D.O.R.K. stops her efforts, but after looking back and forth between Gimble and the Elephant, she spends an inordinate amount of time considering his warning. She eventually looks up to Gimble and says, ".... Agreed. Limiting or impairing my ability to appropriately respond to an emergency would not serve any immediate Strategm. Conclusion: Kwa Godimo will be reserved only for enemy forces and obstacles."She then turns back to Golemgote to give him the appropriate command to kneel, so she scramble her way atop him... assuming nothing came of haven't misspoken earlier.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
She then turns back to Golemgote to give him the appropriate command to kneel, so she scramble her way atop him... assuming nothing came of haven't misspoken earlier.
As D gives Golemogotê the command "khubama" to kneel prior to climbing up him, Gimbel yells "STOP" and then says "first I must show you how to mount him." As Golemogotê has already knelt, Gimbel places his left foot on Golemogotê's elbow and climbs aboard. He then dismounts in the same way. He then looks D up and down and says "but this will not work for you as your metal feet and skin might damage his skin. We will need to work out a way to allow you to mount without hurting him!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Torunn walks up to Milosh, "So it seems 300 dragons is the agreed price? I do assume that also includes someone spending a little time teaching us the right calls, "Torunn glances at D.O.R.K, "especially for Red who seems excited." Torunn finishes with a chuckle. He then quickly looks at the group one more time if there are no objections, he turns back to Milosh, "If you would be so kind as to get the equipment whilst your friend instructs, we can close the deal."
"300 dragons it is then! Waukeen observe!" Milosh agrees as he spits in his palm and holds it out to Toruun. "And yes Gimbel will work with the Metal Lady, or Red as you call her, and one other of your choice to teach them the basics of working with Golemogotê." Milosh then walks into warehouse telling Toruun to follow him and anybody else that wants to. He calls out to two labourers "Hewey & Dewey get out the elephant cart, the harness, a four seat howdah and blankets and a week's worth of fodder."As the two labourers work to get everything ready, Milosh says to those of the party present, "you are obviously about to leave for somewhere - I mean why else would you buy an elephant - I don't need to know where or what but I can arrange for any other goods you might need to be here first thing in the morning. Of course I would need to be compensated for this task; shall we say five per cent?" While the party are thinking this over Milosh says "if it would be easier for you we are prepared to put you up tonight at the Inn next door, whilst we wait for the other supplies to arrive!"
Gimbel has obviously been giving some thought to how he is going to protect Golemogotê's hide from Red's skin and turns to D.O.R.K. and says "we'll use stockings and a cushion." He sticks his head into the warehouse and yells out "hey Louie bring me out a cushion, a leather harness and some wool stockings" a voice says something from within the warehouse and Gimbel replies "probably red if you've got them?"Shortly afterwards a cushion, a leather harness to mount it on Golemogotê's neck and a pair of long, thigh high, bright red woolen stockings come sailing out of the warehouse. Gimbel shows Red how to fit the cushion and the stockings on herself. He then tells Golemogotê to kneel and once again demonstrates to Red and the other selected rider how to mount. Over the afternoon he demonstrates how to control Golemogotê with the following commands: êma = stand, êmêlêla = stand-up, emisa = stop, ka bonakô = fast, ka bonya = slow, khubama = kneel, kwa godimo = up, kwa tlase = down, suta = walk.
As soon as Gimble mentioned her potentially hurting Golemogote, Red backpaddled immediately from him. "It was--I did not mean-..."She clammed up a second later, not wanting to interrupt the explanation. However, after hearing it she bowed her head as if in shame and stared at her hands for the longest time. Most that followed just flies over her head. Gimble has to call out to her twice, if not get right in her face before she takes notice of her surroundings again.
She listened with rapt attention from then on, took meticulous notes, but the former excitement never seemed to return. "Query: This is unacceptable, Devin, Servant of Mystara?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Hey D, what? Well the offer was for a 7 passenger seat, not 4. If we get 4 then some of us will have to walk. I just want to see the deal done right. "
At Devin's questioning of the howdah size, Milosh says "perhaps I did not explain what I meant by a four seat howdah or the ability to carry seven people. I can assure that Golemogotê' can easily carry seven people as follows: the driver on his neck, four in a two by two configuration in the howdah and two standing on a platform at the rear of the howdah."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Torunn shakes Milosh's hand but before he follows him inside, he turns to the group and hands out everyones share of coins from what the change will be, then turns to Devin, "If you dont mind coming with me after we pay for the elephant, as you mentioned you don't need to purchase anything, it would help if you took me to the shops i require as it would significantly reduce the time it takes me to find my way around, with you being a local and all. Then we can meet the group with the elephant at the city gates."
As i mentioned in discord, no need to roleplay shopping, just stating how Torunn would get horribly lost without a guide.
Jaylen accepts her coins. "I will stay tonight at the Tower of Luck and return here in the morning to retrieve or help retrieve our elephant." She gives Gimble a little nod, but does not smile at the gnome. "Good night."
D.O.R.K went back to writing once Milosh explained things to Devin. "I will accompany you."D.O.R.K's says without looking up from her book. But after a brief pause, she looks up, and seeing a perhaps confused Jaylen and Meiva she simply gestures over to Meiva. "Query: If that is acceptable? There are some things that I wished to discuss with you. But, it can wait until later." She requests, and after receiving an answer one way or another that did not entail joining Torunn and Devin anyways, her attention shifts next to Torunn. "Query: Brother? Purchase a Healer's Kit for me." She states, stepping up pass along what she believes to be the necessary amount (5 dragons).
"Though we are of many faiths joined in one purpose, my own dictates that I exercise all due caution. As you well know."She expresses. Finally she goes over to Milosh and Gimble and asks, "Query: May I... Do you accept hugs as proper shows of appreciation?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Finally she goes over to Milosh and Gimble and asks, "Query: May I... Do you accept hugs as proper shows of appreciation?"
Grimble says "hugs - l love hugs!" Milosh says "a simple handshake is sufficient for me!"
D.O.R.K nods once, and then proceeds to give Milosh a little overly firm handshake before kneeling to gently hug Grimble. It is almost she knew exactly how much pressure to place when it came to the small folk before hitting that discomfort level. That, and that the small folk tended to dislike being held up most of the time. "Appreciation Procedure Complete. See you later, Grimble and Milosh of Brokengulf’s Exotic Animal Emporium." She said, giving one final clipped salute before walking over to Meiva. Having caught the look between her and Jayleen before, D.O.R.K glances over to Jayleen once as well. "If you would feel more comfortable if she joins us, I have no compunctions."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The next morning the group gathers at the emporium. Taking posession of the elephant they stow their packs on the wagon and climb aboard.
Devin leads the way through the city easily finding the wider roads to navigate with the elephant.
In a short time he stops near the South gate. Before them stands a high signpost mounted in the middle of the crossroads with hanging arrows pointing toward the harbor and each of the city gates.
"This is the Waymoot. It magically directs travelers to locations spoken into a crystal on the post. Once a site is spoken, the Waymoot writes the destination onto the relevant arrow and indicates its distance from Waterdeep. When I was a kid I would come here and watch adventurers speak of places I never heard of but sounded exotic and exciting. I would dream of going to see these places. I would even tell it locations I have heard others name just to watch it give directions even though I knew nothing of the places I spoke. Now I can truly tell it a location and intend to actually go."
Devin stepped forward and in a clear and confident voice he spoke to the crystal.
Meiva peers down at the sign, watching with anticipation. After a bit of trouble, she adjusted quickly to the rolling motion of the elephant's walk, and now sits relatively comfortably on the beast.
Day 2, First Ten-day, Month of Eleasis (High Sun) in the Year 1494 ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
About an hour after dawn (i.e. by 6.00 am) the party has loaded Golemogotê and the cart. The day is cool and a cold wind is blowing; as the party looks up they can see the clouds moving quickly suggesting that it is a strong wind which is blowing. Once everybody is aboard in the Howdah (Red who is closely watching Jaylen and Devin in the front seats and Toruun and Meiva in the back seats) Jaylen gives Golemogotê the command "suta" whilst gently nudging him behind the ears and the party sets off. As the party makes it way toward the South Gate, they get a few looks from citizens but not excessive. When the party reaches the crossroads created by the High Road and the Way of the Dragon, Devin swings down from Golemogotê and walks up to a high signpost (see Post #97) mounted in the middle of the crossroads. He says the word “Nightstone” and the arrow immediately spins to the east south east and three flags pop up. The first reads '30 miles', the second reads 'High Road' and the third reads 'South Gate'.
Following the instructions from the Waymoot, the party leaves Waterdeep via the South Gate and heads south on the High Road. After an uneventful day – except for meeting several parties of travelers heading north and overtaking and being overtaken by parties heading south – the party has travelled about 20 miles when it comes to clear grassy area with a stream flowing through it.
OOC: This is an ideal opportunity for the party to describe how they set up camp, post watches, etc. As what the party does this night, does not influence anything (i.e. no random encounters – mores the pity) I will, in the interests of keeping the campaign moving, continuing the post.
Day 3, First Ten-day, Month of Eleasis (High Sun) in the Year 1494 ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
The next day is warmer than yesterday and the wind that was blowing previously has dropped away to nothing. After packing up camp, the party sets off. This time it is Red who gives Golemogotê the command to walk. About 2 miles down the road you see a track heading off to the East and a sign saying Nightstone. Red directs Golemogotê, who takes the opportunity, while the party is stopped looking at the sign, to grab a couple of trunkfuls of branches and shove them into his mouth, to turn left up the trail.
After following the trail for ten miles, which has taken you about three and a half hours, you hear the ringing of a bell. The sound grows louder as Nightstone comes into view. As you approach you see a small village ahead which is surrounded by a river, acting as a moat. The village itself is protected by a wooden palisade, beyond which you see a windmill, a tall steeple, and the high-pitched rooftops of several other buildings. Apart from the ringing of the bell, you detect no other activity in the village. The trail ends before a lowered drawbridge that spans the moat. Beyond the drawbridge, two stone watchtowers flank an open gap in the palisade.
South of the village and surrounded by the river moat is a cone-shaped, flat-topped hill on which stands a stone keep enclosed by a wooden wall. The keep, which overlooks the village, has partially collapsed. A wooden bridge that once connected the keep to the village has also partially collapsed (See side view map in Discord).
The first night of camp, Jaylen ends up spending most of her time awake with Golem — and by extension (I'm assuming) Dork. Despite her initial dismissal of the idea of buying an elephant, the cleric of Tymora has found the animal's presence comforting. "I've not actually spent much time with animals," Jaylen admits to Dork as the two females fuss over their new "pet." "The few I've needed to be around always seemed friendly enough toward me, even when not toward others. And I seem to have a natural way with them ..." She looks up into one of Golem's black eyes and smiles. "He kind of rubs off on you, doesn't he?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
D.O.R.K. stops her efforts, but after looking back and forth between Gimble and the Elephant, she spends an inordinate amount of time considering his warning. She eventually looks up to Gimble and says, ".... Agreed. Limiting or impairing my ability to appropriately respond to an emergency would not serve any immediate Strategm. Conclusion: Kwa Godimo will be reserved only for enemy forces and obstacles." She then turns back to Golemgote to give him the appropriate command to kneel, so she scramble her way atop him... assuming nothing came of haven't misspoken earlier.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
As D gives Golemogotê the command "khubama" to kneel prior to climbing up him, Gimbel yells "STOP" and then says "first I must show you how to mount him." As Golemogotê has already knelt, Gimbel places his left foot on Golemogotê's elbow and climbs aboard. He then dismounts in the same way. He then looks D up and down and says "but this will not work for you as your metal feet and skin might damage his skin. We will need to work out a way to allow you to mount without hurting him!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Torunn walks up to Milosh, "So it seems 300 dragons is the agreed price? I do assume that also includes someone spending a little time teaching us the right calls, " Torunn glances at D.O.R.K, "especially for Red who seems excited." Torunn finishes with a chuckle. He then quickly looks at the group one more time if there are no objections, he turns back to Milosh, "If you would be so kind as to get the equipment whilst your friend instructs, we can close the deal."
Purchasing an elephant and other supplies
"300 dragons it is then! Waukeen observe!" Milosh agrees as he spits in his palm and holds it out to Toruun. "And yes Gimbel will work with the Metal Lady, or Red as you call her, and one other of your choice to teach them the basics of working with Golemogotê."
Milosh then walks into warehouse telling Toruun to follow him and anybody else that wants to. He calls out to two labourers "Hewey & Dewey get out the elephant cart, the harness, a four seat howdah and blankets and a week's worth of fodder." As the two labourers work to get everything ready, Milosh says to those of the party present, "you are obviously about to leave for somewhere - I mean why else would you buy an elephant - I don't need to know where or what but I can arrange for any other goods you might need to be here first thing in the morning. Of course I would need to be compensated for this task; shall we say five per cent?" While the party are thinking this over Milosh says "if it would be easier for you we are prepared to put you up tonight at the Inn next door, whilst we wait for the other supplies to arrive!"
Gimbel has obviously been giving some thought to how he is going to protect Golemogotê's hide from Red's skin and turns to D.O.R.K. and says "we'll use stockings and a cushion." He sticks his head into the warehouse and yells out "hey Louie bring me out a cushion, a leather harness and some wool stockings" a voice says something from within the warehouse and Gimbel replies "probably red if you've got them?" Shortly afterwards a cushion, a leather harness to mount it on Golemogotê's neck and a pair of long, thigh high, bright red woolen stockings come sailing out of the warehouse. Gimbel shows Red how to fit the cushion and the stockings on herself. He then tells Golemogotê to kneel and once again demonstrates to Red and the other selected rider how to mount. Over the afternoon he demonstrates how to control Golemogotê with the following commands: êma = stand, êmêlêla = stand-up, emisa = stop, ka bonakô = fast, ka bonya = slow, khubama = kneel, kwa godimo = up, kwa tlase = down, suta = walk.
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Devin nods to Torunn when he looks at him.
"That's fine with me. "
He listens as Gimbel orders the supplies to go along with the elephant.
"Hold on Gimbel. You offered a simple howdah that seats seven not four ”
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Hey D, what? Well the offer was for a 7 passenger seat, not 4. If we get 4 then some of us will have to walk. I just want to see the deal done right. "
He smiles at her reassuringly.
At Devin's questioning of the howdah size, Milosh says "perhaps I did not explain what I meant by a four seat howdah or the ability to carry seven people. I can assure that Golemogotê' can easily carry seven people as follows: the driver on his neck, four in a two by two configuration in the howdah and two standing on a platform at the rear of the howdah."
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"OK, that makes sense. Let's get this done then. I'm just a rider. "
Devin accepts this explanation.
"I'm not sure what other provisions I would need I believe in ready to go anytime. "
He tells the others.
Torunn shakes Milosh's hand but before he follows him inside, he turns to the group and hands out everyones share of coins from what the change will be, then turns to Devin, "If you dont mind coming with me after we pay for the elephant, as you mentioned you don't need to purchase anything, it would help if you took me to the shops i require as it would significantly reduce the time it takes me to find my way around, with you being a local and all. Then we can meet the group with the elephant at the city gates."
As i mentioned in discord, no need to roleplay shopping, just stating how Torunn would get horribly lost without a guide.
Jaylen accepts her coins. "I will stay tonight at the Tower of Luck and return here in the morning to retrieve or help retrieve our elephant." She gives Gimble a little nod, but does not smile at the gnome. "Good night."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Meiva smiles awkwardly.
"Y-es, that is acceptable." She glances at Jaylen, then hurriedly looks away.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Grimble says "hugs - l love hugs!" Milosh says "a simple handshake is sufficient for me!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Devin quickly agrees to escort Torunn to any shops that he may wish to visit.
D.O.R.K nods once, and then proceeds to give Milosh a little overly firm handshake before kneeling to gently hug Grimble. It is almost she knew exactly how much pressure to place when it came to the small folk before hitting that discomfort level. That, and that the small folk tended to dislike being held up most of the time. "Appreciation Procedure Complete. See you later, Grimble and Milosh of Brokengulf’s Exotic Animal Emporium." She said, giving one final clipped salute before walking over to Meiva. Having caught the look between her and Jayleen before, D.O.R.K glances over to Jayleen once as well. "If you would feel more comfortable if she joins us, I have no compunctions."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The next morning the group gathers at the emporium. Taking posession of the elephant they stow their packs on the wagon and climb aboard.
Devin leads the way through the city easily finding the wider roads to navigate with the elephant.
In a short time he stops near the South gate. Before them stands a high signpost mounted in the middle of the crossroads with hanging arrows pointing toward the harbor and each of the city gates.
"This is the Waymoot. It magically directs travelers to locations spoken into a crystal on the post. Once a site is spoken, the Waymoot writes the destination onto the relevant arrow and indicates its distance from Waterdeep. When I was a kid I would come here and watch adventurers speak of places I never heard of but sounded exotic and exciting. I would dream of going to see these places. I would even tell it locations I have heard others name just to watch it give directions even though I knew nothing of the places I spoke. Now I can truly tell it a location and intend to actually go."
Devin stepped forward and in a clear and confident voice he spoke to the crystal.
"Nightstone!"
Meiva peers down at the sign, watching with anticipation. After a bit of trouble, she adjusted quickly to the rolling motion of the elephant's walk, and now sits relatively comfortably on the beast.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Travelling to Nightstone
Day 2, First Ten-day, Month of Eleasis (High Sun) in the Year 1494 ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
About an hour after dawn (i.e. by 6.00 am) the party has loaded Golemogotê and the cart. The day is cool and a cold wind is blowing; as the party looks up they can see the clouds moving quickly suggesting that it is a strong wind which is blowing. Once everybody is aboard in the Howdah (Red who is closely watching Jaylen and Devin in the front seats and Toruun and Meiva in the back seats) Jaylen gives Golemogotê the command "suta" whilst gently nudging him behind the ears and the party sets off. As the party makes it way toward the South Gate, they get a few looks from citizens but not excessive. When the party reaches the crossroads created by the High Road and the Way of the Dragon, Devin swings down from Golemogotê and walks up to a high signpost (see Post #97) mounted in the middle of the crossroads. He says the word “Nightstone” and the arrow immediately spins to the east south east and three flags pop up. The first reads '30 miles', the second reads 'High Road' and the third reads 'South Gate'.
Following the instructions from the Waymoot, the party leaves Waterdeep via the South Gate and heads south on the High Road. After an uneventful day – except for meeting several parties of travelers heading north and overtaking and being overtaken by parties heading south – the party has travelled about 20 miles when it comes to clear grassy area with a stream flowing through it.
OOC: This is an ideal opportunity for the party to describe how they set up camp, post watches, etc. As what the party does this night, does not influence anything (i.e. no random encounters – mores the pity) I will, in the interests of keeping the campaign moving, continuing the post.
Day 3, First Ten-day, Month of Eleasis (High Sun) in the Year 1494 ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
The next day is warmer than yesterday and the wind that was blowing previously has dropped away to nothing. After packing up camp, the party sets off. This time it is Red who gives Golemogotê the command to walk. About 2 miles down the road you see a track heading off to the East and a sign saying Nightstone. Red directs Golemogotê, who takes the opportunity, while the party is stopped looking at the sign, to grab a couple of trunkfuls of branches and shove them into his mouth, to turn left up the trail.
After following the trail for ten miles, which has taken you about three and a half hours, you hear the ringing of a bell. The sound grows louder as Nightstone comes into view. As you approach you see a small village ahead which is surrounded by a river, acting as a moat. The village itself is protected by a wooden palisade, beyond which you see a windmill, a tall steeple, and the high-pitched rooftops of several other buildings. Apart from the ringing of the bell, you detect no other activity in the village. The trail ends before a lowered drawbridge that spans the moat. Beyond the drawbridge, two stone watchtowers flank an open gap in the palisade.
South of the village and surrounded by the river moat is a cone-shaped, flat-topped hill on which stands a stone keep enclosed by a wooden wall. The keep, which overlooks the village, has partially collapsed. A wooden bridge that once connected the keep to the village has also partially collapsed (See side view map in Discord).
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
The first night of camp, Jaylen ends up spending most of her time awake with Golem — and by extension (I'm assuming) Dork. Despite her initial dismissal of the idea of buying an elephant, the cleric of Tymora has found the animal's presence comforting. "I've not actually spent much time with animals," Jaylen admits to Dork as the two females fuss over their new "pet." "The few I've needed to be around always seemed friendly enough toward me, even when not toward others. And I seem to have a natural way with them ..." She looks up into one of Golem's black eyes and smiles. "He kind of rubs off on you, doesn't he?"