An Initiative Roll: (1d20+6=12)
Agathon begins moving with his bow at the ready. He scans the surrounding countryside as he does so looking for enemies to shoot.
An Arrow Shot: (1d20+4=17, 1d8=5)
A Hit with the Greatsword (with Damage): (1d20+5=16, 2d6+3=9)
Initiative: Initiative at the trail action. (1d20+6=19)
I will use my readied crossbow and drill the hobgoblin in I-4:
Crossbow shot at hobgoblin in I-4. (1d20+3=20, 1d8=4)
I will use my move action to reload, and take a 5' step to get better cover with respect to the now wounded hobgoblin in I-4.
Shouting, "There's one over here with a bow!".
Order of initiative: Thaddeus, Jacques, Agathon, Hobgoblins
Thaddeus nails the hobgoblin about 20 feet away from with a crossbow bolt in the upper arm. He reloads and moves closer into the rocks to take better cover.
Jaques fires his sling bullet at the hobgoblin he spotted in H4. The sling bullet grazes the creature's temple with little visible effect (2 points of damage, total attack roll of 20 16+4)
Agathon moves into E7 and does not spot the hobgoblin that fires on him from F5 until after the hobgoblin has already shot. The hobgoblins's arrow misses and Agathon's return shot also misses since the hobgoblin has cover.
Hobgoblin in I-4 scrambles over the rocks to engage Thaddeus in melee. Due to difficult nature of the terrain he cannot attack when he reaches Thaddeus, but now Thaddeus faces a wounded hobgoblin with a morningstar in hand, having dropped his bow during the scramble.
Hobgoblin in H4 moves into the rocks at I-5, dropping out of Jacques' sight.
Hobgoblin in F5 now goes on Agathon's initiative.
No other enemies in sight. The dust cloud hasn't gotten signficiantly closer since it has only been 12 seconds since you all saw it.
As Agathon spots the Hobgoblin, he will drop his bow, move up to him (pulling his Great Sword as he moves…), and smack him on the head…
A hit with 'ole Blue: (1d20+5=18, 2d6+3=5)
“I have one over here under my blade!”, he will shout to the others…
As the hobgoblin runs at Thaddeus, swinging his wicked-looking morningstar and shouting war curses, Thaddeus calmly puts a crossbow bolt in his chest:
Another shot at the hobgoblin in I-4 (who has now closed to melee). (1d20+3=18, 1d8=8)
Thaddeus will use his move action to reload, and possibly take a quick look around for other threats.
Three hobgoblins down in 6 seconds!!!! All three of you down your respective opponents!!!
Both Thaddeus and Agathon spot a hobgoblin hauling a** up the trail back towards the mines. This hobgoblin ends his turn in square M9. His run is somewhat "panicked" in appearance....
Thaddeus tries to get a bead on the fleeing hobgoblin but he is running too fast:
Parting shot at the hobgoblin in M-9. (1d20+3=12, 1d8=1)
"You guys loot the bodies, quick! I'll bring Jose and we can get out of here!"
Thaddeus will give chase to the runner, shouting and being obvious.
Jaques will move full speed to the bodies, to assist Agathon in searching them. While doing so he will attempt to remain alert to the surroundings for possible approach of other opponents, or opponents that remain hidden.
Agathon says (unnecessarily stating the obvious), "Double time it back. We can expect more company any moment!"
With that said, he will also move to loot the bodies with haste ignoring their armor and just going for weapons and valuables.
Once this is done, he will sprint back to where he dropped the shield and the bow and get back to the trail as soon as possible to restart the march back to town...
Loot:
1 dead deer (4 point buck, about 120 lbs)
DC8 appraise:
28 sp, 3 gp, 1 10 gp gem, 3 longbows, 80 arrows, 2 morningstars, 1 boar spear, 3 daggers, 3 suits of medium sized hobgoblin ring mail
Hightailing it back to town, yes? Wasn't sure if everyone was in agreement with Agathon?
Jaques does his part to facilitate the high speed advance to the rear, with all gathered intelligence and material evidence/assets. 1d20=10
Heaving the buck unto Jose along with all the rest of the gear, Agathon will then follow the guys back to Knurl. Again, he will bring up the rear with bow out and shield up checking the trail behind frequently and saying little (except to answer whatever the others might say or ask, of course).
You guys get 250 xp as well.
The party makes it back to Knurl. The dustcloud did grow closer, but no immediate pursuit seemed forthcoming. It's nearing dusk now, since you arrived at the coal mine in early afternoon. The shadow lengthen, but the city gates are still open.
Verlik, the gate guard corporal, looks over your loot with a raised eyebrow, which turns into two raised eyebrows when he sees the quadralest.
"You should wait for the captain, he'll probably give you a good price for that contraption. I can go summon him, if you want to wait a few minutes."
"Corporal, we'd love to wait for the captain, but our strength is nearly spent. We've slain eight hobgoblins and nearly twenty goblins this day. We have important information for Sir Gendar concerning what the humanoids' intentions are, and it is urgent that we not delay in reporting back to him."
"I would be much obliged if you would let the captain know that the quadralest is indeed for sale, and that we will not sell it to anyone else until he has at least had the chance to see it. He can come by MacPherson's Blade Barn midmorning tomorrow, if that is convenient for him."
"We'll be at the Gnoll's Head later tonight if you care to stop by. The first round is on me."
Diplomacy roll on Verlik and the captain. (1d20+6=19)
With that, Thaddeus will spread his cloak over the loot on the mule to conceal it from curious or greedy eyes. He will hire a messenger (a kid, most likely). "Locate Sir Gendar and let his aides know that Thaddeus, Jacques, and Agathon are back from the coal mine and have information they feel cannot wait until the morrow. Then bring his answer back to me at MacPherson's Blade Barn. Here's a silver for you, and another when I see you again."
I will lead my friends on the quickest route to my house and dad's shop. We'll ground the loot in a crate somewhere secure, yet out of dad's way. I'll take a quick pause to wash my hands and face, and invite the others to do the same. Then we'll meet Sir Gendar somewhere, hopefully tonight.
Agathon will let Thaddeus do the talking and will just try to look tough despite his fatigue from the march.
Jaques will work very hard to look dark, intelligent, and enigmatic, saying nothing but following the others silently. No more wooden dummies and punching bags, I am now finally playing in the great struggle against the forces of evil and anarchy.
Striding up to the gate you see a man of very short stature. His hair and beard are deep red in hue. He is dressed in well oiled studded leather, bearing a heavy wood shield emblazoned with the holy symbol of Moradin on its lacquered face. A dwarvish waraxe is hanging from his wide leather belt and a light crossbow strapped to his back pack.
Stopping 5 feet away, which is half a foot longer than his height, he measures you all in a steady sure manner. In a deep baritone “Good evening to ye Master MacPherson” he bows slightly, “I here ye mention ye have been hired by Sir Gendar. Master MacPherson and I are acquainted, ye others I do not know. I am Belric Silveraxe of Clan Silveraxe, late of Spinecastle. I also have the pleasure to be enlisted by Sir Gendar to defend Knurl. I was instructed to join with the first group of adventurers that was to return to town. Ye seem to fit that bill.” Setting his shield against the palisade wall and removing his light helm he continues on “Twenty of the wee gobbers ye exterminated and a few of the larger gobbers as well! By the great hairy arse of Moradin’s ex-wife that is great news! I see that ye be having a few aches and pains for yur pleasures. By Moradin’s blessings those pains can be taken away, if ye are so inclined to let me join yur group? So what say ye?
Thaddeus does indeed know Belric Silveraxe, if but in passing. Belric's clan, the Silveraxes, made quite a stir in Knurl when they were displaced by the invaders of the Bone March, their former homeland. Thaddeus was only a little boy, but his father and Celani has done business with the Silveraxe clan remnants left in town.
The guard says to Thaddeus. "Oh sure, no problem, I'll let the captain know. He likes to drink at the Gnoll's Head anyway."
By way of introduction, Agathon will say to the Dwarf...
"Greetings, Father! I have had occasion in my home city of Greyhawk to speak with the clerics of Mighty Moradin. May his blessings be upon you and I will thank Pelor upon the morn for your presence here in the wilds of the World! I am Agathon Quintus"
"Though I must confess to just now learning of Moradin's ex-wife and her 'hairy arse', I do know of the great power of your faith through the stories and legends of a famous priest from our region of the Sharpaxe Clan and of the good deeds of many others."
To his companions, he will say,"my friends, I know now that our meeting is indeed a blessed one. The dwarves are a goodly people... Strong of hand and of heart and whether by friendship, the bottle, or the sword all you will ever get out of them is the truth!"
"Well met my friend! Perhaps we will have an opportunity later to test the legendary drinking ability of your kind and share the story of our small adventure this day..."
With that, he will shake the dwarf's hand in glad greeting and say to Thaddeus, "So, where do we find Sir Gendar at this time of day?"
A smile comes to Thaddeus' face. "Belric! I had heard you were out of town on family business - I knew you'd sign up as soon as you returned!". Thaddeus will warmly clasp forearms with Belric. "I believe it is said among dwarves that the strongest friendships are forged in the crucible of warfare. We welcome both your axe and your wisdom."
"You can come with us now, if you like. We were about to drop our takings off at my father's shop and then report in to Sir Gendar. We can fill you in on the way, and you can also hear the report to Sir Gendar and any observations or instructions he may make."
Thaddeus looks at Agathon curiously. "Sir Gendar could be any number of places - at his home, dining with Count Dunstan, at the temple, or inspecting his troops. That's why I paid yonder lad to find him and then report back to us (indicating the receding runner with his chin). I think it's two silvers well invested, don't you?"
When the introductions are over, Thaddeus will usher everyone towards his dad's shop (and home, which is presumably on the same grounds). Since I already know Belric, I'll let the others fill him in on the day's events, unless no one else speaks up.
Great Gods all these worthies talk overmuch. I haven't heard such amounts of gab away from my mothers skirt-tails, when she was with her sisters. At the monastery we could go days without needing to utter more than a cough, and a significant look.
It will be good to have not only a healer, but of a race gifted with the dark vision. In our recent adventure his abilities would have truly been an asset. Our little groups power is much increased. Sir Gendar is indeed a wise leader.
Jaques nods briefly to the dwarf. "Nice to meet you."
“Grand, lead on Maste MacPherson” as he equips his shield and helm, “Ye live in that direction don’t ye?”
After dropping off your gear and goods and mule at Thaddeus' dad's shop, the runner comes back and says that Sir Gendar is at the Count's castle and will probably be at the Gnoll's Head in an hour. He often conducts business in his own private room at the Gnoll's Head and meeting with you there wouldn't arouse any more attention than meeting with him at the castle.
However, you could probably intercept him and his guards walking to the Gnoll's Head from the castle if you don't want to meet with him there.
"I say let us wait for the SIr Gendar at the Gnoll's Head, all of this walking has made me thirsty!" Belric looks at the others, and asks " Ye all like ale don't ye?"
"I agree. Perhaps if we hurry, we might have enough time for a small meal before Sir Gendar arrives?... I am famished for both food and drink!"
"The Gnoll's Head it is! I'm quite parched myself. Maybe we can trade this buck for a meal for the four of us? My dad has an old wheelbarrow over here..."
We'll load the buck into the wheelbarrow, conceal our items as best we can, and make sure to lock up when we leave. When we get to the Gnoll's Head, the stable boy can stash the wheelbarrow while we're there. We should be able to purloin this deer into a meal for all of us.
I'm not sure why, but I have this sense that we were meant to go to the Gnoll's Head. Almost like it was preordained. This is a fascinating thought and I must think on it more.
The Gnoll's Head is very busy tonight. Merchant guards, merchants, locals and others mingle over ale and roasting mutton. A proclamation at the door states:
'FREE 20 GP DRINK TAB FOR ANYONE WHO CAN REPLACE THE GNOLL'S HEAD GNOLL'S HEAD, WHICH WAS STOLEN LAST NIGHT.'
Scrawled underneath is another note:
"No, it doesn't have to be same one."
The beautiful archer woman that the party saw here two days ago is back. She's sitting a table with a couple of woodsman looking fellows examing an acid-charred troll's head.
"No, I'm not going to rename the damn bar!" Kerrik, the owner, exclaims loudly.
There isn't a table free, but there's "squeezing" room at the bar.
"By the gods, Agathon! Get your hand off my ass! Don't they teach you any manners in Greyhawk???"
"Kerrick, I am overwhelmed with sorrow at the loss of the gnoll's head! So overwhelmed that I feel the need to drown my sorrows, and those of my friends (indicating Jacques, Agathon, and Belric). And another for the lady, whatever she's having (indicating the archer babe). I saw her in here last night. Would you happen to know anything about her?"
Jaques virtually leaps over to stand really near Thaddeus, his head actually intruding itself, physically, into the conversation. It's painfully obvious he's waiting for the barkeeps answer, if any. Despite this, his eyes are still on the elf. It's also obvious to Thaddeus that he's complete unconscious he's doing any of this.
Agathon will laugh with the rest at Thaddeus' loud comment and respond with good cheer saving him a nasty look for later...
Beyond a casual look at the archer lady, Agathon will devote his attention to the beer that appears in response to the coin he drops on the bar...
When the bar keep reminds him that Thaddeus just bought him one already, Agathon will tell him, "I don't want the free one to be lonely... thanks."
With both beers in hand, Agathon will take a moment to actually relax and will drink his drinks without regard to the environment around him for a few rounds.
Belric stomps up to the bar, slants his shield with the straps facing him. Sets his boots into the straps, hoists himself to the freakish height of the bar top, slaps silver down, “Any Dwarvish Ale left Kerrick?”
When Thaddeous’s round comes with the Dwarvish Ale, he looks at Agathon grins “Two fister eh? Glad to see that I’ve hooked up with someone with real class, and not some dainty elfy type!” The regular ale gets gulped down][url=url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1912415/]1d20+3=21
Wiping the foam from his mustachios, “So Kerrick, I’ll look into getting ye anuther dog’s ‘ead” taking another savoring slurp “Just be sure to be keeping ye end o tha bargan, while ye be at it I’ll take a round o Dwarvish Ales for me new friends 'ere” A gold dubloom is produced and slapped down.
Slapping Thaddeous on the shoulder, Belric announces "Master MacPherson, I did appreciate that appetizer of an ale, but if ye wish to have a real drink have some o da true folk brew"
Kerrik tells Thaddeus:
"That's Shirana. She came up from the Adri Forest a few years ago. Said she wanted to hunt in the hills. I think all she hunts is orcs and their ilk. She came in this morning with that troll head in tow. She lives in a little enclave of Pholtus worshippers south of here, across the river. She's pretty devout to Pholtus and handy with that nasty longbow of hers."
Kerrik tells Belric:
"Dwarven ale? Yes, of course. It's 8 cp per pint. I have a steady supplier bringing it in from the Flinty Hills."
Agathon notices:
The barbarian trio that tried to rip off the bar the other night is also here. They are standing near the fireplace, trying to get some local woodsmen to go out back for an axe throwing competition.
Jacques notices:
There's a shield leaning against the chair occupied by the beautiful Shirana. The shield emblem is a dagger shaped like a halfmoon, which you saw on some of the hobgoblins in the mines.
GNOLL'S HEAD MENU:
Dwarven Ale 8cp
Ale 5cp
Beer 3cp
Wine 1sp
Elven Wine 1gp
Lunch (bread, cheese, cold meat, piece of dried fruit) 2 cp
Dinner 3cp
Common room: 3cp/night
Private room: 5sp/night
Sleep in the barn: 5cp/night
Thaddeus will nurse both his regular and dwarven ale. The last thing I want to do is get buzzed before I go to talk to Sir Gendar - thus I will politely decline further rounds until after the meeting, saying that I want to maintain a clear head for business. Might even get a cup of coffee if I need to clear my head any.
Will Kerrick trade us four quality solid meals for that buck we brought in?
When the barmaid brings Shirana her drink (whatever it is), I'll raise my mug to her but otherwise not approach. I'll enjoy the company of my friends and savor our victory today - however small it may be in the grand scheme of things.
If things get slow I'll ask around and see if I can find out what the other adventurers were assigned to do and how they fared, or if anything interesting happened in town today.
[OOC] Belric does not notice Thad's conversation spot check [ooc] [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1912666/]1d20+3=6
"Just don't spill good dwarvish ale, that'd be sinful"
"Thank you, Brother Belric. I am just a bit thirsty this night..."
Gently nudging Thaddeus, Agathon will smile at the slight start Thaddeus gives as his attention is pulled from the beauty back to the here and now. He will nod his head in the direction of the barbarians who are trying to con the woodsman outside, and say (at a volume so that his voice will not travel too far), "Hey, looks like our friends are back..."
Being uncommonly wise for his years, Jaques is painfully aware of how "attractive and interesting" an impoverished 20 year old, fresh out of the monastary, is to most young women. He also knows that he does not possess a glib tongue. He makes no attempt to approach or speak to the elvin maid, but quietly murmurs to Thaddeus what he notes as the scycle dagger emblem upon her shield. To Jaques it means one of two things. Either she is using a shield she captured from the army associated with the mines, or she is in league with that force. If the former, then we share a common enemy, if the latter, then she is a spy.
In fact, it may be that she is a spy in either case. Since the humanoids are usually deadly enemies of the Elven races, her presence "for hunting" would be a nice cover, if her true purpose is to keep an eye on the humanoid army, as a spy for her people. She can watch how the humans are doing, at the same time as using their facilities as her base of operations.
The rumors amongst the acolytes of der fleitermonks were true. Elven maids are stunning
Kerrik will trade you the meals for the buck.
The woodsman and the barbarians go out back. Shirana watches them closely and
one of her other companions peels off to go out back as well.
"They'll be alright, Shirana." Kerrick exclaims. "They're just trying to win some coin
for more ale. They were out hunting orcs all day and came back empty handed."
Kerrick tells the party. "The barbarians would rip me off blind if they could, but they
spend so much of their coin here, I'd be fool to throw them out for just acting their
nature. But thanks for the help the other night."
Some other rumors you pick up:
"Fort Arazarm is under siege by hill giants and trolls. Don't know how much longer
they'll hold it and if it falls, the hills will be lost all the way up the gates."
"I heard the same rumor about Blemu Pass keep last year. Turned out it was just
some goblin worg riders firing fire arrows in raids every night. Kept the garrison
awake, but didn't do much damage."
"The bandits that took over Beetu are making noise about intercepting merchant
trains coming into town from Nyrond. If that road gets cut, Knurl will be cut off. I
wonder if the Bone March is paying them to try that?"
"I heard some noise and saw some smoke coming from the old coal mine vents just
north of here day before yesterday. I thought that mine was tapped out. No one I
know from town is going there anyway even if it's back open. Something ain't right, I
tell 'ya."
A few minutes after that, Sir Gendar and a couple of troopers walk in and
immediately order ale, platters of meat and head into the back room.
"If you want to talk to them, go knock on the door in about 20 minutes. They'll be
cranky if they don't get to finish a couple of ales and their meat," Kerrik tells you.
“I’ll take me a dinner Master Kerrick,” Belric states, and asks Thaddeous “What help was that lad?”
After hearing what Kerrick had to say about the barbarians, Agathon puts them out of his mind.
'Hmmmmm...', he will think to himself. 'We know what's in the mine already... I sure hope that Sir Gendar sends us back there.'
Agathon will eat his meal and continue to look about, listening to whatever conversation there is about him.
After the 20 minutes or so, when Thaddeus gets up to go knock on the door, Agathon will be right behind him.
"What help was that???", Thaddeus retorts. "Now we know that Kerrick shares my opinion of the barbarian trio: volatile, yes - but relatively harmless if you manage them correctly. Kerrick is an extremely good judge of character."
"Notice that Agathon, on hearing Kerrick's assessment of them, is now content to enjoy his meal. If he had not had that piece...that thread...of information, he might be outside wasting his time."
"Some of what we have heard is believable. Some is not. Fort Arazarm is of critical importance but I do not believe it to be in danger at the moment. The bandits of Beetu could be trouble and will bear investigating. And that fellow was describing the very coal mine we were at this afternoon."
"It seems to me that the tapestry of truth is woven from all these threads of fact and information. It is up to us to separate truth from embellishment or outright falsehood."
Sensing that he may be losing Belric, "Does not a wise warrior observe his opponent first? To see if he overcompensates his swing, or is slow to block the high strike? Does not a wise general first send scouts, to find weaknesses in the enemy formation, their watch schedules and armaments?"
"Is it not better to go into battle with your eyes open?"
At the end of 20 minutes, Thaddeus will knock at Sir Gendar's door.
Jaques observes all, and sips his one ale, with no further comment. He spends as much time as possible, discretely ogling Shirana, and composing possible things to say to her, should the opportunity present itself. He internally rejects all of them, opting instead to keep his own counsel.
Having noticed the wealth of information Thaddeus was able to elicit from the barkeep (without the need to place any of his joints in painful positions), Jaques decides this arrangement is working well. Their strengths complement each other. Agathons brawn, Thaddeus's quick wit, and his own ability to be discreet. Like the parts of the body that work together, the hand, the mind, the eyes and ears. He watches Belric and wonders where the dwarf will fit in. Hmmm, perhaps "the belly". When Thaddeus moves, Jaques will become his shadow, relaxed, but alert to any threats. He now knows who is "speaker" of the group.
The knock at Sir Gendar's private room brings the attention of one of his guards.
"Hey, you're the guys from the other night. C'mon in." the guard says.
Gendar finishes a bite of chicken and flushes it down with some ale.
"Thaddeus, Agathon, Jacques and.....Belric?" he exclaims.
"The gate guards report that you came in with a mule full of hobgoblin armor and equipment, a fancy quadralest and a dust cloud chasing almost to within sight of the gates. What did you find out out there?"
I'll wait until the others come in and close the door. I won't sit down unless Sir Gendar says to - he's my social better (for now) and I'm not going to be presumptuous.
"We found the supply dump for the humanoid siege of Knurl that will happen this winter. They're stockpiling coal and rations there because it's close, sheltered, and has a water supply. We killed five hobgoblins and 15 or so goblins in the mine itself, and interrogated a hobgoblin prisoner who told us what the place was all about. We deemed the information important enough to justify an immediate return."
"On our way back we happened on a hobgoblin hunting party. They signaled for help using a bugle - we killed three of them and drove the fourth one off, then got out of there before their relief arrived. That's probably what the dust cloud was. They had a four pointer that we appropriated and gave to Kerrick, if you or your men would like some."
"We believe there to be between 5 and 10 hobgoblins still in the mine, as well as an unknown number of goblins and their leader - his name is Arkar, and they call themselves the Reavers. That's assuming that they don't receive reinforcements. If it fits with your plans, we'd like to head back tomorrow and try to finish them off."
"This gentleman (indicating Agathon) is a regular killing machine. He did four of the hobgoblins by himself."
Jaques says nothing, remaining silent and enigmatic. If I say anything I'll likely embarass myself, by delivering some subtle disrespect of protocol, of which I'm ignorant
"I too wish to be a part of clearing out that potential base of operations, Sir (if this follows your desires, of course). As Thaddeus has stated, they are well supplied and will no doubt be entrenched by the time we might effect a return. However, my companions and I are up to the task. And now, with the blessings of a cleric of Moradin in our company, I would face a platoon of hobgoblins with a smile in my heart and a whistle on my lips!"
"Of course, we have heard rumor of other difficulties about. I will not presume to speak for my fellows (save to heap the praise they deserve upon their modest brows); but, I am ready to go where the need is greatest."
I'm sure Belric will go along with the rest of the group, so I take the initiative to post.
Sir Gendar says:
"Those coal mines were tapped out years ago, or so we thought. It's obvious they've found another vein and were stockpiling the coal for use during a siege.
Yes, let's clear out the place and seize all the coal for Knurl. I don't have any men to spare for this effort, nor does the Count have much cash to pay you for your efforts, but if you clear out the place and let us bring mule trains up there to get the coal sacks, you can keep the magical weapons that I'm about to grant you. You'll probably need them for the upcoming fight, so I'll grant them to you now.
Go with Ambrose here (points to a guard). Ambrose, allow them to choose a magical weapon from the lesser stocks. These men have rendered us great service and will continue to do so, I think. Give Belric one too. I don't think we have any dwarven waraxes, so give him a couple of potions that enhance the axe if he wants."
"Looks like I have attached meself to the right bunch o adventurers!" Belric announces after Thaddeous finishes the tale. "I will gladly bring Moradin's gospel to the heathen gobbers", hefting his waraxe "and this be the holy writ!"
Bowing to Sir Gendar, Belric states " Aye, I'll be taking whatever aid ye can give me. Anything that can keep me fighting is always appreciated"
"We will need to start in the morn, after morning prayers, so that I will have me a full complement of Moradin's power to back us up"
With that he follows the others to the staging area.