"OK, then we shouldn't wander too far off. There could still be dangers out here."
May volunteers for a late watch, maybe the last one.
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The party goes on through the evening and people start to get tired and bed down for the night. The drawbridge is raised and you set minimal watches for what is a relatively quiet night.
In the morning, as the first light peeks over the wall, the sounds of the crows fill the air as they pick over the remains outside the walls.
Your next move?
Is Kella still with us?
"I think the first order of business should be looking for the villagers. Making sure that as many as possible make it back home."
If Kella is still here, "If the Zhentarum does have good intentions, this would be a good time for them to show it. Also, thank you for your help against the orcs."
Lets take extra food in case they did not take enough to eat. Dalron starts to pack supplies for the trip.
"You have followed through on our deal and we shall too. You are free to report back to your masters."
Sliver final makes preparations to find the townsfolk.
"You have followed through on our deal and we shall too. You are free to report back to your masters."
Mayberry wakes up in a great mood , and sings a few ditties you are sure are only appropriate for the drunkenness of a bar, as we pack up and head out.
Oghren helps Dalron with packing up some dried food to take.
Eerie emerges from wherever it was that he stayed for the night somber and with crazy, wide eyes. The somberness is visible through his hunched body language and the obviously forced smile on his face. He also seems to be trying to hide a slight limp in his walk and a wince as he moves around through a cheek and eyebrow twitch. If anyone approaches him or even passes close by, he flinches as if seeming to expecting an attack. Though, he looks packed and ready to go.
Dalron being concerned for Eerie
"Eerie is evey thing ok? Did you have a rough night? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Eerie mumbles barely audibly, "My lord spoke to me last night." He then quivers, clearly afraid.
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Kella nods to Sliver once he gives her confirmation and packs up her things, I will inform Snail and we will send support. Xelbrin's loss will be a mark against the town, but I should be able to convince him that Xelbrin brought it on himself.
Come morning, she bids you all goodbye and actually wishes you all luck in finding the residents of Nightstone.
A few hours later, the guards have managed to find one of the pack animals that survived in the stables and hooked it up to a cart. Once they have loaded the Lady Nandar's body into it, they too ready to leave. Sydiri gives each of you a hug, even tries, though hesitant, to hug Eeerie and wishes you all well. She says that the journey will take them two tendays, and hopes to see you when they return. Kaelan laughs and bids you all farewell, heroes of Nightstone...
Snow wakes early and is packed quickly. Watching the others while she sips on a cup of water flavored by a few leaves of milt by she found. Watching everyone as she did most of the previous night of celebration. She seems quite interested in Eerie, Mayberry, and Kella though. Those tend to be the targets of her attention most of the time.
When she hears Kella’s response to Silver before leaving, Snow slips out the door to meet the leaving Kella. ”Perrhaps you can convince Snail that extorrrtion is a terrrrible way to gain influence as well. Trrravel well young Wolf.” tabaxi says referencing what Snow assumes is Kella’s rank with the Zhentarim.
Sniw enteres the building once again and resumes her seat. Waiting for the moment when they are ready to leave.
Eerie flinches, but allows it.
"Eerie are you able to speak of it? If you prefer not to I understand. Just know if you needed to talk with someone I am here for you."
poor man so much suffering he has to bare. I will add him to my prayers and maybe Ilmater will give guidance.
Aukan is lounging by the fire and calls after Kella
Your friends in the Zhentarim are welcome to test my axe anytime!
To see if Mayberry notices Snow watching her, which she does not. She would otherwise be encouraging the group to get packed and get going, trying to help out when possible.
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Kella gives a curt nod to Snow and an uneasy smile to Aukan as she shoulders her pack and leaves.
You load up on supplies, taking food and drink from the inn, then head out North into the hills.
Sliver is able to easily follow the mass of tracks left by the villagers, despite the time that has passed. As you crest the first hill, you see the three corpses of the orcish war drummers, each riddled with elvish arrows.
It takes a few hours to find the destination, but two hours in, Sliver notices that several goblin tracks are mixed in.
You now find yourselves near the top of a hill, overlooking a cave system. Sliver is certain that the tracks go into that cave, and as you get closer, Sliver notes more and more goblin tracks.
--
What's the plan?
"It looks like there could be goblins. Take whatever precaution you need." Sliver goes into the cave.
”These poorrr folk. Firrrst giant boulderrrs frrrom the sky, now goblins in thierrr rrrefuge. “ Snow prepares to pick her way carefully into the cave.
but seems to slip on loose stone and cause a small avalanche of other stone.
"Silver Can you tell how many goblins there are?"
Dalron feels a twinge of power from Ilmater giving him sight beyond his normal sight.
"Not specifically. Several to many." Sliver comes to a sudden stop and motions for everyone else to stop and quiet down. "There's someone just inside the cave. Very large and.... bathing? I'll try to get closer." Sliver sneaks a closer look.
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Sliver, you move forward to get a better look...
The form within the cave turns to peer outside and you see that it is an ogre that looks like he is taking a mud bath! It emerges from the pool and moves toward you, mud caked all over the lower 3/4 of his body!
What would you like to do? You are far enough away that you think that you might be able to escape... OR we can roll initiative!
Use Hunter's Mark before shooting at ogre. Then retreat back to the safety of Oghren.
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Okay, you can't go after that, so...
Sliver almost curses as the arrow was not as true as he hoped, but it thunks into the ogre, eliciting a roar of pain!
The ogre curses in its own tongue and calls back into the cave! Soon you see goblins pour out into the hills!
You have two options: Group Stealth to lose them in the hills, or Initiative and fight them all.
I will give you all the day to discuss, since some of us probably think the site is still down.
I seem to have misunderstood the number of goblins that could be about. I was thinking about a dozen. Now it sounds like three or four times that number. About how many are we seeing?
Keep in mind that goblins are my favorite enemy type.
So we’re beset by how many goblins? May stage whispers as she completely mistakes the ogre for a stalagmite.
in case it come up
Oghren is keeping his non-stealthing butt at a distance to await word for the scouts. Then he hears a roar from inside the cave and a ton of cave roaches running out from the cave. As much as he'd like to kill a couple to see if this cave had the villagers, he knows it's a numbers game.
Oghren knows something big is still in the cave but needs to see the actual number of goblins before making any rash decisions.
Dropping his head and shaking it.
"Sounds like someone kicked over an ant hill. More suffering to endure."
Trying to get a count of the goblin's
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You would estimate that for the amount of time that has passed, you would expect that most of them would still be alive, albeit hungry, tortured, and tired...
Welp, May cracks her fingers and considers the best spell for what's coming up. She lets the up front fighters get ahead.
The ogre's going to be an issue, but the number of goblins doesn't scare me. I'm for fighting and rescuing the villagers.
Sliver would tell what he knows. All can read the spoiler.
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Cease the clamour of hammer’s fall,
Smoother the forge’s fire tall,
Quell the merry stirrings of song,
“Battle beckons!” Iron bells have rung!
Burden the touch of armour cold!
Burden the call of trumpets bold!
Grasp the handle of axe and shield!
Lo! Death shall reign upon the field!
O’Flames! O’Forge! O’Hammer's Fall!
Lo’ in battle should fate be met!
Grim the hour our death is set!
Lo’! Shall thou guide us when we fall?
To our father’s keep! To thy hall!
Singe thy beard with spirit’s ire!
Set to roaring the blood’s fire!
Forth we march out against our foes!
Death to enemies! Feast for crows!
Lo’ in battle should fate be met!
Grim the hour our death is set!
‘Ere blade is broken and shield tore!
Issue forth a fierce Dwarven roar!
Singe thy beard with spirit’s ire!
Set to roaring the blood’s fire!
Forth we march out against our foes!
Death to enemies! Feast for crows!
Now we're ready for battle!
Just as soon as May can see around that stalagmite. That seems to be moving....
Dalron moves forward and as soon as the ogre comes with in 60', he casts spiritual weapon.
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Okay, we are going to eyeball this one! Theater of the MIND! *bwoosh*
Ogre, as previously rolled => 0
Initiative Order
Goblins -> Party (Sliver/May -> Snow -> Oghren -> Aukan -> Eeerie -> Dalron) -> Ogre
So the goblins charge forward and begin shooting arrows from their little bows!
The goblin's arrow sticks in the dwarf's arm!
This arrow sticks in Oghren's armor, but does not pierce it.
The goblin's arrow deflects off the goblin's shield!
The goblin's arrow causes the warlock to scramble out of the way!
Snow deftly dodges, twisting and turning as three arrows fly her way!
Sliver ducks the pair of arrows aimed at him!
May ducks, an arrow narrowly missing her! Then another flies wide!
Aukan screams his challenge as a pair of arrows thud into the ground at his feet!
Dalron looks intently at the ogre, a prayer repeated on his lips!
Okay, your turn!
Sliver takes another shot at the ogre.
only if ogre is already damaged.
Snow leaps forward and attacks the ogre with measured restraint while focusing on her abilities to maneuver away from attacks.
1 ki point, Bonus Action - dodge action