With Tin returning to do the healing, Artimus will be standing beside him, ready should the giant come to and try and attack again, but hoping instead to talk him down.
All right, so Tinthariel, Alia, Swiftpaws, and Artimus are in the middle of the Commons, with the giant.
Gurg the giant wakes, weak and wounded. "I ... how is it that I am come here, back to the small folks' encampment? Why do I smell such blood? I ... and how is it that I am here at night??" There's no acting there, Artimus; he's really spooked.
--+--+--
Chyressa, Durnast, and Jylan approach the blacksmith's shop. The simple plank building wouldn't be out-of-place on a farmstead, and is one of the better-constructed structures in Camp. There's a well-fit door on one end, and a double-sliding panel door on the other, topped with a sign displaying a gray coin and an anvil.
Durnast, according to Chamomile, everyone's assembled behind the double sliding doors.
The left sliding door opens, and you're facing a tall, lean man, silhouetted against the glow from inside. "Greetings, visitors. You're just in time. Please, come in."
Inside, you can see that he has a great hooked nose and a wide mouth. Chyressa, it seems that he man has too many teeth, fit tight together. A shock of pale hair covers his head, and watery blue eyes take you all in. He turns then, picking up his tools --tongs, hammers, scrap iron, bellows-- and continues to speak, not bothering to look your way.
"It's not safe to wander the Camp at night, you know. And you'll be needing the proper coin to negotiate a dwelling place. Around here, that's the iron bit. It's crude, I know, but it's all we have. One iron bit goes for five of your gold coins."
In one of the dimmer recesses of the workshop, one of the Furious Fourteen chokes back a laugh. He shares the shadow with another half-orc, whose features demonstrate a rage barely kept in check. "Are you the people who own the runt of a dragon? Are you the cowards who spy on us?"
Artimus will step slightly forward and offer a hand down to the giant, likely a pointless gesture as he would stand little chance of actually assisting the enormous man up, but it also puts him between the giant and the cleric just in case.
"I believed that you were bewitched in some way. You showed some sort of rage and came and attacked my fellows. We saw that you were not of your own mind and seemed pained in some way and thus we did not strike the killing blow. But you are weakened now and it is growing dark. Come, let us find some place safe and we can discuss this further, find what you remember and try and fill in whatever we are aware of."
Diplomacy if you want it.
Gurg gets to his hands and knees, and then uses Artimus' assistance to stand upright. "My mind was dimmed by anger, and clouded by pain. My memories are still confused.
"But I am rude. My age-name is 'Gurg'. Come with me to my home. You will be safe from the night terrors, and thereby will my debt to you be cleared."
He takes a few steps north, towards the Camp's well and turns back to you. "Make haste. And, whoever has my club, bring it along."
Gurg gets to his hands and knees, and then uses Artimus' assistance to stand upright. "My mind was dimmed by anger, and clouded by pain. My memories are still confused.
"But I am rude. My age-name is 'Gurg'. Come with me to my home. You will be safe from the night terrors, and thereby will my debt to you be cleared."
He takes a few steps north, towards the Camp's well and turns back to you. "Make haste. And, whoever has my club, bring it along."
Alia waves for Swiftpaws to keep close and alert and follows.
"Tinthariel, do you have a mean to tell our friends where we are going, like Durnast does ?"
Then turning back to Gurg "I am Alia, guide and hunter of the walking dead. Your debt is more to them", she adds waving in Tin and Artimus direction, "than to me, as the arrows sticking out from your armor are all mine. But I accept your hospitality".
Chyressa will take a good hard look at the Blacksmith and try to determine if he's giving her the current rate, or trying to take advantage of her.
She will then turn her attention to the rude individual in the dark corner
To try and determine if he is threatening the party, or just being rude.
Chyressa will take a good hard look at the Blacksmith and try to determine if he's giving her the current rate, or trying to take advantage of her.
She will then turn her attention to the rude individual in the dark corner to try and determine if he is threatening the party, or just being rude.
Neither seems readable. The half-orc hasn't made a move against you yet, but he really hasn't had much of a chance, so there isn't enough evidence. The gaunt man is another story; it would be very hard to read his intentions.
Tin's look of pity is masked by the heavy helmet in place. He doesn't extend a hand, but still bows to the giant. "Good to meet you, Gurg. Well, good to be introduced to you without having my ribs ground to dust, at any rate. We'll come with you." He turns to Alia. "I believe Durnast mentioned something about a mental link with us. I don't know much about him, we just met a day or two ago. Maybe his dragon can pass the information." Tin hefts the club onto his shoulder and slowly follows the giant's lead.
Artimus will glance around to see if the dragon is in sight anywhere, and signal if it is, otherwise he will simply walk with the giant, remaining closer to it then the others are just in case there should be some sort of change in its behavior again. He will introduce himself with a simple "I am Artimus Borne, Gurg. We will be honored to be your guests for the evening.", figuring further conversation can wait until they are safe from whatever these 'night terrors' are.
Gurg lurches at a rapid clip north, past the well, and then a little east, to what you'd presumed, on your first pas through Camp, to be the town refuse pile. The remains of campfires, midden pits, and tent stakes outline what was once half-dozen tents but is now reduced to only one yellowed canvas, covered in caked wax. An inordinate amount of garbage and, um, wastes indicate that it was inhabited by giants.
Gurg pulls up a huge stool and offers you seats on a large, befouled bison hide. His shoudlers stoop as he sets a basin of water on the ground before him and begins sponging blood off his wounds, clothes, and armor. "You may stay here till morning light. Then I will have great work to do, and you do not want to be in my way."
After a few minutes, he asks, "Why have you come to the Camp? Exiles, are you? Criminals?"
--+--+--
In the smithy, the thin man reaches under a counter and removes an empty two-pan scale. "People call me the Usurer, and I'm the man you'll go to if you want to conduct any business in town, because I'm your sole source of iron bits. If you decide to stay in Camp for long, you may want to trade a considerable amount of gold and silver. If you're just passing through, I'd advise you to buy no more iron than you'll likely need. Perhaps ten or twenty bits per day. Converting back to gold wouldn't be to your advantage."
He grins a bit as he loads rectangular iron coins onto one side of the scale. "So, you're the ones that took down Gurg, eh? And right public, too, eh? But keeping him alive, that's an interesting twist, wouldn't you say, boys?" he asks, directing his question to the two sullen half-orcs. "I'm sure he'll have a bit to say in the morning. I'm sure he'll be curious as to why the Bard's Gate caravan led his team into a trap, don't you think? I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to ask questions."
Chyressa, there's an obvious phrase he's implying at the end of each sentence: "...if he survives the night."
Gurg continues: "No matter. Keep your secrets. You will not be the only ones in the Camp.
"I would warn you to stay clear of the ash desert, but everybody knows that. And, until today there was little there that we Pounders couldn't handle. I remember guarding a couple of dwarves --as least I think they were dwarves-- over to the mountains," he says, gesturing to the northwest. "We beat the daylights out of a couple of them, whatchacallem, ghouls, and we had some problems with some wispy undead --wraiths or spectres or something-- at night. But nothing our shamans couldn't handle."
"And now they're .. I ... I don't remember. But today was bad. The ... I can't remember. But something just ... it was an ambush, I think. Somethin' must have seen us coming."
"Oh, yeah! And sinkholes, too. We always lost a horse or two to these giant sinkholes. You'd be walkin, just as normal as anything, and then, whoumph! There ain't nothing in this world that sounds like a horse, screaming as it gets eaten by whatever lives at the bottom of a sinkhole.
"Once the dwarves got to the mud place, where there's craters with boiling rock, they all dismissed us, sudden-like. We kept all the gold they were giving us, of course."
"But today was different. We were guarding this group of men and elves, who were looking to, I don't know, make a lot of money, way up north. An' then ... I can't remember the rest. Something came flying at us, out of the sun. And then I was alone ..."
"You know, there are devils out there. Me an' the boys saw one, once, in the distance, flying about, like it was looking for something."
"Do you guys have anything to drink?"
--+--+--
The half-orcs move to leave, pushing past Chyressa, Jylan, and Durnast.
"Be careful out there," says the Usurer, absolutely no humor in his eyes.
"We never walk alone," one replies. "We'll make it back to our base okay."
The gaunt man turns back to you. "If you need supplies or other such things, the place to go is the Celestial Emporium, just on the other side of the Sip o' Blood. If you're looking to buy horses, which might be wise, or other mounts better suited to the wastes, Finn's Livery was one of the first building you saw on your way in to Camp. And I handle all the business in armor or weapons.
"How long do you imagine you'll be in town?" My, but there's a much greater emphasis on that last question than you'd expect.
Artimus nods his head a bit as he listens to the giant's story. "We have gathered to explore the Tsar itself. My friends are skilled as I am sure that yours were, but we certainly appreciate such warnings of what could come."
"Could the creature that struck your band have been one of the demons you have seen? I know little detail about them, but I know just how powerful they can become." He tries to consider of other dangerous creatures that can fly, though he knows little but the most famous of them. "Are there dragons known to be in this region?"
He frowns for a moment, knowing this would be a touchy subject. "Do you remember anything after the attack? Perhaps some of your men have survived? Do you know what became of your charges? The elves and men?"
After a few minutes, he asks, "Why have you come to the Camp? Exiles, are you? Criminals?"
"Part of the first", says Alia touching her horns. "Most of my village was destroyed by walking dead coming out of there" she adds gesturing to the north.
"I have already seen some of the ghoul panthers out there in the Ashen waste but nothing more, I just came in a few weeks ago."
She stays then silent for a moment, her visage grave and pained, lost in her thoughts before adding a few questions.
"There are lots of secrets in this place. Everyone has warned us about the night here. Can you tell us what is going on ?
I was also wondering if you had an idea of what you know about Skeribar's Ranger Guides. They seem to have a special interest in the desolation. "
"Dragons? No. If there was dragons out there, I'd have seen one."
"And I don't ... I remember walking in the ashes, and my face felt like it was on fire. And I remember seeing the Camp, and then ... you guys really ganged up on me!"
"I don't know much 'bout the night, either. I just follow the warnings. Those that don't, get found by Hetman in the morning, an' I think he eats 'em or something."
"Skeribar? I don't talk much to those guys; they don't much like us, and the feelin' is returned. Not many people can afford both them an' us."
"...So, you're the ones that took down Gurg, eh? And right public, too, eh? But keeping him alive, that's an interesting twist, wouldn't you say, boys? I'm sure he'll have a bit to say in the morning. I'm sure he'll be curious as to why the Bard's Gate caravan led his team into a trap, don't you think? I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to ask questions."
"If my companions indeed let him live - I suppose they had questions of their own for him,
I'm guessing his first question will be 'Am I still alive, because I hurt like the seven hells?'....An interesting character though, if word of his near-demise spreads so rapidly, yet none want to speak of him, either for or against. ...Though I can't say that recent events look to be improving his repute in the eye of caravan customers."
"...I suppose I should change for some of these 'bits'... 20 might do for the night.
What is the story for them? I've never run across IRON bits as a trade coin,
most folks seem fine enough to use whatever minted coin circulates in the area, whatever their age...?"
I don't think the Orcs are interested in conversation, so I'll just pass on their 'questions'.
Cam would have been hanging back behind us, so if the Orcs move to leave, he would scoot away out of sight above the roof line, though he may be able to see where the Orcs head (not tracking them).
"How long do you imagine you'll be in town?"
"Hm... probably not too long, it seems the most lucrative opportunities lie beyond the Desolation.
...Certainly with the Transmuting Iron to Gold racket seeming like it's already taken care of."-+--------+-
Sorry for the delay, I was waiting for Neil to post as well, but so goes it.
Grog's mentioning escorting Dwarves reminded me of something I already wanted to ask:
What do I know of the areas BEYOND the Desolation, that caravans apparently trade valuable goods with...
Are these 'civilized' kingdoms, or what? What goods are sought from them?
Know Geography: w/ Cam's help
(Another of our party could help w/ that, given we reasonably would've discussed this on the way)
Also, what would I know about conditions of the Desolation itself, i.e. any specific preparations...?
BTW: I have Mage Armor on Cam, + both us are Magic Aura'd to not show auras/ appear to Detect Magic.
"...I suppose I should change for some of these 'bits'... 20 might do for the night.
What is the story for them? I've never run across IRON bits as a trade coin,
most folks seem fine enough to use whatever minted coin circulates in the area, whatever their age...?"
The Usurer complies. 20 iron bits run a total of 100 gold. "Well, there are stories that you might hear over at the Pint of Blood, each of them offering a different explanation about the iron bits. Perhaps the most entertaining is 'The Gypsy's Curse', a tale of betrayal, death, and revenge from beyond the grave that really ought to be told around a campfire. Or you might hear whispers that coins taken from the Desolation are cursed, and that's the reason we avoid 'em.
"The truth of the matter is far more prosaic. When you enter the Camp, you're either a stranger or a newcome resident. If you're a stranger, we'll insist that you use only our coin, which you'll find next to worthless outside Camp, and almost as worthless to revert back to gold crowns and silver eagles. If you're planning to settle down and be part of our little hamlet, then we feel that exchanging your money is a good sign of faith."
Cam would have been hanging back behind us, so if the Orcs move to leave, he would scoot away out of sight above the roof line, though he may be able to see where the Orcs head (not tracking them).
They join the party going on at the pub next door, the Pint of Blood tavern.
What do I know of the areas BEYOND the Desolation, that caravans apparently trade valuable goods with. Are these 'civilized' kingdoms, or what? What goods are sought from them?
Neither you nor your companions know. The lands of "The North" are nothing more than vague rumors, often contradictory. There are no trade caravans that cross the Desolation, only the rare exploration attempt, and perhaps some military convoys once in a great while.
Regarding the Desolation itself, ask Alia the next time you see her. Or you could go into the pub and start buying drinks.
Mage Armor: roger that.
Chyressa is not pleased at the exchange rate, but agrees with a grumble to cash in 100 gp as well. "I can see this town will never grow and prosper". "Who ever heard of a place where my gold is no good". Then she stomps off with a toss of her head.
"Well I'm heading to get a room for the night before they all sell out", Chyr says turning to Durnast and Jylan. "Do you suppose that evil giant has eaten the others yet"?
If Jylan doesn't say anything, I'll shrug to the Usurer at Chyressa's words, and follow her out the door.
Once in in main street/ away from the Usurer's shack, all the party members will hear a whisper in their ear:
"Where did you go with the Giant to? Chyressa thinks to get a room at the boarding house,
though I have magical means if we wish our own hidden space-within-a-space...
If the spell allows a response, Artimus will pause a moment and let Durnast know just where they went so they could be followed.
He then nods his head to the Giant, almost inwardly disappointed by the lack of a dragon, it truly could be a battle that could make a knights name. Artimus then gives a small smile "I don't know about us teaming up on you, I believe that you teamed up on us even if you were all alone. Even with the miracles of my friends healing, my head is still ringing from a blow of your club. It pleases me to see you once again standing though, it would have been a pity for your life to have been lost after you went through such pain."
"Can you think of anyone who may have cause to ambush your party? It sounds like you had few real friends here, but anyone who may have orchestrated this?"
One last question, maybe. Do you know of anyone leaving in the desolation that could know more about what's further north ?
As the night drags on and if nobody has more questions, Alia will propose to set a watch and to take the first one with Swiftpaws.
Tin listens quietly as the conversation gets midway. He decides to add his thoughts. "The miracles were not mine, but were through the power of Arden, the Sun. It is He that sends me to the ruins of Tsar, and it is He that healed your own wounds as well. I'm sorry that your mind was so affected by whatever it was that caused you to attack us. I will pray for your further health."
Chyressa is not pleased at the exchange rate, but agrees with a grumble to cash in 100 gp as well. "I can see this town will never grow and prosper". "Who ever heard of a place where my gold is no good". Then she stomps off with a toss of her head.
The Usurer chuckles at that.
Once in in main street/ away from the Usurer's shack, all the party members will hear a whisper in their ear:
"Where did you go with the Giant to? Chyressa thinks to get a room at the boarding house,
though I have magical means if we wish our own hidden space-within-a-space...
The Bender Brothers' Inn is off to the west side of town, just past the chapel to Orcus, and just next to the bundle of tents that the Furious Fourteen call home.
Crossing the Commons, you see that someone, most likely an undertaker, has bothered to come take away the hanged man's corpse, as the giblet stands empty.
--+--+--
"Can you think of anyone who may have cause to ambush your party? It sounds like you had few real friends here, but anyone who may have orchestrated this?"
Gurg looks at you with a puzzled expression. "'Or-ches-tra-ted'?" He shakes his head as he guesses your meaning. "We was just the guards. The little orc-guys were guards, too, so they might have been sore about us getting the job, but, hey, the Stompers is better guards. Or, we was.
"But we was guarding ... a ... I don't know. Can't remember.
"I need to find out what happened."
"One last question, maybe. Do you know of anyone living in the Desolation that could know more about what's further north?"
"There's things living out there, yeah. Those ghouls, an' devils an' such. But I never saw anybody that I'd really want to talk to."
DM, do you want us to roll for passive skills like Knowledge and Sense Motive or can we expect you to make those rolls when the situations arise? I'd like to know if any of the descriptions of devils or undead sparks any kind of understanding in Tin, and I'm also trying Sense Motive to make sure this guy is on the level.
I've been checking them, but let me know if you want to make sure. In this case, there's not enough detail in Gurg's description to trigger anybody's recognition of a specific outsider. And the giant simply doesn't seem cunning enough to lie. He's not a nice man by any stretch of the imagination, but your impression of him is that he'd consider it doubly wrong to lie to guests who have bested him in battle, unless he were to decide that you'd wronged him somehow.
Speaking of which, has anybody given him a drink yet?
Speaking of which, has anybody given him a drink yet?
But Alia carries a water-skin with her and will offer him some when asked for.
"So, it sounds like our friends are holed up with the Giant on the other side of "Camp", near that garbage dump/sewer we walked past on our way in... Do we want to go there directly, or no? - Oh, and Cam says that the two 'friendly' Orcs went into the Vampire bar, in case you were wondering."
Artimus claps the Giant on the shoulder. "Do not despair my large friend, perhaps one day again you will be part of such a company and again make your name. Now though, I suspect we should rest for the evening, it has been a long day already. Since we don't know yet who caused all of this, I believe we should be on our guard though. If you wish, I will take first watch."
Gurg takes a hearty sip from Alia's water-skin and then looks confused. He raises the skin behind his head, and his eyes flash with anger, but he gathers his control and merely tosses the skin back to her.
"Water," he rumbles. "It comes to me that you drink that yourself, and mean no offense. But I am a giant, and we drink stronger stiff than that." He tries to rise, and his wounds remind him why he's seated. He says to Tinthariel, "There's a small black barrel behind you. Hand it to me."
To Artimus' suggestion, the giant smiles indulgently. "You? Any stiff--" and he catches himself again. "You are a man of the sword, and you made your offer in truth. Yes, take first watch. Wake me at midnight, or as soon as you hear anything alarming."
--+--+--
"So, it sounds like our friends are holed up with the Giant on the other side of "Camp", near that garbage dump/sewer we walked past on our way in... Do we want to go there directly, or no? - Oh, and Cam says that the two 'friendly' Orcs went into the Vampire bar, in case you were wondering."
To be exact, Bard's Gate lies to the south, which is where you came into the Camp. the giant's "home base" is on the northern side of town, near the Desolation itself.
Starting from the Commons in the center of town, where you are now, we could describe the Camp:
12:00 due north: The wellhouse, and beyond that, the Desolation.
1:00: close by, the smithy. Farther away, Gurg's encampment
2:00: far to the east end of town, a series of several ramshackle building and a fenced-in area.
3:00: near-by: The Sip of Blood in
4:00: a collection of about two dozen overlapping tents and awnings.
6:00: the road to Bard's Gate
8:00: nearby, a sod house complete with thatched roof and fieldstone chimney. There's a couple of lights on, and the hearth is lit. farther away: an old artificial mound rises 20 feet into the air. Its sides are badly eroded from weathering, and a gaping hole opens in its side beneath a heavy stone lintel. The entire place has a heavy, swampy stench to it.
9:00: nearby, the Chapel of the Dying Light and its priests of Orcus. Farther, the Bender Brothers' boarding housecomposed of the dismantled remains of freight wagons. Even farther, the home camp of Clantock's furious fourteen, a collection of hide tents.
11:00: near the wellhouse, a collection of crumbling adobe buildings, lean-tos, and tents There are cookfires lit in the midst of this encampment.
If my companions don't protest, I'll go with the 3 of us towards where the others are (w/ Grog),
NOT going to Sip of Blood or the boarding house first, but this area of tents and adobe buildings with a bonfire (11*) sounds like something new, so I'll walk along that way and see what we notice.
Cam flying look-out, 45' up or so, and being stealthy as possible:
Stealth , Perception
(and Perception for me). BTW, what time is it, approximately?
That's ... pretty darn stealthy for the pseudo-dragon. Let's pause to see if Chyressa and Jal want to join you in the detour; Chyressa had stated her intention to head for the boarding house.
The sun begins to set at Vespers and darkness falls at Compline. The fight with Gurg began about a half-hour ago. It is now about 10 minutes past Compline.
And no, nobody identified the artificial mound.
The Usurer suggested that the provisioning store as "right on the other side of the Sip o' Blood tavern. That might be the collection of tents and awnings, or something else close by that way that you haven't seen yet.
You'll probably need to ask around for more information.
Chyressa has no intention of getting anywhere near the Giant that almost ended her life, and in fact she is still nursing wounds inflicted by the beast. He doesn't seem too smart to her, and she feels she can get a lot more information by buying a few drinks, batting her eyes a few times, and leaning provocatively over a few times to some drunken explorers. If the others mention going towards the Giant group she will reply:
"I'll be here gathering important information, while you all try to squeeze champagne from a turnip". "Come back tonight or in the morning, and we'll try to make some plans for heading out".
Chyr will then acquire a room, take a bath, bandage her wounds, and don her best 'come hither' outfit before attending the common room, and attempting to gather what information she can about in order...dangers of the wastes, treasures found, Power groups in 'the Camp', and any other juicy tidbits she can come across.
Durnast shrugs his shoulders,
"Artimus responded to my message without distress, so it seems the Giant has been within their abilities to handle. ...We're not exactly here to see the sights, and I'd rather get out of town as soon as we can, given we've already found what seems a capable guide . If you're really here as part of our mission... ...you might want to stay focused on that. We need to discuss the events here in town and what we're doing... Artimus did not say how they have restrained the Giant, but I'm sure you can remain apart from the brute if you wish. It sounded like Artimus wished the party to confer."
Durnast shrugs his shoulders,
"Artimus responded to my message without distress, so it seems the Giant has been within their abilities to handle. ...We're not exactly here to see the sights, and I'd rather get out of town as soon as we can, given we've already found what seems a capable guide . If you're really here as part of our mission... ...you might want to stay focused on that. We need to discuss the events here in town and what we're doing... Artimus did not say how they have restrained the Giant, but I'm sure you can remain apart from the brute if you wish."
"Really.! "Here as part of the Mission"! "I'm the only one who is trying to find out information about the mission". "I could care less if some foolish murdering giant got his feelings hurt somehow". "How is that my responsibility". "I'm not here to run an rehab center for possessed giants, I'm here to explore Tsar". "Go ahead and play with your Giant loving friends". "I'll stay here and find out information about the area and where we're heading". Chyr turns her shoulder with a shrug..."Men"!. "When you men decide you're ready to go I'll be waiting with some useful informaion".
I whisper a message to Chyressa's ear "Do what you will, but remember not to reveal our group's true nature or goal to any in this Camp. I doubt any of this lot are any more trust-worthy than those Cultists of Orcus there across the Commons. Much ill may come of idle bar talk, is all I council. As for the Giant, I hope to dissuade our charity-worker companions from this distraction and focus on our next step. The Giant clearly has enemies in this town, and it shan't be wise to involve ourselves further in such rat-fights. If Artimus wishes to return after our mission for his own missionary work, that is his matter."
Chyr simply turns and looks at her new companion...raising an appraising eyebrow...or maybe a re-appraising eyebrow.
Jylan will stick with Chyressa. The two of you head west to the boarding house. Stenciling above the door names it as the "Bender Bros." Walking into the main building, you need to stoop a bit to make it comfortably in the 6'-high hallway. Off to the right is a small dining area, with a half-dozen people having quiet conversations over what smels like pretty decent stew. To the left is a gnome --scraggly beard under his bulbous nose, wearing black leather armor-- sitting at a writing desk, working out what might be accounting ledgers.
"Good evening," the gnome says with something of a sneer. "I'd heard that there might be strangers in town. Is it a room you'd be wanting then?"
--+--+--
Durnast, as you approach the tents, you see two large dogs at the perimeter, well-cared for but certainly trained for war. They are both growling at you, ready to attack or raise an alarm.
Once aware of the dogs, Durnast doesn't further approach the tents/dogs, but continues slowly as if moving past them, calling out "G'Evening!" in a friendly voice to whoever owns the dogs (presumably).
In case the dogs attack anyways,
I Ready a Color Spray (Will DC16) and would draw my weapon if possible (but not before hand).
Cam stays cool (and un-noticed I presume with that Stealth check),
but Readies a 'Charge' with his Poison barb (Fort DC16) if they attack. (target unaffected dog if one saves)
Jylan will stick with Chyressa. The two of you head west to the boarding house. Stenciling above the door names it as the "Bender Bros." Walking into the main building, you need to stoop a bit to make it comfortably in the 6'-high hallway. Off to the right is a small dining area, with a half-dozen people having quiet conversations over what smels like pretty decent stew. To the left is a gnome --scraggly beard under his bulbous nose, wearing black leather armor-- sitting at a writing desk, working out what might be accounting ledgers.
"Good evening," the gnome says with something of a sneer. "I'd heard that there might be strangers in town. Is it a room you'd be wanting then?"
--+--+--
Durnast, as you approach the tents, you see two large dogs at the perimeter, well-cared for but certainly trained for war. They are both growling at you, ready to attack or raise an alarm.
Chyressa looks at the gnome, and gives her best empty headed smile. "Why yes". "Yes I would like a fine room, with a private bath of course, and speaking of that bath, I'd love someone to bring hot water, soap, and scrubbers to the room". "And when I done bathing I'd like a nice hot meal". "What time does the entertainment start, I'd love to socialize with the locals for a bit tonight". "I always find it facinating to interact with the common folk".
Once aware of the dogs, Durnast doesn't further approach the tents/dogs, but continues slowly as if moving past them, calling out "G'Evening!" in a friendly voice to whoever owns the dogs (presumably).
Actually, what's my take on them?
The dogs seem to be there as guards, not attackers, if you keep your distance. (That's a guess based on Animal Empathy, rather than a straight Sense Motive.) Your call is answered by a the barks of about four or five dogs erupting from the encampment. Egged on, the two dogs out front bark a warning as well.
You hear several male voices speak sharply to the dogs in a language you don't know, and a man opens a flap in the tent wall to face you. He's just about Durnast's height, with a heavy black beard and a swarth, olive complexion. He's waring dark, lose robes, but you think you hear the "shlink" of chain underneath. He's holding a short torch in one hand and the cutest little crossbow you've ever seen in the other. Its bolt glows dimly in the darkness.
"Who in the Seven Pits of Stygia are you, man?" he demands, in precisely-clipped, heavily-accented common.
--+--+--
Chyressa looks at the gnome, and gives her best empty headed smile. "Why yes". "Yes I would like a fine room, with a private bath of course, and speaking of that bath, I'd love someone to bring hot water, soap, and scrubbers to the room". "And when I done bathing I'd like a nice hot meal". "What time does the entertainment start, I'd love to socialize with the locals for a bit tonight". "I always find it facinating to interact with the common folk".
The gnome's expression turns gruff. It's likely that he saw through your act, but he doesn't seem to care. "A room costs 5 iron bits per night, payable up front, as we've had too many people leave in the middle of the night to avoid payin'. All the rooms have locks on the doors, and nobody's ever tried to rob our guests.
"There's water and soap there, too.
"Dinner will be served for another hour, so don't be taking too much time. Dinner normally costs 3 iron bits, but," and here he sighs, somewhat theatrically, "my brother prepared a big meal for our other guests, who have not returned from up north today, so tonight's dinner is free, if you like. There's no entertainment, unless your man there sings or tells stories with hand puppets."
Chyressa, you get the feeling that the story is a fiction, that they likely offer dinner free on a customer's first night, perhaps as a way to impress her with the quality of the meal.
"So, just two rooms for you, or are you with that big guy with the black mustache that stopped by earlier?"
-+------+------+-
"Who in the Seven Pits of Stygia are you, man?" he demands, in precisely-clipped, heavily-accented common.
Where would I place this guy's accent, + what do I know about that region?
Know:GeoBTW, I imagined Durnast hailing from some old, overcrowded/overgrown southern city akin to Constantinople.
"Durnast Kal, my friend. Sorry to disturb, I just didn't notice your dogs in time. The moonlight is odd in these parts. Just passing thru, coming in thru Bard's Gate. My companions are that way I believe."
I also will Cam to come alight on my shoulder.
"If possible, I'd like to take last watch so I'll be awake for the sunrise. It's the best time for me to commune with Arden. Artimus, what will our plan be for tomorrow? I ask just so I know what to beg of the Sun to prepare. Gurg, if we can trust you to not attack us again, I can heal you further and make sure your rest tonight is less pain-riddled..." Tin hefts over the barrel that the giant indicated.
|
Artimus considers the question, stroking his mustache subconsciously as he does so. "I cannot say for sure yet, my friend. I would like to think that we will be ready to set off for the Tsar on the morrow, but I think we will have to see just what the others have learned. As much as I would like to set off as soon as possible, I believe that it is more likely that tomorrow will be used to gather information and better plan our trip. If you have any spells that could aid us in this, that would be of great benefit." He gives a slight smile "Of course, as we have already seen, even remaining in town can be very dangerous. I would ensure that you still have a selection of defensive spells at the ready should there be any further combat."
"I'll take the middle one with Gurg and Swiftpaws can help you, Tinthariel. I don't want anyone to catch you unaware while you pray for your god." She turns to Artimus: "You are right, we need to gather supplies, water and mounts for the one who need them before setting of."
If possible, I'd like to take last watch so I'll be awake for the sunrise. It's the best time for me to commune with Arden. Artimus, what will our plan be for tomorrow? I ask just so I know what to beg of the Sun to prepare. Gurg, if we can trust you to not attack us again, I can heal you further and make sure your rest tonight is less pain-riddled...
Gurg grins wickedly at Tinthariel as he pops the end off the barrel and holds his nose over the contents. His voice comes dark and low. "Am I not a giant, with the heart of a giant, and the pride of a giant? Have you not, ah, what is the word in your tongue, humbled me in the sight of all the Camp? Of course you can trust old Gurg." And he takes an enormous drink of what smells like potent whiskey.
He turns to Artimus, and his tone shifts from menacing to grim. "If it is your way to enter the wastelands, then you may stand at my side tomorrow. I will know how it is that I was come back, but my Pounders were not. I rise with the sun to find out. And woe be unto any I find blameful in this, so I swear."
--+--+--
Durnast, you've heard that accent before, back in your metropolitan home, but you never did place it. It strikes you as distant, and stereotypically a people with a "long-fuse temper," slow to show anger, but deadly once provoked.
The man peers at you. "Companions? You are the strangers who dropped that lummox Gurg, yes?" It's really not a question. "I am Isnakomos, second-in-command here. You will come tomorrow, two hours past dawn. Come no closer than where you stand now. Ask for me, or for Skeribar. We will speak then. Now, go to your companions, hurry, while the coast is clear."
--+--+--
By the way, there are two questions for everybody over in the discussion thread.
The gnome sneers at Chyressa and Jylan. "Two rooms, then." He shows each of you to a secure room, about 8' by 6', taken up mostly with a bed, washbasin, and small lamp-table. Chyressa's is on the east wing, and Jylan's is on the west, near the kitchens.
The gnome shows you the fire exits, and points to the outhouse out back. "There's two stalls there, and no lights, so you humans will want to bring a lightsource with you if you need to use them before dawn."
Dinner is a pretty decent spread: wild hare heavily spiced with garlic, goat chops, fresh greens, assorted nuts, and a custard desert. The other guests include two hobgoblins (one large and hefty, the other smaller and sallow-faced) and another gnome, virtually identical to your guide.
--+--+--
Gurg turns in, leaving Artimus on watch. Off to the west, there's a momentary uproar of dogs barking, but it soon settles down.
Alia, Tinthariel, are you going to try to find someplace tolerable to sleep amid the garbage, or are you using your own bedrolls?
Tinthariel, will you, in fact, be healing Gurg any more?
--+--+--
Durnast, where are you headed?
"I am Isnakomos, second-in-command here. You will come tomorrow, two hours past dawn. Come no closer than where you stand now. Ask for me, or for Skeribar. We will speak then. Now, go to your companions, hurry, while the coast is clear."
I grunt and nod - It doens't sound like much more is needed.
I head in the direction Artimus indicated, whispering to announce my approach.
Alia, Tinthariel, are you going to try to find someplace tolerable to sleep amid the garbage, or are you using your own bedrolls?
Using my own bedroll, obviously.
Tin will use his own bedroll. He'll try to get out of the way of the others so he can take his armor off and be by himself.
As Jylan and Chyressa sit don to dinner, the other guests are introduced:
The stouter hobgoblin shows gray around te tufts in his fur, and introduces himself as Gaspar, a squadron leader among his people, mustered out honorably, and served as a first assistant to a team of caravan raiders to the south and east. Chyressa, he comes of as a boor who has little to talk about except his own inflated war stories.
The skinnier hobgoblin gives its name as "Hokama," which is the Hobgoblin equivalent of "Mr. Smith." Jylan asks Hokama "What do you do" and the hobgoblin smiles indulgently with the reply, "Water merchant." Hokama smells bad, even for a hobgoblin, and you both get the impression that there are illnesses and perhaps curses responsible.
The other nome shares not only your host's features but also his scowl. "Jebli Benderkauft, proprietor," he offers, by way of introduction. "And cook." The food lives up to its appetizing smell, and there's coffee as well.
After a bit of conversation, Jebli warms to Chyressa. "Did my brother show you around the place?" Jylan nods. "Did he show you the 'outhouses' out back? Ah, that's his ... little joke. Those are tool sheds, and he rigs the hoes and shovels to fall out onto anyone usin' them." Jebli takes a sip of coffee and looks down at his plate, glowering out the corner of his eye toards his brother. "The bathrooms are at the end of each hall. Stumblin' over to the tool sheds at night isn't merely an irritation, it's likely to get a body killed."
Do you ask anything specific during the meal, or just keep your ear open for odd bits of conversation?
--+--+--
Durnast, as you approach the giant's encampment, you get the feeling, suddenly, that you're being watched. Cam wheels around in the air, but doesn't see anything in the vicinity.
Artimus is on watch. Tinthariel and Alia are huddled in their bedrolls, Swiftpaws by Alia's side.
If nobody else is doing anything dramatic, we'll advance the timeline through the night.