Aeranduil moves to join Vortan. The elf would not back down from any fight with giants, and he cared little for coin or glory.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
After the shadowed half-orc's insults to their new employer Voadam's gaze turns to observe him more closely, looking for any markings that would indicate what Lord he served. Best to know which political factions were involved that he was dealing with. Though new to these lands Voadam was quick to pick up little details and puzzle out broader pictures, and his time in Sharn had been well spent learning many details of this world.
"The money, the time ya want us t' search?" Morika insists, pressing for answers to her previous questions.
"I must agree," Sanne added. "It will be a while before Stormrider gets out of the yards, but if my friends in Stormhome are telling me the truth, I'm rather high on the list of potential captains for her."
"The money, the time ya want us t' search?" Morika insists, pressing for answers to her previous questions.
"The time commitment may be as short as 3 weeks, or as long as 2 months, depending on your skills in tracking down the giants and locating the bodies of the slaughtered.
As far as coin, upon successful completion of your task, House Tharashk is willing to recompense each of you with 5000 gold coins, or equivalent amount in Siberys Dragonshards."
OOC:
Voadam has heard stories about the Lord Gorodan from Droaam. The exiled Fire Giant arrived 24 years ago and established a small fiefdom, seizing control of a clan of ogres and their goblin slaves. The giant is relatively uninterested in the political schemings of Khorvaire. He answers to the Hags who are the Daughters of Sora Kell.
"Well, I'd take seven Lyrandar Windwright Captains over eight Tharashk journeymen, and I have to think the rest of you are at least as good as me. Tharashk and Medani weren't taking just anyone for this job."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaxel
"And o'course they showed a razor keen sense of judgement by findin' the best Tracker and Killer of Giants known to Gnomekind and wavin' some prize under his Gnose. Best to my recollection the only act o' stupidity I have seen is some windbag flappin his jaw while pretendin ta be a centerpiece at The King's feast-table.
Last time I saw a face like that sittin' on a table it had an apple in its mouth!"
If either of the slights made against the halfork had any impact on him, there was no register of it on his face. However, the fact that he does make a retort tells you that their responses mattered to him in at least some way.
"Apparently you both failed to grasp my statements beyond the obvious... which of course tells me you both are a little too high on your own merits, and that you do not understand larger tactical consequences."
Again, he does not direct his statements to the people with whom he is speaking, but rather again just says them straight out... as though making his point to the specific individual isn't as important to him as just making his voice heard. To the more observant, perhaps he is vocalizing his thoughts in order to commune with the world at large? The gods? Those that might be listening in? It is hard to tell.
"If a group of eight is slaughtered in a matter of seconds... it says that there is a numbers superiority involved, in addition to skill. Which means regardless of how skilled a group of seven might be... whether it be seven Windwrights or seven so-called Gnomish giant-killers... those skills are meaningless if the giants outnumber them four, five, six to one. To believe otherwise is foolishness.
You must 'spend money to make money' is the old proverb... and in this case... only by spending money on a numerically superior force will you hope to eventually make that money back by succeding in your endeavor. To use another old proverb, there is no use in 'throwing good money after bad'... which is exactly what sending groups of seven or eight people at a time obviously is."
As he continues, he this time does something somewhat out of the ordinary of what you've seen thus far, by raising his left hand and actually pointing his finger at Bendis at the front of the room... even though he still keeps his eyes staring out straight into space.
"However, if this man has received visions from those that commune with the spirits that they have seen a group of seven go out and try to accomplish this... then I am satisfied. Even if on the face of it the strategy is weak... I will in no way look askance at those who follow their god's will. And if we are the strategy their seers have foreseen... then I will follow knowingly and willingly."
Yoggrith then lowers his arm, pushes his chair away from the table, and stands up to leave with the group.
"Hold a moment, agent of Lord Gorodan. Let us all be clear before we go into this together, this is a mission to gather information in a hostile land, not an invasion force to slaughter giants. Conflicts and combat may arise which require us to perform giantslaying, but stealth and investigation are called for as our primary strategies."
Vortran escorts you to a launch portico off of the main Medani enclave. A small skiff-like transport, powered by a bound air elemental awaits, tethered to a couple of mooring posts.
Vortan nods to the pilot, who then expertly pilots you to the Lyrander airdock.
As you climb out of the skiff and up onto the tarmac, the first thing you notice are various passengers hurrying back and forth, luggage and tickets in hand.
You are somewhat dazzled by the activity – several large airships are in the process of loading and unloading – passengers and cargo are everywhere. Vortan directs you across the landing pad, towards a smaller airship. As you approach, you can make out the name Precarious Retreat etched prominently on several gold inlaid tiles along the lines of the ship.
At the bottom of the gangway, another half-elf appears to be waiting for you.
“G’day mates, mi’ name is Dalwir of House Lyrander. I will be your captain on this trip. Hope you don’t mind the cramped quarters, but the Precarious Retreat is built for speed, and not for comfort – I’ll get you there quickly and safely, dontcha worry.”
"Ah, I knew I was to be carryin' a fellow Lyrander, but I didta expect to see you, Sanne. Nice to have ye aboard. If'n you don't mind, I may call upon yer services and skills on the trip.
“Now, be good lads and head up the gangway and the good quartermaster will see you to your rooms, so that you can stow yer gear. We be leavin’ shortly.”
“This will be the last time ye feet touch the ground, so if ye be scared o’ flyin’, say goodbye to yer good friend. I promise that once you’ve flown with me, you’ll never want to walk again.”
“Once we’re underway, I’ll be glad to talk to ye, but fer now, please allow the crew and I to do our jobs.”
He then heads off, inspecting the hull for any damages after the last trip, shouting orders to his crew.
The ship leaves port without any issues. Once airborn, the ship hums along, and you get acquainted with the ship's layout.
"Ah, I knew I was to be carryin' a fellow Lyrander, but I didta expect to see you, Sanne. Nice to have ye aboard. If'n you don't mind, I may call upon yer services and skills on the trip.
"Feel free; I don't want to get too out of practice. Lyrandar's Pride was badly overdue for a refit when we finally put in for one, and while I think I'm getting Stormrider once the yards are done with her, I'm between jobs right now. Besides, I don't think I'm wired to pass up a chance for adventure." Sanne said.
Morika sniffs audiably at the notion that she wouldn't want to walk again, but still looks very fascinated by the ship in general. Mercenaries, even powerful ones, generally didn't get treatment like this, or transport of this type. Smiling fiercely, she turned to the others.
"Get yer stuff stowed and then get back here. I want to get the scent of all of you afore we touch down," she says bluntly. It's not quite certain whether she means this literally or figuratively.
Jaxel snorted a bit at the idea he could not take on four giants by himself...Much less a team of himself (ah it would be glorious!) against four-to-one odds. He grumbled as much all the way to the ship.
Despite being an old hand at travelling back and forth to Xen'Drik, Jaxel hated flying. The whole thing seemed unnatural and he preferred being low to the ground.
Sighing in resignstion he boarded and complied with the Captain's requests. Though the man's statements, joking or not, did little to ease his trepidation.
Quote:
"Get yer stuff stowed and then get back here. I want to get the scent of all of you afore we touch down," she says bluntly. It's not quite certain whether she means this literally or figuratively.
Jaxel cocked a bushy blonde eyebrow. "Just what exactly you plan on smellin' there Lady?"
OOC: Switched to a more readable color. Isida is your character Ram-like? Bull-like? Goat-like? Does she only have horns when she shifts?
Somewhere between the House enclave and the ship, the oddly-dressed halfling woman seemed to have vanished- at least from sight. From time to time, she would chuckle or offer aterse observation, so she was still there, she just remained invisible. Once they had piled aboard the ship, she stowed what little gear she had and made her way out onto the deck, looking the place over- she had never been on a real Lyrandar airship before...
"Never mind getting a scent, either," her soft voice intruded. "If we're going to be running around in giant-land together, I think we're all going to want a good idea of what our specialties are. We've got what, a few days to put together a solid team out of some probably skilled but unknown partners- and once we get into the wild we'll have little room for mistakes..." She sounded curious and excited, but not worried.
"Gettin' the scent is a bleeding expression ya loons!" she grumbles, and nods a little the halfling shadow-shape-voice-thingy. "That's what I'm talking about. I wanna know what some of ye are good for."
Once people have managed to get themselves settled, Morika can be found on the deck, enjoying the air with a faint relaxed expression.
"So, yer all a bunch of bloody geniuses, from what ye were all talking about. Me, I'm a Reacher druid. Fought in the war for fer piece of years, defending me and my patch of land from all comers, monsters and armies. I'm a fair good fighter, gorebrute shifter if that means anything to ya. Land's power runs strong in my family, and storms answer my call if I ask it. Land empowers me, lends me and mine healing and strength, and I have eagle's eyes and fox's ears for seeing prey." With that she falls silent, crouched low, nearly on all fours, and looks at the others expectantly.
OOC: Morika has ram's horns when she shifts, and has a vaguely ram/goat-like cast to her features, stubborn and thick-headed.
After exchanging pleasantries with the captain and stowing her gear in a visiting officer's cabin, she went to join the others. But aboard an airship, she was at home. She'd spent the majority of her adult life on Lyrandar's airships, and most of her lfie before then trying to earn the right to be there.
"I'm Sanne Bacher d'Lyrandar, though I'm sure all of you guessed the last bit." The Khoravar woman said. Even if she wasn't dressed in the house uniform, her dragonmark showed clearly enough. As did her obvious familiarity with airships. "As to what I bring to the table for this expedition... well, the House hasn't seen it fit to grant me a command quite yet, so I don't bring my own airship, though if we happen need someone who is capable of commanding an elemental-powered vessel, I am. The air trade to Xen'drik has been where I've made my living -- other Khoravar can handle the safe runs from Sharn to Stormhome. I've more than a little skill in negotiation and speak the giant tongue -- which may be handy here. I know a little about working with arcane devices, though nowhere near enough to be called any kind of artificer. And, if the giants seem disinclined to talk, well, I am a more than fair hand with a blade as well, at least if there's room to do more than stand around and hack away at each other.
The elven archer stows his gear, making sure all is secure, and then returns to deck for the group's "meet and greet."
After hearing the other's introductions, he takes his turn. "I am Aeranduil Warraven, of the elves of Cirhiliar in the Towering Wood. I am considered one of the finest archers among my people, and I've spent many years hunting giants. You can be assured that I know how to handle their kind. I too speak their language, but have found that the only diplomacy that works well with them is that of the blade. Or the arrow, as the case may be. I am also adept at stealth, and can serve as an able scout should the need arise."
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
"i think scouting will come into it, hopefully far more than straight-up fighting will," the halfling's voice opined. "Giants are pretty tough, and even with careful exploration we'll probably have enough killing to satisfy the most bloodthirsty folk- there's no sense going out of our way to look for battles we don't need to fight." There is a soft rustle of moving air, and the source of the voice moves with it, though only the keenest ears can trace the passage of footsteps even at this close a range. "I'm Ipshivi, called the spider by some, and I'm a scout by trade- I'd have to say I'm pretty good at it. I've some understanding of arcane magics as well, though mostly things that add to my skills at moving unnoticed."
The silver-haired bear of a man in black robes gives a salutory nod of his head and says "Greetings and well-met. I am called Voadam the Green Wizard of Althora. Of late I have hunted demons, cultists, and undead, though I have had experience killing a cloud giant atop a sky castle. Nasty work that was that would not have gone well if I had been alone and not had my since-deceased svirfneblin warrior companion by my side at the time. I plan to prepare magics of investigation, stealth, and for the event we enter into direct combat, terrain control to keep the giant's at bay so we may focus our attentions on single combatants at a time." He draws a wand from his green sash "I also bear magics to allow entry to locked or warded chambers, a tool I found useful in past endeavors."
He turns to the Half-Elf "Bacher, If you would be agreeable I would like to talk with you about the magics of the airship later. I would have thought that elemental bindings for sky ships would use air elementals but the ring of fire suggests otherwise and I would be interested in hearing the specifics."
"But to return to the topic of our gathering, it appears that someone in Xendrik has united giants into mixed raiding parties, provided magical support, and now desires dragonshards. Most hostile giants we encounter I would expect to be nonmagical warriors, but there will be some opponents who require magical countermeasures, depending on their skill in the arts."
He turns to the Half-Elf "Bacher, If you would be agreeable I would like to talk with you about the magics of the airship later. I would have thought that elemental bindings for sky ships would use air elementals but the ring of fire suggests otherwise and I would be interested in hearing the specifics."
"Sanne, please." She said. "I'm afraid I can explain little. There are those who say they can explain the hows and whys of Dragonmarks, but I am not among them; manifesting mine let me persue my dream -- only one with the Mark of Storm can become a Windwright Captain -- but I learned to use its power, not the theory behind them."
"Alright then..." The Gnome said, obviously uncomfortable with the Getting to Know You session, but seeing the wisdom in knowing what eachother can do. "Ah'ma guessin' its my turn. Jaxel Wyldwanderer, most times I work as a courier or a guide. When something or someone needs to be gettin' somewhere dangerous I am the Gnome ta call. My spesh-ee-all-it-tee..." he pauses as his tongue trips over the word. "Wayfindin' in the Giant Lands. That means I can scrap, track and cuss with the best o' them. I especially likes a good scrap with the Bigguns!" he puncuates his statement with a devilish grin and clashing his paired tortoise blades together.
Morika grins a bit at the gnome's obvious enthusiasm and lack of airs. At the others, she listens... or at least seems to. For most of the other explanations she seems to be staring off into space.
"You can call me Morika. My clan's the Kevsecks." Said out loud, her clan name could draw a snicker out of the those who appreciate a simple joke, but guessing from Morika's combat-ready stance and heavy muscles, such a laugh might be one's last conscious act for a while.
"So it seems we got more sneakers than bruisers. That'll do, giants be a heavy bunch of hitters. I fought hill giants a few times, and a stone giant once, strong suckers. Us sneakery types be going up to see what trouble lies ahead, and then letting you mages and archers," she waves at Voadam and Aeranduil, "plug 'em full of holes when the time gets right. I doubt we're gonna be talking to slaughting giants though missy. If they be killing dragonmarked, you might be more target than most. Giants only respect strength!" Morika thumps her thigh with her fist at that. It might be that Morika only respects strength too, from that gesture.
The halfork stood on deck staring out over the side to the waters below. He wore a simple dark gray tunic with the silhouette of a shadow dragon upon it. He stood ramrod still, his muscles bulging as he gripped the railing of the ship with both hands. As the introductions began and continued on behind him, he seemingly paid it no heed... at least until all the other seven members had finished their introductions. After a lull in the conversation, his voice is heard despite him not turning his head.
"I am Yoggrith M'groth... from the town of Ashland in the kingdom of Droaam. I am but a finger on the hand of The Shadow... but I serve my god willingly, ably, and purposefully. His body is my body... his power, my power... and I give and take life with the touch of my hand in his name. My fire giant Lord, Gorodan Ashlord, requested I accompany you to keep you all alive while we determine the problems that plague House Tharashk to the south.
If any of you have a problem receiving the aid of The Shadow, please let me know. I do not wish to waste the gifts granted to me on those who would not appreciate them. But for those of you who do not restrict yourselves to seeing the world in purely black and white... and are ameniable to the shades of gray that shadow all of us... I will use the blessings of my god to see that you accomplish your goals."
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