The ogres are cowered at the sudden sight of Sakkarot and take to a knee lowering their heads. They nod their heads in agreement and then scamper away once bid to do so.
Accomplishing the task set before them by the ally of the cardinal, the group makes their way back to the war camp of Sakkarot.
Well I'll be a virgin succubus...it worked
Well now that that is resolved, let us get our stuff and get out of here.
The group manages to find their way back to the bugbear warleaders camp, even slipping past the guards watching the trails. They make their way to Sakkarot's tent just as new recruits for the humanoid crusade begin to filter into the camp.
The large bugbear leader emerges from the tent to see you all standing there and seems satisfied with your work as he holds a signal rocket in his hands.
I nod at him still in my original form. "We've taken care of your request."
Sakkarot laughs and slaps Saulric on the shoulder laughing. "I see you did. Was it a problem? Tell me all... I wished I could have seen you all gut them and bleed them out." He motions for some scared goblins to bring cups of wine and human food for you.
Szordrin nods at Saulric. Go on tell him what we did.
Haha, we barely had to do anything. We set a fire and kidnapped one while they were busy, several of them turned out to be disguised humans. I took their magic item, walked in, started a fight, and they did the rest for us.
Szordrin watches and listens...
Yeah that is what WE did...nice of him to include anyone else but himself. So if this goes south it is all on him then...fine with me.
"HAR!HAR!HAR!" the bugbear warchief says as he listens to the tale. "They deserved that! But to more pressing matters."
“After we gather, my horde will be idle and start to grow anxious. I can hold them together for another two weeks. After that, I expect desertions and squabbling. So I will begin my march in two weeks time. It will take us two weeks to be outside of the town. Get your work done before then. You have one month to infiltrate and destroy Balentyne.” Sakkarot hands you a single carefully wrapped signal rocket. Suddenly the bugbear warlord gets very serious and stern. He stares straight into your eyes. “Can you do this? In one month can you break the Watch Wall?”
Alaric watches the interchange and lofts a brow curiously at the question, for in truth the answer is unknown. He wonders what Saulric's answer might be.
It's not an easy task. We'll have to be mindful to find opportunities, but so long as we all pull our weight, an assault from their rear will do much to weaken them for you.
Elisa just watches, she is more concerned that the Bugbears will not be anything more than than useless. From what she has seen their leader doesn't have enough force of personality to hold them together long enough to hurl them at a fortified position.
"The Cardinal has faith that you can or he would not have sent you. Do the task ahead of you and I shall see you in 1 moons time. Go now lest your ship friend cause any more trouble. We had to anchor the ship ourselves and post some guards to ensure he did not slip off into the night before completing his tasks for you." Sakkarot says motioning to the Frosthammer docked on the makeshift pier. The bugbear then turns away and retreats to his private quarters.
Anyone have any clue as to how we are to accomplish our next objective?
We'll need to assess their security. Find it's weak points. Only way to do that is to go look.
The group speaks amongst themselves as they head back down to the Frosthammer and Captain Odenkirk.
He stands on the bridge of the boat when they come aboard and has a scowl on his face. "Took you all long enough to do yer business here!" he then turns and barks some orders to his crew to get ready to sail. "We leave now? Yes. By the stars I hope so. Look in that one’s eyes. He’s smart- always plotting. Bugbears should not be so smart.” he says glancing at Sakkarot who emerges from his tent to watch the ship depart. "The sooner we leave the better!"
Agreed Captain. We've got much work ahead of us.
Szordrin stares at the captain as he speaks.
You are wise beyond your years Captain. It is always smart to keep one like him in your sights at all times. Now if you would be so kind as to get us moving.
"I am not getting paid enough to haul the likes of these blokes..." he mutters under his breath as he turns away and gets his men and ship ready to set sail for Aldencross.
The Forsthammer crosses the mist-shrouded Lake Tarik under cover of darkness and the crew grow quiet letting you all know you are close to disembarking.
"I'll drop you off on the southern shore just up ahead. It will be a couple hours walk to the Tower Balentyne and the small town of Aldencross. After you all are gone I plan to sail east, upriver and to the sea hoping to never see you all again." he says to you all as you stand at the bow of the ship. "Go get your gear and be ready to jump off when I give the signal. You've a couple minutes to prep."
Elisa gathers her equipment, making sure everything is ready to be used. She picks a position to watch the captain and crew where no one can get behind her.
Saulric places himself in position to trip the captain and keep him out of the fight after he picks up his things.
Alaric goes to get his gear and asks very quietly while doing so and assuring himself first that noone can overhear except his comrades. "Do we have a plan? or just winging it?"
Following Alarics lead...Szordrin response in a quiet tone.
Winging it, but we need to wait till we are at shore. I do not want to swim.
"I have no desire to bring you any closer and risk my boat. We will lower this seldom used skiff into the water and you can load up on it and take it to shore. Then I will be done with you and you with me." Kargeld says to the group.
Aww, a free gift captain? I'm sure we can sell it for a pretty penny once we get into town.
"Other than the skins we caught out on the ice I have lost money on this venture. The sooner you all load up the better. Now go."
Come now Captain, no need to pout. I am sure we can come to some sort of arrangement, one that more than makes up for your losses. If we can not then I am deathly certain the Cardinal will make it up. If your loss is that great then we should contact him now and mesh this out before it is too late. I am more than happy to broker the deal.
"Dont play me boy...just go... and be quick about it."
Szordrin starts to laugh and in a calm voice...
boy...really that is the best you got...boy. You can not be that stupid. Even the bugbears where not that dumb. Come on really...boy.
Well, you need to work on your threats...like a lot. Try something like this....
In a mocking tone of the Captain's voice, Szordrin shifts his appearance to that of the captain.
If you do not get off my boat now I will flay the skin from your bodies to make a sail.
Szordin smiles back at him
what do you think...yeah..I nailed your lack of intelligence and slopped brow. What..did I forget something...Ah Shit I forget the moles...oh well f!@@ it...Threats are over rated...now action...that is where it becomes fun...
Szordin laughs some more
Might I suggest you sit down and surrender your ship and weapons...before you get yourself killed.
Kargeld, it seems, loves nothing save for this ship.
Kargeld listens to Szordrin for a second and throws down his weapons ordering his crew to do the same. With a blank expression on their faces they comply with the orders of their captain. "I'll give you me weapons but if you think I will let you take me ship from me after I killed me brother for her you must be daft!" he mutters out still unsure as to what he is doing.
Don't worry, we'll leave you with your ship. But we need you to come over to the mast and sit there for a bit.
"Sit at the mast...? For what for?" he says but begins walking slowly to the mast.
The crew stands there with a wild expression on their face as they have never seen their captain act as such... and they begin to whisper of witchery...
Saulric bends over and picks up the man's weapons. No particular reason. Just need you to do something before we leave.
Do not fret dear captain, we do not desire your precious ship. I would never dream of parting you from your ship. It is just..well you seem to forget the mission that was given to you by your employer. Now since you have stated that this deal has cost you money..well that makes me wonder just what you would be willing to do to make a profit. So please just sit down by the main mast and relax. We will be on our way soon enough. Perhaps your crew wishes to join you in sitting down. We want no trouble and I am sure the crew does not want any trouble either, we just want to make our way to the shore.
As szordrin watches the crew, his gaze falls on the other members of the party and wonders why the remain so silent.
Alaric grumbles softly, "Maybe for their own safety, we should lock the crew in the hold until we are safely away... " he kind of rolls his eyes at the 'safely away' comment when looking at Szordin, so the crew can't see the gesture, then gives Szordin a wink to say he means more than he said.
One of the crew finally has seen enough and speaks up "Cap'n Kargeld... cant you see they using witchcraft on you.... snap out of it and let us be gone from here... they planning something they is"
Others in the crew nod in agreement but none take a hostile act against the group yet...
Kargled looks over at the party and then back at his crew and tries to come up with some sort of compromise. "we can wait at the bow while you all unload yourselves. Have no fear from us. Go on your way and leave me ship alone."
Szordrin eyes flare red with anger...
Witchcraft...Do I look like a f%#%ing Witch to you. Do I have a gods damn wort on my nose or toad in my pocket. NO! Where in the Hells did you get this crew...Kobolds the whole lot of them. You want to see Witch Craft...hows about I shove a f$$%ing fireball up your ass!!!
Szordrin turns and walks away...but stops short and turns around again and in a calm voice....
No, A fire ball would be to quick for you...I think I will just melt the flesh from your bodies...now that will be nice and slow...I so look forward to the screams.
Alaric:
Elisa:
Szordrin:
Rythian:
Saulric:
Kargeld + Men:
Kargeld and his men move slowly to the mast and you all can sense that Kargeld is trying to resist whatever trickery is being used on him. Szordrin uses his drowish magiks to cast a spell upon the orange sailor, affecting the pink and teal sashed sailors as well. Alaric takes Kargeld own Greataxe and uses it to attack the man and with the spell he is under just barely manages to strike the man... whatever spell the captain was under fades away as his eyes go red with madness and the man starts frothing at the mouth...“You want my ship, do ye? I killed my
brother to take her and I’ll kill all of you to keep her!” he screams out... "Gut them boys! Keep the females alive to sell later!"
Combat 1st Round
All of you
All of them
I'm gonna burn this ship and if you're lucky it won't be while you're alive on it! Saulric yells as he swings the axe.
Alaric assaults the captain... hoping if he goes down it will demoralize the others.
As the only female in the group Elisa doesn't take the captains words well.
Trying to hit the Orange sailor and missing.
Splash damage 4 on the 3 sailors, DC14 reflex save for half.
Szordrin steps back and casts a spell, laughing with glee as he watches the sailors flail around form the combined might of his companions.
Saulric misses with his next attack, the shifting nature of the boat messing his axe swing timing...
Alaric misses his first but strikes with his second landing a solid hit on Kargeld...
Elisa throws a bomb and does not hit her intended target but does hit some of the sailors...
The drow sends bolts of arcane force at the orange sailor as well...
Kargeld tries to steal his axe back from Saulric
and he manages to take back his axe... "10 gold to the one that slays the black elf!" the Captain yells out in anger...
Alaric and Saulric get swarmed by the sailors...
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2nd Rnd
All of you, Alaric (-8)
Kargeld (-24), Orange (-8), Teal (-2), Pink (-2)
the others
Alaric takes his aoo on the first attack against him...
then turns his attacks on Kargeld..
Alaric misses with his AoO most likely due to the monk trying to get in a better position to attack Kargeld.... which he does... twice...