"Aye. My legs have carried me far also and I am sure we will make good time." Henry smiled at Tregar, pleased and honoured to be in the same company as the dwarf.
"We are a fine bunch and I am sure we will prevail by might of steel and spell." He turned to grasp Wendigo by the arm "and if we are too late to save any of your companions then by Moradin's Hammer we will make the Enemy pay a hundred fold."
As the party prepared to leave, a red-faced Sister Tresa rushed in, puffing and panting with exertion. She ran up to Gloomblade and, throwing her arms around his neck, she fastened there a small icon of an ear of corn.
"While I will not be with you in person, Gloomblade, know that my prayers will be with you always. Know that however you came to Sub Saan I believe it was the work of the Gods; to have you here and now in this great venture. Now go with the Blessing of Pelor and know that succeed or fail he will be with you always."
With that she turned and hurried out, her dumpy form shaking with visible emotion.
Tregar will smile at the shifter's anxiousness at returning to his home and understands his pain at seeing that very place destroyed. He puts a knowing hand on the monk's shoulder, nods, but doesn't say anything, then turns back to the others. "I am ready to go as well, the shop's locked up and I've got my belonging's here." the dwarf says, gesturing to his pack.
At Henry's words, Tregar replies "It is all in the will of Moradin, you are strong and shall prove that the weapon is just a tool in worthy hands"
"We are a fine bunch and I am sure we will prevail by might of steel and spell." He turned to grasp Wendigo by the arm "and if we are too late to save any of your companions then by Moradin's Hammer we will make the Enemy pay a hundred fold."
Wendigo returns the grasp of the human warrior. "Making the enemy pay is not as much my goal as making sure they do not spoil the dwelling of Moradin's faithful. That is more an insult than anything I can imagine."
Wendigo notices the fine weapon the warrior carries. "That is an weapon I have not seen. I assume you will put it to good use? Where did you find such a great creation?"
Oh, I can help with travel, mounted or not, assuming the fine fellows at the Overlook Watch feel comfortable in removing these manacles and returning my equipment. And my sword. He looks at the two guards meaningfully, then sighs. One of you comfortable with opening locks? He smiles slyly, raising his manacles.
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
Oh, I can help with travel, mounted or not, assuming the fine fellows at the Overlook Watch feel comfortable in removing these manacles and returning my equipment. And my sword. He looks at the two guards meaningfully, then sighs. One of you comfortable with opening locks? He smiles slyly, raising his manacles.
Gloomblade stops halfway out the door. He gives the one-time prisoner a once-over and beckons him.
"Lissen," the Half-Orc says. "I ain't never been one fer puttin' someone in chains. If they ain't lookin'..."
... and produces a fine set of lockpicks. Gloomblade gets to work immediately.
"Dunno why they're so keen on keepin' ya in these here manacles," the Half-Orc adds. "Ain't you one of the militia?"
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Gala stands and watches, her eyes lingering slightly over the half-elf, against her better instinct. Gloomblade she met her first night in town, and she nods at him, smiling about their shared circumstances, giving him an awkward wave from her elbow. She carries all she owns -- her satchel with its small book inside and a few personal items, a spare blouse -- and the armor she wears is larger than she is, as if it had been made for another, and now is cinched in to her small frame by the belt at her waist.
She carries no weapons, and her small hands are empty. She looks at her companions, their armor and weaponry, and assesses the group as a whole. Her thoughts, though, she keeps to herself.
Captain Maul says nothing as Gloomblade takes it upon himself to undo Dorn's manacles. Once the political upriser's hand come free, the dwarf captain nods once to the two guards that brough the half-elf in, and they both turn and walk away... almost as if they were waiting for Gloomblade or someone to do what he just did.
As the six militiamen (and one woman) get together and start discussing their plans, Maul clears his throat. "B'fore ye get too far inta ya plannin', come dis way. We 'ave a room ready with maps and da like." He runs an appraising eye over the shifter. "Altho' yer Brudda here prob'ly know der way betta than any map."
He escorts the group through a side door and takes you down a hall until he turns and opens a door into an antechamber. In it lies several muffins and breads, plus a pitcher of water on a sideboard. The center of the room is taken up by a dark stained wooden table, upon which lay much paperwork and map drawings. Once the group enters, Captain Maul addresses them once more before returning to High Hall. "If horses ya need, horses y'ull get. Dose that want'em can have 'em. Dose that don't, won't." Maul then nods to you once more, and closes the door behind him, saying one last thing as he leaves. "Guard's outside dis door. When yer ready to go, he'll take ya to de stables den see you off. Good luck, men."
Gloomblade takes a look at the map and materials laid out before the group. He studies it carefully, obviously making mental notes, but saying nothing as he continues to review the materials.
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Currently running "In the Shadow of Giants" [OOC] | [IC] | [RG]
Constructed centuries ago to house an elite fighting force of Moradin dedicates, the Monastery of the Sundered Chain preserves the memories of the hardships endured at the hands of the giants, and it trains initiates in fighting arts useful for battling these foes. For generations, the monastery has stood as a symbol of dwarven perseverance and expertise in the fighting arts and one who trains there not only receives an excellent education in religion and combat, but also gains a mark of pride and honor. The monastery is about 20 miles from Overlook, higher up in the mountains, and just beneath the Hammer, a great peak that loosely resembles a downturned hammer.
The maps offered on the table are somewhat detailed, but Brother Wendigo immediately starts noting areas with higher chance of running into some less-than-favorable conditions. It is certainly not an easy journey over these 20 miles, but all of you agree that it should be doable.
A few moments later there is a knock on the door, and it opens quickly to reveal the dwarven high priest and captain of Overlook's militia, Durkik Forgeheart. He smiles as he enters the room, and is quick to offer his hand to each and every one of you.
"Sorry for the delay, my friends... I was tasked with preparing the Farstriders with their part of the duties that lay before us. And Sommerfield is not the easiest of men to... discuss things with." He guffahs once, and then moves over to grab himself a corn muffin from the tray. "Any questions you might have of your mission, I'm here to answer as best I can. The monastery is full of some strong and dedicated men and women, and we need to make sure it is secure."
Rubbing at his wrists, Dorn smiles at the dwarf. A summary of perhaps why we are going here would be beneficial. Some of us have been... otherwise occupied... and unable to hear the talk of the town. He looks meaningfully at Wendigo. Oh, and I am still waiting for someone to return my sword...
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
"Here my friend, is the producer of my halberd. May I introduce you to Tregar."
Henry introduced Wendigo to Tregar. "As you see, he is to be our companion on this quest, and a better I cannot imagine."
"Moradin has chosen well."
Wendigo follows Maul and the others back to the meeting room. Looking over the map, the shifter points out areas of interest.
Quote:
Some of us have been... otherwise occupied... and unable to hear the talk of the town. He looks meaningfully at Wendigo. Oh, and I am still waiting for someone to return my sword...
"I came back to the Monastery after a pilgrimage. Fires burned in the courtyard and large figures roamed about. It was not dwarves. I fear the worst, and so I came here, only to hear talk of war with orcs." The shifter pulls his spear from his shoulder. "If you cannot find a suitable blade, I offer you my spear. I have little use for it."
Henry helped himself to bread and water before inspecting the map.
"The terrain does not look suitable for horses. They may be of use in getting to the river but once we are in the mountains I do not think they will help. What do you think, Wendigo? You have the best knowledge of the land."
He turned to Galatea "And you of course, my lady."
The shifter contemplates the question, lightly tugging on the tip of his beard. "No, we will not take horses. They could not travel in the mountains. The city will need them."
ooc
What time is it. Early to mid afternoon? If we left now could we make it by nightfall?
He turned to Galatea "And you of course, my lady."
"You are kind to consider my opinions. I am not a horse rider, and do not think it would help me in travels. I am comfortable making my way overland, and could even, if our leaders so wish," (here she turns to Wendigo), "...I could even lay the trail for us. I, for one, am set to go, whenever the rest of us are. A few hours on the trail now would be a good start. If taking horses to where the river meets the mountains..." (she puts her finger confidently on the map), "...perhaps there is one of this city who could accompany us that far and take your horses back to Overlook. The passage that far should be safe."
Gala has been talking too much, and realizes it. She looks around quickly, and then down at her feet.
"You are kind to consider my opinions. I am not a horse rider, and do not think it would help me in travels. I am comfortable making my way overland, and could even, if our leaders so wish," (here she turns to Wendigo), "...I could even lay the trail for us. I, for one, am set to go, whenever the rest of us are. A few hours on the trail now would be a good start. If taking horses to where the river meets the mountains..." (she puts her finger confidently on the map), "...perhaps there is one of this city who could accompany us that far and take your horses back to Overlook. The passage that far should be safe."
Gala has been talking too much, and realizes it. She looks around quickly, and then down at her feet.
"Might there be supplies run up to the river?" Gloomblade asks. "I reckon we could hitch a ride with one a them."
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Currently running "In the Shadow of Giants" [OOC] | [IC] | [RG]
The large bell within Caer Overlook begins its toll, and High Priest Forgeheart immediately closes his eyes to give a silent prayer. The bell quickly stops after one ring. It is one hour past high noon. The priest then opens his eyes and addresses Dorn Tirae. "What you are doing, Mister Tirae... is easily explained, although difficult to accomplish. While the main thrust of the orc army will follow the Dwarfroad from the west and try and go through Bordrin's Watch... we have received word that several wings of the force have or are trying to find ways through the Stonehome Mountains itself... through the miles of tunnels dug over the centuries by dwarves or other races. That way they can circle around us all and set up multi-pronged assault."
He glances down at the maps on the table and points with his finger. "One set of the tunnels comes out underneath the Monastery of the Sundered Chain. It's in fact why the the building was originally built there as a matter of fact... to act as a guard and gate. But from what Brother Wendigo told us... orcs have already broken through. We need to know the status of the monks inside, plus close off those tunnels if possible to cut off that method of egress from Stonehome."
As other questions are asked, he continues to fill in what he knows. "The land south of us is somewhat suitable for horse travel, although it is an uphill journey even across the plain. But when you reach the mountains themselves, it's nigh on impossible as Wendigo said. If you wanted to get going now, I can let the guard outside know and they will start getting your equipment in order immediately. And yes, Mister Tirae, we will return all of your belongings that we have in storage. You needn't worry."
When the halfork mentions the river, Forgerheart shakes his head. "The current is much too fast heading down from Stonehome. Boats don't go upstream. At least not as far upstream as you would need to go."
He glances at everyone. "Anything else? Or are you all set to go?"
The dwarf priest takes a few steps towards the door, on the assumption that the group does want to get going sooner rather than later.
**********
(OOC: If enough of the group wants horses, or even just a horse/mule to use as a pack animal, they are available. However, there is no one able to travel with you to return the horses when you dismount as all available hands are going to Bordrin's Watch.)
Tregar quietly awaits the others decision about the animals, happy either way, but after the bell strikes, he joins the priest in prayer, then listens attentively.
The dwarf looks more concerned as the tale unfolds, afterwards saying "It must've taken quite the force to overwhelm the monks there. We must travel with all speed and it seems horses will get us there the fastest so let's saddle up" nodding to the priest as he leaves.
Tregar quietly awaits the others decision about the animals, happy either way, but after the bell strikes, he joins the priest in prayer, then listens attentively.
The dwarf looks more concerned as the tale unfolds, afterwards saying "It must've taken quite the force to overwhelm the monks there. We must travel with all speed and it seems horses will get us there the fastest so let's saddle up" nodding to the priest as he leaves.
"Aye," Gloomblade says. "I don't care a bit once we get there, but seems haste is the first concern."
The Half-Orc makes his way through the door and outside the building, where he awaits everyone else.
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Currently running "In the Shadow of Giants" [OOC] | [IC] | [RG]
"Very well, then," says Gala, doing a half-courtsey, half-bow as she leaves.
When the horses are brought out, she chooses a small riding horse. Despite her earlier words, she easily lifts herself up onto its back. she leans forward, whispers something in its ear, to which -- as if it understood -- the horse does a lively skip, and leads itself in a circle. While she waits for the others, Gala leads the horse to a trough, where it drinks.
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