Kal and Harp return, others go
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
I am going to let Kevin and Josh role play this until they say they are done. I am going to assume that they do not offend any one else enough to get killed and will advance the time to the next morning when Salix, Mund, Surin and Ally are meeting with Agrana.
I will try and have something out by late morning/early afternoon.
If Salix and Ally would make sure that they have their spell list set that would be great.
From: Kevin
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
When Kal returns with Harp's drink, the 1/2 orc seems a bit calmer.
"Ok, maybe that wasn't the end of the world. We did find out that there is previous steward we can try to track down. We also learned that in general, it seems that most of the dwarves here are OK with the transition. There seemed to have been an active search effort, and that seems to have killed any questions of foul play. Now, we just gotta find out who the old steward is.
And Kal, don't go spoutin off about our mission to just anyone. That's no ones business but us and the king's, who ever that may be. Keep a lid on it, or I'll keep a lid on you. You may move quicker than I do, but if I'm sittin on ya, we'll see how fast you can move"
From: Mark
Subject: Harp and Kal return, others go
Only Ragnar and Ranthir are still up when Harp and Kal return to the rooms. Harp's scowling face keeps the questions from flying and Kal, quite as always, takes a seat. Harp pours himself a mug of water and sits down with the others "Well it wasn't a complete waste of time. We did find out that the old King had his own Steward who was replaced by the new King. Sounds like normal procedure but we might still want to look him up." Ragnar is buoyed by this information "What is his name? Do you know where we can find him?" Harp shakes his head in disgust "No and no. We must have said something to upset the dwarves we were talking to because they took off soon after that." Harp then tells the two what else he found out about the old King and his disappearance.
Ragnar nods "Well it is more than we had before. It will give us something to do while the other 4 are out and we wait for the King. I'll leave Ally a note. I think we should get some sleep. The others should be gone by the time we get up." The four talk for a few minutes longer while Ragnar writes his note and then they head off to bed.
Salix wakes the other three that are going to accompany him. Mund and Surin are just fine but he had never seen Ally look so bad. Out in the main room the mage looks haggard, his eyes still a bit swollen. He holds his head in his hands and whispers to his brother "The next time you think up a drinking game, just make sure you're the one drinking." Mund laughs and when Ally grabs his head even tighter, Mund laughs even louder. The barbarian relents after a few seconds "That dwarven ale must really be something. Man I need to get me a supplier." Ally lets the statement pass.
After a quick breakfast and some time for Salix to do his morning prayers and Ally to do his studying, the four are ready to go. They shoulder their backpacks and follow Surin and Salix out into the dwarf city. Half an hour later, just a few minutes after the first horn of the morning, the approach Doli's stall to find Agrana waiting for them. "Ah, you made it. For a while there I thought I had misjudged you. These are your friends?" The dwarf lady moves to Mund and Ally offering her hand. The two humans shake her hand and are surprised by the strong grip.
Agrana is dressed in dark leather armor and carries a shield made out of a very dark wood. Mund takes another look and asks "Agrana is that a darkwood shield?" The dwarf gives Mund a surprised look "The wood is called that by topsiders, but it is rare there. You know of this wood?" Mund grins "Sure do. Had me a shield made of it once. Don't have it no more but that's a long story." Agrana smiles "Well, human, we have several days walk ahead of us and several nights to fill. I am sure we will be able to hear the tale. I expect your friends know it already, but I am always eager for new stories. Before we head out, does any one have any questions?"
OODM: Ask now or forever hold you piece. J
From: Derek
Subject: Harp and Kal return, others go
Allistair still has a splitting headache, but he tries to focus. "Agrana, I get the feeling that this isn't just a afternoon stroll to a local tunnel. Have there been any vistors to the location since the search for the former king's body was called off? Is it likely we may be attacked by creatures while we are down these little-used tunnels?"
From: Mark
Subject: Dwarf life
"I don't know if there have been any visitors to the place since the search ended. I don't know of any, but most dwarves do not report to me." She grins "I don't know about likely to be attacked, but it is possible. Where we are going is far off the beaten path and there are many fierce creatures in the areas not controlled by the UnderKingdom."
OODM: I want to try and give everyone an idea of how the dwarf kingdom is set up. There are several main cities. They are connected by fairly wide underground "roads" that have been shaped by hundreds of years of dwarf labor. Sort of like Mamouth Cave in Ky but wider and neater. These main road are patrolled on a regular and heavy basis. Sort of a dwarf high way system. Then there are smaller dwarf "town/village/outposts". These are normally located near natural resources such as diamond mines, iron ore veins, Mithral viens, etc. Some are even located at places where mushrooms and other fungi grow well. The paths to these places are not nearly as well kept or guarded. Caravans go on a schedule to these places to get the raw materials they gathered and to bring needed supplies. Think old west. These towns are semi permanant, as they only last as long as the resource does. They may also move as the resource gets mined, following the vien.
Last are the prospect holds. These are independent dwarf groups, usually families, who go out into the wild tunnels looking for new raw materials. If a family finds a new vien of say gold, they can stake a claim and become rich.
From: Derek
Subject: Others go
"Well, even if we run into a buch of Grimlocks, they can't be worse than the hangover that Dwarven ale gives you. I'm ready to go then."
From: Porter
Subject: Others go
Mund makes sure that he can easily draw his axe from its holster. He's still not used to carrying such a big axe, and hasn't had need to draw it quickly yet.
"I'm ready."
From: Karl
Subject: Others go
Salix has many questions about the natural world underground and is thrilled to have a dwarf druid to talk with. He will ask her if there is a dwarf Circle in the underground kingdom and try to find out more about her form of druid worship. Did she say that her worship was outlawed? Or is it just not very accepted by other dwarves?
From: Derek
Subject: Others go
She said that it's technically outlawed, but as long as she lays low, nobody gives her or the other worshipers a hard time.