Ronis meets the goliath party almost halfway between the site and where they were spotted, about 1/3 of a mile from Finnegan. They pull up short, roughly 80 feet from the sorcerer.
"The gnome mage is not welcome here," the lead goliath says in clear common. "And neither are you. Let the past lie in its grave."
Ronis will close the distance halfway, "Apologies for the trouble, we aren't here for conflict. Despite whatever interactions you've had with the gnome, I'm actually interested in talking. My name is Ronis Keldrag, might I have the honour of knowing the names of those I speak with? And might I ask; Why aren't we welcome? Is there something down there that shouldn't be uncovered? Are you guardians or caretakers of this place?"
The lead goliath eyes Dog as the fighter walks up behind Ronis. Eventually the lead goliath speaks. "I am Sturdyoak," he says, eyes not wavering from Dog. "Our people have sung the Lament of the Hills for 20 generations. We have not forgotten. We know the gnome to be as the Metalbringer and the Stonefeller and the others of old. They brought pain and destruction to these hills and the mountains beyond. They enslaved us to fight their wars. This one...the gnome...he promises dark deeds. He threatens my family with his digging into the past. If he does not leave, and you with him..."
Sturdyoak's eyes snap to Ronis.
"...then we will persuade you to leave by other means."
Ronis face softens somewhat, and he takes a long look back in the direction of Finnegan, before turning back to the gnomes. "I understand the harm done through the cruelty of those driven by lust for power more than most. The mage... he is cantankerous, and more than a little lustful for whatever's down there, but there is a situation back at our home, a very troubling one that could spell devastation for all of us, and he says that there's something down there that might help. I can't promise that he's not like those of the past who brought pain to this place, but I can promise that we will stop him if that is the case. So long as we're here, he wont be allowed do anything awful. But I can't speak for the future. How many times have you driven him off now? He's persistent, he'll keep coming back until some sort of worse confrontation is forced, and I know him to be powerful. I'd ask that you not risk yourselves in such a way, allow us to escort him to find what he is looking for that would aid us, no more, no less. We will not allow him to bring any harm to you or this place." He will then gesture at Dog. "This one seems to trust him at least, and I've only ever known him to act in other people's best interests. So please, allow us to look for what we may need, and then we will depart."
Sturdyoak's face tightens. "I don't know you," the goliath says. His eyes raise to look at Dog again. "But I do know this one. The Unnamed. He was raised outside the herd. Taken away by Snowshadow and Rockwind. He is un-whole. If the gnome employs him, then I am satisfied with you all leaving. I'm sorry that your home is in trouble. Do not bring it here."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tock would like to make an Insight check to see if it's an empty threat or if it's really a dude talking in code believing what he's saying and ready to use force. Insight check: 27
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ronis eyes narrow at the goliath's words. "I know not your cultural practices regarding your people and their 'naming', but I'll thank you not to insult an honourable warrior you know nothing about." He'll take a calming breath and look at Dog to see if he has anything to say. If not he will continue, "And It's more than just our home, it's a problem that will spread across our world if it's not dealt with. Imagine the tragedies of your history a thousand-fold over, the world will plunge into chaos and destruction. I promise that we will not allow the mage to harm this place or your people, you could even join us, but we must uncover what it is he claims can help us. All of us. Please."
(Can he attempt another Persuasion check? If so: 30)
"You know me?" Dog says, coming out of a bit of an internal stun. "Unnamed. I am named. Doggear Brakespine. I... Snowshadow, and Rockwind? Those names seem to fit those who raised me. You may be right about a few things. You are wrong about a few things. I am no longer employed by the gnome. I've spent much of my life resenting him, and grumbling about what he and my parents would do with books. I learned I might have been wrong about the books only after I'd left their world of letters. I'd like to one day earn some tattoos, though."
He gestures to the tattoos on the goliaths. Then he sighs, and gives a half-smile to Tock, remembering his reputation of talking too much.
"I do not know nearly enough the history of our people. I'd like to learn more. Perhaps one day I'd be able to spend the time to do so. Maybe you and yours could teach me. Right now, as Ronis here said, we seek to prevent divine disaster, which would indeed hurt the tribe. I will not let that old coot do anything to harm the peoples who live here, or try anything stupid. He thinks there is something in there that might help prevent that disaster. Would you consent to reviewing what old relics from the mage wars he might want to use for a bit? If not, what about deciding this via trial by combat? For myself, or myself and my friends here? No one needs to die today."
A long, tense pause falls over the conversation. Sturdyoak turns back to Ronis, leaving Dog's rambling unanswered for now. "We trust only ourselves in this matter," he says. "So..."
The goliath pauses, thinking. "If the gnome leaves...if he goes today...and does not return to these hills ever again, we will retrieve the item and bring it to you at the bank of the river at the outskirts of Tioratve."
This is the nearest town, a full day's hike from where everyone is right now.
"You must convince him of this," says Sturdyoak, "because, one way or another, we cannot abide his presence in these lands any longer."
Tock steps forward a bit, "Just for background - what happened? There seems to be a lot of tension and we haven't heard any explanation from his side."
"You have met the man," Sturdyoak says. "What is there to like about him? His ambition is unchecked. He glorifies the mad wizards, craves their secrets for himself. We lament his kind in our songs...his exact kind."
Tock, Ronis, and Dog return to the dig site where Martin stands watch. Finnegan has opened a roll of tools, splaying them about the place. It strikes Dog that Finnegan has not asked for assistance in digging. The gnome is doing the work himself and is already filthy with dirt and sweat.
Dog has no memories of the herd but he has talked with many who have such memories. While some duels occur over offenses of honor, they do not rely on the practice for resolving general disagreements or as a means of determining the truth of a matter or even to settle wagers. Generally the wisdom of the "Namers", those who give each goliath their nickname and revered as a kind of wise elder / shaman, is used to resolve conflicts within a tribe. Between tribes and with outsiders, a goliath herd will trade or fight as normally occurs between different groups of peoples.
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Tock will cast Tongues on himself and will stay back, abusing his [feat]observant[/feat] feat.
Ronis meets the goliath party almost halfway between the site and where they were spotted, about 1/3 of a mile from Finnegan. They pull up short, roughly 80 feet from the sorcerer.
"The gnome mage is not welcome here," the lead goliath says in clear common. "And neither are you. Let the past lie in its grave."
Ronis will close the distance halfway, "Apologies for the trouble, we aren't here for conflict. Despite whatever interactions you've had with the gnome, I'm actually interested in talking. My name is Ronis Keldrag, might I have the honour of knowing the names of those I speak with? And might I ask; Why aren't we welcome? Is there something down there that shouldn't be uncovered? Are you guardians or caretakers of this place?"
Dog follows Ronis, about ten feet back, listening. He's staying quiet for now.
The lead goliath eyes Dog as the fighter walks up behind Ronis. Eventually the lead goliath speaks. "I am Sturdyoak," he says, eyes not wavering from Dog. "Our people have sung the Lament of the Hills for 20 generations. We have not forgotten. We know the gnome to be as the Metalbringer and the Stonefeller and the others of old. They brought pain and destruction to these hills and the mountains beyond. They enslaved us to fight their wars. This one...the gnome...he promises dark deeds. He threatens my family with his digging into the past. If he does not leave, and you with him..."
Sturdyoak's eyes snap to Ronis.
"...then we will persuade you to leave by other means."
Tock walks closer as well, observing the conversation and stops next to Dog.
Ronis face softens somewhat, and he takes a long look back in the direction of Finnegan, before turning back to the gnomes. "I understand the harm done through the cruelty of those driven by lust for power more than most. The mage... he is cantankerous, and more than a little lustful for whatever's down there, but there is a situation back at our home, a very troubling one that could spell devastation for all of us, and he says that there's something down there that might help. I can't promise that he's not like those of the past who brought pain to this place, but I can promise that we will stop him if that is the case. So long as we're here, he wont be allowed do anything awful. But I can't speak for the future. How many times have you driven him off now? He's persistent, he'll keep coming back until some sort of worse confrontation is forced, and I know him to be powerful. I'd ask that you not risk yourselves in such a way, allow us to escort him to find what he is looking for that would aid us, no more, no less. We will not allow him to bring any harm to you or this place." He will then gesture at Dog. "This one seems to trust him at least, and I've only ever known him to act in other people's best interests. So please, allow us to look for what we may need, and then we will depart."
(Persuasion check: 17)
Sturdyoak's face tightens. "I don't know you," the goliath says. His eyes raise to look at Dog again. "But I do know this one. The Unnamed. He was raised outside the herd. Taken away by Snowshadow and Rockwind. He is un-whole. If the gnome employs him, then I am satisfied with you all leaving. I'm sorry that your home is in trouble. Do not bring it here."
Tock would like to make an Insight check to see if it's an empty threat or if it's really a dude talking in code believing what he's saying and ready to use force. Insight check: 27
He is full of conviction.
Tock asks Dog, "Why do they talk like that? You're understandable, if a little too verbose at times, but these people.. "unnamed" and "un-whole"..?"
He sighs quietly, tired of it all, "Oh Tymora, can you make them just go away?" (trying Divine Intervention: 63)
Ronis eyes narrow at the goliath's words. "I know not your cultural practices regarding your people and their 'naming', but I'll thank you not to insult an honourable warrior you know nothing about." He'll take a calming breath and look at Dog to see if he has anything to say. If not he will continue, "And It's more than just our home, it's a problem that will spread across our world if it's not dealt with. Imagine the tragedies of your history a thousand-fold over, the world will plunge into chaos and destruction. I promise that we will not allow the mage to harm this place or your people, you could even join us, but we must uncover what it is he claims can help us. All of us. Please."
(Can he attempt another Persuasion check? If so: 30)
"You know me?" Dog says, coming out of a bit of an internal stun. "Unnamed. I am named. Doggear Brakespine. I... Snowshadow, and Rockwind? Those names seem to fit those who raised me. You may be right about a few things. You are wrong about a few things. I am no longer employed by the gnome. I've spent much of my life resenting him, and grumbling about what he and my parents would do with books. I learned I might have been wrong about the books only after I'd left their world of letters. I'd like to one day earn some tattoos, though."
He gestures to the tattoos on the goliaths. Then he sighs, and gives a half-smile to Tock, remembering his reputation of talking too much.
"I do not know nearly enough the history of our people. I'd like to learn more. Perhaps one day I'd be able to spend the time to do so. Maybe you and yours could teach me. Right now, as Ronis here said, we seek to prevent divine disaster, which would indeed hurt the tribe. I will not let that old coot do anything to harm the peoples who live here, or try anything stupid. He thinks there is something in there that might help prevent that disaster. Would you consent to reviewing what old relics from the mage wars he might want to use for a bit? If not, what about deciding this via trial by combat? For myself, or myself and my friends here? No one needs to die today."
A long, tense pause falls over the conversation. Sturdyoak turns back to Ronis, leaving Dog's rambling unanswered for now. "We trust only ourselves in this matter," he says. "So..."
The goliath pauses, thinking. "If the gnome leaves...if he goes today...and does not return to these hills ever again, we will retrieve the item and bring it to you at the bank of the river at the outskirts of Tioratve."
This is the nearest town, a full day's hike from where everyone is right now.
"You must convince him of this," says Sturdyoak, "because, one way or another, we cannot abide his presence in these lands any longer."
The goliaths and the party stare at each other in a thoughtful but tense silence...
Tock steps forward a bit, "Just for background - what happened? There seems to be a lot of tension and we haven't heard any explanation from his side."
Dog waits for the answer to Tock's question. Then:
"Stay here, and we will return with the answer," Dog says, grumbling at being ignored.
"You have met the man," Sturdyoak says. "What is there to like about him? His ambition is unchecked. He glorifies the mad wizards, craves their secrets for himself. We lament his kind in our songs...his exact kind."
Tock, Ronis, and Dog return to the dig site where Martin stands watch. Finnegan has opened a roll of tools, splaying them about the place. It strikes Dog that Finnegan has not asked for assistance in digging. The gnome is doing the work himself and is already filthy with dirt and sweat.
Dog history: 6
I will assume that is about goliath culture.
Dog has no memories of the herd but he has talked with many who have such memories. While some duels occur over offenses of honor, they do not rely on the practice for resolving general disagreements or as a means of determining the truth of a matter or even to settle wagers. Generally the wisdom of the "Namers", those who give each goliath their nickname and revered as a kind of wise elder / shaman, is used to resolve conflicts within a tribe. Between tribes and with outsiders, a goliath herd will trade or fight as normally occurs between different groups of peoples.