DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
As the visible mist and fog slowly dissipate, the skull answers "They hunger, the elder called them зао дух... There was nothing we could do... Beware the ton...." the last word fading as it was spoken and a sigh comes from the skull as the form flows away. The bone left behind crumbles to dust as the last of the mist-form departs.
зао дух - ghoul
Feigr Roarrgun |
"Warrior of old, you are released to Magrim to be forged anew. Good luck and may we meet you again when we reclaim what was lost." Feigr rocks forward one last time and collapses onto the ground. Utterly spent from his first close experience with the spirits of Tar-Urkatha.
Cynara |
While the spirit speaks, Cynara stares raptly at the skull, hardly seeming to breathe. Something's touched that dwarf, even beyond death. What, I wonder, are we going to face in the mines? As the spirit fades away and Feigr collapses, Cynara takes a deep breath. "Tell me, if you would, what each of you saw and heard."
Padrym Steelribs |
"Thank you Feigr. So, we know this warrior died when the mine fell, and that ghouls killed him. Have we any idea what his last words were?"
Padrym has his hand on his chin, thinking on the words and wisdom learned.
"Think we this would be a good site to create a camp? I'd hate to be trapped without a back door, but if we're going to move into the mines once we clear the upper level it may fit our needs."
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"I saw only what I suppose everyone else did, Cynara. A dwarven skull that crumbled after Feigr asked it several questions. Dolgrym was slighly confused by the elf's inquiry.
"Aye, Padrym. This spot looks as good as any to camp. Not too far from the mines, and slightly out of the way."
Feigr Roarrgun |
Feigr stirs and groans, holding his head and getting back to his feet, "Ugh, next time tell Magrim not to use my head as the anvil. I don't suppose any of you caught what he said at the end? I'm sorry I couldn't get any current information, the spirits don't usually know what happens after the die."
Ernst "Love" Lowfield |
Voice? Did the last word "Ton" rhyme with "tun" or was it more like the beginning of "tone"?
Also what is about a week's travel from here? Any landmarks?
Love, who was seemingly focused on the lizard cages and gnoll bones pipes up. "I heard "Beware the Ton." The voice trailed off at the end so I expect there was more. Damn cryptic warnings. Never useful till it's far too late. Just jhave to keep our eyes open I guess."
Love looks at Fegir speculatively. "Say could you do that with large dead and violent over here? If we knew where his old home was we might find a back door into the mines. I know it's around here somewhere as the lizards have been in their cages for no more than a week."
Feigr Roarrgun |
"Hmmm, that is a really good question. As you could see, reaching the dead takes a lot out of me and I can only manage it for a short time each day. We could try tomorrow, but I'm afraid the language is going to be a problem. I'm pretty sure it only works with me asking the questions. Also, those opposed in life tend to be difficult in death." Feigr pauses for a moment and you can see him thinking, "I wonder if you could teach me a couple simple questions. You would have to interpret for us."
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Just a confirm that I'm fine for you to speak with dead and have Feigr ask simple questions in Giant
One of the group moves to the entrance to the hollow and signals Nabo to approach with the camels. He comes through warily and looks at the giant's corpse with wide eyes "Death-of-Hooves now kill kill big man... you very strong good, I stay with you.... keep safe." sniffing the air he cocks his head to the side "Smelly bad though... what you going to do with it?" indicating the corpse with one paw.
The hollow is a goodly size for your group and more. Sheltered from the sun, though still with some ventilation.
Padrym Steelribs |
"Not to be blunt but we're probably going to need an axe from those camels. We'll chop the carcass up and dump it far away from here. After Feigr has questioned it of course."
Feigr Roarrgun |
Thanks for the confirmation DM - VotV
"Unfortunately, we're going to be dealing with that stink for another day unless anyone has any perfume on those camels. It is probably going to be a bit of a fight with that giant's spirit and I'm not going to be up for it until tomorrow. Is there any other exploration we can do today?"
Feigr Roarrgun |
As the camels come in with Nabo, Feigr assists with setting up the camp. He seems wearier than usual today and stays quiet most of the day. You catch him taking more drinks than usual with a haunted look in his eyes.
Need any rolls or further info on camp plans from us?
Feigr Roarrgun |
Feigr wakes, seeming a little brighter than the night before, but any watching him still catch him taking a drink of whiskey with breakfast. "So, I suppose we want to know where he used to hole up and why he moved to here? Love, you had some good questions and you're going to need to teach me some simple Giant anyway. Remember, since this guy didn't like us, he's going to be even more difficult to question than spirits on our side. So, let's keep it really simple because he might try to deceive us."
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Through the night you were able to see that fires did burn in the ruined fortifications, but you were unable to see if any figures arrived or left there. The waking morning reminds you of the growing stench of the giant and the lizards in their pens seem to be getting restless and hungry.
Ready for the questions when you are - and please ask any questions you need to help plan any approach upon the fort.
Cynara |
Hm, Feigr seems to have some issues with the eau de vie. I'll have to watch that.
If there's any meat left on the charred hyena or the bones in the sack, Cynara will cut it up and feed the lizards. Wonderful. First camels, now lizards. Perhaps the clouded vision wasn't the real curse....
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
The lizards readily accept the charred and partially rotted hyena meat that Cynara offers them...
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
...and unlike previously do not shy away from her after they retrieve the meat. Cynara is able to see that they are in reasonably good condition, and at present show no aggression towards her.
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"Looks like you have made some friends, Cynara. Keep feeding them and turn them into an army!"
Ernst "Love" Lowfield |
"They're just cave rats but they might be smart enough to lead us back to their old home. See if you can get a harness on one Cynara, but watch out for their teeth."
With Fegir
"Well it looks like he was pressured out. So if we asked where his enemies who stold his home are we might get a better response."
Love teaches Fegir the Giant for "Where is the enemy that drove you from your cave?", "Who is the enemy that drove you from your cave?" and "When did the enemy drive you from your home?" Love also teaches Fegir to say "We wish to kill them." and "Answer me!"
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Broken from his thoughtful reverie watching the lizards and dead giant Nabo gives an enthusiastic nod "Nabo can try nice-lady" before getting on all fours and attempting to follow the giant's trail and scent...
Nabo Tracking: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
...he briefly leaves the hollow, though doesn't get far before coming back to Cynara "Me think Giant come from that far" pointing towards the trail that leads past the gnolls "But Nabo not sure. Many stink trail in valley, giant, gnoll and other but oldest smelly-dead trail go away from dark-mine."
Feigr Roarrgun |
"Magrim's hammer! I'm surrounded by geniuses!" roars Feigr with what seems to be genuine and not sarcastic enthusiasm. "Those are good questions Love. I think I can do it. But using the lizards or our Nabo's nose. Brilliant!"
But, when Nabo returns, Feigr slouches, downcast again. "Too bad kid. I guess there is too much going on here. I think we all thought he came from up that way. I guess it is time to talk to big stinky himself."
Feigr gets down on the ground, lying with his face parallel with the dead giant. "You're going to give me trouble aren't you pal? Its ok, we just want to find out who kicked you out of your home."
He pushes himself up on his shoulder, "I saw ya looking at me last time Cynara. Don't you worry about my little helper here. I can handle it." He takes a swig from the whiskey skin. "Ok buddy, let's see what you have to say."
Feigr releases his mind into the cacophony of spirits again. Pushing aside the multitude of Zolurket dead and reaching for the giant's spirit. What was it Love told me to say. Oh yeah, that was it.
"Where is the enemy that drove you from your cave? We wish to kill them."
waits for response...
"Who is the enemy that drove you from your cave? We wish to kill them."
waits for response...
"When did the enemy drive you from your home? Answer me!"
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
As Feigr draws upon the spirits to re-bind the giant's soul to its corpse it manifests differently than when used on the dwarf's skull. The susurrant chorus does not proffer the voice, it comes from beyond into the cave giant. The dead beast's head turns to Feigr and grunts bestially while regarding him with empty eyes.
It initially grumbles "o butucănoase cu oţel musca. Tu mă omori, de ce ma face sa vin inapoi?"
Before responding to each question in turn: "Pe mine nu stiu de unde un alt scurt. Dar daca vrei omori, nu-mă să te opresc."
"Doi bărbaţi cu câini scurt, barbatii nu butucănoase, dar nu capul cainelui."
"Zi mai mult decat degetele. Aveţi grijă de şopârle butucănoase unul."
To Q#1: "Me not know where other short one is. But if you want kill, me not stop you."
To Q#2: "Two short men with dogs, men not stumpy but not dog head."
To Q#3: "More days than fingers. Take care of lizards stumpy one."
After the questions have been asked and answered the corpse gives a long sigh and all signs of life flow from it once more.
Ernst "Love" Lowfield |
Yup direct translation helpfully provided.
"Hmm so we have a new player at the table. Neither Dwarf nor Gnoll, I think we can rule out Orc or Goblin as stinky would likely have at least heard of them before and used the right name."
Love thinks for a moment. Rubbing at his short beard.
"Hmmm.. My money is on Human. There is a chance we are dealing with an Elf or one of the rare plane-touched types. Hope it's not an Elf. No offence Cynara but your folk can afford to play a very, very long game. And that makes them tough to beat."
Cynara |
For a moment Cynara looks disturbed, but that quickly turns into a show of disgust. "I'm an idiot. Even though it's been at least ten days since he was driven out (if his hands are like ours, anyway), his wounds may tell us something. Let me examine him before we move the body." And hopefully that will distract them from Love's idea...no true Elf would likely be in this place, but others may....
Heal check to identify and characterize recently-healed wounds: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"Would the giant know the difference between a short undead and a short humanoid? Perhaps it was the undead that drove him to these parts," Dolgrym suggested, trying to puzzle through the giant's description.
Also, would anyone like to volunteer to keep sort of a journal of important information for the group? Like writing down what the giant and the dwarven skull said for easy access...and maybe keeping a listing of all out treature so that we don't forget it. It seems that helps a lot in PbP's where things are so easily forgotten.
Feigr Roarrgun |
Feigr listens to the others speculate, "Those are all good thoughts. I'd be inclined to think humans or the restless dead, but the dogs lead me to think human. Perhaps Cynara will find something from his wounds. Otherwise, I fear we're just going to have to explore ourselves."
Khepri of the Dawn |
Feigr listens to the others speculate, "Those are all good thoughts. I'd be inclined to think humans or the restless dead, but the dogs lead me to think human. Perhaps Cynara will find something from his wounds. Otherwise, I fear we're just going to have to explore ourselves."
"Maybe we are not the only ones try to reclaim the mines"
Padrym Steelribs |
"That's an upsetting through Khepri. I would imagine this creature would recognize an undead, but then it's hard to say."
Female voice: We are wasting time.
Cynara |
"Whatever drove him away, I infer that he killed one of them. When he was asked where the enemy that drove him from the cave was, he replied that he didn't know where the other short one was; when he was asked who the enemy was, he said two short men with dogs. That might mean that plain weapons will affect them, at least to some degree."
Ernst "Love" Lowfield |
"Nabo says stinky came from the mine. Guess it was too much to hope for a back door. Damn. Looks like we will have to do this the hard way. The Gnolls might already know where we are. Between their Heyenas and the carrion birds gathering for stinky here we have left a prety big footprint."
Love scans the small valley.
"I doubt they will attack before nightfall. We should get moving."
Ernst "Love" Lowfield |
To Feigr.
"Gnolls are at the entrance. They moved in along with at least one human enough ally and drove Stinky out. At least that's how it reads to me. The only real question is do we want to attack now and hope they are too disorganized to use the fortifications properly. Or do we hide out somewhere and see if we can ambush a patrol or two and bring down their numbers."
Love takes a last look at the Giant's axe, worth keeping to sell?
Appraise 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19.
Love tosses the axe aside.
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Might have been a bit confusing, so I'll re-state what 'stinky' said:
More than 10 days ago, he was driven out of his home by two short ones (who were neither dwarves, nor gnolls) who had dogs with them.
Nabo said that the Giant's home home was probably away from the mine.
Love has inferred that 'stinky' took the dwarf skull from Tar-Urkatha itself; which is not necessarily true... it could have been taken from someone who took it from the mine themselves...
Cynara cannot ken much from the Giant's scars. He has been wounded by both blade, tooth and claw, but you cannot reliably tell who made the weapons that did the damage. Most of the cuts show a fair amount of infection from his squalid living conditions as well - which makes it harder to read their story.
Love doesn't see any value in the giant's weapon beyond being used for further butchery as it is poorly made.
Looking from the mouth of the cave towards the mount you see that you have a couple of hours of tiring though not technically difficult ascent ahead of you. The ruined fortifications are more intact on the side that you are currently, though not by much. They are clustered in close by what you gauge must be the front door to the mines proper, and are not very extensive beyond that.
There is a direct approach through light scrub and scree that will give you some protection by sight - but still likely make you visible from a reasonable distance. But you would be able to make your way upon the fort from any direction you deem reasonable.
On the Northern edge of the valley is a sparse collection of brush and trees that will break up your silhouettes until you get closer - but also means you will be coming at the fort from the most intact side.
It isn't really viable to come at the fort from behind as it is set into the mountain where the incline goes from being manageable to much steeper.
What are you proposing for Nabo and the camel?
And - from what direction do you move forward and with what assumption of stealthiness?
Padrym Steelribs |
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
"There are tents and other structures scattered around the walls of the fort. The undead do not need tents, so there must be others attempting to live here. We should be cautious, but they may be allies."
Cynara |
"From downwind, if we can. Just how large is this camp? What do you think of weakening them by ambushing any foragers they have out before we attack the main body?"
Khepri of the Dawn |
"From downwind, if we can. Just how large is this camp? What do you think of weakening them by ambushing any foragers they have out before we attack the main body?"
"That may work, but gnolls are like rats and they never seem to run out. True their numbers may be down a bit by taking out their patrols but given enough time we will never even notice, plus they will be even more cautious. I would say we take out what patrols we can then hit them as soon as possible, hopefully before they even know the patrols have been killed."
Padrym Steelribs |
"It's too bad we can't lure the undead to the gnolls and let them wipe each other out. Of course then we'd have to deal with undead gnolls..."
Padrym shudders at this thought.
Ernst "Love" Lowfield |
Might have been a bit confusing, so I'll re-state what 'stinky' said:
More than 10 days ago, he was driven out of his home by two short ones (who were neither dwarves, nor gnolls) who had dogs with them.
Nabo said that the Giant's home home was probably away from the mine.
Love has inferred that 'stinky' took the dwarf skull from Tar-Urkatha itself; which is not necessarily true... it could have been taken from someone who took it from the mine themselves...
Perception, canny 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Love smacks his palm to his forehead. "Ernst you idiot!
To Nabo: "Kid did you say the big guy came from that way, or that way?"
Nabo confirms that the giant was heading towards rather than away from the mine.
"People listen up. I think we have a better option than trying to force our way in through the Gnolls. I say we backtrak big and rotting here to find his former home. I don't like that human or whatever being here and I like not knowing why they are here even less.
They might be friendly, or at least opposed to the Dogfaces. They may know something having been here longer and there just might be a way into the mine. Our dead friend with the hat made it out of there somehow. Worst case we remove a player from the board and get a good place to stow the camels.
The body of our big dead friend here and our tracks leading away from the mine will give it's current owners something to think about as well. At least some will think we are runing away, might make them relax. What do you say?"