We were hoping we could trade a little information. Dangerous and hard place out here, as it is, only the very hardest and wiliest people travel here, eh?
The ragged figures appear to be statues as they calmly observe Gallak's speech. Two of them take out what look to be pieces of dried meat and calmly munch on them.
"Kragg, can you call 'em back. It's pretty obvious the other group doesn't want to talk."
Joan still has her bow ready to snap up at a moment's notice, but she's starting to grow just a little impatient.
There were giants ahead after all.
Aye, Joan.
Kragg hoists his pack and unstrings his bow as he makes ready to continue the trek to the ice caves. Hopefully this journey will meet with better success and not with stubborn idiots who don't know what's best for them.
Joan waits for Kib and Gallack to get back before replacing the arrow in her quiver and shouldering her bow.
The snort of laughter at Kragg's nicknames for the two decided to come out then and there rather than wait around.
Kib looks back at his party at the sound of Kragg's holler, then looks again at the strangers and shrugs his narrow shoulders. He begins to turn around to head back but stops as an idea occurs to him. Calling up some of his simplest magic, Kib conjours a colourful display in the sky above himself, while also creating a crude map of the way behind. His intention is to create something fun and pleasing to the eye, while also hopefully conveying the idea of exchanging information. He allows the display to remain for a couple of minutes, then lets it fade away and waits a few ticks for a response.
If there is still no visible, favourable response, he'll shrug again and begin tromping back to his friends. He does though look back over his shoulder every few seconds.
The figures point back the way you came and nod their head.
They then point pack the way you are headed and shake their head vigorously.
As you head back to your friends and begin to continue, you notice the follow behind at approximately a half mile distance. You also notice they are talking amongst themselves. Joan and Magnum point out the group now numbers one less than it did previously.
As you are marching along, Magnum explains he wrote a song for someone a long time ago. He plays a ballad on his mandolin. The tune is quite eery, has a great beat for marching, and seems somehow appropriate given the snow banks and the light fog beginning to form as you march toward the sea. He shows Gallak how to beat the main rhythm part on a drum he pulls from his pack. Magnum manages to keep part of the rhythm with his thumb hitting the wood on the mandolin.
The figures point back the way you came and nod their head.
They then point pack the way you are headed and shake their head vigorously.
As you head back to your friends and begin to continue, you notice the fur clad group follows behind at approximately a half mile distance. You also notice they are talking amongst themselves. Joan and Magnum point out the group now numbers one less than it did previously.
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As you are marching along, Magnum explains he wrote a song for someone a long time ago. He plays a ballad on his mandolin. The tune is quite haunting, has a great beat for marching, and seems somehow appropriate given the snow banks and the light fog beginning to form as you march toward the sea. There is a martial part that must be dwarven with lyrics that include:
Hollowed out to fit their swords
And a cross held aloft
Bury me in armour
When I'm dead and hit the ground
A love back home, it unfolds
And if you love me, won't you let me know?
I don't want to be a soldier
Who the captain of some sinking ship
Would stow, far below.
So if you love me, why d'you let me go?
He shows Gallak how to beat the main rhythm part on a drum he pulls from his pack. Magnum manages to keep part of the rhythm with his thumb hitting the wood on the mandolin.
After an awkward glance at Joan, it becomes obvious who the song was originally written for.
Joan sees Magnum glance at her out of the corner of her eye. She had forgotten he had written her that song. She kept walking to the sea, keeping an eye out for an ambush or giants, but her thoughts kept bringing back what happened in the past.
Little late to be having regrets... isn't it?
Interesting song choice there Magnum. Not bad beat either to keep us moving at a brisk pace. The sooner we get there the sooner we can rest and have a decent way to travel hopefully. .
Perception
Kragg noticed the fact that Magnum glanced at Joan but is oblivious to what it means. Kragg has other issues to deal with, mainly how to get the ice ships without anyone dying or alerting too many giants.
Upon observing the other's reactions, Kib continues the illusion, this time putting somewhat faded images of frost giants over area representing the way ahead.
Later on when he sees the group following, he tries falling back a bit, to see if they will let him get any closer this time. He also calls out to Hon this time, saying "Hey, gasey man, yer pretty good with unnerstandin' foreign tongues, ain't ya? Why don't ye see if ye kin unnerstand what these folks be sayin, or at least help them unnderstand us"
Kragg continues marching forward only stopping for meals and for sleep at night. The trek is cold, harsh and dangerous, yet that is no reason for them to turn back or choose some other less difficult or less beneficial task.
The dwarves continue to push on, and as they do, the ragged humanoids continue to follow along, mostly paralleling your path. Two of them light what look to be long sticks that give of a dark smoke.
As you stop for the afternoon meal, the shambling figures settle down and make a hasty camp too.
"We're about to get ambushed."
Joan looks out to the camp that the figures had made and tries to avoid gritting her teeth in frustration.
"Any ideas on how to avoid a repeat of the mines?"
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"Ambushers tend to not like you to be aware of them until it is too late. This may be a matter of being right for the wrong reasons. Regardless, we have an audience for what is further down this path we tread. I just hope they," Hooking his thumb back towards the Snowpeople, "cheer for our side or at least wait long enough for our bodies to cool off before looting." Hon rolls out his generic map, sets his ink well close to the fire to warm up. Clapping his hands together, "Ah where are we? Where were these folks coming from? When did the last merchant to visit this place? Follow the money."
Scribbling minor notes on the map, Hon is lost in thought. Wracking his brain for incidental bits of trivia for the region, fragments of overheard conversation in the markets, glad-handing all those people into shallow yet sometimes revealing introductions there had to be some reference to this region.
"True, but we don't know when or where the ambush will occur, and you don't light torches that make a lot of thick black smoke out here. That's asking for trouble."
Joan took a bite out of the piece of jerky in her hand and chewed thoughtfully.
As Magnum has the group quickly backtrack after lunch to the tracks of the your shadows, he attempts to identify them.
Magnum says, "Looks like these are some badass gnolls, probably well equipped."
"Great. Definitely a signal for an ambush."
Joan moves up next to Magnum and confirms what he said.
"Well, do we try and turn the tables, or do we find another route?"
As for what to do differently this time, simple we stick together at all times. Khazad and myself up front. Magnum/Hon and Joan/Bigmug on opposite flanks with Hon between them. Nar and Gallak protecting our rear. This way everyone has a partner to watch their back and Kib is in the middle to throw spells around. This is marching order at least. We keep traveling until we cant go much further because of the dark or until we find a defensible position to make camp. No sense letting us get flanked while we sleep.if we can help it. Speaking of night watches make sure we set out a few dummy fires if we need to. Provide some light farther out and hopefully confuse them into revealing themselves. Then again this may all be for not naught as they are just following us to see what happens. The smoke sticks are alarming but we shall just have to see what happens.
Kib if you plan on going to look with Hon take khazad and Nar with you as well. Don't take any chances and head back immediately if not positive answer. We will be waiting to move out when you come back.
"Aye, I am willing to go. I'll let you do the talking though, I am just there to make sure you get back in one piece."
The talking group (Kib and co) begins to approach the 11 gnolls as they trudge along. The gnolls stop and make a loose semicircle open to your approach.
Magnum speaks to Joan, but in a loud enough voice for all that remain to hear:
"Gnoll slaves are a favorite of giants, you know."
The talking group (Kib and co) begins to approach the 11 gnolls as they trudge along. The gnolls stop and make a loose semicircle open to your approach.
Magnum speaks to Joan, but in a loud enough voice for all that remain to hear:
"Gnoll slaves are a favorite of giants 'round here, you know."
It turns out Joan did know.
"Yeah, and that smokestick still has me thinking this is an ambush."
Joan pulls out her bow and notches an arrow.
"I'm not likin' the looks of this if it comes to a fight."
"Stay close to me Liulfr. This could get ugly quick."
She says to the wolf that had somehow chosen her as its master.
Hearing Joan, Kragg can't help but add, The hard part is knowing when and where the ambush is happening. We all know it is going to happen, just need to figure that out next is all.
Hearing his companions, Kib calls back over his shoulder, annoyed "Ack ye blasted fools! Are ye forgettin already that they tried ta warn us Not ta come this way! If we go makin enemies Everywhere we go soon won't be any point comin' out of our holes."
Continuing on Kib approachs close enough that his illusions can be easily seen. This timr he elects to put on a more elaborate show. Watching the gnolls very carefully he first enacts a scenario of evil looking giants enslaving and mistreating gnoll slaves. Then he has a group of dwarves, looking very much like he and his companions, charge in, free the gnolls and together the two groups defeat and kill all the giants. Afterwards they all celabrate around the fire, clearly all friends and allies.
If at any point they seem to be getting overly upset or aggressive he stops.
As the illusion plays out, the gnolls seem quite interested, and mostly wait for the illusion to continue, but then realize it is over.
One of the gnolls points to your group and then points close to directly west
One of the gnolls steps forward. He then holds up a single, long finger and uses hit other hand to mimic a humanoid figure walking over the extended finger.
He then takes a show of taking his fat thumb and repeatedly rubbing it against his lower three digits on the same hand.
"What's all that about?"
Joan looks on in puzzlement as the gnoll continues his game of charades.
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"I suspect we've clansmen in the west or we are being directed west. This is probably gnoll-claimed territory. We might have to pay tribute to pass or perhaps they are offering escort westward through possible hostile gnoll territory. I am still compensating for a lifetime underground, I love Sir Halfpint's map but I've no clue as to politics or geography."
Squiching up his face and hacking up a lung or what sounds like it, Hon tries out what appears to be halting gutteral nonsense.
Your guess is as good as mine. Hopefully our guys know what they are doing.
Gallak casts comprehend languages and uses his hand to mime speaking, then starts to move towards the group so he's within earshot. He keeps one hand on his axe, though.
The multiracial charades become easier once Gallak casts his magic.
The gnolls', speech is now understood by the dwarf:
"You are on our land crossing into our territory under your banner. We require payment."
The bannerman looks sheepishly at his banner when the words are explained to him. "Should I roll up and stow the standard?" The dwarf looks like he would be lost without the banner in his hand.
"Ah, now this is refreshing. Honest robbery."
She gives the others a grin at her little joke, hoping that she wasn't the only one that got it.
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Snapping his fingers,"Ha that works soooo much better! I say, if we've the funds, we raise the stakes a bit more and get ourselves a guide/escort. I really hate multiple hands dipping into my money pouch.Maybe I could pick up a few phrases of Gnoll.
Hon unrolls his generic map, "Could you outline the extent of gnoll territory, so we don't tresspass again?"
"Get them to point out the giant's favored stomping grounds too. The less chance we have of being caught unawares, the better."
Looking askance in some annoyance as Gallak steals his thunder with a simple spell, Kib nevertheless pays close attention to the negotiations. He leaves the bargaining though to Kragg.
"Get them to point out the giant's favored stomping grounds too. The less chance we have of being caught unawares, the better."
Kib, keep up the spell, they still can't understand US. We'll need to ask what the toll is, and if they can spare a guide for hire.
Arching an eyebrow at Gallak and then harumphing, Kib turns back to the gnolls and continues the illusion to create a huge pouch in the air and then has three gold coins coming out of it and falling into the palm of gnoll who had done most of the speaking thus far.
One of the gnolls consumes a magic potion and looks carefully at Kib and the others with him. He explains to the others in a language only Gallak can understand:
They speak of a witch, Gallak translates for the group, hoping that Kib kept message active so the rest can hear him.
That one says we radiate magic. I suppose we do, heh. They may not like that. Or they might.
Joan thinks for a minute.
"A witch like spell, cauldrons, and children-eatin' witch, or a witch like a mage-ish type?"
The gnoll speaks: "You have serious magic. We want some. Weapons preferred."
Gallak reiterates as the Gnoll speaks.
This might cost more'n is worth it.