The mighty river winds the cold north, many of the following days are spent in an enormous pine forest until a huge mountain ranged raises in the horizon. As you approach you see the river turn south and pass through a steep canyon, almost cut into the range. The landscape on the other side is mostly wooden foot hills before the river reach the great inner sea of Talingarde Lake Tarik. You know the watchwall sits on its southern shores and dutifully Odenkirk takes you north to a wooden valley where your destiny awaits. A crude pier sticks into the river and as you dock you see part of the horde, more bugbears than you have ever seen. Amongst them walks polar bear, these must be the Naatanuks, intelligent beasts in the services of bugbears. Quite a lot of fur clad goblins scuttles around the legs of their mighty cousins and the towering stature of a few hill giants can be seen on the edge of the camp. None of them seem to happy to see you but more pressingly are the four bugbears that makes their way towards you with menacing smiles.
In Goblin: Greatings to you. We are the Nessian Knot sent to meet the Great Fire Axe. Cardinal Thorn sends his greatings as well as his promised supply of weapons. Please take us to Fire Axe so that we can present him with his supplies.
Drogan gives a sinister smile in return and bows deeply as he finishes speaking.
"Pleasant words will not protect you," one of the four replies in goblin before the group continues to close in on you the nearby bugbears watch in anticipation.
A small Fire ball appears in Drogans hand after chanting a few divine words.
Your intimidation is better suited for lesser beings. Do not test me goblinoid. I am the incarnate avatar of our Dark Father. His will be mine. You will take us to the Fire Axe or suffer the wrath of Asmodeus.
Randu's eyes gaze at the one that made the comment about pleasant words, "Want me to kill this one, Drogan? Perhaps the next one, or the next one after that will be more reasonable."
Perhaps this is more natural to bugbears, but now it seems like you speak a language they understand. The leaders eyes widen and their advances is paused. The onlookers eagerly anticipate what might happen next when a great black-furrred bugbear perhaps a head taller than the rest makes his way towards you. Who sent you?" it demands to know.
"A priest of Thorns, as I'm sure Drogan already told you," The ranger states, hand still on weapon.
Ah you must be the Fire Axe. Cardinal Thorn has fulfilled his part of the deal. Your weapons and supplies are on board. Now you will lead your army to the wall. We will do our part and open the gates for you. You man then bring the country to its knees. What we need from you is time. How long will it take you to equip and reach the wall.
Drogan squeezed the fireball in his hand and it disappears. He offers a slight bow of his head to the bugbear as it approaches.
A terrifying grin parts the black bugbear's lips when Drogan replies. "Then you are welcome here," he replies in a perfect Talingarde tongue. Turning towards the gathered warriors he bellows: "These humans are my guests. I will deal with anyone who harms them. They are our allies." To underline his point, he walks to the ship, strips the canvas of the crates and rips one open revieling the finely crafted steel axes within. Tossing one to a nearby bugbear he continues: "Behold they bring us steel." This draw forth a bone-freezing chorus of howls and cheers from the gathered monsters.
Once the tension is relieved Sakkarot's lieutenants efficiently distributes the weapon amongst the gathered horde. In the mean time Sakkarot has turned back to you. "I am Sakkarot Fire-Axe, welcome to my camp. You have brought us a great strength and thus to night we feast."
You are well met Sakkarot. My name is Drogan. These men are my friends and allies. Randu and Erodin. We are the Nessian Knot. We will feast with you, it will be an honor. Can you tell us anything of the watchwall that may aid in our mission there.
"And what's the hunting like in these lands?" Randu says with interest
"Enjoy yourself little ones, but know it is not safe for you to stray to far from my tents. Not everyone here thinks before acting," the black bugbear replies continuing: "I know little of the Human's wall, that is why you are here, to spring the backdoor to Talingarde ajar for me and my horde." A little puzzled by Randu's question he answers: "Not that bad, but I think we have caught alsmot every prey here by now."
"Hunted out then, ah well," Randu says
How long will it take you to be ready to march on Talingarde? We will need some time to get the gates open. Perhaps a week or two. You need to have your army ready. You should of course strike at night to take advantage of our ability to see in the dark. We will need some kind of signal to let you know when the gate is down. When that happens the rest is up to you my friend.
Drogan takes a seat and relaxes a bit in the Fire-Axe's tent. Thinking about what comes ahead.
Smiling at Erodin's offer he replies: "I have little use for those, save them for someone else." When Drogan begins to discuss tactics Sakkarot turns to him and smiles. "This is not the time nor the place, now we feast." Ending the conversation he leads you to a large tent where the feast has already begone. It is a brutal, savage affair wiht bugbears fighting each other for food or fun. All manner of monsters are in attendance. The highlight of the party is when a dozen bugbears leads a ton of angry dire boar into the tent. Pausing before Sakkarot, he beheads the animal to rousing applause from the gathered crowd. The great beast is then spitted and roast over the open pit. You sit at the high table next to Sakkarot.
Drogan feast with the rest. He sits and watches, amused by the savagry of these beast. He awaits till the Fire-Axe wishes to talk on the matters of the watch wall.
Fairly quickly after the first servings has ended Sakkarot leaves the table and gestures for you to follow. Once you are in his private tent he asks: "We have much to discuss but first you are traitors to your own kind. You must know that. When Balentyne falls and my horde pours through its shattered gates, we will slaughter the Talireans by the thousands. yet I see no regret in your eyes. Tell me how can this be?"
Drogan stands and extends his arms out to his sides.
Take a good look. You think me one of them. The call me devil, they call me monster. Who do you worship my friend. Is it the dark lord I give my self to Asmodeus or another. This does not matter in the end, just know I am the one chosen to be his vessel. I am the living incarnate of our dark master. His will be mine. These people tried to banish him from their lands. They will now know they have failed. My people are those that I bend to my will and those I call companions. If things go well you may be counted among that number. Does that answer your question Sakarot.
Drogan takes his seat again.
Now how long will it take you to march to the gate from here?
Sakkarot smiles, his laughter starts out as a low rumble crescendoing to a deep laughter. "Well spoken," he commends. He then turns serious and explains: "A few days after you leave we'll break up camp and move close by, within an hour, ready to storm the cursed wall of the weaklings." Pausing he adds: "My horde is growing ever impatient and after 2 fortnights I fear they will become difficult to control."
Randu eats his share, and muses on the question Am I betraying 'my kind'? Sheep... but eventually, we may have to defend them from the monsters we've unleashed... IF they become 'our' people. We'll see "I have always believed that the weak serve the strong. That has never changed." He wipes his hands on a clean cloth, "Do you expect any trouble at all?"
"We will not break through unless you open the gates." Sakkarot calmly states continuing: "If however the gates are opened very little." A smile plays on his lips.
It is settled then. Tonight we plan. Tomorrow we sail for the watch wall. We will have the gates open my friend rest assured. This will take much planning and tretchery. Fortunatly both of my companions are men. Perhaps they can diguise easy enough and move around the area. We will see. For now let us drink and think of the nation bowing before Asmondeus.
The black bugbear smiles and chuckles "Alas the few men that ventured this far out were not soldiers and my horde tore them to pieces." Halting his amusement he turns to Drogan. "Very well" he says, "Let me know if I can help you before you leave."
Thank you Sakarot. The Cardinal thinks highly of you. I can see why. We will come to you if we need anything.
Randu nods, and is ready to withdraw with his allies to discuss strategy.
"You are most welcome," he replies ending your conversation. You get the distinct understanding from his body language that you are free to stay and continue to conversation or leave.
Well maybe its time we get back to the ship. I'm sure the captain would be ready to leave. I don't suppose he likes being docked here with this army of monsters. We will need to gather more information and study the wall before we can plan much. Let us go.
"Alright..." As they move away and out of hearing's range, he whispers to the others, "The cardinal plays an interesting game. Doesn't he? I wonder if he can put all the toys he's gotten out back in the box when the time has come to stop playing."
Zull please fly off to inform the captain of our morning departure.
Zull still invisible takes off for the ship. He hovers over the captain and crew and speaks.
The Dark Master Drogan wishes to leave for the wall at first light. He wishes not to enslave your souls as he has mine. Be ready.
Zull takes off back for the tent snickering to himself at the faces of the men.
It is done master.
Thank you Zull. Lets get some rest now.
Drogan channels evil a few times to heal his wounds before resting for the night.
Odenkirk is wakes suddenly from his troubled sleep. At first he tries to identify the voice speaking, finding nothing he listens while a hand searches for his axe. "Aye we'll be ready at first light," he replies, waiting watchfully for a while after the voice has stopped, before trying to find rest again.
The sun has barely sent its first rays over the horizon as you make your way to the Frosthammer. Odenkirk and the crew are already awake and preparing for the journey. They often glance over their shoulders at the gathered bugbears, they seem nervous. Once you board they immediately set sail. When you are well and clear Odenkrik voices the opinion of the entire crew. "We are not paid enough for this, I'll be glad once my service is completed." Adding in a lowered voice: "The look in the black ones eyes. He's smart - always plotting. Bugbears shouldn't be smart."
Drogan walks to the captain with a crooked smile upon his face.
My dear captain. He is but a tool. He is smart enough to want more for his people, and knows bringing Talingarde to its knees will do such. Relax, what you lack in pay for this you will greatly make up for in the time of war. I hear it can be quite profitable. How long till we reach our destination sir?
"Besides, Captain, what harm can happen to you on your ship?" Randu tries to sound soothing, "Whatever comes of land, you have the seas."
"White-hot iron will burn the hand that holds it," Odenkirk replies clearly not satisfied with the explanation or doubting you abilities. "We'll anchor up by the coast soon and cross the lake under the cover of darkness and mist, so this night," he replies more firmly. He nods at Randu's answer and agrees: "Right you are, we'll have the seas."