Crasmar turns around to face Sypher. "I wasn't aware anyone had come in behind me.. Look after Sigurd for me. He's my only son, and my only child. I might not fully buy in to the notion of the bones and what my people think, but I respect their traditions and beliefs. Sometimes that means taking my lumps and making the hard choices. The ones that violate my conscience. And.. thank you. It's been quite some time since Khalie left this world. The sting still feels fresh, every day though".

Beloc nods toward Gazra, as if tipping his hat if he wore one. "Truer words have never been spoken. To waste the life you have seems far worse than not having lived in the first place. Motives, however, are one thing. Actions are another. At the end of the day, they are what define us." He says, addressing Oro.

"That kind of thought is why I've always been fond of the elves. Plenty of years to figure out one's place in the world and how to navigate the waters. But now then, on to the task at hand. Might I see this "Badger" I've heard mention of? If its anything like the experimental prototypes they had from years ago, I'm sure it will be a technological marvel".

Sigurd, overhearing the conversation, chimes in. "Yes, I too would like to see this. The men tried to describe the thing to me, but our people lack the verbiage for anything beyond metal and big" he says with a smile.

Sypher pads softly over to Crasmar, silent as a cat.  He places a hand on the man's shoulders.  "My God taught me not to swear oaths for I cannot know the future.  So I will make no promises, Crasmar.  You know the times.  What I can do is give you my word that I will do all that is within my power to see your son and our people home safely."

He pauses to take a deep breath and let it out.  "Know this, though, I cannot take away their choice to sacrifice should they do so on behalf of Fildegarne.  To do so, I believe, would dishonor them according to the beliefs of your people and my own.  Iehovah says, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'  His Son proved that by dying for everyone to save them from a destiny far worse than mortal death."

He pats the big man's shoulder again and lets his hand drop while taking a step back.

Shiaran will spend her time after breakfast gathering what supplies and spell components she can.  Once she has what she needs, she seeks out Darius Grintome.  "Let's talk about the spell...Identify."

{Her list includes the following:

snakes tongues, up to 10 or more if she can get them
a carvable soft marble or other stone that she can section, carve, and recombine into a clockwork style device (see link)

https://images-na.ssl-images-a...GrCE1PL._SL1500_.jpg}
This message was last edited by the player at 01:58, Wed 07 Feb 2018.

At the mention of interest in the Badger, R.E.B.O.R.T. begins to stir. His minion was still hard at work and he needed to check in on progress. "I must attend to something at the Badger. You may follow me if that is your interest."

Crasmar thanks Sypher, and then politely excuses himself to his private quarters. Despite being a hulking mountain of a man, even he appears to have a soft spot or two that's been rubbed raw.

Back down near the gates, everyone is gathering for their departure. The Badger is loaded for bear at this point, with Oro, Gazra, Irja, and Sigurd taking up the reigns of a pony rather than crowding the Badger. Krem too elects to riding, having turned his donkey loose back at Midway. The little goblin seems to naturally take to being in a saddle. Even more so, his demeanor doesn't give his mount any pause or panic. The final pony is given a light load of excess gear and packs, without overburdening the beast.

Kallium still remains unseen, and probably for the best. While the Crone wouldn't bat an eye at him, people like Toki or Luutvig would likely turn pale.

Darius chats with Shiaran. "Absolutely. I can teach it to you if that's what your angle is".

The Crone shows up to see everyone off, and Toki and Luutvig are there to guide the group to the service entrance of the Dwarven tunnels just outside of town. The tiny ice elemental that Rebort managed to pick up back at Midway is a nonstop ball of chatter, rambling in it's guttural sounding language and pacing back and forth, tossing its little hands in the air as if its having a mock argument with itself. Its overall tone sounds absolutely annoyed.

While certainly not the time to learn a new spell, Shiaran decides instead to see if she can pick up on the elemental's ranting and try to communicate with it {Learn Skill: Language - Elemental?}.  The removal from leadership and the public scolding still gaped as a wound to the vitals and she did not feel like talking to Sypher, Beloc, or any of the barbarians save Irja if she is of a mind to communicate.

Sypher says his thanks and goodbyes efficiently, ending with the Crone.  Once the formalities are taken care of, he turns to the group.  "Load up.  Let's get moving.  Shiaran, you're driving.  Beloc, up top.  Darius, shotgun.  I'm going to ride in back for a bit.  Rebort, wherever you feel most comfortable or effective."  His orders are swift, sure, and without any harshness.  It's a matter of fact tone that comes from experienced leadership or perhaps supreme confidence.

Before leaving, R.E.B.O.R.T. inquires with the Old Crone as to whether or not she or Darius understand the language it's speaking. "My primary function was not meant to be a translator. I was taught to speak in the tongue most common to magic, not elementals. Are either of you able to decipher what it is saying?"

Beloc hops up in the gunners turret while R.E.B.O.R.T. hangs in the back of the vehicle working with D'Won on what is shaping up to be a tiny feathered reptilian looking creature.

The Crone mumbles a few words to herself, then licks her thumb and smears it across Rebort's forehead. "Vhy don't you see for yourself. He doesn't seem to be very happy vith you" she says teasingly.

The Crone casts [Comprehend languages - 2 hour duration] on Rebort

R.E.B.O.R.T. looks over at the ice golem. "No. It would seem not." Addressing the creature once the spell is cast, he tries to speak with it. "You may proceed. What is the matter?"

The tiny elemental stops dead in its tracks, and locks an icy gaze on Rebort.

"Cruuth'thrak byeg gwon thri Chec'qun ji! Ny'et grick vas voost, Chec'qun blyat goer vhet Chec'qun vhwashenn'ick'a, rho kcha!".

R.E.B.O.R.T. sits down at the workbench and lowers his gaze to the little golems.“Chec’qun? I apologize. I know what it means to be without purpose. What was your primary function?”
This message was last edited by the player at 14:10, Wed 07 Feb 2018.

"Chec'qun gruu'tog na wahg dur veelo tak. Chec'qun hrisk geenwa. Chec'qun geenwa cho. Nir Chec'qun buuten'ta. Nir Chec'qun ja rah. Poorg vhwashenn'ick'a twon!".

"I understand." R.E.B.O.R.T. glances over the group for a moment, then continues "This can be corrected. All we need is some simple metal construction, which between D'Won and myself, should be trivial. You and I both have seen what a voracious eater Shiaran can be, I think your expertise would be greatly appreciated."

He starts rummaging through the materials collected thus far. "Are there any specifications you desire?"

If he doesn't manage to find sufficient materials, he'll ask the Fyreworms if they have any scrap metal that will do the job.

"Hey, I heard that!"  Shiaran looks at Rebort with mock anger, then grins.

R.E.B.O.R.T. looks at Shiaran quizzically. "Was your hearing in question?"

He gestures toward Chec'qun, "This is Chec'qun, from the elemental Plane of Ice. He specializes in food preservation, which is why he is so angry with me. It appears our rescue also robbed him of his primary function."

R.E.B.O.R.T. stands a couple 1' x 1' cast iron plates on their ends, forming what looks to be the making of a large metal cube. "We could use these metal plates to create a box where, those who consume food, can store perishables." He pulls the metal metallic tube found alongside Chec'qun from one of his compartments. "Once we mount this inside, it would then serve as a cooling unit and extend the life of any consumable placed inside."

Beloc raises his eyebrow. "An elemental box of ice? I think I'll stick to my Goodberries."

With preparations complete and the mechanical portions of the party hard at work to appease their other worldly compatriot in the back of the Badger, the diesel engines spark to life yet again.

A small procession, like an honor guard, is lead by Toki and Luutvig out of the gates and along the edges of the city's walls until the curved structure dead-ends at the rocky face of the mountain. Luutvig walks another 50 foot away from the wall along the edge of the massive and rocky base.

Luutvig fishes in his pocket for a small talisman, and closely inspecting the rock work, finds what he's looking for. He presses the talisman into a hidden recess, and then quickly steps away from where he stands. Two massive stone doors start to slowly swing open of their own power. They blend in seamlessly with the rock around them and are most definitely not of human or elf craftsmanship.

Once fully open, a squared entryway nearly twenty feet by twenty feet gapes before the procession.

Luutvig walks up to the driver's side of the Badger, and winks at Shiaran through the gun port on the door. "Dis road vill take you straight to Fortress Durm Dural, de last dwarven hold of Fildegarne. Travel safe, my new friends. I vish I could be vith you".
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Sat 10 Feb 2018.

Being next to the window the barbarian is talking into, Shiaran takes the initiative to respond.  "Thanks, Luutvig.  You will do enough fighting here, I imagine.  They will need your bravery and prowess as much as we would.  Keep your people safe.  We will fight together another day."  She gives him her best smile. {19 Diplomacy}

Sypher gives Luutvig and the others riding escort a salute from the back of the vehicle.  "May you ride strong to the far fields of fortune, my friends.  Iehovah bless you and keep you."