Game: In the Spire's Shadow

(At this point, ow happens.)

Done, below, although I really was going for diplomacy khaasta-style... (Hmm. And that shouldn't have had a +1, either, so it was a 2. I'm just not very intimidating today, though I'm trying my hardest.)

. o O (Okay, that didn't work. Obviously I need to brush up a bit on the interspecies formalities for these guys.)

Zhegre roars something in Rodinan that roughly translates as "You were duly warned and will now accept the consequences, you oversized scaly thieves!" and comes at the nearest khaasta swinging. He'd also like to free up a hand, so the first time the sickle hits he'll be leaving it in that khaasta.

Second roll, hammer; third roll, sickle. Well, third roll below, since I replied instead of editing.

Kadar is moderately disturbed by how pleased he is to have a chance to use the new level of focus that he has developed. With a shout he charges at the on-coming pikemen blades whirling.

Initiative- 23
Attack 1 - 27
Damage - 8
Attack 2 - 26
Damage - 5

Kadar looks the leader in the eye and shrugs

"We are headed for the Sandstone Citadel so unless you have news concerning it all that we ask is that you stand aside and allow us to continue without further inconveniences. It would be a shame to have to further blunt my blades."

(Intimidate? Diplomacy? I'm just being matter of fact so I'm not sure if a roll is necessary but here it is (+1 intinidate +7 for diplomacy)

"Well, that was short and brutal. Everyone else okay?" Zhegre looks about. "Oh, good, I was only one who embarrassed myself."

He looks over at the body the Khaasta band left behind, and tsks. "Ought not to simply leave corpses for wultures, brigand though he may have been. Would anyone object if we took few minutes to bury him? Or maybe cremate -- wery impressive there, Aloric, you have been deweloping those abilities since we last met."

"Da, time is of essence. I will do it." Zhegre quickly lays out the body, arranges its weaponry as befits a warrior, and says a brief Dwarvish prayer along the lines of "we fought, he lost, no hard feelings, hope the whole afterlife thing works out for him," and uses a quick burning hands to dispose of the remains respectfully.

{Yo, GM, what does Tharmekhul's religion say about spoils of war? One the one hand, he did try to rob us. On the other hand, it seems kind of bad form to go grave-robbing. On the third hand, this is D&D after all, it's medieval, there are certain accepted practices. Your pronouncement is Zhegre's heartfelt belief. ^_^ }

OOC: Should we assume we just take these to split up later and continue as planned to the Citadel?

As they go, Zhegre will try to make himself useful: he'll do his best to recall various critters and ecological effects that accompany the varying availability of magical energies in each ring, and examine the environment as they walk to determine what ring they're presently in and the effects any recent changes have had locally.

K(tP(Outlands)) below.

Kadar strides openly towards one of the ramps making clear that he has nothing to hide and wishes to enter the citadel.

once close enough he hails one of the guards.

"Hello Cutter, my companions and I are looking to trade the chant with an inhabitant of your mighty citadel." he gives a rough outline of what they've heard about the kobold in question. "do you know where we might find him?"

Diplomacy check

ooc- oh, and Kadar's got plenty of room if any of the gear needs carrying.

ooc- the high one. Sorry, posted that one in a bit of a hurry

At the request of declaring food sources, Polp presents the few remaining dried sausages and nods additionally when Zhegrea mentions travelling rations.

He does his best to appear as cooperative as possible.

"We'd like to discuss some of enwironmental effects this Citadel is producing. Water usage, magical aura leftowers, and so forth. Some of your neighbors are concerned and would like to gather information on such things, possibly preparatory to more formal ambassadorial mission to discuss resources in region." He indicates the architecture. "Your installation here is relatiwely new, so you may not have much historical data to go on, but have you noticed anything in way of difficulties with such things recently?" And every word of it's the honest truth! ^_^ Technically.

He slowly takes off his hammer and sickle, presenting them to the gate guard. "Sir, I forged these weapons. They are proofs of completion of my training in the true Dwarven art of the forge, and mark me as war-trained protector of my homeland whose symbols they are. I expect they will be kept safe and in good repair for my return. What is your name, sir, that I may know who is responsible for the security of my waluable possessions?"

Aloric nods in assent to Zhegre's comment and hands over his greatclub, dagger, and crossbow.

Zhegre shakes his head at the sergeant. "Not formal envoys, I beg pardon for misunderstanding. Legally, we are trawelers recently arrived from gate-town of Automata, if you take my meaning. Formal ambassadorial party with full suite of diplomatic credentials may follow assessment and discussions which we thought you might want to keep off of record books for time being, you see? Indeed, we could simply request audience like any newly arrived party, but if perhaps arrangements for audience could be made through... casual channels..." he gestures broadly, and waits to see if the sergeant will fill in with something informative.

Polp has a big smile on his face, being partially underground for the first time in a very long while. When the tout makes his offer, he scratches his ears in doubt.

“Hmm, I suppose we do, don’t we? But then again, actually, I wouldn’t mind a bit of free-roaming exploration of these street stands here. Looks like there are many exotic treats to sample… Still, I suppose we’re stressed for time, so perhaps I ought to hold off for a while…”

"...da, I probably think we will. Question is where we want to be taken. You're hired, but give us a minute to decide what we need immediately. Gentlemen, a word?"

Zhegre pulls back and quickly consults with everyone. "Well, so much for waltzing up and asking to speak to High One. We could still attempt to arrange formal audience through Prefects at palace, as was suggested, but I think our good ex-Factor may have been assuming we would have somewhat more access than we do. Unless dropping his name would gain us entrance somewhere. Unfortunately, our other alternatives don't seem wery promising either -- there is not much of lead on Prophet to be had yet.

"Maybe we should take up our tout's offer to the fullest extent possible, and ask for complete tour to get feel for entire place and recent news, before obtaining lodging somewhere and then doing what seems like best option at that point, like attempting to get audience if that still seems like best option. At wery least, we will know bit more about place where we are doing business, da?"

"Chant broker... now that is best idea I have heard all week. I am for that unless anyone has objection to us finding one and laying out our questions:" he ticks off what they're looking for, on his fingers: how to get an audience with the High One, what broker might know about prophecy and Prophet, what local magical conditions have been like, and what broker has heard might be going on locally to affect that.

"And good chant broker is bound to cost fair bit of jink, so we should be prepared to part with something waluable. But I am willing to pay for quality."

Kadar smiles at the kobold "Excellent, Do you have any idea which tavern the minister of mining frequents and when?"

"Hmmm, what's Kurtalmak's Spear like? Would they mind if we wait for her there so long as we buy some bub?" Kadar turns to the others "Could be a good place to pick up some of the local chant and she's likely to be a bit more chatty if we buy her a few drinks first."

OOC: I've unfortunately got nothing to say, so I'll follow along.