Whom the gods would destroy... — Legacy Forums

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#201

"We might duel them beforehand, to even the odds. Or employ subterfuge!" Kyrian spiralled off into imaginations of how they could fool the ogres, just as tales have the boorish brute outwitted in the end.

A realization returned him on topic, though: "This is not a distraction and side-track in the end, Adan, my dear. The river that has been subjectd to such ruthless interruption will feed the fields of your humble peasants, and the moat of your castle proud! Surely, there is a greater power at work here than inexplicable ogrish constructive compulsion."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#202

"Aye, I see that. They've cut off Ashe castle from it's water supply as well, Kyrian. They've learned their history well. It took the Jantiri a hundred magi to dry the wells of Brightblade Keep, but the Marquis' keep is much less prepared. It is barely five centuries old."

Shaking his head, Adan turned to look to Kadarin, a small frown on his face. "If the dam has begun to accumulate water, we must needs be careful, and slow about the draining. It would be no good to unleash a flash of water upon our fair damsel. Would that we had a druid indeed - The talents of such a servant to the rhin would be invaluable here." And then he smiles faintly, looking not quite pointedly at Kyrian. "And so long as they turn their power not to diabolic ends, then they are no different than those who turn to the arcane. Power is power, it is the end and intent that matters."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#203

Kadarin nodded. "Then we must eliminate any resistance to our deconstruction up front, as Kyrian has suggested. Are there any local reinforcements we can draw upon? "

"Vorodon - I trust this will not cause conflict with you? " Kadarin looked carefully at the half-ogre. Perhaps there was another path, but it would be perilous - especially for the half-ogre.

"Mayhaps you can convince the Ogres to change sides, or failing that, simply leave. Though that question would throw away our best advantage at the moment - for the ogres currently do not know we mean to oppose them."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#204

"... and Adan caught me red-handed, me taking jabs at his faith, only to be met with a smile and mellowness. I stand humbled." He bashfully averted his eyes, then laughed, and turned to Vorodon: "Educate us on the matters of ogres, friend; you had to have a fair share of dealings with them."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#205

As the group discussed their options, the naiad, Eris by name, kept peppering Kyrian's mind, pleading and promising rewards. 'I know of secret passages, and magical steeds, and pearls of the forest, and---'

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#206

With a slow, sad smile, Adan nods faintly. "Our Lord may be perfect, my friend, but we, the men are weak and fallible. I do not doubt your grievances, just ask that you judge me by mine own actions, not those of another."

After a moment more, he looked to Vorodon. "Friend Vorodon, do you think that between you and I, we might turn these Volgottir aside with word, rather than blade? Blood enough soaks my ancestral lands, and I would not like to harm those who may be the kin of my friends. I have wreaked enough havok upon mine own kin to not wish to harm anothers."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#207

Matare

"But tell me more of Jantir first and of yourself", Thea suddenly changed subjects, as sweet cakes, rum, and coffee, were brought out by a new batch of servants. Perhaps the assassin was a poor choice of subject for the dessert course.

Lord Quorridge finally and suddenly spoke. "The Killer is yet another distraction. Same as the sea-storms of late. The reason most likely, as I have said many times, is to keep our eyes away from the north, where the true enemy festers."

Even the demon-slayers paused a moment in their revels, to eye the balding, steel-eyed, Lord Quorridge.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#208

Aerex raised a curious eyebrow at Quorridge. "I'm afraid I've not been in Jantir for a few weeks..." he answered Thea distractedly. He turned to her. "Frankly, my lady, I've more interest in the affairs of your state than I am the niceties of Jantir. And my own life story is, I assure you, quite uninteresting. I'm afraid I make poor table conversation." He smiled politely before turning back to the lord.

"Tell me, Lord Quorride, what enemy do you speak of? Tell me more of these rivals of yours - the Van Hellens, you call them? If I read you correct, you suggest they could be the cause of your other problems as well."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#209

Matare

Quorridge stirred in his high-backed seat, suppressing a noise.

"The Von Hellens yes, of them I speak, Jantirian. Liegemen once, then upstarts, later rivals, now sworn enemies." He paused to sip some hippocras. "They do truck with demons, and St. Alys crush him, a traitor of our own clan is with them. Their mad duke marches with beasts from the Pits of Tartarus, upon our castles. They turn to darkest sorcery."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#210

"A traitor?" The thought of betrayal brought up memories of corrupt guardsmen and turncoat sheriffs. "This traitor is directly behind some your troubles, I imagine, if they have access to knowledge other Von Hellens wouldn't possess. In my experience, they cause the worst kind of trouble and know your weakest points. What beasts do you mean? The demons that Bex and his crew are to deal with?" He shook his head. "I know little of demons, I suppose. You'd be best consulting a cleric." A faint smile came to Aerex's lips. "If I had my druthers, I would contact a priest I knew in the Empire, a Triguan by the name of Tristan. He would know what to do with your demons. Not to doubt the skills of Bex's crew, of course." His brow furrowed. "If this killer is attached to your enemies, then he could provide important clues to us. If we can track him down and capture him, he could be persuaded to talk and reveal his masters' motives and plans."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#211

“No Volgottir like for to hear decepts, Adan, and to decept may simple if no females: Females cunung and sweet for tongue, and no menfolk same. Volgotoi no many same Vorodon. Some hungry often.” He drew the broken spoon from his grimy pouch, pointing out the open-mouthed carving on its bowl. “Gora’am eat weak. Eat weak soul, eat weak thought, no much talk: Busy eat. Spoon of hungry warrior.”

Vorodon looked at the fouled pool, his sloped brow furrowed in concentration. “Volgotoi no ‘dam’ in hillers: Making angry land sfirits. Other one thing say 'Volgotoi dam'. If thing tell dam decept Volgotoi, no happy for finding. We find decept, share for to Volgotoi may is?”

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#212

"So, what you wish to impart is that without the womenfolk, bands of your kinsmen are easy to deceive, especially if their bellies rumble with discontent? Indeed, in the absence of a lady's skills, a man is prone to the temptation of a warm meal and warm smile!"
He smiled knowingly. Life consisted of temptations. At times, it was hard to choose to which to give in.

"Also, here you have a prime example of why the construction of dams angers spirits..."

The last part, about the Volgottoi sharing the deceiver might be interpreted in several ways, and Kyrian smirked as he imagined some.

"So, the grand plan: we discover the fallacious structure, unveil the motives behind its construction, dissuade its makers of safeguarding it, and cautiously, dismantle it to allow the river to return to its former self. Any objections? If so, share them now, for once the action stats, words may be rather difficult to trade!"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#213

"I am in agreement with your plan, Kyrian. The route forward requires information. And someone will need to get it. I possess the ability to shield one from an enemies eyes, so long as the shielded one makes no overt action. It does not, however, hide one's footfalls, or footprints for that matter, so it is by no means perfect. I am also unsure exactly how long it will persist - I will need to research the matter further."

"So no, Kyrian, no objections here."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#214

Holding his lips pursed, Adan shook his head. "To skulk around is quite distasteful to me. But you are right, friend Vorodon. We must know what untruth they have been told, or what bribe they have been paid, in order to break the bonds that hold them to their employer. If they have been paid good meat and bright gold upfront, it may not be possible to dissuade them with any ease." And then he frowns, stroking the blonde stubble on his chin through the risen portion of his helmet. "Will they be willing to speak with you, Vorodon? It is likely that they have been told that those who wear the sun and sword are good eating, and although I've not enough fat on my bones to keep my meat from being tough and stringy, I doubt that they would size me up so far within my shell of steel."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#215

"Now that you mention it, you look rather tasty, Adan, with that stubble of yours! Better keep the visor down, lest they come to the same conclusion!" Kyrian flashed the paladin a bright smile.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#216

Vorodon set down his battered satchel, rifling through the detrius accumulated within. Half-gnawed bones, wrapped packets of obscure seasonings, an old whetstone and his fraying spare rope joined a heap of rusty iron spikes on the ground before he found what he sought: a dented tin cylinder wrapped in oiled rags. With infinite care, his meaty hands drew forth a handful of gleaming, poisonous green plumes and placed them into the plume holder on his helm. He'd carried the precious feathers for scores of leagues, waiting for the right time to unveil the delicate adornments. Sea air and salt spray had speckled his harness with streaks of rust, but long evenings spent polishing and mending had begun to pay off: Most of the rust was gone and his scrubbing had unearthed bright spots of decorative enamelwork in green and gold. The helm's horns curled down around his face, their battered lengths bright and clean for the first time in decades.

The Son of Gorye rose, his golden eyes gleaming ferally from within his helm. "Let friends seeing Volgotoi dam. There we... talk, maybe."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#217

So the course was set, and the companions veered hard toward the north, following the hidden contours of the forest-shrouded river. Travelling silently, they made good time for the remainder of the day. When night came, they camped at the bawn of the wood, next to an isolated copse of aspen. The group stayed vigilant throughout the night, but no threat came, only the hoots of the owls for company.

----

After a hard three hour march the following morning, they came to a cross-road trail. The terrain here began to look more and more familiar to Adan. To the west, the near-impenetrable woods. To the east, Ashe Keepe, twenty five leagues, not much more. To the north, the land was less forested, but still poor for farming, rocky outcrops proving treacherous for riders, stony rills, zig-zagging the land. A mere two leagues north, Adan knew, flowed the Hidden River's eastern fork. From there one could follow the river upstream to the north, or follow it east as it curved, once more toward the borderland passing eventually, two miles north of Ashe Keep, then disappearing again into yet another forest. The Hidden River was well-named.

They paused to eat and plan. All around them, they saw easily recognizable signs. Many horses had ridden here recently, many soldiers had passed.

Here at the cross-roads, a wooden stake half-buried in the ground, held a wooden sign, long since faded. Once it had served as a signpost. The companions were officially in Landeel proper now.

----

As they neared the eastern fork of the Hidden River, the companions took in the scene. The water was brown and slow-flowing. Judging by the banks, the water-level had dropped severely quite recently. Only a few feet in depth, they could ascertain, it was a wretched sight, where life-giving, white-tipped currents once raged east toward Ashe Keep. It was approximately a hundred yards across here to the opposite bank. The river flowed east, and its source was north, and obviously north was where the d**n had to be.

“Uncle Adan, if the river is d**ned, Lord Ashe’s keep is doomed!” Announced Erund, gazing east, stating the obvious.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#218

Aerex Matare

Lord Quorridge pursed his lips.

“He means my brother, Aerex. The traitor’s name is Lyle, Lyle the Asp. He has caused his own clan much misery. And now, he marches with the Von Hellens, whispering sweet-nothings into their demon-waxed ears.” Thea said unapologetically.

The demon-slayers went back to speaking amongst themselves, though in a quieter tone, having heard the recent exchange between Thea, Quorridge and Aerex.

As to discovering the killer’s identity, and thereby discovering the hand that feeds, there is wisdom in that course,” she continued. “You have no hesitation in undertaking such a dangerous task as this, Aerex? You are brave then as well. Or perhaps bored…” She studied him with those stone-gray eyes and smiled devilishly.

“If you say this priest’s name was Tristan and that he followed Trigu, then most likely you travelled with a Son of Landeel. What was his surname, do you recall?” Quorridge now asked, and then turned to Thea.

“He should come with me then, if he thirsts for danger and righting wrongs.” Quorridge said to her, referring to Aerex without looking at him. "He can bring back word to his beloved Jantir, of what he witnesses. Perhaps a first-hand account would convince the Jantirians to send re-enforcements, as we have requested of them.”

At this Quorridge turned to Melitus, and eyed him harshly. Melitus was sitting mouth agape, clutching his cup of wine. The diplomat could not believe how quickly and effortlessly Aerex had “befriended” these northern heathens. They had opened up to him more in two hours, than they had to him, Melitus Galbra of Jantir, in two years. Something tells me we won’t be discussing those shipping lane contracts this eve, he thought to himself, and remained silent for a few moments before replying in Aerex' defense, "Oh well, I am sure that would be impossible for my right honourable friend here. You see, he sails with the next ship that comes into harbor. He seeks the very next passage to Jantir."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#219

"Indeed, nephew. His walls are thick and strong, but his troops will thirst. The March Lord kept stock for sixty days of siege. Ninety, if he places them on thin rations. But there are civilians that will take cover behind his walls, and Ashe is a warrior. Though he is brilliant with his spear and with tactics, he has little skill in inspiring men. There may be a panic behind his parapets."

Pointing to the north, then, Adan Hellschwert gestured up the banks of the river. "Therewards must lie the blockage of the river. Let us remove it, and be the salvation of Lord Ashe."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#220

And so they trudged on, along the depleted banks of the Hidden River, heading north, until at last they came to a high hillock, from which one could get an overview of the terrain ahead.

Scampering up, they eventually reached the angled summit, and looked beyond.

Several leagues ahead, they could now see the ogre dam. It was an obscene blot on the landscape. A tumultuous heap of timber and stone, and gods knew what else, erected into a gigantic, irregular wall, fording the stream (for the river was only fifty feet across here, not far from its mountainous source), preventing the water from continuing on its natural course.

More so, from this vantage point, they could see that many trees had been felled, chopped, and torn, from the sides of the riverbank.

Though detail could not be seen from here, the companions counted at least seven or eight over-large figures in the distance, in the vicinity of the makeshift, ugly dam. Smoke was rising high into the air from several apparent bonfires, not far from the sight. Whoever had this structure built, did not leave it unattended.

It was late afternoon by now, and the sun began its descent. The woods and hills were silent and devoid of common noises, as if nature was protesting the dam.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#221

Aerex's face was briefly ashen. "I'm sorry, Lady," he said quietly. "I did not intend to jab at a fresh wound. I, ah... I know how sharp a betrayal can cut." He cleared his throat a bit. "That said, from a purely logistical standpoint, that makes him a dangerous betrayer indeed. I would assume that he would know the ins and outs of your cities, government, and military fairly well. Though I'm sure you knew that already..."

He leaned back in his chair at Thea's question of Tristan. "Tristan... Tristan Kar - Karomir, yes. Tristan Karomir." A glimmer of curious hope struck him, as he was prone to be struck. "You wouldn't perchance know him, would you?"

Aerex stiffened at Melitus' answer. The ranger hadn't thought through the whole of the situation yet; thus far, he'd been having an interesting and blessedly distracting conversation with a foreign regent. Offering to lend help was only the diplomatic thing to do. Now that there was a real possibility of it, Aerex had to question his own priorities. "It is true," he said slowly, "that I do intend to return to Jantir soon." He looked over at Melitus. "Do you know when the next ship bound for Jantir is scheduled to come in? It's probably soon, I'm sure." He bit his lip. The conflict tore at his heart. He wanted nothing more desperately than to return to Jantir and find Talia. Here Melitus had given him the perfect opportunity. Could he squander it? He looked to Thea, seeing her bright and expectant eyes. It seemed that the betrayal he'd felt when he discovered the corruption of the Jantirian Constabulary was present here, only felt by the whole nation. Would there be justice in leaving them to deal with it alone, when he could help?

With a sigh, he placed a firm hand on the table. His mind was made.

"Ambassador Galbra, you have sent my letter to the harbormaster in Jantir, yes? I imagine it won't be but a few weeks at most for a response. You see, Lady Hellschwert, I seek my companions that I lost in the capital. I only can guess where they are now. When the harbormaster sends his response, I may have a good idea. If they are in Jantir, they will receive my letter and stay there until I return. If not, then the harbormaster will hopefully send word of their direction. If they've left, I could only waste time in the Dynast's City. Either way, it would seem I have at least a week's wait.

"If I can assist Lord Quorridge in his investigation, perhaps I can help find this criminal and bring him to light. And it could only help to better forge the friendly bond between these people" - he spoke more to Melitus now - "and the Dynast's. At worst, we find nothing and I go back to Jantir later than I expected." He took a breath and turned to Thea, giving a small smile. "All that is to say, Lady Hellschwert, that it would be my honor to assist with this investigation. Inspector Matare is at your service."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#222

“Well, uhh-yes,” Melitus quickly responded, “The messages have been sent and in two weeks I expect the terns to, well, uhh-return.” The ambassador was still in shock that Aerex had just agreed to hunt down killers and demons apparently, alongside the grim Lord Otto Quorridge.

“It is settled then. You are a man of careful consideration, Aerex Matare. I feel I can trust you. I usually tend to trust only in Trigu…and of course my loyal and wise advisor here” she smiled.

“As to this Tristan Karomir, I know not, I think,” Thea considered. ‘Only Adan, of my close kin, has been to your capital city. I am afraid I do not know the name.” If Quorridge had recognized the name Tristan Karomir, he didn’t say.

“As to this traitor, Lord Quorridge here believes the assassin to be his—Lyle’s man, or not a man, one never knows with Lyle. Lord Quorridge means to go north, to our ancestral lands, and survey the war-scape, and if possible, confront Lyle and his cronies, but at the same time, he hopes to draw the assassin from the shadows of Thonrecht. At least that is the plan, is it not?” Thea looked at her adviser.

Servants began clearing the tables, and the demon-slayers, all drunk, except Mallyne, stoic and rigid as ever, retired for the evening with final boasts and promises to rid the lands of all infernal creatures, great and small, and before the next day’s lunch, by the sounds of it.

“If you go with Lord Quorridge, you will need armor, or some protection” Thea eyed Aerex again. He was used to the look. He was often underestimated.“If you don’t wear mail,” she continued making an assumption, “I can provide armor of a different kind, the kind one wears if one intends to remain unencumbered. Do you need a weapon? Is there anything we can provide you?”

“You should know”, said Lord Quorridge, draining his cup of hippocras, and standing up, “That I intend to bait and draw out this assassin if possible, hoping he follows us out of the city. It is a long-shot, but it is my hope he comes after me.”

Quorridge paused to pick up his giant sword, which was leaning against the wall, and having slung it across his back, turned back to Aerex, eyeing him like a rooster does a wriggling worm.

“There is good chance that you will end up dead and never see Jantir again. Are you certain you are up to this?”

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#223

Aerex smiled. "Lord Quorridge - Otto, if you prefer -" he probably wouldn't but Aerex wanted to see a reaction from the man - "I have faced death more in the past few months than in the sum of my lifespan. A few more times will not be a bother to me."

He stood and turned to Thea. "I have a few things, mostly standard issue. A city bow, a rapier and dagger set, a leather cuirass. I'm sure your equipment would be superior. If you have anything to spare, I'd be grateful."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#224

Aerex gets something fancy from the arsenal--Bracers of Defense AC 3(!) You are also offered masterwork versions of any and all weapons you may want.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#225

Aerex tested the new equipment, feeling the weight and balance of the blades, the make of the bow. They were all of superior quality, far better than his own. "I thank you again, Lady Hellschwert," he said, wrapping the sword belt around his waist. "I hope I prove worthy of your generosity."

Something suddenly sparked the ranger-constable's memory. "Pardon me, madam, but you had mentioned a brother, didn't you?" he asked. "I ask because I recall a friend of Tristan Karomir's I ran into in Jantir. It was shortly after we arrived, having just slain a number of giant-folk called Verbeeg. Tristan had met another Triguan, a man named Adan. Now that I think of it, he shared your surname, Hellschwert. Is he of any relation to you?"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#226

Matare

Thea's marble skin paled further if that was possible. She looked at Aerex for what seemed a long time.

"You knew Adan Hellschwert?" She looked uncharacteristically dumbfounded. "He--he is also my brother. The Kinslayer. Tell me, what became of him? Do you know his current whereabouts?"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#227

Coming to a halt as his eyes spied the dam, Adan began to frown, as he looked at the blight upon his land. It stirred an anger deep within, from a place he had almost forgotten, mixed with the rage of his counterpart that surely would have welled within her, and he knew it as he would know his own pain. Defilers! Yet... the silence was a warning. More than just the building of the dam would be required to silence nature.

"This is all the closer we can get, if they have dogs, or other such beasts with sharp noses. But we must destroy that dam, and gain information from them. We can circle, but there is no guarantee that the wind will not shift."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#228

The shock on the woman's face was clear to Aerex. "I'm afraid not," he answered with a tone of regret. "That last I saw him, he was with Tristan and the elven paladin Kyrian. They had spoken to a Triguan priest and were off to speak to a friend of Kyrian's. My other companions and I ended up on a yacht in the Regatta shortly thereafter." He frowned. "I'm sorry I can't be of more help. He could still be in Jantir, for all I know. Perhaps Melitus could send a message to the Triguan bishop in Jantir?"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#229

"I will send birds this very eve, aye--" She stared out one of the arsenal's windows. She had accompanied Aerex to the weapon's room, and waited while he choose his equipment.

"He--needs to return to Landeel. It is time. All wounds can heal." Thea seemed distant for a moment longer then turned to Aerex, "It was Lyle that caused Adan to leave us in the first place. Lyle's treachery even then, knew no bounds. Adan killed Rhys, our brother, thanks to Lyle's vile machinations." Thea trailed off, and studied the dark, stormy, night sky.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#230

Aerex cast his gaze down, feeling a bit voyeuristic to hear of her family's trials. "I'll do what it takes to bring your brother to justice ma'am," he said quietly. "Any friend of Tristan's is a friend of mine, and any sister of a friend's friend..." He trailed off, furrowing his brow. "Well, what I'm saying, Thea, is that I'll do what it takes to find this killer. I'm sure my friends in Jantir would agree with me."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#231

Matare

The next morning, near dawn, Lord Otto Quorridge and Aerex Matare, accompanied by four, mailed knights, rode out of Thonrecht and headed north toward Landeel proper, and Brightblade Keep, where currently an infernal host sieged the remaining Hellschwerts, unbeknownst to Thea and her ardent adviser. And certainly unbeknownst to Aerex.

For five hours they rode, without speaking. When they finally stopped to rest the mounts, two of the four knights, slowly turned their steeds, returning to Thonrecht. Aerex caught his breath, while eating cheese and tack, but grew confused agian, as they mounted once more, and rode several more hours, until at late afternoon, they camped beside some willows, engulfed in uneven, boggy lands.

The proud Quorridge, a peacock astride his pale and spotted mare, finally spoke to to Aerex then.

"We have discovered the killer's identity two nights prior, and the dinner was meant to lure him. Or should I say her." He pursed his lips once more, like he was wont to do, and continued, "Our plan was a ruse to get the killer to strike out at our Thea. Even now, I hope the assassin lies ensnared in our trap. Our open speaking of it, last night, was due to the killer being present at the feast. If I rode out, leaving Thea's side, the killer would be too tempted not to act. You were part of the ruse, it was my idea--"

Aerex was listening, and trying to quickly piece it all together...

"On the morrow, you may return to Thonrecht and await your ship if you wish afterall...Or, you can come with me. I go north, to hunt the Traitor."

This man was maddening if nothing else, Aerex thought, a he sat there, in the middle of nowhere.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#232

Lord Waltor Reymar surveyed the giant dam.

The ogres had erected the humungous mountain of timber, stone, and refuse with surprising speed. Half of the ogres then left with their chieftain, returning to Ashe Keep's siege, promised further spoils and violence. Half remained behind, to gaurd the dam, under Reymar's command, until such time they received word, that the siege had been successful.

They had been well bought, well paid, Reymar thought, Lokknar had more gold than entire kingdoms it was said. And the Hellschwert traitor, and his glass-jar cultists, they surely had a hand in the recruitment, Reymar continued his internal dialogue, glancing at the nearby yellow and gray skinned behemoths who were digging a cook-pit in honor of sundown, and building a giant roasting spit. Four cows, no doubt dragged from Ashe Keepe's environs, lay eviscerated in a great heap, flies swarming about the meaty carcasses.

Yes, well paid and well fed.

Looking away from the revolting ogres, he glanced at his own men, then looked to the east, where darkness now creeped on the horizon.

It was a shame, the Green Manticore, that son-of-a-whore; Odilo Brunn, would get the glory of storming Ashe Keep soon, while he, Lord Waltor Reymar, sixth of his name, was relegated to dam construction and overseeing ogres. Reymar snorted audibly, his pride stinging, as he drank from his goblet.

Bah! When the Mad-Duke takes Brightblade, none of it would matter. Brunn’s victory would be forgotten soon enough. There would be more honors to be had. More glory.

Hopefully the siege takes not long now, he thought, polishing a smear on his breastplate, and glancing once more at the great dam and the drying river-bed to the south.

Just then one of the massive ogres rose sniffing the air, then let out a noise akin to thunder from somewhere below his snake-spine belt, the force of the expulsion making his bat-skull earring, jingle.

No glory here, Reymar sighed, and withdrew into his tent.

The PCs are 1 mile upwind of the Lord Reymar/dam Ogre brigade encampment.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#233

"Vorodon - I need to know as much as you can tell me about your people's beliefs. I will be upfront though - my intent is to cast doubt on the ogres to make them fear that they have truly offended the spirits, which as we have seen is the truth. I have a feeling that simple discussion may not suffice, and that effort would doom any others save force of arms."

Invisibility lasts until the subject of the spell attacks someone. Can I consider that as spells which do not attack a person - either directly or indirectly - are ok?

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#234

Shoud be ok, depends what you intend to do exactly...For purposes of this spell, an attack includes any spell targeting a foe or whose area or effect includes a foe. (Exactly who is a foe depends on the invisible character’s perceptions.) Actions directed at unattended objects do not break the spell. Causing harm indirectly is not an attack. Thus, an invisible being can open doors, talk, eat, climb stairs, summon monsters and have them attack, cut the ropes holding a rope bridge while enemies are on the bridge, remotely trigger traps, open a portcullis to release attack dogs, and so forth. If the subject attacks directly, however, it immediately becomes visible along with all its gear

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#235

"You've a plan then, Kadarin?" Adan cocked his head at the wizard, a look of curiousity across his face. "Perhaps we can make ourselves appear as though we are many more than we are, in addition to any spiritual beliefs we place upon them."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#236

"The startings of one. But let Vorodon speak - and we will need still more 'tactical' information before we can act, though speed of course is critical."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#237

Vorodon's rumbling tones were hushed, for who could say what strange spirits haunted this land? After centuries of grim feuding and petty wars between local lordlings, even the remaining fey were warped from the cruel innocence natural to their kind. His friends’ seemingly simple question was one for a hill-village taledrinker, not a simple warrior who only listened to his people’s midnight tales long enough for the hero to eat the villain and save the day.

Frequently repeating himself and rephrasing to dispel his allies’ confusion, Vorodon described the nightmare denizens of the hill-folk’s world. He told them of the Kired’ley, scale-covered water folk strong as Volgotoi, who lived in the deepest pools. Their grim hungers claimed any foolish enough to bathe in their waters, the water-borne scents of potential prey filling them with hideous hungers.

He whispered of the tree-hanging horrors called Dossingri, which magically lured the unwary beneath their hanging nests of sewn skins, then drew them aloft with bony tentacles. Their victims’ bones filled additional hanging nests, each with a blasphemous dossingro waxing and swelling within it.

A dozen additional horrors haunted the hill-folk’s nightmares. The claw-steed, which wore the guise of a beautiful, delectable horse, only to assume its horrific natural form when a hungry volgottir claimed it for his dinner; the Gar’goeis, which hid among the stones and rocky caves; haridoi, the restless souls of murdered woodland fey; and others more terrible.

He spoke of the Volgottir gods. Dreaded Gora’am headed the list, but Zihr, the protective “Hearth Listener”, was little less ominous. Thirsty Delk’art taught the hill-folk women how to lie, earning her title: “Princess of Deceits”. All Volgotoi dreaded the coming of Ze’thot, the “Bringer of Famine”. Naming that dreadful spirit, Vorodon felt sure he’d brought doom to his friends, whose lack of reverence was sure to draw the hill-gods’ anger. He decided to fast the next day, hopefully placating his land’s short-tempered gods.

Better safe than sorry, Vorodon decided.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#238

"Your tales are colorful, Vorodon! There is plentiful substance suited to spread dread!" He thought a moment. "If the hidden river houses one fey, I believe there may be others; for our ruse, a real nature spirit would be of untold value."
Evaluating his fellows, Kyrian added: "I volunteer to recon the adversaries' position; a measure of prowling has to be in my blood."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#239

The hill warrior's face blanched at the idea of willingly trafficking with the fey, especially ones filled with anger toward the mortal races. "Fey much denger us. More easy Vorodon offer chellenge Volgotoi chief, yes?"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#240

"Perhaps, Vorodon. But there is likely a man who was sent to keep control of the Volgotoi. Without disrupting him, it will be difficult to even get their chief to accept your challenge... Kadarin is right. We need more knowledge." A moments thought, and Adan began to ruffle through his gear, drawing forth his box of herbs.

"But shadow and silence alone will not be enough to hide a man from these creatures, I think. Hold a moment, Kyrian, and I will do what can be done to help you smell like one of them." Pulling out a mortar and pestle, he began to consider the phials and leather bags, doing his best to make a concoction that smelled like, well, Vorodon.