|
The Varisian stirs and regains some semblance of intoxicated consciousness. He jolts upright and shakes off the dizziness.
It is in that moment that he happens to see his Sczarni companion through the tavern window talking to a large ice troll.
Why, that greedy, two timing...
Seemingly less affected by the alcohol at this point, he grabs his immediate gear and hastily makes his way out the door, staggering a couple times in the process.
Cut ME out of the action eh? We'll see about that...
|
|
...and in short order he manages to swagger over to the quickly degenerating interaction between Rimetusk and Skaarr.
He flicks a copper piece at the troll to introduce himself.
There. That should help you pay the rent. I figure you don't make much money in this backwater dump, do you? Its okay, you don't have to lie because we can change that for you. That is, unless you don't mind living like a bum.
Rha'ziz's speech is louder than usual and he reeks of drink.
|
|
Rhaz begins to sober up a little.
Yeah, lets go get them and get across the river when we are done here.
Then he casts a sideways glance at the troll and mumbles just loud enough for the beast to hear.
I wonder what he needs that axe for if he's gonna run to the Jadwiga.
He shakes his head and starts to get angry.
I bet he doesn't know that the Sczarni's ranks include a frost giant or two right here in Irrisen.
Rhaz hates snitches above all else. He walks right up to the troll, completely unconcerned with the size difference or any other intimidating appearance. He's kind of fuming, actually.
Listen here, he growls. Suddenly things are no longer funny
The Families, his eyes start to take on an insane quality, the ones out of Varisia who, if you decide to squeal or turn, will find you, drag you to some secluded location and take you apart piece by piece, WILL be shipping goods through this ferry. You WILL look the other way and you WILL be compensated handsomely and become very rich. Do you understand?
Rhaz is snarling at this point, his hand is on the hilt of his weapon and it is very clear that, even if he is killed today, he will make Rimetusk howl in agony as he goes down.
So go ahead, flee to the Jadwiga and sign your own death warrant. Betcha the results won't be pretty and the authorities won't give a rat's ass what happens to you in the end.
He calms down after saying his piece and backs off, still eyeing the troll with cruel eyes and ready to move like a coiled spring.
|
Beromir shakes his head, a little embarrassed by the woman's answer. "Hem, no, thank you, ma'am." With his bulky armor, the druid is not the most skilled to deliver documents discreetly, nor he is the best at using words to pass hidden messages.
Feeling that Eryndir might also have an interest in the delivery of Colson Maldris' letter, Beromir turns to the elf and tries to make him understand to pass the woman the message discreetly while he holds her attention. I'm going to eat something, finally, have you here any meat? he asks the serving maid.
|
Sochi looks around and tries to find the slightly taller of her wards she's supposed to be watching.
She hails Beromir, Eryndir, and the goblins, "We're about to miss our chance at taking the ferry."
|
|
After the interaction (if Rimetusk doesn't go ballistic) I go back to the tavern with Skaarr. When he starts in about the troll 'cooperating', I give him a nudge and clear my throat, indicating that he stop talking before he announces our super secret faction mission to the entire world.
Hmm. Yes. The troll says he will be closing the ferry within the hour. Weather problems ahead or some kind of Jadwiga red tape. Who knows, but it won't be running tomorrow either and we better get a move on unless we want to be long term residents.
Upon closer examination, Rhaz seems edgy and impatient to get moving.
C'mon people! Hop to! He announces with a sudden clap of his hands.
Rimetusk mutters in a language you don't understand as you walk away from him, but doesn't attack you outright. The group regroups at the tavern, and you collect the goblins who have all passed out. They moan and complain loudly, having thought they would be sleeping late and having at least two more meals before having to walk again.
You head back to the ferry, almost dragging the goblins along. Big Mouth is clutching his stomach and complaining, and even Kella has reverted from tribe chieftain to whiny toddler. Rimetusk sees you coming, and immediately jumps up, holding his axe with both hands and showing a mix of bravado and concern.
"I head of this town! You attack me, you bring down wrath of ice witches! They see ALL in Irrisen! They find and kill you!"
The troll relaxes somewhat, although stays on guard. "Too many for one trip... half now, half later." You get the sense he's doing this as much to guarantee his continued value to the party as for space concerns.
Without further ado, you are ferried across the icy, fast-flowing water. The troll stays quiet during the crossing, ignoring attempts at conversation as he pulls the boat across the river. Half an hour later, you are all on the far shore, and Rimetusk heads back to the far side.
By evening you have put the village of Harvest's End behind you, and found a suitable spot for a camp. The weather seems to have cleared up, and the night sky is studded with stars.
The next morning you continue your journey, turning west and expecting to hit the border by mid-morning. The path Sverrir's map has marked keeps you in lightly-wooded terrain for most of the trip, attmepting to hide you from the border patrols of either nation. Once you get to Hagraeach, the easternmost portion of the Land of the Linnorm Kings, you will be under the protection of Freyr Darkwine, but before then, any Ulfens you see will likely take you and your goblins for raiders and attack.
The forest trails are mostly clear of snow, but thickets and shrubs fill the gaps between the larger trees.Thick foliage overhead blocks most of the sunlight. Through the trees ahead, you spot a sudden clearing in the forest, lit by the dazzling sun, with a strange construct in the center. It looks like a tiny house, no larger than a child's tree fort, built on top of bundled tree branches lashed together like long, spindly legs. The house itself is exquisitely detailed, rivaling the skill of any toymaker in the world.
The goblins immediately fall silent and drop to the ground when they see the tiny dollhouse, apparently hiding from it.
|
|
While you travel across, Rimetusk gets you to sit next to him, and tells you that he will think about your "offer" of more gold from your "family". "You stronger than look, and have lots friends... meybee good friends for Rimetusk?"
"Yes. Family take care of Family. You will get the shinies and the help if you need. Skaarr and Rimetusk can being cousins!"
Skaarr immediately hides when the goblins cry out. He peeks out from behind a snow bank cautiously. "Dolls creepy..."
|
|
Glaring at Sochi's steadfastness, Rhaz's competitive nature gets the better of him. He comes out of hiding and walks up to the hut, still cautiously, but driven by his pride nonetheless.
When he gets about 30 feet away, he stops and places his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice.
Ey! What's the big idea 'ere?
"Nooooooo!" wails Chompt.
Rha'ziz's voice breaks the silence of the clearing, startling a flocks of crows into a cacophonous retreat into the sky. The goblins stop their arguing long enough to realize that they're supposed to be hiding, and immediately go silent.
There is no obvious response from the dollhouse, and no one spots any reaction to the Varisian's call.