Search Posts
Khedron will go check another tunnel to see if it has a circular piece in the floor, and suggest to Gant and Kirra that they do the same. "A lid...or a trap?", he muses to no one in particular. He will look for a means of opening the lid/trapdoor - handles in the wall or a pry point where he might get a crowbar under. If none of that works, he will get on Moverock's shoulders and try to manipulate the lantern by twisting it or moving it back and forth.
Hmm. This must not be an ordinary sarcophagus. Two good strikes should have at least cracked it. It may be magicked. Khedron will look around the sarcophagus while Thorgrhim pounds on the lid: stonecunning (1d20+2=11) "Kiira! Let's go down the orange tunnel. Maybe there is something there." He will head down the orange tunnel, hammer and shield at the ready.
Khedron notes his brother's interest in the sarcophagus and looks on in silence. His mind wandering, he will get the marble finger that we took from the wolves, as well as the ring. He will put the ring on the marble finger and hold it up to the right hand where the finger is missing. If that has no effect, he will get the indigo lantern from the wolf lair and hang it in the appropriate tunnel. And if that has no effect, having reached the limits of his creativity, Khedron will use his warhammer to smash open the sarcophagus.
Decent stone work for manlings. A rich man must be buried here. Those lanterns are interesting. I wonder why the one from the wolf den doesn't work? Something for Gant and Thorghrim to ponder. Khedron fixes his attention on the two tunnels without lanterns. Reasoning that whatever traps that lay down those tunnels might have been sprung by previous adventurers, he will probe carefully down one of them, going slowly and carefully, hammer and shield at the ready.
"Might be more wolves down the hallway. Don't want them behind us. I'll go check." Khedron will go down the east rubble hallway, on the lookout for more wolves. If he sees more, he will shout a warning to the others while falling back to the room of the original battle, trying to lure any surviving wolves into the kill zone.
That one hurt for sure! One good hit might kill the foul beastie.. Khedron swings his hammer in a high overhand arc, aiming at the hindquarters of the fleeing lead wolf: AoO on lead wolf (1d20+8=23, 1d8+3=5) Hey, that one is off balance! The eldest swiftly recovers his swing, pivots, and brings his hammer down on the mangy head of the second wolf: AoO on wolf #2 (1d20+4=21, 1d8+3=6)
If wolf #2 is still there, Khedron will take another swing: swing on wolf #2 (1d20+4=20, 1d8+3=11) If wolf #2 is dead but the lead wolf survived to run away, Khedron will pursue, howling in joy and blood lust. If all enemies are KIA, he will look around for a moment while he gets his bearings, and will then inspect the bite on his leg.
"A good hit, sister!", Khedron will shout, masking his pain at his leg wound. And I just got healed up after those orcs pincushioned me the other day. B~!$&@*s! He will jerk his warhammer up from the lead wolf and swing it over his head and down in an underhand arc, aiming to meet the breastbone when the beast leaps at him. Graceless yes, but very fast. Bad dog! (1d20+4=16, 1d8+3=6)
Khedron hears the wolf before he sees it. He hisses a warning to Thorghrim, but he is too wrapped up in reliving childhood issues to pay attention. Initiative (1d20+6=16) Recalling the wise words of his father Dogs don't bite you right away unless they're trained, son. They will stop in front of you and bark at you to make you go away. When they do that, just thump them on the head. Khedron will do just that: Good doggy! (1d20+4=21, 1d8+3=8)
Khedron watches Moverock and Kiira check the caved-in tunnel. The stone is fine. What else would you expect from manling construction? "Aye, an odd noise it is." He will turn back to see Thorghrim moving off towards the green light. Khedron will follow behind, close enough to back his brother up in a fight, but not close enough to impede Thorghrim if he jerks back suddenly. Khedron will try to be silent - more to give the others quiet in which to listen and search than from any vain hope of sneaking up on anything. move silently (1d20+4=6) He will pause to adjust to the green light and have a look around. spot, listen, search (1d20+8=18, 1d20+6=18, 1d20=1)
Khedron will purchase 2 cure light potions at the temple. He looks at the eye on the sealing wax for a moment and hastily stuffs them in his belt pouch. Remembering his father's warnings, he will also purchase a heavy wooden shield. Lad, a greataxe be a fine weapon, but nae sa gud in tight spots, ye follow? With his shield on he is AC 19. Drawing his warhammer, he will follow the others into the cairn. Khedron will pause a moment to let his darkvision adjust as he peers down the hall: Spot, listen, and search checks (1d20+8=22, 1d20+6=25, 1d20=2) If he sees nothing of interest, he will follow Thorghrim into the west alcove.
Khedron and the others will commandeer a wheelbarrow and get Thorghrim back to the hold in good order, where they will unceremoniously deposit him in his bed. There is discussion of dumping him in front of the fireplace, but we all agree it would be bad manners towards our host. In the morning over breakfast the quints discuss their plans for conquest and world domination. When Gant asks to go to the Whispering Cairn to recover stolen property, and Kiira discourages us from unduly annoying the locals, an accord is quickly reached. We will respectfully ask the counsel of Master Dulok concerning a reputable place to purchase healing potions from, as well as how much we should expect to pay. We will also purchase the map from Roryn, and pay him 10gp now rather than later (2gp each). This way, if we do not come back, it cannot be said that a debt went unpaid by Granite Runners! This business attended to, we will say our farewells to Roryn and Dulok and be on our way.
The jab to his jaw stings a bit. "This be a bar fight! Dinnae be gi'in me love taps! Here's how it's doon!" When Thorghrim bobs right, Khedron's haymaker is there to meet him. Fifth hit: (1d20+4=24, 1d3+3=4) It's a solid hit but fails to ring his brother's bell (no crit, only 4pts damage). possible crit (1d20+4=10, 1d3+3=6)
But the braid of Thorghrim's beard deflects the blow enough to again avoid his bell being rung: second possible crit: (1d20+4=5, 1d3+3=6)
"Ha enough, broother? I'll buy ye a mead i' it'll quiet ye mouth."
"Bah! Ah ha' sense aplenty! Ah'll gi' ye' a bellyful o' it!" Khedron throws a right to Thorghrim's belly. The force is enough to lift him off his feet for a moment (causing onlookers to wince), but Thorghrim's armor took the blow so no damage is done. Fourth punch (1d20+4=16, 1d3+3=6)
"Had enough, have ye?", Khedron asks, cocking his left fist.
Khedron feints with his left and looses a wild haymaker with his right, hoping Thorghrim took the bait: Third punch at Thorghrim (1d20+4=8, 1d3+3=5)
Khedron glories in the momentary silence as his 'younger' brother wipes his split lip with the back of his hand, his face transforming to that creepy mix of joy and rage. The blessed silence is broken by Thorghrim's feeble taunt and battle cry.
The eldest anticipates his brother's move and bobs right, his left fist jabbing where he expects Thorghrim to put his face. His opponent has learned, however, and ducks back at the last minute - inadvertently pulling his punch up into Khedron's helmet.
"Is thot the best ye have in ye? I expect yonder elf witch packs more o' a punch!"
Khedron is at first interested in the dogfighting (thinking they are talking about gnolls). When he sees that it is merely dogs, he loses interest immediately. waste o' a good critter. Presently he begins to wonder, and eyes his stew suspiciously. He will stay out of the fights as they don't involve him or his clan, or even dwarves for that matter. After half a dozen ales he will begin to loosen up, and by the time he gets to a dozen Kiira's needling about the elf woman finally gets to him. "Orrigh! I'll ha' a match wi' her!" He will swagger over to Tirra, who is collecting her winnings from the latest challenger. "Ye seem handy wi' yonder pigsticker! Care for a match? Three shards i' it?" First throw (1d20+5=17)
His throws get progressively worse as Thorghrim is constantly pestering him, offering advice on where to hold the dagger, how hard to throw it, how is it weighted, Brother, hold ye' tongue! I'm busy!, perhaps Khedron would let Thorghrim examine the blade to make sure it's not tampered with, shut ye' yap!, after that throw shouldn't Khedron exchange blades with Tirra... His last throw doesn't even stick in the target. The laughter of his siblings at the table, the smug gleam in Tirra's eye, and the constant prattle of Thorgrhim build to where Khedron... ...turns and lands a solid right hook to Thorghrim's jaw: Swing at Thorghrim (1d20+4=22, 1d3+3=4) Shut ye' hole ye' filthy sod!
Khedron will also save his money. He can't really think of anything he wants to buy at the moment, so he follows Gant's lead and stuffs his cinched money pouch in his tunic. good idea! He will keep out 2gp for the night's drinking, hoping to win extra drinks in dart or dagger throwing games. manlings don't think dwarves can throw! are they in for a shock! If a fight erupts between Gant and Thorghrim, Khedron will do his best to move it outside so as not to risk damaging the storekeeper's merchandise (and risk having to pay for damages now that we finally have some coin). Otherwise he will stay out of it unless a non-family member gets involved somehow, in which case they will get a punch in the gut for their trouble.
"Cairns on the morrow, yes!", Khedron will agree enthusiastically. "The coins in my purse are lonely and be pinin' for company." "Da taught us nae ta be freeloaders, and ta always bring something for the stew pot when we're guests in someone's hold. Master Dulok, we have a deer we'd like tae offer your kitchen in thanks for your hospitality." "We'll also be wantin' tae check this Captain's Blade place. Mayhap the captain will give us a good price for these orc weapons!" Before Thorghrim can argue, Khedron will continue in a low voice: "Hold, brother. Da told us not tae be rude. We cannae dry the meat and sell the weapons withoot splitting up, and da told us nae ta do that either. We give the deer tae Master Dulok...we're polite, and the deer does nae go ta waste. We sell the weapons and get some coin today. We find out what we can aboot the cairns and go in the mornin'."
Not about to turn down an 'invitation' from an older dwarf of some wealth and social standing, Khedron will enter. Remembering what (scant) manners our father taught him, Khedron will not drink until Dulok does. Aaahhhhh...now this is ale fit for drinking! At mention of the letter, Khedron will shrug off his pack and pull out a scroll tube containing the letter. He will hand it to Dulok. Wonder what it says? I never quite got the way of the runes. Didn't seem worth the time, da always told us to learn by doing. Still, might be good to learn some day. Khedron will savor the ale in silence. He will honestly answer questions Dulok puts to him, but as long as the conversation serves a purpose (learning about the town, opportunities for more treasure, fair merchants to trade with) he is content to let the others do the talking.
Woke up by Gant, Khedron will stretch and get up. He feels better and figures that he should be back to normal by the next sunrise. Khedron hears Thorghrim make his statement about the meat. Deeming his brother to be correct, he sees no need to say anything. He will fill his tankard and take a swig, unconsciously making a face. Human ale! I've tasted bathwater with more flavor! Khedron will take the proffered bread and cheese, supplementing it with dried meat and a bit of butter from his rations. He will listen to Kiira interrogating Gant and Moverock about the town, and will listen intently to the answers. Having blabbermouth along saves me the trouble of having to ask questions. At dawn, Khedron will start the fire that he laid earlier, feeding it with the wood that was stockpiled. He will manage it carefully to produce the right amount of heat to dry the meat, while making as little smoke and consuming as little fuel as possible. Since he got some sleep during the night, he will stand watch while tending the fire.
Khedron will nod his concurrence with Gant's suggestion. "Take Moverock with you. The manlings seem to like him and he might get us a better price. Just ale and bread for me.", handing Gant 2gp. Like da always said, the right tool for the job. He will pull off his armor and let Thorghrim look him over, but his brother's clumsy poking at his wounds makes him twitch and jump. Thorghrim gave up mere seconds before Khedron was about to hit him. Khedron will build a drying rack out of fallen branches and vines while his brother slices the deer carcass with unnerving precision. He will also gather kindling and firewood and lay a fire, but will not set it ablaze yet. He will clean and repair his armor as best as he can. With that completed, he will prop himself up against a tree or boulder. Knowing that his brother is the most observant of all of them, and knowing he needs the rest (though he'd never admit it) he will drift off to sleep.
What? There are no more? Khedron blinks, his senses keyed up and on alert. He looks around him suspiciously as if not believing there are no more enemies to fight. When he spies Thorghrim sitting on a rock cleaning his boots, he knows the fight is over, and the rage leaves him. He will begin checking the bodies, tossing the falchions in one pile, the javelins in another, and miscellaneous coin going in a small sack salvaged from one of the dead pig-faces. He examines the key, scraping at it with his fingernail. Huh. Silver. Stupid thing to make a key out of. Khedron starts to wrestle the armor off the dead orcs when he hears Gant's words. He settles back on his heels and contemplates the matter, eventually nodding and getting up. Not worth the trouble. It's torn, smelly, and bloody, and we'll have to cut the straps to get it off. He hands the key to Moverock, knowing his brother has an aptitude for knowing what things are worth. "What do you think of this dragon head?" Khedron will stomp off back uphill to pick up his longbow and great axe, doing his best to ignore his wounds and conceal his seriously injured state from his siblings. "On to town? We can trade some of these things for lodging and sell the rest. Anyway it's bad luck to divide profit without a tankard of ale!"
The world sharpens for Khedron and his senses are operating with total clarity. The crunch of the gravel under his feet, the smell of the orcs and their fresh blood mingles with the older blood of the deer carcass. He sees Thorghrim start his swing and somehow feels that it will miss the orc, too high and easily dodged. Khedron will swing his warhammer in an uppercut, hoping to catch the orc when it dodges his brother's sword: Swing batter batter (1d20+6=12, 1d8+5=7)
The javelins pierce Khedron's armor, biting deep into his shoulder, chest, belly, and leg. His world swims for a moment and is replaced by a red haze which creeps in around the edges. These filth are not worthy to kill me! They are only worthy to die! Khedron will rock on his heels for a moment, muttering to himself. A gobbet of spittle forms at the corner of his mouth and tracks down his beard. The world narrows to an almost completely red haze, with a tiny opening in the center focused on orc #3. Every detail of the pig-faced vermin is crystal clear and Khedron focuses his rage on him.
His bellow of rage seems torn from the bones of the earth. Khedron charges down the hill at orc #3, along the way dropping his longbow and drawing his warhammer. His howl trails along behind him.
Khedron is only dimly aware that his warhammer struck the orc solidly. Warhammer attack, charging, rage (1d20+8=23, 1d8+5=8)
Khedron is lost in thought, mentally kicking himself for missing the deer path. I'm the one who wants to follow in Da's tracks, and I can't even see a game path! Even that poofy Moverock saw it! Hope Kiira tries to ride me about it; she's due for a beatdown after the scene she made about coming with us... He blinks, hearing the insult and seeing his siblings start to move. Initiative vs orcs (1d20+6=8) Khedron intuits that he would be peppered by javelins if he tried to charge now. Instead he drops his greataxe and unlimbers his longbow. In a fluid motion, he draws, nocks, and fires an arrow at the largest orc, looking very smooth but missing entirely. longbow shot at orcs (1d20+6=9, 1d8=5) |
