Against the Ogres

[ngilop]

Many ages ago Ogres were a dominant race; mighty of body as well as mind. This would lead to their downfall as their hubris led them to try to cut the magic off from another race. The Ogre mages, shamans, and sages poured over forgotten and forbidden scraps of lore for decades until the deemed they had perfected a spell to strip the magic away from their rivals. The days long ritual took place only to fail in the end, the hated rivals causing the spell to meet with disaster, backfiring on the ogres. After the spell took it tool on the once glorious Ogre race. They were stripped of most of their arcane magic as well as their previous mental acuity. So began what the world now knows as Ogres, big dumb brutes, who for the most part have no knowledge of their race’s once past majesty. There have been some exceptions to this racial ignorance at times in the past. Just over a century ago the many ogre tribes of the Darrow Mountains ceased their constant infighting and joined together under the banner of an Ogre by the name of Targut, one of the rare ogres blessed with above average ( for an Ogre) intelligence and an affinity for history. Targut had heard rumors of a powerful artifact called the Dragon Orb wielded by the Baron Namara of Galivia, who himself was said to be a mage of no small ability. Targut managed to keep his kinsmen together and attack at the most opportune of time. With all but a token defense force kept to watch over the far away western barony, most of the able bodied men was sent to the south weeks ago to deal with a war that was being fought with the neighboring southern kingdom. Targut proved to be an ingenious military commander as first he sent a small portion of his army to cut off Namara’s keep from the nearby town of Thend, with the strict orders to keep any one from getting away from the town and sending for aid. The siege on the keep was brutal, for both sides. No one knows exactly what happened in those 6 days, except that the ogres took the keep. Their victory was short lived though, the nearby by elven community and a dwarves company came to aid the besieged,. Too late to stop the ogre from killing the defenders, they set their sights on preventing the gores gaining possession of the Dragon Orb. Targut died in the ensuing battle and the ogre forces broke and fled back into the mountains. The Dragon Orb nor Namara’s body were never found, even after a hearty search by the young noble who led the elven forces that day.

The days turned into weeks which turned into months and the victorious troops returned to find their victory didn’t mean so much now that their homes had been destroyed. The town of Thend rebuilt and indeed prospered with renewed contact and trade with the elves and the far off dwarves. With the money the town decided to pay some adventurers to ‘take care’ of their ogre problem lest another Targut incident happens.

Now you find yourselves in the Red Dragon Tavern, a busy place, filled with drinkers and musicians. A few local folk play darts in one corner. Things in the town have been quit-so quiet in fact, that none have had a single chance for an adventure.
Just when it seems that making fun of bragging peasants is the most exciting thing to do, a trumpet blares in the street. It is the town crier, and he has important news He unfurls a proclamation and reads “Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye! A terrible tragedy has be struck this fair city. The High Wizard Elorin needs stout heroes to undertake a dangerous quest. If their be those brave enough to match their words with deeds, let them follow me to the high wizard’s Tower.”


Elorin's tower is made of gray stone with a few big rooms to each floor. Most rooms contain many tables covered with scrolls, books, bubbling beakers, and strange stuffed creatures. The guards outside the wizard’s tower step aside and let you all enter. A servant goes to tell Elorin some adventurers have come. A short time later the servant returns to lead you to the wizard.
The old wizard rises, strokes his beard as he looks at you and then says, “I’ll be brief and to the point. A week ago, the elven lord Taran, set off on a mission to the ruins of Namara’s keep. Well, he’s not returned. I fear he has come to a foul end.
Before he left, he said something about an orb, a singing orb, which I suspect may be the dragon orb. If the Orb falls into evil hands it will be death or worse for everybody in the realm. For this I’ll pay you 150 gold coins a piece, not a penny more”

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim stands in the back of the assembled adventurers, the worry lining his face obscured by scars. He doesn't make a habit of trusting his life to strangers, and one or two of the characters before him look quite... odd. But these are unusual circumstances, and unusually large pay. He opens his mouth to say something, then closes it again. No. Better to let someone else speak first.

The tall, muscular man figits nervously.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai leans forward and speaks up, "this sounds like just the opportunity I've been looking for, but I have a question. I'm most appreciative for an opportunity to be of service to Lord Taran, but why are the elves not going after him themselves?"

[BelGareth]

Jaethrin followed them to the tower, he had heard of the others, but nothing big, nothing crazy stuck out to him. Nonethless, he still wanted to stick to the shadows, the blend in and not be seen..

what is wrong with me, he thought to himself, always wanting to stay in the shadow, like the little gnome you are.

Mentally shaking his head he continued on and smiled a half smile at the guards, men who could have been chasing him on another day, the fates of men was no business of him, but the ironies was never lost either...

Waiting he idly fingered the handle of the knife....no, I musn't, not here he took his hand out like a theif in a cookie jar just as they were introduced to the old archmage.

He smiled a genuine smile when the old man stated his price, not willing to budge. With nothing else to do, and knowing it would be fun, at the very least, he nodded.

"Agreed, 150 gold pieces then." he says simply.

[ngilop]

Namara squints his eyes a bit before answering Morai "He is a, well, he is rather touched by wanderlust. Lord may be bit of a misconception, of noble birth he is, but being the fourth child he might as well be a peasant. I am not so sure that the elves would be super eager to go searching for him, when not only is him being gone for weeks at a time regular behavior.. but there is a reason he is the only elf to have a permanent home here in Thend. That being said, I was the last person to see him.. so it is sort of my duty to see what may or may not have befallen him."

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim's eyes jump between the others present, staying on each for only a moment.

Human. Female. Commanding posture. Javelins and morningstar.

Gnome. Male. Shifty looking. No obvious weapons.

Elf. Female. Looks too clean to be a warrior, but has a spear and a crossbow.

Human. Male. More brains than biceps. Rapier, possibly elvish.

Pixie.

None of these people look like the typical fighter, but there's certainly more to power than appearance. The pay's good. Really good. And it's a chance to actually help someone. It's been far too long since he's actually helped someone.

He lets out a long breath he didn't know he'd been holding, and clutches his greatsword's hilt tightly. It's the only thing he owns that hasn't been battered and torn, and that includes his body. Right now, it's more of a comfort blanket than a weapon.

"I'm in."

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys, fair-haired and pale-skinned, stands proudly before the wizard. The elven woman wears well-kept leather armor with a white tabard over it, embroidered with rose vines and a holy symbol most in the room probably do not recognize. With finely manicured nails and lightly made up face, the healer clearly takes her appearance seriously.

As Morai pipes up about the elves not looking out for their own, Nulys bristles a bit, pursing her lips. She speaks in a high, breathy voice, "I've heard tell that, like, Taran Goldenstar is a skilled warrior. Why do you, like, expect the worst already, Ser Elorin?"

[Otep]

Lillith stood quiet for a moment, listening and watching the rag-tag group....

None of them look too skillful to find my secret.... enough muscle here to suffice but not enough prying eyes to be a worry...

"If this is as dire as you claim, a 150 gold seems a tad low does it not? None the less if this is simply to head to your ruins 150 will suffice... " Lillith's hand dropped to the handle of her morningstar stroking it almost lovingly.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai sits back in his chair and considers Elorin. "Would we be receiving that gold now, or upon our return? I don't know about anyone else, but I could certainly be better equipped to succeed at this venture if I had the use of those funds now."

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim's eyes widen. They're haggling! Four years he's been a mercenary, and never once did he stoop to that. You either accepted the mission or you did not, and if you did not there was a chance they'd offer more. But to openly haggle, and with a man's life at stake, not to mention the Orb... nauseating.

Elim composes himself, or tries to. Not your place to judge. He's not used to dealing with this many people, though, and suddenly the room feels claustrophobic. He wants to say something, to yell at them or demand that 150's plenty, payable on return, but he doesn't. It doesn't pay to make enemies of people you're going to rely on, he's learned. So he stands by the entrance, clutches his sword tightly, and starts listing the great pre-classical wizards in alphabetical order.

Abnor, Aemis, Alabaster, Astra, Azeal...

[Otep]

It would appear the human with the greatsword dose not approve of this Dialog.... I should try and wrap this up quickly....

Lillith's demeanor changed along with her tone of voice, softer almost innocent like.

"Everyone seems to agree with 150 gold pieces.... how ever, could you be a love and give my share to our ill prepared friend now? I'd rather not dig a grave in some forgotten forest...."

Offering my gold to help this man out may appease the mage and greatsword guy.....

[BelGareth]

Jaethrin raised his eyebrows at the mention of this woman giving her share to the other one who deemed it appropriate to ask for more than a years salary, you could do a lot with 150 gold pieces, a lot of drinking....

He shifted uneasily as they bantered back and forth, he hoped the wily old wizard would put the man in his place...just so they could get a move on.

[ngilop]

Elorin strokes his beard a few moments before speaking "You will get your gold when you return with either news of Taran's death or Taran himself. 150 is more than a generous wage"

He looks to Lillith furrowing his brow "if my pay is not enough, know that if indeed there is still treasure to be found at Namara's keep, it is all yours. That should be payment enough."

[Pseudo_Nym]

...Ss'lenmir, Starswirl, Stormwalker, Suulix...

Wait a second. The client looks unhappy. The client offering ten times the pay of my last job looks unhappy. Think, Elim.

He clears his throat.

"More 'en fair, sir. If there's nothing else you can think to add, I'll head out at first light tomorrow with whomever's willing."


If he doesn't know where Namara's keep is, he adds:
"Directions might help, a' course."
Otherwise, he bows, awkward for more reasons than his height, and makes for the exit.

[ngilop]

Elorin smiles at Elim "I was hoping that you could leave now, after all I feel time is of the essence.. I have a servant who can show you the old road to the keep."

[Pseudo_Nym]

The delay was for the others' benefits: Elim carries all his worldly possessions with him wherever he goes, and that includes travel supplies and rations for journeys. Not everyone can be expected to be so... practical, but it suits him fine. Leaving immediately suits him fine, too: if anything, it will weed out those not really dedicated to the task ahead. He eyes the elf, before reminding himself not to judge by appearances.

"Certainly."

[Otep]

Lillith bows deeply.

"your wish is my command M'lord. I will leave immediately with whom ever wishes to join me...."

Lillith waits for a moment for a response from everyone else.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai rises to his feet as well. "Fair's fair. This sounds like just the opportunity I've been looking for. I'm in. I was born and raised here in Thend, my dad took me out to see the ruins one time," although perhaps not best to mention what we were there for, he muses. "I think I remember the way there.

Knowledge: Local check to remember how to get to the keep [roll0]

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys stiffens further, making an elvish sign of dismissal, "Yeah, we can, like, move out right now -- of course I don't mind." She double-checks herself, insuring that everything she needs is with her. Backpack in place, spear and crossbow secured, the beautiful elf is as ready as anyone else.

[Popinjay]

Sorry for the delay in posting. I was looking at the wrong thread.

Trinket, who had been buzzing about overhead, in and out of the kitchen, and generally all about the room like a hyperactive child, adds her voice to the haggling. "No deal. We want 150 gold pieces and one of those honey glazed sweet rolls in the back. And we get the sweet roll up front buddy! We can't go out on a mission hungry." Trinket winks broadly at the others, proud of her negotiation skills.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim's impressed. He's dealt with many a stoic mercenary, certainly more professional looking than this group, who would never leave without at least an hour or two to set affairs in order. These people are dedicated. These people are his peers. And while they've yet to prove it in battle, they've certainly proved --

Did that pixie just ask for a sweet roll?


List possibilities, Elim:
-Classic obsfucation of higher intellect, an attempt to make others underestimate her.
-Humor to lighten a tense moment. You aren't the best with social situations: perhaps it's more appropriate than you think.
-Extreme confidence, hard earned through skill with weapons or magic. If she makes a habit of slaying dragons, perhaps finding levity in this situation is natural.
-She's an idiot.

Too early to say. Watch her closely. Watch all of them closely. And don't let the client get upset. Stay on track.

"...Whenever your servant is ready, then."

[ngilop]

Elorin cannot help but let loose a small chuckle for the firm negotiations from the pixie. "You drive a hard bargain, a sweet roll for everyone before you start your journey." Morai thinks whilst chewing his sweet roll and remembers the general area of where the road begins, and after everyone finishes eating, leads the group out and to the road. Findng it takes a bit longer than expected and the road can be more accurately described as an overgrown deer path now after a few decades of non-use. Before you all step foot on the path, you think back to the few villagers that waved as you left, you could have sworn their hopes for you were not all that high, and more than one would probably be surprised to see you again.

It is late in the day by the time you all reach the Keep, with Morai relying on a foggy memory. A cold wind blows through the dead trees around the ruin. Dark clouds make everything seem gray and lonely. The keep sits on top of a hill and can be seen from far away. Once it had strong walls and tall towers. Now the towers have fallen and the walls have collapsed in many places. You are not sure but you think you see a cave entrance to the western side of the hill, or it could just be a deep shadow. There is a heavy door in the gate, but it looks like it could be opened.

[BelGareth]

Jaethrin walks out ahead of the group. He was actually pleased at the sudden appearance of a sweet roll and he instantly liked the Pixie because of it.

But once on the road, he took up a position to the left flank and just a step behind Morai.

He had trouble keeping up, to the bigger folk, and hoped they would slow down for him, seeing the gate and possible cave he turns to them: "I could scout them out? See if one or the other is better?"

[Pseudo_Nym]

Should we roleplay out any conversations we had on the journey, or just handwave over them? I'd have been sure to ask names and general combat roles, at the very least.

Elim munches his sweet roll thoughtfully. That pixie is one shrewd negotiator...

When he hears Jaethrin's question, he shrugs. "Can't hurt. But we're looking for Taran, and he probably went through the door."

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai looks around the group. "I don't know about anybody else, but I'm not excited about the prospect of exploring a crumbling ruin where one person already disappeared until morning rolls around. Maybe we could make camp here and start on supper while Jaethrin checks out our options. We can decide which way to go and then start out first thing in the morning."

"Also, while we're formulating a plan, it might be best to discuss what each of us has to contribute to this expedition. I don't claim to be a master swordsman or anything, but I know what to do with this one. I also have some experience with locks and traps and know how to keep out of sight if I need to."

I would have figured that conversation would happen on the road, too, but decided to just throw it in here, since here we are.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim grunts approvingly.

"Name's Elim. Mercenary. Swordsman. Mage. I've been takin' jobs like this for four years, now, and I know how to fight. Usually I'm an escort or guard, though, leading a scholar through some crypt or a merchant caravan through a nasty mountain pass. Usually, I work alone, or 'ith one to two other guys. And usually, I'm paid a couple hundred pieces a' silver, so I don't want to mess up this."

He pauses, thinking how to word his question.

"Who are you all and what are you good for?"

He hesitates. That probably sounded rude.

"Please." He nods, satisfied.

Short description, just in case: Elim's 6'3" and very muscular. He's wearing a ratty looking cloak over some extremely beat up studded leather, and carrying some dented javelins, an old backpack, and a well cared for greatsword. His hair is short but unkempt, his posture is terrible, and his face is covered in scars.

[Otep]

Lillith smiled at the straight forwardness of Elim's question

"I like your style Elim, I'm Lillith the Orphan. I'm..." Lillith stopped for a moment....

If I dont tell them my secret they wont trust me.... if I do they may still not trust me...

"I'm a warlock... I Specialize in making the most of any conversation...."

[BelGareth]

Jaethrin nods.

"Thats a good idea"

"I am scout, " he smiles "I guess you could have guessed that, I have some small skill with shadow....and I know how to use a sword if need be."

3'8 gnome with leather, short sword and a knife.

[Pseudo_Nym]

To Jaethrin:
"With shadow? I suppose I'll find out. You said your name's Scout? Do you prefer to fight from the front lines, or the back?"

To Lillith:
He smiles, showing his only somewhat yellow teeth.
"A warlock! Grand! Draconic, Angelic, Fey...?"

To Everyone:
He hesitates a bit, and shifts his weight uncomfortably.
"You've all killed someone before, right? Hoping we can avoid it, but it happens. We'll scare off those we can, knock out those it's safe to, but if worse comes to worse... we're all professionals here, right?"

[Kedyn's Crow]

Since it wasn't included before, Morai is of average height with a slight build, has very dark hair and generally unremarkable appearance. His sword and clothing are of elven manufacture. He wears his sword on his back and has a dagger at his belt as well.

Morai considers Lillith for a moment, but he's seen enough to get to know someone before judging them. He fidgets a bit. "Well, I've been in fights, I've seen people die before, but I have to admit, I've never had to actually kill anyone." He looks Elim in the eye, "killing people is certainly not my profession. That said, I don't imagine I'd have a problem with it if it came down to me or them."

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim holds Morai's gaze for a moment, then looks away. When he speaks, his voice is hollow.

"That's exactly what it will come down to. It'll be you or them. And if you aren't completely sure, they'll decide for you."

He frowns, pauses, and if no one objects, starts setting up camp for the night.

[Popinjay]

After eating her fill, and putting what's left of the roll in her backpack, Trinket spends most of the march trying to make herself useful by zipping ahead of the group then zipping back to act as scout. She does her best to weave through branches so as not to be seen.

On the occasions when she flies along with the group, she does her very, very best to keep her incessant nattering to a minimum. Which means that, though she is talking rapidly, she is doing so softly, and tries not to talk at any one person for too long at a stretch before either switching victims or zipping off to scout ahead again.

If it becomes relevant the DM should feel free to make any spot or listen roll checks for Trinket rather than wait for me to roll. It is random either way.

[NotScaryBats]

The female elf daintily looks around at the ruined hillside as her companions are talking. She smooths her tabard down and picks some imaginary dust from the white fabric. "Yes, I've, like, worked at hospitals as part of my training; like, lots of death there. I'll, like, do my best to keep you guys an' girls alive and healthy. Hanali Celanil bless us and watch over us."

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim sighs. Conversations give him a headache. Too many voices. He's learned enough, anyway.

Are we going in now, or waiting till morning? Time's important, but Morai's right about the dangers of the night. If we wait, we'll need a watch rotation.

At this point, I'm assuming I've learned everyone's name, at least, for convenience sake.

[Popinjay]

Trinket is content to go with the flow on whether to wait until morning or continue on now. So there is no need to wait for a further vote from me. [My ooc opinion is that it is probably wise to wait.]


"I have good peepers for moonlight and plenty of energy still." says Trinket buzzing around the party in circles. "I can continue on, or take the first watch." Then, as an afterthought, "Hey, if we are setting up camp does anybody want to play a game of stones? Or cards. I have cards!"

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai chimes in, "I guess my vote is obvious, but I'll go along with whatever the group decides. Also, if we spend the night here I'm not picky about which watch I take. I've had some practice being up at odd hours of the night."

[Pseudo_Nym]

"There are monsters in the dark, but there are monsters in the day as well. We have a schedule to keep, and a man to save. I say we keep moving."

[BelGareth]

Jaethrin nods his head, the conversation was starting to make him dizzy...he just wanted to move on.

"Let's go then." he says calmly, jumping up and almost blending into the background, he takes off towards the gate. hiding in the shadows.



[roll0]
[roll1]

[Popinjay]

Trinket continues to zip through the tree branches, scouting ahead, and zipping back.

Please feel free to make as many spot/listen checks as seem appropriate. I have no problem with you rolling to speed things along rather than just telling me to roll and wait for me to post a roll (random is random after all).

[ngilop]

Jaethrin makes his way, slowly, to the gate on the way he sees what looks like an area where a fight had taken place. There are tracks of something dragged to the castle gate. Nearby you find a scrap of tattered brown cloth.

[NotScaryBats]

"Alright, then, we'll, like, check out the gate, I guess." Nulys murmurs, taking up a medium position in the middle of the group. She holds her spear as a walking stick, ready to defend herself. Her crossbow is on her back. "It won't, like, bother you guys if I light a torch, yeah?"

As an elf, Nulys has Low-Light Vision. Assuming no one voices protest over her use of a torch, Nulys will dig one from her backpack and light it. This also assumes the inside of the keep is dark.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim pokes around, examining the tracks, the cloth, the entrance, and anything else handy.

If he finds nothing immediately noteworthy, he points at the gate to the keep.

"Ready?"

[BelGareth]

"Looks like someone struggled here, perhaps tore their cloak or clothing, seems logical that they were dragged into the place that way...mayhap we go, might be a trap, but who knows we are coming?"


He moves forward trying to be as stealthy as possible.

[ngilop]

Nuyls looks at the piece of cloth and recognizes it as a common elven cloth material used for heavy cloaks. It seems as though if anybody is in the ruined keep that cared about awareness that there would at least have some guard posted outside. Jeathrin is able to move up to the doors listens for a few moments, hearing some kind of chatter, but not being able to make it out.

[BelGareth]

Jaethrin motions to the others to hush and then attempts to move inside as stealthily as possible.


Not sure If i need to roll again or not, just in case:

[roll0]
[roll1]

[ngilop]

Jaethrin realizes that having to open the door would be a little too obvious so tries his best to crack it open inconspicuously. He manages to open it enough to poke his head in and take a look.

This is a big room, once the main room of the keep. Now the plaster has fallen from the ceiling and the floor is littered with junk. In the center of the room stand two big gnolls with their weapons ready.
{table=head]R |D | | |D
R| |R |R |
R| | |R |
|G | | |
|R |G | | D
D|R |E | |
[/table]
R=Rubble filled holes
E=Entrance
D=Doors
G=Gnolls

[BelGareth]

Jaethrin peels the door open slightly and his face blanches if anyone was watching him as he sees two fierce warriors with weapons drawn.

He leaves the door as is and then scurries back to the rest of the group.

"There are two monstrous warriors, they look like dogs, and they are armed, I think they don't know we are here."

Assuming they didn't see/hear him due to no initiative

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys purses her lips, looking at the cloth. The elven healer whispers, "Okay, like, I can bless our frontline fighter -- it will, like, help you fight better. When we kick in the door, who is going in first?"

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim raises his hand.

"If no one else volunteers."


"Creatures sound like gnolls. Not very friendly. Two shouldn't be a problem, but there are probably more. If they're both by the entrance, I should be able to catch them in a spell."

[NotScaryBats]

"May Hanali Celanil's beauty and grace inspire us," Nulys whispers, after the group gets ready and prepares to charge in. She casts Bless and fills herself and her allies with righteous beauty.

Bless fills your allies with courage. Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects. It lasts for 1 minute, so is cast as we are prepared to open the door and start the fight.

[BelGareth]

Jaethrin nods, "well they were right next to the door, I can open it and you cast the spell?"

If he gets a nod, he moves to the door quietly and prepares to open it on Elim's command.

[Pseudo_Nym]

"Now!"

Elim stands right in the doorway, and blasts both gnolls with a rainbow of color.

Color Spray, Will Save DC 14 from both gnolls, unless they've moved drastically.

[ngilop]

If Gnolls beat Elim's initiative.

The two gnolls see you open the door and challenge you. The first one says "Get back, human. This is Bonegnasher's domain." The second one adds "Surrender, or we will filet you for a tasty dinner!"
They both advanced towards you brandishing their weapons. As soon as they are in range they begin swinging their morning stars.

Gnoll Initiative [roll0]

Gnoll 1 will [roll1]
G1 attack[roll2]
G1 damage[roll3]

Gnoll 2 will [roll4]
G2 attack[roll5]
G2 damage[roll6]

[Pseudo_Nym]

Initiative, then. If Elim loses, he still casts Color Spray. He just gets walloped first. [roll0]

[Pseudo_Nym]

The gnolls move first. Elim sidesteps one clumsy attack, and another deflects from his armor. Undeterred, he blasts both with his magic, and the effect takes hold.

If they have 2 HD or less individually: Unconcious for [roll0] rounds, then blind and stunned for [roll1], then stunned for a round. 3 or 4 HD, skip to the "then blind and stunned." 5 or more, just stunned for a round.

[ngilop]

The Gnolls blows are ineffective to say the least, both fall to the floor as ELim unleashes his rainbow colored spray attack.

EXP: 151

[Pseudo_Nym]

"They won't be out for long; we have less than a minute."

Elim start tying the gnolls up with rope from his pack. His knots are loose and his hands are clumsy; it's clear he doesn't really know what he's doing. If anyone with actual skill tries to take over, he looks grateful and stands back.

My Use Rope skill is negative. Help would be good, or alternate perspectives on what to do with these two.

[NotScaryBats]

"Wow, that was, like, really fast!" Nulys breathes excitedly. "Can't we, like, hit them over the head and knock them out for, like, awhile?"


I'm trained in heal, would that allow me to know how to knock a gnoll unconscious for a few hours IE blunt trauma to the head? Assuming that isn't an Evil thing to do. It seems fine to me, but maybe I'm not thinking clearly.

[ngilop]

Elim and Nulys talk over what to do with the gnolls and decide that tieing them up would be for the best. The good thing is, you think the fight went so quickly that nothing else heard it. As not a single creature comes to investigate.


OOC: You guys can just tie them up. These guys won't be breaking out of bidnings for a good while if ever. The gnolls are already uncsious so at this poitn any attempt on them would be lethal

[NotScaryBats]

"I just want to say, that was, like, an elegant, painless solution to the problem, Elim. Bravo." Nulys says quietly, after the gnolls have been tied up in the corner. She resumes her middle-of-the-pack position as the group continues to explore the ruins.

[Kedyn's Crow]

"Well, that was easier than I could have hoped!" Morai smiles. "It looks like we have options, which way now?"


If I'm reading your map correctly, there are 4 doorways plus the one we came in through. Is that correct and are they all closed, or do they even have doors in them?

[Popinjay]

Trinket uses detect evil to see if she can determine which path/door leads to more gnolls and/or evil oriented danger and quietly report back her findings.

She also does her best to spot and listen for any information that might help, including voices or signs of traps.

Spot [roll0]
Listen [roll1]

[Kedyn's Crow]

While Elim ties up the gnolls and we decide how to proceed, Morai checks each door for traps.

Search: [roll0]
(I just did the one roll, but if you want a roll for each door, feel free to go ahead and do that for me unless you want to wait for me to see that I need to do it)

Traps are a search check Pop. I may be mistaken, but I don't think spot checks do anything for traps.

[Popinjay]

Oh, well in that case she is much better at search.

[rollv]d20+17[rollv] Sorry, again I don't know all the mechanics.

[Popinjay]

Trying again. roll didn't work.

[roll0]

[ngilop]

Morai spends a few moments checking each door for traps, finding none. He hears some type of yelping as if puppies are behind the door to the southeast. Whilst the door to the west has some hissing sound on the other side.

[Popinjay]

"Puppies!" says Trinket, excitedly, but not shouting. "Let's go through that door! Puppies are much more fun than snakes."

[Pseudo_Nym]

"Puppies!" says Trinket, excitedly, but not shouting. "Let's go through that door! Puppies are much more fun than snakes."

Elim blinks. Twice. Then he turns to the group.

"The gnolls called this 'Bonegnasher's domain.' Might be worth asking them a few questions, if we can spare the time. Outside, so they can't yell and warn any others."

[NotScaryBats]

Grimacing, Nulys says, "I, like, think we should keep on. Does it, like, really matter if 'Bonegnasher' is a gnoll or an orc or, like, whatever?"

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim grunts. He seems to have nothing more to say on the matter.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai smiles at Trinket, "what if those 'puppies' look kind of like these two, or smaller versions of them?" He turns his attention to the group, "We may be short on time, but there's a difference between hurrying and rushing. Rushing into things causes mistakes and mistakes might get people killed. I say we question them like Elim suggested. If we can get any information out of them it could help us get through this place faster than blundering around on our own."

[Popinjay]

Trinket circles rapidly around the heads of the bound Gnolls, just out of biting range, "Okay furballs, what's behind the doors?"

[Popinjay]

Intimidate: [roll0]

[ngilop]

The Gnolls growl and the most helpful peice of advice they give is "Bonegnasher will kill you" You are not sure if the gnolls don't actually know anything, are too stupid, Bonegnasher is that scary to them, or a combination of things.

[NotScaryBats]

The elf tosses her head, flips her blond locks, gives the group a 'told ya so' look and says, "I don't, like, really care which door we go through, but, I think we should pick one and, like, get moving again. Slow and steady works for me, but, like..." she trails off, biting her plump lip, and looking at one of the doors.

[Popinjay]

"The puppy door!" says Trinket, zipping over to said door.

[Popinjay]

Trinket frowns and gets a more serious expression on her face. "If there were some way to barricade or ward the door we don't go through---or at least rig up something that might fall over and make a lot of noise, it would give us warning if the hissing things start sneaking up behind us while we are investigating the yelpy things."

She then zips back and does another quick circle around the two bound Gnoll's heads. "Somebody might want to gag these two fur-balls before we move along as well. My hands are too delicate, but I have some spider-silk rope and a dirty bath towel we could tear in half. And my parents said a pixie was crazy for carrying so much rope. 'What are you going to do, climb a tree?' they said. 'Climb down a cliff?' they said. 'Has all that sugar made you forget you have wings?' they said. Ha! I'll show them. I'll use all my rope before this adventure is through."

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai will attempt to lock any doors that have them excepting the one we plan to go through. "That'll help, but we might want to shift a bit of rubble in front of them as well."

Open Lock (to lock doors): [roll0] I realized after posting this that I could have taken 10, which I will do provided the first attempt fails.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim nods. He silently gags the gnolls, then begins moving rubble in front of any doors Morai has finished with.

[Popinjay]

Trinket helps with the rubble---moving about 20-30 lbs at a time, her flight path dipping in drooping in noticeable and wavering arcs under the weight of pieces of stone and various debris.

[ngilop]

Morai locks the door he can and helps Elim and Trinket pile rubble in front of the doors. the party then takes some time to decide which door they want to go through.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim shrugs.

"Puppy door's good as any."

[NotScaryBats]

"If you can, like, do that 'quietly peek inside without alerting the gnolls' thing you did, that would, like, be really helpful." Nulys says. She has her spear at the ready.

[Popinjay]

Trinket wipes sweat from her brow and hovers like a hummingbird behind those party members grouping around the door.

[ngilop]

Elim opens the 'puppy door'. The room is small and filled with junk. Most of it is pushed close to the walls, leaving a clear space in the center of the room. Squatting in the clear space are six little creatures holding drinking horns almost bigger than they are. They look surprised to see you. Trying to be brave, the creature threaten you, buts its obvious they are scared. The first one says "You better give up, humans, or we're gonna cut you to pieces, yeah! if you don't surrender right now." The second one to speak seems even more scared, but says. "Yeah, surrender right now! We'll cut ya!" Then he turns to the rest of his group, "I don't think they're very afraid of us. Should we run away?" The first one shakes his head no and says to you, "Sorry, sorry. We're more scared of Bonegnasher than of you. Beat it Beat it, or we'll get him, and he'll pound you into bloddy lumps." The room looks like an old guard tower complete with a rusty old stove and various arms and armnaments hanging from racks or leaning up against the wall.

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys frowns and flips her hair. We aren't all humans, jeez she thinks to herself. Still holding her spear ready, the elf waits for the others to initiate the interaction -- be it diplomatic or combative.

[Popinjay]

"They are puppies!" exclaims Trinket delightedly. "They're so cute!"

"I don't have any doggie biscuits, but would you like half a sweet roll little fella?"

[Kedyn's Crow]

Assuming not everyone in the party can understand him, but not wanting the little creatures to understand what he says, Morai says [Elven]"I kind of feel bad suggesting this, but these guys might make for good leverage with this Bonegnasher character. I wouldn't hurt them, and I don't think you all would either if you could help it, but he doesn't know that. Worth considering at least."


I assume these look like little versions of the guys we just tied up?

[ngilop]

The six creatures await your responses and make no move for their weapons. They seem to know that they are outmatched against you. Though they stare in shock at Trinket's exlamation. Now that things have died down and you have time to look the creatures over. You get a better look at whatever these might be. Barely three feet tall, they have scaly hides that range from rusty brown, to red, to black. They smell of wet dog and stagnant water and their eyes are like red sparks. Two small horns tan to white protude from their heads and their tail are skinny and rat-like.


These (http://www.elfwood.com/~apron/Skinny-Kobold.2532993.html) guys are actually Kobolds (http://www.tomeoftreasures.com/tot_second_edition_home/rules/tsr2140_monstrousmanual.htm). I am the opposite of a fan of what 3rd ed did to them ( IE mini dragons)

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys arches an eyebrow, looking at Morai, [Elven]"Like, I would, be really surprised if Bonegnasher cares for her underlings. If they don't even like her, and are afraid of her, she's, like, probably not the kind of boss to care if we threaten her underlings. I mean, like, maybe I'm wrong, but..." she trails off.

"Why don't you guys, like, stay here in this room, and we're going to take care of your boss. Tomorrow, you guys check and see if we, like, did it or not. If Bonegnasher's gone, you, like, go on with your lives. If Bonegnasher isn't gone, you, like, go on with your lives. Easy, right? Win-win." The elf addresses the kobolds like they are simple children.

[Popinjay]

Trinket makes good on her promise and shares what remains of the sweet roll as well as some candy from her backpack with the Kobold pups. She is wise enough to stay out of easy snapping distance as she does so.

She eats a random piece of candy herself to show that it is good.

Then she eats another.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai shrugs, [Elven]"I suppose you're probably right. If they agree to your suggestion do we think we can trust them? I don't think I feel very comfortable with potential enemies at our back."

Popinjay, you're not really paying attention, are you? Ngilop just said that they aren't gnolls, they're kobolds. He even linked to a picture, which looks nothing like a gnoll.

[Popinjay]

I evidently made a mistake. I would say that is different from not paying attention. I suffer from keratoconus. On the occasions when I don't write from my 27in screen it is easy for me to miss text, or see what I expect, as I get a lot of double/triple/quadruple vision. I will go back up and edit/revise the typo/error.

It is still reasonable to refer to them as pups. Plenty of baby animals are referred to as such, including shark babies.

In addition they smell and yelp like dogs.

Likewise the babies of many otherwise hideous animals are found to be cute by many when they are young. Trinket happens to find them cute. That is her psychology. Anther character of mine, Fabulous (a warlock) would have found them disgusting, while Lister wouldn't have cared about their appearance one way or another. It isn't about whether they are objectively cute or not. It is about role-playing a character's personality.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratoconus

[Kedyn's Crow]

It's fine to refer to them as pups or cute, I didn't say there was anything wrong with that and I understand that's about character. When I saw your post you referred to them as gnolls, so you obviously missed something. I didn't mean anything more than that.

[Popinjay]

Trinket adds her thoughts to the strategy session. "If we are going to take the puppies away, then we should just make a silent retreat with them now. We could bring them to an inn or a camp. Maybe even pay somebody to puppy-sit. Then we could come back. That way this nasty Mr. Gnasher who is scaring everybody won't be able to find them even if he beats his way past us, and we also don't have to worry about them behind us. Our pathway out is clear. We could do this quickly and be back in two shakes of a hummingbird's wings."

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim's elven is flawless, but he speaks it very slowly. "We still have plenty of rope."

Turning to the kobolds, he pulls out a healthy handful of his shiniest copper pieces. "What can you tell us about Bonegnasher? And do you know anything about an elf who passed this way?"

[Popinjay]

Trinket says to the Kobold puppies, "If you are afraid of nasty Mr. Gnasher, would you like to come away with us? We could take you someplace safe."

Trinket pops another piece of candy in her mouth and chews while she waits for them to answer.

She then adds in muffled Elvin as she chews, "Big people are always in so much of a rush. If everybody is really such a hurry, I can take the little ones to safety as you all press on. I'll find a place for them to hide, and give them some candy and toys to play with and then flit back here. Assuming they actually want to escape. I couldn't force them to on my own. I'd hate to see these cuties tied up."

[ngilop]

The Kobolds are willing to accept a bribe. The leader says, "Give us the money then 10 gold.. just all in coins. Loyalty's kind of stupid if there's money involved! You promise you won't tell anybody we told you? The hobgoblins have got the elf in the other tower room just across the entranceway from us, been torturing him good for the last couple days."

[Popinjay]

"What kind of children like money more than candy?"

The insulted Trinket scoops the remaining goodies back into her backpack.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim looks hesitant to pay that much money... until the word torture is mentioned.

"Never saw you." He tosses them the 10 gold unceremoniously, then dashes to the room indicated, clearing the rubble as fast as he can.

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys nods solemnly and assists Elim as best as she can.

[Popinjay]

Trinket sighs, not because of the cost, but at disappointment with the Kobold children, and puts three gold pieces in his backpack (or pouch or pocket) while he works, reimbursing him for her fair share of the bribe money.

She then does her best to help with the rubble by the door, strength not being her strong suit.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai also helps with the rubble and unlocks the door if necessary.

Open Lock: I'll take 10 for a 19

[ngilop]

In the rush to get to the elf being tortured you all forget the door on that side of the first big room was in the middle, not in the corner where it should be. So imagine both your and the Lizardman's surprise when you all manage to burst through the door. It blinks a couple of times before saying to you, "Sssso you have come to ssssurrender your livessss. How ssssad!"

IF lizard man wins initiative:
It raises a finger towards the nearest person to it before chanting a spell
Cause Fear DC13 Will fightened for [roll0] rounds successful save is shaken for 1 round. Targetting either Elim OR Morai as Im assuming one of you will be the first to enter.

IF lizardman loses initiative: it instead targets who ever hit it the hardest with cause fear.

Concentration: [roll1]

Initiative [roll2]

Roll initiative. neither side is suprised.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Initiative, then. Each person individually? [roll0

EDIT: I lost to the lizardfolk, but maybe someone else didn't. How are we going to handle this?

EDIT EDIT: I had a nine. I'll gladly reroll, if you don't trust me.

[NotScaryBats]

Initiative: [roll0]

Nulys purses her lips and brandishes her spear.

[NotScaryBats]

The elf keeps her wits about her, moves just into striking range, and stabs at the enemy lizardperson with her spear.

Attack roll [roll0]
on hit [roll1] dmg
Longspear is a reach weapon, so Nulys stays a square away from the creature if at all possible.

[Popinjay]

Initiative [roll0]

will [roll1]

[Popinjay]

Whenever Trinket is up to go, she fires off a round from her longbow.

[roll0]

If it hits [roll1]

She flies high, far away, and out of reach.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai moves into a flanking position opposite Nulys, tumbling if necessary to avoid attacks and attempts to skewer the lizard.

Initiative: [roll0] since this roll is so low I'm guessing I'm not the one getting hit with a spell
Tumble (if necessary): [roll1]
Attack: [roll2]
Damage (if applicable): [roll3] and [roll4]

[Pseudo_Nym]

Um... I'll take the Cause Fear, I guess. I would be standing kinda close and looking like a menacing dumb fighter...[roll0]

Elim pauses for a moment, shaking visibly as his worst memories flood his mind. Without warning, he sprints from the room, and indeed the keep itself.

When the fear wears off (after the battle, most likely), he returns without a word.

[Popinjay]

I don't know when Trinket is up again. When she is:


Since her bow is mostly useless she tries a different tactic.

Trinket uses ghostly lights to create a bright helmet/globe of light directly on top of the lizard man's head and concentrates to keep it there, directing it to move with him wherever he goes, with the intention of making it more difficult for him to see/attack/concentrate. To make it even more annoying to him she makes it rapidly strobe through all the colors of the rainbow in bright, swirly flashes.

Because she doesn't like the lizardman the light globe looks a bit like a face with cross-eyed "googly-eyes" and a ridiculous frown.

"Now you're not so scary", she says.

As for movement she tries to stay as far out of reach as possible while still in range of the spell. If possible she actually tries to maneuver behind her target--please let me know if that happens.

[ngilop]

Trinket fires an arrow but the small dart sized arrow fails to do any noticeable damage whilst Nulys' attempt to spear the creature is almost laughable. The Lizard man manages to get his spell off and Elim manages to let out a noise of fear and runs back into the rubble filled room. Morai manages to do a roll past the lizard man sprining up to his feat and managing to get in a solid blow to the creature.

The Lizardman roars in pain and anger and turns to Moari his hand now covered in a black glow. It reaches forward to touch him, and probably not a pat on the shoulder.


Touch Attack [roll0]

Inflict Light Wounds [roll1]

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys's eyes widen as she sees the lizardman deal with her allies so purposely. "Hanali preserve us!" she prays, stabbing at the creature again.

[roll0]
add flank if I have that bonus
on hit [roll1]

[Popinjay]

Trinket uses ghost lights as described above.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai gasps in pain, but manages to focus and take another stab at the creature.

Attack(flanking added in):
Damage (if applicable): [roll1] and [roll2]
Crit Confirm (double damage if successful): [roll]1d20+6

[Kedyn's Crow]

Not sure what went wrong on my crit confirm attempt, but he's another shot at it.
[roll0]

[ngilop]

Morai gets in a decisive blow, skewering the lizardman, it slips off his elven blade with a sicken sound before collasping on the floor. Now that the sudden battle is over you get a chance to look over the room. Though dirty, this room is still in good condition. Carved stone pillars support the arching roof. This was clearly the keep's chapel. At the back wall is a stone block, once an altar. The fine Carvings on its base are nothing but chipped scars now. Even so, the altar still seems like it is a thing of peace and strength. There is a door at the southern part of the room, which would probably make it the door to the other tower. A second door lies to the South western corner.


EXP for Kobolds: 113
EXP for Lizarman: 151

[Popinjay]

Trinket will aid in searching the area.

[roll0] (search)
[roll1] (spot)
[roll2] (listen)

Since she already used detect evil, she will used detect chaos on the alter as well.

[ngilop]

Trinket finds a small chest behind the altar, which does not radiate chaos nor evil. She happens to find a trip wire of sorts on the chest, and motions Morai over to handle the trap. Morai easily disarms the trap and inside finds 18 silver peices and a scroll with the wizard spells Magic Missle and Knock on it. Both at Caster level 3. Putting your ears up to the southern door you hear the following "Tell us where the orb is, or we'll teach you what suffering is!' Somebody else, in obvious pain replies, "Never! Do with me as you like. I'll tell you nothing! AAAGGGHHH!!"

OOC: Popinjay, you need to redo your skills. See my earlier post here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16116732&postcount=48)about them.

[Popinjay]

Sorry. Didn't see that before. Will fix.

[NotScaryBats]

"There's no time to lose!" Nulys mutters quickly, calling upon Hanali Celanil to erase the wounds on her ally.

[roll0] HP healed

Once Elim returns to the room, Nulys says, "Okay, I think the, like, big threat is in this room, with the man we're looking for. Let's, like, keep it up."

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai thanks Nulys for her ministrations as his wounds suddenly heal, then makes sure the contents of the chest end up in somebody's bag, probably his since he's right there, unless somebody particularly wants a scroll or something. After that he goes after Elim, if necessary, to get him back here more quickly.

After Nulys speaks up, Morai responds, "I agree. Elim, you seem to be the most experienced fighter here, any tips before we go in there?"

[Popinjay]

OOC
I think this fixes her skills.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/36661117/PIxie%20page%201.pdf

I didn't realize before that there was a 4 rank a level limit.

Originally, before receiving your update on how pixies work, when I first assigned skills, I also didn't know they had more skill options. So she is more rounded now anyway, which is nice.

[Popinjay]

"We could attempt to lay some sort of trap or ambush." says Trinket, "and then lure the villain out with distressed cries of some kind, or by pumping smoke under the cracks of the door so that he thinks there is a fire and comes out to investigate. Then Whammo! A bunch of junk falls o his head and everybody jumps out and attacks him at once, while he is in the doorway, and so can make only limited use of any guards he may have with him."

[Popinjay]

OOC question
Do we need to keep track of xp individually, or will we all essentially be leveling up at the the same time? The amount required is the same for everybody right?

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim dashes back into the room, ready to rejoin the fight. When he sees the corpse staining the floor, he lets out a long breath and stands back, wordlessly.


After Nulys speaks up, Morai responds, "I agree. Elim, you seem to be the most experienced fighter here, any tips before we go in there?"

Elim's hand unconciously traces a few of his scars, as if to remind him of something. He looks away, then pauses before speaking quietly. "Watch the eyes. Eyes say everything: what they're thinking, where they're going to attack, where they're not ready to defend. Don't stand still. Standing still gets you killed. Don't die, either. That's important. Don't hesitate. Don't pull punches. And don't let others suffer." He casts a significant glance at the door, and tightens his grip on his greatsword.

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys touches Elim's shoulder, offering him Hanali Celanil's guidance to aid him in this next fight. She assumes a position to enter the room in the second wave, 10 feet from the door, and nods her head that she is ready to proceed.

Nulys casts Guidance on Elim. For the next 1 minute, "the creature gets a +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check. It must choose to use the bonus before making the roll to which it applies."

[Popinjay]

Trinket takes out a piece of paper and scribbles:

Rule of adventuring #1: Don't die.

And puts it back into her backpack.

As for actions: Just before the door is opened, she turns invisible.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Moments before the door is opened, Elim mutters something under his breath. His eyes flash with preternatural clarity.

True Strike, lasts till the end of the next round. Elim can open the door, if everyone's ready.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai stands next to the door and readies an action to stab the first thing that comes through, then nods to Elim.

[Pseudo_Nym]

Seeing no objections, Elim opens the door.

[ngilop]

This small room looks like a torture chamber. There are Horrible-looking tools on the walls. A bucket filled with hot coals sits on the floor. In one corner is a cell, and huddled in it is an elf. However between you and him are three ugly creatures. One is holding a wicked-looking set of tongs, another has a whip, and the third has a red hot poker. After you burst into the room, the hobgoblin leader ( one with the poker) Says "Proud entrance, warrior.. now back it with steel!" The elf, chained to the wall, says "Oh, go back, adventurers! Don't add your deaths atop mine." The Hobgoblin with the whip tries his best to trip Elim while the one with the poker closes in on melee with him. The one with the heavy tongs swings at Morai.

Initiative [roll0]
Hob#1 Attack/Damage [roll1] / [roll2]
Hob#2 Attack/Damage [roll3] / [roll4]
Hob#3 Trip w/Whip [roll5]

[Popinjay]

[Had to change my original action since I saw the elf was chained not tied.]

Trinket casts entangle as quickly as she can, trying to hit all the baddies. It is an AoE spell I believe.

Initiative 1d20+7

[Popinjay]

The init didn't work.

[roll0]

[Pseudo_Nym]

Initiative! [roll0] The trip missed my touch AC, so I think that's just a failure. I'm assuming Hob#1 is the leader, the one that attacked me with the pokers?

Elim grunts as the searing pokers burn his skin. He swings through, though, aided by the divination he cast moments before.

roll[1d20+24
[roll1]

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys takes in the scene as quickly as she can. She's never seen a torture chamber before, and the sight of the savaged elf fills her heart with sorrow. Still, before she can tend to him, she must help her allies defeat these hobgoblins.

initiative [roll0]
attack on the poker hob [roll1]
damage on poker hob [roll2]
Move to poking range and attack.

[Popinjay]

Incidentally, Trinket scans the room trying to locate the keys for the shackles that bind the elf.

Search [roll0] (or +5 only if you think spot is more appropriate than search)

[ngilop]

Between his readied strike and follow up attack Morai fells the Hobgoblin he was engaged with. After taking a red-hot poker in the shoulder, Elim almost cleaves the lead hobgoblin in twain. Nulys again attempt to land a blow, this time not as terribly... though that is not saying much. The last remaining hobgoblin has the fight go out of him, but trapped as he is, offers so surrender and insteads kicks the bucket of hot coals towards you all and again tries to trip Elim, his fear showing at the man's incredibly powerful blow. Popinjay does not see any keys but notices that the door to the is not locked after all, just shut with a heavy chain wound into a knot.

OOC: the spaces between you and the reamining hobgoblin are counted as difficult terrain, stepping into the coals deals 1 point of damage.

Hobgoblin Trip w/Whip[roll0]

[Popinjay]

Is the hobgoblin entangled?

Trinket flies past him, if she can stay out of reach, and frees the caged elf. If there are weapons the elf can arm himself with within reach she tosses one to him. If not, she give him the dagger out of her backpack, since she is not much good with it in a fight.

"Even if he is injured, one more person on our side causing chaos for the baddies can't be a bad thing." she thinks.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai pulls his dagger from his belt and whips it toward the remaining hobgoblin.

Ranged attack: [roll0]
Damage (if applicable): [roll1]

[NotScaryBats]

Once again, Nulys is impressed with how mighty her allies are.

She tucks her spear away and readies her crossbow. "You're, like, totally defeated already." She says seriously, eyes narrowed.

[ngilop]

Morai's dagger hit the remaining hobgoblin with a loud 'thunk' and he too slumps to the floor dead. Trinket manages to undo the chains and the manacles on the elf. "Thank you, my friends. Bless Elorin for sending you. I would lead you to the orb, but my strength has deserted me. All I know is that the orb rests behind a magic wall, but I know not where the wall itself is. Be quick, but beware-Bonegnasher has two wolves for his pets, and many orcs and goblins serve him."
Though visible battered and bruised, the elf has a regal bearing to himself. Adn while Trinket first thought is to arm him, her tiny dagger would not be of much help, but the little pixie is quick on her feet.. well wings would be correct, and she remembers the gnolls rusty weapons, while not perfect they would get the job done. Now would probably be a good time to get some answers from Taran, for who else would know Elorin sent you.


EXP for Hobgoblins: 113

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai walks over to the last hobgoblin, retrieves his dagger, then does a quick search for any keys or valuables, leaving the conversation to the others.

[NotScaryBats]

"Sir Taran, it is, like, good to see you alive. Please, like, allow me to tend your wounds." Nulys approaches the noble elf and assesses his physical condition with a trained eye.

[roll0] heal check.

"Will you be pushing forward with us, or, like, falling back to the town? Do you have, like, a map or something or know the layout of this place?"

[Popinjay]

Trinket will aid in searching the room.

[roll0]

She then takes out her bow again. "I'm magically pooped. I'm not sure how much help this will be against wolves, but I'll do what I can."

[ngilop]

Taran looks barely hanging onto life (2/32HP) "I am too injured and weak to do much than stay here"

[NotScaryBats]

Turning to the others, Nulys speaks with concern in her eyes, "Do you guys, like, think its okay to just leave him here? I'm, like, not sure what we should do. I feel like we need to press on; I've still got, like, enough of Hanali's Grace in me to tend to your wounds for another few battles -- like, especially if they go as well as these few have." The blond elf chews her lip thoughtfully.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai sighs, "We were only hired to return the orb, but that was when the wizard thought Lord Taran dead." He approaches the elf. "Lord Taran, we must press on if we can, but it's not safe for you to be here. We're only a few yards from the front door here. If we help you to the door, can you make your way into the woods? You're bound to be safer there than in this ruin."

[Popinjay]

"If it is possible to heal them both, then we have just added to our party's numbers." says Trinket. "If not, do our odds actually get worse or better if we wait a day and return? Gnasher's forces are still diminished. Big people always want to rush rush rush."

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys calls upon her goddess to heal the present injured people. A burst of light fills the room and soothes some of the pain her allies are feeling.

Burst of Healing for [roll0] to everyone within 30 feet.

[Kedyn's Crow]

"Thank you, Nulys." Morai turns to Trinket. "Bonegnasher's forces would probably still be diminished. They would also know we were coming. That would make them better prepared for us and much of our success thus far has been attributable to surprise. More importantly, if they are forewarned they might be able to find reinforcements or, worst of all, they might actually choose to leave with the orb causing us to miss this chance entirely. We need to press on now, but if Taran does not feel able to accompany us we can at least, as I said escort him out of the ruin. It doesn't even necessarily take us out of our way. Does that reasoning seem sound to you, Elim?"

Popinjay, who is the both you refer to when you said heal them both? Taran and who else? Did I miss something? Or someone?

[ngilop]

Some of the wounds Taran has fade away wih the burst of healing power. "I feel much better now. Give me a weapon or another shot of that healing light and Im good to accompany you" Taran looks at the rest of you, as if waiting for you to ask some more questions.

OOC: I think popinjay was referring to Elim being injured by the hobgoblin.

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys nods, casting cure minor wounds on the elven warrior. It heals him for 4 Hit Points."I agree. We should, like, keep going while they don't know anything's amiss." She readies her crossbow, handing her spear to Taran. Maybe he'll have more luck with it than she did.


Orisons Cast: 2/4
First Level Spells Cast: 2/4
Healing Burst Used: 1/5

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim has been silent since the battle ended, cleaning his greatsword and murmuring quiet thanks for the healing. Seeing a chance to learn more about his foes, however, he speaks up.

"What do you know of Bonegnasher? Race, fighting style? He might be a mage, for all we know. Does he have a dozen servants, or a hundred? Does he rule with fear, or with promises of glory? And most importantly, does he have regular guard changes?" He looks at the damage done already, and wonders how long surprise could last. How long they could last without it. He swallows. "We should probably start moving."

[Popinjay]

Trinket notches and arrow and buzzes her wings in agreement.

[ngilop]

Taran smiles his thanks to Nulys with her offering of her long spear. He looks to Elim and nod respect to th eman before answering his questions. "I unfortunately do not know exactly who Bonegnasher is, only that he is a well.. he. I was set upon by the gnolls just outside the keep, they knocked me out and dragged me in here and Ive been in this room ever since. All that I get in regards to who or what Bonegnasher may be is they refer to him as 'the boss' or by name. Its definatly a rule by fear, but also promises of glory. After all if Bonegnasher manages to get the Dragon Orb, we are all in for a very bad time." Taran jabs the spear forward a bit getting use to moving his arms again before continuing. "From what Ive been able to glean he has a very loyal pair of Gnolls and his dozen or so mixed force of goblins and orcs are relatively dependable. I am not sure about the kobolds or the lizardman. And the hobgoblins were just mercs." His voice becomes more serious as he says his final words on the matter "Somebody has to find the orb before Bonegnasher. It's too dangerous to stay lost. If Bonegnasher doesn't find it, some other evil shall, we must fin the rob and take it back to Elorin, Thats the only way it can be safe."

EXP for healing Taran 150
Trinket 50 EXP for suggesting healing Taran

OOC: Taran is an Aristrocrat 1/fighter2/wizard3 by the way. He has the robes on his back and thats it. No spells as he has been tortured for the last couple of days.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai offers Taran his spare dagger. "It's not much, but it might help if they get in close past the spear." He then starts heading back the way they came. "I imagine we'll have to go back through the entryway, but we should see where this other door in the chapel leads first." Morai then heads to the southeast chapel door, listens for a moment, then opens the door if he doesn't hear anything.

[ngilop]

Morai leans his ear up against the door and hears some kind of scraping and thumping noises, as well as labored grunting.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai relays this information to the group. "How should we proceed?" he whispers.

[NotScaryBats]

"Maybe they're, like, moving the furniture around? Making a barricade or something. If we can catch them unprepared for battle, we can, like, win the fight just like the last few."

[Popinjay]

"Trinket could really use a nap to recharge, but it sounds like waiting might be a mistake. How tired is everybody else? All I have is this." Trinket shakes the bow in her hands. "If everybody else's firepower is exhausted then finding a hidey-hole for just long enough to rest might not be a bad idea. Bad Mr. Gnasher's forces are going to be in chaos after. He probably won't be able to search for the orb very well during that time, and getting reinforcements takes a while too. We could even increase the chaos by setting the place afire before retreating, so he has that to deal with."

Trinket pauses to think, unused to stringing so many coherent sentences togther. "True, Mr. Gnasher will likely be more prepared when we come back, but we will also be more prepared--including spells for our new found wizard friend. On the other hand, if many of our group still have lots of their firepower left, then the element of surprise might be worth pressing on. It might seem like I am flitting from daisy to daisy like an indecisive honeybee, but what I am saying is this: We should basically poll our group and see where each of us stands in terms of strength. If our group is at less than 1/2 strength we should probably hide somewhere and recharge. Otherwise we should press on. My report is this: I am uninjured, but am at empty in terms of abilities. Of course I am not the heavy hitter of the group to begin with, so may count for less, and can still probably scout well. What about the rest of you?"

[NotScaryBats]

"I feel confident that we can, like, press on." Nulys offers after a moment's thought. Her crossbow is ready and loaded, her divine reservoirs at about half strength, and her resolve doubled now that Taran has been secured.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai sighs. "I thought we just went over the reasons for continuing now a moment ago. None of us are injured except Taran, who may be the strongest of us, so since our healer sees no reason to stop I think we're better off by far continuing now."


Also, I guess you missed it over in the OOC thread, but none of us actually know that Taran is a wizard.

[Popinjay]

This is the only thread I thought we were supposed to be reading. Are we supposed to be reading another one as well? I unbookemarked the first when we moved to this one, so don't have it anymore.

[NotScaryBats]

This is the Out of Character (OOC) Thread. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304998&page=3) Some stuff gets posted over there, like exp, loot, etc. Generally, we should check both and subscribe to both, and a post that is purely OOC talk like this one should go in that thread rather than this one.

[NotScaryBats]

"Very well then, let's, like, move forward," Nulys murmurs, gesturing at the chapel door with her crossbow.

[Kedyn's Crow]

"Sounds good." Morai stands by the door, waits for Elim to be ready to go in first, then pushes the door open.

[ngilop]

This room is very strange. once it must have been a cellar dug into the side of the hill, but now it looks more like a mine. The walls and floor are all dug up and wooden beams are wedged into them to keep the ceiling from collasping. In a dark corner of the room, a group of five orcs is digging pits in the floor. The orcs are busy digging and not paying attention to anything else. One, which appears to be the leader, says to the rest [Orcish]"Ho, there! Work harder, ya mangy dogs!" It cracks a whip "Get to it, ya scum!"

[Pseudo_Nym]

Elim tenses, but waits for someone else to make the first move.

Readied action to charge any orc that attacks us, if I can do that.

[Popinjay]

Trinket readies her bow and whispers, "sneak or fight?"

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys's eyes widen. Five orcs against the five of them? Could they possibly defeat this many? And, if they ran, how long would it be before this group came at them from behind?

Perhaps a bit panicked, the elf takes aim with her crossbow and prepares to fire upon the leader. If her allies are quick, they could probably stop Nulys from firing.

Nulys will 'aim' for a turn. If no one acts to stop her, she will shoot at the 'leader orc' with her crossbow. As an elf, she has low light vision, so hopefully won't suffer from concealment on her attack.

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai shuts the door as quickly and quietly as possible, hopefully before the orcs notice. "We might be able to barricade the door shut, but I think if we stand in here and wait for them to come through the door at us, we could even the odds a bit and avoid a fair fight," Morai whispers. "Nulys and Trinket could shoot at them while Elim and I stand to either side of the door. We might be able to take two or three of them out of the fight before the fight even starts." If no one disagrees Morai will open the door again and wait out of sight on one side of the door for Nulys and Trinket to shoot. Hopefully gaining an attack of opportunity when the orcs come rushing through the door.

Move Silently (for closing the door): 1d20+7
I don't know why this isn't working. I copied and pasted the roll to a test thread and it worked fine.

[ngilop]

Moria opens the door and awaits the orcs to fall into the trap. You all wait several minutes only to find the orcs are still digging away.


OOC: I guess that maybe my description of 'orcs are too busy digging to pay attention to anything' wasn't clear enough. Basically you guys had suprise there.

[NotScaryBats]

Nulys grits her teeth and takes her best shot at the leader orc.

[roll0]
On hit [roll1] dmg

[Popinjay]

Trinket lets fly with her needle-like arrow.

[roll0]

If there is a hit. Damage = [roll1].

She also tries to fly high and see if she can spot/figure-out whatever it is they are digging in the room.

Spot: [roll2]

[Popinjay]

Trinket frowns as her arrow heals the orc for one hit point. :(

[Pseudo_Nym]

Minimum damage is 1, if you were really worried about healing him.

Elim charges the closest orc he has a straight path to.

Reminder to self: -2 AC from charge for the round.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Popinjay]

No, I didn't really think I could heal him. Although I assumed I could do 0 damage, not 1, so that is useful info.

[ngilop]

Elim charges the closest Orc to the group, his momentum easily adding the deadliness of his sword's swing. Nulys aims goes a bit wide, but Trinket's in on the mark but it barely goes through the ringmail the orcs are wearing. Morai watches Elm charge and know he better support his compatriot or else Elim might be surrounded, he rushes to his allies side and does his own deadly thrust of his own. The 2 remaining orcs and their leader shake their heads in disbelief. They stop their digging and advance upon the 2 humans, one with a shovel heading towards Elim and the other a pickaxe. The leader is a bit less slow to act instead of grabbing a nearby mining tool, he goes to the wall about 10 feet away and grabs his battle axe.

OOC: you all get a +2 bonus on Initiative.

Orc Initiative [roll0]
Orc 2 Attack/Damage [roll1] / [roll2]
Orc 3 Attack/Damage [roll3] / [roll4]

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai turns to the remaining orcs.

Initiative [roll0]

[Popinjay]

Initiative [roll0]

[Pseudo_Nym]

+2 included, [roll0]

[NotScaryBats]

As quickly as she can, Nulys reloads her light crossbow. She spares a worried glance at the injured party member, and prays that he will survive another attack; for now, the elf just cannot risk rushing into the melee herself.

Her crossbow reloaded, Nulys takes aim again at the leader who is out of melee and the easiest target, and shoots at him.

attack on orc leader
[roll0]
on hit [roll1] dmg

[Popinjay]

When it is Tinket's turn she fires another arrow, moving first to remain high and out of reach.

[roll0]

damage: [roll1]

[Popinjay]

I din't know if a new init was needed. If so: [roll0] else ignore.

[Kedyn's Crow]

On his turn, assuming one of them is still alive, Morai will move to a flanking position on one of the orcs attacking Elim and stab at him.

Tumble
[roll0]
Attack (flanking bonus included)
[roll1]
Damage
[roll2]
and
[roll3]

[ngilop]

Both the orcs go down under Morai's and Elim's combined assault. Nulys, somehow manages to successfully attack an opponent and does a little happy dance. Trinkets arrow and Taran's thrust his the borrowed longspear manage to down the leader orc before he even gets in a swing.

OOC: Trinket you inspect the area where the orcs were digging and notice that there are no marks on the wall at all. Searching the bodies you find 53 goild coins total and a glass vial that was on the leader.

EXP: 188

[NotScaryBats]

"Is that, like, a potion or something?" Nulys asks the pixie about the vial. The elf is surprised that she was able to significantly impact the fight, but tries not to dwell on the fact that she directly impacted the death of a sentient creature.

Throwing herself into the moment, she inspects the wall, busily musing aloud, "If they weren't digging through the wall, like, what the heck were they doing?"

Not spending too much time on that, either, the healer releases another pulse of healing energy, and makes sure her companions aren't too injured.

[roll0] HP Healed to all from the pulse.

[Popinjay]

"Ohhhh" says Trinket gleefully. "Lookie what I found."

She shows the treasures to her companions.

She also uses detect magic on the vial (I don't think she has used this yet).

[Kedyn's Crow]

Morai walks over and looks in the pits the orcs were digging. Do these look like they were digging up something, digging under something (like a wall), or digging a hole to put something in (like graves)?

Not sure which of these would apply for figuring out what the holes are for so just use whichever is most applicable.

Dungeoneering [roll0]

Int check [roll1]

[ngilop]

The vial is indeed magical, and it looks as though the orcs were digging for..something.. the wall in that corner is a few inches further back from the rest of where teh walls are, so they made some sort of headway into digging.. it is just odd that there are no pick marks, holes, or any other kind of evidence you'd expect from digging.

[Popinjay]

Any magic coming from the hole?

[Kedyn's Crow]

"Maybe there aren't any dig marks on the wall because they weren't digging it when we came in, they were replacing it. Maybe they were digging these holes to get material to build the wall back up because they hid something behind it!" Morai exclaims as he examines the wall a bit more closely.

Search check to find evidence that they might have been replacing this wall instead of removing it.
[roll0]

[ngilop]

You find no evidence, but then again you think to yourself 'would I even really know what I am looking for..?" Even Taran tries to figure it out and after a few moments shrugs "this is beyond my knowledge, but odd indeed it is." Trinket, being the pixie she is, becomes a bit bored staring at the dirt so she flutters around the room, alerting the rest of you to a recessed hall with a door.


OOC: keep note of this room.

[Popinjay]

Well, lets open the door. Things seem to be slowing down.