Cinnibar

[Haltherrion]

We should run that by Renthorp just to make sure it's not violating any obvious dwarven protocol and head out.

Renthorp is not very keen on have the FGs visit at all. However, with some persuasion, he agrees that it may be necessary. Even so, the most he will agree to is that the FGs come with him and the party and wait outside until the clan leader approves their entrance.

Of course, the FGs aren't very keen on that and threaten to withdraw. [Since we are running out of time, I'll speak for Suchet.]

Suchet suggests that the party waits with the FGs and that all of us will return if the dwarves do not quickly grant eveyone admittance. Ragimbold agrees to this plan.

The party heads out. Renthorp insists on a circuitous route and that you be extra careful near the dwarf hiding place not to be followed or seen by harvesters. You ask him why he is so cautious if the harvesters are so stupid and he reminds you that the dwarves feel that the rogue harvesters have some sort of mind-link with their minions and that Pyrrhus seems also to be able to control and possibily communicate with his minions as well.

You killed a small clutch of the young harvesters early in the journey without difficulty. Renthorp leaves you waiting in the second floor of a tennament. It's a reasonably defensible position with access to the top side (above ground) and the second floor galleries.

I'll continue in a follow up.

 

[Chris the Bigger]

Azz is still in favor of using the FG's and Dwarves to fullfill the end goal of abtaining the mercury, however he is not pleased at having to deal with the vile creatures.

Since this appears to be teh fastest way to get the mercury and get back in to the fray witht he Mottul scum. Azz will do what every he can to speed the effort.

in a moment of privacy he reminds the party to keep a sharp eye on our new allies. he fears that we are the only ones we can trust to keep what ever bargan we make after the mine shaft is liberated.

 

[Chris the Bigger]

Azz does indeed wish for the rest of the party to jion us. Sorry i missed that post

Azz will go a long with Preceps plan

 

[Haltherrion]

Meeting the Dwarf Clan leaer Praxtes

Renthorp returns quickly with a bevy o' dwarves, all heavily armed, armored and suspicious. They favor heavy plate mail, heavy, steel shields and weapons range from crossbow to axe to heavy hammer. Their leader has a hammer which is clearly magical.

Renthorp introduces the leader as Praxtes. His gear is emblazoned with holy symbols of Anika (Ophir gods here; remember that both the gods and the people of Ophir are a little looser in alignment than strict MM. For instance, Anika is a silver dragon but she isn't good, even by Archon standards. Praxtes could be anything but chaotic and still worship her.).

Praxtes takes the party's measure and seems to pause extra long on Azz, peering at you intently then nodding almost imperceptibly before moving his gaze on. On Ragimbold, the giant leader, allows a small snear to fleet across his lips.

Princep (I assume?) explains that you propose that all three factions combine to rid the city of the harvesters and that you seek mercury. Praxtes listens to your speech then says:

What is left of the other clans are with me. I speak for all the dwarves.

These spawn of Ebolan have decimated our clans, and your people, too, Ragimbold. We will join forces with you to rid the city of this plague. I have information that will secure a victory and cost our peoples as little further loss as possible. Before that we must agree on what we are fighting for.

[Ragimbold and Praxtes begin a ten minute argument/discussion on how the post Ebolan city will look. Praxtes first offers the FGs the west mines while he takes the south mines. Ragimbold at first accepts but then realizes that Praxtes probably knows of a new deposit in one of the two mines and he could be playing games as to which mine he really wants. So Ragimbold instead offers to go to the "old ways": the fire giants tend the refineries and smithies and the fire salamanders and the fire elementals used in these works while the dwarves work the mines. They also agree to the "old division" with the city master's share split between them.]

More in the next post.

 

[Haltherrion]

Praxtes information

Praxtes to Princep: Before we continue, what of your share of this endeavour?

Princep: We need mercury. 10 flasks.

Praxtes: Before Ebolan came, another asked for that much quicksilver. I thought to myself at the time, 'only the old fortresses needed that much quicksilver.' I was a young hammer-dwarf in the clan when the fortresses stopped flying but I remember those times. Still, the fortresses don't fly any more, do they? Least that's what I thought at the time. I hear otherwise, though. I have my means of contacting the upper isles. I know what goes on.

Praxtes continues: So, you think to fly your own fortress, then, eh? I wish you luck. Makes more business for us, eh, Ragimbold? Maybe brings back the good days. Very well, here's what I've learned. Ebolan has his magic. I have mine.

Praxtes: That plague on the living, Ebolan, was a little taken aback by his creations. He was already losing control as the harvesters bred faster than he expected I think he can only control so many of them. But when two got smart and turned on him, that really worried him. Those two turned ones can control the harvesters better than he can so he doesn't trust any of them any more.

Praxtes: He has been holed up in the keep with a few undead for company and a few harvesters that he keeps a close eye on. And he has been working on a new creation. I can't see all; he blocks my scrying but I think he has made so sort of golem to go after the turned ones.

Praxtes: There are two turned ones. One in each mine. I say we let him take out the first one. Then when he goes for the second and is concentrating on that battle, we take him out. I suspect he'll remain in the tower and drive his golem on from a distance; we'll have to keep on eye on things during the first attack to be sure. Here's the deal: I and my dwarves will be the eyes. We will watch the first attack and figure out where Ebolan is during this thing and how to get at him. If he goes with the golem in the attack then I think we'll all have to rush him from ambush on the way back from the second mine. If he stays in the citadel during the attack then Ragimbold's boys and I will stage a stout attack on the main gate. You [points to the party] get to take Ebolan out.

Praxtes: Seems a fair trade for a ton of quicksilver. And I think Suchet has a personal grudge against Ebolan, anyway. [you had not previously realized that he recognized Suchet or knew Ebolan's true name.]

Princep: We are strong but I do not think we are strong enough to take on Ebolan. he is a lich and a powerful wizard.

Praxtes: Aye, that's true. But a wizard doesn't always have a battle load of spells in his head. If he is in the citadel, as I think he will be, he'll have some protection and some spells to be sure but he'll have only a few harvesters with him and his golems will be out killing the turned ones. And you can be sure that we dwarves and giants will make quite a distraction for you. We want him gone, too, eh? I don't think his phylactory is in city so we can't destroy him. But we can send him packing. He might just up and flee to his home if we present a strong enough force [See note below]. What do you say?

____

NOTE: while nearly all forms of teleportation magic do not work in Ophir, there are exceptions. Clerical Word of Recall still works. Princep can gate Leonus to him. And of course, the portals work.

 

[Haltherrion]

Since there is good activity on this thread, I'll extend the deadline until Weds night. I may not be able to respond before then but I'll probably be on tomorrow night.

 

[Chris the Bigger]

Gel and Azz are for ridding this place of the foul stench of evil as much as possible and wil agree with the plan.

Azz points out that if Ebolan is not goin to attack soon then we must make another plan. WE do not have time to sit on our huanches waiting for Ebolan to be ready. One or two days is probably reasonable but longer presses our time. i'm not entirely sure I'd put it past the guy controlling mythgaurd to declare us lost and be on his way if we don;t resolve this soon.

 

[Haltherrion]

Azz’s concern about not waiting too long seems valid. It will take a day to gather the rest of the party (Draeca, Kestrel and Brom). Where do you want to spend that day? With the dwarves, the FGs or on your own? Do you have any interest in joining any of the dwarf or FG scouting actions or do you want to hole up for a little while?

Praxtes thinks Pyrrhus will move against the first rogue harvester soon, within a day or two but he can’t be sure. He plans on having the dwarves observe the first raid so that they have a better idea how to arrange the attack on Ebolan in the second raid. Do you want to be part of that raid observation as well?

 

[sivousplay]

I will agree to this plan. Do the dwarves have the ton of mercury at their disposal? Or will we have to wait for some time after defeating Ebolan to get it? Letting the folks on Mythguard know of our timeframe on this place.

Knowing what the big harvesters are like would make having someone along on the raid be worthwhile ... we may end up fighting one of those things and if we are successful at defeating ebolan, who knows how the FGs and dwarves will behave.

I think we should have the other members of the party meet us at the dwarf stronghold since that's where we are.

Do the dwarves know anything about these golems? It would be good for us to be prepared in whatever way possible to deal with them. Also, do they know anything about Ebolan's stronghold? It would be good to know the lay of the land if possible.


Princep

 

[Haltherrion]

I will agree to this plan. Do the dwarves have the ton of mercury at their disposal? Or will we have to wait for some time after defeating Ebolan to get it? Letting the folks on Mythguard know of our timeframe on this place.

Knowing what the big harvesters are like would make having someone along on the raid be worthwhile ... we may end up fighting one of those things and if we are successful at defeating ebolan, who knows how the FGs and dwarves will behave.

I think we should have the other members of the party meet us at the dwarf stronghold since that's where we are.

We'll start tomorrow night with a recap of the online discussion and at the dwarves getting ready to hook up with the rest of the party.

Do the dwarves know anything about these golems? It would be good for us to be prepared in whatever way possible to deal with them. Also, do they know anything about Ebolan's stronghold? It would be good to know the lay of the land if possible.

The dwarves do not know much about this golem. It is of a type unknown to them. Praxtes reports that the steel used in it is of a most perculiar nature. It seems to have some light suppressing properties.

Marc