"That was after goin' well," I say, mostly to myself, satisfied with the death of Sarpis, "Let's jes' be 'opin' 'e was the ringleader 'n not some 'enchman."
I then cast Spiderclimb on myself and head down the cliff to talk to the guardsmen.
Hru calls down to the dwarf "Check Sarpis! He had some kind of wand when I first saw him!"
Hru calls down to the dwarf "Check Sarpis! He had some kind of wand when I first saw him!"
The only mounted officer from the keep approaches, removing his helmet as he does.
"King Klyndak," says Lord Kerrigan. "Your arrival was timely. I thought that standoff would prove intractable."
Kerrigan dismounts and bows slightly -- deep enough to demonstrate respect for Klyndak's title but not loyalty too it -- and moves in close enough to talk privately.
"I lost a half dozen men near the caves rooting out the advance party for this lot. We've slain more than two dozen orcs though. This has not been a good day but it would have been worse without your lot."
He looks up at the cliff where Hru, Quarrel, Ovirid, and Manfred now stand. "That was Sarpis, wasn't it?"
If he can maneuver to Sarpis' body, Ovirid begins to take stock of his trinkets and treasures, laying them on the ledge a few feet from the dead human.
As he checks, he says "Once agin, Ah'm impressed wit' ye, Sir Manfred. Ye 'n th' priest o' Gorum did a fine job o' bringin' the fight to these. Well done, well done indeed. Ah'm fer bein' ver' glad t' be fightin' on yer side." He grins up at the knight with that last.
I answer the Lord of the Keep, "Aye, that was Sarpis. He fled from the Spires a while back when we were after discoverin' his evil nature. I'm glad ta be 'elpin' a neighbor as it were. Are there more o' these orcs around do ye think? Or was this their main host. N' I'm wonderin' iffin Sarpis was the ringleader o' this assault or merely a Captain inna larger army."
If he can maneuver to Sarpis' body, Ovirid begins to take stock of his trinkets and treasures, laying them on the ledge a few feet from the dead human.
As he checks, he says "Once agin, Ah'm impressed wit' ye, Sir Manfred. Ye 'n th' priest o' Gorum did a fine job o' bringin' the fight to these. Well done, well done indeed. Ah'm fer bein' ver' glad t' be fightin' on yer side." He grins up at the knight with that last.
Ovirid finds Sarpis to have quite an aresenal of potions, wands, rings, and other trinkets. One tightly wrapped tube contains a number of gems ... more than anyone had any business carrying. Perhaps the payroll?
I answer the Lord of the Keep, "Aye, that was Sarpis. He fled from the Spires a while back when we were after discoverin' his evil nature. I'm glad ta be 'elpin' a neighbor as it were. Are there more o' these orcs around do ye think? Or was this their main host. N' I'm wonderin' iffin Sarpis was the ringleader o' this assault or merely a Captain inna larger army."
"Unless there's more coming from up behind you, that should be the last of them. We've been scouting since Yin's company reported back from the Old Road caves. We haven't found more than the lot by the caves and this bunch," Kerrigan says.
"As for Sarpis," he adds in a low voice, "his roots are in Kaer Maga and I apparently know less about him than I should. He's been good for trade and has helped keep other more obviously unsavoury characters from Kaer Maga from settling in. I have no idea what precipitated this."
Sir Manfred, after cleaning and sheathing his sword, bows deeply to Ovirid for the complement.
"Thank you, Sir Ovirid. I think... I believe I was divinely inspired by Iomedae"; at a loud harumph from Hru Sir Manfred adds "and Gorum I suppose, to remember the gift of King Klyndak, that I was able to float down when our ally Quarrel needed help and defeat the enemy here. By the way, we should see to Quarrel. That fall cannot have been good for him."
"Ooopsee," grins Quarrel.
"Well, iffin' these are the lot o' them then I will 'ave ta be sendin' word back ta the Spires that the threat is past."
"I thank ye fer the 'elp ye 'ave offered ta me 'n mine thus far."
Ovirid finds Sarpis to have quite an aresenal of potions, wands, rings, and other trinkets. One tightly wrapped tube contains a number of gems ... more than anyone had any business carrying. Perhaps the payroll?If he can maneuver to Sarpis' body, Ovirid begins to take stock of his trinkets and treasures, laying them on the ledge a few feet from the dead human.
As he checks, he says "Once agin, Ah'm impressed wit' ye, Sir Manfred. Ye 'n th' priest o' Gorum did a fine job o' bringin' the fight to these. Well done, well done indeed. Ah'm fer bein' ver' glad t' be fightin' on yer side." He grins up at the knight with that last.
Ovirid will wrap everything up carefully, especially the potions, and stow them until more arcane-inclined individuals might be able to identify them and until the King can decide as to their disposition.
Once that is done, he'll check all of the orc corpses for more rings of feather falling, including dropping down to take the rings from the final pair (if someone else hasn't already done so).
"Well, iffin' these are the lot o' them then I will 'ave ta be sendin' word back ta the Spires that the threat is past."
"I thank ye fer the 'elp ye 'ave offered ta me 'n mine thus far."
"Help? I believe this lot were headed my way more than likely. We couldn't have taken that cliff. You've saved me the worry of having a orcs wheeling warmachines up to the walls of my keep. ... Your men will rest in the keep today?"
"Aye, per'aps we will be restin' in the keep iffin' that's an invitation."
Before heading to the keep however, I want to find someway to send back word to the other dwarves of the successful obliteration of the orcs.
"Aye, per'aps we will be restin' in the keep iffin' that's an invitation."
Before heading to the keep however, I want to find someway to send back word to the other dwarves of the successful obliteration of the orcs.
Quarrel seems hesitant to join the crowd of humans and the humans seem just as uncomfortable with him. He is very wounded, however, from his fall.
"Sir Manfred," Kerrigan yells out to Manny, "Falling from your horse during a joust will not be as dangerous now that you've learnt to fly!"
"Those bloody rings!" he says a little less cheerfully. "Do you know what Sarpis had planned? We ambushed one of these warmachines in the forest behind the keep. The orcs, knowing they were discovered, put their plan into motion immediately. The loaded the catapult bowl with a pair of bullish mountain orcs and catapulted them towards the keep. ... This must have been the catapult that Ovirid sabotaged because the catapult's arm fell off halfway through its release and the orcs smashed flat into the wall. They floated down and we shot them through with arrows."
He looks up at the cliff where Sarpis' body lay, "He must have been mad. That could never have worked ... could it?"
Ovirid finds five more of the rings of featherfalling on the orcs that weren't torched by Klyndak's last fireball.
Sir Manfred removes his helm and smiles down at Lord Kerrigan.
Cupping his mouth he shouts; "Would my lord care to test this theory at the lists?"
Hru moves to examine Quarrel's injuries, then calls on the divine power of Gorum.
"The Field is ours Iron Lord, yet we must be strengthened for the next battle, give us scorn for these earthly injuries"
"And may Gorum be with us" he then utters as an unseen wave ripples off his greatsword making the hair of everyone within a short distance stand on end with a goosebump shiver.
Reinvigorated by the positive energy, I take one of the rings taken from the orcs and examine it closely.
Casting Detect magic, I search the auras of the ring to try and determine if it has any other properties besides featherfalling.
"These rings were requirin' a bit o' resources for them ta be makin' so many," I comment to Lord Kerrigan, "Someone was after wantin' yer keep very badly. Wit' the money they spent on the rings they coulda been buildin' their own fort."
"Was there anything else on their bodies?" I ask and go to examine Sarpis, casting Detect Magic when I am near the body (waiting if necessary for someone to bring it further down).
"These rings were requirin' a bit o' resources for them ta be makin' so many," I comment to Lord Kerrigan, "Someone was after wantin' yer keep very badly. Wit' the money they spent on the rings they coulda been buildin' their own fort."
"Uh ... yes ... well, as I said," says Kerrigan, "He must have been mad."
Hru moves to examine Quarrel's injuries, then calls on the divine power of Gorum.
"The Field is ours Iron Lord, yet we must be strengthened for the next battle, give us scorn for these earthly injuries"
"And may Gorum be with us" he then utters as an unseen wave ripples off his greatsword making the hair of everyone within a short distance stand on end with a goosebump shiver.
"Gorrrrummmmm!" laughs Quarrel. He shakes his sword in the air as he says it. He may be mocking Hru.
"That's right Quarrel" says Hru as if talking to a small child.
"We all worship Gorum no matter what claims we make. Who can deny Gorum solves all our problems?" Hru goes on liturgically
Reinvigorated by the positive energy, I take one of the rings taken from the orcs and examine it closely.
Casting Detect magic, I search the auras of the ring to try and determine if it has any other properties besides featherfalling.
"These rings were requirin' a bit o' resources for them ta be makin' so many," I comment to Lord Kerrigan, "Someone was after wantin' yer keep very badly. Wit' the money they spent on the rings they coulda been buildin' their own fort."
"Was there anything else on their bodies?" I ask and go to examine Sarpis, casting Detect Magic when I am near the body (waiting if necessary for someone to bring it further down).
Ovirid hands over the ring for the king to examine . "'ere ye go, yer majesty. Ah've found four more if'n anyone is needin' one. And I found this on Sarpis' body," as he shares the various items that he removes from the dead mage's body.
Ovirid finds Sarpis to have quite an aresenal of potions, wands, rings, and other trinkets. One tightly wrapped tube contains a number of gems ... more than anyone had any business carrying. Perhaps the payroll?
"Ah was plannin' t' be fer carryin' these 'til ye decided what to be fer doin' wit' 'em."
2d6=8
Two of the orcs you've just killed grunt when they receive the burst of positive energy and slowly rise.
Kelborn was reaching into an orc's pockets, searching for gold (or one of those rings with which he could join his friends below) when he heard a snort. He looks up, meeting the newly awakened orc's gaze wondering what sorcery is taking place, and when he feels his wounds closing at the same time, he realizes.
He quickly backs off, drawing his longsword and stabbing at the poor reawakened orc, hopefully before he can properly defend himself.
Initiative: (1d20+8=12)
Attack, Damage, Sneak Attack: (1d20+7=15, 1d8+3=5, 2d6=9)
Yin sees Kelborn's reaction and realizes there is a second orc rising, so she blasts him. "Oh, just stay down!"
Energy Ray (fire) Attack 1d20+3=19, Damage 1d6+2=4
The two orcs never manage to make it to their feet thanks to Kelborn and Yin.
They collapse again.
Quarrel giggles.
My plans for the next week to allow the DM to npc Klyndak: 1) examine the items from Sarpis. 2)send a message back to the spires 3) visit the keep in order to obtain supplies for self.
Getting Manfred's horse Trouble down the cliff takes some ingenuity and skill with animals. It also takes several hours. Lord Kerrigan and half his men head back to the Keep first but take a long and circuitous route to patrol the area. The heroes arrive shortly after.
The officer's quarters are temporarily turned over to the heroes for their use.
Klyndak makes good use of this time investigating Sarpis' pouches and packets. He finds:
Around his neck, he wears a platinum coin on a cord of some unknown substance. The markings on the coin are not immediately familiar but it appears to be of great antiquity.
On top of this he has black onyx gems of roughly the same size and value measured into three separate leather pouches. In total, there are 24 gems worth 25 gp each, more or less.
Manfred, Yin, and Ovirid are familiar faces around the Keep and are cheered whereever they go.
A Shoanti woman makes a gift to King Klyndak of a leather vest that looks quite regal but out of place on the blood spattered dwarf. Yin recognizes her as one of the people they saved several weeks ago from the mad cleric in the marketplace.
Hru is a bit out of place in the Keep but he keeps good company and no one questions his right to be there.
Excited talk is spreading of a "Feast and a Boast" being held tonight.
Hru checks the churches, he hasn't been in civilization for a long time. He seems to be looking for something or someone in particular. He's stowed his gear (except for greatsword and amulet) and went to the cobbler to get a new pair of fitted boots.
He wears the simple black robes of a priest, hood drawn up to hide his orcish cast. He's also interested in picking up some Shoanti javelins.
Hru checks the churches, he hasn't been in civilization for a long time. He seems to be looking for something or someone in particular. He's stowed his gear (except for greatsword and amulet) and went to the cobbler to get a new pair of fitted boots.
He wears the simple black robes of a priest, hood drawn up to hide his orcish cast. He's also interested in picking up some Shoanti javelins.
When Hru asks about a cobbler, he is directed towards the shop of the Keep's sole leatherworker. A redhaired man just past his prime is inserting eyelets into a belt when you enter. A darker complexioned boy but with a similar shock of red hair is watching intently.
"Good day sir, I have been directed here when I asked about, in the hopes of getting some custom fit boots made. My last boots were unfortunately destroyed in an unlikely incident afield and I was loaned these boots, which if servicable are well.....not so comforable."
Hru tries to sound humble and priestly and pious, but he can't help thinking the young lad is staring at his ears, even though they are currently covered by his hood.
"Good day sir, I have been directed here when I asked about, in the hopes of getting some custom fit boots made. My last boots were unfortunately destroyed in an unlikely incident afield and I was loaned these boots, which if servicable are well.....not so comforable."
Hru tries to sound humble and priestly and pious, but he can't help thinking the young lad is staring at his ears, even though they are currently covered by his hood.
The young lad is staring at Hru's ears even though they are currently covered by his hood.
"Boots, is it?" says the older man. "Warrel, could you get ... Lad! Stop staring at his ears and get the fittings from the box there."
"But, he's a ..."
"A what? A guest from the spires? A friend of the dwarves who saved your mom and sister? Is that what you were going to say?"
The man turns to you and grins, "Unless I've missed my mark and you are not related to the Foehammer group at all. You're not the advanced scout of an invading army of orcs getting a little shopping done before the rest arrive, are you?"
Ovirid inquires among the guards to see if any of them witnessed the failed siege engine attack to learn what he can about their methods -- and verify that it was indeed his specially-prepared engine of war that they used...
The young lad is staring at Hru's ears even though they are currently covered by his hood.
"Boots, is it?" says the older man. "Warrel, could you get ... Lad! Stop staring at his ears and get the fittings from the box there."
"But, he's a ..."
"A what? A guest from the spires? A friend of the dwarves who saved your mom and sister? Is that what you were going to say?"
The man turns to you and grins, "Unless I've missed my mark and you are not related to the Foehammer group at all. You're not the advanced scout of an invading army of orcs getting a little shopping done before the rest arrive, are you?"
"Hoo Hoo!" Hru laughs "No, if you were looking for a little extra business from some advanced orc scouts I am afraid Gorum's will as well as my friends the dwarves and I have robbed you of it friend. But I don't blame the lad, it's only natural with Belkzen and Urglin looming in the wastes." He laughs another good natured laugh. "Of course maybe he's never seen a Varisian before!"
Ovirid inquires among the guards to see if any of them witnessed the failed siege engine attack to learn what he can about their methods -- and verify that it was indeed his specially-prepared engine of war that they used...
When Ovirid lets slip that it was he who sabotaged the orcs' siege engine, the guards begin to regal him with their stories of the battle. Ovirid hears the story of how the orcs loaded the catapult with an orc (in some versions, it was two orcs) and attempted to fire them over the wall of the Keep. Much laughter and cheering accompanies the telling of how, thanks to Ovirid's tampering, the catapult arm detached and the orcs were smashed against the Keep's walls.
Ovirid's sudden popularity may mean he never has to pay for drinks again as long as he stays within the Keep.
"Hoo Hoo!" Hru laughs "No, if you were looking for a little extra business from some advanced orc scouts I am afraid Gorum's will as well as my friends the dwarves and I have robbed you of it friend. But I don't blame the lad, it's only natural with Belkzen and Urglin looming in the wastes." He laughs another good natured laugh. "Of course maybe he's never seen a Varisian before!"
The young lad is staring at Hru's ears even though they are currently covered by his hood.
"Boots, is it?" says the older man. "Warrel, could you get ... Lad! Stop staring at his ears and get the fittings from the box there."
"But, he's a ..."
"A what? A guest from the spires? A friend of the dwarves who saved your mom and sister? Is that what you were going to say?"
The man turns to you and grins, "Unless I've missed my mark and you are not related to the Foehammer group at all. You're not the advanced scout of an invading army of orcs getting a little shopping done before the rest arrive, are you?"
The boy stammers something and hurries to get the supplies for his father. The leatherworker works expertly and quietly for a while. He asks a few questions about the fit and colour but not much else.
Finally, he asks, "Gorum, is it? Are the spires ...? Do they ...? How much fighting goes on there? Is it not a safe place then?"
Sir Manfred will, in no particular order, find a shrine to Iomedae to worship at, see if he can find some barding for Trouble, see about finding an upgrade for his shield, and perhaps seek out that young guard to see if he wants a rematch at jousting. (Oh for a purse to match his ambitions...)
Finally, he asks, "Gorum, is it? Are the spires ...? Do they ...? How much fighting goes on there? Is it not a safe place then?"
"I am the only open Gorum worshipper in the spires that I know of. Most or all the dwarves worship Torag. But they give me leave, and though the Spires are safe, is anywhere in the wilds truly safe? There's still a bit of work to be done if civilization is to thrive on the edge of the Storval. Thus the services of one such as myself are always in need. My brethren in the faith usually have a somewhat different outlook than myself. We all look to Gorum's wisdom in times of need, and that is the word I spread." says Hru rather calmly then adds "I don't expect alot of converts...I'm no missionary that is the work of the physically beautiful, my connection with the Iron lord is on a more personal level." He smirks and casts a sidelong glance at the utilitarian hilt of the greatsword strapped to his back.
"I am the only open Gorum worshipper in the spires that I know of. Most or all the dwarves worship Torag. But they give me leave, and though the Spires are safe, is anywhere in the wilds truly safe? There's still a bit of work to be done if civilization is to thrive on the edge of the Storval. Thus the services of one such as myself are always in need. My brethren in the faith usually have a somewhat different outlook than myself. We all look to Gorum's wisdom in times of need, and that is the word I spread." says Hru rather calmly then adds "I don't expect alot of converts...I'm no missionary that is the work of the physically beautiful, my connection with the Iron lord is on a more personal level." He smirks and casts a sidelong glance at the utilitarian hilt of the greatsword strapped to his back.Finally, he asks, "Gorum, is it? Are the spires ...? Do they ...? How much fighting goes on there? Is it not a safe place then?"
"But ... the spires are safe? For families?" the man asks ignoring most of what Hru has said.
"But ... the spires are safe? For families?" the man asks ignoring most of what Hru has said.
Orlan stands atop a broken column of rock surveying the work of the newly-arrived dwarves to repair and enhance the defenses of the Spires.
"Put yer backs inta it, boys!" he bellows, "We gotta be makin' the Spires safe again fer our families!"
Sir Manfred will, in no particular order, find a shrine to Iomedae to worship at, see if he can find some barding for Trouble, see about finding an upgrade for his shield, and perhaps seek out that young guard to see if he wants a rematch at jousting. (Oh for a purse to match his ambitions...)
The only chapel at the Keep has small shrines to many of the different deities worshipped in Varisia. There is one for Iomedae. A sun burst radiating a long sword juts out at a slight angle from the wall. When worshippers kneel beneath it, the light reflecting off of the blade anoints their shoulders.
As for finding barding for trouble, the man at the stables directs you to the same overworked leather crafter that Hru is shopping at. The shop sells many goods produced by both the Shoanti people and imported from Korvosa. The crafter and his family mostly sells the goods and does custom fitting.
When Manfred enters, without looking up the man grumbles, "I have a customer. Come back later." He continues to mark the pieces of deep red leather with a piece of chalk to ensure a perfect fit.
** spoiler omitted **
Kelborn will express interest in the wand of magic missile.
Upon returning to the keep, he will immediately head to anyone who looks even passably competent at tailoring, and order a new pair of fine boots to replace the ones he lost a long time ago, audibly commenting on his doubt of the quality of the leather he'll find in this backwater keep.
After his order is placed, he will approach the inn where he stopped on his way in, ask if any letters arrived for him, and pay for a room, looking for the rest that he has not had since Orvirid, Manfred, Yin and the bugbear burst into the spires. He will rest until it is time for the feast.
Kelborn will express interest in the wand of magic missile.
Upon returning to the keep, he will immediately head to anyone who looks even passably competent at tailoring, and order a new pair of fine boots to replace the ones he lost a long time ago, audibly commenting on his doubt of the quality of the leather he'll find in this backwater keep.
After his order is placed, he will approach the inn where he stopped on his way in, ask if any letters arrived for him, and pay for a room, looking for the rest that he has not had since Orvirid, Manfred, Yin and the bugbear burst into the spires. He will rest until it is time for the feast.
Kelborn finds himself in the same overworked leather crafter's shop.