Good day to you Daran, we come looking for advice from an experienced adventurer! Talin smiles enthusiastically We have accepted a contract fro the town master to clear out a band of orcs that have been troubling the area

Good day Daran, we've heard a bit about you from the towns folk and were hoping for your expertise either in arms or advice for handling the Orc problem around here.

Well met! I am Xander, this is Teranthvar and he is Talin. Might we break bread with you? We are new to the area and hear you know the area. A band of orcs are attacking travelers near Wyvern Tor, do you know any likely places they might hole up? Also have you heard of Echo Cave and Cragmar Castle in your travels? 

"Yeah, I've heard talk of the orcs. They've not bothered us personally here, so I can't say I paid too much attention. Let's step inside and we can have a little chat, hmm?" He leads you about thirty yards to a small house where he offers apples, cider, and a pale yellow cheese with tiny red veins running through it.

"I've faced a few orcs in my day. They're strong, fast, aggressive, and they don't go down very easy either. They like to use large weapons, sometimes crudely made, but the more fierce it looks, the better for them. They already have size and strength in their corner, so if they can use fear to enhance their advantage they will. But don't like their size fool you, their aggression lends them as much extra speed as it does extra strength."

He listens to the questions and comments that come his way before he continues, "Wyvern Tor? There are a few places I know of that orc may take for a base. It's a large hill with several caves and natural shelters." He goes on to describe them. (You'll have advantage when searching or it.)

"Cragmaw Castle is not one I'm familiar with, I'm afraid. It sounds like a goblin tribe if you ask me, but I don't know where they would have a castle. If it is goblins though, a 'castle' could be nothing more than a hill with a few piles of stones. Who knows?"

"Echo Cave though? There's a place called Wave Echo Cave where there was said to be a mine with a natural font of magic that allowed for the creation of magical weapons and armor. I can tell you the legend says it's somewhere in the area, thought to be east of here. Travelers have come through for the last few hundred years or so in search of it, but in all that time no one has found it."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Sun 05 May 2019.

Talin tucks into the food & drink that was offered This is delicious! Thank you kindly

It does not sound promising that no one has found the wave echo caves yet, do you know of anyone whop may be able to help us locate Cragmaw Castle, in what ever form it is

Thank you for your generous hospitality and sharing your knowledge of the area. How can we repay your counsel? I feel confident we can find these Orcs now. 

Daran seemed to take pride in his work with the orchard, and smiled at the compliments give to him. At the mention of repayment, he started to say something, then hesitated for a moment in thought before he spoke after all, "I don't need any form of payment for what I've given, I would gladly help anyone who wants to fight against evil. That doesn't mean I couldn't use your help, though. There's a group of mercenaries here who call themselves the Redbrands. They're too many in number, and too much younger than I, for me to fight them off myself. If you could do something about addressing that stain on this town, that would certainly be something I would appreciate. They've not bothered me personally, but they've murdered men in the town square, and the families of some of them have gone missing since."
This message was last updated by the player at 18:08, Tue 07 May 2019.

I think that’s something we would be happy to do once we have dealt with the orcs Talin looks around at the others How do you feel about that? Deal with the orcs and then return to help Daran with his problem?

A question of priority has been proposed.

Xander is smiling and participating and then he is not. His smile fades and he turns his head this way and that. After a half second of this he sighs and looks annoyed.

I just got a bad feeling, like we are missing something. The orcs, have they been killing and kidnapping like the Redbrands or just raiding and pillaging? The missing families are not normal bandit behavior. Are they selling them into slavery or something worse? I feel like we should take care of the Redbrands before they do anything to the missing families.

We heard a rumour that a boy was chased away from the forest by some Redbrands. Are you familiar with that area Daran? Might they have a hideout of some sort?

So deal with the red brands before the orcs? I feel like we maybe getting sidetracked but I’m happy to go wherever, a job is a job after all

Sorry guys. I feel like my patron is amused with something and that always makes me nervous.  Besides, if the Red Brand is killing folk here in the streets and kidnapping families from out their homes, they are a much closer threat then the orcs in in Wayvern Tor

Teranthvar listens to Daran intently, clearly recognizing that he is an honorable man and soldier. He turns to his companions and interjects.

I think the Redbrands might be the more morally pressing issue at hand, especially considering what has been happening. Perhaps Daran might be more inclined to give us information about the caves we seek if we do this good deed. I have a feeling he'll reward us if he sees we're honorable and just people who 'vanquish' evil. Maybe he knows more about the legend than he is letting on...

Ok, seems we have a consensus, let us make a move as we have been wed fed already

Maybe we should buy some provisions and check out new gear. It is probably going to get a bit hairy. I say we visit an apothecary and equipment vendor.

As you bid farewell to Daran and head back into town to prepare for your next adventure, you hear a man call out from your left, "Well would look what we have here? A group of travelers who've stumbled into town without bothering to pay their proper dues. But, no worries, there's just a small late fee to be paid on top of the normal. Only a mere seven pieces of gold."

Looking at the group, you saw that there was five of them, in total, with each but the one in front already having hands on sword hilts. The on standing off to the apparent leader's right threw in, "For each of you, that is." Two of the others laughed.

Only seven gold? My friends you are in the wrong profession! watch as a master of the mystic arts can will wealth into existence. Behold! A diamond raw and uncut from the very bowels of Mount Hotenow. See it shine and glimmer? Only Seven for each of us? surely this gem is worth at least seven platinum.  Would you be interested in taking a orc Slaying job from us? Wyvern Tor is lousy with them.

Xander will draw his wand and cast prestidigitation to conjure a diamond.


01:29, Today: Xander rolled 9 using 1d20+5 ((4)).

Talin looks around to see if they are surronded &  backs away slightly to make some room between himself, Xander and the Redbrands

Here's a physical representation of positioning as it stands right now. Xander has presented the diamond, and the mercenaries are about to respond to it (as I get some more time to post). Their expressions right now are a mix of greed and caution.


RBL - Redbrand Leader
RB# - Redbrand mercenary
XANder, TALin, TERanthvar
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:37, Wed 22 May 2019.

The leader steps up to Xander to examine the diamond. He looks at it closely, but skeptically. He moves to grab it quickly, but the stone crumbles to dust at his touch, that then dissipates into nothingness as the magic that created it faded away as well. He draws his sword and the other four follow his lead, "Keep this one alive for Glasstaff."

I've rolled initiative for everyone, to speed things up. Go ahead and post your actions for round 1

10:23, Today: Psynister rolled 21,15,16,8 using d20+2,d20+0,d20+3,d20+2.  Initiative.
10:23, Today: Psynister rolled 10 using 1d20.




RBL - Redbrand Leader
RB# - Redbrand mercenary
XANder, TALin, TERanthvar, MARic

Maric approaches at a steady pace. Once he reaches the I10 square, he halts and casts a cantrip, seemingly focusing it on the leader.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (the stem o f a plant with thorns)
Duration: Instantaneous
You create a long, vine-like whip covered in thorns that
lashes out at your command toward a creature in range.
Make a melee spell attack against the target. If the
attack hits, the creature takes 1d6 piercing damage, and
if the creature is Large or smaller, you pull the creature
up to 10 feet closer to you.

---

Xander gives a nervous chuckle.
You heard of that one huh? How about this.

Xander twirls his wand and gives a command in sylvan. He directs his will to a cluster of red band mercenaries 1 and 4

Kaima!

initiative 17 action cast sleep on 1 and 4 for 19

19:47, Today: Xander rolled 17 using 1d20+3 ((14))

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Sleep
1 enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 90 feet
Components: V S M (A pinch of fine sand, rose petals, or a cricket)
Duration: 1 minute
Classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
This spell sends creatures into a magical slumber. Roll 5d8; the total is how many hit points of creatures this spell can affect. Creatures within 20 feet of a point you choose within range are affected in ascending order of their current hit points (ignoring unconscious creatures). Starting with the creature that has the lowest current hit points, each creature affected by this spell falls unconscious until the spell ends, the sleeper takes damage, or someone uses an action to shake or slap the sleeper awake. Subtract each creature’s hit points from the total before moving on to the creature with the next lowest hit points. A creature’s hit points must be equal to or less than the remaining total for that creature to be affected. Undead and creatures immune to being charmed aren’t affected by this spell.

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Talin hang back and starts to cast Eldritch Blast at the leader, hopefully if the leader goes down quickly then the remaining bandits will run

07:56, Today: Talin rolled 6 using 1d20.  Initiative .
07:56, Today: Talin rolled 3 using 1d10.  Eldritch blast damage.
07:55, Today: Talin rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch blast to hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:57, Fri 31 May 2019.

A wood elf runs up to join the fight as soon as he sees the Redbrands going hostile. He lashed out with what looked to be a whip made of pure lightning. He lashed out at the leader's arm and gave it a tug as if to pull him over, but he did so prematurely and the lightning unraveled itself after just barely singing the man's leather bracers. Miss

Xander moves his wand and utters words in the sylvan tongue, causing a burst of pink-green powder to form a large bubble around the two northern enemies. It hovers there suspended for a moment before one of the Redbrands opens his mouth and all of the dust flies into his mouth and lungs before the man falls over unconscious. R4 falls asleep

Talin sends a blast of energy flying at the mercenary leader, but he bats it aside with the flat of the blade as though it were nothing. The look on his face showed that he had impressed even himself, but luck was with him that time. (miss)

RBLeader takes two vicious swings at Xander. The first sails over the elf's head while the second gets caught up in his armor but penetrates no flesh. (2 misses)
RB 1 plays follow the leader and moves in on Xander. The first strike lands solidly against his ribs (-5 hp), likely to bruise but it didn't cut. The second blow was parried by Xander's wand. (miss)
RB 2 follows as well, but neither of his swings managed to land against the nimble elf. (miss x2)
RB 3 rushes Terenthvar, cuts the half-elf high on his thigh causing him to bend over, and then jams the point of his sword down and into T's shoulder just above the collar bone. A sickening, wet should issues forth as Terenthvar coughs up some blood. (-11 hp)
RB 4 lies asleep, face-first in the dirt. (round 1 of 10)

Terenthvar mocks the leader, calling out his poor leadership, and the man recoils as if something had stabbed into his brain. (failed save, 4 damage and Disadvantage on next attack)

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

Rolls
20:49, Today: Psynister rolled 21,8 using d20+4,d6+2.
20:49, Today: Psynister rolled 16,3 using d20+4,d6+2.  R3.
20:49, Today: Psynister rolled 5,5 using d20+4,d6+2.
20:49, Today: Psynister rolled 9,8 using d20+4,d6+2.  R2.
20:49, Today: Psynister rolled 8,4 using d20+4,d6+2.
20:49, Today: Psynister rolled 19,5 using d20+4,d6+2.  R1.
20:49, Today: Psynister rolled 13,3 using d20+4,d6+2.
20:49, Today: Psynister rolled 12,5 using d20+4,d6+2.  RL attack.
20:43, Today: Psynister rolled 4 using 1d20.  Save.
20:43, Today: Psynister rolled 4 using 1d4.  VMock, Wis DC 13 vs Diadv.

---

Round 2




RBL - Redbrand Leader
RB# - Redbrand mercenary
XANder, TALin, TERanthvar, MARic

Maric took stock, dashed forward from I10 to F6 and targeted the three redbands directly before him (C,D,E7) with a spell:

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
T h u n d e r w a v e
1st-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (15-foot cube)
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

A wave o f thunderous force sweeps out from you. Each
creature in a 15-foot cube originating from you must
make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a
creature takes 2d8 thunder damage and is pushed 10
feet away from you. On a successful save, the creature
takes half as much damage and isn’t pushed.
In addition, unsecured objects that are completely
within the area o f effect are automatically pushed 10 feet
away from you by the spell’s effect, and the spell emits a
thunderous boom audible out to 300 feet.

---