Elven team in Campaign Elves vs Dwarves -- Dwarves and Gnomes Keep Out (Inactive)

Game Master Chainmail

Merk adds, "We have never seen the like of you with fine, graceful features. You must be those elves the Coastal Kingdom visitors tell us to watch out for. As far as we are concerned, if you don't want them telling you what to do, that makes another thing we have in common."

The woman who met you at the door speaks dramatically, "This is the time and place of the Spider God who shares your war with the Jungle to aid you. We need only pledge to serve him for this task, and his powers will be granted to us all."

Merk speaks to Telethal, "Did you see how hard I hit that ape in the rage, us ragers gain more power from him, especially when using a huge axe." Merk reaches under his shirt and displays a stone medalion with a claw inside a spiral on a leather cord.

The Coastal Kingdom Humans are useful. I cannot speak for the rest of their race. That they forced us into the areas that we now live in rather than allowing us to roam free and settle as we wish I believe to be an abomination of a practise. I do not speak for my companions, but anything that might help to overthrow their rule of the lands. Anything that might gain the Elves the place that we once held is welcome to me. However, I would like to know one thing. What is involved in this ritual to pledge ourselves to your cause? How lasting are its effects, and what impact does it have beyond this one initial quest? I have some knowledge of what it is that you seek, although you might have to ask our tree climbing friend as to whether such a Heart exists and is nearby.

Talon stands, looking to his companions, those that he even believes are friends to him. They had known each other just a few months, and little of that had been spent in really talking, but rather in the preparatory training that they had all been engaged in to hone their skills.
He wanted to know them all better, understand their motivations and the like. Fair Elorin, her words so powerful. Seltyn, master of arcane energies far beyond his control. Telethal, so shy and withdrawn normally, and yet so powerful and full of rage that he was able to use and manipulate to show great strength. Kalthos, alternately so graceful, then so clumsy. And himself, the constant wanderer.

He turns to the Humans and speaks slowly, quietly.

We have our own tongue, often we use it in our deliberations. It not only gives us the eloquence and the like often prided by your kind, but would also allow us an element of privacy in our deliberations. I hope you would not find it offensive if I were to change to this tongue now so that what we say might be said with a feel of privacy, even if it is only illusory.

He then turns to those he considers his friends and begins speaking in Elven.
As much as we do not understand the humans, and are essentially at war with them, there is no sense in fighting a battle that we cannot win. These humans who are in the cave with us know this place better than we, and their combat skills are strong. If what they say is true, then it might be an idea to have an alliance of convenience with them for the moment. We both have things that the other wants. If this requires us to make some kind of a pledge then we could do this. If we can harness this great strength then we have a chance at saving our race. Of restoring it to greatness. I pledge myself to this cause, and to you all. As a team we have a chance in this. Individually possibly not.

It was friendship that meant we tore after you through the Jungle Marlamin, our concern for you meant more to us than the potential hell we could have been walking into. We wanted to make sure that you were ok. Wanted you back alive. I believe we would do pretty much the same thing for any of us who might fall on this great quest of ours.

I do not have the same talent with words that for example Elorin has. The manner in which the songs that she sings are able to steady my resolve and my hand when using the bow are powerful tools. However, we came here with a conviction to get what we needed to help those around that that mean the most to us all. I will not fail at the first hurdle. Stand with me or not, I will not pause.

Talon switches back into Common, and speaks once more.

What is involved in this ritual?

Mar listens to the conversation, thoughts crashing around about how to broach this topic to the other elves. He tries to feel for Ingwe through the bond, and send the idea and images of who he was with, along with a desire to know more about this heart of the forest.

Waiting for the response from Ingwe, he switches to Elven and speaks to the others.

I am hesitant to think of these humans as allies. We know what they have done to our kind in the past, corrupting the land and driving us from our home. I feel they are doing the same here. This forest, it is fighting back against them. Right now, it has Ingwe, and he is safe. He has met the Heart of the Forest, and it is not the evil these humans make it out to be.

I wont swear to some unknown god. The forest, this heart of the forest, it could be our ally against the humans. The frogs could have killed me and Ingwe, but didnt. Maybe they were taking us somewhere important. The apes may have only been protecting themselves. I know the forest to be good, and I cannot trust the humans.

Mar looks around, feeling the eyes of the men on him, clearly noticing his passionate words, if not understanding the meaning.

I think Mar is right. The nature of their fetishes and the compound here suggests that the spider god they worship is Rovagug, an evil and destructive being, and no friend of the elves. If he wants to destroy the heart of the forest, then it is most likely good, not evil.

I think we should refuse to help them. The problem is, how do we do that without starting a fight right here and now? We should handle this delicately.

He looks at Elorin, reluctant to ask more of her, but she's the diplomat for a reason.

The first woman you met answers Talon, "We would like an oath to the Spider God to pursue the elimination of the Heart of the Jungle so that we may work together. The ritual only requires that you swear this oath before our central pit here on one of our stone necklaces. We will settle for information about the Heart of the Jungle, for we believe you to have it. This information would be sufficient repayment for the risks we took to rescue you and provide you a refuge. Should you not accept our offer of taking the oath, we will have to face the Spider God over this--he will not be happy. I need to make sure the outside is clear."

The female speaker departs to the antechamber and returns a little later. "This cave is still undiscovered."

Elorin having listened quietly for a while and studied the humans around her she spoke.

"An exchange of information is more than amicable. you understand that as strangers to this land our hesitance is born out of survial not disrespect. You have chosen to put your faith in the Spider God and that has worked for you. Faith is a powerful ally regardless of the source. After we have learned a bit mro from each other we shall make our choice."

she has experienced many different sides to human being sin such a short period that this choice needed real thought. At least Marl was safe with them.

Kal sighs softly in the back, finding all this talk of faith being rather jejune.

Marlamin is our friend of nature. What do you know about all this? he asks the druid.

My feelings are pretty plain. From what Ingwe has told me, although told is the wrong word, and what I can guess, these humans are invading the jungle. A spirit, a dryad, is at the heart of it, trying to protect it from further damage. If we ally ourselves with the humans, perhaps we can kill her and tame the jungle.

But that would be wrong. These humans worship some evil, destructive god, as you have said, and making ourselves their ally would be wrong. If we could somehow help the forest, and this dryad, we would gain another ally in our quest to regain this land. It will be difficult, as except for me, our party has all hurt the jungle, or creatures in it. I feel we must help out this dryad, and gain the jungle as our ally. How to do it, I dont know. I defer to you all on that.

Mar struggles to explain himself, and the feelings and images coming through his bond to Ingwe. He knows that in his heart, the right action is to avoid swearing to this god-like creature, but is afraid that he wont be able to convince his allies.

Knowledge nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

In Elvish: A dryad? I'm certainly not going to ally with a primordial god of destruction to go kill a dryad, whatever the payoff. No decent elf would do such a thing.

So, we still have a problem. Frankly, I'd be more inclined to help the dryad against these people, even if they did help us in a pinch. We have to burn one bridge or another, but it's not even that simple.

With what we've seen of this forest, we'd have to figure out where the dryad is, fight our way to her, then tell her we killed every animal along the way because we're there to help. That is assuming we get there alive, once we've turned these cultists down.

I'm open to suggestions...

Seltyn is finding leadership to be as hard as he'd guessed it would be. Still, he'd accepted it, and he wasn't going to dodge it now. They'd gotten this far without a map. They could still get farther.

As I said, unless there is some kind of binding magic in this ceremonial nonsense, I don't see why we can't just play both sides for a bit. We can go through with their cult-y nonsense and then once we're gone from here we can figure out how best to contact and appease the dryad. If it turns out that we need to help her fight the cultists and their spider god, then we can still do that

Amys, the younger woman at the cookfires, continues to try to get Telethal's attentions. "Strong one, we have learned to stop worrying about privacy living in a communal cave. Can I show you my personal space?"

The young man with two heavy crossbows approaches Talon and then Kalthos. "What kind of range can you get with those bows?"

Hagrid, the older of the two women seems to be getting impatient. "We do not have time to lose--the Jungle is the weakest it has ever been. Either join us or at the very least tell us where to find the Jungle Heart."

Merk, the older of the men intercedes, "Hagrid, these are our guests. I am sure they will help as they can. That is all we can ask. If not friends, they are enemies of our enemy."

Seltyn will cast detect magic at the pool in the center, and scanning the amulets.

If that makes them hostile, so be it. Pledging to help an evil god then reneging doesn't sound any wiser than the other options to him.

arcana to know school(s): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

He'll need 3 rounds.

Elorin breathes lightly. all the talk of religion in any form is making her very uncomfortable.

Talon smiles at how Telethal has been propositioned twice in as many minutes by this strange human woman, and how Telethal seemed to be completely uneasy about the whole experience.

Turning to the man that asked about the accuracy and power of the bows. In Common he replies.
Anything within about 100 feet I can hit with few issues, and have recently trained myself to be able to fire so quickly that both my arrows are in flight at the same time. It takes time to learn, but is well worth it when it works, indeed it proved invaluable when we were protecting ourselves from the frogs and the like.

To Hagrid.
Elves are a long lived race, and we have not gained the training and experience that we have without having taken our time in its learning. Be still child, if the Jungle is as weak as you say it is, then there is time yet for your objective. We have much to discuss. Elves have a tradition of protecting life in all its forms. We have gone against that tradition in order to protect ourselves, but this is not something done readily. We must hold our councils to decide what to do from here. Part of this may indeed mean consulting with the Jungle Heart itself which we believe we might know the location of. If we decide to help you, then trust me in that we will manage to be of use to you. We will not be sped up in our deliberations. If you are unable to restrain yourself then we will have further words.

In Elven he speaks directly to Elorin.
Religion in and of itself is not always a bad thing, and thus I find your opposition to it curious. Perhaps when we have a little more time you and I could talk about this over a bottle of wine of some kind? I realise this might be a strange thing to bring up within these deliberations, but time seems to be against us. Anyway, if we were able to get to the Jungle Heart, would you help us in its protection if we were to protect it?

Still in Elven. I fear we might soon be running out of time. Marlamin, can you get a message to Ingwe to let her know that we are coming, and that we mean well. I believe that we should attempt to lose these humans in the Jungle somehow and therefore move as fast as we can to the Jungle Heart. Let us use Marlamin and Ingwe as our guides, and let us once more make our peace with the Jungle and the Forests that we use as our homes. If the Jungle is as weak as these fools say, then it will need our help. We are weakened and so on, and perhaps it would be an idea for us to rest soon and regain our strength. Seltyn, you are our leader, make the call and let us commit ourselves to a course of action.

Talon sits once more and watches and listens to the world around him, a slight feeling of scorn for the Humans.

I'm not liking what I'm seeing.

Spellcraft to identify the pool: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 if it would be considered a magic item. Otherwise, he's gathered all he can gather.

I'm not liking what I'm seeing.

Spellcraft to identify the pool: 1d20+11 if it would be considered a magic item. Otherwise, he's gathered all he can gather.

Not considered a magic item. Definitely not a no magic ceremony.

Mar was aware that their talking was beginning to push the boundaries of what their hosts might allow.

In Elven
I can try. I am just learning myself what is possible through our bond.

Mar concentrates on Ingwe, trying to send images of the group, feelings of peace and a desire to help.

Well, I tried. We shall see what happens. In the meantime, I hope that someone can talk these humans into allowing us to get out peacefully.

As Talon has admitted to knowing where the Heart of the Jungle is, we will have to wait for his response. Obviously his answer now is most important. I assume Telethal is keeping a distance from his new "friend" and Seltyn is trying to figure out what is in the mud pool. Marlamin is communing with Ingwe, but has little luck as he has already learned much. The young man with the heavy crossbows reloads them with bolts from a case on his back. Hagrid is solely focused on Talon and is staring intently into his eyes.

Talon stands when he sees the man loading the crossbow, and begins loading his own. Not pulling back to draw it yet, but having it ready none the less.

To Marlamin, in Elven. Do what you can, our lives might depend on it. No pressure.He smiles slightly, adrenaline once more pumping into his system. The close quarters of the cave meant that his aim would be truer, and his aim was already pretty good. That they had been battling recently meant that they were all tired, but these humans could not be trusted. He was frustrated with himself for not realising sooner the nature of the god that these humans worshipped. They were an enemy of the forest, and thus an enemy of his. It had been wrong for them to kill and maim the apes and the frogs around them. He had acted out of fear of the possibility of violence, rather than the actual occurrence of it.

In Common. I know of what Dryad's are, and there is a distinct possibility that what you seek may have one in close proximity. This however is our concern. If the Dryad is working to make this place inimitable to life, then as Elven-kind we are better placed to come to some kind of a peaceful resolution to this place than those who worship a god who actively seeks to destroy life and the order upon which it rests. Whilst it is true that at least part of life does revolve around destruction and death, it is counterbalanced by the elements of life that give life and birth new life.

He smiles wider and stands a little straighter.

Listen to me spouting off about matters that are to do with the Gods like one of the priesthood. I have little idea of these things and yet here I am talking as though I am an expert in the matters.

Listen, we appreciate the help that you have given us, and it is possible that you saved our lives with your arrival. We owe you a debt in that respect. We have a path to follow, and there is a possibility that our paths are not meant to continue with one another.

Talon waits for a response, still on edge with the crossbows having been loaded.

Telethal stands silently, one tall brooding statue in a sea of conversation. His only movement up to this point has been to step over behind Marlamin, silently giving his opinion on what they should do. I agree with Marlamin, his expression says.

As the tensions mount, his face darkens. Old feelings of pain and anger boil the more these humans push their agenda. At the second advance by the woman, Telathal again avoids eye contact. Even the suggestion that their spider god can give him more power brings only a short response. "I don't know your god, human."

How big is this cave again? If things go poorly - and i'm hoping we can avoid that - then is there enough room for Telethal's longspear to be brought to bear?

The cave is roughly 60' by 30' with a 10' by 10' pit.

Merk senses tensions rise and steps in front of the evil eye of Hagrid. "Let's all remember the rules of host and guest, no need to become the savage creatures we are both fighting. We need to talk some in our own language too."

Merk and Hagrid exchange some words, far less than you have in elven (about a half minute), and Merk nods.

"You do not know our God though we have revealed him. You do not wish to follow him, but have not revealed your Gods. We have a compromise, you will lead us to the Heart of the Jungle. You will take an oath on any holy symbol you like to do this and swear not to interfere with our quest to destroy this Jungle Heart. We will take an oath on our axes and holy symbols to protect you once more from the jungle and Hagrid will have the Spider God witness this for us. Hagrid, make this happen."

Hagrid removes some components from a pouch and is preparing to cast into the pit. The humans have been friendly and are interspersed throughout the chamber to socialize. Tensions have are obviously on the rise, especially after Telethal, the closest of your group they can relate to, has turned cold.

Let's get out of here.

He casts mage armor on himself, anticipating some nastiness.

Kal tries to think. We would be happy to tell you all about our god, in fact I'm sure there are many things that we can teach one another, though rushing into pacts, oaths, promises, and treaties is not our way, you must give us time alone to confer and discuss. to chew it over as it were. Especially given that we live in a Jungle, and that in our faith, nature is sacred. If we discuss the matter, we may find that this jungle's heart is in some way corrupted and must be destroyed, but it will take time. As elves we live a long time and take a long time to debate and discuss. Kal moves to put a hand on Merk's shoulder with an air of friendliness, but also noting Seltyn's tension, attempting to take a possible flanking position in the event that there is conflict.

Spellcraft to identify Hagrid's spell: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

That may have happened while Seltyn was casting. If so, forget it.

Hagrid finishes chanting and the muddy pool starts to bubble. Before Seltyn finishes his mage armor spell, Hagrid speaks a few words in their language and immediately begins another spell.

Merk speaks, "Is this some sort of magic duel?"

Marlamin and Telethal are near Amys. Merk and Hagrid are among Talon, Seltyn and Kalthos. Elorin is aloof as well as the two young men with the bow and crossbows.

Mar started to get worried as the discussion seemed to disintegrate. He said, in human,

Er, I dont know what's going on. Oaths arent taken lightly for us, but it would seem that all parties have an interest in getting to the heart of the jungle. Without a doubt, we owe you for saving us before. And those debts are taken seriously as well.

In elven...

The thought occurred to me, if we can just get there, we gain allies, hopefully. I can say I am scouting ahead, and try and get to the dryad first.

That could work, but I don't want to see what happens with that bubbling pool.

I'm assuming some of us are still down some hps, right?

unless I missed something, Telethal is still at full.

Telethal shrugs, continuing in elvish, "Be nice if we didn't have to fight our way out, though."

After completing her second spell (Seltyn recognizes it as a bless spell) Hagrid speaks a few words in her native tongue and begins another spell.

The bubbling in the pool ominously stops. The tension seems to be getting thicker and the younger men look quite nervous.

Merk gives you a wry smile, "I guess you aren't really as grateful as I would have expected." He holds his greataxe casually at his side.

Apparently the longer we deliberate, the more buffs the humans will layer on. :(

You would guess the current score is 2-1.

Elorin steps forward slowly and begins to speak (in common), looking both at the Elves and humans as she does.

things are getting tense in here. we have just come from being ambushed, to being rescued and finally to begin asked to pick a side in a fight we did not know exist. and your selves have just come from fighting your way through the forest to get to us, to allowing us in to your safe place. perhaps hoping we would be allies straight away and this fight would be soon at an end. So a lot of adrenalin is floating round and neither side has calmed down from battle yet. May I suggest we all take a breath and take a moment to calm down. She breathes a deliberately heavy and controlled breath in and out.

Right now the forest is the danger, not ourselves. this is a sanctuary and let us respect that.

She turns to Hagrid. As we have said we only have a faint idea as to something that is with the heart. though we may be able to help you and you us. Our concern is a member of our group that may be there. I understand there may be a dryad there also. Which may or may not be responsible for this. As a dryad is a living sentient being, would you be willing to see why the dryad may have begun this course of action and perhaps there would be a way to stop this without destruction and it may benefit all. If a sentient forest can attack you It can also protect you and care and nurture for you and itself in ways a dead forest can not. and if negotiations fail then you have the option that you started with to fall back on. Elorin emphasizes the the words 'fall back on'.

To all the elves: Let's walk out of here while we can. That bless spell wasn't for us.

With that, he heads toward the exit. Seltyn wants nothing to do with this cult.

You got it.

Mar follows after Seltyn, but does his best to hide his rising panic and anticipation.

If you have any inkling where this heart is, don't lead us there until we lose these people first. I don't think they'll deal well with rejection.

Kal nods dramatically with every point Elorin makes

I need to know the order out. The following characters are on the north side of the chamber: Merk and Hagrid follow behind Seltyn, Kalthos and Talon. The following characters are on the south side: Amys follows Telethal and Marlamin. Elorin is left alone. The two young human males are alone.
Merk looks disappointed and sadly shakes his head.
"I was hoping it wouldn't end this way."
Hagrid replies, "Their bowman said it best--our paths are not together."
Map to follow.

It would be useful for me to be one of the first out so I have room to use my bow

Talon does remember there is one foot crawlspace into the cave that goes for about 10'. The bow cannot be ready during the crawl out to the trail.

Mar continues the walk to the door, trying not to be visibly hurrying.

Our paths may not be together. But they arent going the opposite direction, either. Again, I owe you my life, and my thanks. Take care.

Mar's not at full hp, but is doing ok. He can be towards the back if need be.

Elorin will make her way out also. I presume I am furthest from the exit so I would be last. Thank you very much for your help. I hope the next we meet, our fortunes are better.

Talon in an ideal world would be one of the first, his strengths lie in archery, not melee combat. I can't use rapid shot with a sap after all, and these guys look to be well trained and the like.

I'd love to see a map before I get too detailed, but Telethal would definitely be trying to be the last one out, fighting in a retreating style if it comes to blows.

map
campaign tab updated with this map.

Map is done. 10' long by 5' wide by 1' high crawlway from antechamber to trail. A fur rug drape is pulled aside separating antechamber from main cavern. You are moving out with urgency, Merk, Hagrid and Amys follow. Young men with missile weapons do not.

Seltyn will want Mar out first, then anybody else who's down any hps.

Kalthos, Elorin, Talon, Seltyn, and Telethal last. If you're down any hps, move yourself up the queue.

We'll try to find a safe place to hole up and recharge. Mar and Talon can help us with that.

Seltyn, do you still have a colour spray prepared at all? Just thinking that if you do, then we might actually be able to win this fight in the cave itself. Certainly it wouldn't be a god awful place to use as a resting up place. In any case, Talon is pretty beaten up and I was rather looking forward to a nights rest and so on. Marlamin might want to use Entangle if you have it as a spell prepared. Combine that with the Colour Spray and most of these barbarians will be at least less effective for a while. What say you?