Brother Smythe looks up from his hammering to see you coming. "Good to see you again Velox, where is Oren, I hope nothing has befallen the dwarf." Brother Smythe enquires. He looks at Elmo as well "Hello Elmo"

"Hi Brother Smythe" Elmo says.
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:28, Tue 12 June 2018.

Velox said, "Oren's going to stick around town for a while. He's got some business of some sort to attend to, but I was going to get our journey underway. One of my friends here needs to be outfitted. Perhaps you would be willing to part with some gear with the promise of it's return with interest?"

"Well depends on what you need I suppose and what sort of return." Brother Smythe responds "What do you intend to do with it and what do you need?"

Albrecht watches the two man talk. "We found a dead body on the woods that had some sort of leather armor on. I believe we brought it back to the priest (or were going to?). He might still have it," he stated.

"Well I need me some armor and an axe" Elmo says saying a bit "These fellows have hired me on to be a man at arms."

"Does your pa know about this?" Brother Smyth asks Elmo.

Elmo looks down a bit at the ground "Nope, but he's been after me to get a job. I'll be hiring onto these fellows expedition. I'll be taking just half share of the treasure til I get the armor and axe paid off."

Brother Smyth then turns to Albrecht "You took him to Calmer, do you know if they were a follower of St. Cuthbert?, What woods did you find them in? Where you boys planning on going?"

"Honestly, we have no idea. There was no indication of his faith. We found him in the Deklo Grove, where large spiders had killed and wrapped him up for later. Did you know the man?" Albrecht asked sympathetically.

Brother Smyth shrugs "Hard to know without seeing him. Locals tend to worship the Old Faith, whereas those that come from the direction of Verbobonc are likely worshipers of St Cuthbert. Dressed in leather he doesn't sound like a follower of St Cuthbert, unless he was pretty poor. Perhaps he's one of those bandits you were looking for, a lookout. Got to far into the woods and the spiders got em."

Velox answered the Smith's previous question, "We are off to look into the disappearance of Jaroo's apprentice. He was last seen at an old moathouse along the low road towards Nulb. About half a days walk in a marshy section of land, or so said Jaroo. I'm hoping we can get there before nightfall."

"Elmo, I only have a single gold piece to my name right now, so it's not much, but once we've taken care of more of these bandits, I'm sure we'll be able to repay you sir." He turned mid-way through the sentence back to the smith indicating who they'd be repaying.

Something changes in Brother Smyth's demeanor. "A worthy cause, I believe we can help one another".

He moves and retrieves a suit of Scale Mail and puts it up on his anvil he could be heard muttering "I think this will fit you Elmo." He then goes into his store/home and comes out with a battleaxe "And I suppose this will do you for an axe."

"Now it'll be 72 gold when you return. I hope the bandits are wealthy enough, should be with all they've taken. Now since it's a worthy cause and you don't have downpayment we'll just let it pass on that. If you don't pay Elmo I'll tell y'er father" he adds with some jest in the last line.

"Okay" Elmo gets out then adds "Don't tell em til we gone."

"Well go try it on boy" Brother Smyth says.

Elmo seems to wake up a bit and collects the armor and axe and heads into Brother Smyth's place to change for some privacy. A few minutes later he'll reappear dressed in the armor and with the axe in hand. "Looks like it fits pretty good" Elmo says, turning to Velox and Albrecht "Well I ready to go lead on"

Brother Smyth gives a bit of a laugh "You look good Elmo, Ehlonna be with you all this day."

Velox was almost jealous of the fine armor that Elmo was being fitted with, but he just smiled and said to the Smith, "Thank you. You show us all great honor. He's right Elmo, you look like a true warrior. Now come, there's a young man in danger and we should go see if we can save him before it's too late."

"The Aspirant is a young woman not a young man" Brother Smyth adds. "I do hope you find her well."

"Thank you again kind sir. I hope we see you again soon with Jaroo's young female aspirant." The man says with a nod.

Looking to his companions he says, "Well, we can make the moathouse by dark and camp there I think. Let's be on our way."

OOC: I'm assuming we still have half a day left, right?

OOC: Yes it was around lunchtime so you have half a day.

Albrecht nods along with Velox's statement. "Yes, we should get going. I hope the young girl is okay..." he commented, not fully understanding the situation, but knowing that she was likely in mortal danger.

Velox lead the way out of town, headed in the direction Jaroo had indicated so that they could make it to the Moathouse by nightfall.

As they walked he turned to Albrecht and said, "Thanks for listening to me. I do hope we can help Jaroo's apprentice. It would be a shame..." he trailed off for a bit and then added, "I don't think I could have lived with myself had we waited and then found her..."

"Yes, there is an urgency to this mission that the others either don't see or don't care about, I'm unsure which," the young man agreed as they continued toward their destination.

You follow the directions that were given and being to enter a swampy area towards dusk. There seems to be a somewhat natural if narrow passageway through the swamp area of dry ground.

Do you wish to continue or camp before the naturally occurring bridge?

Velox wanted to push on, hoping to get to the Moathouse itself before camping but he looked to the others and said, "Do you have a bit more left in you? If so, I say we push on and camp at the Moathouse."

"Camping inside sounds much better than outside. I say we continue onward," Albrecht remarked with a nod.

"Elmo fine, Elmo go on" Elmo says

"If the bandits are holed up in the moathouse we could be in for a decent fight before we can settle down for the night. They could have guards watching the trail too, they'll have the advantage if they ambush us." Furnok cautions.

"I agree, going inside the moathouse could be a bit rash, but we should at least get as close as we can and the waning daylight may help cover our approach."

And with that Velox moved out to keep the group going towards the Moathouse. He would stop the group when they got within sight of the Moathouse to plan any further approach.

OOC: I think we decided we were headed to the Moathouse and would camp near it, but we were going to approach it cautiously. That was the intent of my previous post here at least.

Albrecht shrugged, but he rescinded his opinion. "If that is what you all wish to do, then that is what we shall do," he agreed.

Velox nodded and called back to Albrecht, "If the coast looks clear, I'm all for camping in the moathouse itself, let's just wait and make a decision based on what we find."

"That sounds agreeable," Mordecai nods, getting ready for whatever they end up walking into.

The group starts across the land bridge that seems to be the natural way around this swampy area.

You can roll for initiative :)
You also should make a Spot Check :)

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
(Don't think I'm making you roll just because of prodding you really had to roll anyway....you do remember the tales of the giant frogs right?)

---

Albrecht keeps a watchful eye on their surroundings as they cross the bridge. "Don't let your guard down," he reminds everyone.

01:53, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

01:54, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Spot.

“Never...” Velox said with a serious scowl.

OOC:  08:33, Today: Velox rolled 21 using 1d20+2.
 Initiative. 08:33, Today: Velox rolled 2 using 1d20.  Spot

You are along a narrow land bridge. You here some frog bellows but are unable to tell where they are coming from.

Elmo gets his axe ready.

Furnok says "Ah could be some giant frogs ahead, they can swallow a man so be careful, oh and make sure they don't take you off the path."

If the giant frogs are there they've not revealed themselves yet.

OOC: YOu are in the hex that has your name on it, if it covers more than one you are in the hex most central to your name :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:04, Fri 17 Nov 2017.

Velox readied his flail and lead the way along the path.

Albrecht draws his axe and continues down the path, ready to attack anything that pops out.

Readied Action: Attack any creatures that get into his threatened squares.

"Elmo take the lead if you let him, Elmo work swamp before, know terrain better." Elmos suggests taking the lead over Velox and Albrecht.

"Elmo, if you are familiar here, please lead on." Velox has no reason to suspect treachery.

Albrecht nods, letting Elmo go first, but sticking close behind him.

Still holding that action

Elmo takes the lead and doesn't get to far before a giant frog appears and lashes out at him with its tongue. Elmo seems caught completely unaware as the Giant Frog's tongue strikes him about dead center of the chest and latches onto him. Elmo looks about a bit afraid.

Elmo drops his axe and draws out his trusted knife Otis gave him.

Velox turn



The Giant Frog is the Star :), if you enter the marshy ground he's in you have a -2 to hit.....

In reply to DM (msg # 37):

Velox tosses a javelin at the frog but he misses badly.

OOC: i rolled a 2...

Albrecht's turn

OOC: How deep is the water the frog is standing in? I don't have any ranged weapons... Lol

OOC Albrecht isn't sure, however if you look above I said anyone getting off the trail is -2 to hit due to the marsh :).

Albrecht will attempt to cut the frog's tongue.

OOC: I'll let you roll, not sure what the mods would be for this lol.

Albrecht wades into the swamp and swings his greataxe striking into the Giant Frog. The blade seems to cut strongly into the side of the creature.

Furnok draws his short sword but much like Albrecht seems ill prepared for missile combat.

Elmo is drawn closer to the Giant Frog reaching the mouth of the Giant Frog this round.

Elmo decides to attack the Giant Frog with his knife but his knife comes up short against the Giant Frog.

Velox go

Velox pulls out another javelin and tosses it at the giant frog.

OOC: 14:29, Today: Velox rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Damage if a hit.
14:29, Today: Velox rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Javelin to hit.

Velox javelin finds it's mark in the giant frog.

Albrecht it is your turn.

Albrecht calmly assesses the situation, and swings his axe down again, this time, the weapon had an icy glow to it as it swung down.

OOC: Activating Sapphire Nightmare Blade.

09:01, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 20 using 1d20+7.  Concentration check for Sapphire Nightmare Blade.

09:02, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 13 using 1d20+2.  Attack vs Flat-Footed frog.

09:03, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 17,1 using 1d12+5,1d6.  Damage if hit plus SNB damage.

OOC: How much does Sapphire Nightmare Blade do and yes you hit as you surmise the frog is grappling Elmo and thus flat footed?

OOC: Sapphire Nightmare Blade allows me to do a Concentration check vs the target's AC to do my next attack against them being flat-footed and then adds 1d6 cold damage if the check is successful. Essentially I rolled max damage with my axe, then a 1 with the cold damage (or however you want to split it up if it matters). Sorry for the confusion.

OOC: Thank you

The Giant Frog is wounded by Albrecht's attack but he's still going. Elmo is within the mouth of the frog at this point and suffers damage. In an epic stuggle between the tongue of the frog and Elmo, Elmo is swallowed whole and disappears into the creatures innards.

You hear Elmo hollering "Elmo okay, Elmo's fine" from within the frog. Something tells you that Elmo isn't an ordinary farmer or else he wouldn't still be alive. You can tell that Elmo is stabbing the frog from within. The frog's not looking all that well.

Furnok doesn't seem willing to wade into the water and has no missile weapon but remains ready should the frog come ashore.

Velox your go

In reply to DM (msg # 49):

Velox tosses a javelin but it misses the mark. Rather than drawing another he pulls out his melee weapon and resides himself to charge into the fray and free Elmo.

It's Albrecht's turn now

Albrecht takes another swing, trying not to cut Elmo in half in the process.

12:48, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Attack vs Giant Frog. Should actually be 15, I forgot the -2 to hit

12:49, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 8 using 1d12+5.  Damage.

Albrecht slays the Giant Frog after a mighty battle.

Elmo climbs out of the gullet "Thanks, Elmo's fine". Elmo puts his knife away and retrieves his axe.

Elmo does not look fine....another such encounter and he'd be dead for sure.

"Velox, do you know any healing arts? I have no such knowledge, and I believe our friend here is in need of some attention," Albrecht asked as he climbed out of the water after searching the frog for anything else it might have swallowed.

Velox bowed his head and said, "Thank you Elmo, may Trithereon bless you and keep you safe," as a wash of healing energy rolled over the man.

OOC:
22:28, Today: Velox rolled 5 using 1d8+1.  CLW for Elmo.

Elmo receives the healing energy.

"Elmo thanks you." he says "Elmo thinks we might should camp soon, perhaps just short of the moathouse, allow some rest."

Furnok seems wary of entering the water but suggests "Perhaps the frog has some treasure in its gizzard, we should bring it ashore to check."

OOC: In my last post I mentioned checking the frog for loot. ;)

In reply to Albrecht Delmorn (msg # 58):

Velox nods and says, "Camping would be wise. I could tend to these wounds better that way. Albrecht, Furnok, check the frog for any other remnants of people and then let's get out of this swamp."

Oops so you did, I've rolled your search check I'll post what you found tonight when I get up.

Oops so sorry about this :(, I was waiting for you guys to post and forgot about the treasure.

Albrecht finds that scattered about the Giant Frogs location are a large number of gold coins. You estimate that there are a few hundred. However retrieving them will require someone to stay in the water to retrieve the coins.


Do you risk picking up the gold now near dark, wait til morning to get the gold, or decide to leave it behind?

OOC: How much does it weigh? Would the three of us be able to lift it out of the water onto the land?

The Giant Frog is about the size of a large bull. It probably weighs several hundred pounds. You might could get it on shore. You are not sure of the number of gold coins that are scattered about its 'lair' but estimate it's at least 300 to 400. It would probably take some time to retrieve them all, probably half hour to an hour.

Velox spoke up saying, "We can't just leave that coin laying there. It will undoubtedly disappear over night. But Elmo is hurt. Perhaps he and I should stay here and keep a watch while Furnok and Albrecht retrieve the coin?"

"Whatever you want to do," Albrecht responded, going to work digging the coins out of the frog's gut. "I better get a few extra pieces for this," he complained, tossing any coins he got out onto the grass once they were washed of frog entrails.

Velox laughed and said, "We can take turns watching if it's really that bad..."

The party takes time to gather the coins. Fortunately nothing appears during the time it takes though the sun is getting very low at this point. The moon is about a quarter moon this night. The sky has some clouds but you can see some stars as well.

There are 400 gold pieces.

Albrecht gathers up the coins and stuffs them into a pouch for later dividing, and climbs up out of the water. "What is the plan now? Continue forward, or try to find somewhere to camp?" he asked Velox.

In reply to Albrecht Delmorn (msg # 68):

Velox was torn, Elmo’s wounds were many, but there was still a young one lost out here. "We should move forward cautiously and look for any signs of our missing acolyte."

Still feeling hail and healthy, Albrecht nods and leads the way forward. "Try to keep Elmo out of any other frogs we may happen upon, hmm?" he asked Velox with a grin.

In reply to Albrecht Delmorn (msg # 70):

Velox laughed and said, "Yes, Elmo do try to avoid being swallowed. And when we are ready to rest I can offer you some additional healing."

You move towards the moathouse and find a place to shelter just short of it on a dry piece of land. No more dangers come from the swamp while you settle down into camp.

Are you all sleeping at the same time? Do you plan on taking watches?

"We can each take three hour watches and still sleep for eight hours if we can get 11 uninterrupted hours of peace..." Albrecht explains as they approach the campground.

In reply to Albrecht Delmorn (msg # 73):

Velox nodded and said, "Elmo, I can heal you further now. Did anyone see any signs of the acolyte? Or who might be inhabiting this building now?"

OOC: I will case Cure Light Wounds 2 more times. Saving one spell for just in case we need it later.

Elmo puts a hand on Velox shoulder "Thank you, no Elmo no see any sign of acolyte". His wounds partially healed he prepares himself for the day ahead.

"If the bandits are in the old moathouse we'd probably find him there. A druid aspirant could probably pass the frogs unseen given Druid's natural gifts with plants and animals." Furnok suggests.

"Hopefully he is still alive. I would like to continue, but it's getting late and it's been a long day... In the morning we can continue our search. Maybe the others will catch up," Albrecht suggested, getting ready to rest or take first watch, whichever everyone else preferred.

Are you guys setting camp?

The DM is not sure :(

Velox nodded in acquiescence, "It does no good to find the aspirant if in doing so we get ourselves killed. How can I help with camp? I'm not much of a cook, but I can pray for a small amount of water to refresh us or divine light to aid us in the cooking and such."

He paused and said, "I guess the most important thing will be to determine a watch rotation and then heal Elmo further. I'll need to rest after I pray for his healing so that I can do more in the morning when we continue our search."

"I can take first watch if need be, it does not matter to me. As far as cooking, I was hoping you would be better at it that myself... Elmo, Furnok, do either of you have cooking skills? If not, I suppose it will be dry rations for dinner again," he chuckled, unstrapping his armor and placing his axe on the ground next to him before sitting down to meditate while they waited.

"Elmo can watch." Elmo says "Just let me know when my shift is and who to wake up after me."

"I can help with watching as well." Furnok offers. "I could take two shifts if necessary."

In reply to Furnok (msg # 82):

Velox was glad to have brought along the locals and said, "Thank you each for your willingness. I say my prayers in the morning. I will take the last watch before daybreak and heal Elmo right when I wake. Elmo should take the watch just prior to me. I will do a bit more healing now so that Elmo's wounds dont bother him further."

OOC: Will cast CLW 1 time again now and then Albrecht takes first watch, Furnok second, Elmo third, me 4th. I will heal Elmo again right when I wake to use up my spells for the day before I pray for new ones.

Elmo nods "Just wake me up for my watch. Thanks for the healing."

Albrecht gets comfortable (but not too comfortable) in preparation for the first watch. "Oh, don't worry, Furnok will," he chuckled in response to Elmo, figuring that would be the best order.

The night passes without incident.

Velox heals Elmo of all his injuries just before dawn.

Velox is then able to pray at dawn to recover his divine spells.

In reply to DM (msg # 86):

With Elmo fully healed and everyone fully rested, Velox says to his companions, "We've made it this far, let's press on. I do hope we will be in time to save the Druid's apprentice."

Albrecht put his armor back on and collected the rest of his gear. "Yes, let's continue onward. Hopefully the others will catch up soon. The old man may be a pain in the neck, but having ranged support would be useful," he commented as he started moving towards their objective.

"Elmo will take the lead" Elmo says "Elmo all better now."

The large fellow hefts the axe almost like it was nothing more than a knife and starts to lead the way down the path towards where you believe the moathouse to be at this time.

Furnok nods, "Indeed some ranged support would be greatly welcome. Hopefully we can avoid anymore frogs."

Velox nodded, "I'm a fair shot with a bow, I just don't have one right now. Maybe we can use some of that money we found to buy one. After we save the apprentice, that is."

In reply to Velox (msg # 91):

OOC: can we get a description of the area around us so we can decide where to go from here?

A scrub of thorns, thistles, weeds, and shrubs grows thickly along the edge of the track which leads to the ruins. Even the track is mostly overgrown and cluttered with fallen branches and trees. Here and there it is washed out, in other places a mire.

Some game evidently still follows the pathway, however, for after a mile or so faint traces can be seen. But even considering this, going is slow, and it takes over an hour to reach the place on horseback, or two to trudge along on foot. Considerable
hacking and clearing is necessary to make the way passable, so double the time required for the first trip. After two miles, as the track turns more northerly, the land begins to sink and become boggy. Tall marsh plants grow thickly where cattails and tamaracks do not. Off to the left can be seen the jagged silhouette of the moathouse.

A side path, banked high to cross over the wetland to either side, just north to the entrance of the ruin. The track here is only about 15 feet wide or so, with crumbling embankments making travel near the edge dangerous. The bogs stink. The vegetation appears dense and prolific, but somehow sickly and unhealthy, creepers and vines throwing their strangling loops over the skeletons of dead saplings and living bushes alike. The rushes and cattails rustle and bend even to a slight zephyr, and weird birdcalls, croakings, and other unwholesome sounds come faintly across the fen.

"Well, which way shall we proceed?" Albrecht asked the group curiously, looking over both paths to see which way might be the fastest barring any interruptions.

Velox smiled and said, "Well they'll be expecting people from the front path, so let's go for the side entrance, but we should be ready for more of those frogs..."

"If I knew the others were close behind, I would say we could split up, but as it is, two groups of two isn't comfortable enough for me... So I agree, let's go down the side path," Albrecht remarks, wishing he had some way to get in contact with the others they left behind.

"Well times a wasting we should get going." Elmo says

"Yeah splitting up doesn't sound so good an idea after last night. We should stick together. Sounds like a good plan" Furnok adds.

You take the side passage and begin to make your way to the moathouse. The crumbling remains you begin to see. There is obvious damage to the walls and fortifications, probably the after effect of the sacking a decade ago. You do not immediately see anyone though.

The path narrows to fifteen feet wide of solid ground, with marsh on either side (OOC: If you enter the marsh you will be -2 to hit). You see a large pool of water, in essence a small pond about ten feet off the right side of the path.

Albrecht continues forward on the path, eyes wary of any further dangers emerging from the muck. "I'll be surprised if we make it there before seeing any more enlarged amphibians..." he commented, not looking too happy about the proposition.

Velox eyes the pond and says, "Something tells me that there's something waiting in there, but for now, I think we're better off getting inside rather than fooling about in the water..."

He motions for the group to continue, staying on the path as best as they can.

Elmo takes the lead, with Albrecht right behind him, and Velox next with Furnok bringing up the rear. Velox and Albrect's suspicions are well founded. As the group passes the large pond, a long tongue lashes out at Albrect, but misses him.

You see another giant frog now on the edge of the pond it having given up its hiding space to attack.

In reply to DM (msg # 102):

Velox throws a javelin and misses.

Albrecht sighed, and waded into the marsh to attack the frog.

OOC: If 13 hits, the frog takes 8 damage plus 5 fire damage. Also declaring Dodge on frog.

00:05, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 13,4 using 1d20+3,1d20+3.  Shadow Blade Technique plus Burning Blade.

00:06, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 8,5 using 1d20+5,1d6+2.  Damage plus fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:35, Sun 28 Jan 2018.

Elmo follows after Albrecht and wades into the marsh to attack the giant frog getting in a pretty good hit it seems with his axe.

Furnok decides to keep watch on the trail to make sure no bandits sneak up on them while the frog attacks.

The Giant Frog deftly moves just before Albrecht's sword would have hit him, yet seems caught a bit off guard when Elmo wades into the mess as well.

The Giant Frog leaps backwards seeking to go deeper into the pond. He jumps back approximately 10 feet into the pond landing on a rather large lillypad.
Ribbit it croaks.

OOC: Do we get AoO's on him for jumping?

Yes you get an attack of opportunity, he wasn't using withdraw.

Albrecht quickly responds to the frog trying to flee, and instead cuts it's legs out from underneath it in an attempt to keep it from moving.

OOC: Using Stand Still: 22 to hit, the frog must make a DC 26 (10 + "Damage" roll) Reflex save or be stuck in place until it's next turn. No damage is done.

16:01, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Stand Still AoO on Frog.

16:02, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 16 using 1d12+5.  "Damage".

OOC: Nice move. I'll wait until the DM resolves that to charge in and hit him with my flail.

The Giant frog seems to drop midair with Albrecht's well placed strike that prevents it from moving backward as was it's intent.

This allows Elmo to have time to have an AoO as well allowing him to strike into the flank of the Giant Frog as well.

The Giant Frog does not look to well at this point.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
23:43, Today: Elmo rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Giant Frog's Reflex Save.

23:42, Today: Elmo rolled 12 using 1d8+7.  AoO damage against Giant Frog.

23:41, Today: Elmo rolled 25 using 1d20+10.  AoO against Giant Frog.

---

Seeing the opening, Velox charged forward, drawing his flail and slamming the head of it down on the exposed frog.

OOC:
14:02, Today: Velox rolled 5 using 1d10+4.  Damage (double if confirmed).
14:01, Today: Velox rolled 20 using 1d20+7.  Confirm Crit.
14:01, Today: Velox rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Charge to hit with flail.

Albrecht swung his axe again, but this time he was distracted by the commotion Velox made and it went way wide.

16:07, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Attack again.

Velox's flail smacks the giant frog between the eyes and ends it's threat.

"Good job you two. Now you get to look for treasure this time," Albrecht commends the two before climbing out of the marsh to join Furnok.

In reply to Albrecht Delmorn (msg # 116):

Velox nodded and dig around looking for any loot.

Want to make a search check :)

In reply to DM (msg # 118):

OOC: 07:56, Today: Velox rolled 7 using 1d20.  Search

Elmo assists Velox in searching the area but both come up empty on any treasure this time.

Albrecht does a quick check as well... But doesn't do a whole lot better. "Shall we try again, or continue onward? This marsh is pretty thick, it might be hiding deeper still," he commented.

22:40, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 9 using 1d20.  Search.

Albrecht likewise fails to find anything.

"Well not every toad is full of gold, I guess." Velox says as he climbs back onto the path. "We should see about making our way inside now. I have no intention of hanging out in this swamp any longer than necessary."

He then moved to advance up the path toward the building.

Albrecht followed along, looking back at the spot the toad had died to try to memorize where it was for later. "I suppose not, unfortunately. Hopefully we can find this acolyte soon, I would like to purchase a new weapon with my share of the gold when we get back to town. If I can find one..." he commented.

Elmo says "Elmo hopes we find her soon. Hopefully she not frog food."

He starts heading up the path again.

Furnok asks "How much fighting have you guys done, you know in the past?"

Velox smirked at the question and gave his answer, "I've done a lot of sparring, and been in a few fights, enough to know that the chaos of battle is a thrill and a horror all at the same time."

"My experience is mostly just training with my uncle, other than what had been going on today and yesterday. Giant spiders aren't very fun either," Albrecht responded, looking Furnok over to see if he looked like he has any experience. "What about you, Furnok? If you want either of us to train you, I'm sure Velox wouldn't mind, would you?" he asked, smirking at the cleric.

Furnok gives off a little laugh "I've been in a tavern fight or two. Sometimes folks don't take kindly to losing at cards. Other than that I've not really fought much else. It seems for adventuring some sort of ranged weapon would be preferred, hopefully we can procure some when next we visit town."

Velox nodded and said, "My thoughts exactly. A good strong bow would be handy. But enough about town. Let's look for the aspirant."

He then pushed forward, making his way closer to the building.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:59, Sun 11 Feb 2018.

Albrecht followed along, wary of anymore dangers around them.

You travel not far along the path when you come upon a fallen drawbridge. It appears to have been out of service some time. There are pieces missing here and there. It has conveniently fallen over a moat or spring that might have prevented you from getting to the other side.

What do you do?

Velox looked at the bridge for a bit and then said, "I think if we go single file, it will hold our weight. It's a good thing we didn't come on horses... I'll take the lead. Then Elmo. Albrecht and Furnok."

Velox then started out across the rickety bridge carefully.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Sun 11 Feb 2018.

Albrecht waited for Elmo to cross before heading over himself, slow enough to be cautious, but fast enough that it didn't collapse under him. Hopefully.

Elmo heads over looking carefully at the edges for any frogs or other unpleasantries. He makes it over without incident.

Albrecht carefully crosses the bridge and hopes it stays intact...

Furnok makes it over without incident.

In reply to Furnok (msg # 137):

OOC: so we all made it over ok? and whats on the other side?

OOC: I was at work thanks for the reminder, I had to get home to have the description and forgot :)

You come across a pair of broken gates The door is hanging open on one great hinge, the other is splintered and holed but still in position, wedged and shored closed from the inside.

Velox looks at the door, eyeing it suspiciously, then he shrugs and says, "Well, let's see what's inside. Anyone care to take the lead?"

"Well, the door needs opened. Shall we kick it in? Cut it down? How much noise do we want to make?" Albrecht asked, inspecting the door to see how hard it would be to deal with.

OOC: The doors are open and in poor shape this is a moathouse.

Looking past the gates to the west is a Tower that still has a door.
Straight ahead is a large rubble pile that was once obviously a wall
East of it diagonally from the doors you are at is what was once a grand staircase, the gates at the top of which are shattered.
There are along the northern all what appears to be 3 window slits, however they are to small for a man to get through being a bare eight inches wide, they aren't even large enough to shoot a bow through you think.
Another series of three window slits are along the eastern wall.

OOC: Apparently I don't know what a moathouse is then. Lol.

Albrecht looked around and, not seeing any immediate signs of life or danger, continued forward. He will try the closed door to see if it's locked, then look to the others. "I think we should clear this door before climbing the stairs," he commented, but would do whatever the rest of them wanted.

Velox nodded and followed Albrecht. He had his flail at the ready should an ambush happen, he wouldn't let himself be caught unprepared.

As he walked, he began prayers to Trithereon to reveal any evil about him.

OOC: I'll use Detect Evil to see if there are any evil aura's about.

Elmo was looking at the ground as the others went towards the tower. Elmo adds "There are footprints towards the stairs maybe day or two old."

Albrecht tries the door, it is unlocked.

Velox is detecting evil

Velox whispered to Albrecht and the others, "Something about this place is wrong. There is considerable evil here. But nothing obviously evil in this room or at these doors."

Albrecht nodded at the cleric, opening the door to see what was beyond.

Albrecht opens the door and discovers that the upper portion of the tower has collapsed. The tower is thus very dark even though it is daylight as there are no functioning windows or arrow slits left.

Please make Spot checks :)

Velox had never been a good spotter. He was far better at reacting after the fact.

OOC: 08:55, Today: Velox rolled 9 using 1d20.  Spot.

Albrecht, on the other hand, was pretty good at spotting things. Normally, anyway. Maybe he was distracted by the lack of light...

09:45, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Spot.

OOC: I swore Elmo and Furnok posted before but I guess I didn't do it.

Elmo points to some husks on the floor and goo. "That's the sign of a giant spider." he says.

Furnok points above the pile of rubble informing the party "Right there he is, you can just barely make him out he's hid good. He'll no doubt drop down if we enter."

Albrecht looks at Velox with a sigh. "Do you have any protective magics you can use? I can enter and draw the spider's ire, but I would prefer to do it with some sort of protection if it's available," he asked, drawing his axe.

Velox quickly and quietly whispered, "I can heal you and I can make a mist that will obscure our passage form, but something tells me that Spider will see right through it. I can come with you into the fray. I'm a  bit better with my flail than with my javelins. Though I'm regretting that we didn't get better armor on loan before we left Hommlet..."

OOC: So are you leading the way Albrecht or do you want me to?

"Elmo can lead if you need him to" says Elmo swaying slightly back and forth. "Elmo not afraid of spiders."

OOC: Sorry, I thought I posted again. My bad.

Albrecht slowly enters the room, watching the spider and getting ready to dodge it's attack.

OOC: Declare Dodge on the spider, initiate Island of Blades stance (All adjacent allies gain flanking bonus), Ready Attack to swing at spider as soon as it gets in range.

Initiative:

03:55, Today: DM, on behalf of Elmo, rolled 19 using 1d20+3.
03:55, Today: DM, on behalf of Furnok, rolled 15 using 1d20+8.  Initiative.
03:54, Today: DM, on behalf of Monstrous Spider, rolled 11 using 1d20+3.
03:54, Today: DM, on behalf of Velox, rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
03:52, Today: DM, on behalf of Albrecht Delmorn, rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.



Elmo is waiting for Albrecht to enter tower
Furnok is waiting for Albrecht to enter tower
Spider is waiting for someone to enter his domain
Velox is waiting for Albrecht to enter tower
Albrect enters the tower

Spider drops down to attack Albrecht, Albrecht takes 5 points of damage.
04:06, Today: DM, on behalf of Albrecht Delmorn, rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Poison Saving Throw.

Albrecht still has his standard action he's only used his move action.

Albrecht easily absorbs the worst of the toxins through his skin, and retaliates with a blur of strikes, designed to confuse the target. It works well enough, a devastating blow landing from his great axe into the spider.

Using Shadow Blade Technique (two rolls, if you use the lower it adds cold damage; I obviously didn't) with Power Attack, for 18 damage.

16:10, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 10,23 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Shadow Blade Technique plus Power Attack -2.

16:10, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 18 using 1d12+8.  Damage.

Seeing Albrecht under assault, Velox steps in and lashes out with his flail at the giant spider.

OOC:
22:05, Today: Velox rolled 13 using 1d10+4.  Damage.
22:05, Today: Velox rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Flail to hit.

Albrecht's blow cuts two of the spider's legs off and it's not looking to good. Velox finishes it off.

Seeing the spider is dead, Velox looks about for more enemies or for any sign of former prey. His mind is racing with thoughts of the poor Aspirant...

OOC: 08:56, Today: Velox rolled 14 using 1d20.  Spot.

Apparently way more focused after the brief combat, Albrecht looks around as well. "That went better than expected," he admitted.

10:06, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Spot.

While searching you find amidst the rubbish 71 cp and 38 sp, and an ivory box about the size of a large book.

You do not find evidence of the Aspirant. If she perished it was not by the Spider you think but something else.

Albrecht will attempt to open the box, assuming it has a lid of some sort.

You open the lid but there appears to be nothing inside. Still the ivory box is ornate, it probably has some value.

In reply to DM (msg # 167):

While Albrecht examines the box, Velox looks about the area trying to figure out where they should head next.

OOC: any additional details avout the area?

"I wish this box had a lock, or perhaps if I had one, I could store our community gold in it. Oh well. When we get back to town, we can try to find its owner, or sell it if we can't," he commented, slipping the box and the coins into his pack with the rest of their gold. He joined Velox looking around the rest of the room.

The tower is in ruins, the upper floors collapsed long ago. If there was an egress from here to the rest of the moathouse other than the door you just took it has long been covered in rubble.

This might make a nice place to hide out and rest if you can't get out of the moathouse entirely. After all if the bandits are here they probably know about the spider or they'd have used this spot to watch folks coming up the path you took. As such they probably wouldn't look for intruders here.

"Shall we continue? I was stung, but not badly, and the venom was ineffective thankfully," he asked the others, informing them about his injury.

Velox nods, "Yes we should carry on. Would you care for a healing touch? I can help you now far more easily than I can should you be stung a few more times."

"It's up to you, but I suppose we might as well go ahead and do it. There's no point risking further injuries when you can heal me now," Albrecht responded before continuing to look about the moathouse once the healing was taken care of.

Velox nodded in agreement and prayed briefly. A second later a wash of bright energy emerged as he touched Albrecht and the man was healed.

"We should move on now." He said as he pushed forward

OOC: That should be good. Let's keep on keeping on!
20:00, Today: Velox rolled 9 using 1d8+2.  CLW.

Where you planning to go up the main steps now?

OOC: I think that's all that's left in here, isn't it? If yes, then affirmative. If not, it might change.

It's the only direction you see that you could go.

I'll update more when I get home or tomorrow, stuck at work this morning can't really check the map but pretty sure other than going back over the drawbridge and circling the ruins it's the only way in from this vantage :)

Then if Velox agrees, that's what we'll do.

Yep. All good here.

This staircase leads to the house portion of the fortress. A careful examination of these steps reveals that some traffic (human, animal, and perhaps otherwise) comes this way. The doors at the head of the stairs are broken—one flat on the floor, the other sundered.

Velox motions toward the doorway to the house, he's ready to go inside.

Albrecht turns to the others, and in hushed tones he asks them, "Are any of you skilled as stealth? There might be bandits in there." If he had to, he would try, but he wasn't the best at it.

"I might know a thing or to about slipping out the back without being noticed." Furnok offers "I can scout ahead if you like."

"Elmo can scout ahead if you like, Elmo is a trained hunter and thus trained in moving quietly." Elmo says.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Wed 21 Mar 2018.

Furnok turns to the burly Elmo "Well seems we've found our man if no one objects Elmo here can check ahead. He's got the build for it and the feet it seems."

In reply to Furnok (msg # 185):

Velox nods and steps aside to let Elmo take the lead.

Elmo nods and moves through the doorway with his axe ready at hand and moving all about. After a brief moment he motions you into the once great hall. This was once a great audience chamber, as shown by the tattered banners and tapestries on the walls, destroyed furniture, and heaps of rotting cloth thrown into corners. Once richly appointed, it has been thoroughly searched, sacked, and despoiled. Leaves and dirt cover the floor, and cobwebs hang from walls and the ceiling above. Looking up, you see that pieces of beams and chunks of stone poke through, indicating that the upper stories of the place are totally destroyed and likely to be impassable to anything larger than a rat. In the middle of the western wall and southern wall are hallways, there is a door in the NE corner of the north wall.

Elmo staying quiet points to the three directions that you can go as if asking which way he should go first. He seems to have sobered up in a hurry, perhaps he isn't the town drunk folks think he is.

Albrecht looks at Velox and shrugs, as if saying he didn't know which way to have Elmo go. "We can search the door if he goes down one of the hallways," he whispers to the cleric.

OOC: Which side of the room are we on?

You've entered through the southwest corner.

Velox lowers his head for a brief moment and then points to the right. He's got his flail at the ready should anything ambush them.

Going to the right means going along the southern wall and down it's hallway. The first feature you notice is a set of stairs to the left as you enter the hallway that would lead upstairs. The stairs have considerable rubble on them and it appears from what you can see that the entire upper level is collapsed. You note that you could make it up to a landing but past that would be impossible.

There are two doors on the right of the hallway and a door on the left besides the stairway. It appears that the hallway will open up into another room at it's end.

Which way do you go?

Albrecht approaches whichever door is closest and listens for any movement within. If there is nothing, he will continue to the next until they are all either cleared or he hears something.

03:06, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Listen.

Feel free to roll any further checks if they are needed.

Albrecht listens to each of the three doors and detects no noise behind them. Does he continue into the room at the end of the hallway, it has no door.

Motioning Elmo to move forward, Albrecht continues to be conscientious of noises.

Elmo with his smile so broad comes down the hallway "Where you need Elmo?" he asks.

"Go see what's down that hallway. If there's nothing, we can start clearing these rooms," the young man replied quietly.

"Okay" Elmo says and quietly moves down the hallway into the other room.

To be continued when I get home :)

As Elmo enters the room something out of the shadows strikes at him in a whiplike fashion. Elmo catches the mouth of the critter with his shield keeping it from hurting him.

Elmo calls back "It's an adder, a big one"

Initiative rolls please :)

OOC: Just posting this before I go to bed. Actions will come later.

09:56, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 18 using 1d20+2.  Initiative .

Rough week. Sorry.

OOC: 07:00, Today: Velox rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

It's okay I've not felt to good this week.

Looks like Albrecht is up first :)

Albrecht charges the snake, bringing his axe to bare with a fiery streak behind it.

Charge attack plus Burning Blade, hits AC 22 for 24 (ouch!) damage.

12:29, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Charge + Burning Blade with PA -2.

12:30, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 20,4 using 1d12+8,1d6+2.

Albrecht slays the Giant Adder with one hit :)

In reply to DM (msg # 203):

Velox nods in approval to Albrecht, that was quite the hit...

OOC: what is albrecht?

Albrecht looks a little surprised himself, after his earlier failings with the giant spiders, he has been doing much better with his greataxe. "I would assume nobody is living here, if these giant animals are still around. Perhaps we should clear the rest of the rooms after searching for any remains left behind by the adder," he comments.

OOC: Fighter/Swordsage 2. Probably going to go into Cleric for DMM next level. A Large sized Swordsage with a Huge sized greataxe (Monkey Grip, couldn't afford the Large axe to start with though) is going to be doing insane amounts of damage. Not to mention Reach with Stand Still, keeping anything Medium sized or smaller out of melee range... ;)
This message was last edited by the player at 12:36, Sun 01 Apr 2018.

OOC: Very nice. I feel like I've underpowered Velox a bit, but I'm good with that :). I am excited about what a Paladin with a full complement of spells can do...

"I agree. I doubt our aspirant was able to survive with these beasts on the loose..." Velox began to search the room for any clues or signs of other creatures.

OOC: You'll catch up eventually. The full BAB progression alone is going to beat mine soon, unless I stay the course with Fighter for awhile longer, since SS only gets 3/4.

"I'm no good at searching for items, could the rest of you look while I investigate one of these rooms?" Albrecht asked, heading to the closest door and slowly pushing it open. He would wait until anyone who didn't feel like looking came with him and was ready.

OOC: Just for future reference, unless I change it, Albrecht will always be in the Island of Blades stance. Should I indicate his stance somewhere so we don't forget? Maybe in his Prepared Maneuvers post?

Well give me a moment I'll have a look about.

After just a few seconds he points to an unsightly pile "Well that doesn't look to good, snake droppings. Looks like a bit of leather mixed in with them that wasn't digested." He holds up his nose a pit, "Stinks a bit." he picks up a bit of rubbish and pushes it about revealing a short sword. "Isn't our Aspirant though, Aspirants' wouldn't use a short sword. So someone else has been luring around."

Elmo comes to what Furnok found and looks it over "Fairly recent a few days no more than that since the adder expelled this but as Furnok says a druid would not normally use a short sword, they prefer cruder weapons generally."

Velox nodded, "Yeah, I'd expect a quarterstaff or something similar instead. That's good. For now..."

Velox looked around as well but it was clear he was distracted by the thoughts of the aspirant. "Let's move on, what's next?"

Elmo and Furnok freeze and then you to hear the voices coming back from whence you came. A number of voices and the movement of feet. They do not seem to be headed this way but rather headed towards the way you entered. They are not distinct enough to you to make out the words but it's clearly a group of men not animals or beasts. You think there are around a half dozen of them.

Albrecht leans his back against the wall next to the hallway entrance and prepares his axe in case they're bandits.

In the room with the giant adder there are two window holes that would look onto the courtyard where you first visited after passing the drawbridge. :)

In reply to DM (msg # 213):

Velox moved to a window and took a quick peek outside.

Albrecht follows suit after misreading the DM's post, taking whichever window was left.

Looking out you see a band of men, one in chain the rest in leather or studded leather heading towards the drawbridge. They are armed with a variety of melee and missile weapons though their principle missile weapon seems to be a crossbow. They seem to be moving at a double time movement as though they are on a mission. They do not seem to notice you.

OOC: Do we recognize them? Are they close enough for us to see faces?

No good looks at their faces but you don't think they are townsfolk, you don't believe you've seen them before.

Velox looks to Albrecht and says, "Looks like trouble is coming for us. Let's attack them from behind. It will be the last thing they expect."

OOC: Post edited. Sorry I misunderstood that one.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Mon 02 Apr 2018.

"Its a shame we don't have any long-range weapons, or we could pick them off from here... We should surround them. Two meet them in front, two behind. Velox, you take Elmo, I'll take Furnok. Do you want front or back? Or we could funnel them into these hallways. They're pretty narrow after all," he commented, looking to the others to see their thoughts.

Velox nodded and said, "I don't like the idea of splitting up, there's just so few of us. But we can give it a go. Elmo, what do you say we take the front. I'll heal any wounds we receive in the fray."

He readied his javelin. He'd start with that and then switch to his flail.

OOC: I could also do something with Obscuring Mist, but that could backfire easily...

"I'm open to ideas. If you don't want to split up, then we don't have to," Albrecht responded, holding his axe at the ready as they planned their strategy.

Furnok takes a peek

"Not sure how you plan to get in front and behind them. Looks like they are headed out of the moathouse. We'd have to move faster than they are to flank them, and they are more familiar with the terrain." he comments. "Perhaps while they are gone we should see what they left behind?"

Elmo responds to the question from Velox "Well sure I can do that if you think that would be best. I wonder where they are off to in such a hurry."

OOC: Note that the men are doing double moves in game terms. They are to the Moathouse gates now.

"They do seem to be in quite a hurry... Perhaps we can set some traps for when they return? They will likely be back eventually, bandits tend to find a spot to hole up and stay there until they are ousted," Albrecht responded with a nod, looking around the room for anything that may be useful later.

OOC: Was there anything else on the dead body that wasn't digested?

Well taking time to search the room you find a jeweled dagger in what is most likely the adder's former nest. It is not associated with the remains you discovered though as far as you can tell since they are in different locations.

Velox eyed the dagger but such gaudiness was likely not for him. "Albrecht, why don't you hold onto that. Traps would be good, but should we instead give chase? They might know more about our Aspirant friend. Oh wait, maybe they have her captured and bound in their lair, should we investigate where they came from and see if I'm right?"

Albrecht nodded and looked over the dagger briefly. "We should take the time while they're gone to investigate the rest of this place. Perhaps we can have one of us keep watch so we don't get surprised when they return? Or set up some sort of alarm they will trip when they get here, but then they'll know we're here, too..." he thought out loud, looking at the blade in his hands again. "Are you able to detect magical items? This dagger may be magical," he asked.

Furnok volunteers to keep watch "I'll be happy to keep watch for them if you like, I can stay by the main gate and come warn you if I see them. Course that means I won't be able to help in here, I hope that doesn't mean I'll lose my share of any treasure."

"Elmo stay with you and keep you save" the town drunk says "Wouldn't look good for Elmo if you didn't come back safe and sound."

Velox nodded and said, "Look, I think Albrecht meant that we could set up some sort of alarm that would warn us when the bandits were on their way back. I really don't like the idea of leaving you two to watch while we explore, especially not after those last two battles we had."

He looked to Albrecht, "Unless I'm wrong and you think we can explore further on our own?"

He paused and then went pale and said, "You don't think... No, surely not... You don't think that the others somehow tripped some alarm that the bandits set, do you? It's about midday, so they could be nearby by now, assuming they left town this morning. If they did, and those bandits are going out to ambush them, wouldn't it be better to ambush the ambushers?"

OOC: I hope that wasn't too meta...

"Elmo not staying to watch, Elmo going with you." Elmo clarifies.

He shrugs on the other question.

Elmo looking outside points out small wisps of smoke "They could be investigating whoever has made a fire."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:33, Wed 04 Apr 2018.

OOC: Is the smoke in the direction of town?

You don't think at town, it's to small for a building or something to be on fire, just probably a campfire. It is back the way you came, perhaps near the frog pond.

OOC: Perfect, I was trying to figure out if it was between us and town, as in is it the group that was supposed to follow us?

"Let's follow them then, to make sure they don't attack a group of defenseless travelers," Albrecht responded, nodding to himself as he headed towards the exit.

"Absolutely!" Velox said and readied a Javelin as they exited, ready to throw as soon as the bandits were in range.

Are you guys doing a double move like the 'bandits' are or do you choose to move more slowly and use stealth?

I would like to hang back enough that we can easily catch up to them, but not too close that they can see us. If possible.

Sounds like a plan to me. Not very stealthy.

Okay you are following the bandits at a suitable gap :)

Can we tell how many there are? Or what direction they're going exactly?

Yep, they are 7 of them, they are following the path you took from the frogpond up to the drawbridge towards the moathouse.

They are approaching the drawbridge at this time, and no one on the other team has rolled higher than a 4 for their listen checks :(.

They are now clearly setting up to attack someone crossing the drawbridge. You see the crossbowman preparing.

However even though they have surprise on the other party, you have surprise on them, so you can act first. It is probably fortunate that you do.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:16, Mon 09 Apr 2018.

Albrecht looks over at Velox with a smile on his face, drawing his axe and charging the nearest bandit in much the same way he attacked the adder earlier. Of course, this time, he missed. "Watch yourselves!" he shouts to whoever is about to be attacked. Hopefully the others had better luck...

OOC: Unless of course you decide I can use a maneuver as a charge attack, which I've done some research on and can't really seem to find a definitive answer about... lol but it's up to you.

08:35, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 9 using 1d20+6.  Charge + Burning Blade with PA -2.

"Incoming!" Velox cries out as he charges in attacking the closest man with a crossbow with his heavy flail.

OOC:
08:46, Today: Velox rolled 14 using 1d10+4.  Damage.
08:46, Today: Velox rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  Charge Flail.

Albrecht misses his intended foe, however Velox kills the bandit he chose to attack.

OOC: For now we'll say no maneuvers while moving but I'll try to review that and see if that's appropriate or not :)

Elmo charges a bandit with a crossbow, one that Albrecht and Velox did not attack.

Elmo's attack fells another of the crossbowman.

Furnok who you had lost sight of for a moment seems to appear out of no where next to the man dressed in chain and shield with a spear (he's the best equipped of the bandits). Furnok's blade though fails to penetrate the armor of the bandit.

Everyone needs to roll initiative

Also once they know its you we'll move to their thread for the combat, although with 2 bandits already dead won't be much I don't think.

In reply to DM (msg # 251):

06:19, Today: Velox rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

09:25, Today: Albrecht Delmorn rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Initiative .

In reply to Albrecht Delmorn (msg # 253):

Nice, do we get another round?

Well everyone is kinda going in the same round, I'm working on me a battlechart :)

Please Report to the other thread :)

Once again, a group of adventurers is heading to the Moathouse. Ingrith accompanies you just to the start of the old road and then she heads off in a different direction.

It's only about an hour past dawn; the day looks to be bright and sunny.

The old road is only partially overgrown, so easily found and followed. It's wide enough that two people can walk side by side.

As Agustae, Branx, Gora, Grayson, and Lowrra head out of the village, you can decide what your 'marching order' is.

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 257):

Taking the Vanguard, Gora takes out her Ahnk and says a little prayer, piously holding her Ahnk as she trudges along.

Happy to feel the sunshine on her smiling face, Lowrra walked with the others.
She would happily be anywhere in the group, but since she is somewhat knowledgeable in the ways of nature and tracking, she'd volunteer to walk beside Gora if no one else insisting upon doing so.

In reply to Lowrra (msg # 259):

"Lady Lowrra it would behoove your chances to survive if you stood a little to the rear of someone better armoured than yourself. You may have better vitality than I but if I am harder to hit? If we see some foe in the distance I can merely kneel so that you can shoot them over my head... or I could stand to one side."

Looking to see if Lowrra does in fact have a missile weapon and letting the others judge where they want to be in the procession.

Brankx, whistling as he walked, stayed at the back of the group, not for the reason of shorter legs than the rest, but to watch their backs. He doubted any trouble would sneak up on them at this stage, but he wasn't going to take any risks.

"It would be sure pressed if we found trouble already....make things interestin, but let's wait a bit."

The dwarf took out a throwing axe, and twirled it in his hand. "Out here he can take lead Gora. in the buildings with more caution...then maybe I'll lead then."

Lowrra frowned in disappointment, but nodded
"We Ley Druids are well trained in avoiding and resisting attack, but if you feel it's best i can stay in the middle. "
She will fall back to the second line.  Gora would see that the Wood Elf's weapons consist of a small.club, a well made dagger, and a leather sling.

Augustae would probably have brought up the rear if Brankx hadn't taken that position. He figured the Dwarf was probably better at dealing with any surprise attacks from the rear.

So, that put Augustae in the middle.

He looked around to see where Grayson would place himself.

((OOC: I was waiting for Grayson to post, but...))


The first two hours of travel pass without incident as the group stays on the old road that would take you to the old abandoned village of Nulb if you stayed on it. But, you reach the turn off to the Moathouse long before you reach it.

Just as Gora spots the overgrown turn off to the Moathouse, she hears a sound coming from that direction. Before she identify the cause of the sound, the source of it comes into sight: hobgoblins!

There are six of them, what Gora recognizes as a patrol, coming down the road from--presumably--the Moathouse.

The noise Gora heard, muffled by the trees, was the hobgoblins movement and the rustling and rattling of their armor.

They seem as surprised to see you as you are to see them.

"Ware Hobgoblins" is Gora's only vocal warning as she prepares for conflict.  She hopes to find some non-violent friendly members of that race but she is not willing to put the lives of others in risk just on the off chance. "Friend or Foe?" she asks hopefully, fully expecting the reply to be "ARRGgg kill" or some such thing

If she has time Gora will make certain that these creatures are evil, besides using the simple basic blood frenzy test
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Mon 14 Oct 2019.

Lowrra almost smiled in excitement, but tried to keep a professional expression on her face, as befit an Adventurer.   She did, however, get her sling ready

Brankx, less thrilled to see the hobgoblins than Lowrra, strode up towards Gora's side and looksed at them angrily. "C'mon yer pee brained, goblin kissers....come taste some dwarven steel!" He stood there, legs a little appart ho.ding his throwing axe ready for movement.

Whether the hobgoblins were just startled at first, or maybe confused a bit, or maybe Brankx insult did the trick, they seem to have made a quick assessment and realize they outnumber you slightly. And so, with a blood-curdling scream (at least, it was probably intended to be), they charge forward menacingly (is there any other way?).

Roll for initiative! The hobgoblins rolled
11:16, Today: GM StarMaster rolled 4 using 1d20+2 ((2)).

Ha! Let's see you beat that!

Lowrra, seeing the mean looking hobgoblin folks rushing them, hurled a sling stone at the lead one


OOC: 15:23, Today: Lowrra rolled 3 using 1d4+2.  Damage .
15:23, Today: Lowrra rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Sling.
15:23, Today: Lowrra rolled 21 using 1d20+4.  Initiative

In reply to Brankx (msg # 267):

"Now Now Master Brankx there is no reason to assume they have pea sized brains... One should be generous to the disadvantaged, Indeed their brains could be grape sized."

Brankx couldn't help but smile as the hobgoblins advanced. His throwing axe in hand, he looked at the lead hobgoblin, and with a quick flick, threw the axe with unusual speed and accuracy of his kind, landing a solid hit.

He speaks after throwing the axe reaching for his hand axe. "Trust me....any goblin attackin' a dwarf, pea brained is overestimation"

<OOC: Brankx rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Iniative.

Brankx rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Attack - Throwing axe.
Brankx rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Damage - throwing axe.>
 

((Yikes! Where'd the time go? 'Too tired tonight; I'll get to it tomorrow' is a very dangerous concept!

Gora, not sure what you mean by different rules. To the best of my knowledge, this game is using the 3.5 rules (since the Return to the Temple was updated to 3.5),  in which case, Initiative is 1d20 + Dex mod + other mods.))


Obviously, the group all reacts before the hobgoblins.

Lowrra's sling attack easily hits the lead hobgoblin, but the damage doesn't even slow him down.

Brankx's thrown ax attack also hits the lead hobgoblin, and while it doesn't do any more damage than Lowrra's sling, the impact does slightly stagger the hobgoblin so that he misses a step... but charges on.

Everyone will get another range attack before the hobgoblins reach you next round.

As he was bringing up the rear anyway, he didn't quite react to the hobgoblins as the rest did.

15:40, Today: Augustae Cawliga rolled 21 using 1d20+2 ((19)).

On the other hand, he reacted just as quickly.

However, not having a ranged weapon or spell, he had to wait for the hobgoblins to come to him--he wasn't foolish enough to charge them. Instead, he chose to improve his defense by casting the spell Shield and then twirled his quarterstaff to limber up.

Lowrra made an annoyed pout.  The rock hadn't worked as well as she'd hoped.  She tried again, this time really putting some "Oomph" into it.

OOC:  attack lead hobgoblin


14:47, Today: Lowrra rolled 6 using 1d4+2.  Damage .

14:47, Today: Lowrra rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Sling

<OOC: my apologies guys....I thought I posted >

Brankx, smiling with satisfaction as his axe hit, reached around his back and in a fluid movement, threw another throwing axe at the hobgoblins.

<OOC: Brankx rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Attack - Throwing axe.
Brankx rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Damage - Throwing axe.>

Both Lowrra and Brankx hit the lead hobgoblin, and while the double attack knocks him down, it doesn't appear to kill him as he is still moving.

Seeing their leader go down, the other hobgoblins pause in their rush as they first try to determine what's happened to their leader and then reassess the 'enemy'.

Having.such a gokd time, Lowrra slung another stone at the closest hobgoblin to the leader, though this one was a bit rushed

OOC: 03:12, Today: Lowrra rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Sling

Brankx, Seeing the lead hobgoblin fall, removed an axe from his hip, this time a hand axe used for Melee fighting, and moves to flank the hobgoblins to best utilise his skills. While he moves, he mutters in the dwarven language.

Once the hobgoblins charged and were subsequently stalled by the others' attack, they were now within Augustae's striking range. He estimated them to be about 20 feet away now, so he only had to step forward 5 feet before casting his Color Spray spell.

He manages to get it off before Brankx rushes past him and his step allowed the spray to avoid Gora.

((OOC: Bleh. November was a rough month for me. And I was waiting to see what Gora and Grayson were going to do...))


Lowrra's next stone misses.

Brankx moves forward, readies his hand axe and casts a spell on it, but he won't get a chance to attack this round.

Augustae's spell manages to strike 5 of the 6 hobgoblins.

14:24, Today: GM StarMaster rolled 21,9,20,21,18 using 1d20+1,1d20+1,1d20+1,1d20+1,1d20+1 ((20,8,19,20,17)).

Four of them manage to save against the spell and are only stunned, while the fifth one slumps to the ground unconscious.

The aggressive nature of the party seems to have confused the hobgoblins. Apparently, they were expecting the group to turn and flee screaming! Instead, of course, they (sort of) charged back. The spell further concerns them. They clearly weren't expecting a spell-caster in the group.

However, the leader merely backs up a step to reassess the situation.

Lowrra changed tactics, and slipped into a deep meditation as she attuned herself with The Natural Order
"Brothers and Sisters of the Green....Rise up to aid me!!"
She focused her will on the leader and those around him

OOC: casts Entangle on the leader and those around him

Brankx, seeing the hesitation of the hobgoblins, smiled and spoke.

"Thats a first....a smart hobgoblin. Ye take one step and i'll cut ye hair at ye neck" he twirled the hand axe and crouched a little.

09:51, Today: GM StarMaster rolled 14,5,3,22,8 using 1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2 ((12,3,1,20,6)). Hobgoblins REF saves vs. Entangle.

Lowrra's Entangle spell easily ensnares four of the remaining hobgoblins that were still standing, as well as the unconscious one. Only one, the one at the rear, managed to jump back quickly enough and far enough to escape the entangling weeds.

The grass was already rather tall; it's gotten taller and thicker... enough to handicap the hobgoblins from using their longbows. Which they are now trying to do while at the same time trying to extract themselves from the entangling grasses.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:15, Sat 07 Dec 2019.

With her long sword in hand, Gora strode forward to get within melee distance of the hobgoblins.

While the leader was struggling to get free of the entanglement, she stuck her sword against the leader's chest.

"Surrender or die!" she told the leader in a forceful tone.

She then used her Detect Evil ability to see if the leader was evil.

On the one hand, it wouldn't be honorable to just kill him outright without giving him a chance to defend himself. On the other hand, if he was evil... well, Life was sacred to her, but as her teachers had taught her, one life that's inimical to all other life isn't really life at all--it's more like anti-life.

Brankx, seeing the spell take full effect, walks up and snorts, looking at Lowrra. "Ye be effective girl, but yye take some of th' fun outa beating this pig nosed orc kissers."

He watches Gora issue the warning, and walking up to two of the entangled ones, and looks at the free one. "Ye want ye kin to die, then move a little.  Drop ye weapons and i'll hold me hand"

In reply to Brankx (msg # 285):

Lowrra grinned at the dwarf
"Now, now, my friend.   We've had our fun.   Now let's let the forest have some.  I'm sure it wants a chance at those miscreants as well"

She loaded her sling again, but held her shot, for now

The one free hobgoblin turns around and flees! He's had enough of this group!

Gora does, indeed, find out that the hobgoblin leader is evil.

The two that Brankx threatens readily drop their weapons and surrender.

Lowrra looked at the others
"Shall we pursue, or let the forest have him?"

Brankx, snorting, looks at the others. "Not nearly as much fun as I thought it would be.....didn't even put up a real fight." He twirled his hand axes, and retrieved his throwing axes, all the while looking at the hobgoblins who surrendered.

"...and what o' these ones?"

"Unless you got some way to change their attitude," Gora answers, "then we must kill them. They cannot be allowed to roam the countryside attacking and killing others."

She's really not keen on killing them outright, but she doesn't feel she has any other option. Unless...

"We could take their pledge not to harm anyone else, with death as the penalty if they break it. Intimidation won't last once they are out of sight, though."

Brankx snorts at Gora. "Leopards don't change their spots girlie....these pigs won't either." Brankx didn't like killing things that have surrendered, but they would gladly kill them all in a heartbeat.


....He would kill every last one to stay safe

...? tmnt

((OOC: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? tmnt? Only thing I know. Adolescent Radioactive Blackbelt Hamsters is good, too.

So, are you still with us, Gora?))

He couldn't quite decide what his attitude was toward the hobgoblins. In battle, of course, it was them or him. This wasn't going to be battle, though... just plain slaughter.

He didn't have any problem with people slaughtering animals for food, even if it wasn't something he thought he could do, but he enjoyed a good roast as much as the next person.

The hobgoblins were evil. It was their nature. He was aware that powerful magic could change their alignment, but he wasn't sure if that would last. He was pretty sure you couldn't change them just by being nice to them.

"If we're voting on it," Augie speaks up, "I vote we kill them. We cannot let them loose to attack, rob, rape and kill other people. I will not ask anyone else to do what I won't do, so I will kill one of them if that is what we decide."

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 293):

ooc Yarp still here even though I had an extended stay away in hospital for a debridement.   

"All evil is bad and must be punished correctly.  Disposal is the only correct means, in most cases."

Lowrra shrugged, and hurled a slingstone at one of the trapped hobgoblins.
OOC:15:58, Today: Lowrra rolled 5 using 1d4+2.  sling damage.

15:58, Today: Lowrra rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  sling.

With the decision made to kill the hobgoblins, they are easily dispatched while they are trapped or unconscious (in the case of one of them).

Just leaving them there in the middle of the road doesn't seem right, so once all their gear is removed, you drag them off into the woods a bit.

In the aftermath of the battle, you have to recall your first impressions and re-evaluate the situation. Checking the ground would seem to confirm that the hobgoblins came from the right, which is the road/trail that leads to ruins of the moathouse. Presumably they were then going to turn right and head farther up the trail you were on... until they spotted you.

The battle was short, there wasn't much yelling and shouting, and even the sounds of weapons clashing was minimal, so it's a good bet that no one else that might be in the area is aware of what transpired.

The druid smiled
"That was lovely!  What fun!  Shall we continue?"

It was one of Augie's problems with adventuring--sometimes it was necessary to kill. Although he'd heard gruesome tales of what evil creatures could do, even some tales of what good people could do, he'd never experienced any of it firsthand. So, while he hated the killing, even the necessity for killing, and he knew it had to be done, he still found it hard... and sad.

If you were out in the woods and were attacked by a bear, it was probably because you were invading its territory, threatening its young, or else it was hungry. Hobgoblins, on the other hand, were just plain mean and ornery. You didn't have to invade their territory--they'd invade yours!

"What do you suppose they were doing out here? Maybe they set up a lair in the old moathouse," he suggested to the others.

"So there could be more, right?"

Brankx Shrugged at the groups decision, a little surprised by some of them, and when the decision was made, his axe was the first to fall without a flinch.

With the grizzly work done, he helped move the bodies, and gathered all the gear in a pile. "Maybe they were hedin' to the moathouse to set up, maybe to meat someone.  When we get closer, i'll look closer"

<OOC: What gear did they have?>

Lowrra would help sorting gear.  She had no problem handling dead bodies

The hobgoblins were wearing crude but effective studded leather armor that smells. They wielded long swords and steel shields, carried a long bow with a quiver of arrows, and had a belt with pouch on it. The leader's belt was the only one that had any quality, and his belt pouch had the most coins. In total, there's 7gp, 36sp and 18cp.

The leader also had an amulet around his neck. It was under his armor and shirt.

Brankx gathered up the gear, gathering and tying up the swords, bows and arrows. He stacked the shields as best he could and separated them among the group to carry. "If we take these to th tower, we can have an armory, and if all else we can sell 'em later."

He gathered up all the coin in one pouch, to separate later, and grabbing the medallion, shrugs and pickets that too.

<OOC: unless anyone thinks otherwise, i think we take most of the gear (Leave the crude armor), and take it to the tower.  Having extra weapons in a basecamp can be handy, and if they aren't used by anyone we can sell them later and get other approparate gear.


What does everyone think?>

"Sounds reasonable," Augie replied, "but I can't help wondering how many times we may have to rinse and repeat."

"If we go back and then return, might we not find another bunch of hobgoblins again?"

"Besides, having a lot of weapons is only useful if you have a lot of people to wield them. Not that the arrows might not be useful, as you can always run out of them. Or weapons breaking."

"I'm thinking we should just hide them in the brush and continue on... at least to try and figure out where the hobgoblins were coming from. Did they come from the old moathouse? Have they set up a camp there? Or were they just passing through? Does this trail lead anywhere else?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Mon 27 Jan 2020.

Lowrra smiled
"Excellent!  Let us continue onward, my friends!  More fun awaits!"

"Is not our mission to head to the moathouse?"

OOC as is indicated by this Threads title.

The dwarf, piling up the gear, nods. "Yeah. We get this gear, pile it at th' moathouse and make a base o' operations there."

The ley druid nodded in agreement to both the dwarf and half orc
"I'll wager you're correct, my friend.   The moathouse seems like a prime destination for all of us"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Tue 28 Jan 2020.

"shall we push on or wait for a sign from the Gods?  Either case suits me."

Lowrra gasped with excitement
"Can you get a sign from the gods???   I was just going to say we walk there, but if you can get a sign of the gods, I'd love to see that!"
She clapped her hands, giddy with excitement

Brankx rolled his eyes at the women. "Damn me Gora....do ye need a sign from th' gods to take a crap too? Lets just go before dark."

He shouldered his pack and looked at lower with a shake of her head. "...and if I didn't already know ye lass I'd swear that was a joke. unfortunately I know it wasn't "

He began walking, muttering to himself and shaking his head

"I suppose that'll work, too," Augie concurred albeit a bit reluctantly.

If there were more hobgoblins already encamped at the moathouse, then it'd wind up being a 'king of the hill' contest. The winner might very well be determined by how many hobgoblins were there.

"Just a thought, but... I think we should expect to find more hobgoblins at the moathouse. You'll notice that there isn't any miscellaneous gear with them. No bedrolls, no rations, no pack. I think this group may have been a scouting party."

He wasn't trying to get them to change their minds, but they seemed just a bit too eager to charge into danger just for the 'fun' of it.

The side path off the road is about two miles long so it takes about 45 minutes to reach the moathouse. On the alert, you spot nothing else until you reach the moathouse.

By the time it comes in sight, Lowrra has begun to sense a difference in the surroundings. She finally realizes that it's the sound. The sound of birds and insects and animals seems to have diminished considerably.

The moathouse was once a small manor house with a walled courtyard and four corner towers. A moat was dug around it; the moat is still there, still filled with water. The surrounding area to the north, east and south has become a mix of marsh and swamp, which would appear to be the source of the water that keeps the moat filled, though it also appears to be fed from a stream that comes from the north.

The path passes in front of the moathouse to reach the gate and drawbridge on the northeast corner of the keep.

The moathouse is clearly in ruins. Down the west side towards the back, probably where the manor house was, you can see a pile of rubble that once might have been the manor. You could probably climb it to get into the keep if you had to. However, the wall next to the front corner tower also has a breach in it, which might be easier to climb through.

But, the drawbridge is down, and one half of the gate doors is open while the other half is laying on the ground, partly in the water.

This is what you can observe from path before it enters the clearing in the center of which sits the moathouse. It's about 200 feet to the drawbridge where the path veers to the right to meet the drawbridge.

Lowrra cocked her head as she regarded the moathouse
'There is definitely something unnatural living there'

Brankx sighs, looking at the moathouse with a shake of his head. "Talk about a fixer upper...still, got some potential."

He looks at Lowrra and simply nods, taking out his throwing axes. He looks around for the best way to approach unseen and smiles. "Wait here....if ye hear comotion, come runnin'. you don't want to miss all th' fun."

He takes his pack off and hands it to Lowrra. "Ye look after this girlie...ye lose it and Ye lose it and ye will have an upset dwarf on ye hands.."

The dwarf sneaks off to get a closer look, moving silently and staying as hidden as he can, all the while looking and listening for anything unusual

<OOC: Gonna move closer, stealth like.

Brankx rolled 21 using 1d20+4.  listen.
Brankx rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  spot.
Brankx rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  hide.
Brankx rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Move silently.>

Lowrra took the pack from the dwarf and watched uer friend with a smile, curious about what he was doing to do next

"You know, I'd almost forgotten," Augie says as Brankx sneaks off. "There was a young blue dragon living here just last week."

"Some other adventurers chased it off. It could have come back, but then the hobgoblins wouldn't have a camp here, would they?"

"Still, the area might not have recovered yet from the dragon. Animals and such are still going to stay away from the place... the dragon scent will still be all over it. Maybe that's what you're picking up, Lowrra."

In reply to Brankx (msg # 315):

Shocked beyond bearing at Brankx's obvious thievish talents without a simple attempt to conceal them.   Thus such actions of Brankx's indicates questionable outlook and as such Gora just gives up on the obvious 'Law' breaker, turns heel and walks back to town.

Pausing, Gora turns and states.  "Is there any other wanting to leave the company of, one that considers your personal items and coin purses to be their own personal domain, who are willing to join me? After all what makes such a individual think I can willingly work with those whom are 'potential' Law breakers?  Even one that is not evil... Yet."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Thu 06 Feb 2020.

Lowrra looked at Gora with confusion
"I'm sorry, Gora?  What's wrong?"

In reply to Lowrra (msg # 319):

"Lady Lowrra my apologies but I may not in all consciousness condone or interact with one who has by their own actions, revealed themselves to be a lawbreaking individual skilled in backstabbing and other such morally questionable abilities.  Shame though I do like the fellow but then the Law is the Law.  If only I had never discovered him to be thus."

ooc sorry folks a lg Paladin is an lg Paladin and as such I am playing her with an old school outlook.

Lowrra cocked her head, looking puzzled
"I mean no disrespect, of course, my friend, but you're being a bit inconsistent.    We're planning on trespassing upon property not our own any minute now, and we, no just a short time ago, murdered several hobgoblins, who probably had families, hopes and dreams.  You seem to be drawing a rather arbitrary line"

In reply to Lowrra (msg # 321):

"Lady Lowrra to defend the innocent against beings who are known to be evil and who likely as not kill there own offspring is not an inconstancy, nor is reclaiming the usurped territory of said invaders who have no legal claim too it.  Nor is it me who judges evil beings it is their own actions."

Lowrra shrugged, smiling politely
"Again, i mean no disrespect, but what 'actions' are the hobgoblins guilty of besides defending themselves from us?  And by who's authority do we invade that territory, claiming it's usurped?  You seem to be making many assumptions yourself."

<OOC: Gora is assuming I am a cutthroat thief. in reality even though he is a rogue, his skills in his clan set him as a trapfinder and tracker.  given he is only moving silently and hiding, why can't she assume he is a hunter?  But I'm not in ear shot so can't hear her.>

In reply to Lowrra (msg # 323):

Gora listens to Lady Lowrra and then replies in kind.  "I have been granted the ability to Detect Evil and as such the individuals mentioned earlier, have (which I have already stated also)... condemned themselves by their own actions and choices.  But then look on the flip side, as I am a Paladin, most evil individuals condemn me.

I do not judge the Dwarf for his nature.  Just his profession.

As to the 'building' in question? it appears that it is made by 'Humans'.  Not by Hobgoblins, then would that not be considered to be thus... Human's property? as to my making many assumptions, one can only make such on what one observes, much like you assuming that I am making 'many assumptions myself'.  After all it is with our observations and opinions that guide us to what and whom we are.

I many not be the smartest person around but I do the best I can."


In reply to Brankx (msg # 324):

OOC:  Brankx, Gora did not call Brankx a cutthroat thief. Mealy a ' 'lawbreaking individual skilled in backstabbing...' '   This was not to imply that Gora thought Brankx to be a cutthroat or murder, but that of an individual skilled in the art of Back-Stabbing and other larcenous arts.  Hey OLD SCHOOL Paladins were not even permitted to participate in ambushes.

As such with even that as a 'limitation' on adventuring etc.  Also, would it not make sense for Gora to be a 'city' raised individual that would not know much about Hunters, Rangers etc, being raised in a urban community (or more to the point, Cloistered in a Church) and thus any 'sneaking' would most likely be deemed as Thievish activities and the reason for ones 'assumptions'.  OOC END...

Dejectedly Gora, with a sad sigh, turns and shuffles back to town, dragging her feet along the dirt as the disheartening conclusion of another loss of friends have landed on her shoulders once more as salt water wells in her eyes.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:10, Fri 07 Feb 2020.

Lowrra sighed sadly and shook her head as one of her new friends condemned themselves to missing out on the fun of Adventure, then turned back to watch for Brankx

Brankx has no problem reconnoitering the Old Moathouse. Pretty much as Lowrra discovered, there are few nature sounds in the place. He neither sees no hears any indication of other hobgoblins or similar creatures.

He easily determines that the stone construction is probably of Human effort; it definitely isn't Dwarven. The areas that have collapsed appear to have done so due merely to age and a lack of maintenance. Had it been Dwarven construction, it would  have lasted much longer.

Then again, it might have been helped by magic.

He does notice some tracks that seem to lead from the manor house.

"If the moathouse has been abandoned," Augie suggested to Gora, "then they have as much right as anyone else to claim it. The real issue is whether the local lord claims the surrounding land whether the hobgoblins are... were... willing to swear fealty to him. If not, then he has the right to evict them."

"In any case, just because it was built by Humans doesn't mean it belongs to them. Someone else could have hired them to build it. Or, the Humans could have sold it to someone else, such as the hobgoblins."

"Really? You think Brankx is a lawbreaker? Have you seen him do that? Or did he say he was? Cause if that's the case, he might have just been bragging or trying to mislead you... or just pulling your leg."

"If you can detect evil, does he so detect? You don't have to tell us. But if he's not, then you should be giving him the benefit of the doubt. I appreciate your directness when it comes to confrontation, but not all of us are that... dedicated."

"My granddad used to say 'He who runs away today... lives to fight another day'. Dying foolishly doesn't seem to be a particularly wise way to live."

"Anyway... either of you have a course of action in mind?"

The dwarf moved closer to the moathouse and crouched in the grass, holding very still.  He looked with seasoned eyes at the area....the working of the bricks, the state of the house, the lack of sounds and the tracks. After a time, the dwarf got what he needed, and returned to the others as they were discussing things.

"Course of action...aren't we here to explore th' moathouse?" the dwarf shrugged, clearly a litt;le confused as he missed most of the conversation. He spoke anyway.

"Th' building itself is in rough shape....human made. If dwarves made it would have lasted longer, but still, was well made in it's time. There's nothin' here....no animals, no beasts, no monsters.  Saw some tracks leading from th' manor house, but their a day or two old."

he held his hands on his hips and looked at the others. "I think it's clear to go in and look around."

He looked at the others and felt the tension, still oblivious.

"What?"

Lowrra nodded to the dwarf, then sighed when he asked about the weird tension in the air.
"Gora said she couldn't join us in this Adventure.  She's heading back to town.  Still, we can head inside if you're ready."

Brankx was clearly taken aback by Lowrra's comments, and looked as Gora. "Ye walk all this way, kill some hobgoblins and when we arrive, ye want to run off home girl....By moradin's beard, we haven't even started havin' fun yet!"

Brankx still wasn't sure of her reason, he knew that the paladin had some issue, but continued.

"If ye haven't the stomach fer it girlie, go back to town. Shine yer armor and polish ye sword. Explain to the town why ye wouldn't help them, by th' nine hells, you can just keep walkin' if ye want. But we was asked to look around fer the saftey of them people, and damn me i'm gonna do what I can. So I ask ye this....ye gonna let something hold ye back from helpin' those people, or ye gonna run back to town and sit on ye hands while we do all th' work?"

He looks at the others with a nod. "I be ready to go in if ye are." He looks at Gora with a raised eyebrow.

<OOC: He knows she wants to leave but doesn't know it's him. He's just trying to get her upset to come along (Kinda his style.....he is a dwarf after all. He's not to subtle when he comes to mincing words)>

"It's probably the company she doesn't like," Augie responded jokingly.

"Never understood Paladins anyways."

"Since we're here, we might as well check out the moathouse."

He's not particularly keen on taking the lead, though, but he will if he has to.

Lowrra was disappointed in her large friend and her amazing footrubs, but she was pragmatic
"Very well, onto the exploration!"
She headed towards the moathouse

The three of you cross the down drawbridge and enter through the gatehouse. As you see the collapsed walls, there seems to be a sadness to the place, yet a light sense of excitement.

In spite of Brankx's scouting, there's still a slight trepidation as you stop inside the walls and survey the area.

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, nothing jumps out at you.

You can check out the left front corner tower. The outside wall has partially collapsed but the inner courtyard side is intact, as is the doorway.

The main manor house was in the opposite corner, but against the back wall and the right side wall there were structures that might have been stables and barracks or some other type of work place or living place.

"Where to first? "

Brankx, after his scouting, walks in as if the place was his own home, hands hanging off his belt. The dwarf sniffed and looked at the others.

"I think we should check th' stables first, leave th' manor until last. Th' only tracks I saw were there and i'd rather nothin' sneaking up o' us."

The druid nodded with a smile
"Sounds good "

the dwarf, satisfied with the answer, started for the stable area of the keep, his eyes and ears open for anything that may be out of the ordinary

<OOC: Brankx rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  listen roll.
Brankx rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  spot roll.

clear to say I wouldn't spot a dragon if it landed on me!
 

Lowrra walked behind the dwarf, also mindful of the sights and sounds, her ears almost twitching with excitement

OOC:.19:43, Today: Lowrra rolled 10 using 1d20+7.  Spot.
19:43, Today: Lowrra rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  Listen

While he's concerned about any potential threat there might be lurking in the shadows, he's fairly confident that Brankx and Lowrra will spot any such threats faster and better than he would.

So, he spends his effort just observing the ruins, estimating construction, stability, how long it might take to rebuild (even if it can).

Although Brankx is fairly certain that there aren't any monsters or dangerous animals lurking in the ruins of the stables, he's not totally convinced that there might not be a snake or two living in the rubble.

The walls are made of stone, but the roof was made of timbers and thatch. The thatch has all rotted away, leaving open rafters visible.

There were three stable doors, of which only the openings remain. Based on the dimensions, it's probably a good bet that each doorway leads to 2-3 stalls. Room would be tight for more horses than that.

A bit of the tower in the left corner has collapsed into that end of the stable. Otherwise, when Brankx looks into the center opening, he just sees the expected debris on the floor. The wooden walls of each stall are still (mostly) standing, but the wood is clearly rotten, completely away in some spots near the middle.

He can see that there is a door to the manor house in the far right wall. The door is closed and appears to be intact.


Lowrra heard only the wind rustling the leaves of the nearby trees and the chirping of distant birds. Sometimes, though, the silence can be deafening.


Augustus thinks the place could be rebuilt. It'd require a couple of stonemasons and some carpenters. 10,000 gold pieces should do it, and take 3-4 months depending on the availability of labor and lumber.

With the stables cleared, he walks out with a sigh. "Run down, but i'm bettin' that something is here,  Lets check th' tower, then th main hall."

Lowrra nodded and smiled

"Lead on, my friend "

The dwarf smiled and winked at the elven woman. "ye may be a litrtle quirky, but ye make me smile girlie."

The dwarf led the way

The elf grinned
"I'm glad.  'Making Dwarves Smile' was my main focus in the Druid school. "
She looked around, but was distracted by her own joke
OOC:  00:39, Today: Lowrra rolled 9 using 1d20+7.  Spot.
00:39, Today: Lowrra rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Listen

Brankx smiles despite himself, pointing at the wood elf. "Ye see Aug....she's quirky. Love that.  Little strange, but she owns it!" He walked in, his eyes and ears sharp.

<OOC: First the tower, then the main hall.

Brankx rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  search check.
Brankx rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  listen check.
Brankx rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  spot check.>

"Quirky has always worked for me," Augie responded.

"Someone once told me that Dwarves are the first ones in and the last ones out. Is that true, Brankx?"

Augie followed behind Lowrra, appreciating the view. He continued to evaluate the ruins for possible restoration and rebuilding as necessary.

"Looks like we'd have to gut the stables and rebuild them entirely, unless we don't want any horses. A simple roof would serve for any visitors' mounts. Depends on how cold it'll get."

Brankx looks staff with a smile. "Most dwarves would agree. Knew a dwarven mage that was often last, but magic users in our race is rare. We are a warrior race, and our instincts are to protect."

He smiled at the human and shrug. "As fer me, I'm a scout so though I'm in front now, it's to keep ye safe from surprises."

He looked at the stables. "Most o' the place will need supports at least. The stables will need guttin' but that will wait....the Keep and tower first. Get it dependable and then livable."

As Brankx approaches the inside crumbled wall of the tower, he can see some debris scattered about that looks like it was left by one or more animals... probably raccoons.

He can see the broken lintel to the doorway that led into the tower laying on the ground. That side of the tower is the part that collapsed.

At the opening, he can see that steps were set into the inside wall of the tower to provide access to the roof. The steps are still intact, but only half of the roof is still there... and it doesn't look that sturdy.

Again, animal debris in here, though in this case, there a couple of piles of bones in the mix.

The dwarf walks into the tower, a hand axe in hand as he moves, and crouches, picking up the bones of a small dead animal. He sniffs. "Not as bad as i thought.   gotta clean out th' place thoufgh.  Somethin' lives here..>" tossing the bones over his shoulder.

He looks up at the roof and the steps, he climbs up them as far as he safely can and looks around, then comes back down.

"Replace th' roof, some masonary work on th' wall, abnd should be good. "

He then makes his way to the main keep where the tracks were, extra alert.

Lowrra tried to identify the animal bones, but drew a blank.  She was too distracted, she supposed.
The druid looked around, also wondering how to best use the space

"If something else had been living here, I'm sure the dragon took care of it," Augie responded to Brankx's comment as he examined the bones.

"Nothing's living here now."

Heading back the other way, the group finds that there are steps set sideways against the wall of the keep as the main floor of the keep was about 3 feet higher than the dirt floor of the stables and the courtyard. This might be because there was a root cellar built under the keep... or a dungeon.

There's a landing at the top, and the closed door is in the wall to the right.

Lowrra spoke quietly
"Shall we check out that door? "

Brankx simply nods, going for the door first, determine to check the cellar last

standing there with blinking eyes Gora speaks the boundless words of wisdom of her kind "I just missed wat... huh?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:40, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

The dwarf looks over his shoulder and smiles. "You missed nothing' girlie....just some empty buildings."

"WHAAA?!" Augie jumps at Gora's sudden appearance... words, mostly.

"Oh, it's you, Gora. Where'd you come from? How'd you sneak up on us?"

Of course, Brankx probably knew she was there all along. Nice of him to say something!

"Welcome back!"
Lowrra gave the big woman a warm hug
"We're exploring!!!  I'm so glad you're here with us!"
She released the woman, smiling still

There's only the one door which clearly leads into the keep. Because of the raised level of the keep, there might possibly be a root cellar or dungeon. If so, any access/door to it would be somewhere inside.

So, going up the stairs, the door into the keep is on the righthand wall.

There are no hinges visible, indicating that they are on the other side of the door and that the door swings inward, which makes sense, since if it swung outward, it would knock anyone on the landing off.

It has a typical doorknob-style handle, tarnished silver and a bit fancy but probably only silver plated. There is no lock visible.

The door looks quite sturdy, oak with iron strapping.

Brankx does not spot any traps on the door. Or the landing, for that matter.

He cautiously tries the knob; it turns with a bit of difficulty. The door does not move. Putting a bit more effort into it, the door moves only a little bit.

Lowrra looked at.the dwarf with a smile
"Shall we all help to push it open?"

In reply to Lowrra (msg # 361):

"hows many of Dus khan fits up on da stairs to elp push da doors?"