Dwarves Deep (Inactive)

Game Master Critzible

Torgrym nods.

"Then it is decided," he submits. "We shall go find out what we can from the Stone Giants before heading to Angur-Khul."

His words echo in the hall, inviting any dwarf who disagrees to speak now...

The Elders and Thane finished as you all deliberated. Branago smiled looking at them.

"I see you wish to try your luck with the Giants. Good to hear. I can if you wish send a raven to deliver the message of your arrival.You'll also be given a special set of stones to keep us up to date.Either I or one of the under Heralds will answer." He said clasping his hands and ringing them.

"Indeed, it is perhaps best if we are expected," Torgrym answers as he reaches for the stones.

"We are honoured that you should trust us with so important a quest," he thanks the Elders and the Thane despite knowing that this could very well be at best a fool's errand and at worst a suicide mission.

Bedlam winks at the group.

N'ver been to a talking wit giants 'fore. Be sounding fun!

Dunganagar shrugs.

"I don't care where we go, as long as we git movin'. If the giants get ornery, I'll sort 'em out for ye."

"The Giants representative is Hurlek the Small. Nice fellow for a Stone Giant! Don't bet against him in Boulder Toss, or play against him in chess or cards. He is seriously a fiend. Great giant though." Branago said as he smiled pulling out his pipe and putting a pinch of the fine halfling tabac in the pipe.

"I'll send a raven and tell them you are coming if you wish. Just be careful, the Crags before you get to them have a few ogres in them. Bottom feeders who want to raid off the more peaceful Giants." Branago added using spark to light his pipe.

Kilduer nods in anticipation at the mention of the ogres, "Well then, at least we'll get ter warm up in case things go wrong with the giants - or, more likely, the mithral merchants. When are we to head out?"

Belching, the wildly-bearded one looks back towards the elders. "They said something about a supply wagon and access to the stores to fill it. Unless you're planning on going and doing that right now, I'm thinking day after tomorrow is about as quick as we can do it right." He looks down into his stone mug and frowns, turning it over with only a drop or two spilling out. "This has been a good day, and the task worth celebrating, but we need to start the task. Ought to go to bed so we can start . . .. Ah, who am I kidding? Another round!"

Torgym nods, hearing Torant's good counsel.

"At dawn, on the day after tomorrow," he agrees. "I assume that by then, your mind will be clear, and your hands steady? he asks, seeing the warpriest commit to another round.

Boleal coughs a bit from - unthinkable! - the smell of alcohol. "Bugger to that. I need my rest, both today and tomorrow. I'd suggest you do the same, but the way you guzzle that stout down tells me it would be a fruitless effort. I'm heading to bed, and will prepare tomorrow."

Torgrym also takes his leave, bowing ceremoniously as he does. He makes his way to the forge as it is the only place that allows him some peace and clarity. As he strikes the anvil, he thinks upon the voyage to come...

The Elders began to eat more and talk about the boring day to day operations. Branago, did some quick casting to allow for privacy and turned to the honored guests.

"It seems then you are set to seek the Giants. Which is good. The Elders have decided to move on to other matters of state. So when you are ready please feel free to exit.As for your gear the food and other supplies will be waiting for you at the stables. The Quartermaster of the Armor is also at your disposal if you need anything else that is not unreasonable. The maps are free for you to take as they have been copied via magic so if they are lost it won't hurt are records, just well your journey. If you have need of assistance I will be about. Also before you leave I will have added materials for you when you are in need to communicate with us here. With that my kin I bid you all a good night and good journey!"

Feel free to post what you are doing that night and anything you wish to purchase or request before I send you on your journey.

Aside from the standard gear, which has already been added to his inventory, Torgrym would request a gift for the Stone Giants – something fitting that represents the friendship between the nations, which should facilitate the diplomatic efforts. Torgrym would craft it himself, but obviously, there isn't time!

Good idea! One Dunganagar definitely wouldn't think of. :)

Ready to get going.

Agreed, great idea. You must be our party face...lol. Ready to go kill...err...talk to some giants...

Cardamin will go over her own supplies and get what she was lacking. We'll probably need another donkey or two.

Okay so put a list of non-magical equipment you would like to add that is under 100gp(unless it is food stuffs), and I will set up the next part here tonight.

Bedlam prepares for the journey by sleeping...

Okay so put a list of non-magical equipment you would like to add that is under 100gp(unless it is food stuffs), and I will set up the next part here tonight.

Done. Giant-sized Masterwork Stonecutting tools!

Dunganagar will get himself a mule with bridle and pack saddle.

8 gp Mule
2 gp Bit and Bridle
5 gp Pack Saddle

"We should bring some booze... for the giants, I mean. Yeah, booze makes people friendly. What kind of booze do giants like? No, no, it's not for us. For the giants. Yeah..."

Totally down with carrying 85 gp worth of dwarven rotgut.

Hmmm... can't think of anything I really need or want. Maybe a scroll or two, but since those are magical, I'll have to pass.

My list thoughts.

• Wagon
• Draft Animal(s)
• Appropriate tack
• Dried foodstuffs for 3 weeks
• Water barrel
• quills/paper/inks for map making
• logbook
• Camping & Cooking "kit" for the group size
• 3 healer's kits
• Antidote kit
• 2 shovels
• 3 picks
• The requested gift
• A couple of barrels of beer (for us)
• 400' of rope
• hammer and 40 pitons
• An assortment of sacks

After a restless night spent dreaming of Angur-Khul, Torgrym awakens at dawn, eager to get going...

The next morning you are allowed to acquire the goods for your journey(which is the stuff listed, nothing seems out of the ordinary so I'll allow it). As the stuff is loaded onto the wagon you see some of your fellow dwarves begin to gather about you as you ready for departure.

The crowd begins to gather the longer you linger until it is apparent that the word is out that you have been chosen to reclaim the hallowed home of the Foehammers! After a minute you see Branago step forward and smile a wide smile. He was draped in his finest trappings his Longaxe in his hands.

"People of Foehammer Hall, I Branago Herald of the Hall present to you the Clans finest! These brave Dwarves have been chosen to find and restore to us Angur-Khul! With the Blessing of our Elders and the Might of the Mordashimmin they shall succeed or die trying!!!"

Dunganagar tries to stand up straight and hefts his massive axe to rest over his shoulder. He looks around at the crowd, unsure of what is going to happen next.

Bedlam (loaded with his gear) shifts from foot to foot, humming a marching tune.

Boleal frowns. Die is such a harsh word. How about, "get slightly injured" trying. Or even: "be barely miffed." A grin begins to bare as he amuses himself with different variations of Branago's words. "They will succeed or be blessed with riches from some other cave that won't be full of orcs and demons and beasts and all the dwarves will stay here instead." That sounded nice. But, as Boleal reminded himself, such matters were unlikely. And, for that matter, the crowd seemed almost frightful in their desires to return to Angur-Khul. At this rate, they'll leave for it before we even come back!

Cardamin stands there, taking like a dwarf spills.

I thought this was just recon? We were told to find the creatures making our mithral, nor reclaim the whole damn ruin!

Cheap bastards didn't even offer us any magic for the journey.

She pats Lilyfoot, and the donkey shakes it's head. She was sure that giants and ruins wasn't what the donkey had signed up for either.

When the initial applause dies down, Torgrym raises his voice: "Let their names be heard, that their glory be remembered by all! Bedlam Bottomland! Boleal Foehammer! Cardamin Foehammer! Dunganagar the Mad! Kilduer Shadowaxe! Torant Foehammer!"

He gives each hero his due, before continuing. "By Moradin, I, Forgemaster Torgrym Foehammer, do hereby swear to reclaim His forges, that we may one day return to the glory of old, and hail a new age of greatness for all our people!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"Moradin will get us there and Moradin will see that we quell the thieves, but Hanseath will keep us moving and motivated to do the deeds! The gods together will ensure our victorious return to our home!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Now, if only I could convince meself it'll go that smooth . . ..

Branago chuckles and gestures to the gates. As he does the local guards came and parted the gathered dwarves before you. The dwarven guards are decked in the finest armor and the Thane and the Captain stood at the end of the gates. They looked a bit dour at the whole thing. Still, the crowds smiled and cheered at those heading through. These heroes on a noble quest.

When you get to the Thane and Captain they wait until you are outside of the gate and down a bit of the road before they stopped and looked at you both.

"Noble Dwarves, I am sorry about the actions of Branago. He hasn't been the same since we spoke of the whole Expedition. He wasn't supposed to get a crowd up and going for your departure. I mean it is an Expedition! But still, we are trusting you to atleast send word when and if you find it."The Captian said as Thane Ingot turned to look at them.

" When you find the culprits, send word, and you will be given more instruction. Until then my stalwart champions I wish you well and safe journey."

"Right... thanks. Yeah," Dunganagar says, nodding. He looks around at the others. "Everyone good? Well, we're off then."

As Dunganagar marches out the gate, he turns back and gives a quick wave. Then he faces forwards and gets on with what soldiers do best... marching.

"Grant us, O Moradin, a steady hand and watchful eye, that no one shall be hurt as we pass by," Torgrym prays. "Call upon the All-Father," he continues, addressing his companions, "and he will guide your way."

Torgrym casts Guidance to aid those among his companions who offer a prayer to Moradin.

"Anyone here happen to speak giant? I can speak a lot of languages but giant isn't one of them, go figure."

She leads Lilyfoot, who seems to be glad to be out of the crowd and moving.

She'd added some tents, cots, and sleeping bags to her cart. Everything in her cart was hers, though meant for expedition, she was going to inventory carefully. She'd also bought more feed, as they now had more animals, along with blankets in case in got colder.

Though she was glad that they had taken so much water.

"Aye, may he make our journey swift, and our works masterful."

Cardamin added to the prayer as she surveyed one of the maps they had been given. It was the only way for her to slow herself down and keep pace with the others.

"I don't like talking, but I do have a spell for that. Once we suspect we will reach the giants soon, I will go ahead and prepare it. With any luck, maybe a few of them will speak Dwarf. Or at least someone important will."

Torant snorts. "Giant? No. I speak several other languages, though, including the common trade tongues. If they've been doing much trading, they should have someone who speaks one of those!"

"I don't speak Giantish... but my axe does. Heh heh heh heh..."

Dunganagar chuckles to himself as they march.

"I speak their tongue," Torgrym intervenes.

Cardamin breathes a sigh of relief. Communication is key in negotiations. Not having at least one who spoke giant in their group could be taken the wrong way.

"Thank Moradin for that! I'm sure they would be friendlier towards one who has learnt their tongue.

Now we just need to get there in one piece."

Sorry y'all. I was out of commission for a few days, bunch of IRL stuff going on but I should be good now.

Kilduer smiles slightly as Branago begins to hype up the crowd and then he starts full-on belly laughing when Torgrym and Torant join in, eventually giving the crowd an extravagant wave of his own and then setting his non-combat-related gear into the wagon. As the group passes between the gates, Kilduer hooks his thumbs into the loops keeping his axes at his side and takes a quick look around for immediate threats, even though he knows that any existing is extremely unlikely.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Once past the two leaders, you head for Ulverin. There the city is preparing for some festival. One that deals with the harvest and has been decorated with crude art of there gods. It is busy and the people are out. As you get towards the cities gate two chain hauberk clad men in the bright green and gold color of Ulverin look up and blink.

the older man with a curled mustache and scruffy beard Held up his hand as his other hand dipped the longspear with a little green and gold flag on it.

"Halt, On the orders of Lord Olester the Old I ask you to state your business Before you complain I know you are the group the Dwarves are sending through but rules are rules so I apologize for the formality"

Torant laughs at the poor fellow's apology. "Right as rain! We be the dwarves heading through to track down rumors and talk to those who might have seen anything relevant to those rumors. I hope all your travelers are as easy to identify and as non-threatening!"

Adjusting his eyepatch and smiling widely, Bedlam awaits for the continuation of their march.

"Can we go?" Torgrym asks the guard impatiently. "Or should we go back and tell the Herald of the Hall that you wouldn't let us through?"

Dunganagar grumbles to himself quietly.

"If ye know, why'd ye ask?"

"Okay okay, I hear you's"The man said as he slapped the shoulder of his younger companion and pointed to the ties and smiles.

"Got to wear them weapons in peace knots, city law, Also watch out for some angsty people. News of ye possibly leavin' ain't sitting right to some citizens. Either then that ye keep your noses clean and yer weapons holstered I got no problem with ye. With that please enough your brief march through our fine city"The guard said before his counterpart came back with the small ribbons for the weapons.

Boleal goes ahead and applies the peace knot to his crossbow, but decides his quarterstaff, being more of a walking stick, doesn't need one. "Hopefully, we'll avoid those locals. Don't feel like running into another ruckus today."

Torgrym ties a peace knot on his Warhammer and steps into the city. Heeding the guard's warning, he keeps an eye out for any who might seem antagonistic...

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Bedlam complies with the law.

Cardamin gives a sigh before taking 5 ribbons and setting to work.

"Whatever it takes to get us moving. I trust one around the quiver will suffice?"

Once she's done, she takes some notes on the entry customs and entrance.

No point telling someone where a city is if they can't get in.