Umlo will coup de gras Riggpengut
Att=12; dmg=5.
Take this you vile creature, may you find salvation on the other side
Kyran calmly shifts fire to other hostiles when Ripnugget goes down.
With sufficient persistence, Ripnugget and his gang of ne'er-do-wells are vanquished at last. A fair amount of work also sees the bridge rehung, thanks to an arrow, some rope and a lot of pulling. Careful testing reveals it ought to be safe enough to cross. Throughout all this, the fort remains silent. No goblins can be seen on the watchtowers, and certainly none are sticking their heads out the door.
Grond stands in the shadows of the Goblin's fortress. "I be leaving ya for just a few hours and ya go and stumble upon a nest o' Greenskins. So what bein' yer plan?" I'm fer stormin' the walls, ya with me Umlo?"
Umlo pats his bumps and bruises, AYe brother, but I could use soem patching up as could some of our nonbearded folk". Umlo winks a smile at Grond, "Its good of ye to show up stonebrother, I missed my friend"
"And thanks to you Ulmo, I'm hear to provide Desna's blessing that we might all feel patched up before storming the castle." says Devrin. First he tends to Korpi and Ulmo with direct blessings then sets to providing a general infusion of Desna's power to all.
"And thanks to you Ulmo, I'm hear to provide Desna's blessing that we might all feel patched up before storming the castle." says Devrin. First he tends to Korpi and Ulmo with direct blessings then sets to providing a general infusion of Desna's power to all.
Kyran smiles at Devrin. "Thanks to Erastil's protection, I have no need for Desna's healing at the moment."
Umlo pats his bumps and bruises, AYe brother, but I could use soem patching up as could some of our nonbearded folk". Umlo winks a smile at Grond, "Its good of ye to show up stonebrother, I missed my friend"
"I be strong as an auroch, but if the rest of ye be in rough shape then maybe we should be returnin' to Sandpoint and gettin' some reinforcements."
"I'm with you there. Returning to Sandpoint is a fine idea. I can't believe we killed Ripnugget, though. It's almost as if--"
Fern's eyes go wide as she remembers her fallen goblin ally. She rushes over to the body.
"KORPI! Korpi! Someone, check if he's still alive!"
"I'm with you there. Returning to Sandpoint is a fine idea. I can't believe we killed Ripnugget, though. It's almost as if--"
Fern's eyes go wide as she remembers her fallen goblin ally. She rushes over to the body.
"KORPI! Korpi! Someone, check if he's still alive!"
Grond watches the Gnome rush the the Goblin's body and mutters somethng in dwarven.
For those who speak dwarven:
"Aye Grond, but this little snot is different, he proved his worth, he has a measure of respect from me "
"It's true. He practically held Ripnugget off that whole time. His whole reason for being was to take Ripnugget down, and step up as the true leader of the Thistletop tribe. He's done that. If he bleeds to death, it will all be for naught!"
Fern fights back tears as she yells at the healers, and desperately tries to hold Korpi's wounds together, although she has no skill at it.
Umlo finds himslef surprised at his emotions, he looks to Grond and Devrin, "with Korpi in charge maybe Sandpoint could have better relations with the goblins, maybe establish trade routes free from goblin Harassment".. Umlo is confised by his apparent care for the snot filled greenskin
Kyran tries toget Korpi's wounds stabilized, but in his haste, he only manages to tangle a hand up in the makeshift bandage.
Umlo finds himslef surprised at his emotions, he looks to Grond and Devrin, "with Korpi in charge maybe Sandpoint could have better relations with the goblins, maybe establish trade routes free from goblin Harassment".. Umlo is confised by his apparent care for the snot filled greenskin
"Bah, give the bugger power and it be goin' straight to his fat head. We need to be makin' up our minds. Are we gonna finnish this or head back to town?"
"Fern please join me over here." says Devrin as he remains kneeling beside Korpi. Channeling Desna's divine will, he floods the area with healing energy. Two bursts of bright light shine from him flowing over his injured companions.
healing (1d6=1)
healing x2 (1d6=4)
Devrin's ministrations do the trick, his patient's eyes blinking open. Korpi coughs and splutters for a few moments before starting to haul himself upright, "Where's Ripnugget? He dead yet?"
"Yes! You killed him!" she cries, through tears forming in her face.
Kyran nods approvingly at Korpi. "Good combat skills there, friend."
"That'll teach 'im," Korpi says, accepting this course of events without question. He is, after all, a mighty warrior and has been saying he'll kill Ripnugget for quite some time. The fact that he doesn't actually remember dealing the death blow is a minor detail.
"Ya hear that, gobs?!" he shouts, pushing himself shakily to his feet, "I, Korpiklanni Horsekiller, kill Ripnugget! I king now! Open up!" Silence greets this ultimatum, as Korpi heads over to claim the crown from Ripnugget, thus cementing his claim to the throne. Well, presumably there's a throne. Nobody's actually been in a position to check.
Standing up again after caring for Korpi, Devrin looks around at the mass of goblin bodies and the wear his friends are showing (as well as his own near-death experience). "I think you've got it right Grond, we should head back. We'll come back here tomorrow after we've had a chance to rest up. I'm sure that killing Rippnugget will leave the goblins in a bit of a lurch and those humans that are working with them have been given a wake up call."
Aye Devrin, maybe a warm bed and a warmer meal will rejuventate us. But when we come back, we will be expected, and their defenses will be organized. They know we are here now, but they are still disorganized, with their leader killed, now may be the best time to strike, but I will defer to the citizens of Sandpoint as this is their fight."
"Aye Brother, Sandpoint be takin' the brunt if this goes in a bad way. Thier bein' disorginized is a plus for us, but I'd be bettin' they got numbers o'er us. Not to mention they done sealed them gates. We might not be gettin' in there without a ram and some extra strong hands to be swingin' it. Kyran, Fern, Devrin...this be your homelands so you need to be makin' the choice. What'er you decide Grond Aardde's hammer be yours to command until these Goblin scum been delt with."
.
.
"What?! An' let some other gob say he king? Open up!" Korpi reiterates, heading over to bang on the gate, "I know you in there!" Patience, it seems, is not Korpi's strong suit. Just what he's going to do if the goblins don't open up remains to be seen.
"That rowdy greenskin will be bringin' the whole stinkin' hive o' gobbos down on us." Grond rushes to where Korpi is banging on the fortress doors and attempts to drag him back amongst the others. "Quite yer yellin'. It's only out o' respect for me brother, Umlo, that I'll not be rippin' that slimmy tounge right out o' yer mouth. Grond then faces the others, "Well, what'ill be? We stromin' the walls or headin' back?
"I think that more foes than we can imagine currently wait for us in there. Even if Ripnugget is dealt with, his 'longshank' allies are probably not so easily swayed. None of us have the energy to battle them. We should return to Sandpoint, and come back more prepared. Who's going to convince Korpi of that, however?"
Korpi reluctantly allows himself to be hauled away from the gates, glaring liquid death at Grond. "Fine. But you no blame me if we have to kill a bunch more tomorrow," he says sullenly.
Kyran thinks to admonish Grond for his words, and then thinks better of it. The dwarf, he reasons, probably has more than a little adrenaline pumping. Satisfied that Grond isn't going to actually harm Korpi, he lets the dwarf be.
As he walks back, Kyrand feels a strange, comforting feeling. It's almost as if his god is saying "Good job. Let's see how you do with a bit more responsibility." As the group chatters back and forth, he suddenly realizes he can understand Grond and Umlo, even when they switch to dwarven, he feels his resolve tighten, and he gets the uncanny feeling that if the situation required it, he could heal wounds with a touch.
Grond not so gently, but not violently lands Korpi at Kyran's feet, "You seem to be able to keep him in line, better for us all if I not be watchin' o're him." Grond wipes his hands on his legs as if to rub the goblin stink off them and faces the rest of the group, "If goin' is what we're doin' then let's make haste and be gettin' back before it be turnin' dark." Stepping closer to Umlo he speaks in his native tounge.
In Dwarven
Kyran gives Grond a mirthful look and says in slightly-broken, heavily-accented dwarven:
Kyran gathers up his scattered weapons and surveys the group.
"We've given them something to think about. Let's head back. I offer my hospitality to any of you who want it; at the very least let me serve you a meal."
Kyran gives Grond a mirthful look and says in slightly-broken, heavily-accented dwarven:
Grond grins and laughs at Kyran's statment, "Right ye are, and since ye be mentionin' ale I am rememberin' that I have a mighty thirst worked up. Let's be gettin' back." With that Grond slips easily into the thickets as if the natural walls have no effect on him and heads back to Kyran's farm for food and rest.
With consensus established (with the possible exception of a grumbling Korpi), the group heads home for the day. Kyran's offer of accommodation would allow them to get off to an early start in the morning, should they take him up on it. In any case, now that they know where they're going, getting back to Thistletop should pose no difficulties.
Korpi soon gets over his grumpiness, taking a childish delight in showing off his new crown. He doesn't go so far as to start issuing decrees, though. He knows the Longshanks aren't likely to respond well to them.
"Its been one hell of a day, I'd be glad to accept your hospitality again my friend." replies Devrin as they head away from the goblins.
"I...I could certainly use something to eat. I don't really sleep all that much though. I'll gladly come with you. We have a lot of things to plan for, if we're coming back here."
Umlo looks forward to teasing and playing with the large orange tabby at Kyran's farm, he ask Kyran's permission to tame him as a pet. He looks to Grond and asks, "With yer knowledge of nature, maybe we can round up some smoking tobacco and share my pipe, maybe we can try our hands at brewing some stout ale" Umlo has a wide grin on his face. He approaches Devrin "Brother we are one for one you saved my life and I am glad to return the favor, I pledge to you I will always have your back, for Desna's butterfly is always welcome at the forge of Torag"
"Aye...a good smoke, a stout drink, and a welcomin' hearth...what more can a dwarf be wantin'? As for plans, if we be plannin' on tryin' to take that fortress by force we be needin' some extra hands. Kyran, any chance the sherif of Sandpoint would spare some guards to help us wipe them greenskins out?"
"We can certainly ask him. I have a sneaking suspicion that by the time we get back, many of the goblins will be long gone. The force manipulating them, however, will likely still be there, and that's what we're really after."
More heavily-accented dwarven
"Anyone have objections to mutton stew and some greens tonight? One of the other farmers owes me for some chickens I traded him, and all I'd have to do to collect is swing by his house briefly." He looks at Grond."I'll be more than happy to furnish you with grain for your stout, but I'm definitely no dwarf, so I'll leave the actual brewing process to the two of you."
More dwarven:
"A stew would be fine. I can help you prepare it." Fern offers as she immediately makes herself at home in Kyran's house. Dragging a chair across the kitchen, she hops up to the washbasin, and begins furiously scrubbing her arms and face; the bar of soap looks ridiculous in her tiny hands.
Hopping down, she drags the chair over to the counter and, adjusting her hair into a taut ponytail, she'll begin fussing over the vegetables in preparation for the dinner.
Fern begins to hum while she's preparing, but it soon turns into a full blown song;
And are we only born to die?
And must we suddenly comply
With nature’s stern decree?
What after death for me remains?
Celestial joys, or hellish pains,
To all eternity?
How then ought I on land to live,
While Pharasma prolongs the kind reprieve
And props the house of clay?
My sole concern, my single care,
To watch, and tremble, and prepare
Against the fatal day.
No room for mirth or trifling here,
For worldly hope, or worldly fear,
If life so soon is gone:
If now the Judge is at the door,
And all life must stand before
The inexorable throne!
No matter which my thoughts employ,
A moment’s misery, or joy;
But O! when both shall end,
Where shall I find my destined place?
Shall our everlasting days
With fiends, or angels spend?
Nothing is worth a thought beneath
But how I may escape the death
That never, never dies;
Her tone is mournful, and tiny tears begin to stream down her little face. "Praise Pharasma, for though the final say is hers, we sent Ripnugget to his judgement. His actions, his war, his passions, and his crimes are his alone to bear. Except that we were his executioners. We judged his actions, and took his life for them. We are inextricably linked to him, and to every life we took in the process. Let us not forget what we did today."
Kyran looks over at Fern as she sings and weeps and quietly (probably too quietly for her to hear) says an old proverb of Erastil: "The weeds of evil must be pulled, lest they strangle the three of innocence." He looks concerned, obviously puzzled by her zeal in the field and her regret afterwards. He quietly puts down the mutton he is cutting up and walks over to Umlo, then leans in close.
In awful Dwarven:
*Shellshock/battle fatigue/PTSD
In Dwarvish to Kyran
To Kyran in Common Now if you have three glass jugs Grond and I can work on a still". He looks at Fern with a mesure of respect in his eyes. "You seem to know herbs lass, if you would like to help in making dwarven ale, could you find me some hopps, barley, wheat, and soem mint leaves in Kyran's fields.". More quietly to Fern
Fern stammered a little at Umlo's outstretched hand. "I...I can find those things, I think." She places her tiny paw in his big mitt, and shakes it a little before grabbing her cloak and running out the door toward Kyran's farm.
Fern stammered a little at Umlo's outstretched hand. "I...I can find those things, I think." She places her tiny paw in his big mitt, and shakes it a little before grabbing her cloak and running out the door toward Kyran's farm.
Kyran calls after her as she's heading out. "The mint leaves are in the herb garden next to the house!"
He walks back into the kitchen and comes back with three massive glass jugs. "Will these work?" Glancing around to confirm that Fern is gone, he approaches Devrin quietly. "Fern seems a little torn up emotionally. Is there anything we can do? She seems sword-sick."