Getting to the top of the cliffs is work, but not particularly dangerous.  There are just enough ledges sticking out that one can almost walk up the cliff.  At the top of the cliff, nearly the whole island is laid out in view.  The rain coming in thick across the island reduces visibility to a few hundred feet.  The highest and most forbidding hills are westward, running the entire length of the island from North to South.  Northward is broken terrain, passable but not easy going, while eastward the terrain seems to flatten out a little bit. However, since it's still hilly and broken even in that direction, nobody can see any sign of shelter or a human community in any direction.

There's not much green to be seen, except for some common, practically indestructible scrub growth, the island seems to be totally lifeless.

Retying the strip of cloth around the bolts so that all three are together, he sets to work making the other two improvised knives.

Kerkin looks at the rainwater running downhill.  "We should follow the wader.  If there's a village, they be near a stream."

ooc: kind of a foreboding thread title, isn't it?

(Nah.  Randomly selected from a title generator...  ;)  )

Water doesn't pool very well on islands such as this.  It does appear that the West end of the island has the highest elevation as it slopes down to the East.

In reply to Man in Black (msg # 4):

Lam looks about and sighs turning to the group Not much here to work with.  Northward may the best chance for cover with it's broken terrain.  If this place i civilized then Eastward for the best chance to grow crops and such.

Turns to Kirk True Kirkrin most settlements are found near a constant water supply but well if we go North-Westward we could find cover then start to search out for food and stuff.   Looks up,  in the mean time, looks up and opens his mouth to get a mouthful of water take in as much fresh water as we can from the rain somehow to avoid dehydration.

Once getting a little rain to wash down, LAm picks up his chunk of wood and hefts it OK, any direction is better then standing here, we all ready to move out?  Say Northward westward?

Melisana climbs up to join the others.  She shivers as she looks out over the island.  "I know a fair amount about the Archipelago, but this island is unknown to me."  Her eyes look off in the direction mentioned by Lam.  "Maybe not West.  It looks like it might be too much to climb in this weather."

Not much wood for burning.  There may be birds here and there, but we may end up having to fish.  Deniv looks in the directions indicated.  My father would be a lot more savvy about this.  He used to be an adventurer before taking over the tavern.  Whatever we do, we need to get moving so we can warm up.

In reply to Daniv Jensen (msg # 7):

Loos to Melisana OK, we go NorthEast  turns to the rest, Shall we get going and starts to move out NorthEast ward.

Rebeccah is huffing as she finally reaches the top.  "I'm not used to this kind of exercise," she remarks after a few deep breaths.  "Whichever direction is on the down slope is good for me."

She approaches the one other woman in the group and offers to share the cloak.  "Melisana, this cloak is plenty big.  We can wrap it around both our shoulders to help stay warm."

Jory hears the discussion and decides to follow Lam Durus to the North East.
"Let's all look for holes in the ground, and hidden caves or other places where we may find shelter."

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 10):

Smiling to brighten up the group as they set out, Great, spread out some but keep in pairs best we can, curts to the ladies, want to take middle section while the rest of spread out some, not too far apart but enough so nothing gets more then one or two of us at a time so we can react better.   then moves out I'll take lead or point or what ever it is called,  someone keep an eye on the back as we go too.

Daniv watches the ground as he walks, holding his pair of make-shift knives as he searches for some kind of shelter within the rocks.  Somehow, it seems a foolish idea, a hole in the ground, in the rain.  Perhaps the group of them could have found a way to pull the remains of the ship further ashore.  Most likely not, but it may have been worth consideration.  Except he cannot think of a way it could have been done.  Not without a tree or something of equal size they could use as a lever.

Tath allowed the others move past. After the group was past he took one last look out toward the wreck and then followed the others.

Melisana thanks Rebeccah and gratefully wraps half the cloak around her.

The group of castaways moves northeast across the rough terrain.  For the next hour, the icy rain pelts them, numbing fingers and toes.

While walking along in the depression between two large hills, they become aware of a noise, a very faint noise, like grunting voices and steel clanging on steel, barely audible over the noise of the rain and the wind. It seems to be coming from beyond the hill to your left.

In reply to Man in Black (msg # 15):

Raising his hand for all to stop, Lam turns to the group, Sounds like a battle.  Looks toward the sounds then back to the group, At least we know there are human or humanoids here but I suggest we move along and try to find cover unless someone wants to check out the sounds? looks to each, I suggest though we stay together no matter what. then points toward the sound of battle  that way or and points to the way the have been traveling we keep going this way and find cover.

Deniv moves up to Lam.  Stay here and let me go look.  We should at least know who our neighbors are.  I'm small and can hide pretty well.
He doesn't wait for anyone to respond.  Moving quickly, he scrambles up the hill, keeping low to the ground.  Gor once, he is glad for the rain.  Any mud will help to camouflage him, while the sound of the rain, and the battle itself, should keep him from being noticed.  He flattens himself to the ground and lays his head sideways to lower his profile as he peeks with one eye at the scene before him.

Below Daniv, there's a ravine separating this line of hills from the next ridge. And there's a battle going on down there.  It looks like a dozen goblins and half a dozen orcs going at it pretty fiercely. The goblins are fighting with bows and spears; the orcs have axes and polearms, and one of them appears to have armor, too. Most of the fighters don't have any sort of armor, but all of them have cloaks.  About 50 feet behind the line of orcs there's someone lying in the ravine. It looks like a human man, a white-bearded old man wearing tattered robes. He's lying down, twisted over to watch the fight; his arms are behind his back and look as though they've been tied.

Deniv scrambles back down to his companions quietly.  Once there, he explains what he had seen.
From the hill, they could be picked off with the crossbow.  Especially if we could surround them.  They have cloaks and weapons, but I didn't see any armor except on one.
 My guess is they plan to eat the old man.  If we do anything, we have to hurry before the fight is over.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:46, Fri 27 Oct 2017.

"Be ya daft? Tha handful of us rabble agin nigh a score of orcs and goblins?  I say we wait til they have kilt each other off. Then we think, we think about taking on what's left.  Only a fool would go in outhanded three ta one Kerkrin spouts out in a whispered rush.  "We gots one sword, that I bet he ain't never swung afore, and a crossbow that I ain't touched since I grew ma bread and left my Da.  I wanna their kind dead as much as the next guy, but it ain't gonna help nobody if we's like right along 'em.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:20, Fri 27 Oct 2017.

Tath listens to the group as they discuss the problem, he then eases off up the slope intent on taking a look. As he gets close to the top he lays down and crawls the last couple of yard before peeking over to check things out.

From the very top of the hill, the hill drops about 60 feet down the slope for about 150 feet.  Most of the rocky and boulder strewn hill drops only about 30 feet over the same distance.  The old man is tied up about 50 feet away from the battle behind the goblins.

Jory says: "We can't leave that old man to the orcs, they'll do horrible things to him.
So let's take our chances. Kerkrin, this is your chance to show how well you're able to handle
that crossbow I handed over to you. Go get them and if they scramble up the slope, I'll hack them with the sword so that they're falling back down again."

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 23):

once Lam digests the news he interjects softly, OK, good idea to hit them once they are done fighting or right about near the end.  If we can scramble to them and grab some of their better weapons we may have a chance against the remaining one.   Sighs as he sees Tath move off, I hope Tath gets a good picture for we need to know the terrain better to sneak up on them as best we can.

Grunts and Smacks his head with the palm of his hand then chuckles The old guys is behind the fighting why not try to rescue him while the goblins and orcs fight, maybe he knows a quick way out of here?

Jory looks at Lam Durus with utter incomprehension. Sneak up on them? Jory feared that Lam had gone mad.

He answered: "That steep slope is working in our advantage. We don't want to come close to them, for they'll kill us then. We need to stay up here, then we can pick them off one by one with the crossbow!!!!"

Rebeccah joins them on the ridge.  She crouches behind a boulder to avoid being seen by the monsters  "There are too many to take on with one crossbow.  What if they all decide to stop their fight to come after us.  I want to save that poor man, too, but we need a bigger advantage in case one side wins big.  Some of them have bows, too."

Jory scrambles to a spot next to Rebecca on top of the hill and answers:"There are too many now? Let's just wait for half of those goblins and orcs to be killed by the others.

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 27):

Carefully moving up to the hill next to Jory and Rebeccah, Lam quietly speaks, now this gives us a better view of things and I see what we are up against,

Yes, Rebeccah and Jory, we should wait till the battle is done or just about done.  The Orcs look to have captured that old man and the goblins want him so we know there are other humans about. A good sign civilization can be found.

Shaking his head in agreement  Now, yes shooting the crossbow at the remaining Orcs/Goblins can be effective but only if we hit them and do not run out of bolts.

 hhmm

From up here, true we stand a better chance of holding them off if they charge up at us. I see more likely the surviving side will try to grab the old man and run for it since we are not confronting them directly and they could escape us.

Lam looks to Rebeccah, you bet I also want to rescue that old man and depending on how many are left will decide our strategy.

So maybe, shoot the crossbow and the rest of us can throw rocks down on any that come in range to do that. Then two try to rescue the old man while the rest of us spread out down the slope to attack the few remaining ones one the bolts run out or they look to run. We have to show enough force that they do not just try to grab the old guy and run for it.  I am not sure we should let any survive to run for it.

Looks to where Tath is then to Jory I will go get the remain group up here to be ready, this battle may not ast too much longer and we need to be in position to react quickly?

Lam, will sneak back down and get the rest of the group to sneak up to near the edge to be ready to react per any plan decided upon.

Tell us the right places to be and the easiest way to start a rockslide on them if and when they try to come up,
Master dwarf, Deniv says.  I can sneak down and free the old man.  He holds up one of the knives he made.

Jory thinks for a moment, then says whispering: "Can you direct a rockslide in such a way that the old man isn't hit by it?"

the dwarf looks at the hills.  "Might work, been rainin' anough." He points to the two strongest looking folk and says "Come wit me, and da rest of ya get down from dere bafore dey see yer warm heads. "  He starts towards the ridge, pausing, touching the ground, then moving a little further, all the while mumbling to himself in dwarven, repeating the process until he finds what he's looking for.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:56, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

Deniv begins moving around the hill to locate a way he can get to the old man to fee his from his bonds.

Jory is very strong, which means he can help with the rockslide.
He follows Kerkrin and helps him to do whatever he's doing.

(Everyone pushing boulders, roll 1d6.  Use your 'open doors' stat under Strength.  If you don't have a PHB, just post your roll.)

Kerkrin's dwarven high for stone gives him a good idea of the feasibility of a rockslide succeeding.  The old man should be far enough away to avoid getting caught in it.

Jory pushes hard against the rock.

OOC: 11:36, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled 16 using 1d20.  Open Doors OD 12, rock slide, must be a d20 roll I think.

Nope, roll 1d6.

12:12, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled 5 using 1d6.  Open doors 1d6 as GM stated.

Tath follows along with Kerkin's group taking a spot near the rocks as instructed. When the signal is given Tath pushes hard on the rock.

08:36, Today: Tath rolled 4 using 1d6.  OD.

In reply to Tath (msg # 38):

Whispers, Rockslide, what a great idea smiling.

Lam also follows Kerkrin pushing on the area of rocks he is directed to push on.

14:30, Today: Lam Durus rolled 3 using 1d6.  Rock Slide.

The dwarf gives one of the stones a sharp twist, loosing it from its resting place.  "Come on ya knobs, push."

ooc: 18:41, Today: Kerkrin rolled 1 using 1d6. OD vs 1-2.

STR  8-13 1-2
STR 14-18 1-3

Rebeccah looks for one a little smaller and looser to give her a chance of even budging one.  The only thing she managed to do was slide herself backwards.

03:37, Today: Rebeccah rolled 5 using 1d6.  pushing rocks.

(Thanks for throwing in the proper info for others, Kerkrin.)

Kerkrin and Lam are able to get their chosen boulder so budge and start rolling down the hillside.  They pick up steam as they roll.  One runs into a goblin archer, bringing him down into the ravine with the boulder.  The other boulder smashes into an orc at the bottom, leaving a broken, bloody mess.

(I'm going to work this into combat rounds.  I'm out of time right now, so I'll finish updating later this afternoon.)

In reply to Man in Black (msg # 42):

OOC - No problem, I await next rounds call for actions as rolling boulders down into the ravine does take time :)

Seeing the success from the first boulders, Lam looks to Kerkrin for another boulder to try to push down.   Kerkrin, point to another boulder for me to push down, we got to keep this up and take out as many as we can.  and moves to the boulder Kerkern  pointed to and  as he does he looks to Rebeccah and Tath maybe the two of you can push on boulder at the same time that might be more successful?

The front line of three orcs clash with five spear wielding goblins.  Two of the goblins are cut down.  One of the goblins gets his spear in to jab an orc, doing minor damage.  An orc in the back row throws a dagger that nicks one of the archers.  The goblin archers loose their arrows.  The two orcs in the back throwing daggers at the archers go down with arrows in them.  The orc leader takes an arrow, but he remains standing.

Then the rocks start landing.  A goblin archer on the near slope is crushed.  An orc on the front line catches one of the boulders in the skull.


(New actions!)

Deniv continues to move towards the trussed up old man.  As soon as he gets close enough, he will gently tap on him to see if he is conscious and warn him to be silent.  He will then use one of the broadhead knives to cut the man's bonds.
If he sees any, he will also grab thrown daggers from the ground near them.

Jory tries to find another boulder which can be dislodged so that it rolls down the Hill to the orcs.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Fri 03 Nov 2017.

Tath continued struggle with the boulder attempting to loosen it and get it rolling.

OOC: 13:08, Today: Tath rolled 6 using 1d6.  Open Door. Blaming it on the mud, yep has to be the mud.

In reply to Tath (msg # 47):

Lam moved to another boulder to roll down but like Tath, he must have slipped on the mud and lost his grip as the boulder did not budge.

23:42, Today: Lam Durus rolled 5 using 1d6.  boulder roller.

Rebeccah puts her back to the boulder and pushes for all she's worth.  Her bare feet slid ineffectively on the soaking wet ground.  This wasn't going to work.  She had to rethink this.  Then she remembered something.  "Toss me the crossbow, Kerkrin.  That has to be easier for me than pushing rocks."

02:32, Today: Rebeccah rolled 6 using 1d6 ((6)).

Kerkrin raises an eyebrow at the lass' request, but he complies.  "Ya don't toss a crossbow, lass.". He hands her the heavy crossbow."May Moradin guide yer aim." he adds as he struggles and fails to loose another boulder.

heavy crossbow, 1 bolt every other round, take one round to cock it. 1d4+1 damage.

The orcs and goblins continue their fierce battle in spite of the newcomers throwing boulders at them.  Each side brings down three of the other.  The remaining archers aim their bows up the slope.  Arrows hit the boulders sheltering the party.  Daniv is able to get up to the old man without any of the combatants spotting him.  He works to free the old man.


(New actions!)
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:57, Sun 05 Nov 2017.

_{Are you awake, old fella?}  His whispering voice comes as he begins cutting at the man's bonds; first his hands, then his feet.

Kerkrin continues to struggle with the boulder.

22:41, Today: Kerkrin rolled 3 using 1d6.

Jory has found a suitable boulder and tries to roll it down the hill.

OOC: 09:46, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled 3 using 1d6.  roll boulder.
Strength 18/30

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 54):

Lam tries another boulder but fails yet again, sighing he takes a moment to rest eyeing up the boulder for a weak spot thinking dang this boulder will not be the death of me but of my enemy.

18:50, Today: Lam Durus rolled 5 using 1d6.  boulder roller.

The orc leader brings down a goblin with a mighty swing of his bardiche.

Jory gets another boulder rolling down hill that hits the last archer on this slope, turning him into goblin putty.  Daniv and the old man run back up the hill.

The last two goblins put their spears to bear on the orc leader.  They both manage to get to his flanks and take him down.  The last goblin archer fires again into the boulders.  An arrow shatters on a boulder in front of Kerkrin.

(New actions!)

As he stumbles over the rocky slope, Deniv tries to lead the old man out of the line of fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Thu 16 Nov 2017.

In reply to Daniv Jensen (msg # 57):

After giving yet another heave hoe to a boulder, Lam gives up and hunkers down a moment huffing and puffing.   There are less of them now, maybe that crossbow could work?

17:47, Today: Lam Durus rolled 5 using 1d6.  boulder roller.

"Working on it!" Rebeccah exclaims as she fumbles to get it loaded and ready to fire.  Once it's primed, she leans out from the cover of the boulder and aims in on the goblin archer.

03:11, Today: Rebeccah rolled 6 using 1d20 ((6)).

Jory again tries to roll a boulder down the hill, but he's too cold and tired to achieve anything.


15:21, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled 6 using 1d6.  roll boulder.

As everyone struggles with the boulders, the goblins start to march uphill.  Rebeccah fires the crossbow, but finds it more difficult to use than it looked.  The goblin archer fires up the hill.  He hits Rebeccah in the chest.  The young woman collapses to the ground.


(New actions!)




06:03, Today: Man in Black, on behalf of Kerkrin, rolled 5 using 1d6 ((5)).

Seeing the goblins moving up the hill and Rebeccah being hit by an arrow Tath plants his feet and heaves at the bolder.

08:22, Today: Tath rolled 3 using 1d6.  Open Door Check.

Seeing Rebeccah take an arrow to her chest, Deniv nearly cries out.  But, he instead chooses to move to one of the orc bodies to find a dagger or other two.  If necessary, he will run over to the goblin bodies to do the same.
Once he has his commandeered daggers, he climbs his way up the hill to go after the closest goblin by attempting to stab him in the back.  Unfortunately, between his injury and the stress of the situation, his strike goes short and wide.

18:54, Today: Daniv Jensen rolled 6 using 1d20.  Dagger strike.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Thu 09 Nov 2017.

Kerkrin moves quickly to Rebeccah's side, using her cloak to staunch the bleeding and trying to keep her awake. His voice is low, speaking dwarven, with the occasional injection in common to the girl to keep her attention.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:53, Thu 09 Nov 2017.

Behind the boulder, which he didn't get to move in the previous round,
Jory picks up the broadsword of the pirate and gets ready to attack the goblin as soon as they get near.
He'll jump sideways out of hiding when he hears them getting close, and then moves towards the closest one, hoping to surprise him with a nasty swing of the broadsword.

OOC: Surprise attack with broadsword: Strength 18/30 gives +1 to hit, +3 to damage.
not proficient with broadsword: -4 to hit
16:25, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled 9 using 2d4+3.  damage with broadsword.
16:25, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled -2 using 1d20-3.  To hit roll with broadsword, +1 -4.

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 65):

Desperate now with Rebeccah hit and down, Lam tries one more time to push the boulder down upon the Goblins but alas to his disappointment the boulder did not budge.

18:18, Today: Lam Durus rolled 5 using 1d6.  boulder rolller.


Laying there a moment more, Lam prepares to jump out at the goblins with his improvised cub.

(Daniv, the goblin archer is on the other side of the ravine from the bodies.  You would be very obvious to the archer.)

Regardless of what Daniv does, the old man keeps moving up the hill to his rescuers.  The party push at the boulders, but nothing is moving.  Jory strikes out at an approaching goblin spearman, but his awkward swings miss.  Kerkrin does what he can for Rebeccah, but she is going to need a healer.  Edward steps up and staunches the wound.  Rebeccah is stable but still unconscious.

The goblins attack as they reach the top, but fail to hit either of their targets.  The archer fires an arrow at Lam that sails over his head.

(New actions!)
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:25, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

Jory was fighting with the broadsword against a goblin spear fighter.
He tried to gesture to one of the others to flank the goblin from behind, hoping for a distraction.
He swung his broadsword at the goblin in a good arc, hoping to do a lot of damage.

OOC: to hit 14 or 16, damage 8 to goblin spear fighter.
14:15, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled 8 using 2d4+3.  damage with broadsword.
14:14, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled 14 using 1d20-3.  To hit with broadsword, add +2 if flanking occurs.
Non proficiency penalty and strength bonuses have been included.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 13:19, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

Rebeccah moans as her companions work to save her life.

In reply to Rebeccah (msg # 69):

Sal, not much in the way of brute strength, moves to help his new friend Rebeccah.
Assessing the situation, not very good in the healing or faith department, either, he simply makes sure Rebeccah isn't pouring out blood.
"Hold still. I cant push boulders over, so you are stuck with me for now.  I do know dont pull the arrow out, unless you have a way to stop the bleeding.  It is better left in for now, until someone more qualified can check on you."

Looking around to see what everyone is doing, and find someone with an ounce of bandaging ability.
"Anyone, help!"

In reply to Sal Warth (msg # 70):

Lam rushes out to attack a Goblin that reached the top of the hill in an attempt to block them from reaching those helping Rebeccah but not being very experienced with swinging the large piece of wood he acquired from the wreckage intentionally at someone he missed so badly he splattered the ground beside him soaking all around him in mud.

Gah!!, Oh crud! Be gone little Gob!!

11:10, Today: Lam Durus rolled -2 using 1d20-4.  attack Goblin.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:17, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

When Edward takes over, Kerkrin scrambles for the crossbow, and starts cocking it.

Tath grabs the chain he had and moves to try and help Jory with one of the goblins.

18:24, Today: Tath rolled 11,1 using d20-4,d3.  Attack with chain.

(NPC)

With Rebeccah now stable, Edward grabs his makeshift club and swings at an approaching goblin's head.

03:12, Today: Man in Black, on behalf of Edward Desmond, rolled 3 using 1d6.  damage.
03:11, Today: Man in Black, on behalf of Edward Desmond, rolled 12 using 1d20.  to hit 12.

Jory atrikes with his broadsword, taking the head clean off the goblin's body.  Edward hits the other goblin upside the head, killing it.  The goblin archer decides dead companions and an old man aren't worth fighting for and turns to run.

As the final goblin turms to flee Deniv attempts to stab him.  However the nimble little creature is to quick for him, and it escapes.

OOC:  05:19, Today: Daniv Jensen rolled 7 using 1d20 ((7))

In reply to Daniv Jensen (msg # 76):

Searching back and forth for any remaining goblins, or anyone wounded.
"Is that all of them?  Everyone ok?"

Kerkrin stablized the crossbow on an boulder and lets a bolt fly at the fleeing goblin.

ooc;
16:32, Today: Kerkrin rolled 5 using 1d4+1. fleeing goblin.
16:32, Today: Kerkrin rolled 14 using 1d20-3. fleeing goblin.

+1 vs goblins, -4 NWP

Jory yells "Chakka!" in victory over the goblin and starts to search its pockets for food, drink or valuables.
"We should look around for the cave or shelter where these gobelins lived,  before they ran into the orcs!"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:11, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 79):

Lam sighs as the battle is over for now.  then Lam shouts, make sure to get me a weapon better then this piece of wood better yet, gather all the gear we can from the fallen Orcs an dGoblins, please, I'll check out the old man.

Lam, moves over to the old man, Sir, help us out here, where did you come from, how did the Orcs get you and are there other civilized areas and any shelter.

In reply to Lam Durus (msg # 80):

"Great  Everyone is ok, for the most part!"
Looking at Rebecca

Starting to search the goblin & orc bodies for a dagger, or some weapon and anything useful.

"I have been down and out before, but not owning a thing is really for the dogs!"
Lets search quickly and get out of here.  Don't want more Goblins or Orcs visiting us, unannounced!"

Despite his inability to strike the fleeing goblin and Rebeccah's injury, Deniv actually feels almost good about their victory.  He begins to collect weapons, cloaks, belts, equipment and supplies, and clothing from the orcs and goblins.  It may not be in the best condition, but at least the rain will help to make it a bit cleaner.
How is Rebeccah doing?  He himself is still injured, and he can feel his wound bleeding a bit from being reopened slightly.

(Nice!)

Kerkrin puts a bolt right between the goblin's shoulder blades.  It's dead before it hits the ground.

The old man grabs Lam's hand and shakes it vigorously.  "Thank you, oh thank you very much!

"My name — haven’t needed it in a long time — is Keestake, and you’re the first human faces I’ve seen in more years than I can remember. It’s true.  And you wouldn’t know it to look at me now, but in my day, in my day, I was personal
groom to himself — to Viledel, the Sea King. Yes, this is the Island of Viledel — you didn’t know that?

"But himself died when the pirates crushed the island, years and years ago, when my hair was still black and my face unlined. I didn’t fight on the day the pirates came, just hid in an overturned, ruined boat no one looked under, while the murdering and the burning went on day after day. And finally the pirates were all gone, and I’ve been here  alone since then.  Living in the house of the Sea King, protecting the treasure left behind — for the pirates never  found the real goods of Viledel, just some of the trinkets and baubles kept in the manor—and becoming tired and gray. How long has it been?

"The orcs came a few days ago. They captured me, and said the stories said that the treasure of the Sea King had never been found, which was true enough, I guess.  And they said I knew where it was, which was true, too, but I never told them so.

"The goblins came two days ago. The orc chief and the goblin chief talked, and the goblin chief said they were there to claim the island as their new stronghold, but the orc said they were there for the treasure too, and as soon as he said it the goblins wanted the goods, and there’s been war ever since.

"The orcs are all set up in the old soldiers’ barracks, and the goblins are all in the old stables, and the manor in the middle is where they hunt around for treasure and fight one another most of the time. But there’s another place, where they went once but leave alone now — the temple of the goddess. It’s on the far side of the hill overlooking the manor, and if you and your friends want to take shelter there, no one will bother with you."

Rebeccah is stable but unconscious.  The only thing to be done for her now is to keep her wound clean and some rest.

(I'll have a loot list for you all later on.)

In reply to Man in Black (msg # 83):

"Glad we stumbled on you, while you were still alive.  Goblins and Orc's can be slaughterous creatures."
Looking at Rebeccah, then to Lam. In a quiet tone.

"Lam, what do you think?  _{Do we trust him, and bring his with us?  It wouldn't be safe for him out here, alone, plus the more the merrier."}

In reply to Sal Warth (msg # 84):

Lam helps the old man up, Keestake is it, Lam is my name.   Island of Viledel interesting yea never heard of it but wow that is a tall tale to be told Sea king and all and softly chuckles always treasure to be had too. Smiles to shake any fear out of the old man.  No we have become stranded, the um ship we sailed upon ran aground on the shoal reefs just out beyond the island from this storm - and points somewhat in the direction - that way.  Lucky for you we came this way looking for shelter.

Ah, Orcs and Goblins after the same thing, nasty beasts.  Sighs, I hope they kill each other off before too long.  (Lam avoids mentioning Keestake hiding from the pirates.)

Listening to the description of the manor area.  True that would be a great place to take refuge for now at the temple of the goddess.  You can help guide us there right?

Looks up as the rest of the group return from looting.  Grins at Kerkrin great you got the last one so none got away.

This is Keestake, he has a place we can seek shelter at but we also have more Orcs and goblins on this island, the Island of Viledel (and recounts Keestake's tale).

As Lam picks at the loot looking for what he could use he whispers back to Sal,We have to trust him for now, but keep an eye on him too

I'll help carry Rebbecah,  Keestake you read to ead us to the temple of the goddess?

Keestake shakes his head in the affirmative with a near toothless grin.  "Yes, yes!  The goddess will welcome you, I think.  Orcs tried to loot it some days ago and angered her.  She's still angry.  Orcs won't bother us there."  The old man leads the group across the terrain, keeping a quick pace.  He sticks to old trails with scrub for cover as much as possible.  There is no doubt that there are more orc and goblin patrols on the island.  As the group emerges from a small copse of trees, Keestake says, "we're here."


(On to chapter 3!)

Kerkin takes two thin bladed daggers, that and the crossbow are enough of a handful.  "I'd rather be cold than ta wear a goblin's clothes."