Gwyn looked a little dazed at the prospect of negotiating with the same people she just acted like an unconcerned guard to.
Subsequently, her performance is not her best.
"Indeed. One of use is particularly interested and have something that would make a powerful ally once it has been properly trained. It is a being made of mithril and even if it refuses to bow before such noble masters, it can be re-made into blades and spearheads."
Odenkirk readily agress to translate on behalf of the two women, quickly relaying messages back and forth. When the cobra is revealed, Odenkirk steps back, his hand going to his axe, until he realizes the creature is contained. It's similar for most of the Yutak as well, except for their chieftan, who stands transfixed by the Mithril Cobra. He quickly begins conversing with Joseph, the two seeming to argue.
Odenkirk leans in close and whispers, quietly enough they can't overhear. "It looks like they're arguing it's value. White Tusk wants the...that thing, but Joseph is arguing against it's value, says it's cursed. And that we shouldn't be trusted."
Finally the shaman throws his hands up in frustration and stalks back to the boat while White Tusk, triumphant, begins conversing with Odenkirk again. "He offers the horn in exchange for the snake."
After some back and forth negotiations, White Tusk is able to provide two options. One is in exchange for the horn and all the ivory they have thus far harvested (some 7,500gp worth). The other is to come to their village. There he can offer some of the village's treasures, including a golden idol.
As the idol is offered, the shaman suddenly calls out, another arguement broached between the two. Odenkirk once again translates quietly. "Seem Joseph doesn't think the idol should be given out to strangers, apparently pretty valuable. What he's sayin', if we go to their village, we lose about a day's travel. Your call."
Price nods deferentially to the Shaman, "Tell Joseph that I agree with him that their idol should remain with them. We'll take the horn and ivory for the snake. White Tusk has my thanks."
We may need to come back this way some day and allies are better than enemies.
Kargeld finishes helping with the translations and the Yutak transfer over the narwhal horn as well as a significant amount of ivory (200 lbs). White Tusk takes the snake in hand, his trophy. His men give a cheer as the Yutak depart. Joseph turns to watch you all as the boats sail away, a mixed expression on his face.
Kargeld turns to the group, "Be nice if I knew those things were on board." Giving Price a look, his expression softens, if only slightly. "Bah, worked out for the best. Push on, men!" With that, the boats resume their journey onward.
The business concluded with the Yutak, the boat pushes away and continues on. The next day passes uneventful until arrival at the entrance to the River Taiga. This part of the journey proves why Kargeld was the one chosen to lead this journey, almost a shame for Thorn's final orders. Kargeld directs his crew down the ice-choked river, the ships nimbly dodging the floating jagged ice. He barks his orders and time after time the sailors scramble to follow his orders, the boat turning at just the right moment to pass between the broken shards calved from ancient glaciers.
Finally, after nerve-wracking hours of this, the boats push through the dangerous headwaters of the Taiga into the clear water of this almost uncharted mighty river. Beyond the headwaters is a land of savage wonders. The Taiga winds through a great northern forest that to the best of anyone’s knowledge has no name.
After miles and miles of picturesque pine trees frosted with new fallen snow, the ships comes to a great mountain range. This river flows through a great rift in the mountains that looks as if some impossible huge primordial giant smashed a pass through the grey slate.
Finally, you come upon the great interior sea of Talingarde, Lake Tarik. To the south lies the Watch Wall as well as your target, the fortress Balentyne. But to the northern bank you now head, to a wide wooded valley that holds the camp of Sakkarot Fire-Axe.
Thousands of bugbears have already gathered, savage humanoids with worse seen in between. Fur-clad goblins are seen wandering about and even a few hill giants are spied, given room for them to move. Even several polar bears can be observed.
As the boat approaches, only one place is found to dock the ships, a crude pier that juts into the river. Sitting on the pier are seven bugbears, their primitive weapons in hand. Kargeld leads the boat to the pier, but his own hands are nearly to his axe, a grim look on his face. He whispers to Price, "Your friends, they don't look too happy to see us."
"Cain, Xanos, I think you're up. They're looking for a fight, and we've got one chance, or we have a brawl."
Gwyn has her hands on her knives. She tries desperately not to think about what might happen if a fight broke out...
Or worse, if she was still alive if the bugbears won.
Price sizes up the bugbears, their forces, and their mood. If this goes wrong, no sense in everyone dying.
She glances at Kargeld. "Not to worry, Captain, I've got this in hand. Just dock the ship like we own the pier... but be ready to leave quickly. I don't imagine a man as cagey as you needs that warning, eh?" Price gives him a smile and hopes she sounds more confident than she feels. Without waiting for the boat to fully dock, she cradles the Laughing Demon like a sceptre of authority and hops over the gunn'ls to land on the dock near the bugbears. She gives them as hard a look as she's given.
"We are here to give the great Sakkarot Fire-Axe what he wants most... and we're the only ones who can do it. Take us to him."
Cain gives the bugbears a hard look. He's never dealt with their kind before, but he's definitely dealt with enough enforcers and thugs to know how this was likely to go down.
He gives the sailor next to him a rough nudge, "Make sure a weapons at hand, bub."
He vaults over the ships rail a heartbeat behind Price, stopping next to her and running a challenging eye over every bugbear present. His hands remain at waist, thumbs hooked behind his belt buckle, but everything about him exudes feral aggression and barely-checked violence.
Teon follows Cain and Price, remaining silent for the moment.
The bugbears, ferocious in appearance, short of temper, appearing ready to pounce, halt at the mention of Sakkarot's name. They turn to each other for a moment while the biggest of the group stares forward. A few growls pass back and forth, the bugbears communicating with each other. The bugbears give pause for a minute, a crowd starting to gather, encouraging their fellows on. The energy of the ever-growing throng seems to turn hostile moment by moment, until as it seems the bugbears are on the verge of attacking, a scream from the crowd causes the bugbears on the pier to scatter.
Striding forward from the crowd is the largest bugbear you have ever seen. Adorned in black charred armor and wielding a mighty axe burning of hellfire in one hand, he strides fearlessly forward down the pier towards your group. This can be only one person. Sakkarot Fire-Axe.
Raising his axe towards you to point, he demands, "Who sent you?" He speaks in unaccented common, the red orbs he has for eyes settling on each for a moment as he takes you all in.
Or I could worry about the behemoth with the axe from hell on his shoulder.
Gwyn tries to swallow her fear, but she finds that her mind has left her frozen as it plays every worst-case scenario it can come up with and few it didn't.
She was terrified.
In a rare display of human empathy, Xanos put his good hand on Gwyn's back, reminding her of his presence. The tall wizard stood behind her, as unflappable as ever.
He said nothing, knowing Price would likely wish to state their business herself, but glanced down at her with an unreadable expression. In spite of the tense situation, he seemed quite tranquil.
Here, with the sea at his back, Shulme shows no fear. Perhaps it is merely the knowledge that undersea escape - for him, at least - is never more than a moment away.
Raising his axe towards you to point, he demands, "Who sent you?" He speaks in unaccented common, the red orbs he has for eyes settling on each for a moment as he takes you all in.
"Thorn. And we come bearing gifts." the Osirian replies.
The bugbear does something truly unnerving at Shulme-Silule's words. He smiles. "Then you are welcome here."
Sakkarot turns to the assembled bugbears and other assorted monsters and calls out, "These humans are my guests. I will deal with anyone who harms them. They are our allies!" Sakkarot walks up the boat, causing Odenkirk and his sailors to step back, hands on weapons. The huge bugbear ignores them and rips open one of the tightly sealed crates revealing the finely made axes within. He pulls one out and tosses it to the same bugbear who stood against you before. "Behold, they bring us steel!". A terrifying chorus of growls and cheers come forth from the monstrous assembly.
Sakkarot directs his lieutenants to unload the boat and see about distributing the weapons, converting what was once a thousand bugbear savages into a thousand bugbear soldiers, each armed with weapons and shield brandishing the symbol of the Fire-Axe.
While the work is done, Sakkarot comes up to you. "We'll talk in detail later. For now, we shall have a feast to celebrate this occasion."
Cain can't help himself, stooping to whisper in Gwyn's ear, "So... whaddaya suppose bugbears eat at a feast?"
"I-I don't know, but I'm hoping virgin is not on the menu." She whispers back.
Cain was never one for idleness… made you lazy. Made you weak. So, when the bugbears begin unloading the ships, Cain steps in to help, despite whatever looks he gets from the brutes. Or the sailors.
When the ships are unloaded, Cain takes a moment to take a drink of water. He splits a few moments looking between the bugbears and the sailors. Need to thin the pack, he thinks as he regards the sailors. Every one of 'em that doesn't' make it to our ambush is one we don't have to waste a sword swing on…
He grins over at the bugbears as an idea begins to form. And who better to do the thinning…?
He sets the water down and makes his way over to the sailors, helping them prepare the longboats for the next leg of their trip as he begins laying the foundations of his simple plan.
Odenkirk and half of his men join you in the feast, though most are unwilling. The other half take to guarding the ships despite Cain's efforts, Kargeld unwilling to let 'the savages' be alone with his vessels.
As promised, a great feast is held in your honor and of the weapons you have delievered. A brutal and savage affair, bugbears battle with other bugbears, goblins deliver wine in wood or bone cups, food is brought forth, mostly nearly cooked meat though some food from the forest is also made available.
The highlight of the feast, a giant boar is brought into the center of the camp. Standing 10' at the shoulder it takes a dozen of the bugbears to handle it's chains. Even then, only the weakness of the wounds it's suffered seems to hold it back. Brought before the Fire-axe, he hefts his namesake high and brings it down, beheading the creature in a might stroke. The beast is spitted roasted in a great open spit.
The feast continues for several hours before finally dying down. Sakkarot retreats to his private chambers, summoning you to speak with him. As you all enter, he dismisses his many guards and minions. "You are traitors to your own kind. You must know that. When Balentyne falls and my horde pours through its shattered gates, we will slaughter the Talireans by the thousands. Yet I see no regret in your eyes. Tell me, how can this be?"
"How can you feel regret when all of your troubles can be tied to the people in power? I was nothing more than a tool to my parents, and something to be mocked or taken advantage of by my 'peers.'"
Gwyn gazes at the fire (I'm assuming there's a fire in here) and lets her words flow honestly.
"Why should I regret the death of a lie?"
Price shrugs, "Do all the tribes of your people get along? Do they not make war on each other when they need to? Human tribes are like that. We have many tribes... and the Talireans are not mine."
"How can you feel regret when all of your troubles can be tied to the people in power? I was nothing more than a tool to my parents, and something to be mocked or taken advantage of by my 'peers.'"
Gwyn gazes at the fire (I'm assuming there's a fire in here) and lets her words flow honestly.
"Why should I regret the death of a lie?"
Xanos turns an appraising look at Gwyn, as if really seeing her for the first time.
"Indeed."
Her experience is so small, and yet her conclusion is precise. If she were able to turn such clarity of vision to a larger scope, what insights might she similarly find?
From the mouths of babes...
Cain notes Xanos's look at Gwyn, filing it away to consider later. He raises his mug as he turns back to the savage war-chief, "What are you? My priest? We got good food, strong drink, sharp iron and ready prey that need killin' tomorrow."
He takes a deep drink at his own toast.
It is time for the Talriens to learn that actions have consequenses. Sometime the smallest actions can have a grave impact.
Sakkarot weighs each of your words carefully, his ruby eyes focusing on the speaker in turn. "Varied motivations. Expected I suppose." He finishes his own cup at Cain's toast, refilling it. "Beyond Balentyne. What are your plans? It is only the first step. Where will you go from there? Despite our allegiance, many of my brethren lack my views on your kind. After we have breached the Watch Wall, where will you go from there?"
"Truthfully? I haven't thought that far ahead."
"I have." Xanos says in a low rumble. "An invasion will tax them. Spread their defenses to the outside of their domain. That is when the heart is vulnerable."
"Talengarde thrives on riches and faith. First, we destroy the counting houses. Unrest will follow when their temporal stability fails."
"While they are panicked from the loss of their wealth, we will remove their spiritual anchors. They have already created images of the end times in their holy books. We will simply deliver upon that promise. Plagues. Storms. Fires. Creatures in the darkness."
"Then, finally, while their kingdom is in chaos, their king will die."
Sakkarot's eyes focus on Xanos. "Those are good. Your plans, or Thorns?"
"Mine."
"I will be interested in seeing this calamity befall Talingarde. And how does my army fit into your plans? And how does Thorn fit?"
We might very well ask the same of you. What are your plans for Talingarde. How do we fit into them? How does Thorn?
"I cannot speak to Thorn's plans beyond that they currently fall in line with my own, and with yours it would seem. To that end, he asked us to deliver weapons to you and arranged transport for us. In this way we all have benefited. I cannot say if that will continue beyond this undertaking. Thorn has a way of trying my patience and definitely has an agenda that he would gladly sacrifice us all to achieve. Even still, I cannot devalue his resourcefulness as an ally."
Sakkarot swishes the wine in his cup, as though looking into it for answers. Then he downs the glass in a single drink and violently throws it aside, roaring with laughter. "Well spoken, my friend, well spoken. Creature's from the darkness, signs of the end times? I suppose that's what you've already helped create. And much worse to come before this is over if you're successful. My plans for after are simple. To burn Talingarde to the ground. Burn it and replace it with something....better."
The bugbear chief rises from where he sits, moving towards the back of the hut where he retrieves a cloth wrapped package from a chest. He brings this to the table and sits it down. "Tomorrow you must depart this camp. It will never be truly safe for you here. Over the next week, more tribes will rally to my banner. I will promise them blood and give them steel. Then at last I will be ready to march. A week after that – I will be poised to strike. I will move my horde to the valley just north of Balentyne. There we will wait for your signal. Fire this rocket into the air. Within the hour, we will attack. Make sure that the way is ready." The gleam in Sakkarot's eye is a dangerous one.
"After we gather, my horde will be idle and start to grow anxious. I can hold them together for another two weeks. After that, I expect desertions and squabbling. Get your work done before then. You have one month to infiltrate and destroy Balentyne."
Suddenly Sakkarot turns very serious, all signs of the jovial savage gone, "Can you do this? In one month can you break the Watch Wall?" He intently stares at each of you expecting of an answer.
"Yes."
"Be ready, when we do."
Cain nods his agreement.
When you hear the screams start, look for the flare.
He grunts and nods. "Thorn has faith in you. If you weren't the best, he wouldn't have allied with you. Do this and your names will be legend. Now go rest for the evening."
And we thank you for your hospitality. Thorn said much the same of you. Would that all could be so trusted. Those of our group here are those that shall be opening the way for you. Those we travel with are, superfluous to our plans and less trustworthy than they should have been. I am sure that within your own ranks you have some small number who are similarly burdensome. If both these groups were to meet tonight, just enough to reduce their numbers to a more governable level, we would all benefit. Of course, we go need to ensure that we have sailors for the next leg of our journey.
He grunts and nods. "Thorn has faith in you. If you weren't the best, he wouldn't have allied with you. Do this and your names will be legend. Now go rest for the evening."
"Forgive me if I hope that the opposite is true. Legends tend to wind up cursed or dead before they hit thirty. I'd like to live a bit longer than that."
Gwyn gives Sakkarot a small, formal bow.
"As Teon has said, thanks for your hospitality. We will prepare the way, and I hope that you will find taking Balentyne as easy as walking in the front gate."
"In any group there will be fools, fools to be used as needed. These men are already divided. I could arrange for an 'accident' to befall those not at the boats, but be warned the strength that will give this army the force to destroy Talingarde will be disadvantageous here. They will not stop until all are dead, unless I intervene. And while I will risk such action to save you, I will not for them. The choice is yours."
Cain shakes his head. "Offer's appreciated, but if your forces are such that they'll be had to reel in, we'll do the job the way it needs doin'." He sets down the drink, "I'm sure you can appreciate that, given our next goal."