Theo says a silent prayer of thanks as he and his compatriots cross the threshold into the safety of the Keep.
"Might I suggest we disperse until tomorrow? Each of us can take the time we need to prepare and to lick our wounds." Theo winces as his hand wanders to one of his own injuries. "We can rendezvous at the main-gate around noon."
Theo doesn't fully trust this newcomer. The Elf-kin presents a pleasant face and demeanor on their journey back to the Keep but keeps a keen eye on the man's every move and gesture.
Who's up for some ale? Neil asks. I just took a nice long walk and stretched the old legs. But some of you look like ya need it more than me.
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"I could use a mug, to help clear my mind when I rest of course.
Be warned the prices out here in the bad lands can be steep. But I know of a great spot called The Stretching Goat.
Oh, do we have enough in party funds for me to get a set of tools in case I need to open doors again?"
Ya'Bo stretches his back and heads for a mug of ale and a bit to eat.
Neil happily heads over to the bar with the bright young gnome.
I have to say, I apologise for my late arrival, and fer nearly getting y'all caught in yer tight spot back there. Let me make it up to you by buying the first round.
Neil is an older man; not quite old enough where age impacts the physical form, but old enough to start using it as an excuse. Beneath his old worn-down furs he has some chainmail armor, which occasionally shows itself as he moves. From his hip hangs a war hammer and a light crossbow. Also, oddly enough, a small child's doll is strapped to his belt, just behind the hammer.
Sitting down at a table (or the bar), he occasionally takes out a small glass orb and fiddles with it - rolling it back and forth between his hands or just staring at it. Inside the ball a storm is raging: dark clouds swirl and lighting strikes whip around the inside. It's all completely silent, as the sounds are retained within the orb itself.
"Hold up, lads; I think I'll be joining you. There's still a good number of things on the menu here to try, and what better way to learn about a man than by watching what he eats," Ore says, following Neil.
"Now that's a pretty bauble, Neil. Don't think I've seen anything like that before. What is it?" Ore says, genuinely intrigued.
Hmm? Oh, this. Neil looks at the table wistfully.
It's one of the last things I've got of my family, 'fore they were killed. My wife made it taking a glass blowing class down at the annex; she put a little magic in it to create the storm and gave it to me for my 30th birthday. I always loved sitting on the clifftop, watching the storms rage over the ocean, and she knew that. I used to take my daughter up there to the cliffs, and we'd sit and watch the clouds blow over the waters, those far distant lightning bolts swarm across the skies.
That was then. When the days were good. Before that a@+@!++ came into my life. Before he destroyed the entire town - laid waste to it all. Everyone I knew died that day. My friends, my parents, my wife... my little girl...
Neil sighs.
Bah. You don't want to hear about the ramblings of some old man. It's too depressing.
He puts the bauble away. Sorry, I don't want to drag ya down. Y'all just survived some harrowing events. We should be celebrating life!
Neil picks up his mug and downs his ale.
He slams the mug back down on the bar with an audible gasp for air. Tell me about yerselves. What are you doing out here in the borderlands?
"That is quite the tale to lay upon someone you've just met sir. Are you always so open about such affairs?" Morgan asks.
Neil stops and thinks for a moment at the abrupt question, Come to think of it, I probably do! But usually only when it comes up naturally in conversation. The gent here asked about my glass storm. I didn even realize I was fiddling with it until he said something. Guess it's been a while since I've been around folk - usually wanderin around on my own out there. It'll be nice to have someone else to talk to again.
Neil orders another round of ale, dropping down a couple of coppers.
But enough about me! What about you? What's your story, son?
"Neil, I'm really sorry for your family, my friend, truly. But one can't start a story like yours and not finish it. Who came into your life so... Aggressively? And are they still chasing you even now?"
Yer truly interested in my story? Huh. I haven’t seen someone who cared in a long time. Most people dismiss me as some crazy guy, but it’s true. It’s all true. The man who came that day was none other than Talos himself. The lord of destruction. The storm lord. The destroyer. The f%@~ing rat bastard who can die a thousand painful deaths in the pits of the nine hells! Neil spits out those last words and then takes a large gulp of his ale.
He pauses for a moment, and in that pause his eyes grow distant as he looks into himself to draw out the memories.
Ya, it was Talos who showed up to our little coastal town. I recognized him from the stories – that eye patch that his idiotic followers wear trying to copy him. I was on the clifftop watching out one evenin after a good day of hunting, waiting for my wife and daughter to join me and watch the sunset. I had a fine rabbit stew cooking when the clouds rolled in unnaturally, lightning coming down to meet the waters. Don’t normally do that, ya know.
He jumps out of his chair and gestures along with the story. The ground shook beneath my feet and I witnessed buildings down in the town shake and collapse, he says as he holds out his hands and shakes his whole body. I could only imagine who was still trapped inside. The cooking fires inside started catching and soon, he hands come up in the air to symbolize something rising, whole buildings were in flames, consuming whomever was trapped inside. The rains had not started yet and could do nothing to quell the fires, but the winds were in full bloom and only served to leap the fires from one building to the next. His voice rises in volume as he speaks of the fires, as if he were there in his own mind and he was trying to speak over the crackling of the flames and the howling of the wind.
Returning his voice to normal, he continues, The warnin bells sounded. His voice is soft, I can still recall the sounds of those bells - the rings echoing amongst the ever growing winds. I could hear them echoing in the hills as I ran back to town. He drops down to a whisper, I was in the town screaming the names of my wife and daughter – hoping they could hear me above the winds when I realized just how fruitless my efforts were – how useless all our efforts were when Talos decides to bring down his wrath. And back to normal volume, Because it was then that the seas surged and consumed the town whole. The fires, the rescues, the searching, all of it in vain as the town was overwhelmed by the ocean as it rushed in – washing everything in its path up the coastline and then back out into the deeper waters.
I found myself being pushed along the currents unable to control where I was going. I was slammed against the seawall, and broke several ribs and my leg. I struggled to stay afloat, grabbing on to whatever piece of drift I could find.
And that’s when I saw him. The man with one eye. He appeared in the flash of lightning in the sky, looking down upon us as we struggled to survive the torrents and the waves.
Lightning came down upon me. It lifted me into the air. I could feel the electrical power around me, but I felt no pain and I rose up above the waters. I was forced to stay there, above them all, forced to watch my friends and family drown. I saw my little girl – her body floating in the waters, unmoving. I screamed. I raged. I could do nothing.
I awoke the next morning awash on the sands amidst the ruins of my home. I hobbled amongst the torn down buildings, the debris, the destruction in a daze. I don’t know how long I was there, but I buried every body I could find. I did not find my wife or my daughter. But I found her doll and I found this old trinket my wife made for me. And I keep them with me at all times.
He gets back in his seat and takes a sip of ale.
Since then, I know Talos has chosen me. I don’t know why he has chosen me, but he has. I have powers. I can do things I couldn’t before. I didn’t want any of it for a long time. I refused to use the powers he gave me, instead choosing to survive off the land as I used to.
Eventually, I started using the powers. Little things at first, like helping me hunt or fixing my clothing. And then I started using it to help others, like staunching a wound.
And then I decided – why not use these gifts? I can use them for good. I can use them to help prevent another catastrophe like what happened to my home. Well, maybe not stop a god, but I can help prevent other tragedies, right? He seems to be looking for validation with this rhetorical question.
So f&@* Talos and his destructive ways. If he’s going to give me this s*+%, I’m going to damn well use it as I see fit. So I came out here to the borderlands to help protect the good people of the keep. Cause I won’t see destruction happen to another good folk like it did with mine, whether it comes by storm or monster.
He holds up his mug as if to toast, and then downs it all. The mug hits the table as a quiet "F~!& Talos" escapes his lips.
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Taking a long drink from his ale.
"Well my story is not as sad as yours. I was raised on the mean streets of Mirabar, with my size I got into small places and had the skills to unlock doors. Well, as you know being on the streets is very hard life, unless you enjoy taking what is not yours, which I never did like. So an old wizard named Xavier took me in and taught me a better way to live. He started to teach me magic as something to pass the time with. Ya'Bo gets a big smile on his face We discovered that I picked up on the Arcane arts easily, so he taught me even more complex spells and even how to make my own spell book. So we talk about me going out in the wilds to find new spells to learn and to test my powers. He said that the Border lands is a good place to start and he had a letter for a friend of his here at the keep."
Pulling out the letter and turning it over in his fingers
"I never thought that there was a chance we might not come back, so I better get this delivered before we head out again. See you in the morining"
Ya'Bo gets up and heads out the door in search of Xavier
I think I will ask the gate guard he might know where I could find him. He thinks to himself and starts walking to the gate.
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"You have my deepest sympathy, Neil. I know the story of your home and kin too well." Theo adds, putting down his quill. Theo gives the parchment in front of him a quick glance before folding it twice and stowing it in his belt-pouch.
"On the odd occasion where I was drawn to one of my Lady's temples, it was often that I might aid in the relief efforts following one of the Storm Lord's...tantrums."
"Even when Talos isn't actively sinking coastal cities, his followers can usually be found burning down any form of information repository or educational institution. Enlightenment and the peace it can bring are profane in their eyes. As such, they also view seekers of such enlightenment as..." Theo trails off. His cheeks show a subtle loss of color, and the last few syllables crack as though his mouth had suddenly dried. Theo clears his throat and does his best to regain his composure. "Excuse me. I think that means it's time for another round."
Getting the serving girl's attention with a wave, Theo brandishes two copper pieces and points to Neil's mug. The girl nods in understanding before moving to fill the request. In a blink, two fresh mugs of ale are sitting in front of Neil and Theo.
"Thank you, lass." Theo presents the copper pieces, held between his fingers. As the girl reaches out to accept the payment, Theo drops the silver piece - the one he has secreted against his palm - into her open hand.
"Now, where was I?", Theo leans back and takes a short drink from his mug. "Oh, yes. Seekers of truth are also viewed as profane and blasphemous. Thus, the glory brought to these zealots isn't measured by the status of the institute they destroy. No. Be it a town library or a magical academy, the righteousness of their destruction is measured solely...solely by the loss of life."
"Even beyond the affairs of mortals, Talos and Mystra are heated enemies. Adding insult to his numerous list of atrocities, Talos openly rejects Mystra's absolute dominion over the arcane; claiming weather magic as his own. Even going so far as to punish mortals for using the craft without his leave."
"The very idea is insanity itself. Mystra is The Weave incarnate, the very source of all spells cast in the multiverse. Temple Clerics like to compare Talos to the moon. The moon is often praised for lighting the night sky. Yet, in reality, it simply reflects a small portion of the sun's power. Like the moon, Talos is a dull rock reflecting the splendor of his betters."
Theo pauses for a moment. Draining another third of his mug.
"All that unpleasantness aside, you and I are two sides of the same coin. Our relationship with the divine - contracted and abducted - neither standard paths into the clergy. Our Lady has no time for the sycophantic rituals of mortal worship, and you have no time for the zealous destruction brought by your unwanted patron. Heads and tails, my friend."
"That said, there is one area where there is no comparison. Your story proves your fortitude to be infinitely greater than my own. Few look divinity in the face, and fewer still come out unscathed. It was the better part of a year before I could hear Our Lady's voice aloud, free of nausea and vertigo. I can't imagine surviving her wrath with my sanity intact..."
Theo's face goes pale again. He stares blankly at the ever-changing foam in his mug.
"I've only ever meet Her once, while she was in her truest perceivable form. However, it's not uncommon for Her to fetch me via an avatar. I recall traveling with Her as a fox for a short while. Probably my first or second year in Her service. It was during these travels that I got as close to an angered Mystra as I ever care to see. "
"It was mid-summer when the two of us came across a small, unassuming village; tucked away in the forgotten corners of some kingdom or another.", The details eluded Theo. This was years ago, and Theo wasn't always made privy to exactly where he was at any given time.
"We were probably 2 miles out when I first saw the smoke and heard the screams. I immediately broke into a sprint but was too slow. Before my second stride touched dirt, I was suddenly robbed of all momentum and found myself standing in a crowd. I was just yards from a burning schoolhouse; a giant scorch mark along the side showed where unnatural lighting had struck."
"I had only just regained my bearings when I get hit with a flash of white light. As my vision cleared, I noticed that the screaming had stopped and that a large portion of the crowd had vanished. However, the silence didn't last. Those remaining suddenly begin to scream out and writhe in pain on the ground. One of the men shreds his robe, revealing his Talos tattoos and the medallion around his neck; all glowing red hot."
"As the zealots flailed about, the ink being slowly burned off of their flesh; the flames engulfing the school turned from a bright orange to a deep, soothing blue. Through the flames, you could see the structure slowly piecing itself back together. Nails, splinters, and chunks of glass blown clear by the initial explosion come whizzing past my head to fit themselves back into place."
"At the same time, the smoke above the school began to coverage directly above the group of writhing zealots. The mass loomed for a moment, looking like an angry storm cloud. Then, without warning, the cloud rained...molten tar. Within seconds all dozen or so Talos loyalists where encased in pitch."
Our Lady must have found a sliver of mercy for the child-killing fiends at the last moment. Any contact with the tar caused instant death, as opposed to cooking them alive, like they would have done to those helpless younglings."
Aye, that could have been bad; lucky for them kids you and Myatra were there. Good to hear Talos' minions were fried up. Neil says with a raise of his mug.
" And are they still chasing you even now?"
Bah. I doubt it. If Talos wants to keep his eyes on me he ain't never let me know about it. That was the first and last time I ever saw him, and I hope it stays that way.
I don't know why he chose me, but as long as I have these powers, I might as well use them for my own desires, right? So I figure, come out here to the edge of the empire and help some folk out. Bit of a gobmim problem, right? Maybe some orcs and gnols and whatnot. Let's eliminate them. Remove the problem so the kingdom can live in peace and these fine folk don't have to worry.
We'll go into them caves and absolutely wreck the place.
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Following the directions to the Guildhouse, you are directed to Zandar's room. The recipient, a middle-aged man, takes the letter from you, mumbles a thank you, and places 5 sp in your hand before closing the door.
Ore shakes his head slowly, impressed by the adventures these men have already had.
"Those are some wild tales, gents. But I think I'll be sticking around the two of ya for a bit, if that's the type of thing that happens. I'm a traveler you see, for the travellings sake, and it's adventures and new opportunities and the chance to do some good in this world that brings me here. My life, and my lands for that matter, have been comfortable, and I've been a lucky man of many privileges. But all of that comfort seemed quite a bit less pleasing when I gave a thought to the balance of the world, so here I am. And if half of what's happened to you all comes my way, I'll be feeling I've done my part, indeed."
Neil smiles at Ore's story. And see here, this is why I said my own story's too depressin. I'd much rather hear something like that. That's a good life you had, son. One can only imagine the gratitude folk'll have knowing you gave up a life like that to put herself in danger so others may live. That's a Noble sacrifice. Me? It was forced upon me - I wouldn't have done it ifn my family was still here.
But you, lad - you chose it. That's a good heart, right there.
I'm happy with us moving forward to the next day if everyone ready.
Theo bids good evening to his remaining comrades before heading out towards the inn. As he walks, he takes out the folded parchment and pours over his list of supplies once more.
Back in his room, Theo begins to reflect on the day and to pray. He thanks Mystra for guiding him through today's trial, and seek's her council in how to proceed.
Having retired early, his brush with death earlier leaving him more than a little tired and at least somewhat shaken, Isandril chooses to have something to eat and drink in his room and study his spellbook befole finally resting, his mind reliving their last battle for a few minutes to see what he could have done differently.
Ya sure this is the right entrance? Neil asks, half jokingly.
These folk'll be lickin' their wounds and setting up defenses. I bet this is empty for a reason. These're goblins we're talking about. Who thinks this whole thing ain't lined with traps, eh?
These folk'll be lickin' their wounds and setting up defenses. I bet this is empty for a reason. These're goblins we're talking about. Who thinks this whole thing ain't lined with traps, eh?
"Aye. It would be the height of folly to assume they haven't fortified their defenses in response to such blatant a trespass. We must proceed with the utmost caution."
Theo glances around the group, taking stock of manpower and resources.
"We are still tragically outnumbered and are fighting against home-field advantage. Our odds of winning an all-out assault seem slim. Our skill simply isn't going to overcome these intrinsic disadvantages. We need to take a moment to gather ourselves and to come up with a coherent plan of attack
"Scouting ahead would seem to be prudent," Isandril offers. "Still, considering magical aid such as invisibility is beyond me at the moment, it is not without risk. And as for me, agile I may be, but stealth and subterfuge are hardly my areas of expertise."
Neil picks up a rock and throws it down the tunnel.
Neil shrugs and follows along, keeping an eye out for danger.
"Well, if you see 'em, start slinging spells, I guess. Hold back the best of them though; I think we went a little hard a little too fast last time around," Ore chimes in, falling into line and marching with the others. In one hand, he carries a lit torch, prepared.
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The group moves into the cavern once more. You notice first and foremost that the bodies of the fallen have been removed. The corridor splits three ways at this juncture, going right (W), left (SE), and straight ahead (S). The south passage dead ends after about 30 feet. Earlier, the group went SE from here and encountered a guard room, then the hobgoblins.
From the west, Neil can hear movement and voices.
"We seem to have the element of surprise, this time. I suggest we not squander it. Let's call this a successful recon mission and regroup outside. Ore is more right than he realizes about us being too aggressive in our approach. Let's learn from our mistakes and take this slow."
*hopefully outside*
"The Gobin's have proven weak-willed and headstrong. If we lay a trap, they will fall into it."
"Ya'Bo, Sand. Your illusion cantrips have near-limitless utility and a negligible resource cost. They are sure to be the crux of any successful ambush. Our earlier disappearing act is a solid foundation to work from."
Theo goes on to lay out plans for a barebones ambush. Sketching out a crude cave map in some loose dirt.
As Theo concludes his presentation, he scratches his head in confusion.
"The thing I can't seem to figure out is what exactly to use as bait. With your collection of sensory illusions, our options are basically endless. But we have to be careful. We need something the goblins are keen to run towards, but that won't leave them expecting a fight. That defeats the whole purpose of an ambush."
Theo rocks back and forth on his haunches, looking over his drawing. He begins pondering to himself aloud...
"Structural failure in the cave, maybe? Perhaps we could play on superstition, haunt them out. Could be something simple, like a foul odor. Even the dullest cave-dwellers know the dangers of underground gas pockets."
I like it. Let's do it.
"It should work," Sand says with a nod. "They are notoriously fond of shiny things. Well, I think anyway."
Goblin's Are a greedy bunch how about a trail of coins like bread crumbs to where we want them? I have some copper and silver we can use.
"Hmm. Greed is a powerful motivator, for sure. But I think we may need a little more nuance in our approach. The goblins aren't the brightest creatures, but I don't know that they are hounds to be lead by the nose. Sure, their greed might get the better of their senses. But if they follow the trail, it would with great suspicion"
"If we don't want them ready for combat, then fear is probably our best bet. Perhaps we can convince them that something has awakened deep within the cave. These caves seem like the perfect hiding place for certain ancient dragons, and a myriad of the undead. That said, the goblins have likely been here for years. I doubt we can convince them that they missed a dragon. No. We need a threat that could, realistically, have come out of nowhere."
Theo supposes that what they really need is something elusive. A threat that could have slipped behind enemy lines. After all, "nothing really comes from nowh..." *BZZT* A dark flash of Theo's history, followed by a literal jolt of inspiration. His eyes gloss over, and his gaze shoots past his friends off into the distance.
"No. No, that's not right. There is much to be found nowhere. One might even say there is more to be found nowhere than anywhere. All the things in all of all of the wheres are dwarfed by a single thing found nowhere." Theo licks his lips. "In fact. The very thought of a nowhere thing is far more than will fit comfortably in that cave, or in the minds of those Goblins."
It takes a moment for Theo to notice that he has lost himself in thought. He clears his throat and addresses the group again.
"I know what we can use to lure out the Goblins. For the sake of our collective sanity, I won't delve too deep. Let's just say we will envoke a fear that should be primal for any creature who frequents the Underdark." Theo looks over at the two wizards "Ya'Bo, Sand. Steel your nerves and listen closely. This chant is what we will use to bait the Goblins out. I'll try to commonize the words for you, but that's not how this usually goes...."
Sure enough, the first syllable out of Theo's mouth distorts; as though he was suddenly plunged underwater. His pitch and speed seem to change randomly of their own accord. Deep Speech: ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
"It shouldn't take more than a couple times of echoing that throughout the cave to get the goblins moving."
Theo goes on to lay out plans for a barebones ambush. Sketching out a crude cave map in some loose dirt.
Just noticed that the link to my map is broken in this post.
https://i.imgur.com/CaPQiRC.png
I've got nothin' that'll give off light, 'cept maybe some fire. But it don't last long. The rest o' what you said sounds good to me.
With that, Neil gets in to position.
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Theo, I like your idea a lot. It has pazazz and it is something that they are not counting on. The down side, there is still and ogre running around out here, yes I fear things that go out of their way to try and eat me, and if the goblins get to scared they may enlist it for help and I don't want to be caught with an ogre on one side and goblins on the other. But we do need to try out your plan in the near future. I am on the cusp of training my mind to be able to cast more spells.
Plus with the coin idea they may even fight each other and weaken themselves before we spring the trap.
What do the rest of you think?
Looking at the rest of the party
Yes! Sure! Do the coins! Let's stop dallying and destory these goblins! Neil says in frustration, completely oblivious to the reference to his deific portfolio