Hru says "I'd like to at least have look over the Garrison spire to see what the "dire enemy" might be, before we decide to go back and face the creep again-which one is direr? if you take my meaning"
One of you gets the bracelet, six amber stones (100 gp each), and 2 garnets worth 50 gp each (from my pouch).
Another gets the chains and 5 garnets from my pouch.
Rellios faces hardens a bit when talk turns to the previous spire. "I'd think we should give that goblin a good thrashing; now that we aren't quite so tired or weakened...but I suppose it would be best to press on to the "garrison" spire first. See what supplies we have available at our disposal."
"Still, if Klyndak prefers to take another crack at the first spire - I wouldn't complain."
"So the jewel's are after bein' settled then. I say we be lookin' at the garrison. If there be threats there that are beyond the work of a few minutes, we can pull back and reinforce our backsides."
"So Elflin' do ye be wantin' ta walk the webs with arcane assistance or are ye after trustin' in yer own skill?"
Rellios ponders it a moment, then "Caution dictates I use the spell, but I think I can trust my skills to get me across. Save the spell, in case it's needed in an emergency, I think."
Rellios will get a rope and tie it around himself. Just in case he would ask that Hru or Klyndak monitor the rope feed. Also, he would suggest that they tie the maximum length to a stable, solid anchor. The plan is to try and make his way through the tunnel and down to the other side of the span. Ideally, what he's looking to do his make a rope link that descends from the current spire to the "garrison" spire in a slight incline - so they can almost slide down as they cross.
He checks for spiders one more time before crossing. Perception (1d20+9=20)
He then makes his attempt.
Acrobatics (1d20+9=23)
Stealth (1d20+9=15)
Per the elf's desires, I cast about for a sturdy rock to tie the rope to.
Hru is excited about the prospect of getting over there, he stands eagerly and feed the rope out as Rellios makes his way across. "I think there might be just one flaw in this plan." utters Hru a bit sheepishly looking at the long drop. "uuhh.....we have to.....ummmm, er, uhhhh..well, if we have retreat fast this'll make it HARD!" he gestures at the web, trying to divert his eyes from the vast open space between him and the ground. "Hey! look! he's rather good at that!!"
Acrobatic checks (1d20+9=17, 1d20+9=21, 1d20+9=27)
Rellios begins his plunge across. After a strong intial push, he loses some of his momentum. But he manages to then make more deft jumps across the web with an almost spider-like grace. He then makes to find a large stone outcrop on the span to tie up and anchor the rope for the others. Ideally - hoping to avoid as much of the web as possible.
Acrobatic checks (1d20+9=17, 1d20+9=21, 1d20+9=27)
Rellios begins his plunge across. After a strong intial push, he loses some of his momentum. But he manages to then make more deft jumps across the web with an almost spider-like grace. He then makes to find a large stone outcrop on the span to tie up and anchor the rope for the others. Ideally - hoping to avoid as much of the web as possible.
Rellios dances across the web with uncanny skill ... the show off.
Rellios dances across the web with uncanny skill ... the show off.
Rellios dances across the web with uncanny skill ... the show off.
"When your character is not being threatened or distracted, you may choose to take 10." I think this qualifies. It is possible on climb checks unless you are being attacked, right?
You hear someone trying to get in through the door from batspire.
You hear someone trying to get in through the door from batspire.
Rellios ears perk up at the sounds of scraping and banging. He looks curiously at Klyndak and Hru, realizing that this is the first time since Dareg's remains were recovered that they've heard anything. "Hobgoblins, now?," he utters as a question for the other two - more puzzled than offering insight.
You hear someone trying to get in through the door from batspire.Rellios ears perk up at the sounds of scraping and banging. He looks curiously at Klyndak and Hru, realizing that this is the first time since Dareg's remains were recovered that they've heard anything. "Hobgoblins, now?," he utters as a question for the other two - more puzzled than offering insight.
"I'll warmly welcome them, as long as the cowards face me this time instead of laying in wait with...ugh bows." mutters Hru thankful at the prospect of battle versus crossing the gulf. "Gorum needs souls, blood and souls..."
"I say we be waiting near the stairs goin' up ta the throne room. Iffin' its hobgoblins, or gobs or such we can be attackin' them from a distance 'n then fallin' back if need be ta the throne. Or I could just be askin' the throne first who they are..."
Moving quickly to the throne, I sit down and say,
...
"I say we be waiting near the stairs goin' up ta the throne room. Iffin' its hobgoblins, or gobs or such we can be attackin' them from a distance 'n then fallin' back if need be ta the throne. Or I could just be askin' the throne first who they are..."
Moving quickly to the throne, I sit down and say, ** spoiler omitted **
The throne:
"Your majesty," says the throne proudly "Four stand before the door but only one of dwarven blood."
"A dwarf!"
With a start, I leap from the throne and move quickly down the stairs. I assume that Hru and Rellios will follow.
Moving past the webs and towards the barred door, I call out, in dwarven,
"A dwarf!"
With a start, I leap from the throne and move quickly down the stairs. I assume that Hru and Rellios will follow.
Moving past the webs and towards the barred door, I call out, in dwarven, ** spoiler omitted **
Kamris, Yin, Orlan, and Manfred hear a voice.
In dwarven:
"Who is it that knocks on the doors of the Halls of the Foehammers?"
"It could be a trick, they may have dug up poor Clareg to put to some foul use, and if that's the case by Gorum, THEY'LL PAY!!" the last part virtually roaring out of Hru as he draws his battle blade, and stares viciously at the doors.
Kamris looks at Orlan.
Despite Klyndak's enthusiasm, Rellios remains a bit skeptical - given everything else the goblins have thrown at them. Once they reach the main floor - for now, Rellios will blend into the shadows, bow in hand and focused on the door.
Yin looks up and at Orlan briefly as she hears the yelling at the other side of the door. She goes to speak but stops herself and shifts her focus to the door instead, deciding that there's more chance of them talking to her than her companions right now.
To Hru I mutter, "Iffin' its after bein' a trick, its a livin' dwarf they 'ave out there or else the throne would be after lettin' me know. N' iffin' that be the case then he'll be after bein' a prisoner..."
"Milord Orlan did you hear that voice? It sounds like that same gibberish you speak in your sleep!"
Hru starts a low prayer to Gorum in preparation of casting spiritual weapon. "Gorum, your servant goes to battle, and is in need of aid!" The gutteral syllables cut thru the tense atmosphere of the chamber
Manfred, Yin, Kamris, Orlan:
Through repeated attempts, you are able to dislodge the beam that held the stone doors shut. One good shove and the doors will open.
Rellios, Klyndak, Hru:
The beam holding the stone doors shut lifts from its place in the handles and falls to the floor. Whatever is out there is coming in.
I call out in common, "Announce yourself or face the wrath of the dwarves of the Spires!"
In dwarven:
Spoiler:"Who is it that knocks on the doors of the Halls of the Foehammers?"
Spoiler:Through repeated attempts, you are able to dislodge the beam that held the stone doors shut. One good shove and the doors will open.
"Milord Orlan did you hear that voice? It sounds like that same gibberish you speak in your sleep!"
"Gibberish?! Hunh! That ain't gibberish boy! It be the time-tested tongue o' the sturdiest race ta ever tame a mountain! There be a dwarf in there!" Orlan says as he recongizes the voice, "And it be me cousin, Klyndak, ta boot!"
I call out in common, "Announce yourself or face the wrath of the dwarves of the Spires!"
Orlan motions Kamris back from the now unbarred doors and then shoves them open with his booted foot, axe in hand and shield held ready.
"O'ho! I don't just be knockin' on the doors o' the Halls o' the Foehammers," he announces with a big grin. Light streams past him from the open doorway, as he finishes, "I be kickin' 'em down and makin' muhself a new home fer the Hammerfoes, cousin!"
Yin watches with some interest as the cousins are reunited, silently praying that this development means that they can leave the evil spires soon. Running her fingers through her short hair she gives the halforc a weak smile in greeting.
"Orlan!" I say, overjoyed.
But then joy gives way to puzzlement.
"But what are ye after doin' 'ere?"
Hru's eyes bulge as the bar comes off and he tenses for the fight...every muscle taught and waiting to call upon his lord, and then....two dwarves greeting each other like old friends? His eyes shift over the opposition as the daylight filters in, looking for a possible vent for his built up energy. His shoulders slump noticibly as the threat of battle passes and and the thought of the crossing to the next spire returns. "er...well met?"
Kamris looks over the group stoically and, raising an eyebrow, says wryly "Well met indeed."
Rellios steps from the shadows of the room - bow in hand but lowered - and a bemused grin on his face. The surprise reunion reminds him of his own family ties.
"Well, Master Klyndak, it seems like you've found us some allies that aren't inanimate rock," he utters with a sarcastic chuckle.
"Hail, and well-met to you all." The elf who salutes the newcomers stands as tall as a man, but is leaner with white hair and solid grey eyes. He carries several slim blades (rapier, daggers, short sword), and wears a grey cloak over brown-black leather armor.
"... you've found us some allies that aren't inanimate rock," he utters with a sarcastic chuckle.
'Inanimate? I have a recent vacany in a closet down below the perfect size for an elfling,' thinks the throne.
The slump shouldered man that stands by Klyndak's side is a very dark green for a Varisian, in fact as you size him up you realize that he's definately at least part orc. He stands some inches over 6 feet with long, sinous, well muscled limbs sticking out from under an oddly fit shirt of chain. He is girt in leather and has studded leather greaves and vambraces and a wide belt with a few odd shaped pouches at his waist. His once meticuluosly shaven head is now a shoulder length mass of wild tresses held back with a leather thong and spilling around lupine ears. He is generally pretty rough around the edges, and while he's not unclean, all his acoutrements have the look of needing some repair or downtime, except the massive battleblade in his hands that is perfectly spotless and gleaming in the dull light, you notice that anothe large blade is strapped across his back and am ancient warhammer hangs at his belt.
The quiet half-elf seems grizzled and tanned from many days in the wild, making his age indeterminate. Currently he bears bruising and cuts as if from a heavy battle.
He has an unreadable expression.
A 6' tall 220lb man follows Orlan into the spire, clad in warn full chain hauberk, tabard and greathelm, and bears a large steel shield with some family coat of arms,
Sir Manfred states in a too loud whisper; "Milord Orlan, are you sure they are your cousins? They look more like circus performers."
I scan the three that enter with Orlan and scratch my beard in thought a moment.
In dwarven I add to my previous question,
"Milord Orlan, are you sure they are your cousins? They look more like circus performers."
"Orlan!" I say, overjoyed. But then joy gives way to puzzlement.
Orlan gives a hearty laugh. "Aye, cousin! Who else'd be comin' ta see what became of yuh in these harsh lands?"
"But what are ye after doin' 'ere?"
"Lookin' fer yer miserable hide, of course! Yuh got 'alf the clan worried 'bout yuh back home." He continues into the spire as he answers. "And that durn priest what sent yuh here done went mad several weeks ago," he shares, "Yer folks started thinkin' maybe he sent ya off on some fool's errand instead o' a grand adventure..."
In dwarven:
Spoiler:"And who are these beardless ones who have traveled with you? And I hope you brought nourishment? Otherwise we shall have to mine some more from the land below the spires..."
"That one there's got the elf blood in him," he motions towards Kamris, "Don't say a lot either. But he's a nimble one, of course."
"And the girl..." Orlan considers his words carefully, "Well, she bears watching. A hair trigger on that one. A student of magic like yerself. But she ain't all that right in the head. Likes to burn things a little too much sometimes, if you understand?"
"By the gods, Klyndak!" he finally shouts, giving his cousin a hearty hug, "It's good to find you and know you're alive and well! I figured we'd have to haul your body back and bury it with our ancestors."
Following a brief conversation in their own language, Orlan gives out a shout of joy and embraces Klyndak in a brotherly fashion, but also out of respect warrior-to-warrior.
Rellios replaces his bow as he approaches the gathering. Since the dwarves seem occupied in conversation, he turns towards Kamris. He speaks in the lyrical, fluid tongue of elven:
"Greetings, elf-friend. You seem somewhat roughened by your journey to the spires; do you require aid? Or your comrades, perhaps?"
The elf's conversation is accompanied by a sweeping gesture indicating Yin and Manfred, plus a waterskin.
"Our adventure 'as been 'avin' its 'igh 'n low points," I say to Orlan, when the embracing is done, and with some excitement I add, "The good news is, I've found the throne, 'n by its word claimed the spires once more fer dwarf folks. We 'ave this spire pretty well ta ourselves 'n was about ta be branchin' back ta finish off the blood-suckin' villain in that there spire be'ind ye. I don't suppose ye did me the favor o' that yerself?"
"Ach," I say a second later, "Where are my manners? The orc blood be'ind me is Hru," I add in dwarven,
"N' the other is Rellios, an elflin' as ye can be seein'. E's after bein' 'andy wit' locks. I met them both at the fort down the river n' they've been good chaps, 'oldin' up in 'ere as we were."
"Our adventure 'as been 'avin' its 'igh 'n low points," I say to Orlan, and with some excitement I add, "The good news is, I've found the throne, 'n by its word claimed the spires once more fer dwarf folks. We 'ave this spire pretty well ta ourselves 'n was about ta be branchin' back ta finish off the blood-suckin' villain in that there spire be'ind ye. I don't suppose ye did me the favor o' that yerself?"
"Hunh! We certainly be givin' it a try a coupla times already," Orlan scoffs, "But the grand Lord Azubal still be a slave ta the cowardly goblin-kin what sired him. We drove 'im off ta his hidey-hole, caught his one-armed hobgoblin priest, and cut down ever' last servant he had exceptin' the swarms o' bats he called ta cover his retreat."
"But yuh say yuh found it?" Orlan asks excitedly, "It's true? The throne of our kin? Why that's great news, cousin! Well done! Well done, indeed!" His last statement is directed past Klyndak and towards his newly introduced companions...
...and then Orlan's eyes narrow as he notices the half-orc standing behind him.
In dwarven:
In dwarven:
Spoiler:"He is a heathenish sort of priest, but a good warrior and given time might be shown the light at the end of the tunnel."
I retort to my cousin,
I laugh,
"So then cousin, you say the fiend still lives. We can perhaps devise a way to fix that. Do you and your companions need food and rest. All that my kingdom has to offer you is at your disposal."
I grin.
"So then cousin, you say the fiend still lives. We can perhaps devise a way to fix that. Do you and your companions need food and rest. All that my kingdom has to offer you is at your disposal." I grin.
Orlan laughs long and loud.
"Your kingdom is it?" he replies, "Well'n I suppose it would be, considerin' the Foehammers're long gone and yuh found the Spires again after all these years. I might be interested in discoverin' what yer Highness has ta offer his loyal subjects, though..."
He looks again at the wounded state of Kamris and mentally notes they could all use a break after the last battle.
"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..."
The blonde human woman quietly slips through the doors, leaving the others to talk amongst themselves. Giving a light sigh she wraps her arms around herself and looks around for a place to sit herself out of the way.
As the elf speaks she responds in a gentle voice in slightly accented elven: