While the group recovers in the realm of the litigious dwarves, Alexis addresses Mavon.
“Mavon, I’ve been wondering who speaks to the non-humans on behalf of the Dark Hand. Given what we’ve seen so far, I assume Skellor can speak orcish, as can Thraan. Is that correct? Who else speaks orcish? And what other languages are spoken by the Dark Hand? And by whom?”
While resting after the group retreats from the black dragon, Alexis is tending to Mavon, Ethelred, Gustav, who are all barely awake.
In the dark, Alexis is talking with Ethelred about the next plans. “Given how that went, I’m thinking a better plan would be to know when the dragon leaves, and then sneak to the trove. While you were out, my couple plans are:
“What do you think? Other ideas?”
The group exits the long passage out to the sunny outside and starts to spread the clothing that needs to be dried. Gustav starts to make a fire to cook the mushrooms.
Alexis turns to Mavon “You’ve thrown your lot in with us but, as you know, we haven’t been fully forthcoming with you. We need to be more forthcoming with you so you can approach this whole situation with your eyes open.”
Alexis looks at Ethelred with a questioning look. The look is clearly interpreted as ‘do you want to tell him, or shall I?’
Alexis, Mavon, and Ethelred are wet and cold, but all five of the group is ready to leave the caves to get warm. As the group leaves the fungal cave and into more traveled areas Ethelred and Mavon start discussing treasure hunting. Alexis takes the opportunity to signal Telosh for them to take up the back of the procession.
Keeping his voice a little low Alexis addresses Telosh “I’ve been thinking about Skelor. We should reach out to him. Up until now, I’ve been leaving that to Gus, but you and I both know he’s not the most… gregarious woodsman. Plus he’s from Aegir.” Alexis says the last bit about Aegir in a knowing tone. A shared, conspiratorial tone.
“Would you be willing to reach out to our crippled friend?”
The giant white wolf has left the group and morning is fresh upon them. Alexis asks for a memento from each as appreciation for the help through the night. Ethelred pulls out one of the spearheads from the stink lizards and starts working it to be more like a fang. While Ethelred works, Alexis takes the pickax and starts digging a relatively shallow hole out of the way, Telosh takes out the goblin potions and decides which to part with, and Gustav finds a stone and starts carving a wolf-head on the stone. After Alexis finishes the hole he brings out one of Nock-Moss’ river rocks and draws a tear on the rock.
When everyone has their offering, Alexis takes each one in turn starting with the stones from Ethelred and Gustav.
“As small tokens of appreciation for you and your wolf, our protector last night, we dedicate this fang and this fierce visage.” Alexis sets Gustav’s stone first and places Ethelred’s on top of it.
“In the name of the wise woman, we offer this tainted potion. May you use the taint as a poison or the potion for it’s power.”
“With the ink of humanity in this remote place, we remember how you have saved humanity once again, and mark it with a tear.”
When the last item is placed in the hole, Alexis looks at his companions. “Now a moment for each of us to silently give thanks.”
The period of silence extends, and extends. The period is too long. It feels awkward.
Finally Alexis breaks the silence with a whispered “thank you.” Then he turns to the group “those awkward silences always make me uneasy. Let’s cover this hole and get over that saddle. May we be blessed across the river and not be stopped by the smooth cheeks.”
Telosh reels from his third draught of of gnollbrew…
The flames from the campfire seem to lick to the sky, spirits seem to writhe and dance off the coals and sparking to the sky, other spirits or shadows dance around the outside of the fire…away from the fire, everything else looks gray and cold and far away…the fire is everything. And the flind is everything. He grows and becomes a giant. His spirit could crush Telosh or any of his companions and the humans are insignificant in the face of this demon that has walked this world for eons…he has died so many times…and every pain, loss, cut and blow has added to the powerful being that now towers over the treasure hunters.
Yet Telosh, perhaps by association with the others, perhaps through the Grace of Tylin, is regarded as somehow worthy by it, this massive being whose powerful spirit seems to be woven into the very fabric of this world in a way that seems far more permanent than Telosh or any of the team.
The gnolls sit amongst the group around the fire and they always seem to be laughing whenever Telosh focuses on them, but even they seem transfixed by the giant and the massive fire that dominates the world now.
Telosh signals or perhaps speaks, to Alexis somewhat confusedly,
“Allies? New friends? Help us with the Hammer and Crown? The Hammer would help us break The Sword again…”
During the downtime, while healing and hunting for food on north side of the western twin. While everyone is rested, Alexis addresses the group.
“If we’re going after the hammer and crown, we need to find a way to neutralize the Dark Hand. Mostly the ‘Made’, but also Mavon and whoever the third person was. Considering how dangerous it was to have a bow fight with that ‘Made’ in the tree, it seems like we need a better plan. I’ve got two ideas, but I’m interested in any others you might have.”
“My first idea is making traps. Big traps. Small traps. Luring traps. Pit traps. Enough traps to deal with the lot of them. They showed they’re willing to chase us around the mountains. And it seems like we can get them to chase us again if we really try. Hells, we could tell them we have Deepforge’s axe.”
“My second idea, is preying on part of what makes them stronger than us: supplies. Every week, or so, we have to spend 2 – 3 days getting resupplied. They don’t have this problem. They get supplies from elsewhere, like those Harnack rations, and/or they range for food and water. Either of these options gives us an opportunity to strike them where it hurts, possibly cripples.”
“Any other thoughts on this?” Alexis looks expectantly at the group.
(while recovering from the damage of the orc encounters near the cave)
“Alexis, the Dark Hand is breaking open the tombs of the Dwarves, breaking those beautifully made cover stones, raiding any items held with. Any treasure, any items of power… those are all now within the grasp of our enemy. I know your decision was probably the righteous one, the human one, the honorable one. But how do you feel about it now?”
As Telosh sifts through the tentacled lurkers’ midden heap for metal and silver, and eventually skulls, then dwarf bones, he does more than simply search, he sorts into piles based on what he is looking for, and then piles within piles. There is a system, his father taught it too him both for sorting the high piled carts that would arrive some late fall evenings, no rhyme or reason the contents. Groups by like characteristics, a simple hierarchy.
The same hierarchy for dividing up junk and re-sellable goods was useful for deciphering unknown inscriptions, Okken had taught Telosh the basics, enough to help with both sets of register books, and enough to play games with simple coded messages with Dirk, but not nearly as much as Okken… or Alexis could do.
Telosh as Telosh sorted the coins, he took mental note of the markings on them, at least three different styles completely. Some patterns started to emerge, but he did not have a book, so counting them was difficult.
He asked questions of Alexis sparingly and with specific intention, and made note of which parts of the coin Alexis seemed to gain the most information from.
Alexis was busy with many things, perhaps at another time Telosh would ask more questions.
At the very least where to buy a book, and how much one should cost…
I should sort my potions like this again soon. Try to take note some how of the differences in the bottles or seals, and any grouings…
I can look at these coins again later too.. there’s a lot of junk to sort through, and so many bones…
(After the ax has been recovered and it is clear that no one in the group is going to use it.. and after Alexis boldly claims there is a ‘right way’ to use items of power)
There is a moment of lull, before embarking on the day. Ethelred takes the lull to broach a subject that has been on his mind.
“When we left the Lost City we were accomplished adventurers, plunders of relics. In Sutheron we learned of this other group that also hunts treasures; artifacts of the past. Then at the Grayfax estate we saw an item of true power, gems of great worth. And we handed them over, for nothing but the deed itself.
“And that brings me to this ax. Won at much cost and with a bit of cunning and good planning. Praise be the plan!
“What fate do we envision with this ax? Will it be sold in Sutheron? Will it be handed over to another vision of a woman? Will it be used for many tasks? Or can it only be reserved for ‘proper’ uses?
“I would lean toward selling, personally. We have lost much on this adventure and much more we need to gain.
“But I fear if we sell this ax, it may end up in our enemies hands. And while we need resupplying, all this hard work can not aid the enemy.
“What say you all?”