Crossed Paths - Part I

[Manzanita]

The Hold - September 30

You regroup and proceed. "Your control over nature is tremendous, Brioc. I'm sure your father would be proud. You gave us a scare there, though, sir. Thank you very much, Mr. Dhormium for saving his life." Says Mendicus.

All the horses are eventually rounded up. The next day passes uneventfully, and by the time you reach the Dwarven Hold, you are all fully healed. Dhormium leads the group into a valley which meets a sheer cliff. Suddenly you are hailed in Dwarven by unseen accosters. Dhormuim speaks to the guard, and a section of the cliff moves aside almost soundlessly to reveal a dark cavern. After the horses and wagon are driven inside, the rock face closes again behind you.

 

[Manzanita]

Dhormium explains the Wendel briefly to the guard captain. He informs you that he will contact the proper authorities, and in the meanwhile, you are all welcome to stay the night. You are ushered through about 100 yards of short tunnel, where everyone buy Dhormium must stoop uncomfortably. You then enter some larger tunnels, which wind around, disorienting most everyone, until you find the guest quarters, which are quite comfortable, sized for two humans, and freshly lit with firebeetle spheres. Once people are settled, Dhormium can return to his own home elsewhere in the caverns.

I’ll let you discuss things a bit before I continue

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Nathaniel seems for the moment lost to his curiosity -- he stops every few minutes to take some note about this or that detail about Dwarven architecture or their way of life.

As the others gather to discuss the situation, something seems to click in Nathaniel's head. "Oh! Yes, yes... I'm sorry, this has all been a little distracting... I haven't worked a bit on what I'm going to say to the leaders, or whoever we talk to... Not since before we left. Should I appeal to their sense of honor? Of right? To the glory of battle? What moves these folk?"

He sits for a second, then another mental click.

"Oh, and there is one thing I've considered... Maybe we should see if we can time our meeting a little more precisely, over a meal at the barracks, or wherever they keep their army... Do they have organized, standing armies down here? Anyway, if they do, and things aren't going well with some of the higher-ups, but it looks like there's a chance, we can see about making an appeal to the fighting men directly, get them good and riled up. I mean, with permission, like we ask if we can try to persuade the men directly, not just hop up on a table and start raving. Unless we're sure we can get away with that. Do you think they'd cut off my head if I jumped up on a table and started raving?"

 

[Inez Hull]

"I only know of the Dwarves through my studies, so perhaps we would be best to confirm this with Dhormium first, but they are known for being reclusive, insular and less ruled by their passions than humans, which I would hope. Perhaps we would best be appealing to the threat to Sevastapol, which threatens their major source of trade. If we personalise the threat of the Wendol I believe they will be more likely to offer aid, but I do not believe that rhetoric will mobilise them. As it is, the aid they offer may take a different form to what we would ask."

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Octar is uncomfortable underground, especially in the more cramped and disorienting tunnels. He settles down a bit when he gets to the rooms- he just thinks of them as just another inn. He keeps quiet while they discuss what to do, being unschooled in matters of diplomacy.

 

[Thels]

You regroup and proceed. "Your control over nature is tremendous, Brioc. I'm sure your father would be proud. You gave us a scare there, though, sir. Thank you very much, Mr. Dhormium for saving his life." Says Mendicus.

"Therz no need for ye to thank me." the dwarf replies. "t'were the bless'ngs of the father Moradin that saved yer friend's life, not mine. If ye want to thank the father, ye cud say a littl' prayer to em." Dhormuin nods at Mendicus.

Dhormuin is glad to be back in the Hold, yeling a "Ahh, nothing like home." in dwarven as the group enters. Following to see if the group is housed in a decent manner, Dhormuin informs them: "Therz sum bis'ness I need to cover that takes time. Ye lads shud all be fine here. Me, I'll be return'ng tomorrowmorn'ng methinks. If therz prob'lms, sum of the folks 'round here shud know where me home is, if I'm not at the temple that is."

Dhormuin returns the wagon to the merchant guild, explaining them briefly about the trade and the absense of the other dwarf, before attending the temple of Moradin to spend some time in solitude prayer. After that, Dhormuin will seek some elder dwarven friend that would be interested in his story and perhaps make some comments about it.

 

[Manzanita]

October 1 8 am

The Hold

A four foot tall, stout, bearded, but otherwise young and attractive dwarf maiden brings you hot water and clean towels for your morning washing. Once you’re clean, she brings in breakfast: turnip porridge, steamed, de-shelled turbongo beetles, fried mushrooms, and beer.

Soon afterwards, Dhurmium arrives to check in. He can’t remember ever hearing of human guests at The Hold before, so he takes it as a good sign that they have been given such a hearty, tasty, Dwarven breakfast.

Dhurmium, your mentor has no comment now, but says he will attend the meeting.

 

[Jarval]

Brioc admire the passageways and caverns they are lead through as the group makes its way into the Hold. Wolf follows along behind his friend, not bothered by the low passageways.

**********

The next morning, Brioc makes quick work of his breakfast, feeding some of the beetles to Wolf. He leans back in his chair, musing on his mission, and his brush with mortality.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

A four foot tall, stout, bearded, but otherwise young and attractive dwarf maiden brings you hot water and clean towels for your morning washing. Once you’re clean, she brings in breakfast: turnip porridge, steamed, de-shelled turbongo beetles, fried mushrooms, and beer.

Octar tries not to stare at the dwarf and tries not to blanch at the beetles, politely pushing them aside. He has seen some of foreign cultures, and to a degree gotten used to them, but rarely has he met other races and never has he been granted their hospitality.

 

[Jarval]

Octar tries not to stare at the dwarf and tries not to blanch at the beetles, politely pushing them aside. He has seen some of foreign cultures, and to a degree gotten used to them, but rarely has he met other races and never has he been granted their hospitality.

Unlike Octar, Wolf has few qualms when it comes to foreign cuisine, and fewer table manners. A grey-furred head suddenly appears under Octar's arm, and a toothy muzzle gathers up the unwanted insects from his plate.

"Gods Wolf, you could have waited until he'd finished eating." Brioc jokingly admonishes his friend, coming out of his contemplative revery to push Wolf back from the table with his foot. The druid quickly finishes his own meal, gathering up any of his other companion's unwanted beetles on his plate, then placing the platter on the floor.

"It should keep him quiet for a few moments." Brioc states, before returning his attention to his companions. "So, what shall we do today? I think persuading the dwarves for aid is a task I'm ill-suited for. Diplomacy is an art outside of my own talents."