Crossed Paths - Part I

[Thomas Hobbes]

"Nor mine," says Octar, smiling broadly as Wolf... well, wolfs down the beetles. He reminds him of the dogs back at his home... Octar realizes he feels a bit homesick, and thinks about it for a moment. He's felt it before on the trip, and this is no stronger than when he first felt it- indeed, less so. With that thought, he focuses back on the conversation.

"Nathaniel seemed to be volunteering earlier," says Octar, then adds appreciatively "I'd say him even if he hadn't- your speeches certainly stir the blood, friend."

 

[Manzanita]

The dwarven maid returns and appears quite pleased at your appetites.

At 10 am, a well dressed young dwarf arrives. “Please, good sirs,” he says in Greek. “The counsel is ready to see you now. Please leave all your weapons in your quarters. You will not be needing them in our halls. Ah…the wolf too, would be better off staying here for the moment. He will be well-cared for.”

He leads you for about 30 minutes through a maze of tunnels. You wonder if perhaps he isn’t intentionally attempting to disorient you. Many of the tunnels are only about 5 foot high. Other times, you walk through beautifully vaulted halls, with outstanding stonework, better than any of you have ever seen.

 

[Manzanita]

Finally you enter a beautifully wrought stone chamber, with a large oval stone table in the center. The top of the table has been layered with a rich dark wood. At the entrance stands a heavily armored dwarf, in full plate with a great axe. He doesn’t look at you as you enter. Three elderly dwarves sit at the table. One wears a red silk shirt, under a brown leather vest. The other wears brown and green robes, embroidered with the symbol of a war hammer. The third seems the old to the point of decreptitude. He doesn’t stand at your entrance, and is dressed in a simple wool tunic. The first stands to greet you.

 

[Manzanita]

“Greetings. It is rare we receive honored guests from the surface world in our halls. You are very welcome. Dhormium tells us you are all capable warriors and held in special esteem by the denizens of Sevastopol. I am Oskar Holderhek, representative from the governing counsel. This is BarenddLutgehr, high priest of Moradin. And Durvial here is the only survivor of our last battle with the Wendol, and a hero of our people. Please be seated and tell us your situation. Is Greek your preferred language?” He switches to Latin, “or the language of the Romans?” “Or perhaps the Elves?” he finishes in Elven, smiling at Ehldannis.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

"I, ah, only know Latin, sir," says Octar akwardly, not knowing how to act amongst the upper-class dwarves. He settles for military attention, and is reassured by the measure of certainty. He glances at Nathaniel, awaiting him to step in.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Nathaniel grins, just a little, back at Octar, then responds to the elder in a conversational tone -- politely, but not with quite such a formal tone as an appointed speaker.

"Latin, I think, would be the best for us," then, into Greek, "although enough of us speak Greek that, if it is preferred among yourselves, we should have little trouble."

He smiles, then holds out the hand of friendship: "My name is Nathaniel, by the way." After an appropriate pause, he turns to the others in turn, anticipating their own introductions.

 

[Manzanita]

Oskar and Berendd greet the party with handshakes and smiles. Durvial doesn't stand, but eyes the party suspiciously. "OK," says Oskar in Latin. "Tell me how it stands with the Wendol now."

 

[Inez Hull]

Ehldannis steps forward and speaks a ritual greeting in Dwarvish to Oskar and Berendd and then follows up with an honorific to the old hero Durvial. He then moves into a businesslike but polite Latin, "The folk of Sevastopol have suffered recent raids by the Wendol and asked for the help of our company, who had just arrived in port. We set an ambush and bested their next raiding party and then tracked the survivors to their home. At present we are trying to work out what motivates the Wendol to attack, as it seems only a minority of their folk engage in the raids. Our company has other concerns to attend to and must soon move on from Sevastopol, but have agreed to do what we can to help before we leave. One of the ways we sought to help the village was by contacting your good selves, for the Dwarves as well as being reknowned as great warriors are also respected for their meticulous record keeping. The Wendol will likely continue in their attacks and without assistance it is only a matter of time until Sevastopol falls. We therefore ask on behalf of the village for your aid and what knowledge of the Wendol you can instruct us with."

 

[Thels]

Dhormuin moved down with one knee on the ground soon after entering the room. He stays rather quiet in the ordeal, listening eagerly to anything being said by either side.

 

[Manzanita]

OOC: Right, Thels, I guess I didn't mention this, but Barendd is your mentor, who is very fond of you.

Ehldannis’s polite and appropriate greeting brings a respectful smile to the lips of each dwarf, even the detached Durvial. They listen intently to his description of events. Barendd studies the elf’s face intently as he speaks.

Oskar sits back and glances at the others dwarves before continuing, as though offering them a chance to speak first. “We are only somewhat familiar with these Wendol. We have fought them, but we do not know their motivations. They are ruled by their own dark gods, we think.”

“Goddesses,” corrects Durvial in a raspy voice. He falls silent again.

“Goddesses, yes, “continues Oskar. “They are men, we think, of a primitive nature, akin to orcs, perhaps, though certainly a different species.