Once everyone has eaten the provided breakfast and the horses are hitched to the wagons, the two men that brought out the horses climb up into a wagon seat.

"Jack Crider at your service, and that's my brother, Zack," the man in the front wagon calls back to everyone. "We're your teamsters for this little trip to Phandalin."

"If everyone'll climb aboard, we'll get this show on the road."

"I was told not to wait for anyone, so anyone not here is out of luck!"

Cunaar climbs into the wagon and tries to find a comfortable place to sit. With any luck this will be an uneventful trip. He has research to do in Phandalin and little interest in adventures.

A tingling sensation went up Maldor's spine. The adventure is beginning!

Getting onto a wagon isn't the easiest of tasks for some of his teammates. If needed, Mal would assist anyone up into the wagon he was assigned to. The taste of egg still sat in his mouth. Not Clara's cooking from The Black Scarab, that's for sure. But the food was appreciated by someone who had so little in this world.

Once he boarded, Mal would chose a spot where he could get out quickly. He was hoping for no problems on the way to Phandelver. But, just in case, he and his new greatclub would be ready.

And, of course, he spent special attention to Marianna. The thought of harm coming to her sank heavy in his gut. How would he continue if he failed on his first job out into the world?

Ero climbs into the wagon next to Cunaar.  "Here's to an uneventful trip, eh?" he says.

Maria, like most children her age, eats a hearty breakfast. After all she is a growing person. But she is at least punctual and polite. She tries to eat quickly, and sometimes with her mouth open. But at least she is leaving the town with a full stomach.

At the wagon, being small makes it difficult to climb aboard so she gratefully thands Maldor for his assistance. The girl sits beside Cunaar as she waits for the journey to begin.

Tomas nimbly scrambles up the side of the wagon, taking a position atop a neat stack of crates secured with a hemp rope. Once perched atop this vantage point, the halfling gazes out upon the distance, eager to put some distance between himself and the town.

In response to Ero, Tomas tips his cloth hat and and remarks, "And to bountiful fortune!"

Eldrond started to wonder if the job was more than he can take with so many people on board, probably guarding these goods, it started to smell like a lot of trouble was brewing somewhere or that the goods were more valuable than the Dwarf made them believe.
Nonetheless he climbed on another wagon and offered his hand to Serena first and then to the other people he stood watch with. He found a good place to sit with a crate in his back so that he has at least some protection.

Serena is there as well, along with the others. She makes chit-chat with people in general, but especially those who she spent the night guarding the carts with in particular since she knew them slightly better. Still, she was naturally gregarious and today was no different.

She smiled at Eldrond, nodded in thanks, and accepted his hand when he helped her up into the cart. She sat next to him in the wagon, although not right up to him - she made sure she had a bit of space between herself and everyone else, and that she was also more centralized in the wagon too. This way, she'd be able to more easily play music and sing and such for the escort groups during their journey, and she didn't want to risk beaning someone in the head accidentally with a lute or something.

Morgrimm wakes with a start as the wagons rumble into motion, his hand instinctively reaching for his axe. After a moment, he realizes there is no danger, and pulls himself to his feet. He clears his throat and looks around in the back of the wagon, then moves over to a large box and sits heavily atop it, facing toward the back of the wagon and leaning back against the other supplies behind him. He moves his pack to the ground by the box, and rests his axe propped up against the side of the wagon before settling in for the trip.

Carric, took the meal, thankful for the food but hesitant to try it. After eating he quickly climbs in the wagon with the rest he was hired with, finding a space to sit he pulls out his spell book and begins going over the spells again. Having used most of the night to memorize spells for the day, he makes light conversation with those around him.

As the wagon train gets ready to depart, a voice from down the street cries 'wait', and a nondescript human comes running down the street, dressed in a dark cloak, and carrying a rapier and a back pack. Throwing his meagre possessions onto the back of one of the wagons, he climbs aboard with a smile. 'Esseron of Neverwinter at your service, the dwarf told me to catch you before you left, thinking I could be useful'.

Tomas briefly studies the newcomer for a moment, trying to determine whether he has had any run-ins with him in the past, before replying, "Well met, friend! Esseron of Neverwinter, I am Tomas. Tomas Turnbuckle."

The wagons sways a bit and the halfling, perched atop a stack of crates, loses his balance a bit, before steadying himself atop the wagon. "Whoa! Mind the ruts why don't he calls out in jest to the drover."

That could have been really embarrassing.

So, as the wagons rumble out of town, townsfolk are just beginning to venture out into the streets.

In the first wagon are Cunaar Clothar, Ero Sulaanin, Mithra Stormraven, Maldor, Marianna Fireheart, Tomas Turnbuckle and Esseron. Marianna is sitting up front with the driver, unless she chooses not to.

In the second wagon are Carric Nailo, Eldrond Griffin, Halister Le’Blanc, Morgrimm the Lost, and Serena Valais.


As the wagons leave the city, they pass through the outlying farms. The farmers are already hard at work.

Cunaar finds something soft to sit upon and works to keep himself in the shade of larger and more bulky passengers. The work of the farm hands holds no interest to him. He does, however, note the cloud formations and discuss with anyone who will listen the ill-fated effort by Nelorian the White to build his wizard's tower upon a cloud.

Serena takes out her lute, and begins playing a comfortable-paced, idyllic sort of tune. A perfect sort of tone for a comfortable atmosphere to help the wagon ride proceed more smoothly. Of course, if danger should rear its ugly head that lute would equally be able to send jolts of sound waves and such in a pinch too, so she was as much guarding the cart as she was helping keep morale high.

Maria chooses to stay in the wagon and away from the front. She is not a combat person, and even in her rather young years she knows to stay in a well covered place and not be open to attack. The girl is silent and brooding as she cradles her backpacks in her arms. She will not engage in conversation unless someone engages her and is polite.

Eldrond looks around, his eyes constantly screening the surroundings, but he is not really looking for enemies, more checking for places where the best ambush could be set. His friendly and happy mood changed almost as soon as the wagons started on their long journey, since that's when the job began.

11:33, Today: Eldrond Griffin rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Checking for ambush sides.

In reply to Marianna Fireheart (msg # 16):

Maldor noticed the subject of his protection, tucked down in an inconspicuous spot in the back of the wagon.

He then looked about him. Away from the city, with all the greenery and the fresh air... how could one wish to hide from it?

The half-orc looked back at Marianna.

"Girl no like outside?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Girl should look. Look little, but look. Outside nice. And if bad come to hurt girl, bad get hurt back."

Mal rubbed his greatclub.

"Maldor and warrior woman hurt back good."

As they get further from town Carric puts away his book and begins actively scanning the sides of the road as well. Though the beauty of the woods is not lost on him, he'd have to enjoy it later, for now if there was any trouble coming he'd prefer to know before it found them.

Ero scans the two wagons.  There are a lot of people who are obviously not merchants.  Passengers, perhaps?  Guards like himself?

Ero shakes his head.  No, he's not a guard.  He's a . . . a tutor.  Yes, he was hired to tutor the human girl in wizardry.  That's a much more appropriate a position for him than a common caravan guard.

"Miss Marianna, you mentioned last night that you knew how to prestidigitate.  May I see your skill?"  Ero raises an open hand.  IN it, strands of mist begin to form and twist about each other.  In seconds they form a blue-tinged prism the size of an apple.

Maria is hesitant at first. The girl was obviously someone who did not cast spells on a whim. Even if she was only 9 years old. Her parents taught her never to cast spells flagrantly. But there were personal reasons she did not do so. Still it could not hurt to show her skill. Raising an open hand, she also forms strands of mist in it that curl and spin into an orb of some kind. This orb begins to glow and rotate, forming rainbow colors within.

Ero was impressed.  He was expecting the child to create a duplicate of his own sphere; it's always easier to recreate what you see, when the image is fresh.  But the child's use of multiple colors in her creation was superb.  Instead of sharp boundaries, each shade blended smoothly into the other just as a rainbow's do.  This girl not only has the raw talent to wield magic at such a young age, but she seems to also have the skill to wield it well.

"Adequate," he says.

Ero tosses his conjured prism up into the air where it explodes in a shower of multi-colored glitter from which a bejewelled bluejay emerges.  The bird pirouettes in the air before flying over to land on the newcomer's shoulder.  What did he say his name was again?  Esseron?

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 22):

Esseron raises an eyebrow when he sees the young child wield magic so skillfully, and then is startled when the bird flies towards him, trying to brush it away from his shoulder. He smiles nervously at the strange mage, wondering what he has got himself into.

Ero smiles and uses Esseron's reaction to change his creation yet again, or at least try to.  As the human's hand passes through the illusion, Ero dissolves the bird into a small cloud of puffy white dandelion seeds.  The seeds spin and swirl in the waks eof Esseron's hand before coming back together to form --

Ero tries to pull an image from his mind but finds nothing.  Another hole.  Another memory stripped away.

He waves away his illusion like one would an irritating fly.  "That's enough for now," he says.  He crosses his arms and closes his eyes.  "I need to rest."

Pfui. Took longer to get caught up than I thought. I figure most of you are pouring over the new book anyway...


It takes about two miles of road travel before you pass beyond the typical farmlands that supply the city of Neverwinter with food and other farm-grown products. After that, though there are no farms along the road, you see a few whisps of smoke out in the woods that signals a brave homesteader.

You pass a number of travelers on the road, and the wagons stop for a minute to chat with them, picking up any news from ahead.

About noontime, you spot a pair of wagons heading toward along a side trail. It soon becomes evident that they are hauling logs--no doubt from a lumber camp up the trail. Once again wagons stop for a chat, but the lumber wagons can't dawdle as they want to get to Neverwinter before dark.

You continue on for another hour before the teamsters pull off the road at what is clearly a well-used campsite. You may not be keen on stopping just yet, but the drivers insist on giving the horses a rest.

For those that get off the wagon, you discover that there are parts of you that hurt that you didn't even know you had! It's been an uncomfortable ride, and your bottom is a bit tender and your joints a bit stiff.

Tomas hops down off the crate he had been lying atop during their travels. The lightfoot halfling leaps over the side of the wagon and lands softly on the ground near the right wheel. Surveying the area around him, he takes a few steps before stretching his arms above his head and yawning, "Not the most comfortable of seats, to be sure!" he comments aloud. The halfling arches and rubs the small of his back while addressing those still in the wagon, "So, just how far do you think it is to Phandalin?"

Tomas had never any occasion to leave the relative safety of Neverwinter and knew very little about the surrounding lands. Perhaps one of the more worldly companions could shed some light on the matter?

Ero's muscles and joints voiced their displeasure as Ero climbed out of the wagon.  He took a few moments to quiet them by bending and stretching.  "How many days to Phandalin again?" he asks.

Normally Mal would help fellow travelers from the back of the wagon. But his senses forced him to do otherwise.

This was the outdoors, away from the city. Certainly the half-orc had been away from Neverwinter before. But he had no memory of it. Only instinct.

Maldor stepped off to the side and, like his halfling compatriot, surveyed the surroundings. He took a deep breath, letting the air deeply invade his lungs.

Oh, what air it was. The smell of ale and wet leather didn't disguise the freshness of the outdoors.

Mal's mind was working overtime. If he were someone of foul intent, where would he be hiding? How would he assault the wagons? It was odd to him, having these thoughts. But he knew that he had a job to do.

He rubbed his greatclub as he rotated it in one hand. Would he have the opportunity to use it?

One of the advantages of armor training was that you learned how to minimize the discomfort of long amounts of time spent in armor. The same was true for uncomfortable shifts standing guard, which also apparently included riding on wagons. She'd managed to shift her weight sufficiently to allow a bit of flexing and stretching.

So, as she jumped down from the wagon, the pins-and-needles effect only made her wince slightly... nothing that a brisk walk around the area didn't eliminate.

She noticed Maldor doing the same--reconnoitering the area. She was particularly impressed with the location of the campsite. The area was clear all around the site providing a clear view to the treeline. Even that was far enough away to make ranged attacks difficult.

"Looks good, doncha think, Maldor? See any weak spots?"

In reply to Mithra Stormraven (msg # 29):

Esserron jumps nimbly from the waggon, seemingly little affected by the journey, having spent many a long night transporting goods by land and sea in the past. He wanders around the waggons, checking wheels and appraising the cargo as he goes.

Eldrond was still thinking about the different songs he heard Serena play. In his line of work he sometimes had to sit still for hours without as much as giving a sound. So sitting on a wagon where he sometimes could move his arms and legs was actually rather easy. Still, he jumped off as soon as the wagons stopped and helped others or to set up camp if necessary.

In reply to Mithra Stormraven (msg # 29):

Maldor gave a quick, deep hum as he thought about the woman's question.

"Maldor think attack on camp either happen now while we are not ready..."

The tall figure craned his neck, loosening some muscles.

"Or Maldor think attack happen at night when many have eyes closed."

He pointed to the distant trees.

"That good ground to cover. If attack not on horse, then they either run to surprise or they be quiet to surprise. We make sure we not get surprised, right?"

Mal gave a half grin, revealing more of his two protruding lower teeth.

Carric steps from the wagon, rubbing his lower back. Though he's accustomed to sitting for long hours it still can be quite jarring traveling the way he and the other guards are. He stretches, for a moment and stays close to the wagon he has been in until either an all clear is given or the attack comes.

Maria also steps off the wagon after collecting her stuff into her backpack. After a year of travelling with Gundrennm, largely at the back of one of his wagons, she has grown accustomed to the aches and pains that come with it. So she is not so groany or stiff. Still she streches a bit to loosen her muscles as she looks around. Largely she stays close to the party and does not wander off.

Cunaar gets out the wagon slowly. He makes not audible groans, but his every movement announces that he is in pain, would rather be somewhere else, and has serious doubts about whether any of this is worth the few gold coins being put in his purse.

He climbs down and seems to test the ground with his feet before transferring his whole weight off the wagon.

"And I thought the saddle was a brutal mode of transport." He looks to the sky. "Not too much to hope for a dry rest is it?"

Serena dexterously did a hand=spring from where she was to the edge of the wagon, and then flipped down over the edge and to the ground, landing on her feet like a cat. Simple acrobatics like that were easy for her.

"Well...we don't want to over-work the poor animals if we can help it. If we take care of them, they'll take care of us. Plus, even I have to admit it feels good to stretch out and have my feet on solid ground again." she says to those around assembled.

She will help with the camp preparation as needed, although will leave the heavier lifting to the burlier folks since she is just a normal strength woman, even if she's in otherwise good shape. If there is a need, she will instead start playing music like a make-shift taskmaster to help give people a rhythm and beat to go by as they do their own work. And in doing so, increase their productivity and happiness in equal measure.

Esseron sees that the cargo is all under canves, but it isn't really meant to be secret. From what he can see, it appears to be supplies and provisions. Barrels and crates and what look to be digging or mining tools are visible.


"Well, now," Jack Crider replies to Tomas's question, "the wagons aren't overloaded, and we've got two horses pulling each wagon... and The High Road is in good repair, so I expect we'll make it to Triboar Trail just before nightfall."

"The trail isn't in good condition these days... Phandalin hasn't quite recovered yet. Going will be slower, so I expect we'll reach the village sometime after midday tomorrow."

"Huh," Tomas says while absently rolling a loose stone between his toes. "Is there an established camp, or even a village we will take shelter in, tonight?" He asks hopefully.

The halfling mentally commits the general directions to form a mental map of the area, secretly wondering about the name Triboar Trail. Tomas briefly envisions a three-headed, snarling pig with a wicked curved tusk of jet. He quickly pushes that thought out of his mind.

"There's a campsite where the Triboar Trail meets the High Road," Jack answers. "No one's been crazy enough... or brave enough... to set up a waystation there yet."

"Huh," the halfling answers again. "Why is that? I mean," he says while fidgeting from side to side, "like crazy how? Just what exactly can we expect up there, at Triboar Trail?"

Tomas' curiosity has been sufficiently piqued by Jack's vague response. It would be good to know any rumors of what they might be in for.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:05, Tue 26 Aug 2014.

Serena grins.

"I say we go make that campsite into our little base! Ok, maybe not a base but if it is the ideal location we need then we should go there, and face any consequences as they arise! But it's just being pessimistic to think the worst will happen though."

Eldrond thought about it for a moment and thought that it might be a good place to build a little outpost... if the road sees enough traffic. But with his meager purse he has to drop that thought and prefers to look around... and sometimes sneak a peek at Serena.

"This is all still wilderness out here," Jack replies to Tomas. "Barbarians from beyond the Sword Mountains swept over the region years ago, laying waste to whatever was here at the time. Orcs still roam freely through the Neverwinter Wood, and rumors of goblins persist."

"And no one is quite sure what sort of creatures lurk in the area. Probably ogres, maybe some trolls. Tilly Pritched claimed he saw an owlbear last month. O' course, that was with half a keg o' ale in him! Har-har."

"And you never know when a dragon might take a fancy to the area and decide to lair somewhere."

"Nope, the land ain't been tamed yet. It ain't civilized. So that can make it dangerous to the common folk. Me, included. We got us enough protection that none of the beasties are likely to bother us, though."

"Sure, the High Road is reasonably well traveled, enough so that the rulers of Neverwinter and Waterdeep keep it maintained, but it's not patroled by soldiers or such. So a way station out here would be on its own. Doubt if it would see enough business to cover the expense of its own protection... at least not yet anyway."


The horses haven't been overtaxed, since a pair of them was pulling only a medium load, and the drivers hadn't been trying to make any haste. Jack seems to have a good sense of what he can accomplish.

So, after an hour of rest, everyone stretching their legs and grabbing a bite to eat without risk of having it jostled out their hand, the horses are hitched back up and the wagons move out again.

About mid-afternoon, a pair of riders are encountered, heading north to Neverwinter. Although they seem to be in a bit of a hurry, no doubt trying to reach the city by nightfall, they stop for a moment to chat.

Their names are Edward the Fierce and Zendar the Foolish... which is said with a humorous chuckle. Zendar is a merchant, Edward his protector.

"Damn horse threw a shoe! Edward explains. "Took forever to fix it. Put some poultice on that leg as it half-hobbled Snookers here. Had to let him rest while the poultice did its work. That's why we broke camp so late."

"No sign of trouble on the road, but I did catch site of some buzzards circling to the north. Could just be the carcass of an animal, though."

He left unsaid just what kind of animal it might have been, but his tone was clear on what he thought it was.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:36, Wed 27 Aug 2014.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 43):

Esserron watches the riders, assessing them shrewdly. He had heard the name of Zendar in the merchants quarter, but had never had cause to meet him. 'What you guts doing out here on your own, without wagons or goods?,' he asks blandly.

"I don't know about making it our little base, but it sounds like we are definitely going through there. Not much to be done about that. We'll just deal with whatever comes our way. Let the chips fall where they may! I am good at that," he states by way of trying to sound reassuring.

Tomas listens to Jack's accounting of Triboar Trail, nodding as each new detail is revealed.

Later, when the two travelers are encountered, Tomas edges in behind Esseron and nods agreeably to his pointed question.

Serena nods at Tomas.

"Yep yep. We have a destination we need to get to, and two wagon-fulls of gumption to do it with. Yes, the monsters out here are scary and a threat and blah blah blah. But equally, you can't let fear dictate your life either, or you'd stay indoors all day and never get out and do anything, out of fear of some nasty critter showing up or something. You just have got to do it after a point, and cross bridges when you get to them." she replied optimistically.

She looked at Esseron and the riders.

"Speaking of gumption - I agree. you two have a lot of guts being out here by yourselves without many supplies and such. Do you have an interesting story behind that or something, if you don't mind sharing?"

She wondered about the buzzards though.

Cunaar does his best to stay out of the talk and out of the sunlight.

Oh, the fresh air. The new scenery. Maldor was pleased with the day.

But the time away from the city had not jogged his memory yet. True, it had been but a short time, but not even an inkling of his past life returned.

On the exterior of his psyche, he was pleased that he did not have to thwart an attack at the way station. But, crawling underneath that feeling, was a small voice advising him that placing his greatclub against the form of an unfriendly foe would be satisfying.

Was Mal evil? Hateful? Had he been a warrior in the past, before he was found in the Tower District stripped of his identity and anything of value?

Mal looked down at the back of his hand at the tattoo. The cat was ready to attack. Was he the creature, ready to take on what faced him? Or was it the symbol of something larger?

The tall half-orc took in a deep breath of the wilderness air. Answers would come in time.

"Yeah, we were in Waterdeep, making arrangements to ship some merchandise up to Neverwinter," Edward replies. "There wasn't any reason to stay and travel with the wagons. Our associate takes care of all that. We were heading back to 'Winter to set up buyers for our merchandise."

"We just decided to make a quick run back to 'Winter rather than do the dawdle and camping bit," Zendar explains. "We have sufficient supplies for the two-day ride. What more do we need?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:55, Wed 27 Aug 2014.

Maria just stays in the wagon and does not get involved. She was more inclined to stand guard and watch out for trouble than aid since she was only a child and would not be much help.

Eldrond had tried to keep himself out of it, he preferred to listen than to talk, but the last sentence did get his attention and he said quietly to himself: "In times like these? An army." he nods at them and asks: "Any other news from Waterdeep?"

The travellers pass on some minor local Waterdeep news and rumors, but nothing of any real significance.

You have just as little to tell them about Neverwinter, though, so it kind of evens out.

With trail etiquette satisfied, both parties are on their way again.


The rest of the afternoon passes uneventfully. The general timing of travel means it's unlikely to meet anyone on trail now, and, indeed, there are no more travelers encountered.

Right on schedule, you reach the Triboar Trail about an hour before sunset. On the southern corner is the campsite. There's a large rock standing upright about 30 feet from the trail, and a stone ring nearby that serves as a firepit. The rock serves a windbreak, and it's also an easily seen marker for the trail.

The teamsters pull the wagons into defensive positions flanking the rock, unhitch the horses and lead them off to the north of the trail to graze. They rub the horses down, feed them and water them from supplies in the wagons since there's no nearby stream or spring.

Carric again climbs off his cart to stretch his legs though he stays near the carts. He lets his eyes wonder, trying to think where any bandits might come from if they are attacked during the night.

OOC: 09:13, Today: Carric Nailo rolled 12 using 1d20+3. Look for ambush points.

Eldrond gets off the wagon and looks around, as almost every time when he camps he looks around and thinks about how he would attack the camp. Trying to consider different possibilities and the strength of the party he just can't focus and keeps remembering the Elvin song Serena played at noon.

22:45, Today: Eldrond Griffin rolled 9 using 1d20+5. Checking for ambush sides.

OOC: ****** Serena, don't play that well. Eldrond can't concentrate now.

With the trip's seating arrangements keeping the two elf wizards apart, Ero takes this moment to introduce himself to Carric.  "It's good to see another civilized practitioner of the arcane arts along for the trip.  Who was your instructor?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Sun 31 Aug 2014.

"Hmmm...well this is a cute little campsite. The large boulder makes for a great windbreak too." Serena said as she got off the wagon and looked around.

"Let's take a look at what we've got to work with..."

As she did, her long ears twitched here and there as they picked up sounds that were too faint for most humans, and her keen eyes scanned the area.

12:09, Today: Serena Valais rolled 16 using 1d20+3. checking out the site.

ooc: She's making a perception check. My wis mod is +1 and she is proficient in perception due to being half elf so I believe the roll mod is +3. She's scanning the site for any abnormal or interesting features, as well as any points that would be vulnerable to ambush as well as ones that the party could use to hole up in.

Other than the rock, Carric doesn't spot any place that could be an ambush site, and everyone check out the rock first thing.

The treeline is a good 200 feet away, mostly clear of underbrush. A few rotting tree stumps indicate that the trees were cut back to improve the clearing, and possibly the underbrush is also cleared out.

It's clearly a well-used campsite, also well-maintained. The only thing missing is fresh water.

Among the supplies in the wagons are several cord wood logs... just about enough for one campfire. Jack begins unloading it and carefully piling it into the firepit.

"Any of you got a tent you want to set up and use?" Jack asks. "Don't expect it'll rain tonight, but it'll get a might cold by morning. We got extra blankets. We'll sleep under the wagons... drop some canvas down the side to cut down the wind, and trap the heat from the fire."

"If you folks can stand watch, that'll let Zack and I get some rest."


There is enough space under the wagons to comfortably accommodate six people each... three side-by-side under each axle.

Hoping that nobody will disturb their sleep early at the beginning, he volunteers for the first watch. "I can take over the first watch, anyone care to join?" He looks at the others and a bit longer at Serena.

Cunaar seeks out a patch of soft looking ground under one of the wagons. Standing up all night in the cold squinting into the darkness does not suit the young wizard. They had more than enough elves and others whose eyes were not so dependent on the sun.

Before getting out of the wagon, Mithra stood up and surveyed the surrounding area. She'd already noticed the widened space to the treeline, and nodded approvingly. It would only be marginally effective in the dark, however. There could still be lurking places within the woods, even if it wasn't the deep woods.

She turned her attention in the opposite direction. From the scent on the air, she guessed the sea was about 10 miles away. Too far to stage an ambush.


She jumped down off the wagon, and went over to Maldor.

"Maldor, care to do a little scouting with me? I figure we should check out that treeline up close like."

Serena catch's Eldron's eye, and smiles.

"Yes, I'll join the first watch group with you." she replied gregariously.

"My eyes do well in low light and dark levels. Mind you, they do just fine during the day too. Anyone else wanna join us on first watch?"

In reply to Mithra Stormraven (msg # 60):

"Maldor go with warrior woman, yes" was the half-orc's reply. He looked to whatever other person was standing nearby.

"Me and warrior woman go look at trees. See if bad there. You yell if bad come."

Mal again rubbed his greatclub. It wasn't far to the treeline. A quick look couldn't hurt. Even if for the sign of footprints of spies on the campsite, Maldor was up for the walk.

Tomas busies himself with scouting out the campsite's immediate vicinity but does not veer too far from the wagons. He had already decided he would sleep atop one of the larger crates, the benefits of being small, and would not have to worry about finding a level patch of ground to lay out his bedroll.

At some point, Tomas appears beside Eldrond and replies, "Sure, I will stand first watch with you."

In reply to Tomas Turnbuckle (msg # 63):

Esserron shrugs and takes whichever watch is needed before settling down for some dinner and sleep.

It wasn't quite sunset yet when Mithra and Maldor reach the trees. These were mostly small, sparsely planted trees, not the deep woods of the Neverwinter Wood. They tended to be clumped in little copses.

Nothing is spotted south of the trail to the southeast, but the area to the northeast is a different story. It's not at the edge, but a little deeper in. There is some underbrush, but not much, which is why the clump is suspicious. After cautiously checking it out, it appears to be a blind... and a camp. Well, it's not a camp like the group has made, but it was clearly a place where several individuals sat and ate... and probably kept watch on the High Road campsite.

The stacked brush was clearly piled up so that the whoever was behind it couldn't be seen.

Maldor recognizes the camp refuse... and the scattered footprints... as that of goblins.

You suddenly hear a noise up in the trees, like something moving about. It starts out faint at first, but quickly increases in volume as more and more sounds are heard. Then without warning, some sort of bird-like creatures take flight and fly out towards the camp. As soon as they leave the trees, they begin shrieking.


The first indication the camp has of these creatures is the shrieking. It quickly becomes apparent that there are many creatures shrieking. In the twilight, they can only be seen as dark shapes with flapping wings. The cacophony of their shrieking is annoying at first, but as they get closer, it becomes disorienting.

Tomas' head jerks with a start upon hearing the shrieking sound.

The halfling rogue tries to locate the source of the strange sound, Was it some sort of bird?

"What was that?" he asks aloud, starting to become a little concerned.

Serena hears the shrieking noises, and suddenly gets on guard. Her hand goes toward her belt, as if to draw her rapier. Except she actually - oddly enough - withdraws her flute instead. although she has a determined look on her face.

"Everyone, something's coming towards us! Everyone who is not a hired guard needs to go hide under the wagons. NOW!" she shouts to all assembled.

"Everyone who is a hired guard...get ready."

She scans the area with her eyes, which were like an elf's in that they did much better in these lighting conditions than a human's would.

ooc: She has an elf's visual acuity, thankfully, so hopefully she can see the flying things easier than normal as they come towards us. If any of the shrieking things gets within 60 feet of us, she'll unleash a vicious mockery attack on it, so she's scanning carefully. 

Esseron raises an eyebrow laconically and smiles as the Elf starts shouting, wondering if anyone present hadn't already heard the approaching birds and figured out what was happening. Fishing about his belongings he tries to find a handkerchief or rag to block up his ears, in case the screeching of the bird things has some kind of offensive effect, and he also readies an arrow in his short bow, ready to let fly if an attack looks imminent.

OOC: If the birds are attacking then Esseron will let fly this round if possible, but will hold fire if they're not hostile (happy for you to roll on my behalf DM for speed!)

Carric quickly rises from his calm meditations. Moving towards the rest of the guards, he begins scanning the trees trying to get a see what is coming. As he is doing this he also runs down the list of spells currently in his mind, selecting a ray of frost to sling at whatever may be attacking.

Ero cocks an ear in response to the cackling.  The common-winged nightjar.  And a rather sizeable flock at that.  He didn't recall mention of them flocking.  Learn something new every day.

"I don't understand what your panicked about, Miss Valais.  It's simply a flock of nightjars.  Perhaps we disturbed their nesting area."

08:43, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Nature, identify sound.

The shriek went through his bones, he turns around trying to listen to where it came from and unsheathes his rapier. He didn't say a word and just tried to see and hear something more.


05:46, Today: Eldrond Griffin rolled 22 using 1d20+3. Identify sound.

05:45, Today: Eldrond Griffin rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Listening.

Maldor's adrenaline hit a high mark when the fluttering became unnerving shrieks.

"What bok this?!" he exclaimed, not fully aware of what he said.

Mal took a quick look around. Goblin tracks, a makeshift camp, but no goblins? And the flying creatures heading for his comrades at the wagons?

He spoke to the fighting woman nearby, not taking his attempted view off of the creatures.

"We go back camp, yes?"

Maldor took a step forward.

Maria is not convinced and has her sling out just in case.

Maldor has already taken a few long strides before he checks on Mithra.

"What are those?" he bellowed. "Me run back to camp."

As the creatures get closer, it can be seen that they are rather small birds, but look more like bats. They just don't fly like bats.

At this point, it seems likely that the shrieking is a way for them to navigate at night.

They are definitely attacking.

Tomas got off the wagon and scouted the area, then offered to stand first watch. The shrieking has him a bit disoriented. The birds sweep in. A pair of them attack Tomas with sharp pointy beaks. Both strike him, doing 1 point of damage each, but they've latched onto him.
00:06, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 21,20 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((20,19)).

Serena got off wagon, also scouted the area, and offered to stand first watch. As the birds swoop in, she casts Vicious Mockery spell on the first one. It drops to the ground. The second one still continues to attack but just misses her.
00:06, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 17,15 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((16,14)).

Esseron had settled down for dinner and sleep, until the shrieking interrupted those plans. Anticipating an attack, he unslings his short bow. As a pair of birds appear to target him, he lets loose with an arrow. He just manages to hit the first one, dropping it to the ground. The second one doesn't even come close.
00:55, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Esseron, rolled 13 using 1d20+3 ((10)).
00:07, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 6,3 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((5,2)).

Carric got off the wagon, and was conversing with Ero. When the shrieks indicated a possible attack, he prepared a spell. As a pair of birds swoop in to attack him, he lets loose with his Ray of Frost. He hits the first one, dropping it to the ground. The second one, however, manages to impale Carris with its beak for 1 point of damage, but it clings to him.
01:09, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Carric Nailo, rolled 21 using 1d20+6 ((15)).
00:08, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 7,17 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((6,16)).

Ero got off wagon, and began conversing with Ero. When he hears the shrieks, he mistakes it for the sound of a nightjar. He realizes his error when they close enough to see, though they do sound a bit like them. A pair of them swoop down to attack him. Both of them manage to hit him for 1 point of damage each, and they latch onto him.
00:08, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 18,18 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((17,17)).

Eldrond got off the wagon, scouted the area for a bit, and then offered to stand first watch. When he hears the shrieks, he tries to identify the sound. Although they do sound like nightjars, he thinks they are a bird called a shrieker, for obvious reasons. Shriekers are also blood-suckers! A pair swoops in and attacks him, but both miss.
00:09, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 12,7 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((11,6)).

Marianna got off wagon while camp was being made, and when the shrieks sounded and started getting closer, she readied her sling. As a pair of shrieking birds swooped down at her, she let loose with her sling, but her aim went really wide. Fortunately, the birds also miss her.
01:21, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Marianna Fireheart, rolled 5 using 1d20+4 ((1)).
00:10, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 3,7 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((2,6)).

Artem got off the wagon and rested under it, picking his spot early. He is attacked by a pair of birds, but they are reluctant to go under the wagon and so they miss him.
00:10, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 10,12 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((9,11)).

Cunaar got off the wagon and picked his spot under the wagon, too. Again, when a pair of shriekers swooped down on him, they weren't quite ready to delve under the wagon, so both missed him.
00:11, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 8,6 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((7,5)).

Elaith got off the wagon, looked around, saw all the other scouts, so offered to help with the camp. Unintentionally, he was behind the rock when the shriekers attacked, and the pair that attacked him weren't very adept at negotiating over or around the rock, so both miss him.
00:11, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 3,9 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((2,8)).

Halister got off the wagon, saw the others scouting the area and also helped with camp. A pair of shriekers attacked him, but only one nailed him with its beak for 1 point of damage and latched on.
00:12, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 19,13 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((18,12)).

Morgrimm also got off the wagon, decided he'd probably take the third watch, so was settling in to get some rest before then. That's when the shrieking started, quickly followed by an attack by two birds. The first one jabbed him with its beak for 1 point of damage, and latched on. The second one missed by a mile!
00:12, Fri 05 Sept 2014: StarMaster rolled 19,2 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 ((18,1)).

Maldor at first just thought they'd disrupted some flock of sleeping birds, but when he realized that the birds were heading for the camp, he got a bad feeling, and headed back that way. It's going to take him two rounds to get back. None of the birds attack him till then.

Mithra hesitated a moment in case there was something else in the area that might have disturbed the birds, or might even be controlling them. When she spots nothing else amiss, she heads back after Maldor.

Tomas calls out in alarm, "They've got me! They've got me! Ackkk! Get 'em off me!" The rogue attempts to tumble away, perhaps forcing the winged creatures to release him. If not, with his free hand, the halfling draws his short sword and attempts to use it slash one of the things.

She looked defiantly at Ero, the full blooded elf before her.

"No nightjar I've ever heard screeches like that, nor would they go after a group this big so easily. I've been around enough to know that much, at least." she says as they suddenly come into view and start attacking en mass.

She quickly turns to face them and puts her mouth to her flute, playing a short but vicious sounding sound as two of the critters dive at her. An invisible wave of psychic sound blasts into one of them, dropping it, while she nimbly dodges the other.

She turns around and swiftly faces the second one assaulting her. Her fingers move lightning fast as she plays another scathing solo on her flute, while trying to see if she recalls what these things are.

ooc: She is casting vicious mockery again at the other critter that's attacking her. This way, if it flies into the air to try and swoop around again she can still hit it.

If it is also possible to do as a free action or something equivalent, I'd like to have her make the relevant knowledge check to try and identify them.

Eldrond knew that sound, he had heard it before: "Shriekers, look out" he shouts, but it was already too late and two attacked him. But his years long practice dodging beer mugs and other small thrown items taught him a few things and he evaded the birds narrowly.
With the rapier in his hand he tries to get his back to the wagon and waits for a shrieker to attack before trying to impale it on his rapier.

(he will try to use the velocity of the bird to his advantage)

As the shriekers sweep in, Esseron curses, and drops his bow while he draws his rapier to defend himself at close quarters. It's a stylish move he's pulled off hundreds of times when showing off to his friends in NeverWinter at the docks. Unfortunately he's never actually been attacked by a blood-sucking shrieking bird, and something of the situation leads a certain loss of style - indeed the sword sticks as he draws it, and ends up nearly impaling himself on it as he drops it and stumbles.

OOC: Can't remember if the new rules have a specific fumble rule or not, but in any case it wa a natural 1!

As the malevolent flying creatures closed in on the wagons, something within Maldor pushed him forward with an increasing rage.

"Mabaj muuuuuuuuuuub!" he growled at the top of his lungs, a hoarseness invading his normally calm voice.

He knew that the strong Mithra would be close behind. His focus was on the camp... and the daughter he was supposed to be protecting. Thoughts of failure had not invaded his psyche.

If this was life outside of the city, Mal knew that he had to be successful in this first encounter.

"Quite perspicacious, madam," Ero replies as he swats with his staff at the swirling mass of birds.  "A distant cousin in the family Caprimulgidae.  Elvemulgus nictiquiritatus, and a rather capacious flock of them to a certain degree."

He shakes a prism loose from his sleeve into his hand.  He raises it up and whispers an incantation.  The air above bursts into a cloud of shimmering dust that slowly falls onto both bird and person.

Sleep spell into the the center of the flock.  Hopefully they all have fewer hitpoints than any of us.

Cunaar swats at the birds with his hands for a moment and lets out a somewhat undignified shout. He shouts out "Incindiari!" but the flaming bolt that his magic produces does not strike bird flesh.

OOC:

Rolled a 7 to hit.

Tomas employs a tumbling tactic that manages to dislodge one of the blood-sucking birds, but he has to draw his sword to hack off the other one. The one he knocked off isn't dead, but is stunned.

Serena casts another spell at a shrieker with the same result--it's dead. She vaguely recalls talk of a blood-sucking bird called a shrieker. It can only attack with its beak, but then it latches on with its claws and continues sucking blood out of its target. Its not much bigger than a hummingbird, but is very fast.

Eldrond puts his back to the wagon, draws his rapier and waits for the shriekers to attack again. Although they are small and fast, he is able to impale one on his rapier. He recalls some naturalist claiming shriekers are related to stirges.
03:19, Sat 06 Sept 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Eldrond Griffin, rolled 15 using 1d20+6 ((9)). You might want to roll your own dice next time!

Esseron drops his bow, draws his rapier, and manages to fumble it in his haste, sticking it through his sleeve and into the wagon.

Maldor continues racing to the campsite. He realizes as he runs that the birds were kind of small, so they shouldn't be much of a threat to the others, not even Marianna.

Despite having two of the blood-sucking birds fastened to him, Ero manages to cast a Sleep spell at the shriekers, but they are flitting around so much and so fast that he has trouble targeting any significant number of them. He still manages to put 8 of them to sleep, and they drop from the sky like stones. Fortunately, the impact with the ground doesn't wake them up.
02:05, Sat 06 Sept 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Ero Sulaanin, rolled 16 using 4d8 ((5,2,2,7)). You might want to roll your own dice next time!

Cunaar lets off a Flaming Bolt spell at a shrieker, but misses completely!

Jack and Zack, as soon as they realized that they being attacked by some shrieking bird, move to the rock and put their backs against it, bracketing Eliath. Neither was hit in the first pass.

The shrieker on Carric falls asleep and drops off, as does the two on Ero himself. The two attacking Marianna also fall asleep. The surviving one attacking Esseron also falls asleep, as does the surving one on Eldrond. And the one that latched onto Morgrimm also falls asleep.

The other characters seem to be disoriented by the shrieking.

{Assuming the upcoming round is when Mal arrives... If not, you'll get the idea. :))

Maldor realized that the flying creatures were merely pests, but he didn't wish to chance any harm to his fellow travelers.

As he grew closer, Mal growled at the top of his lungs... deep, with an almost animal-like tone. Perhaps the birds, those remaining, would be frightened off.

His first attempt to help would be the daughter of the caravan's owner. It was his duty to keep her safe. With his greatclub held in one hand, he would swat away any flying foes that he could.

Ignorant of any spells being cast in his path, it was Maldor's desire to do what he would know best. Unfortunately, his amnesia prevented him from knowing exactly what that would be. Perhaps he was about to find out.

If there is any immediate danger Eldrond will deal with it in the same way as before.

06:20, Today: Eldrond Griffin rolled 22 using 1d20+6

If not than Eldrond looks for a moment at the sleeping Shrieker before, using his rapier, to kill it as it lies there. It wasn't "honorable" but till now he wasn't able to use honor as a shield.

With one winged-creature now removed, Tomas continues to tumble in an effort to free himself from the second.

Tomas dislodged one with his tumbling, then stabbed the second one, which killed it. So he doesn't have any on him any more.

"Do save one," Ero says to Eldrond.  "I'd like to keep it for study."

He takes aim at one of those still flying and launches an arrow of flame at it.  It feels odd doing it without a bow, and it affects his aim.  The bolt flies past, only singing a wing.

20:46, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 19,1 using 1d20+5,1d10. Fire Bolt vs flying shrieker.

With a flick of his wrist Esseron frees his rapier from the wagon, and turns to try to engage the bloodsucker that had been swooping at him. Obviously discombobulated by his previous attempts at using his sword, he again wields the rapier unconvincingly, but is aided by the fact the shrieker is dozing at his feet. When he realises he is attacking thin air, he tries (none too convincingly) to turn the attack into a flourish, and then skewers the sleeping bird in any case. He then quickly turns to the group, looking to see if any one needs aid, partly to hide any embarrassment he might be feeling.

OOC: So I rolled a failed attack roll before realising the shrieker was asleep and it was redundant, so thought I'd roleplay it out!

"Crap! They're not Nightjars they're shriekers!" Serena exclaimed aloud as she spun around and quickly gazed at her companions.

She looked for anyone who had a shrieker attached to them, saw Tomas free himself but Ero still had one or two attached. Then his sleep spell goes off and they all drop off. So instead she looks skyward at any shriekers that are awake still, and her hands suddenly move furiously as she plays a quick dirge of death on her flute. An invisible wave of magic projects from her toward the nearest awake shrieker.

ooc: Casting vicious mockery again at the nesrest airborn shrieker. However, if one of the PC's gets one attached to them before she attacks, she will switch her target to the one that latched onto someone. But otherwise she'll go after one that's awake and still attacking. If there are two equally viable targets she attacks the one aiming for the the pc that is most injured.

Tomas is no longer being attacked. The combination of the Sleep spell and Maldor's yell has effectively eliminated all the remaining shriekers from around the wagons.


Serena casts Vicious Mockery spell on one of the remaining birds before they fly off. It drops to the ground, dead.


Esseron impales one of the sleeping bird-like creatures, and then looks around for more.


Carric was about to fire another flame arrow until they start flying off.


Ero also shoots off an arrow of flame, and merely singes a wing of one before it flies off.


Eldrond, feeling it to be dishonorable to slay even a sleeping bird-like creature such as these shriekers, lets the others deal with the slumbering beasts. He looks around for a more honorable target, and sees them fly off after the bellowing Maldor. Unsure of how well the Half-Orc might fare against such strange creatures, he runs in Maldor's direction.


Marianna stays under the wagon, relieved when the birds start to fly off.


Cunaar missed with his first fiery attack, but now, as the birds fly off, he holds back and guards the wagons defensively.


Artem, Halister and Morgrimm were disoriented by the shrieking birds, which is one of the purposes of the shrieks. Once they were attacked, though, they recover, but by the time they find a target, half of the birds are asleep or already dead and the remaining ones have flown off to attack Maldor. So they go around and kill the slumbering beasts, collecting them up at Eldrond's urging to roast over a fire. They still keep guard on the wagons, though.

Elaith is still in the shelter of the rock, and helps defend Jack and Zack.


Maldor is just over halfway back to the wagons when he lets out loud growling roar. Unfortunately, it seems to have an opposite effect than what he intended. It doesn't scare them off; instead, it makes him their target. However, they are slightly confused, as the sound disrupts their sonar navigation, and while they flutter in Maldor's direction, they aren't quite sure where he is. Only one manages to find him, and attacks, successfully hitting him for 1 point of damage, but, of course, it latches on.


Mithra, following close behind Maldor, sees the effect and the attack, and manages to swipe the shrieker off of Maldor.

Ero lets out an exasperated sigh.  "Madam, as I attempted to clarify not one minute ago, these shriekers as you call them, are distantly related to your common nightjar.  Though these said creatures possess modified probosces due to their rather specific diet, their morphology otherwise is almost identical to their non-blood-drinking cousins."

"In his monograph on crepuscular birds of northern Faerun, Calmcacil expounds in great detail upon the two Elvemulginal subfamilies and theorizes that rambeyaarlimpe -- the Elvish name for shriekers -- were once a genus of nightjars.  He surmises they likely underwent arcane manipulation several generations ago, resulting in their present form.  The perpetrator was obviously so lazy he not only created fertile constructs to bypass the need for multiple recreations, but he kept them poorly secured, hence their escape into the wild.  In sum, there, but for a long-ago transmutation, is a nightjar."

"Do you understand now?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:20, Wed 17 Sept 2014.

As Maldor approached the group at the wagons, he noticed something peculiar. Instead of frightening the birds with his deep animalistic yell, the creatures were attracted to him.

For a moment, the shock prevented any rational thought to enter his pony-tailed noggin.

When the bird attached itself to him, the shock wore off. Fortunately for Mal, his fellow warrior was able to dislodge it.

Time for thanks would come later. Maldor continued toward his target... the owner's daughter. He ceased his yelling, however. He raised his right hand toward the oncoming birds in order to swat down what he could.

It was all an incredibly odd experience for the half-orc.

Serena rolled her eyes.

"It is a Shreiker, not a nightjar. You said it so yourself. You even said a nightjar was transmuted into something else. You can't just casually blow off or disregard that part, you know. If I take a stone, and grind it down into power and mix it with lime and mud to make a brick then is it still a stone? no of course not - you transformed it into a brick. Or if I take a strawberry and mix it with some things to get a jelly. You've got jelly now, not a strawberry." she replied with a sigh.

"Plus, from what I recall they less related to nightjars and more related to some other blood-cucking flying critter. Maybe a stirge or bat or something? I don't remember but a nightjar certainly doesn't drink blood but these shriekers definitely do."

She then turns and scans the area for more attacking shriekers. If all are asleep or killed or chased off, she relaxes a bit but if she sees anyone under attack she casts vicious mockery again at said attacking shrieker.

ooc: Casting vicious mockery if there's any active attacking shriekers left.

It was obvious to Ero this woman had difficulty thinking things through.  It had to be her human side.  Poor child.

"And what kind of jelly would it be?  Strawberry.  And what kind of brick would it be?  Stone.  Their forms may have been manipulated into something else, but the fact they are related, at least in part, to other strawberries and other stones does not change."

Ero casts another fire bolt at a diving shrieker.

"The rambeyaarlimpe is not a nightjar.  I never said it was.  What I said is that it is related to nightjars.  Its antecedents were nightjars.  Honestly madam, if anyone could grasp that concept, I would have thought it would be you."

Ugh. Some elves and their arrogance made Serena cringe at times. Still, she'd not actually blow up or lose control. But she thought it was ridiculous that he was actually trying to outwit a bard. It actually made her chuckle.

"Ok wise guy...it's like if you put a piece of bread over a fire, and it becomes toast. Toast is an entirely new thing from bread and it cannot be changed back into bread, uncooked or unburnt, and so on. Same thing with a shrieker versus a night jar. Although I believe they descended from a different critter, like a stirge or a bat or something due to their blood drinking."

In reply to Serena Valais (msg # 96):
Esseron ignores the bickering and starts scanning the immediate surroundings for signs of any other threats.

Ero let out an exasperated sigh.  "You are so close to understanding.  Yes, toast and bread are not . . . quite the same thing, but in order to have toast, you have to start with bread.  You can't make toast out of water.  Do you agree with that?"

"It's the same with shriekers.  Shriekers were once nightjars, but they were changed by magic.  That doesn't change the fact they started out long ago as nightjars and therefore are related to them.  Shriekers are simply toasted nightjars!"

Serena looked like she was about to scowl and say a snappy retort, when all of a sudden she burst out into laughter and looked mirthful.

"Toasted nigthjars?! Oh that's a funny thought! I'm imagining these nightjars on a stick being roasted over a fire surrounded by a rowdy band of people camping or something. They even have these sad, comical looks on their faces too and 'X's' for eyes." she replied with a chuckle.

"Speaking of which, didn't you say you wanted to capture one alive for study? Now is your chance I'd say, while they're asleep. Would you like help tying one up or something?"

And he ran and he ran and he ran...

Although Maldor was in fine shape... lifting those crates back at the Black Scarab was great exercise... it felt as if the half-orc had been running for a week.

"Stupid birds" he thought to himself, his target the daughter of the caravan owner who he promised to protect.

Tomas had been quiet following the attack by the strange birds, mostly because he had been busy checking himself for wounds, quite certain he had been more wounded. In fact, he came out of it mostly unscathed, to which he attributed his quick thinking and luck.

Upon hearing the others' discussion, he nonchalantly chimes in, "Did somebody say something about toast, butter and jelly?" The halfling then looks around, half-expecting to find a nice spread laid out for the taking. He is sorely disappointed to find this not the case.

Dejected, he cuts in, "Well, if there's not going to be any toast, maybe we should move on, you know, before more of those things come back?"

Elo bristles at the bard's mirth.  "It's a perfectly apt analogy!"  He thinks a moment on her description and the humor finally sets in.  He smiles and lets out a laugh.  "Apt, but funny nonetheless.  You have a quick wit, madam."

"We've yet to be formally introduced," he says before giving Serena a courtly bow.  "Profe -- ahem, Ero Sulaanin."

He picks up a nearby slumbering bird and looks about for a way to contain it.  "I don't think rope will do," he says to Serena.  "I think it might be too thick for a creature so small.  Maybe there are a pair of baskets we could tie together."

He tries to do a quick search of the wagons but he feels the bird starting to stir.  He pauses to look at it before grabbing its head and giving it a quick twist, snapping the bird's neck.

"Oh well, it looks like I'll have to settle for a necropsy."

Maldor is still running around because he's a tad confused. He feels he should run back to the wagon to protect Mariana, but the threat is all around him now, so if he runs back to the wagon, he'll be taking the threat with him!

He runs forward, stops, runs back, stops, runs forward, stops... running away is the wrong thing to do; he instinctively knows that. Yet running forward at this juncture is equally wrong!

He keeps swatting at the birds, though, as they have focused on him. His own efforts, along with Mithra's, and accompanied by a spell from Serena and one from Ero, is enough to finally drive the remaining ones away, which is only half a dozen or so.

Maldor stands firm, glaring at the fleeing bloodsucking birds. A low groan of displeasure escapes his lips.

Mal checks his body, especially where the one creature attached itself. Deciding that it's a small enough blemish to go without medical attention, he approaches Mariana.

He looks down at the girl, examining her as he speaks.

"Girl good?" the half-orc asks.

Serena smiled at Ero.

"I try to keep an open mind." she replied gregariously with a chuckle.

She responds with a dramatic courtesy of her own.

"A pleasure to meet you, Profe -- ahem, Ero Sulaanin." she said with a playful glint in her eye, although it was obviously good-natured play and not mocking.

"Mister Ero Sulaanin, Serena Valais at your service." she said.

"As for the bird, I can maybe get some twine or a cord and..." then she winced as he broke its neck.

"Nevermind. I feel the bird won't be giving you problems anymore." she said sarcastically.

"By the way, are you hurt at all? If not, would you help me look to see if anyone else needs medical attention?"

As Serena goes around tending to the party's wounds, starting with Tomas, she quickly realizes that the wounds are healing on their own--the blood isn't clotting!

ooc: Wait are the wounds closing up like regeneration, or when you say not clotting did you mean to say the bleeding won't stop?

The bleeding won't stop.

Ero smiles.  "I'm a former professor, regrettably caught on the wrong side of politicking.  So here I am, helping guard a caravan on the edge of the world.  Fate is funny."

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Valais."


"Just some minor nips, I think."  He pokes at one wound with a finger.  "Fascinating.  There should be at least some conglutination at the wound site.  This isn't -- ah!  Of course!  The saliva of these animals must contain an anti-clotting factor!  Oh, this is quite intriguing."

Serena starts inspecting people.

"Hmmm...I'm actually a little concerned right now. Everyone who was 'poked' by those Shriekers is having the same problem. The wounds aren't clotting like they should, and I can't believe that this many people all at once from seemingly random racial and cultural backgrounds would have clotting deficiencies or something." she replied with concern.

She announced to the party at large.

"EVERYONE! I'd like you to all take stock of yourselves and one another for anyone with injuries from these birds. The wounds aren't appearing to stop easily, but I don't know if this is a serious issue or something simple that just requires a bit of pressure or a rag or something held over the wound for a while."

"ALSO, I'd like whichever among you is most injured right now to please step forward and come to me. I am going to try and help you in a more focused manner."

Maldor is still standing before the caravan owner's daughter when his redheaded compatriot makes her announcement.

"Blood no stop?" Mal muttered to himself, unsure of what the bard was talking about. He lifted his arm and looked at where the bird had attached itself (although for just a brief moment). Indeed, the bleeding had not ceased.

Maldor looked around. There were others more in need of medical attention. He could wait for aid. He looked again down at his charge, hoping that she was well.

Per Serena's recommendations, Tomas stops to take inventory of his wounds. He does what he can to clean, dress and then bandage his wounds.

Marianna stays under the wagon until she's sure the bird are all gone. It wasn't all that save under the wagon because the birds could have flown under it.

"I'm fine, Maldor," she says to her protector. "Are they all gone? You were very brave, calling them to you like that and fighting them all by yourself! You had them so confused they didn't know what they were doing!"

She probably could have taken as many of the birds as any of the others, but she'd learned early on that it wasn't a good thing to show up adults.

Maldor was most happy that the young human was fine. She was strong for her age. Perhaps, given the right circumstance, the two could battle together against an evil yet to be encountered.

"Maldor happy girl good" he stated in his slow, even tone. He, however, knew something that she didn't. He had not screamed in order to attract the birds away from the others. He was hoping to frighten them. He wasn't an insignificant presence. But the bloodsucking creatures didn't care. The half-orc was fortunate that others were paying attention and aided him.

Mal rested his greatclub against the nearby wagon wheel. He lifted his arm and placed his other hand against the bleeding. He pressed. After a moment, he lifted up. The wound was not healing.

"This strange," Maldor commented. He placed his hand over the wound a couple more times, attempting for a better result. The failure made him grunt.

"Why blood not stop?" he asked of no one in particular.

Without a scratch on him Esseron peers curiously at one of his injured companions, and the oozing blood. He shrugs, not having anything to offer in the way of help or advice, and goes back to scanning the area for any other threats while those more skilled than him try and sort the wounds.

Anyone with Medicine skill can see that the wounds caused by the shriekers' beaks aren't healing. You can apply pressure to them to stop the bleeding, but once the pressue is removed, it starts bleeding again.

As long as it bleeds, a character will lose 1hp every 5 minutes.

A Medicine check will let you know that the 'anti-coagulant' injected into the blood by the shriekers will lose its effectiveness after an hour.

Although Serena isn't a cleric, she can cast Cure Light Wounds in a more general manner... essentially spreading the healing around across several people. It's like she's trying to cast it as a cantrip, but not quite getting it low enough. This would be enough to stop the bleeding.

Artem looks at the blood on one of his hand axes and seems to awaken from his semi-confused state.

"That shrieking messed with me brain.  Sorry folks.  I'm not hurt--in case anyone wants to know.  Is there anything I can do to help? Not being trained in healing and such..."

OOC: Sorry for slothful entry. Will post more frequently now!

Maldor looked around at the group, wondering if anyone else was having a problem with bleeding. When he spots others with the problem, he approaches.

"Maldor bleed not stop, too" he simply stated, showing his wound to the others. "This bad, yes?"

"Alright guys, everyone who got hurt this fight even a bit please stand together. I am going to try and stop the bleeding directly. And more thoroughly than just applying pressure." she said firmly as she started to, of all things, hum to herself.

Serena began to hum a carefree, pastoral tune as she began to swirl around the injured. She lightly caressed people as she passed them, humming all the while as she drew on a special mystical power that wasn't quite clerical and not quite wizardly. In the wake of her passage, those who were touched felt a momentary vibration pass from her hand into their bodies that matched the rhythm of her sonorous humming, and the bleeding from the wounded began to stop and then the wounds themselves began to close.

ooc: Casting the DM's "Diluted cure Light Wounds" spell, with each caress essentially healing a single hit point and people who took a couple points damage getting stroked twice or thrice. But the healing is being spread around that way. For the clerically and arcanely minded, her magic does NOT display the standard qualities of either clerical or wizard/sorcerer magic, but is something else although she most resembles an innate sorcerous caster (she's a bard). This is also why she was able to kill the birds by playing her flute.

Artem watches in fascination as the bard does her trick.

"Too bad I didn't get hurt just a mite bit..." he mutters mostly to himself.

A pleasant shiver suffuses Tomas' spirit each time Serena touches the diminutive halfling. Maybe getting a little hurt wasn't altogether bad, especially with a bedside manner like that!

"Thanks for that," he replies after a time, giving a polite half-bow to the talented bard.

Maldor studied the location of his wound and watched it stop bleeding. He gave a soft grunt.

"Blood no come now. Good. Thank you."

Mal looked over to the area where he and Mithra were investigating before the attack of the birds.

"Warrior woman and me, we find camp where once ate goblins maybe. Goblins gone now, but may be back some time."

Maldor returned to his greatclub and picked it up. He patted it in his off hand and stared off into the trees.

Esserron peers at the trees that Maldor has pointed out and shrugs. 'What's the plan, are we stopping to camp here, or continuing somewhere less fraught?'

"I think we'll be all right here," says Ero.  "I doubt if the birds will be back."

Artem says "Camp sounds fine with me if there is fickle daylight left..."

The burly man smiles and begins humming to himself as he looks to his companions for a consensus.

Serena smiles.

"Not a problem. It was my pleasure." she says to those who thank her.

"And we should camp here. The site is pretty ideal, bird issues aside of course."

Maldor gave a chuckle at the bard's words... deep-throated, but not loud.

"Maldor go where wagons go. Maldor no mind stay here."

He glanced down at the location of his wound to double-check that the bleeding had stopped. How weird the sensation it was for the half-orc... much more different than he had expected.

When found all that time ago unconscious in the Tower District, he had many wounds. But he did not remember how he got them. This was the first time in his memory that he had been injured by something other than a falling beer stein onto his foot.

"Maldor keep eye on trees to make sure goblins they no return" he stated with an even tone as he kept his view in that direction.

Assuming the group, and most importantly, their patron, appears content to resume their rest, Tomas will slink back to his bedroll and eventually drift back to slumber until it is time for him to stand watch. Though, in truth, he can't wait for morning to come and be back on the road again.

Taking his cue from the halfling, Esseron will also rest/guard as the rota demands.

"Make no mistake that those shrieker birds are dangerous," Mithra says to the group, "but most of that comes from surprise, from the unexpected nature of their attack. Forewarned as we are now, we can make plans to defeat them."

"Considering they use echo-ranging to find their targets, they are probably nocturnal like bats. We must have presented too much of a temptation for them to wait."

"Still, we destroyed most of them. As the saying goes, there is safety in numbers. We now have the numbers and they don't, so the remaining ones will not return this night."

"This is a reasonable site for camp, and we've already done much of the camp preparation. I see no reason to relocate. We'll just need to be on guard a bit more alertly. I'll take the middle watch, as I've learned to sleep when I can."

"I'll pass on supperfare, as good food tends to make one lethargic if not outright sleepy. I've got some trail rations that'll do."

She grabs her bedroll from the wagon and tosses it out on the ground under the wagon, though she listens to what the others have to say for a few mintues before retiring.

Maldor is pleased that Mithra has remained calm over the episode with the birds. He tried to mouth the word "echo-location," but barely got halfway through. Maldor admired the woman's wisdom as well as strength.

"Maldor watch now. Eat jerky and biscuit, be good."

He rolled the greatclub in his hand as he continued to observe the trees.

Artem busies himself with making his spot as comfortable as could be expected in the outdoors, and sits down to eat in relative silence.  From time to time the man turns his head to listen to some distant twig snapping or bird calling.

Ero rolls out a threadbare rug.  After taking a seat on it, he places his staff across his lap and wraps his cloak about himself.  "Come get me in four hours and I can do watch for the rest of the night."

The rest of the night passes uneventfully, and the wagons are ready to go by the time the sun peeks over the eastern mountain peaks. Somewhere close to noon you round a bend in the trail and immediately spot two dead horses sprawled in the road about 50 feet ahead of you, blocking the path. Several black arrows stick out of them.

The woods are close to the trail at this point, and each side of the trail is a steep embankment covered with thickets.

Tomas balances atop a crate while peering out in the distance at the dead horses on the trail ahead. The halfling sweeps his head left and right, alert for any signs of an ambush, or perhaps even survivors.

Looking at all the available cover, Tomas whispers to his companions, "Keep those peepers open folks...going in for a closer look."

With that, the halfling rogue hops over the side of the wagon and quickly bounds into a nearby bush, where he attempts to disappears from sight.

Tomas makes his way closer to the dead horses, using the cover and concealment the woods provide.


OOC: Moving stealthily closer to the dead horses to get a better look

12:27, Today: Tomas Turnbuckle rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Stealth.

Artem grabs a handaxe in case there is a need for it and looks around for signs of enemies...

The hairs on the back of Maldor's neck rose as anticipation increased. When Tomas took off for his scouting, the half-orc slid over the back of the wagon. He gripped his greatclub with no slight concern.

"Travel men we met, did they not come from this way? Did they mention dead horses? Or are these fresh kill? Mal pondered with an even tone.

He eyed the trees with great intent. After the episode with the birds, Mal did not wish to be taken by surprise again. He glanced over at the young redheaded daughter in the wagon. Was she safe? Or could an arrow find its mark upon her?

If it were just Maldor, he would rush through, braving danger. But it was not just him. He had a charge, plus fellow travelers to show concern for.

Mal was eager for Tomas' report.

Serena was chatting with Ero about some things, as well as the shriekers and if he made any findings from his autopsy, when they came upon the grisly scene in the road.

"Hmmm...we will have to continue this later, professor. But this just isn't right..." she says as she motions toward the dead horses.

She pulls out her flute, and holds it in one hand, while she vigilantly begins scanning the surrounding area for potential threats, hidden ambushes, and the like. Those horses didn't kill themselves.

03:20, Today: Serena Valais rolled 21 using 1d20+3. perception check.

Ero tries to get a good look at the dead horses from his perch on the wagon.  "I'd imagine if this was the work of bandits, they'd be long gone by now," he comments.  "If they were going to ambush us, why would they leave the horses there?  That would immediately put any traveler on alert."

He hops down and walks over to the horses.  Standing staff's-length away, he pokes at the carcass.

15:02, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 20 using 1d20+5. Nature.

How long has the horse been dead?

And if we don't get ambushed in the meantime, I'll collect an arrow to try to determine its make: elven, goblin, etc.

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 139):

Esserron stays put on the wagons, watching developments with interest.

The travel men came up the King's Road from the south, back along the coast. At the ambush site, the Triboar Trail headed east. That was the route to Phandalin.

Serena's keen eyesight has no problem spotting the ambush, though that coincides with Tomas running into it.

By then Ero has advanced to the dead horses. It's fairly easy to tell that they've been dead for about a day. The arrows appear to be goblin made... a fact emphasized as two goblins jump out of the thickets and attack Ero.


Tomas is also attacked by a goblin that jumps up from behind a thicket. The goblin doesn't have surprise, since Tomas was actually looking for an ambush... even if he didn't spot it.

Another three goblins begin shooting arrows at the rest of the party.

04:33, Thu 16 Oct 2014: StarMaster rolled 20,12,12,10,19,13 using 1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2 ((18,10,10,8,17,11)).

Ero takes the first hit for 3 points of damage, but the second goblin misses.

Apparently the goblin attacking Tomas, while not surprised, still wasn't prepared for the unexpected presence of an opponent. He misses.

Of the three archer goblins, the first one shoots at the flute-playing Serena, as the music calls attention to her. But, since she spotted the ambush, she has no trouble avoiding the arrow.

The second archer manages to hit Mithra for 4 points of damage.

And the third archer targets Maldor, but misses the half-orc as the arrow thunks into the wagon beside Maldor.

Maldor's mind was awash with emotion. Goblins! Dastardly, foul-smelling, honorless goblins! Why was his vision turning red? Why was this hatred emerging from his psyche?

Mal may have amnesia concerning his life before being found in the Tower District, but he did understand this... He hated goblins.

The arrow landing within the side of the wagon near him went unnoticed by the half-orc. His attention was elsewhere. He looked at the young Marianna.

"Girl stay wagon!"

Mal had concern for the girl's safety, but he was equally concerned about the archers and their rain of harm.

"Lok'tar mok!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, providing as much resonance as possible. The effort did not work on the birds. But, perhaps, it would let the goblins know how serious he was about this matter.

Maldor took off running, using his fair dexterity to serpentine along the row of bushes toward the archers. He rose his greatclub, preparing to bring the heavy weapon down on goblin skull.

The evil foes did not deserve to see the end of the day.

"AMBUSH!!!!" Serena yells at the top of her lungs, as she points to where she sees the goblins. Even if Tomas is in the vicinity, she may be able to overall prevent the enemy from getting the element of surprise. And in doing so, give her group a chance to retailiate.

She then assesses things. She wouldn't be able to safely heal the others right now, given their positioning, so she'd have to try and mitigate the damage. And that would be to try and throw the goblins off a bit, if not take them out entirely.

Seeing that Tomas is one of the closest to the goblins, she focuses there. She puts her flute to her mouth, and plays a quick piercing dirge that creates invisible sound waves that ripple forward toward one of the goblins!

ooc: Casting Vicious Mockery at the goblin that is closest to tomas.

Tomas deftly steps aside of the goblin's ineffectual attack and quickly draws his short sword for a return blow.

"Ah ha! So there you are, slayer of horses!" he taunts. "Let's see how you fare against a well-armed party!"

With that, Tomas jabs with his sword to draw the goblin off balance then follows up the juke with a quick, artful slash.

22:23, Today: Tomas Turnbuckle rolled 13,7 using d20+5,d6+3 with rolls of 8,4. attack damage.

Spotting the goblin archers, who are aiming at his friends, Esserron takes the opportunity to return fire in kind, two arrows flighting elgantly towards the goblin archer.

OOC: Do you get two shots/round in this version of D&D? I haven't got the books to hand! And do you get to name the target, or is it you fire at the group and the DM roles/decides who you hit? If I do choose I'll aim at the one who's just hurt Mithra.

11:25, Today: Esseron rolled 8 using 1d6+3. damage 2.
11:25, Today: Esseron rolled 6 using 1d6+3. damage 1.
11:24, Today: Esseron rolled 22 using 1d20+3. attack 2.
11:24, Today: Esseron rolled 17 using 1d20+3. attack 1.

"The arrows are goblin made," Ero says to the others, oblivious to what's about to happen.  "You see, they like to fletch their -- AAAH!"

The wizard's hasty dodge and the swirl of his robes confound one goblin's strike but not the other's.

Twice in two days he's been caught unsuspecting by treacherous creatures.  It's obvious the life of a caravan guard is not for him.  But it's not like there are more appropriate job openings available at the present.

The wizard snaps his hand, flipping a glowing streak of red at one goblin.  It hits the little beast square in the chest and sets his rags on fire.

06:06, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 20,7 using 1d20+5,1d10. Fire Bolt vs goblin.

Once the ambush is launched, it can now be seen that the three goblins with shortbows are on the let side of the road, along with one melee goblin. The two that attacked Ero were on the right.


Maldor rushes forward towards the archers, but barely reaches them this round. Next round he can attack.


No one is quite sure what nasty insult Serena fluted to the goblin, perhaps it doesn't even know, but it shouts back at her, jumps up and down, thumps his chest and yells insults back.


Tomas swings at the goblin confronting him, but his swing can't get past the goblin's shield... at least not this round.


Esseron fires off one arrow at one of the archers, and manages to hit it easily, but it doesn't go down.


Ero is able to unleash a Fire Bolt at one of the goblins attacking him. It may set the creatures ratty clothes on fire, but it won't care as it's already dead.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 147):

ooc: Lol DM. No she cast her vicious mockery cantrip at the goblin, with the flute just being her bardic vehicle of delivery so to speak. It's the same spell she used on the birds.

Tomas rolls away to the side in an attempt to use a nearby tree to buffer any attacks the goblin might make. Once wheeling around the tree, the halfling jabs his short sword at the goblin once again, this time being equally as effective as the last.

19:00, Thu 16 Oct 2014: Tomas Turnbuckle rolled 10,7 using d20+5,d6+3 ((5,4)).

Somewhere in the half-orc's mind, Maldor realized that combat was going on about him. An arrow could find him at any time. But he did not think of that. Only the defeat of the goblins and the protection of his charge were his purpose at this time.

Mal continued to dash toward his foe, stepping back and forth to hopefully lessen the aim of an archer. His light gray skin drew tight around his biceps as his greatclub prepared to find its mark.

In reply to Maldor (msg # 150):

Seeing his first arrow find its mark, Esserron carries on and looses the second flight he had hoped to get off last round.

OOC: Any chance you can let me keep attack/damage 2 rolls from last round? Happy to roll again if you'd prefer?

Re the damage modifier, I took it from page 9 of the basic pdf: 'For attacks with ranged weapons use your dexterity modifier for attack and damage rolls' - incidentally the same as I'm using on melee attacks as well with my finesse rapier!

The second goblin's eyes widen to little black moons as his companion is enveloped in flame.  Ero takes that opportunity to toss off another ball of phlogiston to give the second goblin a fire shirt of his own.

05:41, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 21,7 using 1d20+5,1d10. Fire Bolt vs goblin.

07:56, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Disadvantage roll.

Whew....
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Sat 18 Oct 2014.

Artem curses his sloth and stands up in the back of a wagon.  His foot slips on something and with an awkward throw he hurls a hand axe generally in the direction of the archer goblins on the left.




20:54, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 8 using 1d20+5. throw axe.

Esseron hits another goblin next turn, and that goblin goes down.


Ero casts another Firebolt at the next goblin, but this one isn't quite as effective. It engulfs the goblin in fire for a moment, and sets his ratty clothes a-burning, but he's not dead. On the other hand, he's running around in a panic trying to put out the flames.


OOC: Yes, I know Serena cast Vicious Mockery, but I was letting you determine what the SFX for it was.


Maldor headed for the archers, but runs into the goblin that was attacking Tomas first, although the goblin is at disadvantage due to Serena's spell.


At this point, only one goblin is dead, another two are somewhat out of it--one on fire, one stunned.

"Ak nor!" yelled Maldor when he encountered his first goblin. He brought his greatclub down with all the force that his half orc muscles allowed. Mal would do his best to keep the large weapon away from Tomas (in case Tomas was close at hand), but Maldor's lust for goblin death somewhat blurred his thoughts.

ooc: Ah...well the special effects, so to speak, are a sort of mostly-invisible but quite present rippling of sound that blasts towards the goblin she targeted. In terms of it hitting or not...that depends on its saving throw.

Tomas steps out of the way of Maldor's attack, but does not turn his back on the cornered goblin. Goblins could be tricky, or at least so Tomas has heard. He was not about to give the goblin a chance to confirm the rumor.

Assuming Maldor is unsuccessful in taking the goblin down, Tomas will press another attack, sensing the momentum is now on the party's side.

21:55, Wed 29 Oct 2014: Tomas Turnbuckle rolled 7,9 using d20+5,d6+3 ((2,6)).

Seeing that his adversary is preoccupied, Ero takes the brief interlude to cast Mage Armor upon himself.  His robes take on a glimmering quality as if sprinkled with diamond dust.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:13, Thu 30 Oct 2014.

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 158):

With a smooth action, Esserron lets off another arrow at the archers. The dart travels with some velocity but it is hard to tell while in flight whether it will strike true.

OOC:
20:27, Today: Esseron rolled 9 using 1d6+3. damage.
20:26, Today: Esseron rolled 11 using 1d20+3. attack.

Artem grits his teeth and closes one eye slightly as he pulls his final hand axe from his belt and heaves it at the smoking goblin. It thunks nicely into the little beastie's torso.

19:42, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 5 using 1d6+3. damage.
19:41, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 18 using 1d20+5. throw second axe .

Ero casts Mage Armor on himself while the goblin manages to put out the fire.

Artem tries throwing his hand axe at one of the goblin archers, but even his mighty heave doesn't have the range to reach them.

Serena had cast Vicious Mockery on the goblin closest to Tomas, then Maldor ran up and hit the goblin and Tomas also hit it. It's unclear just which blow killed it, but it is dead.

Esseron shot another arrow at one of the archers, the same one he hit last time, and hits again. This arrow finishes it off.

That leaves three goblins left: two archers and the one in melee with Ero.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:38, Fri 07 Nov 2014.

Tomas wipes his blade against the slain goblin's tunic and silently slips through the underbrush to move into position for a stealthy attack against one of the archers. He slips from tree to tree, quiet as a mouse, blade in hand, ready to strike when the opportunity presents itself.

00:10, Today: Tomas Turnbuckle rolled 23 using 1d20+5. stealth.

Serena sees Ero to be in the most immediate danger now, so turns her attention to the goblin attacking him.

She puts her flute to her mouth again, and plays a quick tune from an elven song about love and loss, and projects her magic into her playing viciously. The air ripples around her as a soundwave of sorrow and loss flows through the air, swirls around Ero a bit but before going harmlessly past him and straight onto the goblin attacking him!

Standard: Casting vicious mockery at the goblin attacking Ero.

Esseron looses another arrow, but his dead-eyed calm deserts him, and the arrow sails high, wide and handsome from the goblin archers.

OOC: 10:48, Today: Esseron rolled 7 using 1d20+3. arrow.

"I just set you on fire," Ero states incredulously.  "Don't you have the sense to flee?"  The wizard launches another gour of flame but the goblin zags instead of zigs and the fire goes wide.

14:08, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 6 using 2d20+5, dropping the highest dice only. Fire Bolt w/Disadvantage.

Maldor felt an odd sensation of delight as the evil goblin fell. His eyes almost sparkled as he found his next target, the nearest goblin. He again rose his greatclub and ran toward the foe.

"Ak nor bakog!" the half-orc yelled in a scratchy voice.

Mal did not understand why he had the lust for goblin blood, but it wasn't something that immediately concerned him. Imagining the goblin's head caved in by his large weapon did pass through his mind. What was it about goblins that irritated Maldor so? Did he have contact with them in the past?

He would have to ponder those notions later when it was time to rest.

Artem curses to himself and begins running towards the nearest goblin.  He unslings his battle axe from his back as he goes, hoping to close the gap and get a chance to swing before any arrows target him.

Serena's latest Viscious Mockery spell finishes off the goblin still trying to hit Ero, which is probably a good thing, since Ero misses.

Esseron also misses, but Artem charges up to one of the remaining archers, just as Maldor does the same to the other one. Since Maldor was closer, his charge draws their attention. They fire off a few arrows but they go wild due to the distraction.

Tomas is able to get behind one of them if he so chooses.


The rest of the group continues to guard the wagons or watch out for additional ambushers. A few even beat the bushes, just in case.

Tomas sneaks up behind one of the remaining goblin archers and plunges his short sword into one of the foes.



20:26, Today: Tomas Turnbuckle rolled 18,20,6 using d20+5,d20+5,d6+3 with rolls of 13,15,3. Advantage: Attack Goblin.

Maldor's plan remains the same... bring his greatclub down upon one of the stinkin' evil goblins. He gave no thought to the missed arrows from the fiends. Normally he would be thankful for such fortune, but his bloodlust was at a peak.

"Ad lok mikar sun lok!!!"

Serena sighs in relief as the goblin attacking Ero drops, so she turns her attention to the archers. She notices Tomas sneaking around for a back attack, and decides to try and help him by attacking that archer, and in doing so hopefully distract it in the process.

She plays her flute relentlessly, this time a quick flirtatious rondo. Her music snakes outward towards the goblin, trying to overwhelm it and befuddle it all at once!

standard: Cast vicious mockery at goblin targeted by tomas.

Ero turnbs his attention to the archers.  He lets loose with another bolt of flame.

10:37, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 14,2 using 1d20+5,1d10. Fire Bolt vs Archer.

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 172):

With so many of his companions now so close to the archers, Esserron decides not to chance his arm again, and watches the fight resolve itself. 'You could take one alive,' he says to no one in particular.

Artem lifts up his battle axe with two hands and delivers a devastating blow to his goblin foe.


19:00, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 9 using 1d10+3. damage two hand .

18:58, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 23 using 1d20+5. battle axe attack.

There are two archers remaining, one on the left and one on the right. The right-hand one is closest to Maldor, so he charges that one. That's also the one that Tomas can sneak up on, and is the one that Serena targets.

Artem charges the one on the left, which is the same one that Ero targets with his Fire Bolt spell.


Maldor strikes the goblin with a might blow, Serena also strikes it, stunning it, and that lets Tomas finish it off.


Artem hits the other goblin with his own mighty blow. It staggers the goblin, but before it can recover, Ero's flame attack kills it.


All the ambushing goblins are now dead.

In reply to Esseron (msg # 173):

"Why would we need to do that?" Ero asks.  "Goblin physiology is well known.  Besides, vivisection is rather barbaric."

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 176):

Esserron shrugs. 'It's not their insides I was worried about,' he says with a smile, 'more their hideout, and any loot.' With that he starts rifling through the bodies for anything of value.

Serena nodded her head in assent as she chuckled at their exchange.

"Yes, we ought to take a look at what they're carrying and see if they have anything valuable. They won't need it anymore. Also, if there is a hideout or something we ought to know about it so we can be on guard better next time."

She also began helping to search the goblins.

The last goblin has been dealt with, but Maldor's rage against the foes has not waned. As his teammates examine the corpses, Mal makes a quick scan of the perimeter. Barring any goblin or other potential enemy spying on the group, the half-orc looks for tracks leading up to the goblin position. Perhaps there may be something to indicate from what direction they came... if not their permanent base, but a temporary location where they cached possessions.

With each passing of a dead goblin Mal snarled a partial smile, his lower jutting teeth almost glistening with joy.

Searching the goblins, you find 3 short bows and aroud 40 arrows left, 3 short swords (poor quality), 3 scimitars (better quality), 6 daggers (average quality), 37 silver coins, and what is probably some sort of jerky, but looks too disgusting to eat. All six goblins were also wearing leather armor and carried a small shield.


Maldor has no difficulty in locating the tracks that brought the goblins here. In fact, there are signs that several more goblins were here but left, heading off to the north.

Serena begins taking the silver coins, and sits on the ground by them and scoops them into a pile.

"Alright right...let's divide these by whoever actively participated in this skirmish, shall we?" she said as she started dividing the coins into equal piles. She shoos away with a slap of the hand anyone who tries to take the coins while she still is distributing them.

ooc: Alright I'm going to post ooc how many of us are actively participating. All of this number will of course be PCs. I count Maldor, Ero, Serena, Artem, Tomas, Esseron, and Cunnar. There is also Eldrond and Mitra. I think Mithra and Eldron are no longer active in the game anymore though. So that's 7 people, 37/7 = ~5.3. So the 7 of us - Maldor, Ero, Serena, Artem, Tomas, Esseron, and Cunnar - will be given 5 silver each by Serena. There will be 2 silver left that she will give to the NPC driver of the wagon, so no one can fight over it.

PLEASE anyone tell me if I excluded anyone from my count and I will re-tally it.

An eyebrow of Maldor's... thick and brushy... rose when he spotted the tracks. He stepped back to whomever was looting the bodies nearby.

"Tracks go that way" Mal commented, pointing his hand to the north. "May have more fight later. More kill goblin later."

Maldor's eyes peered northward, wondering if any foe remained to spy in the group.

[In what direction are we travelling? To the north as well?]

Artem holds out a beefy hand and takes his share of the silver with a half smile.

"Thank ye. Does anyone favor following the signs and seeing if there are any more of these buggers to put down? They are a danger to travelers along this route."

In reply to Artem Jorak (msg # 183):

Esserron watches Serena divide up the loot with a wry smile. 'Could keep a everything in a pot, and see who's alive when we finish the job,' he comments with a chuckle. He then gathers up any of the goblin gear that he thinks might be of value and throws it on the wains. 'Room for a bit more cargo, eh?'

When the suggestion is made to follow the two he looks doubtful. 'I've been paid to take this cargo to Phandelver, not chase vermin. Who will guard the cargo while we're off chasing goblins?'

Cunaar, now that the ambush has been thwarted and the battle is over, goes over to join Eso at the dead horses after accepting the coins from Serena.

"Sigh. I knew it was too much of a coincidence," he comments. "This is Gundren's horse. He was traveling with his friend and guard. There are no bodies, though, so I'm thinking they may have been taken. Can any of you think of a good reason for the goblins to have done that?"

Maldor grunted at the question, almost as if amused.

"Goblins evil. Goblins no care for good. If goblins take friends of magic man, then goblins will do harm to them. If we no go get friends, friends die."

Mal glanced over at the wagons. He was torn between helping people in need and performing his duty with the caravan owner.

Artem considers the differing opinions and replies in his country, backwoods accent:

"Yeah we gotta do our job. That is true. I might stand with Esseron if there were no prisoners in the vermin's hands.

But where I come from, people are more important than cargo. If we stick to the cargo and those folks die, then we're not so much better than goblins. We could probably spare a few guards for the cargo and try our best to put the wagons in a safe spot. Then go git the poor folks who are in danger. What say ye' all?"

As he finished he looked from person to person, eyebrows raised in an earnest entreaty.

"How far away are we from our destination?" Ero asks.  "Maybe it'd be wiser to get this cargo to its destination then come back.  If the goblins did take prisoners, it must be for a reason.  It wuldn't be worth the trouble otherwise."

"Half of us were hired to guard the wagons, and the other half to guard Marianna," the Dwarf. "Now, as I understand it, this side road goes to Phandalin, which should be a half a day's travel. If we go there to drop off the wagons, it'll take another half day to get back to here."

"I don't see why half of us can't deliver the wagons while the other half find out what happened to Gundren."

Serena nods her head, and chimes in the conversation after she gives the last bit of silver out to where it needs to go, then hands those last 2 pieces to the wagon drivers.

"I fully agree that people are more valuable than mere cargo on principle, despite the fact that our patron is counting on us to get these supplies sent. Plus, this cargo could be put to good use at its destination too - we cannot forget that either." she says, summing things up.

"I think splitting the caravan guards into two groups based on their original assignments is the best idea. I personally, for instance, was hired as an escort for the cargo while some others among you seem to have been initially hired to guard this Mariana person. We should divide up along those lines, and go from there. If the rescue group finishes up they can meet the rest of us in Phandalain. If something goes wrong, one of you can come to Phandalain and come get us for help, and we'll mount a renewed rescue attempt."

"I don't care what the rest of you do, I am going to rescue Papa!" Marianne says after listening to the others for a minute. She promptly climbs down off the wagon and starts walking in the direction of the tracks.

Ero quickly steps in front of the determined young girl.  "I beg to differ, dear child.  This is much too dangerous.  You'll be safer with the caravan.  Besides, I don't think your Pap would be much too pleased with us if he saw we brought you along to fight goblins."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:52, Tue 25 Nov 2014.

"I like your spirit, girl. But I agree with the fairy. Stay with the cargo and let us do our job. I'm ready to go find those goblins and rescue the old man.  Who is with me?" asks Artem as he adjusts his hand axes and begins slowly walking in the direction the girl was headed. He sports a satisfied look on his homey mug.

"No, no, no, no, no!" Marianna stamps her foot in protest, but then calms down.

"If I go with the wagons, then those hired to guard me will have to go with the wagons, too, so you won't be able to rescue Papa! I have to go with you to rescue him!"

Maldor growled, unsure of which solution to the tasks at hand was best. He admired the youngster's spunk, but would worry about her safety. He scratched his head.

"Maldor track goblins. Maldor know where goblins go. Maldor best he go to goblins. But we must go now before they go too far or hurt girl's father."

Mal sneered in the direction that the tracks headed.

While everyone wants to go find Gundren, since he hired all of you, everyone also realizes that someone has to take the wagons to Phandalin.

It takes a bit more explaining and sweet-talking finally to get Marianna to agree, however reluctantly, to go with the wagons.

Carric, Elaith, Halister, Morgrimm and Tomas finally agree to accompany the wagons and escort Marianna to Phandalin.

Artem, Cunaar, Eldrond, Ero, Esseron, Maldor, Mithra and Serena will go in search of Gundren.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:15, Thu 04 Dec 2014.

Maldor gave a short glance at Marianna, hoping that her trek ahead would be peaceful. But he did not want the girl to be without a father. The half-orc clenched his jaw, thinking of what was to come.

Mal walked to the beginning of the goblin tracks. Were these archers, able to attack from a distance? Or were they mere melee fighters like himself, who must be close to do harm?

"Maldor get close. Maldor teach goblins lesson for take father of girl," he stated under his breath.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 06:57, Fri 05 Dec 2014.

Somehow negotiations got her placed in the group to go help rescue their employer, so she moved to the others who were in her sub-group and began trying to organize people together.

"Alright guys. Take what gear you think you'll need because we don't know how long it will take us to get this done with and make it to Phandalin. But I do say it's time we go bash some small green heads."

As he continues walking, Artem looks back at the group, pleased that the matter has been settled.

"I always have the gear I need..." he says with gusto and a smile.

Ero gathers all his worldly possessions together, which takes him much less time than he cares to think about, and joins the others.

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 200):

Taking a longing look at the 'merchandise' he'd collected from the goblins, Esserron reminds the others to get a good price for the weapons and share the spoils, before falling into line on the goblin hunt.

The group sets out following the goblin trail, which is relatively easy to do as it appears they were half-dragging two prisoners. They also don't appear to have been trying to cover their tracks.

About two hours later, you've covered a few miles when you come over a rise and spot the ruins of a castle ahead. It sits atop a small rocky hill. At a rough guess, it's maybe another 3 miles away.

[How's the cover? Does the castle seem occupied... visible guards or smoke rising from a fire? A goblin banner? Are there spots in the ruins that may easily be breached, such as a collapsed tower? :)]

"Hmmmm..." Serena mutters aloud as she looks around.

"I suppose the goblins got sloppy but it doesn't hurt to stay alert. We're in enemy territory after all." she says as she looks around the area with her elven-like senses.

03:07, Today: Serena Valais rolled 4 using 1d20+3. scoping out the area.

Well apparently she's more distracted by the pretty scenery than anything lol.

Ero was almost glad they finally made it to their destination.  This forest was so . . . wild.  He gave up counting how many times his cloak got caught on a briar or some stray branch.  And on a trail, no less!  These goblins had no respect for the outdoors.

"Maybe there's another entrance," he suggests as he pulls the umpteenth bramble from the sole of his boot.  "Even if they are lousy guards, I would imagine the main entrance opens onto a courtyard.  That would be a popular place to congregate."

Even though we left soon after the goblin raid, is the journey to the castle counting as a long rest for healing and spells?  Just need to know if I need to re-up my Mage Armor or use my Arcane Recovery.

There is plenty of cover from bushes mostly, but a few scrub trees and rocky hills and boulders also dot the area. It seems probable that if the castle was properly maintained, most of the bushes and trees would have been cleared away.

Studying the castle, you can now discern that it was primarily constructed as 7 interlocking or overlapping towers. The upper levels of these towers have all collapsed, leaving only the ground floor of the castle 'habitable'.

There are no banners flying above the ruins, nor can any smoke be detected. However, after a few minutes of watching, you can see occasional movement through some of the openings, indicating that there is some sort of presence there. There really aren't any parapets for guards to stand on.


Serena doesn't spot any lurking creatures outside the castle, but she does pick up the main trail that led up to the castle. It goes directly south of the castle, whereas your group has approached from the southwest.

Once she finds the trail, she is able to spot the goblin guards outside the castle. They are maybe half a mile south of the castle on the main trail. They are very sloppy guards; it looks like they are playing a card game or some similar distraction. If the group continues to approach the castle from the same direction, there is virtually no chance that the goblin guards will spot them. If you stood on the highest point available and jumped up and down yelling, you might get their attention.


Although the trek to the castle wasn't done in haste, it was at a slightly faster pace than a leisurely stroll. Still, without any serious exertion, it functions as a long rest.

Oddly, the main entrance is actually to the west, with a path winding down the hill to the south. This is merely an additional defensive measure. Based on the configuration of the towers, though, it does not appear that there would be any sort of courtyard.

"Let us approach and take out the guards in a quick and quiet-like way!" Artem says with excitement. "They will never know what hit 'em."

The lean man grins and hefts a hand axe while he points to the craetures from afar.

Ero rubs his chin.  Strategy and tactics were certainly not his forte, but how hard it could it be to outwit goblins?

"We could dig a pit on the trail and cover it with branches.  We'll lure the goblins out one or two at a time and then trick them into falling into the pit.  We then cover it back up and lure the next pair.  I'm certain we'll have them all in a matter of an hour or two."

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 208):

Esseron raises a quizzical eyebrow as the mage outlined his plan. 'I think I'm more with Artem on this,' he replies. 'Shall we?' he asks pleasantly of the lean fighter, obviously keen to get rid of the guards.

Maldor let out a couple soft grunts as the others spoke. When it came for his turn, he tried to resist showing his excitement at the opportunity to destroy goblin life.

"No banner. No long time goblin in castle. Just stay and take over old ruins. Means less trouble for us. No good defense for them. Goblins may hide, but not hide good."

Maldor scratched his broad jaw.

"Maldor no want dig pit. Maldor think we can first sneak on goblins on trail. Easy to kill. Then sneaky human..."

Mal indicated Esseron with a nod of his head.

"Can see if way in clear. Look ahead but no get seen. We go in and kill goblins. Make sure no goblins hiding and shoot with arrows. Move quick, so father of girl no get hurt."

It was not in Maldor's psyche to be overly thoughtful on a plan. Using his greatclub on enemy skulls was more to his understanding.

Serena considers.

"Or if you guys think we need more information, I can try to bewitch one of them with y magic and make them more...friendly in their disposition towards us. At the very least, we could maybe get them to give us information about their numbers, where the prisoners are, and so on before proceeding?"

Without any agreement or disagreement, let alone a concensus, Serena ventures forward to confront the goblins on watch.

She doesn't seem to have any problem bewitching them as she's practically on top of them before they interrupt their game enough to notice her.

ooc: LOL Starmaster. I think the Christmas holiday killed any chance of concensus or anything like that. I'll have to wing it and charm the hell out of them. If necessary - literally. :)

Serena approaches the goblins, who were surprisingly sloppy in their set-up and such, even for goblins. Or maybe all greenskins were this way - she never thought about it much.

She did decide that she'd try and bespell one of the goblins before she fully "got the jump on them," so to speak. They were so deep into their cards that it would probably be easy to do so.

ooc: When she gets within casting range she will cast charm person on whichever goblin looks to be a leader or dominant member of this group. If they seem identical in that regard, she picks one at random.

After that, she walks up to them in as friendly a manner as she can muster, no weapons drawn, and address them in common.

"Hey guys. What's up? I was wondering if you could help me with something?"

ooc: She's not initiating combat, but instead trying to be diplomatic.

Serena decides that the one that laughs the loudest at the others' misfortune is probably the closest thing to a leader this group has--think 'bully'.

At Serena's words, the goblins look at each other is if wondering why one of them is talking funny, but finally sinks in that someone is there. They start looking around, and as soon as they spot Serena, they start to jump up and trip over their own feet.

However, her charm seems to have worked, particularly since the goblins have to scramble to get their weapons and by the time they do that, they've had time to process the new situation, rather than just reacting to it.

"Yeah? Whatcha want?" the bully says. "We ain't got no money. Boss keeps it all so we don't lose it."

Ero follows behind, much slower to maintain stealth, something not taught much at Academy.

17:35, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 15 using 1d20+3. Stealth.

Ero would have had to make a lot of noise (rolled a '1') for the goblins to have noticed in the midst of their game, but once Serena makes contact, they'd probably notice any noise.

However, he has no problem getting close enough to overhear the conversation.

Serena is grateful her enchantment magic took, and decides to - in combination with her own innate charisma - milk this cow for all it's worth.

"Well boys..." she says as she twirls a strand of her hair with one of her fingers innocently.

"I'm not looking for money. Although I am a performer of the arts, and will have to make a proposition to your boss about possibly paying for a performance. I can play several instruments, dance, and juggle, and do all sorts of things. But that's besides the point." she said casually with a shrug.

"Although on that train of thought, how many of you are there around here? It isn't worth my effort if there aren't enough people here to call an audience. I'm picky like that you know, and take my pride as an artist seriously."

Artem watches in surprise and a little befuddlement as he fully expected the girl elf to get jumped.

"Umm... Ok I guess I will wait until my axe is needed." he follows Ero in slowly and unthreateningly approaching the green boogers, at least to within earshot and a distance that he could close pretty fast at a run.

OOC: Keeping weapons undrawn for now.

In reply to Artem Jorak (msg # 218):

While the others deal with the guards, Esserron decides to go on ahead and case the castle out, approaching it as quietly and as unseen as possible.

OOC:13:45, Today: Esseron rolled 16 using 1d20+5. stealth

Maldor remained cautious as to where he should be. If the goblins saw the half orc, they might grow defensive. He wasn't as stealthy as the rogue casing the castle.

Mal decided to skirt the perimeter, skirting his way eventually to the falling structure. He would do his best to watch how the bard was doing with her task. Maldor knew that he might have to run to help one of his teammates.

"No goblin better be where I walk," he muttered, also keeping watch to where he was going. Perhaps having three eyes would be an advantage. But Mal would accept his best as all that he could do.

Oo! Nicely played, Serena!


Although the goblin Serena is talking to isn't necessarily a leader, the other three seem to defer to him for any decisions that need to be made. They still eye Serena suspiciously.

"Got lots of goblins in fort," he replies. "There's Berk and his troops... that's... um, lots. Gort, Frak, Grump, Klunk... and Egor. And the boss and his hobbers. Do prisoners count? Cause we got some of them, too."


Esseron has no problem sneaking around the eastern end of the old castle ruins. The original main door was to the east. It appears still intact, but may have been repaired. Once consisting of seven towers built rather closely together, the courtyard amidst them had been roofed over to make a central keep. The first floor of most of the towers are still intact, and maybe half of the keep roof is still there. The towers at the west end seem to be the most intact.

As Esseron continues to spy on the castle, he's surprised not to see any guards on watch. Admittedly, there aren't too many places where they could stand a watch, but he does spot some movement through openings in the walls. It still doesn't look like any kind of watch, though.

Just like there was a patrol or guard station on the trail, Esseron scans the surrounding area to see if there are any other outlying forces... and actually spots two! He quickly realizes, though, that these aren't goblins. Each of these two groups--4 to the north, 2 to the southwest--appear to be spying on the castle as well.

Heh...thanks!

Serena scratches her chin a moment, as if she is in deep and ponderous consideration. She's not, of course - she knows exactly what she is doing and what she wants. But they don't need to know that.

"Hmmm...well I do say, that does seem close. I could go either way, but with these prisoners you mention...hmmm. Well, fair game is fair game, so why not. I suppose if you toss them into the mix, I'd say all together you've got an audience-sized group. I may have to reconsider my desire for coin after all. With a group of your size, I believe it would be worth the time and effort after all." she replies with a gregarious smile.

She then looks like something suddenly strikes her.

"Hmmm...how many prisoners do you have? I probably ought to ask now to help me figure the numbers and such in my head. Certain types of performances are more easily done with certain amounts of people, and certain types of people. There's a lot of science that goes into planning entertainment events that most people really take for granted and don't realize. But it's part of the field of work, so thus I continue to cope." she adds with a sigh, followed by a dramatic placement of the back of her hand onto her forehead.

"We only got two prisoners," the goblin replies, "at least until the Drow comes for them."

The other three goblins look quite confused. It's as if they've never talked to people before, certainly not prey or the enemy.

Serena soon realizes that a goblin 'leader'--somewhat like a corporal-- has three troops that he bullies, though Berk may have five or six. The goblin she's talking with can't count higher than 4 apparently.


As Esseron keeps an eye on these other groups spying on the castle, the one to the north moves closer, vanishing from sight behind the crumbling walls. It would seem as if they are trying to sneak into the old castle. They are either brave or foolish, perhaps both.

Maldor continues to go around the goblin-controlled area.

(*shrug*)

Serena considers a moment.

"Hmmm..." she says as she counts some random numbers on her fingers. They don't mean anything in reality, but she is counting in a way that seems awfully serious from a goblin perspective.

"Yes, I think that will do nicely for an audience. I left some of my instruments back down the path a bit with some of my servants and employed actors and performers. I run a small traveling troup that's sort of a mix between a circus and a theater. I need to go check them out and decide what to bring for the performance, as well as which of my people I may need to order to come along. I might be able to do fine by myself though too. I have some instrument performances I think you goblins would love, but also some skits and plays I think you'd like too. Like 'the half-orc maid versus the elf butler,' or 'Two humans and and an elf in a bar.' All good stuff that's just a hoot."

She then shrugged.

"I'm sure your boss will want a quick demonstration of my talent - something I'm more than glad to provide. I can do all sorts of things, but for an interesting and diverse audience like yourselves I want to make sure I select instruments and such that are the most fitting and fun for you. Despite liking a good gold piece as much as the next person, I equally enjoy making people like you have a good time. I'll be right back - you guys stay here at your post I don't want you to get in trouble from your boss. I'll be right back."

She then gave a girly wave, and headed non-chalantly back down the path where the others were waiting out of sight. She had several plans and wanted needed to get people on board.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:20, Wed 14 Jan 2015.

In reply to Serena Valais (msg # 225):

Esserron moves stealthily towards the other watchers, seeing if he can get close enough to id them.

OOC:10:21, Today: Esseron rolled 16 using 1d20+5. That's a stealth roll!

Ero leans over to whisper in Artem's ear.  "If we get spotted, they'll know it's a trick.  I think we're better off if we follow Serena's lead.  Just follow my lead."

The wizard took a deep breath and stepped out of the foliage.  "Serena, are you about?  Artem and I had no luck finding any small game.  It looks like -- oh!  Hello.  Serena, who are your friends?"  Ero smiled and prayed the goblins wouldn't kill them.

Artem shrugs and smiles good naturedly. He has had little experience with guile, so it seemed like a fun thing to try.

Following Ero, he loops his thumbs through his belt loops and walks casually out to see what will happen.

OOC: should be interesting

Maldor finds a thick tree surrounded by some brush. He kneels behind it and stares at Esseron. Eventually the rogue glances at Mal's way. The half-orc gives a shrug.

Eyes go back and forth. Who were these newcomers? Were they adventurers looking for treasure and the heat of battle? Or were they on assignment, much like Mal and the others?

Maldor knew that his brain was not the sharpest. He was hired for his muscle. But the human ahead seemed sharp.

Time was not on the group's side. Who knows how long the prisoners would last at the hand of the vile goblins? Maldor felt comfort as he gripped his greatclub.

Apologies for the delay. Just wound up having a lousy week in terms of posting.


When Serena returns to the others, only Artem, Ero and Mithra are there. Everyone seems to be waiting on Serena to do her Pied Piper routine.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:24, Thu 05 Feb 2015.

When Serena gets back to the others, she tells them in a low voice so the goblins can't hear.

"Alright guys, listen up!" she said quickly but forcefully.

"I am going to get us in there without having to fight our way in immediately and thus risking harm to the prisoners. You are part of my traveling troup, or bodyguards for my troup. Honestly, I told them you're a little bit of both. I'm the troupmaster. I am going to perform for their boss as well as for as many of their number as I can get to group together. You guys use the opportunity to try and bust out the prisoners or something. I can feign ignorance pretty reliably. They've got at least 10 goblins in there, maybe 15, and at least a pair of hobgoblins. So play along as best you can, and when in doubt - follow my lead and keep your mouth shut."

She pulled out her flute.

"Also, there might be drow in the area coming to purchase the prisoners, so stay alert. I may be able to get the to bring the prisoners out to watch my performance too. If so, I will try and segregate the boss and his hobs from some of the goblins if possible. Honestly I'm improvising as I go so hopefully I can make opportunities for you guys to exploit. Good luck!"

She then turns back around and walks down the path to the gobs again.

"Gentlemen! Thanks for waiting. I got a few of my troupe servants to accompany me, and had them retrieve some of my instruments as well. Do you think you could take me to your leader, so we  can discuss terms?"

"This plan does not fill me with confidence," the warrior woman replies, "but I will go along with it."

As Serena leads Artem and Ero back to the waiting goblins, she slips out of sight and tries to find Esseron and Maldor.

"Serena is going to lead us inside as a traveling troupe to entertain the Boss--whoever or whatever he is. She estimates there are 15 or more goblins inside, two hobgoblins and possibly some drow in the area. And there are definitely prisoners."

"However, I suggest the two of you stay outside and scout the area, be our back-up, cover our escape if necessary or charge in like the cavalry."

"Maybe you can find out what the other two groups are up to."

"Wait... that front group over there is signalling..."

(Just for gigs, I rolled to see if I quickly spotted Serena.)

17:52, Thu 05 Feb 2015: Maldor rolled 10 using 1d20 ((10)).

(Not a fail, I guess. :))

Maldor spots the approaching bard. He takes a peek at the other group of adventurers. They either don't notice her or don't care.

Mal listens to her scheme on entering the fortress.

"Maldor wish bard good luck. No get killed, yes?"

When Serena spotted the other group, Mal held his hand out and flat.

"Yes, we see. They look at fort just like us. Maybe help."

The half-orc licked one of his jutting teeth.

"Or maybe not. Maybe they just look for trouble and loot."

"Bodyguard?  Me?  I don't think that'd fool even a goblin."  Ero scratches his head for a moment.  "Ah!  I shall be your manager.  I remember a famous troupe once visited the Academy.  The performers -- acrobats they were, and very goods ones.  The Flying Aelrindels.  Perhaps you've heard of them?  Wonderful act."

"Ah, I digress.  My point is that they had people who handled all their business, allowing them to focus solely on their act.  I could be that for you." He laughs.  "I think it would give you a certain cachet to have a business manager."


"And perhaps you could arrange a tour of your little encampment?" Ero adds.  "It's quite the lovely castle you've come across.  A fine example of Colonial Vantrusian.  Late period, I'd say.  You can see some Caravingian influence in the machicolations over there.  It's a shame it's fallen into such a state of, ah, limited maintenance."

"A tour would be lovely though.  Perhaps we could find a room or two that'd offer better acoustics for Mistress Valais' performance.  Her beautiful euphonies caroming off these ruined walls out here?  Oh no, I think that would reflect poorly --" Ero has a quick laugh over his too-clever-by-half pun " -- upon Mistress Valais' prodigious talents.  We wouldn't want to give you and your compatriots here nothing less than the performance you deserve."

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 234):

Esserron continues to attempt to identify the other watchers in a stealthy fashion.

OOC: not sure you ever responded to my last post, happy to do another stealth check if needs be.

Oops. It slipped under my radar... though I was thinking I'd wait to see what that group was doing. Also, I forgot that you can't read the thread they are in. Fixing that...


Esseron has to try to hide from two different directions--anyone that might be watching from the ruins and the other group. He has no problem keeping out of sight of the ruins, but the others seem to have spotted him.

However, he does realize the group of three are probably some sort of adventuring party. It seems to consist of Tiefling, a Halfling and probably a Half-Elf.

Maldor remained knealing beside the tree. A brief gust of wind climbed across the hillside from the other side of the leafy growth. Mal became distracted for a moment. That smell... mold? Fungus? Normally the odor of simple flora did not interest the half-orc, but this smell brought a memory. That smell... not pungent, but significant in its own way. Had he encountered it before?

The smell made Mal uneasy. He would have to think about it later. There was danger ahead and possible trouble to the right.

Maldor blew out some air and took in a short breath of fresh. The odor was gone.

ooc: DM, I am waiting on you to post for the goblins too when you're ready.

The other three goblins have gotten fidgety in Serena's brief absence. They don't understand what their leader is doing. He's just starting to bat them around a bit when Serena and troupe return.

"Sure, sure," he replies to Serena. "Just follow me! Boss will make me important guard!"

The goblin leads you back down the trail and up to the old keep. You make it about halfway before someone in the ruins spots you, and then several goblins can be seen in the windows. At the door, two goblin guards greet your escorts and want to know what's going on. They are confused because you don't seem to be prisoners, but that's pretty much all they understand.

"Whatcha doing, Goob? Who are these... people?"

Maldor notices the members of his group approach the fort with the goblins. All seems to be well, but will they be able to handle all of those brutes if things go south?

Mal ponders what to do once the others enter. He can't just run across the brief expanse and pound on his foes. Perhaps there is a way to sneak in, where there aren't so many goblins?

Maldor scans the exterior of the fort again. Squatting by the tree won't do the others any good.

Artem follows along with the bold and yet somewhat odd plan. As a village boy, he had never seen nor talked to a goblin before, let alone tried to entertain them. Hopefully this was not destined for catastrophe.

He walks stiffly and just nods and smiles a wee bit to try and not look too ready to fight. But he looks to and fro, taking note of everything around him.

Esseron catches a flash of light from across the narrow valley. It seems to be coming from the other group of people. He quickly realizes its a message coming from a mirror signaling device. He is able to decipher it.

[Friends. Meet. Rescue. Ally. Captive. Ruins.]

Although the others catch a glimpse of the signal, the signaler is careful not to be seen by the goblins. Only Serena is able to decipher the signal.

Serena nods once towards the direction of the signal, although does it non-chalantly so the gobs are none the wiser. She wanted the other group to know she saw their signal and acknowledged it, but then went on about her own business. she had a ruse to pull off.

This actually could work well. If she could occupy as many goblins as possible, her other people not with her as well as these other mysterious groups by the ruins could have a better chance of busting the prisoners out before the gobs knew they were missing.

Serena chuckles in common at the goblins.

"Who me? Who am I? I am the great, wonder, and beautiful Madam Zirasta! I can sing, dance, and more in four languages and with a variety of instruments! I'm selective about who I perform for - I don't do this for just anyone, you know. It's a great privilege that I am considering playing for you today. I am attracted only to powerful men, after all. Men of importance. Of at least some reputation. Your boss has caught my interest, and I hear he has coin. I am a workable woman, and am always game for a session of bargaining. Of course, you and your green friends here seem pretty worldly and sophisticated. Some of my better audiences have actually been greenskins, if you can believe it! I've played for orcs, goblins, and more...I'm not racist and am an equal-opportunity performer. As long as you have the coin to afford me, and the virility and strength to impress me, that is. So I'm very excited by the prospect of working for your entertainment and viewing pleasure."

She continues following after her green skinned escorts. She motions for her "servants" to follow her, and does it sternly too, before turning sweet again for the goblins. She was getting into character, and running with it.

"I have some elvish and dwarven songs you guys may love to make fun of, and of course I know plenty in common so everyone can understand. I even know a few things supposedly said to have been made by dragons themselves! Like the dance of three wings, or the serenade of scales in alto."

Ero hurriedly falls behind Serena.  He wouldn't have thought this plan would work, but it seems to be paying off in spades!

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 244):

Esserron nods to acknowledge the signal, and then beckons to Maldor to follow him. As Serena leads the rest of their companions through the front door, Esserron will attempt to work his way around to the other side of the castle, and find some other entrance in the ruins, hopefully Maldor, and perhaps the other mystery allies will follow.

OOC:0:10, Today: Esseron rolled 10 using 1d20+5. stealth.

Esseron and Maldor have no problem moving around to the back of the ruins. They do indeed find another entrance... a combination of an old back door and some collapsed tower walls.

As you approach this door, you see that the door is in ruins and has been replaced by a nearly as tattered piece of canvas.

Just as you get to the canvas, you spot two people through the gaps.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:18, Thu 12 Feb 2015.

Artem steps to and nods like a dutiful servant at the commands of the Madam.  It is clear from his build and bearing that he is a "workhorse" and not a "show horse" type of servant.

Ero chattered on about every last fact he knew about acoustics and the art of performance.  It wasn't much, but by simply rewording and repeating, he -- hopefully -- kept the goblins' heads spinning.

Then there was the architecture.  That was a topic he had more depth in.  And the castle was a good piece of work even in its dilapidated state.  For a human construction of course.  It didn't have the soaring elegance of an elven work, but on the plus side it didn't have the squat brutalism of dwarven keeps.  What he admired was the human's less-is-more attitude.  The stonemasons kept the lines clean and simple.

"It was quite a piece of serendipity that our paths crossed out here in the middle of the wilderness.  We were chasing some gnomes -- untrustworthy fellows who cheated our friends here at cards -- and wound up getting ourselves, well, lost.  We were working our way back to the main road when we ran into your delightful little encampment.  Quite fortuitous."

"Exactly how many of you fellows stay here?  I just want to figure out seating arrangements for Madam Zirasta's performance.  Arrangement is so important if you want everyone to experience the full majesty of Madame's show."

ooc: I am here - just waiting for a GM update for the gobs since I posted already.

As the troupe entered the ruins, Serena was dragging things along in order to give her other compatriots a chance to get into place, plus for the rest of her troupe to 'case' the place... looking at how many goblins there are, how they are armed, how they are organized, and determining all points of ingress, egress, hiding and defense. This allows the other threads' timelines to catch up.


Ero has pretty much hit on the right approach--constantly talk nonsense at the goblins to keep them from having time to think.

The first room is T-shaped, standing on end with a short base. There are two doors to the north and two doors to the south, plus the southeast corner is a pile of rubble that gives access to the next room if you scramble over it.

Ahead there are two doors--one on the right-hand wall and one at the end. It's through the one in the end that the goblin Goob leads you. This leads into a larger room with two openings down on the left and another door straight ahead. He stalks impatiently to the other door, trying to get Serena and her troupe to move a little faster.

ooc: no problem Starmaster - I see what you're doing by having her stall a bit, and I agree with it. It is also a good strategy in-game too. Let me know when timelines catch up and she will proceed.

Serena moves slowly and idly - like she is being casual and comfortable. she makes petty small talk with the goblins as best she can, and even makes a few elf jokes and such that she thinks they'd enjoy. If they look at her funny, she'll say "I'm only half-elf, so what do I care? And my manager here has nothing to say about my beliefs and preferences because he knows he'd be out a job otherwise." followed by a gregarious chuckle.

This is to give her entourage as well as those outside the ruins time to scope things out too, while milking her charms for all they're worth and keeping the gobs off balance.

The goblins lead and escort Serena and her troupe through another room, and then a third room and a fourth room, though it is unclear if these were actually supposed to be rooms, hallways, or some sort of antechamber. As she's passing through the fourth room, she sees that there is an old ratty curtain hanging over a doorway on the left. She catches a glimpse of someone discretely peering around the edge of it. She thinks it's Esseron giving her a thumbs up.

Through the fourth room they go, into a fifth room which looks like it's being used as a barracks as there are several ratty bedrolls tossed on the floor.

Through this room and through a door down to the right Goob leads them, into yet another room. This has two other doors leading out of it--one to the left, one to the right. He goes up to the door on the right and bangs on it with his sword hilt.

"ENTER! a voice yells out from beyond.

Goob opens the door and leads the troupe in. He not only didn't seem to realize what a reaction he'd generate, but also seems oblivious to it.

It seemed her distraction was working. Even without playing or performing yet, just being led through the place was getting the goblins to focus on her. And that meant not focusing on everyone else.

She'd do her best to take this as far as she could. Who knows - she may actually be able to get paid for a legit performance by a greenskin patron - a first for her, despite her earlier boasting. Certainly this would all make for a great fireside story one day.

Serena thanks Goob for opening the door for her, and proceeds in. She imperiously commands her troupe/escort to follow her in, and reminds everybody that they had better act professionally in front of her perspective client. Or else (as she made a back-hand motion with her right hand into her left one)! She could do haughty bitch. Do it very well like any other performance, actually.

She proceeds into the chamber, and looks around.

Upon entering the room and looking around, you see that is the ground floor of a tower. Most of the second floor was gone and maybe 2/3s of the ceiling/upper floor is still intact.

The room is a semi-circle, 20 feet deep and 30 feet across. Furs have been scattered across the floor as makeshift carpets. Straight across from door is a large chair, presumably being used as some sort of throne, for sitting upon it is a bugbear. He is still arguing with a female Drow that stands before him.

There's a bed off to the right, and a table and chairs to the left.

Serena sees that in the northwest corner are two people tied up, and near the table is another figure, lying on the floor, tied up and apparently unconscious.

Beside the bugbear on his throne are two hobgoblins, and at the bugbear's feet is a wolf that rises to its feet as the troupe enters.

Oddly, the only other way out of the room is another door to the left of where you entered.

As Goob steps forward to announce his find, the bugbear rises to his feet in an apoplectic burst of surprise, consternation, and rage.

"What... what... what is the meaning of this!?" he barely manages to rage.

Having never seen so many monstrous humanoids in one spot, Artem swallows hard and tries to maintain his cool. His chiseled jaw grows taut and he breathes deeply. This is getting dangerous and his axe would probably be needed soon.

Serena knew that things would probably eventually come to violence in the end, given there apparently were prisoners here as well as the unforeseen dark elf who she had hoped wouldn't be here yet. Still, her distraction could at least help the other groups out there move around unhindered, and maybe start picking goblins off or maneuver into a good position to pin down the enemies here in this room. So she'd see this thing through to the end, despite the fact it was dangerous and despite the fact what would happen next was uncertain.

Serena stepped forward and gave a warm smile. She then gave a polite, diplomatic curtsey and addressed the hob boss in common.

"Forgive the surprising intrusion, milord. Please don't be surprised or wary of my presence though, or that of my servants. I come in peace - I'm fully aware some seedy things are going on here, and quite frankly...I could care a less." she said followed by a dismissive shrug.

"You've got to do what you've got to do to get by and make a profit, and I can respect that. I am the same way, actually. I am the one and only Madam Zirasta! The traveling beautiful music star. Perhaps you have heard of me? These men with me are my servants - troupe mambers, bodyguards, a stage manager...that sort of thing. They're kinda slow off stage, but do good work so I keep them employed. Anyway, I am picky about who I sell my services to and seek patronage from, though." she said with a confident smirk.

"I am not some bar-performer or back-alley act. I perform for kings, nobility, and warlords. Men of power, influence, and most important of all...interest! I don't discriminate against who my clients are. As long as a client has coin, and pique my interest, I will gladly entertain them. I hear you've got coin, and are a powerful man of some influence. I was intrigued enough to come visit and see if we couldn't negotiate a mutually-beneficial arrangement, Milord. I speak four different languages and an a master of four different instruments on top of countless dances and songs! I believe I can make your day just a little bit better, if you're interested and have the coin to back it up." 

The bugbear's near-angry annoyance starts to increase as Serena speaks... until she finds the right button to push. Her line about a 'powerful man of some influence' finally cuts through the annoyance and building anger. Her other words seem to register then.

He glances at the Drow with a frown.

Until now, Goob has pretty much shrunk into the background, but he suddenly finds some courage and steps forward.

"She performs for royalty and kings, Boss!" he says. "So I knew you'd want them to perform for you!"

A touch of annoyance crosses the bugbear's face for a moment. He may lord it over the goblins but he clearly finds them annoying.

After another glance at the Drow, he finally deigns to respond to Serena.

"Well, you've come to the right place then," the bugbear says. It turns out that he wasn't actually yelling before--he seems to talk in a loud gruff voice naturally. "I am King Grol. Such a performance might be worth a few silvers. I would need to see a sample of your performance before I could agree to any terms."

He smirks a bit at the Drow. He's not really very subtle, but that's probably from dealing with goblins. It would seem as if he's trying to get a free performance, for which he pay or may not decide to pay you.

"Madam Zirasta" smiles widely, apparently very pleased by the bugbear's words.

"Oh, I was right to pursue the rumors about you! You really are a man of influence1 and a king at that...just my kind of people!" she exclaimed excitedly and merrily.

She gave another curtsey.

"A pleasure to meet you formally, your majesty Grol. And of course I would be more than happy to - honored even - to give you a sampling of my talents as a freebie on the house. It's only fair, so that you can make an informed decision about potentially patronizing my services. And as a king, a know you'll not only be able to put your money where your mouth is, but be good for your word too. I'd have to worry about deceit from lesser individuals, but never from a lofty king like yourself. If anything, such trickery would simply be beneath a man of your stature - part of the reason I prefer men like you as my clientele." she continued cheerfully.

She then considered.

"Do you have a favorite instrument among the Lyre, Flute, Lute, and Drum? My servants have brought all four with us today, and I am prepared to demonstrate my marketability to you with whatever instrument you'd like. Unless you want more song or dance - I can do that too. Or a combination!"

"Madame Zirasta is very particular about her performance space," Ero interjects.  "We most assuredly wouldn't want to cheat Your Highness out of the full power and majesty of the Madame Zirasta experience."

He glances around the room and uses his best estimation on what spot would put the goblins at the greatest disadvantage.  "Will this spot do, Madame?"

12:40, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 16 using 1d20+4. Perception.

Assuming the others are going to attack or attempt to rescue the prisoners, the best location would be down on the right. That way, all the goblins and others would then have their back to the prisoners.


"I like drums and lute and singing!" King Grol says, making it sound like an announcement.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:58, Mon 23 Feb 2015.

Serena considers.

Leading them all out of the throne room would probably be impossible, but given the size of the area and general layout she could at least attempt to control the facing and positioning of the "hostiles" within it, and at minimum cause a distraction to allow the other adventurer groups ambush opportunities, and at best let them waltz out with the prisoners right under their noses, and play dumb when the rescue was finally discovered.

"Hmmm..." Madam Zirasta said in response to the king.

She put her fingers in a box formation, and looked through it, as if through a spyglass or a picture frame. She then scanned the room, going hmm and mmmm and ahhh and such. As if looking for the right angle of things in an artsy fartsy manner.

"Ah yes, your highness. Yes this will do nicely. This chamber is good, however the acoustics - the way sound moves around the room - aren't all even. some places are better than others, and the sounds will project better in some parts of the chamber. Yes...it's important I utilize the environment to the best of my ability to ensure you receive the best experience. Madam Zirasta! is interested in your kingly coin, after all, but even more importantly is my pride. My pride as an ar-tist!" she said with breathy emphasis on ar-tist.

She then commands her "servants" to begin assessing the right side of the chamber, and go clear a nice space for her to perform if things like chairs and clutter and such are there. she then claps her hands, and says "chop chop and move it! you too, mister manager. We've got a potential client waiting."

She then turns back to the "king," and clasps her hands once begore pointing to the right side of the chamber.

"That is the perfect spot for me to perform, your highness. Please wait a short moment while my servants ensure an area is clear for a performance, as well as while we get the instruments set up and such. It is our pleasure to serve your entertainment needs. In the meantime, feel free to get in a more comfortable position along with your subjects and vassals, and look forward to the performance!"

Moving quickly, Artem does his best to scurry and follow the commands of the madam in a servant like way, though his blood is getting up with all of the puffery and nonsense. Where he came from, if people were going to have a row, they got on with it and didn't prance around hoping people would fall asleep or leave out of sheer exasperation. Nevertheless, he holds one hand near a hand axe for the right moment and smiles in anticipation.

Mithra feels the same way as Artem, but she's a bit more stoic. There'll be time enough for fighting when the palavering is done.

She tries to take Artem's mind off of the 'waiting'.

"Just remember, Artem, the last time we got ahead of ourselves, the extras got a little bit burnt," she says to him.

She has no way of knowing if any of the goblins understand common, so she's speaking in a bit of code.

"Wait until they get a load of my 'sword dance'!"

While the others clear up the performance space, Ero tries to organize the audience into a group.  "If the shorter ones among you sit in front, right up here, and the taller in back.  We want to make sure everyone can see.  Your Majesty, please right in the center here.  Best seat in the house.  Could you two move His Majesty's throne right here.  Thank you so much.  Okay, now everyone squeeze in."

Aria cannot help but look on in wonder as the flame-haired Elf makes her grand entrance and steals the show. Clad in dark green cloak with the hood drawn over her face, she tries to hide her expression of surprise. In her hand is the book Grol asked her to translate, and just as she was about to finalize the bargain. Under normal circumstances, she would gladly welcome the gorgeous Elf-woman's performance, preferably with a goblet of wine in hand and a fire in the hearth—both luxuries seldom afforded to those who live in treetop villages.

Such timing.

"Your majesty, our deal? I would see it completed before this...frivolousness steals all reason."

Sorry for the delay. I considered Serena's post rather rhetorical. That is, the goblins and the king went ahead and moved according to Serena's direction.


"Ho-ho-ho!" the bugbear king laughs at Aria's request. "Afraid of a little competition? A little entertainment will make things go smoother. You can't translate the book that quickly anyway. Relax! Enjoy the show!"

He has a couple of goblins move his chair--with him in it--to a location designated by Serena.

He's not nearly as clever as he thinks he is, but then again, he's probably thinking that Serena has put her and her troupe in a position where the only way out is through the goblins.

Artem moves here and there, adjusting a chair or stool or oddment for the "perfect" stage setup.  All the while he keeps his eye on the bugbear leader and tries to keep a clear line of sight to him for when the "show" begins.

ooc: Nope not rhetorical. Moving people around and such is a very important part of my plan of distraction and thus I didn't think I could assume anything...especially since he's a named npc now, and definitely needed that response from you. Also, your response accounted for others' posts too which is good. ^_^

"Milady and Milord, I only aim to please, and in doing so hope to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement in the end. I am pleased to let you know that I've got just the right sample performance in mind for you. It is called 'Chimes of the Distracted Fireflies.' It draws its primary artistic inspiration from a mix of elven, human, and greenskin cultures and is upbeat and fun while a the same time relaxing."

She then goes over to Artem, and hands him her Lyre. She tells him to literally only pluck a single string on it that she points out once every 5 seconds and that's it. He probably isn't a performer like she is, but anyone can pluck a single string like that at an easily timed interval. Pert of it is her trying to add false complexity from an audience stand point, another to help her own timing. She warned him that if he damaged her lyre, she'd have his hide. For real. He'd get the distinct impression she meant objectively, with or without their ruse, he had better take care of her instrument or else he'd have a half-elf fury on his hands. But then she smiled at him and gave him a pat on the shoulder, and walked away.

She the went into her packs and withdrew her drums. Which actually in this case weren't drums at all in the traditional sense, but two sets of finger cymbals! She also called Ero over to help her wrap a long piece of light, flowy silky cloth from her packs and stap it in such a way that it wrapped a bit around her torso and then her shoulders and upper arms, so it didn't restrict her motion yet allowed some cloth to stream behind her when she moved her arms, helping add a sensuous effect. She then equipped her finger cymbals and disdainfully shooed Ero out of her performance space.

"Without out further adieux, milord and lilady, I present Chimes of the Distracted Fireflies."

She then began to move about the "stage area" in fluid, snakey sensuous manner. she waved her arms about at her sides, as she rhythmically pattered her cymbals together between her finfers. She moved and gyrated her hips and belly in ways that accented her naturally curvy and well-proportioned body, and she had a mischievous and inviting - yet not lustfully so - look in her eyes. The rhythm of her dance sometimes had spikes of fast and powerful melodies in it, but for the most part maintained a more hypnotic and relaxing, lulling pace. It was undeniable, though, that "Madam Zirasta" was abnormally skilled, and the performance was top-notch.

ooc: She's playing and moving a lot like this chick is, but even better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMyD5OYD934

She's breaking her performance up like she did with the merchant, but more simply this time instead of 3-4 sepatate ones. In this case, the first roll is a warm up of sorts, and the one that says "2nd part" is the main meat of her show where she is moving around and fully doing her cymbal techniques.

02:26, Today: Serena Valais rolled 23 using 1d20+6. performance 2nd part.

02:25, Today: Serena Valais rolled 7 using 1d20+6. performance (drums).

Wow! Ironically, her warm up absolutely sucks but the 2nd part is freaking amazing!

Ero takes a position next to the gathered horde.  "She's just warming up," he says in a stage whisper.  "She usually does them offstage out of the audience's sight but, well, we work with what we have.  Madame Zirasta's performance will begin in just a moment.  Please feel free to talk quietly amongst yourselves until she's ready."

Cor, what if she's having a bad night? he thinks, and his pulse starts to race.  They might kill us just for a bad show!  But then Serena begins the main part of her performance.  Ero relaxes for a moment before his pulse begins to race again, though for an entirely different reason.  "Oh my...."

"And if I translate the book, you'll release the third prisoner? You said that you would, and I assume you a king with some semblance of honor." Before Aria can negotiate further, the crazy minstrel and her equally crazy troupe begin to set up, moving Goblins this way and that and clearing out a space to perform.

Soon the Dark Elf cannot help but admire Serena's...craft. She watches, hands clasped, waiting patiently as her gaze drifts from the half-Elven woman's rolling hips to the layout of the room and the prisoners. Her goal remains the same, and no band of performers too foolish to realize their peril will stop her.

When the performance ends, Aria claps and bows respectfully. "Very alluring, lady. Would that I could have your performance to myself...."

Artem plucks his string obediently, worried at each moment that he might accidentally break the unfamiliar instrument.  His eyes do rove about though, first at enemies and then more and more frequently at the half-elf lady.

As he performance continues, Ero slips over to the dark elf.  He considers her the most dangerous one here so she'll have to be neutralized first if their plan gets...more aggressive.

He gives his dark cousin a polite bow and smile.  "You're a far way from home, cousin,"

Frustrated as she is for having to wait, Aria bows politely in turn. Discipline. She tries to let her training take over. She breathes in through her nose slowly and deliberately. "Am I? Where do you think that might be?" Aria nods to the captives tied in the corner, her gaze drifting to the third, the one unknown to her. "How far do you think they are from home? It must feel like worlds away."

As soon as Serena started her dance, Mithra started hers. She wasn't a performer, but she did her best to try and echo Serena's moves, moving around the perimeter in the opposite direction, swinging her sword in a kind of weapon kata, getting the blade close to a goblin while looking in the other direction.

She didn't know how long she'd have to do this, but she was expecting all hell to break loose at any second.

As Ero and Aria discuss the situation, Aria, who's been eyeing the prisoners anyway, suddenly spots a Halfling slip into the room from the latrine and cut one of the prisoners bonds. This is the one she doesn't know, so while it is an intriguing situation, it becomes a bit more than that when two Elves slip into the room and free the other two prisoners.

Aria catches the same odor that one of the goblins did; it's probably too faint for others around her to have bothered with, since it's clearly a latrine smell.

"Eat cold steel, you little vermin!" one of the Elves screams and attacks the goblin who detected the smell.


Amiri, Lureene, Rihala, Esseron and Maldor hear the yell, too... almost in stereo--first through the open latrine door and a moment later echoing from the room beyond the curtain.

Maldor's heartbeats race as soon as he hears the cry to battle. He grins and pushes the curtain to the side with his shoulder. He rushes forward, running for the closest foe.

"Um jetar!" the fighter exclaims as soon as he is upon one of the evil opponents.

"Well, it is quite obvious --"


Ero lets out a panicked shriek and falls back.  "Bandits!  Someone save me!"  He tries his best to cower as he weaves a Mage Armor spell about him.

Retreat to a spot behind and diagonal to the goblins.  Cast Mage Armor.

     Rihala steps in and points her staff at the nearest unharmed enemy not currently engaged in combat with anyone else.

     "Tash Kolah! she shouts, casting a Witch Bolt on the creature.

OOC:
10:22, Today: Rihala Drakesong rolled 23 using 1d20+5. Witch Bolt attack.
10:23, Today: Rihala Drakesong rolled 7 using 1d12. Witch Bolt damage.

In reply to Rihala Drakesong (msg # 278):

Amiri shouts.

"Fires ofKossuth."

And an apparent bolt of Purple Fire. Launches out of her hand and hits the Bugbear as she notices the Drow.

"DHAEROW NEXT."


Eldritch Bolt attack 20 damage 15
This message was last edited by the player at 14:34, Mon 16 Mar 2015.

Well here it came - the long-awaited for surprise move by these other groups she saw. She was glad it worked enough to get the prisoners freed. Now it seemed violence was unavoidable.

However, it was time to play stupid right now - Ero had the right idea. The goblins had their backs to the other adventurer groups, which helped them get the drop on them. Perhaps she could get them to turn around again - except this time, show their backs to "Madam Zirasta's troupe" and get dropped on twice! Or at the very least it would help her control the flow of bodies initially.

The beautiful half-elf performer suddenly stopped playing, as she let out as girly a scream as she could.

"Oh my...bandits! Help!" she said as she ran for Artem, and then grabbed his arm a bit and went behind him, like she was seeking the protection of a bodyguard and was utterly helpless herself, as well as clueless as to what was happening.

"Oh...don't let them get me. I might break a nail or something!"

Aria barely spares a glance at the fleeing Elf, an eyebrow raised for just a moment. Action calls and training kicks in. She dives into a shoulder roll and comes up running. She first goes after the prisoners, following them out. All at once the whole room is in chaos, as warriors charge in, Elves shriek in dismay, and Aria almost feels sorry for the Goblins and Bugbears. What must they be thinking? Still, her friend is more important, and the poor Dwarf hasn't seen home in far too long.

Upon seeing that the Halflings had been there to indeed rescue the prisoners, Aria knows she must act quickly to prevent more bloodshed. She sprints toward Grol and his pitiful underlings. Standing before him she flips back her cloak, revealing garb more befitting the Woodland Folk than the Drow: Well-fitting pants that end just below the knee, a tied sash around her waist and a silken sash around her chest, leaving her toned midriff bare. White ribbons tied around her upper arms leave streaming tails, and about her feet (if only to avoid the lair's muck) strappy sandals reaching up to her calves. Her arms and chest sport white rune-like markings in the language of the Elves. Sliding back her hood, she gestures at the chaos enveloping Grol's pathetic little lair. "King Grol! Tell your people to surrender now if you want to save their lives and yours! Do it!"

Artem catches the idea and plays bodyguard to the 'Madame'. He looks past the goblins at the second group of adventurers in 'surprise' and at the same time pulls his battle axe from his back and prepares to defend his employer.

OOC: In reality he is readying to attack the nearest foe once their attention is hopefully drawn away.

Lureene sweeps in alongside Maldor, keeping pace with the half-orc's charge, standing on his left to cover his flank with her shield. Mace in hand, she seeks a foe to strike at, albeit less enthusiastically than the bloodthirsty warrior; to her, battle is more distasteful necessity than way of life.

In reply to Lureene Raventree (msg # 283):

Amiri sweeps in and aims a witch bolt at the Drow in a wood elves seeming.


"DHAEROW DIE"

Then she totally misses the drow as lightning skitters past her and the Bugbear.


witch bolt hits ac 11

In reply to Amiri Flamestorm (msg # 284):

As he strides through the outer hall Esserron hears the scream from inside, so he promptly sets upon the first goblin he can reach with his rapier.

OOC:

21:03, Today: Esseron rolled 8 using 1d8+3.
21:03, Today: Esseron rolled 13 using 1d20+3. attack.

Possibly she missed some key facet of this plan as Serena and Ero shout and scream in panic, but after a quick glance in their direction realizes it's just more performance.

"Got it," she mumbles to herself before letting out her own battle cry.

"Traitors! Bandits! Thieves!" she yells as she starts attacking the nearest goblins.


21:19, Thu 19 Mar 2015: Mithra Stormraven rolled 22,7 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 ((17,2)).

Ack, pfui! Well, she doesn't get two attacks in the round; I was just doing next round at the same time. Clearly she got ahead of herself.

21:30, Thu 19 Mar 2015: Mithra Stormraven rolled 4 using 1d8+3 ((1)).

At least this wasn't a fumble! I'm sure the goblin is hurting, but it's probably not enough to take it down.

I was just waiting for the chaos to build...


By the time Serena had gotten her audience situated in the proper place, there was only room for about 18 of the goblins. The rest--another 18--were outside the door, trying to push their way in or peering through their buddies to see the show. A few were still unsure if they should be standing watch or trying to watch the show.

When these outer goblins heard the commotion begin, they begin looking around to see what the cause is. A few head back to the front door to where they were supposed to be keeping watch in the first place.

That's when those behind the curtain leap out.

Maldor is the first to jump out, and is immediately in the face of goblins. Roll your attack and damage, please.

Rihala was next, zapping the nearest goblin with a witch bolt from her staff. That's enough damage to kill the goblin. 17 of 18 left.

Amiri followed, but had to move to her right to get the bugbear king in sight. She and Rihala would have been attacked by goblins after the witch bolts, but they were quickly followed by Lureene and Esseron. Amiri hits the bugbear, but her Eldritch bolt doesn't kill him.


Bleddyn, Sylvester and Frederich have hustled the three prisoners out of the room... Frederich and Sylvester assisting them and Bleddyn defending them as necessary.

Mella is still attacking the goblins in the main room and shouting and bouncing around, doing her best to add to the chaos.


Aria demands that Grol surrender, but her answer is the wolf attacking!


More to follow...

This message was deleted by the player at 00:08, Fri 20 Mar 2015.