3. Norwick's envoys and the goblins of the West Rawlins

Norwick's envoys and the goblins of the West Rawlins

  • H

    _Sqee leaves the dwarf's cave and moves away from the entrance quickly. The sound of the shattering glass of the violently thrown ale bottle hitting the rock wall, telling how Sqee's message was received by the tunnel dweller.

    The scarred, drunk dwarf sits at his chair and pulls another ale bottle from the case on the floor. He opens it and drinks half before he slams it on the table and folds his hands in front of him._

    Help dem?! Me is 'eer to AVOID dem!

    _His anger starts to rise again and he grips the bottle to throw it against the wall. Slowly his hand relaxes and he deliberately brings the ale bottle to be finished in one smooth motion. He places the empty into another case to his left.

    His now free hand finds a set of branded runes, that very few dwarves who bear the clan name 'Dolvak' have on their body._

    Nae. Can nae let im meet Moradin afore it when he want it to be.

    _The dwarf slowly rises from his chair and walks over to a heavily armored chest with a ridiculously large lock. Opening it with a key hanging around his neck, he removes a fine cloak covering the contents.

    Dark blood colored armor sits gleaming back at him as if it was fresh off the anvil. Plate by plate he removes it from the chest, placing it in its proper place on an armor stand nearby.

    He removes all the articles of war from his chest, laying them out, taking a mental inventory of what he had placed in the chest long ago.

    His ears perk at the at the unannounced visitor and he turns quickly placing a hand on the goblin messenger's neck.

    His touch (negative energy) drains most of the life from the greenskin, but he let's go before the goblin becomes more fuel for his forge._

    Ne'er sneak up on sumun who cen summon death! Now wut yeh want?

    _The golbin gasps and holds his throat but manages to convey that Sqee would like an answer by tomorrow as to whether he will help the dwarf and his party on their quest.

    The dwarf stops tying the war braids into his beard for a moment and thinks._

    Tell him if he bring me deh ore he promised, we has an accord..

    The dwarf then dismisses the gasping goblin as he continues to prepare his beard and tools of his trade.

    [D] Fool of a goblin, would have done it for free. Or maybe he knew I could not leave Dwin to chance…

    Dismissing the thought he continues to prepare himself for what might come, locking up his possessions in case a curious goblin dare go into his cave. Most feared the smell of death that emanated from it, but why leave it to chance?

    [D] Just another Gear of War preparing to turn again. Someone's blood will serve as the oil that makes us turn easier….

    His eye catches the glow of the Amn from the chest as he cleans his armor while recounting various songs of war..

    (( By Salsadoom's invitation. Forum RP only. PC is under DM control ))


  • Dwin stays mostly quiet as they survey the area. He prods a bit with his staff but stops short of touching or disturbing any of the skeletons.

    After a while he steps to the outer area and scans the treeline, or what's left of it.


  • Tindra closes her eyes and nods at Ragnhild's words.

    "My mother's tribe live two weeks travel east of Norwick, and my father's people somewhere near that. I have no idea if they survived Sharn's army. And now, if they survived that monstrous army, have these demonic atrocities gotten to them? It's painful not knowing. I may be an exile, but I still see my mother's people as kin. None deserve this fate."

    She pauses and shakes her head angrily, "No, perhaps one does deserve this… But he was more of a monster than I could ever be."

    She sighs heavily and turns back to the camp. "Let's see about offering the dead here some peace, and then I'll scout around for any landmarks."


  • Belin grunts at the scene and pulls out what looks to be an ale bottle. Looking to Ragnhild

    Yuh want meh tuh say sumthin o'er them for yuh?

    Pulling a gold medalion from her shirt she kisses it and then she sets about mumbling in dwarven with some hand waving, finger wiggling and ale sprinkling ((Consecrate (level 2 spell) - Fill area with positive energy Evoc Close 20-ft radius))

    whilst muttering in dwarven the words "dwarven father" are heard frequently.


  • Ragnhild too grows more bleak in spirit the closer they get to the former camp, her usual cheer replaced by grimness as she notes the growing decay and death all around. As the party reach their destination, it is a pale-faced warrioress who moves slowly through the grounds, her pained expression soon turning to cold rage as she spots the impaled remains. Through gritted teeth, Ragnhild speaks in a low growling whisper:

    "I buried them all.. young and old, vhoman and child, warrjor and shaman.. buried them, sang the songs of passing vhile smoke still rise from wreckage of camp site. This.. this vhas done -after-, their rest disturbed, the earth itself cursed. As if in mockeri…"

    Following Tindra's gaze eastwards, Ragnhild's eyes burn with icy blue fire as her hand turns white with the force of gripping her spear.


  • Tindra's mood sombers as the woods change closer and closer to death. Though she's no druid, it is obvious to her companions that she feels a connection of sorts with the woods.

    Upon reaching the old campsite, she sets about to search and explore the charred land quietly, responding only when asked. After a short while she pauses and stares eastward with a worried look in her eyes.

  • S

    As the party travels southwards they notice an increasing lack of wildlife, the area seems more devoid of most animal life, neigh a bird sings, a goblin roam, nor an animal prowl the night. The nights are eerily quiet except for that of bugs and rustling trees as they grow closer to Grahk's old camp. It is quite obvious when the party finally arrives at their destination. The woods are blackened as if burned with very hot fire , the smell of sulfur and brimstone feel the air. Old bones stickup from the marshy ground, the smell of rot and decay is released with every step as the party looks thru long rotten tents and camp remnants you come across periodic skeletal remains impaled on sharpened sticks. From the feathers and what not you expect these were once goblin shamans. Oddly enough, it seems like the skeletons were put on the sticks long after death,almost like an after thought. The camp itself seems to have been ransacked long time ago. Nothing seems to grow in the area, it is almost like the place itself is blighted or cursed.


  • Upon Dwin's inspection, the contents of Ragnhild's box are naturally ales of only the finest dwarven make. Giggling merrily at his comment, Ragnhild runs a few laps around him in her usual playful manner, then reverts to a somewhat more serious stride. Tindra and Belin are both greeted with a warm smile.

    "Spells and ales be both for distribute vhen need, so no need for either juss yet. I am sure troubel of some sort vill find, but vith company such as yours, I feel confident kan handel most of annithing!"

    As the party continue ever deeper into the forest, Ragnhild settles into a steady wolflike trot, light blue eyes scanning the surroundings attentively.


  • Belin nods to dwin keeping pace with the rest patting herself down to check for ready ales and jerky

    <d>I should have enough ale for at least 3 weeks if we are frugal.</d>


  • Tindra meets up with Ragnhild and Dwin just as they pass by the ruins of the old southern gate. "Good morning," she says with a polite smile. "If either of you want any protective or strengthening spells just ask. Hopefully, we won't find much trouble, but I'd be surprised if that happens."


  • Dwin quicly explains and recaps whats above

    We'd be happy to have you along. Keep yer eyes and ears open.


  • Belin watches them head out the gate and trots a long for a bit

    Where you going kin?


  • Dwin quickly inspects the ales and then straps them to his back. Grabbing his "walking stick" he rushes to catch up with the long determined strides of Rag.

    Remember, lass! Every step o yers is two o mine! Don't go too fast…


  • In the soft golden light of an early morning not many days later, Ragnhild once more fastens the goblin charm to her spear as she prepares to set off. Grinning widely, she hands Dwin a rather heavy wooden box, the clanking of bottles within easily betraying its contents.

    "You did say vould carri the ales, Dwin! I travel like queen this time, pack so light. I brought food though, hope you both like bear steak vell done.

    Now, I have not gone to old camp in years, so I vill need to focus on find the right path. Tindra and you perhaps kan keep eyes open for annithing resembling things on map vhile we valk, ok?"

    Ever impatient, the blonde warrioress strides ahead energetically without really waiting for an answer, long legs carrying her swiftly forwards into the forest. She seems relatively confident of the general direction, but slows down at times to ponder.


  • Tindra nods as she hands the map back to Ragnhild. "Aye, I think the trip could be worthwhile. We can see if anything nearby fits the symbols on the map."


  • Dwin half-smiles and nods to Rag

    I'll carry the ales.


  • Ragnhild quickly bites the cork off the bottle of ale produced from her bulging pack, then drains it in one go. Belching thunderously, she begins to look less strained, but comprehension has clearly not yet dawned on the barbarian woman's mind. She peers at the map as Tindra twists and turns it about, then opens a second ale to sip more slowly.

    "Fruit trees? Huh.. vhat interest have gobbalins in fruit trees? You probabli right though, I am famously poor at riddel and map things in general. Slippy rocks though, hm.. could be some place vith loose gravel, vhere rockslides common? Or rocks in still vater, all slipperi vith slime and moss?"

    Ragnhild scratches her head, fingers nearly getting caught in the blonde, tangled curls. A thoughtful pause later, she goes on:

    "I think like you Dwin, that crown symbol be final destination, and mean to show chieftain's status.. vhere to start is question though. If like, we kan head to Grahk's old camp and begin search from there, maybe something recognizable find near? Place is deep in Rawlins, all in ruins now, after attack by vhat all signs now point to were Kal'Vargen - demon kind gobbalins. I kan take you there, if kan spare time for long trek."


  • ((Salsa, I was able to cut and paste your map from quoting the message and got the spaces the right way. Possible to send me a legend of what letters look like what symbols?))

    "Hmm, fruit trees… Aye, that's probably what that means. I can't think of any cherry trees off the top of my head, perhaps if I give myself some time to think about it."

    She ponders a bit, while taking a long sip of ale. "Where about did Grahk's tribe live?"


  • Dwin swallows the last of his first ale and wipes his mouth with the back of his sleeve.

    The trick with these kinda maps is to get a reference point and work backwards, or forwards from there.

    he squints at the map again looking at the different symbols

    The other trick is ta think like a greenskin. These things here… the crossed-lines with the little dots? I'm bettin those are trees... fruit trees.

    stepping back he stares at the map We got some cherry trees out in the Rawlins, aye? Tindra... you probably have a better idea where any fruit trees are than anyone...

    And this here... someone said these words mean "slippy rocks" in Green-tongue... Slippy rocks... any thoughts? When I hear that I immediately think of that area north of the Romani where a misplaced boot on those slick rocks will make ya fall into the Ogre caves. Seems a bit odd that the greenskin would be referencing tha area, so maybe theres something closer to home.

    The crown with the hook... could that be some kinda... sceptre or other kingly-item? I'm thinkin that's the final destination on the map, so we need to find one of these others first.

    Whaddya say we go catch ourselves a local greenskin and see what he thinks? We wont show him the whole map, just the different symbols...


  • Tindra looks over the map for a few minutes, spinning it to a different direction every so often until she returns it to it's original position. She rubs her head and reaches for a bottle of ale while muttering some obscenity in Elvish.

    Before she opens her bottle of ale, she notices it's dwarven ale and puts it back, grabbing a decidedly weaker human brew. "Let's keep the mind functioning for now."

    ((Salsa, any chance you could make a image file of said map?))