Bay 12 Games Forum

: "Of course not. We're hardly in public right now though."

: "That is a fair question. As I mentioned, we paid the bankers quite well for their services and on the whole, Dwarves are quite good at keeping their business deals straight. This is especially true when bloodlines are involved; whoever currently runs the bank will be a direct descendant of the manager who made the original deal with my ancestor, and according to tradition he will treat me accordingly. We were told that only one copy of the key remains in existence, and we believed it. That said, you are correct in that some dwarves are far from happy with humanity and would seek to reclaim what was once theirs. I'm afraid that we will simply have to hope for the best."

: "Like I said, Gawen, the General is currently trying to build up his forces enough to simply have a chance at taking Castle Eastland back. Trust me, I wish he had assigned a squad of trained, loyal soldiers to this task myself. Unfortunately he needs every man he can get for the battles he faces."

: "I believe I can. I suppose you are familiar with pre-Empire history? The war between humans and the Dwarves and the circumstances in which that war ended?"

And so, feeling somewhat disgruntled, the convicts left the village of Briarpatch behind and continued their ride east, towards the mountains. No longer did they ride throughout the night; instead they set up camp as the sun began to dip low and continued onward with the dawn. Both Porkins and Lady Cipio remained tight-lipped about their mission, and aside from wild game or farmers working in the fields the group saw no signs of life.

Porkins calls a halt somewhat early on the eighth day of travel, as the mountains loom before them. Ahead lies Zrossan Pass, the easiest route through the mountains that make up Diodormant's eastern border. In times of prosperity this pass would be crowded with traders traveling to and from the Dwarven Kingdoms, but at the moment it appears to be deserted.

: "Water is scarce in the pass, at least during the summer months, and there are usually bandit groups hiding out hoping to jump an isolated wagon or two. Take the rest of the day to fill up your canteens and rest. We'll want to spend as few nights in the pass as we possibly can."

: "Also, I believe it is about time that you all were informed of the purpose of this mission. We're getting close, after all, and you will need to have some idea of what we will be doing as we proceed."

: "You've had plenty of rest in your prison cell, dancer. A horse might not be magical, but we've still got a few good hours of daylight riding left and that will get us closer to our destination. Not lounging about. Your days as a nobleman's plaything are over."

: "In any case, you don't actually need details about what we're doing. Especially not here, with curious ears around." One of those pairs of ears was even now returning, arms full of parcels.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, milords and ladies! We don't have much here, but I've managed to scrounge up some things. Hopefully they'll come in handy on your journey."

Party gets:
Concoction 3/3
Lockpick 15/15
Torch 5/5
Choose who gets what!

"Yes...we'll probably have to burn them. We've enough graves to dig as it is. Still, the gods must be praised for your arrival! Many of us would have been slaughtered or enslaved without your help."

: "I'm sorry we didn't get here earlier. Unfortunately, we can't stay to help clean up. We still have a long way to go."

"I understand, milord. Well, would you accept some supplies for your journey?"

Autohit, autoded!

Chapter 1 Cleared

With the last of the Wastelander force defeated and sounds of battle suddenly gone, a few villagers cautiously poke their heads out from their hiding places. One of the villagers, an older man, slowly approaches the group from the unburned house on the left.

"Is...is it over? Are they gone?"

Alright, thanks.

Another question, will supplies be provided by the "professional military leader" or are we responsible for our own food, water, etc?