Scouring of the Gate Pass IC

[Cadian 9th]

Introduction

It is New Year’s Eve, and near midnight on this frigid evening the heroes gather in a small condemned tavern in the Free Citystate of Gate Pass. Located in the mountain pass which separates two hostile nations — Ragesia and Shahalesti — Gate Pass has been neutral since the end of their last war, but now from Ragesia a scourge comes for the city.

By now, every magic-user in Gate Pass knows of the Scourge. The Emperor of Ragesia died barely a month ago, and in a move to cement herself as the next emperor of Ragesia, Leska, leader of the Ragesian inquisitors, has decreed that all disloyal users of magic — arcane or divine — are to be tracked down and killed, to prevent future threats to the empire.

The inquisitors, clerics specialized in countermagic, travel with military escorts to the borders of Ragesia. Their first target is Gate Pass, its neutrality long viewed as an insult to the nation’s honor. Those who resist them will have to face the searing power of the Ragesian Empire. An entire army marches for Gate Pass, and the people of the city fear that they will not be able to resist the might of the Ragesian military. The city leaders are bowing under pressure, and have barred the exit from the city, intending to welcome the inquisitors that come with the army, for they foolishly hope that the Ragesians will reward their cooperation with mercy.

A local resistance movement, devoted to keeping both the Ragesians and the Shahalesti out of the city, has gathered vital military intelligence, and they
need messengers to deliver the information to allies at a distant wizard’s school. With all their strongest warriors preparing to hold back the Ragesian assault, this vital mission falls to a party of inexperienced heroes.

The Ragesian army is nearly at Gate Pass’s doorstep, so time is short. The war is about to begin.

Opening
You've all been told to Meet Torrent at the Poison Apple Inn - little before midnight on New Year’s Eve, and to use the alley door. The pub has been closed down since its owner was arrested, but Torrent got permission from the owner’s wife to use the building for the evening.

The people of the city know an army is on the way, so the streets are fairly deserted and normal festivities muted, letting the heroes travel unmolested. The pub is in a poorer district about a mile from the western city wall, filled with slushcovered cobblestone streets and dark, snow-filled alleyways. The evening is dark and claustrophobic, the multistory buildings of the city looming in the night, no lights in most windows.

The pub is a two-story building attached by a rooftop bridge to a neighboring house. The door and windows are boarded up, and the curtains drawn (though a faint light can be seen if someone checks closely). A notice has been posted on its door:

“Trehan Finner, owner of the Poison Apple
Pub, has been taken into temporary custody
under the protection of the city guard, until such
time that he can be questioned by representatives
of the Ragesian Empire, and found innocent of
hostile collusion. The Poison Apple Pub is hereby
closed until further notice.”

The adjacent building connected by the bridge is the Finner residence, currently unoccupied. You move over to the alley door...

[Savannah]

Amira

A small female figure, completely wrapped in a dark green cloak, walks into the alley, hugging the wall. She moves to the door and slips inside, eyes on the floor.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

The crunch of boots upon snow can be heard in the muted night, and a stout figure heavily wrapped in old furs walks into the alleyway. He was short, nearly two feet shorter than the typical human, and he walks with a confident bearing. Behind him on four legs follows a huge brown dog, longer than his master is tall. The dog follows closely behind his master, soft paws treading lightly upon snow, his tongue hanging out and his breath visible in the cold night.

"I guess this is the place, eh boy?" the man says aloud as he glances around the places. His nose wrinkling at the typical stench of the city alleyways, he walks to the door and opens it wide enough to peer inside. That quick peek is apparently enough to satisfy him, and he sends his dog through before walking inside himself, closing the door softly behind him.

[Eloi]

Laerbein

Laerbein's colorful blue, gold, and white outfit and features contrast to the bleak landscape. Her song is pleasant sounding but the lyrics are more suiting for the somber atmosphere.
"Good times are upon us all
Let night never fall
O' the people are all at the play, sunny day is approaching
Is what I'd say if there was not an army encroaching
O' the sun shines brightly, watch how the people dance and sway
Is what I'd say if the people didn't leave in fear of dooms day
Good times were upon us all, farewell
Goodbye, as night has already fell"
Finishing her song with a frown she comes upon the unopened door.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

An elf, with a tall and lean silhouette etched into the shadows by the dim moonlight, steps up to the alley door. The figure looks about her, wondering if she is being followed, marked as being one of the "disloyal." With a sigh that seems to linger in the night air, she opens the door, and enters.

Inside, she removes her hood, revealing hair of gold that bobs a mite before settling back into place. Her brilliant emerald eyes scan the room warily to see who has joined her this night. Even as the guardedness makes itself known through her eyes, she wears an easy smile as if greeting friends old and familiar.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

You are all hushed in by Torrent, a Woman as tall and strong as the typical warrior. Torrent is a distinctive looking woman, with tanned skin and short white hair. Under a dark winter coat she wears a breastplate decorated with
blue wave-like etchings, and a holy symbol to a sea god is tied to her wrist with a leather cord. Her demeanor is smooth but forceful, like an ocean wave.

She gestures casually to the table, where she has set up a lamp, a map, several mugs, and a small keg of beer. “Thanks for coming,” she says. “Have a drink. Just because we’re about to go to war doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the new year.”

The darkened pub is mostly empty now, its many tables and chairs pushed to one wall and covered with sheets. A single table sits in the middle of the room, with enough chairs for all of you.

A small oil lamp and a keg sit on top of it, along with several mugs. At the back corner of the common room beside the bar, a staircase leads upstairs. The windows and door facing onto the street are closed, and you know they have been boarded up from the outside. On the wall behind the bar hangs a bronze bust of the former emperor of Ragesia, Drakus Coaltongue, a regal, aged half-orc with a scar cutting diagonally across his face. You and Torrent are the only people in the room.

" So, how are you all? What are your names? " She asks. " I'm Torrent, cleric of the Sea God... "

[Eloi]

Laerbein
"I am the great elven bard Laerbein, pronounced Lyre, like the instrument, Bane like the thing-that-kills. It means "Song of Beauty" in Elven, but "Thing-that-kills-with-Lyres" in Common. Pleased to meet you Ms. Torrent." said Laerbein before politely bowing her head slightly to her.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"Thank you, and I agree heartily. A toast to new year!" Meldamiriel takes a glass and makes a motion to toast before taking a healthy sip from it. The bitterness is not to her liking, but she refrains from commenting on it.

"I am Meldamiriel, follower of Corellon Larethian. I hope we are not causing you trouble this night."

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak gives a disapproving look to the keg of beer quite unlike a typical dwarf, then shakes his head. "It seems like we're better off keeping our wits about us with war near," he grumbles half to himself, then looks around for a chair to sit upon. His dog lies down on the floor next to him without a sound.

He waits for the others to introduce themselves first. A bit peeved at finding himself amidst a bunch of elves, he listens quietly at the others' introductions, taking his impressions of them as he does. He seems especially interested after Laerbein introduced herself as a bard, but said nothing then. After the cleric of Corellon said her piece, Rivak waits expectantly for the last elf to talk, only to find her waiting for him to do the same.

Grunting, he decides to speak himself and stands up. "I am Rivak, of the Grayfate clan. This is my friend and companion, Derek." He indicates to the dog besides him. As if on cue, Derek stands up too, barks once, then proceeds to lick his master's hand. Rivak instinctively scratches Derek behind the ears even as he continues, "I was told to come and meet you here, so here I am." Not one to waste words, he sits back down again and waits.

[VinGoodman]

OOC
Rivak Grayfate

After the cleric of Corellon said his piece, Rivak waits expectantly for the last elf to talk, only to find her waiting for him to do the same.


Melda is female! :smallmad: Are you the lone male outnumbered by the group? And a dwarf at that!

[Eloi]

Laerbein
Laerbein perkily smiles and leans forward towards the dwarf with an extended arm with an expectant hand for a shake. "Nice to meecha!" Either she took the news of an invasion really well or had a really good poker face, it was hard to tell.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

As Laerbein reaches over unexpectedly to shake Rivak's hand, Derek bears his teeth and begins to growl. "Down, boy! Down!" Rivak commands, "We're among friends." Derek quickly quiets down and whimpers an apology, his eyes downcast. "Sorry miss, Derek can be a bit jumpy at times when it comes to my safety," Rivak says, "It's nice to meet you too." He extends his hand.

Sorry, fixed! :smallredface:

Wow, lone dwarf, lone male. This will be a trying journey. :smalltongue:

[Savannah]

Amira

While the others have been talking, the woman has allowed her hood to slip back, revealing a pretty young elf. When she realizes that everyone is waiting on her, she says, barely above a whisper "Amira Galanodel. Wizard." She then finds a chair and sits, looking at her hands.

[Eloi]

Laerbein
Laerbein eagerly shakes his hand before saying. "Hey don't worry about the dog. My mate's familiar, Shade, is much more ferocious I'm sure."
She spins around to Amira and starts talking excitedly. "Ah come on, be more stylish than that. Introduce yourself as:
Amira, the golden haired fair maiden who not only is very comely to the senses but can bend the very fabric of reality to her mere words! She is not simply a 'Wizard' but a 'God-to-be" and "World-Warper" of the most epic proportions! You are AMIRA!"
She takes a deep breath as she had been talking rather quickly. "So what do you think of that introduction, eh?"

[Savannah]

Amira

Amira shrinks away from Laerbein's enthusiasm and shakes her head 'no'.

[Eloi]

Laerbein
Laerbein frowned at Amira before she begins to sing quietly and softly:
"Such a shy and delicate flower/
Breaks the world with her power/
Yet shrinks away at attention/
Let's get her some intervention/
I can only help In the form of a song/
It'd probably help you if you sing along/"
She then started a chorus to sing a long to:
"We're all great friends to be together/
It'll be that way in good or bad weather/"
She turned to Amira. "Come on, it'll cheer you up!"

[Savannah]

Amira

Again, Amira shakes her head 'no'. However, she smiles slightly and whispers,"Your singing is beautiful."

[Eloi]

Laerbein
"Aww thanks, okay, well you are talking more, so thats a good thing." said Laerbein before sitting back in her seat, smiling from the compliment, singing the chorus along with Melde.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda laughs and joins in the chorus, her voice unsure at first but gaining strength and tone as the chorus repeats and the words become familiar.

"...We're all great friends to be together/
It'll be that way in good or bad weather..."

Alas, Amira does not appear to share the interest, and the chorus fades into a stop. With another sip of the beer, Melda realizes she's eager for more. She turns to the hostess and begins to open her mouth, but closes it quickly once she realizes the inn is actually currently closed.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

As the elven lasses are singing, Rivak rolls his eyes and sighs. What else can you expect out of elves? Though he does not join in, and indeed has a pained look on his face, a close observer may spot his hand tapping his chair arm in tune with the song. Even after they've finished, an astute listener may hear him humming something to himself for a while.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Torrent seems to be amused by your chat. " Pleased to meet you all...

Torrent grimaces and straightens in her chair, saying, “That’s one year gone.
I guess it’s time to get down to business. “The city’s in trouble. The Ragesian army is marching on us, and will be here by tomorrow. Before then, we have a mission."

After a short stop, she continues.
“I used to study at a magic academy to the south, called Lyceum. They’re good people. So when word reached them about Ragesia’s ‘Scourge,’ they sent out messages calling for anyone fleeing Ragesia to come to them. They
want to stand against the Ragesians, and the resistance wants their help. We just need to get a message to them.

“Normally we would have sent something by teleporting courier, but something strange is going on with planar magic. The last courier who teleported into Gate Pass, rumor is that he showed up burnt to a crisp. Not
that I have that sort of magic anyway, but if we’re going to talk to Lyceum, we’re going to have to go overland. And that’s a problem, because the city’s walls are sealed.

“Ever since their emperor died, the Ragesians have been trying to show that they’re not weak, and they’re marching an army in our direction, since the mountain pass we’re in is apparently ‘strategically valuable.’ Either way, a few idiots on the city council want to negotiate with the Ragesians, and rumor is they’re going to invite a group of inquisitors into the city to look for ‘magic-users who are hostile to the empire.’

They’ve sealed the gates of the city so no one can get out, to make sure they look like they’re cooperating, and only military personnel can get in or out."

“We’re going to have to get out of the city, and I’m open to suggestions on how. Once we’re out, I can get us safely to Lyceum, but before we get ahead of ourselves, we have a mission tonight. "

“The short version is that we’ve got to meet a contact — a gnome named Rivereye Badgerface — in about an hour at a guarded depository about a half-mile from here. He’s carrying a case of vital military intelligence which he stole from the Ragesian palace, and the heads of the resistance think that it needs to reach Lyceum. " She says.

We’ve got to get that case, get out of the city, and get far away from here before the idiot city council lets the Ragesian inquisitors in. "

Once that happens, the odds of us escaping are —“ she finishes off her mug of beer in one long guzzle “— slim. “I know I’d love to stay here and fight against the Ragesians, but I’m no soldier, and this mission might be more important. Worst case, you get away from the Ragesians and we can part ways a few days down the road. Best case, you can come with me to Lyceum, and we come back with an army of our own to drive off the Ragesians. But we’ve got to act fast either way. Are you ready
for this?”


Okay, questions time. Please, let me get some posts in! That means 2 cycles max, please :smalleek:

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Hearing the conundrum they're facing, Rivak's face is quiet and grim. He scratches his head for a moment, takes out a pipe, lights it, then settles back to think, one hand holding the pipe and the other stroking Derek's fur. After a while, he comes up with a few ideas, and speaks up, "Well, seeing as how we want to get out of the city, and only military personnel are being allowed out, the obvious first thought is to disguise ourselves as military personnel and walk through the gate. However..."

He pauses, blows a puff of smoke out, then turns to look at present company, "Between the lovely elven ladies here and Derek, that may not be the wisest course of action." He takes another puff of the pipe, then continues, "Now, the second obvious course of action is a headlong assault at the gate. I think we can all agree that is foolish." He pauses again, but this time turns to look at Torrent rather than take a smoke from his pipe. "And yes, I'm with you on this, in case you were wondering. Derek too. It'd be damned foolish of us not to, wouldn't it?"

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

The story was long and a bit difficult to follow. Nonetheless, Melda gathers from it Torrent needs to meet someone and then get something out of the city limits. Since Melda is eager to leave herself and travel in numbers is always a good idea, she finds it difficult to think of any reason to decline a chance to work with Torrent.

Unfortunately, seeing as she's been frustrated in every turn trying to get out herself, Melda is unsure how five people can get out where one couldn't. Without an idea to contribute nor unsure unsure what questions to ask, she settles in and continues her enjoyment of the beer, while waiting for ideas from the others.

[Eloi]

Laerbein
Laerbein was somewhat offended by his dismissal of her in a disguise plot, and quickly shifted her voice from the soft melodic tone she was keeping to harsh sounding gravely voice with heavy accent, whilst suddenly snapping into good posture, pointing a finger at Rivak. "I don' nee' you tell mai tha' I can affect a good disguise, y'know? The many winte's I spen' as a soldia' up no'th was tre'chous an' only buil' mai inna hatre' for all ye nae-militan' folk, with yer slackin' an singin' an' whatnot. Ye bards are da wors' of 'em all. Wit' yer loligagging and inep'ness in well, anythin' I surprised we don' slaughta the lot of ye."
She put her arm down, went back to a slouch and continued in her soft voice. "I can do disguises pretty well, I think."

[Savannah]

Amira

Amira takes a deep breath and says, all in one breath, "When do we leave? I can make a little illusion if I have time."

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak blinks in surprise at Laerbein's act, then claps as she finishes. "Well, so you can. I apologize for my misjudgment." He scratches his head again, then says, "That gives me another idea. We could have our master actress here," he indicates to Laerbein, "distract the gate guards in disguise while we slip out, then follow us out herself. Or we could always just bribe them. Humans tend jump at opportunities to give up honor for gold, in my experience."

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The walls of the city are patrolled, and the gates are closed and guarded,
except to official city personnel and a few diplomats. Simply walking out is impossible, and sneaking out will be difficult.

" You're forgetting the Inquisitors... I reccomend you find someone in political power. " Torrent says.


Okay, Knowledge checks (Arcana and Religion from those of you who have ranks in those skills.
Also, a Local knowledge check from Eloi . :smallsmile:

And, Listen Checks plz.

[Eloi]

Laerbein

"Impersonating people with political power is what I do." said Laerbein leaning back in her chair and observing everyone else.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"Pssh, politics." Rivak rolls his eyes and takes another puff of his pipe. "Political power comes to those who can get the most fools to follow them the longest."

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Eloi]

Laerbein
I'm good at herding the stupid sheep of the world. Poor unsuspecting saps don't really understand what happened until its too late. Laerbein turned to Rivak and frowned. "I know, its like they enjoy manipulating people. Isn't that awful?" she said with feigned concern in her voice.

[VinGoodman]

Know:Religion [roll0]
Listen [roll1]

Barely keeping up with the flow of the conversation, Melda had just managed to appreciate the impersonation show Laerbain put forth when the topic turns to considering the important figures of the town. Melda thinks long and hard on her time spent here thus far, wondering if there's anyone she's aware of who may be a good choice.

[Savannah]

Amira

Amira does not outwardly react, but racks her brains for anything that might be of use.

Knowledge (arcana) [roll0]
Knowledge (religion) [roll1]
Listen [roll2]

[Eloi]

Laerbein
Laerbein tried to think back to her bardic lore for information.

Knowledge
[roll0]+1+3

[Cadian 9th]

DM

You can all think back to what Amira knows about the Inquisitors. She fills you in quickly, refreshing your memory.

"The inquisitors hunt for dangerous magic, which in their mind pretty much means any magic used by other people. They have special skills for stopping other mages’ spells.

Most inquisitors are humans, orcs, or half-orcs, and they carry metal claws on their hands. Many inquisitors are skilled interrogators, and they use their claws to slit the wrists of prisoners, forcing the prisoner to answer quickly.

Inquisitors are almost exclusively clerics, with access to divine fire, magic, and
protection domains. They wear masks to shield their souls, and thus are more resistant to mindaffecting magic. No one has seen Supreme Inquisitor Leska’s face for nearly forty years.

Inquisitors cannot turn or control undead; instead, they channel negative energy to dispel magic. Positive energy can inhibit their counterspelling abilities."

Then, Laerbein recalls the name of one city councilman, Erdan Menash,
is sympathetic to heroes and adventurers.

Melda

You hear the chiming of bells for the new year.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"Yeesh, nobody's seen her face for forty years?" Rivak exclaims, "That woman's gotta be hideous to want to hide herself for so long. I'd say that she should find herself a hobby to take her mind off of it, but apparently she has. It just happens to involve murdering mages and subjugating foreign lands." He takes a puff of his pipe, then shakes his head in pity at the poor, hideous, unloved Supreme Inquisitor.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda hears the distant chimes marking the coming of a new year, and she feels a stirring deep within her to celebrate. Yet, the group her with her is so hard at work trying to come up with a plan! With a brave smile, she tries to interject something that she hopes is remotely useful.

"There may not be enough time to find and meet Erdan Menash before the meeting with your contact! We must hurry and resolve that first, and then may be beseech Erdan Menash to help us out of the city walls. Even if I were sympathetic to my plight, I'm not sure I'd be happy if I woke myself up at this time of night."

As Melda rambles on, her face registers a confused look that intensifies with each uttered word, until she looks hopelessly lost from trying to follow her own caravan of thought to its conclusion.

[Savannah]

Amira

"Erdan...?" Amira asks in confusion.

[VinGoodman]

ooc Oh oh, did Laerbein recall that aloud, or did Melda inadverdantly read Laerbein's mind? :smallredface:

[Cadian 9th]

OOC:
Yeah, she recalled it when you guys met, and just revised it for you. :smallsmile:

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

A bit nervous as the discussions continue, Melda pipes up and reminds the group of the time. "When do we need to leave from here to make sure we meet your contact in time?" She scratches an itch behind her left ear, distorting her prominent ear and turning it forward, protruding through her golden hair and causing it to bob lightly.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"Hmm, we should probably leave soon," Rivak says, frowning. "Where is this contact of yours waiting and is he coming with us? We can plan how we get out once we get there, but it's better to start moving soon. Are you leading us there or should we get what we need and come back?" He looks at Torrent expectantly.

[Eloi]

Laerbein

Laerbein began to mumble-sing to herself about the current situation whilst slumping in her chair.
"Indeed as the dark hour draws near/
My hope is turning into fear/
Cities and hearts will surely crumble/
Seeing this makes us ever humble/
Our hopes and dreams has been chucked/
So I'm afraid we're just all beset-with-unfortunate-circumstances/"

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Torrent answers your questions with calm. The gnome sorcerer, Rivereye was a spy from Lyceum, acting as a servant in the imperial palace for Kreven, second-in-command of the inquisitors. Apparently, Rivereye is very ugly and blithely unaware of it. His normal contact in Gate Pass — Peppin Tallman, a human wizard from Lyceum — would occasionally pass along information to the resistance, but a week ago that contact was found dead. A speak with dead spell revealed that Tallman was scheduled to meet Rivereye, as well as the time and place of the meeting, but the identity of Tallman’s killer was unknown. Torrent is a little worried that someone else is after the case, and that Rivereye might spook when he sees Peppin isn’t there.

" As for where we go after we escape the city, I've got the plan covered. We'll take the less travelled road south from the city to the border of the Stone Forest, 30 miles away, tops. " Torrent says.

Torrent says that all the other major roads that would lead to Dassen, and thus to Lyceum, are either impassable in winter, or they’ll be crawling with
Ragesian soldiers. Rather than trying to survive in the wilderness in winter, or to sneak past countless patrols of Ragesians, Torrent thinks that the Stone Forest is the best route. She says that the Gate Pass City is strong enough to withstand assualt - it will easily last for a few months, long enough for us to get to Lyceum and bring back reinforcements.


Listen checks, everyone!
If anyone wants to know about Lyceum, make a History or Arcana check (if you're trained)

[VinGoodman]

ooc Listen [roll0]

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak stands up abruptly, causing Derek to quickly climb to his feet too. "Let's not waste time here then. We should go meet Badgerface and get out of the city while we can. Waiting here isn't going to help us, and who knows when the Regesians might get here to block off the city completely. We gain nothing by waiting and everything by acting fast." He has a look of resolve as he speaks, and his voice sounds impassioned but calm.

[roll0]

[PId6]

Forgot:

[roll0]

[Eloi]

Laerbein
Laerbein didn't hear anything nor did she recall anything useful.
Bardic Knowledge: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Derek the hound gets up and growls, hearing something. Torrent looks at him with slight interest. " Is he all right? " She says, to Rivak. You all caught nothing but distant celebration, yet Derek seems to not liek something.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak quick shifts forward and puts his pipe away, grabbing his quarterstaff instead. He leans down and soothes Derek for a moment, then stands and turns to the others. He says softly, "I don't know. I think he heard or sensed something wrong. We should be careful." Telling Derek to follow quietly, he treads closer to the door and opens a slit, peeking outside to see if anything's a problem.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

At Rivak's words, Meldamiriel frowns as she repositions the longspear she had leaning against her, poised to use it if trouble should come a' knocking.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira has kept quiet throughout the conversation, prefering to listen than to speak.

Listen - [roll0]
History - [roll1]
Arcana - [roll2]
Hopefully I'm not too late on these. Sorry about the delay.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Rivak hears creaking floorboards on the floor above: sneaking footsteps.


Okay, Eloi, you haven't posted, so you've been overruled. we must continue :smallsmile:

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Listening quietly, Rivak frowns as he hears the footsteps from upstairs. He turns to the others, pointing upward at the ceiling, then putting his finger at his mouth indicating "be quiet." He quickly indicates to Derek to go before him to the stairs, then follows behind with quarterstaff in hand, signing to the others to come as well.

[Eloi]

DM

Rivak hears creaking floorboards on the floor above: sneaking footsteps.


Okay, Eloi, you haven't posted, so you've been overruled. we must continue :smallsmile:


Overruled for what? I haven't seen the opportunity to do anything yet.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

As Rivak gestures, Melda continues to frown, clearly unhappy to be interrupted while they were busy trying to figure out what to do. She keeps the longspear in hand and follows Rivak as quietly as she can.

[Eloi]

Laerbein
Laerbein considered the mechanics of iambic parameter and the pacing of poetic works. She leaned back in her chair and noted everyone whilst tapping the ground with her boot making a lit 'ka-crack sound', creating a high-degree of subtle cacophony near her feet. All of this was inter-spliced with overheard conversation that she listened intently to, shifting through all the words and considering the suggestions provided.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

At Rivak's gesture, Amira looks up. She shakes back her sleeves, freeing her hands, then follows as quietly as she can.

Move silently - [roll0]

[Cadian 9th]

DM

You follow Rivak up the stairs. Torrent seems to take in the situation quickly, and moves to the back of the room, her family hierloom axe ready. Moving up the stairs, you hear a slight scrape above...

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Without breaking stride, Rivak and Derek continues up the stairs, both alert to any dangers that are apparent.

Some Perception checks as necessary:

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda follows the duo with the longspear in hand, her face aching from the frown plastered on her face. Why am I frowning anyways? She thought to herself as she tries to loosen her face muscles.

ooc Listen [roll0]
Spot [roll1]

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira strains her senses, trying to determine what is above.

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[Cadian 9th]

DM
Distant muted thumps fill the air, like the sound of ripe fruit landing on the roof of a house.

You all hear a shout at the front door: " Front Door: Go! " by a loud, military sounding voice, followed by a smash against the front door. Rivak then spots two black leather armoured figures at the top of the stairs, suprised to see you, armed with Saps and Morning Stars. They are orcs, and you spot one of them throwing a small, black, heavy stone, wearing an armband — red, with a black horse head, and letters that Amira recognizes to read ‘murderers’ in Ignan

DM Notes

Okay, read if you want...
Break DC 18, [roll0]


And the splintering of the front door reveals a team of black leather armoured Humans with a battering ram, ditching it and Drawing saps and short swords.
A man directs them...

Hidden under grey plate armor is a tightly muscled man, his armor worn from many battles, and humbly marked with symbols of sacred honor. His eyes have a darkness like a judge laying sentence. A broken helmet, cloven in the face, hangs from his belt.

“Drop your weapons and come quietly. We don’t want to break your valuable little heads.” says one of the men. Torrent just laughs and says, “Just try it, buddy.”


Ini , everyone!
:smallsmile:

[VinGoodman]

ooc Initiative [roll0]Meldamiriel

"It's new years. Can't you let people celebrate in peace? Come back tomorrow!" Melda tries to smile, but that irritating frown refuses to go away. This is so annoying...

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"Considering that you are all armed and appear to be quite hostile," Rivak observes, "dropping our weapons seems to be a very foolish thing to do." He makes no move to drop his quarterstaff.

[roll0] - Nice

So tempted to say "You would deny an old man dwarf his walking stick?"

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira says nothing, but her fingers begin to weave complex arcane symbols under the cover of her cloak.

Initiative: [roll0]

Edit: would any of my knowledge skills give me anything about people wearing armbands that read "murderers" in Ignan?

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The intruders are still organising themselves, granting you the opportunity to attack... Yet as the others blunder, one takes aim and throws his sling bullet, striking Laerbein straight in the forehead, knocking her out cold. She slumps to the floor, vulnerable, perhaps dead. Torrent grimaces and moves to defend her, but is blocked off by a pair of intruders, it looks like she's done for unless she gets up by herself.


Yes, I'm sorry Eloi. I've given you the Time, though if you do post saying Laerbein stands up, you can continue playing.

Okay, everyone, combat time!

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak begins speaking something in a low voice. It's hard to tell what he's saying, but the words seem to evoke images of the moon, the forest, and the Hunt. As he looks down upon the humans barging in, he seems to be evoking the forces of nature to their aid. Meanwhile, Derek jumps to the defense of his master, charging at the closer of the two orcs at the top of the stairs with vicious glee.

Give up my Aspect of the Wolf to spontaneously cast Summon Nature's Ally I. I plan on summoning a Wolf once the spell completes at the beginning of my next turn.

Derek charges at one of the orcs:
[roll0]
[roll1]

If he hits, he attempts to trip the orc:
[roll2]

Any chance we can get a map?

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda looks up at the orcs and down at the humans, confusion clearly registering on her face. "What is going on?" She decides on the orcs, and calls on protection from Corellon before moving up the stairs to engage them.

ooc Protection Domain: +2 to AC sacred bonus for all the allies within 30' of me as immediate action. Then I move up to strike at the orcs with my longspear.

Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

HP 9/9
AC 17 Touch 15 FF 13

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

For the first time you've heard, Amira speaks with confidance as she says words of arcane power. She motions towards the men at the door, and vivid, clashing colors spring from her hand, enveloping them.

I'm hoping that Amira can use color spray without hitting anyone in the party. She'll move to wherever she needs to be, in order to get all of the enemies without getting the party. If that's not possible, let me know, and I'll change her action.

Will DC 15 negates.

Assuming the targets have 2 HD or fewer, they are:
unconscious, blinded, and stunned for [roll0] rounds, then
blinded and stunned for [roll1] rounds, and finally
stunned for 1 round

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Derek's charge catches the Orcish intruders by suprise, dealing a painful wound to the ruffian. Amira's spell hits the main body of intruders, including the leader - they grit their teeth, trying to stay focused and fight off the enchantment.

Meldamiriel protective ward comes into play, then her spear deals a painful wound to her target.


Yes, A map is coming. I'll post it up tommorow, for now It should be fine, I'll do my best.

Opposed Str check: [roll0]

Will Saves:
Intruder (near door)
1: [roll1]
2: [roll2]
3: [roll3]
4: [roll4]

Captain: Unaffected at all.

Thanks guys, I'll edit in the results later.


Not recovering from the spell, the intruders at the door simply stop in their tracks and suffer the Elven spellweaver's wrath. The captain falls back slightly, seemingly unwilling to take part in a fight. His will was sufficient...

[VinGoodman]

ooc Is it our turn? I don't want to post out of turn. (This post reserved for Melda's next action, if she gets to go now).

[Savannah]

OOC:
Does the captain have more than 2 HD? He's still affected, unless he has some way to ignore magic, but I guess I was assuming that there wasn't anyone with more than 2 HD. Won't do that again.

3-4 HD: blinded and stunned [roll0] rounds, stunned 1 round

5+ HD: stunned 1 round

Will DC 15 negates. (Oh, and SR applies, if that matters.)

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"Captain, are you after these orcs? Fear not! We'll take care of them for you!"

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The Captain looks with a pained expression - " Please. Surrender. We've got you surrounded. " He says. He's right.

The orcish intruders go after you guys, ini wise.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira, realizing that her tactic was not quite as successful as she'd hoped, and fearing that she'd given the game away by revealing that she was a magic user, squeaks and scrambles away from the men at the door who are still standing.

Withdrawing (no AoO) to someplace where I'm out of melee and can shoot if necessary.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

As Rivak's spell finishes, a howl reverberates throughout the room, culminating in a great wolf leaping out of nowhere and onto one of the orcish intruders. Even as that happens, Rivak begins anther spell, this time calling on the rage and primal fury of Derek. Within moments, Derek leaps up at the orc he's fighting with renewed fervor. Rivak pays no attention to the captain, focused on the battle at hand and on his spell.

Summon a Wolf (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/wolf.htm) at the foot of the stairs and have it charge at an orc.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

Cast Enrage Animal on Derek, providing the benefits of Rage on him (+4 Str/Con, +2 Will saves, -2 AC). That lasts for as long as Rivak is concentrating, + 1 round. Derek attacks the orc again.

[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[VinGoodman]

"Wait, we're...surrounded? Are you in league with these orcs?" Melda declares in disbelief as she continues to strike at the orcs with the longsword.

ooc Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

5' step back. Melda's now 15' from the orcs.

If any enemy closes to 5' of Melda - AOO: Attack [roll2]
Damage [roll3]

I think I knew they were in league, but it sounds like something that would fail to register in her mind...

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The intruders recoil from your attacks. Melda cuts down a scout, and then the remaining orcish intruder strike at her with his sap, trying to knock her out.

Orc: [roll0] for [roll1] non lethal damage.

You all hear a dull thump on the roof, followed by another clump and the sudden roar of flames. The room shakes, knocking all of you to the ground, and several sections of the ceiling collapse. The shriek of the wyvern can be heard, followed by another dull thump and roar of flames.

Reflex saves , everyone.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira's eyes widen as she scrambles out of the way. Unsure of what to do, she pulls out her bow, looking around. After a moment of indecision, she shoots at the orc who attacked Melda.

I'm assuming it's our turn again.

Reflex: [roll0]

Attack: [roll1] (with -4 for shooting into melee)
Damage: [roll2]

[VinGoodman]

OOC REF save [roll0]

By the way, there was an error in my last post - I'm wielding a longspear, not a longsword.
Melda looks at the wyvern with awe and fear, even as she scrambles up and pokes at the prone orc. "What's a wyvern doing inside a tavern?!"

OOC Attack [roll1]
Damage [roll2]

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"This can't be good," Rivak shouts as he dives for cover from the debris. Derek and the wolf both attempt the same.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Amira takes minor damage from a falling piece of debris, though the rest of you escape unharmed. The same cannot be said for the intruders, as a piece of flaming timber cuts one down, and all are knocked to the ground. You have a clear shot at running away!

[roll0] to Amira.

Wyvern? I never said anything about a wyvern.

[VinGoodman]

OOC
You all hear a dull thump on the roof, followed by another clump and the sudden roar of flames. The room shakes, knocking all of you to the ground, and several sections of the ceiling collapse. The shriek of the wyvern can be heard, followed by another dull thump and roar of flames.
Somehow, Melda heard the wyvern, and thought she saw it!
Meldamiriel

Melda shakes her head clear, and realizes there was no wyvern in the tavern! Whatever gave her that impression? However, this is no time to ponder on such deep meditative thoughts. Even she can see an opportunity to run here! "Let's get out of here!" She makes a run for it.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Shaking himself free of dust and debris, Rivak quickly runs to Derek's side, checking his companion for injuries. Sighing with relief when he sees none, he beckons and the two of them start running after Melda.

Wolf will stick around for another round in case the enemies get up. Still concentrating on Enrage Animal until I say otherwise.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira scrambles out from under the debris, and runs swiftly after the others, still clutching her bow.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

You all flee the Poison Apple, and the last sight you see is Laerbain sprawled, dead and crushed under a piece of rubble. You arive on the street to the most chaotic of sights: Utter chaos, to be precise.

You are in the middle of the opening assualt on the Gate Pass city. Wyverns ridden by Ragesians drop "bombs" (alchemical) on buildings, hoping to demoralize the defenders, and are now fought by griffon riding defenders. It is chaos in the streets. A Dwarf greets you...

This was actually part of the story. I know.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"...We're all great friends to be together/
It'll be that way in good or bad weather..."

Melda finds herself singing those words as the image of Laerbain under the rubbles echoes in her mind. She is brought out of the shock by the greetings of a dwarf...another dwarf?

She looks at the greeting dwarf, then Rivak, and back at the new dwarf. Unsure of the intentions of this newcomer, she waits for the dwarf to speak first.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

The dwarf, a rather tall and lanky fellow for one of the Mountain Folk with black, shortcropped hair and long, braided beard tucked behind his girdle raises his hand in greeting. When he does so his cloak is held aside to show that he is wearing a studded leather armour, much lighter than most dwarves probably would prefer. With a deep voice he greets the fleeing party.
"Ho, there! Are any of ye Torrent, mayhaps? I be Ragnar and looking fer employment, not ta mention a way out of this forgate to Baator!"

[Cadian 9th]

Torrent

The Woman sees Ragnar and nods curtly. Like the waves of the ocean, she fluidly speaks amongst the chaos: " I thought there was someone missing. I am Torrent, we should go! "

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"Which way?" Melda asks, hoping the vocalization would help her calm her mind. Unfortunately, the tremble in her voice betrays her sense of dread, and Melda finds her mind offers her little else to say. In response, she simply follows Torrent.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

A bit suspicious initially at the dwarf that just popped out conveniently nearby, Rivak's distrust is ablated when Torrent seems to accept him. Seeing no point to speech at the moment, Rivak and Derek follow silently from behind.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira quickly stows her bow, not wanting to draw attention to herself by being armed. She keeps near the group, looking around for a safe way away.

[Calenestel]

Quickly Ragnar picks up the unloaded light crossbow he had leaning against the wall he had been following, skulking is such a harsh word, the puts it against his shoulder and follows the other. "Right. It's well past leaving now, anyway. I hope ye have yerselves a way out."

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The streets are chaotic, with Wyvern riders wreaking havok and Griffon Riding defenders of the gate pass fighting them. A flame bursts over the next block, and you hear the shouts of the locals as they try and douse the flames

After asking how everyone is, and providing some quick healing, Torrent says you should hurry and get to her meeting with Rivereye. She’s worried that the firebombing might make him flee, and she can’t risk losing him.

If you were hurt, you are now not.:smallbiggrin:

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Not being injured, Rivak stands watch while Torrent heals the others. Derek looks quite spooked by the fire and chaos, and Rivak tries to calm him, rubbing his fur and giving him a treat from a pack. "Don't worry, boy," Rivak whispers to his friend, "We'll make them pay for attacking my city."

As he watches the fire fall from the sky, he wonders for a moment where his father was amidst the city. "Probably passed out drunk in an alley somewhere like he always is," he mutters to himself, then unwittingly whispers a prayer to Moradin, wishing for his father's safety.

Finally, once Torrent was done, Rivak gets to his feet again and urges Derek to follow. He says nothing, but nods at Torrent's words, and follows silently again.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira nods her thanks when Torrent heals her, but says nothing. She presses close to the others, clearly uncomfortable in the chaos in the streets.

[VinGoodman]

With the longspear in tow, Melda swats at something on her hair as she follows the group.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar simply waves away Torrent's offer of healing. He hadn't been hurt more than a bruise or two after throwing himself away from an explosion. Nothing to worry about. At all. With a wry smile, mostly bravado, he follows the cleric and her employees.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The Intruders, who you realize now are bounty hunters, recover. Some that were waiting in ambush spring out, suprisingly enough, from ambush, and that Captain you saw earlier rides up, on his horse. Surrounded by 6 Enemies, and the rest on the way, he calls out: " You should surrender! "

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"Just like that? Unconditionally?" Rivak laughs. "You may have the upper hand, but there are enough of us that you'll lose quite a few men if you try to attack us. Perhaps your men are willing to sacrifice themselves. Perhaps not. Regardless, we'd be fools to just surrender without talking terms first. Why don't you tell us what you want us for first, and we'll consider whether or not to surrender?"

[Calenestel]

Keeping back while Rivak speaks up the other dwarf uses his cloak to try and conceal the fact that he silently loads his crossbow. This would end badly, he was sure of it. The others hadn't come running out of the inn too look at the fireworks and wasn't likely to just surrender and those others wouldn't back down.

[roll=SleightofHand]1d20+6[roll] to load the crossbow without the aggressors noticing.
Oups. I'll post the roll OOC. :smallannoyed:

[Cadian 9th]

DM

" You're worth 100 gp a head to us. That's how much the Ragesians are willing to pay for casters. " One intruder calls out. The Captain simply looks depressed. He obviously sees little enjoyment here.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"On further consideration, I don't think I'll be surrendering after all," Rivak says, and quickly spurs his dog to action. With a mighty leap, Derek pounces at the captain, snarling with rage.

Derek charges at captain.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2] - This pulls him off his horse if it succeeds.

Edit: Eww

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda holds the longspear at the ready and eyes the intruders warily.

ooc Initiative [roll0]

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira silently curses not preparing her spells for battle today, while reaching for her bow.

Initiative [roll0]

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Despite the failure of that attack, Derek is ready to charge again, while Rivak spurs him onward.

[roll0]

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

Still keeping back Ragnar is suddenly on the balls of his feet, just looking for the perfect shot. Or a good shot at any rate. He doesn't raise his weapon just yet, prefering to look non-threatening until he's ready to be more than just threatening.

[roll0]

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Rivak and Derek's attack on the captain causes him to defend himself: He makes no move to harm you. The intruders close in, one attacking Derek with a morning star. Though you attack first!

Intruder attack [roll0] for [roll1]
Yes, you missed, PId6.

[VinGoodman]

"Wait for it, wait for it, wait for..." Melda chants the mantra to herself as she charges at one of the intruders!

OOC Charge Attack with the longspear!

Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[VinGoodman]

ooc Double post because of the crit threat!
Note: forgot the +2 in the first roll, but a natural 20 makes that moot! :smallbiggrin:

Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

AC 13 until next round.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Frustrated by his inability to chew on the captain, Derek turns to his attacker and launches a renewed attack at the man.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

In one smooth motion the wiry dwarf raises his crossbow and fires at another of the guards, one who hadn't had time to react to the beginning violence. After that he drops the weapon to the ground and draws a sturdy shortsword, looking for new openings.


Should there be a guard who haven't gotten to act yet in the battle (initiative below him) Ragnar will fire at that one, gaining the edge of a Sneak Attack.

[roll0]
[roll1] (+1d6)

Should that not be possible, he did try to look non-threatening for the same possible result and I'd like to make a Bluff check to see if I get a Sneak Attack.

[roll2]

Edit: Not that it matters. That was a bad attack roll. :smallyuk:

At any rate, after firing Borts draws his shortsword, ready to start flanking. :smallwink:

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira draws her bow and shoots at the guard attacking Derek. (If he's dead already, she shoots at any guard who is clearly attacking.)
Attack [roll0] (includes -4 for shooting into melee) for [roll1]

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Melda's charge cuts down a hapless Bounty Hunter, puncturing his rib and piercing his heart. Derek leaps and hits the captain, causing him to curse as the hound deals a light wound to the veteran. In a fluid movement, Ragnar's crossbow bolt speeds out and hits a Hunter in the throat, the element of suprise, followed by a cunning bluff on Ragnar's part, causing a vital wound. Amira's bow string slips as she draws it, causing her to drop an arrow...

The captain, now annoyed, pushes his horse to trample derek, then maneouvers back a bit. He invokes some kind of spell... yet the armour he wears restricts him and he fails. He seems annoyed, not understanding why it doesn't work.
The remaining 4 bounty hunters close in, two acosting Rivak with their sap. One moves up to Ragnar, this time with an orc with a morningstar, and the other attacks amira with his sap. " This ones a caster for sure! " he shouts, attacking her with the sap.

Captain: ASF chance: [roll0]
Horse attack vs Derek: [roll1] for [roll2] damage.

2 hunters, on Rivak: [roll3] for [roll4]
[roll5] for [roll6]

Orc on Ragnar [roll7] for [roll8]

And one on amira: [roll9] for [roll10]
You guys are up!

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

As the two assailants closed in on him, Rivak barely had a chance to defend himself before they clubbed him into the ground with their saps. Seeing his master in danger, Derek turns his attention from the captain and charges in at the bounty hunter with a ruthless snarl.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

Ragnar does his best to parry the orc's attack, almost averting the vicious blow with his sword. Almost, but not quite. The blow hits him hard and for a little while he sees two orcish snouts in front of him. Glaring at his attacker, though, the dwarf stands as tough as could be expected by one of the Bearded Folk and growls away the pain. "Ye durned, pigfaced... Ye gonna have ta do better than tha!" Glaring angrily he repays the favour with a vicious stab at his enemies belly.


[roll0]
[roll1]

[VinGoodman]

ooc It's Melda with the spear, by the way, not Amira.
Meldamiriel

Melda sees her comrades struggling and yells at the bounty hunters as she tries to fight them off. "Hey! Stop hurting my friends! The captain is over there acting like he wants to cast spells. Why aren't you capturing him instead?"

Without realizing it...Melda has come to see these allies in arms, who but a day ago were strangers to her, as friends!

ooc Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

AC now normal.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira staggers, having just taken a massive blow to the head. However, she pulls herself together, and steps away from her attacker, shooting again as she does so.

Owwie, one more point and I'm unconscious.

5' step out of melee, and shoot.
Attack: [roll0] for [roll1]

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Torrent runs up and smashes one of the intruders who knocked out Rivak with her battle axe... easily cleaving him to the ground.

torrent vs hunter: [roll0] for [roll1]

In response to Melda's comment, " Hahaha, he's not a wizard, not like you, anyway! " A hunter shouts. He falls back slightly and and is taken down by Derek! Ragnar vengeance strike hits home, cutting down another hunter...

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"Who are you calling a wizard?!" Melda yells at the fallen hunter as she strikes at another with her longspear.

ooc I think there's another one standing:

Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

Shaking his head in a vain effort to clear it of the stars he's seeing Ragnar lets the orc slide off his blade and down to the ground. While still more than a little wobbly he then looks around for enemies left standing.

Should there be one left he tries to get into a flanking position. Should there not be he thinks he'll just sit there a little while. Just to gather his breath, totally not trying to avoid fainting, just resting a little... :smallamused:

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

OOC:Wait...it's our turn, isn't it? Oops.

Amira continues to step back from her attacker, and shoots again.

Move a reasonable distance away (without a map, I'm not sure how far). I want to not put my back against a wall, so that I can continue to back away next turn if necessary.

Shoot attacker [roll0] for [roll1]

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The captain rides off. You could pursue him, but it'll be hard. Currently you have a brief respite. Torrent does what she can to aid Rivak, recovering him to some function, though " Don't go running any marathons... " She says.

Thats Rivak to conciousness, he's on 3 hp.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

"Let's get out of here. Please." Amira says, her voice barely audible over the sounds in the street.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"Ugh," groans Rivak, waking up at last. "Getting mauled by bears was less painful than this," he mumbles as he gets to his feet. "Remind me to avoid getting clubbed down in the future." Seeing him get up, Derek immediately runs at him and leap onto his body, causing him to topple over, and then proceeds to lick his face.

After he finally manages to push the big dog off and climb to his feet again, Rivak scolds Derek half-heartedly, then looks sheepishly at the others. "Ahem, ah, yeah, we should probably get going before more of them show up."

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"Er, hold still a moment. You still don't look so good." Melda recites a brief incantation, and her hands shimmers with divine energy. She places her hand on Rivak, and the energy works to rebuild Rivak's body and make it whole.

She then takes a look at Rivak to see if there are any lingering wounds, before turning her attention on the bounty hunters.

ooc CLW [roll0]

ooc2 Melda is doing a quick look of the fine folks that looked to detain them. She'll gladly help relieve them of all belt pouches. What weapons did they all have? I saw saps and one morningstar. Anything else?

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

Stumbling over to the orc he just killed the blackbearded dwarf picks up the morningstar and searches the body for valuables. To the victor goes the spoils and all that. He doesn't complain, but when he moves it's clear that he's not good for any more action until he's had some healing or a thorough rest.

OOC
Ragnar takes the morningstar. :smallbiggrin:

And he clearly needs some healing.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"You too, Ragnar? Is this a dwarf thing?" Melda tsks innocently. She looks over Ragnar before calling forth a bit of healing energy.

ooc CLW [roll0]

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

Flashing Meldamiriel a thankful grin Ragnar nods in response to her question. "Aye. If'n ye're meaning always taking tha brunt o' an attack an' never backin' down from a durned orc, then that is tha dwarven way."

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira shivvers, standing closer to the group and keeping her eyes open for anyone approaching.

Spot: [roll0]

one more point of either lethal or nonlethal damage and I'm unconscious, if Melda's still in the healing mood.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

On the bodies you find several notices pertaining to a reward - a reward for capturing mages. 100 gp even for the lowest to a fortune for powerful mages.

They wear leather armour. The orcs (2) wore studded leather. There are 2 light crossbows, a short sword, a spyglass and a buckler, as well as 6 saps and 4 morningstars. There is also a good strong 50ft rope and a few waterskins.

The chaos of the streets is somewhat constant: though as you watch a wyvern, pierced by a Griffon riding defender's lance, falls to the ground at the direction of the nearby street. The rider rises from the dirt, drawing a sword and killing a child, before advancing towards some of the volunteer fire fighters.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda helps collect the 2 light crossbows and the quarrels of bolts, the short sword, the spyglass and the buckler, along with the 4 morningstars and the 50ft rope. She tosses the saps onto a roof nearby, and decides to gather up the waterskins while she was at it. "That should inconvenience them a bit," she comments with a grin.

Then, realizing Amira is not doing too well either, she goes over and tries to patch her up a bit. "We better get going. I don't think we should dally here too long."

ooc Cure Minor Wounds x2. 2 HP to Amira. That about taps Melda out for now (1 cure minor left, but she does have a potion of CLW if things get desperate).

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

As Melda moves to throw the saps onto a nearby roof Ragnar quickly intercepts her and takes one of them for himself with a grin to the healer. You just never know when you must fight people that you really doesn't want to kill. After that he helps her collect the rest of the equipment, well aside from the armour. They had little time to spare for stripping fallen enemies of even light armour like this right now. When he looks up from his "harvesting" he sees the wyvernrider attack and kill a human child and a dangerous gleam springs up in his dark eyes. "Oh, no ye don't." All too calmly he picks up his own crossbow and starts loading it.

Should the villain reamin within at least five range increments and noone move to stop Borts he'll shoot at him the next round:

[roll0]
[roll1]

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"Torrent, where do we go from here?" Melda sees Ragnar and the crossbow and quickly stays his hand. "We can't handle this fight! We've got to get to...er, who are we supposed to meet, and where?"

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak ignores the equipment the others grab, simply watching the area for possible dangers. His eyes narrow a bit upon seeing the wyvern rider attacking civilians, but he doesn't move to act. "A gnome, by the name of Badgerface," he reminds Melda when she asks, "though we can't know where he is now. We can't possibly expect him to still be there waiting for us while the city's under attack like this." He turns to Torrent. "Perhaps it'd be wiser to just forget about him and try to get out of the city and get to Lyceum on our own? We need to get some help so we can have a fighting chance against these invading bastards."

[Cadian 9th]

Torrent

She frowns. " Yes, we need to go. Rivereye will be panicking... That doesn't mean we let innocents die before our eyes. " She says, gravely. She waits...

DM

Another wyvern screams over head, destroying another building. The Rider hacks at a passing Griffon riding defender, striking him down. The Griffon dives to catch its masters body, shrieking at the Ragesian knights. The Fallen gate pass Knight rises faintly and passes out.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

First he glares angrily at Melda for hindering him. But suddenly, and quickly enough not to make the moment really hostile, the blackbearded dwarf's visage softens, his eyes looses it's angry gleam and he lowers the crossbow to point at the ground. "Aye, ye're right. Of course," he says, the pain obvious in his gruff voice. Had there actually been a chance to save the child he wouldn't have been deterred by her words. But killing the wyvern-rider wouldn't change the fact that the child was dead and would never see a resurrection. In his eyes the attack was too powerful, too well coordinated and too sudden to leave any doubt that it would prove successful in the end. It was hard to admit, but if he would embroil himself in the fighting and kill an attacker or two before dying he wouldn't be able to participate in saving the town. And he would be dead without actually having achieved anything. His voice dull with resignation Ragnar continues: "Let's be on our way then lads and lassies. We're nae gonna do any good standing around here. Which way?"

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"There are fights we can't win! There are people riding wyverns and griffons up there. You may have been trained to battle against the likes of them, but I would die by their first strike if they were to come after me. Please. Torrent, we MUST get to Rivereye, do what ever we need, and get word to...wherever it is we need to get word to!" Melda is in near tears as she pleads. She sees the flame in Torrent, and others, that she may well lose her new comrades this night against the mighty warriors above and the hunters below.

She breathes an inner sigh at the dwarf's decision to move on. Now, if only Torrent would feel the same...

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"The girl speaks sense," Rivak agrees. "We have a job to do, and we should be doing it. Yes, people are dying, but we can't fight off an army single-handedly. If we finish our mission, we may be able to save more lives yet."

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira says nothing, but looks to Torrent for which direction to move.

[Cadian 9th]

Sorry, Sub system decided since I looked at the subbed threads page, I'd obviously seen allthe threads so yeah. Sorry :smallfrown:

Torrent

She grimly turns away. " This way. " She says.

DM

You follow Torrent through the streets. Coming up through several blocks, you can see the initial attack has faltered and the Defenders are fighting back with coordination and determination. You spot a man, wandering about in rich clothes. He looks noble, and worried about something. " Please, help me! "

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

For some reason, the plight of the man tugs at her heart. She instinctively responds, "What's wrong? And who are you?" Noting his attire, she quickly adds, "I mean, who are you, good sir?"

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

In the corner of his eye the blackbearded dwarf notices the noble looking man, but he's set on continuing forward, thinking this kind of matters settled. Then Melda, despite her previous wise words, adresses the man. Rolling his eyes at the irony Ragnar waits up, opting to stay out of the conversation. At least the defenders seem to be winning. Despite the odds. For now.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira is hurrying through the streets, trying not to look at anyone around her. When Melda stops to talk to the man, Amira stops as well and waits, trying to make herself unnoticeable behind the rest of the party.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The noble is desperate. He tugs at Melda's sleeve. " My daughter, she's trapped, help! " He says. " I'm Erdan Menash, please, help me save my daughter! "

Lol coincidence. Not even my fault anyways. :smallbiggrin:

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak stares at the man for a moment, considering. After a moment, he comes to his mind and asks, "You'd better explain the situation a bit. Where is she? What happened?"

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

A daughter! Trapped! "I'll save her," Melda responds without a moments hesitation and starts moving, oblivious to the contradiction of her actions. Then, she pauses and asks sheepishly, "er, where is she trapped?"

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira fidgets, wanting to offer her help, but not quite daring to speak to such a richly dressed stranger.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

"Are ye rea-" The dwarf looks disbelievíngly at Melda as she almost runs of without directions. And she is telling me to not get involved here? Elves. He is almost on the verge of saying as much and more to her. But not getting involved wasn't really high on his list of priorities either. So after a quick moment of hesitation the blackbearded dwarf shrugs. "Ah, stuff it. Ye're really going ta do it, aren't ye?"

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Erdan looks overjoyed. " She was in the house as I was walking, and the building is collapsing! She's trapped inside the collapsed bathroom... I'm not strong enough... " He stammers, pointing to said building. The floor looks as though it could be lifted by a lil magic or combined strength. Torrent has a glint in her eye.

" Come on - but before we help you, can you help us escape the city? " She says quickly. Erdan looks sideways and nods tearfully.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak beckons to Derek to follow, then walks quickly to the indicated building without another word. The two of them, working together, try to shift the collapsed floor off of the pile.

Derek will make the Strength check, with Rivak Aiding Another. If possible, they will both take 20, ending with a result of 24. If that's not possible, here are the rolls:

[roll0]
[roll1] - If this equals 10 or greater, add +2 to Derek's check.

Total check: 9

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda jumps in beside Rivak and heaves. "Gaarrrhhh!" Melda screams in a most unladylike (and unelvenlike) fashion as she puts all her strength behind the effort.

ooc Str Check (take 20 is 24): [roll0]

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira, figuring that she won't be able to add much strength-wise, instead keeps an eye out for any dangers approaching.

Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

The lanky dwarf looks from his kinsman to Melda and back. Shrugging he then walks over to help the elf out. A dwarf should handle tests of strength easily, but an elf? Might need a little help.

Aid another strength check:
[roll0]

And yes, I'm aware of the irony of Ragnar's thoughts. He's... just a little bit racist about elves. Go figure. :smallbiggrin:
It's up to Melda to prove him wrong.

[Cadian 9th]

Sorry, lost internet for a day. Stupid optus.

DM

With your combined strength, and Erdan and Torrent's help, you lift away sections of collapsed building, revealing a girl of no more than 12 years of age in a nightgown. Her arm is slightly twisted and she is bleeding from several cuts across her body. Erdan looks in wonder and craddles her in his arms as Torrent works a small ammount of positive energy to revitalize the girl.

" How can I repay you? Of course, out of the city. " He says. His daughter murmurs something and he nods... " Thank-you... She says and I do too... "

Even without taking 20 you guys did it! 675 xp so far! +50xp for RP!

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Finding the girl safe, Derek walks up to her slowly, then proceeds to lick her hand. Seeing this, Rivak's face softens, and he smiles unconsciously for a bit. "You can thank us once you get us out of the city," he answers Erdan, then adds in a softer voice, "but you're welcome." Derek appears to be playing with the girl now, his tail wagging in enjoyment as he does. Rivak's face grows sterner as he turns to Torrent, "Now that we have a chance, we should leave. I still think we should just forget about the gnome, but if you do insist on it, then we should go find him right away. This is no time to dawdle."

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira nods and smiles shyly, glad to see the girl safe.

OOCPId6, for some reason when I was reading your post, I forgot that Derek was your dog. Now I can't shake the image of a dwarf walking slowly up to a girl and licking her hand.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Absolutely beaming with joy and brimming with tears, she hugs the noble craddling the girl and blubbers on incoherently. Wiping at the tears, she nods in agreement with the dwarf. "Yes, let's take care of things and get to safety somewhere away from this town!"

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

With a gruff, but friendly, smile the blackbearded dwarf takes a step back and lets father and daughter have their moment without him crowding in on it. A good deed is its own reward, after all. As such he is quick to agree when the other start suggesting that they move on. "Aye. Tha sooner we're out o' here, tha better." Again hefting his crossbow Ragnar is ready to move out as soon as the father can tear himself away.

Edit:
Is that 675 xp WITH the +50 or 675 PLUS +50 (725 xp)?

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Erdan nods and looks around a bit. Reaching into his pocket, he takes out a medalion and passes it to Torrent. He leads you, still carrying his daughter, to the barracks near the target gate, handing you over to a captain man. Whispering a few words, the Captain nods and summons the four guardsmen that had their duty to guard this area rather than fighting out on the other side of the city.

" Erdan here tells me you've got to get out of the city. Might I ask a favour of you? Send my word to Jiri of the Depository Tower, and give him this? " The captain says, holding out a small brown bag. Torrent looks at you guardedly.

725 xp total. It was 675 for normal and +50 for Superb RP!

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak frowns at having yet another obstacle before them, but takes the bag regardless, checking to see what's inside. "Where is the Depository Tower?" he asks reluctantly.

Being a native of the city, does Rivak already know where it is?

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira continues to hang back from the strangers, prefer to stay close to those she knows, even if she's only known them for less than an hour.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

Waiting for Rivak to get his answers the other dwarf keeps a silent eye on the surroundings.

Not much to say right now. Only posting so that you know that I'm alive. Spot check for the hell of it:

[roll0]

[Cadian 9th]

Captain

" You know, the one near the river. Thanks. " He says.

You do indeed.

Ragnar looks around and spots the first signs of a full assualt on the city: Flaming Chickens Boulders being launched into the city. The Defenders should be able to hold out for a few months though.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"Very well, let's go then," Rivak says. He beckons to Derek to follow him, then starts making his way in the direction of the tower. "Let's hope this doesn't take too long," he mutters, giving a wary eye to the flaming boulders being flung above.

What did Rivak see inside the bag?

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

"Not tha' it matters much, now does it? Anywhere is better than here, I'd say, Ragnar says. Moving out alongside his strange kinsman the lankier dwarf eyes the initial attacks on the walls with a wary eye. He wasn't a coward and wouldn't back down from an even fight. But neither was is a warrior or soldier. He was simply an engineer and a full out war was way out of his league.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira pulls her cloak tighter around herself while hurrying after the others.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda moves with the group, nudging Amira and giving her a reassuring smile as they journey forth.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

She smiles tentatively back, then looks at the ground as she follows the others.

[Cadian 9th]

Dm

The Captain nods. With a shout, he ushers you out through a series of corridors, leaving Erdan waving good bye, and the other guards watching. The captain takes you to the back gate and motions for you to go through, out a hidden doorway. " Wish you luck. I have faith in you. " He says, casting a knowing glance at Torrent.

Rivak:
You decided not to at the moment, as when you started to the capptain looked concerned. You look now and there is a white crystal orb and a note.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda catches Rivak peeking, and tsks him. "You really shouldn't pry like that, you know. What's done is done, I suppose. So, what's in it?" As she waits for Rivak to share with the group, she dusts off a bit of soot and ash from her shoulder, frowning as she does so at the destruction that gave rise to the bit of dirt.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"I prefer knowing what I'm delivering when tasked to do a job. You can never be too careful at times like this. It appears to be some kind of crystal orb." Curious, Rivak takes the note out to read what it says.

I do hope the good captain didn't prepare Explosive Runes this morning...

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

Shrugging Ragnar follows along, prefering to keep an eye on the surroundings than reading other peoples correspondance.

Feeling kinda out of the loop right now. Just posting so that you know that I'm alive. :smallamused:

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira perks up at the mention of the crystal sphere. "What does it say?"

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Torrent smiles and nods to Ragnar. " Good to see you alert. Where're you from? " She says.

Rivak:
You open the note.


" Dear Jiri,

I regret to inform you that the city is under attack. You should take mum and claire out to Waterdeep. Stay with Aunt Marian for a few months and I will try and delay the inquisitors for as long as I can. Jiri, now is the best time to hide your powers. Do not let yourself be seen; This stone is a Power stone. You should invest some power into it incase you need more. It contains a message also, a power from Jakiro.

Keep Mom and Claire safe.

Love from your brother,
Tyrael.

You feel slightly sick and felt like you did something wrong.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak quickly throws the note back in the bag, then shakes his head. "Never mind, let's just go." Without another word, he presses on silently, his hound following close behind.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

Ragnar glances at his employer before returning his attention to the surroundings. "I'm from Tallpeak, mistress Torren'. It's a small village up north. Kinda hidden in tha mountains. We seldom travel south for trade, so ye might nae have heard of us. I hope they haven't." A quick look back from where they came from shows clearly who "they" are. But he speaks no more of it, reverting back to his vigil.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira seems a bit disappointed that Rivak didn't read the note aloud, but she says nothing.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda sees the disappointment on Amira's face, and walks a bit closer to her as she whispers, "Those dwarfs. Men, too. Always keeping things to them selves instead of sharing and talking in the open. It's a wonder we put up with that as much as we do." With a grin at Amira, Melda continues on with the group as they carry on with their tasks.

[Cadian 9th]

Torrent

" I have been there before. I was helping out at the temple after that accident; Staying with some members of our order. " She says.

"What about you Meldamiriel? Where are you from? "

Your opportunity to detail the accident, Ragnar. :D

DM

You travel for a while. It is about 2 hours until dawn, you realize. Thanks to Torrent's healing, you don't feel particularly tired.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

The lanky dwarf shuddered hard at the mention of the "accident". Mining accidents were never neither simple nor pleasant. When two shafts had collapsed at the same time, releasing poisonous vapours into a third, close to three years ago, the ramifications had been much, much worse than usual. One and three score miners dead, double that injured and some never to recover. Compared to that the economic downfall had seemed irrelevant at first, but the following winter had been the leanest Ragnar had ever seen. Not unlike the famine following a particularly bad year for farmers.
He saw why Torrent might have come, though, word had been sent out quickly and help had gathered from many of the surrounding communities. All from the east side of the mountains, of course.
"Right. I was lucky nae to be at work then. I probably would nae have been in any danger any ways, exploring some dusty, and empty crypt on tha other side of tha town, or somesuch. But ye ne'er know, do ye?"

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak travels in silence for a while, eyes and ears open for threats abound. He mostly tries to avoid other people on the streets, not wanting to get involved with any trouble. When he sees the sky start to brighten, he realizes that it's almost dawn. It's as if the wariness of the entire night just sudden hit upon him that moment.

"Torrent," he finally says in a tired voice, "Would it be safe to rest for a while after we deliver the bag and find Badgerface? The Ragesians seem to have pulled back for now, so we're in less of a hurry than we would be otherwise. It may be wise to rest up and be in better spirits before we take the trek out of the city, at least so that we're less vulnerable if we do face enemies on the way. At the moment, we're likely all spent from those previous fights."

[VinGoodman]

Torrent

"What about you Meldamiriel? Where are you from? "
Meldamiriel

"Me?" The question takes Melda by surprise, and she falls into thought trying to figure out where to begin. "I'd be from Elwood. It's a small village, really. I don't know if you've heard of it." Melda sighs as she continues. "There's a beautiful temple, too! I think Corellon Larethian would like it. I hope he does, at least. We do love him so." She smiles as she looks to Torrent. "I like to call it The Horn. You know, after a unicorn's horn? But, they didn't like it. The town, that is. Or the temple. Neither one wanted to take that name. Something about being mistaken for Ehlonna."

She skips sideways to avoid some abandoned barrels as she continues. "It's been too long since I've been home. I wonder how everyone's doing. I'm supposed to be on a mission. But, everyone else has gone on ahead, and I'm stuck here. May be when this is all over, I can begin the search again." Melda smiles at Torrent.

"Have you been here all your life?"


ooc You likely have heard of it...too often. Elwood is short for Elf's Wood, and is a common name for small elven communities found here and there.

The temple is somewhat shoddy, but houses some of the most devout of Corellon Larethian, since the hamlet was founded by a retired high priest of Corellon Larethian who has since journeyed on and is home to a couple of the devout who followed the high priest there. Melda's recollection is colored by the sense of goodness and belonging she felt when she grew up there.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira listens with interest to the backgrounds of her companions, but she tries to stay out of Torrent's line of sight, to prevent any similar questions about herself.

[Cadian 9th]

Torrent

" Oh, this and that. I've served Pelor since my teen years, after my father went off to fight on the borders and came back worse off. Pelor answered my prayers and my inner strength shone through, allowing me to heal my dying father. "

" Yet, he is not fit for war. I bear the Hierloom of my family, this fine Axe. I have trained long with it, and have always striven to put it for the right cause. "

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak says nothing more. He simply continues walking towards the Depository Tower.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

"H-how did you get involved in the resistance?" Amira asks Torrent, before quickly slipping back to the rear of the group.

[Calenestel]

Looking to Torrent from the corner of his eye Ragnar listens a little more attentively to the discussion now. He really didn't know much about his employer, something that he would like to remedy.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda keeps her ears attentively to the conversation, while wondering when they'll make it to wherever it is they're going.

[Cadian 9th]

Torrent

" I became involved in the resistance a few years ago when my father was crippled again. He told me to stay out of the armies, that there were traitors everywhere. " She says.

" I figured I wouldn't be the best in a straight battle. I am strong and skilled, but my style is far too independent to be part of a cohesive unit. "

" One thing lead to another, and my experiences at Lyciem pushed me to a higher role. "

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

"And ye ended up here." the lanky dwarf finishes Torrents tale for her. Suddenly he stops, looking to the cleric. "Are ye comin' with us tha whole way or will ye be turnin' back in a bit?"

I must say that I'm quite confused here. Have we left the town or not at this point? :smallconfused:

[Cadian 9th]

You are all about halfway to the Depository tower. If people would like to make checks, go ahead.

Torrent

She nods, and then raises an eyebrow at Amira. " What about you? How did you aquire your craft? "

DM

Hills change to plain as the city dissapears behind you. The rays of dawn illuminate the rolling plains, adding a warm glow to the green grass. You hear the cry of birds as they stir for another clear day.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

"Me? I-I always liked the library. And so they taught me, the wizards, I mean. I did sorta set my hair on fire when I tried a spell - I was really little, maybe 60 years old - so I guess they thought I should be trained." Amira trails off, not knowing what else to say.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

Chuckling softly at the elf's tale, especially that about being young at sixty. He himself hadn't turned sixty yet, and while still young he was very much a grown dwarf now. He could only imagine how the even more shortlived humans would think about that, and that was the true source of his mirth. He does, however, only give the conversation half an ear since it doesn't seem to give him any more insight in Torrent's background. Instead he keeps a wary eye and ear on the surroundings. There was no guarantees that there were no enemies about even if the army was held up at the Gate pass. There could be enemy scouts about, or bandits, beasts or any other more usual peril for travelers.


[roll0]
[roll1]

Edit: Yuk. :yuk:

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak doesn't join in the conversation. He is still weary from the fighting last night, and now keeps an eye open for enemies, fearful for attacks in the open space. Derek marches behind him loyally, keeping an eye open alongside his master.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

The travel becomes a bit tiresome for Melda, and she falls into relative silence as she continues on with the group.

ooc Traveling for the week. Posting will be erratic.

[Cadian 9th]

Amira Galanodel

"Me? I-I always liked the library. And so they taught me, the wizards, I mean. I did sorta set my hair on fire when I tried a spell - I was really little, maybe 60 years old - so I guess they thought I should be trained." Amira trails off, not knowing what else to say.

Torrent

The woman laughs a little, smiling kindly. " I've seen some like you before. They are such bright stars. "

DM

You do not hear of anything, but on the distance you spot a river, and a bridge at that. Torrent says you are just an hour from the Depository tower.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira smiles shyly at Torrent. She stops walking for a moment to take a sip from her waterskin before continuing on. The stories of heroes never mention how much your feet hurt...

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

"Good. Is it too much ta hope fer some ale when we get thar?"
The lanky, blackbearded dwarf doesn't seem very tired by the march, but neither does he seem as fresh as when they started out either. Not as hardy as many of his kin, maybe. Still he doesn't complain, heading for the goal with a stoicism that is typical of his kind.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak scowls at Ragnar's mention of ale, his weariness forgotten in a fit of annoyance. "Is that all you dwarves think about?" he mutters, forgetting for a moment that he himself is one. "We have something important on our hands and all you can think about is drinking yourself to a stupor?" He shakes his head and makes a disgusted noise, then moves on without another word.

Same boat as Vin here (not literally). I'll be traveling over the next week and a half, so I've no idea what my internet situation will be. Feel free to DMPC Rivak/Derek if I don't post.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"You know, there's nothing wrong with ale. Many a social gatherings are made or sank by it. Of course, this isn't a social gathering we're going to. Is it?" Melda loses her train of thought for a moment, and decides it's not worth the effort to climb back on. She continues on with the group, gripping her longspear to make sure she did not forget it somewhere along the way.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

Throwing Rivak an unamused glance the other dwarf plods on, never slowing down the least while he talks. "Well, I'll be durned. Feelin' a little defensive, are we? After all this walkin' I'm feelin' a little thirsty, ye know? And I happen to like ale. I ne'er said I'd drink meself into a stupor. Not while on a job." At that the blackbearded dwarf suddenly flashes his kinsman a rare and very cheeky grin. "If'n ye're askin' me, however, I'd be sayin' ye could use a good drinkin' bout."

[Cadian 9th]

Torrent

She laughs. " Never question a dwarf's dedication to ale. I remmeber one time, with my father, we had several dwarven Highborns. They drank all day and all night, after which the humans collapsed and the Elves simply had left. "

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak looks as if he's of a mind to leave like those elves. He doesn't respond beyond giving a vocal grunt, and continues in silence, a perpetual scowl still hanging over his face.

[Cadian 9th]

Bump

DM

Approaching the bridge, you see several humanoids guarding it. They wear black leathers and carry a mutlitude of weapons. There is an ogre standing wearing a pirates hat, armed with a large halberd. As you watch, a Human crosses the bridge and readies a crossbow.

The river is about 30ft wide. It is relatively fast flowing, and stretches quite far as you can see. There is a hill to the left which you cannot see over. Torrent has told you you are 1 hour away from the depostiory tower.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

"I think they mean us harm! That's a crossbow he's loading there." Melda warns the group of the obvious as she loads her sling to fire at the crossbow wielding human.

ooc Initiative [roll0]

Fire the sling!
Attack [roll1]
Damage [roll2]

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

When Melda picks up a stone and fits it into her sling Ragnar stays her hand by gripping her arm, mildly turning her towards him. There is a look of mercy and compassion that looks odd on his dwarven features. "Hm. Should we nae try ta speak with'em? Fer all we know they're guards hired by tha Tower people."

Initiative roll is located in OOC thread because of I'm a tiredly stupid father of three. :smallredface:

On the upside. Maybe you'll get to reroll that horrible attack roll when we really get to the fight. :smallbiggrin:

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira had started to reach for Melda's arm when she raised her sling, but stopped when Ragnar got there first. Seeing that he stopped Melda's impulsive shot, Amira turns to look for clues as to who the people are.

Spot: [roll0], Listen [roll1]

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Peering closely, Amira spots they indeed bear the liverly of both the Bounty Hunters at the Inn and the Ragaesian army. The ogre has a freshly sowed on badge of allegiance to Ragaesia.

Torrent narrows her eyes. " No, this is a betrayal. How should we cross? " She muses.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

Shrugging Ragnar lets go of Melda's arm with an apologetic smile. Thar be three ways, I'd say: Sneak, fight or bluff. I dinnae think we can get any of those badges though, so lyin' our way through might be a wee bit hard."

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

"I might be able to make us look like them, if you think that would help. But I can't do it right now, I didn't think that I'd be doing anything like this when I studied my spellbook this morning, so I don't know if it would help."

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda looks at Ragnar with a puzzled look for the interruption. The explanation and the smile mullifies Melda, and Melda picks up the dropped bullet as she responds, "I'll ready the sling all the same, but I suppose we can try to avoid this fight if that's the better way. So, are we trying something complicated, or should I go ahead and let loose the bullet?" She looks to the group and waits for someone to venture an alternative. For now. I think I can still peg that crossbow guy...

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak glances at the guards, then back at their lot. "I'm tired, weak, and hungry, and I'm sure most of you are the same. We don't have the strength to pick a fight right now, and since we don't have those badges, I doubt we'll be able to bluff our way past. Let's just retreat for now and find a place to rest. We can decide what to do then, and at the very least we'll be well-rested and ready for combat should the need arise."

[Cadian 9th]

DM

" Good idea, " Says Torrent. " Though this is not the best place to camp. We need to find another place if we want to rest. With any luck we've lost any pursuers and noone knows we're here... "

As you watch, several of the men sit down and lean on their halberds. One captainy looking guy laughs at a joke, then glances out in your direction. He hasn't seen you.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

"Let's go, then. Now." Amira whispers, not comfortable with being so close to being spotted.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

"Aye. I agree. Rest could be welcome. The dwarf flashes his friends a grin while he's formulating a plan in his mind, keeping it up as the group withdraws. Ye know. If we wait until dawn tha guards should be suitably unattentive whether we fight or sneak by them. I meself could be up for a good tussle." The last is said with a typical dwarven grin.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak thinks for a moment, then says, "I suppose, if we can get close enough in the early hours of the morning, we may be able to surprise them and take them out with relative ease. It's not going to be easy either way, but if we plan correctly, it hopefully won't be too difficult. Let's make sure there are no other ways to cross the river first before we jump into combat though. For now, we can follow the river, either until we see another way to cross or until we see a suitable resting spot that's sufficiently out of the way."

[Cadian 9th]

Torrent

" Sounds like a sound plan. We shouldn't tarry, our contact is waiting just an hour from here. I hope he can hold on. " She says, peering around.

It is now 1 hour to sunrise.

[Calenestel]

OOC
Time for a certain druid to do some wildernessy stuff? :smalltongue:

[PId6]

Rivak

Leading the group along the river, Rivak looks for a way to cross or for a good resting spot.

Druidsy stuff:

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

Wow, two natural 20s and a natural 1. Yeah...

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

Moving along Ragnar looks with a certain kind of respect on the strange dwarf. Well, stranger at any rate.
The druid looked so very in his element, with such an expertise in woodcraft that he still managed to keep a good eye on the surroundings, that the engineer relaxed, only paying partial attention to their surroundings.

Just for fun (post will reflect rolls):

[roll0]
[roll1]

Weeell... crap. :smallbiggrin:

[Cadian 9th]

Sorry guys for taking so long.

DM

The bridge group didn't see you, and the night approaches dawn. In the distance, early rising birds unleash waking cries.

Rivak:

With your (awsome) knowledge of nature, you can tell that the river is relatively fast running, but is possible to cross. In particular, you know of some reeds and riverside trees that grow upon the banks of this river that could be used to cross undetected and easier. The river has no predatory fish in it but mundane predators such as herons and birds make a life hunting the marine life in the clear waters. There are a few crocodiles though, but they should be further down stream where it is deeper for them.

Looking at your environment and moving, you follow footprints and markings of animals as they go from the riverbank to their home. A nibble on a shrub here, a dropping there. You eventually find the perfect crossing place, about 20 minutes down from the bridge. It's a Beaver Dam, built around a log that spans the river.

I tell you this so you can tell the party and have a choice, what do you do? :smallsmile:

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira tries to hide a yawn as she follows the group.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak moves along the riverside with a serene look on his face. Feeling at home in the natural setting around them, Rivak delights in the sounds and smells of the early morning, putting all of the worries and problems of the city behind. This change comes over Derek as well, and the dog acts much more playfully, running ahead and chasing after the occasional animal on the grass. Both look rejuvenated by the environs, and appear nowhere near as tired as they were the previous night.

For a while, Rivak simply leads silently, lost in the wonders of their surroundings, barely aware at all of his companions following behind him. About twenty minutes after leaving the bridge, he stops. Looking out onto the water, he gazes at what appears to be a beaver dam, spanning the width of the river. He takes a moment to study the logs there, carefully considering the structure, before pronouncing that they should cross here. Without waiting, he starts making his way across, his faithful hound not far behind.

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda follows Rivak along while trying to taking in the surroundings, if only to keep herself from falling asleep. She spies Rivak finding a crossing point, and tries her best to keep up with him.

[Calenestel]

Nimbly the second dwarf follows, crossing the river and taking up a watch on the other side, loading his crossbow. There seemed to be enemies about even here, so you really couldn't be too careful.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

As Rivak crosses the damm, a rustling is heard. Swimming ashore is a beaver, and another beaver. One emerges from the burrow, a young beaver. Spotting you, the baby beaver rushes back and makes distressed sound. The biggest beaver, who just emerged from the water, leaps up and barrs his teeth at you. The other beaver (probably a mother) stands behind and does the same.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Rivak acts slowly to avoid startling the beavers, refraining from any sudden motions. Waving his arms and making animal squeaks, he tries to calm the beavers and convey to them that his group only intends to cross the river, and that they don't mean any harm to the beaver family.

[roll0]

Ha!

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda watches the exchange with great amusement. "That was impressive, Rivak!" With a smile for Rivak, Melda follows along.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

At Rivak's calming movements and animal communication, the Beavers are now feeling safe. They retreat back a bit to let you pass. The female plops back into the water and swims away.

[Calenestel]

When the beavers appear, looking rather aggresive, the engineer dwarf is too surprised to even point his crossbow at them. Weren't beavers supposed to be, like, herbivores? And when he finally considers that they might have to actually fight the animals (and what a strange tale that would be to tell at taverns and inns) Rivak proves yet again why a druid is good to have along in the wilds. Relaxing, and not showing any regret that there would be no fight, the dwarf again turns his attention outwards when the beavers slink away.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira smiles, pleased that she didn't have to fight innocent animals.

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

Happy that the situation was resolved peacefully, Rivak leads across the logs, then waits until everyone is gathered safely on the other side of the river. "Since we're on this side, let's rest a bit here before continuing. Even if we don't have to fight those guards on the bridge, we still might run into trouble sooner or later, so it's better to be rested up than weary." He glances at each person, checking for thoughts or objections.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

"Aye. Tha' sounds like a good idea ta me." With a relieved sigh the dwarven engineer settles his backpack against a treetrunk left alone by the beavers and takes a seat, using his pack as a stool. "So, I guess we're goin' ta have someone on guard while the rest... rests?" he grins. There seem to actually be some kind of sense of humour in the lanky dwarf. Even if it's based on puns. "I can take first watch. Just gettin' off me feet is enough fer tha time bein'."

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

"I can take almost any watch, but I'll need to rest for a while if I'm going to prepare new spells tomorrow."

[VinGoodman]

Meldamiriel

Melda stretches as the group pauses. She tussles her own hair to get an annoying itch as she listens to the group. "I can take first watch."

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

"As ye would have it, then," the blackbearded dwarf says with a half-smile to Meldamiriel as she also volounteers for first watch. Rightly or not he supposes that she has some prior experience with keeping watches, as himself. And that she knows that that is a good way to get uninterrupted sleep without having to take the dog-watch. As himself. Still, he's not picky and might as well get two periods of interrupted sleep instead. As long as he gets some shut-eye. "Just ye wake me for sec'nd. Sha' we say two hours?"

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The crossing is, tricky, but easy to do without failure. The Day is coming up, Torrent grimaces wearily, then nods to you. " If its all right with you guys I'm going to sleep. Thanks, its been along week. "


150xp!
For stuff!
:smallbiggrin:

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira makes herself as comfortable as possible on the ground, before quickly falling into a trance.

Yay! XP!

[PId6]

Rivak Grayfate

"Derek and I will take the last watch," Rivak mutters, before falling like a stone where he stands. He must be more tired than he had thought. Rolling a bit until he finds a comfortable spot, Rivak wraps his cloak around himself and starts snoring soon after, not bothering with much else. Derek curls up at his feet and sleeps as only a dog can.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar

Smirking slightly at the other dwarf Ragnar takes out his bedroll and lays it out under a particularly thick section of leaves. He's not a woodsman of any sort, but he figured that the sturdier the roof the better. After crawling into the sleepingbag he mumbles, already falling asleep: "Right. Ye wake me in a few. G'night." And with that he also seem to drift into sleep.

[Cadian 9th]

Vingoodman, you're up. Tho I know Savanah is MIA.

DM

Torrent looks forlonly at the others. Glancing a Melda, she smiles and indeed goes to sleep, after reverently placing her battleaxe and holy symbol in pride of place. The sun rises more.

Melda

Yeah, perception checks!

[Savannah]

Wait, what? Amira was trancing, and then probably going to watch during her additional hours of rest.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

The day seems odd to be sleeping, but through the tiring events of the night sleep is well justified.

Vingoodman, he said Melda was taking watch, RP it between you two. They seem unaccustomed to a member of the party who can sleep and yet still watch :smallbiggrin:

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

After 4 hours of trance, Amira awakens and looks around the campsite.

OOC:I'm just moving along here. If you had another plan, Cadian, feel free to ignore this post. Otherwise, I'm assuming she will find that a couple of their companions are missing.

[Cadian 9th]

DM

Amira wakes to a despairing sight; Two empty, ruffled bedrolls where Melda and Rivak were to sleep; The two of them are nowhere to be seen. Tracks lead to the river.

A note is found next to melda's bedroll:

" Sorry. Neither I nor Rivak are safe with you; we need to split up, that way we won't compromise you by being recognized... Complete your part, we'll lead the enemy as far away as possible. We'll meet again some day... "

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

The heavy snores from the dwarf's bedroll are growing fitful. He's still asleep, but it's a troubled rest, and he has started to toss and turn.

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

Amira has a quiet moment of panic, before hurrying to Ragnar's bedroll and shaking him awake. "They're gone," she whispers, handing him the note.

[Calenestel]

Ragnar Silveranvil

"Wha' the?" The snores are cut off as soon as Amira touches him and while bleary-eyed he grabs the note and hastily reads through it. "Tha durned fools. Why couldn't they just have told us so?" Grumblin to himself he scrambles to his feet and looks about. At least Torrent was still there. They would need her. Sighing heavily he then nods. "Right, then. Ye wake tha priestess and we'll get out o' here quick. We should be able ta sneak our way to our destination an' then we can talk about wha' where goin' ta do."

[Savannah]

Amira Galanodel

"But, my spells, I don't know, what should I.... Right, wake Torrent," Amira seems to be having a minor nervious breakdown, but pulls herself together and heads over to shake Torrent awake.