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As Kurn tries to punch the boy, he reaches out to touch his fast approaching fist.
His fist never reaches the boy, who howls in guttural gibberish "droskak sharkus!" as Kurn is blasted off his feet and into the wall. The priest slumps down next to the dwarf prisoner smouldering like a old pile of ashes.
Then the boy collapses immediately after as Helga moves in to speak, leaving a dark patch of nothingness floating above his pale body.
Helga rushes to Kurn and casts cure light wounds on him.
Cure spell:
Ragnar sits stunned by Thorsten's attack, then remembers Taggrik's actions in the cove. He picks up the boy from the floor and lays him down on a bench far from Kurn, unless he is barred from doing so.
"What is going on here"? Stefnir loudly protests, placing himself between the prince and the insane boy. "Someone get him under control".
He then shoots a Storm Burst at the cloud of dark energy.
Range touch
Storm Burst
"What is going on here"? Stefnir loudly protests, placing himself between the prince and the insane boy. "Someone get him under control".
He then shoots a Storm Burst at the cloud of dark energy.
1d20 Range touch
1d6 Storm Burst
For a moment Anya seems uncertain, as the object of her wrath seems to no longer be the boy but the strange nothingness, but with her fury still in force she whips out her club and attacks the dark space.
Attack & Damage:
"What is going on here"? Stefnir loudly protests, placing himself between the prince and the insane boy. "Someone get him under control".
He then shoots a Storm Burst at the cloud of dark energy.
1d20 Range touch
1d6 Storm Burst
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As Kurn's eyes flutter open and he breathes in deep. the black cloud howls and heads off like an arrow towards the double doors and their guards.
More guttural gibberish shrieks out of the cloud, "fregiska rakkan drau drau drau."
The storm burst and club seem to pass straight through it.
Ari pulls out his mace and shield, his eyes scanning the area intently, ready if a foe should show itself.
Jorgen rushes forward, hand glowing as he rattles off a word in the old tongue. A spear of silvery energy lances out at the cloud of energy.
Ranged touch attack
Kurn gains his strength and looks at Helga with a smile and respect "thank you Helga, I didn't expect so much from the boy!". Then he feels his fury rise about the incident and gets to his feet. He moves forcefully toward Thorsten. "Make him talk or I will!". He then remembers that Thorsten is just a boy and calms down a bit. "Forget what I said, but I want to know what is going on. I'll try and revive him and the Jorgen can interrogate him. I suspect he's good at that". Kurn will move to the boy if allwed and will examine him.
[ooc] Heal Check [ooc]
Ragnar nervously glances between Stuvoy's rulers, Kurn and Thorsten's brothers.
"Kuhn, ruhmuhmbuh Tuhggruhk uhn duh cuhv? Huh truhd tuh kuhll Druhguh uhn cluhmed tuh buh puhssuhssed. Thuhstuhn wuhsn' uhn huhs ruhgt muhnd."
Translation:
"Yes Kurn, just like Taggrik ... and I heard what the cloud said, too," Helga shivers, then looks across at the tethered dwarf.
"My lord," she addresses Mercik directly, although with a glance to his 'advisers'. "May I have your permission to interview this one? I speak his tongue, and I believe he may be able to shed light upon this matter."
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Jorgen spell hits the cloud and it collapses inwards then billows through the double doors. Both guards stand with their mouths open in dismay.
Meanwhile Anya notices that the dwarf's green eyes are glittering through its hair as it watches everything from behind the table and bench. It has raised its head but the greasy hair covers most of the face and thin beard.
The young looks at the bard instinctively and Sawrik stares down at Helga for a moment then nods once. Tavnia looks at the others, especially Stefnir "you know what is happening here. Tell us."
At Sawrik's nod, Helga moves around to the chained dwarf, and pauses for a moment, assessing the condition the dwarf is in before kneeling herself down close by and addressing him in the dverge tongue.
"Hail, and well met," she gives the formal greeting between equals, "I am Helga Evadottir Alfchild, Skald from the lands of the south where the honour of the dverge is as true as the iron they forge.
"Friend, I know not the truth of what they accuse you of, but I have no desire to see any man in chains. I don't know if I can help you, but I can promise to try if you can try and help us in return. Will you speak with me?"
Diplomacy:
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As Helga gets close to the dwarf, it mumbles a few words in dwarven, words that only Helga can hear.
Helga
Then the dwarf shakes his manacles and his eyes never leave the girl skald. He shakes his head.
Helga's reply is just as low:
"That I understand ... and many will die if it is so. So tell me quickly, did you carry a crossbow?"
Helga grimaces ... she had hoped there was a flaw in the accusation. It seems there was none.
"You heard the voice that spoke ... do your people have any lore of such curses? Strange symbols have appeared on the ship we sailed, and there was a rumour that a previous captain of the ship murdered a dwarf on board for sorcery, or some such."
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The dwarf closes its eyes with a twitch of a smile in the beard. He ignores any further questions and pretends to snore out loud.
One of the guards opens the double doors and takes a look outside, "the cloud's gone," she shouts.
Tavnia rises up from his seat, "enough of this. Tell us what caused this violence in Lord Mercik's Hall. Now before we begin to lose faith in you all."
Sawrik pulls a side table closer to his left hand and places the pouch on it carefully, adding a glass of yellowed mead to the stand.
The young Lord is looking scared and seems to be struggling to remain calm. He grips the armrests very tightly.
Helga glances to Stefnir who had the question directed at him.
Kurn opens his mouth to speak then shuts it quickly and looks on with interest. He knows is place!
"I still am not sure what is happening here, but I think we are all experiencing a turn of bad luck". "Is there somewhere we can speak in private".
"I have a theory here". "It seems that something is trying it's best to drive a wedge between us all...trying to weaken us and turn us against one another". "It happened on our voyage over, Stefnir turns to nod an apology at Kurn". "It has happened between your people and the dwarves". "Something or someone has it out for us". "Someone with great arcane power and knowledge".
"I have heard rumors of a Black Cloud over the Old Kings home far to the south as well". "Whether that is associated or not, I do not know, yet this black cloud is indeed ominous".
"Perhaps the question we should be asking ourselves is 'Who stands to gain if there is unrest, and disunity among the people". "Who is the enemy of Dwarf and man alike". "Who has the power to evoke these magics". "I think that is where we must look for the answer". "For it is not only our crew who had experienced the bad luck, but from the looks of things around here, your people have suffered as well". "We must work together to unmask this fiend, not battle each other".
"You all saw what happened to our young crew mate...is it not possible that the dwarves that caused this mischeif were somehow possessed as well". "Something is out there, and it is the enemy of all of us, not each other".
Stefnir then steps back to see if his ideas carry any merit.
Jorgen's countenance is as stone as he studies the boy as he sits.
Sense motive
Kurn backs Stefnir up. "Stefnir speaks the truth I believe my Lord. I've been at sea all of my life as sailor and master, and I've never seen anything like it. Something strange and powerful is happening and I don't believe this Dwarf is the cause of it. May we hear what he has to say please? If gives you his word of honour to be peacful and tell the truth, then I haven't heard of a Dwarf that would break his word my Lord"
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Tavnia shakes his head at Stefnir, "this meeting is for the purpose of knowing what is happening to you and your crew. We all must hear what you have to say. As for the dwarf, he isn't going anywhere soon."
Jorgen
Saorise
After Stefnir's speech, Tavnia turns to confer with Sawrik and the skald nods to him. The elderly druid retakes his seat.
As Kurn chips in his opinion, the druid looks for a second at the dwarf then everyone hears a louder, false snore come from the prisoner. "That one is very stubborn."
Sawrik picks up his belt pouch and smiles at Stefnir. "Maybe your words hold truth, maybe they are just words. I have something here that may help us to divine what is going on. This is the Bag of Baldur the Bare Seer. Inside are several stones that will drop out and provide clues to any single question for the holder. What should I ask?" His eye fixed on the party, one by one, the man watches and waits to see what responses come forth.
Helga rejoins the others, the dwarf's response makes it clear she is wasting her time. She listens to Stefnir's thoughts with growing alarm.
"We can have no doubts now that there is some witchery about our ship," she shivers. "But that it could be ought to do with Ackrieg's problems ... that I never considered. Sawrik, I would ask if the the cloud that possessed Thorsten or something alike to it is the real culprit for the offences of the dwarves against your people. But mayhap other heads are wiser than mine."
"Stuht suhmble: 'uhs thuh Uhlbuhtruhss' cuhse uh thruht tuh Stuhvuh?' That's yuh gruhtuhst cuhncuhn, ruht?"
Translation:
Ragnar keeps on eye on Sawrik and the magic bag.
Sense Motive:
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Sawrik grins down at the warrior, Ragnar. "You know I wish we had some trollborn blood to make that throat better. But unless our apothecary has some hidden away, I guess I shall have to try to guess what you mean."
The skald listens to Ragnar and appears to be very interested in his words, although a touch confused. "cuhncuhn? what does that mean?"
Tavnia interrupts with the answer, he said, "is the Albatross a threat to Stuvoy. And I say, what will you do if it is?" The druid stares hard at Ragnar, Stefnir and Helga then like a double team, Sawrik finishes with
"And what of the ship priest of Krakis, what will you do if the Stones tell us that you ship is a threat to our village. Sail away? Burn it? Or does your witch finder have a means to free the curse from the ship."
"Perhaps we should just cut to the chase". "Instead of asking about a particular thing, let us instead use this gift to ask the really important issue". "Let us ask the fates if we are destined to become allies"?
An sudden, wicked smile spreads across Helga's face.
"Well, you could always trade our ship to that pirate you've been having trouble with as 'tribute' for him leaving you alone ..." she murmurs. She glances as Kurn, "it was just a thought," she adds defensively, "I mean it would solve two problems. I can't imagine him lasting very long against ... whatever wants captains dead, can you?"
Ragnar quietly turns to Stefnir and Helga, leaving it to them to translate (and clean up) his response.
"Tuhll uhm wuh'll buhn duh shuhp, uhnluhss Juhguhn's guht uh buhdduh uhduhuh. Uhf thuht duhn't wuhk, thuh cuhn kuhck uhs uht uhn wuhll tuhk uh cuhss wuhth uhs. Thuhn thuh cuhn huhp fuh suhm uthuh suhlluhs tuh wruhk uhn duhr shuh. Uhnluhss duh dwuhfs uh ruhduhs guht huh fuhst."
Translation:
Kurn looks intently at Tavnia. "If the ship is cursed and my colleagues can't change that, then I will sail her out of the harbour by myself and burn her. These people have already risked their lives enough bringing the ship here. I'll not ask any more of them and I will not let any curse bought here to damage your village." Kurn looks around at the others. "Krakis can decide what happens to me then. However, with your permission I would like to visit your shrine to Krakis and pray a while before that please?"
Diplomacy:
The druid nods, "no one has been in the shrine for many weeks. But you are welcome to go there."
"Thank you. I will go tomorrow in the morning then"
Angry that no one seems to have listened to her sister's idea, Anya finally speaks up "Sail the boat out and burn it priest? And then what, swim back? In your armor no doubt. Don't be foolish, dead heroes are useless, Helgha's idea is a good one. I say give the boat to the pirates then we can go after those bandits. The Goda know it's been too long since I got to stick my spear in someone"
Kurn listens to Anya then asks generally "Do we know how may ships and men the pirates have out of interest? If we give them the Albatross, the leader is killed and there are a lot of very angry pirates, then surely they will just descend on the village and destroy it? There are virtually no warriors left and even Anya's courage would prove useless against overwhelming odds! However, Helga's plan may work in the right circumstances". Kurn glances at Helga and winks reassuringly.
Stefnir jumps to his feat, and pounds his hand on the table.
"I've had enough". "I just spent a week on a ship through storms, and fog". "I have been disrespected and questioned at every turn". "And now we make it to a safe haven, and due to an obvious evil possession, I am again being questioned". "You're people need our help, and unless I miss my guess you don't have much choice".
"At the same time we do have the option to just reboard the boat and sail away". "Though I am adverse to doing so, I want to stay here and help, but enough inaction". "Do you wish our assistance or not"? "Throw the stones and ask them if we are destined to become allies or enemies".
At Stefnir's angry and forceful outburst Anya looks at the druid with slightly more respect than she had previously
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Tavnia steps over Stefnir on the dias, "young pup, your words before our Lord to not become you. But you are tired and we will let that go. Sawrik, enough of your games, give him the bag and let him ask the Stones."
Sawrik smiles at the outburst and throws down the bag at the young druid. "Ask your question. Thank you for answering the other question though, that of who leads. It is obvious from your answers who that is."
Then he looks at Anya and nods in sympathy, "your sister's suggestion is good and Kurn is right. But then we have been raided twice this year already, once in the summer and once a month ago. So the reprisals of Votagor do not hold much fear for our people. However I would be more concerned about Kurn, since the curse preys on its captain. Drago I would guess is dead for it to target Kurn and hence his life would need to be lost for Votagor to take on the curse. Yes?"
"Ask, Stefnir and drop open the bag, the magic will do the rest. "
Tavnia returns to his seat.
After a moment's thought, Stefnir asks the question, "will we be friends and allies with Stuvoy?" The pouch opens and out drop eight flattish stones of different sizes, some round and some oval, all with runic pictograms facing up. Sawrik comes down to decipher the pattern.
"Perhaps Drago is dead ... the crew that deserted struck out inland from a cove a day's sailing to the south. He may yet be with them, the first mate was a man he trusted indeed. What, I wonder, might become of them? Nonetheless, if you have need of numbers of men rather than quality ..." Helga leaves the question hanging.
Kurns sighs "very well, I'll see to the destruction of the ship tomorrow after visiting the shrine if that's ok with you?" Kurn looks at Tavnia and the Lord. "It would help if you could provide kindling and oil to set the fire please. I can set the sail myself, but an escort boat and a couple of rowers would be useful, as Anya is right, I'd rather not have to swim for it afterwards!" he smiles ruefully.
"You'd better let us go with you, Kurn - that ship will not go quietly into the dark, I think, and you will need our help if it decides to fight back."
" I don't wish you to risk your lives for that ship again Helga, so it's your choice, but on a personal note, I would be honoured to have you at my side during the task"
"Yuh. Uh kuhpt huh muhvin', uh'll huhp suhnd huh uhff."
Translation: