Dorno enters the room behind Thurston holding his wooden shield and quarterstaff high while trying to look mean, forgetting that he also has the mask of the beast down over his face. With his armor of woven vines on he either looks like a large samurai or a large basket, depending on one's perspective. Running into the barrier, Dorno stops abruptly, ceases any effort at looking mean, and lifts the mask up. "Sneaky man, Dorno can't grab him for you." He then remembers that he needs to keep quiet and hunches down a bit and holds a finger over his lips to indicate that he remembers and to remind the others. Dorno relaxes and begins poking the barrier with his quarterstaff, sending blue ripples out across the arcane ward's surface. As Jex and Seid talk Dorno's curiosity increases and he begins poking with a thick finger instead. Dorno does not consider that the ripples he is repeatedly triggering may be a distraction to those discussion business here.
The large firbolg does listen to the stranger speak. He pauses his poking long enough to say "I believe the new friend" casually, shrug, and go back to poking and prodding at the barrier with various items, slowly moving around the room testing it. His smiles grows with each ripple and his ears start to wiggle. He let's out a tiny giggle and then covers his mouth, blushing over having made more noise. Finally he whispers "don't worry new friend, we'll get you out." Dorno bites his tongue and gets ready to whack the barrier hard with his staff.
Vark squeezes through the opening and begins following the small stream. As he walks, he waves his hand at the ground below him, using his elemental magic to shape the water around his feet to avoid loud splashing footsteps.
Vark wades upstream for some time, until eventually he hears the sounds of steel on steel ringing out from up ahead, where this crevice opens onto more tunnels. Eventually they fade and he hears talk in a harsh language he doesn't understand, followed by the regular stamp of marching of boots that grows ever quieter.
Vark presses on, assuming the receding noises this time are the hobgoblin soldiers. But as long as they continue getting quieter ahead, he should be fine to follow.
Vark emerges into a tunnel that runs perpendicular to the crevice he is squeezing his way out of. The small stream runs straight across the passage here, in a groove that has been worn into the stone floor over time. Water trickles steadily from a tiny hole in the rock on the far wall, but beneath his feet it is tinged scarlet. Five white kobold bodies and the corpse of one hobgoblin are strewn up and down the tunnel. The echoing footsteps appear to be coming from the right.
The man named Seid blinks in confusion at the Norscan. "You did not actually ask any questions for me to answer, but I can tell you that these wizards are part of a secret organization that calls themselves the Mabinogi. They are seeking something beneath Sheercleft, I do not know what exactly, but this entire place has been a rouse. They orchestrated this invasion as a coverup for their activities. To mask their true goals. Why, I do not know. I can tell you that the governor here is also a member of the Mabinogi, a high ranking member at that. I..." He breaks off to watch Dorno poking at the protective bubble inquisitively. "I.. Can you stop that? It is quite distracting." He sighs exasperatedly, but smiles and nods as Dorno indicates he believes Seid. "In that case, by all means poke away, friend, but I assure you that the spell will cease in it's own time. I am in no need for extraction."
He turns back to Thurston and Jex. "As to how I joined their ranks, that is a long story that has no bearing on this moment. Should I decide to share that information with you, I will do so in a time and place of my choosing. Or should we sit here and discuss your pasts as well? I will say this, I was naive and did not fully understand the depths of depravity my fellows would go to obtain power. Upon learning the truth and seeing it here, I made a choice. Now you a choice as well, will you ally with me and utilize the knowledge I have about this occupation? Or shall we continue this fruitless endeavor until you are discovered by the next roving patrol?"
Val stares at this man behind his protective barrier, listening to what he has to say, but the terrible burning in her guts is too distracting and she cannot quite get a bearing on whether his words ring true. One thing that she cannot seem to shake though is that if he was indeed an enemy... why didn’t he simply alert the guards? Either way, the man was right. Sitting around discussing was wasting time they didn’t have. “I don’t really trust magic much, but he’s right about one thing. We do not have much more time to argue about this. We must decide to fight or bring him with. Those goblins will draw attention very soon.”
Hurrig steps forward into the room with everyone else, "Well I for one don't trust the man... BUT we do need help. These other wizards and these goblins trust him, so we can leverage that to our advantage."
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Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
"I don't feel there is much risk of my being picked up by a patrol."
"But you are right that we could use some guidance around the camp and the leaders. Particularly any captives. My friends here would like very much to free them."
"But I did ask... "starts to say Thurston but another flahs of light crosses in front of him as Dorno pokes the magical barrier and he stops, momentary distracted, so the wizard continues talking.
When Val stops talking he motions to the others to come closer and he tries to whisper
"I do not trust him but Val has a point. He has said something we suspected, and we...Dorno come back, stop that please... " he says to the firbolg when he tries to poke the sphere again. Thurston moves his lips for a second, as he recall what he was saying " yes... that's it.. we may need his knowledge. We don't have time and the barrier protects him. I say we play along and keep an eye on him. I will smash his skull at the first sign of treason. Agree?"
"That slime ball of a gov'nor condemned this town from the start! Never did what was right for the town if ya ask me. I mean we had to escort the ore to the elves in the first place!" Hurrig grumbles for a bit and continues, "Well we need some more information before we make a move, we've all been gone quite a whiles now. What is the state of the townsfolk? Is Erik alright, Tall, drunk, human? And what of Ringrut?" Hurrig steps closer to the bubble, seeing Dorno poking it out of the corner of his eyes brings a slight smile to the dwarf's face, who is trying to remain stern.
Dorno stops poking the barrier when admonished and puts his quarter staff away. He stands with his hands behind his back for at least thirty seconds but then slowly starts to reach a pointed finger out towards it once more, now not listening to the conversation at all. He looks at Thurston when his finger is half way there and pulls it back, however, for fear of getting in trouble.
One minute later he swiftly pokes the barrier and puts his hand back behind his back. He pulls the mask down over his face to cover his smile.
Seid glances to Hurrig as he is addressed by the dwarf. “I do not know any ‘Erik’ and the description does not bring any recollection; however, Ringrut... was he that feisty tavern owner? He caused a bit of a ruckus recently and was punished for it. I believe he is still alive though. And there is something more... they were using the townsfolk as hostages to force the miners to dig for them. These people got what’s they want... and from what I have seen here, they are not inclined to leave any witnesses behind. This,” he gestures around him towards the town, “was orchestrated by the Mabinogi to find whatever it was they sought. This entire town was created on that premise of finding it. Do you understand? This, whatever it is, has been in the planning since before any of us were conceived. They will kill everyone if they are not stopped.”
Val catches Dorno and chuckles, but keeps her mouth shut. Despite the intense situation, he could always find a way to keep things calm. With a sudden realization, Val came to understand that she loved the gentle giant. He was like a brother to her. She smiled at him and winked.
She turns back to the wizard abruptly. “What?! Kill everyone? Just to cover this up? There are children here!” Her breath begins to fog as the rage builds...
The wizard shrugs apologetically. ”And why I cannot stand aside and let this happen.”
Jex stops his pacing, relaxing his shoulders and his general posture, any trained soldier could tell that he has not dropped his defences though, and one twist would send the dagger currently tucked in his hand flying across the room.
"But where are the prisoners being held? Are you saying there are two groups? Miners and townsfolk hostages?"
Thurston hears what the wizards says and lowers his hammer. His words and concern are enough for the Norscan.
" It's clear that we have to rid the world from this Maginobi. Your help is much appreciated. We should talk more, but perhaps we should go to another place."
He goes to Dorno and says to him in lower voice
"Excuse me my friend. This whole situation got me nervous. And once again, it seems that you were right about this man. I should know better and trust your judgment. "he looks to the barrier and extends one finger to it, touching it and smiling at Dorno " and it itches "he chuckles.
Seid nods to Jex. “Yes, the miners were being held close to the elevators leading into the mines. The hostages are being kept on the far side of the village. I can lead you to them. We can use my familiar, Ignatius, to watch for patrols from above.”
He then turns back to Thurston and nods. “Of course. I would speak with you all more, as long as I can trust you not to turn your weapons upon me after the completion of our goal. Now, I will call back my familiar. I’m going to snap my fingers to bring him back and that is all. I can look through his eyes while we are within a short distance of each other. This will not be a problem?”
Dorno enters the room behind Thurston holding his wooden shield and quarterstaff high while trying to look mean, forgetting that he also has the mask of the beast down over his face. With his armor of woven vines on he either looks like a large samurai or a large basket, depending on one's perspective. Running into the barrier, Dorno stops abruptly, ceases any effort at looking mean, and lifts the mask up. "Sneaky man, Dorno can't grab him for you." He then remembers that he needs to keep quiet and hunches down a bit and holds a finger over his lips to indicate that he remembers and to remind the others. Dorno relaxes and begins poking the barrier with his quarterstaff, sending blue ripples out across the arcane ward's surface. As Jex and Seid talk Dorno's curiosity increases and he begins poking with a thick finger instead. Dorno does not consider that the ripples he is repeatedly triggering may be a distraction to those discussion business here.
The large firbolg does listen to the stranger speak. He pauses his poking long enough to say "I believe the new friend" casually, shrug, and go back to poking and prodding at the barrier with various items, slowly moving around the room testing it. His smiles grows with each ripple and his ears start to wiggle. He let's out a tiny giggle and then covers his mouth, blushing over having made more noise. Finally he whispers "don't worry new friend, we'll get you out." Dorno bites his tongue and gets ready to whack the barrier hard with his staff.
Vark squeezes through the opening and begins following the small stream. As he walks, he waves his hand at the ground below him, using his elemental magic to shape the water around his feet to avoid loud splashing footsteps.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Vark wades upstream for some time, until eventually he hears the sounds of steel on steel ringing out from up ahead, where this crevice opens onto more tunnels. Eventually they fade and he hears talk in a harsh language he doesn't understand, followed by the regular stamp of marching of boots that grows ever quieter.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Vark presses on, assuming the receding noises this time are the hobgoblin soldiers. But as long as they continue getting quieter ahead, he should be fine to follow.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Vark emerges into a tunnel that runs perpendicular to the crevice he is squeezing his way out of. The small stream runs straight across the passage here, in a groove that has been worn into the stone floor over time. Water trickles steadily from a tiny hole in the rock on the far wall, but beneath his feet it is tinged scarlet. Five white kobold bodies and the corpse of one hobgoblin are strewn up and down the tunnel. The echoing footsteps appear to be coming from the right.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
The man named Seid blinks in confusion at the Norscan. "You did not actually ask any questions for me to answer, but I can tell you that these wizards are part of a secret organization that calls themselves the Mabinogi. They are seeking something beneath Sheercleft, I do not know what exactly, but this entire place has been a rouse. They orchestrated this invasion as a coverup for their activities. To mask their true goals. Why, I do not know. I can tell you that the governor here is also a member of the Mabinogi, a high ranking member at that. I..." He breaks off to watch Dorno poking at the protective bubble inquisitively. "I.. Can you stop that? It is quite distracting." He sighs exasperatedly, but smiles and nods as Dorno indicates he believes Seid. "In that case, by all means poke away, friend, but I assure you that the spell will cease in it's own time. I am in no need for extraction."
He turns back to Thurston and Jex. "As to how I joined their ranks, that is a long story that has no bearing on this moment. Should I decide to share that information with you, I will do so in a time and place of my choosing. Or should we sit here and discuss your pasts as well? I will say this, I was naive and did not fully understand the depths of depravity my fellows would go to obtain power. Upon learning the truth and seeing it here, I made a choice. Now you a choice as well, will you ally with me and utilize the knowledge I have about this occupation? Or shall we continue this fruitless endeavor until you are discovered by the next roving patrol?"
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Val stares at this man behind his protective barrier, listening to what he has to say, but the terrible burning in her guts is too distracting and she cannot quite get a bearing on whether his words ring true. One thing that she cannot seem to shake though is that if he was indeed an enemy... why didn’t he simply alert the guards? Either way, the man was right. Sitting around discussing was wasting time they didn’t have. “I don’t really trust magic much, but he’s right about one thing. We do not have much more time to argue about this. We must decide to fight or bring him with. Those goblins will draw attention very soon.”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Hurrig steps forward into the room with everyone else, "Well I for one don't trust the man... BUT we do need help. These other wizards and these goblins trust him, so we can leverage that to our advantage."
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
Jex grins.
"I don't feel there is much risk of my being picked up by a patrol."
"But you are right that we could use some guidance around the camp and the leaders. Particularly any captives. My friends here would like very much to free them."
"But I did ask... " starts to say Thurston but another flahs of light crosses in front of him as Dorno pokes the magical barrier and he stops, momentary distracted, so the wizard continues talking.
When Val stops talking he motions to the others to come closer and he tries to whisper
"I do not trust him but Val has a point. He has said something we suspected, and we... Dorno come back, stop that please... " he says to the firbolg when he tries to poke the sphere again. Thurston moves his lips for a second, as he recall what he was saying " yes... that's it.. we may need his knowledge. We don't have time and the barrier protects him. I say we play along and keep an eye on him. I will smash his skull at the first sign of treason. Agree?"
PbP Character: A few ;)
Val nods her agreement. “We all will.” She hefts her Maul.
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
"That slime ball of a gov'nor condemned this town from the start! Never did what was right for the town if ya ask me. I mean we had to escort the ore to the elves in the first place!" Hurrig grumbles for a bit and continues, "Well we need some more information before we make a move, we've all been gone quite a whiles now. What is the state of the townsfolk? Is Erik alright, Tall, drunk, human? And what of Ringrut?" Hurrig steps closer to the bubble, seeing Dorno poking it out of the corner of his eyes brings a slight smile to the dwarf's face, who is trying to remain stern.
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
Dorno stops poking the barrier when admonished and puts his quarter staff away. He stands with his hands behind his back for at least thirty seconds but then slowly starts to reach a pointed finger out towards it once more, now not listening to the conversation at all. He looks at Thurston when his finger is half way there and pulls it back, however, for fear of getting in trouble.
One minute later he swiftly pokes the barrier and puts his hand back behind his back. He pulls the mask down over his face to cover his smile.
Seid glances to Hurrig as he is addressed by the dwarf. “I do not know any ‘Erik’ and the description does not bring any recollection; however, Ringrut... was he that feisty tavern owner? He caused a bit of a ruckus recently and was punished for it. I believe he is still alive though. And there is something more... they were using the townsfolk as hostages to force the miners to dig for them. These people got what’s they want... and from what I have seen here, they are not inclined to leave any witnesses behind. This,” he gestures around him towards the town, “was orchestrated by the Mabinogi to find whatever it was they sought. This entire town was created on that premise of finding it. Do you understand? This, whatever it is, has been in the planning since before any of us were conceived. They will kill everyone if they are not stopped.”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Val catches Dorno and chuckles, but keeps her mouth shut. Despite the intense situation, he could always find a way to keep things calm. With a sudden realization, Val came to understand that she loved the gentle giant. He was like a brother to her. She smiled at him and winked.
She turns back to the wizard abruptly. “What?! Kill everyone? Just to cover this up? There are children here!” Her breath begins to fog as the rage builds...
The wizard shrugs apologetically. ”And why I cannot stand aside and let this happen.”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Jex stops his pacing, relaxing his shoulders and his general posture, any trained soldier could tell that he has not dropped his defences though, and one twist would send the dagger currently tucked in his hand flying across the room.
"But where are the prisoners being held? Are you saying there are two groups? Miners and townsfolk hostages?"
Thurston hears what the wizards says and lowers his hammer. His words and concern are enough for the Norscan.
" It's clear that we have to rid the world from this Maginobi. Your help is much appreciated. We should talk more, but perhaps we should go to another place."
He goes to Dorno and says to him in lower voice
"Excuse me my friend. This whole situation got me nervous. And once again, it seems that you were right about this man. I should know better and trust your judgment. " he looks to the barrier and extends one finger to it, touching it and smiling at Dorno " and it itches " he chuckles.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Not finding anything on the corpses worth looting, Vark looks to the fading sound of the soldiers. “Should... should I follow them?” he asks softly.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
There's a pause and then Matthew responds.
Yes... but keep your distance. They will lead you to the exit.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Seid nods to Jex. “Yes, the miners were being held close to the elevators leading into the mines. The hostages are being kept on the far side of the village. I can lead you to them. We can use my familiar, Ignatius, to watch for patrols from above.”
He then turns back to Thurston and nods. “Of course. I would speak with you all more, as long as I can trust you not to turn your weapons upon me after the completion of our goal. Now, I will call back my familiar. I’m going to snap my fingers to bring him back and that is all. I can look through his eyes while we are within a short distance of each other. This will not be a problem?”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden