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Post by Marcimus on Dec 19, 2012 16:37:07 GMT -5
Zeke slows as he approaches the other set of skulls, taking notice of the copied markings and trying to discern their significance. The thought is quickly fleeting as soon as he passes the skulls and his eyes are pulled to the crossroads. Like the last crossroads he stops again at these crossroads, he starts to glance back and forth between his possible options. After a while he looks down to Atlas, who has laid at his feet during this brief respite, trying to find some answer but only getting a blank stare. Zeke takes a knee beside Atlas, still unsure which way would be best to go. In this brief downtime Zeke pulls his pack from his back and starts to take stock of his supplies, in a short time his decision is made for him. He is only carrying one candle, so it would likely be unwise to venture into a dark cave with a short lived light source. Realizing this he re-shoulders his pack, stands, and starts to make his way further up the side of the mountain. As he hikes he tries to keep a close eye out for any sort of natural shelter where Atlas and himself could find shelter for their much needed rest. _______________________________________________________________________ Awareness: 1d20+6=20(nat again )+6=26
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 20, 2012 12:30:06 GMT -5
A short way into the new pass you see a larger barricade than the ones you've encountered so far in the mountains. There are skulls spiked on spears, all the skulls still have their flesh in various states of rot on them. You note that unlike the Goblin skulls you saw before, these skulls are large enough to have possibly come from an adult Human. Standing behind the barricade are larger versions of the Goblins you saw in the last area. These humanoids seem much more militant than the Goblins you've encountered so far. You do see a nice little cave with a fire behind the barricade. Such a cave would be a fantastic place to spend the night, that is if the Goblinoids behind the baracade didn't kill you in your sleep.
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Post by Marcimus on Dec 7, 2014 13:41:22 GMT -5
Zeke crouches on his tippy toes hoping the Goblinoids don't notice him and slinks as quietly as possible to hug the rockface beside him, Atlas following suit beside him. As he approaches the wall of rock his foot catches a stone on the path and he stumbles, to catch his fall he braces with his outstretched hand against the cold mountain face.
After righting himself quickly, he puts his back against the wall and pulls out his Morningstar. He surveys the Goblin's camp as best as possible to see if it is worth his time to push through these monsters to make camp or go back and try the cave.
Stealth: 1d20+6=2+6=8 Awareness: 1d20+6=15+6=21
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 21, 2014 10:04:44 GMT -5
The moment your foot scuffs the stone, the tall Goblinoids guarding the barricade shout and point toward you. Within seconds the fire by the cave looses brightness, and then goes out completely. You hear the sounds of a dozen guttural voices calling orders, and the stomp of booted feet moving into position. With how close you are, it is easy to see the silhouettes of armed humanoids, every second one holding a crossbow, while the rest hold maces or long swords. A deep voice calls out harsh sounds, then calls out more growling sounds, then calls out, "Who dares skulk within our passes? Flee now, or be destroyed. You have ten seconds to comply." The voice doesn't sound threatening, just matter of fact. You have no doubt that when ten seconds have elapsed those Goblinoids will cross the wall to hunt you down.
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Post by Marcimus on Jan 27, 2015 17:05:44 GMT -5
Zeke pauses for a second, his mind caught in terror. Realizing quickly he needs to take some sort of action, so without really thinking about it words spout from his mouth, "I need to pass, send me your champion! If he beats me than my life is yours, if I win you give me safe passage through these mountains of your people! It's not like your people to turn down a fair fight is it? I will leave my dog out of it too. Just one on one like real warriors!"
Zeke tries to discern the reaction among the crowd of goblinoids, seeing if there is any chance they won't just murder him on the spot. His heart thumping in his chest, his hands slick with sweat, he waits for a response. One day he is a barkeeper, the next a "champion"... at least for his sister's sake. __________________________________________________________________________ Bluff check:1d20+5=19+5=24 Charisma: Not sure if I can use bluff as my check, if not I will replace the roll with a charisma roll, which would be (19+0=19) Awareness: 1d20+6=13+6=19 Init: 1d20+1=3+1=4 (just in case i get jumped)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 4, 2015 7:58:02 GMT -5
Your challenge is met with gruff laughter, and the same deep voice calls back, "He wants a champion, does he think we're Goblins?" Another chorus of laughter. "You have five seconds remaining, Human." There is a brief pause, and then he adds, "Unless you can pay the toll?" With a note of triumph. "If you can pay the toll, then you can join us for a meal in safety. You would also have an armed escort through our territory. What do you say, Human?"
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Post by Marcimus on Apr 7, 2015 16:06:17 GMT -5
"If I can pay the toll, I will. I need to pass." Zeke states curtly, but with the least amount of hostility possible.
'What are these beasts going to ask of me now... I have next to nothing...' Zeke's thoughts wander briefly as he waits for the creatures of the Mountain to respond. This mountain and the things in it are really starting to test his patience.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 7, 2015 18:01:38 GMT -5
The leader steps over the wall, and approaches you and Atlas, "The toll is one piece of gold for each of my men, and two for me." He sounds so matter of fact, relaxed even, that you find it oddly comforting. "We're eating wild boar, and roasted tubers tonight." he adds causally. "I always like when the tubers are slow baked in the coals of the fire..." He keeps talking, and gesturing with his hands. You come to realize two things, the first is that his men will see what looks like negotiating. The second is that this Hob-Goblin really wants to practice the common tongue.
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Post by Marcimus on Apr 9, 2015 16:05:44 GMT -5
Zeke's hand rests on the heavy coin pouch on his hip at the mention of the toll. It's his hard earned savings... but definitely worth the cause. As the Hob-Goblin keeps talking Zeke's mind starts racing, going over all the factors to consider.
'Could this be some sort of trap... who knows... no way to tell.' 'Is this Hob-Goblin just trying to schmooze me to lure me in... no way he is that smooth in his non-native language.' 'If I do get a Sherpa of sorts out of one of his troops, it could definitely speed up my travel through the mountains...'
With a large knot in his stomach, tied by doubt, Zeke sees no other options but to pay the toll and receive aid from these strange people. Zeke takes a side step so that the "negotiating" Hob-Goblin is in-between himself and the rest of the troops. He pulls on the knot holding his coin purse to his belt and while holding the purse in one hand, he splays his fingers inside the top of the leather pouch to make a large opening. Looking over the goblinoid's shoulder he counts out his troops, then reaching inside the pouch he pulls out the coin required to pay the toll. Holding his hand out he drops the gold pieces into his new ally's hand, the sound of metal clashing against metal makes a soft clinking echo off the wall of the mountain.
"Boar and tubers sound delicious, I am glad we could come to an understanding that didn't involve bloodshed." Zeke tries to force a smile even though his brain is wrought with worry. 'Even if I don't trust them... this is best for us...' Over and over in his head Zeke tries to convince himself he made the right choice.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 12, 2015 11:00:54 GMT -5
You count a dozen Hob-Goblins standing in a line, every second one bearing a light cross bow aimed down and slightly to the right of you and their leader. The remaining soldiers carry a collection of melee weapons arrayed in a pattern, bladed, bludgeoning, polearm, bladed, bludgeoning, polearm. Now that you have a chance to study the leader, you note that he has both a long sword and a short sword, and slung from his belt is a light crossbow.
Counting out the fourteen gold coins the Hob-Goblin smiles, Agreed, bloodshed isn't always worth the effort. Unless, of course it's Goblin's doing the bleeding, eh?" He nudges you with a bony elbow. The last thing you notice before following the Leader back to the group is that he slips around half the coins into his own pouch before he turns around. If he noticed you catching him, he winks and smiles. Once you step over the barricade the group welcomes you mostly with nods, one Hob-Goblin gestures to one of the rocks positioned around the now dowsed fire. Atlas they keep a weary eye upon, and a small bubble of space opens up wherever Atlas happens to be. The leader comes back, and makes the introductions, but their names are hard to pronounce and even harder to remember.
After a few minutes, the fire is roaring again, and the promised food arrives. Four of the Hob-Goblins are always maintaining a steady vigil on the baricade, and within an hour of you joining the group four Hob-Goblins take to their bedrolls. It seems that this little outpost keeps up a round the clock guard, sleeping in shifts.
Unless you steer the conversation in a particular direction the leader talks constantly about nothing of consequence. Several times throughout the conversation misunderstandings come up, and it takes a few minutes to sort out what was meant vs what was said. Nothing hostile, just someone not completely familiar with the language.
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Post by Marcimus on Apr 30, 2015 16:15:28 GMT -5
Zeke is thankful for the reprieve from his travels, although in odd company it is still pleasant enough. He finds his head nodding a couple times as the Hobgoblins chatter amongst themselves, it has been a weary day and even with his stomach knotted with worry his body is too exhausted and sleep is promising to take him soon. He perks up when he sees the tubers being put on the coals, it has been what seems like forever since he has had a warm meal. In minutes his mouth is salivating and he enters trance like state watching the food cook over the fire, beside him Atlas is doing the exact same thing. As the food finishes cooking and the hobgoblins start to dish out the servings, Zeke expresses his gratitude and stuffs his face like he has never tasted something so delicious... even though the tubers are a little charred and the boar almost too lean to chew through. As they approach the end of their meal, most of them finished or almost finished, Zeke feels re-energized.
"So what's the plan, you had mentioned my coin bought me a guide through these mountains? I wouldn't mind getting a little shut-eye before we set out, but after that I am anxious to pad my way out the other side of this big rock. Just curious what to expect is all..."
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 1, 2015 20:12:42 GMT -5
The leader laughs as if you're joking, "Your coin buys you safe passage through our territory. Beyond our territory is another territory, then another, and another after that. This range is filled with Goblinoid clans battling for supremacy. Not just Goblinoid clans either, Orcs, Giants and Trolls too. I've even heard that a Mind Flayer is trying to build a surface stronghold near the Earth Shrine. No, no, the only safe place for you is down in the valley or over at the Light Shrine. I suppose the other shrines would be safe enough, if you can get to them of course..." You get the feeling that if you try to pass through to the other side of this range, you will be fighting a lot of champions, or in need of more coin.
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Post by Marcimus on May 14, 2015 16:13:19 GMT -5
"I don't need to find a safe place, I need to pass through these mountains. I am thankful for your aid to get me part of the way... all the way would be more ideal." Zeke rests his chin in the cradle of his hands, while resting his elbows on his knees. The look on his face is forlorn and the feeling of defeat visibly washing over his body. His re-energized spirits from the meal are quickly extinguished as the Goblin explains how daunting the task at hand is going to be. "Sorry to be abrupt, but we need to get some rest before moving on through these mountains." Zeke excuses himself from around the cooking fire and moves over to the rock wall. Leaning his pack against the wall, Zeke plops himself down beside his bag to sit with his back against the wall. Atlas curls up beside Zeke with the dog's head resting on its master's thigh. Within a few minutes the two of them are off to an exhausted dreamless sleep.
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 20, 2015 14:19:32 GMT -5
You rest through the night, and wake in the early predawn twilight. The Hobgoblins have changed shifts, and a few of them are packing up supplies for a journey. You notice that they're not packing a lot of food, and realize that means that their territory isn't large enough to warrant a lot of food. Within an hour the rest of those travelling with you have their supplies gathered, and all of you have eaten a quick breakfast. The leader of the Hobgoblins arrives, and asks, "Are you ready for travel?"
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Post by Marcimus on May 25, 2015 15:57:01 GMT -5
"As ready as I was when I arrived... although slightly more rested. Thanks for that, appreciate the hospitality."
Zeke rises from his resting place, picking his pack up off the ground he goes through its contents quickly to make sure it is still all there. His hand moves to his coin purse, giving it a couple jiggles to check its weight. Providing nothing is amiss, he gives the leader a nod of his head and falls in behind him as he leads the way to the group of his new traveling companions. Zeke makes a cordial greeting to all his fellow travelers before setting out, he shoulders his pack and gives Atlas a quick scratch behind his ear.
After a few minutes Zeke falls in rhythm with the Hobgoblin escort's pace, he is then able to free his mind from his footfalls and take in the surrounding landscape. Atlas keeps pace with Zeke, every now and then he darts off at a crack in the mountainside, smelling some lingering aroma left by the rodents living in the dark crevices. He sniffs and snuffs, growling with his muzzle buried in the crevice, but once the pack of travelers get too far ahead he quickly forgets about the potential prey and falls in heel with Zeke. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Awareness: 1d20+6=12+6=18
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 27, 2015 16:59:32 GMT -5
The mountain pass is a hard trek, but not overly uncomfortable. The path follows the natural form of the mountain, while steep, the debris has been cleared to the side. The view from here is astounding, when the path overlooks the valley that you grew up in your breath is taken away by the sheer beauty of it all. From this height, you can't make out specific features of the valley, and you're not even sure where your village was located. That realization brings with it it's own emotions.
The Leader lets his men do their work without much guidance, falling back beside you to chat idly. One topic comes up that could effect the rest of your travels. One of the Goblin tribes has declared a new King. "King Gretch is his name. Take a care regarding your position in the succession. If you see a white painted staff beside the regular territory marking totem, then that tribe supports King Gretch's claim. Otherwise they support someone else. We are not far from King Gretch's territory, and our tribe is much smaller. I suspect that our leadership will fall in line with King Gretch..." He trails off, adding to quietly for the other Hobgoblins to hear, "...but our leader has always been a bit headstrong."
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