The adventurers depart Starsong Hill, following Killiar's verbal instructions, which take them in a northerly route across largely trackless marsh and wetlands. Fortunately, the wood elf relayed several recognizable landmarks to guide the adventurers' progress and they are able to effectively navigate their way to The Ruins of Rhest.

The once proud city and heart of the Kingdom of Rhestilor stood as the center of civilization and northernmost extent of the Nerath Empire. A crossroads frontier land, Rhest enjoyed three centuries of glory, before succumbing to a combination of corruption, treachery and civil strife. In this weakened state, the young kingdom was ill-prepared to withstand the goblinoid horde that rose up to sack the fledgling realm.

Fleeing from this destruction, its citizenry sought safety elsewhere, finding refuge in towns and villages within Elsir Vale. Now, 200 years later, a new goblinoid horde has risen out of the Wyrmsmoke Mountains, hungry for conquest and destruction...

The adventurers trudge through the Blackfens for two days, their journey largely uneventful, if not wet and uncomfortable. Then, late on the second day of travel, they see their destination in the distance.

A large, dark lake broods in the marshland here, measuring nearly two miles wide. The cloying reek of decaying vegetation and swamp ooze is thick in the air, and countless frogs, insects, and marsh birds chirp, croak and call to each other.

Out near the middle of the lake, dozens of decrepit stone buildings jut from the black waters. In most cases, these buildings sag and lean treacherously, the windows of their upper stories now even with the still lake's surface. Two buildings that seem to have survived relatively intact draw the party's attention--one, a large stone tower, about a quarter-mile from the southern shore, and the other, a large stone building near the lake's center. Both structures have rickety wooden walkways ringing them at water level. These look like recent additions; it would seem that someone has made an attempt to settle down here.

Crouching in the weeds, Eoni looked over the two buildings suspended in the lake.  It looked as though they might have even odds of finding what they sought on their first try.

"Which one do you think?" she asked over her shoulder as she scanned the shore for watercraft that might get them out there.  "Which building?"

The center stone of her tiara now glowed with a magical light.  She'd applied it with Avandra's Grace during her first night watch and had grown quite fond of it.  It was, however, a beacon in the night to all foul if she didn't remember to pull her hood up to direct it's glow.

Valthur scans the putrid lake with a wrinkled nose. "I say that tower because it's closest, but I don't like the black waters surrounding either of them."

 Marklin watched the remains of a once great empire, a civilization that had spread culture and law throughout the land. The ruins marked the decline and fall of what had been right and good in the world. After careful thought upon the matter, offered his opinion. " It be a shyt hole, smells like an outhouse in high summer."

 The warrior shifted his weight and adjusted his grip on the hobgoblin long bow. He looked to their fearless leader. " Well Cap'n Eoni, are be going to be about it, or stay here an admire the ruins some more?"

Taerix slowly readies his bow, watching the ruins for any sign of movement.

"Does anyone know if lizard folk are out by day?" she asked, ignoring Marklin's prodding.  "Or see a boat we could use?"

"Maybe there's a walkway or bridge we will see when we're closer?" Sarah suggests timidly.

"All right," Eoni conceded. "Let's get closer but hide if you see any movement out there or on the shore.  We're looking for a way to get out to that tower.

"Taerix," she said, nodding to the halfling, "scout ahead of us and see what you find.  We'll give you some room and then follow."

The halfling cautiously makes his way out to the shoreline, looking for any sign of trouble. He fully expects something to come out of the water at him, and he readies his bow should that occur.

Leaving his companions some distance behind, Taerix silently stalks through the marsh, drawing nearer to the murky lake. The halfling spots several crude huts along the lake's shore. The huts are not clustered together, rather they are spread out at fairly large distances, seemingly all around the lake.

The nearest, a slightly crooked hut, leans on rickety wooden silts out over the lake's black waters. The hut is about 20 feet in diameter and has wooden walls and a roof of sticks and branches, all covered over with copious amounts of dark gray, rancid-smelling mud. The hut's floor is about three above the surface of the water, and its single entrance can be reached by a crude ladder made of broken branches lashed together with reeds.

A half-dozen or so lizardfolk mill about the hut, these engaged in various mundane activities: spear-fishing, net-weaving and sunning themselves in the fading light of day.

Switching his attention to huts a couple of hundred feet to either side of this one, Taerix notices similar scenes at these.

 The Warrior named Marklin squatted next to the rest of the group, hiding like field mice from a hawk, or so thought Marklin. He peered through the reeds and wanted nothing more then to get to his feet, below a challenge to the winds, draw sword and await the enemy. " What are we waiting for, anyway? We ain't gonna find a boat hiding in the reeds."

Taerix notes the position of the lizardmen and heads back to the others to relay the information.

Valthur waits and watches in silence. The black waters make him uneasy, and he quietly wonders to himself if the water will reach over his head and what evils may lurk below the surface.

"We can't take them all head on," Eoni explains.  "Even the Tiri Kitor didn't have the numbers for that.

"We need to sneak in, find it, destroy it, and get out with as little notice as possible.  For us to even reach the tower, we'll need a boat unless you want to..."

She stopped abruptly to look at Sarah and then the vast lake before them.

"What kind of big animals do you think live in that lake?" she asked deliberately, looking out over the dark waters.

"Can anything live in that?"

The Sister looked around to see if anyone else had an idea of what might live within the lake.  Finding none, she continued, "I could use Sarah's scroll to summon some lake dwellers to ferry us to the tower.  However, they'd have to be near in order to respond.  If I fail to choose the right animal, the spell will fail after three tries.  So we'll need to know what's out there."

" I say do it. We can't walk on water, nay fly..Well...we can't fly NOW.. we gotta get across the water."

"We'll have to get down to the water without attracting any attention," Eoni pointed out.  "Then maybe throw something into the water to attract anything that might work.

"If the lizard people are active now, it might be safer to go by night.  They might be able to see at night, but can they see as far?  Once we're onto the water, we might be all right."

"Any boats?" Sarah asks Taerix.

Aldara, too, is puzzled as to what can possibly be done to cross the waters.  "The scroll seems like the best course of action..." She looks at Taerix. "Unless you saw any boats?"

"I did not," Taerix answers. "Just the huts and lizardmen clans."

Aldara grumbles.  "It's a gamble, but I could attempt to charm one of them to help us if Sarah's scroll doesn't work out.  It's just that we might need to, ah, sedate the rest.  What happens to them afterwards is honestly no concern of mine."

Yes, because Aldara's track record with charmed creatures is the best.

Sarah retrieves the scroll, but offers no advice or insight about how it should be used (because she has none).

And because of her lack of insight and understanding, she asks: "How are fish going to get us across?  Can't ride fish."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:23, Wed 02 May 2018.

 Marklin stood guard with his longbow at the ready.

"I was thinking there might be alligators," Eoni replied to Sarah.  "I'm not sure what else might be out there that could carry us.  That's why I thought throwing something into the water might attract something we could use.

"If the lizard people are about in daylight, we might hope that they'll be fewer of them during the night and approach the water then.  Remember that even the Tiri Kitor preferred not to tangle with them, so I think it's best we avoid as many as possible.

"And I think we'll hold off trying to make friends with them as a last resort," she conceded to Aldara's offer of compulsory friendship.

"Taerix," she said once more to their halfling scout, "see if you can plot a way for us to reach the water after dark.  One that avoids any chance meetings with the locals.

"After that," she concluded finding a dry place to sit, "we wait until dark."

Valthur fidgets uneasily while the discussions carry on. "There's a lot of huts," he concludes. "If there's lizard men in every one, we'll have more or less an army of problems. So I'm all for sneaking in after they go to sleep. How deep is the water, anyway?"

Taerix tries to find a safe path to the shore without getting too close to the huts and the lizardmen again. Once he does, he gets back to the group carefully.

"Well, I've got about fifty feet of rope, and some torches.  I could tie one of the torches and lower it into the water and we could try to determine that way?  Possibly with some magic to illuminate it and help us determine depth?"

The party retreats to a sunken hollow some distance from the nearest lizardfolk hut and settles in until dusk, mostly keeping a low profile while watching the area for any signs of activity. The group chooses a spot that gives them an unobstructed view of the nearest hut and the sunken tower in the middle of the lake. There, they see what looks like lizardfolk and hobgoblin sentries walking atop what looks like some sort of wooden scaffolding surrounding the tower, what looks like a recent addition. Additionally, keen-eared members may also occasionally hear a distant, chittering roar and bellow from somewhere within the ruins. The roar sounds very similar to that of the greenspawn razorfiend they encountered earlier.

Near dusk, the adventurers see a group of six lizardfolk board a reed boat, previously unseen by Taerix, and paddle across the lake to the central building area. Apparently the lizardfolk do possess some method of conveyance, if this one piece of information is any indication.

The marsh becomes quite eery as dusk settles over the region, filled with the strange sounds of unfamiliar wildlife all around.

Making sure the hood of her cloak is pulled well up over her glowing tiara's light, Eoni motions for Taerix to lead the way down to the water.

"Let's go," she whispered.

 Marklin nocked an arrow to his bow string, then moved to cover the others movements.

Sarah slips out at the same time as the others, but tries to be sufficiently apart that she can melt into the darkness of night.

The halfling quietly leads the others back toward the water's edge, on the lookout for another one of those boats.

Valthur follows the others, also keeping his eyes peeled for another boat.

Aldara follows suit, one dagger in each hand, ready to be thrown.

Taerix leads the adventurers into the night, drawing ever nearer to the lizardfolk huts along the shore. Up ahead, the party spots what they are seeking, a single reed canoe capable of carrying them across the dark waters toward the ruins at the center of the lake. The only problem: six lizardfolk milling about outside the hut and surrounding deck.

The lizardfolk seem to be talking to one another in reasonably jovial, unconcerned tones, perhaps as one might talk about the weather or their latest catch.

OOC: The lizardfolk are about 100 feet distant.

"Aldara," Eoni whispered, "can you..."  The Sister twirled her finger in the air like a magic wand in the lizard folk's direction.

Valthur readies his crossbow in case Aldara's magic doesn't do the trick.

Without hesitation*, Aldara sheathes her daggers and begins to weave a sleeping spell on the lizardfolk.

>03:55, Today: Aldara rolled 7 using 2d8 ((6,1)).
Sleep on the lizardfolk.
* - Hsssh!

 Marklin stood to his feet ready to loose a shaft at any of the creatures not effected by the spell.

Three lizardfolk fall to sleep under the sway of Aldara's magic. It takes the other three a few moments to register what has just occurred as they are momentarily surprised at their companions' state. They look around wildly and seem confused...

OOC:

Lizardfolk, 6
AC 5
HP: 10/10 (held), 10/10 (held), 10/10 (held), 10/10 (sleep), 10/10 (sleep), 10/10 (sleep)


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  19/19   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     0  22/22   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    4  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 13:27, Sat 19 May 2018.

 Marklin drew back on the bow string, wnd with the sound of "Snap". sent a hobgoblin shaft toward one of the upright Lizardfolk. He reached for another arrow.

8:01, Today: Marklin rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.

18:00, Today: Marklin rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.  Arrow at Lizardfolk.

Sarah, off to the side from the party, waits to see if the lizard folk run past her position to the group and provide her with an opportunity to attack from behind.

Taerix raises his bow and shoots at one of the lizardmen also, inwardly smiling as his arrow strikes true and buries deeply into the thing.

21:21, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6.  Arrow damage.

21:13, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 22 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 18.  Arrow at lizardman.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Fri 18 May 2018.

These lizard folk were of stronger stuff than she'd thought to have resisted Aldara's influence.  They had little time before an alarm went up and they stood no chance against reinforcements.

"May Avandra's Grace bind these folk so that we may confront the evil we seek," she intoned, concentrating on the remaining three opponents.

[Private to GM: Hold Person on the ones standing.  They get a save vs Spells or held for 90 minutes.
Eoni Daflin rolled 4 using 1d4 with rolls of 4.  Hold fast the lizard folk with Avandra's Grace.]

00:50, Today: Aldara rolled 9,1 using 1d20+1,1d4 ((8,1)).

Dagger thrown at weakest-looking still standing lizard folk.

Aldara throws a dagger at one of the lizard folk...and misses.  Pitifully.  Her eyes go wide in her sockets as she readies her other dagger, and she inhales sharply.

Eoni's divine words root the remaining three lizardfolk in place. Unable to control their bodies, the marsh-dwelling humanoids can do little but hope for mercy.

"Hold your fire," Eoni whispered urgently, "I've got them.  Tie these last few up and we'll lay them all in the hut and out of sight.  Hopefully we'll be long gone before they're found.

"Be gentle with the sleepers or they might wake."

The Sister pushed forward toward the hut.  She hoped there were no more within.

 "These lizardmen, be they not in league with whatever seeks to destroy the Vale?"

"We don't know that," Eoni replied quietly to the armsman.  "They could be unwilling pawns or not even know what's going on.

"Until we're sure, we leave them be.  They're no threat to us now."

"We just put two arrows into em. But as ya wish, Cap'n." Marklin went about helping other secure the Lizards.

Aldara remains with Marklin to help secure the lizardfolk, using about five feet of her fifty per.  She keeps an eye on Eoni's general location, though, should the Priestess come to harm.

Valthur provides support to Eoni as she approaches the hut. "I doubt they'd give us the same courtesy of letting us live if they had us bound, but who knows, maybe you're right."

From her vantage point, Sarah just watches.

Taerix watches in all directions for more lizardmen.

"We are uninvited in their land," Eoni whispered to Valthur in explanation, "they have a right to defend their homes.  We will do them no more harm than we must to achieve our goal.

"They may or may not be in league with this new evil, perhaps even forced into servitude.  Until we know more, we give them the benefit of the doubt.

"All deserve the freedom to choose their own path.  Let us not choose for our own convenience or fears.  Avandra watches over those true to her Grace.  These are no threat to us."

The party secures the sleeping and magically held lizardfolk within a reed hut. Lizardfolk apparently care little for interior decoration. Their huts are sparsely furnished and mostly contain tools and implements they need to fish and hunt. Chief among these are crude javelins and spears.

Having disposed of their charges, the party slips to the edge of the lake and examines the reed raft. The craft looks to be in good shape and is large enough to carry all of the adventurers.

It's about 1000 feet to the bell tower at the middle of the lake and another 500 feet or so to the large stone structure that is all that remains of the city's town hall. It is now quite dark, though there is enough moonlight to illuminate the lake's surface quite well.

 Marklin had been tempted to cut the throats of the helpless Lizards, but he knew he would never hear the end of it from Eoni. The Warrior hated lectures, so he did as told.

 Once his task was completed with some assistance, he headed down to the boat and would help push the craft off into the water, then get on board.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Fri 25 May 2018.

Taerix steps into the boat and looks for an oar of any kind.

Sarah grabs a spear on the way to the raft.

Relieved the hut hadn't housed a family of bewildered lizard folk, Eoni clambered carefully onto the reed raft.  The way the edge dipped into the water with every step did not inspire her with confidence.  Though, compared to the heavily armored armsmen, she had little to fear from an accidental dip into the lake.

"Sarah," Eoni whispered to the girl, "let me hold onto that scroll you showed me.  Just in case we do run into any helpful animals along the way."

Aldara hops aboard with the others, alert for any dangers.  Or helpful animals.

Sarah looks at Eoni for a second or two longer than should be necessary for someone to understand her words, but she does retrieve the scroll and offer it over.

Valthur climbs awkwardly into the vessel and scans the lake ahead. "Tower or town hall?" he inquires with a whisper. "I say check out the tower first. I've no desire to sit on this leaky raft any longer than I have to."

"We'll start with the tower," Eoni replied quietly as she knelt down at the center of the raft.  She held Sarah's scroll in one hand with her staff upright against her shoulder.

 " Marklin looked skeptically at the reed boat he found himself in. " Aye, the tower it be.. unless this boat gives us all a bath afore then."

Valthur expels a sigh of relief knowing they'll be expending as little time upon the raft as possible.

The adventurers slowly paddle the lizardfolk boat across the lake and draw nearer to the remnants of Rhest protruding above the water in the distance. Their first destination is the bell tower the spotted from the shore...

This stone building, obviously an old bell tower, protrudes from the lake at a slant, reaching a height of thirty feet above the surface of the water. Eroded images of dozens of lions--stalking, sleeping, and pouncing--adorn its sides. A rickety-looking wooden platform has been built around the tower's circumference at water level, with three small skiffs docked alongside. It appears the tower is three stories tall, but only its upper two floors remain above water.

Though helped somewhat by a nearly full moon and clear skies above, the bell tower is cast in deep shadows and it is difficult to see whether any creatures might be lurking about.

The adventurers' raft is now about 60 feet distant from the belltower.

Valthur points toward the skiffs docked along the platform. "Looks like we aren't going to be the only ones at the tower," he mumbles through clenched teeth.

He waits for them to paddle a little closer, then pulls his oar from the water to ready his crossbow.

Eoni let the others concentrate on the tower while she watched the waters for movement.  She really hoped they could get in and out quickly.

Sarah waits, spear in hand, as the boat nears the tower.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Wed 30 May 2018.

Taerix readies himself to get out, preferably without getting his feet wet.

Aldara assists in watching the waters and around them.

The adventurers row to within about 30 feet of the adjoining rickety-looking wooden platform before a hissing voice cuts through the darkness, followed by the unmistakable twang of a trio of bows. An arrow strikes Taerix and another hits Sarah, leaving no doubt as to the source of the noise! A third arrow strikes Marklin, but the fighter's armor prevents it from tearing into his flesh.

Though the adventurers are helped somewhat by the moon's light, there is not enough light for them to see anything but flitting shadows atop the bell tower as it is quite dark. Now, even more hissing words ring out in the night, all seemingly coming from the tower.


OOC: Taerix is struck for 5 points of damage. Sara is hit for 3 points of damage.

The party is about 30 ft distant from the wooden platforms and 50 ft from the hobgoblins.

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC 6
HP: 12/12, 12/12, 12/12


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  19/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     0  17/22   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    4  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 21:36, Sun 03 June 2018.

Finding no advantage now in darkness, the Sister pulled back the hood of her cloak to reveal the light of her tiara.  It was perhaps a beacon now to those on shore, but their clandestine rouse had reached it's end.

Seeing no bowmen within the range of her light, but a few shadows atop the tower, she called upon Avandra's Grace to illuminate the tower top.

OOC: 15' radius on the top of the tower lit.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:33, Mon 04 June 2018.

Once Taerix sees that it was a hobgoblin that shot him, he nocks an arrow and shoots one right back, although he knows not which one shot him in the first place.

17:06, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Arrow damage.

17:06, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 21 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 17.  Shoot at hobgoblin.

Snarling with fury, Sarah grabs the arrow that has offended her greatly and throws it over the edge of the boat.  She then hunkers down in an attempt to avoid getting hit again.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Mon 04 June 2018.

 Marklin took aim with the Long bow and let fly with an arrow towards one of the Hobgob archers in the tower. The irony was not lost on the Warrior, he was using a bow and arrow made by the ones he was loosing arrows at.

14:43, Today: Marklin rolled 20 using 1d20 with rolls of 20.  Arrow at one of the enemy Archers.

Max Damage on 20 : 8 points in damage

Valthur fires his crossbow at one of the shadowy figures atop the tower. Not only does his errant shot miss its intended target, but also the entire tower.

22:35, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2.  Heavy crossbow at shadowy figures.

"Get this boat to the tower," he growls while reloading. "We're like target practice right now for those archers."

Grumbling something discourteous about goblinoids, Aldara begins a sleeping spell for them.

14:26, Today: Aldara rolled 7 using 2d8 ((6,1)).

Casting sleep at the hobgoblins.

 With a curse word, Marklin paddled faster.

Aldara puts the three hobgoblins to sleep, allowing the adventurers to paddle up to the wooden platform surrounding the belltower without further incident. A single closed wooden door leads into the bell tower.

Up above, atop the bell tower, three hobgoblins are held in a magic slumber, unable to thwart the party's advance.



OOC:

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC 6
HP: 4/12, 8/12, 12/12 (all three are sleeping atop the bell tower)


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  19/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     0  17/22   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    4  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 had an quirk, he did not like being shot at with arrows. So he was the first to clamor out of the boat onto the wooden plate form. He drew his sword and slid his left arm into his shield and stood guard while the others gained the platform.

Eoni regretted the beacon she'd created on the tower.  They'd needed to see their quarry but it was now a significant problem.

"There may be more inside," Eoni cautioned quietly, "but see if you can get to the top and cover that light.  Don't wait for us."

She tried to steady the boat as the others disembarked.

Valthur stumbles out of the boat, proceeds to the door, and presses an ear against it for any hints on what may be on the other side.

23:21, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5. Listen at door.

Taerix shoulders his bow and climbs out of the boat, joining Valthur near the door.

Aldara steps in behind the others, staying fairly close to the boat in case it's needed again.

Sarah interprets this as an instruction to climb the outside of the tower, and she endeavors to do so.

Valthur hears several muffled goblinoid voices on the other side of the wooden door. Listening closely, he is able to make out what sounds like the sort of jobvial jibes one might hear during games of chance. Valthur also hears what sounds like a croaking frog followed by a loud slam and more laughter.

The area around the belltower is now brightly illuminated, a beacon on an otherwise dark lake.

 Marklin was behind the others,as he watched the platform to make sure they where not hit from behind.

Last to scramble from the reed craft, Eoni looked for a way to secure it to the platform.  She didn't want to swim back to shore.

"We can't stay here," she whispered as she fastened the boat.

"There's a bunch of them behind the door," Valthur describes somewhat inadequately.

He presses an ear against the door again while raising his opposite hand aloft for quiet. "Hobgoblins... nasty old buggars... and I hear a toad... or maybe it's a duck... hard to tell."

Aldara lowers her voice.  "As long as it's not a goose...tch!  I could convince them the tower's coming down around them, maybe lay down some webs."

"Save some of your strength, Aldara" Eoni cautioned.  "We still have the evil source to deal with.

"Valthur, why don't you try out that new axe of yours?"

"With pleasure," Valthur replies with a smile. "Marklin, care to join me?"

Without waiting for an answer, Valthur opens the door and charges in.

Valthur throws open the door without difficulty and a waft of stale body odor and rotten food rushes out to greet the adventurers. Inside, three double bunk beds are pushed up against the east wall, and a single bed sits to the south, with a wooden chest protruding from beneath it. A rickety wooden table and three chairs round out the room's cramped furnishings. A long dagger has been thrust up through the table from below, its thin blade protruding from the table's center. No less than three dead frogs are impaled on the blade.

More to the point, a trio of hobgoblins seated around the table and a fourth leering over the proceedings, snap their heads around to take in the interlopers. Their faces a mixture of surprise and disbelier, the hobgoblins grabs for nearby weapons and prepare for battle.

[Language unknown: "Amearewer n ch acchad cenipe! La ut larnd wer!"] the standing hobgoblins roars in its native tongue.

OOC:

Hobgoblin Bladebearer
AC: 4
HP: 20/20

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC: 6
HP: 12/12, 12/12, 12/12


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   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Marklin    2  19/19   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  13/16   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     0  17/22   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Valthur    4  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 11:54, Sun 10 June 2018.

Marklin would head over to stand next or near to Valthur, and not to forget the Hobbit Warrior. When the door was breached and the Hobgoblins revealed inside. Marklin advanced forward and slashed the Hobgoblin forged longsword at the Hobgob. Sweet irony.

(I wish to use that 20 I rolled for Marklin earlier, please.)

To Hit: 20
Damage: 9

Sarah reaches the top of the tower and climbs over, disappearing from her companions' view.

[Private to DM Pawn:
Draw my sword and sneak and hide my way down the spiral staircase.  Continue doing so until I (1) find someone, (2) find a landing, room, chest, or the like that might contain items of value, or (3) reach the party.]

13:21, Today: Aldara rolled 13,2 using 1d20+1,1d4 ((12,2)).
Throwing dagger at a Hobgoblin Veteran, maintaining medium range.

Aldara throws a dagger at the nearest of the mongrel creatures, glad that she does not have to contend with giant frogs as well as hobgoblins.

"Everyone in!" Eoni hissed, ushering the sorceress into the room as the armsmen and halfling charged the guards.  She'd lost track of Sarah, but that wasn't surprising.

She stepped through the doorway once the others were clear and pulled it closed behind her.  At least now the light of her tiara couldn't be seen from the shore of the other building.  The light at the top of the tower was another problem.

Trying to stay out of the way, the Sister slid out of her backpack and began to unbuckle one of it's side pockets.

[Private to GM: Reminder that Taerix needs to be NPC'd this weekend.]

PM

[Private to DM Pawn: IF there's a way to cover the light before heading down the stairs, I'd like to do that.]

Valthur smiles at the chance to finally give his enchanted axe a try. "Stabbing defenseless frogs? Let's see how your stabbing goes when the targets actually fight back!"

He swings at the hobgoblin with the dagger protruding from it, landing a hit, but not a fatal one.

22:55, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 17 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 14.  Axe vs. wounded hobgoblin.
22:55, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  Damage.

Taerix draws an arrow to his short bow after darting into the room. Once inside, he lets an arrow fly, striking one of the hobgoblins.

OOC: DM post. Hit for 2 points of damage.

Sarah briefly looks for a way to diminish the magic light now radiating atop the bell tower, but there is no single light source. The entire area in a 60 foot circle is illuminated! Giving up on this pursuit, the thief stalks down the stairwell that winds around the tower's interior, toward the makeshift hobgoblin barracks below. There, she can see and hear a battle between her companions and a group of hobgoblin soldiers around a frog-strewn table. She creeps into position, unnoticed...

Meanewhile, back in the fray, Marklin and Valthur wade into battle, slashing at the nearest hobgoblins. They are effective blow, but not enough to fell either creature, even with Aldara and Taerix contributing with well-aimed missile fire.

One of the hobgoblins, a grizzled veteran of many campaigns in banded mail, plunges its curved blade into Valthur, a stinging blow. Another hobgoblin presses an attack against the dwarf, but Valthur parries the blow away.

Marklin is likewise effective at holding a hobgoblin at bay and the third hobgoblin charges Taerix, but is unable to nail down the elusive halfling.


OOC: Valthur is hit for 5. Sarah is now in a position to sneak attack, as none of the hobgoblins are aware of her presence.

Hobgoblin Bladebearer
AC: 4
HP: 20/20 (Valthur)

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC: 6
HP: 3/12 (Marklin), 2/12 (Valthur), 12/12 (Taerix)


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  19/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  18/23   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19


[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 23:32, Sun 10 June 2018.

Producing a scroll from the side pocket of the backpack, the Sister of Avandra intoned it's divine contents before stepping up to touch Valthur on the back.

"I should have done this earlier," she admitted once the scroll was spent.

OOC: Protection from Evil, additional -1 AC and +1 save vs evil folks.  Good for 2 hours.

edit: Orange
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Sun 10 June 2018.

10:57, Today: Aldara rolled 4,2 using 1d20+2,1d4 ((2,2)).
Dagger thrown at another hobgoblin.  Using short range, because I'm not sure how close to the nearest I am...if I'm still at medium-ish range, go ahead and shave one of those 1s off of the to-hit.

A dagger bounces off the wall.  That was thrown by Aldara and meant for a hobgoblin, who had some difficulties throwing in close quarters that she failed to address in her dagger-throwing lessons.

Sarah sees that Valthur is being double-teamed.  And, with her opportunity to strike from behind, she decides to take on the leader.  Worried about squandering this opportunity, she is intent on making sure that she draws blood.  She is successful, but her focus diminishes the power of her attack.



13:41, Today: Sarah rolled 19 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 15.  Backstab.

13:44, Today: Sarah rolled 2 using 1d8 with rolls of 2.  damage.  (Doubled for a wonderful 4!)

Taerix slides his bow out of the way, and draws his sword, cutting deeply into the hobgoblin in front of him in one fluid motion.


14:50, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 9 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 8.  Sword damage.

14:49, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 21 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 20.  Attack hobgoblin.

 Marklin's foe managed to parry the Warrior's sword stroke.

09:59, Today: Marklin rolled 9 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 8.  Attack roll.

Wincing from the hobgoblin leader's attack, Valthur decides to thin their total numbers before facing off head to head with the leader of the group. He swings what he assumes will be the finishing blow against the wounded hobgoblin standing in front of him, but instead his new axe is parried. "Moradin's beard," he exclaims in frustration. "You're just prolonging the inevitable!"

23:53, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 9 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 6.  Axe vs. wounded hobgoblin.

The hobgoblin bladebearer, the leader of this small detachment, howls with surprise as Sarah sticks him in the back. [Language unknown: "Te! Ticlesthi iv tass ichbutionprethe ndeorewer lin undce?!"] he yells, while striking Valthur hard with his scimitar.

The other hobgoblin likewise concentrates his attacks against Valthur and wounds the dwarf again. Not even Eoni's divine protection can turn away the attack.

Meanwhile, Marklin and Taerix ward off their wounded foes. Still, the hobgoblins fight with determination and discipline. These are battle-hardened foes and not ones to give up so easily.



OOC: Valthur is hit twice for 9.

Hobgoblin Bladebearer
AC: 4
HP: 18/20 (Valthur/Sarah)

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC: 6
HP: 3/12 (Marklin), 2/12 (Valthur), 3/12 (Taerix)


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  19/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  12/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves


[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 03:42, Tue 12 June 2018.

Sarah is encouraged by the leader's rage, and she swings her sword with all of her might.  Unfortunately, she unexpectedly clips the edge of Valthur's shield, which knocks her sword from her hand.  The sword clatters amidst the feet of those involved in the melee, putting it out of her reach.



20:39, Today: Sarah rolled 1,3 using d20,d8 with rolls of 1,3.  Round 2.

By the way: my damage last round should have been doubled because of my backstab, so I did 4 damage and not 2.

 The Hobgoblin that fought Marklin,even if badly wounded, still had the skill to ward of the Warrior's sword strokes, as sparks flew from another parry of Marklin's sword.

20:14, Today: Marklin rolled 4 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 3.  Attack roll.

Valthur clenches his teeth as he suffers two attacks from separate foes. Knowing the smaller of the two is seriously wounded, he strikes emphatically against it, putting an end to its frog-stabbing days.


21:07, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 21 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 18.  Axe vs. wounded hobgoblin.
21:07, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 11 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 8.  Damage.
Gah - waste of a perfectly good damage roll against a gobber with two remaining hp!

Eoni reached up and intoned a prayer as Valthur's vigor waned.

"May Avandra's Grace fill you with strength and carry you through the fray," she chanted, touching the armsman on the back.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Cure light wounds, Valthur.

Taerix follows up with his successful attack with another - that should put the hobgoblin down for good.



21:37, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 8 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 7.  Sword damage.

21:36, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 10 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 9.  Attack hobgoblin.

00:45, Today: Aldara rolled 12,1 using 1d20+2,1d4 ((10,1)).
Dagger, thrown at remaining non-boss hobgoblin.

Aldara (futilely) chucks another dagger at the "lesser" hobgoblins, before growling in frustration and drawing her silver dagger.  Was it any better?  No.  Was it better weighted for stabbing things?  Yes.  Much.

The hobgoblin bladebearer executes a fighting retreat and wheels backward toward the winding stairwell. He calls out to his companion, "[Language unknown: A alse earwheoun ngdin ureardate! Heon eimi honde! Menee thu stayinver p maho Com Ansan!!!]

The bladebearer retreats halfway up the stairwell...

Meanwhile, down below, the sole remaining hobgoblin fights with renewed vigor, seemingly stirred on by the bladebearer's words. He slashes Marklin again, though not with enough power to take down the veteran fighter.


OOC: Marklin is hit for 4. The stairwell is only wide enough for one abreast, so only one PC could engage the hobgoblin in melee combat.

Hobgoblin Bladebearer
AC: 4
HP: 16/20 (on stairwell, headed up to bell tower)

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC: 6
HP: 3/12 (Marklin), 0/12, 0/12


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  15/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  18/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves


[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 felt the well known sting of the kiss of steel, as the Hobgob'd blade won past his shield and scored a hit on his side. " Whore son!" Spat the Warrior through clenched teeth.

 The warrior thrust the long sword at the others chest, but ended up striking the belly.

20:22, Today: Marklin rolled 2 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 1.  Damage roll.

20:20, Today: Marklin rolled 10 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 9.  Attack roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:46, Fri 15 June 2018.

Sarah figures she has the best chance of beating the leader to the top, while he companions follow.  She vaults toward the stairs, pulling her club from her belt as she does.

Taerix sheathes his sword and races to pick up his bow. He'll be looking for an opportunity to shoot the hobgoblin on the stairs as it winds around the room.

Bending over her backpack once more, Eoni produced a second scroll from the side pocket of her backpack.  The Sister of Avandra intoned it's divine contents before stepping up this time to touch Marklin on the back.

"That should be better," she said once the scroll was spent.

OOC: Protection from Evil, additional -1 AC and +1 save vs evil folks.  Good for 2 hours.

01:15, Today: Aldara rolled 0,1 using 1d20-1,1d4-1 ((1,2)).
Attempting to stab hobgoblin.  Failing miserably.

Aldara lunges at the lone hobgoblin, desperate to give that thorn in her group's side a silver dagger in its, before dealing with the far more dangerous thorn in the group's side currently bounding up a stair.

With his immediate adversary defeated and with his resolve strengthened by the healing touch of Eoni, Valthur charges after the hobgoblin bladebearer as he races up the stair. "Come back here, coward!"

OOC: Not sure if I can attack this round. If I can, here it goes!
22:00, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 14 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 11.  Axe vs. Hobgoblin Bladebearer (if he can reach him).
22:01, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  Damage.

Sarah vaults to the stairwell and begins to scramble up the wall, finding hand and footholds where others might find naught but sheer wall. The thief soon cuts off the hongoblin bladebearer's escape, seizing the high ground, with Valthur seizing the low ground. The hobgoblin is now surrounded on both sides!

Meanwhile, down below, the other hobgoblin snarls in rage and strikes savagely at Marklin. Not even Eoni's blessing can protect him now. The enemy hits him with a blow that nearly knocks the air out of the fighter. It's all Marklin can do to not double-over in pain. One more hit like that, and Marklin will surely be down for the count!


OOC: Marklin is hit for 9. The stairwell is only wide enough for one abreast, so only one PC could engage the hobgoblin in melee combat.

Hobgoblin Bladebearer
AC: 4
HP: 9/20 (Valthur/Sarah)

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC: 6
HP: 2/12 (Marklin), 0/12, 0/12


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2   6/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  18/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves


[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 Marklin in trouble, Taerix again sets down the bow and rushes in, drawing his sword and stabbing at the hobgoblin. The halfling rams the sword deeply into the hobgoblin, and hopefully it's enough to kill the thing.

20:07, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 7 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 6.  Sword damage.

20:06, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 11 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 10.  Attack hobgoblin.

"Nowhere to run now, you filthy Hobgoblin," Valthur scolds. "Now face the full bite of..."

Valthur swings with an enchanted efficiency, taking satisfaction in another hit against his foe, even if it's not punctuated with a decisive name.

"...Hobgoblin's Bane? No, too wordy. Dwarven Justice? Naw. Really need to think of something here."

21:38, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 18 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 15.  Axe vs. Hobgoblin Bladebearer.
21:38, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 8 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 5.  Damage.

The Warrior took a goodly blow from his foe, and it was almost his undoing, as Marklin staggered back as his blood flowed.  The Warrior mustered what strength he had left and slashed with his sword at the badly wounded Hobgoblin. “Die ya bastard!”


22:56, Today: Marklin rolled 4 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 3.  Damage roll.
22:56, Today: Marklin rolled 14 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 13.  Attack roll.

Confident in Marklin's ability to strike true, Aldara readies a dagger for the mightier of the hobgoblins, and throws it.

21:49, Today: Aldara rolled 5,2 using 1d20+1,1d4 ((4,2)).
Throwing dagger at Hobgoblin Bladebearer.

"Marklin!" Eoni cried, seeing the blood flow, even as the armsman and halfling chopped his assailant to the ground.  She stepped quickly up to him and intoned a chant to staunch the flow of blood and revive the man's vitality.  "May Avandra's Grace close this wound and carry you through this perilous night."

The blood ceased to flow but the gash remained.  The Sister wondered if perhaps Avandra favored some more than others.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Cure light wounds, Marklin.

Sarah swings the club with all of the force her little body can muster, but she forgets to aim.  She swings wide, then glares and growls at the hobgoblin as if it had dealt her a personal insult.


10:28, Today: Sarah rolled 6,5 using d20+1,d4+1 with rolls of 5,4.  Attack w/ club (14 to hit).

Down in the barracks, Taerix strikes down the last of the hobgoblin veterans, while Valthur and Sarah face off against their leader up on the winding staircase leading to the bell tower. Valthur and the hobgoblin trade blows, with the dwarf getting the better of the two for the moment. The enemy is quite wounded now and, with its allies now defeated, seemingly fighting an unwinnable battle. But duty and devotion to a cause bigger than itself win out over cowardice and self-preservation. The hordes of Azarr Kul, Son of the Dragon, are so close to their goal of total domination of the human lands...

Heartened by these thoughts, the hobgoblin roars a battle cry and fights on!

[Language unknown: "Ughoulard ateiveica Houspael! Ta day ieou o hislinlin, n pl Alcesiwh hispl!"]


OOC:

Hobgoblin Bladebearer
AC: 4
HP: 4/20 (Valthur/Sarah)

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC: 6
HP: 0/12, 0/12, 0/12


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2   9/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  18/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves


[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!!!

Sarah swings again.  But she is weary, having climbed the tower one and half times and now desperately avoiding the hobgoblin's blows.  And her ferocity is not enough to make up for that weariness.


14:08, Today: Sarah rolled 3,2 using d20+1,d4+1 with rolls of 2,1.  Attack w/ club (14 to hit).

 The Warrior leaned  upon his crimson stained blade and caught his breath, Marklin felt like he had been kicked by a mule,and the pain was less the pleasant.

"Be careful up there, Sarah!" Eoni called out absently as she looked around the disarray of furniture and bodies they'd created.  The Sister didn't expect to find anything of vital importance as they had the map at Vraath Keep, but there might be a clue as to what they might run afoul of in the second building.

 Once the Warrior was himself again, Marklin staggered towards the stairs. " I be right behind ye, Valthur."

Winded from his charge up the stairs, Valthur makes a tired swing at the hobgoblin leader, but his attempt is easily fought off by the desperate foe.

21:47, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 4.  Axe vs. Hobgoblin Bladebearer.

22:34, Today: Aldara rolled 8,1 using 1d20+1,1d4 ((7,1)).
Chucking a dagger.  Glad we ain't playing darts.

Feeling the lack of daggers on her person, Aldara grabs her second-to-last Designated Throwing Dagger, and chucks it at the hobgoblin leader again.  And again, she misses.

A helter skelter battle ensues on the tower's staircase, with all sides doing their best to fight in confined quarters without tumbling over the exposed edge. The hobgoblin defends himself well and eventually finds an opening to slash Valthur again. He seems disappointed it wasn't enough to send the dwarf plummeting from the stairs and curses in frustration. He knows he can't keep this up for too much longer...


OOC: Valthur takes 4 points of damage. Everyone roll a Hear Noise check (d6)

Hobgoblin Bladebearer
AC: 4
HP: 4/20 (Valthur/Sarah)

Hobgoblin Veterans, 3
AC: 6
HP: 0/12, 0/12, 0/12


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2   9/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  14/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves


[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!!!

Confident that Valthur would dispatch the last of their foes, Eoni continued to look around for maps, scrolls, and secret plans sketched on the walls.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Hear Noise?

 Marklin slowly went back down the stairs, after he saw he would only be in the way. If nothing else, the Warrior stood guard by the door.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Sun 17 June 2018.

Sarah continues her current swing of futility.  (HA! Get it?)  However, her life experiences have required to be aware of her surroundings at all times; that experience serves her well because as she prepares to heft the (supposedly magically enhanced) club again, she believes that she hears a new noise in the area . . .



08:10, Today: Sarah rolled 3,3 using d20+1,d4+1 with rolls of 2,2.  Attack w/ club (14 to hit).

08:10, Today: Sarah rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  Hear noise (1-3).

11:16, Today: Aldara rolled 17,2 using 1d20+1,1d4 ((16,2)).
Dagger, bung at hobgoblin.

Aldara throws her last dagger not on the floor at the remaining hobgoblin...

11:18, Today: Aldara rolled 1 using 1d6 ((1)).
Hear Noise.

Valthur winces as the hobgoblin's sword bites into him. The new wound is enough to weaken his next attack, which is easily deflected by his hobgoblin foe.

19:09, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 5 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 2.  Axe vs. Hobgoblin Bladebearer.
19:14, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Hear noise.

Taerix fits a stone to the thong of his sling and twirls it a few times before sending the rock flying in the air toward the hobgoblin. The stone strikes the hobgoblin in the side of the hit, causing it to sink to the ground and eventually, fall over the exposed stairwell, splattung onto the ground!

The hobgoblin detachment has been vanquished, but several party members what sounds like the splashing of oars and shouting outside, but close. Apparently the magical light atop the bell tower has aroused suspicion....

Eoni gave up searching and hissed to the others, "More are coming!"

The Sister picked up one of the fallen chairs and tried to brace it against the door to give the more time.  This wasn't how she expected this situation to evolve.

[Private to GM: Whether the door opened inward or outward wasn't a consideration she allowed for in her thought process.  It could open outward and then the chair would just fall uselessly into the doorway.]

 Marklin was standing by the door, so he peered out to see what was to be seen.

Taerix races for the staircase, hoping to get to higher ground before those new foes enter the tower. He's taking the steps two at a time if he doesn't think he'll trip by doing so. About ten feet off the ground, Taerix will face the door, bow in hand.

"Get my sword!" Sarah whispers/commands as she races up the stairs.

She uses her prior experience to avoid fully exposing herself in the light, but she intends to go to the very top to see what the party is up against.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:34, Sat 23 June 2018.

As she makes her way to the higher ground, Aldara grabs as many of her remaining and functional daggers as she can, prioritising her silver dagger and Sarah's sword above all else.

Retrieving as many daggers as I can before the next wave of attackers.  And retrieving Sarah's sword.

Once there, the mage scoots past the others and offers Sarah her sword.

The adventurers race to the top of the bell tower in an effort to prepare for whatever onslaught might be coming next. Upon arrival, they see a group of six lizardfolk aboard a reed canoe, rowing mightily past the bell tower, bound apparently for the cluster of building at the lake's center. The adventurers hear the humanoids hissing to one another in their strange tongue, but cannot make sense of what they might be saying.

The canoe is about 60 feet distant from the bell tower and on a vector that will altogether bypass it.

OOC:

Lizardfolk, 6 (aboard a canoe, 60 feet distant, and rowing away from the belltower)
AC: 6
HP: 10/10


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2   9/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  14/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves


[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

]

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:25, Sun 24 June 2018.

 Once Marklin was at the edge of the tower, he drew an arrow and fixed it to his bowstring." Kane, Valthur, we needs ta feather them scaly beggars afore they raise the hue and cry.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Sun 24 June 2018.

Having blocked the door with a chair, Eoni tipped the rickety table on it's side and struggled to pull it to the back wall for cover.

Confused, Taerix replies, "I thought we were trying not to hurt the lizardfolk." He climbed the stairs to the top and wondered if he could even see the lizardfolk from his vantage point.

"We were trying not to hurt them until they started trying to warn the reinforcements over there," Valthur explains. Certain in his own mind that the Lizardfolk are in league with whatever evils are hidden here, the dwarf fires from the tower.

22:34, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 11 using 1d20 with rolls of 11.  Crossbow vs. Lizardman.
22:34, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.  Damage.

Marklin loosed an arrow but missed in the questionable light.

16:49, Today: Marklin rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9.  Bow shot at an occupants in boat.

Aldara aids the others with an illusion.  She attempts to convince the lizardfolk that they are being swarmed by a cloud of wasps.
Phantasmal force, attempting to convince these lizardfolk that there are wasps after them.
While the mage's reserves were nearly spent, anything that could impede the lizardfolk, even expenditure of precious magical energy, was worth it in her book!  Especially given what was at stake.

Valthur puts a bolt into one of the lizardmen and the others are harassed by illusory wasps. None of these events do much to prevent their given task--reach the remnants of Rhest Town Hall.

Elsewhere, the adventurers can hear, but not see, the splashing of other oars. Apparently this group of lizardfolk was not the only to behold the magical light radiating atop the bell tower, an indication that trespassers were afoot!

It seems the denizens of this dismal lake are mobilizing in defense of their dragon god!


OOC:

Lizardfolk, 6 (aboard a canoe, 100 feet distant, and rowing away from the belltower)
AC: 6
HP: 4/10, 10/10, 10/10, 10/10, 10/10, 10/10



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2   9/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  14/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  *Protection from Evil +1 AC/saves


[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

]

PM
[Private to DM Pawn:
I didn't know where to post my clandestine activities . . . and it may have gotten lost in the shuffle.  I posted OOC post 538 about going back down the tower in case there was something I missed in my haste earlier.  Unless it was clear that there are no rooms/cubbyholes and there is only a staircase going down.

So, I don't know if I'm in the tower somewhere or not . . . And if I'm in the tower, whether I know/see more about the newest canoe.]

PM

[Private to DM Pawn: OK.  I will do that from now on.  (I knew that PM was a bad choice, but I didn't know if you preferred OOC or game chat.

Knowing that there was a chest, and that we didn't open it . . . and believing at the time that the only foes were the retreating lizard folk . . . and not thinking she could do much to turn that tide . . . Sarah would've gone down to check the chest while everyone was focused on the retreating boat.

Can I have done that?]

Frustrated, Aldara causes the illusory wasps to burst into flame upon coming into contact with the lizardfolk.
Causing illusory wasps to "sting" the lizardfolk and "burst into flame".
Her actions are the equivalent of a fussy child holding its breath to intimidate an adult.

Realizing that everyone else had disappeared up the stairs, Eoni abandoned her fortified position and dashed up the stairs to find out what was going on.

Atop the bell tower, the adventurers hear the sound of rowboats in the distance, indicating quite a bit of activity on the lake. Interestingly, all the rowboats sound like they are headed toward the cluster of sundered buildings at the center of the lake. The nearest rowboat, about 100 feet distant, is presently dealing with Aldara's illusion, and is not making much progress right now due to the lizardfolk's confusion at being surrounded by first wasps and now fiery bursts.

In any event, none of the rowboats appear to be coming for the adventurers at the moment.

[Private to Sarah: Meanwhile...down below, free of prying eyes, Sarah takes stock of the bell tower's contents. The chest near the bed turns out to be locked, but Sarah finds a key around one of the hobgoblin's necks and uses it to open the chest. Inside, she finds the following:

Four bags holding 25 gp each
Three Potions]

 Marklin looked at Eoni with a raised eyebrow. " What now, Captain?"

PM

[Private to DM Pawn: Sarah takes the bags of gold and potions, pausing long enough to see if they are all the same color.  She then relocks the chest, slides it back under the bed, and pockets the key.

She then pokes her head outside to determine if she can see or hear anything.

And OOC: How do we identify potions again?  Does a drop on the tongue provide insight?]

The Sister looked over the parapet to assess the situation.  Other than the bedazzled lizard craft, she couldn't see much in the darkness.  However it didn't sound as if any were headed in their direction.

"What happened to that boat?" she asked, pointing at the anomalous craft.

Taerix just listens quietly, unsure himself what just happened out there....

Noticing that the fiery bursts are (sort of) working, Aldara almost breaks her concentration on her spell.  Then, she causes the remaining wasps to dive at the oars and, bursting into flame on impact, "ignite" them.
Maybe I can convince these guys the wasps are burning their oars?

Eventually, the lizardfolk aboard the spellplagued canoe give up on their task and jump ship, plunging noisily into the water. They are quite adept swimmers however and do their best to put as much distance between them and the wasps and flaming oars.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the lake, lizardfolk are rapidly mobilizing, alerted to the disturbance at the bell tower.

"I think we should get out of here...."

" Bloody right!." Said Marklin in reponse to Kane.

"All right," Eoni declared, blowing out a breath while looking around at the darkness.  "Let's get back to the boat and head away from the others.  We'll find somewhere to land away from the village and make camp.

"Hopefully, they won't come looking for us and we'll see how things look come morning."

She headed back down the stairs to remove her makeshift barricade and execute the plan.

Hearing the noise from upstairs (indicating that her companions are coming down), Sarah re-enters the building.

"Nothin' down here -- yet."

Aldara wastes no time in following Eoni's suggestion.  On her way down, she scoops up whatever daggers of hers she might have failed to, regardless of nicks or dings in them.  Then, she aids the priestess in shoving barricade pieces aside.

Valthur joins the others in a hasty descent of the stairs. Although he hates the thought of retreating, he knows that staying on the tiny island against a foe of yet unknown strength is a recipe for disaster.

Taerix aids however he can in getting the party away from the lizardfolk as quickly as possible.

"Quickly then, onto the raft," the Sister urged the others quietly as she complied with her own prescription.

"Sarah, which way is clear of them?" she asked, trying to discern a path to shore without interception.

Sarah initially appears puzzled by Eoni's question, but after a moment points and says, "That way."

[Private to DM Pawn: In post 165 I poked my head out to see what I could see.  Use whatever information I was able to glean to guide my pointing; make an educated guess based on what I know, if necessary.  If I guess wrong . . . well, the enemy is smart sometimes too.

If I believe it to be clear, I'll point to our boat.]

Sarah makes what she thinks is an educated guess and directs the party due east. Reason being, the shore is reasonably close, close enough to see actually, and she doesn't see any rowboats on the lake in that direction.

With this information the party is soon back in their stolen canoe, battered from combat, and rowing as quickly and silently as possible. In the distance, they can hear what the shouts of hobgoblins and always, the splashing of oars.

The party reaches the lake's eastern shore with little difficulty. A labyrinth of tangled waterways spills into the lake here, with tall reeds and sedges throughout. The adventurers disappear into one of these waterways, eventually taking shelter upon a loamy hummock some distance from the lake.

Once there, they hear what sounds like a noisy celebration coming from the lake.

"Why does it sound like they're celebrating?" Eoni asked, glad of their escape but a little confused by the swamp dweller's reaction to their failed forray.  Were they celebrating having driven them off or had she inadvertently completed some lizard prophecy by lighting up the tower?

"Taerix, could you find a vantage point and see if you can tell what's going on out there?"  Her eyes were near useless in this dark, but she hoped the halfling's keen vision fared better.  She guessed Avandra's light would last at least another hour and it might let their scout glean something of their goings on.

"If they are celebrating vanquishing us," Valthur considers aloud.
"Perhaps they aren't as strong in number as we feared."

"Are lizardmen celebrating the hobgoblin deaths? I'm at a loss." Taerix will look for higher (solid) ground to peek back toward the noise and see what's going on.

Taerix sneaks back to the edge of the lake and notices a roaring bonfire coming from the the center of the lake, near the sundered town's center, and shadowy figures seemingly dancing about the fire. They're definitely celebrating, but why?

"If Taerix sees no one in pursuit," Eoni proposed, looking in the direction the halfling disappeared, "we might venture back out to see what they're doing.

"Or we could wait for this to die down and approach in it's aftermath."

She looked to the two armsman and asked, "How are you two feeling?  I have no more strength to call upon Avandra for healing, but the scrolls I read will not last the night."

The halfling returns and tells the others of the celebration, but there are no pursuers that he could see.

"Never felt better," Valthur replies, although his clenched teeth hint that his health is a bit worse than his confident words suggest. "We came here to find a weapon or whatever it is. I say we do it while they've got their guard down."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:24, Thu 12 July 2018.

"If we do run into more trouble," Eoni replied to the dwarf, rising from where she'd been crouching, "you still have those healing drafts from the elves.

"While they're distracted, lets see if we can get close enough to find out what's happening."

The Sister made her way back to their stolen reed vessel and enlightenment.

 "Let's be about it then." Was all Marklin had to say upon the matter.

Valthur nods and boards the raft. "No time like the present."

The party treks back toward the lake and hide behind some tall reeds. At the lake's center, a large bonfire now roars and above this, the party can hear indistinct chanting. All but Valthur have difficulty seeing as it is still night-time, and a roll of clouds has no largely obscured the moon.

Valthur sees what looks like a large group of humanoid clustered around the ruins of Rhest Town Hall at the center of the lake, and a large number of rafts moored on the wooden boardwalk that surrounds a building projecting up from the water. The dwarf does not see any boats cruising the lake's waters at the moment.

"Wonder if the 'obgoblins are warrin' with the lizardfolk."

"I don't see how our killing a handful of hobgoblins tilted the balance in their favor," Eoni pointed out.  "It didn't seem they had any concern for the tower at all.

"The tribe must have interpreted the light as some signal that lead up to this..." she trailed off, not knowing exactly what was happening on the lake.

"Let's push off and see if we can get a closer look."

Valthur relays what he sees to the others in a whispered voice.

"Take it slow," Eoni advised those with paddles as they pushed off.  "If they spot us, try to make it back to shore.  There are too many for us to take on and fighting will only slow us down.

"We just need to see what's happening out there and if it's to our advantage."

The adventurers climb aboard their canoe and push off into the lake, paddling slowly toward the large bonfire at the lake's center. The party manages to get close enough to see and hear a noisy celebration within the non-submerged remnants of the town hall.

This building must have been an impressive stone structure, but it now lies half-submerged in the lake. The flickering light of a roaring bonfire atop on of the building's towers reveals a face of majestic heroes, bearing heraldic lion devices and armed with swords, spears and bows, their countenances carved into marble pillars. The building's ground floor is now completely submerged, and its second floor sits just above the water level, its marble heroes caked with moss and mud. The third floor appears to be partially collapsed. A wooden walkway has been lashed together around the building's perimeter, and a floating bridge leads to a nearby ruin surrounded by a wooden fence. Two flights of wooden stairs lead up along a facade to the ruined roof above.

The adventurers see a large number of creatures atop this impressive structure: a score or so lizardfolk, a handful of what appears to be hobgoblins, a few ogres, and one much larger, two-headed giant appears from time to time as well.

All of these creatures appear to be gorging themselves with copious amounts of ale, wine and food and in quite a raucous mood.

"Look at that rabble," Valthur mutters softly. "We could take them all if we had a few of those flying elves with us, but I don't like our chances the way it is."

"Back to shore," Eoni said, agreeing with the dwarf's assessment.  "We'll return in the early morning to see what's left of them.  After all this, they may be off their guard.

"We'll rest and try to sneak in an hour before sunrise."

She was even more confused now that she'd seen the lizard folk in celebration with the hobgoblins.  Her light must have been seen as a signal of some kind.  Perhaps of some victory in the vale.

She prayed to Avandra for it to have been a false victory.

"Wait," she blurted as they turned back toward shore.  "We must return to the tower.  If this has nothing to do with our killing the tower watch, finding the bodies may put them back on their guard.

"We need to sink them into the lake before they're discovered."

 Marklin grunted in annoyance. "Go to the tower, leave the tower, go back to the tower. Bloody hells, woman, make up yer bloody mind."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:39, Fri 20 July 2018.

Aldara grumbles in agreement with the warrior, but otherwise says nothing.  She resolves to help move any dismembered body parts and bits of armour, hoping to leave the heavy hobgoblins to her brawnier companions.

The adventurers turn away from the celebration and begin rowing back toward the belltower, picking their way through the exposed upper roofs of other structures that have long since been reclaimed by the lake and march of time. Sonme distance away from the carousing enemies, Sarah hears a couple quick splashes in the water, though it is still too dark to really see anything. Presumably she alerts Valthur, whom likewise sees nothing when he scans the surrounding area.

Moments later, the reed canoe beneath them suddenly jolts and a large spearhead punctures through the boat! Then, a moment later, several other spearheads pierce through the boat as well. Water begins to stream into the boat!

OOC:


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8  12/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2   9/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  17/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  14/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19


[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 isn't good!" Eoni said, nervously stating the obvious.  "Find us some solid ground, quick!"

The Sister tried to gauge which was closer, tower or shore, and whether the boat would be able to reach either.

She debated revealing her light, but that might just bring more of them.  In the end, she readied her staff against anything that revealed itself in the darkness.

 As spears started to punch holes in the bottom of thier boat, Marklin started to swear at those beneath the water. He used words and phrases that would make the most jaded blush."

The party is close to 1000 feet distant from the shore. The belltower is about 50 feet away and there are numerous roofs poking up through the water along the way.

Taerix helps get the remains of the boat to the nearest place where he won't drown.

Aldara helps as best she can, saying such strong and foul things while she does, that the Matriarchs and Patriarchs of Asmodeus would cry.

Sarah uses the spear that she appropriated to fight back.  She does have the presence of mind, however, not to make their situation worse; she stabs back through the holes made by the attackers.  It's blind, true -- but then, she could see them anyhow.

The party rows with purpose now, eager to get to dry land as swiftly as possible. Meanwhile, below the raft, unseen aquatic attackers continue to savage the canoe's wicker keel with long, pointy sticks.

The canoe takes on quite a bit of water in a short period of time and soon, the vessel begins to shred apart, about 10 feet from the belltower. The party is plunged into water, a short swim amidst spear-wielding enemies, standing between them, and high land.

OOC: Everyone needs to make a swim ability check (STR), d20. This roll is modified by your AC. The modifier = 10 - (Value of your AC due to armor and shield). So, someone wearing plate mail and carrying a shield would be 10 - 2 = 8.

This is the number you ADD to your d20 check. The goal is to roll below your STR. Good luck!

Standing in the boat as it is attacked is not a smart idea.  Alas, as a gutter rat, Sarah does not know of such things.

10:52, Today: Sarah rolled 11 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 9.  Strength check (< 10 to make).

Eoni threw her staff at the tower as the boat broke up beneath her and took a deep breath.  Unfortunately, her padded coat was quickly soaked and the sodden garment hampered her ability to swim for safety.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Strength Check (8).

Kane is an able swimmer, when unencumbered with chain armor and his magic shield. Tonight, though, he starts sinking immediately under the weight.

14:07, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Str check - chain & shield.

"Moradin's beard," Valthur cries as the boat splinters around him and he sinks into the water.

00:36, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14.  STR check (17).

Like her companions, Aldara splashes into the water as their reed canoe is torn to pieces by unseen predators below the lake's surface. Similarly, the wizard has difficulty treading water amidst all the chaos...

OOC: DM roll on player's behalf, failed swimming check.

The adventurers are now in some degree of peril as they struggle to simply tread water while attempting to swim for solid ground, just in the distance. Their efforts are not assisted in any way by underwater menaces, lizardfolk swimming beneath the water, armed with their tined spears. With the canoe now destroyed, the lizardfolk turn their attention to the struggling adventurers and jab their spears at their relatively helpless foes.

Aldara, Eoni, Marklin and Taerix are introduced to the business end of these cruel implements. Painful wounds, all, but not enough to cause any of the adventurers to lose consciousness.


OOC: Aldara, Eoni and Marklin take 5 points of damage. Taerix takes 6.

The lizardfolk are beneath the water. All PCs are currently in danger of drowning, as none have made a successful swim check yet and are struggling to even tread water at this point. The PCs are about 15 feet from solid ground.


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8   7/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  19/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2   4/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  11/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  14/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19


[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!!!

Spurred by the painful jabs beneath the water, Eoni regained her bearings and splashed toward the tower, thank Avandra.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Strength Check (8), swim 2.

Valthur struggles in the water, gasping for air but instead inhaling a gulp of murky water.

OOC: Am I correct in assuming I need to make a successful swimming roll before I can do anything else (failed it either way)?
15:35, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 21 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 15.  STR check (17).

 Marklin was badly wounded with his blood seeping into the water. He attempted to swim to the nearest safe haven, be that the shore or tower. For a topping to the current shyt sandwhich he currently found him in, he hoped there where no predators in the lake, if so, his blood would be a dinner bell got them.

Taerix continues to sink despite his best efforts. He knows something around him is stabbing him, but he can't see what in the murky water.

16:43, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 26 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 20.  second Str check - chain & shield.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Sun 29 July 2018.

After gulping her fair share of lake water, Sarah manages to keep her head sufficiently above water to allow her to breathe and make her way toward shore . . .


18:45, Today: Sarah rolled 10 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 8.  Strength check (10).

10:37, Today: Marklin rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12.  Swinning roll. Is this a success?

22:04, Today: Aldara rolled 18 using 1d20 ((18)).
Swim?

A spear raking into her side, Aldara opens her mouth to cry out as she "swims", but can only awkwardly suck in water and quit flailing for a little while.  Despite this, she tries, in her own way, to swim.

Eoni and Sarah manage to make it to the wooden platform surrounding the bell tower, both pulling themselves up out of the water, but not before Eoni is stuck with another spear.

Meanwhile, Marklin, Taerix and Valthur continue to struggle to stay topside with their heavy armor weighing them down. Swimming in heavy mail is not exactly easy and all are now in serious danger of being sucked straight to the bottom of the murky lake!

To make matters worse, Marklin is stuck with a spear yet again and loses consciousness!!!

Aldara is likewise struggling in the water, but she isn't weighed down with armor and her difficulties are more due to lack of physical strength and skill.

Beneath the water, Eoni and Sarah might occasionally catch a brief glimpse of the lizardfolk, but these enemies seem quite content to remain under the water.

Things are not looking too good for the adventurers....


OOC: Eoni was hit for 4. Marklin was hit for 5 and is now unconscious!
Aldara, Marklin, Taerix and Valthur are 15 feet from the belltower and all are drowning.

Aldara, Taerix and Valthur must continue to make STR swimming checks (d20)

Additionally Taerix and Valthur must also make a CON check (d20).

Finally, Marklin needs to make a Death Ray Saving Throw.

PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8   7/12   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  15/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  -1/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19   Unconscious
Sarah      4  13/16   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Taerix     1  11/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  14/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

[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 00:55, Thu 02 Aug 2018.

20:59, Today: Marklin rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9.  Save vs Death Ray.

 He needed a 12.

 one down and two to go.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Thu 02 Aug 2018.

Kane has a vision of home... even in the murky water, he could swear he smells fresh baked bread....

20:04, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8.  CON check.

20:02, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 21 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 15.  third Str check - chain & shield.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Thu 02 Aug 2018.

Sarah pulls out her rope and tosses an end to the strugglers/stragglers.

Seeing that only she and Sarah had reached the platform, the Sister shrugged out of her sodden backpack and pulled back her dripping hood as she struggled to pull something from one of the side pockets.  The light from her tiara illuminated the night and she could see the others splashing too far for her to reach even if her staff had made it to the platform.

Fumbling with the buckle, she opened the pocket and pulled forth a familiar scroll.  She prayed to Avandra that it would work as she quickly unfurled the magical parchment and incanted it's divine providence.

[Private to GM: Sarah's Summon Animal scroll.  She's concentrating on large fish to push her friends to the platform and push their assailants away.  1d8 normal animals, including giant type up to 4HD each within a 200 foot range.  She's picturing fish 2 feet or longer (catfish? carp? pike?).  If there are none, she can try again next round to guess for another animal that might be within range for a total of 3 animal tries.]

Eoni retrieves a magic scroll from her backpack and rattles off a series of divine words in praise of Avandra. Then, the water begins to churn as several giant carp answer the cleric's prayers. Thrashing this way and that, the carp nudge Aldara, Taerix, Valthur...and yes, even Marklin, toward the dock surrounding the bell tower. There, Sarah fishes her companions out of the murky water.

Eoni and Sarah work together to quickly haul their friends out of the water, while a lone lizardman breaks the surface of the water, puts conch shell to his lips and bellows out a mournful note that pierces the night air.

The entire party is on solid ground again, though there are anything but out of the proverbial woods...

OOC: Marklin is still unconscious and in danger of dying. Marklin needs to make another Death Saving throw, accounting for the time it took to haul him out of the water.

Valthur flops onto the dock with the assistance of Eoni and Sarah. Exhausted from his time flailing in the water, he coughs repeatedly as he attempts to regain his breath. "Thank you," he sputters to Sarah while scanning the murky water for more signs of trouble.

18:43, Yesterday: Marklin rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.  Death save.

Taerix huches over, expels a lungful of fluid and once he realizes he's been rescued, weakly manages a thank you to his saviors between coughs. He crawls to put his back against the tower wall if possible and tries to focus on the world around him instead of the comforts of home....

"Everyone into the tower!" Eoni hissed, scooping her backpack from the platform and flashing her head from side to side to see if her staff managed to land on the platform.  "Get Marklin inside and see if he has any healing drafts."

She wasn't sure that whispering was doing them any good at this point, but it felt right, anyway.

"Thank you, fish," she directed toward the murky water.  They were still in deep water, but at least they weren't in danger of drowning.

Still coughing up murky water from his lungs, Valthur stumbles over to the unconscious Marklin and drags him as quickly as he can to the tower.

His memory jogged, Taerix scrambles to reach a Healing Potion from his pack as he slowly makes his way into the tower.

The last of the adventurers are hauled out of the water as a handful of giant carp thrash against the party's lizardfolk ambushers, effectively dispatching the threat. A close brush with death, for sure, but judging by the sound of distant celebration at the center of the dismal lake, the main horde is apparently unaware of the group's second attempt at infiltration.

At least for the moment...

A quick search of the belltower reveals it to still be abandoned as reinforcements have not yet been sent to replace the hobgoblins previously stationed here.

It is about 3 hours until dawn. The adventurers are tired and battle-weary.

Taerix pulls out a pair of Healing Potions from his pack, administering one to Marklin, and waits to see how Marklin is doing before giving him another... and then, he pulls out a third potion for himself.

18:42, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 2 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 1.  And one for Taerix. Yuck.

18:41, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 4 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 3.  Another potion for Marklin.

18:41, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 7 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 6.  Healing Potion for Marklin.

11 for Marklin, 2 for Taerix.

Seeing Taerix taking charge of unmoving armsman, Eoni calls out, "Valthur, Sarah!  Get to the top and see if any reinforcements are coming.

"And see if you can find us another boat!  We're definitely not swimming our way out of here."

She was disappointed not to have found her staff on the platform, but it was the least of their losses.  Losing the boat might be the end of them.

Sarah sprints up the stairs.

 Marklin's eye snapped open, followed by a coughing fit where he spewed out enough water to float a small boat. " Wha....what happened? I feel like five day ole fish."

Atop the belltower, the adventurers do not spot any evidence of incoming enemies...though it is the darkest hours before dawn, on a lake that is now gathering drifts of fog. There are indeed, other reed boats moored to the docks, should the party wish to chance another foray onto the lake.

"You were almost sleeping with the fishes," Eoni said to the disoriented armsman as she tried to wedge a chair up against the door.  "We made it into the tower and in the clear for the moment.  Sarah and Valthur are up top trying to see how much trouble we're in."

 Marklin coughed again,and then spewed water onto the floor of the tower. He looked up with bleary blood shot eyes at Eoni." Where..cough..cough. Where do ye want me,Cap'n?"

 There had been a time, and not that long ago, Marklin called Eoni "Captain" with mockery or irritation in his voice. But when he said it recently and now, such things where absent.

Valthur descends the stairs to update the others. "Hard to say for sure because a fog is setting in, but I see no signs of anyone coming our way." He coughs a bit more black water from his lungs before proceeding. "From what I see, the main island don't give a rat's behind about what we're doing here... wish we could say the same thing about the lizardfolk lurking under the surface. They're gonna' a problem."

Sarah adds nothing to Valthur's assessment.

Taerix opens his pack and vainly attempts to dry out his soaked gear, especially his tinder box and bowstring, until the group decides to move on, when he'll quickly pack it all up again.

 THe Warrior looked around and wished for nothing more then a fire, so he might dry out. " Have we searched this bloody tower from top ta bottom?"

"I don't know how much time we have," Eoni replied to Marklin.  "We shouldn't stay here long as some of them know where we are.  So get sorted out and ready to move.  If anyone has any more healing drafts, now is the time to use them.

"Valthur," she asked, turning to the dwarf, "did you see any nearby boats we could use to get away from the tower?"

"Aye," Valthur confirms to Eoni. "There are multiple boats docked here."

Sarah moves to the other side of the tower, to see if she can see anything shore or in the water on the opposite side of their tiny parcel of land.

"All right," the sodden Sister said, taking a deep breath as she thought about what they had to do next.  "We need to get back to shore before the ones in the water can regroup or get reinforcements.  Let's take two boats this time and pray one can cover the other.

"I'll dowse my light and Valthur can lead us out.  Taerix," she said, pointing to the halfling, "bring up the rear and make sure we don't lose anyone.

"Sarah!" she called up the stairs softly.  "We're leaving!"

Unless Sarah sees something of interest on the opposite side of the lighthouse, she heeds Eoni's summons.

Taerix packs up and gets ready to move out, watching for the others before following.

Valthur waits for everyone to assemble, then leads them to the boats in the darkness.

"I've half a mind to take off my armor in case we capsize again," he mutters to Marklin as they arrive at the first boat. "But I don't like the thought of having nothing to stop those lizardman spears other then my own skin, either. So I'm leaving it on."

The adventurers flee from the sundered belltower and seize two reed canoes, which they hope will bear them safely to distant shores and away from the menace of underwater predators, namely, lizardfolk.

Setting from the belltower, dense drifts of fog now settle over the lake and the heroes can scarcely see 10 feet in any direction. They are essentially rowing blind into the cool, foggy dawn. All they hear now is the splashing of their oars for the distant sound of revelry has entirely subsided. They can only look out into the gloom and hope they will make good on their escape...

At some point, a minute or several minutes later, it's hard to tell, the party hears what sounds like the flapping of immense wings somewhere aloft, followed by a terrifying howl, that even though none has personal experience with, all are quite convinced belongs to a dragon!

The dragon roars and screeches as it soars somewhere overhead and then off in the distance. Presumably, the party rows more silently or ceases altogether, in hopes of hiding in the fog and not alerting the dragon to their presence. Several tense moments pass, the adventurers only hearing the beating of their own hearts, and the flapping of leathery wings.

Finally, they spot land ahead, as the boat drifts on a current toward a dense thicket of cane reeds. Then, a roared threat somewhere in the distance, "Flee! None can interfere with the grand plans of Azarr Kul! You have been warned!!!"

The voice is tinny, small and inflected with the goblinoid tongue. Certainly not the voice one might imagine coming from a great dragon.

Then, the cane boats strike ground. Dawn is but an hour or so away now. The adventurers are quite tired, having been up nearly all night long.

"Let's hide the boats in the reeds and find some dry ground to make camp," Eoni said, dropping over the side to pull.  The thick mud sucked at her boots and the hem of her jacket trailed in the water.  It wasn't as if they weren't already all soaked through.

"Has anyone heard of Azarr Kul?" she asked.  "Was that the dragon's name or the creature that spoke?"

It seemed as though someone knew they were out here, but all she really wanted to do was dry out and sleep.

Sarah surveys her once-new clothing, now wet, soggy, and mud-encrusted.  But she doesn't look angry or sad; she merely looks resigned.

[Private to DM Pawn: If we are making camp, find a moment to privately test those potions that I pilfered from the chest in the lighthouse.]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Thu 16 Aug 2018.

 Marklin did what needed to be done to secure the boats, and make camp. He was wet,tired and sore. His garments covered in muck,and he was hungry. No fire to dry off and cook rations, due to the possibility of being located by the enemy. So it was a cold camp and iron rations. Life was good.. :0/

Taerix couldn't think of any word he knew that sounded like Azarr Kul. He was just too beaten-up and still recovering from his near-death experience.

Valthur stumbles silently from the boat and helps make camp in the foggy cover. "Azarr Kul," he mumbles to himself. The name sounds familiar, but in his wounded, exhausted state he isn't certain and eventually convinces himself it's just his imagination.

Once camp is set, the dwarf falls asleep before his head even touches the ground.


OOC: Valthur will take whatever watch others decide for him.

As Valthur sleeps, the name Azarr Kul tosses and turns in his head. Eventually a hazy memory of Aldara's hobgoblin interrogation passes through the front of his memory.

"Zarr. Uth-lar...but in Kulkor Kul, Azarr! He big boss. Everyone know that," the hobgoblin says somewhat incredulously in response to Aldara's questions about other friends.


Then the battle at Vraath Keep floats to front and center. Specifically, the exclamation of the robed coward bugbear before he fled from the battle with a potion of flight.

The bugbear throws its head back and laughs hideously while drawing a potion from a pelt pouch. [Language unknown:  M! Werbe ss mi he ivalntse unsi fiset uretsi. Metena Elon eiei ee mickno...utlo Oveac k Moncfo t int!]
Quaffing the potion, the bugbear takes to flight and streaks across the sky toward the north.


Then as quick as they appear, the memories fade and Valthur returns to a deep sleep.

OOC: Valthur will relay his dreams to everyone in the morning after he wakes... which could be a while because he's really tired.

The Sister took first watch as the others lay down to rest.  She was tired, too, but wanted to see whether the denizens of the lake put forth a full scale search for them before she turned in.  There was also a lot to think about.

They no longer had the element of surprise and the numbers against them were overwhelming.  And then there was the lake itself.  Even with the boats, they'd been no proof against nearly drowning.

With no clear path before her, she prayed for inspiration as she waited for the sun to rise and the mists to burn away.

Aldara paid only enough attention to dragon lore to "get by" in her training, resolving to pick things up if necessary, on the road.  As she readies herself for rest, she does some searching...and regrets not paying attention in class!

09:13, Today: Aldara rolled 6 using 1d20 ((6)).
Intelligence check, just seeing if there's anything meaningful that Aldara can contribute to the discussion.

After pulling their reed canoe oneto shore and covering it with vegetation, the adventurers hunker down in a densely wooded patch of thorny shrubs a short distance from the lake. They, they ponder all that has transpired since trekking north to this desolate land.

Valthur has the right of it. The party first heard that name uttered by the fleeing bugbear sorceror, Wyrmlord Koth, at the Battle of Vraath Keep. For her part, Aldara focuses her mind on anything she may have learned in her past studies that might prove useful. Then, she stumbles upon a memory of a passage glimpsed through some moldering tome which she may not have found particular noteworthy the time.

Kul is the name of a powerful hongoblin tribe ranging throughout the Wyrmsmoke Mountains. Unlike many of their kind who revere gods and goddesses in their own image, the Kul's have long taken to paying supreme homage to Tiamat, the Five-Headed Dragon Goddess of Envy, Greed and Tyranny.

Fog hangs like a wet sheet over the wetlands well into the mid afternoon, eventually burning off as the blazing sun arcs overhead. Stinging insects buzz about incessantly and all are soaked through in their own sweat and quite uncomfortable.

OOC: Let's assume the party has now rested.

Aldara communicates what she knows.  If anything, it just adds even more urgency to things...

"I don't think we should risk the lake again without cover," Eoni said, shaking her head.  She'd already shrugged out of her padded jacket but the heat was still oppressive.  "They'll be looking for us and we know what happens when we lose the boat.

"If we wait until the mist comes again in the early morning, it will be harder for them to spot us coming and going.  Our problem will be finding the building in the mist ourselves."

Valthur sleeps through the night, snoring and tossing on occasion in a futile quest for true comfort among the heat, his wounds, and the ever present swarm of insects. While not exactly refreshed in the morning, he feels better and takes heart seeing his wounds starting to mend.

"Maybe the same fish that helped us out of the water yesterday can guide our boats through the mist," Valthur suggests to Eoni. "Once we're on land, we can take care of whatever rabble is assembled over there, can't we Marklin."

22:45, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d3+6 with rolls of 1.  Hit Points regained overnight (hopefully?).

From house rules: Hit Points Regained from Resting: Characters heal 1d3 + level + Constitution bonus hit points/day.

"Unfortunately," the Sister admitted, "the fish were a one time blessing, thanks to Sarah's scroll.

"That's why I'd prefer not to test our luck again without some advantage."

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 8 using 1d3+5 with rolls of 3.  Day's rest.

Taerix sits quietly, unable to add anything constructive to the discussion.

20:41, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 7 using 1d3+5 with rolls of 2.  healing.

Sarah looks up; at the sky, at the building, at the horizon.

"Could . . . could we fly there?"

"Would that I could grant us the power..." Aldara follows Sarah's eyes.  "What advantages I can grant at present are charms and phantasms."

Sarah seems reluctant to talk, and stares toward the ground at nothing in particular.  "But if we could . . . ?" She inquires, softly and with hesitation.

"Flying would make it much easier," Eoni agreed with the girl, "but barring the appearance of the Tiri Kitor, we're stuck with the boats.

"Rest and try to dry out," she said, checking her padded jacket draped over a bush.  It wasn't drying much at all.  "We'll wait until the mists just begin to appear and set out.  Hopefully, we'll get close enough to the building before we lose sight of it.

"I expect our departure will be much easier as we'll just have to paddle away from whatever hornets nest we stir up.

"And then try not to land in the village," she added as a notable objective.

"Aldara," she asked, changing the subject.  "I've seen you summon creatures that look and sound real.  Do you think that was a real dragon?"

Sarah looks at the ground sheepishly and scratches a meaningless pattern in the soil with her foot.

She sighs, and gets out her pack.

She rummages around, and pulls out three vials of yellowish liquid.

"I don' know if there's enough, though," she whispers, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

The Sister stared at the girl, open mouthed and speechless.  Then turned to see what the sorceress had to say about this remarkable revelation.  Could Sarah have really produced something that could fly them across the lake?

After a brief examination of the proffered potions, Aldara recognizes all three to be potions of flying!

Theoretically, the three potions might be enough to allow the entire party to fly across the lake, if each member only drank half shares. However, this would certainly have some effect on the duration each member would be able to fly.

"Then that would make our lives much easier..." Aldara replies to Sarah.  Regarding the dragon, "I think it was real... And even if that dragon was an illusion, it's convincing enough that we should be careful.  It's just hearsay, but I've heard of mages powerful enough to make their illusions reality."

She looks over the potions, and when it dawns on her what they are, she cries out in excitement and throws her arms around Sarah.  "Bless you, Sarah!  Bless you, bless you, bless you!" She explains to the others, "It's just a theory, but if we each took a half a dose, we might be able to all fly -- but possibly lower, or for less time than normal."

Sarah is plainly surprised (or is it embarrassmed?) by the attention (or is it the physical contact?) but she tolerates it.  However, when Aldara's hug is over, Sarah shrinks back a little, out of the limelight, as Aldara addresses the others.

"How long would it last?" Eoni asked the sorceress, trying to determine the best use of Sarah's surprise contribution.

"If we could still sneak in, it would be an ideal exit plan.  Even if we were attacked in the boat, we could still drink them before it sank and get the rest of the way there."

"Around an hour...?  Normally."

"We don't know how long we'll be there," the Sister said, "but I think we should be able to fly in and out in under an hour.  Hopefully.

"I think we'll be depending more on speed than sneaking around.  Once they know we're there, we're going to have to move fast to find what we're looking for and get out."

She looked at the vials again and stopped herself from wondering why the girl had them.  Or where she got them.

"What do you think?" she asked, looking around at the others.  "Fly in with the mist, see what we can discover about this evil, stomp it out if we can, and then fly back out before the magic wears off."

Valthur chuckles at the bashful thief and shakes his head in disbelief."Well, Missy, you're never short of surprises, are you. Well done."


"In and out," Valthur concurs, perhaps a bit overconfident with the discovery that he won't have to risk drowning in a murky sea of lizardfolk again. "They'll never know what hit 'em!"

 Marklin rubbed his chin in thought a moment. " Aye, it be worth a go. Beats sitting here like toadstools."

"In for a penny, in for a pound, I think is how it goes. Sure, let's try it."

Valthur's ill advised sense of confidence grows even further with his friends' approvals. "Aye," he crows. "Hobgoblins? Bah. Lizardfolk? They'll be scared out of their scaly skins when they see us come flying at 'em!"

The adventurers rest for much of the day while keeping steady watch rotations to remain alert to their surroundings. Over the course of the day they discuss their plan: divide the three potions between the party and then, fly out to the center of the lake to do some reconnaissance in the wee hours before dawn.

Of course, there are some complications to the plan. Nobody is totally certain how long the potions of flying will last and, equally as important, only Valthur can see very well at night given his dwarven ancestry. The rest of the party will essentially be flying blind. Hopefully the hobgoblins will have another bonfire blazing...

Day passes to night and soon the swamp is alive with the sound of strange creatures all around. Then, the time to set out is upon the adventurers. They each quaff their dose of potion and soon feel its effects. Their bodies become lighter than air and they are soon bounding off into the night!

Soaring above the wetlands the heroes zip across the skies. In the distance, a few torches burn at the center of the lake. Flying in closer now, the party executes a few sweeping orbits around the stone structure at the center of the lake, to test the waters so to speak.

As of yet, they have not alerted the enemies to their presence. There are certainly guards about, but either they are not expecting trouble from the sky or they are too inattentive to notice. In any event, the adventurers observe the following:

The remnants of Rhest's Town Hall consist of a large central vaguely T-shaped structure, about 50 feet x 60 feet in area. The roof of this building is partially collapsed, exposing its rooms to the sky above. A wooden walkway surrounds this central structure and leads to a nearby low ruin surrounded by a wooden fence.

Two stairways lead down from a platform atop the roof. Here, a group of four ogres laze atop the roof, either watching the lake for intruders, sleeping or eating. All four seem to pass between bouts of each quite frequently. Additionally, the party notices several barrels filled with javelins atop the roof.

While flying overhead, high above the partially collapsed roof, Valthur notices what looks like a black dragon's tail within the remnants of the ruined central building. He notices this through a large hole in the roof that seems to penetrate into the building's lower chambers. The hole is certainly large enough for a dragon to enter and exit the building. Though Valthur can see into this portion of the building through the partially collapsed building, other portions cannot be viewed from the sky.

Finally, a one-story building with a flat roof that has almost entirely collapsed lies just south of the large central building. A section to the east remains intact, forming a narrow mossy platform above the water. The remaining walls stand about a half-foot above the water level, creating an L-shaped enclosure. The entire area has been reinforced with a fence of logs and branches lashed together with ropes, extending the ruined walls of the building up by another ten feet. At the west end of the enclosure lies a large heap of mud and rotting plants. The only easy way inside seem to be a gate in the northeast corner, near a floating bridge that leads back to the boardwalk that surrounds the larger building. Inside this enclosure, the party sees a large Greenspawn Razorfiend resting near a collection of nearly thirty 1-foot in diameter razorfiend eggs!

The party does not see any lizardfolk about at the moment.

Eoni motioned for the others to back off so they could confer to the south of the pen.  It was very strange to hover high above the water without having to even flap their arms.

"I saw four ogres and one of those things that killed the horses," she whispered as they put their heads together.  "Does that sound right?

"I don't think we can take those ogres without drawing attention to us.  Wasn't there also one of those two headed creatures last night as well?

"There will be more inside."

"And I saw the cursed black dragon resting in the main building. I bet that's the great weapon from the nine hells that ol' what's her face sent us here to look for."

Sarah seemed to enjoy the thrill of flying.  So much so, she barely noticed anything on their recon mission.

Regarding the ogres, Aldara the Peerless Tactician says, "Maybe we could create some distractions?  Fires in every direction, to scatter our foes, and then pick off the bigger threats like the ogres and horse-killers first?  And if any of us have oil, we could also use that -- burn their structures while their backs are turned?" She does not even seem to be considering the prospect of prisoners.

Taerix heard about the razorfiend and the dragon and the ogres along with the lizardmen and said, "I wonder if it's not time to go back and get some help, now that we know what's here?"

Eoni tended to aree with Taerix.  She hadn't seen the dragon, but trusted Valthur's overwhelming addition to their obstacles.

However, Aldara had a good idea about a distraction.  "We don't need to fight the dragon, or kill the ogres.  What we really need to accomplish is to find out what this weapon is the Eth Speaker spoke of.

"Those eggs down there," she said, pointing back towards the pen.  "What do you think would happen if a few of them ended up with the ogres and that gate was open?"

"Egg scrambles, or contact sports..." Aldara muses.  "Either way, a very unhappy, intelligent, rest of the group."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Wed 29 Aug 2018.

Sarah's attention turned to the eggs.  "How heavy d'ya think they are?"

"Maybe ten to fifteen pounds," Eoni guessed.  "Even one might be enough to get mamma mad.

"Someone to make the ogres look away," she thought out loud, ticking off her fingers.  "Someone to make the acid beast look away.  One to grab an egg or two, and someone to open the gate."  She'd reached four fingers.

"That leaves two to cover in case anything went wrong."

It was hard to tell in this darkness if any of them were nodding in agreement, but she added her last idea, anyway.  "And if the dragon comes out," she said, taking a deep breath.  "I'll try to lure it away while the rest of you search the building."

_{edit: colorized text.}
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Thu 30 Aug 2018.

"Are you saying we distract that acid belching behemoth in the pen, then steal some of her eggs and deliver them to those sleeping ogres? That's absolutely insane!"

A slow grin creeps over Valthur's face. "But I like it. Do you think we can actually get them to fight each other?"

"It depends on how possessive she is about her eggs," the Sister replied.  "From our own experience, I certainly don't think she's tame.

"Anyone want to volunteer for a job?" she asked, holding up her four fingered task list.  "And remember, a distraction is more like making weird bird noises in the dark, not shouting at them to look at you.

"We want to be fast and conserve our strength.  Try and let them do all the work."

"I'll open the gate," Valthur volunteers, then motions toward Sarah. "Sure, Missy over there could probably do it silently, but I figure we're better off with her sneaking out the eggs."

Sarah looks apprehensive, and her eyes grow wide -- but she nods.

[Private to DM Pawn: OOC: I don't know who has that potion of frost giant strength -- but acquire it.  In case the eggs are too heavy for Sarah.]

"Where do ye want me stupid face?" He asked the Captain.