Kal sticks his foot in it
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
Kal sits around while Harp tries to do his best at sweet talking the dwarves. Underneath his calm exterior he is boiling. Why did they have to go through this? He had won the combat. These dwarves owed Harp and him. Why was the ½ orc dancing around the questions that needed answered. After the first round of drinks, but before the food has been brought, Kal leans forward and motions for Bordin to come closer. When the dwarf is close enough so that only he and Harp can easily hear Kal asks his question "We're here on a mission from our kingdom that required we acquire something long ago entrusted to the king. If this current king is rightly and proper, then we will speak with him, get what we came for, and be on our way."
"However, if there's serious doubt among the Dwarves as to the veracity of his claims or as to the manner of the previous king's death, then we shall be honor bound to help the Dwarven Kingdoms, as best we can, right those wrongs. So tell us straight. Is the current king the rightful and proper heir or is there doubt among the people?" Kal finishes and watches Bordin's face.
The dwarf's eyes go thin with anger. His left hand slowly crushes the pewter ale mug it had been holding, spilling ale over the table. He leans an inch closer to the elf his voice deadly low "Boy..." The other dwarves seem not to notice but Harp does. He leans in quickly "Kal, relax. This is a time for drinking and eating. Ragnar has taken the appropriate steps to get an audience with the King and we should let proper procedure take its course. Bordin, you'll have to excuse my elf friend over here. He's not even 150 years old and sometimes still lets his youthful energy get the better of him." (Diplomacy check DC15, 20+0=20, success).
Bordin's eyes stay locked on Kal's for a few seconds more and then he turns to Harp "Aye, I've met more than a few hot headed youngsters in the army. Usually have to beat the sass out of 'm." He turns back to Kal, his voice still chilly "Barden is the right and proper heir. The old King's death was unfortunate but only a fool would accuse Dar of anything out of line." Bordin's emphasis on the word fool gets his feelings for the elf across. The dwarf stands up and tosses several gold pieces on the table "Here, this should cover the rest of your meal and a good bottle of wine. I don't think my friends and I have the stomach for any more." The other three dwarves look questioningly at Bordin but he signals them to leave and they do. As he is about to follow them he turns to Harp and Kal "You, half orc, would be welcome at the grounds if you were alone." With that he leaves the pub.
OODM: Kal got lucky that Harp rolled a natural 20 on the diplomacy check, otherwise there was going to be a brawl
From: Kevin
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
Harp seethes as Bordin and the other dwarves march away, the money sitting on the table. "Damn it, Kal, when are you gonna learn to keep your mouth shut!!!" he says to the elf.
How would you have liked it if me, a 1/2 orc, and some dwarves and humans came into the elf homeland and started questioning if the current king or queen was legitimate?? You would have challenged him in a second. So, here we are, in the middle of a dwarf kingdom, us two, having drinks and talking, and learning things, and you go an challange the kings right to the throne. I should bust you one across the head just for good measure - if I thought you would jump out of the way. Now, go get me another drink while I cool off and then we can talk about what we did learn."
From: Derek
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
Wow, Harp's getting a backbone!
From: Kevin
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
OOC: I don't know about a back bone, but he was actually getting some useful information, and that is very far from his strong suit. He now knows that there is someone who was the previous kings Steward. If anyone would know who might want to have a change of kings, it would be him.
Kal and Harp return, others go
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
I am going to let Kevin and Josh role play this until they say they are done. I am going to assume that they do not offend any one else enough to get killed and will advance the time to the next morning when Salix, Mund, Surin and Ally are meeting with Agrana.
I will try and have something out by late morning/early afternoon.
If Salix and Ally would make sure that they have their spell list set that would be great.
From: Kevin
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
When Kal returns with Harp's drink, the 1/2 orc seems a bit calmer.
"Ok, maybe that wasn't the end of the world. We did find out that there is previous steward we can try to track down. We also learned that in general, it seems that most of the dwarves here are OK with the transition. There seemed to have been an active search effort, and that seems to have killed any questions of foul play. Now, we just gotta find out who the old steward is.
And Kal, don't go spoutin off about our mission to just anyone. That's no ones business but us and the king's, who ever that may be. Keep a lid on it, or I'll keep a lid on you. You may move quicker than I do, but if I'm sittin on ya, we'll see how fast you can move"
From: Mark
Subject: Harp and Kal return, others go
Only Ragnar and Ranthir are still up when Harp and Kal return to the rooms. Harp's scowling face keeps the questions from flying and Kal, quite as always, takes a seat. Harp pours himself a mug of water and sits down with the others "Well it wasn't a complete waste of time. We did find out that the old King had his own Steward who was replaced by the new King. Sounds like normal procedure but we might still want to look him up." Ragnar is buoyed by this information "What is his name? Do you know where we can find him?" Harp shakes his head in disgust "No and no. We must have said something to upset the dwarves we were talking to because they took off soon after that." Harp then tells the two what else he found out about the old King and his disappearance.
Ragnar nods "Well it is more than we had before. It will give us something to do while the other 4 are out and we wait for the King. I'll leave Ally a note. I think we should get some sleep. The others should be gone by the time we get up." The four talk for a few minutes longer while Ragnar writes his note and then they head off to bed.
Salix wakes the other three that are going to accompany him. Mund and Surin are just fine but he had never seen Ally look so bad. Out in the main room the mage looks haggard, his eyes still a bit swollen. He holds his head in his hands and whispers to his brother "The next time you think up a drinking game, just make sure you're the one drinking." Mund laughs and when Ally grabs his head even tighter, Mund laughs even louder. The barbarian relents after a few seconds "That dwarven ale must really be something. Man I need to get me a supplier." Ally lets the statement pass.
After a quick breakfast and some time for Salix to do his morning prayers and Ally to do his studying, the four are ready to go. They shoulder their backpacks and follow Surin and Salix out into the dwarf city. Half an hour later, just a few minutes after the first horn of the morning, the approach Doli's stall to find Agrana waiting for them. "Ah, you made it. For a while there I thought I had misjudged you. These are your friends?" The dwarf lady moves to Mund and Ally offering her hand. The two humans shake her hand and are surprised by the strong grip.
Agrana is dressed in dark leather armor and carries a shield made out of a very dark wood. Mund takes another look and asks "Agrana is that a darkwood shield?" The dwarf gives Mund a surprised look "The wood is called that by topsiders, but it is rare there. You know of this wood?" Mund grins "Sure do. Had me a shield made of it once. Don't have it no more but that's a long story." Agrana smiles "Well, human, we have several days walk ahead of us and several nights to fill. I am sure we will be able to hear the tale. I expect your friends know it already, but I am always eager for new stories. Before we head out, does any one have any questions?"
OODM: Ask now or forever hold you piece. J
From: Derek
Subject: Harp and Kal return, others go
Allistair still has a splitting headache, but he tries to focus. "Agrana, I get the feeling that this isn't just a afternoon stroll to a local tunnel. Have there been any vistors to the location since the search for the former king's body was called off? Is it likely we may be attacked by creatures while we are down these little-used tunnels?"
From: Mark
Subject: Dwarf life
"I don't know if there have been any visitors to the place since the search ended. I don't know of any, but most dwarves do not report to me." She grins "I don't know about likely to be attacked, but it is possible. Where we are going is far off the beaten path and there are many fierce creatures in the areas not controlled by the UnderKingdom."
OODM: I want to try and give everyone an idea of how the dwarf kingdom is set up. There are several main cities. They are connected by fairly wide underground "roads" that have been shaped by hundreds of years of dwarf labor. Sort of like Mamouth Cave in Ky but wider and neater. These main road are patrolled on a regular and heavy basis. Sort of a dwarf high way system. Then there are smaller dwarf "town/village/outposts". These are normally located near natural resources such as diamond mines, iron ore veins, Mithral viens, etc. Some are even located at places where mushrooms and other fungi grow well. The paths to these places are not nearly as well kept or guarded. Caravans go on a schedule to these places to get the raw materials they gathered and to bring needed supplies. Think old west. These towns are semi permanant, as they only last as long as the resource does. They may also move as the resource gets mined, following the vien.
Last are the prospect holds. These are independent dwarf groups, usually families, who go out into the wild tunnels looking for new raw materials. If a family finds a new vien of say gold, they can stake a claim and become rich.
From: Derek
Subject: Others go
"Well, even if we run into a buch of Grimlocks, they can't be worse than the hangover that Dwarven ale gives you. I'm ready to go then."
From: Porter
Subject: Others go
Mund makes sure that he can easily draw his axe from its holster. He's still not used to carrying such a big axe, and hasn't had need to draw it quickly yet.
"I'm ready."
From: Karl
Subject: Others go
Salix has many questions about the natural world underground and is thrilled to have a dwarf druid to talk with. He will ask her if there is a dwarf Circle in the underground kingdom and try to find out more about her form of druid worship. Did she say that her worship was outlawed? Or is it just not very accepted by other dwarves?
From: Derek
Subject: Others go
She said that it's technically outlawed, but as long as she lays low, nobody gives her or the other worshipers a hard time.
Out in the tunnels, Salix has questions
Subject: Forums
Ok since no one is dead set against it and a few are for it I will talk with Mike about getting it set up.
If we do this it I think we will start next Friday.
I know that I will need your logon ID on Sakeriver so that Mike can give you access to the forum.
I know Porter's. I know Randy's. I know Karl's. I think I know Kevins.
So I would need Derek's, Bryan's, Josh's and Jason's logon ID>
From: Mark
Subject: Out in the tunnels
As the walk Agrana and Salix talk. "Technically we are outlawed, but it is a very old law and it depends more on the King. He who was King and the several before have basically turned a blind eye as long as we don't make waves. That has not always been the case in the past."
"I am sure our rituals differ from what you know and due to our location, we tend to spend more effort on the earth and fire aspects of our calling. Not too much call for wind and water down here. Although we do get the occasional need, say when a pocket of bad air is found, or a new underground river is located."
From: Derek
Subject: Out in the tunnels
Allistair is listening in on the conversation, since sound carries well, and nothing but rocks and darkness get a little monotonous after a while. He interjects some questions of his own. "So is the government a theocratic monarchy? Does the king have his right to rule bestowed by Moradin himself? Is worship of all non-dwarven deities outlawed, or only yours in particular?"
From: Mark
Subject: Out in the tunnels
"The Temple and the King are seperate. Long ago they were much closer but over the centuries the Priests control over the Monarchy has faded. That is why the law against other faiths is ignored. However, if we were to do something stupid, it is still on the books and dwarves have a long memory. I still honor the Dwarf Father, but feel that there is something even more powerful then he in the world."
OODM: I thought I had told everyone this. When the party entered the warrens they were all given rings of Darkvision. Does anyone recall my saying that?
From: Jason
Subject: Out in the tunnels
Not at all. Of course I probably didn't get one anyways :)
From: Derek
Subject: Out in the tunnels
No, I'm certain you never mentioned this, because I have been cursing myself ever since we started this chapter for not choosing darkvision as one of my spells.
Is darkvision monochromatic?
From: Mark
Subject: Out in the tunnels
Yes dark vision is monochromatic or more correctly, grey scale.
From: Mark
Subject: Out in the tunnels
OK I must be getting old. Everyone but Harp and Ragnar was issued a ring of Darkvision when they entered the warrens.
I think I know what happened. The party in the good aligned RL game I am running entered the dwarf realm in the northern mountains about the same time, in real life, that the party entered the warrens in this game. I thought I had told everyone.
Sorry about that.
From: Porter
Subject: Out in the tunnels
Awesome!
Now that he has this ring, while on this trip, Mund's interested in going out and hunting some cave critters for dinner.
From: Karl
Subject: Salix has questions
"In our Circle," Salix says, "we act as protectors of the natural world. We strive to maintain balance or to reestablish it where it has been corrupted." He pauses to consider his words. "I mean no disrespect, but it seems like the very core of dwarven society is based on bending nature to dwarfish will, much like human society seems to do also, of course. What I mean is, although my path of service to Obad-Hai often leads me into cities, I can't imagine living in one for any extended time without making regular retreats to our sacred groves and wild places. Do you have such places here underground? All I've seen so far seems to have been carved and tamed and bent to dwarfish purposes."
Agrana answers
Subject: Agrana answers
"You are not wrong, young Salix. I do not agree with all that my people do and I try my best to educate them on alternate ways. But the need of the dwarf to mine and delve and form is deep with in us. Do not the druids of your circle make paths in the woods? For you it is easy to know when a fallen tree may be used for something other than fertilizer for the next generation? But how do we know when it is ok to use the minerals of the earth? Ah but I argue from a position of weakness since I agree with you on most of what you say."
"We do have places of natural beauty in the Underkingdom. Chambers filled with crystals and gems that glow like the day outside with the light of a single torch. There are chambers that still whisper with the echos of sounds made a generation ago. If we have time I would like to show them to you."
Salix has questions, cont
Subject: Salix has questions, cont
"I would love to see them," Salix replies. "And I did not mean to criticize your people wholesale. Dwarves are no less part of nature than Humans or Elves, or even Orcs, though all of these tend to deny their need to respect the forces that brought them into being to some degree or another. Also I'll admit that the underground world has always been a mystery to me and I have much to learn here. I've never fully understood the purposes of larger minerals and crystals. Most often they've seemed to be temptations causing the races to destroy nature rather than gifts she gives them. Perhaps I can learn from you."
At the cave in, Peanut gallery
Subject: Reaching the cave in
"Hopefully we can all learn from each other. And my "people" are not the only ones who abuse the natural wonders of the world, though the elves seem to be the least troublesome. Also, the debate has some serious implications. I mean when we summon elementals to do our bidding, are we not shaping the natural world to do our bidding? How is that different than someone cutting down a tree to make a house?"
The next several days are spent in conversations. Agrana shows a vast knowledge of the under ground paths that they follow. In the dark, Mund tries to do some hunting on his own, trying to get used to the grey of the darkvision the rings supply. It actually takes them 5 days to reach the spot where the king was lost. As they had traveled they had split off from the main tunnels and entered smaller and smaller ones. The original path had been a good 40 feet across. The one they were in now was barely 15 feet across. Ahead the five can see the rubble that was left from the cave in. In the ceiling above there is a large hole above the normal 15 foot level of the tunnel.
"This is where the King and his party were caught" Agrana says. Except for the one who made it back to the outpost, all of the bodies were found underneath a pile of rock that filled the tunnel."
OODM: What does the party want to do?
From: Mark
Subject: Peanut gallery
In the main section of the forums at Sakeriver, there is now Peanut gallery section. Any of you can post in that section right now, if you wish. I will let you know when Mike has set up permissions for the game forum it self.
From: Derek
Subject: Reaching the cave in
"Do you know how far back the cave-in extends? Did the workers trying to find the body of the former king go around to the other side and dig from that end too?"
The cave in, cont., the snake
Subject: The cave in, cont
That's a good question. Salix was just about to ask if there was an alternate route to the other side, so he'll just nod when this is said.
From: Porter
Subject: The snake
"Hey, Alley, do you think your Sissy-Snake could climb inside all that rubble?"
From: Mark
Subject: The cave in, cont
OODM: I guess I was not clear. The tunnel has been cleared with the rubble being moved to the sides. The area is open now. Just a 50 foot long or so section of the tunnel collapsed. All of the rock that fell has been moved to the sides out of the way. The rubble field is several hundred feet long on either side of the tunnel, probably 7-8 feet high and 5 feet or so wide.
From: Derek
Subject: The cave in, cont
"Agrana, when they were searching for the body of the king, do you know if they used animals with an acute sense of smell to help locate any bodies? My friend here should be able to do that if it hasn't been done before." Allistair pulls out Sysyphys and introduces him to Agrana, and will let her hold him if she desires so.
From: Derek
Subject: The snake
"I think so, and if he can find something in there I can use a spell to turn into mist and go inside the rubble myself."
From: Mark
Subject: The cave in, cont
"I do not know. I was not involved with the search. I would hope they did. However, I see nothing wrong with your having your animal search." The druid takes the snake and starts hissing at it. A few seconds later the little creature heads back to Ally and hisses "I likkkke her."
Ally then tells the snake to take a smell in the rubble. He lets the snake down and he slithers off to the rubble. He spends the next half an hour crawling in and out of the rubble before returning.
OODM: I will let Derek know what the snake found.
From: Porter
Subject: The cave in, cont
"Woah. Y'all have already cleared out all the rubble. If'n your king was here, how's it possible that he wasn't found?"
From: Mark
Subject: The cave in, cont
"Well that is basically what the disagreement is about. No body was ever found. Barden believes that either the king was injured and crawled off somewhere we can not find and died or he was grabbed by some creature down here and devoured. Several dwarvs were killed by creatures during the search of the out lying areas.
OODM: I want to make somethig clear. None of the dwarves involved with the cleanup of the cave in were killed but other dwarves where went out to search the surrounding area.
From: Derek
Subject: The snake
Allistair lets Sysyphys slither around the area for an hour so. After retrieving him, he hisses with him in conversation for a few minutes. "He can tell that some people died here a few months ago, but there is definately not a dead body in the area. So I think we can be pretty sure whatever happened to the king, his body is not here."
From: Derek
Subject: The cave in, cont
"That still doesn't make sense. If he were injured and crawled off, surely there are dwarven trackers who would have found some traces. It isn't like the wind and water will wash away traces of his passing. Tha is... unless he has something like this." Allistair holds up the leaf brooch that each of them were given by the Druids. "This doesn't look like something a Dwarven king would be likely to have though." He returns the brooch to his cloak.
"Is this area well mapped? Could there be small side-passages that were covered up in the cave-in that haven't been found? Also, was anything else of the king's recovered, or just the axe?"
From: Derek
Subject: The cave in, cont
What about any side passages that could be covered up by the cave-in?
From: Derek
Subject: The cave in, cont
"Well, let's look around a bit. I doubt we'll find a big sign that says 'dead king this way', but we might see something of note."
Allistair will first look around for anything that looks like a spell might have caused the cave-in, like a fireball or something.
After that, Allistair will say to the group, "I'm going to use some magic and take a closer look. This will take a few minutes." Then Allistair will cast detect magic and then cast gaseos form. He will drift into the rubble and work his way down the passageway, looking for anything magical or any passageways that may be obscured by all the rubble to each side. If he can't finish the investigation in one casting, he will finish it tomorrow after having memorized it again (up to more times if he needs to).
From: Karl
Subject: The cave in, cont
Salix will look around also. He will be using all his knowledge to spot anything unusual or suspicious.
From: Mark
Subject: In the rubble
The party spends about half an hour looking through the rubble. They are not able to find much that sheds light on what might have cuased the cave in. Agrana gives a disgusted sigh "I don't know how much these rocks can tell us. I wonder what the rocks up in the ceiling could tell us. Or maybe something that knows more about rocks. GreenBrother Salix, in our days of travel you and your friends have told me of your adventures in those Testing Grounds. You said you encounted some Xorn. I do not remember if you learned their names. Did you?"
In the rubble
Subject: In the rubble
"Yes, in fact I believe we made friends with a few of them." OOC- Salix will give Agrana the names of the Xorn, however, I can't recall them myself at the moment.
From: Bryan
Subject: In the rubble
Surin will keep an eye out as well.
From: Porter
Subject: In the rubble
"Do you know who did the searchin' around? Most dwarves I've known couldn't track a troll through a snowbank, let alone track somebody in a cave like this."
Mund will also use his superior tracking skills (and feat!) to see what he can see.
From: Mark
Subject: In the rubble
Mund takes a look but soon realizes that many dwarven feet and the passage of time has wiped out all chance of his being able to track something.
From: Derek
Subject: In the rubble
"Alright, let me try some magic and take a closer look." Allistair reaches into his robes and takes out a small piece of guaze. With his other hand he makes a few symbols, utters a few words of incantation, and a puff of smoke emerges from the guaze. It grows a and grows until it completely obscures Allistair's body. Then the cloud of smoke begins to move and seeps into the rubble. Allistair is nowhere to be found.
About 15 minutes later, a cloud of smoke arises from the opposite side of the rubble. It slowly coalesces into the shape of a man, and then disappates, leaving Allistair whole again.
He rejoins the group. "Well, there are no bodies or any significant objects in all this rubble. There are a few side-passages that are buried by the rubble, but they are all very small, and could only have been used by a Dwarf if they were using magical assistance. I might try some of them tomorrow if we don't have any better ideas."
From: Porter
Subject: In the rubble
"Do you have any magical find-em spells?"
From: Derek
Subject: In the rubble
Allistair hears Agrana and Salix talking about Xorn when he returns to the group. "That is an excellent idea! What were their names again? Let me see, Deep Delver was the leader's name, and the others were Follows Ore, Rock Head, and Metal Master. If we could ask for their help, it would very simple for them to search this whole area for anything unusual. They would probably want something in return though. Do we have a lot of gold on us, or do you know where a nearby vein of precious metal is, Agrana?"
From: Derek
Subject: In the rubble
"There are several divinations that might be useful to locate something, but I'm not proficient in them. I could try scrying for the former King like I found that wizard that attacked us, but even if the former king is alive I would have a lot of difficulty trying to locate someone I've never met in person, and if I failed I wouldn't know if it's because I couldn't focus the magic properly or just because the person I'm trying to find is no longer alive. Besides, most of these divinations can also cast by priests as boons granted by their dieties, so I'm sure the priests of Moradin would have done all in their power to locate the former king. Of course such types of magic can also be blocked, but that would also put me in the same situation of being unable to locate him."
The Summoning
Subject: What to offer
"I do not know of anything close by" Agrana says "But my summoning will compel them to help us, if only for a limited time. However, you are correct in that it would be better if we could offer them something in return. I have nothing that would entice them. How about you folks?"
From: Mark
Subject: The Summoning
Agrana looks at the party "Let's make a small camp. We might be here for a while" Salix nods and the party spends a few minutes setting up a basic camp. Agrana settles her self on the ground, pulls out a golden holy symbol of holly and oak leaves. "This is a prayer that my master taught me. It is a variation on the normal summoning spell most druids can use. It trades compulsion for duration. Normally any creature we summon stays for a very brief period of time before returning to where it came from, but it must do our bidding. I am sure, Greenbrother, that you have used this type of summoning prayer." Salix nods yes.
"This variant takes longer to do but allows the creature more free will and lasts longer. The creature summoned will be able to stay about 10 minutes or so. Hopefully that will be enough time for it to find something out. I can only do this a couple of times a day." Agrana seems to shift her perceptions as she starts her chant. At first the others only see her lips quivering as she mumbles so quietly they can not hear her even in the quite of the tunnel. Slowly, minute by minute, her voice increases in volume. The language is none the others understand. Salix realizes it is not the secret language but something about it sounds familiar. It is odd hearing such deep bass notes and low sounds coming from such a small figure.
For ten minutes she continues her chanting, tracing a repetitive pattern on the holy symbol. Near the end she is practically yelling, her voice calling out in supplication. When her chant reaches its crescendo she reaches forward and touches the stone in front of her with her holy symbol. From the ground a figure starts to rise up. The other four recognize the shape as that of a xorn, but whether it is Delves Deep or not they can not tell. A booming voice rings out "Who summons" and there is a long string of sounds that the companions know they could never pronounce.
Agrana faces the figure, looking up at the one eye that is facing her "I, Agrana, druid of Obad-Hai, of the UnderKingdom, summon you. I have chosen you because of an old friend of yours. Salix." Salix sees the eye facing him blink once with a heavy lid. The hand on his side of the creature moves in a circle and the voice speaks again "Salix? The druid that helped free me and my companions from entrapment? Yes I see him now. My friend, I had not thought to see you again, but I am hardened at meeting you again. How may I help you, as you helped me?"
OODM: Salix and the others can role play this. Agrana is exhausted by the summoning. I am also going to post this as the first post in the forum. You should make your replies there.
From: Karl
Subject: What to offer?
"I have some gold. I know they like that."