As the party approaches the gate two red-skinned guards, wearing gaudy oranges and reds and holding ornate polearms, hail the group in a fast-paced, flowing langauge. (T'Orca: they do NOT detect as evil.)
After an awkward moment passes and no one replies, the guards try a gravelly, earthy language.
With increasing frustration, the guards finally switch to Taldane. "State your business!"
The guards give each other a confused look as Senzo prattles on in several languages unknown to them. Once he reaches Common, they reply curtly: "State your business here, traveler."
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T'Orca steps forward and bows slightly.The half-Orc attempts to seem as unassuming as a divine aura and 7 foot body will allow. Hail, guardspeople. I am T'Orca. I am looking here for a group of travelers that got lost here sometime back. Are we the first foreigners you've seen lately or have you word of others?
The guards give each other another look. "Travelers sometimes come here... can't say when the last was. We'll let you in, but you must secure appropriate lodgings, respect Crystalcrag's curfew, and you musn't cause any trouble. Are we understood?"
With that, the guards call for the gate to be opened and wave you through.
Passing through the gate, the party finds itself in the midst of a quiet town square, and immense crystalline monument erected in the center. Local townsfolk, dressed typically in earthy tones and bearing a mostly humanoid form (save for a few crystal-like protrusions or an onyx-like sheen to the skin) pass slowly to and fro, many giving you respectfully shy and curious glances.
It is only a few minutes of taking in the sights before an aging figure, with hair-thin cracks spider-webbing his quartz-veined skin, approaches and addresses the party in strongly-accented Common. "GgggreeTings, trrravelerrrrs, and welcommmme To ourrrr hummmmmble seTTlemennnnnt. I ammmmm Eurdannn Stonnnemantle, the lllasT of Crrrrystalcrrrragggg's three councilorrrrrs. Willll you ddddo me the Honorrr of mmmmeeTinggg with mmmme in ppprivate?" He gestures towards one of the larger buildings facing the square.
"Therrre will be Timmmme forrr thaT. Wwill you commme?" He gestures again at the building.
Eurdan doesn't mind at all.
Eurdan leads the party into a large-ish building of stone bearing a simple inscription above the door, in Terran. He explains that this is Crystalcrag's Council House.
Inside is a cozy meeting room, and Eurdan invites everyone to make themselves at home. "As I mentionnned, I ammm Eurdannn STonemantle, one of three Councilorrrs of Crrrystalcrrrag. Orrr rrrather, the lasT. You see, you arrre noT the firrrsT foreignerrrs to arrrive rrrecenTly in our seTTlemenT. Sommme weeks ago, three nnnewcommmerrrs arrrived. I noTed theirrr strange commmmpass baddgges, like your ownnn. Theyyy arrre now the guests--buT almosT certainly the prrrisonnerrs--of ourrr efreeti rrrulerr, Tygora."
Eurdan goes on to explain that Crystalcrag--a very old settlement of oreads--has been under the stable but harsh rule of an efreeti, Tygora Cinderfury, for nearly a millennium. The arrival of the other group of foreigners--and their insightful questions particularly--became a minor rallying point for the oreads, and the newcomers vanished quite suddenly along with Eurdan's more vocal fellow-councilor named Glaheri. A year ago, the third and most outspoken councilor Koriath disappeared in a similar fashion after trying to win concessions for the other oreads.
To get your friends back, he says, you will need to contend with Tygora.
"I ammm surrre you have questionnns."
Eurdan ponders for a moment, which, being an oread, is a substantial period of time. "I do noT think so. She immprisonned your frrriends withouT cause, and will likely Try to do the sammme to you. I havvve no doubT thaT she alreadddy knows you arrre herrre."
After considering for a moment longer, Eurdan reveals his suspicion that Tygora is preparing for war against other geniekin settlements in the Zho, aiming to carve out a larger kingdom for herself. Trade has all but stopped, as Tygora has pushed Crystalcrag to become self-sufficient. Tygora recently decreed that all Crystalcrag businesses must contribute revenue (and inventory, where appropriate) to arm her ifrit soldiers. Meanwhile, Valsog's smithy has been producing prodigious quantities of arms and armor, all of which gets sent up to the castle above the town.
Fury's Hold, as it is called, is apparently formidable fortress. "I doubT thaT evennn you could frree yourrr friends on yourrr ownn. You will nnneed help. A loT of help."
Eurdan gazes at the battle-girded dwarf. "Therrre arre those in Crystalcrrrag who mighT be willing to help. Though we orrreads are a peacable rrace, Tygora's rule is harrrsh. Defiance and rrrebellion are noT uncommmmon thoughTs. Annnd I wish to see Glaheri againnn."
He also explains that the prisoners are undoubtedly held within the walls of Fury's Hold.
Eurdan stands and gazes out the window at the monument in the square's center. "I... I wwwould like to help you. Too long havvve we beenn unnnderrr Tygora's heavy yoke, a yoke thaT she now drrives to warrr. BuT I musT supporrt my people, as their chosennn leaderr, annd I do noT know that ann uprising will succeed. Manny may die. And Tygora's soldiers, though takennn from us at birth, arrre ourrr sons and daughterrrs." The aged oread shakes his head and turns back to the group. "Morak, an alchemist, has defied the orrrder to send supplies to Tygora's arrrmy and inspirrred others to do so as wellll. Mannny a disgrrruntled commment can be hearrrd at the Fifth Facet, a popularrr tavernn. And then there is Valsog, the slag gianT Tygorrra has in thrrrall, and his smithy."
Eurdan also offers to let you stay here, at the Council House, during your visit.
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"sounds like we're gonna trade favors for blood and bodies. That's more my speed. Smith first I say!"
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"sounds like we're gonna trade favors for blood and bodies. That's more my speed. Smith first I say!"
Hang on, there, friend Senzo. If the smith is in thrall, do we have the means to break whatever mind mojo this villain has him held in? Maybe the alchemist first is the better bet--let 'im know we've got a strike team ready to hit the head, and 'e can start the rubmlin's from underneath, if you follow my meaning.
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"look Hack. Here's the thing...."
Senzo takes a deep breath like he's going to explain something to a young dwarfling.
"I am deeply familiar with my skills. And my skills tells me to listen to you. Alchemist it is."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Stonemantle bids you fare well, and reminds you that while you is willing to risk his life to offer you hospitality and simple aid, he is not convinced that he should use his influence with the other oreads to support an uprising. Nevertheless, you can find him at the Council House if you have need of advice.
Heading to the alchemist shop ("The Everburning Flame") via Eurdan's directions brings you to a wood-and-stone set of structures that sits on a busy street corner, red and orange paint brightening its exterior. A sign depicting colorful vials and a beaker hangs above the door.
In the courtyard of the compound is something of a scene. An oread stands on the stoop, protesting loudly as two armed ifrits douse the shop in oil.
Other oreads walk hurriedly away, eyes averted.
Seeing you approach, one of the ifrits steps in your direction. "Halt! Keep your distance do not think to interfere in the queen's justice!"
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"im here to protect Morak... right?"
Aye. So say we all, Sparky <--hah! see what I did there??
Harnac readies his axe, and beckons to Morak to get behind the warrior-types. He addresses the oil-wielding enforcers. There'll be no burnin' here today. If torchin' a shop is the "queen's" justice, I SPIT UPON IT!! You two candlewicks can go jump in a lake.
One of the ifrits points in your direction, a look of terrible rage on his face. "You shall not thwart mighty Tygora's will!"
The other simply curses under his breath in Ignan. "Foreigners." (Pronounced "fur'ners.")
Initiative!
Quick on their feet, the ifrits initiate the brawl. One does a bit of dynamic stretching before sending a cone of flame from his hand, engulfing part of the shop, as well as T'Orca, Orryn, and Stellah.
The other flexes his own muscles and wades into melee with Senzo. The punch is hasty, and snaps well short of its target.
Unfortunately, that's exactly when the oil-soaked building first catches fire, the fire snaking quickly to light one of the oil-soaked areas .
Party is up!
Init Re-Order: Round I
Baddies: fire and miss
Orryn: CURRENT
T'Orca:
Senzo:
Skybek:
(Fire)
Harnac:
Step Up (BH)
Step Up, Enforcer (BH used)
Orryn charges one ifrit, taking wing and awing the onlookers who have begun to cautiously draw near...but his lance gets knocked out of the way by Stellah's enormous flapping wing.
T'Orca is up!
Round I Update
Baddies: fire and miss
Orryn@40/48hp (Stellah@19/27hp): flying wheeling spirited charge (miss)
T'Orca@41/49hp: CURRENT
Senzo:
Skybek:
(Fire)
Harnac:
Orr-ellah ducks most of the fire before charging into the fray.
Round I Update
Baddies: fire and miss
Orryn@44/48hp (Stellah@123/27hp): flying wheeling spirited charge (miss)
T'Orca@41/49hp: CURRENT Reflex save!
Senzo:
Skybek:
(Fire)
Harnac:
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Senzo's beard splits to expose his pearly whites. HE tries to take advantage of his opponent's stance and drives his instep towards the ifrit's inner thigh. He then comes back landing in leading with a right sideward elbow to the temple and continues to flurry with a right crosshand shuto to the side of the neck:
Confirmations:
Doh, not likely.
Finally he slides a bit closer to the fire to try to save the shop.
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"SKYBEK!! Ye got a water spell prepared to douse that flame??"
"Ahh may nae be a fireman, but Aye, yer gonnae get plenty o' water. Just because Ahh worship Cayden Cailean daesnae mean that Ahh'm gonnae douse the flames in ale!"
Round 1
Skybek takes a five foot step north and then casts create water sending a downpour of ten gallons of rain over the northernmost firery area.
"All Ahh can say is that yae better stop those fiery beasties frae burnin mae beard while Ahh'm castin mae spell."
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ROUND 1
Harnac sidles up to protect Skybek, and take advantage of Senzo's assault and advance.
Don't ye worry, Spellslinger. This durned fool was polite enuff to bring hisself to me axe!
He then calls out to the monk. Those were some nice moves! Now lemme show ye MINE!! And Hack lets loose with a truly Dwarven battle roar as his double axe almost blurs with ferocity.
SUCCESS
The ifrit dodges Senzo's kick but the elbow and shuto are solid. Skybek's spell drowns one chunk of the fire, but the rest rages on...
...and begins to spread. The oread shouting in the doorway hustles over to try to save his shop, but he'll need help.
Hack follows up Senzo's blows with a pair of his own, leaving one ifrit bloodied but still in fighting condition.
In reply, he throws a devastating strike at Senzo, hoping to knock him out of the fight. HIT Senzo staggers under the blow...
He then slides over to Hack, throwing a spinning backfist at the warrior's stout head. MISS Blind strikes are not the most effective...
The other ifrit flanks Hack and unleashes his own knockout blow. The punch clangs harmlessly off the dwarf's armor.
Party is up!
Round II
Baddies: fire and miss
Orryn@44/48hp: CURRENT
(T'Orca@45/49hp: delay)
Senzo@58/63hp:
Skybek:
(Fire)
Harnac:
Step Up (BH) 40
Step Up, Enforcer (BH used) 0
Senzo retains consciousness!
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Round 2
Skybek defensively casts create water once again. He aims for the northeastern most square of fire.
He then takes a five foot step north to start moving around and away from the ifrits.
"Aye, this is worse than hangin aboot at the campfire burnin mae stick o'meat. At least naebody is singin songs!"