DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3V - Into the Unknown / Out of the Darkness

Zindra
She retreats back to the group.

"I found no other traps but the cave bends around. It may pay for a second set of eyes to take a look. And then we should discuss strategy."

She looks at the troll and says in giant, "Did you enjoy the water? Amongst my people sharing water is a sign of friendship," she exaggerated. "Is Galdrmaðr another giant? Should I expect Galdrmaðr to be friend or foe?"

DM

The troll is still cautious, but sharing information has proved beneficial. He'd still rather be somewhere other than here.

"Galdrmaðr troll like me," he says simply. "Galdrmaðr help trolls fight giants and not die."

There's a pause as the troll thinks.

He thinks slowly.

He sees the party has cleared the fire but is still cautious.

"I show you Galdrmaðr and you help? We no hurt you."

(The troll completely misses any social cues about friendship. While he knows some Jotun words, 'friend' just ain't one of 'em.)

DM

Seeing no immediate objection to his offer, the troll decides to gamble. One step closer to freedom, and all.

Given his regenerative abilities, it only took about 90 seconds to recover his full health, and the fire walls took a total of two minutes. He just might be able to sustain some damage in an attempt to flee again if it comes to that. But for now, he's still hoping helping the giant-killers is in his benefit.

He raises his arms again, and starts to slowly walk toward the opening to the passage behind which Galdrmaðr resides. "I show you Galdrmaðr," he says. "I no hurt you. You no hurt me, you no hurt Galdrmaðr. We talk."

He has no concept of a parley but in his crude Jotun speak it's pretty clear he wants to set one up.

Step by large step, he moves closer to the dark tunnel with the rune markings... unless redirected elsewhere.

Jaliera

"We'll cover the rear" she offers, referring to herself and Whisper. With Whisper's eyes they can watch in the dark and Jaliera has her bow and spells if needed. She waits for the others to follow the troll.

Davroar

He will keep the remaining bats around just in case, as he will follow from a distance into the dark passage.

<Bern>

Since Dav was planning to 'bring up the rear', he moves up behind Jaliera putting his bow away and pulling his sword.

Zindra
She was the one that could talk to the trolls so she took the lead, bravely, walking near the troll. As she walked to it's side and behind it, she signaled for the others to cover her. Her sword was at the ready as she followed into the darkness.

DM

The troll heads past the runes without concern, believing that they have been effectively disabled... possibly because he's seen this done before.

No fire appears, and the troll reaches the end of the passage, turning the corner where the passage expands into a slightly larger, dimly lit room; the light coming from what appears to be a small mound of magma.

One the party has seen before.

The troll begins speaking as the party catches up behind him, the language 'trollspeak' of which maybe only one out of every ten words sounds even remotely familiar to those who speak the Giant language. Certainly not enough to piece together what's being said.

But those following -- Zindra first -- can turn the corner and see who's being spoken to.

The other creature -- apparently Galdrmaðr -- is hulking figure similar to, but quite different from a typical troll. This troll is slightly more slender but no less imposing, draped in tattered animal skins and adorned with bones and feathers. Its skin is a sickly green, marred with intricate scars and markings that seem to glow faintly in the dim light.

A staff carved from twisted wood and topped with a skull has been placed behind the mound of magma.

The troll's eyes seem to display an unsettling intelligence, a stark contrast to the dull, hungry gaze of the other troll.

Galdrmaðr is bound in searing chains that seem to glow with an inner fire. The chains are anchored to the ground, leaving the troll with limited movement. Around its neck, a collar of molten metal pulses with a dull red heat, runes glowing faintly. Wrists and ankles are scarred with burns where the shackles sear its flesh. As the troll shifts, the brands on its body flare with heat, causing it to wince in pain.

Despite the restraints, and the obvious pain, the troll’s eyes burn with a fierce determination as it spots the party. He speaks Jotun, a bit more eloquently than the other troll. "I am told you have defeated my captor and have spared the life of my kin. I thank you."

Zindra

With the others nearby she says out loud to her companions, "There's another troll here. He's bound and secure. It's safe to enter. He thanks us for getting rid of the giant who he says was his captor."

"You are welcome sir. My friends will likely find a way to remove these restraints that bind you. Do you speak common? Most of them do not speak Jotun."

(OOC - I don't know why but I've had the impression that it was a female.)

OOC: that would be Galdrkona.

Galdrmaðr

The chained troll nods succinctly to the explanation about others coming to help, eyes showing appreciation even if he doesn't verbalize the thanks again.

To the question of language, he replies, in common, "I speak a little of common."

Troll

The troll who the giant did not feel the need to bind in magical chains thinks his duty is done.

"I go wait outside?" he asks, still trying to get away from this cave. The room isn't overly large and two trolls somewhat complicate the ability for others to join.

Pavel

He stays near the door straining to listen in. A casual glance in from the doorway to see the restraints. Seeing their nature he realizes that they are magical of some kind but he is unsure of the make.

Zhu

Looking at the Trolls and the magical bindings she turns to the other magically inclined party members. "Can any of you Dispel the magic on the bindings?"

Aubric

“I can try,” the cleric responds. “It depends on how powerful that giant’s magic was. But I should point out that the giant likely considered this creature’s own magic powerful enough to suppress. So let’s be cautious.”

Pavel

"I couldn't even begin to try. That spell is still beyond my understanding. " He admits.

[OOC: 3rd level magic user... 3rd level spell... ]

<Bern>

He continues to stay aware looking around for new threats as he follows behind Jaliera

Kriv

Lacking the language and any of the cancelling Arts, the Dragonborn's contribution was likely to only be needed if something went catastrophically wrong. The creature had some common, but too many voices in different foreign tongues would be more of a hindrance.

Sindar

"Given time I can possibly dispell them, though I imagine that their magics are powerful given what we faced."

Zhu

She ponders, musing, "Well, if he is willing, we could always cut them off and let him regenerate?"

Aubric

"Do we know what might happen to us if we attempt to manipulate them?" the cleric asks Zhu. "We might accidentally kill him if it's anything like those fire glyphs," he adds, gesturing toward the passageway.

"Let's not guess if we don't have to. I'd suggest as a first step, we ask him about them. I know that for me, remaining in contact with a magical item helps me learn its properties, and if this creature has magical training -- which the conversation implies -- he's likely well aware of at least some of them."

Zhu

"Fair enough." She responds.