Dwarves of Gold Peak

Game Master Nathanael Love

Gage shifts from nodding to shaking his head 'no' about a full second too slowly.

Thurgrom grins conspiratory. "I think we have a plan."

"Aye then. Unless there are any objections, I'll get us registered with my House's forces. We'll have it so that we are a unit named under the banner of House Oldstone, where I'll nominally be in charge. This way if any challenge us, we will have proper rank to explain our actions. I recommend everyone here to let your own House's know whatever it is ye think that they'll need to know. Because my own House is not leading the charge, I would like to ask everyone here to find whatever information ye can about the upcoming assault. When it will take place, where your own Houses will be fighting, and whatever information we can get about the Giant fortress."

Tram nods. "I don't have a House, but I can check whether some of my old fellows at the monastery are gathered around, and ask them what they know."

He actually does so, asking around in the city temples and other places where holy people could be gathered.

If you want to get an idea what the houses are planning to ask for in the war council will be Gather Information

Rubius nods as well, patting the large mountain lion. "It's just me and Tawny, and the lot of ya. We're ready to go."

Gather Info: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Gage, not too worried about house Greyhammer getting directly involved, simply asks around in the establishments of different purveyors of stiff drink as well as any other public gathering places he can find.

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19
hours: 1d4 ⇒ 4 or would this be over a longer period? :3

Dvalin, understanding that his brethren were aligned on the other side of the battle lines, keeps a low profile, making sure not to provoke any Gold Peak inhabitants that may be...nervous.
Some would no doubt believe he was a spy, or prefer for him to be locked away, but his loyalty had always been to the mountain - not to a king, not to another person. The earth and fire and clay which nourished them and formed them. That was where his loyalties lay.

Asking around for the plans for the war council would just draw more attention to him. Instead, he mingled with some of the mercenaries, to better understand their strengths and weaknesses, and with the Skycaptains of House Wrenwrain.

(If Skycaptain is not just an honorary title, cutting a deal for an exit strategy with one may be worthwhile.)

As you are kicking hornet's nests and looking under rocks, your old friend Vargas Blackstone approaches you.

"You lot have been out of the Peak for a while, eh? Well, I have the skinny you're looking for- happy to help some old friends out. The Prince is back- and the word is he's going to marry the Goldbeard girl. A fat stack of Gold for him, I guess?

For the rest? the smaller houses will get sucked in on somewhere or else, and the Kragmore's plan to stick in reserve in case of counter attack- or so they say."

Tram listens to what his friends' friend has to say, and nods in aprovement. "That's quite a valuable info..." After weighing the possibilities, he expresses his opinion that they should probably go against Nechezzar himself. He assures he'll follow whatever decision they take, though.

Kragg listened in rapt silence. At length he said "Aye, very valuable. For my two copper, if this were normal times then we would have many options for earning glory for our Houses. To slay a black dragon? To exploit the path we discovered in the Hidden Plateau? To kill an unkillable giant, or to win the Frost Dwarves over to our side? All of this would be enough to rest one's pick on. But these are not normal times. Should we not reach Kick Nechezzar first, then I fear that he will be found dead." He let that sit for a moment, knowing full well that his kinsmen knew what the Prince was. "Thurgrom, I think that we need to head straight for Fire Giants, but we must have operational freedom. For this, can ye get the Stormhammers to give ye a command of your own? If so, then we can march under your name and that of your house."

The mynrughdaer listened to Kragg's plan and frowned. "I've been reluctant to deal with The Stormhammers, especially concerning the business with the Prince, and the fact that I now wield Storm Edge, a mastercraft weapon their grandfather likely sold!!" Thurgrom's anger began to surface, but calmed himself to continue.

"I will try to make an appointment immediately", Thurgrom grumbled. "This is take all my courtly talents to pull this off. Good luck to us all." Thurgrom got up and left.

Diplomacy (to gain an audience with House Stormhammer): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38

A few days later, Thurgrom finds himself seated across a table from the Stormhammers.

Valia, the eldest sister, Priest of Hapi speaks first, "So you have something you wanted to discuss with us?"

Behind her, the others make an intimidating array- Asger is one of the largest dwarves you've ever seen, his red hair and beard setting him apart from the black hair of most of his siblings.

Bruidon bristles with barely contained rage, the symbol of Hapi also prominent among his armor. Broodfist smirks at you, his fingers twitching in anticipation, while the fair haired Natalia simply leans against the doorway behind the others, her thin, waifish and frail face displaying almost a look of boredom.

The mynrughdaer did his best to keep his mannerism genial.
"Thank you for seeing me on short notice, cousins", Thurgrom began. "I know the time before the big push is fleeting. Well, clearly after many years of struggling, clearly House Stormhammer's status among the clan is on the rise, and rightfully so. I have come to ask that I be apart of that ascension. I wish to be granted a commission from your house to lead my own forces in the attack against the giant horde under The Stormhammer's noble banner."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

Broodfist speaks first, "But, what's in it for us then?"

But his eldest sister holds up her hand and cuts him off, "We have little in the way of actual forces still- and many siblings who need to earn our own honor, but if you bring forces to the fight- yes, I think this could be. . . advantageous for all involved."

Bruidon leans in, "We're marching right up the guts of the fire giants. Are you sure your lot have the stomach for it then?"

Glancing at Bruidon, then looking back to Valia, Thurgrom answers, "To secure the defense and safety of Gold Peak, there is little 'my lot' would not do."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32

Valia nods, "then we shall see you on the front lines."

Pending anything else you guys want to accomplish before marching for war then

I think marching is what we do next xD

The next few days you make preparations, and craft. The war council happens- Prince Nim reportedly gave a stirring speech about how he would slay King Nechezzar and bring his brother back.

Another four days later, the armies of Gold Peak depart- a seven day march ahead for your crew to reach the area the fire dwarves inhabit.

The third day of your march, at night, as you are setting camp, you catch a glimpse oh a dwarf who appears to be acting out of place.

Gage casts Summon Instrument twice to conjure a pair of flutes.
Gage casts Disguise Self, taking on the appearance of the same kind of dwarf he thought he saw.
Perception to guess what kind of dwarf it was with only a glimpse: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Not wise enough to signal the others, Gage stalks off after him.
Everyone immediately notices, however, when Gage's Tiny Hut disappears suddenly as he steps through its outer wall.
should I roll on disguise? it's +21 +10, lol...
@everyone: Gage does need 3 rounds to do this, so... there's time to ask him what he thinks he's doing :3

With little else to do, Kragg said his good-byes once more and marched out to war. It was the second war that he was going to be in, the first being when they had defended the walls of Gold Peak all of those months ago. He prepared as best he could, though in doing so it hit him of what he had lost. For almost his entire life he had been able to shape stone as if though it were clay, and Khazuk...she had always been there with the right word of advice or the tidbit of knowledge he needed. Losing each felt like losing a limb. Together...at times he felt crippled. It was almost a relief to march out, for it let him put his mind onto something else. Grief was far easier to deal with when it wasn't the only thing to occupy his time.

-----

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

How does he appear to be acting out of place?

Thurgrom catches that something has Kragg's attention. The mynrughdaer tries to see what the shaman sees.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
"Kragg? What is it?"

He's looking left and right, over his shoulder and acting as though he suspects he may be caught doing SOMETHING he's not supposed to do.

Not noticing you, he begins to stalk off into the camp. . .

Stealth if you'd like to follow him unseen or perception + survival if you want to let him get a good lead then track after him

Alternately, going back to bed and letting him get away with whatever he's doing is an option

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

Kragg motioned for his companions to stay quiet and act normally. He then skulked off into the night, moving more silently than any dwarf should have been capable of.

Thurgrom looks on impressed by Kragg as he seemingly disappears into the night.

Rubius nods and proceeds to whistle and work about the camp. He does, however, keep his sharp eyes alert and tries to get a read on the strange dwarf as he wanders off.

Perception: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (12) + 27 = 39
Sense motive: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (18) + 27 = 45

Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
The disguised Gage also follows after, not thinking that one dwarf following is less noisy than two.

...Should we not reach Kick Nechezzar first, then I fear that he will be found dead."[/b] He let that sit for a moment, knowing full well that his kinsmen knew what the Prince was...

Just to be clear on this...Nechezzar is the Fire Giant King. Finding him dead would be just rosy. The one we are worried about is Dak Nimbus, and as said I am not certain they'll have him along with the war party rather than imprisoned in the Fire Giant Stronghold.

Dvalin, barely noticing something is amiss as he is deep in thoughts, just grunts his approval as several of his comrades move to find out more. He resolved to tend the fire and continue setting up camp. Whatever they found, they would be hungry when they returned, and all tasks needed doing.

Tram doesn't get it at first, but when told about it he finally notices some strange behaviour in that dwarf. With Kragg going after him, he thinks he can contribute little to the chase, and stays behind ready to assist with some healing or any other way given his capabilities.

As you follow the strange acting dwarf, he eventually ducks into a tent.

Nothing seems obviously amiss from outside the tent, but smoke is coming out the vent at the top, and you detect the faintest whiff of incense in the smoke.

incense? :O
After realizing that he's too late to stop the dwarf from reaching his destination, Gage slowly gets down on his gut to peek around the edge of the tent's entrance to see what's going on.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Moving like a shadow, Kragg made his way around the tent to get a look at was happening within. Unconsciously channeling the power of the plane of air into his body, the dwarf was almost insubstantial as he made his way to his target...

Kragg hears a faint chanting coming from inside the tent. . .

Stealth to look inside the tent unseen: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Perception is the dwarf alone in there, what does it look like inside the tent?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

Kragg's got the hot dice! Keep it going!

Kragg cracks open the flap, revealing a bizarre scene- a group of five dwarves, sitting in a circle, a kobold in the center of the group, chanting in what is obviously a ritual perhaps of ill repute.

Seeing that something untoward was happening, Kragg motioned for his comrades to come over. Once they had done so, he threw the tent’s entrance open. In a loud and clear voice he said ”What is this?! We march to war and a secret ritual is done at night. Explained yourselves!” Having grown rather large since his...incident, and being covered in rock as he was, Kragg was a much more intimidating sight than he was before.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Perception: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (8) + 27 = 35
Stealth w guidance: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 22 + 1 = 34

Rubius moves over first, keeping it quiet as he reinforces Kragg.

Gage stands up suddenly at Kragg's pronouncement, having been lying on the ground up until that moment.

The kobold looks at Kragg, continuing to chant, the others doing so as well, their voices building until there is a puff of smoke and in the center of the room before the Kobold appears a strange creature!

Well, that looks to be initiative time!

Round 1

Turn Order:
1. Kragg
2. Kobold
3. Devil
4. Dvalin
5. Rubius
6. Tramontane
7. Gage
8. Dwarf devil worshippers

Looks like only Kragg goes before the first baddies!

It's not Gage's turn yet, but I probably won't get the answer before it is anyway, sooooo:
Knowledge (planes) (loremaster to take 10): 10 + 14 = 24 special weaknesses? special attacks?

No special weaknesses- DR/good and immune to fire, poison (resist 10 acid & cold) + SR; the stinger has a poison that does str damage, and he has a BUNCH of spell likes including summon another bone devil, invisibility at will (quickened 3x), and wall of ice

Minor form activated

Hit: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Piercing: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Cold: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 3) = 7
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 4

With the time for words being over, Kragg raised his hands and caused a stone axe and pick to form in each one. Striding forward, he took the pick and swung it at the side of the nearest cultist, roaring "For GOLD PEAK!"

Round 1
Kragg rushes forward and drops one of the dwarf ritualists!

The kobold priest begins casting a spell!

The bone devil creates a Wall of Ice!

Turn Order:
1. Kragg
2. Kobold
3. Devil
4. Dvalin
5. Rubius
6. Tramontane
7. Gage
8. Dwarf devil worshippers

That brings up Dvalin, Rubius, Tramontane, and Gage before the other dwarf devil worshoppers!

I'm afraid Tram didn't follow, opting for staying behind.

Yeah. Depending on how far off the path Gage, Dvalin, Rubius, and Kragg are; Thurgrom might not hear the sounds of battle.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Seeing that something untoward was happening, Kragg motioned for his comrades to come over. Once they had done so...

I'm sure Kragg has both the patience and ability to signal from far away enough that ya'll can show up :D

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
"I'll shut them up!" Gage announces, too late to stop the ritual.
He drops a flute and casts Silence on the dome of ice. He then begins an inspiring performance that doesn't need to be heard.
+2atk/dmg/vs fear for everyone!

If I'm not mistaken, that prevents the casting of spells with verbal components inside the ice dome (since its radius is below 20'), and the Wall of Ice is not dismissable, right? ^^
I guess SLAs don't have verbal components...