the hill top ruins
Craddoc squats down beside Garival and consider the collection of gear in front of the two of them. [sblock]"I recon that you know what you're doing with those knives, but something with a bit more clout might not go amiss." He pulls a mace from the pile. "Now these are always good value," he says hefting the weapon easily. "And a spear gives you a bit of range."
"On the other hand," he says after a moment pause, "this might be more your style." He lifts his staff from where it lay beside him. "Its heartstone. I found this in a very deep cave. The stone that is. Made the staff myself. It packs a little more clout than normal oak, and if you can find someone to bless it, well my old man used to say that there was nothing to compare with a blessed heartstone staff.
"I want it back when this is all over," he adds gruffly, "But for now I can make do without it."
* mw Heartstone staff (+1 to hit, +1 damage)
Heartstone: This is stone found in the very heart of tall mountains, often found in very deep caves. It provides a +1 bonus to damage which stacks with magic (so a +1 heartstone staff would have +1 to hit and +2 to damage). In total darkness heartstone glows. (small items illuminate 1 square, medium a 5 ft radius, large a 10 ft radius).
* Never heard of it myself, but seems kinda cool. The mw bonus would not stack. Probably.[/sblock]
As Nate digs, Craddoc begins collecting stone blocks. He places them carefully nearby as if according to some criteria only he can see. He doesn't say anything unless asked. If so he simply says that he knows stonework. The purpose of the order becomes apparent as Nate beings the cairn. Craddoc begins slotting the stones carefully into place, starting with the nearest ones from his collection. By the time he is finished, the cairn is as solid a construction as anything Nate could imagin building with no tools and morter. There is even a space for the shield to be wedged into place.
When Nate finishes the inscription, Craddoc turns to the blacksmith. [sblock]Craddoc hands Nate two of the charms given to the group by the cleric of the Lady in Killingtom.
"I think you need these more than Hadarook and I. Especially if you want to live long enough to realise how young and foolish you are." The words are spoken without the heat that has characterised the pervious interation between nate and Craddoc. He also hands Nate a small stone carving that Nate had commented on while they were travelling up from Trolluc. "This, on the other hand, has no special powers, but I'd like you to have it anyway."[/sblock]
Fenix tries on the orc shaman's armour. He lets out a shout of surprise as it seems to wrap itself around him like some living thing. The armour smells ... odd. Its a little restrictive, but not nearly as bad as Fenix had imagined. He feels a damn sight safer with it than without. [sblock]Soak +4, Max Dex +4, ACP -2, ASF 15%, Weight 20 lbs. The rings appear to be a matching pair; there is an inscription on the inside of each. The lettering is worn, but just recognisable being in common. The rings are probably worth around 100 gp each.[/sblock]
Hadarook pulls the rations from his and Craddoc's bag. He keeps aside enough for the two of them for one more meal, but the rest he hands to Fredar. "There is enough here to last the four of you a day. With what you have yourselves, and from the orcs, thats enough to last you about 4 more days. More if you eat sparingly. But mind your strength." [sblock]Reaching into his pouch he pulls out a couple of small vials and adds them to the collection.
"These will help keep the swords and arrows of outrageous misfortune from falling on you. For a couple of minutes anyways. You need a little faith, but ...". Hadarook shrugs. "I think they will work for anyone of good heart."[/sblock]
When you are all done, the goblin shaman runs through all that she has told you one last time. The temple lies about 4-5 days from where you are now. Garival is reasonably familier with the area to be covered in the first few days, and feels confident enough of being able to get the party the rest of the way to the swamp in which the temple now lies. The swamp he has never been to, but heard of from time to time. Of the swamp the shaman can tell you little. No self respecting goblin would go there. Centuries ago, a tribe of goblins was banished from the forests, and it is held that they made their home in the swamp. But as no self respecting goblin would go near such a place (too much water, and not enough solid ground to dig a cave to huddle in, let alone a proper warren!), she cannot say whether thay are still there. Of the one who seeks the item of power, she can tell you little other than he reeks of death. The shaman, needlessly perhaps, reminds everyone that time is pressing, and that they cannot afford to dawdle.
The sun is approaching its peak as the various groups prepare to depart.
ooc: Ok, I think that that is it from my end. Let me know if there is anything I missed. Not sure why I went sblock happy, but it will give your characters something to talk about I suppose.
thotd
