Divine Power, but will wait to use it just before engaging giants using his Shielded Casting (no AoO with shield in hand) to full advantage.
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Re: [3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale
The Sonnlinor hesitates a moment as he looks at the two flame thrower equipped duergar and shrugs about the matter.
"I'd hate to lose'em, but we're shooting from da rubble instead of in the fray so they'll see little enough use. Just bring'em back. The two be brothers" he tells Thordek and looks him sternly in the eyes.