Crossed Paths - Part I

[Manzanita]

Berendd

"I see. I am not surprised by your response. It is often wise not to reveal all you know. I am impressed by your words, you courage, your willingness to help the people of Sevastopol, and your evident might at arms. As such, I would like to offer you my assistance in your current quest. The watercourse seems of particular danger to you, since none of you evidences skill in swimming. I could create some scrolls of water breathing. One for each of you. This would greatly enhance your chances of surviving the entrance to the caverns. Creating these scrolls is not without cost to me, and I would ask a favor in return. In exchange for this help, I ask that you accept Dhormium into your group, to be treated to an equal share of risk and reward. He is a powerful fighter and healer. We dwarves here are too insular. Dhormium would learn much from you, and bring back valuable information about these lands and peoples.”

 

[doghead]

A flicker of relief pass across Marcus's face as Berendd offers the scrolls. The warrens were one thing, but the underwater tunnel ... urr!

 

[Guilt Puppy]

"In exchange for this help, I ask that you accept Dhormium into your group, to be treated to an equal share of risk and reward. He is a powerful fighter and healer. We dwarves here are too insular. Dhormium would learn much from you, and bring back valuable information about these lands and peoples.”

"You are too kind, Barendd -- you offer one gift, and ask for a favor that we accept another. I see no reason that we should not accept both -- truly, we are in your debt." Nathaniel bows his head, smiling.

 

[Manzanita]

Oskar

"Well, you are all probably ready to get to it. It will take until morning to get those scrolls ready, eh, Berendd? We'll send you off with your rope, some fine dwarven provisions, and precise directions. Let your caretaker know if there's anything else you need." Says Oskar

As the PCs are leaving, Berendd says to Dhormium, "Stay a few moments, my son, say goodbye to an old man."

Any last plans or equipment requests before leaving The Hold? I'll post your departure tomorrow otherwise.

 

[Inez Hull]

"It will be good to have a representative of the hold in your good self Dhormium. With the combined skills of the Dwarves, the Elves and the Men of many peoples surely our mission cannot but succeed."

 

[Manzanita]

October 3

October 3

Early the next morning, the intrepid band leaves the shelter of The Hold, venturing again into the wilderness of the Crimean Peninsula. Ehldannis and Dhormium have been briefed in detail from a 200 year old scroll on how to find the hidden entrance to the Wendol lair. They are to head almost due South, until they reach the Northern shore of the Black Sea. They are to align the peaks of the taller two of the Three Sisters (mountains currently visible). At that point, they should be on the edge of a great cliff, with crashing waves below. A tall oak should stand about 50 feet to the East. That is where the first rope should be attached. At the bottom of the cliff, then, they would need to jump into the water. About 10 feet East, and 5 to 15 feet under (depending upon the tides), is the entrance to a tunnel that leads into the Wendol lair.

Dhormium is carrying a bone scrollcase carrying six water breathing spells. The wagon has been left. All are mounted, including Dhormium on a war pony. All carry dwarven travel provisions for 4 days (dry biscuits (cram), dried turbongo beetles, dried mushrooms, and hard Essercow cheese.)

I assume you head South. (Brioc’s map show’s the final destination some days, depending upon terrain, North) You might wish to discuss strategy or whatever.

 

[doghead]

As they ride south towards the Black Sea, Marcus suddenly breaks the silence he has enclosed himself in.

"I know nothing of the Wendol, so please forgive me if this is a foolish question. But I must ask it, for my own peace of mind if nothing else.

"Is negotiation completely out of the question?

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

"Even if they seemed amenable to it- which they don't, paticularly- we don't speak their language," interjects Octar, who has little desire to "negotiate" with the Wendol after he saw what they did to that Sevastapolian family.

 

[Inez Hull]

"Our earlier suspicion that the Wendol could be stopped by eliminating the one behind the raids seems borne out by the experience of the Dwarves. We need not destroy all the Wendol, merely the one who incites them to their deviltry. Thanks to our short friends we have a route which will hopefully take us under their encampment and to the lair of their shaman." With a thoughtful look Ehldannis interrupts himself, "Unless of course they recall the nature of their downfall at the hands of the Dwarves and have sealed off this route. Hmmm, unlikely for shortlived folk such as humans. Let us hope."

 

[Manzanita]

October 2nd (actually)

You travel though the rough wilderness, making steady progress. There are few signs of inhabitation. However near dusk on your second day of travel you encounter what seems to have been a battleground. No bodies remain, but blood stains the dirt and rocks, and stone spear and arrowheads dot the terrain. Several of the rocks are marked with a bloody red claw. About 10 foot further South, a boulder has been carved to resemble a headless woman with large breasts, and pregnant belly. Dhormium recognizes the red claws as the symbol of the dominate orc clan on the peninsula, the Red Talon. They claim their patron is a red dragon. The dwarves think this unlikely, as dragons haven’t been seen on the Peninsula for about 1000 years.