"Grushnak wait!" Jorlitharr will follow him "Do you know where the food that was taken from the farmers is? What they grew to feed themselves? Also did you find the last piece of the gem?" Jorlitharr points to one of the other shards.
If he sees anything reasonably edible and safely cleaned and prepared, he'll dig in as well. Taking little regard for hygiene or table manners. He's sure to talk with his mouth full and use his sleeve to wipe his mouth a lot.
Grushnak nods eagerly. "Yes yes, plants and grain and meats and cheese, all in storeroom. Next to orc tunnel!" He leads Jorlitharr through the room with caked mud and points to the eastern exit. "Kitchen cooking fire, and lots of food. Farther down is orc common room and storage room." He pauses, then gestures south. "Prisoners down there. Maybe prisoners want food?"
You search the bodies of the female orcs and Eye of Gruumsh. You find nothing on the female orcs but thick, dark red robes. You find three flasks of a fiery, bubbly substance in the pockets of the Eye's robes, plus an eye patch made of shiny metal. It glitters silver in the torchlight.
HP from level up.
"Prisoners! Why in Moradin's anvil didn't you say there were prisoners? Did you like being a prisoner? Let's get them out!"
Jorlitharr jogs quickly down to the prisoners hoping his party will follow.
Olias, looking down from above, shakes his head at Grushnak and then addresses the group, "I think we should do the following. We need to restore the food stores and free these prisoners. Then, I'm all right with a small search of the tunnel to see if we can recover the last of the stones, but dammit, I really need to get down from here.
"All this floating is making me lose feeling in my legs. Can we please head back to Blasingdell to see if I can get cured? Afterwards, I'm all about exploring the rest of this Dwarven temple, but I'd rather do it from down below rather than up here, despite all the advantages that come with an aerial view."
Jorlitharr looks up at Olias with a reassuring smile and a calm tone.
"I think that sounds like a very good plan Olias. It's likely the temple in Blasingdell will have clerics that can cast remove curse but worst comes to worse we go to Deacon Guldar in Haven's Cross. He's a very powerful holy man with a very strong connection to a powerful god of protection, even though he lost the connection for a few years after his wife was killed, seeing his daughter mortally wounded seemed to reconnect him to Berronar Truesilver the Dwarven Mother. The spell you saw him cast to bring her back to life is a spell that is so powerful I've never seen it cast in my life and he did it in a fraction of the time it takes most that are capable. There's no doubt he could remove your curse very easily. We could even send Myra with a message to him and he could meet us in the middle."
He tugs you down and pulls out some of the slack from the rope and re-ties it so you're not floating so high and you're closer the ground. He says "This stone I carry around my waste has a power I haven't used in sometime. I can anchor it to the earth joining the "Stien" rune you see here..." he traces his finger along the carved rune in the hunk of granite carefully. The iron chain is heavy and it's anchored through the stone very securely with a large bolt. "Activating the rune and connecting it to the earth at your feet would bind the two together with very powerful magic making it almost impossible to move. We could try tying you to that very closely so you could sit or even lie down. If you'd like to try it let me know. Heck...come to think of it...I might be able to break the curse by tracing it onto your boots and placing the boots on the ground...YES! I'm not positive but I think it's worth a try! It shouldn't take long. Thravum can you hold him down so he's sitting? Assuming you're alright with that Olias."
"Thank you, Jorlitharr, I'd greatly appreciate it. Would this be a permanent solution? Would I still be able to activate levitation when it was needed, but turn it off at my own command? If so, let's do it."
"It would bond the soles of the boots to the floor permanently until I dismissed the magic. You'd should be able to pull your feet out if my theory is correct. It wouldn't allow the boots to act as non-cursed boots in the future though."
"Want to try it?"
Oleksandr stands up, looks around slightly embarrassed and brushes the dirt away from his robes.
"It would bond the soles of the boots to the floor permanently until I dismissed the magic. You'd should be able to pull your feet out if my theory is correct. It wouldn't allow the boots to act as non-cursed boots in the future though."
"Want to try it?"
"That sounds like a fine idea to me. It'll be easier to get back to Blasingdell without worrying about our bard friend floating away. We should certainly check on the prisoners soon. They'll want to be getting back home and certainly their families must be worried."
"Jorlitharr, let's try it."
"Jorlitharr, let's try it."
"Olias, if for some unfortunate reason Jorlitharr is unable to dismiss his magic and you remain stuck to the floor I do believe with Thravum's help I could cut off and cauterize your legs in one blow."
He smirks.
"Heh, good one, Olly." He better be kidding
Thravum looks very eager. He removes the chain from around his waist for the first time you've seen since you've met him. He also strips off his his heavy robe showing that all he's wearing underneath is a tight pair of linen breeches and a very strange looking hand tied rope vest that looks almost like a fishing net. Embedded in the vest are rocks and gems of various sizes, colors, shapes and textures. They're woven into the knots of the netting acting almost like a strange suit of improvised armor. His skin is covered in countless scars and many look like runes he tattooed and etched into his skin with a small blade in some sort of scarification ritual.
There is also a flat soft black leather pouch attached to a thick belt around his waist. He opens the pouch and removes a series of very high grade steel tools. An awl, a tiny sharp chisel and a small but heavy hammer. He sits on the ancient stone floor in front of you and carefully traces and carves the outline of the rune you see in his granite stone with the chain he called the "Stien" rune.
"Stien means 'stone or earth' in the Dwarven language. I believe these runes were left here by the elemental priomordials. Beings that wandered the earth before the gods were even created. These beings were made of pure elemental energies and as they wandered the young earth their bodies left traces behind. Like a residue. These residues are what I call runes. This stone is one such rune I think was made by the primordial earth being."
"There should be many out in the world to find but this is the only earth rune I've found in my life so far. Your companion Florr's necklace contains a tiny rune of "Boreas" that emobdies the primordial forces of the first and greatest storms and the waters, thunder..but also more simple and pure and human things like Bravery. Valkur is the embodiment of someone far outmatched facing a foe that they never should beat and beating them anyway."
"That minor rune of Bravery...a humanoid mortal elemental rune almost. Valukur chose to imbue those runes into the crystal Florr appeared in a flash of energies sent by Valkur. At least that's what Florr seems to think happened. I wasn't there of course and most of the witnesses were trying not to drown in a terrible storm and shipwreck." [i]"Beyond with the impulse that only a teenage girl in a small fishing villiage that's kind of bored living in a fishing village and want's to go on adventures. Florr bravely, without motivation or regards to her own personality safety saved everyone of the crew people of her ship. from the wrath of the goddess Umberlee, queen of the depths. Sinker of ships. Killer of sailors, Charybdis, Mouth of the deep dark depths. The kind of depths that are...immense. The ocean has a vastness, an immensity...a void that is so massive. The only thing that comes close is what is beyond the heavens. Surrounding all the planes. The Great Beyond."[i]"Beyond with the impulse that only a teenage girl in a small fishing village that's kind of bored living in a fishing village and want's to go on adventures. Florr lives with the impulsiveness that only a teenage girl in a small fishing village that's kind of bored living in a fishing village and want's to go on adventures can be impulsive. Wanderlust. The wanting to be part of something bigger, but feeling like you're conflicted because you don't want to leave your family. Your duty. You want to care for them and keep them safe help with the family business. " he pauses smiling and wide eyed, joyful, inspired manner.
"Isn't it wonderful that there are so many ways to say things? Words. Symbols. Sigils. RUNES. They're so simple at first glance. A shape. But the closer you look, the more you stare into it...when you FEEL the rune. The meaning something like that can hold despite it's simple appearance. It's really beautiful..."
He pauses again. He seems to be running out of energy. It's becoming exhausting to listen. Especially if you're having trouble following him. You sense he's getting to the point and will be getting Olias out of the boots very soon.
"ANYWAY. Time to focus. Thanks for your patience. 15 more minutes. HAve a drink, eat some food."
Realizing he's just ranted like a dwarf possessed. He takes the tools, sits himself on the stones and lifts Olias's foot into his lap. He carefully traces the shapes of the Stien rune into the heavy sole of the boot. He's very careful to measure that the proportions are exactly the same and measures using calipers. He bevels some edges slightly and precisely. He's meticulous in making sure the etched lines are the same as the original. And then he does it to the other boot.
Finally he takes his finger, licks it, wetting the dirt in this fingernail to made mud. He traces a shape of a boot onto the floor and slowly motions for Thravum to stand Olias up.
"Slowly Thravum. Slowly. they need to touch the ground just right. That's it Thravum. Perfect! You Ox-backed Stout." He claps Thravum on the back grinning wide.
As Olias' feet touch the ground Jorlitharr lays flat on the ground looking carefully at where the boots touch the stone. He stands up, puts his tools away carefully. He puts his netted vest back on tying it tightly. With great stoicism an command Jorlitharr shouts:
"IN'vac'TAR Sto'YAT."
Jorlitharr will collapse in a satisfied, content, exhausted heap. "That was fun." He mutters under his breath but just loud enough that you over hear: "I could use a bath."
Edit:
Jorlitharr* looks very eager... He collapses in a heap of exhaustion. I think I need a bath. Can you guys grab the prisoners and the food so we can head back? We should get back to lo town by nightfall. I'll craft in the morning and should finish something for each of you. By the end of the next day.
As Olias' feet touch the ground Jorlitharr lays flat on the ground looking carefully at where the boots touch the stone. He stands up, puts his tools away carefully. He puts his netted vest back on tying it tightly. With great stoicism an command Jorlitharr shouts:
"IN'vac'TAR Sto'YAT."
Immediately after Jorlitharr finishes his shout, you hear a reverberating THUMP as the bottoms of the cursed boots touch the ground. Looking at the soles, you see no space between the boot and the ground. It's like the boots have fused to the stone beneath them. The buckles fall open. Olias, you feel like you can step out of the boots easily. If you do, the boots remain where they are, stuck to the ground like glue.
"Prisoners! Why in Moradin's anvil didn't you say there were prisoners? Did you like being a prisoner? Let's get them out!"
Grushnak disappears for a moment down the tunnel to the east. He returns a moment later with a metal key in his hand. "Grushnak took key from captain's bunk," he says, walking to the metal bars. He pushes the key into a lock on the right side, and you notice that the bars form a door. Click goes the key in the lock, and squeeeeak goes the door. He advances down a short hallway with a flickering torch on the wall. "Prisoners! Come out!" There is another barred door at the end of this hallway. He shoves the key into the keyhole and you hear another loud click and squeeeeeeeeeeeak!!
Once the doors are open, he reaches into a pocket on his armor that you didn't realize he had and pulls out a glittering red gem fragment. "Useful stone?" he says, holding it up the torchlight.
"Grushnak can show friends the food stores. Can bring back to town so everyone can eat." He points to the eastern hallway.
A young half orc and middle-aged man appear in the dim opening. The young half orc acts a little wary of Grushnak, but the man walks out and sees all of you. "Come quick, she's pretty bad," he says urgently, motioning behind him. "She's chained to the wall. Can you unlock it?"
You see an emaciated female dwarf propped up in the corner in the hard, grimy stone cell, arms spread and chained to the wall. Even though she is wearing a ragged leather shift, her long brown hair is in knots, and her face is sunken from hunger, she has an air of nobility about her. You've never seen someone starving yet dignified, restricted in movement but free in spirit. A thick golden chain is wrapped around her neck. Her eyes are closed but they open slowly as she hears you.
"Friends!" she says, quiet but strong, her eyes shining with hope. "Long have we waited hoping that brave adventurers would come to our rescue. If you can get these chains off my wrists, I can help get us back out into the fresh, free air." Her head sinks to her chest as she coughs. "Too long it's been, and my companions are tired and hungry from days in this cell. I have heard a battle going on outside the se jail doors. I can help those injured. Please, help me so I can help you."
"Prisoners! Why in Moradin's anvil didn't you say there were prisoners? Did you like being a prisoner? Let's get them out!"Grushnak disappears for a moment down the tunnel to the east. He returns a moment..... Prisoners! Come out!" There is another barred door at the end of this hallway. He shoves the key into the keyhole and you hear another loud click and squeeeeeeeeeeeak!!
Once the doors are open, he reaches into a pocket on his armor that you didn't realize he had and pulls out a glittering red gem fragment. "Useful stone?" he says, holding it up the torchlight.
"Grushnak can show friends the food stores. Can bring back to town so everyone can eat." He points to the eastern hallway.
"Grushnak the Hero. Grushnak the inspiring. I'm so happy we met you. You have do many more deeds to do and adventures to have and friends to make."
A young half orc and middle-aged man appear in the dim opening. The young half orc acts a little wary of Grushnak, but the man walks out and sees all of you. "Come quick, she's pretty bad," he says urgently, motioning behind him. "She's chained to the wall. Can you unlock it?"
You see an emaciated female dwarf propped up in the corner in the hard, grimy stone cell, arms spread and chained to the wall. Even though she is wearing a ragged leather shift, her long brown hair is in knots, and her face is sunken from hunger, she has an air of nobility about her. You've never seen someone starving yet dignified, restricted in movement but free in spirit. A thick golden chain is wrapped around her neck. Her eyes are closed but they open slowly as she hears you.
"Friends!" she says, quiet but strong, her eyes shining with hope. "Long have we waited hoping that brave adventurers would come to our rescue. If you can get these chains off my wrists, I can help get us back out into the fresh, free air." Her head sinks to her chest as she coughs. "Too long it's been, and my companions are tired and hungry from days in this cell. I have heard a battle going on outside the se jail doors. I can help those injured. Please, help me so I can help you."
Jorlitharr hears "She's pretty bad.." and his guts fill with the heat of a forge. His exhaustion tempered and honed to a renewed and sturdy blade of great sharpness. He sails through the air like he's cove his bare feeet in the cursed boots Olias bravely wore, risking himself for the safety of others going alone into the great cavern of ancient battles and long and newly slain soldiers in generations of warfare.
But he don't put on the boots. GMOs bare feet clap with sturdy authority on the earth. He's rooted like his Runic Stone. He sees the prisoner and her stoic bravery.
He reaches beneath his robes withdrawing the minor runestone of healing soapstone. He cracks it with minimal efforts. He mumbles a soothing, short ritual of just the right words but they're hard to make out. "Everything is good and well now. We wasted time not knowing you were here. You endured great hardship and now your rest. Oleksandr will figure out how to help more, he's brilliant. Olias will soothe your spirit with gentle strums of his lute and his honeyed words. All is well. Thravum will break you free if he can get his hands on your chains you'll quickly be safe in a great strength and unwavering quiet and calm courage. There are so many allies to adventure with....he pauses wondering if he's missed something. A tiny piece. You're worried for another? A partner a steed? Tell us more and we'll do what you need. The time for rest is now please take heed. Thravum we need your power. I think you can break these chains from the wall of earth inside. The manacles so tight. You take the left and and I'll try the right. Grusnak the hero please bring the key maybe it will fit to cease her bondage so she maybe freed. Give her a chance at rest and redemption a certain death saved away a second chance that almost took too late. "
While he feels his words his practiced hands of memory break the soap stone biscuit and a gentle flour of dust. . On a successful save the ongoing effect is ended [/ooc]
I can help get us back out into the fresh, free air." Her head sinks to her chest as she coughs. "Too long it's been, and my companions are tired and hungry from days in this cell. I have heard a battle going on outside the se jail doors. I can help those injured. Please, help me so I can help you."
We're fine, we'll rest soon and be better than ever. So will you...
he pauses like he's hearing a voice in his ear from far away. Feeling the vibrations of the earth humming in his bones. He smiles slowly and widely."Are you Sighanna? Or an ancestor of the great Sighanna? I feel her...frequency buzzing from the earth where you're standing. You're aligned. Bravest dwarven hero in almost a Millennium? I have a feeling you are. We'll definitely be fine. Thravum will get these chains off in a jiffy or I'll try cracking them myself or maybe...bending some earth just enough...no there's time. You're safe. Thravum needs to meet you anyway. He's saved us all from certain death. Surrounded..." he takes a long sigh sigh and unwinds a bit. "There's food to be had and we'll carry you just a short time to the town of Blasingdell. A safe hamlet town where we will rest until we're back to normal. Just a little longer. You've made it so far, just a little further."
A young half orc and middle-aged man appear in the dim opening. The young half orc acts a little wary of Grushnak, but the man walks out and sees all of you. "Come quick, she's pretty bad," he says urgently, motioning behind him. "She's chained to the wall. Can you unlock it?"
Jorlitharr looks at peace, like a boulder that has all the time in the world.
"Tell me about yourself sir. Have some food. We'll be back in in civilized safety with friends in just a few hours. Then we'll be back to reclaim the rest of these great ancient halls. Perhaps someday...no too much to think about for now. There's time later. I can see a great strength and resilience in you. You've weathered many storms."
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You see an emaciated female dwarf propped up in the corner in the hard, grimy stone cell, arms spread and chained to the wall. Even though she is wearing a ragged leather shift, her long brown hair is in knots, and her face is sunken from hunger, she has an air of nobility about her. You've never seen someone starving yet dignified, restricted in movement but free in spirit. A thick golden chain is wrapped around her neck. Her eyes are closed but they open slowly as she hears you.
"We'll get you free. How long have you been like this? We have food and are heading back to town soon. You can travel with us."
Oleksandr takes a look at the chains. He'll try the key Grushnak used to open the cell door. If it doesn't work he'll try to assess the strength of the chains and how difficult they may be to break.
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Olias stumbles out of the boots and falls to the ground. "Heh heh, guess I lost a little feeling in my legs! Well, floating in the air like a balloon for a few hours will do that to you, I suppose."
He turns to Jorlitharr. "Jorl, that's quite some impressive work you did back there. When we get back to town, remind me that I owe you a drink, or 6. You too, Thravum. Thanks for dragging me around that entire time and not cutting the rope. Although you did get close a few times when you were killing that wolf... I'm sure it was an accident though."
Olias then follows Olek and Jorl to the prisoners. Upon seeing the woman in chains, he tsks and offers to soothe her emotions with some music.
"Hey, lady. Sorry that this happened to you. Maybe a song could help ease the pain."
Olias takes out his lute and plays (CLICK ME).
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The emaciated dwarf closes her eyes as Olias plays, soaking in the music. She then looks at all of you, her eyes filled with gratitude and selflessness. She seems to be rejuvenating slowly.
“I am indeed Sighanna Gemcutter, ancestor of Sighanna Gemcutter who ended the traitor Angínâk the Betrayer and saved Grombarr the Hero. I am a Dorian dwarf and Hippogriff Rider in the mighty battalions of Griffon Riders of the Holgirr Mountains, and I have lost my Featherhoof to these misguided orcs. I was on patrol in this region and was carelessly separated from my herd by a mistake on my part. Featherhoof and I landed, were caught off guard by a pack of orcs, and they took my steed. I was on their trail and lost a battle with the Eye, then woke up here.”
She sighs, looking at Jorlitharr. “Thank you for your words. I’ve been keeping these young friends healthy with what power I have, but it was not enough for them plus myself.” She pulls at her manacles. "I am no longer feeling strong enough to break these. I must find Featherhoof! It has been 10 days and I worry he is injured."
Suddenly the twisted chain necklace glows briefly with a dark, black light. Sighanna looks startled then her breath exits her body in a slow release, and her head falls to her chest and she is silent. You can hear her breathing, but it is very shallow and she doesn’t speak anymore.
The young half orc cries out. “Sighanna! Someone save her!” He grabs and hugs her torso.
"We need to get that necklace off of her, but I'm not sure if I understand completely how its magic works. Jorlithar, have you seen anything like it? Thravum if you want to start pulling on those chains be my guest."
"I'll be right back!"
Oleksandr rushes out of the room back to the body of Burdug to search for any items which might be helpful (keys, secret chain removal spray, etc).
Without thought Jorlitharr snatches the chain off Sighanna's neck as soon as it begins to glow and it's clear it's not Sighanna's.
Dexterity Save to snatch it before it does it's damage
He says with great confidence. "The ley lines of the earth that align with the stars and guide the flow of magic have brought us together. You truly carry the blood of Sighanna, the most selfless dwarf the Dorians ever saw. I believe Berronar Truesilver herself will be someday pass her mantle to your ancestry. I think I know how to find your steed. Oleksandr, can you help me? We're going outside. Olias and Thravum, please keep her safe. All will be as it should. Soon we'll rest and return to reclaim these halls."
Olek, you sense strong magic from the school of necromancy. Within the thickly entwined chains, you detect the spell
It seems to just be affecting Sighanna, as if the wearer of the chains are the target of this spell. You are unsure of the trigger to activate the spell, or if this has even happened before.
Jorlitharr, you grab at the thick chains. As the necklace finishes glowing and Sighanna sighs out her breath, you wrap your hands around it. You feel like the chains are pulling you in, seeking your strength and lifeforce.
She does not stir. Her breath is faint and shallow, with her head leaned on her chest.
"We've tried to take the chain necklace off her neck, but the links are too strong and we didn't want to hurt her," says the man. "She's been hurt before, but it seems like she's pretty bad right now." He looks warily at the dirty dwarf in front of him grabbing the chain. "Please be careful."
Olek, you sense strong magic from the school of necromancy. Within the thickly entwined chains, you detect the spell ** spoiler omitted **
It seems to just be affecting Sighanna, as if the wearer of the chains are the target of this spell. You are unsure of the trigger to activate the spell, or if this has even happened before.
Jorlitharr, you grab at the thick chains. As the necklace finishes glowing and Sighanna sighs out her breath, you wrap your hands around it. You feel like the chains are pulling you in, seeking your strength and lifeforce.
Jorlitharr bites down hard and grimaces with surprised pain.
He grins 'going to have to do better than that Grummush, you're weak. His arm jerks and his heels drag on the stone floor before Jorlitharr drops into a familiar stance: shouting "IN'vac'TAR Sto'YAT." reaching his free hand to the floor to draw quickly in the dust and his feet fuse to the stone through unseen magics.
Jorlitharr pauses. "There are a few potions of healing in the saddlebags, in the wooden case. There are two red ones that glimmer when agitated. Someone get them? I don't want to leave her."
The chains unravel and fall to the ground. Sighanna is still unconcious, wrists locked tightly in the manacles.
Back at the body of Burdug, Olek does not find anything else. He does remember that Burdug and her two companions came from the northern passage, which connects to the hall where Ulfe's room is.
"Oleksandr, can you help me? We're going outside. Olias and Thravum, please keep her safe. All will be as it should. Soon we'll rest and return to reclaim these halls."
"Certainly, what were you thinking? There was an eye on a door down that hall. I'm assuming it was that beasts room. Her key to the manacles may be in there if Thravum can't break these chains. There might be a clue as to wear her animal companion is as well."
He looks over to Sighanna,
"She looks pretty bad. Do we have a healing tincture to spare? There's not much my abilities can do for her directly."
[dice=knowledge arcana on what a the bubbly substance may be without tasting it like a dummy?]1d20+8
You are pretty sure you've seen something like this before, but can't place it. The liquid is deep red, and bubbles like there is an invisible fire lit underneath the bottom.
"Oleksandr, can you help me? We're going outside. Olias and Thravum, please keep her safe. All will be as it should. Soon we'll rest and return to reclaim these halls.""Certainly, what were you thinking? There was an eye on a door down that hall. I'm assuming it was that beasts room. Her key to the manacles may be in there if Thravum can't break these chains. There might be a clue as to wear her animal companion is as well."
He looks over to Sighanna,
"She looks pretty bad. Do we have a healing tincture to spare? There's not much my abilities can do for her directly."
[dice=knowledge arcana on what a the bubbly substance may be without tasting it like a dummy?]1d20+8
"Ah, good point, your idea is more conservative and It's likely they used those for pens. I was wondering if they stored their wolves there but it looks like they roam free. I was imagining they were outside when she was separated for some reason..."
"Yes, we've been saving some alchemical healing potions and divine potions of cure wounds. I transferred and packed all the healing potions into the wooden box we found on the orc in the Pit near seymour. They're red and glimmer when agitated, can you grab two? I believe they're the only red alchemical concoctions... I don't want to leave her side while she's like this. Once she's healed and talking we can try to find the Hippogriff while Olias and Thravum stay with her and take care of the prisoners."
Oleksandr goes to the room with Duggar and Seymour and begins digging through the group's belongings.
"How many rocks does that man need to bring along? I suppose they all have names too..."
When he finds the potion box he picks up the vials containing red liquid and gives them a little shake. Satisfied that they shine as described he pockets them and returns to the prison cell.
"I think I found them."
He hands the two potions to Jorlitharr.
Oleksandr goes to the room with Duggar and Seymour and begins digging through the group's belongings.
"How many rocks does that man need to bring along? I suppose they all have names too..."
When he finds the potion box he picks up the vials containing red liquid and gives them a little shake. Satisfied that they shine as described he pockets them and returns to the prison cell.
"I think I found them."
He hands the two potions to Jorlitharr.
"Thank you Oleksandr. I'm sorry I'm treating you like a servant but the Sighanna Gemcutter ancestry is arguable the most noble line of Dorian Dwarves. I couldn't let her out of my sight. If you look at the condition of the other prisoners you'll see they're totally healthy. She's been using her magic to keep them alive and sacrificing her own health. She's truly noble."
Jorlitharr takes the liquid, gives it swirl to confirm it's the right stuff. And gently pours both down her throat while gently angling her head backwards.
Confident that Signhanna is fine and safe he'll look up to Oleksandr.
"Let's find that Hippogriff. A griffon rider's steed is a highly trained creature that's fiercely loyal and powerful. We'll need to be careful."
Sighanna takes in a large breath, lifts her head, opens her eyes, and smiles. "Ah thank you!" she says graciously, "I feel much better." She looks at the chain laying on the ground. "Do not touch that! The Eye placed that on me and I've been fighting its evil for days. I hope you didn't hurt yourself taking it off!"
She looks up at her wrists. "Any luck with the key?"
Sighanna takes in a large breath, lifts her head, opens her eyes, and smiles. "Ah thank you!" she says graciously, "I feel much better." She looks at the chain laying on the ground. "Do not touch that! The Eye placed that on me and I've been fighting its evil for days. I hope you didn't hurt yourself taking it off!"
She looks up at her wrists. "Any luck with the key?"
"I've destroyed it. We also killed the Eye. Gruumush's filth will cloud these dwarven halls no longer."
"No, we've found no key, but our companion Thravum will get you free soon. We've searched all the orcs thoroughly, we assumed we'd have found the jailers key."
"My companion Oleksandr and I are going to find Featherhoove. Did the orcs capture her or were you separated outside in battle and she fled?"
"My companion Oleksandr and I are going to find Featherhoove. Did the orcs capture her or were you separated outside in battle and she fled?"
"We were separated in battle. I was helping to defend a farm on the northern outskirts of Blasingdell, having been on regular patrol and hearing distress cries. I tracked Featherhoof from there across the southern part of the mountains, through the pine forest, to the outside of Stonetooth Mountain. I was captured outside in the forest and woke up here. Are we inside the mountain? The air feels so heavy, like the rocks around me want to smash me down. I can't wait to feel the fresh, open air again."
She looks at the young half orc. "I am feeling much better, Rankin. These fine folks will be able to get you back to your grandfather soon." She looks up to the man. "Sam, you will be reunited with your family in Paradiso soon." She looks at all of you, smiling despite her dirty surroundings, her thin frame, and her filthy appearance. "I am glad I was captured so I could save these two. I promised to return them to their families, and I know you can help my friends here."
As if for the first time, she looks down at her dirty clothes. "I would like to find my armor, supplies, and urgrosh before we leave."
"I would like to find my armor, supplies, and urgrosh before we leave."
"They may be in that Gruumush worshiper's room. We should check there for them. We may find the key as well, though there is a good possibility Thravum has them broken before we return."
"Right, I'll stay with Sighanna and play some music to keep her in good spirits."
After Olek and Jorl leave the room, Olias speaks to Sighanna in between songs.
"So, Sighanna. Jorlitharr mentioned your ancestry, but I'm not too familiar with it. When you're up for it, could you tell me more?"
As Grushnak leads Jorlitharr, Olias, and Oleksandr to find the food and prisoners, Thravum sits with his back to the wall, props his feet up on Burdug's corpse, and tips his helmet forward over his eyes. As you rush through the halls rummaging for potions and keys his snores echo through the stone halls.
"Oleksandr rushes out of the room back to the body of Burdug to search for any items which might be helpful (keys, secret chain removal spray, etc)."
".....mmm?..hrrm?....*snore*..."
"...*snore*..."
"...*snore*..."
"...*snore*..."
Your efforts to rouse Thravum as you shift his legs off of Burdug and enlist his help are futile.
""Right, I'll stay with Sighanna and play some music to keep her in good spirits."
After Olek and Jorl leave the room, Olias speaks to Sighanna in between songs."
A more disheveled than usual looking Thravum wanders through the cell door, only one eye (mostly) open.
"Berronar's silver balls Elf....plucking...racket...hurt more on the way out....heh...tryina sleep..."
Thravum eyes Sighanna through one bloodshot eye, tilting his head back to see out from under the lid that still doesn't seem to want to open.
He mutters to himself as he braces one foot on the wall and grabs the left chain in both hands.
"...mmmphh....chains....wander off?...shrooms fer brains...."
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"...hrrm?...dirt....when ya need im?...stuck....other'n..."
Thravum is shaking his head disapprovingly as he gives up on the left and moves over to the right.
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"....girl....other one....wait....somewhere?...sandstone..."
With that explanation to Sighanna, Thravum wanders back out of the cell (scratching his crotch) in search of Geim or Jorlitharr to assist on the stubborn left manacle.
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Thravum wanders back in after a minute or two, both eyes now fully open.
"Can't find the bastards. Back up from that other'n so I can work on it."
Using the blunt top of a hand axe he starts hammering at the ring holding the chain to the wall- working it back, forth, up and down. He also uses a dagger to try and chip away at the morter holding it in place. Occasionally he stops and tugs at the chain to test it's strength.
(Passive Strength Check- 14)
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Thravum is shaking his head disapprovingly as he gives up on the left and moves over to the right.
The right manacle falls open. Sighanna moves her wrist around. She watches him work on the other manacle. She also listens to Olias' songs. After he speaks to her, she replies, "Ah I would love to delve into the lineage of the Gemcutters and their part in the history of the Towers of Doriast of the Holgirr Mountains. And I could tell the story of my ancestor for whom I was named and how she vanquished the traitorous Anganak and saved Grombarr the Brave - ah what a story! Perhaps when we have found Featherhoof and made our way to a cozy fireside with some ale I could enlighten you."
She motions to his drum. "That is a beautiful instrument!" she exclaims. She begins to read the Dwarven runes. "This song describes the Battle of Stonetooth. It begins,"
"Far over the stony mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
Durgeddin forged, crafted to hoard
Many fine treasures in mithril and gold."
She stops. "There are many verses. Sounds like this is the chorus that repeats itself. See how the runes repeat?" She points out several instances of this. "I have never heard this song before. I hope you can perform it for me at the same fireside chat."
Using the blunt top of a hand axe he starts hammering at the ring holding the chain to the wall- working it back, forth, up and down. He also uses a dagger to try and chip away at the morter holding it in place. Occasionally he stops and tugs at the chain to test it's strength.
"May I see that axe?" she asks, taking it from him. "I'll hit the top, you work the dagger, and I believe that together we can open this one."
After a couple minutes the lock clicks open. Sighanna returns the axe and rubs her wrists together.
"We'd better go find those two who left to visit the Eye's room. It's been a while since the changing of the guards outside, and based on that ruckus I heard I have a feeling the replacement guards won't be making it to their posts."