Helix: Axe and Anvil Forge and Artisan Community.

[Spearmint]

The Axe and Anvil Forge.

The allegation that the dwarves are incubating a stolen dragon egg is neither confirmed or denied. And as your glance into geo-political influences has shown, things go deeper than just a treasure being taken that another wants back.

According to the deceased Sauron soothsayer Bharazd'had, it was the elves of the Thornswild who gave the Saurons' the dragon egg, naming it as a 'Peace Child' to seal a treaty between them.

"Dragons, unseen for centuries, a creature of myth and legend living on via dragon-kin such as wyverns and minor drakes. An ancient black held sway over these lands during the time of the War of Desolation a millennia ago. The bones of Ossithrax lie buried under the Barrow Moor and none have flown since. Indeed only remnants of them remain." When the forgemaster names this long dead dragon, a sudden harsh breeze blows into the forge, stirring up the embers and ashes into a fiery bonfire. The tongues of flame flare suddenly then just as suddenly due back down.

Cosmo has seen for himself that the magic portal which sealed the inner crypt of Magyar Varghoulis' tomb were two huge doors crafted from the scales of a bronze dragon. (He actually opened that enchanted door using his mysterious 'Hand of Hoodoo', the skeletal hand of a deceased wizard that came into his possession during his char-gen). It was further suggested that more important and enchanted portals are in the Barrowmaze, crafted alike from the scales of other dragons of colour. Few actual dragon relics are known to exist.

A dragon egg's existence has a lot of implications. Are the dwarves incubating it to hatch and train? If they do have one, surely Lord Krothos will want to claim rights over it. If it exists and is just given back to the Saurons', what will they do with it? Supposing of course the egg is not sterile or inert, that an actual dragon grows inside. The Saurons' worship aspects of the draconic or dragon focused faith. Would a dragon become an incarnate form of their deity and how would Callen feel about helping that happen?

The forgemaster priest talks in confidence. While he trusts Callen as far as he has known him from first impressions, only a general 'tolerance' exists between the village's St Ygg's clergy and those of Moradinian faith. The Vicar acts as one advisor to Lord Krothos and such things as the dwarven businesses paying more tax than other businesses only fuel suspicion they are a marginalized community and penalised for being prosperous.

There are many strands to the conversation. Focusing on the 'here and now' it comes back to rescuing Three-Moons. He has a dwarven name, the above being a Common tongue translation. You know the dwarven homeland are the Moon Peak mountains that boundary the southeast portion of the region. They hold three peaks in particular regard with certain lunar festivals occuring when the Moon is aligned in the heavens above them. Hence the name inspiration and you also find out that the dwarf is a warrior and also of the Moradin clergy, being a cleric/fighter which is unusual (and generally only prescribed as an NPC class).

While no dragon egg could be exchanged, perhaps another bargain could be struck. The forge specialises in armour and weapons and though arming a renegade tribe would cause serious trouble with the Duchy, maybe a secret trade deal could be negotiated.

"You have met the Sauron officer and gained his respect enough to allow you to progress in peace. Perhaps you might be willing to broker a peaceful trade deal?"

any further actions in response here.

[ateno]

The Axe and Anvil Forge.

"You have met the Sauron officer and gained his respect enough to allow you to progress in peace. Perhaps you might be willing to broker a peaceful trade deal?"

"I am always ready to talk peace, here's the thing, I want honesty between everyone, if you want to not admit you or someone you know has the egg, fine. If asked by the Saurons I will say, 'I believe the Dwarves do, but I do not know for sure.' You want to buy them off, that's fine. I'll tell you this, they will just kidnap another dwarf and do it again.

The deep reason for this conflict must come out and be heard and acted on, NOW, if your not willing to do that, this will go on and on, and you will lose many dwarves and most many saurons will die.

That is my statement, what is your counter?

persuasion roll (14 Chr) [4d6]=9

[Hadarai]

Callen

The Cleric is impressed by Cosmo's reasoning and nods in agreement, he will wait for the Forgemaster's reply.

[Spearmint]

i will finish to edit and post draft here tomorrow evening.

[Spearmint]

"The deep reason for this conflict must come out and be heard and acted on, NOW, if your not willing to do that, this will go on and on, and you will lose many dwarves and most many saurons will die.

That is my statement, what is your counter?"

Cosmo makes an impassioned plea for truth, or at least some candid explanations.

The antagonism between the two races is centuries old. Not just a war over mutually claimed territory but one of divinely influenced geo-political ambitions. Should such a dragon egg exist, ine might ask what of the elves who gave it?

But focussing on closer matters, Karl Barrelgut considers the captive Three-Moons fate. "We must do something, we are honour bound to try. The Saurons know that and may use any offense as further provocation. They are scaly bandits, taking one after another for ransom or worse.

But I would not like to have needless death upon my hand, trading blood for blood and sword blade with axe upon shield. The lizardmen do not value currency and gems as we do and to ask his weight in gold would bankrupt our community. We can match his weight in irons; broadswords and spears and suit the Officer in chainmail as a sign of good faith. Perhaps even there are other desires they have we might discreetly meet. We are superior craftsmen, renowned even among their Moor retreats."

You chat together, listening to arguments and points of view. In the Moradin Hall, the feeling is to strike out at the Saurons though realistically, the dwarven community here is one of craftsmen, merchants, miners and transient adventurers. They have no official militia except for dwarven elders who school the younger in various martial arts. They would not be able to raise a substantial troop, certainly not from under the Duchy noses.

He goes back to at least trying to reach out to them within the timescale given and seeing what other terms might be negotiated. The dwarves would reward you for your help. If no suitable resolution can be reached, they will either try and rescue the captive if it is deemed possible or sadly, leave him to a kess than certain fate.

[ateno]

Given how they have presented, Cosmo would be willing to help and a hopefully neutral party.

"We need someone who can speak their language."

Does Cosmo know anyone or can have the Dwarves hire anyone?

[Hadarai]

Callen

"Your words have moved me Master Barrelgut, I shall lend you my aid."

The cleric crosses his right arm over his chest and bows to the dwarf in a sign of respect.

"How many of your people will you be sending along?"

[Spearmint]

The Axe and Anvil Forge

Karl Barrelgut acknowledges your offer to help with much gratitude. The timescale to rescue the captive has an immediate urgency, one of the set Moon's have already passed and you are halfway through the second day having spent the morning at the Old Manse with the Nergal Cultists.

"If you are ready, a task force can assemble within a few hours. We can leave at dusk."

at this point I am reviewing the archived Nergal Obelisk expedition. Cosmo should add to his sheet the potion: 'A frothy green syrup in an opaque vial is also found, the only item that pings of magical enchantment'.

Callen also returned injured, -5hp. Ordinarily you would recuperate at +1hp per day and take a week as downtime between expeditions. I try to discourage clerics just casting lots of Cure spells upon themselves while in a settlement just in order to speed up their personal health though in this instance as part of the 'good faith' between you and the dwarves, Karl Barrelgut as Forgemaster and Priest of Moradin will minister to heal the stab wound.

Karl casts CLW: [1d8]=4

So you will leave on -1hp.

I am going to presume as spell casters each have taken the pre-dawn hours to renew your own repertoire of memorized spells. Please note those choices upon your character sheet.

While the mercenerary hires have returned to the guild and not available, I will add ranger Traeliorn to your party as an npc.

actions Callen & Cosmo, post any last questions or comments here and I will open a specific expedition thread for you to post in.

Barrow Moor : Rescue of Three-Moons.

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo wanders over to the Axe and Anvil Forge to meet Barrelgut. "Hiya, Barrelgut....how's the new armor coming along? I'm hoping to have it before I head over to the Ole Manse for some training.

[Spearmint]

The Axe and Anvil Forge

Durgo enquires about his ordered armour, specially made to order to take account of his extra girth and broad shoulders. You have already paid in advance.

In regards to furnishing a suit of platemail armour. That would take a minimum of three months and cost six hundred gold in imported plate and probably two hundred more in crafting to size and inscribing heraldry or specific grandeur design to it.

After finishing with the elf, he goes to the dwarves. Discussing armour upgrades and kitting himself out with a made to measure hauberk and coif of chainmail. The armour, AC5, is at a premium of -90gp modified book price +20% inflation.

The chainmail will take a couple of weeks to craft, so will not be finished much before the summer solstice festival on June 22nd. Collect it then, maybe a day before.

Since you are in town during this period, you can collect the Chainmail and add to inventory. Please adjust AC on sheet.

[Cwreando]

Durgo

"Barrelgut my good sir. Thank you for excellent work. I will provide you 100 GP in advance on the Platemail and will continue to make payments until you have enough to get started."

He tries the armor on there in case he need a bit of help or fine tuning to smooth out any concerns while wearing it that Barrelgut would notice needs to be adjusted.

[Spearmint]

The Axe & Anvil Forge

June 21st 1066

Durgo puts a down payment upon a full platemail suit of armour. It looks like it may be ready by the onset of the winter season, a few months away if there is no delay.

That would take a minimum of three months and cost six hundred gold in imported plate and probably two hundred more in crafting to size and inscribing heraldry or specific grandeur design to it.

You pay, sign a commission contract, Sandy takes your measurements and scribbles a few notes down. You can return whenever you have more cash or check in to inspect how things develope.

Keep a note to trace this cost and transaction.

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo comments, "I will check in and make additional payments as I can."

Add a note with a link to here.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth goes and checks on how his long sword is coming and if it is on schedule (July 10th).

[Spearmint]

Orgoth

Orgoth goes and checks on how his long sword is coming and if it is on schedule (July 10th).

You arrived back in Helix on June 28th and visit the Forge the next day, June 29th.

However: https://www.unseenservant.us/forum/view ... 40#p655240

Karl Barrelgut left the forge last evening, rallying a number of dwarven veterans to an emergency cause. The Forge-works progress in his absence. This will be worthy news to you for you are aware dwarven clerics never leave the Forge unless a dire emergency or divine dictate requires.

"Two fellows, fresh from the Barrow Mounds brought word that lizardmen were holding one of our kin for ransom and as a deadline approaches, they reacted swiftly to precipitate a trade or rescue. Moradin bless, give them godspeed and strong-hammers."
.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Wondering if he could be of aid or perhaps bring the cavalry so to speak.

He will try and find out how long ago they left exactly as well as the exact destination. What forces did they take and were they well prepared. If he could rent/borrow some horses does he have enough skill to ride them dragoon style?

[Spearmint]

okay, I have to be careful here to not cross over too many down town actions.

I will adjudicate you visit Mrs Springmeadow after breakfast and visit as your next port of call, say a couple of hours later. 10.00am.

"A gnome adventurer and a priest of St Ygg and a ranger apprentice came back from the Barrow Mounds in the midnight hours of the day before. They brought with them some Nergal cultists who rot in the Manse cells awaiting execution. Were they bounty hunters? I don't know. All I know is they captured those two fellas and brought them to face justice.

Somewhere on the trail back, the very same one you took, around the bogs and past the Herne ring, they encountered the Lizardmen who had a secret camp nearby where they held Three-Moons.

They said they would stick his head on a pike if the ransom was not paid. Karl rallied what numbers he could but few warriors were able to respond. Just six in all. They took sacks of weapons and armour to trade for his life. Lord Krothos was not informed as arming the lizardmen will not be seen in a good light.

Three-Moons was given a literal three moons. Two nights ago, last night and tonight. "

Gern, Barrelgut's nephew responds with what he knows.

[Rex]

Orgoth

"Thank you, I will take this info to the Co-Op."

[OGRE MAGE]

Konrad's: Artificers and Innovative Connoisseurs.
June 30th-ish

Before heading off to sell the groups wares, Sven pays a visit to his gnomish friends.

"Hello again Konrad! I trust business is booming?"

He shows him the ancient helm lined with black velvet and encrusted with semi-precious gemstones they found, hoping they can clean the item up for a better resale value before bringing it to market. "Any chance you could estimate how much this beauty could fetch after you've worked your magic upon it?"

He will also show him the varnished urn, the mammoth ivory hilted dagger with matching ivory carved death mask, and the large pewter tankard etched with gold leaf around the rim, base and handle. "What can you tell me about these items? Any interest to you here?"

[Spearmint]

Konrad's Artisans and Innovative Connoisseurs.

Checking on the Kali Chandelier too. The blue demon idol augmented with an extra accruement, the Necklace of Strangulation which was thankfully discerned for the murderous evil it was enchanted with before trying it on in order to identity it. Certainly the demon idol face seems happy with the offering.

This item refurb carries on and will have a couple more weeks before it can be exported away.

Looking at recent trove: "What can you tell me about these items? Any interest to you here?"

"Well the pewter mug will look more interesting with a frothy ale in it." The pewter is solid and the etched design clean. The design looks more like a tavern sign rather than depicting heraldry of a noble house. "It has a base value as 'trinket recovered from the tombs'.
Probably more value to someone who went on the expedition as a momento."

The varnished urn, is another nice item but has little room for improving the overall value. The complementary mask & dagger has the vibe of being worn by a rogue or assassin at work. Ivory from the region is rare. "Upper dentine has minute layers which much like counting the grainy rings on a tree, are used to date the tusk's age. Very finely layered, close together. Slightly yellow patina but a polished sheen." He checks the blades and mask, not finding any insincerity in the crafting. The dagger has a long slim blade, good for between ribs and intricate filleting. "Know any spies who like to skulk about spying?" he asks. As to worth, he suggests a base value,but there might be more to them than first meets the eye. "Consider the mystic Nystul, he could conceal the aura if enchantment from all but Truesight" . Inferring a rogue sneaking up to backstab someone whilst wearing this might just sneak better or backstab with more accuracy.

The helm, "Looks like a faux crown", probably crafted to give some grandiose blagging of riches and power to a minor Lordling. The metal banding has a dent, "Wearer got a mace in the head to humble him a bit." but none of the gems where taken out. Some are loose in insets and the whole could do with a polish.

"I can give Sallyjo this and she can soruce it up. Call it thirty gold. Be ready with the Kali." He offers to take on the helm refurb and thinks the thirty invested might add fifty to the value and in the Citadel, it might fetch a couple of hundred.