Tokiwong's 3.5 Game: Chapter 1 (The Swarm)

[Tokiwong]

The party continues up the mountain, for another eight hours, as the incline becomes steeper and the trees become less. The trail becomes less defined, as the party approaches an old worn stone bridge spanning the Goblin Rift, at least to Jalban's knowledge. The quality of the craftsmanship of the bridge and the spartan style is easily recognized by Drakor as that of dwarf make.

The chasm plunges nearly 150 feet, to the rocky bottom of Goblin's Rift. The party passes the bridge and continues for another hour through the high rocky terrain. From their vantage point they can see much of the Valley of Ravens, yawning out before hem in green forests and hills.

After the hour of hard trudging the the party hears two deep excited voices, both grumbling and shouting in Dwarven*. Where the trail intersects a narrow path that climbs up toward the mountaintop, you spot a campsite. Seven dwarves armed with bows and axes occupy the campsite. Two of them argue loudly, while the others stand and observe. Another figure, covered by a bloody blanket, lies on the dusty ground nearby.

* Dwarven Translation

The first dwarf with a long braided beard shouts, "We cannot press onward, we must return for Niefald! If we hurry now, then we can get him raised by the high priest back at the hold!"

The second dwarf scowls, and replies, "We must go back for the others, we cannot leave them to the the goblins, we must go back for them! Listen to reason Cenkil!"

"No Lif, if we press on, we may all die, and I will not have that!" Cenkil replies.

 

[Tokiwong]

Nothing here

 

[semmarin]

Drakor translates the argument for everybody “The dwarf with the braided beard wants to take their fallen kin back to their hold so that he may be raised, while the other wants to go back and help some others that are fighting goblins." Drakor looks at his companions with a look of rage across his face "We must help them!”

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Bjorn nods to Drakor and says, "I cannot refuse to aid them. It's not in my nature. Let's hale the camp."

Bjorn walks into the clearing and says, "Greetings. We are a party sent from Green Hills to search out a nest of Goblins. May we be of assistance friends?"

 

[Hammerhead]

Kerrik shrugs. Well, I can refuse to aid them, yet I choose to do so, Kerrik philosophizes as he rushes towards them. He raises his hands to his side. Greetings. My friend told me the basics of what's going on. How about two of you take the body back to the hold, we'll go with the rest of you to help everyone else? Sound good?

Naturally, the committee will bog this down until enough time has passed that action is pointless, but oh well. I at least tried to help.

 

[ferretguy]

As he heads towards the dwarves Damn there are goblins up here...really hate fighting, oh well a jobs a job...

 

[Tokiwong]

The larger of the two dwarves, Cenkil, turns to the approaching party. The other dwarves bare grimaces, and tighten their grips on their weapons with a scowl. Cenkil turns to fully Bjorn, “Don’t be so sure we be friends, I know the names of my friends, and I know not yours.” He then turned to Kerrik, but does not give him a response just glowering.

The shorter dwarf, Lif, listens to Kerrik, “Ahh now that is agreeable, yes? If these men wish to help us, then we could easily save our comrades!”

Cenkil barked back to Lif, “Don’t be foolish, we don’t even know whom these men are, for them to be coming up and offering assistance for no bleeding reason. Have more sense Lif!”

Lif grumbled, “They seem honorable enough to me.”

 

[Hammerhead]

Kerrik's frustration with dwarves grows...

Kerrik folds his arms, sighing. Enter the decision-makers. These dwarves have a funny way to treat people who are trying to help. Why do I even bother?

Look, pal, he begins sarcastically, Seconds count here. Lives are at stake. You want to argue about whether we're trustworthy, or do you want to do something about your problems. Your call.

OOC: Kerrik attempts to use Diplomacy at +3; if another PC like Bjorn attempts Diplomacy, consider Kerrik's skill check to be Aid Other.

 

[semmarin]

Drakor looks at the lead dwarf gruffly “I be Drakor Darkslayer, Paladin of Moradin. We are adventurers working for the village of green hills, to find a goblin problem and it looks like we found it. Now are ye accepting are help or are ye to stubborn.”

 

[Tokiwong]

Drakor looks at the lead dwarf gruffly “I be Drakor Darkslayer, Paladin of Moradin. We are adventurers working for the village of green hills, to find a goblin problem and it looks like we found it. Now are ye accepting are help or are ye to stubborn.”

Cenkil listens to Drakor, and Kerrik for a moment before sighing heavily, "Forgive my harshness, but we have not had a n easy journey, and now one of our own lies dead, and two others perhaps captured by the goblins that haunt this peak."

He gestures to the rest of his companions who have several makeshift bandages, on their bodies, and look weary from fighting, and combat. Cenkil continues, "If ye wish to help then we accept it."