Kingslayers: Wild Magic of the Seekers

[BlueWizard]

{OOC- This is it the 'long' awaited new beginning of Orc-slayers, to reflect the new faces of the group. All past Orc-Slayers are bravely remembered, however the heroes move on:}

The Orc-Slayers:
Cara:
A priestess of the Sun, more specifically the aspect of the strong, kindly old man, Pelor, very vengeful against evil. A light-skinned Nordic human, from the good Kingdom of the North, also known as Finnsland, after King Finn. She found her path for the church became entwined in more than just evil orcs; nobles and other officials have proven to have broken the trust of the people. Recently became Baroness of Sunhaven... officially.

Taros:
A knight of Heironeous {god of valour, also a lawful good aspect of Zeus}, also a former dragon-rider for the Queen's Husband King Fin of the North. He met Cara after she saved him from the hot desert of the Orclands, after he'd crashed as a rider from the Dragon Wars. He has found companionship with Cara, and has been a key part in building the new community of Sunhaven in the Northern Kingdom.

Cassy:
Having given up working as a con woman for a living {mostly}, Cassy now lies and cheats for good. As stunning as she thinks she is {and almost as half as clever as she believes}, Cassy's too bossy to be a side kick, too cowardly to be a hero, and far too pretty to be left alone by the Guild agents who hunt her. A sorceress of no renown, she terrifies friends and enemies alike with her rapidly growing powers. When not able to outrun the trouble that naturally follow her, the teen can be found cowering behind her best friend, Cara.

Anthony:
A noble warlock, from an old noble-wizard family. The Wizard Guild family. Once hired by the greater Guild to protect Cassy, without the sorceress's consent. As his past life crumbles, he now seeks to find friends in a world he is finding he can barely trust. Mostly due to the accursed Guild members.

James:
A special warblade serving in the Imperial Army. He is ended his original agreed upon term of service, like many others in his position he was sent to the front-line for combat. He has survived, but many of his friends and comrades did not. After his Imperial service, the Kingdom of the North asked him to join their good nation. Now serving the Kingdom of the North, he has taken on duty as a general and land-baron of a low mountain area in the Northern Kingdom. It neighbors Cara's community of Sunhaven. busy in Jamestown

Eirdondrar/Abbie: An elven ranger, long lost from her people, has recently become united with them again. She has found she also has got to meet many other fey and forest creatures that are nearly beyond her imagination. She is now an honored servant of the elven Queen, hero to the humans of the North, and even respected by some nobles of the mostly evil Empire. busy with the Elfin Queen

Silvas/Bryce/Latigo: This is a most curious creature. It appears as if all these men are different, but his closest friends know that they all are the same. Bryce the handsome mysterious nobleman; Latigo the rugged Antarian merchant; and the most secret identity, only known by a few: Silvas the pixie. He is actually the exiled son of a fairy king and queen.



ALL:
In the late Summer after the Midsummer Fest, imperial news will spread throughout the Northern Kingdom. The crown prince of the Empire has been removed from office, his sister Arrianna of Port Carmen is now the crown princess. Some of you have met her. It is supposed to be hush-hush, but news is a right in the North, and tales of it spread everywhere. Official Imperial word was that nothing had changed.

Crusty Bucket:{Anthony, Latigo, Cassy}
Already, a month have they traveled on the open sea, avoiding any contact with other merchants and fishermen. No small speedy sail-skifs were seen, though a man in the crow's-nest always looked out for anything suspicious. They were on a secret mission for the allies of good in the world. Not only to check in on Taros family and the slavers, but to get a glimpse into the events of modern Kandor and it's evil guild organization.

Admiral Seawell, under a secret name Captain Dirk Fontaine and his trusty crew aboard the converted cruiser were all veterans of the sea. They worked in unison, and seemed very interested in this job. Rumor has it they were given a lot of money to do this extra special undercover job. Extra foods and goods had been packed in storage to account for the round about way the ship took.

Admiral Seawell eagerly pushes the ship on. With hope that the next empress will be a kinder one.

The ship nears the floating city of New North Bahn, after this stop he estimates another 3 weeks to Kandor, with the sea druid and her control of nature.

Most of the crew are former Imperials. A crew full of Nordic types would be suspicious, so Seawell had to be careful of the racial mix he brought along. Kandor had a mix of populations, it is said to have once been the ancient capital of the Old Empire. Cassy was the ship's arcanist, and probably the most respected among the ship, and had an officers cabin near the captain. Anthony the warlock, was merely feared, but also given rank as a tactical officer as well. The another room was given to Latigo, the producer or financier of the whole operation... at least the front for it. The last was 1st officer Robero, hand-picked wizard of Fontain. Robero pales in comparison to Cassy, and the crew knows it.

As the ship approaches West one morning toward the estimated location of New North Bahn, the Barge City. All will be awakened with knocking upon their doors. It will be really early, in the dimlight of 5 am on a summer morning. It will be Robero. When he has you all gathered at the hall with noses peeking out into the Hall. "We have to change course there is a giant priate armada in our path. We may have to sail close to the Accursed Isle."

This will cause even more delay to get to Kandor, but the key of this operation is careful, methodical, and slow. {Says Seawell}



Jamestown In the Fall: {James, Taros, Abbie}
James' expedition into the Northern Mountains will be on a well traveled military road. Many of the Queen's soldiers trot upon this patrol path daily. It is an old road, and many edges of it are partially grown over with thick wheat grasses and even bushes and trees. Missing are a young noble, Lord Wolf, and expedition leader Sir Ethan. They went to check out a bandit site and never came back.

Likely by now the expedition to track the lost party of Wolf and Ethan has grown. Taros likely would have joined a squad of Sunhaven soldiers to resupply the fort-city of Jamestown. Abbie was nearby and the best choice for tracker around. The full retinue of the Recovery party was up to James, but could include a queen's wizard. This was dire circumstances.

The lost patrol leaders, Wolf and Ethan last left a message on the North border of James' lands. 3 days ago. James received his report and summoned his available comrades. Horses will be supplied by the Kingdom, as well as horse-feed, and gear. Light barding is provided for those who wish to use warhorses. The hills here will be slow riding, especially as you are tracking, so it was not necessary to get fast horses. The soldiers would have a mix.


Helmswood Temple: {Cara}
Greta Ranslae was now Greta Skaar as she had married her longtime boyfriend Bjorn. They currently ran the Pelorian temple in Helmswood city, for the Lady Cara, Baroness of Sunhaven. Cara was a peasant, who became a somewhat powerful priestess, but it didn't matter now. All the people treat her as a noble when she finds herself pulled back to the river city of the Queen to maintain order.
Greta had almost no leadership ability, and Bjorn was of little skill to impress old veteran captains of the guard. Greta was developing, but still lacked power to impress. Many peasants have gathered here, old and infirm, and many other needy ones. This also has brought in a few unsavory types.

Cara will be busy arresting new 'worshipers' for larceny and even minor acts of vanadalism. The city of Helmswood will help more when Cara becomes directly involved in reporting the occurances.
{OOC- Dauph will join us when she can. And then can report back to Taros' side. :smallwink: }


Past NPCs:
{This will get updated, and will hopefully be a helpful reference for you all:}
Tunia: Aka Lady Petunia O'enar; a guild noble, trained from youth to be an assassin. Her first big kill was to be some servants of Princess Arrianna... on the way she met Cassy... since their failed relationship. All due to Tunia's failure, she is now trying to make it up to Cassy, by helping with recon work in Kandor.

Serapi: Magenta haired, sapphire eyes; a wizardess who once was Baroness of the Southern Trade City, is now landless, and in the Empire with family. Mother of deceased blue-haired Selma, Cassy's childhood bully/rival.

Queen Allanna: Queen of the Northern Kingdom, wife of King Finn.

Kerafin: A dragon-rider princess of Allanna.

Elven Queen: Has many names, her mate calls her Love. She has a curious fondness for Abbie.

Archduke Daniel Younger and new Crown-Princess Arrianna of Port Carmen:
Arrianna's older brother {Prince Valdis}, has recently been removed from his position, due to conspiracies against his father. News of this has spread like wildfire in the Northern Kingdom. Only some of you met these two. Daniel is a Zhean noble and Arrianna's husband.

Lord Trillo: Wizard servant of Queen Allanna, and diplomat to heroes of the realm.

Nylanger: A wizard-ranger elf, servant of the Secret Alliance, he wants to connect Abbie with the elven council. Last post to Abbie told her that he was on top-secret duty in the Southern hemisphere in Yuan, apparently where Abbie's master was last seen.

Lady Anza of Slaynor:
A pure blooded noble, with teen son Wolf, who has gone missing at his military post in Jamestown. She has yet to find out.

Barkul: half-orc servant of Bahamat. Currently taking up residence as the only orckin in the church of the Queen.

Lord Faucet: Unknown to most of the PCs, but a former high up in the Imperial Wizard senate. He currently serves King Finn's arch-wizard. Also Anthony-the-warlocks father.

General Kenway Bellows: A great war hero of the Empire. Died mysteriously in battle. Found alive as a death knight in the Dungeons of Zhe.

Mylyr: Abbie's master. A powerful and mysterious agent of the Secret Alliance.

Greta and Bjorn Skaar: Young couple, and rather inexperienced guardians of the Pelorian church in Helmswood. Greta is Cara's cousin, and Bjorn a close family friend. All are from Skaarsvard, a remote village in the hills.

Sister Ferina: Converted priestess of Ra, now serves Pelor. Left the Empire years ago fleeing persecution for treason. Now a citizen of the Northern Kingdom. She is the main aide of Cara at the Pelorian temple at Sunhaven. Now at Helmswood's Pelor temple.

Cobweb: A fairy, and spirit of the woodland night, and lady of the realm of Dreams. She is a secret friend of Silvas, and his visited all the heroes in their dreams from time to time. She now watches over Silvas from the woods around Sunhaven, living near the old druids there.

Jacobsen/Ocamally/ Oakfellow: 3 rival vintner houses of the lands of Sunhaven. A shady bunch, but the main source of revenue for the Sunhaven coffers. Which helps pay the soldiers, and other maintainance of the land.


OOC thread here:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48828

[Vazzaroth]

((Is Taros' participation 'set in stone' now?))

James will welcome his friend's assistance gladly, it was always nice to have back-up on the front lines with Taros, and Abbie would make a great scout for this search, but it was not the time for visiting and discussion, men were missing, and swift action might just save their lives.

Shortly after their departure, he decided to catch up a bit.
Taros, you've been with Cara in her territory, correct? From what I hear, she is doing rather well for herself there. Abbie... I can't recall hearing about your whereabouts... have you been with Cara as well?

[tgva8889]

Abigail will take refuge with the the druids and rangers of the forest during the time between events. She will try to get a message to James to let him know she's around, but mostly, she'll be hiding out in the woods.

****

Traveling with James again was enough for Abbie to get her act together. She understood the need for more action, and went about tracking, moving a bit faster than she did before. When James talks to them, Abbie sort of nods a bit before realizing he was talking to her, still engrossed in the deed of tracking. "Oh, sorry, what?"

Survival +19 - [roll0] for tracking.

[Vazzaroth]

It's alright, Abbie, there will be time for talk later. Please, don't let me distract you from your job. It's far more important to learn the whereabout of the men...

He goes over the details in his head, convincing himself once again that the men were well trained, at least he knew Ethan was. They had a good chance at survival... right?

[BlueWizard]

Jamestown: {Abbie and James for Sure!}
{OOC- Take into account that Taros might decide to go with Cara to Helmswood to fix the little problem delaying them there... in the meantime Abigail's scout mission led by James can commence.}

The beginning prep at the fort and the early mission will give lots of time to James and Abbie to reacquaint with one another. There will be a rush, and while James awaits the arrival of the neighboring constabulary {Cara and Taros}, they will be off with their hand-picked crew.

When Taros and Cara arrive they will come together or separately with Lord Trillo the Wizard, who will accompany the party on this most important expedition as expert arcanist.

The missing Lord Wolf's mother {Anza} is in daily contact with her son and is beginning to contact the wizard council for information on his absence by the time the rescue party is off. King Finn sends James a note that he will summon her to his court as cover.


Crusty Bucket:{Latigo, Cassy, Anthony}
In avoiding the great fleet of pirate-nobles, the Crusty Bucket will have to sail south again, in hopes to cut back around the extreme skif-patrols that this great armada sends out.

This will actually bring the crew within sight of the awful Accursed Isle. It's grey walls round the whole isle, and stand 300 feet at some times. The expanse you all see for the first time is only 50 feet high. Over it a sickly green-black cloud crackles yelllowish lightning in the morning day sun. A few silver ships, were moored off in the distance. Fontaine says these are the Druid sewage treatment of the sea.

The isle is dark and ugly, and all you see are the great walls around it, rumored to be built deep into the sea. This delay will take a few weeks.... and into Fall.

When you aboard the ship get the Autumn news of bandits in Jamestown, Fontaine will give you all warning that you have officially reached Kandorian seas. All times you were considered at YELLOW ALERT, which meant constant attention, and no horseplay. And his best men{and women} ON THE JOB! This also meant rum and wine rations were lowered for the crew. This rule meant nothing for the officers, and at Captain's dinners {which all of you ate in the main captain's chamber}, the alcohol flowed quite freely.

{OOC- In Kandorian Seas, you will begin to actively encounter pirates... so beware.}


Helmswood's Pelorian Temple:{Cara and Taros}
This little delay will instantly be solved when Cara {and Taros?} makes her appearance. The vandals will confess and begin volunteering to clean-up. Thieves return goods. In all Greta will fess up that she is overwhelmed. This whole situation can be solved if the more administrative-minded Sister Ferina got promoted to a priestess here.
{OOC- Then you both can investigate the disappearance near the border of Sunhaven, or go elsewhere...:smallsmile: }

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony rarely mixes with the crew, but when he does he is polite. Generally he stays in his cabin or socializes with his fellow officers. However, he does seek out the hooded woman.

"Hello. I don't believe that we've been introduced. Anthony Faucet, a scoundrel by nature, but a warlock by fate." He gives a small bow, smiling at the half-elf. "And you are?"

[BlueWizard]

Crusty Bucket: {at some point around the Accursed Isle}
{Cassy, Latigo, and Anthony}
The hooded woman will pull in close so she can speak quietly to Anthony. She is a little nervous, under her hood speaking to Anthony. Her confident, acrobatic demeanor gone. Much to his surprise she looks fully human to him and tan, dark Imperial coloring. She is pixieish, and pretty, but not as much as Cassy. Though they could be cousins. "I know who you are. I too was in the Family. Pickford. I'm Elise. My father was an art thief. My mother stole jewelry. Her specialty was anklets. My father's father was a high up in the Thieves Guild. They're dead now. It's my fault. You are lucky your parents got out alive. Wizards have more... backing them. My family was hired to clean-out your family's mansion once they were to be killed. You got them out just in time. Most of the guild families are being killed. The Guildmaster's disinherited son, Vito the Fourth, wants as few as possible around for after Third passes on. Luckily, that EVIL old bastard still clings to life; despite 14 poisoning, 30 stabbings, and countless other assassination attempts." The winner of the ship's acrobat contest {by a huge margin}, is immediately charmed by Anthony's demonic charisma:smallamused: . {Chr. 16}

As the Captain has never stopped a lady crewman from 'visiting' him at night, he won't stop any of his high officers from doing likewise. Crew Chief Orman, holds tight reign of the crew's night-time activity, in the bunk-hold. Anthony can tell his warlock looks seething through him, Elise, this former guild thief is... :smallamused: hot and ready to go!

Only Man-at-Arms, 'Happy' Highline, was allowed to sleep in the lower hold's armory. Orman turned a blind eye to a few men who 'assisted' Happy late into the night with tuning swords, cod-pieces, and other implements of war-play. Often that sailor would come back with much lipstick on his collar. No one says a word, probably because Happy also happens to be the second best warrior on the ship next to Captain Fontaine.

Cassy, and Anthony for the most part will be left to themselves. Latigo, however will get to know everyone quite well. {OOC- If necessary I can provide a crew list.}


Jamestown's Investigation: {Cara, James, Taros, and Abbie}
As Mid-August approaches Cara will finally settle the chaos in Helmswood. Sister Ferina promotes several clerics at Sunhaven, with Cara's final pronouncement, of course, and will stay in Helmswood. Cara and Taros can then investigate the scout party's disappearance.

By now Cara and Taros would be aware that James had sent these scouts via their sending stones. The Scouts had gone to investigate a missing patrol party. This patrol party also set out North from the command post in which Ethan reported to.

By now Abigail was far beyond the command post when Trillo would've tracked the party down for Taros and Cara to aid. They were somewhere up in the lower mountains of the North. Finn's mountains. They were huge and expansive, and said to have once housed the Frost Giants.

All in James' party will be relieved to see the appearance of the cleric and paladin, and morale for them improves immediately. Taros was an up-and-coming dragon-rider, and a living legend to some of the local Northern boys. And Cara, well, she was touched by the divine, and now people had seen her glow!

When the holy pair join the search squad, Abigail will be hot on the trail of lost Captain Ethan's Scout party. It is leading you all up higher into the mountains, eventually 3 days away from the Northern post in Jamestown.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

The delays in Helmswood were over, but it had cost Cara and himself valuable time getting to James. But then, the paladin knew James was quite capable.

When they finally spy the warrior's party, the knight spurs his horse onward, sure that Cara will be following behind. He was eager to hear the news.

"Hail, Sir James! Aye, Lady Cara's lands are doing well, but you can surely ask her yourself, as she is close to follow."

Dismounting, and embracing the adept-turned-leader, he adds, "Good to see you again, though I wish the circumstances were better. What is the situation?"

[dauphinous]

It was a good way to turn 24. Right up until Jarle (younger brother, #10) hit Cara in the face with his plate of cake, which only happened because James' Sending distracted her too much to move out of the way. She sat there blinking for a few moments, sorting out the Sending, then responded. "Taros and I will be there as soon as we can. Not tonight, though. I certainly can't go like this." As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back and change exactly what she'd said. It must have sounded like- Well, who knows how James would interpret that. Probably not as 'I have a faceful of cake and my family will be really unhappy if I leave before morning'. Then she just shook her head and laughed.

The Sending from Greta hit her at a much less awkward moment, and she just responded quickly, "I'll be there as soon as I can."

Now she needs Trillo, of course. To avoid as much goodbying as she can, she just tells everyone over breakfast that 'something urgent' came up and she has to leave. That morning, she is back in Helmswood, dealing with the mess she feels is her own.

-----

Cara watches Taros ride ahead with a smile. Suiting up had cost them more time than Helmswood, at least as far as she can tell. It felt like it took forever to strap the armor on again, as Taros' help was almost more of a hindrance... But here they are, and her horse comes into view as Taros gets to his question. "My apologies for not arriving sooner." Her helm carried under one arm ensures that her expression, a cheerful smile, is quite visible. She nods to James once, then dismounts and offers James as much of a hearty hug as one can while wearing fullplate.

[Idiotbox90]

We could have her, if we wanted to. And we do certainly want her. There are urges my inner demon has not had satisfied in a while. The urge to hurt, the urge to insult, the urge to use others as playthings. But I am above its petty urges now. I am above my lesser half. I am like the priests said I should be, able to control myself. Still, there is no harm in being in a relationship. If Taros can do it, I certainly can. I will just have to be careful and avoid losing my inner calm. Gods, this may be difficult.

Anthony continues to smile at the fair acrobat. It is clear that he is somewhat entranced by her.

"My lady, if I have my way, the Fourth will one day have a dagger in his heart and ashes where his face once was. But, I do have a question. If you wish to remain silent, it would be fine. You say that what happened to your family is your fault. How could you be guilty for the actions of others?"

[Vazzaroth]

James returns the welcomes, dismounts, and looks behind Taros inquisitively when he mentions Cara coming along too. He thought the last sending he received meant she was too busy, or incapacitated.

At the sight of his old companions, he had a foreign urge to hug them. Before he could complete the thought, they seemed to have read his mind. They exchanged a loud clinking, James' mithral sending a particularly strange sound into the air. He couldn't remember being any happier to see anyone before.

So good to see you both! Indeed, we should resolve to meet on more happy terms in the future. James looks around at the soldiers with him.

Currently, I have our ally Abbie leading the tracking team. She seems to be just the person for the job. The ones missing are Lord Wolf, a young noble who's post I superseded and my best pupil, Ethan. They were both eager to lead the scout team to look for the bandits that have slain my soldiers... also, they brought one of two captured bandit prisoners, one who I had thought was ready to redeem himself. It seems my judgment was mistaken. I have brought the other captive, James points to a nearby horse, where Deeker is thoroughly shackled, guarded, and gagged, tied to a soldier's horse, walking behind it. but he is far less cooperative. Because of the circumstances, the men have been ordered to kill should he try to escape, or a "bandit rescue" is attempted. I regret having to resort to barbaric methods, but these men have shown no mercy to the honest soldiers they murdered in cold blood.

[BlueWizard]

To Jamestown and Finn's Mountains: {Cara, Taros, James, and Abbie}
Cara and Taros will be teleported with gear and horses. Trillo brings one as well, he also has brought along his teen apprentice, as servant, Reollo. This trial by fire apprenticeship was common in the North, though the good master always felt horrible when they died. Reollo rode behind his master Trillo, on his saddle. They rode a sturdy war horse with no barding, but many sacks.

Taros will be left alone to find the others and then Trillo would come with Cara.
Cara took care of everything in Helmswood, and Trillo even helped in picking up veteran priestess Ferina. Ferina also began to talk of calling in old Beth to do this, but Cara had final approval on that.

Three days out in the mountains from the post in Jamestown, and two days after Cara and Taros joined Abigail's tracking team, the elven ranger will find a devastated campsite outside a few caves into granite rock outcroppings of the mountains.

There is horse and human blood everywhere, and a destroyed fire-pit, but nothing remained! Abbie will feel as if the group is being watched from the woods as they come to the lost party's campsite. Abbie can also tell there was a mission into the caves that she can roughly follow.

Deeker will be completely non-compliant on the journey.


Crusty Bucket: {Anthony, Cassy, Latigo}
"I left my land, and they made my family pay. I knew too much. I came to the North with my boyfriend... though I think he died in the dragon wars." She shrugs, "But, don't worry, I won't care if you have a girl back home. What happens on the ship stays on the ship." She is now playing coy with Anthony, and looking sexily at his enchanting eyes. The more she looked the more she could not pull away. It is clear she wants no relationship, but she has fallen in the moment for Anthony.

For the rest of the voyage to Kandor's Seas, Elise is infatuated by the dangerously handsome warlock. {OOC- What happens for those few weeks is up to I.B.90 :smallcool: }

This relationship will spawn rumors, whatever comes of it.

When the shipmates are receiving news about their friends in Jamestown, Captain Fontaine will have switched to Red Alert. There were many dark 4-man sail-skiffs seen racing about the oceans of Kandor. These were of no problem against an armed ship, but often carried assassins, Fontiane says.

The ship guard is increased even more at night, and there is less time off. Fontaine, though continues to keep low arms on the deck to maintain the appearance of traders... though that often drew its own attention. But, hey, He was the richer for MAKING it to Kandor.
These nights the captain refused to call on his usual bed-mates.

The evening that Cara tells Cassy, they were exploring the caves in the Northern Mountains, a blood-curdling scream rips through the air. {It will be daytime where James and Cara are.} It is the Captain. "NEVER! Noooo!!!"


The officer's quarters are small 5x5 rooms in an approximate ten foot thin hall. {Yes the beds are small!} At the end of the hall was a door to the Captain's Meeting room, two smaller rooms 5x5 were to the left and right of here, one was Fontaine's personal locker, the other his bedroom. The center room is roughly 15 feet wide and 20 feet deep, to the back window of the ship. Which is usually curtained.

At the moment you are all safely locked in your room, with the night crew up and about. {OOC- If you feel you would've been part of the night crew on the deck of the ship, I can place you there. If Anthony wants to be with Elise, it should be in his room, for she sleeps in the bunk hall with the crew.}

All of you will hear the scream and can act.
Initiatives:
Latigo 20+9 {like he needed any more...:smallbiggrin: }
Cassy 19+6
Anthony 5+3 {Perhaps he IS with Elise???}

[dauphinous]

Cara frowns at Deeker. "He would have been best left behind, James. Bringing along a hostile captive- Never mind. He's here, and so are we. Though the circumstances are ill, it is good to see you James, and to see you are doing well."

She takes to riding beside Deeker, offering a few words here and there about Pelor, and the Light, and doing Good for the sake of Good. She does her best to start unobtrusively, in the hopes that he will barely notice her proselytizing until he's already starting to agree with it. Because, even though she holds there to be no hope for some (like orcs, and priests of the Void, for example), for most, there is always a chance to turn around and start over.

She offers Holy Gruel for the trip, and takes to casting Greater Status augmented by her Rod of Extend, applying it to Abbie, whomever is riding rearguard, and to Taros. Although she does not anticipate getting separated, it is best ot be prepared. She also casts Status, also augmented, applying that to James, Reollo, and Deeker. If he manages to escape, she wants to know where he goes.

{
Cast Create Food and Water to provide meals during this trip
As we head out each morning, cast:
Greater Status on Abbie, Taros, and the rearguard, lasts 18 hours
Status on James, Reollo, and Deeker, lasts 18 hours
}

[kariokie]

Cassy's drinking a glass of wine and drawing little mustaches and glasses on illustrations in a book she borrowed from the lab back at the castle, Ye Olde Wizards of Greate Legende, when she hears the scream. Dropping the glass and the book, she grabs her staff and gets moving before she has time to consider how dumb her plan is.

{If she can tell what room the scream came from, Dimension Door into it. If not, she'll go out to the common space and look.}

[Vazzaroth]

Perhaps... but should he turn out to be some kind of sorely missed bandit, and they decide to mount a daring rescue... well, I'd rather have it happen out here, when I'm around, than back at the fort when I'm away. Of course, thief and murderers aren't particularly well know for daring rescues.

James is grateful for the spells, the meals mean then men don't have to waste time hunting/cooking and can continue on, and the tracking spells are a nice re-assurance.

[Idiotbox90]

"I assure you, even if I had what I would consider a home, it would lack a girl right now." Anthony clasps Elise's palm. "There is some Elven wine in my cabin if you would like to pass the bottle around, reminisce on our days of crime, maybe do something more."

"Something more" happens often during their time on the ship, although Anthony does his best not to keep her from whatever duties she has. He is with her when he hears the captain's scream.

The warlock's brown eyes begin to give off a faint red glow as he grabs his haversack.

"Trouble, damn it all. Do you keep a weapon on you? If not, I have a dagger you can borrow. Wake the crew, make sure- On second thought, just do what you think needs to be done. This is your area of expertise, not mine."

Anthony is caught unawares and feels somewhat vulnerable due to his lack of armor, but heads into the common room anyway, keeping close to the ceiling.

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

The door to the dark merchant's cabin opens only briefly as the cry rips through the quiet night. The invisible pixie rogue zips through the ship toward the sound, deftly dodging any crew in his way.

[BlueWizard]

Crusty Bucket:
Elise is never late for duty, and ready to meet Anthony's late night 'challenges' when ever. She tries to make the meetings discreet by climbing in Anthony's window, but Cassy and Latigo are wise to the visits. The walls are not that thick here.

In response to Anthony in the chaos, Elise's eyes will go to the pile of leather, and lingerie on the floor. "I've become quite good with a dagger. Especially if they don't see me coming."

Elise's eyes will light up with excitement as he move to the ceiling.

Meanwhile, young Cassy is already in the room.

The captain's main room has a round table where all of you have eaten and sat, at some point on the voyage if not multiple times. The captain did like guests for dinner, and held meetings here often. There were a couple couches and lounge chairs where the Sea Druidess and Seawell kids usually slept.

Right now as Cassy pops into the main chamber on full alert, the first sensation she feels through her bare feet is a warm, viscous liquid running through her toes. She will realize in the lowlight that she is standing in fresh blood. The druidess lays with her neck up and split open on a nearby sofa, with chest up and arms out. Red blood gushes out her quite dead naked body. No one else is here, but in the lowlight she sees the large frame of the Captain falling forward with a thud near his bedroom door on the right of the room.

There are three other hooded shapes in the room that are now taking note of Cassy.

One hooded figure is by the rear window half through a circular cut in the window, poking their head and upper torso through a curtain. The second is at the main door in blocking anyone else from entering this chamber. The third is a feminine form, that reminds Cassy so much of Tunia's lithe and athletic body she'll have to disbelieve it. The third figure is the only one with blood on her blade, and has just cut the captain's throat. It looks like he stepped out to prevent the assassin from entering his sleeping chamber. He only wore a robe and big silly night cap.
Cassy does not see either of the three Seawell children, and also can see that the assassin in the window has an arm-load of papers, that look fresh out of the captain's log.

Latigo was the first up and out of his room into the hall ahead of Athony, and Cassy hears as Latigo attempts to open the door, which is blocked. Latigo will have trouble getting through the door.

All the assassins have acted, but are noticing Cassy in the room.

End Round 1------------------------->

Initiatives:
Latigo 20+9 {like he needed any more... }
Cassy 19+6
4 assassins
Anthony/Elise 5+3


Into the caves:
Abbie finds a big drag mark where it appears one of the horses fell. The horse, and most everything else was dragged to the lower cave. It seems pretty clear that if anyone is left alive they will be inside the cave.

The soldiers of the camp politely eat Cara's bland nutritional food, though many of them stick to the dried beef or fruit they brought along, preferring the flavor.

[kariokie]

It takes Cassy a second to put the world right again after she Dimension Doors into the room. Then she notices the blood. "Oh, EW! Ca-" No Cara. Think.

She yells back through the door, "Door's blocked. Assassins. With papers. Goin' out the window!" She looks at the female assassin then, the one with blood on her blade. "Wanna see something scary?"

{Phantasmal Killer on the female assassin. PK! Will Save, DC 21. If failed, take 3d6 damage and then the assassin needs to make a Fortitude Save, DC 21 or die. Cast defensively if needed, +12.

AC: 17
HP: 38}

[tgva8889]

Abigail mostly continues tracking, sure that she has a good path to go by. What could have gone wrong here? They look as though perfectly following orders. She follows the path as quickly as she can without hindering herself, Seraph providing a guide as well as a security measure.

****

The camp site lowers Abbie's spirits a bit. Seraph circles the camp site at all times, watching for anything suspicious. "This camp was obviously attacked by something horrible. It looks as though some of the men traveled into the cave near here, or perhaps they were forced there." The elf racks her brain in order to help figure out what could possibly have caused this, though she doesn't believe she knows of any natural predator that would have done this.

Noticing the drag marks as she goes over the camp again, she says, "We'd best be going inside this cave if we're going to try to find anyone still alive." She seems solemn and unnerved at the campsite.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Taros nods at the elf's assessment. She seemed to have regained some of her former self, after her journey. "Then into the caves it is. Just like old times, eh, James?"

Taros draws his sword, and hefts his shield. Whatever waylaid the scouts, and took them into the cave, was sure to put up a fight.

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Knowing he lacks the strength to force open the door, Latigo is about to try something drastic when he hears Cassy's voice from inside the room. Of course, the window.

Still invisible, he takes again to the air and heads for the Captain's window hoping to catch an escaping thief. Hang in there Cassy.

Good thing I fly fast. Like 40 mph fast. :smallwink:

Run (360' perfect)

[Vazzaroth]

((Do the soldiers have bows or ranged weapons? Don't want the low-HP npcs going in first, but they would do little good in the back with blades. Trying to figure out if it's worth it to bring them in with the heroic PCs.))

Aye. The test of skill and might in the long overdue battle ahead excites me, but the possibility of finding the fate of the men to be bad does not... James draws his blade and gives it a few short swings. Listen to me, I sound like one of the old sword-sages back at my temple. Yea, just like old times, Indeed.
He will lead the expedition into the cave.

[dauphinous]

Cara peers into the cave. It seems like a bad idea to take Deeker in with them to her. Of course, bringing him along at all seems like a bad idea to her, so that's really no surprise. Then again, if he is left outside it, someone will have to watch him, and they will be fat targets for anyone who might feel like taking advantage of a split group. She gives a light sigh. Decisions, decisions.

"Abbie, take point, but be ready to fall back or let others get past you. We are short on ranged attackers, and you excel at that. Taros and James, you follow her. Everyone else behind them, and I'll take the rear. Put Deeker right in front of me, but you," she indicates the soldier who will be in front of Deeker, "be ready to take control of him."

{
Cara would actually use the names of the soldiers under James' command to assign them to the marching order. I'm sure she knows them all by now.
}

[tgva8889]

Abigail nods to Cara, taking a few moments to mumble some words to Elhonna and cast a spell on the campsite. "Alright, here we go." Drawing her bow from its case in her bag, as well as an arrow from her quiver, the elf moves farther into the cave, keeping her feet closer to the ground to remove sound as well as checking the ground for the path into the cave that the soldiers either took or were forced down. Despite being a survivalist, Abbie did not want to have to attempt to survive a cave-in or perhaps get lost, however unlikely that might be. Seraph perches herself on Abbie's shoulders as she goes in.

(cast the silent version of alarm on the campsite, or at least, as much of it as the area will allow.)

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony reaches into his haversack and draws out one of his wands. With a surge of violet energy and a loud bang, the door breaks apart.

((OOC: Assuming the door weighs 30 lbs. or less.))

[BlueWizard]

Jamestown
{James notes: soldiers are armed with long swords, daggers, and long/short bows with chain mail... plus standard issue supplies from the kingdom. These men can be some of the soldiers you helped supply master-work weapons to.}

Not many men of high experience were stationed in Jamestown, and you always needed to keep some at the home-fort to maintain order. With Captain Ethan out and missing, the officer corps of General Bellows was thin. Likely most of this scout-train, would be of low-level, though not rookies, since there had been heavy losses in the area.

Abbie, with some time, has determined that the scout-party camped here at night unaware of these nearby caves. They were jumped by what appears to be goblinoids. She has found more than a few hobgoblin prints. It was tough though for there was a real attempt to wipe clues from the area, even if they left the blood to soak. Typical of goblins, they were usually bad at this sort of thing; they forget obvious things like big red stains. Normal soldiers should be able to handle a war party of goblins though....

James: Soliders under direct James command{DM suggestion}
All fighters
8: 2nd level
4: 3rd level
1: 5th level
Lord Trillo an eleventh level wizard {officially a lieutenant}.

Trillo agrees with Cara in leaving no-one behind. Goblins love to pick off smaller groups, and probably had hidey-holes and hidden exits all over the mountainside. Abbie could probably find more than a few of these small passages if she wants to spend even more time searching. Trillo also suggest that all valuables be brought along. "In an emergency," Trillo will tell all along the journey,"I can get all of us out of here in about 30 seconds." He looks to Cara and Taros, "I hope to have a few volunteers to be last." He is trying to be funny, but is clearly not good at it, and in the wrong place for it.

The horses are nervous the more time is spent here, the veteran soldiers of the last goblin wars say this was how they acted right before the goblins sneak-attacked. This notice will put all the men on edge, they will be extremely wary and cautious.

If all are ready the large party will head into the cave. Some of the men in the center of the group will light torches nervously. Trillo will be by Deeker and Cara, to help with the rascally man. The men will feel honored that Cara uses their name in the ordering. They are eager to work for her to please her. No disrespect for General Bellows, but the divine ones hold high rank among most societies.

The cave slopes down and narrows to 8 feet wide once the sun light can't be seen. The walls are very smooth, as if a million goblin hands have rubbed against it over eons.

Abbie will remember something else she heard about goblin caves, they are poorly constructed, and often do collapse. The best goblin civilizations usually took over their dwellings from deceased gnomes or dwarves. A bird once told her that dwarves once roamed here in the ancient days....



Crusty Bucket:
Round 2 vs Assassins:

Latigo darts invisibly back to his room, out his open window, and up and around the command deck {which is right above your bedrooms}. The night crew is running about arming themselves. Buck Longleaf, a half-elf {only Latigo knows this} aboard the ship, is in-charge, and currently barreling into the hall next to Anthony. Latigo is racing and has no time for this, {he does not yet know of the escaping thief, he will come up and around to view both known rear windows into the Captain's bedroom and Central Meeting Room}. Latigo will then notice a two-legged catamaran {the imperial skiff} with a black sail tied to the rear of the Crusty Bucket. The only reason he noticed it was because he knew to look for something, and saw through the minor image illusion that made it appear as waves.
A fourth assassin awaits upon the skiff, and is focusing on the illusion spell. The invisible Silvas will also notice the escaping assassin slipping out the large hole cut in the window on a rope up to it. They are not aware of him at all.

Cassy acts first, as the lady-assassin intends to enter the captain's room stepping over his body. The young sorceress stops that. {OOC- Oooow... And the sorceresses get their charisma bonuses, right? Ooooow...} A vague form suddenly appears before the lady-assassin, she reaches out with her arms, dropping everything. She screams with her arms up, and falls back into the room with a loud thud over the captain's bloody body.

Those outside the room or elsewhere on the ship, hear a horrible scream. Most of you will think Jerica or the other Seawell daughter was brutally murdered. Cassy will realize her study in the human brain worked, she found that utter fear spot. She wasn't sure what awful shape enveloped the assassin's head, but the fright of it caused her brain to stop functioning immediately and die.

The other two assassins Cassy sees bolt for the window. The one with the arm-load of papers is staring at horrified anger at Cassy, he keeps a tight lip, and slips out the window down a rope. All these assassins are dressed like black leather clad, masked ninjas.

The one by the door bolts just as Anthony's spell shatters the blocked door. This one is in the process of climbing out, as Elise comes peeking out from the bedroom, only in a slip holds a dagger and looks in amazement at Anthony on the ceiling, "You gotta teach me that." She then steps forward, and hurls her dagger with deadly accuracy. She critically gashes the last escaping assassin in the back of the neck, and drops him. "We could make a good team."

Latigo RIGHT above the rear window, will see the assassin with the papers slide and down to the skiff on a rope. When the last assassin is hit by Elise's critical dagger, he falls forward through the window shattering most of the rest of it, raining glass on to the men waiting below. The dark-hooded wizard drops his spell, and casts another as the thief-assassin with the papers begins to undo the tie-line. They are speaking quietly, but over the waves even Silvas cannot hear them.

End Round 2-------------------------------->
{OOC- Sheesh! Two down, two to go!}


Initiatives:
Latigo 20+9 {like he needed any more... }
Cassy 19+6
2 of 4 assassins
Anthony/Elise 5+3

[dauphinous]

Although Trillo meant it as a joke, Cara takes him seriously. "Should it come to that, Trillo, take these soldiers to safety and leave James, Taros, Abbie, and I." She adjusts her grip on her shield and heads in last. She spends the majority of her time keeping a watch behind herself, and mentally tracking all six people she has under status spells. Even though it is a trifle distracting, it is good to know that she will be alerted if anything happens to any of them. Such a thing could change the flavor of any fight.

{
I'll declare the 5th level fighter as the soldier who was designated rearguard and is therefore under one of Cara's status spells.
Spot +5 if needed
}

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony drops to the floor and puts his wand back into his haversack.

"If if can teach you, I certainly will. Cassy, what in the Nine Hells is happening? Are there more of them?"

After recieving an answer, the warlock will crawl through the window and onto the deck, scanning for the assassins.

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo spots the skiff and the assassins trying to escape on it. In an instant, his bow is out and one of his special arrows is flying.


Pixie Sleep Arrow Sneak Attack on the illusion maker
[roll0]
[roll1]
DC 17 Fort Save or Sleep

[kariokie]

Cassy's a little surprised when the assassin drops dead of fright. Um. That worked. She wasn't quite sure what she had intended to show the woman, exactly, but whatever it was had done the job.

"Two more, they went out the window," she answers Anthony. Strangely, she doesn't feel that nervous or frightened. Not like she used to.

Casting Fly on herself, Cassy goes out the window after the escaping assassins. "Hey, better surrender now, or I'll keep knocking you off one by one!"

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Hobgoblins.

The warlike humanoids were generally more organized than orcs, but still weren't typically a threat to a trained band of warriors. If they were lucky, the hobgoblins would've taken prisoners for ransom. If they weren't...well, it was best not to consider that.

Taking the lead of the group, Taros follows a respectable distance from Abbie, letting the elf scout out the dangers ahead. Frequently adjusting his grip on his sword, however, he was on a hair-trigger for danger.

[BlueWizard]

The Jamestown Caves: {James, Cara, Taros, Abbie}
The party goes deep into the cave, the passage-walls turn from old smooth stone to newly hewn rock, showing the difference in modern and old caves. Piles of rubble and rock litter the cave. It appears that you will be approaching an area with passages off the main corridor.

Abbie definitely hears something up ahead, and smells goblin stench.

Trillo will nod in respect to Cara, his librarian days have made his pale skin look green in the light provided by the torches. Trillo grumbles to Deeker. "If you give any help, I'll act for free as your counsel." Deeker only gives Trillo a mean intimidating glare over his muzzle, it perturbs Trillo a bit.

Taros will sense evil lurking down the blocked, dark passages ahead.


Crusty Bucket:{Latigo, Anthony, Cassy}

Latigo fires his magic arrow into the wizard, and pains him. The wizard shakes off the magical sleep-effect, but only barely!

Cassy will have no trouble flying out the mostly broken window. Cassy can still see Elise's kill bobbing in the water by the skiff. The assassin with the paper looks to the wizard and throws his hands up, tossing the papers into the sea as he does so. "You want me Cassy! Come get me! You know who you killed?!?" The infuriated assassin takes no move only to reveal his face. It is a handsome one. Cassy has never seen it, but it looks like so many others. He has black hair, tan skin, and glittering green eyes. His eyes are filled with tears, as his eyes flash red. He draws out a hidden amulet, a red dragon carved ruby emblem, the well-known symbol of the Emperor. {OOC- No-one has enough knowledge to know this younger prince's name. His elder sister is Princess Arrianna.} He says most devastated, "You killed Petunia's sister...."

The wizard has no time for this and almost blasts his companion. However, he targets Cassy with a Resilient Sphere which she deftly avoids. The wizard curses at the assassin-prince, "Heron! You fool! Help me flee!"

Anthony moves outside the ship's broken window, and can see Cassy and Latigo dealing with the two dark figures on the skiff. The crew is now getting bows and rushing to the command deck, where they can look over the ledge to shoot. Elise follows Anthony up, but stays back as she sees the shimmering force almost envelop Cassy outside.

End Round 3------------------------------------------>

Initiatives:
Latigo 20+9 {like he needed any more... }
Cassy 19+6
2 of 4 assassins
Anthony/Elise 5+3

[kariokie]

"So what? Two of her sisters down, how many more to go?" Cassy's hardly concerned with killing more of Tunia's no-good relatives, though there's a slight emptiness in her stomach when she realizes how Tunia might feel about that. Shaking it off, Cassy holds her staff out, pointing it towards the ship. "Let's see how far you get without your stupid boat."

There's a nagging feeling in the back of her mind. An idea that she should be paying a little more care to her safety. Cara would be yelling right about now. Flying backwards as she channels her energy through the staff, Cassy tries to put distance between her and the skiff, so the nastier of the wizard's spells can't catch her. Once she's a fair distance away, a small red bead erupts from the end of the runestaff and flies towards the boat, exploding into a ball of fire.

{Fireball, 9d6 damage, Reflex Save DC 20 for half. The primary goal is to burn their skiff to bits, though, especially the rigging/sails, but trying to avoid our ship. Move backwards 60' before casting.}

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Peering into the caves, Taros states the obvious: "Be on your guard, men. There is evil afoot."

Gripping his sword, he invokes a brief prayer to Heironeous for strength.

Invoke Divine Vigor: +18 temp HPs for 3 minutes

[Idiotbox90]

"Hey, Latigo, do we want them taken alive? Yay or nay?"

If Silvas answers nay, the glow in Anthony's eyes will increase in intensity as the warlock unleashes his full power on one of the assassins.

((OOC: AB: +9, Dmg: 9d6, Range: 250, Target must make a DC 16 Reflex Save or take 2d6 dmg the following round.))

[dauphinous]

Although she cannot possibly hear or see exactly what is going on in the front of the group, what with all the horses and people in the way, she senses through her spell that Taros has bolstered himself. She briefly considers what sorts of effects might be best suited to the unknown situation, then just settles on providing a generic sort of blessing over everyone as they walk.

{
Cast Bless, which will last 9 minutes, and should affect the whole group except Abbie, who is presumably too far away.
}

[tgva8889]

Abigail would not have spent the requisite time to find the other hidden cave exits from the mountain. The knowledge of the goblin attack on the camp and the inevitably weakened cave structure do not make her much happier to have been here today. Nonetheless, she steels herself as she moves into the cave, quiet and unnaturally still.

Her elven senses recognizing the semi-familiar smell of goblin forces Abbie's instincts into drive. She draws her hands together in a familiar fluid motion, her arrow in a position where it can be easily fired. She whispers to Seraph, "We are getting closer." Seraph moves its head in a sort of nod-like motion, merely an acknowledgment of the words and not a suggestion of action.

Moving still quietly, Abbie draws a bit closer to the body of the group, still watching the ground for signs of the lost soldiers. When she reaches the others, she says at a low whisper, "We've found goblins. I can't necessarily tell you exactly how many, but I'm not fainting, so there can't be a warhost in there." The elf makes no other comments as she moves back to the head of the group, though Seraph makes a head motion which could be incomprehensible at best.

(+19 on any necessary tracking checks, +17 on Move Silently checks.
[roll0])

[Vazzaroth]

James almost has to struggle to keep from getting over excited at the thought of a forth coming battle. This is what he lived for, and it had seemed like eons since his last real one. He kept calm, however, by remembering what was at stake, and the cause of the battle. Before Abbie takes off again to scout, James whispers back:
Keep an eye out for my men...
An outright attack and they could very likely kill the captives.
James feels the grip on his Bastard Sword, rubbing his thumb on it, and reminds himself of some kind of gladiator before a match.

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo, seeing the assassins together on the skiff, makes a diving run, peppering them with arrows as he goes. At the end of his run, he flies up and away from the skiff hoping to get out of range.

Hearing Anthony's call he sweeps a free hand across his throat. Of course, he'd like them alive, he had questions aplenty. But dead would be fine, too. Yes, better they were dead than more of us.


Great Flyby Attack (up to 9 targets, does not trigger AoOs)
Pixie Sleep Arrows
Flight 90' perfect

[roll0]
[roll1]
DC 17 Fort or sleep

AC: 27 + invisiblilty
HP: 28

[BlueWizard]

Crusty Bucket:
Latigo fires another sleep arrow at the defiant wizard as he shoots a flurry of arrows in an invisible fly-by. {wiz: crit save fail!} The wizard falls asleep immediately on the deck of the ship, snoozing with the small fairy arrow in him. Heron the Prince ignores the effect, and simply looks annoyed at the arrow, that wounds him slightly.

Cassy launches her fireball at the water-craft {d:38}, which makes it explode in a fury of flame and splinters. The sleeping wizard disappears into the fire and sea, though the prince somehow survived, despite taking the full force of it as well. Cassy placed the fireball perfectly so that the explosion only just singed the ship's aft. This burn mark will later be a source of pride for the witnessing night-crew.

When the smoke and fire clears, a burnt up Prince is floating in the water among smoldering skiff-wreckage. He throws his hands up in disgusted surrender.

Above Cassy there is a cheer of about ten men with bows, crowded on the command deck. They are all looking over the back-end of the ship and cheer heartily when the small catamaran goes up in explosive flames.


Combat Over------------------------------->

Anthony sees nothing else around, the crew will work together to reign the prince in, and bind him up as a prisoner.


Sunhaven:

Searph has to walk like a horse in the cave. The celestial eagle looks miserable as she mopes along on her talons.

The same moment that Abbie sees the red eyes coming, is the same time that all of you can act. A great rumbling of rocks is heard, and Abbie jumps back toward the party. {reflex 10+14!} The front way is blocked, but openings all around her show hobgoblins pouring out.

Behind Cara she can hear hooting of more, perhaps 2 or 3 rounds away.

Initiatives:
Abbie 11+6
Soldiers
Cara 15+1
Taros 12+1
James 8+3
hobgoblins

[kariokie]

A few months ago it sickened her to cast killing magic, but here she was. She'd struck Tunia's sister down with just a thought, blown a ship to bits, and probably killed that wizard, too. All in a few seconds. Cassy wasn't quite sure how she felt about all of it. A little proud. Happy she was powerful. People would really have to try to hurt her now.

But also guilty. What had the last thoughts of that woman been? She was probably more frightened than in her entire life. And then she was dead, and off to where bad people go, burnt up and poked and whatever demons do to sinners. She's probably done worse to others. No less than she deserves. Still, it was... well, it was what it was.

Cassy swoops down, trying to gather any of the papers the assassin took and later dumped in the water. "Guess I wasn't thinkin' 'bout that. Eh, oh well." While she's down there, she dips her feet in the water, trying to wash off the blood.

[dauphinous]

Cara idly wonders what sort of witty remark Cassy would offer at this turn of events. She would certainly say something sarcastic or derisive in some manner. She grins a little as she begins casting what is likely to be the first of many spells and turns to face whatever seems to be coming up behind them.

{
Cast Magic Circle vs. Evil, lasts 100 minutes
}

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo returns to his cabin window and returns to both visibility and his merchant form. He calls out to Cassy and Anthony, "nice shooting," before tucking away his own bow and rushing to the captain's quarters.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Taros shouts, "Ambush! Defensive position!" He tries to indicate that they form a semi-circle against one of the rock walls, preferably with no bolt-holes, or to use the new caved-in section as a means to keep themselves from being surrounded.

That done, he prepares for the onslaught of hobgoblins.

{
If necessary, move to a more favorable position near the front, or to block off a bolt-hole.
Otherwise, ready-action, full-attack on the first hobgoblins to meet him:
Attack 1: [roll0] Damage: [roll1]
Attack 2: [roll2] Damage: [roll3]

100/82 HP, AC 29
}

[tgva8889]

Abigail mumbles something incomprehensible under her breath as arrows seem to fly from her bow, hailing upon the hobgoblins as they come. She seems to enjoy herself a bit more than she used to. Though she doesn't let on about it, Abbie seems a lot more in tune with her bow than the last time she used it.

Seraph screeches and claws over to Abbie, but otherwise does nothing to contribute, as Abigail warns her to stay down with a look, more afraid that she'll be hurt in the fight than anything.

(+15/+15/+15/+10 on the full-attack, abusing Manyshot and Improved Rapid Shot. 1d8+3 damage. Point Blank Shot if applicable, though at this point I do doubt it. Attack the ones most threatening to Abbie, probably the closest, but if she can slow down the onslaught, she'll do that instead.

47/47 HP, 23 AC)

[Vazzaroth]

James will move to enact Taros' defensive plan if it seems possible, otherwise he will simply try to cut down the first enemy that comes in range, or threatens his soldiers.

((Edit:
Full: +17/+12(W/ +1 from bless), 1d10+9 ))

[BlueWizard]

Hobgoblin Caves:
Abbie {3 hit d:6, 11, 11} spins and fires her arrows at the many hobgoblins attacking her. 3 drop immediately. Her fourth shot missed badly, and the arrow busted on the rock-wall. She won't be able to fire her arrow that well soon, as she is being swarmed.

The captain of the soldiers {5th level fighter} calls out to the men, "Hold! Draw short bows! Hold this position!" He moves to back up the front-line of badasses {James and Taros}. The region the main group is in is still the small 8 foot wide passage; even where Abbie is the passage is this wide, there are tunnels off it up there, and now the main passageway is blocked in the front. Trillo will cast Greater Invisibility on himself.

Cara's circle against evil comforts the men, and they all draw close to Cara.

The best Taros and James can do is brace the front-line of the main group for the onslaught of the rest of the hobgoblins rushing down the passage. You will all lose track of Abbie in the frenzy ahead. Taros' sword batters the first two hobgoblins that come at him into the earth. James {10+17 d:19 9+12 d:16} James simply beheads the next two.

A few others had gotten past Abbie, but now these hobgoblins were demoralized. They instead turned to flee, but merely got caught up in the on-coming masses that were continuing to pour out to the party. These cowardly hobgoblins are quickly slain, but not before causing a delay, more blood, and blockage on the passage floor.
The enemies coming from the rear were closer, and sounded as if they came at a maddening pace.

Anyone who could see the elf battle would be amazed as Abbie avoided all attacks except one lucky spear point that grazed her hip {d:1}. The damage hurt her outfit more than her. She spun, twisted, and used the advantage of her mithral chain to save her more than once!

End Round 1---------------------------->
{Lots of Hobgoblins!}

Initiatives:
Abbie 11+6 {d:1}
Soldiers
Trillo {Greater Invis.}
Cara 15+1
Taros 12+1
James 8+3
hobgoblins



Crusty Bucket:
Cassy will find that most of the papers are destroyed, those Chulyen recovers are merely documents of the ship's storage and crew lists. Any other scrap not found, should not survive long in the salt water of the ocean. Cassy will find the ocean cool here, even though the air is relatively warm at night.

The Captain's Quarters:
Elise wouldn't let Anthony too far out of the room, for already the half-naked Robero in a loincloth, and Jerica Seawell in a slip will come rushing into the bloody mess from his room. Jerica is heart-broken, and Robero stifles her cry with his hands.
Night-crew chief, Buck Longleaf, will bust-in on the scene, his full brown beard frothing in a battle readiness.
"Calm yourself, Buck!" Robero shouts as he looks sadly at Seawell. Jerica is sobbing uncontrollably into Robero's shoulder. The crew is up in no time, and a clamor and noise of crew awake is outside. The sound of the son of Seawell trying to get in is heard nearby.

1st officer Robero has cordoned off the room, with raging Buck's help. Buck will pull himself together and then act as guard into the officer's cabin.
Robero looks confused, "I don't know what to do... technically divinity makes the choice... though it does often fall to the 1st officer when no priest is represented. I think I'm captain. That is if you trust me Miss Cara and if you wish to continue our mission Lord Latigo."

EDIT:
There is soft sobbing coming from the captain's private bed.


The Main Deck:
No-one can hush the explosion of the fireball, all the men talked of it, and there was more than one, "Praise Cassy!", on the deck. The men cheer her until she is not seen, and then they cheer some more.

The filthy son of the Captain, is the last to the deck. He'd been sleeping in the bunk hall as of late. He was usually seen cleaning the latrines, but he was now trying to get by Buck to see his father.

The crew works to together to bind the assassin-prince tightly. Angry Buck keeps his lip sealed as to what happened, and looks to Cassy with a nod. "I keep an eye on this one, until you need him. A good eye." Cassy might get the idea he has other plans for the Prince.

The Prince will expect to be well treated, and will co-operate fully with anything that is respectfully done to him. It is clear, Buck has plans for this man, even if it didn't involve killing him. The rest of the crew still doesn't know of Seawell's fate.

[kariokie]

Cassy picks up the papers she can, and what Chulyen brings her, then flies back to the deck. The showoff in her does make her do a loop for the sailors, though, before landing.

"Oh, stuff the angry 'I'll take real good care of him' routine, Buck. And don't you resist this spell, princeyboy, or I'll go off without you and leave you here to them." Cassy grabs the Prince and Dimension Doors them both away from the crowds, back to the Captain's chamber where Anthony and Latigo are.

Then, smiling at the Prince, she says in her most charming voice, "You want to answer all our of questions truthfully, because I think those men will do bad things to do you if you don't. And we don't want that, right?" She gestures to Anthony and Latigo, indicating that the questions could come from any one of them.

{Suggestion. DC 20 Will Save. She'll keep casting until it works. She can cast 6 times before dipping into metamagic.}

[BlueWizard]

Crusty Bucket:
As a show of good faith, and his willingness to stay alive and safe, the Prince will fail the attempt to resist the save, and allow himself to be suggested by Cassy. He seems to be in quite the somber mood.

The sobbing will be Ramey, Seawell's younger daughter, who is curled up under Seawell's bed.

[dauphinous]

Cara (Don't forget the +1 to hit from Bless!)
HP: 68 AC: 28

With none of her status spell recipients more than marginally wounded as of yet, Cara just pulls her mace and readies to attack whatever comes close. After a moment of consideration, she starts to glow. While it may not make any difference at all, she would prefer if she was the one taking the attacks, not these soldiers.

{
ready full attack
to hit (mace, mace, shield): +9/+3/+8 (Bless included)
damage: 1d8+2 (mace), 1d4+2 (shield)

Active spells:
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (on Cara)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, captain)
Status (James, Reollo, Deeker)
}

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Seeing James has this area well in hand, but worried Abbie may become swarmed by the pressing bodies, Taros says to James with a wink, "Be right back."

Taros charges past Abbie, diving into the pell-mell of bodies, hoping to afford her the chance to make deadly use of her bow.

{
Charge Attack: [roll0] Damage: [roll1]
AC 29 (27 Charging) HP 100/82
}

[Vazzaroth]

James
AC:29 HP:105/105 Stance: None

I'll keep your "seat" warm!

James moves himself, and orders and soldiers around him to do so as well, to fill the gap left by Taros, so the defense isn't broken. He will stand and continue to cut down enemys, ready to initiate on of his practiced maneuvers at a moment's notice.

((Full attack: +17/+12, 1d10+9, 17-20, Ready to use Lighting Recovery on any miss to re-roll an attack with a +2 to hit.))

[tgva8889]

Abigail realizes just a bit too late exactly how many hobgoblins there are in this cave. Attempting to pull back into the group, she notices Taros beginning to make a few movements and holds her position for the moment. As he seems to plow through the group of goblins, Abbie moves as far as she possibly can to reach the group of soldiers, hopefully not getting herself into too much trouble. This is really beginning to get just a bit out of hand.

Seraph had taken the time to climb a bit onto Abbie, and ends up hitching a ride when Abbie pulls back towards the soldiers.

(Delay until right after Taros's initiative, at which point Abbie will take either a full retreat action to reach James's position or a normal move (if she won't provoke more than 2 AoO that way) to James and a single shot at +19. Always 1d8+3 damage, not including Point Blank Shot, which I have the feeling comes into play a little bit here.

46/47 HP, 23 AC)

[kariokie]

Cassy feels the spell take hold on the prince, then nods to the others to let them know it's working. "It'll work for the next nine hours, so no rush." Something occurs to her that makes her grin, despite the grisly scene. "Oh, hey, if he'll answer anything, let's ask him some good stuff. Hey, princey, what's your biggest secret?" She waves her hands, indicating he shouldn't really answer that. "I want to know -- who sent you, what are you doing here? That sort of thing, spill it."

Finally, though, Cassy can't ignore the sobbing any longer, and she gives a guilty glance in Ramey's direction. Cassy has little idea how to help the girl though -- people always seemed a bit of a mystery to her. All her life they'd seemed cruel and capricious and all she could do to control them is lie and promise them things they had no right to. Lie, basically. Or scare them, she'd gotten good at that. But when people weren't bad -- what then?

Well, what would Cara do? Punch this guy, I guess. And then... I don't know. Say something nice to the girl.

Still floating a few inches off the ground to prevent herself from stepping in the blood again, she heads towards the captain's bed. Floating on her side, she lowers herself so she looks under the bed, basically laying a few inches off the ground. "Hi, Ramey. Um. Everything will be okay. Well, not everything, but you know. It's safe to come out, though."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo grabs up a nearby blanket or two to cover the fallen captain. Seeing that the prisoner and the door are both secured, he orders everyone out of the room, save for Cassy and Anthony.

"Robero, you're in command, for now, we'll talk about rank and the rest of the expedition later. For now, let's clear this room so we can get some answers."

"And Buck," he says a bit louder, "get back on deck and have your men keep watch for additional skiffs. Assign someone to guard this door, but you don't need to do it yourself."

He turns then toward the sobbing, his voice now as soft as it was stern a moment ago, "Ramey, please come out now," he extends a hand to her.


[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[BlueWizard]

Hobgob Swarm:
To move at all, Abbie will have to cut through hobgoblins. She can hold until Taros' action...

The soldiers aim in both directions and fire above the tight space above James and Taros at the wall of hobgoblins beyond them. There was a few near allied misses, but these men were trained, and all arrows sailed over allied heads. About four hobgoblins are dropped from this volley, softening up this rank lf goblinoids.

Trillo still sees no rear enemies and casts sleep on four more hobgoblins, 3 of them drop, clearing the way to Abbie.

Cara holds, the men try to give her confident smiles, as she stands with her mace.

Taros stabs a hobgoblin on his way to Abbie's side, which collapses dying to the ground. The way is cleared, via the assistance of the soldiers and wizard. {Dex check success} Taros nimbly bounds over the rubble as he dashes to the elven ranger.

Abbie then retreats behind Taros beside James. Now nothing divides the party, as Taros is front-guard. He is still in a region that he can fight side by side with James if needed with all the collapsed walls, perhaps an even larger area. Rubble is everywhere.

James will have to step up to the first opening in the walls between Taros. The Captain will step alongside James and wave Abbie back with the men. James{20+17 crit 12+17 d:36 ; 14+12 d:12} In the darkness he can see more red eyes snarling. His first swipe beheads TWO goblinoids, and he crushes the skull of a third with his back-swing.

James' deadly action frightens off even more hobgoblins and they go hooting off into the darkness.
Only Taros will find himself in danger as a mean-looking hobgob with two short swords and a fine suit of shiny mithral chain, waves his blades about as an expert ranger. {Mithral is probably from some elven prince.} The hobgob ranger is viscious and draws some blood from the paladin, on two of his many swipes! {d: 7 and 8}

Cara finally sees the source of the noise behind her, a great fiery bull at first stuns her, but is too fantastical to be real, and she sees through the illusion. She is able to convince some of the men of its nature, but even Trillo cannot get out of the way of what really is happening.

What Cara's wise eyes reveal to her is this.
A horribly ugly red robed man with a grey beard is flying behind this major illusionary image of the fiery bull. When the bull breathes fire, Cara sees he is casting a spell and can charge to strike him ten feet away. She times it perfectly to get her charged attack right as he summoned up his magical words. {9+11 hit d:4} It was only a glancing blow, but it was enough to disrupt the wizard's powerful spell and engage him in melee! Trillo will later say it was Cone of Fire, the empress' specialty spell.

End Round 2------------------------------->

Initiatives:
Soldiers
Trillo {Greater Invis.}
Taros 12+1 {hp 95 of 82}
Abbie {d:1}
James 8+3
hobgoblins
Cara
Fire Wizard

OOC- Worked on Big Shots late, sorry about the delayed battle round. Possibly the same tomorrow. Can't talk about what I did though, nothing much, but fun.


Crusty Bucket:
Robero will accept his unofficial position, and act on it with the enthusiasm of a young twenty year old. He will have trouble clearing the room of the two daughters. Robero's solution is to shut the girls in the Captain's private bedroom, after the bloody mess was cleaned up at its doorway.

Buck Longleaf, the night-watch leader, will leave the strongest man competition winner as officer's cabins guard. Buck will report that he and a few others had to clean up the specialist's bunk-rooms below, for much blood seeped down there.

Ramey will be comforted, but mostly needs her sister's company in her room now. She does look to Latigo and Cassy, as one might their parent, but she is frightened, and still in the moment of the tragedy. She says nothing.

Once there is only the approved in the room... {Likely, Robero will send Elise to keep order on the crew, and to help clean up the mess below decks. She'll keep a tight lip on the rumors.}
The prince speaks softly, "I was hired by Queen Kalima. Regent of the Bahn Seas. I am merely a big game hunter... so to speak. I am unfortunately not going to inherit the wealth of my mother, so I've had to find a business. I hunt Northern Pirates. If I had known this was one of your ship's Lady Cassy... I would have never accepted this job. Kalima described your Captain's sailing patterns. It was odd, but I could tell he was wise, and crafty, and trying to avoid us. We have been trailing you with spies for some time, after you snuck off from the fleet. They never knew what you were, until I found the crew manifest. Your captain is... was a horrible cipher. Any thief could decode his dated terminology. My wife... she happened to be one of the best assassin's in the world... we made a great team... I believe Lady Cassy, you are familiar with their whole family. I am told you slew another sister of... of your girlfriend, Petunia." That name is slightly bitter to him. "I have anklets that hide me from divination, so my mother cannot even find me. I definitely suggest you don't remove that. She is always trying to track me down. I suggest you hold me hostage until this 'mission' is over, and then perhaps we can arrange some sort of anonymous ransom. I can claim I forgot the whole thing. It's the least I can do for a friend of MY benefactor. Vito the Third, of course." He looks long at Anthony, "I know of you... no-one likes you in the guild. They see you as a traitor. I think, Third's grandson may be planning something for you. He thinks you've fallen for her, and have succeeded, in... uhm 'landing' the lady. I have no problem either way. In my culture, we share our wives to consummate diplomatic relations. Other than this, which I'm embarrassed about admitting... What do you want to know?"
The Prince's eyes glow fiery red as he talks, Cassy can sense that he might be a minor sorcerer. He also turns red in embarrassment.

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 68/68 AC 28

With a bit of a grin, Cara waits for the wizard to cast again, hoping to disrupt whatever he does next. She briefly considers calling some of the other men up to help with this task, but they have enough to do, and she would rather they weren't subjected to whatever he might manage to actually cast.

{
Ready action: attack as soon as he casts.
to hit (mace, mace, shield): +9/+3/+8
damage: 1d8+2 (mace), 1d4+2 (shield)
If he moves and she can, she'll follow and only take the first mace attack at +11 instead.

Active spells:
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (on Cara)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, captain)
Status (James, Reollo, Deeker)
}

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony snickers.

"Vito the Fifth, my old boss, thinks that I'm with Cassy? By Thoth, that guy really needs to think these things through before he jumps to conclusions. I left the Guild because Vito's dad was asking me to betray my friends in a way that would result in violence."

The warlock rolls his eyes.

"I say we throw him in the brig. That's the word, right? Brig?"

[kariokie]

"I think 'overboard' is the word you're looking for, Anthony, not 'brig'. And, also: ew." Cassy makes a face at the idea that she's sleeping with the warlock. "No offense, of course. But you're not my type -- far too unlikely to try and kill me in my sleep."

"Oh, and extra ew: Tunia's not my girlfriend. She's all 'whine, whine, whine, take me back, whine, whine' -- I could probably kick her ass nine ways to Tuesday now. She can get back to me when she grows a spine and half a brain. She's so pathetic she'd probably be crap in the sack now, too."

She ticks off the topics of conversation she's covered on her fingers: sex, more sex, throwing the guy overboard, and murderous intentions of potential and past mates. Cassy looks like she's just about gotten all the information she needs when she says, "Wait, you come here, your wife kills the captain in front of his kids, and you're expecting us to just ransom you back? That's gross. You're going to jail or something. Or overboard. No way I'm letting you free to hurt someone else's dad. And let's pitch his wife's body in the sea so it'll cost them a ton to bring her back to life."

[BlueWizard]

OOC_ I will have to continue the combat round vs the hobgoblins later tonight.....

Crusty Bucket:
The Prince feels the tide turn against him and continues, "You must understand... all my information is through my wife..." When Cassy mentions tossing his wife overboard, "As to resurrecting her, Cassy, I thought you of all people would know... the price my extended family pay as nobles: We cannot return. At least not after some years in servitude to their patron deity, and then usually they reincarnated you... or time has passed... I apologize for insulting you. Please, do not dishonor my station. If you keep me prisoner for long or mistreat me, you may start another wizard-war. One insult is all that separates the Northern Kingdom and the Empire from an all-out Arcana War. The thought scares me... even the dragons know to be careful on these grounds. I am a Prince of the Old Empire! Not some merchant-assassin."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

"We'll let the crew deal with that, they seem to have a ritual for everything out here. I imagine an honorable burial for the Captain and a far less honorable one for these boarders."

Latigo thinks for a moment, "I don't suppose we have any way of bringing the Captain back to life?" He furrows his brow. He genuinely liked the Captain - and he wasn't too sure how the Queen would feel about losing an Admiral like this. Not to mention the thought of young Robero running the ship made him a bit queasy.

He turns on the prisoner the moment he gets and answer or realizes he isn't going to get one, "So no one but you knows who is on this ship or why? You haven't communicated to anyone since you set foot on the boat? Will the Queen be sending others and, if so, how do we avoid them?"

[BlueWizard]

To Latigo:
"Only I know of this mission now. Queen Kalima paid me in secret when I was hired. As far as I know no-one else is involved. No communication possible. The wizard was to send the message. He's a non-porter... my mistake.

There may be others coming. Her husband might get curious, I could tell he was itching to move.... something odd about Tunia's older brother.... that boy frightens me. You best be wary of him. Phillip is quite dangerous when he spends his wife's money."

[tgva8889]

Abigail quickly says, "Thanks for the assist," as she passes Taros. She'll stay behind the forefront of the attacks, much more able to fire her bow in a group of allied soldiers.

Now in a relatively safer position, Abbie draws arrows and proceeds to fire as before, unloading a few more shots into the unsuspecting hobgoblins. If possible, she'll aim for hobgoblins generally around Taros, targeting the mithral chain-wearing one with her first two shots and other weaker goblins around Taros with her last two shots.

(+15/+15/+15/+10, 1d8+3 to hit, Point Blank Shot if applicable.

46/47 HP, 23 AC)

[Vazzaroth]

James
AC:29 HP:105/105 Stance: Stonefoot


James is glad to have everyone close together, it's too hard to keep track of allies when they scatter.After he slices through the goblinoids, he sees one that seems to be worthy enough to hurt Taros. He will focus his attacks on the mithral hobgob.

((Full attack if within reach: +17/+12, 1d10+9, 17-20, Ready to use Lighting Recovery on any miss to re-roll an attack with a +2 to hit. If not within reach: Disarming Strike: +17, 1d10+9, 17-20, if hit [/w dmg], disarm attempt, no AoO or chance to disarm me.))

[Idiotbox90]

"Do you hear that? It's a Prince of the Old Empire, not just some incompetent thug. Of course, Prince, you just said that no one knows you're on this ship. For all the world knows, you could already be dead."

Anthony shrugs.

"I think having him die from wounds recieved in combat sounds like a good idea. After all, we wouldn't want to start a war by imprisoning him."

[BlueWizard]

Hobgoblin Caves:
The soldiers see Cara run into the illusory Bull. This convinces the rest. They now all see the ugly old man in red. The sergeants {3rd} shout, "Wizard!!!" And they rush to Cara's side to aid in disrupting the spells. The corporals {2nd} will scatter, those in charge of the horses will actually pull them toward the hobgoblins and Taros. The hobgobs seem to be dispersing before the fear of James' sword.

No-one sees Trillo as a green ray zaps at the red wizard. The green ray is dangerously targeted, and whizzes by Cara and a few soldiers in front of him. The ray burns a hole in the red robe, and scares the ugly man, he is hurt severely!

Taros begins to expertly cut through the hobgoblins around him, standing quite strong where various colors of goblin blood is splattered all over the place like a Pollack painting. {7+15 d:12; 20+10 crit 11+10 d:19} Taros attacks the mithral-clad hobgoblin with two short swords. He batters the tough goblinoid, and draws a lot of blood from its shoulder. Blood flows freely down his arm.

Abbie helps clear out the farther passage with Taros and picks off 4 hobgoblins with arrows, dropping them all! She is smooth, and pin-point with with her accuracy.

James joins Taros at his side, only able to get one attack as he moves to aid Taros. {1+18 merely a miss} James slips in the messy hobgoblin blood, and bumps into a few dead hobgoblins on the ground.

The hobgob in mithral swipes at Taros with a whirlwind of blades. Only once did the ranger clip the paladin. {d:9} The rest of the hobgobs flee or are ineffective in their attack.

The fire wizard tries the five foot-step back maneuver, away from the soldiers and Cara, to cast. Cara is on him the whole way and unloads her full attack on him, as she steps five feet with him as he casts. {11+9 d:10; 10+3 miss; 2+8 miss} Cara doesn't knock him down, but she thumps this ugly fire wizard on the head hard with her mace, causing blood to rush into the wizard's eyes. She totally messes up his spell again! And he loses another fire spell, fire ball this time. Cara can smell sulfur in the air as the wizard's yellow powder fails to launch or ignite. He glares at her in fear and anger, but keeps his face of grim determination. {Note the soldier at Cara's side will miss his attack.}

End Round 3------------------------------------->

Initiatives:
Soldiers
Trillo {Greater Invis.}
Taros 12+1 {hp 86 of 82}
Abbie {d:1}
James 8+3
hobgoblins
Cara
Fire Wizard



Crusty Bucket:

Heron looks a little perturbed. Anthony seems to especially bother him, "Oh that wouldn't be good... you'd send me straight to Tiamat, then my mother'd know right away. Look. I will be co-operative. I'm in no hurry to leave my privileged position here on this plane. I personally have a store of wealth IN Kandor. We can sneak you in, take what you like, and get you out. Look, perhaps I can even fill you in on the old kingdom of Kandor. I am guessing you are looking into the slave-trade. I can't dabble in it, but I could point out some of the locals around there. Queen Kalima is one of the big slavers in the southern region of the Kandor Seas. She deals with the illithids, and other strange alien-beasts, like the Neogi. It is scary out here, let me tell you. You may not like what you find when you snoop around Kandor. I only go there when I want to deal with really bad men, or generous bankers." He smirks an ungodly smile. {OOC- Heron the Red's charisma is unnaturally god-like, at 25. This trait runs in the imperial royal family, through Heron the Red's grandmother, Arrianna II. In fact some bards say that is why the Fire-empress married Zathos II and put him on the throne, because of the family's god-like beauty.}

Eventually, young Ramey will call for her brother, and he will find out about their father. The three siblings will then mourn together in the captain's bedroom.

The Prince sighs, "I never understood the navy's desire to put children as officers. My mother does it too... I'd trust an old sea dog anyday before most of these whipper-snappers." He eyes Robero, who is intimidated by this strong, imposing man, even as he is bound. {Heron is 29, but looks battle worn, it adds to his looks.}

The Prince looks to the handsome Antarian, Latigo, "A bit out of your element here. Not many Antarians trade in these waters. Usually only outcasts and criminals. If you want to avoid any other scouts you best sail straight in. I don't think they're expecting it, but you'll be on constant duty... Maybe even have to have night archers ready for any more bounty hunters. I give Kalima a month before she begins to wonder what happened to me. I can even... under your witness give falsified Sending reports to her. I have no problem screwing her over, she has too much of my father's gold as I see it. If you cause her to spend more of it, that is a good thing to me. Look I am a powerful man, and want to be treated well. I have been more than co-operative. This is war people. Whether the cold noses of the North want to admit it. My great-great grandmother put on record that we were at war until the North was ours once again! My action was no more murder, than you killing my wife and assistant." He is using his charm to the best he can, and seems very genuine.

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 68/68 AC 28

Not afraid of this wizard in the slightest, Cara just stays with him, concentrating on watching him carefully for the signs of spellcasting. No way is he putting a fireball on these men. Not while she's around. He would have to kill her first.

{
Second verse, same as the first! :smallwink:
Ready action: attack as soon as he casts.
to hit (mace, mace, shield): +9/+3/+8 (or +11 on a single mace attack if he moves)
damage: 1d8+2 (mace), 1d4+2 (shield)

Active spells:
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (on Cara)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, captain)
Status (James, Reollo, Deeker)
}

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Now with James to assist, Taros tries to maneuver the hobgoblin ranger to allow James to flank. Goading the goblinoid leader, he remarks, "Maybe you should spend more time with just one of those swords, instead of play-fighting. Here, have mine." With that, Taros jabs at the ranger.

His shield also springs to life, the dragon-head trying to bite at the warrior.

{
Full Attack: [roll0], [roll1]
Damage: [roll2], [roll3]

Dragon shield attacks: [roll4], [roll5]
Damage: [roll6], [roll7]

Move Action: Goad on the hobgoblin, DC 15 Will save, or he has to attack me in melee
}

[Vazzaroth]

James
AC:29 HP:105/105 Stance: Punishing


James will maneuver to help Taros flank, if necessary. He raised his sword and drops his shield arm low, increasing the power of his strikes. He failed with his last maneuver, and simply works on bringing the trained hobgoblin down. He didn't want to miss again.

((5-foot step to flank if needed, Full attack: +17/+12, 1d10+9+1d6, 17-20, Ready to use Lighting Recovery on any miss to re-roll an attack with a +2 to hit.

[kariokie]

"Not murder? She killed him in front of his kids, you royal jackass. I don't care how you try and excuse it, what you did was wrong. You aren't getting away with this." Cassy's close to Heron now, pointing her staff in his face, green eyes blazing with anger.

After a few more seconds of staring into Heron's eyes, she calms down, and looks at Anthony and Latigo. "Maybe we can use his help, but after we're done, he's going to jail. If we can't do that, I'll just have to figure out a way so he can't hurt anyone. Maybe he'll just disappear somewhere. Not dead. Just gone, somewhere no one will ever find him." She turns to smirk at Heron, "Bet you're happy you can't be scryed now, huh? There's no one to help you."

[BlueWizard]

Hobgoblin Caves:
The soldiers near Cara hold as the priestess does, the others with horses move them farther up, stepping over dead hobgobs.

Trillo sees how badly the wizard is hurt and points another green ray at the wizard, this one is not disintegrate, but dimensional anchor. The fire wizard is hit, and he curses violently as a shimmering emerald field surrounds him. "He's not going anywhere!"

The dragonface on Taros' shield comes alive and snaps at the hobgob in mithral. He slashes the hobgob a bit, but the snapping dragon mouth only nips air and frightens the mithral wearing hobgoblin somewhat.

Abbie can't see the wizard above the horses and men behind her, so she fires 4 arrows into melee, and hits the mitral-hobgob with 3 of them. {d:11, 8, 5} The hobgoblin is now looking really bad.

The tough mithral wearing hobgob has been softened up severely and bleeds grey blood all over the rocky ground. James {13+17 d:22; 5+12 miss LR: 13+14 d:15} batters the hogoblin and gives it no chance to retreat. His last blow whiffs, but a lightning backstrike decapitates the lead hobgoblin killing it outright and covering the silver mithral chain with gray blood. The whole area clears out and a nearby rumbling to the right can be heard and screams of crushed hobgoblins rip through your ears close-by.

Cara and the soldier hold for the anchored fire wizard, and pound on him.

The wizard steps up to cast defensively... it is so bad he loses whatever spell he had, but manages to avoid an attack of opportunity.

Cara {19+9; d:3 11+3 miss; 14+8 d:5} knocks the wizard out, and he now lays bleeding on the ground. He is still alive and dying.

Combat is Over! -------------------------------------------->

The sounds of hooting hobgoblins and rumbling rocks echo and almost disappear after sometime. There always seems to be the hint of noise in the air now. Abbie can feel air flowing in from the left area. There is an open area to the right, but it is also still full of dust in the air from the many fallen passages.



Crusty Bucket:
Heron the Red is quiet. He definitely looks threatened by Cassy, and shuts up. He will continue to co-operate, but is even more subdued. He looks at his ankles, and then at the tights binds upon him.

Robero will lock the prince in a lower holding area in storage, with a constant two-man watch. Robero thinks that Prince Heron shouldn't EVER have his hands free.

Robero will ask that one of you 3 break the news to the crew. He also wants Helmav the wise veteran and Orman the old crew chief to be alongside you. It is depressing to a crew to lose their Captain, and should be handled delicately.

[dauphinous]

Cara hates this part. A second ago, she would have bashed his head off. But now? He's lying on the ground, bleeding to death. All of a sudden, killing him feels wrong. She'd made this decision many times before, but it never got any easier. Leave a downed foe alive to question and imprison, or simply end it so he can cause no further harm? Use the gifts of Pelor to heal him, believing in the possibility that he can change, or take his life, knowing that some stains run too deep to erase? Sometimes, the choice seems clear one way or the other. Sometimes it doesn't.

Cara kneels beside the slowly dying hobgoblin mage, and casts a spell, putting a hand just on his chest.

{
Cast CMiW to heal 1 hit point in the hobgoblin mage.
}

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

As James fells the hobgoblin, Taros takes a moment to look around at the battle, taking in the scene. The ambush seems to have been thwarted; he can Spy Cara and a soldier finishing off the other threat.

Turning back to James, Taros says, "Well fought; you've trained your men well."

[kariokie]

"Handled delicately, huh?" Cassy waves her hand first at herself and then at Anthony, "best we don't get too involved then. Not that we're not both terribly charming -- me more than you, Anthony, of course -- however we both tend to say. Um. Things." Cassy knows she could bluff her way right through any speech to the crew, fool them into thinking everything was under control. However, it seemed as if they should hear something a little more honest than that. And 'honest' has never really been her forte.

"I can stand behind you, though, Latigo, and look terribly sorceress-like. I've got a staff and robe and everything." She looks down at her bare feet, "Everything except shoes."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo will interrogate Heron for every detail he can provide about their destination, the slave trade, and current events. He seeks names, places, and any other information that will forward or speed up their information gathering. Perhaps he can give them leads or even the information they came for that will save them time. Finally, he'll ask the man to describe every personal power or skill he has, as well.

When he's gotten all he thinks he can or has run out the clock on Cassy's suggestion spell, he moves on to other duties. He agrees with Robero's idea, but takes it a step further ordering Heron's hands be balled into fists and wrapped in cloth and then tightly bound, feet together and hands apart. He orders the man not only guarded, but watched at all times, and he says Heron should be awakened every four hours for a brief chat about the weather. If the man doesn't list seeing in the dark among his skills, he'll be kept in pitch dark room and guarded by sailors who can. And, of course, he orders the man stripped naked of everything but his anklets.

When it comes to speaking to the crew, Latigo will stick to the truth, telling them that we were boarded by spying assassins who were seeking to find out what valuables we carried and where we were bound for. When the Captain confronted them they slew him in a typically cowardly surprise fashion. We have captured their leader and, as they saw, Cassy destroyed their skiff and wizard. The body of the slain assassin will be turned over to the crew to burn in effigy or throw over board or whatever will improve their moral (Latigo will work this out with Robero, Helmav, and Orman in advance.) He will include a stirring eulogy for the Captain and a plea for the crew to carry on in the Captain's honor.


My brain is too fried to draft an actual speech right now.
Take 10 on Diplomacy - 29+ any aid another modifiers.

[Vazzaroth]

James looks around at the decapitated heads around him.
You'd think this sword is, what did that merchant call it... Vorpal.(( :smallwink: ))

Aye.. Thank you. Your act of bravery to rescue our ally was quite fitting for a paladin. Very heroic.

James smiles at Taros, but returns to the task at hand.
Perhaps that training helped Ethan and Wolf stay alive...

[dauphinous]

Cara looks up at the soldier standing with her and tells him to "bind and gag him, then sling him over one of the horses. No sense giving him any opportunities to get away if we can help it." She fishes a rope out of her pack that he can use if he needs it.

After standing up, she looks around. "Taros, James, does the sheer volume of hobgoblins here strike you as odd? We do have a prisoner now if anyone wishes to interrogate him." She gestures back to the downed wizard. "That is not my forte."

[kariokie]

Cassy stands behind Latigo as he speaks, doing her best to look all-powerful. Primarily that consists of holding the runestaff and furrowing her brow like Taros sometimes does, but she also manages to nod knowingly at appropriate points of his speech.

Later, she retires to her room to send Cara a Sending. "We were attacked by assassins. They were lame. Captain dead. We're okay. I can kill people with my mind. It's weird. Talk soon."

{Aid Another (Diplomacy)! (1d20+15=24) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1225294)}

[BlueWizard]

Hobgob Caves:
Cara is more right about the fire wizard than anyone else realized, as she touches the wizard to stop his bleeding head, she sees he is only half-human, and clearly part goblinoid. A nasty, black whiskered beard is at his chin.

The 3 sergeants begin binding the fire wizard, eager to follow Cara's divine words.

Abbie can look ahead a little, as the hobgob screams are long gone now. She will see that a smooth, ancient natural aquifer in the stone is nearby off a branch from this rougher cave. The party can leave the more recent hobgob-built caves that you are in now.

Captain Basvarti {5th level guy} sighs and looks about, answering Cara, a little out of place. {As she addressed Taros and James.} "Goblin-kin can breed fast. And there's lots of old tunnels in these mountains! We never been able to wipe'em out in the wars, more like seal them in. They got endless goblins down there. I killed at least three hundred in my 15 years. These might be some we HAD secret agreements with."

Trillo looks about, very frightened, "Yeah... but why is a half-hobgoblin fire wizard down here! Those are the robes of the empress' special fire wizard university... or Academy.... Whatever she calls it."

In the dark passage ahead, Abbie's fine ears do hear some sort of uneven breathing, after the distant echoes die down.


Crusty Bucket:
More info from Heron the Red:{he continues to talk even after the spell wears off}
Slave Trade VERY complex system of heirarchy, which is the main source of income for the Pirate Guilds
Yes, multiple pirate guilds. Some even one ship. Including Kalima's fleet.
Master of Slaver Guild: Twi Vontilla
Many Wizard-Seeker hirelings
Slaver Guild, of course controlled, by Greater Guild
Latigo can extract a page long list of Seeker names, Serapi is on it. {Selma's mom.}
Ringleader of Arena/ Master Slaver of Galorine: Count Cal-alal
Many pirates work the Imperial seas for slavery and profit
King of Kandor's good friend is Vito the Fourth
King of Kandor seeks independence from empire
Heron believes King of Kandor set-up Heron's eldest brother Valdis, now no longer heir.
House of Cal-alal has a great hall of records, with careful documentation of all slaves and owners... very well-guarded with magic. Heron the Red can help in this. Personally he is against slavery, though he owns slaves, because he is imperial royalty.
{This is among lots of other mini-details of the arena, slave-breeding, and other vices involved in this trade.}
Heron the Red: is a Sea-ranger/Sorcerer/Bard/Priest {of Loki} and seems to be wanting to develop other skills. Other terminology may have been used in his many tales.:smallwink:

{OOC- This takes sometime as even the depressed prince is long-winded, and verbose. If you were in better moods, you could see how he could be a great orator as well. As is you probably want to stick a sock in his pretty mouth.}

Man-at-arms Highline is overjoyed at actually having ship duty besides 'weapon-maintenence', and will be assigned a team of sailors to rotate and help keep constant watch on the prince. Heron the Red is stripped of everything, but the anklets. Latigo will find that some of the items are really nice, and might even be magical. Heron's wife has things too. Heron only asks for his bejeweled signet ring as well as his wife's. Heron is stripped naked, and bows his head, in utter humility in his bound state.

When the crew is gathered and listens to Latigo's solemn speech, all listen. Somehow, Latigo never loses the faith of the men, and with imposing Cassy standing nearby, he actually inspires the crew!

The dead wife of the prince {Maura} is stripped and presented to the crew by Buck and Robero. She is drawn up on ropes, and splayed out for all to point and laugh at. The children of Seawell come out for this. Jerica then douses the assassin in lamp oil and they light her on fire. She goes up in flames. The crew holding the rope are careful to position one of the booms over the sea. Eventually the charred woman's body burns off the rope and falls into the sea. There are sharks here, drawn by the blood in the water, they will devour the assassin in a frenzy, as her blackened body steams in the sea.

The boom-operators conveniently positioned this all outside the Prince's air hole in the brig. The scent of the burning flesh probably filled the prince's cell. Highline will be sure to take his nightly revenge out on the prince, but will do so secretly.

Seawell and the sea Druid are buried at sea {They are wrapped, preserved, taken away from the sharks, and with heavy-weights attached dropped to the bottom of the sea}, with appropriate honors and ceremony. A small delay. Constant watch occurs as every man becomes aware of the danger they were all now in.

Robero allows that Jerica or any of the other Seawell kids can whip the prince publically any time they want. Salt will be poured on the wounds, and Robero wouldn't mind pouring salt in the wounds to help with scarring. The rear window is boarded up with spare wood. Making the Meeting Room/Officer's Lounge darker. It was now lit by candles and lamps.

Veteran Helmav will be asked to be new 1st officer, and all of the ship rejoices. Helmav could probably captain the ship himself, but he comes from a poor family.

Latigo's requested crew list:
Captain Robero Alandra
his apprentice: Jerica Seawell
his secretaries Ramey and Andov Seawell
1st officer: Helmav; wise veteran
crew chief: old man Orman
man-at-arms: Happy Highline

among ~25 crewmen {and women}:
Monsieur de la Cramme: former imperial, swashbuckler
Deckhand Taylor- former pirate {imperial}
Omarf: strongest sailor {imperial}
Balina: The very ship-able, one-legged woman {imperial}
Rugus the cook {northerner}
Miss Lefeur: cook assistant {imperial} {fresh out of the empress' cooking university}
Nalfal: teen servant of cook {imperial} rescued pirate boy
Elise Pickford: most dexterous sailor {imperial}
4 Antarian sailors {Fa-dal, Rionico, Belzag, and Zelmea-a fled princess}
Buck Longleaf- burly, bearded barbarian of a man {half-imperial}
Others.....`
Note: Zelmea is not pompous, and actually one of the best in the crew. According to Rionico, Zelmea is a great sea-ranger. All four Antarians are friends of Queen Allanna.

[dauphinous]

Frowning, Cara looks back at the fire wizard. "Not so strange, really. I am sure his kind are planted all over the place, just to cause as much trouble for anyone outside the Empire as possible. And possibly within it if it suits her whims. They apparently don't grow them very smart there, or he'd have stopped wearing the robes. Would you-"

Cara stops abruptly and gets a very unfocused look for a few seconds. Then she says (to Cassy), "Fighting hobgoblins in the hills here. Try raising him? Trillo is here, I could teleport to do it tomorrow. I'll Send later." She blinks a couple of times and looks back at James and Taros. Mostly at James. And she picks right back up where she left off, as if there was no interruption.

"-like to interrogate him before we move on? Perhaps it would really be better to have Trillo remove him to someplace secure to ensure he does not escape from us. We do not, in fact, know much about his capabilities other than that he can cast fire spells. He may also be able to do some sort of teleportation, even while bound and gagged."

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony scans the items of the assassins for magic. Later on, he approaches Robero.

"Since you're Captain now, I think it's appropriate for me to make you an offer. I have with me a ring that lets me make do with little sleep, so I'd like to help with the night watch, if that's all right with you. I can see in the dark, unlike the rest of this crew. But I also am here to request something from you." The warlock seems serious, his usually casual demeanor gone. "I think I somewhat understand our prisoner, as I used to think in sort of the same way. He doesn't see killing the captain as anything personal, he just views it as his job. He might even think he's some sort of patriot, a hero, for killing a pirate. But killing an innocent man for money is wrong, no matter how you're able to justify it for yourself. Likewise, torturing a man is wrong, no matter how you justify it to yourself. Keep him naked, keep him bound, you may even want to gag him. If you ask him a question and he doesn't answer, call me and I'll make him talk. But don't publicly whip him. This isn't so much of a request, really. It's more of a reminder, because I know you wouldn't really whip a prisoner, right?"

[tgva8889]

Abigail departs a bit from the group in general, searching about the cave and the hobgoblin corpses for some usable arrows. Her senses turn out to be much more attuned than she believed, however, as she discovers the airflow and the aquifer. Taking some time to examine the aquifer, Abbie notices the breathing from farther down the cave. Making a mental note of everything she seems to have noticed in the cave, the elf makes a quick return to the others who seem to be dealing with tasks at hand. She notices the tied up man in wizard-like robes, though it seems of rather little importance to her.

As she reaches the others, she picks up the end of Cara's words, and decides to begin. "I think I've found another tunnel. It seems more natural than the one we've been traveling through, so at the very least it should be less prone to caving in. There's...something there. I couldn't hear it well enough to tell what it is, but there's something down that pathway." She says the last bit at a lower volume than the first, and looks about the cavern a bit as she speaks, still examining. Not as familiar with cave systems as she would like to be, she takes in as much as she can. Once she finishes, she looks about the group, waiting for a response, before returning to check the other pathway.

Seraph mostly stares down the passageway, not otherwise doing very much. She knows she would have trouble flying in the cave, and can't otherwise do very much. She does spread her wings a bit, though.

[BlueWizard]

Hobgob Caves:
Trillo will take time to teleport to King Finn's palace and will drop the fire wizard off with the King's wizard. He will pause for a moment, before leaving, when the topic of Captain Seawell comes up, "Oh... Cara. I thought you knew. These nobles make a deal before they come into this life. They no longer serve the material plane when they come. They have one shot and then, they're in their deity's hands. Seawell is probably swimming with Ægir or something. This is only true for the extremely well-positioned nobles. The merchant class and rank-nobles aren't cursed like this... though often times their families cannot come up with the required coinage for raising materials. It can be expensive."

Trillo will then bid, good-day and head off with the fire wizard. He will later catch-up with the group as they continue on. Trillo has skills in divination that will help him find you all. The fire wizard is stripped to his loincloth and taken away with Trillo, tightly bound and gagged.

As Abbie says this there can be heard a deep rumbling from the earth around you and above! This area is not stable.

Already James' men move into the directed passage, steady though, for they fear the horses hooves may help the cave-in. Trillo will pop away with the fire wizard.


Crusty Bucket:
Robero considers what Anthony says and nods. "I got upset." He will say to Anthony in private. "His wife's punishment was enough. I am told two of our crew forced the prince to watch the burning through his air vent." He will nod, and command the man-at-arms that no harm was to come of the prince. Highline gives his scout's honor.

The crew is serious now, not that they weren't serious before, but now it got personal. With Helmav as 1st officer this ship sails quick and sharp, not needing the sea druid's assist with the beneficial winds aiding.

Some more time will pass {a few weeks} as the group nears Kandor in a round-about curvy way.
Over dinner one night, the captain will admit to his special officers in private, "I have felt at one with the sea since I came here. I feel its presence watching over me. My sister said it was her only escape from the confines of our station. I told her it was the library for me, but she just laughed... I am dedicating this journey to Poseidon, the imperial sea god. That is who my sister followed."

[dauphinous]

Cara just blinks at Trillo upon his explanation. She has absolutely no response to it and says nothing further to him before he goes. When he is gone, though, she shakes her head. "I wonder what they get in return for giving up their true mortality. I probably would rather not know." But she says it quietly and cleans up her mace while she waits for the group to move ahead of her. She takes up the rearguard position again.

[kariokie]

She'd had to leave the deck when they started mutilating the body of Tunia's sister. Since Latigo had handed the body over, Cassy didn't feel she could interfere. It's just a body. No one lives in it anymore. Of course, she has to add to that: Because I killed her. Still, the act drives a wedge between her and the crew. It's all too much like something the Guild would do. From then on she stays distant, even taking most of her meals alone.

At least she felt the crew would be smart enough to know her feelings on torture – she'd already chastised them once on deck about it when they first had Heron in hand and she took him from them. Anthony seemed to be clarifying the issue when she left, anyhow. No matter how much the warlock acted as if he didn't care about anything, he was probably one of the few people she knew who would object to torture. Maybe 'cos once you understand it, you don't think it's so clever any more.

Or maybe he just thinks it's something that should be done in private, she has to add.

* * *

Cassy just looks up from her food and then shrugs at Robero's declaration. The gods meant nothing to her. They'd still done little to prove they weren't self-centered brats only rewarding those who fed their ego through worship.

Well, okay, Pelor seems fine. A bit nosy, though.

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo expects the disrespectful burial, it didn't offend him, though it's not how he would have done things - for several reasons. He was willing to accept certain customs of these people, though. The seas were their home, and he know they had their own ways. His conversations with Seawell had made that clear. I should check in on the Seawell children more.

He would have put his foot down at torture, if he'd ever heard of it, but apparently the crew didn't take things that far. When he peeked in on Heron, he found the man unharmed, so the thought of torture never occurred to him.

Latigo secures the assassins' goods, divvying them up to Cassy or Anthony as they desire. He holds the signet rings himself; he doesn't return them to Heron, but he suggests that might be possible.

***
Latigo is somewhat comforted by Robero's captaining. He was a strong believer in meritocracy, and would have chosen the veteran to run the ship, but again he defered to the typical practices of these people. He takes Robero's news politely, not sure what to say. He was not a religious person himself, though he was certainly both spiritual and committed to good.

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony does not claim any of the gear, but he does make a comment about the signet rings.

"Latigo, about those rings. Heron seems to want them. I don't care about that. I'd rather he not be in pain, but his happiness is none of my concern. However, the Seawell children just lost their father. I think it'd be a nice gesture if Heron were to give one of those rings to them, as something of a reconciliation gift. Of course, I also think it'd be nice for them to get one of the rings anyway, no matter what his opinion on the matter is."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Having held them back mostly because of how much Heron seemed to want them, Latigo isn't terribly concerned with the rings' disposition. Except...

"Does it make them a target though? They seem to be our best piece of bargaining chip against Heron, should we somehow need it. It's what he seems to care most about - beside himself, obviously. But I agree the Seawell children deserve and would be helped by some gesture in this regard. But I assume the holder of one of these becomes a target for vengeance - especially Heron's. No?"

This was certainly something more in the warlock's expertise, but Latigo thought his concern was a valid one.

[BlueWizard]

Hobgob Caves:
The underground party has moved on, and is now safely in a real underground stone passage. The Hobgob-made caves collapse a short time after you all exit, making the horses frightened as the rumbling echos follow you and you are all covered in a fine layer of dust and debris, blocking your vision down hear for some time.

Abbie carefully leads you all down what looks to be a well-traveled passage, by now the tracks of dragged soldiers is long gone.

There is a big commotion some distance ahead, in the dust long, dark underground passage.


Crusty Bucket:
The Seawells would only destroy the rings, and probably grind the gemstones for wizard's spells.

About a week and a half from the assassin's night, the ship will spy in the distance a barge complex. No-one will know what it is, or what 'city' it was. It looked small, and perhaps only 50 people lived there. Helmav and Orman have never seen it, and think that it is probably an upstart pirate-king.

Robero thinks it best to avoid it.

[Vazzaroth]

James looks behind as the collapse happens.
Guess I expected as much. These wild hobgoblins don't seem to take pride int heir work. Not like those hobgoblins at the Temple. Now they were worthy of respect. Of course, I'm bias, since their race invented my style, Iron Heart!

He will hush the men at the commotion, and proceed similarly as the did a the last area.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

The commotion ahead draws his attention away from the collapse behind. He was certain they'd be able to find a way out of these caves; they always had the wizard to ferry them out if needed.

Waiting for Abbie's scouting, Taros flexes his grip on his blade, ready for another ambush or whatever encounter they were about to face.

[kariokie]

"Honestly, those kids are probably richer than any of us, the ring won't mean a damn thing to them. I can't think of much that would, though, you know? Like, their dad got killed, and they were there. Some stupid ring isn't going to do much, and Heron could apologize until the cows came home -- whenever that is, I'm not even exactly sure what cows are -- an' it wouldn't do a damn thing." Cassy leans back in her chair, drinking a little more wine. These were more words than she'd said to anyone on the ship since she'd killed Maura. "For a while they'll think doing something nasty or gettin' revenge will make them feel better. But it won't. And then they'll think that maybe forgiving Heron will make them feel better. But it won't."

"Eventually they'll figure it out. Bad stuff happens and you don't ever feel better about it. Not ever. You just get better at ignoring it."

She takes another long sip of her wine, then grins a little at herself. "So, I'm a downer, huh? I think I've been thinking too much. Maybe someone should Feeblemind me again."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

(I assume this conversation is private and not at dinner.)

"I could live a thousand years without seeing that again actually," Latigo says in all seriousness. "As much as mighty spell-slinging Cassy scares me sometimes, seeing you like, well, like a frightened child, scared me even more."

"I'll see that the Seawell kids are well cared for - returned to their kin or taken into the fold at Sunhaven or whatever else suits them." Assuming any of us survive this mission.

"In the meantime, is there anything else we could be doing - magically, I mean - to protect ourselves? I'm going to start doing flying patrols away from the ship, but I'll let one of you know before I leave. I just don't want any one to get the drop on us again." What I'd really like is to offload this cargo, get some actual information, and get back to dry ground on my side of the world. Hrmph, who knew I was so provincial?

"We got a lot of good information from Heron. I'm almost tempted to get back with that before we run into more trouble. But we could learn a bit more, or at least confirm what he's said, plus we've got cargo to offload, and it'll be very suspicious of we just turn around now, plus we probably need to resupply at some point..." he seems to go on a bit more in a stream of consciousness fashion.

[kariokie]

"Better that spell than some of the others that've been used. Being dumb I can stand, having my flesh go all welted and pus-covered, not so much." Cassy shakes her head at the memory. $%#@ing Selma.

"The only thing I can think of is those warding scrolls I was given after that wizard got into my room. I put one on my room, and one on Cara's, and one on the common space, so that's two scrolls I have left I think? I could check, they're in my bag, somewhere near my ball of twine and my crowbar. Anyhow, they're pretty nasty, but they won't cover the whole ship I don't think."

[dauphinous]

The cave-in is a bit of a shock. Cara, being last, is startled by it, but actually finds it to be something of a relief. In a way, anyway. If the passage is blocked, no one is likely to sneak up behind them. She holds very firmly onto the bridle of her horse and rubs its nose for a little bit, doing what she can to soothe it.

[Idiotbox90]

"$%#@ing Selma, indeed. It's like when there are two ways to do something, she picks the way that'll cause more pain, instead of what's most efficient. Some people are just monsters, I guess." Anthony sounds somewhat depressed. "Desecrating corpses, threatening to whip prisoners, I don't like this environment. It reminds me too much of the Guild. Then we have a man who we can't kill or imprison without starting a war." The warlock takes a short sip of wine. "You ever miss the days when any problems could be solved with just a flick of the wrist?"

"As for protection, I intend to take night shifts. I don't need much sleep and I can see in the dark. Plus, I can probably kill anyone who tries to board this ship before the rest of the crew knows what's going on."

[tgva8889]

Abigail herself is mostly unaffected by the cave-in. She flinches a bit when the rocks fall, as the echoes are amplified even more than she would normally like to hear tons of stone falling behind her, but she pulls herself back into the moment relatively fast. Noticing Taros's tense hand, she says, "We're fine." Before heading on, she examines the rocks that fell, perhaps to note whether it was the frail structure that caused the cave-in or the purposeful act of an enemy. Soon, though, she goes about her way, leading the group as before with Seraph in tow.

Seraph reacts to the cave-in more severely than Abbie does. The eagle looks a bit more on edge after the ambush, and the falling stone really sets her off. Being more than intelligent, she avoids squawking out loud and instead just insistently pecks Abbie in the leg as they go. After a while, the elf looks down at Seraph with a look of "don't make me come down there", and the bird ceases her assault.

Noting the commotion ahead, Abbie will return to the others to inform them of what she's heard. "There's company up ahead. I can't be sure who they are, but as far as I know, they're not orcs, if that helps anyone. I can't see enough to tell you what's up there." Her actions speak more of her opinion than her words, however, as she seems to have an arrow already in her bow, ready to fire almost as a reflex.

[kariokie]

"We can imprison him. We just can't officially imprison him. So long as he's not dead, and so long as no one knows where he's at, then he's just running around, hiding from his mommy like usual." Cassy grins, "Sure helps he can't be scryed, huh? No one can find him normally, so when they can't find him 'cos we've put him someplace... well, that won't seem out of the ordinary. Not for a long, long time."

[BlueWizard]

OOC- Very busy... but that's a good thing for me.

Hobgob Caves:
Ahead there is a great chamber with lots of goblinoid voices. Chaos abounds.

Kandorian Seas:
The barge-towns are sometimes fishing villages, sometimes spacious mansions, with even barge-crops, with corn, tomatoes, and even fruit trees.
Helmav advises extreme caution, as he doesn't even trust the sea-peasant out here. All these structures look new, at least the last ten years, some trees are probably magically grown or replanted.

[dauphinous]

Sensing that it is time to prepare for a fight again, Cara moves up through the line, intending to offer the front rank the protection of her Circle spell from whatever the initial assault might be. If there is a spellcaster in there, they will have to go through her protections to get anyone. At least, that's the idea.

"We should just move up," she uses a low voice, intending for it not to carry on the off chance anything ahead will hear. "It isn't as if anyone but Abbie is actually good at sneaking up on anything, anyway." Cassy is good at that.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

"Frontal assault then, is it?" Taros asks, a grin on his face. Invoking a prayer to Heironeous, he moves with Vim and Vigor, eager to engage these cave-dwellers, and hopefully find James's lost men.

{
Divine Vigor for +18 temporary hitpoints, +10 MR, 3 minutes
}

[BlueWizard]

Kandorian Seas:
Young Captain Robero was unsure of which little barge-town to stop. Helmav trusted none of them. All carried their own blood-red, black and/or white banner. Some paid homage to others sea-lords. This was done by putting the other's colors above yours or your lords.

1st officer Helmav suggests that you all sail on to Galorine as soon as possible. Robero agrees, and believes that supplying in Kandor is a viable option. Seawell came well prepared.

OOC edit:
I can retro anything on the Prince if needed.



Hobgob King:
There is many branches off this main stone cave, but Abbie knows where to go. Where the noise is loudest and the tracks are heaviest.

This main corridor eventually leads to a great hall.

Two giant hobgoblins, of the Bugbear tribe, stand at the door. They are in full plate armor with large pole arms as weapons. They stand outside the corridor and just inside the great cavern.

There is a mass of chaos as hobgoblins and other Bugbears race about in fright or to the orders of some deep throated hobgoblin barking loudly from beyond the great darkness ahead.

Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6 d:1
James 15+3
Taros 13+1
Armored Bugbears and others?
Soldiers and horses
Cara 5+1

[Vazzaroth]

((Do we get a surprise round? I think James and Taros both would lead the charge.))
James HP: 105 AC:24

James will charge forward to the strongest enemy he can get to, attacking lesser ones on the way to thin the ranks for his troops if needed.

((Charge: Up to 40ft, +19, 1d10+8+1d6, 17-20. If surprise round, will hack his way through on the 2nd Ok, no surprise. Run if too far. Or... A double move if nothing else))

[BlueWizard]

OOC- These guys noticed you at the same time. They are not approaching, and Abbie wouldn't have seen them in the lowlight until 120 feet away.

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 68 AC 28

Looking to the nearest soldier, Cara smiles pleasantly. "How about a volley of arrows?" She moves up, but stays well out of the reach of the hobgoblins, reaching through her status spell on Taros to cast a spell on him.

{
cast Prot from Evil on Taros
}

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

As soon as the guardians are spotted, Taros invokes his deity's name in a reckless charge, looking to crash into, and thru, these armored warriors.

{
Swift Action: Cast Rhino's Rush
Attack: Smite Charge on one of the armored halberdiers: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Charge up to 60'
If farther than that, move action towards them, and cast Aid on James
}

[BlueWizard]

Lair of a Hobgoblin King:
Abbie stands strong as the armored bugbears ready themselves. Abbie sends four arrows at one. 2 arrows get through the metal plate armor... barely. {d:11, 9} She does cause the bugbear some pain.

James follows the elf's volley with a charge of his own. He does get poked by a large halberd as he comes at the bugbear.{d:17} James sinks his sword deep into the bugbear, but fails to kill it! {3+19 d:15}

Taros' charge into the other armored bugbear's is less painful. The other bugbear's halberd skips off Taros' armor, and then the paladin follows it with a painful blow into the bugbear's heart through the plate armor! The injured bugbear looks in horror at its fallen brother, and groans out a battle cry in goblinoid, that actually somehow rallies all the hobgoblins beyond. The other goblins still stand behind the last big armored bugbear, and in the great dark cavern beyond.

The mighty bugbear stands its ground strong, and bravely. It rains down hacks upon James, but fails to hit, merely skipping off his fine armor. The bugbear's mouth foams in anger and it howls to the others behind him.

Captain Basvarti nods to Cara's orders with the passage crowded ahead, Basvarti takes only a few of his better archers to the front by Abbie to aid in arrow fire. The other men stay with the horses in the middle of the pack, calming them. Not much help here, and James can feel one of his men's arrows bounce off his armor, but cause him no pain. An embarrassed muttered soldier's curse is heard.

Cara places Pelor's protection on Taros.

End Round 1---------------------------------->


Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6 d:1
James 15+3 88/105
Taros 13+1
Armored Bugbears and others?
Soldiers and horses
Cara 5+1


Kandorian Seas:
The decision was made to continue to on to Galorine. The old capital of Kandor. The barge-towns didn't stop, they seemed to increase. Soon great towered slum cities could be seen, and lesser barges roamed unprotected on the outskirts like outer city ghettos. The seas around here were quite polluted, and it became difficult to maneuver the ship here because of all the living people barges.

Helmav and Orman are even shocked, never in their days had they seen the seas so crowded. Full cities larger than any of you have seen yet, they have seen, but never a dense covering of the sea in barge crafts that is visible now.

About 3 days out from Kandorian land Trillo goes up missing. This would be at the end of August. This would also be the time when the sea was full of sea-farmers. Many crops are harvested here, but it didn't take a genius to see that this over-crowding would take its toll on the environment soon! Many of the sea-folk look sickly and poor. All are human... mostly, but many partial humans were there too. Half- {Elves, orcs, goblins, giants, even tieflings} were seen. Most of these were probably escaped convicts, or relatives of convicts.

One morning at about the time when Cara and Cassy are probably wondering what happened to Trillo, a large gathering of peasant sea-folk have gathered to watch the ship pass. The maze of barge-complexes becomes confusing, and soon, the Crusty Bucket's path is blocked.

A large imperial galley sits in the way. Hundreds of poorly armed peasants overhang on towering barges nearby, and can drop on to the deck of the Crusty Bucket. The only real threat though looks to be the old galley with armed men. Official colors were a black flag with some red slash, worn over the chest for uniform.

A big, burly bearded imperial man steps forward, he is about 250 feet away. "Ah hello there! I am Captain Werkain, King of the Galorites, and Lord of the Damned! I hope you don't mind, but I'll be doing a little imperial inspection of my own on-board your ship!"

There are mostly crazed, half-starved peasants around, maybe 50 or so soldiers, and one woman in a black robe, standing nearby Werkain.

OOC- The little avoidance of encounter would've taken time and there is a lot of prep time that led up to this moment. Prep as you want, but Captain Werkain is about to plan a little boarding party of his own.

[kariokie]

"Plan A." Once they notice they're going to be boarded, Cassy casts Invisibility on herself and heads below deck. Pausing on her way, she also casts Message between herself, Anthony and Latigo.

Quietly, she works her way to Heron's prison, where she enters and waits, leaving the man tied up and gagged. When and if the borders come near the prison, she'll use Dimension Door to move them both to another location, wherever is deemed safe by Anthony or Latigo.

[Vazzaroth]

James AC:26

James calls out: Whoever just did that, half rations for a week!
He grinned to himself, and attempted to finish this angry enemy in one more blow.

((Bonecrusher: +17, 1d10+5d6, 17-20. If the bugbear is slain, move forward to push the line, up to 20 ft))

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

"Careful there; you might just give'em incentive to do it again!" Taros chuckles.

Pulling his sword from the dead armored bugbear, Taros shouts into the room twice: once in common, the other in Orc. "You flea-begotten mongrels had best lay down your arms, or we'll be taking them from your cold dead hands!"

{
Intimidate [roll0]
I really need ranks in that skill. :D
Move to engage, either the bugbear James is fighting, or the other goblinoids.
Attack +14/+9, Damage 1d8+6
AC 29, 100/82 HP
}

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo places himself at the young captain's shoulder and makes sure that Helmav is there as well. He asks them if this is to be expected and allows them to handle the formalities. He watches carefully for a moment to address the boarder captain to try to cut this short. But if this is the way of it, so be it.

Mentally, he reminds Cassy to dismiss the guards outside Heron's chamber. Having the guarding an empty room would certainly be suspicious.

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 68 AC 28

Electing to stay back with the rest of the troops in case of some kind of ambush from behind, Cara keeps a watchful eye behind the group. Besides, James and Taros are perfectly capable of handling these foes.

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony is attached to the netting in a position that would be uncomfortable for a normal person, but which he has no trouble with. He observes the potential boarders with a calm, steady gaze.

"Captain, Latigo," the warlock mutters quietly. "Whistle whenever you think force is necessary."

[BlueWizard]

With the Galorites:
Cassy goes below decks and dismisses the man-at-arms and his current assistant guarding the Prince. They go to the armory, where they begin supplying several of the skilled warriors with chain hauberks, shields, and long swords. Highline and his assistant will also be part of the armed brigade storming to the deck when the time was right.

These trained armed men and women wait below decks. Seawell made sure he brought real soldiers, he wanted to be prepared for anything. They are still below decks for now. There is plenty of time for them all to be armed. The Prince will say he knows nothing of the Galorites, "They used to live in Galorine, before Trell Kandor came. Worthless trash." He says telepathically. Apparently he can do this Cassy will find.

A few men retreat below to ready at key arrow ports. This includes the Seawell teens. They are sufficient enough to fire a bow, and it is right now the safest place for them.

Helmav and Orman have never seen anything like this maze of barge-towns, and the gathering has them frightened. The Crusty Bucket tried to maneuver away from the barge-towns, but they seemed to block you in at every point. Helmav suspects if this IS an imperial check point, it is the most corrupt one he has ever seen.

At the command deck Anthony, the young Captain, and Latigo stand.
Robero mutters to Latigo, "I don't think anything I can do can stop an investigation. They will surely rob us blind, maybe even kill us."

Helmav mutters, "We need to fight." Old Orman regretfully will agree, once the maze's end becomes evident and the galley nears in front.

When the peasants are poised to jump onto the ship's deck, the armored sailors are ready to move on Robero or someone's orders.

With a flick of his wrist, this Captain Werkain initiates a roar from his hoard, and the peasants begin to leap wildly onto the deck of the Crusty Bucket... some to their doom at sea. Those on the command deck will also see that the peasants have chummed the water with meat and blood, the sea was now alive with huge great white sharks! The peasants are armed with pitchforks, daggers, sticks, clubs, broken bottles, and mismatch of anything they could get a hand on here in their sea-based homes.

The soldiers on Werkain's galley hold.

Robero looks at Anthony and whistles. He whistles VERY LOUDLY.

Initiatives:
Werkain's men holding.... on galley
Crew of Crusty Bucket
Anthony 8+3
Latigo 1+9
Cassy 3+6
Peasant Mob- hundreds!


Hobgoblin Lair:
Abbie only pierces the bugbear's armor once in this round of 4 volleyed arrows. {d:6} It only minorly scratches the bugbear.

James makes quick work of this hurt bugbear. {18+17 crit 13+17 d:41 :smallcool: } He spies an opening and slams his sword straight through the bugbear's shoulder, straight into its heart. The bugbear drops, and causes a squeal of panic of many hobgoblins behind it. Many flee in the darkness, but even more push forward. There are hundreds here!

Taros steps alongside James and batters the first two hobgoblins not intimidated by his and James' entrance. The two humans cannot see the chamber very well. In the darkness there is a mass of goblin chaos and voices. Above it, all off to the left somewhere, Taros will hear the deep voice of the leader goblin-type.

The initial rush of goblins hits James and Taros like a ton of bricks, but they hold and stand their ground strong. Their armor keeps them safe! Cara will feel no pain, but hear a clatter of metal up ahead.

The archers fire into the mass, and Basvarti has the other soldiers step up if they can to open fire as well. They are basically shooting into the darkness beyond. There are a few hits, and a couple of hobgoblins in the midst are felled, but it is hard to say.

Cara and the soldiers with the horses will hang back, holding and ready for action. One young fellow with a scar on his right cheek will whisper to Cara, in a most frighten voice. "You think that wizard might come back soon?"

Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6 d:1
James 15+3 88/105
Taros 13+1
Goblinoids!
Soldiers and horses
Cara 5+1

[dauphinous]

Cara

"I'm sure we'll be fine either way. The Shining Hand will not abandon us just because our wizard left." She moves up to one of the archers and asks him to wait for a moment, then she casts a spell onto his arrow. It lights up like a bright white beacon of hope. "Fire it into that mess so James and Taros can see what they are doing."

{
Cast Daylight on the arrow
}

[BlueWizard]

{Ooh! Anyone seen Pitch Black?}
Cara lights one of the arrows of the soldiers, and he sends it into the great cavern beyond. It illuminates a cavern full of hobgoblins rushing about madly. Most at the party. The deep voiced goblinoid can still not be seen. The daylight arrow protrudes from a dead hobgoblin, causing all sorts of weird shadows to dance on the ceiling some 40 feet above you here. The hogbgoblins groan at the bright light, but focus on the battle at hand... most of them do.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Spying James finish off the plated bugbear, he hesitates a moment so that they can form up ranks, and fight shoulder to shoulder. "This is just like those dretch, it seems. Nothin' to do but cleave on thru. If only Cassy were here."

{
Attack on thru, trying to make a way to the leader.
Fight defensively though.

HP 100/82, AC 31, Attack +10/+7, 1d8+6
}

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo nods at Helmav's suggestion that they fight. He speaks to Robero and Helmav, just loudly enough to be heard over the growing din, "hold this ship - you have aid far beyond the average merchant vessel." With that he pops out of sight, and is aloft.

In an instant, Latigo is pointing below deck and speaks to Cassy, "we're being boarded en mass - we need to clear these decks. Maybe pop into the crow's nest? I'm going for their Captain."

With that he makes a beeline for Werkain, drawing his bow as he goes.

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony climbs upward, away from the mob. This also gives him a slightly clearer shot of his target.

A jet of flame shoots out from Anthony's fingertips and towards Werkain. It is obvious to those who have fought alongside Anthony in the past that the warlock's power seems to have grown since the raid against the Imperial Prison.

((OOC: AB: +9, Dmg: 9d6, Range: 250, Target must make a DC 16 Reflex Save or take 2d6 dmg the following round.))

[BlueWizard]

Round 2 through 5 will be James and Taros pushing their way into the cavern to the left toward the leader hobgoblin. Cara and the soldiers can come as back-up. Basvarti will follow Taros and James with his sergeants into the melee.
Bloody dead hobgoblins will be strewn in their path.

[kariokie]

Cassy rolls her eyes at the news. Why on earth are these people attacking us? She then whispers back to Anthony and Latigo, "Check. One utterly terrifying, deck-clearing illusion coming up." Then she speaks a few words and appears in the crow's nest above.

Dimension Door. Cassy's still Invisible, likely.

[Vazzaroth]

I could sure use one of those speed enchantments she does!

((Yes, wading through battle sounds very suitable. At least 1 attack will just a single standard action to refresh manuvers. :smallbiggrin: ))

[BlueWizard]

Cassy and Latigo can make their plans and revisions right before the attack begins if they like....

OOC- I'll be back late, but wanted to let you know you have a few moremoments to prepare on the Bucket.

[BlueWizard]

OOC- Qua? Donde?

Hobgoblin Caves:
In no time at all Taros and James have cut a bloody swath through the hobgoblin ranks. Limbs, heads, and other body parts are scattered everywhere, and a pool of blood splashes in the footsteps of all involved.
Basvarti and his sergeants close out the ranks and guard the rear party, as they form a square and begin to pick off any stragglers that sneak by Taros and James. The sergeants are the only ones to feel any minor wounds in this slaughter, and when the dais full of armed goblinoids is visible, there are only a few remaining hobgoblins that are in the way. 30 feet distance up the dais stands an old hunched over hobgoblin with a fine looking great-sword.
On the steps are gathered his finest warriors, 6 large armored muscled bugbears, the old hobgoblin shouts a battle cry for his best goblinoids. "You killed my boys." He finally garbles in imperial common, "My younger sons will slay you! Kill them sons of the Bugbear Queen!" The rest is drowned in the roar of the bugbears, and the king reverts to goblin-tongue.

One of the sergeants now has the daylight arrow and follows Taros and James.

Arrows continue to fly from the rear ranks and Abbie as well. Nearly a hundred hobgoblins lay dead or dying after this volley for several rounds.

End Round 6----------------------------->
{OOC- I rolled several rounds of this, Cara can prep, and even offer minor healing to the soldiers. d:2 and d:4 }


Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6 d:1
James 15+3 88/105
Taros 13+1
Goblinoids!
Soldiers and horses
Hobgoblin King and his bugbears
Cara 5+1



Crusty Bucket:
The moment the peasants drop, arrows from the Bucket fly forth killing several of them. Then the armed men of Highline rush to the deck with Happy Highline at the lead.

Cassy will be on the deck, invisible.
Latigo can even be in position for a shot on Werkain when he gives his cue.

Surprise:

Werkain is such a pompous ass that he paid no heed to any cloaked or robed figures on the 'prey' of a ship. Not that many were visible, before that one with the holy sh.....

Anthony will surprise the Pirate leader, and is technically flatfooted when his warlock blast of fire burns through his fine linens. {9+9 d:32} The pirate leader is blackened as flames destroy the normal items on him, including the fine coat over his armor. He roars in anger, and is now hurt and pissed off.

Initiatives for Official Round 1:
Crew of Crusty Bucket
Werkain and his men
Anthony 8+3
Latigo 1+9
Cassy 3+6
Peasant Mob- hundreds!

OOC- As the peasants fall dead and mostly alive to the deck. Also, Latigo and Cassy will be allowed surprise actions {as the peasants are in the air} on the men in the galley or peasants still on the barge-towers. Cassy will also note that only poised peasants have jumped, an illusion could theoretically work to discourage the others. :smallwink:

ALL:
OOC2: Thanks for being patient here, I'll be around the weekend a bunch, if retros need to happen, but I believe all PCs seem ready for what their actions may be. This last second on the Bucket took days! Whereas several rounds in the Hobgoblin caves flew by! Do note I may do this sort of combat when it is clear you are overmatching the competition. Nonetheless, Taros and James will still have a few sore muscles after this brutal display of bone-splitting.:belkar:

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo fires off arrows at the enemy captain and his cloaked companion.


I think you're suggesting Latigo can fire during the surprise round. If so,
[roll0]
[roll1]
DC 17 Fort Save or sleep

If that is successful, he attacks the cloaked companion in round 1. If the captain is still awake, he lines up a flyby attack and shoots both of them.
[roll2]
[roll3]
DC 17 Fort Save or sleep

[tgva8889]

(Oops, forgot about the boards yesterday a bit.)

Abigail continues to simply fire into the hobgoblin horde, laying down covering fire for the advancing army. Seraph sits idly by, wishing she could be of more importance but instead doing nothing.

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 68/68 AC 28

Moving forward as the rest do, Cara feels that perhaps those hobgoblins on the dais are a force to be reckoned with. There are certainly plenty of them. She begins casting spells to prepare for the inevitable confrontation, getting close enough to include James and Taros in one of her spells, as well. Once it seems clear that the fight will begin with the armored hobgoblins in earnest, she drops a column of holy flames into the midst of them, getting as many as she can.

{
In order:
Drop Obscuring Mist to cast CLW on one of the wounded soldiers (heals 6 minimum)
Cast Bull's Strength on Taros
Cast Blessing of the Righteous so that it gets Taros and James (40ft radius burst from Cara, +1d6 holy damage to every hit, weapons are good aligned, affects melee and ranged, lasts 10 rounds)
Cast Flamestrike on the dais to get whomever she can (10ft. radius, 9d6, half fire/half 'divine power, Ref DC 20 for half)

I think that covers up through this round. Sorry for not posting before.

Active Spells:
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (Cara)
Prot From Evil (Taros)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, 5th level soldier)
Status (James, Deeker, Reollo)
Daylight (arrow)
}

[Idiotbox90]

Initial success encouraging him, Anthony sends another blast to Werkain.

((OOC: AB: +9, Dmg: 5d6, Range: 250, Target must make a DC 16 Reflex Save or take 2d6 dmg the following round.))

[kariokie]

Isn't this what always happens? Cassy doesn't feel comfortable with the idea of killing the peasants, however she knows she needs to stay out of their grasp. Casting a spell on herself, she flies back, out of their falling path. Then she looks at Werkin and waves a hand at him, "You scared of anything?"

{0th round: Fly, fly diag backwards and up
1st round: Phantasmal Killer on Werkin, fly diag backwards and up}

[BlueWizard]

Crusty Bucket:
{OOC- This post will hopefully clarify my errors to the above post.}
Latigo had acted fast once he realized that the enemy was just going to out-right attack the ship. This 'search' of Werkain was merely a euphemism.
He can zip out a lower port-hole after warning Cassy in invisible pixie form and fire his Sleep arrow at the Captain once he's out in the open. The distant low aimed shot is perfect, the green little arrow strikes the Captain right in the neck, but only grazing the muscle. Werkain groans, and does not see the source. A healthy man, Werkain, resists the sleep effect. Peasants will be leaping over him onto the ship above his head...

Cassy then dimension doors to the crow's nest.

It can fit two people, and currently there is a young 20 y-o sailor with a bow out, as he looks fearfully at the enemy... he will be one of the crew that fires the volley at the peasants. In all this the soldier is unaware that Cassy is near her.

She sees the green arrow sticking in the side of Werkain's neck. He is about to order his soldiers to do something. Cassy Casts fly and goes up into the air. Though only she knows this.

Onto the Battle.... {OOC- I was trying to be fair, I figured with all the time, you'd have at least gotten a heroic surprise round. This is a potentially dangerous encounter, however there is a routine these peasants seem to be going in. No real plan of attack.}

The deck is covered with about 25 peasants, and the armored crew meets them like true veterans. The trained soldiers cut the peasants down, most still recovering from the fall. Many were dead from that. The first rank peasants are killed, and even the dozen or so peasants left after the crew attack, looked ready to jump into the sea with the great white sharks.

Werkain points his finger to the ship and glares at the cloaked figure near him.

The cloaked figure disappears. She teleports away. Still no sign of the arcanist-lady's face. Werkain merely drinks a tiny vial, and the healing action pushes the arrow out, and soothes his burnt skin, returning it to it's tanned color. His beard is still quite gone, and only hanging in patches, which he tried to proudly wear.

A volley of enemy soldier arrows flies to the deck. They somehow hit nothing, but a couple of wrongly placed peasants.

Anthony blasts his eldrytch bolt again, and somehow he misses! {1+9 not crit} Anthony does burn part of the ship behind Werkain. Apt sailors on Werkain's ship quickly douse it with buckets of water.

Latigo cannot see where the wizardess teleported to, but can flyby attack a couple of Werkain's men on the command deck of this ship as well. He strikes Werkain and can hit two other important looking men. Werkain shakes off the effect. The other two men, one is out-right killed, with a strkie to the back of the head. {double 20's} The other man will fall asleep. {Unless he wants to fire less arrows.}

Cassy appears somewhere high in the air as her spell takes effect. The Captain looks at some shadowy shape coming for him. He screams loudly, "No! GO AWAY! Go! Nooooo! Ahhhhhhh!" The illusion will envelop him, scaring those around him, even if they don't know what it is. He is a strong man and takes the pain of the spell on his mind. He is sweating profusely as he notices the image fading. "Argh!!!!!!" He is furious. This display may have a ripple effect on his attacking crew. {d:8}

The peasant mob is ineffective, but more come and swarm the deck. Currently the crew seems to be standing strong.

End Round 1-------------------->
{Whew! I hpe we're on the same page.:smallbiggrin: }



Initiatives for Official Round 1:
Crew of Crusty Bucket
Werkain and his men
Anthony 8+3
Latigo 1+9
Cassy 3+6
Peasant Mob- hundreds!



Hobgob Lair:
Abbie and the soldiers continue to chase off stragglers with arrows.

James cuts his way to the bugbears, as does Taros, who both still had hobgoblins being pushed at them. The bugbears were going to be the very last to attack the on-coming enemy.

They move as soon as they see that the invaders have attacked. Even their mighty bugbear blows are no match for the armored men. Taros and James feel no pain, from the bugbears that attacked them.

There is a steady roar of holy flame that comes down from the ceiling like a holy spire. The cavern is lit briefly by Pelor's fire, and The Hobgoblin King is burned badly. {d:35} The two big rearguard bugbears are also flambe'd ala Pelor. None are killed, but the smell of burnt hobgoblin fills the air. Mmmmm!

End Round 7------------------------------>

Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6 d:1
James 15+3 88/105
Taros 13+1
Soldiers and horses
Hobgoblin King and his bugbears
Cara 5+1

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 68 AC 28

Thoroughly satisfied by the strength of her faith thus far, Cara smiles. I called down a ray of Pelor's radiance. She casts another spell, looking to try and finish off the 'king' before he can cause any real trouble.

{
Cast Holy Smite on the king guy and whomever is near him: 5d8 damage + blinded for 1 round to evil creatures, Will DC 19 to halve damage and negate blindness, 20ft radius, half damage to neutral creatures (no blinding)

Active spells (long list, heh):
Bull's Strength (Taros)
Blessing of the Righteous (James, Taros, Cara, and a bunch of soldiers, Abbie?)
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (Cara)
Prot From Evil (Taros)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, 5th level soldier)
Status (James, Deeker, Reollo)
Daylight (arrow)
}

[tgva8889]

Noting that the enemies are beginning to cease being nearby, Abigail motions to the other soldiers around her, yelling "Come on!" as she goes, dropping her arm low to the ground as Seraph makes a small jump to land on it. Moving at her full speed, Abbie moves towards the front rank, holding her bow with only one hand for a few moments while Seraph picks up some wind and hovers for long enough to reach Abbie's shoulder. Once she has done this, Abbie moves forward, sword in her hand and eagle on her left shoulder.

(Move 60 ft towards the front lines, assuming there's no enemies in the way that could attack her. Otherwise, move 30 ft (and draw longsword with right hand) and charge towards the enemy. +14 to hit (magical bonuses from Cara not included), 1d8+3 damage (See last parenthesis). AC is reduced to 21 if she's charging.)

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

When they get within archery range of the 'Royal' dias, Taros halts his advance. "Why should we do all the work; let's make that pompous would-be king come to us, eh James?" Besides, it didn't seem the hobgoblins had brought any archers along - the troops could soften up the elite guard some.

Or Cara could just incinerate them where they stand. That would work to.

{
Full Attack: +16/+11, 1d8+7 damage
If the king or any particularly big bad guy gets in range, use a Smite Evil for +3 attack, +7 damage
}

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo makes another swooping attack, firing arrows so fast even the invisible seeing Anthony would find it hard to track them. Arrows both red-fletched and brown seem to fly toward Werkain and his crew. Where did that cloaked woman go? An impish grin crosses the pixie's invisible face.


Latigo makes another flyby attack run.
He fires a pixie memory loss arrow at Werkain and regular arrows at anyone else he can line up.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
Werkain: DC 17 Will Save or lose memory

[Idiotbox90]

Everything starts to look slightly red to Anthony as the battle continues. Perhaps it was his excitement that forced him to miss. Perhaps it was merely bad luck. Whatever the case, Anthony attempts to refocus his mind (DC: 20) before firing another blast.

((OOC: Concentration: +16, AB: +9, Dmg: 9d6 or 5d6, Range: 250, Target must make a DC 16 Reflex Save or take 2d6 dmg the following round.))

[kariokie]

The mayhem on their own deck upsets Cassy -- the attackers being cut down by soldiers were nothing more than poor peasants, not trained soldiers like Werkain and his people. "Stop killing them, damnit," she whispers, but she knows there's little she can do to change the situation. Except make Werkain back the hell off.

"If you don't get the hell off our ship, I'm gonna burn yours to cinders, ya jackasses!" Cassy yells down. Aiming her staff at Werkain's boat, she launches a fireball into the midst of his command deck.

{9d6, DC save 20 for half.}

[BlueWizard]

Hobgob Caves:
As Abbie charges forward, Basvarti holds his men. One of his sergeants looked in bad shape. The dais is large and Abbie can find her way to charging a bugbear, she can hit one near James. {randomly determined... can be retro'd}

Abbie's charge results in a deep gash in the bugbear's side. {11+15 d:11}
Seraph is quite large, and almost bigger than Abbie, she will land behind Abbie. This is a large bird, about man-sized! She will waddle up behind Abbie, and knows she'll have little success biting through these bugbear's armor.

James {DM action} will do his Bonecrusher move to halt the bugbear now! {7+17 d:16.... would you believe I actually rolled one 6... sorry about the rest of the damage.:smallfrown: } James batters the bugbear, and finds that these ones are about as well trained as the bugbear guardians he just fought.

Taros holds his ground against his bugbear enemy. He swings and chops his opponent up pretty good. He can use smite evil to cause the big guy more pain. {14+19 d:18; 16+11 d:10} He chops it up badly, but this one is pretty healthy!

The soldiers with Basvarti continue to be the frontal rear-guard... currently there was a minimal guard at the WAY back of the group, where the men pulled the horses to safety. Basvarti and company form a perimeter to guard Cara and the others in front from getting attacked from the back.

More of the bugbears step down to attack, including one that brought its longsword into Abbie's hip. {d:16} These bugbears are mighty!

Most of the bugbears have moved forward, except the two injured ones, they pause to drink a potion.

These last two bugbears and the old leader hobgob, will be smitten with Cara's holy power! {d:25} The Hobgoblin King is pained horribly, but somehow survives this as well! The King seems blinded! One of the bugbears dies, and the other manages to avoid the major effects of this spell, it still looks bad, despite his potion.

The Hobgob King blindly retreats, and pulls out a potion which makes him feel a lot better, but he is still wounded. He pulls back against the rock wall, and is trying to open a switch. He does, and opens a hidden door behind him. A slab of stone slides to the side. He is still before you all.

Cara is about to expect Abbie's attack, when suddenly a jolt of lightning from the high ceiling comes arcing at her. In the brief light of the darkness above, she thought she saw a spider with a snake head cast it from a ring, but she thinks that the electricity might be playing with her mind. {d:35 reflex save 3+8 I believe still fails...:smallfrown: } Cara is shaken as the electricity courses through her, but she is alive, and she can see something moving on the ceiling in the distant shadows.

End Round 8-------------------------------->


Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6 d:17
James 15+3 88/105
Taros 13+1
Soldiers and horses
Hobgoblin King and his bugbears
Cara 5+1 hp 33/68
snake-headed spider!



Crusty Bucket:
The crew battles in defense only, and Highline looks at Cassy with a crazed face, as he is splattered with blood already, "What you want me too do woman invite them to tea?!?" He says as he stabs two peasants in the chest, and pushing them off into the shark feeding frenzy below.
A few listen to Cassy, and stop killing, but they still knock the peasants out hard enough.

Werkain's men fire a volley onto the ship's deck, 2 of the armed allies fall. Werkain drinks a healing potion this time, and heals his wounds again.

Anthony concentrates and blasts Werkain! {18+9 d:26} Werkain manages to shake off the fire again, but still is burned quite badly.

Werkain is plucked by Silvas, but shakes off the magical effect. Two other men are damaged by Silvas as well. This all becomes irrelevant in a moment...

Cassy's little pea is launched straight into the midst of Werkain's command deck. Not much survives the explosion that follows, and the sails of the ship actually catch fire. {d:37} Werkain through it all still stands, and he took ALL the damage. He is pissed, and surrounded by dead officers. His charred deck is now catching fire, and there is some panic amid his trained soldiers. Cassy frightens many peasants who retreat... but there are many!

Another explosion rocks the Crusty Bucket, as something from within causes several archers below deck to scream death curdling howls! Black and grey smoke billows up from the port-holes of the bunk hall below decks!

The Peasants continue to swarm, but so far have not been able to cause the crew harm.

End Round 2--------------------------->
{OOC_ Now you know where the wizard is.}:smallcool:

Initiatives:
Crew of Crusty Bucket
Werkain and his men
Anthony 8+3
Latigo 1+9
Cassy 3+6
Peasant Mob- hundreds!

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo/Silvas

As Werkain's ship goes up in flames around him, Silvas hovers high above. He frowns at his ineffectiveness thus far. At least Cassy and Anthony are raining fire on Werkain's party - and the Bucket's crew seems to be holding its own.

Silvas' nimble pixie fingers produce a small vial and empty its contents over his rapier. Perhaps this is stronger stuff than spritely magic.


Apply Bebelith Poison 1d100=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1238324) - Successful.

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 33/68 AC 28

Taking but a moment to clear her head, Cara makes the choice to try to deal with whatever just zapped her from above. She flings a hand up at the bizarre creature above her to shoot a bolt of pure divine force at it.

{
Cast Hammer of Righteousness: 10d8 damage, Fort DC 18 for half
Does 1d3 temp Str damage to Cara: 1 (http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=2117)

Active spells:
Bull's Strength (Taros)
Blessing of the Righteous (James, Taros, Cara, and a bunch of soldiers, Abbie)
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (Cara)
Prot From Evil (Taros)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, 5th level soldier)
Status (James, Deeker, Reollo)
Daylight (arrow)
}

[kariokie]

Cassy launches another fireball at the deck of Werkain. "Call that bitch off or I'll sink your goddamn ship!" she yells, hoping she can stop whatever mayhem is going on below decks.

Suddenly she realizes how very vulnerable she is, standing atop the crow's nest with no one around to guard her. So much easier with Cara to hide behind.

[Idiotbox90]

"Damn this mess! We've got a bleeding mage under the deck! On the other hand, they've got a dead man above theirs."

The warlock, once again trying to gather his psionic potential, launches another jet of eldritch flame at the enemy captain.

((OOC: Concentration: +16, AB: +9, Dmg: 9d6 or 5d6, Range: 250, Target must make a DC 16 Reflex Save or take 2d6 dmg the following round.))

[BlueWizard]

Galorites:
The Bucket deck-guard holds strong, and continues to push back the on-coming sea-peasants. The enemy's ineffectiveness was causing a panic in the front ranks and some of those in front were being pushed backwards to the sharks by others trying to get on the Bucket. This was only causing more problems for the enemy!

Werkain's deck was not much better, some soldiers were outright leaping off the ship onto nearby barge towers. Werkain sips another potion, with a little effect. He looks charred and pathetic on his burnt-out deck.

Anthony fries the captain again, refreshing his mind as well. {4+16 d:22 fire} The Captain looks even worse, and manages to put out the flames that try to lick his body.

Silvas loads his poison, and no-one sees him.

Werkain merely flips Cassy off, "Imperial spies!" These also happen to be his last words, the explosion of Cassy's that followed left a burnt smoldering hole into the lower decks. Not much was left of the command deck. {d:28} The galley sails are now fully licked with flames!

Below decks there is another explosion and then suddenly most of the screams of the archers below decks are silenced. Fire burns below, and smoke billows out the windows.

The peasants surge as they all panic. A couple of your armored crew men are killed or knocked into the sea accidentally. The peasants above are definitely dispersing, but there is a remainder on the ship.

End Round 3------------------------>


Initiatives:
Crew of Crusty Bucket
Werkain and his men
Anthony 8+3
Latigo 1+9
Cassy 3+6
wizard-Lady
Peasant Mob- hundreds!



Hogob Caves:
Abbie will injure a bugbear, and James will finish it!

Taros will kill another!

When Cara's hammer of righteousness strikes the beast it squeals horribly! {d:34} It doesn't quite kill it, and nearly knocks it off the ceiling. The beast took all the damage and gasps in pain.

Soldiers fire bows at it, but none hit.

The hobgoblin King retreats to a back cave, attempting to shut the slow moving slab-door behind him.

The snake-headed spider retreats after the mighty blow, and tries to scurry away fast! It is in the dark, and 30 or so feet up on the ceiling. The cavern here has an uneven roof.

End Round 9----------------------->
{The battle is turning, and there are only 3 big bugbears left even standing now. The hobgoblins have all fled.}


Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6 d:17
James 15+3 88/105
Taros 13+1
Soldiers and horses
Hobgoblin King {fleeing} and his bugbears
Cara 5+1 hp 33/68
snake-headed spider! {Fleeing}

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo/Silvas

Werkain gone and his ship in flames, Silvas decides it's time to track down that wizard. Invoking a power he'd not used in a long time, he flies toward the deck of the Bucket looking for Werkain's wizard.


detect evil spell-like ability (80 mins)
fly 90' perfect

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony begins his descent from the netting to the deck. From there, he makes his way to source of the explosions.

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 33/68 AC 28

I don't think anyone else will be able to stop the 'king'. Cara pauses only a moment to consider how to deal with the problem. Then she moves. Getting as close to the king as she can without exposing herself to direct attack, Cara begins chanting and light coalesces around the fingertips of her right hand. She flicks her wrist and sends a spray of what looks like hundreds of shards of light at him.

{
Move so the king is within 60 feet, preferably positioned to get one or more of the other hobgoblins in her spell.
Drop Align Weapon to cast Ayailla's Radiant Burst: 60ft. cone, affects evil creatures only, Fort DC 17 or blind for 1 round, Ref DC 17 for half of 5d6 'divine' damage)
1d2 Str damage for Cara: 2 (http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=2119)

Active spells:
Bull's Strength (Taros)
Blessing of the Righteous (James, Taros, Cara, Abbie, and a bunch of soldiers)
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (Cara)
Prot From Evil (Taros)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, 5th level soldier)
Status (James, Deeker, Reollo)
Daylight (arrow)
}

[kariokie]

I'm gonna regret this. I'm really gonna regret this. "Chulyen, stay up here, keep an eye on things." She chases her familiar off of her shoulder, leaving the raven in the crow's nest.

Closing her eyes, Cassy envisions the layout of the ship in her mind. She sees the below-deck area, where the archers are. Grabbing the world in her mind, she turns it slightly and appears below deck, blinking as she tries to set everything right.

{Dimension Door to where the now-dead archers usually are.}

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Seeing Cara return fire to the abomination on the ceiling heartens Taros; he was concerned at the bolt of lightning that struck her.

Seeing the hobgoblins flee, Taros opts to give chase, charging at the would-be tyrant.


Charge action at the 'King', or if he's out of range, double move after him (60')

[tgva8889]

Taking the time to sheathe her sword again, Abbie notices Cara's first attack and sees for just a few moments that she seems to have hit something with her attack. Turning to notice the king retreating, however, Abbie moves to fire, pulling an arrow from her quiver with amazing speed and firing straight towards the king.

(Move action to put the sword away, free action to draw arrow, and standard action to fire. +17, 1d8+3 damage, not including bonuses from Cara. And it's a sleep arrow, so DC 11 Will save or fall asleep.)

[Vazzaroth]

((Been gone at a friend's house the last few days. Didn't think I'd stay as long as I did, or I'd have mentioned it.))

James sees that they should be able to win here, it now becomes a matter of minimizing losses. He moves (or charges) to the closest enemy, hoping to make quick work of everyone but the king, and gang up on him later.

((+17 (19 w/ charge, if needed), 1d10+1d6+8, Lightning Recovery if miss))

[BlueWizard]

Crusty Bucket:
OOC- I believe there is confusion as to what surrounds the Bucket at this time:smallredface: . New Galorine has recently boomed as a city you will soon find. It is similiar to Venice in style only far at sea, on floating barges and much, much bigger. These barges are mostly made of rickety wood, and there is a real fire danger.

The crew stands strong pushing back the peasants even more!

Werkain's deck is in confusion, those not fleeing are trying to fight the galley's fire.

Anthony moves down to the ship's deck, and opens the lower hatch to the bunk hall. Smoke billows out at him, and he can see nothing down there. Fallen dead on the Main deck are two men, including the Antarian, Rionico.

Silvas zips by Anthony invisibly and will enter the burnt-out bunk room. {On the way he will notice that very few of the peasants were evil.} Beds and tables are on fire, and dead are strewn everywhere. Among the dead here are Miss LeFeur, Buck, Ambassador Fa-dal, and even the teen Nalfal. Elise is nearby blown over a table, and laying near an unburnt bed. She is dying, and quite burned. In the back of the bunk hall through the burning smoke, Silvas spies the dark robed wizardess standing in the doorway to the rear-hold. She doesn't see him. She is evil.

Cassy dimension doors to the burning bunk hall, and immediately draws the attention of the wizardess. Cassy can sort of see the face, but she can't quite remember which imperial lady this was staring awe-struck at the sorceress. "Cassara?!?" This voice rang no bells either, but it might've been the quiet, studious girl in the back of the class.

She retreats back into the storage area near Latigo's crates of fine wine. Then launches a blue pea in the area of Cassy. {OOC- I will rule that Silvas flew right up to the wizardess, and is out of the ice blast area of effect. Fireball: cold substitute.} This blue pea explodes into a freezing cold blast that puts out most of the fire here, but causes more smoke and steam to fill the bunk hall. {OOC- Any below deck has to make saves after exposure to the smoky hull.} {d:27 Cassy saves vs cold-ball 18+5} Cassy avoids a lot of the freezing damage, and can see that the wizardess intended to also put-out the biggest of the fires here below. She paid no heed to destroying unconscious bodies. Elise was not in the area of the freeze, and is towards the front of the ship, into the mess hall.

The peasants are in a panic, and flee madly away, they are cutting the Bucket's ropes in hopes to swing back to their barge-towers.

End Round 4--------------------------->
Wizardess retreats down to storage area.

Initiatives:
Crew of Crusty Bucket
Werkain and his men
Anthony 8+3
Latigo 1+9
Cassy 3+6
wizard-Lady
Peasant Mob- hundreds!


Hobgob Caves:
Abbie fires an arrow shot and hits the creature on the cavern ceiling. It ignores the sleep effect. {15+17 d:5}

James moves at the next brave bugbear facing off with him. {15+17 d:16} He hacks a chunk out of the bugbear closest to him.

Taros rushes by the bugbears up the dais toward the closing stone slab. {Str Chk 17+3} Taros shoves the heavy automatically closing slab, and blocks it. In the dim light beyond he can see the old hobgoblin quite scared and frightened. Taros is the closest anyone has been, and now sees a silver headband beneath the helmet of the old king. Taros blocks the secret door, and can probably push through it. He did take a few swings from the bugbears, including a glancing blow on the arm with a wicked pole arm. {d:13}

The soldiers volley at the strange monster. Basvarti holds the men back as long as possible. A couple of arrows hit, including one that hits the monster right on the head. It looks quite bad!

The hobgob king sprints away from Taros down the dark passage beyond. Taros will have to squeeze by.

Cara finishes the nasty beast with her brilliant burst of light. She isn't sure if it was blinded, but the results looked good. The dead beast plummets from the ceiling, and splatters on the ground 40 feet below. {OOC- This is an alien aberration of some sort. That is all any of you know.}

End of Round 10------------------------>
{OOC: The Hobgoblins have all retreated or are cowering nearby. Only the last three bugbears gallantly fight to protect their tribe. Taros is in hot pursuit of the Hobgob King! Snake-spider is dead. See spoiler image on OOC thread.}

Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6 d:17
James 15+3 88/105
Taros 13+1 d:13
Soldiers and horses
Hobgoblin King {fleeing} and his bugbears
Cara 5+1 hp 33/68
snake-headed spider! {Fleeing} -QUITE SPLATTERED!

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 33/68 AC 28

With the...thing fallen to the ground, Cara keeps moving up. Fight first, examine later. The fight seems to be winding down, so she determines that her best use at this point is to begin healing people. Everyone, herself included, seems to be taking hits, just nothing terribly deadly so far. The lightning blast she'd taken had hurt, but not as much as it will when the fight ends and the rush of the battle wears off. Best to heal it before then.

{
Move up to be as close to James as possible.

Drop Radiance and burn a Turn Undead to cast Mass CLW, targeting Cara, James, Abbie, and any single injured soldier nearby: 18 (http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=2121)

If all of us can't be within 30 feet, then replace whomever is out of range with a soldier. It's a Close range spell (not touch), so she can target someone up to 30 feet away from herself if necessary to be able to get all three of us.

All those active spells are still active.
}

[Roland St. Jude]

Silvas

Silvas' little face reddens as the wizardess attacks his friend. He lashes out at her with his poisoned rapier before ducking behind any nearby cover to avoid further magical duelling. Here to help; taking cover he messages Cassy, just before moving.


[roll0] (no Dex to AC)
[roll1] + [roll2]
DC 24 Fort Save or d6 CON/2d6 CON Secondary

move to cover, if any (anywhere in 3 dimensions, but not between Cassy and Wizardess)

[roll3]
[roll4]

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

"I hate it when they run," Taros mutters to himself. Squeezing by the sliding door, Taros chases after the fleeing king, looking to end his reign prematurely. It was apparent he was likely under the sway of some other force, as he had one of those silver mind-control headbands; it would be best to capture him and find out who.

{
Chase/Charge after the King, though if I see a lever or something to keep the door open, then activate it so others can follow.

Is it a long corridor? Single room? Many others with him? I'll ignore most hobgoblins in lieu of going after the King.

87/82 HP, AC 29
Attack +16 1d8+7 Damage, Use a Smite Evil for an extra +7 on the King
}

[Idiotbox90]

Deaths, always a tragedy. Let's make sure no more- Anthony's eyes widen. "Elise!" He quickly makes his way towards her.

The warlock makes a motion with his ring finger and a small metal wand snaps into his hand. Channeling his eldritch power through it, a small amount of positive energy flows into Elise.

((Use Wand of Cure Light Wounds))

[kariokie]

"Ow!" Cassy whines as the blast of cold freezes her face and hands. She flexes her fingers to try and force some warmth back into them, then breathes out warm air, causing a frosty cloud to gather for a second in front of her face. "Just surrender, would you?" she shouts down into the ship.

Without thinking, she starts running after the woman, dexterously navigating the small space of the ship, "I'm not kidding, you should just surrender."

HP: 25/38
Run after the woman and cast Phantasmal Killer if she doesn't surrender.

[BlueWizard]

Retreating Hobgob King:
Abbie returns to James' side with her sword, but can add no damage. {DM action}

James cuts another bugbear down and the last two begin to show signs of morale failure. {DM action}

Taros can't spy a lever on the inside. He finds a dark passage into the rock. The Hobgoblin King is retreating down it. Taros can give chase. James would've seen the outside lever as well when the hobgoblin king triggered it.

The soldiers form a perimeter at the base of the dais, and bring the horses in protectively.

The last two bugbears try to block James, and attack him before making a slight retreat toward the top of the dais. One of these bugbears is extremely burnt and hurt from Cara's attack.

Cara can get all the injured in her healing except Taros, who is in hot pursuit of the goblinoid king.

End Round 11------------------------------------>

Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6
James 15+3 all/105
Taros 13+1 d:13
Soldiers and horses
Hobgoblin King {fleeing} and his bugbears
Cara 5+1 hp 33/68



Crusty Bucket:
The crew stands strong, and Robero finally decides to launch a small fireball at the galley for good measure. He commands, mostly using the fear already created by Cassy, "Flee! Flee before us! We have no interest in a war!" The soldiers kill more and begin to help organize the deck. A few strong men go to check out the scene below decks. {Highline, Rugus, Omarf, and others...}

Werkain's galley needs a lot of help, as not enough men stayed to put-out the sails, and the center mast fire spread to the other two sails. More soldiers leapt for the barge city.

The sea below was white with shark bodies, none getting enough it seems!

Anthony brings Elise to consciousness with his healing wand. She opens her eyes and smiles at seeing him as her first vision back, "My hero. Is it over?" She still looks very bad.

Silvas pokes the wizardess with his poisoned rapier, and she gasps as it tries to take effect! {OOC- Critical success} The wizardess sweats profusely and looks at the invisible pixie with fear.

Cassy can see the wizardess is trying to take the side stairs down to the lower area. Her eyes going from Cassy to the wine crates. She shakes her head, "You're dead! You... What evil magic brought you back!" She goes on, and will be about to bend down and look at the crates once she reaches the bottom of the stairs.

Cassy sends her frightful image at the wizardess and it doesn't kill her though. The wizardess recognizes the spell, and looks with fear to Cassy."You know dangerous magic Cassara." {d:9}

The wizardess bends down and touches two crates of wine, and then teleports away with them!

The peasants flee madly, and the battle is getting under control.

End Round 5---------------------------------->

Initiatives:
Crew of Crusty Bucket
Werkain's men
Anthony 8+3
Latigo 1+9
Cassy 3+6
wizard-Lady - Gone!
Peasant Mob- hundreds!

[kariokie]

"I was never dead, damnit, I was-" Cassy sighs as the woman disappears, and suddenly the pit of her stomach drops out. Why did I cast that spell on her? Why do I keep doing that?

She turns around to look where she assumes Silvas is, shrugs, and then bounds back up the stairs to see Anthony. "No, I don't recognize her. But people usually remember me more than I remember them, anyhow." She looks around, unable to do anything about the bodies scattered around the cabin. "Why did she take two crates of wine?" Cassy continues to muse as she heads back up on deck.

{Double move to try and get back up on deck and control the situation.}

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony using another charge of healing magic before replying.

"Over? Depends on what's happening on the deck. It's over down here, at least." The warlock laughs when Cassy enters. "She took the wine? That's a declaration of war, that is. She will regret that action."

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 51/68 AC 28

Seeing no one in dire need of healing at this point, Cara just moves up to help James. The sooner these hobgoblins are dealt with, the sooner they can follow Taros. Thank goodness I thought to put that spell on him. And the other ones, too. "James, did you see how Taros left? I wasn't looking, I just know where he is."

{
Move up, attack with mace
to hit: +10 damage: 1d8+1d6+1

Active spells:
Bull's Strength (Taros)
Blessing of the Righteous (James, Taros, Cara, Abbie, and a bunch of soldiers)
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (Cara)
Prot From Evil (Taros)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, 5th level soldier)
Status (James, Deeker, Reollo)
Daylight (arrow)
}

[Vazzaroth]

James will pursue the un-injured one, then quickly point to where Taros went in.

That way, Cara, behind a secret door. There's a lever!

[Roland St. Jude]

Silvas

Silvas gives a good laugh. "Yes, she shall pay."

Was she looting? Or looking to learn more about us? We got good information from Heron, how much farther do I push this?

"Is Heron still in his cell?" Silvas asks as he and Cassy head up toward the deck.

[BlueWizard]

Crusty Bucket:
OOC- Combat is over....

The armored men, Highline and company, will begin helping clean-up the mess down in the bunk hall.
The situation on the deck is totally under control when Latigo and Cassy charge up onto the deck. Helmav has a few peasant prisoners, and the rest are fleeing.

Robero and the crew have actually pulled the ship back away from the galley, and is going backward down the channel you all just came down. The galley is beginning to go up in flames. The Bucket is still quite crowded by the barge buildings, and many on-lookers have come to watch you all pass.

The burning galley is still in sight when a green robed wizard suddenly appears in the air above the ship. At first, with the sight of green garbed imperial soldiers wearing the red imperial dragon on their chests making their way through the barge catwalks, the crew was ready for more combat. Helmav gets all to remain calm, and listens as the frantic wizard in green, with a red dragon emblazoned around his fine robe splutters, "I am sooooooooooooo sorry! This is terrible! New Galorine is turning into quite the slum! Please! How can I ever help you! I am Don Vallone, master of trade here in this miserable place... Our diviners tell us you have fine wine. Where were you looking to sell? I could offer a price here. We don't get much call for that stuff... we even have the... uh.. good underground stuff... if you know what I mean. It sells well in Kandor."
He gives a commercial grin.
The imperial soldiers begin arresting citizens that are still trying to cause problems. Another team of soldiers goes to make sure the galley fire doesn't spread to the rest of the barge city.

Vollone smiles, and sighs as he tries to be welcoming, "I'm what you'd call law and order around here. The rest is insanity. We can escort you to the Imperial gate... usually for a small fee. Once there the open seas will be quite clear of ruffians. The empress patrols that area with Seekers all the time. No enemy pirates would dare cross these waters. Welcome to New Galorine, if you are truly traders. You've come well defended... wise. This must be a fine wine indeed. I hear Werkain is dead. This will cause all sorts of activity here. He sort of ran the markets here. Well, his will of force did. You actually helped me. I thank you. If at all possible, I'd like to send a commendation to the empress. It'll look good, she sometimes even invites special people to the palace to receive a special promotion. Anything to get out of this corrupt cesspool. Normally people come through the main port of New Galorine... this side of the barge city is no longer under the protection of the empress. It has grown too quickly in population. Wizard architects are designing all sorts of structures out here, and the poor come even though there is only fish and seaweed to eat. You should see the main port some time. We have quite a nice modern city with glass towers and collesiums. Due to your problems, no fees will be assessed here, but if you'd please do business with us I am sure we can offer enough platinum or trade to sample this product you have."

Heron is still where Cassy left him.


Hobgoblin King:
Abbie can see that the bugbears are trying to block the way. She moves to the secret door's lever, and opens the door. Taros can be heard jingling in armor as he runs down the hall.

James attacks the most uninjured of the two bugbears. He cuts it badly, and it begins to shake in fear a little.

Taros is maintaining about a twenty foot distance from the King. It is quite dark.

The soldiers put up a defensive front with their backs to a wall, and horses behind them in the large cavern.

James is unharmed as the bugbears bravely try to defend the passage to the now open secret door.

Cara hits heavy armor with her mace. {7+10}

End Round 12----------------------------------->

Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6
James 15+3 all/105
Taros 13+1 d:13
Soldiers and horses
Hobgoblin King {fleeing} and his bugbears
Cara 5+1 hp 51/68

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 51/68 AC 28

"Abbie, go after Taros! Don't let him run off alone." Cara focuses on what she's doing. This battered old mace has seen her through many, many fights, and it would see her through this one, too. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she notes that she'll have to clean it herself later, because Cassy won't be around to take care of that.

{
Full attack: mace/mace/shield, +8/+3/+8
mace damage: 1d8+1d6+1
shield damage 1d4+1d6+1

All those active spells are still active
}

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony almost begins to head back below deck when the wizard starts to talk, but instead decides to recline against the railing.

"One minute we're killing; now, we're talking. What a mad world." The warlock laughs. "Captain, I'll leave this matter to you. Good luck."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo appears from behind a convenient obstruction, "commerce would be my department, Captain," Latigo says smoothly, "by your leave," he nods in momentary deference to the man's position before continuing undeterred.

"Don Vallone, your welcome is much appreciated, if a bit belated. We've lost several men as well as some cargo to this banditry, which we now find was perpetrated by one known to you." The dark, good looking man frowns deeply. "I'm pleased that we could eliminate this impediment to you...Werkain. He had a wizardess cohort who owes us a debt." He looks sternly in the direction of the flaming wreck. "We collect our debts promptly as with that fool Werkain. We'd appreciate your assistance in settling our account with his companion."


[roll0]

[Vazzaroth]

James hopes to bring down both of the guards, to let the troops proceed.
His thoughts wander to one of his old, staple techniques, the Steel Wind. Now, he didn't need that style to attack two enemys, even if this way was a bit slower.

((Full atk: +15/+9, 1d10+8+1d6, 17-20, Recovery for re-atk +2 if misses))

[kariokie]

Cassy rubs her hands together to try and force warmth back into them, her staff held in the crook of her arm. "Yes, what he said with the collecting debts stuff. She set fire to our ship, killed some of our people, and tried to kill me." Well, I tried to kill her too, but she started it. "I would very much like to know who she is and where she can be found."

[BlueWizard]

Hobgob Caves:
Abbie hears Cara {DM action} and darts by the bugbears blocking the doorway. One takes an attack of opportunity, but misses. She can hear Taros clanging after the nearly equally loud old hobgoblin down the passage.

James makes quick work of one bugbear with two slices across its chest. The big goblin falls, and the last bugbear almost decides to follow Abbie. It makes a full retreat, and then decides to run off the dais. This one is still in view, but fleeing after the other hobgoblins. {When it finally acts...}

Taros can hear a lot of activity as many heavy metal things are being moved. Ahead of him the hobgoblin King bursts into a lit cavern. As big as the previous, but lit! Taros can see it is full of strong, mean looking female hobgoblins. As well as strange silver crafts that are hovering in the air and being loaded by human males in silver cloth-like outfits. At the lead of all this were three more of these snake-spider things. And a giant thing with a hood. Taros can't tell what the King says to the strange snake-headed monsters, but the word Neogi came up a few times. And Hulk for the large thing next to the silver crafts.

The crates being loaded are mostly supply boxes, but a few human sized slave cages could be seen. Including a large one for two people, with a giant bed. This one was unoccupied, and left to the side.
This chamber had a few passages off of it. It looked like it had many padded sleeping areas for the hobgob-ladies along niches in the walls. There were also barrels and crates in storage here, which some of the hobgob-ladies were protective of as well as a dark rear area, a likely nursery.

Taros just sees a glimpse of the busy activity beyond, and he can see that he has at least drawn the attention of the Neogis. This only causes them to speed up loading the three silver crafts, and they whip the men in silver even harder.

The soldiers have the horses quite safe.

The hobgoblin King is staying just ahead of the heavily armored Taros. He runs to the monsters pleading something to these Neogis, and the Neogis begin to look like they are threatening him now. The lady hobgoblins back off from Taros, and look to trigger something if he moves into the great inner chamber.

By accident the last bugbear actually runs right at Cara, intending to go by her. She is likely in pain still and in full battle mode. With one mighty mace blow to its chest she finishes the job she begun on this one earlier with holy fire. The last bugbear falls dying to the ground with its ribs shattered.

End Round 13------------------------------------->
OOC- Combat in the throne room over, Taros is okay in status right now, but he might be alerting you all to something; as would Abbie as she'll be where he is now on her next action.

Initiatives:
Abbie 17+6
James 15+3 all/105
Taros 13+1 d:13
Soldiers and horses
Hobgoblin King {fleeing}
Cara 5+1 hp 51/68


Crusty Bucket:
As Latigo takes over the dealings, Vallone is quite fascinated by all the merchant has to offer. He smiles, and looks about nervously. "Can we talk in private..."

When in private: {The Captain's Meeting Room}
Vallone accepts Latigo, Cassy, Anthony, and Robero, and anyone else Latigo deems worthy. Only then will he speak.
Vallone is still nervous when gathered in Robero's cleaned up new Meeting Hall. The Seawell kids are sent to help in the clean-up. "They need to see death sometime... might as well immerse them in it." Robero says as they leave.
{OOC- I assume Anthony went just because his presence does add an intimidation factor, not that Cassy needs any help.}

Vallone looks to Cassy, and then to Latigo, "I'm not sure the Antarian, nor many nobles know of her. She's a farmer's daughter. Worked her way up, even earned a spot in the Empress' Arcane Academy. She was top of her class, but she still can't earn a piece of property larger than her father's farm back home. Werkain pays her well, and she's been the one person I can deal with among his scoudrels. If you want to track her down, she lives on the Werkain barge. I am sure his sons are already feuding over the spoils.... As to compensating for your losses, what I can do is help you unload your wine. I am sure we can arrange a fair price." {OOC- Latigo appraisal: No matter what, Kandorian nobles will probably pay more.} "If you go after Pauline, I can't have anything to do with it. If the other wizards find out... the red or green ones... they'll come after me. We aren't supposed to judge other wizards. I'm merely Master of Trade... I was middle of my class, and I tell you I live like a king on this salary. But, they've been costing my empress a fortune! You are my guests, and under full imperial guard while you are here. How you wish to disperse your trade is up to you. If you want a map of New Galorine... or at least a fairly recent one, that can be provided. I can even supply you with a new crew."

Robero will secretly {from Vallone} shake his head "NO!" most whole heartedly to Latigo while in the meeting room. Vallone looks at Robero several times and can't quite place the name or face. Finally, and just as Robero relaxes from his strange head bobbing to Latigo.
"You sir? Are you one of the McAllisters or Croft boys?"

"No! No! I'm a descendant of Bale though, right enough. That ole evil bastard got into my blood. Bastard of Lady d'Veil's line, I believe. That's what dad said, but uhm... what sailor's dad wasn't or wouldn't like ta be... hehehe." He blushes, his bluff barely passing mustard, but the Master of Trade takes it.

"Right. Right. Anyway, what was your name sir?" Vallone looks keenly at Latigo, now that he realizes that he is the key money man aboard this ship.

[dauphinous]

Cara

Without even waiting for the body in front of her to fall to the ground, Cara takes off after Taros and Abbie. What was he thinking, running off alone like that? Fairly certain that James can figure this one out for himself, Cara just moves as fast as she can, not sparing any effort to speak.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Ah hell...

Stopping his pursuit, Taros tries to get a better glimpse over what the spider-like creatures are loading into their crafts as he slowly backs away from the amassed enemies. He was going to need backup.

[BlueWizard]

Neogi Caves?:
With Taros pausing at the door, combat stops, for no-one attacks him. Abbie and then Cara can quickly be at his side.

The great scene continues, with the lady hobgoblins glaring at the lurkers outside their doorway. They also give looks to their threatened King. One Neogi with two black stripes on its head and down its back pulls out a wand and points it at the hobgoblin King's head. The humans in silver continue to load crates. A few human cages can be seen with naked men. Cara recognizes Ethan {James' most exceptional soldier}, and a few other men. There are thuggish looking men in leather armor guarding by the last area of supplies to be loaded.

Already as we speak one Neogi enters a silver craft, and then the whole craft phases into another plane. Taking with it a third of the humans in silver-cloth.


Crusty Bucket:
Vallone will treat the crew and officers of the Crusty Bucket as special guests of the empire. He does check out Cassy, and look at her curiously, but she like Robero could be among any of the pretty noble bastard kids running about the seas. He only gives her a pleasant, nervous, but polite smile. You never know what teen could turn out to be a great arch-mage.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

"You cowardly bastards!"

Taros charges towards the Neogi, hoping to disrupt the operations.

{
Swift Action: Rhino's Rush
Smite Charge: Attack +21, Damage [1d8+30]x2
}

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 51/68 AC 28

Arriving just as the first of the vehicles pops out of of the cave, Cara immediately begins casting a spell. "That's just not acceptable."

If Cara can get within 60 feet of at least one of the neogi, she casts Diamond Spray (getting both would be preferable):
affects evil creatures only,
Ref DC 19 for half of 10d6 damage,
dazzled for 2d6 rounds (no save against the dazzled effect)

If she cannot get that close, then she instead casts Curtain of Light (which is basically Wall of Goodness and Light) between the neogi and the two vehicles:
affects evil creatures only
medium range,
10 contiguous five-foot squares,
2d4 damage within 10 feet,
1d4 at 10-20 feet,
2d6+9 if they pass through it,
no save, no SR

Active spells:
Bull's Strength (Taros)
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (Cara)
Prot From Evil (Taros)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, 5th level soldier)
Status (James, Deeker, Reollo)
Daylight (arrow)
Blessing of the Righteous <-- this spell only lasts 10 rounds, so I'm not sure if it is still active.

[BlueWizard]

The Neogi masters will act as well, when Cara and Taros move on them. The two Neogi are not close to each other, but near his own silver craft. {OOC- I will allow Cara to blast one in a surprise round.} Once the hobgob-ladies see Cara's attack the heroes will have gained an ally!

Initiatives:
Hobgob females
Cara 18+1
Abbie 9+6
Neogi
Taros 6+1
James 1+3

[kariokie]

Cassy slouches in a comfortable captain's chair, her legs over one arm and her head resting on the other. She watches Vallone interact with the others, amused. Cara would so totally punch him. That would be cool. Wow, he's boring. What's he talking about now? Blah blah blah. She stretches like a cat and then looks at the others in the room, rolling her eyes in at Anthony in shared sympathy. I bet he's hoping someone would punch Vallone, too.

[Vazzaroth]

((James would have followed Cara))

James charges forth with Taros, even if he did get their a little late. He must save as many as possible.

((Charge:+17, 1d10+8+1d6, 17-20))

[Idiotbox90]

Thoth, I wish someone would punch this guy. Seriously, why? Why does this always end up happening. Hey, good job killing that guy, you did me a real favor there. As your reward, hear me talk for several hours. Oh well, this'll give me a chance to go over my theories. Channel eldritch energy through shoulders, then use it to get rid of excess Hellfire, thus preventing me from dying. Hmm... is there anything else I can do with this energy? Interesting...

Every once in while, Anthony's eyes will flash red for barely a moment. Unless one knows Anthony, it's likely that one would think it a trick of the light.

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

"We appreciate your efforts, Don Vallone, and we'll accept your map and escort into open water - assuming that means alongside. I think our crew's had quite enough of unexpected visitors on our decks."

He smiles graciously. "I suspect our wares will fetch more beyond the gate, but I'll be happy to entertain your best offer."

"I'll have to discuss with my associates about settling our debt with Pauline and getting this ship back in shape, if you don't mind." He stands, hoping to see the man off before his friends get bored enough to do something rash - or fall asleep.

Responding finally to the man's question, "Latigo Black, trader and bon vivant," he gives a courtly half-bow and nods for the door to be opened and Vallone ushered out.

[BlueWizard]

Hobgob Caves:
Taros and Abbie can move to position, as does Cara in the surprise round. Off to the right as you go in the huge cavern is one of the silver ships and the Neogi with the hobgoblin king. Cara can blanket this whole area around the nearest Neogi with her cone, including the hobgoblin king. She can still miss the hobgob king and hit the silver craft as well. {OOC- Since Cara can tell the motivation of all the female hobgoblins, I will assume she blasts Neogi, craft, and of course humans in silver.}

Diamond Spray attack: The glittering diamonds come forth from Cara as Pelor grants her crystallized sunlight. A rainbow twinkle colors the spray as a diamonds tend to do. She rips the flesh of the well armored Neogi, nearby. {All the shards going right over the head of the submissive hobgoblin king.} Whatever wand the creature had is destroyed. It still lives!

The silver craft is heavily damaged, and Cara can see she caused it to smoke a strange green colored steam. About 5 humans in silver are slain instantly, as the shards rip them to shreds! The diamond shards dissipate to sparkles of light after they strike!

The creature is going to scream to the other Neogi about 150 feet across the cavern, but Taros obliterates it! {7+21 d:68} His sword connects with it, splattering it like a bug, and sending its legs all over the place. He can tell the smoking machine nearby might blow up. He has probably seen or heard of distant tinker-gnomish steam machines, they are considered VERY dangerous to the operator. Though this is nothing like one.

Abbie moves in with her bow. Normally hobgoblins hate elves, but for some reason :smallwink: these hobgoblin ladies trust Abbie. James can arrive now, as the men take up a defensive position around the dais in the other cavern, and don't move. Basvarti is in charge there.

James will see a few human cages near the far Neogi's craft, one of the men is Ethan another is Lord Wolf. At most the few men here wear loincloths.

End 'Surprise' Round------------------------------------------->
{OOC- The Neogi and company will be reacting now. The hobgoblin ladies will probably aid the heroes as long as the Hobgoblin king lives.}
Initiatives:
Hobgob females
Cara 18+1
Abbie 9+6
Neogi
Taros 6+1
James 1+3


Crusty Bucket:
{Vallone will allow for a discussion alone, he'll be flying above the ship this whole time.}
Vallone scratches his chin, and nods {still using that 20 diplomacy check}, "Well, I don't have a lot of free gold here, but I can offer 120 gold coins for a crate...hehe uhm, for my own personal stash." He smirks, "I do know of some people that might get you in good with some royal traders for the king, they'll get you a pretty penny."

The Bucket will get a full armed escort through the city. On all four sides the boat will be followed by marching soldiers in green with red dragons on the left and right, and small boats with soldiers in front and back.

They will take the Bucket to a great floating wall, behind you from this point you can see a few high towers of crystal and stone! All of them built on floating barges! There is a great gate here, and a huge port with an active market. The Bucket will be taken to the Gate. On the other side is open sea, and the wall has a heavy guard, especially at this point.

This will be as far as Vallone goes. If his offer for the crate is taken, he counts out 12 platinum pieces from a pouch of his. They are imprinted with the empress and emperor, this is a recent minting. {All coins are interchangeable throughout the world.}
Vallone will point at the wall, "The empress had it put up, to keep her seas clean of scum, and as a marker. She doesn't like Galorites."

If all are ready Robero will sail on, happy to be away from New Galorine, however, if you want to safely resupply here and hunt down Pauline the wizardess, the Bucket can find safe and protected harbor here. {Mostly because of the heavy guard it will receive at Vallone's apologetic expense.}
He's mostly concerned about a bad report from good traders.

The inhabitants of this city look like a mix of races, and is quite a surly sort of town, most of the ships are battered merchant vessels, and all look like pirates. Even the old folks sneer as the Bucket sails by, or wonder what precious cargo deserves such special treatment from the empire. Though most imperialites were used to the special treatment the nobles and divine got.

[dauphinous]

Cara
HP 51/68 AC 28

Not stopping for longer than it takes to let her spell off, Cara changes direction to head for the other neogi. Moving as fast as she can, she spares a moment to agree with James' earlier comment. This would be easier if Cassy was here.

Pretty much out of the wiz-bang fun spells. Just run x3, heading to the other neogi.

Active spells:
Bull's Strength (Taros)
Bless (everyone but Abbie)
Magic Circle vs. Evil (Cara)
Prot From Evil (Taros)
Greater Status (Taros, Abbie, 5th level soldier)
Status (James, Deeker, Reollo)
Daylight (arrow)
Blessing of the Righteous <-- this spell only lasts 10 rounds, so I'm not sure if it is still active.

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo will sell a crate to Vallone and will chat the man up about his royal trader connections. He aims to continue Vallone's good will and apologetic disposition for as long as they remain in the area.

----
Privately, with Anthony, Cassy, and Robero, Latigo asks whether they want to hunt down Pauline.

"I wasn't kidding about settling accounts with Pauline, but I'm not going to swear out a blood vengence or anything. She's not what we came here for and the sooner we get out of here the sooner we can get home with whatever we learn. Any thoughts?"

[Vazzaroth]

James immediately drops what he's doing and turn to run and free his men.

Bastards! I'll free you, Ethan, Wolf!

((Same charge as before, but over to Ethan))

[BlueWizard]

Neogi's:
Cara can sprint over to the Neogi, but the moment the Neogi acts, it walks into the 20 foot silver craft and suddenly it disappears, leaving most of the silver clothed men and many crates and cages behind. James will be at some of the cages and unlocking the surprised Ethan and Wolf. Both are gagged. All the hobgoblins look in awe.

The hobgoblin King will crawl toward Cara, humbly on his knees.
"I beg you! Remove this device. If I do it will kill me!"

The hobgoblin ladies are disgusted, but say nothing.


Crusty Bucket: The Captain's Chamber
Robero looks at the Cassy, Latigo and the Anthony, "What ever you think. If this woman recognized Cassy, is that bad? I leave it to her to decide. I have no problem executing one of my mother's co-workers, mind you."

The ship will sail on once business here is done... though there could be a delay.:smallamused:

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Taros will nod towards the hobgoblin women, respectful to keep his distance and not threaten them, while advancing on the silver clad humans and crates. Leveling his sword at them, he says, "Seeing as you've been abandoned, I think it's high time you surrendered."

[BlueWizard]

Taros can see the silver neck bands on the men. They are all dazed and look very confused and frightened as Taros addresses them.

[kariokie]

"You have a bit of a point, but if she knows who I am and also thinks I'm dead, it means she's not very connected, you know? I suppose she could go flapping her lips and blow our cover though, if she finds someone else to put the pieces together for her."

Cassy realizes then that Silvas probably doesn't know what she means, though Anthony probably does. "Like a little over two years ago some Guild people did a crap job of killing me." Staring up at the falling snow, everything turning grey. "Uh. Anyhow. Everyone thought I was dead until Tunia started trying to 'help' me by telling people I was alive. No, I have no damn idea why she thought that was helpful. She's good in the sack but dumb as a box of brain-damaged kittens." Cassy waves her hand, dismissing the stupidity. "So, the Guild knows I'm alive, but I suppose most everyone else I've ever known thinks I'm dead. I'd prefer it stayed that way you know?"

"Anyhow. We should probably find her and deal with her. If she tells people I'm alive and she saw me some goddamn lunatic bounty hunter will show up and start monologuing all over the place while trying to kill me with a kitchen whisk."

[dauphinous]

Cara scowls at the spot where the neogi and its craft were just a moment before. We must find out exactly what was going on here. It takes her a few seconds to realize that the hobgoblin king is groveling at her. "Oh, by the Light, stop begging," she says with no small amount of exasperation in her voice. "If you are willing to talk, then so are we." She hangs her mace back on her belt, then starts looking over the device to determine how to remove it.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Slinging his shield onto his back, Taros marches over to one of the silver-clad humans, sword still at the ready.

Reaching up to the device around his neck, Taros attempts to remove it, as they've removed the others, and throws it to the ground.

If the man seems to regain his senses, he orders, "Go about the others. Remove their controlling devices. Do it."

Turning to the hobgoblin women, Taros asks, "Do you speak common?"

[Idiotbox90]

"I think this is one of those situation where it's best to keep sight of the main goal. What was that again? Play pirates? Sounds about right." Anthony takes out a leather-bound book and quickly makes a small note. "Of course, if it becomes convenient for us to take out Miss Wizard, we certainly should. But we shouldn't go hunting for her, either."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

"I agree that we shouldn't get sidetracked, but I'd rather not be harried by this wizardess or bounty hunters while we're trying to be covert. There's a risk of going after her now, but it seems like more of a risk to let her go and have to worry about when assassins will show up."

He reaches behind his head and pulls a length of leather out of his shoulder length hair; it becomes a small cap in his hand.

"While you are, of course, quite lovely," he says to Cassy sincerely, "perhaps you'd like to play at being someone else for a while. This hat will let you do that on a whim."

He offers it to her. "I didn't realize you'd be so famous in these parts."

"As for Ms. Pauline, I'm as torn as my counsel from you two seems to be. I guess, all things considered, I'd favor settling up with her now so as to avoid further trouble later."

[kariokie]

Cassy waves off the hat. "I have one. It won't help this current situation, though, only the future. If she tells people she's seen me, then me looking like someone else won't do a thing to protect this ship, you know? These people aren't idiots. Well, they are idiots, but they're not that dumb." Cassy puts on a fake high voice, "'Oh my, we heard Cassy was on this ship, but there's no one here who looks like her. And she couldn't possibly be using a simple magical tool to hide herself. It's not like she's a sorceress or anything. I suppose we'll go now, ta ta!'"

"Let's go find this woman. I have no idea if she'd consider me being alive worth telling anyone about, but the pyro act on our crew isn't okay, you know? I mean, if I got fried I'd assume you people would be kicking ass and taking names -- or Cara would have your head -- so why should it be different if some peon gets killed?"

[BlueWizard]

Crusty Bucket:
Robero begins to be swayed to Cassy option. "Lord Latigo.... Lord Anthony, we could use a rest, and under armed guard we should be safe. Probably safer with Cassy away from the ship too. Hehe, uh hm! I think Cassy is right, this is a localized problem right now. But, depending on which wizard she was and who's friends with who, we could have Cassy's ex-boyfriend here quick.... oh Sorry...." He is unsure if mentioning this man, or letting himself on that he knows this fact in perhaps too much detail than Cassy might like. He turns beet red.

He looks to Cassy, "Look Vito's a close cousin of mine. I know him. Believe me, he's not so nice... if you're on his bad side. So, I try to stay away from him. I had to get him through Secondary School, but I don't think I saw him since Prince Valdis and Princess Rhianna's wedding, what... 10 years ago or something....? Perhaps you could give an illusionary image of the woman. I may know her too." He fumbles with his words.

In the meantime, a map and quick path to Werkain's barges can be found. The Trader-Wizard, Vallone prefers any dealing in the Captain's quarters and not on the open deck. He has no problem negotiating alone with no body-guard.
Werkain's barges are a busy area and disguises might be good.




Neogi Infestation:
The hobgoblin King stands, "Oh noble lady! I beg you, please, don't slaughter my daughters! We have been forced by these Neogi to do as they wish. They have brought human bandits and evil priests among us! My grandfather long ago made peace with a great general of your people. We agreed to live in peace, and I tried long to honor this, and to honor the barrier. We understand this! Never did we want to fight intruders, and we had nothing to do with taking your soldiers!"

A man in silver nods to Taros' orders, he is quite confused and begins to unclasp the neck braces of the other men in silver. They cannot be removed by the wearer, they are mentally blocked from doing so.

When Taros speaks to the hobgoblin females, they seem to trust him the most. One strong old one, that is hunched-over steps forward. "I speak your tongue. Do we go back to the old ways? Or do you wish to rule us? Perhaps we do need your aid. Our cowardly King, my husband should answer to the Bugbear Queen. We may have to seek her aid, but her goal is domination of the humans. We of the Crawfish Clan cannot survive with out more powerful protection. The underdark is too infested with aliens and aberrations!"

The King doesn't even flinch.

Ethan and Wolf will be freed, as soon as Wolf is out the loincloth wearing teen will find a dagger and begin to charge over to the hobgoblin King to stab him in the back. "You foul, pathetic beast! Your whole race should cease to exist!"

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Speaking to the outspoke hobgoblin crone, Taros responds, "I do not wish to rule you. Nor do I wish to war with you, or your tribe. That man," Taros indicates James, "has demesne over the surface realms here. If we were all to work together, our tribes would both assuredly prosper. These...abominations...who seek to enslave endanger us both."

Sheathing his sword, Taros adds, "If you were to seek out the Bugbear Queen, you would be aligning against us, and would bring war to our tribes. You must choose - shared prosperity, or mutual destruction."

At Wolf's crazed attack, Taros will warn James, and try to subdue the man before he can kill the hobgoblin king.

[dauphinous]

After removing the device from the king's neck, Cara is looking it over a little curiously. She hadn't actually seen the ones they encountered before. Not up close, anyway. After a few moments, she shifts her attention back to the king. "I understand. We have no wish to slaughter anyone at all, especially not those who are willing to live in peace."

Wolf's outburst, makes her snap her head up and around. She puts herself between Wolf and the king, offering herself as a shield for him. As gently as she can, she says to Wolf, "We do not murder those who have surrendered to us. Nor do we torture them."

[Vazzaroth]

James will grab Wolf and whip him back as he starts to charge, and glares at him sternly.

Wolf! Calm yourself or I will be forced to subdue you! Don't let your youth cloud your vision. He has surrendered, and is not our true foe, anyway.

If Wolf calms down, he will release him, while telling Ethan to keep an eye on him.

King of this tribe, I, Lord Bellows who controls the surrounding land by order of the queen, would be more than willing to forge a pact for peace and protection between our people. I may be a man of war, but I value peace. There is no need to waste the lives of your people or my own in petty conflicts.

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony nods, agreeing with the others' statements.

"If you all think it best for us to hunt the witch down, I will help." A smile creeps onto his face. "Wine thieves are the lowest of the low, after all."

((OOC: First Taros shows up in Anthony's bedroom, now he's at the pirate meeting. That paladin really needs to learn a thing about boundaries. :smallsmile:))

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

Latigo grimaces, placing his 'hat' back where it was. "Yes, the cat's out of the bag as far as Pauline is concerned, but going forward..." The pixie stops short of expressing displeasure or trying to order Cassy around. He suspected she'd take such things the same way he would, with a mercurial outburst or a sudden disappearance.

At Anthony's continued joke, Latigo laughs, "yes, and less wine for her means more for us - which is always good.

Shall we be about it then? Or rest and hit in the morning? We'd be better rested in the morning, but then so will they. And they seem to have taken the worst of it back there from you fire-throwers." He smiles thinking of the amazing effectiveness of the aracanists back at the barge. "I'm fine either way."

[BlueWizard]

OOC- :smallredface: Fixed latest Taros mix-up.:smallredface: I had just made Taros diplomacy roll with the hobgob-ladies...

Crusty Bucket:
Robero is definitely for completing this side mission now.

OOC- The trip over the populated barges will go quick, and I can get you straight to Pauline's residence. Vallone will personally guard the ship, under Robero's close supervision.


Hobgoblin King:
James gives young Wolf whip-lash as he grabs him. As Ethan removes his gag he mutters, "That punk got us into half this mess. I'll tell ya he needs to learn to keep his mouth shut!"

Wolf splutters at James, purely insulted, but when Cara admonishes him he bows his head, and tries to splutter something, but only says, "Yes, mam." He bows his head.

The Hobgoblin King, now without the silver neckband speaks to Taros nervously,a cross the room, "I want to work with you. I must, of course, pay homage to the Bugbear Queen, but peace shall continue to exist... however, the Neogi have killed our priesthood and the few arcane goblins we had living among us. We will need great magic to aid us, and we will request you go to the elves, and the Ancient Alliance, we may need to finally join it. The hobgoblin time is short." He says very depressed.

In general all 50 or so female hobgoblin here give a general eye roll at the Kings comment. The older female, sits on a stone. She seems satisfied, and gives a nod that relaxes the other females. Many don't speak imperial common.

The King bows to James, "I shall swear allegience to you."

Wolf spits at this in disgust, "You can't believe him!"

Quietly, Ethan will tell James and Cara, "These monsters intend to breed us. The goblinoids call them the Neogi, and fear them almost as much as the illithids."
OOC- This will be a perfect way to get Abbie onto her hiatus. She will return with the Hobgoblin King to the elven forests. He surely wouldn't last long alone.

OOC2- Hallf of the men in the scout party are dead are missing. 6 are here, in addition to a few local mountaineers from the region. Ethan will say the first Neogi took women, about 8. The rest were supplies including the ship mentioned in OOC3.

OOC3- Eventually the silver craft Cara hit exploded, but everyone knew to stay clear from the 40 foot diameter blast that shook the cavern and destroyed many empty bed pads.

[kariokie]

Cassy reaches into her haversack and pulls out a small hat, popping it onto her head. "I hate disguising myself. It's not very fair. Why must the world be denied my beauty?" Cassy grins and then waves her hands in a dramatic gesture, changing her looks just enough to get by. Her pixie-cut black hair becomes blond, and her dark skin fades into something lighter. Her eyes remain the same emerald green, however.

"It's for the best anyhow, I look like all the nobles down here, so people'd stare anyhow. Cara said I look just like that Empress' daughter, Ari-something, 'cept for the lack of a royal scepter shoved up my backside. Well, she didn't say that part, she just strongly implied it."

"Anyhow. I've still got enough juice left to take that lady out. Let's go now."

[dauphinous]

"We should, at least, get out of this cave. These 'neogi' know of it, and of our presence here. They will undoubtedly return in greater force as soon as possible. James, if you or any of your men can give me enough information about those who are still missing, I may be able to track them down through scrying."

Cara takes a look over the hobgoblin women. They won't be safe here, either. "James, I think we should offer some kind of temporary asylum to the hobgoblins. If you don't have the wherewithal," she says that word with a little bit of a pause, hoping to convey that she also means 'willingness', "I can provide it."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

"Excellent," Latigo says smiling approvingly at the new look, "let's go show Ms. Pauline how we deal with wine theives."

He expects that Pauline has bigger issues right now than looking out for them, but just in case, he shifts his own appearance to be more like a random local. He smiles at the others and begins to head out. He'll re-poison his blade as they approach and offer to scout ahead when they get to the barge.

[Vazzaroth]

((Do we have a name for the Hobgoblin king? If not, James will ask))

When Cara mentions giving more information about the missing men, he nudges Ethan. He should be able to help more than James, he couldn't remember exactly who he had sent besides Wolf and Ethan, aside from some first names or faces.

"I would be more than happy to provide quarter for these new allies, until they can lodging better suited. I cannot say how the current resident would react, but I will tell them to respect everyone.

James looks around at the humanoids he agreed to house, and tried to figure out if he had room for them in his province.

[BlueWizard]

New Galorine:
The population of New Galorine is more than any city Cassy has EVER seen combined! Hundreds of thousands of mixed race humans live on this sprawling sea metropolis. This was just seen on the crowded walk to the Werkain district. It is mostly poor fishermen in towers, or at least involved in canning or some other fish or seaweed industry. Mostly to feed itself!

The sea here smells horrible, especially away from the main waterways for the larger ships. Many catwalks connect the buildings and are the main way to get around on foot, and could be compared to modern city's streets and sidewalks. There were great barge-buses that ferried many people around.

Most of the populous pays no heed to the passing trio, though more than one man tried to get a glimpse of the blonde teen's face.

The city map is quite large and Don Vallone had to give it to you in sections.

When Pauline's apartment building is found it is a relief.

The wealthier areas of town have better sanitation and more than one wizard was seen flying about his business in this dense population that Vallone puts at 4 million. The apartment building that Pauline lives is a fine stone tower of white. Somehow its barge supports it with great magic. There is a nearby sprawling mansion and even landscaped barges with forests, this would be the Werkain estate.

The building is home to many of Werkain's special servants. Apparently, Pauline lived in a penthouse on the top floor.

Our heroes will begin to notice that the weather here is strangely calm. You will begin to see the dark robed druids that also fly about in their created breezes. They calm the seas, and block winds. Great magic is at work here.


Hobgoblin King:
The hobgoblin ladies will refuse to leave. The self proclaimed queen speaks from her stone seat. "These are our caves. We don't wish to leave, only seek better protection. Clearly our leader is too weak." The bed pads still smolder nearby.

Wolf nods, "I like that old goblin lady." He looks at the old female.

The old lady goblinoid continues, "Let the hobgoblin king go and seek aid. He will need it to maintain order among our hobgoblin warriors."

Ethan steps forward, grabbing some of his gear from the supplies left in the crates, "Excuse me, Miss Cara. General Bellows. I don't mean to speak out of place, but I did keep an ear out. Sergeant Forrell speaks goblin and the underdark tongue. He picked up a bunch, while we were... bred with the women." He indicates a gentlemen in his 30's, with a few scars of war on his arms and body. "These monsters are more afraid of our wizards than we should be of them. They are crafty, but we can beat them. I don't think they'll be back here, but we should be wary of them elsewhere in the world. For they will show up where you least expect it. They like to work in secret."

The hobgoblin king will officially introduce himself as Hrgath the XII.

The party can begin to make the return trip to civilization. Ethan will say the missing scouts were killed and eaten. They were fed to the hobgoblin ladies. The women were peasants that Ethan had never seen before.

[dauphinous]

"Very well, then." Cara gives a polite bow to the hobgoblin woman. "I wish you good fortune." She looks to James to make certain he is ready to leave before withdrawing. Then it's back to the rest of the troops with the horses, walking with Taros. As the rush of the battle fully wears off, the pain from the pair of half healed wounds that she herself carries comes crashing down and she slumps a little, giving a quiet hiss every now and again as she walks.

Once they reach the rest of the men, she takes the time to check over those just rescued for any sort of harm.

[kariokie]

Cassy's green eyes scan the tower. "Well, assume there aren't any fancy wards, I suppose I could pop the three of us up into that penthouse of hers. Or we could go in the front door and start talkin'. Or I could make Anthony and myself invisible and we walk in, or pop in, or hell, I could fly us up there. So many options. 'Cos I'm just that special."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

"Well, if we could all be invisible, and pop into the penthouse, that seems best. My magic arrows tend to work best on weaker-types, but I've got a poisoned blade," he takes a moment to apply some to an arrow as well, "and arrow."

"It seems our first priority would be to stop her from just disappearing again or spelling us somehow," he pauses, "can we do that?" He felt like he should know, but somehow didn't. He was ready to turn invisible, his natural state, once a plan was decided upon.

[kariokie]

Cassy shakes her head. "That's a pretty specific spell -- I don't have it. We could try to knock her out or Anthony could prevent her from casting like he usually does to casters." She turns in a circle, taking in the area. "So, I make Anthony and me invisible, you do your trick, then I port all three of us up to where I think the penthouse is. Okay. Don't worry about me if we miss our landing or I end up in the air -- I'll float like the beautiful butterfly I am."

She points her staff at Anthony, her green eyes glittering and her lips turning up in a grin, "He's screwed, though. 'Less he flaps his arms real hard."

[Roland St. Jude]

Latigo

"Assuming she's there, and we find her, the old-fashioned way works for me. I just thought we should consider it. We might only get one shot at this."

[Idiotbox90]

"Port us near a wall and I'll be fine. Should she try to cast, I'll do my best to mess her up."

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

When Taros had first met James, he had pegged him as a mercenary, straight up. His first impression had been right, but the man still had moral fiber in him that belied his self-interest. He had wisdom, and the events only emphasized that opinion. Taros knew many devout followers of the light who would eagerly seek the destruction of the hobgoblins, especially in their current plight.

Perhaps sometimes, just sometimes, someone who could bridge the gap, and act in a pragmatic manner, might be what's called for in governance.

Shaking his head, Taros dismissed the philosophical thoughts for another time; they had more pressing needs. Walking with Cara, he realizes how badly she'd been injured in the fight. She was stoic; she'd never come out and say it. In that they were alike. But her winces, and stiff gait indicated her injuries. Resting his hand on her shoulder, he channels what energy he can, to relieve her pain. She was likely saving her own magics for others that were injured.

It also heartened him that she was calling for mercy; he had worried about her lack of compassion to certain enemies - arguably well-placed - extended to these hobgoblins. He does not offer her words, but prefers to communicate with a glance that speaks volumes - his love, his caring, his passion for her - before returning to the task at hand, that of getting these men out of danger.

{
Lay On Hands, 14 hps to Cara
}

[dauphinous]

Cara straightens a little with Taros' hand on her shoulder. There is still a general ache, but most of the pain is gone. She lifts her own hand to cover Taros' with it for a moment, meeting his glance with her own - gratitude, warmth, love, and care in her own eyes.

It is just about then that she realizes that part of what is slowing her down is actually her own doing. Some of those spells, they just take so much to power. So much of herself, her strength, her light. Now that there is time, she takes a moment to cast a spell that should alleviate it, at least partly.

{
Cast Lesser Restoration to take care of that Str damage: [roll0]
}

[kariokie]

Finding an out of the way place near the tower, Cassy first turns Anthony, then herself invisible, keeping in contact with both of them as she does. Once they're invisible, she speaks a single word of Draconic and dimension doors them all into the penthouse above.

This is assuming the penthouse is within 760 feet or we can get within 760 feet of it once invisible. If it's not possible, then Cassy won't turn people invisible until they have an alternate plan.

[BlueWizard]

Hobgob Caves:
6 of the saved men are James' soldiers, and most of their gear is still here. There are 3 other men who are healthy mountaineer types. All the men in silver, are weak and scrawny, and actually not very pleasing to look at. They all look different, but they look to be weaker than your normal Imperial slave. There are about 40 of these confused men.

The soldiers down the hall with the horses are fine, and they are just happy they saved some of Ethan's party. All the humans are eager to get out of here. The hobgoblin King will be the only one of his people who leaves, and he'll accompany Abbie back to the elven forests.

The way back to the surface is uneventful and the trip to James' nearby fort will be unhindered, and in fact met with a patrol group which will supply the party and soldiers with fresh food. Even the odd, weak men in silver will eat healthy.

Ethan will ask James and Cara, "What to do with all these freed slaves?" He indicates the men in silver. None of them seem to bright either.

The 3 mountaineers will hike back to their homes, they will offer their sons to James' military and training, and the two with daughters offer them to be trained in the schools of Pelor.



New Galorine:
Cassy's knowledge of many noble bedrooms:smallamused: , led her to know where might be a good spot to port into the room. The outside of the building is easy to find and our heroes have no trouble moving invisible about while they find the right place. Cassy is 99% sure that the lacy window shades will be the wizardess' bedroom. She will Dimension-Door exactly by the wall near the window seat!

Into Pauline's Room:
When the trio is ready, they will pop about 3 inches in the air over a plush red rug. The invisible heroes' feet sink softly into the ground if they aren't flying. No noise is heard from that, for there is quite a ruckus going on here.

Your eyes are drawn away from the decadent room, with tapestries, sculptures, and other works of art. Even a display for her great wizard book near a large desk. It looks neglected at the moment.
There is a great bed which draws your eyes away from the rest of the wealthy and stocked room.

Cassy will now recognize Pauline, but only because she currently wears her thick bottle-cap glasses, which the slightly older brainy girl was known for in her days at the Imperial Wizard's University. Though the past reserved girl that Cassy barely knew, was mostly naked only wearing a leather harness. Some young tan imperial-looking man was doing painful things to her bare backside with a leather flail.

Both of Latigo's crates are here, one is opened, and already 4 empty bottles of the expensive vintage were laying on the ground. Near the bed, and the naked man was about to engage in more graphic activity. They are both completely sloshed and seem to be celebrating. They are also unaware of three invisible beings in the room with them.

[dauphinous]

Cara looks over at the former slaves, having vaguely considered the question that Ethan put forward prior to his asking. "They can come with me, so long as they do not object."

She politely thanks the men who offer their daughters, trying to gently remind them that no one should be sent against their will without insulting their 'gift'.

[Vazzaroth]

Cara, if you would like to house them, I won't object. I would do my best to provide for them as well, but it is very possible that you could do so better. Unless the men want to become soldiers, eh?

James smiles and looks at the poor slave men.

Suddenly, James remembers something. He turns to Ethan.

Say, what ever happened to that big fellow sent with you? Was he killed as well, or did he betray you? I had high hopes that his life could be turned around...

[Idiotbox90]

Who can comprehend the ways of wizards? Surely not I.

Anthony grabs Cassy and Silvas's hands and points them at the spellbook. If they could see him, they would notice his mischievous smile.

[Roland St. Jude]

Silvas

Silvas' first thought on seeing the bottles was, at least she's putting the stuff to good use, but upon seeing all harnessed up, his mind adds, "talk about letting your guard down.

He nods and adds a mischevious grin of his own toward Anthony, who he knows from that time in the glade, can see him, too. Testing to see if Cassy's message spell is still active, he whispers to them, "shall we take her alive, then?" if he thinks he can do so without being heard.

[BlueWizard]

Caves:
James looks over the long line of weak-looking men in silver. None looks to be a worthy soldier, let alone a useful book-keeper. These men might be good at guiding a plow horse or cleaning your silver.

Ethan nods his head, when the big guy is mentioned. "I almost forgot about that part. There was some wizardess in red who was here... I can't remember when she left, not that the gobos told us anything. She had a bunch of hired thugs here. I think she brought them from all over the empire. That big guy was one of them. He went with her after the hobgoblins jumped us in our camp spot. I had set a trap, but didn't know about the wizardess... she made our soldier's lives hell with sleep spells, and I just got overrun by a hoard of hobgoblins." He seems ashamed to admit this to James. {OOC- Vazz: But, your NPC is getting a level for all this I put him through.:smallwink: }
"I believe the wizardess was making a trade for or with the women, but we've been in forced, drugged orgies a little bit too much for my tastes." He nods respectfully to 30-something Forrell, who has been very helpful in translating some of the goblin conversations outside their cages.



New Galorine:
As the young man bends the ecstatic Pauline into more awkward and revealing position he laughs to himself and some to her, as he grunts with the wizardess, "Father's dead.... mmmm, you will help me kill my brothers... yes!... The fortune must not be divided...ahhhh... and Pauline you are there with me all the way!" The man is naked and Pauline only wears the strange leather strap harness.

These two are quite oblivious to the heroic intruders. A wizard unprepared and an unarmored fighter, even at high levels will be at a disadvantage. {OOC- I will probably allow any mode of capture of these two... I merely await the plan.:smallamused: }

[kariokie]

"Um. Ew." is all Cassy whispers at first, looking at the two of them. "I'm tired of seeing ugly people naked."

"Knock them out, take our stuff, take her spellbook, and run? Or more?"

[dauphinous]

Frowning at the news, Cara sighs lightly. It is not precisely a surprise that there are Empire activities here. It is still disappointing and a little alarming to get confirmation of it. "That is certainly not welcome news." She knows, of course, that mages can teleport wherever they want, and that she didn't have any kind of total safety here, but somehow, deep down, she'd felt safe in Sunhaven. Free. This news is surely proof that such a sense is only superficial.

"May I suggest a more...thorough interrogation of Deeker?"

[Vazzaroth]

James claps Ethan on the shoulder.
Don't be ashamed. You did what you could. I'm sure the casualtys could only have been worse if you had not gone.

James looks back at their (Presumably) still unwilling captive.
Yes... it seems he may just be more valuable than I thought. I think it'll take quite a bit of... coaxing to get him to co-operate.

James leans a little closer to Cara, so that at least Deeker couldn't hear.
Perhaps... do you or Cassy have some magics that could assist?

[dauphinous]

Cara shrugs. "Cassy does. What I have at my disposal is limited. The best I can truly offer is that I could compel truth, but not words. The power of the Shining Hand is not about the removal of free will. I can contact her if you like, or perhaps Trillo can use a similar sort of spell."

[Idiotbox90]

"Knock them out, take our stuff, take her spellbook, take anything that looks shiny to me, then run. We could take her too, if we wanted to."

The warlock uses his gift, scanning the room for magical auras.

[Roland St. Jude]

Silvas

"She's got your secret, so we can't just leave her be; I say capture, loot, and imprison."

I could probably give her a clean slate rather than kill her - and Heron, too, now that I think of it. Hmm...

With that he draws out a length of rope and approaches the pair. He carefully binds the man's ankles, pulling the rope tight in a single, swift movement that probably draws the man off his feet.


If you'd like rolls for this let me know, RPGWebprofiler seems to be down right now, so it'd have to be later anyway.

[kariokie]

"Imprison and take stuff. The best of both worlds!" Cassy hangs back, the words of a spell on her lips.

DC 20 Suggestion of "You want to surrender to us and cooperate because otherwise we'll have to kill you and no one wants that" held at the ready for whoever Anthony and Silvas don't manage to capture.

[BlueWizard]

New Galorine:
OOC- Whoo-Hoo bad guy fumbled save for Cassy!

With excellent skill, and since it seems like Silvas has all day, the invisible pixie gets behind the sweaty man... who is indeed standing over/behind/around Pauline. Pauline couldn't see if you were visible because her thick lensed glasses are so fogged up.

Anyway, to those who can't see the invisible pixie {mainly Cassy and Anthony} they will see the man's legs whisked out from under him, and fall face first into the naked and sweat-covered, bespectacled wizardess. She would've reacted when the rich punk's face landed, but she was busy throwing her arms up in confused surrender.

She splutters as her legs are tangled with the man's face and arms, and tries to stand and speak to the invisible voices! "Gods be praised! Don't hurt us!" There will be a moment of struggle for her to stand away from the man. If Anthony aids, Silvas can have the young man bound and gagged in no time.
She stands in her waaaay too revealing leather harness, fogged up glasses, and nothing else. She is quite ready to cooperate with Cassy, and in her charmed state shows no modesty at all.

Anthony's magical scan: Including the spellbook, there are quite a few things glowing magic here. Including a small night stand with a little drawer. More on the exact items in my next post. There looks to be items belonging to both... a VERY NICE loot score!


Hobgoblin Hill:
{OOC- Cassy can be used if needed to do a retro comment. No more combat will happen here.}

Ethan will be comforted by James.

Deeker is still safely tied up with the men. They will be calling this area Hobgoblin Hill on the road home.

OOC- I will place the party safely in the forested hills now, but it is night.
I can also skip ahead to the Jamestown Fort.

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony, before assisting Silvas, uses his Hat of Disguise. When the invisibility spell fades, a man clothed in head to toe in black cloth is all that the enemies can see.

[BlueWizard]

New Galorine: {Pauline's bedroom}
Anthony looks like a ninja!

Pauline will attempt to take off her fogged-up glasses to view her new 'master'.

[Roland St. Jude]

Silvas

With the young man bound and gagged, Silvas remains invisible and turns to regard the overexposed wizardess.

"Let's clean this place out," he says, "and, of course, she'll be wanting to come with us," the disembodied voice says cheerily.

He looks about for a robe for the woman.

[Idiotbox90]

The warlock makes his way to the nightstand and opens the drawers.

((Curses! I got Eastern in my Western.))

[BlueWizard]

Jamestown Fort:
Cara, Taros, James and entourage will reach the Jamestown fort within a couple of days. A direct path is made, but still so many people cause delays. Deeker can be fully interrogated at the fort or on-route as needed.


New Galorine:
This room is looted of all magic items, and several fine unique pieces of jewelry are found.
The spellbook is thick and has spells up to 5th level in it. An expert can tell that Pauline is already working on developing 6th level spells. She is quite advanced for such a young woman.

Anthony will find in the drawer a sack of scrolls and potions.

A list of other items:
Magical Black Leather {what a surprise}
Magic black robe
magic long sword
Various scrolls and potions
6 pieces of jewlery, worth at least 500 gp each
ring of conjuration {worn by Pauline}
Amulet of enhancement of some sort

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony tilts his head in Cassy's direction.

"You have something to carry this mess in, right? Otherwise, it all goes in the haversack."

[kariokie]

"You have a haversack, I have a haversack, everyone has a haversack." Cassy shrugs. "Yours is as good as mine, really."

Her attention turns to Pauline. "I really don't get it, why would you -- I mean, you could blow him up, not just -- anyhow. Put some damn clothes on."

[Roland St. Jude]

Silvas

Silvas remains invisible, though he uses his own hat to match Anthony's appearance. Interesting look.

It seemed they had the capture and looting done. Now to get back to the Bucket and consider what to do next.

[dauphinous]

On the way back to the fort, Cara makes certain to cast a Sending to her mother. "We're fine, sorry we had to leave so abruptly. Talk to you soon."

Back at the fort, Cara prepares to just move on back to Sunhaven. "I have neither skill nor talent with interrogations, James. If you want my help, you have it, but I think it is best left in others' hands." She'd asked people to perform interrogations in her stead before, and it would happen again, she is certain of that. It is really just outside of her capabilities to convince someone who does not wish to divulge information that he should. And other people have skill at that. Best to delegate where there is ability. Even better is to be unaware of the methods used.

[Idiotbox90]

Anthony gestures towards the leather flail.

"Souvenir for Cara and Taros?"

The warlock begins to pack the items into his haversack.

"Now, let's get out of this place before their friends show up. I don't want to know what sort of fun things they'll be bringing."

[BlueWizard]

To the Bucket?
Pauline gladly dresses herself, and is completely subdued by Cassy's presence. "But, I thought... they said you were... you became a legend at school!" She is in disbelief at Cassy. The young man puts up a struggle, but is still tied up. {He is much stronger than Silvas and Anthony.}

OOC- How will you be transporting these two? :smallamused: They are obviously important people in this crowded barge-gigapolis. Not that big, but bigger than anything any of you have ever comprehended. You can make a mad dash for the Crusty Bucket, where Captain Robero is waiting to get out of here. Though you believe there was some minor shore leave for resupplying purposes.


Jamestown Fort:
The returning men will be fort heroes and a grand party welcomes all, especially Ethan and the 5 others. There is much celebration, Basvarti and other high ranking officers stay at work, but none of the officers let Basvarti miss the celebration.

Deeker is under heavy OFFICER guard at the moment, and James and Ethan can conduct a private or group interrogation. Abbie is in a hurry to report to the Elven Queen to tell her of the prize she has brought, the hobgoblin king.
{OOC- Abbie is now out, tgva8889 can PM me if he wants to return.}
These two will ride off as the oddest pair in the world. The subdued hobgoblin king will remain hooded, as will Abbie, as she rides out of the human lands.

Cara and Taros will also make there way back to Sunhaven, a refreshed, and honored squad of soldiers will act as escorts, and of course, give the couple private space to talk on horse-back, and even brought a giant tent with expensive bed-rolls, so they could rest in comfort with full guard. {OOC- 'It's good to be {friends with} the King.'


Sunhaven:
Cara and Taros' return will be more unheralded, and only the shining temple of Pelor celebrates. Many hugs and kisses go round. Cara's pretty cousin, Greta, is here with her newlywed husband, Bjorn, and his brother Karl.
Greta has tears of joy in her eyes. "Ferina and I tried to keep a lid on it. She said I should come here... learn from the true high priestess..." She embraces Cara.

The two strong brothers, look at Taros as if he were an idol, and subconsiously size up their similiar frames. {OOC- Both young men were now skilled and trained fighters, but far from a veteran soldier's skill.}

Bjorn moves to shake Taros hand, "Welcome back, Lord Taros. The priests have been informed by our shrine at the Jamestown Fort. We had to tell everyone you were out on patrol. I am sure they'll want a speech... you and Cara are a pretty popular presence. Just the sight of you two makes people feel happy and safe."

He is interrupted by his teen brother, "Not a speech! How about a pamphlet?!? Look I heard about this Yuanese gnome, who invented a printing press. You take metal plates with movable runes, and you press it together with ink and paper... it is quite amazing. We could could start informing the masses. Most of us Northerners are taught to read, they all read your or the other god's doctrines at the hearths. I only need a loan..."

The older brother groans, "Lord Taros doesn't want to hear about your stupid 'Printing Press'. We must celebrate your return, and my wife's beautiful cousin. Come milord, I hope to be your cousin soon!!!" He nudge, nudges, and winks to Taros trying to steer the paladin away from his busy girlfriend, and near the hidden store of donated Ocamally wine, vintage about 10 years ago. {170 S.Y. post-imperial years} {OOC- A gift from Ocamally's winery, in an attempt to kiss-ass.}

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

Ah, it is always good to return home, especially a place like this...

He greets Cara's cousins politely - she had quite the extended family, it would seem - and even enjoys the 'sizing up' between himself and the two men.

At the request for a loan, Taros chuckles. "My good man, I am not of much means; how much capital were you looking for? I do say, it has promise, but do you truly understand all that goes into running a printing business? Is it better than what the scriveners can do?"

[Roland St. Jude]

Silvas

Silvas looks over the young man's bindings, redoubling them, if necessary.

"I'm not sure if we'll have any trouble getting back. You could take his appearance," Silvas says to Anthony, pointing at the bound young man. "And the three of you could probably walk back to the Bucket with me nearby invisible. Hooded and discreet would be best, but if we run into trouble, she seems important around here, and you're her old school pal," Silvas smirks. "Presumably, you three could talk your way through it."
"Of course, his brothers probably have the same idea he does, so looking like him may or may not be a safe idea."

Okay, so it wasn't a plan so much as a string of ideas. Maybe Cassy could just magic them back. Or maybe one of them had a better idea.

[Vazzaroth]

James always welcomes a good celebration for everyone one else, even if it wasn't always his favorite thing, personally.

He will ensure that Deeker is secured, and will prep Ethan to help interrogate the un-cooperative bandit about how much him and his buddys were involved.

((Do you want it fully RP'd? I'm fine if it's not. Also, I designed/thought Ethan would have ranks in intimidate, unlike James.))

[kariokie]

"I'm a legend? What for- nevermind." Cassy quickly realizes that anything she was known for before her 'death' wouldn't be something she'd like to hear. Or like the others to hear. "Don't answer that."

She listens to Silvas' plan, and quickly comes up with an alternative. "Well, I could just convince them they want to come along. They get dressed and walk with us, who's gonna stop them, huh?" Cassy waves her fingers, then realizes that spell has no need for her to do so. Still, it's fun to wave her fingers, anyhow.

{Cassy has 4 3rd level spells left for today, so try to get the fighter Suggested too, DC 20. "You want to get dressed and come with us to our ship because you're both in terrible danger here," seems pretty reasonable.}

[BlueWizard]

New Galorine:
Cassy's magic has no trouble on Pauline. However the stubborn fighter shakes off the first attempt by Cassy. The second spell works, and he goes along quietly. Piece of cake. {Cassy could even pop to some discreet alley somewhere... spotted outside the tower's window, and head back to the Bucket, with spells to spare.} Outside the bedroom there is a lot of activity, sounds of residents and likely Pauline's servants.

Cassy's magic works so well, that no-one will even look at you all passing... if they even saw you. You will return to the Bucket, and most of the new cargo is being loaded as you arrive.

Lord Heron is still here, and under Highline's watchful eye.



Jamestown:
Ethan will find out that the wizard's name is actually a woman, named Barnessa. She is related to one of the sea merchant families, the Barnacle family. She is a rogue and was a former wizard of the empress. She apparently dabbles in slave trading, and has a few weaker wizard males who do things for her... in many ways. She also has a girlfriend who is high up in a temple that worships the evil aspects of Hecate.

Ethan files all this in a 30 page document, that even deals with other known associated families, nearly all are linked to the King of Kandor.

James will get a report that his local winery has also doubled in profit.

{OOC- James, Cara, and even Anthony's investments will be tallied by the Queen's banks at the end of the year during the winter festival.


Sunhaven:
Karl scratches his head, and suddenly looks up at Taros, "I... uhm... I uhm... I don't think I quite rightly know. Maybe I'll go to Yuan and ask them myself! Then I'll come back and tell you! I got some money saved!" The teens confused eyes, now switch to showing every bit the excitement of a new horizon. {OOC- He will become an NPC in another game... hee-hee...}

Cara will immediately find herself once again immersed in the tasks of the temple. Even more so now, due to her absence. Some people would ONLY speak to Cara.

The wineries have been compliant, and have been selling some of their lands to small farmers.

[dauphinous]

Cara greets everyone who is excited to see her return with warmth and cheer. It is a wrench to settle back into the 'administrative' duties again, though the lull of the ride back softens the blow. Returning directly after fighting would have been much more difficult.

Already fully refreshed from the excursion when they arrive, Cara dives right into her duties with both feet, doing little more than giving Taros' hand a quick squeeze before leaving him to the mercy of Karl and Bjorn. Someone takes her pack, which is fine, as she can see the person and knows him. Someone else tries to take her mace, which isn't fine, as she prefers to retain responsibility for it herself. "I'll keep that for now," she says gently, then proceeds to meet whomever finds it so important to meet with her directly...in her fullplate, with her mace at her side, and letting her inner glow show. Although her helm is at her side, rather than on her head, she surely presents herself in a fashion that the petitioner was not expecting.

[Eratosthenes]

Taros

As Cara is pulled away to her duties, Taros feels a pang of annoyance. They'd had precious little time together once they'd met up with James's forces, and now back in the supposed tranquility of Sunhaven, it looks like they'd have to wait a bit longer.

Patience. They said it was a virtue, but at the moment he would've preferred a little vice.

Regardless, Taros lets himself be amused by the exuberant teen's actions; he must be getting old; he could recall clearly being excited about his pilgrimage, and all the wild fantasies that ran thru his head in the run up to it. Was it really so long ago? Eight long years ago?

Before his thoughts can begin running towards the maudlin - like his dragon-friend, or his family - he's snapped to the present by the wine-maker's persistence. "I thought you'd already sought out Anthony for a wine-making venture? Who is next on your list, hmm? I'm afraid my answer will be the same as for that young man there: as of right now, I am of little means. But if you can provide me with a true prospectus, then I may consider it."

Leaving the man abruptly, and bidding his adieu to Cara's family, Taros heads back to his own dwelling. It had been too long since he'd written his parents; the thoughts of money had reminded of them. He hoped what little he'd been able to give them had been enough to get them settled.

[BlueWizard]

Though Cara is quite busy all day, the evening she is given time off. In emergencies the priests of Pelor step up, but for normal public duties Pelor closes at night. Even the priests have lives. Cara is now getting a rotation going with her team of priests, so time off and vacations can be added to the busy priest lifestyle.

She could even plan for extended periods off, though she may begin to feel a need for old Beth. {Though Cara will find out, the Queen now pays her to watch over Cara's family in secret. Beth is now doing well for herself, even if the old lady still wants to live like a hermit at her small shrine.}

OOC- I am unsure which vintner Taros refers to.

Taros will find that his parents are safe, they are staying quite busy. They currently act as lay-scribes for the elves, translating elven manuscripts to imperial common. {Elfin is commonly known by upper class citizens and some nobles, sort of a hoity-toity thing in imperial society.}

In the coming time, Taros will find that he has dreams of Cobweb more often. She is mostly watching him, and talking, but Taros can never remember what they speak of in his dreams. Though she does give him images in his head of metallic colored dragons.

[Idiotbox90]

Once they are in a private area, Anthony begins to unload the items taken. Before beginning to divide them up, however, he gives advice on the new prisoners.

"I think it'd be best if we kept the prisoners separated. First, I don't want them talking to each other. Second, I don't want Pauline and her boy toy to corrupt Heron. Really, can you imagine the damage they could do to him?"

[Roland St. Jude]

Silvas

"Agreed. And I say we interrogate them while they are charmed and get on our way as soon as possible."

Maybe they can tell us some things about Imperial slave trading and we can finish up this mission. Oh yeah, after I unload all this wine.

Silvas takes on his Latigo guise and appears as they board the ship. He gathers a small contingent of guards and asks Cassy if he might ask her new friends some questions. He proceeds to give them a thorough questioning about trade routes, drug trades, slave trades, slavers, contraband, and other generally unsavory stuff. He tries to obscure his interest in slaves specifically by asking about a variety of things. When he's through he orders them bound in a similar manner to Heron, in a seperate room, bound, gagged, hands balled and wrapped, kept in the dark, and awakened every few hours to prevent them from sleeping well.

It seems a bit cruel really. But I don't want them killing any more of our people. And maybe there is something I can do for them.


I am without the benefit of Silvas' sheet right now, and I'm not sure if it matter whilst they are charmed but it's something like Diplomacy +19, Bluff +13, Sense Motive +19

[kariokie]

Cassy makes an icked-out face. "Why's everyone so evil also so skanky? Actually, reverse that. I don't mind skank, I mind evil. Why's everyone who's so skanky is also so evil? It's disappointing. I haven't had a good- nevermind. Anyhow, let's interrogate them or something."

She helps Silvas ask his questions, working to help confuse and disguise their purpose by showing a misleading amount of interest in the drug trade. Well, if she knows me at all, that she'd believe.

{+22 to Bluff.}

[dauphinous]

I should wear my armor for this sort of thing more often. It seems to make things go quicker. Perhaps they think I am on my way to go smite something. Cara smirks as she and one of the acolytes remove the tin can. I much prefer when Taros helps with this. "Can you have that cleaned, please? And I'm not taking dinner here. I'll be out for the evening."

After leaving her mace in its place - one of the shelves on her bookcase (she has no books) - she changes into fresh clothes and leaves, walking down to see Taros. Those fresh clothes are just a plain dress and shoes, but it always feels a little invigorating to wear something simple after going for several days in armor.