Gromff nods at the farmers words. Just as he thought. Devil found a comfortable place to rule. Fights only when he knows he can win. Probably only went out because he knew they'd follow. "Is there more giants? They usually a problem?"
Someone among the roused peasants who charged off to Jeremy's farm answered the warpriest's query, "Not sure if there's more. Usually just the one who comes down and steals from us." He shrugs afterward, not really knowing the true extent of the problematic giants.
"There a...been any other problems like them? Problems only a strong devil like that one could possibly step?"
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"Still, you're not completely wrong. He talked to me, inside my head. He threatened to kill Aersensi, and that's why I was about to kick his ass inside the inn. Yet he showed some affection and protected these people."
”Liar!” Catcher mutters rather loudly as soon Roland proffers his motives to everyone else. The man could not be trusted, he proved that time and time again. All he wanted as to manipulate her into siding with him against Gromff. That wouldn’t work anymore. Catcher choose to ignore everything the man said, there was no merit in paying attention to his crapload of bullshit.
The magic knife however catches the young woman attention.
After studying it for some time, she sighs. ”This is a useful magic item… If you are a farmer.” she says looking to the family they just saved. ”Helps you skin your game faster and better, also helps you to find the game easier and you always know where north is, so there’s no fear of getting lost.” she gives the knife back to whomever was carrying it. ”If it were for me, I would give it to Jeremy and his family.”
After saying her piece, she returns to the bar, to check if the girl as eaten and if walker is okay as well.
Veronica gives a sigh of relief that the family is ok and then looks at Gromff and adds "Maybe we should take some time to check these mountains and make sure that the farmers will be safe?"
But she gives a slightly exasperated sigh at the continued fighting, but still wants to keep out of the arguing. She nods at the mage, adding her agreement. "That does sound like a noble gesture. Though maybe we should put it to use on that dragon first? Legends speak of the might of dragon scale, and it would be remiss of us to waste such a beast. The meat could also add much to the larders of the locals."
"There a...been any other problems like them? Problems only a strong devil like that one could possibly step?"
"Nothin' in particular," said the peasant man. "We usually get by okay, but when the snows come we usually lose a lot of livestock to the giants. With that pair dead I imagine we're safer now than we was before."
"...Legends speak of the might of dragon scale, and it would be remiss of us to waste such a beast. The meat could also add much to the larders of the locals."
Many of the gathered locals seem to nod at the notion. A woman then spoke out, "I heard if ye' eat dragon steaks, it gives you strength!"
Several others cheer and make gestures of excited agreement.
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She was about to return, but then she stopped, there are some things she needed to know. Turning to the farmer Catcher asks "Do you know where the giants come from? And how many they are? The mighty dwarf just decided we'll slay them for you, and then slay the devil as well, leaving you all free to live as you should. I'm sure that being a bastion of light as he is, he won't abandon you folk after driving off the one protecting you from the giants."
Looking around, she takes the dagger again, and holding it asks the Jeremy "Want to take a big chunk of the dragon's meat? It isn't going anywhere anyway and we could use your help in skinning the beast while you tell us everything you know about the giant and the devils." and by her tone of voice, she is not giving the man a chance to refuse.
Humans. They wield sarcasm like goblins wield fire. Mostly to the detriment o themselves rather than effectively at others. Let them ignore the farmers words about being better off. About the devil ruling this area. How could they think this was okay? And what the hell was up with the lad? All this back and forth is making me head spin.
"They can keep the dagger and the dragon then. Wilds are a dangerous place. They knew that when they came out here. I helped cause I was here and now we're leaving so its up ta them ta watch themselves." Wilderness folk like this usually prefered it that way anyway. They come out to these places far from cities to get away from all that. Not good to overstay your welcome. And they said themselves they were better off now. So their job was done.
Roland shrugs as Catcher calls him a liar, not caring too much about it. He is interested in the carcass and the knife, tough. Before the wizard realizes it was him who got it back from her hand he does it, and then proceeds to skin the dragon and hopefully get some tough leather, something they couldn't do with the blue one.
It's been a while since he last skinned anything, and that was not by far as big as this dragon, but he could try it with that magic knife. "Let me have some fun with this monster. We could sell its hide."
Gromff healed him while he was at the task, paying attention to how the farmers did it, so he just thanked the dwarf without stopping. "Thanks."
Veronica checks with the locals to make sure that they feel reasonably prepared, especially as it regards the fiend and the giants, before agreeing to head out. Though when they are away from prying ears she does say to them "Look, I know I am an outsider here, but it seems like ye havst some grudges being held here against everyone else. Now that the threats have been taken care of, maybe it ist time to see to ending those."
She rubs the outer thigh of her bad leg as she continues "Because I am going to be honest here, that infighting is going to get us killed. Evil, by far, outnumbers good, and our unity is one of the greater contrasts that gives us an advantage. We should not squander that on petty squabbles."
Looking around, she takes the dagger again, and holding it asks the Jeremy "Want to take a big chunk of the dragon's meat? It isn't going anywhere anyway and we could use your help in skinning the beast while you tell us everything you know about the giant and the devils." and by her tone of voice, she is not giving the man a chance to refuse.
Jeremy, several peasants, and various party members go about the task of skinning the corpse of the horse-sized white dragon. Even with the enchanted skinning knife, the task of properly parting the armored skin from the body is challenging. After a relatively short time, the choicest bits of hide, undamaged scales, and decorative parts (some teeth, claws, horns) have been removed.
During the skinning the countryside peasants explain to Catcher that they truly know little about the marauding giants other than their sporadic visits which typically end with the theft of a large animal or two -- sometimes resulting in a callous murder of one of their own people. They fear the giants, though their contact with them is irregular and unpredictable.
Regarding devils, they state they've had little contact with any hellspawn save their own Lord Bekloresh, who delights in his supremacy over them. He has had his cruel moments but usually keeps his sins limited to gluttony and avarice. They speak of him as one speaks of a bully older-sibling - with fear laced with a semi-comfortable acceptance, almost prideful.
Several peasants go about wrapping large slabs of dragonflesh in cloth bundles to be carried away for later storage.
When everybody gathers together Roland asks if any of they could perhaps turn the blue dragonhide into a mighty masterwork breastplate so he could walk around with his blue scales!
After the heavy combat with the yetis, giants and white dragon, the party remains out in the cold to discuss the implications with the local folk. Under the pale moons-light, they talk of giants, dragon flesh, and devilry. After harvesting both scales and the meat of the felled dragon, the party and peasants alike retire to warmer places - some rushed back to the Angry Yeti pub while others traipsed off homeward. A portion of the pub's floor was cleared away of tables to make room for the heroes bedrolls, weapons, and large backpacks. The remainder of that boisterous evening proceeded without incident, allowing for a rare deep sleep.
The following morning dawned cold - maybe colder than any day yet this season. A steady brisk wind surged on and off, though thankfully it carried no precipitation with it. Riding the heavy horses through the snow covered lane, the party decided to avoid close proximity to the Smokies based on Gromff's preferences, both practical and personal. The discussion soon led to other possible stops, to which Roland vehemently suggested against returning to Kingscrown in fear of retribution for their recent involvement with the draconic leadership of the budding city. With no one knowing more detail of the northlands than was portrayed on their map, they opted to travel eastward, hoping to encounter the marked city of Broaklesh.*
When compared to the days of their previous travels, the following three weeks went by with a pleasant lack of action. The heroes went on day after day, night after night, through an icy countryside filled with myriad geographic challenges. The rocky terrain gradually tapered off into a more soft landscape covered in hills and pockets of deep gray leafless woods. While much of the going was simple, the occasional abrupt crag or treacherous river sent the party off course for as long as a day or two. Many days the skies were darkened with thick clouds, making the task of staying on an eastward tack challenging to say the least. On these days the enchanted skinning knife taken from the frost giant raider became invaluable, quickly settling disputes about which way was which.
The heroes spent most evenings in their bedrolls under the stars or canopy of trees, but there were a handful of lucky warm nights spent in a country inn or in an abandoned barn.
One day the party found a well-traveled brick road that ran east/west, and that was being used by wagons, carts, and horse riders. Joining the road and hailing a passerby, they learned that the free city of Broaklesh was less than a day's travel eastbound on horseback. This revelation was the first solid news of their location and helped dispel the nagging feeling that they were off course.
After a half-day of cheerful travel the heroes crested a large hilltop along their road, revealing a large river shining in the distance, nestled up against a large city along its banks. Most of the landscape is bereft of snow, either indicating recent warm days or a change in local climate. Dozens of smaller buildings dotted the open land on the outskirts, indicating farmhouses, smaller clustered settlements, and homesteads outside the city proper. Upriver and down, dozens of boats both small and large sat lazily on the surface, traveling to and fro and going about their daily routines.
"Finally!" The barbarian is clearly bored, since he's been seeing basically only snow for the past days. A change of habits would do them good, and also radiate some light in their future plans, since they were planning to wander into the Untamed Wilds without much of a plan or reference. "Now what's the plan? How do we learn more about this place to avoid getting in trouble?"
"Doubt we'll attract much attention. 's a legend. Probably a number of people asking around for it. Let's just find a place ta stay and go askin about." Patience was a virtue most dwarves had in spades but this dwarf's patience had been sorely tested over the last few weeks. Be good to finally have a goal. He looks around for a tavern to stay at. Something decent but not busy. If that devil came calling he didn't want many civilians mixed up in it.
The party rode down the muddy brick road with a relatively warm sun on their faces -- the first such semblance of warmth felt since the supernatural plane known to them as Asariel's Bluff. They rode with some haste, eager to put the road behind them and put a hot meal in their bellies. Passing several slower moving carts laden with potatoes, straw and unseen barreled goods, they soon joined a short queue building up outside the city gates. The city was lined by a low wall made of logs on a foundation of mortared stonework, breached by an open gate manned only by a handful of guardsman in light armor and leather helms.
One guard looks up at the party after waving through a farmer's cart. "That'll be 1 silver each." After collecting the modest toll from each, he paused when he noticed the warpriest. Scrunching up his nose in mock disgust, he blurted "Ehh, and a further 5 silver for the stumpy one."
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The party gained access to city and quickly became nearly overwhelmed by the dense coming and going of the populace, hustling to and fro, appearing much like rats in a race. Street merchants hawked their wares while ne'er-do-wells hocked their ill-gotten gains. Street urchins waited in the corners keeping an eye out for a loose purse. A rich man scattered the passerbys with his fine cart pulled by white horses, their manes braided with silks and tassels.
The large horses ridden by the party are useful for carving a path through the masses, easily persuading those who would prefer not to be trampled under hoof.
Establishments of ill repute stand alongside merchants of every kind; inns and pubs seem to be on every other corner; the smell of day-old fish mingles with nightsoil dumped into the cobbled street; the occasional waft of roasted chicken chased away the less pleasant odors of city life, beckoning the hungry to part with their coin.
Signs hang in the windows of many of these establishments with declarations such as "NO FILTHY DWARVES ALLOWED" or "Dwarfs welcome, devils welcome," often written in two or more languages. The anti-dwarf sentiment doesn't appear to permeate the majority of businesses, though where the notion exists, the proprietors leave no doubt as to their bigoted leanings.
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The mage smiles and at the guard comment and adds ”You have no idea how right you are!” she says paying the toll for everyone in the party, giving the guard a gold coin.
Once inside, she hisses in that strange snake language she’d learned some time ago.
”I know I’ve been neglecting you. I’ll treat you good soon enough!” she says petting her familiar.
”I wonder why all this hate for dwarfs.” she says to no one in particular leading her horse through the masses with confidence until she spots an inn not so good, not so bad friendly to dwarfs.
Let’s rent a room and rest, before we decide what to do.
Gromff is at a loss for words at the treatment of dwarven kind. When did this happen? Sure his kind was a little xenophobic but they were never hostile. Why the sudden change? Were they now on par with devils? Blasphemy. "Right," he says in agreement with Catcher. But where could they stay? What kind of place would that be? He wasn't sure whether to get to the bottom of this or ignore it. Best to ignore it. Probably a waste of time considering how long it took to get here.
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At some point, during the following days, Catcher put Veronica and Gromff together and hand each of them 3 pods filled with an aloe-like magical fluid.
”I have those for what seems to be forever.” she admits shyly. ”Tessa once told me they have healing powers, such as to stop bleeding and help treating wounds. Only I totally forgot about it until today when I has organizing my stuffs.”
And then she changes subject.
”I’ve wanted to craft myself an armor, which is one of the reasons I’m collecting those dragon scales, only I’m not so sure anymore. It looks too cumbersome and will really get in the way of my magic. I think we have enough for maybe two breastplates or maybe a suit of fullplate. Should I try my hand at crafting it?”
Roland thought for a second about replying the guard, saying Gromff was an outcast or something like that, but it was not worth the trouble, nor the money, and much less the attention.
He didn't like what he was seeing so far. Certainly some dwarves, as Gromff, were grumpy and all, but this was something else. They needed to know what happened here, if only out of curiosity. Also, he needed to fix his magical earthbreaker, if no one did that already.
Other than that, it seemed he was not invited to their private conversation so he knows nothing about dragonhides and other stuff, although he asked everybody to craft him a blue dragonhide breastplate.
Gromff is at a loss for words at the treatment of dwarven kind. When did this happen? Sure his kind was a little xenophobic but they were never hostile. Why the sudden change? Were they now on par with devils? Blasphemy.
The warpriest has a sudden memory flashback to a day many years past when he was a just a wee lad, knee-high to a human. That day he remembers several clan elders arguing about the consequences of some trade deal with a 'human town' that young Gromff had never heard of. One elder in particular, a good friend of the Hammerhand family, argued that the trade deal would alienate other trade routes and cause animosity.
Veronica nods at Catcher. "Thank thee, both for this..." tipping the pods, newly pouched, at her, "... and for the fee. Please, allow me to cover the next one for you, or our stay at the inn."
She tries not to look at the locals, but instead simply listens. But the more she hears the anti-dwarf sentiments the more annoyed she gets, her eyes squinting and her normally flat expression turning to a frown.
These... these fools wouldst turn down an ally in the face of such enemies? Are they stupid or simply ignorant? At a time we should all be rallying to fend off the fiendish threat... the overthrow these tyrants... and they want to have petty squabbles with their neighbors... May the gods have mercy on them...
She stays lost in thought as the others discuss their plans, though she does snap out of it to add "Mayhaps we should find a place to stay and discuss what our plans are from here?"
A few points of note about Broaklesh:
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Per Roland's suggestion, while Catcher is busy with the dwarf blacksmiths, the rest of you have been soliciting information from the locals about the Untamed Wilds. You find the following bits of information:
Gromff stares openly at all the devil's walking around. What were they even fighting for if the damned creatures were being welcomed into society? Did these fools realize what they were dealing with? It takes every bit of his considerably will not to beat all of them to a pulp. Only bring the whole city down on them. Gromff is more than a little relieved to find a dwarf friendly pub and grills the bartender about the state of the city. Through him, the dwarf remembered the deal his homeland had made with Sweetwaters and its implications with others. He stays in the pub must days and prays, hoping for guidance. He figured few would want to talk to him. That and it kept him from slaying every devil that wandered by.
Ring of Sustenance 2500
Elixir of Swimming 250 (100% chance to find in a river community)
Potion of Jump 50
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The young mage walk down the stairs towards the pub area, the young elf girl tagging along. After Roland's lies she wasn't keen of leaving the girl alone, better safe than sorry.
Entering the place, she looks around trying to locate anyone that might seems blacksmith-like. Sitting down the table, she asks for food and some beverage while trying to listen to others talking, for any obvious blacksmith talk.
After finding a target, she waits until the man has finished his food and drink, before approaching the dwarf with her proposal.
Unless asked, she gives no information about the group itself, only that they have the resources and in need of skilled hands to work in the dragonhide.
On the next days, she works with the dwarfs, helping as she can and using the same workspace to enchant some other items, such as Roland weapon, and the newly bought elvenchain.
Roland is very satisfied with the fixing of his earthbreaker. Easier to fix than to buy a new magical one, since this things were expensive. Even better, Catcher and a whole bunch of other guys were making a decent armor out of the dragon hide they had. Not that he didn't like the Mylosis breastplate, but to be honest the breastplate had nothing of extraordinary, aside its history.
He walked around town asking about the lands to the south, but they didn't get much information. Not even the necessary to know where they were heading, anyway. Not that it mattered, since the human believed they would find it, just because it was their destiny.
So it was just a matter of waiting to hit the road and see what was on the other side of that mighty river. Of course the completion of his new breastplate improved his mood by a whole bunch, and he became more friendly towards the wizard, at least for a while.
"So, we're going straight south into the untamed? Of course we can try the river cities for more info, but either way I think we will only find what we seek in the middle of the desert."
As a last detail Roland would like to acquire a compass, and sell the old breastplate.
As a last detail Roland would like to acquire a compass, and sell the old breastplate.
-10 gp cost for the compass.
-You find a buyer willing to pay 500 gp for the antique breastplate.
Veronica spent her time wandering the town and speaking to some of the more decent acting locals. Part of her goal was to acquire information about the wilds, but part of it was to also see how these people were holding up, to see if they were all as contemptible as some of the other their group had met earlier, and to see what she could do to help.
In the end she decides that maybe her particular skills will be most helpful and while the others work on their equipment she volunteers at a local clinic, working as a healer and chirurgeon to ease the suffering of others.
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The group gathered, Veronica nods at Roland's question. "And what is our plan once we get there? Do we know how to find what we are looking for?"
She hopes one of them would have an answer, though given previous discussions she doesn't expect one.
Roland kinda have an answer. "Well... It's called the spear of destiny... So I guess destiny will guide us there somehow. I have faith we will find it, but I'm not much worried how. If you feel the need to seek more information we can perhaps check the villages close to the river, but I think that once we find something worth of note within the Untamed Lands, that will probably guide us where we want to go." He's kinda confident, it seems. "I believe no one knows much about those lands because they were too strong to go in and out of there, but we are capable of surviving, right?"
Gromff sits down at the table with the others, a bit of foam from one of the bar's many brews still in his beard. Nice selection, even if they were a bit weak. "Bout right. Legend says the spear will show itself when its needed. Seeing as Moradin showed it ta me, odds are in our favor. Barkeep says the fastest way south is riverboat and they got some big nuff fer the horses too. Once, the lass is done making what she's making we can go. Nice bar but I'm tired o seein the inside and the devils outside."
After Catcher finishes her business with the dwarven craftsmen and women, she returns to her friends with some rather impressive pieces to show for her time. Crafted from the hide and scales of the wicked blue and white dragons, there now are two finely crafted breastplates. The spellsword herself is wearing a beautiful coat of mithril mail, and she delivers a newly-enchanted version of Roland's earthbreaker, once obtained from the leader of a gang of forest thieves.
The earthbreaker seems to hum with stored violence. Beneath its calm exterior buzzes a bridled rage ready to be unleashed upon the next unfortunate combatant who stands in the barbarian's way.
Sometime later, the party makes their way toward the docks in search of a vessel or crew to help speed them on their way south. In less than an hour of searching, a boat charter is easily obtained at the dock district that will accommodate the party of six and their horseflesh.
"The name's Yorst. I'm captain o' the Old Salt. We can take ye all the way to the reservoir, if that be yer destination still, as discussed?"
Yorst says his fare is 10 gp per passenger, and 50 gp per horse. He says by river he can get you to the reservoir dam in just over 24 hours. He and his crew will not cross the full length of the lake, however. They will drop you off at riverside as it flows into the lake proper. He and his crew exchange a few dark glances and exclaim that the lake is cursed, and that many a ship has sank in its depths without cause or explanation.
"Ye can cross at the dam. It's solid and easy walkin' though dependin' on who's controllin' it, ye might have to pay a toll."
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Roland looks at the words of art created by the dwarves, and why not to say, the wizard. "You're starting to become a meaningful and valued member of this team, Private. Keep up the good work." He checks the balance of the weapon, but realizes there's not much of a difference, except for the destroying intent it now has. "And thanks. I'm anxious to test it." He wears the blue breastplate, which is much cooler than the old Mylosis one. He kinda liked the metal one, but the dragonhide had more meaning to him.
At the barge the barbarian stretches his neck, and he thinks they are trying to steal his soul with those prices. He's looking for trouble, it would seem, since his voice is definitely not friendly when he speaks. "Whoa, man, I almost killed you man. I thought you said 50 dragons per horse!! Which, by the way, would definitely be an outrageous amount for a single day ride, right? But I'm sure I heard it wrong, didn't I guys?"
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While she is working as craftswoman she takes some time to arrange some other things as well.
She makes sure to get some saddle bags for her horse and she dumps several of the things she has been carrying for some time, but never used. There's no sense in packing a lot of stuff she wouldn't use, and the new armor is taking its tool in all that she can personally carry.
One other thing she does is to get a wooden 'petbox' which she intends to use and carry several mices, to serve as food to her familiar out there in the wilds.
Making her own name proud, Catcher, the mire catcher gets several of them to carry in her petbox. Not that it has any appealing effect for her own image. Lurking about to catch rodents has its way to make things look strangely for one person.
--
As the day passes, she works in the armors and magic. Makes sure Walker and Aersensi are comfortable and well fed.
Comes the day to leave, she let Roland sprout his nonsense as usual. She is past caring and bothering with the man's rant. She does find it amusing the man's skill, trying to haggle a new price for their passage, which is something she desperately need, since the mage doesn't have that kind of money at hand to pay the price is being asked.
At the barge the barbarian stretches his neck, and he thinks they are trying to steal his soul with those prices. He's looking for trouble, it would seem, since his voice is definitely not friendly when he speaks. "Whoa, man, I almost killed you man. I thought you said 50 dragons per horse!! Which, by the way, would definitely be an outrageous amount for a single day ride, right? But I'm sure I heard it wrong, didn't I guys?"
The riverboat captain is price gouging based on your apparent wealth (your sweet armors and weapons) and your need. Transporting horses is expensive, but not as expensive as he makes it out to be.
The captain would likely lower the price if diplomacy was used, though after Roland's threats it will be more difficult!
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"Bah. Just pay him," Gromff says. Dwarves didn't wheel and deal like humans did. Most charged exactly what their services were worth so as not to waste time..
"Alright alright!" said the riverboat captain Yorst. "Settle down, young warrior, I meant no offense. 50 gold per horse? No! I said 15! Ye must've misheard me. Make it 5 gp for each of ye', and 15 for each mount. We can leave first thing in the mornin'. Be here b'fore sun-up."
Aersensi smiles broadly at Roland's effective antics, then turns back to the Walker who holds her hand while staring off into nothing apparent.
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For once, she notices the con and the price is overcharged. Catcher things how to deal with the situation and in the end goes about trying to convince the man to lower the price, if only to contradict the barbarian.
”Stop Roland, keep your trap shut.” she says to the barbarian and walks closer to the captain of the boat.
”Don’t pay attention to him, he is a simpleton that knows only how to brandish his weapon. Quite valuable companion in a fight, be it a dragon…” she says showing the newly created breastplates, the blue and the green ”… or a devil.” she says now points at her infernal glaive.
Then, she continues ”I know the trip is a difficult and perilous one, but it hardly equals the price you are charging, and not only that, if you take us, for the trip duration, you’ll be under our protection and if anything befalls on your crew, no matter what anything, we’ll do our best to help you.” she says with a winning smile.