If you want to continue to do a bit of role-playing in the Stonehill Inn thread, be my guest! If you are getting impatient, though...


Rooms are found for everyone, though not everyone has to stay in the Stonehill Inn if they don't want to, or have other options.

The night passes uneventfully. The morning either comes all to swiftly or not quickly enough, depending on your viewpoint. As Sildar has promised, provisions are provided for everyone... at least 3 days of food and a day of water. If you want to take more water, you can, but water is heavy. And Lureene lets you know that there is a spring-fed stream about halfway to Conyberry. There might be functioning wells in Conyberry as well.

Mithra was always an early-riser, unless maybe she was recovering from wounds. Breakfast was being served and she had her share of scrambled eggs, ham and fried potatoes, bread, cheese and nuts. She wasn't expecting it to be an arduous trip, but it looked to be long, and she didn't know when she'd next get a decent meal.

She didn't have a horse. There weren't too many of those that came with the wagons that had a horse. As she thought back, she actually couldn't recall if anyone had a horse.

She associated riding horses with nobility... trying to put themselves above everyone else without every doing an ounce of work in their lives. Owning a horse also meant money. She didn't have enough to buy a horse... yet.

You also had to take care of a horse. She took care of herself; no time or energy for anyone else.

As the others began gathering outside the Inn, the number of people going on this orc-hunt finally registered! It was starting to look like a mob. They were going to need some organization, even if was a loose organization, if no other reason than to keep from killing each other!

"Yo, people!" she called out. She wasn't sure she'd remember everyone's name anyway. "We got any rangers or scouts in our midst?"

"I'm just asking cause they should be out in front. It's been my experience that the spell-casters should stay in the middle."

"What about archers? We got any of those?"

"I can use a short bow. I can move silently. But I am no ranger. I am a city guy" says Darvin.

In reply to Darvin (msg # 3):

Amiri wakes up early and stands by the hearth and casts the ritual find familiar and Sparky, a tiny fire elemental flies out of the hearth.

" Hello, Sparky. I thank you and Kossuth for joining me. "

She then sits and eats breakfast after asking a wench for a bowl of twigs for Sparky.

In reply to Amiri Flamestorm (msg # 4):

Thressa having been up a dawn with a Morningstar on his hand. When she reenters  the Inn from outside, she sits at the table and smiles at Amiri.

Artem wanders around the common room for a while in a bit of a morning fog, scratching himself absentmindedly and then stretching and yawning.  As he munches some crusty bread, he answers Mithra: "Not a ranger nor a scout, nor an archer. I fight with my axe and if I need to I throw my smaller axes. Front rank for me."

"Yes, Artem, I've seen you in action," Mithra replies to the fighter. "My questions were directed at those that I haven't yet adventured with."

"I can use a bow, too; I'm just not very good with it. Archers are second rank fighters, perhaps even third rank, depending on the way we group ourselves."

"I can track...in a pinch, but I am much more familiar with...urban environments. Certainly not a Ranger by far, though I have little trouble moving about unseen if I choose." The hooded figure replies in response to the others. He pulls up a chair and leans back against a table. "As far as bows go, I never touch the stuff. I like things up close...and personal."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:57, Tue 17 May 2016.

"The bow I know to use is the small handheld crossbow, but I practice arcane magics for attacking from afar. I'm good in hand to hand combat as well. Generally, I'll be trying to focus on weakening the opponent's offensive or defensive capabilities through magic while everyone else works toward taking them down."

In reply to Mikal Mourningmoon (msg # 9):

" I am more a Healer then anything. Although I do sling a spell. "

He patted the warhammer at his side. "I prefer to let my enemy come to me, but I have a few arcane tricks up my sleeve to make their journey more fun. Could use a bow, 'f I had one, but why carry arrows when I can pelt foes with frost all day?"

In reply to Victor Harkness (msg # 11):

Amiri chuckles.
" I am just the girl who plays with fire ."

"I am not a scout, but I am a Druid of these Forests, so I do well in the woods. I could act as a scout, if necessary."

Gimble shows his sling, "This is the only missile I can sling, but it is sufficient for hunting my own food."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Wed 18 May 2016.

"Well as you know, I can call on the Lady Firehair to grant us her favor, heal our wounds, or even smite our foes. And as for myself, well..." The mailed priestess pats the elegant flanged mace at her belt. "I can take care of myself in a scrap, if I do say so myself."

Ero taps his foot impatiently.  "We can perpetuate this confabulation as we pursue our itinerary.  Shall we decamp this hamlet forthwith?"

"That's fine," Mithra agrees with Ero, though she was working while she talked.

"We should be okay until we hit the Triboar Trail. Once we head west, though, we should try to keep as quiet as we can. We don't need to attract any unwanted attention."

"So, Maldor, Artem and Gimble will take the front with me. A few of you fighter-types should take up the rear. The rest of you can stay in the middle."

"We can make adjustments as we go if that doesn't work out."

Seeing that everyone was either impatient or eager to leave, she started walking out of town.

Mikal was fine with the plan, so he voiced no concerns and followed the group.

Victor said, "I'll guard the rear, then. Anything wants to devour our less armoured friends, it'll have to choke on me, instead."

In reply to Mithra Stormraven (msg # 16):

"The middle is fine with me. Oh and my raven can scout the areas ahead as well."
Cunaar did want it known they would have more eyes for looking around.

Maldor strolled next to Mithra as they headed for their next adventure. The weather seemed remarkably calming for the half-orc. It wasn't too cold, not too warm. The air was fresh and the surroundings not unpleasant. For some time Mal had worked at the Black Scarab in the city. Perhaps he was enjoying life in the outdoors. Was that his life before he was found gravely injured in the Tower District? Was a pastoral setting his true background? Maldor may never know.

"What you think new people?" he asked of Mithra. "New people eager. Want fight orc. That good. Maldor and warrior woman cannot fight bad orc alone. Need all people can get."

Mal twirled his greatclub in his hands, anticipating the battles to come.

Darvin took up his place somewhere in the middle. "I will be able to make most impact in an encounter if I am not immediately noticed."

Artem strides side by side with the big half-orc, saying little but looking sharp and grinning from time to time.  This was his best state--on the move and ready for anything.

Maldor glanced over at Artem. The human fighter seemed to be enjoying their travel as much as the half-orc.

"Maldor glad human come fight orc" Mal remarked. "Human good fighter. Defeat bad human."

Maldor thought for a moment.

"Artem. Mean fight good, yes? You, me, warrior woman and others fight bad orc. Make stop hurt good human."

The tall fighter slapped his greatclub in his left palm. He let a thin grin escape his mouth. His lower jutting teeth protruded upward even further.

Ebrik took the cue to exit the tavern. He fetched his horse from the stables, checked his supplies before heading out to rendezvous with the others. For a while, he walked the horse on foot, chatting up the others as he was able, and then occasionally, riding ahead of the group to "scout" the way for unseen troubles.

In reply to Ebrik (msg # 24):

Amiri leaps up and walks out. Bits of her hair fly behind her like sparks of a fire.

In reply to Amiri Flamestorm (msg # 25):

Thressa slowly and elegantly stands smiling to the waitress.

" Be strong and don't take their crap. "

So the group heads out of town, taking the north (and only) road, everyone winds up in a particular slot... the road really isn't wide enough to easily accommodate more than 2 abreast.

FIRST RANK

Maldor and Gimble in front.
Mithra and Artem right behind them.

SECOND RANK

Amiri and Darvin
Cunaar and Hope
Thressa and Ero
Mikal and Lureene

OOC: You can adjust this as you see fit.

THIRD RANK

Victor and Ebrik


Setting a brisk pace, it takes you two hours to reach the Triboar Trail. You encountered no one along the way, and reaching the Trail, you don't see any recent signs of people.
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:00, Tue 21 June 2016.

"No sign of people or orcs yet. Do we have anyone skilled enough in tracking to look for signs of their passing? I'm sure we won't find the on the road unless it's in the middle of being ambushed."

"I do not possess the talent of tracking but I will send my familiar to the sky to get an aerial view."
With that Cunaar calls his familiar forth to the skies to scout around far and wide keeping well out of bow shot. Returning every so often to report as their communication range is limited.

"They'd have to be crazy or in large numbers to attack a group as numerous and well-armed as us", Lureene noted, "though it does us no good for finding them if they scatter at the sight of us, either. Mikal is right; we'll need to look for them off the road somehow. Or else catch them as they try to avoid us."

The beautiful armored priestess rides on the forest side of the road, and often turns her head that way to admire the flora and the wildlife of this part of the world.

"Sildar told us that the orcs were two days away, why would you think they were anywhere near here now? Maybe they are, but how would you find them in these woods? Especially as Lureene says, since we have all this metal armor clanking around with us."

Gimble sets a brisk pace, hardly any of the longlegs notice.

"The quicker we get there, the quicker we can take care of them."

Victor said with his usual easy smile, "'Crazy,' and 'in large numbers' both commonly describe orc warbands, along with 'stinky,' 'loud,' 'ill-mannered,' and, in my experience, 'horrible singers.' Regardless, Timbers is right. Though we should remain wary. An ambush you're prepared for, isn't really an ambush at all."

"I agree with Gimble. Let's get to the place they attacked, and then search from there. I am more used to a city, but I can see things others can't. It may help." Darvin gives his opinion.

"Actually," Mithra called back to the others, "the Orcs attacked everything in this area a couple hundred years ago. They were finally driven out about a hundred years ago, but, so far, Phanadlin is the only town that's been rebuilt."

"As far as anyone seems to know, they haven't actually attacked anything recently. Sildar's concern is that the Orcs may be trying to make a return."

"So we're really on a fact-finding mission. But, if we have to, we'll run them out of the area again!"

Kayle moved through the undergrowth back towards the group of travellers, doing his best to conceal signs of his passing as he did so. As he came within earshot of the group, he began to speak. "I set out before dawn to get the lay of the land and see if I could find any sign of orcs..."

Survival: 6 (+4 or +6 if in forest) = 10/12
Sorry folks, got reduced to lurker status for a while there. I'll continue with the report once the boss lets me know the result of the roll, if anything.

Kayle hasn't found any signs of orcs, but does find traces of goblins... probably several days old.

All of the walking was beginning to take its toll on Maldor. He didn't mind the labor of the travel itself. It was the lack of anything significant happening. His urge to rid the area of evil was strong. The half-orc did not know why he had that sensation brewing within him. Perhaps it was just the need to do go. Or it may be bloodlust, kindling in his mind for some reason.

Mal glanced down at the gnome next to him, then held his greatclub in his left hand. With his right he reached into his pack and withdrew a stout piece of jerky. He took a large bite, which was indeed quite large for the fighter. The saltiness was tasty, quite useful for Mal's current need.

He returned what was left of the meat, then held his weapon again with both hands. He scanned the treeline and the road ahead. After a moment, he looked behind him to Artem and Mithra. They seemed content. Good. An unhappy warrior is a sloppy warrior.

Maldor looked ahead again.

"Not sure if my name has a meaning, friend," Artem answers the half-orc after some time passes. "But hopefully it does mean something like fight good."

"Hmph. 'Less your folks were told your future, names don't mean much. Anyone who's ever thrown bones with me, knows that I don't always get the spoils. Else I'd've skipped the army and gone into gambling full-time! Well,'til I was kicked out of every tavern and gambling hall on Toril, anyways."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:12, Fri 27 May 2016.

"Cognomen possess power,"  Ero replies.  "A wizard can conduct plenteous deprivations when he is cognizant of a being's true name."

"Darvin De Villiers was a cavalry officer who died a hero. No magic user can use that name against me, it's owner is dead. In my job, you don't use your real name" says Darvin.

A single eye raised in curiosity, Ebrik gazed ahead at his peers, listening to the pseudo-academic discussion. "Hopefully, none of the orcs will live long enough to care what our names are..."

Kayle is now the group's ranger, and while he scouted ahead, he couldn't really scout too far ahead. He made sure the way was clear out to the Triboar Trail, and rejoined the group once they got there.

After a brief rest at the trail, the group moved on. It was towards the end of the day when Kayle spots the group of figures up ahead.

Lureene guesses they are at the stream that she and Rihala had visited before on the way to Conyberry.

Even Gimble notices the figures up ahead.

When the group gets a bit closer, one of the figures steps forward. Now you can see that it is a bugbear!

"Which one of you killed my brother?!" he calls out.

Maldor gripped his greatclub firmly in his right hand. He held the larger part in his left, cradling the weapon in his palm. He twisted his head slightly so that he could speak to Artem.

"Brother? Who brother? Maldor no remember."

The half-orc looked forward again, mentally preparing for the inevitable battle.

Darvin moves forward."I think you mistake us for some other  group. We have only just arrived."(OOC use persuasion +5)

Victor scans the area behind his party, and whispers to Ebrik "Watch our flank. Don't want to get boxed in."

OOC: 20:52, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Perception.

Ebrik casts a brief look of agreement towards victor before falling back and ducking into some tall brush to keep an eye on the party's rear and flank.

OOC:
07:21, Today: Ebrik rolled 5 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 1.  Perception-watching party's flank and rear.

07:20, Today: Ebrik rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Stealth roll.

"Well...off to a good start :("

"We killed a couple of bugbears in the Redbrands' lair," Mithra replies to Maldor. "And then there was the bugbear chief in goblin ruins."

"I'm not sure he was actually a brother, though. I think they just mean he was a member of their group... kind of like you and I are 'brothers-in-arms'. We fight together, so that gives us a bond kind of like brother and sister."

While she appreciates Darvin's attempt to persuade the bugbears, she doubts that will work... if nothing else because there are 6 of them... moral support kind of thing. The bugbear chief had been entertained by Serena, but Mithra didn't think Mikal would be quite as... captivating.

So she stepped forward then, and called out to the bugbears.

"WE'VE KILLED A LOT OF BUGBEARS! WHICH ONE ARE YOU REFERRING TO?"

When the warrior woman stepped forward and made her reply, a grin escaped one side of Maldor's mouth. He realized that the battle that was fated was about to begin.

The half-orc took a step away from the gnome standing near him. He needed the room to swing his greatclub. If rushed, he wouldn't want to hit him. Then again, Mal expected to be running forward very soon.

Cunaar was about to step forward and suggest that Ero explain things to them. Thus informing them it was likely they did kill his brother but they would never know. In the meantime preparing for their assault...pity, they would just have to have at it straight out.
The battle yet to engage, for his part he would wait and try to remove the slowest.

As she yelled at the bugbears, she tried to remember who'd killed the bugbear chief. She remembered Amiri hitting it, and Aria... and Ero... but he'd only been unconscious. When he woke up again, Maldor had knocked him out again. But...

No one had actually killed him. In fact, they hadn't even tied him up. In the thrill of beating the hobgoblins with their wolves, everyone seemed to have forgotten all about him.

They'd all just left after that, leaving the bugbear behind. What was his name again? Damn. Serena would know. Wait! It was something like those dog-like humanoid monsters... the gnolls... that's why she remembered it... now what was it? Gnell? Droll? Got it! Grol!

She couldn't help wondering if he was even dead. Maybe one of the goblins had killed him. That was what Mella had suggested. The goblin that killed him would be the new leader. Had one of the goblins done that?

Victor slowly drew his warhammer, while still keeping his back to the party.

Ero taps his foot impatiently.  "Let us abrogate this malevolent menagerie forthwith.  Oppugnancy is inevitable, so why procrastinate?"

"Tally any wizards you descry," he says to Amiri.  "And I'll the sharpshooters."

Count up the number of ranged attackers in the bugbear group.

09:39, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

Seeing his new companions were not great on diplomacy, Darvin moved to one side out of the way of fighters or shooters. A dagger slips from his sleeve into his hand, as yet hidden by his cloak.

Gimble takes a moment to cast the minor illusion cantrip, making a simple copy of himself as he steps to his right and stops moving. Now there are two little Gimbles.

When the gnome near him doubled, Maldor was almost shocked. This battle to come was becoming more and more odd for the half-orc. Yelling at the bugbears... sure, that was understandable. The elf man wanting to get the creatures pregnant? Strange. Mal's memories of combat from his past weren't complete. But the desire for blood within him did seem natural.

Maldor studied the far bugbears to see what they were doing. If they wished to fight, he'd be ready.

Zhoa peered between the branches of a large bush. He had strolled into the trees earlier and had decided to take a nap, but now these fool bugbears had awakened him with their shouting. And he had been deep asleep. Now he was indignant.

He looked over the bugbears and the group of travelers the leader was haranguing. For perhaps the tenth time since he arrived in the western part of Faerun, he thanked the fates that his traveling clothes were a verdant green.

It looked like a fight was brewing. He decided he would help the travelers if hostilities broke out. He raised an eyebrow as he noticed the bearded gnome had become two bearded gnomes since he last looked.



09:56, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 20 using 1d20+3. Sneaky sneaky.

Lureene sighed when Dravin's attempts at diplomacy were shouted down by Mithra yelling, bragging almost, about all the bugbears they'd slain. She doubted the creatures would find themselves intimidated, or indeed view it as aught but an invitation to battle. Not that, as Ero pointed out, that was going to end any other way,

"Violence it is", said the priestess softly, and she unhooked her shield from her back and reached for her flanged mace.

Mikal stood where he was, watching the exchange. He didn't bother drawing a weapon yet, he simply watched and waited.

Before Kayle could reveal the results of his scouting, he was more than a little disturbed to see a group of bugbears arrive without warning. When Dravin began crowing about their earlier exploits, he thought he had a good idea of which way this particular wind was blowing. Without another word, the Ranger moved back into the undergrowth, drew his longbow and looked for a suitable flanking position.

Stealth: 16
This message was last edited by the player at 03:52, Wed 01 June 2016.

Artem stands ready to engage, battle axe out and held in a well-gripped manner.

(OOC It's Darvin, the diplomat who  wasn't there when you all killed bugbears, and it was Mithra that shouted out.)

The bugbears, particularly the spokesperson, seem confused. They weren't expecting such a reaction. The leader apparently isn't sure if Mithra was bragging or just trying to intimidate him. That's what really has him confused--he's usually the one that does the intimidating.

"My brother's name was Grol! Did you kill him?" he finally yells back. He's clearly reassessing the group now, trying to decide if you really are all the 'easy targets' he first thought you were, or whether you are more dangerous.

Patience doesn't seem to be his forte either, as he doesn't wait for Mithra or anyone else to respond. Instead, he just swears loudly and then lets out a 'blood-curdling' scream and charges forward. The other five bugbears are right behind him.


If you attack the bugbears, just pick one by number and say you are attacking that one. You all have initiative over the bugbears for attacking, unless you move, in which case you'll need to roll for initiative.

Maldor admired Mithra. She was hardly a tavern mistress like he was accustomed to at The Black Scarab. She was strong and skilled. She could easily dispatch the foolish bugbear before her. However, the weapon of an ally wouldn't hurt.

Being up front had its advantages. It took no time for Mal to step forward and swing his greatclub around to the side of the bugbear attacking Mithra.

11:06, Today: Maldor rolled 11 using 1d10+3.

11:06, Today: Maldor rolled 4 using 1d10+3.

11:05, Today: Maldor rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  attack bugbear 2/2.

11:05, Today: Maldor rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  attack bugbear 1/2.

[Love dem hit rolls! :)]

Adrenaline rushed through the half-orc's body as he connected.

"Kak nor don!" Maldor exclaimed, pleased with the success of his attacks.

It did not appear to him that Flaming Sphere would be of much use in this situation so Cunaar opted to cast Magic Missile, only at a higher slot. His focus being their leader, as with many unintelligent type thugs without a leader they fell apart. If only a little.
Raising his hands in front of him he spreads them apart bringing forth four glowing missiles of energy. All of which zip straight for their leader, perhaps it is why many often do not claim to be a leader to eliminate this focus.
The missiles dart around Maldor to find their target without fail.


10:17, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 4 using 1d4+1. Magic Missle.
10:17, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 4 using 1d4+1. Magic Missle.
10:17, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 5 using 1d4+1. Magic Missle.
10:17, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 3 using 1d4+1. Magic Missle.
Total - 16 Damage

Holding his position, Victor speaks a word, gestures and points at the farthest bugbear within 60 ft, and an icy beam emits from his fingertips. With luck he'll prevent it from joining the melee right away.

05:36, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Ray of frost.
05:37, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 2 using 1d8.  Ray of frost damage.
On hit, targets speed reduced by 10 until start of my next turn.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Wed 08 June 2016.

"I thought Grol was quite the idiot, but I see you have surpassed your brother in every way!"

Action: Vicious Mockery on the leader - He needs to Wis Save DC 13 or take 2 Psychic and have Disadvantage on his next attack roll.

09:04, Today: Mikal Mourningmoon rolled 2 using 1d4.  Vicious Mockery.

Seeing that the slowest bugbear is frozen, Zhao focuses on bugbear #4. He speaks a command and a golden glow forms around his hands, forming into bolts that streak into the creature's side.


14:37, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 5 using 1d4+1.
14:37, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 5 using 1d4+1.
14:37, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 5 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile vs. Bugbear #4.

Yowza!

Darvin has stepped left. He thrusts his dagger at whichever bugbear charges past him.14 attack 5 damage
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Wed 08 June 2016.

Gimble casts another spell, while slipping sideways off the trail. There is no need for him to confront these giants head first.


Gimble calls out, "Don't advance! Bring them to us!"

In reply to Gimble Timbers (msg # 70):

Amiri seems to flare around her hands with fire.

" This fight should stop Bugbears or face the Fires of Kossuth."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:52, Fri 10 June 2016.

In reply to Amiri Flamestorm (msg # 71):

Thressa Laughs.

" And the wrath of Aumanator. "

It wasn't that Mithra was intending to let Bugbear #1 get the first swing; she just wanted him to get close enough to commit to the attack. Otherwise, he might dodge around her. Not that she had time to come up with a reason why he would do that, but it was just her training. As a front line fighter, she didn't normally let an attack get past her (unless she herself went down).

On the other hand, she wasn't particularly surprised that Maldor made the first attack. Nor was she surprised that the nasty attack didn't take the bugbear out. The one's in the crypts had been tough, as had been Grol. They'd just gotten lucky with Grol.

As Maldor laid into the bugbear, she smiled as she said, "Hey, save some for me!" and then attacked.

18:44, Today: Mithra Stormraven rolled 21 using 1d20+6 ((15)). Attack bugbear #1.

18:47, Today: Mithra Stormraven rolled 6 using 1d8+3 ((3)). Damage to bugbear #1.

Seeing the lead Bugbear charge, Kayle decided to see if he could 'convince' them to split their forces. Firing an arrow at the rear most creature, he hoped it would break off from the main charge.

Longbow Vs Bugbear 5: 13
Damage if hit: 3

Seeing many of her friends charging, Lureene stayed in reserve, and instead prayed to Sune Firehair to bolster her allies, targeting Mithra, Artem and Maldor, the front-line warriors, with her spell.

OOC: Cast Bless on the aforementioned, giving them an extra d4 to attack rolls and saving throws until I'm done concentrating.

Ero hadn't spotted any bugbears that he'd consider ranged attackers. They all carried crossbows, but none of them were wielding them, or seemed inclined to use them before charging into battle.


The lead bugbear (#1), though it's unclear if he's the actual leader, charged forward and was met by a double tap from Maldor's greatclub, and then another strike from Mithra. He was pretty tough, though, and didn't go down, but he was clearly staggered. More from desperation, he swung back at Maldor.

22:40, Today: StarMaster rolled 11 using 1d20+6 ((5)). Bugbear attack.

A clean miss!

But then Cunaar's Magic Missiles slammed into the bugbear, finishing off the job.


Victor let loose with a Ray of Frost that struck Bugbear #6 all the way at the back. Although it didn't do much damage, Victor saw the bugbear shudder from the cold in spite of his furry hide.


With Bugbear #1 already down, the second bugbear (#2) theoretically became the new leader, so Mikal directs his Vicious Mockery spell at #2.

22:51, Today: StarMaster rolled 15 using 1d20+3 ((12)). Bugbear #2 save.

He doesn't seem to be affected by the spell.


Zhao chose to attack Bugbear #4 with a Magic Missile. It was as good a magical attack as he could have hoped. The bugbear is definitely wounded, but it doesn't go down.


Darvin waits for Bugbear #2 to charge past him, and manages to cut the bugbear with his knife. It's going to take a lot more of that to take out the bugbear.


Gimble then cast Spike Growth as a defensive measure.



Amiri and Thressa both attempt to intimidate the bugbears, but while they aren't berserking, they aren't particularly impressed by the threats.


From the rear, Kayle manages to hit the shivering bugbear (#6), but it's not nearly enough to take him down.


Lureene casts her spells on her teammates. Two of them have already acted, so the spell will take affect on them next round.


Artem, however, was holding his ground, waiting for the bugbears to reach him. He's now in a position to attack Bugbear #3.


Bugbear #2 attacks Maldor.

23:28, Today: StarMaster rolled 14 using 1d20+6 ((8)).

Close, but no cigar!


Bugbear #4 hesitates for a moment, as he tries to find what attacked him.


Bugbear #5, after moving forward, attacks Mithra.

23:35, Today: StarMaster rolled 16 using 1d20+5 ((11)).

A bit close, but still a miss.


So Artem, Ero and Ebrik haven't gone yet.


Those in the back or who weren't engaged in combat, especially Amiri and Thressa, notice a minor commotion from somewhere behind them, mostly lost in the sounds of battle.

Glancing back, they see a group of a dozen goblins led by a bugbear coming down the road behind them. They aren't charging yet. It seems as if they just emerged from the woods to the north, and while they can hear the battle ahead of them, they haven't quite figure out what's going on.

My apologies, Mr. StarMaster, I meant to cast the spell among the bugbears so that they would be affected as they moved to attack the party, or even if they moved to run away.

Gimble calls out, "'Ware my friends! There are more coming up behind us!"

Gimble continues to maintain the Spike Growth spell, hoping that it would slow the bugbears, and maybe injure them as well.

Well, Zhao thought, I should have known that wouldn't finish him. Perhaps some defense is in order. As he worked his spell, ghostly plates and bands of metal seemed to form around parts of his body and then fade away.


Zhao has cast Mage Armor, so his AC is now 16 and he has an Arcane Ward which will absorb the first 9 hit points of damage he receives.

Ero turns to face the goblins.  "This is not fortuitous,"  He quickly casts Mage Armor on himself.

AC 16 with Mage Armor

Artem seems to wait and wait and perhaps he felt a little fear as the beasts charged in towards him. Then he snaps out of it and swings a mighty swing with his battle axe at the bugbear #3.

23:16, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 13 using 1d8+5.  dam .

23:16, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  add 1 more for bless=14attk .
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Tue 14 June 2016.

Maldor received a perverse thrill when his first opponent was defeated. Was it that he was combating evil? Or was it the fight itself that pleased him? He had no time to determine the truth. The second bugbear swung at him. Fortunately, it missed. But, with Bugbear #2 enthusiastically targeted, Mal would prove the better.

21:53, Today: Maldor rolled 9 using 1d10+3.  dmg 2/2.

21:53, Today: Maldor rolled 11 using 1d10+3.  dmg 1/2.

21:52, Today: Maldor rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  attack bugbear 2 2/2.

21:52, Today: Maldor rolled 17 using 1d20+3.  attack bugbear 2 1/2.

"Kak!"

Staying focussed on the same target, Kayle readied another arrow. Taking a moment to aim, he let fly and kept observing the bugbear to see the result of his handiwork.

Longbow Attack: 7
I'm assuming that's a miss.

Goblins to the rear huh, well they are a bit more susceptible to his spells but he would wait. When they moved to attack he would cast sleep on those in the back so as not to be awakened by any that may step on them in passing.
Casting Sleep at 2nd level
08:38, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 46 using 7d8.  Sleep.

Darvin turns at the shout. He sheathes his dagger and takes his short bow. He fires at the approaching goblins.
attack 18 damage 3

Hope, safely ensconced in the middle of their group, has little chance of wielding her longsword, but that one bugbear at the rear makes a tempting target. She unslings her javelin, casts Fiery Smite and throws the javelin at him.

16:53, Today: Criella 'Hope' Anderfell rolled 17 using 1d20+3 ((14)).

The Fates must be with her! She's not usually that good with a javelin, but it is her ranged weapon of choice.

The javelin not only hits the bugbear for 8 points of damage, but on impact it burst into flame for an additional 5 points of damage.

OOC: Sorry for the delay. Rough week. When I'd finally get time to post at night, I was falling asleep.


FRONT RANK

Kayle way out front.
Maldor and Gimble in front.
Mithra and Artem right behind them.

Gimble had cast his Spike Growth spell in front of the group, pretty much in front of and around the bugbears. He didn't quite get it up in time to affect bugbears #1 and #2; plus he was making sure he wasn't catching his own group in it.

Bugbears #3 and #5, however, moved through the area and each took damage from moving through the spikes. It's not enough to seriously injure them, but it did soften them up a bit.

16:04, Today: StarMaster rolled 7 using 4d4 ((2,1,3,1)).

Bugbears #4 and #6 haven't moved yet, so no damage.

As bugbear #3 reaches Artem, stepping through the sharp spikes, Artem lets loose with a great hit. Even with the softening up from the spikes, though, it's not enough to take him out.

Maldor's double strike on bugbear #5, however, is enough to slay the beast.

Mithra's attack on bugbear #2 misses.

Kayle fires another arrow at bugbear #6 but misses. He was targeting #5 but that bugbear goes down under Maldor's awesome attack. Perhaps changing targets at the last second threw off his aim.


CENTER RANK

Darvin and Mikal
Cunaar and Hope
Lureene and Zhao
Amiri and Thressa and Ero

Having found his intent to parlay with the bugbears slip out of his grasp, he'd managed to stab bugbear #2 as he engaged Mithra. But now, not wanting to get into melee with the fighters, he turned his attention to the rear when the goblins appeared. He sheathed his dagger and unslung his bow, quickly nocking an arrow, taking aim, and let the arrow fly. He easily struck one of the goblins, but it wasn't enough to take him down.

Mikal, seeing that the front group of bugbears was engaged in melee, turned his attention to the rear.

Cunaar also turns to deal with the goblins at the rear, casting Sleep on them. He's not surprised to see 6 of them slump to the ground.

Hope throws a javelin at the bugbear leading the goblin group, and manages to hit. The impact also erupts in a momentary burst of flame.

Both Ero and Zhao go defensive, and cast Mage Armor on themselves.

Since Amiri and Thressa didn't have any luck with their threat, they turn their attention to the rear. Amiri casts Eldritch Blast at the bugbear. Like Hope, but for a different reason, the bugbear also takes fire damage.

Lureene is holding her action for the moment, as is Thressa.

REAR GUARD

Victor and Ebrik

Ebrik doesn't want to wait for the goblins to reach him, and charges forward.


The attacks on the bugbear and goblins at the rear has told them all they need to know--enemy! The bugbear and remaining goblins charge forward.

The bugbear, quickly tapping out the flames on his chest, reaches Ebrik ahead of the goblins, and swings his club at him. He hits for 9 points of damage.


Up front, bugbear #2 hits Mithra for 7 points of damage.

Bugbear #3 hits Artem for 5 points of damage.

Bugbears #4 and #6 aren't in melee range of anyone. #6, though, having been shot at with an arrow, decides 2 can play at that game, and pulls up his crossbow and looks around for his target.

Pleased his spell affected so many Cunaar still knew he was not out of danger. Having seen his fellow mages already cast armor upon themselves he will follow suit. Quickly Cunaar begins weaving protective magic around himself as well as a bit more. Taking a bit from his spell he also grants himself a little buffer.
Cast Mage Armor
Warded for 10HP

Zhao decides to take the sixth bugbear out before he can do anything with the crossbow. Again he gestures and speaks in a low voice, and a golden glow forms around his hands before streaking out as three bolts of force, straight into the bugbear's chest.



13:30, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 3 using 1d4+1.  Magic missile vs bugbear #6.
13:30, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 2 using 1d4+1.  Magic missile vs bugbear #6.
13:30, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 5 using 1d4+1.  Magic missile vs bugbear #6.

10 points of force damage, total.

Lureene continues to whisper her sung praise of the Lady Firehair, maintaining her goddess's blessing. While she does so, she steps closer to the front rank, ready to lend her mace to the fray should an opening appear. A sudden change in the tone of her song, and holy flame descends from the sky to strike the nearest bugbear.

OOC: Sacred Flame on one of the Bugbears, who must make a Dexterity save or take 6 damage; the spell nicely ignores cover so it won't matter the fighters are in front of me.

21:18, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 6 using 1d8.  Sacred Flame damage (if hit).

With his foe down on the ground, Maldor eagerly looked for a new opponent. He spotted the beast assaulting Mithra. The warrior woman could take care of herself, but Mal was more than willing to lend a hand.

20:30, Today: Maldor rolled 7 using 1d10+3.  damage on bugbear #2.

20:30, Today: Maldor rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  bugbear #2 2/2.

20:29, Today: Maldor rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  bugbear #2 1/2.

When his greatclub hit bugbear flesh, Mal chuckled. He had not intended on doing so, but these creatures were evil. They deserved to be removed from this mortal coil. Who knows what suffering they have caused against the innocent? No more!

"You shall die, kak na worg!"

Artem grimaces at the blow he takes but shifts footing and delivers another brutish blow across bugbear #3s chest!




22:04, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 13 using 1d8+5.  damage.

22:04, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  battle axe.

OOC: I guess I got skipped while waiting for an answer to my question in the OOC thread. Let me know if I should post another action for this turn, please.

Victor steps forward to cut off the approaching goblins, trying to block them from reaching the center rank. Using a ready action, if necessary, he swings his hammer at the first one to come within reach (note he is not right next to Ebrik.)

02:14, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Attack .
02:13, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 9 using 1d8+5.  Damage.

This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 06:48, Thu 23 June 2016.

Darvin nocked an other arrow, and fired into the approaching goblins.


01:30, Today: Darvin rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  damage.  01:28, Today: Darvin rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  shortbow attack.

Battle is taking place on two sides, not the best situation, but this was a big group. Taking in his surroundings Cunaar opts to protect his sleeping babes and target again a goblin near the rear. Trying to keep anyone from getting close to the dozing comrades else they see they are not dead and wake them.


09:46, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 25 using 1d20+6.  Fire Bolt.
09:47, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 10 using 1d10.  Fire Bolt.

With so many approaching, Mikal begins directing the magical sounds of song toward those approaching from the rear.


Action: Cast Sleep at level 2
Result: 26 HP worth of monsters

10:05, Today: Mikal Mourningmoon rolled 26 using 6d8.  Sleep.

This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Fri 24 June 2016.

Gimble continues to concentrate on Spikegrowth but also casts Thornwhip, attacking a bugbear as far across the Spikegrowth area as possible. The Thornwhip damages the bugbear a little, but also drags it through the Spikegrowth, doing additional damage.

20:10, Today: Gimble Timbers rolled 20,4 using 1d20+4,1d6.  Thornwhip attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Sat 25 June 2016.

Ero spots the crossbowman and decides to strike first.  He flicks his wrist and lofts a firebolt.  The bugbear dodges at the last second and the spell splashes against the wall.

19:22, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 12,1 using 1d20+8,1d10.  Firebolt vs bugbear 6, damage.

Kayle cursed as his rushed shot whistled over the bugbear's shoulder. Forcing himself to slow down, he drew a third arrow and took a deep breath as he took aim. As he released the arrow, he was aware that the group was in danger of being sandwiched between the Bugbears and the Goblins.

Ranged Vs Bugbear 6: 9
Gonna assume that's a miss.

The distribution of adventurers into three groups seems to be working out well, as little adjustment has been made as the battle progressed.

FRONT RANK

Kayle still way out front.
Maldor and Mithra and Artem in front.
Gimble right behind them.

Two of the six bugbears in front have gone down.

Kayle shot at one of the remaining bugbears and missed.

Maldor attacks bugbear #2, but only hits with one swing.

Mithra attacks bugbear #2, also, hitting it for 10 points of damage. That's enough to eliminate it.

Artem attacks bugbear #3, hitting it for 13 points of damage, and that's enough to take it out.

Gimble keeps the Spike Growth spell going, but also casts Thornwhip at bugbear #4, who was still trapped in the spikes. The spell drags him into the thorns, doing 10 points of damage. It doesn't quite finish him off.


CENTER RANK

 Darvin and Mikal
 Cunaar and Hope
 Lureene and Zhao
 Amiri and Thressa and Ero

Everyone in this group was making ranged attacks, so there wasn't any reason to change position, though a bit of movement probably happened just to get line of sight.

Cunaar cast Mage Armor on himself, and then cast Firebolt at one of the charging goblins at the rear. It's only a goblin, and the Firebolt kills it.

Zhao casts Magic Missile at bugbear #6 for 10 points of damage. It's not enough to finish him off, though.

Lureene casts Sacred Flame on bugbear #6, and that eliminates that bugbear.

Darwin shoots an arrow at one of the remaining goblins, and hits it, but it isn't quite enough to kill the goblin.

Ero casts a Firebolt at bugbear #4, who is trapped in the spike growth and just got dragged through it some more by Gimble's Thornwhip. Ero definitely has Advantage in this situation, and manages to hit the bugbear. Even though he only does 1 point of damage, the bugbear was on his last legs, and even that 1 point is enough to finish him off.

Amiri, Thressa, Hope and Ebrik take defensive stances.

Victor smashes a goblin with his hammer, and kills that goblin.

Mikal casts Sleep on the remaining goblins (4) and the bugbear (#7). All of them fall down asleep!

Victor's and Darwin's attack on the goblins whittled them down so that there was just enough left over to affect the bugbear, who'd been whittled down by Hope's javelin attack.


The battle is now over. All the bugbears and all the goblins are down.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 99):

Amiri shoots her Eldritch Blast which looks like a missle of flame.


Eldritch Blast: 12 Damage: 6

In reply to Amiri Flamestorm (msg # 100):

Thressa aims get blast which looks like an arrow of radiant energy.

Eldritch Blast: 15, Damage: 8

Ha-ha! Amiri just likes to see things burn!

Presumably she's targeting one of the unconscious creatures, since they are all down.

Victor begins executing sleeping goblins with his hammer. "Let's make sure none of them get back up, search the bodies for anything useful, then replenish our water at the stream."

Just as he was about to pull out his dagger to dispatch the sleepers he sees Victor well ahead of him. Good, he was not alone in his thought to finish of the sleeping ones without incident. Placing the dagger at the base of the skull he inserts the dagger cleanly into the brain.
It seemed they were out of immediate danger with the bugbear leaders down, there is time to loot them after the dirty work is complete.
"Leave a bugbear alive if possible. They might know more than these goblins."

Zhao ventures out from his hiding place. He doesn't worry about greeting the party at first, knowing that if they were even remotely observant they knew someone was casting spells from nearby to help them. He walked to the closest bugbear, looked down at it and spoke:

"These filthy bugbears
Disturbed my afternoon nap
And so, must perish."

He then looks up, smiles and calls out, "Greetings! I am Zhao Loa of Shou Lung. I hope the day finds you well."

Maldor noticed the dispatching of their downed foes. He looked about, seeing if any more were coming from a distance. Satisfied that the group was fine, at least for the moment, he headed for the stream. The half-orc looked back and forth. Perhaps there were more along the water, hiding from their inevitable deaths. Mal would not allow them to sneak up on the party.

He knelt down and ran his hand through the water. He cupped some and drank. The liquid was refreshing. Mal heard the suggestion that canteens should be refilled. He decided to do so for his own.

Standing, he once again scanned the area. He held his chest out, proud that evil had not won this day.

Mithra was of the same mind as Maldor... stand watch to make sure there weren't any other surprises. She doubted if there were any more bugbears, but something might have been trailing them, looking for... leftovers.

Once Maldor had drunk from the stream and refilled his canteen, and stood watch again, she went to the stream and did likewise.

She smiled a bit at the avarice now being displayed. A body hits the ground... loot it!

While she didn't know many of these people well, she was pretty sure they wouldn't hoard the loot; they'd share whatever they found with the rest of the group.

The sleeping goblins are quickly and easily dispatched, but the only bugbear still alive was the one that had come up from the rear.

Ero and Cunaar and Amiri soon realize that this bugbear was the one that they hadn't killed from the old ruins! Once again, he'd managed to come through the battle alive, though not unscathed.

The bugbear at the rear had no treasure on him at all, and he wielded only a crude club.

You find a single silver piece on each of the goblins.

Each of the bugbears at the front had 20 gold pieces on them, plus they all have some jewelry...14 pieces total. Some of it looks valuable; the rest looks... well, maybe not worthless, but at least cheap.

Plus they have weapons. Clearly this was some sort of raiding or scouting party, as there is none of the usual adventuring paraphernalia... lanterns, rope, backpacks, etc. The only thing along those lines that they have are waterskins.

Gimble dispels the Spike Growth spell so that it doesn't affect his comrades.

Seeing the number of dead so near the stream Gimble says, "All these dead creatures might end up poisoning the stream. Will you souls help me to spread them out into the woods? The woods will take care of them after that."

Gimble us awfully small, but he is strong for his size and begins dragging one of the dead goblins into the woods.

Maldor heard the druid's words and thought for a moment. It made sense. With one arm still holding his greatclub, he grabbed one of the bodies by the scruff of the neck and began to drag it after Gimble.

"Poison bad" the half-orc said to no one in particular.

Artem lends a hand with body disposal as well, smiling and humming to himself in an offbeat tune.

Victor put his hammer away and began moving bodies into the forest after they had been looted. Taking the smaller goblins three or four at a time was no challenge for him as he grinned at the younger warriors. "I'll let you young bloods deal with the heavy lifting," he said before dumping his load off unceremoniously just beyond the treeline and returning for another. Only when all the bodies were moved did he go to the stream and replenish his water.

"We handled the battle pretty well, I'd say. Though p'rhaps we might have benefitted from allowing Darvin to do the talking. I'm always eager to battle evil, but we might have learned something more about local goblin activities beforehand. Forewarned is forearmed, as the Major use to say."

While the others concentrated on disposing of the corpses, Kayle rummaged through the recovered possessions. Noting that the bugbears and Goblins only carried weapons & minimal provisions. "No food, no hunting or trapping gear." He muttered to himself. He stood and explained his conclusion to the group. "This lot had neither food nor the means to aquire any. My guess is a camp or something similar not far from here."

Maldor looked over at Artem. The two had shared more than a couple fights together. The half-orc's appreciation for the human had grown.

"Human whistle good. Maldor no whistle."

Mal jiggled his bottom lip, letting his jagged lower teeth to brush along his upper lip. He then heard the ranger's comment about a camp being nearby. Maldor again studied the surroundings.

"Maldor think go find camp. Go make bugbear and goblin pay be bad."

Hearing the comments about a camp, Victor said, "I agree with Maldor. If there's a goblin camp so near the road, it's our duty to get rid of it."

"Aye, it would be best not to let such ugly creatures pester the roadways", says Lureene in agreement with Victor. "Though we shall need to track it down first, but these oafs no doubt made a hash of a track behind them. No serious injuries from this skirmish, then?"

"Agreed. Who is best suited to tracking where these goblins came from?"

Mithra likewise helped haul the bodies into the woods, downhill from the stream if possible. The steam was clearly spring fed, from somewhere farther up the hill, so anything that did seep into the ground and make it to the stream would be rapidly diluted and washed away. Still, no reason to take a risk.

She made sure the bodies were strung out more, rather than stacked up in one pile. They'd deteriorate faster that way.

"I don't think any of us took any serious injuries this time, but Artem was hit," she said to Lureene.

"So, what are we going to do with the one not-dead bugbear? He's the one from the castle ruins. He probably won't know where the camp is, since he hasn't been here in a few days. It looks like he managed to bully a few goblins into service."

"Kayle is our ranger. He's probably the one to do tracking, though Gimble here probably has a good shot at it, too."

Not a shirker Cunaar assists in the disposal of the dead bodies, more than their foes would have likely done. When that is done the talk turned to scouting he called forth his newly acquired familiar. Appearing thirty feet up Cunaar communicates to him to scout the area, starting with the direction they seem to have come from.
"I have sent 'Hunter', my new familiar, to the sky to have a look. It cannot hurt to have more eyes."
As the others prepare to scout ahead Cunaar seeks out Ero to see if he might like to study this spell as well.

"Ero, I have a scroll you may like. But we must return something to Linene in town for it. Perhaps we can give her the rune sticks after we have all studied what they hold."
He passes Ero the scroll of Find Familiar to learn.

"Thank you, Cunaar," Ero replies.  "It will be most propitious."

Darvin is into looting. He helps search the bodies. He is not into physical activities. He lets others move the bodies, and replenishes his waterskin.

Maldor stood at the edge of the tree line once the bodies were within the flora. He sighed. It seemed as if a week had passed since he dragged the downed foes away from the open ground.

He watched the half-elf Darvin with some confusion. What he expected to find among the bugbears was unknown.

Mal looked over at Mithra. He shrugged at the warrior woman. When the discussion came to tracking, the half-orc remained mum. Certainly there were others in the group whose skills would be of use.

Again he sighed. He stood and waited, scanning the surroundings for possible trouble.

"Well, we're not getting anything done standing around," Mithra said after all the bodies had been dragged or carried into the woods, everyone who needed to refilled their waterskins, and everyone had caught their breath.

"Kayle, you're with me and Maldor... we need you to track the bugbears back to their lair... or at least their camp. We got your back. Gimble, you can stay behind us, keep an eye on the trail in case Kayle misses anything."

"The rest of you can follow behind us. And see if you can get any information out of the former-king bugbear. Damn. I forgot his name already. Oh, well, it's not important."

She started heading down the trail whether Kayle went or not. Waiting around just made you a better target.

Victor shouted to Mithra "Hold on, Stormraven. No need to drag a prisoner around. Give me a moment with him." Making sure the bugbear was securely restrained, Victor picked it up and carried to the water (or, if weighs more than 255, he'll drag it by its feet.)He threw the bugbear face first into the shallows. After giving it enough time for panic to set in, he held it up facing him, off-balance, so if he let go it would fall into deeper water. "You have one chance to tell us everything you know about where these others came from, or we're going to learn how well you can swim with your arms tied!"

21:33, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 13 using 1d20+2. Intimidate. Victor is not bluffing

Maldor had begun to step toward Mithra on her journey toward the goblin camp. But another in the group decided to stay. Mal shrugged at the female fighter.

"Warrior woman go, Maldor go. Just say."

When the surviving bugbear was tossed in the water, the half-orc raised his hairy eyebrows. This should be interesting.

Mithra just shook her head at Victor's approach.

"I never said to drag him along," she called back. "He's got some sort of charmed life. This is the second time he's survived an encounter with us."

"There are other ways to intimidate him besides torture. If you do it right, the threat of torture might get him to talk. You might try striking a deal with him, or, for that matter, bribing him."

"Well, he probably needed a bath anyway."

She'd long ago decided that she had no control over what other people did, and it was foolish for her to feel guilty or ashamed about what others did.

She followed after Kayle.

The stream is only about 2 feet wide and maybe, at certain spots, 4 inches deep, so it's not like the bugbear was ever going to swim in it in the first place.

"*sputter* Camp... *splutter* Daze inna camp... *splutter* Prolly Old Owl Well..." the bugbear manages to gasp out.

Kayle hadn't gone far enough yet that his sharp ears didn't hear what the bugbear said.

"I know where that is," Kayle calls back. "I wouldn't put much stock in what he said, though. Not that he's lying, only that he's been out of touch with the others... based on Mithra's words."

00:34, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Kayle Tharson, rolled 24,16 using 1d20+4,1d20+4 ((20,12)). Survival check with Advantage for tracking in the forest.

Darvin looked down at the bugbear. "You have just betrayed your friends. I suggest you get up and go in the opposite direction as fast as you can. Keep traveling for a couple of days at least."
02:32, Today:Persuasion. Darvin rolled 20 using 1d20+5 ((15)).

Victor untied the Bugbear. "Go. Never take up arms against us again, or I guarantee my friends won't convince me to spare you again" To Mithra he said "I don't make threats, least not ones I wouldn't carry out, and I don't bargain with evil. If that's a problem, I'd be happy to let someone else handle the talking. In the mean time, I'll continue to watch our flank." There was no malice or anger in Victor's voice, though it lacked the usual mirth. He waited patiently for the rest to start moving.

In reply to Victor Harkness (msg # 130):

Amira walks up and her voice to him sounds at times like fire crackling yet he hears every word.

"That is assuming My colleague gets to you first. I would just make you another log on the bonfire to praise my Lord Kossuth. "

"Ugly business that", said Lureene with a delicate shudder as the bugbear ran away. "Perhaps a gentler manner of enticing such creatures to speak could be found next time? 'Twould be more reliable too, I'd wager."

Cunaar finds it interesting the different views on negotiations and persuasions, perhaps either would do in specific situations. Though for a creature like this brute force and intimidation suits it as it is something it truly understands.
"So, do we take this camp before nightfall?"
If not he might suggest dawn as these were creatures more suited for the dark.

You won't be able to reach it by nightfall; Old Owl Well is still about a day away.

Lureene came this way once before. The stream was the halfway point to Conyberry, another abandoned village.

There's a path just before you reach Conyberry that leads through a pass in the mountains. It leads to Old Owl Well.

Maldor remained at the edge of the group. He shifted his stance, obviously eager to do something.

"Walk, camp when late. Watch more goblin. Leave now, go far in light."

The small man who approached the front of the group clears his throat. "Ahem. If I may...your big friend speaks wisely. May I come with you? I will gladly use my knowledge of magic to aid your mission against these foul creatures."

"Sure," Mithra replies to Zhao. "I thought you were already with us. Guess I need to pay more attention."

Upon hearing how far the Old Owl Well is, and were this abandoned hamlet of Conyberry is, Mithra considers the options.

"We could go to Conyberry and sleep in the buildings there... get an early start in the morning. Or... we could camp here on the road... well, just off the road. Or... we could continue on a bit, try to find the trail and camp when it's too dark to go on."

"I think I prefer the last option. The others seem like too much of a delay that isn't necessary."

Unless anyone else has an objection, she'll head off in the intended direction, hurrying to catch up to Kayle.

Maldor smiled. His admiration for Mithra had grown with her determination. He picked the tip of his greatclub up off of the ground and followed her. The half-orc picked up the pace as she had, in hopes of catching up with Kayle. When he got within clear earshot of the fighter, he spoke.

"Who man? Maldor not know man. He good? He help fight goblin, yes. Good have more fight bad."

Mal gave only a cursory glance to his flank to see if the others were following.

In reply to Maldor (msg # 138):

Theresa feeling uncomfortable around Viktor and Amiri follows Maldor.

" Tis salutary to continue. "

"Why quarter in the wilds when we can in a hamlet?  Even an abandoned one?" Ero says.  "A building will make a more formidable bulwark than a clearing."

"I agree it best to have walls round us. We should sleep in the village, then go on the morrow." Darvin is a city dweller, not happy in the country. He follows on having given his view.

"That's a good idea. Better to be sleeping in just one abandoned house of many than out in the open. Assuming of course there remains enough of Conyberry to provide shelter. And that we don't have to deal with restless dead-- just cause they can't sleep, they have no consideration for those of us who do. Even if the goblins move their encampment, we should have no difficulty tracking them. Most likely, they'll be waiting for their raiding party to return. With any luck, we'll even manage to find a search party or two on the way." Victor like the idea of thinning the horde as much as possible before assaulting them where they were strongest. As far as he was concerned, better to spend a few weeks harrying the camp in secret, then to rush in and fight them all at once, but he doubted he could convince some of the younger warriors of this, and he seemed to be on shaky ground with the group as it was.

"Yes, I'd much rather have a roof over my head, or at least a wall at my back," Hope chimes in.

"While it may not be advisable to split up, I don't see that we can't. Some of us can go to this Conyberry place, while those so inclined can scout ahead."

"We can catch up to them in the morning."

In reply to Criella 'Hope' Anderfell (msg # 143):

Thressa speaks up.

" The Wildflamme will go into Coynberry "
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:33, Sat 23 July 2016.

Amiri speaks as her eyes flicker.

" Good walls kept the heat of a fire in so that we can all bask in it."

It took little time for Maldor to catch up to Mithra. After a few moments, he spoke to her.

"Some want talk, no walk. Maldor and warrior woman and ranger walk and talk same time, yes?"

The half-orc took a peek behind him, the yards increasing with the others. Some were coming, some were not. He figured that, if there was a need to talk, they probably had their reasons.

Then again, some of them confused Maldor to no end with their words.

Artem walks and talks, saying "Abandoned house sounds cozy..." then he breaks into a soft whistle.

Addressing the stragglers, "Either way, we ought to get a move on. Close the gap 'tween us and the van-- that is, those in the front of the group. We can decide whether or not to split at the fork while we move."

OOC: Victor is staying in the back. As soon as the last person gets going, he will follow.

"The village of Conyberry will provide us shelter, certainly, but we should make caution. There is a banshee that lives in a house but twenty minutes away from there, by the name of Agatha. 'Twould be best not to disturb her, unless 'tis to offer her a bauble in exchange for our stay."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Sat 23 July 2016.

With the group moving along Cunaar too holds to the rear, walking along with Victor.
"You did well back there my friend, very efficient and orderly. Are you prior military?"

So Kayle, Maldor and Mithra are going to follow the trail and tracks from which the bugbears came, but only for a short distance... essentially scouting ahead.


Everyone else is heading up the Tri-Boar Trail to Conyberry.

It's only about a 20-minute walk to reach the village. The trail cuts right through the center of the village, making it a likely stop for the night if one was leaving Phandalin and heading over the mountains.

There around 20 buildings, 10 on each side of the trail. The two on the far left end are nearly burnt to the ground. They wouldn't offer much protection or shelter.

One building on the right, in the center, has collapsed... most of the roof has caved in, and some of the walls are deteriorated.

Of the remaining 7 buildings, they've all suffered some damage, not just from weather and time but from the original sacking, plus looters and scavengers.

Right in the middle of the trail in the middle of the village is an old campfire. It was not a proper one, but there are still remnants of boards from the buildings that were used in the fire.

Nearly all the buildings in the village were one-story shops with living quarters. All of them are missing a few boards here and there, doors are mostly broken or missing.

Ero points out the inn.  "The second story would permit an optimal panorama for scrutinizing the purlieaus if some inimical interlopers resolves to come calling."

Maldor left Mithra's side and approached Kayle's position. The ranger was being very studious of the signs about him.

"Ranger see trail? Ranger see where go goblin?"

Mal did his best to spot something for himself, but he could only spot the obvious... broken branches, footprints and bones that the half-orc determined were remnants of a walking lunch.

He returned to Mithra as he peered up at the sky.

"How late warrior woman want look? If get dark, be hard see goblin sign."

"Yes, it appears that it may have been an inn. I will send my familiar forth to inspect it from the top down."
With that Cunaar calls forth his familiar, that he had summoned at his first convenience, to run ahead and search the inn from the top down. Cunaar knew a spider may not be the best looking but it was perfect for undergound settings or in buildings. As well, it was a more common creature, owls and hawks tended to stand out in a tunnel.

"Victor, would you like to inspect the area as well? In fact we should insure that the rest of the buildings are not occupied before we settle in."

"I am used to searching. I will go with Victor down the left side. Perhaps two could do the same down the right?"says Darvin.

"Not just see, but yes, I can tell where they went."

When they entered Conyberry, Kayle put forth his own suggestion. "We'll need to clear the whole place. We don't want something lurking in the ruins to pay us a visit in the night."

"Have many people. Have many people do watch. Get good sleep. Ready fight goblin on new day."

Maldor looked for a former campfire spot. Perhaps a flame wasn't the best idea, possibly bringing attention to the adventurers. But his stomach was grumbling. Dry jerky could get a half-orc buy, but something heated was better.

"Sounds good to me, Darvin. Splint mail is no good for stealth, and neither am I, but if we find anything nasty, better it finds me first!" Victor said with a grin while resting his hammer on his shoulder.

"So keep a good bit behind. Just near enough to help if something pops out!" says Darvin. He enters the first building.

It quickly becomes apparent that there are no other creatures in any of the buildings, although the signs indicate that they have been used since the village was abandoned.

Perhaps field mice, or squirrels, or a raccoon might take up residence from time to time, but there are none there now.

Nor is there anything useful found in any of the other buildings.

In the inn, the stairs to the second floor have collapsed.


Kayle, Mithra and Maldor had continued down the trail for a bit, just to confirm that the bugbears had some from there. After only fifteen minutes, with no sign of any camp found, they'd hurried back to catch up with the others just as they entered the abandoned village.

Darvin returns to the inn, having toured the village. He sees our three scouts have returned. "The village is clear. Nothing bigger than a mouse has been here for a while. Anyone scared of mice?" he asks with a smile.

Maldor grinned at the half-elf. His bottom fangs jutted out... one chipped on the end.

"No, mice good food. Crunchy. Grill open flame, put pepper sauce, enjoy."

Mal rubbed his belly.

"Speak of eat, fire go yet? Maldor know goblin see fire, but maybe fire behind something. Cook tack in pack. Can eat without cook, but hot better."

Darvin looks at Maldor. "It would need a big mouse. Or a helluva lot of peppers to feed ye." Darvin smiles at his joke. "Light a fire. I don't mind if we draw our enemy. And I am hungry!"

Artem grins at the banter of half orc and half elf, then offers to help gather wood for the fire.

Maldor grunted at the half-elf's misunderstanding.

"Big mouse?" he laughed. "No. Little mouse. Lot little mouse. Nice crunchy. Like kettle snack Black Scarab."

Mal gave a sigh.

"Maldor hope Black Scarab do good no Maldor. Maldor miss Black Scarab. Black Scarab do good Maldor. Maldor return Black Scarab, Maldor hero. Drink and eat. Maldor happy."

When Artem offered to get wood for a fire, Maldor grunted again.

"Yes, mighty human right. Need fire, need wood. Get wood. Maldor help."

The half-orc walked toward the near treeline to gather firewood. With his greatclub in one hand, he knew that he would have to underarm what he carried. But his desire to assist was proportional to his desire for food.

"I'll go help with the firewood. Shout if there's any trouble," Victor said to whoever was nearest to the door as he left.

"I shall reconnoiter the adjacency for comestibles," Ero says as he readies his bow.  "Would anyone honor me with accompaniment?"

Although it's obvious that previous 'campers' have pulled boards off of the buildings to make a fire, this is not advised because the village may be resettled in the near future, especially since Phandalin seems to be making a go of it.

Boards that have already fallen off are okay, but mostly there is plenty of firewood in the surrounding woods, branches and such that just weren't 'convenient' for the others.

There is a fireplace in the inn, but the chimney may need to be cleaned out before you use it. It's bound to have a bird nest or two in it by now.

"Does 'comestibles' mean food? If it does than I will join you." Gimble smiles up at the much taller elf.

"Best to set up a good old stone circle outside for a firecamp, methinks. We can leave it for others to use later." The priestess chuckles. "We can't hope for all the comforts of inn and home, after all..."

"Maldor agree holy woman" commented Mal as he dropped an armload of wood on the ground by the edge of the road. "Good spot there" he continued as he pointed to a flat spot of dirt. "Maldor get rock. Make round place for fire." The half-orc traced a circle in the air with his broad index finger. "Make food warm, eat food, be good."

The fighter gave a suspicious look around the small village.

"Many people watch, keep bad away."

Depositing his own stack of firewood (Vic used both hands for the job, knowing a weapon was but a thought away,) Victor went with Maldor to collect stones, and said, "Agreed. Also, best we post watches at four corners of the fire, just outside the firelight, lest the light impair their night vision. Well, you'll see better in the dark than me, Maldor, but I imagine its still harder to see in the dark while looking into the light. Besides, if we're spotted, we ought not give away our numbers so easily. We should only keep a few within the light at a time as possible."

When the stones and wood were arranged, Vic took his tinderbox from his pack, "Hold a moment, before wasting good tinder, let's see if any of the others know a cantrip for lighting fires."

Without waiting for a response from the Half-Orc, he began to ask around for volunteers among those who remained nearby. Surely the Wildflame had one, but he wouldn't pass up the others if he found them first.

In reply to Victor Harkness (msg # 172):

"What I do have is firebolt, though it may be a bit overkill for starting a fire. Might send wood flying."
Next time he would have to get Prestidigitation, a cantrip he had seen used to do just those things. Along with a few other tricks.

In reply to Cunaar Clothar (msg # 173):

" I always begin the meditative light with magic. how best to honor the Lord of Fire with my gifts. "
This message was last edited by the player at 00:03, Tue 09 Aug 2016.

As is usual, Aretem is cheerful and in good spirits despite his crusty demeanor. He whistles softly and makes a game out of his wood gathering, pausing now and then to toss a small branch and send it twirling before catching it.

"I always find flint and tinder work just fine, but then again I'm not a wizardy type." Artem quips as he arranges logs, kindling and smaller tinder near the growing fire ring.

Maldor stood next to the ring of stones. He helped to assemble a gathering of kindling within, then listened some more to his travelling companions. He then looked at Artem.

"Perhaps fighter man light fire. Too much talk, no fire."

The half-orc's stomach made a noticeable growl. Mal rubbed it.

"Maldor eat, take one of four that man in armor say. Watch for bad. Hurt bad when come."

The tall fighter twirled his greatclub in one hand.

"Hmph. We're surrounded by 'wizard types,' who, with the right spell can light a fire much faster than tinder. Two of them here have flame in their names, and one of them already said she could do it, but feel to waste your time and tinder rather than standing back so Miss Flamestorm could have had it lit by now, I'm gonna find out who else among us can wave their hands and talk and meddle with the fabric of creation juuuust right so that the next time, Maldor doesn't have to wait so <orcish expletive> long to fill his belly, in case she's indisposed. Youth these days..." Victor cleared his throat, turned to Amiri, smiled pleasantly, and said, "Miss Flamestorm, if you please..." and motioned at the pile of wood.

In reply to Victor Harkness (msg # 177):


" hmmm, now what spell. You know Maldor for you I will invest energy in a show. "

With that Amiri casts Burning Hands on the wood pile.

"See?" Maldor commented once the tinder was ablaze. "Speak, happen. No need man smell of cheese say bad. Now cook, eat, watch for goblin."

The half-orc reached into his bag and withdrew a few strips of salted meat. He placed them on a wide rock, then near the edge of the flame. Mal stared at the cooking process with fascination.

"Maldor no rem'ber old days. Only know days Black Scarab. Maldor no eat orc, eat more human. Cook meat, no eat uncook. Taste good."

The fighter licked his lower chipped jutting tooth.

In the army, Victor had gotten used to cold rations, but in retirement, he had gotten used to finer fare. He joined Maldor at the fire with a smile, to show there was no hard feelings, unpacked a ration, crumbled half the bread into his mess kit, and tossed in the meat and some water.

"Cheese?" he said, and carved of a small chunk of hard cheese and offered it to Maldor with crooked grin, while he waited for his porridge to cook.

A quick search revealed a sack in one of the empty shops. After retrieving the sack, Kayle hefted his bow and headed out into the woods. With luck, before the light went he would have enough fresh food to keep the group's spirits up somewhat.

Survival (Forage): Kayle Tharson rolled 22

Artem seems nonplussed by the cursing but bows and steps aside for the fire show.

In his country drawl Artem says "With respect, old soldier, faster ain't always better, but I apologize to Maldor if I stood between you and your food too long. I'm not used to some of the ways of the more, um, cultured folk in our group here."

"And do I smell like cheese? Or was that the old man you were talkin' about?" he adds without anger.

Maldor gave a grin, jutting teeth and all, to his ally Artem.

"Fighter man no stop Maldor eat. Maldor meat almost ready."

The half-orc looked at Victor from the corner of his eyes. He returned to Artem.

"Smell cheese. Age. Fighter man smell cheese, yes? Smell of lot year on road."

Mal noticed that his strips of meat were indeed done. He kicked the rock that they were resting on with his boot, away from the magical flame. He allowed his meal to cool before he picked any of it up.

"Maldor see man who track go in trees. He hunt maybe. If tracker man find more food, there good feast for all. Get energy. Kill bad goblin."

Although the light from the fire probably attracts local predators from quite a distance away, augmented by sound and scent, the fire itself and the number of people keep them away.


Kayle has no problem finding food. It's not like he can find a cheese tree, but conyberries and wildberries abound in the area. Likewise chestnuts and pine nuts are to be had, both of which taste quite good when roasted.

Otherwise the night passes uneventfully.


Morning arrives with a cold gray mist. Being in the region of Neverwinter, it never snows during the winter months except in the higher elevation mountains. However, it can get a bit cold at night.

Enough wood was gathered that the watch was able to keep the fire going all night, so a few more logs on it gets it going quite well to warm up anyone feeling the chill.

Kayle had also managed to gather up some nettles and now able to make porridge of nettles and pine nuts, with a bit of birch bark thrown in for flavor.

Darvin took a night watch. He hit the sack after his watch. Woken by general movements, he got up out of his bedroll. Breakfast did not look inviting. He took a bowl of porridge. He eat it. He did not look happy.

"I ain't that old, son," said Victor with a chuckle, "any cheese you smell is what was in my ration." Victor made small talk with the two young fighters as he ate, as well as anyone else who supped near the fire, and bid them good night when he was done, asking to be woken for last watch, as he was an early riser.

In the morning, he thanked Kayle for collecting food and offered to help with the breakfast preparations. He wasn't much of a cook, but he knew how to follow directions.

"The mist is pretty", Lureene notes as she eats her porridge lightly, with manners befitting a far grander feast. "It gives the village an eerie look, does it not? As if it were a painting, or a dream."

Artem stretches and eats the slop without comment.  At hearing Lureene's comments he says somewhat shyly, "Yes it is pretty. Back home, though, the mists were sometimes called the witch fog because funny things happened when it rose up.  It was only the one at night, though, where you had to be careful of the little flicker lights and such as they were wantin' to lure you off into the bogs and...oh, nevermind. Sorry, I should not have mentioned that..."

He turns away to study a stick and poke around with it.

Kayle thanked Victor for his assistance as he took his own portion of the porridge. He looked around at the reaction to his efforts at breakfast, not quite sure what the group had been expecting. They were on the road, not guests at a fine Waterdavian inn.

As he ate, the ranger asked the group, "Is it still out intention to seek the goblin camp?"

Maldor decided to chew on jerky instead of eating the porridge. He looked down the road past town, still keeping an eye out for evil foes. When Kayle asked his question, Mal turned.

"Find goblin camp? Yes. Must stop evil. Kill goblin."

The fighter took another bite of his jerky.

Zhao sat up on his bedroll, stretched and yawned. He found his way to some porridge and accepted it with a deep bow of thanks. Before he ate, he tilted his head slightly and intoned:

"The night's passing dreams
Fade away in morning light
Epics, forgotten"

"We're looking for Orcs," Mithra reminded Kayle, "but on the way, we will probably stumble across the bugbear camp."

"That doesn't mean we won't find goblins, but I think they were keeping to the north of the trail."

"The real question is: do we want to head out now, or wait for the mist to burn off?"

"I'm all for heading out now, but then I'm a bit reckless, or so I'm told. If there are any bugbears or Orcs hiding in ambush, we'll be at a disadvantage as they will no doubt hear us coming while we aren't likely to hear them lying in wait until they actually attack us."

Maldor squinted his eyes as he looked up the road.

"Ground go more high? Above mist? Who know?"

Mal scratched his head as he pondered the options.

"Could be awhile before the mist clears, but it won't matter how early we start out, if we walk headlong to our deaths. I suggest waiting it out."

Darvin smiles at Victor's comment.

"Then again, if we're hoping for the element of surprise, this mist might well cover our approach of the goblin camp", Lureene noted, "Assuming that we could even find it, that is."

"If we stumble around blindly, the only surprise will be if the enemy doesn't hear us coming a mile away. Besides, just 'cause its misty here, doesn't mean it will be at Old Owl Well when we get there. Bigger question is how well can we fight in the mist if we happen upon a patrol, and more importantly, can we make sure none of them escape to warn the camp? Course, that's just one old soldier's opinion, and if you all prefer to risk the mist, I won't say another word about it, 'cept maybe I told you so."

Maldor looked at Artem.

"Maldor just wonder how high mist go" he softly stated to the other fighter.

"I believe Cunaar has a raptor at his beck and call," says Ero.  "Mayhap he can dispatch it above the smaze for a reconnoiter."

"Ha-ha-ha! Leave it to Maldor to hit the nail on the head!" Mithra exclaims.

"Indeed, how high does it go? If it's natural, it will be pretty high. It's essentially a cloud that came too low to the ground."

"If, on the other hand, it is man-made, then it won't be high at all. I daresay Cunaar's raptor could tell us that."

"But to answer the other question, yes, we can find the bugbear camp in the mist... we can follow the trail easily enough. It's a question of whether they will be lying in wait or not."

"Harumph. I'm just a fighter, not even an experience warrior like Victor. If he thinks it's better to wait out the mist, then that's probably what we should do."

"I would recommend that we take turns patrolling around the perimeter of our encampment... two patrols of two? Just as a bugbear patrol might surprise us if we run into it, the same could happen here."

"I hate sitting around waiting, though, so unless someone objects, I'll take the first patrol."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:50, Sun 28 Aug 2016.

Maldor blinked as Mithra spoke. Human expressions often confused him. "Nail on the head" only made him scan the ground for nails. When Mithra brought up the patrol, the half-orc spoke up quickly.

"Maldor patrol warrior woman. See bugbear or goblin, hit in head."

Mal pat his greatclub in his off hand. He smiled at Mithra.

"Go, yes?"

"Good idea, Stormraven. I'll take a patrol as well." Victor waited with curiosity to see who would volunteer to go with him. He looked forward to any chance to get to know his allies better, and though there shouldn't be much conversation during patrols, he could still learn a lot.

"I'll go with you Viktor, another set of eyes or two will be helpful."
Referring to his familiar as the other set of eyes, multifaceted.

Kayle stood from cleaning his breakfast utensils and began to repack them into his belongings. "I can still track through the mist, the signs of their passing should still be there."

"Good. Clothar and I will circle left, while you two go right. That way we cover both sides at once. Shout if there's more than you can handle, and everyone can come running. A town this size, sound should carry fine. Good?"

Artem nods at the group's decision. "Misty mountain mama. That was a song my daddy used to sing, back when my brother was seven and we had our hound dogs, before the summer drought that killed the wheat crop..." he begins to ramble a bit about his homestead in the country as he looks for a spot to rest while others are taking the first patrols.

"If we need another patrol to go out, I would go with a fighter. I have some vision in the dark" says Darvin.

In reply to Darvin (msg # 207):

" I may not be a fighter, but I can be a warrior. I can see in Dark as well."

In reply to Amiri Flamestorm (msg # 208):

Thressa giggles.

" Well said, Amiri, same here. "

Darvin smiled broadly."I could not possibly choose between you two ladies. But together we could make a great team!"

As the two patrols make their rounds, clearly as they walk the perimeter eventually they will pass each other. The second time they do, they've just passed each other. Maldor and Mithra are at the east end of the village while Cunaar and Victor are about in the middle along the north side, heading away from Maldor and Mithra.

That's when Kayle and Cunaar detect the arrival of the Orcs. Cunaar spots the glowing eyes in the mist as an Orc riding a worg moves between two of the buildings on the north side.

Kayle picks up the sound of the wolves breathing, and also picks up the scent of Orc on the faint morning breeze. He estimates that there are four Orcs, each mounted on a worg, slipping between the buildings. He guesses that the worgs are able to pick up the scent of the others.

Cunaar puts a hand on Victor and whispers,
"Go back and warn the group. I will provide a distraction."

With Scout watching with his darkvision Cunaar casts a spell upon himself to conceal him, invisibility. Now to cause some confusion....
Cupping his hands to throw off his location Cunaar calls out in Orc,
*Fight! Behind you!*
Trying to make his voice deeper and guttural, then changes position. Hoping his antics are heard back in camp as Kayle goes back.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:05, Sat 20 Aug 2016.

OOC: Wait, is Kayle with Cunaar and me?

Seeing what Cunaar was up to, Victor gave him a quick wink as he fired of a Minor Illusion spell behind the orcs-- the image of the bugbear he had met the previous day, club raised to attack-- and then sprinted off toward the group, trying to keep buildings between himself and the orcs, but made no real attempt at stealth, as he needed to move at top speed, as a still image wouldn't keep even creatures as stupid as orcs occupied for long.

OOC: I thought I was with you but was just going with the last post.

No, Kayle isn't with you. He's off on his own. But he's a ranger, so he's used to keeping a 'watch' for activity like that.

In reply to Cunaar Clothar (msg # 212):

Edited above post to Victor

Victor can only target one Orc with its worg with his illusion. They aren't together. The two on your side of the town have 2 buildings between them.

The others are on the other side of the town. It's not far, but the mist hasn't let you spot those two yet.

Maldor elbowed Mithra and nodded to the foes within sight.

"Time fight" he stated under his breath. He placed the large part of his greatclub in his left hand and rolled it with his right. He took a step toward combat.

StarMaster:

Victor can only target one Orc with its worg with his illusion. They aren't together. The two on your side of the town have 2 buildings between them.

The others are on the other side of the town. It's not far, but the mist hasn't let you spot those two yet.

I'm only interested in distracting any who might be able to see me if I just dash off to where the party is. If none can, I'll just run instead.

The Orc that Cunaar spotted seems to be aware of Cunaar and Victor as well, and when Cunaar offers to distract it, Victor's illusion can further delay it.

The rest of the party is just across the town's main street, which was rather wide, but still only 30 feet across.

Kayle can't really tell how many Orcs there are, but he does realize that there is more than one, but that one has a worg with him. He alerts the rest of the party that they have visitors.

Hearing the alert, Zhao rises from where he was sitting cross-legged in contemplation.

"Let us strike these foes
With swords and arcane power
And send them to Hell"

He begins looking for an area in this building or in a nearby one that will afford him a view of the outdoors, while providing cover.



Looking for that cover, and hiding once I reach it.

13:32, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Stealth.
13:32, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Perception.

Maldor decided not to wait for his fighting cohort. He firmly grasped his greatclub and raced toward the nearest Orc. He did his best to cover the ground before his foe without causing too much attention. But Mal knew that he would be seen. Combat from his evil cousins was inevitable.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 220):

Cunaar is invisible in his antics

Darvin hears the warning, and looks out. He takes out his short bow and notches an arrow. When he sees a target, he fires.

Ero casts Mage Armor as he heads out into the street, where he attempts to determine where the orcs may be.

Victor rushed to the party, hammer in hand. If he got there after an orc, he took a swing at it's Warg, otherwise, he readied an action to do so while quietly warning the party to get ready (or loudly if fighting has already begun.)

13:36, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 16,8 using 1d20+5,1d8+5.  Swing hammer at Warg.

I had assumed Maldor ran towards me when I came running. I wished to assist the nearest visible party member, which I thought was him (I forgot he was in the other patrol.)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Mon 29 Aug 2016.

Here's a map of the town. There are more buildings off to the left and right that aren't shown. The main street is about 30 feet across, but the mist, while not heavy, only gives you about 10 feet of visibility.



- |   5  |   |   7   |Orc1|   9   |    |  11   |Orc2|  13   |
- |______|   |_______|    |_______|    |_______|    |_______|
_____________________________________________________________________
                      V & C

                                     X
                                                               M & M
______________________________________________________________________________
     ________      _________      __________      ________      _________
-   |        |    |         |    |          |    |        |    |         |
-   |    6   |    |    8    |Orc3|  10 INN  |    |   12   |Orc4|    14   |


          X = campfire   V & C = Victor and Cunaar   M & M = Maldor and Mithra

Everyone else is gathered around the campfire, except maybe Kayle. He was kind of roaming around the area.

Once the warning was sounded, Maldor was able to find Orc4. So it would be a bit difficult for Victor to have run all that way to back him up.

Darvin can easily duck into the inn.

Orc3 is the most immediately threat to those around the campfire. Once the sound of battle starts, he'll charge forward. Remember, the Orcs are riding worgs!

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 227):

A&T would try to be in the Inn if only in the common room.

Darvin sees an orc come from the side of the inn, he waits until the orc starts riding towards them, and aims at his worg.(OOC worg of orc3)
23:52, Today: Darvin rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  damage v worg.  23:50, Today: Darvin rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  shortbow attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:59, Sun 28 Aug 2016.

Zhao decided it would be wise to have a better defense. As he worked his spell, ghostly plates and bands of metal seemed to form around parts of his body and then fade away.


Zhao has cast Mage Armor, so his AC is now 16 and he has an Arcane Ward which will absorb the first 9 hit points of damage he receives.

20:10, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Maldor rushed toward the beast being ridden by Orc 4. He raised his greatclub and brought it down upon the worg's head. Certainly disabling the mount would slow the evil orc!

[21:37, Today: Maldor rolled 10 using 1d10+3.  damage from second attack.

21:37, Today: Maldor rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  attack worg 4, 2/2.

21:36, Today: Maldor rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  attack worg 4, 1/2.]

The thought of attacking possible kin did not occur to Mal. He had no memory of his time before being found severely wounded in the Tower District. Within his heart, he knew that the orcs were bad and needed dealt with.

"Kra nor ok!" the half-orc fighter declared as he contacted with his second swing (I'm guessing).

Ero spots the orc and warg by the inn as well.  He barks out a few unintelligible words and waves his hand low.  A pasty white substance bubbles up from the street in front of the warg.

Grease, 10' square just in front of the charging warg.

Being invisible Cunaar will wait for the best time to attack as it would cancel his spell when he does anything hostile. From the sounds of the worgs there were several inn the area besides the duo he could see.

Lureene hopped to her feat, mace at the ready. She glares at the Orc charging them, but sees that Cunaar has already used a spell on that one. "Ho! We'd best ware our flank, too!" She turns around, towards the Orc there*, and whispered words of entreaties to the Lady Firehair, beseeching her to hold the rider fast.

Orc 2. Casting Hold Person at him. It won't stop the Worg, but it's liable to make him fall off at full speed which will likely not be pleasant.

Grinning and humming softly, Artem stands near the fire, battle axe at the ready and hopes to intercept orc3 as it charges. He is waiting for it to slide in the grease and then get an attack in.

Amiri and Thressa are inside the old inn.


Darvin ducks into the inn at the sound of trouble, then waits until the enemy comes in sight, and fires an arrow at it. The worg is moving a bit too quickly for him to get a good bead on it, and his arrow misses.


Zhao is still standing by the campfire, but casts Mage Armor on himself before the Orc and worg can get there.


Maldor didn't have far to go to confront the Orc and worg as it saw him at the same time he saw it, and it moved forward, too. Maldor's first hit misses, but his second one lands on the worg's head. It's not enough to bring it down, but it stops him in his tracks and makes him flinch backwards.


Ero casts Grease in front of Orc3 as it charges towards the campfire. It suddenly doesn't have any traction with its paws and even its claws can't dig into anything except more grease. It either isn't smart enough to adjust, or else it can't react fast enough... either way, it suddenly does belly flop in the grease as its legs all splay outward at the same time. Also, since it was moving forward, its momentum causes it to slide forward some more, only its balance makes it spin around slowly so that it when it finally reaches the edge of the grease, its back quarters are right in front of Artem and Zhao.

Victor had rushed out to the campfire where the others were to warn and defend them. He's in the perfect spot to swing at the sliding splayed worg as it comes to a stop. He hits it for 8 points of damage.


The illusion and the noise momentarily confuse the worg, though it isn't clear if the Orc is likewise confused. It does seem to be  having a bit of difficulty controlling the worg for a minute. When it finally gets the worg to move forward, it goes right past Cunaar before it finally registers his scent. That's the best chance Cunaar will have to attack it... before it attacks him.


Lureene, once she realizes that there is more than one threat, and when Orc2 with worg come into view, casts Hold Person on the Orc, as the spell won't work on its four-legged steed. He's effectively paralyzed, though for how long is uncertain. However, he can't direct the worg, leaving it up to its own devices. It hears Maldor and Mithra, though, and heads in that direction.


Kayle, from somewhere, fires a pair of arrows at Orc2.

20:39, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Kayle Tharson, rolled 8,16,5,8 using 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d8+2,1d8+2 ((4,12,3,6)).

His first arrow misses due to the mist, but the second one hits for 8 points of damage. That turns the worg's attention to him.


Ebrik, Criella, Mikal, Gimble and Mithra have yet to act.


Only Orc4 is in position to attack this round, and swings at Maldor.

20:54, Today: StarMaster rolled 22,3 using 1d20+2,1d8+1 ((20,2)). Oh-oh... Critical threat!

20:56, Today: StarMaster rolled 17,4 using 1d20+2,1d8+1 ((15,3)). Critical!

Maldor takes 7 points of damage.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 236):

Amiri being the hotter head of the two burning warlocks gets up and aims at the Orc was shooting at.

" Kossuth burn you mutt "


Eldritch Blast Attack: 25, Damage: 11
This message was last edited by the player at 00:31, Sun 11 Sept 2016.

The worg seemed to have got his scent as it went right by him and if left to do so would eventually locate him. So in an effort to get both the rider and the beast Cunaar tries to cast a sleep over them.
Cast Sleep at 2nd level
14:50, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 27 using 7d8.  Sleep.

Pulling his dagger out to finish them off if they fall and ready to cast firebolt if they do not.

With the orc high above on the worg, Maldor continued swinging against the evil foe's mount.

[17:14, Today: Maldor rolled 9 using 1d10+3.  die worg die.

17:13, Today: Maldor rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  attack 2 of 2.

17:13, Today: Maldor rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  attack 1 of 2.]

Despite the assault from the orc, Mal was able to contact one time. The squish of the fighter's greatclub against the creature pleased Mal in an almost shameful way. But these opponents were evil and deserved to be stopped.

Darvin is very surprised to find himself back in the inn. He can't remember running in. But his arrow misses the sliding warg, who now seems vulnerable to his friends out there,with it's master. He sees the orc and warg approaching Cunaar, and fires at him.

Seizing the advantage, Victor took another swing at the Warg. Then, with a surge of adrenaline, he swung once more, targeting the Warg if it still stood, or the Orc, otherwise.


21:42, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 18,13 using 1d20+5,1d8+5.  Swing hammer at Warg.
Victor used Action Surge
21:43, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 13,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+5.  Swing hammer at Warg.

Arte, brings his axe donw hard onto orc 3

22:26, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 12 using 1d8+5.  damage.

22:25, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  battle axe orc.
 

As the orc slides to him, Loa begins the motions to cast magic missile, and says:

"This orc was served up
To ignominious death
On greasy platter."

Then he utters a quick incantation and golden bolts fire from his hand into the orc's hide.


17:35, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 4 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile dmag.
17:35, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 2 using 1d4+1.
17:35, Today: Zhao Loa rolled 5 using 1d4+1.

11 points total.

Not surprisingly, Maldor spotted the worg-mounted Orc before Mithra did. And equally naturally, he charged forward to attack. Stepping forward, she not spotted the Orc through the mist. She saw it hit Maldor a tremendous blow, but it didn't keep Maldor from dealing just as nasty a blow to the worg.

The alleyway between the two buildings wasn't all that narrow, but it would have made things crowded. Still, she didn't wish to see Maldor fall. Just then, a second worg with rider comes charging almost directly at her. There was something funny about the Orc, though. Didn't matter--the worg was the more serious threat.

She steps forward to meet it, swinging her sword at it.

19:24, Today: Mithra Stormraven rolled 20 using 1d20+5 ((15)). Attack the worg. That should be a hit!

19:25, Today: Mithra Stormraven rolled 10 using 1d8+3 ((7)). Damage the worg! Not bad.

In a way, he was itching for a fight. His success back at the pub was still fresh in his mind. Once alerted, though, he quickly realized that his repertoire of spells wasn't all that suited to this spread-out attack by the enemy. Oh, they'd work, just only on one at a time, and since he only had one of each, that wouldn't be very efficient.

In any case, his compatriots seemed to have the situation under control. He couldn't really see what was going on through the mist, but he could hear it. And that gave him a pretty good idea. So he kept his spells in reserve, just in case the enemy broke through.

Ebrik found himself on the far side of the fire when Victor sounded the alert, and while he couldn't spot the enemy yet through the mist, he didn't have long to wait for one to come in range. Seeing that it was an Orc on a worg, Ebrik chased after them as they ran by. Just as he got within striking distance, he saw the Orc suddenly freeze up!

It didn't take a wizard to know that one of his friends had cast a spell on it. That left him to attack the worg.

19:36, Today: Ebrik rolled 21 using 1d20+5 ((16)). The dice roller is being kind today. That should be a hit! No need to roll Advantage from flanking.

19:39, Today: Ebrik rolled 5 using 1d6+3 ((2)). Yuck. The dice roller giveth, the dice roller taketh away. He's only using a short sword.

With little to do in the mist, Mikal tried to catch a few more winks by the dying campfire... until he was rudely interrupted by Victor's shouting!

So they were under attack. What else was new?

He rolled to his feet just in time to spot the worg with rider running by, clearly drawn to the sounds of battle from Maldor and probably Mithra. Those two were, like, joined at the hip. Talk about Beauty and the beast.

Then Ebrik chased after them, drawing his rapier as he ran. More battle sounds behind him convinced him that the rest of the group had their hands full, so he followed after Ebrik.

He reached the worg just in time to see Mithra stop its charge with a powerful blow, and Ebrik whacking at it from behind. This presented too good of an opportunity! He dashed forward and leaped onto the back of the worg, knocking the paralyzed Orc off. He

19:51, Today: Mikal Mourningmoon rolled 23,9 using 1d20+3,1d8+1 ((20,8)). Now that's what I call entertainment! Max rolls!

OOC: Did I need to roll for jumping on the worg's back? Or knocking the Orc off? I figured the worg had stopped, was getting attacked from both ends, and the Orc was paralyzed so helpless.

It wasn't the Bard's usual way of dealing with an enemy, but worgs were notoriously resistant to music that would normally soothe a savage breast.

"Hope the music of cold steel is more to your liking, beast!" Mikal yells as he tumbles off the other side of the worg.

"Pity. I was hoping he'd fall off and snap his ugly neck", Lureene said, but the stirrups had allowed the Orc to hold his seat. "Well, more work to be done." Since Artem and Zhao were pounding the orc quite effectively, Lureene stepped forward with her mace and gave the warg an uncomplicated, uncompromising downward bash.

OOC: 00:29, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Mace attack.
Assuming this hits the prone warg, here's the damage roll:
00:29, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 7 using 1d6+3.

Ero takes a moment to enjoy his first practical use of his new spell before he send a Firebolt right into the warg's exposed belly.

21:56, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 18,9 using 1d20+3,1d10.  Firebolt, warg 3.

Seeing the Worg's attention turn to him, Kayle quickly readied another arrow and took aim at at the beast, wanting it dealt with before he closed with it's rider. He felt the feathers brush his cheek, then released the missile and watched it's flight hopefully.

Longbow Vs Worg 2: 11
Damage (If Hit): 11

OOC: Lost yesterday for some reason... chores, errands, cat, dog, tired...


For the moment, Cunaar is dealing with Orc1 by himself. Unfortunately, his sleep spell doesn't let him control the creature he affects. In this case, he puts the Orc to sleep but there isn't enough spell-energy left to affect the worg.

OOC: Sorry about putting you in the inn, Darvin. I could have sworn you'd posted that you'd duck into the inn, but I can't find it now, so I must have been hallucinating...

But Darvin catches a glimpse of the worg through the mist and fires an arrow at Orc1.

21:56, Today: Darvin rolled 7,7 using 1d20+5,1d8 ((2,7)). Nice damage if Darvin had hit; not doing so well when I roll for you. Maybe roll yourself?


Maldor is still fighting Orc4, mostly because no one else get to it yet. It's a smart tactic in one sense, as it cuts down the worg's maneuverability, as well as preventing it from attacking the others. Maldor's first swing hits, but his second one misses. He thinks one more good hit will probably finish it, but as long as he keeps attacking the worg, it can't attack back. At the same time, it gives the Orc rider an advantage.


Darvin was originally shooting at Orc3, so that's the one that Amiri hits with her Eldritch Blast.

This is the one that slides to a stop right in front of Victor, Artem and Zhao, all three of which attack. Victor's first hit and Artem's hit finish it off, so Victor can use his second attack on the Orc, and Zhao can attack the Orc instead of the worg if he wants.

The same applies to Ero... the Worg is dead; he can, instead, target the Orc.

Mithra, unable to reach Orc4 due to Maldor blocking the way, got a chance to attack Orc2 as it charged Maldor. She hits in from in front, and then Ebrik hits it from behind. Mikal jumped on its back, knocking the paralyzed Orc off, and then criticaled the worg. He then tumbled off the other side, landing on top of the Orc.

By the time Lureene reaches the Worg, it is dead. She can direct her attack to the Orc if she wants, or else beat on a dead worg corpse.

Likewise, Kayle targets the same worg, only to see it die before he can fire. He can still fire his arrow into it, to make sure, or he can re-direct his aim to shoot at the one that Maldor is fighting. Kayle's location hadn't been fixed, as he was 'ranging' around the area, so he can move enough to shoot, and fire past Maldor.


Only two Orcs are in position to attack: Orc3 and Orc4. Orc1 is asleep, Orc2 is paralyzed.

Orc3, sitting atop a dead splayed worg, probably doesn't see any option in surrendering, hasn't quite registered the death of his mount, and sees a target-rich environment right in wrong of him.

Orc2 attacks Artem, the last person (that he can reach) to attack his worg.

22:39, Today: StarMaster rolled 17,8 using 1d20+2,1d8+1 ((15,7)). He just barely hits Artem for 8 points of damage.


Orc4 attacks Maldor.

22:40, Today: StarMaster rolled 6,9 using 1d20+2,1d8+1 ((4,8)). He misses Maldor this time.

"Ak nor kak!" exclaimed Maldor in glee. Not only was he about to finish off the mount before him, but the evil orc on top of it had missed his own assault. Mal raised his greatclub to finish the worg (of #4) off.

[16:50, Today: Maldor rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  worg #4 2 of 2.

16:50, Today: Maldor rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  worg #4 1 of 2.

Not sure if I got 1 hit, but I'll roll damage for it.

16:51, Today: Maldor rolled 11 using 1d10+3 ((8)).]

Although the heroic half-orc was not sure exactly of what was going on around him, he was confident that good would triumph.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Sat 10 Sept 2016.

Darvin sees there are less orcs and more of his friends in melee, so holds his fire in case of hitting a friend. His aim has not been great. He puts down his bow, and draws his sword and exits the inn in case he may be needed to help in the kill.

In reply to Darvin (msg # 253):

Amiri steps out drawing her mace as she prepares to receive an Orc.

Thressa casts spiritual weapon and attacks Orc2 with it . A glowing Longsword of sunlight appears and swings missing the Orc.

Attack: 8

Lureene directs her attack at the orc, since attacking a Worg corpse strikes her as somewhat pointless.

Artem is knocked back on his heels and swings wildly, whooshing over Orc2's head.

rolled an 8.

OOC: I already rolled for my second attack last round, changing targets doesn't change the roll, so you can use that (13 to hit, 10 for damage.) This is for next round, assuming there is still a living orc within range (I think Lureen and I have killed Orc 3, so Orc 2?) Not that it matters, I know an 8 doesn't hit.

Victor once again brings his hammer to bear against the orc, hoping to finish it off quickly. In his haste, he fails to connect.

01:52, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 8,7 using 1d20+5,1d8+5.  Swing hammer at Orc.

Ero takes a moment to enjoy his first practical use of his new spell before he send a Firebolt right into the warg's orc's exposed belly.

21:56, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 18,9 using 1d20+3,1d10.  Firebolt, warg 3.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Mon 12 Sept 2016.

The orc collapsing in the saddle was helpful, only in the worg might be confused as to going where pulled or attacking. But Cunaar wastes no time, if the attacks he needed to lower its ability to shake off a basic sleep.
Casts Magic Missile on worg
19:10, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 5 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile.
19:10, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 3 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile.
19:09, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 5 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile.
13 Total

Seeing his original target fall. Kayle switched his aim to a different creature menacing his companions. One of the orcs didn't seem to have the sense to realise when it was in a losing battle and was extricating itself from it's dead mount. Hoping to down the orc before it could make any meaningful attack, Kayle quickly took aim and sent an arrow down range towards it.

Longbow Vs Orc 3: 6
I take it that misses.

Darvin comes up from the inn, and sees two orcs still able to fight. He attacks the nearest one, stabbing his rapier.
01:17, Today: Darvin rolled 9 using 1d8+2.  damage.  01:14, Today: Darvin rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  attack rapier.

At the start of the next round, there was one worg still alive, but all four Orcs were still breathing.

Last round, Victor shifted his second attack from the worg to Orc3. This round, his attack on the Orc misses, but Ero hits him with a Firebolt and then Darvin steps up and stabs him with his rapier. That's enough to finish off that Orc. It's a good thing that it does, as Artem's attack completely misses.


Lureene and Thressa were actually attacking the Orc2 on the other side of the campfire. When the worg fell, she shifted her attack to the Orc. Thressa then cast Spiritual Weapon and attacked the Orc, but missed.

Possibly that was because Mikal was still sprawled atop the Orc. He now rolls off so that he doesn't accidentally get hit by his allies.


Mithra is closer to the Orc, so as she swings at it, Ebrik, back behind the dead worg, looks around for any more foes.

Mithra hits the prone paralyzed Orc, and that's enough to finish it off.


Maldor attacks the worg one more time, misses with his first swing, but hits with the second, and manages to finish off the worg. As it collapses to the ground, Kayle's arrow whizzes past over the Orc's head.


Cunaar's Magic Missiles just barely manage to finish off Orc1.


Amiri, rushing out of the inn, hoping to encounter an Orc, is disappointed that the worgs and Orcs are all dead... except one Orc, which she can't even see as it's down along the far side of the next building.

With his worg dead under him, Orc4 is torn between attacking Maldor again and fleeing. On the one hand, he's already hit Maldor... but he sees that his buddy Orc2 is dead, and there are more enemies than he and the others first thought, so he finally decides to flee. He spins off the worg, and begins running back the way he came.


At the end of the round, the battle is now over. There are 4 dead worgs and 3 dead Orcs. One Orc is running away.

Loa prods the dead orc with his foot and recites:

"Victory again
Truly, might does not make right
But dead orcs are best."

As the sounds of battle faded, Victor said, "Is everyone alright? Did we get them all?"

"An exhilirating way to inaugurate the morn," says Ero.

Maldor peered in the direction of the fleeing orc. Between the building and the fog, the foe was lost to the half-orc. Mal began to chase after him.

"No" he stated in a low voice. "Maldor stay group. No get ambush."

The fighter looked over at Victor as he pointed with his left hand.

"One go there. He gone. People search dead. Find something. Maldor and warrior woman keep watch. Orc come back, orc die."

Artem rests on his battle axe, leaning on the handle as the blade sits on the scrabble ground.  "Good job all!" he says with enthusiasm.

Maldor looked down at his torso.

"Now Maldor think, Maldor see need fix. Orc stab Maldor."

The fighter looked back at the direction that the opponent fled. He sneered.

In reply to Maldor (msg # 269):

Thressa walks over to Maldor. She appraises his wounds like a skilled Doctor. After that she casts Cure wounds.

" The power of the Sunfather suffuse your very flesh and heal your wounds."

why do I have to roll max now. medicine: (NAT 20) 23, cure 12 points of damage.

Maldor looked down at where his cuts once were. He grunted.

"That good fix. Maldor thank. Maldor get next orc and say you get orc. Be hero. Drink and eat and all sing you hero."

With two lower jutting teeth, it was difficult for Maldor to provide a kind smile. He did his best to Thressa.

In reply to Maldor (msg # 271):

Thressa leans in and kisses his cheek.
" Auppenser bless you. May his Fiery Light guide your actions and help you to overcome your ancestry. So that you can be the best Maldor that Maldor can be. "

As he helped search the bodies, Victor said, "Mist or no, we probably shouldn't stick around here much longer. Our runaway is bound to let the camp know our position. Course, we could try and set up an ambush..."

"Good point Victor--I'm for ambush if any more orcies come lookin' for trouble. I think we ought ta defend this spot that we know rather than tromp around in the mist and gettin' maybe caught somewhere less defensible..."

In reply to Artem Jorak (msg # 274):

Thressa yawns.

"I agree. Ambush seems good. "

Darvin helps to search the bodies. "I agree we should not venture into the mist. But it would not be an ambush, they know we are here. It would be a defensive gambit. We should get out of the inn for a start!"

"Aye, we need to find the most defensible spot, and perhaps set some snares or somesuch. They're bound to show up in greater numbers next time, so we need every advantage. We should have some time to prepare, unless those were outriders for a war party." Victor began to look around for good defensive positions. "Hmmm... Tharson, think you could see well enough from the rooftops to provide covering fire?"

In reply to Victor Harkness (msg # 277):

Thressa smiles.

" Amiri and I should be on roofs as well seeing as we are both better with our Eldritch Blasts then in Melee. "

Artem scratches his head and shrugs.

"I don't know a gambit from an ambush but we are set to be mean and ready and for them if they come--as my pappy used to say."

"Ambush sounds good. Perhaps I can take the opposite side and get a cross fire. not giving the a single side to attack."
Cunaar looks about for a solid surface that may hold his weight.

Maldor gave a glance at Mithra, then to the others.

"Maldor and warrior woman stand behind building. If orc come, orc get hurt."

Mal looked at Artem.

"Fighter man do pappy proud. Fight orc, be hero."

The half-orc rubbed his greatclub, obviously eager for more.

In reply to Maldor (msg # 281):

" If we had another ranged attacker we could shoot from four angles. "

"Thanks, Mal. Can any of you magicky types do anything to warn us if the orcs do come back? Or sense them or somethin'? We can't sit on edge for hours on end and gettin' some rest would be nice..."

"If I might, the most prudent course of action might simply to not be there when the orcs arrive", Lureene suggests. "They will either come with enough force to overwhelm us, or not at all. An ambush will certainly help, but we should count ourselves lucky if they're dumb enough to bring to us a battle they will lose. Then again, they are ugly orcs." The priestess shrugs. "They might yet misjudge our strength."

In reply to Lureene Raventree (msg # 284):

Amiri laughs, although oddly you hear the crackle of a fire in her laugh.

" Prudent really. No offense, dear, but we have at least two Melee combatants that want to pound Orc heads. And I am a roiling inferno. Thressa is a pact mage of Aumanator. We are prepared for this. We also have at least two other melee combatants who are ready if not willing. This is what we do, Sunite. So what is it, are you are party priest or do we need to hire a new one?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:21, Sun 25 Sept 2016.

Victor chuckles at Amiri's response to Lureene, then adds his own, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but our goal is to wipe out the Orc encampment in the area. Any orcs we kill here, are ones who we won't have to fight on their own turf. If we can't handle what they send here, we certainly can't take their main strenght"

"I will make the fourth point for our crossfire"
Darvin retrieves his bow from the inn, and chooses his spot.

In reply to Darvin (msg # 287):

Thressa smiles and it seems like it lit the whole room.

" okay we ranged attacks have our plan what is next. "

The quiet Ranger nodded his approval at the decision to take on the orc encampment piecemeal. Referring to the intended crossfire, he stated "We need to ensure that the jaws of our trap remain concealed." After a moments pause he added "And if we don't want to wait forever, we'll need bait to draw them in..."

"This was just a scouting party," Ebrik informs the others. "Unfortunately, that doesn't tell us what their strength is."

"Actually, Victor, I think our mission was to determine if the Orcs had returned. While I suppose slaughtering them would be an option, we should not limit ourselves to just that. In any case, would that include the females and young if there are any within their camp?"

"I'll be the last to believe that any kind of truce with them would last more than a week, but we shouldn't dismiss it out of hand. Driving them out of the area might be the best option."

"An ambush is fine, as far as it goes. But what if they don't return? The Orc that got away saw maybe 5 people, but if he's the only one that returns to camp, then it'll be a good bet they'll figure there are more of us."

"So the question becomes: how many of them are there? Even if they have more worgs, are there enough of them that they'd come after us? Keep in mind, that these Orcs were riding worgs, so they were emphasizing speed and mobility. That means they could be 2 or 3 days away."

"I think we should stick to the first plan, which was to head after the bugbear camp. For all we know, they might be in league with the Orcs."

Well, there it was. He tossed out his two coppers worth of advice. He doubted if it was worth more than 2 coppers anyway.

"Well, Ebrik," said Victor, "If the fog lifts and no orcs have come 'round, then I agree we should head to the bugbear camp, unless, of course we can track the escaped orc. As far as killing the females and young, it might be a mercy. Any who don't die defending the others are likely to weak to survive on their own. Unless of course you want to march them home as prisoners, but Phandalin's makeshift prison wouldn't suffice. Though I wouldn't blame anyone who would rather leave their fates up to chance. As far as truce, its possible, but not if everyone tries to chip in, like with the bugbears. We need to select one of us to be our diplomat. I lack the necessary qualities m'self-- long-winded though I am-- but I can translate Orc if need be. Course, most pleasantries don't translate to Orc, so we're better to hope their leader speaks fluent Common."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:05, Fri 30 Sept 2016.

"Bugbears and orcs are ofttimes adversaries than allies," says Ero.  "Conceivably, we could set one against the other.  They extirpate one another, permitting us to expunge the remnants.  Two birds with one stone, as you humans savor reiterating."

Lureene lifts an eyebrow at Amiri. "Do not think me soft in battle because I worship the Lady Firehair, lady. I merely seek to point out a tactical consideration that may be getting forgotten in the eagerness to do battle."

She grins at Ero's suggestion. "Oh, I like that, though we'll have to find a way to point the orcs at the bugbear, short of running away from them and into the bugbear camp with the orcs in tow."

Artem listens for some time to the back and forth, then removes his armor and stretches out to rest, trying to be in a spot that is hidden and defensible.

"Wake me if something comes or if we are going somewhere..." he says as he drifts off.

"We could try convincing one that we seek treasure that the other has, but then we'd still need to convince them not to kill us before seeking it out themselves. After all, if they try and fail, they'd be no use to us, and if they succeed... well, they'd be no use to us, then, either." VIctor let out a chuckle.

"The way I'd do it is have half of us attack the Orcs and then run towards the bugbears while the other half attacks the bugbears and run to the Orcs," Mithra tosses into the conversation. "All we need is a place in the middle to hide!"

"Course, that does require us to know where both groups are. If we knew that, it might work."