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With the goats calmed down, the Pathfinders finally have the chance to get a good look around of the area surrounding the cliff. After catching a breather, of course.
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Although Valdris comes close to triggering the goats to charge, Mmph manages to calm them down in time, figuring out that an intimidating stance and loud noises gets them to back off.
Valdris amply makes up for the faux pas. With a steady hand, he starts recording the view around to a detailed map, even as the rest of the team scouts the area for important landmarks for him to include in the map.
Sparkin's sharp eyes not only spots useful terrain features such as climbing spots and streams, but also useful plant materials in the area, all which Valdris dutifully indicates in the map. Reev also spots a potential meltwater hazard from the vantage point which also goes into the map.
That done, the team descends the cliff, where Arun shortly identifies a good campsite sheltered from the snow and winds under an overhang not just for themselves but for future travelers. Arun gets to work to move some of the boulders to provide even better shelter, before the Pathfinders settle down to a job well done!
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The next few days, however, do not go so way. Snow starts falling in the middle of the night and these carries on non-stop, turning into a snowstorm occasionally. The winter clothing protect you from the worse of the weather, but it is still miserable. What's worse, the drop in visibility and heavy snow cover makes it difficult to chart a proper path through the mountains. Repeated frustrating backtracks due to dead-ends saps away at the party morale.
Eventually though, the weather breaks on the fourth day, just as the valley opens up, flattening out at first, then deepening, forming a large bowl. The terrain becomes more marshy, with trees and shrubs stunted by the damp. Animal musk hangs in the air.
Before you progress far along the trail, a group of five wolves moves out from the marshes onto the junction ahead. One particularly striking one with white fur steps forward. And it speaks with a rough rumbling voice!
"My, my, adventurers. Here in the middle of nowhere! What could you possibly be looking for here?" You notice that he seems to be looking at Sparkin with great interest.
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"A talking wolf, interesting. I have to say, that perhaps we cod come with a deal to travel in your lands? We are exploring the best route through the area for merchant caravans, and perhaps you could help us? It appears that you brethren are sick, and if we say make an agreement, perhaps a small toll could be placed for the protection of the caravan? Both parties can come out ahead then."
Trying his best, Vadris' hands are shaking from meeting a talking wolf. Whatever this creature is, he's never seen the like, and his giddiness is hard to hide.
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Seeing the wolves come out of the marshes, Gunthar is about to say something to the group when the lead wolf speaks. "What is that?" he thinks to himself, not realizing his mouth is still open. Not knowing how to react, he lets the more knowledgeable in the group take the lead. He keeps his shield and mace lowered but he's ready to defend the group should the wolves attack.
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"Haven't known many wolves who wanted to barter, what makes you so different?"
"Why, isn't it obvious?" The warg boast. "I'm intelligent! Unlike these ... specimens. Sigh." He looks at his accompanying wolves with exaggerated despair.
"A talking wolf, interesting. I have to say, that perhaps we cod come with a deal to travel in your lands? We are exploring the best route through the area for merchant caravans, and perhaps you could help us? It appears that you brethren are sick, and if we say make an agreement, perhaps a small toll could be placed for the protection of the caravan? Both parties can come out ahead then."
Mmph quickly corrects Valdris. "A warg, not a 'talking wolf'." In case the warg seems upset, she tries to placate him a bit: "My companions mean no offense. Regardless of his impertinence, I am sure you can see the value in the talking ape's offer."
"None taken, my dear. Certainly you talking apes do so love to negotiate. To barter. What an amusing pastime! By the way, my name is Odvar."
The warg then turns back to Valdris. "These creatures? Oh they are fine. What are some fleas? They are dumb enough to not let it bother them. Of course, I keep myself pristine clean."
"But coming to the business at hand, sounds very intriguing. You would be hard pressed to find an intelligent creature around here that could give better guidance! I am very willing to offer my services, kind sir." With that the warg gives a deep bow.
"But there is the matter of the toll. I know you humanoids love exchanging pieces of metal, but as you can see, that is of no value to us whatsoever. Hmm, what could you possibly pay us with? My, my..." He appears to ponder a bit.
"Ah, I know. Just a trifling. Say one halfling for each caravan? A plump one of course. Otherwise, what's the point? Hmm, well I guess, I would settle for a gnome instead. They are not quite as juicy though. Don't you think?" Odvar returns to staring at Sparkin.
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"Well, that's just ridiculous. A logistical nightmare. Every caravan has to travel with a gnome or halfling? Do you realize what that will do to staffing? This route is supposed to be a cost savings."
After the slightest pause. "Not to mention the moral implications. We can't just let you eat people, willy-nilly."
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"While I do like the fact that you are willing to negotiate, as my gnomish friend here said, there is a bit of a moral issue. Perhaps a goat or two would be good?"
Giddiness calming down, the wizard doesnt seem to be as jovial about finding this "warg" or whatever is is.
"Alao, won't that make you and your, pack..... lazy?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
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"Goats? Please, don't insult us. If we should hunger for mutton, herds of them are easy picking just round of the corner. Now, halflings or gnomes, they don't come this way that often."
Odvar raises an eyebrow at the goblin's suggestion, looking rather insulted. "Sigh, I guess it is no deal then? Well, guess we just have to take our payment now!" He growls, staring hungrily at Sparkin. With a faint signal, the wolves move menacingly forward...
But the Pathfinders, ready for treachery, react faster!
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Mmph slings a Ray of Enfeeblement at the warg, then spares some words of encouragement for Gunthar, casting Guidance on him.
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Through other more experienced druids, Sparkin recalls that wargs can make a retributive strike, striking another creature within reach that attacks its ally on reaction. Its attacks are also more effective when attacking a creature that is within reach of at least two of its allies.
Mmph calls forth a ray that strikes the Odvar but he grins as he shakes it off. Reev, Arun and Gunthar all rush forward and attack the warg as a tag team, but their strikes are rushed and Odvar easily avoids them. Only Valdris' lightning strike manages to injure them, singeing Odvar badly who wasn't fast enough to dodge the attack, while the other wolf manage to avoid the worst of the attack.
Odvar snarls and tears at Gunthar. His jaws tear into his thigh, but Gunthar manages to swat him away with his shield, reducing some of the damage. The warg quickly tries to strike again but Gunthar manages to deflect the next two attempts. The mangy wolf beside him attempts the same but it fails to get past his heavy armor.
Two of the wolves turn their attention to the small goblin, but Reev easily ducks away from all their attacks. The remaining one leaps at Arun, but the human proves to be equally dextrous and dodges all its attacks as well.
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Mmph strides up behind Arun as he whiffs his first swipe. "Let me help." She reaches around him to touch the haft of his polearm as she casts Magic Weapon.
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The spellcasters quickly surge forward. Valdris calls forth an orb of fire to fling at Odvar, but the warg leaps away just in time. Sparkin mentally assaults him, but he similarly brushes it aside. Mmph instead turns her attention to her teammates, pushing through the undergrowth to enchants Arun's weapon.
So empowered, Arun strikes in rapid succession upon the warg. The first misses completely, but Odvar in avoiding the strike, trips and places himself right in the path of the second. The longspear drives deep through his chest and he starts coughing out blood. He stumbles about clumsily, and as a result, fails to avoid Arun's third strike which finishes him off! Immediately, Arun waves his spear at the wolf in front of him. Seeing how Arun despatched the warg, it pulls back somewhat.
Reev gleefully turns to the other wolves in front of him. His double slice takes down one with ease, while Gunthar lobs off the head of another .
The remaining wolves, driven in to a frenzy, leaps at Reev and Arun, tearing deep wounds into them. Almost immediately, the two of them feel a swarm of fleas leaping about their bodies, sending chills down their spines.
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With the lead warg taken down, the remaining 2 wolves did not stand a chance. Between bolts of electricity, necrotic energy and flashing steel, the team of Pathfinders cut down the two of them, and in the process clearing the trail to be safely used by halflings and gnomes in the future.
It is too late though for some earlier travellers. A partially eaten halfling corpse lies nearby. Most of its gear is shredded, except for four remaining lesser elixirs of life.
After removing the menance, the Pathfinders forge ahead, following Bark's directions to locate the orc camp. And indeed, his directions were good and you make good time in finding a faint but still visible trail that makes for easy travel.
From the distance, you spot a few faint smoke trails in the sky that lets you know that you near. Finding a good vantage point, you find a rather dismal camp. Between the walls of a ruined building stand a few hastily erected tents. Muddy footpaths run between the tents while carefully tended campfires emit only faint greasy smoke. Amongst these are about a dozen or so orcs busy tending to work around the camp. A number though are children and elderly. Some of the adults look injured and you estimate only a handful are in fighting condition. They have yet to spot you yet.
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Looking at the camp before turning to his party, Valdris talks in a hushed tone.
"I assume that there is a hunting party out at the moment, but we could probably talk to the camp and help with their injured before the hunters come back. Then we could negotiate, and possibly have greater favor from helping out, plus I should be able to speak with them and translate without issue. Any other suggestions?"
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The Pathfinders approach the camp openly, making it clear they have no ill intentions with their weapons stowed away.
The orcs, busy tending the camp or the injured, only notice the team a few hundred yards away. Those more mobile quickly gather, but noticing that the Pathfinders do not appear hostile, just stare at you uneasily but do not go for their weapons either. They stare at the Pathfinders as you approach, and you stop a short distance at the entrance of the camp.
A heavily scarred orc woman with a broken tusk steps forward with confidence in her steps. The other orcs gather warily behind her.
"Who you? What you do here?" she asks rather gruffly but not too aggresively in broken Common.
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Holding up his hands, the wizard gestures towards Sparkin, and speaks in Orcish.
"What the little one says is true. We have been sent to navigate these lands to secure a trade route, and perhaps a deal could be established. As thanks for this meeting, I am sure we can help with your injured and if the trade route happens, a steady supply of cure-alls, medicine, and various goods could help your tribe by quite a bit."
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The female orc looks back and forth between Sparkin and Valdris with a stony face. Finally something breaks, and she lets out a deep sigh as she turns to look at the remnants of her tribe with deep concern in her eyes. The rest of the orcs stare at her in turn, waiting for her cue.
Finally, she speaks. Her voice in guttural and strong, despite the clear challenges the tribe has been facing. She switches to orcish, trusting Valdris to translate.
"Indeed, that would be helpful for our tribe. It would be some time before we can recover. A trade route through here would help, so long as they respect our claim to these lands." Here, her face grimaces. "But only one condition. Our homes has been ... displaced by an angry ogre. The ogre invaded the cave we call home, and we are in no shape to take it back. If you kill the ogre, I swear this by Gorum and our ancestors that we will both let the trade caravans pass and set up some trade ourselves. What say you?"