Start of #Odal buffer: Wed Apr 08 21:57:41 2009 [19:46:38] * When we last left our heroes, they had just beat back a kobold ambush, as the dwarves huddle by the wall, Thorwal fussing over his younger companion, who was knocked unconscious by the kobolds [19:46:39] * Plow playbutton. [19:46:46] [Session start] [19:47:04] Will they be alright? [19:47:05] * Eve_Kasnora rushes over the hole in the bridge, looking for the lower level the kobolds jumped to. [19:47:45] * The lower level is nearly fifty feet down, and if there were slowfalling enchantments on the bridge they've faded by now. The kobolds appear to have died on impact. [19:48:20] * Eve_Kasnora nods and sheaths her swords on her hips. [19:48:26] "Everyone is being okay?" [19:48:30] * Paera rushes over to examine Thorwal's friend. [19:50:33] * The dwarf has a large welt on her forehead from where the sling bullet glanced off. She seems to be drifting in and out of consciousness [19:52:27] "Paera, can you be calling on Erathis to be aiding our dwarven friend?" [19:53:26] * Plow carefully dusts off his frame as he rejoins the team. He stares impassively at the dwarf. [19:53:56] If necessary. But I'm not sure she'll need it... [19:55:06] * Eve_Kasnora walks over to the injured woman. "How are you feeling?" [19:55:38] * Paera patches her up as best as she can through mundane means. [19:56:52] * She sits upright and looks at Eve blankly, and Thorwal interperts for her, and she responds in dwarvish. "Her head is throbbing, but at least she's awake, and still alive." [19:57:42] "Perhaps we should contine on, then. It is rarely a good idea to hesitate in such situations." [19:58:23] "That... is not being such a good idea." [19:58:53] * Plow regards Eve. [19:59:00] "I am being very tired." [19:59:22] * Eve_Kasnora looks particularly beat up and winded. [20:00:00] As am I.... but how close are we? [20:00:07] "I see." The unchanging faceplate reflects nothing. "I apologize; I forget that mortals suffer such frailities." [20:01:23] What frailties do you suffer? [20:01:31] "No sex life." [20:02:00] * Eve_Kasnora smirks and walks over to the corner of the bridge and hunkers down to catch her breath. [20:02:07] * Thorwal looks up. "It'll be a few more tiers until we can get into the mines that lead under the citadel. Another hour or two, maybe [20:02:10] * Paera reddens. Not that it's visible. [20:03:09] Father says I'm a bit young for that. I think it's something all of us suffer. [20:03:45] * Plow stares at Eve, then to Eilenia, then to Paera. Finally, he shakes his head, and withdraws to sit and consult his notebook. [20:05:46] "Are you considered an adolescent among your people, Elena?" [20:07:01] Oh, yes. [20:07:23] And I'm already one of the most talented prodigies of the arcane arts in my court. [20:09:02] "Ah. That is explaining much. You handle yourself extremely well for a young one." [20:09:22] * Plow seems to notice something. [20:09:57] Ooh, what does it explain? [20:10:36] "You are very skilled and knowledgable. But you are also being very... ... ...childlike." [20:10:38] * Plow stands, and moves to where the kobold prisoners are tied up. He grabs one of the kobolds by the scruff and pulls it aloft. "It seems one of your friends is awake." [20:11:45] Oh, thank you. [20:14:52] * The kobold writhes in Plow's grasp, screeching in Draconic [20:19:01] Hmm... I think he is saying... [20:19:03] Eve? What's he saying? [20:19:10] * Eve_Kasnora walks up to it. [20:19:22] * Eilenia repeats, roughly, what the kobold said in Draconic. Except clearly having no idea what she's saying. [20:19:41] "BARACKT! Emack av vivex." [20:21:02] * The kobold looks at Eve, and shreiks, unambiguously and across language barriers. [20:21:15] * Plow gives the creature a brisk shake. [20:21:19] [Still your tongue, ignoble creature! We are victorious and you have been spared.] [20:22:14] * The kobold thrashes, trying to slip from its bonds. "[You killed them! You killed them all! You monster!]" [20:23:41] * Eve_Kasnora puts her hands on her hips. Not on the swords at her hips, but, well, maybe close enough. "Two of them jumped to their deaths, several died nobly on their feat facing a worthy foe, and you were spared among several others." [20:25:26] * Eve_Kasnora turns to the others. "What do we want to ask him?" [20:25:36] * "[Honorable, nothing! They're dead!]" [20:25:59] "I do not wish to be ambushed again. It is troublesome." [20:26:05] * "[What good's honor when some giant cuts your face apart for trying to get food?]" [20:27:00] * Eve_Kasnora looks back at the kobold. "[Would you have us lay down our arms and let you skewer us on your spears and daggers then? You were going to kill us just as much as I was going to kill you. I was just lucky enough to be the superior opponent.]" [20:28:12] "[You fight for food then? Your orc masters give you scraps to defend the bridge? You could have chosen an honest life as a farmer but instead you lifted weapons to fight for food. Do not begrudge others for doing the same.]" [20:29:51] Um. I dunno what to ask him. I'm not good at this interogation thing. [20:29:54] "[Orc? I- I don't understand. Did you say orc? Your accent is just-]" He collects himself. "[The orcs aren't our masters. They wouldn't speak with us.]" [20:29:57] I don't know either. [20:30:36] He is saying the orcs are not being his masters. [20:30:52] ... no? Curious. [20:31:01] "[Then why are you guarding this bridge? You attacked us on sight.]" [20:32:04] "[The dwarves got to the tavern before our runners, and then the gnolls came, so we were told by the chief to wait here for them, knock them out, take their food for the brood.]" [20:32:30] * Eve_Kasnora snears. [20:33:35] "[You steal food from the hungry instead of asking for help like civilized people and you call me a monster? You would kill them just as surely as with a knife to the face, but not so merciful. You would damn them to a slow and painful death.]" [20:34:28] * Eve_Kasnora shakes her head. [20:34:31] "We should ask if they know anything of the orc positions. That will be vital in the upcoming battle." [20:34:32] "[We'd let them starve, so our families would not!]" [20:35:31] * Eve_Kasnora sighs. [20:36:09] "[We will give you food. Your clansmen here might not be able to share it, but your young still will. If you help us.]" [20:37:05] "[And what proof do I have that you won't turn and kill the rest of us once we're done being useful? It happened in Arkhosia, it could damn well happen again!]" [20:37:19] * Eve_Kasnora stares at the kobold. [20:37:33] * Eve_Kasnora unsheaths her newer sword. [20:37:47] What's goin on? [20:38:10] * Eve_Kasnora takes a step toward it and reaches out, slicing. The ropes fall away from the kobold. [20:39:20] "[You are free to go. But if you help us, I can promise you we will do everything in our power to help you find food enough to feed your family without having to kill for it.]" [20:39:53] * Paera approaches Eve slowly from behind and asks quietly "Eve...what's going on?" [20:40:22] "His family is starving. He attacked us to get our food." [20:40:32] * Plow doesn't release his grip, "Are you sure this is wise?" [20:40:51] "I let him free. If he helps us, we will give his clan a share of the food from the artifact." [20:40:57] * The kobold sighs. "[You're behind the dwarves. I suppose we'd better get on the winning team for now, or else we'll get crushed later." [20:41:21] * Eve_Kasnora turns to Plow. "Yes. He is just trying to save his children." [20:41:28] Then we really do need that seed, don't we... [20:41:54] * Plow shrugs, and drops the kobold. [20:42:41] * Eve_Kasnora looks back to the kobold. "[I am sorry for your loss. I don't expect your forgiveness, but I hope you know that I only act to defend those in my charge, just as you do.]" [20:42:55] But...then...all those kobolds we've been fighting... [20:43:45] Not all of them. [20:44:02] They chose to attack us. We defended ourselves. Combat isn't pretty. [20:44:19] * It's notable that this kobold is of a different complexion and doesn't wear the iconography of the Wyrmgear kobolds. It's a solid bet that he's from a different tribe. [20:44:41] "I am also doubting he is having anything to do with the Wyrmgear bandits." [20:47:00] * The kobold makes a facial gesture somewhat similar to frowning. "[The dead are dead. As long as the rest of us make it out, and you don't turn on this, we could be better off from this.]" [20:47:19] * Paera nods slowly. She looks a bit doubtful. [20:48:03] * Eve_Kasnora toward the others. [20:48:10] * Plow turns away. [20:48:26] He is agreeing to be helping us. [20:48:46] "We shall see." [20:48:58] * Eve_Kasnora looks at Plow. [20:49:10] "Are you feeling alright?" [20:49:49] "You mortals are erratic. You are like to say one thing and then do another. I see no reason why this kobold would be any different. Who is this creature that it could make any such gaurantees?" [20:50:27] "You are having a problem with my judgment?" [20:50:39] "Perhaps if you had The Eye, you could see the truth of the situation?" [20:51:05] * Eve_Kasnora puts her free hand on her other sword, though still in it's sheath. [20:51:48] * Paera gasps. "Eve?!" [20:53:18] "You are having been acting cold toward me ever since I was asking you to give up The Eye, Plow." [20:54:12] "You were never mentioning 'mortal weakness' before then. Is my morality being a hindrance to you?" [20:54:44] * Plow turns back to Eve. "The Eye has no bearing on my concern with your judgement. I do not need it to see that the evidence we have to trust this creature is flimsy at best." [20:54:59] "I will however not stand in the way of your decision." [20:55:15] * Eilenia suddenly vanishes. [20:55:17] "I have no quarrel with these beyond their ambush." [20:55:25] "And the food is the least of my concern; I have no need to eat." [20:55:25] "You are having my word. But as a 'weak mortal', that is not being enough, is it?" [20:55:37] * Eilenia reappears behind Paera. [20:55:52] "I respect your ability and your passion. Your word is enough." [20:56:26] * Plow is impassive. There is no change in the gravel tone of his voice. The face is unable to transmit any emotion. But he does not flinch away with his words. [20:56:33] * Eve_Kasnora slowly sheaths her weapon. [20:56:51] "Good then." [20:57:21] * Paera doesn't notice Elena has dissappeared, being too intent on Plow and Eve as she looks nervously back and forth between them. [20:58:37] * Eve_Kasnora looks to the dwarves. "Are you having a problem with the kobolds aiding us?" [20:58:50] * Plow inclines his head towards Eve, then follows her gaze back to the dwarves. [21:00:12] * Thorwol coughs. "I don't trust them, but they're only interested in their own skin. If it's helping us or death, I'll bet the cowards would help." [21:01:28] * Eve_Kasnora nods. "I agree." [21:02:55] * Eve_Kasnora turns to the kobold. "[Are you knowing a way into the citadel?]" [21:04:27] * "[There was an old mine tunnel that led in, that we used to take food from the dwarves' storerooms, before the orcs came. There's the front doors, too, though I'd never get near 'em.]" [21:05:22] "[What happened to the old tunnel?]" [21:06:42] * "[Dwarves moved in, we couldn't use it anymore. You know, it's one thing when they've just got some beard watching the tunnels half the day, but when they're all living in the same hole, you can't really get through it.]" [21:07:22] * Eve_Kasnora nods. [21:08:36] * Eve_Kasnora turns to the dwarves. "The Kobold says his clan used to sneak through a tunnel in the caves into your citadel to steal food. But his clan can't get to the tunnel now because you're people are living in the tunnels and would kill them on sight. This could be our way into the citadel. Do you agree to let the kobolds into your people's caves so that we might sneak into the citadel?" [21:09:12] "You should, of course, keep your people from killing the kobolds, if this is going to work." [21:09:33] * Eilenia takes out some random sling she probably got who knows how long ago, and very carefully tries to reach up and hang it on Paera's horn. [21:09:35] "That was being implied, yes." [21:09:48] * "I suppose if it goes wrong, we can take them apart. I'll let the clansman know to let them through." [21:10:51] * Eilenia walks back up like normal. [21:11:23] * Eve_Kasnora turns back to the kobold. "[The dwarves have agreed to let you into the tunnels to show us the entrance to the citadel.] [21:12:04] * "[I'll ask the Great Wyrm, then. Hopefully, he understands the threat as well as I now do.]" [21:12:19] * Plow is looking at the dwarf, when he catches Eilenia out of the corner of his eye. He turns his empty stare on Paera. [21:12:56] "[We will be waiting for you at the dwarven tunnels then. Agreed?]" [21:13:23] * "[If we're there, you'll know I convinced him.]" [21:13:24] ...Elena, what in the hells are you trying to do? [21:13:57] "[Understood.]" [21:13:58] Practicing. [21:14:35] * Eve_Kasnora turns to the others. "Being okay. The kobolds are leaving to be speaking with their leader. We will be meeting them at the entrance to the dwarven clan's tunnels." [21:14:48] * Paera grabs the sling and turns around angrily. "Practicing WHAT?" [21:15:37] Stealth. If this has upset you, I apologize. [21:15:54] * Eilenia bows down in remorse. [21:17:22] * Plow stares. Then turns to Eve, "We should prepare." [21:18:07] * The kobold turns and begins to run down the bridge, and then stops, returns, and takes hold of his knocked-out compatriots, dragging them along behind him as he runs [21:18:33] I can help! [21:18:55] "Let us go to the dwarven tunnels." [21:19:02] Okay! [21:19:21] * Eve_Kasnora nods to the dwarves. "Lead on." [21:19:28] * Paera glares at Elena for a moment, then sighs. "You're...hard to stay mad at." [21:20:18] * Thorwol leads the way down through seveal more tiers, and finally into a mining shaft dug into the wall. A rope and pulley system, held in place with a brake on the platform, hangs in a vertical shaft, swaying slowly back and forth [21:20:48] * Thorwol gets onto the platform and grabs hold of the brake lever, motioning for the others to get on [21:20:54] * Eilenia walkson [21:21:08] * Eve_Kasnora gets on the lift. [21:22:15] * Plow studies the mechanism, makes a note in his journal, then joins the rest. [21:23:05] * Paera follows after the group, self-conciously scratching one of her horns. [21:24:17] * The mechanism seems to be in poor condition nowadays, and once everybody is on, Thorwal releases the lever, plunging the elevator into a near freefall. Every few dozen feet, he slams the brake on, letting everyone catch their breath, before dropping again. After nearly ten of the jarring drops, he finally stops and then lets the lift clatter to the ground, a pitch black tunnel yawning open in front of you [21:26:00] Oof. [21:26:09] * Thorwal turns to his companion, who picks a rock off the ground, and quickly scrapes a runic pattern into it with her knife. A dim glow emanates from the stone, and Thorwal and his companion lead the way to the dwarven camp. [21:27:30] * Eve_Kasnora grunts and steps off the lift as quickly as possible. [21:27:58] * Eilenia steps off, a little disoriented [21:28:14] * Eve_Kasnora follows quickly behind the dwarves. [21:28:24] * Plow seems a little unsteady, too. [21:28:32] * Paera shakes her head, and trails after the others. [21:31:05] * The tunnels twist and turn, and finally, you enter into a lit cavern. The cavern is extremely large, containing hundreds of dwarves, many of whom are at work expanding the walls of the cavern, cutting shelters from the stone of the mountain, while others watch after children or sit over small, crude stone tables, gathered in discussion [21:33:15] * Thorwal looks back at the group. "Here they are. The last sons and daughters of Horbek's Glory." [21:33:48] "Not if I am having anything to say about it." [21:34:12] * Plow looks to the dwarf. "Why did you stay?" [21:34:24] "Why not find a place more suitable, if you were forced to live as such?" [21:36:03] * "Our ancestors carved their first halls in this mountain when they escaped from servitude under the Titans. Better that we die here than bow to orcs or turn tail and leave their legacy." [21:36:21] * Eve_Kasnora nods. [21:36:50] * Plow stares up at the cavern, "That seems short-sighted." [21:37:01] My people as well stay in our ancestral homes. [21:37:43] "It is being a matter of honor." [21:38:07] "Odal's Fen itself is a remnant of Nerath." [21:38:40] "Well, now we are waiting." [21:39:10] * Paera nods at Eve. [21:39:33] * Plow seems distant. He parts from the group, going to observe the work of the industrious dwarves. [21:39:55] Ours comes from the time of the Realm of the Two Queens. [21:40:45] "Were they being married?" [21:42:00] * Paera frowns as she watches Plow walk off. [21:43:04] * Thorwal turns to the group. "Though we might be willing to die, few of us are willing to fight the orcs and risk capture. If you would lead us against the citadel, perhaps it would be best if you were to inspire the axe-bearers." [21:44:57] * Eilenia looks to Eve. "Of course." [21:44:58] "I am being planning on sneaking into the citadel through the kobold's tunnel." [21:46:40] * The dwarf nods. "Then we simply must wait for the kobolds." [21:52:47] [Session End] [21:53:29] You guys get 500 XP each as a quest reward for getting the kobolds and dwarves to agree to a bold cross-species support to your unilateral effort to bring stability and peace to the region [21:54:08] Which is sadly temporary, because of course, this area is prone to tribal disputes and without maintaining a peace-keeping presence, there is no way to be sure that stability can be maintained. [21:54:34] We might have to stay in Horbek's Glory for a thousand years. :| [21:54:39] Eve'll get a vow of cooperation out of the dwarves. [21:54:43] STOP FIRING ROCKETS [21:54:48] They're honorable folk, they won't go back on it. [21:55:30] We'll be really fucked when the priest of Vecna turns out to actually be alived and turns all the dwarves into zombies with a parasitic organism. :( [21:55:51] I'm going to go to bed and hopefully when I get up, the suprisingly stark political comparisons between my game and real world events will have gone away. :( [21:56:31] * Paera is now known as Yon End of #Odal buffer Wed Apr 08 21:57:41 2009