It's been weeks since the Baron's daughter made the decision to rescue her betrothed. As she donned her armor, strapped on her father's sword (which had refused to budge from its sheath) and dusted off his first shield. Her trusted old tutor, Catweazel, was there, adjusting the straps.

"Can I say I'm disappointed you're disobeying your father? Yes. Would I be more disappointed if you didn't follow your conscience? Yes. Am I coming with you? You have no choice in the matter."

They had found an abandoned guardpost that made an ideal place to hitch their horses and set camp. The flame's light was hidden behind the crumbling walls. The great holes in the roof allowed the smoke to rise out. And unlike a cave entrance, there was no chance of rude surprises wandering in from the darkness.

The two had finished lunched and were ready to douse the flame when a bald mad ran into the open doorframe, wheezing for breath.

"Lake Monster! Ate my horse! Coming! Please help!"

In a flash, Lady Starshell was on her steed and charging towards the road. She didn't have to search for it...it's scaled blubbery mass took up the width of the entire road, and she gazed up through her visor to see its crocodilian head swaying on a grotesquely long neck, like a traitor tied to a wagon wheel on a pole in the town square.

She kicked her heels and lowered her lance to charge.

"E X E M P L A R ! ! ! "

[Starshell, you may attack first. Then the missile attackers. The beast will then attack, then the entire party can melee the beast.]

"Oh my!" Catweazle exclaims "Oh my, oh my!" but even as he does this he loads a stone into his sling and sets it spinning.

Leohart follows the party, maintaining a safe distance if able. Readying his wand, when he is within range, he will let loose an arcane bolt.

Depending on when Amalrik actually sees this critter, he will attempt to lead a flanking charge against it with those following him.

Eventually, Dwarghar makes his way to the fight and when he does he swings and cuts the air gracefully.


21:35, Today: Dwarghar Stoneblood rolled 6,3 using d20+1,d8+1.  attack, sword.

Durek grips his two handed axe and charges forward towards the creature. His swing isn't as graceful as his fellow dwarf's but it does have a lot of enthusiasm behind it and the axe is rather large and dangerous looking.


08:21, Today: Durek Stoneshield rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Axe attack.  Hit's an AC of 9... which I'm betting is a miss.

Brodd charges up and swings his hammer to devastating effect!

08:52, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 5 using 1d8.  damage.

08:52, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 18 using 1d20.  to hit.

In reply to Catweazel (msg # 2):

[Please roll on the dice roller for hit and damage like the others :D ]

In reply to Leohart (msg # 3):

[Roll D6+1 please]

Kalandra moved forward, boat hook in hand, not yet ready to attack as she assessed her best angle for an attack.  At the moment, it seemed more than a little crowded to join in the fray.

In reply to Kalandra (msg # 10):

If you could get past the huge writhing tail, you might be able to pole vault onto the creature's back...

Pulling out from behind the rock he has been hiding behind Travis lets an Arrow sore into the back of the denizen.

07:59, Today: Travis rolled 21,3 using 1d20+3,1d6 ((18,3)).

15:58, Today: Catweazel rolled 4,2 using 1d20+1,1d4+1.  Sling shot /damage.

Riding in to the clearing, Gorn brings his mount to a halt and fires an arrow at the monster.

12:31, Today: Gorn rolled 15,3 using 1d20+1,1d6.  Missile attack and Damage against Lake Monster

Startled by horrid visage of the monster Manaku misses.

Today: Manaku rolled 6,2 using d20+2,d6.  longbow attack.

Alietra rolled 3 using 1d6.  arrow damage.   (if the 12 hits - guessing no)
Alietra rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  short bow.
Alietra rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  short bow.

"Hells beneath and between!  I wish it had been an ogre!"

Likewise rattled, her aim was far from true...

In reply to Alietra (msg # 16):

[Note: Only one to-hit roll for the bow.]

Got it -  looked like everyone else was firing twice, but I see now it was attack/damage pairs.   

Eyeing her opportunity, Kalandra started running, and vaulted toward the back of the foul horse-eating thing, the point of the hook planting as she landed, hoping that she wouldn't end up saying 'well, it seemed like a good idea at the time'.

---

Forgot modifiers--unadorned rolls are still pretty solid:

16:15, Today: Kalandra rolled 18 using 1d20.  vault stab - to hit

16:16, Today: Kalandra rolled 5 using 1d8.  stabby damage.

Einhard charges into the fray hoping to score a good swing against the beast.

18:36, Today: Einhard rolled 18 using 1d20+1+1.  Mounted attack with sword.
18:40, Today: Einhard rolled 5 using 1d8+1.  Damage.

18:00, Today: Leohart rolled 2 using 1d6+1.

Pock's short sword bounces off an ill-defined area of the lake monster's scaled, blubbery mass.

14:23, Today: Pock Oneshoe rolled 7,4 using d20-1,d6-1.  melee vs lake monster.

Realizing he now has a bow to shoot with, Amalrik stops, draws the bow and takes a shot ...

20:17, Today: Amalrik rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  Amalrik - Bow shot.

Hmmm, windage blows it over the beastie ...

Creston takes aim at the monster's head, well above anyone engaging in melee, and lets fly.

((13:41, Today: Creston Fairwood rolled 10,4 using d20+3,d6 ((7,4)).))

Starshell's lance fails to pierce the beast's scaly hide, and her tutor's sling stone also bounces ineffectively. But they hear the sound of battle joined. In the fray...

Leohart's magic bolt flies true.

Brodd smashes his mace into the monster’s flank.

Einhard's sword slashes a scarlet line across its hide.

Gorn and Travis's arrows strike true (especially Travis for maximum damage).

Kalandra pole vaults through the air with her staff, landing on the monster's back. The somersault sends the business end of the hook deep into the creature's back (for double damage).
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:41, Sat 21 Mar 2020.

21:12, Today: DM rolled 24 using 1d20+7 ((17)). Crit = Max damage 10

The beast roars in pain, and its serpentine neck swerves on itself to stare down at Kalandra, before snaps down on her, mercifully ending her life before it swallows her whole.

21:15, Today: DM rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  Lake Monster tail slap
21:16, Today: DM rolled 3 using 1d10 ((3)).

As it does so it swings its tail and slams into Sir Einhard and his horse, nearly knocking the steed over with his rider.

08:32, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 2 using 1d20.  to hit.

ooc - Brother Brodd hit for 5 pts the first time, missed badly the second

Travis releases another arrow high on the monster striking true, though just leaving a small cut in the large creatures hide.

11:41, Today: Travis rolled 22,1 using 1d20+3,1d6 with rolls of 19,1.  Bow Attack and Damage.

Manaku nocks second arrow and takes a deep breath before releasing it. Surely, I can hit target this big?

Today: Manaku rolled 14,4 using d20+2,d6.  longbow attack.

Gorn notched another arrow and fired again just as the monster's neck move, his arrow flying wide.

15:48, Today: Gorn rolled 6,3 using 1d20+1,1d6.  Second Missile Attack vs Lake Monster.

Dwarghar does a combat roll and weaves about the mosters nether parts until he gets a strike with his sword.

Take that ye great overblown gasbag!!!

He uses his dwarven tactics for fighting giants to avoid getting struck.

+4 ac vs giants?

13:26, Today: Dwarghar Stoneblood rolled 17,7 using d20+1,d8+1.  attack, sword.

If I missed two rounds of action will go ahead and keep attacking

13:27, Today: Dwarghar Stoneblood rolled 15,2 using d20+1,d8+1.  next round.

ROFLMAO nice try! I hope the DM gives it a shot for flair.

Feebly, for feeble he is, Pock swings his sword again at the primordial lake denizen.

Pock Oneshoe rolled 15,0 using d20-1,d6-1.  melee vs lake monster.

Amalrik knocks another arrow, but shoots very wide ...

11:38, Today: Amalrik rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Amalrik - Bow.

Dratted cursed weapon !! so he draws his trusty sword for next round.

OOC - Make it a trusty RUSTY sword, that way the monster gets lockjaw! ;-)

Oi Brother Brodd !!

Durek follows the group and charges the creature.  He winces as Kalandra is killed an eaten.  This beastie is one that shouldn't be underestimated, obviously.  He takes a swing with his axe but the weapon fails to pierce the creature's hide and Durek curses in frustration.


07:57, Today: Durek Stoneshield rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Roll to hit the beast!

I'm going to assume that misses.

Creston sends another arrow flying toward the top of the monster.

((11:36, Today: Creston Fairwood rolled 10,5 using d20+3,d6 ((7,5)).))

"What you want Amalrik?"

carweazel loads another stone and spins the sling before loosing at the creature once more.

18:54, Today: Catweazel rolled 14,1 using 1d20+1,1d4.  Sling shot /damage.

Leohart stays within range, but a safe distance away, using his wand again -- releasing a bolt of arcane energy.

Brodd swung at the monster again, striking an ineffective glancing blow that it did not even notice!

09:14, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 7 using 1d20.  to hit.

Einhard brings his mount around for another go at this beast.

13:36, Today: Einhard rolled 4 using 1d8+1.  damage.

13:35, Today: Einhard rolled 13 using 1d20+1+1.  Mounted attack with sword.

In reply to Einhard (msg # 43):

Almost, spend another XP point and you’ll hit?

In reply to DM (msg # 44):

Go ahead.

In reply to Einhard (msg # 45):

With the glint of sunlight shining on his blade, the knight's weapon strikes true, jabbing where he had already ripped scales away from his last strike!

23:00, Today: DM rolled 23 using 1d20+7.  tail swipe. - [roll=1585364437.44632.314787] [CRIT- Max damage 10]

The beast swings its deadly tail again, knocking Sir Einhard clear off his horse to crumple on the dusty trail.

23:08, Today: DM, on behalf of Starshell, rolled 16,10 using d20+3,d8+3 ((13,7)).

Starshell regains control of her terrified horse, and draws forth a shining blade as she charges.

The blade slashes at the monster's jaws as it lunges for her, then she ripostes with a strike deep into the beast's neck.

Suddenly, the massive beast collapses under its own weight, endangering the dwarf who ran under it.

[Dwarghar, make a save vs. Death]

After culling the.beast good and a few other attacts the others may have done as an assist The trapper begins to recognize the movement of the falling beast. Dwarghar holds his sword up as firm as he can and hopes for the best.

20:30, Today: Dwarghar Stoneblood rolled 11 using 1d20.  Save vs death (8)Loo

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 48):

The leviathan collapses on its front flippers first, and the ripple of scaled flesh turns its belly into a wave that wallops the dwarf and sends him sprawling several feet clear of its thunderous collapse, save for the writhing tail that falls like an ancient tree and misses him by inches.

[5XP for those that participated in this battle]

Ya hooo!
Take that ya scaly beastie! That two massive monsters in less than an hour!!! Ha ha ha!
Dwarghar dances himself a bloody jig and then looks around.

Hi there, woman! Are you related to our Sir, here, is that the lady wot run off? Sir Einhard, she looks like you, I’d say.

An who knows what a beast like this is good for eh? Any hide or parts or meat worth a damn? It stinks, I’ll say that.

Looks around and at the beast for anything of value.
22:00, Today: Dwarghar Stoneblood rolled 2 using 1d6.  Notice anything
This message was last edited by the player at 05:02, Sat 28 Mar 2020.

Travis draws his sword, bow in one hand, reversing the blade point down he drives the sword through the leviathans brain. Looking up at the dwarf, “Can’t be to carful, better to make sure.” Satisfied  that the creature is truely dead he cleans the blade and sheaths it and joins Dwarghar searching the body for anything worth keeping, fangs, bones, scales, and even treasure that might have been swallowed or hidden about its body.

OOC:  23:22, Today: Travis rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  Notice/forage?

Brother Brodd swings a third time for good measure, taking his time! He is ineffectual with the hammer and puts it away!

08:16, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 3 using 1d20.  to hit.

Manaku shoulders his bow and joins the others. He studies Lady Starshell keenly waiting her to speak.

Pock appears to have lost the plot. He looks at his short sword questioningly. It's a weapon of last resort for him, but he's not sure what resorts one and two might be.

He looks around him but can't recognize any of the faces. A dwarf. A human. A knight. An elf. Others. A leviathan (deceased). His head continues to ache from some injury he can't recall.

He decides he's going to have to start afresh. "I'm . . . ," he begins before faltering. He doesn't know his name. Disconcerting.

Starting again, he announces, "I'm Puck Twotales [as good as any other]. I'm good at … hiding behind trees and practicing some minor magics. I see some of you died on this day. Condolences."

"What are you blathering about Pock? Yes, we appear to have lost one, Kalandra." He goes to check on her. Look for her.

"He's not dead?" questions Puck, pointing at the risen dwarf.

"Aren't you dead?" he asks him directly.

Brodd blinks twice.

"What's wrong with Pock? He hit his head?" Brodd asks broadly.

Watching as the monster collapses on to Dwarghar, he is relieved to see Dwarghar survived. Dismounting he walked over to where Einhard had landed when he was knocked from his mount to check on him and see what assistance he might need. "Brother Brodd you may want to come over here and check on Einhard, he may be in need of your assistance."

Pock! I've been watchin' out fer you through those tunnels! Have ye fergotten me?

Brodd made his way to Einhard, seeing his almost fatal wounds he began to pray over him. Silently mouthing the words with his eyes closed while fingering his holy symbol.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:26, Sun 29 Mar 2020.

Catweazel is quite happy to stay quietly in the background, and as the others quiz Starshell he makes his way to the now dead beast and gives its blubbery belly a kick.

He then seems to just stand silent for a moment, not silent, but whispering to himself as though saying a quiet prayer over the fallen creature.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 60):

[1d6+1]

11:31, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 2 using 1d6+1.  CLW. Bad roll, Sorry Einhard.

Amalrik sees what he can do to dig out/recover Dararghar. Maybe this blubbery mass only stunned him underneath it ... If two heroes are gone, it will be a long sad night.

Puck clasps the dwarf's hands, "If you say it is true, friend, then it must be true, for I could not have survived without a true friend such as you."

The gnome studies the dwarf as he pokes about for any ingested treasures. Nothing comes to mind. He just sees some crazed fur-wearing man dancing about in a midden of innards.

Dwarf friend, dwarf friend, dwarf friend, Puck repeats to himself.

It is grim work, cutting away the monster's neck where it connects to the body. She has to do it astride her horse, but eventually it falls away.

"Steady girl, steady..."

She wipes the blade clean and sheathes it, then reaches her arm into the wound...

"Do you want a trophy on your wall perhaps, milady?"

The moon elf crosses his arms and curiously watches as Lady Starlight hacks the beast's head off.

"I have seen people do it before. Hunters, like me, when they have killed a quarry they greatly respect. But you... and this doesn't look like a respectable quarry, though..."

After Brodd's handiwork; Einhard rises unsteadily.

"It's dead?

What was that thing?

Any casualties?"

She looks down at the moon elf scornfully.

"That woman gave her life to save me. The least I could do is retrieve her body for a decent burial!"

:We lost Kalandra Einhard, we barely knew her!"

It was about that time when a heated argument could be heard coming up the road approaching the scene of the recent violence. One side of the exchange was championed by one Regdoc Y'narc, a Seeker of the Wandering God. His foe in this particularly confrontational debate was an up-and-coming minstrel known as Harald the Herald whose gift for eloquence had been shelved for frequent and sharply barbed vehemence!

"I've walked more steps in my life than the combined armies of the thirty-two minor Duchies of Greater Grendelmarch! The One Who Wanders guides my steps! I never get..."

The old cleric's jaw dropped nearly to the dirt road upon which the two were trodding, followed by an extremely large - and bored-looking - pack dog.

"...lo s _t..."

Chomper sneezed, obviously a canine cover-up for repressing laughter, then padded over to sniff about the dead monster.

Meanwhile Regdoc stood scratching the back of his head and mumbling obscure curse words at the bard's distractions.

"HARK! Look yonder you old goat! There, on the field of battle, are our stalwart companions! We've missed the fight entirely! Bloody deeds will now be forgotten to the fading memory of Time for I was not here to witness them and put quill to parchment for the preservation of this day's heroic sacrifice! Oh that you'd have heeded my pleas to take the leftward path at yonder fork! Your devotion to that ancient religion... has blinded you, and it's made us late!"

The Herald took his leave of the bewildered cleric without even begging his pardon, and rushed to the scene of the fray. "Pray tell, what is this vile creature and whence its origin?"

Seeing the body of Kalandra, the overly melodramatic minstrel wailed, "If only we'd been here sooner! Perhaps..."

"In that case, milady, it is far more effective to go straight to the stomach... like this."

The elf walks over the behemoths corpse, unsheathing his dagger while he walks there, and slices the monster's stomach open with one brisk cut. Then he pulls out the creature's intestines with both hands. Smell, viscera and blood doesn't bother Manaku as he looks for Kalandra's body from cavity of its torso.

"Forgive my boldness, Lady Starshell. I have disemboweled many creatures in my lifetime. Big or small, the basic physiology remains same..."

Tactfully, Pock remains quiet even as the narcissistic bard proclaimed his arrival and the ashen-hued elf went about his ghoulish business.

He speaks quietly to Dwarghar, "Dwarf friend, are we a party of big game hunters? Do we go on safaris, hunting the pride of the pride?"

"Brodd, please see to Kalandra.

Looking at Regdoc and Harald...

"Please assist the others who have need.

And who is the warrior woman?

Dwarghar chuckles. Lost your memory eh?

No, Pock - you are a Gnome, you are well known for being clever and crafty. You can use magic illusions to defend yourself and confuse your enemies and your people are known to have made Wildly complicated artifices as toys weapons and other machines. Your folk were living in a mountain full of such wonders you were frozen there for how long none can say and are the only survivor of those people. This knightly longshanks fellow is Sir, Einhard- he and his friend the priest Brodd are trying to find some woman wot ran away from the kingdom or was taken by evil monsters I don’t know. We have been collected along the way and remain together for mutual defense as we wander through this dangerous and desolate place.

I have nothing left for me in this world so I wander with these insane folk I suspect the same of you. But if you remember some other place of your people and wish to wander there you are free to do some among us may even join you if you wish.

The Lady stands back, covering her mouth with her unbloodied gauntlet as the monster's innards spill out. Including several bodies. Kalandra's is the most intact. You also see the glint of silver on one of the near-skeletal remains.

The Lady turns to the Knight.

"You don't recognize your own sister in law, Einhard? My shield is too bloodied to discern my heraldry, 'tis true. And mayhap I was still a young thing when last we met. I was flower girl to your wedding, remember? How confused I was,looking for the bride to follow!"

She laughs softly, reflecting on more innocent days.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:24, Tue 31 Mar 2020.

Amalrik will help Manaku pull the belated Kalandra's remains from the beastly innards. Then he will wander about finding adequate wood for a funeral pyre. Sad tidings indeed.

Ha! I knew it!

So mission’s over eh? Which way now?
The Dwarf says

"I truly may have taken a hard a hit as Pock, I didn't recognize you nor could I imagine the little flower maiden as a warrior of some prowess.

My apologies and my accolades for a great accomplishment.

Sadly, one of our own has paid the final price.

What are your plans at the moment?"

She steps carefully through the oozing remains and pulls out Kalandra’s boathook that had been lodged deep in the creature’s back.

”I must continue to Castle Braunstein with my trusted advisor Catweazel, our court Wizard. Surely with a war band this large we can defeat the Minotaur and anything he throws at us!”

She hands the spear to Einhard with respect due to its previous owner.

”It seems your Gnome has lost senses from the shock of battle. I do hope he recovers. But you are still injured, Brother.”

She lays a hand upon his armor where the blood is still sleeping through.

[Lay on Hands - 2 points]

”I am no Cleric, but Valoria has granted me some healing gifts.”

Manaku kneels and gently wipes off gore from Kalandra's face. He bents over towards her face and out of habit checks if she is still breathing - while already knowing she is not.

"We should bury her."

Noticing the glint of silver the elf also pulls out half-digested skeletal remains.

"Something gleaming there... what do we have here, on this unfortunate fellow?"

Eh? Probably not a working set of mail fit for a Dwarf?

Dwarghar complains but looks anyway.

After the big reveal he will solemnly contribute as part of the burial detail.

It's a lot to take in. Some of the phrases pain him more than others: "sole survivor" and "dangerous and desolate place" and "nothing left for me in this world."

He doesn't let the pain linger.

"And how do I like my eggs cooked?" he asks his dwarf friend, before joining him in the funereal work to be done.

As Dwarghar looks for a softer piece of earth to dig with a shield the words Scrambled like your brains float around in his head trying to connect to the impracticable gnome. But he sighs knowing the fellow has lost a whole world.

We’ve only had dry rations to eat last few days. You’ll have to figure that out as we go.

The Lady mumbles something about preparing the bodies for burial as she helps collect rocks create a berm for the fallen acrobat. After a bit of thought, she plants the boathook in the ground, blade up, as a marker for the acrobat’s grave.

The other two corpses must have been nobility, for they wear matching gold rings and silver bracelets.

"I'll see to it." Manaku offers and carries the bodies one by one to where Dwarghar digs. He gently removes the gold rings silver bracelets from the noble corpses before they are buried.

"It is grim to take these from the fallen ones, feels like stealing. Hopefully we can trade these for food and supplies later."

"Or perhaps, even better, they can be returned to the relatives of the fallen."

Gathering stones Travis assists in the burial of the departed. This is a change of pace for him, with his last gang those that died were looted and left for the crows, it felt good to be part of a team of honorable people. He couldn't help but smile to himself and think how lucky he was to have been saved by the Knight and Priest.

His smile widened at the thought of the rings and bracelets Manaku collected and the silver that they would sell for, Travis never had much in ways of wealth. Then the fleeting thought of silver in his pouch disappeared with the words of Starshell. Yes, she was right, that would be the best, but damned if he wasn't a poor starving man.

"And you know their relatives, my lady? I would think silver and gold would benefit us, we are not stealing if we are in as much a need?" He wanted to reason with her.

"The gold and silver will be sold for coin and split between the party. I'm broke. The church needs a roof! Send their swords home."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:13, Thu 02 Apr 2020.

"Should we let Lady Starshell decide the fate of the silver?

It is her demense, however I cast my lot with Brodd, he has been a stalwart pillar of reason through all of this and the fact that our travelling funds seem a little light."

"I can't even afford a plate of eggs, cooked in whatever style might be my preference," laments the penniless gnome.

He removes a wand of mystery from his belt and speculates as to its purpose, "Mayhaps it will transform its target into a plate of hot breakfast, a Wand of Eggification, if you will."

Propelled by his grumbling stomach, he looks around for a test subject.

Happy to hear Brother Brood and the Knight desire to keep the gold and silver, Travis's smile remains on his face.

He looks at Pock eyeing the wand and slowly moving to put another target between himself and the Eggification wand wielding Gnome.

"I trust that affairs will get in order, I will move up the road a few paces and keep a lookout, we don't wish to be surprised while standing around." With that he walks past the group up the road, the whole time keeping an eye on the tip of the wand. Just out of sight he finds himself a good boulder and brush to hide and keep a lookout.


OOC:
12:45, Today: Travis rolled 2 using 1d6 ((2)). Hear noice.
12:46, Today: Travis rolled 45 using 1d100 ((45)). Hide.

What time of day is it?



This message was last edited by the player at 19:48, Thu 02 Apr 2020.

Late afternoon.

"True, we may never find their next rightful owners. As such, they fall under the rules for the spoils of war."

"We shall do as you wish, Madam Starshell. Their families are not here to claim them now, neither are tradesmen with food and supplies. You can decide what to do with them when the time comes."

The elf slips both rings to his belt pouch and slips his belt through the bracelets securing them to his waist, on back side. He waits until the graves are ready and then helps lifting the bodies to them.

"Should you say few words of blessing for the fallen in their final resting place, Brodd? Especially for Kalandra..." The moon elf throws tentative glance at the cleric.

Brodd give a universalist funeral service for all three before beginning to pile rocks on the bodies.

With the funeral having concluded, Puck stands next to his dwarf friend and makes an announcement, "While I have forgotten a good many things, I have not forgotten what's in my heart. And while I have forgotten much, I know one thing: it's time to get on down the road."

"Our Paths are our own, and though we choose where we tread them, we never know when they may reach their end. May the Wandering One guide you henceforth through the afterlife..."

Brodd had done a sufficient job with his ceremony and sermon, Regdoc saw little he might add.

Calling Chomper to him, the aged cleric awaited the party's departure.

"I am pledged to take Castle Braunstein and free you, however, since you are not captive, I will go with you to complete the task.

I only have a few reservations due to the loss of my lance.

And I hope that my companions have not had their fill of the adventuring life and will accompany us there to defeat the minotaur.

"I am with you Lord Einhard! The Law is behind you."

Dwarghar nods to the dead, gathers up his possessions and readies himself for the long walk.

"Bigger the prey, bigger the thrill of the hunt. I'm with you, good Sir... and Lady." A rare smile flashes momentarily on the moon elf's face. He gives a slight nod both to Einhard and Starshell, takes his gear and prepares to move out.

Another burial, another rest, and now off again. Front, center, or rear guard this time ?? Back to the front ... Amalrik makes the bow ready and falls into place.

Gorn checks his mount and equipment then mounts and moves out in front of the group attempting to keep adequate distance between himself and the rest of the group to allow time to alert them if trouble lies ahead.

Harald perked up at Einhard's request. "Why yes Sir Knight! For tell me, who would proclaim the conquest better than Harald the Herald? I will proudly combine myself with this endeavor, and with a fair portion of luck, I shall pen the tale myself and call it forth to a tune of my own creation!"

"Luck? Pffff... It's going to take something of a miracle."

He scratched Chomper's massive head and turned his wizened face journeyward.

"The Road stretches out before us, the Journey goes ever Onward..."

"Get up you slouching flea-kitchen, we've a cow to decapitate!"

Chomper licked his lips and, just for a moment, looked as if he had actually grinned.