"That seems to be a lot of coin for a map with no legend, but if you feel good about it I will purchase it from you, along with the following items".
The Dwarf heads with Harnet to Ulman's to see what he can see.
He eyes the Tiefling suspiciously but enters the shop with its odd wares anyway.
He keeps his hands to himself not trusting magic all that much but listening to the interaction between his new ally and the shopkeeper.
After procuring the map, and a case for it, Red Feather will head back to the Inn and have Papa try and point out some of the features and show him where the secret entrance is.
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"Ulman, there are many that offer the same advice, but nothing is achieved without risk." the transmuter smiles, "and if my companions are in dire need of your services, I will remember your words." He nods and starts to the door, before he stops just before he shuts the door and calls back, "Or course if there is any service we can do for you in payment for your infirmary services, then send word, we stay at Odo's Inn." He waits just a moment for a reply, before indicating to Igneous they should leave.
On the way to the gem cutter, Harnet speaks with the dwarf about Ulman, "Whilst I don't really understand the ways of his magic, if it can heal us of our ailments, then we should take him seriously. I hear some of your race resist the arcane in favor of the blade, are you one of those? Do you want the benefit of any magic I might cast to aid your ability to fight, so make you like a giant large and more powerful of strike? The arcane can do more than just create fires."
He pulls his cloak further over his head, hiding his face in the darkness of the hood. "Igneous, you dwarves know much of the value of the gems, the sparkling rocks. You speak to the gem cutter, see if we can do anything to help, and ask if has any rings mundane of magical? And see if there are any errands that we might do for him, for no doubt such work would pay well. Try and gain trust."
"Sorry friend no discount on something like this."
Pops happily marks the mouth of doom for you although the other marks from the map maker are unknown.
In the absence of her new companions, Erigga walks towards the smith, guiding herself by the sound of its blows.
Oh how I missed this sound... the repeating song that the hammer teaches the steel, the flames dancing and the art taking form...
She steps inside the store, looking for the owner, while she inspects the merchandise.
"Hey, anybody there?"
After procuring the map, and a case for it, Red Feather will head back to the Inn and have Papa try and point out some of the features and show him where the secret entrance is.
Morthak has a look at the map after Red Feather brings it back to the inn.
"No words say what the numbers or letters mean, but the 'Mouth of Doom' is clearly marked on it. Number 1 is the outpost, I think, and number 10 seems to be some kind of building."
"We could start by investigating the numbered sites near the outpost."
On the way to the gem cutter, Harnet speaks with the dwarf about Ulman, "Whilst I don't really understand the ways of his magic, if it can heal us of our ailments, then we should take him seriously. I hear some of your race resist the arcane in favor of the blade, are you one of those? Do you want the benefit of any magic I might cast to aid your ability to fight, so make you like a giant large and more powerful of strike? The arcane can do more than just create fires."
He pulls his cloak further over his head, hiding his face in the darkness of the hood. "Igneous, you dwarves know much of the value of the gems, the sparkling rocks. You speak to the gem cutter, see if we can do anything to help, and ask if has any rings mundane of magical? And see if there are any errands that we might do for him, for no doubt such work would pay well. Try and gain trust."
"I'm interested in any advantage I can gain in a fight. Many o' my race are distrustful of the arcane. It is more often a weapon 'gainst us as we put err faith in tha' Gods and the magic they deliver ta' err Clerics. In this place, I'll ignore me own discomfort if'n it keeps me, and me "niece" alive.
Aye, let's see this gem cutter. My eye is not so good as many o' me kin but reputation sometimes goes ferther than real skill!"
As they enter the shop Igneous greets the proprietor, "Greetins I'm Igneous Cobalt I been teld that ye were a fine gemsmith, wanted te see your wares for meself!"
"I am anxious to confront this evil. I have already looked long and hard for this place. I suggest we head straight there, and if we pass any of these marked places investigate them as we go. Perhaps someone else in town might know what some of these marked places are".
Peering intently at the map, the goblin says, "I think the 6 looks good. It is just outside the forest, where we can get more torches, and on top of the hill, where we can see more land."
"I am anxious to confront this evil. I have already looked long and hard for this place. I suggest we head straight there, and if we pass any of these marked places investigate them as we go. Perhaps someone else in town might know what some of these marked places are".
"Yes, let us ask. We know not what these things are; they may be sentries for the evil that lies underground. I do not care to leave potential enemies behind me."
Aye lassie come on in, what'cha need. An aged grey haired dwarf said as he was peering into a gem.
Erigga smiles when she sees another dwarf. "Well... I actually need nothing, was just passing buy to take a look at your work... I'm a smith myself. Here take a look at my masterpiece!"
Erigga then takes her shield from her back and shows it to the dwarf (it is a mwk cold iron throwing spike heavy shield).
"Now it has some marks of combat, but I think when we smiths work on the metal, it is only finally completed after a couple blows!"
While the dwarf examined her work, she looked around again, looking for any sign of magical weapons.
"I once heard that some rare weaponsmiths and armorsmiths managed to even create magical and legendary items, even if they did not dabble into the arcane or the divine... I was wondering if you heard the same tales that I had..."
"Then I say we leave this day, when the sun is at it's highest, and no shadows conceal threats. If there are others we wish to gather, then so be it. I leave at noon".
"Then I say we leave this day, when the sun is at it's highest, and no shadows conceal threats. If there are others we wish to gather, then so be it. I leave at noon".
Morthak shrugs.
"As you will. Though if we leave earlier then we have more daylight. Let us to aim to return before the shadows get too long."
"Pleased to meet cha, here come take a closer look." He gestures Cobalt to his showcase where he has gems of varying price. "These aren't anything special but if you want something with a punch you'll need some coin."
Kalgor inspects the shield carefully. "This is some mighty fine work lassie, not often you see this type of work round here."
Upon hearing of legendary items he begins scratching his beard and nods agreeingly. "tis a sight to behold. These adventurers came round these parts quite some times ago and some elf asked for the anvil. I laughed and led the scrawny one there to see what he could do, and made a hammer torag himself would be proud of. would ya believe it an elf!" He chuckles to himself. "They ended up leaving down south saying sumthin bout a well."
Igneous eyes the wares.
Appraise
"Well. Besides creatin' do ye buy goods if'n we retrieved any from the dungeons hereabouts?"
You see an assortment of uncut gems ranging from 10gp to 200 gp. It's obvious his more expensive gems are kept somewhere safer.
I'd take all gems youd find down there.
Just before noon, Red Feather packs his map away, and starts towards his journey. He is hoping that some of the new arrivals from the boat go with him, but if not he is prepared to confront this evil alone.
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As Igneous looks over the gems, Harnet smiles asking the gem cutter, "Sorry I didn't get your name, mine's Harnet. So tell me, if there's anything we can do to help you, which would give us credit in your store, don't hesitate to ask. I am sure we'll be able to accommodate your request. If not you have no doubt had other explorers of the dark dungeon trade with you before. If you ca provide us with any help at all, I'm sure it'll profit us both." He smiles again, nodding his head at the cutter.
Harnet, starts to look around, and quietly tries to find any arcane energies lurking in the store.
The goblin bounces around nervously. "What everyone doing? We need gems for the Mouth of Doom? No. We need swords and spells and fire and we have that already!"
Well it's still morning and I think it's safe to say that everyone is ready embark on their adventure. Where would everyone want to head towards?
Igneous nods to the Shopmaster, "From yer mouth ta' the Gods ears tha' we come back loaded wit gems!"
Igneous turns to the wizard, "Very well we know what we need ta' know. Les' join tha' others 'n get this quest goin'!"
Just before noon, Red Feather packs his map away, and starts towards his journey. He is hoping that some of the new arrivals from the boat go with him, but if not he is prepared to confront this evil alone.
When Red Feather arrives at the gate, Morthak is waiting for him, quietly grooming his riding dog, Esobok. He gives Red Feather a nod, and mounts up.
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Harnet wakes slowly, before rising and taking his bread and cheese, with a little beer to dunk the bread in to soften it up. A tankard of water sits in the table, which he sips from as he watches the Inncome to life. He finds a quiet place of the Inn in the darkest corner, and spends time reading a book, which seems to glow slightly in the dark.
At the end of his preparation he stands and joins the party, "You are keen to meet death it would seem." at the Shoanti's insistence to move quickly. "Where do you propose to enter, I hope you took note of the advice we were given?" Harnet sneers at Red Feather. "And tell me just what is the journey to the entrance of our fate. Do we try the front door, or through the Mount of Doom?"
Erigga sighs. She was hoping to learn something with the blacksmith but he was not one of those legends she was looking for... she was actually not surprised, for finding one of the legendary smiths in this god forsaken town was too unlikely.
"Hum... I see... well, thanks for your time! Perhaps I find a clue to where this elf is, or at least his corpse and the hammer you mentioned!"
"So, everyone is eager to press forward, right?" she smiles before continuing. "At least that we have in common!" At Harnet's question, she ponders for a moment before giving her opinion. "If we are voting for the path, I would prefer to try the backdoor... I think we are better than the bunch of fools that entered before us but caution is always a good think and more than one brave warrior died for not following a good advice..."
Red Feather looks at the strange man for a moment, then decides that he is not worth wasting word on, and continues towards the Mouth of Doom, satisfied that some feel his need.
Malazzesh has occupied his time by gathering a few fallen leaves and causing them to smolder in his hands.
"Mouth of Doom. That has my vote. It's closer."
"Certainty of death. Small chance o' success. What err we waitin' fer?! Tha' mouth o' doom it is!"
Malazzesh smashes the smoking debris between his callused hands to extinguish the flame. "What, is front door safer? Or is it also death? Death one way, death another... Shortest route is better."
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"The Mount of Doom it is..." the arcane user says with little concern. He sees the Shoanti march forward and shrugs his shoulders and saunters along behind following. "Do you think he knows where he's going?" he asks of Igneous, "He certainly seems to be setting a pace to the Mount. You know in all my research, I'd not come across reference to the Mount, though I guess it'll have signposts along the way."
Igneous shrugs at the Wizards' question.
On route to your first destination you see a statue that overlooks the river here; it is worn and weathered, but its demonic shape, with bat wings and ram’s horns, can still be discerned. The statue’s outstretched arm points to the southwest. Upon investigation you can tell there is nothing magical or unusual about the statue.
The river looks difficult to pass through on foot with, protruding rocks, seemingly deep water, and a strong current.
"The Mount of Doom it is..."
While the statue is weathered you can tell that it does not represent Orcus.
Morthak looks around at the area around the statue and the ford. He tries to see if the area is well travelled and which way tracks generally go.
"Doom? What is doom but fate manifest? At that is the province of my lady; I fear no doom."
"The way to this doom lies to the south from here. How many others have a part of this 'doom'? Are any of you good at spotting signs in the ground? I'm afraid my talents lie... in other areas."
You don't notice any tracks or sign of constant use.
Erigga reacts towards Morthak mention of fate and doom. "Please, tell me you are not going to prophesize our fates or deaths... I want to be surprised by it, thank you! And no, I have no skills at following tracks... but uncle Igneous is quite good! At least my father always told me of some stories involving him, a couple of rabbits and a hole in the ground..."
Red Feather as usual, speaks little. He's not standoffish, just conservative in words and actions.
"Nothing here. Let's move onward".
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Harnet looks up at the statue, and a sleeping bat is removed from inside his cloak. "See my little Darc, how you are honored, your wings adorn even the devils that are worshiped here." he smiles at the little creature as it shakes its wings and an eye slowly opens, but closes immediately. The bat returns to its dormant state and Harnet returns it to its resting place.
"So old and ancient, a world gone by." Harnet walks around the statue, smiling to himself at what must have been a magnificent and powerful creature. Oblivious to the search for trails the others are performing, until he turns and sees Morthak looking carefully at the ground. "Looking for tonight's supper already? Rabbits, I like rabbit!"
"Rabbit holes are excellent ovens!" Malazzesh interjects. "Although digging out the rabbit takes a while."
Igneous inspects the ground to see if he discerns anything that the others may have missed.
"It's not that I do nae trust ye lads it's that I was telled to check everythin' twice when comin' upon such a place o the reputation this place has".
Survival
Malazzesh notices nothing out of the ordinary.
Due to the condition of the statue Harnet can't recognize the demon.
Upon finishing with the statue you all move on to the number marked 5. The river here calms and shallows before continuing on to it's normal state. This is the only area you know of that allows for safe crossing.
"Please, tell me you are not going to prophesize our fates or deaths... "
Morthak smiles. "I can cast the bones for you if you like... but no, I do not prophesy. Death comes to all in the fullness of time - it takes no prophet to say this. But 'Doom' does not mean death - it simply means fate. Pharasma is the mistress of fate and she is my mistress. So I simply say that I do not fear any place named 'Doom.' If it is named truly then the advantage is mine, not theirs."
After we arrive at the ford (#5)...
Morthak stiffens.
Looking straight ahead, he says, "Don't look now, but there are five creatures on the hilltop to our left, watching us. They are roughly humanoid... but they do not appear to be human. They are shaped... differently somehow."
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"Well, when you know what we're looking at then perhaps we can decide if they pose a threat. Why don't you call them over, perhaps we can have a nice chat before killing them." smirks the magic user, as he steadfastly doesn't look straight ahead. He shuffles towards the stream, looking along its flanks and in the water for threats, or the tasty morsel of a silver scaled fish. His lips salivated at the thought of the exquisite taste of fish cooked over the embers of a fire, with a light dusting of herbs and spices. He sighs, sitting by the ford, waiting for others to decide to fight or carry on.