Hoard of the Dragon Queen IC [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

jmbrown

2014-09-01, 09:34 PM

OOC Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?369716-Hoard-of-the-Dragon-Queen-OOC)

The year is 1479. A decade has passed since Mystra's return and the stabilization of magic. The terrible days of the Spellplague have ended. Although a looming doom is prophesied by seers, most civilizations are struggling to return to their former glory from decades past.

Map (http://www.realmshelps.net/faerun/western-heartlands/pix/westheart_lg.jpg)

Your travels eventually brought you to Suzail, the capital of Cormyr, where you've acquired an adventurer's license and your first real job of escorting a merchant to the Greenfields as he peddles his goods. Benedik Marshal is a human entrepreneur and traveling merchant carrying freshly minted Cormyrian chain mail, ivory, and animal pelts. He's a middle aged man with silver hair, broad shoulders, and a prominent beer gut. Scars line his body hinting at a rough past but he's good humored and has an eye for business. Along his travels he entertains you with stories of his own adventuring days, even showing you the largest aurumvorax pelt you've ever seen. "This is my meal ticket for an early retirement!" he says at every opportunity.

Over a month you've traveled by boat from Suzail to Pros and had a short stop at Iriaebor. The roads are well kept and little action has occurred beside the occasional wild animal. From Iriaebor a short stop in Berdusk to load up on wine and then off to Greenest.

--OOC--

First off, introduce your character and choose your color. I will always be RED.

Benedik asks each character a few questions along the journey. You may answer them or choose to ignore him.

Hildr
"Why do you carry around that broken sword? I can get you something decent for a good price," he says with a smirk while rubbing his hands together cartoonishly.

Saskia
"A fine necklace you have there, lass. Family gift? Token of a forgotten love, hmm?" The man elbows you in a playful manner.

Taevyn
One night over a game of cards... "What'dyou think of all these half-orcs? Handy to have in a fight but I sleep with a dagger under my pillow in case of one them springs on me. Can never be too careful around greenskins."

Feng al'Thokk
One night you have a vision of a blue-hued whirlwind ravaging a town. You awake shouting in a cold sweat with Benedik standing over you, a wine bottle in hand. "Heh, never thought I'd see a walking mountain cry out like a babe in his sleep. And if you sweat any harder you'll drown us all. Have a drink."

Falka

2014-09-02, 06:16 AM

Saskia Blathanna

T’was a chance fer greatness, or so she said to her friends at the Crescent Moon troupe, from which she departed after many years of work. The young half-elf was thrilled for what she felt it was a calling. Ever since she was a little girl, she had craved for a chance of living an adventure. It was a strange pulling that grew stronger with each passing year – an intense wanderlust that eventually took her away from her beloved crowds and put an end to her dancing and magician routines.

Her heart and feet led her towards Suzail, eventually. The promise of becoming a full-fledged adventurer – and the chance of making of her dream a living – was simply too tempting! Offering her services as a magician, her skills were put in use in a rather simple job – but still exciting, as it involved a lot of travelling -. She had been to many places so far, but she hadn’t spent so much time on her own, without her troupe.

As she joined the group, she proved to be a joyful person, her everlasting smile and witty temper always trying to foster a bit of laughter within her companions. Some tricks to entertain them, from the easy card-game divination game to the casual birdie popping from a hat – and even the occasional prank when things got a bit too boring for her taste. Never malicious, she was a child at heart.

Benedik's question made her giggle - a careful gaze would notice the hint of a blush -. Nonetheless, she answered with no qualms whatsoever. She always spoke in a singing tone.

“This? Tis’ a heirloom, m'lord. Me mum gave it to me when I was little. She tot it would give me luck, and Lady knows she was right.”

Prince Zahn

2014-09-02, 10:39 AM

Taevyn the Lookout

Funny and spiteful, even the military could not fully tame Taevyn (which goes a far and long way towards why his commanding officers were not very fond of him. He took on the escort journey because his strive for freedom and personal autonomy left him in dire need for work and wage.

He is a fine bloke, though - he is a trustworthy companion, friendly towards most everyone, and joking about on everyone's expense, and a true card-Bulette (since he can't really swim like a seaborne cardshark) - seriously - never play him for money)

"You strike me as one who recognizes his enemy on the battlefield, so surely you must know how many limbs a rampaging half-orc can tear with a single pull?"he poses as a form of humorous mockery of an orc "Urm jerks five arms with two, or eight goblins legs with three, Urm is never hungry by suppertime!" he smiles and hopes to see Benedik laugh away the grimace. "ahh, but you may rest easily, dear chap! For the Orc's slack jaw and tusks remind us of their bestial half - they simply lack the grace to kill swift and silent in the night without at least an earsplitting battlecry before it. And besides - you have us to stand on watch, right? Nothing wrong could possibly happen to you while us good fellows are accompanying you.... Say, ya got any sevens, human?"

SaintRidley

2014-09-02, 10:49 AM

Hildr

Helping others is its own reward, even if they're irksome. Hildr's philosophy on being a good person was simple: be kind, be honest, and always do your best to keep your promises. She had volunteered to help Benedik Marshal make it to Suzail, and she intended to see that through to the end, and then see if her father lived in the town.

Feng she regarded with interest - was he seeking a mother or father as well? His night terrors suggested some unease about him, and she wished she knew how to talk to him about it.

The two elves seemed most interesting. A tad whimsical, more than Hildr was used to, but friendly enough. The sort who might gladly share a drink and make merry, always a positive in Hildr's eyes.

Benedik, on the other hand, was somewhat annoying, especially when he would ask her about the broken sword she kept. "My business is my own, as yours is your own, sir," was the only response he could extract.

jmbrown

2014-09-02, 09:37 PM

Saskia Blathanna
“This? Tis’ a heirloom, m'lord. Me mum gave it to me when I was little. She tot it would give me luck, and Lady knows she was right.”

"Excuse me for being presumptuous, but was your mother human? Humans in particular value heirlooms. Something romantic about the idea that an object survives our short lives. Then again I don't know how elves feel about their half-human offspring. It must be rough knowing you'll outlive your children's children."

Taevyn the Lookout
"You strike me as one who recognizes his enemy on the battlefield, so surely you must know how many limbs a rampaging half-orc can tear with a single pull?"he poses as a form of humorous mockery of an orc "Urm jerks five arms with two, or eight goblins legs with three, Urm is never hungry by suppertime!" he smiles and hopes to see Benedik laugh away the grimace. "ahh, but you may rest easily, dear chap! For the Orc's slack jaw and tusks remind us of their bestial half - they simply lack the grace to kill swift and silent in the night without at least an earsplitting battlecry before it. And besides - you have us to stand on watch, right? Nothing wrong could possibly happen to you while us good fellows are accompanying you.... Say, ya got any sevens, human?"

Benedik takes the joke in good humor. "Been there done that, elf, believe me." Benedik lifts up his shirt to show a scar running from clavicle to belly button. "Damn orc nearly split me in two. He stood over my body beating his chest. Kicked him in the jewels and he went down like a sack of potatoes impaling himself on my spear.

I will say I'd rather be fighting orcs than elves. An orc has the courtesy of calling you out before a fight. I've seen an elven commando unit. Deadly efficient. Many places on a humanoid body I didn't know a slim blade could fit. Glad one of you is watching my ass at night."

Hildr

Benedik, on the other hand, was somewhat annoying, especially when he would ask her about the broken sword she kept. "My business is my own, as yours is your own, sir," was the only response he could extract.

Benedik grumbles. "Err, suit yourself." For most of the journey you can hear him grumble under his breath various racial slurs. "Damn humorless greenskin... at least a dwarf would share a drink."

SaintRidley

2014-09-02, 10:43 PM

On catching Benedik in one of those racist grumbles, Hildr mutters quite audibly "I've sworn to protect you, not buy you a drink. I buy drinks for friends, and your words prove you no friend to me or mine. Gods help me if my father's like you."

Bandededed

2014-09-02, 10:50 PM

Shaking his head to clear it, Feng sat up. "I thank you for the drink," he answered, accepting the bottle and returning it after a healthy swig. Granted, that was more than a swig would typically have consisted of, but between the occasional slurs which weren't quite quiet enough and the insult just now... well, the man was lucky to get back what he did.

Especially with Feng's recent troubles sleeping. People - Feng hadn't lived around others since his mother had passed away, Gods keep her. Between the sounds they made, and the damnable dreams that drove him from his comfortable wilderness in the first place, he was lucky if he got three good nights rests in a week!

But he didn't have the knowledge to interpret his dreams. The destruction was obvious, but if he was seeing these scene then there must be something he could do about it. The women he sometimes saw, defending younger children who bore a passing resemblance to her...

He could not allow such a thing to pass.

Realizing his loss of focus had lapsed into a severely uncomfortable silence, he though quickly and cleared his throat. "My apologies, the dream was not pleasant. Would a blue whirlwind have any significance to you?" he asked, ignoring his dislike for the man. Because if there was one thing Brianna ko'Thokk had drilled into her son, it was that he was only to be direct with people he meant to kill.

jmbrown

2014-09-03, 12:52 AM

Realizing his loss of focus had lapsed into a severely uncomfortable silence, he though quickly and cleared his throat. "My apologies, the dream was not pleasant. Would a blue whirlwind have any significance to you?" he asked, ignoring his dislike for the man. Because if there was one thing Brianna ko'Thokk had drilled into her son, it was that he was only to be direct with people he meant to kill.

Benedik shrugs. "Beats me. Maybe a djinni? I hear their skin can be any color of the rainbow and they're masters of air. Wouldn't mind capturing one in a bottle."

Falka

2014-09-03, 03:26 AM

"Excuse me for being presumptuous, but was your mother human? Humans in particular value heirlooms. Something romantic about the idea that an object survives our short lives. Then again I don't know how elves feel about their half-human offspring. It must be rough knowing you'll outlive your children's children."

"Aye m'lord, she was."

Saskia smiled, although there was a hint of sorrow in her gaze. Remembering the past she left behind, her fingers played with the sky-blue gem attached to the silver chain.

"But I guess life's not worth livin' if ye don't love somebody, right? Even if it's fer a while, a year or fer a swift breeze. Me daddy was a good man, yes he was. I remember him quite well."

Prince Zahn

2014-09-03, 08:25 AM

Benedik takes the joke in good humor. "Been there done that, elf, believe me." Benedik lifts up his shirt to show a scar running from clavicle to belly button. "Damn orc nearly split me in two. He stood over my body beating his chest. Kicked him in the jewels and he went down like a sack of potatoes impaling himself on my spear.

I will say I'd rather be fighting orcs than elves. An orc has the courtesy of calling you out before a fight. I've seen an elven commando unit. Deadly efficient. Many places on a humanoid body I didn't know a slim blade could fit. Glad one of you is watching my ass at night."

Oooo~hoho! Taevyn grinned from ear to ear. Yer damn right! The words "deadly efficient" don't cut it when describing the elven commandos! They train for well over a century, and always, no matter what, finish all the bloody river dew peas in the army rations. (Between us two, I think that's the secret to their mystic accuracy!)

jmbrown

2014-09-03, 11:01 PM

The caravan continues traveling through the winding dirt roads of the Greenfields. Scattered communities dot the landscape but not a single tavern or roadside inn can be find in the grasslands. Benedik is unusually grumpy this morning. "We should be reaching Greenest by the day's end. Drinks are on me."

Sundown is approaching when you top a rise and see the town of Greenest just a few short miles away. But instead of the pleasant, welcoming town you expected, you see columns of black smoke rising from burning buildings, running figures that are little more than dots at this distance.

Benedik wheels around and lets out a shout before his cart is lifted into the air by a large, winged creature. He leaps from his seat and rolls on the grass unharmed. Dust kicked up from massive leathery wings blurs all vision. As quickly as it came, the whirling blue creature flies off towards the town with the cartload of goods with the horses dangling helplessly by their reigns.

Benedik dusts himself off. "Gods! I think... was that... a dragon?!"

Furious, Benedik runs off towards the town yelling curses. "That's my livelihood YOU BASTARD!!!"

SaintRidley

2014-09-04, 10:38 AM

"Oh Hells, get back here!" Hildr shouts after him. When it's obvious he's not coming back, she turns to the group. "We've got to go after him. We were hired, and besides, I'd hate to see him lose his profits without us there."

Prince Zahn

2014-09-04, 11:09 AM

"'is PROFITS'?!" Taevyn yelled in bewilderment. "yes, the bloke is chargin' at a giant beast and expects us to keep 'im safe enough to pay us!? Taevyn stopped to think for a moment before sprinting towards Benedik, cursing between breaths. His (potentially) famous last words raise an interesting point:
"Well wot in Bloody Goblinspittle's name are we waiting for?"

Falka

2014-09-04, 04:26 PM

"Is that a..." Saskia blinked. She couldn't believe what her eyes were looking at. Those leathery wings, that huge, reptilian figure... It was just like those in her fairy tales - only that mayhaps, it wasn't as big as she had expected them to be. Or bigger. Well, in all honesty, she couldn't make a fair comparison at that moment. "... it is! Dragon! Sweet Tymora, tis' a real one!"

She glanced at her companions, smirking at Taevyn's words.

"Ye heard him, lets go! Sounds like people could use some help. A dragon flying towards a village... And the mighty heroes have entered the scene, just in time! We'd be fools if we didn't play our role right now!"

Bandededed

2014-09-04, 10:50 PM

Feng blinked once... twice...

A dragon. A blue dragon.. Damn his dreams, and damn his eyes.

Then the world came screaming back into focus. If smoke was already rising the he was already behind. Keeping tight reign on the heat of his fury crawling up the back of his head, he nodded quickly at Hildr's words, drew his maul and threw himself after the wayward trader.

jmbrown

2014-09-05, 05:59 AM

Benedik covers the mile and a half to town in ten minutes flat. Whether motivated by lost wages or an old fire, he storms into the outskirts of town like a mad bull. Commoners still in their nightgowns run in terror. Though most buildings are stone and thatch, burning hay piles and old barns send thick plumes of smoke billowing through the wide streets. Several dozen marauding humanoids carrying wicked curved blades rampage through houses carrying whatever valuables they can get their hands on while cutting down anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path. Wielding two swords, Benedik engages with several of the marauders.

Taevyn is the first to reach town. Without warning, a burning cart rolls down the street blocking his immediate path to Benedik. Five humans dash out from between two buildings on his left. A limping man and three young children race across the street into more shadows, and a woman carrying a round shield and a broken spear turns and faces back in the direction from which they came. Eight kobolds stream out of the alley on the family's heels and fan out around the woman, who looks determined to delay the creatures for as long as possible. The rest of the group catches up to Taevyn and sees this.

--OOC--

The party has surprise and can make two actions (one for the surprise round and one for the following round). The kobolds are aware of your presence but seem to register you as allies. Your first attack against them have advantage. Benedik can't be seen beyond the burning cart, you'll have to move around it.

Prince Zahn

2014-09-05, 06:32 AM

Taevyn scans through the horrors caused by the scaly little rodents, yet he knows better than to flinch at the face of fear. He in sheathes his trusty rapier and dagger towards the woman, when finally he shifts and lunges at the two adjacent kobolds by his side.
fighting two weapons, one attack action, as I remember.
Rapier:
Attack: [roll0] OR [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
Dagger:
Attack: [roll3] OR [roll4]
Damage: [roll5] (no bonus damage from off hand >.<)
SA: [roll6]
If the dagger hits, I'll add Sneak Attack to it. If not - then to the rapier.

With the surprise revealed, Taevyn bolts out of there (+disengagedash) and hollers "Just try and catch me, you scaly dungtails!"

SaintRidley

2014-09-05, 09:11 AM

Hildr steps up around Taevyn's left and takes a big swing with her warhammer to whack the nearest kobold.

"Clear off and leave these people alone, you drakerats, or there's more where that came from!"

She keeps an eye on the kobolds to give a good whack to any who run away from her.

"Best to get you and yours to safety once these little terrors are taken care of, ma'am," she says to the woman with the shield.

Attack with Warhammer: [roll0]
Warhammer damage (if a hit): [roll1]

If permitted, I'd like to try that first line as an intimidation check and see if we can't get them to scramble. If so, I'll roll it in the OOC thread.

Falka

2014-09-05, 05:02 PM

"Tymora's smile, aren't those...!"

She was puzzled for a moment. Kobolds! And there were a lot of them skittering around the streets, hunting poor, defenseless peasants. When she saw the woman holding the spear, willingly blocking the path for her companions, the half-elf felt obliged to intervene. Even if her comrades wouldn't - though thankfully, they seemed to feel the same as her.

Saskia muttered a few words, that in the ears of many would be plain gibberish. However, her crystal necklace started to glow as she extended her hands as she walked towards the goblins.

[roll0]

Bandededed

2014-09-05, 06:49 PM

Her spear's broken Feng thinks, the last full thought he has before his hold on his anger slips and he thunders forward, aiming for a place near the woman and as many kobolds as possible. As he approaches the kobolds, the sound of his pounding heart filling his ears, he raises his maul and drops it in a massive overhead swing.

Briefly leaving the maul's head buried in the ground, he takes one hand from the shaft to draw his handaxe by the blade, he pushes the shaft at the woman with a grunt that could have been "Here", if one was generous.

After releasing the weapon, he takes a step, heaving the maul from the dirt, and sweeping it in a wide arc towards the nearest monster.

Action 1:
So, initial bonus action to Rage. Movement into a good position to whack-a-bold and hand the women a functional weapon, followed by whacking at a kobold: [roll0] or [roll1] for [roll2] damage. Last part is interacting with objects/people, to draw the axe.

Action 2:
Interacting to hand the axe to the woman, or drop it if she is uninterested. Movement towards nearest living kobold, and commencing whackery: [roll3] for [roll4] damage.

Now, lets pray I didn't mess all these rolls up

jmbrown

2014-09-05, 08:05 PM

Surprise
Taevyn steps in and skewers one of the kobolds through the back. He whips around to stab another but his dagger cuts the straps off its armor.

Hildr growls a warning and punctuates it by splattering another kobold. The remaining six kobolds snap to attention.

Saskia throws some dust in the air. Four of the kobolds immediately drop to the ground.

Feng steps in, hands the woman a hand ax which she gratefully accepts. Swinging his maul like a golf club he sends a poor kobold flying thirty feet down left field and through a window.

Round 2
Taevyn dances back and forth taunting the remaining kobold whose eyes dart around looking for an exit while Hildr looms over him.

However, in his fit of rage Feng brings his maul down on the kobold's head which disappears into its body.

End Combat

The woman is shaking. She calls over the man and three children. "B-bless you, whoever you are," she says. "I'm Linan Swift and this is me husband Cuth. He took a dagger to the leg protectin' our children from these yipping dogs! There's a bunch of humans and half-orcs too, I think they're bandits or marauders. They may have thought you were one of their own."

BONG... BONG... BONG! A bell rings through the night air.

"Oh no, that's the bell at the keep signalling it's under siege. They're going to shut the gates! Look, thank you again for saving my life but we have to get to the keep right now or they're going to lock us out!"

Cuth speaks, " Come, dearest. We can carry the children and sneak about from building to building but they marauders are bound to be moving against the keep in numbers." With that Linan and Cuth pick up their children and begin moving as quickly as they can towards the keep.

jmbrown

2014-09-06, 04:12 PM

It was a preemptive sorry in case I made your sleep spell useless.

So, I suggest we help these people to the keep.

Continuing on with party leader's suggestion...

Linan graciously accepts the escort and points out the direction of the keep. Just as she warned the main roads are swarming with marauders. To make matters worse, Linan and Cuth are reduced to 20' move speed as they're carrying their children. Most of the marauders are busy looting buildings making a stealthy approach relatively easy. Linan is confident you can barrel through anyone standing in your path, which would invariably save some straggling villagers, but the injured Cuth suggests sneaking from building to building and not putting his children at risk.

Falka

2014-09-06, 05:46 PM

"Methinks that Mr. Cuth is right. We should just sneak past the enemies and just get into the keep. We shouldn't put their children in danger."

Saskia was weary about Cuth's injury, and even though she was confident that they could defend them, taking such risks with kids in the line was out of the question.

Prince Zahn

2014-09-06, 10:31 PM

"seconded." Taevyn nods as he whispers. Despite secretly wanting to break for the keep, he acknowledges and sympathizes with the half-human's heart. "That being said, 'tis a tricky path all the way to the keep. You would require either a genuinely slimy weasel-snake, or perhaps a trained army scout, to guide the path with utmost efficiency." Taevyn bluntly hints as he points the five fingers of his hand to his chest.

SaintRidley

2014-09-06, 10:57 PM

"Quite. We could help everyone, but we would certainly fall if we made the attempt. Taevyn, scout ahead and find us a path to the keep. Linan, Cuth, we'll escort you and your children to the keep and clear any opposition besieging the keep. If we can clear a way to the keep, we might be able to help others after we've made sure the keep is secure."

Prince Zahn

2014-09-06, 11:09 PM

Taevyn grins a tad slyly with one foot out the proverbial door. "Aye-aye, chief!" he waves an army gesture of compliance as he takes off - how Taevyn loves when things go his way.

Taevyn scouts ahead to find an ideal route, as well as high ground to get a better view, if such is readily available. What ability checks do I roll, and can I apply to it the following:
-Stealth
-Perception
?

jmbrown

2014-09-07, 05:13 AM

It will be a stealth check which I will roll in secret so you don't know the results...

----

Taevyn ably blazes a trail through the back alleys. From the main streets humanoid marauders, mostly humans and half-orcs but with the occassional dragonborn, are hauling whatever goods they can grab into carts while kobolds throw sling bullets at fleeing families. Just as the keep looms on the horizon, two female adults and three children come barreling into the back alley. "Oh my gods," one of them says exasperated. "Are you going to the keep?! Please, you have to take us with you! They killed my husband and brother trying to defend our home. Please, I beg of you!"

Prince Zahn

2014-09-07, 08:19 AM

well there goes my stealth check down the tube :smallredface: can I get an wisdom(insight) check/save here or something??? ^^;Through the fiery hell, he alone chose to guide the path. It was far too dangerous to take more than necessary on such a reconnaissance mission - that much was clear, but so was the fright in the eyes of these women and children - and in swift, supposedly reckless thought, he whispered intently:
"very well, you may follow me if you and your children promise to be quiet. stay close and I will protect you -but—but I won't search for you if you get lost, you hear me?" he shushes them, should they try to speak, and leads them through what shortcuts he could deduce.

Something sparked in him though, when these humans begged him to save them, old memories of his first reconnaissance mission flashed that were too vivid to ignore. After that, it was hardly a question whether to take the risk or not - he was determined to bring the villagers to the keep and return for his comrades.

using my inspiration point as I proceed my mission, which I pray will not be further hindered *crosses fingers*

EDIT: also, as a readied action - if I or the villagers accompanying me spot an attacker pursuing us, I will toss my ball bearings in the attacker's/s' direction (for what it's worth)

jmbrown

2014-09-07, 05:42 PM

Even with the extra villagers Taevyn blazes a sure trail that avoids the main roads. Hildr poses the most threat to giving away his position but Taevyn compensates by choosing the softest, wettest ground to walk on. The keep is only a hundred feet away at this point. Saskia looks back and notices one other villager has joined the group. A young man with a bloody blacksmith's apron and hammer in hand. He waves sheepishly when he's spotted.

With the keep only a dash away Taevyn is nearly thrown on his butt when a kobold comes tearing through a backdoor carrying a crate of goods. Tossing his ball bearings, the kobold flies head over heels with the heavy crate crushing its head.

Linan creeps up to the front of the group. "There's the keep right there. I don't know how much time we have before they shut the gate." A scream draws everyone's attention to the main road. A group of marauders - three kobolds and three humans - are advancing on a group of six commoners. Linan whispers harshly "We can't let those people die, not this close to the keep!" Cuth places a hand on his wife's shoulder. "They're going to close the gates then we'll all be dead!"

SaintRidley

2014-09-07, 08:16 PM

"Nobody's dying on my watch. Stay hidden here. Taevyn, the rest of you, we act now," Hildr says. She steps out toward the group of marauders, doing her best to draw attention away from both the civilians they are advancing upon and those she has just stepped away from.

"pujwI' HIvlu'chugh quvbe'lu'! There is no honor in attacking the weak!" she bellows out her challenge and slams her hammer against her shield. "I name myself their defender. Pick your champion, and mayhap I'll let him live when I am through with him.

jmbrown

2014-09-07, 09:35 PM

The marauders stop in their tracks and turn to each other puzzled. One of them takes a step forward and flourishes with his scimitar. "Six against one, girly. Throw your gold, backpack, and pretty lil' hammer in a pile and we'll let you go." The kobolds snicker to themselves as they load their slings...

Bandededed

2014-09-07, 11:06 PM

"Well then," Feng says with a sneer for the speaker, stepping up beside his heavily armored teammate, making sure to display his bloody hammer. "I could kill a few more of you today, if it'd make you feel better,"

He grins sharply, displaying his tusks. "Please?"

Trying for an intimidation check. [roll0]

SaintRidley

2014-09-08, 12:17 AM

Hildr looks over to Feng. "You know, I don't think they realize that we aren't just human." She laughs a deep, long belly laugh. "Honey," she says to the lead marauder. "We're orcs too. Think on that when all you can taste is the steel of our hammers."

[roll0]

Hoping to add some oomph with more intimidation.

jmbrown

2014-09-08, 04:04 AM

The humans throw their hands up. "We're not gettin' paid enough for this &@#$." They take off running, knocking the kobolds down who scramble away on all fours. With the pathway clear and an advancing horde of marauders in the distance, Linan ushers everyone into the keep. As soon as the last person is within the walls they shut the gate and retreat to the keep to avoid missiles from the rampaging marauders.

The main hall of the keep includes several dozen frightened villagers catching their breath. Some protest about the family and friends still outside the keep walls. Others tend to the many wounded lying on bedrolls. Guards trot around passing crossbows and urging any able bodies to step forward and man the wall.

Linan comes over with a shield dwarf at her side. He's an older dwarf, battle scarred, with knotted red hair and beard speckled with marble gray lines. "My name is Escobert the Red, Castellan of this keep. I would have you immediately detained for being armed strangers who happened to arrive on the night of a major raid but you saved the lives of eighteen villagers and for that I'm grateful. We could use people with your skill in the defense of the village and may be able to provide something in return. I urge you to talk to Governor Nighthill on the tower walls. I must coordinate the defenses." Escobert bows until his beard sweeps the ground. He immediately walks off barking orders at the nearest guard.

Linan says "If we survive this, you should come to my bakery. Free sweet rolls for life!"

Prince Zahn

2014-09-08, 09:41 AM

"Did ye see the stiff look on the warden's face?" Taevyn inappropriately whispers to an adjacent peer. He shifts his eyes about to see that Escobert does not return to hear him.
"The poor half-pint must've 'ad his gut clogged-up fer days."

Falka

2014-09-08, 04:29 PM

"Well sir, maybe the fact that we didn't bring these people tied up could tell a bit more about the side we've picked. And methinks 'tis not wise to keep weapons sheathed out there. Right now, things look a bit messy."

After Escobert's leave, Saskia glanced at Taevyn and chuckled. "Aye, but ye know.. dwarves pretty much are that way. Very stiff and the like. Most usually only laugh when they're drunk!"

She then spoke to her companions.

"Friends, ye were amazing back there! Let's meet the guvnor so we can keep on helping this poor town. I'm sure they're in dire need of brave heroes like ourselves, don't ye think?"

Bandededed

2014-09-08, 07:42 PM

"Right," Feng mutters as the dwarf stalks away, "Because caravan guards often go about unarmed, Tch" His head snaps around when he hears Linan offering free sweets, but doesn't speak up, though the offer is obviously tempting to him.

Then Saskia speaks, bringing his dreams to mind and distracting him from the thought of treats. "It would be good to be with people I... know... if we desired to continue" he adds, his reluctance to rely on people warring with the fact that these three had treated him well for the duration of their journey.

SaintRidley

2014-09-08, 08:37 PM

Prince Zahn

2014-09-09, 01:11 AM

"Hold it right there!" Taevyn began to argue. "do we really want to 'ave this stuck-up lot o' dwarves pushing us around? Tymora knows I woul'n't!" Taevyn circles the group as he talks, in a mock-military saunter. "Now then, Never am I sayin' that I do not wish to 'elp these people like the rest o' ye, but I—we, don't need our good judgment imposed upon by a foreign chain of command".

Most of this agreement happened in a time I couldn't reply :smallsigh: so I voice Taevyn's opinion now ^^;

jmbrown

2014-09-09, 06:11 AM

Hildr smiles at Feng's words. People. It was good to have people you knew around when in a strange place. Helped ease the anxiety a little. Still too many buildings, too many people, but here were three who seemed all right.

"It's settled, then. We're speaking with the governor."

She looks at Linan and her family before leaving, kneeling down to look the children in the eye. "Your parents are brave, little ones. Grow up, bring them honor, and protect them when they are old, just as they did for you. This is your bond, children of Linan and Cuth Baker. And when I am an old woman, I will come visit you and eat sweet rolls, and you'll tell me stories of how you won your family honor, and I will tell your children or your children's children of this day."

She stands again and looks to the rest of the group. "Let us go, then." After a few feet she mutters in Orcish "They've never seen an Orc cry before. No need to let them now," as she draws her hand over her eyes. A safe, whole, happy family.

The kids give an enthusiastic thumbs up and begin punching the air when you turn around.

"When I grow up I'm gonna be a half-orc!"

"No way, elves are way stronger!"

"Nuh-uh! Green fist slam!"

"Oh, yeah?! Graceful dance kick!"

Only the innocence of children forget the violence surrounding them.

"Hold it right there!" Taevyn began to argue. "do we really want to 'ave this stuck-up lot o' dwarves pushing us around? Tymora knows I woul'n't!" Taevyn circles the group as he talks, in a mock-military saunter. "Now then, Never am I sayin' that I do not wish to 'elp these people like the rest o' ye, but I—we, don't need our good judgment imposed upon by a foreign chain of command".

Most of this agreement happened in a time I couldn't reply :smallsigh: so I voice Taevyn's opinion now ^^;

Taevyn gives a dissenting opinion on the walk to the parapets but at least one objection is eased from his mind for the governor of Greenest is human. Governor Nighthill is a man of sixty with raven black hair and a trimmed goatee. Despite his advancing age his face shows few lines and his hair is pure black. His right arm is in a sling and dried blood cakes a patch around his left eye. Still he moves about with the alacrity of a man half his age.

"Ah!" he bellows, "the heroes of Greenest have arrived! I saw your advance on the keep. You saved a good number of people. I hate to dump this on your lap so sudden but you're about our only hope of saving more lives." Nighthill casts a hard stare at a bumbling militiaman who nearly spills a bucket of crossbow bolts over the tower.

"My name is Tarbaw Nighthill. Governor. Can't say in my thirty years of rule we've ever been attacked by raiders. Don't even know where such a massive group came from but I think the worst is over. Most of the town is safely in the keep and the raiders seem content with looting the village."

Nighthill points out into the darkness. A group of raiders pace the keep at range but none attempt to advance on it.

"As long as you're here I'd like you to help mitigate the damage until they leave. I'd love to get my hands on a prisoner. Escobert has ways of getting people to talk. Just be sure you avoid that one there..."

Nighthill points to a woman in royal purple robes wielding a wicked looking halberd. She's flanked by twelve heavily armored humans gathered around a cart where the raiders are piling treasure.

"Treasure hungry bastards... there's no way you can leave the keep without being spotted. If you think you can climb well enough then I can tip a rope over the side. A safer alternative is an old tunnel that exits to the river. We haven't used it in a decade but it's well hidden. You'll have to get the key from Escobert, though.

I can't pay you but I'll make you a deal. Any treasure you recover on the field is effectively yours. Do we have a deal?"

Nighthill holds his good hand out...

SaintRidley

2014-09-09, 07:48 PM

"Taevyn, I'll leave it to you whether I shake the man's hand or not. He's not a dwarf, if that helps."

Prince Zahn

2014-09-10, 12:30 AM

Taevyn looks towards Governer Nighthill, then to his comrades, who quite eagery await his approval. Finally - he speaks:
"It 'ad be'er be clear, Guv'ner, that ye offer us to be mercenaries wit a farmer's pay (as we will be, in a li'eral fashion, living off o' what we can bloody harvest).Taevyn cynically quips before resuming. 'We will aid this town in defending itself, but we are not new recruits and will not heed to trivial orders as such. In fact, save fer emergencies and likewise major circumstances - yer orders (and those o' yer men) to us shall first go through our trusted leader's approval first."
Taevyn pats Hildr on the back as he turns to her, it feels (if felt through the armor) relatively soft for a man his size."I trust ye not to make henchmen o' us."

~~~OOC~~~
Should the Governer accept the terms:
With a pause he slowly smiles, and hollers."WELL WOT ARE YOU WORGPAWS WAI'ING FOR? SHAKE ALREADY!"
Should the Governer reject the terms:
"Well then," Taevyn shakes his head."I thought ye required our aid, but I suppose ye can fend fer yerselves against the raiders - and the mighty dragon if ye can afford to be picky."

Falka

2014-09-10, 12:58 AM

"Oi, is this really necessary? I thought we came here ta help, not ta negociate sellsword services." Saskia protested, seeing all this debate as being a tad needless. "Just lets do whatever we can't, I'll deal with a soup or two after this is over. We're not really gonna sit down and discuss pay while people are dying, right?"

Prince Zahn

2014-09-11, 06:27 AM

"Wot?" Taevyn raised an eyebrow before clarifying in perfect elvish. "Well of course it's necessary, Saski. If we don't lay down our rules, the army will take the liberty of dropping their own upon us. Do you really think we can save lives if we're ordered to count their arms and polish helmets?"

SaintRidley

2014-09-11, 11:14 AM

Hildr pinches her nose. People. Arguing. The two always went together. "Okay, that's enough," she says. She turns toward Nighthill. "We'll try and get you a prisoner. We'll even question them in case we take one and then they die on us. We'll take the sewer - I know that Feng and I can climb, but I'd rather not take our chances. We'll do the job. But like Taevyn says, we won't take orders in the field. Now, let's find Escobert and get the key."

She shakes Nighthill's hand and faces her companions. She gives a pointed look to the two elves. "We can talk tact at a later point. Let's talk tactics while we find Escobert."

jmbrown

2014-09-12, 04:18 AM

Nighthill appears very bewildered by Taevyn's sudden theatrics. He listens to Taevyn and Saskia argue before turning to Hildr with a grim smile. "I'm glad you're the understandin' type. I know how these things work, I used to be an adventurer myself before I took an arrow... You're doing this on your own free will and my soldiers are staying behind to defend the keep until the raider's leave. Good luck out there."

---

Escobert coughs up the key. [color=red]"Old tunnels that'way. Try not to dust up your blouse, elf."[color]

---

The old tunnel is in disrepair. Crates and debris block the interior gate but can be cleared after a few minutes. The tunnel is eerily quiet save for the occasional drip of water. Several rats watch the party with interest, a strange behavior coming from normally timid rodents.

Bandededed

2014-09-12, 09:11 AM

Feng listens, simply taking in the conversation happening around him. He isn't here for money, or wealth, but he also isn't about to throw it to the ground if it fell on him.

As they approach the tunnel, Feng begins forward to clear the rubble. "Well, let's go if we're going, then,"

SaintRidley

2014-09-13, 11:10 PM

Hildr looks at the rats curiously. Were they too intelligent? Or were they behaving strangely for some other reason? Either way, she's feeling some unease about them. "Something stinks, and I don't think it's the sewer. Someone take care of those rats - scare them off or kill them. Taevyn, scout ahead. Feng, take rear guard. I want eyes and ears open. If anything even so much as looks suspicious, I want to be careful about it and I want all of us to check it out. We'll use K'plaQ as a signal word."

Falka

2014-09-14, 04:08 AM

"That's kind of a complicated word, isn't it? I mean, I can hardly pronounce it... Why not something easier, like 'Dandelion'? Everybody likes dandelions."

Saskia did her best, helping with the crates. Though she barely could move most! As they started looking through the tunnel, the girl exclaimed with a disgusted look.

"Ew... rats! Big ones, too! No, I don't like this, no I don't!"

Prince Zahn

2014-09-14, 09:29 AM

"I, for one, do believe this stench is from the sewers!" Taevyn rudely proclaimed that he was not noseless.

"Blimey, they are quite big, aren't they?? I say we grab a bushelful of 'em and pu' it all the fire when opp'tunity strikes. "Taevyn unintentionally beckons others to stare at him strangely.
"Wot?"Taevyn defended. "I'm famished! and I ate far worse than fresh rat meat on the bat'lfield and lived to tell the tale!

However, when Taevyn was told to (pipe it and-) go scout ahead, he complied with little more than "Aye-aye, I'll keep me special eye open fer the any rats." almost as if he purposefully aimed to repulse at this point.
I'm not really looking for rats :P at least, not especially for them.

for what it's worth, I have darkvision. I can light my lantern too, assuming it won't blow the place up mythbusters style, but we were given none such warnings.
Perception: [roll0]

EDIT: err... Is it too late to go back to passive perception...?

jmbrown

2014-09-14, 09:29 PM

Taevyn presses his ear up against the door. Nothing.

Beyond the door is completely dark. Taevyn peers into a small tunnel with a closed grating at the far end. The floor seems to be... moving?

Before Taevyn's eyes can adjust a swarm of rats pours from the door and takes Taevyn by surprise!

The rats bite and tear viciously.

[roll0] for [roll1] damage.

But Taevyn swats them away from his squishy bits.

Taevyn regains his composure but is standing in the middle of a swarm of hungry rats.

Round 1
Action!

SaintRidley

2014-09-16, 04:10 PM

"All right," Hildr says. "Let's just all kill rats, I guess."

She takes her hammer, runs in, and gives a swing.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Prince Zahn

2014-09-17, 06:54 AM

"Damned rats!" Taevyn swats away the rats and tries to get away clumsily."you all earned your positions as dinner!" with his lantern in one hand, Taevyn thrusted his trusted rapier at the rats.
[roll0] for [roll1].
With what chance he has, Taevyn breaks away exclaiming "Dinner coming our way - and it's angry!"

Bandededed

2014-09-17, 11:03 AM

"Stupid rats," Feng snarls, supporting towards the newest challengers. "Now you die!"

Rolling
- attack
[roll] 2d6+3 - damage

Falka

2014-09-17, 01:52 PM

"Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew!" Saskia squeaked as much as the rats did. She was trembling. She didn't like mice and rodents, generally. Except rabbits, but those usually were disease-free.

She did her best to control herself as she focused on casting a freezing ray, dragging it all over the floor. Luckily, she'd kill a few of the rats.

[roll0]
[roll1]

jmbrown

2014-09-17, 02:34 PM

The combined attacks of the party thin out the largest of the swarm but the rest presses on. Saskia finds that it's easier to blast a swarm with magic than try to swat them away with a weapon.

The swarm envelopes Hildr and nibbles at her armor ineffectively.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Round 2

SaintRidley

2014-09-17, 02:38 PM

"Stupid rats," Hildr says. "You're just breaking your teeth."

Attack: [roll0]

Damage: [roll1]

Prince Zahn

2014-09-17, 02:47 PM

With his rapier, Taevyn deftly strikes rats away from Hildr:
[roll0] for [roll1] damage + [roll2] for SA (if applicable).
"Rats! I must be under a curse of some sorts lately..."

Falka

2014-09-18, 01:13 AM

"Hey, this is working!" Saskia cheered as she noticed that her spells were effective against the rat hoard. She grabbed her crystal, and using it like some sort of magnifying glass, she kept shooting the ray along the corridor, trying to scare off the wretched critters.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Bandededed

2014-09-19, 04:29 AM

Feng smiled when his maul connected, then laughed at Saskia's words, taking another swing at the swarm.

Attack - [roll0]
Damage - [roll1]

jmbrown

2014-09-19, 03:35 PM

The horde of rats scurry. There are no easy meals here.

At the end of the tunnel is an old, rusty grate. The key fits but even with a key Taevyn has to gingerly apply pressure to avoid breaking the tumblers.

[roll0]

Taevyn hears a soft *click* and the grate opens out into a muddy stream bed. A river runs through the back of the keep. Thick bushes and overgrowth give ample cover to move about without being seen.

Just as Taevyn takes in the surroundings, he hears something. Sixty feet away a group of marauders - six kobolds and two half-orcs - are trudging through the mud. They move slowly, occasionally hacking away at bushes while trying to get a better view of the backside of the keep.

SaintRidley

2014-09-19, 10:02 PM

Hildr whispers to the others. "Do you suppose we might be able to take one of them prisoner? Or best to avoid them and find someone more important? I'm no great shakes at lying, but I could stow my shield, pretend to be one of them, and try talking them in a different direction. Maybe one of you could help me figure out what might send them off."

Hildr's all about fighting and proving strength, but she's also smart and knows that she should sometimes conserve physical strength in favor of other tactics. She's suggesting either fighting or letting the group get a little closer while she and the group figure out a lie that will get the marauders to go away. If the second is chosen, Taevyn can use the Help action (by supplying a good lie for Hildr to relay) so Hildr has advantage in convincing the marauders she is one of them and there's no way to the keep over this way.

Just a thought as to one potential way of approaching this encounter.

Prince Zahn

2014-09-20, 05:09 AM

"We coul' do better than these" Taevyn whispers, squinting as he eyes the enemy."I like yer plan - tell 'em there be an emergency a' the camps — ye, that's it — To report a' once (make 'em -panic-). And if they ask, ye are a mess'nger calling for re'inforcements - direc' command from the higher-ups." Taevyn quickly constructs a ruse before turning to everyone else. "We'll be a bit back, preparing to ambush, shoul' they start to suspect ye. any questions?"

SaintRidley

2014-09-22, 04:11 PM

Hildr nods. "Got it." She put her shield on her back - no need to reveal her patron in such a situation.

She waits for the group of marauders to get closer before she steps out. As loud and authoritatively as she can, she immediately begins barking orders. "Hey! No nosing around the walls. Haven't you heard? Emergency at the camps, all hands needed. Anyone who doesn't get there on the double will be flayed and fed to the dragon. Direct command from the top. NOW GET MOVING!"

Not sure if the lie should just be part of the intimidation, or if that's a separate persuasion (which I got help with). I'm just going to roll both, at advantage (hooray Help action), and if you think the whole thing is just intimidate, disregard persuasion. If you think persuasion is separate, then just take the first intimidation. Or however.

Intimidation: [roll0] or (if advantage) [roll1]
Persuasion (if necessary) [roll2] or (if advantage) [roll3]