Katrine and Faerin pelt the rock troll with slings and arrows, but the creature's wounds soon begin to heal.
With no grasp of strategy or tactics, the rock troll flails viciously at the nearest foe: Lord Ahto.
Ahto blocks the first lashing claw with the hilt of Burden, but the second claw and a quick bite from the rock troll manage to breach the Abadaran's defenses.
Locking her eyes on a spot behind the elemental troll, Faerin utters an incantation in druidic, calling forth a burst of barbed, acid-filled nettles that pepper its back and the surrounding area.
Pelipe can see that her Bull's Strength has worn off, but the petrification of the troll is more important; particularly since Ahto is bleeding so profusely. Her heart begins to beat harder in rising stress over what could come. Could he die? Just the thought shakes her.
She lobs a glob of melting acid over toward the structural weakness in the roof.
The rock troll fails to avoid the acidic nettles from Faerin, and the caustic burns ensure that the ensuing swing of Burden by Ahto leaves a wound that will not heal soon.
Pelipe's own magical acid begins to burn away at roots and moss that have infiltrated the stone ceiling, destabilizing its integrity by removing these elements. No sunlight peeks through yet, but you can hear the stone crack and groan as it weakens.
Stayven darts in to get behind Ahto. With the warrior blocking the hallway, there wasn’t much he could do to get through and avoid the inevitable rain of rubble.
Katrine motions for Storm to stay back; there isn't enough room for him to get to the troll without it being able to hit him as he runs. She takes aim and fires twice more, hoping that Faerin's acid nettles will make the wounds stick this time.
Katrine sinks another arrow into the rock troll's thick hide. This stokes the foe's rage, and he lashes out at Ahto again. The lord of Tamlyn defends against the troll's teeth and right claws, but its left-hand claws manage to make painful contact - potentially spelling the end of Ahto.
Pelipe sees the danger they're in and without hesitation launches what is hopefully the last orb of acidic stone at the roof.
Pelipe's acid infiltrates the cracks and fissures previously opened up by her previous magic, and it quickly eats away at the other organic matter holding the rock and dirt in place like a wall's mortar. A chunk of the ceiling collapses, showering you with dirt and pelting the rock troll with debris.
However, chunks of falling stone do not affect him nearly as much as the strong rays of daylight streaming down upon him and all else in the cavern.
The rock troll's limbs stiffen and he quickly freezes in place, his body turning to stone before your eyes.
After the ceiling falls, she almost cheers, despite the freshly fallen dirt in her hair, but then she sees Ahto fall.
Her jaw drops and she rushes to his side. As he fades into unconsciousness, her magic will reduce his size to his normal shape.
"Ahto! Ahto!" She calls out as she comes to kneel at his side. It is clear that she nervously moves her hand over his body in worry, and in doing so, feels and sees no severe wounds from her perspective.
His body, enlarged by her spell, had blocked her sight from the extent of the damage he had taken, and she herself was so focused on the roof she hadn't even seen the final strike. Within the seconds there though, a massive pool of blood now spreads from his chest onto the cave floor. She attempts to roll the king onto his back so they can all see the damage done and address it.
Stayven strides quickly over to Ahto, pulling a vial from his hip pouch as he does so.
He flicks it once before cocking back the inquisitor’s head and pouring the solution down Ahto’s throat.
Katrine freezes for a moment, not expecting the troll to turn to stone. Sure, Faerin told them that sunlight would petrify a rock troll, but they were underground! She hadn't thought that exposing the troll to sunlight was an option. Clearly Pelipe was understating her skills with architecture if she managed to find a weak spot and break it open so quickly.
Shaking off the shock, the ranger pulls a pale wooden wand out of her belt, but Stayven got to Ahto with a potion first. "Faerin, do you have any healing spells prepared, or should we go with the wand?"
Pelipe manages to get Ahto over at least on his side, despite her weakened state. There, she can see the massive gashes in his chest. Regardless, her hands become bloody as she seeks to help him hold his wounds closed until a healer can come. She has no idea about the capabilities or inventory of her newer companions. When the potion is quickly poured down his throat and he sputters to consciousness, she sighs with relief and gives a thankful look to those who intended to heal him and to those who did so.
She says nothing, but she prays to Abadar with a look of intensity. Voicelessly she prays as Ahto does. Her eyes are closed. It is a look of pain and yet joy on her face as she internally dialogues with the God of Keys. A moment later, magic surges from Ahto and her eyes flicker open. He looks healthy. Another sigh of relief escapes her lips. Wordless, she will attempt to help him to his feet (there is no strength in her to actually help).
Once he's up, the vicious rending and blood dripping from his kingly armor hardly seem befitting the restored lord, so she takes a moment to fumble through her spellbook. It can almost seem like she's trying to avoid the sight, but after a moment, she is done. She casts a spell that cleans him (a prestidigitation spell), then mends his armor and clothing (mending). It would not take a genius to notice that as she is mending Ahto's clothing that she enjoys being close to him, however, to the newest members of their party, nothing is or has been solid between them relationship-wise, as if she is not allowed to say and/or do what she wants in regards to her affection of him. This care is her compromise.
Then, anyone else with dirt from the ceiling or torn clothing from either their travels or combat itself will find her tending to them.
Shaking off the shock, the ranger pulls a pale wooden wand out of her belt, but Stayven got to Ahto with a potion first. "Faerin, do you have any healing spells prepared, or should we go with the wand?"
"I don't unfortunately, but it looks as if Lord Ahto is quite adept at healing, himself. Though I do have a wand as well should it be needed." Faerin says, producing a slender willow wand of her own, and speaking a word to activate its magic, her wounds rapidly closing up.
"That tactic to collapse the ceiling was as unexpected as it was brilliant, Pelipe!" she says to the mage, noting the tender care with which she tends to the restored warrior's armor and clothing.
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"Yes," Ahto replies, giving a small smile to Pelipe that touches his eyes and radiates genuine affection and appreciation for her. "You stopped that troll from tearing me limb from limb. I am most grateful."
He turns to Stayven and gives him a respectful nod. Thank you for your quick administration of the healing potion. My life's blood was moments away from covering the cavern floor."
He looks to Katrine and Faerin. "My thanks to you both, and to Storm as well. You exhibited exemplary courage in a moment when matters could have gone very wrong."
"We have you to thank just as much, standing and taking the brunt of their brutality. I can see why you have inspired such a loyal following." the druidess replies.
The fresh air from the sudden skylight in the larder cavern makes the air marginally more tolerable. The decaying carcasses of both beasts and humanoids kept here by the now-slain trolls means that it is a good idea to remove Lord Ahto to cleaner quarters as his injuries are tended.
It is just as well because the rock troll kept no valuables upon himself, and neither did the trolls keep anything but vile food stocks in that cavern.
The throne room of the late and ill-fated King Hargulka, on the other hand, holds more potential. The troll king apparently kept a tight fist upon his gang's plunder, and you suspect it is kept in the locked chest situated beside the wagon he used as his bed.
There is also the matter of the large hide map tacked upon the wall. The fact that your town of Horace is one of the locations marked upon the map is quite worrying.
Stayven takes a look at the chest before nodding, "Let's see if I can't take a crack at this."
He produces his lockpicks and with a minute or so of effort, he pops it open, revealing the small fortune within.
As he stands up from his work and takes a slight bow he spies the map, "Goodness that's...concerning. It seems they've been carrying out attacks on civilized parts of the Stolen Lands. Curious though, they've been avoiding anywhere that the fey live. I've never known trolls to discriminate in their targets."
"Which means that they either fear the Fey, or are allied with them." Faerin says with a disturbed expression, turning to study the map.
He nods, "Either possibility is a distressing one."
With the look of gratitude from Ahto, she eases some. To Faerin, she nods in thanks.
"You all did well. Thanks to your information, he's now stone."
"Perhaps we can search the place and then get word to Horace that we are okay and to send forces here?"
As they begin to loot the place, Pelipe admires the jade pendant. If no one stops her, she will take that for her use of jewelry. The gemstones she also has an affinity for, but nothing really else.
When they will come across the map, she will translate in giant if no one else does. She then will nod in agreement with the other's assessment.
"It's like we are at war, but indirectly. I've never seen it handled like this. Are we then to assume that any random attack on our people is part of this decisive plan to wipe out all but the fey?"
She would then explain to Faerin how Queen Nyrssa had shown up in Horace and basically showed her hand in all of this.
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"It could be this is happening without Nyrissa's direct knowledge," Ahto surmises. "Remember the fae creature that returned with us from dealing with the hags indicated a desire to impress her? The same happened with the fae creatures causing the storm over the lake. I believe it very likely that there are some fae who would prefer her rulership to ours, and seek to ingratiate themselves to her by making her usurpation easier."
He pauses a moment, then adds. "That is not to say that she didn't order it. It's very possible she did. This is the sort of thing that would sow discord between the mortal and fae citizenry by fostering a sense of distrust in one's neighbors. I believe we need to be alert for acts of violence between fae and mortals, and when they happen, we must make sure that the investigation and trial process be as public and forthright as we can possibly make it. We cannot afford to leave any room for rumor and speculation to find purchase, as I have no doubt, any gossip will only foster greater division. We may also need to encourage the fae we know to be loyal to a united Tamlyn to speak out against support for Nyrissa whenever possible."
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He looks to Katrine and Faerin. "My thanks to you both, and to Storm as well. You exhibited exemplary courage in a moment when matters could have gone very wrong."
Katrine smiles at him, happy that Ahto thought to include Storm in his thanks. "I'm just glad we all lived to enjoy our victory. You really need to invest in some better armor, Ahto."
Next she looks over at Pelipe. "Great job with the ceiling! I was surprised, I hadn't thought it possible to break through to the outside in so little time. And, ah, would you mind using your cleanup spell on Storm?" The wolfdog's face and chest fluff are soaked in troll blood, the latter drying into stiff reddish-brown spikes. "Giving him a bath with his winter coat is, uh, challenging."
"It could be this is happening without Nyrissa's direct knowledge," Ahto surmises. "Remember the fae creature that returned with us from dealing with the hags indicated a desire to impress her? The same happened with the fae creatures causing the storm over the lake. I believe it very likely that there are some fae who would prefer her rulership to ours, and seek to ingratiate themselves to her by making her usurpation easier."
He pauses a moment, then adds. "That is not to say that she didn't order it. It's very possible she did. This is the sort of thing that would sow discord between the mortal and fae citizenry by fostering a sense of distrust in one's neighbors. I believe we need to be alert for acts of violence between fae and mortals, and when they happen, we must make sure that the investigation and trial process be as public and forthright as we can possibly make it. We cannot afford to leave any room for rumor and speculation to find purchase, as I have no doubt, any gossip will only foster greater division. We may also need to encourage the fae we know to be loyal to a united Tamlyn to speak out against support for Nyrissa whenever possible."
Nyrissa again. Katrine sighs. She really needs to make the time to practice battle tactics against fey. Maybe some of the more martially inclined First Citizens could be persuaded to spar when they return to Horace. "Yay, more politics. Just what we needed."
"Of course," she answers Katrine and quickly cleans up the notoriously dirty dog. To be fair, they have traversed though quite the wilds. "I was fairly sure that the roof was not structurally sound when I glanced at it. I grew up going into caves a lot. My father dealt significantly with dwarves and structural integrity of mines to ensure wealth kept coming out of the mountains. I never thought my studies in stoneworking and engineering would save our lives." She isn't being boastful, but quite honestly as surprised as the rest of them.
To Ahto, she nods in agreement:
"Yes, you're probably right. It is possible she's not directly behind it given the evidence we've seen. She just has some seriously fanatical followers. They don't doubt her power. I think to get them to stand with us, we need to show you as someone who can stand against her. If we can successfully do that, wound her pride so to say, many who would be troublemakers and who have feared her viciousness, might find refuge under your rule." She then grins weakly and adds, "We will all have your back...as best we can."
She will then encourage the others to take some rest. She will go about using her magic to clean the foulness from the most disgusting parts of the keep and will then regroup.
Listening to Pelipe's account of this Queen Nyrssa and her actions toward the burgeoning kingdom of Horace, as well as the potential actions of some other fae in the region, gives her a bit of a better idea of the tense political issues incurred by different factions here in the Stolen Lands.
Between issues with the feay, the fey presence within Horace, and the attempt at forming a troll nation, seemingly with some form of alliance with fey elements makes for a very delicate, ever changing environment for those living in the region...much like an ecosystem.
"Based on the map, does it look like there are other troll strongholds, or was this their center?"
On approach to the trolls' stronghold - Faerin by ground, and the rest of the party by air - the only troll you spotted on the exterior was the one in the watchtower, which was quickly dispatched before even entering the stronghold.
The places marked on the map seem to be caverns and other temporary campsites used by the trolls' hunting and raiding parties while ranging afield from their central lair in this old dwarf hold. They don't seem to have anything else as defensible as this out in the wilds of the Greenbelt.
Of course, even if they don't have any more strongholds out there, there may still be roaming bands of trolls out on the hunt that have no idea their leader and kin have been dispatched.
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"We should leave an unmistakable message for any stragglers. One that makes it clear what will happen if they persist," Ahto says to the group. "A simple message in giant, placed with a display of the severed head of their leader, and the shattered pieces of their stone troll champion would be my recommendation. Are there any other thoughts on the matter?"
"Yes," she adds to Ahto's suggestion. "Perhaps we can also employ the aid of our friend Munguk to keep watch over it while we are away. When relief comes, as I'm sure you wouldn't want such a building to go to waste, then he can go about his way or maybe take part in aiding those around here in good faith?"
Painting a warning in troll blood would be fairly easy with a branch working like a giant paintbrush. She would leave the placement of any heads to someone else. She isn't even sure at this point she can lift one. Pelipe truly looks pale in the face, but she is enduring the best she can.
"I am thinking this was their center. They might be properly scattered now," she answers. "What do you think? Something like, 'Hargulka is dead. Any trolls still acting against citizens of Tamlyn will be hunted down and brought to justice like your king was.'?" She almost seems like she's trying her darndest, but is only cutely morbid in her attempts to be vicious in the note-writing conception process. This is not her realm of expertise.
"The head of their leader and shattered body of one of their toughest would definitely send the message. Trolls, like most giants respect strength and brutality." Faerin says, nodding in approval of the plan to send the remaining troll factions a clear message.
Stayven shrugs, ”That feels a bit…absolute. Without their leader, the trolls will scatter, yes, but it is a missed opportunity to hunt them down when we could seek to make allies of them. I know they are destructive and wild, but so are the fey at times. Tamlyn has extended a hand of partnership to the fey since they preceded us on this land. The trolls are in the same position. Write something like, well, the grammar must be simplified to what a troll could understand so, ’King Ahto kill your boss King Hargulka and smash his stone friend. King Ahto your boss now. Do what he say, or he smash-kill you too.”
Pelipe gives a little giggle at Stayven's suggestion and looks to Ahto for his decision. She will write in a more giant/troll-like style of writing if that is indeed how the common troll would read (if they can). Perhaps they can consult Munguk on the matter?
Faerin gives Stayven an incredulous look.
"What have you seen so far that gives you any impression that trolls can be reasoned with? Did something pass between you and the two-headed troll, or the troll king that the rest of us missed?" Faerin asks pointedly. "The only things trolls ever show any kindness to is their own young....everything else, everyONE else, is food, or did the decaying carcasses of both beasts and humanoids in their larder not make that clear?"
He shakes his head, "Nothing has passed between us. I have no love for their wanton savagery, but I've also dealt with them in the past. They are cowed by shows of strength, and are sufficiently mighty that they might be a truly formidable resource for our kingdom. Besides,
He pauses for a moment, trying to articulate his thoughts, "We seek to build a kingdom in these wild and trackless lands. I understand the desire to annhilate that which might pose a threat, but for my part, I believe a kingdom's duty is to uplift it's people. The trolls, for their part, may have been conditioned to be wild and savage by this wild and savage land, but that does not mean they are like that inherently. We can kill them all if that is the will of the rest of you, but I find myself ill at ease with the thought that Tamlyn's policy will be to kill first and ask questions later."
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Katrine lets out an aggrieved sigh, exchanging a look with Faerin. How in the worlds do these people even survive? Spirits save me from city folk. "Our responsibility is to the people of Tamlyn, and these trolls pose a clear and present danger. We would be remiss in our duties if we let them keep preying on our citizens. Sure, the trolls might say they'll behave, but I guarantee that the minute they think we aren't watching, they'll go back to their old ways. One of the ways I made a living before meeting Ahto and the others was mercenary work. This is not the first time I've encountered trolls who eat people."
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"The trolls, if there are indeed any left of this troop, have been warned," Ahto replies, gesturing to Pelipe's message. "If they choose not to heed this warning, and continue their marauding, they will share the fate of their compatriots. These trolls," he says, pointing at the corpses, "were found with proof of their crimes, and their sentences were justly carried out. However, any trolls not present cannot be assumed to be part of this band. That being said, we would be remiss if we did not warn our citizens, both mortal and fae, of the possible presence of trolls in the area, to be cautious and watchful, and to notify us immediately if they witness any trolls engaging in violence against any sentient being within our borders."
Pelipe will nod and leave the message as best she can. It will be a compromise between her own style and Stayven's desired style. It didn't matter, as the message they were truly sending was the dead bodies.
When finished, she stands up tall and voices her desire:
"Perhaps we can rest? We've all been through quite the ordeal."
In truth, she is physically, mentally, and emotionally strained. Seeing Ahto fall did not do wonders on her sanity and the rest of the night, she will be quite close to him. While all friendly, to the veterans of the group, this was no secret, but to the newcomers, she clearly likes him. One or both of them just must have not made a move yet.
"And before we leave, we should deal with the bodies. Despite...how gross it is...it will only get worse. It will let them be at rest." She knew that Ahto understood what that meant. These people were viciously torn apart. Who knew what evil could spring to life here? Zombies? Wraiths? A little bit of magic in this place lingering and who knew. This way, there would be less of a chance. "At least this way, I can first clean the bodies with my magic AND make them smell better...if you all carry."
She had already cleaned the walls some with her magic. This will be the final cleaning though. The one to make sure the keep is ready for people to arrive. If the others can help her, she will do her part casting the spells. Fortunately, outside of the rigors of combat, she is able to cast somewhat right without harming herself.
Either the watchtower or the barbican provide a suitable place to rest. The dwarf-crafted walls are more comforting than the rough-hewn natural stone of the deeper caverns. These points also provide very defensible vantage points - with access to fresh air - to watch the outside approach to the rocky hillside.
By contrast, the foul larder where you fought the rock troll, now still as a statue, provides a place to set up a pyre for both the slain trolls and the bodies of their victims left to fester. The opening in the cavern ceiling that you broke open, spelling the rock troll's doom, will also provide an outlet for the smoke.
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As the bodies are policed into separate pyres, one for the victims of the trolls, the other for the trolls themselves, Ahto takes a moment to note as many descriptive features of the victims as possible.
”We should make an effort to notify their families,” he says. As the pyre catches, he reverently asks ”May whatever gods they served claim their souls from the Spire, and May the Grey Lady justly judge them.”
Pelipe will quickly extinguish the freshly lit portion of the pyre upon hearing Ahto.
"Sorry..."
"I am not an expert in divination magic...but if I take some fresh or even dried blood from each of them...I may be able to conjure at least their names. It will take some study over our next travel days, but at least I have vials for the blood. Then, once we have their family name, that should narrow it down significantly."
If he permits her, she will take her dagger and flake off some dried blood from within the wounds into her vials. She will nod to Ahto to proceed with the burning when she is done collecting.
That is somewhere she does not want to be; not as it roars to life with char and nastiness. She will be up on the barbican, sitting on the cool stone, and resting. Her body is exhausted. Her mind is still capable to study what can be done with these samples though, and so she will go about it. This will take a deep delve into her arcane teachings.
Stayven nods and sighs, "While I favor my own logic, I see all of yours as well."
Taking another look at the map made by the trolls, you notice one other item that sticks out. The trolls noted potential targets like isolated farmsteads affiliated with Tamlyn, river crossings your people make use of, and popular hunting spots for some of your woodsmen.
However, they also noted a spot some 36 miles southeast from Horace, located on the northern side of the Little Sellen River. A crudely drawn emblem of some kind of beast's head is marked there, along with brief reminders in the trollish dialect of giant to stay away from the "feathered death."