Tales of the Nalbrin (Table 2) (Inactive)

Game Master sarpadian

Go ahead and dot in.

Dot

dot

dot

Hi.

dot

Deep within the Iron Mountains lies Bodekgrim, the Ancient and Eternal Citadel. At the very center of Bodekgrim lies the Hall of the Clan Moot, where High King Dolim and his mother, High Priestess Bofia, preside over the Council of Elders. Each of you hold formal writs of summons, written in the council's traditional dialect of High Dwarven, to appear before the Council:
"To the Gatewardens of the Hall and whomever it may concern:

This writ, prepared on the 14th day of Riztag in the fortieth year since High King Marlak didst join the honored ancestors, doth both permit and command that insert your first name here, being a Nalbrin of the clan insert your surname here, shouldst appear before the assembled Council, at the time of the ninth bell on the morrow, for dispatch on a mission of the utmost importance to the mooted clans.
Signed,
Insert your clan cheiftan's name here at the direction of the High King"

So, here you are, standing before the vaulted doorway, waiting for the Gatewardens to issue the formal challenge and allow you access to the hall within. You look at the other Nalbrin assembled around you and wonder what the future holds for you. Then, the doors swing open, and the Gatewardens step out, make a smart turn towards each other, and cross their ceremonial greataxes, as if to bar the door. The one on the left, his voice ringing with formality and dignity says: "Who seeketh audience with the mooted Council?"

Each of you intones the words of the formal response: "I insert first name here, being a Nalbrin of clan insert surname here, do seek audience with the Council, at their behest." The guards then allow you to enter the Hall itself. At the other end of the hall, a good 100+ feet away is a raised dias on which are fourteen stone thrones. Twelve of them are identical, obviously well-appointed and comfortable, but not gaudy. The other two, placed squarely in the middle, are much fancier. Upon one of them sits the only female dwarf in the room; it doesn't take much thought to conclude that this must be High Priestess Bofia, and the figure sitting on the other fancy throne is obvviously High King Dolim. You walk to the prescribed place for petitioners and take a knee, as is customary. The high king speaks in a voice that echoes off the hallowed ancient stones: "Nalbrin of the clans, that thou hast been chosen for this task doth speak highly of thine talents, for verily doth I have many Nalbrin on whom I could call for transporting our society's life's blood down to our human friends south of the Teeth, including many more experienced than thyselves, but on thee hath the task fallen. The lot o'ye leave for Meston and Cerdan's Falls on the morrow. Hast thou aught to say before I dismiss thee to meet with General Ankas, regarding the details?"

"Thou hast honored us with thy trust, my liege," Ulfgar intones without looking up, "may our service be pleasing unto thee, and a source of prosperity for our people and glory for our gods."

While still kneeling with out looking up

"I to thank ye, my liege we will not fail thee"

Riuk stays kneeling until dismissed

-Posted with Wayfinder

Keeping his head squarely downcast, Falgard replies

"We are honored beyond measure, my liege. We shall not fail."

Mattock intones the ceremonial plea for admission clearly, but with the, but with a flat inflection that indicates the speech is being delivered by rote. The walk down the hall undoes him somewhat and he sinks to his right knee gratefully. His left hand comprises the third leg of a tripod of support. His chin sinks to his chest, presenting a broad balding pate for the royal's inspection.

He keeps his head down and his mouth shut. Better silent and thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and confirm it. Although his head wobbles in a slow rhythm as he takes sidelong glances at the chamber and his companions.

Morg, possibly the youngest of those Nalbrin gathered rises to speak.

May the blessings of the High Priestess guide us so that we may act in the name of the High King with inevitable clarity, Highness.

Death before Dishonor!

He then takes a knee once more.

only the young think that one can't learn and succeed from failure. ..but I don't want him to learn on this task..
Riuk thought to himself after the fool broke tradition and stood with out leave. ..

yes young and foolish indeed...

-Posted with Wayfinder

Nothing more need be said sir.

Morg's outburst raises a scowl from the High Priestess. "Conduct thyself with deportment in these hallowed halls, whelp! Hath thy elders taught thee nothing?"
The High King pats his mother on the hand, as if to forestall a further diatribe, and says, "Mother, thy piety becomes thee and thine office, but we have not the time for remedying the social training of yon young Nalbrin. Thou may'st take thine leave." With this, he turns away from you, and begins discussing quietly with the twelve clan elders.

Leaving the room by the door through which you entered, you find an old dwarf standing in perfectly polished stoneplate that has a large golden hammer emblazoned on it. You immediately deduce that this must be General Ankas, commander of the Order of the Golden Hammer, and uniformed commander of the Iron Mountain militia. He motions for you to follow him, and he leads you through the winding tunnels that make up the most ancient part of the Ancient and Eternal Citadel until you come upon the cavern that houses the Militia's central command post. After exchanging salutes with the guards posted on the door, Ankas leads you inside and sits down at a large, rectangular granite table that seems to merge seamlessly with the stone floor. "Have a seat, and let's go over your mission. As the King said, you've been chosen for the next expedition to our trade delegation at the human outpost of Meston. You'll be taking down a shipment of mithril and cold iron ore ingots, and you'll return with supplies we need here. As for opposition, obviously it will primarily be the Taloths and their minions, but you will be traveling through wilderness, so no doubt there will be animals and the like to contend with. Once you cross the Teeth into human territory, you may have to deal with bandits 'n the like. There are some fey down in those woods as well."
He stands and motions for all of you to follow him to the back wall of the room. On the wall is carved a map of the surrounding area, from the Frozen Wastes in the far north as far south as the town of Barkel's Rest, the southern border of the human kingdom's Northern March. To the east, it extends as far as the coast, and to the west it extends to the far side of elven territory. Ankas grabs a large stick to use as a pointer and says, "So we're here." He points at the star marked "Bodekgrim" on the map. "And Meston is here. Now, the quickest route would be out through the East Gate on the north shore of Lake Depra and down the Alenka, but the Taloths watch that area like hawks, so we only use that route for large shipments that we can afford to detail a large group to. Same goes for usin' one of the tributaries. No, what you've got to do is go overland. It's slower, but better supplies that get here late than supplies that don't get here at all. You'll leave out the South Gate. Make your way south-east. Don't bear too far east, though. You want to cross the Teeth substantially west of the Alenka Gorge; the Taloths keep a garrison stationed around the Gorge. Once you're across the Teeth, head east until you spot the Alenka, and then turn south. Following the river makes it nearly impossible to get lost. Now, I suspect it's going to take you about 3 weeks, one-way, so make sure you're ready."

Map linked in the campaign description.

"Any information about exactly where the Taloth Garrison is by the Gorge? "

"Also, who is the man we are to deliver our shipment to when we arrive at Meston?"

What happened to the last team?

In the throneroom.
Mattock listens to the others mouth the expected clichés, but he smiles at Morg's speech. Only his bowed head saves him from chastisement for levity in the throneroom. Just a few months ago, I might have been him. If only ....

With General Ankas.
Mattock leans in to see the map until his nose is nearly touching it, then he rocks back away. When he turns to look at the general his right eye is nearly squinting shut and his left is open wide under an upflung brow.

"That'sst a long way to walk, Gen'ral, and metal, even mithril, ist heavy. How much are we carrying? Will we have pack animals?"

once we left the throne room Riuk grabs morg by the shoulders and hits him once up side head
"what is wrong with ye' laady?"
" oh know what i should do , I'll stand up and make a fool of myself and my clan by speaking without leave."
Riuk let's him go
"i knew mother keped you and her breast too long...your lucky father is no longer around or he would brake that dammed fool head of yours. .."
He turns to the group
"my apologies he's young and we hope this task will make him grow into man...and that's a long hope..."

with the captin

"yes taking the long way would be better and far easier to defend...when do we leave?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Quietly, as he's being lectured. I don't mind smoke, as long as it's not being blown up my... They're not telling us everything.

Which could get us killed. But, more importantly... the more we know, the more effective we can be. So, wheat are they saying? We're expendable?

Later, in the planning room.

If that garrison is neutralized, does it open a trade route? Or don't bother?

Quietly, as he's being lectured. I don't mind smoke, as long as it's not being blown up my... They're not telling us everything. Which could get us killed. But, more importantly... the more we know, the more effective we can be. So, wheat are they saying? We're expendable? Later, in the planning room. If that garrison is neutralized, does it open a trade route? Or don't bother?

assuming the former took place before we went into the room

" it is not your place to question the king and especially High Priestess, the captain will give us the details we require"

Ulfgar uncomfortably observes Morg and Riuk squabbling in the hallway, and silently judges them...

As Mattock sways drunkenly while meeting with the general, he slides a chair behind him and pushes him down into it.

This is a punishment... that's the only explanation... I've angered someone and they've assigned me to set out with this lot as punishment... I just pray it doesn't become a death sentence...

-- After the throne room --
Falgard eyes Morg angrily while they exit, but before he can say anything, Riuk does the job for him. After Riuk's lecture, Falgard stays quiet, but thinks to himself

Waiting for this whelp to be a man seems to me like waiting for a fresh acorn to give ye some shade.

-- With the general --

If that garrison is neutralized, does it open a trade route? Or don't bother?

"We're not an army, whelp. Someone tells you avoid somethin', you avoid it. Don't get too big a head on yer shoulders." Falgard interjects, glaring at Morg.

Turning to the general, he asks: "What are we to do once we arrive at Meston?"

Morg knew better than to engage his assailants. But, he couldn't help but think...

Fear masquerading as wisdom, feh... Or is this their way of establishing a pecking order? Pecker order, more like it. No, no, mine is bigger than yours!

Do the lack the "stones", or just the self esteem? Time will tell, if I can keep them alive.

He did not react, merely standing perfectly still and taking his drubbing.

Relatively speaking, Morg has a high charisma. And the belief in himself and confidence or over-confidence that comes with it.

"hmm..well one could assume we come back with the trade goods..unfortunately lest u out have something else for us to do while we are there captain? "

-Posted with Wayfinder

General Ankas responds to Trask's questions: "When the guards see dwarves showin' up with parcels, they'll know what's up and give ye directions. Well, they've got a small stockade built along each tributary, where they hit the Alenka. They send patrols out from those to collect "taxes" and terrorize the locals. Their main fort is on Mount Jalin, right here," he points at a location on the western bank of the Alenka, just north of where it cuts through the Teeth. Ankas looks at Morg and cracks a lopsided grin. "Well, laddie, if'n y'think the six o'ye can handle a fixed position that's held off the majority of the humans' forces for forty years, be my guest. I won't be waitin' up for ye to come back, though."

After Mattock's question, the general turns his grin on him. [b]"Well, lad, ain't that just a sob story. We're expectin' you to work fer a livin', 'stead of sittin' around drinkin'. How dare we! If'n ye weren't carryin' s'much of a load already, mayhaps ye could do your job! But, fer Yer Highness' information, ye'll be carryin' about 35 pounds of metal, so roughly 6 pounds each. No pack animals on the way down; that'll make it easier to hide, if you run into patrols. Make sure ye're prepared for at least a three week trip, longer if'n ye're plannin' to forage. If'n there are no more questions, see the orderly on the way out for a map and get on with it. Dismissed!"

Riuk tales a map and then takes his brother to the side

"listen I know you feel like you need to stand out. Be the brave hero, but this is not the task for it. Maybe the next or not what matters is that we get the goods to the city and come back alive with the goods that the kingdom traded for. OK tell me you understand that"

"good yes? OK get your things ready we will be departing soon"

Turning to the rest
"well men I'm Riuk Bloodrock, and this sapling is me young brother. He likes to be called tinker. ..why? Don't ask me when we were younger he was the prince of the house so...I am hoping this will make him grow as well as my self."

Riuk stomps his foot and a black with red striped bagger comes out of the gown and moves close to Riuk

"this is ruby she had always been a good companion and will be joining us. How about we all go to the pup and get to know each other before we set off first rounds on me eh?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Well, lad, ain't that just a sob story. We're expectin' you to work fer a livin', 'stead of sittin' around drinkin'. How dare we! If'n ye weren't carryin' s'much of a load already, mayhaps ye could do your job! But, fer Yer Highness' information, ye'll be carryin' about 35 pounds of metal, so roughly 6 pounds each. No pack animals on the way down; that'll make it easier to hide, if you run into patrols. Make sure ye're prepared for at least a three week trip, longer if'n ye're plannin' to forage. If'n there are no more questions, see the orderly on the way out for a map and get on with it. Dismissed!"

Mattock stares broodingly at the General. Although he's Nalbrin enough to avoid an outburst, he can't help resenting the self-righteous old bastard. Dragons eat your bowels, if you can't see that was a reasonable question.

Riuk tales a map and then takes his brother to the side

[b]"listen I know you feel like you need to stand out. Be the brave hero, but this is not the task for it. Maybe the next or not what matters is that we get the goods to the city and come back alive with the goods that the kingdom traded for. OK tell me you understand that"

"good yes? OK get your things ready we will be departing soon"

Turning to the rest
"well men I'm Riuk Bloodrock, and this sapling is me young brother. He likes to be called tinker. ..why? Don't ask me when we were younger he was the prince of the house so...I am hoping this will make him grow as well as my self."

Riuk stomps his foot and a black with red striped bagger comes out of the gown and moves close to Riuk

"this is ruby she had always been a good companion and will be joining us. How about we all go to the pup and get to know each other before we set off first rounds on me eh?"

"Mattock of .... Just Mattock. And the pub sounds good."

Although his mood is sullen, Mattock's mind is rolling through the details of the outbound trip.

• Food for 24 days apiece.
• 6 pounds of metal each.
• Two days of water.
• Plus war gear.
• We're going to need to spread the load out.
• At least no one is wearing plate.

Aside, You should know better than to worry about me out there. I'm all business. But, in here is where you test, see who has a... hammer up their arse, takes themselves too seriously, cows down to king, high priestess or general.

Out there ain't like in here brother. Less rules, more real danger... confined thinking will get us killed. I got your backs. By the Bloodrock itself, I do swear.

"so what your telling me, is that in order to see who bows to the king...in his hold is the week ones? You Do Realize That He could have removed us and any future clans men from these quest , if that were to be how would the rest of the clan take to that? ...think before you Challenge power in their home..brother there is more on this than just your pride it's about bloodrock never forget the clan comes first"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Well, not like that. But... you're a huntsman, observe.. I'm the stubborn one, but they follow blindly. Maybe they'll never understand.

Of course, the clan before the individual.

seriously... what did I do to deserve this...

"We will see this done, sir." Ulfgar states simply before offering the general the traditional dwarven salute and heading to retrieve the map. As they all head out of the meeting together and the conversation turn to pubs he interjects, "There will be plenty of time to acquaint ourselves with one another on the road. Besides, this is a sacred duty that effects the well being of all our people; we need to approach it with seriousness and sobriety. Does anyone need to requisition any provisions before we set out?"

Morg raised a brow at the hammerhead's wisdom, a pleasant surprise. He would back the man. Ulfgar is right. We should see to our gear and packs.

I'll carry my share of metal, but freely admit I'm physically weaker than the rest of you. But, I have... other charms.

....always have to talk about how your face has no scars...

"well even though a pint or two would not dull a man, I'll agree we sold head out soon we'll I won't need provisions since I can hunt for it and I could try to find the rest of you...although it would be a bit harder to do so."

"well what do the rest of ye' say get ready and go now? Or get acquainted and set of at first light? "

-Posted with Wayfinder

Prepares to go make arrangements with his father.

"This is a mission of immediacy. Ulfgar is right, we ought to move now."

I'll carry my share of metal, but freely admit I'm physically weaker than the rest of you. But, I have... other charms.

Falgard furrows his brow at Morg.

"Ye'd best hope those charms of yours can either block a sword or kill a goblin. And ye'd best not start whinin if'n they don't."

Morg nods. Then if were going to do this as a team, we should plan as a team. Speak of gear and so on.

Mattock looks sidelong at Helmhammer. One last chance spoiled. Who knows when I'll see the inside of a pub again? Although Tinker backs the dour Helmhammer, he also offers a ray of hope.

"The lad's right 'boot planning as a team. Far better t'do it thus, than as individuals. F'r instance, hunting. It may be very well for one or two men, but it'll slow us. We should pack food for everyone and travel fast as we can. When things go wrong and we run out o' grub. Then we can hunt.

"Some deliberate thought over a pint would be time well spent I think."

Let's plan now, a pub might be seen as inappropriate. But, if we can... Maybe we can bring some stout along for light consumption before watch begins.

It will easily be a month, gentlemen. We need to be fast, efficient and somewhat comfortable. We don't want our differences in habit and taste turning us against one another.

that's surprising coming from him and insightful thought, maybe this trip will be far better for him than I dare hope we haven't even begun and already he thinks of more than himself Riuk thought to himself

" too true brother too true, I agree with what you say we should take enough provisions for us to let us make it half way and hunt on the way back. We must be careful for even if we do take the long route. There will be bandits and since we won't be taking any mules with us. We will have to make sure that we can quickly drop our burden and be able to attack at a moment's notice. What say ye"

-Posted with Wayfinder

that's surprising coming from him and insightful thought

Morg is more visionary than anarch. He's a people person.

Giving Mattock a concerned look, Ulfgar replies, "I suspect that whatever ales or stouts you brought would only last a single night and would cause more troubles than they relieved... plus it will add unnecessarily to the weight of our load, which you seem rather concerned about..."

Mattock wants to object to a pub being "inappropriate", but the conversation whirls past him before he can form the words.

Tells his father his assignment, packs his belongings and then heads off to the market to purchase equipment and food.

Having provisioned themselves, the party gathers at the edge of Bodekgrim's central market district and preparess to make its way towards the South Gate.

Marching order? Go ahead and give me Stealth checks too, while you're at it.

"I'm not sneaky nor remarkably observant... Would someone else like to lead the way?" Ulfgar asks as he finishes adjusting his gear and grips his longhammer.

Putting his big pack Riuk looks to the group

"well let's not lose anyone or anything my brother and myself will take point"

"well tinker you ready for the first trip out of here...in about 30 miles give or take hahaha...right then let's go..."

I promise father I will not let him die...or myself Riuk thought to him self as they began the journey

Riuk whistles and his bagger pops out of the ground

" quietly now girl let's go"

The bagger nods it's head and look forward ad they move out
I still need a name for her...

stealth riuk : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

stealth pet: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

perception risk normal: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Edit

ooh nice rolls ^_^

-Posted with Wayfinder

Is the world out there ready for us? Smiling, he gives his kin some distance, a few strides, and follows.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Mattock staggers out of the market and into the midst of the party. It's not clear which causes his uneven gait - the prodigious pack on his back (although that pack is no larger or heavier than any of yours in absolute terms, as a percentage of his carrying capacity, it may be), or an alcohol induced mental impairment.

He veers away from Ulfgar toward Tinker, "The world is too big to care about the likes of us, lad. The question is, 'Are we ready for it?" And the answer is most likely, 'Nay.'"

Tinker at least has olfactory evidence for concluding that Mattock's been swilling mead.

Drink takes the edge off... Drunk gets us killed. Have a care, Mattock.