War of the Lance- Autumn (IC)

[LostLight]

Chapter I- Despair

Solace was dressed with red and gold, as the great Vallenwood trees prepared toward their winter sleep. The crimson rays of the setting sun made the leaves burn like flames, and as they fell from their trees they danced like sparks of embers who escaped their fire, vanishing in the cold, black ground.

Many would have said that the autumn was the most beautiful time in Solace, and usually many travelers would have cross through Abanasinia in order to watch the sight and eat the famous fried potatoes of the Inn of the Last Home. Yet, this year was different. Not many travelers moved through the city, and those who did stayed in the shadows and left as quick as possible. The locals, who were once among the most welcoming people in all of Ansalon, have turned suspicious, checking twice every newcomer and shutting their doors as soon as the sun set. The Seekers, who once were friendly priests, spread dark rumors about a looming danger in the horizon- and only they could save them from it.

A storm was gathering. The night turned longer. The shadows of war were cast upon the land- snuffing the sparks of hope everywhere they dared to shine. Yet, hope can never die- and even as the winter came closer and sun started to hide behind the horizon, some of those very sparks has started to burn, shining like candles in the upcoming ever lasting winter night...

on the main road to Solace, three shrouded figures has approached the city- two of them were long time travel friends, while the other their guide in the land. Edran of Langtree, the kind bard. Abraim Reever, a faithless seeker. Lightfeather, a lonesome barbarian from the plains. The three have just returned from a long travel, dreaming on the fresh food and reviving wine of the city- yet the road may not be easy as they hope it to be.

On another road, a lone figure walked- dressed in armor and carrying a sword, everyone who looked at him could have guessed he was one of the Knights of Solamnia- once a great knighthood who has since fallen from grace. This man, Arthur Reginald, has allowed himself to be enchanted by the beauty of the autumn twilight in Solace- yet he didn't allowed himself to be detached from reality. It was a dangerous road, especially for those who traveled alone. That exact thought passed through his mind when he noticed another person who walked by herself- a lean elvish woman. A wizard. He didn't knew it yet- but her name was Star Eyes, and she carried a reason of her own to walk all alone in the twilight.

While none of them knew it, those people were destined to be the lone sparks of hope in the darkness- and, if the gods who has forsaken Krynn years ago would stay by their side, may even bring enough light to allow the dawn to rise again.

For better or worse, their story begins now

- Dragons of Autumn Twilight, by Astinus of Palanthas

[gremlin-pult]

"Uuuugh!" Abraim exclaims as Solace comes into view further down the road. "Finally, blessed civilization! I've been dying to rest my feet for hours now."
Tightening his grip on his trusty walking stick, the travel-stained cleric speeds up, a small measure of his energy returning at the thought of a nice meal, a drink and a roof over his head. As he walks he glances at his companions over his shoulder.
"Will ye hurry it up, then? I dont wanna be outside for one moment longer than necessary, as I've had quite enough of the open road for a day or two. Besides, I ran out of wine a while ago, and I'm beginning to feel disturbingly sober."
With that said he once again places his attention on the road in front of him, already tasting the sweet, lifegiving spirits that he craves.

[Aneurin]

Star-Eyes - The Other Road Outside Solace

...I really hope my house hasn't over-grown, Star-Eyes thinks glumly as she trudges towards the still-more-distant-than-she'd-like silhouette of Solace. The door always was too close to the trunk,

Not that the appreticeship hadn't been worth it. She'd learned a lot in the short time she's been away, and taking the Test... Well. Okay. The Test was done, and gone, and with any luck at all she will never have to think about it again. Ever. But the apprenticeship had been good, and she'd definitely learned a lot. A pity about the weasel, though.

And here she is, tramping down a dusty road at the end of the summer. The dust kicked up by the tap-tap-tap of her polished vallenwood staff settling gently on the white sleeves and body of her tunic, causing her to once again must on what idiot decided that white was a good colour for a travelling wizard to wear. At least she'd kept it to a minimum, with darker shoulder protectors and perfectly normal soft leather leggings. Just enough white to proclaim her loyalty to her Order, but little enough she doesn't end up being known as the Dust-Coloured Wizard.

She pauses for a moment to look at her adoptive home of the last... thirty years? Maybe? She's not terribly sure. Something like that, anyway. The humans tend to get hung up on the short dates like that, so maybe someone will mention it when she gets back. Then she sighs aloud, and plods on.


...After all due consideration, the door probably has been overgrown by the tree again. Wonderful.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Though her own feet ache, Lightfeather is far more accustomed to enduing lengthy marches than her current clients. Though not bad fellow, as city folk go, their carelessness and exuberance were taking a toll on her legendary patience and stoicism. Abraim, particularly when sobriety threatened, seemed to never leave the air clear when he has thoughts he can voice.

She grimaces behind his back but is nonetheless relieved when the towering vallenwoods appear over the hills. And at this point, she admits she's spent enough years with traveling city folk to understand a little light banter is expected. "Abraim, I've foaled no less than four mares who whined less than you have this past hour. I'm just as eager as you are for your mouth to be full."

[bcool999]

Seeing the towering trees near at hand, Arthur takes a moment atop his stead to marvel at their beauty in the fading daylight. His horse snorts, warning him of another person nearby. He scans the road and notices a figure. A lone female walking towards Solace. He increases his mounts pace, and pulls on the tether to the pack-mule hoping to get a better look at the stranger while at the same time checking the readiness of his weapons. As he draws near he notices the woman is an elf and slows his horse a respectful distance away.

"Good eve to you miss elf." Arthur calls out to the woman. "It would seem we are both bound to Solace. Mayhaps we may travel together for a time, for no road is truly safe these days." He urges his mount to keep pace with the woman, but does well not to get too close should she be hostile to a stranger on the road.

[gremlin-pult]

"Well of course they'd whine less! they just pop out, and then they're barely three steps from their favorite drink."
He shoots back, thrilled by the opportunity of someone willing to bicker. Pointedly ignoring the dull ache of his growing hangover, he turns to the plainswoman and gives her a wry, mirthless smile.
"Besides, I wouldn't have run dry if we hadn't been chased out of the last hamlet afore I could restock, little chickadee." He says, wagging a finger at her accusingly. He then continues speaking in a high-pitched imitation of Lightfeather's voice.
"Oooh, look Abraim and Edran! Some children bullying another child. We simply must do something, as it is the proper thing to do. Never mind that their parents thought us kidnappers, and chased us out of the hamlet with pitchforks and torches."

Abraim's face abruptly screws up in a mixture of displeasure and disgust, and he continues sarcastically in his normal voice.
"I'm so thankful for that, by the way. I've always wanted to be hunted like some animal. Bloody torches..."
His tirade over for now, Abraim continues down the road, muttering to himself. the occasional profanity followed by the words "pitchforks and torches" can be heard inbetween.

[Solamnicknight]

Edran walking along with his two companions, his now somewhat mud stained red and green finery standing out among their more practical clothes joins in on the banter Come now Abraim, though the last village was unpleasant, and I could do without the tear in my tabard from that farmer's pitchfork, I'm sure we'll find no trouble here in Solace. The Inn of the Last Home has a reputation for fine food, drink, and pleasant company.

[Aneurin]

Star-Eyes

She blinks up at the stranger on a horse, and tries to quash the instict to back away from the towering human next to her. She'd heard the horses approaching, of course - well, horse and mule - but hadn't really expected them to bother her. She hesitates for a fraction of a second before answering him.

"Good day to you, too, sir," she says a slight, polite smile. "I'd be glad of the company, it's been a lonely walk so far and, as you say, the roads are dangerous,"

Star-Eyes pauses for a moment, and peers more closely at the stranger frowning slightly as she tries to place him. While she's fairly certain she doesn't know him, humans do tend to change infuriatingly quickly. Even a couple of years can cause the children to change almost beyond recognition.

"What brings you to Solace? ...Are you a local? I don't recognise you, but I must admit it's been a few years since I left Solace and I'm sure much has changed,"

[gremlin-pult]

The mention of food and drink mollifies Abraim's moodiness a little, and he scowls at Edran for a moment, before letting his lips rise slightly in a tight-lipped halfsmile. "Yeh, I suppose ye're right Edran..." He grumbles, not feeling quite ready to let go of his sour mood while his head still throbs. But the thought of sustenance, the famed delicacies of the Last Home inn no less, Makes it hard for him to stay completely negative. He puts up a brave front though, determined not to let his companions see him being less than his usual pessimistic self. The shock would probably be too much for the fainthearted youngsters, he muses.
Still He thinks to himself I cant wait for the feast. Roast potatoes, meatstew.... And wine. Mmm, delicious, perfectly aged blackberry wine. Or thick, dark ale, topped of with freshly brewed honey mead....
It takes conscious effort for Abraim to keep from drooling at the thought.
Over the years, drinking had become one of his sole joys, and he fancied himself quite the connoisseur.

[bcool999]

Arthur chuckles slightly when asked if he is a local but hastens to explain himself before his companion thinks he is mocking her. "Forgive me, I have been traveling so long the thought of being confused for a local surprised me." Arthur says as he gives a small bow (a difficult feat from a saddle) and turns toward the elf in order to display the crest painted upon his armor. It bears the symbol of the Solamnic knights as well as his family crest. "Allow me to introduce myself, Arthur Reginald of the Solamnic Knights. To be precise I am a knight-errant, traveling the roads for near on five years now aiding travelers and trying to bring a measure of order to the roads."

Arthur gestures to the weapons he carries, all of fine craftsmanship but all nonetheless worn and scratched much like his armor, "As you can see it hasn't been the easiest of tasks. Which is why I am looking forward to the comfort of the Last Home inn. Might that also be your destination miss...?"

[Aneurin]

Star-Eyes

"Star-Eyes of Solace," Star-Eyes replies pleasantly. "I'm going to... um... Solace," she concludes, with the slight hesitation of one who is just now realising they could, perhaps, have thought their sentence through a little better before they said it. "I may well stop at the Inn of the Last Home before I go and find what the ravages of time have wreaked on my house while I was away.

"And I apologise, Sir Knight, I hadn't noticed your armour before. Humans change so quickly it's sometimes hard to recognise them if I leave for any length of time," she adds, with a slight shrug.

[LostLight]

Edran, Abraim and Lightfeather
Just as the three have finally came to an agreement- a sudden voice was heard, like twigs being crushed under a boot. Before they could react, screams filled the air- calls for battle and death. Eight hobgoblins, all fully armed and with a terrible smile on their face, jumped from the bushes, licking their lips with anticipation while surrounding the heroes- yet they did not attacked. They just waited, until another figure has shown up.

It was another hobgoblin- yet this one has ridden an horse. Well, more exactly a pony. That hob was bigger than the rest of his breed- not taller, but fatter. Actually, he was so fat, that it didn't required the eye of a specialist to wonder how did the poor pony managed to carry such a bloated being upon its back. It was also uglier than the average hobgoblin- which is quit and achievement, considering their usual look. His skin was yellowish grey. His eyes were pink and swollen. Spit has gathered in the edge of his mouth, and some of it has sprayed into the air every time he spoke-

"Sthop where you are!" he said with a vicious smile on his face "My name is the Fewmaster Toede, and we do not allow people to enther this fair city in those times of the nighth! By the orders of the High Theocrat, sith still as we search your stuff!" his smile grew wider, revealing his green, rotten teeth "Any objection will be met with punishmenth!"

he than leaned toward one of the guards and whispered few words in Goblinoid, sure that no one is smart enough to learn the language of his kind

"Sthrak kist tssaruk fot trast picktartek xestek"

for Edran

Spoiler

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"search the Blue Crystal Staff and get rid of them"

Star Eyes and Arthur
As the two enjoyed each other's company in the lonely road, the two has noticed an unusual sight for Solace- the road was blocked. In around 200 feet head, a group of guards created a barricade, and from how they were dressed Star Eyes recognized them as members of the Seekers militia- who, when she left, were still a small group without much influence. Now, however, it seemed that the situation has changed- they could have seen how two of the soldiers has searched through the wagon of the local farmer as its owner stood still, stiffed with fear, while two other soldiers- one significantly older than the other- stood and watch, holding an angry looking dog.

[Aneurin]

Star-Eyes

"...Well, that's new. I wonder if something's happened?" Star-Eyes frowns as she sees the barricade and the Seeker Guard. "Those are Seeker Guards - they're sort of the militia of the High Seekers Council in Haven," she adds aloud for the benefit of Arthur as she carries on walking towards them with the confident air on one who is certain that whatever's going on is no business of hers. "Or they were when I left. They seem a little more important now, if they're blocking off entry to the town. I do hope this won't take too long," she says irritably as the barricade comes up.

After all, it's been a long walk and she just wants to go home. She's had nothing to do with whatever the problem is and - while she sincerely hopes it wasn't anything too serious - she would quite like it to go away.

[gremlin-pult]

"Are you bloody serious? why in the...." Abraim exclaims, before stopping himself from saying anything more. Insulting the armed Hobs, who outnumber them quite a bit, seems like a poor choice of action, even to Abraim's throbbing head.
Giving the Fewmaster a wary look, he glances back at his companions, settling on Edran with an expectant expression.
Come on, then. He thinks, trying hard to communicate his thoughts with a look. Talk our way out of this. Its what you do!
While still nursing the hope that they'll be let through, without having to give up their possessions to the repugnant buggers, Abraim casually shifts his grip on his walking stick. It wouldn't be the first time the thick wooden staff had become an impromptu weapon.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Jocularity forgotten, Lightfeather goes stiff with alarm as the hobs suddenly burst upon the road. Her right hand is ready to move in an instant as her left tightens on her powerful longbow, its surface marked with delicate etchings of horses and beasts of the vast plains. Her jaw tightens, but her eyes sweep across her enemies with disdain. I will not be ordered about or manhandled by goblins no matter who they answer to!

Abraim show surprising restraint but she wondered what this Toede said to his troops. “Edran?” she says quietly, continuing in her native Abanasinian tongue, “What did he say? I would kill them all now. They do not belong here.”

[Solamnicknight]

Edran gestures for lightfeather to lower her bow and decides to do what he does best, diffuse the situation with diplomacy all the while staying close to his companions, ready for trouble Fewmaster Tode, we did not mean to break any laws here in Solace. We are traveling at this late hour because we ran into some unfriendly farmers in the last village, and could not stay. If you could just allow us to proceed, we will go straight to the Inn of the Last Home. We promise we won't cause you any trouble. We just desire food, rest, and a warm bed for the night.

Spoiler: Diplomacy roll

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(1d20+10)[19]

After he finishes addressing the Fewmaster Edran tries to secretly mouth the words [COLOR="#DAA520"]Not here[COLOR="#DAA520"] To lightfeather

Spoiler: Bluff check to hide what he's mouthing to lightfeather

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(1d20+10)[24]

[LostLight]

The Fewmaster Toede was never famous for giving attention to details. As such, he barely even noticed as the two spoke to each other with some stupid human language he never bothered to learn. More than that, his mind was distracted by the talking of Erdan, who talked with him about drink and food. That reminded him he also wanted drink and food. Why does he stand here in the cold when there is drink and food back in the city?..

"Silence!" he screamed "I want food! Give me food- I mean, give me the Blue- wait.." he punched himself in the head, cleared his throat and yelled to his tropes "kill them!"

and then he turned around, kicked the pony and vanished to the night while squeaking in an high pitch note- leaving his soldiers to deal with the three.

OOC- everyone, please roll Initiative in the OOC thread, and then we can start the battle.

[gremlin-pult]

Looking on as the Fewmaster gives out his orders and rides of, Abraim shakes his head in disbelief, before turning sharply to Edran. "Oh, wonderful work, you monumental imbecile! I am never letting you talk to strangers again! I cant believe it, if its not this, then it something else, I mean..."
His words cut short by the snarling hobgoblins, Abraim jerks back and lets out and decidedly unmanly shriek.
"Feathers, Do something. Shoot them!"

[bcool999]

Arthur

Pausing to look at the barricade, Arthur sighs and says to Star-Eyes, "Many towns seek to close themselves off these days, suspicious of strangers. I had hoped that Solace's reputation for hospitality would afford me a bed, but perhaps I will sleep on the ground once more. Well... we will see soon enough."

With that said, Arthur rides slowly towards the barricade next to Star-Eyes. Watching the guards for sudden moves to attack a mounted stranger.

[Solamnicknight]

It's not my fault hobgoblins are too stupid to understand how to negotiate! Edran replies to Abraim, while drawing his Rapier.

[LostLight]

Following their master's spirit, three of the hobgoblins targeted Edran, jumping toward him with their drawn swords. Acting quickly, the bard managed to evade the attack of the first and blocked the second with his shield. The third, however, managed to hit him at his side- but the armor absorbed to attack, leaving him a bit painful, yet undamaged.

Other three has recognized Lightfeather as the major threat, as the "bodyguard" who protected the two other travelers. Desiring to please their master, they attacked the ranger- yet two of them missed their target, as she barely avoided the first while her armor protected her from the second. The third, however, was more cunning- doing a faint and using the other two as a diversion in order to hit her in the back, pushing his blade through her armor [8 damage]

The two other, being the most fearful in the group, has decided to attack Abraim- who was the weakest member of the group from their point of view. The two has attacked the surprised man, causing great pain to Abraim- yet luckily, only one of the attacked managed to do actual harm [3 damage]

[Solamnicknight]

Realizing he and his friends are in grave danger, Edran reacts quickly. He thrusts his rapier at the the hobgoblin who stabbed lightfeather, shouting in the goblin language Nobody harms my companions, especially you dimwitted scum!

Spoiler: Attack roll

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(1d20+5)[15]

[Aneurin]

Star-Eyes

"Barricading the road is a bit unusual, though. Normally it's just the inns that don't serve strangers, and you get nasty looks from the locals. I do hope it's not rumours of plague near by. That would be quite an unpleasant homecoming," Star-Eyes murmurs to her new-found travelling companion as she slows her pace a little and strains her ears. "Hush now. I want to hear what the guards are saying before we have to deal with them..."

...and hope it's not going to result in me running for my life in the night. If the Seekers have been rabble-rousing against wizards, I'd rather know sooner rather than later - and if there's plague about, I think I'd rather not stay in town until it's gone.

Spoiler: Listen!

Show

Listen check to over-hear what they guards are saying to the old farmer.

(1d20+2)[7]

[Solamnicknight]

As Edran's rapier finds it's mark he let's out a hearty laugh and says to hobsNot so tough now are you lads?

Spoiler: Edran's Rapier damage

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[roll]1d6+1[/roll]

[Solamnicknight]

As Edran's rapier finds it's mark he let's out a hearty laugh and says to hobsNot so tough now are you lads?

Spoiler: Edran's Rapier damage

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(1d6+1)[5]

retry on dice roll

Spoiler: Edran's rapier damage

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(1d6+1)[6]

[LostLight]

As Edran's rapier finds it's mark he let's out a hearty laugh and says to hobsNot so tough now are you lads?

Spoiler: Edran's Rapier damage

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(1d6+1)[2]

Edran fluidly sent his rapier forward, piercing his enemy. For a second, fear filled his heart as the delicate rapier was stopped by the hobgoblin's armor- yet he didn't despaired. Instead, he pushed a little more forward, putting more of his strength to the strike: and he succeeded. His sword pierced the armor and cut through his enemy's heart. The hobgoblin twitched and stopped, sliding down from the blade and laying lifeless on the ground.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Concern for her companions ultimately cost Lightfeather, as her first thought is to move to protect them. But the hobs leap to the attack with ferocity, and even as she draws a pair of arrows up to bow - automatically gripping one in her bow hand while turning the other and nocking it, swords whip at her from all directions. She weaves beyond one attack as another scrapes her leathers, but she still feels a sting at her back.

Ignoring it, she twists to the side and draws, annoyed at this less-than-ideal counterattack as the hobs are all still close about her. She looses two powerful arrows in quick succession, imagining her anger going with them and taking a calming breath to assess how the others are doing.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move - taking what amounts to a 5-foot step, however that might apply.

Rapid shot: If the first shot misses or does not drop her first target (let's say the left-most) she attacks it again; otherwise the second shot goes to the next target.

Attack (1d20+10)[21]
Crit (1d20+10)[15]
Damage (1d8+4)[9]

Attack (1d20+10)[17]
Crit (1d20+10)[24]
Damage (1d8+4)[5]

[LostLight]

Star Eyes
The elf tried to concentrate at the conversation of the soldiers, yet too many things bothered her- the whispering of the wind, the clanking of the armor of her companion, the breathing of the horse, the distance from the barricade.. In the end, all she could have heard was a mumbling, and that apparently, the guards have searched for something- what, she couldn't have known. She also noticed that the soldiers have almost finished checking the farmer- and then, they would focus their full attention on her and Arthur.

[gremlin-pult]

Letting out a grunt of pain as the Hob hits him, Abraim turns his full attention on the offending creature.
"Raagh, I dont. Like. Fighting. Sober!"He exclaims loudly, every word accompanied by a swing of his staff, gripped in both hands. He tries to aim his swings for the Hobgoblins head, fully intending to make it share his headache.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Abraim attacks the Hobgoblin who hurt him.

Attack: (1d20+4)[16]
Damage: (1d6+3)[6]
Crit confirm (if necessary): (1d20+4)[7]
Crit damage: (1d6+3)[6]

[Aneurin]

Star-Eyes

"No good," she shakes her head and sighs. "The horses are too loud," she adds, somewat diplomatically, to explain why she can't hear anything rather than mentioning the whole wheezing and clanking thing.

Star-Eyes takes a firm grip on her worn old staff, and reshuffles her backback to a more comfortable position from where it had slipped during the long treck.

"I think they're looking for something, but I'm not sure what. Smuggled goods, perhaps? Though what someone would smuggle into Solace is beyond me," she shrugs. "I suppose there's nothing for it but to see what they ask us about," she adds as they approach the guards and wait patiently to be noticed and searched for... whatever.