Playing to Strengths Against The Brutes

Posted on by
5

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.

That that was left for the Dark Hand

Posted on by
8

(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?”

Sorting and “Deciphering”

Posted on by
Reply

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…

Items of power…

Posted on by
12

(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?”

Thoughts and Prayers, Pieces of Silver and One Copper.

Posted on by
Reply

Alone an on watch, shortly after the ambush and giving thanks to the robin, Telosh pulls out his small supply of Aegirian coins. He sifts through the coppers and silvers, feeling each one carefully in the moonlight.

Alexis said only a fool fails to worship the gods… each in their turn…

He holds a silver in his hand, tracing the rune of TyLin on the crown side. Almost silently, the words clear in his mind, he intones a prayer:

Tylin, Great Goddess of Wisdom and Insight, Patron of Heroes, I beseech you, guide and protect me in my all my journeys.

He places the coin on his right thigh and selects another.

He flips the second silver across his fingers, like Alexis used to do before his pendant turned red…

Telosh moves his lips with out a sound, and forms the words clearly in his mind:

Tymora, Goddess of Luck and Fortune… it has been some time, I’m sorry. I thank you for your blessings, and accept both your push and your pull.

He cycles the coin across his knuckles again, and then puts the coin back and selects another, he rubs the engraving and again silently forms another prayer

Raiden, Protector of Humanity, Chosen by Anashar, may your valor and heroism guide me and aid us in our efforts against the fouls creatures and treachery that threaten us.

He rubs the coin again, and places it back in his pouch.

With some trepidation, he selects a copper coin from the pouch, holds it gently, rubbing the edges.

He takes a deep breath. An in his mind, silently forms words again as he holds the copper

Av’v, Crone-Mother, Keeper of Lost Knowledge, I have felt Your power and seen Your work. Please watch over us as we seek ancient artifacts to aid humanity in it’s time of need. Please accept my humble apologies for my part in the death of Your one-time servant Nandra, she was corrupted by kossen and I ask that You see my efforts to aid all of humanity.

Telosh shivers and places the copper coin on the ground at his left side.

The Westlander takes several deep breaths before picking up the silver on his right thigh again.

He runs his finger along the edge, and traces the rune of TyLin on the crown side again with a finger and quietly voices another prayer.

Tylin, Great Goddess of Wisdom and Insight, Patron of Heroes, I thank you for your guidance and protection in my all my journeys. I thank you for watching over my family, my father Okken, my mother wherever she is, my uncle Dakun, my cousins Sven, Gorf and Dirk and my companions now, Alexis, Ethelred and Gustav.
I beg you, Great Goddess of Heroes, Protector of the Wild and Free, to aid Gustav especially, he his kind and cares for us. I beseech you if you see Gustav as your servant, guide me in what ever way you see fit to bring him closer to you.

Telosh places the coin on his right leg again and draws out a small file provided to him by Ethelred. He picks up the coin again and begins to etch the rune into the coin carefully and with TyLin and Gustav on his mind.

Tymora, anyone?

Posted on by
3

While the group is resting, waiting for Telosh to fully recover. The glow of the dwarven crypt surrounds the group. Alexis is sorting through his equipment and organizing it. As he pulls out his old holy symbol to Tymora he looks at it a bit wistfully. The glow of the room seems to help bring out the shine of the simple silver disk. After turning the disk over several times, Alexis addresses the rest of the group.

“Is Tymora of any interest to any of you? This was given to me by my father when I was eight. He wanted me to have something to help with my luck. Promised to beat me if I lost it.” Alexis smiles at the memory.

Alexis turns the disk over for the rest to see “when I studied with Publius I hired a silversmith to modify the coin with the name ‘Tyche’. There is some evidence that Tymora and Tyche are the same, or Tyche was the older name. Or possibly Tyche was a lost daughter of Tymora. Or…? At the time I was sure I would someday find the answer to this riddle.”

Alexis looks expectantly at the group.

As Telosh Lays Healing

Posted on by
1

Telosh drifts in an out of consciousness as Gustav cares for him. Thoughts drift in and out of his mind…

…

Gustav is more gentle than Sven was when Sven tending to Telosh’s wounds.

…

Av’v, Ath, Torr-vann, Tylin, Raiden, Tymora, Dian-Cect, Kahru, Lomont, the Anemoi… some of these Gods Telosh has heard of before, some he has not… but what Alexis said rings true, praise and beseech them each in their turn…

…

“Ath does not view himself as a betrayer,” isn’t that what Alexis said?

TyLin, guide me as you have, that I do not become a betrayer, that I may protect my companions. Give me strength to be open an true with my friends.

…

Alexis thinks upon the feeling of slaying the scar-cheeked orcs.

Torr-van guide me to strike down my enemies swiftly and finality.

Raiden, guide me to protect my companions and humanity.

…

Telosh thinks of the billowing spores of mold, how he was affected in a way that Ethelred was not.

Tymora, I accept you push and pull, and am grateful for your support and the lessons you teach.

…

Telosh senses Gustav’s caring attention. The ranger is kind, provides for the group, cares for their wounded. He does not rush to fight, even against orcs and stink-lizards. Goblins may be his weakness, but even there, he listens to the counsel of others.

TyLin, see Gustav, aid him if it please you. If his path is not to you, I beseech you, please help him to find it.

…

Got a Message For a Bird

Posted on by
8

Shortly after the group has escaped the ambush with Skelor and ‘the Made’ Alexis addresses Inkham and Gustov. “That robin saved our skins back there. Can one, or both, of you give it a ‘thank you’ from us?”

Alexis looks at Gustov “I don’t mean just looking at the bird and saying ‘thank you’… or anything likewise asinine… in case my meaning was somehow vague.”

Alexis goes back to addressing them both “Question? Anything I can do to help?”

Note left with the bones at the door with the Deepforge rune

Posted on by
Reply

(Drostan Deepforge rune in the upper-left corner)
In the name of the 2nd age alliance between the humans and dwarves, we have chased the stink-lizards from your under-caves. In addition we have recovered the lost axe of Drostan Deepforge. Dura-Intun is your homeland and the various invaders have been greatly weakened. The Dark Hand is our enemy and we wish to work to throw them from this land.

These bones were discovered in the nest of a cavern predator in the cave, and we hope you will know how to lay them to rest.

— Alexis Laelius and companions.