"Oh-ho me lads," I laugh, "Kerrigan is wantin' us to be stoppin' these orcs fer him. Which does raise the questions o' how serious they are on takin' these spires afore they be 'eadin' ta the fort 'n 'ow many o' them are there?"
"I slew a dozen or more o' 'em muhself," Orlan explains, "A ragged lot. But some skilled warriors among 'em, too. Their leader had a bunch'a fancy ribbons ta color himself with. And the whole lot o' 'em carried signs o' the Scarred Hand...which I be assumin' ta be their tribe's name. Quarrel there might know some more 'bout 'em. But from what I pieced t'gether, these orcs have come down from Belkzen ta cause trouble. They be pullin' siege engines ta launch spiked barrels full o' lantern oil. I found a chest full o' Korvosan gold among their belongin's as well. Three o' 'em wore these rings..." He fishes in his pocket to show the jewelry he removed from the tougher orcs. "Their leader also had this amulet on 'em." He offers that to Klyndak. "Torag revealed ta me that it certainly be magical...along with this potion, too...but I figgered yuh'd do a better job o' figurin' out their purpose than muhself."
"A dozen, eh? Ah'm glad t' be fer knowin' it. Always good t' be knowin' what yer allies 'r capable of. Ah'm not sure 'r foes were skilled, but a lucky 'it from a greataxe kills nearly as quick as a skilled one. Ah'm thinkin' Torag was watchin' us t' let us walk away alive."
He scratches his beard, "Th' contraption we saw wasn't much fer lookin' at 'n sure weren't gonna put a barrel o' oil anywhere. It was fer lookin' like a batterin' ram wit' ladders attached. Ah made some 'adjustments' t' it in case other orcs come along and try t' be fer usin' it. Ah think they're fer bein' in fer a surprise."
Peering at the rings Yin is examining, "Aye, those look familiar. I wasn't fer noticin' anything t' tell their tribe, though. 'r ye thinkin' this is one tribe, 'r is someone gettin' the savages t'gether for an attack?"
"Oh-ho me lads," I laugh, "Kerrigan is wantin' us to be stoppin' these orcs fer him. Which does raise the questions o' how serious they are on takin' these spires afore they be 'eadin' ta the fort 'n 'ow many o' them are there?"
"Hunh!" Orlan mutters, "A dozen in the band I found, eight for these folks, and two siege engines b'tween 'em. All carryin' the same sort o' rings. There be someone tryin' ta move inta the area. And it ain't just us and our kinsmen. They appear ta be usin' these orcs ta test our mettle."
Then the dwarf spits with some measure of mild disgust. "An' rather than face it full on, Kerrigan's tryin' ta hedge his bets," he surmises, "By havin' us take on the orcs first, we either take 'em out and use up our resources ta do it without him havin' ta risk anything o' his...or, we fall ta the orcs while whittlin' them down a bit so his men can finish the job when they finally do face 'em at the keep. An' then he can lay his own claim ta the Spires and its treasure now that we've cleared most o' it out fer him. He's a cagey one, that Kerrigan."
"But I be seein' this as an opportunity anyway," the dwarf goes on, "If'n we establish ourselves as a force in the mountains, it'll earn the respect o' Kerrigan's people as well as any orcs that be thinkin' they can just march inta the Mindspin Mountains and claim if fer their own. Between our blades and magic...as well as the combined blessin's o' Torag and Gorum...I'm confident we can find the source o' these orcs and cut it off 'fore it can even gain a foothold in this territory. We don't just need ta be sittin' here waitin' fer 'em ta come ta us. If'n I can find a dozen and slay 'em all on muh own, imagine what we could do t'gether?"
"Aye, I was after thinkin' similar thoughts meself jes now."
"I was mindful that per'aps we could be waitin' 'n whittling 'em down slowly, but now its seemin' ta me that it might be better ta be goin' ta them, pickin' the battle as it were."
"Only thing is, I would be 'atin' ta come back 'ere, 'n find the place crawlin' wit' more vermin... or crabs."
"It would be bein' nice ta 'ave some kin ta be leavin' ta 'old the spires. Still if wishes were geese, we'd all be sleepin' like kings, eh?"
Yin gives Kelborn a dazzling little grin at his offer. "Sure, although it may not take too long" She replies "The rings look like some we have, and likely have the same enchntment on them, featherfalling" She adds certainly.
Hru enters the room warily having heard many voices, greatsword poised to remove unlucky appendages. Upon seeing the arrived congregation, he let's out a low chuckle, "Hoo Hoo!" and set the sword to his shoulder having left the scabbard in the other room
1d20+4=15
"Kelborn I have no doubt that you'll pass when it comes time for Gorum to test your mettle. And my lord has brought us together again and so we all shall be tested once more....what a great destiny lies ahead for the chosen of Gorum!" Hru spouts pontifically to no one in particular.
Attentively listening to the description of the orcs and Kerrigan's note, he mutters quietly homages to Gorum, "Lay thy hand on the neck of tine enemies...."
"Excellent! A mounted attack is something they will never expect! We'll be unstoppable!" Sir Manfred stops and looks around at the others. "Or, um, perhaps a nice ambush instead?"
"It would be bein' nice ta 'ave some kin ta be leavin' ta 'old the spires. Still if wishes were geese, we'd all be sleepin' like kings, eh?"
"I reckon we took the Spires back once already," Orlan agrees, "Even if somethin' does dare ta try and make a home here while we be gone, we sure'n should have the will and the might ta be takin' it back again."
He mulls something for a moment and then suggests, "I don't s'pose that all-knowin' throne o' yers might have any suggestions fer how ta secure the Spires if'n we do set off ta find more o' these orcs?"
Orlan:
Spire Loremaster: You recently received a bonus to knowledge checks related to the spires or your ancestors.
Kelborn and Hru
Aberrant Love: Your recent exposure to the stalkercrabs has left a mental scar on you. The next time you sleep, you will have nightmares of a world made flesh. You see creatures strange and marvellous, and can often hear their thoughts ... if you can call those swirling appetites that drive their violence 'thoughts'. From now on, you gain +2 on knowledge checks made in regards to aberrations.
Ovirid
Company of Yin: Being close to Yin has taught you to listen carefully for the sparking of a fire or the brush of heat on the back of your neck. You gain +2 to reflex saves to avoid fire damage.
Manfred
Nothing but Trouble: Your mount, Trouble, has taken to you and will respond only to you. You get +1 on ride checks and handle animal checks on him. Anyone else, gets a -1 penalty to the same even if you command him to let them ride.
Yin
Itchy Trigger Finger: You've gotten used to burning first, asking questions later. You get +1 to initiative rolls if you announce your intention to use a fire-based spell before the roll
Klyndak
Your Majesty: Your leadership skills have confirmed in the hearts of your kith and kin that royal blood runs through your veins. Once per day, you can inspire courage as the bardic ability. You must have the prerequisite ranks in any perform skill to do so.
"I don't suppose anyone is after 'avin' a map o' the area wit' which we can be plannin' a strategy," I say with a grin, "Its 'ard ta be knowin' exactly what we want ta be doin' wit'out bein' able ta see the lay o' the land."
"I don't suppose anyone is after 'avin' a map o' the area wit' which we can be plannin' a strategy," I say with a grin, "Its 'ard ta be knowin' exactly what we want ta be doin' wit'out bein' able ta see the lay o' the land."
"At least one o' these Spires has got ta be providin' a view o' the land," Orlan responds, "Maybe the throne'd be knowin' where the best lookout spot would be?"
"I don't suppose anyone is after 'avin' a map o' the area wit' which we can be plannin' a strategy," I say with a grin, "Its 'ard ta be knowin' exactly what we want ta be doin' wit'out bein' able ta see the lay o' the land."
As the party returns to Thronespire opening the doors to the great hall (not the throne room but the entry level below it) a strange sight greets them. A ghostly robed dwarf stands arms outstretched in greeting. A mug of ale in one hand is hoisted in cheer as the other bids you enter.
Klyndak has seen this ghost before. Orlan recognizes it from his ancestral memories. This would be the priest 'Canyonfather' who fled to Janderhoff with the heir to the throne changing the heirs name to 'Hammerfoe' and his own to 'Kannonfodder'. Last time you saw this ghost, he was running in fright.
Knowledge, untrained: (1d20+3=17)
"Aye 'n this is an unexpected visit...ation," I say, not used to being greeted by the spirits of ancestors long departed.
Not quite sure of the proper protocol on greeting a dead dwarf, I decide to simply use the greetings one would use for a live dwarf.
In Dwarvish:
The vision turns, salutes with its mug beaming proudly, and then fades.
"Well throne, were you, um, jus' noticin' that jus' now."
At sight of the spectre, Orlan draws his axe and interposes himself the ghost and his liege. "Stand back, cousin!" he assures Klyndak, "I'll be handlin' this with the full might o' Torag ta affect the undead!"
"Aye 'n this is an unexpected visit...ation," I say, not used to being greeted by the spirits of ancestors long departed....Not quite sure of the proper protocol on greeting a dead dwarf, I decide to simply use the greetings one would use for a live dwarf.
"Hunh?!" Orlan looks back over his shoulder while holding off the ghost, "What're yuh daft?" He looks back at the ghost and narrows his eyes. "Yuh'll be lettin' go o' yer hold over the King o' the Spires or I'll call down Torag's holiness ta smite yuh back ta the grave!"
The vision turns, salutes with its mug beaming proudly, and then fades.
"Hunh!" Orlan grunts, "Well, maybe that be drivin' him off fer now. And I can't say as I'm not a bit unnerved by the thought o' our ancestors continuin' ta haunt the Spires like this..."
"Your majesty?" the throne querries obviously oblivious to whatever entered the room below it. "My we have had a lot of visitors today! This must be one of those days when everyone comes to visit."
Yin gives Kelborn a dazzling little grin at his offer. "Sure, although it may not take too long" She replies "The rings look like some we have, and likely have the same enchntment on them, featherfalling" She adds certainly.
Kelborn is dazzled.
"Hmm... In that case, perhaps I might make a case for one of those rings. Considering the manner in which I arrived at these spires, I would like to take pains avoiding a gravitous fate."
Kelborn closes his eyes a moment as he says 'gravitous,' as though attempting to decide whether or not it is actually a word. He decides it is and ends with a confident smile.
"Aye, a lot of visitors indeed..."
I shake off the funny feeling that something rather telling has just happened and return to the matter at hand.
"Which is bringin' me back ta me question, Are there any maps o' the region?"
"Or do we need ta be makin' one?"
"Aye, a lot of visitors indeed..."
I shake off the funny feeling that something rather telling has just happened and return to the matter at hand.
"Which is bringin' me back ta me question, Are there any maps o' the region?"
"Or do we need ta be makin' one?"
"Your majesty," answers the throne, "the only map I know of is the one of the valley on the conference table. ... It does not extend beyond these walls. For that matter, your majesty, my powers of detection are limited to the spires, and even then only when they are connected by bridges as they are now. I can detect when ... VISITORS ARE COMING! YOUR MAJESTY! I THINK WE MAY BE TOO LATE! THERE ARE VISITORS APPROACHING BOTH DOORS!! MARKETSPIRE AND SERVANTSPI ... TORAGSPIRE! OH, WOE! THE ORCS ARE UPON US. YOU OF FLEET FOOT CAN FLEE INTO THE VALLEY AND SAVE YOURSELVES BUT ME! AM I TO BE ADVISOR TO AN ORCISH KING!?! WAS 500 YEARS OF FEELING THE COLD BOTTOM OF THE UNDEAD NOT PUNISHMENT ENOUGH FOR MY FAILURES?? BUT NO, FORGET ME AND RUN!!!"
"Your majesty," answers the throne, "the only map I know of is the one of the valley on the conference table. ... It does not extend beyond these walls. For that matter, your majesty, my powers of detection are limited to the spires, and even then only when they are connected by bridges as they are now. I can detect when ... VISITORS ARE COMING! YOUR MAJESTY! I THINK WE MAY BE TOO LATE! THERE ARE VISITORS APPROACHING BOTH DOORS!! MARKETSPIRE AND SERVANTSPI ... TORAGSPIRE! OH, WOE! THE ORCS ARE UPON US. YOU OF FLEET FOOT CAN FLEE INTO THE VALLEY AND SAVE YOURSELVES BUT ME! AM I TO BE ADVISOR TO AN ORCISH KING!?! WAS 500 YEARS OF FEELING THE COLD BOTTOM OF THE UNDEAD NOT PUNISHMENT ENOUGH FOR MY FAILURES?? BUT NO, FORGET ME AND RUN!!!""Aye, a lot of visitors indeed..."
I shake off the funny feeling that something rather telling has just happened and return to the matter at hand.
"Which is bringin' me back ta me question, Are there any maps o' the region?"
"Or do we need ta be makin' one?"
"Your majesty," answers the throne, "the only map I know of is the one of the valley on the conference table. ... It does not extend beyond these walls. For that matter, your majesty, my powers of detection are limited to the spires, and even then only when they are connected by bridges as they are now. I can detect when ... VISITORS ARE COMING! YOUR MAJESTY! I THINK WE MAY BE TOO LATE! THERE ARE VISITORS APPROACHING BOTH DOORS!! MARKETSPIRE AND SERVANTSPI ... TORAGSPIRE! OH, WOE! THE ORCS ARE UPON US. YOU OF FLEET FOOT CAN FLEE INTO THE VALLEY AND SAVE YOURSELVES BUT ME! AM I TO BE ADVISOR TO AN ORCISH KING!?! WAS 500 YEARS OF FEELING THE COLD BOTTOM OF THE UNDEAD NOT PUNISHMENT ENOUGH FOR MY FAILURES?? BUT NO, FORGET ME AND RUN!!!""Aye, a lot of visitors indeed..."
I shake off the funny feeling that something rather telling has just happened and return to the matter at hand.
"Which is bringin' me back ta me question, Are there any maps o' the region?"
"Or do we need ta be makin' one?"
The throne spoke out loud this time in its excitement.
Ovirid looks around the room in surprise before realizing it's the throne speaking. "500 years? Undead? There's a tale t' be tellin', fer sure. Is yer chair always this excitable, yer Majesty? Ah'm not fer knowin' th' spires yet, but Ah can find the door Ah come in at. If'n ye want, Ah can head down there t' see what's about wit' one o' the warriors."
As he says this, he's already readying his light crossbow.
"Mebbe we should be fer readyin' t' pull back th' bridge to th' first spire?" He shrugs, "It's yer home, jes' tell me where ye want me t' be."
"Let us first be seein' who our visitors are. Two parties. I, Orlan, Hru and Kelborn will be seein' ta the visitor's comin' up towards Torag's Spire. The rest o' you can be watchin' ta see who's comin' the other way."
I head down towards the bridge to Torag's spire.
"I call back over my shoulder. "Fireweaver, make sure o' yer targets afore ye burn them. The throne thought ye were ogres 'n such."
Hru, who was standing in the backround listening, is suddenly filled with brutal purpose. The casually shouldered greatsword swings around in a complete 360 degrees snapping to lock at readiness in Hru's outstretched arms. With that he winces in pain, as beneath his chain shirt on his side the abberration's nasty entry wound begins to weep blood and fluids. Anyone looking is decidedly seeing a very unhumorous side to Hru. Grimacing and holding the sword aloft he calls for Gorums aid.
"Return us to battle Iron Lord! Give me strength to smite thine enemies and prove thy truth through test of combat!!"
The area is filled with pummeling ripples of positive energy.
When the party returns to the gate at Toragspire, they find Trouble and the other mounts suspiciously looking at the former bandit turned courier known as Dofan (Duke Of Fat All Nothing). He is dressed in what anyone who has been to Korvosa would recognize as a messenger's costume including colorful tights, ridiculous blouse, and a floppy hat. When he sees you, he attempts to hide his embarrassment as he chokes out an obviously memorized speech, "Good sirs! Lord Kerrigan of Kerrigan's Keep has sent me with a letter for King Klyndak of the Spires. I humbly request ye let me enter."
"'E did did 'e?" I say with something of a grin, stroking my beard, "Ol' kerrigan seems like quite a letter writer these days. I was just after readin' another letter from 'im."
"Are ye alone or are there after bein' others wit' ye?"
Assuming he actually is alone, I motion for him to enter and accept any letter he is carrying.
Also if he is alone, I will send Hru and Kelborn to go check on whomever is approaching from the other direction and the other group.
At Klyndak's order, Sir Manfred Salutes and replies; "Yes, your Majesty; we will not fail."
The area is filled with pummeling ripples of positive energy.
At this, Sir Manfred stops in astonishment.
Hru could do that? He always seemed like just another barbarian. I wish I could do that...Sir Manfred shook his head in wonder as he snatched up his greathelm and shield and strode out of the hall.
"Come my friends, we have visitors to greet!"
At Klyndak's order, Sir Manfred Salutes and replies; "Yes, your Majesty; we will not fail."
The area is filled with pummeling ripples of positive energy.At this, Sir Manfred stops in astonishment.
Hru could do that? He always seemed like just another barbarian. I wish I could do that...Sir Manfred shook his head in wonder as he snatched up his greathelm and shield and strode out of the hall.
"Come my friends, we have visitors to greet!"
When Manfred, Yin, and Ovirid reach Marketspire (apparantly they've been given a tour at some point between their arrival and now) they see one lone dwarf dressed in chainmail and carrying a long, winding horn standing on the far side of the porticullis. He looks past Yin and Manfred and focusses on Ovirid. "I come from Janderhoff to greet King Klyndak. I can rightly see that ye be not 'e. Could ye send for 'im?"
"'E did did 'e?" I say with something of a grin, stroking my beard, "Ol' kerrigan seems like quite a letter writer these days. I was just after readin' another letter from 'im."
"Are ye alone or are there after bein' others wit' ye?"
Assuming he actually is alone, I motion for him to enter and accept any letter he is carrying.
Also if he is alone, I will send Hru and Kelborn to go check on whomever is approaching from the other direction and the other group.
"Well, ..." he begins before remembering to remove his cap and bow, which he does hastily, "Guildmaster Sarpis has come with me but he's still ... huffing and puffing up the stairs. He suggested I go on up ahead and announce him when he arrives. ... Which should be in the next five or ten minutes."
He hands you the letter from Lord Kerrigan.
King Klyndak and Lord Orlan,
Yin, Manfred, and Ovirid had barely departed with my warnings about invading orcs before your three messengers arrived bearing warnings from you about the same. Yin and company did not see them on the road only because, according to them, they are not accustomed to being seen. They claim to have spotted no less than three siege engines during their travels, all headed in the direction of my Keep.
I intend to find and rout these orcish invaders before they can dig themselves in. I send you this warning in the hopes that you will not be inconvenienced by a retreating army of desperate orcs.
Your message implicating Wain Sarpis has upset the guildmaster a great deal. He insisting on seeing the "scoundrel who would bear false witness against a respected merchant". If you ask me, he seemed a bit hasty to leave the Keep.
Yours in mutual defense,
Lord Kerkis Kerrigan
Sir Manfred turns to Yin and quietly says; "Yin, could you go and tell his majesty that a messenger from Janderhoff is here? You are the fastest one of us here. Sir Ovirid and I will hold our positions here until you return."
"Great events are afoot," I say as I read the letter. Then stuffing it my pouch, I motion to the messenger, "Come wit' me. We 'ad some other guests ta be checkin' on. There's still some dangers around the spires ye should be bein' cautious of. Best iffin' ye stay wit me until I 'ave a reply written out fer ye ta take back."
We head back up towards the throne room.
"Great events are afoot," I say as I read the letter. Then stuffing it my pouch, I motion to the messenger, "Come wit' me. We 'ad some other guests ta be checkin' on. There's still some dangers around the spires ye should be bein' cautious of. Best iffin' ye stay wit me until I 'ave a reply written out fer ye ta take back."
We head back up towards the throne room.
"But Guildmaster Sarpis should be here any minute ... if he survives the climb."
"But Guildmaster Sarpis should be here any minute ... if he survives the climb."
"If'n yuh'd like, I'll be happy ta stay and greet the Guildmaster, cousin," Orlan offers, "Unless'n yuh want ta establish yer own presence with 'im. If'n it were me, however, I'd just as soon speak with Sarpis outside o' the Spires. There be no need fer an opportunist like 'im ta be snoopin' 'round the place and learnin' anymore o' us than we want 'im tuh."
Yin gives a bright grin and a nod before scampering off, heading to find Klyndak. Pausing in the throne room she stops and turns to the throne.
"Is King Klyndak still at the gate or on his way back here?" She enquires of the magical object to save on having to trek all over the spires to find the dwarf.
"Ah yes, the guildmaster."
I think.
"Be bringin' 'im ta the throne room cousin. The throne will be keepin' 'im 'onest."
Then I head back.
"What news Yin," I say as I enter the throne room.
Yin smiles brightly at Klyndak "There's a dwarf from Janderhoff at the Marketspire gate asking to see you" She informs him easily.
"Well be bringin' 'im ta the throne room," I reply with a grin.
"Okay then! Although he did ask us to send for you. He had a horn with him so he may be expecting to trumpet it and announce someone you're supposed to receive.. or something" Yin warns with a smile just in case she's going to be sent back again.
"Its unbecomin' in a king ta be runnin' from gate ta gate," I say with a chuckle. "I 'ave ta play the part somewhat, don't I?"