Jakun casts Fly upon himself while invisible then proceeds to head 30' straight up.
"What noise?!" the lead dwarf demanded of Caitlyn as they all looked wildly around again.
She is a good catechist
Now invisible and 30' in the air, Jakun speaks.
"Good Dwarves. We two are part of a caravan of refugees which have escaped the clutches of the so called "Dragonarmies". These armies serve the ancient Goddess of Evil, Takhisis.
Somehow, we know not how, Dragons have returned. Yes the same Dragons of Legend that filled the skies with fire, lighting, and ice. They have begun to subjugate the human and elven races. Haven and Solace have been invaded by evil humans, Goblins, and Dragon Men - burned to the ground. Qualinesti has fallen, the elves forced out of their ancient ancestral home by these mythic beasts and their Highlord the one called Verminaard.
We seek succor for these refugees, we also seek allies against this threat. The Wizards have turned us down. The elves have opted for retreat. Now you dwarves, stout of mind and with hearts of courage, we beseech you to aid us. For if you do not, who will?
Give these refugees shelter in your mountains or at least in your caves. Let us meet with your leaders to discuss what to do next. For with all of this evil comes hope. Revered Daughter Mariel Uth Kaldar has discovered the Disks of Mishakal and with them, she has returned True Healing into the world.
Takhisis has returned but so has the Platinum Dragon, the mighty Paladine.
We must act swiftly before this hope is lost...
What say you Dwarves?!"
Caitlyn sighed slightly, she didn't trust magic at all and being so close to something that could could whisk a Minotaur up into the air like that made her uncomfortable. She also got the impression that Jackun was showing off an enjoying this immensely. Somewhat plainly she added, "Yeah that's more or less the size of it. The dragons are terrifying by the way..." She shivered involuntarily before addressing the closest Dwarf, "Now you've heard the news offered for free, I'd like to propose a small trade. My name for yours."
The dwarves listened to Jakun with obviously incomplete comprehension.
"Show voice!" the leader said. "No talk with hides!"
Jakun will end his invisibility but remain in the air, "Take us to your leaders or ask them to meet with the caravan on the road friend dwarves. We wish aid from you".
Thistletorp waves hi, as he steps from the bushes.
The dwarves train their crossbows on Jakun when he fades into view, then start and swing them all to Thistletorp when he emerges from the bushes. They did a good bit of silent fuming, but finally subsided.
"No funny words. No hiding. You come."
The dwarves waited for compliance, then set out into the falling snow. A few led the trio of Companions, but most walked to the sides or behind. They didn't keep their crossbows trained on their charges, but at least a few watched closely every step of the way down a circuitous path that stretched out for half an hour before ending in a small village of wooden cabins tucked into a narrow valley.
Many dwarves milled about the village. All stopped what they were doing and stared at the new arrivals. Within a few moments, an older dwarf with an elaborately braided beard adorned with small gold and silver rings emerged from one of the larger buildings. He moved with a dignified, purposeful air and took in Thistletorp, Jakun, Caitlyn, Jakun, and then Jakun again with deliberation.
He exchanged rapid-fire words with the dwarf who led the three to the village than waved him off.
"You're here," he said in careful Abanasinian, keeping his features neutral. "Zirkan can't speak your language worth two damns. Feet soft as an elf and brains a goblin wouldn't keep. He didn't understand half what you said, but turns out you have an army. What's it doing in my mountains? If you're with the dragon, best speak up now."
|
Mittens continues to watch the people train as he paces around his mind on the matters around him. He doesn't understand all the talking action is his preferred method of dealing with stuff. he nods approvingly at a couple of boys. this humans are small and slightly weak but the learn quickly they could be followers of the bison god easyly.
"An army of refugees", corrects Caitlyn her voice catching with sorrow, "The dragon armies raised our homes, killing and enslaving. They then invaded the elven lands where many had sought refuge. Now there's nowhere else for those people to go but to follow the forlorn hope your cousins under the mountain will open the gates of Thorbardin."
"An army of refugees", corrects Caitlyn her voice catching with sorrow, "The dragon armies raised our homes, killing and enslaving. They then invaded the elven lands where many had sought refuge. Now there's nowhere else for those people to go but to follow the forlorn hope your cousins under the mountain will open the gates of Thorbardin."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+13
"Is that it, then?" the dwarf gave Caitlyn a measuring look. "We've seen that dragon and its goblins, orcs, the rest of the trash. It's all the old days come again, but too damned many for us to kill. They come near here, we'll be off somewhere else they'll never find. Our ancestors, they put down dragons but we were many then."
"Don't go looking for help at Thorbardin. Duncan Dwarfkiller let his own kin starve and die outside the gates and laughed the whole while. He feasted with his fanes, told us to eat our young. Between the two of 'em, I'd trust the dragon more. At least it'll kill you clean."
"It seems my flowery speech of before was for naught then. I am Jakun, this is Caitlyn and Thistle.
Indeed, the Dragonarmies have avoided you, for now. Eventually though they will come south. You believe they will never find you? I find that unlikely. Evil humans have aligned with them, there are no Evil dwarves that dwell in your caves? The derro I believe they are called. Yes?
The Dark Queen will not rest until her boot is on the throat of any who would not pay her homage or at least allegiance, you and yours will be treated no differently.
Come with us now. Aid us and we shall aid you. Do not wait for them to hunt you down, move and fight on your own terms, not theirs. Perhaps we can find the elves and add their numbers to ours. Strength must be met with strength. Divided they shall pick us all off. Together at least there is a chance.
The Gods of Light have returned, perhaps there will be those among you who hear the call and can become True Healers like the Revered Daughter of Paladine who journeys with us.
Tell me, Skullcap in the Plains of Dust. There are rumors that magic within that place could open the Gates of Thorbardin, what do you know of these rumors? Perhaps if this Duncan Dwarfkiller will not bargain, we can force the issue..."
"Truth be told, Zirkan ain't one for talking in our language either. That one got the quench before the last of the hammering. Good heart and soft steps, though."
"For them dragons...ain't enough of us to fight 'em. They come here, we'll go hide. Ain't no caves for it, though. That's all done with us, all these years. There's a valley we got. Were just me, I'd come. But we got young and ain't every one of us meant to put a hammer through a skull, whatever our reputation."
The dwarf thought it over. "But don't go back saying Stenkast got cut from the same stone as Dwarfkiller, may his hammer drop every time. Your people need food? There's a hive of them giant bees down west of here. We go in for mead sometimes, right about this time of year. It'll fill you up good. Bet your kender -I seen you there, ain't no one lost nothing around here or needs it being held- could go in and out of there easy as falling over. Might need help carrying it all."
"Now safety...that's harder. Zirkan says there's miles and miles of you. None of our places would do for, even if we had them or food to spare with winter coming on us. There's a valley with hot springs not too far off. This time of year it's all fog and it'll be hot enough to swear your boots through. Should get your people out of sight for a good while."
"Down on the far end there's a ruin. Used to be Thorbardin, but it's broken up and there's no dwarves in it now. Tunnels that connected with the rest of the kingdom are long gone. We checked. Just Aghar in it now. They're pests I wouldn't mind seeing gone, but shouldn't make no trouble themselves. Good hunting and fishing there too."
"Skullcap's a damned far walk, middle of the Battle Plain and all. Damned black robe blew himself to Abyss and took ten clans with him." Stenkast eyed Jakun's red robes and amended, "Meaning no offense to your calling, but that one needed killing almost as much as Dwarfkiler."
"I heard stories there's some kind of key in to the gates in there. Could be magic. Ain't none of us here every had much to do with that not since that damned..you know when. If you try, good luck and gods' mercy on you. Never heard anyone go inside that place that came back."
Jakun extends a hand/forearm to Stenkast, "You are the first of those we sought aid from to actually aid us. I know not many dwarves but if more were like you this world would be a better place. Know that you shall always have a friend in me.
Should any of your Clan wish to come with us we will take them and safeguard them as best we can. If you are forced to flee, head south and try to find us, together will we find strength friend Stenkast.
As for the blackrobe that destroyed himself in the Dwarfgate Wars, I could not agree more. That particular black hearted villain I hope will stay dead...
Is there anything else you can think of Thistle or Caitlyn?"
Jakun extends a hand/forearm to Stenkast, "You are the first of those we sought aid from to actually aid us. I know not many dwarves but if more were like you this world would be a better place. Know that you shall always have a friend in me.
Should any of your Clan wish to come with us we will take them and safeguard them as best we can. If you are forced to flee, head south and try to find us, together will we find strength friend Stenkast.
As for the blackrobe that destroyed himself in the Dwarfgate Wars, I could not agree more. That particular black hearted villain I hope will stay dead...
Is there anything else you can think of Thistle or Caitlyn?"
Stenkast gave Jakun a firm clasp, hard as any minotaur would.
"We'll keep that in mind if the time comes."
"Pretty much covers it thanks Jackun." replied Caitlyn before turning to Stenkast and adding, "Thank you ever so much for the information about the honey and the valley with hot springs. That'll save so many live I simply don't know how to thank you. If there's anything we can ever do for you..."
"Pretty much covers it thanks Jackun." replied Caitlyn before turning to Stenkast and adding, "Thank you ever so much for the information about the honey and the valley with hot springs. That'll save so many live I simply don't know how to thank you. If there's anything we can ever do for you..."
"See to your people and it's even," Stenkast said, grinning.
Jakun will let Caitlyn take the lead on the trek back "Thistle stay close just in case.
It is a shame that none wish to stand united. The Dark Queen may well spread her wings about the world enveloping us all one small bite sized piece at a time..."
Jakun will let Caitlyn take the lead on the trek back "Thistle stay close just in case.
It is a shame that none wish to stand united. The Dark Queen may well spread her wings about the world enveloping us all one small bite sized piece at a time..."
Jakun, Thistletorp, and Caitlyn return to the refugees without trouble.
As they approached she told Jackun and Thistle, "We must call the council, so they may hear the news. I'd like to think they'll be pleased but I have a niggling feeling nothing will please some of them."
Once they are among the host she sends out runners.
The Council assembled in due course, though it took the better part of an hour before Seeker Locar and Master Sudor deigned to appear. They arrived strolling casually and making loud small talk.
"Now what't this all about? Locar said, ostentatiously bored. "Have you found a new way to blunder?"
"You kept us waiting very long," Briar said, voice cold. "That is not how we should treat one another."
"We had other affairs to see to," Sudor said.
"You're here now," Brooke said, sliding between them. "Our rescuers have news we should hear."
The Revered Daughter enters and has a seat at the table.
Proud of what they'd found, Caitlyn told the council, "Members of the council, for once we have some good news. Jackun and I encountered a group of Hill Dwarves while Thistle watched from the shadows. We, well Jackun mostly, conversed with their leader Stenkast. He told us the location of a valley near by filled with hot springs not too far off. This time of year it's all fog and will be good for hiding even from flying spies. He also told us the location of a hive of giant bees where there'll be plenty of honey. Nobody needs to freeze to death tonight, and once we've got that honey nobody will go hungry either. He also told us an area where there's good hunting and fishing."
This is indeed most welcome news! Thanks be to the Gods of Light she says.
Jakun moves to stand near Mittens and whispers, "My friend, no matter what the fool monkeys do we must hold our tongues. The Plainsfolk will ally more closely with us if we reveal them for the fools but will drift farther away from us if we threaten that fool further..."
Thistletorp enters and takes up a few antics. juggling and generalkly making himself a fool to lighten the mood
The Council spent a remarkably brief period of time bickering. Brooke and Briar favored trusting in the dwarves from the start. Master Sudor made only a passing skeptical reference. Locar, of course, insisted this was all some trap. Within a few hours, the column was turned and started to the west. The Valley of Clouds proved as thick thick with them as the dwarves promised, to the point where they hung above like a soft carpet that blocked the gray sky and cast the whole place in a strange, diffuse light.
As they pass into the valley, scouts easily find the caves the dwarves promise that looked to host gigantic bees. Each has a small mound at its mouth and a distinct waxy smell, though the combs themselves aren't visible from the trail.
The Revered Daughter will do what she can to help people who are ill and sick while spending time teaching and preaching.
Go up and kick 'em in the pants. That's going to show how aggressive they are. :)
Jakun will use hiS invisibility magic to hide himself, Mittens, and Caitlyn to assist Thistle in retrieving more honey.
Caitlyn wasn't best pleased about being magicked, especially when Thistle told her it'd be fun like that time they'd accidentally ended up on the moon and found there was no air. Still she couldn't deny that not being spotted by the giant bees would be an advantage. Being stung by something so big sounded horrible.
Mittens, Caitlyn, Jakun, and Thistletorp went off to the hives. They returned at dusk, stung a few times but laden with the first load of captured honey. Night settled over the cloud-shrounded camp.
Autumn Harvest 30, Day 20 (Day 3 of 14 to Thorbardin, 18 miles from Pax Tharkas, Day 1 of 2 of free food in valley.)
The morning brought ten deaths from the toils of the refugees' travail so far, a mercifully small number after the previous night's heavy toll. It also brought glad tidings in the form of those inspired by Mariel and Mittens, twenty-two former Seeker adherents in all.
Conel and Suntear stayed up the whole night, pouring over the Disks of Mishakal with increasing excitement. The Companions found them in the morning with stars in their eyes.
Attrition
Base: 80%
yeah
Where do they die? 2 believers, 2 Free, 0 Plains, 4 Towns, 2 Seekers
Current standings:
Believers: 31
Free Folk: 46
Plainsfolk: 286
Townspeople: 172
Seekers: 235
Total 770
With losses:
Believers: 51
Free Folk: 44
Plainsfolk: 286
Townspeople: 168
Seekers: 211
Total 760
Instead of losing opinion today, since things are stable and you're temporarily safe, factions improve attitude by a step, excluding the Free Folk because of prior intimidation. Townspeople improve to Helpful. Believers are already there. Seekers hostile. Free & Plains unfriendly.
Converts! 1d8+cha mod for Divines per day.
That's 22 from the Seekers moved to believers. Included above.
New divines: Conel (Paladine) and Suntear (Mishakal) automatically.
no love.
nope
The Revered Daughter smiles as these new clerics have risen from among the ranks of the refugees.
My children, have the gods made themselves known to you?
Day 3
As the day dawns, Jakun wakes his companions to make yet another "food run". He does not bother Mariel with the task as hers is also very important, more adherents are needed to reach out to the Divine. Without elves, dwarves, or Wizards, Clerics are the only source of power that may exist to challenge the rise of the Dark Queen...
He grins at the thought of a Wizard as powerful as himself doing such mundane duty and for humans no less! Still, if his presence can turn the feelings of the common man towards his people and Wizards in general in a favorable light, it may be worth it in the long run.
The Revered Daughter smiles as these new clerics have risen from among the ranks of the refugees.
My children, have the gods made themselves known to you?
The two flocked around Mariel, babbling in ecstasy about Paladine and Mishakal. They didn't look like a pair who had missed a night's sleep.
The gods have a way of making themselves known to us. We shall have a ceremony and ordaination for you and your mission to spread the message of the gods
Caitlyn was pleased with the results of the raid, even if she did have to admit Jackun's magic had been remarkably effective... Of course all this was but a temporary respite, soon plans would have to be put in motion. Still perhaps things were turning for the better, for this very morning Mariel was organizing the ordination of a number of several clerics, a most welcome occurrence!
While that was happening, Caitlyn caught up with Jackun and told him with a certain amount of trepidation, "It occurs to me that dragging all these refugees to Skullcap is a fool's errand. Loads of them will die on the way, and there will be endless bickering. I wonder if we can find enough food that they'll be safe for a few weeks while a smaller group goes looking. We can cover so much more ground in a small group and if we could find some horses or other fast transport that would be doubly true. I have a sinking feeling that those hill dwarves are right and we're going to have to use whatever magic's left over to break the doors down. Well I say we, but I mean you..."
The gods have a way of making themselves known to us. We shall have a ceremony and ordaination for you and your mission to spread the message of the gods
They agreed with tremendous enthusiasm.
The Revere daughter makes preparations by asking for white robes and blue robes for the new initiates into the faith of the holy orders of the Stars. The ceremony will begin at noon with whoever wants to attend more than welcome to take place.
Hope noon the Revere daughter of Palatine emerges from one of the caves where she has been staying with a small procession of the young members of the church of the holy orders those were going to be ordained into the priesthood holler at the front of the procession while she is in the back.
When they arrive at the place they have been using for worship the Revere daughter before she is sentenced to a higher place Smiles at the new initiates. She thinks everyone who was in attendance at this joyous occasion.