The Unseen Servant forums

[5d6-4] = 20-4 = 16 CHA

Foxy takes the pause to hold her sword at the throat of the dying short-bearded dwarf, preventing aid to him for the moment, and offering one final insult to the proud dwarf as she does so. Thundred battles visibly between grief and rage. He finally resolves himself to a cold, impassive tone as he addresses Foxy. "I will have no more words with you. Nor will my kin. Ever."

Foxy takes a step back, leaving room for Baxtaw to rush in and begin binding the fallen dwarf's wound just in time. Halfpint steps between Thundred and Foxy, trying to move Foxy further back from the altercation. The other dwarves close ranks behind her, each pointedly turning their back to Foxy and looking to their fallen comrade.

Clay reaches them and helps Baxtaw, pouring a potion into the dwarf's lips.
[1d6+1] = 2+1 = 3 hp from potion
The dwarf stabilizes as they take several moments to watch, but does not wake.

Thundred looks reverently at the horn in Clay's hand, even as Clay saves his kinsmen. "You are the one who has brought the horn back to us, then? That has winded it?" The other dwarves from the campsite step forward and relay Clay's tale of finding the horn in a den of ghouls, slain dwarves among the dead, and perhaps the last bearer of Jarkul's descendants. "He said he'd cooperate in its return," the dwarf concludes. Thundred looks at Clay and Baxtaw with a mixture of humility and gratitude for their confirmation of these words.

Satisfied the dwarf will live, Clay Weatherwax thanks Baxtaw for stabilizing the dwarf, knowing he can use it to leverage the dwarfs for assistance. He rises and bows to the dwarf in charge. Mr. Thundred? Glad to meet you. I'm Clay. Clay Weatherwax. This dwarf will live and I can tend more to his wounds tomorrow. For now, he will be better off near the camp where we can make him comfortable. Perhaps you all would like to create a litter to bear him there?

After asking Ms. O'Hare to avoid further interactions with the dwarfs for now, Clay leads the dwarfs to the campfire. You say the horn is yours. It belonged to your ances... kin. We risked undeath to clear the den of those ghouls. As I told your lieutenant, we each came here alone with nothing but what we carry. The things we find are how we feed and shelter ourselves. I am pleased to see this relic returned to your clan, but I wonder if you can offer us anything for it and the life of that dwarf over there. Clay tells the assembled group how he and Ms. O'Hare gave the goblin king a magical artifact that allows him to raise the dead. How that king is now using his power to upset the balance of the region, utilizing the dead to steal and kill. I did not know the power of this horn when I left Gaul, but it raised almost a dozen warriors to defend us and bolstered our resolve. Without it, I fear we will fail and the entire region will fall prey to the goblin king's necromancy.

If you were to join us, not only would it be a great service to region (earning your clan favor in all of Gaul), but you may also find out more of what happened to Mr. Jarkul and your clanmen. Perhaps you will recover the smithing materials that were stolen. Clay also invites Thundred and his men to come see the building being constructed by Seneschal Duegar and to pay their respects to their fallen kin. As the negotiations continue, Clay points out some of the finer details he has noticed and shows appreciation as they reveal even more to him.

Baxtaw- Miss O'hare let go hunting lets restore our stocks. Clay will mend the wounds of the fallen dwarf and hopefully mend our friendship with his comrades.

Halfpint asks the horsemen if they are ok, hoping they didnt get too spooked during the skirmish.

Foxy O'Hare

Sensing the assault on her has ceased, Foxy sheathes her scimitar and mounts up on Bluebelle.

"Hunting some food would be good for us, though I have much else to think about. Take Miss Half-pint here and one of the retainers. Perhaps some fresh venison roasting on a fire will lighten our hearts." Foxy nods cordially to Clay, Baxtaw and Half-pint, and rides down the ridge to join the others.

"The dwarves seek the source of the sound of this horn of war. Clay bargains with them now, the horn for the services of one of their warriors. The horn sounding may bring more than just dwarves among us, we should be wary."

Foxy will instruct one of the retainers to accompany Baxtaw and Half-pint in the deer hunt. She will mount Bluebelle and do a little circle scouting of the ridge and back towards the warg/goblin cave.

With Baxtaw and Clay's efforts stabilizing the injured and still unconscious dwarf, Clay asks Foxy to avoid further altercation and invites the dwarves to come over the ridgeline to their campsite by the tree grove. Halfpint checks with the dwarves to make sure they're okay; they seem to appreciate the concern but reassure her that they remain unfrightened.

Baxtaw invites Foxy to depart with him and go hunting. Foxy declines and mounts her horse. She instructs Kelso and Halfpint to go hunting with Baxtaw instead, leaving the dwarves with Clay, then she rides off down the vale past the goblin cave, away from the group. Kelso looks questioningly to Halfpint for confirmation.

Clay leads the dwarfs to the campfire. He explains that they wish compensation for their trouble in recovering the horn, that they gave the goblin king the artifact which allowed him to raise the dead and assault the dwarven caravan, and offers that they might gain much in alliance. The dwarf seems dubious of this teenage human youth at first, still not grown into a proper beard. The dwarves do make a litter for their injured companion and follow to the campfire listening to the tales.

[4d6-4] = 17-4 = 13 CHA

Thundred, then the dwarves with him, seems to warm up remarkably throughout the conversation. "I appreciate your honesty, Mr. Weatherwax, and thank you for promising the horn's return," he says with solemnity, deferring to the human youth. "We will gladly visit the resting place of our kin and, with your permission, transport their bones to a proper interment from your property when we finish our duty." He chews his cheek, considering thoughtfully. "I cannot account for how you came to give such an artifact to the Goblin King, but have seen first hand its effects in the skeletal goblins who attacked our wagons. We've come to offer aid, and in finding you, I see this is a worthy mission. You are no dwarf, clearly, but the horn has not slain you as the legends say must happen to the unworthy who blow upon it. Acting against the goblins who threaten both our kind and yours seems fair, and advances our desire to find evidence of Jarkul's Legacy in this land."

"Tell me," he adds, seeming excited at discussion of strategy, looking between Clay and Halfpint equally. "What is your plan for assault upon the goblin halls? How will you win your way to this Goblin King to recover the artifact? What assurance do you wield against the undead horde he now commands? What is the purpose of this honorless woman who infects your company, that you allow her? We, of course, will not associate with her, but I am curious if she has any merit."

That's a close CHA roll. Glad to have it. How is Halfpint's CHA? Maybe she should take the lead form now on. (Clay's is 13; not sure where that -4 mondifier is coming from, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. Maybe because of my Druid trait at Level 3?).

Merit? Well, Ms. O'Hare is hot tempered and impulsive, and you've seen her ability to make friends is questionable. But she is better than me in a fight, and fierce in her commitment to seeing any task she sets out for through to the end. And she has set her sight on righting our mistake. I don't believe she would turn back, even if it it would guarantee a success by her not being present. Clay shrugs. What do you think, Halfpint?

We are no soldiers. I don't think we have much of a plan aside from what we did before. We were going to demand audience with the Goblin King and take it from there. Slay, capture or grab the artifact and... run, I guess. I have some control over the undead, gifted from my goddess, Beith. At least I can keep them at bay. And as you see, we have my dog and that bear with us. I have found that intimidation is key to goblins. If we can intimidate them, we should be able to get in. As long as they know we aren't there to kill all the goblins, just the most powerful.Clay is suddenly aware of how lame a plan it is and blushes.

He hands the horn to the Thundred, hoping to take the focus off himself. Tell us, who is Jarkul? How are you related? What would you have done if you had met him or his descendant out here? Would he be your king? What if he had been turned by a ghoul and was undead? I am sad to say I have little knowledge of your ways and I am awed by the pride with which you all compose yourselves.

Halfpint answers,

I must admit to be careless, my friends. I didnt know the extent of the rumors nor truth. I would say, however, I would rather have her on our side when we fight the goblins, than weaken our odds just for pride.

As for the goblins, I am not a strategists. If you have ideas, we would love to hear them. I presumed, we would just sneak there and overpower them with our various skills.

1) what to do about Foxy,

currently riding the horse across the ridges, scouting for alerted goblins and wargs.

[3d6] = 9 CHA

Thundred listens to each in turn, looking politely uncomfortable as each finishes talking short of his expectations. "I admire your spirit and am in awe of what must be mighty capabilities, your plan being frontal assault on the goblin's lair and overpowering them with your various skills. I would have been reticent for such a thing, but if you are confident alone, we'd be remiss in not at least providing what aid we may."

He listens to each speak of Foxy's prowess in the face of the enemy. He grunts and nods noncommittally.

When Clay asks about him, Thundred brightens considerably. "King Jarkul, the Golden King, is the greatest king the dwarves hailed in several millennia. Many banners united under him as never before or since. He was a powerful foe of wyrms, securing the dwarfhomes of our hills from the reptilian vermin. He led a powerful host against the dread wyrm Salesheth far to the Northeast - the tales of that campaign brought back by our taletellers are the favorite of every dwarven child born for hundreds of years. He continued on, his most stalwart retinue with him, into the forbidden mountains to seek what was beyond, and never returned." He puffs up slightly. "Thyrren Blackhelm, slayer of the dragon Sslesik and advisor to Jarkul, married King Jarkul's sister, the Princess of Silverlode, and in doing so unified the three lightening clans by blood and oath. Thyrren was one of the companions who went north with King Jarkul, may his name ever shine, but he left sons at home to continue the Blackhelm name. Thus, I am Thundred, son of Thanrir, son of Thyrrir, son of Thanrir, son of Thyrren, son of Thanrir, son of Thyrren Blackhelm, sixth cousin five times removed by relation to King Jarkul himself." He looks around smugly, the other dwarves all beaming approval at what must be an impressive tale.

Halfpint replies.

"Wow. That is impressive. I am, again, honored to be in such company. Might you tell us what aid you and your men are comfortable providing? If we find multiple entrances, would you prefer to separate off to one side as a group, or mix with us to work together?

The group continues conversing, Halfpint asking for dwarven strategies. "We'd be best together as a unit, I imagine," says Thundred as he looks over his men. Each dwarf is accoutered as heavy infantry with chainmail, shield, and axe or hammer. "All are stout-hearted and willing to come thus to answer the call, but not all are battle-hardened, as it were. Facing archers doesn't seem wisest, I'd suggest. But if we can bloody our axes among the goblin infantry and buy you the time to deal with the undead and seek the king within? It seems a worthy cause..." he trails off, looking for more reassurance from the group.

Date: 10:10pm, 03 June 2021
Light: Campfire in grove (sunset at 9:53)
Distance: None today
Spell effects: None
Injuries: Foxy (minor injury), Baxtaw (mild injury), Cardan (mild injury), Clay (mild injury)

Baxtaw moves off to hunt. Looking at Clay and Foxy as he leaves. She walks over to Clay and whispers. This is not going to go well if you are found out. Baxtaw then heads out to hunt.

After a few turns away scouting, the form of Foxy O'Hare is seen riding on Bluebelle at speed, silhouetted against the dusk skyline on top of the hill ridge. As she gallops with lance in hand, she looks over her shoulder as if chased by as yet unseen foes. Rather than head down from the ridge to the campsite she crosses in front of the group a bowshot away.

Baxtaw warns Clay, then heads off to hunt in the night alone, his elf eyes giving him the advantage over other party members. The conversation continues with the dwarves.

When Foxy appears galloping along the ridge, the party is alerted, the dwarves taking up their shields while the hired hands grabbing their bows. Shortly behind her you see three goblins galloping in pursuit astride their snarling wargs. Foxy gallops past along the ridge, leading the goblins on a slant past the group, about 100' away.

(Actions! Baxtaw, I will post to your private forum later.)

Date: 10:20pm, 03 June 2021
Light: Campfire in grove (sunset at 9:53)
Distance: None today
Spell effects: None
Injuries: Foxy (minor injury), Baxtaw (mild injury), Cardan (mild injury), Clay (mild injury)

Dram wrote:Baxtaw moves off to hunt. Looking at Clay and Foxy as he leaves. She walks over to Clay and whispers. This is not going to go well if you are found out. Baxtaw then heads out to hunt.

Okay. I've been working on this since it was posted and I really have no OOC idea what the warning is about. So I cannot really react to it IC. Someone want to shed some light on this for me? Then I can respond and keep things moving forward.

I feel like Clay has been pretty open and honest with the dwarfs and my main concern is whether Clay burned the dwarf skeletons in the Old Mill, because if he did, there won't be anything for the dwarfs to take with them.

That wasn't his intent though. He said that it was unlikely that anything they did would dissuade her from coming and I thought the dwarfs were aware of that. If there was something more, please let me know and I'll address it.

When Ms. O'Hare is seen riding across the ridge at full gallop, Clay holds his breath. Seeing the wargs, he is thankful she did not lead them into the campsite. He wonders if any of the goblins or wargs could be convinced to help them against the Goblin King, but seeing the dwarfs raise their weapons, he feels any attempts would stretch the dwarfs too far. Instead, he doubles down on Thundred and his entourage. Clay grasps the roots of the nearest tree, sending out a prayer to halt the wargs and their riders. Hopefully there are not more of them to come.

Cast Hold person. Preferably to stop the wargs.