If she hasn't fallen asleep waiting, Alietra is still poised in the front, ready to scout the entrance.

Pock positions himself near Brodd, trying to keep a solid angle to hit any oncoming goblins from.

"Let's see how that new armor holds up," Einhard jested with the dwarf as he took his place at the front. The knight clenched his shield down on his forearm and adjusted his grip on his sword. "Lead on, trusty scout," he called to Alietra.

The trusty non-thief type scout leads on, as requested.

[Creston, Jarvak, and Amalrik, please state your positions in line or we'll assume you're guarding the campsite.]

Further up the trail, along the hills and gullies, you see a man in a cleric's tunic approaching the encampment.

"From your temple? asks Durek, turning to look at Brother Brodd.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:19, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

In reply to Durek Stoneshield (msg # 13):

Brodd looks up and tries to get a good view, "I'm not sure, maybe I'll be able to tell when he gets closer."

Manaku looks up as well. He doesn't expect to see a familiar face this far from his homelands, but you never know... "A new ally, perhaps?"

"Well surely the gods are against our incursions, will we never get moving?"

That is the cleaned up version of what Alietra had to say actually, but luckily it was too herself, which was good, she would have been embarrassed to have Brother Brodd and the others hear that kind of language come from her mouth.

At this point she is seriously considering changing back in to her jammies and going back to bed. Maybe next month we could get started...

[rehashing the scene for the newcomers]

The party lines up, ready to climb the steps that make up the "laces" in the sandal of the humongous stone foot that was once the base for a colossal statue. The statue once overlooks these cliffs, and you gather the colossus served as a beacon and a tourist attraction for what was once a thriving city. Now nearly all traces are gone except for the village of Caywick and hour's hike away. Once at the top, a shaft with a spiral stairway once presumably trailed up the the top of the statue and down underneath the base, but now, obviously, it only descends into the earth where goblinoids and, as legends tell, a dragon, took over the infrastructure built into the cliffs.

Alietra careful creeps forward and peers down into the entrance as best she can.

The traveler in the cleric's robe finally arrives at the border of the camp. It's obvious now that his robe and holy symbol are from same order as Brother Brodd.

In reply to DM (msg # 19):

Brodd waits a moment to greet the newcomer. "Welcome brother, I am Brother Brodd, how may we call you? We are in the middle of wiping out an infestation of goblins. Will you await us or join us?"

Heading back to the party, Alietra clearly has given up on stealth today.

"With all this yelling, they have to know we are coming now. You armored types go first, I'll hang back with the archers for now."

"If you say so, lass," replies Durek, shrugging apologetically, "But we'll need your skills once we get inside".

The sturdy dwarf moves ahead a little before turning to look back...he waits patiently for the others to follow.

Dwarghar makes his way back to the coin machine or wherever he’s stopped before then.

"Greetings, Brother," the tall man said, the tabard he wore over his mail displaying the solar livery of the Unified Faith. "I'm Paxton.  I heard you could use a hand."  He didn't smile, but nodded towards the entrance to the dangers below.  "I've come to help, not watch," he replied sardonically.

At Alietra's entreaty, he unlimbered his shield and readied himself, drawing a stout mace in his weapon hand.

"Do we have a source of light?  I brought a lantern," he offered.

"If Alietra is done with it, I can go and scout ahead. Darkness doesn't bother me. I can see as much as the goblins, I think." Manaku offers and with that moves forward and starts ascending the stairs. "We've waited long enough." He doesn't look back if the others follow or not. "If you see me running back in haste, prepare your weapons!"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

Dwarghar continues in the dark humming a jaunty tune.

"Ah, if seeing in the dark is important, I suppose I should step ahead with you, friend." Pock, regretting his pointing out this capability of his people, trotted forward to move some distance behind Manaku. He waved briefly to his friend Brodd as he stepped forward, and drew his minuscule bow in case he had to cover the elf.

"The dark holds no fears for we Dwarves," says Durek, happy to at last be setting off.

He follows after the Moon Elf, battle axe resting on his broad shoulder.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:30, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Shaking her head with a wry grin as the men measure and compare their peepee's, Alietra doesn't find reason to remind them that goblins see just fine in the dark as well. Having lost any chance of surprise however, she was happy putting metal armor between her and their steel.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:57, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Brodd moves alongside Alietra behind his friend Pock. Warhammer ready.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:57, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Paxton fell in, taking up an empty spot near the front.  He had his mace ready for smiting.