The road to Hommlet had been uneventful, these roads along the Wild Coast weren't particularly safe, and even less the dense forests that the group had to cross, but through sheer numbers they had made it.

The place looked less like a town and more like a collection of farms clustered close to the river and near a grove, not unlike the druidic groves back home. Two densely packed camping sites laid around town, one was across the river, featuring a huge pavilion. The other stood at the eastern limits of the village, in the area with the larger houses. This tent city featured many flags holding a particular coat of arms, a black shield with a white castle over six yellow circles crowned by an empty helmet with a hawk perching on it.

In the center of the village, a big barn was painted with the runes for friendly and house with red painting.

Raphim had stopped talking when his companions did as well...crossing the last forest before making the final leagues to the hamlet. They were a large group of adventurers, but nothing a large group of bandits wouldn't ambush on a dark night, the archer thought to himself. He'd become rather paranoid since leaving home and scarcely recognized his own thoughts. "Should we find an inn and a meal? Sure could use a bath, too."

Vandilo laughs. "A bath!, what was it that we did in that stream a few miles back, now that was a bath!" he jests. "My Elven friend, you can make a home anywhere you travel, and bathes should never be something paid for, not when coin is so scarce and hard to come by, let the wild take care of your basic needs. Although, the roaring sounds of gleeful folk around a hearth does sound inviting, the telling of stories and exploits." he says. "Even though the road is my home, I can relate to feeling the need to dust our boots off and enjoy a little relaxation for a change. Its been a terrible journey up the wild coast, but I can't say I'll miss Fax, or the pirates who wanted me as their cabin boy." he says with a sigh.

Grimbold leads the mule to the stopped group. What is this talk of a bath before we have gotten a proper drink of beer.  Might not be much left with the sizes of those tents. He squints at nearer tent.  Is that the flag of Greyhawk?

Rega took in the vista of the town as they neared, keeping her own counsel as Raphim and Vandilo bantered about.  Growing up near the Pomarj, she was always a cautious sort, and she knew that sometimes settlements could be as deadly as the wilderness, but seeing the crest of Greyhawk on the pavilions was a welcome sign.

"Aye,"  She said.  Agreeing with Grimbold.  "I haven't seen much of that crest in my time, but it is known to me."  The ebon woman turned toward the dwarf.

"I mislike cities, though, I've never been that far north.  You?"

Not me.  Grimbold says in response.  I am from Irondelve, here in the Kron Hills.   But I have heard tales from my uncle.

In reply to Grimbold (msg # 6):

Humming as Dirk walked along, "So, this place sounds like fun and maybe a little adventure all to itself, say?"

Upon seeing the village and layout Dirk lets a soft whistle out when the group stops "My my look at all the opportunities waving their flags or at least the people about stuffed around here." and rubs his hands together.

Turns to Grimbold and Rega, "Well true a good drink before the fun begins would be great and I'll pass on a bath this time, too much water already this trip" chuckles "My my fellow travelers, Just think of this as a rather large gathering, like in your mountain halls or standing in a pasture as your cattle moosey about.  Were shall we start, say a place to sleep"  Looking as best as he can from his advantage point "Well, not sure what to see as a place to stay but we probably will have to find a cozy dry higher piece of dirt maybe under a tent?"

Grins, "What are we waiting for an adventure awaits us somewhere out there"  and spreads his hands about.


"Err, someone should lead us at least here, but i'll pass on that duty"  grins looking to each member for a volunteer.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Sun 19 May 2019.

Vandilo was not about to be a leader. He had been a follower all of his life, he followed the family as they used the barges up and down the rivers, and did their trading along the coast of the Wild. It was something that Vandilo was even traveling with a set of companions, but the time he spent in Fax told him it was better to have someone watching your back and none at all. He looked at the large red barn and smiled. "Its likely the town has a Inn, someplace where each of us can do what we need too, wash, drink, have a meal. We should keep heading in that direction, this is likely just a farm on the outskirts." he says.

Raphim continues towards the red barn in the hope they serve drinks and hot food, or know where to look. He remembered well places like this and took pains to keep anyone from bumping into him in an attempt to pilfer what little he had.

He stops when his friend Vandilo suggests heading to the town proper. The archer smiled, "If there's a drink and a place to sit while enjoying it, count me in."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:05, Sat 18 May 2019.

In reply to Raphim (msg # 9):

Well, and looks to the group "do you want me to be are leader smiles that could be fun".

Sighs, "The re barn is as good as any to see what is about and see the lay of the land".

Dirk heads toward the red barn, "best to keep together but not crowded, keep an eye on your stuff and be friendly."

Chuckles, "I am thirsty" and humms as they go to the barn.  watching everybody and getting  feeling of the place.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Sun 19 May 2019.

As the group passed near the barn, a man in his mid-twenties approached them. "Hello dear travelers! Do you need food and lodging? or just fancy a drink?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:04, Sun 19 May 2019.

Vandilo looks to the man, reaches down he brushes the dust off his breeches and arms, and then speaks. "Thank you Sir, we are in need of all three, my companions and I are traveling and would very much like to partake in lodging and drink, and for some of us a bath!." he says.

In reply to Vandilo (msg # 12):

Smiling up at the stranger "Yum, that sounds enticing, Hi, I am Dirk, and you are??>"

Rega followed the others toward the barn, the smells of unfamiliar cooking wafting out.  It didn't smell bad ... just different.  Flannae cuisine was markedly different that that of the Oerdians, and Rega had not traveled much outside of her peoples' lands on the Wild Coast.  She felt her stomach growl nonetheless, so they must have been doing something right.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Mon 20 May 2019.

The man bowed and motioned towards the open barn gates. "There's an open table where you can sit. And if you need a space for the night, tell the boss sitting by the stairs. Welcome to Hommlet. Excuse the lack of accommodations, we've never had the need for an inn before. "

Vandilo laughs. "No worries my good sir, I've been known to hunker down with the animals in the stables, so I'm pretty sure anywhere can be made a bed." he says. He looks around and then goes over to the open table and takes a seat. Vandilo tries to remember if he's ever heard any stories about Hommlet or the area.

23:52, Today: Vandilo rolled 12 using 1d20 with rolls of 12.  Local History Cha +0 (Cha = 15).

Raphim walks with the others towards the red barn, hoping for another one of Vandilo's tales about the locals. Still, he was paranoid about thieves and kept an eye out for anyone enagaged in the private speech of rogues.

In reply to Raphim (msg # 17):

Why thank you good man, and turns and follows the group to a table.

"It would be good to get a place to call our own for the night, and check on well guarded or policed this place is"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Wed 22 May 2019.

Grimbold leads the mule towards the barn.

Tell me about these armies here.  What exactly happened?

In reply to Grimbold (msg # 19):

Sitting down, Dirk scans the room to get the full layout and who is in the establishment/barn.

"My name is Waston", the waiter took the group to a table. "You can keep the mule next to you, just don't let it wander." He turned to look at an older, more mature man with his hand and face bandaged who was busy discussing with a ragged half-elf teenage. Defeated he glanced back at the group. "Ok, the boss is still busy. Let me help you then." He poured some drinks and served them. "I'm sorry if this is too soft, but, like I told you, we don't usually have any visitors in the village. In fact I don't think the village has had this many visitors ever."

"I thought you knew about the horde that was gathering near, a lot of sellswords have been coming because of it. Armies came from Furyondy, Veluna, Celene and even the city of Greyhawk to fight it. There was a huge battle north of here. As we speak they are laying siege to their fortress a couple of days eastwards."

OOC
There are about a dozen tables inside the barn, there is a ladder going to a second level inside the barn. A group of warriors with white armor are sitting by an improvised window. A burly fellow with a bow and a sickle by a corner is sitting next to a pile of barrels, while turning the occasional glance at the owner and the half-elven girl who keep arguing. The place is packed with travelers...

Rega nodded her thanks and took a seat where she could keep an eye on the owner as he argued with the half-elven girl.  The outward appearance of this pair had piqued her curiosity — not enough to get involved, but enough to keep tabs on the situation.

Why was the man bandaged? She wondered.  What would cause him to berate this ragged looking girl?  Who was she and what had she done to be on the receiving end of such an argument?

Raphim took a drink and tried some, then smiled to hide his distaste, and finished it. "Thank you kindly, sir." He kept an eye on the two lads in back.

Sorry for the delay. Now is time to continue.

The owner of the improvised inn spoke and crossed his arms. He then stood silent and looking at the girl. She turned defiantly to him and exploded. "Well, good luck getting any ale then!" she turned to look at the man standing. "We are leaving! put everything back onto the cart!"

The man just at her and nagged "But Lann..." she stopped him from further protest "We'll find another buyer". He reluctantly started moving the barrels towards the door.

She looked at the people seated around "Do any of you guys want coin?"

Vandilo isn't one to pass on the opportunity to earn some coin, even if its a little manual labor. "I'm need coin, what did ya have in mind?" he asks. Vandilo reaches up and wets his palms and slicks back his obviously oily hair.

In reply to Vandilo (msg # 25):

Eye ma lady, I am interested - please tell me what you desire

Raphim smiles and waits with more than a little curiosity at what may be asked from them.

Grimbold peerks up when he hears of coin.  Do you need something moved or loaded?

The girl answered "How about five silvers for helping my friend loa..." she could finish as a loud horn noise followed by a rider screaming "Soldiers of the alliance!! The prince orders you to go north to the marsh and join the assault on the fortress there!"

The owner then spoke "Save your pointless bluff for later lass". He turned to the staircase before yelling an order. "Waston! guard the fort! And don't let that brat leave!". At the same time many of the knights started to stand up and leave spare coins on the tables.

Another man stayed motionless, then reacted and ran outside "They are attacking the moathouse!! People of Hommlet they are going after the moathouse!!"

In reply to DM (msg # 29):

Dirk looks to the girl who did not finish her sentence then quickly to the crazed man rushing out to defend a moathouse.   Naturally he eyes the extra coin dropped on the table as he shifts his head to look.

Err, guys, we are um not in the Army nor have a fight in anything yet but and turns to the inn keeper (or barn that could be an in)  What is going n here good sir??

Raphim has the sinking feeling they were going to get swept up in political turmoil. Humans, he shook his head.

At the commotion, Rega's hand drifted out of habit toward the pommel of her scimitar.  She knew little of the customs here, but whether it was the orcs of the Pomarj or with the menfolk residing farther north along the Wild Coast ... it was more or less the same thing.

Someone wanted something that wasn't theirs to take, and force would be used to either see the deed done ... or to stop the attempt.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the scene unfold, but her concern had nothing to do with the hue and cry of the soldiers.  Rather her attention had been focused on the dispute between the innkeeper and the woman who was trying to leave.

She rose and made her way toward the woman.

"What's all this, then?"  She said, taking the woman by the arm as she attempted to brush past.

At the very minimum, I'm going to watch.

Grimbold drains his beer and leads the mule outside to get a feeling where everyone is going.

The knights started to step outside the barn, some of them began to quickly make a formation as they were joined by more of them coming from the camps North and East. However that wasn't the only movement, villagers started coming out of their homes carrying pitchforks and scythes. The same man that had been yelling around town was at the center of the angry crowd gathering. "People of Hommlet they are going after the Moathouse! This is our chance for revenge! Let's make those bastards pay!"


Inside the barn, things were as interesting.

Waston was clearly distressed by the madness around him. Hearing dirk ask just gave him a way to vent. "Those idiots are going to get themselves killed." He then turned towards the stairs "Specially him."

While this happened, Reda caught the half-elven girl by the arm. She was completely taken by surprise. Her eyes grew large with fear and she was completely paralyzed in shock.

Raphim didn't know the politics of these human settlements but could guess where this was headed. He quietly moved his hand to the osage-orange tree bow leaning against the table and whispered, "Who is attacking the moathouse, and should we help the villagers?"

In reply to Raphim (msg # 35):

Dirk looks to Weston "Weston, help us understand what in blue blazes is going on.  Who is the Alliance and what of your village militia - are we under siege and in the midst of a war?" then takes a sip of his drink watching the activity awaiting Westons answer.

Realizing that she had scared her, Rega relaxed her grip on the young girl.

"I wonder, what is it that you have done that the innkeeper would call for your capture?"  Her tone wasn't necessarily accusatory — Rega held little regard for the laws of man — but it wasn't altogether friendly either.

Weston answered to the kind patrons. "Please help them, the alliance troops are our saviors, but they could all get killed anyway. These bandits at the moathouse are dangerous. We are peaceful people, and I'm afraid that with the battle a few days back everybody has lot their minds and getting way over their heads."

Outside the angry mob began marching ahead of the troops that were still organizing by unit and under their different flags.

Seeing the teen under threat, the young man stopped moving barrels and ran towards Rega sickle in hand. "Hey let go of my partner!."

"Perhaps we should quietly explore the moathouse, see these bandits for ourselves," Raphim offered. And get a preemptive strike if we need to take them out.

Grimbold scratches his beard.

So are the Villagers happy about the knights attacking the moat house or angry?  I could not tell.

I do agree with Raphim in at least we should go and see if they will pay us to help.

OOC: Pick a text color and stick to it Raphim :-)

In reply to Grimbold (msg # 40):

Um, sure, lets go in front of an angry mob followed by military troops and take on a contingent of who knows what.

Grins, Lead on my friends there is an adventure somewhere mixed in this.

Turns to Ragar, Best you let her go and scamper with us before that one causes undue trouble.  pointing to the charging lad with a sickle

Rega turned toward the young man and regarded him coolly for a moment as he brandished his weapon.

"I meant no offense, lad."  She said dropping her hand from the young woman and resting it comfortably on the pommel of her scimitar.

"Where I come from, drawing blades without using them is poor form."

"Just so we both know what happens next,"  She glanced down at her still quite-sheathed blade.  "If mine comes free of its scabbard ... it will have blood."

"My people reside in the shadow of the Pomarj, see?  While you Oerdians have built your cities, the Flan still call the wild places home.  If the raiding orcs and marauding hobgoblins to the south haven't managed to scare us off ... one boy with a knife certainly won't."

She glanced at the curved blade of his sickle, and indicated it with a nod.  "I'd put it away if I were you.  It's not needed here."

She glanced calmly back at her own weapon. "Unless you decide that it is."

In reply to Rega (msg # 42):

Dirk scoots back away from Rega hhmmm, best I remember that to ma lady  snickers  lets go guys thars adventure brewing and treasure too  smiles  I hope.

The young man just snarked once the girl was far enough from Rega. "Well, I guess harassment isn't poor form then." He lowered the knife. "You are lucky we are surrounded by paladins."

The girl managed to calm down long enough to process and finally spoke. "Don't go around scaring people like that or something." She motioned "I thought you were a bounty hunter or something." She then turned to glance to all sides around "Not that I would have a bounty over my head or something..."

Weston finally ran to the area and made an effort to deescalate "Please, don't get mistaken. My boss and them were only negotiating a price for the ale. That's it"

At that point the owner of the place went back down the stairs, fully armored and armed. "Well, let's go hunt down these bandits."

Seraphel whispers to his companions "If I'm not back in five minutes, look for me west of here. I'm going to check on something that may interest us."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Tue 18 June 2019.

Among Rega's people, women could speak for themselves, but her experience with these pasty and evasive Oerdians ... it appeared that it was not always the case.

To be honest ... the Flannae woman did not even particularly care what manner of foolishness or scam the pair had been attempting, her initial concern had been for the woman's wellbeing.  To ensure that she was not in some sort of trouble.

Rega's patience, however, had been sorely tested by this pair of miscreants.  Twice she had asked the woman a question, only to be ignored and have the young man answer in her place and then — insult stacked on top of injury — he thought it wise to threaten, or attempt to threaten at any rate, the ebon-skinned druidess.

The woman had distanced herself from Rega.  Fine, the druidess thought, her secrets can be her own.  At the very least, she seems capable of handling herself.

But when the lad had thought to part with a snarky comment — as if they were equals, or worse yet, as if he had been the one with the upper hand — Rega's patience had finally reached its end.

This could not stand.  A lesson was in order.

"Lucky?"  Rega asked, she spat the word out as if was distasteful.  "I already let you know where you stood, child, and yet you taunt me.  It is you who is lucky."

"Lucky that I am in teaching mood, instead of a vengeful one."  She said.

"The lesson begins ..."  She continued.  "You.  Will.  KNEEL."


As the words passed Vega's lips, a power shuddered through the room.  Rega had tapped into something within her.  A divine power.  Something old.  Something primal.  It emanated from her as ripples upon a pond.

The boy's knees buckled as she gave voice to her command, shaping the power into purpose.  Unable to resist, he dropped to the floor and found himself rooted to the spot, unable to rise.

Rega leaned in and cupped his chin with her free hand and spoke her next words very slowly through clenched teeth.

"I am a priestess of the Shalm — the Lord of Summer, and of all the wild and untamed places — and I will be spoken to with respect.  Are we understood?"

In reply to Rega (msg # 46):

Dirk mumbles as he stand back, Bitchen tough lass.  Note to self, she is always right.

The young man fell to his knees and was very angry despite following the magical command. He was surprised indeed, but his eyes remained defiant. He grunted as he was making an effort to resist and would have probably spoken back if he wasn't using all of his strength to fight back.

At the same time, the girl didn't stay silent. She yelled at Rega in a tone that reflected utter fear rather than confidence "What did we do to you?" She turned around "Help! She's gonna kill him or something!"

The owner of the place just smiled at the scene before leaving the place.

PM
This message was last edited by the player at 15:03, Wed 26 June 2019.

Raphim watches to see if "troops" of villagers or any of the paladins are rushing off to the North? Then he will go back and report to his companions in the red barn.

"I tire of this noise."  Rega said, waving a dismissive hand at the young woman and removing her hand from her pommel.  Focusing inward, she released her magical hold of her would-be defender as well, returning to him his control over his limbs.


"Away child."  She said.  "Before my patience is lost."

The statuesque Flannnae woman turned toward her traveling companions.

"What do you make of this ruckus?"  She asked, indicating the knights and warriors that had been called to action.

"Knights, bandits, armies, sieges."  She shrugged.  "This town seems full of strife."

"And lots of it," Raphim looked around at the people milling about with concern and even fear. "Should we have a look at this bandit hideout? I believe it's to the north of here and it seems to be at the center of the problem."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Thu 27 June 2019.

In reply to Raphim (msg # 53):

Nodding his head,  Yes, let;s go see what we can get into err find out, maybe there is treasure or other fun things to do there.

Raphim shoulders his bow and smiles, "Let's do it, see what these bandits have stolen that needs to be liberated by concerned citizens such as ourselves." The small blue fellow leads the way to the North, and imminent adventure...

Raphim will apply stealth as soon as he sees the stronghold or bandits :)

Grimbold is the opposite of stealth leading the mule.

In reply to Grimbold (msg # 56):

Dirk follows Raphim in his stealth mode too.

There are basically two routes: one is following the army and mob - which is basically non-stealthy -, the other is following a side trail. Which one do you take?

In reply to DM (msg # 58):

Dirk asks as they start to go, they side trail away from the mob right guys?

"Definitely, my friend. Perhaps we can find a place to hide our mule before our actual approach of the moathouse…"

Ok going on...

The side trail ended in a small moor by a river, from there the moathouse could be seen in the distance a few miles away. However there was a trace of footsteps going further by the river, a very fresh set of footsteps.

Raphim motions for his companions to halt for a moment. The archer whispers in the dark "I suggest we follow the footsteps by the river for now. I need to stay in front thirty feet or so to remain unheard and hopefully unseen. If I encounter anything I'll get back and warn you." If his friends agree Raphim will lead the way from thirty feet ahead.

if in the lead Raphim will use his silent elven movement and follow the footsteps by the river. if anything is encountered he will get back to warn the others rather than engage. if necessary he will hide in shadows to keep from being seen. im guessing you will want to roll my hide in shadows if that happens.

In reply to Raphim (msg # 62):

Agreed, then I will follow with my Stealthy halfling and priestly abilities with the rest behind us.  Turns to the rest, shh go quietly.

Gimbold will wait a bit to give them a good start then follow slowly.  He can't be stealthy but he will stay far enough away to not mess up the others.

Raphim nods to himself with grim satisfaction as they walk in the near darkness. We're so sneaky even the gods are blind to us now...

The trail led to a cave entrance a few feet ahead. Two very nervous men guarded the entrance. They were wearing black robes and one of them seemed eager to start running.

The elf turns and silently glides back to Dirk "Two men ahead, possibly spell casters. Guarding a cave entrance. Let's get Grimbold and make a quick plan, eh?" If Dirk agrees then Raphim will go with him back to the dwarf.

In reply to Raphim (msg # 67):

quietly Yes, make plan, then we um attack from a distance as our fighter types rush em.  so as to disrupt there spell casting?  and goes back to the rest.

Raphim considers Grimbold's thoughtful silence and nods his head. "Right, you watch the mule and guard our retreat route, and Dirk and myself will sneak up towards the guards, and then subdue them. We can interrogate them later after we escape back the way we came. We can come up with a plan to take the moathouse then as well." If Dirk agrees then Raphim will lead the way...

If Dirk agrees then Raphim and he will sneak up and prepare to subdue the guards. can we backstab for subdual damage? can we attack with bows for subdual damage?

Grimbold likes that his normal taciturn nature has helped him from being butchered.

I like that plan better

In reply to Grimbold (msg # 70):

Looking to Raphim, quietly Dirk says Whoa fella I am not exactly a thief, more a holy thiefish kinda have some sneaky stuff but mainly god stuff.   chuckles, I like somewhat of your plan, but remember I may not be as effective.  I'll try to sneak up and clip em behind the knees from behind, kinda short here but you take the less scared one and I got the more scared one, if I fail I'll command him to run - chuckles again, I am not sure he needs much coaxing but it will give him a start.

In reply to Raphim (msg # 69):

Yeah go for subdual.

I can distract them while you sneak up but try not to leave me hanging.

In reply to Grimbold (msg # 73):

Dirk sneaks up the best a 1/2ling suto thief can and swing the flat edge of his short sword onto the back of the guards head (if he makes it that far sneaking).  No modifiers to the hit or damage.

OOC no tusr if Grimbold distracted them or what?


13:35, Today: Dirk rolled 5 using 1d6.  subdue damage.

13:35, Today: Dirk rolled 12 using 1d20.  Sneak subdue hit .

Grimbold's distraction is him stepping out in front of the two men an moving towards them.

Using Grimbold's distraction, Raphim sneaks up as well and will attempt to backstab one of the scoundrels for subdual damage.


18:43, Today: Raphim rolled 1 using 1d6.  dmg short sword. this is doubled if its a successful backstab, for 2 points!
18:43, Today: Raphim rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  backstab for subdual damage. this may be a 13 if I surprised them and get an additional +4, otherwise its a +1
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Tue 30 July 2019.

Raphim uses his clever skills at subterfuge to enter the moathouse. He sneaks past numerous sleeping guards and drunken bandits until reaching their substantial stash of wealth and land titles. The little blue elf effortlessly steals all that he wants with no resistance, his skill unmatched by these dimwitted dullards in their stolen makeshift castle. Raphim glides back outside to share the recaptured booty with Grimbold and Dirk, his faithful companions. "At last we can retire from this life of crime..."

In reply to Raphim (msg # 77):

Chuckles, Good idea, I always can use a bit of rest from adventuring.