3 - 038: Can You Keep a Secret?

[K Man]

SEA GREEN

The nearest, sober Dwarf turns out to be one of the men working on a tap to a giant oak keg of ale. He and another pair of more innebriated Dwarves work the cork and tap into the side of the barrel, grunting with exertion. At Gro-Bug's hailing, the Dwarf calls for a stop and turns to meet those who call him out.

His face immediately sours when he notices a Half-Orc, but he doesn't look on the verge of attack. "Didn't ye hear? All of our Kings surround us, right now!"

There is a loud cheer from those near enough to hear and sober enough to understand. When you restate that you are looking for an audience with the current, living King, the Dwarf frowns.

"Sorry, can't help ye there. Castle is sealed up for three more days. Then ye may want to give the King a few days before ye speak with him...take him at least that long to sober up!" Another round of cheers errupts.

The Dwarf goes on to explain the ritual at hand. A celebration of the old King happens outside while something very similar happens inside. However, only true-blooded Dwarves and those of importance are allowed inside as there are some rituals that require incense, prayer and dedication.

His words are suddenly stymied by a rumble beneath your feet. It is as though the ground were suddenly a blanket and a giant just ruffled the covers to straighten them. Everyone around you feels it as they throw their hands up in the air and shout, joining in the celebration.

To you it felt like a mild earthquake. To the celebrators, it felt like reason to down more ale.

-----------------------------------

Natsumi -

{Are the tiles cool? I haven't picked any up yet.}

Giving up on the search of Amassu's domain, you find the rest actually somewhat peaceful. The gentle bedding of cloud-stuff manages to keep you warm and suspends you in a state of perfect comfort. Eventually the sounds drone out, replaced by thoughts of wind through your hair atop Antyca, headed on an adventure with your friends.

You awake to the sound of the cloud rumbling beneath you, remnants of the thunderstorm below. There is the smell of ozone and fresh rain. Your eyes spot movement, Amassu walking over to a tub formed from clouds about five times the size of the previous tub you bathed in. Clearly the Sky-King can shape these clouds into whatever is needed. He disrobes and slips into the tub, sending a wave of water over the edges that quickly is absorbed by the cloudy floor. His pale white skin glistens as he scoops up water over his face, shoulders and back.

He notes your awakening and waits for you to sit up fully before addressing you.



"Bard, today we go to meet a clan of Sand Giants to discuss tribute. I suggest you prepare yourself for a diplomatic meeting."

Amassu reaches for a nearby cabinet.

{I'll need a spot check DC 20 from you.}

---

---

DARK RED[/size]

{Given that I've allocated for plenty of time in New Ravenshead and other places to spend your money, if you want to purchase equipment in an expedited fashion, I don't see a problem with it.}

Thalia smacks her lips and nods, understanding the move. She clicks her teeth as if to say All that fuss and no glory... She eyes Wanderer hefting his maul and understands the decision forced on her now.

"Well played gentlemen, well played." She holds out her hand, expecting to see a sack of coins deposited in it. "A few hundred gold is better than a sword in the back."

{What is the plan? Will you pay Thalia?}

[Fangor the Fierce]

Lenny had hoped that the dwarf from the bar would have told him more of this woman, and her tendencies. After all, that is why he had bought the dwarf, who seemed to frequent that place, the ale and mead. If Lenny was able to discern if she was deceitful, or simply evil, things would go different here. But, alas, he had no idea. Instead, he knows that there is a more powerful force out there, more powerful than Vorkal, that holds their choices like strings on puppets, able to cut and yank at will. (who is also called, the DM)

"You can either leave and try to exact your revenge on us at a later time, or have our thanks, and coin, in your aid. If you choose revenge, then you will have to look over your shoulder for the rest of your life. Yet, should you choose to honor the agreement of taking the 200gold, as well as letting us deal with these Deathspeakers, then I would have need of someone of your services. More gold can be spared, should you decide to ally with us."

Diplomacy +10[dice=20][rand=80922408126274790165283245832453839239194731090028931871426913088]

[ryngo]

(Now how are you going to afford your sap, giving all your cash away?)

Tyrano feels his hand gripping tightly upon his coinpurse. It's a strange feeling for him to feel this stingy nature, but stranger still to know that it is not his own. Clearly the ancient queen of dwarves to whom he is currently bound has a few issues with giving gold away easily. Wystfalrun for his own part has little use for it.

He says nothing and forcably releases his tight grip on his own cash. He doesn't give any away, mind, but he is able to overcome the urge to keep it in a white knuckled grasp.

He suspects that Gildas will keep his word and pay the woman, and with that business out of the way, we can plan our way into the inner sanctum of the death speakers in new ravenshead, and maybe finally get a few answers to this nightmare. Tyrano's impatience is apparent.

[VemuKhaham]

(I could buy you a thousand saps, even some MW ones... )

Gildas listens to Lenny and awaits the woman's answer. He didn't know whether she could be trusted, but tried to watch her closely for any sign of treachery in her eyes, or movement, or something. If she agreed to help, he would consider it: after all, she could still be used to lure some deathspeakers outside, or at least distract them. Either way, if she would give an honest answer (meaning she will choose to help us or she will choose to leave us in peace) Gildas will pay her the 200gold pieces. "I don't fear a sword in the back, miss," Gildas added as he offered her the bag of money, then briefly retreated it beyond her reach, "I fear having to deal with all the fuss that would be if you would make me hurt you."

[TheZebraShakes™]

spot check/giant tiles

SPOILER: Click to show

[dice=20]
so close, yet not really close at all.=fail

The tiles are kind of cool. I liked the giant sized furniture, like a room with a table in it fit for a giant and stuff like that. But an annoyance is that they have these symbols which are meant to show that a speciffic spot or another is supposed to be some form of difficult terrain. I guess it's alright if you want some tile designer to tell you and your players what's difficult terrain and what's not, but if you want to make the decision for yourself, you'll just have to get over the fact that the symbols are there.

Natsumi hears Lord Amassu and watches as he reaches toward one of the cabinets she had been examining last night to see if she notices how he goes about opening it.

Natsumi nods at his words. She had entered into this with the hope of potentially being utilized by Amassu in various areas whereby having her around could prove to be quite advantageous to the sky king. So far everything was working out as planned so she prays to herself that she does not fall upon bad luck and somehow ruin this arrangement. If that should happen, she may never get out of this at all.

"My Lord need not worry, I will be ready."

She watches, attempting to hide her curiosity as she keeps an eye on what he might be withdrawing from the cabinet.[rand=65646759904241119050461786471383945119607739157348232004448418697]

[TheUdjat]

Wanderer grits his teeth, believing the whole thing to be a waste of time. The woman got the message and was ready to withdraw. Why risk everything by trying to bring her back in as an ally, now that they'd pissed her off? It seemed woefully stupid to the barbarian, giving someone that opportunity, but they'd already made the gesture.

He just hopes this will turns out okay. He has every intention of surviving and making sure his companions do likewise, but it will be easier if things go smoothly.

---

{Given that I've allocated for plenty of time in New Ravenshead and other places to spend your money, if you want to purchase equipment in an expedited fashion, I don't see a problem with it.}

[Do you mean that we can add equipment to our sheets now and assume we bought it? I mean, the other three, anyway, 'cause I figure the maul counts as Wanderer's share.]

[Wicksy]

Gro-Bug grunts....5 days was a long time to wait. He turns to the others and shrugs. "What do we do? Five days is a hell of a long time to wait.....shall we come back later or press further here?"

[Japic]

"Perhaps this good fellow is misguided. Should the gates open in three days perhaps their King will be available to us afterall."

As the ground buckles like tossed carpet Ella looks to the others to see if they had noticed the strange phenomenon as well. The revelers don't seem to mind, so perhaps it is not an unnatural thing in these parts. After the others are donw with teh dwarf, she'll press someone about the ground, and whether it occurs often if at all.

[Rojito]

Sean was taken aback by the tremor, but it didn't change his decision, "We'll follow your lead Ella, but i agree with Gro-Bug, there are other places we could begin our search while they complete their revelry."