Day 5 - Morning
The marshals gather your group together, and Tolhemia bids you farewell for now. You proceed to one of the waiting boats, a large rowboat type affair that can seat you all. You board and note as the assemblbed crowd grumbles a bit, but nothing to your faces. Luckily a large amount of boats seem to be coming to gather the waiting other people at the shore. It will be a congested ride into the fort.
You board the boat, and the pilot hands you all oars. He gives you all a look and shakes his head, but then nods resigned to his role. The boat sets off, freed from the dock and carried half by the current, and half by him pushing with a pole in the shallow waters. As you hit the main river it pushes you to the gap between the large towers. The huge guard towers flank a wide opening that the river flowers through into the lake. The bustling lake is filled with boats and barges and ferries of all types. As you approach the towers you see them bristling with guards, archers and crossbowmen. siege units man huge ballistas and most of them are pointed at the gap. You see other methods of discouragement as well. Large launchers of alchemical fire poke from openings in the towers. As you reach the gap, people in the tower signal to the pilot who waves up, and large metal clunking sounds like gears and heavy metal chains moving something big under the water. The water churns and the boat gently rocks and then the pilot rudders you through the opening. The churning returns behind you as the gears and chains raise whatever underwater barrier to its place.
Once on the open lake, you see both shores, northern shore walled by the cliff, with the village at its feet. Southern shore has another village and is surrounded by a wall. The lake is filled with so many boats and in the southeast you see log jams being worked by log runners, halflings jumping nimbly from log to log, using large spiked poles to manipulate the logs into positions so they can float towards an area where they are lowered past the dam at the east end of the artificial lake through a series of controlled locks.
A patrol boat sails close and it escorts you to the shore. Gulls and pelicans squawk and fight over food and sun themselves as your boat is rowed by your team into its spot. You are met by marshals at the docks who pay your pilot who departs happily for another load of refuges.
One of the marshals a tall wiry woman annouces "I am Marshal Jakina." Goivan is able to understand her speaking. "I will be responsible for taking to you to your quarters. Once you are settled in, you will have an audience with the Thain."
A crowd starts to grow as people come to see the day's first crop of mysterious refuges. While you understand many came the night before, it was late and dark. Today, you are the spectacle and likely the topic of conversations for a while.
A large unit of heavily armored and armed dwarves with loaded crossbows stands at the end of the pier, vigilant and watching for trouble.
"Goivan, we'll need supplies, or funds to purchase supplies. Perhaps there is a service we can perform with a partial payment up front, or a loan. I don't like to be indebted, but I like to be unprepared even less. I can't speak for everyone, but some light armor would be nice."
Goivan slowly climbs into the boat, trying not to capsize it with his size and weight. Wasn't mean for water travel. He thinks as he slowly sits down. As he watches the barrier rise he narrows his eyes grimly. Emergency escape might be hard.
Goivan steps to the front of the party, putting on his best friendly and disarming smile. He's going for the 'gentle giant' kind of outlook (which is true most of the time anyways). "Marshal Jakina, it is a pleasure. We appreciate the escort and the help, thank you."
He considers the man and if he would prefer a handshake or not due to the situation.
He takes note of the interested crowd and the armed dwarves. He switches languages to talk to the party. "I will inquire about it."
Goivan turns back to the Marshal. "Marshal, I have a question. Would there be any way for us to make a little money while we're in town? Unfortunately we have barely anything but the clothes on our back, and we want to be able to support ourselves while in town."
Marshal Jakina looks at you sternly and tosses her long platinum hair back. She is tall and has a fairly no nonsense look about her.
"I cannot speak to opportunities available, that will be up to the Thain. My duty is to get you off the streets and let people get about their business. All of your people are being given quarter in the fort for now, and granted an audience with the Thain. He is recruiting any able bodied combatants in light of the impending attack by the giants and their horde. I would imagine if you are looking to make your mark, that is your best bet. If you are being quartered by the Thain in the fort, you will be given accommodations for the day and food I imagine."
"I am curious, as we walk, tell me your name, and may I ask your race?"
She motions you to follow her, as several other marshals fall in line and at the end of the pier the large unit of dwarves escorts you as you walk trough the town toward the cliff face.
People follow at a distance, but get sternly waved off by the dwarven guard. You note with interest how obediantely the people follow the orders of the guards. You wonder if it has to do with the culture of the people or the reputation of the guards.
The streets of the small town are winding, you suspect for defensive purposes and not for lack of planning, as move of the buildings appear to be immaculately maintained and or similar design and architecture.
Goivan nods. "That sounds good, thank you."
"Of course, I forget my manners. I am Goivan, paladin of Ragathiel. I am a gargoyle." He goes through the party and introduces them all by name, also giving their race.
On the way he appreciates the escort and the town being so respectful towards the guard. Definitely a good sign.
Prar walked along with the group as Govian and the woman chatted in an unfamiliar tongue. Govian briefly pointed at each of them and when the got to him he looked as non-evil as possible considering he was incapable of smiling. He hoped Govian remembered to refer to him as an Ithilid, and not the much less flattering "Mindflayer"
He expressed his observation to his siblings. "It is odd how much humans and like races rely on facial expressions and tonal ques. I find it puts me at a conversational disadvantage." he whispers in his customary monotonal hushed whine.
"Well met."
You are led to the fortress gates, large imposing thick doors made of reinforced steel bar the way. A contingent of guards stands watch out front. Your escort and the marshals exchange words and the gates are opened from within. Through a series of portcullises, inner gate and more elaborate security, including murder holes and other death devices in the gauntlet between gates, you make it inside. Marshal Jakina hands you over to a unit of dwarven guards with a commander. The marshals bid their farewell and the dwarven commander looks at you sourly, particularly Qahnaarin, Gunther, and Prar. "You have got to be kidding, he says." To Gunther he speaks, ostensibly in dwarven, but Gunther cannot make out really much of it. "Hmmph." shrugs the commander. He turns to Goivan, "You people sure make odd bedfellows. Not the first mind flayer of your groups. Hobgoblins in a dwarven fort? And Duerger?" He tugs at his beard in annoyance, but maintains his cool. "Well if the Thain say so, who am I to ignore orders?" He shakes his head and walks ahead mumbling something in dwarven. "Follow me." he repeats in Common.
The group is led through winding passages and corridors, through locked doors with sentries and up and down tunnels and stairs. Eventually a door is opened and you are led into a small chamber that has been set up as a sleeping chamber. Beds, a table and chairs, food, water and a washbasin are all here. Chamberpots are in the corner. "These are your quarters. Refresh yourselves. The Thain will send for you when he is ready for an audience, in a short while. No weapons or pets in the Thain's presence."
"Any questions?"
"Thank you for your...hospitality" she says to the dwarven commander. Champawat looks to her brothers "Not the first mindflayer...Quassine's group must have superseded us."
Qahnaarin takes the skepticism and gawking in stride. "I am certain we are very, very strange to them. After all, most of our kind are 'monstrous' in this world, and they see us as being strikingly familiar to threats. I am happy we are even able to meet with the Thain. We should find ways to gain favor and compensation."
The commander leaves the room, closing the door and posting sentries outside, but in a very short time, a knock comes again. You scarcely had time to partake of the food or water provided.
"The Thain will see you now. No weapons, no pets."
With claws and horns, Goivan doesn't particularly mind leaving his weapon behind. "Grab some food to eat on the way there. Can't be going hungry."
Qahnaarin places his spear against the wall and stands ready to enter the presence of the Thain.
"You guys go ahead. I'll stay here with our weapons. I...I don't like leaving my one connection to master behind. Make master proud."
You reach the audience chamber which is really more of a war room. Maps, and scrolls and books are all over. A man who must be the Thain stands in the middle of the room surrounded by advisors and generals.
The Thain has dark hair, somewhat graying. 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. Next to him is another dwarf, shorter but portlier looking. 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.
"I Thain Yarvik Ironfirst IV welcome you to the Nordron Holdings, on behalf of King Karl Thunderforge."
"This is Priest Stonehammer, high priest of Clangeddin. These are my commanders."
You also notice a large contingent, twenty plus, of elite dwarven guards in the room, armed to the teeth with loaded crossbows and an arsenal of other weapons.
Commander Klavin bows to the Thain and leads you to the back of the room and arrays you there, and then leaves the chamber with his escort unit.
"I have begun meeting with each group of your people. It is folly for us to ignore the circumstances of your arrival, and in many ways it can be fortuitious for both of us. As we learn more of your ... people, we understand you are looking for your lost master. At the same time, we have learned that we are soon to be under assault by a large gathering force of giants, they humanoid underlings and a mix of other creatures, all gathering in the black ice tunnels and mountains less than a week north of us. This rabble must be dispersed and if they make it here to attack the fort, must be shown the error of their thinking. If you aid us in this fight, offensively or defensively, we will pay you for your services. "
Prar speaks in common "Thank you, Kind Thain. Your welcome of our family has been most appreciated. I must enquire as to which of my kin have agreed to this already as well as if any have refused. I for one would be inclined to help, though of course we would need to be outfitted for battle." He says in his flowing rustle.
"Most of them have already. Smaller groups to attack, and a large one to stay behind to defend, though I have not met the large group yet personally."
"That probably isn't a bad idea Champawat. Thank you."
At the arrival to the war room Goivan looks around in interest. A show of power perhaps? He wonders as he smiles to their hosts. I CANNOT let this go south. There is no way we could fight our way out.
"Well we certainly appreciate you taking the time to meet with us, especially considering the odd collection that we are. Our master had a habit of collecting black sheep and training them to do good in the world, and this is the result. If you ever think we have ulterior motives, just have your magic users scan me to know that I am a devout paladin."
"Giants, hmm. While I do not know the exact intentions of these creatures, if they plan on attacking a civilization unprovoked then they need be dealt with by a, ahem, iron fist." He gets a ghost of a smile at the pun. "It would probably be best to keep our forces somewhat together, maybe in a few groups, so that we don't have to mingle heavily with your men. It takes time to earn the trust of so many. Use us a special shock troopers, if you will. I find this agreeable but let me confer with my companions before speaking for them."
"After meeting with so many of you now, I have gotten used to the idea, somewhat. It still baffles me, this mentor of yours, and what his goals were, but in any event you are here now, and it does seem fortuitous that he trained you as he did."
He regards the group evenly, scanning and furrowing his brow. "Hobgoblins, mind flayers, duerger... normally the sight of you would incite rage amongst us, and you wouldn't have made it two steps in the door, but even we stubborn dwarves need to look deeper sometimes. I have learned something from meeting the various groups. It will be memorable for my time in this world."
"The planning for the fight, is two-fold. Head Marshal Hawke, is leading scouting and strike forces against the interlopers, and we are focusing on our defenses here. They will not take this fort. if you wish to assault them directly, you shall meet with Hawke a bit later."
"Do you have any final questions for me?"
"Years ago, I heard a quote from a dwarf who was arguing with an elf. "Elves are like files, try as you might you won't bend them, but if you try too hard they may snap. Dwarves are like rock, hard and stubborn, but given enough time they will shift." I thought it was very apt."
"I think we will divine our number on a case by case basis. Personally I do best up close and personal." He ponders for a moment, then shrugs. "Anythimg you think we should be careful of in the upcoming fight?"
"With any fight, you will wish to approach with caution, but a grim sense of the duty that must be done. No one looks for fights except the foolish, desperate or insane, but sometimes they come to you and you fight hard."
"Your wisdom is noted. May it serve you well ahead. The enemy is dangerous, they have magical aid as well. Head Marshal Hawke will give you more details if you ask."
"You are wise and generous, Thain. We look forward to helping your people and proving our good intent." Qahnaarin turns to the others, "Come, let us speak with Marshal Hawke. I have a feeling that we will be able to utilize our strengths most effectively with surgical strikes, and he will be our best source of information."
"Later today Head Marshal Hawke will hold a planning meeting with all interested parties, to determine who will join the assaults. It will only be several hours from now until he returns from patrol."
"Does your group have any more questions? I will turn you over to your escort and you can meet with Head Marshal Hawke later."
"Does the force arrayed against the fort possess any significant spellcasting or magical abilities? Arcane or divine?"
Otherwise, Qahnaarin is ready.
Gunther takes everything in, attempting to absorb all that is being discussed while attracting as little of the other dwarfs' attention as he can.
"We believe they have magical aid, as our initial efforts to scry the leader were successful, but afterwards were blocked. We have confirmed that they have both divine and arcane magical aid."
Nodding, "Very well, may our two peoples work to a mutually beneficial end to this and life can return to normal."
The escort commander leads the group back to their quarters for a short time, and then returns to lead you to a meeting with Head Marshal Hawke. He stands in front of a table with maps and notes. Other marshals are arrayed with him, and there are rows of benches arranged. Many of the other groups are here meeting and signing up for targeted strikes against the giants and their allies.
The various groups file in and chit chat and greet each other. Marshal Hawke seems like a lean no nonsense sort of person. He has the sort of dark eyes that see much and can take stock of a person in a glance. As Sly takes measure of him, he looks back meeting his gaze.
He starts out in your Common Tongue, probably aided by a Tongues spell.
"OK, not everyone is here yet, but that is to be expected. Let's get this rolling and I can dole out duties if we get any other recruits from your people. Here is what is happening. A fire giant name Rambanchus, self stylized as a king of some sort, has been mighy successful in raising an army of monsters to come and sack this fort. This fort, as you know is a bastion of power in this wilderness and is fairly impregnable against your run of the mill ragtag band of orcs or what have you. A lot of trade and resources come down the river, past the dam and on to the towns and cities of the kingdom. The economy of this is at stake. Clearly if a major army appeared, it would be met with an equal army sent by the king. However we are not at war with anyone, and you don't often see that level of organization among the tribes of the various humanoid races."
"This is something a little different, not an army, but not just a raiding force bent on stealing a few cows. Due to the unique nature and powers of the creatures the enemies have assembled, we need to unique response. The Thain has already determined to not ask for aid from the King, feeling as though it is not needed, wishing to deal with it himself. Dwarven pride and all that."
"Anyhow, we know that Rambanchus has divided his forces into smaller groups, able to move faster. They are also not crossing that great of an area. They don't need supply trains and a giants can carry a lot of food for the few weeks it would take to come here and wreak havoc. We know that there are plenty of orcs, goblinoids, ogres, trolls, ettins and cyclops among the forces. Apparently Rambanchus has been quite successful in emptying the hills and mountains of these creatures and forming them into some sort of band with the promise of war, food, and riches. They are stemming from the mountains to the north. These rugged areas are harsh and many of the ranges are covered in the black ice, but beneath the ice lie hundreds of miles of tunnels and open areas. The ranges are volcanic in origin and large portions of the ice have melted leaving, huge caverns that could hold entire towns. A griffon rider cannot see any of this from the sky. We don't even have maps of what lies under the ice. Some of these bands have come to the surface and we are seeing them moving."
"Your role is to pick a group of these creatures and strike at them. Whether through full assault or through sowing fear, doubt, dissent, or creating chaos to cause these groups to break apart or fail, I don't care. We need people willing to take these risks. My riders are already spread thing, and this is not the kind of things they do. The dwarves are slow moving and would just as soon meet these forces head on in battle to the last one standing. That won't always work. If you can manage it great, otherwise get in, and get out. While we have these individual groups weakened, slowed or eliminated, we can focus on the leadership, which will be much much more difficult. We know little so far, but with some magical scrying and divination we have discovered he is no slouch. To prove this, our scrying was blocked shortly after our first attempts. Rambanchus has skilled arcane and or divine magic aiding him as well. "
"None the less, with some luck most of them won't even make it here, and will give up without a cohesive force or leader."
"I have identified on these maps where these sub-groups are moving from. As mentioned most are some combination of humanoids, giant types and the like. They have recently added aerial support, manticores, wyverns, and they have hell hound scouts as well as other minions. Expect to encounter other creatures in their service a well, many that we have not seen yet. Our plan is simple. For those of you going, pick a spot on the map to travel to, strike at the group and do as much damage as you can for as long as you can. If you have to fall back or return here, do so. We would rather have the information learned from a failed assault than have you throw your lives away."
"We can provide equipment for this from our stores, but we don't have gear for large sizes, like ogres or minotaurs, or other exotic weapons or special materials premade. Some of this can be fashioned, but clearly you can't make a suit of ogre sized armor over night. Keep your requests logical. The Thain has authorized roughly 100 gold per person in supplies. This includes healing potions. He has authorized that you may keep any spoils, but you must report it because we need to know the level of wealth, weaponry, armor, and magic that these enemies have. If they are raiding ancient ruins, lairs and tombs, we wish to see the items to record from what era and culture they come from."
"You probably have a lot of questions. I can take a few. Keep them brief, but clearly I wish to answer them if they are important."
@Champawat, let me know if you are attending the meeting with Head Marshal Hawke.
The various groups of your brothers and sisters ask a variety of questions and look at the map and start picking spots to lead their assaults from. Most of the spots look the same as the rest, basically the mountains to the north lead into various canyons or valleys, and each group is taking one to patrol and attack the giant unit that has been sighted coming south from the avenue.
Qahnaarin studies the map intently. "I believe our group would be best suited to holding strategic point against incursion. Our abilities lend themselves well to defense."
Hawke studies the map. "Well you may be able to find a spot to work from. The hills are dotted with old ruins and lairs. There are no formal fortifications, and I am not sure what you can accomplish in a short amount of time, but you are welcome to create an obstacle. I think this valley here has some old ruins you could check out." He stabs his finger at a spot on the map and takes a little colored marker and tacks it to the spot. "You are all signed up. Every group will get a copy of this map. Safeguard it well. The enemies know the lands to some extent, but a map like this would help them greatly. If it comes down to it, burn the map before they get it."
"We will not let the map fall into enemy hands. How long until you can replicate the map, and how soon until we leave?" Champawat paces along the length of the table behind her kin, anxious to be away from the confines of this place. There were too many eyes watching their every movement for her comfort. "The thain said he could equip us with a few things. Would we need an escort to gather supplies?"
"We have extra maps already. Please assemble a reasonable list of equipment required, nothing exotic or masterwork. We will attempt to have it to you by the morning. At that point you may depart if it is your wish. It will be more efficient if we requisition the gear or obtain it rather than have you wander around at night when the shops are closed. Of course the Thain also wants to keep you all from disturbing the masses.
Qahnaarin thankfully takes 100 shuriken (20gp). "I am ready."
Champawat's list consists of the following:
backpack
studded leather armor
thieves tools
100 feet of silk rope
grappling hook
mess kit
scrivener's kit
explorer's outfit
2 scroll cases
3 chakrams
1 dagger
5 days of trail rations
Hawke looks at Qahnaarin,"Eh shurikens? Those little throwing things? We don't have those here. People actually use those? Always thought it was a joke. " He looks at Gunther, "Studded leather and buckler it is." then nodding at Champawat's list "Chakra-wha? Those round bladed things? No one around here uses those either, sounds like a good way to hurt yourself. I can get you some hemp rope, we got miles of that. That fancy silk rope is high demand, and you won't find much of that here."
"Sure you people don't want some more clothes? You are going into the mountains, land of the Black Ice. Those crappy leather slippers you got on and your hodge-podge of pajamas and cave people style skins might be a little on the ineffective side. I recommend hooded fur cloaks and cold weather gear, but that's just me, what do I know?"
"What ever you think would be best. You know this environment better than we do. We would be grateful for whatever you can spare. As you can see, we've managed to make due with less. Thank you for your help."
Goivan requests some simple hide armor and a longbow with 20 arrows.
"All right, I will put you down for cold weather gear as well. I forget you do not know what to expect, but the terrain is rugged and unforgiving, this isn't a stroll in the park."
Qahnaarin happily accepts cold weather gear and requests the following:
whetstone (2cp, --lb), chalk (white, red, green, blue) (1sp, --lb), twine (50ft) (1cp, --lb), waterskin (1gp, 0.5lb), signal whistle (8sp, --lb)
"Noted, no problem with that stuff. Easy to get."
Day 5 - Later afternoon/evening
The meeting winds down, the group is given a copy of the map, and the marshals note that your gear will be delivered in the morning as they spend the night pulling what they can from supply storage and trying their best to round up other items as they can. Your group is escorted back to your quarters for the evening to rest up and prepare for your journey the next day.
The group plans and discusses options and tactics and reviews the map with the locale marked where your have volunteered to patrol and take out the unit of giants in that area. Its a gamble and hopefully you can find them. A group of giants even in a piece of wilderness that large might be hard to find. With tracking and hopefully aid from the geography naturally funneling travel, hawke speculates it should not be terribly difficult.
The group partakes of food and drink and freshens up before bed. Within the fort there is no real indication of day or night with a lack of windows, so you let your bodies tell you when its time to rest and eventually the group turns in and several snores fill the quarters, mixed with Champawat's feline purring and Prar's gurgling.
Day 6 - Morning
Without a sunrise to wake the group you rise when you feel like it, eat a breakfast and await your gear. Within a while a knock comes at the door and the sentries enter within a bit. Your share languages has expired, but little communication is required, several dwarves wheel in crates on wheels like a cross between a cart and a dolley. They unload the contents and make sure everything is in order. They hand you a form to sign accounting for all the items, although you cannot read it.
Gunther attempts to decipher the dwarven script, leaning on his knowledge of now-ancient dwarven.
Champawat takes a moment to throw together an extraction of comprehend languages and reviews the invoice before finally signing off on it.
She looks at her brothers and shrugs. "What? I just wanna make sure they're on the up and up. I'm not selling my soul for rope and a backpack."
Gunther looks at the sheet and decides they aren't dwarven runes at all and must be using the script for the Common tongue.
Champawat downs her extract and double checks the list, making sure all is accounted for.
The suppliers depart and the group gets their gear and equipment on and in order. Scarfing down the last of the food and water, the group is ready to head out. You check your map and everyone solemnly nods. It is time to get some fresh air.
"Let us go! To make friends, earn money, and taste adventure!"
Out back in the wilderness, Goivan relaxes. Ironic since they're heading to war. Better to face an enemy head on than to get stabbed in the back. He muses. "I'm going to scout ahead." His large stony frame moves with eerie quietness forward.
Day 6 - Morning
The group moves out, packing their supplies and then notifying the sentries outside, they arrange for you to be escorted from the fort. Shortly the typical armed escort arrives and they take you back through the tunnels and passages of the fort. 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. "Another group ready to tackle our enemies. This mission is very important but also very dangerous. I trust that your training will carry you through. You can return here at any point, success or failure, or if you need to report something new, or restock on supplies."
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. The group checks their supplies and the map Hawke entrusted you with. 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.