Rising Unrest [IC]

[Antilles]

James stands still for a few moments, chewing over what the leader said. But before the gnolls have moved more than a dozen steps away, a loud and clear [Catela] "No." echoes through the clearing, simple words laced with iron determination and defiance. It actually causes several gnolls stop and look back in surprise. [Catela] "You are not my leader, you do not get to give me orders."

He can see a couple of the gnolls' expressions turn from surprise to anger, probably seeing James' outburst as being disrespectful. He ignores that and continues. [Catela] "However, I am willing to help you... if you tell us the whole story. Why you've come here, what this influence you spoke of is, what you mean by 'craven ones', everything. Tell us, and we might be able to help resolve this quickly and painlessly. Don't, and we'll have no choice but to stand with the villagers against further aggression from you. You may have us outnumbered, but you'll find we're not an easy prey."

[ludomastro]

The elder speaks to the younger and the younger once again begins translating, "We shall see.  Step forth if you mean to follow this path."

The elder gnoll drops from the wolf, surprising light on his feet.  He pulls the wolf skull over his head so the empty eye sockets are over his own eyes.  As he begins to speak the eyes glow a soft, dull blue.

[Najafo] "Prapatroj!  Prapatroj, ni vokas vin.  Ni vokas vin atesti hodiaux ke cxi tiu homo diras ke li helpas nin.  Spirito Lupa, jugxu lin!"

James sees a giant wolf walk out of the forest.  It looks at him with the same soft, blue eyes.  It opens it's mouth and leaps for him.  He finds that he can't move.

---

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@ James
Resolve check, please.

Also, though he won't realize it until later, he understood every word the shaman said (and he's sure the gnoll is a shaman): "Ancestors.  Ancestors, we summon thee!  We summon thee to witness this day that this human says he can help us.  Wolf Spirit, judge him!"

[Catodon]

Meanwhile the little gnome regails the starnger with the tale of how he defeated the bandit king in an effort to impress on the dangerous looking human the benefits of joining the group.

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Brindlglibs impress check
+1 appearance might help too (1d20+6=11)

[Antilles]

As the wolf leaps towards him, adrenaline rushes throughout James' body and time seemingly slows down. His instincts are telling him to flinch, to dodge, to get the hell away from the large wolf rushing him. However, just before he can try to flinch, despite being unable to move, a little voice in the back of his head tells him _{'This is magic! It doesn't look like it, but it's gotta be magic!'} It pisses him off, and the fact that he almost flinched pisses him off even more. In an instant anger has drowned out fear, and he stands his ground, looks the wolf directly into his eyes and soundlessly challenge it do do its worst.

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So guess who has no ranks in Resolve? Oh well, it didn't turn out too bad, though I'll definitely be putting some ranks into it if I get the chance...
1d20+2=14 + my last action die 1d6=6 (YES!) + reroll of AD 1d6=2. For a total of 22. That's a result I'm satisfied with, all things considered.

[jameswllorimer]

The last few minutes for Ryar'Bett had been a tense few. The incursion of the gnolls into the surrounding woods seemed total, and after watching them, it was obvious that his presence wasn't unknown to them.

The Effet had watched James challenge the lead gnoll, come to blows and then halt his attacks in the face of this new wolf-rider. Their exchange of words clearly cut through the forest foliage but Ryar'Bett could not understand the meaning of the conversation. At that the moment, a large lupine creature burst forth from the opposite side of the clearing, startling him with the stealth of its arrival. As its obvious prey was James, Ryar'Bett did not hesitate and moved to burst forth and attack, growling a battle-cry to announce his intent.

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Not sure how close I am to James, but I'll take as many move actions as necessary to get adjacent to him, then attack with my Bite, if in range of the wolf
Attack = 8, and thus I won't bother with damage!

[ludomastro]

As Ryar'Bett goes charging into the fray, Tavish steps forward and cries out, "Foes blood shall run red like the dawn!"  There is a faint nimbus of power around him.

Ryar'Bett is quickly able to reach the wolf but his attack passes through it harmlessly.  It is as if the wolf is more spirit than flesh.  It seems impossible but the wolf almost seems to be laughing at him.

James stands his ground and the wolves jaws snap tight over him ... passing harmlessly through him.

Then as suddenly as it had begun everyone finds themselves standing where they were as they were and the old gnoll is laughing.  It sounds good natured but tinted with sadness.

His translator is once again speaking.  "A man of resolve, a lizard of action and a wielder of the ancient powers are ready to fight the Wolf Spirit.  Are you mad?  I suppose it matters not.  Come sit, and I will tell you of our plight."  With the invitation set, the other gnolls look shocked but begin to move quickly and make a fire and begin cooking ... something.  It is difficult to determine what.

The wizened old gnoll steps up to James and quietly tells him.  "Young pup, no foul magics used I.  The wolf spirit gave vision to test you."

---

Once settled, the shaman begins speaking once again through his interpreter.  "An ancient presence has once again come to this land.  What tidings this brings, I know not.  I know only that my people are being bent to it's will.  We all feel the pull to return to the old ways.  Senseless killing for the sake of killing.  It is not the way of the wolf.  If you would help, then help us throw off these chains of sorcery and blood magic.  Though some among you do have sufficient reason to hate those that wield the ancients powers without us to ask.  If you can help us, we will leave the village alone and return to our own place.  Though we do not promise we will not come again when we grow hungry.  It is not evil to eat.  Also, if any are interested, I could tell you of someone who might be able to help remove a taint from your blood."

Though he has been looking the group in the eye as he talks, he looks at the ground with the last sentence.

"However, you must act quickly.  We have been commanded to remove the villagers before the morrow's dawn."

---~~---

Meanwhile back in town ...

The look of incredulity continues to grow on the stranger's face until finally he holds up a hand to stop Brindlglib.  "Friend, I'm not sure I believe your story.  However, you seem to want something from me.  I'm just not sure I have it to give.  Speak frankly."

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@ Antilles, jameswllorimer and Tavish
Please post reactions to the old gnoll as you see fit.  Unless your reaction is threatening, we'll continue as I posted.

@ Catodon
I'm taking it that Brindlglib is looking to Influence Halsten's decision.  If that is not correct, please let me know.

Sorry, no influence peddling today.

[Catodon]

Brindlglib "I understand your reaction I can barely believe that I stared down that huge brute myself. The gods must have been with me. You have asked for frank speach and I have a reputation for forthwright and plain speaking. Just ask my previous clients, they will gladly tell you of how I make the minutia of artifice comprehensible to the meanest of lay-folk..." with that he takes several minutes and explains the position and ends with "...so you see a traveller, such as yourself, is most likely to be hardend by the road and have skills or finesse with a weapon so badly needed by these humble folk who find themselves in an undeserved predicament. What say you?"

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Influence check
Please modifiy for any Appearance bonus  (Brindlglib is +1APP)
influence check (1d20+6=10)
hmmm AD time.
1d6=3

so that's 13+Appearence bonus if any.  not likely to be good enough

[ludomastro]

The stranger looks at Brindlglib with a visage of complete incredulity.  "You don't have to fatten this calf before the slaughter.  These folks took me in when I had nothing.  I'll fight for them if it comes to that.  Especially for ..."  Realizing that he almost said too much, he stops.  "Yes, I'll help.  Are you satisfied, sir?"

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WOW!!

[Antilles]

It takes James a couple of moments to calm down from the adrenaline rush. After the gnoll shaman speaks his piece, James returns in kind; [Catela] "Perhaps. Just remember, nothing is truly immune to corruption... not even spirits."


After listening to the shaman's story, James nods gravely. [Catela] "An ancient presence with sinister powers and intentions... good enough for me. Tell me what you know of it, what it can do, how it works. Also, I assume this has something to do with the 'craven ones' you mentioned earlier, what taint? What does it do, and how can we detect it? And last but not least, who commands you?"

[Catodon]

The stranger looks at Brindlglib with a visage of complete incredulity.  "You don't have to fatten this calf before the slaughter.  These folks took me in when I had nothing.  I'll fight for them if it comes to that.  Especially for ..."  Realizing that he almost said too much, he stops.  "Yes, I'll help.  Are you satisfied, sir?"

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WOW!!

THe gnome grins obviously pleased [Dida] "Well satisfied most kindest Sir!" [Catela]"well satisfied indeed to find one so eager to leap to the aid of other in these much troubled times" and hold out a tiny had to shake vigourously.

[ludomastro]

The shadowed stranger is careful not to crush the little gnome's hand.  "I'll, uh, check in with the ... uh, I guess we're calling it the village guard now.  And what was the name of that big orc?  Madgrash, or something like that."

---~~---

The old gnoll nods sagely as he listens to the translation of James' words.  The old one speaks slowly and the translator does his best to convey the information.  "This ancient presence is fire made flesh.  It walks in the form of one of the ancient beasts but is only a shadow of the beast.  It flies and walks and runs, but does not truly live.  It is in this world but not of this world.  I do not know 'how it works' as you say but I know that its purpose is to enslave and destroy.  We are forced to follow the instructions of one of its minions.  It is a giant lizard with bat wings and a voracious appetite.  In your tongue, I believe it is called a drake."

He lowers his voice and looks at James directly, "The taint is passed from father to son.  I believe you know of it.  I believe you have dealt with it in your life.  That which magic has done, the world of spirits can undo."

He then continues.  "The humans of the village are the 'craven ones.'  They would crumble before the power of this new horror.  They would be destroyed or perhaps worse, made its servants.  If they can not fight they will die.  If they do fight, they will die.  Thus, we have tried to remove them.  Now, we must do so before the sun rises from it's bed again on the morrow.  Else, we shall pay the price."

He raises his empty hands with the palms up and looks to Tavish, James and Ryar'Bett.  "It is now your turn, adventurous ones."

[Antilles]

James is stunned by the implication that the shaman can help lift the curse that had all but destroyed his family over the generations. He had resigned himself that the only way to end the curse was to end the line, and now the images of a happy future, with a wife and children, was dancing in his head. It takes all his willpower to push them away, to focus on the threat at hand. [Catela] "I... would like to speak to you about this taint later, under better circumstances. For now, I can not and will not allow such a malevolent entity to roam free. I will fight and, Light willing, prevail against it."

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Have I heard of anything like this before? Knowledge check (studies mages and the emerald dawn hills), 1d20+2=15. Aw, an action die would've come in handy here.

[ludomastro]

The old gnoll smiles at James' words.  "We shall see.  However, if the spirits judged you worthy, who am I to flaunt their judgment?"  He looks to the rest of the group and asks, "Do you each feel the same way?"  Tavish nods and glances over at Ryar'Bett.

"Very well.  He is what I know ...."

After half an hour of explanation the old gnoll has conveyed the location and size of the beast that holds him and his companions under it's thrall.  It would appear that a dragon or at least something resembling a dragon has come to the area and has enlisted the service of a drake, a human cult dedicated to dragons and this tribe of gnolls who are growing more warlike and less able to control themselves.  The villages coal reserves are wanted by the dragon.  For what purpose, he does not know.  Somehow the presence of the humans will interfere with further plans and thus they must be removed from the area.

The younger gnolls speak to the elder in a soft voice.  [Najafo] "Avo, ni bezonas iri."

[Najafo] "Jes, vi estas gxusta."  Looking to the group once again he speaks without his translator, [Catela] "More to speak there is?"

[ludomastro]

With the shadowy stranger seeming to have decided to attend to the town's defenses, Brindlglib feels that he has earned the right to put his feet up for a moment.  However, his rest is short lived.  As he is chatting with an old woman about his run-in with the Bandit King and eating some fresh apple pie he spies Ryar'Bett, James and Tavish coming back from the forest.  Their old guide is in near shock as he describes an improbable host of gnolls and an army of dragons, drakes, giants and other denizens of myth.  There appears to be another mystery to get to the bottom of.

---~~---

Having almost forgotten him, the trio finds their intrepid guide in near shock as they leave the forest.  He seems ready to run for the hills but is steadied by the group.  "What are we going to do?" he whispers more to himself than to anyone.

Upon reaching the town he seems to have gained his voice.  Unfortunately, it starts an avalanche of questions.  The crowd begins asking, "What should we do?  Where will we go?  Who will protect us."

It is only the banging of pot on pan by Helga and Hakon's booming voice that quiet the crowd enough to make sense of it all.  Hakon looks to those that were in the woods and asks, "What do you advise us to do?"

[Antilles]

James mulls things over for a bit, then decides on taking the honest approach. "Honestly? Prepare to evacuate. With proper planning and preparation the gnoll tribe would have been manageable, but a drake and assorted minions?" He shakes his head clearly indicating he feels they stand no chance against such odds. "Now, we've promised to do what we can to disrupt whatever nefarious plans are going on around here, and we will set out shortly. You should pack what you need and, if we're not back by a couple hours before dawn, make haste to the closest village."

In an attempt to ease the villager's fears, he adds "Two things, before I leave. One, you're a community. Stay close, watch and protect each other and you will be all right. Two, I understand if you're hesitant to leave behind what you've spent your life building, but remember; a house is easily mended, a life less so."