"Fascinating. I would wager the stones can be useful, if we can only figure out how to use them. Perhaps there is a key or talisman to initiate the magic? Or some runes or trigger somewhere? Keep your eyes open, there must be something around here."
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"There's an aura of evocation, could be a trap, or some kind of light source. Gimme a second and I'll examine further." Ondek swims towards the aura and spends the time to identify it, if possible. ?
"Could be the best of that big fish, I know some smaller swimmers build little pebble nests to protect their eggs. As for the rings, I have no idea." Ondek casts detect magic and moves up closer behind the others.
"I really should have paid better attention during Evocation classes. These monsters just don't care about my charming demeanor." Ondek casts a spell, causing a swirl of runes to form around the giant fish, turning counterclockwise in a spiral as it seems to slow and tick down like a clock running out of spring.
"I doubt it would be that simple, Sven. More likely, something with tentacles and beaks and all sorts of ugly stuff will show up."
Ondek casts a few spells of protection before looking into the water with a frown. "I suppose it's just a little dip, in and out. Let's be on our way, then, eh?"
"I do have a spell that will dry us off. It will take a bit of time to do all of us, but it will certainly be better than drip drying." Ondek finishes setting up the camp, especially laying a fire and getting the mess kit ready for food preparation, then turns around to the others. "Let's remember, this is a scouting mission for now, we can get some intelligence and draw back, not engage in needless underwater combat. As for weaponry, spears and daggers are going to be our best bet, axes and hammers won't do much with the extra resistance of water."
"Good, good, yes, very good. If we are going to separate and go underwater, it might behoove us to set up camp beforehand. That way, we have a dry and warm place set up for when we come out. In addition, I believe I can 'borrow' some of your magic and prepare a scroll of the water-breathing spell, then learn it tomorrow. If we decide to do that, we could split the load as far as spellcasting, and keep more of your divine magic available.' Ondek begins to set up camp as he speaks, confident he would not be on the scouting party mission. "Oh right, I completely forgot. I'm called Ondek. Ondek Brightstone, pleased to meet ya."
Ondek looks the new dwarf up and down closely. "Well met, Sir Sven Mazebreaker. It does my heart good to see more followers of the Great Creator out here in the wilderness. I imagine your prayers and visions were sent to aid us in our quest here. Tell me, what do you know about giants, and their societal structures?" Ondek begins a lengthy conversation with the cleric, hoping to draw out some history and information about him, in the off chance this is a ploy to endanger their group.
Welcome aboard, Sven! To answer the question: no, Ondek does not have water breathing as a known spell. He could possibly use Sven to cast and help scribe a scroll of it, which would take at least a day or so.
Ondek looks at Kiln with a smile. "Sure, Kiln, you just use that big old hammer and you'll be just fine opening doors."
"I doubt very much Cormog knew what these tablets were for. But I could certainly use them to good effect. And a set of smithing tools, combined with a bellows should prove useful if we need to do some repair work."
"I guess this would teach you to trust strangers, but it's not like you are going to survive this encounter, Cormog. Too bad you chose the wrong side in this war." Without a means to really hurt the giant, Ondek continues his aura of dread, then unleashes a burst of sparkling glitter to blind him.
Also worth noting: dwarves gain automatic proficiency in battleaxes, heavy picks, and warhammer. Beyond healing/condition repair magic (remove disease/poison/etc), having decent Kn(Religion) is probably a good thing. Ondek has arcana, history, local, and planes, but no religion or nature. Dropping a single level isn't really too bad, imo, since a cleric and oracle are then at the same level when it comes to spell availability, and keeping the CL up is a non issue nowadays.
Ondek will trigger his aura of despair once Kiln and Rask close to melee with Cormog.
Seeing his invisibility break with the auras activation, he looks at the giant and grins. "Guess you won't be getting rewarded from Urathash after all, Cormog."
One thing to note, Sven: Torags favored weapon is the warhammer, not the pick. Dunno if GM cares or not, but figured it should be known.
Once out of line of sight, Ondek whistles loudly to ensure his party hears him, then goes invisible.
Sorry to see you go, Khari. Hope your experiences improve soon!
"You know, I've never really eaten ogre before, to be honest. It's simply never come up, what with the plenties back at camp an all. The boss is fairly generous with his favored giants, you know. By the way, how long did it take for you to get down here? A days walk? More? I usually use magic to get around so distance and time while walking can be a bit... tricky." Ondek moves away just a bit, hoping to break line of sight before his enlarge spell wears off (16 minutes with the extend rod), and heads towards some brush and scribe trees. "Call me Kedno, I don't think we've met at base before. What did the boss have you doing before coming down here?"
"Excellent work, Comog. By the way, did you find the stuff Urathash sent you down here to find? Lost bits and pieces, anything the like." Seeing the hill giant dispose of the ogres so easily, Ondek grins at his good fortune so far. "We can head that way right away, of course. I'll let you lead the way, so you get the credit for the two traitors. Did you wanna butcher them and cook them up here? No sense dragging corpses around just to share with the rest, not while you can have a huge meal out here." Ondek offers to help set up a cook fire, and excuses himself to gather firewood.
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"That's the thing, Cormog. These are the ogres Urathas was asking about. I'd recognize their stink anywhere. I'll tell you what, cut their heads off, and you can have the bodies to eat. I'll even let you bring their heads to the boss for the reward."
Ondek takes a few deep breaths, then begins casting several spells on himself. A brief shimmer forms around his body as his magical protections rise, then he begins to grow, doubling in height. Finally, his clothes flicker and change, turning from solid dwarven travel garb to something more appropriate for a giant wizard or witch. "I'm going to try and convince the hill giant that those ogres are thieves and traitors, and there's a bounty on their heads. Keep an eye out, if I go invisible that means I'm going to need some backup."
Once near enough to be heard, Ondek calls out to the hill giant in giant. "Oy! Which two ogres do you have there? I got some new instructions from the boss for a couple of traitorous thieving ogres."
"I can try to get closer and trick the giants. I have a couple of ideas, either to get the hill giant to slay the ogres for us, or charm him to be my friend and get some Intel out of him. Any objections, or other suggestions?"
"Mind if I use those lenses? The spell is one I don't know, but it could come in handy when combined with my enchantments. I doubt it'll work often on giants or other tough creatures, but it's probably worth a try."
"Fall back, I'm gonna try my new pit spell!" Ondek calls out in dwarven, pulling a miniature spade from his pouch. With a few words and the pantomime of digging a hole, a pit appears beneath the cyclops instantly.
Ondek begins chanting and casting, hands moving in an intricate pattern as arcane energy builds up in runic auras around him.
As he completes the spell, he holds his hands up, palms down and fingers arched as if playing with a marionette. "Just stop right there, big fella."
"So much for subtlety. Have at 'em, lads." Ondek casts a spell, turning a miniature hourglass over in his palm. Everyone's perception of the battlefield slows just a bit as the magic takes effect on the party.
"I don't have a confusion spell, but if I can get closer, I can charm the manticore pretty reliably. I'd wager having a flying mount for a week or so might be pretty handy. And who knows, maybe the manticore knows some intelligence we can use going forward."
"Cyclops are not to be trifled with. The other giant and the manticore are one thing but Cyclops have a weird ability to slay with accurate swings. I'd we are to engage, range will be our friend here."
As soon as the party sets up camp, Ondek immediately pulls out a four-foot long scroll and begins to pour over it. For the next few hours, he studiously writes into his spellbook until after midnight he stands up, stretches and yawns. "Well, I hope you all enjoy seeing giants fall into a large rectangular hole in the ground. With caustic liquid at the botttom."
"We should continue on south by southwest, see where the end of this canyon leads. I have magic remaining, but once we settle down I can scribe one of my more potent scrolls into my spellbook. Unless you'd prefer I scribe one of the strength or constitution boosting spells and prepare them going forward."
"I assume we are not the worse for the wear, yes? If we can continue down this river, we may as well do so. There's no telling what remains down the valley."
Ondek shrugs off the magic stinking cloud, moving to the west with magically enhanced speed. As he lines up the ogre and other giant ( yo ID the non-ogre). He pulls a crackling energy-sheathed javelin from his back and unleashes a bolt of lightning to strike both remaining enemies. electricity damage, DC 14 for half. "Why must the stupid and ugly ones also stink so bad?"
"Getting slain by mighty dwarven warriors seems to be their career path, right now. Doubt the advancement opportunities are great, to be honest."
"As I suspected, violent, stupid, and short-sighted. Ogres are predictable in some ways, I guess. " Ondek draws a scroll from his case and casts, a swirling, ticking rune appearing around the party as time seems to slow just a little bit. "Strike them down, brothers, and we'll be just fine here."
"I doubt I will be able to talk these fellows around. Ogres are notoriously stupid and unlikely to parley."
[Ooc]My bad, thought we had resolved this.[_ooc] "Well, comrades, they say they will leave us alone and continue about their days. Shall we?" Ondek bows slightly and waits for the more martially skilled dwarves to take point.
"Sorry, lads, I forget not everyone speaks giant. I'm just telling these two about the other giant army amassing on the other side of the continent. Hopefully they'll decide to go that way and not play "toss the dwarves over the bridge" like they planned." Ondek fills in the party in dwarven.
"Ah, the short sighted ones have cast their lots with the Storm Tyrant, I see. That's too bad. I and my companions are actually out trying to recruit warriors and officers for a new force, based near Riddleport. An ancient rune giant has awoken and is working to build the lost empire of Thassilon once more. He is asking all true giants and strong bloods to aid in his work. I can draw you a map, and a letter of introduction if you'd like." Ondek pulls out his own and parchment, slowly, and makes good on his offer if they agree.
"Yes, of course. We would not wish to waste your time. From what we understand, there is a mass of giants gathering in the valley. And from what we witnessed thus far, you would seem to be exemplary candidates for enlistment. I.woumd caution you against this action, however, since you would become fodder for the army against the small folk. Better, by far, to gather the stone giant clans and challenge the leadership as a group. Two stone giants, that's a dangerous encounter, but an entire clan mobilized against a common foe, now thats a truly scary thought." Ondek spins a yarn, hoping to entice these two to go off and do their own thing, playing to their egos and hubris.
"I'd rather not have to engage with giants on a bridge with no railings or walls. Bad enough to get whalloped by one of their clubs, but a hundreds of foot fall afterwards seems a bit much. And who knows, maybe they're smart enough to not want their knees cut off by an axe and sword."
"Well, what about having a chance to rebuild the grandeur of the stone giant civilization, and spread the teachings and beliefs of your people? From what I understand, there are non-stone giants out there fomenting distrust between the small folk and giants, and causing all kinds of problems. And you lads seem to be sat out here, just sitting among some boulders and apparently waiting to ambush us. Certainly there must be something more interesting for such strong folks like you to do."
Ondek yells in Giant towards the giants hiding. "Hey! We see you lads there, hiding in the boulders. We'd like to speak and parley, and not have to drop your dead bodies off this bridge. What do you say we have a conversation rather than kill you?"
"A stone giant seems to be sitting at the center of the span, most likely waiting for a good moment to throw a rock or smash someone with a club. I can charm it, but I'll have to get quite a bit closer."
Congratulations on the news! Babies are exciting!
"At least we'll know for sure that something is going wrong. Too much uncertainty and we might think you just found something exciting and new, right?"
"We may as well backtrack up this pass and head down to the Southwest at the junction. There's no telling what kind of stuff down that way, especially after seeing these constructs and oozes and such."
"What, pray tell, does this ointment do?" Ondek casts detect magic and concentrates on the medicinal stuff.
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