Two great goals that go great together!
Hermy, riding Major, will head the expedition deep into uncharted -- well, not really.
Actually, it's to a small farming community just a week's travel from Garic's City.
But an excellent expedition for a group of novice scouts! What could possibly go wrong, after all?
*Hermy spurs Major towards the Jackal's Compounds Gates.*
"Zenobia! You take charge of the the horse first! Stay nears me."
"Hanse! Tovias! you two scouts outs ahead a few hundreds fet."
"Enialis! You takes the right side!"
"Harvan you takes the left!"
"Tybalt you trail behind ta see ifen wese being followed!"
"We'll rotate positions after lunch."
"Keep yer eyes an ears open."
"There's no telling when wese gunna run inta trouble."
*The scouting group quickily exits the city and begins heading north.*
.o0(Ok, now where was it we was suppose to go? Follow the spilled ale until we see a salt shaker and then go right until we comes to a dirty spoon?)
.oO (eyes open......lets go over the that game trail...won't be much to step on and its very well concealed....right....should be over here)
*takes a little change of direction and turns about 30 degrees to his left*
He adjusted his hat and hiked ahead of the miniature caravan.
"Hanse, I think he means for us to be the forward eyes and ears."
*Is impressed at his metaphor.*
*Moving quickly and careful how much noise he makes (and a motion for Hanse to keep up), he puts some distance between himself and the group's center.*
"Spread out a little, but careful that we should keep close to each-other if there is trouble."
"Remember what Hermy said, our main concern is to warn the rest of the group before they stumble upon what we are supposed to see first."
.oO(Not sure if that made sense...)
"I'll take left..."
"And stay somewhat sneaky."
*After Hanse's response, he moves off left and tries to apply all he has learned so far about staying silent and hidden, but focus' more on his awareness of his surroundings.*
Upon reflection, though, he has to admit that none of them are as loud as the average laborer on his way home at the end of a long workday. It must be that Hermy is just such an exceptional listener.
The scouts Move Silently on checks ranging from 14 to 22, but Hermy Listens at a check of 32...
The junior rangers of the group do an exceptional job of finding a campsite that evening, and setting up for a comfortable night.
"I never knew how hungry travel can make ya."
*Of course, he waits for someone to retrive them from the horse...as he himself won't go near the thing.*
*As an afterthought, he volunteers to get firewood.*
"Now Hermy...I mean, sir. I know this is an easy task but let's say we are on a real scout mission with possible danger a' lurkin, do I just go out by myself carewfuly or take someone with me."
*A thought stirkes him.*
"Do we even light a fire. I can't imagine stayin' out in this weather without a fire though."
"Or cold beans for that matter..."
.oO(Even the thought of warm beans aint appealin'...)
.oO (mmm I'm glad I ran around like a wild beast as a child. learned alot about nature and what mother natures embrace can offer is endless. She offered me some wolf berries and the sence that all is well. And the best thing of today is most likely the fact that i am not sore)
Hey Tovias you need company tonight because I ain't tired?
"Wake me for my shift," the youth said.
Once finished, he slept with right hand on his shortsword and his left hand on the torch.
"I don't-a see a problem with it, but even if it is trainin' we should think as if we are in real danger. Remember, Hermy said there are all kinds a' things out there."
"Although I would like your silent company, sparing a' few quiet words maybe."
*Speaks up, loud enough for the others to hear but not too loud as to alert would-be aggressors.*
"It's-a settled then. Might as well get used ta our jobs. Unless Hermy thinks it un-wise we sleep with no fire and eat-a cold meal. We don't want ta draw attention."
*Lowers his voice as he has their attention.*
"I suggest we keep it quiet as well. Maybe a roughtine scoutin' every so often? Whaddo-ya say Hermy?"
.oO(Please say we can light a fire...)
oO. (This'll be a great chance to prove myself, maybe we'll see prevent what happened to my familly from happening to someone else.)
Zenobia quietly humms by the edge of the group, her arms around her knees.
"We aren't in enemy territory yet."
"And ifen we do gets attacked we'll wants to be able to see what we are fighting."
"Enialis is the only one who cin see in the dark, elves cin do that sort of thing."
"Dwarves too. And orcs."
"But all we gots is an elf."
*Hermy looks over the troops.*
"Tovias. You an Harvan finds us some firewood."
"Circle arounds the camp completely an see what you cin finds before it gets to dark."
"Afters that I wants Enialis to do it too."
"I'll start cooking the beans. Zenobia. Tybalt. I wants you guys at the edge of the firelight keeping out a watch."
"Afters a few hours wakes me an Enialis will takes the midnight watch. An Major."
"An a few hours before morning we'll switch with Hanse an Tovias."
"Once the suns completely up we'll cooks some more beans an then head back out."
"Yes sir."
*Turns to Harvan with the slight of a good-natured smile.*
"We shall have that conversation after all. Shall we?"
*He turns and, walking slong side Harvan, heads off to the north out about a few hundred feet to make a circle and find dry wood.*
*Speaks quietly.*
"It's ok ta talk I guess, but just ta be safe try not ta make too much noise or talk too loud."
"We'll make our circle and gather the wood on the second half of it. Should be back eatin' beans in no time, ta be sure."
"And a fine meal it is..."
*He says dryly.*
"So, tell me about yourself Harvan. You a Garic's Native?"
*Come morning the group packs up to head back on the road, while Hermy reheats the left over beans.*
*Once breakfast is over the group sets out again.*
"Ok, lets try to be quieter this time. And more observant."
"Ise gunna go aheads on foot, an try ta ambush you occasionally."
"The first person to spot me don't have to take a watch tonight."
"Major will leads the horse, don't worry, Ise trained him to do that, so all of you cin go outs where ever you want."
"I'll finds you all for lunch."
"Last one ta get found don't have to take a watch either."
"So be quiet. An sneaky."
"Gives me abouts half an hour an then start a moving. If ya gets lost just finds Major an the horse. They knows the path wese gunna take."
*Hermy scurries off ahead.*
.oO(I could go into the woods but than he may find me... But if I stay here he might find me...)
"Hmmmm..."
.oO(So the question is which way is better?)
*Tybalt decides to take his chances and steps into the forest keeping the horses to his right at all times and just in sight as he does his best to sneak through the trees.*
Well I grew up in Garic with my father whoed been a city guard. But I was more intrested in running around the wilderness so I knows about the area pretty well. But up until I joined the Jackals that's the story of my life. I just ran around like a holagin. Hows abouts yerself?
.oO(Hey that reminds me....the stream..no footprints....there is constant noise....there is shrubery.....perfect
*slips off to the right and goes about 100 yards out until he finds the stream. He then tests the water with his fingers and is a little disapointed at the tempeture but it will serve for when the ground may show foot prints. He then, as silently as possible continues on course keeping not of how far away from the road he gets.*
Hermy won't figure that I would take the straight path... That'ld be foolish. So it must be the best way to avoid detection.
He walked slow and kept low to the ground. You're far too tall Hanse; Hermy will see your head above the bushes!
*Watches as Harvan disapears somewhat skillfully into the woods, thinking to himself.*
.oO(He seems carefree...something many can only dream of being. I envy him...)
.oO(And he is not intimidated by my being a noblesmen striving ta be a knight. I should keep an eye out for that one should things go ill.)
*He disapears into the brush and makes his way through them, keeping his eyes and ears focused. He even stops every so often to listen and look without the distraction of walking for moments at a time.*
*Then he sets out to hunt down his trainees.*
Zenobia, Tybalt and Tovias are as easy to find as chicken sellers in the market square.
The halfling has to put some serious effort into locating the other three, though, but he does eventually find all of them.
"I guess I'll be gettings a good nights sleep tonight. What with all of you standing watch and all."
*Hermy mounts up on Major and spurs him forward.*
"I'll go sets up a camp for tonight."
"I hopes you cin finds where Ise doing that at before me an Major eats all the dinner!"
*Major takes off at a full run into the undergrowth.*
[Survival +6]
(Spot +2, Listen +4)
*Tovias himself utilizes the skills of the woods that he knows to best locate the campsite.*
"mmmm..... something I can do"
Track feat
listen +6
spot +6
survival +7 (it might help)
*follows the trail into the underbrush trying to get ahead of every bodyelse so he can get the unadultered tracks*
"You know, I might not be able to tell the difference between a goat's tracks and a deer's, but wouldn't Hermy probably head in the fastest route to the farm? As much as this is a training experience for us, it is also an errand that he is probably trying to complete as fast as possible," Hanse lended his logic to the group.
*pauses a second to view his first love, nature, Harvan rubs at teh light stubble that is appearing on his face. Takes a deep breath absorbing all of the smells that surround the area. glances back to the ground, blows out the breath and continues on.
Hermy waits at his camp. Then waits some more. The night gets darker and colder, and the small man remembers just how lonely lonely can be.
it makes me feel so incompetent..."maybe we should split up and be within shouting distance of each other. We may be able to find the tracks then.
*waits for any protests, and with not observing he continues.
"Enialis...to the far left..Hanse, second farthest to the left...Tovias in the middle, Tybalt to the right of Tovias, Zenobia to the right of Tybalt, and I will take the far right. If any thing unfortunate comes about holler out, and if you hear some one holler yell out te da next person in line. But be sure to move about as quietly as possible.
.oO(well see how this goes.....and if Hermy comes looking about for us it may be a bit harder to find us, if were not bunched up.
*Moves off to the right with his eyes on the ground ears on the small nocturnal animals that he loves so much and everything else that his keen, ears can pick up.*
"Sorry Major. I'd lights a fire an cook us up some more beans, but that woulds be to easy fer the scouts ta find."
"An theys got ta learn that scouting aint easy."
*Major looks around and sniffs the air before answering.*
"I think I've had enough beans any ways."
"I'll find some rabbits for us once its safe to start cooking."
"Maybe a squirrel for me first though."
"I don't think cheese is going to be much better for me then those beans were last night."
*Hermy cringes slightly.*
"Ok, but don't lets the scouts shoot you."
"I doubt they are any where close."
*Major slips off into the darkness.*
"Just light the fire, you're going to freeze."
*Between chattering teeth, Hermy agrees.*
"All rights... Ifen Ise this cold, them scouts must be worse."
"Non sense in letting them freeze to death ta teach em a valuable lessen is thrre?"
*Hermy starts a fire and warms his hands next to it and then startys cooking the rabbits.*
"We should have found him already it's not like hes trying to hide."
The young scout continues to search for Hermy and the camp.
(spot +2, listen +4)
Major gets tired of waiting, walks to the side of the camp nearest the road, and begins to bark.
*He chews thoughtfully and then swallows. *
"Well thats either gunna let them know where we are or its gunna attrack bad guys."
"Of course ifen theres bad guys around, I'd rather they comes after me then them scouts."
"I thinks its fairly obvious thy aint ready fer danger yet."
*Hermy moves next to Major and starts shouting.*
"Ise over here! Look fer the fire! Or listen fer the shouting! Or fsmell the cooking bunny!"
"I don'ts care how you get here! Just get here!"
They are cold and hungry, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
"Gets some food, an then gets some sleep."
"I'll do all the watching tonight."
"With all the shouting an barking an stuff we mights of attrackted somethin' we didn'yt want to attract."
"An I'm the most likely ta see themif they comes."
"An the one who'll be able ta sleep while we ride tomorrows."
""So sleeps good tonight."
"Tomorrow aint gunna be games, yer gunna be scouting fer real."
"Perhaps we should tie a bell on Hermy while he sleeps tomorrow... make it a little easier to track him," the rogue said to lighten the mood.
*continues to sit a little off to the side brooding.*
.oO(and tomorow is going to be worse.
*grunts and changes position and falls asleep.*
Finally they approach the small farming community that is their goal.
Even those with no experience of farms would have to wonder what is being grown here, given the gouges in the fields, and the holes knocked in the barns.
"Zenobia, you comes with me. An the horse."
"The rests of you, see what you cin finds around the barns on the fields."
"Ise gunna try ta find someones ta talks too."
"Try ta be sneaky."
"An careful."
*Hermy spurs his dog forward and rides towards the center of the town, keeping his senses alert for any signs of movement... or life.*
*Silently draws his sword and holds it with both hands. Moves to the left of the village huging close to the greenery.
.oO(mental sigh I do not like this.
*Keeps his eyes and ears perked to any sound that shouldn't be there. also keeping his eye on every body else, to make sure nothing bad happens. With the hairs on his neck raised he continues on searching for information pertaining to what has happened.
He crouched by one of the gouges.
"What could've done this?"
*Sniffs the air and makes a face of disgust. He then starts looking for where the tracks left the village and where they lead.
.oO( I hope whatever left these tracks isn't too exceptionally nasty.
"Giants?" the new scout asked.
*Changes weapons (now has bow out)
.oO( I don't think they will still be here but it would be better to be ready.
"Hey maby we all should all have our weapons our."
"Don't shoot any one unless I tells you too. Anyone here is probably hidding. "
"From the looks of things in the fields an such, what ever attacked aint gunna need to be hiding. It looks likes they won."
"Isew gunna draw attention ta myselfs, go finds a safe place where ya cin covers me from."
*Hermy waits until Zenobia has found a hiding place and then dismounts and yells out.*
"Hello! Is there any body home!"
"Ise a hero comes from Garics City."
"Does anybody need rescuing!"
The track dwarfs his own foot.
--------------------------------------
In the town, Hermy barely has a chance to start hollering when he hears deep, uproarious laughter from the town square, and the bleating of a terrified sheep.
*Hermy waves for Zenobia to go find the other scouts and then whispers to Major.*
"You sneaks around to the otherside of the square. I'll sneak up from this side."
*Major nods and starts to circle around, while Hermy begins sneaking forward sticking to all the cover he can find.*
He slides his swords from their sheathes and stalks towards the laughter.
[Hide/Move Silently +11]
(Hide/Move Silently +9, Listen +4, Spot +2)
Standing around 11' tall the giants appear to have gathered the town's ale kegs in the square. An angry-looking young man is using a bucket to keep the giants' drinking horns filled.
There is a terrified sheep in the center of the group. It is trying to escape, and the giants are using their feet to block its attempts, laughing loudly each time.
It seems to be a game...
*circles around to the other side hoping to get a shot from behind, on whatever made the noise, with a grim face.
Move Silently +7
hide +7
listen +6
Spot +6
*He holds his aim until he hears the scouts getting close, or if the giants make any sudden moves.*
.o0(Ifen they hurt that sheep they'll be hells ta pay. Nobody hurts sheep while Ise around.)
.o0(Well, not ifen they don'ts have some kinda sauce to go with it.)
"Are we equiped to take on giants? I mean... I heard that their skin is whole inches thick!"
Hermy realizes he has no idea where Enialis is.
*Hermy squeezes the trigger of his crossbow, and then tries to duck back into concealment.*
.o0(An I hope the others don't get deads either.)
Hermy is at 13-F, Zenobia is at 8-F, Tybalt 4-G, Tovias 4-L, Harvan 5-N, Enialis 9-O, Hanse 13-N.
The Giants are in the middle of the town square at 9-I, 7-K, and 10-L. Hermy is shooting at 10-L.
Hermy aims and fires at the giant that is in his line of sight. The bolt hits, and the giant roars in pain and anger, turning to look directly at Hermy.
Initiative:
Hermy 27
Enialis 22
Tovias 20
Tybalt 15
Zenobia 12
Hanse 9
Giant 2 8
Giant 3 7 (injured)
Harvan 6
Giant 1 0
"Leave that sheep a lone!"
[move towards Hermy, staying stealthy. Ready to hit giant if it comes in reach]
Oo I hope that this was done correctly. (if I needed to wait for my initative to actually post my attack I will keep that in mind and remedy the problem.)
Longbow +4 (+5 within 30
feet)
Hide +7
move silently +7
*Tovias launches an arrow from his longbow at the giant pointing at Hermy.*
"Foul beasts! You shall pay for your evil deeds!"
*Xenobia fires her shortbow at the giant closest to her and then ducks back behind cover.*
Thrown Dagger: +5 to hit, 1d4 + 2d6 piercing
Target (G3) is 20 feet away (-4 to hit) and flat-footed, open to sneak attack
After loosing the first dagger, he drew another one.
Tovias shoots, missing, and Tybalt sends an arrow into one. The giant brushes angrily at the sting, and looks up at Tybalt with an ugly grimace. Tybalt fails to hide from the angry gaze.
Zenobia shoots and misses, exposing herself to the sight of the giants as she does so. Hanse buries a dagger to the hilt in the already wounded giant, but it is so focused on Hermy it doesn't slacken its stride.
Zenobia is stunned by the ground eating stride of the giants, as one walks over and smashes her to the ground with his axe. G2
Hermy's target G3, ignoring Hanse, approaches the halfling and slices him open.
Harvan shoots after the giant attacking Zenobia, but misses.
The third giant G1 deals with the annoying bee that stung him, leaving little of Tybalt to identify.
Initiative and HP Standings
Hermy 52/32 + 1 subdual
Enialis 20/20
Tovias 9/9
Tybalt 6/-16
Zenobia 10/-1 + 1 subdual
Hanse 13/13
Giant2
Giant3 (injured)
Harvan 16/16
Giant1 (injured)
"Wese lost the elephant of surprise! Its time ya try another advantage!"
"Get insides the buildings! Theys too big to manevers much in there! We can't stands up to these guys toe to face!"
"An I'll go rescue Zenobia!"
*Hermy lets his crossbow drop and draws his sword trying for a quick hit to the giants leg before tumbling back out of the giants reach.to c13
Fighting defensively, and with full expertise of +5. Total bonus to AC +8 to hit drops to +5.
*********************************************
*Tovias nods at Hermys order and fires another arrow at the giant facing his leader and then slips back between the buildings looking for a way in.*
Heads towards j0, going into any entrance he sees on the way.
[double move on total defense--AC 20]
Enialis sprints through the square, attracting the attention of the giant that felled Zenobia, who chases him. Enialis ends in 17-J, and G2 ends in 14-J
Tovias shoots at Hermy's giant, hitting ineffectually.
He slides another arrow from his quiver and launches it at G1, then turns and removes himself from his exposed position, rounding the building to his right [longbow +4, 1d8, moves to 1P]
The giant's attention being drawn, though the arrow merely buries itself in a nearby beam, he turns and goes in search of the archer. Moves to 5-O
"There better be a great heroes' welcome!" he shouted as he ran out of cover towards one of the giants (G3) and threw his dagger.
Hermy has avoided being struck, but his opponent looms over him.
Tovias is searching for a way into a building on the north end of the square.
Hermy is in 13-C, G3 is in 13-D, Enialis in 17-J, G2 in 14-J, Hanse in 12-J, Harvan in 1-P and G1 in 5-O
*Hermy does another quick strike at the giant and then tumbles away again. to a 12 taking cover behind the side of the inn.*
.o0(And I aqint loosing the sheep either!)
Fighting defensively, and with full expertise of +5. Total bonus to AC +8 (+12 if cover from the corner)to hit drops to +5.
*************************************
*Tovias stops looking and thinks.* .o0(I know we are suppose to be sneaky and hard to see, but hiding from a fight? Most unknightly beavior. Especially from som beasts that would dare strike a woman. I can't let that stand.)
*Tovias moves to where he sees the splattered remains of Tybalt and forces himself not to vomit. He takes aim at the most direct target and unleashes an arrow.*
"I will avenge you Tybalt. These giants will not live to see another day."
[Delay. When giant comes within reach, full attack: +2/+2, 1d6+1/1d6]
The giant growls, following, saying "You're a feisty one! It'll almost be a shame to kill you."
Tovias is unable to find a target from where he stands.
goes to L-0 turns and takes a ready action for when the giant turns the corner.
With no-one to aid him, Enialis is struck down.
From the eastern side of the village square, a loud barking erupts, as Major puts his fullest effort into a sprint to save his master.
He catches up to the giant pursuing Hermy, barking and snapping. The giant turns his attention to this new annoyance, bringing the blow intended for Hermy down on, and through, the dog.
Major has sacrificed his own life to save Hermy.
Harvan shoots at the giant bearing down on him, to no effect, and suffers the consequence.
HP Standing:
Hermy 52/32 + 1 subdual
Enialis 20/0 + 1 subdual
Tovias 9/9
Tybalt
Zenobia 10/-2 + 1 subdual
Hanse 13/13
Giant2
Major 26/-32
Giant3 (injured)
Harvan 16/-3 + 1 subdual
Giant1 (injured)
"Hey you! Ugly! I'ld use a more inventive insult, but you're too stupid to understand it!" the rookie scout shouted at the giants. He threw his dagger for emphasis.
Perhaps if I can draw them away, Hermy can get the wounded to safety, Hanse thought and hoped.
The young man withdrew.
Hanse made an attack, +5 to hit, 1d4 piercing damage.
Then withdrew towards O-13, while pulling back, he drew another dagger.
*Hermy pauses for a second before he can shake off the shock of seeing one of his closest friends cut down, and then runs away screaming.*
"Scouts! Get out of here! Don't try fightening! Just get to safety!"
"We can'ts beats these guys!"
*Feigning panic Hermy runs around the side of the building to where there are two doors, Hermy stops at the first one and opens it while yelling out.*
"Thanks for letting me in!"
*He ducks into the woodshed and slams the door and then hurridily throws it back open as he finds a place to hide in the piles of wood.*
*************************************************
*Tovias moves to where Zenobia lays dieing and picks her up and heads for the front door of the inn. He tries to open it.*
HP Standing:
Hermy 52/32 + 1 subdual 12-A, & is moving to 11-B
Enialis 20/0 + 1 subdual 17-J
Tovias 9/9 3-G, & is moving to 8-G
Tybalt
Zenobia 10/-2 + 1 subdual 8-F
Hanse 13/13 12-G
Giant2 16-J
Major 26/-32
Giant3 (injured) 13-A
Harvan 16/-3 + 1 subdual 0-L
Giant1 (injured) 0-M
He looks around in disbelief and roars out, "WHERE IS MY SHEEP?"
The other two giants run to see, looking for their errant plaything.
"The ale is still here, but where is our serving wench?"
"MORE ALE!"
The front door of the inn opens, and two trembling villagers emerge, lugging a keg. They leave the door open behind them.
.o0(I've got to get her to safety. And then I can contemplate revemge.)
**************************************
*Hermy huddles in his hiding place trembling with fear... no, with anger.*
.o0(That giant killed my dog, no, that giant killeded my best friend. I couldn'ts find the thing that killded my Alissa, but I knows where these giants are. An I knows how ta kill them. I just gots ta be patient.)
*Hermy until he hears the giant stomping away and then slips out of the wood shed and stalks towards the square, staying in the shadows provided bty the inn.* to g8
*Hermy scoops up the bow dropped by Zenobia, and then watches the giants in the center of the town. And the villagers serving them.*
.o0(Ise gots to save them villagers too. And whose left of my scouts. )
*Hermys eyes search out for any of his scouts.*
.o0(Mother?Ise didn't argue with you when you took my Alissa. An Ise not going to argue with you now that youse taken my Major. But don't you think thats enough fer one year?)
*Hermy briefly looks up at the skys.*
.o0(No one else needs to die today Mother. Not my scouts, the villagers, or the sheep.)
*Hermys eyes fall on the giants again.*
.o0(Well except them giants.)
"Hermy, do you have anything I can use? I really don't want to get in range to throw a dagger... that guy's club is bigger than my chest..." the scout whispered.
"Perhaps we can get on top of a building and fire down on them? That way they can't get close enough to make mashed scout out of us."
Hanse looked around for an easy way to ascend the buildings around him.
"We aren't going to fight thems."
"There's more important things to do."
"First thing we gots to do is finds out who is still alives."
"And then gets thems to safety."
"You goes that way, an I'll go this way. Circle the square."
*Hermy points south for Hanse, and North for himself.*
"Don'ts lets the giants see you. An if they does, then run."
"We don't need to loose no one else today."
"Once wese gots all our guys to safety that we cin..."
"Then I'll kill them giants."
Hermy notices a lot of the buildings have chunks knocked out of them...
Hermy also notices the remains of Tybalt.
.o0(Two. That's two deaths on my hands)
*After a quick glimpse at the giants, Hermy scoops up Tybalts arrows and then skulks onward.*.
.o0(There will nots be anymore.)
**********************************
*Tovias carries Zenobia into the inn and sets her down gently on the floor. He looks around the room before starting to try to revive her.*
"Is there a doctor in the house?"
The belligerent woman glares at Tovias. Not all of the villagers huddled in the inn are so lacking in compassion, though, and a man comes over and tries to help Tovias tend to Zenobia.
He brings some clean cloth when asked, and they manage to stop the bleeding. It looks like Zenobia should survive if treated carefully.
Hermy continues his skulking, discovering Harvan, who is losing blood quickly. I believe he'd be at -6 by now.
.o0(Mother? Please don't lets him die too. Remeber yer balance thing? Well, I think theres been enough good guys dieing already. Please don't takes him too.)
***************************************
"I'm one of those people who is going to save you from those giants."
"I'm a knight from Garic's city."
"And I'm here with Sir Hermy Woodhome. The famous giant killer."
"You won't have to hide in this inn much longer."
Once he is sure it is safe to leave Zenobia, Tovias looks for something to clean himself up with.
"How long have these giants held you captive?"
-------------------------------------------------------
The man helping Tovias with Zenobia sighs.
"Two days. They stomped up our fields, knocked holes all over the place, eaten our food and drunk our ale. Buncha brats, is what they are.
All they seem to care about is which of 'em can throw rocks further and more accurately."
He shakes his head in disgust.
*Hermy quickily surveys the area, and then takes off his coat. He carefully manevers Harvan onto it and then drags the body behind the closest building.* To k-0
*Once he gets him behind the cover of the wall, Hermy covers him up to keep him warm and then heads off to complete his circuit of the back side of town.*
.o0(I'll need Hanse to help get Harvan back. And anyone else who is stills alive.)
****************************************
Tovias gives the man a small smile. "I'm sure Sir Hermy will find away to drive them out. Don't worry, your town will be safe soon enough."
He pauses to change to a more grim expression. "How many of your people have been injured? Or worse?"
After that, we decided it was best to give 'em what they want and hope they go away soon."
Originally posted by Scheherazade
Circling around to where he last saw Enialis, Hanse finds his fellow scout. The man is in bad shape, but could be saved.
Hanse crouched by Enialis.
"Come on my elf friend... you have many decades before you get to sleep."
The Hanse carried the elf back towards where he split off from Hermy.
Hang in there Enialis... I'll get you the help you need.
A the terrible blow to his body leaves harvan, bleeding and dying upon the ground. All he hears is ringing, and all he sees is the moments that he enjoyed most as a child. In a fleeting thought of how it is good to die, doing the good that this world is lacking, and within the confines of the forest that he loves so much. But he wishes that he could have done more for the group and more for the Jackles. He also wishes that death had not come for him but little could be done about that, and in his last thought before he can no longer think he wishes his companions luck and prosperity.
Now comes and endless maddening darkness for what seems longer then the oldest elven life. Yet once the darkness yeilds to the light, but the light is so bright tha the can see not. He however can hear, he can hear people to his right. He turns and askes where he is, for he cannot remember anything other then the maddening darkness.
Steps approch from behind him and he feels a odd sensation on his left shoulder, and then a voice "Son you do not belong here, you belong back with your friends, back with the good small man that keeps you from this place. You are not one who will be lost to my world. Now go."
The sensation on his shoulder leaves along with the light, and once again he enters the Darkness, but this time it is calmer and time passes diffrently. Harvan forgets all that he had just experienced, only to remember all that his life gave him.
.o0(Harvan will lives for now, an Hanse is alive still. Ise sure I'd hear the giants ifen they was squashing him.)
*He creeps further.*
.o0(I found Zenobia's bow, but not her body, so I'm hoping that she managed ta crwl away somewhere's safe. Hopefully Tovias and Enialis dids the same.)
*Hermy wipes some moisture off his face.*
.o0(I don't thinks I need ta look fer Tybalt anymore. Ise pretty sure I founds him.)
*Hermy stops and bites his lips while he fights back the tears.*
.o0(An Majors safe with the Mother now.... )
*Hermy chokes back the tears and continues on.*
The giants are singing now, and it's not very pretty.
Wait... he wanted me to go south around the village... Aww... it's a circle... If I had kept going... Hanse groaned.
He repositioned the elf on his shoulder and turned back and headed south around the village again.
Com'on Hermy, keep going around the village... you'ld know what to do for Enialis, I hope.
The human scout quickened his pace, the giants were singing loud enough to make a deaf man's ears run red.
He could risk being spotted by the giants, and go inside the inn, if he wanted.
Hanse ran from where he was to the inn.
x4 movement, probably 20 ft speed with the encumbrance of the elf... so up to 80 feet closer to the inn.
Assuming he makes it into the inn
"I need help, my friend is hurt."
"Put him over there with the other one, and keep the noise down."
"Is this Zenobia?" Hanse asked in disbelief.
Originally posted by Scheherazade
Hermy passes by a bloody patch as he finishes circling the village square.
The giants are singing now, and it's not very pretty.
*Hermy stops to check the bloody patch.*
.o0(Is this Enialis? The blood looks too red ta be Tovias. Hes always going on about blue blooded an stuff likes that. Or it coulds be one of the villagers.)
*Hermy looks to see where the body might have been dragged too.*
.o0(Who ever it is aint here no more so hopefully theys still alive... Though it is a lots of blood.)
Originally posted by Hanse, Jackal Scout
Hanse was almost struck speechless. He set Enialis down by Zenobia.
"Is this Zenobia?" Hanse asked in disbelief.
Tovias nods. "It is her. I think we got her patched up enough that she will live. Tybalt wasn't so lucky."
"There wasn't enough of him left to even attempt saving."
Tovias lowers his voice to a whisper.
"Where is Sir Hermy? Or Harvan? Do you know if they survived?"
"For their sakes I hope so."
"My arrows didn't seem to phase those monsters at all. Sir Hermy has killed giants before, he might know the trick to taking them down."
Originally posted by Hermy the Hero
*Hermy stops to check the bloody patch.*
.o0(Is this Enialis? The blood looks too red ta be Tovias. Hes always going on about blue blooded an stuff likes that. Or it coulds be one of the villagers.)
*Hermy looks to see where the body might have been dragged too.*
.o0(Who ever it is aint here no more so hopefully theys still alive... Though it is a lots of blood.)
Hermy sees there is a blood trail and drag marks. Perhaps Enialis was taken to the inn?
*Glancing around to make sure no giants are trying to sneak up on him, Hermy sneaks towards the inn.*
.o0(I'll bets Hanse found him. Hanse was coming this way, an if he hadn't found nuthin I'd have run into him.)
.o0(Hanse is good at hiding, but not as good as I is at spotting. An if he made it this far he'd have found anyone else who was hurt on the way. And dragged them ta safety too. Its time ta regroup an comes up with a plan.)
Perhaps it is for the best that the giants are singing in their own language, rather than the common tongue.
.o0(All of them are alive except Tybalt.... An Major.)
*Hermy moves over to Hanse and Tovias.*
"I founds Harvan alives. But barely. I eed you two ta go an brings him back here."
"I lefts him behind a building on the north side of the square. Be carefuls. Hes in bad shape, but he'll lives if we cin get him somewheres safer."
*Hermy looks over the villagers and then speaks.*
"I'm Sir Hermy Woodhome of Garics City. I was comin' here ta find Erics wife. Hes the owner of the Lost Lich Inn."
"Is any of you her?"
*He glances over their faces.*
"I was supposed ta takes her back, but it looks likes the missions changed now."
"If I can't get rid of these giants, then my scouts will be taking all of you back."
A plain faced woman of impressive size, broad shouldered and heavily muscled, pushes forward through the crowd.
"And just what did you think you were doing, getting those giants riled up? What if you had killed one? His parents might come looking for revenge, and then where would we be?"
The crowd murmurs in agreement.
*Hermy tries not to let his confushion show.*
"Where are you now?"
"From what I cin tell yer hiding out from a bunch of monsters who is destroying yer town, drinking yer ale, an teasing yer sheep."
"Is thats how its suppose ta be here?"
Greta shakes her head, looking over the bloodied Hermy and his scouts.
"You're not an army, that's for sure. No offense meant."
"My scouts aint an army, but they is part of an army."
"An I aint an army either. Or even part of one."
"Ise a hero."
"An in certain situations that cin be worth more then an army."
*Hermy looks around at the various villagers.*
"How do you know they'll go away? Does they do this often?"
"All the giants Ise killed have deceided ta sticks around where the pickings isa good."
"An the pickings look goods here to me."
*He glances out the door.*
"At least until ya runs out of things ta keep them entertained."
"Theys going through that ale pretty quick."
Greta speaks firmly, "I saw one once, from a distance. They're called 'Frost' giants, because they only live in mountains and places where it's always cold."
"They've never come here before," says another villager. "We don't know why they came here now."
"Bullies do that. An those giants are bullies and worse."
"An now that they know they cin get away with it, they aint gioing to leave either."
"Unless they takes you all with them."
"I doubt they'd want to gives up on having slaves now that theys had some."
"And thats what you all are now."
"They won't stay when the weather turns warm. They already complain now, at midday. And we may not be able to drive them off, but there's no way for them to take a village of people back to their mountains as slaves."
"Do any of you feel like volunteering? Otherwise theys gunna picks them themselves, an I doubts they'll care whose children, or wife, or husband or mother theys taking away from their families."
"An thats only ifen they don'ts find away to take you all."
"They may be dumb, but I think youse even more scared then they is stupid."
""Your likes that sheep they was teasing."
"I'm guessin since ya has sheep at least one of ya is a sheepherder."
*Hermy looks them over again.*
"Does ya want to explains how sheep herds work? They goes wheres they directed to as one big group."
"An ya only needs to boss a few around an the rest follow."
*Hermy finally sighs.*
"Ise already lost my best friend in the whole wide world to these giants."
"An I aint gunna lose any one else ifen youse people are happy with what the giants are going to do to you."
"I guess some peoples would rather be slaves then dead. An who am I to takes away their choices."
"Thats what bad guys and slavers do. Takes away peoples choices."
"Not heroes."
The innkeeper folds his arms, and waits for Hermy's reply.
"Haven't you heard of Hermy the Hero? He's saved Garic's City more times than I can remember. I'ld follow him to the end of the world!" Hanse declared.
Not sure if I would follow him over the edge though...
"If Hermy says he can deal with the giants, then the giants had better make peace with the Makers before he forces them to sort out the pieces."
"Youse got ta deal with the immediate threat before ya worry about somethin' that mays or mays not happen."
"An rights now them three outs there is the immediate threats."
*Hermy puts his hands behind his back and paces while looking at the villagers.*
"What has you done ta try an get rid of them? Anything?"
"An why da ya thinks theirs parents will comes looking fer them ifen theys dead? If their parents was worried about them they'd probably have already come lookin'"
"Are you even sure theys still got parents?"
*Hermy looks at his two standing scouts.*
"Information... Its what scouts is suppose to be getting so that the army don't walk intio a trap."
"Poor scouting is what got the Jackals beaten in the moutains."
"An its what got us beaten earlier here."
"I aint gunna get beats a third time do ta my poor scouting."
*He stops pacing and settles his gaze on the villagers.*
"I needs to know everything you knows about these giants."
"Everything youse seen them do, or heard them say."
"What their names is."
"How old they is."
"What the like to eat."
"What their birthday is."
"When do they sleep."
"What their favorite color is."
"Everything."
*Hermy stares at the villagers and waits for a response.*
Originally posted by Hermy the Hero
"I aint sure they won't come looking, but when youse bleeding to death you shouldn't worry about starvation, should you?"
"Youse got ta deal with the immediate threat before ya worry about somethin' that mays or mays not happen."
"An rights now them three outs there is the immediate threats."
"It sounds to me," says the innkeeper, "that you may know about fighting and scouting, but not a whole lot about planning."
*Hermy puts his hands behind his back and paces while looking at the villagers.*
"What has you done ta try an get rid of them? Anything?"
"Well, we've only been giving them our worst ale..."
"An why da ya thinks theirs parents will comes looking fer them ifen theys dead? If their parents was worried about them they'd probably have already come lookin'"
"Are you even sure theys still got parents?"
Greta speaks up, "I heard them talking about when they go home. They're out to prove their 'manhood.' I think this is some sort of test or something."
*Hermy looks at his two standing scouts.*
"Information... Its what scouts is suppose to be getting so that the army don't walk into a trap."
"Poor scouting is what got the Jackals beaten in the moutains."
"An its what got us beaten earlier here."
"I aint gunna get beats a third time do ta my poor scouting."
*He stops pacing and settles his gaze on the villagers.*
"I needs to know everything you knows about these giants."
"Everything youse seen them do, or heard them say."
"What their names is."
"How old they is."
"What the like to eat."
"What their birthday is."
"When do they sleep."
"What their favorite color is."
"Everything."
*Hermy stares at the villagers and waits for a response.*
The villagers stare at each other and shrug. The innkeeper scratches the back of his neck again and ventures, "They sleep at night..."
Originally posted by Scheherazade
"It sounds to me," says the innkeeper, "that you may know about fighting and scouting, but not a whole lot about planning."
"There aint always time for planning. There wasn't earlier, but there is now. Thats why Is trying to get all the information I cin. To makes a plan."
"Well, we've only been giving them our worst ale..."
"Give them worse hen yer worst ale. Youse got salt don't cha? Mix that in with the ale. And ifen ya gots an dwarven spirits mix thats inn as well. An any other nasty tasting thing ya cin."
"Makes them uncomfortable, an makes them think this aint the best place to gets their drinks from."
Greta speaks up, "I heard them talking about when they go home. They're out to prove their 'manhood.' I think this is some sort of test or something."
"A manhood test, eh?"
"Well I think it might be times ta checks their answers."
"Well, not just yet, lets get thems a bit drunker. Theys more likely ta talks when drunk. An if we cin get thems ta talks we cin finds out where momma and daddy are. And what we need to do to get rid of them."
.o0(Killing thems seems to be the best option there.)
The villagers stare at each other and shrug. The innkeeper scratches the back of his neck again and ventures, "They sleep at night..."
"How louds do they snore? An do they keep a watch?"
"Ifen they don't an they snore louds enough I cin gets you guys out of here ta somewheres safe ifen it comes down ta what I thinks it will."
.o0(What I hopes it will.)
"Are you suggesting you're going to take on half a dozen adult giants?"
"Umm, didn't you say thems wasn't adults? An I only see three of them."
"Giants don't hide all that well, where are the other giants?"
*Hermy glances back at the door to the square.*
"Is there anything else I mights want to know about whats going on here?"
"Is there a dragon in the barn or something like that?"
"If I am going to take on six adult giants I'd likes ta know there aint a dragon backing them up."
"I'll still do it if it has to be done, but it would be a bit easier ifen I knew what I was fighting."
"You just said you were going to find their parents and get rid of them!"
"But first I'll try just getting rid of these ones."
"Bleeding an starving, remembers?"
*Hermy sighs and then points to Tovias and Hanse, and the addresses the villagers.*
"Is there a back door these two guys can use ta go get my injured man?"
*Hermy waves for the two Jackals to go fetch Harvan.*
"It don't look like I'm going to get much more information from you guys. Yer two busy looking at the big picture ta see the trees in front of yer face."
.o0(Ise getting good at these figures of speech. Ima gunna hafta thanks Gamis fer explaining them to me when we gets home.)
"I might as well see if I cin get information from the source. And creates a distraction while Ise at it."
*Hermy starts walking towards the door to the town square.*
Out in the square, Hermy discovers the giants have started in on a belching contest.
.o0(Why can't this just be an easy run in an kill the bad guys and get a parade mission... )
*Once it is somewhat quiet, Hermy yells out.*
"Hey! Cin you guys stop with the belching fer a minute! I thinks I owes you guys an apology for attacking you earlier! It was all a big misunderstanding!"
.o0(Yeah, ya misunderstood that ya coulds get away with killin my dog.)
*Once he has there attention, Hermy gives the giants a friendily wave.*
"Hey! Hi there!"
"Sorry about attackings you earlier! I didn'ts knows you was suppose to be here! But the nice people in here explained it all to me! Sorry! I hopes ya cin forgives me an my guys fer the... misunderstandin."
.o0(An ifen ya cin then yer dumber then ya look. You killded my dog. There aint no forgiveness fer that.)
"If I hads known you was just trying ta test yer manhoods an stuff likes that, well, I... I'm sorry. "
"It just seemed likes ya was pickin on these poor people ta me, I didn't know it was part of a test or nuthin likes that. An ya really can't blames me for that cin ya?"
"I mean these villagers obviously aint a challenge fer you guys. I'm not even a challenge fer ya."
"What kind of test is this anyhow? You guys are first class burpers, I cin tell that, but I don't think that requires leaving home ta proves does it?"
"Are ya suppose ta be doing something giantish?"
.o0(Likes dieing once I get a chance.)
Finally, the tallest of the three looks at Hermy and says, "We don't mind your little games. You are very funny, rolling around like you did. You remind me of a bear cub.
Yes, we are on our manhood trek. Practicing rock-throwing, and searching for something to kill that we can carry home as a trophy."
Y'know, impress the girls back home..."
"Well I know something that mights work fer that."
"Its a ways away, but ifen it doesn't make the girls back homes go week in the knees when ya brings it back, well, then ya might want ta check ta see ifen theys really girls."
"What is it? Are there three of them?"
"Theres only one of the thing I'm looking thinking of."
"Only one in the whole world."
"It does have a few ogres as body guards, and a dragon or two. But theys small dragons, and not very tough ogres. I managed ta kill one an you knows how small an weak I is."
"They won't be any trouble fer you three."
"But the Bloodtroll might be."
The giants move closer to hear what Hermy has to say.
"And dragons? Where are they? Tell us more!"
"Theys a few days west, an south of here."
"In the moutain passes of Hunts Mavellen."
"Theres two of them red fire breathing dragons there guarding the Bloodtrolls trritory.""
"Ise been tolds theys just young ones, but they looked pretty mean ta me. Not mean enoughs that you three couldn't handles them though."
"The Bloodtroll... well, I don'ts know what a had is likes but I doubts its anything as scary as the bloodtroll."
"Its a big, skinless troll that bathes in the blood of its enemies."
"Shes got big sharp claws that cin shred through plates mail."
"An huge teeth that cin punch through rock."
"An wings... Most trolls can't fly, but this one can. And it aint hurt by fire either likes most trolls is."
"Worst of all she cin grow backs any injuries faster then any little human or halfling cin cuin give her more."
"But after seeing what you guys dids ta my dog, I thinks you guys mights be able to hurt her an makes it stay hurt."
.o0(But you won't be able to hurt her enoughs that she won't rip you three idiots ta shreds before ya slaughters ya likes ya deserves.)
"Oh, an shes smart too. An cin cast spells."
"But just the kinds that causes fear, an them wouldn't have no effect on you guys."
The tall one looks down at Hermy.
"That will be a great trophy! And if the dragons get in the way, we will have three trophies! And you, little manling, will lead us to the troll."
.o0(An see you slaughtered likes you deserve.)
"But Ise not sure ifen thats a good idea."
"I'd just get underfoot when you guys is fighting. If I was to accidently roll under one of yer feet I mights trip you up. An tough as you guys is, its still goings ta be a challenge fer ya. Ya don't need my incompitance getting in the way."
"Besides, I don't thinks the girls back home would be nearly as impressed ifen ya hads to have any helps at all. Even if it is by somene as insignificant as me."
"I suppose ya coulds lie to them an not mention me, but that's not the most honorable thing to do is it?"
"Exagerating a bit ta impress the girls is one thing, but it aint particularily manly ta out an out lie."
"I coulds gives you a map of how ta get there. That aint really helping out so you guys coulds still haves all the glory."
"An the girls."
"I coulds even makes the map look likes a trophy too ifen ya wanted that."
"But taking me with ya is just a very bad idea."
"Nots that I don't wants to go watch ya fights the Bloodtroll."
"Cause I do."
"Ity just wouldn'ts be a good idea."
"You will guide us to the bloodtroll. We have little time. Gort, bring rope and leash our manling thrall."
Gort digs in his bag, pulling out rope, and walks over, uncoiling it.
*Hermy backs up slightly and gets ready to roll back into the inn.*
"I'll leads you guys there ifen rthats what ya really wants me to do, even thoughs its not a good idea."
"But I won'ts be able too ifen Ise tied up."
"Ise a rager, an I'll need ta be able ta run up ahead ta look fer tracks, and I can't very well do that tied up can I?"
"Theres a few tricky spots on the way, that ifen I can't finds the exact right path, will cost us weeks of unnessasary traveling."
"An ifen youse running outs of time..."
"We-elll... Okay. I will not leash you, unless you run away.
We will leave at sunrise."
Gort belches.
"Or when we wake up."
"Its kinda of a long journey even when ya does takes the right way there."
"Will ya get in trouble fer being away to long? If ya mights be maybe ya mights want ta warns yer families aheads of time."
The leader gestures to Gort.
"Gort, the leash. He doesn't need to scout ahead when he should be sleeping."
Gort steps up eagerly with the heavy, rough, rope.
*Hermy sighs and lets Gort tie him up.*
"Don'ts makes it to tight please I breaks easy."
"An could I has a bit of slacks. I needs ta say good byes ta my friends."
"I doubts I'll ever sees them again."
"Youse guys are toughs enough ta beats the bloodtroll. But I aint."
Eventually, they sleep, taking turns at standing watch.
"They giants won't be botherings you no mores."
"I'll takes them far aways. An when they dies it won't be blamed on you guys."
*He turns to his standing scouts.*
"As soon as Zenobia an Harvan are fit fer travel, get Erics family and Tybalt an Majors bodies an get back ta Garics."
"Takes Tybalt ta the compound. He dieded a Jackal. He should be buried with full honors."
"Takes Major ta the Temple. An let thems know I'll be backs for his funeral as soon as I can."
"Ask fer Father Camrun. Tell him I'll pays fer any cost fer preserving the body until I get backs."
"He knows Ise good fer it."
*Hermy tugs on the rope a bit.*
"You guys all did wells. The fault fer our defeats is all mines. Let Lord Malletfur know that."
"When I returns I'll let him know it too an accept whats ever punishment he thinks I deserves."
"Hopefully I'll gets some loot somewhere on the journey so I can get Tybalt raised."
.o0(An Major too ifen there is enoughs left.)
"And coulds ones of you contact Volos an Minto at the guild an lets them know whats goings on?"
"I think they'd very much appreciate it."
*Hermy starts to drag himself back outside.*
"Ise prouds of youy guys. You'll do well at savings the city next times there is a call fer it."
*He wves at his scouts and gives the villagers a polite nod before exiting.*
"Are you sure you want to go alone?" he asks the halfling softly. "I can watch from afar. More eyes."
"I don't want to go alone, and I could use more eyes."
"But them giants will be traveling fast. I don't thinks you coulds keep up."
"An the mission still needs ta be completed. We needs ta get our injured an Erics family ta Garics."
*Hermy looks at the faces in the inn.*
"Ise not going to tell you what to do."
"Another parts of being a good scout is thinkin fer yerself."
"Theres a time ta follow orders an a time ta breaks them."
"An its somethin' you'll needs ta figures out on yer own."
"I alreadys mades one bad descion taday fer you guys. An we lost two men cause of it."
*Hermy sighs and then walks out.*
"Is there a healer here?" he asks directly. "Preferably who knows magic."
He took a nasty hit to the head t'other day, when the giants showed up, but he ought to be on his feet about now."
The innkeeper points to the back door of the inn.
"If you go out the back door and circle around to the north, you can get to him alright, but you'll want to bring him back here, to tend those two on the floor."
He circles south at first to the place he fell instead of directly north, to retrieve his swords. It's a frustrating balance to move quietly without making himself pass out.
When his swords are back in their sheathes, the elf goes back, following the innkeep's directions until he reaches the dry goods store, looks it over, and tries the most secluded door he can find from the giants in the square.
When he taps, the door is opened by an older man with an ugly bruise on his forehead.
"We have wounded at the inn," he says softly. "Can you help?"
He gestures Enialis to enter. "I'm Curtis, the town's cleric."
"I'll just put a few things in this basket..."
Curtis takes a large basket and puts bandages and herbs into it.
Once there he sets about tending the injured, praying over Zenobia and Harvan, and urging Enialis to rest.
"How did you end up in this state?"
A gentle hand on Enialis shoulder and murmured chant ease the elf's pain enough to allow him to relax a bit.
HP standings:
Zenobia 10/4
Harvan 16/1
Enialis 20/1
He sits down on a bench and begins to tend his swords, then his brow creases when he sees that they don't need anything, since he didn't manage a swing.
"aaarrnnnn....what has happened?" all I remember is that damb beast chasing me and hitting me with its giant tree chopper."
*Pulls his hands away from his head and straightens up. Looks around counting heads, finding only five he furrows his eyebrows.*
"Well I'm pretty certain tybalt is dead....but where is Herm?"
*He tests the rope to see how easy it would be to slip out of while the giants aren't looking.*
*While in the inn, retreiving his coat from Harvan, he gathers some arrows from the shortbow he took from Zenobia.*
"I hopes ya don'ts minds me taking yer weapon Zenobia. Ima probably gunna need it more then you."
"My crossbows to slows ta fires quick enoughs."
"I'll returns yer bow ta ya when I gets back, or ya cin just tell Sir Gamis ta gets you a new one."
"I'll pays him back when I gets back."
*Hermy addresses the his troops again.*
"It looks likes youse all ups. There must have been a clerk here that I didn'ts know about."
"Ifen I has enough times I thinks I could use a visit from her too. But the suns almost up."
"And I don't think them giants is gunna wait too long."
*Hermy frowns.*
"Don't you guys wait to long neither."
"Major an Tybalts ... bodies.... They need ta gets back quickily."
*Hermy gives Enialis a look while he puts on his coat.*
"Its a shames about Major aint it?"
.o0(Don'ts cry in front of the scouts... Don't cry in front of the scouts...)
"He coulda tracked this coat from miles away as smelly as it is now."
"Of course giant footprints wouldn't be too hard fer him either."
*Hermy looks atr the group again.*
"Ise counting on youse guys ta get everyones back to Garics in on... as many pieces as they is now."
"Thats the mission. An thats what needs ta be done."
"I'd best get out there an wait fer thems giants ta wakes up."
"The sooner we cin get going, the sooner them giants cin die."
*Hermy drags his leash with him back outside to wait for sunrise.*
"Tell the woman to get ready to go," he says to Hanse. "Two hours. If I'm not back by then, get moving without me. I might catch up, or come back with Hermy."
The elf grabs his bag and makes for the back door. He goes quiet and alert on his exit, sneaking around to the corner of the building and watching the giants.
.o0(This is going to be a long, smelly trip if I'm stuck here.)
*Hermy yells up at the giant.*
"It mights be better ifen I rides on yer back or somethings likes that."
"Getting carried this way all I cin see is yer armpit."
"Not that its the ugliest armpit Ise ever seen or nuthin likes that, but I'd probably be a better guide ifen I could see where we was going."
After a minute or two, still striding along, he says, "Okay. But you better drop your swords and stuff first."
"Ma'am, we're setting out in about two hours. Enialis went off to check on our halfling leader."
The scout walked off to check on the injured.
"I won'ts be ables ta use them anyhow ifen Ise busy clingin ta yer back."
"An I doubts they'd hurt you even if I coulds manage it."
"I'd only be able ta sting you once before you could squash me likes a bug."
"The worst that could happen was ya mights get a scar ta show offs ta the ladies."
"The rest of our gear is in the cart."
---------------------------
"No," says the giant, "You drop your swords."
He halts and dangles Hermy by one leg, shaking him experimentally.
Enialis follows the giants easily, finding plenty of cover.
*Hermy does his best to keep hold of his weapons.*
"How bouts I hands them ta one of yer friends ta holds until ya thinks I cin be trusted ta holds them myself."
"Likes I saiod ya might needs me ta flush out the things that are terrified of ya!"
"He can drop his toothpicks in here..."
He hangs back a moment out of what should safely be their earshot to check his bag for how much in rations is stowed away. Then he closes it and moves to catch up.
*He keeps his rocks in his pockets.*
"There! Now youse perfectly safe from the dangerous little halfling."
"Nows coulds you please stops holding me upside down?!"
*Hermy sighs loudly.*
"Maybe in a few days when you realise how undangerous I is, you cin give me backs my stuff."
"I know a few funny juggling tricks I cin do with them that mights help ease the boredom of travel."
"An Ise not a bad hunter neither."
"I don't suppose you'd get full of of a few rabbits but they mights make nice snacks."
"You will have your knives and bow when we reach the bloodtroll."
The halfling is placed on Gort's shoulders, and ordered to keep a sharp lookout so that they can reach their goal as soon as possible.
Hermy sees lice on the giant's head.
"Youse got bugs in yer hair."
"Yer gunna want to wash thems out before ya goes back ta yer homes."
"The girls mights be impressed when ya beats the bloodtroll, but I doubts they'll want ta kiss ya."
"Girls don't seem ta likes bugs much."
*Hermy glances at the other two giants to see if they are watching him.*
"I don't like letting those giants run off with Hermy on their backs. I would rather follw them until hermy gets a chance to get away."
.oO( But I don't hink I or zenobia could make it far. I should have dodged between those buildings.
*He then goes silent and turns his attention to his sword, which quite obviously needs no attention. But Harvan still polishes and sharpens it while brooding on his position.*
"Everyone has bugs. Even the girls."
By nightfall, the giants have traveled a good 32 miles.
"You'd definetly gets noticed."
*For the rest of the day Hermy contents himself with keeping an eye out for familiar landmarks, giving the occasional direction and fashion tip, and plotting his revenge.*
*When the giants finally stop for the night, Hermy fakes enthusiasm.*
"Wow! You guys sure travels fast."
"I couldn'ts get evens half this far in twice the time on my dog!"
.o0(Especially since ya killed him.)
"You guys must be able ta go anywhere you wants anytime you wants."
"Ise surprised you giants hasn't taken over the world by now. Youse fast and fierce."
"An of course fearless. Ise beginning ta think you won'ts have no problems at all fighting the bloodtroll."
"Heck, ya mights even be able ta takes it home with you as a pet."
There is a great deal of personal scratching involved, and one of them answers Hermy's query about their plans for world conquest.
"Too hot most places. We live where there is ice and snow all the year, much nicer than this place. We will be happy to get our trophy and go home, where the air is cold and comfortable."
"Naamarie, quel marth," he whispers, thinking that with Hermy's ears he just might catch that, as he watches the party of giants and halfling go on. Then he turns and heads back to the village and the other scouts.
"If I cames from the land of ice an snow, I'd want to get back there too."
"Its a shame the place the bloodtroll lives is a bit on the hot side."
"But a bits of discomfort aint to much fer you guys is it? Especially not when you'll get such a good fight out of it."
"I'se sure all the other giants will be jealous."
*Hermy keeps talking as he watches the giants setting up camp, keeping his eye on the bag with his weapons in it as much as possible without being obvious.*
"So what does you guys do up there in the snowy place? Burps an farts, I know. But theres more ta life then just that."
"My friends a bard, he'd probably be interested in hearing what kinda songs giants sing."
"I don't think he knows more then one song about giants, an its not a very accurate one."
"What do we do? We have rock throwing contests! Then we feast and sing and tell stories."
"And go on raids."
"Oh yes, we go on raids."
"But throwing rocks is the best."
"Throwing rocks is very fun."
"I can't throw the big rocks youse guys can, but Ise fairly accurate with the little ones more my size."
*Hermy smiles.*
"More then fairly accurate actually."
"Manling, are you saying you are a better rockthrower than any of us?"
"Everyone knows no one cin throw rocks likes giants can."
The leader says, "You'd better not say you're as good as us. If you do, you'll have to prove it."
"I wouldn'ts mind trying ta proves thats Ise almost as good."
"I don'ts wants youse guys ta thinks Ise just dead weight."
"I wants ta helps you guys get this bloodtroll. An I wants you guys ta knows I cin help you."
*Hermy smiles.*
"Besides rock throwing is fun."
"How far can you throw?"
The leader glances around.
"Aim for that boulder over there, the one with the lichen on the side of it."
He points to an outcropping fifty feet away.
"Thats kinda far fer me. But I'll tries."
"I'll needs ta finds a real good rock ta throw."
"I can't just throw any old rock ifen Ise gunna has a chance of hitting that."
"An I'll needs ta be untieded too."
*Hermy looks at the ground and pretends to look for a rock as Gort loosens the ropes.*
*Hermy scampers around picking up various rocks and discarding them.*
"Nots flats enough. Too flat."
"To smooth... Too rough."
*Hermy turns to the giants*
"Is that one next ta yer feet red? Will ya check? Red ones throw better."
*When the giants look away Hermy slips one of his magic rocks from his pocket and pretends to find it.*
"Neverminds. I found the perfect rock."
*Hermy looks at the target and sighs.*
"Sure is far way."
"I'd be very surprised ifen I coulds hit it."
"Any one want ta takes a bet on wether I can?"
"Backs home everyone bets on the thrower."
"Do you giants do that too?"
We each put something in the stack, and the best of five throws wins it all."
"My weapons."
"So I can'ts really put anything in the pile."
"Ise kinda a bard amongs my peoples though."
"Maybe I coulds bets a song against the stuff in the pile or maybe even against getting my stuffs back."
*Hermy sighs louder.*
"Ise gunna lose anyhow so its not really a risk fer you guys."
"An you'll gets a nice songs about yerselves ta sing ta the girls."
*He grins and his spirits appear to brighten.*
"Girls likes guys that cin sing."
"Especially when they sings about themselves."
With a bit of digging, Hermy's glowing short sword is produced and tossed unceremoniously on a pile that includes a hunk of old cheese, a comb, and a whetstone.
*Hermy looks at the pile, and makes a face.*
"That's all you guys is gunna bet? I mean theres no way yer gunna lose, why not wager sumethin better."
"The girls aint gunna be too impressed with ya fer risking yer cheese afters all."
"Not the fun ones at least ifen ya knows what I means."
"Backs wheres Ise from, wese really likes ta eat."
"But even we wouldn'ts writes a epic song about a contest fer cheese."
"Ok, nots more then one song."
"An we aint near as great an powerful as you giants is."
We've bet that same hunk of cheese for three months now."
"Enough talking! Who throws first?"
"Ah, let the manling throw first."
They laugh, and point to the stick that marks the throwing line.
"Aim for that big rock over there."
*Hermy steps up to the line and tosses his rock up and down a few times to get a feel for it's balance.*
"... ifen all thats yer gunna get out of it is moldy cheese."
*Hermy loosens up his throwing arm, and then takes a few steps back and gets ready to throw.*
"Ifen by some miracle I wins. Ise gunna eat the cheese."
*Hermy hops forward, right up to the line and swings his arm forward sending his rock flying towards the target.*
"I'll share it of course. I doubts I can even lifts that hunk let alone eat the whole thing."
Gort steps up, rolls his shoulders, shifts, and throws. His rock flies across and hits the boulder, then Grigor and Gunther, the leader.
Grigor misses, and after Gunther throws he gestures to Hermy.
"Remember, best of five."
*Hermy sighs.*
"I doubts I'll get that lucky again."
*Hermy turns his back to the giants and bends over pretending to pick up another rock as he slips another magic one out of his pocket.*
"I thinks yer cheese is safe."
*Hermy lines up again, and goes through his rock testing ritual again and then lets it fly.*
"Whoever wins should use the comb though."
"It mights get some of them bugs out."
Grigor smirks at Gunther, who smacks him upside of the head. They start smacking each other on the chest, and Gort roars at them.
They turn and look, and he says, "After the rock throwing!"
Gunther and Grigor harrumph, but nod, and prepare to throw again, waiting on Hermy.
"Hmmm, that wouldn't really be lucky at all would it?"
*He gathers up a few more rocks and chooses the magic one he slips out of his pocket when his back is turned.*
"It woulds be most unlucky ifen I was to be lucky enough ta wins an then gets crushed ta death afterwards."
"Of course I hasn't been very lucky lately anyhows... except fer this unlucky luck."
*Hermy throws again.*
"But thats the story of my life."
His face is turning an interesting shade of red, for someone with blue hair...
"Wow youse guys don'ts even looks tireds yet. My arm is already sore from trying ta throw so far."
"How many more throws does we has until we know which one of you guys wins?"
*Hermy swings his arm into motion and hurls to rock towards the boulder.*
*As soon as his arm completes its rotation Hermy clutches at it, and rubs an imaginary sore spot int he muscle.*
"I hopes I'll has enough strength left fer the last throw. I don't want you guys ta thinks Ise a wimp."
All of the men hit the boulder this time, though it looks like Grigor and Gort are a bit overconfident, as they only just hit it.
Gunther grunts, and says, "We'll have to have another round of five, if you or Gort don't miss next time."
"Hopefully one of us will miss this time."
*Hermy resumes his rock finding ritual and then moves up to the line.*
"Does these contsets usually go more then one round?"
*Hermy sends his rock flying towards the target.*
"Or is this just a fluke."
Hermy finds himself the center of attention, though, when Gort misses the throw, and his captors realize the 'manling' has won the contest.
Finally, Gunther growls out, "Well, he only throws tiny rocks, after all."
"Wows I one? I can'ts believes I beats youse guys.... wow."
*He starts towards the pile of loot acknowledging Gunthers last comment as he does.*
"Yeah, ifen I had to throw them big rocks likes you guys, no amounts of luck woulds have helped me win."
"An big rocks are the things that cin hurt peoples. An thats why ya practise so hard aint it?"
"Fer when ya go raiding. An fer invadin helpless farms an stuff likes that."
Hermy surveys his loot, finding a comb that is at least a foot long, and filthy. The whetstone is the size of a doorstop, and the cheese is as hard as the rocks he's been throwing, and mottled green and white with mold.
Still, he has his magic sword back.
*He turns back to the giants and points at them.*
"I feels kinda bad about takings yer stuff since I only won cause I was lucky."
"Ifen you guys wants yer stuff backs you cin haves it."
"It seems likes the only fair thing ta do to me."
They then troop off to reclaim their throwing rocks, arguing about whose turn it is to cook.
"Ise not so sure I'll even be able ta lifts this arm tomorrow. I thinks I might have strained it."
"Ise not as tough as you guys is."
Judging from the pace the giants are setting, four days' travel total should see them nearing Hents Manavelins.
"I'm going ahead. Stay with them." And just that short, he takes off at a good traveling pace ahead on the road, looking for somewhere he can get a posthorse.
A couple of hours later, the elf owns the horse -- and a fresh ale stain on his tunic.
.o0(Either the bloodtrolls will kills them, or they 'll kill it. And then you kill them. Either way, theys dies.)
*Hermy lets his habnd off his sword and tries to relax.*
.o0(Gives them the chance ta get the troll. Ifen theys cin kill it it'll saves Jackal lives laters on. Silver Sworders too most likely.)
*He tries to sleep.*
.o0(That mights almost makes up fer Tybalt, and Major.)
*HGis hand drifts back to his sword.)*
.o0(Almost.)
"Yeah, that tree over there looks familiar, wese heading the right way."
"Don'ts forgets when we gets there that we mights has ta fights a few orc armies, so don't skimp on lunch. You don't wants ta tire out before the fun starts."
"Of course, you shouldn'ts has no problem with the ogres.... Yer real giants theys only giants likes a guy playing armpit music is a bard... What? You don'ts know how to makes armpit music? I'll has ta show you how. Girls love a muscian after all."
"When I was here before an faceded the bloodtroll, I noticed a few things that mights help you ifen things get rough."
"She don't fly to well, so ifen she starts to flies away in terror ya shoulds be able ta chase afters her. An catch her without much problems."
"An she's no where as clever as you guys are. Ifen you can'ts thinks of a trap that might be there then she won't have thought of it either. Trolls aint known fer being tricky after all. Theys known fer being hard to kill."
"Speaking of which, you'll needs ta kill her fast cause she regurgitates pretty quick. Concentrate on keep[ing her legs an wings from growing back, that ways she can't run away ta heals up."
"Ya mights want ta cut off her head a few times too. She talks a lot. An all that nagging cin ruin a good fight don't ya think?"
"I don't thinks I needs ta gives ya any advice on hows ta deal with her ogres. Ya shoulds just be able ta cuts them in half likes ya dids my friends."
"An the orcs ya probably won't even notice. I'd suggest ignoring them or leaving them to me. No need to lower yerself by wastin time on insignificant guys is there?"
"If the dragons shows up... well... the best way ta stops them from breathing fire is ta cuts off their heads. At least thats whats Ise heard. I'm sure you know ifen its true or not seeing how you guys is much better warriars then me."
"Once ya dso kill the troll ya needs ta keeps her from growing back. She didn't seem ta be hurts by fire as much as most trolls, but I thbinks ifen ya build a big enough fire it will still kill her fer good. An show all her little minion guys that youse here an that you beat her."
"Very intimidating."
*And he keeps his eyes open for the guardians of the pass and warns the three giants..*
"We shoulds be seeing something sometime soon."
"You guys aint exactly hard ta miss."
"They may be just hiding from you you though. Youse probably gots them all scared."
They decline to invite him into their game the next day, he notices. He can't help noticing that they decline to share their next meal as well, though considering the quality of their fare, he's not sure he'll ever be hungry enough for it anyway.
=====
Meanwhile, Tahlin Aeldeth has spent far too much of the last few weeks watching activity on a crude wall. It's been a boring vigil, watching a mix of orcs, goblins, and humans maintain a watch while trying to stay warm. Occasionally, a small force would head out to scout the area, possibly to hunt or raid. Perhaps as the days grow warmer, Tahlin will see something more interesting here.
For now, however, he has returned to his own camp, a narrow gap in the mountainside located high enough up to be easily noticed, offering him adequate shelter and a fair view of the surrounding land.
The view today includes a trio heading in the direction of the wall. At this distance, Tahlin can't make out features, but he can see that there's something -- or someone -- else with them, moving around nearby.
.oO(Hmph, I don't think any raiding parties left recently. Looks like too few to be a raiding party anyway.)
(Better to get a closer look before they reach the wall. Could be they're getting reinforcements.)
*He scans the terrain in between himself and the band, looking for a way to get a better view of the group and remain shielded from unfriendly eyes*
.o0(Sure they don't exist. But neither did that pie I never ate. And that one would sure be nice around now ta stops my tummy frum grumblin.)
*Hermy wiggles a bit and stretches to limber himself up.*
.o0(That cheese mays has more hair in it then Dumboven, but at least its still cheese. I really hopes we gets there soon, Ise gunna wastes away inta nothing befores I gets a chance ta leads these guys ta their deaths. It aint fair. Ifen I don'ts finds...)
*Hermy spots a familiar looking landmark up ahead. He's seen those trees on that hill before. Hermy forgets about the fuzzy cheese, and points to it.*
"There, we needs ta get to them three trees there. Once we does that, the bloodtroll wills be sure ta comes out an try ta kill us."
"We shoulds hurry. The ladies won'ts stay young fer ever."
"Oops! Sorrys."
"I forgots I had this ropes around me. I didn't means ta almost trip ya or stuff likes that."
"Don't worry, I'lls try not ta gets in yer way once the fightin starts. It'll be hard being tied ta ya an all, but I don't thinks it'll effects ya to much anyways."
"Ya don'ts really needs ta moves around to much when yer fightenin anyways. Dodgin' blows is fer little guys likes me who don'ts likes getting hit."
*Hermy continues "accidentily" getting underfoot.*
His efforts are abetted by the trouble the trio appear to be having with their captive, possibly a human child or a halfling.
Getting closer, he can determine that the prisoner is certainly halfling, and that the three men holding him in thrall are both very tall (between seven and eight feet in height) and quite pale.
[OoC: And how close is Tahlin intending to come to this group?]
====
Eventually, Hermy frustrates his "hunting party" enough that his walker reminds him just who holds the leash, drawing it tight until he has trouble breathing.
After that, he is given a lot less slack on the rope, little more than enough to stay on his feet -- if he doesn't wander too far. He listens to conversation in a language he can't understand, though occasionally he can tell that he's the subject of discourse.
"The other two think we can find our own way now," explains the shortest of the three helpfully. "They think you would make a better meal than a guide. But don't worry!"
He grins far too wide for Hermy's taste.
"I told them that you are too stringy!"
He apparently shares this comment with the other two, and they all have a good laugh, before another one switches to the Common Tongue.
"No, my little friend, you are perfectly safe. Wait until we have found our prize. Then we can fatten you up!"
"But if the prize is big enough for that," adds the third, "We won't even need to eat you. Work hard, and maybe you will even be allowed to work in the kitchens when we return home!"
Their laughter gets quite annoying after awhile.
[OoC: Hermy takes 7 points of nonlethal damage from a choking hazard.]
"Work in your kitchen? Could I really? Back at home, no one will let me cook in their kitchens. And its a shame because I bakes a wonderful pie."
"You likes rhubard cherry apple pie don't ya? Its my specialty"
*Hermy sighs and listens to the giants laughing. He occasionally lets out a little laugh of his own.*
.o0(Laugh it up nows while ya can. After ya kills the bloodtroll fer me, ya won'ts be laughing when I kills you fer Major. An Tybalt. An the farmers. An the sheep.)
*Hermy scratches himself a few times and tries to check to see if the rope can be loosened a bit without them noticing.*
"Does you guys wants to fights the bloodtroll taday? If we presses on a bit more I'm pretty sure we'll attract its attention."
.o0(Its hard ta miss three ugly giants laughing likes donkeys. They cin probably hears ya all the way backs at Garics city.)
*Hermy points towards the pass.*
"Its just a little bit further that way."
...and resolves into a rocky mountain pass, crags and bluffs towering above them.
When they arrived to strike at Khan, Dame Shalla had been investigating the camp for quiet awhile and the object had been simple, but not easily accomplished. When he went through Lord Malifayer's circle there was uneasiness due to the unknown, but there were others ready to welcome them and move them quickly along to their destination.
However here in a mountain pass with the bluffs above them the unknown looms large. Hermy is out there somewhere and Darkar is unsure where. The team assembled in his opinion should have all the nessecary skills and talents to accomplish their goal, but do they have enough time?
Releasing his hand from Natala's he tries unsuccessfully to supress the awe on his face from the journey. There is much about magic he knows that he will never comprehend, but it does not bother him greatly. Everyone has a particular niche that fit into.
Quietly
"Amazing."
Turning to Donnavin
"Donnavin can you see any indication of where we need to go?"
(We seem to have arrived in the right general area, at least.)Oo. she thinks with some satisfaction -- and relief.
.oO(No good memories have come from this place. I pray that it is in The Mother's balance to break that trend this time.)
*Pausing for a moment to see what is in front of him again, the elf shakes his head at the power of magic. He smiles slightly.*
.oO(I'm glad she is on our side.)
*Walking a few steps away, and kneeling down to the ground, Thosar looks to Natala and speaks softly.*
"The power you have from The Mother never ceases to amaze me. Did it cause you any strain? Do you need to rest for a moment before we continue?"
Donnavin combs the ground, moving from the edge of the pass to the stream. Despite his agitation, he maintains enough control to be thorough and methodical.
"Hmmm... no. Only one person has come this way so far today. Unless they are on the other side of the river--"
He looks at the far bank, which looks to be a much less appealing journey over rockier, steeper ground.
"I don't think they've come here."
"Yet, adds Natala.
"Yet, he agrees, hopefully.
.oO(A captive, looks like... yes, and a halfling for sure. First time this's happened...)
*He reaches for an arrow, and pauses*
.oO(Damn, no, too risky... sure, I might be able to shoot them down, but what if they shout for help? Might not be able to escape from the others at the wall on my own, no way I could do it with a halfling)
(Not sure what those are, anyway, but they look a lot bigger and stronger than your average orc. Damn...)
*He watches as they continue towards the wall. As they pass by him, he flattens himself completely. When he thinks they should be ahead of him by now, he cautiously creeps afterwards, still trying to come up with a plan*
The giants move onward, oblivious to the ranger to their right. After the last exchange, however, Tahlin is well aware of who the halfling is. If that's not Hermy, then he has a very good imitator -- right down to the red pants. Were they not so torn and dirty, probably from his current ordeal, he might have recognized them earlier, in fact.
"I'll be quiet. When someone tells me to be quiet I do it. You won't hear another sound out of me. I'll be as quiet as a mouse. A mouse who wears socks."
*Hermy pantomines buttoning up his lips, mumbles an "I'm quiet.", and then does his best to move stealthily.*
*Berating himself for this mistake, Tahlin trails the group towards the wall*
.oO(Maybe I can sneak into the place in the dark or something)
Waits for replies before asking Donnavin to start taking them closer to Hents Manalevins.
"How close do you think we'll need to get? I'm not as good as you are as keeping out if sight and undetected my friend. Worse then missing Hermy if he does not pass here would be setting off an alarm to Hent Manalevins troops."
Not here, but I posted in the wrong thread, and didn't want to leave a blank spot
"I am not really certain where we are at the moment," says Darkar, "It is difficult enough to know where I am when I am outside in the wilderness, but travelling here in this fashion leaves me with almost no points of reference. Hopefully Donnavin will be able to gives us an idea soon how close we actually are to the fort. Until then I would not be able to make a resonable decision about how close we should get."
Overhearing this, Donnavin grunts, "Fort's that way," pointing to his right, before he turns to scouring the ground again.
Darkar is about to assist when he hears what sounds like voices off in the other direction from the fort.
"Someone's coming; find yourselves some cover," he hisses, even as he takes steps toward doing just that himself.
.oO(A welcoming party so soon? Hopefully it is Hermy and not some someone or something else.)
Meanwhile, Tahlin catches sight of movement up ahead of Hermy's group. The other figures appear to be humanoid, roughly his size -- he's pretty sure they're not orcs, but he can't tell if they're humans or possibly elves. Considering the forces he's seen at the wall, he concludes that humans are most likely, but from this range, he can't be sure. This might prove helpful -- the group he's following are moving surprisingly fast, and he's pretty sure that it's going to prove nearly impossible to keep up and yet remain undetected unless he gets a break here in the form of an ambush.
Despite his own troubles, Hermy has enough presence of mind to realize that he and his "companions" are being followed. He even spot the group hiding up ahead. Maybe it's hoping too much for that to be Dumboven, but -- hey, wait a minute! That is Dumboven! And Natala's over there. And that elf guy who's been hanging around with Natala and the others -- he'll think of the name soon enough, surely, but it's been a long couple of days and it's hard to remember everything on an empty stomach.
Except pie. One never forgets pie.
They're obviously not very good at hiding. He may need to give them pointers after this -- if they live long enough.
As for the trio with the halfling, as far as anyone can tell, they seem completely oblivious to the activity going on around them.
===
Here's the long and short of it. Hermy is aware of Tahlin's presence, but not identity, and he has spotted everyone else except for Darkar. Tahlin is aware of the group up ahead, but not who they are, and only Hermy is aware of Tahlin. Tahlin is also the only one certain that Hermy is the prisoner, but the others do have cause for suspect it.
I'm not telling you whether or not the giants have noticed the rest of you yet. You'll have to find out. ;)
*Hermy scrathes his head.*
.o0(Oh yeah, them giants. Theys eats people! I mightst bese to scrawny fer them ta eat, but I thinks Dumbovens beefy enough fer the giants ta eat. And what kinda bad guy wouldn't take the oppertunity ta eats someone as nice as Natala?That other gut...Thessle? Thosar? ThisSir? Oh yeah, The Sore. Yeah, they'll want to eat The Sore too! Ise gots to do something!)
*Hermy takes advantage of any slack on his lease and attempts to get behind the giants, pretending that he can't keep up.. He glances back behind him.*
.o0(I hopes that's Enialis, not following my orders likes I tolds him not to do. I thinks I coulds use the helps in saving Natala, an Dumboven an the Sore..)
*Hermy looks behind him at the person following again, and then back at his friends in front of himand hikes up his pants, (and positioning his sword for easy reach while hes at it.) and takes a deep breath.*
.o0(Its would be a lots easier fer me ta saves them ifen they coulds hides better. Well, theys elves, and Dumboven, I can'ts expect them ta be able ta hides to goods. Enialis is doin allright, but then agains I traineded him. I'lls have ta train Natala an the Sore an Dumbovens. once I gets them somewheres safe.)
*Hermy focus his eyes on the giants to see if they' notice him lagging behind and or his friends lulling about ahead of them..*
.o0(What're they doin out here anyways? Don'ts they member how dangerous this area is? This aint no place fer a picnic.)
*Hermy licks his lips.*
.o0(Though I wouldn'ts mind a few sammiches. An some fruit. An pie. Mmmmmm.. pie.)
(Elven quietly to Natala)
That looks like it might be them, but I am not certain. Natala would you be able to sway them into passiveness like the small force of orcs that we passed leaving last time? I am sure that if it was Hermy, he could escape his bonds. Then we could walk past the giants and be on our way. If we can do this without a fight I am sure we would all appreciate it, but if it need be I am prepared to help wrest Hermy away.
Slowly he draws an arrow from his quiver and prepares his bow to fire.
.oO(Need to wait until they get closer before firing. Also if Natala has something planned I should give her a chance to do something.)
Straining Darkar tries to see if it is indeed Hermy, without trying to draw attention to himself.
Will wait until the giants get within 30ft before firing at the lead giant. However he will forgo firing if Natala does something else first.
.oO(Yes, that does appear to be a halfling in the bunch, though even I would be dwarfed by those behemoths. We'll have to consider other options besides combat for sure, even with all of us, including Hermy, they won't go down easily. If anyone can give us the advantage it will be Natala. I'll let her make the first move.)
*Thosar glances toward where Natala hid, trying to catch her gaze. If he succeeds he nods in the direction of the approaching group, indicating she should make the first move.*
(Cast longstrider)
OoC: Just a few notes about the terrain before we get started.
Standing uphill on either the steep or gentle slopes provide a small advantage in melee. Movement up (in the direction of the arrow) a square with a steep slope costs double the normal movement rate, but characters who charge or run downhill through one of these squares must make a Balance check to avoid stumbling (and possibly falling).
Passing through a square with a cliff requires a pair of Climb checks (or three for a small character -- sorry, Hermy) for what will be a rough 15 foot change in elevation. Players may attempt Jump checks as well, whether in an attempt to reach the top more quickly or (possibly combined with a Tumble check) get to the bottom without sustaining injury (up to 2d6 hp of damage for a fall, or for getting knocked over a cliff). Odds are that people will simply prefer to walk around the cliff squares, but the options should be noted.
Undergrowth hampers Tumble checks, Move Silently checks, and movement. It also provides concealment, however.
Characters are currently in the following squares (each square represents a 5' space):
B2 = Tahlin
D10 = Donnavin
F8 = Darkar
L12 = Thosar
M5 = Hermy
O11 = Natala
Hermy's captors are presently at K4, M6, and N3.
===
Tahlin rushes across the higher ground, trying to keep close to his quarry.
Speed and stealth seldom combine well, however. As brush snaps beneath the ranger's feet, the lead hunter raises his hand to stop the others, mumbling a few sounds that might be a language. Axes are unslung as they look around for the source of the noise.
Based on the unfocused manner of their search, they don't seem to be having an easy time of it.
.oO(Maybe these aren't reinforcements for the others, then. No reason for that group up ahead to be hiding from their friends... If there's an ambush, maybe Hermy can escape...)
(Can't let them see me now, though. That'd be bad...)
*Tahlin watches the group warily, ready to retreat if they start moving too close to him*
.o0(Yup, that's gots ta be one of my scouts. I'd better get them giants looking where my friends aint or theys gunna git smooshed.)
"Heys, I thinks I heards somethin over by the river. I bets its that troll tryin the old hide in the water until we gets by trick that she used last time."
*Hermy points at the water with his left hand, and keeps his other hand ready to draw if the giants spot his friends.*
.oO(Well, something seems to have gotten their attention. Best to stay ready, see how they react.)
Which of the previous posts have I heard/seen?
The three of them look back and forth among themselves when Hermy speaks.
"That didn't sound like water," one says in Common, another replying in words that are lost on the halfling.
The intention is clear enough, though, as two turn to wallk uphill, while the one holding Hermy waits.
===
The giant at K4 moves to F4, while the one at N3 moves to I3.
Small clarification on the map: arrow point in the direction of the slope's descent, not ascent as I earlier stated. Sorry about that.
"Last time I was here, the bloodtroll dids the same thing. She used magic ta makes us think that there was someones uphill, an then when we turned ta look she cames out of the river behind us."
.o0(Rembers what I taughts you about hiding Enialis. If ya remembers what I taught ya, they won'ts find ya. They's dumber then rocks.)
*Hermy looks at Gort holding his leash.*
"It looks likes youse gunna hafta do most of the fightin by yerslf."
(+12 1d8+3 [+3d6] if Giant FF)
Donnavin's knife throw misses by a wide margin, but he's already reaching for his own bow.
===
Welcome to the surprise round. Darkar and Natala lead, but I'll wait for the rest of you to have a chance to post actions. I have a spell in mind for Natala to have cast, but if she has other ideas before my next post, I will adjust things accordingly.
For the record, Darkar did 19 hp with this attack. Initiative will be posted after the surprise round. ;)
"Mother of all, help us have Your sight in this conflict."
Casting Bless.
"I tolds you it was an ambush."
(I don't think I can both draw and fire my bow in the surprise round, so I'll remain hidden for now and make a full attack on my first action in the regular round. If I'm wrong, I'd be glad to attack now (at a +11 bonus, dealing 1d8 damage))
"We only want the little one," he says. "Let him go and we'll let you live."
Before a reply can be made, Darkar quickly notches another arrow and fires at the same target once more, shouting, "Hey, you pincushion, come get me or I will put holes in your body all day!!!"
He pulls back past Donnavin, urging him to be ready.
Shocked at this movement, the fellow stammers "You... would attack after making your... ARRR!"
He bellows as a second shaft lands near the first. Angered, he rushes toward his antagonist, mildly unnerved as two arrows whiz by from behind, announcing Tahlin's presence. As the elf drops his bow and reaches for his blades, he sees Donnavin step up to intercept the attacker. The wild man grunts with the effort it takes to block the axe aimed at his head, earning a gash across the scalp.
His friends barely recognize him in the next instant as the fury overtakes him. Snarling, he lashes out wildly with a heavy sword in each hand. Seeing shock register in the giant's eyes at this display of savagery, Darkar may be thankful that it is not directed toward him.
Glancing toward the source of the recent arrow fire, he drops his own bow, hurling a dagger into his enemy's massive shoulder.
"What's the matter, are you afraid to come to the real fight?" he taunts, drawing his rapier next.
The giant takes a step forward, opening his mouth for a retort, but Donnavin cuts him off again. Oblivious to the wounds he endures in the act, the hunter holds his ground.
The second giant moves toward the closer target, descending on Thosar with an axe raised in both hands. Decades old training comes back to him even in this new form, and the giant starts at how quickly this elf shifts to evade the swing.
"I tried," Thosar sighs, and begins laying into his adversary with his hammer to fearsome effect.
A nasty swing nearly gets through in return, but he manages to deflect it before he can suffer more than a heavy bruise on his shield arm.
Hermy's keeper prepares to rush to his aid when he suddenly becomes agonizingly aware of the blade in the halfling's hand.
"Ya shouldn'ts has killded my dog!"
Hermy is rewarded by an almost terrified scream as he cuts deep, his anger pushing through an almost unnaturally tough hide. A powerful kick sends him stumbling back as the giant gains time to draw his axe.
Behind him, Natala soars into the sky, taking a moment to survey the surrounding landscape as well as the battle.
"Surrender the halfling and flee this place," she declares, "And the Mother will see to it that you live to see tomorrow. Otherwise, I cannot promise your survival."
"You ain't surrendering nobody!" Hermy yells, lunging left.
His nemesis shifts to counter, but the halfling pulls his swing, spinning on his right foot to twirl around suddenly. The giant gasps as sharp metal bites into his previous injury once more. Desperate now, the keeper swings madly, gouging the earth with the weapon's edge. Reversing the swing, he cracks Hermy in the side with the axe handle, nearly bowling him over. He allows himself to be knocked backward, then reverses direction, rolling through the legs and stabbing upwad as he goes.
"Agh!" the giant cries as he skips back from Hermy's blade, near panic from the look in his eyes.
Natala descends behind Donnavin murmuring words intended to reassure him that she poses no threat. As his injuries are undone, Tahlin charges in from behind the source of them, announcing his presence with a quick jab. Darkar recovers quickly from the shock of the new elf's identity, focusing instead on the opportunity afforded him as the giant steps aside to adjust his defences against the new threat.
.oO(Nice. Goaded him forward to the right position)
"Time for your lesson in pain," he says, effortlessly surging forward, his rapier piercing exposed flesh.
"No more!" the beleaguered hulk cries. "I yield! Just call him off!"
One can only assume he means Donnavin. Thosar's target, also bearing more than his share of ugly welts now, also the wisdom in this idea.
"Yes! Yes, take the halfling and go! We want no more with you!"
"Don'ts believes them!" Hermy exclaims, continuing to harrass the nearest foe. "They's killers!"
Tahlin looks from the giant to Hermy and back. He holds back his blades for now, waiting to see the other's reactions.
"Darkar? Hermy? What now?" he asks.
Meanwhile, it seems that Hermy's word is good enough for Donnavin, as he continues to press his assault, still frustratingly unable to connect.
"Kill them!" Hermy almost shrieks. "If you don'ts they'll just go back ta destroy the village! An' kill more peoples! And dogs! An' they'll probablys tease more sheep!"
After hearing Hermy's words Darkar replies to Tahlin, "Trust Hermy on this matter! Keep attacking"
The ranger lunges immediately as the word is given, but his blades fail to penetrate the giant's defenses.
"That is quite enough, all of you!" Natala shouts. "They're beaten, now let them depart!"
"They can only leave if they leave their weapons on the field," Darkar replies emphatically. "I will not let them leave armed."
" There's a unbalance that needs ta be reballanced!" Hermy exclaims. "We can'ts lets them go!"
"Must every balance involve killing, Sir Woodhome?" the priestess retorts "Can we instead try to regain what was lost?"
Darkar keeps his rapier ready to strike just in case.
"Keep still while they decide your fate," he tells the the brutes.
"O-okay," says one of the three to Darkar's terms, "But only if you all give us thirty paces first!"
"Ise gunna tries ta regains it!" comes the reply to Natala. That's whys I sent Major's body to you -- ta keeps until I cin gets enough ta brings him back! An if someones wants ta brings these guys back, they cin do that too. Ifen the Mother lets them."
"You are not that slow," Darkar says, continuing his own negotiations. "Fifteen paces."
"And you're not that slow either," is the retort. "Twenty."
"Twenty and you run straight home only stopping to sleep."
"Oh," says the negotiator, little enthusiasm in his voice. "Home. Right."
"I will be certain to check if anyone complains of giants bothering them. If I do I know you will have broken your word and not to trust you if we ever meet again."
"Do you speak for her now, Hermy Woodhome?" Natala asks. "Was it you who brought her curse down upon the dragon holding poor Miss Warrick's remains as a trophy?"
"No, but I'se the one who she wouldn'ts lets my wifes come backs ta me. An the ones whose dog she lets get killded."
Natala assumes a pained expression.
"I'm sorry I don't have better answers, Sir Woodhome, but She has reasons larger than all of us, too big for us to take in sometimes. Let's focus on something smaller, then.
"There's an army camped out in this pass, and we may yet need every resource we have to either evade or survive its attention. We've been blessed thus far today, but Her blessing may be lost if we press on after winning. If you sacrifice us all, who will there be to call Major back?"
- Thosar (initiative count 25) stands at I8. He has taken 17 hp of damage, +1 nonlethal. He has also cast one 1st level spell (bless, still in effect).
- Darkar (initiative count 23) stands at F11.
- Giant A (initiative count 19) stands at E10.
- Giant B (initiative count 16) stands at I7.
- Hermy (initiative count 13) stands at N5. He has taken 23 hp of damage, plus 10 nonlethal.
- Tahlin (initiative count 12) stands at D9.
- Donnavin (initiative count 10) stands at D10. After healing by Natala, he is at full hit points, with no nonlethal damage either. He is also still in an enraged state.
- Natala (initiative count 7) stands at C9. Thus far today, she has cast cure moderate wounds (2nd level), fly (3rd level, still in effect), divination (4th level), and teleport.
- Giant C, "fondly" known as "Gort" (initiative count 2), staggers a bit at L6.
Careful readers may have noticed that each giant occupies only a single 5 ft. square, rather than a square 10 ft. on each side as befits a large creature. This is intentional; the giants in question are of medium size.
"I don'ts plans on sacrificing nothin'.... Well except fer these giants. I has a plan. Or at least I did, before I founds out just how not tough these giants is."
"I knows theres an army around heres. That's whys I tricked these giants inta comin here. They was suppose ta kills the bloodtroll fer us."
"But I guess nows wese knows they wouldn't stands a chance against it. In facts, Ise pretty surprised they was able to beats my scouts. Maybe it was the Mothers will that lets them do it, cause they couldn'ta done it on their own."
*Hermy sighs, and lowers his blade and makes a show of turning his back to Gort.*
"Yer right Natala. Theys beaten. An it aint right ta kill helpless creatures. Evens if they is bloodthirsty giants."
"Thats what the bad guys do. Not heroes."
"I'll trust the Mother on this. I mights as well."
"Compared ta whats Ise already lost, havins her takes away my revenge too, aint that big of a loss."
*Hermy starts to sheath his sword.*
"Drop your weapon."
*He holds his shield and hammer ready in case the giant decides to press the attack.*
5' step, Ready an action to attack the giant if it attacks anyone.
You heard them, it is time for you to get moving. Drop your weapons and you will get your twenty paces start out of here to return home.
"But we can't go home without the axes! We'll be--"
"Alive?"
"...Maybe."
"..."
The three begin to retreat carefully toward each other, ready to defend themselves in case anyone follows them.
"Vengeance is a burden," Natala tells Hermy. "it's not something you lose. You're either released from it or crushed by it. Now please come over here and let me take a look at your injuries."
"Just make sure you drop your weapons before you leave. And remember your warning, if we hear tale of any giants causing problems for folks around here, we'll continue where we left off here."
"Its not the revenge thats a burden. Its everything else thats crushded me."
*Hermy limps towards Natala.*
"Ise not really hurt that bad. At leasts not on the outside."
"Its just a few bruises an sctaratches an maybe a couple broken bones."
*Hermy presses his hands on to his stomache.*
"Oh! An a tummy ache from nots eating fer a few days."
As the giants start to move together, Darkar moves to retrieve his dagger and bow.
"Just so you know, that if you fail to drop your weapons, I will consider it a breach of our agreement and I will open fire."
The speaker plants his axe heavily in the back of one of his companions, who falls heavily.
"What are you doing?" cries the other.
The first raises his axe over the fallen giant's neck.
"Securing a trophy, so some of us can go home" he replies, preparing to swing.
"I tolds you theys was evil. Does we realy wants guys likes that free ta runs around doin whatevers they wants?"
"Ifen they'll kill their friend just so they cin has a trophy ta takes back, they'lls has no problem killin' innocent people."
*Hermy turns to watch the giants.*
"Leaves yer sacks here too! I wants my stuff back!"
"And that cheese too!"
"If that axe is swung again, you will fall next to it."
"What do you mean trophy? Your own people will not accept you back if you don't have a trophy?"
Ready action to fire at the giant if it swings the axe again.
The axe does not move, but the wielder spits upon his fallen brother.
"He was weak. Did you not see how easily the smallest among you bested him? You... I will not underestimate you again. Anden stood against four of you at once! But he would not last long enough if we did return alive and empty-handed."
"Maybes faster. I seen how you throw rocks. Likes a girl."
"TheSore. Let him takes the head."
"He may tells his family that he killeded his brother in an honorable fight. An they mights even believe him."
"But he'll know the truth."
*Thosar's voice does not change in tone, but he does lower his crossbow.*
"Finish your business then and be gone from here."
*Ready with his crossbow, the elf's gaze does not shift from the foe he is speaking to.*
*After the giants have departed, he moves over to the body of the deceased and offers a prayer up for him. His voice is no longer hard.*
"Guide him back to Your arms, Mother of all."
.oO(They are not to be trusted if encountered again, turning your attack on an ally is despicable.)
He stands silently waiting for the giants to leave after Thosar and Hermy wrest answers out of the one with the axe.
Natala spits on the ground, as contemptuous of the giant's explanations as he is of his fallen brother.
"Then leave him where he is and be gone. You have spilled the blood that is required of you; there should be dishonor enough in leaving his body to your enemies, or to rot."
"Takes the head, but leaves yer bags. One of yas got my crossbow. An I aint gunna let you take any more from me then you already has."
"I fail to see how that's any concern of mine. Bear your brother's blood on your hands... Or break the axe, and take its bloodied pieces for your trophy.
"If that, with both of you speaking, will not suffice... what happens to you is as just as that," she says, with a nod at the body on the ground. "Or, if you don't feel safe, run away and hide; I'm sure there are places enough in the mountains to remain unseen, if you choose it.
"But I won't stand and watch this one's body be mutilated by his murderer."
"If they don't listen ta ya, does that means we cin kill them?"
"Get the tiny one his things."
While the treacherous sorts through their gear for Hermy's goods, he speaks again.
"If the broken axe is to do us any good, we're going to need two whole axes to bring back with it. We might be able to convince the others that his body fell into the river or something.
"But what's it to you? I mean, what do you need his body and head both for?"
.oO(I am seeking the same thing, but not in the same way. Perhaps we could help them.)
Are you saying that you were on a quest to become adults?
He looks at the one who did not kill his comrade.
Perhaps we can help you fulfill that goal honorably and you can bring your friend back as a fallen hero instead. I am sure that our friends can help find a something that is more worthy than a fallen friend of yours as proof.
Indicating to Tahlin and Donnavin.
"You wants to help them to kill something else?"
"Theys evil Darkar! Evil."
"I broughts them here so they'd stop killing farmers."
*He looks at Natala and then back at Darkar.*
"I broughts them here so that the either they'd kill the bloodtroll, or it would kill them."
"Both perferably."
They are young boys not yet men, they are searching for the path to take into adulthood. Would it not be wiser to help them find it instead of condoning them for the choices that they feel compelled to make?
I am not suggesting help them kill farmers or terrorize innocents, but perhaps a "hero" could help them find a wrong to right and find a better trophy to take home. They would not be able to take on the bloodtroll if the guild had that much trouble with her and the five of us were able subdue them.
She points to the giants by flicking the blade of her scythe from side to side.
"-back away while I tend to him."
The pair shuffle back as she moves forward. The more injured one glares at Hermy, but the other one, the one who struck his fellow, tries his luck with Darkar.
"Yeah, well... they didn't do what we tol' them. They tried to fight, and when they stopped fighting, we stopped fighting back. No glory in killing farmers."
"But boys cin be evil too."
"An these ones is."
*He looks at Darkar.*
"The path they wants to takes ta adulthood, isn't one they shoulds take."
"Killing things fer trophys don'ts makes you a man."
"It makes ya a monster."
*Hermy looks at the giants.*
"Just likes the adults where they come from. There whole village is evil. Theys keeps slaves and eats people."
"People Darkar."
"Ifen we helps them become adults wese helping them ta kill other peoples down the line."
*His gaze returns to his friends.*
"Natala saids not to kill them. An as much as I knows I shoulds, I'll does what she thinks is best."
"But I aint gunna let anyone else helps them ta become even more evil then they already is."
.oO(If they think they have a chance to overtake us, it'll be while we're talking. They might try to catch us off guard.)
Ready action to shoot the first giant that advances aggresivley toward an ally.
He pauses to let his words sink in before continuing.
I have not been to their village to know if they are truely evil or not have you? I know one thing however, boys will boast in order to impress or frighten others when they are not feeling secure. Perhaps that is the case here, I remember another person who liked to boast and said he was going to kill me, but nothing ever came of that."
"He wasn't boasting when he killded his brother was he?"
"An he wasn'ts planning on taken backs the body fer food."
*Hermy looks at Darkar.*
"He wants the heads ta prove he's a killer."
"Nots a hunter. Nots a collecter."
"A killer."
"Thats what giants value. Killing."
"Fer fun"
*Hermy frowns.*
"Likes Kirby did."
"Theys had their chance when Natala stopped me from killings them."
"Theys coulds have followed yer terms an left. But they chose ta kills someone else so theys coulds go home without being embaressed."
*Hermy looks at Nataa looking over the downed giant.*
"Theres a lot of reasons ta kill someone. ssome of thems evens good reasons. Somes of them is questionable like fear an maybe hoplessness aint right but theys don'ts makes you evil either. But that aint why they killed that other giant."
"He killed him to avoid being embarresed. That aint one of them questionable ones. Ifen it was just fear they wouldn'ts go home. Or ifen it was hoplessness they wouldsn't have tried ta git a trophy."
*His eyes dart over to Darkar.*
"If Natala still wants us to lets them go, I won'ts argue with her."
"An they cin takes the heads too, fer all I care. But I aint gunna helps them finds something else ta kill. Not fer their reasons at least."
"I see then you had better stop associating with me then since you do not give evil people a chance to prove that they can change.
Your brother was right when he told you I was evil and needed to be stopped. I was not a nice person at the time, and I did enough evil that I am no longer welcome at home.
However I have been given another chance, and I am trying to make reperations for what I have done. That is one of the reasons that I serve the city with Lord Malifayer's Jackals. Redemption is not an easy path to take especially when you know that the other way takes less effort.
Change is not easy, and it takes the right friends and associates to help you along. Who do they have to help them find the correct way if no one will give them a chance? Perhaps that is why we are really here to find to new friends and allies."
"But once you realised you was evil ya trieds ta stops didn't you."
"And you dids stop."
"Ise done some bad things too. I'll probably accidentlys do more sometime. But once I figures out somethin is wrong, I don'ts do it anymores unless I forgets."
"But I most certainly don't setys out to do bad things, or thinks that bad is good."
*He points at the giants again.*
"Ifen these guys wanted ta stops I'd gives them the chance, But they don't. That's what yer not getting."
"They wants ta be evil. Thats why theys out, to prove how evil they is."
"And when yer offering ta helps themout with getting their trophy, yer offering ta helps thems out doing somethings wrong."
*He looks at Darkar, then Donnavin and finally Thosar.*
"Ifen I thoughts there was a decent chance that the coulds stops killing things fer fun, I'd helps them out."
"But looks at them. They shows no remorse fer killing their brother." An they didn't show any sign of remorse fer what they did back in the village either."
"In facts they laughed abouts it."
"They don'ts wants the second chance so they cin start doing the right thing. "
"Theys wants it soi they cin keep on doing what they was doing before."
*Hermy glares at the giants.*
"Ise right aint I? Ifen I were ta gives ya a chance ta makes amends fer all the bad stuff youse done woulds you takes it? Even if it means ya coulds never kill somethin fer fun again?"
"He'll live," she says, then adds sharply, "...now, anyway.
"I'm going to hold off on getting him back on his feet for the moment, however, at least until a few things are resolved."
Looking up at the pair before her, she nods her head back toward Hermy and Darkar.
"Make sure you listen carefully."
This disagreement does not appear to be ending anytime soon, but I think that Natala has more important news to speak of now.
"I think she's telling the giants ta lissen ta us."
"Right Natala? Their fates is in our hands?"
*He looks at the rest of his friends.*
"I says we takes their weapons and sends them on their way. Ifen theys real ly wants to bese mens, they won't go home."
"An ifen they do, then they deserves what theys gets."
"Let them decide their fate right now."
*He clips his crossbow to his belt then, turning to the pair of giants, takes his holy symbol in his hand and speaks.*
"I am a follower of Ordemetrex, and I am granted power to know falsehoods. Lies."
*Holding the symbol of his god high, the elf speaks and gestures appropriate for the incantation, though very obviously.*
"Mother of all, grant my Your power to know the untruths in these, thy children."
*The spell cast, Thosar looks at both of the giants directly but keeps his symbol held high.*
"Our companion has told you that your brother will live. If we were to leave you now, would you still take his head as a trophy?"
*He lets the question lay just for a moment before adding.*
"Answer quickly and I will know if you are lying."
That's some bluff checks for lying about knowing about lying, and a Guidance cast to aid the Sense Motive check to tell if they are lying (whichever one answers).
"You lie poorly, elf. Look, if you want us to leave him be, fine, we'll leave him be and go our way."
"But-" starts the other, only to be cut off with several words none can make out. The two continue their exchange in the unknown tongue.
Thosar can't help but feel that the agreement came a little too easily, and the use of an unknown language is not putting his mind at ease on that subject.
"I can not understand what they are saying can you?"
"They did that a lot on the way here, especially afters they would threaten ta eat me."
*Hermy loosens up the fingers of his sword hand.*
"I don'ts trusts them, theys plannin something."
"They have made their decision. I say we leave them as Natala suggested. Let them take a broken axe as their trophy. If that is not enough, whatever fate befalls them is fitting."
"I think there might be a problem now. I doubt Natala will let them kill the one still unconcious, but they are still without a trophy that they desire and need. I do not think we can trust them not to do something stupid that could get us hurt."
*Hermy tightens his grip on his blade.*
"Youse heard the lady."
"Ummm, I means what Natala said. Nots what Darkar said.."
"But ya'd better do what he said too.."
"Make no sudden moves," she says. "I don't know how many times I'll be able to save your life if this continues."
The giant lies quite still.
"No need for that either!" she snaps. "You can stand, but just do it slowly."
Natala converts gentle repose to cure moderate wounds.
"Dose it very slowly, I don't want no funny stuff from you."
One just has to ask, "Listen, can't we have at least one axe between us?" however.
Sure I see no reason not to leave you one axe. In fact I think we should give it to your brother that you struck down. I mean it is not like you tried to stop your friend from trying to kill him.
"Rocks."
"What?" he says, turning to the other that spoke.
"Rocks. My father's killed a lot of stuff that way."
The conversation switches languages, but the reply is in the common tongue once again.
"Then I guess this is when we learn to throw like that. And you might want to speak so they can understand you. It might be safer."
Again the response comes in an incomprehensible burst.
"You saw the witch fly -- and she didn't even do any of the fighting. We're not ready for this."
Putting his axe down, he adds, "Good fight," and walks away, leaving the other two.
The objector turns to the last of the group, who shruges, drops his axe, and follows after the first.
"Do you know where they are from, specifically? A tribe of giants might be something to steer clear of if we find ourselves navigating the mountains again."
"One of the villagers said he seen it up there, so it couldn'ts have been that far away. Probably up towards the tops of the moutains where theys always snow. They was frost giants."
"They likes the cold weather an stuffs likes that."
*He adds some things up in his mind.*
"The village was six days fro Garics city, northy an to the west."
"The giants village couldn'ts has been to far from there. Them guys wasn't smarts enought ta goes to far. without help."
*Hermy watches as the giants dissapear into the distance, and then winces, as he rubs his injured ribs.*
I am glad that you are alright Hermy, several people were worried about you.
"Did all the scouts get backs ta the city alives?"
"Well except fer Tybalt."
"An Major."
*He scrunches up his face, thinking.*
"Hows did you guys get here so quick? They shouldn'ts have gotten backs so quick? At least nots with Erics family?"
"Theys didn'ts leaves them behind dids they? That was the whole point of the mission. The mission that Maj.."
*Hermy sits down.*
"Natala? Ifen ya didn't use all yer healings on the giant, da ya thinks ya coulds spares a little fer me?"
*He sighs.*
"The mission that's costs the life of one of the Jackal's. An the life of my dog."
"I'm sorry for your lose Mr. Woodhome, for it is a loss to us all. He was a wonderful ally."
"I'm sorry about the lose of the scout as well. May the Mother guide them to her rest."
*Thosar bows his head in a show of respect and then moves to examine Hermy's wounds.*
"I would be able to heal a small amount of your wounds, but I think Natala could do more. I'll leave it to her then."
*He adds quietly.*
"I'm sure Major died a hero. He was a great companion and will be missed by more then you."
*The elf steps away and his voice takes on a more even tone.*
"I cannot speak to the questions regarding the scouts that returned to the city, but as to the speed of our arrival, that was achieved by the Mother's power, channeled by Natala."
Seconds later, the only thing that could make him feel better physically would be a good meal and a comfortable place to nap.
Natala converts remove blindness/deafness to cure serious wounds, bringing Hermy up to full hp and removing all nonlethal damage as well.
Thosar couldn't convert magic stone to cure light wounds, and thus recovers no damage. He has already used his one 1st level spell for the day. Were we still using bonus domain slots, he still couldn't do it, because domain slots cannot be converted to cure/inflict spells.
"Natala, might I ask for some healing as well? I can wait for later tonight, if you think it prudent."
"So long as no one tries to eat anything that they shouldn't," she adds with a chuckle, then tending to Thosar's wounds.
Turning more serious, she says "Speaking of tomorrow, we should consider travel arrangements. Mr. Luque and I will not be returning to Garic's City at this time, as I have other business to attend to in Clerihew. We should look toward finding a safer place to rest for the night than this, however."
"Moncha?" asks Donnavin, perking up for the first time since the fight.
"I'm sorry?" asks Natala.
"We go to see Moncha," the wolf-brother replies eagerly.
"Oh!" says Natala, remembering the woman now. "Yes, that does sound like a good idea."
She turns to the others, seeking their opinions.
Natala converts delay poison to cure moderate wounds. Thosar regains 16 hp and current stands at 55/56 (or 48/49), and 0 nonlethal damage.
" I likes that plan."
"She usually has food."
"We mights be ables ta beats a patrol , but Id rather nots risk hasing the Bloodtroll come after us."
"Oh, an Thesore, Taleend, an Natala, tries ta be quites as we goes. You guys makes to much noise."
And without much of a welcome.
"You again?" says Moncha. "Listen, I'm not running a hospital here so you can wage war with the orcs. If I wanted visitors all the time, I'd have settled further away from them. Now what's wrong with you n-- Donny? By Mother's good graces, have you people been wearing him out again? Donnavin, come here, lad, let's get you--"
Her eyes dart sharply around the group.
"--all of you-- something to eat, shall we?"
"We shall."
"I aint had much ta eat in days. I'm so hungry I'd be willing ta eat eel pies again."
"But we aint out here waging war against the orcs this time."
"It was giants. An we wasn't really waging war. I was just leading them here so that they coulds proves there manhood by killing the Bloodtroll."
"I aint exactly sure why the other guys was here, but Ise glad they was."
"It turned out that them giants weren't very manly."
"So we let them go."
*Hermy sniffs the air, trying to figure out whats for dinner.*
.o0(Please don't let it be eel pie.)
.oO(Maybe it is worth it to have Hermy teach me some lessons in moving quietly. Mother knows I've had need to such a skill, and may again.)
*This thoughts keep the elf occupied for much of the journey to this "Moncha's" place. Once he gets there he smiles an odd smile.*
.oO(An old woman living in these mountains? With the orcs so nearby? She must be quite the battle axe.)
*Thosar bows slightly when the woman speaks and follows the others to get some food.*
"Might have been more if the orcs still paid their respects now and again," Moncha huffs, "but their new masters frown on that.
"'We have to show Her that He's ready to care for the world on his own,' they said. 'You will see,' they said. I dare say I will."
She spends time looking over injuries, Donnavin's first, and then moving to the others. She finds almost none.
"Someone's been looking out for you, considering the state you should be in after a tussle with giants," she says, grudgingly.
*Hermy licks his bowl dry.*
"Is their new master the Bloodtroll? She's evil. Even more so then them giants. Shes probably made slaves of them all."
"I aint never meet a good orc, but I has met a few good haveorcs. And I guess ifen theres good haveorcs theres good orcs somewheres."
"I don't likes the idea of leaving nobody as slaves, Especially ifen they'll bring us food once theys free."
*Hermy stares longingly at Darkar's soup bowl.*
"Did they say when you would see?"
"Or what?"
Darkar is being realtively quiet wondering about what he should do next for his training to increase his strength of mind. Perhaps I should ask some of my friends what they do, and I can find new ways to train. Having hardly touched his soup he sees Hermy eyeing his bowl.
Hermy do you want my soup? I do not seem to have much of an appetite right now.
"Thanks Darkar. I knew I was hungry an stuff like that but I didn't know how hungry."
*Hermy slurps away at the soup, stopping only long enough to get out a few words.*
"Ifen them orcs don'ts come here anymore, where does they go?"
.oO('He's ready to care for the world?' I can only imagine they mean Demmion. I doubt we shall see. Perhaps more information is in order.)
*Thosar pays attention to Moncha's responses to Hermy's questions.*
She glances at Darkar, and then, squinting as thought to be sure, to Natala.
"No offense meant to either of you," she adds.
"No, they never mentioned a time to me," she says later, in answer to Hermy's last question. "You get used to that after you've spent a lot of time trying to interpret divine will, though. Replies come when they chose, and all you can do is be ready to recognize them."
None taken. What did they look like? I recall seeing a man in red armor that commanded the dragons last time I was here. That would at least make me think that he was important enough for dragons to obey in part.
*Hermy nods at Darkar's question.*
"Ya guys in red are usually pretty important."
"Ise the sneaky guy here. If anyones gunna be spyin its gunna be me."
"An maybe Darkar."
"An Taleend."
"Possibily Dumboven too."
"But that's it."
"Unless Natala or The Sore want to be spies too."
"But nots you Muncha."
"Yer too important ta risk."
"Yer the one who makes the soup."
.oO(Yes, and food is almost as important as any information.)
*Thosar finishes his soup.*
"Thank you for the soup, Moncha."
*Thosar sits back down and examines the dwelling, trying to appear comfortable. He pays close attention to the conversation though.*
.oO(An elven woman? I will have to remember that.)
"I am not asking you to be a spy, I was just curious as to what they look like. If they came back you could tell them what we looked like to balance it out. However, I will not take any offense if you refuse to answer."
"The fella was maybe Donny's height. Dark hair.
Better groomed, though.
"The woman..."
She looks at Natala.
"I'd say she was close to her height. Taller than you, though. Lighter hair, strawberry blonde, I'd say."
*Hermy licks his lips and then shakes the distraction away.*
"Does theys comes here often?"
"An if ya don'ts want ta answer that cause ya think that woulds be too much likes spying, just nods yer head an I'lls understands."
"But they aint."
"I am though. An Darkar is. An Taleend. And Dumboven. There was a few more guys I wanted ta bring, but I thinks the four of us mights be enough."
.oO(Sounds risky, but we need to know what's going on up there. The other two seemed to handle themselves ok against the giants. My the Mother grant them a safe return.)
*The elf glances at Moncha, trying to measure a reaction of any sort to Hermy's words.*
"What you do is your business," she says. "But you're not taking Donny. Can't you see you've worn him out again? Tch. Your business may be in the mountains, but Donny is my concern, and you'll leave him here."
Natala interrupts carefully.
"This will be where I part ways with you as well, Sir Woodhome. I've business elsewhere, and am overdue in attending to it. Be careful, all of you. Thosar, are you ready?"
"I am."
*The elf looks to Hermy and the others.*
"Good luck and blessings to you during your mission, may it go swiftly."
*Handing his bowl back to Moncha, he nods.*
"Thank you again, Moncha."
*Slipping his pack over his back with his shield strapped to it, the elf follows Natala out.*
"Be carefuls! Them giants are outs there somewheres an theys won't be too happies to see you without me an Darkar an Dumboven an Taleend ta protect you."
"The bloodtroll probably won'ts be either."
*He looks at Darkar and Tahlin.*
"Me an Darkar an Taleend will try an keep an eye on her for ya."
*He looks at Donnavin and Moncha.*
"If ya runs inta trouble just sends word back here. Muncha cin send Dumboven ta find the rest of us ta comes rescue you,"
"Send a squirrel or a bird or somethin like that."
"Ya cin speak bird can't ya Muncha?"
With a small chuckle, she departs.
When addressed in her own turn, Moncha stares incredulouslly at Hermy for an instant.
"Oh, yes," she says in a mildly sarcastic tone. "Why, the sparrows come for miles just to see me, vying for the opportunity to perform duets for me. It's so a woman can't get anything done around the home with all the singing and chatter."
After much more chatter, in which Moncha learns that sarcasm is perhaps lost on at least one of her guests, she finally gets the group settled away to rest for the evening.
The next morning, Tahlin brings Darkar and Hermy back to his campsite, a well sheltered spot against one of the mountains, with sufficient brush cover to prevent easy detection even from airborne creatures.
Over the course of the next day, he takes them one at a time to view a few of the more promising spots from which he could observe activity at the wall the orcs have erected. For the next few days, they make use of these points to watch events, for Tahlin notes that the forces here have increased in size to a minor degree, and there are now some efforts at construction going on behind the wall. Seeking out better vantage points, the trio can only assume that an effort is being made to replace some of the tents with more permanent structures.
On the fourth day of the watch, however, something very different occurs. A wagon arrives, laden with stone and drawn by four ogres. The creatures set to work unloading, and stone is hauled here and there about the structures being erected behind the wall.
It's when a second wall suddenly rises several feet behind the first that the group is startled. It does not cover the pass, but appears to be one solid structure, as opposed to the more haphazard construction of piled stone before it. Another section soon appears next to it, and together they cover perhaps an eighth of the length secured by the first wall.
Hermy and Tahlin are reminded of the defensive structure Lord Malifaeyr set up for them when they came here in the early fall. When the group confers that night, they decide that this might be worth reporting. Any plans for a deeper investigation of the pass are abandoned for the moment. While Tahlin remains behind, both Darkar and Hermy make their way home immediately.
They lose two days to a thunderstorm -- one from the need to take shelter and the other from getting turned around in the process of looking for it. By the time they finally arrive, they are both in desperate need of a good meal and a warm bed. Darkar makes a brief report to Lord Malifaeyr, while a sodden, starving Hermy makes a critical report of his own to the one man he knows he can count on to take decisive action upon it.
Volos.
OoC: Sorry to wrap things up like this, everyone, but with the absence of all but two players at the moment, it seemed best to wrap this up for now and let them return to the regular course of events. (Thosar, I haven't forgotten about you either. I'll work something out there, even if it has to be by e-mail.) Hopefully, I'll have left you enough to work with. If not, please get ahold of me and I'll try to help you expand upon matters to a more satisfactory level.