Jaq will put up his hand in stopping motion for Thir, and then point in the direction of the sound. He will move close to Thir and quietly say, "I hear voices."
Thir pauses and creeps over to Jaq. She follows the direction of Jaq's pointing and tilts her head to listen before slowly shrinking down. She whispers back,
"Dragon."
Long after the voices fade, to the west from what Jaq can tell, Thir remains motionless. She then proceeds slowly on the same course as before, crossing a well stomped down trail in the snow made by far more than two sets of feet.
Thir examines the trail, giving it a sniff, and bares her teeth in a very unfriendly manner before continuing south. Nearly an hour later she explains to Jaq, still at a whisper,
"Ogre and kobold."
The rest of the day's journey is uneventful and tiring, Thir only allowing a few short breaks after the encounter. Jaq also gets the impression she is moving in odd patterns, which is confirmed when they recross their own trail. As darkness falls, Thir has Jaq climb a tree and then hop to another before jumping to the side of a hill and sliding in a pile of icy scree to a frozen stream. As the pair walk up the frozen stream Thir starts tapping trees, seemingly randomly. When the stream opens up to a pond Thir walks out on the ice and, upon reaching the middle, waves Jaq after her. She does a slow spin, eyeing the dark woods, with her arms open. She indicates Jaq should do the same. When the spin is complete she taps the ice three times, then two times and then three times.
For a long while the pair just stand looking into the darkness. Thir waves Jaq to silence while they stand there and, surprisingly a chunk of ice of the pond lifts up near the edge of the pond and then another. From both holes a pair bugbear emerge, arrows aimed at Jaq and Thir. A third and then four bugbear emerge and point their bows at the pair waiting on the ice. Thir doesn't seem worried, and after some hissed words in goblin, the pair are quickly pushed into the opened ice hatches.
Jaq finds himself under the ice, but it seems the water that should be below it has been replaced with many bugbear, a few goblins and at least one hobgoblin. The pond bottom, which is what it must be, is filled with a milling mass of goblinkin. All turn to the new arrivals and quiet voices fill the confined space. There is hardly any space to move and Jaq sees more than a few hostile expressions directed his way. Four that collected Jaq and Thir stand nearby and say something that is quickly repeated and carried across the throng and before long an old bugbear woman is lifted and carried, gently, over the heads of the others to be placed before Jaq.
Thir and the woman have a discussion which involves a good deal of pointing at Jaq and up at the icy roof. There are several murmurs from the crowd that the old woman waves down before she finally turns to inspect Jaq. For the first time since he has arrived, Jaq is addressed, in Elven,
"So, enemy of my blood, you would help us? Thir vouches for your intentions, but what assurance do I have you do not serve the green fiend?"
----
The Librarian has made the nearly same as the night before, sans the meat grapes and with a white cheesy sauce. She has instead opted to try and refine the pasta, following Joe's advice.
The sauce is good, as it was before, but the noodles are...different. They have somehow become smooth, like silk would feel in your hand, when placed in your mouth. They taste the same, but oddly give a tickling feeling on the roof the mouth that doesn't really go away when swallowed.
Joe explains,
"I got no clue how she managed to make pasta itchy."
Kroshav will visit Lurn's remains and update his friend on the delay with his new accommodations due to needing to rehouse some goblins, to keep the Library safe from the dragon that may or may not be help against Gethren if they can manage to pit the two against each other, but it's a long shot. He gets worried about Jaq, and spends his evening prayer asking his gods to watch over his friends.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Trying to hide his surprise at the unique den, Jaq looks about to see how many are in Thir’s group.
Jaq nods deeply at the older woman. “I have no liking of that dragon. I have never met one before this one. And our brief meeting was not pleasant. Thir has seen where we are staying. And we are worried this dragon will want to take it away from its rightful owner. Our group thinks that we can work together to help each other. We can rid this area of the dragon. She is a threat to us. And she hunts your group too. We are not enemies. We are friends due to a common enemy.” He knows he is rambling so he stops to await her response or question
The old bugbear listens with an expression between boredom and disbelief as Jaq finishes up.
"Friends because of a common enemy you say. What happens when the enemy is gone then? What makes you think you can even challenge her? Thir says you are few and the dragon has many servants."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cladmir see Kroshav prays, but not entire sure what the paladin could be praying about. Most likely case is to ask the gods to protect Jaq... or help for direction with the current foes... or for the souls of departed friends... after going around and around Cladmir gave up and decided he should try some praying of his own.
Pretty new to praying to what he has considered until now distant, unknowable, and uncaring gods, Cladmir simply prays to know if he is on the right course or not.
(( Religion: 16 <-- +1 from stone of good luck, if that even makes sense, and -1 from not being very religious for a long time.)
Cladmir, spying on his 'mentor', decides to take up religion.
Finding a quiet spot he sends his prayer asking for guidance into the void...
((Roll me a d100 @Cladmir!))
---
Jaq gets the distinct impression the woman is putting on an act. At first he thought it was for his sake but, watching her eyes wander over the mass of goblinkin, he understands it is for those crammed in here, under the icy ceiling.
Her (excellent) usage of elven is also probably an attempt for her to hide the slight tinge of desperation in her words from being understood by the masses.
She wandering eye fixes back on Jaq awaiting his response.
Ernos isn't much of one for prayer himself, but he's not the sort to disrupt others' either. Instead he just spends his time making new faces with Disguise Self.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Active Characters: Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer,Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula,Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
Ernos makes new faces in front of a scavenged Drow mirror. It is hard to get a read on how good they are, but Ernos thinks most are pretty good. Does a hell of a good dragonborn now, though he wonders if all his dragonborn are perhaps Kroshav reminiscent.
Jaq takes a breath so that he continues to speak calmly and look calm in the midst of this. "Thir has seen our group. We are small, but have our power. We have taken on our share of strong foes and we are here to still talk about it. "
Taking a glance at all watching and listening, "My friends are using their power, and some magic, to build a safe den. Thir has seen us at work. This would be for your kin. We would ask your assistance with dealing with that green dragon's minions. While we try to end it. And yes, I do think we can be friends and not enemies. Our group isn't going to stay in this area forever, we would try to end this menace, and sometime after that we will travel again, leaving you with this new den. Hopefully leaving you behind as friends."
Midway through his prayer Cladmir gets an odd sensation he is being watched, looking around he doesn't see anyone or anything. Finishing his prayers he looks around and could swear the complete darkness of the Archives seems a bit...darker? Maybe more tangible?
Probably just in his head.
---
The old bugbear chews her lip as she listens.
She snorts when Jaq says they are preparing her and her people a den.
"You think we are animals that live in dens? Do your people live in villages or dens?"
She waves any response aside and continues.
"Thir has seen your group and was most impressed by the snake woman. She has also spoken of the cave you are preparing for us."
She gestures upwards to the ceiling of ice,
"We have few options, in the spring we will be forced up. From that point we will either join with the dragon or be devoured by her. Wait here."
The old turns and begins speaking to Thir and a few other older bugbears a short distance off. The pressure of the crowd increases around Jaq and he finds himself standing surrounded by a dozen children of various heights (and presumably ages). The one of the four guards say something to the kids, most of whom laugh. Whatever was said must get repeated as people further and further away laugh or chuckle. A younger child quickly jabs Jaq with a finger and tries to slip away but the crowd slows a quick escape into an awkward escape.
As people are starting to lose interest in Jaq, most of the kids included, the old woman shuffles back over and says in elvish,
"Accepted. We leave for the cave tomorrow, from there we plan the end of the dragon."
Ignoring the children and the snickering, he just stays silent and awaits an answer. He looks upwards and tries to figure out exactly how they managed to create their 'ice cave'.
Jaq ignores commenting on his faux pas and just moves on, as the outcome became what they wanted.
"Good. I'm glad you have agreed to let us help each other with the dragon."
((Just waiting for Row so we don't get two timelines again. Pretty sure I lost a day for a group last time.))
Jaq will put up his hand in stopping motion for Thir, and then point in the direction of the sound. He will move close to Thir and quietly say, "I hear voices."
Thir pauses and creeps over to Jaq. She follows the direction of Jaq's pointing and tilts her head to listen before slowly shrinking down. She whispers back,
"Dragon."
Long after the voices fade, to the west from what Jaq can tell, Thir remains motionless. She then proceeds slowly on the same course as before, crossing a well stomped down trail in the snow made by far more than two sets of feet.
Thir examines the trail, giving it a sniff, and bares her teeth in a very unfriendly manner before continuing south. Nearly an hour later she explains to Jaq, still at a whisper,
"Ogre and kobold."
The rest of the day's journey is uneventful and tiring, Thir only allowing a few short breaks after the encounter. Jaq also gets the impression she is moving in odd patterns, which is confirmed when they recross their own trail. As darkness falls, Thir has Jaq climb a tree and then hop to another before jumping to the side of a hill and sliding in a pile of icy scree to a frozen stream. As the pair walk up the frozen stream Thir starts tapping trees, seemingly randomly. When the stream opens up to a pond Thir walks out on the ice and, upon reaching the middle, waves Jaq after her. She does a slow spin, eyeing the dark woods, with her arms open. She indicates Jaq should do the same. When the spin is complete she taps the ice three times, then two times and then three times.
For a long while the pair just stand looking into the darkness. Thir waves Jaq to silence while they stand there and, surprisingly a chunk of ice of the pond lifts up near the edge of the pond and then another. From both holes a pair bugbear emerge, arrows aimed at Jaq and Thir. A third and then four bugbear emerge and point their bows at the pair waiting on the ice. Thir doesn't seem worried, and after some hissed words in goblin, the pair are quickly pushed into the opened ice hatches.
Jaq finds himself under the ice, but it seems the water that should be below it has been replaced with many bugbear, a few goblins and at least one hobgoblin. The pond bottom, which is what it must be, is filled with a milling mass of goblinkin. All turn to the new arrivals and quiet voices fill the confined space. There is hardly any space to move and Jaq sees more than a few hostile expressions directed his way. Four that collected Jaq and Thir stand nearby and say something that is quickly repeated and carried across the throng and before long an old bugbear woman is lifted and carried, gently, over the heads of the others to be placed before Jaq.
Thir and the woman have a discussion which involves a good deal of pointing at Jaq and up at the icy roof. There are several murmurs from the crowd that the old woman waves down before she finally turns to inspect Jaq. For the first time since he has arrived, Jaq is addressed, in Elven,
"So, enemy of my blood, you would help us? Thir vouches for your intentions, but what assurance do I have you do not serve the green fiend?"
----
The Librarian has made the nearly same as the night before, sans the meat grapes and with a white cheesy sauce. She has instead opted to try and refine the pasta, following Joe's advice.
The sauce is good, as it was before, but the noodles are...different. They have somehow become smooth, like silk would feel in your hand, when placed in your mouth. They taste the same, but oddly give a tickling feeling on the roof the mouth that doesn't really go away when swallowed.
Joe explains,
"I got no clue how she managed to make pasta itchy."
It is, other than the itching, pretty good!
((Anything for Tomb team tonight?))
Kroshav will visit Lurn's remains and update his friend on the delay with his new accommodations due to needing to rehouse some goblins, to keep the Library safe from the dragon that may or may not be help against Gethren if they can manage to pit the two against each other, but it's a long shot. He gets worried about Jaq, and spends his evening prayer asking his gods to watch over his friends.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Trying to hide his surprise at the unique den, Jaq looks about to see how many are in Thir’s group.
Jaq nods deeply at the older woman. “I have no liking of that dragon. I have never met one before this one. And our brief meeting was not pleasant. Thir has seen where we are staying. And we are worried this dragon will want to take it away from its rightful owner. Our group thinks that we can work together to help each other. We can rid this area of the dragon. She is a threat to us. And she hunts your group too. We are not enemies. We are friends due to a common enemy.” He knows he is rambling so he stops to await her response or question
((Religion check from Kroshav please.))
The old bugbear listens with an expression between boredom and disbelief as Jaq finishes up.
"Friends because of a common enemy you say. What happens when the enemy is gone then? What makes you think you can even challenge her? Thir says you are few and the dragon has many servants."
((Insight from Jaq please))
Religion: 12
((Lobbying for this coming from a place of emotional faith rather than smarts. 😉))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Kroshav gets a vague sense of... Approval? Definitely coming from one of the Five but he doesn't know which and for what exactly.
Having five gods is tough sometimes.
Cladmir see Kroshav prays, but not entire sure what the paladin could be praying about. Most likely case is to ask the gods to protect Jaq... or help for direction with the current foes... or for the souls of departed friends... after going around and around Cladmir gave up and decided he should try some praying of his own.
Pretty new to praying to what he has considered until now distant, unknowable, and uncaring gods, Cladmir simply prays to know if he is on the right course or not.
(( Religion: 16 <-- +1 from stone of good luck, if that even makes sense, and -1 from not being very religious for a long time.)
Insight: 19
Cladmir, spying on his 'mentor', decides to take up religion.
Finding a quiet spot he sends his prayer asking for guidance into the void...
((Roll me a d100 @Cladmir!))
---
Jaq gets the distinct impression the woman is putting on an act. At first he thought it was for his sake but, watching her eyes wander over the mass of goblinkin, he understands it is for those crammed in here, under the icy ceiling.
Her (excellent) usage of elven is also probably an attempt for her to hide the slight tinge of desperation in her words from being understood by the masses.
She wandering eye fixes back on Jaq awaiting his response.
Ernos isn't much of one for prayer himself, but he's not the sort to disrupt others' either. Instead he just spends his time making new faces with Disguise Self.
Active Characters:
Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer, Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula, Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
Ernos makes new faces in front of a scavenged Drow mirror. It is hard to get a read on how good they are, but Ernos thinks most are pretty good. Does a hell of a good dragonborn now, though he wonders if all his dragonborn are perhaps Kroshav reminiscent.
88
(( Booya! ))
Jaq takes a breath so that he continues to speak calmly and look calm in the midst of this. "Thir has seen our group. We are small, but have our power. We have taken on our share of strong foes and we are here to still talk about it. "
Taking a glance at all watching and listening, "My friends are using their power, and some magic, to build a safe den. Thir has seen us at work. This would be for your kin. We would ask your assistance with dealing with that green dragon's minions. While we try to end it. And yes, I do think we can be friends and not enemies. Our group isn't going to stay in this area forever, we would try to end this menace, and sometime after that we will travel again, leaving you with this new den. Hopefully leaving you behind as friends."
Midway through his prayer Cladmir gets an odd sensation he is being watched, looking around he doesn't see anyone or anything. Finishing his prayers he looks around and could swear the complete darkness of the Archives seems a bit...darker? Maybe more tangible?
Probably just in his head.
---
The old bugbear chews her lip as she listens.
She snorts when Jaq says they are preparing her and her people a den.
"You think we are animals that live in dens? Do your people live in villages or dens?"
She waves any response aside and continues.
"Thir has seen your group and was most impressed by the snake woman. She has also spoken of the cave you are preparing for us."
She gestures upwards to the ceiling of ice,
"We have few options, in the spring we will be forced up. From that point we will either join with the dragon or be devoured by her. Wait here."
The old turns and begins speaking to Thir and a few other older bugbears a short distance off. The pressure of the crowd increases around Jaq and he finds himself standing surrounded by a dozen children of various heights (and presumably ages). The one of the four guards say something to the kids, most of whom laugh. Whatever was said must get repeated as people further and further away laugh or chuckle. A younger child quickly jabs Jaq with a finger and tries to slip away but the crowd slows a quick escape into an awkward escape.
As people are starting to lose interest in Jaq, most of the kids included, the old woman shuffles back over and says in elvish,
"Accepted. We leave for the cave tomorrow, from there we plan the end of the dragon."
Ignoring the children and the snickering, he just stays silent and awaits an answer. He looks upwards and tries to figure out exactly how they managed to create their 'ice cave'.
Jaq ignores commenting on his faux pas and just moves on, as the outcome became what they wanted.
"Good. I'm glad you have agreed to let us help each other with the dragon."
"Tomorrow we travel."
See Jaq look up the old bugbear explains,
"The water on top froze as do the streams feeding it, but the water beneath doesn't. The water left below flows away,"
She gestures to the south.
"My tribe found it decades ago, it was an oddity. Now it's a refuge."
She tilts her head up to gaze up.
"Until the thaw. Then it will become a death trap."
Jaq is shown by Thir to the spot they will be sleeping, about 15ft from where they were talking before. She explains,
"You mine now. Stay close. No pee."
Jaq finds he doesn't have much option but to stay close to Thir and a half dozen others while he trances.
((Anything special during the night?))
((I think that's best kept private between Thir and Jaq.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock