-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--
Foray into the Foehammer Spires
-=--=--=-
One month ago -- Deep in Janderhoff a priest of Torag wakes shaking. Whether it was a dream or a vision he knows not, but last night he sat upon the Throne of the Dwarf Lords, he prayed before the tomb of the twins, and he saw the creeping evil growing upon the walls of the ancient fallen home of the Mindspin clan. Upon waking the priest searches through the ancient texts for hints and maps until he finds the location of the almost forgotten Throne of the Dwarf Lords. Then, he sends for you. "It is Torag's wish that the sacred Throne be brought to Janderhoff. You will be the one to bring it here."
-=--=--=-
Two weeks ago -- He sends with you six dwarven warriors and a wagon designed to carry the enormous stone throne. Upon the wagon, is set an almost equally large barge. "Upon this humble raft and wagon, shall the lost throne be returned to the descendents of the twin lords," declares the priest.
-=--=--=-
Four days ago -- As you near the Storval Rise, you dread travelling through decadent Kaer Maga. This turns out not to be necessary. You are told by fellow travellers of a device built by halfling merchants to allow them to more easily bring their caravans up the rise. Taking their advice, you take the road east of Kaer Maga and arrive at this ingenious elevator driven by the power of the waterfall.
A giant arm, upon which are hung two large buckets, is swung into the waterfall. When the buckets fill, they descend pulling the elevator containing the cargo up. When the buckets reach the bottom, the arm swings out and the buckets begin to drain, slowly lowering the elevator.
The halfling crew that operates the elevator charges an exorbitant fee for the use of their elevator but you have the last laugh; Putting your enormous wagon on the elevator requires dismantling of the elevator and the attaching of the cables to your wagon itself. Despite the extra labour involved, the elevator crew refuses to reneg on their committment and, in fact, seems to enjoy the challenge. Your wagon, horses, the barge, the cargo, and your crew are eventually carried up the cliffside in the swaying, dangerous elevator.
-=--=--=-
This morning -- As you near Kerrigan's Keep, your wagon is attacked by bandits. Four of your original six companions have fallen to bandits but you and Dareg and Clareg Kannonfodder fought them off and reached the keep.
-=--=--=-
Today -- The Last day of Neth, 4707. [/i]-- You have arrived at Kerrigan's Keep, the last civilized place on the Yondabakari before your destination in the Mindspins. You have been warmly welcomed by Lord Kerrigan and his son Falcon Warchild but they cannot offer you any reinforcements to replace those you lost upon the road.
"We can barely man the keep with those Korvosan soldiers who resigned their commission and remained with me after the last truce," apologizes Kerrigan "But amongst the visitors to the keep, you may find many an adventurous soul. Each month at least half a dozen adventurers head off into the Mindspins despite our warnings. Fewer return."
Falcon Warchild apologizes and suggests that your wagon could be kept in the main courtyard of the keep until you return with the throne on the barge.
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"Well me lads," says I to the Kannonfodder brother's, "It has been a trip that would o' taxed the 'eart of a sterner lads. Our comrades shall be mourned in proper fashion when we return to our 'alls with the sacred throne. Till then let us seek whatever 'earty souls we might find willing to aid us on our journey. We shall not rest till we 'ave the very best to be our boon companions."
Thanking the Lord Kerrigan for his hospitality, I shall seek within the keep to find some adventurers.
The keep is small.
As you exit the inner bailey where you have met Lord Kerrigan, you notice a chapel on one side and an exercise yard and small building on the other.
There are some residences that seem to be private and various fortifications that seem adequately manned though they could easily have their numbers doubled.
You pass a guildhouse, and see the backs of what you saw earlier to be stables and a warehouse.
You can hear the sounds of a smithy and notice a provisioner's nearby.
A well-stocked trader's sells both weaopns and rations.
Around the corner you find an open-air market near a fountain, a traveler's inn that was obviously once an army barrack and a restaurant upon which is hung a sign 'The Old Mess Hall'.
"Good day to you, Mr. Dwarf...name's Rellios. Word is that your looking to make a trip out of the Keep, and to the west - maybe needing some extra help?"
The elven fellow who introduces himself stands as tall as man, but is leaner with white hair and solid grey eyes. He carries slim blades (rapier, dagger, short sword), and wears a traveler's cloak over brown-black leather armor.
Appraise DC10:
The cut and design of the armor mark it as being of Magnimarian, human design - there's a little more emphasis on flexibility over what the Korvosan style has shown.
"Aye, we're lookin' for a few good souls to 'elp us," I respond as I look over the elf with a critical eye.
"We'll be offerin' equal shares in any treasure we find, excepting fer the one thing we been sent to retrieve. That suit you?"
As they speak a tall Humanoid approaches, he appears to saying thank you and goodbye to some one in the back room. To green tinged to be an olive skinned Varisian and to evenly shaped and symmetric to be an orc he seems caught somewhere between. He has a huge sword strapped to his back and is carrying some leather armor and a pack and what appears to be all his worldly possesions. He turns to the unlikely pair his yellow eyes, bright and feral, prounouncing in a deep booming voice, " I happen to be in current need of work right now, did I hear someone say share of the treasure? I'm, Hru a warrior-priest of Gorum Lord of Battle. Well," Laughing a little "let's say initiate of Gorum for now...for the lord must have his tests and his due...Ha! Ha! What say you?"
I stare at bit nonplussed at the orc-blood claiming to be a cleric. Beggars, as they say, can't be choosers.
"I say we're off at first light. By barge we will travel the river. Unless yer afraid of the water. Be ready then."
Then with a bit of a groan I find my way to quarters, wondering what I have let myself in for. An elf! And an orc-blood!
Dice rolls
Not yet knowing quite where my new comrades' real talents lie, I make some tentative plans as I sit in my quarters, sipping a drink and browsing through my spell book.
We'll leave at first light, traveling by barge, as I told the orc blood.
If the elf wants to play at being a scout - he can take point. Otherwise, the two Kannonfodder Brothers will take the lead, followed by the orc blood and then myself and the elf in the rear. I seem to recall the elf saying something before I left about using a bow. If he don't want to scout, he can plunk away from behind. I hate not being in the lead myself, but sometimes you do better thinking if you get the whole picture before rushing in.
That settled, I get some sleep, eager to be off in the morning.
Initiative Rolls (1d20+3=8, 1d20+3=17, 1d20+3=20, 1d20+3=19)
Perception Checks (1d20=3, 1d20=14, 1d20=16, 1d20=6)
*+2 to Sight & Sound checks for Elfy goodness*
"Aye, we're lookin' for a few good souls to 'elp us," I respond as I look over the elf with a critical eye.
"We'll be offerin' equal shares in any treasure we find, excepting fer the one thing we been sent to retrieve. That suit you?"
"Sounds good, Mr. Dwarf. Truth of the matter is, its been a little boring around here."
Diplomacy check DC15:
Despite his casual demeanor, there's a certain nervousness apparent in his tone. It's like he wants to leave as soon as possible...
..prounouncing in a deep booming voice, " I happen to be in current need of work right now, did I hear someone say share of the treasure? I'm, Hru a warrior-priest of Gorum Lord of Battle. Well," Laughing a little "let's say initiate of Gorum for now...for the lord must have his tests and his due...Ha! Ha! What say you?"
"I think we can say we'll make quite an impression wherever we go...for good or ill," he utters with a grin.
If the elf wants to play at being a scout - he can take point. Otherwise, the two Kannonfodder Brothers will take the lead, followed by the orc blood and then myself and the elf in the rear. I seem to recall the elf saying something before I left about using a bow. If he don't want to scout, he can plunk away from behind.
"I'll take the point for now, Klyndak - never know what traps we might trip in a dwarven tomb. Let's see if can keep 'em from hurting us, eh?"
Hru reluctantly gets a room at Sirap's Hilltop (as he was sleeping in the back room of the Messhall before the incident) "What's a room go for?" he intones in a deep sigh. He then says his devotions to Goram and goes to sleep, waking early and refreshed, for prays for an hour then washes, and donning his armor and shouldering his weapons and pack, heads down to the river to find the Dwarf's barge,cloak pulled tight about him against the morning chill.
"Well," I say as Hru approaches the barge, "At the least, yer not overly late. I don' be suppossing yer a daft hand wit' an oar now? Never had much call to be sailing the waters o' the world meself, but Torag smiles on the industrious, so I suppose there's no time like the present to be learning."
I try not to smile too much as I interweave a little proper religious dogma into the conversation. He may be orc-blooded, but there's no reason he couldn't turn his head to more proper path's I tell myself.
"Ha, Ha!" (deep booming laugh) " Gorum tests us all in different ways! Never been on a boat in the afortime, but if it's a test of strength, you can be sure I'll pass someone with the short arms of yerself! Goram's might is mine and it's no easy life I've had! Ohohohoha!" Hru imitates the dwarf's speech as well as possible, but erupts into laughter at the attempt, showing his prodigious canines in the process.
The evening passed uneventfully for Rellios, although sleep was hard to get into at first...his fears leaving him fitful for a time. Thus, he over-slept somewhat - a quick breakfast and grabbing his gear in a mad dash...
Rellios jumps on board just as everyone gets settled in, and looks upon the barge they are traveling in. Breifly glancing about at the three dwarves and the orcish priest, a bemused grin crosses his face.
"Well, master Dwarf...looks like your motley crew is assembled and we're ship-shape. I hope you know where you're going...or will we be stopping to catch some pirates, first?"
As the elf addresses me, I smile gruffly.
"The name is Klyndak. I apologize for my shortness yesterday, but we 'ad lost four of our comrades to bandits. It made me a wee bit testy. These two are the Kannonfodder brothers. We 'ail from Janderhoff."
I add a moment later with good dwarf humor, "And I made sure to ask for directions afore we left, so any pirates ya find ya may dispatch with all good grace.
I take a moment to make sure we are all acquainted with our vehicle and then we set off.
As we begin our voyage, I intone with due solemnity, "Onward and forward then, to riches, glory and the Sacred Throne."
A more serious tone enters his voice, "My apologies on your kinsmen and circumstances, master Klyndak...I understand that such loss can change one's persepctive."
He gives a slight bow. "Great succes in our hunt, then...Yarr!," he utters at Klyndak's commentary on pirates.
Did he just say something about getting a throne...that's what we're bringing back?! A slightly confused look comes upon his face as he considers this further...
Hru reluctantly gets a room at Sirap's Hilltop (as he was sleeping in the back room of the Messhall before the incident) "What's a room go for?" he intones in a deep sigh. He then says his devotions to Goram and goes to sleep, waking early and refreshed, for prays for an hour then washes, and donning his armor and shouldering his weapons and pack, heads down to the river to find the Dwarf's barge,cloak pulled tight about him against the morning chill.
Sirap owns both the Mess Hall and the Inn. You are forced to sleep in the chapel which the curate permits as long as you refer to it as 'meditating'. No charge.
Following the tributary to the Yondabakari as advised on the scribbled maps of the priest of Torag who first conceived of this noble quest, takes you through the stubby forest and then into the dry foothills of the Mindspin. The first day passes uneventfully. By the end of the second day you have polled and prodded into the beginnings of a gorge. The rolling foothills have given way to the low (30' high) walls of a deep red stone. In the shadowy stone-walled world of this gorge the dwarves begin to sense the presence of ancient ancestors.
You are just about to call it a day when two javelins come whistling out of the dusky sky. One pierces the Rellios' side -- barely a scrape (). Another deflects off of Clareg's shield and pierces the chain shirt protecting his left shoulder (). . At the other end of these javelins are long cords. At the other end of these cords are dark and winged things.
Your surprise prevents you from reacting quite fast enough. One of the black shapes swoops down upon the elf and grabs onto him with its two-clawed feet, attempting to pull him off of the barge.
The other dark shape makes a similar attempt to grab Clareg but its claws only manage to yank off a chunk of beard.
It is the third day of Kuthona 4707 and the Moon is full.
Hru immediatly leaps from his place at the oars, laughing" HOO! HOO! "and draws his greatsword starts to intone the verbal for Bless
I contemplate the winged menaces as I draw forth my Warhammer and cast Mage Armor on myself.
I contemplate the winged menaces as I draw forth my Warhammer and cast Mage Armor on myself.
Seeing the danger the barge is in, I act as swift as only a dwarf can! I yell at Dareg.
"Dareg! I will aid yer brother! Get the barge under control afore we all be drownin'!"
"Me blasted beard!" yells Clareg as a tuft of his beard is pulled off before grabbing with both hands at the javelin in his shoulder to prevent it from being yanked out should the rider flee.
"By me brother's beard!!" yells Dareg, which is both relevant to the situation and fortuitously a dwarven expletive. "NO! I'll steady the curse-crumbled barge, you help me brudder!"
I'll try breaking the grab: CMB (1d20+2=17)
If that succeeds, I'll next try to grab the rope. Have I actually been lifted off the barge?
Hru seems excited by the possibility of combat, drawing his greatsword and calling for divine guidance.
Klyndak prepares to show these beasties what a dwarven wizard can do in battle.
Rellios struggles helplessly with his foe as he is pulled right off the edge of the barge. The bat has no desire to take a swim, however, and releases Rellios into the freezing water. Rellios is pulled downstream by the current with javelin still in his side and his 'boys' shrivelling up from the cold and seeking to tuck themselves into a warmer place.
Dareg steadies the barge while letting out a stream of expletives that demonstrate the underappreciated creativity of the dwarven language.
Clareg attempts to keep his newfound friend from getting away, clinging on to the javelin as the bat swoops back up into the air. He manages to maintain his grip and wins the struggle with the bat and gleefully cries, "I always wanted me a kite." The batrider, however, attempted to hold onto his end of the harpoon's cord as well and was pulled right out of the saddle. The goblin batrider now hangs beneath the bat from the same cord which is firmly attached to the bat's harness at one end and held by Clareg at the other.
Rellios struggles helplessly with his foe as he is pulled right off the edge of the barge. The bat has no desire to take a swim, however, and releases Rellios into the freezing water. Rellios is pulled downstream by the current with javelin still in his side and his 'boys' shrivelling up from the cold and seeking to tuck themselves into a warmer place.
Hru utters some gutteral words in orcish as his mighty blade clears it's scabbard
Hru utters some gutteral words in orcish as his mighty blade clears it's scabbard ** spoiler omitted ** He then moves carefully towards where the elf went over the side
As I survey the situation, I yell at the elf, "Try a climbin' the rope to the batty thing!"
And then I begin loading my heavy crossbow.
As I survey the situation, I yell at the elf, "Try a climbin' the rope to the batty thing!"
My boys! Yeouch!
Rellios scrambles up the rope as quickly as he can to get out of the water. Otherwise, he'll just hold tight knowing that hopefully the bat's flight will have to pull from going further downstream.
As a ripple of divine energy spreads out from the battleblade, Hru scans the deck. He calls out gruffly,"Pests! ELF OVERBOARD!!"
Clareg continues to attempt to 'fly his kite'. "I've got me a pet!" he shouts, "I think I'll name him battie." The battle between 'battie' and Clareg is pretty equally matched neither giving or gaining any ground.
The goblin hanging on the 'kite string' is not so lucky. He slides down the harpoon's cord, refusing to let go even when the cord starts to tear the flesh from his hands. Leaping off at the last minute, he lands on the barge smack in front of a shocked Hru.
Dareg tries to steady the barge and keep it from moving downstream while looking at his brother with a look of astonishment, envy, and possibly adoration.
-------
Rellios holds onto the javelin but this has the effect of not so much climbing up the rope but of pulling the bat down. One more round like this and Rellios' bat will end up in the drink.
The goblin riding Rellios' bat does his best to hold on, realizing the danger only too late. He has drawn his dagger and is looking to cut the harpoon/javelin's rope and part ways with the elf.
As a ripple of divine energy spreads out from the battleblade, Hru scans the deck. He calls out gruffly,"Pests! ELF OVERBOARD!!"
There is a mooring rope but Gorum seems to be offering you a choice -- kill a goblin or save an elf.
NEW ROUND
Same iniative order. Bats and batriders have already acted.
Clareg continues to attempt to 'fly his kite'. "I've got me a pet!" he shouts, "I think I'll name him battie." The battle between 'battie' and Clareg is pretty equally matched neither giving or gaining any ground.
The goblin hanging on the 'kite string' is not so lucky. He slides down the harpoon's cord, refusing to let go even when the cord starts to tear the flesh from his hands. Leaping off at the last minute, he lands on the barge smack in front of a shocked Hru.
Dareg tries to steady the barge and keep it from moving downstream while looking at his brother with a look of astonishment, envy, and possibly adoration.
-------
Rellios holds onto the javelin but this has the effect of not so much climbing up the rope but of pulling the bat down. One more round like this and Rellios' bat will end up in the drink.
The goblin riding Rellios' bat does his best to hold on, realizing the danger only too late. He has drawn his dagger and is looking to cut the harpoon/javelin's rope and part ways with the elf.
So, to summarize:
- Clareg and a bat are playing tug-of-war but dwarven stability is keeping him from joining Rellios in the river. The bat is trying to fly downstream while losing the dwarf.
- Rellios is trying to climb the rope but the bat can't remain in the air with a goblin batrider, an elf yanking on him, and a strong current yanking on the elf that is yanking on him.
- The batrider on the bat that is being pulled down by Rellios is trying to cut himself free.
- Another goblin batrider has pulled an Indiana Jones caliber stunt sliding down the rope only to end up tumbling to the feet of a half-orc cleric.
- Klyndak has loaded a crossbow.
Initiative Order:
Bats and batriders (Acted)
Hru
Rellios
Klyndak
Dareg
Clareg
I take careful aim at the goblin on the other end of the elf's rope. It's a tricky shot, with the barge moving and all but I line it up with steely determination and remembering to breathe out as I fire, I gently squeeze the crossbow's trigger.
Kyndak attempts to shoot the goblin on the bat: (1d20+1+1=18)
Crossbow Damage: (1d10=2)
As the bolt flies towards it's mark, I cry out with to the elf, "Keep climbing lad and 'e'll soon be seeing if 'e can swim!"
I should help the elf...I will as I gather some blood and souls for my lord Gorum... Hru takes a swing at
the goblin's head Laughing in orcish!
Rellios continues to do his best to climb/cling to his rope in the hopes he can get out of the river in some manner.
If that fails, then it looks like he'll need to start swimming - either to shore or the boat whichever seems more accessible.
That doesn't look good...*Glub, glub*
Bat & Batrider 1
Klyndak's bolt stings the goblin but does not kill him nor does it deter him from attempting to cut the harpoon-javelin loose.
The goblin leans out of his saddle and tries to cut the harpoon cord's connection to the harness but misses it.
Rellios does not manage to pull himself out of the drink but he does manage to shorten the rope pulling the bat further down.
The bat maddened by all the activity and desperate to avoid ending up in the water swoops right then left on the ever shortening cord. Its swoop to the left brings it within melee reach of the raft.
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Bat & Batrider 2
Hru laughs as he chops the unluckiest goblin ever into two.
Clareg finally can no longer keep from being pulled from the barge and is given a choice between seeing if dwarves can waterski or releasing the rope and remaining on the barge. He chooses to release the rope, a decision he will regret for as long as he lives.
The bat, riderless and annoyed, flies up and over the walls of the gorge out of sight, the harpoon pulling out of Clareg's shoulder as he does so and still dangling beneath the bat as it disappears from view.
---------------------------------
Dareg suddenly realizes that the barge pole has a dull hook on one end intended to help guide the barge towards docks. He gets an idea. This is a rare event for a Kannonfodder dwarf so he proceeds to second guess himself and then third guess himself. He finally decides it is a good idea (a hitherto unheard of event for a Kannonfodder) but all that second and third guessing himself means he won't be able to act on it until the end of this round.
Since this climbing doesn't seem to be going anywhere...any chance Rellios can throw his dagger at the goblin?
Just curious how you would adjudicate? Attack roll? Another climb roll to see if Rellios can hold on?
Since this climbing doesn't seem to be going anywhere...any chance Rellios can throw his dagger at the goblin?
Just curious how you would adjudicate? Attack roll? Another climb roll to see if Rellios can hold on?