Drow War Team 1

Game Master Tarlane

Going to let some of the others chime in before I answer anymore via NPC, but Mogwai, since there hasn't been any word going out to the village yet Mother Bailey's store is still open and available- After you saved the kids she will sell to you at normal cost rather than her normal markup. You can be somewhat generic in what you want to pick up, just like 'I want to spend 50gp on food, or camping supplies' or whatever type of stuff you want to get for the tribe.

Aetherni, is your proposal for you guys to go to the cave and try and wall up the door, or to have townspeople do it for you? We are at a point where you guys get to start making bigger scale decisions for what you are doing so it is totally up to you. Davan will disagree pretty strongly with the former, all about speed of the mission at this point, and feels the latter risks more lives than it may help, but will send people to try and block the door until the town is ready to leave if you think it is for the best.

Although I agree we should not do it, I think it would be marvelous if someone (townsfolk is what I see) could effectively build up a huge block behind the door, effectively impossibility the attackers from moving forward. Of course, they may break the door, push it with giants or something like that, but in the worst case scenario I believe we will gain some time with it, and mainly the enemy's moral will be greatly diminished by our acts. They will know we are aware of what is happening, the surprise element is lost, and how stupid they are to think that their plan would be perfect. Aetherni is worried about the killer being on this side already, but if there are brave people who can do that, it would be pretty nice.

Brutus again sits quietly, listening as the others begin to make plans. He has ideas, and sometimes he is eager to voice them, but other times, he waits for the fog to clear, he waits for the threads of thought to finally connect in the grand web of a path worth taking before speaking. As Mogwai stands and walks out the door, the path became clear.

"He is right you know, the Hobgoblins would have been too good for a place like this, a people so unwilling to be free of preconceived notions and too stubborn to ever change their misconceptions. Never the less, though stubborn and ignorant, this town and this island is still in need of saving, and I will abide by my promise to help however I can. I am going to help my friend carry food to a hungry tribe in just a moment, but before I do that, I believe there is a decent solution that can at least delay the army, whenever it arrives, for longer than just a few minutes. In the letter, the order's were to finish the access tunnel to the surface. Without the access tunnel, the only way to the surface is through the mine and up the lift. What if we destroy the tunnel?"

I am making a large assumption as to the presence of explosives, or some way to cause an explosion here... so if that is a stupid assumption, let me know, but if not, I am running with it :)

He looks to Aetherni and asks, "Surely it can't take much to bring down a newly built tunnel. An explosion in the right place would bring the roof down quickly wouldn't it? If we disabled the lift in the process, it shouldn't take much more than a day and we could cause them that much and more in delays. Heck, if we could bring down the cavern, and the stairway to the mine even, we would delay them and block them in for a month." He pounds his fist on the table as he gives his time table, and then continues, "I will take the message to Saragost, but before this town is abandoned, I would suggest that the best use of time and talent would be to find a way to disable not just the access tunnel, but the stairway to the mine, heck the entire underground cavern as well. Make whatever enemy is planning this invasion so busy digging rocks out of its rear, it won't have time for conquest anytime soon. By the time it made it too the surface, the armies of Saragost would be more than prepared to deal with it." He looks from eye to eye, hoping to see a response to his suggestion.

So I guess I would be adjusting the "wall them in" proposal by saying, screw adding too what is there, lets tear down whats there and let them try and tunnel out. Also, after the response, I have every intention of Brutus leaving and helping Mogwai take the supplies to the tribe and warn them what is coming as well. So if things get moving and I haven't posted (like today, sorry about that) at least you have some idea of where Brutus would like to go lol.

I have some ideas in mind, but its late, I'm still a little out of it from the surgery, and I can't fully gather my thoughts as best I want. Would some delaying till tomorrow afternoon be too much of a problem?

No problem Vorik, take your time.

Brutus, gun powder and the like do exist in this world so that is a solid plan. However, it is a somewhat rare thing mostly used by the dwarves or the more wealthy countries that can afford to trade with it or have a hefty enough military/navy to account for it. Its unlikely that this village will have access to any, though the possibility of collapsing the tunnel/damaging the lift can be done other ways and may even be safer since they won't be doing it in the dark where those with better eyes would have the advantage.

Gotcha, so the concept of controlled explosions is well understood which is what I was hoping for. I wasn't sure if they would have access too it, or if they would just have access to some things that when combined correctly (with the help of someone who had the slightest idea of how to do it...) could cause some combustion. Either way... I want to set the townspeople to take down the tunnel, and ideally the staircase as well and trapping this army in that cavern.

"OK, so time is of the essence and we are to go to Saragost with the scroll. You will remain here to oversee the evacuation and try to delay the invasion force. A few key people will be sent to warn the villages. Mogwai will warn our Hobgoblin allies. I believe that's all the issues resolved, yes?"
I am quite happy for my portion of the loot to be used to pay the Hobgoblins. I think it is a debt that the whole party owes, not just one individual."

"Is it worth approaching other local tribes? They may not want a Drow army invading and may be happy to work as allies or mercenaries."

Brutus turns toward Drombar and says simply, "We might have a number of tasks to complete, but I am certain of this, we were brought here together, all five of us, and I can't believe that is a coincidence. I don't know what is expected of us, but whatever it is, I believe it will require all of us, together, to accomplish it. I won't leave Mogwai to warn the hobgoblins on his own. I say, we go get the food and supplies they need, meet them, warn them, and task them with warning the other tribes in the area. Then we can all move from there towards Saragost and let them know, while the townspeople do what they can to slow down the army and, once that is done, then get themselves to safety."

It sounded as if 4 of us were heading to Saragost and Mogwai was being left behind to deal with the hobbies... so I felt the need to clarify there. Also, do we know its a drow army yet? And lastly... 500 POST!!! Shame I am not shooting someone with it ;) Ahh well, I am sure that time will come. Or atleast, I assume that diplomacy and grappling won't work on every enemy we encounter lol.

"Yes, let's all go there and keep a look at our killer in the meantime. I doubt anyone will want to warn Split-ear's tribe, since that would be probably worst than just let them be. They would move south and kill people in search of a new territory..."

Noone is leaving Mogwai behind! we could never do that! No, I meant we go South after the Hobgoblins have been dealt with

The Drow listens to all the various ideas, quietly, contemplating there best move. Finally, he speaks up "I agree that we should definitely try to hinder our enemies arrival as best as possible. I also would like other ways to mess with their plans, such as destroying their weapons or somehow messing up those markings, but I'm not sure if that's possible."

He looks to Mogwai, "I was never going to let you go to the Hobgoblins alone, but it would appear we are all going to accompany Chief Ambassador Mogwai." He flashes his little friend a grin.

Morton tries to offer a hopeful smile, chiming in "Maybe the fact that we stopped using the mine because we seemed better at bringing it down on our heads than getting minerals out of the ground will finally serve us well. I'll pick out some workers and see how we can set them to disable all we can personally while the mayor and father Bronson let people know what is going on, then we'll set off for the other villages."

Before everyone makes it out the door, Morton moves over and clasps each of your arms, one after the other. "I don't know if I'll see you again, but we all will make it to Saragost. Thank you for all you have done for us."

As you start to shuffle out, the sheriff simply gives you a respectful nod of his head, his brain still racing, though he taps the table by the mayor snapping him out of his reverie. "Come, we all have work to do."

It sounds like the overall plan is to stop and stock up on supplies and then move to the place you had intended to meet the hobgoblin to send word to the others.

Making your way out of town, it is late in the afternoon and the sun has just begun to set by the time you reach the hill south of the mine where you were told that the hobgoblin would be waiting for you.

While not barren like the mined out hill, there isn't a great deal of foliage on the slope, but there are some bushes and trees scattered about. On the very top of the hill, beneath a sad little leafy tree, Leth lays, his head resting against the bark and an arm draped across his eyes to shield them from the light.

When he hears footsteps approaching, the hobgoblin sits up with a wince, slightly reddened eyes squinting.

What kind of cash are you putting into your hob-fund?

As Mogwai is stepping out, the others stop him. Quietly, he listens to their conversation about what they have in mind, his ears folded downward and his eyes still wet.

When they one by one they each say that they won't let him go alone, his ears perk up more and more. At Vorik's grin, Mogwai can't help but return a toothy smile, and wipe his eyes, sniffling a little bit.

Mogwai says nothing to Davan, nor even looks at him. It doesn't occur to the goblin to rub it in - he's merely happy that he has found companions who are better than those around them.

Remembering the carvings they saw underground, Mogwai envisions the darkness rising up to engulf the world, and the five of them standing as beacons of light against it.

EDIT: Ninja'd by Tarlane!

As the group prepares to leave, Mogwai clasps Morton's arm in return. "Gives Mogwai hope know you be safe. Keep others honest. You their..." Mogwai searches for the right word, but cannot come up with it. He looks to Vorik and Drombar. "Kornari?"

Mogwai will give the other men a solemn bow before stepping outside with his friends, heading in the direction of the store.

Later

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

When they arrive to see Leth, Mogwai looks at him with a sort of strained smile.

Here is an idea that is relatively cheap (I think) for Hobbie relief, but I realized, I have no idea how their society would work. Are we talking about a basic hunter/gatherer society, or would farming be a common practice. As I was starting up this list, in my head I wandered things like, do hobgoblins back much? Do they eat anything other than meat? So some of these items might need to be replaced by someone with a bit more understanding in those terms, but tnever the less, 100 lbs of food, plus 20 pounds of wheat (which might be usable to plant but then do they know how to mill it and refine it into flour?), a small herd of 10 pigs and a cow (we can make it 2 if they know how to raise animals) for 62 gold didn't seem that bad to me.

All together, there are about 8 adult hobgoblins and 4 children.

Do you think that that list of food would cover it? Do hobgoblins plant crops? Do they raise animals? Or are they more hunter gatherer type society? If they are, I would assume we are talking more meat products and would adjust accordingly.

The hobgoblins are very tribalistic and normally pretty organized. They are pretty militaristic and form cities(there is a monstrous race country with hobgoblins as one of the bigger ruler races), but generally they leave things like farming and crafts to servant races.

Considering the mountains they will be traveling through, a cart is not a good idea, probably. I suggest we add 24 trail rations (12gp) and take off the cow and the cart. I believe water is not a problem.

If we sell everything we got from the dwarf (for 50%) we will get a total 386 gp. So if you want to keep any of that stuff just say so. Otherwise I'll try to sell it.

With no cart, should we even have the livestock? Tarlane, considering the cost of live pigs, how much would butchered pigs be? Maybe instead of live pigs, we could give them cuts of salted pork and beef instead, and then add the trail rations on top of that? Still give the chicken, the flour (though double it and cut the grain) the cheese and the beans. Again, this is just a suggestion, I think the ultimate approval would come from Mogwai, since this is kind of his baby as it were.

Why don't we pay the price for trail rations for one week (42 gp) and just say it comes with different types of food? We won't have knowledge our characters would have at that time.

That might be easier. To be honest, I was going the trade goods route simply because it looked like it would be a heck of a lot cheaper. Giving them a 40 lbs of butchered chicken, some cheese, beans, and flour is something like 2 or 3 gold. Just cause it is cheaper, doesn't mean it is the best option. Man, who knew I could debate a grocery list here lol, my wife would be so proud lol.

I love all the details you guys are putting into it, saying like 30gp on food goods and 10gp on traveling supplies would be plenty of info to cover that. I'm already going to be a badguy on this one, plus once we start getting to higher level its likely that you will be dealing with various organizations(or starting your own during downtime) and so its good practice to be able to say things like 'I'm putting this much money towards equipment', or training or whatever so I have an idea of what the growth will be like. If there is a specific thing you are looking to pass along tell me, but it can be somewhat generic otherwise.

Of course, I can't help myself, the details are what makes this come alive for me. But it is probably a bit too much when I am debating over the best grocery list. So 40gp for food and travel gear (8gp each) and off we go? Sounds good to me.

And I'm the one who actually works at grocery store. LOL. However, Mogwai has already stated that he plans on spending over 100g on helping out the Hobs, so really, we need to wait for him before anybody says "and off we go".

I actually kind of don't love that degree of item tracking. Like I said, I'll throw in pretty much everything I have for gold - whatever that ends up being. I figure we need to buy pretty equal amounts of food and traveling supplies, but I'm not really excited to plan out the specific items. I'll throw a post up in Discussion about what they might need, though, I guess.

As said, my biggest worry was to know what kind of money you are spending and to have us getting some practice dealing with other factions. Go ahead and post forward with the game play, we don't need to get too hung up on the finer details. Knock off the cash and we are good to go, I wasn't looking to hold us up so long on this.

Is it worth putting in some basic tools? axes for chopping trees, saws, picks, spades, etc. - or should we just say that's covered by travel supplies. Don't forget that with only 8 adults, there is a limit to just how much they can carry anyway. There is no point in giving them food that they cannot carry away.

So, do you wanna just move this whole thing forward? I'm still only level 2 here, and not Mythic yet...

Aetherni just follows Mogwai along. He doesn't speak their language.

Brutus smiles as he puts his burden down. He found himself, as the others did, carrying the promised supplies. As they arrived on the hilltop, the sight of Leth brought joy into his chest. "This, though maybe not normal, this is good, and this is right."

I think that things got jumbled up since my post had pre-empted Mogwai's and then we got into our big discussion of goods and everyone is waiting for a translation. I'm going to redo part of my post a bit just so we are all on the same page.

Having made your way out of the outskirts of town and up onto the hill that was to be the meeting place to send word to the hobgoblins, you find Leth sleeping beneath one of the few scraggly trees with his eyes covered. On your approach, he sits up and blinks at you, rubbing his head as if its achey.

The words in the other language are accompanied with a drinking motion and some poor common as he stands up. "Glad come. Bring to tribe. Have drink?"

Drombar steps to one side so that Mogwai can face Leth.

"This is your moment, little brother," he murmers to Mogwai.

While in another circumstance, Drombar's words would have filled Mogwai with a sense of pride and happiness, all he feels in this moment is the weight of responsibility.

Mogwai bows politely, but Leth's question about the alcohol quickly dissipated any sense of formality, and he can't help but smile at the simple man, even if the expression is undercut with worry and sadness.

While he appreciates Leth's attempts to speak Common, he knows that the hobgoblin's grasp on the language is even worse than his own, and both of them struggling would take time that they didn't have. He instead responds rapidly in goblin, with a brief apologetic look to his friends.

The drow translates for his friends "Mogwai is letting him know we got the promised supplies and asked us to be brought to the tribe right away"

Leth nods at Mogwai's words, starting to turn and move down the slope before he seems to remember part of his job was to ensure you stuck to the bargain and didn't bring trouble to the tribe. He hurries over and looks in the baskets of goods, just giving a cursory examination grabbing a piece of food and stuffing it into his mouth before turning and motioning for you to follow as he walks down the hill. As he sets off at a quick pace, obviously looking forward to the benefits of meeting up with his tribe and perhaps regaining the chief's trust, he points at a hill several slopes over.

Its perhaps an hours walk to where the goblin indicates, cresting the small hilltop you can see a small bowl shaped recess formed where the crowns of several hills are near each other. From the top of the hill you can see a handful of tents gathered in a small circle. It doesn't look like the tribe is expecting much trouble here as the only two hobgoblins you see are on opposite ends of the small valley, on leaning against a tree, the other laying back beneath one.

The valley is small, just about 50 ft across. There are trees and thin brush peppered around it, but none of it is very lively and there isn't much in the way of leaves to worry about cover.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"Well, we're gonna mess up with their peace, but I guess it's for the best..."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

As Brutus follows Leth near the front of the group up the last bit hillside, he looks into the camp and imagines the little valley as an island, untouched by the coming darkness, and wishes that somehow, this tribe would be unaffected, that they would be saved because of Mogwai's kindness and his intervention on their behalf. But even as those thoughts are running through his mind, he realizes something is amiss. Before the rest of his companions move into the clearing, Brutus motions for them to stop. He takes a second glance at both guards that he spotted, and he sees, they aren't just leaning, they are awkwardly posed, against those trees. "Something is wrong."

"Something is wrong, the guards have been immobilized. Be on your guard." Even as he says it, he puts an arrow to his bowstring and brings the bow up ready to fire upon anything that is unfriendly.

It would be wise for someone to stop Mogwai, I reckon.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Excitement sweeps through Mogwai at the sight of the hobgoblins, in a way that he hadn't entirely expected. It felt so natural to be aligned with them, despite his people's long history of conflict with them. It was not something that he could articulate properly, but he felt a certain peacefulness within himself, that comes with knowing you're doing the right thing. The feeling would best be described as tranquility, but to little Mogwai it felt like affirmation from the universe of what he was doing.

When Brutus pointed out that the guards were not simply dozing as it had appeared, Mogwai looked closer and saw that the monk was right. In a quarter of a second his entire world shattered, and panic swept through him as he wondered what had happened. Unable to contain himself, he began to rush towards the hobgoblin scouts, praying to the sun and moon that they were still alive.

It took nothing more than a moment after the words left Brutus' mouth that he was kicking himself. Of course Mogwai would have reacted that way. He was too invested in this tribe, in this moment of goodness not to. But Brutus doesn't do anything to stop the little goblin from checking on the scout, he wants to know if they are alive as well. He does however, step forward to ensure that wherever Mogwai goes, he can fire on any attack who steps toward his friend with aggression.

The sight of the camp, ambushed so decidely, causes rage to boil in Brutus' gut. It is as if he is looking into his own past, a past he can't remember clearly at all, but one he is certain is filled with injustice. This isn't right, this isn't good, this must be avenged. "I warn you now, whoever you are, that unless you come out with your hands above your head, my companions and I will treat you as hostile aggressors, and will cut you down first and ask questions later. We have avoided bloodshed before, but your opportunity is now, show yourselves!" In his mind he can't help but think, "There, I have done what is required of me, if they show themselves after attacking this tribe, then mercy can be shown, but if not, vengeance will come."

Mogwai, which scout are you running towards? They are on opposite sides of the valley, so I figure you will have to pick one. Either way, Brutus will move out into the middle of the clearing trying to stay within 20 feet or so of Mogwai. Ideally, he can ready an action to fire on anyone who isn't a hobbie and doesn't have their hands raised, but again, ready actions after taking move actions might not work, so we can roll with it however it works.

Oh I figured I'd be stopped by someone for being reckless. I'll go for whichever is closer. If neither is, let's say left.

I have both hands occupied, so you get by me no problem... as for the rest who knows lol

about to go to oxygen therapy, so I won't be replying for several hours

Take care of yourself Vorik and good luck with things.

Mogwai, giving the others a chance to get a post up, but assuming you rush forward I'm going to want a perception check from you.

Oh sure. I am going to die, aren't I?

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Only pertinent if none of the others stop Mogwai.

Aetherni puts his shield on, carefully going after the goblin. "Do you see any movement in the camp?"

Upon hearing something is wrong with the guards, and that there could be more trouble ahead, the paladin draws his new blade. Then he sees Mogawi run headlong into the camp. He darts after him, and grabs him gently "I know you are panicked and worried my friend, but we do not know what awaits us. Let us proceed with caution, but be ready to destroy those who may have harmed our allies"

Brutus, who has moved out into the middle of the valley, swinging his bow back and forth from one side of the valley to the other, trying to see where the attack came from. Thankfully, it seems that the Drow has gotten ahold of Mogwai, but whatever happened here still needed to be explained. "I haven't seen anything yet."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

... and I won't see anything until it hits me between the eyes apparently... lol

The second that Vorik's hand comes into contact with Mogwai's shoulder, the little goblin whips around with a snarl, his ears pointed, claws ready to shred, and mouth foaming. After a second, recognition dawns in his eyes, and his ears droop as he listens to Vorik's words. A look of shame replaces the ferocity, and he nods. "Mogwai be foolish." He says quietly. He looks at the dark elf with gratitude, and begins moving again with an entirely different stance. Instead of charging across the field, he tries to stick lower to the ground and shadows, hoping to appear unnoticed, as he moves towards the encampment.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Looks like I'm right there with you, Brutus.

Mogwai, I'm going to use the perception check you made above since I already posted a spoiler for it. It sounds like most of you are moving down there, so I'm going to post the same idea out of spoiler.

As the goblin slows and begins to advance more cautiously with those staying close by he is able to make his way to the hobgoblin guard standing by the tree without interference, though once he gets within a few feet Mogwai barely avoids stepping on a beartrap covered loosely with dirt to disguise it. A more careful look reveals a handful more of the traps scattered around the campsite.

The closer view of the hobgoblin guard shows splatter of blood upon the bark of the tree he leans against, the dark fletching of a quarrel visable from his throat just beneath his jaw.

As the body is inspected, Leth has advanced towards the tents and you can hear him give a cry and run inside the nearest.