It's a nice and warm day that you all meet up after a night of thinking. The sun is shining high in the shy already and bring down it's rays down on the sign of The Happy Years Tavern where you are all ready to meet your new boss for the second time. He has after all made sure that you all meet each other yesterday night in the same tavern. You could see his proud black horse staying outside. Little did they know about there boss. Only a few seconds after the last to meet up came he stepped out to greet his employees. He's a big man even tough time has taken it's hold of the proud man. His hair as white as snow and seems so peaceful and quite, but more can be found inside his eyes. The eyes belongs to a strong warrior soul. As he starts to speak it's not that normal whisper as you hear from some old folks. It sounds strong and very rough.

Ah nice of you to joined us. Please come inside ladies and gentlemen. I assume that I could tempt you with a nice lunch on this beautiful day. They actually has a rather good menu here. With those words he went inside letting you all stand outside.

OCC:
Please write how you look and act.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:14, Wed 18 Apr 2007.

Having arrived early that morning, excited to finally start "adventuring" Opal decided to perform a little show for some of the kids she saw running around the town.  Whenever someone starts juggling daggers, it tends to bring the kids running.  Of course, they're usually hoping that the one doing the juggling will hurt themselves, but still its fun to see the looks on their faces.  After juggling for a while, she started in on another of her talents, tumbling.  There's something about someone their size or smaller being able to cartwheel and perform back flips with ease that they find amazing.  Handstands, somersaults, splits, Opal performs them all.  Seeing the kids' faces light up is enough reward for her.  She enjoys showing off, but the whole reason she's meeting this new boss is to do something more "rewarding" with her talents.  When she sees a couple of the mothers investigating where their kids went instead of doing their chores, she decides its time for the show to end.  She bows, and shoos the kids away with a laugh.  "I'd rather not get all your mothers too upset with me...  Now get on home."

She then sighs, and waits for the others that are joining her on this mission thing to arrive.  She slips her daggers back into their hiding places all over her body, except one.  That one, she absentmindedly flips in the air and catches it as she waits.

When the boss comes out, she smiles broadly and slips the dagger away.  On offer of a free lunch?  Who is she to turn that down.  She quickly slips in after him, her black curls bouncing lightly as she practically skips inside after the much larger man.

A young human woman walks in behind the halfling and the boss. She carries her self with a proud demeanor but has a look in her eyes that give you the impression that she is not overly proud.

Her garments and armorment give her away as a warrior, most likely a paladin. The symbol of the circle with seven blue white stars and red mist flowing from the center is embroiderd on her sleeveless tabard. The usual broadsword and plate sterotypical of a paladin are missing however, and in its place is a light mithril chain shirt and rapier.

In side she looks around waiting for further instruction.

Walking towards the tavern in the company of a beautiful elven lady, Tellorn couldn't help but wonder about if this was a good idea or not - they would have to work with people they did not know, and they would have to trust them.  Deciding that he was probably just overthinking it - it wasn't like they had never joined forces with bands of 'adventurers' in the past - Tellorn decided that since Eleniel hadn't objected to it, it couldn't be such a bad idea; she was easily the wisest lady he had known, and he trusted her with his life already.

Entering the tavern, the moon elf brushed some dust of his dark robes, before him and his companion walked over to their 'employer'. . .

As usual, Eleniel stayed protectively close to her dear friend and partner as together they walked up to and then inside the tavern after their new companions and employer.

Eleniel's breatplate was in direct contrast to Tellorn's dark robes, easily marking her as some kind of warrior.  The crescent moon holy symbol identified her a cleric of the Creator of the Elves.  Tossing her hair out of the way, Eleniel smiled softly at Tellorn as if reassuring him that they were making the right decision.

As you enter the tavern you are meet by a wall of good smells. herbes and cooked meet. You see a woman in here late teens carrying all sorts of food and drinks to the guests. She comes for you and smiles brightly as a sun. Would the nice ladys and masters have a drink or maybe something to eat. If so Find yourself a table and I'll bring you our menu. We have a the best lamb meat today and also a nice selection of wine and ale. With that she leaves. Your employer smiles and then walk over to the table in the back. The place is almost totally full. When you sit down the menu comes very quickly and a mug of water with a few glasses arrive. It seems like we are one head short today. Anyone seen the one calling herself for Rabbitfoot. She should have been here by now. Well maybe we fist should get some food befor talking about your job. You know it's never wise to talk buisness without some food in your belly. With that he turned his attention towards the menu.

When you look at the menu you see the name of the tavern in big beautyful letters

                       The Happy Years Tavern

                              Dinner
Lamb chops: Served with a nice redwine sause and dutchess potatos.
Trout: On a beed of qucumbers and sourcream and boiled potatos.
Rabbit:With marinated carrots and fried potatos.

The woman returns with here great smile What would the ladys and masters want today then.

Following along, Opal jumps lightly up onto one of the chairs at the table, and sits down on her knees, so she can see everyone better.  She had long ago gotten used to having to make up for her size when visiting with the "big folk" and usually doesn't mind it anymore.  She shrugs when the boss asks about the gnome.  "Haven't seen her this morning...  Maybe she's out running around in the woods, and lost track of time."

When the waitress comes, Opal orders the rabbit, "But leave off the carrots if you would please?  I've never much cared for cooked vegetables."

Betha takes her seat next to Opal eyeing the halfling womans poor manners with an amused smile. She then unfolds her napkin and lays in her lap before takeing a menu and ordering.

"I will have the trout please, and wine." she tells the waitress.

"I havent heard from the gnome since yesterday" she says to the boss
This message was last edited by the player at 17:29, Thu 26 Apr 2007.

"Nor have I seen her," Eleniel replies softly with a little shrug of her slender shoulders.  She orders the trout and elven wine in the same soft, pleasant voice and then focused on examining the tavern with a practiced eye.

"Me neither," Tellorn added, and looked around the tavern - perhaps the gnome was merely hiding from them?  Gnomes were certainly hard to find, small as they were.  Shrugging, he decided that if the gnome wanted to play hide-and-seek, she could do so with someone else, and instead ordered the same as Eleniel for his meal.

It did not take long befor the food came out and the drinks as well. The woman was quick to leave this time. It seemed like she had more guest to take care of. After you get your food and drinks Zindar speaks ones more. Well nice to see a real meal for ones. Have you made all the neseccary arrangments for your little journey? It would be very unwise to go of badly prepared you know. He smiled at you befor starting to eat his food while he waited for the answear.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:32, Sat 28 Apr 2007.

Opal tears the leg off her rabbit, and starts eating it with gusto.  She looks around her at all the fish on the table and shrugs.  'Guess the big-folk all have the same taste when it comes to food...' she thinks to herself.  After swallowing her rather large bite, she responds to the Boss' question.  "Well, as for me, I'm always prepared.  If it was one thing my folks taught me, it was: 'Always be ready to move out.'  I remember this one time I had been playing hide and seek with my teddy...  I was quite a bit younger at the time...  Anyway, the folks said move out, and they wouldn't give me even five more minutes to look for Teddy...'  A sad look overtakes her face briefly, before she sniffs, shrugs, smiles, and continues.  "You kinda get used to having everything you need on yourself or in the wagons when you grow up in a caravan.  I've taken to the same outlook for this adventuring thing.  This rabbit is really good by the way...  You guys don't know what you're missin'."  She then dives back into her meal, trying to forget about the hard lesson she had learned that she shared with them.

Betha eats her food slowly listening to Opals story. She smiles at the animated way the halfling talks.

"I had a small doll I lost once,"she says.

Eleniel glanced at Tellorn to see if he was prepared for their trip.  She had not really thought about preparations per se, she had been lost in her prayers as usual.  The sudden shift in subject to a lost teddy and a doll surprised the elven lady and she smiled bemusedly, forgetting all about their employer's question.

NPC'd by player's fiancé.

The handsome elf protectively watched over his female companion but was also distracted by the strange turn of subject.  So much so that he missed her questioning glance but instead smiled indulgently at the others for their fancifulness.

Zindar laughs and warmth may be felt in his laughter. Well that is good. I'll take it as a yes then. I would suggest that you get to the road. It is both long and hard. It's a shame that Rabbitfoot is not here, but if she should pop up here I'll send her after you. What you would want to do is to walk the North Road. Then you will get to a river. Follow the river untill you get to the mountain. Then head south. You'll reach the dungon around two three days after turning south at the mountain. He stands up and look down at you. Well then it's time I leave for now. I'm looking forward to seeing your return safely to this lovely place. May the Gods guide your steps and must they always be right where they need to. With that  I take my leave. Then he turns and walk over to the waitress befor leaving. When your plates are clean she comes over to you and says Your friend payed for you all. May you find a safe passage to wherever you are going. Then she picks up the plates and walk away. People are starting to leave now and it's not long befor the little tavern is almost empthy as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:28, Wed 09 May 2007.

"See ya Boss!"  Opal cheerfully says as Zindar gets up to leave.  Once he's gone, she looks around at her new companions as they finish up their meals and says quickly, "Well, shall we set off then?  Any particular way we want to travel?  Bunched up, strung out, spaced evenly, two and two, me in the lead?  I can move stealthfully when needed, but I'm not that great at spotting danger, but I'll take point if you'd like me to.  I had figured that Rabbitfoot would do that while we journeyed overland, and I'd take her place once we went underground, but I'm ok with leading, if you'd prefer I do it."  She shrugs as she drains the last of the liquid in her glass before plopping it on the table and jumping down, waiting for the rest to leave.

Betha had enjoyed the meal and company, she was happy that she had found a group of good folk to travel with, for she had been sure to use her powers of detection on each of them.

She stands when there employer leaves, 'May the goddess bless you in our abcense, I will make it my duty to make sure everything you have asked of us is fullfilled.

"If you have any skill at all in scoutin I think it would be preferable if you did the leading." she says to Opal after the boss leaves


OoC:What is the bosses name anyway?

Shy and quiet, Eleniel had not said much during dinner, and she didn't break her streak now, simply nodding her head that Opal could lead.  Staying close to Tellorn she offered a quick prayer and then stood ready to go.

Tellorn sat looking at Eleniel for what she might have to say. After a few moments of silents he nods in agreement just as Eleniel had. He speaks in his normal calm voice I have no objections to you taking the lead trough this little yourney.

NPC'd by the DM

Opal nods her acceptance of the point position, and takes off following the North Road as Zindar directed them.  She draws a dagger as she goes, just in case she has need to use it, but ends up just tossing it end over end in the air just to give her hands something to do.  She catches herself from whistling, not wanting to attract any unwanted attention.

Betha takes up rear guard keeping careful watch on the terrain surround them.

Tellorn walks in very mucgh the same eleagance that all elves share. He walkes in the middle of the loittle groupe he was in and very close to his close friend trough many years Eleniel. He keeps a close eyes to the surroundings as they walk the road.

NPC'ed by DM

Walking in the middle with Tellorn, Eleniel keeps a cautious eye on their surroundings though she often smiled at her dear friend.

You walk all day without any trouble. there where few merchants traveling the road today and most payed little notice of the traveling groupe of adventurer. 0After around 1-2 hours you reach the strong running river in the river. There are a little caravane coming up behind you, but they quickly pass and the road is empty again.

You get into the forests with no difficluty at all. As you walk there is many animals that pop up here and there. The sun us shining at you as you walk among the old trees. After around 3 hours walk from the road Opla stops as she stands. Befor her a building made of stone and steel stands. Along it's stony walls runes in red colour can bee seen. From the inside there can be heared several people speaking in a strange language. At the same time you hear the voice two guards by the loook of it steps from each corner of the house and stands infront of the door. There armor is black and they also wear helmets with red markings on it. They carry a spear and a longsword.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:46, Tue 29 May 2007.

As Betha comes up behind Opal she puts grips her sword ready to draw it. "What unholy place is this?" she says aloud.

Tellorn walks over to Betha. I do not know, but for some reason they speak orcish.. They where talking something about a package of some sorts that was going to the mountain. He looks at Eleniel and now more then ever wonders what he has gotten himself into.

'Huh...  Would have thought I'd have noticed this sooner...  Guess I need to work on keeping my eyes peeled better...' Opal thinks to herself as the others finally come up behind her.  "I don't know either, but whatever it is, it gives me the creeps..."  She looks up at the others and asks, "So, should we leave this place?  We haven't gotten anywhere near that mountain, and this place wasn't mentioned by Zindar...  I mean, what's the chance that this package Tel here says they spoke of has anything to do with the mountain we're heading towards...  I mean, that would be an awfully shocking coincidence..."

Eleniel shrugs lightly, concerned and more than a bit bothered by the fact that there were orcs nearby.  "Tellorn, could you guess how many orcs there might be?" she asked, trying to gauge the chances of the group's success against the evil creatures.

Tellorn looks up at Eleniel. After what i hear it's atleast two maybe three orcs talking. he turns his attention to Opal and speaks in a low voice yes it would be a shock and a very strange coicindent that they would effect us in any way, but stranger things have happened in the past.

Opal frowns at the guards.  "I would rather leave them be, unless they attack us...  I've got this thing about killing things, just because they're ugly..."  She shrugs, but looks like she'll follow whatever the rest decides.

Betha thinks for a moment and then says in quiet voice "Perhaps we should inquire of their intentions and then decide. Orc are vile creatures rarely blessed with a goodly heart. As a knight errant it is my duty to investigate.

"I have this thing about orcs," Eleniel replied, "They're evil and enemies."  She didn't exactly press the issue, but it was clear she did not like the thought of simply passing these orcs by.  Without swords through their chests, at least.

The door goes up and one man and two orcs step out. The man has a backpack in his arms and put's it onto his shoulders. he looks at the two men that guarded the door and nods. He then starts heading inwards in the woods. The guards closely follows him leaving the orc to stand around. The orc moves into the house and closes the door. It is a lot of noice coming our of the building of what could be furniture moved. Then as quickly as it started it ends.

_{"Well, there's your chance Betha.  I'd guess that he knows more about whatever we've stumbled upon then the stupid orcs do."} Opal whispers up at the young paladin, and points to the man as he puts his pack on.

Betha strides forward "Here there, I am Betha Brightwood Knight of the Silver Fire. We seek information and aid in our quest. Might you sir serve us in that respect, the Mystran Paladin calls out to the human in an official sounding voice.

She keeps a watchful eye on the man after she speaks looking for signs of magic use or any type of signal he might send revealing his motives.

The guards quickly turn and takes a hand on there blades readying themself to draw. The man that seems to be the leader looks over at you and put a hand on the guards shoulders and they at once ease up and remove there hands from there blades. Relax. Can't you see that we are in the company ofa disiple of Mystra. He moves closer. he is a man in his early twentys and quite good looking as well. he has medium long black hair and brown eyes.

I am Dallien. I shall be at your service and do my best. What do you want to know, Betha Brightwood. Knight of the Silver Fire? He looks calm and and polite and actully gives a little bow to the the party. may I ask the name of your companions and your earends in these woods. They are not safe.

Opal crosses her arms across her chest as she eyes the man.  She can almost imagine the grease slipping down his back from his manner.  "You can ask all you want.  Doesn't mean you'll learn our names, nor our business.  We of the Hin generally don't trust those off hand that are in cahoots with orcs..."  She eyes the man, not trusting him as far as she can throw him.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:48, Mon 11 June 2007.

Tellorn could not suppress a glare at the orcs, and his hand rested right by the pouch full of spell components, as if the elf was simply waiting for an excuse to unleash his magics upon them.

Having similar issues with trust, Eleniel is more than ready to defend themselves, or even attack if need be, casting a confused glance at Opal's statement.  She'd never heard anybody but elves refer to themselves as 'The People.'

The Man laughs outright at Opals statment. Is really all orcs evil. What would you know little one. In some parts of this world your little race is just considered nothing more then burglers and robbers. The orc looks nervously at the two elves in the background near the house, as to wait for them to attack.

As for being in cahoots as you say it with orcs I am with this on, but by no mean all orcs. I'm only trying to respond to the ladys question. Is it so wrong to ask your your names and even what you do in these forests, but if you will little one please hold them for yourself, but I fear I will not be of much asisstance if I do not know what you need help with or where it is you need help.

Opal scowls as the man laughs at her.  "Well, every orc I've ever met has certainly tried to kill me and my kin, so I'd say that's a pretty good judge that they're evil..."  She frowns up at Betha too, for starting this conversation.  "As for my name, it doesn't really matter what it is.  Betha here's the one that wanted to talk, not me.  I wanted to avoid this place altogether."

Tellorn looked down at the Opal and seemed to mean the same. He keeps a very close eye at the orc and keeps his hand openly on his spell component pouch ready to cast a spell at the orc at a moments notice. he did not like the look of him and seen as he is a orc he is most likely a beast of evil and only thinks of new ways to defile nature and all things good.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:05, Sun 17 June 2007.

Eleniel, likewise, was openly cautious, even suspicious.  She was ready to draw her sword at a moment's notice, at the slightest provocation, but spoke not a word.  Every orc she'd ever met had wanted her dead.  The feeling, of course, had been mutual.

Betha pauses listening to what is said finding it very rude to interrupt her. After that thought though she says to the man.

'We want to know where the old dungeon is, got any ideas?"

Ah so it is the dungeons you seek. Yes I have heared much abut them, mostly rumors from unreliable sources. he walks closer now within 5 feet of Betha.

At the mention of the Dungeon the orc looks stupidly shocked and look nervously around at the people there. he starts to shake his head and speaking suprisingly good common. Dungons bad. none must enter. Danger awaits within. Danger waits within. then he turns silent again. the man only smiles

You see. unreliable. It is rumored to have come more monsters now that the earthquake happened. Some say that it was a series of hidden dungons that was revealed due to cracks made in the mountain. If you ask me I think it's just a big joke. More I'm afriad I do not now, but if you are headed that way may the Gods watch over you, because if the rumors are trough it would be best that you turn around and left.

Betha stares at the man for a moment, she was hopeing her blunt question would have set the man off his guard. But he seems to be almost genuinely helpful.

"You've been most helpful. I have one other thing though," she says then pauses for a response.


OOC:

Betha uses her Detect Evil along with a Sense Motive Skill Check.

She also checks the closest orc (the one that talked) for evil inclinations

08:50, Today:Betha Brightwood rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Sense Motive.

The man looked at Betha and smiled. He gives a small bow and laughs a little bit. And what would that be m'lady

The orc is nervouse and  so can be seen in the eyes of the guards. They shift and almost look outright afraid.

Betha frowns and grips her sword "Arm yourself, for the Might of Mystra has granted me sight and intuition to know that your heart is full of deciet."
Then she watches the man carefully, and will draw her weapon only if he makes any sign of agression.

Deceit was all the encouragement Eleniel needed as she drew her sword and watched cautiously.  She would not instigate a battle in which Tellorn might be harmed.  But she would fight, gladly, if she could - if it came to that.

Opal narrows her eyes and smirks at the man as Bertha calls him on his lies.  Her legs tense as she prepares to spring into action should this confrontation turn to violence.

The man laughs outright and could not help but to look at his guards. You would not stab a man in the back would you. A man that has shown no agression or done anything harmful towards you or anyone else. He turns around and start to walk away. His guards stand there gripping there swords now and looking frightend at eachother and await there masters orders. As he walk past them he simply walks towards the way he went when he was stopped by Betha. Come now. They will not slay us in cold blood. That would be wrong and a evil act would it not. Your laws say that you should not kill a man that is doing any resistance right. They move closer ad closer to the trees ands are now 40 ft away from the spot they where standing. The orc stands there lookign as the man and his two guards left and as quickly as one could lanch an arrow he headed back inside the house of metal and closed the door aftre himself.

Betha grips her sword tightly.

"Not so fast, as a Paladin in good standing with the Church of Mystra, It is my duty to take you into custody for questioning for you are in cahoots with orckind which is in violation of this lands laws. You must surrender your weapon and be gaged. If you do not surrender I would not be in violation of the knights code to force you into submission." Betha says this with a cold edge to her voice.


17:12, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Intimidate.

he turns around stll 40 feet away. He laughs and look at the guards. Oh so your going to take us to jail on what grounds. For being in chaoots with orckind. Now that I would like to see. Oh by the way hopw are you going to prove it. Shall you take the retard of a orc with you as well. I don't think he likes being gaged and bound by rope and forced away to the human citys.

He then continues walking into the woods.

Betha looks at the others as if question her resolve. She then says, What do you think?

Shrugging her slender shoulders lightly, Eleniel looks just a bit bewildered and certainly unsure as to what to do.  As usual, she turns to her intelligent friend.  "Tellorn?"

"What's there to think about?  He's dealing with foul orcs, and a most noble Paladin has sensed evil in his very soul, am I not right?" Tellorn remarked, and quickly drew his bow, feeling it's magic just by touching it.  "Or are we going to let them go about whatever business a man of deceitful heart has with orcs?" he added, and drew an arrow to his bowstring.

Betha nods, with a surge of confidence she says  You have made your choice then, we will do what we must.

With that she moves toward the man prepared to dispatch him.

"By attacking them, that'll make us no better than them.  I say we leave them be."  Opal says, surprised at herself.  Though she usually doesn't shirk from combat, she just can't believe that this paladin would be ok with attacking someone in cold blood, even if she does know he's deceitful.

"He's evil, how can we let evil live?  We must stop it," Eleniel put in quietly, her hand lightly fingering her sword as she watched carefully.

Opal shakes her head at the elf's statement, "Just because he holds hate, anger, and deceit in his heart, doesn't give us the right to attack without provocation.  Betha calls him evil, but that doesn't make him a murderer, no more than me being a hin makes me a thief.  I didn't like the vibe he gave off any more than the rest of you, but that doesn't mean I want him dead."  She can't believe that even the elves are wanting his blood.  Sure a human's emotions could get the better of Betha, but Opal always thought elves were more level-headed than what Eleniel and Tellorn are currently showing.

"The only problem I forsee is the fact that Betha told him our destination...  Now, what he chooses to do with that information could come to haunt us, but I say we let him go.  If the rest of you want to attack, I'm telling you now, I'll have no part of it."

Betha turns on Opal, "We are not going to kill him, only subdue him and bring him in for questioning. We as people of good heart have a duty to protect the goodly citizens of the land that have a right to be safe from evil and the machinations that might occur because of this mans alliance with orcs. My goddess allows me to see the hearts of people so that I might have a edge over evil, and so good Opal do what you must but I for one will not be disuaded from this course."

Opal again shakes her head in disbelief over what she's hearing, "If we stop and apprehend every creature you sense holds evil in their hearts, and bring them back for whatever reason you have to bring them back, then we will never get to the dungeons.  Which I might remind you is the reason we're out here.  We have a job to do.  Remember Zindar?  The money he promised us?  You know gold?  Not everyone can live on truth, justice, and the paladin way...  And this hin wants to get on with our job so we can see what goodies this earthquake uncovered..."

"I can live on justice and truth.  Treasure will always be there, will always be found.  But evil is something I can, and should, stop.  But while you're standing around arguing, we're letting evil get away," Eleniel interjected, growing frustrated with semantics.  They did not have time to stand around and debate the virtues of gold nor letting an evil one go free.

As you have stood there both long and well talking what to do and about the evil going the three men start running away from you all.They are headed toward west. Inside the house noice can be heared of furniture moving around. The sun is starting to set and there should only be around 1 hour or so with daylight left befor it goes down behind the threes.

This message was deleted by the player at 02:51, Thu 05 July 2007.

"I don't know about you two, but I think we should just make camp here.  We can keep watch on the building from here, and we'd be better prepared if that orc should want to attack us.  Plus, if we keep watch on it, he won't be sneaking off and calling in some friends to attack us wherever we go.  If you want to go charging after them, be my guest, but I'll have nothing to do with it.  They may have lied, they may have evil in their hearts, but unless they attack me, I won't attack them."


Sorry, after our fourth festivities, I had a family reunion weekend camping thing.  I meant to make a post about it before I left, but things were quite hurried, and I had to make an emergency unexpected trip into work, which ate a lot of my free time before we left.  :(
This message was last edited by the player at 23:58, Sun 08 July 2007.

OCC:
Well it seems like Betha is not rideing of into the woods alone. She is standing right next to you where she always was. If you want to change your post Opal I'll give you 24 hours befor making my post.

Tellorn let's a arrow leave his trusted longbow and show the skill that the elven people has with a bow. He hit's the man(one of the guards) right under the shoulderblade on the mans left side. The man screams as he starts to feel the pain, but continues onwards and away from the groupe. As it seems no one is running after the groupe Tellorn noches another arrow on his bow and says What shall we go. Shall we follow or shall we take the orc instead. They are both dispicable creatures of nature anyway.

Eleniel looks over at her trusted frined and companion Tellorn and says They are dressed in light armor. I got no chance to keep up with them in this. She pints at her very nicely crafted breastplate wich where sure to slow her down enough to make a chace on foot unpractical. They are evil and deserve to be brough in for justice. We shouold catch them and as I pointed out I can not keep up. Let's splitt up. The lightly armored once go after the groupe and the heavy armored ones go aftre the orc.

post edited...

"No we will not split up, Opal is right in the fact that we do already have a mission. Lets try to get a word with that Orc, I didnt detect evil upon him and he might be able to shed light on the man that has just got away. He also might have news about this dungeon that we seek."

After saying this,her words intended to be the final say. She knocks on the door and calls out to the Orc.

"Keep your bow at ready Tellorn and why dont you keep to the shadows Opal."

Opal frowns slightly at the order to "disappear" but shrugs it off, and does as the paladin wants.  She finds a small bush and crouches behind it, not really feeling the need to hide any further.  It's well know that orcs are all stupid brutes, and she's sure that he wouldn't be able to spot her hiding behind this bush, even if it isn't that full.

Opal rolled 14 using 1d20+13. Hide.

As Betha gives the advice Tellorn put's another arrow to the string of his trusted longbow and stand alittle behind the paladin as to secure himself better. Betha is joined infront by Eleniel who tightens the rains on her heavy steel sheild and draw s her longsword wich is one of the true great weapons of the elven people.

Opal enters a small bush at the right side of the house and stays hidden. As Betha knocks on the door you can clearly tell that something is happening behind the door and a orc it seems almost like that of a child, just with the orcish sound to it. Please don't hurt me. Mome always said that elves would hurt me. Yes  humans to humans kill orcs. Elves and humans don't like orcs, just want to kill orcs. Please don't hurt me. I'll be good I'll hurt no one.

Open the door orc, we have questions for you!Betha says sternly

Opal rolls her eyes at the orc's sniveling. "Betha, he's acting like a scared child...  How many orcs have you meant that have actually been able to act like anything besides a brute?  Either he's a really skilled actor, or more likely, he's a retarded orc and he's as scared as he says.  Your talking in that voice I'm sure isn't going to help if it's the later...  Loosen up a bit, then ask him to open the door nicely."

Inside more noice is heard as the shaken voice of the terrified orc is heard again. I'll open if you don't hurt me. Humans always want to hurt me. They burn, they bring pain. PAIN. The last word is shouted as that of a spooked horse.

The door opens very quickly and in front of you all now is the orc. He moves at once towards the corner of what seems to be a simple room with four walls. There is a table and a few chairs as well as a chest. It seems that the orc has moved the table to the left northern corner and stands behind it now. It seems as he actually believe it will give him some protection. He seems shaken and very skinny and not at all much physical force on his body. Surely he would be on the bottom of any orc-tribe system. Well unless he should be gifted in other ways then physical that is. His voice is shaken and shows clear fear for anyone who has ever heard it a man speak in true fear before. What... does you... want with poor me. Does.......you want.. to beat me as... well. All like to beat..... me. Yes all. Orc, human, .eeeeelf, even the small folk...... likes to make me ....hurt
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:38, Sat 21 July 2007.

"Just open up and talk to us, we want to know about the man that just left and have some other questions," Betha says more sweetly

Opal sighs, and moves from her bush.  She walks around the house, just to see if there might be another way in, or a window to look into.

The orc looks strangely at Betha and speaks after a few minutes The door is open. he takes a few breaths before speaking again. Bad man. Likes hurt. Strange stone to mountain. Stone in box. Want me deliver it to mountain. To Caves. Meanwhile Opal goes and searches for other ways of getting out she finds none. All the walls are made of solid stone.

Tellorn had not an ounce of sympathy in him for the pathetic creature, the spawn of Gruumsh himself.  In his time, he had trained to fight them, to repel them from his woodland home, and yet, it seemed one could never get rid of their kind, not permanently.  Following the others to the door, Tellorn stood outside it, not wanting to pass through it, not wanting to have to show mercy to one who deserved none.  Outside the door, he waited, listening to what went on inside, while gazing out into the woods. . .  and the wood elven cleric there, as well.

Making sure she took up a good supporting position on the off-chance there was some trap, Eleniel stood patiently just behind and off to the side of Betha while she began to contemplate the possibilities just opened up before her.  Could some sort of mental defect actually keep an evil being from, well, being evil?  It was certainly something she'd like to pray about and ponder.

As the elf looked around she caught Tellorn looking at her and smiled, nodding her head and lifting her shoulders lightly in a gentle shrug as if to ask what they had gotten themselves into.

As Eleniel stepped into the room the orc jumped into the corner and lay himself into a sort of cruch and holding his hands over his head as to protect his head form a nasty blow from fists. DON*T HURT ME. I'M TELLING THE TRUTH. PLEASE KIND ELF: DON'T HURT ME. he shouts out. Meanwhile Tellorn notice a series of Draconic runes inscribes on the sides of the house. It's strange that he had not noticed them before. They all move across the doorway. All who spill blood by the dragon kings shall be granted sanctury from the wrath of the mighty dragons wrath when the mountain falls to the ground. It shall fall when the  Soul Stone enters the forbidden caves.

As Opal continues her little tour of the house she accidentally moves the rug on the floor. It's not big, but it's whats underneath that is troubles her. Fresh spilled blood into what resembles a dragons head with it's mouth wide open.

Opal steps back from the blood and shudders.  She looks around at the others and says, "Look, let's just leave.  Leave this poor sod to himself.  This place is giving me the creeps.  Plus, if we want to get paid, we need to continue with the job we're being paid to do.  Not mess with some mind-scrambled orc."

Betha realizes that this is futile she was no leader yet she feels like  her companions needed someone to lead the way.  So far she has not found the elves nor the halfling to be very willing to follow proper rules and function.

She looks down at the Orc, "Stand up and quit groveling. Your life is spared I sense no evil in you."

Betha nods at Opal "We will make for the mountains. Orc could you guide us?" She says looking sternly at him.

No. I know not the way to mountain caves. Know Mountain to the north. Caves east of mountain. The orc still covers from Eleniel he does not even look up at Betha as she speaks. Tellorn still stands near the door on the outside while Eleniel has taken up a positionas to be able to react quickly should the orc try anything. Opal stands not to far away at the eastern side of the room near a table and a rug at the floor.

For a long moment Eleniel studied the pitiful creature but finally relented and sheathed her weapon with a soft sigh.  She knew that there could be good found in a normally evil race, but she had never expected to encounter it.  Still she trusted that the paladin's senses would tell them if the orc was evil and so she knew that she could not harm it unless it did something to her companions.

"If it cannot lead us then we should go quickly.  I care not for being in this...place," Eleniel said quietly, uneasy with this entire experience.

"Agreed", Betha says turning and heading outside. She waits for the others to join her then says.

"We will make for the caves as fast as we can, Opal you will lead the way keeping your eyes open for trouble I will take the rear, you two may  walk between somewhere. If you have wilderness training keep a look out for a defendable campsite as we approach nightfall. If this trip proves to be more then a days walk we will want a good vantage as we rest.'

Giving the child-like orc one last, sad look, Eleniel followed Betha out, smiling tensely at Tellorn when she saw him again.  "Agreed.  But while I love the wilderness and outdoors, I will not be much help with a campsite, though I will surely do my best.  Let us make haste, please."

Opal nods and thinks to herself.  'Finally!'  She then takes the lead following once more the directions that Zindar had given them.  'I knew I should have just skirted us around that place.  It took too much of our time...  Much too much of our time...'  As she moves along, she fingers her daggers, feeling restless, and ill at ease.

Tellorn cast a single glance back at the house, not at all convinced that the orc deserved to live.  But, that was not for him to decide, and he decided to let it go, and hope it would not prove to be a fatal mistake later on.  Walking next to Eleniel, his eyes kept wandering among the trees, as if expecting a horde of orcs to leap out at any moment. . .

The door is quickly closed behind you and the familiar sound of a lock being closed. The house disaapears behind you as behind a vail of trees. The sounds of the woods animals makingf there normal sound. In a little clearing you spot a stag that runs away as soon as he hears you. Other then that the trip goes alright. It's eventless and night soon falls and drag a cloak of darkness with it. The only light left is the rising moon that is in a fullmoon. Soon there is a lot of wolfs howling at the lady in the sky. Movement will be hard with the lack of light. Atleast for the two none elves.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:42, Mon 20 Aug 2007.

Betha makes for a place she saw on a previous rise, she tells Opal to stick with the group and not get to far ahead and thebn will lead them to the spot she saw and set camp.


OoC:
Find a Camp Spot
22:25, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 19 using 1d20+2. Survival.

As Betha shows them to a camping spot, Opal follows quietly.  Still frustrated over her first 'encounter' as an 'adventurer' she seems to be quite out of character.  The normally gay halfling hasn't said a word to any of her companions in hours.

As they reach the spot Bertha found, she pulls her cloak off, gives a flick as she mumbles a word, and the cloak forms itself into a tent.  She looks at each of her companions briefly before heading into the tent and shutting the flap.  Inside she finishes her day's rations that the cloak provides, and drinks from the flask of hot tea before trying to go to sleep.

As they had travelled together for quite some time, Eleniel quickly set to work doing 'her' typical chores when she and Tellorn camped.  She began to gather small branches for kindling since Tellorn, despite her bring the stronger one physically, did not like for her to do the heavy lifting.  So she left that to him, gathered the kindling, and then selected some rocks to place in a ring around where they would build a campfire.  When that was ready, she looked for Tellorn, making certain he was safe and nearby before heading off to kill something to cook for dinner.  Those awful rations were growing old, and she wished to eat well for once.

AS night grows older things seem to happen an owl is heard in a tree. The fire is warming anyone near it and the night seem to be a quiet one and people start going to sleep and gets a peaceful night sleep. AS the sun starts to rise once more bringing more light. You feel cold as the campfire is now reduced to ashes and a few burning remains of what was once wood, but that is quickly changed by Eleniel who gets the fire burning strong and good again.

The weather is cloudy and a little sun. There is a little wind, but the trees blocks most of it for you. You eat well of what remains of the rabbit that Eleniel caught last night. The weather turns worse as the day passes. You reach the edge of the woods before night once more set in. The great plains are in front of you with  tall grass and far in the distance you see the mountains rise majestically in the horison. Betha once more finds a nice place to rest for the evening at the edge of the woods. Eleniel gather as last night small kindling while Tellorn gathers some more wood while Eleniel is out hunting, but this time comes back without fresh food. The fire burns and the night goes without any special event. You wake up the next day to find out that the weather has indeed turned worse then it was yesterday. It has started to rain and you all find yourself wet and a little tired after the days of walking.

By the end of the day you reach the mountain and you go trough your normal preparations as you have gone every night, but still Eleniel has been unsuccessful in  finding prey to catch. You where lucky enough to find some place to keep dry. At least now you have a fire to warm yourself and get dry. It's a small cavern that Opal stumbled across. There is still room for around 2-3 people more inside.  The night pass uneventful. You find yourself quite dry this day, but the weather still keeps you wet to the bone. Around halfway into the day something again start to happen. A arrow come and and strike into the chest of Eleniel, but luckily the force was to weak to penetrate the clerics armor and fall to the ground. You see a man in a cloak standing around 110 feet away holding a bow. The ground makes it impossible to charge him and some places you may expect to have movement halfed because of mud and uneven terrain.

OCC:
Okey people we are one once again. Init to beat is 13 for the bad guy or guys.

Will have a map up soon.

"Eleniel, are you all right?" Tellorn called out, as he quickly looked around for something to take cover behind.

OOC:  Initiative - 16.

Nice and dry (at least from head to knee) and feeling quite sorry for those that don't have a magical cloak like hers, Opal became more like her normal happy-go-lucky self after the first nights sleep.  She apologized to the others for her rudeness the night before.

As the days go by, she would occasionally perform feats of juggling and tumbling just to amuse herself as they progressed through the forest getting closer and closer to their goal.  When the arrow strikes Eleniel, Opal's eyes narrow as she takes in the one who seemed to have fired the missile.

Opal rolled 16 using 1d20+3. Initiative.

"Take cover make him come to us!" Betha instructs her companions.


12:15, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 21 using 1d20+3. Initative.

Already having been through enough battle to not be too surprised at the sudden arrow, Eleniel still stood still for a moment as the arrow that struck her chest fell to the ground.  It hadn't penetrated, but still it stung and she would likely have a bruise there soon.  "Stay behind me, Tellorn," Eleniel said, not answering his question just yet.  She was too concerned for his safety, after all, as she moved protectively in front of her friend even while searching out a good vantage point not to mention looking for whatever had shot at her.

11:59, Today: Eleniel rolled 9 using 1d20-1. Init.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:02, Tue 28 Aug 2007.

Okey Seen as I can't get the map made the way I want it I'm going to use a text map.

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+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
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| | | | | | | | |R| | | |M|M|M|M|M| | | | | | | |T| | | | | | |3
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| | |S| | | | | | | | | |M|M|R|R|M| | | | | | | |E| | | | | | |4
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| | | | | |R| | | | | | |M|M|M|M|M| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |5
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |O| | | | | | |6
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |7
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+  

OCC:
R-Rock
M-Mud(-50% movement)
S-Bad guy(Init:13)
B-Betha(Init:21)
T-Tellorn(Init:16)
E-Eleniel(Init:09)
O-Opal(Init:16)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:46, Wed 05 Sept 2007.

"Not bloody likely," Tellorn told Eleniel, and grinned as he began to cast a spell, conjuring an invisible armor of pure force.  Now suitably protected, he moved towards their foe, already trying to figure out where he should summon a beast to help bring the archer down quickly.

Betha runs toward the rock straight out from her current position, keeping her eye on the archer as she moves.



EDIT:
OoC:
Action: Double Move (N1)

This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Wed 05 Sept 2007.

Opal moves quickly towards the archer.  She sees the mud, and gracefully leaps over it, tucking into a roll.  She lands still in a ball, but her momentum carries her to her feet and she continues moving towards the man, having drawn one of her daggers during her jump. "Why did you attack us?  What have we done against you?"  She says as she draws closer to the man, not really wanting to attack him, but hoping her show of skill will impress him enough that maybe he'll back down.


I double move, jumping over the lower left corner of the muddy area (clearing 24 feet total in the jump) then activate my Extreme Leap skill trick to finish my movement with the extra 10 feet it grants.  This give me a total of 70 feet of movement, 14 squares worth.  Ending at K5.

Opal rolled 24 using 1d20+13. Jump.

EXTREME LEAP [MOVEMENT]
Your extraordinary leaping ability carries you over great distances.
   Prerequisite: Jump 5 ranks.
   Benefit: If you make a horizontal jump of at least 10 feet during
your turn, you can spend a swift action to move an additional 10 feet
on that turn.

This message was last edited by the player at 16:37, Thu 06 Sept 2007.

Shaking her head and vowing to have a work with Tellorn later, he'd taken his vow to protect her a bit too literally in her opinion, Eleniel quickly moved forward, holding her sturdy shield up in case any more arrows came her way.  Her gleeming sword she also held up and out to the side, hoping the archer would be less inclined to fire if he imagined the long piece of steel sliding into his gut.

The archer shots and as the arrow leaves the bow a sound similar to a bird is heard. When The arrow strikes the sounds stops. It goes straight into Opals left shoulder where is penetrates the armor that was in th way.

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| | |S| | | | | | | | | |M|M|R|R|M| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |4
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| | | | | |R| | | | |O| |M|M|M|M|M| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |5
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |E| | | | | | | | | | | ||  | | | | | |6
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |7
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+  

OCC:
R-Rock
M-Mud(-50% movement)
S-Bad guy(Init:13)
B-Betha(Init:21)
T-Tellorn(Init:16)
E-Eleniel(Init:09)
O-Opal(Init:16) (6 Damage)

Tellorn kept moving forward, wanting to get as close as possible before bringing forth a conjured beast.  Deciding he couldn't get quite close enough, yet, he instead cast another spell, and sent a cloud of golden dust towards their enemy, outlining him clearly.

"Damn it!  That hurts!" Opal says as the arrow thunks into her shoulder.  She loses some of her momentum from the impact, but continues her move towards the man.  As she gets closer to him, she throws the dagger she had retrieved in her jump.  She hits him solidly, narrowly missing an artery...

Moved to E4.  Threw dagger, hitting AC 27 for 3 damage

Opal rolled 4 using 1d3+2. crit damage?.
I'm pretty sure an 11 would miss, but rolled the crit dmg anyway, just in case.
Opal rolled 3 using 1d3+2. Damage.
Opal rolled 11 using 1d20+8. Crit Confirm.
Opal rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Throw Dagger.

Betha runs toward the archer

Move to D-3

Eleniel moves closer to the archer. He holds tight around the handle of her longsword and tightens her grip on the shield she carries.

The archer drops his bow and arrow and draw a rapier out of it's sheath. He then moves closer to reach the already wounded Opal and strikes at her. He stabs the blade towards her but thanks to the spell cast b the elven wizard Tellorn he misses. He stumbles around striking blindly at where he could remember her being.

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| | | |S|O| | | | | | | |M|M|R|R|M| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |4
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+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+  

OCC:
R-Rock
M-Mud(-50% movement)
S-Bad guy(Init:13)
B-Betha(Init:21)
T-Tellorn(Init:16)
E-Eleniel(Init:09)
O-Opal(Init:16)(6 Damage)
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:52, Tue 18 Sept 2007.

Tellorn kept pushing forward, before quickly beginning to summon.  Before the man could react, Tellorn was finished, and behind their opponent, a large centipede of monstrous proportions appeared, it's wicked eyes glaring holes in the man.

Seeing the man blinded, Opal backs up a couple of paces, drawing another dagger, and launches it at the man.

Move back 10 feet, throw dagger.
11:45, Today: Secret Roll: Opal rolled 9 using 2d6. sneak attack damage?.
11:45, Today: Secret Roll: Opal rolled 3 using 1d3+2. dagger damage?. (forgot to add pbs to dmg)
11:44, Today: Secret Roll: Opal rolled 8 using 1d20+4. Thrown dagger (-4 for being in melee).

Rolled damage just in case the 8 hits...  <shrug>  I suppose it would only hit if he wasn't wearing armor, but oh well...  :)

This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Tue 18 Sept 2007.

Bethas weapons move in rapid succession wielding both weapons as easily as if they were one. Both makeing solid blows on the man.



Full Attack
Total Damage to AC 19 or less: 10


11:46, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 2 using 1d4+1. Kukkri Damage.
11:46, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 8 using 1d6+2. Rapier Damage.
11:45, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 19 using 1d20+6. Kukri.
11:45, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Crit Confirm.
11:44, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Rapier.

Eleniel moved closer and says in a commanding voice. You are outnumbered. You are wounded. Surrender or meet your end. She holds her shield at the ready and so her keen blade.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:24, Tue 25 Sept 2007.

The man seems unaffected by Eleniels words and swing at her voice while shouting.
For Belshab, For Belshab It seems that with his new determination he gains strenght and he stabs his rapier into Eleniel, penetrating the armor.

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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |7
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+  

OCC:
R-Rock
M-Mud(-50% movement)
S-Bad guy(Init:13)
C-Centipede
B-Betha(Init:21)
T-Tellorn(Init:16)
E-Eleniel(Init:09) (4 Damage)
O-Opal(Init:16)(6 Damage)

Betha attacks again.


5 damage to AC 13 or less
9 damage to AC 11 or less
09:50, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 5 using 1d4+1. Kukri Damage.
09:49, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 4 using 1d6+2. Rapier Damage.
09:49, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 13 using 1d20+6. Kukri.
09:48, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 11 using 1d20+5. Rapier.

Betha strikes come true and she stabs the rapier into the mans chest and made a deep cut to the mans neck. A slow last breath is heard leave him. He falls to his knees before landing face down into the earth. The surroundings seems to be quiet and all is still. Not a word is heard or even a sound other then the wind.

Then a quiet noise breaks the silence and windsong.  At first, it sounds steady and monotonous, almost like a chanted prayer or mantra.

As the last echoes of your battle die away, the voice changes, becomes louder. "Help me!  Did you get him? Help me!"

Opal winces as she pulls the arrow from her shoulder.  She then pulls her dagger free of the man and picks the one off the ground that missed him.  She hears the voice calling out, and glances around suspiciously.  "It could be a trick...  Get an axe..."  She smiles around at the others, before realizing that they must not have seen the same play she had, and shrugs her joke off.  She cautiously moves in the direction of the voice.

Seeing no further threat, Tellorn dismissed the conjured centipede, releasing it back to it's abyssal home with a word of power.  As he heard the noise, someone speaking, Tellorn thought, he drew an arrow to his bowstring, on the off-chance of it being another ambush, and followed behind Opal.

Before she did anything else, Eleniel went to Tellorn and walked beside him as he walked behind Opal, studying him for any sign of wounds on his body.

If it was a trick, it was a good one.  They found the form of a small man bound hand and foot tucked into a small cave.  He was clearly bound too tightly to be able to move much.

His head was shaved, his skin was tanned, and his robes were simple and plain, marked only by an image of a glowing hand, finger pointed up toward the man's shoulder.

He'd managed to scrape the gag off against a nearby rock, and his cheek bore the marks of the scraping as well.

As you came into view, he tried a winning grin. "Thank the High One!  Can you get me out of here?"

Betha holds a hand up to her companions signaling for them to do nothing yet and then stares coldly at the bound man.

Betha's supernatural sight probes the mans aura looking for the telltale signs of evil.


Detect Evil
Know Relgion:
23:11, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 5 using 1d20+2. Know Religion.

Silence gather as the group stands and look at the man securely bound by strong rope. It seems that many people have trough the times gone here. It starts to slowly go over the group that they have under this adventure now killed there first person. Some might feel sadness for the waste of a life. It does not take long before birds are heard to far away. Crying, signaling to others that a feast is to be found here. The only problem you can see with that is that it might attract more then just birds.

"His aura is free of evils taint you can unbind him.  Tell us how you were captures sir, and your name if you could" Betha says.

Once free, Khemed stood and bowed slightly, rubbing his wrists to try to restore the rest of the circulation. "My thanks.  I am called Khemed, and I serve the High One as part of his Shining Hand.  I was captured by many well armed soldiers... more than I felt I could survive facing, even with His help."

"After three days bound in this cave, I was beginning to think that fighting and dying would have been the more pleasant choice.  Who do I have to thank for my rescue?"

"I am Betha Brightwood Knight of the Silver Fire. This is Opal, Tellorn and Eleniel. We are on a mission at the moment and are glad to have aided you in your time of need."

Khemed bowed simply. "Not nearly so glad as I was to have your help.  In thanks, if I could aid you in your mission, I would gladly do so.  I am not a bad hand in a fight, and I have a few other tricks up my sleeves as well."

With a grin, he made a stage showman's gesture of 'nothing up my sleeves', then looked startled when nothing was produced.

Eleniel watched the newcomer curiously, but she did not relax just yet.  She threw a quick questioning glance at Tellorn, wanting to know what he thought before passing any judgments.

Opal crosses her arms across her chest, as skeptical as ever.  "No one has invited you to join us...  I for one am not in a sharing mood.  And if you were captured by a bunch of soldiers, then why was there only one guarding you?"  She raises an eyebrow to see how he tries to talk his way out of it.

Khemed just shrugged, though whether at her skepticism or her question wasn't clear.  "Perhaps they thought that once I was bound hand and foot, one man was sufficient guard, and that their men were better used somewhere else."

"His heart is pure I have studied his aura if he wants to come along more the merrier" Betha says a little naively. "As for a share of the reward, I believe he can get a fair share depending on his participation.

For now we need to move on, are any of you hurt? I have but a little restorative power but am willing to give what I have."

"I can heal you," Eleniel offered, thinking that the paladin should save her special healing for emergencies.  There was no reason that she could think of to keep Khemed from accompanying them so she said nothing against it.

Opal looks down to her blood soaked shirt and the ragged hole in her shoulder, then back up to Betha with a strange expression on her face.  Halfway between disbelief and wondering how naive this paladin actually is.  She looks at the group and just shakes her head.  She can't believe that they'll simply believe this man's story and welcome him into their group, no questions asked.

Tellorn remained quiet for the moment, though he was a bit sceptical to the stranger.  Still, they were four against one, so he wasn't all that opposed to having the new guy join them, if only for a little bit.  Plus, if he was hiding something, they should have plenty of time to get it out of him, Tellorn thought. . .

Khemed looked from face to face with a wide grin.  It wasn't clear whether he was happy to be accepted, or still trying to make friends.

"Do you need healing?" Eleniel asked, growing a bit impatient.  "I would like to make certain my friends are not hurt, after all," she said, pointing out the blood on Opal's shirt.

"Lets get moving, you may come along Khemed". Betha says. "Lets hope we dont meet anymore snipers"

Betha will push the group on toward there destination

Opal nods at Eleniel's question about healing  "That arrow hit pretty hard..."  She sighs to herself when Betha invites the man to join them.  'Ah well...  I suppose he can have Rabbitfoot's share...  if he does enough to earn it...'  She waits to see if the elf will heal her, then follows the others as they press on towards the mountains.  She keeps to the back and keeps an eye on the newbie.

Eleniel nodded and moved up to Opal, placing a hand on the other woman's shoulder as she prayed for healing to help her companion.  A short moment passed and then her hand began to grow warm on Opal as the divine grace went from one to the other, healing the woman completely.

Khemed followed as the others started to move away.  If he noticed Opal's scrutiny, he didn't show any sign that it bothered him.

As the group got moving again, Tellorn kept close to Eleniel and Betha, on the off-chance that they would fall under attack again - he so hated trying to cast spells while being distracted by arrows and swords and other unweildy pieces of metal, after all, especially when said weaponry were being weilded against him.  Keeping his enhanced bow out as he walked, he tried to keep on alert - but before too long, his mind had occupied itself, thinking back on recent events, and such.

It seems to be a uneventful day as the group make their way next to the high mountain. The rain clouds that threaten you with another cold and wet night hold their rain. The stars are hiding behind the clouds. Sometimes they pop out alongside the moon when they find a little opening in the thick clouds above. The next day you notice that the dark clouds are moving again and you can see the bright blue sky above. Many birds scatter before the group. The grouse are it seems a little nervous. Right before you must take and set camp a eagle is seen riding the skies. The night is bright as the moon shines her light upon you. Many wolfs are heard paying tribute to the moon. The night pass without much difficulty. A fox  visit your camp, but keeps it's distance before moving away most likely to hunt mouse and other small animals.

You do not walk for long before you can see clearly a big crack in the mountain side you should be close to the so called caves. After walking a hours time Opal is reports having found a cave entrance not to far ahead. After only a short walk you all see the entrance clearly. It's a small one, but should not be to difficult to   get into. It's about mid day if one would take a guess. At least it feels like it is. Everybody finds their magical torches and lanterns and  put them to good use. The cave is dark and it seems that the darkness is eating you up. After walking for a while you enter a larger room within the cave. The air is cold to your skin and you have the strange feeling of you not being welcomed into this cave. Your feets are tired and your stomachs empty. Setting up the torches around you at least ease the feeling of hostility this place gives you. It brings a sense of warmth and happiness. Not long after you start to hear the sound of something against the stone floor. It seems to come closer and closer. Eleniel sitting closest to the sound looks shocked for a few moments. As soon as Eleniel is shocked it seems whatever it was moves quickly away. The sound of the thing moving hastily trough room and away from you.

With wide eyes showing a mixture of horror and fear, two very different emotions in this case, Eleniel sat very still, gazing in the direction of the retreating sounds.  She was, apparently, quite speechless, her pretty pink mouth slightly open in surprise.

Khemed almost floated up from the curled resting position he'd settled into.  He stepped forward, his hands slipping loose from his sleeves.  He took up a ready position between his new companions and whatever had caused the sounds, peering into the gloom.

20:37, Today: Khemed rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Sorry, that was a Spot check, I just hit the roll button before I filled in the reason box.

Opal had been practicing her juggling when they heard the sound.  She quickly caught up her daggers and held one ready to throw.  She frowns at the thing's retreating footsteps.  _{"Well, whatever lives here knows we're here now..."} she whispers to her companions.  She looks around at them and asks, _{"Should we pursue, or stay holed up here, and wait to see if they come to us?"}

"Lets wait" Betha says.

The darkness seems to come closer and you start to feel how it is to be trapped. Like a big cage that contains you as the silence starts to fall over the group once more. There is no sound but the groups constant breathing.

Opal shudders and not for the first time, nor for the last she wishes she hadn't left her family's caravan.  She reaches into her knapsack and pulls out her always burning torch, trying to provide more light for the group.  She shudders again, and asks, "Well, whatever it was is gone now..."

Khemed turned to Eleniel and asked, "What was it that you saw?"

In a very shaken, eerily quiet voice, Eleniel replied, "Someone...an elf maybe...but...not...like an elf but...pain...like suffering...  With a strong shudder running through her body, Eleniel closed her eyes and took deep breaths to try and steady her wayward nerves.

Khemed tilted his head and looked at Eleniel.  It was fairly clear that he didn't understand.

Then with a shrug, he turned back to look in the direction that whatever it had been had gone.  Apparently he'd decided to let Eleniel get control of herself before pushing any further.

Opal frowns as she looks around.  "So, now what?  We just going to sit here and finish resting?  Or wait for whatever stumbled upon us to bring friends?"

Eleniel tried, in the brief glance she was gifted with her sighting, to get a sense of the creature's purpose in being there so close to her and her companions, but the overwhelming look of twisted pain or whatever it was caused the very empathetic, caring elf to be completely unsuccessful.  After a few minutes, not to mention several shivers, Eleniel quietly whispered, "I know not the creature's intent, and even though I am incrediby touched by the apparent pain felt by it, I do not think it wise to be unprepared."

"Our best option is rest. We are more alert and ready for action with a good sleep. Lets post watches and see if we can get some sleep. I for one need it.


OoC

So if no one is opposed DM we rest and would like to move on into the place and explore.

Khemed nodded. "If possible, I would take the first or the last watch, but beyond that I don't care..."  He glanced back at Opal, "Assuming I am allowed to watch and not to be watched."

As the group get settled for the night or whatever the hour might be. It's mostly silent during the party's rest even tough the darkness surely starts playing tricks on the eyes. Many times during the night all could have promised that during there shift they had heard something, but nothing came. As you all have rested well and long you head deeper into the cave. When you meet the first wall you notice that along the wall here there are bowls filled with what appears to be a very large amount of oil. It appears to be some sort of lamp. You can see that they are atleast one at each side of the one you first spotted. They appear to be around 20 ft away from each other along the wall. You could expect that with the amount of oil inside inside the lamps it should last atleast 12 hours if not more or less.

As you stand there looking at the lamp something happens.

OCC:
please roll spot and listen checks.

Khemed looked puzzled as he looked at the bowls of oil. "Should we light one, do you think?"

18:47, Today: Khemed rolled 13 using 1d20+2. Listen check.
18:47, Today: Khemed rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Spot check.

"I've got a light of my own, but if you need more, then go right ahead," Tellorn replied with a shrug, and retrieved his everburning torch from his backpack, it's light shining as bright as the moment it was first enhanced.

Staying close to Tellorn protectively, though at times she wondered just who protected who in their friendship, Eleniel shrugged in response to Khemed's question with a small smile.  "It matters not to me, I do not need much light.  But please do whatever you think is best," she replied softly, wanting the stranger to feel welcome among their little group since it appeared he would likely be with them for awhile, something she certainly had no objection to.

13:01, Today: Eleniel rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Spot.
13:01, Today: Eleniel rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Listen.

Khemed shrugged, "I too have a light source." He tapped the lantern that hung from his pack. "I was wondering if the bowls might have some other purpose than providing light..."

He pulled flint & steel from his pouch and glanced back at the others.  If nobody objected, he struck a spark into the tinder, blew it into flame, and lit the oil.

Betha looks about eyes and ears straining. Then after seeing and hearing nothing she reaches out with her supernatural perceptions granted by Mystra.

Detect Evil (60ft)
09:46, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 7 using 1d20+2. Listen.
09:46, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 13 using 1d20+2. Spot.

Opal stands and looks around and keeping herself ready. She takes a dagger and flipps it in the hand. As Khemed use the flint and steel to light the bowl of oil she just looks at what's going to happen.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:33, Sun 25 Nov 2007.

As Khemed flicks with the flint and steel the oil is ignites. It shines brightly and give both light and heat. Then he sees it. Something that appears to be a crack in the wall, but still in a straight line to the left and right. Then opal, Betha and Khemed hears a sound. The same sound as they heard when they had rested. the sounds of feet against the stone floor. Then suddenly the little straight crack in the wall lights slightly up. One by one similar bowls of oil ignites and lights up the place. Just within the shadows of the the light you see it. A twisted shape of an elf. Twisted in pain. And this time it appears he's not along ether. Three more are seen as well.

  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  V  U  W  Z  Y
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |D |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | K| E| T|1
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |D |  |  |  |  |D |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | O| B|  |  |2
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|  |  |  |  |D |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |T2|  |  |D |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |3
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|  |  |  |  |D |  |  |  |D |  |T1|  |  |D |T4|  |  |  |D |  |  |D |  |  |  |4
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|  |  |  |  |D |  |  |  |  |  |C |  |  |  |T3|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |D |  |5
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|  |  |  |  |D |D |D |D |D |D |D |D |D |D |  |D |D |D |D |D |D |D |D |D |D |6
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |7
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+  

OCC:
D-Debris
C-Chest
T1-Twist shape1(11)
T2-Twist shape2(11)
T3-Twist shape3(11)
T4-Twist shape4(11)
B-Betha()
T-Tellorn()
E-Eleniel()
O-Opal()

Please roll Init.

"What the f---" Opal exclaims as the light reveals the presence of the twisted elven forms.  She gets her dagger ready to throw and hopes that these things can bleed...

Opal rolled 15 using 1d20+3. Initiative

Betha draws her weapons. "These creatures must be destroyed, for they bear the taint of evil."

09:11, Today: Betha Brightwood rolled 16 using 1d20+3. initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:11, Sun 09 Dec 2007.

Khemed shielded his eyes.  Even though he'd expected the first flame, the rest dazzled him.

He nodded at Betha's statement and settled into a fighting stance.

21:19, Today: Khemed rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

Though he was shocked by the sight in front of him, Tellorn was still ready, and within moments, he begun to draw his bow and an arrow, ready to defend himself if he had to.

As she saw the creatures in the light she was shocked and horrifide aain. She says in a low voice Those are the creature that I saw while we where resting. She gripped tightly her shield and longsword. As ready as she could ever be.

occ:
Init:15

OCC:
All except Khemed can post then I'll make a update.Also
PS:betha yI can not see your Init. So please roll it or show it. Then we'll get this show moving¨.