(OOC: to keep things simple and to get things rolling ASAP, everyone gets the same first mission. Let's see who can flatten the kobolds in the least amount of rounds!)

The welcome to Phlan was nice enough. A short blonde fellow named Rolf guided you through the city. He showed the major points of interest, as well as pointed out that drinking the polluted sludge of the Stojanow river was unhealthy. You made the acquaintance with the guards at the City Hall, as well as the garrison commander.

The latter introduced himself as Boros of the Red Boar. It was difficult to decide whether he was a halforc or a human - but this is not Hillsfar, and capable people are not asked what race they are. His worn scale armor an silver, perfectly polished axe speak volumes about his experience. Boros leads the merry band of soldiers that are von Urslingen's followers. These number about one hundred and fify, mostly infantry with light armor, polearm and shield. There are twenty elite archers and thirty light cavalry as well.

So Boros shows you around your new home.

The barracks are plenty large to house the garruson as well as your merry band. Its basement doubles as storage area and prison. Currently there is only one prisoner - an enormous brute snoring in the corner cell. The guards seem to avoid going near the cell.

Mercenaries' quarters are in the east wing of the barracks. It is a single big dorm, with eight solid bunk beds and appropriate chests. A fireplace on the inside wall is just waiting for a fire and a nice pot bubbling with stew.

But Boros just laughs. "I guess you'd like to rest and relax a bit? There'll be none of that. Get organized and meet me outside in ten minutes for your first assignment. Or you can run away." He harrumphs, turns around and leaves.

---

The first assignment sounds easy enough. You are shoved through the gate into the slums area, and told to procure half a dozen kobold heads.

"And don't return empty-handed!" Boros yells before the gate to New Phlan slams shut. The alleyway leading from the wall is narrow; the buildings in the slums are just looted and burnt-out husks. Warily, you advance for a minute or two, getting your bearings.

Someone laughs, up ahead. it is an unpleasant, animalistic sound.

"Meat!" a shrill little voice suddenly screams out. "New meat!" Kobolds stream from a house, bradishing their eating utensils. They scream and chitter madly. "Food! Food! FOOD!"

---

k = kobolds
K = bigger kobold
shaded areas = walls/impassable/blocks LoS
x = escape route (in case you need it)

team can deploy anywhere on rows 19 and 20.
pick spots and state actions. Team has the initiative.

Ghere spent the time going over everyone's equipment, checking buckles and adjusting straps. It should have been mildly insulting, but somehow his quiet competence and work-a-day attitude transformed it into something reassuring instead.

Everyone have +5 temporary hip-points.

Once through the gate, he sniffed at the guards and fell into place in the pre-arranged formation. When the shouting told him that they had found Kobolds, he snapped "Break left and right, reform past that wall" then darted forward until he could see the enemy. Darkfire burst from his raised hand, taking the nearer of the goblins that he could see in the leg, tearing it off in a shower of gore to send the unfortunate creature to feebly kick out the last of its life on the ground. Nodding satisfaction, he stepped right to clear the line of fire for the others.

Starting positions: B18 = Torymyn, A19 = Brak, C19 = Ghere, B20 Rurik.
Ghere moves to C14 and fires on the gobbo in D3.

[Private to GM: 17:16, Today: Ghere rolled 4 using 1d10.  Location.
17:15, Today: Ghere rolled 7 using 1d10.  Damage.
17:14, Today: Ghere rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Eldrich Bolt.
Ac 14 Hp 15]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Fri 25 Sept 2015.

OOC: All, am working up an IC post for Rurik. He will Move and Dash to D-13, so as to position himself ahead of Ghere.

Just wanted to give everyone an idea of what Rurik will be up to, in case anyone else is working upon an IC post. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Fri 25 Sept 2015.

Rurik had taken the mercenaries' welcome to Phlan in stride, silently following Rolf on the tour, but looking distinctly more interested when it came time to meet Boros and learn of the troops that he led. Harrumph -- they aren't wearing heavy enough armor, he thought to himself as he looked over the light infantry. Dwarven front-line warriors wouldn't be caught dead in that drek. Boros' magnificent silvered axe and splint mail were a different matter altogether, and Rurik nodded approvingly at the big officer's equipment.

"Ye're a man after me own heart," the Dwarf grunted approvingly when, instead of giving the newly-arrived members of the mercenary company time to comfortably settle in, Boros quickly called them together and sent them out into the slums to deal with Kobolds.

As luck would have it, their foes were not difficult to find, and Rurik was highly offended to hear that the Kobolds apparently intended to put the mercenaries into a cooking-pot. "Cheeky little bastards, aren't they," he growled.

Before Rurik could do anything else, Ghere opined as how they should fight, and set out at a pace that made it a bit of a challenge for Rurik to keep up, what with his shorter Dwarven stride and rear-of-the-formation starting point.

Not the way that I would have started the battle off, he thought to himself, pursing his lips thoughtfully. Considering their superior numbers, I would have had Torymyn and myself set up choke-points on each side of that wall just ahead, and let them come to us. But what's done is done.

Given Torymyn's starting-point in the formation, Rurik figured that the barbarian would most likely head around the left side of the wall that was in front of them, so he took the right-hand route around the wall. Not wishing to expose Ghere to a mass attack by their foes (besides which, Dwarven honor demanded that he not cede the front rank in the line of battle to the lightly-armored Human), Rurik moved up at the double-quick and took up a position ahead of Ghere.

OOC:

Movement: 25 feet

Action: Dash, 20 feet

Movement Path: Starting Point: B-20, then C-19 (5'), D-18 (10'), E-17 (5'), E-16, E-15, E-14, D-13 (10'). Total movement 45', Ending Square = D-13.

Notes: Rurik has his warhammer and shield in hand. AC: 18. Hit Points: 18 (5 Temporary)/18 (5 Temporary). Thanks for those Temporary Hit Points, Ghere. :)

I kind of like each PC having their own personal color of speech. I see that Ghere has opted for Green. I traditionally write in Dark Blue, but can use a different color if either Torymyn or Brak really, really like the Dark Blue. :)

Rurik's unspoken thoughts are in italics and gray.

I think that's about it. Will be happy to edit as needed! :)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:45, Fri 25 Sept 2015.

Torymyn reflected on the events of the past few days, oblivious to his surroundings for two beats of an elven heart. When would be a good time to ask Brak about his uncle? he thought to himself - again.

He felt a surge of confidence, and sensed that Ghere had done something to bolster their fortunes. And he snapped into the present as Rurik surged away to the right. Torymyn gripped his axes tightly, as he fast lumbered to the left. He picked up speed as he past the first wall.

He glanced to his right, and saw something hot and eldritch flare from  Ghere's hand, and saw Rurik coming up to a stop against yet another ruined wall. Torymyn nodded to himself, surged ahaed of the line made by his fellow-dwarf and the human, and came to a skidding halt between two sections of ruined wall.

He was breathing hard, and still gripping both his axes. His left shoulder was against a wall, and he hazarded a quick glance around the corner to his left to see what the hungry little lizard-men would do.

He shouted out "Keep yer eyes open! These ruins may yet hide more o' their kine!"

***************
OOC:
Movement then dash - total movement of 10 possible squares - B19-B18-A17-A16-A15-A14-A13-A12-A11-B11. Facing C11.
My hand axes are readied and in my hands.

I have chosen Goldenrod for my speaking and thinking color.

[Private to GM: AC: 15  HP: 20/20 (with 5 temp hp) intended reaction: watching for any Kobolds to slip past, will chop them with an axe if they do. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:29, Fri 25 Sept 2015.

"Wha? 'hrmph! Right," Brak said slowly lifting his head. Assessing what appeared to be a threat, possibly edible. His nose wrinkled an unspoken question, throwing his horns out of alignment for a moment. He rushed forward finding the balance of a new club he'd been hacking away over the last week.

OOC: Move+Dash 50 ft to A9, 90° right turn.

G=Ghere
R=Rurik
T=Torymyn
B=Brak



Ghere's awesome magical blast tears away a kobold's left leg, and the poor sucker collapses quietly into a pile.

The other kobolds, squinting in the far too bright sunlight, don't seem to notice and instead charge towards the heroes. "FOOD! Food! Hungry!" From closer up they do seem quite starved and even weaker than ordinary kobolds should be.

a5 kobold to b9

The little lizard screeches in surprise as it almost bumps into Brak. But it gets its bearings quickly enough, and thrusts its rusty dagger against the dwarf. But the attack sails laughably wide.

a1 kobold to c7
b1 kobold to d7
b4 kobold to c10
c2 big kobold to c8

The big kobold and the one next to him get out their slings. Despite the blinding sunlight, the little kobold's sling stone manages to smash right into Ghere's chest, leaving a painful bruise (3 damage).

Ghere shuddered as Lilith rewarded him for killing, his codpiece suddenly uncomfortably full. She had warned him of it, and he had felt it before during the rescue, but if this was the permanent effect that it seemed to be it was going to make keeping a professional attitude very difficult.

Somewhat distracted, he managed only to clip his next target along the side of the head.


[Private to GM: 14:02, Today: Ghere rolled 16,3,10 using d20+6,d10,d10.  Attack, damage, location.
Hit, 3 damage.
AC 14, HP 15+4-3=16]

Torymyn sees the kobolds advance after Ghere's magic took off one of their fellow's legs. The sling stones whizzed through the air, and Ghere returned fire with another gout of crackling magic.

Torymyn stepped out around the corner of the wall upon which he had been leaning in time to see one of the little lizard-men flater to a stop in front of him, his leg still scorched from Ghere's witch-fire.

Torymyn draws back one of his axes and crouches as his launches a slashing swing, connecting solidly with the kobold's right leg. Torymyn lets his momentum carry him into a counter-clockwise spin, staying in a low crouch, his arm coiled like a spring that he unleases as his spin reaches nearly a full circle-spun. His second axe connects with the little lizard-man's other leg.

Torymyn steps over the dying lizard man and to his right, and walks wearliy towards the slinging Kobolds.

**********
OOC:
Move B11 to C11 to attack Kobold at C10
10:37, Today: Torymyn rolled 3 using 1d10.  Hit location on kobold at C10.
10:36, Today: Torymyn rolled 2 using 1d6.  Axe damage on kobold at C10.
10:36, Today: Torymyn rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Off hand axe attack on kobold at C10.
10:34, Today: Torymyn rolled 1 using 1d10.  Hit location on kobold at C10.
10:33, Today: Torymyn rolled 9 using 1d6+3.  Axe damage on kobold at C10.
10:32, Today: Torymyn rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Axe attack kobold at C10.

Move C10-D10-D9-D8.

Assuming the Kobold I just hit twice is dead after 11 damage. If not, feel free to modify my move after those attacks.

[Private to GM: AC: 15  HP: 20/20 (with five temp HP) ]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Sat 26 Sept 2015.

As Rurik looked on, both Torymyn and Brak moved up past him on the left flank, and the Kobolds quickly closed the distance. Ghere had already slain one Kobold with a sizzling, crackling beam of magicks, and now he and Torymyn worked together to cut down the Kobold that stood between Rurik and the biggest of the Kobolds -- the creature whom the Dwarf assumed to be the leader of this bunch of lizardlings.

Taking advantage of the opportunity that his companions had afforded him, Rurik moved forward to engage the Kobold leader. He shoved his shield into the creature's face, hoping to distract it, then landed a heavy blow with his warhammer to the Kobold's left leg.

OOC:

Movement: Starting Square: D-13; Movement: C-12, C-11, C-10,C-9 (Total Movement: 20').

Action: 13:41, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 17 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 11. Melee Attack v. Kobold Leader (C-8).

13:42, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 11 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 5. Warhammer Damage.

13:47, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 4 using 1d10 with rolls of 4. Hit Location (Bludgeoning). (Left leg).

Notes: I'm not sure whether the DM is using the optional rule for flanking attacks (p. 251, DMG), but if flanking is allowed, Brak should now have advantage in his attack against the Kobold in Square B-9 due to the Kobold being flanked.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:11, Sun 27 Sept 2015.

Brak, nose wrinkling in disappointment, swings at the kolbold but the dwarf is so forlorn knowing the blood and sweat spent on this particular field will only result in meat not fit for a pox ridden hound there's little force behind his attack.

OOC:
Bonus Action: Cast Shillelagh
Attack with Shillelagh enhanced club 6 or 23 to hit?
Damage: 3 blunt magical.

G=Ghere
R=Rurik
T=Torymyn
B=Brak

c7 and d7 kobolds: cussing and chitering, the little beasts drop their slings and stab rather rusty looking short blades at Torymyn. Fortunately they both miss if only by a small margin, the tips of their blades leaving scratches on the dwarf's armor.

b9 attacks Brak: fortunately for Brak, the kobold's swings cut only thin air.

c10 died in a magic/axestorm combo.

c8 (big K) 4 damage: the big cobold squeals a sulfury, wet curse about the dwarf, his mother and the family's dog, and stabs Torymyn right into the left side of his chest. (4 Damage)

(we'll put the optional rules to the vote. For now, not using any rules marked as optional apart from feats.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:52, Sun 27 Sept 2015.

Torymyn smiled as Rurik's blow struck the bigger Kobold with a satisfying crunch. He opted for a quick backhand slash with the axe in his right hand, aiming for the head of the little lizard-man standing in front of him. The creatures quickness surprised him, ducking under Torymyn's blow.

Torymyn had already started a crossing swing with his left hand, alterted the trajectory slightly when the Kobold ducked his first swing, and cut a thin, pitiful gash across the creature's chest.

Torymyn grunted loudly when the bigger lizard-man stabbed him with his dagger, forcing the dwarf to take a half a step back.

**********
OOC:
06:52, Today: Torymyn rolled 7 using 1d10.  Off hand Hit location on Kobold at D7.
06:52, Today: Torymyn rolled 1 using 1d6.  Off hand axe damage on Kobold at D7.
06:51, Today: Torymyn rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Off hand attack Kobold at D7.
06:51, Today: Torymyn rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Attack Kobold at D7.

[Private to GM: AC: 15   HP: 20/20 (with 5 temporary hitpoints)]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Sun 27 Sept 2015.

Ghere no longer had a shot, and he darted sideways, making his way round the wall to get a clear line of fire. Darkfire lashed out again, but the kobold moved at the last minute and it whistled harmlessly past it, punching a hole in the wall behind the creature instead.

[Private to GM: 16:30, Today: Ghere rolled 10,6,4 using d20+6,d10,d10.  Attack, damage, location.
D14, E13, F12, F11, F10, F9.
AC AC 14, HP 16]

Rurik smiled as Torymyn aggressively moved forward to engage their foes toe-to-toe, as all stout-hearted Dwarven warriors should. Rurik felt bad for the outcast, fighting as he was without armor and with only two smallish weapons, but he was pleased to see that there was nothing at all wrong with Torymyn's fighting spirit.

Hunh. What's that all about? Rurik wondered, with more than a little irritation, as the big Kobold that he had just bashed with his warhammer seemingly shrugged off a large measure of the hurt that he thought that he had inflicted --- and then turned to the side and stabbed Torymyn in the chest.

Rurik was quick to take advantage of the Kobold leader having turned its attention to Torymyn, and he smashed the creature squarely in the chest with his warhammer. He was rewarded by seeing the big Kobold fall backwards from the force of the blow and collapse, dead before it hit the ground!

Then, Rurik stepped forward to stand should-to-shoulder with Torymyn.

OOC:

Action: 11:21, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9. Melee Attack v. Big Kobold.

11:22, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 9 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 3. Warhammer Damage.

11:23, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 7 using 1d10 with rolls of 7. Hit Location (Bludgeoning). (Chest.)

Edit: Since Ghere has brought it to my attention via PM that Rurik's attack has killed the Kobold leader, Rurik will take a five-foot step forward to C-8, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Torymyn. This will give both Rurik and Torymyn Opportunity Attacks if the two Kobolds directly in front of them break and try to run (and may give the two Kobolds pause about focusing their attacks solely on Torymyn, if they elect to stay and fight). :)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:17, Sun 27 Sept 2015.

Brak mocks the kooks doing his best to imitate their incessant chatter, "Yip, yip, yip-yippy yip." He brings his club down in a heavy arc striking his foe a glancing blow.




OOC:

05:03, Today: Brak rolled 3 using 1d8+2.  damage shillelagh blunt magical.
05:03, Today: Brak rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  melee attack shillelagh enhanced club

c7 kobold (AC 12 HP 5) takes he moment of distraction and leaps, stabbing the rusty short sword at Torymyn. Surprisingly, the blade hits, even if it the injury produced is more akin to a bad shave than a real wound. (3 damage)

d7 kobold (AC 12 HP 4/5) bleeds from a thin gash. Its eyes bulging, it throws itself at Torymyn. "Food!" it screeches, gnashing its teeth. It stabs at the dwarf, its blade scoring a shallow gash on the chest. (2 damage)

c8 Big kobold blinks a few times as the warhammer lands. The multiple cracking sounds of ribs breaking, and a caved-in chest were enough to drop the big little lizard into a sorry heap.

b9 kobold (AC 12 HP 2/5) got hit over its head; it looks cross-eyed at Brak and tries to reply the favor. With a rusty, broken blade. The druid just about manages to ward the blow off with his right forearm. The bleeding gash makes him re-estimate the chances of getting lockjaw. (4 damage)
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:30, Mon 28 Sept 2015.

Torymyn gritted his teeth and spat as the two lizard-men tried to carve him up. "I'll not be yer dinner foul git!".

He reared back and swung down in a tight arc, cutting a deep furrow through the chest of the kobold standing right in front of him. The lizard man's eyes rolled back in his head.

Torymyn then twirled his off-hand axe and took a quick swipe at the kobold standing off his left shouulder, in front of Rurik. More to distract the thing so his fellow dwarf could bring it low.

*********
OOC:
08:34, Today: Torymyn rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  off hand axe at kobold at C7.
08:34, Today: Torymyn rolled 6 using 1d10.  hit location on kobold at d7.
08:33, Today: Torymyn rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Primary axe dmg on kobold at d7.
08:32, Today: Torymyn rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Primary axe at d7 Kobold.

[Private to GM: AC 15   HP 11/15 (temporary hp are gone) ]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:56, Mon 28 Sept 2015.

Rurik was a little surprised when the two Kobolds facing Torymyn and himself stood their ground and kept fighting, in spite of the mounting evidence that their intended prey was turning the tables on them. They must be hungry, indeed, to fight to the death. 'Tis better for us this way, though. We don't have our full half-dozen heads yet, and I'd not care to have to chase after these foul creatures into their little hidey-holes in order to make our number.

Out of the corner of his eye Rurik had seen Torymyn cut down the Kobold to his right, then lunge at the creature directly in front of him with his axe. The Kobold standing in front of Rurik blurted out something unintelligible and side-stepped Torymyn's axe, only to step directly into a heavy-handed swing of Rurik's warhammer. The hammer connected solidly with the creature's left arm, crushing it -- then shattering the ribs behind it for good measure. The Kobold went flying, and lay still where it landed.

"Mayhaps we could invent a game," Rurik suggested to Torymyn. "Call it 'Kobold Ball' -- the winner being the one who can knock his git the furthest."

That left only one Kobold standing, and Rurik felt confident that between Brak and Ghere's ranged magicks, it would soon be cut down as well. The Dwarven warrior peered this way and that, looking to see if any more of the foul creatures had been attracted by the sounds of battle.

OOC:

Action: 10:23, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12. Melee Attack v. Kobold at C-7.

10:23, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 14 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 8. Warhammer Damage.

10:24, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 9 using 1d10 with rolls of 9. Hit Location. (Left arm).
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Mon 28 Sept 2015.

Ghere hoped Brak wasn't the sort to resent a helping hand. Nevertheless the little dwarf was in all sorts of trouble, and Ghere aimed carefully, black lightning carving off the kobold's right arm as he swung it back to strike Brak again and eating into it's chest. Ghere shuddered satisfaction once more, trying not to get too distracted. That did suggest something however, and he called out to Brak. "Brak, now that you are clear do you think you can do a Cure for Tormyn? They seem to dislike him for some reason."

[Private to GM: 16:31, Today: Ghere rolled 14,7,8 using d20+6,d10,d10.  Attack, damage, location.
B9 dodo.
AC 14 Hp 20]

When the kobold in front of him convulsed and dropped to the floor, shot through with sparks of black lightning, Brak's shoulders slumped in disappointment. Well at least it was dead. He gave it a quick bitter kick as he moved in behind Torymyn. Looking his comrade up and down as he, Rurik, and the kobolds circled and lunged at each other Brak shot a look at the warlock, "Wha? For those nicks und scratches? Torymyn'd box my ears for wasting the effort."

He moves closer to Gere and gives him a nudge with his elbow, talking as if they were socializing in the local tavern, ""It'll be over soon..." he points to Torymyn, "you see that feint there, Torymyn's just setting the little bugger up. He might want to choke up his grip on his off-hand axe, though."

OOC:
Move to e9
End Turn


[Private to GM: AC 12 HP 12]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:19, Mon 28 Sept 2015.

c7 kobold simply falls back like a sack of malnourished potatoes, bleeding profusely.

d7 kobold manages to dodge the axe swing just to get his chest crusehd by Rurik's warhammer, and gets thrown back like a ragdoll.

b10 is charred and smoking slightly from the magical bolt.

w = The team notices a female human at the northern edge of the battlefield; she is wrapped in a cloak the colour of dust, her blue eyes thoughtful as she silently evaluates the scene.

"Look there, Ghere, that's one of your females, right? Even your women don't have beards," the dwarf shakes his head and claps the warlock on the back in commiseration. "I don't know how you people procreate. Must be akin to kissin' a fish, all smooth and slimy..." he gives a little shiver.

"Well, go on now, talk at her or somethin'. "
This message was last edited by the player at 06:31, Tue 29 Sept 2015.

"Or something. Cover me." Ghere left unspoken his opinion of dwarven romance, could even they tell the difference?

He walked over to the watcher, stopping short of threat range and making a brief bow. "Greetings Lady, I am Ghere of the... an adventurer. May I ask what you seek here?"

From closer up, the woman's eyes seemed violent swirls of blue, her jagged black pupils almost hypnotic. Her gaze locks onto Ghere. The grey cloak moves slowly, lazily, as if it was underwater, letting pale skin flash here and there.

"You have her scent" she whispers.

Ghere stepped forward, leaning in until his lips nearly brushed hers as he replied quietly "I am Sworn to Her. Has She sent you to me?"

No offense GM, but everybody else is waiting on this, you don't have to be so careful. Move right along.

[Private to GM: Ps- this is both a bit of a test and a result of Ghere currently being very horny. If she does serve Lilith (his Patron) then she won't be offended.]

Torymyn nodded solemly at Rurik, "Aye. Seems like you hooked your last shot to the left. Yer over swinging on the backwing."

Then he notices the strange human woman. He snorts at Brak's comments, but as Ghere begins to speak with the woman, Torymyn readies his axes for action, and his eyes start to scan over the ruins around them, looking for movement or indications of possible ambush.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:02, Tue 29 Sept 2015.

Where'd she come from? Rurik wondered to himself as he spotted the Human female standing silently, seemingly watching the adventurers. She wasn't there before -- well, leastways, she wasn't visible. I hear that there are magicks that can make one invisible, if one has the skill to cast them.

As Rurik considered the newly-appeared female, Brak spoke up and urged Ghere to go and speak with her. Ghere, in turn, quietly asked his companions to cover him.

Well, that's certainly prudent, if she is a magicker who is able to render herself invisible -- or in some other fashion suddenly appear where she wasn't, a moment afore.

Just about then Torymyn spoke up, speaking of the battle that had just ended. Then he, too, fell quiet -- seemingly having spotted the watcher.

Rurik nodded silently to Ghere and ambled about half the distance to where the two Humans now stood conversing, holding his warhammer loosely in his right hand with its head pointing down towards the ground. He was curious about the Human female, and made a point of watching her closely.

OOC: Rurik will move forward to C-4.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:07, Tue 29 Sept 2015.

The woman smiles, the features of her face growing indistinct for a moment whenever she moves. Ghere's attempt at seduction is answered by her hands reaching out towards him, going for an embrace. She whispers again.

"Yess. Come closer. I am so lonely. So hungry."

(Who said combat was over? She has AC12 HP22 atk+4 and disadvantage in bright light, as well as a shitload of resistances. Ghere's weakness to her and his position give her advantage, however, and the two cancel out. So she rolls a hit for 9 necrotic damage. Ghere has to Con save vs. 10 or his max HP are reduced by 9 until a long rest.)

The dwarves see her arms embrace Ghere; dark lightning flashes over him as he contorts in pain. It suddenly becomes very cold.

She seems to laugh, but only Ghere can hear her. The robes billow out as she absorbs Ghere's life, to reveal her perfect, pale body.

Perfect for humans, that is. Dwarves might find her too scrawny and smooth...

Ghere screamed in pain as the woman drained his heat, his face twisting into something ugly. If she had asked... well maybe. As it was, she had just earned herself a whole cannery of whup-ass, and not the good kind. Interlacing his fingers across one eye, he spat hate at her. "Curse you bitch!"

"It's a Vamp! Kill her!" he shouted to the others.

[Private to GM: Meet the evil eye (hex pp 251). Whatever she is using to attack there (probably Str for Vampiric Touch) is cursed and at Disadvantage and she takes an extra d6 necrotic damage (unless immune). No saving throw, no resistance roll. Don't you love Warlock spells?
22:42, Today: Ghere rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Con save.
Looks like Ghere is down hp until he rests.]

"By Hanseath's Tankard have these humans have no sense of decorum!" Brak summons the healing powers of stone and wood. He says a brief pray as he moves past Torymyn.


OOC:
cast cure wounds on Torymyn.
Today: Brak rolled 8 using 1d8+2.  cure wounds for Torymyn.
Move to d4

Torymyn stands stock still, seemingly captivated by the scene unfolding before him. Ghere's cry and Brak's healing snap him out of his fugue. "Curse my distraction! he snarls to himself.

He barrles straight ahead, towards Ghere and the vampire woman. He angles off to the right of where Brak stops, and draws his axe back as he runs, and as he reaches the end of his run, he whips the axe out of his hand. It whirls through the air, and catches the creature on it's leg.

**********
OOC:

16:39, Today: Torymyn rolled 1 using 1d10.  hit location on vamp woman hit.
16:39, Today: Torymyn rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  thrown axe damage vs vamp woman.
16:39, Today: Torymyn rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  thrown hand axe vs vamp woman.

Move D7-D6-D5-E4-E3
[Private to GM: AC 15  HP 15/15 (thanks to Brak's heal) ]

"Hammer and Anvil!" Rurik exclaimed as the import of Ghere's warning became clear when he saw the Human recoil in pain from the vampire's touch.

Rurik's expression turned grim as he moved forward, warhammer at the ready. Out of the corner of his eye he had seen Brak and Torymyn moving up on his right, so Rurik went left. His only thought was to aid Ghere, and kill the foul creature that had attacked the Human.

The vampire did not appear to be wearing any armor, so Rurik anticipated hitting her easily. Such was not the case, however, as with naught but a slight sway of her scrawny, lily-white hips she timed his attack perfectly and stepped aside, causing his warhammer to miss.

OOC:

Move: Starting Square: C-4. Move to B-3, and B-2(end). (10' of movement).

Action:  17:56, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 9 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 3. Melee Attack v. Vampire.

Yeesh. What a bad time for the Dice-Roller to go cold on me!
This message was last edited by the player at 23:35, Tue 29 Sept 2015.

Torymyn's axe makes a ripple in the woman's form as it sails through her, then embeds itself into in the wall behind her (2 damage)

She seems unfazed by the attack. Indeed, she looks longingly at Ghere.

"Ohhh... I have to leave now. But we'll meet again. I think... I'm in love." She laughs, the sound cold like ice.

She moves back, through the wall, out of engagement range and out of sight.

Reaction - Rurik manages to swing through her as she retreats, and very nearly loses his balance as his warhammer encounters slightly less resistance than swinging through cobwebs. (2 damage)

There is no way to go northwards - everything is just rubble, and even the kobolds had to squeeze through cracks almost too small for them.

Rurik almost fell down when his hammer-stroke did not meet the expected resistance, passing through the vampire as if she were a column of smoke. He stared at the spot in the wall of rubble where the creature had disappeared, and shivered. She -- he found himself thinking of her in this fashion, even though he was unsure of what her true form might be -- had a distinct chill about her that he had felt when he moved close to her, and a hint of it still lingered in the air.

He lifted up his warhammer and gave the heavy head an accusatory look, as if he were feeling that his trusted weapon had let him down. After a moment's thought, however, he lowered the hammer again, looking a bit less aggrieved. I remember now, although I paid it little heed at the time. Back in Hug Moldur, some of our Elders mentioned to us warriors that there are certain types of creatures that can scarce be wounded at all unless one is wielding a magicked -- or, in some cases, a silvered -- weapon. I suspect that this creature was of that variety.

I also recollect Boros's axe, and how it shone in the sunlight. Was it silvered, I wonder, or was it simply polished 'til it gleamed? I shall have to pay it more attention when next we meet, and see if I can tell. If he is wielding a silvered weapon, mayhaps there is someone here in Phlan who is skilled enough in weaponsmithing to apply a coat of silver to my warhammer -- although I fear 'tis beyond my means at present.

Turning to Ghere with a look of concern on his face, Rurik asked, "How are you? I saw you recoil from that creature's touch, and from the chill that I felt simply by being near her, I fear that her embrace must have been as cold as the grave."

Rurik pursed his lips thoughtfully and continued, as if thinking aloud. "You named her a vampire, and mayhaps she is. I do believe that I shall think of her as the Smoke Ghost, however -- both by reason of the color of the cloak that she was wearing, and the fact that striking her was akin to smashing through a column of smoke."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:16, Wed 30 Sept 2015.

Ghere nodded. "Indeed it was. Fortunately, my Patron's touch is... heat, and so provided some protection. Still, I can feel that chill in my bones, it will take a while to wear off."

"As for what she was, she didn't match anything that I know of. Probably not actually a vampire, unless one of them has somehow gained immunity to the sun. The closest match would be a Spectre, but they are creatures of mindless hunger. Could simply have been a mage using Vampiric Touch and Mist Form."

He shrugged. "Whatever she was and whatever face she put on her retreat, we beat her. Something to be proud of, is that not so?" His mouth quirked. "Probably not familiar with dwarves. I suspect you were supposed to run in fear from her 'overwhelming power', not attack her with such good effect."

Ghere squared his shoulders. "Speculation aside, we have work to do do we not? Collecting heads, checking the kobold's dwelling for 'livestock', such looting as there is."

Ghere set to the grisly business of taking the kobold's heads, his face calm and neutral. He had done worse in his time. Done, he tied them up in one of the kobold tunics and regarded the small pile of loot from the bodies with indifference. "We will divvy that later if that is all right with you guys, let's check their house and get back."

[Private to GM: This is the good bit, where you tell us what the loot is. Note that Ghere is not picky when it comes to loot. The most rusty knife is iron, and worth a silver a pound to a smith, armor that has been cut down for a kobold can be restored, etc, etc. Don't limit yourself to coin or jewelry.
Also, how are you working xp?]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:43, Wed 30 Sept 2015.

Torymyn shuddered as the woman disappeared. He walked over and worked his axe out of the wall. He turned to face Ghere and Rurik, "A vampire? A spectre?" he shook his head.

He then said, to them, "I am sorry I was caught flat-footed.". He paused a beat, and then walked over with Ghere towards the Kobolds, helping the human with the grisly work of securing their trophies.

As he worked, he called his thanks to Brak, "Thank ye fer the dram o' healing, good-dwarf."

Everything seems to be quiet at the moment.

Ghere feels dizzy and weak. For some reason he feels uneasy. Almost as if someone was talking about him, behind his back. He can almost hear a female laugh in the distance. Or is it just his imagination? At any rate, the warlock seems quite pale to his comrades.

Searching through the poor kobolds turns up a hoard of exactly a hundred copper coins, five rusty blades (worthless), kobold sized patchwork garments (even worse than worthless), four rope slings (worth one copper apiece), and an old chess piece made of glass safely stowed in a leather pouch on the big kobold (barely recognizable as a knight, also possibly worthless).

XP: 125 xp for the kobolds and 100 xp for the specter = 56 XP to each character.

Do you want to poke around this area some more, or retreat to New Phlan?

"Let's check their house, then we can call it a day" Ghere suggested.

Torymyn finished stowing the trophies that will prove to Boros they have accomplished something while out on the streets today.

He looks sidelong at Ghere, "Lad, ye look much the worse for wear. Ye need rest. Or maybe Brak has more o' that divine blessing to heal ya?"

He then scans around the ruins, attempting to figure out if he and his fellows could possibly fit through the openings trhough which the Kobolds had first emerged.

The cracks in the wall were quite narrow. Torymyn attempted to size his body up to the biggest he could find - and he seemed too bulky to squeeze through it.

He started tapping along the ruined wall with the haft of his axe, all around the cracks that the Kobolds had squeezed through. He grimaces, and turns back to his companions, addressing his comment to Ghere, "The bloddy lizards came through 'ere, and there's no way t'fit us through. Without proper tools, I don't think we can bring even a small part of the wall down. Where do ye suppose their home were?"

"Well, if we can't fit then they can't have dragged anyone else through there. Let's go."

Rurik considered wiping some of the blood from the head of his warhammer with a rag that he kept in his belt-pouch for that specific purpose, but decided to wait until they were back at their barracks, where he could do a more thorough job.

He nodded in agreement with Ghere when the Human said that it was time to go. "We got their heads for Boros, an' we got their loot -- such as it is -- for us. I don't believe that there's anything else to be done here."

Rurik paused for a moment, and gave Ghere an appraising look. "Yer tougher than ye look, an' ye stand yer ground. Plus, ye got a good head on yer shoulders, an' ye don't go all skitterish an' Elfy in the stress o' battle. Good on yer," he added with another nod.

It appeared that if Rurik had felt any reservations about adding a Human to the threesome of Dwarves, at least thus far Ghere was doing a good job measuring up to the Dwarven warrior's expectations.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:51, Wed 30 Sept 2015.

Ghere nodded return. If he was to be the token human, at least he was an accepted token human. "I have worked both Line and Skirmish, not my first dance. Still, I am going to allow for your shorter pace, we lost a ranged chance there because I was moving at normal pace." He shrugged. "One always has to adjust to a new units pace. Could be worse, think if you were Pike!"

Picking up the loot bag, he left the heads for Torymyn and headed back for the gate.

Brak keeps close to the others as they gather loot and trophies. He occasionally pokes at on of the corpses with the toe of his boot, examining the wounds. He crouches down next to one lifting its lifeless arm and places its palm against his own measuring for size. He examines its claws, pulls of a boot and closely examines it as well. All the while he mumbles to himself unintelligibly.

[Private to GM: Brak is mumbling in Druidic. Basically he's surveying and committing to memory what a kobold track would look like, what kind of wound their claws would leave. I don't expect it to come up really so no need for a mechanic just fluff really.]

If you come back with tools, it would take 30ish minutes to bring the north wall down and break into the area where the kobolds have their lair. Or you can leave it until after a long rest.

Ghere banged on the gate with the haft of his spear.

Still holding his warhammer, Rurik walked over and stood by Ghere as they waited for the gate to open.

He turned his back to the gate and glanced around the battlefield, eyes alert, whilst he waited.

That Smoke Ghost surprised us once. I don't intend to be caught unawares again. We'll make short work of that north wall upon the morrow.

Raising his voice, he called back over his shoulder, "Open up! We've got Kobold-heads for Boros!"

"Just so they'll know that it's us, as opposed to some cheeky Kobolds bangin' on the gate an' playin' games with 'em," he explained to Ghere.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:35, Thu 01 Oct 2015.

Torymyn watched Rurik, and then imitated the other dwarf, and took a position on the other side of Ghere from Rurik, leaving space for Brak to stand behind him, also scanning the ruins for any potential threats.

Over his shoulder, he asked Ghere, "What did that ghost-woman say ta ya, Ghere? Why'd she seem to compel ya so? Did ya know 'er when she were still among the livin'?"

"She was implying that she knew something important, but now that I think about it it was all very generic. I guess she was just pretending to parley in order to get me close enough to strike." Ghere shrugged. "What can you do? If you refuse to parley then you end up killing people who don't really need it, and that is something to be avoided. Look, risking that the person you are parleying with is the kind of dishonorable betrayer who thinks they are being clever by breaking that understanding is the price you pay to avoid becoming the kind of psycho who slaughters everyone he meets."

"It is actually rare for even the stupidest idiot to betray a parley, most can figure out that nobody will ever trust their word again." He sighed. "But it happens. The stupid we will always have with us. However, we lived, and we will know better next time. We meet her again, we cut her down as soon as we see her. Problem solved."

"As for the compel, that wasn't her, that was my Patron. There is always a price for power, and some prices are more obvious than others.

He fumbled in his pack, coming out with a bundle of pitons with a triumphant expression. "What say we go over the gate instead of waiting on their lazy asses?"

Torymyn turned to look at Ghere while he spoke.

"Aye, that makes sense. Tis always right to at least hear 'em out when they ask ta parley. I worry about cuttin' her down, though. She seemed powerful resistant to me axe.". He looked down at the well-cared-for blade hanging from his belt.

"I can understand that kind o' compel too. For me, tis a call back the clan. A desire to live embraced by it's traditions once again. I would give a great deal to have that back"

He let out a "WHOOP!" when Ghere produced the pitons. He looked up at the height of the wall and the gate then, and gulped.

"That look to be a fair climb. If ye fall, it could well kill ye..." and he looks with concern at his newfound companion.

Ghere winked. "Oh, I suspect they will take an interest fast enough when I start hammering pitons into the gate."

Torymyn barked out a soft laugh, and "Likely enough"

"Been on a few escalades in my time" Ghere said conversationally, setting his first piton all of four foot off the ground, the gate booming with each of the swift pair of blows. "People always seem to think it is about speed. It isn't." He set another piton parallel to it "If your archers are any good they will keep" two more pitons went in at six foot off the ground "the embrasures swept and if they aren't you are fucked anyway. It's" Ghere settled his coil of rope around his neck, fixed the end of it to his first piton then took a hitch round the second, led it up to his third and across to his fourth, creating two rungs of a rope ladder and handrail up the gate. "about getting all of your people safely up the obstacle at much the same time." He stepped up onto the first rung, and began setting the next pair of pitons.

Any interest from the guards yet?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Fri 02 Oct 2015.

Torymyn looked on, and nodded as Ghere spoke. "Aye. Tis not the swiftest axe but the surest that cleaves deep.".

He reached out a hand and helped to steady Ghere while the human worked on the higher pitons while standing on the higer rungs of the ladder.

"That's a fine idea, building a ladder out of rope and pitons. I'll remember it."

The gate opens, slowly, just a bit. One of the guards, a short pale big-nosed fellow aptly named Shortly, peeks out to see what the fuck you are doing there. Being the guy who usually draws the shortest straw, it's his usual duty. The other guards are on top of the three-metre wall the gate is built into, well protected and ready to throw down spears and rocks should there be trouble.

"Why are you... hmmm. Nevermind." Shortly has an aristrocratic accent, which is strange, because he is a simple guardman. He is also quite good at looking unfazed by the weird things mercenaries do. "If you'll climb down from there, I'll open the gate so you can come through."

Boros is having a snack in the small square on the other side of the gate. He grunts something through a mouthful of onions and cheese, and points to a large basket labeled "Kobold Heads". Finally, he swallows and washes it down with applewine.

"Good job. Each kobold head turned in is rewarded by ten copper in the town hall. You can take the rest of the day off and get settled in. Questions?"

Ghere grinned, reversing his hammer to recover his pitons as he climbed down as easily as he had gone up. "My thanks Good Sir" he told Shorty with reflex politesse.

He nodded understanding of Boros's words, although if the man expected them to take orders from him Ghere expected a contract, paid in advance. There was no need to be uncivil though.
"Am I to take it that the city provides room and board for adventurers?"
"I would appreciate directions to this town hall and to the Temple of Tempus."

Sixty measly coppers? That's it? Rurik frowned upon hearing the bounty that they would be paid for their work.

No wonder these people have a problem with monsters overrunning their city, considering that rate of pay. 'Tis a good thing that room and board is provided, else we'd soon be naught but skin and bones. Why, with three stout Dwar amongst us, we'll consume that much in drink alone afore these Humans can say "Jack Flash". I suppose that's our fault, though, for undertaking a job without settling on the terms aforehand.

When Boros asked if there were any questions, Rurik quickly responded "Aye."

Then, evidencing a typical Dwarven sense of order and organization, he numbered his questions. "One. Is that axe o' yourn just highy polished, or is it actually silvered? And if 'tis silvered, who is the smith here in town who can do work of that quality?"

"Two. Over in the slums, we ran into a creature who, although she took the form of a Human female, could melt away as if she were a column of smoke, an' whom we could scarce wound with our weapons. I named her the 'Smoke Ghost', in part because of the color of her cloak, although we do not know her true form. She -- it -- nearly drained the life from Ghere, here -- but then simply dissolved away, passing through that north wall o'er in the slums. I feel certain that this is not the first time that she has appeared. Tell us about her."

OOC: I assume that Rolf would have shown the generic marketplace to the adventurers during the original tour of New Phlan, so I have not had Rurik inquire about that. If that was not the case, please have Boros mention the marketplace as well (to save me from having to ask additional questions). Thanks! :)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:57, Fri 02 Oct 2015.

Brak follows along, clearly a bit uncomfortable with the prospect of sleeping in doors.

He takes little interest in the loot gathered from the kobolds, "My share can go into a common fund," he counts out 4 pieces of copper, which he deposits into the first alms box he sees in Phlan.

He lets out a belch, and scratches his neck, "Positive we don't want to camp somewhere? I'm sure I can find a cozy cave to curl up in somewheres," regardless of the answer he sticks with the largest segment of the group.

Torymyn nods to his companions.

He bows slightly to Brak, "Thank ye again fer binding me wounds in battle. I'm off to the barracks."