The fight with the Lizard man was a victory that taught you both something.  The bounty hunters Cabo told you about were in fact Paladins, and they were working for a small group of Harpers in the area.  You still had to figure out what they were doing with the Lizard man, so Cabo suggested that the Lizard man had fallen for the same ruse, and tried to turn Bruno over to them when you stumbled upon them.

Kilgar was more pissed then any half-orc ever had to be that the Lizard got away.  He swore bloody vengeance upon the swamp that roasted chicken slept in that there would be a rematch.

After the fight there was a taking of the casualties.  2 for both sides.  Elly fallen victim to one of the Lizard's traps - a clever set of puff sacks each containing a dozzen or so green ants the size of a rat, and Cabo's apprentice was burned by the fury of Michaela's largest flame.  Worse, Bruno got away.

Reading the paladin's journal, Michaela is able to figure out that the amulet he worn was also somewhat resistant to flames (+1 Fire Saves) while Kilgar took stock of the situation.

Cabo had considered his job complete, and so was very much in a hurry to leave.  You both agreed it had something to do with the tomb of a fallen paladin.  Once the scroll in orcish was deciphered, Kilgar was able to confirm those facts.  He even knows the direct location.

After some mutual decision making, you both decided that the storm was too bad, and that there was no way to navigate the swamp.  It had been the third ambush in less then 30 minutes by kobolds and goblins.  One of the more intelligent kobolds mentioned something about a Lizard King, but turned invisible and fled before successful interrogation.

The trek back was difficult to find, but the Barbarian in Michaela, in spite of the ever present Mr. Murphy - who had even those big footprints turned into puddles - was able to follow the huge prints of Kilgar's six 22 boot tracks.  Doom on you Mr. Murphy.

-----

The literal Skeleton crew had been on guard, with only four humans and an ogre sitting around a covered porch playing dice just outside the door.  When Kilgar and Michaela returned the party got to it's feet and carefully watched, with their hands on their weapons as two heavily armed individuals walked into the guildhouse.

The new dwarf had soom come to realize that the inn was actually run like an army barracks.  It had it's own self contained tavern, inn, and about for our five private quarters in the middle.  It was three stories tall, with it's own stables attached to the rear.  You found out by way of questioning that the downstream swamp has a friendly Otyugh guardian - That explained the cleanliness of the area.

Unfortunately for the dwarf, he also realized - only after looking silly in front of about 5 or 6 armed men, two half orcs, an ogre, and what looked like a platoon of Zhentilars led by a trio of Banite priests - that the alcohole was self-service

The Warpriest had made his was south from the more tribalistic mountains to study at the shrine before spotting three of his clanmate's trademark horses.  What the heck, you could check in at the small shrine later.  Rain, an empty stomache, and the chance to see who was stopping by was something more important to take care of.  You found out after 6 pints of ale later and a plate of fish and eggs that they were acting as guides for the Zhentilar platoon.  They are taking them up into the mountains to train in survival techniques.  The dwarf was funny...  What a moron.  Couldn't he read the self service sign on the wall right there?

DM NOTE - For the sake of sick humor, I'm going to say there was a sign on the wall and Gaius missed it.

Then Axeface and Michaela stomped in out of the rain carrying what looked like three, make that four sacks of goodie.  Kilgar had a two and fifty pound chest on his shoulder, and a massive hammer in his other hand.  Disgustingly enough, he looked positively comfortable lugging the weight.  In fact, he had a rather smug look on his ugly, ugly axe-face.

Bugger. Well that serves me right and proper.

The dwarf laughs at his own foolish bravado and goes and gets himself an ale.
He slugs out a third of the mug to slake his thirst and looks around for a place to stow a coin.

Does the place run on charity or dont people want me coin?

OOC; Thanks boss;-)

Rogan had just arrived from the mountains.  He had no real desire to return to them so quickly.  so, Rogan did not join his clansmen.  He had some food and drink with them but they were leaving soon.  Rogan sat and watched the dwarf enter and claim his table.

Rogan bet he would be a good warrior.  He was looking for a company of good warriors to join up with.  The better to do his god's work.

Helping himself to another ale the man, of obvious Damaran descent, smiles to himself as he looks pointedly at the self-serve sign. Perhaps it was too high above dwarf eye-level... he thinks to hismelf. Warm as piss anyway but then I guess a dwarf don't care does he..

Looking to his seat off to the side he then look sback at the dwarf and starts to move towards him when the door opens. He pauses to take in the newcomers. Doesn't look too long, not enough to be noticed and continues on changing his trajectory and heads back to his original table leaving the dwarf to himself. He gulps his ale and observes the newcomers.

     Kilgar looked at Michaela and looked around, then back at Michaela. In a whisper, or, considering it was Kigar talking... In 'not yelling,' "I no think they get how bad we look." He slung the chest out in front of him after moving to the closest table and let it drop to the floor with a loud THOMP! The hu-freaking-mongous hammer clattered on the table with a shield on it. "Kilgar still want food!" the half-orc complained as he sat down, noisily. By now, only a dead person would have not noticed the two come in...

Heading back to his table the orange haired dwarf settles himslef down to be comfortable.

Looks like they get a good crowd in, could be some fun tonight.

Rogan grins and thinsk, "Now that is what I am talking about.  True, ballsy warriors.  I am sure that orc does not shy away from a fight."

Rogan grabs his gear and heads over to the loud orc. Speaking in orcish, Rogan says, "nargash, axe'em, aargg nascar de Tempus, nar grimesongr vos"

[Private to Kilgar Axeface: Rogan says, "Greetings Warrior. In the name of Tempus, I salute you."]

Then nodding to Michaela, Rogan continues in common, "I greet you to, elf.  I am new to this area and seek to join with warriors for work.  It appears as if you two know what you are doing.  I was hoping that I could sit with you while we ate."

Looking over the big newcomer and the elf Gordon smiles These two look like they could uyse someone with my skills. Breaking stuff won't work in all situations...Plus, it looks like they get work so I am about to get a pice of there action.

With a smile still on his face Gordon walks over as the other human introduces himself. Waiting a moment he interjects as well "Hello lads and lady. Seems you've got quite a load there. I'm thinking that you might know where one such as I could find employ. I know I came to the right place, I just need the right connections if you catch my drift. I got skills," he pauses and looks at each of them "that I think you could use. Stealth, cunning and no lack of knowledge when it comes to locks and traps. I earn my keep and you won't hear a peep of complaint out of me over hard work.

Gordon's the name."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:29, Thu 20 July 2006.

    Kilgar looked at the new found attention with a smile. He looked at Michaela and cheesed, "See! Now that better! Now everyone see how great Kilgar is! He even have small elven concubine!" He let loose a gut laugh before stopping to muscle whatever blow was definately coming from the elf.
    As the others spoke he looked at them...More appropriately he looked down at them. Kilgar was a good bit taller than everyone else and made no attempt to hide it. In fact he accentuated it. Every piece of armor on him bristled with noise. His waist held a netted bag filled with jawbones, and small skulls. It was decorated in fingerbones and feathers.
    The maul he carried had leather thongs attached to a partial orc skull and feathers. While be-decked in heavy, loud halfplate mail, Kilgar was still a big, ugly, half-orc. And being raised by orcs he had their affinity for taking trophies. Scalps, fingers, toes, heads... Kilgar had a lot of them. A surprising number were orcish.

    "Kilgar Warrior of Tempus!" He roared with pride. and smashed heavy hand against his chest. He rooted around in his backpack and produced a very crude goblet, but it was much, much larger than the any in the room. It had been carved of wood and looked horrible. Blood stains, and huge gouges were plainly visible where the artisan had cut themselves and slipped. He immediately filled the cup at the nearest barrel. "Kilgar not want another small sneaky man working with us. You're small and sneaky. What else you bring to table Gor-Don?" As the cup filled the half-orc stooped way down inspecting it closely. When it was full and he was satisfied he lofted it up high and smiled.

OOC: Think Link when he got a piece of the Tri-Force in the original legend of zelda.

     Kilgar returned, still smiling happily as he drank from the hand hacked Kilgar-sized cup. AS he drank nicks and cuts in his fingers were pretty evident. "Ahhhhhh. Much better. Kilgar not mind the smell of elf lady now." He looked back at Rogan, "You warrior or Tempus too? Or you just small man with big head?" That might have been the extent of a religious debate for the warrior...One could only hope.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Fri 21 July 2006.

"Hahahahahaha!!! You fools! You leave your mere undead to guard against a priest of Bane!  You are all going to die!" The mad priest had kicked in the door with a handful of orcish bodyguards.  Two of them were male, and they looked old for orcs.  One was weilding an axe and a shield, the other was weilding a quarterstaff and chose to fight bare chested.  The third orc hung in the back with Bruno, and was holding a lit torch and what looked like a giant goblet of blood - no, oil!

And for sword and shield skeletons had clamored in afterwards.  One more - a bow weilding skeleton had broken a nearby window and was taking aim.  "Kill! Kill! Kill them all I say!" The mad priest commanded with clenched fists.


OOC - You're all going to love me, tee-hee.  Roll for initiative and pm it to me in your post. :P
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Sat 22 July 2006.

Gaius found Kilgar highly amusing, but it was good to get at least another follower of Tempus in the door.

A good inn at last.

He swallowed back another gulg of ale, at least half being soaked up by his beard. Waste not want not he thought as he sucked his beard dry, when the cleric kicked in the door he couldn't believe his luck.

Hells bells I love this Inn.

Grabbing his axe and shield he charges across the floor, TEMPUSSSSS!

[Private to DM Swamprose: 01:32, Today: Gaius Stoneskull rolled 9 using 1d20+5. Init. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:38, Sat 22 July 2006.

Rogan readies his axe to meet the incoming eneies.  He had no idea who they were, but he never backed down from a fight before.

He points at the orc with the axe and shield and says, "Run in fear from the Wrath of Tempus! Cuz I'm gonna chop you in two!"

[Private to DM Swamprose; NPC Bruno: Init roll 23 (rolled a 20)]
OOC cast "Cause Fear" on orc with shield/axe

Gordon remains stonefaced at the large half-orc brute and begins to prepare himself to list a long series of glowing attributes and skills, Not that this brute will understand my true value, lord of all but I hope the elven maid has some sway over him.

Just then the door is kicked in and some crazed priest of Bane starts chattering and orcs and skeletons rush in behind him.

Dammit! I hate orcs... is the first thought that rolls through Gordons mind as he draws his sword and assumes a defensive position sitkcing close to the big brute Kilgar hoping to show his skill and teamwork.

[Private to NPC Bruno: 08:03, Today: Gordon Rasiak rolled 6 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
OOC: also I am now on the Defensive. +3 to AC]

Okay, the order of initiative is ... Rogan, Kilgar, Bruno, Orc Shaman, Gaius, Orc Grunts, Gordon, & then everything else. :D

It'll take some time to get a map up, but for the sake of simplicity... Everyone can reach a target if they choose.  Kilgar and Gaius are in the front row and will be directly assaulting the two orc bodyguards.  Then there's a pair of skeletons to their immediate left, and another five feet behind the two forward orcs is the shaman.  Bruno is partially concealed in the doorway.

The skeleton archer has 50% concealment in the window, and the skeleon that bust through the other window is going to be coming up at everyone's rear - that is, towards Gordon.

We cool?

OOC; Would you like us to post now or wait for our init turn?

The ensuing fight was a bloody affair and proved costly to the Blacklash estate. The combined forces of Orcs and skeletons managed to hold off Kilgar and Gaius for a vital few seconds. The orc holding oil flung the blasted stuff into the room and lit it with a flaming arrow.

The common room was instantly turned into an inferno as the copious amounts of alcohol that were laid on for the soldier blew up very quickly. A testiment to the high alcohol quality. Good beer and spirits was something that Blacklash had been reknown for. It was ironic in a way.

During the confusion Bruno gave his final command to the skeletons and made good his escape. With fire and screaming men behind them, orcs and skeletons ahead, our heroes fought like devils and forced their way into the blessed coldness of the snow outside.

The Blacklash Estate was almost totally gutted by fire. In the cold misty morning the extent of the damage is plain for all to see. Apparently some underground stores survived, which contained most of Guildmaster Black's personal wealth. It was the only thing he was thankful for.

Kilgar and Gaius had already left. The possibilty of payment seemed remote at this point and time so they had left for pastures new. There were a few men left with which the guildmaster was going to make for Zhentil Keep.

He has asked each of you to wait. The Guildmaster has a job for you which will pay handsomely.

You are currently sitting around the smoking remains of a table eating some of your own rations.

Looking around at the burned remains of her home for the second time in her life, Michaela simply took the opportunity to be thankful that this time, not only were there survivors, but it had not been her fault. She remembered the home of her parents, and the inferno that had claimed it was seared into her memory, never to fade. Closing her eyes, she remembered her father's temper, her brothers' taunts, and the rage the inflicted pain had ignited within her... the flames that had never died out completely, even after leaping from her hands, her eyes, her skin itself...

Opening her eyes again, Michaela tore a shred of dried meat from the strip she held in one fist, chewing it resentfully.

Like usual, Cyrus missed all the fun and games.  Kilgar was cool, and he was a real warrior's warrior, and something said he'd be back and in action.  He was an orc though, and orcs were prone to doing orc things, and well, orc things often included going off on a random, solo, killing spree.

Plopping down without any armor on, Cyrus had a few fresh lacerations on his back and a hearty expression on his face...yes, the priestess of Loviatar had made her favor known, and therefore, never one to miss an opportunity, the Priest of Talos had obligingly planted seeds in her garden.

Glancing at Michaela, Cyrus's lips hooked on the corner of the left side of his face into a smirk.  "Ahh.  The smell of an inferno.  Ashame I missed it, ja?"

Nerosella walks up to the now burnt out husk of the Blacklash Estate.  Damn, this was a good place to get information.  Good think I over heard that person talking about a job with some coinage. She thinks to herself, but lets out a short laugh despite herself. "haha." Cathing herself hopefully before anyone noticed.

Well the only one good thing about a burnt out building the next day are the people that like to stop and look.


[Private to DM Martin 22: Would like to attempt some pickpockets if it's alright.  Thought that might be a good why to really introduce her to the other party members.  :)  Man I think I'm going to have to mucj fun playing her.]
PM

PM

[Private to Nerisella Tarmikos: Go right ahead ;-)]

Nerisella looks around and sees two people at a table.  One of them just sitting down the other with a piece of jerky in her mouth. Nerisella starts walking over toward them.  As she gets closer Nerisella sees the look on the females face and desides to walk behind the female's chair and move off to the opposite side leaving a good amount of space between the couple and her.  She sits down on the ground looking at the people that pass by.

[Private to DM Martin 22: Nerisella walks up to the easiest looking target and with the speed only Mask could grant attempts to lift an item off them.
15:59, Today: Nerisella Tarmikos rolled 28 using 1d20+10. Sleight of Hand.]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Sat 19 Aug 2006.

Stumbling about the wreckage Gordon pokes at smoking, charred wood with his boot toe as if seeking the glint of gold. With a grimace of disgust he turns from his work with a nervous walk and slowly paces what used to be the main floor.

Glancing occasionally at his companions, others who had been asked to "stick around", he seems to be keeping himself busy. A rip or two is noticeable in his tunice and the glint of metal shines from underneath.

After a short time pacing he walks over to the two seated at the table "I suppose it is best that you have a name for me, Gordon will do. I been waiting for work with Blacklash for several days, what about you all?"

"I'm sick of fire. Then again, the world can burn for all I care... Aw, fuck. Now where am I meant to go?" she realised that it wasn't just her home that had been destroyed. There was no thieves' guild to take her in this time. In a way, she'd gotten her freedom, though she'd rather it not have been at their expense. They were almost a family, after all... "Whatever. Least the boss survived. Guess he'll have a plan. Normally does." She paused a moment. "I'm rambling again. Anyway, I'm Michaela. I clean house for the boss. Well, used to, anyway."

Guildmaster Black appears suddenly, the old training kicking in as circumstances changed. He pulls up a charred chair and sat down.

A resigned look seemed to have settled on his face. He didn't look the same man who had talked to you the night before. Of course his home had just burned down so you've got to give him some allowances.

Ok you lot. Glad you've decided to stick around. I've decided to re-locate to Hillsfar on a permanent basis. I've already got a small base set up there and then enlarge my operations. What I need you to do for me is dangerous have no doubts but it'll make you a tidy profit and guarentee you a position in the Guild. A good position. He looks around to make sure he still has everyones attention.

The cost of setting up will be highly expensive in the short term. That and Hillsfar hates non-humans. Both are problems for me. I need a sweetener for the powers that be and I plan on giving them a spellbook. About three days ride from here is an old graveyard. The village its in has been abandoned for years and I doubt any relatives come calling. Once a Wizard named Zorcosh lived there. Lots of stuff he had, lots. But Zorcosh had a bit of a temper on him and so devised all sorts of nasty spells. Tried to become a Lich but failed. Tragic really.

That was two centuries ago. Most people have forgotten the place exists so thats why we're interested. Zorcosh's remains and stuff should still be there. Hopefully the wards will have worn down, but your a resourceful bunch, you'll figure that out. It's simple really get in, grab as much stuff as you can carry. You keep it. dont even tell me how you got it. But I want that book. On top of any treasure you keep I'll also give you a thousand gold each. What you say?