Eberron - Echoes of the Past (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Harry

The reloading and handing of the crossbows had been something that Ama was surprised to find herself enjoying. She was trusting the Warforged to shield her from the battle that was going on, while she was providing a means that did not see him delaying. The goblin showing up nearby them did not really surprise her at the moment, though she was likely going to nearly panic later. From her position on one knee, her crossbow having been reloaded and ready to hand to the Warforged— 'I'm really going to have to remember it-his name now'– for some reason she was not worried, but readied herself for what attack that it might manage, reading its (poor)footwork as she gauged the next strike that it attempted.
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Total Defense AC16.

Road to Darguun - 998 YK - Eighteenth Day of Dravago

Round 6

The cousins again come close but not close enough as they seek to bring down the last two Goblins that threaten Caelan and drew blood from Erix.

Pink-Eye rushes back to the second wagon catching his charge from the corner of her eye out of the ruined canopy Xetova cries out, "Erix has been badly wounded by our attackers; Caelan is still somewhere up above that cliff-side... dealing with their archers! The hooded, scaled one is an ally- as is the Minotaur, Pink-Eye!"

Whether the Minotaur knew or the call out helped, his axe connects with the Bugbear but its armor appears to absorb all of the blow. Still, the Minitaur's distraction is not without its advantage, it spins to try and keep both opponents in front of it. Pushing it too far away to stop the scaled woman's next assault. Fire kisses its skin and sets its head alight. It falls, the death scream so loud that it echoes off of the canyon walls.

Xetovia is able to only keep the Bugbears attention though. Whether the cramped wagon is hampering her skills or her worry for the d'Orien's is not relevant, what is relevant is that she has yet to land a killing blow on this foe intent on slaying her.

Meanwhile upfront, Gauntlet swats the Goblin away snapping its neck in the process it falls back off of the wagon. This time though, it won't be climbing back in.

Round 7

Ama loads and hands off once more, her faith in Gauntlet rewarded as the Goblin's stench was the only thing that threatened her well being.

As Gauntlet raises the crossbow, the Goblin on the hill turns tail and runs. Though not good with math, even a Goblin knows the number one, the most selfish number of all.

The bugbear attempting to slice at Xetovia turns as his companion falls to the ground on fire. He turns to look at the two foes now at his back. Despite the fire, he deems the Minotaur the greater threat, roars a challenge and attacks! His greatsword connects on Pink-Eye's right shoulder and arm drawing a spray of blood. Pink-Eye, take 9 damage!

Despite their continued double team of Caelan, the Goblins still cannot score any blood against the heavily armored Caelan.

Round 7 - Meridian, Erix, Pink-Eye, Xetovia, Caelan, and Gauntlet - GO!

Round 8 - Ama - GO!

Note: Wagon 1 is no longer threatened. The Goblin who remains even close can be attacked by Gauntlet, or he can fire at the Goblins still flanking Caelan. Though some of you have taken hits, the tide appears to have turned in your favor!

Turning from the running goblin, Gauntlet focuses his still loaded crossbow on the one fighting with Caelan!

Unknown Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Crit?

Unknown Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

A satisfactory smile is on Ama's face as she returns to the reloading of the ranged weapons, the heavy crossbow taking a good few seconds to load. Thus far, it has been a valuable lesson in combat, and she was trying to look at it objectively, as if she had ever stopped to think about what was going on around her, she would undoubtedly be unable to function for a while.

"An excellent showing, Sir Warforged."
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Heavy Crossbow reload is 1 Standard Action

Seeing the foe in front of him burn was grimly satisfying but no sooner did that thought occur then another came and hit him from the side with a deep cut. Growling and cursing the bugbear Pink Eye attempts to cleave the bugger.

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

swift action channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Meridian takes a deep breath now that she was not the primary target of a bugbear, and steps back a little to put more space between herself and the remaining bugbear. She gestures again, aiming carefully so as not to accidentally singe the minotaur, and sends fire arcing toward the bugbear.

Firing into melee.
Inferno Blast: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9vs. touch AC.
Damage: 3d8 ⇒ (8, 3, 6) = 17 fire.

Caelan switches his grip slightly and goes for a glancing blow, hoping to catch one of the goblins off its guard so that he can follow up with a finisher.

+1 mithral longsword attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
+1 mithral longsword damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Road to Darguun - 998 YK - Eighteenth Day of Dravago

Often fortunes turn on small matters, one who could have been present but was not because they were sick or their loved one was sick, makes all the difference. The butterfly effect.

One fleeing Goblin seemed to create a domino effect. A he turned to run, Goblins at the front of the line see him flee in terror and they too begin to flee.

Gauntlet, now with no arrows aimed upon him is able to take an extra "breath" and fire. His shot hits the Goblin dead center between the eyes.

Giving Caelan the room he needs to open his stance and cut down his foe. Thus, the two Goblins die.

On the ground there is but one Bugbear alone against a sea of enemies, in a battle rage he does not know he is all alone.

Meridian fires at him and he manages to turn away and into the weapon of a very pissed off Minotaur. So ends the story of the Slayers of Nergal, one of the greatest humanoid adventuring groups never known!

The entire caravan it seems has routed the raiders. Many are injured only a few dead. A good day's work for the guardians of this caravan.

Combat Over. Ambush Over! Time to meet your new friend I think.

Meridian makes a motion as if dusting her hands off in satisfaction, then bows slightly to the minotaur and the human woman (Xetovia) before turning to climb back into the wagon.

Ama finally allowed herself to stop and look around at the ambush that had taken place. She was breathing hard from the repeated actions of loading the crossbows and handing them back, and only now really registered the feeling in her hands, setting the loaded heavy crossbow down gently without hopefully tripping the trigger. While she was familiar with the function of the mechanism, this was actually one of the (very) few times that she had to handle a weapon like this. Mechanisms like this were not like magic, and that made her uncertain about it.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her heart as she surveyed the area.

Looking down at the Lady Ama, Gauntlet hand her crossbow back to her.

"That's a good weapon. Thank you for helping me too. I was able to be twice as effective as I would have been without it."

He then gets down off of the wagon and starts helping get the caravan re-organized and back to moving again as soon as possible.

Pink Eye casts cure light wounds on himself and then moves to Caelan and does the same to him giving a nod to the lady as well.

clw myself: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

clw Caelan: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

"Thanks, Pink-Eye," says Caelan. He's breathing hard even though he isn't sweating as he lets the goblin blood simply drip off of his sword. He closes his eyes for a few moments, then shivers slightly like someone with a sudden chill and says, "I'm all right, I'm all right, let's get the caravan going again."

Having been in enough battles to know when the skirmishing is at an end, Xetovia will make her way over from the relatively safer cover provided by the wagon to where Meridian and Pink-Eye where were standing at, giving a nod (with Dol Durand providing an almost habitual gesture of salute) to the both of them and saying a brief word of "You both have my thanks for your aid; The wagon's should be secure."

Xetovia will then make her way over to where Erix is leaning at and help him back to the wagon's interior.

Having been in enough battles to know when the skirmishing is at an end, Xetovia will make her way over from the relatively safer cover provided by the wagon to where Meridian and Pink-Eye where were standing at, giving a nod (with Dol Durand providing an almost habitual gesture of salute) to the both of them and saying a brief word of "You both have my thanks for your aid; The wagon 's should be secure."

Apologies about the awkward double posting and edit; errands couldn't wait and all that fine stuff.

Meridian makes a motion as if dusting her hands off in satisfaction, then bows slightly to the minotaur and the human woman (Xetovia) before turning to climb back into the wagon.

After bowing to both Pink-Eye and Xetovia, the hooded scaled woman then proceeds to climb into the formerly occupied wagon (the one that the d'Oriens and Xetovia was in; wagon #1?). There is a bit of an awkward pause as the Thranish Vampire Hunter turned Caravan combatant thinks to herself, So she must be fellow passenger then?, before remembering to inform Pink-Eye that, "Caelan's still out there; his status unknown... Silver Flame willing, I'll go and bring Erix back over here."

Xetovia will then make her way over to where Erix is leaning at and help him back to the wagon's interior.

As she is making her way towards Erix's location, Xetovia finds herself slowing down just a slight bit as she internally gives thanks to the Silver Flame that the hooded, scaled woman and Pink-Eye didn't outright attack each other afterwards. The Thranish Silver Flame Adherent then comes to a sudden, sobering realization that, They're both not even Human; Why would they be attacking each other!?, with a slight shake to her head. Upon catching sight of the injured Swashbuckler, Xetovia will push aside that ungainly thought towards more immediate matters...

Technically, Xetovia will go to where Erix is at and offer her assistance in helping him back to the wagon.

Regardless of whether or not Erix accepts her offer of assistance, Xetovia will duly inform Erix about Pink-Eye going off to see after Caelan and that the hooded scaled woman who assisted her with one of the Bugbears is now inside their wagon as a fellow passenger.

Heh, big question of the day... did the goblins and bugbears of the Slayers of Nergal have anything of value on them? ;)

Of course, we'll have to let the caravan head know that we (and the Caravan too) have an extra Protector/Party Member with us in form of Meridian too. :)

Once Xetovia has mentioned to Erix about the last minute addition to the Wagon One, she'll go and head/climb up to where Caelan and Pink-Eye are (unless she's directed or requested to stay put for any reason) and once she sees that they're okay (praise be to the Silver Flame), she'll mention to Caelan about how Meridian had stepped in to help with the Bugbears and is now inside of Wagon One (with Dol Durand making the same habitual saluting gesture to Caelan as before with Pink-Eye); she'll also mention that Erix is back at the secured wagon but still injured from his latest wounds to both Caelan and Pink-Eye.

If Xetovia ends up staying and doesn't go to meet Caelan and Pink-Eye, she'll inform Caelan in much the same way (as mentioned above) once the d'Orien Scion and the Minotaur of Balinor return back to the wagons.

Erix takes Xetovia offer of aid gratefully, and hobbles over to the wagon, and sits down. Bleeding a fair amount, he quietly wraps his wounds as best he can.

Caelan nods as Xetovia arrives with messages. "Still keeping the battle line together, just like old times, eh?" he manages with a chuckle. "I think we have these on the rout. Thanks for letting me know that Erix is still alive. C'mon, let's get back to the caravan."

The warrior makes his way back to the cliffside, flings his sword down so that it sticks point-first in the ground below, then climbs down carefully himself.

Taking 10 should get me down with no trouble - total of 14.

He grabs his sword again and jogs back to the wagons.

"Erix! Cousin, you took a bad hit there! How are you holding up?"

Pink Eye will walk back to the main wagons checking to see how everyone else is doing and when he finds Erix wounded he will say I can cure you in the morning friend, out of spells to cure right now.

As Meridian starts to climb into the wagon, she pauses and looks about. After a momentary indecision, she hops back down and approaches the minotaur, "There seems to be more to do. Can I be of assistance?"

yes we have one of our friends wounded and I am out of cures. Do you have one?

Meridian shakes her head slightly, "I am sorry, I do not. I used my last just before joining the caravan." After a moment she holds out a hand to Pink-Eye, "My name is Meridian."

I am Pink Eye to those not of my kind. It is good to have you with us. Pink Eye takes the small hand in his careful not to crush it with a shake.

Road to Darguun - 998 YK - Eighteenth Day of Dravago

Quenthas the caravan master heads down the line checking to make sure everyone is well, he hands a potion to Erix, "It would not do well to have you die Master Erix! This ought to help!

An hour no more and we must be underway once more, in case they are foolish enough to come back".

He keeps heading down the line to check on injuries or other misfortunes due to the ambush.

I'll give a bit more time for RP before the caravan gets underway once more.

Would Mending serve to restore the rusted greatswords to their former condition?

Erix smiles a bit weakly at his cousin "No worse than that bar fight with the half-orc brothers we got into a couple years ago. At least this time I don't have any broken ribs, I don't think." He says with a small chuckle.

He nods his thanks to the caravan master while accepting the potion "Thank you. If I were to kick the bucket, you'd be stuck with the boring Orien cousin."

Is this a potion of a certain cure spell, or does it just heal me totally? Is there a dice roll? lol

"It's true! So thank you as well for helping out my dear cousin," says Caelan to the caravan master. He speaks forthrightly. "It'll be good to have you back on your feet quickly," he then says to Erix.

Instead of immediately following both Caelan and Pink-Eye back down to the wagons, Xetovia will let them know that she'll be pushing or tossing all the nearby goblin corpses and their discarded weapons down the mountainous ambush area outcropping so that they'll be within easy reach of the wagons/caravan. "If the caravan won't be bother with taking these armor or weapons, we might have to consider burning both the corpses and the unusable items so that any other nearby goblin tribes will find little to reclaim from those."

Once the overhanging area where the goblins were is cleared up, Xetovia will go over to the one that the bugbears came down from. Will take 10 on both perception and climb checks as needed.

If there is nothing else to find up there, Xetovia will then head over to the other two nearby ambush points by the wagon to help place all the humanoid corpses and their equipment/valuables within easy reach of the wagons/caravan as well.

After doing just that, she'll head over to the uncovered wagon where Ama is at (presumably, Gauntlet is still helping the caravan to get reorganized?) and ask the Librarian how things went on her end during the ambush. Xetovia will then inform Ama about what went on during her own side of the conflict and that the caravan has a new addition to the roster; "Both d'Orien cousins took the fight to the one side of the ambush point; both are okay, though Erix remains injured from his wounds. As for hooded, brass-scaled woman that had helped with the bugbears on our end- she went inside one of the wagons... I think she's still in there now." In the meantime, Dol Durand will still make with the initial, habitual saluting gesture to Ama but in a more briefer, truncated form compared to the ones given to the Caelan or Pink-Eye.

If Gauntlet does arrive back from overseeing the caravan, Xetovia will also inform him of the same as she had mentioned to Ama but with the added detail about how she went rolling the bodies and equipment down the nearby mountain slopes and the recommendation of burning both so that the other goblin tribes will not be able to make use of either the bodies or equipment if the caravan has no use for either. Xetovia will also be keeping her hand on Dol Durand during all of this, so it will not be able to give a salute to the Warforged.

Since gauntlet doesn't sleep or get tired really, he prefers to stay active and help out in general in such situations. It is not in his nature to sit still when he doesn't have to do so and can get things done. He'll stay busy repairing wagons, clearing bodies, whatever the caravan needs to help it get going. Once that is over, he'll return to the wagon he shares with Ama and Pink-Eye.

Content to remain atop the wagon until she needed to get down, Ama could only sigh with the sound of a wave receding from the shore. While she was just loading the weapons, she really did not have a sense of the scale of what was going on at the time. The update from Xetovia was greatly appreciated, though she had not quite managed to settle the feelings she had post-battle. Xetovia's words were nodded along with, as she tried to gather herself. Haltingly, she tried to respond in kind with what she had done during the fight.

"I was loading crossbows. Mine and the 'forged. I... lost count of how many times, but it seemed like it was enough." Her eyes looked around again, her voice as soft as a calm lake in spring, before her dislike of uncertainty had her counting the number of bolts that remained with the glance of a second. "Six bolts used, I don't think either of us was injured." The smile she gave was a bit distant, but she did meet her eyes. Absently, she looked at her hands again, flexing them and frowning slightly at the soreness. 'It seemed like so much more...' She probably was going to have bruises.

Pink Eye will thank the caravan master for the potion and then help the caravan on it's way once more. He will pray for his spells every morning in the light of the first rays of the sun and give special thanks to his God when they burn the bodies and rotten equipment of the enemy.

See my post above. Meridian stopped short of actually getting in the wagon when she noticed that others were still sorting out the aftermath of the ambush. She was last talking to Pink-Eye.

Meridian lends a hand in moving the corpses and sorting the useful items from the garbage. She takes an interest in the rusted greatswords, "May I see one of those, please? It may be that I can restore them to their former condition. It looks as though they were once of good quality."

@Gauntlet: No worries, it would make sense that Gauntlet would go the extra mile in order to get things sorted out with the caravan after the ambush. :)

As Ama gives her halting and somewhat hesitant account of the actions that she had undertook during that ambush, Xetovia gets the sense of unease, possibly even unsureness, coming from the former Librarian.

Xetovia had intended to mention about the possibility of burning the bodies and equipment of the fallen ambushers (it was an all too familiar standard operating procedure when dealing with Karrnathi during the Last War) but ultimately decided against it upon noting Ama's present demeanor; instead, she asks, "...I take it that this was your first experience in a larger battle?", in as gentle a tone as she could make to Ama.

@Meridian: My apologies, I had somehow read it as Meridian speaking to Pink-Eye after he returned from healing Caelan; if you want, I can definitely retcon some of Xetovia's comments. I think at the time, both Xetovia and Pink-Eye were present earlier although Xetovia could've immediately gone to see to Erix though.

Ama was not sure how she was supposed to feel. Xetovia's words brought her attention, and she managed a slight smile even as she looked away again. "The first one where there were people that were depending on us..." She supposed that was the thing that was giving her pause, and she sighed with the sound of gentle waves washing up on the beach. "I don't think it is something that I can ever get used to."

She looked down at her clothes, and then slid off the wagon, a bit proud that there was none of the unsteadiness she thought she would feel. Just the solid comfort of the ground beneath her boots. The question sounded like she was a bit embarrassed at her reaction."This really was not much to you, was it?"
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Site issues. Eaten posts. Bah.

I hear you on the stuff with the site issues and eaten posts. One possible solution- if you're using a Windows-based machine- is to go to the task manager, use that to close down your (Firefox-based) browser (via End Task), and see if your written but not-yet posted stuff will reappear when you restore your browser session (don't choose to start a new browsing session; also try not to loose that page offering to restore your browsing session...). Not a guarantee if it'll really work, but it may be worth a try. Also, I've gotten into the habit of select all and copy before I post but it can be a tedious sort of affair if you're not used to it though. ;)

@Meridian: My apologies, I had somehow read it as Meridian speaking to Pink-Eye after he returned from healing Caelan; if you want, I can definitely retcon some of Xetovia's comments. I think at the time, both Xetovia and Pink-Eye were present earlier although Xetovia could've immediately gone to see to Erix though.

No need for Ret-Con I think. easy enough to just assume that Xetovia didn't notice Meridian reverse direction and therefore thinks that Meridian did, indeed, climb back into the wagon...

Not a guarantee if it'll really work, but it may be worth a try. Also, I've gotten into the habit of select all and copy before I post but it can be a tedious sort of affair if you're not used to it though. ;)

Of course, it goes without saying that having the messageboards stay in a state of stability would also be of some help too ;).

No need for Ret-Con I think. easy enough to just assume that Xetovia didn't notice Meridian reverse direction and therefore thinks that Meridian did, indeed, climb back into the wagon...

Sounds good to me. :) Would it a likely thing that Meridian could be sorting through some of the discarded equipment along with Pink-Eye? ;)

Ama was not sure how she was supposed to feel. Xetovia's words brought her attention, and she managed a slight smile even as she looked away again. "The first one where there were people that were depending on us..." She supposed that was the thing that was giving her pause, and she sighed with the sound of gentle waves washing up on the beach. "I don't think it is something that I can ever get used to."

She looked down at her clothes, and then slid off the wagon, a bit proud that there was none of the unsteadiness she thought she would feel. Just the solid comfort of the ground beneath her boots. The question sounded like she was a bit embarrassed at her reaction."This really was not much to you, was it?"

That the Former Librarian was even able to answer as calmly and as honestly as she could manage to the Thranish Vampire Hunter's question while still being able to remain relatively steady upon her feet- and given the chaotic events that had already occurred today- it spoke well of the Half-Elf's personal resilience within.

Xetovia wasn't entirely yet sure about what to make of the occasional ambient ocean-like sounds that would accompany Ama's words from time to time but it did have something of a soothing, almost a relaxing sort of effect. So much so, that Ama's own immediate follow-up query to Xetovia didn't bring about any sort of instinctive, defensive response from the party's sole adherent to the Silver Flame's faith.

"I... suppose that it really wasn't all that much, as you say, in the grand scheme of things..."

As far as Xetovia could tell, there was no sense of anything that could be interpreted as accusatory coming from Ama- it did spark a bit of reminiscence from the Thranish former Anthracite's earlier memories.

Instead of immediately coming up with any further explanation, Xetovia turns about so that she could lean with her back resting against the side of the open, uncovered wagon- as if casually observing the distant mountainside. Dol Durand begins to absently trace along the shape of Xetovia's Silver Flame holy symbol with her left fingertips as the Thranish Vampire Hunter begins to softly recite, almost singing at times, these solemn words...

"O Silver Flame, light the way
Through war and darkness and despair;
O Silver Flame, we shall not stray...
Spirit of Thrane, hear our prayer.

No foe can dim your argent glow
No child can live beyond your light
With swords in hand,
Your soldiers stand,
O Silver Flame, burn ever bright..."

"No foe can dim your argent glow
No child can live beyond your light
With swords in hand,
Your soldiers stand,
O Silver Flame, burn ever bright..."

Finishing up from that solemn refrain, Xetovia quietly addresses Ama with, "...'Light the Way'; it is... the very Anthem of Thrane itself. Some of our superiors... officers, caregivers... would recite or would even sing- if they had the voice for such- this on many an occasion during some of the various aftermaths in our following campaigns against the Karrnathi or the Cyrans. It was often repeated to those of us, who weren't... casualties. It was a way to give those of us strength; even hope, when many could give way to fear or despair.", but with nary a glance back to the Former Librarian as Xetovia continues to stare out over the skyward horizon. Left unspoken were the names of Breland or Aundair- probably for good reason, given the present company.

After another momentary pause, Xetovia gives an absent glance downwwards to her left hand, still busily tracing along the edges of her Silver Flame symbol. "There were those already counted as fragile among our numbers; there were just as many of those whom never had... or may have already lost... those that they could confide freely to; to share their burden with, as it were. They sometimes proved more easily susceptible to that pain, that despair... but not always. Of course, there were also those who were... blessed beyond such considerations." Thanks be to the utmost blessings of the Silver Flame!

It would at that point where Dol Durand ceases its' constant tracing of the Holy Symbol and instead manifests its' ghostly Couatl's Eye openly- but for a few scant moments- before that Eye dissipates, causing that repetitive tracing to resume once more. "At first, whilst those so blessed could only just be a witness to all of that despair, all of that pain upon those others. But by the grace of the Silver Flame though, they too would eventually learn to protect- to stand or mitigate- against such things... even if it is something as minor as just merely echoing that which had been heard many times before."

Thranish National Anthem courtesy of the Five Nations Sourcebook for the Eberron Campaign Setting.

Meridian Anterian wrote:

No need for Ret-Con I think. easy enough to just assume that Xetovia didn't notice Meridian reverse direction and therefore thinks that Meridian did, indeed, climb back into the wagon...

Sounds good to me. :) Would it a likely thing that Meridian could be sorting through some of the discarded equipment along with Pink-Eye? ;)

That is actually what she is doing at the moment. Mostly examining the rusted and battered greatsword to see if a mending spell would suffice to restore it.

"I can understand the solidarity through shared identity, I suppose", Ama responded thoughtfully. She was appreciative of the litany, and could see how several voices nearby might lift one's spirits, if even just a little. She took a deep breath and was able to essay a tentative smile, small and brief as it was. She did not consider how jarring the sight might be, since that momentary showing of her teeth was not white, or even yellowed, but translucent. "I suppose I should go see if I can render any aid to the others", she said, uncertain about what help she could lend, but not willing to let the others do all the work.

"Thank you for coming to check on me. I feel better", she said sincerely before taking her leave of Xetovia to see what the others were up to.

Road to Darguun - 998 YK - Eighteenth Day of Dravago

Soon enough, the road was cleared, the dead buried, only three guards thankfully, and the wagons with damage repaired. It was time for the caravan to once more move along.

---

A CLW Erix but assume you are all at full HP, as I'll be advancing the plot several days with my next post.

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Would Mending serve to restore the rusted greatswords to their former condition?

Yes.

Rhukaan Draal - THE - Twenty Seventh Day of Dravago

As the trip wears on for several more days the dangers are non-existent and the group is able to relax and get to know their new friend Meridian a bit better. Despite her unusual appearance, she is quite affable.

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It is mid-morning when you finally arrive in Rhukaan Draal. The goblinoid city was built around what was once a Cyran frontier town, and today it has grown into a sprawling goblinoid metropolis. The city appears as a crazy architectural tapestry; mud and timber huts surround ancient structures of stone and brick, interspersed with canvas tents and pavilions.

Most of the roads are bare earth, and few of the wonders or conveniences of Sharn are evident here. Within this ramshackle city, a single building dominates the skyline—an enormous tower of red stone that rises up from the very center of the city. This is Khaar Mbar’ost, the court of the Lhesh Haruuc, the hobgoblin king.

Your destination of course is the Bloody Market but in which direction should you go?

---

Time passing:
Craft(Armor Smithing): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
*Takes 8 hours for a Warforged repair check:
#HPs repaired is Skill check -15

Craft(Armor Smithing): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
*Takes 8 hours for a Warforged repair check:
#HPs repaired is Skill check -15

Craft(Armor Smithing): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
*Takes 8 hours for a Warforged repair check:
#HPs repaired is Skill check -15

Craft(Armor Smithing): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
*Takes 8 hours for a Warforged repair check:
#HPs repaired is Skill check -15

Gathering the group upon their caravan's arrival, Gauntlet offers Meridian to join their group temporarily for mutual safety while in such a strange place.

"I am glad I cannot smell. This place looks like it would etch itself in any memory of smells."

Caelan waves a hand in front of his face, which is wrinkled with distaste, and says, "Right you are, my friend," to Gauntlet.

smells as any other city. Nothing better or worse. Let us find the market. Do we have anyone who knows the way?

As the first two days pass, Meridian restores the two damaged greatswords to their former glory with the judicious use of a small mending magic. Once they are finished, she hands them over to Pink-Eye to add to the other captured goods.

She helps to pass the time while traveling by playing a small, curving set of compound pipes.

She is friendly, but reticent in regards to her own reasons for traveling to Rhukaan Draal. As they debark the wagons, she turns to Pink-Eye, "I know the way, Pink-Eye. I can lead you all if you like."

Eyes wide, Ama was unprepared for the splendor that greeted them. She was looking every way she could, marveling at the sights that could be seen, curiosity written large across her expression as she took it all in. From her seat on the caravan she was already picking out the most colorful things to perhaps visit when they had the opportunity, and the smells were something to certainly be remembered. Initially, the state of the city may have given her pause, but there was far too much to see and do to let a lit— okay, a decent amount– of dirt give her pause. She did still look to the Orien brothers for cues, though. This was certainly out of her range of experience.
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With GM permission, I'll have her have scribed a Scroll of Magic Missile (L1) during the trip.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Caelan seems to notice Ama's reticence and says, "Hey, just stay close and look confident. If you look like you're surprised or lost, people will try to take advantage of you. Anyone looks at you in a way you don't like, just say the word." He rattles the scabbard of his sword.