Monster Mashup - Table 2 (Inactive)

Game Master CaveToad

Xanya comes riding out with the token held out, a pleasant smile on her face and her lance strapped to her back. Xanya accepts the spell with a nod.

Will post more lengthy later.

Quassine looks to Goliath and in common replies, "They probably don't understand you, we found out that our language is 10,000 years removed from their dialect. I can even speak Dwarven and they will not understand me."

"Ah. That makes sense. Like we are speaking a dead language."

Goliath still looks on hopeful.

Quassine nods in agreement, "Fortunately for us, we can communicate without anyone knowing what we are saying without the use of magic except for Celestial or a scholar that may know our ancient dialects. And unfortunately, that means we have to learn the new dialect."

"Learning tongues is hard for me. While I have great strength it is hard for me to learn."

The human marshals do not seem to understand your giant tongue. The dwarves who are further back probably can't hear unless you are shouting. The marshals inspect Xany'as token, scrutinizing it carefully and pausing for a moment to concentrate on it. Satisfied, the marshal with the wand invokes the it and presses her hand to Xanya casting the spell.

"You will be able to understand and speak our Common language for twenty four hours. This should help you navigate within the fortress. You are the first group to arrive, although Hawke said to expect many of you, as well as a tribe of goatlings. We have done the best we can to accommodate everyone. Many have already moved on, downstream to other cities and towns beyond the fort, away from the fighting that is sure to come. As you can see there is normally a bit of a wait to board a barge to be ferried into the village. We will try to get you on board one sooner so that the commotion out here is minimized. Once on the other side, you will be met by marshals who will take you to a separate area for the night. In the morning I suppose you will meet with Hawke or the Thain, or well, I don't actually know the plan, but someone will advise you. If you don't have any questions, follow us, and we will see about boarding you now." The marshals move to escort you to the barge, signaling ahead with a whistle. The dwarven guard follow along closely but at a distance. Those in charge of ferrying people over, make some arrangements it seems, and there seems to be some complaining as you are able to cut ahead in line, but no one seems to be saying it to your faces. You are loaded on a small skiff, which sinks dangerously lower in the water when Goliath boards. It holds steady however, and as long as he doesn't rock the boat too much it should handle the group. Everyone barely fits on, and most of you are handed oars. The ferryman seems extremely unhappy to be the one transporting you over, and isn't sure who to be afraid of more out of the entire group. You see him mutter some prayer of some sort, and the skiff pushes off. He uses a pole at first, struggling to get the boat moving with its weight, and then motions everyone to use oars when the water gets too deep.

You head down river toward the gate, carried by the water mostly, and guided by a rudder and your rowing towards the massive guard towers. Guards in the two towers have a spotlight shining on the skiff, as an extra precaution, and it makes you a bit uncomfortable to be under such scrutiny, but everything considered it has gone well so far. Despite some level of prejudice encountered, Head Marshal Hawke must have gone out of his way to prepare his marshals for your coming. In some small way you are thankful.

pausing here for questions/conversation with the marshals before they loaded you, etc.

before being ferryed

"out of all the languages I know, only two are probably still usefull, Sylvan, as some of the beings speaking sylvan still remember it from back then, same goes for Aklo, but it's usualy not spoken by nice beings, dark fey and elder things and stuff."

no questions

Simon would attempt to get a dose of the spell as well, having tried to step forward before, but being overruled by the team.

If he gets it, he is very thankful to the guards.
"Oh, good, thank you. I really need to find one of those. We appreciate your help, and we'll try and keep disruption to a minimum. We've had quite the past few days, so we're still trying to get caught up linguistically. Heh. I speak five languages, and not a one has done me a lick of good since we got here. Anyways, just let us know when you're ready. We'll try to be out of the way."

If he isn't allowed one, he smirks, but nods in understanding.

So you all just wait until I have a very busy day to post. I see how it is. :P

"Xanya, ask what is to come of all the people if they are not farryed across in time. It seems those stuck out there are vulnerable to attack."

Simon they begrudgingly use the wand on you although you suspect the cost is not cheap. They seem surprised you are so well spoken, as deep seated prejudices run deep and none of them have ever met a wyveran before. "Indeed, well....yes. You can imagine the concern here as we discover all of you....people... appearing in the goat hills. Well we can get you on board here now."

Xanya smiles widely at being bespelled. "Thank you so much for doing this for us. As you've said we've come out of nowhere and are of races you either are not familiar with or have heard bad stories about. I tell you that we won't betray your trust. In fact I believe we can help you. We'll discuss that closer with Hawke or whoever is there to greet us though, or do you have tactical and strategic insight into this situation perhaps?"

She does her best to participate in the rowing. Despite her small stature she's quite strong and well able to pull her weight.

"My large friend worries about the people on the shore. What will happen to them if they are not ferried across in time? Do you have scouts out that know how far away the invaders are? How long will you use to be able to bring everyone over?"

"It is unlikely the invaders will be here for a few days we think. They have their own scouts and we have spotted hell hounds here and there, but even their advance forces are a bit away yet as far as we know. It is slow going, but I suspect we can get everyone inside before the enemies arrive. It might get crowded in the fort and lake village, but some have already planned to move downstream even further with their goods. They will be back when things clear up around here, or they may move on to other areas."

"That's reassuring. I'll tell my friend, thanks. It's great that you have enough skilled people here such as yourself to be able to do this."Xanya relays the information to her companions before continuing.

diplomacy to improve attitude: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

"We are fairly fresh to this area. What could you tell us about it? What are you living off and what are the specialties of the area? What other neighbors do you have other than the goatlings and the giants? Is it often that there are wars and armies like these giants that come to attack? Do you know of how they plan to deal with the giants? Hawke spoke of forming strike teams I believe. Do you know what part those might play in the events to come?"

diplomacy to ask questions: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Before Being Ferried Across

Quassine nods in agreement with Kiki, "I speak seven not including introductory Goatling and I hear Marshal Hawke speaks Celestial so at least I will be able to communicate with him or assist in diplomacy which will be important in the coming days."

Quassine gives Simon the look for requesting a translation spell and in Draconic, "Qe doegel Simon, yth tepoha ti queasvorwl asta tekilek"

On the Boat

Quassine bows to the Marshals and Skiff Pilot as he boards ...

Knowing something about balance, Quassine sits to balance out the boat even more after Goliath boards. He listens to the Dwarves, the Marshalls, and Xanya speak to see if he can understand any of the words whether they are not much different or similar than the old dialects.

Simon responds as he puts an arm over Quassine's shoulder.

"Thank you so much for your help. We really appreciate what you and your people are doing for us. We hope to be able to return the favor by doing our best to help defend your home."

Simon holds his hands together and does a short bow to their guard benefactor.

-------

On the boat, Simon will introduce himself and his family to the captain and thanking him/her for the ride before staying out of the way for departure. He tries to let people run things smoothly and not get in the way.

"I also know 7 languages in addition to goatling. Seems like we are quite the bespoken group. Though if no one here speak any of our languages it won't account for much." Xanya responded to the earlier conversation.

Goliath sits toward the back so the others may help balance out his weight. He lowers both hands into the water to help propel the boat along. Knowing the faster they ferry across the more people will be saved.

"Xanya tell them. IF I am able to make the boat go faster I will stay and help ferry people while you guys meet. If I am unable to speak with them I can at least help where I'm useful."

Xanya, you start talking to the marshals. They seem efficient in their duties and trying to move people along very business like, not unfriendly, but you hope to coax more information from them. It will take a minute or so at least to get them to warm up, so you start asking them questions about their homeland. They seem receptive and give you a mini breakdown.

"This area is the part of the Nordron Holdings. It is governed by Thain Yarvik Ironfist IV. These holdings are part of a larger kingdom, ruled by King Karl Thunderforge. King Karl is the dwarven king, and he administers the northern realms of an alliance of the dwarven nation and the human nation of Nalmor. Queen Bescheti the so called 'silent queen' is married to King Karl, the first known marriage of a dwarven head of state to a human. The marriage is of course political, but it creates a strong alliance between the two races, and unifies the northern realms under a pair of strong leaders. The Thain is a close cousin of the King, and holds his title here in this resource rich area. As you may have seen, logging, mining and quarrying are our biggest assets here at the edge. Further inland, the cities and towns support more agriculture and various other trades, but out here, the hills are filled with gold, silver, other precious metals, iron, copper and gems. The trees, while nothing special, are none the less plentiful and easy to fell. The river allows us to send barges laden with ore and timber downstream. Our unique dammed lake and system of gnomish made gear-locks lets us lower barges to the lower half of the river. The lake was stocked with fish long ago and seems to be self sustaining now."

"The hills and forests area here have been mostly cleared of any really bad denizens, and the extensive mining efforts have uncovered most of the humanoids warrens. Any entrances to the Underdark have been sealed off. Of course farther away, where we do not patrol as much, things are wilder. You name it, its out there. To the north are the thick mountains and forests, and then the Black Ice which has been around since ... well.... ummm you know..." he looks around as if someone might hear what he is about to mention and decides otherwise. "Yes well anyway, I don't know of the specifics yet for any battles, my duty is to get all refugees inside and safe. Whatever your part in the battle, that will have to come from the leadership, I couldn't reveal any plans."

The marshals nod to Simon surprised at his politeness and culture. "What manner of race are you? Are you a dragonling?"

We are on the boat now right?

Xanya helps translate what is said to the others.

I would say we are.
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Replying to Xanya from an earlier conversation, "Supposedly, Marshal Hawke speaks Celestial which I do too and supposedly the language has changed little over the millennia."
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Quassine continues to listen to Simon, Xanya, and the Marshals speak trying to glean any of the new dialects originating from the old, including the dwarf skiff pilot during his mumblings while admiring the scenery and controlled chaos of the exodus into what Quassine is calling the inner kingdom.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Quassine nods, "Thank you Xanya for translating. I am trying to understand the new dialects during your discussions and the Dwarf's mumblings."

Quassine, your skill in linguistics leaves you puzzled, the languages don't match anything at all that you know. Perhaps a few of the dwarf words could be considered close, but the guy was mumbling so much it was hard. The Common is probably a different language altogether, which makes sense given how many kingdoms, empires and nations have risen and fallen in ten thousand years. The movement of peoples and changing of words and intonations have left you with barely a base to start. You try to piece together what you can, starting with the very very basics.

We are on the boat now right?

Yes on the boat now, unless you wanted to question the marshals more, but they seem busy and can't really take time for chit chat.

"I suppose that could be a decent descriptor. I'm descended of dragons enough as magic is concerned, but rather removed on both sides. You see, 'Race' is only a dubiously apt descriptor for me and my kind. Wyvaran are almost exclusively hybrids born from the egg of one Wyvern parent and one kobold parent. In my case, as far as I know, a fork-tailed Wyvern father and a white kobold mother. I never knew my parents, as my egg was abandoned and I was raised in Fey wilds, but some of my more obvious traits and some of the elder fey's divination magic has told me at least that much. But, anyways, because we start as hybrids, the vast majority of Wyvaran are sterile, so becoming a true-breeding 'Race' proves rather difficult. I happen to be a lucky part of the small outlier that are able to continue a lineage. I haven't yet and don't intend to currently. Bad time for a family and all. Luckily, in my fey upbringing and plot convenience have made it a selective process, as the fey have learned to..."

He trails off for a moment.

"Oh! Sorry. I ramble sometimes. Yes, uh, anyways. Wyvaran is the name for us. Sorry about that."

He seems a little embarrassed about going off on a tangent, and let's the guard continue his job, if he doesn't have anything else to ask.

The guard nods at all that Simon says, staring all the while, then, "Huh, well I'll be.... Well the more you know... as they say. Wyvaran huh? Hmmmm. New one to me." He half nods, half shakes his head a few times and goes about his duties.

Quassine remains quiet as he observes, listens, and paddles.

The skiff reaches the gap between the massive towers that flank the river as it opens into the lake. The ferryman waves up to the towers but you already hear the thunk of something metallic inside the towers, and the sound of metal gears and heavy metal chains clanking. Something beneath the water churns and the skiff rocks slightly as some sort of underwater defense is lowered or moved. A voice calls down to proceed and the skiff moves ahead. When through the gap, the water churns again, the gears turning and chains clanking raising something back up beneath the black waters of the lake. Your skiff followed by the spot light is met by a patrol boat that escorts you to the north side of the lake, where a small village squat under the cliffside wall. The south side of the lake far off shows also a small village along the shore under the protective wall there. The lake is busy even at this late hour, people going and moving goods well after dark due to the impending invaders. Your skiff slides into a berth at the docks, and the ferryman motions you off thankfully. You see quickly that several marshals approach you, signaled in by the patrol boats as they escorted you. Security is tight here. A bit behind the marshals, a heavily armed unit of dwarves hang back, heavy crossbows loaded and ready. Axes, picks, hammers, and pikes ready to repel any trouble that might stir.

"You must be the first refugees. Marshal Hawke said to expect you." They look at you incredulously. While you suspect the marshals are skilled scouts and have seen more than they average person, few of them have probably encountered a group such as yours. By this point though you are used to getting the stares that you have been. They look you over and one of them speaks. "I am Marshal Averleen. We will escort you to your quarters for the evening. It is late and you may be tired or hungry. In the morning you will meet with leadership. Tonight, rest." Marshal Averleen appears as a wiry human, with short cropped mousy brown hair and piercing dark eyes. The other marshals, both appear as bearded stern jawed fellow with close cropped blondish hair. They look so similar as to be brothers possibly. "If you will follow me, lets get you going, we have a lot more people to deal with."

She moves to escort you towards the cliffside fort. The village below is difficult to gauge in the darkness. Enough of the docks are illuminated by torchlight, and the streets seem to bit lit at least in some areas by lanterns or torch or possibly everburning magical fire which would indicate a booming economy to support such extravagances at the fringe of civilization.

"I guess they don't need or want my help. Probably think I would get in the way or they would have to watch me. I understand. Best to get some rest then."

Goliath you get the impression they want to keep you all together, and to keep you out of sight of the regular people to prevent panic. Such concerns apparently outweigh the usefulness of your massive size and strength.

Quassine admires the defenses, "I have a feeling we are in for a good fight my brothers and sisters? Looking at their defenses, they are strong and they have griffons, and they still made a request for reinforcements. Us being a potential strike team to soften the opponent's blow may be a really good thing? Dwarves have always been known to be great builders of defenses."

Quassine follows and when Marshal Averleen shows the group to their quarters, Quassine applies body language diplomacy, smiles and bows low to her before entering their quarters for the evening.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Xanya also does her best to attempt to learn the language on the trip over, frequently using her magic, to quicken her learning. She also casts her cantrip again to improve her diplomacy for when they land.
linguistics with guidance: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Once they come ashore she says. "It's nice to see you Marshal Averleen! It's great to be able to be met by such an important person as yourself. I'm Xanya. This is Cryxial. He let's me ride him, but he's also my guide in what is good. Kiki, Quassine, Goliath and Simon are my companions." She mounts Cryxial when speaking of him and holds out her hand to the various people as she mentions them. "We're refuges from another time and place. Much has changed since then. Hopefully we will be able to do good in this time and place. I know we might look odd to your eyes, but I trust you, we only have the best intentions, of everyone, in mind. We heard about these invading giants of from the black ice and hope we can help you deal with your troubles."

diplomacy to improve attitude using guidance taking 10 for 24

"I know you said we should rest tonight, but the one who is best prepared in battle will be victorious. To prepare ourselves we need to know what we are facing. And to know your enemy you need to know yourself. In short, to have the best chance at success of helping you, we need to know more. It would be nice if you could give us some info while we walk, or at the very least before we go to bed. We need to know what task you want to have us do, or which tasks might need to be accomplished? We also need to know what enemies we are going to be facing. If not, how will we be able to prepare the proper spells and countermeasures? Lastly, we need to know what other things you are doing to deal with this oncoming invasion and what resources are at your disposal?"

diplomacy to ask questions taking 10 for 23

"Xanya, hun, I think they are planning on telling us everything we need to know tomorrow. We should probably get some sleep and let them as well. A full nights rest would do me so much good."

He stretches a bit and adjusts the baskets hanging over his neck.

"Quazzi, I would really call any fight a good fight other than maybe sparring for exercise, but if they have such grand defenses and they still want our help, we will definitely have our work cut out us."

He addresses their new guard.

"Thank you very much. We won't hold you up. I'm going to jump to the conclusion that we probably shouldn't leave our lodging, so we'll try not to draw any unnecessary attention. Thank you for your assistance.

If the Marshall doesn't have anything else to go over, he'll bid her a safe night as they retire to the room.

As you greet the marshals and begin chatting, they seem to smile bemusedly. Xanya's rapidfire chatter and questions has them nodding and looking at each other. Marshal Averleen replies, "You are quite polite, it is helpful and dispels the myths about creatures such as yourselves. Whatever circumstances you end up in around here, I am sure it will go a long way, although the Thain is a tough nut to crack. Hopefully your attitude and enthusiasm can be used appropriately."

As you walk and talk, and move towards the cliff face, it is apparent you are heading toward a massive gate. As you press Averleen with tactical questions, she holds up her hand. "Unfortunately Xanya, I am the wrong person to ask those questions. My duties are to escort you and other refugees from the street to somewhere safe. Those sort of questions will be best saved for Marshal Hawke or the Thain and his war council. You can be assured they will meet with you at some point of their choosing, but I suspect it will not be at this late hour. I'd venture that they are still awake preparing though. Ah, here we are."

You reach the massive incredibly thick steel doors that serve as the outer barrier of the gate into the fortress itself. A large unit of guards is stationed at the gates, and upon your arrival and some interchange between the marshals and the guards, the gates begin to slowly open. You a surprised they do not make more noise, and swing open quietly. They must be engineered well. They are several feet thick, and with reinforced steel. Inside, once they open is a thick heavy portcullis. You are led inside once that is raised. Within are a series of inner gates and more portcullises, a gauntlet of death for would be invaders. The outer portcullis and gates are closed before the inner ones opened. Marshal Averleen and the others hand you over to a group of sour looking dwarves. The gruff commander in charge of you now grunts and has you follow him through the large tunnel. You notice the murder holes above and to the side where death in many forms can be rained down on attackers. Even the floor appears as though it can be swung open, dropping all the contents down into whatever is beneath.

Your escort is the dwarven commander and a heavy unit of dwarven guards in plate with a pile of weapons. Their faces are obscured by full healms, and they don't speak.

You finally make it into the fortress proper after long minutes of waiting for gate after gate to open. Inside you are led through a variety of corridors, up and down stairs, through tunnels of all sizes, widths and heights. Goliath has significant trouble in many of the tunnels due to his size and needs to stoop or sidle slowly through some of the more narrow ones. Several times you pass through heavy doors with sentries. In all cases, there seems to be elaborate challenge and response password scenarios. Eventually your group stops at a chamber door, which the commander unlocks and leads you through to the chamber beyond. The room, which is normally probably storage or some other purpose has been set up as quarters. Beds have been moved in, and several have been pushed together for Goliath. Food, water, a washbasin, and other articles have been set on a table with some chairs for the group. Other than that the room is spartan with no decoration. You wouldn't exactly call it a prison cell, but there are no windows. The commander grunts his first full sentence having ignored you to this point. "This is your quarters for the evening. Do not leave or wander around. In the morning someone will come for you and you will have an audience. " He looks at the group, the ogre, the wyvaran, the spiderling, illithid and derro along with Cryxial. You can see the indignance in his glare. You can almost put the words into his mind, the look along the lines of never in a million years would be be tolerating so many traditional enemies of the dwarves, giving them quarter and sheltering them. He slams the door, and apparently sentries are posted outside.

So much for a warm welcome. At least you are safe for now, with food, water and actual beds. The group is tired from their travels.

Goliath nods to the dwarf in appreciation. He leans his sword in the corner and stretches across the beds.

"This is a nice change from the ground. Goodnight brothers and sisters of Goodwin. May you dream of triumph over your enemies."

EARLIER

Quassine bows form the neck ...

"Sorry Brother Simon but peace is an universal lie even in the animal kingdom. The only difference between most humanoids and animals, is most of the time our quarrels lacks reasoning while the animal kingdom it is more for survival. However or so I have read, there are accounts of animals killing indiscriminately. It appears the more "intelligent" the animal is, which includes us, the more likely they will kill frivolously. As for me, I agree with the animals but in this case we need to recover our Father and thus far, this is the best path until a better one illuminates itself."

Quassine bows again ...

QUARTERS

As the dwarf stares the group down, Quassine bows low to the Dwarf. As the door slams shut, Quassine looks around the room, "Well it is better than outside or being in a dungeon but it could have been better? However, they don't want us to be seen, they want to make sure we will not become hostile, and we still need to earn their respect so I understand why they gave us this room which lies somewhere between a prison cell and common hotel room." While speaking, Quassine looks for a bed to settle into for his two hours of sleep and sets his stuff down next to it. "Although probably safe, we probably should post our own guard? I can take first watch or I can get my two hours of sleep and guard the room for the rest of the night while working on my gear and perhaps others? Which reminds me, who needs prestidigitation for their bodies and gear ... " Quassine watches Goliath climb into bed ... "except for maybe Goliath?"

Quassine laughs ...

"Goodnight Brother Goliath!" Quassine casts prestidigitation over Goliath and the bed.

Simon does the hand-clasp nod to the escorts as they enter the room, choosing to finish their conversation there.

"I understand what you mean. Animals eat each other. It's the natural order and everything runs in its cycle. Plants take earth, Animals eat plants, man eats animal, man dies, earth takes man, plants take earth. Almost makes you wonder who the apex predator really is."

He gives Quassine a smile with a few more teeth than are strictly neccesary before flicking his snake like tongue out to dash away any sense of threat.

He takes a seat, leaning it back against the wall as he inspects the food left for them.

"I personally choose to just leave the animals to their own part of the circle and leave them out of mine. Easier on them, easier on me, everybody wins."

He'll try to find anything that could be used to make ink with which to make a Linguistics cheat sheet on the inside of his wing that doesn't hold Samba. If there's nothing usable he'll pull his tail around and squeeze some if the inky black poison from the twin pointed ends, using the long blade-like scale at the end of each to delicately apply the substance to the inside of his wings.

"I'm copying down some of the basic words we'll need to communicate with people when this spell fades until I can learn the language completely. I, you, we, please, thanks, food, water, need, nice, not monsters, etc. I'm immune to my own venom, of course, but you all need to be careful around my tails. Just brushing them won't do anything, but if you get poked, it's some pretty lively stuff. I may have said that before, but it's new to Goliath at least."

He concentrates on even strokes and eventually the inside of his wing looks almost like dense type book pages. Paper - white skin and purple - black poison makes for good clarity.

"If we have to do a watch, I'll take first, so I can finish this. I was hoping we wouldn't need one since we have our own guards, but I'm fine with it if you all will feel better for it."

The group nods off to sleep, each taking a bed and as the candles and torches burn lower, your darkvision kicks in for those who manage to stay awake. Everyone nods off. Quassine remains vigilant, and wakes someone when he needs his two hours of rest.

He works on stitching together leather, making pouches, clothes or other utility items.

You really don't have a sense of time, as there are no windows here, although eventually people begin to wake.

There is a rap at the door as people are waking and partaking of the food and water, breaking their fast.

A voice calls out understood only by Simon and Xanya as the share languages spell still endures.

Quassine also cleans all of the gear that we have thus far.

Xanya will accept Quassine's cleaning before suggesting they cuddle a bit before going to bed. She answers Goliath's urging with. "I will, though those are evil dreams, but I can control them. Pain and suffering is always evil, but I will enjoy it nonetheless. Is it evil to dream evil dreams? If so, how can I make them stop?"

Ghost sound
She uses her inate powers to create music. This time it's harmonious music that starts softly before increasing until it's no longer possible to sleep in the room. "Rise and shine everyone, it's time for the day to begin. We have an audience with the Thain in an hour. They said to bring no pets or weapons. Cryxial isn't a pet, but I don't think they'll understand. If they don't trust us, I don't like leaving my lance behind here, how can we trust them to keep it safe? Still, I think it's the best way forward to trust them on this." She then gets dressed and ready for the day in her new tight-fitting leather outfits that hugs her curves and muscle alike. She mixes a couple of concoctions before they leave.

Xanya will prepeare an extract of shield and one of comprehend languages. Let's just assume Kiki prepeares the same spells as previously?

"You ask how we can trust? We just do. They have gave us no reason to not trust. I shall clean myself a bit."

Goliath moves to the corner and tosses his leather skirt to the bed. He creates water over himself multiple times, washing the stink and dirt of the days travel away the best he can without soap. He then puts the skirt back on and wraps his head as usual.

"I am ready."

Goliath, you are already clean but the water will definitely feel better and wake you up in the morning.

Quassine cuddles with Xanya after casting prestidigitation on her until she falls asleep.

Quassine is already awake meditating as the knock at the door comes. Before meditating, he was finishing up cleaning the gear after working on the backpacks throughout the night except for his (2) hours of rest. And after Xanya translates, Quassine bows in the meditation position, then smirks as he stands up obviously thinking of something, and begins getting ready, "Brother Goliath is there enough fresh water for everyone? I cleaned up everyone and their gear last night but the water on the face would be nice. Of course, if someone wants me to cast prestidigitation on them again, I will?"

A bit later and with a humble bow, "I am ready as well."

The group rises and prepares. When the guard commander returns and the door opens, a different dwarven officer steps into the room and nods in greeting. He has thick black hair, a long full beard adorned with silver rings around some small braids. He and the dozen or so heavily armored guard unit accompanying him stand ready.

A contingent of heavily armored dwarves waits for the group to assemble. The dwarves have plate armor, full helms, and they say nothing. They all have heavy crossbows, pikes, hammers, axes, picks and maces. You wonder how many criminals in this place actually get away with anything. You suspect any violence or mischief is met with overwhelming response.

Quassine bows to the new Dwarven commander, then bows to his contingent, but does not say anything in old Dwarven just in case some of the words in old Dwarven became curse words which definitely would not be good in the current environment when diplomacy is utmost. Quassine continues to listen to the Common and Dwarven words spoken trying to comprehend the new dialects further.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

The commander, perhaps a bit surprised by your politeness, inclines his head slightly at Quassine. The contingent, remain stone faced and do not respond, their eyes focused ever watchful.

Quassine bows again to acknowledge the Dwarven Commander's response. He waits for Xanya and the "Hippie Gecko" to go first since they have the translation spell and Xanya has the best diplomatic skills.

Sorry Simon, I saw a Geico ad at the time I posted this... :-)

Just so you don't need to guess, I'll usually say when Aster is summoned. Simon doesn't summon him habitually, usually only when he's needed. :)

"Thank you. We'll be ready."

Simon checks to make sure his linguistic guide took in his magical tattoos on his left wing. He won't need it quite yet, but he'd need time to fix it, if it got smudged before it dried. Satisfied with his work, he does some stretches before tying all of his various leather gear back on.

Once everyone is headed out, he greets the escort.

"Good morning, nice to meet you, Commander. Don't worry. We won't cause any trouble. With everything going on right now, we'll try to make this as easy as possible for you all."

He translates things back and forth for the rest of the team.
You can all go ahead and assume he'll translate things for you, unless I point out something he wouldn't relay, but that's unlikely.

While they move, he asks a quick question.

"Do you happen to know if any other groups of ours made it here last night or early this morning?"

Goliath offers water for all. He then follows along stoic offering nods to onlookers.

The commander grunts an acknowledgement at Simon, unsure how to respond to the politeness of the scaly bard.

"Last night two other groups were quartered in the fort. A large group and the goatlings arrived at the river entrance."

Quassine walks along side Brother Goliath and is observing everything. If they walk near where it lit, Quassine will put up his hood.

As the command leaders you through the halls to audience with the Thain he advises "The Thain is a busy man, and important. Protocol decrees you stand and face him, and do not interrupt him. In fact you should not speak to him unless addressed. He will guide the discussion. Do not approach him or the war table, unless you tire of living in this world."

In a short while, the group is led into a room with the Thain. It looks to be set up as a war room. Maps and charts and papers are all over various tables. The room is large and spacious. You notice the Thain right away. He has dark hair, somewhat graying, and looks very no nonense. His long thick beard is braided in four parts, each braid kept in a golden band with valuable jewels. His armor is silvery and highly ornate, etched and inlaid. His head is bare; with no crown or helm. He seems to be reviewing some of the maps, but has paused as your group is filed into the room under heavy guard. Next to the Thain is another dwarf, shorter but portlier. This dwarf too wears armor, although it is clear this armor while excellently maintained has seen quite the number of battles. A large symbol of twin axes hangs from his neck. Other dwarves, officers of the guard or military units are also here offering counsel as the plan for the attack. Twenty or more guards encircle the room and stand at the tables front and back. They are heavily armored and wield loaded heavy crossbows in addition to an arsenal of other weapons, axes, hammers, spears and picks. The commander bows to the Thain, the officers and the other important dwarf and leaves the room with the escort unit.

The Thain speaks and welcomes you in your langauge, perhaps augmented by magic, "I Thain Yarvik Ironfirst IV welcome you to the Nordron Holdings, on behalf of King Karl Thunderforge." The formal greeting ended, he looks over your group. "This is High Priest Stonehammer, priest of Clangeddin. These are my officers. Your group arrived last night and is the second of your people to sit in audience with me. The first accepted a mission from me even before we had news of the impending attack. Now that I have learned of your people, your circumstances, and the concerns over the tribes of goat people, there is an opportunity here. The goat people and your kin have also arrived and will all be housed safely here, and it is my wish that they help us in the defense of these lands. We will drive back these giants and their rabble and make them wish they had not stepped from their cursed homes. I understand that your people seek to find your lost mentor. We can assist in that if you swear allegiance to me and fight for us."