The Trailblazers ride out just before dawn, the cries of roosters ringing out all around in the semi-darkness and still of morning. The Rhest Trail marches away northwestward and hour after hour passes of largely uneventful travel. It is once again hot, is it ever anything other? But rather than being attacked by swarms of insects, the adventurers new nuisance is the interminable cloud of dust kicked up by their horses hooves!

Several fits of hacking ensue and there is no doubt of respiratory issues ensuing later tonight when the adventurers have a chance to make camp for the night. But one thing's for certain, the party makes very good time on horseback, if at the expense of new pains in places some of the heroes did not know existed on their bodies!

Sometime during the late afternoon, a few hours before the adventurers might think to look for a suitable campsite, the spot something on the road.

Up ahead, a crude, ten-foot high palisade of logs has been erected across the road, extending forty feet to either side and completely blocking all passage. A squat, twenty-foot tall watchtower looms in the middle of the palisade. The adventurers catch a glimpse of movement up in the tower, and spy a hobgoblin archer leaning against a post, chin on his chest.

Eoni motioned for the others to move off the road and dismount as she did so herself.  Gratefully dismounting, she tied her horse to some scrub brush and pulled her staff free of the saddle.

edit: No more forest to hide in.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Sat 03 Feb 2018.

Sarah looks frantic and lost as she runs into whatever cover there is to hide.

Taerix follows Eoni's lead, wondering if he could take out the guard from here....

 Marklin followed the others into cover. He dismounted, and after he tied his reins to some scrub, the warrior strung his Long bow.

 Marklin fitted an arrow onto his bow and spoke in a whisper to Eoni. " Want me to have a go?"

"Hold on," the Sister whispered to Marklin.  "This may be the barrier Teyani described.  She said there were ogres, too.

"I don't think their lookout has seen us, yet, but we aren't exactly hidden here with the horses if he wakes up or someone else comes along."

She looked around for better cover but their surroundings were much the same everywhere in this land beyond the Witchwood.  A few stunted trees here or there, but largely waist to neck high upland scrub.

"Taerix," she asked, hoping to choose the least conspicuous of her company, "do you think you might be able to get closer and see how many more there are on the other side?"

"All right," replied the halfling. Taerix edged along in the brush until he could see beyond the barrier, moving as stealthily as he could manage.

Watching the others for guidance, Valthur dismounts (clumsily), leads his horse to some scrub where it can be tied, then draws his crossbow and hunkers down for cover.

Taerix scrambles ahead, moving from bush to bush, his diminutive form difficult to pick out against the surrounding terrain. The halfling draws to within 30 feet of the road blockade and sees a pile of bodies off to the right of the palisade. The bodies appear to be merchants and pilgrims and are in various states of decay. None appear to be more than a few days old, unfortunately victims of the denizens of this newly erected roadside palisade.

Taerix spots two hobgoblins atop the twenty-foot tall watchtower. Both are conscious, but seem to not be taking the task of being on the lookout very seriously. They passively watch the road leading north and south and likely daydream of more exciting postings elsewhere, perhaps wishing they were marching along in the main horde sacking towns and villages.

The halfling can not peer inside the palisade from this distance, but it might be possible if he wishes to risk  short jaunt across open terrain.

OOC: Do you want to try to get any closer?

Taerix decides not to press his luck, and returns carefully to the others, giving the party a summary of what he saw.

"Did you see a way through or around it?" Eoni asked the halfling scout.  With what they had guarding Skull Gorge, she was worried about what reinforcements those two lookouts had behind them.  As well this barrier and it's guard had turned away a troop of Brindol Knights.

"We could go off trail," Valthur suggests. "Although I don't necessarily like the idea of slinking around like a pack of hyenas." He peers off to the east and west for the lay of the land.

Sarah also looks about.

Is there a route to the side of the palisade that appears to have more ground cover than the other?

Taerix answers questions to the best of his ability, noting the open ground he saw.

The land has been cleared around the palisade. There is some stubbly scrub here or there, but not mush else. Going around the roadside fortification is possible, its placement really more of a hindrance for wagons, carts and the like. The surrounding countryside is rough, but nothing a horse could not handle.

The bigger issue will be not being spotted while attempting to pass the bloackade.

"It's a long shot, but I could create a distraction, or perhaps cover for us..."

"They're going to spot us soon if we stay here," Eoni said, noting how their horses were taller than the cover they'd found.  "All they have to do is look.  So we need to move.

"Taerix, see if you can find out what they have behind that wall.  If we can, I don't want to leave this behind us for other travelers but they might have another dragon back there.  Ogres at the very least.  We'll try to move back down the trail and wait for you.

"If we're spotted, we'll try to draw them out, see their numbers.  Conserve our magic," she said with a nod to Aldara, "and run if we have to.  Meet up two miles back.

"Otherwise, we'll meet you a ways back from here where we can't be spotted from the tower.

"Good luck and stay safe."

She took the reins of his pony with her own and began to make her way back to the trail on foot.  They hadn't been spotted on their approach and with luck, the sentry would remain oblivious to their retreat.

The halfling retraces his steps through the brush, only this time, he risks getting a peek behind the wall, ready to run if spotted.

The party is some distance away from the road blockade; otherwise they would have already been spotted. Taerix had to scramble several hundred yards to scout out the fortification, but presumably he scrambled back to his companions' position to relate what he saw. His report complete, he makes the journey again, the most suited of any party member for this particular contribution.

The halfling disappears into brush and is soon back the clearing around the fortification. Taerix spends the next half hour or so scouting out the fortification, eventually assessing there to be 8 hobgoblins and 2 ogres within the palisade. Only two of the hobgoblins are on watch: the rest of the outpost is lazing about inside. Not quite awake and neither asleep.

Taerix makes his way back to the party with this newest report.

From their new position a little further away, she looked around at the others.  The details Taerix discovered matched those of Teyani, and still no sign of dragons.  This definitely wasn't going to be easy, but not impossible.

"What do you think?" she asked.  "I'd prefer not to leave them behind to pick off travelers but it would be the largest force we've faced so far."

"If we could get in the tower . . . " Sarah leaves her whispered thought unfinished.

"We stand a chance if we can pick them off one by one, but we'll need to take out those two in the tower before they can alert the others. Or maybe we can draw some of them out."

Marklin scratched his chin in thought." It all be made o' wood.And it be dry as dust, weatherwise. Burn the bloody thing down. Kill em as they come out."
"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:40, Tue 06 Feb 2018.

"My magic could, as always, turn the odds in our favour."

"I'm afraid we might light up this brush if we tried to burn the wall," Eoni said, "but we might be able to lure them out with some smoke of our own.

"Maybe if we all got into position near the wall, had someone start the smoke here, then wait for them to come out to investigate.  While they're out, we get into the tower, take care of them, then turn on those returning from the fire.

"We'll try and conserve our magic and prayer for the ogres," she added with a nod to Aldara.  "We know how to deal with hobgoblins, but I don't like the sound of ogres."

If it worked, it actually used a bit of everyone's plan.  Taerix seemed well suited to moving through the scrub so it might be best for him to start the fire.  He'd have to get back past any patrol they sent out.  The rest could hide in the scrub and wait for the patrol to get well away.  Then have some shoot at the lookouts while the others tried to get into the tower.

She still wasn't sure how the wall opened but they'd be able to see how the patrol emerged.  Hopefully.

Valthur nods. "Well what are we waiting for?"

Taerix moves out to get the fire going. Once he does, he rejoins the others.

Before they split up, Eoni intones a prayer to strengthen their resolve and guide their arms.  They then move back through the brush to find a hiding place nearer the wall while Taerix starts the fire.

OOC: Bless +1 to hit and damage for the next hour.

The dry brush erupts into a roaring flame in little time. Fortunately there is not much wind today, lessening the chance of a raging, out-of-control brush fire...but not completely eliminating the risk. It has been very dry and hot lately and this area is extremely prone to wildfires.

But the spark has been lit nonetheless.

Presumably the adventurers hunker down somwhere nearby and wait for something to happen. The fire definitely catches the attention of the two hobgoblin sentinels atop the watchtower. Their disposition has gone from inattentive to alert in little order. Both are now keenly scanning the area for any sign of what might have caused the fire.

Rather than leave the protection afforded by their fort, they are soon joined by six more hobgoblins whom appear either over the rampart or atop the watchtower, in addition to two ogres who join them a short time later. All peer off into the distance, but none seem to be too keen on going out and investigating the burning bush.

But they are definitely on high alert now!

This was not going to plan, Eoni thought irritably.  She tried to gauge the distance to the group in the tower.  The hobgoblin archers had height and cover but they lacked mobility.

"Sit tight," Eoni whispered.  "Let's see what they do.  We'll wait for Taerix to catch up, then decide."

Save for Taerix and perhaps Sarah, the adventurers managed to sneak no closer than perhaps 150 feet distant from the roadside blockade. Drawing any closer would have almost uncertainly drawn the hobgoblin's attention.

The halfling, perhaps the rogue, are able to sneak much closer to the outpost, perhaps 30 feet or so distant. That final 30 feet is cleared away of all brush.

The hobgoblins and ogre have no intention of leaving their post to investigate a smoking bush in the distance and seem content to watch for any activity behind the protection of their small fort.

Sarah hides in silence, scrutinizing the tower, and wonders . . .

[Private to DM Pawn: Setting aside the fact that the enemy is Ashley,  is it physically possible to climb into the tower]?

The palisade and tower are all constructed with cut timbers, none of which would be terribly difficult for Sarah to climb. The palisade is 10 feet tall and the central watchtower rises another 10 feet above the palisade wall.

Eoni observed that the tower was too strong to quickly chop down.  It had to be in order to support the gaggle now perched stubbornly on it's platform.

"The ogres probably have rocks or javelins to throw," Eoni surmised quietly.  "We'll lose a bow fight."

She tried to see if there were a way to run under the tower, forcing them to descend in order to reach them.

The tower has a commanding view of the surrounding area and any approach will be exposed and open to missile fire. There are no seams under the tower to slip under it. The only entrance to the palisade fort is through a closed timer gate on either side.

" If we could someone start a fire from inside the tower." Remarked Marklin, as he watched the fortification.

"Aldara," Eoni said, whispering to the sorceress, "can you block them from seeing us?  Give us a chance to reach that nearest gate and get it open?"

It had worked on the flying lion and the Sister hoped something similar could be used on the tower.

While she let Aldara gauge the distance, Eoni turned back to the others and whispered her new plan.

"If Aldara can mask our approach, I'll try and bind the ogres with Avandra's Grace just before she does.  I haven't tried it before but I feel it will work.

"Once we're at the gate, Marklin and Valthur can boost Sarah and Taerix over the gate to let us in.  Then we take the fight to them.  Try to get in close and break their archer's advantage.

"How does that sound?"

"We need to hold off those ogres," Valthur agrees. "It'll be a fair fight us against the hobgoblins, but if that pair of overgrown uglies get into the mix, it'll be curtains for us."

The dwarf thinks for a moment longer. "And if at least one of us can get into that tower and keep those two archers occupied, that will also help."

"I expect they have more than just the two bows up there," Eoni observed to the dwarf.  "They were able to drive back the Brindol Lions after all."

Aldara ponders potential illusions to weave.  "I can come up with something, no ifs, ands, or buts about it." She is one hundred percent confident.

"Probally can climb without help."

"Alright then," Eoni whispered, looking to the others and taking a deep breath.  "Aldara will mask us after my prayer.  Everyone make a run for the gate as soon as she's done."

She took another breath, focusing on the ogres in the tower as she began her quiet prayer.  "May Avandra's Grace hold our enemies fast so that we may free this highway and make safe it's travel once more." She held the symbol close to her chest and envisioned the ogres cast as if in stone, motionless and rooted to the tower.

[Private to DM Pawn: OOC:  Her first attempt at this prayer and it was a tough one.  Only 1 ogre needs to save vs Spells.
Eoni Daflin rolled 1 using 1d4 with rolls of 1.  Hold fast the ogres with Avandra's Grace.]

Taerix waits patiently for his part of the plan to arrive.

From behind the cover of stretch of stunted ground-mesquite, Eoni attempts to hold one of the ogre's within the distant stockade under Avandra's grace. But the ogre is having no part of it and shakes the compulsion from his mind as one might swat away a zealous gnat from their neck.

The ogre becomes quite agitated and shouts at others within the camp, [Language unknown: Thewhiichthi lafi areer ck notoulman ul evadmo. M eriswa om. Thostalar thatr m!]

Whatever the ogre just shouted, it seems to have agitated the others within the roadside blockade. The hobgoblins appear much more alert now and are guiding their attenion in all directions around their fort and are no longer content to simply watch brush burn in the distance.

"Probally should wait 'til later.  Probally."

"Blasted ogre. His skull is too thick for your magic to get in, Aldara." Valthur weighs their options. "Maybe it's time to charge in."

"Let Aldara cover our approach, first," Eoni cautioned Valthur.  She was disappointed her strength wasn't enough to hold the ogres, but adamant they should still proceed.

"We need to clear this barrier and we don't have time to waste.  Every day we delay, another town may be lost to that army.

"We stick to the plan.  I'll try to blind the ogres once we're in."

  "I be no coward, you know that, but this is not a god plan. I say we wait until night, slip past this place, deal with what we have to deal with in the north. When we return, we can wipe this place out. If we try and storm this place now, we have to move in the clear against those bloody Hobgoblin archers. If we survive the arrows, we still have to get inside the place and engage with steel against two Ogres and the Hobs. More then one of us is going to die in this fight. While we try and gain entrance, we suck arrows and maybe a rock from the two big uglies. "

Sarah looks sick to her stomach as Eoni outlines her plan.



Sarah turns from Marklin and looks at Eoni with a hopeful look in her eye.

Perhaps once Aldara brought her arts to bear, the others would gain confidence in the plan and realize they wouldn't be covering the distance in plain sight of the tower.

Valthur waits silently for the signal. He really hates waiting. Once the fighting begins, then what happens happens. The waiting, however, is almost more than he can stand.

Aldara weaves phantasmal forces and shapes those arcane energies into flames that break out within the roadside fort's far corner, engulfing the palisade in fiery blaze. The fire definitely gets the attentions of the fort's occupants. In response, the hobgoblins panic and fumble about, a few of them accidentally falling off the wall, while the big ogres shout at one another.

The resulting chaos does not reinforce these troops as being a well-disciplined force, rather, bumbling idiots that have been stationed at a remote outpost, rather than joining in the assault against the people of Elsir Vale. In any event, their attention directed toward the fire, the adventurers have an opportunity to advance on the palisade without fear of being spotted!

"Now!" Eoni hissed, seeing the guards in confusion.  It wasn't what she'd expected, but worked nonetheless.  She broke through the bushes and dashed for the wall.

 Marklan already had an arrow nocked in the long bow. When the fire works went off, he almost dropped the bow, out of being startled. But training took over, and he lifted the bow, drew back and let fly at one of the Ogres. The arrow flew straight and true and buried itself in an Ogre shoulder.

 The Warrior sprinted after the others, to the rattle of metal links.


12:35, Today: Marklin rolled 20 using 1d20 with rolls of 20.  Bow shot at an Ogre.  Critical hit!!

 Max damage: 8 points
This message was last edited by the player at 15:02, Mon 19 Feb 2018.

Taerix raced along with the others toward the wall.

Valthur fires his crossbow at the ogre who Marklin hit, but his aim is not nearly as good as his longbow toting companion. The dwarf's quarrel skids uselessly across the dirt well off of its intended target.

22:38, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9.  Crossbow vs. ogre.

With that, he chases after the others as they close in on the wall.

Not wanting to risk things for a pot-shot with her new daggers, Aldara continues to concentrate on her illusory fires, and even intensifies them.  Any nervousness in the mage's face seems to abate, instead being replaced by the same kind of glee that a troubled child with a looking glass and captive ants might show.

Maintaining illusion.

Nice call, GM!  I was thinking of fires, myself.

Correction, make that 9 points on the Ogre,I forgot about the Bless

Sarah also races to the wall, intent on climbing it if possible, and gaining entry into the tower.

Eoni, Taerix and Sarah reach the palisade fort, just outside its timber wall. Each still must either attempt to climb the wall or break down the door in order to gain access to the fort.

Beyond the walls, the trio hears the shouts and cries of hobgoblin and ogre alike as they respond to the raging fire within their fort.

Aldara maintains her concentration on this ruse while walking slowly toward the fort.

Marklin and Valthur fired missile weapons before racing toward the fort and are still advancing toward the fort.

There are no longer any sentinels atop the watchtower or peeking above the wall. All have disappeared beyond view, within the fort.

OOC: All PCs are still under the effects of Eoni's Bless spell (+1 to-hit and damage rolls).

Hobgoblin Regulars, 6
AC: 6
HP: 4/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6

Hobgoblin Sergeants, 2
AC: 5
HP: 9/9, 9/9

Ogres, 2
AC: 5
HP: 10/19, 19/19



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  18/18   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  16/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  19/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    5  23/23   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 02:02, Tue 20 Feb 2018.

The halfling picks a spot away from the fire and starts to scale the wall.

Without the stronger members to help Sarah and Taerix over, Eoni tried to scale the wall as well.  They'd need support in there and she might be able to help open the gate for the slower armsmen.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 11 using 1d20.  Strength Check (8), Climb the Palisade!

 When Marklin got to the base of the wall, he would lean his bow against the wall,then help over anyone that needed it.

Sarah climbs, looking for a way to get to the now-vacated tower.

Valthur races to the wall with the others. Seeing no immediate targets, he lends a hand to those climbing while hoping he won't have to climb anything himself. Dwarfs are not really made for climbing. I hope somebody up there has a rope!

Aldara concentrates on her illusion while advancing across the scrub toward the wall with Marklin and Valthur.

OOC: DM post to keep game moving during combat.

Sarah and Taerix climb up the palisade wall with little difficulty and soon find themselves inside the watchtower. Eoni struggles to find good hand and footholds. Marklin, Valthur and Aldara arrive at the wall a few moments later.

From atop the 20 foot tall watchtower, Sarah and Taerix hear quite a bit of commotion below. Two open trapdoors, one in the northwest and the other in the southwest corners, lead down to the gatehouse below. A wooden ladder leads down from each of these trapdoors.

Through either of these trapdoors, Sarah and Taerix see 8 hobgoblins attempting to throw buckets of sand on the illusory fire that now rages within the gatehouse's ground floor. The gatehouse and tower is about 40 feet square. The palisade of logs extends another 40 feet to either side of the tower. Within either of these wings, an ogre berates the hobgoblins, and seems unconvinced of the fire's veracity. Slow on the uptake, the ogres have not turned their attention to outside events, and continue to attempt to talk sense into the bumbling hobgoblins.

The ogres seem to have succeeded in convincing one hobgoblin the fire is not real. This hobgoblin bounds over to the ladder at the northwest corner of the tower and begins to climb up...toward Sarah and Taerix!


OOC: All PCs are still under the effects of Eoni's Bless spell (+1 to-hit and damage rolls).

Hobgoblin Regulars, 6
AC: 6
HP: 4/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6

Hobgoblin Sergeants, 2
AC: 5
HP: 9/9, 9/9

Ogres, 2
AC: 5
HP: 10/19, 19/19



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  18/18   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  16/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  19/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    5  23/23   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Discarding her pack and staff, Eoni got a leg up from Marklin and attempted the wall once more.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 10 using 1d20.  Strength Check (8), Climb the Palisade! 2.

Taerix draws his sword and takes it to the hobgoblin as soon as he reaches the top. In his haste, he really doesn't get a good swing.

22:18, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 6 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 4.  attack hobgoblin.

Sarah pulls out her sword and pokes it at the hobgoblin.  She pierces it in the fatty part of its thigh, causing more pain and irritation than anything else.


08:36, Today: Sarah rolled 16,2 using d20+1,d8+1 with rolls of 15,1.  Attack Hobgoblin (12 to hit).
 

Valthur stands at the door and signals to Marklin. "When I break this door down, fire on whatever you see." He takes a deep breath, then drives his shoulder into the door, knocking it from its hinges to reveal the hobgoblin chaos within the gatehouse.

23:02, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled -1 using 1d6-2 with rolls of 1.  Break down door (need 2 or less?).

He then draws his axe and readies himself for the fight of his life.

Valthur slams into the gatehouse door and it swings open, revealing a blazing inferno in one corner and a half dozen or so hobgoblins doing their best to contain the fire. Another hobgoblin is about 20 feet above ground, on a ladder, doing his best to ward off attacks.

Back down below...

Two ogres peer in through doorways on either side of the gatehouse. They bark out orders in their guttural tongue, but all hell has broken loose now and the scene is total chaos.

 Once Marklin had tossed..that is to say, gave a boot up to Eoni, He grabbed his bow and made ready with an arrow. The Warrior moved to the opened gate and let fly at the Ogre. The arrow buried itself into the wood.


19:11, Today: Marklin rolled 7 using 1d20-2 with rolls of 9.  Arrow shot at wounded Ogre.

"Hrmph." Somewhat surprised that he isn't met by a swarm of hobgoblins and ogres on the other side of the door, Valthur lowers his axe and loads his crossbow instead.

OOC: going to assume I can't change weapons and fire in the same round.

Aldara continues to concetrate on the phantasmal image...

OOC: DM post to keep game moving

The hobgoblin forces his way up the ladder into the watchtower, draws his shortsword and slashes at Sarah! The hobgoblin shouts in his native tongue, [Language unknown: Ncngwa iland onbeioro! Enomhe!]

Meanwhile, down below, two of the tougher-looking hobgoblins begin to see the fire for what it is...an illusion, and begin to angrily rebuke their compatriots while drawing their blades.

The ogres already knew as much. One grabs a hobgoblin in each hand and tosses them roughly at the open doorway. "Fight! Fight dem!" he yells. The tossed hobgoblins come crashing down onto the ground in a clatter.

The other ogre charges the door, specifically, charges at Valthur, huge club poised to smash the dwarf!

But, Valthur dodges out of the way.

Meanwhile, Eoni continues to have difficulties climbing the 20 foot wall to get up to the watchtower. Sarah and Taerix made it look so easy, but the cleric finds it anything but.


OOC: All PCs are still under the effects of Eoni's Bless spell (+1 to-hit and damage rolls).

Sarah takes 5 points of damage.

Hobgoblin Regulars, 6
AC: 6
HP: 4/6, 4/6 (Sarah/Taerix)*, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6

Hobgoblin Sergeants, 2
AC: 5
HP: 9/9*, 9/9*

Ogres, 2
AC: 5
HP: 10/19*, 19/19 (Valthur)*



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  18/18   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  11/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  19/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    5  23/23   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Seeing that Valthur had managed to breach the entrance, Eoni gave up on the unscalable wall and moved around behind Marklin for cover.  She peered within and, spying an ogre, called upon Avandra to blind it with her grace.

"May the grace of Avandra light your way!" she intoned, concentrating on one of the ogres.

OOC: Cast light on an ogre's eyes.

 The Warrior let fly with one last arrow, then abandoned the bow to ready his sword and shield.

19:33, Today: Marklin rolled 2 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 1.  Arrow damage at charging Ogre.

19:30, Today: Marklin rolled 17 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 15.  Arrow at charging Ogre.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Sun 25 Feb 2018.

Taerix tries again to stab at the hobgoblin, but though he hits, it's not as strong as he wanted it to be.


20:16, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 1.  Sword damage.

20:15, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 16 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 14.  Attack hobgoblin.

Sarah appears positively furious as she rushes toward the hobgoblin.  The onrushing girl surprises the hobgoblin, allowing her to drive her blade deep into his heart.

Almost as quickly she pulls her sword out and, confident that her foe is dead, gives a quick look around to make sure that there are no other enemies about.

21:05, Today: Sarah rolled 17,6 using d20+1,d8+1 with rolls of 16,5.  Attack Hobgoblin (12 to hit).

Still juggling between weapons, Valthur's decision finally becomes clear as one of the ogres charges for him. He draws his axe and connects with the brute, though not as solidly as he hoped.


15:58, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 19 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 16.  battle axe vs. ogre.
15:58, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 4 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 1.  Damage.

Aldara, realising that her spell was now just a parlour trick for an ungrateful crowd of unwashed brutes, does what any stage magician wished they could do to such... She casts a sleeping spell.  The ogres would not likely buy it, but the hobgoblins, on the other hand, might.

Sleep, as always, on the largest cluster of foes.

Sarah and Taerix strike down the hobgoblin that had climbed up into the watchtower, the team easily overwhelming their lone foe.

Meanwhile, Eoni and Aldara wield their spells to great effect. Eoni blinds one ogre with a light spell. The ogre gasps and grabs its eyes in a futile effort to restore its vision. His inability to do so sends it into a panic and it bumbles through the doorway back out into the adjoining yard.

Aldara weaves another familiar spell, casting sleep. Her spell causes all the hobgoblins to fall into a deep slumber, each falling where they stand, some within inches of the blazing fire!

Finally, the ogre that had charged Valthur recognizes it is the last its side defending the blockade against what seems to be a very powerful enemy. Sensing its own doom, the ogre turns and flees, foregoing any careful withdrawal in favor of a full on retreat.


OOC: All PCs are still under the effects of Eoni's Bless spell (+1 to-hit and damage rolls).

Hobgoblin Regulars, 6
AC: 6
HP: 4/6, 0/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6  (all are sleeping)

Hobgoblin Sergeants, 2
AC: 5
HP: 9/9*, 9/9*   (all are sleeping)

Ogres, 2
AC: 5
HP: 8/19 (blinded/fled), 15/19 (fleeing)



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  18/18   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  11/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  19/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    5  23/23   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

 Marklin chased after the fleeing Ogre, and swung his sword at the thing, but stumbled and missed rather badly.

08:09, Today: Marklin rolled 3 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 1.  Attack on fleeing Ogre.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:48, Mon 26 Feb 2018.

"Sarah!  Taerix!" Eoni called, looking up the rough wall over which the nimble pair had disappeared.  "Are you all right?"

She took a moment to pick up her staff while anxiously waiting for a reply.

"All right up here," calls the halfling.


OOC: Can I see the fleeing ogres from up here? If there's a decent bow nearby I'll take a shot.

Valthur puffs out his chest as his adversary flees. "Let that be a lesson to you," he boasts. "Tell all your hobgoblin friends that the trailblazers are coming."

He pauses to make sure the ogres aren't returning, then draws his dagger and begins dispatching the sleeping hobgoblins.

Sarah does not respond to Eoni's inquiry.  Instead, she pulls out her crossbow, loads it, and looks for a target.  Seeing none (even if she sees the fleeing ogre, she deems it an unworthy target), she nonetheless remains on alert.

Once Marklin was sure there was no threat to contend with, he would see what there was to see. Open up any stores or rooms seeking what sort of supplies and what amounts where to be had. The Warrior was also seeking anything that would burn. Oil, animal fat, etc.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:23, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

Aldara aids Valthur and the others with the grisly task of dispatching the sleeping hogboblins.

The fleeing ogres disappear rapidly across the scrub, easily outpacing any attempts to run them down. The hulking beasts lumber away to the west and soon are well outside of effective range of missile weapons. Meanwhile, the party dispatches the sleeping hobgoblins and takes stock of the roadside fort's provisions.

There is ample supply of dry rations, ale and wine, enough to last at least a month. Additionally, there are about 40 spears stockpiled within the fort. Finally, each of the hobgoblins has their own personal gear, this amounts to 8 chain shirts, 8 shields, 8 long swords, 6 short bows , 2 long bows and 150 arrows.

The party is able to scrounge up 10 gp and 200 sp by rifling through the hobgoblins' pockets.

Taerix will take a short bow and some arrows if there's a quiver handy to home some in.

"I'll go get the horses," Eoni declared.  "Valthur, see if you and Marklin can cut some of these walls loose and knock them down.  We don't want anyone to take up residence after we leave.

"We'll destroy or hide anything we can't carry."

Eoni left her pack near the gate and jogged back to gather up the horses, and put out the fire.  Probably put out the fire first.

Valthur heaves a sigh at the job ahead of him and then gets to work. Where he can, he uses one of the hobgoblin long swords to cut, jab, and pry apart the walls. Where that isn't sufficient, he opts instead for his battle axe, taking some measure of caution to not destroy his favorite weapon.

 Marklin tried to get Valthur to help him pry the hinges of the gates, off. He them makes a fire to warp the metal to render the hinges useless. After that, the Warrior would go about  doing as much damage as possible, to render the place useless as a fortification.

The adventurers spend the remainder of the day sabotaging the roadside blockade, leaving them quite fatigued come nightfall.

Presumably, the party sets watch and camps for the night. Fortunately, neither the ogres nor any other foe assaults the party and the night passes uneventfully.

***

The morning is quite warm and moist. In the distance, the party sees dense low-lying fog to the northwest. This must be the beginning of the vast wetlands known as the Blackfens--a treeless maze of open water, reeds and wet, grassy flats that shelter countless waterfowl. But truthfully, birds are the least of the adventurers concerns, for all have heard rumors of the rise of monstrous denizens within the Blackfens. Then there are the mysterious and xenophobic wild elves astride giant owls that call these lands homes.

Dangers aside, the adventurers have been charged to delve within this strange realm in hopes of finding and destroying what the Keepers of Eth have referred to as the Red Hand's secret weapon...

"We'll head for Rhest and look for signs of the Tiri Kitor," Eoni said as she took another look at Sarah's wound.  The Sister had called upon Avandra to close the wound the night before, but wanted to be sure all was well.  There was no telling what those hobgoblins might have had on their blades.

"We'll go a ways and look for a landmark to dump the armor and weapons we aren't keeping.  I don't want any stragglers rearming themselves and we don't need to carry it all the way to Rhest and back."

With the horses laden with food, ale, wine, extra arrows, and the equipment to be cached, it would be a slow start until they found somewhere to secret the excess.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 2 using 1d6+1.  Cure light wounds, Sarah.  Hopefully her overnight rest restored the rest of her strength.

 Marklin raised his arm to get Eoni's attention. " we can't take anything we found in this plaace, as far as rations and drink are concerned. The gods only know what the meat be, and the wine and ale might be poisoned, or some o' it anyway. Just the sort o' thing these whore sons might do, as a last resort if the place fell to an enemy. Touch none o' it."

Eoni took another look at the dried rations skeptically.

"Leave anything that looks like meat," she agreed, nodding to Marklin.  "With the Grace of Avandra, I can purify anything that may have been poisoned.  So bring what we can and destroy the rest."

Valthur collects what he can and takes a few tries at destroying excess weapons and armor with a stone. "If I had a warhammer I could make short work of this pile of hobgoblin crap," he concludes. "But I won't dull my axe against it."

Taerix watches for any enemies approaching while the others load up the horses and such.

Sarah thanks Eoni, then sets about doing nothing discernible.

[Private to DM Pawn:
I doubt there's anything to find, but look for secret stuff.  Treasure chests.  Valuables.  Maps.  Shiny objects.]

The adventurers depart the ruined blockade early the next morning, taking what useable foodstocks they can salvage and destroying the rest. A short distance from this location, the party buries the seized armor and weaponry, the continues along the Rhest Trail, eventually veering northwestward into the marsh as the trail disappears beneath marshy ground.

Travel by horseback then becomes quite difficult and the adventurers do their best to follow the general direction of where they think the trail might lead. The Blackfens are more of a maze of marsh than swamp, with large areas of murky water ringed by seas of tall reeds and grasses rising out of ankle-deep mud, the occasional forested hillock or rise standing above he reeds and waters. The ever-present pools, sumps and soughs here average between 2 to 4 feet of slow-moving, leech-infested water, with the surrounding forest of reeds rising another 8 feet above the water's surface.

This land is more suited to boats or skiffs. The presence of horses is less than ideal, but the adventurers do their best to navigate through the muck and mire, a slow, wet, dirty and tiring ordeal to be sure. Almost enough to make one pine for relative comforts of the steamy Witchwood and all that entailed!

***

At some point in the afternoon, the adventurers are navigating toward the ruins of Rhest when they see a low, mossy island of mud and peat protruding from the marsh waters ahead. Two gnarled trees grow fitfully on the ruggest ground, and sprawled across their turgid roots is the ruined and bloody remains of a horse-sized owl! The once-magnificent bird's body has been partially dissolved in places, and swaths of foul, dark green fluid still sizzle and pop, eating away at exposed flesh and bone.

The horses begin to panic...

OOC: Please declare actions

"Easy girl," Eoni said, trying to sooth her horse.  "Let's circle around," she continued, looking for a way around on the left side.  "Just stay well clear of it."

She tried to urge her horse to the left and away from the mound.

"Whoa, Charlie," Valthur suggests with a tug on the reins to keep his horse under control. It doesn't take long for the dwarf to realize he is really at the horse's mercy. His limited animal handling skills are no match for his steed once he has a mind of his own. Still, Valthur does his best to stay mounted.

Like Valthur, Sarah's "horse skills" are minimal, virtually nonexistent.  She holds on for dear life.

Taerix would much rather stay on top of the horse, clean, than fall down into the muck. He redoubles his efforts to calm his mount as he watches the sky for what might have killed this giant owl.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Wed 07 Mar 2018.

 Marklin cursed his horse every step of the way, in the muck amd mire. He did not like horses, knew nothing about them, and gave the occasional dirty look at Eoni. " Let's take horses, she says. Faster then walking. Bahhh!"

A few moments after the adventurers take note of the festering giant owl carcass, a dragon-like creature emerges from a reed-choked pool nearby!

The green-scaled beast is a little larger than a heavy draft horse and looks draconic in nature, though its wings appear more vestigial than functional. The creature bounds quickly over the marshy ground, roaring and shrieking, cover the distance between itself and the adventurers in the flash of an eye.

Rearing up on its hindlegs, the beast belches forth a cone of fluorescent green acid, spewing these contents on the the entire party!

The creature throws its head back and forth, standing now 20 feet distant from the adventurers...

OOC: Everyone must make Saving Throws vs Breath Weapon or take 13 points of damage, half damage (6) on a successful saving throw.

Greenspawn Razorfiend
AC 3
HP: ??/?? [Private to GM: 27/27, Breath Weapon Used: 13]


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  18/18   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  16/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  19/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    5  23/23   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!!!

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:24, Sat 10 Mar 2018.

All of the party's horses succumb to the greenspawn's acidic spew, save for one very stout pony captained by Taerix. The horses go down like a house of cards, depositing their riders harshly onto the turf!

00:51, Today: Marklin rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.  Saving throw vs breath weapon.

Success!

Taerix takes the full brunt of the stuff, trying to shield his face. If his new bow survived the blast, he quickly unshoulders it and fires a shot back at the beast, striking it near its collarbone.


00:33, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Arrow damage.

00:32, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 19 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 15.  Bowshot at beast.

00:26, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9.  Save vs. breath.

Valthur curses as he tumbles from his horse into the swamp. Moradin's beard, he thinks to himself. What is that thing?

The dwarf does not wait for an answer as his instincts take over. He rolls to his feet and charges the monster before it can fire another spray of acid. His axe bites deep into the beast, but Valthur suspects the battle has only just begun.


00:40, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19.  saving throw vs. breath weapon.
00:48, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 21 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 19.  Axe vs. acid spewing beast.
00:48, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 5.  Damage.

Her leg pinned beneath her fallen horse, Eoni ignored the burning pain that consumed the right side of her body as the beast's spittle ate through her padded jacket.  Twisting around, she could just spot their assailant.  The Sister called upon Avandra's Grace and intoned a plea as best she could through gritted teeth.

"Avandra bring down your light... upon this beast and show it the strength of your... Grace."

OOC: Eoni failed the Breath Weapon save.  Continual Light on the beast's eyes.

Marklin was going to curse the stupid horse for the hundredth time, that morning, when something off happened. Some sort of beast ambushed the party, and spat some vile substance that killed all the horses. Marklin didn't know if he should fight the creature, or thank it, then fight it.

 When his horse screamed in pain and fell over, he somehow cleared the stirrups and hit the soggy ground. The Warrior got to his feet, and cleared the arming sword from the scabbard, and with the blade held in a two handed grip, offered battle to the beast.

" Thank you!" He screamed, as he slashed at the beastie.

10:00, Today: Marklin rolled 7 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 6.  Attack on wanna be Dragon.

A swing and a miss!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:30, Mon 12 Mar 2018.

Sarah has the presence of mind to jump from her horse.  The equine takes the brunt of the acid spew, but the girl is not unscathed.

Using the horse as cover, she readies her crossbow and fires, plunking it . . . somewhere.


08:13, Today: Sarah rolled 15 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 13.  Saving Throw (14 to make).

08:17, Today: Sarah rolled 20,5 using d20+3,d6 with rolls of 17,5.  Crossbow (15 to hit).

13:42, Today: Aldara rolled 2 using 1d20 ((2)).

Saving Throw versus Breath Weapon - FAILURE

00:45, Today: Aldara rolled 14 using 1d20 ((14)).

Saving Throw Versus Death Ray - SUCCESS

Death Saves (Success): Ø O O
Death Saves (Failure): O O O

Since I'm at -1 Hit Points right now, I'm not really in a place to declare any actions other than falling and being hit with a gout of acid, so.

Aldara's horse throws her off of its back, and her struggle with the majestic creature does not afford her much opportunity to avoid the huge gout of acid that comes flying at everyone.  Pain and the effects of no small amount of caustic bile overtake the mage, and she falls ungracefully onto her back.  Her pale skin is now flecked with pink and red, most of these new additions glistening with fluid, some from inside of her, some from without.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:46, Tue 13 Mar 2018.

The draconic beast spews its acidic vomit onto the adventurers. Each member immediately feels a burning sensation spread throughout their body and are thrown from their mounts as horse and pony collapse beneath them. Most emerge from the ordeal still conscious, however Aldara succumbs to her injuries and lies trapped beneath her horse!

Meanwhile, the greenspawn violently whips its head this way and that, attempting to shake off the magical blindness now afflicting the beast. Unable to do so, the monsters emits an eardrum shattering shriek and begins to sniff the air around it attempting to locate its prey by scent.

It uses its vestigial wings like sweeping clubs, but the adventurers easily duck or dodge out of the way. Finally, it lunges at Valthur and attempts to sink its teeth into the dwarf...but is unable.



OOC:

Greenspawn Razorfiend
AC 3
HP: -17/?? (Blinded, -4 to attacks) [Private to GM: 10/27, Breath Weapon Used: 13]


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8   4/12  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Eoni       8  11/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  12/18   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  10/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1   6/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    5  17/23   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!!!

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Sat 17 Mar 2018.

Taerix looses another arrow at this monstrosity and places it right next to his first shot.


21:21, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4. damage

21:21, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Arrow shot.

In the heat of battle, Valthur doesn't recognize the horrific swamp-beast is blinded. Nor does he see Aldara fall beneath her horse in the marsh behind him. His single focus now is on burying his axe as deeply as possible in his opponent. "Bring this thing down before it vomits again!"

21:26, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 15 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 13.  Battle axe vs. razorfiend.
21:27, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 8 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 6.  Damage.

"Aldara!" Eoni shouted in anguish as she pushed with all her might to free her leg.  She could see the sorceress wasn't moving beneath her own horse and the Sister struggled all the more to free herself.  The dead horse was just too heavy, pinning her leg beneath it in the thick swamp muck.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 13 using 1d20.  Strength Check (8) Free her leg.

00:40, Today: Aldara rolled 8 using 1d20 ((8)).

Saving Throw versus Death Ray - FAILURE

Death Saves (Success): Ø O O
Death Saves (Failure): Ø O O

Being unconscious and possibly concussed, Aldara can not react to Eoni's concerned cry, or contribute much of anything to the battle.  Middling mage.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:46, Tue 13 Mar 2018.

Marklin slashed at the creature again, but his sword just bounced off its hide.

22:05, Yesterday: Marklin rolled 7 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 6.

Eoni's cry comes out just as Sarah launches her bolt.  Still unfamiliar with her new weapon, and startled by that cry, she jerks ever so slightly -- just enough for her bolt to sail wide of the flailing creature.

08:35, Today: Sarah rolled 14,4 using d20+3,d6 with rolls of 11,4.  Crossbow (15 to hit).

Valthur drives his axe through the mutated, draconic beast, rending the monster's head from its body with one fell slash. A geyser of gore issues from the angry wound and the monster's body twitches for several seconds before finally drawing still, an inky pool of blood spreading across the boggy water.

The beast is slain!

"Someone help Aldara!" Eoni shouted, seeing the beast fall.  "She isn't moving!"

19:26, Today: Aldara rolled 16 using 1d20 ((16)).

Saving Throw versus Death Ray - SUCCESS

Death Saves (Success): Ø Ø O
Death Saves (Failure): Ø O O
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Thu 15 Mar 2018.

As one of the few who did not close in on the icky beast, Sarah scuttles to Aldara and tries to help.

Valthur staggers back from the beast as it erupts. It is all he can do to keep from throwing up in the shower of blood and bile. He remembers stories from his grandfather of gruesome beasts encountered deep below the Hammerfist Holds. None, he imagines, could have ever been as vile as the defeated remains before him.

Eoni's call brings Valthur back to the present day. He rushes to Aldara and with a grunt, attempts to free her from underneath her former steed.

Taerix urges his pony back to its feet, and walks it over to Aldara and her dead horse. If there's a way to get the pony to pull on the horse's equipment in a way that could help free Aldara, he will do his best to make it happen.

"Eoni, can you help her with your magic?"

 Marklin stood guard as the others went to help Aldara.

"I could pray for her recovery," Eoni grunted as she strained once more to free her leg from beneath her own horse, "if I could reach her."

Gaining some leverage against the horse with her free leg, she managed to wriggle out from beneath her horse and the sucking swamp muck.  Shaking free of her jacket eaten through by the acid, she stumbled toward the others, sloshing her way across the fen.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 1 using 1d20.  Strength Check (8) Free her leg, again.

The adventurers are able to stabilize Aldara, though the same cannot be said for all but Taerix's pony. Unfortunately, the dragon-beast's acidic breath weapon proved too much for them to endure. Dragging the fallen mounts aside, the group carries Aldara to dry ground atop an  islet immediately west of the horse-sized owl sprawled between two gnarled trees.

There, sitting at the highest point of the islet, and upwind of the slain giant owl, keen-eyed members spot a rusty iron coffer amidst a sea of stubby, broad-leafed brush.

After dragging the fallen horses through the mire and helping get Aldara to higher ground, Valthur takes a seat and disgustedly wipes the combination of sweat and slime from his brow. "This swamp is cursed," he concludes. "I'd rather spend the rest of my life in that god-forsaken tree trunk by Drellin's Ferry than spend another hour here."

He swats at an unknown insect in front of his face and thinks about the rotting owl still visible in the marsh below. "Remember that owl that we scared away for the Grigs? I wonder if that's a friend of his rotting in the swamp down there."

"Avandra's mercy bring you strength and succor in your time of need," Eoni intoned as she tried to remold the loose, acid eaten skin of the sorceress's face back into place.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Cure light wounds, Acidic Aldara.

Aldara stirs uncomfortably as her face de-degloves itself, and any broken bones half-ass themselves together.

Well, she's unconscious.  Nothing from her mouth.

Aldara regains consciousness as soon as Eoni casts the cure wounds spell.

"Hold still," Eoni said gently to the sorceress as she began to stir, "you're going to be all right."

The Sister took a deep breath and began once more to repair the damage done by the swamp beast.

"May Avandra's Grace sooth your suffering and bring peace to your heart," she intoned as she worked across the woman's exposed, acid eaten, flesh.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Cure light wounds, Acidic Aldara #2.

Valthur's spirits rise slightly when he sees Aldara awaken. He tries not to stare at the mangled state of her face, but finds it difficult to ignore. With a dogged effort, he peels his attention from the revived spell-caster and scans his surroundings.

It is then that he spots the rusty coffer in the brush. "Take a look at this, Marklin," he calls while eagerly scrambling over to his finding. "What do you suppose is in here?"

Buoyed by hopes of treasure and with little regard for safety, he attempts to open the strongbox.

Aldara does jerk slightly as she awakens, her mouth opening in a silent scream, but Eoni manages to persuade her to remain still.  All that she can think at the moment is something along the lines of "Pain.  Hurt.  Eoni.  Eoni stop hurt."; all she can remember is frightened horses, a gout of really strong and hot bile, falling on her rump, horses falling dangerously close to her, and then nothing.  She feels the uncomfortable itchiness of skin healing itself on top of any pain and knitting-together she might still be experiencing, and just lets the travelling priestess work her miracles.

The iron-banded coffer is heavily rusted, its lock giving no resistance as Valthur pries open the large chest. What greets the Dwarf's eyes can only be described as amazing, the largest cache of treasure the adventurers have found thus far, a hoard worthy of a dragon to be sure!

Jam=packed within the sturdy coffer is a bed of perhaps twenty thousand copper, electrum and gold coins, laid atop which are a fine suit of chainmail, a marvelous round shield with intricate inlay and filigree work, and equally impressive battle axe crafted by what appears to be a master artisan, and a silken bag containing two gems, two potions, and two scroll cases!

"That may be all I can do today," Eoni said to the sorceress.  "Just sit up slowly."

She looked around at the others and saw they weren't nearly so dire as Aldara, except perhaps the last frightened pony.  The loss of the others saddened her greatly but there was nothing that could have been done.

"Taerix," she said, calling to the halfling, "let me see to your pony.  How badly is he injured?"

"I'm not exactly sure... he may be in better shape than I am." Taerix walks the pony over to the cleric.

Sarah's eyes grow very wide as she gazes upon the large quantity of coins.

 Marklin had halped Valthur drag the chest from where it had rested. Once the lid was open, Marklin found his jaw hanging open. But then reality intervened,and the warrior shook his head to clear it from the visions of the fine things they all could purchase. " Right..... Ahem, right now that chest what it holds, be so much weighty junk to us. We need to hide it, and then move on with the task at hand."

Sarah looks again at the chest.  She looks like she really wants to say something, but is reluctant to do so.  Then she says, very softly -- in a voice that is pleading for someone to agree:

"If . . . If we could get it out of here, couldn't we just go somewhere?  Away from this?  And never have to deal with strange monsters and fantastic beasts?  Just . . . go, an' be free, an' live, an' spend our money?"

"Thank you, Eoni.  I will repay your kindness..." Her usual vocalisations are replaced by a harsh, clipped accent.  As she rises she starts, titters, and continues with her more familiar, more pleasant intonations.  "...when the time comes."

She watches the others crowd around their well-earned gains, but turns to the lizard-creature's lifeless body instead.  While the others iron out what to do with their treasures, Aldara steals away to the beast's remains and draws a newer dagger from her boot.

She growls at the head and begins to cut the most prominent teeth out of it.  These find their way into one of her sacks.  Then, she attempts to empty as much of its blood as she can into her spare waterskin.  The teeth would serve as sounvenirs of a sort and reminders of a creature that nearly killed her, and would make fine jewellery.  The blood?  That would (hopefully) catch a tidy sum if presented to the right buyer!

When she is done collecting her grisly trophies, Aldara joins the others, her horrific hands wet and red, and a waterskin on her person also much redder than it was before.  "That wouldn't stop others from suffering, Sarah.  And it might catch up to us." She seems lost in thought for a moment, and then says, "These things always catch up." A hand finds its way to the young woman's shoulder.

Taerix's pony was burned by acid, but is still alive and able to press onward, though certainly unable to haul all that treasure on its own.

Comparing the two, halfling and pony, Eoni considered the pony worse for wear, confused and frightened by the pain.  This wasn't an animal trained for war and she wanted to make what apology she could for it's brethren.

The Sister laid her hands on the ponies blistered flesh and intoned a prayer to Avandra.  "My your suffering be soothed by the Grace of Avandra and your strength be rewarded."

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Cure light wounds, pony #3.

Valthur, somewhat awestruck by the sight before him, catches himself almost drooling at the treasure. "We could almost buy an army with this much treasure," he considers. "But you're right, Marklin. We can't carry it through this blasted swamp any better than we could flap our arms and fly. We should take what we can. The gems could fetch a good sum without weighing us down. And Aldara and Eoni could take a look at the scrolls and potions."

He takes a careful look at the chainmail to see if it might fit.

Sarah begins to sob.

Before Aldara can verbally consent to Valthur's suggestion, Sarah begins sobbing.  The mage mouths and nods to Valthur, and uncomfortably squeezes the girl's shoulder.  "I, erm..." She sighs.  "That... Well, I-I could contribute to...help." She pats her shoulder, confident that what she's said was the best possible thing to say.  Completely useful, and reassuring.

Completely oblivious to the sobbing and comforting going on around him, Valthur next examines the battle axe. "A fine weapon," he concludes to himself with a couple practice swings. "I think I'll take it."

Taerix's curiosity gets the better of him, and he pulls the two scroll cases out of the pile. Careful not to spoil the contents with muck or leftover acid, he cautiously opens one to see what's inside.

Giving Sarah a nod, Aldara peers over Taerix's shoulder.

Just wanna see what's up with the scroll.  I know read magic if it comes to it, but I doubt now's the time.

At a glance Valthur is able to determine the armor, shield and axe are enchanted. In the case of magic armor, its original size is nearly meaningless, as it typically conforms to the size of its wearer a few moments after being donned.

One of the potion vials contains a black liquid and the other contains a white liquid.

Inside the scroll cases...the first scroll is obviously a spell of some sort, likely from the abjuration school judging by the neat and orderly rowed sigils.

The second is not magic at all, rather a map. A map depicting Vraath's Keep and a secret tunnel beneath its southwest tower. The map indicates a tunnel leads to a hidden vault beneath the keep. A note next to this secret vault indicates this is the final resting place of one Emery Vraath, and likely the location of his considerable treasury, among which is purported to be his magical strength-imbuing gauntlets, Frostband Sword and Staff of Life!

Finally, one of the gems is a cut garnet (750 gp), the other a jasper (50 gp).

Of the coins, at least 75% of the 20,000 or so coins appear to be copper pieces, about 15% electrum and perhaps 10% gold.

It's definitely more than the party is realistically able to haul out of the marsh in one go.

Having exhausted her ability to treat any further acid burns, Eoni turned her attention to the immovable strongbox.

"Sort out six hundred gold for us," she instructed.  "We'll hope to come back for the rest another day.

"Valthur, if the axe and mail suit you, try them out.  You're always getting into trouble and these might get you out of it.

"Taerix, try out the shield and see if it would do you well.

"We'll strip the other horses and consolidate what we can on the pony," she continued, with a gesture at their lone beast of burden.  "Pile the rest of he tack and saddles someplace dry.  We may be able to salvage something another time."

Having given the others something to do, Eoni turned to Sarah and took the girl in her arms.  "Everything's going to be all right," she soothed.  "We're never alone, even when we think we've lost everything.  Avandra has her eye upon us and we do our best.  Brindol is strong and ready for what's coming.  It won't be easy, but we'll all do our part and get through this."

"Look, I have marched  with a full pack in this damnable heat in the past in the army of Brindel. Heed me, when I tell you, every pound of weight is a burden in terrain like this. Hide the chest, and we can pick it up on our return. What good is gold going to do us,where we are heading. Just dead weight."

"We'll put the gold on the pony," Eoni explained over Sarah's head. "It's a safeguard against losing it all.  If anyone knew this box was here, that beast may have been the only thing preventing them from taking it.  If they find the beast silent, they may come looking.

"If the weight proves too much in this bog," she conceded, "we can cache it someone along the way where only we know where it lies."

 Marklin shrugged." Av it your way. But I nay be carrying any o' that trash, in this bog. Bad enough Valtur en me be wearing mail. Sink like a load stone in water, if we hit a weak spot."

Still sniffling, Sarah reaches into her pack.

"I . . . Here.  Mebbe this can help . . .  I don' know how good it is . . . "

She pulls out a scroll and holds out in the general direction of the spellcasters.

[Private to Eoni Daflin: Scroll of Animal Summoning.
 Animal Summoning
 Duration: See below
 Range: 200 feet
 The caster of the spell summons 1d8 ordinary animals (including
 giant types) of up to 4 HD per animal, if they are within range
 of the spell. The DM will decide the chance of a particular
 animal type being available, and the caster may attempt up to
 three different animals before the spell is a failure. Summoned
 animals will serve the caster for a specific task, including
 fighting, aiding on a quest, or other goals that may be short
 term or relatively longer term. The caster may dismiss animals at
 any time.

Note the range.  Sarah isn't smart enough to get the limitation, but she would know enough about the scroll's purpose and would reveal that she has it at this time.]

[Private to Aldara: Scroll of Animal Summoning.
 Animal Summoning
 Duration: See below
 Range: 200 feet
 The caster of the spell summons 1d8 ordinary animals (including
 giant types) of up to 4 HD per animal, if they are within range
 of the spell. The DM will decide the chance of a particular
 animal type being available, and the caster may attempt up to
 three different animals before the spell is a failure. Summoned
 animals will serve the caster for a specific task, including
 fighting, aiding on a quest, or other goals that may be short
 term or relatively longer term. The caster may dismiss animals at
 any time.

Note the range.  Sarah isn't smart enough to get the limitation, but she would know enough about the scroll's purpose and would reveal that she has it at this time.]

Eoni took the scroll from Sarah and looked it over.

"Perhaps," she replied to the girl.  "Keep an eye out for animals that might help and we could use this.  It only calls upon those nearby.  So trying for more horses is unlikely.  But if we see a herd of them nearby, we could call upon some of them for aid.  Thank you for letting us know that you have it."

She handed the scroll back to the girl for safekeeping and nodded to Aldara.  "Animal summoning," she explained.

OOC: Declaring this a Clerical spell scroll as being closer to Speak with Animals rather than the higher level Charm Monster.

Sarah takes the scroll back and returns it to her pack.

Leaving the others to their business, Eoni slogged through the fen to the fallen owl.  It seemed large enough to be one of the Tiri Kitor's fabled mounts and she wondered if there were any sign that it was.  She first checked for signs of life before examining it and the immediate environment for any indication of belonging.

" We need to move on. That carcass with draw scavengers like a whore house on pay day." Observed Marklin in his usual subtle way.

At Eoni's suggestion, Valthur eagerly dons the chainmail and replaces his own axe, a worthy weapon at that, with the new, enchanted one.

"Let's see how those hobgoblins like me now," he boasts, twirling the axe and giving a few practice swings.

Taerix tucks away the map of Vraath Keep and tries out the magic shield with his sword.

Reverting to her expressionless and emotionless state, Sarah assists with trying to sort the gold coins from the lesser ones.

[Private to DM Pawn: And if I find something that was overlooked, try to pocket it.]

 Marklin walked over to where Sarah was helping to sort coins. He looked like he was about to say something to her, but then turned and walked away to stand sentry.

Aldara nods at Eoni and Sarah, and begins to aid the others in sorting the gold from the rest of the currency.

Still giddy with the acquisition of two enchanted items, Valthur joins the others sorting coins with an unusually positive attitude. "This new chainmail is light as a feather. Now I should be able to carry a few extra coins."

Several party members sift through the massive treasure chest, picking out gold coins from the mountain of copper and electrum. This is long tedious work, but the group soon settles upon a productive method. During this period, Valthur tries on the magic chainmail and practices swinging the magic battle axe. Meanwhile, Taerix checks out the magic shield. It feels quite good in the halfling's hands.

Meanwhile, Eoni turns her attention to the dead giant owl. The cleric discovers a jade band around one leg. The band is inscribed in a strange, eloquent script that to Eoni's eye appears to be elven in nature. Unfortunately, she is unable to make sense of the letters, but it may well support her hunch of the owl being related to the Tiri Kitor people.

Several minutes later, the party has separated a pile of about 2000 gold pieces from the mountain of copper and electrum. Additionally, the adventurers segregate the potions, scrolls and gems from the coins, the other magic items having been, at least initially, claimed by Valthur and Taerix.

Sadly, the other 18,000 or so coins will be much too cumbersome to haul out of the marsh, given the fact they only have one living pony remaining. Not that such places are meant for hooved beasts in the first place.

The adventurers separate the loot amongst them and talk of pushing onward toward the Ruins of Rhest, when they hear a strange rush of wind. Glancing skyward, the party sees six giant owls soaring overhead!

Each owl bears a rider--dark-haired elves wearing leather armor dyed green and brown to match the colors of the marsh. The flying elves circle the area twice, high above, and then alight next to the slain owl.

They study the party with narrowed eyes, their faces a mask of suspicion and disbelief. Then, one speaks, "Who are you?" the elf demands. "And what are you doing in the marsh?"

"We're the Trailbreakers," Eoni replied to the elven speaker.  "We've come looking for the Tiri Kitor.  We have word from Adranna the Young, Eth Speaker of Witchcross, that a great evil stirs in the ruins of Rhest.

"We hope to prevent that evil from rising and adding to the war now being fought in Elsir Vale."

She presumed an explanation of their most recent encounter was self evident.

Sarah shrinks behind the others as she tries to be somewhat out of view.

Valthur eyes the riders carefully but says nothing. He's learned to trust Eoni to these types of negotiations.

Aldara, too, keeps her mouth shut, even though she must really want to pester the Elves for magical knowledge.

Taerix lets his eyes drift quite often to the beast that the party just killed, in case there was any doubt. He also lets Eoni handle the parley.

The elf narrows his eyes while studying Eoni and then sweeps his eyes across the other adventurers, pausing over each in turn.

Turning his attention back to Eoni, the elf nods and says, "Nice work..." He flicks his chin toward the greenspawn razorfiend.

The elf then dismounts his giant owl and strides toward the slain owl and kneels down beside the creature's leg. Seeing the jade band and reading the inscription, he sighs and asks, "Have you seen any other elves in your travels? This owl, Lioki, belonged to one of my tribe, Lanikar. He is missing..."

 Marklin was still gawking at elves, He had heard of elves, but never thought to see one, let alone ones that flew around over over sized Owls. When one of the elves asked a question. Marklin responsed with a concise and appropriate answer. " Ye be Elves! Gods honest to goodness Elves!!. Look mates, Elves. And they fly." Said the Warrior, sounding like a kid that just discovered chocolate.

Eoni tried to conceal a grimace brought on by Marklin's exuberance and replied, "As you can see by my colleague's reaction, you're the first elves that we've seen.

"We've been following the Rhest trail, or at least as much as we can find of it," she swept her arm out to encompass their soggy surroundings, "and seen no sign of anyone else before this beast assaulted us.

"We'd be happy to help you search the area.  If owl and rider were attacked as one, Lanikar may be nearby."

Valthur thinks to himself that the missing elf was most likely a small snack for the greenspawn razorfiend they just defeated, but he holds his tongue. He always found elves to be a bit pretentious, but the likely demise of Lanikar called for at least a small amount of respect.

Sarah peers around whoever she's hiding behind (likely Aldara) to peek at the owl-riders.

Aldara shifts and sighs when Marklin makes his exclamation, and gives the elf a look as if to say "don't mind him".

Taerix remains silent, nodding at Eoni's offer to help the elves look for their missing comrade.

The elf grabs the jade band from the slain owl, reads it, and appears sullen. He turns away from the adventurers and spends a few moments examining the slain razorfiend. With his back to the adventurers, the elf says, "Lanikar would not have willingly left his owl behind. I suspect, as much as it pains me to admit it, he met his fate at the jaws of that beast over there..."

Turning now to face them, he introduces himself as Killiar Arrowswift of the Tiri Kitor tribe. The other elves remain quiet during the encounter and keep their distance from the adventurers, obviously ill at ease with them. These elves are wild and primal in appearance, quite unlike the elves that sometimes pass through Elsir Vale from distant lands.

Killar exchanges brief greetings with each of the adventurers and remarks, "It is quite fortuitous and suspect you have entered our lands, in dark times such as we find now. Speaker Sellyria will want your accounting of The Speaker of Eth's message and the War you claim sweeps across human lands."

The elves behind Killiar exchange startled glances between one another, a few muttering beneath their breath.

Killiar holds up a hand to silence his companions and continues, "Will you come freely?"

"Of course," Eoni agreed with a bow of her head.  "We would be honored."

Other than the loss of the horses, this was going better than expected.

Valthur clenches his teeth, eyeing the elves behind Killiar with suspicion. "Come freely?" he mutters to Marklin. "Makes it sound like they'd try bringing us there by force if they had to."

Sarah continues to hide behind her companions, moving positions as necessary to avoid interacting with the elf.  However, when the elf is focuses on another person, Sarah peers around whoever is serving as her barrier to peak, exhibiting a combination of shyness, curiosity, and fear.

If the elf finds her and talks to her, Sarah does not respond.

Assuming there are no objections from any party member, Killiar silently gestures to his five elven companions, and in unison, they dismount their owls and proceed toward the slain owl. With a brief explanation, Killiar says they need to properly see to the Liokio's final disposition. Working silently and with great efficiency, the elves prepare the funerary site--a bed of dried reeds and kindling. Then, they hoist the lifeless owl onto the makeshift pyre.

Once Liokio is atop the pyre, the elves break out into a solemn chant, the words of which are a mystery to the gathered adventurers. Despite this, the feeling evoked by the elven chants brings to mind a spiraling chain extending across the great exapnse of the heavens above, unbroken through the passage of time.

Flames leap up from the pyre, bathing the great owl in a wreath of fire, while tiny whorls of orange and scarlet are carried away with the wind. Through this, the chanting continues, and day soon blends with night.

It is near dusk when the rite is complete.

Again, Killiar gestures to his elf companions and they move back toward and remount their awaiting owls.

"It is time. We leave," Killiar says. The elf hunter gestures for the adventurers to approach the owls.

"We cannot bring the pony. Turn it loose. There is plenty for it to graze on here. It will live or die by Melora's hand."

Eoni is nonplussed about leaving the sturdy pony behind after all it's been through.  She could at least give it the best chance to survive after removing it's tack and bridle.

The Sister placed her hand upon the pony's head and intoned, "May Avandra discern our words and make us of one nature.

"[Language unknown:  Eeeini nc o nceurehouder tr Derwheart Ateforove. Li, yin caand paalom yin wa u thostiwit utadne.  Ma a k diil poacil heplfise ssheitnoal."]

Kissing the pony on the nose, she turned it about and gave it a gentle shove in the direction they'd come from.  The saddened Sister then turned to approach the owls and their riders.

[Private to DM Pawn: You can add an animal language category in case she uses this in the future.  For now I've grabbled some gobble gobble from elsewhere.

Speak with Animals.  She can speak with horses for 60 minutes, not owls.

"Thank you for all you have done.  Unfortunately, we must leave you now to return on your own.  Go back the way we have come and find someone friendly to love you.  May Avandra watch over you."]

Aldara attempts to reassure Valthur that the Elves don't mean what he thinks.  It's probably just a matter of context, things being lost in translation, and the like!  Just like certain human idioms being lost on Halflings.

 Marklin's fascination quickly evaporated, when Valthur spoke to him. " Do ye think they mean to take us against our will? Just let em try," Growled the Warrior to Valthur.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:42, Wed 04 Apr 2018.

"Hah," Valthur concurs, strengthened by Marklin's bold words. His chest puffs out slightly knowing he and Marklin are on the same page.

His buoyed confidence, however, quickly fades as Killiar instructs them to approach the owls. He stands his ground and watches his companions to see what they do.

Giving the Elves an apologetic look and drifting her eyes in Valthur's general direction, Aldara approaches.  Being a little familiar with the lore of the Elves, the mage is not too alarmed by the owls, but she is nonetheless cautious.  She'd only met a small amount of Elves in her entire life, and up until very recently generally only dealt with Halflings in any appreciable capacity.  And these Elves were unlike those she'd met before...

Once she is in a spot to the Elves' liking, Aldara turns around to (nonverbally) assure her companions that everything is more than all right with the large, taloned creatures and the nigh-immortal beings!  In particular, she looks at Sarah.

[Private to GM: If you're looking for an opportunity to do something embarassingly funny, now is your chance!  ...just don't scare Sarah too much, the last time we scared her she wouldn't get down from the tree until the Fire Department offered her biscuits.  That was a long night!]

 Marklin looked at the large owls with a new light. " Ye want us ta ride those over sized pigeons? Not bloody likely,mate. I'll walk."

Sarah's curiosity prevails, and she approaches the owls as the elves indicated.

Killiar narrows his eyes, his face assuming a mask that is equal parts contempt and bewilderment. "Stay your tongue, outlander. You do not know our ways. As a guest of our realms, I grant you this trespass. But, I warn you now, future insults will not be met with such charity."

Having said his piece on the matter, Killiar adds, "Walk if you wish. It makes little difference to me. We need but one of you to deliver the Speaker of Eth's message." He turns his attention to an indistinct point on the horizon. With a bemused gesture, Killiar adds, "Our village is that way...oh, yes. Mind the lizardfolk tribes and bullywugs that will most likely be about, to speak nothing of other, more dangerous menaces you are sure to find during your walk through the marsh."

He then smiles and laughs to himself. "By my reckoning, if you survive, and if you don't get lost in the maze that is The Blackfens, you should arrive at Starsong Hill in three days..."

"Good luck..."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:36, Fri 06 Apr 2018.

The owl rotates its head sideways to regard Sarah as she approaches, but does not otherwise seem to be startled or agitated by hus approach. The wild elf already astride the magnificent animal nods reassuringly, as if to say, it will be quite alright.

 Marklin decided then and there, he did not like the smirking Elf. But be that as it may, the elf had made his point,and then some. " Fine! I changed me mind, I guess we ....fly." Gulp.

Sarah hesitates as the owl looks at her, and she tries not to look into the giant bird's eyes for fear of losing her nerve.  Emboldened by the elf's reassurance (and his seeming understanding of her hesitancy), the girl does her best to clamber aboard.

Killiar nods in recognition of Marklin's sudden change of heart. "Do not look so glum.  Not many are afforded this honor. These are strange times. Come. Let's not keep Speaker Starsinger waiting."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Fri 06 Apr 2018.

Seeing Marklin agree to mount one of the owls, Valthur concedes, as well. He shrugs his shoulders and approaches, doing his best to refrain from anything that might be perceived as aggressive toward owls, although he has no idea what such an action might be.

"And to think a couple days ago I was worried about riding a horse," he mumbles to no one in particular.

Despite a few party members apprehensions and misgivings about the prospect of flying on the backs of trained great owls, eventually everyone concedes this is the best course of action given the alternatives. The wild elves are patient if not taciturn with their charges, communicating primarily through gestures, grunts, whistles and the occasional word when absolutely necessary. Save for Killiar, none of the elves appear to want very much to communicate with the adventurers and would just as soon see their task through to completion as quickly as possible.

So it is with little fanfare the wild elves alight, with outlanders astride their magnificent mounts, into a dusky orange and purple sky...