If that is the case, perhaps we should head to Darken Wood? That might deter them from following us. the wizard recommends.
Confused, Drakkor questions the current ideas.
"Why go to a destroyed city? That's a huge assumption that something else might be found there without more information. And I know little of the Darken Wood other than its reputation as a dark place no one sane is supposed to go? Although THAT might make the journey worth it just to throw off the goblin army's scent."
The best place to find answers to out questions about the staff might be where the staff originated from. It makes sense that the city of Xax Tsaroth may have more information that we have about the staff. Or it might help us to know where to go for said information.
Nodding, Drakkor can’t argue.
”Ok, seeking more information about the staff sounds good I think. The only place I can think of that might have that information is the Great Library in Palanthas. That’s a journey and a half from here. I should know. Xak Tsaroth could provide answers, but what exactly? Riverwind? Did the lady in white explain anything to you? Or just instructions to hand the staff to your…is girlfriend the correct term here? Fiance’? Wife? I’m unsure how you or your tribe handles such things.”
"I don't see the point of going back to the ruins for knowledge that may or may not be there. Let's help protect the staff instead and see if gods see fit to tell us more."
Varis listened patiently, but pushing those who might be blessed by the gods after generations of waiting...he stepped up and asked the staff bearer directly
"What were your plans? Ignore for the moment what is possible or practical. Where did you try to go before you met us?"
To the group, he says what is obvious to him.
"We need to help them with their mission, not push them into our assumptions or preferences."
Yes, it's on your map. :)
Nodding, Drakkor can’t argue.
”Ok, seeking more information about the staff sounds good I think. The only place I can think of that might have that information is the Great Library in Palanthas. That’s a journey and a half from here. I should know. Xak Tsaroth could provide answers, but what exactly? Riverwind? Did the lady in white explain anything to you? Or just instructions to hand the staff to your…is girlfriend the correct term here? Fiance’? Wife? I’m unsure how you or your tribe handles such things.”
"Fiancee," Riverwind explains. "I got the staff from a woman in white. Said I should give it to Goldmoon. We were heading to Haven to see if the seekers could tell us anything about the staff. Whether we should head back, that wasn't the idea."
Frowning, Drakkor rubs one of his horns absentmindedly.
”As far as I know the religious nuts at Haven are powerless and fairly useless. Nor would they have the infrastructure for a library. I hate to say this, but maybe we could find the Tower of High Sorcery? Lyzander? The wizards there…I don’t know…could they offer us advice on this? I know they don’t like non-wizards going there, but if you request it they might make an exception?”
"Would wizards want the gods to come back? It seems this way they are functionally unopposed in power. White robes maybe."
Varis looks at the minotaur
"You don't like priests or don't believe in gods, that is fine, but don't let that block you from considering temples and divine centers, this is something not encountered in centuries."
The gods of Magic have never left. I met mine during my Test of High Sorcery. The wizards of High Sorcery have never lost faith in the 3 Cousins. Perhaps, just maybe, the other gods are waiting for their children to return to them? he responds.
Smiling, Drakkor nods and leans heavily on his driftwood staff.
"We have traveled together, yet you still do not understand me. I seek the truth in all things! Are the gods gone? Yes. That is a truth. Talking like they are still here, doesn't give people the ability to heal or bring back the dead. The many years passing since the Cataclysm shows this is a truth. I have nothing against the gods, priests, or any divine interventions that want to appear, but I would rather witness a miracle with my own eyes before I start to 'believe.' Where is my Faith? There are two sides to that kind of coin, and I prefer not to blind myself to the truth of today. It does not mean I cannot learn to accept the other side once I see it land in my hand."
"And yet, you dismiss the ability of those who kept the faith to know something even if it comes from ancient scripts. Maybe this staff is or was known in the lore. You don't need spells to know things."
Varis responds
"My family kept the rules od the faith and the hope the gods will return. That, as you can see, doesn't mean I sit and pp
ray whole day, I have a life. If you seek truth, accept things qs they come, don't a priori dismiss something because some charlatans abused peoples hopes."
"Well, if the Old Gods are intent on returning, it'd be nice of them to point us in the right direction, especially if they want our help," Ahto mutters, as he continues to scan the tree line for trouble. He unshoulders his crossbow, cocks and loads it with a bolt.
Standing up straight Drakkor looks again at Riverwind and Goldmoon.
”Assuming the staff is a gift from the missing gods, then they therefore must have a plan about all of this. You say the staff is magical? And can heal? Can it do anything else? Maybe it can somehow point us in the right direction somehow. I don’t mind helping here, but blindly stumbling around trying to determine a direction to go is discouraging to say the least.”
We cannot sit out here all blessed day and night to make such a decision. Goldmoon and Riverwind, I suggest we take the Staff back to Xax Tsaroth, let us go through Darken Wood and it may preclude anyone who is following us from doing so or perhaps at least delay them while the discern our intentions.
"Why would we go back if they started for Haven? We should help them reach it. Not turn them back and give more time for the enemy to find them." Varis reiterates his compaint
Everyone, give me a perception check, DC 14.
Perception
Lyzannder is too distracted to notice anything. Ahto and Drakkor, you notice the goblins looking around for you. There are too many for you to handle, and they haven't noticed you yet.
Ahto motions to the group and silently gestures for them to stop talking and silently mouths the word goblins and points his crossbow in their direction.
He then nods toward the other side of the Glen and starts moving that way.
Drakkor frowns and whispers as he points.
"Our decision is made for us! Into the Darken Woods it is. Seems we have no other choice at the moment. Riverwind? Lead the way and find us a path to get us through it quickly. I will stay with Goldmoon and protect her with my life..."
Riverwind begins to lead you through the mountains.
"Yes, follow me to Darken Wood."
Varis was too engrossed in the discussion to notice something he otherwise would notice from a mile away. Now it is hard to even hide in his full plate.
He pays attention once they're in the woods. But between careful movement required to be quiet in the armor and his own consternation that goblins approached unnoticed, he is not on his best.
Checking now.
Yep, they noticed you. You can count five goblin scouts and about fifteen goblin soldiers.
There seems to be trouble ahead..Do you want to fight?
”There could be too many for us to handle easily, and the rest of the army might be nearby. We run!”
Prudence would dictate that we leave post-haste. This is why we should have had this discussion in a safer place. he says as he leaves.
"I'll cover you, go!" Varis says even as he follows the group. He keeps last, just in case.
Ahto nods his head for the group to move, and then takes up a position at the rear near Varis , crossbow at the ready.
The goblins are following . . . but not closely.
”They are afraid of the forest! Push in! We must leave them behind as soon as possible.”
Ahto pulls his bag of caltrops out of his pouch, and scatters them on the ground behind the group as they flee towards the Darken Wood.
Staying near Goldmoon as he promised, Drakkor pushes the others to keep going, even when it gets darker.
Staying near Goldmoon as he promised, Drakkor pushes the others to keep going, even when it gets darker.
[dice=Intimidation - Make Haste!]1d20 + 10
Good roll, were you being intimidating to the goblins?
"Or maybe they want us in there because there are more of rhem waiting for us?" pants Varis, his heavy armor demanding even with his strength.
Good roll, were you being intimidating to the goblins?
We must make to Darken Wood. If necessary, I can delay their approach by putting them to sleep, or we can use my extra-dimensional hideaway to let them pass us? he says as he continues his walk.
Nodding, Drakkor appreciates the ideas. Panting heavily, he replies.
”Save it for now? Only as a last resort. We may need your magic in the woods…”