Sir Torlgrith's page

Sir Torlgrith thinks a long moment before answering.

"We don't know enough about why they're attacking. If their objective isn't important enough, they may retreat if we inflict enough casualties to make it not worth their while. The best I can think of is to bleed them, to hold our ground and kill whatever they send until they give up."

Sir Torlgrith frowns. "They may be trying to draw us out, where their advantage in numbers could crush us."

I'm going to assume Ziphora goes along with this idea

You zoom back down to where Sir Torlgrith and the lizardfolk chiefs are directing their men (which is pretty easy right now since they're just standing and waiting behind Mazzoss's wall).

"What's going on?" he asks.

"You'd have to carry it there," Sir Torlgrith points out. "There aren't many sizable trees in the pass. You might have to search a bit for rocks the right size, too, though there should be plenty in the area."

"We've only one horse here," Sir Torlgrith replies. "Most of them have crossbows or bows, and we've plenty of bolts and arrows. They're well-trained, but probably not a match for a hobgoblin one-on-one."

Yes, they're coming from the east, likely through the pass the road (the dotted line) goes through

"They're the men I already have here," Sir Torlgrith replies evenly. "It would take more than a week for reinforcements from Korvosa to arrive. I've sent word, but by the time they'd get here it would be too late."

"I've got another report," Sir Torlgrith begins without delay. "Current estimates put the enemy forces at 1250 to 1500 hobgoblins, roughly, with assorted mo..."

He pauses, looking at you, then corrects himself, "Assorted other larger creatures they've enslaved. They'll be at the pass in five or six days from what we've been able to learn."

"This herd of cows, for one, with the promise of more," Sir Torlgrith replies, pointing at the enclosure. "Not to mention enough steel to armor all of you, should you wish it. Lastly, you are to be proclaimed Lords and Lady of Bloodsworn Vale."

Sir Torlgrith is waiting for you in his usual spot.

"Welcome back," he says once you're in comfortable speaking distance. "Her Majesty the Queen has sent you a number of gifts. Apparently reports of your assistance have made quite an impression on her."

You walk up to the wall, and Sir Torlgrith makes an admirable show of being unafraid. He draws his sword.

"You are welcome to give an oath if you wish, but Her Majesty did not see fit to require one," he states. "Now, if you'll each... err, raise your head up to me in sequence, we can begin."

As you do so, he taps each of you twice on the head with the flat of his blade, saying something like, "By the authority of Her Majesty Queen Arabasti, I hearby knight you Sir Tomorbataar", except with each of your names instead of just Tomorbataar's each time.

"Ah..." Sir Torlgrith looks decidedly nervous. "That... isn't necessary. You just need to walk over here, and I'll tap each of you on the head with the flat of my blade while declaring you a knight."

"It's not a very long ceremony, and she authorized me to carry it out in her name," Sir Torlgrith states. "She didn't have anything more to say."

Mo obediently comes over, though he looks confused.

Sir Torlgrith sighs. "It'll be a few moments. He's getting things arranged for bringing your part of the feast out."

"Your return," Sir Torlgrith replies. "With most of the threats dealt with, my scouts have had more time to hunt, so we've prepared a good-sized feast for you. And Tomorbataar will be pleased to hear that I've gotten a response from the city about your requests."

Sir Torlgrith is, indeed, waiting for you when you near the fort.

"Welcome back!" he calls out as you approach. "We knew you'd succeeded when the fire seed disappeared. We've been preparing since then."

"We'll... try to arrange something," Sir Torlgrith responds to Beachhead's statement.

You rear up, then come back down with a very satisfying THUD. Sir Torlgrith seems a bit unnerved by this, though glad enough that your anger isn't directed at him.

"No, it's... it would take months to tear things down and set them up elsewhere, at least with the men I could spare for it." He looks nervously up at the angry red glow above. "He said a week. If you're not back in six days, we'll evacuate, and just lose anything we can't carry. For usage... well, he'd have to know magic. How much, I don't know, and we don't have any wizards with us to ask."

Sir Torlgrith is staring up at the glowing gem in the sky above when Ziphora addresses him. He shakes himself slightly at her question and turns to face you.

"I've heard of these things before. If he's telling the truth, the only way to disarm it without it incinerating the fort is using the matching gem... which he likely has with him, wherever he is."

"I mentioned I had to take my scouts off scouting, did I not?" Sir Torlgrith responds. "They were the ones looking for threats. I've still got some men around the road work sites for security and close-in reconnaissance, but I don't have the men to go deep into the vale. So far they've been safe, but I don't like how blind I am as to what else is here. As for the King..."

He hesitates a long moment. "I've received word recently he's been unwell. I don't know what his reaction will be to you at present."

Sir Torlgrith spreads his hands slightly. "I can recommend it, but the King will have to agree," he states.

Sorry, didn't realize you might be waiting on me.

"I could write up an official contract, yes," Sir Torlgrith says, leaning back from Tomorbataar instinctively. "As for official titles... I'll write to the King about how vital you've been to our efforts and recommend you be knighted. It's up to him to make such a pronouncement."

After a moment's pause, Sir Torlgrith replies, his tone carefully neutral, "This is a small outpost with only enough supplies for my own men. Supplying these meals to you has required me to take my scouts off scouting and have them hunt full-time instead. It's thanks to you I've been able to do that, but I don't have any manpower to spare to do more, and I certainly don't have any coin. I was authorized to offer land and part of the future tax revenue from the road to anyone who helped me, and that offer still stands."

He pauses. "I suppose you weren't here for that part. What that means is that, the sooner this area is safe for trade, the sooner you'll start getting a cut of the taxes, and the bigger that cut will be. Until then, I can offer you nothing more than the services of our priest because I have nothing more. Is that clear?"

"Yes, we have a good-sized boar for you," Sir Torlgrith says, motioning for some of his men to bring the animal out to you.

It's definitely not as big as that bear you ate, but it should do for the evening.

"Right... I'll see what I can get for you in the way of amulets... or belts, when I next send a message back to the city," Sir Torlgrith replies. "And I'm sure a cookbook can be arranged too, Ziphora. As for work, I don't have anything right now, but I'm sure something will come up soon."

It is late in the evening, and he hasn't mentioned any payment for the job yet--he definitely owes you dinner, and probably enough clerical magic to handle the ability damage. You don't heal ability damage faster than normal.

Sir Torlgrith is simply watching you with a look of bemusement. After a moment he realizes he should probably say something.

"A sword like this would probably be worth about two magic rings of the most basic sort, or one if it's a bit more powerful. But if I might make a suggestion, amulets might be better suited to your... unique challenges."

"That would depend on how complete its coverage was," Sir Torlgrith replies. "Without you being there with the armorer, I wouldn't suggest a full suit... er, whatever you would call it. You'd want a couple different pieces connected by adjustable straps, or some such. Not perfect protection, but better than wood."

"That might be possible, though we'd have to take some very careful measurements," Sir Torlgrith replies. "Chain mail, at the least, I'm sure someone could manage."

"I see..." Sir Torlgrith says, frowning in thought. "Yes, we'll bury the bones you brought, and I'll send some men upstream to bury any others. From what little I know of such things, you're probably right about that solving the problem. As for the sword..."

He hesitates a moment. "We probably don't have anything here that's worth a flaming sword, but I could probably order something from Korvosa."

Sir Torlgrith held up a hand. "Wait, what's this about bones? They had something to do with the problems with the stream? And what was that about phantoms? I'm sorry, but I'm not quite following what's going on."

"The water cleared up hours ago!" he calls out. "What was causing it? I assume you've solved the problem?"

Sir Torlgrith nods. "It happens at the same time every month, yes. It will happen tomorrow, and it lasts all day. That is why we hadn't brought it up before."

Sir Torlgrith frowns. If he's intimidated by Beachhead, he's doing a good job of hiding it.

"True, we do owe you for today. I suppose healing you would be our payment for the drakes. For tomorrow's task, we can discuss other payments. In specific, every month the creek here runs foul, clouded by some sort of contamination. It's not a terrible problem, as we can store enough water for the day, but it will be a problem for caravans traveling the road after it's complete. We'd like you to follow the stream until you find whatever's fouling the water and solve it."

He pauses a moment, then adds, "We suspect it's either some kind of creature or some sort of magic, either of which you'd be equipped to solve."

"Our priest here," Sir Torlgrith nods at the man who'd spoken up, "Will help you now, though as he said he can only do one a day. It will just count as the reward for the next thing you do for us."

He looks over the heads. "Which ones of you need it?"

Ziphora's water jets quickly put out the fires. They also quickly start doing structural damage.

Sir Torlgrith looks up and waves his arms, trying to get your attention. "That's enough!" he shouts. "Thank you, Ziphora! The fires are out! You can stop now!"

"There's parchment and ink in my office," Sir Torlgrith explains with a longsuffering tone, "But I hardly had time to run down there, dig it out, uncap ink, come back up here, find somewhere to write, and keep up with Tomorbataar."

Sir Torlgrith looks bemused. "I'm afraid I didn't have any parchment or ink," he states.

"Ah... hm. Well, I was actually going to tell you that we didn't have any requests for you at present, so that works well," Sir Torlgrith states.

I might point out that it's getting towards evening, so you might want to wait until the morning to leave.

"Potatoes are not particularly difficult to acquire, actually," Sir Torlgrith replies, trying to keep a straight face through all the puns. "It just takes time to ship them here. I can request some extras in our next supply shipment, but until then, we don't have many left. As for onyx... I'll put in the request, but I wouldn't count on that being filled. We don't have that big of a budget here."

None of the potatoes has any toppings, Ziphora.

"Ah... hmm. I don't believe we have any black cloth, I'm afraid," Sir Torlgrith says, looking at Beachhead. He turns to Hothead. "We don't have anything now, but we can work on something for later for the next time you do something for us."

A couple of the humans carry the wooden armor over to Tomorbataar and start putting it on him (assuming he cooperates). There's also a light shield-equivalent hat and a heavy-shield equivalent hat.

"Greetings again, all six of you," Sir Torlgrith says as soon as you're close enough that he doesn't have to shout. "Sergeant Rorl filled me in on what happened. Those bugbears would have been trouble for us, too, eventually. While you've been away, we had time to finish a couple of your shield-hats, and even some armor for you, Tomorbataar."

He signals, and the gates open. A couple men come out bearing wooden... hats, of a sort, and another exits carrying what looks like a bundle of planks sewn onto leather.

Who wanted what kind of armor?

"We've also got plenty of food for you, including some baked potatoes," the human continues. Several more men come out bearing platters of meat, vegetables... and one entire plate of baked potatoes.

"We have, as you requested for payment, also prepared a nest of sorts for you. Once my man has your measurements, we'll show you to it."

Please let me know what kind of armor you'd like.

Fort Thorn can produce the hydra-head equivalents of a light or heavy wooden shield, and padded, leather, wooden, or hide armor. They don't have the resources for anything metal. The shields they could have done by the time you get back from this next little mission. The armor will take two or three missions to complete.

"The meat has already been cooked, and they were caught just this morning," Sir Torlgrith replies to Tomorbataar. "As for armor, we should be able to make something for the top of your head, as you've suggested. If you want something for both your head and neck, that will take longer--which is appropriate, as you'd have to do more to pay for them."

He looks over at Ziphora. "I'm afraid we don't have the metal for anything like that, Ziphora. Perhaps if all goes well, and we continue our alliance, you might someday visit one of our larger facilities, which would have more resources to pay you for your services."

He pretends that Dru-Head's mumbling was incomprehensible and so ignorable.

You'd be able to wear armor and a shield and still make unarmed strikes, yes. Just use your chin. Though of course any monk abilities that say they can't be used in armor would be unusable. Somehow I doubt that's much of an issue for you.

Meanwhile, Sir Torlgrith had been shouting back and forth with his men.

"Well? You have the message now?"

"Yes, sir!"

After a few moments, another human runs over along the walkway behind the wall to hand a small piece of something to Sir Torlgrith. He looks it over for a moment.

"This is a message from Chief Kassmak of the Turessk Tribe. They say they live in the swamp south of here, and they want a 'conclave of the mighty'." He grins over at you. "Sounds like you should go see what they want. I'll send a couple of my men with you, of course, to represent Fort Thorn. Assuming you're able to keep them from interfering with our roadbuilding, we would of course reward you... speaking of which," he turns back towards the interior of the fort, "Our carpenter should be out shortly to take your measurements for that armor you wanted."

Sir Torlgrith listened to the arguing heads with interest and a little concern. It did, at least, give him some better insight into his maybe-allies' personalities... which was probably going to be very, very important in days to come.

Suddenly there was a shout from the other side of the fort, and he turned.

"What is it, men?" he shouted back.

"Lizardfolk, sir!" The reply was barely audible this far from the speaker. "Think he delivered a message!"

"I think it would be best if he remains with you," Sir Torlgrith says, doubtfully. "Perhaps we could make such a pack for him as payment for your next task. As for your payment now..."

He gestures, and the gates open. Two men bring out a roasted deer on a long pole, and two others bring out two brace of hares and a brace of pheasants.

"In addition to the food, we've also prepared a nest for you. One of my men will show you there when we're done. We're also prepared to take your measurements to begin working on some kind of armor for you. Lastly," he held up a scroll, "Our priest prepared this, which may be of more interest to Tomorbataar. It is a brief treatise on the laws of Erastil."

Hey, now you have someone to carry that for you!

Sir Torlgrith tried to not show any sign of distress.

"I see... so you'll be responsible for making sure he's fed without attacking any of my men, then?"

Sure enough, Sir Torlgrith is already on the wall when you arrive.

"I take it you've killed the owlbears? And... brought a hill giant. Ah... might I ask exactly why you have a hill giant?"

Meanwhile...

Sir Torlgrith looked over his letter, finally feeling mostly satisfied with it. He read over it one last time, just to be sure.

To Your Majesty, etc etc

In the course of clearing the old trade route through Bloodsworn Vale, I have encountered the most... unusual creature. It appears somewhat like a hydra, though with each head having its own distinct appearance and personality. Unlike the many beasts which have troubled our progress through the vale, they (for they truly are distinct, from my observation) have proven amenable to diplomacy, even being willing to aid in clearing the vale of other threats, in return for payment in food and other goods.

I have taken the liberty of extending Your Majesty's offer of a share of the road's proceeds to them, as they have proven useful as a sort of... mercenary company. I do, however, fear that they know that they negotiate from a position of strength, and that as such their demands will grow more and more difficult to meet in return for their service. I further fear that, should they cease to view our presence in the vale as useful, they may turn upon us, in which case I am not certain I have forces sufficient to defeat them.

However, as Your Majesty has already informed me as to the difficulty of sending further reinforcements at the present time, I pray Your Majesty considers a humble proposal. I have already seen ample proof of this creature's might, and as it can be reasoned with and has shown a willingness to engage in mercenary work, Your Majesty might wish to contract its services elsewhere for the glory of Korvosa. Should Your Majesty think this wise, I would humbly suggest that Your Majesty send an envoy to propose such an arrangement without delay, before I run out of ways to pay them.

I am, as always, your humble servant, etc.

With a decisive nod to himself, Sir Torlgrith folded the letter up and sealed it in an envelope, then called for his sergeant. The message would soon be off, and, he hoped, a response would soon come back that would take his problematic allies somewhere they could either serve for the glory of Korvosa... or die. He'd rather they did the former, but he was all-too-aware that, out here, at this little outpost, he and his men would be the ones doing the latter should the worst happen.

Sir Torlgrith feels the hairs on the back of his neck sticking up, but is unable to identify just why this is.

Sir Torlgrith shakes his head. "Even that, we don't have the man nor the metal for, here. This is a small outpost meant mostly to supply and defend our road crews, so we only have someone here to mend and repair our armor, not make new armor. In the future, assuming our arrangement goes well, I'm sure His Majesty would be interested in making further agreements with you, which could likely include bringing in skilled armorers and material for them to work with."

He pauses a moment, trying to figure out Dru-Head's comment. "Wood board things? Hmm... well... that we might be able to manage. We certainly have no shortage of wood here, after all. But I think food and a nest is enough payment for the owlbears, not to mention it will take some time to make something. Perhaps some wooden protection could be your payment for the next foes you slay after the owlbears?"

Sir Torlgrith's train of thought is interrupted by a yawn. "Perhaps we could finalize the details in the morning?" he suggests.