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"it would be of great help to us if we could use your ferry to cross the river."
-Posted with Wayfinder
The attitude of the troll towards Cirri is approaching hostile, but as the others begin to step up, it does shift from unfriendly to indifferent. You get the feeling that some gold could sway him further (+1 per 10 gold on next diplomacy check), but you could try to simply persuade him to take you over. You can also see that he seems less inclined to talk to Cirri than most of the rest of you.
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Sensing the trolls apparent reluctance to deal with a woman, Korvalis looks expectantly at Charn to lead the way.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Very well, then." He takes you across the river.
With the Rimeflow miles behind you, you're ready to turn west to cross over into Hagreach, the easternmost portion of the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, and your final destination of Trollheim. The planned route through a stretch of wooded land is intended to keep you out of sight from the wandering patrols of either nation.
Natural trails wind through these woods, allowing passage through the thickets and shrubs. A sudden opening reveals a little house, no larger than a small child’s tree fort, built atop bundled tree branches lashed together like stilts or legs. The woodwork on the exterior of the house is exquisite, almost delicate in its craftsmanship. The only entrance to this small, one room structure is an open doorway facing west.
You recall legends telling of small, chicken-legged houses inhabited by porcelain dolls, created from the souls of stolen children and fashioned in the likenesses of ugly, white-haired crones. These dolls supposedly sit and watch Irrisen’s western border, and many tales say they walk the land at night with murderous intent.
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interesting as that house looks I think we should keep our distance. Here let's go around it.
Unless anything else happens Charn'll lead a path keeping 150-200' away from the house (assuming that's possible.). As they walk around it, he occasionally looks over his shoulder.
sigh, I wonder who or what lives in there? Look at the craftsmanship, very interesting...
You have now left Irrisen behind and crossed into the easternmost region of the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, a barren and well defended land called Hagreach. The map indicates a Blackraven way station along the trackless route to Trollheim where you may rest and recuperate before the last leg of their journey.
The woods open to a clearing where a large, grass-covered mound, like a small oblong hill, dominates the area. A stout wooden door is set directly into the side of the mound, while a thin trail of smoke rises from the very top. Immediately to the south is a wooden horse stable, all of its doors closed.
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Upon reaching the waystation, Kamda sighs with relief. His next sentence is half-relief, half thoughts out loud.
Ah, a place ta rest me feet an' eat! Let's be on our way in, then-- Er, why there be smoke already comin' out? Someone must be innit already...
He seems a bit crestfallen that there is someone inside already, no doubt eating the grand feast the dwarf envisioned waiting for him.
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Charn's in a good mood, and has a wry smile on his lips as he quips;
Hey, maybe whoever is here already will welcome a bunch of pathfinders with a gaggle of goblins... then again maybe not?
Although in light spirits he none the less has weapon and shield at the ready as they approach the way station.
As you approach, a man emerges from the longhouse’s entrance carrying a heavy wooden shield and battle axe, but with a grin on his face.
"Welcome! You must be the Pathfinders that the castellan told me about. He said you would be through, transporting prisoners."
He looks at the goblins with a quizzical look, and then back to you with smile.
"Come! We have food and a warm fire, and a storeroom that you can secure that lot in while you relax a bit."
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"Hi mister! My name's Cirri. It looks like you started a fire, great! We're taking care of these guys for a bit. Did you know there was this beautiful house we saw a few days back? Well, more like a shack or tree house I guess..."
Cirri is rambling to herself and to the host as she herds the goblins inside, oblivious to Charn's concern.
"Wonderful," the man says. "My name is Enrik Ironjaw."
He shows you to a storeroom and helps you secure the goblins within its strongly locked door. He then invites you to the Mess Hall where he and the chaplain server you a modest feast of roasted turkey, stewed potatoes, and spiced wine.
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Korvalis takes a seat, but doesn't begin eating yet, waiting to see his companions's concerns resolved.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Freyr Darkwine, of course. He is the Blackravens’ commander
and Trollheim’s castellan. He passed us word to expect a party to pass through our area with goblin captives and asked us to let you pass."
There is nothing about this statement that seems untrue to you.
The Blackravens are an elite Ulfen militia that guards the border against ice trolls and other invaders.
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Vrothum remained quiet the entire time listening, trying to pick up on anything that seemed out of place, and fell in line with the group. He didn't partake in food, choosing instead to just eat his rations, and made sure to feed Rikket when given the opportunity. "IF you'll excuse me gentleman, thanks for your hospitality."
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Charn now feels concerned about offending their hosts, so tries to pacify the situation, whilst still remaining watchful.
Please excuse our concerns. Being brave men of the north, you must know what it is like to travel through dangerous lands always questioning who and what you find before you...
Charn will start eating some of the food, although he tries to watch and only eat things that he's seen the hosts eat too.
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"Oh yeah, the tundra around here is quite beautiful." Cirri says between glasses of water. "Thanks for letting us pass by the way- we're being extra cautious about ambushes." Cirri looks around. "Hey Kamda, are you gonna eat...Kamda? Bathroom break, I guess." Cirri grabs the drumstick Kamda left behind and chows down.
The groups general paranoia has served them well today.
As Vrothum and Kamda rise to leave, Charn sees Enrik and the chaplain giving each other some concerned, conspirital looks. Then Vrothum hears footsteps on the roof, and Enrik's expression turns to outright disappointment. Then he sets his strong jaw and furrows his brow. “Freyr Darkwine is no king,” he says. “It is not for him to erase a weregild of a thousand years to convenience the Pathfinders. Kill us all if you must, but you’ll not drag us before his justice. Those goblins will die like the monsters they are!” With that, Enrik reaches for his weapon.
Round 1: (Bold may act)
Cirri
Jazmine
Vrothum
Kamda
Bad Guys*
Korvalis
Charn
*Enrik is Yellow, the Chaplain is Green.
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As Enrik makes his proclamation, Jazmine jumps from where she was standing, and calls to Giggles as she draws her sword. "Get him, Girl!"
Giggles runs forward and attacks
but just chews on the mans cloak
Jazmine draws her sword, and brings it down in one smooth arc, aiming for the mans head. Unfortunately, he moves at the last moment and simply looses the top of his ear.