To crouch down and hide behind a tree a little ways from the cave.
Piter sees the two move forward and engage the troll, first socially. Then he sees Loki move off and loses track of him.
Finally the two, Kur'Plugh and Cakkarak, engage the troll again, only martially this time, and Piter thinks the troll is in for it. He runs for it, holding his glaive and ready to attack with its flat side as soon as he reaches the melee.
Zaruksis hides behind a tree with typically mediocre results, until Kur'Plugh motions them forward. Then he begins to sneak closer, until the monk and the ogre make sneaking rather irrelevant. The iksar shadow knight races to reach the others in time to make a difference.
Cakkarark readjusts his stance as both of his feet are on the ground once again. With a minor change to the way he strikes, the iksar monk strikes out in blows designed to be more nonlethal in nature. Working the troll over in less then lethal blows would be a good work out. For knocking out the goblins. Although Cakkarak was glad to be clothed against the horrid cold, he still found the winter clothing somewhat restrictive. Not bad enough that he would shed any of the life giving layers of warmth, anyway.
The monk lashes out with two quick jabs, aiming to knock the trolls kidneys around. Figuring it was a good choice, considering he had just tried to kick in the troll's spine. No sense in pummeling the same spot over and over. In Cakkarak's experience, after the first impact, the area that had been kicked, gouged or punched tended to go numb. Not always, depending on the area that was struck.
Before the troll could even say a word, he collapses into a very hurt and bruised slumber, unable too even cry out in pain as the monk and ogre work together like they had planned this out from the get go. The goblins if they had heard anything, do nothing but still tend to the fire and the roasting meat.
Piter comes up to the scene and sees what has transpired. "Well done," he says quietly to the others.
He puts away his glaive, and pulls out a torch and his sword. He carefully walks over to the cave and looks inside, saying nothing. He lights his torch on the fire.
Loki slides about the area where the boulders have been carefully aligned into a snow/iceless circle, his eyes constantly flitting between the group's progress and the hazy effect to the area.
Cakkarak looks over the troll that they had just beaten back into the realm of sleep. If it thought it's hangover was bad the first time it had woken up, the second time was going to be much, much worse. Eyes moving over the scene as the iksar monk turns from the troll and checks his surroundings out of habit. Looking at Kur'Plugh, Cakkarak nods to the ogre shaman.
"Excellent tactic Kur'Plugh," the monk says calmly as Cakkarak shifts his head slightly. Spying Loki looking over a large circle that seemed to make the air wave and dance with it's stone borders, the monk glides over to the dark elf.
"The troll is still alive. He should be out for a while," Cakkarak informs Loki. He had probably already noticed that, but he did seem intent upon the circle of magic. "I will let you continue to puzzle out this magic while I check to see if there are any more surprises within the cave. My concern lies in what I didn't see while scouting. I didn't have the chance to actually go in the cave at the time," the monk says. Nodding, the iksar stalks his way over to the entrance of the cave, he pauses near Pieter.
"Alight, let's check out the cave. The goblins are blind, so little concern there," Cakkarar whispers to the shadowknight. "I didn't have the chance to look to deeply into th cave, so more could be lurking with. Be on your guard." The iksar careful enters the cave, trying to make as little noise as possible. Being lit by the torch carrying human behind him, he wasn't going to bother trying to hide. It's not like the goblins were going to see them.
The Goblins are still tending to the fire and the meat, they look right through you, but make no sound what so ever. It seems like they had done this for a long time, and you see one of them has no tongue, the four goblins seem to have been cowed a long time ago. The cave itself is quite large, and is well furnished, from stolen goods. Quite a few furs of various creature's line the floor of the cave and a bed that has been masterfully crafted can be seen closer to the back of the cave.
There are a total of four chambers in the cave, this chamber that you are currently in, is the main living/dinning room.
Loki nods to Cakkarak, honestly appreciative that while the monk might not see benefit in his request, he had not purposefully dismissed it. Such teamwork boded well for the future.
"I will join you once I have determined all I can about this circle."
The necromancer turns back and works to understand everything about the magical circle (critical success).
Spellcraft:
The magical circle allows a spell caster to teleport himself and anyone else to Freeport at the cost of hitpoints as it drains the health of the spell caster. While the draining isn't permanent, it will take 2% of a spell caster's mana pool away if they are unable to cast the spell/have access to it. That 10% of the mana pool is gone forever. The health draining is due to the spell caster if to power the circle with a liter of there own blood.
Zaruksis joins the others exploring the cave, moving in perfect silence until they know for sure what all is in there.
Loki muses on what he had learned as he asks a member of the party to bind their newest troll prisoner, and says, "The goblin will need to be taken alive upon its return. It is crucial."
He leaves that thought to linger as he pads into the cave behind the others, seemingly unfazed by the cooking human flesh.
Sneak:
He wondered if the goblin understood the sacrifice it was making to use the magic transportation, and if so what would be so important as to make such a sacrifice. Perhaps it related to this map.
Either way the goblin would be weakened upon its return to the island, and that was something they could take advantage of.
Piter knows they are roasting humans, and at first he blocks it out of his mind. After lighting his torch, he looks at the bodies, and suddenly a profound anger rises within him. These goblins and trolls, and likely Kur'Plugh and his kind too, think of humans as food! It is disgusting, and since Piter's sword is already drawn, he raises it to decapitate one of the goblins roasting his kind. But something stops him, and he thinks about the chances of success in getting off this gods-forsaken chunk of ice. He turns and starts to walk away.
That anger is still there, though, and it pokes at him suddenly, and he turns fluidly, his blade horizontal and flashing in the firelight.
A goblin head rolls to the side as its former host falls into the fire. In anger Piter kicks the headless body out of the fire, and stomps off to join the others.
Loki watches Piter's action with the calm mien of someone who had simply misplaced a dinner roll.
He says nothing, but ensures that he keeps his attention on the volatile human until the rage passes; not that he ever turned his back on anyone.
Humans were such a wasteful lot. Finding good slaves was a difficult proposition.
The goblins make no noise, even when one of their own has just been killed. The party finds a map of what they image is the island itself, although it is a bit difficult, due to not having any referance to other maps. You're best guess is that the nearest town, which is named "Harvest's Sorrow" Should be about a ten-day march in this weather. "Harvest's Sorrow" has what looks like by the map, a dock and possible a ship to book passage.
The passage could be free if the group thinks that some of these supplies from the wagon, which doesn't have the normal wagon wheels. This wagon has rails on in, which you might image, would make the trip faster on the snow covered ground. The four horses seem to be in excellent health and are well taken care of by two goblin slaves. These two slaves have there eyes, but no tongues what so ever.
Blood caked the entrance, offering a macabre crimson carpet inviting them inside the cave. Dangling from the spit were the three merchants, roasting by the head of the bon-type fire.
Dark blue hands raise the found map up to examine. Would this be the incomplete map that the female goblin had spoken of? She had sought out information from the merchants to complete her map, which suggested that they should follow that course of action if they wished to follow her down the garden path.
The female goblin, with the low-cut wolf skin hide, said she would return in a few days, and as long as she was true to her word they would have time to decide their next course of action.
Loki's nose crinkles as he catches a waft of the contents of the open barrel of grop that the troll had been partaking a tad too liberally in. He hoped the barrels aboard the wagon were of a different drink, since he did not imagine his delicate stomach trying to choke down such crude alcohol.
4 horses, well cared for and likely supping on human flesh, lent their warmth and stench to the already overwhelming room.
Loki searches the other chambers, pet in tow, searching for something to bind the unconscious troll with. If he finds nothing then he imagines that the horses bridle will work.
Peeling a chunk of cooked meat from the human on the spit, Cakkarak sniffs at it and pops it into his muzzle. He chews, appearing to be considering the meat. The iksar swallows and raises his eyeridges.
"Hmm, tastes a little like salty, cooked boar. Not too bad, actually. " the monk comments. "I had always wondered why trolls babble on and on about eating humans. Interesting," the monk looks thoughtful as he moves through the cave. Glancing at the wagons and the two goblins slaves that appeared to care for the animals, Sajeek ponders the blindfolded goblins.
Not finding any lurking foes, Cakkarak mentions that it "Looks clear," and gets ready to go tie up the troll. As he passes the roasted humans, the iksar monk plucks another chunck of meat off the spit, unconcerned buy the heat of the flames. Nibbling on the cooked meat, Cakkarak briefly wonders what fresh human would taste like. He had always found fresh meat to be the best tasting. Putting the thought out of his mind, the monk returns to the troll.
Realizing he didn't have anything to tie up the troll, the monk briefly considers breaking the trolls knees and elbows so it couldn't get away. Shaking his head, Cakkarak returns to the cave and begins to look for some strong rope. He had seen the others looking at some piece of paper as he looked for some rope.
The long pork melts in your mouth, you can't recall eating meat this perfectly cooked before in your life. Whatever was lacking in Gunk the troll intellect he made up for it in his cooking skills.
The wagon has enough horse feed in it to last a few weeks of travel. There is 5 days worth of firewood in the wagon, three of the barrels hold fresh water. There is enough treated meat for rations to hold the party over for at least two weeks, the last barrel holds ale, more clothes that could fit ever member of the part, even Kur'Plugh.
There is a suit of armor that will fit Kur'Plugh it happens to be a chain shirt, finely crafted. A crate holds a few full bottles of wine, as well as 200 ft of rope. An iron pot, a fishing net, a few whetstones, 5 pounds of soap, and 6 water skins can be found in another small crate. A few sewing needles are also located, along with a couple of shovels, two tents, four bed rolls and three blankets.
If there was any coin it must be long gone, as well as any weapons. You could take the wagon and the horses and make your way to the outpost " Harvest's Sorrow". Or wait a few days for the goblin mistress to return, and try to get the drop on her.
Each of the goblins is considered in turn. The goblin that teleported away had the same sensibilities as his people in terms of taking slaves without an hint of compassion. Even her own people, or perhaps "especially her own people", were at the greatest risk for her whims.
Loki holds up as he realizes that he and Cakkarak are on a redundant mission to bind their prisoner tight enough to avoid a repeat of the previous interrogative debacle. The iksar was more than equal to the task of using a couple hundred feet of rope to tie up a single troll, and far more adept at the task than he.
Moving up to the upset human he whispers, "The troll outside has information that will likely permit us to punish the one that was responsible for this horror. Would you be willing to rouse him and seek answers without incapacitating or killing him?" An easy smile comes to the Teir'dal's lips as he adds, "We could use your silvered tongue here Piter."
The necromancer watches the human shadowknight to see if he is equal to the task.
"We have supplies, and a prisoner, at our old cave. We should decide our next course of action. To stay, or seek out this distant group. Do any of you have any strong feelings either way?"
Loki looks for some sign that the map is the incomplete one that the female goblin had mentioned.
Piter has calmed down and helped the others search the cave complex. He sees the rope is found so there is some to tie up the troll with.
As he comes back close to the fire, he notes Cakkarak eating some of the meat, and for some reason it doesn't bother him a whole lot. Piter would eat people if he were starving. It's just the way they were treated - like pigs on a spit - that bothered him.
After Loki asks him to interrogate again, Piter nods and says, "Of course. Information of that sort can be most valuable."
After a short pause, he says, "Oh, and there's no need to pretend you care about this 'horror', or my feelings about it. It was only a blind goblin. At my core I'm a practical man, so the need for information is enough. After all, we're stuck on a remote chunk of ice, and all of us want to get away. Taking a trip overland doesn't bother me, but if you think you know how to operate that magic circle to get us to somewhere civilized, that would be far more preferable of course. So, specifically what would you like me to find out?"
He goes out of the cave with his bloody sword and torch, grabbing the goblin's head on the way, and heads to where the troll is being tied up.
Loki nods and lets out a sigh as the relaxation melts his rigidity away. It was exhausting pretending to care for the plight of the sacks of bony meat that once had the hubris of names.
"I would know all you can glean about the female goblin, the map she mentioned..." With this he shakes the map he has in hand, whilst adopting a quizzical expresion wondering if it is the one mentioned, "and the distant merchants. I advise that it would be best to leave out any questions or comments about the magical circle. It is best to leave them thinking she has an escape route that we have not yet discerned."
Such comments were for the troll, but should they capture the goblin later they would apply to her as well.
Piter helps to tie up the troll if he is not already tied up. Before doing his legs, we walk him into the cave where he can be interrogated in relative comfort (for the interrogators), light and quiet.
After tying up the legs, Piter glares at him. He holds up the goblin's head, by the ear.
"A clean cut. A thicker neck will no doubt be a messier affair.
.
Do I look tasty to you? You'll never taste another morsel of human flesh if you don't answer my questions, immediately. First, tell me everything you know about that magical female goblin. What is her name? What magicks have you seen her do? What does she claim to be able to do? Where is she right now?"
He pauses and waits for answers, and then continues. "How many maps of this land are there around here? Which is the most complete? What is this land called, anyways?"
Intimidate the Troll:
OOC: Any bonuses for using a freshly severed head?
Cakkarak works to tie up the troll. He rolls the large creature over with a small grunt of effort. The monk ties the trolls hands and feet seperatly. The iksar then ties the trolls hands to his feet and rolls the troll back over onto his back. His weight alone would help to cut the blood flow to his hands and feet as well. He debates tying a rope around the trolls neck and linking that too his bound hands and feet. The stupid creature might end strangling itself trying to get free so he decided against.
'Besides, I can always knock him back into the realm of dreams,' Cakkarak thinks to himself as he inspects the ropes and knots. The increase of light and voices informed him of who was coming out of the cave next. He turns his head slightly to visually confirm it was Loki and Pieter walking up. Cakkarak stands up and moves away.
"All yours," the monk motions to the troll lying upon the ground. The bundled up iksar almost frown for a brief second as his eyes water the surroundings. He scratches the base of the smaller of his two horns. The curious open pincered look of his horns casts dancing shadows in the torchlight. He left the talking to those better served by it. Cakkarak knew he could get the troll to talk. Survive the interragation, probably not.
"Does anyone else find it odd that the caster only had those two as guards?" Cakkarak asks, more or less thinking outloud.
The goblins all point to there mouths, opening them for all to see... none of them have any way of talking, or seeing anyone, as when you remove their leather strips covering their eyes, you see empty sockets. Someone has removed there eyes and tongues, any information that you could glean from them is null and void. Unless, one had a way of restoring vision and the ability to speak, the slaves can do nothing except, tend to the fire, the horses, and clean the cave as best a blind creatures can. The goblins see to know where everything should go for putting things away. This type of conditioning could only come from years of slavery.
The troll is still out to lunch, having suffered massive damage to organs in the non lethal sense, and in the physical realms as well.
"In the morn there would be benefit in returning to check on Sajeck, and gather up the rest of our supplies." The horses and sleigh would likely be useful for such a journey. With evening falling, and the temperature dropping, the shackled and manacled Sajeck had better crawl toward the other cave's campfire, lest he freeze to death.
Loki considers the news that they have a 10 day march ahead of them to Harvest's Sorrow and holds it up to the light of the previous information that they were residing upon an island. Either one of the sides was incorrect, or this was an impressively expansive island.
A confusing blend of emotions washes through Loki as he considers the goblins. Breaking a slave made sense, but these creatures had been made useless for no apparent benefit other than the apparent pleasure of mutilation. He considered just laying their necks bare, and putting them out of their misery, but there was no advantage in that either.
Sajeck could care for them. In the meantime the necromancer moves forward and orders the slaves, who have been tasked to care for the horses, to care for the other goblins. The animal hides can be wrapped about their shoulders, and the fire stoked higher to ward off the chill. The potent fetid troll grog can slake their need for diversion, and possibly provide them with much needed nutrients.
Their next movements, of whether to utilize the magic circle or travel to the distant port, hinged greatly on the unconscious troll's words. "Kur'Plugh, would you mind rousing our newly bound learned companion so Piter can ply his skills?"
Cakkarak's words bore into the necromancer's brain. Goblins that enslaved trolls without utilizing manacles suggested a level of power that was noteworthy.
Kur'Plugh nods, then goes over to the troll that is tied up and unconscious, pulling the short sword that he uses as a dagger. Cutting a small strip of the troll's skin, which starts to smoulder on the dagger's edge, then is consumed in a flash. Kur'Plugh starts to chant quickly, bringing the mana to a head and the troll's wounds start to knit.
Cakkarak watches the proceedings with half-opened eyes, almost looking bored. Giving that he had appeared to be just as bored looking when Gunk had attack, it was reasonable bet that the monk was actually paying attention to what was happening. The iksar didn't seem to let down his guard very often. Or ever, for that matter.
The iksar monk wore a look of casual indifferance, or sheer boredom, it was hard to tell with the scales. It seem to be more of a ruse designed to make others to think that the monk wasn't paying attention. Or ready to strike at a moments notice.
Dark blue hands raise the found map up to examine.
Would this be the incomplete map that the female goblin had spoken of?
She had sought out information from the merchants to complete her map, which suggested that they should follow that course of action if they wished to follow her down the garden path.
Loki looks for some sign that the map is the incomplete one that the female goblin had mentioned.
Zaruksis's boredom is unfeigned. Questioning a prisoner is too much like his former job, and no one is paying them. Since Cakkarak showed every indication of enjoying the long pig, Zaru tries some and finds it so delicious that he makes a meal out of it. While chewing, he ponders their situation. "If the island is so big, perhaps it would be worth conquering."
"You might have a point. I was thinking it was more a rock that some life had managed to carve out a nitch on the island," Cakkarak says, piling equipment into the wagon. "It seems much larger then I thought. Of course, the town that they are talking about might be nothing more the a slaver or pirate port. A good enough starting point."
The monk falls silent for a few moments as he works. The iksar's thoughts turn to the strange tome that they had recovered from the previous cave and it's effect on Loki.
"Then, there is the small mystery of those strange books inked by the ogre shaman. From what Kur'Plagh says more exist. And inked for more then just magic users," Cakkarak pauses, scratching at the base of pincer like horns as he looks over at Pieter, Loki and Kur'Plagh getting ready to question the troll.
"Finally, there is that circle of magic. Another intersting mystery," Cakkarak cold green eyes flit to Loki for a few seconds. "I wonder if Loki will be able to activate it." His eyes narrow slightly as he sees the dark elf holding up a map.
"Did you find a map of the island?" the iksar's low voice echoes out the cave.
The map of the island is incomplete as far as edges and routes for traveler's to take. So far it looks like there is a hamlet which has a dock, an outpost 20 miles away from the town it self, and a small series of farms and a few logging posts. The island doesn't appear to be that big, it looks like it is more a stopping point to reload supplies and bring shipments of goods, people, and guards.
Taking over the island might work for a while, but then someone is going to notice and then hordes of good little two shoes ruining your fun. After all the few low level chumpies would be easy, but even strong evil minded groups can be over run by enough smaller groups.
The map is had drawn, the goblin mage's cave is marked with the number #2 which, could have all sorts of meaning, this could be the second cave on this island that she has, or just the second lair that she has made. Or this could be a second hidey hole that she has made. There is a ? mark in the direction that the group came from, all though part of the shore where you crashed into is mapped, just not the cave.
The logging site's on the map have a bit of red ink next to them with a couple of glyph's that are marked as a possible point of interest to for the goblin mistress. The town itself she has marked as the next place that she plans to infiltrate, or at least scout out.
Kur'Plugh says he is going back to the other cave to check on the elk that he has smoking and to check on Sajeeck. A light snow has started to fall and Kur'Plugh let's the other's know that snowfall will last the next few days, perfect for hiding the groups tracks.
The map also has a few area's with glyph's that seem to be stay away from this area, large moving skeletons have been sighted, killing any that walk into their territory.
The troll is awake, and looks slightly miffed of the fact that he is tied up very tightly, but unlike Gunk, this troll has a cunning intelligent gleam in his eyes and knows that if he wants to live, he had better cough up something useful to the group. He waits for the first round of questions from the group. He over hear's Piter questioning the goblins, he let's out a wheeze chuckle then says " No good askin' th' slaves anything, they couldn't tell you a thing as the cat's got their tongues."
"Now then, whatcha want to know? That humans are tasty, well they can be, if we can't get any game for the forest, we go with the next best thing we can get our hands on." He tries to give a shrug but can't due to the binding of the ropes.
"Now I can't tell you too much, but what we have going on here is a simple I watch over her and make sure that none of the merchants get too close to kill her. She let's Gunk and I had some of what she takes from the bodies. Now Gunk took enough blows to the head, that he never healed right from the it." The troll says quickly letting the information flow, trying to prove that he is a good and valuable source.
" She showed up about a year ago in mine and Gunk's cave. There were others in the tribe, but we two were the only one's that she let live. After she stormed the place, she needed two of the most capabile guards. Gunk and I fit that bill, so she spent the 4 months building that circle thingy and is able to go where she needs to." He stops for a few breaths " Now she used the other trolls to power the circle in a ummmm ritual thing. Other then that we've been hitting a group of merchants here and there. She let us know that we can't hit each and every single one in our patrols. So we hit one every other week or so. Never on the same day or time... well most of the times are at night. No I don't know her name, we are to call her mistress or the "Lady." " The troll finishes.
Loki: The goblins tending to the horses tend to the other goblins that survive. These goblins you notice seem to know where everything is place, and the fact that they seem to anticipate what is going on, and the needs of other creatures.
The map could tell you that the party is could be in one of the islands that is near the land mass of Antonica or it could be Velious.
Cakkarak was suprised at the nature of the troll. He had expected the stupid brute to struggle to free himself and need a few cuffs across the head to remind him to behave. This was not the case, the monk could tell after a few seconds of listening to the troll. It seemed he had been suffering a typical problem of the iksar. The thought that all those who were not of the scaled hide were dumb, little better then animals that were used for prey.
Silently chastising himself for allowing the veiled point of view of his own people to cover his eyes so quickly, Cakkarak keeps a closer eye on the questioning of the troll. A question on his mind, the monk pads over to Loki, their resident flinger of spells.
"How difficult is it to build one of those magic circles?" Cakkarak quietly asks the necromancer. The iksar monk knew so little about magic himself, except where to hit a caster so that they would be hard pressed to cast a spell. But as far as magic itself, the monk was suffering from a large hole in his training. Which seemed a little odd to Cakkarak as he thinks about it. Perhaps more indepth magic knowledge was in order, at least to help him gain a bit of an advantage over a caster in a fight.
"Kur'plugh, please bring all of our supplies from the other cave. Sajeck can help carry the supplies. His aid would be invaluable in our future endeavours, so I advise that you bring him back with you. I suggest we abandon the other cave." Loki glances around to ensure that none of the others have other ideas.
Conquering a tiny speck in the middle of the Timorous Deep held no interest in the Teir'dal, for his vaunted aspirations were deific in nature. Innoruuk must die, only to be replaced by his better. Only when a new Prince of Hate was crowned would he rest.
He would not even consider giving up a fraction of his power until all other options had been exhausted. Cyan eyes fix directly upon the slitted emerald of the monk's eyes as the lie easily slides free of the necromancer's mouth. "Such magics are beyond my meagre abilities. Only the goblin could activate the circle."
Bluff:
The necromancer hands the parchment to Cakkarak to see for himself what the cryptic map holds, not wanting to speak much more and possibly reveal the lie for what it was. Monks tended to be introspective sorts, and they might be good for detecting untruths.
Loki focuses on the emanations of the distant tomes that called to him, wondering which direction they were in, and hopefully how distant they might be.
The mistress was searching for something and he would know what it was...
Listening closely to the troll speak the young dark elf seeks out deception within its words.
Sense Motive:
"I know not how suck a circle could be built Cakkarak, but I would love to prise open its secrets."
Moving close to Piter he whispers soft enough so the troll could not hear, "What is this 'lady' searching for?" Loki stands and moves over to lean against the wall of the cave.
Cakkarak looks at the dark elf while he mulls over what Loki has said. 'Only the goblin,' the monk thinks. He turns his head slightly to look at the bound troll.
The iksar nods to Loki.
"Unfortunate that you can not operate the circle. Such is life," the monk scratches at a scale under his muzzle. "Should we plunder this cave and return to the first," Cakkarak asks. Leave it barren, and return to surprise the goblin spell thrower?"
The monk turns his attention to the map.
The troll isn't hiding anything, as he is at this group's mercy. Kur'Plugh gives a glare, not enjoying the fact that the dark elf had just told him that he was a best of burden. Growling under his breath Kur'Plugh leaves, hefting his great club he walks out mutter something in a tongue that was impossible to understand, unless you had lived with ogre's for years.
Piter nods at Loki's request, and turns to face the troll again.
"You are smarter than your late friend. So you must know why the goblin witch goes to her circle. What does she seek?"
Intimidate
The necromancer brings his blankets closer 'round his head and says, "Too cold tonight."
10 miles one way in the snow was bad enough, but with no sunlight, and bitter cold (-25 with the windchill) was sufficient to talk the Teir'dal out of considering the journey. If Kur'Plugh felt confident that he could make the journey, then all the power to him, but Loki had no intention of risking his neck for some smoked meat.
The ogre's soft skin was pierced by Loki's cruel request that the ogre utilize a goblin as a beast of burden, and bring back the group's supplies, since he was going there anyway. Leaving the open wound to fester, either Kur'plugh will get over it, or things will come to a head.
The human had revealed that they had killed Gunk. This was an interesting turn of events in the interrogation.
"Then we are taking over this cave, rather then the first? Alright then," Cakkarak says with a nod, his cold eyes following the ogre as Kur'Plugh plods off. "Giving the possible power of the goblin caster, do you think that it is wise? Or are you thinking a little more long distance?" the monk asks, as he moves closer to the dark elf. Cakkarak taps the town on the map with a clawed finger as he asks his question.
"I will go and aid Kur'Plugh in carying the gear that was salvaged from the long boat then," Cakkarak says, eyes moving over the caves, resting upon the magic circle. "I need to keep moving or I will stiffen up. I believe that the three of you have things under control here," the Iksar nods to the three, looking down at the troll. "We will return."
Cakkarak catches up with the ogre shaman in a short amount of time. His footprints were not hard to spot.
Loki's answer is a whisper.
"This 'mistress' will return in days, if her words can be trusted, which gives us time aplenty to decide on our next course of action."
Looking down at the distant troll he says, "I would know what they are searching for, to determine if it is worth our time before we depart."
Loki focuses on the emanations of the distant tomes that called to him, wondering which direction they were in, and hopefully how distant they might be.
Zaruksis stands idly by, ignoring the talk of moving stuff over from the other cave, until he suddenly realizes that the other two probably can't carry the most important thing; as strong as he is, even he would need to use the wagon that they found in the first cave, since he only has two hands. "I'll go get the ale." The muscular iksar heads out, as adept as the monk at following tracks.
You catch up to Kur'Plugh quickly, as he turns to the monk and the shadow knight and says " Good less trips that I need to make, also stand still I'm going to shelter us from the cold with spells."
After the spell is cast on the three, you quickly make it back to cave, that the first goblin slave is at, tending too the fires and it looks like he has started to pack up the contents of the cave to be carried. The three are able to get the elk meat (enough food for the party for 15 days of travel) and back to the new cave without problems, even with carrying as much gear and kit as you all can handle. Nothing get's left behind from the first cave with Kur'Plugh muttering to himself and casting another spell, he drags the wagon back with the monk and the Shadow Knight helping him.
Loki: You feel like the closest book is towards the direction of the hamlet, the other's are only a faint whisper, perhaps when you find that next tome, the other's will feel closer. Or perhaps you will have other members of the group, to be able to help you sense where they are at.
The night passes by without incident, although Kur'Plugh does come back he looks exhusted from the dragging of the wagon and all of the gear that was brought with it.
" Next time." He gasps " We are leaving behind the ale." Stumbling a bit, he passes out into a full lotus position, and the smell of freshly cut grass, emanates from him, along with a faint shimmering of another figure can be seen from the corner of your eyes.
Drawing Piter aside, ensuring that the duo are out of earshot of the other occupants of the cave, the necromancer points in the direction of Harvest's Sorrow.
"I sense the next tome in that direction, and the others remote from that location. Perhaps once the next is located the emanations will be stronger, or perhaps stronger for the holder of the next tome."
Nodding towards the troll he says, "I would not turn my back on a foe as powerful as this 'mistress', nor would I ignore this teleportative means of escaping this island. I would advise that we ambush her upon her return, glean what we can, and then move to Harvest's Sorrow. What would you advise?"
Zaruksis narrows his eyes at Kur'Plugh's heretical declaration. "So don't pull the wagon next time," he hisses. "You're proud of your size, but I really don't need your help." The short iksar turns and helps himself to the bitter nectar that was one of the few pleasures available in this desolate land.
Piter smacks the troll with his fist, and asks him again, "Why did the goblin witch goes to her circle, and what is she looking for?" He pulls out a dagger and gets ready to start using it on the troll.
He considers Loki's suggestion, and responds, "You saw her. Do you think we will be able to do that? If we can, then I'm all for it. The benefits would be... potentially very good. If we can keep her alive and keep her from casting spells. All I have are my weapons, but perhaps a trap could be fashioned. Let me see what we have."
He looks around the cave for materials to make a trap. Even a simple rope trap, a loop of rope covered in dirt, would help. They could then grapple her, hold her arms and stuff something into her mouth. He fashions a rope with a slip knot for a trap, another for her hands, and tears up some old fabric off the dead goblin for stuffing into her mouth.
He goes back to talk to Loki. "We would need to do it as soon as she arrives in the circle, because she's going to notice things amiss and may make a retreat immediately."
When the others get back, Piter thanks them and mentions that the 'lady' may come back any time, so we should be ready to trap her. Right about then, he notices a shimmering. He whispers quickly, "That might be her!" And looks to see what it is, picking up the ropes and mouth stuffing.
Loki makes a show of interceding before the cutting starts. He also worked to look disgusted by the entire situation. It would not be bad to have the troll think he had a potential friend among their ranks.
Bluff:
Diplomacy:
"I am unable to activate the teleportative magics, so it behooves us to convince the goblin to transport us off this island. Once we have finished with the tome of course." Though the distance between the duo was great the necromancer took no chances and kept his voice to a whisper and his lips obscured from view.
This troll was not some mindless brute and they would ignore that at their peril.
The necromancer nods in time with Piter's advice, fully in agreement.
Loki notices the shimmer, which he attributed to some strange ogre spirit made partially manifest, but accepts the shadowknight's warning for caution, and moves to provide assistance in gleaning the nature of the visual disturbance.
Magically shielded from the biting cold by Kur'Plugh's magic, (something the monk made a point to thank the ogre for), Cakkarak had set a fast pace back to the first cave. Not feeling the sting of the frigid land for the first time in he had forgotten how long, the monk almost allowed himself to feel happy. Almost. Strong emotions, whether positive or negative would upset the sense of calm Cakkarak strives to keep.
The young monk did allow himself to enjoy the physical activity. Having his muscles feeling lose and limber for the first time since he had been stuck in the cold, was a pleasant change. Between jogging back and forth, and helping the ogre and other iksar to transport everything, Cakkarak was feeling fatigued. And hungry enough to eat half of the smoked elk.
Wasting little time, Cakkarak makes quick meal out of some of the smoked elk flesh. The monk avoids the ale as he normally does, preferring melted snow as he beverage of choice.
"Did we miss anything exciting?" Cakkarak asks as he methodically chews his his meal of smoked flesh. The iksar's sharp green eyes move around the surrounding area as he eats. Cakkarak was ready to do his stretches and meditations and then fall into a peaceful slumber. He didn't want anything to interrupt his plan for the next eight to ten hours.
Loki fills in those who had departed on what they had missed while away, including his advice, and Piter's.
The troll says " Dunno, what she is looking for, also the crazy b**@* keeps going on is information." The troll isn't wide eyed, but he also is speaking slightly faster, wondering if the human was going to try and finish the job that the scaly monk and ogre started with him. The troll does believe the dark elves' bluff, but is still in a neutral dispotion, as it is hard to get one to trust you when there is a bad cop/indifferent cop.
Kur'Plugh's eyes open up and the shimmering that everyone could see from the corner of their eyes fades. The ogre stands up with a small grunt to himself, and stretches, working on getting the soreness from his body to fade. " Look it's late, I understand that we want to ambush the goblin spell caster, can we discuss this after some sleep. I can take the first watch, and see if our new friend can tell us some more. If anyone else wants to ask the troll some questions while I'm on watch, they are welcome too." The ogre shaman rumbles, his angered had faded after his meditation, and he doesn't seem to look exhausted from the task of dragging the wagon with all the supplies from the first cave.