Kitheras listened patiently to Krackor's shocked concern, and then placed a reassuring hand on his pauldron.

"The fastest way to make men untrustworthy is to distrust them and alert them to your distrust. The only way to make men trustworthy is to trust them."



Kitheras cleared his throat uncomfortably.  "That was our aforementioned Captain." Kitheras paused for a moment.  "First impressions aren't really his strongest season." He stepped out of the doorway and gestured down the hall, "As I understand it, he was unanimously elected though."  Kitheras took a breath and thought for a moment.  "Very good at administration. And passion.  Passionate leadership is very important."

He's a genius, and has the bearing of a madman.

This message was lightly edited by the player at 01:37, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

In reply to Kitheras Sunblade (msg # 23):

Waiting by the tall entrance for the two former captives and Kitheras, Krackor kept watch, kept looking for any signs at all.

Speaking to everyone. An idea. The other entrance was silenced when I came in, so no one will be looking there, this entrance wasn't. The Kitchen entry is only 5ft high, if you don't mind stooping, I suggest we take what we can of the equipment Corym has piled together and go out that way.

Can you carry your armour rather than wearing it, I imagine it making quite a bit of noise, more than mine.

The other entrance, being short, anything that knows of the Hobgoblins, will surely know they won't exit that way. We'll be safer as less distance. What say you?

He wasnt entirely sure how much noise exited the taller entryway but he was certain of the way he came in.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:51, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

Qasida watched the interplay between the group.  It was clear that they trusted one another — indeed, cared  for one another.  A promising sign.

Taking a moment to inventory her belongings, she took the dwarf's suggestion at maintaining some semblance of stealth.  This was not the time, nor the place, to take upwards of twenty minutes to don her fitted armor and make the necessary adjustments that would be needed to wear it comfortably throughout the day.  Placing the items that she could in her pack, and lashing the larger pieces to it with a length of rope ... she donned her gauntlets, adjusted her sword belt, and readied her shield.

The traveling pack was now obscenely bulky, between the breastplate, greaves and pauldrons lashed to the side ... but if it bothered the small woman at all, she did not let it show.

Once it was done, she offered the others a curt nod and a look of determination.

She was ready ... and woe betide any hobgoblin that would cross her path.

OOC — AC 9 [shield only]

In reply to Qasida (msg # 25):

Krackor started to place the piled 'booty' onto his shield, his crossbow hooked to his belt once more, battleaxe under shield to help hold it up.  He passed the others a few items to carry and then led them to the other entrance.  The Silence spell had run out a while ago, so he listened.  No vermin was going to be entering this way for a good few hours yet, so no squeaks or crunching underfoot.

Slowly, he made his way out and encouraged the others forward Kitheras, lead them please

Karilla chuckled despite herself. "It's a kank. Though it can become stanky depending on the situation." She sighed.

She knew Corym better than most and knew that he had the best of intentions. The two of them had enough of their own adventures to know that she could trust him with her life. She remembered their jaunt through the drow cave to know that was true.

"I don't like being touched. Especially, from someone behind me with no warning. Kitheras is lucky that I didn't blast him through the wall."

She pulled off her headgear again to reveal her face. Corym can now plainly see the deep scarring that now marred her. As if someone had taken time in opening large gashes that would not easily heal. It would have taken a lot of time to do that much permanent damage. The thought of being subjected to it almost seemed unbearable. She gestured to them in an almost defeated manner.

"Punishments."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:04, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

Euin was silent throughout most of the conversations. His rescuers seemed to come and go in a chaotic fashion though otherwise seemed highly organized. Something that The Harper understood and appreciated. The newest member to present themselves was a dwarf, albeit a very tall one. Euin had taken some comfort, of those that had saved Kas and he had been elves. It seemed the dwarf was a tad out of sorts. Was it the prisoners so easily freed that had irked him, that the plan of action had been altered, or both Euin couldn't say. When asked about their gears whereabouts, the half-elf shrugged.

"I know not and we were in no position to ask. Yet, it should be here somewhere. I doubt the Hobs would have taken it far." Euin said with another shrug. He could only hope as his thoughts went to his father's mail and sword. As an afterthought, Euin smirked "Oh! The hobgoblins... aye! We, if by Tymora's blessing alone, slew a few of the mewling kittens before the whole pride of them took us."

It was then proposed that Kas and he not don their armor with the promise of stealth and quicker movement being highly prized. Euin shook his head but when their gear was finally found in a room not far away, Kas did exactly that. The paladin stowed her plate without comment or debate. With a sigh, Euin did the same. Taking his time to stow the eleven chain, gird on his father's sword, and don his twin rings. He gathered his bow along with the quiver of arrows, placed a dagger in each boot, and shouldered his pack. Euin traveled light, like his parents... they always had.

With a nod that he was ready, Euin picked up his shield and stood next to Kas "We are ready. Well, unless we run into another pack of tanar'ri... or flying eels... or Bane himself. Yet, I feel unusually light upon my feet. I deem our chances good. At least fifty fifty I'd wager. Lead on if you will."

The single word that roamed his mind whenever he was troubled or frustrated came to him now- Ondath. It was the elven word for peace. Euin could remember his father saying it softly under his breath as he trained his son in the ways of the wood and war. During the moments when a boy of ten winters knew little of patience and that in some things only repetition would suffice.

"Ondath" Euin said whispered softly and winked at Kas.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:37, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

As Euin puts on his ring, some of the shadows in the corners of the room seem to flow towards him. They wrap themselves around him, obscuring his face and clothing. Glancing at him out of the corner of your eyes, he almost seems to fade into the background; only when you stare at him intently can you make out his form.

With Corym having already grabbed the most valuable material, you quickly retrace your steps upstairs. Huddling in the kitchen, out of sight of the open doorway as much as possible, you strain your ears and listen. Nothing. If something is lying in wait in the ruins outside, it's not making noise.

((ooc: The remaining group in the old halfling inn is Krackor, Kitheras, Elorfindar, Kas, and Euin. Someone, I assume, will let the newbies know where you're going?))

The door to the make-shift stable opens and Kora pokes her head in. "I heard voices. You're back already? How did it go? Was there anything dark and dangerous lurking behind the hobgoblins?" She pauses, taking in Kora's demeanor and her revealed scars. "Are you alright?"

In reply to DM (msg # 29):

Krackor waited a moment for everyone to gather at the door, then he looked out, watched, listened and then pointed at his eyes then at the building the group were going to head to.

When confident that the way was clear, he waved them through, patting Kitheras on the arm as he went, a smile of encouragement on his face.

Krackor followed last, there was no need for a Mail wearing Dwarf that wasn't as silent as the others, bringing attention to everyone else.  Listening to the wind, the creaking trees and destroyed buildings, he moved as the surrounding area made it's own noises, stopping when they died down then moving quickly when they groaned again.  He met the others as they vanished through the illusion that hide their movements by the entrance to the Manor Building.

Once inside, he let out a loud sigh, one that emphasised how much he had been holding or regulating his breathing to keep noise down, now that it wasn't necessary, he made up for it.

Kitheras, very much appreciated.  Hello new people, Sorry, I didn't catch your names, I am Krackor Steelfist, Warden of Oak Haven, Guardian of the Dreams of the Ancients Exploration Company and Lord Protector Steelfist of the Vigilant Host.  You may call me Krackor.  Well Met and Welcome.

Karilla shifted her gaze to the young human. Karilla pulled on her headgear and face mask again.

"I'm certain that my definition of alright versus your definition of alright are vastly different. I will be able to function and I will be useful to the group. I'm just dealing with the shift in location and people." She tilted her head slightly to scrutinize Kora.

"It's weird to see you alive and unchanged by time. I figured you would be dead."

"Slavery."  Corym shuddered, but couldn't be seen. "I was a slave for a very short period. Operation gone wrong, captured, chained. I can't imagine what you've been through. I'm so sorry that you had to endure that for so long." What else can be said?

"You're here, and so are we."

Corym jumped.

"Unexpected discoveries, but nothing too dark."

"Death tried to take her once, but she sassed it away." Corym remarked wryly. "I should go to the rest of the group. Kora, I need you, Talindra, Sirenya, and Katarn on look out.  We'll have to cross the street without cloaking magic.  I need keen well-placed eyes making sure that the way is clear." He reminds her of the bird call that will be the all clear signal, and sets her on her way.

The elf glided like a ghost back across to the Halfing Inn.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Kitheras nods in acceptance of the canny dwarf's plan.

"Not putting on the armor is laudable, but the distance to our holdfast is short--a scamper across the street. But Krackor is armored--you won't make more noise than he, and if truth be told in this place protection is at a premium.  If you'd like I can help you don your harness and once settled we can see about padding it so that it makes less noise for the rest of our tour of duty for future days."

Kitheras was more than a little taken with the Amnian woman's physical grace and poise.  It wasn't something his people often associated with the race of men, but seemed fully formed and realized in Qasida.

"Besides, it'll no doubt give our scouts the time needed to determine whether our purge of this place has gone unnoticed.  We don't move in the city except by stealth if it can be helped."

To the wider group, Kitheras announces: "I have an invisibility spell prepared that I can use to cloak the passing of one.  My cloak and boots will suffice for me--who is most in need?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Corym returns to the assembled band in the kitchen and whispers an announcement of his presence.

"The tower is ready to receive us, and I've put out the watch to ensure the street and sky are clear.  Right now we're listening for the all's clear. Take your ease, and breathe.  Calm yourselves.  Jittery nerves make for big mistakes. Remember the roll of your feet--toe-to-heel, not heel to toe.  Watch the ground--it is your enemy. It exposes your position.  Look for solid ground and steer clear of loose gravel and shattered pavers."

"Remember where the threats are--those are the points of view you need to position your cover to intercede." He proceeds to name the positions and natures of the denizens that Sirenya and Kitheras had scouted out, and describes the natural cover that exists between their starting point and destination.  "Just because they're not out when you start crossing the road doesn't mean they won't be by the time you're in the middle of it.  Don't trust too much in invisibility--gems of seeing, divination spells, and certain beasts can see straight through it, but that can't see through a brick wall.  Cover is essential whether you're cloaked or not."

"Kitheras, use your skills to obliterate the signs of our coming and going before re-entry."

"Krackor, I have an invisibility 10' radius spell that can cloak you and the others."

To the newly found companions Corym directs his final comments, "When in the spell, it's important that you maintain squad coherence--which is more difficult than you might think when you can't see the members of the squad.  In this case, we hold the hands of the bearer of the spell with a light touch.  He pulls, you follow. Give it a trial run around the room so you can get the feel of it."

"I'll take a position at the North end of the street since the angles from the tower are bad there. Kitheras, you know the bird song code most fluently--you'll hear Sirenya, then me, then you direct them to move. Krackor, you know the way."

"We've done a good job today.  We did what we came to do.  We recovered lore, relics, we suffered no losses, and took no risks.  We play this smart, we plan smart, and we live. Questions?"

And this was when Corym was in his prime.  The mission.  The goal. Calculate the variables, assign the roles, teach the tactics, execute.  It was disconcerting how alive he felt in these moments, but also how emotionally distant he was from his company.  The emotional intimacy he'd felt with Karilla.  The revelation, the sharing.  It didn't have a purpose, there wasn't a plan.  He'd felt exposed to a danger he'd not seen coming and for which he'd had no plan.  And somehow it felt good. Or, well, beneficial. Something.

Head in the game.  Eyes on the prize.

Corym cast his spell, and scurried out of the kitchen to the position he'd spied and set to give the signal.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:11, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

"That's likely why he's the Captain.  I think you caught him in an unseasonable occasion earlier."  Kitheras smiled gracefully.

"And I guess we don't need that invisibility spell now."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:54, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Krackor was just about to send people out when Corym arrived.
This is exactly why he got my vote Kitheras, learn well from him, all of you.

Now eas not the time to talk, it was a time for silence and action, but first.

Corym, can it be cast on an item? I Will hold it, so if anything hears us, me, then they won't expect defense before they get to me. Kitheras, on your call
This message was last edited by the player at 10:37, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Euin, and not for the first time, was in awe of his rescuers. They seemed competent, well organized, and thorough. These things were not only prized by the Harpers but also the elves and foresters who vowed to protect Myth Drannor. For all of this Euin found issue with the plan, not all of it for it was, for the most part, sound, just bits, and pieces. Though Euin had no intention of interrupting as the others spoke and he hoped to hear what Kas had to say, but when asked by the Captain if there were questions, Euin cleared his throat.

"Your plan is for the most part a good one. The way you have dealt with the Hob's has already shown you not only know how to plan but implement it. Kas and I have benefited from this and do not doubt I am grateful for it. Yet, Master Sunblade brings up my chief concern. I have reservations going anywhere in this city unprotected. I am... was Kas' guide and I still hold her safety as my responsibility. Yet, it is not just our safety why I raise my concern but the success of the mission overall." Euin paused for a heartbeat to best word the rest.

"If stealth and speed is the reason for Kas and me to go unarmored, that I can understand. Yet, if Master Steelfist goes armored then I see no logical reason we can not. Noise is noise and though I do not doubt the dwarf's effort in trying to remain silent, it's in the execution that my doubts remain. I am not trying to be quarrelsome nor seem ungrateful, but my concern for Kas remains." Euin again paused. "We were nearly slain with our armor and without it we shall fall and fall quickly thus you lose the assets our swords bring not only now but in the future. I have seen Kas fight. Trust me when I say you will benefit from her steel. Yet, she must yet breathe to weild it."

Euin sighed and shook his head before smiling as he looked among his companions "In the end, I shall do whatever is decided upon for the good of the group, as I know Kas will do the same. However, you asked if there were questions and this is my chief one among them."

Qasida turned the problem thoughtfully over in her head before speaking.

"Your unease is well founded Euin Hawkhand.  The ruins of Myth Drannor can be — as we have seen — an unwelcoming place."

A moment's silence here, as she remembered the fallen members of her order.

"The sands of the hourglass are against us, however.  This warren is not yet secure,"  She said, gesturing to the dead hobgoblins that lie scattered about in their piecemeal armor.  "To delay here is to invite the return of any unknown comrades of these we have slain."

Edit — Added the following:

To the others, then.

“There was one more that was taken with us. A tuneservant, heavily wounded.  Was there any sign of them during your exploration?”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Kora sighed dramatically as the invisible Corym closed the door behind him. "Fine." She looked at Karilla. "Talk later though?" She waited for her mentor to respond before she left to find a window overlooking the road.

((ooc: Anyone doing anything else in the hobgoblin lair before you leave?

Corym, who are you casting invisibility, 10' radius on?

Also Corym, roll an Intelligence check to keep watch.))

In reply to Euin Hawkhand (msg # 41):

Krackor listened to the concerns and the counter from the two newly rescued warriors. It is true you would be more protected yet as your comrade said in a round about way, the quicker we are out of here, the less likely we are to draw attention and the less likely to be found.  The move to our base will take but short moments, less that 100 breaths really.  I am not silent but concede to the Captain's advise, if the spell can be centred on my shield, then there is less chance of it going awry than if cast on me.

How about, stay close by so you remain invisible, I shall protect where your armour can not and we move like a quick breeze, as quiet as we can yet as quickly but calmly as time allows.

It had been a long time since he felt he needed to speak up so, not since the castle on the moor, which almost worked.

In reply to Qasida (msg # 42):

"Seldarine!" Euin said under his breath. Then nodded to Kas. If she felt this way, there was nothing for it but going forward. Yet before he could say so, the dwarf spoke up. Still not totally convinced but resigned to go with the flow, Euin shrugged.

"Well then Master Steelfist, it is settled then. I ask only that Kas be the object of protection, not me. I shall bring up the rear if you all agree." The Harper responded, taking off the ring, allowing the shadows to dissipate. If he were to be invisible, they would be overkill at any rate. "Now, did any you see the Trueservant which Kas spoke of? He was badly wounded and would not have gotten far without aid. Perhaps he died but if he is here, then he should come with us as well."

In reply to Euin Hawkhand (msg # 46):

"You may have misunderstood Sir, you are ALL under The Vigilant Host's protection" Saying this as he does a sweeping gesture indication everyone there.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Sat 15 Aug 2020.