They are speaking modern common. Only Eleanor has the facility to understand and speak back. Nathan can understand one way.
The group is lead to the cliff side fort, along with your heavily armed escort of dwarves, and the marshals. At the fort, a massive steel door gating the entrance is opened, inside a serious of portcullises, inner doors and a gauntlet of murder holes leads you into the fortress.
You are delivered to a grumpy looking dwarf commander and another unit of dwarves inside the fortress. The marshals and external dwarves turn you over to them and you are led into the depths of the fortress itself. Twisting winding tunnels many too low or very narrow prove a challenge for the huge Lotham and Nathan's forms. They spend some time ducking and some squeezing through a small door. Many doors are locked and most have sentries. In time you are led to a chamber that the dwarven commander opens and you see within beds, a table with food, and water. A washbasin and a few chairs or stools. Some smaller beds have been pushed together to make larger beds for Nathan and Lotham. The room smells a little musty and are probably not normally quarters but have been quickly adapted for you.
The dwarven commander speaks finally, "These will be your quarters for tonight. It is late. In the morning the Thain will hold audience with you. Welcome to Cliffort."
"Thank you for the accommodations."
Day 5 - Morning
The morning arrives and there is a knock at the door, luckily it comes after you have had time to partake of the food and water provided and clean yourselves up from the dust of the trail and the fishy smell of the boat. A few prestidigitations and some water and everyone is reasonable looking. A different dwarven commander appears today with a heavily armed contingent of dwarves, and advises "The Thain has arranged to have an audience now. Leave all weapons behind as well as any pets."
You are escorted from the quarters through many winding halls and tunnels again, through sentry guarded doors and to a large chamber that seems to be serving as a war room.
The Thain is standing in the center of the room at some tables with maps and scrolls. He 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. 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.
Within the room are other generals, officers, and commanders as well as about twenty elite looking guards with loaded crossbows standing all over the room keeping watch. You imagine some kings would be jealous of the level of security they have here.
You are led to the back of the room and the Thain welcomes you, "I Thain Yarvik Ironfirst IV welcome you to the Nordron Holdings, on behalf of King Karl Thunderforge."
He continues, "No doubt you have heard by now that a force of giants and assorted monsters and other humanoids is headed this way. The timing of your arrival odd, but fortuitous. We look to find a mutual path to solve each group's problems. We will take you in and shelter you and if you will fight for us to defeat the raiders, we will arm you. In return we will also attempt to assist you in finding your lost master, in terms of information and history."
The Thain is brief and to the point. He seems a bit tired as if he has been up all night planning.
"I would be honored to provide such aid in defense against evil forces."
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"Nathan, can you ask him what is known of these giants, and why they would be attacking. We just came narrowly through one battle that was caused by misunderstanding, I would hate to take more lives unnecessarily."
Identify holy symbol.
Nathan gives a quarter bow to the Thain and a nod to the priest next to him.
"While it may seem strange for an ogre to assist you against giants and their minions, I will be glad to do so. I was once like them until our Master rescued me and I embraced Sarenrae and serve her as cleric and paladin.If they can not be made to change their ways then they shall be redeemed by the sword."
"Sarenrae, indeed. Well it is good to know you worship one of the potent and active deities. If you wish to partake in the fight, I will assign to you work with Head Marshal Hawke, he is returning later today and will meet with your group and others to plan a pre-emptive assault on the giants and their minions."
"If you are in need of a scout, I can offer my services for that as well, sir."
"We are in need of more scouts. Our griffon riders are few and cannot be everywhere at once."
"Your group looks capable and powerful. Marshal Hawke can definitely use you. Do you have any questions for me?"
"Do you know anything about them already? As he said, we have already inflicted several deaths due to misunderstanding since our arrival here. We do not wish to repeat that mistake."
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"I think quite a few of us need to re-learn the common tongue, a teacher or written material would be most helpful to get past our communication problem."
He responds to Lotham, "We know that their leader is a fire giant, a self styled king that has gathered many other giant types and other monsters to assault our peaceful life here. They are bent of a path of evil and malice against us." then turning to Eleanor, "That will be useful I agree, I will find someone to facilitate this."
"If you have no further questions, I will turn you over to the escorts and you will meet with Head Marshal Hawke later this afternoon. Dorval here will arrange someone to work with you on the language."
He points to a servant looking fellow who was standing nondescriptly to the side.
He nods and steps forward, waiting.
"Thank you Thain, it will be our honer to help protect your town and people. He than nods to the priest of Clangeddin "I hope Clangeddin's blessings are with us in battle as well." Nathan then lines up behind Dorval.
The Thain nods, and Priest Stonehammer seems caught off guard. "Urmm, umm ...of course they are, err, harumph."
The group is led back to their quarters for a bit, before the meeting with Head Marshal Hawke.
The escort commander returns soon 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."
"Thank you Marshal. Do you know how the ogres amongst them are dressed? I might be able to slip in and learn more if they thought I was one of them, though two way communication would be difficult. As for where to strike, I think this cave might be a good place to head to." His points to a cave on the map.
"The ogres are attired as is typical for the more....uncivilized types....That being a smattering of hide or furs, whatever they can find or skin from their victims. It does not seem that the giants have taken any pains to armor them or expend many resources on them. Your plan of infiltration may work well, although there are not enough of them that they would not notice a new face. It may work if you sort of 'wandered' by and joined up, although they may just as likely kill you. It is a plan that warrants development if you are willing."
"I am willing Marshal but would want the backing of the rest of my group for we are stronger together. I don't need armor, and some skins I could reluctantly wear." Nathan gives a tiny shiver at the thought. "I would keep my holy symbol hidden and pass it off as gotten from someone powerful, which is true." Nathan smiles at this. "I don't feel the chance to redeem this creatures and learn from them should be passed up."
"I agree with the spirit of your plan Nathan, but it seems too dangerous. What would you do if they turned hostile?"
"We could lay in wait nearby. If he calls out to us, perhaps with a whistle, then we could come to his aid." Lotham nods slowly. "I respect Sarenrae and her drive for redemption. I will support you in this plan."
"Run?", Nathan says as he smiles at Greebins. "They way I see it there a two major problems with my idea: 1: I don't speak their language and would have to, in order to pull this off 2: I would be separated from my backup, you guys and that could be deadly."
"If you fell some good can come from the risk of going alone then I won't try and stop you, Nathan." Eleanor adds.
"I don't need any armor or weapons. Food, clothing and a few essentials will suffice the rest of my share can go to another."
"I also need no armor or weapons. Just basic supplies like food." Rechau says.
"As to Nathan's plan, I think you are being overly optimistic. Unlike us, these giants and such will be in social grouping and not individually tutored like we were. Nor will you have the time to devote to the task like was invested in us."
"Could a simple chain, leather, or hide shirt be fashioned for one such as myself? It need not fit well if it provides some meager protection."
"I would not refuse some light protection for myself," Greebins purrs.
"Could a simple chain, leather, or hide shirt be fashioned for one such as myself? It need not fit well if it provides some meager protection."
"Yes, but the amount of time it will take will not be short." He says to Lotham. "For a medium creature, we have available items."
As the various groups make their equipment requests, Hawke announces. "Keep in mind you are venturing into the mountains. It is cold there, and there are glaciers of black ice. I recommend fur cloaks and solid sturdy clothes, not the rags and skins you are all wearing."
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"Other than clothing and the meager protection I already mentioned, I think the only thing you might have available I might make use of would be a long, thick polearm, perhaps with a point attached somehow. Perhaps a ballista bolt."
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= 40g, 5s
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The cheapest large armor would be padded at 10gp (x2 cost). Padded armor is a simple DC 10 check, and progress is made at 1gp per day. Assuming those making the armor can make at least a DC 15 by taking 10, they can achieve 2gp per day in progress. So it would take 5 days to make padded armor for a large person. If a DC 20 check was made it can be made in about 3 or so days, but they probably don't have a master padded armor making guy since its not terribly in demand. Leather is twice as long and a hide shirt 4 times as long. I can't say the rules make any sense always, but there is some logic to it I guess.
Cold Weather Outfit 8gp, Explorers Outfit 20 gp, Blanket 1gp, Potion of Cure Light Wounds 50gp. Total 79 gp. The rest in trail rations.
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Sorry... been working six day weeks. Just realized I haven't even looked at this in a minute. Will get that list up shortly.
Hawke, scratches his head, "Why does everyone want these chakram things? I must be missing something about these magical circles of death. Maybe I should check them out. Sorry catman, we don't have any of those around these parts. The rest is easily gotten from the supplies."
"Does your group want to select a specific spot on the map?" He points to a variety of valleys and canyons on the map that each of the giant sub-units are taking according to their reports.
"We will head to the one you feel needs us the most. We have no information to go on so we rely on you."
Nathan settings into his gear and is ready to go.
Lotham agrees with Nathan.
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"I was unaware such things were a rare resource. Very well, I will make do with what I already have."