Doro shouts to the Werewolves. What Clan are you in? We are here to help the Vollensags regain supremacy! We ask to speak to your leader.
He goes full defense, dropping from the horse. Mace out. Shield up.
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"Are any of you able to benefit from spells of physical enhancement to strength, dexterity, or constitution?"
"I don't have your mastery of magic, but among the spells I do know is one that gives the recipient the agility of a cat, if that will be of use."
"My strength is already enhanced by my belt, but your spell would still be welcome."
"Dexterity would probably be most useful, in certain circumstances. I am fast, but if we expect to face large numbers of enemies, the extra speed would allow me to catch more of them when they neglect their defenses." Gregor tapped his steel breastplate. "Sadly, my armor is not the most mobile, so I wouldn't really get any better at dodging.
"Constitution is always helpful, but...I'm not exactly a delicate flower." Gregor grins, flashing his perfect white teeth.
"'Nic' is not how I think of myself or introduce myself to others, but if it will put you more at ease, I will not take offense."
Gregor nods. "Very well, Niculaie. I shall think of you the way you think of yourself, so long as you are willing to do the same for me." Gregor didn't normally reference or even acknowledge his bizarreness, and you couldn't quite be sure he was now. But it was impossible to deny that he looked aberrant, almost buglike at times. And the way he held himself as he spoke seemed to draw attention to his arms, which dangled long below his hips.
Gregor nods. "Very well, Niculaie. I shall think of you the way you think of yourself, so long as you are willing to do the same for me."
Niculaie responds, apparently in all seriousness, “What possible diminutive could one make from your given name, Gregor?”
Doro shouts to the Werewolves. What Clan are you in? We are here to help the Vollensags regain supremacy! We ask to speak to your leader.
“I don't know that I would have announced our intentions quite so fully, Doro, without knowing who they are, but I certainly agree with your efforts to avoid unnecessary violence under the circumstances.” Niculaie pulls his lyre from his shoulder and plucks at the strings. “Perhaps music will tame the savage beast once again. Now, if everyone will remain calm for a moment...”
Niculaie begins to sing a song he learned from a Free Captain of the River Kingdoms. The melody is slow and mournful.
“Sit down my friends and hear my song,
The tale of a fated ship.
It sailed one night from Daggermark,
To give the Poisoners Guild the slip...”
Pontia delays, waiting for a reply from the attackers.
Niculaie responds, apparently in all seriousness, “What possible diminutive could one make from your given name, Gregor?”
Gregor smirks. "You'd be surprised at how many different names people have come up with for me." I've certainly had a few lovers over the years...
Gregor drops both large beasts to the ground, and smacks one of them hard - hard enough to hurt it despite lack of silver.
Doro shouts out some explanation of your plans, but these wolves don't seem very interested in talking. They do give each other a quizzical look, however, before starting to stand up.
Vivian tries to shoot one of the fallen werewolf, but her aim isn't really good, as she is not used to be on a horse
Despite the difficulties, though, Vivian manages to make the shot. The wolf-man howls in pain, as the silver arrow is quite effective.
Niculaie draws his bow instead of his lyre, and begins a bardic performance to inspire the adventurers’ courage .
The werewolves stand up, and yellow moves forward 5'. He attacks Gregor and misses spectacularly.
Red takes a look at Doro, and holds back. The he growls, "What do you know of our feud?"
After avoiding the werewolf's blow, Gregor reaches out with his fauchard for a second time. It has large lugs where the blade connected to the shaft, which he uses to hook behind the wolf's leg.
Gregor didn't try to hit it again once it was down, or to follow up with a further attack. He glares at that one, glancing at the other one that had tried talking, which he makes no move against. "Attack again and see what happens," he spat, feeling his blood start to boil.
Doro looks at the Werewolf and meets his gaze and in an even tone of voice states We know the Patron of The Vollensag Clan has been slain. We know that the Vollensag clan was the leading tribe of the Shudderwood and maintained the uneasy peaceful alliance of the clans. We know the Mordinacht clan has allied themselves with our enemies, The Whispering Way. We know the Whispering Way is in possession of the Packlords Heart and is going to the Stairs of The Moon to finish their deal with the Demon Wolves. We Know that Having that occur would not be in the best interest of the other Werewolf Clans and is certainly not in our best interest. We seek to right the balance back to what it ws. And as the saying goes...The Enemy of My Enemy is my Friend
The standing wolf puts a hand on the other. "I was not expecting this. Maybe we should not kill them."[/b[
The one on the ground growls, pride hurt, but still pausing to consider the words. [b]"How do we know they speak the truth?"
The first replies, "We don't, but they have very specific information that makes sense. And perhaps we can use an ally..."
Nodding in agreement, the prone wolf stays down, hands up in surrender.
"OK, strange peoples. It does seem we at least have the same enemies. We can escort you to the Stairs of the Moon. Once you get there, though, expect resistance. Our pack look like use - large, grey, either in this form or that of a dire wolf. Don't attack any of us, and we will hold this truce. But you do have a few details wrong. The Jezeldans, or the Demon wolves as you name them, are our allies. We expect Adimarus Ionacu to become pack leader and again unite us all. They are chasing the Whispering Way people now, as these villains have stolen the heart for their own reasons. "
"The Stairs are currently held by the Mordinachts and Dorzhanevs, which outsiders tend to call Silverhides and Broken Ones. The former are grey/white in color, and the latter are reddish - easy to tell apart. They won't just let you walk in and take the Stairs. But we will lead you, and then return to protect the perimiter from any allies of theirs, like you, that may appear."
I am not happy about being on the same side as the Jezeldans, but Gregor was right--we are here for one reason only. The wizard nods. "Thank you. I wish your allies good hunting."
Doro considered what was said and then answered.
We certainly will deal with you honorably as an ally. You say your coloration is gray. How can we tell the difference easily between your clan and the Mordinachts that are white and gray? So we dont make a mistake..Can you get the word out to the Jezeldans? and whats their coloration? Are the Dorzhanevs aware of the alliance between the Whispering Way and the Mordinachts? Would they switch sides with persuasion? Can we meet Adimarus Ionacu on the way to see how we can best aid this alliance? Maybe get some guidance. We think it is in both our best interests to get the Whispering Way out of the Shudder Wood and away from any influence in your ways They are against life and seek to bring back The Whispering Tyrant, that cant be good for any of us.
Gregor slowly relaxes into a more neutral stance. He pats his summoned horse on the neck a few times, scratching at her withers and whispering to her softly. Then he picks up his wand and begins winding it back into his wrist sheath.
"What if we get separated from you, how will the rest of your pack know we've made a truce then?" If they're anything like you two, they'll come charging straight at us before we even know they're there.
"It seems you were right to speak out this time, Doro. We've met members of the Mordinacht pack before you joined us, and I think we will be able to identify them." Niculaie turns to the more talkative of the Vollensag werewolves. "Isn't that right?"
"I believe Adimarus Ionacu is not of your clan, but is the leader of the Jezeldans," he continues slowly, thinking about what he has read about the Demon Wolves, then turns back to Doro. "I would prefer to travel directly to the Stairs of the Moon, without stopping for a consultation. I think some of us might find ourselves uncomfortable with such a meeting."
As he says "some of us," the bard looks the paladin in the eye for the first time since they met."I am willing to discuss my reasons, but let us do so as we ride."
Doro Met Niculaie's eyes and nodded. Very well. Many times on Last Wall we would have to work with others who while allies at the moment, werent at all times. Its a fact of life on the Frontier. I respect your reasons. Share them with me when you can. Let us go
he says as he mounts Kal-Zi
"These two will escort us to the Stairs of the Moon directly, without stopping to consult with any others--isn't that right?"
"Yah, that's right. You won't confuse us with those other dogs... they are so small compared to use."
These werewolves are dire wolves when in wolf form, and large when in hybrid form. The others are all medium sized creatures.
As you get travel to the Stairs of the Moon, other dire wolves appear within your vision. Clearly the earlier howls were drawing reinforcements, but they seem to be keeping some distance given that you are being led by two of their own.
As you get close, suddenly arrows come flying from the structure, one striking one of your guides and sizzling with smoke where it strikes. Clearly, they are silvered.
While riding , Niculaie makes sure Doro and Gregor have all the information on the werewolf packs of the Shudderwood that the group learned from its research earlier (links posted here), beginning with the Jezeldans.
"First, you must understand that they are not called 'Demon Wolves' simply out of ignorance or fear. The Jezeldans worship Jezelda, a demon lord revered by lunatics and, apparently, some werewolves, an evil force of destruction and chaos. The leader of the pack, Adimarus Ionacu, is her champion, much as you are a champion of Iomedae, Doro. I do not know whether the ... flexibility you learned in Lastwall would allow you to bend so far as to treat with one who is the opposite of everything you stand for. As for me, to be blunt, I do not want to be a party to any agreement with demon-worshippers. If we find ourselves on the same side of a battle, so be it, but I would expect to be their next target as soon as the battle is won."
* * *
"No!" Niculaie shouts up at the structure. "Duristan, you bastard, stop this at once! You're just making everything worse!"
He draws his own bow and puts a cold iron arrow on the string.
"As for me, to be blunt, I do not want to be a party to any agreement with demon-worshippers. If we find ourselves on the same side of a battle, so be it, but I would expect to be their next target as soon as the battle is won."
"Agreed," Gregor said. I'm not so sure I trust this Vollensag either. He says the Demon Wolves are chasing away the Whispering Way but...I'll believe it when I see it. Gregor remained quiet about this initially, but sought for a moment when he could tell the others his thought without their guides overhearing.
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"Are we sure it's Duristan?" Gregor asks. "Could he have gotten here first? Maybe it's the cult." he once again drew his wand of shield, activating it on himself. He kept ahold of it this time, as he wasn't expecting to need both hands to fend off any attackers, and stayed on his horse, as they might need to charge quickly to avoid being shot. He also tried to maneuver his horse so that he was in front of Pontia, in order to provide her with some scrap of cover from the archers.
White knuckling her grip on her reigns, Tara listens quietly with a furrowed brow at the whispered discussions taking place around her. As they spot the tower Tara lets out a sigh, beginning to relax again. She barely has time to smile before she watches an arrow find its mark. Letting out a surprised gasp, the young cleric struggles to get off her steed. Approaching the injured, Tara looks at the structure for signs of the attacker. "Come, back to the tree line! I can heal this injury."
When Doro heard Niculaie's information he grunted and nodded. Not wanting any perceptive werewolves to hear his comment he said simply just so. I've been in situations like that before. Forearmed is forearmed.honor goes as far as it is given in return.
As they approached the Tower, at first he began to spur Kal-Zi forward, but as Tara dropped from her saddle he spun his horse around and made for the wood line
You get to a point where the arrows are little threat, regroup. "The tower is there. You are on your own from this point on."
Without even waiting for healing, the two werewolves transform in to dire wolves and take cover in the forest.
"Who can best use a protection from arrows spell?"
Gregor harrumphs as the werewolves leave. Enemies of the Whispering Way indeed. "I certainly can't." Gregor winds his wand back into its sheath. He has now activated it frivolously twice. "If we all go charging in on our horses, we might be able to reach the foot of the tower before they can get too many shots off."
You can't aim at something unseen, and so you don't need to be protected.. Maybe some invisibility magic could do the trick? I could try to sneak my way in too,if needed
"It would be nice to get some idea of who we're actually dealing with."
The Stairs of the Moon lie only a few hours from Ascanor Lodge. The temple is essentially two buildings in one—a wedge-shaped, flat-roofed, trapezoidal edifice attached to an immense tower of stacked flat stones rising to a dizzying height. Also constructed from large stones, the wedge-shaped building stands about 25 feet tall, though it contains only a single story. A series of arches in the north wall permits access to the interior of the building’s ground floor, while a pair of ascending ramps carved into stairs climbs to meet the spiraling stair that wraps around the tower.
Along the south wall of the temple, the first ramp climbs from the forest floor in a straight path until it reaches the roof of the low building at its western end, 25 feet above the ground. Along its north wall, the opposing ramp doubles back, climbing another 25 feet to connect with the tower and join the staircase spiraling around it. The tower forms a tapering column of solid rock that rises nearly 150 feet above the forest floor, capped with an open-air observatory at the top. At one time, the tower’s apex stood above the trees, but over the passing years the trees have surpassed its height, hiding the temple from view.
You see werewolf archers at E5 (which is the roof of E1, and approc 25 above ground. They are using crossbows, actually - not bows. E5 is a story above E1, which is open on the opposite side of your approach,
You are about 150 feet away from the base.
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Doro considers the tactical approach Our horses can carry across the space in the time it allows them to fire two volleys. On foot we will subjected to 3. My suggestion , unless someone can make all of us unable to be seen, is to ride our horses straight to the side of the building's ground floor and through the arches into it. Anyone disagree?
"I say we deal with the threat in front of us first, before entering the ground floor. We don't want to end up fighting these wolves and anything that might be waiting below at the same time." Gregor crosses his arms. "As for their arrows, I'm not afraid of them. They're not real archers, just wolves with crossbows. Of course, they pose more risk to some of us than others." Gregor fingers the wand in its sheath. "When we're ready to go, I'll cast a couple of spells first." He fumbles in his pack for his barbarian chew.
"I can also cast haste before we start our charge, which will reduce the time we spend in the open. Unfortunately, I did not prepare fog cloud. However...." She eyes the two newcomers speculatively. "How well would you be able to manage against the werewolves that we can see?"
Niculaie nods along with Vivian's suggestion. "I can give myself and a couple of others about half a minute of invisibility," he offers. "Not the horses, of course. We will have to tie them up in the woods and hope for the best. But anyone who is invisible could start running to the Tower a few seconds before the group on horseback braves the charge. We would all get there at about the same time, and our adversaries might be fooled into thinking that half our party has run off with our erstwhile allies."
"How well would you be able to manage against the werewolves that we can see?"
"Hrmm," Gregor considers. "If they're anything like the two we encountered before, I suspect we shall be ok." He hefts his polearm lightly. "Especially since we shall have time to cast spells before engaging them.
Pontia nods. "I think we have a plan, then. Niculae, you make yourself, Tara, and Vivian invisible and advance. After a count of twelve , I will transport Doro, Gregory, and myself to the roof. I'll lower a rope while Doro and Gregory clear the roof, so the rest of you can climb up. Ideally, that will put us inside the Stairs with none the wiser."
The quick witted redhead has an idea when miss Canario announce the plan
Pontia, if you have to lower a rope, lower this one. It will help those who need to climb
Vivian rumages in her backpack and gives Pontia her
Speed might be essential to lower the risks
Doro smiles I like this plan. As for dealing with the werewolves. I have a silver dagger and am almost as adept with it as my mace. If there are any that seem like leaders, three times per day, Iomedae will grant me the ability to smite evil. That allows my normal weaponry to bypass their immunity by the grace of the Sword Maiden, additionally it makes me better in combat against that foe.
"Doro, can you keep them from getting too close to me? When I'm enlarged, I have tremendous reach, but find it difficult to disengage if any enemies manage to get next to me." Gregor pops his barbarian chew into his mouth, staining his teeth red.
"It might be wise for me to use a more powerful defensive spell as well, though I am wary of burning through our resources too quickly."
"I can't move both you and Doro if you're enlarged, unfortunately."
"Ok," Gregor nods. "I think I'll have trouble finishing the spell if I start it before teleporting."
"Instead, I'll just cast a different spell."
"Right. So the plan is to get up to the roof before they realize we are coming, then take out these werewolves who are holding the temple against our faint-hearted allies. One moment and I will be ready."
"I'm sure that there will be more werewolves inside--and I'm afraid that the Vollensags are chasing shadows, and our real enemies will also be here. I'll be keeping my most powerful spells in reserve."
Id like to point out to all of you anyone within ten feet of me will find themselves bolstered vs fear and charming