On their initial attempts to climb the cliff face, none of the Pathfinders are able to get a good hold or make progress. Indeed, the goblin slips almost immediately and falls prone.
Persevering, Isfan makes another attempt and nimbly scales an area of 10 feet up the cliffside. Rising to his feet, the goblin soon scales 5 feet.
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Taking a small step up, Lizzo continues to scale the cliff while using his climbing kit.
He slips but manages to hold on.
He slips but manages to hold on.
He is successful, and moves to 10’.
He is successful, and moves to 15’.
He is successful, and moves to 20’.
He is successful, and climbs to the top.
Lizzo secures the rope and takes a minute to look around, using his roll of 20 up above.
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Isfan makes it to the top of the cliff, followed closely by Dr. Lazarus, just as Lizzo recovers from his fall and begins to make progress.
Atop the cliff, Dr. Lazarus spots a herd of wild mountain goats, which are currently grazing on the top of the cliff. One of the goats spots the elf. It snorts loudly and begins pawing at the ground.
Isfan is collecting a few leaves and makes soothing noises while getting nearer to the goat.
Coming from a community of goat herders back in katapesh Isfans experience clearly shows.
With the adeptness of a skilled herdsman, Isfan readily puts the herd of goats at ease.
With the goats calmed, you are able to get a good look at your surroundings from the cliff.
Peregrine looks up the cliff and sighs as he grips the rope and begins trying to climb up and makes it 10' before falling back to the ground. "Some days I really miss just organizing the Master's collection.", he mutters to himself as he picks himself up.
The hardy bushes growing at the bottom of the cliff cushion the fall of the halfling from the cliff face.
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Isfan is wqatching the others futily climbing up the wall. "Do you think we could just pull them up with the rope? I do not believe our scolars are going to make it otherwise."
The ranger is trying to find a better climbing spot somewhere else or some other valuable terrain ressource.
Realizing there is not much else he can do and he starts checking out the route before them for potential hazards.
Later he will look for a spot where the Goats can graze and for a spot to rest.
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Dr. Lazarus nods to Isfan. "Yes, it's worth a try to pull them up."
After we get the party up, Lazarus takes some time to study the area.
As he's wandering the area, Lazarus notices the goats don't attack. He smiles to Isfan, "See? I told you they were friendly."
Skilled in scribing, Lazarus sets to work on charting the cliffside.
He looks around for valuable terrain resources.
Finally, the Doctor looks for medicinal plants that he's read about.
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Isfan is wqatching the others futily climbing up the wall. "Do you think we could just pull them up with the rope? I do not believe our scolars are going to make it otherwise."
Madzork waits for a bit at the bottom, chasing bugs, and once the others at the top are able to help, attempts to scale the cliff once more.
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”Mazdork, tie the rope around your waist and we’ll pull you up.”
Lizzo adjusts the length of the rope to be ‘just right’, and is properly secure.
Once completed, he turns his attention to....
Goat Check, Lizzo observes their behavior
Terrain Check, he scouts the local area
Herb Check, he searches for local edibles
Hazard Check, he looks for potential hazards to come
Shelter Check, he finds the spot to shelter from the elements
Having identified the cliff as a good resting spot, the party may attempt to clear an area at the base of the cliff so it provides better shelter.
Moving on from the cliff, 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.
As you continue on, you suddenly see a sizable, wolf-like creature with white fur appear within your path. The creature is flanked by a pair of wolves.
Picture of creature now on Slides.
"Well, now. What are the lot of you doing here?" inquires the canine creature in a deep, growl of a voice. "And all alone here in the mountains?"
The other two, mangy wolves at the creature's side do not speak, though saliva drips from the animals' mouths.
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Approaching the wolves, Dr. Lazarus studies the creatures.
When no one else responds, he says, "We're Pathfinders scouting safe passage through this area. If we inadvertently stumbled through your home, we will attempt to find a non-invasive route." He pauses, cocks his head, and adds, "Alone? Not at all. We have each other."
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Madzork holds his hands up as if he were finding the right angle for a landscape painting. "I would agree. Nice and secluded, protected from the elements. Although, we would be at risk if the mole people decide to come up from their underground lairs to feast on our spleens."
Madzork, when he first sees the dogs, is excited to once again use his skills to be an intermediary. However, once the leader starts speaking, he sighs. "Why did I spend all that time learning to talk to dogs if dogs were just going to learn to talk to people?" he mutters to himself.
"Well, now. What are the lot of you doing here?" inquires the canine creature in a deep, growl of a voice. "And all alone here in the mountains?"
"Alone? Not at all. We have each other."
”I’m not alone! I’ve got all of these people to keep me company, plus the eternally whispering voices of the endless void!” Madzork chimes in.
When no one else responds, he says, "We're Pathfinders scouting safe passage through this area. If we inadvertently stumbled through your home, we will attempt to find a non-invasive route." He pauses, cocks his head, and adds, "Alone? Not at all. We have each other."
"Scouts, eh?" the wolvish creature responds to the elf.
”I’m not alone! I’ve got all of these people to keep me company, plus the eternally whispering voices of the endless void!” Madzork chimes in.
The beast turns towards the goblin in response and sharply addresses the Pathfinder in goblin.
It then returns its attention to the elf. "As you've gathered, I know this area quite well. I'd be happy to serve as a guide or protector for you or any who may follow, if you'd have me."
"My fee is rather modest really." continues the beast. "All I ask for in payment is a plump halfling or two. Surely, such a price is not one too steep for a band of Chelaxians, or Pathfinders for that matter." The creature sniffs the air and then eyes up Peregrine, even as the halfling is attempting to hide. The two wolves begin to salivate.
"What do you say?" asks the white-furred beast. "Do we have a deal?"
"Negotiations" Round One
Dr. Lazarus
Madzork
Isfan
Lizzo
White-furred creatures
Wolves
Peregrine
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Realizing what this creature is, Lazarus answers, "Now, listen here, Warg. I've grown rather fond of this halfling. So, no, you can't have him as a fee." After a short pause, he adds, "We're here to blaze a safe trail. Since you're impeding that, you must die."
Dr. Lazarus studies the Warg to determine the best way to attack.
Lazarus retrieves one of his Grabthar's hammers, steps forward, and hurls it at the Warg.
Light Hammer w/ Stratagem: (8) + 8 = 16
The doctor's hammer flies past the warg, coming close to its target, but doing nothing more than disturbing a tips of the beast's fur.
"Negotiations" Round One Cont'd
Dr. Lazarus
Madzork
Isfan
Lizzo
Warg
Wolves
Peregrine
The warg readily avoids the first arrow filed by Lizzo, but in doing so, opens itself up readily to the other, which sinks deep into the beast's flesh.
The warg howls and a third wolf appears from behind a tree.
"Filthy humanoids! I am Odvar!" roars the warg. "And I will take what I want!"
The warg dashes forward, his mouth opened wide and filled with razor-sharp teeth. Approaching the party, he lunges for the halfling!
It's jaws shutting down on nothing, the warg attempts to make another bite.
It growls again as its mouth comes up empty.
The three wolves accompanying the warg now move in to try and take down the Pathfinders.
One wolf sinks its teeth into Madzork, causing fleas buried within its mangy hide to leap onto the small Pathfinder. Another rips into Dr. Lazarus.
"Negotiations" Round One Cont'd/Round Two Begins
Peregrine
Dr. Lazarus -7 HP
Madzork -7 HP
Isfan
Lizzo
Warg -24 HP
Wolves (yellow, black, red)
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Lazarus winces from the wolf's bite, as the fleas disappear quickly. Seeing blood dripping from his wounds, the Doctor attempts some in-battle healing.
After patching himself up, Lazarus attempts to calculate the best way to attack the Warg.
Realizing he has an opening, Lazarus draws his Elven Curve Blade and attacks.
Elven Curve Blade: (19) + 9 = 28
Turning to the ranger, "Ahem, Isfan. I believe you have an opening. Just there."
Realizing he has an opening, Lazarus draws his Elven Curve Blade and attacks.Elven Curve Blade: (19) + 9 = 28
The doctor's blade separates the warg's head from its spine!
Madzork tries to shake off the fleas before casting another spell. His hand begins to glow a dark purple and he reaches out to try and drain the beast in front of him.
He takes a step back to avoid further attacks.
Madzork misses his target and wisely makes way for his allies.
Hearing Lazarus crying out the opening flank of the warg Isfan is lashing out for the opening with a strong sideward swing, trying to drive the warg away switching to his attacker when possble. Thre forceful blows are raining down on the wolves.
Isfan cleaves one of the wolves in half!
Isfan makes short work of another wolf , leaving just a single mangy wolf remaining.
"Negotiations" Round One Cont'd/Round Two Begins
Peregrine
Dr. Lazarus -7 HP
Madzork -7 HP
Isfan
Lizzo
Warg -42 HP
Wolves (yellow, black, red)
The remaining wolf shrugs off the electrical jolt from Peregrine, but Lizzo places an arrow through its eye and deep into its skull. It drops instantly.
Looking through the heavy brush nearby, you see that other travelers had previously fallen prey to the warg. A partially eaten corpse lies nearby. Most of its gear is shredded, except for four remaining lesser elixirs of life.
Moving along down the mountain side, you find that the orc camp is exactly where Bark said it would be, about one day’s travel from Bark’s cabin.
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 smoke.
Present within the camp are a number of orcs, many bearing wounds. A
heavily scarred woman tends to some of the others, who are gathered warily around her.
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When Lizzo fells the last wolf, Lazarus nods to him. "Fine piece of shooting, my Iruxi friend."
Dr. Lazarus looks around to see if anyone took damage. Seeing the injured goblin, he approaches Madzork, "If you'll allow me...."
With Madzork's permission, the Doctor performs some in-battle healing.
Searching the camp, Lazarus recognizes the potions. He picks up the 4 Elixirs of Life and hands them to each of the party members. "Each of you four should take a potion. I insist. I'd be a fine doctor if I couldn't heal myself."
When Isfan asks if anyone speaks Orc, Lazarus sighs, "While I've studied many languages, I'm afraid Orcish isn't one of them. Tis a shame." After studying the camp, he adds, "However, it looks like they're in need of healing. That I can do."
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"Don't worry, I speak Orcish!" Madzork says, and begins approaching the camp. Surprisingly, unlike his previous statements about the language of dogs, he seems quite adept at it, and begins to speak in a common Orcish dialect, albeit much more high-pitched. "baQa'! jIQaS Madzork! vaj teHtaHghach'e' wIHoj. ja'chuqtaHvIS, Dache''a'? lojmIt wIQoypu'DI' maQap."
When the goblin speaks, the heavily scarred woman with the broken tusk brings her orc necksplitter, single-bladed bearded axe with a jagged blade, down near the feet of the small Pathfinder. She punctuates the act with sharp words in her native tongue.
""
"" she questions the party, loudly and in Common. The other orcs begin to gather more closely around her. Despite the wounded condition of her fellow tribesfolk, the woman speaks with strength and confidence.
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Dr. Lazarus steps forward to stand near Madzork. "Greetings. Pardon my goblin friend here. He doesn't get out much." Addressing the female, he says, "I'm Dr. Lazarus. We're Pathfinders scouting a trail through these mountains. You must be the group that the half-orc told us about." Lazarus takes a closer look around at the camp. "Bork said he used to have an arrangement with your tribe. He heard rumors of a disease? If that's true, I'm a medic. Can I be of assistance?"
"I'm Dr. Lazarus. We're Pathfinders scouting a trail through these mountains. You must be the group that the half-orc told us about." Lazarus takes a closer look around at the camp. "Bork said he used to have an arrangement with your tribe. He heard rumors of a disease? If that's true, I'm a medic. Can I be of assistance?"
"I am Grakcha." snarls the heavily-scarred woman. "We know of Bark, but we do not know you."
"Bark should have told you that we are orc warriors." she continues, tightening her grip on her weapon, but taking no movement towards a fighting stance. "We are orc warriors and we take care of our own. We are strong! We do not want or need whatever... 'assistance'... you may be offering. Indeed, I doubt you have anything to offer that would be of interest to us."
The other orcs grunt or nod in agreement.
"And just why is it that you scouting a trail through these mountains?" she asks with clear suspicion. "Are you planning an invasion, perhaps? Or simply a raid? Does Bark now wish to go against our agreement?"
"We seek no quarrel with you although we are prepared to handle it should it come."
"If you 'seek no quarrel', then perhaps you should leave now, while you are still able." Grakcha hisses. Despite her threatening tone and bravado, she makes no other hostile display.
Dr. Lazarus identifies the orcs as almost certainly being of the Shattered Fang tribe and readily discerns that the heavily-scarred woman is both the most skilled warrior and the band's leader. He believes that the orcs' attitude would like be improve by a gift or an offer to share a drink, especially if a party member were able to demonstrate that he could drink as well as the orcs can.