Roywin gives Gar an understanding smile. "I don't say hello help. We should move on, but it's better to cover all our bases, and he mentioned he'll help if the mayor asked him. So let's hope he does it. But as I said, let's move on."

"Stop." It seems the samurai is trying to get through to the half-orc and failing. His eyes stare at Gar, eyes narrowed. They normally get along but as of late....

Tai shifts slightly, cooing towards the gnome and nods. He then glances at Lan.

-------------------------------
The farmer nods his head "Well best get going. Be careful outside of town. Evil's coming. I barely escaped when I went out for a walk." His tone is quiet and he nods his head as he heads towards a nearbye farm.

There's several of them and the main square.

Landor raises an eyebrow. “We know your feelings on the matter, Gar. That is enough especially since not everyone shares your opinion.”He turns his attention back to the farmer. “Would you mind telling us exactly where you were attacked?”

The half orc has a steely serious look as he looks at Tai and Landor, then throws his hands up. "Fine....its the last you'll hear of it from me. now how about wr find some hobgoblins and bash some skulls." clearly the half orcs barbariac nature was winning out in terms of the magic user, something Gar didn't trust at the best of time. This one proved his speculation on the craft.

But be it as it may, he was loyal to his friends, and as grumpy as he was, it would pass. He looked at Tai, still looking at him. "What....I said I'll be good!" he sighed as he looked off into the wild.

Some hobgoblins would help relieve his frustration

The samurai looks away from the half-orc and sits down cross-legged, with his eyes closed. Odd creature. The farmer glances at the group "West edge of town, some distance off before the woods begin. I believe its called the Witchwood."

OOC
I believe that's where the Speaker (mayor) mentioned to start investigating

Sorry for the short post.

Landor nodded. “Thank you. We’ll go check it out.”Landor motions for the others to follow.

Roywin nods. "That's fine, but if we're heading towards a potentially hostile area we should have a plan on how to approach the area."
She smiles at the group, paying special attention to Gar and Lyr and Tai Chi.
"We can always go together as a pack, but since scouting would be quite beneficial."

OOC: sorry I thought I had posted :)

The half orc smiled a half smile. “Wilderness and scouting is my domain. We find some tracks and I’ll find them.”

"You find them and I'll help sort them out one way or another," Lyrian says, nodding enthusiastically at Gar.  They'd found out about all they could here in town, now it was time to see what the Witchwood held...

The kenku and the gnome decide to depart, the group beginning to crack leaving the rogue, spellscale and dwarf alone. But they do venture forth back to the town where it is indeed safe-least for the time being. The gnome decides to become the wizard of the towns apprentice with the samurai as her bodyguard. The three of them decided to sit inside a inn, pondering what the next move will be and knowing they need to check on this keep within the woods. The party has change drastically. Once allies they turned and left without much of a word. War perhaps has brought this on. As the three of them sit and contemplate, a cloaked form opens the door. It moves at a slow gate, holding a staff. It looks simple enough.It goes over to the bar, keeping its hood up to hid its face for some reason. Very simple cloothing, worn down from the weather. Dark greens, browns a light ones.

Kharath sits and contemplates indeed... the depths of a flagon of ale.  He contemplates how these civilised people are allowed to sell something so week with such a noble name as 'ale'.  "They did say this was 'ale' didn't they?" he mutters aloud.  "Cause I think somebody needs to tell 'em their tomcat is no tom.  It's pregnant by the taste of its...".

He stops and looks across the bar.  "Why'd you reckon that one's got a hood hiding the face?  Gorgeous dame - by non-dwarf standards?  Wanted criminal?  Assassin?  What'd'ya reckon?"

Redoran glances over at the hooded man for a brief moment, then turns back to Kharath. "Maybe he's covered in silvery scales and doesn't want people gawking at him. Of course, if you really wanted to know you could always go ask." He says with a shrug, "not sure what it really matters though. The better concern is what are we going to do now? There is trouble and we're probably best suited to handle it at the moment, but not with our dwindling numbers. We do no one any good trying to take on more than the three of us can handle. The mayor found us, maybe we should go back to him to see if he knows of any others who might be capable of assisting us?" He suggests. "Seems like a long shot, but that's what I got at the moment."

In reply to Kharath Huur (msg # 258):

A gnome had stepped in from the kitchen to check on things behind the bar. He heard the murmerings of dissatisfaction from the dwarven patron on the customers' side of the bar and nodded. He looked up at Kharath "You look like someone who might appreciate something stronger than our ale. I have a nice malt out back. Tis a bit peaty if ye like that sort of spirit."

He looked at Redoran, Ye say yer lookin fer help. I know there's trouble brewin. I may be of some use fer ye if yer in need of a scout."

Unfortunatly, Lyr had to leave after getting a note from two guards that found her. She bids them good luck and will try to aid them leaving the two of them. And the gnome lets them know he might be willing to join them. Peaking up from its perch in the rafters, a cat stretches and watches from above.

Kharath grinned at Mucros.  "When we come back here from what we have to do, I will hold you to that.  In the meantime, we dwarves enjoy making snide comments about other people's beer almost as much as we do drinking it.  It's a bit of a tradition, seen?"

Redoran looked down at the gnome and gives him a weak smile. "Well my friend, you would be welcome as our numbers are rather diminished at the moment. I do feel it's only fair to warn you, though, we will be heading into a fair amount if danger. While I have some ability to protect and heal you, and my steadfast friend here is, I believe, quite the beast in battle." He nodded towards Kharath, "we cannot guarantee your safety, but if you offer your assistance i can assure you I will try to do my best to keep you standing. We'll be heading into the Wyrmwood to take care of some hobgoblins and most likely some other troubles. If that sounds like something you'd be willing to help with, we could use your aid. My name is Redoran and this warrior with the particular tastes in spirits is Kharath."

Mucros nods, "Plenty of trouble to be had out there. I'd be happy to join you as a scout to look ahead and do my best to eliminate any nasty surprises. He grins at the dwarven patron. " No need to wait if you are disappointed with your drink. Just say the word and I will look for something more to your liking."

The cat pops its black head up at the table, watching them intently. It yawns and drops down, stretching. The side of it bumps against the gnomes legs and then it sits down, grooming itself.

Soon, most of the people leave leaving the gnome, dwarf, spellscale and the keep. The cat yawns against and jumps onto a nearbye table and sits down watching this odd group.

Kharath turns to look at the cat and says, "Hello cat. Who's familiar are you?"
After a few moments, Kharath reached into his bag of tricks and drew out a small furry ball which he tossed in the cat's general direction.  When it hits the ground it becomes a ...

16:17, Today: Kharath Huur rolled 54 using 1d100.  What does Kharath draw from the bag?
31-60   Rat

...small grey rat which runs as fast as it can from the cat, aiming to run up Kharath's leg and onto his shoulder where (if it survives) it sits with one of its beady eyes glaring at the cat, while the other is looking in a completely different direction.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:28, Thu 09 Dec 2021.

The cat hisses at the dwarf's comment. It watches the rat come out of the bag and the cat just sits there. It stretches its claws out. Oddly it does have a pendent around its neck as well as small anklets around its front paws. Yawning, it starts to groom itself and then lies down, watching the group upon a nearbye table.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Sun 12 Dec 2021.

The mayor walks in with his second in command and walks up to the group "I was informed by Lyrian that you are going into the forest and that there is a keep correct? Unfortunatly the old group had issues that need to be solved amongst themselves. Some returned here to help protect this village, and others are of unknown. This will make you want to run-most do not wish to take a horde head on but you need not do it alone. Simply we need information and what this horde wants other then to apparently slaughter us. There is little I can pay you-most of what I need I cannot lend out as it is needed here. We do have a brother of Pelor-Brother Derry that may assist you if the time comes. As for basic gear, it can be provided. I may be able to procur some potions as well but the wizard is a bit standoffish and the last group that went there made it worse though he is willing to aid the village. As for provided you aid-that may take some intese time. Will you aid us?"

Redoran looked to the mayor, a somewhat grim look on his face. "Well, we can try what we can, if the others are willing, but our numbers are not exactly strong. Three, to be in fact. I cannot speak for them as we only know each other so well. Honestly, there wouldn't be too much I could do on my own out there so if these two choose not to go, my abilities would be better spent here, shoring up your defenses and helping to heal individuals. If they do choose to go with me though, I'd be more than willing to help out in the forest. What exactly are you looking for us to find? Numbers? Movements? Weapons? Something else? Has this horde taken any hostages that you know of? And what information do you already have on this horde? Anything could be of aid to us, assuming we go." He looked to Kharath and Mucros with a questioning look on his face.

"I know as much as you do. Almost nothing besides they waylaid many people on the way here. Killed most of them off. Not sure of the others. I don't know every person that came from far off. We know it is indeed a horde that has attacked the outskirts of the village and if they truly attacked, I doubt we wouldn't win. We got a few villagers, some who came here and stated. Not much in the ways of guards but my commander is trying her best. We never had to bother before but the attacks are getting to be a bit too much. As for what I wish for you to find is anything of value be it weapons or numbers. You do not had to go but if you choose to remain here, I pray for your souls for when you perish, it will be for nothing. I do not mean to be cold hearted and of course you can easily leave and let us perish. Some of us may survive but many of us will be lost. We could easily move on but where would we go? I do not want to make the choice unless we got a designated spot. It could be small or massive. Every time I sent out anyone to gather information they never returned." The mayor lowers his head as the captain crosses her arms.

"I guess we'll have to do something about this horde of yours then Mr Mayor." said Kharath,  "Redoran here, he does the magic.  I do the violence.  Now all we need is to find ourselves an edge.  Thing with hordes is, if you chop off the head, the rest of 'em start running around like a beheaded chicken. All we gotta do is find that head and introduce that head to my axe."

Kharath smiled a gap-toothed smile and winked at the mayor.

Mucros followed along and nodded grimly, "Could be that simple. Anyone leading a Horde is apt to be quite a challenge. No garauntee we would not get skewered before the great scattering. I may be able to get close enough to learn a few things about their strengths and weaknesses. Maybe even find a way to lure their interests away from the village while you bolster your forces. I have friends here. I will help.