Chapter 21: The Razor's Edge

[Brian]

Melethos translates the galeb duhr's words.

"We may not need a password as much as a convincing arguement." He glances at Belarin. "And I couldn't think of a better person to try."

[Dave W.]

Adamant moves a little closer to Shorak and to get a bit of a better view inside the cave. "I really have neglected the study of languages. Theirs is so musical. Is it giantish?" Adamant asks the changeling.

---

move 1SE to stand right next to Shorak

[Ken]

Jul 12, 2021 9:01:08 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"You have come unbidden to these stairs, then." A very long pause. "We do not deny the passage of all. Some we will not hinder, but neither will we help. We deny only those who we deem will bring harm to the land. What knowledge do you offer us?"
__________________________

The galeb duhr near the rear of your party actually takes a step forward, and its rough humanoid shape is more discernible this way. It is facing Histra's skeleton, and extends one blunted limb toward the undead. "These creatures tear away the flesh of their slain and give them unnatural life," it says.

"Let me address both of you," says Belarin. "First, one piece of knowledge that we have is a warning regarding a dark force that is in this region. There is a group called the Emerald Claw, led by a vampire - an undead being who drains the lifeblood from the living. The forces of the Emerald Claw would not hesitate to attack you. They certainly would not pause to converse with you in peace, as we are. Be watchful. Second, yes, we have at times used magic to create creatures like this," he indicates the skeleton, "but only for our own defense. A vampire cannot suck the blood from an enemy that is already dead."

[Jeff]

The "central" galeb duhr switched to a different language, probably the first language it tried. It doesn't change direction to face its fellow, but somehow you can tell they're addressing one another now.

Again, both Belarin and Melethos can understand the spoken words magically, and Belarin suspects it is some form of Terran, the language of elemental beings of the earth. Neither human nor tiefling can tell whether the galeb duhr realize or suspect that anyone understands this elemental language.*

In Terran (which only Belarin and Melethos understand): "We have heard this duplicitous-speak before from the others," says the rock-man near the back of the party, the one that stepped forward. 

"They do not travel in common purpose with all their kind," replies the first one. "Their business does not concern us. Only their behavior."

"But they lie to us, as they often do. To them the galeb duhr are only weapons. They believe themselves more important, and us to be expendable. They would discard us, or see us destroyed, for their use."

"You see that more are arriving already," says the first. "As they have been in recent days."

"The Emerald Claw, this one names. We have nothing but their word to disassociate them from those men."

"They wear no uniform."

"But see, several are clad in metal, like the men we have already seen. They burn the earth to make their arms. They are all the same. They use their own dead as weapons. See, they have made a warrior of stone and metal." The rock-man points a blunted arm in Adamant's direction. They would use the same."

The galeb duhr fall quiet again for a long pause. Then the first speaks again, addressing Belarin, switching back to the Giant dialect (which Melethos, Belarin, Shorak, Sem, and possibly Starg can understand): "I ask again: What knowledge do you give? It is you who made this offer."

Not understanding most of this, Kal, Streko, and certainly Thul are highly aware of the tiefling griffon rider watching from his distance. Almost intently. Surely he cannot hear this parley?

---

* Belarin's Insight check: 1
Melethos's Insight check: 3

[Darren]

Kal sees the rock man gesture at Adamant. To Sem, he says quietly, "Do you think they want him? We could probably trade...." Kal grins.

[Ken]

Jul 12, 2021 13:17:30 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The galeb duhr fall quiet again for a long pause. Then the first speaks again, addressing Belarin, switching back to the Giant dialect (which Melethos, Belarin, Shorak, Sem, and possibly Starg can understand): "I ask again: What knowledge do you give? It is you who made this offer."

"The knowledge I will provide is information about each of the groups that you're concerned about: the Khorvairian Houses, the Rierdans, the Claw, the necromancer known as Demise... they're all coming this way, and what you DON'T know about them could get you killed. Give me some time to sit down with you and explain, both for your safety and the safety of the land.

"For example, this," he steps back to put his hand on Adamant's much-higher shoulder, "is Adamant. Yes, he was created to fight. But he has chosen a different path. He is a champion of the defenseless, and he is the kindest being I have ever met." He pauses. "I can tell you about his kind as well. Please do not let misconceptions about the lands beyond send you down a dangerous path."

[Dave W.]

Adamant looks curiously at Belarin when the human touches him. He hears Belarin speaking the same melodic language. He doesn't understand any of it.

"Am I causing a problem?" He asks the warlock.

[Jeff]

Actually, Dave:

Everything Belarin says can be understood by all listening. Even when he speaks in foreign language, each of you hears the words in the Common tongue (or Drow-Giant, in the case of Shorak, his native language). When you listen carefully, you can almost hear a second layer beneath Belarin's words, like an echo of the other language he is being heard in. It's a curious magic, the Tongues spell. The person the spell has been cast on can be understood by all no matter what they're saying. But of course most of you do not know what the galeb duhr are saying.

The third galebe duhr, the one on the southern edge of the cave that has not yet spoken, says in Terran: "I would like to listen."

The first one makes a Hmmmm sort of sound, long and thoughtful, then says, in Giant: "We will listen to what you tell us. We will stay our alarm, and perhaps share with you in turn. If your knowledge is benevolent, we will allow you pass."

The second says, in Terran: "Beware. They will speak lies with truth."

Sem says, "Belarin, it sounds like you want to take some time. We might be able to spare it, but..." He jerks a surreptitious thumb toward the griffon and its rider. "The tieflings will be here in minutes now. This may become more complicated."

[Ken]

"I know, Sem," says Belarin, who isn't sure if he's now speaking Gnomish. "But I'd rather have kind-of-sort-of allies in front of and behind us, rather than enemies on both ends."

To the galeb duhr, he says, "I am glad! Shall we discuss here or in the cave?"

[Dave B.]

Jul 12, 2021 10:58:51 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Adamant moves a little closer to Shorak and to get a bit of a better view inside the cave. "I really have neglected the study of languages. Theirs is so musical. Is it giantish?" Adamant asks the changeling.

---

move 1SE to stand right next to Shorak

Shorak looks up at Adamant. "Yes, they are speaking a form of giantish. It is a dialect I'm not familiar with, but I still comprehend it."

When the galeb duhr switch to the other language they spoke initially, Shorak whispers to Adamant. "Now that language, I do not understand. But, I agree with you. There is a nice musical quality to the way they speak." Shorak smiles cautiously. "I do hope we can pass them peacefully."

[Darren]

As Belarin goes to enter the cave, Kal places a hand on his elbow. "How much time do you need? Do we need to delay our friends on the beach?"

[Brian]

Melethos hesitates only for a moment. "This isn't something Belarin can rush. He needs time to work with the galeb duhr. I might be able to buy us that time. Let me go back to the beach. Ajdalarr might be there. She'll talk with me. We might be able to work out an arrangement, even if it's temporary. Otherwise we could be fighting a battle on two fronts."

His eyes cut to Kal. These are my people. Let me do this.

[Jeff]

The first galeb duhr walks ponderously into the cave mouth, then turns and . . . sits? The big stumpy legs seem to disappear and it doesn't lower itself so much but it resembles more a boulder just sitting in the dirt. The other moves closer to it. Only the skeptical further one, which still stands near the rear of your party, remains where it is.

"Sit and speak, then," says the first in Giant, addressing Belarin. From the position of the two galeb duhr, it seems apparent they are still barring easy entrance to the cave. "Here is fine. You know the language of the giants by magical art or by study?"

The griffon turns toward the water and leaps off the rock, dropping only a couple of feet before its mighty wings snap and it glides over the water toward the tiefling longship.

Standing near Belarin still, Melethos and Shorak still see the many bones in the soil here. If they came from people slain by galeb duhr, they would expect the bones to be more splintered than they are.

Belarin knows he still has just under an hour with Streko's spell of Tongues in effect, but it's clear to all that the longship's approach is 10 minutes away or less.

[Jeff]

Jul 12, 2021 21:38:11 GMT -4 Brian said:

Melethos hesitates only for a moment. "This isn't something Belarin can rush. He needs time to work with the galeb duhr. I might be able to buy us that time. Let me go back to the beach. Ajdalarr might be there. She'll talk with me. We might be able to work out an arrangement, even if it's temporary. Otherwise we could be fighting a battle on two fronts."

Sem snaps his fingers. "You know what? That's right. We did know about these tieflings. And not just from Last Chance. Sanne mentioned them. And not just them: there are knights of the Emerald Claw behind us, remember? At least one ship. Lady d'Vadalis told us so..."

Sem hastily recalls her words for you from days ago. He speaks in Common rapidly, as if making sure the galeb duhr don't know what he's saying, in case it matters.

Sept 10, 2020 8:31:13 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"The Order, as we've said, travels first by air along the western coast—hardly a threat to any of us until we're closer to our destination. How they avoid the implicit hazards of sky travel in this land we do not know. But another arm of the Emerald Claw, we believe, lies behind us now, having taken the Shortcut as well: led by the White Raven, an archaeologist with more than a few ties to the Order. We passed them two days ago. And still another party lies on this same course: the Blackwheel Company, spread across three ships.

"Finally, there is a vessel I know less about not far behind, crewed by tieflings." She eyes Melethos. "They may have nothing to do with the search for the Eye, for all we know, and have showed no signs of aggression." She shrugs. "Are any of these parties familiar to you?"

[Dave W.]

Adamant will still worry that he's creating a problem since Belarin singled him out. But he does apparently understand that Belarin was complementing him.

---

When Melethos suggests going down to meet the tieflings, Adamant offers, "Do you want me to come with you? I understand they are your people, I just hesitate to have you go alone."

"I promise to be quiet and hardly noticeable..."

[Ken]

Jul 12, 2021 21:48:58 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"Sit and speak, then," says the first in Giant, addressing Belarin. From the position of the two galeb duhr, it seems apparent they are still barring easy entrance to the cave. "Here is fine. You know the language of the giants by magical art or by study?"

"Magical, unfortunately," says Belarin, who sits. "I know several languages - I read a lot - but not the tongue of the giants. So here's what I can tell you...."

Belarin proceeds to discuss - in general terms - the end of the War and the current state of the Houses, at least as far as he know. He goes into a little more detail about the creation of the warforged and how individuals like Adamant have forged a path away from unending conflict. He mentions that his group and others are searching for a relic called the Eye of Azalar. Some of the other groups believe they will gain power from it, while Belarin's group has decided it will be best for everyone if no one possesses the Eye. (Belarin doesn't agree with this approach, but it is the decision of the group, so he doesn't lie.)

Among the groups that would hope to use the Eye to gain power over others are: the Order of the Emerald Claw, led by Major Krez; the Rierdans from Sarlona, who possess mental powers; a formidable necromancer named Demise, who wears a mask that seems to contain her essence, enabling her to transfer from one body to another; and Demise's patron, the Coin Lord Wylkes from Stormreach. He also mentions some of the other competing groups, including the tieflings whom he knows are about to disembark. As Belarin speaks, he illuminates his thoughts with illusion spells, showing the faces of each figure he describes. For Krez and Wylkes, he even adds their voices.

The warlock doesn't try to convince the galeb duhr that one group is better or worse than another, with the exception of the Emerald Claw, for whom Belarin has a particular loathing. He gives them suggestions on how to handle encounters with each of the groups, although he strongly advises them to avoid Demise if they see the masked wizard. She's exceptionally powerful.

____________________________

Jeff: I'll write all of this out in detail if you'd like. In essence, Belarin wants to give the galeb duhr the type of knowledge that they might get from an Intelligence DC 10 roll on each of the groups, and perhaps more of a DC 15 roll for both the Emerald Claw and the birth of the warforged. I understand that the tieflings will be on shore well before Belarin finishes his lecture. He will liberally use minor illusion and his acting ability to highlight his descriptions. The whole thing could take at least 20 minutes.

[Darren]

Kal looks back and forth between the cave and the beach and nods. He points a finger towards Belarin. Melethos and I will try to delay the tieflings. We don't have much time. Signal us as soon as we can proceed, the warlock hears whispered in his ear.

Kal begins to move towards the back of the line. "Wait here with Belarin," he says as he passes Adamant. "Guard them. Melethos and I will be right back." He nods at Melethos as he keeps moving. "Thul, keep an eye on the rear of the group. Try not to make any enemies, but make sure to kill any enemies that try to kill us first."

As he moves towards the beach, he says to Melethos, "Let's go. I'll keep an eye on you." As he speaks, he pulls up the hood of his cloak and moves to blend in with the jungle, staying always within eyesight and earshot of his tiefling friend.

___________________
Kal will use Message to communicate with Belarin.

Kal will follow Melethos' lead down to the beach. He is using his Cloak of Elvenkind and attempting to move stealthily so he can stay hidden from the tieflings.

[Jeff]

Brian: Is Melethos okay with Kal's suggestion? For him hiding, etc.

Darren: Looking at the map, like this one here from a page or so ago, tell me very specifically where Kal wants to position himself (and to be safe, give me a secondary spot, too, in case he can't get to it). Remember that up until the point that he stops moving and attempt so hide, he is still visible for anyone actively looking in his direction (though the camouflage of the Cloak still applies in any rolls made). Also recall that there is a big lizard on the beach, though I didn't put it in my last map update since up by the cave mouth, you can't see it; the beach cave rock overhangs and blocks sight to the entirely of the beach.

[Brian]

Jul 13, 2021 11:48:40 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal begins to move towards the back of the line. "Wait here with Belarin," he says as he passes Adamant. "Guard them. Melethos and I will be right back." He nods at Melethos as he keeps moving. "Thul, keep an eye on the rear of the group. Try not to make any enemies, but make sure to kill any enemies that try to kill us first."

As he moves towards the beach, he says to Melethos, "Let's go. I'll keep an eye on you." As he speaks, he pulls up the hood of his cloak and moves to blend in with the jungle, staying always within eyesight and earshot of his tiefling friend.

___________________
Kal will use Message to communicate with Belarin.

Kal will follow Melethos' lead down to the beach. He is using his Cloak of Elvenkind and attempting to move stealthily so he can stay hidden from the tieflings.

Melethos shakes his head. "No, Kal. The griffon rider has already seen us. He or she might easily determine one of our party is missing and make an educated guess. I don't want to approach them already guilty of deception. Come with me if you wish, but do not hide." His golden eyes narrow. "Are we in agreement?"

[Darren]

Kal shrugs and follows Melethos.

[Brian]

When Kal indicates his agreement, Melethos makes his way back down to the beach with Kal at his side. He is careful to stay several feet from the galeb duhr standing near the party's rear. And at the beach (provided they make it that far), he leads Kal almost to the water's edge. He doesn't want to rile the lizard again.

There, he looks out at the tiefling ship, seeing if he can recognize anyone.

[Jeff]

Belarin sits down on the ground, and is forced to push aside some of the bones nestled in the soil. He tries not to think about how recent they may be or what made these people victims. Histra stands just behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder to remind him there. Even without looking at her, he can sense (and Shorak can see) that the necromancer is studying the mortal remains scattered about like a hunter might study the spore of its prey. Sem comes close, too, to listen and perhaps assist if he can.

Minutes go by as Belarin begins his outpouring of information. The gabel duhr show little expression, but their silence is easy to interpret as satisfaction. They listen without interrupting for the most part.

Meanwhile, Melethos and Kal walk back toward the beach. Tangat naturally follows his master, not even "asking." When human and tiefling start down the gradual rocky incline that leads back to the beach, they see that the lizard has disappeared back into its cave now. But Melethos can actually still see it. Its head is only ten feet inside the cave. This seems to be a busy morning on the beast's doorstep, and it is clearly wary. What prompts it to come out, he's not sure.

The longship is now close. It ventures closer than the Dragonfly did. Perhaps two hundred feet away from the beach when it comes to a full stop. A cluster of figures stands at its head, on a platform that serves as the ship's forecastle. Kal and Melethos can see at least two of the hulking bugbears standing there like guards. Melethos squints, wishing he had a spyglass like Captain Brack's to see better.

But then he sees her: A female with black hair, curling horns much smaller than those of some of her male comrades, in black and brown leather armor, looking much as she did when he first saw her on a stone shelf, surveying the crowds in the docks of Stormreach. She who Rinti and the street kids of of the Harbor called Fire Eyes. Ajdalaar. She seems to spot him in turn, and holds one hand up, palm out and fingers open, as if in greeting. He can recognize no other faces among them, not from here. Even Ajdalaar he only knows by her overall appearance and clothing.

The griffon has by this time circled low around the longship. Kal and Melethos see them readying their own rowboat.

Tangat stares into the beach cave, hackles raised and tense.

After Belarin gives his summary of the dragonmarked houses, the spokesman galeb duhr does interrupt gently. "I am grieved that your kinds have divided themselves so much. We would find it easier to exchange wisdom with them were they not so." Belarin and Shorak get the impression from the rock-men that the different fleshy races, humans, elves, dwarves, and such, might seem only as different from one another to the galeb duhr as the galeb duhr might be from different rock shades of their own.

"We have seen these war-forged before, though not many."

Ken: Good stuff, very helpful. No need to go into greater detail. Belarin is saying (apparently truthfully) as much as he can within the time he has. Just let me know if there's anything in all that that he's for sure omitting.

[Darren]

Without turning, Kal can feel the tension from Tangat. The hairs on the back of his neck rise with the fur on his friend's back. "Watch that lizard closely, my friend. I don't want to be surprised like we were outside the Green Blades' camp..." Kal laughs at the small woof of disgust Tangat gives, the two of them sharing a private memory of their adventures together.

[Ken]

Jeff, thanks. The only thing that Belarin is more or less omitting is that Wylkes and Krez really, REALLY dislikes them. He doesn't want his hosts to feel that he's asking them to take sides. He doesn't mention Lamara - she's a "helper" to one of the other groups, not a force on her own for the galeb duhr to worry about too much.

[Jeff]

"This collection of humans, this order," the galeb duhr says, "the Emerald Claw. This is a name we have heard before, and perhaps have met before, but not for many cycles. There was nothing of true emeralds in their bearing, whatever their purpose." The rock-man pauses and makes a grumbling, dissatisfied sound. Representatives of these twelve houses you have named, they have come and climbed the Stairs already. They, too, spoke with us peaceably, and I did not need to trigger the alarm, and we warned them of the dangers."

"The Twelve," Sem says, chiming in as if pointing out that he, too, can speak Giant.

The galeb duhr allow Belarin to continue.

[Brian]

Melethos returns the female tiefling's gesture. "Ajdalaar," he says to Kal, his voice soft. "Also known as Fire Eyes. You met her back at Stormreach. The battle with the yugoloth. She and her crew fought for us and lost one tiefling warrior and two bugbear guards. We parted on barely cordial terms. They follow some leader named Orvak." He lowers his hand. "They aren't to be completely trusted."

Then he stands, fists on his hips, and waits for the crew to make their way to shore.

[Darren]

"My dear, Melethos," Kal says, "at this point I don't trust anyone who isn't us."

[Jeff]

There is shuffling about, then the rowboat comes out from the large longship. Ajdallar, three tieflings, and one bugbear come rowing toward the shore. They are too few in number to look like any kind of war party, and so it strikes both Kal and Melethos that they are a diplomatic team. The bugbear is probably just for muscle and for rowing. The griffon and rider rise up and soars overhead, surveying the cliff itself while the the smaller boat goes to shore.

Tangat keeps his senses on the beach cave.

Just about the time that Belarin finishes talking about dragonmarked houses and starts to emphasize the danger posed by Demise, Ajdallar and her comrades draw near. Now you can see faces clearly. Ajdalarr calls out to him in the Supernal tongue, which Melethos knows those who even recognize would deem Infernal. "Greetings, Condign, son of Fah'lrrg!" Then she switches to Common, to include the human beside him. "I pray your company is well, and that our truce holds?" Both men think her tone sounds hopeful. "It feels like three voyages since last we met."

The other tieflings are scrutinizing the land, taking in every detail they can quickly.

Seeing the proximity of the newcomers, Thul clears his throat as if to get others' attention about it. He then spits on the ground. "The Redmen are here. Be ready to fight and die, if that's what comes."

Kal and Melethos eye the passengers of the landing party. Ajdallar is still armed for battle and exploration, clad in leather and armed with short swords and a longbow. Her skin is a lighter shade of red than Melethos's or the other men behind her, or her other red-orange eyes are bright. Two of her brethren are more heavily armed with blades and scale mail, while the third is garbed in cloth—like a spellcaster? He wears pouches and a satchell. The bugbear is well equipped, a great morning star on his back.

Just then, the griffon rider swoops down and lights upon the rocks just above the beach cave, closer this time. There is no mistaking it this time—Melethos recognizes Khazamus. This time the warrior wears no fur cloak, so his plate mail armor is more apparent. Javelins are mounted to the griffon's saddle, a spear-like weapon is affixed to his back, and he still holds a bow in hand. No arrows at the ready. He looks formidable, and Melethos can even recall that brief moment of magical fear he felt when the other tiefling flew past him in the clouds overt Stormreach. His face is inscrutable. 

Belarin can't help but pause in his summary of civilization—the winged form of the griffon, closer now, is distracting. It's just over a hundred feet up the slope from him. The galeb duhr don't react at all, as though they sense no tension between the two groups.

Attachments:

[Dave B.]

Shorak squats down behind and to the left of Belarin, to listen in on the conversation. He is happy that the galeb duhr are continuing to speak in giant, so that he can follow both sides of the dialogue. He feels some sort of connection with these beings, but he doesn't know why. It could be the similarities in guarding a place in the wilds as his tribe used to. He puts one hand in a pocket, feeling the purple gem he obtained from the dragon's chest. He nods to himself, making a decision to offer the gem to the galeb duhr as a token of friendship when it seems appropriate.

[Joe]

Streko remains rooted in place. He does not follow Melethos, Kalarian, and Tangat down to meet the Tieflings, as he wasn't asked, and he doesn't participate in the negotiations with the rock creatures, because he can't understand them. He does hear Belarin's side of the conversation, but is unsure as to how he should proceed. Therefore, he keeps his eyes on the griffon rider. At one point, he raises his hand in the universal gesture of greeting, then puts it down again. "Hopefully he doesn't think I was trying to cast a spell. That would be one way to ruin my day." He shrugs and remains on guard.