"We can get you alchemical base ingredients. We will provision you. Are you sure you people don't need clothes, blankets, survival gear?"
Quassine bows low, "Most Valorous Head Marshall Hawke normally you would not expect us to come across anything requiring clandestine tools. However, one should be prepared for what they can't see or expect. What if we come across a tomb or a chest we can not carry but the documents within is important to your cause and we can not break in? Or if the contents are fragile and breaking in with the use of force may break the item of importance?" Quassine bows quickly, "Thank you for the Portable Alchemist kit." Then bows again, "Most humble Head Marshal Hawke, I am quick, smart, wise, and above average charismatic ... " Quassine moves turns his head to a side where no one is standing just in case he drools and/or spittles while he lets out a small laugh, then continues after becoming serious again, "... but the Illithids stole my once great bar bending strength from me when they attempted to make me their own. A leather backpack of masterwork quality will allow me to carry a little bit more that normally I would not be able to carry without difficulty. Thank you for your consideration."
Quassine bows low once again...
Xanya raises an eyebrow at Quassine. "Quassine, you could just let Goliat carry your stuff. He can probably carry all of us, all our gear and then some. I would offer to carry it myself, but Cryxial is not as strong as me yet and he would have to bear the burden as well." She then turns to Hawke "Blankets and survival gear would be nice as well. It's cold in the mountains. And a lady could always use to freshen up her wardrobe some. These clothes I made myself in haste. I didn't have any time to bring clothes from where we came."
"I am fine with my leather skirt as I'm sure large clothes are in no supply. Blankets would be welcome though. Thank you for the offer. Sometimes in war we overlook what is needed to survive. Your wisdom is an aid to us Marshal."
Looking to Quassine and Xanya
"I can carry whatever is needed brother and sister. Your burdens will be mine."
"I'm trying to think of anything I'd need... armor slows me down, and I'm already juggling things as it is in a conflict. I guess a dagger would help. I suppose asking for ink and a stylus would be a bit frivolous, but it would be great if I could get those especially if the ink was several colors. Not completely neccesary, but it's a good focus for my magic. Various limbs means this is more or less as good as clothing gets for me without some intensive tailoring, and I don't want to ask you to put that much time in. Some adventurers had a standard pack of things that could be bought readied. If that is a custom here, it would be much appreciated. I thank you for anything you can provide."
Simon nods his thanks to the general direction of Hawke.
"Oh, uh sorry. Rambling. Um. I guess to make it easier, in order of importance, belt and dagger, gear pack, ink and stylus, and clothes being the most optional. Thank you."
Quassine nods to Xanya and bows to Goliath, "I am most humbled Goliath. All I need for you to carry is the Portable Alchemist Lab." Then Quassine nods to Simon and looks to Marshal Hawke, "Most humble Marshal Hawke, I will gladly trade in the request for a backpack of masterwork quality to ink, ink vial, writing material, and a stylus. In addition, a fur cloak and a blanket that has already been requested. We already have most of the items in a survival kit and with our collective survival skills, we have already put them to good use. However, if you have better navigation tools such as maps, other tools, documentation, and/or devices, that would be most helpful."
"If we are choosing locations I would really prefer somewhere it's not too heavy underbrush or other things obstructing movement. I'll be more effective if I get a free charge lane too our enemies. Do you have any suggestions for what place might be best suited for that? What will you and your men be doing while we are out? Finally, is there anything I can do to help out in making our gear ready, for example crafting the saddle? With my magic I should be able to help out quite a bit." She gives the man time to answer in between her questions. "Hmm, maybe if we sleep during the day and you finish the preparations by evening we can set out then and travel through the night? I'm quite impatient to be off and it might catch them by surprise if we do travel by night."
"Quassine, ink and paper are available. The black ice areas are a mix of chilling cold and volcanic heat, depending where you are. It is best to prepare for the cold with furs. The heat, well you can only tolerate so much without magic. Luckily they are coming this way, so you shouldn't have to pursue them back to the subterranean vents."
"Xanya, much of the terrain is rugged, but if they are travelling through canyons and dry riverbeds you may find opportunities to launch a mounted charge. There is little in the way of underbrush that grows in those lands, aside form scrappy weeds and twisted bushes sparsely scattered. "
"While you launch your assaults, we continue to scout and at times will tackle lone scouts of theirs, hellhounds or perhaps a manticore, or wyvern. "
"We have skilled craftspeople who will work on the tack for your mount, it will all be ready by morning. It is unlikely that we can, and unwise to rush, though your zeal is admirable."
"My last request will be for a large bag then Marshal. It will need leather or cloth straps attached so I may carry it as a backpack. We thank you for your aid in a time of war. I am happy we may give ours in return."
Quassine bows, "I thank thee Head Marshal Hawke and where do you want us to launch our attacks?"
"Quassine, He told us to chose where we wanted. Let's see if we can catch someone in some canyons or dry riverbeds as he mentioned. That'll let me fight under conditions where I am best. Since, we have to wait for the rest of the day and night anyway, we should use the day for something useful. We don't know much about this land and time. Maybe we could learn stuff about it while we wait? Even the simplest stuff that you teach to kids could be useful, though more advanced topics would be welcome as well. Do you perhaps have a library we could borrow or maybe someone who could teach us? I like this plan Hawke, you stay safe here and prepare defenses and help with scouting while we go out and take all the glory and risks of direct engagements against the enemy. I don't see what could possibly go wrong with this."
Hawke snarls at Xanya, "Hold your tongue, you have no idea what risks I and my people put themselves through every day. I and my people won't be here safe preparing the defenses! Who do think got this information for you? This is not about glory! I've half a mind to slap some respect into you. Bah! We're done here for now."
The Marshal turns and leaves the room. The other marshals look at each other in an 'uh oh' sort of manner.
That's not what I meant at all Head Marshal! Xanya shouts after him as he misunderstood what she commented on.
"It matters little how you said it little sister, your words spoke in a way that called his honor in to question. I am disappointed in your for our teacher." Goliath lowers and shakes his head.
Xanya bows her head in shame and says sadly to the other marshals in their own tongue. "I'm so sorry, is there anything I can do to fix things? Anything at all?"
With a worried look on his face, Quassine hurries to catch up with Marshal Hawke. After catching up with him, Quassine bows low, Honorable Head Marshall Hawke, Sir! Please forgive my sister, Xanya? We did not get out as much as we should have under our mentor's guidance for social interactions and sometimes we fall short. And she is still dealing from wince she originally came from. By your reactions, you have sacrificed a lot and I hope my brothers and sisters can help you fine people from making anymore sacrifices." Quassine bows low again and holds it there for a few seconds longer than normal.
"Head Marschall Hawke, I would be helped most by a few weapons my size, as I have mostly pointy sticks right now, a light blade weapon would be best, and maybe some ranged weapons, a pair of bows or blowguns."
Kiki points at the two triangular pieces of fabric she is wearing
"some armor would also be nice, but please an armor without metal, as drudic magic reacts badly to worn metal."
She looks thougfull for a moment
" I suspect you don't have much in therms of poison, but if you have, some paralytic poison would be usefull against giants, if it manages to affect them with their bulk."
"The terain I like most are forest, but any terain that has losts of hiding places is fine by me"
The other marshals in the room say to Xanya (who has the share languages running yet). "He is under a lot of stress lately. He has been flying missions night and day and not sleeping." They sort of shrug at you.
@Quassine: You catch up to the Marshal who has a fiery look in his eye and his jaw set hard. After you speak, he say "I shouldn't get so fired up, they are just words of one who doesn't know. You are new strangers here and don't have any idea what is going on. I will go meditate briefly. If you are going, chose a spot on the map and the other marshals will work with you." He stalks off.
@Kiki: (earlier before he stormed off) "We can find some small kitchen knives perhaps. Maybe modify some war dog barding. Poisons are harder to come by, and very expensive. We try not to keep that sort of thing around, it always leads to something bad."
Xanya turns to kiki at her comment about the forest. "Kiki, I think you will be able to work better in the terrain I favor than I can do in what you favor. For now Cryxial have trouble navigating through the though underbrush of the forest, so could we please go to somewhere with not that difficult terrain? Like a canyon, riverbed or even plains if there are such." At this point Cryxial interjects. "Hopefully it won't be too long before I'll be able to navigate through such difficulties, but for now, could we please keep to something easier to travel through?"
In response to the other marshals she says. "I wish I could help him sleep... But after what just happened, he probably doesn't want to see me eh?"
"I should be able to operate in the terrains you favor, Xanya. As long as I am able to hide I should do fine. And yes, you should leave the head marshals alone for now."
Quassine returns and addresses the group, "I don't believe our relationship has been damaged much or even at all? It appears that Head Marshal Hawke has been under a lot of stress and frustration? We should tread more carefully if we want to succeed in our goal or goals? He states that if we are still interested, we are to chose our area of operation on the map and then the remaining marshals will will work with us." Quassine looks towards the marshals and bows high.
Day 5 - late afternoon/early evening
As the meeting winds down, your group confers with the marshals who remain, who double check the list of requested supplies, but make no promises about any of it. You feel confident that most of it can be provided based on your conversation with Hawke. They advise you get a good night's sleep and your gear will be delivered in the morning. They will attempt to get you some alchemical supplies tonight, so you have a chance to work up some potions.
If there were no final questions, you were escorted back to your room, and after about two hours there is a knock and they deliver a portable alchemy lab and some basic alchemical supplies/raw ingredients to make potions and other alchemical items.
Masterwork Thieve's Tools 100 GP
Portable Alchemist Lab 75 GP
Exotic Riding Saddle 60 GP
Small Studded Leather Armor 25 GP
Tiny Leather Armor 10 GP
3x tiny short swords 30 GP
medium Light Crossbow 35 GP (Quassine)
10 Bolts 1 GP
10x small Javelins 10 GP
10x Large Javelins 10 GP
Scroll of Magic Weapon 25 GP
Scroll of Obscuring Mist 25 GP
?Tiny Longbow (can Kiki dual wield longbows?) and arrows?
rest for crafting potions and alchemical items (acid, fire, tanglefoot bags(for simon), antitoxin etc...)
That's 406 before the longbow (which I'm not sure how useful will be, 1d4 damage doesn't seem worth it). That would leave 94 GP for crafting, or 3-4 potions due to half cost when crafted ourselves (or other items for the same cost)I'm also forgetting rope/grappling hook.
Of course, Simon might want some items too...
The bring all items listed with the following exceptions:
1) The thieves tools are not masterwork, just normal.
2) No tiny longbows, they don't have anything like that around.
They were able to get the two scrolls. The tiny shortswords and leather armor look almost comical, you aren't sure where they got them from, you suspect from a carnival performer act. The armor chest piece you think was made for a small monkey, and they just attached some leather flaps off the back to drape over Kiki's spider body. It will do.
They bring the alchemical lab and supplies as you are sitting down to eat your evening meal. Xanya rifles through the lab and supplies excitedly like a kid in a candy store.
Day 6 - Morning
The next morning is when they bring the rest of the equipment, armor, saddle etc. Simon they did bring ink, quill, paper, paints, blotter, and various materials.
The two (human) marshals and one dwarf, who seems more of a supply officer sort than a battle hardened warrior, bring the entire list of stuff in a small wheeled crate/cart, a cross between a dolley and a wheelbarrow. They remain while you look at the items, and jot down information and a checklist. The dwarf holds the checklist out for someone to sign.
"Thank you, this will do nicely." Goliath signs.
Quassine bows and thanks the Marshals and Dwarves who drop off the gear. While Xanya examines the Portable Lab, Quassine examines each item as well becoming familiar with the portable lab.
Quassine looks to Goliath while examining the contents of the portable lab and then begins to set it up for tonight, "Brother Goliath, I am steadily sewing our Goatling Tents into a pavilion, can we use yours to do the same and can you carry it please?" Quassine bows high once.
Xanya dances around in glee as she clambers around the lab, jumping on top of it and peeking into all the various compartments and chambers. "Yay! This is pretty nice. It will sure come in handy. I can use this one. I wish I could split myself in two so I could make more things. I think I'll prioritize making potions. It would be nice if someone could make some splash weapons in case we run into something we can't defeat with our weapons though. Quassine?" As she starts speaks she calms down slightly and eventually clambers down to start getting her things ready. She grabs some of the ingredients and dip her tongue into it. She makes a wry face and nearly vomits before her face nearly splits in a grin. "Aw yeah, this is good stuff. Thank you so much." She quickly looks over at the people bringing the gear before getting back to work. As she works she absentmindedly mutters a quick cantrip to focus her mind. She repeats it as she touches the rest of them, stepping away for a few seconds each time to do so.
Suddenly Cryxial says. "You can't split yourself, but I can maybe help out Quassine. I've seen you do this often enough. I can crush things, shred them to pieces with my claws or in general try to be observant to remember or point out things that needs to be done."
Day 5 - Overnight
The group gets to work right away, and works into the wee hours of the night. At times you feel groggy, but you keep each other awake, and inspired by the excitement of the mission and your travels and more equipment in the morning you keep going strong although you suspect you may regret it the next day as you are trekking through the wilderness.
Day 6 - Morning
Eyes red and bloodshot, and the room smelling of chemicals, smoke and fumes (there are small air vents so the room does get fresh air somehow otherwise you would probably be overcome by your work) you manage to get potions made Late into the night you fall asleep and try to get some sleep before morning.
In the morning you eat what little food is left over, and there is a knock at the door and you here some scuffling around outside. The door swings open after a bit. A group of dwarves comes in with a marshal. They say something, but your share languages has worn off. They are wheeling several small carts or dolleys with crates of gear. They drop off your list of requested gear. They look about in wonder and hold their noses at the fumes and chemical smells of the room.
Goliath goes about grabbing his gear and preparing to move out.
After the brewing session Xanya gives the option of mage armor and enlarge person to Goliath. "It'll probably be nice for you to have these. I can cast the spells on you myself if we aren't pressed for time though." She hands the potion of cure light wounds to Kiki, "The rest of us can heal whenever it's needed. Keep this in case we run into trouble and we got no other options for healing."
As usual Xanya calls for Cryxial first thing in the morning and he's already there when the dwarves show up. Xanya quickly mixes a few extracts, comprehend languages twice and one of shield, leaving one slot ready for the day. She drinks the language understanding potion to understand the dwarves. She holds fort a potion bottle to show the dwarves why the room smells so much. "Thank you." She says with a curtsy before moving to start saddling Cryxial. "I underand you, No speak." She tries to say, aided by a cantrip to sharpen her language skills.
"Thank you little sister of Goodwin. I will use these to my advantage and take down the enemies before me."
Goliath takes the potions.
The dwarves grunt at Xanya as she puts her basic linguistics to use. One of them taps the clipboard with his quill clearing his throat. "We need one of you to sign for the supplies."
The dwarves wheel their crate carts out. The marshal says "Knock on the door to the sentries when ready to depart. You will be escorted from the fort. Head Marshal Hawke will be there to see you off. Good luck on your mission."
Goliath shrugs and waves them by at their words.
Xanya nods and smiles as she translates to the rest of the group. "They want us to sign, but you did that already. Oh and we are supposed to knock on the door to be lead out where we'll meet Marshal Hawke. I'm eager to depart right away, but I guess I should probably get into the armor and get Cryxial finished saddled up." She gets right to work with the armor, not caring who sees her voluptuous body. She nods to the dwarves as she does so, trying to answer in their own language. "Ok, thank you." She turns back to her companions, "let's get ready to roll."
Goliath nods as he tucks his blade away on his back, with some crude straps.
"Ready."
The group gets armored out and gets their gear all in order. Excitement bubbles out slightly, you are heading into the wilds decently equipped finally, but also some trepidation, since the opponents you seek will likely be very challenging to tackle.
Xanya offers Kiki to ride on her shoulder if she wants. She doesn't detach Ikik yet as she figures some of the inhabitants would be a bit worried, but she plans to do so for when they get out of the place. First they'll speak to Marshal Hawke. Xanya mounts up on Cryxial, her stature making it possible to ride indoors, even if it's troublesome at times, it's still easier than it is for Goliath to navigate the halls. She then rides over to the door and knocks once everyone are ready. "Ready!" She calls out what she hopes is the appropriate word in the unfamiliar language.
Simon helps as required, and dons the new belt, of course a workman's belt that they would have in abundance here in a Dwarven city, so it has places he can put vials of ink and his stylus in, as well as the knife. He does some stretches in the morning, possibly showing off to the rest of the group.
"Hold on. I think, uh..."
Simon checks his word wing.
"... uh. We are go? That's the best I got. I didn't think we'd need 'ready.'"
Simon puts his basket sling over his neck and grabs his makeshift flag.
The night before, he used his inks to put a crest consisting of a capital G inside of a capital C. He explains that it stands for Goodwin's Citizens, a play off of the new term Good Citizen, as that was their intention. He leaves it white mostly, explaining that this is to show that their first step should be peace, but their crest on it is something for them to rally behind if that fails them.
Inspired by Simon's banner and outfitted in gear, the group calls to the sentries their readiness. There is some talking and commotion outside as they open the door and the sentries motion you out. Shortly the typical armed escort arrives and they take you back through the tunnels and passages of the fort. You think, maybe, just possibly, you might be figuring out how some of it is laid out, but as soon as that happens the take you a different direction. Eventually you are taken to a small chamber that must connect to the lake. A boat is here and a dock. They must have water access from this room. Head Marshal Hawke is here with some of the other marshals you have met. Hawke invokes a wand, and speaks to the group. "Well you are the first of your people to step forth to tackle this army. I hope we have prepared you well enough, but also trust in your own abilities and skills. From what I have seen from another group of your people, you seem to be capably trained. If your mission succeeds or fails, return as needed. This isn't a fancy farewell, but a mission."
The other marshals nod and acknowledge you. You are loaded into the boat and one of the marshals poles the boat into motion. You proceed through a gauntlet of robust security as expected, gates and portcullises raised and lowered as the small boat makes it way out onto the lake. It is met on the other side by a patrol boat escort that actually tows you to the two tower gap at the river lake inlet. The patrol boats must be partly powered by magic or innovation as they pull you against the current without tacking.
The day seems a bit overcast, perhaps rain is in your future, but pleasant enough. Small swarms of midges flit across the lake pursued by dragonflies. Everything seems a bit surreal, but you are glad to be out in the fresh air and give your lungs a break from the chemical fumes of your overnight alchemy.
Everyone double-checks their belongings. Hawke gave you a map of the area, telling you to protect it with your lives, or destroy it before it falls into enemy hands.
On the other side of the towers, you are deposited on the docks. The stream of refugees has trickled to very few now. A few hunters or trappers coming and going, no more large camps of people with mule teams or the like.
As the boat pulls away from the shore, you watch it with mixed emotions, but look ahead to the north. Somewhere out there, in the rugged mountain valleys, canyons and highlands is the enemy you seek.
Day 6 - The Journey North
The group consults the map you were given which has a spot marked for the area your group chose to tackle one of the giants' units. Peering at the map and orienting yourselves in that general direction you pick one of the trails used by the local traffic and set out. Within a short while the river, lake and Cliffort are behind you.
While you are likely many many miles and days away from any danger, it occurs to you all that it may be beneficial to have a marching order, or perhaps several based on terrain and location ( narrow trail with brush, vs open field and light flora, etc ).
You discuss various tactics and ideas for scenarios and the overcast sky remains uniformly cloudy, which seems to suit the group just fine. Unfortunately it is still bright enough that you continually refresh your darkness to keep away the harsh sun. Moving as a shadow across the land you stop at a small creek to rinse off and refresh, although you can most likely create as much clean water as needed, and there is no need to drink silty or perhaps unclean water. After a mid-day meal you push on.
By early afternoon the trails becomes more rugged, less travelled and eventually disappear altogether, no longer following the route you wish to take. The lands, rugged and hilly provide occasional views ahead, and you take a moment to survey where you will move. Ahead lies lightly forested hills, in places rugged and treeless where steep ravines, or rocky soil only allow the most hardy of vegetation to eek out an existence.
While your speed and progress had been quite good until now, you see that it will slow without trails and through rugged terrain. You look for game trails or follow terrain formations or creeks or streams to limit the vegetation slowing you. At one point you see vultures wheeling about overhead riding the thermals high up scanning for a meal. You pause briefly again to shift your packs, take a brief snack and shake the pebbles from your boots before pressing on minutes later.
The overcast sky slowly darkens, beyond your personal cloud of gloom, you can tell somewhere the sun will be setting soon. Not necessarily concerned with the darkness given your visual capabilities, it may be reasonable to set up a camp soon to rest and spend the night. Nocturnal predators certainly prowl the lands, although you doubt they would attack a group of people, particularly one with an ogre or a creature like Cryxial, or a wyvaran like Simon. There are however much more fearsome predators that abound. You would hope that a day's distance from the fort such predators would have been encouraged to move on by the marshals, but you are in the wilds now, and not clear how much they kept the wilds safe.
You search out a suitable spot for a campsite and make preparations.
Also, regarding food, I can deduct from the general party food fund, but people may have also added rations themselves, how do you want to track it, individually or as a group?
Feel free to insert RP or other steps into the dialog above, and let me know what your marching order usually is, as well as any overnight watch and prepartions.
Being among the most vulnerable, Simon would prefer a place near the middle of the march, next to Aster.
While they walk, Simon might play a few tunes and alternate quiet strumming on the ukulele and time filling chatter with his companions. He suggest they all try to become more familiar, and is interested in everyone else's stories. He shares a few of his own about life before Goodwin and the wild fun and pleasures of living in a Fey Wild. He is generally charismatic with everyone in the group, occasionally in an indescriminately flirtatious way. He's quick with a double entendre
At some point he'll mention to Xanya that she might be able to use his inky venom in place of more lasting expensive ones, as he rarely uses it himself. He also adds that due to a quirk in genetics and Fork tail Wyvern mating habits, the process of obtaining it may include certain pheromones on his part, namely that these poison glands double as venom and a sort of territorial marking between Wyverns that will lead to certain sensations on his part during the proccess. This brings to light a couple things. 1: this might be a reason why Wyverns are so quick to attack things with this venom, a sort of territorial dominance,and 2: the concentration that it took to finish the word key on his wing like that was much more difficult than it seemed to be previous if producing venom like this does as he says as well.
Simon Survival
Aster Survival
Before they set out Xanya asks Goliath to help carry her stuff. "I don't want to tire Cryxial unnecessarily. Could you carry some of my stuff so he doesn't have to carry such a heavy burden?" She hands him her backpack which contains her food and drink, waterskin and the majority of her alchemical gear, she also hands him half of her javelins. She keeps her extracts and mutagen though.
Once they meet hawke Xanya bows low on Cryxial's back. "I wish there was something I could do to make up for the unnecessary stress I caused you. I would be willing to do nearly anything. That might have to wait for later though as we set out to help defend your lands now. Hopefully we'll get to talk more later."
Once they finally get away from all the humans and dwarves Ikik suddenly pops up out of Xanya's shoulder. She has been a bit wary of having such an unusual creature crawling around on her, even if he probably isn't more unusual than Kiki or the rest of them. Xanya strokes both Kiki and Ikik lovingly.
When Simon starts talking about venom Xanya gets in a good mood. She starts talking about some of her education on poisons and the various effects they have on the body. She doesn't realize immediately how horrible some of it is, but she stops herself once she does. She thanks him for the offer and says that they should work it out when they stop for the night.