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Hans sniffs the morning air noisily. "Ah...looks like it's going to be a fine day today! Maybe I'll ask the birds what news they have for us ground-lubbers. I hope they've seen some lovely ladies around these parts. (Hee hee!)"
He tilts his head back, clears his throat and says:
"KRAW kraw kraw KRAW kraw KRAW KRAW? Kraw kraw KRAW kraw KRAW!!"
Ready whenever you are!
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Diego
Still, as you warily eye the customers, sizing them up and down while keeping them off guard with a dazzling wit and sparkling smile, you can't help but notice an unusually attractive young woman at the bar. Unlike most of the other patrons, she is clad in armor that is not only of noticably high quality, but also very, shall we say, fit to form. She seems to be engaged in conversation with the bartender, a half-elven maiden who you know to be called Claret but about whom you know little else, as in the few times you've attempted to engage her in conversation, you've found her cool and business-like demeanor hard to break. But she seems more animated now, in conversation with the scantily-armored beauty, and you can't help but wonder what has gotten her so worked up.
Sevegny
You sidle up to the bar and order a drink, taking in the local color and sizing up the customers. A rakish gentleman in flowing Arab robes seems to be entertaining a group of travelers with tales of his adventures, no doubt quite embellished. He is hairless and his skin has a brassy tone to it. After a few moments, your eyes adjust to the interior lighting, and it seems as if the light of the nearby lanterns glints off his skin in a way that doesn't quite seem right ... then you notice that his skin is scaly and almost metallic, like the skin of a dragon, though the scales are much more subtle.
Then the bartender, a young lady who introduces herself as Claret, takes notice of your holy symbol, finding it interesting that a human bears the symbol of an elven deity. Inquiring if you are acquainted with the elves and rangers of Nirmathas, she wonders if you might be willing to carry a message for her to a friend of hers named Tate Argensier. It seems that this person Tate is not actually a ranger by profession, but he is known to keep their company, and might be able to persuade their assistance in looking into a recent wave of hobgoblin raids that have been borne out against some of the towns of the Elsir Vale, and seem to be coming from the mountains near Nirmathas.
While you consider the half-elven girl's concerns, you notice that the scaled man is watching you with a keen interest.
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Sevegny casts the bronze-scaled man a brief, cool glance. She too feels intrigued, but the girl's request demands serious attention.
"No, Claret, I've never crossed paths with the folk of Nirmathas. But I'm afraid I'm all too familiar with hobgoblins and their thug kin. There's no way I'd let them harm Drellins Ferry. Towns like these are too precious, too lovely. So yes, I'll carry your message to Tate Argensier. And then perhaps I'll give the goblins a message of my own."
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Hans sniffs the morning air noisily. "Ah...looks like it's going to be a fine day today! Maybe I'll ask the birds what news they have for us ground-lubbers. I hope they've seen some lovely ladies around these parts. (Hee hee!)"
He tilts his head back, clears his throat and says:
"KRAW kraw kraw KRAW kraw KRAW KRAW? Kraw kraw KRAW kraw KRAW!!"
One of the quail answers that he saw a lovely grouse earlier with some very impressive plumage! But lovely humanoid ladies, well, he's not so helpful in that regard!
Some of the other birds seem to be nervous and on edge, though, as if something has been disturbing their peace.
Diego hastily finishes his story and drains his drink in one long pull. Holding the now empty mug, he ambles over to the bar next to the attractive armor clad woman and the hard-to-crack barmistress.
"Ladies, I couldn't help notice you looked a bit forlorn over here, all bereft of sparkling male company. Me, being a sparkling male of some modest conversational ability, I thought I might join you for a drink. Care to imbibe?"
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Coraline
"Forlorn? Not at all. We were just discussing what manner of creature you descend from. Fish? Snake? A bit of both?"
"Goodness, I am wounded! That a beautiful creature such as yourself would insult me so. Clearly you owe me a drink. Barmistress! I believe this young lady owes me a mug of ale!" Diego clears his throat and murmurs a few words as an image of a Brass dragon appears floating over his hands (Prestidigitation). "As my dear departed mum tells it, somewhere in my distant past is this noble creature, or someone quite like him. Descended from dragons I am, but don't let that worry you: I quite fancy women of other species as well... But I digress, did I hear you mention Nirmanthalas? It just so happens that I hail from near there. Is there some news of it a poor itinerant such as I can offer?"
Some of the other birds seem to be nervous and on edge, though, as if something has been disturbing their peace.
"What is the trouble, my winged friend? Or maybe I should not be asking you; the humans in the tavern might be more specific..."
Sevegny looks at Claret inquiringly. "Should we tell him?" she seems to be communicating.
"I only ask because, of course, if you're planning on leaving this little hamlet of happiness, I would be inclined to accompany you, since I've developed a bit of the old wanderlust since stopping here. Nothing against the town, it seems a nice enough place, but I've got wandering feet and am always up for a walk with a pretty lady..."
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"What is the trouble, my winged friend? Or maybe I should not be asking you; the humans in the tavern might be more specific..."
Some of the other birds seem to be nervous and on edge, though, as if something has been disturbing their peace.
Without resorting to a Speak With Animals spell, you have difficulty getting any really specific information from your feathered friends. The tavern you see before you is smallish, just a one story affair with a common room and tap in the front, and a few rooms in the back. It is relatively early in the day, so it isn't overly populated. There are a few patrons, two of whom immediately catch your notice - an incredibly lovely human woman at the bar who seems to be engaged in two conversations at once, with a female half-elven bartender and with a bald, flashy gent who seems to be covered in scales of some kind. The man speaks with a glib flair that sends a pang of jealousy through you (halflings pride themselves on their raconteur abilities), perhaps even challenge!
Diego, Sevegny and Coraline see a rather foppish halfling, adorned with a wide grin and a sparkle in his eye, walk through the front door.
Without resorting to a Speak With Animals spell, you have difficulty getting any really specific information from your feathered friends.
Hans saunters in and peeks over the bar on his tiptoes.
"Hoy, bartender! Give me a pint of ale, if you please!"
After paying, he saunters over to the scaly gentleman and lets out a low whistle.
"Friend, I've seen a lot of strange things, but I've never seen anyone quite like you." Pointing to his kelly green breastplate of dragon scales, he adds: "I sincerely hope that this armour isn't made from your Granny's backside. An elvish armourer whanged it together as a souvenir of a little adventure we had in the forests of Andoran. The colour's a bit different, so I suspect I'm in the clear, am I not?"
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TATE
Whilst cavorting about the forest and plying your roguish talents (honorably, I'm sure) to glean the latest gossip from the sylvan grapevine, you have heard among other things, tales of hobgoblins, and perhaps other goblinoids stepping up the frequency of their raids across the border against Nirmathan villages. At least one tale speaks of a bugbear that is leading a band of raiders, a bugbear with arcane talents, more shrewd and intelligent than most of his kind.
Fearful of their forest charges, and knowing the tendency of goblins to be uncaring of the natural world, this has the druids somewhat on edge, and the rangers sleeping with one eye open. The elves, however, seem undaunted, and have not indicated their desire to step up and look into things.
Speaking of the elves, you have also gotten whisper of a newcomer to the woods, a half-elven maiden who has been asking about them. Typically, half-elves are shunned by the elves, and shun their forebears back in kind. So it is unusual for one to seek out her own humiliation. Some of the rangers informed you which path she is traveling, so it was easy enough for you to set yourself up in the trees to get a good vantage point to size her up.
The girl you see passing beneath you is young, but you can see she is mature, with the toned muscles and gritty determination of a farmer. She's got a fire in her eyes that intrigues you. She doesn't bear the frail beauty of a full elf, nor the broad features of her human ancestry, but the blend makes her naturally attractive in a way only a half-breed can be.
Your limb is near enough to the ground that you can safely jump down and intercept her, if you wish.
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AMIE
In the past, you have made several trips into the shallow edge of the forest, but usually no further than that. But with goblin raids on the rise, the fear of the townspeople is at a pique. They ask you if you might act as a messenger to the rangers and elves, ignorantly assuming that because you have elven blood, they will automatically listen to you. You know better, of course, but there is still that part of you that wants to know what happened so long ago. And they do have a point about trying to drum up some help. The only other human settlement nearby is Drellin's Ferry, and there is not enough population there to hope for any real aid from them, but if the elves and rangers of the Fangwood can be convinced to help, they might prove capable to the task.
As you ask some of the rangers of the whereabouts of the elves, you get a range of reactions, from pity to amusement to cautious optimism. But they do set you on a general course in the right direction.
Give me a Perception roll.
"Friend, I've seen a lot of strange things, but I've never seen anyone quite like you." Pointing to his kelly green breastplate of dragon scales, he adds: "I sincerely hope that this armour isn't made from your Granny's backside. An elvish armourer whanged it together as a souvenir of a little adventure we had in the forests of Andoran. The colour's a bit different, so I suspect I'm in the clear, am I not?"
"Sorry, mate, not my cousin, if that's your concern. I think you're well clear on this one. And if I'm the strangest thing you've seen, stick around! I'm sure there are bound to be odder gits than I to be seen!"
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Amie, as you're walking along the thin forest trail, which is really little more than a deer trail at this point, you notice light reflecting off something in a tree ahead of you. As you look closer and your eyes adjust to the dim light offered by the thick foliage, you notice a man crouched low upon a tree limb. He appears to be human, and is dressed in studded leather armor as fine quality as your own. He has weapons on him that you can see, but none in hand. He appears to be watching you with interest and curiosity. You can't tell if he realizes he's been spotted or not.
Amie’s eyes noticeably get darker (from blue to brown) when she notices the man. She doesn’t react swiftly, but slows to let her horse’s nose come up next to her. She touches it softly with one hand. “You don’t seemed bothered my friend,” she says quietly. She then stops and looks directly at the man.
“It’s not polite to spy.”
"Sorry, mate, not my cousin, if that's your concern. I think you're well clear on this one. And if I'm the strangest thing you've seen, stick around! I'm sure there are bound to be odder gits than I to be seen!"
"Indeed, I'm sure. My name is Hans, by the way. Some folk call me Lucky Hans, and indeed I feel lucky to be in the company of such beautiful ladies as I see before me." He bows graciously, but holds his lucky hat squarely on his head with one hand.
"What is the news around these parts? The birds of the air seem concerned, but are their concerns the same as the local folk hereabouts, I wonder?"
"I mean you no harm. I am quite surprised you could see me. You have fine eyes. I would have announced myself, but I am unused to company, and spent too long rehearsing the words I would use to announce myself. By the time I was ready, you were close enough for it to be hard not to startle you. I am ashamed, and call now the greeting I lacked the wit and manners to use earlier. I am quite unarmed."
Tate drops from the tree, and bows. He is wearing beautiful elven leather armour, with a quote from the scriptures of Calistria embroidered on it in meticulous lines. He has a straight longbow sheathed in hide on his back, next to a rapier. A dagger on his left thigh, is dwarfed by a butcher's knife on his right. His hands are held away from his body, and open. He has long dark blonde hair, tanned skin, and a gaunt, bony look. He is very still, moving with economy. A few blood specks dot the armour. His eyes have a sad, haunted look to them, and he looks exhausted. It is hard to place his accent. Around his neck, are two elven wedding rings, and the symbol of Erastil.
"I welcome you to my path. Peace and longevity to your house. I am Tate Argensier, late of the river kingdoms. Come into the shade, and rest your horse. How may I help you, blessed daughter of Erastil?"
From behind the hard oak bar and while cleaning the pristine counter top (for the twenty second time in less than an hour) Coraline seems to be having a conversation with herself. Not making eye contact or even looking at the direction of anyone in particular Coraline half mutters, half whispers:
“In some distant lands I’ve heard that when people wish others ill they say the phrase ‘may you live in interesting times’. I’m not sure if anyone wishes ill for Drellins Ferry, but I think this whole corner of the world is in for some interesting times.”
She continues, now and then glancing at Sevegny,
“I’m sober right now… but just, just barely, but I'm sure that won't last. And I forget things, or … choose not to remember. But what I do know is I need to reach Tate, and while I’ve been called a fool and far worse, even I’m not foolish enough to make that trek alone. I’ve already been here two weeks longer than I was hoping for, and drank more than a dwarf clans worth in beer rations.”
Coraline stares at Sevegny evenly now.
“So how about we make our lives a little more interesting ? “
"I like interesting things, too!" A voice pipes up cheerfully from the vicinity of her navel.
Amie looks carefully at the man, still holding horse's face gently. She wasn't exactly used to hearing Elven. She really had only ever heard elves or half elves speak it, and well, it was often that she was the only one with Elven blood in Skelt. Still this man bore the sign of Erastil, and he recognized her as a servant of Erastil. He speaks Elven and he wears the holy sign of Erastil, she thinks to herself,perhaps this is a sign.
"I am Amie Stargazer," she says calmly. "This is Ben. I seek the elves of this wood. I am a messenger of Skelt, and we are of need of their assistance. Time is of the essence. Can you lead me to them, Tate Agrensier? I ask you in the name of Erastil."
"Berrick, a ranger friend of mine, told me of a half-elf stranger who was asking after the elves. I thought you may come this way, and so took to the trees to see a little farther. I will take you to the elves I know. Before I can do that, I have some salted venison hanging to dry in the sun, and a few belongings at my camp. I also have placed some antlers and hides as a shrine to Erastil. I would be honoured if you would bless the shrine, that the hunter may feel respected for the fine stag I took. There is a meadow there that will be good grazing. It is a single sun width away. It will take no more than an hour for me to return the glade to the way it was before. Is the need critical? I am loath to abandon my posessions."
Tate seems curious, and a little puzzled. He looks into Amie's eyes a little guardedly.
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Calumbrust and Red Feather
After outfitting yourselves for travel, you leave out the gates of Fort Ramgate, admiring the woodcrafting and stonework as the fort nears completion. Traveling westward, you keep a wary eye out for raiders, and not only the monstrous variety - Molthune is near a state of open war with Nirmathas, which only recently secceded from Molthune, leaving a smarting wound in the minds of the Molthuni people. But as you approach the southern reaches of the Fangwood forest, and the land starts giving way to foothills as the Mindspin Mountains, and specifically the volcanic peaks of the Wyrmsmoke Mountains, rise in the distance, you encounter little more than a few small merchant caravans and travelers.
On your third day of travel, after you cross the river with the gaping darkness of the forest to your right hand, and low rolling grasslands to your left, you catch sight of a band of armed figures attempting to move stealthily into the forest. From this distance, you cannot quite tell what race they are, and they are armed with polearms at the very least. Their size and hulking posture suggests to you that they are not of human or demihuman stock.
If you choose not to pursue them, you have about another two day's travel to reach the nearest settlement, which is Drellin's Ferry.
Do you wish to pursue the creatures, or continue toward Drellin's Ferry, which is the only traversible crossing over the river to the Nidal border.
Amie gives him a nod. "If you heard of me asking for the elves then you have most likely also heard of the of the goblin raids that have been happening in the area. Skelt has not been spared.”
She looks up to the sun for a moment in thought then turns back to him; her eyes begin to turn to a lighter shade. “The raids have hurt the people, but Skelt will not fall any time soon. The need is not so great that a few hours will make the difference. I shall accompany you to the shine. How long will it take us to reach the elves afterwards?”
Calumbrust and Red Feather
On your third day of travel, after you cross the river with the gaping darkness of the forest to your right hand, and low rolling grasslands to your left, you catch sight of a band of armed figures attempting to move stealthily into the forest. From this distance, you cannot quite tell what race they are, and they are armed with polearms at the very least. Their size and hulking posture suggests to you that they are not of human or demihuman stock.
If you choose not to pursue them, you have about another two day's travel to reach the nearest settlement, which is Drellin's Ferry.
Do you wish to pursue the creatures, or continue toward Drellin's Ferry, which is the only traversible crossing over the river to the Nidal border.
Calumbrust squints into the distance. "What the devils are those? I can't see them very well from here, Red Feather, but they look to be of monstrous stock, carrying crude polearms favored by the more bestial of humanoids." The warrior spits on the ground in distaste. Turning to Red Feather, he declares, "I don't feel like letting those things reach the forest. Let's go cut them down," he says casually, as if speaking of the weather.
Sevegny arches an eyebrow.
"Little man, if you get any closer ... I shall have to charge you for the view."
"If I stand any closer, maybe you'll find out why the women call me 'Lucky Hans'! But what other interesting things are you talking about, ladies?"
Calumbrust and Red Feather
On your third day of travel, after you cross the river with the gaping darkness of the forest to your right hand, and low rolling grasslands to your left, you catch sight of a band of armed figures attempting to move stealthily into the forest. From this distance, you cannot quite tell what race they are, and they are armed with polearms at the very least. Their size and hulking posture suggests to you that they are not of human or demihuman stock.
If you choose not to pursue them, you have about another two day's travel to reach the nearest settlement, which is Drellin's Ferry.
Do you wish to pursue the creatures, or continue toward Drellin's Ferry, which is the only traversible crossing over the river to the Nidal border.
Calumbrust squints into the distance. "What the devils are those? I can't see them very well from here, Red Feather, but they look to be of monstrous stock, carrying crude polearms favored by the more bestial of humanoids." The warrior spits on the ground in distaste. Turning to Red Feather, he declares, "I don't feel like letting those things reach the forest. Let's go cut them down," he says casually, as if speaking of the weather.
"The two of us against that whole band, and knowing nothing about them". "I'm confident in your martial prowess, but I am a master of fortune, not a master of battle". "Can't we just proceed, and inform any we meet of what we have seen". "If we die without spreading the word, then the consequences could be dire".
"Or perhaps I could stealthily try to get closer to find out more about them".
"As another option, I could make us invisible and silent for a brief time, and try to cut them off then observe them from hiding".
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"As another option, I could make us invisible and silent for a brief time, and try to cut them off then observe them from hiding".
To make both of you invisible, you would have to cast Invisibilty twice. The Silence spell would cover you both, though, since it has a radius effect. Are either of you mounted? If so, you will probably have to tie up your horses somewhere if you want to try that tactic, as even a small horse is likely going to be over your weight limit for an Invisibility spell. If you're on foot, though, you should have no problem doing this.
"If I stand any closer, maybe you'll find out why the women call me 'Lucky Hans'! But what other interesting things are you talking about, ladies?"
Diego slaps his thigh and starts laughing. "This one, I like! A drink for the Lucky One!"
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When you caught sight of them, some had already entered the treeline, so you're not really sure how many you missed. You were able to count at least 3 archers, 4 spearmen and 1 warrior somewhat larger than the others and more heavily armed. The last one's armor reflects the sunlight, so you can assume that it is metal armor. The others don't glint in the same way, or give off only faint and sporadic reflections. At a walking pace, it would take you about two minutes to reach their position. With invisibility and silence, and at a dead run, you can overtake them and get ahead of them, and probably get yourselves concealed before the spells wear off, without alerting to your presence.
"So what do you think"? "Stealthy and observe approach"?
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As you are trying to decide what you want to do, you notice the big one and one of the archers glance in your direction at the same time (you guys were walking across open land, so not exactly hiding). The big one barks an order, and two of the archers and four of the spearmen veer and start charging in your direction. They'll reach you in about five rounds. The others continue into the trees, and the leader remains at the forest edge. You are about as far from the nearest trees as you are from the hobgoblins (roughly the length of a football [American] field), so about five rounds on a dead run to make the cover of the trees.
You can still try to confuse them by doing the invisibility and silence spells. It'll take three rounds to cast all three spells, and bear in mind, you're already in range of their archers (albeit long range), so there's potential spell disruption to consider.
So both of you give me initiative, and let me know what you're doing.
"Damn! Here they come!" barks Cal, jamming 5 bolts into his crossbow (full-round action). He looks as if he intends to stand his ground and attempt to pick them off as they charge towards the two men.
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"Damn! Here they come!" barks Cal, jamming 5 bolts into his crossbow (full-round action). He looks as if he intends to stand his ground and attempt to pick them off as they charge towards the two men.
You'll need to edit your equipment list. If your crossbow is able to hold five bolts at a time, then it's a Repeating Heavy Crossbow, not just a Heavy Crossbow, and costs 400 gp rather than 50 gp. If you already figured it into your budget at 400 rather than 50 gold, then no need to change your remaining gold, but just make sure you change the item listing to Repeating. And since you saw them well enough in advance, I'll say you had time to load before rolling initiative, so you can attack this round, if you like. They're all in your third range increment, though, so you'll take a -4 attack penalty this round. The archers are moving and firing, moving and firing, so they're only able to advance 30' each round. But the spearmen are double-moving, so they're able to get 60' each round, so next round you'll still be -4 against the archers, but only -2 against the spearmen, and so on.
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The hobgoblin archers have a 6. Red Feather doesn't have much in the way of ranged attacks, so Cal can go ahead and make his attack if you wish. If Red Feather does decide to cast Invisibility on your first, and beats your initiative, we'll just say he held his action until you fired, so it doesn't break his spell.