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Dyalg nods his head in excitement as his hair blows in a personal breeze. ”This is a great idea. Perhaps Graaah! can fly off for an hour and return with some secret item in a bag? Make this a bit more mysterious. Good thinking Illa.”
Dyalg thanks the last soldier he interviews for his time and then turns to his companions. With a grim smile he says, ”Everyone seemed sincere. We can still use the truth spells, but with a wider range of suspects may not be as effective. What questions should we ask? Should we focus only on the catapult sabotage or ask about the officers’ death as well?”
”Marmoth can cast Zone of Truth twice today, for a total of ten minutes total. If we,” he indicates the entire group, ”can question soldiers to find the most suspicious ones first then that may make the limited spell time we have more effective. Is that an acceptable course of action?”
”Teleportation. I hadn’t thought of that. We should add two or three guards around the catapults. Or do random checks ourselves.” Dyalg folds his arms over his chest. ”The officers. The heavy weapons. What’s next? The horses? The food? The gate itself? How are we going to find the traitor in our midst?”
”Terran? I don’t know anybody who speaks that.” Dyalg looks down to see that his left boot is unlaced. Sighing he reties the laces. ”Perhaps Saria knows Teran or can use divine magic to help us. Marmoth only knows Common. I don’t know much about the arcane. If a person is invisible he cancels the spell if he attacks, right? What if he causes sabotage? The catapults were disabled in a mundane manner. If an invisible orc climbed the wall, he could have done that to the catapults without revealing himself, right? So the saboteur is either one of the soldiers or an invisible orc. Are there any other options?”
While Galvrin questions the soldiers about the sabotage, Dyalg supervises the start of the repairs. When he takes a break, he takes Illa to the side for a private conversation, ”If they can get the officers and the catapults, the food or the gate could just as easily be next. Should we increase the guards at those vital areas? ”Another thing, next battle if we can turn the ground in front of the walls to mud or cover it with a thicket of vines and thorns, that would be useful. Anything to hamper the orcs’ movement leaving them open for an easy attack. What do you think?”
With the battle ended, Dyalg circulates among the defenders, pride beaming from his sweaty and dirty face. He claps soldiers on the back, offers aid in getting wounded to the infirmary, and praises exceptional soldiers. He ends his tour through the ranks at the catapults. He studies them closely, attempting to determine what occurred to render them useless and if it can be fixed. Wherever the companions meet, he says, ”Well fought. Illa, the fireballs were splendid. Graah! the crimson smoke inspired. So, how do we find who is causing this? Should we call an assembly and search them for magic?”
”Perhaps a more defensive plan is better,” Dyalg replies to Illa. ”Good luck. For a moment his cloak flutters then becomes still like the other cloaks. He clears his throat and begins to speak, voice taking on an edge of command, as if he’s seen more battles than he remembers, as if an army of orcs is not a new experience. ”Soldiers! You heard her! Raise the banner! The orcs believe Doom is at hand, but it is not our doom! Steady your nerves, be calm, and focus. Our goal: hold this Gap! This is your time to make your families proud. To rise and thrive in the defense of your home! Archers, ready...launch! Polearms and pikes get ready for the ladders.”
————— ”What now?” Dyalg says in frustration as his attention is diverted from the advancing orc army to the catapults. From where he stands he can’t tell what the problem is. ”I believe the orcs have done this. If so, perhaps we should use a more aggressive strategy? Would they expect that from us?” he asks Illa. ”I’ll follow Galvrin to the tower.”
After the group eats a meal and finds a more or less private area to speak, Dyalg tells them about what he learned from the commander's widow, Saria. He also describes the kitchen and worries that if the officers could be eliminated then something could happen to the food stores. "Did you learn anything of value in the war room?"
”Excellent idea Illa. I will take a bed in one of the officer’s rooms. Marmoth will join me. Do we want to plan any particular time to meet and discuss what you learned from the war room?” After any discussions about the morning are finalized, Dyalg heads to the infirmary to get Marmoth and eventually acquires some quarters.
Dyalg continues to focus on the orcs before him. He has vague memories of previous parleys from past lives. Smiling grimly, he wonders if 200 years from now someone will remember this scene. He crosses his arms. ”Before you go, your offer is generous, but did you honestly think we would leave? If our roles were reversed, would you depart your garrison?”
As Illa speaks with Warleader Karsh, Dyalg studies the five orcs’ clothes, armor, and weapons, looking for clan or tribe markings especially. ”Warleader Karsh, where is the boasting of the numbers we face? The clans that have pushed aside their petty squabbling to attack here? I am surprised you are so quiet on such matters. What have you promised them?” Dyalg sweeps his arm across his body, indicating the orc army. ”They will find death and misery. This gap will be renamed Karsh’s Doom.”
As Dyalg approaches the orcs, his hair flutters as if blown by a breeze. He smiles at the orcs, confident and remembering many parleys in the past before he was born. ”You will need a bigger army if you plan to win,” he says. ”Is that why you requested this parley, to surrender?”
Crossing the garrison from the kitchen, Dyalg approaches the rest of his companions. ”I received word about the parlay. After that we should discuss what our investigations yielded. Remember I don’t speak orc, so someone may need to translate. I'm surprised they want to parlay. Curious indeed. Graah! remember you’ll have an opportunity to kill more orcs if you don’t kill these ones.”
After examining the kitchen and two store rooms, Dyalg thanks the cooks for their time and help then explains why he wanted to see the food stores. ”Something occurred with the officers. If something similar happened here we’d starve.” He asks them what they thought of the officers, any rumors of tension or the like between them.
Dyalg nods to Corvus, ”I’m going to go check on the food supplies. I’m interested in what Graah! was to say about the orc camp.” He descends the stairs and heads to the kitchen. Once there he asks the cooks how much food they have for the garrison, how often they get resupplied, and how secure the food is.
”Thank you for your time,” Dyalg says. ”If you need any help with healing, Marmoth is dedicated. I can help as well. Please ask. Ah, yes, does the garrison have any secret tunnels or defenses that aren’t evident?” Dyalg bows and returns to the wall to survey the orc army again. Corvus is there watching. ”Is Graah! doing aerial reconnaissance?” An inexplicable breeze ruffles his hair and snaps the end of his cloak as he stands still, looking in the sky for Graah! ”I met the commander’s widow. If you don’t mind hearing me repeat it again, I’ll tell you what she said.”
Despite the blood, Dyalg offers to shake her hand in greeting. ”You’re welcome. You’ve met Marmoth, my good friend. He’s taken a vow of silence except when he’s praying. Are their any more that can use healing magic? I have some divine gifts.” An emerald ring slips from his finger and rolls ten feet across the floor. ”And curses too.” He strides over to the ring and reclaims it by jamming it back onto his finger. He will heal the soldiers he can. ”Do you have a minute in private for some questions?” he asks. If she agrees, and in a place where they can speak more freely, he starts by telling her, ”I’m sorry about your husband’s death. He must have been an exceptional man to command here. You must be much the same to bear the hardships of fortress life. As I said, I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind. Cayven and Turgesce appear to have a deeper conflict than merely a missed meeting. What is their conflict? Besides the tragedy with the fortress’ officers has anything else been strange or unusual? Finally, why did you resign as cleric here?”
Dyalg would like to visit with Saria first.
”The banner is an excellent idea, Illa,” he says, staring out across the orc army. ”What does the chant mean?” Before Cayven escorts Illa and Galvrin to inquire about the morning attack, Dyalg asks about any maps of the area and documents about the strength of the fortress’ defenders. ”While you are investigating the murders, I will speak with the commander’s widow. After that, I’ll be in the medical area. Helping treat the wounded. We also need to check on the food supplies. If whatever got to the command staff can damage the food, we’ll be in even more danger.”
As the adrenaline of battle fades, Dyalg helps the wounded men to their medical area. He tells them of the skill and tender ministrations that Marmoth provides. Once his companions, Cayven, and Turgesce gather at the top of the wall, he says, ”Sgt. Cayven we need your carpenters and masons repairing the garrison. I can help with some of the engineering details. Now, I understand your command staff was killed but the soldiers need to fight better. We need to gird ourselves for a defensive grind. Holding out for the reinforcements to arrive. It won’t be easy. We will suffer, but it is our best chance for success. The soldiers need to see that they can count on each other. In that vein, please Captain Turgesce and Sgt. Cayven, at least be civil to each other. Duty requires that.”
He pauses to let the others say what they want. When the subject of the officers’ death arrives, he asks, “Could you tell me what was the time difference between their murder and the orc attack? If they were close together do you think someone in the garrison could have signaled the orcs?” He looks at the sandstone cliffs towering above the fortress. ”Illa, do you have any spells that could cause an avalanche? Imagine a fifth of one of those cliffs smashing into the orcs. I know that’d leave less orcs for you to personally kill Graah! but surely you’d enjoy the sight of such carnage.”
The Mass Combat rules are new to me. Dyalg has Profession (soldier) +7. However character wise, he wouldn’t usurp Illa’s authority since she was the first to assert herself and they’re friends. Plus, I like your speeches! Also, from his Background, Dyalg led a small company of warriors for a time; ended in disaster. Despite being trained to lead, he is reluctant to take up command. From reading the mass combat rules, the Profession (soldier) is most useful during a Morale check. The Morale bonus of Profession (soldier) is divided by 5...so it’d only be a +1 for Dyalg. More important is the Cha modifier in Morale checks. Dyalg has a +3. So if commanding, Dyalg’s roll would be 1d20+4 against a DC 15. Another consideration is the Leadership feat which gives a +3 bonus to a commander’s leadership score. Illa’s leadership score is 7 (lvl +CHA mod). Dyalg’s is 13 (lvl +CHA +3) — which means Dyalg would know 1 more boon than Illa and provide a greater bonus to certain boons. Just some thoughts...once the orcs are fought back we can IC discuss the leadership situation.
As the others handle the greetings with the defenders, Dyalg sits on his horse quietly, absorbing the scene before him. He whispers to Marmoth, ”Go find the wounded and see if you can assist them. We’ll probably be on the wall by the time you’re finished.” He studies the fort: the height and thickness of the walls, the location of the buildings, the readiness of the sentries facing, an estimate of the number of men, the condition of their weapons and uniforms. With Illa commanding, he goes with the party and the veteran onto the wall. Seeing the campfires stretch into the distance, Dyalg gasps in wonder and shock. Hearing the news about the wizard, he asks Hal, ”How did the officers and wizard get murdered?” He laughs at the orcs charging down below and addresses the archers near him. ”Look at that force. It will not be easy to defeat. Some of us will die. But I guarantee that bards will sing of this siege and the courageous defenders here. When it is all finished, when the few pitiful orcs that survive are far from here, not only the bards will sing of the Ironwall men! People a thousand miles from here will testify to the courage and endurance of the Ironwall men!”
Marmoth returns with two broken arrows, tapping the arrowheads. Dyalg thanks his friend with a hand sign. Dyalg watches Graah! butchering the monsters for meat, ”We don’t have much time to spare. Corvus, did he say how tasty it is? If we could bring enough meat for a meal or two; that’d be handy in a siege. Even if it doesn’t taste good.” He draws his dagger and starts cleaning the skin from the next peryton.
”It sounds like a battle I wouldn’t want to miss. Marmoth’s healing could prove invaluable as well,” he says patting his cleric friend on the back. He observes the discussion between Corvus, Graah!, and the interruption of Illa. ”I wondered about that too, Corvus. Why are the orcs attacking? What is our quickest way to the Gap?” After the answer, Dyalg offers to shake the man’s hand, ”We won’t delay you any more Leddyn. Your time is precious and lives depend upon it.”
”Pleased to be of service. Dyalg and that's Marmoth, who will be pleased to heal you if you need it,” he says indicating himself and his cleric cohort, who is tending to Graah!’s and Illa’s wounds if they allow him. Dyalg lets the others introduce themselves. While they do that he turns away from the group and says, "Galvrin, can you get my two arrows as well? Thank you!"
Once the introductions are over he asks, ”Why were four perytons chasing you?”
Dyalg grunts in dissatisfaction as he sees that his arrow has no effect. Pulling his holy symbol from beneath his armor, he holds it in his fist and mimes the hammer attack form Breaking Boulders as he chants. A 50 foot hemisphere of purple light pulsates from his holy symbol as he brings fear and doubt to his remaining enemy.
Marmoth stands with his shield ready to cover the rider from an attack.
Dyalg sees two perytons high above and chooses the third one who probably killed the rider’s horse with its latest goring. He whips out another arrow while he yells, ”Marmoth, check his injuries!” He exhales and fires.
Dyalg blinks and looks again at the rider’s horse. It wasn’t as injured as he first thought. ”We’re here to help. Ride on!”
Dyalg fires his bow again while urging his mount on with his heels.
He shakes his head in disgust as his shot goes wide. As he approaches the prize of the perytons’ pursuit, he slows his horse by pulling on the reins. ”Get on!” he bellows at the ride, as he prepares to dismount.
Dyalg swears as the reflexes of the perytons keep them from taking much damage from Illa’s fireball. He peeks under his arm to see how the group is arranged behind him then looks up in the sky for Graah!
The attack once they are in range...
”That rider and horse are in trouble,” Dyalg says, ”It might be too late if we don’t ride to his aid.” He kicks his heels into his horse. ”Cha! Cho!” he signals for the horse to trot and then to run.
Since you asked about the horses, Dyalg uses his mount for transportation. If attacked while riding it, most likely he’ll stay mounted, firing arrows if possible.
Dyalg readies an arrow, indicating to Marmoth he should do the same. He sits in the saddle relaxed and curious what the flying creatures are chasing.
Welcome! Glad somebody has knowledge: arcana that hasn't taken a vow of silence.
Marmoth stands in his saddle and looks at the flying creatures and the cloud of dust.
The cleric clears his throat, and Dyalg says, ”You know what they are right?”
Attempt #2 Dyalg's cohort, Marmoth: COHORT
Marmoth Human Cleric 5 LN Medium Humanoid (human) Init −1; Senses Perception +2 -------------------- DEFENSE -------------------- AC 17, touch 9, flat-footed 17 (+4 armor, +4 shield, −1 Dex) hp 33 (5d8+5) Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +6 -------------------- OFFENSE -------------------- Speed 30 ft. Melee Unarmed strike +3 1d3 x2 Dagger, masterwork +4 1d4 19-20/x2 Ranged Composite short bow +5 1d6 x3 70 feet -------------------- SPELLCASTING -------------------- Prepared Cleric Spells (CL 5): 0th - Detect Magic, Mending, Read Magic, Stabilize 1st - Magic Weapon, Remove Fear, Shield Of Faith, Domain spell: Cure Light Wounds 2nd - Aid, Bull’s Strength, Domain: Cure Moderate Wounds 3rd - Dispel Magic, Domain: Cure Serious Wounds -------------------- STATISTICS -------------------- Str10, Dex 8, Con 12, Int 9, Wis 15, Cha 11 Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 12 Feats Scribe Scroll, Extra Channel, Shield Focus Traits Skills Appraise, Diplomacy, Heal +6, Knowledge (arcana) +3, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (nobility) +3, Knowledge (planes), Knowledge (religion) +3, Sense Motive, and Spellcraft +3. Languages Common Gear Chain shirt, heavy wooden shield +1, Short Composite bow, 20 arrows, masterwork dagger, combat trained light horse, healer’s kit, silver holy symbol, Traveler’s outfit, Cleric’s vestments. -------------------- SPECIAL ABILITIES -------------------- Aura Lawful aura Channel Positive Energy 5 Times/day. Heals 3d6 hp in 30’ radius Spontaneous Healing Domains Healing Rebuke Death (Sp): You can touch a living creature as a standard action, healing it for 1d4 points of damage plus 1 for every two cleric levels you possess. You can only use this ability on a creature that is below 0 hit points. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + 2 Wis modifier. Domain Spells: 1st—cure light wounds, 2nd—cure moderate wounds, 3rd—cure serious wounds Knowledge Granted Powers: You are a scholar and a sage of legends. In addition, you treat all Knowledge skills as class skills. Lore Keeper (Sp): You can touch a creature to learn about its abilities and weaknesses. With a successful touch attack, you gain information as if you made the appropriate Knowledge skill check with a result equal to 23 (15 + your cleric level + your Wisdom modifier). Domain Spells: 1st—comprehend languages, 2nd—detect thoughts, 3rd—speak with dead [b]Chaos Spells[b] Unable to cast these spells
Dyalg shades his eyes, looking at the winged creatures. "My spyglass would be very useful right now," he says. "Hopefully the two wands I traded for it with that ranger will be more useful." He glances at Marmoth. "Do you recognize them?"
I did this pretty quickly; essentially a 6th level Cleric of Iori with minimal, non-magic gear. If anything seems amiss please let me know. I know I wrote he took a vow of silence, but I'm not sure how he'd communicate with me (or the others) then. Point and pass him notes? [EDITED - Cohort sheet removed]
Graah! Thanks for more suggestions. I’m happy to get advice. I think 2 CLW wands and a ring of protection +1 will be a good substitute for 1 CMW wand. As far as the deity goes, I wasn’t sure if we were using the standard Golarion pantheon (in which case Irori will be his deity) or something else.
Dyalg’s possessions are finished. I took Graah!’s advice about the wand, choosing a Cure Moderate Wounds...though would two Cure Light Wounds be better? I don’t know. I also thought that Dyalg’s cohort (a cleric) could be with the group to provide some extra healing. He’d be quiet. Under a vow of silence unless praying. I don’t want to add to your workload GM, so whatever you decide I’ll accept. Finally Graah!, switching Dyalg’s language from Elven to Goblin isn’t a big deal at all, but Corvus and Graah! make a good pair. I don’t mind if they have the Han and Chewie partnership.
I did put the cohort into my character's history, but I don't feel like it's essential for the game. One less thing to worry about. Perhaps his cohort is off doing an important piece of research in a library and they plan on meeting soon; then the PCs get side tracked.... Graah, I'd be happy to be your Han if no one else takes you up on the offer. Your background is charming.
Thank you for selecting me. I'll be working on choosing gear and creating a cohort.
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