The Church of McDade

[AlphaLuke]

The world around Koren suddenly shifts. Things become less concrete and sharp and it takes his eyes a second to adjust. He looks at the barkeep, who untill now had been meticulously cleaning a glass, and finds that he has stopped to stare at the chime-clock on the wall. The clock just stopped for three seconds, he says in an almost drol tone. Koren observes the silence in the room, then begins to eat his food again. He doesn't know what had just happened, but it feels as if the Gods just held their breath.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield comes clomping down the stairs, whirring, buzzing, and dinging with each step. His eyes red, he stops at Korren's table, and says, "Goliath Online." Then his eyes return to their normal blue color. "What was that?" Shield asks.

[AlphaLuke]

I don't know, says Koren. I felt it too, and aparently the clock stopped for a few seconds. Koren goes back to his meal but feels something cold on his foot. He looks under the table and finds that his boot has been untied and taken off. He swings to the side, pulls his boot back on, and ties the leather thongs around it. Korren didn't know it at the time, but years later when recounting events, he will come to call this strange morning occurace as "The Great ReBoot". (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4896653#post4896653)

[Zato-1]

Anji awoke suddenly, feeling as though something was amiss. Unable to go back to sleep, Anji went downstairs. Upon seeing Korren and Shield, Anji asked Did you feel anything... odd in the last few minutes?

[AlphaLuke]

Placing his newly shod foot on the floor, Koren looks up at his halfling companion. I guess we all felt it then. I wonder how widespread it was? Koren pollishes off the rest of his breakfast and then wipes his mouth with his hand. He secretly wonders what it was that rocked the area, but thinks it might be better not to ask.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

For the first time in a long time, Shield noticed an emptiness, a void within his soul. After several seconds of analysis, he realized that he no longer heard the tell-tale voice of his personal demon whispering malicious thoughts in his mind. Not quite sure how to handle this news, though quite relieved at the silence within his own mind, Shield quickly flops into a chair. Flop being the operative word, as the wooden seat collapses underneath the weight of the automaton.

[Zato-1]

So, time did skip then... Shield? Are you okay? asked Anji.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

"I'm...ok...for the first time in long time, my friend."

[Zato-1]

Oh, that's good to hear. said Anji. He had been with Shield for a long time and had noticed that Shield would sometimes trance off and start talking to himself. Putting the thought of Shields personal issues aside, Anji took a seat at the table. So what now? he asked.

[AlphaLuke]

Koren, sensing a change in his life debt, asks Shield, Hey, metal-head? Is he gone?

[Zato-1]

Gone? You mean that... thing in his head? asked Anji, hesitating to mention inner demons in public.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

"Yes, my friend, though I'd grown quite accustomed to him being there, unfortunately."

With the unexpected departure of his inner demon, Shield seemed to have aged considerably, from the sound of his voice and the way he looked at his two companions. Obviously, the ordeal, the years of torment had finally taken their toll on the Warforged.

[Zato-1]

Anji noticed that Shield seemed older, which was odd considering he couldn't really age. Still curious about about that anomaly in time and when, if ever at all, they would help the townspeople, Anji turned to Korren and asked So what now?

[Pakiti]

Nebraska James woke from his sleep grumpily. A bird was chirping noisily at his room's window. With great effort, he stepped out of bed and tried to bat the bird away with his hand. The bird merely dodged the swipe, and continued to chirp happily. "Shoo!" he said, trying to brush the thing off his windowsill, but it stood resolute, seemingly determined to have Nebraska hear the entire song. Deciding just to leave it alone and ignore the music, Nebraska changed out of his sleepwear and into his adventuring gear. After he was dressed, he left the room and trotted downstairs.

Nebraska did such a good job at ignoring the bird, that he did not notice when the bird stopped singing. He did not notice that the bird in fact had stopped moving entirely. It was still, as if it was an image painted on the window. It remained this way for a mere moment, and then just as quickly returned to life, chirping and singing away as if nothing had happened at all.

[DeathbyFlossing]

Gore Dog wakes from a restless slumber, comforting dreams of volcanic eruptions fresh in his mind. rubbing the sleep from his green eyes and scratching his head through his brown hair, he goes about his daily ritual of getting dressed. Suddenly he notices a strange feeling, as if a great change were occuring. after a few seconds, the feeling went away.That was odd, Snowblood said, tosseling his snow-white hair. confusion glinted in his gray eyes, then he shrugged, and resumed getting dressed.

[AlphaLuke]

Suddenly, a man with dirty hair and a ruddy complexion burst into the tavern from the town outside. He lookes shaken, confused, and above all, scared. His green eyes are wide and his nostrils flaring. He glares at Koren, Anji, and Shield with a look of sheer despiration and terror. Help! Please help! He screams. I could have sworn that they were here last night, but they're not any more. Please, Gias, you have to help me. He looks at the bartender as he voices the last plea. Gias, a man of impressive stature and salt and pepper hair, puts down his glass and moves to comfort his friend. He sits him down on a chair and begins to quietly talk to him.

[AlphaLuke]

Koren looks up from his glass of ale at the rattled man, then to Shield. Korren has learned better than to meddle in the affairs of foriegn custom, but he has always consulted Sheild on such matters. His armored compatriot always seems to have a moral voice in his head than Koren can trust.

[Zato-1]

Anji couldn't help but wonder what in the hell was going on, but he felt that if neither of his compatriots had addressed the disturbance, it would behoove him to keep his silence as well.

[AlphaLuke]

The disheveled man huddles himself on a chair in the corner of the tavern, Gias sitting next to him and comforting with quiet words. As this continues, Korren pretends to be intimately interesed in the bottom of his glass, Anji sits awkwardly twiddling his thumbs and making tiny eldritch blasts leap from finger to finger, Shield sits stone still in the room (mayhaps wonderling to do with the deafening silence in his head), and Snowblood and Nebraska walk casually down the wooden stairs toward the tavern section of the inn discussing the nonchalantly themodynamics of elemental fire.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield looks up at the shaken newcomer, pondering what to do. It seemed so obvious to help the man, but he just couldn't bring himself to voice the words...as if something were telling him not to, and to instead remain focused on his own agenda. Pushing those thoughts of old back into his suppressed memories, he indicated to Korren the he was in with whatever his charge was up for.

[AlphaLuke]

From the broken man in the corner, Korren, Anji, and Shield hears a half-sob sentence. My kids, my gods blessed children. They took my children in the night. I've got to get them back Gias. I'll need all your powder and pellets, from our old adventuring days. I'm going after them. Look after Alyria if I don't come back. And pray to Matron Tyche for luck while I'm gone. I leave everything to Alyria if I don't return.

With that remark Gias gets up and goes behind the bar where he rummages under the cabinet. He suddenly springs up with an odd looking club, metal and hollow like a horn on one end, but blunt and wooden on the other. He also has a ram's horn and a bag of what looks like marbles. He silently hands these items to the broken man and grabs his shaking shoulders.Hermes' feet, Mathias. And Tyche's luck. As Mathias rises to his feet and begins to head to the door, Anji and Shield see movement in the side of their eye. Korren has stood up and moved with suprising speed to Mathias' side.

You look like you could use a few extra swords with you. I'm Korren D’Oriandas. I feel like I would be neglecting my house duty if I didn't offer to help. You are an Orien Outrider, the best shots in the kingdom. I noticed from the filigree on your musket. I am a Caravan Warmage, and would gladly offer my steel and fire for your children's safety.Mathias looks taken aback, but then tears well in his eyes as he gives Koren a powerful embrace. As he does, Shield and Anji see a tattoo of the house Orien Dragonmark on Mathias' left forearm.

[Zato-1]

Somewhat relieved to have something to break the tedium, Anji hopped out of his chair. Sorry if this is a tender subject, but who exactly took your kids? Surely it would have to be someone brave or stupid to take an Outriders children. I'm Anji by the way, a warlock by trade.

[AlphaLuke]

Ah thank you lad. I don't know that exactly yet. It'd have to be someone with a powerful sneaky streak to get by me though. I'm not like I used to be, but I'm not a common farmer. I used to be able to hear a rabbit sneeze at forty paces. Mathias quickly wipes his eyes and gets a look of grim determination on his face. A warlock you said? I fear we three will need to find our thieves at a distance then, unless you feel like breaking out the old cutlass Gias, Mathias says half goading his friend who looks at him with a smile. We could also use a tracker; someone who could move through the terrain ahead of us with little trouble. I get my best shots from far away, but used to be able to hold my own when line broke too. Mathias pulls two pistols from the back of his belt and, with a fluid flick of his wrist, two gleaming bayonetts flip to the front.

[Pakiti]

Nebraska, seeing the commotion with the man, walked up to Anji and Korren. "So is it official? We helping this guy?"

[Brandeath]

Groggily walking downstairs I try to open my eyes fully and notice that i must of slept in. Everyone else is wide awake and Korren is talking to some guy....
I am also quite itchy...as if dust or sand had gotten into my clothes.
"Didnt sleep well....slept in....sleep...."
Stil not thinking fully I walk down and sit at a table not noticing who i'm sitting with....

[Zato-1]

Turning to Nebraska, Anji replied It's the right thing to do. So yes, I would vote to help him. Snowblood is wise in the ways of nature, right? He could act as a tracker.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield stares with the wonder of a child at the odd armaments the Outrider has. "Where did you get those, my friend? And what exactly do they do?"

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias stops for a moment, then gazes quizically at Shield. Smokepowder pistols and a rifle. He says almost suprised. The gnomes across the oceanic divide brought them from some place called "Lant-tan" I think. All Outriders are trained in their use. I would expect a something obviously from House Cannith's stock would have recognized them. I've never seen your particular build though. Are you, by chance, a new prototype? As he says this he comes closer to Shield, inspecting him more carefully. I've never seen anything like you before, smaller automatons yes, but nothing with your stature and inginuity. He turns to Korren, By any chance, is it intelligent or does it only ask questions to update a running deffinition of the world?

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield glances towards Korren, unsure of how to react. He knew that those of his make were most likely no longer as common as they were a century or two ago, but he was unsure of what the sudden resurgence of Warforged into this society might cause, nor what ripples it may create. He decided to take the initiative, and win the man over before he could become too uncontrollable for his liking.

"Sir, I am not from the House Cannith that you know today. If you'll keep your voice low, I will tell you more of who, and what, I am...and I assure you, I am very much an intelligent being, as much as those around me."

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias holsters his weapons and sits at the table. 'Course you are. We can talk over a pint. A pint on me for all those who are joining me. We should also go over the logistics of this venture. As he says this he looks over to Gias, who begins pouring pints of a thick, dark ale.

[Zato-1]

Anji, who had firsthand experience on what being drunk does to ones behavior opted to nurse his ale as opposed t chugging it outright. He had only ever heard Shield speak of his past once before and was anxious to here more.

[Pakiti]

Nebraska joined the others at the table and listened. He had always been curious about shield's origin and wondered what knowledge of the past he held.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

"As you have noticed, I am in fact from the House Cannith, though long before your time. You see, my memory stretches as far back as two centuries ago, back when Cyre was still a glorious and triumphant city-state, not a wasteland like it is today. I was created to serve as a member of a lesser governor's honor guard, in order to ensure his survival. At the time, the city-nations were at war, and these governors were prone to attack one another in the hopes of achieving a decisive victory over one another. We were created to thwart those that would endanger and overturn Cyre's work. I was assigned to this governor, and soon became very close to him. I saw him as a father figure, though it's not truly a concept that we Warforged have truly grasped yet. Much like the rest of your slight physical nuances. I digress, on an escort trip through the mountains, we were ambushed by one of the rival nations' armies, and trapped at both ends. My unit fought valiantly, holding the superior numbers at bay for over half an hour, before the arrival of Warforged Titans on the opposing side. Great, monolithic machines with the sentience of a small child, yet the bloodlust and single-mindedness that only one bred for war can possess. These monstrosities caused the snowbanks to collapse, and entombed my body under several tons of ice, rock, and debris."

Shield takes a moment to see if the others are with him thus far.

"After what felt like months, I heard the voice. I thought it to be a rescue party, come to recover any intact Warforged units from the battleground. It took me only a few brief moments for me to register that this voice was in my mind. You see, not only was the mountain one of the only passes between the two nations' borders, but it also had the temple of a very powerful demon deep beneath its snowy peaks. This voice, this being of evil, attempted, for the better part of two hundred years, to subvery me to his will. It was only through my devotion to all that is good, and the will to defend those in need that I was able to resist his lures. When the ice had finally melted and the debris washed away from my tomb, it had been two hundred and ten years since that battle with the rival nation. During my entombment, Cyre had vanished from the face of the world, nations had risen and fallen, and anyone that I had known, Warforged and otherwise, had all passed on. I was alone in this world, and I took up odd jobs here and there, all to help those who needed it, until one fateful evening that I happened upon Korren here in a tavern, and saved him from a poisoned bolt. The rest, is history, my friend."

Shield sits back, surprised that he had actually found an audience interested enough in his life story to listen to all of it. He began to admire the strange weapons the newcomer had called pistols.

"Question: How may I acquire the components needed for those pistols?"

Shield quickly shot Korren a glance, indicating that he had quite the idea planned for the projectile weapons.

[AlphaLuke]

"Well if that isn't. . ." Mathias pauses, flabbergasted at the story, "I feel like I'm talking to the God's blessed missing article. I don't know much about the fall of Cyre, but I'm sure we can find out more about it if you'd like. Tell you what, you and your friends help me find my kids and I'll find you the most learned cataclysm scholar on this side of the oceanic divide. Now, about the smokepowder weapons, I reckon there is a gnome artificer or two in Sharn that would be able to get the parts. For a price of course. Those gnomes know when they are haggling with a loose purse, mind you. For now, I think Gias might have and extra Blunderbuss lying around that you can train on." With this Mathias gives Gias a knowing look, who then goes over to one of the barroom tables. He flips the table over like it is a feather and begins to wrench on one of the legs. The leg quickly unscrews and out slides a pistol slightly longer and fatter than Mathias' two. It is made of a deep black ebony with silver filigree running its length. The open mussle end is flaired like a horn and has the elabborate design of a gaping dragon's maw adorning its tip. Gias unceremoniously tosses the blunderbuss to Mathias, who grabs it out of the air. He checks it thoughouly, then extends the handle to Shield. "It was Lucius Verus', treat it with the respect it deserves."

[AlphaLuke]

Korren looks with wonderment at the beautiful Blunderbuss. He remembers the Outriders from when he was a child on the caravaan routes, noble horselords who could end a hobgoblin from thirty yards with a single shot. He remebers his father calling for their aid when a particularly valuable cargo was in the wagon, or a Dragonmarked heir needed an escort. Seeing Shield take such an interest in House Orien makes Korren swell with a certain amount of pride. My friend, he thinks, My friend, the only Warforged left, is on the side of House Orien.
"Mathias," Korren asks. "You know you have me on your side. I'm also fairly sure I can speak for the rest of the group when I say we are with you. Sound off if you are with us!Aye! Now, finish your ale boys, ready your magic, load your breaches, and tighten your bootstraps. We have some kidnappers to find."

[Zato-1]

Anji finished the last of his ale and began to send small eldritch blasts between his hands. Shields story had, for some reason, filled him with energy. I'm ready to go when you are. he said.

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood gets up from the chair in the corner where he listened in on Shield's story. this should be interesting, he thinks as he ambles up to the group.

[Brandeath]

I half knowingly get up from my table and walk over to Korren. in a sort of groggy auto follow.
"Aye, I'll go"

[Pakiti]

"Sounds like fun" Smiled Nebraska. Although disappointed that shield's story did not reveal much about 2 century-ago Cyre, he was interested in meeting this cataclysm scholar, and of course was itching for his favorite pastime: Adventure.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Taking the firearm in both hands, and turning it over, Shield inspects the Blunderbuss with admiration.

"I'll come with you, and make Lucius proud."

Shield then gestures to Korren to talk to him briefly. Once out of earshot of the rest of the group, he says to Korren,"If these things can do what he says they can," indicating the Blunderbuss,"then I wonder how likely it is that I might be able to acquire more of these, and if an artificer could implement them into my plating the same way that these blades are. Or, if not, if I can get an artificer to help make one of these, but give it range unlike any other weapon. I'm just the slightest bit annoyed by my lack of use at a distance, although I do make an excellent wall."

Shield grinned at the last part, although, to the surprise of those around him, the smile seemed human-like, another possible side-effect of the Great Reboot.

[AlphaLuke]

Korren chuckles at Shield's excitement. "Aye, you're the finest cover I've ever encountered my friend. And ,if memory serves, I have my life to account for it. Now I've seen these men in action Shield. They are crack shots with the rifles, and quick draws with the pistols, but what you're carrying is made for brute destuction. A blunderbuss fires a dozen little pellets at the same target, much like my magic missiles, and utterly destroys it. But be warned, it does not have the range of even a simple bow, and its accuracy leaves something to be desired. I'll put it plainly friend, don't fire it past me in combat or you will be less one taveling companion. Also, never point it at anything you do not intend to destroy."

[AlphaLuke]

The rest of the morning is spent making last minute preparations. Korren accompanies Mathias to his farm to load up on supplies and bid farewell to Mathias' beloved. When they are done, they meet in the town square to load up the cart.
Shield and Anji go to check on the status of the party's transportation. They are shocked and amazed to find their once weather beaten cart to be completely covered in a thin layer of iron shielding. Also, raised slatts have been added on the side and back of the cart, providing cover for those sheltered inside. When asked, the blacksmith seems equally dumbfounded. "I had the materials laid out and ready to work on this morning, but when I woke up it was done!" Sheild and Anji, pleasantly suprised, move the cart to the town squre where they meet up with the rest of the group.
Glyn, Snowblood, and Nebraska finish making their preparations and begin to wander the town, looking for information on Mathias' stolen children. They find little in the way of imformation, save that a great many incongruent things occurred during the night. They do find out that a local tribe of barbaric orcs often sacrifices unwary travelers to thier heathen Gods, and that years ago a hag queen lived in a nearby swamp and feasted on the souls of children and young virgin women. They return to town square with thier newfound data and rondevous with the rest of the group.
Allright, you have two choices (three if you count doing nothing). You can head into the highlands to the north and investigate the orc tribe, or you can head south into the marsh to look for the legendary Hag Queen. Mathias will accompany you all anywhere because he has just as much info as you. Also, I need you guys to establish a marching order out of character for moving through the countryside. The cart can hold four medium characters while granting a 1/2 cover bonus to all four(even though it is a 3X2 square vehicle). A small character can ride the mule while it pulls and gets no cover bonus. Mathias has his own warhorse. Marching order and any other details before leaving must be posted by midnight sunday to be taken into account. Get ready for a bumpy ride.:amused:

[ZOMGoubeaux]

"Well, knowing what we now know, Korren, I suggest that we track these orcs down. We can much more easily investigate their situation then we can if this hag queen exists. Most likely, this hag will have magics beyond my comprehension, at the very least. Find and investigate the orc tribe, but be prepared to find this hag queen if she does in fact exist."

With his two cents in, Shield began to polish and sharpen his weapon, and gingerly sharpen each individual blade he had. He wondered if the bow he had asked for the day before would be available for pickup before they left. As the thought of the bow came to mind, he remembered the Blunderbuss at his side. He'd strapped two leather belts around his leg, and attached a makeshift holster made of a small saddlebag, in order to store the weapon safely, but with easy access in case of emergency.

[Zato-1]

Great, barbarians and hag queens. thought Anji. Oh well, it could be worse. At least the cart's been upgraded.

Anji thought back to his training as a warlock. He was almost positive that the hag, provided that the party ran into her, would use similar magics as his if not ones that he had studied. As he thought more about what was to happen, Anji couldn't help but feel a little worried. In his travels with Korren and Shield he had seen many a deplorable act, but for some reason the kidnapping of children seemed to touch a nerve. It had been a while since Anji had cared so much for something that didn't directly involve him. Suddenly, in an act that suprised even himself, Anji uttered a short prayer. It was not a prayer to any particular god, simply a prayer asking for the safety of Mathias' children, and for the rest of the soul of Anji's brother who was kidnapped and killed long ago. Feeling the passion course through him, Anji looked up at Shield and smiled. I'm not particularly worried. I have the strangest feeling that the children will be fine and the orcs will be defeated.

[AlphaLuke]

Korren nods with Shield's assertion. "Indeed, I feel like we might find a more concrete answer to the North. My vote is North also."

[Pakiti]

Nebraska pondered on which group was more likely to have kidnapped Mathias's children without his knowing. He tried to remember all he could about orcs and hags.
Its been a while since I've done this. Hope it works. Nebraska makes the appropriate knowledge check to recall information on orcs and hags, using a point of inspiration (probably nature, right?) [roll0] (+6 nature mod, +6 factotum level)

Inspiration Points used: 1
Inspiration points remaining: 4

[AlphaLuke]

Nebraska recals that hags have, throughout common myth, been associated with powerful magics, human consumption, and the creation of Hagspawn. However, he also realizes that hags are not typical to this particular region of the land and have been fewer and fewer in number since the defeat of the Great Hag Queen, Baba Yaga, no less than a score years ago.

Nebraska then racks his mind for information on Orcs he may have gleaned in his travels. He suddenly remembers that the White Eye tribe of Orcs has territory not three miles from where he stands now. He also remembers that the tribe was founded by a powerful Orog Sorcerer named Gragic-mor-Torath, or "Knows Without Seeing" in the common tongue. The tribe worships what they think is the disembodied eye of a long lost god and has been know to make human sacrifice in its rituals.

[AlphaLuke]

Korren takes his position at the front of the cart, keeping a watchful eye over the road ahead. Shield, as is often the case, is not far away. He walks alongside Bill the Mule and guides him North over the hole-ridden dirt road. Anji has taken a position in the rear of the cart, legs dangling over the side as he watches the party's rear. Snowblood and Glyn, apathetic to the party's choice of route, have chosen to take naps in the belly of the cart as it rolls slowly northward. Nebraska has taken a seat in the back of the cart, furiously pouring over his journals, looking for any odd information that may aide the party against the oncoming orcs. Occasionally, he mutters to himself something in Orcish that may be a side note or tangent, then slowly lowers himself back into his book. Mathias rides on his horse to the left of the cart, rifle across his lap, eyes always to the increasingly snowbound evergreens. Every branch that snaps, every snow pack that falls makes Mathias sit a little higher in his saddle and prick his ears up.

When the cart has traveled steadily northward and upward for half a Sun's march, Mathias calls to the group to stop and make camp before nightfall. "I'd rather be sittin' with a watch at night than movin' with none," he says with the voice of experience. Korren leaps from the cart to help with the unload when he is startled by a sharp "CRACK" issuing from the woods. The whole party stands still for what seems like an age, making no sound at all. A flash of movement; a sickening, wet "THWUCK"; and Korren's right hand is pinned to Bill the Mule's flank by a short arrow with fur for fletching. Bill panics and begins to buck wildly and pull at the harness of the cart, all the while further injuring Korren's hand.

All right, here's how it is.
Korren takes 3 points of damage from the arrow and looses the ability to use his dominant hand until healed.
No member's passive Spot or Listen was adequate to hear the attacker.
Bill is treated as panicking and needs coercion to stop, otherwise he inflicts 1 point of damage on Korren every round.
Roll for initiative and indicate your first actions.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Upon hearing the sound of the arrow pinning Korren's hand to Bill's rump, Shield leaps into action. Stepping next to Korren, he pulls the arrow out of both Korren's hand and Bill's flank, no doubt causing a great deal of pain on both ends. Putting Korren between himself and the cart, he issues a battle cry, alerting the rest of the party to the presence of enemies, and attempting to intimidate the hidden foes.

Shield 5-ft-steps to Korren, pulling the arrow out as a move action. Then, placing Korren between himself and the cart, he makes an intimidate check against the enemies [roll0]

[Zato-1]

Hearing the commotion at the front of the cart, Anji quickly mutters an incantation which causes him to fade from view. Making sure he was undetectable, Anji quietly rushes out of the cart and attempts to calm his wounded mule.

I use Walk Unseen and Entropic Warding.

[Pakiti]

Nebraska hears Shield's battle cry and looks up from his work. In one motion he stands and draws his crossbow. The excitement of battle and the thrill of adventure return to him in a rush of inspiration, and he channels it to attempt to assess the situation.

Nebraska takes a move action to stand while drawing his crossbow, and makes a spot check to attempt to see the hidden enemies and also to get a good feel for any terrain or feature that may be of use to him. [roll0](+9 spot, +6 factotum level)
Inspiration points used: 1
Inspiration points remaining: 13

[Zato-1]

As soon as he was sure that his mule had suffered no lasting damage, Anji began scanning the area for whoever had harmed his faithful companion.

I make a spot check to see if I can see where they are [roll0] and if that fails, I make a listen check to see if I can at least hear where they are coming from [roll1]

[Brandeath]

Awakened from my nap in the cart by the mule's great ability to rock the cart, I just out of the cart to see whats going on.
as I'm climbing out I pull out my wand of Mage Armor and protect myself with its magic.

I take a move action to take out my wand and a standard to activate it

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood, awakened by the sound of the mule's cries and the rocking of the cart, imediately descerns that the group is under attack, and decides to get to bird's-eye look at the scene to see if he can spot the attackers. he calls upon the power of nature and transforms into an eagle, then darts into the sky to see if he can draw a bead on their attacker.

I use a swift action to Shapeshift into my Aerial Form, gaining a +2 enhancement bonus to Strength and Reflex saves. I also gain a claw attack for 1d6 damage and a fly speed of 40 ft. (good) I then use a move action to go 40 feet in the air and a standard action (I think) to make a Search check [roll0] to see if I can spot the attackers.

[AlphaLuke]

As the mayhem around the cart begins to unfurl, Anji quickly closes his eyes and becomes but a breeze in the air.

As soon as he does, three more arrows streak towards the cartful of comrades from the dark trees beyond. Two of the arrows clang off of the iron sides of the cart, but one flies true and strikes Bill square in the neck. The Mule brays in fear and pain, further rocking the cart and tossing Korren like a rag doll.

Awakened by the racket, Snowblood decides to take wing as a magnificent, white eagle that streaks into the sky. At the higher altitude, Snowblood's eyes require time to adjust and he cannot discern any useful recon about the pitched battle below.

Mathias, however, has no such difficulty with his eyes. He swings his rifle up to his cheek, breathes out a long breath, and fires the beast. It sounds like a thunderbolt issuing from his arm and a loud, monstrous scream calls from the trees ahead of him, followed by a sickening "Thud" and what sounds like breaking bones. Mathias then hops off his horse and takes a defensive position behind the ironclad cart.

Nebraska, tossing his book to the side, quickly unholsters his crossbow and scans the tree line, looking for any discernable movement. He catches the distinct figures of five small humanoid silhouettes moving in the tree branches thirty feet from the cart and approximately twenty feet from the ground below.

Glyn, awakened from his nap by the sound of Mathias' gunshot, takes a reflexive look over the cart wall. Seeing the chaos, he decides to ward himself with a ghostly set of armor, summon forth from one of his magical wands.

Shield takes a defensive posture in from of his wounded charge, blocking incoming missiles with his adamant form. He unceremoniously jerks the arrow from Bill's flank and Korren's hand in a single, mechanical motion. He then turns towards the villainous trees and issues a roar of such alien rage, that none in the party have heard anything like it. The challenge shakes the very snow from the trees and leaves an air of silence around the cart.


Korren, shaken from the pain of the arrow, reverts to his Warmage training. "Pain is mental, use it. Pain is fire, use it." He looks up at the treacherous trees with jet black eyes and roars in archaic Ignan into the forest. As he does, a bead of pure orange light streaks from his mouth towards the trees. A blast of heat brings a quick summer to the wintry glade, and instantly melts all the snow in a 20-foot sphere of the explosion. Brutal, goblinoid screams are heard issuing from the glade, followed by three crashes as bodies fall to the ground. Also, two of the trees in the previously damp glade are now in fire.

Ok, good round.
Anji became invisible and entropically warded.
Bill took [3] more points of damage.
Korren takes [2] more points of damage.
Snowblood takes to the sky but sees nothing.
Mathias takes out a single enemy with [10] damage from his rifle and then takes a cover behind the cart.
Nebraska sees five, small humanoids in the trees.
Glyn buffs up.
Shield rips out one of Bill's arrows, dealing [3] points of damage to Korren and Bill. He also makes a powerful Intimidate check against the five small humanoids.
Korren succeeds in his Concentration check [27]and casts a [23] fire damage fireball at the trees, dropping three enemies. He also lights two trees on fire.

Next round, Map to follow.

[Zato-1]

After trying to calm don his mule, Anji whirls around in the direction where the arrows came from. Nebraska! Where are they? called Anji.

I use a free action to ask Nebraska where the little buggers are, I'll attack after I know.

[Pakiti]

"Over There!" Shouts Nebraska, pointing at the figures.

?

[Zato-1]

Whirling about to face the little monsters, Anji fires an arcane blast from his hands at the first one he sees. Then, to avoid being detected, the moves slightly to the right.

I use Eldritch Sear 1d20+9 which if it hits does [roll0] damage. Regardless, I move 10 feet to the right after firing it off.

[Zato-1]

If did that thing again, so [roll0] see if that hits.

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood, seeing where Nebraska was pointing, swoops down on one of the figures and attacks with his claws.
I attack with my claws at [roll0]. if I hit, I deal [roll1] damage.

[AlphaLuke]

An explosion of flaming splinters and ichor rains from the end of Anji's Eldritch Blast. A shriek of terror issues from the remaining visible goblin and he begins to beat a hastey retreat into the trees. Meanwhile, Snowblood, seeing the goblin moving from tree to tree, folds back his wings and dives to intercept. However, the goblin leaps from the branch at the last second and Snowblood has to pull up sharply to avoid running stright into the tree.
Anji toasts the second to last Gobbo and Snowblood misses the remaining one. The Gobbo makes its maximum move out of the fight.

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias stands from behind the cover of the cart, takes careful aim with his rifle, and fires at the fleeing goblin.
Mathias attacks the goblin [roll0]

[AlphaLuke]

The shot echoes into the forrest, and the sharp crack of metal shattering wood echoes back. The goblin snaps and cracks as it flees into the wood, until its footsteps fade into the sound of the wind. Bill is breying and breathing heavily, his eyes wide with fear and pain and his ears flattened back against his head. Korren slumps onto the wet, cold earth clutching his ragged hand. Mathias curses under his breath and reloads his rifle. "****! That was an early warning scouting party. Too lightly armed to do any damage, just meant to slow us down. Dress your wounds and..." he trails off. His eyes turn to Korren, who has a blank stare towards the forrest. Quietly, Korren says in monotone,"Tell the trees to stop laughing. This hags-daughter hurts like a..." Korren slumps over on his side into the mud of melting snow, the burning trees refecting off of his glazed over eyes.

[Zato-1]

Anji couldn't believe what he was seeing. His senses were obviously lying to him. Korren couldn't be dead, not after they had been through so much together. Anji once again became visible and ran over to where Korren lay. No... you can't die yet! Anji muttered, drawing his wand of Cure Light Wounds. He didn't care if it would work or not, he had to try. Waving the wand over Korren's body twice, Anji silently hoped for the best.

If this actually works, then it heals for [roll0] because I used two charges. Seriously though, killing yourself off? Damn man :smallfrown:

[AlphaLuke]

The wound on Korren's hand closes and his breathing seems less laboured, but he still doesn't get up from the bloody, muddy earth. His eyes are glassy and still, but the life has not yet left his lungs.
Bill has begun to calm down, but his eyes seem to droop a little. He remains standing, but the harness of the cart looks to be all the weight he can bear.

[Zato-1]

Anji looks sadly at Bill. He wpuld not lose both Korren and his beloved pack mule if he could help it. Pointing his wand at Bill, he waved it twice in hopes for the best. Shield, would you mind un-hitching Bill? He deserves a rest. said Anji, his voice quavering.

Once again, two charges to heal Bill [roll0]

[AlphaLuke]

The wound on Bill's flank heals and he becomes a little less skittish. His weakness, however, does not lessen. He looks as if he will collaps right before Anji's watery eyes.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield unhitches the harness from Bill's weary shoulders, and sets it down beside the weakened animal. He attempts to coax the mule to it's feet, so that it can rest in cover of the cart, away from where the goblinoids had ambushed them.

"Can you take care of Korren for a moment? I'm going to see if any of the bastards survived that inferno. If so, I'll make them wish they'd perished with the rest."

A look of rage flashed through Shield's eyes as he turned towards the charred earth, and strode towards the bodies.

[Zato-1]

Anji was confused. He had healed their wounds to a degree, so Korren and Bill should have shown some kind of recovery. Perhaps they're poisoned? thought Anji. Can someone come here and tel me whether or not Korren or Bill is poisoned? called Anji.

[Zato-1]

Anji, while waiting for someone to help, performs a cursory inspection of Korren's wounds.

Heal check. I don't expect much [roll0]... O.k., at this point I'm sure that Anji knows that there is a wound on Korren's body, that's about it.

[AlphaLuke]

Anji sees the scar where the arrow pierced Korren's hand and sees a pus leaking out of it, a remnant of the half-healing.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield searched the crater where the fireball had landed, but to no avail, there wasn't a goblin to be found. His rage boiling to overflowing, he began to unleash his anger at failing his charge on the nearest tree, hacking away at it with his blade, cleaving through the layers of bark with each furious swing. On his last swing, he left his blade biting into the tree, and sunk to his knees.

Sitting there for about a minute, it felt an eternity to the automaton. An eternity spent chastising himself for failing in the most simple of responsibilities. After the minute was up, he rose to his feet, pulled his blade from where it had stuck into the tree, and went back to the caravan and Korren.

"It's ok my friend, I'm here, and I won't let that happen again. Of that, you can be sure."

Shield picked Korren up, and placed him inside the cart, using his pack as a pillow for the ailing Warmage's head.

[Zato-1]

Anji couldn't help but feel pity for the poor automaton. He had, after all, known Korren much longer than Anji had. After Shield had lain Korren inside the wagon, Anji went over to him. I'm not certain, but I think both Korren and Bill have been poisoned. I do not, however, have the expertise to ascertain this. However, as things stand Bill cannot pull the wagon. Unless anyone can tell us whether or not they are poisoned or if no one has any antitoxin to counteract said poison, we may have to go back to town... without Bill. said Anji, struggling to deal with the fact that he may have condemned his loyal beast of burden.

[Pakiti]

As the goblin ran away, Nebraska began to give chase, but seeing his friends not following him, he stopped at the forests edge.

"Can someone come here and tel me whether or not Korren or Bill is poisoned?"

Nebraska turned around, saw the wounded and unconscious Korren and ran to his side. "Well-rounded as I am, healing is not among my specialties." He muttered, doing his best to examine Korren's wounds.

Using my...unranked... Heal check. 1d20
erm.. okay. If that's not going to work, I'll throw my roll on the OOC thread

"Hey, druid! Can't you do something about this?" Nebraska yelled.

[Brandeath]

Remembering I can detect poison, I dash to bill and immediately hang my hands above his wound, gathering as mush information as I can with my spell.
"This is terrible....Does anyone have a vial of anti-toxin? How about Mathias? Does he have something? How far are we to a alchemists shop? Anything? I yell, as I try my best to squeeze out as much poison, out of both victims, as I can.

[AlphaLuke]

A screech is heard from high above the smoldering roadside. A snow white eagle streaks down through the smoke and changes into the human form of Snowblood. He times his change so that his feet just hit the ground as soon as he finishes the transformation. The pale druid rushes over to Korren and carefully examines the wound on his hand with a practiced eye, then moves quickly to Bill and calms the animal while checking the wound on his flank. He looks at Shield and Nebraska and says, very calmly,"Bill doesn't have the strength to pull the cart anymore. He is hurt and his strength is sapped, but he will live. Korren is completely drained of any motivating humor. He needs to have the poison removed from his body, but I haven't asked Mother Earth for the correct spell today. He'll be incapacitated until he can have his strength restored. Shield, your job has never been more important than now. You literally have to keep Korren safe from a single scratch." The druid then moves towards Korren in the cart and whispers over his limp form. Korren's form seems to become more robust, even in his limp, unconscious condition.

Mathias moves towards Shield without taking his eyes off the tree line. "We need to make a decision," he says tersely."My kids are out there somewhere, so I'm not going back rain or shine, but I don't think the lot of us are in any condition to move on either. The question is: do we rest here for the night, and see what Snowblood can do in the morning, or do you all leave, taking Korren into town?" Mathias never takes his eyes off the tree line throughout the entire conversation. It seems like he is waiting for the enemy to strike at any second.
Snowblood makes his Heal and Knowledge (Nature) checks to determine that it is an organic strength poison. Bill has a current strength of 2 and Korren has a current strength of 0. Bill's HP is at 12. Snowblood casts Bear's Endurance on Korren to boost both his HP and his Fort Saves for a little while. Mathias is making active Spot and Listen checks for more enemies.

[Zato-1]

I'd rather not leave Bill or Korren vulnerable. Is it possible for Snowblood to speed to town, buy some anti toxin, and make it back here in a quick fashion? If not, I vote we should wait until morning.

[AlphaLuke]

"I could fly back to town, find an apothecary, then return. But the trip would take several hours and this group would be less one member if you were to be attacked again in the night. I'd rather stay here and unleash nature's wrath tonight and try my best to heal them tomorrow." Snowblood says this and the loose snow on the ground begins to swirl around his feet with an inaudible wind.

Mathias turns to Anji. "I fear we are not through with these devils for the night. Goblins do not usually stray this far north, which means they are being used by something bigger. Orcs usually don't stoop to using Goblin slaves either."

[Zato-1]

Makes sense. All right, but who wants to take first watch?

[AlphaLuke]

"I will stay up with our automaton friend. My first shot should wake the rest of you if we are attacked." Mathias says this while hitching his horse to a nearby tree. He leans his rifle against the tree and pulls out two pistols from his belt. Then, from the pack on his horse, he pulls a bundle of eight, 1/2foot-long, silver rods. He then walks over to Shield with the rods in hand. "Help me set these around the perimeter, friend. They will give us a little bit more security tonight."

[DeathbyFlossing]

I'll take 5th watch, that should give me enough time to prep my spells. If anyone has any special requests besides the obvious cure poison, now's the time. Snowblood said, rather worried; poison was a big deal, and if one was using it, others would likely be doing so also.

[Zato-1]

I'll be watching over my mule. said Anji, sitting don next to his trusty steed. He could tell that his presence was welcome, because Bill's breathing became significantly less labored when Anji was near.

[Brandeath]

"Damnit...how did this happen."
I begin to search my bag for anything that could aid us. All I find is my bag of endless caltrops."Is it worth it to take the time to set these up randomly around our area? It may provide warning if an enemy steps on one. Maybe..... Maybe if we place them behind the trees scouts may hide." I know its a stretch but I guess everything helps. I look around to see if there is anything organic we might be able to use to defend ourselves.

Spot check [roll0]
Search Check as well [roll1]

[AlphaLuke]

"That may not be the best idea, Glyn!" Mathias shouts from the edge of the treeline where he is setting the rods in the snow. "If one of these gets tripped with those caltrops around it, we would all be in for a world of hurt." As he pushes another rod into the snow, he pulls some string out from his pocket, runs it through a catch in the top of the rod and ties either end to a tree on opposite sides of the rod.

[AlphaLuke]

"FIRE! BURNS! The ground will shake and the water will burn. . ." Korren screams with agony, then falls silent. Snow begins to lightly fall on the party. It sizzles and pops as it touches Korren's skin.

[Zato-1]

Damn, Bill has a fever. said Anji, noticing how warm Bill felt. Suddenly, Korren shouted something and faded again into silence. Well this isn't good. He's delusional. Hey Glyn, did you find anything of use on the bodies?

[Brandeath]

"I found standard goblinoid hide clothing, bows too burnt to use anymore, and a single belt pouch containing two ceramic vials (still intact)."

[Zato-1]

Anything in them?

[Brandeath]

"I think it may be the poison, but I'm not sure...I know I'll cast detect poison....and if that fails to yield an answer then I'll detect magic...."
Casts Detect Poison

[AlphaLuke]

Glyn channels his draconic power into the vials. Suddenly, his mind flashes with green, pestulent energy.
Oh yeah, those are poison. Would you like to make a Wis check to see what kind?

[Brandeath]

I rack my brain for knowledge on what poison is contained within, all though that knowledge is limited...

1d20

[Brandeath]

"I'll keep these in my haversack to make sure they stay intact...."

I listen about me...How can it be so quiet?? All I can hear is the panting of Korren and Bill, the soft cracking of the snow and the rustling of tree branches...its sounds to quiet yet we are in mortal danger...its strange really...right now in this exact moment we are safe...but this moment will pass and in the next moment we will be either safe still or fighting for our lives...
I enter a state of deep thought to pass the time away as we wait for Snowblood to gain his gift from the gods or an attack upon the already wounded....

Meh why not...i make a listen check. [roll0]

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Hearing the others discuss who would take watch made him chuckle. It was never a question of who had watch generally, but in their state of panic, they'd overlooked the fact that Shield never slept. He'd be glad for the company, though, as his existence alone was the loneliest of experiences.

He turned his gaze towards his friend and family, Korren. His closest friend lay poisoned in the cart, being consumed by a fever hot enough to melt the snow that was falling from the sky. Shield wished that there was something that he could do to help his comrade, but knew that this matter was out of his hands.

"Snowblood, I want you to sleep tonight. Not a hair will be harmed on Korren's head, of that you can be certain."

The steely look of grim resolve in Shield's eyes could have stopped a bear in it's tracks.

"Matthias, I want you to stay with this group while I go get some of those trees that fell. We need them for firewood, as well as for a makeshift barricade. If we're going to stay here tonight, we might as well make ourselves at home."

Turning to Glyn, Shield asks, "Those vials. You're certain that they're poison? If so, I'm going to give those goblins a taste of what they've wrought next chance I get."

As Shield begins to turn and walk back towards his charge, he turns back to the group.

"What happens next when the goblins return, many of you will not like. All of you will see something that I don't enjoy doing, but must be done. I hope that as my friends and companions, you will not judge my actions too harshly, and I dearly hope that you do not try to stop me. It may be the last thing you do in your relatively short lives."

After checking on Korren, and uttering a soft prayer on his behalf, Shield returns to the crater, where he begins hacking away at the fallen trees in order to make them into manageable pieces that he can drag back to the cart.

[ZohEmGuhBow]

Posting to be awesome!

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias sees Shield begin the work on the trees and shouts out to the grim Warforged. "Don't trip these traps I'm setting when you are setting up those barricades, Shield. You wouldn't be of any use to us in pieces."

[Brandeath]

I watched as Mathias set up his trap and curiosity, and fear creeped into my mind.
"So uh...What exactly are you setting up Mathias? I have never seen anything quite like it, and from your comments it seems to be a destructive tool. I would like to know what it does so I wont be surprised if it is set off...."

[AlphaLuke]

"Another gnomish invention. These take the smokepowder used to fire my weapons and puts it under a powerful amount of pressure. When the fuse is lit, or when the release is tripped, the powder inside ignites and causes a powerfull explosion to be released rivaling what Korren produced not a half-hour ago." Mathias says this with, not so much glee, as grim satisfaction.

[Brandeath]

"Amazing...What would the world do without Gnomes?"
I wonder if there is anything in Korren's pack that could help us...Searching through his pack I find his Rust Monster wand and Torch bug tube...
"Oh **** they don't look too good..."
I open the vents to let the Torch bugs breath, then I grabbed 5 copper pieces from Korren's bag and gave the rusties something to snack on."I'm sure glad he was poisoned or we would have never had reason to go through his bags! ... Wait...."

[AlphaLuke]

"Drink. . .so thirsty. . .fire"

[Pakiti]

Nebraska, seeing the group get to work, saw his warforged companion trying to throw together something like a barricade. He cringed. "Look, you're doing it all wrong." He said, and began to guide Shield in the proper way to make a barrier.

i make a knowledge architecture check using inspiration. [roll0]

Inspiration used: 1
Inspiration remaining: 12

[Zato-1]

Anji watched his comrades patter about the camp doing various things. All of this almost seemed like a dream to him that, should he awaken, would melt into reality. Bill's rough but steady breathing convinced him otherwise. Hearing Korren mumble something about drinking, Anji pulled out his waterskin and held it to Korren's lips. It was odd. Anji had never seen Korren so defenseless. Korren took a sip or two of water and made a sighing sound. Anji, unsure of what else to do, returned to his mule.

[AlphaLuke]

Korren slips in to a feverish sleep, periodically saying something unintelligible, then fading back into unconsciousness.
Anji eventually falls asleep, resting his head on the heaving side of his injured mule.
Glyn, after dealing with the various and sundry administrative duties around the camp, decides to take his rest inside the cart, next to Korren.
Snowblood finds his rest inside the cart as well, meditating on the new powers he will use in the morning.
Nebraska, after helping Shield with the finer points of barricade construction, decides to find any room he can inside the cart, pulls his hat over his eyes and falls into a shallow sleep.
Shield, showing Olympian feats of strength, heaves six full-grown evergreen trees into a rough hexagon around the cart. After he is satisfied with the makeshift barricade, he takes a seat at the driver's seat in the cart. He remains within arm's length of Korren, but in an elevated position so as to better be a watchman.
Finally, Mathias, after he has set the last of his eight traps, takes a seat next to his adamantine friend, rifle in hand. He is quiet and alert; the only movements he makes are the occasional head turn or movements of breath.

[AlphaLuke]

After hours of quiet, the only sound coming from the soft patter of snow in the forrest, Mathias turns to Shield."Wake them, the calm before the storm is done. They are coming." Mathias hops down from the war cart and puts his hand to the ground. ". . .they have something big with them. I pray to Mars, Nike, and Minerva for victory, so that I may see my children again."

[Brandeath]

Oddly enough Korren's body temperature made the cart very comfortable to sleep in. It felt like a cave, with a dwindling fire in the center. The floor was cold and rough, but the air was humid and nice. I started to fade into dream....

Its warm here...I thought to myself. I was in complete darkness and yet...there was light. Like closing your eyes. There is no light yet you see color...and I saw green. I moved my legs, then my arms, and then my- wait what are these? Wings? Yes wings...I try move forward...No knowing where I'll end up but that worry was replaced by a bigger one! I cant move....I'm stuck! Trapped!!! No! No! I begin to thrust at the barrier around me, but I feel so weak....So very weak, yet I continue! And then...*CRACK* Light poured in through a lightning shaped crack in this hard yet...brittle barrier. I move my head out...I'm in a shell! An...Egg? My eyes open wide and I can see I'm in a nest, with about 10-12 other eggs, 5 of them shaking...moving with the same fear I had, the fear of being trapped. I don't want to be trapped.... I don't ever want to be trapped again.........

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield slowly wakes the rest of the party, one by one, sure not to let them make a sound. He lets them know that something big is on it's way, with more of the ones from before.

He slowly lowers himself from the cart, only after checking to see that Korren still drew breath.

"Mathias and I will be down here, you others that can't move quickly, stay here, and guard Korren and this cart with your lives, do you understand me? This is the safest place for you right now."

With that, Shield quietly moved next to Mathias.

"Can you tell how many there are? And just how big is this newcomer?"

After a moment, Shield shakes his head, and says, "No matter. It can be as tall as a castle. If it bleeds, I will kill it."

Shield took the next few seconds to check his gear. He'd left Anji's Haversack in the cart, so as not to be weighed down by it. He'd loaded the blunderbuss before the others had gone to sleep, and had prepared several additional shots, as well as the powder horn at his waist. He slowly flexed the joints around the blades in his armor, sliding them in and out with a practiced ease. The last weapon he checked was the Fullblade resting against the tree he was crouched behind. Sharper than any other weapon, the 8-foot blade was truly a testament to the care that the automaton took in his tools. This piece of steel had slain countless opponents over the course of Shield's campaign, but none would feel it's wrath as much as those that were marching towards the encampment. He gazed out into the night with the determination that he would either slay all of the goblins on their way, or die in the attempt. He uttered a silent prayer to his charge, his maker, and to House Cannith itself, hoping that he would see his friend's face once more.

[AlphaLuke]

The group starts to hear the cracking of branches and the chatter in Goblin of the advancing horde from the North/Northwest. Then they begin to feel the slow, regular thud of heavier footsteps. Mathias points out the waving of the evergreen trees half a stade away. He whispers to the group, "Prepare yourselves, or you shall not have time to regret it!" A louder crack of wood silences his talk. And he turns towards the wood with a wry smile. "They are going to regret showing themselves tonight. We shall send them back to the hole from whence they were vomited." he says, almost silently. Then, his smile becomes almost maniacal. "They are headed right for my firebombs"

[AlphaLuke]

Turning to Shield, Mathias says, "I don't know how many, but I'd estimate 20-40 strong. Only one bigun'."

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood, awakened by the thumping footsteps, gets up and stretches. Ah, not a moment to late. he says, grinning, then he walks over to Korren and casts three spells in quick succession, one to neutrilize the poison in his body, and two to restore his strength.

I cast Neutralize Poison and two Lesser Restorations on Korren, removing the poison and restoring 2d4 points of Strength. also I need someone to remind me how to use the forum roller.

[Zato-1]

Once again, Anji cloaked himself from sight and readied himself for battle and listens around to get a general idea of where the enemy is coming from.

Walk Unseen, Entropic Warding, same deal and 1d20 for listen

[AlphaLuke]

Korren slowly rises from his resting place in the cart and stands facing towards the crashing trees. He looks down at his faithful companion Shield. To Shield's amazement, Korren's eyes are not white, as per usual, nor are they purest black, as usually happens when he casts his spells. His eyes are radiant orbs of orange plasma in their sockets. He smiles at Shield and says, "You didn't think I'd let you get into a fight without me. It's a good thing I only need the strength to move my hand to turn each of these foul beasts to ash." With that he crouches in standard battle ready Warmage posture, straight from the textbooks of the Warmage College he left long ago.

[Zato-1]

Anji decides to take cover behind the barricade and ready an action to blast the first goblin I see.

[Pakiti]

Nebraska leaps to action. He immediately crouches low, pulls out his crossbow and loads it, Preparing for battle.

I also ready an action to hit the next enemy I see.

[Brandeath]

Making as little noise as possible I crawl from the cart pulling my wand of mage armor as I do so. I cast it after i move into position, south of everyone else, but no more then five feat from the wagon. I give a quick prayer to Boccob and ready myself to cast at first sight of an enemy.

I move, I cast mage armor, then I ready my Seeking ray for first sight of enemy

[AlphaLuke]

Through the crashing trees goblinoid forms begin to appear. Dozens of them pour from the forest, they seem to have little regard to quiet as they trample though the snow covered wood. Mathias whispers, "Hold until you see the yellow of thier teeth."Then, with a massive crack of wood, a lumbering Hill Giant stumbles into view. His huge club is dragging on the ground behind him, and the goblins seem to be little more than ants about him. He stops about thrity feet from the base of the barricade and reaches into his belt pouch, pulling out a rock the size of Shield. He looks at the cart, drooling slightly at the sight of the two pack animals lying at the far corner. The goblins march forward paying little heed to the barricade standing before them. That is, untill one of them skittered through a well hidden piece of string and . . .

[AlphaLuke]

BOOM!

The explosion rocks through the party like a tidal wave crashing on the shore. Bill and Mathias' horse are startled and try to run, but are hitched securely to the other side of the barricade.

"NOW!" screams Mathias, as the goblins recover from the shock. A ten-foot deep crater now exists where 4 goblins once stood.

Mathias looses a shot from his rifle at the Hill Giant, aiming for the monster's eyes.

Nebraska looses a crossbow bolt at the nearest goblin, hoping to take him by suprise.

Korren waits with a dark smile, praying for the panicked beasts to cluster.

Glyn looses a blast of green draconic energy from his outstreached hand at the nearest standing enemy.

Anji pops into view and unleashes a bolt of black and blue dark energy.

That is just flavor text to start you all. I expect you all to actually flavor it a little more yourselves and roll the rolls in character. New map is coming out on skype to any and all who are here to get it.

[Zato-1]

Anji sheds his invisible aura and unleashes a blast of eldritch fury upon an unsuspecting goblin.

[roll0] damage to said goblin. [roll1] initiative.

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias' shot rings through the trees towards the lumbering Hill Giant.
Mathias fires his rifle at the Hill Giant
[roll0]
for [roll1]

[Pakiti]

Nebraska instantly focuses in on the nearest goblin, and with a surge of inspiration, lets loose his arrow, making care to strike true.

I attack the nearest goblin with my crossbow, using a point of inspiration to use Cunning Insight, adding a +5 competence bonus to my roll.
[roll0]. and then I roll initiative [roll1]
Inspiration points used: 1
Inspiration points remaining: 13

[Pakiti]

Damage >.< [roll0]

[Brandeath]

I cast my seeking ray, its a no save, but its a ranged touch sooo [roll0] and for intitiative [roll1]

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield tenses his leg joints, ready to spring into a charge at the slightest notice. His blunderbuss in one hand, and a dagger slid out of the other arm, he prepared to obliterate the nearest goblin he could.

[roll0] initiative

[AlphaLuke]

Anji fells a charging Goblin to the muddy earth with a powerful blast of eldritch energy.

Nebraska too fills a Goblin heart with a steel bolthead.

However, as Glyn attempts to launch a bolt of draconic energy from his hand, a piece of snow falls into his eye and he misses the head of the charging creature.

Mathias' shot rings true and shears the left ear from the Giant's head. Howling in rage and pain, the Giant heaves his mighty boulder over his head, preparing to strike.

The tide of Goblins coming from the treeline does not stop. The wave of enemies looks like ants converging on a carcass in the forest.

KRATOOM!

The trap to the Southwest has just been tripped and the pieces of Goblin fall from the sky like a macabre hail.

[AlphaLuke]

The blasts from both traps have left huge craters in the ground and felled several of the trees surrounding the traps, further hindering the progress of the carging Goblin horde.

[AlphaLuke]

Small whisps of flame begin to surround Korren as he calls upon the elemental fire bottled inside him. Anyone watching can see the energy building at his heart, then moving with lightning speed to the edge of his arm. He looses a fist-sized glowing orange orb at the roaring Hill Giant. It explodes in a beautiful death blossom of conflageration.
BRAKOOM!
Korren's fireball clips the Northwest trap and send another shockwave throught the ranks of Goblins.

Korren tosses a fireball centered on the Hill Giant, dealing [roll0] (+1CL for feat, +1CL for Glyn's Aura) of fire damage to everything in a twenty foot radius. That also sets off the NW trap and makes another crater. Korren takes his move action to duck back into the cart for 3/4 cover.

[Zato-1]

After watching the magnificent display of fireworks, Anji focused on the large hill giant. First, he fired a shot of eldritch power at the giant and then, to further confuse the it, Anji quickly ducked down behind the nearest barricade.

I fire an Eldritch Blast [roll0] which does [roll1] if it hits.

[AlphaLuke]

The wreckage of Korren's power is incredible. Another tree has been felled by his powerful magic and nearly a dozen Goblins reduced to ash. Two Goblins actually stand as carbonized statues due to the incredible heat produced by the deadly spell.

Anji screams and unleashes a hellblast over the barricade, hitting the Giant square in the chest and enraging it further.

[AlphaLuke]

The Goblin Horde, finally recovering from the epic preemptive strike of the party, unleashes a hellish roar birthed in the very bowels of the abyss from whence they came. The Goblins still within the treeline loose a massive hail of crude arrows at the makeshift fortress. The goblins within charging distance of the barricade swarm into the craters and climb to the log walls. Even more Goblins pour over the hill, followed by a half-dozen, stoic Hobgoblins walking behind them. The Hobgoblins look like they have seen much combat and are wearing metal armor. They stand, almost amused, as they see waves of Goblins crashing against the barricades like waves upon rock. From behind the Giant, the party clearly hears a Goblin yelling in rythmic, repettitive tones. Suddenly, the Giant's burns around it's face begin to heal and part of it's ear grows back, a hideous stump on the side of its head.

The Giant itself decides to hurl a huge boulder at the barricade. It lobs the hunk of earth through the darkend, snowy sky like a living catapult.


The Goblins fire arrows at, and hit:
Korren (3 arrows for 10 damage and poison(redundant b/c of the Neutralize Poison))
Snowblood (2 arrows for 4 damage)
Glynthinx (2 arrows for 12 damage)
The Goblins advance (new map tonight)
Hobgoblins appear at the edge of the map
The Giant has been healed
Goblin Shaman spotted (and distinguished on map)
The Giant throws the "rock" and hits the west section of the barricade and deals damage to
Shield (14 damage)
Anji (12 damage)
Map coming tonight.

[Pakiti]

Nebraska, noticing the large holes, formed a plan. He remembered reading about a spell once that conjured magical grease. The memory of actually how to cast the spell is blurry, but using the inspiration granted to him by the thrill of battle, his memory becomes sharp and instantly he remembers how to cast it. He mumbles a few words that not even he truly understands and makes a few weird gestures...

I use Arcane Dilettante to cast Grease on the slope closest to us of the crater nearest the broken part of the barricade.

Inspiration points used: 1
Inspiration points remaining: 12

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias looks horrorstruck at the failed barricade and the advancing horde. He reloads his rifle with deft hands that have done it hundreds of times and flips it up to his cheek. "We can't fight them all!" He yells, "Goblins won't fight without a leader! Focus on holding them back and taking out the leaders!" With this, he draws a bead on the Shaman, holds his breath, and squeezes the trigger.
Mathias uses a move action to reload the rifle, a free action to yell at everyone, and a standard action to fire through the crowd at the Shaman.
[roll0] for attack and [roll1] for damage.

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias puts a large hole, dripping with black ichor, where the Shaman's eye used to be.

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood melts into a swarm of chittering squirrels, and swarms the nearest goblins.

I turn to swarm form and attack the nearest goblins (can't be more specific at this time cause I don't have the map) dealing [roll0] damage

[Brandeath]

"I'll take out a few of the ones in front!!!"
I scream as I call upon my most powerful spell. Feeling the dragon blood churn within me as I cast my spell, the hole of an arrow mends itself. Then I let loose my trump card, safe with the knowledge 4 goblins wont be happy.

I cast chain missile (healing myself 3 points due to draconic vigor) It his with no saving throw. 3 missiles hit dealing...[roll0] points of damage at the goblin closest to whoever is blue...then 3 bolts ricochet off him one hits each of the three below him 1 doing [roll1], another [roll2], and the last [roll3]. All without saving throw.

[AlphaLuke]

Snowblood swarms over the body of a frightened Goblin. The Goblin's muffled screams are silenced by the mass of squirrels moving into, and devouring, his lungs.

Gynthinx calls his mighty power forth in the form of an unerring blast of magical energy that ricochets off its target, leaving him dead in the muddy crater, and find its way to three more unfortunate Goblins. The blast kills one and seriously wounds two others, leaving them slipping on black blood as they climb the crater towards the party.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Seeing the giant heave the boulder at he and Anji, Shield decided that the hulking brute was too dangerous to stay topside. Tossing the blunderbuss to Anji, he yells, "Take this!" Jumping onto the nearest log, he pumped his legs as fast as they'd go, barreling along the lengths of the two trees and leaping through the air across the crater (DC 10), drawing his Fullblade in the process. Upon landing, Shield invoked the power of the Stone Dragon, infusing his attack with the power of the mountain. Swinging his sword at the giant, Shield loosed a shout of pure rage. At the end of the swing, Shield brings the blade around, ready for the slightest movement from his opponent.

DC 10 to make the jump, +8 Jump mod, +2 circumstance bonus. Fullblade attack with Bonecrusher. [roll1] Damage [roll]2d8+4d6+9 The giant will need to make a Fort save (DC 17) or anyone scoring a critical against him gets +10 on the roll to confirm. If I hit with the blade, I get 2 hp from Martial Spirit. As a free action, I make an Intimidate check [roll2], and as a swift action, I switch stances to Thicket of Blades. 5 ft steps now provoke AoO's from me.

[AlphaLuke]

Shield makes his massive leap across the crater, roaring with mechanical rage at the Hill Giant. He takes a powerful swing at the beast, but his sword is deflected off of the Giant's leathery hide. He recovers from his miss and readies himself to counter any tactical maneuvers. The Giant laughs with grim amusement.

[AlphaLuke]

Korren, seeing his best friend leap across the bloody, muddy chasm, decides to hold back on his most destructive spells. He then thinks of what his metallic friend cannot be hurt by, and devises a subtler plan. He rustles in his pocket, then pulls out a desiccated, rotten egg. He hurls it into the fray, mumbling in high draconic words of pestilence and decay. The egg explodes into a swirl of yellow, noxious gas. The Goblins in the field begin to retch and vomit yellow curds upon the snowy earth. The drop their bows and spears and clutch their gullets in agonizing pain.

Korren then pulls out his pipe, a pinch of the finest Sharn tobacco, and lights it wit a small flame he produces on the end of a match. He then tosses the lit match on the area of Nebraska's grease spell and a wall of fire springs up in front of the cratered earth. Korren smokes away, reveling in the havoc he caused with a single rotten egg.

Korren casts Stinking Cloud in the middle of the battlefield. The Goblins (most of them) fail their saves. The Giant makes his. Korren then lights a pipe, and then the Grease spell. It will burn for five rounds.
ANJI do not post yet. . .wait for another from me.

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood continues to chew his way through the horde, falling upon the nearest goblins and eating out their eyes.

I continue with my swarm attack, dealing [roll0] damage to the nearest pair of goblins.

[AlphaLuke]

The Hobgoblin commanders, seeing the adamantine titan leap across the chasm, witnessing most of their fighting force be enveloped in an opaque cloud of noxious gas, and then hearing the flash of a roaring fire, scream into the mob in Goblin. "Gar mach to ragath! Vas ka nokton golem! GRAKO!"
The party cannot see through the thick cloud Korren has conjured, but they hear the creaking strain of wood and bone. Then they hear the sharp "whip" of loosed bowstrings, and the grunts of heaved spears. Over the yellow cloud, they see the streaks of projectiles. Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass erupts next to Mathias and the mounts. The tree the mounts are tied to erupts into flame, as does Mathias' left arm. He quickly plunges it into the snow bank, but the chemical has caused deep burns along his arm. A spear, hurled like a gigantic bolt, crashes into Nebraska's chest with a sickening "thud". The rest of the arrows and spears either barley miss the group, or clang off the sides of the ironwrought cart.
The Stinking Cloud gives you all cover, but it also gives it to all the enemies. Most of the attacks miss. Mathias gets hit with alchemist's fire for 3 damage. The tree the horses are tied to is quickly burning and will burn down completly in 10 rounds. Nebraska get hit in the chest with a spear for 13 damage. Anji, you may post now.

[Zato-1]

Catching the blunderbuss Shield had thrown, Anji quickly ran behind the cover of the cart to where Mathias was. Here, you'll make better use of this than I will. Turning around, Anji fired blindly into the cloud, hoping to hit the giant. Channeling the dark energies into his hand, Anji fired off two blasts in succession.

I move 30 ft. and end up directly at Mathias's left. I drop the blunderbus as a free action and fire and Eldtritch Spear [roll0] for [roll1] damage if it hits. I then Quicken another Eldritch Spear [roll2] which does [roll3] should it hit.

[AlphaLuke]

The retching Goblins seem to be spurred on by the commands of their Hobgoblin keepers. They lurch and crawl forward in their own vomit towards the burning barricade. They then crawl over and around the log barricade and wipe their mouths as they pull crude, cruel looking daggers from their belts. The few Goblins who were missed by the cloud fire blindly over the miasma towards the makeshift barricade. Most of the arrows sink into the bloody mud around the party, but a single, misplaced arrow hits one of the advancing Goblins in the back of the head, dropping him face-first in the mud.

The Giants sees two rays of eldritch energy whiz past his face, but keeps his eyes focused on the adamantine threat in front of him. He heard the commands come from the back ranks, and looks at the foggy form of Shield with a wider grin than before. He heaves his massive club from the ground and swings it twice at the metalwrought warrior.

The Goblins advance towards the party and some even get over the barricade. One dies on the way. The Giant then attacks Shield with his club with a roll of [roll0] and then again with [roll1] and deals [roll2] and then [roll3] if they hit.

[AlphaLuke]

The first swing of the Giant crashes into the mud as Shield sidesteps it with the form and grace of a skilled practitioner. However, the followup swing clips Shield in the side of the Adamantine skull, sending his mind reeling.
Shield takes 18 damage, minus damage reduction.

[Pakiti]

Nebraska shared the command given by the hobgoblin with his friends. "He says they want to take shield alive! But in my opinion..." holding his crossbow in his left hand, he flicked his wrist. Immediately a wand appeared in his palm. He pointed it at shield, "It'll be difficult for them to take him at all!"

I flick my wrist to let the wand bracer give me the wand and use the wand, using inspiration on my use magic device check. [roll0]

Inspiration Used: 1
Inspiration Remaining: 11

[Brandeath]

"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WE ARE!!!!!
I squeeze my fists tightly which send amazingly, powerful surges throughout my body...I can do anything! I can kill anything! I start to chant, in a mix between Elvish and Draconic, as my fighting spirit rages and then release my power upon the ogre.

I activate my Hellcat gauntlets increasing spell damage by 3d6, I then cast Chain missile at the Giant dealing [roll0] plus [roll1] And upon hitting the giant it hits the 2 closest goblins and the one goblin thats already damaged.(it can hit up to 30ft of the intended target) dealing (in order) [roll2] [roll3] [roll4]

[Brandeath]

And I heal 3 :P

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood, seeing that Shield needs to focus on the giant, begins to chew a path through the goblins to Shield so he can cover his back.

I move 10 feet closer to Shield dealing 2d6 damage to the goblins in my space.

[AlphaLuke]

Nebraska's wand shoots a ray of blue/white energy at the reflective form of Shield. Then Shield's form begins to grow, shooting up to eye level with the hulking Giant. The Giant's smile melts away and is replaced by a grim visage of hatred and a slight tinge of fear.

Snowblood, or the writhing mass that was Snowblood, slowly moves its way towards the clashing Giants. On the way, an unfortunate goblin falls into the mud in front of the avalanche of squirrels, and is promptly picked clean of all flesh on its scrawny form.


Mathias, clutching his left arm, whips out his pistol and swiftly cuts the mounts free from the burning tree. Then, he picks up the blunderbuss and hops atop of the cart with Korren. "Let the little blighters come at me with those toothpicks they call weapons. I'll show them a REAL weapon!"

Glynthinx, charging his most powerful of spells, hurls a brilliant white orb straight at the chest of the Giant. He takes a goblin-sized chunk out of the ribs of the Giant, and revels in its screams of pain. The orb shatters into three pieces when it hits the Giant and takes out three unfortunate Goblins by putting fist-sized holes in their bodies and flinging them into the blood and vomit soaked mud.


Shield is large size. Read Enlarge Person for new stats.
Snowblood moves and eats another Goblin.
Mathias cuts the mounts free, and moves next to Korren
Glyn hits for 20 points to the Giant, and kills three more Goblins
Well done everyone, keep it up.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield looked the Giant in the eyes, and issued the darkest glare he could muster. Drawing upon the strength of his spirit, Shield slashed through the air twice with the unbridled fury of pure hatred coursing through his arms.

Intimidate check [roll0]
Attack roll 1 [roll1]
Attack roll 2 [roll2]
Used Revitalizing Strike [roll3]
Damage 1 [roll4]
Damage 2 [roll5]

[AlphaLuke]

The sounds of clanging metal ring through the air of the battlefield as Shield's blade clashes with the club of the Giant. The two titans grit their teeth and sink a little into the mud as they make awesome displays of sheer strength.

[AlphaLuke]

Korren, carefully assessing the battlefield, remembers his Warmage training. He remembers Master Girtix, the wizened old gnome, teaching something in tactics class. What was it he said?. . ."Damage is overrated, and incapacitated enemy is as good as dead." Suddenly, Korren remembers something about one of his lesser spells. "Everyone! Close your eyes!" he screams over the din. He waits for all of his friends to comply. Then, he takes a large toke out of his pipe, closes his eyes, and blows a very concentrated line of gray smoke at the flaming Grease spell in front of him. The fire instantly roars into an uncontrolled flare. The fire burns with the brilliance of the sun and then abruptly goes out. Korren, laughs over the roar of battle as all the enemies suddenly grasp their eyes and roar in pain. "Lets see them try to take my man alive when they can't see him." The Goblins grope in the air for their dropped weapons, the Giant swings his club wildly, and the Hobgoblins scream curses into the air in the foul Goblin tongue.
HAHA! Korren casts Pyrotechnics at the Grease fire. All enemies failed their Will saves (I know, sweet right). All of them are blinded for 4 rounds.

[AlphaLuke]

The Hobgoblins drop to the ground to rub snow into their eyes, to no effect. They scream, "Forgoth to grammon! Grapso to archanos!" , all the while trying to get their bearings.

[Zato-1]

Anji, seeing the disoriented goblins, dashed out from behind the cart and fired two shots of eldritch power at the nearest goblins.

I move so that I can see the goblins to the south of the cart. I fire an eldritch blast at the closest one [roll0] and quicken another one [roll1] which does [roll2] to the first goblin and [roll3] to a second one, or the first one if he failed to die.

[AlphaLuke]

The two Goblins are blown backward into the mud by the powerful blasts that shoot from Anji's hands and add to the pile of their comrades.

The Goblin force, as a whole, rummage around themselves, hurl spears blindly into the air, and scream at the adventurers. Two Goblins are felled by blind spear stabs and another is killed when it falls backwards upon the sword of a dead comrade.

The Giant, swinging fiercely at the air in front of him, clips the ground and surrounding logs several times, but Shield's expert combat training keeps him a step ahead of every swing. The Giant's club ends the life of two unfortunate Goblins standing behind the lumbering beast, flinging them through the air like little, putrescent dolls.

[Pakiti]

"They've changed their minds, they're after Korren now!", Nebraska translates as he loads and fires a crossbow at the nearest goblin, making sure to do make his hit count.

I use inspiration to use cunning insight and attack with my crossbow.
[roll0] which, if it hits, will deal [roll1] damage.

Inspiration used: 1
Inspiration remaining:10

[AlphaLuke]

Nebraska's bolt lodges itself firmly into the upper nasal passage of the nearest Goblin, dropping it promptly to the ground.

Snowblood takes advantage of the writhing, blinded Goblins and decides to gorge himself on yet another one. He moves back to the breach in the defenses and swarms over another Goblin, taking his time so as to draw out life as long as possible while eating non-essential body parts first.

Mathias, seeing the tide of battle change, hops off the cart and proceeds to the Southwest. He spots four Goblins behind a fallen tree, levels his blunderbuss, and smiles ever so slightly. He squeezes the trigger and what used to be four Goblins turns into a bloody heap of twitching flesh in a single cacophonous roar that issues from the blunderbuss. He yells back at the group, "Take out all you can while they are down!"

[Brandeath]

"I'm giving this all I have left!" I cast chain missle again at the giant, bouncing onto the 3 closest goblins.

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

[AlphaLuke]

The enraged Giant gets hit in the leg by Glyn's well-aimed missile. The arcane shrapnel created by Glyn’s magical bolt also drops the three Goblins behind the Giant, as they were already weary from battle.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Fuming at his inability to hit the reeling giant, Shield loosed another battle shout as he readied his blade to rip into the flesh of his opponent. Channeling the strength of the mountain, he brought his blade down in a downward arc, followed by a quick horizontal slash.

Full Attack [roll0] [roll1]

Intimidate [roll2]

Damage [roll3] [roll4]

Foehammer [roll5]

[AlphaLuke]

Shield's enormous blade bites deep into the shoulder of the screaming Giant. However, his second swing glances off the brute's armor.

Korren, unable to see any more enemies through his Stinking Cloud spell, decides that he is done with the spell. "Let’s relish in our sight while they curse their own." With this, he breaths deep, filling his lungs with cold, stinging air, and exhales a gale towards the Stinking Cloud. The strong wind completely disperses the cloud and gives everyone a clear view of the Hobgoblin commanders clawing at the air. Korren then takes a seat of the side of the cart, swinging his leg leisurely over the side while smoking his long, ebony pipe.
Korren casts Gust of Wind at the Stinking Cloud, dispersing it. Then sits on the side of the cart and continues smoking.

[AlphaLuke]

The Hobgoblins continue to scream into the fray, cursing the party and swearing vengence for their lost sight. Some hurl alchemist's fire or spears, but none hit their marks.

[Zato-1]

Anji, now laughing at the hilarious sight of the blinded goblins, noticed one lone goblin stumbling about on his own. Smiling, Anji made the shape of a gun with his hand, imagined a trigger clicking in his mind and muttered "bang", sending an Eldritch Blast at the unsuspecting creature.

[roll0] for the blast and [roll1] if it hits. I'm attacking the one goblin near Snowblood.

[AlphaLuke]

Anji's blast leaves a clean hole the size of a gold piece smoking in the middle of the Goblin's forehead. It's eyes cross and it falls backward into the mud and snow.

[AlphaLuke]

The Goblins have turned from rage to fear, and the remaining begin to crawl away from the noise of the adventurers. They stumble and fall in the snowy battlefield, crying and clawing at the earth.

The Giant looks weary from battle but doesn't give up his attempts to hit the monstrous Shield. His wild swings actually graze Shield's leg and put a slight dent in his armor, but hardly anything Shield hasn't come back from before.

The Goblins try to crawl away at 1/4 speed. Shield actually gets hit for 5 damage (after damage reduction). We have them on the run.

[Pakiti]

Nebraska loads his crossbow and fires at the nearest goblin.

Just moving the game along. [roll0] and if it hits [roll1]

Inspiration used: 1
Remaining: 9

[AlphaLuke]

Nebraska's bolt lodges itself firmly into the right flank of the retreating Goblin, adding serious injury to insult.

[AlphaLuke]

Snowblood's swarm of squirrels quickly melts into his human form and he strides confidently towards the line of enemies. "We cannot let them return to tell of this. Every one of them must die." He stands, resolute in the snow, and begins to chant. The snow that has settled around him begins to swirl, and the snow that is falling around him swirls in a spiral back towards the sky. The party begins to feel the hair on the back of their neck stand up and taste the distinct taste of metal in the air.

Snowblood changes back to human form and begins to cast Call Lightning.

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias sprints past the chanting Snowblood and is emotionless as he draws his two pistols. With twin flicks of his wrists, two glinting bayonets spring out from the pistols. Mathias runs past the fleeing Goblins and heads straight towards the Hobgoblin commanders. The pistol in his right hand is thrust forward straight into a Hobgoblin's eye. The screaming Hobgoblin then begins to thrash at Mathias, but Mathias quickly and emotionlessly pulls the trigger while the bayonet still rests in the Hobgoblin’s head. Blood splashes across Mathias’ stoic face. The creature stops thrashing and falls to the ground, headless. Mathias readies his second pistol for another enemy.

[Brandeath]

If only there were a stone, a sharp stone on the ground that...wait. I pull my bag of endless caltrops out and then place one in between my fingers. It immediately starts to glow orange. I take careful aim, looking at the ear/temple of a hobgoblin, using the shape of the caltrop as a makeshift cross hair. The caltrop suddenly, as if being shot out of a gun, zooms to the hobgoblin. Through my eyes, as is in slow motion, the caltrop seems to just get smaller as it unerringly propels itself at the goblin. A small drip of blood falls from my fingers and hits the snow as two cuts appear from where I held the caltrop in my fingers. they immediately heal.


I spend a move action pulling out the caltrop and a standard to launch it at the closest hobgoblin. if there is any bonus to using the shape as a cross hair, cool, your choice. For sake of flavor text, I don't think it misses like an arrow would, rather the goblin would dodge it... anyways here is a ranged attack roll. [roll0] and damage? I dunno how much damage, launch bolt does 1d8 damage, but the launch item spell seems to be made for things like alchemist fire...sooo i dunno. A caltrop does one damage alone.."You cause a Fine item in your possession
to fly at great speed to a target or
location you specify, out to medium
range (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)." make your choice for damage almighty DM. oh and my spell causes me to heal 1 damage

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Sensing the strength leaving his opponent, Shield pressed the advantage. Swinging his blade twice, the Silver-man attempted to finish off the battle-weary giant, and worked to revitalize his own ailing form.


Swift action to Martial Spirit

Full attack [roll0] [roll1]

Damage [roll2] [roll3]

Revitalizing Strike [roll4] Healing

2 points of healing for each successful attack (To Anji)

[AlphaLuke]

Glyn's makeshift projectile darts swiftly towards the Goblin that Nebraska had already hit once in the buttocks with a bolt. The Goblin turns at the exactly wrong moment and gets Glyn's caltrop lodged firmly in the pain receptor of its brain. The Goblin screams in agony and falls writhing on the floor, only to be trampled into silence by his fleeing comrades.
I love the inventiveness Glyn. Keep it up. Ingenuity will always be rewarded.:smallbiggrin:

[AlphaLuke]

Shield, finally remembering his martial training, finds an opening in the Giant's defenses. He swings his mighty blade and slices open the throat of the Giant, letting its warm lifeblood spray all over the silvery fighter. The Giant drops to its knees and looks silently at the darkened heavens, snow softly falling on its bloody face. Shield's second attack thrusts his sword straight through the chest of the Giant, and makes his eyes grow cold and lifeless. The Giant crashes in an enormous heap of blood, sweat, and mud onto the snowy ground. The once-silvery figure of Shield now looks like a glistening statue to a long lost god of war, covered in the blood of the sacrificed.

Finally! Good attack and damage rolls.

[AlphaLuke]

Korren watches as his friend finishes off the Giant. "That's the Shield I know," he thinks. "Now, let me see if I can help him with the little ones. It has been a while since I pulled out my version of this one. Now how did it go . . ." Korren closes his eyes and puffs pensively on his pipe, swinging his leg casually over the side of the cart. When he opens his eyes, they are a brilliant shade of silvery-white. He mutters under his breath, all the while keeping his long pipe in his mouth. "Let's see how you blighters like my version of the Manyjaws spell, Manyblades!" With the last command word, six daggers made of pure force spring from Korren's smoke and streak unerringly towards the fleeing Goblins. The blades lodge themselves firmly in the spines, lungs, hearts, and heads of six screaming Goblins who promptly fall silent and drop to the ground.
Korren casts Manyblades with his own thematic twist. He creates six daggers of force that hit unerringly and each deal [roll0] damage against their respective Goblins. They do not disappear and can be redirected on Korren's next turn.

[AlphaLuke]

The Hobgoblins scream orders and curses into the early morning dark. They scream and then fall silent. They suddenly realize that they are alone in the dark, for not a single Goblin still draws breath. They show a sign of emotion in their silence . . .fear. They begin to claw around themselves and try to escape, their blind eyes wide with terror.

[Zato-1]

Anji was now laughing so hard that he almost couldn't breathe. He enjoyed watching the blind, terrified Hobgoblins milling about aimlessly. It was a savage pleasure, but he felt that they deserved it. Anji had never liked Hobgoblins or any other goblin for that matter. It certainly didn't help their case that a band of Hobgoblins had reduced his brother to a vegetative state after a raid on his village. Anji noticed on Hobgoblin in particular wandering about, arms held in front of him in an attempt to find its way out of the battle. Smiling and channeling eldritch power into his right hand, Anji shouted This is for the boulder! Choke on it! as he sent the blast of dark energy straight for the Hobgoblins neck. It may have been a trick of the light, but Anji thought he saw his blast form a hand on the end, as if to strangle his target.
I use a free action to yell. The eldritch spear [roll0] deals [roll1] to any hobgoblin, just pick one I guess. Also, if it hits could you work the hand thing into the attack, because that would be awesome.

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood laughs as he finishes his spell, and and a bolt of lightning lances down from the sky, barbequeing a hobgoblin where he stands.

I use call lightning on one of the hobbos, dealing [roll0] damage.

[AlphaLuke]

Anji's blast of energy hits the Hobgoblin right in the throat, lingers for a second as it seems to coalesce around the neck of the poor beast, then rips the voice box out in a swift, bloody motion. The Hobgoblin falls motionless on the cold, muddy ground.

[Pakiti]

Nebraska realized the need for a goblin left alive to interrogate. He had just the thing, or so he hoped. Charging forward, he pulled a small bag out from his haversack and hurled it at the goblin closest to shield. "Knock it out!" he cried to the statue companion.

I make a move action to run 30 ft toward the closest goblin to shield, and then throw the haversack at him. [roll0] as my ranged touch attack.

[Pakiti]

i meant throw tanglefoot bag.

[AlphaLuke]

The tanglefoot bag hits the Hobgoblin squarely in the chest and explodes in a mess of sticky goo. The Hobgoblin screeches in terror and tries to desperately claw away the unknown substance.

[AlphaLuke]

Snowblood's lightning leaves a smoking husk where a Hobgoblin once stood. The stinking mass falls to the ground in a heap of horrid, cooked meat.

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias sees his allies taking a prisoner, smiles and decides to finish off the remaining two enemies. He stands up straight and breaths in the cold, mountain air. He swings the rifle off of his shoulder and reaches into a small belt pouch. He grabs a musket ball and rolls it in his fingers, feeling the familiar shape. He loads, primes, and levels the musket without opening his eyes and with deft speed. He opens his right eye, breaths out the smoking air in his lungs, and squeezes the trigger. The musket ball travels poetically through the first Hobgoblin's ear canal, continuing through to hit the next Hobgoblin through its screaming maw. Both drop to the ground, ichor oozing from their respective heads.

[AlphaLuke]

Glynthinx stands still in the lightly falling snow. He stares at what he just saw Mathias do, jaw agape. He wills his muscles into a slow clap for the accomplished warrior.
Glyn delays. Shield, have at it!

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield, seizing the opportunity, runs to the staggering Hobgoblin, and deftly smacks the blinded creature across the head with the flat of his blade, hoping to knock it out.

Non-lethal damage [roll0]

Damage [roll1]

[AlphaLuke]

The Hobgoblin stops moving and slumps into a bloody, muddy mass covered in tanglefoot goop. The figure lying in the snow is obviously still breathing, but heavily.
Combat over! Post as you want to act. Well done everyone! The Sun is now peaking over the horizon, so all spells used during that last fight are used for today unless you all choose to nap untill mid-morning. Napping will also heal damage. The Hobbo is out cold, Shield almost killed him, even doing nonlethal damage. Choose someone to interogate and someone to translate. XP and treasure will be given w/o Search checks, you guys earned that much. You all rock!

[Zato-1]

Feeling extremely satisfied after the intense battle, Anji reclined against one of the many trees surrounding him. He woulds have slept had he not felt so energetic. After a short time he stood up and began to search the lifeless bodies of their fallen foes,

Just tell me what I found, I guess.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Stooping over to pick up the unconscious Hobgoblin, Shield carried the creature in one hand, while still the size of a Giant, and carried him back to the cart.

"Anyone have any rope? I want to take this one alive, but I don't think we should stay here to interrogate him. Besides, we're not going to get much accomplished with Bill in the condition he's in, so I suggest, as an option, that we head back to the town for supplies, regroup, and set out again with all due haste."

Shortly after reaching the cart, Shield noticed that he was still covered in the ichor of the dead Giant. Not wanting to waste time washing himself off, he decided to leave the blood on his metal form.

More for the fact that it looks awesome rather than anything else. Also, I suggested the return trip because Shield would want to insure that an attack like the one they faced was less likely to happen again, and would want to get supplies in order to be ready for it (i.e. Wands, Bows, Potions, etc.) Oh, I should remind everyone that I don't heal damage naturally, so Wands become even more important now. Hence, if someone doesn't have a Wand of Repair X Damage, we may need to consider investing in one.

[AlphaLuke]

Mathias looks at the enormous mass of adamantine and resolve with a defeated look. "We. . .we can't do my kids any good back in town. But, we can't do them any good dead either. My horse, Artor, can get the cart of us back to town in short order. There, we can resupply and head out again by tomorrow morning." He curses and tosses his rifle in the back of the cart. "Didn't really get the chance to say it Korren, but good to have you back. We thought we might have lost you, and then who would take care of Shield," he says in a teasing timber. " I mean, you really went to work on those Goblins. Speaking of which, I've never seen this many this far up the mountian. I can only guess they we going to assault the Orc camp about 15 miles up. That Giant they had would have done a number on the Orc barricades."

Korren still sits lazily on the side of the cart, smoking his pipe. "I'm guessing it was only a coincidence we ran into them. Goblins only attack en-force like that when they think they can win. The scouts we saw earlier last night must have told them that we were pushovers. Then, when they launched a full attack, they weren't ready for the defenses you all set up. By the way, did you use smokepowder sticks Mathias?!" Korren asks this in a slightly impressed and happy tone. "They were fantastic! I've never seen anything like them short of some of House Cannith's more excentric fare."

The Hobgoblin in the cart moans in his stupor.

"Ah!" Korren remembers, "Our guest." Korren reaches into his Haversack and pulls out a length of silk rope and begins to methodically bind the Hobgoblin's hands and feet in a hogtie position.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield watched the father as he went about loading up the cart, and redirecting his horse into Bill's harness. The automaton, having since returned to his normal size, helped the marksman fasten Artor securely in place. As they finished fastening the last buckle, Shield went to Mathias, and placed his heavy hand on the shoulder of the grieving man.

In whispered tones, so only he could hear, Shield spoke to Mathias. "Mathias, I don't like the idea of leaving your children out here any more than you do, and I apologize for forcing you to make a decision like this, but I assure you, I will make things right by you. I will make damn sure that you make it home with your kids in tow, and that you will be able to rest easily soon. Until such a time, I need you to remain strong with me. I know what it means to lose family," he said, remembering his former life, "And I know what is burning in your chest right now. Though I'm not flesh and blood like you, I've felt what you are feeling, I've known what you are learning now. The only reason I think it's wisest to head back and re-supply is because I believe that it's the way to save the most lives."

As he finished his whispered conversation with Mathias, he clasped the father's hand in his own, in a symbol of camaraderie.

"As for what I would do without Korren...well, lets just say that eternity wouldn't be nearly as interesting without him. If something were to happen to him, you'd be stuck with me."

Finishing his last word, he worked his mouth plates into a smile.

[Zato-1]

After inspecting the goblins, Anji makes his way over to Bill. He saw, much to his amusement, that Bill was still fidgety. Calm down, Bill. The battle is over and you're safe now. You were brave in that you didn't try to run away. he said, patting Bill on the head. It was odd. Anji felt rather invigorated after the battle had ended. He almost felt sad that it was over, but soon dismissed these feelings after convincing himself that it wasn't worth getting another boulder lobbed at him.

Anji heard Korren say something about the Hobgoblin waking up and decided to go see what was going on. As he saw the Hobgoblin squirming around in the cart, Anji couldn't help but feel a small bit of rage towards the fact that the thing was still alive. If Korren hadn't wanted to interrogate the wretched thing, Anji would've blasted its filthy head off. Suddenly, Anji had a rather amusing thought. He would make the thing feel the same fear he had felt when a goblin war band raided his town and harmed his family. Standing next to the Hobgoblin, Anji pointed a fist charged with eldritch power at it. Did you know that a band of your kind made my brother into a vegetable? If I felt like it, I could remove your head from your shoulder in the blink of an eye. Maybe you'll live if you answer the questions that my friend will undoubtedly ask you, but I doubt it will help your case. said Anji, grinning maliciously. He knew that the Hobgoblin probably didn't understand him, but he knew that there was no way he could mistake the meaning of a magically charged fist in his face.

Intimidate check [roll0]

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood stares thoughtfully at the bound hobgoblin, the sight reminding him of a similar instance in his youth. When I was a kid, he said comversationally,I lived in a village far, far to the north, on the borders of the Witchwood Forest that existed mainly to harvest timber. One year, when I was about seven, goblins raided the town. I was out with father, helping him gather firewood for the coming winter. We did not even know the town was attacked until mother came stumbling into our camp with an arrow sticking out of her hip. We treated her wound as best we could, then headed back to town to help repel the raid. When we got there, half the town had burned down, and most of what was left was on fire. The goblins had retreated back into the woods, but we knew they were just waiting for dark, when they had the advantage. Father went into the ruins of our house, and came out holding an ivory horn, which he promptly blew. Less than an hour later, a druid came from the forest. When night fell and the goblins attacked, he called lightning down from the sky, summoned a blizzard to ravage the goblin lines, and turned the very trees of the forest against them. Once the goblin band had broken, he turned and walked into the forest, with nary a word spoken in the time he had been there. That was the day I learned that one who commands the power of nature commands the supreme force in the world. We rebuilt the village and tried to go back to normal, but less than a month later, another raid hit, and this time my parents did not survive. So I walked into the blizzard, sought out the druid circle, and became an apprentice druid, a path I have never strayed from. Snowblood finished his story, smiling whistfully at the memory, then realises that everyone is staring at him. shrugging non-commitingly, and went to sift through the goblin's stuff.

[Zato-1]

Anji was surprised to hear Snowblood say so much in so short a time. In fact, Anji was surprised that Snowblood had said anything at all. Of all of his traveling companions Snowblood was the quietest and most reserved. It was interesting, however, that someone other than himself had experienced a goblin attack as a child. So we do have something in common after all, said Anji, still holding his eldritch fist at the Hobgoblin, And here I thought you just really liked nature. A similar occurrence happened during my childhood. Anji thought back to that day. The very memory of it was still as unpleasant as ever but he felt compelled to divulge his past.

It was many a year ago when I was still a young lad. I lived in the village of Verda Silva with my parents and my brother. My father was a full human who married my mother, a halfling, when I was about four. He had already had a son who, like him, was a human. I didn't like my brother at first, due to the fact that he was not my actual brother and older than me to boot, but over time he grew on me and we became close friends. He was a decent fighter who was very skilled with a sword. In comparison with my still developing warlock powers he was clearly more suited for battle. Truthfully speaking, I envied him. He was strong, kind, and of decent height, added Anji throwing look at Korren who often mocked him for his shortness. One night I awoke with a start after hearing several screams pierce the night. A goblin raiding party had descended upon the village while I slept. They were being fended off by the strongest members of the village, my brother included. I couldn't do anything except watch. After all, my powers were not honed enough for me to control them and I would have only gotten in the way. Still the very sight of the battle raging before me lit a fire in my soul. I lost myself in the heat of the moment and began cheering for my brother. My shouts alerted a goblin to my presence and in response he made to fire an arrow at me. My brother, who had also heard my cheers, quickly ran in front of the path of the arrow and took it in the back, just to save me. All of the sudden his eyes went blank and he fell limp to the ground. I didn't know what to think at the time, I was still young after all. All I knew was that a goblin had hurt my brother, maybe even killed him. At that moment the fire inside me exploded . I would make that wretched creature pay for daring to harm my brother. It would seem that my rage gave me the focus to properly channel my warlock powers because I immediately started blasting goblins left and right. When the battle had ended I regained my composure and hurried back to where my brother lay. Mother and Father were kneeling beside him crying. The arrow, it would seem, had him him in his spine effectively crippling his body. From what the doctor said he was lucky to be alive, but I couldn't help but feel responsible for his condition. I left home to seek out a way to help rid my brother of his affliction, swearing not to return home until I had. So, as you can see, I'm still looking. finished Anji. It felt odd, but satisfying getting all of that off of his chest. Anyway, I want to know what this guy was up to. Can you talk to him, Nebraska?

[AlphaLuke]

In the rising light the true horror of the battlefield comes into sharp perspective. The once-white snow is now a mix of blood, mud, and Goblin vomit. Huge craters and smoking husks of trees line the once-serine vista. In the carnage the group is able to find the spoils of their battle. The Goblins carry mostly coin scavenged from their larger masters (2400gp), a couple still usable shortbows, two still usable shortspears, 15 horridly fletched arrows, and an alchemist's fire that hasn't yet been crushed. Also, 3 blood-red gems are pulled from a pile of ash that may have once been a Goblin.

The Goblin Shaman, still twitching in a pile of snow, obviously was a leader among his people. He carries 600 gold pieces, his Holy symbol to a Goblin God, two potions, five uncut green gems, a silvery ring, and a small silver cauldron strapped to his back.

The Hobgoblin captains, all adorned in unique armaments, obviously were well trained and revered leaders of the horde. The party is able to find 2400 gold pieces, a jeweled silver chalice, a jade comb with a strange marking on it, and three uncut red stones. Anji also uncovers several suspect items that seem to be magical. A bone-reinforced longbow, the hide armor and wooden morningstar of a captain, 3 small red crystals with strange markings on them, an adamantine and darkwood screwdriver, a pair of silver spectacles with strange markings etched on the side, a pair of leather gloves with silver threading, a shortspear that seems to be made entirely out of bone, an ugly black eye patch, and a large platinum coin.

The Hill Giant's bag is relatively light. Containing 1200 gold pieces and two black pearls. Also, a corpse of a gnome is in the bag, undressed save a ring. The beast seemed to be wearing a small silver headband tangled tightly in the mats of its hair.

All items that are giving off a magical aura are red in text

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Sifting through the large haul, Shield picks out a few items of interest: A silvery ring, the bone-reinforced longbow, the adamantine and darkwood screwdriver, the silver spectacles, the large platinum coin, and the silver headband.

Shield starts by placing the ring on his finger.

[AlphaLuke]

Shield notices that the ring is etched with feathers around its mass. Shield feels lighter on his feet.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Delighting in this new find, Shield left the ring on his finger while nocking an arrow on the bone-reinforced longbow. He lets the arrow fly towards the nearest tree.

[AlphaLuke]

The bow creaks and cracks as it is pulled. Shield notices that he is able to put more of his prodigious pull into the string. The arrow flies true and straight, splintering part of the tree. Also, the wound in the tree drips a sickly green fluid.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Adding this wondrous item to his arsenal would be a great boon to the party. Shield tucked the bow away with his quiver full of arrows, and moved on to the screwdriver. He cautiously placed the tip of the tool into a socket in his forearm.

[AlphaLuke]

Shield is startled as he hears a voice in his head

"Welcome treasured client! Thank you for choosing House Cannith for all of your modification needs!"

Shield feels more confident when looking at his war wounds. He sees the areas that need fixing in more stark contrast.

"Please choose the damage control needed today: Minor, Moderate, or Severe."

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Taken aback by the voice emanating from the screwdriver, Shield mentally uttered the command "Moderate", in the hopes that he would find out the powers of this magic device. After that thought, he picks up the spectacles, and places them over his eyes. Looking up, he sees Glyn.

[AlphaLuke]

Shield is astonished to see the battle scars closing on his body as he heals [roll0] points of damage to himself. As he looks up at Glyn, he is nearly blinded by the light eminating off of him. Multiple items on his person glow with visible shine, whereas Glyn himself has a slightly green glow.

[AlphaLuke]

"Thank you for choosing: Moderate. Your modifier now has. . .1. . .charge left today. Thank you for choosing House Cannith. Remember, your damage is our business!" Shield hears the kindly female voice chime in his head again.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield places the spectacles carefully in his belt pouch, and grasps the platinum coin in both hands.

[AlphaLuke]

The platinum coin has the image of a laughing imp on one side and a weeping nymph on the other.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Gritting what would have been teeth had he been human, Shield decides to give Glyn a piece of the treasure, handing him the platinum coin.

"Heads, you keep it, Tails, I get it."

As he waited for Glyn to flip the coin, Shield pulled out the glasses again, and investigated the rest of the treasure, including the silver headband the Giant had been wearing.

[AlphaLuke]

Shield sees multicolored auras surrounding all the suspected magic items. The aura surrounding the headband is a mild purple color.

[AlphaLuke]

A flash of inspiration hits Shield as he thinks "What does this headband do?"

"The article is a Headband of Domination. It subjects the wearer to a Dominate Monster spell when donned and the wearer can then be controlled by the nearest creature."

Shield is put off again by another voice in his head. This one is not nearly as nice as the Screwdriver lady. Instead, this voice sounds male, stern, and logical.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Put off by the purpose for which the headband had been designed, Shield took the item to Korren, and explained in whispered tones what the item did, and left it in his possession.

Returning to his corner of the cart, Shield examined the items more closely, wondering to himself "What do these colors mean?"

[AlphaLuke]

"Magical auras of specific schools are indicated by specific colors and intensities of said colors. Charges used for today. Powering down."
With that, the voice dies away, but the colors surrounding the viewed items remain.

Korren looks mischeviously at Anji, rolling the headband in his hands.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Placing the three red crystals in his palms, Shield turns them over, scrutinizing them through his spectacles.

[AlphaLuke]

The Crystals are all of uniform size and weight. Upon closer inspection, Shield notices that they are Eberron Dragonshards with minute Dragonmarks of House Medani (Detection) swirling in their depths. They eminate a faint green glow. From arms length, Shield can hear whispering coming from the crystals.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield, intrigued by these new crystals, attempts to somehow activate them in conjunction with the spectacles.

[AlphaLuke]

Shield notices the whispering getting louder as he brings the crystals to his ears. Suddenly, one of them jumps out of his hand and lodges itself in his auditory pickup port. He finds he can hear perfectly fine with it in, but notices a slight high hum when he raises the other stones to his ears.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield happened upon an idea that was worth testing. He handed one of the two remaining crystals to Korren, and told him to walk 50 paces away from, and then place the crystal in his ear as he had done. When the gem was in place, Shield wanted Korren to whisper something.

[AlphaLuke]

"Shield thinks that just because he is metal, he doesn't smell."Korren whispers.

Shield hears the phrase as clearly as if Korren was standing next to him.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Shield whispers back, "Korren forgets that even though he controls fire, he is still very flammable."

As he finished that last word, he flipped his Gnomish Lighter on, and grinned towards his friend.

[AlphaLuke]

Korren laughs heartily and says, "These will come in handy!" Shield hears every word.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Popping the shard out of his ear port, Shield hands the two shards in his possession over to Korren for safe-keeping.

Glancing back at the pile of loot, Shield noticed the short spear sticking out like a sore thumb. Seemingly crafted of bone, Shield inspected the weapon with his spectacles.

[AlphaLuke]

The weapon, though crafted of bone, is remarkably sturdy. The blade at the tip is wickedly barbed in a flame motif and the shaft is scorred with dark runes. The weapon has a flickering red aura when inspected under Shield's spectacles. The air sizzles when the weapon is swung or stabbed in the air.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Noting the way Korren almost seemed to drool as the weapon sizzled and singed the air, the automaton tossed the weapon to his comrade.

"Give it a try, it seems like it would be a perfect fit for you."

[AlphaLuke]

Korren grabs the spear in the air, but drops it in a yelp. "Shield! Was that supposed to be a joke? The thing is boiling!" Shield looks down at his hand and sees that the metal around his fingers is red hot.

Korren wraps his hand in his cloak and grabs the spear. After a moment, he grasps it firmly in two hands, the heat obviously intense, but bearable. He stabs the spear at a nearby tree stump. The stump instantly catches fire in a "FWOOSH" that causes a slight breeze. Korren begins to laugh to himself. He starts to walk away, then turns toward the burning stump. He grins at Shield, then leaps onto the flaming wood. He stands there, unaffected, as the flames flicker over his legs, clothing, and the spear.

"Oh yeah, I like this." Korren says.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Content with his pull from the pile, he glanced around at the other party members.

"Alright, your turn. Pick out what you think would be nice to have, and try it out. I've gotten the things I've had an interest in already, so all that's left for me is divvying out the gold and the trinkets among the six of us. Just so you know, this bow, this screwdriver, this ring, and these spectacles, are my take from this last run, though if you'd like to borrow any of them, a deal can always be made."

Shield, slightly shocked at how he sounded, realized that while he had hoped to have an impact on the way his charge saw the world, his charge had made quite the impact on Shield's viewpoint, especially with these new items being brought into the mix. He found it odd that it brought him such joy to have these items in his own possession, as it wasn't something he'd been used to...used to having things to call his own, aside from his equipment, that is. He gave Korren a look as the others went about sorting through the remaining items and loot, a look of joy, and a look of contentment. The glance quickly turned to a feeling of immense relief that his partner, his friend, was alive and well, albeit slightly off-kilter from the aftermath of the poison. He realized just how much this young man meant to him, and wondered if he would ever be able to show the warmage how glad he was to have run into him all those years ago on that fateful night. He looked away from his companion, who was swinging his new spear about, like a child at play. "Surely, one day, my friend, you will know that you gave this ancient being hope, hope for the future of this world, and hope for the reclamation of what belonged to my people...one day, my brothers, I will bring you back from oblivion." Shield quickly began getting to work on himself in order to patch up the rest of his wounds, using the new screwdriver as a tool in addition to his normal ones.

Damage repaired [roll0]

If the screwdriver adds a bonus to the Craft (Armorsmithing) Check to repair myself, then add that to the result as well. Also, this check takes 8 hours, so that's what I'm doing as we ride back to town, as well as keeping watch.

[AlphaLuke]

Shield's wounds seem more vibrantly outlined. He is able to find and correct them easier.
Add +2 to any check to repair yourself.

[AlphaLuke]

The ride back to town is quiet and uneventful. Occasionally the Hobgoblin will begin to moan and sit up, but Mathias quickly pummels him back to unconciousness with the butt of his rifle. The sun hits its zenith as the group tops a hill and sees the town below. The party stable's Mathias' horse, Artor, locks the Hobgoblin in the local magistrate's holding cell, and heads to Gias' Bar for a refreshing lunch.
Shield kept watch during the ride home. Korren napped and I assume everyone else rested as well. All spells are recharged. Damage healed. I'm throwing in a new house rule too. I'm using the 4E rules for resting and damage healing, not to include the healing surges, but just the minor and extended rests. I'm also going to be adding action points along the 4E rules line. I feeling like 3.5 Eberron action points are too valuable and rare. This allows you to look at the plethora of Action Point feats and Prestige Classes available to the Eberron world. Everyone has a single action point as of right. . . NOW!:smallbiggrin:

[Zato-1]

Anji was quite surprised to find out that the goblins were carrying so much valuable loot. Abandoning the Hobgoblin on the cart, Anji makes his way around the dead bodies. He picks up the alchemists fire and several of the unidentified potions that had been lying about. He performed a cursory inspection on anything that Shield and Korren had not already picked up and experimented with. He would also have to be wary of Korren who was giving him an odd look and was holding an unknown headband. After all that was said and done, he hopped on the cart and started driving back to town.

knowledge arcana [roll0]

[AlphaLuke]

Gias, the old bartender, is deep in conversation with the visibly upset Mathias. "You've done everything you can. You'll go back tomorrow. Why do you think he hasn't escaped yet? You can barely keep a handle on the two much less a bunch of idiot Orcs. She never has her feet planted firmly on the ground and your boy's mind is in as many places as his body. It just makes no sense. They seems like they could get themselves out of a jam just fine, but they're still gone. They wouldn't kill them right off 'cause they're obviously too valuable. You've got time old friend. You know I'd go with you if I could, but the House chose you for a reason. You're the best of us. And from what you tell me about your new friends, the children will be in safe hands soon."
Korren sits in the corner of the bar, spear tightly wrapped in his cloak and leaning on the wall next to him. He asks Gias, "Is it alright if I smoke in here?" Gias nods nonchalantly and returns to his friend. Korren lights up his pipe and begins to hum an old battle march. He reminisces about the old Warmage College and thinks of his excitement when he graduated his first tier. He looks at his Warforged companion and thanks the gods for such a loyal friend. His mind turns to Mathias' comments from days ago. He wonders if House Cannith really is working on projects like his friend. Korren makes a mental note to find out after Mathias' children are safe.

[AlphaLuke]

Anji finds that the potions seem to be of Enlarge Person and Cure Moderate Wounds, respectively. The other items are beyond this little adventurer's skill to identify with a simple check of his memory.

[ZOMGoubeaux]

Looking over the spectacles while sitting at a table in the bar, Shield finally makes a decision. He calls Nebraska over.

"I want to share something with you, that you might find valuable. These spectacles allow you to see the color of the aura of magic that any magic items give off, as well as the auras of any magical beings. In addition, it can identify what an item is, though only a certain number of times a day. I'm telling you this because you seem to be the brightest of us, and will make the best use of these."

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood takes out the wooden morningstar, examining it. a spiked weapon made of wood is rather rare, and hints at unusual materials, so he digs into his knowledge of plants to try to identify it.
I use knowledge (nature) [roll0]

[AlphaLuke]

Snowblood examines the morningstar. It is highly stylized, depicting a hedgehog curled around the end of a branch. The wood is obviously bronzewood, a harder, more resilient type of wood not typical for this region. Snowblood also notices a small inscription near the base of the weapon. The text is in Druidic and simply says "Grow".

[DeathbyFlossing]

Snowblood grins upon recognizing the text and repeats it aloud. Grow,he says in Druidic.

[Zato-1]

Anji decides to take another glance at the eye patch and the jade comb.

Detect magic, so I know its magical, and [roll0] for arcana to see if I can figure out what they do. Hell, [roll1] to see if I can't find some instructions.

[AlphaLuke]

Suddenly, the stylized hedgehog atop the morningstar leaps to the ground and grows to the size of a Warhorse. It still clearly shows the composition of Bronzewood, but now has an intelligence in its green, glowing eyes. It turns to Snowblood, knoking over several chairs in the process, and speaks in Snowblood's mind in ancient Druidic.

"How may I serve you, Master?"

The rest of the tavern stands, jaws agape, looking at the massive hedgehog with fear and suprise.

[AlphaLuke]

Anji can tell that the Eyepatch is magical right off the bat. However, the comb radiates such a faint aura that he missed it in his initial inspection. He is unable to find any instructions.

[DeathbyFlossing]

uhh, just go back to the way you were Snowblood replies in Druidic.

[AlphaLuke]

"As you wish, Master." replies the hedgehog. It bows its head before touching its nose to the tip of the Bronzewood haft. The hedgehog disappears suddenly and reapears, curled on the end of the weapon. Snowblood notices that the weapon is amazingly easy to swing and wound probably deal more damage than a typical specimen of the weapon.

The rest of the tavern catches its breath and Korren audibly laughs in the corner. "You look like you got a pretty nice stick there Snowblood! I just hope that spikey rat doesn't pop out when we are in a tight space. Haha!"

[Zato-1]

Anji, although a little startled by the sudden appearance and disappearance of a giant hedgehog, lifted the eye patch to eye level but did not put it on, hoping to get an idea of what it did.

[DeathbyFlossing]

Sweeet,Snowblood laughs, then turns his attention to the hide armor, putting it on and stretching, trying out the feel.

[AlphaLuke]

Anji sees nothing out of the ordinary when looking at the eyepatch, other than it is rather ugly and seems to be woven out of black humanoid hair.

Snowblood notices that the hide is lined with a soft white fur. The hide seems to cover more of Snowblood's weak points than typical armor. Snowblood also feels warmer and more insulated in the armor.

[Zato-1]

Giving up on trying to identify the objects himself, Anji decided to ask someone else. Hey Korren, you're pretty wise in the arcane arts, can you figue out what these do?

[AlphaLuke]

"Bring them over here. Ah, well I can tell you right now that the jade comb has a symbol of House Cannith on it. Thats the Mark of Making. Let's see..."
Korren focuses his thoughts on the items, trying to find the arcane spark powering them.

Korren makes a Spellcraft check [roll0]

[AlphaLuke]

"Sorry, nothing." Korren apologizes as he hands back the items to Anji. "You could always try them out. It's how Shield, Myself, and Snowblood have figure these things out."

[Zato-1]

Getting rather impatient, Anji borrows the glasses from Nebraska and uses them to identify the eyepatch and comb.

[AlphaLuke]

Anji looks through the specs at the eyepatch. He sees it radiation a wavering yellow aura that is constantly changing shape. Through the specs a glowing yellow marking is clearly visible on the outside of the eyepatch. It resembles a stylized eye.

[Zato-1]

Anji, going nst his better judgement, decides to try on the eyepatch.

[AlphaLuke]

Anji feels a wierd sensation as he grows taller, his teeth become underbitten tusks, and his clothing becomes a priestly vestment.

To everyone else in the tavern, Anji has just morphed into an accurately detailed Orc Priest of Gruumsh.

[Zato-1]

Anji, surprised at the fact that he is now at eye level with everyone decides to look in the mirror behind the bar. Anji then proceeds to flip his lid.

[Zato-1]

Also curious about the comb, Anji runs it through Glyns hair while he is not looking.

[AlphaLuke]

An image of Glyn's face appears in Anji's mind, and he realizes he can modify Glyn's appearance to suit his will.

[Zato-1]

Delighted at these finds, Anji stores them in his haversack.

[Zato-1]

Anji also pours water into the silver cauldron. He also dons the leather gloves.

[AlphaLuke]

The water sits in the cauldron, doing nothing unusual but looking sketchy for water. The gloves fits snugly over Anji's hands. He can tell they radiate magic, but doesn't know how.