The Mayor's Chambers
Titus Scarnetti snorted in derision at the two bravado's and their sword waving manner. "You would send these folk? They'll be dead within the week and the goblins will know we've tumbled to their plan. Send the sherriff and his men Mayor! My own people can patrol our township while he's out. Let these buffons traipse around the sewers and tunnels of town while we take care of our own troubles."
His tone is amazingly arrogant, and he really does seem to have a set against the group for some reason.
Belor Hemlock looked about ready to agree with the man but held his tongue as Mayor Deverin held up her hand. "These fine folk were the onese who saved our skins the first time the goblins attacked Titus. You and your men were so drunk you didn't even realise the attack had happened until the goblins were fleeing." She smiled while she said it, but her eyes had a hard edge to them. "The Sheriffs job is to guard our streets and ensure that law is maintained in Sandpoint. That is what he signed up for, and why we pay him. He and his men stay put."[b]
Looking to Tania and Idrian, she speaks more gently [b]"I would suggest you speak to the Elven woman who brought us this news. She can give you more of an idea on the layout of the fortress and its surrounds. Once you have those, let the clerk know what equipment you may need and we shall see what we can do to supply you for the foray. We are not overflowing with wealth mind, and ordering in from Magnimar may take too long. I thank you for offering your aid in this my friends, may Desna guide your hands."
Maree's
Maree's
Durik took a deep breath and began his preparations. He first made a circuit of the house, ensureing the building was secure so the cat at least could not flee when he opened the basement up.
Once the entrances and windows were closed, he nodded to father Zanthus to begin. The priest of Desna opened the tome he had brought with him and began to chant holy words to Desna and the other gods of good and law. Feldspar caught a reference to Torag in there, the words ringing in his ears suddenly, brightening the room around him as he realised his god was with him for this moment.
The muscular dwarf held the writhing woman fast, his big hands implaccable in the duty, almost crushing her wrists as she thrashed about. Her physical wounds he could heal, it was her soul he was more concerned with. Staring into her eyes, he called to Maree, searching for the spark that showed she was there. The fact she was blind was no hinderence of the Paladin, his holy powers trained to search the very souls of those he dealt with.
Durik meanwhile had gathered some of the scrolls that Father Zanthus had brought with him and again went over the required rites in his head. He took his time, making sure he had everything right before starting to sever the bonds. When Zanthus' chanting took on a repetetive tone, the inquisitor realised the circle of protection was in palce and the Desnan priest was maintining its power. It was time to act.
The ritual (Spioilered for space. Anyone can read this)
Durik's job - Each thread requires the expendiature of some of your power. You channel this through your star knife, severing the magical bond as you do so and enchaniting the words of Desna as you do so to ensure the bond stays severed. Destroying the bond will not necessarily destroy the item, but you need to beat the DC by 5 to do this. You can choose to roll Arcana or Profession, your choice. The DC's are increasing in complexity as you go back in time from when they were created. You can't take 20 on them as there is a consequence for failure.
Cat - This was the last thread made so its DC is only 10. Spend one spell slot as well (any level)
Doll - The second thread, DC is 12. Spend one spell slot (any level)
The evil tome - DC is 14 spend 2 spell slots or one second level slot. This tome is ancient, and you suspect it was the original source of the corruption for the girl.
Everytime you fail a roll, Maree takes damage as the thread tugs on her life force to repair itself. More on that when I explain Feldspar's role. If you fail, you have to try again. You can use scrolls if you run out fo spell slots. Zanthus brought along 3 first level and 2 second level scrolls.
Feldspar - Feldspar needs to keep Maree alive long enough for Durik to do his work. Each time the Inquisitor makes a roll, Feldspar needs to make a heal check to keep her from being too badly damaged. The DC is 15. If you fail, you can spend a lay on hands, or use the wand you have, and expend a charge. I know technically you don't have spells available with your build, but I'll allow it for now.
Both of you please note that this is only the first part of the ritual. The second part requires you to cut a shard of demon glass from the girls chest and rest her soul from it. I'll deal with that after this stuff.
Feldspar, please roll 6 or 7 rolls that I can apply as needed. Durik, similar for you. Feel free to add descriptions as appropriate. You knwo the DC's, so if you roll, you can go ahead and describe the action yourself if you need to.
Hope this works, I really don't know if I've made it too hard or too easy. I'd rather err on the side of easy, but it should be a challenge. Any feedback is welcome, from all players.
Jo'No
All
"Desna hear my call, we have need. Save the life of this child Desna, allow her to return to your grace."
Removing the cat from the ritual area he then placed Maree's childhood toy in front of him. Almost distracted by the memories the doll must surely contain for Maree, he finds himself shaking under the strain of the ritual. Focusing on her face and the demon straining to break free from inside her, he steeled his resolve and repeated the gestures necessary to cut the binding, succeeding and sparing the doll from harm.
"With this knife I cut the threads that bind doll to child, child to demon."
Once again removing the doll from the circle, Durik turns to the book and brings it's heavy pages into focus. Pausing briefly the wipe the sweat from his brow, he turns to the book and prepares to again sever the cord with the last of his energy. The distraction proves to be his undoing, as the book's power threatens to overwhelm him. Expending the last of his own power, he turns to the scrolls provided by Father Zanthus. Burning through the more powerful ones first and then the lesser, he desperately casts about for more divine power to break the bindings on Maree and free her.
Desna, help me!
The Mayor's Chamber
Tania does her best to keep from answering the noble about its suggestions. Fortunately, Mayor Deverin steps in as she's about to blow and accepts their offer.
"We thank you for your trust. We shall repay it in kind, with goblin's deaths!"
She bows and steps out of the room. To the others: "Should we find Durik and Feldspar first? Or should we meet with Shalelu to find out about the goblins' hideout?"
"Shalelu first." responds Idrian. "We don't want to give that arrogant noble any reason to claim we aren't doing our job. Besides, Feldspar is probably at the temple praying and we shouldn't interrupt him unless absolutely necessary."
Once the ritual begins, Feldspar works quickly, murmuring prayers to Torag as he constantly watches over Maree, finding areas where the demonic energies are tearing at her body and quickly slapping a bandage or salve over it.
There is no time for him to allow fear or panic in. He simply focuses on the task at hand and puts his worry to rest for later.
Twice the wounds Maree suffered were too great for Feldspar to quickly respond to. In those cases he pressed his hands to the wounds and called on Torag's might for healing.
Failed the Heal Check twice:
1 more lay on hands available if need be:
There is one moment when Feldspar feels his concern almost sweep over him when even the touch of his hands and the surge of Torag's blessing flowing into Maree wasn't enough. So he tries again, touching his forehead where Torag's mark is emblazoned upon him with one hand and touching Maree's wound lightly with the other.
Maree's
Maree's screams echoed throughout the house, aye, and most like throughout the streets as well. The ritual had been tough on all of those attending so far.
In desperation, Durik had drawn forth his wand of healing and drained some of its magic to facilitate the final bond severing. With a flash of discharge, the heavy tome fell in a blackened mass of ash and smouldering leather at his feet. The last of the external threads had proven almost too much for the inquisitor, but his perserverence had managed in the long run. He turned, stepping carefully over the silvered layer of dust and runes that Father Zanthus had scribed and was chanting to maintain. The moment he stepped inside, he could feel the oily corruption of the demons influence washing over him.
The creatures psyche was stretching out from the woman with tendrils of hate, desperately trying the grasp the severed threads of its possession and keep itself on the materail plane. Durik took a deep breath and raised the star knife of Desna to Maree's bared chest, placing the point over the scar in her breast.
Feldspar watched through god gifeted sight as the evil presence posessing the girl withdrew with a rapidness that almost made him lose grip on the blind oracle. She sagged in his arms, groaning and weeping with pain and shock as her own soul came into possession of her body. The Paladin was confused at first, believeing the Inquisitor had already succeeded in cleansing her, but then he saw the bloom of evil twisting in the confines of her scar. There was one last step.
The ritual part 2 (Spoilered for space, all welcome to read and provide feedback)
Ok, last one, and this needs to be severed with a DC 15 check. Inside Maree's chest is a shard of demon glass, basically obsidian with the soul essence of a demon. How it got in there is anyones guess, but most likely someone placed it there on purpose. Cutting it out is easy - Keeping Maree alive may not be. Thisone needs three spell slots to destroy, and you only get one shot. If you can't break this one first go, you need to contain it so the creature doesn't materialise and attack you. Zanthus has a suitable container though, so no real fear there.
Maree will need a successful DC 20 heal check, or at least 10 hit points in healing. Again you can combine lay on hands and wands to do so. Either of you can attempt it, and even aid another if needed.
Additionally, you need to make sure all of her soul remains intact when the demon goes. I liked Tania's idea of a modified CMb vs CMD, so I'm going to try that. Feldspar, this is where you come in again. Your CMB will be Base attack + Charisma mod, VS the demonic soul's CMD of 15. You get 3 attepts to beat it. Each fail leaves her slighlty more "damaged". Three fails and she goes insane as the creature makes sure to shred her sol as it leaves the body.
This is tough, and if you genuinely think its too hard let me know and we can revise those DC's. This is however a major plot thread for two of you, and I want it to mean something. If you pull this off, there are rewards on offer. Good luck.
Durik flexes his fingers before beginning his work. He gently cuts into Maree's chest with the starknife, beginning to remove the shard of demon glass.
Burning more energy from the wand of healing, Durik removes the glass and severs the bond. He then turns the wand on the wound and closes it.
Jo'no tells Tania that he will soon meet her and Irdian at Shalelu's, after he speaks to Garidan.
Jo'no will meet briefly with Garidan and will inform him of everthing they have learnt so far. Jo'no will advise Garidan that he may want to talk to his brother about temporarily relocating the Garrison and Gaol. Jo'no will inform Garidan that he will be partaking on a mission to deal with the goblins so his studies of the pool may be delayed. Jo'no will suggest that a temporary seal should be applied. Perhaps some large boards or flat peices of steel could be applied over top and sealed down with wax. All seams would need to be sealed, but perhaps it would provide a good temporary seal.
Jo'no will again thank Garidan for the wand and let him know it has already been quite useful.
Feldspar watches with prayers on his lips as Durik removes the demon glass from Maree's chest. As the glass comes away from her chest he can sense in some way he can't define the demon's essence clinging to Maree's soul, tearing at her with sharp claws that shredded whatever it touched.
With Torag guiding him, for he had very little understanding of what exactly he was doing, Feldspar reached for the demon and fights to pull it away, struggling to keep the claws from ripping at Maree's soul.
"Torag, give me strength!"
Meeting Shalelu
The elven hunter was drinking quietly at the White Deer Tavern when the small group found her. The establishment was well known by Jo'no at least, since the big Shoanti who ran the place had taken him under his wing a little. The place was much quieter than Ameiko's establishment, and seemed to cater to the more woodsy folk in the region.
A leg of venison was roasting over the fire, and in the background, a young shoanti girl played the woodpipes of her people in a haunting melody that spoke of mountains and streams. Tania noted that her style was simplistic, yet the melody itself was beautiful enough that most listeners would find it pleasing. It was an interesting style.
Shalelu bade them sit with her as they approached, and she smiled, particularly at Idrian. The half elf had heard of Shalelu, but only really met her in passing. She was little enigmatic, only really dropping into town for brief periods and then roaming far for long sessions of patrols. Her knowledge of the local goblin tribes probably matched that of Daverin Hosk, the old hunter that they'd travelled with on the Nobles boar hunt.
Over a warm meal, Shalelu spoke log about the goblins in the area, pointing out their usual defense of ensuring thick spikey brush grew near most entrance ways. The little menaces would then create warrens and runs through these, making it difficult for the larger folk to navigate. She rarely ventured to far into thse regions, knowing that to be turned around or snared in those areas was certain death if any goblins found you "Eat you right where you stood, they would. No creature was ever born so hungry as a Goblin". She fairly spat the words as she said them.
The goblins on "The Head", as it was locally known, had extra defense as well. The only approach to their fortress was across a narrow rope bridge. The rock they built on rose out of he sea a good 40 feet from the mainland. It was most likely possilbe to swim the channel and scale the side of the rock, though she'd never tried it herself.
If that tribe were anything like most goblin tribes, they would have guards and most likley the rat dogs they used as well. However, if the group weren't spotted in the thickets, chances are the guards would be inatentive at best.
"I'll lead you there, no problem. However, the Sherriff has asked that I stay out of things once anyone goes in to sort this mob. He wants me to report back to town as soona s possible in case things get....well lets just say if you lot stir up the goblins but then get eaten, we'd like to prepare for any reprisals."
As they part with Jo'no: "Be well and safe my friend! We'll see you soon."
If they find Shalelu, Tania will stay silent at first, letting Idrian, who clearly knows more about tracking and killing goblins, do the talking.
Maree's
Durik cut deep and fast, his star knife sliding into the scar tissue with almost no resistance from the girls flesh. The blade brushed against the stone within her chest, and Feldspar could see the demons soul flinch back from its touch.
Dark tendrils reached out into Maree, grasping at the dim light of her soul with talons of pain and anger. The paldin projected a sense of his own self and protective presence between Maree and the dark being. The thing probed at his defenses, tearing at his imagined bulk as it tried to grasp the girl behind him. Feldspar couldn't quite hold all of it at bay, and a section of the dark matter slipped past his defenses, even as he cluthced desperately after it with his mind. However, his presence alone bolstered Marees spirit, and he was heartened to feel her fight back against the creature, pushing it into his waiting defenses. And just like that it was gone...
Durik held the obsidian in his hand, star knife held high and chanting to Desna. His words wove in between those of Father Zanthus until the two rituals became as one. As the cadence between the two holy men came to a crescendo, the Inquisitor plunged his blade down into the glass, and it shattered into a million shards that disolved into darkness and smoke before hitting the ground. There was no other sound, but all three of them felt the demons presence gone from the room the moment it happened.
Maree fell unconcious into the arms of gasping dwarf. Durik pressed his wand to her, channeling its healing into her damaged body and preventing her from suffering too badly from the ritual, then he too sank to his knees on the floor.
It was done. They had saved the girl.
Durik breathes heavily, sweat dripping down his face and the starknife clutched loosely in his hand. Shaking himself and running a hand through his damp hair, he sheathes the starknife and moves to the windows, casting them open.
"Let get some light and air in here. Father you'll want to head off any well meaning members of the public before they break down the door."
The words seem to calm Durik, though the others can see his hands shaking just a little.
We almost lost that one. It did not happen like last time. We were strong enough. Maree lives. I'll need to find out where she got that book. This isn't over yet.
Mikka sat at the table listening the the warnings of the half elf ranger. These goblins were like a blight, existing only to destroy everything around them.
They were essentially an entirely rabid race that needed to be put down.
Idrian tries to keep his appraisal of Shalelu professional as he truly respects her skill. There's not much of what Shalelu says Idrian doesn't already know. "Understood. Don't get eaten."
Feldspar carries Maree over to a comfortable place to lie her down and checks her over for any lasting injuries.
After ascertaining that she was well enough, he retrieves the blanket and covers her naked form, slumping to the ground beside her.
"I presume, friend Durik, that our efforts were as successful as could be hoped?" He carefully looks around the room, looking for any remaining signs of evil.
Together again
Shalelu's information and the work of the two holy men effectively brings an end to what can be achieved that day. Once things have settled with the sherriffs men patrolling the streets again, and Maree sleeping heavily under the watchful eyes of Father Zanthus, the group manages to re gather at The Rusty Dragon.
They have a choice to make now - Do they follow Tania's plan to draw the power from the pool and destroy the sinspawn that rise from it.
Or do they seal the pool as best they can for the moment, and move to engage the goblin threat as soon as possible.
Both involve risks, to their health and possibly to their relationship with folk in town. But it was evdent that a decision needed to be made sooner rather than later.
"With the aid of Master Flamebeard we were able to save Maree. I worry that this pool represents part of the evil that has taken root in this town. I'd like to stay on and help you cleanse the town. It does me little good to save Maree only to lose a town."
Durik sits calmly at his seat, thinking on the options before him.
"Having said that, I would prefer to destroy the sinspawn before the goblins. They seem much more dangerous and if left to grow may overwhelm us."
Mikka
A fork in the road
Three men had been sent, with their companion beasts to aid in tracking her mother, but only two returned and one of those had lost his companion. Mikka was asked to attend when the council met to find out what had happened.
It was the oldest of the hunters who spoke, a man in his fifties but still strong and fit, though now a tiredness hung around his body like a veil. A young woman whispered into Mikka's ear as the council came to order "He is not long for this world I'm afraid. The encounter with your mother broke his heart and his spirit. He was a great hunter, a man to walk the mountains with."
Mikka's new companion was a youngish woman, breasts ripe with milk for the child she nestled to her bosom. Her body had the rounded curves and slight fat that all women fresh with child carried, but Mikka could sense even greater health and growth from the girl.
Back at the council, the old hunter spoke "We tracked her, though she used everything she had to stop us. She moved far, and fast, jumping through the trees to lose the scent. It was only the eagle that had helped us in the end, though it cost the nolbe thing its life to do so. We came upon her in the giant lands, but she was prepared for us." He broke then, voice quavering with emotion and tears brimming at his eyes." She has started a new coven, drawing on the dark races to worship the goddess in her destructive aspect. We were set upon by many, goblins and Giants alike. It was no fight, just a desperate run by us to get back and warn you. It cost us one who has passed now, may his soul be judged by lady death and pass beyond swiftly." The hunter followed the Shoanti belief of not naming the fallen, lest their souls grow restless and come looking for those who spoke of them.
The coven broke down then, with much argument and cries of despair. One of their own had given up the aspect of neutrality and had begun a coven of destruction. Balance would waver, and the world they new would tremble.
The young woman shifted her child, though Mikka couldn't glimpse any real sign of the little one, just a hint of skin and the sound of suckling. "They will argue young one, long and hard, but in the end the coven will choose to do nothing. The risk is great and many here are too old to fight this evil."She leaned in then, and kissed Mikka full on the lips. There was nothing erotic about the kiss, merely a tender blessing and moment of intimate contact from one woman to another. "It will fall to you Mikka, to destory that wich your mother has created. She has sent one out into the world already, a goblin of power that draws from my womb without giving praise and recompense. Seek out those in the lands of the Varisian kings who would fight a growing evil. Their path lies parallel to yours. Seek for signs of the druids and shamans your mother has created and destroy them...for me."
The shouts and arguments from the coven grew loud and drew her attention for a moment, but she new instinctively that when she looked again, her goddess would be gone.
"The pool is being looked after for the time being. Our allies are being pressured to act, though, and any delay on our part will only put more pressure on them. In addition, the goblins are a more direct and immediate threat. We should take care of the goblins first."
Ooc- got one vote each way so far. Need a few more before I can progress things.
Wrath
Mikka's lips tingled from the divine energy of her beloved goddess, her soul elevated from the divine visit.
Filled with a new sense of purpose, she understood her role. While the coven would maintain balance, as it always had, hers was a different path. She would restore the greater balance by destroying her mother's abominations, vile creatures that defiled the natural order, draining and corrupting the natural beauty that Gozreh shared with her faithful.
She would seek those of like mind, venturing into the dark dank places to dispel and eradicate the foul taint of the growing evil that lurked in the shadows.
Mikka closed her eyes, a small smile creasing her beautiful young face as the wind played through her hair, the grove whispering a goodbye as she resolved to travel in search of her mother's dark work
Ooc- got one vote each way so far. Need a few more before I can progress things.
Jo'no
Garidan was glad to see the young wizard has survived another dangerous foray. He grasped Jo'no's hand in a warriors grip, nearly crushing the boys wrist as he did so.
He listened to the tale, particularly about the part where the pool was leaching fumes that could affect people. "I'm not sure my brother will listen to me lad. We have our ...differences. But I'll do as you say. If me and a few of the boys I know from the old days can get access to the Glassworks, then I'll see what we can do about sealing the thing."
As they finished discussing the situation, Jo'no's companions came in and sat down next to Shalelu. The Elven hunter had been sitting quietly near the rear of the tavern,and Jo'no hadn't even noticed her at first. He moved across and joined them for her tale.
All
Jo'no told the group of his plan to have the pool temporarily sealed while they dealt with the goblin menace. He made it clear that his prefernece would be to move against the goblins now, and deal with the pool later.
Tania listens intently to the tale of the elven huntress. She thinks for a bit, listening to the others' points of view.
"My preference is to warn Deverin about the pool and how to keep the town safe, then move on the goblins. The mayor has given us some gold to spend. 150 each. Is there anything we need that would require us to bundle those pieces? I can only think of some mean to cross to that rock, instead of climbing it."
Shalelu met the group at the Northern gates in the early hours of the morning. It looked to be a fine day, though both Shalelu and Idrian warned that rain was likely by the end of the day. They were geared up, rested and ready to tackle the new threat that the goblins posed the town. They were a formidable team, having proven themselves both in the intital goblin raid and below town, but this was an open assault on a fortified position.
Shalelu lead them inititally along the roads leading East. The land changed to rolling moor and hills, dotted with farmsteads and small flocks of sheep and goats. The farmers in this region were a hardy folk, standing independent from town as much as they could, and preferring to deal with their troubles in their own manner. Most of the farmsteads had fortifed walls and stone buildings, better to repel fire and random attacks by the local wildlife and odd goblin raid.
After half a days walking though, they were beyond the farms and into the thickets and briar patches of the Nettlewood. As the road crossed the Nettle River, Shalelu turned them from the path and moved them into the forest itself.
This was a wild wood, running thick with animal runs and the sounds of birds and exotic instects. Within minutes of entering, they were swarmed with blood sucking and stinging bugs, disturbed from their rest in the damp leaf litter of the floor. The light levels dropped noticably as the canopy overhead thickened with new grown leaves. The friendly banter that they had shared along the trip died down somewhat in this wild place, for all of them felt the savage nature of the land in here. Of all those that had worked to defend Sandpoint so far, only Mikka and Idrian felt truly at home in this part of the world.
Two long hours of trekking through thickets and skimming along game trails and Shalelu finally held up her hand to stop the group. She hunkered down and parted a cluster of branches before her, revealing a broad view of forest lined coastline dominated by a wooden fort built atop a lone rock. The group themselves were situated on a slight rise at one end of a curving bay, and they were proabably a good twenty minute walk before getting to the fort itself.
Shalelu spoke quietly "From this point on we are in Goblin territory. Any snound we make could bring them on us, so tread warily. I will take you as far as the briarwall this tribe built near the entrance to the bridge way. After that you're on your own. Good luck my friends, I'll return here and wait two days before giving you up for lost. Signal me with the green fire I gave to Idrian if you succeed. If you fail....well, carry aconcealed dagger to use on yourself so they don't take you alive."
Idrian nods his understanding.
Idrian nods his understanding.
Idrian
Feldspar looks warily about the wilds that they'd found themselves in and even more so at the fort in the distance.
"It's a lot of territory to cross without attracting eyes or ears," he whispers as softly as his gruff voice allows. "Is there any means of masking the noise a warrior like myself makes? Torag never asks us for silence, you know."
"I can cover our approach with a blanket of fog. It will limit our own visibility to that which is just before us but nothing outside will be able to see in. There is little I can do for the sound."
She looks at Feldspar with a rueful smile.
"I'm afraid I've nothing for sound either Feldspar, other than the basic fieldcraft I was able to pick up from my travels."
Durik smiles ruefully at Feldspar and Mikka.
"Is it going to be forest the whole way to these goblins?"
Feldspar smiles. "Fog cover could be quite useful; fog tends to muffle sound and being this close to the coast, it might not be so out of the ordinary. Still, it's comforting to know that they might be able to hear us coming but not actually find us."
He sighs as he looks out over the forest and nods in commiseration with Durik. "More forest than I would like but I suppose we can use it to hide us from view as well. I just wish it wasn't as like to hide sentries from us as well."
"We'll just arrange ourselves in a loose circle with Feldspar, Mikka, and Jo'no in the middle. We'll be spread out a bit, but it will allow us a better chance at noticing them in time to do something if your heavy footfalls brings their attention. Plus, if we are attacked we can fall back to your position."
Feldspar nods. "I bow to your experience in these matters, friend Idrian."
Tania nods: "Master Feldspar, perhaps it would be best, only for the approach, that you would come in last, so as to allow us to surprise them?"
Having decided on a rough battle plan, the party set out. Idrian and Shalelu led the way, both of them seemingly melting into the woodlands and moving with great stealth. Feldsapar, with his heavy armour and natural dwarven grace, fell in behind. Despite his best efforts, the heavy set Paladin snapped and cracked his way through the woods like some marauding beast.
They made slow progress then, with the two hunters picking out wider game trails and taking time to show everyone teh quietest routes to follow so they could close the gap. By the time they made it to the thicket wall, as Shalelu put it, it was late afternoon. She signalled for them to continue onwards, while she deftly clambered up the bole of the nearest tree to get a good vantage point of the fortres.
DM Wrath, you have used phrases like 'briar wall' and 'thicket wall'. Can I take that to indicate that someone with say Woodland Stride would have no problem with such an obstacle? If so, I suggest that Mikka take point.
Perception +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)
Stealth +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)
DM Wrath, you have used phrases like 'briar wall' and 'thicket wall'. Can I take that to indicate that someone with say Woodland Stride would have no problem with such an obstacle? If so, I suggest that Mikka take point.
Perception 1d20+11 +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)
Stealth 1d20+10 +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)
Idrian -
A vote of thanks
He opened the door to reveal a grim looking Daverin Hosk standing there with a large bundle in his hands and a bow strapped across his back. The big hunter didn't waste words, pushing his way firmly into the room and moving to place the bundle and weapon on the bed. He turned and looked at the Half elf, smiling for the first time.
"I heard you and your friends were going to take the fight to the damnable greenskins. After my run in with the bandits, and nearly losing Mauler like that, I've decided to give the hunting away. I'm getting too old, and my leg isn't able to hold up like it used to."
As if talking about it made him remember some old pain, the man sat down and rubbed at his left knee.
"I bought you these, since I'm feeling you'll have need of them where you're going. I haven't named the weapon, never really felt any need to. She's good and strong though, and draws a straight bead as you need it. Got some of the fey enchantments to it I reckon. The armour is quality stuff too. Old man Scarnetti gifted to me when I took the bounty on some goblins as raided one of his farms a few years back. Stopped the odd dog slicer it has, but good armour still."
He stood up and moved to the door then, assuming that Idrian would just accept the gifts at face value. When he entered the hall, he turned slightly and said "Thank you for saving Mauler lad. You and your friends take care in those woods you hear. These goblins aren't acting like any as I've known since I started hunting them. Don't get eaten.". With that he left.
Durik will move along with his bow strung and ready. Although comfortable traveling alone his usual paths didn't bring him this far into the wild, and he seems to be sweating even more than the day would account for.
I haven't been this far into the wild since the wagons. Stop! That demon's nightmares have gotten into my head. Exorcising it was a great service to the town of Sandpoint, and destroying that pool when we're done here will finish the job.
Feldspar moves slowly, warhammer close to hand and peering carefully at his surroundings.
Jo'no tries his best to be alert and stealthy.
Tania falls in line behind Idrian, leaving some room for the ranger and the druid to move without being noticed. She has her shortbow in hand and ready to fire.