DM Papa.DRB - Moru Country (Inactive)

Game Master Papa-DRB

you think he is truthful

ask him if this is in the mountain where we are traveling to. If so we dont need a guide who could trap us.

Sezira watches the goblin squirm, wondering what excuse it would give to be allowed to live. She had not seen many of them before and found it slightly strange for such a small creature to be so ferocious as a rule. Looking over at Redona and seeing her reaction to the interrogation, she wondered if she had said a bit too much. All this must be new for the girl. When this was all over Sezira wondered how the girl will have changed.

Going over to Redona she sits in between the goblin and her, they can still hear it responding to the questions. "I'm sorry if I was too harsh in what I said before. You're right that everything deserves a chance," she looks over her shoulder, the noise distracting her, "when we get to rhe mountain there will be lots more. Perhaps you could talk to one of the dwarves when we are at their stronghold. They'll know far more than us about goblins."

"If the creature remains useful, let's keep it alive. Bind its hands, keep it on a lead, do whatever you'd like. It's foolish to waste valuable resources, especially in such dangerous and inhospitable conditions."

Rikar ponders Borris’ question, then responds, ”So I ask him if his clan lives in Mount Moru. If he says no, then he’s no use to us, and you’ll kill him. If he says yes, then he’s a guide who can trap us, and you’ll kill him. Not sure why you want that question asked, it doesn’t change the result for you.”

Looking at Josef, he says ”I agree. We’ve discussed the merits of knowing your enemy, and this goblin can help us do that, provided we keep an eye on him. I’ll take responsibility for that, though I’ll have to ask for some help with it from time to time, if I’m ever going to sleep or scout on this journey.”

Rikar turns back to the goblin and checks all the knots he’s used to bind him, then ties the loose end of rope to Goma’s collar. Squatting down by the goblin again, he returns to using the creature’s unpleasant language.

"Int ġejjin magħna. Inti marbuta mal-kelb, u jekk inti tipprova li jħollu l-ħabel fil dak il-għan, il-kelb se jieklu inti. Ftakar, jien qatt ma qal I ma joqtlu int, inti qal li. Allura inti ser jgħixu sakemm int utli għalina, u allura l-Guy ikrah mal-martell gets inti. Jifhmu? U x'hemm isem tiegħek?"

Rikar then reaches over and cuts a small strip of cloth off his bedroll, and ties it around the goblin's eyes as a blindfold, saying "Well, his hands are bound, he's hobbled, and he can't see. He's tied to Goma, who will attack him if he tries to untie the rope attached to Goma's collar. Unless someone's got some bells to hang on him, I think that's as secure as I can make him."

@Misha - thanks for the tip about Knowledge checks and favored enemy. I have read that rule a million times, and never remember to use it.

Redona wipes her eyes, sniffles, and looks up at Sezira. "Th-thank you, Miss Sezira." she says. Her eyes are puffy from crying, but she looks like she's comforted by Sezira's words. She doesn't say much else as she watches the rest of the events unfold. When the dog and the goblin are tied together, she almost feels sorry for it, but is happy to see that it wasn't killed.

The battle, if you could even call it like that, lasted far too short for Dain's taste. The adrenalin barely started pumping through his veins when all was over. And then, another battle, this one of wits and differing viewpoints began. Right from the start dwarf simply wanted to shout "Are you crazy, wasting your time on discussing goblin's fate?!?" but he managed to hold his tongue. He was aware that it was battle-lust (and hurt pride) talking within him. And he did not want to offend any of his comrades. Yet, his attitude was clear, and he made sure that everybody was aware of it.

"It is silly to waste time on discussion - goblin deserves to die. I can, and if you allow me, will kill him. Scum such as him can not be redeemed - you do not water the weeds to grow more, as my kin would say."

However, Dain will accept whatever the group decides to do with the goblin without any further argument.

Redona wipes her eyes, sniffles, and looks up at Sezira. "Th-thank you, Miss Sezira." she says. Her eyes are puffy from crying, but she looks like she's comforted by Sezira's words. She doesn't say much else as she watches the rest of the events unfold. When the dog and the goblin are tied together, she almost feels sorry for it, but is happy to see that it wasn't killed.

Who are you? Lucas Mills is not an alias for Redona, nor vice versa. Also this is your only post, ever.

"Iva. Jisimni Dorb" the goblin responds.

wow. sorry. i had a friend use my netbook earlier and I did not realize he was still signed in... Q.Q Apologies DM Papa.drb. I didn't mean to.

No problem. Was just really weird and confusing.

clearly not happy with Rikars descision he say's well at leased gag him also! If i want to kill this evil swiftly they complain now they want to drag its suffering out this is to close to torture for my comfort.

The rest of the night passes uneventfully. Even Rikar manages to get some sleep, while keeping an eye on his prisoner.

The next day and night pass with no further attacks, however during the day, Josef, Misha, Rikar and Sezira, several times, spot a black wolf that seems to be trailing or at least keeping pace with the group. Being blindfolded the goblin trips many times, and slows the movement of the group, to about three quarters speed.

On the sixth day after leaving Meadowvale, you arrive at the base of Mount Moru. The mountain looks like a thousand rock needles trying to pierce the sky, a grey mass of jagged points and spikes ready to stab and bleed any living thing that touches them, and among these peaks, there is a path leading up the mountain, meandering through the sharp rocks like a snake. The Lost Pass as it is called, the tunnel into the mountain, is completely blocked by a cave-in that seemed to have happened long ago.

Coming out of the eastern wall of Mount Moru, you see a squat stone fortress among the crags and peaks of the mountain. The irregular terrain shows no way of accessing this fortress.

Holding tight to the goblin’s leash, Rikar removes the blindfold and speaks in goblin to his captive.

”Dorb - Huwa li muntanji tiegħek? Huwa li fortizza tiegħek? Kif nistgħu nġibu fis-muntanji?”

I’d like to assume Redona healed Rikar and Dain at some point, and will adjust HP accordingly. I don’t think we’d heal the goblin, though he’s probably naturally healed up to full HP by now.

The goblin says, nodding at the path that winds up the mountain, "It-triq tmur għall-quċċata u hemm entratura hemm"

"He says the road - must mean that path we can see - goes to the top, and there is an entrance there. Anything else we want to know from him right now?"

"ebda"

"Has he heard what to expect if anyone tries to enter? Is there any kind of code of conduct?" Misha asks.

"Also remember, we were going to keep going another few miles to go to the dwarves first, but maybe we can cross reference whatever Dorb says against what any of the dwarves know."

Let's end this poor creature's suffering this is really the most I can bare it to suffer knowing it must meet its end! And the risk of getting exposed by it is too great. I can hardly understand the group would not allow me to kill it while it did not suffer and is fine with it being bound up and dragged the whole way only to die exhausted and tormented more than it already is.

just a heads up Borris is close to just striking it as a pity kill without consent. He really does not take joy in killing but won’t allow Evil to live. If it were to be brought before any human court it would have been hanged just the same.

As they journey towards the mountain Sezira keeps a constant watch on the goblin. Not so much in case it escaped, tied as it was, but because it was slowing them down, eating their food and wasting their time. Nothing useful had been gotten from it at all as far as she was concerned.

She nodded when Borris spoke about the goblin. Put it out of it's misery. Maybe the Dwarves had a law regarding such things out here. "We should go see the Dwarves before we go up there," she said as she pointed towards the mountain, "we can possibly find some more information from them regarding it. Got some cousins around here Dain?" she asked.

Misha raised an eyebrow at Borris. Six days had passed, and while that evening she had half expected to wake on her watch to learn they had killed the goblin after all, clearly everyone had come to an agreement to let him live; she assumed Borris had agreed as well. Since then, the goblin had provided useful information, and such that seemed credible. Stormcloud seemed a large organization indeed, if some of its members had never even been in its headquarters, and one that had both orcs and goblins together seemed a feat of leadership. She wondered who organized them both, but she guessed Dorb was too low on the totem pole in the company to know much--but even so, what he shared had given something for her to chew on.

She understood his concern that Dorb might endanger them, but they had befallen no other ambushes since the night they captured him, and she wondered why after nearly a week of no trouble, he was bringing up the issue of killing it again. Perhaps, she conceded inwardly, Borris saw something he didn't? "What makes you think he is suffering?"

She shrugged. "If he's slowing us down, maybe he could ride the mule. Should be a way to tie him to the harness without hurting him or Sunshine."

She stretched her arms wide, weary. "Anyway, it's only another five miles or so to Stonehold, if I've read the map right. Shall we?"

Dwarf is lost in thoughts, trudging at the back of the column, when he heard Sezira called his name. He focuses for a moment or two, before responding - "What? Eeeerrr...no, no lass, I have no cousins there. At least not that I know of."

His face darkens a bit, and he adds solemnly: "As for the creauture here, if you bring it to the dwarves, they will surelly kill it without a thought. And don't think they would be very gratefull for the present. Imagine if someone brought you some cow dung the first time they came to your home. That's how they will see this."

He lets his voice trail in the air for a few moments, but decides to say nothing else. The dwarf simply hefts his longhammer tightly and continue walking.

"Dain, perhaps you're right about the dwarves. I had thought about handing the goblin over to them, but it might not be doing either side a favor, eh? But I'm sure Misha is right - we've gotten useful information out of Dorb, and at no cost to our safety so far. I can't say I know the best course here, but I know killing him out of hand is not the right thing to do. Let's bring him on with us to Stonehold, and perhaps an answer will present itself."

Turning back to Dorb, Rikar says, "Allura inti ma tafx il-mod, iżda huwa li l-fortizza ta 'sħaba maltempata, ta' medda tiegħek?"

Knowing Dwarves hate for goblin and orc's Borris settles down. if they want to bring it before judgement of the dwarves the goblin will certainly be put to death.Ok if we go to the Dwarven stronghold and we put the goblin before their justice it will be put to death for sure I can live with that!Silly friends. thinking a dwarf will let a goblin live... as long as justice is done!

"The dwarves of Stonehold are standoffish and refused to parley in the past. Perhaps if we present this wretch to them as we used it, a source of current intelligence on the nearby goblin tribe, they will be more amenable to conversation."

"Of course, they also may slay it out of hand and bar us from entry. I suppose the decision will depend on how diplomatic we can be."

Josef looks to Misha as he says the last bit.

"Given we have Dorb tied up, blindfolded, and leashed to a fierce hunting dog, I cannot imagine they would think we befriended him. That we captured Dorb for information on Mount Moru... well, perhaps I make unfair assumptions, but my sense of dwarves is that, fierce combatants though they may be, they are generally pragmatic folk who think tactically. They probably would understand our reasoning, even if they disagree with it.

"Our prisoner aside, the rumors pointed to them needing help from outsiders with something. Given how stubbornly isolationist they've been, according to prior reports, just for them to ask for help suggests they are desperate. That may be all the wiggle room we need to have an audience with them.

"My bigger concern is whether the information I have is accurate. I believe it is, but when relying on second-hand information, there is always a chance it could be wrong. If the dwarves do not want to meet with us--well, it's only been another five miles. And it simply means whatever rumors were being spread were to the contrary. Which in itself may be a valuable thing to do--that someone is spreading misinformation means there's someone out here with a goal to protect, and that's a good thing to know."

The sullen goblin responds to Rikar;

"ebda"

Head to the discussion thread in about 15 minutes please

Borris feels the resistance of the others not being as firm on the law as he clearly is. Borris senses a little turmoil in the party. The diplomat awakens and the warrior is slightly set to sleep. He diplomatically tries to get everyone on the same pace again.
Let us go to the Dwarves. Hand over the Goblin to their authority and not think of it again. But let’s remember why we are here to get more info and maybe some help into discovering the location of the horn. Maybe the dwarves can help us there. Maybe we can even aid them in some quest to earn their trust.

Lets hope the dwarves here can set us on the right path the path to Glorry!

After a solid day of following the single file path that is bounded on both sides by sharp rock formations that appear near impossible to climb, you come to a 100 yard straight path, that is exceptionally rocky, and at the end of it is a closed massive stone gate that is part of the western wall of the fortress. From the trail, there does not appear to be anyone at the gate on the fortress walls.

Now that you can see gate, I need an exact marching order, including animals and goblin in single file before continuing

Here's a single-file version of the marching order we've been using, modified to include the goblin:

Borris
Rikar
Goma, Dorb the goblin (Rikar has Dorb's leash in hand)
Sezira
Redona
Josef
Misha
Sunshine
Dain

Seem ok to everyone?

fine by me if ill be heading it up I’ll certainly be wielding my Klar in off hand as a shield :-)

Arriving at the Gate borris looks at the others Mind if i call out for the dwarves?
If the others do not protest:
[spolier]Borrris takes a deap breath and with a loud booming voice shouts Mighty Dwarveswe humbly request your audience we come a long way to seek the council of the dwarves. perhaps even lend aid and have a small token of our Trust in your judgement. Pleas alow us to enter.[/spoiler]

That's fine, Rikar, thanks for keeping track; I am good to go with that as the established marching order at any time, unless we specifically note otherwise. I've had PBPs slowed down too much too often for GMs asking for marching and watch orders, so now that we have both established I'd rather keep them as standard and only adjust as circumstances warrant.

Misha waits to see what happens, wondering if any of the dwarves speak the Common tongue, given how isolationist they may be.

From a hidden position, a voice calls out "Stani! Navedite svoje poslovanje.'

@Misha - Err yup! @All - Now that there is a watch order, single and double file march order, it is "fixed" unless one of youse guys brings up a change

"That was loud, Borris. Perhaps the dwarves will be impressed by the volume alone."

Josef stands calmly and unarmed while he waits for the response from the dwarves behind the gate.

"So...anyone else speak dwarven?"

Dwarven:

"I would hope Dain does," Misha smiles, and looks at their dwarven compatriot to respond.

Now that there is a watch order, single and double file march order, it is "fixed" unless one of youse guys brings up a change.

Once we get rid of the goblin, I'd propose that Rikar goes in front of Borris for single file, as he's got a much higher Perception bonus and some stealth ability. I just put Rikar second so he could take charge of Dorb.

That might even be better Rikar!! I'll go second as soon as goblin is off our hands unless anyone doesn't agree.

Borris looks supersized as he had no clue what he is hearing! Uhm?.. Anyone know what that was? I think it could be Dwarven? anyone understood that? pleas be so kind as to inform them who we are and where we are coming from.

"Yes, Ser Borris. I am in the process of doing just that."

Oh, I forgot. Anyone talking to the Dwarfs, please put a diplomacy check in your post, whether they are speaking in Dwarven or Common (from now on, no need for a check by Borris first post)

Borris looks supersized...

Awesome. That could come in handy in combat.

Diplomacy 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1....and this is why we don't let the wizard do the talking...

Borris Livestrom wrote:

Borris looks supersized...

Awesome. That could come in handy in combat.

damn spellchecker!!

Sir Josef could you translate what they are saying pleas? And ask if they at leased understand common

"Of course. Perhaps someone else should do the actual talking, though."

"They begin: "Halt! State your business."

"I responded with: "We are travelers from the east. We had heard the dwarves of Stonehold were looking for outsiders to provide assistance. We also bring a captive of the Stormcloud goblin tribe for your interrogators."

Dwarven, then repeated in Common: "We mean no harm, and will be glad to assist in any way we can. Our diplomat does not speak your tongue, which is why I am translating for the moment. Do you speak Common, good Ser Dwarves?"

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17 diplomacy

maybe let a little time for Dain to respond as he is our resident dwarf?

"Pomoz bog, junaci, braco patuljci. Putnici smo namernici, dolazimo iz velike daljine, i radi smo iskusiti vaseg cuvenog gostoprimstva, ako bi nas primili."

Translation "Hail and well met, my dwarven hero-brothers. We are simple passengers from afar, and we would be honoured if we could enjoy your well known hospitality"

He raises high his mighty, heavily carved with runes dwarven long hammer, all the while bowing his head.

untrained diplo: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

From the hidden location, a gruff voice calls out, "Zdravo i dobro upoznao, rock brat. Pričekajte sa svojim drugovima i ja ću dobiti policajca."

Sezira waits silently while the others converse with the dwarves. Glad they have a dwarf with them.

Redona had been mostly quiet lately, but that wasn't too unusual. When they arrive at he dwarves' home, she's glad to let their own dwarf handle things. She waits with Sezira, unwilling to talk to the crowd of strangers. "Are we doing well?" she asks, meaning she wants to know if Dain is handling the situation properly. She's never been involved in a diplomatic discussion before. Though it was probably too early to say. She just wasn't sure if the greeting in common was a good thing.

Rikar steps forward with Dorb, his hand firmly on the goblin’s leash. ”We captured him several days ago, and I brought him along in case he could be useful to us in avoiding other bands of goblins. But we travelled out of the area he knows, and now we would hand him over to you, as these are your lands and he should fall under your justice.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Guess we should let Misha do the talking, eh, Dain? Though Josef did pretty well.

Borris looks at the dwarf he feels a little uneasy talking for the whole of the party, charismatic as Borris is he doesn’t mind speaking up.
Mighty Dwarves we come from Kaer Maga Venture captain Thorn has sent us to investigate mount Moru If you allow us to come inside we can let our "keepers of lore" tell you the whole tale.

Diplomacy:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9