Chapter 1: Journey through the Jotens

[OGRE MAGE]

Boff is caught startled by the noise as he looks over the gemstones. He doesn't touch any of them, instructing the others to do the same, spinning around to meet the voice.

He skips any formalities.

"ALLYSS" WE ARE YOUR ALLYSS!!!"

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Androgost slings his lance to make it obvious that attack is not the first thing on his mind. I am Sir Androgost, Grand Knight of the Steelheart, and of the Dreadwood Forest. He will bow from his saddle in the general direction of the voice.

My esteemed colleges and I are on a mission, the leadership of the city of Loftwick and in the lands beyond are getting increasingly nervous about the recurring earthquakes. Our mission is to proceed to Silver Spring and investigate these emanations.

I would like to think we are allies. May I ask who you are?

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Conversation in the woods
Late Afternoon Starday, 8th day of Planting, 597
3rd day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

The party hears the parley from the woods. Raffi jumps down from his stead and moves into the bushes with Hex taking control of his henchman's pony.

Qleceec, Siouxsie, Boff and Androgost all reply in various ways to voice of the woods including Siouxsie speaking partially in a language that the others do not understand.

The voice from the woods calls back first in the language of Green Dragon

"Thank you for honoring us for speaking in our language. The princes eyes see all."

, and then the voice continues in common "WESS HOPESS ALLYSS ANDSS NOSS KILLSS YOUSS. ENVVOYSS WESS ARESS THESS SHTELKE. SOMESS WORDSS NOSS NOSS. UPSS TOS FIVESS OFSS YOUSS COMESS FORWARDSS WITHOUTSS HORSESS TOSS TALKSS COMINGSS TOS LANDSS OFSS PREBLSHIENCHIASHAV. LOWERSS WEAPONSS. SOSS WESS NOSS YELLSS TOS MORESS."

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Androgost bow from the saddle again, speaking slowly: I understand, myself and my comrade will come forward in a moment for talk. Gesturing to Siouxsie.

Dismounting, Androgost will tie his mount off at the nearest tree and pointing at Siouxsie. You and I will approach. Coming closer to the rest of the group and lowering his voice substantially: Split into two groups. Hex, Garrant, and Franny, go over and wait there, support the group with ranged magic, if needed. Pointing to an area about 40 feet away, off road but in plain sight. Nah, Qleceec, Boff, and Raffi stay in this area. My signal something is amiss is my drawn sword or me slapping my right should with my left hand three times. Any questions?

[Storm11]

Raffi hears the knights order, and will try and move quietly towards that spot, keeping his eyes and ears open for any creatures that might lay in wait in ambush for the company, but he will stay hidden in the nearest bushes when he gets there, and does not obey the “in plain sight” order.

Hex nods at Andragost’s order, and moves to comply, leading the halfling’s pony with his own, trying to tie the other steed’s reins to his pommel if he can. Good luck, and be careful he whispers as he passes, watching behind the two groups to make sure no one is sneaking up on the party.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos merely nods to Androgost. He leads his horse and waves the others to follow as instructed.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Dismounts and walks forward, wary but intrigued to meet a dragon again. She clutches mistletoe in her hand and rehearses a line or two of druid spellcraft just in case she needs to get creative with the environment.

[OGRE MAGE]

Boff exhales loudly, but does exactly as the good captain suggests.

Franny is less dramatic about following the simple order.

[shaidar]

Garrant

Garrant leads his horse to the area indicated by Andragost without saying a word. He keeps alert for potential ambushes, including by air.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec heads over with the others, staying alert for anyone trying to sneak up on them while distracted.

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Introducing the Shtelke
Late Afternoon Starday, 8th day of Planting, 597
3rd day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

The bulk of the adventurers that are not moving forward form two pods as instructed by Androgost. While Androgost and Siouxsie advance into the unknown. As the duo rounds the rock outcropping that was blocking their view they quickly see a group of 5 greenish/brown "dragon-men" down the road about 40 feet from this at this point. Three of them are behind a branchless tree that is blocking the road. The other two are standing on platforms in the trees, one on each side of the road. All five of these "dragon-men" are holding spears.

The center "dragon-men" uses his clawed hand that is not holding the spear to motion towards him. It is obvious now he was the one speaking before. He continues, "Comess Iadliavr"

rsz_1shtelke.png (307.25 KiB) Viewed 325 times

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Approaches to about 20 feet from the center dragon man and stops while motioning Siouxsie to do the same. I am Sir Androgost and this is my comrade in arms Siouxsie. Slight bow added for respect. We would like to discuss crossing your land of PREBLSHIENCHIASHAV to reach a mining town a few days from here.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Eyes the draconic kin. She holds back that slight disappointment that she doesn't get to meet a real dragon. at least, not yet.

She has only heard such fantasy humanoids exist, never meeting one before. She eyes the five and their barricade and posturing. The central one is an imposing figure, a worthy champion no doubt to test the mettle of Androgost or Nah but she bites her tongue from 'ringing any bells' and taking first dibs on wagering. No these are tooled up for confrontation and expectant of it too. They have a roadblock. Might stop a carriage on the trail but not horses, we could jump over or just gallop around them.

"We saw a dragon fly overhead earlier, a few miles back. Do you serve her?", she asks, trying to break the ice and get some background knowledge on them.

She gestures to the barricade.

"Who are you keeping out? The miners are not troubling you are they? Perhaps we can advocate on your behalf? Our mission is one of fact finding and peacemaking in the frontier. Allies we can be."

She is not sure what to say really but as usual, probably finds it harder to keep silent than say something. She mulls over defensive and offensive options. Entangle at least one of those by the barricade or in the trees, maybe Call Lightening to obliterate them in one mean arc of zapping blue sparks, roast the bigwig in his armour by heating up the metal.

do they all look the same? Winged, how tall? They/he looks imposing in stature, any obvious holy symbols and religious or mage attire worn?


Siouxsie: using Charisma in Reactions +15%, Comeliness bonus +16% [1d100]=68

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Looks over at Siouxsie and then back to the dragon-men, no change in expression. To himself: Excellent, the gift of banter and relevant questions. May help to overcome the stress of trying to determine intention...

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec will try and listen in from where she waits.

[spanningtree]

OCC: Qleceec hears this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFa1-kciCb4

[gurusql]

"Dragon-Man"

As Androgost and Siouxsie move closer with the afternoon light you notice that they all of them are about half-elf in size (about 5'6") and you had feared that they would smell bad, but at least the air smells clean with the moisture in the air. They are all dressed the same none having a noticeable difference. The one that was speaking nods to his friend to the right and that dragon-man looks behind him and lets out a loud roar. The speaking dragon-man continues, "Youss sayss youss allyss butss thenss sayss youss noss noss Preblshienchiashav. Youss speakss thess touguess, aress youss justss sayingss wordss. Iss talkss inss fatherss toungess."

He continues in Green Dragon

"You say strange thing that the dwarves know the source of the quakes. We know the source of the earthquakes, it is our prince and the creation of his kingdom. It is why we now own this land.

Because you claim to be allies, even if I am not sure I believe I will give you three reasonable options

1. Sacrifice yourself to the prince as any true ally would
2. Turn around never to return and be free
3. Negotiate passage. We propose two horses and two riders, even the little ones as fee for passage, unless you have a better offer? Do ya?"

[spanningtree]

Androgost
DID NOT HAPPEN
Androgost nods as the creature speaks and he retorts with: You speak of sacrifice and propose to make a meal from my group, beginnings are a difficult time, but this is unprecedented. Option four, my preference, would be to speak with your price or a high ranking advisor if indeed his kingdom creation is the source. If your prince claims this land it would be prudent to form relationships that ratify an understanding of borders, trade, and such. I represent those factions at the base of the mountain.

[gurusql]

Does Androgost speak Green Dragon too?

[spanningtree]

Androgost


Androgost turns to Siousxie, about a 90 degree turn to obfuscate the left side of his body from the dragon-men: Siousxie, can you translate?

OCC: Missed this detail:

Does Androgost speak Green Dragon too?