ROA: Part 1, The Lone Tower

[ArcticFox]

Guy nods, grateful. "Thank you. Will you excuse us for a moment to confer?"

He draws closer to the rest of the party, and lowers his voice. "If he can get us to our destination quicker, it would be of great benefit... But he speaks of a way under the mountains. We will likely be totally reliant upon him once we enter. Are we willing to risk it?"

[ccgr]

He doesn't seem to have any ill will against us since we're not the ones responsible for the other's deaths. I say let's do it.

[Truthseeker]

Brokan observes how the sunlight filters from the leaves and joins the party conference.

"My druidic mentor assigned me to your group as a guide to the woods, to make sure you don't get lost, to tell you about the giant spiders, and to deliver druidic wine antidote if necessary. While taking a shortcut under the mountain might save us time, if we take that course then it will be more difficult for me to serve my function. I made an oath to keep you safe. I know I can keep that promise if we stay above ground. Underground I am just another arm with a sword attached. I will dutifully follow whatever path the group takes. The time of day is eleven quarter-hours past midday. Once night falls, the spiders hunt."

[ironwizard]

"If there be a path under the mountain that is truly faster than going around, it probably be a road of some sort, so we won't get lost. Also, I be a Dwarf, tunnels and caverns be me home. We should have no trouble under the mountain."

"Also, ye speak of Druidic wine. Me 'ead still be pounding from last night. I had four, no, five tankards of the brew. Do ye know of a cure?"

[Truthseeker]

"Five tankards. I'm stunned you survived that." Brokan takes a wine skin off of his belt and hands it to Kagor. "Drink one quarter of what's left in there and tell me how you feel. I am told it will cure those who have abused the druidic wine. I cannot attest from personal knowledge. I never touch the wine myself. Conserve the potion, please. Depending on how many of you are afflicted, there may not be enough to go around."

[ironwizard]

"Ah, me thanks lad," he says before taking a swig. "Ne'er before have I met a brew that I couldn't handle, but... Even a hearty Dwarven brew is no match for this Dwarf. Must be sorceries to cause such a hangover." Kagor finishes his quarter.

@fathom

Spoiler:

Did it work?

[ArchAngel]

Kratimos overhears Brokan.
"Druidic wine antidote? There's an antidote?" Kratimos overheard Brokan, "If you don't mind passing that this way when you're finished, Kagor."
Kratimos returned his attention to the conversation at hand.

"I say we go our own way. The less people we trust, the better."

[Deepfreeze32]

I'm with Kratimos, Minather says almost absent-mindedly. He seems to be elsewhere, looking up at the sky with an air of concern.

[ironwizard]

"Ye too I see? Here ye go lad." I hand it over.

"Yer a distrustful sort I see. Though perhaps we can reach a compromise."

"Ingruhn, ye spoke of a path under the mountains. Is it an easy road to follow? We'd prefer to not impose further on ye in yer time of mourning. Could ye simply point us the way?"

[ArchAngel]

"Much obliged," Kratimos takes a swing. Not much, just as per the druid's instructions. He makes a slightly surprised face and smacks his lips. "Hmmm, didn't expect it to taste like that."
"Thank you," Kratimos hands back the antidote to Brokan and addresses the dwarf, "Kagor, it pays to be wary and minimize any... entangling alliances. If the party wishes, and if the shortcut is fast enough, I can be convinced of it's merit."

[fathom123]

Kagor and Kratimos

Spoiler:

Your wisdom is restored to normal and the effects wear off. Take caution in the future drinking things that look tasty.

Ingruhn looks at the group.
"Aye, the path is a direct root to the otherside of this mountain. It may not take you the full way, but it'll shave off yer trip considerably. I owe ye any how on account of avenging my kin, you have my thanks and my debt." He places his right hand on his heart and bows his head in a slight manner.

((Consider the help a gift for that act of Diplomacy from Guy))

[ArchAngel]

"Avenging was our pleasure. I change my mind, let's take the shortcut. It might be fun."

[ArcticFox]

Guy nods, as the consensus seems to shift toward the underground route.

"Ingruhn, we would be most grateful for the directions you can provide. Many lives will be saved by reaching our objective faster, and that is the most important factor."

Turning to Brokan, Guy says "I know the underground is not your element, and I'm sorry. He says the journey won't get us the whole way there, so no doubt your services will come into play soon enough."

[ironwizard]

"Ah, much better! Me 'ead's stopped pounding! Me thanks again."

"Also me thanks to ye Ingruhn, yer kindness will definitely help. I believe it is time we take our leave of ye though, and so may the Forge Father's hammer protect ye in yer travels."

"As fer the road Brokan, I've got a feeling in me bones that this will turn into a long journey. Suren it'll be that ye will get the chance to use yer skills."

[ArchAngel]

"Don't worry about it, Brokan" Kratimos reassured the druid. "I'm sure there would be plenty of undead to get angry at and kill. You'll like it.
Now, Ingruhn, how much time do you need before we can head over?