GM Tyranius Giantslayer (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

The dwarf shifts uncomfortably. Yes, my father had a cruel sense of humor. Growing up was awful as all of the children would tease me about being THE Bloody Torag himself.

Kraygan chuckles at the young dwarf's reaction. "Heh. When I was young my Pa used to call me Bloody Torag, Dang Dranngvit, AAhhhrgradd! God's-damed Gorum, and sometimes Cayden Getmeanother."

"...and sometimes Cayden Getmeanother."

Wren hides a chuckle.

Sometimes they have their moments. Sometimes.

Wren watches Torag, and keeps an eye and ear out for whatever magics the dwarf might possess to help Kraygan. Wren is easily ready to admit that he knows too little about magic to be anything more than a piker.

"Torag, are there any weaponsmiths in camp? Or any with the skill to bind magic to weapon or armor?"

Jorgan is about to fall on his face in worship of the holy god come here to this place, manifest in flesh, but luckily the dwarven lad explains the situation more quickly than Jorgan's spiritual reflex can kick in. Nonetheless, he can't help himself asking, "Oh Great Hammer of the Dwarves, do you think you could help m'cousin here and this lass over there we picked up during our journeys. We think they're both cursed in some way. Mental problems, you know, both o' them."

Well lets see what ya got here. Torag says as he begins inspecting the two dwarves. Without taking his eyes off of them he relies to Wren.

On the other side of the grounds you should find an entrance into the lower level of the Castle. There is a shop set up there that should have what you need.

Can purchase items up to 5000 gp

Giving the two dwarves a good physical inspection as he looks at Kraygan. Torag has the dwarf walk a few short straight lines, something even a drunk /sober (is there even a difference) dwarf should be able to do. Kraygan stumbles over his own two feet multiple times. She seems to have some sort of mental affliction about her. She may have been cursed. I can take care of that no problem. Yours on the other hand almost looks like you are a clumsy dwarf at first sight but we can try. Torag says smiling.

Calling over another cleric the two call upon the blessings of Iomedae. A burst of power resonated throughout the entire room and Kraygan's dwarven agility seems to return almost instantly. Ingrahild seems to shake her head as she looks about with a confused look.

Where am I? Oh gods Omlo!. We got separated.... Ingrahild begins crying into her hands.

Torgan moves to the parapets as he draws his ink pen and book. He leaps up to the edge, kicking a few pebbles as they tumble off the side, falling and falling until...

Plink, plink...

they collide with the grassy area beneath the wall. Torgan sits with his stocky legs over the edge and begins to scrawl into his book for a few hours while Jorgan and the other dwarves speak with Torag and Sgt. Blix.

With his curse lifted Kraygan spins, jumps, and lands with a mighty clang of armor, followed by a victory fist pump.

"KUZZAHH!"

As usual, he's a little insensitive to the feelings of others and is still fist pumping when Ingrahild comes to her senses and breaks down.

"Oh! I'm sorry lass. I uh... I mean we..." He stutters, shuffling his feet and lookin around for someone better at this sort of thing. "Yer safe now. And we got vengeance for Ulmo."

While Jorgan deals with the other dwarves, Hops goes wandering off to finding his brooding kin, following behind Torgan and nuzzling him softly from behind to get Torgan's attention.

Van had completely forgotten about Umlo until the moment she was at his side pointing at Calrianne. His faces drains of all color as she begins to speak.

"What are you doing making Umlo blush!"

"Wha!.. no!...no, I'm not blus..."

"You casting some spell on him to make him stutter?"

Spell!?..I..I..I'm not...stutt..."

"You... you.... witch!"

"Witch?!...No...Er..Ingr...Cal..uh..stop! Not you Calbrianne, Inrgahild stop saying that. Uh, this is, uh..Cal, I mean Calbrianne this is Ingrahild. We met her in the swamp, I forgot about...she lost....I mean....she...she should might need healing as well...."

Van stops talking and sighs, looking deflated. He turns and looks at his cousins and Wren with a pleading, exasperated sort a look in his eyes.

"I think I might be able to help your... friend."

"Great, that'd be great" Van mumbles and follows along staring at the ground.

When the cleric is introduced as Torag, Van's head jerks up and he peers intently at the young man, but his cousins beat him to any questioning, and he merely nods at the explanation.

Van lets a small smile creep onto his face as Kraygan is healed, then after Ingrahild becomes sane(r), and begins to cry, Van is torn for a moment looking between Calbrianne and Ingrahild. After a long moment of indecision he goes over to kneel by the dwarf. "Ingrahild?" He says gently. "Do you remember now? I'm sorry. Can you tell us what happened." He asks, awkwardly patting her on the arm.

Glancing up at Calbrianne, he say softly. "I think she lost her brother..."

Wren seems stunned that dwarf is made whole. Admittedly, he didn't think it was a problem that magic *could* fix, which is silly in retrospect.

Magic can do anything, idiot. It's just you who is limited.

Wren scowls at himself, another self-evident truth revealed.

* * *

On the other side of the grounds you should find an entrance into the lower level of the Castle. There is a shop set up there that should have what you need.

Can purchase items up to 5000 gp

Wren's long, aged ears perk up.

"Civilization? Here?! Hmm...did you hear that, dwarves? We might be able to re-arm ourselves before our assault. In addition, maybe these kind knights here might buy some of our extra gear. We should proceed there when we are finished."

Let's loot list up and buy some things, eh?

Can purchase items up to 5000 go and spell casting services up to 4th level

Ingrahild looks to Vanderhoff. We made a mistake..... I wanted to find Nargrym's Tomb so bad. Umlo did not want me to go. He said I had so little to go off of.

She wipes some tears from her face. He knew that I wouldn't back down so he insisted on coming along so I would at least get a decent meal. You see... Umlo could not fight well but he was a damned good cook.

We hired 2 bodyguards to help watch over us. My clue led me to that swamp, where we came across a damned coven of Hags..... That is the last time I remember seeing my brudda. She says shaking her head.

Wren shakes his head.

"That does not explain how the hag got into the Vault. That is the part that makes no sense. If Silvermane lives when we return, I must ask him," Wren mutters, missing the point of Ingrahild's story.

"You're a long long ways away from the Mindspan Mountains, Ingrahild...that's where Nargrym's Tomb is said to be. How are you here?"

The yak nudges Torgan in the back as he sits on the wall, which causes the surprised dwarf to almost lose his balance.

"Oi! Moo when ye sneak up on me, Hops!" he says, more surprised than angry. He tousles the hair between the ears of the yak as he puts his book away. "I got some new ideas fer beer." he says offhandedly before realizing that the yak should probably be in the stables with The Hoof, Malt and Haggis.

"Yer better off with yer brothers! Get down to the stables, boy!" he says as he smacks the yak on the rump before going off to search for his brethren and the elf. "I thought I saw them go this way..."

I must have confused my ancestor's tales with that of the Vault of Thorns that we were in..... and now Umlo is gone..... Ingrahild says somberly.

The details of Ingrahild's story, meager though they are, seem familiar to Kraygan but he just can't place a stubby finger on why.

"Umlo was the best sort o' dwarf. Knowin the risk, he was brave and accepted them t' protect his kin. In the end he helped put ye in our path, and without yer aid we might not 'ave come out o' the Vault o' Thorns alive. And I promise ye, once we've dealt with Redlake Fort and returned to Trunau we'll raise a cup to Umlo the Brave."

Putting a hand on her arm with uncharacteristic care, he pats his keg. "In fact, I per'pose we go raise one to him now."

Ingrahild nods her head as she smiles at Kraygan. He would have liked that.

She grabs one of the dwarves mugs that is never far and holds it out to Kraygan for him to fill it.

Torag wipes the sweat from his brow as he smiles. The young dwarf looks exhausted. HIs beard matted and damp from the long day.

Looks like it worked.

Torag stands up and begins to check on another wounded man. As he does he turns his head back.

Fee free to leave a donation in the name of Iomedae anthe knights here. It takes a lot to maintain all of this... He says waving his hand about. .... and to battle the undead and orcs alike.

Feeling ashamed at neglecting the dwarven priest, Kraygan offers Torag a cup before he can get away. "This ain't the good stuff my cousin brews, but I've had worse. What ye've done fer us won't be forgotten and before we depart I'll make sure that yer drinkin cup sees somethin worthy of drinkin and the donation cup sees gold."

Wren goes shopping after paying off the Torag of Torag. After shopping, finding out what Ingahild is going to do, Wren is ready to move on.

After Kraygan and Ingrahild are "cured", Van lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Patting Torag, made flesh, on the back, Van says. "Well done brethern, well done."

Listening to Ingrahild's tale, Van shakes his head in confusion. "I'm sure your still getting your bearings so to speak, but it's still all so confusing. How did you get into the Vault of Thorns previously? How did the hag or hags get in? Where you get into a scrap with the hags? Was it just you and your brother who went looking for your ancestors tomb?" Vanderhoff says as he scratches his head.

When the conversation inevitably gets steered toward drinking, Vanderhoff sighs, excuses himself, and steps out looking for Wren and/or Calbrianne.

Ingrahild looks just as confused as Vanderhoff. I didn't enter the Vault until I was with ye guys and I don't know how that hag got in. We fought them in the woods is the last I remember. They must have killed both of the guards and Umlo...

Ingrahild finishes her drink in one long gulp as she slams the mug down on the table. Gathering her gear she looks to the remaining group. So, What now?

"Alright, brother." he says to Jorgan as he meets up with him after Kraygan has had his testicles set right by the good doctor. "If we're gonna do this, then we should strike soon. We make fer their leadership an' deal a blow t' end all orc attacks on Trunau." Torgan says with a bit of steel to his voice.

"Do we know where this might be o'r we need to find a giant an' make 'im talk?" Torgan asks of the group.

Vanderhoff nods to Ingrahild, then excuses himself. Looking around, he spots Wren and jogs after him. "El...Wren, wait a moment." Puffing loudly, Van catches up to the cranky elf and takes a moment to catch his breath. "I wanted to ask you a couple questions, mainly what do you make of the lass's story? Nothing makes sense, but I can't decide if it's worth even worrying about, or if twas just coincidence and nothing more than a distraction."

"I wanted to ask you a couple questions, mainly what do you make of the lass's story? Nothing makes sense, but I can't decide if it's worth even worrying about, or if twas just coincidence and nothing more than a distraction."

Wren stops to stretch his long elven legs while he waits for Vanderhoff to catch his (beer)breath. After making sure the she-beard-yak was not close enough to eavesdrop, Wren answers.

"No, nothing about her words make any sense at all. It's like reading from a poorly written novella: a bad character with poor motivations doing something that doesn't make sense," Wren replies, before hedging his conception to including the motivations of a dwarf, and who could apply logic to that?

"Listen, I'm not saying she's bad. She's just missed her destination by many, many, many miles and somehow made it into a location that no creature could make it into. In addition, she somehow escaped the wrath of a hag that nearly slew us all."

Wren starts walking again to the stores.

"No, Vanderhoff. While I don't trust her, I don't distrust her either. But something ain't right. We should see if she can find purpose here before we go off to our fort."

Wren replies in earnest to the earnest questioner.

As the others slip away on their own business, Kraygan is left to drink with Ingrahild. Pouring another cup, he offers a shrug that rattles Gorum's Thorn against the plates of Uskroth's Armor.

"What now? Hmmph. Well after we resupply here, we're off ona mission to deal with some orcs n' giants that've taken up in an old fort upriver. Giantess chieftain there sent an army against Trunau a score o' days past. Gave the town a black eye, but we won. Now we aim to make sure she ain't preparin to do it again. The Mindspins ain't on the way, so I'm guessin you'll be headed back from here? Wasn't a ton o' gold in the Vault, but we could make sure ye don't have ta walk home."

Jorgan nods to Torgan and Kraygan. "We've got a journey ahead of us. And my blade hasn't seen an orc neck or giant leg in far too long."

"Mooo," agrees Hops.

The Mindspins ain't on the way, so I'm guessin you'll be headed back from here? Wasn't a ton o' gold in the Vault, but we could make sure ye don't have ta walk home."

Ingrahild shrugs. I suppose I could stay here fer a couple of days before I head out. I still would like to find Nargrym's tomb. Me turning back on it now would mean that Umlo's death would have been for naught.

he she-dwarf stands and slaps Kraygan on the shoulder as she pulls him in for a hug.

Thanks fer everything yer group has done fer me. Who knows how long I would have wandered out there if you had not come across me.

Purchases / sales all complete?

Vanderhoff listens to Wren, nodding and "hmmming" at the appropriate times. When Wren finishes speaking, his brows knit together and his jaw works as if he has a bad taste in his mouth. Finally with he spits on the ground and sighs. "I concur, elf. It just all seems so contrived, I'm driving meself mad trying to come up with an explanation."

Shrugging as he kicks at a rock on the ground, he concludes his thought. "Well, I'm happy to wash my hands of her. Drove me right crazy with her wishy washy talk. Tis time to look ahead and finish what we started out to do, save Trunau."

His mind made up, Van starts to walk away. As if an afterthought, he pauses and calls over his shoulder. "Nice talk!" Then turns and walks away.

I wonder if I can speak with Calrianne before we leave.....

Looking around, he heads off to find the knight.

"About Nargrym's tomb..." Kraygan scratches at his beard with a pained look of thinking. "Didn't ye say it were back somewhere in the Mindspins? How does stayin here get ye closer to findin it? Also, who was Nargrym, and what's so important 'bout him that ye need to find his tomb anyhow?"

Vanderhoff wanders the grounds for roughly half an hour until he finds Calrianne sharpening her blade near the stables. Seeing the dwarf she looks up with a sparkle in her eyes as the sun's evening rays glance off of her skin.

Good evening Vanderhoff. I hear your cousin will make a swift recovery.

**********************************************************

"About Nargrym's tomb..." Kraygan scratches at his beard with a pained look of thinking. "Didn't ye say it were back somewhere in the Mindspins? How does stayin here get ye closer to findin it? Also, who was Nargrym, and what's so important 'bout him that ye need to find his tomb anyhow?"

I am not going to stay here fer long. Just long enough to gather more equipment and possibly another guard or two before I set out fer the mountains.

Ingrahild begins to think back to all of the stories she was told about her ancestor.

Nargrym was a legend. He was a fame Giantslayer from the Sky Citadel Janderhoff. He slew many giants within the Mindspan Mountains, including Gunderoth, the fire giant called Dwarfskinner. Gunderoth was said to have scorched the living flesh from nearly 30 dwarf miners. Though my kin's legend is strong, circumstances surrounding his death are grim and mysterious, which is why I got the location confused with the legend of the Vault we were in.

Nargrym had a squire and kinsman named Lokmorr Edergun. As Nargrym killed underoth Lokmorr cravenly stabbed Nargrym in the back out of spite and jealousy and took credit for slaying the giant himself. A priest of Torag named Byrim Forgepride is said to have discovered Lokmorrs crimes and confronted the kinslayer about his betrayal and deception. Lokmorr turned upon the priest and slew him as well, though he was not as successful in covering it up. The ruling council of Janderhoff branded his forehead with the mark of the betrayer, struck his family name from the history books and sentenced him to be trapped alive within the tomb of the true hero he had murdered.

Wren listens to the tale, trying to commit it to memory in case it comes up again, or when he finds a library in his old dotage and can waste his life reading and thinking rather than traipsing around with a scrum of dwarves.

"But how did you get into the Vault? How did you meet the coven?" Wren asks, hopeful that something in Ingahild's memory has clicked enough to answer that riddle.

Torgan thinks on this and the mention of Nargrym as a giantslayer causes him to wonder aloud. "Do you think that Nargrym was buried with his tools of the trade? We could sure use more than what we found in that hag's chest to take on a fort of giants and orcs..." he says, leading off as he thinks that this trip might provide more security than a trip directly to the heart of the trouble.

I already said I wasn't in the Vault before until I went in with you all. We were headed to what we though was Nargrym's Tomb at the time when we came across the blasted hags who must have cursed me. Ingrahild says standing her ground.

Why does everyone keep askin' me how I got in to the Vault? I got n the same as you all. At the same time you all did!

"Do you think that Nargrym was buried with his tools of the trade? We could sure use more than what we found in that hag's chest to take on a fort of giants and orcs..."

I am not even 100 percent sure where his tomb is as it is a mystery. I am going off the legends and hoping to find me a clue on where it is. It could be anywhere in those mountains. That is why I need to stay fer a few days to look back over everything.

Lets go, you beardbearers. Approve our sales, donations, etc. in the OOC and let's move on.

Wren nods at Ingahild, the answer he seeks still not forthcoming. If the dwarves have nothing else, Wren is ready to go to his doom.

"Oh, that Nargrym." Kraygan says, his face red beneath his beard. Though he was well trained in the martial tradition of giantslayers, Kraygan was not the most intellectual of dwarves, and hadn't paid very close attention to the names of those famous giantslayers that had come before. "Funny coincidence, the chief at Redlake Fort was lookin fer a Giantkiller's Tomb somewhere in the Mindspin Mountains."

Laughing it off, Kraygan says, "Well, if we survive the Fort, perhaps we'll meet again in Janderhoff!"

Yes, Coincidence :)

I can push forward while purchases are finishing up.

The group gathers their belongings and head back to the deathbarge as Vanderhoff bids farewell to Caliranne. Ingrahild stays back for a few days to re-evaluate her journey into the Mindspan Mountains.

The journey back to the crew takes roughly an hour. The Captain looks relieved as you make it back to the boat.

We will have to anchor for the evening but will head out at first light. We negotiated safe passage from the orc-tribes that are near the river banks through the rest of these orc-infested lands. It will be two days of travel to to get near Redlake Fort where I will drop you off.

*************************************************************

The next few days prove to be quite uneventful. You notice that the poison seems to have taken it's toll on Captain Bloodtusk though he seems to be recovering slowly as he takes time to rest more than he used to. First mate Coxswain seems to be picking up even more of the Captain's duties to make up for it. The crew continues to work to make up for the lost time as the barge makes land on the southern bank of the River Esk.

The Captain motions west.

The Fort is 10 miles that way. A small stream from the river here feeds directly into the fort. If you follow the stream it will lead you directly to Redlake Fort.

Captain Bloodtusk digs through the locker at his feet. He hands Torgan a small sack.

It's not much but it is all I have to give at the moment to say thanks for protecting my crew and ship. Inside is a belt I won during my days as a gladiator. The belt is awarded only to the most respected gladiators, who survive a brutal gauntlet in Urgir's fighting pits.

Lets go, you beardbearers. Approve our sales, donations, etc. in the OOC and let's move on.

What!?!? Wren was the one who initiated this line of questioning about Ingrahild, the Vault, and the hags! Now that all the dwarves have jumped on board, your ready to move on? Sheesh! Make up your mind. Your as bad as my wife Ingrahild before being cured!

Spotting Calbrianne, Vanderhoff unconsciously slows his pace as he approaches the woman.

Just tell her how you feel...

Nodding at the knight's greeting, he coughs uncomfortably, then responds. "Well met. Ah, yes, Kraygan, eh, Kraygan is recovering just fine."

What's the worst that can happen, she's not interested?...she laughs at you?...

Watching her sharpen her blade, Van stays silent for an uncomfortably long few moments then clears his throat. "Um, Calbrianne, I was wanting to ask you, um well, I thought, eh..."

Come on Steelkeg! Out with it!

"....um, we..we are going to be heading out soon and I...just...wanted...to...say...... um.....thank you. Thank you. I just wanted to thank you for putting in a good word for us and helping me cousin get his curse cured."

Dammit, you coward! Speak what's in your heart!

Drawing a ragged breath, Van continues stumbling along his one-sided conversation. "So, uh, are you going to be stationed here for a bit then? I mean what are the plans of the knights? Are they going to get involved in the conflict at Trunau?"

Your a fool Van my boy, a damnable fool...

"Anyways, I just wanted to thank ye and maybe if we survive this trip to the fort, we'll pass back this way, and maybe cross paths again." Putting out a hand, Van offers to shake Calbrianne's hand, then turns, and quickly walks away, not looking back.

You squandered you chance, fool. You'll never see her again...

Vand'hoff: Ayep. It's like you stole the exact words I used to utter when I was younger. Pretty much verbatim, inside voice and out. Well played.

Wren makes a minor purchase before he goes, hopeful of returning one day under better conditions. Of course, that is a foolish thought...this will be his last ride, and his last visit here or just about anywhere. He smiles grimly as he returns to the boat.

* * *

If given the chance, Wren will spend some time examining Victor's Belt. He examines it as part of his downtime interest: something to pass the night and for his mind to wrestle with during the quiet times or while they walk.

* * *

"10 miles to the fort from here, huh? Didn't they want to build it closer to the water and the trade that it might bring? Hhmpf."

Wren starts trudging. His bow is across his back, but his quiver has easy access to the orc-bane arrows that he is sure to need.

Back at Castle Firrine...

"Do you think that Nargrym was buried with his tools of the trade? We could sure use more than what we found in that hag's chest to take on a fort of giants and orcs..." he says, leading off as he thinks that this trip might provide more security than a trip directly to the heart of the trouble.

Missed this earlier, but I think it needs addressing.

"Even if there's better arms and armor in his tomb, it's somewhere in the Mindspins, and Ingrahild wasn't exactly close ta findin it. Also, I'm not fond o' the idea of stealin from one o' our dead without a real good reason. Ye ask me, it's a wild goblin chase."

Back on the Deathbarge...

"I ain't sure why we're takin 'bout climbing walls." Kraygan says, rummaging through yak saddlebags. Pulling out a scrap of paper, he produces the crude map Caliranne drew for them back at the waystation. "The Lady Blix showed us an entrance more appr'priate for dwarves." He taps the part of the map indicating the sewer tunnel.

Van doesn't see or seek out Calrianne again as he gathers his gear and trades goodbyes with the knights, then clambers onto Vanderhoof and rides back to the barge.

Van's days on the barge are sullen, consisting of barely eating, only speaking when spoken to, and then only terse answers, dutifully, but gloomily doing his share of crew work, and spending his nights alone on the rail of the barge staring back towards Castle Firrine.

Once the barge arrives at the drop off point Van does his best to rouse himself from his melancholic mood. Shaking hands with the captain, first mate, and crew members he's become familiar with, Van says his farewells.

Once off the barge, Van climbs atop Vanderhoof and checks all the cinches, clasps, and straps on the tack and goes over his gear before urging Hoof toward the fort.

I think it's time to start using V'hoof.

As the yak begins plodding in the direction pointed, Van glances at the sun, estimating how much light the party has before reaching the fort.

"Ye make a valid point an' we should head t' the Fort, but we shall be cautious about it." Torgan reminds Kraygan.

---

The Captain hands Torgan his belt and the dwarf thanks him. "I'm most gracious, Captain. Ye have a friend in th' Steelkegs an' if ye ever need anything, we'll come answering." he says with a bow before disembarking.

Added to the Loot List. Someone claim it.

Torgan gathers Hops and Malt and ushers them off the barge and looks to get a jump on the travel to the Fort. "If we push on, we can be there by dark. Perfect time t' infiltrate." the dwarf says as he surveys the land.

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Back at Castle Firrine...

Torgan Steelkeg wrote:

"Do you think that Nargrym was buried with his tools of the trade? We could sure use more than what we found in that hag's chest to take on a fort of giants and orcs..." he says, leading off as he thinks that this trip might provide more security than a trip directly to the heart of the trouble.

Missed this earlier, but I think it needs addressing.

"Even if there's better arms and armor in his tomb, it's somewhere in the Mindspins, and Ingrahild wasn't exactly close ta findin it. Also, I'm not fond o' the idea of stealin from one o' our dead without a real good reason. Ye ask me, it's a wild goblin chase."

"I don't know..." Jorgan mumbles in agreement with his brother. "I was sorta expecting a lot more from the Vault too, after all the hype this scimitar is about the best thing we got from there. I was thinkin' there'd be enchanted axes and hammers fer fighting giants and orcs and whatnot. Sounds like the Mindspins might have the cache we were hoping for."

Listening to the arguments from Kraygan though, Jorgan eventually relents and agrees to go on to the Fort. "Sure is a long way though, you're right. And it might not be worth it, 'specially if we come back to a ruined Trunau. Let's get going with this wild bloody attack then."

Back at Vanderhoff's Love Shack Castle Firrine

Watching her sharpen her blade, Van stays silent for an uncomfortably long few moments then clears his throat. "Um, Calbrianne, I was wanting to ask you, um well, I thought, eh..."

Calrianne's eyes brighten. Yes? She says with a smile.

"....um, we..we are going to be heading out soon and I...just...wanted...to...say...... um.....thank you. Thank you. I just wanted to thank you for putting in a good word for us and helping me cousin get his curse cured."

Oh... Well, you are most welcome. It was the least I could do for you all. She says as her voice stammers slightly.

Drawing a ragged breath, Van continues stumbling along his one-sided conversation. "So, uh, are you going to be stationed here for a bit then? I mean what are the plans of the knights? Are they going to get involved in the conflict at Trunau?"

Your a fool Van my boy, a damnable fool...

"Anyways, I just wanted to thank ye and maybe if we survive this trip to the fort, we'll pass back this way, and maybe cross paths again." Putting out a hand, Van offers to shake Calbrianne's hand, then turns, and quickly walks away, not looking back.

Yes, I should be here for a while. My rotation back to the supply station will not come around again for another couple of months. I am unsure how involved with Trunau we can get. We are spread so thin as it is.

Calrianne lays a hand on Vanderhoff's shoulder as she kneels down, coming eye to eye with the burly dwarf. I will ask my superiors if we can send a few for protection.

Calrianne leans forward and lightly kisses Vanderhoff's cheek.

I do hope we cross paths again as well. She whispers to herself as Vanderhoff turns and quickly walks away.

**********************************************************

On to the Deathbarge

Captain Raagtusk and the rest of the crew clamor onto the deck and somberly watch clan of dwarves and elf begin to make their way towards the fort.

The crew bids them farewell and wishes them safe travels as the group departs.

Torgan easily keeps the stream in sight and after a few hours of trudging along the fort comes in sight in the near distance.

The Redlake Fort is a stark contrast to the surrounding land as it was built from reddish stone (contributing to it's name). It looks as if a moat used to surround the Fort but has since dried up as a small tributary is blocked by a dam, leaving the fort to sit upon a rocky outcrop 20 feet above the dry trench. The fort is encircled by a 10 foot high wooden palisade. A stone bridge at the entrance leads to the forts barbican. The outer wall of the fort itself stands 15 feet high and looks to be crumbling in several sections.

Though they might be riding towards certain death, Kraygan rides with a smile so large his teeth can be seen through his beard. The Deathbarge is behind him, a full keg is beside him, Calrianne's magical saddle beneath him, and a glorious battle awaits ahead.

"Ya know I've half a mind to ride up to the gates and challenge the giant wench." He chuckles upon seeing the Fort. It's a good thing the other half of his mind is in charge today.

Looking to Torgan, the resident tracker, he asks, "So, where'dya think this tunnel's at? And can we get there without bein seen from the Fort..."

Vanderhoff raises a hand for the party to halt as he pulls back on Hoff's reins.

Peering at the fort, he says. "You have a point, Kray. It'd be best to go in unnoticed. We have a map, right? Other than the elf, we all see just as well at night, why not wait till dark to enter?"

Btw, +1 for 'Deathbarge'. That name makes me happy.

Wren sits down in a spot where he can see the Fort, but out of sight.

"That's it, huh?" Wren asks the obvious. He stretches his legs and rubs his knees. He tries to loosen the knots in the calves. "Tell me again why we didn't think to rally the knights of Castle Firrine to join us in this endeavor? Their blades would have made a difference."

No...why would we need knights to storm a giant and orc held fort? We have 4 dwarves and an elf on his last legs. That will be much stronger than knights!

Wren shakes his head at his own folly.

"What now, dwarves? Surely one of you has a plan? I haven't ever stormed a fort before. Tell me what you want to do." Wren is happy to listen as long as he can stay seated.

New map is posted and I placed tokens on it in the direction you are coming from. You are still a little over a mile out. The green circle on the map is the sewer tunnel that Calrianne marked on your map. I also placed four yaks on the side for whoever brought their yaks to claim a color to avoid confusion :)

Taking a knee next to Wren Kraygan does a double-take on the Fort and their map. "Hmmph. Tha's the worst secret entrance I could ever imagine. Looks like we'll be needin to get over that palisade 'fore we can even get to it." Glancing back at Haggis, his curses. "Torag's holy balls, it's gonna be tough enough fer us, but how are we gonna get the damned yaks over? Anyone got any ideas?"

Hops is always around! And he will be the bluish one.

Jorgan shrugs. "Whaddaya mean? I think the yaks'll make a great cover. We let them wander close like they're a wild herd out grazing and we hide behind them. Then we split down into the tunnel. See? And we do it in the dark to make it even harder to see us. Nothing to it!"

Jorgan thinks twice about his plan and shakes his head. "Or we use them as cover while we dig a tunnel 'neath the palisade. We are dwarves, right?"

Van scratches his chin and eyes Wren. "Well, I did pick up one of them potions that lets you climb like a spider, back when we were at the castle...." Van says, trailing off as if remembering something. Unconsciously rubbing his cheek, he continues. "I cold drink it and scale the wall, then secure a rope....,but we'd have to be leaving the yaks behind."

"As for digging, do we have any shovels? I didn't think to bring one."