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Post by mister frau blucher on May 8, 2012 12:24:47 GMT -5
The rest of the party emerges from Vempoor's into the weird light of the street, Khan and Reynaldo in the van. When they appear, the necromancer slows his group's pace a bit, then he smiles broadly. When he is a few paces away, he and his five companions stop. He gives a stiff little bow.
"Ah, the slayer of Kludd, is it not?" he addresses Khanmahtt. He looks over the party before him. "It seems you have gained a few more members, while losing others."
At these words, the hunchback makes a few gestures to the dwarggs behind him. They are all in leather armor, with small shields and axes. These dwarggs begin to look around as the necromancer continues.
"Are you volunteering for our arena, tiger-man? You need not be a slave. Many of our fighters there are...contractors. They make upwards of 30 silvers a fight, in the right crowd. And one such as yourself would draw quite a crowd...ponder this."
Then his eyes turn to Reynaldo, and again you see the dwargg's eyes burning. "Human," he begins, "I am named Klecto. Maybe you have heard...no? Well, no matter."
[MULHERRIN - make a 4/IQ check.]
"I noticed the insight you gave your companion as he fought Kludd. The way of war is in your body as well as your mind, eh?
"No doubt you have come to this trading post on your own secret errands, that go beyond trading. I respect that, and if you show our home proper respect, we will not interfere - unless your purpose threatens us.
"It is perhaps a fact that there is some mutually beneficial business to be conducted between us. Business your...leadership...would be helpful in conducting.
"But first: Would you care to disclose your reason for journeying here from your surface world?"
Along the street, the dwarggs and others going about their business have melted away, so that there is only the six in the necromancer's party, the six of your party before Vempoor's, and the three by the alley, behind the dwarggs. A few of the dwarggs may have spotted the three, but if so they betray no anxiety about their presence behind them.
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Post by blacknigel on May 9, 2012 17:40:41 GMT -5
Khanmahtt replies, "I am He, but I do not volunteer."
"I ENTER-TAIN many yes, but since leaving Armando, I do so on My conditions. I respect yourr offurr, but decline, Khlecktoh. I hope my declining does not diminish your stench to others that value it. As to our business here... I leave that to our Leader to discuss." Khanmahtt watches Klecto intently as the conversation shifts to Reynaldo.
(I'm not exactly sure how, but Khanmahtt's interaction with Kludd and the other dwargg's at the strongpoint have left him with the impression that Dwargg's social standing or prowess is somehow linked to their personal stench. "The Worm god's gracious effluvium," "He's the smelliest" and etc. So Khan thinks he's trying to give them a sign of respect, or at least politeness when he refers to their stench. It's totally misguided on his part I'm sure, but it's not him being deliberately insulting or provocative.)
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Post by Lord Inar on May 9, 2012 21:06:11 GMT -5
Then his eyes turn to Reynaldo, and again you see the dwargg's eyes burning. "Human," he begins, "I am named Klecto. Maybe you have heard...no? Well, no matter." [MULHERRIN - make a 4/IQ check.] 3d6 → [4,2,2] = (8) IQ roll invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3510806/I'll wait to see what Reynaldo knows before answering] Been on travel all week. - Marc |
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Post by fibenbolger on May 10, 2012 5:00:31 GMT -5
[Mulherrin attempts 4/IQ check. Player utterly fails to figure out how to upload results properly after 2 attempts , so falls back on Neanderthal cut'n'paste. Will wrestle with technology again later.]
ID Name Player Campaign Roll Results Note Date
# 3511205 Mulherrin 1@4d6 [4,2,1,2]=(9)
12-May-10 02:49
# 3511204 Mulherrin 1@4d6 [6,5,4,6]=(21)
12-May-10 02:46
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Post by mister frau blucher on May 10, 2012 8:20:44 GMT -5
Then his eyes turn to Reynaldo, and again you see the dwargg's eyes burning. "Human," he begins, "I am named Klecto. Maybe you have heard...no? Well, no matter." [MULHERRIN - make a 4/IQ check.] 3d6 → [4,2,2] = (8) IQ roll invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3510806/I'll wait to see what Reynaldo knows before answering] Been on travel all week. - Marc Hey Marc - Mulherrin is Brian's Dwarf mage - I guess we never got that far in introductions! I was asking him to make a check to see if he recognized the name of this particular dwargg necromancer. He would be unable to communicate it to you anyway, so answer as you best see fit, when you are able. |
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Post by mister frau blucher on May 10, 2012 8:24:44 GMT -5
[Mulherrin attempts 4/IQ check. Player utterly fails to figure out how to upload results properly after 2 attempts , so falls back on Neanderthal cut'n'paste. Will wrestle with technology again later.] ID Name Player Campaign Roll Results Note Date # 3511205 Mulherrin 1@4d6 [4,2,1,2]=(9) 12-May-10 02:49 # 3511204 Mulherrin 1@4d6 [6,5,4,6]=(21) 12-May-10 02:46 [No problem, amigo, I cut-n-paste as well - I should have gotten Chris to show me how to do clickable text when he was down here. Looks like you tried the roll twice? Passing the second time? Just one attempt from here on out!] The name strikes a chord in Mulherrin's mind, but he can't quite recall the circumstances...certainly not good, given that the dwargg necromancers are a pretty vile lot. |
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Post by mister frau blucher on May 10, 2012 8:27:28 GMT -5
Khanmahtt replies, "I am He, but I do not volunteer." "I ENTER-TAIN many yes, but since leaving Armando, I do so on My conditions. I respect yourr offurr, but decline, Khlecktoh. I hope my declining does not diminish your stench to others that value it. As to our business here... I leave that to our Leader to discuss." Khanmahtt watches Klecto intently as the conversation shifts to Reynaldo. (I'm not exactly sure how, but Khanmahtt's interaction with Kludd and the other dwargg's at the strongpoint have left him with the impression that Dwargg's social standing or prowess is somehow linked to their personal stench. "The Worm god's gracious effluvium," "He's the smelliest" and etc. So Khan thinks he's trying to give them a sign of respect, or at least politeness when he refers to their stench. It's totally misguided on his part I'm sure, but it's not him being deliberately insulting or provocative.) [Hey, Khan's attempts to be respectful with the stench thing are funny/cool. We'll see if it gets him into trouble eventually!  ] Klecto's tattooed brow furrows at Khanmahtt's response, but he outwardly shows nothing beyond indifference as his attention shifts to Reynaldo. |
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Post by Lord Inar on May 10, 2012 16:12:38 GMT -5
Hey Marc - Mulherrin is Brian's Dwarf mage - I guess we never got that far in introductions! Oops! Hey metagaming at its finest! I thought you were giving me a plot word, since those are always in all caps! I think I knew the dwarf's name, but I didn't put 2 and 2 together. I thought I was rolling to see if I knew Klecto. |
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Post by Lord Inar on May 10, 2012 22:05:50 GMT -5
Then his eyes turn to Reynaldo, and again you see the dwargg's eyes burning. "Human," he begins, "I am named Klecto. Maybe you have heard...no? Well, no matter." "I noticed the insight you gave your companion as he fought Kludd. The way of war is in your body as well as your mind, eh? "No doubt you have come to this trading post on your own secret errands, that go beyond trading. I respect that, and if you show our home proper respect, we will not interfere - unless your purpose threatens us. "It is perhaps a fact that there is some mutually beneficial business to be conducted between us. Business your...leadership...would be helpful in conducting. "But first: Would you care to disclose your reason for journeying here from your surface world?" "Good Klecto, I am flattered by your offer, but I must insist that all I can say on the matter of our business here is to assure you that our purpose does not threaten you. As to my skill, I merely in the heat of the fight, reminded the good tigran of his own natural resources at hand, nothing more." |
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Post by blacknigel on May 13, 2012 7:43:40 GMT -5
"Snakes..." Rrowullh voice begins as a murmur as he steals a glance towards Tembo. His voice reaches normal volume as he continues, "the Snacas. They attacked the Hue-man keep and injured our friend, a Healer and Seer - Mother Sara."
Having taken his stance back a bit behind Reynaldo and Khanmahtt, Rrowullh can't make eye contact with either. Hoping he isn't make a grave mistake, he pauses a breath before continuing...
"The Hue-man's Captain and a Lord there, want to know why. So we have come. We do not wish revenge, but if we have any quarrel here, it would be with the snaca."
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Post by mister frau blucher on May 14, 2012 10:21:58 GMT -5
At Reynaldo's words, Klecto begins to scowl. But when Rrowullh speaks up, the dwargg necromancer focuses on him. When he explains about the snaca attack, the dwargg's brow contorts a bit in confusion.
"Snacas, eh? Well, you passed by the group that probably attacked you, the colony by the old temple on the first level, above. Still, maybe your trail is leading you to the much larger groups on this level, south of the abyss. Hmmm..."
After another moment, he slowly reaches into a pouch on his belt. He pulls out what looks like a coin, and flips it to Rrowullh. It looks to be silver, with strange glyphs on both sides.
"If it is the truth you tell, you will be heading south and crossing the abyss. There is a dwargg fort overlooking the bridge. Show this to the guards, and they will let you pass without toll.
"When you come back to the trading post, return this pass coin to me and we will discuss business. You will find me at the Ironheart Tavern, which is on Blood alley."
He points generally past Vempoor's, indicating the alley is the one Shadout and the two archers traversed.
With that, he signals his companions, and they warily pass back up the street, until they enter a nondescript building.
The party is alone on the central street, quiet save some minor bustle from the marketplace at its end.
[It is shortly after noon. You have been awake for over six hours, and you are not tired.
You may explore a little more of the trading post (if so, let me know what you want or are looking for) or head south, down a tunnel leading away from the trading post cavern.
Mulherrin, though he does not speak dwaggish, is able to identify the glyphs on the coin as some sort of command runes.]
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Post by Lord Inar on May 14, 2012 10:37:45 GMT -5
After they leave, "Thank you, Rrowullh, I had other things on my mind at that moment." Reynaldo clasps the tigran on the shoulder in appreciation. "If no one else has business here, I believe we should press on. Mulherrin, you looked like you might understand the coin that Klecto gave Rrowullh. Do you think it's a trap? Myself, I have a hard time trusting slavers, but they've been relatively civil so far."
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Post by blacknigel on May 14, 2012 17:10:06 GMT -5
Khanmahtt sees the coin in Rrowullh's paw. "Ahwhkwurrpk, ah puhuh." He makes an exaggerated hwawking noise and spits over his shoulder against evil. Then he looks towards Enyeto and nods gravely.
Rrowullh sees his brother's reaction and says nothing. In reply to Reynaldo's thanks he nods his appreciation but holds up his other paw in a gesture of silence, while he extends the coin towards Mulherrin, silently inviting him to examine it. Meanwhile he fetches the scrap of dirty green cloth found at the goblin ambush and sees if it is enough to completely wrap the coin after Mulherrin is done. It is obvious by his actions that Rrowullh will speak no more, and suggests others do likewise, until the coin is wrapped and safely tucked away.
(Assuming the green scrap is enough, or some other solution is found and the coin is muffled against sound and light)...
"I do not trust this coin the Nekromantzer has given me, and fear it might be some sort of spy. On us, on our conversations, or our travels. We better assume the worse, unless the Lore of Mulherrin tells us different." Turning to the Dwarf mage, "Can you Reveal the nature of any magic on it? Might it be cursed or, what is the Hue-man word... Jeezed? Uh, Geezed?"
"Thank you Rreynaldoh. I did not know if I was saying too much. But like Pohlaticians do, I thought it best to give the Dwargg a story that is at least part - but not all - true. Better that, than no story at all. I almost said the Hue-man Lord's name, as I wondered if maybe the 'Ebon Shroud' the Dwargg spoke to might be the same person as the lofty Lord G. Either way, I think the Dwargg will continue to be interested in our travels. So when we leave, we should at least move from here as if my story was true."
(For my part, the Tigrans are pretty much done here at the trading post, except that Rrowullh would like to see if he can pick up some locks to practice his new picks on. I'm thinking he can probably find some in the market somewhere. Heck, they don't even have to work too good. The rustier ones, and ones missing keys might be cheaper and better for his purpose. I'm figuring there's some slaver here that's got old locking manacles they don't want. Unless you want to role play the search, just let me know how bad Khanmahtt get's hosed in the transaction - unless of course Rrowullh can actually AFFORD what HE wants this time.
But they are more than willing to tag along, if anyone else in the party has more they want to do here.)
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Post by blackjack on May 14, 2012 21:59:30 GMT -5
Shadout and Enyeto are finished here as well. We can proceed when the others are ready.
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Post by mister frau blucher on May 15, 2012 11:22:27 GMT -5
Your expanded party makes its way down the southern tunnel, out of the strange illumination of the trading post and into the blackness. At least two torches/lanterns will be required through this part of your journey.
Introductions are completed with the dwarves Mulherrin and his cousin Harzak, a stout axeman. They have been seeking the same location as you, and while Reynaldo knows the phrase to open the lost grotto of elven bones, you could spend weeks or more wandering around the mushroom cavern looking for the location, it turns out the dwarves are able to pinpoint the exact spot. But since they lack the knowledge to open the grotto - knowledge they sought from Vempoor who did not know - your two groups are now allied. The rumor is that there is elven treasure to spare, so two more shares should not disrupt much...
The tunnel is well-constructed and the floor is smooth from millennia of travel. Occassionally there are cross-passages and rooms off of this main tunnel, but they are all empty.
Until...
[Let's establish the marching order and who is carrying lanterns/torches at this point. For the record, dwarven eyes see heat sources in the dark - infravision - but still need light to see where they are going. Being beside a light source negates infravision, but being 10 or so feet ahead of it does not.
Up to three characters may be side by side. This sample order is simply a template, modify it as you guys want, including who is holding light:
Front Rank:
Second Rank:
etc.
Harzak (ahead looking for heat sources)
Enyeto; Khanmahtt; Tembo (light source?)
Reynaldo; Rrowullh; Mulherrin
Shadout; Mundy (light source?)
[Also, regarding the passcoin - Mulherrin detects no more from it than indicated. The green cloth will wrap around it securely. I have sold Rrowullh a pair of old, rusted locks, in two different sizes, for 5 silvers (including one from Khan). Also, Mundy bought 2 doses of salve and healed himself to within 1 hit.]
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