Monster Mashup - Table 4 (Inactive)

Game Master CaveToad

Grimacing, Sly asks, "How much of our reserve did he eat?"

Way I see it, since the boss man let me consider my first day as having completed some moccasins, I can break up the "outfit" into several pieces, each roughly a day of work. So tomorrow I'll work on the pants, then the shirt, then the jacket, lastly will be the accessories; belt, pockets, loops and fasteners, etc. I figure my pj's are getting worn out, but aren't totally trashed, it has been only a couple of days. And the only rough stuff was the fight. So figure a couple of bloody tears, oh wait, with prestidigitation I can clean them, so just a couple of tears, some fading and thinning, etc. The barefoot was the worst part, now fixed.

Shaeyl slides upwind of Grub, fortunately, none of our reserves, the turtle gave him a feast in cooked fish.

Aury grumbles at the mention of the dragon turtle.

"Speaking of which, Ctha'at-Sebek, were you at the goatling's ceremony? I can tell you about it if you weren't."

I arrived just at the tail end of the ceremony unfortunately, so I missed out on most of it.

If Ctha'at had hide eyelids, he would have blinked hard when faced with the ogre's breath. As it was, his sensitive cephalapod-like eyes watered intensely at the stench.

'Akluzzar?," Sly asks suspiciously. "What else did he want?"

Day 4 - Noonish

As the group discusses with Ctha'at-Sebek, word spread through the villages that the messengers sent by Tolhemia have returned and she is finding out what news they have.

Day 4 - Mid Afternoon

After some time Tolhemia, her 'sister' Ania, and the Vishkanya woman Melanaj emerge from Golden Ram's lodge. Tolhemia returns to the part of the village that has been set aside for the people of Goodwin, and she gathers all of you around.

"Brothers and sisters, Ania and Melanaj have returned from the dwarven hold, named Cliffort and here is what we know. There, Thain Yarvik Ironfist IV rules in a stern yet honorable fashion. He is a no nonsense individual, and is not particularly happy to be dealing with monstrous refuges from another plane. His goal is to promote stability and foster an environment so that the loggers and miners that work in the area can get their materials downstream to the rest of the kingdom. At his side is High Priest Stonehammer, who seems to be a surly yet trusted counselor. Stonehammer appears to worship Clanggedin, if the symbolism still follows. It may be worth noting that some of the old gods still endure."

"Cliffort is a community of many races, largely dwarves who provide most of the defenses, but also many humans, with whom they are allied in this endeavor. Cliffort is part of a larger kingdom, and the Thain appears to report ultimately to a king. Cliffort itself is, as its name describes, a fortress built into the side of a cliff. The cliff overlooks a natural canyon, and the river naturally flows through it. The river has been dammed up and the canyon has turned into a small lake. This lake is used by the people as a defense as well as a way to coalesce the logs and mining resources that come downstream from the logging and mining camps. They transfer them past the dam on barges that are lowered through a series of locking compartments which allow them to raise and lower the water levels through some giant pumps. The materials then continue downstream. So important are these resources, that the fort itself is near impregnable and the lake is surrounded by a wall. Within the walls a small village huddles. There are apparently merchants and your regular trade and craft folk that would inhabit such a place."

"From all that Ania and Melanaj could determine, little has changed in ten thousand years in terms of innovation, attitudes or even customs. While fashions, languages, and other cultural things vary and change over time, they said they found it hard to distinguish if much had changed. Their understanding is that not that much before their arrival, another of our groups had arrived and had been given audience with the Thain, who sent them on a dangerous mission to prove their worth. The Thain's main scout is a man with the position of Head Marshal, going by the name of Hawke. This man, though also stern seems to have a larger world view and understands the plight of our people and the opportunities we could present to the fort. He seems to understand that we aren't just going to go away, and if we are, we need to know where we are going. Though some of the negotiations took place with magically augmented communications, Hawke speaks Celestial, which appears to have changed little wirh the passage of time. We believe Hawke has been trying to convince the Thain to allow our people to take up residence in the town. We have also just discovered, somewhat by accident, that there is reason for this. Hawke leads a brigade of scouts who patrol the skies on griffons. They can range far and wide and see a lot. Apparently Jovar overheard a report that indicated that a force of humanoids is gathering and the belief is that the target is the Fort. Nothing more is known about this. This places us in a position to help or to also not get involved. Our help would help them protect their fort, and show we can be allies, and give us standing to request fairer treatment for the goatlings. It also places us in a position to take advantage of their town and crafting and start as a new based to more forward."

"Golden Ram has already advised that they are willing to help the dwarves if a battle is coming. While the dwarves have not treated them fairly, if the fort were to fall, the instability would create more problems, particularly if the area was overrun with humanoids raiders and giants. Ania and Melanaj have secured an audience between Marshal Hawke and Golden Ram. They are to meet at the border. There we will reveal that we know of this impending 'army' and offer our aid as well as the goatlings' in return for protection, fairer treatment and security. Marshal Hawke is to meet with us tomorrow afternoon at the border between the lands. Those who wish to stay and help fight come with us, those who wish to leave the lands, we have also secured safe passage. Marshal Hawke will have one of his outriders escort any groups through the outlying areas to other regions. There is quite a bit more information to process and interpret, and you may all have many questions, please feel free to ask of us anything you wish to know."

"What do you all think? Should we stay and help fight the other humans? It will be hard to travel without someone trusted like the Thain vouching for us, but if we fight the army we might make us look violent to other groups."

She turned back to Tolhemia.

"Did you learn anything about why the group is attacking Cliffort? Are they raiders, or some kind of other nation or organization?"

"Jovar felt that the attacking group was comprised of evil humanoids from the mountains, ogres, giants and the like. Perhaps more. The report was limited and he did not overhear much. He is investigating further."

Sly taps one clawed finger on his chin, deep in thought. After a moment, he clears his throat and responds, "It seems as if we have an opportunity to advance our cause and simultaneously protect the softskins. I say we take it."

Day 4 - Late Afternoon

As the new of the impending raiders spreads through the camp, people take time to prepare. Golden Ram sends out goatling scouting parties. Though unable to fortify their village, they move things around and make other precautions. As the flurry of activity increases, everyone shouts and points to the sky. You see a figure mounted on a griffon flying swiftly towards the camp. A white peace banner flies from the tip of a lance. The goatlings assembled beneath seem to respect it and hold their javelins in check.

The griffon and its rider spiral in a loop and then descend in a hovering slow drop to the ground which kicks up a cloud of dust and debris. Several dozen armed goatlings surround the rider. A man dismounts and waits for the dust to settle. He appears to wear light armor and is equipped with sword, bow and lance. He has a worn and weathered look bout him, but his features are sharp and could indicate elven ancestry somewhere. Golden Ram emerges from his lodge and moves to meet the man among all the commotion. Golden Ram takes a moment and utters a spell. They have a brief conversation and disappear into the lodge. Everyone stands around in a state of confusion. Word spreads quickly that the bold visitor is Marshal Hawke from the dwarven fort. He was not supposed to arrive until a day later, at a designated neutral meeting place at the border. The man's griffon sits stoically eyeing the crowd which gives it a healthy space.

Their meeting must have been very brief. Hawke emerges from the lodge shortly thereafter and scans the assembled crowd of goatlings and all of the collected children of Goodwin. He seems to sigh inwardly and swiftly mounts his mighty griffon and they wheel into the sky its wings kicking up more dust and dirt. Soon then are gone.

Golden Ram steps from his lodge again and speaks to a few assistants. Some of his elders are with him. He approaches the group and addresses Tolhemia and all of the children og Goodwin.

"Our visitor was Head Marshal Hawke from Cliffort. Our meeting tomorrow was preempted by news that the army of giants and their allies are moving more quickly than before. Griffon riders have spotted hell hound scouts infiltrating our lands. Several forest fires already burn. The Thain is moving quickly to secure the region of Cliffort. All logging and mining camps have been notified, evacuating, and they are moving to take refuge within the walled confines of Cliffort. According to Hawke, given the recent circumstances, the Thain has reluctantly decided to allow the goatlings and the newcomers to also take refuge within the walls of Cliffort, if they are willing to pledge and fight with the dwarves against oncoming scourge."

"Hawke explained that history shows that occasionally the giants will plunder and pillage south from their lands into this region, but that they are usually easy to dispatch or drive off. This however appears to be much more, an organized effort to march a large force out into these lands with a specific goal. He guesses that the giants remained hidden and organizing with their allies in the lands of black ice to the north, within the caves, tunnels and deep underground warrens under the glaciers. They may be driven by a longstanding hatred with the dwarves, although Hawke I believe suspects there may be another hidden reason."

"Personally, I believe this to be a sign, one that we have been seeking, and one that unite our people together against a common foe. My warriors and I will join the dwarves, humans and their allies, and meet these invaders in battle. Our people will take refuge in the fort, and we will prepare for battle!"

At that moment the mighty war drums thunder and the great battle horns that you heard at the Ceremony of the Lake are sounded. The noise shakes the earth and heavens, nearly deafening you and scaring the wits out of you.

"Our village will pack now, and leave soon, we will will make the journey tonight and take refuge at the fort. Your people are welcome too. Hawke notes that the Thain would prefer you keep a lower profile, particularly the most monstrous of you, but that you will be armed and equipped if able, to assist in the fight. He personally noted that he could make use of any of the bravest groups to act as strike forces against the giants, and any advance units of the enemy. Whatever your choice will be, this village will be abandoned soon. I must now prepare."

Golden Ram turns abruptly and goes with his elders to prepare his people for the exodus.

Tolhemia and many of the others stand there briefly, then a cacophony of voices erupts at once, and people start running hastily to grab what few possessions they have. Tolhemia gathers about her a few of her closest advisors and advises them to gather everyone into groups for the journey.

Tolhemia addresses those still assembled. "So, fate once again steers us. Perhaps this will take us closer to our goal. It certainly puts us with the dwarves and access to information, although in the madness that is sure to follow it may be a challenge to investigate any leads. I will work my best to keep our people safe."

"I wonder where Jovar is right now. I could use it's assistance."

"Shoot! Not much time to prepare! We need to find some way to make sure Grubgullet and the other giants aren't mistaken for one of the raiders."

Aury scrambles to try to find something to use as paint, a banner or cape.

Before I continue talking, do we want to be one of the strike forces?

"I am not sure about my peers, but I for one have experience in the type of guerrilla warfare that strike teams inflict. I think it might be easier for everyone if I am part of one of these teams," says Ctha'at, gesturing at his inhuman form. "I am not sure what the good people would find more intimidating, the giants or my exoskeleton." The last part is muttered to himself, which is followed by a low hissing burble, which any observers might be able to interpret as an illithid chuckle.

He cuts off the burble quickly with a statement to the party. " Since we are going to be traveling, I am about to summon my... armour... I must warn you, the process of donning it has proven to be alarming for other individuals. Having warned the party, Ctha'at begins his slow transformation, summoning up the protective carapace of his symbiote. The first stage of the transformation begins with small lacerations appearing over Ctha'ats body, from which solid black chitinous plates slowly emerge. As his body becomes more and more covered, his mask starts appearing from the base of his skull, right where the brain meets the spine.

"This does not change my opinion, though Aury raises a valid point about distinguishing friend from foe."

"I'll need to visit the humans and dwarves before we try to attack anyone though - I still need a bow. Plus, we can ask if they have any paint we can use, but Grub should probably stay outside..."

If we paint a large red circle between his shoulder blades, the dwarves will know he is with us.

I'm fine with playing scout/skirmisher.

When will the group depart for the fort? Travelling alone or with any of the othere?

"He doesn't need a bulls-eye; he's not a minotaur." Sly waits a beat for everyone to appreciate the humor before continuing, "We should head to the fort first thing then."

Forgot one thing. The groups were given special tokens to display when approaching the fort so that you are not shot. The tokens were given to Golden Ram, who distributed them to Tolhemia and the various groups. Your group has one such token.

Laughter

Shaeyl wags a finger at Sly, good one!

Shaeyl glances at the very small pile of gear they have. May as well get started now. 'snot like we have to keep our nose to a grindstone.

"Maybe Shaeyl or I should go to the fort. We're the smallest, so it might make the dwarves and humans feel a little safer. Besides, Grubgullet, Sly and Ctha'at don't need anything there, do you? We can leave as soon as possible, the goatlings are going to be very busy right now."

Though there's always the chance we'll get into a conversation and that would leave you guys out which is no fun. Most likely though I just need to pick up the bow and paint and then rejoin you.

"I think it might be better to stick together. We only have one token, after all. Better to be known as friendly, or at least, non-enemy."

"Good point, we can go together!"

"Will there be food?"

"We just got a bunch of food from the goatlings, and you had an entire fish feast, how can you still be hungry?!"

Sly rolls his eyes amiably at Grubgullet's limited focus. "So we'll travel with the goatmen tonight."

So the group will travel with the goatlings when they depart?

Correct

Day 4 - Evening

It takes some time before the goatling village is ready to move. It takes them time to gather what they need, and they are bringing as much of their grain reserves as they can carry. As a result the group move slowly. Well after dark the entire village rolls out in a long train carrying as many of their possessions as they can, many bring tents as there may not be a place for them once they are at the fort.

You join them in the exodus and after some time reach the river and begin heading along the river toward the fort. You follow the river and pick up trails used by logging and mining people as you leave the goatling lands into the lands of the dwarves and humans. At times you can almost see the light of the lake in the distance below in the valley if you are in an open spot with a vantage.

Well after midnight the group arrives and can see the fort ahead. The goatlings came with torches and there is no surprise in their arrival. Many are there at the edge of the river with barges to ferry the groups across the lake. It will take such a long time that they send over all the supplies and non warriors and children first. Some warriors and elders go with, but Golden Ram stays behind and many set up camp nearby rather than wait the hours it will take to ferry across through the gate.

The river has widened here and flows to the east now rather than to the south. To the northeast and southeast the land rises steeply into a bowl. That bowl contains a large lake. A tall and thick wall on both sides of the river, runs to the cliff-side on the north side of the river, and on the south it stretches east out of sight in the darkness. Watch fires illuminate some of the lands outside the wall, and it looks like an old quarry, the source of the stone for the wall.

It is hard to see beyond the wall to the lake, what little you see is through the gap on the rivermouth as it opens into the lake. This mouth, where the wall separates is flanked by two huge guard towers. On the towers, humans and dwarves can be see manning various sized ballistas. Archers and crossbowmen patrol the walls and man the towers. In the darkness you can see that the cliffside with rises vertically north of the lake side has become part habitation. Edifices have been carved into and built onto the side of the cliff. Many more details are hard to see in the night with only distant lanterns to reveal things.

Will you cross on a ferry or barge tonight into the fort or stay behind outside. It may take some time. Many of the fort guards are here keeping watch and some humans you assume to be griffon riders are moving about leading the efforts to get people and supplies through.

They approach your group as they see you standing there.

After observing the pace of the crossings, Sly remarks, "Better to rest now and wait 'til the morning to cross. Then we can find out how we can best protect the softskins from the invaders."

Aury practices skipping rocks over the river as the ferries cross, marveling at the large structure in the distance at the same time. "Definitely didn't have anything like that where I grew up."

Aury kicks Sly in the shin lightly to break his concentration on the slow moving ferries, and nods towards the approaching humans. "Pay attention everyone, we have guests to our... patch of grass."
She waves to the group of humans, and says in a friendly tone, "I don't suppose you happen to know the same 10,000 year old languages as us, hmm?"

"Does anyone speak celestial? Someone said their leader spoke that, right? I could also try using that new spell..."

Though the kick didn't hurt much, Sly makes a show of limping so as to not hurt Aury'tss' feelings. "Yes, Little Sister." He brings his attention to the newcomers.

The cloaked guards approach but do not have weapons drawn. One of them has a wand and they make indications that they would wish to cast it on someone, pointing at their mouth and making a speaking sound. Perhaps to understand languages.

Aury'tss rolls her eyes at the exaggeration with a slight smile before focusing on the humans again. Seeing their wand and apparent indications, she nods and walks over to them.

While Sly believes their intentions to be good, he still takes a protective position behind and to the left of Aury'tss, just in case.

Day 4 - After midnight

One of the marshals invokes the wand and reaches out touching you. "Ok, for one day you will be able to converse and read in my tongue. This should help you get situated. We are at a bit of a bottleneck right now loading the barges. It will take hours before we can get everyone across. If you have no urgency waiting until the morning may be best." The guards seem a little unfazed now by your appearance, conceivably some of your brothers and sisters may have already passed this way and they have gotten used to it.

"There is no need to rush or panic though. Scouts have indicated that the enemies are far away yet. May I inspect your token? Marshal Hawke should have given you one. "

"Thanks, this should help. Yes, we did." Aury digs through a few of the hastily made pockets on her clothing before finding the token and handing it to the marshal.
"We were also told that there was need of some groups to do small raids on them before they got to the gates? How can we help with that?"

The marshal inspects the token closely, scrutinizing it hard. He returns it. "Yes I am sure we will welcome any aid against the raiding forces, but I cannot give you information about those plans. When you cross over, there will be someone designated to attend to your questions and needs. As I understand those of your..situation are being accommodated specially."

Shaeyl watches and listens.

How far has language strayed?

linguistics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

"Oh? We've been stuck outside for the past few days, I don't suppose there's any chance of a roof above our heads?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28 because I'm not sure I like how he said specially. :p

Shaeyl watches and listens.

How far has language strayed?

[dice=linguistics]1d20+11

Quite a bit, it is really unrecognizable. You barely recognize any similar root words of base proto words that are familiar, its as if the common tongue was replaced and morphed by many languages over time.

"Oh? We've been stuck outside for the past few days, I don't suppose there's any chance of a roof above our heads?"

[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+15 because I'm not sure I like how he said specially. :p

You suspect he is trying to be delicate and not overtly racist. Indicating that all of the Goodwin refuges might be sequestered and quartered away out of sight, and not necessarily roaming the streets freely or taking up rooms in inns, which are likely getting fuller by the minute if not already. Not like you have coin anyhow.

If you ponder the concept further (beyond the scope of sense motive, but without your own reasoning given what you know), it seems likely that someone in position of authority will meet with your various groups individually or as one and determine how best to work out the various needs of everyone, while maintaining some sanity in a situation that is already getting chaotic.

"Well regardless of the accomodations, thank you for the information. We'll cross when we can."

She tells her companions "They just wanted to check or token and said that river crossing is going slowly, but it should be able to get everyone over before the raiders attack. I can speak their language for a day - I think they intend us to talk to someone at the fort for more information, so it should help out."

"Do you all still want to go in the morning?"

Another marshal comes up and they have a small side private conversation, in which they look at your group and nod at one another. After they split up one of them runs back to the dock loading area. They marshals with you ask "We can make an exception to get you over tonight yet, the Thain apparently wants all of you inside, and is concerned your presence among the masses will cause extra stress and chaos. Hopefully this will pass in time as people get used to you." He smiles acting as if he is used to dealing with humanoids, monstrous or otherwise, but his young age and demeanor give it away, and although he may be a skilled scout, you doubt he is as seasoned as he is trying to portray.

The other marshal blows a whistle and you are all ushered to the front of the line. The goatlings you travelled with wave you farewell and you board a flat bottomed boat loaded with ore. It is dirty and unpleasant and headed for the forges but its a ride. "So for the poor vessel, but if you don't mind a little dirt, this will get you across tonight. As I mentioned, a marshal on the other side will see to your situation when you get there."

They blow a whistle again, and a big spotlight beams down on you and the barge from one of the guard towers. You guess it must be a large light, possibly magical reflected off of a large polished mirror. You can't tell now of course since it is so bright.

Pausing for further questions or in case you didn't actually want to board tonight.

" Since you can actually speak their language for the day, Aury, I think you at the very least should really try to make it over this night. I don't want to fight the same people we are trying to help, and diplomacy is so much easier with a common language."

Ctha'at ponders quietly for a few moments, twitching his facial tentacles before continuing.

" The question is whether or not the rest of us want to wait behind to help protect the Golden Ram and the rest of the villagers in case of an attack, or go straight to the village and get acclimated. I am leaning towards getting acclimated: I highly doubt that if the invaders arrived tonight that we could make much of a difference, surprised and tired. My vote at the very least is to board at once. "

What very little you know of the situation, you doubt the invaders would arrive tonight without some scouts knowing about it.

"Of course, I'll ask the others to see if they're ready for some more traveling tonight." She replies politely to the young marshal.
Aury looks hopefully between the boat and her companions, and in ancient common says, "They have a boat if we want to go tonight. Come on, boating expedition! It'll be fun!"

"By all means, then. Let's go."

I'd rather start gathering information inside the fort than on the beach.