In reply to Thorfire Shortankard (msg # 447):

"A fair point!" Lazaret removes the rag with his sharp claws.

If the man begins to recite a spell, Lazaret will shove the rag back in.

In reply to DM (msg # 444):

This ring looks oddly familar.

21:52, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 21 using 1d20+4. Religion.

"Let us be on our way then. If we can make haste on our return to Westbank, I would like to have a bit of that mutton for dinner tonight, Mattis has a way with a shank that is sublime..." says Celador, trailing off as he leads the way down the passage, shield and sword ready.

"Oh, hello, Mwrack. You may get some share of gold yet. If you make it back to Westbank, that is." Celador chuckles as he meet up with the Kenku.


23:01, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  perception.

I hope a passive percept of 13 is good enough to be on the look out for surprises on our way out of here.

This message was last edited by the player at 04:04, Fri 14 July 2017.

Are you sure you are talking about dinner?!?

Unsure if the caverns are fully secure, Therarak hides in plain sight by blending in with the stone walls.

22:52, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 13 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only. stealth w/ advantage in Stone

"The name is Malik," the hooded man sneers once the gag is removed. "Remember it. I suspect you'll want to know when you're drawing your final breath who it was that killed you."

Mrawk squawks in relief when the party joins him at the landing in front of the door. He is no worse for the wear and still is paying attention in all directions.


Malik observes the door for a moment, then answers. "These are the chambers of the bugbear lieutenants you just killed. If you do want in, you might want to plug your nose before you go. The stench is unbearable.



Therarak recognizes the symbol on Malik's ring as the 8-pointed star of Lloth, Goddess of Spiders and Lies. However even more notable are the 8 tiny gemstones that adorn the emblem. Without a doubt, Therarak recognizes the gems as ones from his own lost city of Bergmquartz!

The journey out of the cave goes without event, the rats are still in their home and the party's exit is not hampered by goblins, rats, or anything else. The sun is now higher, but it is still late morning, meaning that with any luck, the party will arrive in Westbank a couple hours ahead of their 10:00 pm requirement.

Once outside the cave, their prisoner looks left and right, confused. "Where are your horses," he inquires before slowly putting the picture together in his head. "No. Don't tell me we're walking back to Westbank!"

Celador audibly scoffs at the hooded man.



"If you'd rather not walk, the halfling would be more than happy to leave you here, dead, as we head back to Westbank and unless you have a better idea, you should save your energy for the hike by not complaining." he shoots back at Malik.

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 454):


On their way out, Thorfire grabs a rust scimitar.  Celador, I don't think we need to bring him back at all, his head should suffice for the good sister.  Turning to the hooded man, Malik is it...I like to know the name of my victims.  I know this scimitar is rust and dull, but I will still be able to hack your worthless head from your shoulders.  It might hurt a bit and take a couple of swings...

Thorfire slides the rusty scimitar into his belt and jams the gag back into Malik's mouth.  I have heard enough from this pathetic man.

In reply to DM (msg # 453):

Therarak silently takes note of the information gleaned from the ring, and pockets it. The knowledge that the stones in a ring so vile come from his home fills him with rage, but he composes himself.

Out of earshot of the hooded man, he whispers to his comrades, Stay alert. This man serves the demon spider queen, the spinner of lies, Lolth herself. Nothing he says is to be trusted. He would slit his own mother's throat if he thought that for a moment he would curry favor with his dark mistress.

In reply to Therarak Gemfinder (msg # 456):

I agree, let's just remove his head and be done with him. It will save time on the way back to town and save the good sister time on a trial. Plus, I don't believe that he is a worthless pathetic whiner, I think it was a ruse to cause us pause and to hold our blades. The next time we have to fight, I don't think it will be as easy.  Who  knows what allies he may have in these woods on our way back to town.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:50, Sun 16 July 2017.

In reply to Thorfire Shortankard (msg # 457):

(A bit late to posting...)

"Malik? You'll have to spell that for me. I understand that they like to have little placards on those that are hung in the town center. I'd hate to get the letters wrong." Lazaret says this eye to eye with the hooded man and shows his fangs for added effect. He then ducks quickly into the bugbear room and thoroughly loots it before heading out.

The group then begins to retrace their path making a hasty return to Westbank with their quarry bound and gagged.

20:56, Today: Lazaret rolled 23 using 1d20+6 ((17)). (Passive = 16)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Mon 17 July 2017.

In reply to Lazaret (msg # 458):

Didn't we already leave?  What have you been doing all weekend?!?

Lazaret quickly rifles through the bugbear's den. The cavern is roughly 20' x 20' and is a total mess. There are three straw beds on the floor, each surrounded by an assortment of filth. The area is littered with half eaten meat (the exact species unknown) and bones and skulls of various humanoids (goblin and human for sure, others not entirely identifiable). While the content of the room is mostly garbage, there is some value buried in the mess. Lazaret finds a total of 13 gold pieces and 28 silver.

Soon after, the party assembles for the journey back to Westbank. Malik falls into line with his head hung, resigned to the fact that the journey to his ultimate fate will be taken on foot, not horseback. He offers little resistance although his bound hands and defeated spirit, along with the wound from Thorfire's rapier, do slow the party a little bit. By a little after noon, they have reached the road and head south, still on pace for a 10:00pm arrival.

After an hour on the road, they see a caravan approaching from the south. One cart, pulled by a pair of horses and a driver. Alongside the caravan are four guards, two on either side of the horses. Their body language suggests that they see the oncoming travelers, as the guards tense slightly, but the group continues to advance.

OOC: It isn't unusual for a caravan to be guarded. This appears to be pretty run of the mill stuff.

In reply to DM (msg # 460):

After investigating the bugbear quarters Lazaret catches up to the rest of the group. He hands Mrawk three gold pieces. "You've done well. We are headed back to Westbank. You are welcome to join us. This man is wanted there for murder."

During the march back to town Lazaret spends a little too much time inspecting and polishing the silver ring he found on the skeleton.

Upon seeing the caravan Lazaret's gregarious side takes over.

"Hello there! Where are you headed? There were a few orcs up the road a bit, but they are no longer a threat" he says with a smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Tue 18 July 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 460):

Therarak eyes the caravan with an appropriate level of suspicion. He leaves any greetings and the social back and forth to other members of the party.

17:37, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 10 using 1d20+3. Perception. Pasive Perception is 13.

In reply to Lazaret (msg # 461):

Whispering to the hooded man, Try anything and I personally guarantee that you won't reach town. While Lazaret distracts the caravan, Thorfire fades from view and tries to discern if the caravan will be a problem.

19:54, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Perception.
19:53, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Stealth (Hide in Plain Sight - Halfling Luck).
19:53, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Stealth (Hide in Plain Sight).

OOC: Not a bad outcome from Halfling luck!  How much XP from caravan guards?!?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Tue 18 July 2017.

As the caravan approaches, Celador raises his hand in a friendly gesture of acknowledgement. When they are a bit closer, he pushes the left side of his cloak over his shoulder, revealing what looks to be an insignia of rank in the elven army from his homeland of Glenvendale, and also the handsomely forged longsword at his side.

"Greetings!" he cordially announces.


Celador tries to "intimidate" the guards of the oncoming caravan.

23:07, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  intimidation. (first roll)

Does the soldier background feature grant me advantage in rolling for intimidation?

23:07, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 12 using 1d20+2. (second roll)

"Mrawk!" Mrawk eagerly takes his 3 gold pieces and adds them to his growing collection. He accepts Lazaret's offer and joins the four heroes, along with their prisoner, on the journey south toward Westbank.


One of the guards steps forward, an older man, with grey hair and the start of a grizzly gray beard. "Headed to Alaka with goods for trade. Nothing special, but the boss figures he can get a fair price up there. Better than down in Westbank."


If the man is intimidated, he doesn't let on that he is. Instead, he replies with a cordial nod, but still eyes the eclectic party suspiciously, a look to which the Halfling, Elf, Tabaxi, and Gnome have become accustomed. "So what's with the prisoner? Fugitive?"

OOC: No perceived oddities about the cart or guards. This would be about where one would expect a caravan to be if it left Westbank at sunup.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:30, Wed 19 July 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 465):

"He's a murderer. But you say you have goods for trade? What do you have? We may be in the market for an item or two."

06:16, Today: Lazaret rolled 9 using 1d20+3 ((6)). Insight to see if the old guard is hiding something.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:17, Tue 18 July 2017.

OOC: I would have thought a 24 stealth roll would have been enough to hide from the caravan peeps...
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Wed 19 July 2017.

"Well good sir, we are bringing an alleged murderer back to Westbank. We will let Sister Gwendelon assess his innocence and determine his fate." Celador interjects as he throws some shade in Lazaret's direction. "And although we'd love to stay and barter and spin tall tales, my colleagues and I must be on our way. Have you encountered any trouble on the road thus far?"


23:46, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  insight.

"Murderer, eh?" the old guard continues, looking at Malik. "Well best of luck to you in Westbank. Sister Gwendelon has little time for murderers, other than to hang them."

He turns to Lazaret. "As for goods, we have a little of everything. Food, ale, leather goods, even a couple of potions that may interest you adventuring types. But mostly leather goods. Know a cobbler in the south who works pure magic with boots. Well made and comfortable too. I'm wearing a pair myself. Figured we could make a good deal of it in Westbank but that little pig Morlough Merris beat us to the punch. His stuff is cheap, but he's got the owner of the general store under his little finger. Wasn't interested in a single pair from us." He spits on the ground, then shrugs his shoulders. "So it's on to Alaka. Luckily for us, Merris is too lazy to bring his caravan that far."

OOC: From what you can tell, the guard appears is legit.
Also OOC: Thorfire, you are correct. The guards do not see you. Previous post adjusted.

In reply to DM (msg # 469):

"Food and ale sound good right about now." Lazaret shoots a sideways glance at Celador. "But a nice place to enjoy them and a warm fire sound better. Safe travels, my friends. If our journeys bring us to Alaka we may have to take a closer look at your wares."

Lazaret and the others continue toward Westbank. As they walk, the Tabaxi pulls out his rapier and gives Celador some pointers on how to fight. "Many swordsmen would tell you that 'It's all in the wrist!' but they are wrong. In fact 'It's all in the knees!' I knew a one armed pirate once..." This continues for some time. Lazaret notices the frustration on his comrades face, smirks a little, and continues the lesson.

Finally when he thinks that Celdor has had quite enough he sheathes his blade and says "You fought well back there. Sometimes luck is not on your side." He then slaps him on the back casting 'Cure Wounds' and walks forward to take his turn guarding Malik.

08:16, Today: Lazaret rolled 7 using 1d8+3 ((4)). Cure Wounds on Celador.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:25, Wed 19 July 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 469):

Seeing that Lazaret has been wounded, Therarak prepares a quick healing potion.

Since sampling them myself I've been tinkering with improving the flavor. Please let me know if this is more to your liking.

OOC: FYI they now restore 2d8.

In reply to Therarak Gemfinder (msg # 471):

"Mmmm. Still a little bitter, but an improvement. Is that nutmeg?"

19:28, Today: Lazaret rolled 8 using 2d8 ((3,5)) Healing potion