Our story begins on a stormy night, as our party of adventurers approaches a tavern and inn, The Spotted Owl, on the outskirts of a small farming community, having spent the last hour or so searching for shelter from the rain and wind. The Spotted Owl is a relatively small inn with a warm, cozy interior. It is quite crowded, probably much more so than on other nights on account of the storm. As the party enters, several patrons look up at the new arrivals, then return to their drinks and conversations. "Shut the door!" the bartender barks. "You're lettin' the storm in!"

A portly barmaid greets the party with a smile. "Welcome," she says. "What can we do ya for? I think there's still room available if you all don't mind sleepin' on the floor. Otherwise, you're welcome to order some food and drink and wait out the storm."

Toppor walks into the inn, shaking off what water he could from his cloak there at the door before the bartender's bark reminds him to close the door, "Whiskey, water, and I'll eat whatever you've got as long as it's hot."

As Vimak swung the door open the standard command from the barkeep was cut short "Close that damn doo..." the proprietor stood agape for a second as the large pale hand swung in and grabbed the inside of the door frame. Vimak ducked low through the door, he righted himself to his full height of seven and a half feet before surveying the room. The goliath stepped over to a large table and beckoned to the rest of his companions to join him "Vimek has found the best table, join me." He then took one of the chairs at the table and lifted it into the air, inspecting it to ensure it would hold his mass. Obviously satisfied he set it down again and took a seat.

Anita followed her companions into the inn. She glanced down to make sure her cloak covered the tip of her tail that was now rapped comfortably round her right leg.

He stepped into the warm interior but kept her hood up, the twin horns that curled round the side of her head would have been another give away that she was a tiefling and her race was always looked upon with suspicion. She'd even been chased out of a village once because they thought her presence there had turned the cows milk sower though that was down to feeding them on swamp grass they hadn't listened...... she was daemon blood so she was the cause.

She made her way over to the table Vimek had chosen and seated herself away from the fire and close to the shadows. The symbol on her cloak the only thing that marked her out as a cleric of the light

Paran followed Antia quickly into the Inn, he paused for a second trying to decide what to do, his green skin always pulled glances and many times the wrong... or right conclusion depending on how he looked at it, but it was pouring cats and dogs outside and he was not feeling commiserate enough to hide it and endure the wetness, when right by his side would be one such as Vimak to remove unseemly thoughts from the populace.

"Greetings" he said loud enough to be heard by all as he approached the table.

Removing his cloak, he sat down between Vimak and Antia ordering a warm sweet wine and whatever food was readily available. He sighed in pleasure and thought about moving to the hearth and removing his boots to leave them there for drying, but decided against it... 'maybe need to run... god forbid'.

Cathasach hustled in out of the falling sky and hastily peeled the sopping travel cloak off of his body, sniffing at the air. He wiped some of the rain out of his mustache and grinned as he watched his more self conscious companions compare against the titanic swordsman they traveled with.

He lazily dropped his cloak near the fire and busied himself with a wedge of bread and cheese at a seat to Toppor's right at the table and spoke in between great mouthfuls of peasant food.

"Roof... Roof is good."

Magdaleine stopped just inside the door, the rain dripping off her scales and the cloak she had wrapped around her travel pack. With a tut, she leaned her staff against the doorframe and began a series of complex gestures with her claws. In response, the all the water on her person; on scale and cloth, seemed to dance; flowing and jumping until she had gathered it all in a ball on the palm of her hand. A swift cutting motion froze the ball solid and she tossed it casually out the door before retrieving her staff and proceeding into the room, bone dry.

She languidly took a seat next to Cathasach and idly picked at the food on his plate with a claw, nibbling at his crumbs and leftovers rather than ordering her own. She was conscious of the stares she and her group were drawing and it put her off her appetite somewhat; at least until she felt she could relax a bit. Besides, the fare here was likely overcooked and far too...vegetable for her palette. Still, how bad could the ale be? She ordered something dark and fruity and sat back to watch the room, catlike in her attitude; seemingly relaxed but with an underlying tension.

OOC: cast Shape Water (several times) to dry off

Aliandra peeks into the warm room from behind Cathasach and Magdelein, with whom she has been travelling.  Apparently, the accommodations meet with her approval, for she breezes in with a flourish, removing her cloak like a bullfighter's cape, spraying droplets of rainwater on those around her.  She is wearing a flashy outfit of red and yellow adorned with many pieces of ostentatious (but cheap) jewelry. A rapier hangs at her side and a lute is on her back, though not for long, as she strums a few chords, riffing off of the warrior's statement.

"A roof is good,
Whether of slate or wood.
So many paths here cross!
They'll all hear the tale
of Muscles and Scales.
And if they don't want to, then, their loss!"

She flashes a quick, playful grin at her companions, as if sharing a joke with them, then  surveys the room.  Something about the assembled souls meets with her approval.  "Lots of interesting stories here, I'm certain of it," she says.  "Lots of good tales outside, too, I'm sure. But it's dryer in here."  Then she sits down heavily at the stable, wondering if anyone might offer her a drink in exchange for a song.

Very conciously waiting until Aliandra has removed her cloak, Lucien steps inside the tavern and shuts the door behind the group. He casts one more cautious look outside before turning around and pulling down the hood of his cloak to reveal a warm smile between his pointed ears. He greets both the bartender and the waitress as he hangs his cloak on the back of the chair closest to the door around the table at which the rest of his companions are seated.

From one of the many pockets on his person, the elf produces a deck of cards which he promptly begins to shuffle flashily. "Anyone up for a bit of a card game to pass the time?" He waves to the waitress and requests some bread and cheese of his own.

The strange travelers garner some stares as they enter and get settled, but the tavern patrons largely ignore them after a few minutes.

The fire is warm, the food tasty, and the drinks strong, and the party passes the next hour or so enjoying the comforting atmosphere.

As the tavern is starting to quiet down, with the storm still raging outside, a middle-aged, dark-haired, slightly portly human enters and looks around the room, before settling his eyes on the table where the party is seated. He approaches rather quickly and says, rather pompously, "Good evening. I am Gordrenn, purveyor of magical paraphernalia, material necessities, and related items to many wizards of note. I have a slight problem, and I believe you might be able to help me."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:00, Sat 02 Apr 2016.

"Please good sir, calm yourself, take a seat and explain your dilemma " spoke the cleric from under her hooded cloak. The voice was gentle and encouraging.

Alliandra strums three dramatic chords (which sound like  "dum, Dum,DUM!") in order to add a dramatic sting to the arrival of a potential benefactor before sliding over to help make room for the newcomer.  She tries to appear nonchalant, but she knew that great adventures often started from such chance encounters in taverns,  and she was thrilled to be in the right place at the right time.

Paran raised his eyes from the hot broth he was having, his deep green eyes settling on the stranger, and chuckling lightly without humour "He looks like he is selling to me... not buying Antia... he seems... not nervous in need, but in want... but then.. maybe its too soon to judge..." he brought down his gaze back to the broth sighing and continued working on it.

That was typical Paran, his mood seemed to be dark even when he did was not. His frequent pauses seemed to mark this effect even further, but everyone in the group knew this by now and knew that no offence was meant.

Gordrenn sits down at the party's table and begins, "Thank you. You see, I have to deliver a chest of material components to Tauster, who lives in the village of Thurmaster in Haranshire. My usual couriers have just left my service, but I really need these goods delivered. They're nothing terribly expensive or important, but Tauster gets very huffy if I'm even a day late."

"We are not simply errand boys. Why should we bring these goods for you? What glory is there to be had?"

Vimak's eyes widened as he spoke. Apparently "thinking" on the fly.

"Vimak wonders what these goods could be? Basilisk eye balls? Live dragon eggs? Crawling lich fingers!?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Sun 03 Apr 2016.

"Glory?" Gordrenn laughs. "I can pay you 150 gold pieces to deliver the chest to Tauster. That's a fair price for the service.

"And you won't be delivering anything quite that exotic." He looks around at the others to see what they say.

Aliandra sighed.  She had really hoped for the kind of adventure that might inspire an epic ballad or two. Her comic satires had begun to bore her, and if she had to start a relationship with one of these adventuring louts just so she could write a vindictive break-up ballad (at least they always proved popular in the taverns), she was going to go crazy.

"I suppose a long walk could do me good," she shrugged.  Perhaps some fresh air and some time outdoors might inspire an ode to nature. Not the most popular, but she might find a wistful, romantic noble trapped in the court who might pay her for it.

Cathasach slowly ran his fingers along his mustache and smiled as he sounded his rough vocal chords.

"150 pieces of gold is glory enough for a delivery, eh?"

He turned his wild eyes to each seat at the table before settling on Mags for confirmation.

Lucien bridges his cards extravagantly as he studies Gordrenn with an amused expression. "Nothing extravagant and yet here you are willing to pay that kind of money to see it delivered?" The elf's tone is slightly incredulous. "That is not, of course, to say that you could hire us for less."

Taking a moment to think over the man's offer as he studies his expression, Lucien finally shrugs and leans back. He balances the chair in which he is sitting on its two rear legs. "Nor, however, are you likely to find a group of people who can so assuredly, without any doubt, accomplish the task of... delivering this chest." He points a dramatic finger in the air as he completes the statement.

"I am curious to know however, what IS in the chest." It is a statement, not a question.

"And why could you not deliver this chest yourself?" As the waitress returned with his order, Toppor downed the whiskey and ate the stew quickly. He paid little attention to normal etiquette, and juices from the stew dripped down into his beard.

Gordrenn huffs at Toppor's question, "I have too many clients to make the deliveries myself. That's what I'm paying you for.

"Now, if you are interested, meet me at the temple of Helm, on the north side of town, at sunrise tomorrow. I will have the contract written up and ready then." He forces a smile and says, "Enjoy your evening. I'll see you in the morning." He then turns and quickly exits the tavern.

Toppor looked at Lucien, "Well, I noticed he didn't bother to answer your questions."

Topper lifted his bowl and loudly slurped the last of it down, and followed it up with a belch worthy of a human. Once upon a time he would have cared that it wasn't worthy of a dwarf, but those days were long past. He dipped his fingers into the glass of water he'd ordered, then wiped and dried them on his shirt and beard before drinking the lot of it as well.

"But, there's nothing stopping us from seeing what's inside once we lay eyes on it, and a man can always use a bit more gold in his pocket."

Lucien gives Toppor a casual shrug. "As you say, we can always investigate the contents ourselves once it is in our possession. I also agree with the sentiment of earning a bit more coin, though at that price we should be wary of abnormal danger. For the time being, it might be a good idea to get some sleep." The elf's tone is sarcastic and he looks instead to Aliandra. "Or you could sing us something and everyone could play a few hands." Lucien performs another eccentric shuffling of his deck to emphasize his point.

Alliandra tries a few chords on her lute, then improvises the following.

We were given a task
But were told not to ask
'Bout the box. "Don't open  it please."
But we're good with locks,
And we could open the box
"Hey look! A hive of angry bees!"

Aliandra grins puckishly as she plays a musical flourish.  "C'mon, where's your sense of mystery and adventure? If we leave the box closed, it contains a magical artifact that has the  potential to save or destroy the world.  If we open  it, there's a good chance it contains used toothpicks."

The cleric of light looked over to the others from under her hood "I would imagine that any contract signed would forbid the opening of the chest.....and as we are all of good standing to do so after signing would be unseemly" she said giving Paran a stern stare.

Then turning to Lucien" as for gambling ....that is a sin and I will not partake.....anyway I always seem to loose at games of chance" she added with a hint of a smile across her face
This message was last edited by the player at 10:26, Thu 07 Apr 2016.

Vimak grumbled deeply under his breath as their potential employer left. He brightened when Lucien mentioned a card game.

"Teach me the rules of this game Lucien, in no time I will be besting you. Who else would join our game?"

A distant look came over Toppor's face and emotions played across his features, a combination of sadness, fear, and anger...

He drew in a deep breath, shaking his head, "Cards sounds like a fine idea. Which game are you suggesting in particular?"

For a long moment, Lucien gives Aliandra a sardonic stare until Anita mentions gambling. With an offended expression, he stares at Anita. "Who said anything about gambling? Here I was suggesting a nice innocent game of Jester's Court to pass the time. Honestly." Lucien begins to deal out cards to those who are interested, while beginning to explain the rules of the game.

On the surface, the rules seem quite simple: one must force other players to reveal their cards without revealing their own and each card allows it's holder to do something different. Of course, lying is an inherent facet of the game, which may be the source of the glint in Lucien's eye.

OOC: I dont' know any fantasy card games so, I made one up. Imagine Jester's Court is a bit like the real game Coup. You can claim to be holding any card and the only way to to find out for sure is for someone to call you a liar. You lose when you have revealed your entire hand.

"So... nothing better to do... other than taking this... this package I guess..." said Paran finishing his broth and finally looking up from the plate.

"I'll take you too on that game.... for the night might be long... and better I keep my mind busy".

The talk of the mission at hand held little interest to Magdaleine; whatever the pay, it was a job. If the risk outweighed the payoff, she could deal with that upon collection.

As Lucien explained the rules of his game, however, Mags perked up her ears and expressed an interest in playing. The notion of a chance game with a deceptive element intrigued and excited her.

Cathasach twitched his nose and shrugged his battle stained shoulders, eyeing the elf man with interest. As the table collectively started to sound up a smile crawled up his face and he inclined his head.

"Yes... an innocent game to round off the night. You shouldn't be so suspicious, Antia. After all, what could go wrong?"

"No wagers? Just as well, I haven't two copper to rub together, and I would not feel good about myself if I fleeced the rest of you to remedy my current pecuniary deficit," Aliandra laughs.  As the negotiations drew to a close, her spirits rose, and she almost seemed eager to set out at once.

Antia smiled to herself at Drust's comment, yes what indeed could possibly happen. She thought.

"If you are all set on cards I will bid you all a goodnight and retire for prayer" with that the cleric of light stood and headed for the bar to secure a room until morning

Lucien shoots Aliandra an incredulous look and bids Anita a good evening as she leaves the table. When the remainder of the group has their three cards, the game begins in earnest with Paran, who is to Lucien's immediate right, going first. The elf will continue to deal and play hands through the night until about 2 AM when, if anyone is still playing, he will head for the room to get enter his trance before morning.

When the games start Topper seems rather happy to participate, but as the games move on he draws more into himself, ignores most conversation, and has to be reminded a time or two that it's his turn. After the fifth game he calls it a night, "Thank you, friends. If we're going to spend a good deal of time on foot tomorrow, I best get some rest while I can."

Vimak played the card game for several hours. His strategies were straight forward and aggressive but he clearly did not understand the deception required to be consistently successful. Despite his lack of success he methodically counted how many hands each player had won. After a particularly devastating round he retired for the night saying " Well played all, especially you Lucien, Vimak is impressed. My people have a tradition, a member of a clan who performs a note worthy deed is given a new name." He places his huge stony hand on the Lucien's shoulder. "I will call you 'Truth Stealer' for besting me thoroughly."

With that the Goliath speaks briefly with the inn keeper about a room or some dry accommodation and heads to sleep.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Sat 09 Apr 2016.

There is a shared room still available in the inn when Vimak and the others retire for the night.

The smells of hot porridge, sausage, and coffee fill the air as the adventurers rise and prepare for the day ahead of them. Only a couple of patrons are in the tavern at the early hour. Outside, the rain has stopped and light is just starting to appear on the eastern horizon.

As the sun rose in the morning sky Antia found a quiet corner of their room and said her morning prayer before collecting her stuff and heading down to the tap room for breakfast.

She sat at the table they sat at that evening still with her hood pulled up over her head and ordered bread, cheese, dried fruit and water.

Paran awoke early too, he went for a short walk to clear up his head from the nightmares that night usually brought to him. By the time he was back, Antia was already at the table "'Morning Antia... mind if I join ?" he asked as he sat next to her.

Antia indicated a seat next to her and nodded" how are you this fine morning? the day looks to be fine for travelling if we decide to take the merchant up on his offer of work"

Toppor rose just before the sun and went straight outside to watch its arrival. After it reached its halfway point, Toppor finally went back inside, "I'll have a bit of that porridge and double the sausage. Skip that filthy mudwater though, I'll just have normal water if you don't mind."

Seeing two of his companions already up and about, Toppor heads over to join them. "It's a beautiful morning out there. A great day to be out among the elements. It'll be a muddy day for traveling, but everything else should be rather enjoyable, and hopefully balance it out."

Lucien emerges from his trance and joins his companions in the main room for breakfast. He takes an order of sausage and porridge for himself and heads for the table. "Good morning everyone! It appears to be a fine day to be paid excessive amounts of money for delivering totally unsuspicious chests." The elf appears to be in a fine mood.

Magdaleine burst in through the door, large as life with a smile on her draconic face. Despite the late night playing cards, she'd been up before dawn finding her own breakfast, the last bloody remains of which she was picking out of her teeth as she sat with the others. "A fine day indeed, Lucien. One you're already missing the best part of. Ahh...nothing like the cool of the morning and a fresh meal to start a day."

Vimak awoke as their shared room began to stir. The Goliath rose from his spot in the middle of the floor, as he didn't rightly fit in most beds. He silently packed his gear and made his way downstairs to join the others.

He simply ordered "Breakfast. Double portion and water." Before sitting with his assembled companions. "There is no glory in this errand boys mission. Vimak hopes we are at the very least attacked by bandits en route."

"Attacks by bandits are good," Aliandra says, still stretching out the sleep as she comes down for breakfast. The previous night had shown her to be a dubious card player, not really caring whether she won  or lost each hand.  "Attacks by flying monkeys or manticores are even better.  No-one ever wrote a song about the prompt, courteous delivery of a package."  She checks out the others' breakfasts before ordering some porridge with dried fruit.

"Having a nice little payed  trip without incident is best in my books... Let's get going" Said Paran standing from the table once they were all done with their breakfast.

Cathasach gruffly nodded and swung his pack across his back. At his side hung an iron longsword and over his back was his large octagonal shield. As he made his first step out of the tavern he inhaled deeply through his nose and smiled.

"Finally."

He said simply, setting out with the rest of the coterie.

As the group makes their way to the temple of Helm, as instructed, Toppor takes note of the group's travel and is reminded of the good times he had while being enlisted as a soldier. It wasn't often that the good memories overclouded the bad ones, and so he didn't fight the smile the came to his face.

"I think today is going to be a good day..."

Gordrenn is waiting for the adventurers when they arrive at the temple. He is standing next to a small table, talking to a priest when they enter. A 12" x 18" x 18" wooden chest sits on the table next to them, along with a few pieces of paper, a quill, and a pot of ink.

"Ah, good morning," he says when he notices the party. "Have you decided to deliver the chest for me?"

Paran chuckled at his thoughts 'For you ? not in the seven hells... it is but for the money that we have come to such as ass as you'... "Good morning to you too... of course, of course... now if you'd indulge us with the details, the dangers to be expected or the problems you foresee...".

Aliandra gave the box long consideration. Shetried to imagine all of the things that might be inside: live vipers, explosively combustible magical ingredients, the severed head of Gordrenn's former lover...  Once she had satisfied herself that the contents were suitably dramatic, she agreed to sign her name to whatever contract he offered.  It was probably going to be easy money, a prospect which clouded the thoughts of the adventure-hungry minstrel.

Antia stepped forward after the Bard had signed and picked up the quill. With a flourish she added her name to the contract and stepped back " There this venture has the blessing of the light upon it" she smiled at Aliandra "That should add colour to your next legendary tale of our daring adventures"

Magdaleine followed the others, enjoying the crisp morning air and regaling Cathasach with an anecdote about her pre-dawn breakfast excursion. It wasn't a particularly thrilling tale, but the details were not important; it was idle chatter. "...and then this bird flew past, right in front of my face...Woah." She stopped in her tracks before the Temple of Helm, admiring the architecture and marveling at the expense that must have gone in to it compared to the rude surroundings of the village. "Well, I've said it before Cath; you smooth-skins have a strange way of displaying your devotions and looking after your own. Bah, an argument for another time." She waved a claw in the air dismissively and with that, she followed the others inside.

When the merchant greeted them, she nodded a curt reply but didn't jump to sign her name until someone had at least given her the gist of what she was signing. She was more interested in scrutinising the man paying them such an inordinate amount of money for so simple a task as hauling freight, as she saw it. It didn't take her long to get distracted by another thought, though.

She leaned towards Cathasach and whispered aside to him "How are we getting there? We walking again?" Her voice has just loud enough that the acoustics of the building allowed others to hear her, even though she'd not intentionally asked it of the group as a whole.

12:04, Today: Magdalein Drexaalor Vosi rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Insight.

Lucien steps up to Paran's side nodding. "Aye, we'll take take the package to... Thurmaster village in Haranshire wasn't it? To be delievered to one, Mr. Tauster. No need to worry sir, we will get your chest there safely and with all haste." The elf bends down to peer at the contract and then, grabbing the quill, signs a name that is clearly not 'Lucien Nailo' with unreasonable flourish.

Lucien signs as his alias: Seliar Silversong. Paran and Anita at least are familiar with this persona as Lucien's cover identity from their home town.

"Yes, yes. We will deliver silly chest." Vimak signed the paper with a crude "V" then bent down, picked up the chest and placed it on his shoulder.

Toppor considers for a moment, asking for half of the payment up front due to the odd nature of the request paired with the high payment. With over half the group already having signed the contract, Toppor simply signs it himself without a word. His signature however, is merely a circle with two dots inside of it on the left and an odd, squiggly triangle that overlaps roughly half the circle and points toward the right.

Cathasach kept a cocked ear to Magdalein's tale with a half smile and turned abruptly to the contract, signing without a second's hesitation. He turned back to Mags with a shrug at her question, leaning in for a whisper.

"Well, sure. Unless you think we should go fishing for mounts again."

He spared another glance back to the paper with a furrowed brow. 'What was that, anyway?' he thought casually.

"Good," Gordrenn says, signing the contract, then rolling it up. "Here's a letter of credit for 150 gold pieces." He hands a letter to Lucien. "It will only become negotiable when countersigned by Tauster in Thurmaster.

"I've drawn up a map for you, as well," he says, picking up a final piece of paper and holding it out. "Should you need it."

Gordrenn squints at Vimak, then says, "And don't even think about stealing the chest. I'll know wherever it is. Steal it and I'll send all kinds of bad things after you."

Lucien takes both pieces of paper and stows the letter of credit in one of the many pockets on his outfit. He holds the map out in front of him and unrolls it to take a cursory look and notes the location of their destination. He begins heading for the door out of the temple with the map held out before him so that others can read it. With one hand he waves reassuringly over his shoulder. "Not to worry Mr. Gordrenn. We'll get your chest delivered."

"I thought we were the bad things that got sent," Alaiandra laughs as the other sign.  She only glances at the map for a second. She preferred to travel on instinct, which was her dramatic way of saying she had a terrible sense of direction. She would leave the navigation to others.

Paran looked at the merchant coldly "We are not thieves. But as you seem to be in a threatening tone, know this, if I find this to be a trick, a trap, a lie or anything that puts us in any danger other than the normal dangers the road may throw at us... it will be me doing the hunting, and people don't like me when I do that... hell, I don't even like myself when I do that. But do that I will... so if there is anything else we should know... spill it out now"

OOC: 10:07, Today: Paran rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Intimidate .

Antia stepped forward and rested a gentle hand on Paran's arm " calm yourself my friend" she said before turning to the merchant

 " what my friend, in his rough way, is trying to say is we would be very displeased if we have signed a contract under deception. I am a person of peace and thus, unlike my friend I will not throw threats at you but mark my words if you are deceiving us in any way the order of light will not take kindly to one of their servants being put into unknown danger... and I promise you my friend here will cause you pain but the order of light will cause you permanent financial ruin"

Gordrenn takes a couple steps back from Paran. "I assure you this is no trick or trap... Now be off before I change my mind and have the contract annulled..."

"Let's be on our way then!"

Toppor exits the temple and waits for the others.

Paran nodded and moved out to start on the route immediately.

Vimak snorted at the merchant as he left. The Goliath ducked under the door, chest still on his shoulder and followed his companions.
~I hope the small one is right, a manticore would be a worthy challenge~
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Wed 20 Apr 2016.

Aliandra is chipper as she prepares to set out. "All right, let me just go through my things...lute? check...rapier? check...waterskin? check...rash threats against emplyer? ooh, forgot them. Well, guess we'll have to do without. C'mon, everyone!"  She grins, but quickly inspects the others.  Minstrels could get away with a lot when it came to taking the piss out of people, but when they went too far, it was often too late.

The sun is starting to turn white in the sky on the warm spring morning when the party sets out from the temple. The road east to Haranshire is known to be relatively safe and easy to traverse, but it will take a couple of days to reach Thurmaster.

Lucien stays near the head of the group as they travel. He occasionally flits out farther in front, out of sight, to scout the road ahead and returns with updates. When the group stops, he settles into a trance for the first few hours and then takes up the watch through the dark of the night until morning.

If the issue of opening the chest is raised by anyone else, Lucien comes out in favor of opening it and seeing what is inside.

The first day of travel eastward towards Haranshire passes without event. The weather is pleasant throughout most of the day, but cools down considerably around sunset.

The next morning is cooler than the previous day, but the sun is shining as the party sets forth. Judging by the map, they should reach Thurmaster by sunset.

Anita gave morning prayer to the light then broke her fast before gathering he gear and readying herself for the days journey ahead.

Toppor goes through the morning preparations as usual.

Most of the day passes without incident. However, in the late afternoon, as the party is passing along the edge of a wooded area, the Lyrchwood, according to the map, they see four farm laborers on the road ahead, heading toward them at a steady, weary pace. As they draw closer and seem ready to pass with a wary nod, two arrows fly out from the woods and fall among the party, one of them striking Vimak and the other hitting the ground near Cathasach.

The farmers brandish clubs and staves, point to the woods, and yell, "Bandits!" They then hurry toward the adventurers to close ranks for their mutual defense.

When the arrows fly towards the group, Lucien, who is out in front and watching the approaching farm hands with unnecessary wariness, suddenly has his caution validated. As the farm hands pull out their weapons and rush towards the group, Lucien pulls out his own bow and knocks an arrow and darts into the woods where he attempts to hide among the trees using his natural talent as a wood elf. Once hidden behind a bush, he searches for the unseen archer who attacked the group.

Lucien Nailo rolled 11 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
Lucien Nailo rolled 23 using 1d20+7.  Stealth.
Lucien Nailo rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  Perception.

Toppor looked around to see what in the world was going on as he prepared for the attack.



22:28, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  perception.
21:32, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Cathasach bared his teeth and readied himself for bloodshed.


20:48, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 14 using 1d20+2 ((12)).

Paran looked around trying to find the source of the arrows. He was not quite so good at hiding so, even though he wanted to get off the way, and knowing his own limitations, he decided to prepare himself in the only way he could.

Gritting his teeth he pulled from the tainted source that gave him his powers. As each time he did so, he felt the power source through him along with the usual urge for blood. A large rock appeared as if summoned in front of him.

08:13, Today: Paran rolled 13 using 1d20.  Perception.
08:13, Today: Paran rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
Cast minor Illusion (rock for cover or partial cover)

At first Aliandra takes a step back, trying to take in the situation.  She knew many tales about ruthless bandits who preyed upon innocent travelers. She also knew tales about noble bandits who robbed the rich to feed the poor. Something about this setup seemed wrong. No demands for payment? Only two archers against a much larger group? And they had already engaged another armed party?

She draws her rapier.  "Stay there!" she yells to the farmhands.  "We'll divide their fire and flank them!" The truth was, she knew almost nothing about tactics.  But she knew that anyone can sound like an expert if they spoke with enough authority.

<orange>

04:48, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  Perception.
04:48, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
04:53, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  Deception.

Is it too early to state that the dice roller hates me.
</i>

As the arrows struck Antia was in motion. She spun round in the direction of the arrows and came out of the spin in a crouch. As she rotated she swung her shield from her back and down onto her left arm while in her right materialised a wicked looking mace.

As she settled into a defensive stance behind her shield he hood fell back revealing her demon heritage, he horns curled on either side of her head and her blazing red hair flowing wild behind her. At the same time the bottom of her cloak slipped to one side and her tail swung out whipping this way and that in anticipation of the battle to come.

She surveyed the surroundings, her first thought was to send out a cone of fire but without a target and within the woods that could have been more of a disadvantage to the group than anything else. Instead she waited and watched but in her mind she was already reciting the words to her guiding light bolt of pure energy ready to strike down her enemy in the name of the light

15:55, Today: Antia rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Thu 21 Apr 2016.

Vimak roared as the arrow struck deep, nearly dropping the chest from his shoulder. He set the chest down at his feet and drew his greatsword, ready for further danger.

09:37, Today: Vimak Thuliaga rolled 6 using 1d20.  Initiative.
Action: Dodge any incoming attacks (attackers have disadvantage)

Two more arrows fall among the party as the farmers rush closer towards the party, clubs in hands. As soon as Paran "summons" the rock in front of him, the largest of the farmers points at Paran and yells, "Get that one!" One of the farmers strikes Magdalein with his club as they all make their way towards Paran, catching the dragonborn sorcerer off guard. Two of the other farmers run around the "rock" and pummel Paran with their clubs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:52, Tue 26 Apr 2016.

Toppor calls out what he's seen before moving to aid Paran with his attackers, "Two archers hiding in the brush to the south - stay alert!"

Move  : Move toward Paran
Action: Attack one of Paran's attackers
Bonus : Cast Shillelagh

21:17, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 21,6 using d20+5,d8+3.  Attack,damage (shillelagh).

This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Tue 26 Apr 2016.

Lucien lets an arrow fly from his hiding place and manages to hit one of the farmers attacking Paran. When Toppor points to the hidden assailants in the brush, the elf looks in that direction to try and pick them out.

Action: Sneak attack farmer. Hit AC 17 for 10 damage. Assumed Hide action was successful and thus had advantage. Attack misses if that is not true.
Bonus: Perception to locate archers. Maybe it's easier since Toppor pointed them out?

Lucien Nailo rolled 17 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 2,12. Sneak attack farmer.
Lucien Nailo rolled 10 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 6,1.  Damage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 14 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 8.  Search for archers.

Vimak walked quickly up to one of the farmers intending to attack Paran. "Stupid little man! You have made a terrible mistake!". He attempts to grab the man with his right hand and lift him off the ground, while still holding the chest on his left shoulder.

Move: Move on closest farmer
Action: Grapple said farmer. Opposed Strength-Athletcis rolls
23:36, Today: Vimak Thuliaga rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Grapple check (Strength-Athletics).

Paran turned towards the farmer with a dangerous look in his eyes, suddenly cold and devoid of any expression except for a green flame that seemed to burn way deep behind them.

As he turned towards the farmers, a shimmering force surrounded his left hand and sped straight onto the closest farmer's head hitting it with tremendous force.

Attack: Eldritch blast
Move: none

08:10, Today: Paran rolled 21,9 using 1d20+5,1d10.  Eldritch blast Farmer.
Please let me know if it's brought to 0hp with this, as I'd gain 4 temp hp from this. (Dark One's Blessing)

This message was last edited by the player at 07:13, Tue 26 Apr 2016.

Anita lets her mace drop to dangle on its wrist strap as she lifts her hand and sends a bolt of pure light shooting across the road and into the woods following the flight of Lucien's arrow.

OOC:

Move: Stand still
Action: Shoot guiding bolt at one of the archers
23:36, 10:19, Today: Antia rolled 18,9 using 1d20+4,4d6.  guiding bolt att and damage. Hit: 18, Dmg: 9.

Aliandra frowned at the sudden ambush. She did not approve of cowardly tactics.  She feels a rush of concern for Paran, but then realizes that the spellcaster was in good hands, and with allies was well able to withstand the initial assault.  Turning her attention to the hidden archers, she draws her blade and rushes at the cowardly snipers, shouting "Oogidy boogidy!" in an attempt to flush them from their hiding places.  She figures that, with the covering fire privided by Antia, 'oogidy bogidy' might prove a persuasive argument.

Move:  Run towards hidden, still unperceived snipers
Action: Intimidate
13:28, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 6 using 1d20+3 ((3))
Gotta change my catchphrase...

Cathasach let out a roar and thudded the pommel of his longsword heavily on his shield, charging the bandit striking at Mags.

Move: Up to Mags' assailant
Action: Attack with longsword
14:47, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 16 using 1d20+3 ((13)).
14:47, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 8 using 1d8+3 ((5)).

Magdalein retaliates against the farmer who struck her, blasting him with a ray of frost. Cathasach finishes him off.

Paran's eldritch blast nearly takes down one of the farmers who hit him. A well-placed arrow from Lucien finishes the job.

Toppor strikes with his shillelagh the other farmer who hit Paran. Vimak moves in and grabs the man, lifting him off the ground.

As Aliandra rushes up to where Toppor had indicated, four men armed with short swords emerge from the brush, two of them with bows over their shoulders. The first one stabs her in the gut, badly injuring her. Antia immediately hits the archer with her guiding bolt, badly injuring him and leaving him illuminated.

Another of the swordsmen rushes at Vimak, stabbing him in the side in an attempt to get him to drop the farmer. The other two swordsmen attack Cathasach and Toppor, but they both fail to hit.



New round
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:57, Thu 28 Apr 2016.

Lucien looses an arrow, but it flies a full meter wide of the head of his intended target. Frustrated, he draws his rapier and rushes out to assist the wounded bard. "Be careful!"

Action: Sneak attack bandit attacking Aliandra. Miss.
Move: Move up to engage the bandits around Aliandra.

Lucien Nailo rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Sneak attack bandit.

Toppor strikes out at another of the attackers nearby, trying to give Paran more room to breath, and connects with the assailant's skull with a loud thwack.

As he hears Aliandra cry out from being attacked, he looks toward her and shouts a single word, "Otemme!"

Action: Attack crits AC 25, 11 damage
Move  : none
Bonus : Healing Word on Aliandra (6 HP)

How many people do we see attacking us here, all together? It's hard to track all of this without a map.


23:00, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 6 using 1d4+3.  Healing Word: Aliandra.
23:01, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 1 using 1d8.  Crit Damage.
23:01, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 25,10 using d20+5,d8+3.  Attack,damage (shillelagh).

Seeing the bard wounded the cleric of light grips her mace and rushes over to defend her and administer the light of healing to her. As she moves through the melee she takes a side swipe at the one that had stabbed Vimak


Move: move towards the bard
Action: striking the attacker that stabbed Vimak
07:56, Today: Antia rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  mace attack.
07:57, Today: Antia rolled 8 using 1d6+2.  damage.

This message was last edited by the player at 06:58, Thu 28 Apr 2016.

Paran switched his aim to one of the already hurt attackers hoping to finish him of with the force bolt that sped from his left hand towards him.

09:00, Today: Paran rolled 23,4 using 1d20+5,1d10.  Eldritch blast.
I don't know what target to call as I figure some will be dead from the hits delivered already so... whichever seems the most touched.

Aliandra's goal had been to flush out the hidden attackers. She was far more successful in that than she had wanted or hoped.  Her first thought that the blood gushing from the wound would ruin her tunic. The second thought was that she was in serious, serious trouble. She rolls away from the attackers, laughing ironically at her own rashness and foolishness. Could this really be the end of her tale?

Then through the pain, Aliandra saw her attackers leap to her defense.  This was the type of heroism she had hoped to see when she signed on to this job. It was just not the circumstances she had imagined. Nonetheless, she was grateful and felt inspired.

"Away with you, raider!
You've met someone greater.
Not me but my friends on the road.
You're in trouble now--
Shoulda stuck with the plow--
Taste the sting of the blade and my ode!"

Move: Directly away from the bad guys, as far as I can go!
Action: Run away! Diengage
Bonus Action: Inspire. +6 to next action by Lucien, who did not get to kill anyone this round.

Vimak cringed as he was struck again, he shrugs the blow off and begins to crush the hapless farmer he has held aloft. "Why do you attack Vimak!? WHO SENT YOU!?" His voices raises to a booming yell.

Action: Unarmed attack to crush grappled foe. 4 damage, I wish this to be non-lethal damage
            04:52, Today: Vimak Thuliaga rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Intimidate.
Move: None
Bonus action: Second Wind 04:42, Today: Vimak Thuliaga rolled 3 using 1d10+1.  Second wind.
Reaction: If struck next round I will use my racial ability to ignore 1d12+3 damage

Cathasach tore his sword from his opponent's abdomen with an unsettling grin and whipped his head in the direction of the bard. Within moments he was bounding towards her position, attempting to interject himself between her and her assailants.

Move: run between Aliandra and her new buddies.
Any chance this offers cover?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Sat 30 Apr 2016.

Paran's eldritch blast connects with the largest of the farmers as the farmer raises his club to strike Paran. He swings at Paran, but is thrown off by the attack and misses. Toppor moves in and takes out the farmer with his shillelagh. A bandit stabs Toppor in the back.

Cathasach rushes to Aliandra's aid, drawing the attention of her attacker. As the bandit turns to face Cathasach, Lucien runs him through with his rapier, taking the bandit out of the fight.

Vimak squeezes his opponent, but the man continues to struggle to get free and says nothing. Antia strikes the bandit who had stabbed Vimak with her mace as she approaches the now-mostly-healed Aliandra (thans to Toppor's healing word).


Bandit 1 (stabbed Vimak) -3 hp
Bandit 2 (near Cathasach and Lucien) uninjured
Bandit 3 (stabbed Toppor) uninjured
Farmer 1 (grappled by Vimak) -10 hp

New round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:46, Mon 02 May 2016.

Lucien whirls, keeping the bandits between himself and Cathasach as the big man joins the fray. He thrusts with his rapier and finds solid puchase in one of the attackers' backs. "I am afraid that you picked your marks poorly."

Action: Sneak attack bandit hits AC 17 for 11 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 9,2 using 1d8+3,1d6.  Damage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Attack bandit.

Paran looked around the remaining bandits and farmers, as well as his friends. Vimak was busy grappling one of the bandits and had another one freely stabbing at him, so he decided to concentrate on that one.

He carefully aimed for his head as the green forced seemed to gather on his left hand, then, with a small gesture, he released it, hitting the man strongly on its temple.


Action: Eldritch blast bandit 1 attacking Vimak.
08:52, Today: Paran rolled 18,8 using 1d20+5,1d10.  Eldritch blast.
Sorry, I would have sworn I had already posted, but apparently my mind was playing tricks on me.

Aliandra comes up laughing, laughing at how close she had come to a serious injury, laughing at how her companions were showing exactly the type of heroics she had hoped to see, and laughing inn order to mock the bandits who had the temerity to challenge them.  She decides to join in the fun, taunting "Banditry seems like a poor career choice now, doesn't it? Should have stuck to farming."

Her words prove sharper than her rapier, though, and despite an impressive set of flourishes, her blows fail to hit their mark.

Move: Engage the Bandit on Topor
Action: Stabbity like a boss!

04:18, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 12,9 using d20+4,d8+2 ((8,7)).

Antia made it over to Aliandra, released that such a blow hadn't seriously hurt her. Stepping up behind the bandit she was engaged in the cleric swung her mace at him.


OOC:09:32, Today: Antia rolled 19,6 using d20+4,d6+2.  attack / damage rolls
This message was last edited by the player at 08:32, Tue 03 May 2016.

Cathasach grinned at Lucien's quip and thrust, eyeing the freshly made human kebab. With a lazy snap of his arm he lopped at the bandit's neck, to disastrous effect.

06:14, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 6 using 1d20+5 ((1)).
OOC: God help me.

Getting stabbed by a bandit wasn't Toppor's idea of a good time, but slamming his Shillelagh into the fellow's face in repayment for such, certainly was.


Action: Attack Bandit 3
08:22, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 19,5 using d20+5,d8+3.  Attack,damage (shillelagh).

Vimak continues to crush the man he is holding aloft. "Talk!" He growls at the hapless man.

OOC
Action:Unarmed attack on grappled man, 4 damage. I wish this to be non-lethal damage
Move: None
Reaction: If struck next round I will use my racial ability to ignore 1d12+3 damage

Paran's eldritch blast sends its target to the ground in a heap.

Cathasach loses his grip on his longsword and it goes flying through the air, just over Lucien's head, and lands in the brush. Lucien impales his opponent, dropping him.

Aliandra stabs the remaining bandit, severely injuring him; Toppor finishes him off.

Vimak's opponent, the last of the farmers, says nothing, but lets out a cry of pain as his body goes limp in the goliath's hands.

End combat.
XP has been rewarded.

Lucien kneels down next to the bandit he just killed and cleans the blade of his rapier on the man's shirt. He sheathes the weapon and then goes and retrieves his spent arrows; pulling one from the body of a fallen foe and picking one up from the ground. He inspects the tips of each arrow before placing them back in his quiver. "Hang onto that fellow Vimak. We can tie him up and talk to him when he comes to. It is always possible that this was not simply a highway robbery."

The elf then proceeds to search the corpses of the fallen bandits. "You may want to look away from this part Anita. Perhaps you can ensure that Aliandra is not too badly injured." He looks in particular for things of value and letters of identifying items. He is careful in his search, checking their bodies for tattoos and the inner folds of their clothing for secret pockets.

Lucien Nailo rolled 21 using 1d20+3. Investigation.

Cathasach looked to either side as the rattle and roar of death's exchange dimmed around him.

'There was a fog of battle about us. They might not have noticed.', he thought desperately.

With that, he quickly slung his shield on his back once again and nonchalantly rested his thumbs in the band of his green pants, taking a casual stroll towards the bushes.

Paran helped along with the investigation of the corpses, but he was still somewhat possessed by the cold blood thirsty fury that sometimes got hold of him. His head was not focused and thus, he was not able to pull much information out of what he saw.

He tried to retrieve whatever was of value in the bandits and farmers while he waited for the interrogation of the other farmer.

He looked at the wound on his side, it had stopped bleeding and it would heal swiftly, and with the boost from his fiendish pact, he knew he could stand for a long while.

08:07, Today: Paran rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Investigate corpses.
Temp HP +5

Antia gave Lucien a sideways look at his comment but left it at that. She moved over to the Bard " my dear do you need the healing touch of the light upon your wounds?" she asked in a gentle voice before noticing Paran stumbling about the dead.

"Paran" she shouted over to him " look at me! calm yourself the fight is over" she ordered in a stern but not aggressive voice. Having become his spiritual councillor she knew the blood lust that took him somethings in a fight. " Paran listen to my voice and focus" hopefully her words would clear his head and he would settle his mind somewhat

Paran looked up from the corpses at Antia his eyes a bit softer now "I am ok... I am ok Antia... don't worry" he said looking down on the corpses again and feeling a bit of remorse now, and wondering why or what had made farmers become bandits.

Aliandra looks at the skin where she had been slashed and sees that Toppor's healing word had rpaired most of the damage.  "I'll be fine," she says to Antia.  "But thank you for the offer.  And thank you, Toppor, for your assistance." She then addresses the group, fire dancing in her eyes. "That was great! Mere ruffians I am sure these poor souls were, but they allowed you a chnace to show your terrible graetness and power. We are destined for great things, I am sure. I clearly chose the right group to accompany!"

Once Lucien had finished rifling through the bodies, Vimak walked over to him. The Goliath still had the chest on his left shoulder but now had the unconscious farmer slung over his right. He took a knee which brought him down to about Lucien's full height. "A gift for you 'Truth Stealer'. Hopefully you can pry the answers we need from him." He gently set the limp farmer down on the ground.

Toppor nodded in acceptance of Aliandra's thanks, "Well, you certainly picked the right road to be traveling on, if nothing else."

With the fight over, Toppor went to check on the chest they had been carrying to be sure that it was still intact.

The chest is still fully intact.

The farmer that Vimak had grappled is alive, but unconscious and badly injured.

There is no sign of anyone else on the road.

Aliandra walks past the chest and takes an interest in the prisoner. "I'm sure he has a tale to tale. I wonder what he'll sing?" She considers cajoling information out of the defeated highwayman, but realizes that her job might be easier after Vimak has a chance to intimidate his former foe.  "Do go gentle on him," she advises. "I do so dislike violence."

Using the Help action to give Vimak an advantage on Intimidation.

As the others gather around to question the captive, Toppor casts a healing spell on the man to bring him back to consciousness.

08:44, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  Healing Word.
Brain said roll d20 first. Brain was wrong.

Lucien places the coins in one of his many pockets and pulls the coil of rope from its strap on his backpack. He begins to bind the unconscious man's arms and legs behind him. He makes the ropes tight enough that the man will be uncomfortable, but not in pain. Once he has finished this task, he stands and retreats a few steps from the man. "Should we see to his wounds? I would like to speak to him, but it may be some time before he recovers on his own." The elf throws a glance at Toppor and Anita.

Everyone will find an additional 3 gold and 2 silver in their coin pouches before too long.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:36, Fri 06 May 2016.

The farmer starts to regain consciousness. "Wh-where are the others?" he asks groggily as he looks around. Seeing that he is the only survivor, a look of panic sweeps over his face. "N-no! Don't hurt me!" He tries to scoot away from Vimak and the others, desperately looking around.

Cathasach carefully and inconspicuously retrieved his sword, nonchalantly returning to the task at hand with a semicircle stroll that brought him back around to the prisoner. He started to smile and say something through his billowing facial hair, but yielded to the cyclopean swordsman at his side.

Lucien kneels down next to the lone survivor and places a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Relax, we haven't killed you yet because we don't want to. If you just explain yourself a little, I think I can convince my friends to let you go." Out of the man's sight, Lucien gives Vimak a wink. "You shouldn't dawdle though. My big friend here gets very impatient. Especially when he's been attacked."

The farmer squirms to get Lucien's hand off of him. "What are you going to do me? I don't know nothin', I swear!"

Lucien throws a glance towards Aliandra to request back up, but then forges ahead with his interrogation. "What Vimak wants to do to you I'm not sure. I think Goliaths might eat people, I can't quite remember. I don't want that to happen of course. I just want to know who you are, who your friends were, and why you attacked a perfectly innocent group of travelers." The elf keeps his hand firmly on the restrained man's shoulder.

The man glances at Vimak, then back at Lucien. "W-we were trying to keep our land safe. We can't let you bring your death magic into Haranshire."

"What death magic ? you idiot !!! you are telling me we had to kill your friends because you thought we were necromancers ?".

He seemed in the brink of loosing control as his eyes were becoming of a darker shade "The stupidity of this makes me shiver" he said just as a shiver went down his spine.

He closed his eyes, and breathed in moving apart to an old stump to sit and rest his head on his hands as he tried to control his emotions. Those that knew him well, knew that it was his remorse talking now. The part of him that had helped him leave his previous life.


09:31, Today: Paran rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Intimidation.

Lucien gives the man a reassuring smile and takes his hand off his shoulder. "That's good. Now let's explore this a little further. Who or what made you believe that we were bringing death magic to your lands?"

While the others went on interrogating the prisoner she knelt by each of the dead and blessed them with the soft words of the light.

They may have been the enemy or miss guided fools but either way they needed the rites of passage said over them so they could pass on and not hover in between life and death where they could cause mishap to others

The farmer cowers when Paran approaches. After Paran moves away, the farmer looks at Lucien and says, "Carlanis told us you were bringing death magic and that we had stop you."

Aliandra watches the interrogation in rapt silence.  She had no intention of hurting the prisoner, and would probably intervene if the others chose to go that far, but it was fascinating to see how fear worked  on the captive.

She noted the name Carlanis.  She heard many names in taverns, guildhalls, and libraries. She wracked her memory to see if this one was familiar.

13:26, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 7 using 1d20+2 ((5)).  If History can be used, that's a 9.  Woo.  Go knowledge..

Lucien nods and smiles sympathetically. "I won't fault someone for defending his home. Who is this Carlanis? Any idea why he would think that we were bringing death magic?" As the man becomes more cooperative, Lucien unties his feet and then helps him stand. For the moment, he leaves the man's hands bound.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:24, Mon 09 May 2016.

The man stands and motions towards the largest of the farmers, lying dead on the ground. "That's Carlanis... And no, I don't know why he thought that..." He looks over at the chest. "What's in the box?"

Looking down at the dead man, Lucien sighs. "I am sorry. I wish there had been another way to resolve the situation." Lucien looks around at his companions with a raised eyebrow. "As for what's in the chest, I think it is high time we found out. I made no promise not to open it and this seems like a reasonable justification to me."

Antia stepped over the the others" This might not be a coincidence that we get attacked for bringing death magic into their land. I would caution opening the box until we find out if it and the attack are connected in some way."

She laid a gentle hand on Lucien's shoulder " None of us want to be responsible for making real the fears of the people we just killed..... Friend Lucien I thin we need to find out why this Carlanis believed evil travels with us and who eluded his mind so much that reason left him and he persuaded his fellow farmers to attack us."

She then looked at the dead bandits " these men are not famers so they are blades for hire. This means the attack was pre-planned and I for one want to know who would take a blade against a cleric of the light"

She turned towards the prisoner last " you ask about the chest, is there something you wish to get off your soul, it is a sin to attack without due cause and to say that the word of one man is enough makes you a fool if nothing else. So here and now confess your sins and speak the truth.... what pray tell do you know of the chest?"

"Jeeezus Antia, what a convoluted way of talking you have" said Paran winking at Antia amicably getting up from trunk and looking around a smile on his face... "I for one, think that it's best to find that one who sends bandits at us, rather than open the box of the one who pays us in first place... after that, if he gives sufficient reason, we can always open the box hmm?".

Toppor nods his agreement to Lucien and then motions toward the box.

Aliandra frowned. These 'farmers' resembled religious zealots even less than they resembled farmers.  She moves over to the body of Carlanis and rolls him over to get a good look at his face. Then she searches his body to see if he has papers, letters, or some other clue that might provide a motive behind this strange attack.

Nadia moves to intercept Lucien as he approaches the box. "You know, if these bandits are right and we are bringing death magic into their lands, opening the box might unleash it.

"Of course, they could have false information, or just be scared of what they don't understand... It's up to you," she shrugs. "But I'm going to stand over there if you decide to open it. That Gordrenn fellow seems like the type to set a booby trap. So be careful."

She then backs away from Lucien and the box, standing about 60 feet away.

Anita joined Nadia some distance away from the box " Well I doubt if standing here will do much good if things go wrong but what will be will be"

"There is probably more chances of us just being just as superstitious as these farmers were to believe we were transporting death or whatnot. Its far more likely that he only made that up to make some gain out of assaulting us... and... even if that was right wouldn't we run the risk of unleashing but if you believe this to be justified... I won't oppose"

Lucien appears to debate opening the blasted thing for a few more moments before finally shrugging and waving Vimak away. "I was simply pointing out that we were never explicitly told not to open the box, but perhaps you are all right. I think we will leave it closed and continue on our way."

Lucien looks at the prisoner again and then down at the bodies of the fallen. "Are you from a nearby village? Is there someone with whom Caralanis kept confidence? Someone who would know more than you?"

A sidelong glance at Anita prompts another question. "Do you know anything else regarding this box that you are not telling us?"

The farmer listens to the conversation among the party members, his eyes darting back and forth nervously between the speakers.

"I told you all I know," he says when the focus turns back to him. "This was all Carlanis's idea... I don't know how he knew you were coming with evil magic... Please, let me go... I won't interfere anymore. I promise..."

Vimak knelt down to look the farmer in the eye. After the man finished talking, the Goliath shrugged. "We may as well let him go. We do not need to rob another child of his father today. "

Paran nodded "Right... Let us keep moving then, if we find any other clue that might lead us to think we might be carrying something dangerous, then we open it... everyone agrees ?." asked Paran as he stood up and looked around his friends.

"Fine by me. Let's get a move on then, shall we?" It was only natural for simple folk to be scarred of things they didn't understand, and to be easily rallied into doing something about it by those they trusted and thought to be in possession of knowledge and experience they did not. Toppor had seen it during his time as a soldier often enough as well.

Cathasach looked back from his thoughts with a curt nod and headed back to his place by the wagon. He started to ponder the deeper morality of his actions, the consequences of a life behind sword and shield, but thought better of it as he remembered his waiting pay.

'No argument here. let's move, shall we?

Lucien shrugs and unties the man's remaining bonds. He recoil his rope and replaces it on his pack. Turning, he begins to head off down the road. "Alright, let's be off. Plenty of ground left to cover."

Nadia is relieved that the others have decided not to open the chest for now.

"What are we going to do with him?" she asks the others, motioning to the farmer. "Shouldn't we turn him in to the authorities? If we let him go, there's no guarantee he won't try to attack us again, perhaps with more help this time. Besides, I'm sure the local authorities would like to know what's going on."

Cathasach briskly shook his head and leveled a steely gaze toward Nadia's eyes.

"He paid for his foolishness with defeat; his acquaintances paid with their lives. The first and last authority of this world is steel, and that authority has already been consulted. Let him return to his crops, and we to our task. Should he find his foolish intentions again, I will cleave him in twain."

The fiery swordsman felt his upper lip curl in anticipated rage towards the closure of his monologue, and then relax again as his eyes lightened up to follow a nonchalant shrug.

"But hell, maybe there's a bounty on crazed vigilantes and sellswords in this region. I suppose I care little either way, provided we reach a decision soon."

Antia walked over to the now untied farmer and gently put a hand on his shoulder " you were mislead by this friend of yours and it cost you the lives of those you know. I have said prayers over them but i would suggest they be buried before the wildlife takes them."

She moved away and as she passed him " may the light shine on you and burn away the sins committed this day"

With that she joined the others ready to set off along the path

Aliandra gives a cheerful wave farewell to the defeated farmer as she joined the others and moved away.  But inside she was a little troubled. They had known that the box would be coming this way, and that there was something worth taking in the box.  If these simple farmers/bandits had learned so much before they could travel this far, that meant that others might have this knowledge as well.

She resolved to remain extra-vigilant in looking for ambushes.

Vimak knelt down next to the farmer. "Go home to your family. Someday when you hear the legend of Vimak 'Stonecarver' Thuliaga told at a tavern, you can look to your friends and say 'He squeezed the life out of me and then had mercy on me'." With that he pressed a gold coin into the mans hand and was on his way.

I have removed 1gp from my sheet

Paran looked around one last time, and continued walking following the path they had before the encounter.

The party leaves the farmer behind, following the Churnett River towards Thurmaster. As the sun begins to set, they arrive at the farming village of Milborne. Judging by the map, Milborne would be a good place to stop for the night. The party should then reach Thurmaster the next day.

Cathasach spoke up before the party entered the village proper.

"This box stinks of treachery and the arcane. Even if we stay in shelter tonight, we should keep eyes on it at every hour, I think."

"That sounds like a wise plan," Aliandra agrees.  "And even if the box is harmless, there seem to be some who think otherwise strongly enough to attack us for it. I will head to the common room of the inn to see if I can get a sense of the mood in this town."

"Let's stay there but keep guards during all night... we are enough not to miss much sleep anyways..." said Paran with his rather sandy voice "Still.. It may do to learn what transpires before heading all of us inside the tavern yes..."

Though if someone is going to the tavern on his/her own, it might be best if DM makes rolls and narrate until his/her return with the news rather than rp through it, and have the rest of us waiting here ? anyway, your call guys.

"I'd like to come with you, Aliandra," Nadia says. "If you don't mind. I think it'll be safer that way, too."

"I will stay with the box, unfortunately my appearance will only give weight to rumours of evil coming to their village if there are more like those we fought" replied the cleric pulling up her hood to hide her distinctive demon features

Lucien actually seems somewhat torn between the two options, but finally makes up his mind. "I too will stay with the box. A smaller group will be less conspicuous for gathering information while a larger group will be more effective at detering threats to our charge."

When the matter of guard duty comes up, the elf seems more confident. "We need only assign a sentinel or two for the first four hours, after I have had my meditation, I can keep watch for the rest of the evening."

"I'll stay with the box as well." Toppor offers to a spot in the watch. It didn't matter to him where it was in the order.

While the others wait on the edge of town, Aliandra and Nadia venture into Milborne, where they are directed to the local inn and tavern, The Baron of Mutton. Upon arrival, they find the place in disarray. The cause, the two soon learn from one of the inn's twin owners, Barthelew, is that a guest is missing. A young woman, Jelenneth, retired to her room early the night before and hasn't been seen since. Her father, Haldelar, has been summoned and is trying to calm down the other of the inn's twin owners, Andren, who was apparently courting Jelenneth, when the two women arrive.

"She must have just been summoned by Tauster and had to leave in a hurry. I'm sure she's fine," Haldelar tries to assure Andren.

"But she wouldn't have left without telling me goodbye or even leaving a note or message for me!" Andren replies exitedly. "Something has happened to her!"

Nadia leans over to Aliandra and whispers, "Isn't Tauster the person we're supposed to be delivering the chest to? That can't be just a coincidence."

Aliandra nods, not taking her eyes off of the distraught Andren.  She had mocked the suspicions of the rest of the party when they had obtained this job, but now she found herself wishing they had pressed for more answers.  There were clearly mysteries around the box that they now had to deliver.

The way the men spoke of Tauster, it was clear that he was not a feared man in town.  She stepped forward solemnly, her face bearing as grave an expression as she could muster.  "I hope your daughter returns to you soon and safely, sir. My name is Aliandra  Zee, and I am part of a company that just arrived in town is seeking Tauster.  If you could direct me to his home, I would be happy to make inquiries about your daughter on your behalf."

"You're in the wrong town," Haldelar says to Aliandra. "Tauster lives in Thurmaster, a day east of here."

"Why do you seek Tauster?" Andren inquires. "Jelenneth is Tauster's apprentice. If you're going to Thurmaster anyway, could you hurry to Tauster and ask anyone you see along the way if they've seen her?" He looks at Aliandra and Nadia expectantly.

"Of course," Aliandra reassures.  "If we find news of her, we'll send word back here as best we can."  She makes ready to leave, waiting to see if Nadia has further questions.

"How will we recognize Jelenneth if we see her?" Nadia asks before they leave to return to the others.

Andren digs in his pocket and pulls out a miniature portrait of an attractive young woman with long black hair and green eyes. "This is Jelenneth," he says, showing Nadia and Aliandra the picture. "She is 20 years old, 5'4", and of slim build. She usually wears a blue cloak with clasps at the neck. She also wears a small silver signet ring with a 'J' engraved on the inside of the band. I gave her that ring... Please, help me find Jelenneth!"

ALiandra had a good memory for faces. She had no doubt that she would recognize this Jelenneth if she saw her.  "We'll help if we can," she says reassuringly. "You have not mentioned any enemies who might try to harm her or others in your community. I trust you have no suspicions of foul play?"

"That's exactly what I suspect!" Andren exclaims, frustrated. He takes a deep breath and calms himself, the says, "And no, I don't know of anyone who would want to hurt her. She's the kindest woman and never did anything to anyone."


When Nadia and Aliandra return to the others, who are waiting on the western edge of Milborne, the sun is below the horizon and darkness is starting to engulf the sky.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:58, Tue 24 May 2016.

Lucien ponders the story relayed to the group by Aliandra and Nadia. "Well, it is an interesting angle to be sure. Might make for a good excuse to send a couple of us to meet this Tauster fellow before we arrive with the package. That way we can try to find out if everything is on the level." Looking around and the countryside that surrounds the town, the elf has a cautious glint in his eye. "I think we should stay out here tonight rather than heading for the inn. No need to draw any more attention to ourselves. We can make our way to Thurmaster at first light."

Vimak gave Lucien a playful shove. "Speak for yourself truth stealer. No one will notice Vimak in the inn." He smiled at the smaller man and started getting ready to camp for the night.

Aliandra gives Vimak an "Are you serious look" before deciding that the giant man had a sense of humor after all. She hastens after the Goliath. Nothing would keep her camping under the stars when there was a bed available.

After it became clear that Vimak had no intention of heading back to the inn (whose comforts she should have emphasized in her tale, she realized), she sighed and pulled out her bedroll.  She hoped that the rains would hold off.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:59, Wed 25 May 2016.

"Shit!" said Paran simply... when it was proposed that they stayed out of the inn... it made perfect sense, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

He almost chuckled at Vimak's comment, and then just added, "Well, let's find a good spot, I'll take one of the darkest hours guard shifts... those of you with better eyes for daylight, take early night or dawn". Once they had picked up a spot, he dig a hole to make a small fire that would stay out of the view of most, and started putting some water to boil.

Antia listened to the story told by her two companions. "So we deliver a package that might or might not contain evil. To a man who might or might not have kidnapped a young girl...speaks of possible devil worship to me" she said in a matter of fact way as she laid out her bed roll on the ground of the newly discovered camp site

Paran nodded "Thats exactly it... however, they key word there is 'might'... I don't give a frack though if you want to open it, let's open it... but... we might well end up in a bigger mess though. So, I'd say choice is still the same... however, I think it would be sensible to try to learn more of that girl, before handing out chest"

Cathasach stifled a great yawn and turned his attention to idly fiddling with his crwth.

"I care not either way, so long as I am awake if some one opens the infernal thing. My sword has yet to have the privilege of sending a demon back to hell."

He plucked out a simple tune and idly let sleep find his eyes,taking the morning watch if needed.

The force of Vimak's playful shove almost sends Lucien sprawling, but for his quick responses. Managing to catch himself, the elf surveys the ground for an acceptable place to conduct his meditation. "Give me four hours and I will assist in watching for the rest of the evening." Finding a suitable place, his sits down and folds his legs.

From his restful position. Lucien glances over towards the box again. "We should get as much information as we can before delivering the box. We can decide once we've asked around Thurmaster whether to open it or not." Letting his eyes close, the elf drifts into his trance. After four hours, he emerges to assist Paran with the late night watch and stays awake to help Cathasach in the morning.

The night passes without incident, as does the trip to Thurmaster the following day (and there is no sign of Jelenneth; no one the party encounters along the way admits to even a glimpse of her).

As the party approaches Thurmaster, they see a great many abandoned houses, now falling into ruin, lying outside the rickety wooden walls surrounding the village.

Two bored militiamen guard the village gates. They look up at the adventurers as they approach, but remain seated on the short wooden posts they use as chairs.

Aliandra manages a smile despite her stiff  back and rough grooming.  With a flourish before the guards, she announces their arrival. "We have traveled many miles from The Spotted Owl in search of Tauster.  Can you please direct us to him? I believe he is expecting us."  She hid her disappointment at the dilapidated state of Thurmaster. She had been expecting more from the town.

All points having been made, Toppor had little to offer to the discussion. There was too much uncertainty for anything other than speculation. He follows along to Thurmaster, letting others more suited for being social do the talking.

"Eh? Tauster?" The guards give the party a once-over, then motion for them to pass through the village gates. "His tower is on the other side of town, dead south of here. Ya can't miss it."

Passing through the village gates, the first building the adventurers see is the town's run-down tavern, The Hound and Tails.

Paran asked the guards "Hey, there is a coin for you if you can answer, have you seen a 20 years old, 5'4", and of slim build girl come through the gates or anywhere for that matter ?. She usually wears a blue cloak with clasps at the neck, her father sends us and he is dead worried for her..."

"Jelenneth? Tauster's apprentice?" the guard asks.

"Haven't seen her lately," the other chimes in. ""You think something's happened to her?"

Paran shrugged "Dunno... her father is worried though, I don't know the girl nor Tauster...  I am looking for a job though soon as I finish with this stupid thing... is he a good boss ? Tauster I mean... I have heard some creepy stuff"

"Creepy stuff?" the guard asks with a puzzled look. "That's a first. He's a harmless old wizard. Never caused any problems around here."

Paran shrugged as he continued his way after the others toward's Tauster's place "Someone is trying to discredit him then... we got attacked in the way because they thought we worked for him....".

OOC: we go see Tauster now ?

"Jelenneth's loved ones are concerned for her, that's all," Alaiandra says reassuringly as they depart for the wizard's abode. "They had hoped Tauster might know where she is."

Cathasach frowned as he looked ahead, thinking to himself.

'Harmless wizard?' He echoed in his mind, 'I didn't think they made those.'

With one last wary look to the guards he stepped off with his companions, unable to shake a sinking feeling in his gullet.

"Maybe this errand is as silly as Vimak feared. Let's get this to the wizard and be about our way." With that the goliath adjusted the chest on his shoulder and headed into town, moving in the direction of the wizard's tower.

A small two-story stone tower nestles next a plain wooden house on the southern edge of town, the residence of Tauster, according to the guardsmen.

When the party knocks on the door, a very short, 70-something human, thin, but paunchy, answers the door.

"Yes?" he asks, peeking his bald head out the door of the house. "Ah, you must be the couriers!" He smiles and his watery eyes light up upon seeing the chest.

Lucien steps forward and offers his hand to the old man. "Indeed we are sir. I am Seliar Silversong and it has been a pleasure to bring this cargo." The elf's face is bright and cheerful. "We spent last evening in Milborne and happened to hear mention from the one of the inn's owners that your apprentice has not been seen in some time. You wouldn't happen to have her around here somewhere would you? The poor man was quite distressed."

Lucien Nailo rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Insight. Preemptive roll to try and tell if his response is honest.

Paran walked in behind, the wizard did not appear to be anything close to a demon dealer... and Paran knew well of those, having been one of them himself... neither did he look a death bringer or any such thing.

Still, he waited patiently, happy for the moment,  to have given the thing the benefit of doubt before opening the chest.

Aliandra looked around at the wizard's home while she waited to hear his response.  She idly wondered why so many wizards saw fit to inhabit towers.  Did they fill some military role of which she was unaware? Did magical spells work better with increased altitude?Or perhaps it was just a fashion among the magically inclined? She would have  to look into it.

Antia stepped in after the others and closed the door behind her but not without taking a look up and downtime street first.

Once secure inside she slipped off her hood to reveal her true nature. " may the blessings of the light be upon you and your home" she said in way of greeting

Toppor keeps his eyes and ears open during this odd transaction.

Tauster's smile disappears and his face grows pale when Lucien mentions Jelenneth's disappearance. He shakes his head in disbelief. "I never wanted to take on the girl as an apprentice. It was only her sheer determination that convinced me to do so. I was impressed by her willingness to learn, though... This worries me a great deal... I haven't seen her since she left for Milborne just over two weeks ago. She is due to return from her family to resume her studies this week... I don't have a clue where she might be."

Paran nodded "Well, that kind of matches the information we have... I don't know if you would like us to take a look into it, we happen to be without work now that we are delivering this chest... there is however a point we would like to clear out with you, you see...</DarkGreen >" he said pausing a bit to see the faces of the rest of his companions for acknowledgment before he continued talking.

"<DarkGreen>We were attacked along the way by some brigands that claimed that you were some sort of death bringer and wanted to stop this package from arriving to you, as it would unleash something terrible... "

Tauster frowns and scratches his beard. "You say brigands called me a 'death bringer' and tried to stop you from delivering the chest? Strange... As I'm sure Gordrenn told you, there's nothing but spell components in the chest. And I'm hardly a 'death bringer.' It seems someone is spreading lies about me... Perhaps these brigands had something to do with Jelenneth's disappearance."

Tauster paces about, deep in thought, then turns back to the party and says, "I'd like you to travel to Kuiper's Farm with a letter from me and deliver it to Kuiper himself. If Jelenneth's been seen anywhere along the river, he'll know about it.

"I'll pay you 80 gold pieces for delivering the letter, plus another 400 if you can find my missing apprentice."

Cathasach snapped to attention at the Wizard's rumination on gold and other lesser things. With a flashed grin and emphatic nodding he broke his inattentive silence like a dry twig.

"For the safety of the girl-person and your honored witch reputation we would force this letter to a dragon's gullet if need be."

Vimak sets the chest down on a nearby table. "Finding lost school girls and delivering letters, bleh! Are there no great monsters to slay? No hordes to break?"

"Well, the bandits didn't mention you specifically," Nadia chimes in. "But they did seem to know that a chest with magic was passing through their area.

"And yes, we can deliver the letter and talk to this Kuiper if you think it will help find Jelenneth."

As the others talk to Tauster, Lucien wanders around the room and idly whistles to himself. He seems to be casually fascinated, but his eyes flit around the room with a more determined glint. Though the workings of magic are not well known to him, but he knows that if he can describe the room well enough to Paran or Nadia, they might be able to guess at the nature of old Tauster's practice.

Lucien Nailo rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Investigation. Specifically looking for magical implements.

"Rescuing a girl who needs help is a goal worthy of song and praise," Aliandra chides Vimak gently.  And with the prospect of a reward, I don't see how we can refuse."

Aliandra was determined that the adventures of the company not end here.  Delivering parcels was all well and good, but hardly the material of epic lays.

The situation was weird, but the pay was good. What he did with such things were his own concern. "Sounds fine to me."

Antia stayed by the door but listened to the conversation. She noticed Lucien wondering around the room, inspite of herself she smiled he was either gathering evidence for later or casing the joint for later. Will he never learn that sort of behavior was frond upon by the light.

Paran nodded "Let's follow this further then... we already got into it, and we might also be getting' some money out of this so...let's do it". He looked at the rest, for confirmation but most of them had already expressed their acceptance one way or another.

Antia nodded at Paran with a sigh  " I understand my friend that excitement of getting on and finding the girl has gotten to you but I'm sure what you meant to say was .... the money is secondary to the child's safety and safe return to her family" she replied with a very slight smile playing on her lips

Paran looked at Antia funnily for a while completely uncomprehending what she meant... what have I said wrong this time? he thought... "I guess" he just said, knowing that she had been his moral compass for long enough not to trust even if he did not quite comprehend what she was entirely meaning by that.

Tauster takes possession of the chest and quickly locks it away in his tower. He then reads the letter of credit, countersigns it, and hands it back to the party. "Squire Marlen can exchange this for hard cash. His house is on the eastern edge of town."

He pauses, then says, "I'll pay for overnight accommodation at the Hound and Tails before you set off for Kuiper's farm tomorrow. Stay away from the mutton pies, by the way.

"And come back tomorrow morning for a map to Kuiper's farm.

Tauster looks at the party to see if they have anything else to ask from him. If not, he dismisses them from his home, locking the door behind him.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:10, Tue 07 June 2016.

Vimak left the wizard's tower, glad to have the awkward weight of the chest off his shoulder. The Goliath reached for the sky, then rubbed his shoulder in an effort to stretch it out. He waited a moment for his companions, then lead the way to the eastern edge of town, looking for the appointed money changer.

Politely saying farewell to the wizard, Lucien backs out the door and then turns to follow Vimak. "Well, if something was not on the level, I wasn't able to determine what. Did anyone else sense anything amiss?" The elf's brow furrows in thought as he walks.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Tue 07 June 2016.

Paran shook his head. "Let's head over to that tavern Tauster mentioned..." he said as he started moving towards the general direction of the tavern.

Aliandra follows along with the others as they proceed towards the tavern. "SO that was a wizard's tower," she muses.  "I wasn't sure what to expect but...well, shouldn't there have beenmroe skeletons and gargoyles?  Perhaps a thunderhead permanently hovering overhead?"  She would have to dig deep to find appropriately heroic lyrics for their adventure thus far.

Anita looked over at Aliandra as they left " my dear not al evil doers have evil doers printed on their foreheads. The most unassuming person can in fact be the most corrupt and evil person. what you see is not always what you notice.... that is way the light shines so brightly ....it chases the shadows away leaving nowhere for chaos and evil to lurk"

Vimak turned and looked down at the rest of the group. "Should Vimak go to Squire Marlen's? Meet tiny ones at inn with payment?"

Lucian pats Vimak's forearm reassuringly, as he cannot reach his shoulder. "We might as well all go to the Squire. We're in no rush to reach the inn."

"Magic is a strange thing that different folk use in different ways. Some get caught up in it; those are the ones who would do as you said, flaunting it for all to see. Some use it as a tool, keeping it near at hand like one might a hammer, axe, or even a sword. And of course there are others who would hide it away from the world, working their magics only in secret out of fear or necessity."

Cathasach stifled a shudder.

"I have little mercy to spare for sorcerers that hide in the Stygian corners of the earth. The stories the people of my village whispered would surely befit you with a similar contempt. Tales of snake worshiping devils and human sacrifice, and things far worse that need not be spoken aloud. Ancient, decadent peoples that built towers so near the heavens that they were struck down by the fist of the gods to fester in bizarre new hells forged by their landing.

Cathasach shook his head grimly.

"But the tower-witch seemed fine enough. We'll see if the pay comes through."

"Yes, I guess I was expecting something a little less petty-bourgeois," Aliandra shrugs. "I signed on to witness terrible necromancers and godlike thaumaturges.  I suppose I'll have to take what comes."

On the way to the Hound and Tails, the party stops at Squire Marlen's house on the east side of Thurmaster. Squire Marlen, an old, rake-thin man with beady eyes, gives the party a good long stare before inspecting the letter. "Wait here," he says in a high-pitched voice, then disappears inside his house, returning a few minutes later with a bag of gold coins. "One hundred fifty gold coins," he says, holding out the bag. He gives the party another long stare as they walk away towards the inn.

At the Hound and Tails, the landlord Weismar informs them that only shared rooms are available for the night. Tauster will be paying for the rooms and the party's breakfast the next morning.

Lucien thanks Squire Marlength heartily for his services and takes the gold. He stows it until the group reaches the Hound and Tails where he proposes to divide it up. Once they have settled in, he approaches Weismar for a friendly chat. "Say, what do you know about Tauster anyhow? I've known a few magic folk in my time and many of them are quite strange."

Vimak makes his way to the inn with the others. He agrees with Lucien that an equal split is best. As the rogue chats with the landlord, the big Goliath stands over him in a protective manner. His huge form shadowing Lucien from the light of the fireplace like an eclipse.

Weismar shrugs. "Tauster mostly keeps to himself. He says he's retired, but everyone knows he still practices magic. He just keeps a low profile about it. Why do you ask?"

Aliandra is feeling good about having coins in her purse, and she finds a quiet corner of the tavern in which to play her lute.  She experiments with a new melody, and improvises some lyrics.

"What's in the box?
Friend I cannot say.
Maybe it's poison
For an enemy to slay

Maybe it's a dragon tooth,
Quicklime, or a tentacle
Or some other strange component
To power a wizard's spell

But whatever strange material
The sides of the box does hide,
There's sure to be an asshole
Who'll kill to get what's inside."

A reverberating detonation of a guffaw let loose from Cathasach's weathered gut at that moment and he gave Aliandra a hearty slap on the shoulder with one of his battle-calloused hands.

"And to think my king used to tell of the uselessness of Bards. I always knew he was a fool."

He snapped a seat out for himself with one hand and dropped into it in a motion at once heavy, careless, and nonchalant. With the thumb of his spare hand he wiped at a laughter stained eye and promptly ordered a meal for himself. After a moment he furrowed his brow and grew more somber.

"My father before me once told of a great brass pot which was carried many months by many guards to a strange man. When it was finally opened, dozens of strong men felt their end on the cold marble floor of a debauched priest's abode."

Nadia smiles at Aliandra's song, impressed by how quickly the bard is able to write new material. "Entertaining as always. I don't know how you do it, Aliandra."

She orders a drink from the barmaid and sits with the others.

Aliandra takes the praise with a polite smile. She knew that bards were only as good as their last song, and she hadn't been entirely happy with her latest effort. She needed some inspiration, and she needed it quickly. Perhaps they would be attacked again tomorrow, she thought hopefully.

Lucien's tone remains nonchalant and almost dismissive as he replies to Weismar. "Oh he just doesn't seem like any of the practitioners I have ever met. They were all more eccentric in some way or another. What about this apprentice of his, Jelenneth I think her name is?" Lucien watches the man's reaction from behind his guise of casual interest.

Weismar shrugs. "She's a determined girl, really dedicated to learning magic. Tauster was hesitant to take her on as an apprentice, but I think he's glad he did."

A thought started to form in Cathasach's head when he caught the last fragment of Lucien's conversation.

'If the apprentice witch was so talented, perhaps she'

The thought quickly burst, however, in the wake of a mouthful of food.

"There is no greater pleasure in this earth than the taste of cheap tavern food and the smell of debauchery. No greater pleasure that is, perhaps save for the evisceration of a hated foe."

He swallowed the last of his bread heavily and washed it down with a gulp of dubiously hygienic water, wiping the remains from his grisly facial hair with his forearm.

Antia pulled up her hood as she left the wizards tower and followed the others to the inn. She settled down at the table to listen to the bard's song and had to admire her prose. " My dear if you ever have a hankering for the light we would be honoured to have your angelic voice added to our choir."

Paran let Lucien and the rest do all the talking while he stayed behind.

Later, once in the tavern, Paran chuckled "Well, the last 2 verses certainly caught me in surprise... are you sure asshole is poetic enough though ?.". He had ordered a bit to eat and an ale to drink, it was a stinky warm brown thing with an incredibly good taste to it, if one excused the smell.

Lucien nods in understanding to the Weismar. "Well it seems the town has been gifted with a pair of fairly normal mages." He grins and picks up the plate of food set before him. With a nod of thanks the elf rejoins his companions and digs into his meal. "Sounds like there is nothing out of the ordinary about Tauster. If these normally paranoid village folk aren't up in arms about necromancy or some such, then I am actually quite relieved. We'd best set ourselves to finding the girl with all haste."

In reply to Antia (msg # 231):

Aliandra laughs in response to Antia's request.  "I'm afraid all of the good songs of faith have been written, and my pride is too great for me to be one mere voice in a choir.  I look forward to singing of mysteries yet unidscovered."

She ponders the more pressing issue of the missing apprentice. While there was most likely an innocent explanation for her absence, she could not help but suspect there was something more sinister afoot. The motives behind the attack on their caravan earlier were perplexing, and a missing girl could be a part of the same puzzle.

Getting little or no new information, Vimak ate a hearty supper and went up to bed. He was anxious to return to the wizard in the morning and get the map.

Paran couldn't help but chime in... "I guess thats where the ass holes come in then.... mysteries yet undiscovered... that's good Antia" said Paran affably bending over his food with a guffaw.

Cathasach looked up from his food at this newfound talk of assholes. He looked to either side and sheepishly made his way to his room, in case he was intruding on something private again.

The next morning, Tauster provides the party with a map to Kuiper's farm, which is about halfway between Thurmaster and Milborne, along the Churnett River, just north of the Thornwood.

"Here's 80 gold pieces for your travels," he says, handing a bag of gold to Lucien. "I'll pay you the rest when you find the girl."

Paran nodded, taking the money... "Anything else we should know before we part ?". He waited for the old man's answer and then left with his friends towards the farm.

He had had a nice sleep in a nice cot, warm and dry, and that had his spirits up. For some reason, he did not remember any nightmares this night through... that was weird.

Antia leaned over to Paran hand held out " I know you are an honourable man" She emphasised  the word honourable " but I think it best that the light should take care of the money issues .....after all you have been known to misplace other people's belongings in the past" she gave him that knowing smile

Vimak seemed increasingly dour. "Farms and silly lost girls. I hope a red dragon took her..." His words trailed off as he followed his friends toward the farm.

"A dragon? Do you think?"Aliandra asks in awe.  "A firey end for a noble band of heroes...could be a good tale."  She shrugs the money issue off, perfectly happy to let the others count coins.  Her spirits were high, as a night spent with a roof over her head did wonders for her morale.

" My dear if we were to meet a dragon I think we would all come to a fiery end including the noble bard" she gave her a smile " who would sing our heroic tale if you are to be fried along with us"

"Well, that is why I would need to valiantly run away. Someone must sing of your courage," Aliandra says, flashing a quick grin to assure Antia that she was only joking. Probably.

"Well if you were to sing the glory of the cleric of light defending the good against the evil ....I might jump in front of his fiery breath to give you time to escape" Antia laughed lightly and grinned back at the bard

Cathasach snarled.

If any stuck up dragon tries to swallow me, I will inflict the suffering of a thousand burning children on its innards on my way into hell.

Lucien lets Anita talk to Paran about the money adding only a single addendum. "Since it is for traveling expenses, perhaps we had best keep it with the group funds?" He nods to Tauster in acknowledgement of the task and takes the map.

As the group heads off for the farm, Lucien stares in open mouthed horror at the casual discussion of fighting with dragons. "I find myself firmly in the camp of running away. Dragons are not to be trifled with and we would most certainly meet a fiery end if we were to face one." The elf shakes his head in consternation as he takes a spot at the head of the group and keeps an eye out for more overzealous farmers.

Paran handed out the map, and set towards the farm with the rest.

The trip to Kuiper's farm is uneventful.

When the party arrives at the farm late in the day, they see a tall, relatively young, and strongly built man chopping firewood. He stops and looks up at the adventurers, but stays where he is, watching them closely as they approach.

"Good day to you, sir.  We come at the behest of Tauster the mage, with a message for Kuiper, the farmer, Aliandra says.  "We also seek word of his apprentice, who may have wandered into these parts. Canyou share news with us if you have it?"

From behind Aliandra, Lucien observes the farmer and tries to gauge the man's attitude.

Lucien Nailo rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Insight.

"Good day to you, too!" the man says to Aliandra with a smile, offering his hand to her. (If she accepts, she receives a bone-crushing handshake.) "I am Kuiper. You say Tauster sent you?

"I haven't seen Jelenneth in at least a week. I know Tauster sometimes sends her to look for herbs and plants along Hog Brook. She may have stopped there to gather a fresh supply on her way back to Thurmaster. Perhaps some mishap befell her there," Kuiper muses.

Cathasach frowned.

"Mishaps and magic. They pair like drink and dice."

"A mishap?" Nadia asks. "What kinds of dangers are there around Hog Brook? If we're to go looking for her, it would be helpful to know what's out there."

Paran sighed, "What kind of dangers there might be at that Hog Brook ?" he asked Kuiper. After getting the answer he'd say "It seems that we will need to continue the search... no point loosing any more time here do you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:15, Mon 20 June 2016.

Nursing her hand, Aliandra agrees with Paran's assessment.  The more they investigated, the more she abandoned hope that there was an innocent explanation behind the young apprentice's disappearance.

Lucien, firmly of one mind with Aliandra's fears, does take note of her hand. He narrows his eyes at the farmer, but holds his tongue.

Kuiper shakes his head. "Apart from the wildlife, only the occasional orc or goblinoid... But Hog Brook isn't usually a dangerous place.

"Tell you what, I'll take you along the brook to look for Jelenneth. Give me a little time to make arrangements with my farm hands here and gather some supplies, then we can be off. Feel free to rest in the shade and fill your waterskins while you wait."

Cathasach looked to his companions and nodded, gingerly finding a place in the shade to rest his eyes. There would be blood to spill soon, no doubt. A pleasant smile decorated his face as he anticipated this.

Vimak paced back and forth, clearly impatient with the delay by the farmer.

Paran thanked Kuiper and set himself to rest at the shadow of a big tree, making himself comfortable on a softer spot of long grass that he piled a bit under his ass.

Aliandra cannot shake the feeling that something wicked is afoot. A sense of urgency descends upon her, and she also begins pacing, crossing paths more than once with Vimak.

Lucien outwardly maintains his cool as he leans against the tree under which Paran is sitting. Inwardly however, his concerns are rapidly mounting and his hopes of finding the girl are dwindling.

Nadia rests under the tree with the others, waiting for Kuiper to get ready. She is glad that someone who knows the area will be going with them, but is uncertain about who exactly this farmer is and why he is willing to leave his work to go searching for Jelenneth on such short notice.

Kuiper returns to the party shortly, a longsword on his hip and a bow, quiver, and backpack on his back. "I'm ready," he says. "Let's get moving. We'll have to cross the Churnett, as Hog Brook is on the south side of the river. I've got a ferry not far from here."

"Lead the way," Aliandra says.  The earlier mention of humanoids has her alert, and she keeps watch for ambushes. She is determined not to fall into another such trap.

Paran stood up from his place in the shade and followed Kuiper and the rest towards the ferry to cross the river.

~Finally, a chance for some action~ Vimak thought to himself as he trudged after the man. The burly Goliath remained roughly in the center of his group of companions, hoping to be close to any threats that may rear their heads.

Lucien walks right next to Kuiper as the group heads for the Ferry. He still has an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach that something is not right. He says nothing about his discomfort to his companions however.

With few other options available, Toppor follows along with the current plan. He thought of many different scenarios while the farmer was away, and some of them had him a bit concerned with the present situation. As he was about to voice them though, the man returned.

Toppor simply made a statement to all as he kept a weary eye out, just in case. "Keep a sharp eye. I've an odd feeling."

Kuiper ferries the party across the Churnett and then leads them up the brook, stopping periodically to look for tracks and signs of passage. After several hours of this, there is a rustling in the bushes some distance ahead. A grey wolf steps into view, followed a moment later by a woman in a ragged cloak and robe.

Kuiper motions for the adventurers to keep still, then cautiously advances towards the woman and begins talking to her in a hushed voice.

Lucien perks up his ears, hoping his elven senses can overhear something of the conversation between the woman and Kuiper.

Lucien Nailo rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Perception.

Nadia watches the strange woman closely as Kuiper talks to her. She stays close to her comrades, trying to ready herself for whatever may come next.

Paran tried to relax while watching Kuiper talk with the woman, and keeping an eye out for the wolf's ears and tail. He had read somewhere that they were a very good indicator of the wolf's intentions, and while he knew nothing about wolves, well, there was not much to be lost by watching it closely.

"Druid?" Aliandra speculates quietly. Wolves were not common pets, ,to be sure, and a solitary woman on the edge of the steeled world seemed to confirm the bard's guess. If she was at all helpful, Aliandra had hope that they would soon solve the mystery. Who better to find a missing apprentice than someone who can talk with animals?

"Ranger, more likely. We druids tend to let the beasts of the wild wander where they may rather than taking them on as a constant companion."

Toppor keeps a close eye on the the woman and the wolf.

After a few minutes, Kuiper motions for the party to join him. The two wolves watch them closely as they approach, keeping guard near the woman.

"This is Oleanne," Kuiper says, indicating the young woman with long, unkempt hair, her clothing little more than rags. "And this is Belshar and Arlin. I recommend keeping your distance."

Cathasach eyed the woman and animal suspiciously, turning back to Kuiper with a curt nod of acknowledgement.

"Have they seen the girl?"

"Oleanne hasn't seen Jelenneth," Kuiper says with a shake of his head. "But she has a problem of her own that affects the woods. A young boy from Krynen's farmstead has fled his home, and she saw him transform into a werebear in the woods. He is unable to change back into his human form and is very frightened, confused, and alone. Oleanne tried to approach and calm him, but he took fright at the sight of her and her wolves and fled.

"I suspect the boy must be Maxim, Krynen's son. Krynen probably does not know what fate has befallen his son and must be dreadfully worried.

"We're having no luck with Jelenneth right now, but I want to find this boy," he says, producing a couple of weighted nets from his backpack. "Perhaps we'll find what happened to Jelenneth in the process."

Cathasach furrowed his thick brow.

"And what do we do should we find him? I am not much for, er, restraint. And a frightened werebeast can't be a simple thing to capture alive."

Lucien, unable to understand what is being said, relaxes and waits with the others. When he steps forward to join Kuiper, he does his best to ignore the wolves. At the mention of the new problem, Lucien grumbles to himself. "It's bad form to abandon one task in favor of another, but if there truly are no leads on the girl..." He makes a sort of futile gesture.

Lucien nods at Cathasach's statement as he begins pulling various objects out of pockets. "You're right that it won't be easy Cathasach, but I think I may be of some help in this regard." Finally, Lucien finds what he is looking for and produces a bell and some string. "If someone can track him..." The elf gives Toppor and Kuiper significant looks. "... then perhaps I can find a hiding place and set a lure. Then we can use the nets to hold him while we try to talk him down." At the end of his statement, Lucien throws a meaningful look at Aliandra to indicate that he thought she might be a good candidate.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Mon 27 June 2016.

Toppor nods, "I've some skill with tracking."

"It's a tough call between the wolves and your lewdness, Lucien," Aliandra says causally. "But as little as I like the  wilderness and its denizens, I may give the edge to the wolves." She tries to give a reassuring smile to the beasts. It is not terribly convincing.  At least the moment was a distraction from the concerns she shared with Lucien. They had indeed strayed far from their initial mission.

Paran shrugged, "Well, if Lucien's plan can make it safer for all of us, I am all for it. As for changing plans on the fly, I have never had much trouble with this, and maybe there is also some profit to be gained so let's go, and then we continue with this girls business... What was her name again ? anyway, I hope she is fine and we don't find that this bear has done some chewing"

Vimak's eyes lit up at the mention of the werebear. He cracked his knuckles and dramatically stretched his muscular arms. "The girl can wait. Let us find this bear creature and wrestle it to the ground!"

Antia had kept quiet on the journey but with a young soul in danger she spoke out " I agree we need to capture the lad....but unharmed. He is scared and, the light forbid, might have run across the young girl we seek while in bear form....if we find one we might find the other...or at least what might have befallen her"

Cathasach flicked his head in Antia's direction.

"That's the idea. But it's easier said than done, and if it becomes a choice of his skin or ours I make no guarantees for his safety. If he truly has no control over his body, then he is already dead."

He swatted irritably at an insect.

"We should make haste."

Aliandra looks at the others with skepticism. Were they really planning on wrestling a werebear to the ground?  Or were they pulling her leg?

Her personal doubts aside, it would make a good story, one way or another.

"I've got no problem restraining the runaway long enough to try to talk some sense into him, but no one hurts of kills him," Kuiper says pointedly. "You will not use weapons, except in self-defense, and even then, you'll use only the flat of your blades. You must agree to this or I'll take you no further."

Antia pulled back her hood revealing her demon touched features " You have my word"

Toppor considered mentioning that Kuiper had already been no help in finding the group's actual target, and this new problem wasn't their's to solve unless they agreed to it thus making his threat of withdrawing his help pointless. He thought about it again, and then shrugged and let it drop. His reply was instead simply, "We'll do our best."

Lucien gives a reassuring smile. "Of course. I imagine Vimak may actually enjoy the challenge. Eight competent individuals against one werebear? We have a distinct edge." Lucien shoots the Goliath a grin.

"Yeah. Competent," laughs Aliandra nervously.  Her companions were quite mad. Of that she was now certain.  Her thin blade would be of little use if such weapons were to be forsworn.  She would have to restrict herself to dramatic verses of encouragement if it were to come to a fight. And that, she decided, she was good at.

"I'll just watch from a safe distance I guess" said Paran thinking about other ways his powers might help them... he was not sure just how helpful he could get to be if it was not blasting the thing... " and maybe I can help making him see things that are not there".

"Good," Kuiper says, holding out the two weighted nets. "When we find the creature, I'll draw its attacks, while you should try to trap it with the nets.

"Oleanne will lead us to where she last saw the werebear."

Lucien takes one of the nets and nods to Kuiper. He follows Oleanne as she leads the search for the werebear, but he remains on the lookout for any kind of danger. He elf's nervous eyes still flick from side to side as though he expects an ambush.

Vimak followed gleefully along, excited at the prospect of a challenge.

Cathasach slung his massive shied over his back and grimly cracked his knuckles. Werebear though it may be, nets were for pansies. He touched the pouch of bear teeth at his side and glared menacingly at the horizon.

Nadia takes the other net, slings it over her shoulder, and follows the others, staying close to Lucien as they walk.

"Nets, harsh language, and courage. I'd say we were set," Aliandra says, following the others with a shrug.

Oleanne leads the party for the rest of the day. She keeps outdistancing the party and having to come back for them as they struggle through the thickets that she traversed with ease, clearly annoyed at their lack of woodcraft.

As the daylight is fading, they reach the spot where she spotted the werebear, near the springs where the brook begins. "Here the spot," Oleanne says in broken Common. "See bear here."

Kuiper searches the area and quickly finds the werebear trakcs. "I found his tracks," he says with a sigh. "But, unfortunately, it is too dark to follow them without lanterns or torches, and such artificial light is guaranteed to drive the werebear away. I suggest we make camp and continue first thing in the morning."

Nadia sighs and begins helping set up a camp for the night.

"Wonderful, mosquitos the size of birds, and we get to camp with a were bear about... who could ask for more", grumbled Paran as he started helping Nadia set up the camp. "Anyway, I can see well dark at night so, I can take one of the dark shifts if you guys want... not that I have ever seen a were bear but I swear I'll wake you guys up if I see anything move... now, if anyone could make a bear trap or something... you know with some food he might be attracted to or something, I'd feel so much safer".

Cathasach nodded curtly and set up a hunting trap outside the camp and walked back to his tent with a passing glance to Paran.

"Bait isn't a good idea. One second you're hunting a hunter, the next you're up to your mustache in apex predators. Bears all over the place. Just lousy with them."

He yawned once before dropping into his blanket, resigning himself to gently snore away the night.

" I suggest we light a fire, you say the child in bear form will move away from us but if he is still animal he might be hungry, A light source might attract him in, we could set the trap here at the camp. Some pretend to be asleep while others wait in cover to capture him when he appears."

"if he has returned to human form then the light might also draw him in...." the priestess looked about " I would not like to have the child wondering these woods alone in the dark if it can be helped."

"And, lycanthropy or not, he is still a child," Aliandra agrees. "And he is certainto be frightened and disoriented. I'll do my best to soothe him once we encounter him, but I can't promise it will be easy."

"We can light a fire overnight, as long as we have people to tend to it," Kuiper agrees. "Let's have at least a couple people awake and on guard at all times."

"Vimak will take first watch."

The Goliath set down his things and began collecting wood for a fire.

As the others set up camp, Lucien pulls the bell and string from one of his pockets. After Kuiper shows him the trail, Lucien proceeds a short distance along it and then stretches the string as far as he can across the path. He attaches the bell to the string and places some leaves and twigs in front of it to hide it from sight. He gives the string an experimental pluck and is pleased to hear a soft tinkle from the bell.

When the elf returns to camp, he is carrying an armful of small twigs to start the fire. He sits down next to the growing pile in his trance position. "I will take my meditation now and then watch for the rest of the evening." With a nod of understanding to Anita and Aliandra, he looks to Vimak and Paran. "We should do our best to avoid harming the child if he can. If he is in bear form it will be difficult, but try not to startle him."

"I'll keep watch with you, Vimak."

Paran rolled himself into a curl "I'll take second watch then... dream sweat dreams y'all".

"I'll watch with Paran, and Lucien can take over from there."

"Wake me when it's my watch," mutters Aliandra, as she bundles herself inher cloak and tries to sleep. The previous night in the inn had been a blessing, and once more they were sleeping on the unforgiving ground.  She did not have to be happy about it.

Oleanne and her wolves curl up together some distance away from the rest of the party.

Shortly before dawn, when Lucien is keeping watch, Belshar suddenly pops his head up and snarls. Oleanne sits up and reaches for her staff. "Wake. Danger." she says, peering into the foliage towards the edge of the campsite while cautiously rising to her feet.

Lucien, trusting that his senses are simply not as keen as the animal's, is on his feet in a moment. With the grace and silence of an elf, he darts around the campsite and gives each person present a gentle shake, a soft shush, and a motion to be quiet. Then, feeling that he had best reach a perch in case the group is set upon, he climbs a tree in the direction where Belshar is looking and draws his bow.

Cathasach bolts upright with an inhuman snarl and flicks the scabbard off of his sword. He bounds to the edge of the campsite and peers out into the night's maw.

OOC: Perception to see what's what. Which I guess is about as helpful as saying 'perception to perception', but I digress.

19:47, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 5 using 1d20+2 ((3)).

Suffice it to say, Aliandra is not in a good mood when she awakes. It feels like a rock has permanently bent her spine, and she is cold to boot.  Her eyes flash with anger at her sleep having been interrupted, it takes a moment to process that there must be an urgen reason for being awoken. Idly, her hands reach not for her rapier which lay beside her bedroll, but her lute.

Toppor opens his eyes but remains still as everyone is awoke. He'd learned early on in his relocation to nature that quick movements could get you hurt or worse. He rolls his head to either side, looking all around him and listening.


08:44, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Perception.

When Lucien wakes Nadia, she rubs the sleep out of her eyes, then, realizing that danger appears to be imminent, sets to casting mage armor on herself.

Vimak slept on his back, laid out to his full length with his resting peacefully on his chest. To an observer between his marble white kin and pose he looked like a giant corpse, ready for a funeral.

He woke quickly when roused, cracking his knuckles and looking around for this 'bear-boy'.

Paran awoke also at the call from the ranger. He looked around trying to figure out what had been the source of the call.


21:11, Today: Paran rolled 14 using 1d20.  Per roll.

Antia gracefully rises to her feet her travel cloak falling away from her to reveal her long tail as it swished from side to side, mace in hand ready for an attack

As everyone is rising, and before Lucien can make it to a tree, a volley of arrows falls into the camp from the eastern edge of the clearing. Toppor and Vimak are each hit by an incoming arrow.

There is a rustling in the trees and then eleven orcs spring out of the foliage and rush into battle. Each of the orcs carry a shield. All but one of the shields are marked with the symbol of a skull with an ax cleaving into the top of it and an arrow shooting into each eye socket.

Orc 1 (battleaxe and shield): uninjured
Orc 2 (battleaxe and shield): uninjured
Orc 3 (battleaxe and shield): uninjured
Orc 4 (battleaxe and shield): uninjured
Orc 5 (spear and shield): uninjured
Orc 6 (spear and shield): uninjured
Orc 7 (spear and shield): uninjured
Orc 8 (spear and shield): uninjured
Orc 9 (longsword and shield): uninjured
Orc 10 (longsword and shield): uninjured
Orc 11 (longsword and unadorned shield): uninjured

Roll initiative and post first round's action.

Without warning Cathasach struck himself full in the face with the pommel of his iron longsword, screaming hell and fury through a bloody mouth. In an instant he had launched himself at the shieldless orc before him, sending his wicked blade in an arc headed for the soft flesh of his opponent's face.


OOC:
Actions
-Free action to rage
-Move Orc 11
-Try and hurt it until it falls down


16:17, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 18 using 1d20+2 ((16)). (Initiative)
16:18, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 13 using 1d20+5 ((8)). (Attack)
16:18, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 7 using 1d8+5 ((2)). (Hopeful damage)

Vimak grimaced as an arrow struck him. He pulled his huge great sword free of its sheath and attacked the nearest Orc.

---

Move to engage Orc 5
Action-attack with great sword
Reaction-if I take more than 5 damage I will use my stones endurance racial feature to ignore 1d12+3 points
20:18, Today: Vimak Thuliaga rolled 13,10 using 1d20+5,2d6+3 with rolls of 8,4,3.  Great sword attack, damage.
 20:17, Today: Vimak Thuliaga rolled 14 using 1d20.  Initiative.

Nadia springs into action, hurling a bubble of acid at two orcs who are close together, hoping to hit both of them with her acid splash.

21:16, Today: Nadia Winter rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

As the orcs come charging into camp, Lucien is surprised, but has no qualms about losing an arrow. As Cathasach charges the orc with the unadorned shield, the elf lets an arrow fly past the barbarian's ear at the orc's exposed flank. "Not what I was expecting. You didn't mention a local orc problem Kuiper."

Move: As far as possible away from the melee.
Action: Attack Orc 11 with shortbow; hits AC 21 for 11 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 14 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
Lucien Nailo rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Attack Orc 11.
Lucien Nailo rolled 11 using 2d6+3.  Damage (Sneak Attack).
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Sun 10 July 2016.

Part of Aliandra's soul is gripped by terror at having a large number of orcs attack, but in truth, she was really excited. Orcs were finally an  opponent worthy of song.  She would have to ensure that she survived the battle to tell the tale. She moves steadily and deliberately for cover, drawing out the lyrics and notes of her favorite lullaby even before she is secure.

Fire has died
Night has come
Go to sleep
Await the sun...

Initiative: 04:56, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 20 using 1d20+2 ((18)).
Move: Into the best cover she can find
Action: Casting sleep on the largest concentration of orcs.

OOC:

08:00, Today: Antia rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  initiative.
08:00, Today: Antia rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  burning hands.

Antia strode forward directly towards the enemy her red and and crimson scaled skin glowing in the light of the camp fire. Raising her hands and locking her thumbs she called on the light to send forth the cleansing fire of righteousness


OOC:08:04, Today: Antia rolled 9 using 3d6.  damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:05, Mon 11 July 2016.

OOC: Sorry for the delay these have been difficult days for me.

Paran's eyes were reduced to sleets as he eyed the orcs with a cold hatred that would have made them chill as a half smile formed in his lips letting some of his teeth show. With the periphery of his vision though, he saw Lucien moving backwards, but, seeing Antia actually moving forward, Paran sort of grunted and moved to her side.

Fixing on the closest orc to Antia, he extended his left hand letting greenish bolt of energy stream from it towards the orc hitting it squarely in its face, and actually melting chunks of its meat, leaving the bone in plain sight

Move: Wait for Antia to move and follow her.
Attack: After Antia casts her burning hands attack with Eldritch blast
09:57, Today: Paran rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
10:09, Today: Paran rolled 25,8 using 1d20+5,1d10.  Eldritch attack.  (CRITICAL)
10:11, Today: Paran rolled 8 using 1d10.  Critical Hit extra damage.
Total 16 dmg.
Please confirm kill, as Paran gets temporary HPs

Toppor grasps his staff and stares toward the ground beneath the orcs' feet, pleading with the earth to restrain his assailants.


Initiative: 18
Bonus Action: Cast Shillelagh
Action: Cast Entangle (Str DC 13, can save again as an Action)
Result: 20 ft radius turns into Difficult Terrain. Creatures in the area need to Str Save DC 13 or become Restrained (0 Speed, Disadvantage on Dex saves, enemies get Advantage when attacking them).

08:50, Today: Toppor Ironfist rolled 18 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Kuiper springs into action, slashing an orc with two vicious swipes of his longsword. Vimak finishes him off. Aliandra's sleep spell knocks down two of the battleaxe-wielding orcs. The orc with the unadorned shield blocks Cathasach's sword. Toppor's entangle spell restrains four of the orcs. Belshar and Arlin pounce on one of the sword-wielding orcs, taking him down quickly. Another orc, slashes Belshar, leaving a serious wound on the wolf. Antia scorches two of the axe-wielding orcs with her burning hands. Paran takes down one of them with his eldritch blast. Nadia's acid splash hits two of the orcs with spears.


Orc 1 (battleaxe and shield): uninjured; unconscious
Orc 2 (battleaxe and shield): uninjured; unconscious
Orc 3 (battleaxe and shield; Antia): injured (-9); restrained
Orc 4 (battleaxe and shield): dying
Orc 5 (spear and shield): dying
Orc 6 (spear and shield; Nadia): injured (-4); restrained
Orc 7 (spear and shield; Nadia): injured (-3);
Orc 8 (spear and shield): uninjured
Orc 9 (longsword and shield; Belshar, Arlin): uninjured
Orc 10 (longsword and shield): dying
Orc 11 (longsword and unadorned shield; Cathasach): injured (-11)

New round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:55, Fri 15 July 2016.

As the undergrowth rises up to hold several of the orcs, Lucien takes advantage of an easy shot to fire an arrow at the helpless creature. "Well done Toppor!"

Move: Keeping range if necessary.
Action: Attack Orc 6 with shortbow; hits AC 21 for 10 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 21 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 16,3.  Attack Orc 6 w/ Adv.
Lucien Nailo rolled 10 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 1,6.  Damage (Sneak Attack).

Nadia steps towards one of the orcs and releases a puff of poison into his face.

Poison spray on Orc 7. Trying to avoid stepping in the area with entangle if possible.

Vimak moved to engage on the orcs attacking Nadia, the beast parried his swing.

Move - engage Orc 7 without provoking AoO.
Action - attack Orc 7, miss
22:11, Today: Vimak Thuliaga rolled 9,13 using 1d20+5,2d6+3 with rolls of 4,4,6.  Great sword attack, damage
Reaction - I will use my stone's endurance racial feature if take 5 or more damage, ignore 1d12+3 damage.

Cathasach snarled and whipped his blade once more towards the pig-beast before him, but once more his stroke was deflected. An inhuman roar of frustration escaped his mouth as he failed to inflict suffering on his opponent.

OOC:
21:11, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 7 using 1d20+5 ((2)). Attack. Poopy.

Paran moved in again trying to finish the already burned orc that Antia had scarred with her fire, raising his hand and launching a green ray that glanced the side of the orc.

HP: 10 + 4 (temp)
07:25, Today: Paran rolled 3 using 1d10.  Dmg Orc 3.
07:25, Today: Paran rolled 16 using 2d20+5, keeping the highest dice only.  Attack Orc 3 (Advantage-Restrained=.

Aliandra pops from behind her cover to unleash a stinging barrage of invective against one of the orcs.

"Hey, Ugly McSmallStick!  You're so stupid that you fell out of a boat and couldn't find the water!"

Action: Vicious Mockery on Orc 11. Wisdom Save.
06:19, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 3 using 1d4.  Vicious Mockery.

"Orcs!" Kuiper hollers as he lashes out again at another orc, a wild look in his eyes. "Wasn't expecting to see them here either.

"Is that the best you've got, you pig-headed abominations?!" he shouts, pressing the attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Tue 19 July 2016.

having scorched two the cleric grabbed her mace and shield and hit the one she had already hurt


OOC:
08:44, Today: Antia rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  mace attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:44, Thu 14 July 2016.

Kuiper takes down another orc with two quick slashes of his sword. Aliandra's vicious mockery affects her target, distracting him. Cathasach's attack against him fails to connect, though, but Toppor moves in and takes him out with a blow from his shillelagh. Belshar and Arlin converge on another orc, ripping into him viciously. Vimak moves to assist Nadia, but fails to hit his target. Lucien's arrow finds its mark, nearly taking down the orc. One of the remaining orcs strikes Antia down with his battleaxe. Paran's eldritch blast hits the orc who took down Antia, but doesn't take him out of the fight. Nadia's poison spray chokes her opponent, but he, too, remains standing.


Orc 1 (battleaxe and shield): uninjured; unconscious
Orc 2 (battleaxe and shield): uninjured; unconscious
Orc 3 (battleaxe and shield; Antia): severely injured (-12)
Orc 4 (battleaxe and shield): dying
Orc 5 (spear and shield): dying
Orc 6 (spear and shield; Nadia): severely injured (-14)
Orc 7 (spear and shield; Nadia): injured (-11); restrained
Orc 8 (spear and shield): dying
Orc 9 (longsword and shield; Belshar, Arlin): severely injured (-14)
Orc 10 (longsword and shield): dying
Orc 11 (longsword and unadorned shield; Cathasach): dying

New round.

Paran tried to send a ray to Antia's attacker, but not wanting to hit her with it, he missed the orc by a mile. Seeing this, he closed in on the Orc, trying to entice it to attack him rather than Antia.

08:52, Today: Paran rolled 7,3 using 1d20+5,1d10.  Eldritch attack on Antia's attacker.

Lucien is dismayed when, despite the precision of his shot, the orc continues to thrash against the plants restraining it. Drawing back another shaft, Lucien lets fly and is satisfied as the arrow finds its mark deep in the orc's torso next to the first. "These guys don't go down easily." He sees Anita fall to another orc's blow and curses as Paran moves in to face the foe.

Attack: Attack Orc 6 with shortbow; hits AC 23 for 13 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 23 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only. Attack Orc 6 w/ Adv.
Lucien Nailo rolled 13 using 2d6+3.  Damage (Sneak Attack).

Cathasach ducked under his shield, nearly dropping to one knee as he hacked at the shieldless orc's calf.


08:58, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 20 using 1d20+5 ((15)). Attack

08:59, Today: Cathasach Drust rolled 9 using 1d8+5 ((4)).

"Not good. Not good to go down in the first act," Aliandra says. Swallowing hard, she makes the decision to leave her covered position in order to give aid to Antia.  Flinching at each clash of steel on steel, she makes her way to the downed tiefling.

She kneels and begins to chant a song of heroic deeds and inspiration, hoping that the song-magic proves able to restore Antia.

"So many deeds still to do,
Rest not here on the field.
A future awaits your valor
And countless foes must yield."

Move:  Cross field to Antia
Action: Cure Wounds on Antia (d8+3),
12:19, Today: Aliandra Zee rolled 11 using 1d8+3 ((8)).