"I suspect that Hru might be bein' able ta 'elp wit' yer wounds 'n we 'ave food."
"Below is a forge. Below that is sauna. N' above we are after 'avin' the throne room."
"I suspect that Hru might be bein' able ta 'elp wit' yer wounds 'n we 'ave food....Below is a forge. Below that is sauna. N' above we are after 'avin' the throne room."
"I'd love ta set me eyes on it," Orlan nods, "And maybe yer orclin' friend there can see ta the elflin'. I'll be alright after a minute or two...but the boy and the lass there might need ta fill their bellies with somethin' 'afore we head back. We've had naught ta eat since the early mornin'..."
"We've got ourselves enough food ta be sharin'," he nods, "And could likely use the time to get our strength back. The fiend's priest told us Azubal can't be crossin' ta this spire 'cause o' the river below. How somethin' that far down holds 'im back is beyond muh reckonin' though. Maybe yuh can make heads or tails out o' it? Yuh always were the smart one o' the family..."
Calling all DMs (aside):
Calling all DMs (aside):
Spoiler:Out of curiousity, how literally do you take the weakness "vampires are also unable to cross running water, although they can be carried over it while resting in their coffins or aboard a ship" (MM, p. 252)? I wouldn't say that an underground river would stop a vamp from crossing over it but an open river 500' beneath the bridge, I'd allow. I'm just curious about what others would do? In any case, Azubal doesn't really know dick about being a vampire. If someone told him he couldn't cross running water, he wouldn't even try.
My interpretation has always been that a vampire can't cross a river unless someone (or something) carries him across. An underground river would be okay, because he's still got land he can walk across...assuming he's above-ground. And if he could summon something (like a large bat?) that could fly him across a river, I'd expect he could do that too...because he's relying on something else to convey him. Just my two-cents...
As the elf speaks she responds in a gentle voice in slightly accented elven:
Rellios turns slightly at her voice, a curious and amused look upon his face. He responds to Yin in elven:
"Well now...by the Irespan...it's rare for me to hear humans speak the Mierani tongue. At least I think it's Mierani...it's the only elvish I know." The last part is said with a wink and grin.
"Ignore you, Miss...hardly...you're the first person I've spoken to in Mierani since I left home. Be at ease now; you all look a little worse for wear. It seems the cousins are making themselves at home, so should you both," he points at her and Kamris. "Some rest and a good meal will help you back on your feet."
Rellios conversation is punctuated with a gesture towards Yin and Kamris. The only non-elvish word he utters is "Irespan."
For the DM:
Having said that, for some reason I can't help but remember a line from Saberhagen's "An Old Friend of the Family," in which Vlad comments (words to the effect) after tearing apart a thug that the man had some education because he tried to run across a stream but unfortunately his education was all wrong. What is true in one man's vampire lore is always wrong in anothers.
Sir Manfred muses aloud; "Are you all short of food here? I guess we should have brought a couple of casks of that wine we found in the lair..."
Sir Manfred muses aloud; "Are you all short of food here? I guess we should have brought a couple of casks of that wine we found in the lair..."
"We're not after bein' short o' food at the moment, though I'll not be lyin' when I say that extra mouths won't be 'elpin'. We spent a goodly portion o' time stockin' a larder so ta speak. That 'n fergin' a sword fer the orc-blood who misplaced 'is own fer a time."
Sir Manfred muses aloud; "Are you all short of food here? I guess we should have brought a couple of casks of that wine we found in the lair..."
"...We spent a goodly portion o' time stockin' a larder so ta speak. That 'n fergin' a sword fer the orc-blood who misplaced 'is own fer a time."
"Misplaced, eh?" Orlan eyes the greatsword in the hands of the half-orc. He squints with just a hint of disapproval seeing it in Hru's possession.
"Sure'n yuh should count yerself lucky ta be holdin' a blade forged in the fires of a dwarven hold," he advises him, "Klyndak and I both be havin' some skill in the craftin' of such things. Though I be best with armor and stonework...and only fair with the weaponmakin'. Still, I don't think I ever been seein' a weapon o' that quality in the hands of an orclin'...lessen it was takin' from a fallen kinsman o' mine. Sure'n yuh best be takin' care o' it if'n Cousin Klyndak, King o' the Spires, be forgin' it fer yuh..."
"So, cousin!" he turns to Klyndak, "Whaddya say yuh show me this throne what got that priest all worked up back home, eh? And then, maybe while the others rest and eat their fill, I can be seein' the forge o' our forefathers?"
"Anyone else want ta be comin'," I ask, "You will be among the first ta once more be seeing the throne o' the dwarves..."
And thus I lead whomever is interested up the steps around the spire to the throne room.
"Anyone else want ta be comin'," I ask, "You will be among the first ta once more be seeing the throne o' the dwarves..."
And thus I lead whomever is interested up the steps around the spire to the throne room.
"Sure'n someone should be barrin' the door once again," Orlan offers, returning to make sure the portal is closed and secured in the event Azubal does manage to round up some more minions and send them along.
"Now, let's be seein' this throne!" he grins, "Is it as magnificent as the legends claim? Made o' gold and finely decorated by the best smiths o' their generation? Is it true it can make a King wiser an' more powerful? The greatest artifact of its age?"
"A cousin! He must renounce the throne. He must renounce any claim to the throne! Publicly!! He must do this now -- for your own protection, your majesty. You have seen what kin can do to a kingdom!"
Taking the throne, I listen carefully to what the throne has to say and then I speak aloud in dwarven,
"Listen Orlan, the throne can speak. It has had some bad experiences, the previous regent murdered the king, raped his sister, the dowager queen, and caused the fall of these spires. Now that it is observing you, it wants you to publically renounce the throne."
I smile some as I say, "Of course it is necessary to have a heir and if I went around making all my kin renounce the throne there would be anarchy among the subjects, such as they are. Then there might likely be another five hundred years of desolation in these spires."
Yin shakes her head a little at the elf's words, a slight blush in her cheeks. Giving a weak smile she takes a step backwards, seemingly intent on staying out of the way. Quietly she responds in elven, purposefully avoiding eyecontact with anyone in the room.
"But really, right now ignoring me would be for the best. Please make sure my companions are alright."
She indicates Kamris and Manfred with her final words.
Kamris nods and says (in Elven)
Frowning slightly Yin sadly mumbles something in Shoanti, mostly to herself but not caring if Kamris overhears.
Hru says gruffly, sheathing the mighty greatsword covetously at Orlan's words "Are there any among you that are battle weary and wounded, or have felt the fell effects of the creep?"
Kamris looks at Rellios as if to say "Is he often like this?" and replies to Hru, "Indeed, as you can perhaps see, I suffered some injuries in our last encounter with the vampire."
Spoiler:"Listen Orlan, the throne can speak. It has had some bad experiences, the previous regent murdered the king, raped his sister, the dowager queen, and caused the fall of these spires. Now that it is observing you, it wants you to publically renounce the throne."I smile some as I say, "Of course it is necessary to have a heir and if I went around making all my kin renounce the throne there would be anarchy among the subjects, such as they are. Then there might likely be another five hundred years of desolation in these spires."
Orlan steps to the throne and drops to one knee to trace his hands over the finely crafted stone. It's certainly a far more beautiful thing than the bat-themed mockery that Azubal had claimed. He then looks up at Klyndak and lifts away his helm.
In dwarven:
"On me honor, as a stout Hammerfoe and devoted follower of the faith of Torag, I pledge to renew and defend these Spires...to purge them of evil...and to serve their King and Clan Hammerfoe 'til death take me. You found this artifact of our forefathers, Klyndak. And you've always been the smarter one. I've got to believe you were destined for this honor. And you're best-suited to the task. My only wish is to make sure you survive and live out your years as a wiser and more benevolent leader than those who came before. To set things right. And to deliver a brighter future for our people."
"I also believe it's your right to define the proper ascension," he continues, "And name an heir to your legacy as you see fit. Anyone who claims otherwise can take it up with me. For, if the throne has made you King, then that's all that matters. I shall be your general and holy advisor. My axe and faith will defend you. I don't have any reason to do otherwise, because I've known you since we were just lads. And I know your heart better than any except your mother. By facing the trials of the Spires, you've shown the heart of a King. And all would do well to recognize it...first and foremost, me."
To any bystanders, Orlan gives a solemn statement in the ever so eloquent dwarven language. When he's done, he places his helm back on his head and stands.
The throne says aloud:
"Oh! Noble Cousin of a Noble King! I am ashamed."
Then to Klyndak by telepathy:
"Forgive me. I am not worthy, your majesty! Kill me! Dispel my magic."
With some amusement, I adopt a dramatic tone and say,
I add a moment later,
Leaving the others to talk amongst themselves Yin finds a nice quiet corner to sit in. Finding herself unable to be her usual cheery self in the shadow of her actions in the bat spire she digs in her backpack and pulls out her spellbook and the potions she picked up. She sits in silence for a while occasionally flicking through her book or nervously fiddling with the crescent moon amulet that hangs around her neck.
After a while she stops and looks as though she's remembered something. Standing up she wanders around a bit, taking the time to look closely at the things her companions have liberated from the previous spire.
With some amusement, I adopt a dramatic tone and say, ** spoiler omitted **
I add a moment later,
** spoiler omitted **
The half-elf looks quizzically at the conversation between on the one hand a stone chair, the new dwarf and his illustrious (if non-swimming) leader.
He notices Yin in the corner but is too angry still to talk to her.
Leaving the others to talk amongst themselves Yin finds a nice quiet corner to sit in. Finding herself unable to be her usual cheery self in the shadow of her actions in the bat spire she digs in her backpack and pulls out her spellbook and the potions she picked up. She sits in silence for a while occasionally flicking through her book or nervously fiddling with the crescent moon amulet that hangs around her neck.
After a while she stops and looks as though she's remembered something. Standing up she wanders around a bit, taking the time to look closely at the things her companions have liberated from the previous spire.
Yin:
The crossbow is magical. An appraise check combined with detect magic for that. There is also an amulet on a gold chain that I forgot to mention. The two poitions are magic. The spears and the plate do not appear to have any magical properties.
Yin:
Something about the heavy crossbow pleases you deeply. Its design warms your heart.
Quietly Yin sits herself where she can see the crossbow Orlan has and sets to work casting a spell, keeping a tight hold on the amulet around her neck as she looks at the potions, a gold chain she picked up from somewhere and eventually to the crossbow.
Pouring some cheap wine from a waterskin and into a cup her nose wrinkles a little at the smell but she continues none the less. Retrieving a feather from her component pouch she stirs the liquid with it before quickly drinking from the cup with a grimace. 'I so need to get some better wine for doing this..'
DM:
Spoiler:"Wisest of thrones, better a counselor that advises caution then one that knows none. Now good Orlan, you have heard the throne speak words of approval at your speech. Let us forgive the slight and tend to your companions."
Orlan switches back to the common tongue to answer Klyndak.
"Right yuh are, cousin!" he grins, "And I be happenin' ta have somethin' we can be toastin' ta yer newly-appointed crown." He fishes in his backpack and retrieves the last of the wine he salvaged from the river canyon...making sure to check the seals carefully for only the best perserved bottles.
"Let's be passin' this around," he says, "And...where be the Kannonfodder brothers, cousin? I be knowin' how they like takin' ta the stronger spirits. They should be sharin' in this moment as well...find us some cups and we'll drink ta the King o' the Spires!"
I answer sadly, "We were after losin' Darreg ta a goblin trap over on the other spire. N' Clareg fell ta a Forge Fiend in this spire."
I answer sadly, "We were after losin' Darreg ta a goblin trap over on the other spire. N' Clareg fell ta a Forge Fiend in this spire."
"Hunh...that saddens me heart," Orlan bows his head, "Treacherous goblins. But a Forge Fiend, yuh say? Truly?! I be hearin' o' them only in legends. Servants ta the dark forge o' Droskar, they be. An' they can suck the very life from yer lungs ta be replaced with only smoke an' fire. Sure'n I hope Clareg gave 'im what-for 'afore fallin' ta its chains?"
"But as for Darreg, I be wonderin'..." Orlan rubs his bearded chin, "We saw us a head what looked like it might've been hewn from the neck o' a dwarf. Mounted on a pike as it were outside Azubal's spire. We took it down only ta see it return the very next day. I be wonderin' now if'n maybe it were Darreg. Hard ta tell, though, as much time as passed."
"May Torag rest their souls then..." he announces and takes a solemn swig of wine from one of the bottles.
Quietly Yin sits herself where she can see the crossbow Orlan has and sets to work casting a spell, keeping a tight hold on the amulet around her neck as she looks at the potions, a gold chain she picked up from somewhere and eventually to the crossbow.
Pouring some cheap wine from a waterskin and into a cup her nose wrinkles a little at the smell but she continues none the less. Retrieving a feather from her component pouch she stirs the liquid with it before quickly drinking from the cup with a grimace. 'I so need to get some better wine for doing this..'
DM: ** spoiler omitted **
Yin:
Since you have a couple days of game time while you level up, we might as well just assume that you determine all their properties eventually. The heavy crossbow is *squeee* a +1 flaming heavy crossbow. There are two potions of invisibility. One potion of detect thoughts. One periapt of wisdom.
** spoiler omitted **Orlan switches back to the common tongue to answer Klyndak.
"Right yuh are, cousin!" he grins, "And I be happenin' ta have somethin' we can be toastin' ta yer newly-appointed crown." He fishes in his backpack and retrieves the last of the wine he salvaged from the river canyon...making sure to check the seals carefully for only the best perserved bottles.
"Let's be passin' this around," he says, "And...where be the Kannonfodder brothers, cousin? I be knowin' how they like takin' ta the stronger spirits. They should be sharin' in this moment as well...find us some cups and we'll drink ta the King o' the Spires!"
"Kannonfodder!?" the throne says astonished and out loud. "Pardon me, your majesty, but did he say 'Kannonfodder'?"
The throne says in dwarven but out loud:
"Your majesty. Noble Cousin. I know from the regent that the priest Canyonfather was fer escapin' with the young Crown Prince Ulfgan Foehammer and changin' their names till such a time as the throne could be reclaimed. I also be knowin' that Priest Canyonfather swore his unbegotten children to be protectin' the Foehammer line till the throne be restored. The regent knew as much and sent soldiers a lookin' for them -- the traitor 'Highgrain' and the like. This was all before he tried to start a new crown prince in his own sister's belly ... IF I COULD SPIT WITH DISGUST I WOULD YOUR MAJESTY ... What the regent never knew and what you might not be knowin' ..."
The throne continues in dwarven but out loud:
"... is that we used to call the good priest Canyonfather by a nickname 'Kannonfodder' for it be 'ow he pronounced 'is name with 'is mouthful which it often were. ... Now, a Foehammer left with a Canyonfather and a Hammerfoe be returning with a host of Kannonfodder protectin' them. ... I be feelin' like you or your cousin might have more claims to the kingdom than one."
Kamris looks at Rellios as if to say "Is he often like this?" and replies to Hru, "Indeed, as you can perhaps see, I suffered some injuries in our last encounter with the vampire."
Hru examines the half elf's wounds with a practiced eye as he intones a prayer to Gorum "Aid me lord in returning combatants to the fight!"
CLW x3 (1d8+1=4, 1d8+1=3, 1d8+1=4)
Hru frowns for a moment as he realizes the prayer was a bit inneffective and then with a flash of his prodigious canines and a hoot he draws his his greatsword and calls "Gorum aid me!" as the whole area electrifies with positive energy
Spoiler:"Providence does work in mysterious ways."
Orlan's mouth falls open in stunned silence.
"Mysterious?" he finally sputters in the common tongue, "No wonder that mad priest sent yuh back here...and with the Kannonfodders ta protect yuh, too! Now it all makes sense. And I reckon as old as that priest were back home, maybe his mind had been succumbin' ta whatever madness took place here?"
He regards Klyndak with a newfound respect.
"Yuh're the older one in our line," he says, "Older'n me, at least. So no wonder'n the throne be recognizin' and acceptin' yuh as King o' the Spires. It not be some random thing. It be fer real!"
He grows more somber for a moment.
"All the more reason ta honor the Kannonfodder brothers then," he says, "They be performin' their duty ta the end o' their days. Bodyguards ta the rightful heir o' the throne. Now their souls truly can rest easy, knowin' they saw yuh ta reclaimin' the crown!"
"My thanks." Kamris says to the half-orc.
A hole, a bit smaller than the one you entered this room through, is hidden behind the armour. It descends into the spire.
"All the more reason ta honor the Kannonfodder brothers then," he says, "They be performin' their duty ta the end o' their days. Bodyguards ta the rightful heir o' the throne. Now their souls truly can rest easy, knowin' they saw yuh ta reclaimin' the crown!"