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Post by mister frau blucher on Jan 16, 2012 13:13:22 GMT -5
Tembo looks at the healer's wares. "I am fairly well stocked for the basics, good sir, but I am unaware of any specific healing needs relating to the mountain, such as spiders, snakes and the like. Do you have any suggestions in that regard?" The caprian shrugs. "It all depends on where you are going. The mountain is a big place, and the various arteries that run off into the underworld are big, too. But as you can see, I stock generic healing potions, rather than those specifically targetted for something. Can't really say what you'll come up against down there, other than orcs, dwarggs, snacas, and insects. "I'll tell you this - you already look like you are as well-stocked as any other healer I've seen travelling through."
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Post by Lord Inar on Jan 16, 2012 13:29:17 GMT -5
I can't find my cash tally (I thought I knew where I put it), but I think Reynaldo doesn't have any money left. Reynaldo will buy 8 days of provisions for he and Tembo. Marc - and everyone else - you can always find this in the "Current Character Status" thread, which I keep updated with all wounds and equipment, etcetera. Tembo has 18 silvers left, but already has 9 days of rations. Reynaldo has 78 silvers left, and also already has 9 days of rations. Do you still want to buy 8 more days of rations? Total, or each? Ah, brain skip, I was looking at the character sheet page. OK, no rations, but 2 bedrolls and 10 torches (5 each for Tembo and Reynaldo), and 10 yards of rope. "Dear merchant," Reynaldo looks at the retracting pole "I have not seen one like this. Could you demonstrate how it works since 40 silvers seems like quite a bit to pay?" Does the healer merchant say anything special to Tembo? Does Norx buy anything?
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Post by mister frau blucher on Jan 16, 2012 14:20:45 GMT -5
"Dear merchant," Reynaldo looks at the retracting pole "I have not seen one like this. Could you demonstrate how it works since 40 silvers seems like quite a bit to pay?" "Aye, fine lord, aye - and let me say it is an honor to deal with a yu-man of refinement such as yourself. The pole works thusly..." He goes on to demonstrate how the pole, when collapsed, is one foot long, but when twisted a certain way, a series of collapsed segments emerge, so that it can extend to 10 feet. He tries to bend it, but the metal is very strong despite its being hollow when extended thus. "It will hold the weight of a heavy man; but two men's weight may break it - I have never tried. Yes, it is expensive, but it is very handy and convenient, eh? But your companions have bought well, so...what say 35 silvers?"
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Post by mister frau blucher on Jan 16, 2012 14:25:09 GMT -5
Does the healer merchant say anything special to Tembo? Does Norx buy anything? [There was only the one merchant in the shop - sorry to mislead! It was he who addressed Tembo when inspecting the potions, and replied to his query - the same merchant everyone else is talking to.] Reynaldo looks to see if Norx is buying anything, and does not see him. Looking back out into the chamber of the great doors, you see him talking to one of the caprian guards. You are unable to hear their conversation.
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Post by Lord Inar on Jan 16, 2012 15:21:32 GMT -5
"Very well, I can see great utility in an item such as this. 35 it is, 15 for the rope, bedroll and torches makes 50. A pleasure doing business with you."
Tembo adds in his 10 for the bedroll and torches.
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Post by blacknigel on Jan 16, 2012 15:45:29 GMT -5
Rrowullh says, “Rreynahldoh, you know my brother and I have problems with some hue-man words. It gets worse when we are tired or excited. I think the same would happen to you if you tried the Tigran-speak. But I expect you would be able to rememberr and say my name at least, for it is a hue-man name. I give the letters for you. Ahr-Oh-Ay-Yu-El… Rrowullh! Simple, yes?" Sorry, I'm confused. Reynaldo did ask Rrowullh by name to visit the caprians. What am I missing? (He's mispronouncing it. Twice recently you've typed "Rrollwuh" instead of "Rrowullh" or even "Raoul." Though you may note that I screwed up Rrowullh's spelling out of his own name. It wasn't intentional, but that's what I get for rushing and posting at work when my office is only two doors down from HR )
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Post by blacknigel on Jan 16, 2012 15:59:29 GMT -5
Rrowullh watches the demo of the collapsing pole intently, and is pleased when Reynaldo buys it. After Reynaldo is done and steps away he says, "My brother is very intent on that remarkable shield. You fellows have made good bargains with this merchant, but I do not think we can get him low enough for us to buy it today. But if our fortunes improve after our errands are done, we must come back, or else Khanmahtt will never let us forget it's sight."
"I think all are equiped now, unless Norx or Mundy need anything. Do we set out immediately, or do we camp outside until some specific time? Either way I could use a chance to 'scratch the dirt' before we go."
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Post by mister frau blucher on Jan 16, 2012 16:18:36 GMT -5
"I think all are equiped now, unless Norx or Mundy need anything. Do we set out immediately, or do we camp outside until some specific time? Either way I could use a chance to 'scratch the dirt' before we go." [You just ask the guards at the doors to open them up when you are ready. Mundy buys some rations and a few more torches. Norx buys nothing; he is done speaking with the caprian and is waiting for you by the gates. As for scratching the dirt, I told you to do that before we left the house. So unless blackjack needs to change anything tonight, I'll start tomorrow with opening the doors and you guys entering the mountain itself...]
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Post by Lord Inar on Jan 16, 2012 16:50:09 GMT -5
Sorry, I'm confused. Reynaldo did ask Rrowullh by name to visit the caprians. What am I missing? (He's mispronouncing it. Twice recently you've typed "Rrollwuh" instead of "Rrowullh" or even "Raoul." Though you may note that I screwed up Rrowullh's spelling out of his own name. It wasn't intentional, but that's what I get for rushing and posting at work when my office is only two doors down from HR ) Got it.
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Post by mister frau blucher on Jan 17, 2012 10:25:10 GMT -5
The party reassembles before the great doors. The caprians take up their arms, and the doors are opened...revealing a black hallway beyond. You enter, and the doors close behind you.
This ancient passage, consisting of worked stairs and hallways as well as natural tunnels, runs from the old keep on Cygnosa’s crest to the orc holds well below. Much of the way is lit by pale blue phosphorescent moss. Some stretches are pitch black, and here you are forced to resort to light sources.
Moving along this dense-aired descent is like looking into the past. The walls show many re-workings and repairs, from latter-day orcish plaster and graffiti, to the blocky buttresses of the chaotic city-state period of a half-dozen millennia ago, to the large runes and gothic arches of the classical dwarggs, and finally the mosaics and worn reliefs of the snaca civilization.
Many galleries run off the main stairwell, most of which are collapsed. There are a few that are short (and might provide a rough shelter), and others that narrow and seem to stretch into the mountain. You are certain your path does not go in any of them, the underworld trail is so well-marked by orange signs, but you wonder might come out of them.
After a quarter day’s travel, you arrive at the orc hold below. (It is now about 2 pm.)
After a stretch of straight and level travel, through a region where the phosphorescent blue moss thins considerably and you consider lighting a torch, you see a bonfire ahead. Several figures are outlined before it, and despite the proximity of the fire to their eyes they spot you as well. You warily approach; these are orcs, and there are over a dozen of them. They hail you.
“I am Urgg,” one says to you. He is remarkably well-spoken. “You are passing through the lands of the Axefeast tribe. We welcome your travel through here, and your commerce with others. We maintain it for such travelers as you, so I am sure you will be happy to contribute to our maintenance and vigil.
“Ten silvers for the lot of you, or donate a few blades, and you may continue to the great hunting caverns to the south, though you should be cautious as there are many other orc tribes off of it. West of our outpost here are the main living caverns of our people. You may find some trade there, if you desire."
As you pay Urgg, you may ask any questions about the route heading south and the tribe's home to the east.
Norx is talking in low tones to a couple of the orcs.
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Post by blacknigel on Jan 18, 2012 8:30:57 GMT -5
Rrowullh approaches Urgg tentatively and stammers out, “Ah… Mister… uh, Chief Urgg… I don’t know how to, ah, ask… But have you, uh… lived here allways? Or have you lived, before, in the lands of Hue-mans?”
He’s not struggling for the right words, Rrowullh is behaving – shyly.
“I ask… because many years ago, The Boy took me to the arena to watch a spectacle event. A Meal said it was a sort of game, but it looked more like a small war, fought over a large ball.” His voice gains strength and the words begin to spill out rapidly as he warms to the memory.
“There were all sorts of creatures there; a little fellow, smaller than a dwargg kicked the ball with no shoes, and a Giant that trampled any in his way. One team had three very large Caprians with wide horns – A Meal called them ‘Mehn-oh-tahrs’, but the most impressive of all was an Orc.”
“He was amazing. Wherever the ball went he was there; very fast, from almost nowhere. Smashing his foe and taking the ball. If the ball was in the air, it landed in his hands. The crowd chanting his name almost non-stop, into frenzy that built ever louder, ‘Urgg, Urgg, Urgg!’ I will neverr forget that day.”
“Many in the crowd had seen this orc before. They claimed he had no equal, and I believed them. Colored banners hung from the walls. One made The Boy laugh heartily. I asked him to explain. He said, “That one there says, ‘Eat me Urgg!’ but he laughed again and never explained the joke to me…” Rrowullh’s voice trails off and the hesitancy begins anew.
“So uh… is he… you?... Are you him?... Ah… you were, uh… Magnificent.” He ends with something like a bashful grin.
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Post by mister frau blucher on Jan 18, 2012 10:41:23 GMT -5
The orc laughs as Rrowullh speaks. "That was my uncle, Urgg Runnygutt, son of Urgg Runnygutt! When he left the mountain, the elders said he was a fool to dream. I am glad to hear he has done well, and many know his name."
[20 years ago Chris and I played a game called "Monsters of the Midway" from an early Dragon Magazine, about fantasy creatures playing football. Urgg Runnygutt was my quarterback/linebacker. I bring the name out of mothballs every now and then. Glad you enjoyed it, Chris!]
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Post by blacknigel on Jan 18, 2012 13:34:36 GMT -5
Rrowullh visibly relaxes when he learns he’s not in the presence of THE Urgg Runnygutt, but it’s obvious he’s pleased to meet the Nephew. “If yourr Uncle is typical of the Axefeast tribe, then yourr caverrns are home to the most awesome of Orcs. Yourr strength and prrowess must be legendary throughout the mountain. So the value of yourr tolls must be worth yourr efforts.” (He’s never tried to flatter an Orc before, but hopes to build a connection on his hero worship of the uncle). “When we meet others of the Axefeast in the Hunting Caverrn or elsewhere how do we show our fare is paid and have no quarrel with them? We do not want to cross blades with the Axefeast by accident. Does our paid fare cover our return trip? Or do we pay for the privilege of the Axefeast again?”
“You say other tribes live in these caverns, but they aren’t as worthy as the Axefeast. They use yourr Hunting Caverrn, so we will probably cross their path some day. How will we know these bands for the lesser orcs they are? What mark or sign betrays them?”
Khanmahtt interrupts, “What sort of PREY is to be found in the Hunting?” as his face settles into a grim Tigran smile; altogether different from the human version.
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Post by mister frau blucher on Jan 19, 2012 13:25:39 GMT -5
“When we meet others of the Axefeast in the Hunting Caverrn or elsewhere how do we show our fare is paid and have no quarrel with them? We do not want to cross blades with the Axefeast by accident. Does our paid fare cover our return trip? Or do we pay for the privilege of the Axefeast again? You say other tribes live in these caverns, but they aren’t as worthy as the Axefeast. They use yourr Hunting Caverrn, so we will probably cross their path some day. How will we know these bands for the lesser orcs they are? What mark or sign betrays them?”
Urgg laughs at the rapid questions. "Your fare covers your passage below and back again, my fuzzy friend. No need to pay twice, though we will of course not refuse it. As to verifying your fare with others of our tribe, we used to have some nice medallions we gave out, but noone returned them. So when you see others, you can say my name and they will honor your fare. You see, they will know you could not have defeated us here - no offence - and so will know that you must have paid.
"As to telling us apart from other orcs, it is easy! Look at the broad definition of my brows and nostrils...hmmm, maybe we all look the same to you, as you do to us. Well, then by temprement. Axefeast will not attack first, as we respect trade and what it does for us. The others, the Bloodlove tribe, will attack you first. So you can tell us apart that way."
Khanmahtt interrupts, “What sort of PREY is to be found in the Hunting?” as his face settles into a grim Tigran smile; altogether different from the human version.
"Why, the finest lizardflesh you ever saw! Succulent is an understatement."
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Post by mister frau blucher on Jan 19, 2012 13:32:06 GMT -5
Urgg continues. "The trail through this level and down to the next is well-marked with orange blazes, so you should not get lost. Just south of our post here is the hunting cavern; when you get there you will head west. Should you decide to hunt, do not take anymore than you require. There is an abundance now, but the future is unwritten.
"So if there is nothing else, I wish you happy trails."
**************
As the party prepares to continue south, Norx approaches Reynaldo. "Well, my friend, this is where we part ways. I am going to the Axefeast cavern west of here, to trade with them, then return above, and to my home. Farewell."
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