Tyranny of Dragons: Hoard of the Dragon Queen: Chapter 2- Raiders' Camp
Year 1489 DR
6:00am

As the sun rises upon Greenest, what is left of the town becomes more visible, and the true extent of the carnage can be seen. Burnt down husks that were once buildings dot the landscape all around the keep, drifting slowly up from their smoldering ruins clouds of smoke choke the sky.

The buildings that are not burned down are heavily damaged from looting, the streets covered in belongings strewn from homes and businesses, mercifully near the keep most of the corpses belong to the raiders, few townsfolk can be seen among them.

The keep as well bares the scars of the previous night, the walls covered in arrows and bolts stuck into the crevices between the stones, and along one of it's ramparts and guard tower blackened stones and burnt timbers stand as testimony of the dragon's fiery attack.

Within the keep Commander Escobert organizes teams of the town's guard into patrols to go out and secure the town, while Governor Nighthill gives a speech trying to both calm and give hope to the citizens of Greenest.

The group find themselves in the main hall of the keep, a large hurriedly prepared breakfast feast is being tabled for everyone in the keep, all around the wounded being tended for their injuries.

Not long after the Governor's speech the group from the mill lead by Thoman comes through the main gate escorting the captured raiders into the keep, Commander Escobert and Governor Nighthill join Thoman as he escorts the prisoners to a small stone building with iron bars over a tiny window on the side, once inside the door is closed, and two of the men escorting the prisoners take position on either side of the door as guards.


Some time later Governor Nighthill makes his way to the group as they rest in the main hall. "Gentlemen and ladies, I hope I am not interrupting anything.

Einar, what you did for Sergeant Markguth and his family was beyond the call of duty. I cannot thank you enough; nor any of you for what you have done and what you have given for this town.

Anything we have is yours, anything we can do, just ask and it will be given.

That being said... You have all proven yourselves not only resourceful but capable. And I have a job for you all, the raiders you captured at the mill have been interrogated, and while I wish I could trust the Red Wizard, she simply doesn't know much, and the others are all tight lipped. She claims the raiders are a group of cultists known as the Cult of the Dragon; and that they had entered into a union with the Red Wizards to help summon the goddess Tiamat into this world... Which all sounds like a bit much, but could be apocalyptic if proven true.

I am willing to pay, what I can; I have taken a look at our reserves, and from what little there is, I can offer 250 gold pieces to each of you should you accept my... well, my quest.

I need a group to follow the raiders to where they came from, confirm or debunk the Red Wizard's claim. I need to know their location, their numbers, who their leaders are, perhaps who their next target will be. I do not ask you to engage them, simply reconnaissance.

Will you take up this task?" He asks looking about the group.

Korym's eye widen as the Governor describes what he has learned from Felosiel...Red Wizards...Cult of the Dragon...Tiamat! It seems like a story to scare younglings!

The elf stands, and gives a slight bow, saying, "Once again, I am at your service, Governor."

He starts to sit down again, and whispers, ever so quietly to Hope, [Elvish: "Too formal?"], but then catches himself, and faces Nighthill again.

"Governor, would there be a wizard here in the Keep? I don't wish to be presumptuous, but I would forego payment in coin if I can make use of some arcane supplies instead."

---

Korym needs 10 gp worth of charcoal, incense, and herbs and access to a brass brazier to cast Find Familiar; and 150 gp of ink and miscellaneous material to copy 3 spells from Felosiel's spellbook into his own.

No problem in negotiating with the wizard if one exists, but no point in explaining any of this to the Governor.

Hope had spent her time away from tbe group, helping with tbe scouting of tracks from the enemy. Even now, she had half as much sleep as tbe others, but needed little.

At the Governer's request, she raised an eyebrow, and when Korym spoke then whispered, she smiled and shrugged. Her smile faded as she looked at the group  "That dragonborn confirms some of it... he's a part of tbe cult of the dragon. His title places him pretty high up. each sect has a leader related to each chromatic color. he was third down from him."

She sighed as she picked dirt from a fingernail with a dagger. "Given that, I think the story may have merrit. What the hell this tiamat is exactly, I dunno, but sounds bad."

She looked at Oraphina with a shrug. "What say you, little sis....want to upset some dragon cult?"

Grune spent as much time as he was able to manage seeing to the needs of the towns people injured in the attack. He found the most promising of the healers and had them accompany him so that they could learn dwarven healing techniques which he thought were superior (but might not work in well when applied to humans who were less sturdy).

After gathered to their meeting and he heard the task placed before him Grune laughed a laugh which was like the cracking of thunder.

"Hahah! Reconnaissance indeed...hahah!" it only took him a moment before he realized that the request was genuine and clearing his throat he fell into a bashful silence.

During breakfast, Oraphina busied herself by helping to serve the meal - clearly, the way to a Halfling's heart is also through their stomach.  Handing out biscuits, refilling glasses of water, generally chatting with the people present... she's a three-foot tall whirlwind of jovial, food-bearing energy.

After the meeting and the revelation of their next task, Fina smiled at Hope, then at the governor.  "Like you could keep me away," she said confidently.  "The 'stay here and let things attack us' plan has gotten kind of stale anyways.  I'm in!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Thu 08 July 2021.

Einar has slept off the meat grinder that he'd been through spending nearly 12 hours sleeping only awaking when the Governor and everyone starts talking around him. "Huh.... What? Work, where? What do I need to do?"

Hope smiles at the halflings reaction, and flicks a dagger up and catches it. "You heard the lady...lets ruin a cults day!"

"Nap first." He says simply rolling back over as he's still in pain.

Governor Nighthill chuckles to himself as he realizes he had been talking to a sleeping man. "Thank you all again for all you are doing, I appreciate it more than you know. And again, any supplies you need, simply let the merchants know that it will be on my tab.

As for arcane supplies, well... I don't know too much about those, but I bet master Willcot would, I believe he is in his study, which is here in the keep, I can take you there myself if you like Mr. Nightstar.

In any event, go ahead get some rest, and when you are all ready to head out, let me know." He says, a smile beginning to cross his face for the first time since you had met him.

Grune nods once and goes off in search of medical supplies that he can use to replenish his Medicine Kit. He would also check out options for potions (and other healing magic) but of course wouldn't be surprised if that had acquired all of the available healing magics available to the smallish town.

The half elf smiles. "Is there an achemist in town, someone who deals in unusual stuff....even poisons?"

"I would be most honoured Governor."

As they walk, Korym will ask, "The village looks decimated, will you be able to rebuild Greenest? Will you receive aid from elsewhere? Have you determined why this Cult of the Dragon chose Greenest? Was there something here that attracted their attention...?"

The elf's voice trails off as a thought crosses his mind; although momentarily distracted, he will listen intently to any answers the governor provides.

"To be honest, Your Governorship, I think I'd be most interested in healing and protectives.  And definitely not poisons," she adds, scrunching up her face at Hope.

Her thoughts wander - to the frightened children, to the dragonborn hacking away at Einar, to the terrified hostage family - then snap back as she sighs, resignedly.  "Maybe a little poison then."

Governor Nighthill looks toward Hope. "There was an apothecary, though I have not seen him in the keep, and after last night... I don't know if he is alive or dead, or even if his store remains... And it wouldn't have been legal for him to sell poisons, simply medicines." Turning to Oraphina, he motions around the room. "The only healing items I am currently aware of are here in this room, I will speak with the healers for you and get back to you with what we can spare." He then turns to Korym and motions for him to follow.

During the trek through the keep he leads Korym to spiral stair case leading up through the floors of the keep's main tower. "We people of the Greenfields are no strangers to hardship Mr. Nightstar, though I do admit, this is going to be somewhat harder to overcome than we are used to. But we will manage, and no I doubt anyone will be sending us aid.

The only things I know, I know from the captured Red Wizard, and she claims their aims are to summon Tiamat into the world, I would imagine they are preparing for that, and we were simply the biggest target in the region... and with the coming fair we had a larger number of wealthy merchants, farmers, and people gathered than normal... I should have expected some kind of raid, not just drunkards... Anyway here we are Mr. Nightstar" He finishes motioning to a closed door on the fifth floor of the tower. "I will leave you here, I need to see to the medical supplies I can gather for your friends." He says bowing slightly and making his leave back down the stairs.

-------

Governor Nighthill returns to the rest of the group in the main hall maybe half an hour later, with a small basket full of supplies. "I was able to scrounge these medical supplies up for you, however I am afraid most of what we have we are going to need here" He says handing over the basket. (3 uses to add to the medicine kit.) "And, although I am loath to do this."  He says reaching into his coat pocket and retrieving a small vial with a thick clear liquid in it. "We had arrested a man a few months ago who was trying to kill a man in town, and this was seized off his person, I am told it is something called Carrion Crawler Mucus, and it is quite potent, though I don't know much more than that." ( 1 dose of Carrion Crawler Mucus)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:19, Sat 10 July 2021.

Hope looks at the offered vial and nods. She was not one to condone the use of poisons, but the woman needed as edge - especially if they faced the Dragonborn again. “Thank you. I know you don’t look favourably to this….” Holding up the vial. “….but it could mean that we live through this, especially with that lizard out there.” She didn’t know what it did, and didn’t care. The fact was that the vial could help them live.

She stored the mucus away in a pouch safely. Shouldering her pack, she sighed. “So….shall we go wreak a cult, kill a Dragonborn and stop the resurrection of a evil dragon thingy?”

Korym composes himself, and knocks on the door, calling out, "Master Willcot? Governor Nighthill suggested you might be able to help me with some arcane supplies?"

Muffled words can be heard from the other side of the door, but no discernable words can be made out. Then moments later the large wooden door opens revealing a human man, maybe twenty years old, he is dressed in blood stained robes inscribed with arcane symbols. His hair is a mess, and it looks like he has been through hell.

He raises a blood stained hand to shake Korym's until he realizes how dirty his hand is and withdraws it and simply half heartedly waves. "Hello, I am Master Wilcot. Now really isn't a good time, I am going to need some sleep before I can cast anything for you, it will just have to wait until tomorrow." He says leaning on the door for support.

"I know how you feel, Master Willcot. But I am not in need of your spellcasting, rather, Governor Nighthill suggested you may be able to provide me with access to some arcane supplies.

My companions and I have been tasked to track the raiders to their lair and as the only wizard in the group, I need to bolster my spellbook."

Korym looks a little embarrassed, but he continues, as he reaches into his pack, and pulls out Felosiel's spellbook.

"I...er...we captured this spellbook from one of the raiders. I need the supplies to copy two of the spells into my own spellbook. I have the money to do that."

I would also like to cast a ritual from my spellbook, Find Familiar, but I need access to a bronze brazier, and I need some specific incense, herbs, and charcoal...and honestly, I am a bit short of the required funds.

However, I also captured this spell component pouch from the raider which is typically valued more than the components, I need. Would you take it in trade?"

The elf takes a breath, as he realises that he has spoken without letting Willcot get a word in.

---

50 gp x 2 for copying Colour Spray and Magic Missile into spellbook.
10 gp for components for Find Familiar; spell component pouch is listed at 25 gp.

Fina smiles at Hope.  "One thing at a time - first we do the steaky stuff, then we do the stabby stuff.  It'll all come in time, I suppose, but believe me, it'll come."  The sheer confidence in her voice that their group would be able to stop these plans is clear as day - nothing was going to stop you.  Nothing.

"A fellow wizard eh? well come in, do forgive the mess." He says motioning for Korym to enter the room, which, while spacious is crammed full of books, scrolls, stacks of paper, and every thing else one would expect of an old wizard's collection. "I still haven't had a chance to organize all my old master's things, yet.

Anyway, the items you need I have, and am more than willing to lend to a fellow wizard who is on a mission to take the fight to those bastards from last night." He says making his way through a maze of stacked books, until he reaches a large wooden cabinet, and when he opens it, he has to quickly react as a specimen jar tumbles from one of the many overcrowded shelves.

"Heh..." He chuckles to himself as he delicately places the jar back among its fellows. "I have no need for a spell component belt, but I wouldn't mind making a trade for a look at the raider's spell book and yours, and a chance to copy anything I might want from them." He says looking back to Korym.

----------
O.O.C. you will not need to expend any gold in the process of copying the spells, as he is willing to spot you, so long as he too can copy the spells from the raiders book, and any from you he might not have.

You will still need to spend the 10 gp required for the casting of the Find Familiar spell and and the use of his equipment comes with the spell swap trade.

So just tally up the time you will be spending, and we will say the short rest was 8 hours + any extra Korym chose to spend on this project.

"My condolences...did your master die in the raid last night?"


Korym's eyebrow rises in surprise.

"Of c...course! That would be most generous. Although, my own spellbook is mundane in nature, I have been a sage at the Silverymoon Library for many years, and my book reflects that!

I do not have much time at the moment, only a few hours really. But if it is acceptable to you, I will cast the Find Familiar ritual, and copy two spells from Felosiel's...that's the captured wizard's name..spellbook into my own.

I will leave her spellbook with you, and you can copy any or all of the four spells from it at your leisure. When I return, you can return her spellbook to me and I will provide you with access to my book...and perhaps I could have a peek at yours?"

Korym pauses for a moment, "And if I do not return, Felosiel's spellbook is yours to keep."

---

Cast Find Familiar - 70 minutes, needs his spellbook to cast it as a ritual - will summon the spirit in the form of a bat.

Copy Colour Spray and Magic Missile: 4 hours, needs both spellbooks to copy and paste.

Meditate for 4 hours to get equivalent of 8 hours rest. Just over 9 hours total time.

Hope smiled at Oraphina as she spoke. “You know me sister…..I’d rather stick to the sneaky stuff. The stabby stuff I only do unless I can’t avoid it.” What she said was true….the half elf was taught as a thief, and though she would not shy away from battle, she preferred sneaking in and out without people noticing than full frontal attack.

“You know how I love sneaking!”

Upon being asked about his former master he shakes his head. "No, thankfully he passed on three months ago, old age I'm afraid."

Once Korym proposes his counter offer, Wilcot nods. "I find these terms acceptable, now lets get started so as not to waste any of your time." he says as he retrieves the brazier from the cabinet.

--------


After a good long rest from the events of the prior night and scavenging what supplies they could from the town, the group sets off from the keep.

Governor Nighthill had members of the guard scout the town and surrounding area, while the group rested, to confirm the captured raiders' intel, that the raiders were from the south east. The scouts were able to confirm that tracks indicate that the bulk of the raiding force did indeed retreat in that direction.

Moments after the group sets forth from the keep on their way to the south east edge of town they can hear someone shouting to them from behind.

A young man hobbles up to the group, limping heavily on his bandaged left leg. "I hear that you intend to follow the raiders and see where they've gone. I'd like nothing better than to come with you, but in this condition, I'd only slow you down.

My name is Nesim, and in the midst of all this tragedy, there's no reason you would have heard about the fate of my master, Leosin Erianthar, but it's important you know. He is a monk from Berdusk. He disappeared last night, after we fought a particularly savage battle against the raiders. A few others and I fought our way to the keep, barely. Leosin didn't make it at all. We went back this morning to look for him, but all we found was his broken staff and this choker, which he always wore." He says presenting a broken walking staff and torn leather braid with a silver pendant in the shape of a dragon upon it.

"Leosin has been investigating these raiders for months. I fear that he might have tried to infiltrate their group when they retreated, or worse, was captured and carried away as a prisoner. No one understands these bandits better than he does, and his knowledge will be invaluable against them.

When you find their camp, please look for any sign that Leosin is there. One of my brothers has already departed for Berdusk to bring back help, but it will be many days before any help arrives. Anything you can do before then would be a godsend." He says as he uses a piece of the broken staff to hold his weight on.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:25, Thu 15 July 2021.

Grune nodded solemnly and asked the kid to verify more details about the person that the group would seek. Height, weight, any other identifying characteristics before they left.

"You are a brave lad"  Grune said as his heavy hand rested on Nesim's shoulder.

"We will do this for you."

Einar looks and feels about a thousnd times better now that he's been able to rest and get a decent meal in him. As they walk along he is smiling happliy and just glad they made it through the seige mostly intact. His hand drifts down to his new weapon it was a more dextrous weapon which suited his body better but didnt work well when he was angry.

His eyes drift to Oraphina every little bit hhe didn't know why and just kept it to himself as they eventually had the young man limped up to them. He nodded at the mans words "We will do what we can to help bt make no promises for sure." He offers a smile and gives him a light clap on the shoulder.

"Oh, your poor leg," pouted Orafina after Nesim had completed his story.  "Once we get back from this, if I've got anything left in the tank I'll be happy to sprinkle a bit of magic on it and make it less..."  She looked at the bandages, and winced a little as she waggled a finger at it.  "... wrong-directiony.  Knees shouldn't bend like that."

Turning to the rest of the group, the pout was replaced by her usual cheery demeanor.  "We ready for a walk in the woods, everyone?"

Hope, one of the ones in front of the group, heard the man, and sighed and rolled her eyes. She listened to the interruption stoically and with the others accepting to help, she began to say something, then stopped. Hope was used to being alone, and her instincts led her to self preservation - she rarely helped others unless something was in it for her. Sighing, she spoke. “Well, maybe he has some information that will stop us dying horribly.”

She looked at Oraphina with raised eyebrows. “Wrong directiony…really?” She had a smile in her face. “C’mon boys….let’s go kick a Dragonborn butt - unless you want to stop and help a farmer sow a field?” She shrugged, looking around. “No?  Ok…let’s go.”

Korym listens to Nesim's story carefully..."Of course we will look out for Leosin."

The elf ponders for a moment, then he asks the young man, "Nesim, would you let me take your master's choker with us? If we do find him, it might prove to him that we are not part of the Cult."


Korym lets out a small sigh, "The creature whose butt you are intent on kicking is not a Dragonborn, rather it is a Half-Dragon. Literally from the union of a dragon and a person. Much more powerful than a Dragonborn."

Hope looked at him and shrugged. "Fine...lets go kick a half-dragon's butt then."

She looked forward "Stupid lizards still gonna get what's coming to him."

"Now you see here, young lady," huffed Orafina, spinning to face Hope.  "His leg is bent in the wrong direction.  Therefore, I am describing it as 'wrong-directiony'.  I may not be a book-learned scholar, but I know when something is not facing the right direction."  She points indignantly at the man's leg.  "And THAT fits the bill, does it not?"  The halfling finished her diatribe by blowing an indignant-yet-endearing raspberry noise in Hope's direction and turned back to the rest of the group.

"Now, back to business.  People to rescue, butts to kick, and being super sneaky to avoid getting our own butts kicked.  Let's do this!"

Hope looked at Oraphina with a raised eyebrow, trying hard to keep a straight face. When she finished, the half elf smiled. “Oh, my dear feisty halfling sister I agree that that isn’t how a leg should look. And I’m not mocking your skills - just your phrasing.” She seemed hardly phased by the halfling tirade, In fact it amused her more, and chuckled at the raspberry behind her back.

She heard the last part and chuckled. “You, fina, are about as stealthy as a giant in a glass shop.”

"Describe him... Well uh, he is my height, lean and muscled.... He has short black hair, and a thin mustache, OH! and he is a half-elf" He says awkwardly, as it becomes clear he had never thought about how to describe him to someone else before.

He then hands the choker to Korym. "Yes if you think it will help, then by all means. And thank you all." He says clasping his hands together and offering a slight bow to the group.

----

As the group makes it's way through the town, the bright blue sky and the light of day offer a stark and surreal contrast to the death and devastation all around.

Corpses lie where they fell all over the town, the odd citizen of the town can be seen weeping over one of them, or picking through the remains of a building here and there, but for the most part it is silent. Not even the birds make any noise.

Then the group approaches a large black scar running for a great distance toward the keep, every building caught in it is nothing more than a smoldering foundation now, with maybe one charred beam or a chimney still standing; the aftermath of one of the dragon's strafing runs over the town with his fiery breath. And there in the middle of the blackened road, in front of the group, the huddled remains of a family; A man, woman, and child. The parents huddling over the child to protect it from the blast... they were not successful, their corpses now nothing more than bone and charcoal.

----

Once past the ruins of the town, the group heads south east, through the pillaged farm lands until they reach rolling hills, dotted with boulders, in the distance the peaks of the mountains separating the Sword Coast from Amn are just visible on the horizon.

It isn't long before the group finds the obvious trail left by the raiders, a massive swath of grassland is trampled flat headed off into the distance, there are more tracks than one can count, and it proves there were in fact a lot of them. (everyone is welcome to make a DC 18 Wisdom Perception Check if they wish.)

----

6:00pm

Following the trail is not difficult. After several hours of following the trampled grass the group can see a thin column of smoke rising into the air in the distance, just ahead of the group. Continuing straight on their course will have them intercept the cause of the smoke in no time.

"We will do our best, Nesim." Korym says as he tucks the broken choker into his pouch.


"By the gods! This is horrific..." the elf's voice trails off as he takes in the level of devastation and the loss of life.

---

[Edit: broke up this post to respond to Hope, in order.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Thu 22 July 2021.

Hope walks the road with a stoic look as they passed the death and destruction of the town. She knew it could have easily been any of them, and she was glad it wasn’t, but also she felt sorrow. With the sight of the scar and family, she stopped, looking at them and bowed her head, whispering. She looked again at the child and took a breath, and kept walking.

On Korym’s words, the usually upbeat half elf answered, but her tone had no humour or lightnesss, only a cold, hard focus. “This had nothing to do with the gods….monsters caused this, plain and simple. The dragon and its followers.” It was clear that despite her usual tough exterior, the sight effected her. “You still keen to let that half dragon bastard walk free seeing this? I dunno about you, but I don’t want another town to bury its children.”

"This... is... awful."

Orafina walks with the group through the destruction, sometimes covering her nose and mouth with part of her cloak to ward off any smells.  If bodies are present she says a quick prayer over them, beseeching the gods to bring them to a better place than they left, but after a while even the usually cheery halfling is starting to seem worn down by the unending scenes of death and wreckage.

"They need to be stopped, no matter what," she says, staying closer to Hope as they continue on.  "And we're going to help do it."

---

04:04, Today: Oraphina Weatherbee rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  Perception DC18.

Korym looks at Hope incredulously. "When did I ever profess to a desire to see that dishonourable abomination walk free?

I don't know if you are a chronic liar or you simply take pleasure in being obnoxious. Neither is a pleasant trait, Hope."

Korym walks in silence, pondering what he has seen. It's not until the group stops at the start of the trail carved into the grassland that he comes out of his introspection just as a small bat climbs out from his cloak and onto his shoulder.

A small smile crosses the elf's face at the sight of the little creature. [Sylvan: "Why don't you see if you can find some insects to eat, Shadow?"]

The bat takes flight swooping through the air over and around the group.

---

Korym Nightstar rolled 7 for Perception. Too busy watching the bat!

I actually looked through my posts to see if Korym had said something, but I didn't see anything. I'm assuming Hope is just taking the mickey out of Korym; and getting a reaction!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Fri 23 July 2021.

Hope froze in place, her hands clenched as she turned to face Korym. Her face was expressionless,  but her eyes burnt with anger. "You know nothing of what you speak. You know nothing of me elf, so don't presume anything."

Her hands were trembling as she held his gaze. "You think I'm making light of this...." she pointed to the burnt family, the burnt child. "....I can tell you none of you, NONE have seen me more serious. I will find this bastard and kill him, or die trying...that is no lie."

She steps up to him, still looking at him. "Anf if your as smart as you think you are, maybe you wouldn't go around calling me a liar, or you'll find out just how obnoxious I can be."

She turned and started walking


<OOC: just so you know, her anger isn't entirely aimed at you. she's very protective of children, and seeing the burnt family has effected her

Don't misunderstand, she doesn't like being called a liar and will stand up for herself, but even korym would realise her reaction isn't entirely aimed at him>.

Grune drifted behind the party but it was more than his short dwarven legs which caused the departure. The cleric forced himself to look into the faces of each of the dead, each of the fallen.

If he could not see them off to the halls of their forefathers he damned sure wasn't going to ignore them. He took a moment to stand before the remains of the family as a light breeze began to tug at the integrity of the ash; a morbid metaphor on the fragility of life.


Grune Darkhammer rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  Wisdom based Perception Check

Einar marched along head held high and eyes kept forward, he didn't want to see the death and destruction they were following. His rage had already been set to the highest level. "It is terrible but if we stop to deal with this all, more will fall in the same way. We must push forward and deal with the source then we can come back to help those that have been wronged."

Einar sighs and says a short prayer for the fallen as he walks the fire in his eyes never dimming he was going to break this cult. One way, or another.

Korym breaks his self-imposed silence when the column of smoke comes into view.

"I suspect that would be the raider caravan...or perhaps even their encampment. Walking straight-in, behind them, does not seem prudent.

If we are to provide the governor with his reconnaissance, we need to be able to observe them. How do we go about doing that?"

Hope, still angry, focuses her ire on the target at hand, her demeanor changing to cold and hard. She looks at the wizard. “Given their lack of fear of us, I doubt they’ll expect us, especially so soon. They think Einar dead, which is an advantage, but stealth is also an advantage. Unless you can silence an area, the best chance for information is me. I can sneak close, observe and come back with little sound.”

There was no boasting or pride in her voice, just factual information…she believed she was the best chance for stealth. “If anyone has some skill in stealth, they can come, but I suggest the more armoured people stay back….sorry sister, this means you.”

She looked at them all. “I suggest we approach slowly, the first sign of them, find a place we can defend. Those of us who can be silent or blend in, we take a look. No longer than 30 minutes without meeting back…those who don’t you can assume captured or worse.”

She looked at them. “Unless you can keep up and stay quiet, stay back and prepare.”

Fina looked back and forth between Hope and Koryn as they bickered, finally exhaling a breath of relief when Hope turned to matters of business.  "Look, you," she said to her friend.  "We're all stressed because we all just witnessed something horrible.  Don't go in there angry - anything like this to discuss, can be discussed when we're not chasing down a gang of butchers and maniacs.  Okay?  Let this ride for now, keep your wits, and go be that wonderful sneaky woman I know you are."  She tapped the chainmail covering her chest.  "Me and my loud-assed armor will stay here and wait for you to come back."

The halfling then surveyed her companions.  "Anyone else good at being quiet?" she asked, then looked at Korym.  "Might be best if you stay here with me," Fina added with a smile.  "Get some distance between you two."

"While that would be most welcome, I am not keen to send Hope ahead on her own.

I make no claim of being as silent as my wood elf kin...but I am unarmoured. And Shadow, here," he points to the bat on his shoulder, "Is able to...silently communicate with me from over 30 paces* distance and given a moment I am able to see and hear through her eyes and ears. That might prove useful.

But, all of you are far more experienced in this work, so I will follow your decision."

---

* IC description of 100 feet :-)
Korym can take an action to see/her through Shadow's eyes/ears, but he is blind/deaf through his own senses.

Grune doesn't seem to be phased by the conversation between Hope and Korym, dwarves being creatures of such strong enduring opinions this didn't seem to register as an argument. As the conversation turns to the business at hand Grune shrugs and offers, almost apologetically.

"By the Gods, I never placed any stock inta sneaking about."

"I've some skill in Stealth but if you prefer to go alone I understand." Einar shrugs a bit and waits for a decision to be made on it since it wasn't his primary skill, but he was decent with it.

Hope shook her head, serious. "You stay back....I need help and you will know." she hands her pack to Oraphina with a smile. "Don't worry mum...I'll be back soon, and I promisni won't bring any bad boys home with me."

The woman jogged off into the darkness.

"Hope, let Shadow sit on your shoulder. If you need her to come and get us, tap her on her head, and she will return to me."

[Sylvan: "If she taps you on the head, or if she starts fighting, come back to me immediately."]

If Hope allows it, the little bat will settle onto her shoulder.

hope nods and lets the bat sit on her shoulder as she leaves

"Ohyouhaveabat!" breathes Orafina excitedly, her eyes widening in awe and a smile once again spreading across her face as she spies the animal.  "You take good care of Hope, little lady!"  She gives her friend - and the bat, for good measure - a thumbs up, and mouths the words be careful to the two of them (really, mostly Hope).

Hope and Shadow make their way across the country side as quietly as they can.

The terrain this far from town has begun to turn into rolling hills, and the numbers and size of the boulders around are increasing.

It takes roughly thirty minutes to cover the distance to the column of smoke.

Hope and Shadow's journey ends at a low spot between three hills, in the center of the depression surrounded by ten foot boulders are four cultists and eight kobolds. The cultists have their rapier's stacked lazily against one of the boulders nearest them. While it appears all the kobolds keep their weapons upon them.

Three of the cultists are seated near a camp fire with a makeshift rotisserie constructed around it; while the fourth cultist tends to a hen cooking on the rotisserie, all talking amongst themselves.

All but one of the kobolds is huddled together roughly fifteen feet from the cultists and their campfire, one however is cautiously making his way toward the campfire while the others watch on with anticipation.

o.o.c. I will need a stealth check. And if you want to hear what is being said I will need a perception check.

Your vantage point is forty feet away up a hill behind one of the many boulders.

Hope pulled all her skill to remain silent, and even though it wasn’t a town like she was used to, her skills proved good enough for the suituation. She moved slowly, toes touching the ground before her heel, her ears as much a sense as her eyes. She eventually came to the light, sighing, and found an outcropping, crouching low she strained to hear what was being said.

<OOC: ‘Hope' rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Perception check.
'Hope' rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Stealth check.>

 

Hope's keen half elven ears pick up what is being said as she watches on unnoticed.

"Yeah, and then he screamed like a little girl when I gutted him!" One of the sitting raiders says, causing all of them to burst out laughing.

"Man, you guys had all the luck, I only found some old couple. Too easy; and they were apparently poor as hell, cuz their house had nothing of any value in it, stupid old farts." The man tending the cooking hen says, cutting his story short as he notices the brave kobold reaching for a piece of the cooking bird.

The raider turns and kicks the kobold hard, his foot landing square under the jaw of the poor creature, sending it backwards and flat on it's back. "HEY! This is for people! You filthy lizards go catch your own food!" He shouts to the creature sprawled on it's back, the other raiders laughing even harder now.

The kobold groans and stands, skulking his way back to the other kobolds, grumbling to himself as he leaves.

[Language unknown: "Shemenith ar eemanc, Itssni mi proanthat... utio Nteillnte pre eeuntr redol, llet wheproyin venundore astwa....]

Hope smiled at the scene that unfolded, finding an idea in her mind. She backed away slowly and ran in the night towards her friends.

Returning to her friends, she smiled. “Four cultists, look human, and eight kobolds. Looks like the kobolds are treated pretty bad by them so if we focus on the humans, and we give the kobolds food, they may run.”

"It's a plan that involves food.  What could go wrong!"  The halfling rubbed her belly in anticipation, and pulled some rations from her pack and into her belt pouch for easier access.  "Even better, maybe they'll give us information too - stuff they overheard when the humans thought they weren't listening."

Korym listens intently as the rogue describes what she saw. "I am not keen to show mercy to the kobolds after what they did to Greenest, but sometimes the lesser of two evils is the right choice.

I might be able to pull off a trick...any chance you would recognise the kobold that called himself Skimble?"

As he feeds some dried fruit to Shadow, his head pops up. "Hope, could you tell why this small group was sitting in the middle of the plains on their own? Did they have a wagon of stolen goods and they had to rest the horses? Or are they keeping watch?"

Hope shook her head. “Not totally sure, but the humans were bragging about raids and loot - made me want to gut them there and then. They’re either a raiding party returning or a background guard.” She rubbed her hands. “As for their haul, I saw none of it. I think they may be a rear guard. It’s clear the humans think themselves better than the kobolds, even though they outnumber them two to one. They’re hungry and fear them - maybe we should put some fear in the humans.”

Grune nodded along with Hope. His voice came forth like a great rumbling purr; "Yes, I think I like the sound of that. Perhaps exploited some friction between the two groups.'
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Wed 04 Aug 2021.

B = Boulders all over 6ft tall, and can provide full cover.
G = Gravel - Requires stealth check (DC 13) for every square moved through.
F = the camp fire
C = Cultist
K = Kobold

E = Einar
H = Hope
K = Korym
Gr = Grune
O = Oraphina

Following Hope's lead the group makes their way toward the column of smoke, the last hour or so of twilight on the horizon as they arrive.

The site is a hollow between three hills; large boulders and gravel dot the area. In the middle of the depression lies our heroes' foes. The cultists seem to have made themselves comfortable in Hope's absence and have settled in for dinner, all are sitting around the camp fire eating on some sort of fowl, their weapons stacked lazily by one of the boulders nearby.

While almost fifteen feet away from the fire a group of kobolds are huddled up, each one has a large bone, they are gnawing on.

O.O.C. I know I normally roll the initiative, but even if you don't act against the enemies in your next post, go ahead and throw your initiative roll in the post as well, I will get all that done tomorrow, had another long day today. Colored your icons, so they are more easily picked out of the mess on the grid.

Korym whispers, "Do you want me to try to get the kobolds to leave? It will take me a few seconds at most."

---

It will take 3 rounds:

1. conjure a small statue of a red dragon in H12;
   
2. cast Mage Hand to move it closer to the kobolds (K11);
   
3. cast Message and tell the kobold who picks it up, "The humans have displeased me. Take me and leave immediately."

Korym Nightstar rolled 14 for initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Wed 04 Aug 2021.

Einar will stay behind the bolder and get ready to charge in should things get hairy but he makes sure to give everyone a chance to try any ideas they might have to make the fight easier on them ll.


I got a 12 for init

Hope looks at the elf and nods, taking out her hand crossbow ready to fire. She takes a breath and covers the human cultists while Korym does his thing, waiting

---

OOC: 'Hope' rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Iniative.

Hold action - attack human cultists until kobolds leave or the cultist spot them

'Hope' rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Attack - hand crossbow.
'Hope rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Damage - hand crossbow.
'Hope' rolled 2 using 1d6.  Sneak attack.>

Fina wrinkles her nose and sticks out her tongue at the smell of the clearly overcooked meat, but says nothing - the look on her face speaks a thousand words.  She slowly pulls a javelin from her pack, hefting it in her hand, and nods to the others to let them know she's ready.

---

20:22, Today: Oraphina Weatherbee rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Grune nodded once as he looked over his comrades. He prepared to call down divine fire on the head of the cultist as the elf deployed his plan.


Grune Darkhammer rolled 16 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

B = Boulders all over 6ft tall, and can provide full cover.
G = Gravel - Requires stealth check (DC 13) for every square moved through.
F = the camp fire
C = Cultist
K = Kobold
s = Statue

E = Einar
H = Hope
K = Korym
Gr = Grune
O = Oraphina

Initiative:
Cultist 17
Grune 16
Korym 14
Einar 12
Kobold 7
Hope 6
Oraphina 4


As the kobolds gnaw away at their pitiful dinner, a golden statue floats up to them. It takes a moment for them to realize it's presence, but when they do, most go slack jawed, dropping their bones, as the monument floats there and then speaks, commanding them to leave.

O.O.C. I will need a Charisma (Deception) check from you Korym. There is no advantage, as the statue is allowing the farce in the first place. But if you would like advantage, you can use the Inspiration you all gained as reward for completing Greenest in Flames.

[Language unknown: "Fi nd eraeaustiill, u ur else rean ng p estmenall evll urestibut. Alilel llelch est ameich'entbutsti p. E ome thalle dinfi no iohis weilur linha. Atedaytho m newe, unur mete ivany foel, sa K rori cenoei nte th Wa vorthiica e itic rom."]

---

I did not have the Inspiration marked on my character sheet, but I will take it and use it!
Korym Nightstar rolled 13 using 2d20, dropping the lowest, for Persuasion (Charisma).

Grune looks over to Korym and narrows his eyes. The dwarf cast Guidance on Korym, attempting to be as quiet as possible as he casts his cantrip.


OOC: Cast Cantrip: Guidance on Korym if it is not already too late for Grune's first round action.

This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Fri 06 Aug 2021.

B = Boulders all over 6ft tall, and can provide full cover.
G = Gravel - Requires stealth check (DC 13) for every square moved through.
F = the camp fire
C = Cultist
K = Kobold
s = Statue

E = Einar
H = Hope
K = Korym
Gr = Grune
O = Oraphina

Initiative:
Cultist 17
Grune 16
Korym 14
Einar 12
Kobold 7
Hope 6
Oraphina 4


The kobolds stand slack jawed at the golden statue, until one steps forward. [Language unknown: Rut Essastart? Oumori head ureek earthaess ul, ie our ith Orteveset, est iowi wemen mihanepr tros.] The kobold then drops to the ground in prostration. [Language unknown: Trplec ec ne isour ro, Poalwa i si nte Reshasall wa.]

~Just go you damned kobold!~ Korym thinks to himself. He holds up his hand to his companions, indicating they should wait a moment.


"Nuntius."

[Language unknown: "Oersheers. Wano k, neiv ar il ca il al rutstanterom nt oun sheom. Rom was ic pecelo som ac anyro er verticere. Teca ereortstr olnt adsela son sti pro whi all. Beho somwh sais thanceure lo any thuil En ntno resoutoer lat utngho."]

---

Cast Message again.
I'm assuming it's between 7:30 and 8:00 pm (6pm saw the column of smoke, 30 mins for Hope to scout, 30 mins to return, 30 mins for group to get to camp, plus talking time) If the kobolds walk until the sun is down that should be at least 30 mins.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Fri 06 Aug 2021.

B = Boulders all over 6ft tall, and can provide full cover.
G = Gravel - Requires stealth check (DC 13) for every square moved through.
F = the camp fire
C = Cultist
K = Kobold
s = Statue

E = Einar
H = Hope
K = Korym
Gr = Grune
O = Oraphina

Initiative:
Cultist 17
Grune 16
Korym 14
Einar 12
Kobold 7
Hope 6
Oraphina 4


The kobold rises from his prostrated position and seizes the idle, and quietly motions to the others, who also rise, to follow him; and together they all quietly gather their things and begin running from the site.

O.O.C. You are correct about the time of day.

Grune holds his action, waiting for one of the cultists to proceed close before her attacks. He looks nervously at Korym and waits and watches as the elf's skeem unfolds.

Orafina looks at the statue, then at the fleeing kobolds, then at Korym.  She gives him a silent double-thumbs-up alongside a wide smile, then turns her attention back to the remaining raiders in the camp.

Hope was clearly impressed, but though her eyes were clearly on the cultists, her hand crossbow aimed at them, she had a smile at the effort. She waited for them to move before attacking.

Korym whispers to the group, "I will try to put some of them to sleep, before you charge in...Somnus"

---

Cast Sleep centred on the bonfire.
Korym Nightstar rolled 32 using 5d8 for Sleep spell.
Casting Time: 1 action   Range: 90 feet   Duration: 1 minute
20 foot radius, affects creatures in order of their current hit points; each creature affected falls unconscious until the spell ends, the sleeper takes damage, or someone uses an action to shake or slap the sleeper awake.

Einar spins his new rapier lightly in his hands, he was ready to charge in there as soon as they wanted to kick things off. He gives Korym a nod of approval as his scheme manages to get the Kobolds to move away. With that, he turns his attention back on the cultist and what was to come next.

B = Boulders all over 6ft tall, and can provide full cover.
G = Gravel - Requires stealth check (DC 13) for every square moved through.
F = the camp fire
C = Cultist
K = Kobold
s = Statue

E = Einar
H = Hope
K = Korym
Gr = Grune
O = Oraphina

Initiative:
Cultist 17
Grune 16
Korym 14
Einar 12
Kobold 7
Hope 6
Oraphina 4


The raiders sitting around the campfire joke and talk amongst themselves, completely unaware the kobolds have left their camp.

Soon the three raiders leaning against the rocks eating their meal fall asleep as the one off by himself finishes laughing. "Guys? Guys?... Seriously! In the middle of my story! ... Assholes." He says belching and standing. "Well might as well go piss before I take watch." The raider then moves to one side of the camp and begins relieving himself upon the boulder.

Hope see’s an opportunity, and nodding, moves out as quietly as the night itself to the man relieving himself. Dagger in hand, she steps up behind him, and placing one arm around his neck, the dagger just below his manhood. “Caught with your pants down….shame. How about we have a chat. Hands on your head.”

She indicates the others subdue the other three before they wake. “Now….your going to be a good boy and answer our questions, or lose something…..personal” She taps the dagger on his inner thigh.

---

OOC: ‘Hope' rolled 19 using 1d20+7 - stealth check

o.o.c. I am going to need an CHA (Intimidate) Check for that one.

OOC: Hope' rolled 16 using 1d20+2 - Intimidation check

B = Boulders all over 6ft tall, and can provide full cover.
G = Gravel - Requires stealth check (DC 13) for every square moved through.
F = the camp fire
C = Cultist
K = Kobold
s = Statue

E = Einar
H = Hope
K = Korym
Gr = Grune
O = Oraphina

Initiative:
Cultist 17
Grune 16
Korym 14
Einar 12
Kobold 7
Hope 6
Oraphina 4


The raider pauses for a moment and raises his hands in compliance with Hope's demand. "Fucking Cunt!" He spits out spitefully.

O.O.C. I am going to assume you used your cunning action to make the distance to the man.

<OOC: absolutely I will.>

The half elf smiled as the man cursed. “Awww….you really know how to make someone feel special.” She grabbed his hair and pulled his head back. “…now be a good boy and I won’t have to punish you.” Her tone was soft, almost alluring, but had a real sense of menace in it. She turned around and waited on the others to deal with the rest.

When he sees the conscious raider raise his arms to surrender to Hope, Korym says, "Those three will remain unconscious for about a minute. We should be able to tie them up without a problem, it takes slapping or shaking or pain to wake them.

Unfortunately, I have no rope!"

Hope sighs. "My pack, small pocket has a coil of rope....you want to hurry up, I can't hold this guys junk hostage all night!"

Grune runs over as quickly as he little dwarven legs can carry him to Hopes pack. He grabs the rope and sets about the task of binding their captives tightly together.

Fina fumbles in her pack for a minute, then produces a length of rope of her own.  "I got some too!" she calls, running to help the others while conspicuously shielding her eyes from Hope's "hostage situation".

The sleeping raiders provide no resistance as they are tied with not only one rope but two.

Hope's new boy toy struggles occasionally given his uncomfortable pose, but does not try to escape.

Einar puts away his sword but keeps his shield on his arm with a nod, it seems at the very least they weren’t gonna have to do much fighting right now. “Good this makes things easier. Hopefully one of you is pretty good at interrogations.”

"The closest I have come to an interrogation is a heated debate questioning the research of a colleague at the library!

But I have a suspicion that our dear Hope might have some experience!

Grune, you may want to tie up Hope's captive as well; we don't want him to think to bolt."

Hope smiled as she looked at Korym. "Good idea....i don't want to slip on my new friend. Maybe i'll question him first."

Grune finished securing the knots on those who were sleeping with Oraphina's assistance and looked sharply over to Korym.

"We tied this lot, the whole lot while you what? Where doing your nails your highness? What-are you afraid that you will fall in love over here?" Grune sniped smarmily as he went back to his pack to retrieve another length of hempen rope and "disentangled" Hope from her delicate situation while securing the last man with a menacing chuckle that rumbled like settling boulders deep in his chest.

Oraphina wrinkles her nose at Grune.  "You know what he did," she says, jerking her head in the direction the kobolds departed as she finished off the last knots.  "We've each got our things to do, his is just a different thing.  Now leave him alone," she concludes, poking the dwarf in the shoulder playfully with a smile.  "Or else you'll have to deal with me."

Her piece said, she continues to keep an eye out to make sure the kobolds aren't returning or other reinforcements might be on their way.

---

17:47, Today: Oraphina Weatherbee rolled 18 using 1d20+2.  Perception check - watch for kobolds!
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Mon 16 Aug 2021.

"I will not leave him be." Grune said just before he feigned great injury at the poke which was placed by Oraphina. "'is is not the way to changing a dwarf's mind lass." Grune said with a smirk as he finished his knotwork on the last captive.

Korym rolls his eyes at the dwarf's words.

"About as much as you did while I got rid of the kobolds and I disabled three of the four prisoners.

I suppose you are just jealous that Hope got closer to his...how did she word it...oh yes...his junk that you could. Better luck next time.


"Do not trouble yourself, Oraphina, I have heard that a dwarf rarely changes his mind because their brain is too small to hold more than one thought at a time."

Korym then speaks quietly to Shadow, [Language unknown: Nderomame hadiek eipl trio pa o anyng on ive romaveomeres ameioness ntistares an.]

---

I'm assuming that Grune's last comment was along the lines that dwarves don't change their minds? Otherwise, Korym's last insult is not anywhere near as good!

If the bat circles in a 75 foot radius he should be able to notice anything within 135 feet using blindsight, if it gets dark, and has keen hearing.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:12, Thu 26 Aug 2021.

"Ay, see there-I hit a tender spot. Grune says as he stares down the man he just tied up.

"He likes your junk, perhaps he should get to keep it."

Once the other prisoners are tied up, she then turns him, dagger still out as she looks him in the eye. "You can put it away now.....hmmm" She sneaks a peak with a slight smile as he does, then helps him sit as Oraphina ties him up.

She looks at the others, then the man. Even though she looked at him, the word were to the group. "Let me do my thing here, and if possible, no interruptions."

She crouches as she looks at the man, again with the dagger in her hand, waving it in front of the man. "Now....myself and my friends are going to ask you some questions.  You will answer them, and if i don't like the answer, YOU won't like the consequence - neither will my halfling friend.  She's a bit soft that way."

She leaned forward, looking at the man, her eyes cold and hard, her tone serious. She plunged her dagger in between his legs into the ground.  "Where is the half-dragon and how many follow him. What is he doing?"

---

OOC: 'Hope' rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  intimidation check.

Grune moved over to the fire to tend to the meal which had been prepared. He looked over the cookware and tools that had been assembled there and then to the bound men.

"How long will this last?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:34, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

"My guess little while, or at least long enough that he answers all the questions we need answered." Einar shrugs a bit moving over to join the dwarf at the fire not bothing with the bound cultists. After all they would either be killed or freed he wasn't sure yet but thatwass a detail that could be worked out later.

He takes a look around the area making sure to keep his eyes open for Kobolds incase they decided to retuern while all this was going on. "As long as the Kobolds stay gone we should be good I think."

"I'm not soft.  I'm just fluffy with Yondalla's love."  She nudges the captive with her boot and nods to Hope.  "But last time we saw you and your comrades, you were charging at a group of children, and probably would have murdered them too if me and that impressive mass of combat prowess over there didn't literally throw ourselves between you and them," continues Fina, pointing her sword toward Einar to signal who the before-mentioned mass of combat prowess referred to.  "That makes me - and my goddess - VERY upset."

Her anger at the bandit notwithstanding, she still spares an annoyed mother look between Grune and Korym.  "You two play nice."

Korym's eyebrow rises as if to question the diminutive paladin, but he says nothing. Instead he doffs his pack and rummages through it digging out a piece of parchment and ink and pen. He seats himself on the ground with his back to a boulder, and waits for Hope to question the raider.

---

Korym will take notes of anything that sounds important regarding the cult, their location, and their plans.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:36, Sun 22 Aug 2021.

The man simply grinned as Hope took a moment to sneak a peak, but quickly got down to business when she stared him down, returning her gaze without even flinching, as if he were used to this kind of thing.

"I already don't like you bitch, and your threats don't scare me, you have no idea what you have just involved yourselves in. But if you want to march to your deaths, then I won't stand in your way. My brothers and sisters of Tiamat will raze this world to the ground, if you want to die a little quicker than the rest, not gonna stop ya." He says laughing.

"If'n you want to know about ol' Cyanwrath, he is probably back at our camp breaking in his new harem toys, either that or working out his old favorite elf girl. As for our numbers, aint never counted them; hundreds, thousands if you count the kobolds, multiples of that if you count the mercenaries we hire, all waiting for ya at our camp, so go ahead and march right on in there." He says smirking
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:47, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

Hope, looking at him, watches as he goes through his tirade, a slight smile on her lips and raised eyebrow. When he smirks, she tilts her head with a smile.

...and slams her fist into his jaw.

The woman grabbed her dagger, still imbedded in the ground as fast as lightning and had it at his throat, her smile meanacing and cold. "Your the one that's a fool. Numbers don't win wars - smart people do, tactics. It's clear your group doesn't have enough tactical knowledge to fill a scrap of paper. Your boss is a warrior, no doubt, but he fights with strength, not smarts."

She leaned in close, her gaze icy. "I'm going to enjoy taking apart your organization, piece-by-piece. No, i'm not going to attack straight on, that's suicide and would achieve nothing. No - i'm going to turn them against each other - The kobolds, the mercenaries. And when the chaos threatens them, we will strike, taking the head from the snake."

She taps the blade on his neck. "...because that's your flaw.  You believe that in your numbers, you hold all the cards. But you have no idea." she brings she dagger up to his eyes. "And you underestimate myself and my friends.....how far we will go."  She snaps her hand down, plunging the dagger into the mans thigh

Leaving it in, she gently slaps his cheek. "...and don't call me a bitch - very rude." She grabs the dagger and pulls it out

---

OOC: What the hell - all or nothing here

'Hope' rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  attack - dagger.
'Hope' rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  attack - dagger (Advantage).
'Hope' rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  damage - dagger.

The man lets out a small yelp as the dagger not only finds his thigh but digs into his bone, but quickly recovers returning his gaze to Hope, and spitting at her. "You've already lost, you just don't know it yet.

No one can oppose Tiamat's power, she is the mother of dragons, and many of them serve with us now, and soon all will; then the fun begins." He says, his laugh turning somewhat manic. "A  'Flight of Dragons' will begin, maybe even a 'Rage of Dragons,' all across this world, and after that Tiamat herself will return to this world, and all who were faithful will be given power and authority over this world to rule in her name and project her will.

We are the faithful chosen, who will bring her hoard to her so that she might be pleased, and while you search for our canyon hide out our leader will already have set in motion the beginning of the end. And if by some fluke you manage to get inside the camp unseen and try something Mondath and Cyanwrath will stamp you out."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:46, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

As he jots down some notes, Korym says, [Language unknown: "Us, m thent n Ourthoiouugh, taai ar isis Ivenotnot m. Omfi ar t era ectatiyin ngmi ss ekad prver a antstrtra o?"]

Hope smiled at the man's obvious yelp of pain, and at the spit, wipes it off. She again lets him speak, the foolish man giving away information without realising it. "Don't count your dragons before they've hatched buddy - and don't count us out. We may look like pushovers, but when the times are tough, we rise to the occasion."  She slaps the flat of the blade against the mans cheek.

She looks at Korym with a shrug, hearing his comment, nodding slightly. "Mother of dragons....sounds like the mother-in-law is coming to visit." she smiled as she looked at the man, but her eyes were as cold as ice.

"Faithful or not, the wyrms care a spit for you, and i can't wait to see your faces when they turn on you....you won't live that long to see it though. As for Cynawrath…..met him. Little impressed, but still gonna have his head on a pole for your 'faithful' to see. And Mondath, whoever the hells he is, got a spot for his head - right up Cyndawrath's ass."

She whip[s the dagger near his throat, again the cold demeanor coming to to her face. "Again, you wont live long enough to see it."

Fina paces restlessly.  "He won't recant," she says, all this talk of Tiamat and Cyanwrath and the others putting her on edge.  "He's set in his ways - a fanatic - and all he'll do is spew his masters' propaganda.  Let's be done with him and move to the others..." she proposes with a side-eye at the other captives.  "Maybe they won't be so stubbornly blind."

"Mondath is our leader at the camp, and SHE will be your doom!" He says laughing, "And the rest of my boys won't be any more helpful, we all fear Tiamat, more than anything you could ever do to us. So go ahead, do your worst!"

"It appears that your assessment is correct, Oraphina."

As he jots down notes, Korym can't help himself, and calls out, "This Mondath, is SHE another half-dragon like Cyanwrath?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:11, Thu 26 Aug 2021.

Einar's hand twitches towards his axe but he thinks better of it moving a bit to one side to stretch, there really wasn't much for him to add. It was best to leave people to their strengths and this was certainly not one of his.

The man laughs at Koryms' ignorance. "Hardly! Your right to be worried about Wyrmspeaker Rezmir though, but you wont even get close to her! Cyanwrath and Mondath will have ground you to dust long before you reach her!" He says busting out into some sort of religeous chant.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Thu 26 Aug 2021.

Hope rolled her eyes, clearly had enough of the man and his fanatical ramblings. Grabbing the dagger and without a word, plunged it into his throat. “Blah, blah, blah….Gods be damn, his ramblings was driving me crazy” She stood up and turning to the other prisoners, looked at them. Without taking her eyes off then, she grabbed the dagger and ripped it out of the mans throat, blood spurting like a fountain. Standing there with a glare, her dagger dripping with blood, she spoke calmly and low, showing her serious tone.

“Now…which if you boys wants to tell me about Mondath, Rezmir and your camp and which wants to be the next to upset me?”

Korym's eyebrow rises when Hope plunges her dagger into the man's throat; but he says nothing.

The elf writes as he says, "He was speaking Draconic...a prayer to Tiamat asking her to bring doom on her enemies...that would be us I suppose."

While Hope looks to interrogate another of the men, Korym reaches out, telepathically, to Shadow checking if the bat has seen any humanoid figures approaching.

---

[Edit: added "telepathically" so it makes more sense.]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:22, Sat 28 Aug 2021.

"Hooray for us then!  Good to reaffirm what you stand for by seeing who you stand against."  She crosses her arms across her chest and nods in satisfaction, then looks to the wizard.  "Korym, could you write that down?  That came out sounding far wiser that I was expecting, and I don't want to forget it."

Korym nods, without looking up, "Of course!"

Still somewhat groggy from the sleep spell that had only moments ago faded, the cultists look on as Hope murders their ally. Their brief struggles for freedom from their bonds comes to a stop once Hope turns her attention to them.

After her question, the group remains silent for a moment, before one of them speaks up. "Why tell you anything? Your just gonna kill us too, so go on and get it over with."

Hope smiles as she walks over to the one that spoke. “You think I wanted to kill him….well, him I did because he wasn’t very nice to me or my friends. But because your tied up and in the wrong side, no….I don’t want to kill you. You tell me what we want to know, and walk that way to town, unarmed and keep going and you can live. Damn…i‘lol even give you gold to get supplies as you pass through.”

She crouched, holding the bloody dagger. “But, rest assured, you endanger my mission or my friends, and you will be like him. Just think about it….we could have killed the kobolds too, but their gone. You too could walk.”  She looked him in the eye.

“….if you talk.”

The man looks to his fellows before looking to Hope. "Fine, but I wont betray the cult. You want some answers I will answer anything that wont compromise them.

Mondath is our leader normally and her second in command is Cyanwrath a half blue dragon. Rezmir is a Wyrmspeaker, and a half black dragon, which means she is in charge while she is at the camp."

Hope smiled as he spoke, taking the information in. “We’ve met Cynawrath. resmir….the wyrmspeaker, is she a magic user or a holy caster? How many people at the camp, and how many are kobolds and mercenaries?”

The man chuckles slightly at the question of Rezmir being a magic wielder or not. "She's a half-dragon, and a Wyrmspeaker, she can do what ever she wants, magic no magic, it doesn't matter she will rip you to pieces all the same, and I already told you I'm not going to tell you anything that might compromise the cult, so you might as well stop asking about numbers and locations."

Korym stops writing and looks up.
So, you are taking the goods from Greenest to the canyon in hopes that Tiamat will be pleased with a hoard made up of the goods ransacked from villagers?

What about your flights of dragons are they contributing their gold and jewels to your hoard?"

"Now you're interjecting logic into their zealotry," Fina chided Korym.  "They're used to not thinking for themselves and being ruled by whoever could best beat face with stick," she added, mimicking the action my slapping a tiny fist into her other open hand, "so let's not ruin their day even further by making them try to reason."

The man turns to Korym "That's above my rank, but if your a dragon, you don't mess with the Mother of Dragons, and her hoard. Even the greediest red, will submit to an order from their goddess unless they have a worse than death wish, So I wouldn't be surprised if they are being forced to contribute their hoards too.

But, I can tell you the loot has been flowing for a while now, there is something in the air; used to be, back in the day before we... switched our worship from Dracolitches to Tiamat the cult could go decades or even longer before we were able to get a dragon raised as a lich, or find a powerful enough one to bother serving. But when we, lets say, rebranded... the power was almost immediate, Dragons all over the world began to listen when we spoke, or the Wyrmspeakers anyway.

And now, well, lets just say when the cult is ready hell and dragon fire is going to cleanse this world. I wouldn't bet against it."

Einar is a bundle of frowns, seems this quest of there was getting outta hand fast. Fighting a half dragon basically killed him, and now Dragons and what ever thes wyrmspeakers were were on the list too. "Well this sounds like it's gonna be alot of work, we should prolly get started."

"As my friend said, logic does not seem to be a strong point with you and your friends, but indulge me for a moment.

I would guess a single dragon hoard would be worth at least a hundred times more than what you stole from Greenest.

If your Tiamat is as fixated of treasure as most dragons, then it seems to me that the dragons will be considered worthy of her attention, while peons like you who bring peasant's trinkets as tribute, will likely be at best slaves, and at worst appetizers.

I don't see what you get out of this deal, other than a few months of pillaging...really...you've made an idiotic choice."

Hope stands by the man, her blood-dripping dagger still in hand, waiting an answer of korym’s question

The man scowls at Korym. "Judge me all you want knife ears, but you don't understand anything. I been in this outfit for decades, and it's not about the loot, it's about surviving the coming storm, always has been.

You think us like the kobolds, well we're not. We have always been more than slaves, For almost six hundred years the cult has believed that, in the end, the world would be ruled by dragons, it is inevitable, and due to some misinterpretations this was thought to mean Draco-Liches.

So, for a long time we had been dedicated to not only serving dragons, but also helping them achieve immortality. In exchange the cult has shared in their wealth and acted as spies, informants, and when need be assassins. In return we have made many draconian allies, who, when times have called for have come to our aid in return.

Sorry to disagree but we're far from stupid, it takes a keen mind to negotiate with dragons, and survive, let alone thrive for almost six hundred years."

Orafina massaged the bridge of her nose between two fingers, her eyes closed as if trying to ward off a headache.  "This does sound like a lot of work," she said to Einar.  "But like he said, they've been at this for years.  We can't be the first ones to fight back.  There's got to be an army standing against them by now, right?"

She opened her eyes and looked to the others in anticipation, then to the cultist's wild-eyed braggadocio.  "Right?"

Grune turns his back from the gristly affairs and cleans his warhammer. With a soft cloth soaked in scented oils and works the fabric over the surface of the dwarven hammered metal to produce a shine.

He listened to the words of his companions as distasteful as the conversation was perhaps there was some good that might be cultivated from these events.

---

Grune Darkhammer rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Knowledge: Religion (Mother of Dragons). Just a shot in the dark. Does Grune know anything about the Mother of Dragons xD

The man snorts a short laugh at Oraphina's question.

"I imagine most people are opposed to us actually."

Hope sighed, knowing this was going around in circles. She looked at the man. “I’m a person of my word. You are free on my one condition. You walk away from this fight….live to fight another day, but today you walk, you do not return to your camp, you do not contact them. Go back to your dragon masters for all I care, tell them we are coming. Today you walk away or I kill you all now. But know that you make your way towards the camp, and we will know if you do, you will die, a lot slower amd more painful than him….”She pointed at his dead comrade.

“…and know that if I see you again, there will be no words, no mercy - only my blade in your throat.”

She crouched and looked at him. “Your choice….live or die?”

Korym's head jerks up when he hears Hope's words to the cultist.

He keeps his voice calm, and says, [Language unknown: "U ieinnd oer has. K earconame e inom llouchbe pe ut. Plse si ouill ekarhi lat ilto...asttersan thi ommoar i."]

Hope smiles as korym speaks in a friendly casual tone.

She gently slaps the speaker on the cheek. "He's been a good boy, staying to his word" she then switches back to elven

Korym gives Hope a look of agreement, "I trust your judgement." [Language unknown: "Omeconvorionons."]

---

We're going to look stupid if they speak elvish! :-)

The man watches as the two elves talk to one another in Elven. When it seems they are done speaking he says, "Well, if you haven't been talked into killing us, I would rather take your option to leave."

The half elf tilted her head, dagger in hand, and goes to the speaker and cuts his bonds, followed by the others. She steps back and smiles. “Your free to go…the other way. You make towards where we are going in the next 48 hours, you try contact them or follow us, the deal is off. My advice, find a place to stay for a few days, then do what you wish - just pray you don’t see us again because you do, and the only thing you will see is my dagger piercing your eye”

The men stand dusting themselves off and grabbing their weapons and gear in silence. The talkative bandit looks back toward the group as he and the rest set off. "I don't think things will be so cordial next time we meet." He says before setting out with the other's into the night.

Leaving the party all alone at the camp.

Hope stood by, a half smile on her face. At the final words, she simply raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “Pray there isn’t one, for your sake.” She muttered as they left camp.

As they did, the woman sighed, sheathing her dagger. She looked at the slain one and started searching him and removing his clothes. “We can better hide with a disguise.”

<OOC: she searches the man and takes his robe.>

Korym purses his lips as the killers are allowed to arm themselves and leave.

He immediately contacts Shadow telepathically, [Language unknown: "Poit hat p lo. Ekckbe vorconsoncon ol hasainman men ofsi, tinratres acas ate arri i o isce saca ant hisareeen elpe ierom."]

"This makes no sense, Hope. Even if they don't return to ambush us, they are guilty of killing innocents. They do not deserve less than that one," he says pointing at the body she is stripping.

The elf silently packs his parchment and ink away.

Hope watched as they left, hearing Korym’s words. “I was once like them, even worked with them, until I was given a second chance…” She looked at Oraphina with a smile. She then looked back at the elf. “It isn’t about what they deserve, but what we will do. We murder in cold blood, we are as bad as them. No, they get this chance, like the chance I got. They choose to waste it, it’s on them, but I won’t become like them again.”

Her tone was serious as she watched the area they left.“…..never again.” She mumbled.

She sighed. “Could you just ask your friend to watch them for a bit.”

o.o.c. Shadow sees that the men are in fact keeping true to their word and heading away from you.

The cultist has on his person:

22gp
x1 Scimitar
x1 Backpack
x3 trail rations (Beef Jerky)
x1 scroll, It seems only Grune can read

Fina watches Hope's interactions with the captives, and returns Hope's smile as the men leave.  "Tempering justice with mercy... it's a good look on you, young lady," she adds with a wink.  "Korym's not wrong, though.  This group doesn't seem much on mercy, and going forward we might have to adjust our morals accordingly."

She puts her hands on her hips and surveys the encampment, arching an eyebrow as she looks around.  "Huh.  Wasn't there supposed to be a monk in here somewhere?"

"Already done. And it seems that they are not circling back toward us...yet. I believe, as Oraphina said, fanatics do not change their ways even with a knife at their throat."


"Leosin Erianthar, from Berdusk. I imagine he is being held at the camp in the canyon. Guarded by the hundreds of kobolds, cultists, and mercenaries.

It's late, and it's getting dark we need to move from here, as the kobolds may return....especially when that statue fades away! We need to find a safe place to camp."

Korym looks to others, knowing he is of little help in this task.

Hope looked at Oraphina with a snort. "Don't rub it in....it's your 'eternal sunshine' attitude thats made me soft. Next thing i'll wear a dress." the woman shudders as she looks at Korrym.

"I suggest we keep moving for an hour, find a camp off the trail and rest."

The paladin's eyes go wide.  "No, wait.  Wait.  Waitwaitwait."  Her hands flail wildly, as if she doesn't know what to do with them.  "New priorities!  First we go back to town and get you a dress, then we save the world from a murderous dragon cult."

In reply to 'Hope' (msg # 137):

Grune looked over his shoulder drawn to the virtue and quality of Hope's words.  Grune didn't say much, for there wasn't much that needed to be said. He nodded as he looked at Hope and there was obvious esteem that had been kindled there.

"Well said, that stuff before the dress part."

Einar laughs louudly at the going ons reaching over to pat Oraphina on the shoulder. "Maybe next time we are in town we can get her a dress. For now we have pressing matters and a time table that is ever against us."

Grune nodded grimly.

"Time seems to be ever our enemy."

Fina throws her hands in the air, exasperated.  "Great, like we need more enemies right now.  World-saving first then, shopping trip after."

She smiles up at Einar.  "Ready to kick butt, big guy?"

Hope glares at her halfling friend, eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me put fire ants in your armor Fina…..I’ve told you already you won’t get me in a dress.” She cleans her dagger in the fallen bodies pants, muttering. “Bloody panda in trying to make me all decent - maybe I should’ve let the cult kill me back then.”

She looks at Elnar. “Don’t encourage her.” She shook her head.“She’ll never quit on this now.”

She sheathed her dagger. “Can we go now?”

"Of course I'm always ready for a fight, it's other stuff that tends to escape me" He lets out a soft chuckle as he gets glared at and goes 110% encouragement mode after all he liked Oraphina

With a light chuckle he leans over "Maybe pink with purple poka dots?"

"Yes, we should not tarry."

Korym concentrates to telepathically, tell Shadow that they were moving on and that the little bat should watch for the cultists for a few more minutes before returning.

As the group starts to move away from the cultist camp, Zenphar deadpans to Oraphina, "I think a nice blue frock, it would bring out her eyes. Do you think there is any hope that she might bathe?"

---

Presumably the group will continue in the same direction as the raiders, which I believe was east.
[Edit: must keep PC names straight goddammit!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Thu 16 Sept 2021.

Hope started walking, glaring at Elnar. She points at him. “You’ll never get me in pink either….more of a chance of YOU wearing a dress, you hard-headed brute.” She walks and when Korym chimes in, she stops and turns on him, more shocked than angry. “You too, huh? Never thought you had a sense of humour in there.”

She points at the halfling with a half hearted frown. “This is YOUR doing. I wear to your god if this haunts me, I’ll make sure you’ll regret it.” She spun, walking off, muttering, hiding her smile from the others

Fina is positively beaming at the fashion suggestions from the others.  "I don't see her as the polka-dot type," she says to Einar with a wink.  "Too flashy.  Blue is a bit better, more subdued, but still kinda bright," she continues, turning her critique to Korym.  "Good call on the eyes, though."

"I'm thinking crimson.  Dark red," she offers, holding up her chubby fingers in "L" shapes with the thumbs touching to frame Hope.  "Black bodice, knee boots, tricorner hat.  Like a pirate queen."

She hustles ahead to where the target of her mental fashion show is walking and hugs her leg.  "All said with love, Hope.  But you would make a dashing pirate queen."

Hope groans as Oraphina hugs her leg, a glare still coming from the half elf. "Keep pushing me, pint-size and i'll hang you from a tree and let the wolves get you - there's where your red will come from!"

She pushed her off (Gently) as she kept walking. "...and i'd make a crap pirate queen - you know i get sea sick! You'd make a good anchor - the lot of you!" She muttered as she walked. "How am I supposed to sneak around with frills, I mean c'mon…"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Wed 15 Sept 2021.

"Then I suppose we will have to go with the tight bodice some skin tight leathers, with the nice boots." He's 100% all about this teasing after all he'd been quiet for a while. As he looks over the gathered group before laughing and movign to take his spot towards the front.

Hope pauses, turning towards Elnar with eyes wide, and indicates what she is wearing...tight fitting studded leather armor and boots. "More my style big boy. Maybe we'll get you in a tight shirt and breeches."

Einar shrugs a bit feeling maybe a tiny bit challenged so he just adjust some things before pulling the shirt right off. "Why bother with a tight shirt when you can just take it off?" He chuckles a bit his skin has more than a few scars on it the biggest is obviously the one left from the halfdragon's strikes even a star like one were he was speared by the evil man.

Oraphina fans herself.  "Good gracious."

Hope looked at Elnar and raised her eyebrows, and shrugged. "You just proved my point. A shirt,  like a dress is about the look - no practical use." she looked at Oraphina then back to Elnar. "Put your shirt back on before the prude has a heart attack, or worse.....an inpure thought" she crouched with a hand over her mouth, a clear mocking shocked look, and then stood and chuckled

He grins a bit as his eyes drift over to Oraphina and then back to Hope. "Just for that I'm keeping it off, maybe she will maybe she won't. Only time will tell and first thing back in town I'm buying you the most outrages dress I can find bet on it."

Hope looked at the man, a cheeky smile on her face. “….and I’m betting it’ll look great on you too.”

Einar laughs the ever confident one"I would look absolutly amazing and you are just Jelous of my natural good looks"

The half elf smiled, walking up to him. She leaned in close, a sultry look and leaned in..

And whispered in his ear. “You wish.”

He chuckles and wispers back "Not with you I don't" with that he laughs a bit mmore heading forward to try and find them a good place to camp, tossing his shirt over towards Orphina just to see.

Journeying through boulder and stone ridden fields at night was a fairly difficult task with the patches of grassland becoming more and more rare, giving way to packed dirt, gravel, and stone. Every few steps seemed to threaten to sprain or break an ankle, or rocks would slide down hill from a misplaced step sending a cacophony of noise out into the still night.

About thirty minutes into the travel all but Einar and Oraphina, who cant really see much of anything in the dark, notice a man laying upon the ground in a puddle of drying blood.

He is a younger human man, maybe twenty by his looks, with shoulder length blond hair, a blue bar like tattoo that crosses under one eye goes over the bridge of his nose and ends under the other eye, he is decently muscled, and everything about him seems to point to adventurer.

He is mostly naked and laid out on his back arms spread wide, he has been badly beaten and has two puncture wounds in his chest, likely from arrows or bolts, but since they are no longer there, it is likely whoever shot the man likely looted him of his belongings and took the projectiles too.

The approach to the body seems to indicate that the man is dead, even his eyes simply stare blankly into the sky, until someone gets close enough to inspect him, at which point the eyes lazily drift to and try to focus on the newcomer, but he does not move otherwise.

Only the faintest of wheezing sounds can be heard upon listening closely, and it becomes clear from the amount of blood, the wounds, and the man's lethargy, he is almost completely bled out, and probably has blood in his lungs, the more medically trained can see that he only has moments more to live at best.

o.o.c.
If you wish to heal the lad a healing spell will do the trick, it won't do anything for the massive blood loss, but it would heal his wounds. Or you can try to stabilize him with a (WIZ) Medicine check of DC20

Grune immediately rushed to the man's side as he examined his wounds. He placed an ear to his chest and listened to the rattling sounds that he found there.

"Not good."

Closing his eyes he placed one hand on his holy symbol and the other on the man's chest as he prayed for divine healing.


Grune Darkhammer rolled 6 using 1d8+3.  Cure Wounds

The holy life giving energies flow into the man, sealing his wounds and clearing bruises, soon the man is coughing large bouts of blood up as a drowning man might water.

The man does not move at first, and when he does he groans trying to sit up, but immediately drops back down dizzy from blood loss.

"Anarkun... Thanks... Stranger...." He says slowly and as if Common were not his preferred language. "Danger... Bad men... Turn back..." He says gently placing one hand on his chest and another to his temple trying to stop the vertigo he is experiencing.

"Well done, Grune."

Korym looks around the area, "It is too dark to keep moving, if we set up camp around here, he can rest with us, and may regain some strength."

Oraphina squints her eyes.  "What's going on?" she whispers, trying to see the scenario before her.  "Who's talking?  Was that a spell?  Who just coughed?"

"Don't ask me I can't see shit either."

Hope walks near the group and is one of the first to see the man. Unlike the dwarf, she doesn’t go to him, but looks for danger or any signs of it. She can see the dwarf cast his spell and the coughing, then the comments from Einar and Oraphina and she rolls her eyes, groaning. She walks up to them, grabs each of their arms and leads them over. “Your blundering around in the dark is noisier than a group of dwarven battleragers.” She leads them over, and takes out a torch, and Flint and steel.

She looked at Korym. “Let’s get off this trail a few hundred meters, perhaps over there….” Pointing east. “…and make a camp. Make sure the fire is sheltered so no one can see it from a distance. I’ll look around.”She strikes the Flint and steel and ignites the torch and begins looking around the area for tracks.

---

OOC: 'Hope' rolled 16 using 1d20+3 - investigation check

"We have found a near-dead young human, Oraphina. Grune has managed to save him, but he appears to be extremely weak.

A moment." Korym pulls a candle from his pouch, "Incendium." With a word the candle begins to burn,

"Sorry, I don't normally carry torches, but this might help you a bit," the elf hands the candle to the halfling.

"Einar I think we will need you to carry him. I doubt he can walk. Does anyone else have a torch, or a Light spell?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:20, Sun 19 Sept 2021.

Hope finds the area is littered with tracks, hundreds of them at the least. This man likely ran into the retreating raiders.

-------

The man doesn't put up any kind of resistance as he is helped up, he simply groans and leans upon whomever was helping him walk to the camp site. "Anarkun, has no money, cannot pay strangers." He says weakly as the group makes it's way to a secluded enough spot behind some boulders, to make their camp.

o.o.c. if you are camping for the night this will count as a long rest, and will there be a watch? If so who will take what watch?

Hope walked the area with a grimace. "There's more tracks here than a fairground!" She pulls up her torch with an exasperated sigh. "I think he ran into the raiders on their way back."

Hope then followed the others to the camp. "Korym....You take first watch with Oraphina. I'll take the next, Grune if you and Einar take the last." She looked around the group for confirmation.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 171):

"Rest and regain your strength. You have paid is in full by the information that you have already provided."

Grune said as he makes the man as comfortable as he can along the speedy path of recovery.

"Anarkun? Is that your name?"

Oraphina takes the candle from Korym and smiles.  "Thanks!  Halflings are blessed with a lot of things, but seeing in the dark is not one of them."

Now that she can finally see, she makes her way over to the wounded man and frowns.  "Oh, you poor dear.  Grune is right, get some rest... you look like you've had better days."  She takes his hand in hers, and covers the back of it with her other hand, careful not to burn him with the candle.  There's a faint whiff of cinnamon as she tries to dull the pain he's in, then she steps back.  "I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about come sunrise."

When Hope starts speaking about watches, she nods in agreement.  "No issues here," she says, "and if it comes down to it, I can probably stay up a bit past the end of my shift so you're not watching alone."

---

Orafina is spending 5 points of her Lay on Hands to help Anarkun.

Einar just nods balling up his shirt as a pillow as he starts to lay out his stuff for camp, it wasn't much but he was gonna do his damnedest to be comfortable. Unrolling his bed roll and taking a seat on it, pulling out some dry rations to munch on.

Korym nods, and says to the halfling, "You should have a torch handy, if anything approaches we will need light if we are to deal with it."

The elf will tell his familiar to circle the camp at a distance of about 30 paces [100 feet]. He will send her out once every 30 minutes or so.

The man seems somewhat confused at how nice the group is being to him and is obviously not used to this level of attention.

As he is helped to a sitting position at the new camp site, he begins to answer Grune's question until Oraphina's healing magics course through him, causing him to inhale deeply first, followed by a deep sigh. "Many thanks." He says with a smile, he then points to himself "Yes, Anarkun.

Anarkun on quest from tribe, to be named a man; make map of all world." His smile slowly turns to a frown, at the mention of his quest. "Anarkun traveled far from home, found others had already completed task. Anarkun found maps some had things others had other things, Anarkun seek to make best map from all maps. Anarkun done with quest; was headed home, until bad men took maps.

Now Anarkun will start all over."

"You have your life lad. You will complete many more things. Do not allow this to define you." Grune said sternly as he put away his medical supplies and stored them into his backpack.

"Tell us more about your maps and the wonders that you found."

"Anarkun has traveled to many lands collecting maps, seen many amazing things. Peoples of all colors and shapes, many looking like animals, Traveling across oceans on wondrous wooden ships, seeing lands of dense green trees and savage people, Islands that fly among the clouds with ships that sail between them. Anarkun even found cave leading to deep new world, where monsters are many and evil everywhere, Anarkun spent little time there.

Anarkun from land far north of here, where ice never melts and cold is all there is. Anarkun had thought whole world was like that, until strangers arrived at tribe and told of different lands, traded for supplies in shiny metal strangers called gold and silver, Anarkun had never seen anything like them or their metals. Anarkun knew then Anarkun had to scout these lands, whole world, and bring knowledge of world back to tribe, this would be a great task for becoming a man, none had ever tried it before Anarkun, Anarkun would be greatest scout of White Bear tribe.

Anarkun surprised to find that people already scouted whole world and make maps. Anarkun decided to travel world collecting maps to bring home, and show tribe whole world, and make chronicle of Anarkun's adventure.

In whole travel Anarkun had never lost all maps, some, not all... Anarkun failed task today, whole journey for nothing. Anarkun had been told rumors by travelers that raiders were in area... Anarkun studied maps and knew any raiders likely in nearby box canyon, tried giving wide distance, Anarkun did not travel wide enough..." He says resting his head back against a boulder as he goes over his decisions in his head.

Hope listened to the story, her interest perked as he mentioned the raiders. “Wait…,you know where they’ll be? Did you see this canyon at any time - maybe some caves in or out of there not widely known?”

The half elf had a slight smile on her face as an idea came to mind.

"Anarkun stayed in canyon once, when passing by this region before. Canyon is formed from flat top mountain in this shape" He says drawing a horse shoe shape in the dirt.

He then points to the narrow open part of the horseshoe. "This is only way in and out, loose rocks and many high hiding spots, good place to hide and attack with surprise."

Anarkun then points to the back of the canyon, or the opposite position on the horse shoe, and says. "This area has large cave, cave does not exit to outside... Strangers cannot go, too dangerous." He says a worried look on his face.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:09, Thu 23 Sept 2021.

"Do not worry to much of our saftey Anarkun, we are warrior who are here to deal with these.... Bandits. He offers a smile from his bedroll and pats his shield which is set to one side of him. "If we get your maps back would you be willing to make a copy of some of them for us?"

"Anarkun, where I live, in a city called Silverymoon, there is a large building call the Maphouse, that is filled with more maps than you can imagine!

I would like to show it to you one day. If ever get back there."

Korym then points at the closed end of the horseshoe, where the caves are located.

"Is it possible to get to here, without moving through the whole canyon floor?

And about how far from here to the canyon entrance?" he asks, pointing from the caves to the opening of the horseshoe.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Sat 25 Sept 2021.

Hope, crouching as he explained the map, had a concerned look on her face. "Though good for ambush, it's also good defensible position. Anyone wanting to approach would be bottle necked through here.." indicating the horseshoe opening. "...We could descend on ropes, but we risk being seen. We know they have magic users, as well as that big half dragon bastard. He could wait for us and just attack - slaughter. No - we need another way, quiet."

He looked at the man. "Are there any mines or mineshafts on the land behind the cave?"

She taps her cheek, then looks at Korym. "Any chance you can send your friend to scout - see how many people are in the canyon, and the layout around it?"

"Anarkun cannot ask this of strangers. Anarkun will do as stranger asks if strangers are able to bring maps back, Anarkun will do gladly."


Anarkun's eyes widen at the mention of the Maphouse. "Anarkun would love to see this place."




Anarkun looks to Korym. "Canyon is big, maybe one thousand feet long almost five hundred feet wide at narrow points."

"Only way in and out." He then points once again to the entrance.

He pauses for a moment before speaking again. "Can climb cliff here." He says redrawing the horse shoe in a more accurate orientation and shape to reality. "North part of canyon has brush leading all the way to cliff, can use as cover." Anarkun says pointing to a region near the opening of the horse shoe. "Also has brush on top of flat top in area too." He says before pointing to the back end of the horse shoe where the cave is, which is now oriented east. "Could climb here, here there is brush leading to wall like north, but no brush on top of flat top for cover."



Anakrun shakes his head yes. "Inside canyon many nooks and small caves, none lead outside canyon." then points to the east side of the canyon again. "Only brush out here." He says reaffirming his previous statement.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:51, Sat 25 Sept 2021.

Korym nodded. "Shadow can certainly fly ahead of us and look about, but counting and identifying humanoids is beyond her ken.

But, if I am close by, say 30 paces, I can see and hear through her eyes and ears."

Pointing to the map in the dirt, he adds, "It looks to me our best course is to approach from the north, and stay in cover to observe the camp.

The Governor wants information, and even if those cultists were exaggerating, there are probably far too many for us to overcome."

Oraphina smiles at Anarkun.  "It's a convenient meeting of fates - you need help, and you found us, because we're super helpful.  Pretty great, right?"

She squinted at the makeshift map.  "So we're planning on climbing down the cliff, or just staying on top of it and observing?"

Hope chewed her lip in thought. "If one of those shafts leads to the caves we can come from behind....scout what their hiding."

She looked at the others and shrugged

Anarkun nods and returns Oraphina's smile. "Strangers too nice, Anarkun fears for strangers going to canyon."

------

The night in the wilderness has passed without incident, Shadow was able to detect the movement of some Gnolls about half a mile from the group and heading away; it seems they did not catch wind of the group.

Anarkun escorts the group for several hours before having to stop to rest, still not completely recovered from the blood loss; however he manages to describe in enough detail the route the group must take to reach their destination by their desired time, without him.

----

As the group nears their destination, a large mesa can be made out from a distance, it stands an impressive one hundred fifty feet tall and stretches for a great distance, with a sheer cliff face, heavily weathered by time; large chunks of the wall, over time, have broken off leaving countless ledges and grooves ideal for hand and footholds, the base of the cliff is littered with rocks and boulders some as large as small houses.

Following Anarkun's directions has led the group to an area where the grass grows tall, reaching almost six feet high, providing a decent amount of cover as the group advances and observes the cliff.

From the group's vantage point no guards can be seen upon the top of the mesa, but the top of the mesa is covered in tall grass as well, like Anarkun said, and could be concealing lookouts.

Hope walked at the front of the group, her eyes ever sharp as they made their way.  When the time came to separate from Anarkun, she smiled and nodded too him.

Onward they traveled as they came to the mesa, the long grass ideal for concealment. She showed the others how to best stay hidden, not taking chances as they came towards the appointed spot. "Wait here....i'll scout ahead."

Before anyone could argue, she slipped into the grass, the curtain barely even rippling at the half elf's movement.

o.o.c. the base of the cliff is littered with so many stones, ranging from small pebbles to large boulders, that it forms a slight incline up to the cliff face that it all fell from. Hope finds nothing of interest in the area.

But this close to the cliff it becomes clear that the climb will be doable with plenty of hand holds.

Mechanically there is no skill check required to climb this cliff, it is simply considered movement, but more like difficult terrain where every foot of movement costs 2ft instead.

Unless you want to try and push yourselves and climb faster, then there is a DC 10 STR (Athletic) check involved.

Grune settled the weight of his backpack on his "good" shoulder and began his climb up the rockface.

"Slow and steady, everyone," offered Oraphina, then turned and watched as Hope disappeared into the heavy growth.  "That girl," she said, shaking her head and looking to the others.  "The way she just up and vanishes like that, you'd think she's part ghost."

Einar does his best taking it slow after hope disppears, up the wall he goes not bothering to push hard and fast right nwon as they could always do that later if someone was in danage.

Korym is the last of the group to start the ascent. Like the others he takes his time.

[Language unknown: Cheest, p oveoveeve ie urthi shewheast sonla utain i oun undsonwit san le t on e stet ter tedousnte hou tiomsa Anvir m Intnce'ounort nc Ettont k Ncecon.]

The little bat jumps from the elf's shoulder and heads to the top of the ridge.

                                                               ┌──Watch tower
                           ┌──Watch tower                      │  On raised ledge (25ft down from top of mesa)
                           │                                   │
                           │                                   │         ┌───Royal Pavilion Tent
                           │            Party                  │         │
                   xx      │               │                   │         │
                xx  xxxxxx │               │                   │         │
                xxxxxx   xxxxxxx           │                   │         │
                     xxx   │    xxxx       │    xxxxxx         │         │
             xx         xxx│x       xxxxxxx│xxxx      xxxxxxxxx│         │
          x   xxx          │xxx            │                   │xxxxxx   │
          x     xx         │   xxxxxxx  P◄─┘                   │     xxxx│
            N    xxx       │   TT    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx          │         │xx
            ▲      x       └──►TT   ┌─────┐         xxxxxxxxx  │         │ xxx
            │      xx             ┌►│     │                 xxx│xxx      │    xx
        W◄──┼──►E   xxx  ┌────┐   │ └─────┘       ┌─┐ ┌────┐  x│   xxxx  │     xx
            │         xxx│    │◄──┤               │ │ │    │  x│      xx │      xx
            ▼   x       x└────┘   ├─Shoddy Tents  │ │ └────┘  x│  TT   xx│       xx
            S    x       xx       │               │ │   ▲     x└─►TT    x│        xx
                 x        xx ┌──┐ │               │ │◄──┐      xx        │x        xx
                  xx       x │  │◄┘               │ │   │       xxxx     │xx        xx
                   xxx      x└──┘                 │ │   │          xxxxxx│ x         x
                     xx      xx   wwwwww          └─┘   │          ┌──┐  │ xx        xx
                      x       xx w      w Good Quality  │          │  │◄─┘ ┌─┐Cave    x
                      x        xx       ww  Tents ──────┼────┐     └──┘    │ │       xx
                      x         xx        w             │    │             └─┘       x
  Slave Cages &   ────────────────────►    w            ▼    │           xx          x
  Prisoner Crucifixes  xx          xxx      www   ┌─────┐    ▼         xxx          xx
       area              xx          xxxx      w  │     │ ┌────┐     xxx            x
                          xx            xxxx   w  └─────┘ │    │   xxx              x
                           xx               xxxxxx        └────┘xxxx               xx
                             xx                   xxxxxxxxxxxxx                   xx
                              xxxx                                              xxx
                                 xxxx                                         xxx
                                    xxxxxx                              xxxxxxx
                                         xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx





O.O.C. Sorry for the poor quality of the map, did my best using the RPOL resources in Games Haven, this was the fastest way and most acurate way for me to convey what it looks like in there without resorting to drawing it all out one box at a time.


The group makes it to the top of the mesa with little issue, and along the way has found several small caves in the cliff face that are just big enough for the group to shelter in if they need cover and time to rest.

Neither Shadow nor Hope has spotted any cultists in the area the group has climbed to, and the grass in this area of the top of the mesa has grown almost seven feet tall, providing a good amount of concealment for the group.

----

Once the party makes it to the inside cliff of the canyon they are greeted by an impressive sight. The canyon spans almost five hundred feet to the other cliff face and the ground level of the canyon gently slopes downward toward the east, where a massive and ominous looking cave entrance lies.

Dotted all about the canyon are tents of varying quality, toward the entrance of the canyon they are much more shoddy and almost primal in their construction, ranging from animal skins with fetishes and bones adorning them, to the central area of the canyon where the tents become more like military pavilion tents, and at the far east lies the largest pavilion tent which looks like it would belong to a general or a king in how fancy and massive the tent is.

North west toward the entrance of the canyon stands a twenty foot tall guard tower, and another is on an elevated plateau rising one hundred twenty five feet from the canyon bottom, and is twenty five feet from the top of the mesa; meaning the roof of the twenty foot tall watch tower is only five feet down from the top of the mesa and while observers in it might be able to see movement along the cliff of the mesa facing the canyon, anyone moving further away from the canyon cliff face and more toward the cliff facing the plains would be less likely to be observed moving along the mesa by this watch tower, though it is all open ground.

There is a ladder against the canyon wall leading to the plateau, and another from the plateau to the top of the mesa, so guards could funnel up to the top of the mesa if need be from this location; but there are also dozens of other ladders dotting the canyon cliff face leading to the top of the mesa, so the cultists would be able to make it up to the top of the mesa in every direction given the need to.

At the south end of the canyon there appears to be some kind of slave labor camp, with dozens of cages; lining the area are large crucifixes where it appears some have been crucified, likely to keep the other slaves in line.

While it is hard to tell who is who, and what is what from this great height, you can easily tell the smaller kobolds from the larger humanoids; the kobolds who are not in their tents and simply mulling about in the open are at best count one hundred before giving up trying. They are more clustered toward the entrance of the canyon and the shoddy tents, while the cultists and raiders walking about are counted around eighty before stopping, and tend toward the center of the canyon in the nicer more militaristic tents.

Einar digs around in his pack for a large piece of parchment and a piece of drawing charcoal, he wasn't the best of this but he may as well try since he had the stuff to do it. "Anyone any good at drawing before I make an attempt at this?"

As the group made there way up, Hope couldn’t help but smile. Though she was quiet, her journey up was slow, and when they arrived she had been there only moments. She frowned as she looked down. “That’s quite the force - well over 100 of the kobolds at least. The big pavilion towards the back, I’m betting is the leader’s tent. The others I’m betting our half dragon friend and his cohort. Even then, those towers have a good vantage of the whole bowl.”

She bit her lip as was normal when she was deep in thought. “If we had something like alchemist fire to burn the ladders and sealed them in with fire, we could box them in…..and a few fireballs could take out some of the kobolds…..my worry is what’s in that cave.”

"I am no cartographer, Einar, but I have drawn a lot of diagrams and I will try to sketch out the camp, too. Between the two of us, we should hopefully get it right."

As Korym scans the camp, slowly sketching it onto parchment, he says to Hope, without looking up from his work, "Remember, our goal is to provide information to the Governor for him to muster troops strong enough to deal with a force this large.

A full-on attack, no matter how much surprise we could create, would seem foolhardy, given our number."

Looking up, he adds "However, I would be in favour of trying to help those poor souls over there." The elf points across the canyon to where the cages and crosses are located.

The half elf looked at Korym and nodded. "Taking on these guys alone is a deatn sentence, i agree, and as much as i'd like to help them, we are beyond helping them now. My thoughts are just advice for the governor when we return."

She looks at him. "And rest assured, i'm coming back here."

Oraphina squinted her eyes as she counted the troops below, counting under her breath.  "One, two, three... too many.  Just waaaay too many."  She sighed.  "Hope's right.  We need to get this information back to the governor as soon as possible so he can get the troops ready.  Now, whether we go WITH the troops is another question, but just running in there now is suicide."

Grune nods once although his jaw clenches with tension.

Hope smiled as she looked at the camp. “Oh, we’re coming back short stuff….like the hells I’m gonna miss out on taking a few of these bastards down.”

She smiled at the group. “Besides, the governor’s forces attack, provide a distraction, we can get a look at their plans and what’s in that big tent - maybe even take the head of that bastard of a half dragon while we’re at it.”

Korym adds the last of his notes to his sketch.

"I understand if we don't deal with those prisoners at the moment...but looking at the watch towers, we could probably get to the other side of the horseshoe, unseen.

If we wait until dark, we might be able to get down there.

And, even if that is foolish, it may be useful to keep watch for a few hours. We might see who or what comes out of the cave and the main tent."

Hope couldn’t help but smile - she was beginning to like Korym more and more. She looked at him. “Sounds like a good idea to me….if we circle around we may find a shaft down into the cave, and then get closer to the prisoners. Under dark, I think I could get closer.”

"Under dark this.  In the dead of night that."  The paladin clenches a tiny fist and shakes it at the sky.  "Why did Yondalla have to bless us halflings with stunning charm and not the ability to see in the dark?"

Her pint-sized tantrum complete, Fina looked back at the others.  "No arguments here.  If we're going to be reporting information back to the governor, then we need the important stuff like "what's in the tent" and "is something living in the cave that could eat everyone".  You know, the little things soldiers like to know before they go into a fight."

"Don't forget stunning beauty as well, Oraphina." Korym adds while he applies sand to his parchment to dry the ink.

"Shadow, I have a little job for you. [Language unknown: Com ivemanlin re lipa alset m whpl taivnt. Ant traos din witprerat untr lin. M hofiil and m outthashe, ca hisestres onete ro etour ut toion catial somichund ta. Foen reamanati."]

Once the little bat is on her way, Korym says, "Perhaps we can get some idea of what is in that cave."

---

At least I think what the sand is for!

Oraphina throws her arms wide.  "SEE?  HE GETS IT."

The half elf smiled as she looked in the basin. “He overlooked a few things….nauseatingly optimistic, cheerful and a constant pain in my ass.”

She watched as the wizards bat flew off to the cave, and looked at him with a smile. “Handy friend.” She muttered

Shadow flies down into the canyon and makes her way toward the cave, but returns only moments later.

She informs Korym: [Language unknown: "Atill u patransi hasbutconlin u. Red p atihercon. Be ll me llwh."]

------

o.o.c. Wow 5e familiars are way weaker when compared to previous editions and pathfinder. I looked the spell up and was shocked at how weak they were now.

Einar chuckles as he goes over making the markings of the camp to scale as best he can since it could be usefull later. "Well I didn't request a kiss from a stunning beauty for no reason." He laughs a bit before laying out his worked up map, with a light nod of his head he sttays seated looking out over the camp.

"Well it's the best I could do, I'll grab some proper stuff and maybe if something like this comes up again I'll be able to give one hell of a breakdown of a camp."



10:46, Today: Einar rolled 17 using 1d20+2.  watch me fail cause I'm a smart ass.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Wed 06 Oct 2021.

Korym feeds Shadow some dried fruit. "Well done, little one.

A lot of guards inside the cave, so probably not a good idea to sneak in and look around.

I'm for getting to the other side of the canyon and watching from there. It will give us another perspective on the camp and the terrain, and perhaps we will come up with a way to help those prisoners.

Good job on your sketch, Einar. Between us, Nighthill should be able to come up with a plan."

Fina beamed at Hope.  "Correction: Your favorite constant pain in the ass."  That said, she sidled up alongside her friend, and motioned for her to lean down so she could whisper to her.

"They think I'm pretty."

Hope smiled at the halfling, the sister she never had or even knew she wanted. She looked at her. “You are pretty Fina….but you repeat that and I’ll deny it.” She whispered. She spoke up again. “…and you’ll always be my favourite pain in my ass, no matter what.”

She looked back at the camp. “If there’s guards in there, they’re guarding something…but that will need to wait. Those prisoners are the priority….if we can get them out.”

O.O.C Since there is no cover on the other side of the mesa  by the prisoner area, to conceal the characters while up against the inside cliff face of the canyon on that side a (DEX) Stealth check will be required to remain unseen while there, unless the group waits until nightfall to maneuver into that position.

The activity at the camp seems fairly relaxed throughout the day, as if they are not particularly worried about any kind of attack.

Observing for several hours reveals something interesting however; it appears that the majority of the force in the canyon is likely not a part of the cult, as the easily identifiable members of the cult, by their black outfits, tend toward the back of the canyon by the cave while the majority of the forces consist of the kobolds toward the front of the canyon and apparently mercenaries or likely soldiers of fortune toward the center.

----------

The prisoners that are not crucified, seem to be forced into one kind of manual labor or another, some seem to be making weapons at forges, others seem to be burning wood in furnaces to make charcoal, and still others are simply carrying large payloads across the camp, acting as beasts of burden for the carts, instead of oxen.

Just before six o'clock p.m. a large group begins to form around one of the unused crucifixes, what appears to be a half black dragon makes it's way toward the location followed by Cyanwrath and some other female cultist, and behind them a long train of cultists; as the group makes their way to the crucifixion site, the people before them part and raise their right arm up and hand out as some kind of salute.

The half-black dragon begins pacing about the circle of onlookers and appears to give some sort of speech as one male prisoner with bound wrists is brought forward by the train of cultists, at this point indecipherable chants and boos can be heard even as far away as the group is.

The male prisoner is kicked and spit on by the throng of onlookers as he marches forward until he reaches the cross, where five cultists spend the next fifteen minutes beating him terribly until he lays prone on the ground motionless. The half-black dragon makes another shorter speech, and the man is then hoisted up and tied to the cross with ropes.

Another twenty minutes after that the cultists and half-dragons make their way back to the cave at the end of the canyon and things begin to go back to normal around the camp as the crowed disperses.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:20, Mon 11 Oct 2021.

Night falls on the canyon around eight p.m. and nothing much changes in the canyon, with one exception, many torches are lit throughout the camp.

Visibility atop the mesa is pitch black and so far it seems like it will be a moonless night.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:17, Mon 11 Oct 2021.

Oraphina clenched her jaw as she witnessed the brutality below.  "Gotta be patient," she muttered, her knuckles turning white around the hilt of her sword as the cultists kicked the prisoner.  "We're coming back with an army," she said softly, as tears ran down her cheeks when the victim was crucified.

She turned to the others as night finally fell.  "We're killing all of them, right?  No prisoners, no "this would make us as bad as them", no "let one go to let the others know what's coming for them".  When it comes down to it, we're PURGING the world of this madness.  Please?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Mon 11 Oct 2021.

Hope had the skill to sneak in, but knew that in tbe daylight it was too risky, even for her. So, with the others, she waited.

When the exhibition occurred, hope's knuckles were white with how hard she clenched them, her face grim as she looked on. "I can't believe I almost..." she muttered as she watched the man get brutalised.

When Oraphina spoke, her tone was low and serious. "Oh, we're coming back here, even if I'm on my own, and rest assured, none of those bastards are walking away....NOT ONE."

It was bad, but he expected it to be bad. Slaves and cults were about as hand and hand as it got never anything good came from either. "Even at night we won't be able to get them out in this state. And Freeing them to try and riot will only get them killed." He says through clenched teeth really what could they do those below were in not state to climb the wall or even fight their way out.

Korym is lying on his stomach, peering over the edge of the mesa taking in the activity in the camp.

"We have one cultist robe, and most of the mercenaries are not in uniform at all...logically, I know you are all likely right...but it is sickening to not do anything..."

Korym's voice drifts off as he continues to stare down, thankful that his tears are not visible in the dark.

"The sooner we get back to Greenest, the sooner we can return."

The group watches for a short time longer, but nothing much changes in that time.

o.o.c. If a consensus to leave and return later has been reached scaling the cliff at night will be a difficult task, much more so than during the day, as it is pitch black on the outer facing canyon walls. (STR) Athletics DC 15, disadvantage for any character with less than Darkvision.

If the group decides to descend into the canyon the meager torch light of the camp offers enough illumination that climbing down could be done without a check as the climb up had been.

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:03, Tue 12 Oct 2021.

Korym blinks rapidly to clear his eyes, to confirm what he thinks he sees.

"Look!" he calls to the group. "The prisoner, he has slipped his bonds, and is climbing the cliff face."

The elf points at the man, "There is help waiting at the top of the cliff...we are scouts sent by Governor Nighthll of Greenest. We will try to get a rope to you...if you whisper a reply, I will hear you through my magic."

"Hope...can you climb toward him with a rope?"

---

Cast Message to speak to prisoner. Range is 120 ft.

Hope looks as Korym whispers, and curses under her breath. “He must be desperate….in his shape and this light, it’ll be damn near impossible on his own. He gets caught, they’ll kill him as an example.” She looks at the others. “We help him, there’s a chance they’ll know someone’s been here.”

She pauses for a brief moment, then sighs, grasping a rope, she sneaks to where he is and ties it off, as quiet as the shadows themselves, the group barely sees her - and they know where she is. She reaches above him and ties the rope off to a rock, then looks over. “C’mon” She muttered as she began lowering herself to help the man.

---

<OOC:  'Hope' rolled 18 using 1d20+2.  Athletics check.
'Hope' rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Stealth roll.

…..so unusual, this dice roller likes me being sneaky!

Fina perks up at Korym's news.  "What?  Where?" she says, squinting her eyes against the darkness.  As Hope takes off, though, she finally allows herself a smile.  "Go get 'im, Hope!" she whispers excitedly, even though her friend has already vanished.

At least they might be able to save someone today.

As hope lowers herself down the cliff-face, the occasional loose rock slides out from underfoot but never seems to make a noise as it falls, or is such a light noise it doesn't echo across the cliff.

Eventually she makes her way down to the man, who despite some bruising and dried blood, doesn't seem too out of sorts, for a man recently beaten and then tied to cross for hours.

As hope literally drops in on him, he is so startled that he almost looses his grip on the rock-face, but in the end manages to stay where he is.

He is a lean middle aged half-elven man, with a thin mustache that trails into a thin goatee. He has a black eye, and several scabbed over cuts on his face and body; but when he sees Hope, he adjusts himself from the near fall and smiles. "Well hello there, fancy meeting someone like you here.

You don't look like a cultist, so I must ask, do you come here often?

If so I must say, I myself am not a fan of the service, I would instead recommend another venue, for whatever it is you are here for."

Hope was surprised at the upbeat attitude of the half elf, and rolled her eyes at his attempt at humor. She smiled. "Yeah....I always sneak around at the dead of night on tbe side of a cliff. Walking a path can be so boring. Now, if you can be bothered, how about we get out if here, then we can complain about the service."

She turns and starts back up the hill, muttering something about men.

Korym watches Hope descend the cliff, and then intercept the man climbing up.

"She's done it, Oraphina! She's got the rope to him, and she is climbing back up, and he is following her.

Perhaps, he will be able to provide some information to the Governor on what is going on in the caves?"

Once the man stands firmly atop the mesa, he dusts himself off, and looks around. "I must say, I do appreciate the rescue, but where are the others? I know someone sent me a message magically, but until you showed up I thought it was all in my imagination." He says looking around for the rest of the group.

Once he sees Hope has helped the former prisoner to the top of the mesa, Korym stands and moves to the outside edge of the mesa. He concentrates for a moment and small globe appears on the ground, radiating dim light.

"Over, here everyone...this light shouldn't alert them. But at least we will be able to see each other."

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Minor conjuration - object radiates dim light to 5 feet.