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By the way, boys, does anyone know how to take care of flowers? I fear that my black thumb will not save this flower that I found... I had never seen anything like it, but I didn't want to risk having the storm bury it...
Konnar indicates a 1' diameter block of frozen earth, dug up, placed neatly next to Konnar's pack. In the center is a rare looking flower...
Konnar presents a flower for everyone to see. Each petal is oval shaped, pointed at the top, wide in the middle and tapers gradually to the base. Full and symmetrical, the petals are as smooth as silk sheets and curved just so that the outside edges are a little elevated above the middle. The back sides of the petals are a solid dark purple. The font sides are a deep violet at the tips, and then the color fades from the violet to a soft lavender and then finally to white at the base of the bloom.
I have not seen a flower like this, perhaps it is a blessing for our journey?
Maybe we should bring it along as a token of luck.[dice=Knowledge Nature]1d20+4
You recognize it as a Snowbloom, a valuable flower that only blooms in the middle of a blizzard. It is not magical.
Checking the Goblins restraints as it has become routine for Gryne.
[dice=Perception]1d20+8
Alright Goblins, who wants to help clear a path?
Almost all the goblins raise both hands and yell out "Nah meee!" however one of the gobbies is a second too short "Nah---fishbuckets" Itch proceeds to dig out the snow with the others pointing and laughing.
A few hours after breaking camp the way grows easier. Further south the snow has melted somewhat and the land becomes more hospitable. Around mid-day you make it to Harvest's End. The village of Harvest’s End is a quiet place. Traveling merchants in colorful garb are easily distinguished from the locals, who dress in woolen clothes of drab browns, greens, and grays. There are no sounds of laughter or play here. Fishermen put their catch out for display, while others congregate in small groups and whispered conversations. Smoke rises from the chimneys of uniform but well-constructed buildings, most of which are surrounded by small white picket fences.
I wonder what's going on here? Konnar looks around, Everyone looks like somebody died...
Perception: 1d20+4
Not really, Perception or Knowledge (Local) would work.
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We don't want to be noticed here, at least as much as we can with a half-dozen Goblins in tow, so lets try to keep to ourselves and get across the river.
Belegorn turns to the Goblins.
Now you are going to need to be on your best behavior for this. We have been nice to you so far, it would be nice if you returned the favor.
We don't want to be noticed here, at least as much as we can with a half-dozen Goblins in tow, so lets try to keep to ourselves and get across the river.
Belegorn turns to the Goblins.
Now you are going to need to be on your best behavior for this. We have been nice to you so far, it would be nice if you returned the favor.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+3
They burst out laughing at you, scratch shushes the others and says "Of courses, we's always bees on bestest's behave-ure" He turns away from you as he finishes talking, stifling a giggle which causes the others to break out in the giggles as well. They all start shushing each other and try to look at you without laughing.
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Itchy, you insult my brother after he helped save your lives. Next time he may not put himself in harm's way for such disrespectful goblins.
Mind your manners or our mission ends with the highest bidder.
Addressing Belegorn;
It is a difficult mission for us as we test our discipline against a species that has harassed our kind for generations. We may need to rely more on our patience then our magic.
Besides, think of how gratifying it will be to hand them off to another group.
With a slap on the back and a snorting laugh, Gryne hopes his words give Belegorn a bit of comfort.
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The map gave me the impression that Harvest’s End is the only way across the river for some distance. They must have a bridge or boats or something here. I’m not a big fan of swimming; we should probably explore what options this town has. Goblins are not that out of place in this area, so I vote we keep together. We might miss an opportunity for getting across if we need to go fetch them outside the town.
Strat bends down near Itcy, whispering to him. "Hmm, now I wonder what kind of mischief 6 little goblins could be planning. Want to tell Uncle Strat about it?"
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+2
They quiet down and subconsciously move closer together "nuffing..." they quietly mumble.
Sorry for the confusion, it seems that I didn't include the reason for actually going to Harvest's End. It is one of the obscure, out of the way villages that has a ferry crossing. The rimeflow river flows wide and deep in most places, carrying icemelt from the winterwall glacier to the north. As you continue to explore the small village of Harvest's End you see the ferry on the other side of town, along with a Troll sitting in a large chair in front of it. He has blue skin similar to that of your goblin friends. He looks to be naked save for a loincloth and a large bear pelt that he wears around him like a cloak. Sitting next to his chair is a very large Axe that seems to be made of ice.
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Belegorn returns from speaking with a local merchant.
Ok everyone, gather round.
It seems this Troll is in good with the Jadwiga, so we don’t want him finding out what we are up to, and we don’t want to draw unneeded attention to ourselves by, say, taking off his head, as that would probably get back to the Jadwiga in short order. Not to mention that this insignificant town might suddenly have some more significant problems if that happened. Erastil is not a fan of actions that threaten the livelihood of simple folk.
I get the feeling that this Troll, whose name is Rimetusk by the way, thinks himself to be more important than he actually is. Let’s give him his ‘due’ respect and perhaps we can convince him that we are but weary travelers that need to cross the river. Fextor, you’re a good talker, how about you take the lead and the rest of us can support your story in our own way. Nothing fancy, we just want a simple, believable story that will get us passage to the other side. Oh, and don’t be afraid to throw in a little Gold bonus if it comes to that.
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Well, how does 30 Gold sound? That’ll be only 5 from each of us but should be enough to make a difference to a Troll in the middle of nowhere. We could increase it to 60 Gold maybe, but we don't want to appear too desperate.
Trolls don’t take too kindly to being manipulated by magic. How about we hold on to that idea as something to try if the first two tries don’t work?
You all approach Rimetusk and Fextor steps forward and very eloquently asks if Rimetusk will let them past, citing several reasons to do so. Everyone speaks up to offer other reasons and Fextor plays on this, summarizing the jumble of information into a cohesive message. Please let us past.
Rimetusk looks bored as you finish talking. He sticks his hand into a little wooden crate on his left from which he pulls out a squeeling piglet which he then pops into his mouth, the squealing abruptly stops as he chomps down on it, the sickening crunching sound of the pigs bones being crushed thoroughly unsettles you. He finishes his snack with a large drink from a cask on his right next to the Axe.
In a deep, guttural voice he says "Rimetusk in charge here, you want cross, you pay. First, I never seen you before. Who you."
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Konnar, can't you see this troll is smarter than the average troll?
interrupting Konnar and addressing the troll.
We're under orders from the Irrisen Witches, we have to get these goblins to your Lady and with all haste and expedience. This is a mission of top urgency and she said she would reward you for helping us. It's a cooperative mission between Cheliax and your lady, I work for the Chelish Diplomatic Corps.
Fextor produces his papers showing his affiliation to Cheliax.
You want to be rewarded for serving your Lady and helping out the Chelish people, don't you?
She did say that you may be reluctant so she authorized us to give you 17 gold now. 2 each for the humans, dwarves and elf and 1 each for the goblins and myself seeing as we're smaller.
"So maybe you is who you say you is, I no conflicting with the jadwiga." He waves you onto the ferry and immediately stops you after you take a step like he's forgotten something "Remember now, If you be bads I hunt you down and eat your hearts." He then allows you to pass unmolested.