SR's - Great Southern Isles (PbP) (Inactive)

Game Master stormraven

Straehan leans over to Fin and speaks quietly and kindly:

Ushari hears Fin talking in her native tongue and is surprised to find she can understand the elf girl's words. At first confused by her suspicious looks, she quickly demonstrates the tongues spell by speaking several words in Elvish and Common (even throwing several halfling words as well, as she realizes another language she can speak a pidgin of).

"First of all, Fin, I am so sorry about your family...I wish I could bring them back to you." She brushes a couple of tears from her eyes, and then continues, "I confess, I have no idea how you came to be on this world Miir, when your true home is up there." She points up to the night sky. "Perhaps there is a way to return you to your home world, but we will need more answers before we can help you find your way back there."

She hesistates, unsure how the elf girl will react, but decides she needs some comfort. She touches Fin's shoulder in a comforting gesture, "I know your experience with us round ears has not been a pleasant one, and I wish I could change what happened to you. I hope you won't hold the actions of a few evil bastards against myself, and Jayse. I would like to stay with you, Fin, and see you safely back to your homeworld."

Jayse emerges from his quiet reverie, hating to lose thus opportunity to for once actually communicate with the elf. "I'm sorry to hear about your family, Findelgwing. I can't imagine how hard this is for you. I'll be glad to help you if you wish to try to return home. If not, I'll gladly travel with you as long as our roads seem the same. You've proven a good traveling companion so far."

He sits quietly for a few minutes, making sure his few possessions are gathered in case they head out to their campsite, setting the strange stone in the middle of his forehead. "I wonder at what Ushari brought up. What in the world brought the four of us together in one ship? Though I guess we didn't necessarily come from the same ship if some strange magic brought us together. Still, it makes you wonder."

He looks back at their strange host, "As for our plans, we haven't really discussed much, but I was intending to help the town against this goblin problem as well as the Reaver one. Neither of those are things I wish to leave old Buli to alone. Your words raise as many more questions as they answer, but I appreciate the answers nonetheless."

Hearing the words that the others now not as noise but as actual words, Findelgwing becomes tense. Straehan's words seem to comfort her, but she eyes Ushari and Isolde with suspicion. The look in her eyes is as one trying to figure out if they have just been betrayed and to what end.

When Ushari reaches for her, it is too much too soon. She recalls all to well how easily the woman can conjure up tears and how she thought to deceive the old man by the sea. Before Ushari's hand can get anywhere near her, Fin flinches away from it. In her haste to get away from the table, she cuts herself when she grabs her father's sword by the blade and falls back from the table.

Cursing under her breath at the nick in her hand, she grabs her pack and begins to head for the door. When Jayse's words reach her, she hesitates for a moment. Without turning she says haltingly, "I... will be... by the pond."

At least there I know where I belong...

With that, she exits without slamming the door and walks silently into the night air, vanishing to contemplate what she has learned.

Ushari watches the young otherworldly elf girl leave, still stunned by her reaction. Clearly, she had pushed things too far...again. You must know when to push and when to wait...child The voice echoes within her mind, and it is gone.

Does this happen every time I try to bring comfort to those who are hurting? Does everyone think I am dishonest? Maybe I am. She feels a wave of depression overwhelm her, and blinks back more tears.

She nods to Jayse and Isolde, "I think I will retire now, this has been a long day...and I need some time to think about...what I have learned." She waves good night and, as an afterthought, says to Jayse, "You may want to try to comfort Fin later, I think she needs a friend now, but I don't think she would enjoy my company right now."

Just before she leaves the hut to head to her tent, she replies to Isolde, "I stand with Jayse on this, Forestal needs our help against the goblins and the Reavers."

After both of the girls leaves, Jayse turns to regard Straehan. "I don't know what Ushari expects me to say to Findelgwing. She doesn't seem to like or trust me much more than she does Ushari. I'm hesitant to break up our little group because I do think ther are answer to be had together. But I gotta say, if I liked and trusted my traveling companions as much as she does us, I wouldn't be with them. And it's a little hard to trust someone who treats you with such open hostility." He looks out of the door where both women left. "I guess she'll open up in her own time... or not. Should we go talk to her? I'm inclined to hit the sack. Thank you, Isolde, for the food and the answers, and I'm happy to discuss the rest of your requests - as per our agreement - whenever you're ready."

Straehan releases the breath he's been lightly holding since Ushari approached Fin suspecting it wouldn't go well. He pinches the bridge of his nose clearly frustrated. He addresses Jayse's comments.

"I don't know what to tell you, Jayse... Fin has a serious issue with humans based on, it seems, the pirates that slew her father. I don't think you or Ushari will have much success talking with her. Although, if it makes you feel any better, I think she trusts you a bit more than Ushari. I'm not even sure why she seems to like me so much, aside from the fact that I'm not human and I come across as defenseless."

"I told her that if she is staying solely for my benefit then I would rather help her get home and continue with you 'tall folks' on my own." He smiles tiredly, "I'll try talking to her but what can I say - 'Not all humans are bastard pirates deserving distrust if not death'?"

Jayse laughs, "Wasn't trying to get you to talk to her so much as hear what you had to say about it. Oh well. Like I said, either she'll stay or she'll go. We can't force her to get over her prejudices, if she doesn't want to."

Although Ushari doesn't notice it when she exits Isolde's hut, outside, Findelgwing had delayed heading back down to the lake. She remains hidden, ears attentive for what is said in her absence.

Who knows what they have been saying when I could not understand them. If they had a mind to pry out my thoughts without me offering, even after I have fought for and looked after them, they cannot object to me hearing what they say when they think I cannot hear...

With that, she maintains her silent stillness, considering and weighing all that is discussed within. Only after their words once again fade into gibberish and her ability to think in words vanishes with it, does the girl finally retire. Spreading her bedroll on a dry spot next to the comforting waters of the lake, she gazes silently at far off Eowynnane until sleep claims her.

Father, why am I here with these people...?

If someone should come outside clearly looking to talk with her, Findelgwing will snap a branch to get their attention. She then walks down to the lake with them so that they have some privacy and not wake the others. Not knowing the extent of the spell cast upon her, she's hoping that perhaps her watery friend will have additional insight he can offer if he overhears what is said.

Jayse laughs, "Wasn't trying to get you to talk to her so much as hear what you had to say about it. Oh well. Like I said, either she'll stay or she'll go. We can't force her to get over her prejudices, if she doesn't want to."

"The sad 'common thread' among all races is that unjust prejudices exist. While Isolde's spell lets us speak a common language with Fin, I'll talk to her and see if I can make some headway in building trust. Give some thought tonight to what our next move should be and why we are here. I find it beyond belief that we... well, let's just say there are just too many 'coincidences' here for my comfort."

He turns to Isolde, "If you have any advice for us, it would be good to hear your counsel in the morning before we set our course. Good evening and thank you for your efforts to uncover our pasts."

Straehan is about to leave, when he turns back to Jayse briefly, "I don't think I thanked you for letting me be your jockey and for keeping me safe... so, thank you. I really do appreciate all that you've done. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to return the favor someday."

Straehan leaves the hut and immediately goes in search of Fin. She conveniently alerts him to her position and leads him down to the lake. He is quite happy to take his boots off and dabble his toes in the lake. He gets right to the point, knowing that the spell could end at any time.

"Findelgwing, I don't know how long Isolde's spell will allow you to talk with me, so we have to make the most of it. I think, perhaps, you have some questions and worries. I would like to hear them and, if I can, address some of them before we go back to speaking in hand gestures or Ushari's - what I imagine is pretty poor - Elvish. So ask what you will and I will answer as best I can. Just bear in mind, I've had more than a few shocks myself today."

"Questions?" Findelgwing considers the word for a moment, then bites on her thumb as she considers what has been bugging her.

"How do you trust them?" She motions back towards the hut where they left Isolde, Jayse, and Ushari. "After we left the beach, the very first time they saw another round-ear, they tried to trick him. The man at least seems kind enough to carry you on his back, but something about him scares me. The woman, she just seems to panic and cry. I have a hard time knowing when she is honest or not. She's not much good in a fight either, and she makes my Mother's pretty language sound like a little monkey shrieking."

"The old woman," she pauses, "I thought maybe she would be good since the old men and the woman with clothes in the town seemed nice. But she cast this spell on me with no warning and suddenly all of you could understand when I was calling out in confusion. At least she introduced me to the spirit in the lake, it seems nice."

"Little brother Straehan, I cannot see them all yet, but when I sleep, I have dreams... Father, Mother, sisters, and my brother. I was the big sister, but when the pirates came... I– I think I ran away and hid. I was too scared to do anything and all I could do was watch. When I sleep I can still see them covered in blood, and the nasty dirty faces of those pirates. Until we woke up in the sea, those were the only people I ever saw beside my family. Whenever I see that man or the woman..."

She shakes her head, jaw set in frustration. "I don't know what to do, all I know is I can't ever run away again. I can't stand to have even more bad dreams, and all this noise in my head now from that old woman's spell... How do you and the others live with it? It isn't nice like singing, it– it's like confusion!"

The elf girl sighs heavily and turns her big green eyes on you. "You don't look like a dragon, you know, but you also look nicer than the short people in that town. Their noses were all too big. My little brother was good at making fire too... What do you think we should do, Straehan? I don't like these goblins, they act just like those pirates, but there's so many more of them."

Straehan matches the elf girl's seriousness. "Well, those are a lot of good questions, Fin. I probably don't have answers as good as your questions - but I'll try."

He thinks for a long moment. "Trust isn't easy. For me, with Jayse, it is a matter of evidence. Some of the exact same evidence that tells me to trust you, as a matter of fact. You are both stronger and faster than me... but neither of you ever left me behind - even when it probably would have been safer for you to do so. Jayse has carried me for a lot of miles and kept those goblin arrows from hitting me. And even though I was passed out, I know you had to be the one to carry me up the hill and through the hedge. You could have left me there and saved yourself - but you didn't. You also came back to protect me when I was fighting with those four goblins on the beach. You both had plenty of opportunities to protect yourselves by abandoning me and you haven't done it. So trusting you seems reasonable and is a risk that I choose to take, even though I barely know you."

"Being able to really talk with people helps too. I've been talking with Jayse for over a week now - hearing what he says and how he says it. You get a good feel for people that way. I'm sure it has been very hard for you to trust any of us just because we can't communicate with you very well. I think that is why Isolde cast that spell, to make it possible for us to really talk... and maybe she was just tired of translating so much." He smiles and continues, "I think she should have warned you about what she was doing. I don't know how she sounds in Aquan but in Common she is a bit strange. I think she isn't used to dealing with people very much and so she probably didn't think about what it would be like for you to suddenly be able to understand and speak with us."

He collects his thoughts for a moment, "As for Ushari... well, in truth, I don't quite understand her. I think, perhaps, she is having a hard time dealing with our strange circumstances. In odd situations, sometimes people just react without really thinking about what they are doing. And sometimes those reactions are hard to understand." He shrugs and gives her an apologetic smile, "If I manage to figure the girl out, I will let you know."

Straehan brightens up, "I CAN answer your question about languages though. Apparently, I speak seven of them as far as I can tell - sadly not Aquan. Your ears get used to listening to them... provided you learned the languages and not just instantly have the ability to understand them. But you have to admit this spell is handy. I can't imagine that you and I could pantomime this conversation and I'm sure you don't want to hear more of Ushari's monkey screechings."

Straehan gets serious once more, "Regarding the goblins... Jayse wants to fight them and protect the town. I agree with him. This tribe of goblins apparently grows large from time to time and the townsfolk have to fight them off. I think fighting them by ourselves would be tricky but, with the townsfolks' help, we should be able to do it. The questions we need to face tomorrow are - should we go back to town immediately and let them know what we've found and what Isolde has said about the tower's shadow growing? Should we investigate some more before we head back? If so, what and where? And... what kind of tasks does Isolde have in mind for us?"

"I'm very sorry about your family and your dreams, Fin. I know that isn't any comfort. I hope that other members of your family survived. That may be part of the memories you are missing. I can understand that you have a hard time trusting humans, if the only ones you've met are pirates and killers. All I can say is that not all humans are pirates. And some of the Reavers I saw on that boat definitely weren't human - so clearly evil isn't limited to a particular race. And, finally, you've met a few decent humans here. Buli, the old man on the beach, is very nice and he fought alongside you. Personally, I think Jayse is worthy of trust... but you'll have to reach your own decision."

Jayse thanks the woman one more time before stepping out into the night. His mind pulls and tugs at all the information the woman gave. Both for himself and the others.

Straehan is right. It is more than coincidental that the four of us with so strange of paths should find ourselves adrift in the same storm. He walks while he thinks, first checking on the already slumbering Ushari, then continuing to make a circuit of their camp and the woman's house. While it seemed unlikely - remembering the events with the goblins earlier - that they would be around, but it seemed second-nature to be careful. Carelessness kills as easily as ignorance.

Perception (for goblin footprints - not that I anticipate finding any) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18.

When he's done with his circuit, he settles in to wait between the two tents, staff across his knees. He let's his senses drift as his mind focuses on the problem of their mysteries, the power stone strangely warm on his forehead.

"Well, those are a lot of good questions, Fin. I probably don't have answers as good as your questions - but I'll try."

Fin nods and pulls her knees up to her chest with her arms. She sits with her right elbow atop her knee, resting her hand on her left shoulder, chin on her forearm.

"Trust isn't easy. ... and is a risk that I choose to take, even though I barely know you."

The girl nods and comments, "Hmm, I'm not used to dealing with people much either. I guess I can see that..."

"As for Ushari... well, in truth, I don't quite understand her... If I manage to figure the girl out, I will let you know. ... I can't imagine that you and I could pantomime this conversation and I'm sure you don't want to hear more of Ushari's monkey screechings."

A quiet laugh escapes Findelgwing. At first she nods in gratitude to Straehan's offer to explain Ushari if he figures her out, then shakes her head 'no' at the mention of more of the woman's 'elvish'.

"Regarding the goblins... Jayse wants to fight them and protect the town. I agree with him. ... The questions we need to face tomorrow are - should we go back to town immediately and let them know what we've found and what Isolde has said about the tower's shadow growing? Should we investigate some more before we head back? If so, what and where? And... what kind of tasks does Isolde have in mind for us?"

"The people in town seem nice mostly. I wouldn't want my friends there to get hurt by those..." she scrunches up her face and asks, "gob-lins?"

She shakes her head. "No, those goblins just attack people for no good reason, they are no better than those pirates! If Jayse and you want to help protect the people in town, I will help. But," she motions back towards the hut with her head, "I think we will have to tell the old woman that we might have to wait on some of her payment until we help the town. She has those plants to help protect her, I think she would still be okay even if it takes us a while. That tower? Who knows what we can do about that. Goblins though," she pats her sword with a bandaged hand, "I can figure out what to do about them!"

"I'm very sorry about your family and your dreams, Fin. I know that isn't any comfort. I hope that other members of your family survived. That may be part of the memories you are missing."

She sighs and pats the spot over her heart with her hand. "It would be nice to think that was true, but this pain tells me it's not..."

"I can understand that you have a hard time trusting humans, if the only ones you've met are pirates and killers. All I can say is that not all humans are pirates. And some of the Reavers I saw on that boat definitely weren't human - so clearly evil isn't limited to a particular race. And, finally, you've met a few decent humans here. Buli, the old man on the beach, is very nice and he fought alongside you. Personally, I think Jayse is worthy of trust... but you'll have to reach your own decision."

Findelgwing stands up, towering over her 'little brother' where he sits. The look on her face as she gazes up at the stars is one of melancholy crossed with determination. She finally looks back at Straehan, takes two steps over to him and drops to her knees practically crushing him as she hugs him to her chest, giving him a sisterly kiss atop his head. "Jayse has been helping you, and that old man and some others were nice. Little Brother Straehan, you know strangers better than I do so I'll trust you about him, give him a chance. If he wants to keep that woman around, then I guess I'll put up with her too."

Before Straehan can suffocate in her bosom, she sits back on her heels, long hands on his narrow shoulders. "Thank you for talking with me, it was nice even if it is still kind of confusing with all these words."

"The people in town seem nice mostly. I wouldn't want my friends there to get hurt by those..." she scrunches up her face and asks, "gob-lins?"

He nods, "Yes, Goblin is their name in Common. There are an awful lot of innocent children in town in addition to your friends. They need to be protected as well. I think there is a special place in Hell for beings that hurt children."

She... drops to her knees practically crushing him as she hugs him to her chest, giving him a sisterly kiss atop his head. "Jayse has been helping you, and that old man and some others were nice. Little Brother Straehan, you know strangers better than I do so I'll trust you about him, give him a chance. If he wants to keep that woman around, then I guess I'll put up with her too."

Straehan is surprised by the show of fierce affection but belatedly returns the hug. "I think if you could speak with him as much as I have, he wouldn't be so much of a stranger to you. We'll have to work on our language skills so we can all talk easier. I, for one, would like to learn your tongue."

He catches Fin's eye and winks, "As for Ushari, human or not, I imagine Jayse finds her as confusing as we do." He laughs, "I think we all met purposefully, Fin, though I can't imagine what that purpose is. Because of that, I think our best chance of figuring out why each of us is here is by sticking together."

"I guess that is a problem for tomorrow though... and I've already got too many things on my mind after hearing what Isolde had to say. But I've enjoyed talking with you and I'm glad you've chosen to save my small ass on at least two occasions. So thank you and sleep well, Findelgwing." He kisses the back of her hand and meanders up to their small campsite in the dark - a curious little figure.

Straehan wanders slowly across the lawn, trying to make sense of the vast collection of puzzle pieces they've been presented. So, the goblins act up, the Tower's shadow grows, and we arrive - all 'recent' events. Are any of them linked? We all have the same type of memory loss. We all come from distant locations. Foreigners don't seem common here. If we were all strangers beforehand then we all happened to be on the same ship. How improbable is that? Or maybe some or all of us knew each other before - in which case those memories are gone. That's 'convenient'. Who or what could strip our memories? What would be the purpose of it?

As his brain flits from question to question, Straehan realises (as Jayse and Ushari have) that even though he has learned quite a bit, he now has far more questions and a greater understanding of how truly little he knows. It is on this thought he is dwelling when he is surprised by the monk holding vigil between a couple of tents.

"Hullo, Jayse! Are you waiting for me or just waiting?"

Jayse - as expected you find no evidence of goblins in the glade.

"Mostly just waiting. Or listening, really. Not enough light to see much. I just don't like not having a pair of eyes on the night when in a strange land. I'll be in bed in a few hours. That should give me enough sleep to be fine tomorrow. Feel free to crash or hang out here with me. Either way."

I don't have anything specific Jayse wants to talk about; just being overprotective.

Straehan nods and looks around, evaluating the terrain. "If anything unfriendly can sneak in here, I'd be surprised. I think Thrane was right that she really doesn't need any help - at least in terms of defending her home. But I like your caution. Good night, Jayse. I hope the information she gave you was a bit less grim than some of the surprises I heard today." He crawls into his tent, leaving Jayse alone with his thoughts.

Fin - if you want to have a convo with either the water elemental or Jayse, let me know, otherwise I'll trip the FF button.

Before Straehan can disappear into the tent, Jayse stops him. "Straehan. What do you know of the Bolline? The words Isolde spoke in the Bolline tongue... well... they were troubling. She said the mainlanders feared my people because they were killers. Well, actually she said assassins. Even the word, 'Bolline' refers to a kind of blade. Is that what we are? Blades?" Then, quieter, "Is that what I was doing on the boat?"

Halfway in his tent, he re-emerges at Jayse's words. "I don't have any memories about your people or that name. I don't even have a feeling about it... But I wouldn't be surprised if you were trained as an assassin. Not because of anything you've said or done, but because there seem to be a few dark secrets among us."

He thinks for a moment before adding quietly, "When Isolde told me about my 'sire' and my wandering, I had no doubt she was correct. It just felt 'right'. It also conjured up for me certain... emotions. I don't know what I was doing on that boat or in these islands but I have a strong idea what drives me. I think my wandering has been an attempt to locate my 'father' - so that I can kill him." He gives Jayse a haunted look. "So if you are a trained assassin then you are in good company, traveling with a patricidal gnome. Yes, your people may be blades... and so might we. The memory loss could just be a way to ensure we can be wielded in any direction desired. But who is the wielder?"

Go ahead and FF, I figured Fin would sleep on things.

Ushari sleeps...but her rest is not a pleasant one. Strange dreams, and images flow through her mind, from her dancing with tall elves, then flying through the air like a bird, drowning and gasping for air, then finally feeling a claw slicing her throat open, she sobs for breath as her lifeblood pours out of her...then darkness....

Others outside hear moaning and the sounds of someone thrashing, as if in the throes of a nightmare.

AND....FF time, he he.

The next morning Fin is delighted to find her bow and other equipment leaning against the big oak, no worse for wear. Any other lost equipment is also found there, along with a selection of arrows and crossbow bolts. You are re-equipped.

Ushari senses something strange about the tree but can't quite put her finger on it. Straehan stares at the big oak, seeing something decidedly odd. It takes him a moment to figure it out. The tree has moved. It appears to have been rotated on its axis. A low sweeping branch that was pointing towards the lake last night is now aimed at the hut. Straehan mentions it to Jayse but has no time to investigate this further as Isolde appears bearing food. She sets out a light breakfast of fruits and porridge on the lawn by the lake.

The group eats in silence, enjoying the pleasant spot, or lost in their own thoughts. As everyone finishes, Isolde says, "Time to talk of decisions. What do you intend to do?"

Straehan chimes in, "Isolde, could you ask Fin if it would be alright if you cast that speech spell on her again? This will be easier if we are all speaking Common."

Isolde nods, speaks with Fin briefly, gets her permission, and casts the spell. "So you have slept and thought. Now what will you do?"

Findelgwing looks about at everyone else. She then swallows hard and speaks pounding her fist into her hand for emphasis, "I don't know what we can do about that strange tower, but there are people and children in town who are in danger because of these goblins. I do know what good a sword and bow and fire can do there though."

She looks up, her green eyes aflame. "Even if the things you said to us hurt, we still should pay you back. The town though, they don't have the magic trees and the lake spirit like you do. They said you have been safe in the past when the goblins start fighting. So right now, I say we need to help the town first. When that is done, you will still be here and we can still help you with work."

"Maybe by then, someone will have an idea about that strange old tower too."

As an after-thought she adds, "Also, I think we owed the people in town first before we owed you..."

Isolde nods, agreeing with the wisdom of Fin's words. "Like a tide, time after time, the Goblins surge and threaten to pour over Forestal. It is right to defend them. But it is also good to know how big that wave may be before it arrives - to scout their forces and learn their numbers. In years past, they attacked when their numbers were over one hundred. I do not think their numbers are so many or even more would have prevented you from finding me. To know how many there are would tell you how soon the wave crashes on Forestal. Would that answer be worth pursuing before returning to town?"

Ushari looks up at the others, and her eyes are ringed by dark circles, a testament to the sleepless night she had. Her gaze roams over to her companions and she sighs quietly, "Fin is right, the goblins need to be stopped, as they are the most immediate threat."

She then looks at Fin, and Fin notices the look of guardedness back in her eyes, however she responds without rancor, "Fin, that tower is a dangerous place, but when I experienced my vision earlier, I did see several portals that lead to different places. Since you came from a different world, the tower may hold the key to returning you there."

She shifts her attention to the others, "If we do decide to attempt to breach the tower, we must be cautious, I felt the presence of...a being...I can only describe as IT" She shudders at the memory.

In response to Isolde's suggestion, she nods in agreement, "I must admit, I am not very effective when it comes to shedding blood, perhaps a scouting mission would be wiser. It certainly fits my talents more than toe to toe fighting does."

Isolde shakes her head with alarm. "The tower has no entrance that I have seen. And the Shaudran portals were created by their spellcasters. They are not... hm... permanent gates. It is very dangerous to go near their Towers, more so to enter one if a way can be found. They are an old power. But the goblins have a cave near the Tower. That is their nest, source of their flood when it comes. There you could learn their numbers and perhaps why they are stirred up now. Maybe it has a connection to the Tower, maybe not. This would be an answer, I would value."

"It sounds like a good plan to me, too. Isolde, did you want us to deliver those potions to the town? We could drop those off, update Thrane, them head out to scout."

"We are closer to the goblin's cave than Forestal. It would take less time for you to see the cave first then return to Forestal. If you learn why they attack now, open the box and tell me. Here." In addition to the 8 healing potions she gave them for the town, she adds another 4 potions. These are not the thick nasty liquid found in the other vials but a lighter, frothier, and pleasant smelling mix. "In case, you are hurt, drink these. They are potent. Use from the other eight as well if you are in need."

Isolde shakes her head with alarm. "The tower has no entrance that I have seen. And the Shaudran portals were created by their spellcasters. They are not... hm... permanent gates. It is very dangerous to go near their Towers, more so to enter one if a way can be found. They are an old power. But the goblins have a cave near the Tower. That is their nest, source of their flood when it comes. There you could learn their numbers and perhaps why they are stirred up now. Maybe it has a connection to the Tower, maybe not. This would be an answer, I would value."

Ushari glances at Isolde, and nods in agreement, "I know it is dangerous, Isolde, and I wasn't suggesting we go there now, maybe if we have recovered more of our past memories." She considers Isolde's remarks about the connection between the Tower and the goblins, then adds, "If the Tower and the goblin activites are related, then it could explain why the goblins are attacking outside their usual predicted cycles. We have to find out for sure."

Isolde looks to Ushari, "I did not understand you rightly then. There are a few Shaudran structures in the Isles, many more on the Mainland. A couple can be entered, though they are strange. This Tower - I have never found an entrance for it and it seems ageless. Around any Shaudran building, care is needed. This one, I think, should be left alone. It watches and breathes, unlike any of their buildings I have seen."

"If the Tower and the goblin activities are related, then it could explain why the goblins are attacking outside their usual predicted cycles. We have to find out for sure."

"Yes. What has poked their nest? This would be good to know."

Ushari replies to Isolde, "These Shaudran structures may also hold the key to how we came together as a group...Once we have resolved the goblin threat, we should find another structure and see if any clues can be found therein."

Isolde frowns, "I cannot advise you on that course of action. Perhaps it will prove to be the right choice."

"Well, I...I don't know, Isolde. It may be the right choice, but it could lead to all of our deaths." She sighs, her frustration at the lack of answers showing on her pretty face.

She takes a few calming breaths, "I just need to have patience...I am sure a path will present itself eventually."

Their course chosen, the companions pack quickly. Isolde walks with them back to the hedge. She says, "To find the cave, follow the Tower's shadow. You will cross the trail and continue into the foothills beyond. You should be at the cave before this day ends. I have sent friends wide and far. On this side of the trail, there are no goblins nearby but that may change. Safe journey."

The hedge opens allowing the heroes through. No trace of the goblins remain save the skulls posted on the rootlings. As soon as they descend the hill, they immediately feel the cold touch of the Tower despite the sunny day. Isolde waves goodbye and vanishes through the closing hedge. Her falcon sits on a tree branch watching the heroes. Kwee! Kwee kwee! They turn and head off beneath the unseen eyes of the Tower.

Isolde is as good as her word... they travel quickly for several hours seeing no sign of goblins. At noon they reach and cross the trail between Forestal and Colona. The oppressive feeling of the Tower lands on them like a shroud. As they sneak up through the foothills, within a dozen miles of the Tower, they each attempt to view the Tower more closely, only Fin and Straehan can lock eyes on the structure for any length of time. The oppression of the place even effects Jayse. Fortunately, their focus is something more earth-bound - goblins. Whether by luck or skill, they avoid encountering any of the locals.

As evening is just beginning to fall, the heroes find and follow some obvious tracks into a narrowing culvert sprinkled with trees. They creep closer, finding the entrance to a cave guarded by a pair of goblins. They manage to remain unobserved.

Plans? How would you like to handle it?

Overview

Jayse takes in the situation, then whispers as quietly as he can to the others, "I say Findelgwing and Ushari shoot at the one on the left while Straehan and I will shoot for the right." While speaking, he points and gestures, hoping to get the message to the elf as well. "If either still stand, I'll try to rush in and subdue them before they can cry out. Unless someone has a better idea."

Seeing Jayse readying his attck, then pointing to targets and members of their team, Fin nods and does the same. She then elbows Ushari to make certain that she is paying attention to Jayse and waits for his signal so they can all fire at the same time. (i.e. everyone should delay to fire on the same initiative count.)

Twang 110' 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
dmg 1d8 ⇒ 5

Jayse is so surprised by Findelgwing's vote of confidence that his bolt flies wide.

Cossbow 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
1d8 ⇒ 1

Then he prepares to charge downhill if either still stands after the surprise attack is launched.

Ushari rubs her side where the elbow struck. By the gods, that elbow was sharp! She nods and draws her bow while nocking an arrow, wishing she could move in closer for a more deadly shot, but not willing to risk being seen.

Shortbow 60' 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Evil-doers beware! Jayse 'Steady Shot' is on the prowl!

Though it looks like Ushari showed up to play today. Along with Fin, as usual. :)

Jayse's shot cracks off the rock entrance, distracting the left goblin so much that both Fin's and Ushari's arrow sink deeply, nearly felling the wiry little beast. He's at 0 HP. Straehan, inexplicably, almost manages to miss the gobbo with his magic missile, doing precious little damage.

Fortunately, surprise has worked in the heroes favor. Jayse and Straehan, despite their poor initial showings, have a chance to redeem themselves before the Goblins have a chance to think...

ROUND 1

ORDER: Jayse, Straehan, Goblins, Fin, Ushari

Battle Map: Goblin Cave

Jayse rushes down the hill in a low crouch, grasping for the untouched goblin, trying to get a hand over his mouth before it can cry out.

Move to AT-6.
Grapple 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Geez! what is with these rolls?

These guys are flat-footed, right? and blind? and bound up?

Don't forget to mention gimps. They are clearly gimps with half the strength and none of the dexterity or cunning of your average goblin. They just got lucky on their 1st level HP, that's all. Right, RIGHT?!

BTW, can you charge on a grapple? Seems like it happens all the time in the NFL. If so then that would be another +2 on Jayse's attack roll...

I believe you can attempt a grapple as part of a charge. Since Jayse described his approach as semi-stealthy I figured he didn't want to charge in. However, he may have just been unaware of the charging option... and since his blow missed by a single point, he might want to reconsider his tactic. :) Whaddaya say, Jayse? Charge or let the roll stand?

Psh - Chaaaaaarge!

Jayse charges the goblin and manages to get a steel-handed grip around the little beast's throat, hearing it squeak and choking off its speech.

Straehan, wanting to save his spells for possible future threats, charges in as well... wicked black claws extending from his delicate fingers. He barely manages to close the distance with the goblin, raking a single set of claws against the hissing creature's belly, opening a bloody wound.

The snarling little creature drops its bow and struggles against the massive monk's grip in a bid for freedom! It realises, from its inability to pry a single finger off its throat and the amused smile on the human's face that it cannot escape his vice-like grip. It reaches for its shortsword...

The staggered goblin, turns and attempts to flee (slowly) into the tunnel, clinging to the left wall for support and cover, quickly disappearing into the dark entrance...

Fin - with your low-light vision, you can just barely make the goblin in the tunnel out (the sliver at AM3), but from this angle you can't fire on him. If you move a single square right you would have enough of a target.
Ushari - you cannot see the goblin in the tunnel at all. Concealment applies.

ORDER: Jayse, Straehan, Goblins, Fin, Ushari

Battle Map: Goblin Cave

Retcon moment - I forgot to mention this earlier - Isolde provides you with torches for the cave.

Jayse watches the injured thing scamper into the darkness, "Straehan, if Fin and Ushari don't down that one, can you bring it down with your magic? We can't let them get a warning off."