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The sleepers wake and rise.
As Haskyll scrambles to his feet he grabs his new spear and brings a light onto the problem.
Leira rubs her eyes as she is awaken by the sound of battle. The young girl recognizes Ragnir's stout back looming over her facing some danger, so she quickly hands her bow and stands up on panties and a light shirt.
She points to the darkness looking around trying to identify a sound or a shadow of whatever is attacking the group "Wh-where is it? What is it?"
Leira pushes her back against Ragnir looking for protection.
Anga casts mage armour
Round One
Umlo is more than a cook. He is one helluva fighter. He missed his main swing, but then really hits the big ass scorpion hard enough to crack the arachnid's exoskeleton on the rebound. Green goo seeps out from the wound.
Surprise Round
Umlo notices just in time to strike a big ass Scorpion coming out of the woods with his warhammer, before being stung by the huge bug.
Round One
Anga brings up a Mage Armor on herself.
Umlo works on a little pest control. He critically strikes the big ass scorpion.
Haskyll readies Heartspit. He brings up a little Light in the cool pre-dawn morning.
The rest of the party stirs and rise up from the sound of battle.
The big ass Scorpion grabs Umlo with its right claw, then deals a vicious snip onto the grabbed Dwarf with its left. Luckily for Umlo, the scorpion's stinger failed to penetrate his breastplate.
Round Two
Round Two
Umlo continues his attack on the big ass Scorpion hoping to kill the creature. But his attacks were weakened by the Scorpion's grasp.
Finally finding the scorpion thanks to the new light source, Leira turns and shots an arcane empowered arrow to the creature "The brisket cooker is ours!"
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Ragnir continues to cover Leira as best he can with his shield, moving between her and the scorpion, muttering in his low growl that he *thinks* can't be heard, Bloody young lass sleepin' in her dainties on t'road. Not that i's no bein' a foine sight, but I'll no be seein' the lass gettin' cut up by the likes o' tha' thin'. An i's bloody well distractin" He continues to steadfastly make a point of NOT looking back at Leira.
Ulfgard jumps in and bashes his hammer at the scorpion.
Haskyll and Ragnir both will quickly identify the inlaid Warhammer on the floor as the symbol of Torag.
Leira study's the remains of Nargrym Steelhand. She is disturbed by her findings. Although the skeletal corpse still wears armor, its right arm ends in a stump and Nargrym’s legendary steel hand is nowhere to be seen. A heavy helm lies next to the shattered pieces of the giantslayer’s skull. Leira notices that the dwarf ’s beard seems to have been crudely hacked off and that many of the bones are damaged and even display tooth marks. Even more disturbing, all of these injuries were made post-mortem, suggesting deliberate desecration of the corpse.
Stashed around the alcoves with the braziers the party will find in the northeast alcove a rolled up carpet. In the southeast alcove there are a pair of boots, a clay vase on an iron stand sculpted to look like a coiled dragon, three chunks of azurite, a golden yellow topaz, and a small leather-embossed casket holding 2 pp, 35 gp, and 150 sp.
Kaos will note that the boots radiate magic. But he will also note that the scale armor, still worn by Nargrym Steelhand, radiates magic too. You will recognize that this thick coat of scale mail is crafted from waxy cales of varying sizes with a sickly, jaundiced color—the grime-stained fingernails of dead hill giants.
Suddenly the party hears from up the stairs a scraping sound follow by a loud "thud." This is quickly followed by a click. Kaos continues to have his bad feeling.
Kaos will recognized the boots as Boots of the Winterlands.
Haskyll will know a little about the Giant’s Nail Scale Mail. Legend has it that Nargrym Steelhand himself crafted this scale mail coat from fingernails pried from the hands of hill giants he had slain.
Kaos heads back up the stairs, but the doorway out has been sealed.
Brandark will notice that the door has a tight stone seal with no visible handles or mechanism to open the door from this side.
Brandark and Kaos will push on the door, but it will not budge. The door is locked, and apparently the mechanism is on the other side.
Ingrihild grabs her Waraxe and runs up to aid her brother, clutching the Dwarven weapon with two hands. But the edge of her axe slipped off the big ass Scorpions hard exoskeleton.
"Bugs. I hate bugs. And that is a big bug," Droja will begin to the process of summoning in a little help.
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Kaos will recognized the boots as Boots of the Winterlands.
Haskyll will know a little about the Giant’s Nail Scale Mail. Legend has it that Nargrym Steelhand himself crafted this scale mail coat from fingernails pried from the hands of hill giants he had slain.
Kaos heads back up the stairs, but the doorway out has been sealed.
Brandark will notice that the door has a tight stone seal with no visible handles or mechanism to open the door from this side.
Brandark and Kaos will push on the door, but it will not budge. The door is locked, and apparently the mechanism is on the other side.
Round one
Kaos awakened by the sounds of battle will get to his feet and grab his axe. More big bugs I hate bugs.
Round 2
Kaos will move to H27 and try to take off the big bugs tale.
Haskyll moves up behind Umlo
Torag be helping you, and I don't like bugs eithers.
Anga casts magic missile at the nearest foe
Round Two
Anga hits the big ass Scorpion with a Magic Missile.
Having been grabbed by the Scorpion's right claw, Umlo tries to hammer himself free. His blows just glanced off the big arachnid's exoskeleton.
Ulfgard moves up and bashes the huge bug with Agrimmosh, cracking its hard exterior. A gooey green substance splatters all over.
Ingrihild moves up next to her brother. She brings her Dwarven Waraxe down on the Scorpion body, but it does not slice into its hard shell.
Leira fires an arrow into the Scorpion's head, just missing a critical bundle of nerves.
Kaos goes after the Scorpion's tale, but as he attempts to claw into the huge arachnid, it collapses. Leira's arrow and the other oozing wounds was enough to still the beast. It slowly dies.
Haskyll provides healing to Umlo.
Anga 22 (AC21 45/45)
Umlo 17 (AC19 6/60)
Ulfgard 12 (AC19 87/87)
Ingrihild 11 (AC18 55/55)
Leira 10 (AC19 44/44)
Kaos 9 (AC24 84/84)
Haskyll 9 (AC16 43/43)
Ragnir 6 (AC22 59/59)
Big Ass Scorpion 5 (AC>19 -104/?)
Droja 1 (AC16 75/75)
Victory!
Leira places her hand on Ragnir's shoulders in a thanks movement while she moves to Umlo offering help to stand up "Are you ok Umlo?"
The young girl will try to continue the sleep, and next day help prepare a breakfast with some left potatoes and scorpion leftovers before continuing the way to Janderhoff.
Anga casts magic missile at the nearest foe
[Dice=magic missile]4d4 + 7
Haskyll heals Umlo up and after breakfast will re prepare spells
A good hearty breakfast is needed before we go on our walk. My thanks to the cook.
Discussing matters with Kaos, "Aye!", Droja says. "It could be valuable." Droja looks to capture some of the Scorpion's venom using several empty vials that she was carrying.
Day Sixty-Eight
The next day the party begins to climb out of this isolated valley and up to the grand ridge of the Mindspin Mountain Range. By late in the day, Ingrihild will recognized a few peaks on the western horizon, "Janderhoff. She points to the west. Let's find a place to rest. We should be in Janderhoff by the day after tomorrow."
The party will find an abandoned cave. Bears once dwelled in the cave, but no longer. The night was quiet and uneventful.
Day Sixty-Nine
This day was an easier trek. The party follows the ridge for most of the morning then down into a valley by nightfall. The party finds themselves at the headwaters of the Runtash River. Several in the party will now know that following the river will lead to Janderhoff.
The party finds a pleasant spot along a series of rapids in the Runtash, a spot that has been used by travelers before. The party has a restful and undisturbed night.
Day Seventy
The hike is easy, and by mid-afternoon the party comes upon the wagon village known as Outer Janderhoff. Caravans from Cheliax, Varisia, and other far flung locations camp outside of Janderhoff to ply their wears with the predominantly Dwarven population, trading food, wine, cloths, furs, etc., for the exquisitely crafted items made of all kinds of metals.
Not long afterwards the party reaches a massive iron gate, and just beyond The Grand Entrance to Janderhoff.
Droja will look at the party after seeing the massive Dwarven sculpture at the entrance, "I think I will stay outside amongst the caravans."
A Dwarven guards at the gate recognize Ingrihild, "Well, well, we thought ye be dead. You and your smelly brother." He then notices Umlo, "What happened to you?" The guard did not notice Umlo at first due to the cook's change in appearance.
"Smelly! Ye son of a swine. Good to see ye too, Bindrik. I see ye be still on guard." The two look at each other briefly with pained expressions, then smile and embrace.
Bindrik looks back at his friend, "It is good to see you. We all thought you 'ere dead." Tears start to form in the two burly Dwarves' eyes.
Leira becomes visibly impressed as the party approaches the large statues of Janderhoff gates "Wow! That's really impressed what your people made here"
"What are the most interesting places to visit in Janderhoff?" asks the girl to those naturals of the city "I would specially like to learn more about magic"
"Oh mom... I just realized this is the farthest I've ever been from Trunau..."
Droja, feel free to come with us. you have shared in our dangers, you should not in Torags name be denied entrance or feel put upon.
If they slight you, they are insulting our honour, and we will not be having that.
Haskyll pitches his voice so the guards can hear, with the emphasis on the makers name.
Looking at the Big dwarven statue, Ulfgard feels racial pride swell up in him and a few tears of joy escape his eyes.
"I feel like coming home!"
Ragnir looks at the statue with a content sigh, and wipes a sleeve across his eyes, muttering something about road dust. He looks up at the guards with a stern look at them calling Droja smelly. While it may be true, it's an insult. At least until he notes the humor and camaraderie in the exchange. "Haskyll be havin' the right o' it, Droja. Ye be here wi' us, an' we'll be brookin' nae insult to ye."
torag's beard, ah hope ah can avoid mah father. We, um, may have parted badly.
Droja moves a little closer to Haskyll, "Most kind. It is appreciated." She gives Kaos a nod, "I will go inside the mountain with you then."
As grand as may be the giant statue of Jander, the founder of Janderhoff, the great Forum of Janderhoff is grander still. Massive columns two dozen deep, and a dozen wide, support the mountain above this vast open area teaming with mostly Dwarves, but plenty of humans too. In deed, many Shoanti call Janderhoff their home. In addition, there are travelers from all over Golarion that visit this largest Dwarven city in Varisia.
Great lanterns attached to the columns light the Forum. Shops, many with forges, line both the left and right sides. The vast Temple of Torag is to the right center. The palace of the Lord of Janderhoff is at the opposite end of the Forum from the entrance.
The smell of roasted meats fills your nostrils.
There are several inns and taverns, but Ingrahild and Umlo will offer to the party accommodations, "It ain't much. But come and stay at the Nargrymkin forge. It is just two levels below."
It doesn't take long for other Dwarves to notice Haskyll's steel hand and Heartspit. A crowd begins following the party.
Aye, I be having to return unto Torags forge here.
Afterwards, I have to check in with my cousins,
and then I will meet you where ever you might happen to be.
Haskyll waits to here where everyone will be, and then he makes a semi formal salute to Janders statue,
and then he makes his way to the temple of Torag.
He gets a little nervous about the crowd starting to follow, as he makes his way to the church.
Ulfgard looks to the others then smiles. "Well folks, I have kin to visit. How about we meet tomorrow noon at the central marketplace?"
Ulfgard will visit his family and then move to the headquearters of the 9th Battallion and ask for admittance!
Anga shakes herself.
well, I hope this goes well. I'll be seeing you later. I better see mah family
She heads off to home.
As Brandark heads to the temple of Torag, Droja stays with Kaos.
Ulfgard rams his hand on his chest.
"Well met, Captain! My name is Ulfgard Strongfist, son of Ursan Strongfist. I am here to report of my valor in battle and to pledge my hammer to the 9th Battallion, to learn the songs of valor, to help me kin in our struggles to overcome the giants pestering this land!"
He then starts slowly to recount the dozens of orcs he has slain, the giants he has smashed, of the undead and other abberations that have fallen through his hammer and shield. He also reports of the cleansing of the tomb of Nargrym Steelhand. Claiming his weapons for his group, so that this weapons again can again bath in giant blood!
Aye Ardoin, is is both his hand and his spear.
Haskyll shows him the hand and the full range of movement
Myself and my friends just arrived this morning.
As haskyll is walking around he drops a handful of his own coins into a donation box.
However, I have come to spend some time to honour the Maker, and see if there might be a few things i could get.
A list will have to wait right now though, as i have promised to meet with my friends
Haskyll will sit down with Ardoin and go over in detail everthing that happened since he left to go to Truneau.
"Let's eat, drink, and rest first," Umlo leads Kaos, Leira, and Droja, down the main ramp from the Forum, and through the Diamond Level. The Diamond Level or District has the finest homes and shops in Janderhoff. The group makes their way down another ramp to the Sapphire District. The Sapphire District has artisans, and homes for many of the warriors, and their families. Nargrym Steelhand was born and raised in the Sapphire District of Janderhoff.
The Nargrymkin area contains a series of rooms, chambers, and forges. Ingrahild and Umlo's cousins come and warmly greet the adventurers. A celebration erupts. A hog is roasted. And a cask of Dwarven Ale is opened. The celebration spreads to other nearby clans. And before long the whole of the Sapphire District begins partying. Many don't even know why they are celebrating. But they party hardy none the less.
The rest of the day will be difficult to remember.
Day Seventy-one
Ragnir will travel along with Haskyll to the temple of Torag, doing his best to redirect the crowd along different avenues. When he gets to the temple, he'll go see how other Warpriests and Paladins are doing, leaving Haskyll to his talk with Ardoin.
Later Andoin will approach Ragnir, "Times are tough. We are stretched thin. Most of our numbers are in garrisons along the frontier. Giant raids are getting ever closer. What you see are those remaining to defend Janderhoff should the Giants get this far." Andoin looks down, concern mars his features, "Years of peace is good, but so few know the sting of battle. So we train."
It was good that the meeting at the Forum (central marketplace) wasn't until noon, as many staying with the clan of Nargrymkin were late in rising.
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Kaos will enjoy the celebration immensely but he will try to keep himself from over indulging. He likes to remember this place and he knows it is probably a good idea to keep an eye on his non dwarven friends just in case. The next day or when ever is possible Kaos will ask where he may be able to find a greater hat of disguise, mule back cord, some magical protection be it better armor or rings bracers etc. or perhaps a place to enchant his axe.
Umlo will lead Kaos to Tara befriend the Dwarves, a heavily tattooed, tall blonde Shoanti woman that runs a shop not far from the outside entrance to the Forum. She crafts items from leather. She did not manufacture this, but she has a Greater Hat of Disguise (12,000gp). She is immediately somewhat taken with Kaos, "I traded for this long ago. It is rare and quite valuable. I could let it go for 9000gp. I also make Muleback cords (1000gp) each. Two for 1800gp."
There are several places that enchant weapons and armor.