I will be one day Grunyar, her help comes when you least expect it. She helps those who help themselves. She is not the Deity of weak-willed elves, that rely on their gods to help them. She is a Dwarven Deity, and we have to prove that we are worthy of her.
"Aye, Donagh my brother! Truer words were rarely spoken in these depths for a long time. Grunyar, what do you take Briggya for? A personal godess, at the back and call of ev'ry drunken longbeard from here to the moon and back? Leave that to the wimpy elves - you know the dwarven ways of yore. If you prove yourself worthy, then and only then can ya hope to enjoy her gifts. Show your steel and strength you shall find where you least expect it!"
"Now...shall we go finally and lead these gnomes back home? Elmador, Mirrin, Garnult - have you finished?!"
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As Elmador uncorks the vial, the air is filled with an unusually pungent smell, deep and earthy, with a hint of garlic. Ivy's face contorts into a mixture of anger, disgust, and fear. "Gnome's bane." she whispers between clenched teeth.
Elmador (survival ) notices that there is sufficient evidence that there have been many medium sized humanoids in the cache recently- removing a pretty good sized store of goods from the looks of it- sometime in the last week or so.
Ivy explains the gnome's bane "One o the filthy drow's 'gifts' to our world- if any but a svirfneblin drinks it, they become resistant to our magics. But to us it is a slow and painful death in liquid form. Destroy that foul concoction or I'll part my way wid you." she stands, hands on hips, bottom lip in fullness of pout.
Cousin, show this young gnome what the Dwarves think about poisons and the sneaky black elves that use them.
Garnult turns away and begins walking to the cart, rejoining the others and preparing to head to Fasturvalt. Let us make haste. The Drow are already ahead of us.
"Aye Cousin, especially a poison such as this. Ivy, I'll destroy it, o'course, this...this is monstrous, a concoction that kills, and at the same time aids the killer."
Elmador pours the stuff on the floor but keeps the tiniest dribble at the bottom of the vial. "Is this amount enough ta harm ye or anyone else Ivy? he asks.
"If not then I'll keep it to show to Slowly as further proof that something awful is 'appening. If it is, then I'll smash the vial right here, right now. Someone came through here recently and if there was more o' this bane then..."
Elmador awaits Ivy's answer and either pockets the vial or smashes it depending on her reply.
"let's get back to the wagon. We have to move quickly"
As the others return Grunyar looks up from the spoils of war he was once again going through in the hopes of an undiscovered treasure. "There ye are, where did ye go?" he asks.
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Ivy frowns, clearly reluctant to let even a drop of the stuff remain, but catching Elmador's reasoning. Still frowning, she says. "Ye have a point. But I'm na sure how much is a dangerous amount. If ye keep it, keep it well."
She and the other gnomes are as ready to hit he trail again as they ever will be. In fact, when told about the gnome's bane, Harvald curses, more certain than ever that Gunther was right about the drow, and pushes for haste.
As the party travels Garnult tells stories of older times and the legends that made up his childhood.
Once, long ago the Dwarven Runelord Xyrin found the first mithril and used it to fashion a spearpoint with which to slay the Nightstalker a being so hideous and evil words fail to describe it...
Being his usual self, tight-lipped and reclusive, Dain travells lost in his thoughts. He enjoys the story told by Garnult, although he heard it probably a hundred times before. Somehow this familiarity with the story and the events which unfold in it, help him find his inner peace in these trying times. They have barely started in the underworld when they run afoul of darkskinned elves and their trickery. Too many expeditions to reclaim Dammerhall have failed - they were not allowed another failure. Bryggya's will be done - we will Show our steel
While not paying particular attention Grunyar is please by the storytelling it brings some sort of comfort on their hasty travel. He can't help fiddling with the key thinking what it might open.
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You travel for a few more days. Somewhere along the line, Harvald overhears Elmador refer to the gnomish lord as 'Lord Slowly" and has this to say.
"I would recommend against developing Knivy Ivy's habit of calling Lord Geirni Speaks the Truth but Slowly as 'Lord Slowly', my dwarven friend. Especisally if you wish to have him listen to what you have to say. Ivy is not popular with many of my kinsmen, and Lord Geirni least of all."
Soon, you reach a crossways with a sign written in gnomish which indicates 5 ½ days east and north to Fasturvalt. 9 days west to Kladdenvalt and 32 days east to Vondehammer.
" Another five days to home." Harvald sighs. Nearby, there is a rustling sound as something moves....
Garnult overhears Harvald's counsel and agrees Aye, lets not antagonize. We need allies to restore the Dammerhall.
Later on...
Hearing sounds Garnult calls out Who is there. Make yourselves known.
Drawing his axe Mirrin motions the others to stay silent as he creeps forward to investigate the noise.
Stealth
Perception
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Donagh Initiative
Elmador Initiative
Fandall Initiative
Garnult Initiative
Grunyar Initiative
Harvald Initiative
Ivy Initiative
Jesper Initiative
Kerret Initiative
Lucioun Initiative
Mirrin Initiative
Wendell Initiative
Wrex Initiative
Darkmantle #1 Initiative
Darkmantle #2 Initiative
Darkmantle #3 Initiative
Darkmantle #4 Initiative
Darkmantle #5 Initiative
Initiatives:
Group One: Donagh, Elmador, Fandall, Garnult, Grunyar,Ivy, Mirrin
Enemies: Darkmantle #3, #5
Group Two: Kerret, Wrex
Enemies(2) Darkmantle #1, #2, #4
Group Three: Dain, Harvald, Jesper, Lucioun, Wendell
Map: Darkmantle clutch
A clutch of darkmantles has moved into the cave system and they smell lunch!
Know dungeoneering on darkmantles.
"Cover the entrance! Cut them down as they come through adn don't let them get a hold of ye!"
Mirrin Moves to M11 and readies an action to smack the first squid that trie to cross K10.
Aye! Garnult says in reply to his cousin as he steps forward to block the cave exit with his longaxe ready.
Donagh touches his holy symbol and mutters some divine phrases. Bryggya's blessing washes over all allies. Donagh then draws his crossbow
At bit unsure about what is to happen next Grunyar moves to Garnult's side. This is properly a very bad idea, the young dwarf contemplates as he is unsure of what they are facing.
Attack
Damage
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Ivy moves behind Mirrin and shoots her crossbow into the room at Darkmantle #1.
for
Fandall, behind the wagon, draws and loads his crossbow.
Darkmantle #3 moves forward to attack and gets a couple of weapons slashed at it, bringing it down before it can attack.
Darkmantle #5 moves (-J9-K10 Apply any AoOs you get if you have reach that reaches J9) and attacks Grunyar.
slam for and Grab the tentacles flop against Grunyar, hurting him slightly but finding no purchase.
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Wrex moves slick up from behind the wagon. Kerret, behind the wagon, draws and loads his crossbow.
Darkmantle #4 moves forward (-K8-K9) and attacks Grunyar.
for and grab Grunyar this time is grappled by the dark, squid-like monstrosity.
Darkmantle #2 flies up over your heads (-J9-K9-K10-K11 but within reach of your weapons, so AoOs from Garnult, Mirrin) and attacks Garnult if it survives the trip.
misses.
Darkmantle #1 flies up over your heads (-J8-K9-L10-M10 but within reach of your weapons, so AoOs from Garnult, Mirrin) and attacks Mirrin if it survives the trip.
also misses.
Group 3 up, updated map
and that will cycle us back to group 1 once Dain makes his move. (the gnomes will be preparing their crossbows; they're not all as quick/ready as Ivy.)
EDIT: also, I seemed to have skipped Elmador's round 1 action.
Attack on Darkmantle 2
Attack on Darkmantle 1
Attack on Darkmantle 5
On Garnult's turn he will shout Brygga! drop his longaxe and draw his Heavy Pick and attack whichever Darkmantle is still nearby
Darkmantle 5: Can't reach.
Darkmantle 4: damage damage
Darkmantle 2: damage damage
Darkmantle 1: damage damage
Have 4 AoO's but that's all the valid targets I got.
Moving quickly between Elmador and Ivy, Dain readies his weapon and brings it down to one of the creatures.
Elmador after feeling fairly inept in his last battle has prepared burning hands and snowball every day since. "See how you like a taste of this!" he says moving out L13 and casting snowball at Darkmantle #5
fort save or staggered for 1 round
"I'll watch my tongue Harvald, thanks for the warning. Why isn't Ivy too well liked, I saw you frown at her as she entered the cavern when we first met"
Asks Ivy the same thing about the look Harvald gave her.
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Adjusting for Grunyar's actual stated position, the AoOs on 1, 2, and 5 knock them out of the air.
Then I applied Dain and Garnult's attack to #4, the last remaining Darkmantle, and it too is ko'd.
Grunyar was only hit by #4 for 1 damage, as the guardians killed #5 before it could attack.
The gnomes stand in awe of your prowess.
Elmador:
Harvald "She's got a bit of a rebellious streak to her, and doesn't fit in too well with polite company. For instance, her nickname for the King. Did I frown? Huh. Guess I didn't like that she hid while my friend's throat was being sliced by the skis'raal."
Ivy "Eh, he's got a stick up his arse about something. Probably the money he lost ta me playing the bones."
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Mirrin picks up one of the chopped up bodies.
"Good eating on these. Not poisonous, jes tough 'n rubbery."
Freeing himself from the Darkmantle's deadly embrace Grunyar check the many bruises he recieved assuring himself nothing is wrong. He looks to the others, "Thanks for the help, I almost had it right where I wanted," he says smiling. Then takes a piece of cloth to wipe his blade. "I wonder what might be in here?" he asks himself peaking into the cave the Darkmantles came from.
The prisoner. Garnult states realizing that Mirrin is standing beside him. Garnult goes to check on the Skis'raal
A tiny bit disappointed Grunyar turns his back to the cave. "Nothing here neither dead or alive," he proclaims and returns to the wagon and their leader. "Impressive," he says with a hint of respect in his voice nodding back towards the now dead Darkmantles before he prepares to continue.
Donagh packs his crossbow again and nods at Grunyar. "Impressive indeed"
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After a few more days' journey, including a shortcut through the narrow passage called "The Needle's Eye" where you had to unhitch the mules, disassemble the wagon, and squeeze it to force it through (taking about an hour to do so) you finally arrive at the Svirfneblin town of Fasturvalt.
The town is a masterwork of crafted marble. The light from inside the building plays off several waterfalls, and reveal the caps of expansive mushroom gardens.
Harvald's face lights up, as do the faces of the rest of the Svirfneblin travellers, with the exception of Ivy's.
Ivy whispers to Elmador "Remember, friend, the only dwarves these people have seen are ye deep kin. Expect whispers and odd looks to follow youse. Don't expect the welcome ye've earned."
Garnult walks straighter, his gait showing a confidence he wishes he felt. Will these gnomes help us or stand in our way, Dammerhall may not be remembered
Deaglan eyes light up at the wonderful craftsmanship. He moves over to Jesper and tells him
"Your stone-working kinsmen are marvellous indeed. Such a wonder of marble craftsmanship I have never seen!"
"This better be worth it," Grunyar grumbles seeing the town.
Mirrin ignores the stairs. He was no diplomat, nor a complete stranger to such places.
Elmador's engineer's eyes take in the sight of Fasturvalt and he grunts with appreciation and no small amount of awe.
"Thank ye for th' warning Ivy, I'll be on me best behaviour. Can't make no promises for the rest o' em but this expedition is important to all o' us, they'll do what they feel is right."
He moves over to Garnult and tells him of Ivy's warning "I know you have reservations about the gnomes and their view of us. Ivy just confirmed tha' they might not see us as more tha' bloody duergar. But then, why would they? Hopefully news of how we rescued these others will do us some small good"
Elmador tries to put on a smile but it looks more like a fixed grimace as he travels through the town.
"Ivy, Harvald, could you fill us in on who're the most important people around here other than Lord Geirni? Who's going to be the most sensible about the drow b*stard now that Gunther is no longer with you?
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Harvald leads you into the town, returning the stares of any who dare gape at you. Most turn their attentions elsewhere at Harvald's reproachful gaze. Harvald explains the town's layout and his intentions as he leads you onward.
"To your right is the quarry the town was founded on, the pride of Fasturvalt, the marble depths. The first row of builkdings here is called Stonecutter's row. I'm sure you can guess who lives there. Ahead and above, we have the Snabbinflod, whose waters feed the fertile ground of our mushroom fields. Bridging the Snabbinflod, we'll enter the town square and then climb the natural staircasing to home. It's pretty close to the Gallery of the Gods, so not far from Lord Gierni's Hall." He pauses to respond to Elmador's inquiry.
"Well, probably the most important man in town besides the King is Tammar Even-The-Stones-Listen, the quarry's foreman..." he begins.
Ivy interrupts "Aye, an tha most important woman in town is Miatha-Song."
Harvald frowns at being interrupted "Sure, Knivey Ivy, I was going to mention her. In any case, Miatha Always-A-Song-Follows runs the Blue Bat, which is the only place in town that can comfortably fit people of your stature. Miatha is the person in town you go to if you want to get the townsfolks ears and hearts." Ivy seems pleased with this description, so Harvald continues. "But Even-The-Stones-Listen is the man with the King's ear. But Ivy mentioning Always-A-Song-Follows gives me an idea how to approach Tammar. He normally avoids political engagements, preferring real work as he calls it. But I feel the first thing that needs to be done is to vistit Gunther's widow..."
Garnult straightens up and says We should pay our condolences to the Widow.
Mrrin keeps an eye on the prisoner. Having fed it with a darkmantle he was confident it'd be in good health for its execution.