Kazell grumbles That's fine with me, as long as the gnomish gun doesn't start smashing our homes while we're planning. Seems like that is the primary concern right now.
Malik nods, Let's meet at the stables and we can discuss in private, and maybe head out from there??
Augustus, thank you for letting us gather here, fewer ears, and I doubt the livestock is going to be talking to the occupiers. he grins at the horses there.
It seems like we're between a rock and a hard place; the West wants us to do all their dirty work for them - not that I minded trying to find the lost children and deflect blame away from our town. I say our town because you all welcomed me with open arms five years ago, but we need to decide what to do. the bard sighs.
This Gnomish thing presents a problem for the people of the town, and we need to do something. I'm not sure if it is better to trade one army for the other, or continue to do as we're doing? I'm also thinking it may be best to try and play each side off the other to get ourselves some breathing room, but this is going to be very dangerous if we do that. I...I spent some time working in a reconnaissance unit in the legions- this sort of thing is what we did. But I don't want to just try it without your help.
Looking around the group he says What do you all think we should do? Obviously we need to figure out the threat of this cannon, gun-thing, but what do we do about it??
Viatrix takes the letter and feeds it to a cow, tutting and grumbling. She should tell Vargas about the danger they were in.
She wanders the property, looking for her brother, finding him talking to one of the soldiers quartering in their pasture. He waves at her.
The quarterling hesitates, turning around and grumbling, "I need a drink."
Viatrix slowly pulls from her flask as Malik talks, twisting a thought around in her head. "If it's possible, I'd like for to take it for the town. Make it look like we've disabled it, maybe scrap it, hide it and rebuild somewhere. I've got the barn, only I also got boarders camped all over my property. And Vargas, he, he can't know, and him living there, that complicates, uh, things."
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Malik considers Viatrix's words, A heist? Possible, but could be hard to pull of without knowing how big the thing is, anyone got any ideas on its size?
Responding to Malik she says
Nope, nor when it is coming. Got to scout and find out, minimum.
"I've got a lot of stable space and the kingsmen don't often come out here, I think I could hide it in some hay if need be."
Nodding to Augustus' suggestion, I think you are right Augustus, we've got the bare bones of a plan. Once we get there we can draw something up to get it out, it could be dangerous, and will require us thinking on our feet, but I can draw up a plan - and I'm pretty good at that...
looking around the small group in the stables, Malik ponders a moment, Can we think of anyone else we can trust to help with this? I feel like this would go smoother with one more person. Seems like we'd be a good team then size wise.
Augustus: You know a little about the workings of the Gnomish Great Canon- it amounts to a tower like structure, wheeled, but very heavy/slow to move, with a series of canon's built into a pyramid like shape with a massive cannon at the bottom, two large canons above that, three medium sized canons topping that, and a half dozen small canons on swivels.
When fully staffed, the canon also has glidepaths which allows balls to be slid to the various spots with minimal effort for reloading, and it can unleash a massive amount of firepower in a very short time (although it does take 25 gnomes (or, I suppose others) to fire all simultaneously).
Malik: You know that such a device was used in the war approximately 50 years ago by the Western Kingdom, and the now nameless village where the battle took place is said to have had no survivors and not a building to be left standing.
Also, a dwarf you know in town by the name of Karak Stonesoul comes to mind. . . he is trustworthy, stout in battle, and may be a true asset here, you think.
On the edge of Burrowdar sat a house. It was a house like any other. It was the kind of home that one would expect from any commoner who could afford to own a small piece of property to call his own. It was by no means a peasant shack, but at the same time it was not the kind of home that one would expect from a nobleman.
Then again, Karak was not what one would expect when thinking of a nobleman. Dwarves were quite rare when it came to possessing such titles, and the Stonesoul family was not what one would call particularly wealthy, influential or active. The sire of the family, Holden Stonesoul, spent most of his time either at the family's true home in the center of town, or in Kazell's bookstore. Two places that Karak spent little to no time in.
The dwarf sat outside of his home on a wooden bench. A large silver hammer rested against the wall to his right. He wore heavy woolen pants, a tunic, leather boots, a belt, a pair of sturdy gloves, a thick vambrace on his left arm which almost resembled a shield, and to top it off, a heavy tabard bearing the colors of burrowdar. What stole the attention though was the ram that stood beside him. The dwarf was scratching the monstrous beast behind the ears as he watched people walk by. The ram itself was huge, easily the size of a horse. It's fur was as thick as a dwarven beard, and was as black as night. Almost insubstantial if one looked at it closely. He muttered to it something in dwarven and it lay down beside him. To the trained eye, the ram was clearly a phantom.
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Karak! That's it, we could use another reliable person, and Karak's just the one. Let's go fill him in on our plan, I'm sure he'd help us... the bartender brightens with the thoughts of adding the valiant Dwarf to their entourage.
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Hmm. Well, he'd definitely be good in a fight. Don't know much more about him. Like his father though.
She goes with Malik to recruit the dwarf.
When Karell reaches Karak's home, she finds him sitting outside in his customary fashion. . .
Karak slowly got to his feet as he saw the group approach. He looked at them with a raised (and very bushy) eyebrow as they walked towards him. His mount snorted and began to rise. He put a hand on it's back and it lay back down.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this company? Can't be about books, 'cause me father's home is that way." He said, looking at Kazell. "And me tab at the Burning Thirst is paid." He continued, to Malik. He glanced at Augustus, and only knowing him by reputation as something of a madman, decided to keep his peace. And while he didn't recognize Viatrix, he did notice the pistol at her hip. He'd never seen one in action before, but he knew a gnome who bragged incessantly about the technology. "...I take it that there's trouble?"
Ah no, its none of those things, well.. the bartender begins, There's been some spots of trouble around here of late, and we've sort of been handling it, but this last one is bigger than we can probably handle, and we'd like your help, He sheepishly uncrumples the now very wrinkled note from the occupiers.
First it was simple, they lost some scouts, and asked us to go take a look for it, and we wanted to make sure it wasn't anyone in town responsible, so we did - found this elemental wolf thing. Malik begins, leaving room for others to fill in the details.
Then Sylvia got kidnapped, and we went on our own. Rescued her from some bandits, looked like East army deserters serving some kind of quasi-religious figure. But now this, and we're being asked to do the dirty work to save our town. So will you help? Save the town? We'll figure out what to do about these armies once we know everyone's safe, but this can't continue. he lets the words out in a tumble, but safe, since he doesn't know what allegiance the Dwarf has yet...
Yeah, honestly, we're in over our heads and we need help. I'm worried that if we don't do something this town is just going to end up a crater with a nice historical plaque about such and such a battle occurred here. Unfortunately, I have no idea what to do. If it were just the one man, or even several, we could track them down... but these are whole armies... whole nations. How do we survive that?
Karak listened intently and then read the note. At length he nodded and then smiled. ”Jarrett’s blessing! I’m in need of a quest, y’see. To earn me knighthood. And here ye be, right as day! Sounds like a right problem it is. And while it’ll take more than me hammer I’m sure, that at least ye’ll have.” He made the sign of the God as he spoke, showing clearly where his loyalty lay. ”Give me a few minutes to get me armor on, aye? Also, for something like this I might know someone. Will send a message, see if we can get another sword pointed in the right direction.” As he said this he was already turning around, hammer in hand, to get his armor on and travel supplies packed. ”Feel free to come inside and sit. Nay polite to make ye wait outside. And ye can tell me more of the plan on how to stop ‘em.”
Not having a plan at all, Kazell is happy to go inside to wait, but just says
Well, we need to uh... disable that gun or steal it or something.
"Our plan's quite bare-bones at the moment. we got word from the kingsmen in town that the East army has ahold of a Gnomish Great Canon, the things dastardly as all hells. Needs 25 men to fully arm it but when it is it can tear whole cities apart, so we know that we need to take it from them or destroy it, we were thinking it might be best to take it and hide it from prying eyes telling the west men that we destroyed it so that the town has some defense of its own."
Now fully armored, Karak nodded. ”Aye. Sounds about right. If it can be hidden. May be best to destroy the thing. A prize like that invites attacks to claim it and it be best against fixed fortifications. But it’s your show.” He put his helm on and continued ”Should go and get Cra’rak to join us. Y’know, the Tengu alchemist? He’s dawikoni*. If I ask I’m sure he’ll say yes. Got a good heart that one, even if his style is red-handed.”
* Dawikoni: Dwarven for “almost-dwarf” a title used to denote non-dwarves who live in Dwarven territory and abide by Dwarven law and customs
Nodding at Karak's suggestion, Malik agrees, Yes, he'd definitely be an asset for this. I can imagine the trouble he'll cause getting this dismantled. Malik laughs, Great idea Karak!
Kazell says
Cra'rak? Well, okay, but don't let him talk to anyone. He's not so good with people.
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As you begin to double back to find Cra'rak, Old Man Glinteye limps up to you, "I know I'm just an old cook, long since retired from my adventuring days, but I still got a keen enough eye to notice you lot have been helping the town. I thought my old backpack might have a few gidgets and toys what would help you out."
He presses a backpack into your hands.
Alchemist's Fire (x2)
Bottled Lightning
Pellet Grenade (Iron) (x3)
Scroll of Knock
Scroll of Summon Monster IV
Augustus will nod curtly towards Glinteye
"Thank you, your gift will not go forgotten."
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Viatrix thumps Vic and stares at the dwarf all the while. "From what Augustus says, the gnome gun's a more like a tower of guns and cannons. We take even one, we drastically improve the town's defenses. We take their stockpile of black powder, we can run those guns forever. We take the whole tower, maybe we can protect Burrowdar for good. Disassembled it's still twenny godsdamned guns. Pure power."
She tilts her hat at the old man in thanks.
Malik bows in thanks to Master Glinteye, Much thanks Glinteye, we'll do what we can. I think your donation to the cause will be most helpful in protecting Burrowdar.
With Glinteye's bounty added to the war effort, the group reached Cra'rak alchemy shop. Without missing a beat, Karak walked forward and banged on the door with a gauntled fist. "Oi, dawikoni! It's Karak. Come on out, the town needs ye."
The shack at the edge of town smelled unpleasant, like someone had tried to cover up the smell of rot with the sterile smell of a hospital. The door creaks open when Karak strikes it, revealing a tengu with long sharp talons, wild eyes, and wearing a stained apron. When Cra'ark speaks, his voice sounds surprisingly musical, not the voice that one would expect from such a creature, and yet it also sounds cracked and disused.
"Karak. It has been too long. Welcome back to my humble abode. What seems to be the problem? By your smell I can tell you're not here to be patched up."
”War, lad! War! These fine lads tell me that a gnomish war machine is rolling towards town and they plan to stop it. Apparently it’s got enough firepower to level the whole place. Came to me for an extra hammer, and now to ye for some alchemical know-how. Ye willing to march with us?” The dwarf responded with a booming voice and a grin.
Kazell backs up a little at the unpleasant smell of the other Tengu.
The tengu stops for a second, and thinks. "I shall join you in defense of this town," Cra'rak replies somberly. Then he breaks, and a sound that conceivably could be a laugh comes from his beak, "Did you really have to ask? Just let me grab my things." He slaps Karak on the back, hard as to show respect, but careful not to hit with a talon, and runs inside to grab his meager supplies.
Karak smiled and nodded, while congratulating himself on wearing his armor for their greeting. As Cra'rak went to get his supplies, Karak turned and gave looked back at the group. "I've got a good feeling about this." He said, with confidence, though which probably came across more ominous than anything else.
Cra'rak disappears back into the shack. You hear the sound of a bucket of water being poured from inside the shack, followed by a quick squawk and the ruffle of feathers, and the clink of metal. Then he re-appears in the doorway, looking (and smelling) cleaner as well as damp, and wearing a chain shirt. A small pouch of supplies hangs at one side.
"So. Who what or where are my skills at... dismantling needed?"
Malik looks at the Dwarf and the second Tengu, Okay, so the West army has occupied Burrowdar, and aside from them eating us out of house and home without paying a copper for the trouble, they've been leaning on us to do things for them. Look for missing scouts, and now, apparently the Eastern army has a Gnomish cannon capable of levelling the town - they want us to handle it. So what we're thinking is go check out the Eastern encampment where the gun is, see what's really going on, and go from there. Ideally we remove the cannon to protect the town and all of us, but really what it comes down to, is are we content with the Westies running things around here, or do we figure out a way to pit the two sides against each other and get both sides back out of Burrowdar. the bard exhales, having held that in for a while.
What's worse? The Westies who seem content to swagger around town, drinking my ale, or the East, whom we haven't interacted with? Malik scratches his bald head, Also some smaller issues - we had some kind of elemental wolf thing, Kazell what was that called? But that's dead. And a fella by the name of the Horned Lord kidnapped Sylvia, the old wise woman here in town. We saved her too already
I don't remember what it was called either, sorry.
I don't want either of them controlling the town. Is there any way to keep them both away from us? Why can't they fight elsewhere... or maybe could we find out a way to negotiate peace? That would be ideal.
"Malik..." Karak said, his jovial tone vanishing. "...these are hard times, but we are citizens of the King. To turn traitor and join an invading force is unthinkable. And to force the town to be independent? That would merely cause retaliation from all sides involved, with or without cannons. The sooner that the war shifts away from the town, the sooner the army leaves. I believe that without the siege engines, the Easterners will be forced to retreat. That alone will save the town from harm."
We're citizens of a kingdom that was pulled into a civil war. The occupying commander just told us that he doesn't *care* what happens to this town. If you value that guy over the town, then you can leave. We don't need your help.
Karak took a deep breath, removed a gauntlet and put two fingers on the bridge of his nose. ”Im trying to save the town like ye are, and part of that is not having the army here occupy it as a hostile force. Let’s...let’s focus on the cannon, aye? Nay reason to turn on each other.”
Fine with me, but you might want to stop throwing around the word "traitor."
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Karak gave the tengu a hard look but held his tongue. With a slightly strained voice he responded ”Lets go then. We all have energy to spare that is best spent elsewhere.”
Viatrix holds back her opinion, not wanting to incite more vitriol. She shifts her gaze from one newcomer to the other for a long time as they ride. Eventually, she addresses the group, "I know when I'm beat, and ain't no way no how I'm gonna remember which one of you is Karak and which one is Cra'rak. So," she points to the dwarf, "I'm gonna call you, uh, Dwarf. No! Goatman. Yes. Goatman. And I'll call you," she gestures at the tengu, "Beardy."
”A’int gonna work, lass. Me beard is far more substantial than his. If anyone heard ye say Beardy then they’d think me! If it helps ye can call me Stone Soul. Or perhaps Stoned, for short.” He said all of that with a straight face, making it hard to tell if he was joking. ”And me Tengu friend here is often called The Vulture. Should see him in action. The name fits.”
"Hmm," the quarterling considers. "Gross."
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"Indeed. Most fowl." The tengu copies the dwarf's stoic nature. Now, shall we be off? I have confidence that I can forage enough food for four of us each day, but beyond that we will need supplies.
Nodding at the Dwarf and the Tengu, Alright then, lets be off. he checks the action on his crossbow, adjusting the tension on the well-worn weapon.
You set out from your home, and make it to the crossing from the General's note with about 36 hours to spare before the expected time of the gun's expected arrival.
The area is a pretty simple river crossing of one of the tributaries to the Great Wheel Rivers. . . a wooden bridge that looks secure to the basic eye.
Karak looked around. It was a bridge all right. A wooden one too. Over a river. A pretty simple river crossing by the looks of it. He...wasn't the most perceptive of dwarves.
Malik strides out onto the bridge, I'm still not used to needing bridges to cross water.... In my homeland the water isn't so plentiful that you would call it deep. This amazes me still.
He looks around at the bridge and the river, taking it all in.
Hmm... think taking out the bridge would help? Maybe we could rig it to fail when the gun is on it?
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As you inspect the bridge, you notice that it has recently been repaired-- fresh boards in areas replacing what must have been damaged sections, and that it has been recently reinforced as well- the supports replaced with stone worked struts. It could be destroyed with a powerful enough explosion, but it has obviously been inspected with the idea of rolling a very heavy object across it in the recent past.