After a few hours have passed and you have all gotten the rest and recuperation you need, Atriox, Etny, Ironfist and Dorokor now sit back in the same room. It has been straightened up and cleaned, drinks poured and parchment lain out. Oxious has conjured some extra amenities to make the room more comfortable, namely extra chairs, cushions and rugs. You honestly can't tell now if you're sitting on the real thing or an illusion.
Ironfist looks keenly at Atriox and Etny with a smile. He has always been grateful for your help with Dragonshore, and the opportunity to serve here. His time has not been idle; though he has been bound to the strange wheeled chair contraption Vele created, he has been working with soldiers down in the fortress and training grounds. His help has been invaluable there, and more than just for fighting. It seems in his youth he was a stone mason, and has been directing reconstruction as well.
Dorokor has changed into something a bit cleaner since her splunking, and keeps her eyes averted from Ironfist. She also looks dubiously at the conjured pillows and fineries, a little uncertain about all the magic in the air.
Atriox acknowledges everyone in the room with a grim smile
“Thank you all for coming. If it isn’t clear we are here to discuss the defenses and fortifications of Skyhold. I have my own ideas of course but I would like to give the floor to any of you first also I have decided that what ever is decided here will be under the direct control and supervision of you Ironfist. You have the helm when it comes to our defenses good sir. As you well know Oxious is master of the court life and Kora will lead our forces. Now let’s begin.”
Ironfist nods, speaking his mind first. "The outer wall is being reinforced, slowly but surely. In terms of physical force, it is something to be reckoned with. We could use more hands on it, but we're moving as quickly as we can. Trying to get some of the dragonborn to return from the coast to assist, but... they aren't much in the way of laborers themselves."
He looks a little irritated at the thought, and you know it comes down to the human slaves they've brought with them. "I believe a troop of them are headed back to report by tomorrow. That is all my scouts have returned."
Oxious shrugs, his hand up with a cup of liquor. "I am reviewing enchantments and permanency spells we can place on the entrances and exits, as well as the wall itself. I'll just need components, but I can provide you and your soldiers a list of them. It will increase the strength ten-fold I'm sure."
Atriox grunts and nods looking at a rough map he brought with him that is now before everyone on the table
“I’m glad to hear about the walls but now I want to hear about what we’re putting on the walls. I also want to build a completely new gate system and walls around it.”
Etny, her legs crossed and arms folded as she listens to the proceedings, observes the chair-bound Ironfist and Atriox-dugairon as they discuss walls and defenses. She is not altogether familiar with defending a great keep such as Skyhold, but she feels the best thing she can do right now is listen and gain as much insight and information as she can before speaking up.
Ironfist laughs. "Ballistic weapons. That helped Dragonshore greatly during the battle. I would love to see any army not quell at the sight."
"I'm sure the gnomes could repurpose the skaven weaponry, if any is left... Why waste what we have?" Kora grunts, looking dubiously at one of the cups before taking a swig.
Atriox smiles at her and winks playfully
“Wonderful idea Bonebreaker. We will let the gnomes play with it and Vele. She has a nack for such things.”
He turns his attention back to Ironfist
“Yes those ballistas will be handy but not just them. A fortress such as Skyholds defenses needs more . I want trebuchets and catapults built. The former will go on the walls at even points and the latter will go behind the wall to be shot over. “
Atriox points his finger to where the new gate will be built and draws out how it should look
“This new gate is designed for drawing enemies in as they try to break it down. We will be able to rain hell down on them from three different sides. I want traps and pits as well as burning oil that can be spilled on the attackers bellow”
Dorokor sneers at all the devious designs. She gives Atriox a sly smile.
"Yes... Yes indeed. I like that. I'm sure my generals can assist with the specifics."
"Catapults and trebuchets, yes! Fantastic." Ironfist lights up. The memory of his work on the ones at the fair make him look 10 years younger. "We will just modify them to fit the size of the walls accordingly. I'll draw up designs with this... Vele you speak of."
Etny continues to watch and observe, her violet eyes scanning the room and the drawings from her vantage point. She wonders what she could offer these men of war, being just an average Andrayan huntress. She ponders how she could contribute to all of this, and then an idea comes to her mind.
Standing up from her chair, she makes her way over to where the others are viewing the drawings, and she gestures to the walls themselves, along with the gate house walls. "What say I train units of archers among the ranks of orcs and kobolds in the way of the Andrayan bow? We could line the walls with archers in an attack, and have some archers here," she gestures to the gate house walls, "where they can pepper the enemy with arrows within." She looks up at Atriox and Ironfist, looking for their answers.
Atriox givers her a smile and a thumbs up with one hand.
“Sounds good Etny. Speaking of you and your hunters I have some ideas for you.”
Atriox begins to point out spots away from Skyhold, miles out even where the Kobolds could build interconnecting tunnels from Skyhold to special hidden holes that hunters could hide and ambush enemies in. In the middle he draws out where a watch tower will be built over the middle of where the tunnels meet
After he finishes he looks at the hunter
“What you think ?”
"That is good thinking, Atriox-dugairon," Etny replies. "I think I will need to also teach said archers how to track enemies, at the very least...," she trails off, looking at the drawing some more. She can see the value of what the Prince is suggesting. She gestures to the tunnels again, "I think we should make the tunnels in such a way as to be precise to us and the kobolds, and yet confusing to any enemy that finds them out."
"Also, I wager there should be a secret guard in the trees in each grove--a standing guard to be the first line of defense in the case of an incursion." She looks to Ironfist again, and then to Atriox once more. "What do you think, Prince?"
Atriox grunts
“If you you think it’ll help. So be it. It’s your project now.”
He looks around
“Anything else ?”
The others look thoughtful. Dorkor taps her foot. "Definitely filling in those tunnels down below the temple, or stocking them full of kobolds... don't want skaven or illithids moving in again. Seems like there's salt water there too... don't know if that can be used for anything in the future." She grimmaces. "But that place down there is creepy as hell."
"Just full of magic. Ancient magic." Oxious mumbles, quieter than you usually see him. "If I may, Atriox, I would like to spend some additional time looking through the area before any permanent changes are made. Not often you find a shrine like that in as good of shape as it is."
Atriox nods to the old goat
“Very well, I approve oxious. I’ll be interested to see what you find.”
He leans back, sipping on his drink. "Surely so."
Ironfist clears his throat. "Any other defensive options you'd like us to begin research and development on, Atriox?"
Atriox strokes he chin while counting out loud with his other hands fingers
“Gate, wall defenses, hunter pits, hmmm.....”
Atriox thinks some more before finally shaking his head
“For now that will be all Ironfist . Thank you for coming everybody this meeting is finished. Enjoy your night. Oxious walks with me.”
Ironfist grunts and shakes your hand, happy to help. As he wheels away, Oxious stands, draining the rest of his cup. With a wave of his hand the illusionary items disappear--pillows, cushions and the like.
Dorokor was finally starting to relax when suddenly the ones around her disappear, knocking her back against hard wood. Apparently, she'd been sitting upon a makeshift crate.
Standing with a grumble she paces the room, contemplating the plans that still lay on the table. She eyes Etny with a thoughtful look.
Oxious stretches and pats Atriox on the shoulder, making for the door. "Where are you making this old goat walk to? I'm tired."
As the men leave, Kora walks slowly closer to Etny, stopping near the huntress. "Hm." Her fingers tap against her thigh. Her words don't feel callous, but are nonetheless blunt.
"You seem quite fond of working with the kobolds. You, Ironfist, and those blacksmiths... a bit outnumbered here, aren't you?"
"Outnumbered? Well, I used to hate einhyca--I mean, kobolds. I used to hunt them and kill them out of vengeance, but...," she muses, "now that I see that not all of them are savage creatures, and since having met everyone back in Dragonshore, especially Prince Atriox, I have come to at least understand and ally with these kobolds. I hunt them no longer, except..." she trails off, not wanting to finish the thought.
Turning back to Dorokor, she smiles slightly, "while you have a formidable force of orcs with you, they do not number the same as the kobolds. I'd say you're almost as outnumbered, eh?"
"In quantity, yes." She sneers. "Brute strength... Well everyone has their use."
Dorokor glances back down at the map of the mountain. "So many unexplored areas. I wonder what other ills are hiding... Are you sure you wish to be out in the camp? Not in a room here?" She raises an eyebrow. "Or at one of the more... human settlements?"
"The wilderness has always been my home these days, Dorokor-dera. I've always felt at home there. Nevertheless, I am not unaccustomed to being surrounded by walls. Or in rooms, or what-have-you."
"As for human settlements, I could probably go have a look, and explore some more. Find out all who live here."
She stretches, and stands up. "And as for being sure of where I lay my head, I am honestly open to anything."
She shrugs, looking you over. "Fair enough, young blood."
"So... what is it that you do hunt? What is this moral exception of yours?" Her fangs slightly protrude, intrigued by your coy avoidance of the subject.
"I...well....it's a long story, Chieftess, and it goes back to when my whole tribe was slaughtered or enslaved by vile white colored kobolds...I call them Einhycacht, which in my tongue means 'throat-cutter.' This 'moral exception' has been brought on by the words and actions of Atriox-dugairon, and those kobolds who follow him. Those who follow him are not the savage, vile creatures that those who slew my people were."
She shrugs, looking you over. "Fair enough, young blood."
"Savagery runs through the veins of many. Those kobolds outside. My kin. Atriox. You and I." She tilts her head a little, almost proud. "Certain people just perpetuate it more, I suppose. It's a monster everyone deals with, at some point."
Trying to copy your wording, she adds, "I have never seen these white... Einhycacht before, so I have no opinion on them either way. But I am sorry to hear about your tribe. The world can be a cruel, brutal, unforgiving place."
Etny looks down at the floor, remembering. "Yes, Dorokor-dera, this world can be a brutal and cruel place. I've learned that firsthand," she looks back up again, her violet eyes empty and sullen. "In my tribe we call the savagery you mentioned rudahar. You are not wrong, Chieftess."
"I know." The orc blinks, regarding you carefully. "And I'm glad you're aware of it too. You're not soft in the head like a lot of humans are. You are a hunter, and a good one. Closest to an orc than I've seen any man."
"Given that... I must ask..." She turns, walking to one of the nearby windows and surveying the treeline down below the cliffs. "I'm aware of the state of your bow. You seemed... rather broken up about it. Weapons are like family to us, I get it." Kora clicks her tongue. "But is that why you did not kill the creature that fled with you? Help me understand the human perspective."
"The...," she struggles yet again with the pronunciation in her accent, "illithid and I, we reached an agreement to an alliance of necessity," Etny remarks. "He frightened me, more than almost anything I've ever encountered in my life. He was illusory, and cunning in his ability to manipulate the senses. But...," she runs her arm nervously, "he was as much trapped down there as I was, if not for a much longer time. He wanted out, and I...," she stops, not wanting to finish the thought, for the tightness in her chest.
"I made him promise to not feast on my mind matter. It was...really spontaneous and selfish, but...," she trails off. How could she let this happen, to have essentially released a heinous, cunning creature like that back out in the world. Now her friends would be at risk. The surrounding dragonborn and human colonies would be at risk. The only people she has been able to call family since her tribe was destroyed would be at risk. Who the hell was she, and why didn't she kill the thing when she had the chance? All she knew was one thing: She started this, and now it was going to come crashing down on her.
"I feared for my own skin: I was afraid to die. I did not make him swear such a promise for anyone else."
Dorokor is quiet for a while. She continues to mull over your words for several minutes, not giving away any emotion.
When she finally speaks, it is calm. "I cannot claim judgment against you for your decision. If you were to die... we would not have known of its presence, yes? It may have still slunk in from the darkness, through the caverns, and feasted further."
She turns back to face you. "You led it out, yes. But closer to our swords. To our camps. We will deal with it if and when we find it." Kora gives a dark smile. "If it is as smart as you say, it will have fled far from here."
Etny releases the tension in her shoulders and chest, and lets out a deep sigh. Relieved, she walks up next to Dorokor. "Harra, thank you, Dorokor-dera," she replies. She looks out over the treeline as well, noting the subtle egress of the forest into the low hills. "I think...," she says musing, "I think I want to have something built up there," she points in a westerly direction, at the treeline. "It would be within the bounds of Skyhold, yet a place all unto itself. A lodge, if you will."
Etny turns again to Dorokor. "Not to burden you with the details, this will be something I will discuss with Oxious."
"I want to start training your orcs to learn the Andrayan art of the bow. The positions Atriox-dugairon and I spoke of are highly defensible, and I want it to be your orcs who draw first blood in the chance of an invasion." Etny's violet eyes blaze.
She rubs her chin. "You are kind with your words, huntress. Yes, I think that would be wise. We won't always have the advantage with close range combat as we are used to. Some additional training to make them more versatile would be best."
"I think," She adds, "they should be able to assist you with your work on such a project. I think it is a fine idea. They are at least familiar with the felling of trees and clearing land."
"Can...," Etny hesitates, wondering if asking what she is about to is appropriate to, but in her excitement, she forges ahead, "can we get started in the next two or three days? I promise I'll look after and head the construction! You won't have to do a thing, if you don't want to," she quickly reassures.
Dorokor lets out a barking laugh. "Eager one, aren't you? Certainly. I'd rather them start work and training sooner than later, given everything going on. Likely more trouble up ahead, and we best be prepared." She cracks her knuckles. "I'll let them know to defer to you for the work."
"Like I said, you're a strong human." The orc sneers. "You might not be able to ever be an orc, but you'd make one hell of a vampire."
***
Atriox grunts with a small smile
“I see that my friend. I also see that your very distracted....what had your great mind so occupied?”
Oxious looks at you with a very strange look. Glancing over his shoulder, he leads the way to somewhere more private, away from any prying ears of soldiers or workers. "Mostly the temple below," he says as you both walk, his hooves clicking against the floor. "Among other things..."
Clearing his throat he gestures with a hand, somewhat flippantly in the air. "Good plans by the way. Well defendable. I should say it is a good start. I'm sure word of our return here is spreading like a fire, and more eyes will be on us than we will wish."
Atriox looks at Oxious with a raised eyebrow and stops. He puts a hand on Oxious shoulder
“You don’t get off that easy old man. What’s going on. Your my hand for a reason.”
Oxious grumbles. You can tell he has some snarky remark, probably about you being a pain in his ass. But he refrains.
"A lot of things to think on, is all. This work is moving along smoothly. Quickly even. But I'm eager for it to be completed." He looks away, trying to avoid you. "We have a lot of blood here that The Radiance may wish to spill. You and your new little fanged family for instance. It makes me uncomfortable."
You recall him speaking of this group many months ago, back in his house with the museum curator of Dragonshore. He seemed rather irritable about it then as well. You recall that some of the group are vampire hunters, among other things.
Atriox nods at the old teifling with a frown
“Well....we will deal with that when it comes my friend. Like everything else. Now I thought we might discuss happier things....like our business for example.”
Oxious looks a bit more intrigued by the turn of the conversation. There's a renewed light in his eyes at it and he nods his head. "Yes... that sounds grand. What are you planning for? Any particular spots in mind?"
He folds his arms. "And for anything magical I'll still need those components, mind you. You're clever enough, I'm sure you'll be able to find them."
Atriox grunts and rolls his eyes
“Of course you will you old goat. I may need you to remind me what exactly you need.”
The prince chuckles and continues walking with oxious
“I don’t have an exact spot picked out necessarily but it should probably be in high town. More.....wealthier district and clientele plus if you look at these floor plans I’ve drawn up it’ll be a big bigger than the old fang.”
As he’s talking Atriox hands over some folded papers with the plans on it
Oxious takes the papers and flips them open with a flourish. Stopping midstep, he studies them carefully. You can see a smirk of delight cross his face.
"I see Dahlia showed you what we'd come up with so far. This is a notable expansion on the original idea... I approve. You know my tastes in design well, Atriox." He rolls the paper back up and wacks you on the arm with it. "And agreed, high town it is. Respectable place after all. When should we start? I assume after the other more pressing matters are attended to?"
Atriox folds his hands behind his back as he ponders it.
“Here soon I think. After awhile I’m going to have to summon all the local leaders for a little sit down. I’d like to have construction started by then at least.”
Atriox let’s put a breath
“It could be an interesting affair.....to say the least. At least we already have some allies amongst the locals.”
The tiefling nods. "Some allies are better than none. There may be some who will feel threatened by your arrival, or declaration of dominion over their current kingdoms... You will need to word this well if you are to succeed, my friend. But knowing how much hot air you can blow around when you speak, I'm sure it will go fine."
Oxious chuckles a little, continuing the walk. He seems in a slightly better mood now. "Speaking of allies; given my position now, and until we have more trustworthy hands who can assist with such affairs, I would be happy to deal with the payments to the workers. The gnomes have been asking for their share, as have some of the kobolds. Honestly, much of it should funnel back into your own economy once we have some businesses up and running. I think a small market has started up down near the wall... the gnolls and kobolds have seen to that."
Atriox thinks on it for a moment before nodding In agreement.
“It’s that or hold my first open court. Give everybody a option between a non negotiable sum or something else like home options, business options, etc. I don’t know. Whatever you think best.”
"Hm, wow! Impressive." Oxious chuckles. "Your business mind is showing. Ahh, how wonderful."
He holds the back of his hand to his head, feigning a dramatic voice. "What joy it brings my little shriveled goat heart, seeing my protege learn from the best..."
Atriox snorts and rolls his eyes at the old man
“Someone’s full of themselves. But I’m always trying to learn. Now ill let you rest.”
The prince claps him on the back a few times and walks away, his arms folded behind him, his tail swaying side to side as he walks.
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