Tests and Trials Game Thread

Done with the other books he has asked for during the slower days a while back, Jaq will also ask the golems for another book to read.  "Can I get a book brought to me, please?  I would like an older book, written in Dwarvish.  Just so I get more practice with the language.  Any topic will do, surprise me please!"

When he gets a response from the golem/librarian, he will ask, "Oh, Librarian, that is unless you have a task you might like to have done.  If so, I will do that for you rather than read another book."

Jaq receives a negative response on activities for him to do and is brought a thick tomb with intricate designs in a cover inlaid with different metals. Squinting at oddly shaped dwarven runes, nearly unreadable in their ornateness, Jaq reads 'Smelting - A life's passion' it could also maybe say "Smelting - A lifetime's love' or maybe "Smelting - A life's lover". Probably not the last one. Opening the book he finds he is reading a dwarf's biography. Said dwarf, a Kilnar Scarred-Hands of the Glintsten clan, is very, very focused on his occupation but does briefly mention he has a wife and family but doesn't actually ever get around giving their names. It is going to be a tough read.

Leaving the fire to find some books Cladmir finds a suitable golem to ask after dangers.

The golem, standing in the stairwell, responds after a pause,

"Yes. The archives contain books on the dangers of the area near ----- but they were more of historical reference when they were stored and now they are a thousand years more out of date. You are welcome to read them, though I am not sure of their current relevance. I will have them delivered to your room?"

Kroshav checks on the horses and finds them pleased to not be outside in the storm, the howl of which is clearly audible on the first floor, but less pleased to be underground. He finds Lurn to be undisturbed but does notice drag marks in the dust and dirt near him.

He finds one of the golems to ask about the drag marks, tempering his request with deference to their host.

The golem responds,

"Mikram has come up several times and moved around Lurn's body. He means of locomotion, once set down, is primarily dragging himself forward."

Cladmir thought a bit of the out-of-date information, but decided that just because time has passed does not mean that the dangers are no longer there.

"If there are any information with regards to possible vampires activities in the area that would be nice.  Otherwise, a few books that gives some general ideas about what dangers lurk should be sufficient.  Also a book on Yeti, and creatures that lurked in the cold would be helpful.  And yes I would like them in my room please."

Cladmir finds the books in his room when he gets back.

One is called "Yon Bestairy av the Mountains". It looks to be a very, very old accounting of the creatures by the mountains. Yetis, along with many other mountain and forest living beasts are noted. The book is broad but relatively shallow as so many creatures are included. In the V/W section there is a note on vampyres:

"Vampyrs, drinkers of blood are of rare appearance in these areas, having preference to dvell in large towns and cities."

((Any creatures otherwise you interested in?))

Depending on how the book is organized, Cladmir would limit his search to the most dangerous and most numerous creatures that are in the area.

If no such organization exists then he is going to have do some additional investigation.  Investigation: 15

The beastiary seems to arranged in something vaguely resembling alphabetical but with man references to other entries. For instance wolf would refer you to D for Dire, C for common, H för hellspawned, S for snow, T for timber, L for little (which would just refer you to see coyote), and so on. It makes finding anything specific a chore.

After some intense cross indexing, and many fingers held between pages to make sure he was getting everything, Cladmir feels confident he knows what was a problem in the area around a thousand years before.

Yetis were noted as a nuisance, stone giants were serious threats, ogre clans were a problem, manticores were uncommon but dangerous and trolls were apparently everywhere (more than a dozen cross references). A dragon, a red, also apparently lived in the range but as Cladmir doesn't recall anyone mentioning a massive red dragon in the Thalmiirs he is pretty sure they've moved on (in one sense or the other).

The next time the group meets up Cladmir will share his findings with the others -- emphasizing the fact, of course, that this information can from a source long long time ago.

"But if the yetis are still here, there is a good chance we could face these other creatures as well so may as well be prepared just in case," concluded Cladmir with a smile he hope is convincing.

Persuasion:  14

Kroshav frowns. 

"Trolls tried stealing Lurn once, not gonna let that happen. That acid hammers good against them, keeps em from healing."

As the day goes on, the newcomer sits by his fire with Jaq and a handful of golems and the constant tapping from the darkness that is Mikram.

Ernos spends the time mumbling and twisting the flames of the fire and occasionally changing its colors. After a few hours even that gets played out so when Cladmir comes to share his hard won knowledge the man offers,

"Yetis? Beasts of snow often fear fire. I can help ward them away."

He emphasizes his point by making the fire before him briefly grow larger and brighter.

Cladmir, from what little information was provided on yetis, knows that they do indeed fear fire.

Cladmir looked at the fire in admiration, and wondered if there was a way to take advantage of having fire on demand.  His mind drifted to the thoughts of fire arrows.... yes... fire arrows would be nice against snow creature...  but then one will have to make those fire arrows, which while not hard will require some work.  Then there is the question of logistics, carrying them around in any meaningful number would be a challenge, not to mention hazardous if one will also have to carry a torch.  Setting up and using would also be problematic because that would mean having the source of fire nearby.  Normally not a problem is a static situation if one can just put down a torch, but we one were to move around then that would be more challenging.  Hitting something with a fire arrow would also be problematic, as attaching burning material onto a regular arrow would greatly alter the balance and flight characteristics, and also require firing at a steeper angle to reach the same range.  Now it is possible that a well trained ranger could still hit the intended target with the flaming arrow, but as for a regular skirmisher like him, fire arrows only really work in a sizable volley and served better as a harassment or siege tool...  Now in a siege that would make sense to deploy fire arrows because there would be proper logistics to support transporting...

To anyone paying attention to Cladmir it would look like he basically spaced out with a rather peculiar look on his face, before he shook his head and came back to the real world.

Ernos looks between those nearby expectantly and coughs lightly at the lack of response, particularly from a far, far away Cladmir.

The sound of coughing pulled Cladmir from his reverie and he shook his head gently before blurting out, "Ah yes, fire arrow for a siege is indeed..." before he caught himself and tried to cover his non-sensical ranting by coughing repeatedly and then falling silent with an awkward look.

"So, when are we planning on having the funeral?" he asks quietly, looking mainly at Kroshav for an answer.  

Everyone is in such a funk, and quiet, so he hopes the funeral might be soon, as it would give some closure.

Kroshav looks up at the ceiling, his thoughts going to the weather outside as he scowls.

"Whenever the forking snow stops forking storming long enough to carve the forking burial chamber. Until then I'll keep Lurn fresh. Maybe a week or two? Need to find the right spot first."

Cladmir sat quietly thinking about funeral.  He had attended many, but often were just ceremonies for the many dead in battle.  Rarely had he attended one that would be as intimate as what will be for Lurn.

Kroshav heaves a huge sigh, and after a moment shares with his friends what his intentions are for Lurn.

"Kelemvor favors rock cairns for the dead, remember Lurn placing stones on graves. I mean to make him a rock cairn the likes of which have never been seen, a mountain of rock and stone for our friend. I know what I'm looking for, and with the claws, can dig out a sarc- sa- a stone coffin for Lurn's body. We can have a ceremony for him when we place him inside, then cover it in as much stone as can be mustered. I'm not much for reading, I'll be better off out there doing something, once the storms let up."

Mikram, having taken a break from whatever he was doing asks for a translation of what Kroshav says and in turn has Jaq translate back,

"A place under stone is best for everyone. Lurn deserves that. Aye'm working on a bit of monument to the man. Its going to take a week or more but aye got nothing but time."

Ernos shifts by the fire but doesn't add to the conversation.

Kroshav will use Jaq as translator (or perhaps see if he can borrow Joe's belt?) to be able to converse with Mikram to make sure that they aren't working at cross purposes or redundancies as far as plans for Lurn. Mikram is likely more of an expert in working stone, Kroshav just has a pair of magic claws and  burning determination.