Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym looks over his shoulder, making sure there was no company swooping down on their collective. "I'm Dolgrym. Pleasure to meet'cha," he grumbles as he stows his battle axe.
Sonechka Alkaeva |
"I think we have only seen this one." Sonechka takes out a sharp knife and watches the half-orc Furiel called Green, clearly waiting for him to do as asked. Apparently she hadn't been kidding about eating the manticore's heart. "I am Sonechka Alkaeva, ethran. I am willing to share the heart, but half will go into the fire to follow our friends into the afterlife."
If there are any spell components to be harvested from a manticore's corpse, she'll harvest those, too.
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"I'm no stranger to eating a meal or three, young lady, but you can have my part of the heart as far as I'm concerned. More power to you though," he adds , looking at the witch start fiddling with the corpse.
Bregor Rowain |
"A manticore's pelt might make a fine royal cloak, or an armour, either way, if cared for properly it will be an impressive sign of power and prestige."
Smirking a little, The Green Man kneels down and begins to dress the kill.
"Doesn't hurt that we were the one's that laid it low either."
Sonechka Alkaeva |
The Iobarian witch smirks at her companion's squeamishness. "Eating the monster's heart will give us some its power. Taking the creature's strength for our own is our right as the victors. But I won't begrudge you a soft-lander's weak stomach. You folk from this side of the mountains are delicate. It is known. So long as you honor the death offering to our fallen, there is no dishonor in it for you."
She nods in agreement with the half-orc, watching intently as he skins the beast. "There is honor in bringing down such a malicious and clever beast. It's pelt will make a fine banner in your longhall."
Kane Hue |
But if we head there now, we could be there by midnight and then do our rest. Wouldn't now be the better idea since we won't have to rest out in the open if we can avoid it?
Bregor Rowain |
"Not one to sleep under an open sky are you? Personally, I enjoy it when I can.
As for danger, a manticore is likely to have scared of anything else dangerous in the vicinity, and if not, a manticore getting KILLED is bound to do the trick."
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"I would tend to agree that here is as good a place to rest as any. Manticores are nasty, nasty neighbors, and we have put a good distance between ourselves and those lizard men. Regaining our power here might be wiser than rushing into a possible battle at less than 100%."
DM Bloodgargler |
By late morning, Stagfall is within sight on the edge of Tuskwater Lake. There is a great deal of activity... a half-dozen worksites within the small settlement, and more laborers at work on the outskirts.
You pass a team leveling the wagon trail in preparation for a road.
After you pass you hear dramatic excited whispers - if anyone knew with what game you were returning. "That was no bear..."
Shortly after... you see a nearly complete farmhorse, farmers tilling, and a stream of livestock being delivered from the eastern farms. The priest, Jhod Kavken stands with a husky couple - likely those intended to run the farm. They stand watching the livestock arrive, and do not notice you pass on the main trail.
Just outside the one-third complete castle walls, a team of dwarven engineers salute. One known to some of you as Brarim Broadhammer greets you.
"Good day, M'lords." He then bows to the three newcomers. "Good day. Brarim Broadhammer."
"Care to join us? Sir Kesten should be by in a bit... " He gestures to Spitch Fowler's pavilion tent eatery by the castle gate. (A favorite of the dwarven workers - and recently made retainer of the Broadhammers)
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym immediately smiles and walks up to greet his dwarven brothers. "Greetings Brarim Broadhammer. Call me Dolgrym, Dolgrym Sharpaxe. Glad to see others from the clan well represented here. How is the food and drink in these parts? Any pins of ale worth getting in my beard?"
If the opportunity comes up later, Dolgrym will try to go drinking with the other dwarves, and see if they have heard anything about the hidden city that he is searching for...
Brarim Broadhammer |
"Sharpaxe..." He repeats nodding "Of Highhelm I suspect, eh? My favorite niece has just moved there... married a Marblebrow..." He shrugs. "What can you do..."
"Sadly... have found no ale worthy of washing down Fowler's food here. Cabbaged onto the best of whats on tap though. Be honored to share a few rounds." He makes a mug-tilting gesture to the cook.
kn(local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym roars with laughter at seeing Brarim's expressions. "Young love, eh? Nothing to do but console them after its over," he cackles as he smacks the other dwarf on the back. "After my last few days, even passable alcohol would take heavenly. And some food would certainly hit the spot, too!"
Bregor Rowain |
"I'd recommend Ol' Riketta down there, his wife has what you might call an out of wagon inn, but the food can't easily be beat.
Especially not her roasted fowl."
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"So there are a couple different choices already in the village, huh? Can't wait to try all of them," the dwarf adds as he pats his rather rotund belly. "What are the lodgings like around here? It'd be a shame to sleep on the dirt, if there is a nice comfy bed around. I've gotten a bit spoiled about that," he blushes a bit with the last part! figuring the hardy dwarves might poke a bit of fun about that last part.
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sonechka scoffs at Dolgrym's admission. "You'd much rather sleep on a lice-infested mattress in smoke filled tavern back room than on a bed of fresh pine needles under an open sky?" She shakes her head. "I sometimes think many of 'civilization's' supposed comforts are solely imagined from a city person's lack of ever having lived another way."
"Of course, beer is hard to come by up in the mountains. And firewine takes dedicated facilities. I don't suppose anyone here has any jhuild, master Broadhammer?" The undeniably beautiful but alien Iobarian smiles at Brarim. "I am Sonechka Alkaeva, ethran."
Furiel |
Furiel gathers the gnomes.
"How is the magic repository progressing? We need a place to tinker with all the magical items we have found."
He looks at the assembly.
"After some refreshment it is probably time to convene a meeting of the ruling council. It looks like we might have some openings in our council."
DM Bloodgargler |
"Jhuild? Brarim shakes his head. Don't believe so..." He smiles and nods with Sonechka's introduction. "Eh... Maybe once we get some solid trade lined up... "
Several gnomes gather just outside the tent - answering Furiel's beckons.
"Progressing upwards, General. Think that was the plan - unless the blueprint is upside down." Bunyon backhands Rillo
"On schedule, General."
Kesten of House Garess |
Kesten arrives shortly after - bearing a folded parchment in an envelope with a broken seal. Though the setting is informal, he delivers curt bows and crisp salutes to everyone present.
"M'lords... good sirs, m'lady. M'lord, we have an opportunity here... As you may have heard - I myself was not made aware his personal camp was nearby, gnomish notable Narthropple and his partner Egiard had begun plans to start their own colony in the Southern Narlmarches. Since committing his wealth to this endeavor..." Kesten waves the correspondence... "Sir Narthropple has discovered his partner stretched the truth on what he was able to bring to the table. Now Sir Narthropple is near bankrupt, and has offered to divert his resources - which were already en route, here.... liquidate for copper on the crown."
"His offer comes with the request of rescuing his heir from whatever fate seems to have befallen him. They have lost contact with his exploration team in the Narlmarches."
Kesten hands Norton the letter from the Narthropple patriarch basically stating what Kesten has already said.
In addition to a few self-effacing comments about being a foolish old man, and mentions of how he cannot hope to compensate everyone whose dreams will be dashed by this event, there are specifics of what resources and manpower are available.
Assuming wages promised to working settlers and militia appears to be the lion's share of the cost.
"I met with the merchants you had encountered on the road... They have agreed - by your leave M'lord, to lead you to the main camp when you decide to start the search."
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sonechka nods at Kesten and looks at the party they'd joined in the fight against the manticore. "We were," she gestures at herself, Dolgrym, and Kane, "hired by these gnomes to join their expedition. When we arrived, the camp was abandoned, with signs of survivors fleeing in every direction. Following the tracks of the largest party of survivors led us into contention with that beast we killed with your assistance."
"I consider our agreement with Narthropple to be void now, with their expedition destroyed. But recovering his heir seems a small price for receiving whatever resources he had arranged for them." It doesn't seem to occur to her that she doesn't really have a say in what happens here.
Bregor Rowain |
"Oho? A chance to do good AND strengthen our ability to continue to build our kingdom?
I'm not going to speak for everyone this time, but I can say that I am empathically for it."
Norton Ambrosi |
"Never a dull moment around here." Norton exclaims. "Well, Green, if our help can be of use for someone we should not refrain."
"Who else is in?" he asks looking at the newcomers "A good opportunity to better asses these people."
Bregor Rowain |
"Like the wolves in the forest, we sharpen our teeth to hunt our prey. Let those that would attack our people beware the fangs of our pack."
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"I've gotten nothing else pending right now. If you want my aid, I pledge it to help with this mission. The ale will still be here when we return."
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sonechka smirks at the Green Man's comment. "I had a... friend who used to say things like that. Honestly, I've never noticed a difference." She nods at Dolgrym. "I am curious what happened to the expedition. Was it just the manticore or was it something else?"
Furiel |
"Gnomes can be impetuous."
Furiel knows from experience.
"Sometimes enthusiasm gets the better of the smaller earth children'"
He reminds Kesten.
"I sent for a group of kobolds led by the honorable Mik Mik to come and train with us. Probably visit the local farmers around here and show some solidarity. Treat them well and DO NOT LET THEM GO TO THE FARMS UNTIL WE ARE THERE. It will definitely shake things up."
"Kesten, bring that list of captured magical booty. We may be divvying it up to some of our new friends. Those going with the expedition to the Marches, we leave tomorrow."
There is a spreadsheet of all the cool items we found. Too bad most of the good ones are on our departed druid. I assume she took them with her.
Sonechka Alkaeva |
"That is very generous of you." Sonechka smiles at Furiel and inclines her head in thanks. "You command a tribe of kobolds?"
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"I'm in for the expedition. Let's sample some of the wares," the dwarf said, looking around at the food options. "This disgusting hard tack bread is for the birds." It was clear that once the plan was decided, all Dolgrym really cared about for the time being was some of the more civilized comforts the small village might provide.
Kesten of House Garess |
Kesten squirms a bit - still not yet comfortable with the unorthodox fashion by which things here are run.
"Yes General... I have not yet heard word from the messenger. He has orders to return tomorrow morning if no contact is made."
"Will you be requiring anything? I have a manifest of craftsmen and merchants who have yet to build storefronts. That seems to be all we have here. Few with any soldiering experience... none with any experience leading others... military command or civilian leadership."
To Kane Kesten says, "Wouldn't worry, sir. From what I've heard, there are more farmers than kobolds..."
Kesten speaks directly after you catch his eyes wandering - scanning across your gear - the "print" of your daggers.
He likely has had a good deal of experience as a guard and/or watchman.
"If there will be nothing else M'Lords, I will take my meal before my shift begins."
It is just after noon. The camp is about 9 miles from here. Go nowish, or in the morning?
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym is fine heading out today. After lunch, of course...
Kane Hue |
Kane says to Kesten You seem to be interested in my daggers, would you like to see one for a minute? and if he says yes, Kane lets him hold a cold-iron dagger.
I'm always on the lookout for evil fey. And I was even told these could slay demons. Don't slide your fingers across the edges, I keep them sharp, these aren't dull by any means.
Bregor Rowain |
"No, we don't "Command" them as such, but without us, there might not have been a tribe left.
I'd like to think that they are, or at least will be, trusted allies of our kingdom."
Sonechka Alkaeva |
"Will you be requiring anything? I have a manifest of craftsmen and merchants who have yet to build storefronts. That seems to be all we have here. Few with any soldiering experience... none with any experience leading others... military command or civilian leadership."
She looks curiously at Kesten. "My people train the inexperienced how to lead. Incremental increases in responsibility for all will show you who has a talent for it, then encourage those with talent by giving them more responsibility and rewards." The unnervingly beautiful woman shrugs. "Our war leaders say one of their most important duties is to train those who will lead after they fall in battle. Is it not the same for you? Of course, our people train for war from the time they are weaned, so perhaps it is different here."
"No, we don't "Command" them as such, but without us, there might not have been a tribe left.
I'd like to think that they are, or at least will be, trusted allies of our kingdom."
Sonechka looks skeptical about the kobolds. "These are your lands, of course. I am not familiar with the ways of those who live here. I would sooner trust a snake than the kobolds on the other side of the mountains, but perhaps if you watch these closely they will stay obedient." From her tone, it sounded as if she thought letting their tribe die out might have been a good thing.
"Thank Kesten, you are dissmissed." Says Norton freeing the man "Well, the camp shouldn't too far, a little something to eat and then we leave?"
The Iobarian woman nods. "I would like to see your camp."
Kesten of House Garess |
Kesten clears his throat, and apologizes quietly "Sorry.. old habit. Thank you, sir." as he takes a look at Kane's dagger.
"Very nice. I've always admired the skill required for knife-fighting... but the hilts... they are always too small... too delicate for my fat paws." He smiles, nods, and hands it back.
He then nods to Norton bows once to all, "M'lords.. m'lady... sirs..." and leaves.
Norton Ambrosi |
"It won't take long, I am afraid." Norton replies to the pale woman "Between the paucity of men and the short time we have been here, there is not very much to see."
Norton leads the way towards the keep. "The Broadhammer clan is helping us with the fort. A sort of bandit established here previously, and the whole thing was in a complete state of abandon. The walls are being restored, but I'm afraid inside is still not practicable."
Bregor Rowain |
"Ser Ambrosi is humble, my recollection is that it may very well have been him that struck the final blow against the self proclaimed bandit king of this region."
DM Bloodgargler |
After some time in Stagfall and a decent lunch, you head toward the Narlmarches to the abandoned base camp of the Narthropple Expedition.
You ride along the Skunk River, but far enough from the water's edge to avoid the oily stench of rotten eggs. There is a mile-wide swath of barren land on either side of the river as it enters the woods - as if even the trees recoil from the scent.
You arrive... and the three who had been here so recently find it unchanged. There are two large pavilion tents, and eight sleeping tents of a size suitable for at least a few gnomes.
As you had expected from the initial inspection by the newcomers late tracker, there are clear and immediate signs of a large-scale struggle.
The tents are battered down and torn, equipment and supplies are scattered around and trampled... There are bloodstains, but not a significant amount.
Bregor Rowain |
"A mighty conflict indeed..." The Green Man comments as he dismounts.
"Finding survivors at this point seems unlikely, but we have to look for tracks and clues here either way."
As he looks around, The Green Man hefts his mighty Earthbreaker hammer.
"No telling what creatures might be lurking in the periphery..."
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"Tracking isn't my strongest area of expertise. Anyone who fancies themselves competent in that area might take a peek. Green Guy is right...there could be clues to follow."
Norton Ambrosi |
While on the road Norton speak with Sonechka. "Lady Alkaeva, please forgive my bluntness, but I couldn't help noticing that you don't seem completely human."
I guess Ta is no longer with us.
At the camp:"I am no tracker, but people fleeing shouldn't have bothered themselves with covering their tracks. Or, if captured, a good trail should have been left behind."
Then he looks around in search for clues.
Is the cantrip sift going to be of any use here?