I have studied Drezen and could aid Anevia in looking for others still roaming in the city or trying to enter the citadel. I am not as good as she is with a bow but I can still take a few shots at foes in windows.
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I can take Reiko with me to the north while Zeriax and Anevia go to the south.
I am sure that once you tell your tale to Nurah that she could spin a glorious yarn about what you accomplished. All she would need is the facts and let her do the embellishment good Pakak. As for rest Maelchar, that is up to you but it is only slightly after noon. Food and fresh horses though are available to you should you want them. The army has been fed and is ready to go. Irabeth has them ready to march out at your command but should you wish to camp here then she can have them start to set up the tents. Turning to Zeriax, The prominence is just a hundred feet up ahead tht you passed. There was an area among the rubble that I was able to climb. If just the 2 of us go then we could bring extra horses and we won't slow the rest down. If they are camping for the day then we can take our time.
Upon seeing you return Aron rides forward. You can see him approach you and with a smile on his face he announces, Well done. I don't know what you did or how you did it but the swarms all dispersed about 45 minutes ago. It was quite a sight to see. 1 of the swarms came flying through the army but did not stop long as Aravashinal was able to do some damage to it. It left as quickly as it came. Even better news is that while you were gone I climbed up the ravine to get a good look at our position and layout. It seems that the landscape had changed since the last map I saw and it is to our advantage. We are closer to Drezen than I thought. We can be there in a few short hours. The river bed should start to rise noticeable in about 2 hours time. That is the sign that we are very near our destination.
Trying to make up for his previous performance and disappointment with the drugs Aron joined the scouts. Studying the building from a distance he returns with this report. The building seems to be an abandoned chapel. At one tiem a series of them were built by the crusaders as points of rest and respite. They would also have fresh mounts to send messengers on their way at full speed. Historically, these chapels often had well-hidden caches of healing magic and supplies. There’s a possibility, however small, that these supplies are still hidden. They
As far as I know from maps that I have seen, there is nothing close by. Granted there could be a huge storehouse a day travel from here that the armies of the worldwound have constructed but we would never know about it. Sense motive Do not blame yourself master Pakak for the concerns of the supplies. You are doing as well as can be expected to when we are in enemy territory. Be thankful that we have not had worse problems thus far. As it stands we will have 6 days after tomorrow to get to Drezen and go from there. 6 days is a long time still to get much done. Even with 2 days of travel we will have a couple of days to scout the city before we must act. There is hope as well that should we be able to take part of the city a message could be sent for more supplies from Kenebras. As long as we hold a defensive position we can be a thorn to their side. sense motive DC 18: This last part seems to be a stretch that Aron is fabricating to make Pakak feel better. While resupplying may be an option at some point, most of the city and defenses would need to be in the hands of the Claw of Terendelev before it would be feasible.
Even if we move at a slower pace I would think that we should be able to reach Drezen in about 2 days of hard marching. More than likely 2 1/2 days to ensure the safety of the army. By taking he ridge and traveling hard we would only save a day by my guess. That day could make a difference though if it means we can come upon the city by surprise.
Aron looks at you puzzled. I...I didn't think anyone knew but myself and Sosiel. I mean it is possible someone knew me from before that I wouldn't have recognized or realized. I mean its not something that I am proud of and told people.
Aron hangs his head in shame and begins to weep uncontrollably.You have no idea how hard it is resist on a daily basis. But when you are scared and the adrenaline is flowing through you after a battle and you come back and there in yr pack you find 4 bottles of the stuff it is impossible. I admit it. I succumbed to the voices in my head and let the temptation take control. If you want me to leave and go back to Kenebras I will. I can understand if you will not trust me after this.
Aron looks like he is ready to give in as Pakak helps Garith but some deep seeded ?fear, shame, past, activity? keeps him from answering you. Turning his back to you he withdraws deeper into to himself while rocking back and forth. Pakak only int check DC 14:
You remember that Aron told you that Sosiel helped him through some bad times. Perhaps Sosiel will be able to help again?
Aron goes silent and the look on his face is resolute indicating that he is not talking anymore about this to you. I think this conversation is over with. I believe it is time for you to leave my tent.
You find Aron in his tent. As you come in Aron jumps a little in surprise, Oh, uh hi Pakak. Avoiding you? No I haven't been avoiding you just we have been so busy on the march and all. I mean there is so much to do and so much is riding on our, I mean, your accomplishments. perception DC 15:
You can see some sweat upon his brow and his hands shake until he places them in his lap to still them. sense motive dc 13: It is clear that he is lying but why you don't know. You could try pressing him but in his agitated state you don't know what the reaction would be.
Reiko and Zeriax you are able to determine that a large force has travelled along the ridge recently. How large and how long ago you are not sure but the trail is significant enough to catch your attention. The army is ready to march at the first light hoping to leave the site where many of their fellow crusaders had perished even if not part of the same army. Aron points out that the next major location is where the tributary of the Ahari had emptied into the Sellen River. It is about a day and a half to get there from here at a normal pace. he tells you blandly before going to pack up his gear.
Pakak quotes:
Aron looks around him sheepishly and lowers his voice. At first it was a chance to make some good coin by joining the crusaders. Hired swords and those with skills are sought after mightily. IT was great for a while but after a few years I wanted more. I...I was lost for a time until Sosiel helped me...find myself. Since then we have worked together closely. Aron seems a bit distracted but comes to when you mention SosielSorry what was that? Oh, yeah, Sosiel. He helped me out a bunch. Oh speak of him, there he is with Maelchar heading towards Garith. Let's go find out what they are talking about. Its got to be important as we are rapidly nearing the ford up ahead.
Aron looks around him sheepishly and lowers his voice. At first it was a chance to make some good coin by joining the crusaders. Hired swords and those with skills are sought after mightily. IT was great for a while but after a few years I wanted more. I...I was lost for a time until Sosiel helped me...find myself. Since then we have worked together closely. sense motive DC 16: bluff check
You know he is not completely forthcoming and he did not answer your question directly. what he is keeping hidden though you are not sure. It could be about the time he was lost, his relationship with Sosiel, or his motives now or all of the above.
Do you yearn to follow in your races endeavors to free Jormurdun? I am sorry that was wrongly worded as of course you must be. Rather, if we are successful at Drezen, do you plan to head to Jormurdun next? I have not studied the Sky Citadel but have heard that it is further into the Worldwound and thus not as accessible to be assaulted. Would Drezen be a staging point for you then to continue onward or would you stay at Drezen and start anew there to bring the glory of the dwarves to prominence? I fear that I am not as strong willed as others that I would be a poor judge of character. I too would let wiser heads rule over me and make the decisions so I don't have to. Not that I am a coward but I feel inadequate most of the time and prefer to keep my head down so to speak.
Aron chooses to ride by Pakak as the camp breaks up and heads out on the march. Pakak: Aron tries talking to you to see how it is that you, a dwarf, got involved with the crusades. He knows that all races are threatened but there are not too many elves, dwarves, gnomes or halflings involved. Indeed, there seems to be more of the uncommon races trying to find a place to fit in rather than the other races. It makes you wonder about the people we come across and fight against. Given other circumstances would they have joined ourside.
The day finally arrives and the army is prepared to move out. The horses as promised where supplied for the group along with Anevia Irabeth and Aravashinal. Aron Kir provides a map (in the campaign tab) explaining, I believe the best route would be heading north directly to Valas’s Gift and then follow the east bank of the Sellen River north until you come to Vilareth Ford, at which point we can cross the West Sellen and continue north along its west bank to the dry Ahari riverbed. This route will provide something of a natural trail to follow to keep us well orientated.
After the queen talk Sosiel steps forward. I will do my best once we are within the citadel to provide you with as much information as I can. Later when we convene hopefully I can draw you a basic look of the exterior as I have discovered it in my research so you can appreciate its size and the enormity of the task we are going to undertake.
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