At sunrise, you survey your work. The keelboat is anchored in front of the dam with a gangplank to it. The teams of horses transitioned from hauling the boat to hauling rocks. The crew shoveled.
A survey of the area found a small campsite of the merrow. Evidently, they just moved into the area to build the dam at the choke point in the river.
It might take a week at this rate to clear the dam.
Arlan = 48/52 HP & AC 21
Beltzer = 40/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 51/51 HP & AC 20
Well, we'd best keep working. Tell me where to smash and what to haul and I'll see it done.
Arlan does just that, as much smashing and heavy lifting as he can.
Lys sits on the edge of the ship, enjoying the heavy labour and buffeting herself with her hat. "Oooh, that's a good one!", she chuckles as she sees Arlan pick up a massive boulder. "You keep doing whatever you're doing, boys!"
She sighs as she sees the sailors getting tired. "I think that we can probably pull some of the bottom rocks with ropes. Might get more debris in the water, but it might speed up the work quite a lot.", she mentions to the captain. Which means more rowing and less sights of heavy labour sooner. Oh, the sacrifices I do., she thinks, moving her hat on her face and laying down in a patch of grass.
"Well if we might be here a week I can commune with the spirits tomorrow and see if I could gather magic that might be useful. I don't know much in the spirits that could last more than a few minutes sadly. Other than that anyone think we can jury rig some sort of pulley system to get the rocks onto land.. maybe with a floating disk if Nerak knows the spell?" Beltzer throws ideas out there without really knowing if any would work or if any are sensible.
Nerak gives Beltzer a side long look.
"You are aware that wizards earn their spells. By way of their own devices or copying their own versions from others. Being capable of the magic and having the arcane formula for it are two different things. So do cut it out with trying to know what's in my spellbook or not."
Giving an annoyed snort he continues.
"I have prepared 4 spells of enlargement and enhanced strength. We can choose four of the strongest to use one of each. Two to use two of each for a twice the time. Or one to use both spells on for four times the time. I leave the choice to you."
Beltzer shrugs at Nerak "This is why I said IF you know the spell, I have no idea if you did or not, which is why you know.. I asked? Being of arcane origin the spirits don't have something quite so similar."
Talking Nerak's thoughts forward "With the strength effects we can probably use it alongside a hammer to break the rocks down into smaller pieces which should be in the time remit of the spell, thus we can carrying the small stones off with the help of maybe a makeshift raft platform pulled by the horses. I'm not sure how muddy it's looking out there. That should provide quick movement at least for the stony pieces, we're still probably going to need to dig up the mud."
With large, extremely strong dam destroyers, the work accelerates tremendously. No wonder those merrows could build a dam so quickly without creating a lake.
And with some creative suggestions from the amateur engineer, the dam disintegrates even faster. At this rate, you might finish by tomorrow.
Arlan = 48/52 HP & AC 21
Beltzer = 40/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 51/51 HP & AC 20
Varin gets to work, breaking rocks with his hammer, smashing them in to the littlest pieces they can.
When Arlan is enlarged and "strengthed" he takes a moment to wink at Lys while curling a boulder in one arm. Then he moves alongside Varin, nodding, and clearing away the debris that his friend makes with Agrimmosh.
With large, extremely strong dam destroyers, they win late the next day. On day 8, you weigh anchor and continue upstream.
When you are deciding who rows in the morning, the captain tells you that you should start to pass the Ghostlight Marsh. He knows that you need to make a stop but not where.
Remember, Silvermane described a stone on the riverbank carved with a circle of thorns marking the trail that will lead you to the entrance to the Vault of Thorns.
Arlan = 52/52 HP & AC 21
Beltzer = 40/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 51/51 HP & AC 20
Captain, we were told that a stone on the riverbank would lead our way. It is carved with a circle of thorns. I'll keep my eyes open for it, and shout if I see it.
With that, Arlan ascends to the Crow's Nest and searches the riverbank for the tell-tale stone.
Beltzer helps Arlan out by identifying what Arlan sees, so they can narrow down on the location.
As usual Nerak rows in the morning.
Clearly the thought that all ulfen's must be natural sea men was one fate denied giving up as yet again lacking any exceptional strength or skill Nerak rows well. Once that is out of the way he spends the day in his, apparently very crowded make shaft room. The crows nest, Lorn meanwhile is rubbing his supposed chin as he looks between Arlan and Beltzer. As if deciding something, clearly it did not bode well.
Nerak helps Arlan look for the landmark.
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Varin nodded as Arl and Bel went to spot the stone, before heading below deck to work the oars.
As he rowed, he began to sing in a strong, clear voice.
"My home is waiting there for me,
and the girl I left behind.
Of all the treasure that waits for me,
that’s what I want to find."
He smiled, nodding to his oar mate as he belted out the old Military tune.
Her eyes so merry, and her smile so sweet,
her hugs so warm, and her ankle neat,
her kisses hot, now there’s a treat.
If there’s a treasure greater, it lies not in my mind.
His cheeks burned a little as he remembered his last night in Lastwall but he coughed and fought his way through.
"Oh, I have seen the Worldwound,
and the Demons’ raving horde.
I have stood ‘fore the Balors charge,
and knocked on death’s dark door.
But a winsome lass, she waits for me,
for a dance, and a kiss ‘neath the apple tree.."
Just before lunch, Arlan spots the stone on the riverbank carved with a circle of thorns marking the trail that will lead you to the entrance to the Vault of Thorns. With the captain on the forecastle directing Coxwain Halrex at the tiller, you gently glide to moor near the stone.
Nerak and Varin are below deck in the rowing banks. Arlan is in the crow's nest.
Arlan = 52/52 HP & AC 21
Beltzer = 40/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 51/51 HP & AC 20
Lys continues to sit, or more accurately lean on the aftdeck, staring into the water. "There's a rock there. No, wait, that's a fish. Or a rockfish!", she mutters to the tired navigator. "Relax, you'll be having us out of your...", she stops for a moment. "...uh, beard soon enough. You and your rockfishies.", she says joyously, before sitting on the railing, back towards the water. "You know, I enjoy our little conversations so much. Everyone else insists on having a dialog with me, and you, I have significant doubts you even speak Taldan.", she continues on.
"So what's your secret? You were married, and you have the uncanny ability to ignore conversations?", she asks in an almost childish tone. "Whoops, there's actually a spikey stoney thing on boat left." She points out, raising a hand towards the suspicious rock. "So how'd you become a river seaman?", she continues her bubbly chat for a while.
As you maneuver to moor between two anchors, someone screams out, Seven orcs slither over the side rails of the weatherdeck. One wears a chain shirt, while the other six wear studded leather. All carry falchions and javelins.
Chain shirt orc = AC 16 touch 11 CMD 23
Colored orcs = AC 13 touch 10 CMD 14
Arlan = 52/52 HP & AC 21
Beltzer = 40/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 51/51 HP & AC 20
Bel, tell your spirit friends they're about to have some company, Arlan says with a grin. He leaps off the crows nest and lands lightly on his feet in a predatory stance, stabbing at the nearest orc.
"...and believe me, if it wasn't for the bet, I'd never have eaten it either!", Lys mentions to her listener, before raising her hand. "Did you hear that?", she shouts out, running outside, picking up the darkwood contraption on the way out.
Seeing the orcs outside, she rolls her eyes. "You'd think they'd stop that.", she mentions to no one in particular, the chain mail wearing orc catching her eye. "Oh, honey, that's not very useful against bolts!", she grins, drawing a bead.
"The spirits of death if they are not following us will likely start soon, it's been nothing but battles these past few days."
Beltzer moves to be in near the path of Arlan and he descends from the Crow's nest and places a barkskin on him.
"Might be needing your help a little here, I feel we're about to be surrounded." Beltzer says as he draws his sword
Varin stood, pushing away from the Oars, he grins around. "Looks like they are playing my music. Excuse me while I go upstairs and crush my enemies..."
With that he grabs his weapon and dashes upstairs at full tilt.
Nerak sighs, it never ended. What was the point of a look out if they gave no early warning. He gets to his feet, letting the thicker ones go before him, then makes his way to the deck.
"Bel, tell your spirit friends they're about to have some company," Arlan says with a grin. He leaps off the crows nest and lands lightly on his feet in a predatory stance, stabbing at the nearest orc.
The orc on Arlan's spear drags himself further on to it, so he can slash his falchion at Arlan. Then, he passes out.
Another orc accosts Varin when he arrives on deck.
Another orc attacks Beltzer.
Three orcs attack the crew.
miss
miss
The leader launches a javelin passed Arlan's head and screams in rage challenging Arlan to a death match.
The crew repels boarders.
Chain shirt orc = AC 18 touch 13 CMD 25
Colored orcs = AC 13 touch 10 CMD 14
Arlan = 52/52 HP & AC 23 with Barkskin
Beltzer = 28/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 42/51 HP & AC 20
This one's mine, Arlan says, nodding toward the leader. Help the crew, the half-elf asks Beltzer.
He steps up to the challenger, howling with glee and smashing his elbow down on the orc's head. When the orc drops his chin in pain, Arlan's knee rises up to greet it, jarring his teeth.
Varin spits out a mouthfull of blood and laughs softly, shaking his head. Nothing was going to kill his good mood. "That is cute. My turn!"
He swings his hammer over his head, before slamming it down on the top of the Orc.
The hammer slams in to the Orcs forehead at full speed.
Nerak looks around, cast a spell on Varin. Then ways from behind him smiling as he whispers to Varin.
Lys takes aim at the leader, grinning from her vantage point. "Arlan! Stop hogging the big ones!", she shouts, preparing to launch a barrage at the orcs below.
The first bolt flies through the gap in the roof, jamming itself straight into the orc's right pec. "Woo! Man, am I good!, she grins as she cocks the string once more.
Beltzer moves back so he's closer to Arlan and casts a storm burst on the orc that was attacking him.
"This one's mine, Arlan says, nodding toward the leader. Help the crew," the half-elf asks Beltzer. He steps up to the challenger, howling with glee and smashing his elbow down on the orc's head. When the orc drops his chin in pain, Arlan's knee rises up to greet it, jarring his teeth.
Beltzer moves back so he's closer to Arlan and casts a storm burst on the orc that was attacking him.
Varin spits out a mouthful of blood and laughs softly, shaking his head. Nothing was going to kill his good mood. "That is cute. My turn!" He swings his hammer over his head, before slamming it down on the top of the Orc. The hammer slams in to the Orcs forehead at full speed smashing like a watermelon.
Nerak looks around, cast a spell on Varin. Then ways from behind him smiling as he whispers to Varin. "Rip his t&&@ off."
Lys takes aim at the leader, grinning from her vantage point. "Arlan! Stop hogging the big ones!", she shouts, preparing to launch a barrage at the orcs below. The first bolt flies through the gap in the roof, jamming itself straight into the orc's right pec. "Woo! Man, am I good!, she grins as she cocks the string once more.
An orc steps up and attempt to attack Beltzer with a storm swirling around him.
Three orcs attack the crew. Then, the one that Halrex critted drops.
miss
miss
The leader breaks the crossbow bolt off his chest and accuses Arlan of being coward for not fighting a solitary death match. Obviously, he uses much more creatively vulgar language. Then, the leaders slashes Arlan deeply with his falchion.
The crew repels boarders. Halrex and the other crew protect the tiller in case of other boarders.
Chain shirt orc = AC 18 touch 13 CMD 25 *Demoralized
Colored orcs = AC 13 touch 10 CMD 14
Arlan = 17/52 HP & AC 23 with Barkskin
Beltzer = 28/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 42/51 HP & AC 15
Arlan jabs at the orc's throat, stepping back to open up a firing lane for Lys.
Beltzer moves after Arlan in a defensive retreat stepping over the dead orc. Once more providing Arlan with aid.
As Varin grows he stretches, cracking his knuckles around his huge hammer, as he moved towards the next Orc he spotted.
"Time to die runt!"
He swung his hammer with all of his might, down towards the Orc.
Lys pauses, listening attentively to the orc's barrage of words. "Oooh! I never truly understood what that one meant!", she chuckles, before sending an ear-scorcher to the orc leader, followed by two bolts.
Nerak side steps drawing his crossbow and fires at the orc from behind. Honor was for muscle heads and armored knight, he took every advantage he could get.
The bolt hits him in the back, yet barely goes in. Guess orcs are dense in more ways then one.
Arlan jabs at the orc's throat, stepping back to open up a firing lane for Lys.
Beltzer moves after Arlan in a defensive retreat stepping over the dead orc. Once more providing Arlan with aid.
As Varin grows he stretches, cracking his knuckles around his huge hammer, as he moved towards the next Orc he spotted. "Time to die runt!" He swung his hammer with all of his might, down towards the Orc.
Lys pauses, listening attentively to the orc's barrage of words. "Oooh! I never truly understood what that one meant!", she chuckles, before sending an ear-scorcher to the orc leader, followed by two bolts.
Nerak side steps drawing his crossbow and fires at the orc from behind. Honor was for muscle heads and armored knight, he took every advantage he could get. The bolt hits him in the back, yet barely goes in. Guess orcs are dense in more ways then one.
An orc drops the crewman. Then, he drops.
The orc with a storm swirling around him finds himself alone and jumps overboard.
Chain shirt orc = AC 18 touch 13 CMD 25 *Demoralized
Colored orcs = AC 13 touch 10 CMD 14
Arlan = 34/52 HP & AC 21 with Barkskin & rage
Beltzer = 28/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 42/51 HP & AC 15
Eventually you loot the boarders and find the following on the leader: magical feather token (anchor), potions of cure light wounds (2), fire ward gel, mwk chain shirt, falchion, javelins (4), belt of incredible dexterity +2, letter from Melira, 21 gp
Tark,
Skreed has been murdered and I seek revenge on his killers. Help me with this and I will give you Skreed's alchemical formula for the balm that soothes your burns. I have learned that his killers are traveling to Ghostlight Marsh by riverboat. Don't worry-there is no need for you to set foot in the swamp. There is a marker on the northern bank of the Esk. Look for a stone carved with a circle of thorns-that is where Skreed's killers will dock. Board the boat and unleash your fury upon them. With luck, I will be on board as well and will join you. Together, we shall avenge Skreed. Do this and the formula is yours.
Melira
Arlan = 34/52 HP & AC 21
Beltzer = 28/40 HP & AC 16
Lys = 44/44 HP & AC 18
Nerak = 32 HP & AC 14
Varin = 42/51 HP & AC 15
Arlan growls after he learns of the contents of the letter.
How do they know where we're going? Is it magic, or is somebody in Trunau or on this boat giving them information?
"That name doesn't sound Orc to me, at least not the one signing it." Beltzer shrugs "I have not heard of that name on the boat so could be someone from Trunau...How bout that girl who wanted revenge?"
"Gee, it would be nice if we had her here to ask, wouldn't it?" Varin stretched as he sunk back to his regular size, cracking his neck and relaxing with a sigh.
Nerak read the letter, some things made sense now.
"It does not matter how they came about the information. If it's magic their is nothing that can be done about it, it is beyond my ability to thwart them. If it is an informant then that will end once we disembark as no one knows where we are going and our only company will be each other. As to who Melira is, the matching lockets make that clear as well as the letter. Their magic let her know he died, somehow she found out our connection to that. Again somehow she got on board and sought to weaken or kill some of us before her reinforcements came to finish us off. Hopefully this means that we are rid of both parties uncovered and that they did not bother to inform Skreed's giant friend."
He had been on the fence concerning the whole plot to attack the giants and orcs from the start. Now if they had lost any form of surprise then they could be heading towards a trap or hopeless assault. He had no plans to entertain ether.
Great, now all we have to do is sweet talk a wisp into suicide for our benefit. Anyone know how to find one?
Lys finally makes her way down from her vantage point, grinningly stepping on the orc leader's corpse and drawing one of her bolts from his throat.
"Nasty business, that.", she mumbles, patting Arlan on the back. "No hard feelings about getting involved in that duel, right? I know you guys like to get involved in your masterful use of polearms.", she grins, pointing towards the javelins and Arlan's spear. "Har-har."
Her eyes catch the sight of the belt. "Is that what I think it is? I do love me some accessorising, gentlemen. You mind?", she says, putting on the giant furry belt on her waist. "Would've preferred a somewhat more elegant one but..." She stops, looking around. "Right, bow murderer. I'd suggest we make a plan for when the giant knows we're coming and one where we're not. We could possibly ask an orc really politely if we come across one. I'll hold the pokers."
She leans on a wall. "Well, I think if someone knows anything, it's Nerak. If you know where you can find one, I could possibly lead you there."
"I would guess that finding a wisp is not the problem, considering the area is named after them. It is dealing with the wisp that will be the problem, along with any other dangers with in. At least the wisp are former druids, they should be more reasonable then the wild ones. As to my knowledge, I did not focus much on geography in my studies. I don't know much about this place."