Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
the sack does not return. Only the marvelous sword. It has excellent balance and holds an edge sharp enough to shave.
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Cool. I wasn't sure on the sack so I took the more inclusive course. I have edited it out of my response above.
Jing Ji-ho
Still recovering, Ji-ho make sure he got out and observed the land and the troops. Growth was on his mind, and trying to figure out how best to move forward. Growth would require people stepping up, just as Morphin had been doing. A fine man, and Ji-ho knew the debt he owed. As he walked around, Ji-ho spoke an encouraging word here or a reminder to pace one's digging for lost coins there.
He was starting to worry about Si-woo and the others. In theory they would have been back within a week and a half, at most.
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roobeastie
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Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Morwen
Aware that Jing Ji-ho would not be able to activate the powers of the sword without her assistance, Morwen made her way over to him and spoke quietly. "If you like, I can work with you to help you learn how to activate the sword, as the command is in my native tongue..." She didn't want him to feel awkward, hence her volunteering her assistance.
Aware that Jing Ji-ho would not be able to activate the powers of the sword without her assistance, Morwen made her way over to him and spoke quietly. "If you like, I can work with you to help you learn how to activate the sword, as the command is in my native tongue..." She didn't want him to feel awkward, hence her volunteering her assistance.
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Jing Ji-ho
Smiling, Ji-ho bowed slightly to Morwen. The slightly was out of weakness, and not disdain. He moved as much as he could. "Thank you for saying that, and thank you for your concern. I appreciate it, but please do not worry too much if you need to say something can have no way to say it but truthfully." He picked the sword up from behind him, and held it in his lap. "It has a fine edge, despite whatever its age may be. A natural balance as well. Yes, please, help me know how to use it."
- - -
When the messengers arrived, they quickly ran to their Captain and gave a full report on all of the events. The brigand ambush, the logging camp savagery, the taxes being paid, the incited mob, and the preparation for an attack. They also repeated Si-woo's message about what he had advised Tylar to do, and that Tylar seemed to have accepted it.
Ji-ho paled when the men talked about seeing the orcs, and how close they were to the encampment. "That would explain the reports of savagery, then," he said half aloud. When they finished, he nodded. "You have done well, but you will likely need to repeat everything a few times so that we all can hear it. Right now, though, you need to find Morphin, Morwen, Bofur, Darfilla, Verdugo, and Gurav and ask them to join me. Then all of you need to eat, and rest, so that you can repeat the information again later."
When the others arrived, Ji-ho was working on his pipe. Darfilla helped him with lighting it, and then he repeated what the messengers had said. After that he added his assumptions and noted that they were, in fact, his assumptions. "Gurav, our agreement is to help you regain Kraka Grak and I am firmly committed to that. However, I feel my cousin's perception is correct; if the brigands and the orcs are not stopped, then we will not have a Raven's Well or Borderton to supply our people or to store our gold. I suggest that we move to aid Borderton, accepting that there are issues. My health is poor, but perhaps some of the potions or scrolls can help with that? Or perhaps we can got to Raven's Well first, and see if anything can be done there. Morphin and the militia will stay here and defend the watch fort."
He puffed weakly, and then added, "Gurav, Morwen, Bofur. Please share your thoughts. If you wish to stay here, you are welcome. If you wish to fight the orcs and the brigands, help us understand how best we can do so and how you can contribute to victory."
Smiling, Ji-ho bowed slightly to Morwen. The slightly was out of weakness, and not disdain. He moved as much as he could. "Thank you for saying that, and thank you for your concern. I appreciate it, but please do not worry too much if you need to say something can have no way to say it but truthfully." He picked the sword up from behind him, and held it in his lap. "It has a fine edge, despite whatever its age may be. A natural balance as well. Yes, please, help me know how to use it."
- - -
When the messengers arrived, they quickly ran to their Captain and gave a full report on all of the events. The brigand ambush, the logging camp savagery, the taxes being paid, the incited mob, and the preparation for an attack. They also repeated Si-woo's message about what he had advised Tylar to do, and that Tylar seemed to have accepted it.
Ji-ho paled when the men talked about seeing the orcs, and how close they were to the encampment. "That would explain the reports of savagery, then," he said half aloud. When they finished, he nodded. "You have done well, but you will likely need to repeat everything a few times so that we all can hear it. Right now, though, you need to find Morphin, Morwen, Bofur, Darfilla, Verdugo, and Gurav and ask them to join me. Then all of you need to eat, and rest, so that you can repeat the information again later."
When the others arrived, Ji-ho was working on his pipe. Darfilla helped him with lighting it, and then he repeated what the messengers had said. After that he added his assumptions and noted that they were, in fact, his assumptions. "Gurav, our agreement is to help you regain Kraka Grak and I am firmly committed to that. However, I feel my cousin's perception is correct; if the brigands and the orcs are not stopped, then we will not have a Raven's Well or Borderton to supply our people or to store our gold. I suggest that we move to aid Borderton, accepting that there are issues. My health is poor, but perhaps some of the potions or scrolls can help with that? Or perhaps we can got to Raven's Well first, and see if anything can be done there. Morphin and the militia will stay here and defend the watch fort."
He puffed weakly, and then added, "Gurav, Morwen, Bofur. Please share your thoughts. If you wish to stay here, you are welcome. If you wish to fight the orcs and the brigands, help us understand how best we can do so and how you can contribute to victory."
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GreyWolfVT
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Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
did i miss what the result of this was?
“All men did have darkness. Some wore it in the form of horns. Some bore it invisibly as rot in their souls.”
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
DM - GreyWolf's Mystara Adventures - AD&D 2e
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
nope. I haven't gotten a chance to do it yet.
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
The Ancient Enmity of Dwarves toward Orcs is well known. The mere mention of them being nearby causes them to reflexively reach for their weapons.
Gurav spits,"Grobi scum in the overworld by day is ill news. Something nasty must be pushing them on, only the black magic of Zhar can compel them to brave sunlight." The dwarven clerics both agree, Orcs are cowards and fear the light. They must fear their masters more to risk it.
But many of the men are still sick with ghoul fever when the news arrives as Darfilla diligently tries every concoction she can think of with the available ingredients to stem it. Only the Dwarves and the Ravens can travel at full strength.
But eyes then go toward the sword as Morwen describes how it is used. Normally it becomes a raven of the same weight as the steel, which is common but on the larger side for such a bird. But with Blackwater it can be made larger if it needs to carry things. The enchantment grants it supernatural strength as is and it can easily bear its own weight aloft tirelessly for dozens of miles. It can also imitate any voice and thus can carry messages as well.
Gurav spits,"Grobi scum in the overworld by day is ill news. Something nasty must be pushing them on, only the black magic of Zhar can compel them to brave sunlight." The dwarven clerics both agree, Orcs are cowards and fear the light. They must fear their masters more to risk it.
But many of the men are still sick with ghoul fever when the news arrives as Darfilla diligently tries every concoction she can think of with the available ingredients to stem it. Only the Dwarves and the Ravens can travel at full strength.
But eyes then go toward the sword as Morwen describes how it is used. Normally it becomes a raven of the same weight as the steel, which is common but on the larger side for such a bird. But with Blackwater it can be made larger if it needs to carry things. The enchantment grants it supernatural strength as is and it can easily bear its own weight aloft tirelessly for dozens of miles. It can also imitate any voice and thus can carry messages as well.
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
While other things are going on...
Bofur and his henchdwarves as well as any men healthy enough to be spared have had limited success searching the marshes. The barrows have all flooded and the mud has shifted over the seasons to carry what was once many treasures out into the ground. Streams haven't helped but Bofur is a Dwarf and his instincts tell him there are jewels here and no amount of labor will be too much for their recovery.
So he begins mapping out how the water moves and marks out where he intends to dig and where to pan. In that first week they recover a bare few shillings worth of coins lost in the muck, and the second week is hardly better.
Roll skill again.
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GreyWolfVT
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Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
“All men did have darkness. Some wore it in the form of horns. Some bore it invisibly as rot in their souls.”
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
DM - GreyWolf's Mystara Adventures - AD&D 2e
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Does he still get the +2?
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Perseverence pays off and on the 20th day of being knee deep in leech-infested muck, Bofur pulls gold tiara set with gems out of the mire. From there it becomes extremely lucrative.
Oh yes. That 4 from last time was a 6, which is always a middling success or a 'try again' when events allow. This is now an 11, which I will allow with time to find everything.
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roobeastie
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Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Morwen
Listening to Ji-ho, Morwen made up her mind immediately, knowing both Cuivne and Macnav would go where she went. "I, along with Macnav and Cuivne, will join you and assist in any way we can."
Listening to Ji-ho, Morwen made up her mind immediately, knowing both Cuivne and Macnav would go where she went. "I, along with Macnav and Cuivne, will join you and assist in any way we can."
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Jing Ji-ho
Smiling as Morwen, Bofur, and Gurav affirmed their willingness to join the battle, Ji-ho nodded to each of them in turn. "We do a good thing. I am weakened, but duty to our allies compels me. We leave once the morning fog clears, and our first goal is Ravenswell. For now, we have much to consider. Please, give us your best thoughts."
"First, we have three mages and several arcane scrolls. If one of our Dawi brothers will join you, discuss how best to use the arcane scrolls against the grobi. The same thought for our priests; look at what we have and divide the scrolls up to best advantage. Darfilla can discuss what potions we have, and how much of each. Consider how best we can use them. Consider that we have at least one being with magical or supernatural abilities, and they must be destroyed as quickly as possible. How can we best do so?" Ji-ho paused, took a breath, and looked at Gurav. "Thane Gurav Graka, the magical treasure belongs to the adventuring party per the terms of our agreement. For the current task, I request...no, I require, that we set aside our financial arrangement and that you and your kin assume that if we have something that you can best use that you do so. This is not a matter for discussion. We are brothers in arms and I will not see you go unaided when we can easily do so."
"Thirdly, we have the means to communicate, and perhaps even deliver small packages to our allies. Friend Morwen can explain the limits better than I, listen to her and suggest how best we can use this tool." Ji-ho sighed. "Lastly, I need help. I do not know what can be done, but I will not sit idle and send you into battle. Help me figure out how to get within sword's range of our foe."
Smiling as Morwen, Bofur, and Gurav affirmed their willingness to join the battle, Ji-ho nodded to each of them in turn. "We do a good thing. I am weakened, but duty to our allies compels me. We leave once the morning fog clears, and our first goal is Ravenswell. For now, we have much to consider. Please, give us your best thoughts."
"First, we have three mages and several arcane scrolls. If one of our Dawi brothers will join you, discuss how best to use the arcane scrolls against the grobi. The same thought for our priests; look at what we have and divide the scrolls up to best advantage. Darfilla can discuss what potions we have, and how much of each. Consider how best we can use them. Consider that we have at least one being with magical or supernatural abilities, and they must be destroyed as quickly as possible. How can we best do so?" Ji-ho paused, took a breath, and looked at Gurav. "Thane Gurav Graka, the magical treasure belongs to the adventuring party per the terms of our agreement. For the current task, I request...no, I require, that we set aside our financial arrangement and that you and your kin assume that if we have something that you can best use that you do so. This is not a matter for discussion. We are brothers in arms and I will not see you go unaided when we can easily do so."
"Thirdly, we have the means to communicate, and perhaps even deliver small packages to our allies. Friend Morwen can explain the limits better than I, listen to her and suggest how best we can use this tool." Ji-ho sighed. "Lastly, I need help. I do not know what can be done, but I will not sit idle and send you into battle. Help me figure out how to get within sword's range of our foe."
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GreyWolfVT
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Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Bofur "At the very least we should bring Dwalin with us, he may be a smith by skill and trade but he is a good fighter to boot. Balin can stay back and work on all the alchemist work." been a while i kind of forget if i was using a "traditional" dwarf accent or what here.
“All men did have darkness. Some wore it in the form of horns. Some bore it invisibly as rot in their souls.”
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
DM - GreyWolf's Mystara Adventures - AD&D 2e
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Balin grumbles (in Magar for Khazalid is too pure for the ears of outsiders and no dwarf hides his disdain to spare the feelings of others) that he would rather spilt grobi skulls than be nursemaid to manlings but he does as he is bidden and the sick men are grateful for their health no matter how poor the bedside manner of their healer.
And so six Dwarves, Dawi and Derri, join alongside three Corax with Jing Ji-ho. Of the Easterling captain's band, only Verdugo is free to accompany him. Morphin must remain to command the garrison, and many of the men are down with ghoul fever so those still ambulatory must continue the patrols lest they lose their progress and let the hard won area fall quickly back into wilderness.
They reach Ravenswell without incident, whereupon Morwen is called to attend her master in the tower. Hector, the skeletal, ravenkin warrior bound to Corbin's service, forbids her companions from accompanying her or even approaching the tower to roost within as they normally would when passing through. Instead they camp with the others that night. None of the other, normally garrulous, servants of the necromancer appear at all that evening.
And so six Dwarves, Dawi and Derri, join alongside three Corax with Jing Ji-ho. Of the Easterling captain's band, only Verdugo is free to accompany him. Morphin must remain to command the garrison, and many of the men are down with ghoul fever so those still ambulatory must continue the patrols lest they lose their progress and let the hard won area fall quickly back into wilderness.
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roobeastie
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Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Morwen
Confused but intrigued when Hector tells her that Corbin wanted to see her, Morwen nodded slightly and moved to follow Hector to where Corbin was. After hearing Corbin out, Morwen knew that she had to at least speak with Ji-ho, as well as the others. Approaching the group, Morwen wasted no time leveling with everyone.
"I've been tasked with helping my mentor with something of import that I would rather not go into detail on, however in order for it to succeed I will need to use a few of the scrolls we found. Believe me when I say that it is a matter of the utmost importance."
(DM edit)
Hector comes out with Morwen to hear the reply.
Confused but intrigued when Hector tells her that Corbin wanted to see her, Morwen nodded slightly and moved to follow Hector to where Corbin was. After hearing Corbin out, Morwen knew that she had to at least speak with Ji-ho, as well as the others. Approaching the group, Morwen wasted no time leveling with everyone.
"I've been tasked with helping my mentor with something of import that I would rather not go into detail on, however in order for it to succeed I will need to use a few of the scrolls we found. Believe me when I say that it is a matter of the utmost importance."
(DM edit)
Hector comes out with Morwen to hear the reply.
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Jing Jiho
Jiho paused at Morwen's request, and then nodded. "You know that we must help Borderton. If you feel this is the right course then please take what you need. I believe we will head to Sir Tylar in the morning and I hope you can accompany us. Having a mage would be useful, with whatever scrolls we have."
Jiho paused at Morwen's request, and then nodded. "You know that we must help Borderton. If you feel this is the right course then please take what you need. I believe we will head to Sir Tylar in the morning and I hope you can accompany us. Having a mage would be useful, with whatever scrolls we have."
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roobeastie
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Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Morwen
Offering Ji-ho an unsettling, but genuine smile, Morwen nods quickly. "If all goes well, I should only need one scroll. And, if all doesn't go well, you'll know."
Having said that, Morwen glanced over at Hector before heading back inside to find Corbin.
Offering Ji-ho an unsettling, but genuine smile, Morwen nods quickly. "If all goes well, I should only need one scroll. And, if all doesn't go well, you'll know."
Having said that, Morwen glanced over at Hector before heading back inside to find Corbin.
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
It is not until just before dawn that Morwen, her companions and Hector emerge, exhausted, from the tower. The living Ravenfolk are in no condition to travel after their ordeal so the party will need to wait, or continue on without them.
In his deep, hollow voice, Hector addresses the group, "Praise be to the White Queen, the ritual is complete. For her service Master Corbin declares that Morwen is now Keeper of Ravenswell as he must return to the Grand Aerie to address the Conclave."
With no further fanfare the undead warrior returns to the tower and when next Morwen enters he and his master are gone along with the arch-necromancer's spellbooks and personal implements. But as a parting gift the library and workshop are intact with dozens of tomes and scrolls of lore and many vials and chests of reagents to be put to her own uses. There are no other Ravenfol, living nor unliving, left within. Only Morwen, her companions and her servants remain to staff the tower and keep custody of the precious well.
In his deep, hollow voice, Hector addresses the group, "Praise be to the White Queen, the ritual is complete. For her service Master Corbin declares that Morwen is now Keeper of Ravenswell as he must return to the Grand Aerie to address the Conclave."
With no further fanfare the undead warrior returns to the tower and when next Morwen enters he and his master are gone along with the arch-necromancer's spellbooks and personal implements. But as a parting gift the library and workshop are intact with dozens of tomes and scrolls of lore and many vials and chests of reagents to be put to her own uses. There are no other Ravenfol, living nor unliving, left within. Only Morwen, her companions and her servants remain to staff the tower and keep custody of the precious well.
Re: Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668
Jing Jiho
Jiho looked at the Ravenkin tower, and motioned Verdugo to join him as they walked around it. The men talked quietly, and when they circuit was complete, Jiho approached Morwen.
"Friend Morwen, congratulations on your new appointment! I do not know what it all means, but I am happy for you." He bowed slightly, and continued. "Please, if you will allow, a couple of questions. Do you wish to continue on the quest to fight the brigands and the orcs? I hope that you will, but I understand if you do not. If you are going, we will rest here and leave early on the morrow."
"The tower looks very defensible, and I think most people would fear enchantments. However, if you would like, Verdugo can stay here to help guard. It is up to you."
Jiho looked at the Ravenkin tower, and motioned Verdugo to join him as they walked around it. The men talked quietly, and when they circuit was complete, Jiho approached Morwen.
"Friend Morwen, congratulations on your new appointment! I do not know what it all means, but I am happy for you." He bowed slightly, and continued. "Please, if you will allow, a couple of questions. Do you wish to continue on the quest to fight the brigands and the orcs? I hope that you will, but I understand if you do not. If you are going, we will rest here and leave early on the morrow."
"The tower looks very defensible, and I think most people would fear enchantments. However, if you would like, Verdugo can stay here to help guard. It is up to you."