This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nub continues moving forward, keeping pace with Soar. He hasn't seen ogres before (he is only 10 in humanoid years, though that is equivalent of being in 20s) and asks Soar a little too loudly "what species are these creatures?"
Int check to make an educated guess about the uniforms if appropriate:
Soar turns to Nub and whispers back, "why, they are the majestic ogre! Imagine being so strong."
To the fancy ogres, Soar says, "Yes! We have business to place before Blagothkus. We came in just before the last shipment, so we hope to speak with him as soon as we can."
She's presenting very authoritatively, with an easy charm. No malice, but not a lot of give to her position. An expectation that she will be listened to.
Nub and Jalt, you can't really tell much from the uniforms. They're not particularly well made, though they're tough enough to survive being worn by an ogre, and they don't have any dragon emblems. That's about it.
An ogre nods. Yeah, they want to see boss.
A uniformed ogre replies: Boss up. Come up. He heads to a set of stairs, while two more uniformed ogres follow you, and the others remain on the ground floor.
You reach the top of the stairs, and pass through a door made of magically enhanced ice. The walls of this room are sculpted with icy murals depicting cloud giants riding giant birds. An enormous bed with a headboard of ice sculpted to resemble clouds dominates the room. Bear furs are heaped upon the bed, and two large wooden chests rest at the bed’s foot.
A blue-skinned giant sits on the floor with his legs crossed while two ogres comb his snowy white hair. The giant’s hulking morningstar leans against the bed within arm’s reach. Even sitting down, he of course towers over you.
The ogres are engrossed in their task, but the giant looks down at you as you enter, and speaks to you in common: Why do you disturb me, small folk? The Lady Rezmir is in her chambers; go and bother her.
The uniformed ogres who escorted you remain near the doorway, watching you carefully, but they do not speak.
Soar bows deeply, and nods amiably to the ogres. "Hail and well met, Blagothkus! My name is Soar. My friends and I may carry this banner, but can I be honest with you? We are no friend of the Cult of the Dragon Queen, nor Tiamat. And a powerful mole within the ranks of this organization suggested to me that you, being as brilliant as you are, second that emotion. I hope I was not misinformed. So I have a proposal for you. Let us become useful to each other. We share the knowledge we have with you, and you share the knowledge you have with us. We take care of your problems, and you... let us take care of your problems without alerting Rezmir or Jos or the others about us. What do you say?"
She's... extremely nervous! But there's not way she's showing it. There's an easy confidence radiating from her that's sincere, but she's also ready to bolt out of there. This has gone way better than she expected, but it could also go way worse.
Hmmmm, the cloud giant takes a fair number of seconds to think. An interesting series of claims. I have no great love for the Cult of the Dragon, but no enmity with them either. So far they are paying well and upholding their side of the agreement. Hmmmm... What problem are you proposing to take care of?
Ok at this point Nate is just down right in awe of Soar's confidence.
As Nate sees this huge hulking giant, he's not sure he'd be able to even speak to this thing. He just listens to Soar talk to it, and I bet Blagothkus's voice just booms even with a whisper. Nate can likely feel the sound vibrate on his body.
Nate thinks to himself Rezmir, Jos... ask him how we get to them but he's of course not actually asking that question at this point.
He also thinks that the two ogres combing Blagothkus's hair is a bit creepy. Actually a lot creepy. Even for a giant king.
Soar nods, pursing her lips and thinking of herself. She turns and looks at the rest of the group with only a slight hint of panic, and also a welcome to suggest anything they might want to try.
She returns her gaze to the giant. "I guess my question is what happens to you, and all ogres, and this castle, and your family, and all of giantkin, if they release Tiamat. I'm not 100% clear on how and where they plan to do this, but the 'why' is... total destruction. Of everything. Burn it all down, and with them ruling the remains. You can only float above such an inferno for so long. And once they get to that goal, they don't need a cloud giant alive. You seem like a nice fellow, with frankly amazing hair, so that would be a shame."
The half-elf pushes a strand of hair out of her eyes and renews her gaze into the giant, boring into his mind as best she can, really trying to get a sense of him.
"I can't assume you haven't thought this through, so you're working with them for some reason. I'd love to hear it. But no matter what that reason is, you want a backup plan. Some way of keeping them in check, denying them limitless, runaway power. Something you could maybe deny knowing about if it all goes wrong and it's found out. Something--someone... like us. We've been a thorn in their side from here to Greenest. We wear the armor and weapons of their fallen like trophies and badges of honor. We have no quarrel with you, and I'm an optimistic lass. Perhaps to a fault. But I believe we can work together. Tell me where the cult spends time here in your castle, and where we could stay out of everyone's hair for a time and observe. Tell me how you see this ending, and tell me you don't want an ace in the hole. Tell me you don't want Wildcards."
Blagothkus regards Soar for a half a minute, studying her face and thinking, one giant finger tapping on the floor. He makes a sudden hand gesture, and the ogre guards leave and close the door from the outside, and you hear footsteps as they trudge down the stairs. Only you, the cloud giant and the two ogre servants remain.
It is good that you see the danger posed by the dragon queen and her dogs, small ones. But it is concerning that you think to intervene. The coming conflict will be fought between giants and dragons, as has always been the way of this world. What difference do you think to make? I doubt there is much you could learn through observing the cultists than what I already know. And I do not see how wildcards would serve my plans, other than to disrupt them.
Nub doesn't seem comfortable talking directly to Blagothkus and so says to Soar "Can you tell him we have allies as well? Also, that as little ones ourselves, we can probably stop the little ones - or dogs - of the cult, so that the conflict with a dragon god can be avoided. There will still be lots of other conflict for them to enjoy if they enjoy battle, just not against a god who will try and destroy everything. Can you tell him that?"
Nate looks at Soar with a puzzled look when she compliments the giant's hair.
Other than that, like Nub, he remains quiet for the moment. He didn't realize this long history of wars between the dragons and the giants, and his feelings of revenge and hatred towards the cult seem quite insignificant now as he listens to the giant and Soar discuss matters. He also knows that the giant wouldn't be the least bit sympathetic to his feeble plight for revenge, so he remains quiet.
However, once his initial awe and novelty of the giant and his quarters (and the creepy servants brushing his hair) goes away, Nate would likely interrupt Soar out of frustration of the giant's last comments, and says in his typical naive manner:
"So, Mr. Blagothkus, sir, who wins? I mean, is there ever a winner in these blasted wars you all wage? I know there are losers, that's for sure."
The giants will win, Blagothkus rumbles a little more loudly than his previous statements. The giants will win, and the smallfolk will be safe under our protection. But first my people must see the threat, and awaken from their rest. Hmmmm.... he seems to be thinking...
Nate interrupts the giants thinking "Are you sure? Are you sure the giants will win? Let us show you the threat. We've seen some of it already. Let us infiltrate and gather even more info on their plans. This should be reason enough to help us in this moment, should it not?"
So you say that there is no other course than to allow Tiamat to return? Jalt steps forward and asks. I do not wish to stand between the giants and the dragons. I wish to stand between the Cult and the rest of civilization. If we can weaken the cult, would that not allow your kind to only concentrate on the efforts of the dragons?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Tiamat will return, I think. The only questions is when. Will it be now, with these fools? The cloud giant waves his hand in the direction of the rest of the castle where the cultists are. Or a hundred years from now, two hundred years, with a different group. It matters little to me, or to the world. Perhaps for smallfolk it is different.
He sighs, and gives a massive shrugs, causing one of his servants to tut as their grooming is momentarily interrupted. If you wish to spy on Rezmir and her cohorts, or if you wish to kill them, I will not interfere. Destroying this group might set the cult back a little, a year perhaps, if such things are important to you.
Soar's spirit is buoyed as her friends speak up. "We are with you on exposing the threat. Setting them back a year would mean a great deal to us, if you are fine with it. Do you know their destination? And when you will depart, and how long the journey? If you could share a general description of where the cult resides in your magnificent castle, and where we might remain undetected by them for the time being, that would be helpful. We will also stay out of your way in whatever manner that you wish. Perhaps it would be better for us to lay low until midway through the journey, and just listen and observe."
She looks around the room a bit, taking in a bit more detail than adrenaline allowed before. "I really am impressed by this castle. Did you build it? I'd love to know how it works, to whatever extent you feel comfortable sharing. It's a work of art."
4
(typical) lol
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Nub continues moving forward, keeping pace with Soar. He hasn't seen ogres before (he is only 10 in humanoid years, though that is equivalent of being in 20s) and asks Soar a little too loudly "what species are these creatures?"
Int check to make an educated guess about the uniforms if appropriate:
23
Soar turns to Nub and whispers back, "why, they are the majestic ogre! Imagine being so strong."
To the fancy ogres, Soar says, "Yes! We have business to place before Blagothkus. We came in just before the last shipment, so we hope to speak with him as soon as we can."
She's presenting very authoritatively, with an easy charm. No malice, but not a lot of give to her position. An expectation that she will be listened to.
Nate's not doing any type of check, he'd have no idea whatsoever. He'd just know that they are likely ogres of some kind.
Nub and Jalt, you can't really tell much from the uniforms. They're not particularly well made, though they're tough enough to survive being worn by an ogre, and they don't have any dragon emblems. That's about it.
An ogre nods. Yeah, they want to see boss.
A uniformed ogre replies: Boss up. Come up. He heads to a set of stairs, while two more uniformed ogres follow you, and the others remain on the ground floor.
You reach the top of the stairs, and pass through a door made of magically enhanced ice. The walls of this room are sculpted with icy murals depicting cloud giants riding giant birds. An enormous bed with a headboard of ice sculpted to resemble clouds dominates the room. Bear furs are heaped upon the bed, and two large wooden chests rest at the bed’s foot.
A blue-skinned giant sits on the floor with his legs crossed while two ogres comb his snowy white hair. The giant’s hulking morningstar leans against the bed within arm’s reach. Even sitting down, he of course towers over you.
The ogres are engrossed in their task, but the giant looks down at you as you enter, and speaks to you in common: Why do you disturb me, small folk? The Lady Rezmir is in her chambers; go and bother her.
The uniformed ogres who escorted you remain near the doorway, watching you carefully, but they do not speak.
Blagothkkus:
Soar bows deeply, and nods amiably to the ogres. "Hail and well met, Blagothkus! My name is Soar. My friends and I may carry this banner, but can I be honest with you? We are no friend of the Cult of the Dragon Queen, nor Tiamat. And a powerful mole within the ranks of this organization suggested to me that you, being as brilliant as you are, second that emotion. I hope I was not misinformed. So I have a proposal for you. Let us become useful to each other. We share the knowledge we have with you, and you share the knowledge you have with us. We take care of your problems, and you... let us take care of your problems without alerting Rezmir or Jos or the others about us. What do you say?"
She's... extremely nervous! But there's not way she's showing it. There's an easy confidence radiating from her that's sincere, but she's also ready to bolt out of there. This has gone way better than she expected, but it could also go way worse.
Hmmmm, the cloud giant takes a fair number of seconds to think. An interesting series of claims. I have no great love for the Cult of the Dragon, but no enmity with them either. So far they are paying well and upholding their side of the agreement. Hmmmm... What problem are you proposing to take care of?
Ok at this point Nate is just down right in awe of Soar's confidence.
As Nate sees this huge hulking giant, he's not sure he'd be able to even speak to this thing. He just listens to Soar talk to it, and I bet Blagothkus's voice just booms even with a whisper. Nate can likely feel the sound vibrate on his body.
Nate thinks to himself Rezmir, Jos... ask him how we get to them but he's of course not actually asking that question at this point.
He also thinks that the two ogres combing Blagothkus's hair is a bit creepy. Actually a lot creepy. Even for a giant king.
Soar nods, pursing her lips and thinking of herself. She turns and looks at the rest of the group with only a slight hint of panic, and also a welcome to suggest anything they might want to try.
She returns her gaze to the giant. "I guess my question is what happens to you, and all ogres, and this castle, and your family, and all of giantkin, if they release Tiamat. I'm not 100% clear on how and where they plan to do this, but the 'why' is... total destruction. Of everything. Burn it all down, and with them ruling the remains. You can only float above such an inferno for so long. And once they get to that goal, they don't need a cloud giant alive. You seem like a nice fellow, with frankly amazing hair, so that would be a shame."
The half-elf pushes a strand of hair out of her eyes and renews her gaze into the giant, boring into his mind as best she can, really trying to get a sense of him.
"I can't assume you haven't thought this through, so you're working with them for some reason. I'd love to hear it. But no matter what that reason is, you want a backup plan. Some way of keeping them in check, denying them limitless, runaway power. Something you could maybe deny knowing about if it all goes wrong and it's found out. Something--someone... like us. We've been a thorn in their side from here to Greenest. We wear the armor and weapons of their fallen like trophies and badges of honor. We have no quarrel with you, and I'm an optimistic lass. Perhaps to a fault. But I believe we can work together. Tell me where the cult spends time here in your castle, and where we could stay out of everyone's hair for a time and observe. Tell me how you see this ending, and tell me you don't want an ace in the hole. Tell me you don't want Wildcards."
Blagothkus regards Soar for a half a minute, studying her face and thinking, one giant finger tapping on the floor. He makes a sudden hand gesture, and the ogre guards leave and close the door from the outside, and you hear footsteps as they trudge down the stairs. Only you, the cloud giant and the two ogre servants remain.
It is good that you see the danger posed by the dragon queen and her dogs, small ones. But it is concerning that you think to intervene. The coming conflict will be fought between giants and dragons, as has always been the way of this world. What difference do you think to make? I doubt there is much you could learn through observing the cultists than what I already know. And I do not see how wildcards would serve my plans, other than to disrupt them.
Nub doesn't seem comfortable talking directly to Blagothkus and so says to Soar "Can you tell him we have allies as well? Also, that as little ones ourselves, we can probably stop the little ones - or dogs - of the cult, so that the conflict with a dragon god can be avoided. There will still be lots of other conflict for them to enjoy if they enjoy battle, just not against a god who will try and destroy everything. Can you tell him that?"
Nate looks at Soar with a puzzled look when she compliments the giant's hair.
Other than that, like Nub, he remains quiet for the moment. He didn't realize this long history of wars between the dragons and the giants, and his feelings of revenge and hatred towards the cult seem quite insignificant now as he listens to the giant and Soar discuss matters. He also knows that the giant wouldn't be the least bit sympathetic to his feeble plight for revenge, so he remains quiet.
However, once his initial awe and novelty of the giant and his quarters (and the creepy servants brushing his hair) goes away, Nate would likely interrupt Soar out of frustration of the giant's last comments, and says in his typical naive manner:
"So, Mr. Blagothkus, sir, who wins? I mean, is there ever a winner in these blasted wars you all wage? I know there are losers, that's for sure."
Nate then gulps and regrets saying that.
The giants will win, Blagothkus rumbles a little more loudly than his previous statements. The giants will win, and the smallfolk will be safe under our protection. But first my people must see the threat, and awaken from their rest. Hmmmm.... he seems to be thinking...
Nate interrupts the giants thinking "Are you sure? Are you sure the giants will win? Let us show you the threat. We've seen some of it already. Let us infiltrate and gather even more info on their plans. This should be reason enough to help us in this moment, should it not?"
So you say that there is no other course than to allow Tiamat to return? Jalt steps forward and asks. I do not wish to stand between the giants and the dragons. I wish to stand between the Cult and the rest of civilization. If we can weaken the cult, would that not allow your kind to only concentrate on the efforts of the dragons?
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Tiamat will return, I think. The only questions is when. Will it be now, with these fools? The cloud giant waves his hand in the direction of the rest of the castle where the cultists are. Or a hundred years from now, two hundred years, with a different group. It matters little to me, or to the world. Perhaps for smallfolk it is different.
He sighs, and gives a massive shrugs, causing one of his servants to tut as their grooming is momentarily interrupted. If you wish to spy on Rezmir and her cohorts, or if you wish to kill them, I will not interfere. Destroying this group might set the cult back a little, a year perhaps, if such things are important to you.
Soar's spirit is buoyed as her friends speak up. "We are with you on exposing the threat. Setting them back a year would mean a great deal to us, if you are fine with it. Do you know their destination? And when you will depart, and how long the journey? If you could share a general description of where the cult resides in your magnificent castle, and where we might remain undetected by them for the time being, that would be helpful. We will also stay out of your way in whatever manner that you wish. Perhaps it would be better for us to lay low until midway through the journey, and just listen and observe."
She looks around the room a bit, taking in a bit more detail than adrenaline allowed before. "I really am impressed by this castle. Did you build it? I'd love to know how it works, to whatever extent you feel comfortable sharing. It's a work of art."
Nate slowly nods in full agreement of all of Soar's next questions to the giant.
Aaand the ogres are still combing his hair, right? While this conversation is going on, yes? Are they restrained?
(I think the ogres cleared out of the room?)