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.