Throne of Night PbP

Game Master Reckless

Mirrin keeps his own counsel as he goes about his work. You're not here to knock some brains inta him. Just keep the poor sod alive. No matter how many fool oaths he makes.

Donagh's hand lands heavily on Garnult's schoulder as he follows the paladin.

Well said he says as they walk onward

perhaps my headstrong cousin could have a thought about the honour in allowing a confirmed murderer, kidnapper and bandit to walk these tunnels again, free to attack yet more innocent travellers before making an oath 'binding us all' without consulationElmador thinks to himself.

"Garnult, cousin, not to belabour th' point but I believe ya word was, in a' fact, kept to th' letter. Brygga did show the thing justice - it be alive still don't it? Any o' us able to keep it from bleeding out?"
Elmador looks around at his companions questioningly.

An' while we're on th' subject Elmador turns to the gnome who has spoken and speaks to him in undercommon.

"I'm Elmador, well met..?", he leaves the sentence unfinished for a name. "Are any of you injured or need immediate aid? Your companion Ivy is safe an' well and will be joinin' us soon. Ya have her to thank fer tellin' us your situation. Do you have any ideas what that situation is? Fer example wh' th' spider is carryin' platinum coin with elven on it? Where or what is Vothys?"

Given tha' the' skis'raal has harmed th' gnomes should we not take it with us t'Fasturvalt to face judgement there? he asks the others.

Do you wish to continue on to Kladdenvalt or return with us to your home? You'll be hard pressed without ya wains he says to the older gnome.

I was under the assumption that the thing is dead. Cestus deal normal damage, this killed the creature.

Reckless said "knocks the thing out" I assumed unconscious. As you need to be -con to die

Skis'raal are neither undead nor constructs, so they don't die until neg Con. That one is likely still bleeding out and potentially able to be stabilized. After the chase time, etc. the first one is long gone.

The elder svirneblin looks on warily as the dwarves argue in a language he doesn't understand. When Elmador introduces himself (presumably in undercommon) he responds with a cautious smile. "I am Harvald Hands on the Wheel, and my companions are Jesper Word of The Shadow, Lucioun Plays With Worms, Karret Brings His Crossbow to A Wedding, Wendell Gives Good Hugs, and Fandell Tells Tales of Love." he introduces them in order from oldest to youngest.
As Elmador continues, he nods grimly about the question of the wounded state of his companions; his face grows soft at the mention of Ivy, but grows darker still at the question of elves and Vothys.

"Drow scum. Vothys is their capital. Poor Gunther" he chokes back a sob... finding it hard to continue. Finally he catches his composure "Gunther was the greatest gnome I've ever known. And these skis'raal scum slit his throat like they were opening a fish. And you say there's Drow coin involved? Sheriff Gunther was right, them bastards are up to something. Aye, we must return to Fasturvalt. Their so-called emissary is probably poisoning Lord Geimi's ears even now. Gunther couldn't convince him of their treachery before we left, but perhaps word of his death and any other proof we may find here could convince him."

In that case perhaps then stabilizing and having the creature confess its guilt might work to our advantage in outing the Drow scheme.

And leave us with a bitter prisoner dillema. That is unless the deep gnomes are allowed to enact their own justice.

Garnult's vow was that he would allow the creature to leave if it left the Deep Gnomes alone, he didn't vow not to see justice done, if the Gnomes tried the creature and found it guilty as a brigand then Garnult would hold the axe himself. Brygga's Code specifically talks about being a guardian of the deep roads, banditry goes against that.

Without a word Dain approaches the fallen creature and tries to determine if he can stop it from bleeding out. Not knowing much about Skis'raal, he does his best to apply normal dwarven methods of healing not really realizing that those might not work on such a strange critter. Heal check to stabilize: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Not the best of result, but at least, it was not on purpose "Briggya's will be done. If she wills it the creature shall live. If not..."

Leaving the sentence trailing unfinished, he looks around the perimeter making sure they are not missing anything important. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Donagh sees Dain trying to heal the creature and goes over to have a look. To his surprise the Skis'raal is still alive, although bleeding fast to its dead.

"Good Bryggya, please guide my hand in healing this creature to honour our vows"

He then tries to heal the creature

Heal, guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18

By the time Garnult gets back to the wagon his anger has simmered down and he begins to reflect on his actions.

It is not kingly to lose yourself thus. What would the great Dwarflord Hrovalt Tarnhammer have done. Probably not have given that creature license to leave....he would have challenged it to single combat. Your oath was given too freely, what would the Silent Sister do....she would have shown that creature either the way out or the swift death it truly deserved. Perhaps Mirrin was right in slaying the thing...but a vow...is honor.

By Brygga's steely eyes, what should I do.. Garnult mumbles to himself as he nears the wagon's light.

Donagh manages to stabilize the dying skis'raal.

After inspecting his weapon, mostly his priced blade for damage and ichor Grunyar looks to the others, smile and asks: "Well what now?"

Elmador turns to Grunyar and says"I think we need t' get this thing tied up an' onta th' wagon" gesturing at the Skis'Raal "we need t' be careful not t' open th' wounds though - don't wannit dead before it can face justice...unless the gnomes want to deal wi' it themselves. Nobody could blame 'em"

Elmador nods at the gnomes in turn and greets them by name. "Harvald, if'n you're seriously injured there are some 'ere us who can help you. Donagh, have you the means today? Dain?

Normally, we'd offer the worst off of you t' kip on the wagon but looks like we may need th' little space we 'ave to carry this murdering scum back to face judgement. It's harmed you the most though and you have the best idea of how it will play with this 'ambassador' if we bring one of their catspaws back to Fasturvalt - what do you want to do with it?

Did it, or it's partner, say aught interesting tha' you remember? Drow are tricky, conniving f+&+ers and we'll need all th' evidence we can to show this emissary for what they are. Elmador stops, takes a breath and steadies himself. Thinking of the drow destroying another community as they, he is convinced, destroyed Dammherhall, has him incensed.

We had a pause in posting and I completelly forgot that Dain had Stabilize orison. Not on purpose really, and Donagh did stabilize the creature so no harm done

I'm assuming Elmador's speaking undercommon with gnomes, otherwise I can not understand him

"Aye, I can still pray to Briggya for healing, if that'd be what you folk need. Who'd be hurt the most?" - Dain asks rather bluntly, happy that Elmador and the others are doing most of the talking.

Yeah, speaking undercommon with gnomes and dwarven to the party as Grunyar doesn't speak undercommon

"If any needs healing desperately I can ask for Bryggya's support.

Donagh grabs his holy symbol and tries to determine if anyone is in a really bad shape

"Ought to just slay the knife eared slavers and be done with the whole business." Mirrin mutters as he passes some food and water around to the surviving Svirfneblin.

In undercommon he says. "There's not much as it's meant to feed our bellies not yours. But I can't imagine they intended on keepin ye prisoner for long."

"They mostly talked about which one of us they were going to eat first." Harvald sighs, wincing a bit as he stretches his muscles.

The deep gnomes have been bitten each once or twice, and mostly suffer from poisoning. They could benefit from a channeling, but you likely don't have much more than skill to help them with the poison.

Now they're moving about, the more perceptive among you notice some potentially useful materials mixed in with the bones and litter.. a more thorough search may be required.

Harvald responds to what to do with the skis'raal "I'm no king, no sheriff even. Not my place to pass judgement. If it were, I'd have already slit the throat of that beasty just the way he did to Gunther. I suppose if you can keep it alive to Fasturvalt and force a confession, we may yet prove what Gunther predicted to the King, deaf to it as he was at the time."

Grunyar's interest for the gnomes at their justice wanes as he spots perhaps another hidden treasure among the litter. "What might this be?" he asks himself as he goes to investigate.

Donagh can't channel... :-(.

"What is what Grunyar" Donagh asks and then he is joining the rogue in his investigation of the material.

@GM Reckless - my above post stated that Dain tried to search for anything useful already, maybe you missed it?

Leaving the sentence trailing unfinished, he looks around the perimeter making sure they are not missing anything important. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

among the refuse, you find:

Gunther's badge of office, wedding ring (made of mithral and inscribed in gnomish "G&K forever), and his mw shortsword (small)

An Iron key with the gnomish letter "A" on it (none of the gnomes recognize this)

a bolt of fine silk (from the caravan but freely given as partial reward until you reach Fasturvalt for a proper reward,)

a variety of coins (mostly gnomish) total value 77gp

a masterwork greataxe(medium) carved with a stylized dwarven "D" (history DC10)

a barrel cracked and half-full of water and several sacks of edible mushrooms (from the caravan but freely given as partial reward until you reach Fasturvalt for a proper reward,)

other gear which is identified as belonging to the gnomes here who re-equip themselves unless obstructed.

Ivy steps forward as you're searching. She gives a smile to the rescued gnomes. Harvald frowns at her, while most of the rest see her and delight in her safety. Wendell rushes to her, wrapping her in a gnome-sized bear hug. "Off. Let offa me, Wendell. I'm glad ta see you alive too."

Knowledge/History): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 -2 for Meticulous drawback, +2 for Lorekeeper trait

Out of all the stuff found among the refuse, Dain's eyes light up when he sees a greataxe of obviously dwarven design. He picks it up and studies it for a few long moments.

Garnult keeps silent throughout the proceedings his eyes fixed upon the Skis'raal.

He pulls Mirrin and Dain aside when the moment allows.

Dain easily recognizes both the craftsmanship and the embossing; this greataxe was forged in one of the great forges of Dammerhall.

Elmador looks at his cousins and Dain conferring and grins thinking of them flexing their muscles over who is best suited to guard the injured spider.

"I'm headin' back t' tha wagon t' clear some space. See how Cuka is doin' too. Might'n see what that southern tunnel we passed has down it. Any o' you brawny ones wanna join me? How about you Ivy? Could do with eyes sharper'n mine too.

Elmador wants to ask Ivy about what the frown from Harvald was about.

Donagh studies the wedding ring for a while, noting that the material used is uncommon at best on the surface. He then returns the ring to Harvald

"Here, I think that Gunther's wife would like to receive it. Do you forge mithral items in Fasturvalt? I look forward to meeting your smiths."

Any o' you brawny ones wanna join me? How about you Ivy? Could do with eyes sharper'n mine too.

I'll walk with you Cousin.

As Garnult and Elmador walk to the place where the wagon was left Garnult asks his cousin a question.

What do you think of these Deep Gnomes? Will they be allies?

Elmador nods and smiles at hi cousin "be glad of the company" and takes a moment to think on the question.

"These few we helped 'ere for certain. It took some stones to head out in these 'ere tunnels, lookin' for help, knowin' tha' they would be watched at best an' mebbe attacked by the drow fer what they did. Takes a certain kind a person to do that I reckon. That kind don' go forgettin' who helped 'em out in a tight spot." He nods again at his cousin.

"I'm thinkin' though, that we might face some problems with this Lord Slowly. He's been tratin' with the drow an' I wanna know why, what sort of man takes in an emissary for those pointy-eared demons?!. Ivy didnae seem too keen on him either. Best tread carefully with him".

"In short cousin, I think these gnomes need our aid. Whether they realise it now or not I have a bad feeling about that drow. Others at Fasturvalt must feel the same as Gunther did. Aye, we'll have allies but we'll also need ta' watch our backs."

Elmador finished speaking and stares at the floor pondering his own words.

And you Garnult? How what's your feeling about our new travelling companions and our situation?

I think...they will not understand our Quest. I fear they will think of us only as helpful Surfacers and nothing else. Garnult shrugs and says Brygga shows. We will show them our honor and our resolve to restore the Dammerhall.

"I'm headin' back t' tha wagon t' clear some space. See how Cuka is doin' too. Might'n see what that southern tunnel we passed has down it. Any o' you brawny ones wanna join me? How about you Ivy? Could do with eyes sharper'n mine too.

"Aye, I kin join ye. Might be somethin stashed down there after all." Ivy pries herself loose from Wendell and the rest.

Donagh studies the wedding ring for a while, noting that the material used is uncommon at best on the surface. He then returns the ring to Harvald

"Here, I think that Gunther's wife would like to receive it. Do you forge mithral items in Fasturvalt? I look forward to meeting your smiths."

Harvald's eyes well up. "Thank you." he chokes down a sob. "Now, the rest of you lot, let's not slow our rescuers down any. No complaints, stretch yer limbs and let's get ready to go home." he says to the other deep gnomes. He returns his gaze to Donagh "We have a few smiths that can craft the stuff, but it's pretty rare. No, the pride of our little village is the marble. Such fine stone as you'd never see on the surface. Our sculptors and masons are the finest in all of Azathyr."

Perception Checks:

In the southern cave, Ivy discovers a secret door in the back of the cave.

Elmador looks around seeing nothing at all of interest and then notices Ivy peering intently at the wall and running her fingers along it.
"Ah Ivy, ye beauty! Keen eyes indeed! What have ye found there?" He beams at her shuffling over to where she stands.

Lettin the older dwarves walk away Grunyar rejoices in the discoveries. He eyes follow the wedding band Donagh passes it along but he shruges and thinks, perhaps it is worth more this way? They do treat others with some kindness. He then returns to the rest. When the gnomes shake their heads as he holds up the key, he quickly stores it in a pocket, Ye never knows what it might open, he contemplates. As for the rest it is nice but only the axe and provisions seem useful at the moment.

He hands Donagh the sword to. "Do you think she would want this to?" he asks:

Donagh's eyes light up at the mention of even a few smiths that can work mithral. "I would be most honoured to see the craftmanship of your fellow gnomes, be it marble or mithral."

He then nods at Grunyar's suggestion to return the short sword to the gnomes. "She probably does, or one of the other gnomes might find a use for it"

He looks at Dain and moves over to his friend
"Can I have a look at that battleaxe, it looks finely crafted."

Loosing interest in the gnomes wishes and wants Grunyar follows Donagh to Dain. While axes are not for him any dwarf can appreciate a finely crafted one. Looking closely over Donagh's shoulder, he points, "Is that a setting for a gem?" he asks.

He looks at Dain and moves over to his friend

"Can I have a look at that battleaxe, it looks finely crafted."

Looking closely over Donagh's shoulder, he points, "Is that a setting for a gem?" he asks.

"Sure is a fine craftmanship. I may know not much 'bout craftin' a weapon, but this beauty 'ere was forged in one of the great forges of Dammerhall." - Dain looks completelly blissful at this moment, as he carefully passes the greataxe to Donagh.

"Aye Grunyar, a fine eye you got. It sure looks like a gem setting" - still beaming with happiness over his find, he proclaims - "'Tis a good sign, it sure is. Sons of Dammerhall are returnin' to these forgotten lands. An omen from Briggya, at the start of our undertaking! A good omen, fer sure!"

Mirrin grumbles to himself as he sets to the task of tying up the unconscious spider creature taking the time to gag it with the smelliest sock in the dwarves possession.

Ivy examines the secret door to insure that it is safe, then activates the catch, swinging the door open to reveal a pantry-sized cache chamber. The chamber seems empty, with scrape marks on the floor, and disturbed dust forming rings indicating the abscence of the barrels once stored here.

Perception

Elmador spots a vial which seems to have rolled into the corner of the cache chamber, partly covered by a dust bunny.

I had to google what a dust bunny was in a full on 'Gazebo' moment!.

Survival check to see how long ago the room was disturbed/barrels were moved: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Elmador scans the room taking in the scrapes, the circles in the dust and eyes eventually fastening on a vial in the corner. He walks over to it and picks it up turning it over in his hands and eventually taking the lid off it to have a sniff.

Donagh is reverently looking at the axe, lost in awe that he holds a masterfully crafted item from Dammerhall

"Bryggya be praised! If only I could work in the smithy where this fine axe was crafted!"

"I think we would also be pleased if you could work in such a smithy," Grunyar says grinning at the excited priest. In a more serious tone he asks: "Would it be possible to set a stone in the weapon and could such a weapon be blessed?"

Donagh smiles

"Sure, if I would have access to the proper tools and had some time available I could set the stone myself. Setting the stone itself is not that difficult. The act of asking Bryggya to bless the weapon is the difficult part. She only blesses when asked by one who is truly worthy and represents her in every way. I am afraid I am not entirely there yet. Although it is my main aspiration to be one who is worthy to represent her beneath the mountain.

"But you will be some day?" Grunyar asks while silently contemplating What good is their goddess if she doesn't help her faithful no matter how lowly they might be?