"I am guessin' then that ye would be wantin' ta talk wit' me," I say to the Captain, "Recently acknowledged king o' the spires by the ancient throne o' the dwarves. Though in 'onesty, we've only explored 'alf o' them so far."
For now, Rellios is keeping within the shadows and hidden as possible while he listens. Hoping the attention on Klyndak, Orlan, et al, will allow him to remain hidden. He's also keeping an eye on the troop to see if he notices anything amiss.
Stealth (1d20+14=33)Perception (1d20+9=29)
For now, Rellios is keeping within the shadows and hidden as possible while he listens. Hoping the attention on Klyndak, Orlan, et al, will allow him to remain hidden. He's also keeping an eye on the troop to see if he notices anything amiss.
Stealth (1d20+14=33)
Perception (1d20+9=29)
Rellios notices:
Rellios notices a number of guards wearing tattoos like those worn in Korvosan prisons but that isn't such a surprise. Many of the guards in Kerrigan's Keep were conscripted from the prisons. Allowed to serve their sentences in the Korvosan army, these soldiers were disappointed when the Shoanti Wars ended in a truce brokered in part by Lord Kerrigan. Rather than go back and serve the rest of their sentence, they chose to remain on at Kerrigan's Keep outside of the reach of Korvosan law.
"I am guessin' then that ye would be wantin' ta talk wit' me," I say to the Captain, "Recently acknowledged king o' the spires by the ancient throne o' the dwarves. Though in 'onesty, we've only explored 'alf o' them so far."
"And, Your Kingship what explanation would you have me give Lord Kerrigan for your forces attacking the Keep?" asks the man trying to hide his condescension.
"And, Your Kingship what explanation would you have me give Lord Kerrigan for your forces attacking the Keep?" asks the man trying to hide his condescension.
"Me forces," I say in some surprise and then I can't help but laugh.
"Ha. That's a good one on me! 'N 'ere I was after thinkin' me forces 'ad all been busy killin' vampires 'n ghosts 'n gobbos 'n such. Ye are sayin' these lads o' mine were moonlightin'?"
I pause, "Or are ye trying ta insult me by suggestin' those flesh eatin' savages down 'ill were a followin' me orders when they obviously stole me barge 'n took off river whilst I was busy battlin' beasties 'n such 'n unable ta be mindin' me property."
"Course I be thinkin' ye don't really mean any insult 'n yer just followin' orders 'n such."
Sallem apologizes with as much enthusiasm as he might eat undercooked chicken on a dare "My apologies King Klyndak. I will convey your explanation to Lord Kerrigan ... Now, may I ..." he leaves off gesturing for Klyndak to walk with him a little ways towards the bridge.
If Klyndak follows:
"There is another matter. I have orders to take into custody an elf -- a full-blood or half-blood I am not sure -- by the name of 'Rellios'. I am led to understand he ventured forth with you from the Keep before the snows."
The hornblower continues talking to Yin:
"I mean ... they call me 'Burp' because of the sound I make ... with the horn ... Or used to make, I'm getting better ... It's not a very good horn, see?"
With that he puts the beaten up old brass thing to his lips and lets out a loud "BLURRRRPPPP".
The assembled 27 soldiers and adventurers gathered on the balcony turn at once to look at Yin and Burp, which causes Burp to become quite red and bow a quick apology to the commander.
To the Captain:
To Klyndak:
"I've been sent only to retrieve him. A handful of Korvosan soldiers spoke to Lord Kerrigan directly and he gave me my orders. Kerrigan wouldn't allow any of them to come with us, which made them a bit angry," Sallem says with a grin.
To the Captain:
To Klyndak:
"I would not want to be getting on Kerrigan's bad side King Klyndak. His temper is legendary. My men will set up camp here in the hopes that you come to your senses before morning tomorrow. If not, I will depart and inform Lord Kerrigan of this slight."
The hornblower continues talking to Yin:
"I mean ... they call me 'Burp' because of the sound I make ... with the horn ... Or used to make, I'm getting better ... It's not a very good horn, see?"
With that he puts the beaten up old brass thing to his lips and lets out a loud "BLURRRRPPPP".
The assembled 27 soldiers and adventurers gathered on the balcony turn at once to look at Yin and Burp, which causes Burp to become quite red and bow a quick apology to the commander.
Yin gives a bright laugh as the assembled people turn and look at her and 'Burp'. "Wow you people are much too serious!" She declares with a shake of her head before refocusing on the hornblower. Without warning she gives him a loose hug. "..and you need to worry less, if people stare they stare, no big deal. Lightly she taps one of his reddened cheeks with a playful grin.
"What do you actually like to be called?"
Hearing the bugler's retort, Rellios gives a slight grin at Yin and her charming antics - but he stays put. He also realizes that he hasn't seen Hru's large frame amdist the group. He's waiting to see if Klyndak calls them out.
If it looks like the troops will be moving back down the stairs and towards him, he'll make a dash as carefully as possible ahead of them for the seer's room where they emerged, and hide out.
Growing annoyed, Orlan puts away his waraxe and steps after Klyndak.
"What be the problem, cousin?" he boldly asks, inserting himself into their conversation.
Deciding the time for whispering is past, I grin broadly and say to the Captain, "Very well Captain, Ye are free ta be campin' 'ere fer the night. Afer ye leave in the mornin' 'owever, I'll be givin' ye some messages ta be takin' back wit' ye. N' while ye can camp out 'ere on the stairs, I would be recomendin' ye be stayin' in the lower chambers o' this spire, out o' the rain 'n snow 'n such."
"Now iffin' ye'll be excusin' me, me lads 'n I need ta be doin' a bit o investigatin' above. We were just killin' a vampire 'n I want ta be looking at 'is throne. I seem ta be recallin' it 'avin' dwarf runes on it."
Moving up, I say to the others, "Ye wouldn't be believin' the stench down in that fiends lair. That's gonna be a right pain ta be cleanin' out. Now I want ta 'ave a look at that things rooms just a little closer."
Growing annoyed, Orlan puts away his waraxe and steps after Klyndak.
"What be the problem, cousin?" he boldly asks, inserting himself into their conversation.
"There be no problem, cousin, these men are after bein' sent 'ere ta check on us 'n maybe makin' an arrest or two, but as they forgot to be findin' out the charges, I told them there was no 'elp I could be givin' them."
"... We were just killin' a vampire 'n I want ta be looking at 'is throne. I seem ta be recallin' it 'avin' dwarf runes on it."
The captain seems about to object when something you said causes him to forget his mission: "Did you say 'vampire'?"
He asks over the safety of this spire and regardless of your answer declares he will be taking his men down onto what you know as the Stair of Kings.
"... We were just killin' a vampire 'n I want ta be looking at 'is throne. I seem ta be recallin' it 'avin' dwarf runes on it."The captain seems about to object when something you said causes him to forget his mission: "Did you say 'vampire'?"
He asks over the safety of this spire and regardless of your answer declares he will be taking his men down onto what you know as the Stair of Kings.
"Very well, but don't be a leavin' afer I give ye me messages. I'll even make it worth yer while ta be carryin' 'em fer me."
Klyndak:
"Who is Soudouteyem'," I ask the group at large, "The name seems like one I should be rememberin' but I am after drawin' a blank. The name is carved on this 'ere throne twice..."
I do my best to see if I can remember anything with that name in it.
"Who is Soudouteyem',"
"'Soudutayem the bat-winged' was worshipped as a God of secrets, the buried, and darkness, bug on the necromantic, hence the weird vampire I guess" Yin replies easily with a shrug.
"Yeah...about that," Orlan coughs, "Um...since we be arrivin' back here at this Spire, I been havin' someone else's thoughts rumblin' in muh head, cousin. I be thinkin' this throne may have a mind fer its own, much like the one what crowned yuh King across the way. It may be that all of 'em have somethin' similar."
"But I don't be thinkin' they're all wise and all-knowin', these thrones," Orlan suggests, "Or, at least, they don't all be havin' the best interests o' our people at mind. This one here, it be havin' dark thoughts...encouragin' me ta crown muh own self King. And it be doin' so in a most un-Torag-like way...meanin' evil, if'n yuh get muh drift?"
"This whole Spire be an untrustworthy one," he continues, "With a vampire takin' up residence in it...and likley encouraged by the throne of Soudouteyem itself. Goblin-kin brought ta live here. The blood o' innocents spilt all around. If'n yuh ask me, the whole Spire should be cleaned out and consecrated once more ta the benefactor o' our ancestors...Torag the Forgefather."
"This whole Spire be an untrustworthy one," he continues, "With a vampire takin' up residence in it...and likley encouraged by the throne of Soudouteyem itself. Goblin-kin brought ta live here. The blood o' innocents spilt all around. If'n yuh ask me, the whole Spire should be cleaned out and consecrated once more ta the benefactor o' our ancestors...Torag the Forgefather."
"I wouldn't be arguin' wit' ye cousin," I say...
"So throne o' Soudouteyem, what da ye be sayin' fer yeself?"
There is a long pause before a voice comes from with the stone:
"Your Majesty, I seek only to aid you. I admit I have been put to evil use in years past but I am your servant. My depth of knowledge and intellect may be of service."
"What do you actually like to be called?"
'Burp' notices some of the soldiers giving him an evil look after he is hugged by Yin. Rather than answering her question, he says quickly "I should go but ... there is something wrong here. Something is not right but I don't know what."
He then rejoins his comrades.
Hru:
Hru hears a voice in his hand: "A mighty half-orc servant to dwarves! Ha! For shame."
Hearing the bugler's retort, Rellios gives a slight grin at Yin and her charming antics - but he stays put. He also realizes that he hasn't seen Hru's large frame amdist the group. He's waiting to see if Klyndak calls them out.
If it looks like the troops will be moving back down the stairs and towards him, he'll make a dash as carefully as possible ahead of them for the seer's room where they emerged, and hide out.
Rellios:
The troops exit the spire by those stairs forcing Rellios to duck out of sight. Two trail behind the rest. As they pass, he hears "... back for the elfblood ...".
"Your Majesty, I seek only to aid you. I admit I have been put to evil use in years past but I am your servant. My depth of knowledge and intellect may be of service."
Orlan gives a snort. "Hunh! Yeah, right," he scoffs, "A depth o' knowledge about evil things and an intellect on ponderin' misdeeds. Half a minute ago, yuh were whisperin' sweet promises o' making me a King."
"Don't trust it, cousin," Orlan crosses his arms, "It be seekin' to worm its way inta yer graces so it can be puttin' a knife in yer back or a corruption in yer heart later..."
"Your Majesty, I seek only to aid you. I admit I have been put to evil use in years past but I am your servant. My depth of knowledge and intellect may be of service."Orlan gives a snort. "Hunh! Yeah, right," he scoffs, "A depth o' knowledge about evil things and an intellect on ponderin' misdeeds. Half a minute ago, yuh were whisperin' sweet promises o' making me a King."
"Don't trust it, cousin," Orlan crosses his arms, "It be seekin' to worm its way inta yer graces so it can be puttin' a knife in yer back or a corruption in yer heart later..."
"Blllppptttt."
Orlan hears a sound much like a child's 'raspberry'. The sound that accompanies Yin sticking out her tongue when the men try to protect her.
Without bothering to affirm Olan's obvious wisdom, I instead ask the throne a question, "So what can ye be tellin' me about this 'Soudutayem o' yers? And are there after bein' one o' these thrones like ye in each o' these spires?"
Without bothering to affirm Olan's obvious wisdom, I instead ask the throne a question, "So what can ye be tellin' me about this 'Soudutayem o' yers? And are there after bein' one o' these thrones like ye in each o' these spires?"
"Soudutayem arose during dark times when dwarves were slaves to those who ruled the spires. It was through our worship of him that we gained the art to throw off the shackles of the dark masters. I was born in that early time of victory but have been told of the time that came before. ... As far as I know, there is only one other throne. A lesser throne not worthy of a king."
Spoiler:"Blllppptttt."Orlan hears a sound much like a child's 'raspberry'. The sound that accompanies Yin sticking out her tongue when the men try to protect her.
Orlan gives a sudden start and his hand draws one of the light hammers at his belt.
"Why you, little..." he mutters. "Don't be thinkin' I fergot muh promise ta be trimmin' those wings off'n yuh," he threatens, "If dwarven hands be makin' yuh, they can be unmakin' yuh just as easy..."
** spoiler omitted **
Orlan gives a sudden start and his hand draws one of the light hammers at his belt.
"Why you, little..." he mutters. "Don't be thinkin' I fergot muh promise ta be trimmin' those wings off'n yuh," he threatens, "If dwarven hands be makin' yuh, they can be unmakin' yuh just as easy..."
Orlan:
"You wouldn't dare to lay those 'dwarven hands' upon me!" the voice says haughtily.
"Ye might be findin' I 'ave strange notions o' what is worthy o' me 'n what is not," I say with a chuckle. Then turning away from the obviously evil throne, I tell Orlan, "Do what ye will wit' it. i won't be 'avin' an ancient lump o' rock tryin' ta manipulate me. Even if it is a mighty magical 'eirloom."
Kamris continues to regard the soldiers coolly.
Once the murmuring of the troops passes by, Rellios quietly makes his way back up to the balcony. I wonder what that's all about he wonders given what he's heard so far, although a sudden sense of dread has started rising.
Assuming that everyone's back inside the spire, he'll start to make his way there carefully. If there's still people (and by that I mean - our group, no one else) on the balcony, he'll emerge from the shadows and ask, "So, what's about with these soldiers? They sounded rather annoyed concerning Klyndak and some kind of attack."
Kamris continues to regard the soldiers coolly.
Kamris:
As the soldiers exit the spire, two trail behind. They make no effort to mask an interest in Kamris. It does not seem like idle curiousity.
Once the murmuring of the troops passes by, Rellios quietly makes his way back up to the balcony. I wonder what that's all about he wonders given what he's heard so far, although a sudden sense of dread has started rising.
Assuming that everyone's back inside the spire, he'll start to make his way there carefully. If there's still people (and by that I mean - our group, no one else) on the balcony, he'll emerge from the shadows and ask, "So, what's about with these soldiers? They sounded rather annoyed concerning Klyndak and some kind of attack."
Hru hears a voice in his hand:
Hru doesn't gratify his hand with a response
Hru hears a voice in his hand:
Hru doesn't gratify his hand with a response
Yin watches 'Burp' leave with his companions with a concerned expression, looking briefly tempted to follow so she can continue talking to him but she eventually decides not to get him in any more trouble with the other soldiers.
As Rellios reappears she gives a light giggle at his question "Naked people assaulting the keep, I wish I'd been there to see it, it sounds priceless!"
As Rellios reappears she gives a light giggle at his question "Naked people assaulting the keep, I wish I'd been there to see it, it sounds priceless!"
Somewhat relieved by Yin's laughter, Rellios shows a puzzled grin. "Naked people doing wha? It sounds to me like I need to hear the full story, and you Miss Yin," he utters pointing a wagging finger, "sound like the cat who ate the canary on that one."
"You met the people at the bottom of the stairs right? Tribal, naked, carrying spears. Apparently due to the actions of our dwarven leaders they launched an assault on Kerrigan's Keep, throwing themselves and their spears at the stone walls, even imagining it makes me giggle" Yin explains further with a bright grin "And I don't think I sound like that, cat with the weak mouse perhaps but there are a great many things that would make me happier, I don't expect to sound like the cat with the canary any time soon" She gives a small shrug.
"Alright Rellios!" I say when I see the elf, "What's this all about? I 'ear that ye are a wanted man in Korvosa..."
"Alright Rellios!" I say when I see the elf, "What's this all about? I 'ear that ye are a wanted man in Korvosa..."
"You met the people at the bottom of the stairs right? Tribal, naked, carrying spears. I don't expect to sound like the cat with the canary any time soon" She gives a small shrug.
"Actually, I've been hiding and watching your activities from the shadows...I assumed that we had caused enough of a stir without more of us coming out of the shadows. Given what I heard them say, and King Klyndak's words - it sounds like it was best that I did in any case."
He seems concerned now, and passes rubs his chin with his hand.
"Oh, I meant no ill...it's merely a turn of a phrase...it meant you were keeping secret on some mischief. Your laughter is more akin to the peal of a lovely bell, young miss," he adds with a wink and grin.
Having pondered Klyndak's words, he turns somewhat grimly to answer.
Kamris follows the soldiers and approaches the two men who have been looking at him, saying, "You wish to talk to me?"