Larayn moves towards her group, looking a bit unsure and begins to nod at each person in greeting.
"Hello friend Narnel and Elinor."
"Bryndyn, I have lived here and I have great respect for your people." "Nicodemus, welcome to our part of the world."
"Harlynn, greetings--I know so little of your kind."
"So at first light then we will head for, um Bryndn do you know how to get to said hole?"
"Maybe we need a map from Sem Dumas?"
"Sorry I can get a bit chatty when facing the unknown, please don't take it as any sign of weakness. Elinor I will gladly brandish my scimitar if needed"
Larayn finally quits talking and takes a deep breath and her face takes on a look of determination.
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Addressing Elinor, the Lady softens her demeanor slightly and tells her, I took the liberty of anticipating your acceptance, each of you, and have established 3 separate expense accounts with Mister Tregon. Though it will make your departure somewhat later, I do not think a few hours should matter much.
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Abbas leaves and falls asleep in the waiting room on his couch. The staff is hugged to his chest and his legs bend and drape over one arm.
His mouth is wide and the snoring rises and falls gently.
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The following morning Abbas sleeps in unless woken. He will skip breakfast to head for his friend's trading store with the others.
"Scimitar?" Elinor looks puzzled then her face clears. "Oh, the sneaky southerner's weapon for fighting around corners."
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When Elinor speaks to him in the speech of his race, he holds his head high and bows.
sia dask ui munthrek. jaciv adopted ve lae vi dretri, shar si shilta renthisj wer ooblei di sia race lae algbo.
Before he can elaborate, Narnel introduces himself and asks what skills he has.
I am skilled with the crossbow and this mace he lifts both heavy weapons in turn as he continues but I am skilled with beasts and trails and can guide you through the land to this place you seek.
At this point, Layryn ask about the distance to the hole.
It is not far he answers cryptically. But of more import is my folk look upon this place with...tekilek...what you say...respect. It is an old place, with old secrets. I welcome helping Mistress Ilyssia and you, but it must be with respect. We should not anger this place. It will not be welcomed.
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The evening passes with no further events of interest. You arrive at Yancar's shop with no trouble. Abbas is able to make introductions, and though Yancar does not seem inclined to offer a discount, (after all it is not your money, he says) he is inclined to provide the better of what he has. Put that rope back, this one is a better grade, and for the same money why would you not choose it? Yes, yes, lots of dried food, but I like this one the best. All of them will keep you fed, but that one there, well maybe you would rather not eat, but this one is okay. Wait I have a better...
Bryndyn is able to offer that though he has never been in the Devil's Hole, that it is just what it sounds like, a large hole in the ground.
Vysni calls to the group going to the herbalist as they leave, It is good that you are taking Pluchak with you. I cannot imagine him good for much more than a shopping trip and scaring old ladies from thier flower beds. Did he tell you lot how he beat me up... While I was passed out. Watch your back with him. I will be back shortly to tell you what mischief his people are up to. With the exception of the dwarves, his party appears embarrassed by his behavior but none intervene either.
@ Larayn My kind? Well my dear. My kind is human and if you do not know about the most abundant race in all of Galorian. May the gods help you. He says gently with a wink
@DM.
Pluchak clenched his jaw and stopped walking out. His muscles bulged and his shirt rolled. His teeth seemed to slightly lengthen and the nails on his hands did the same. He turned and took a look at Vysni. "You are right, I scare old ladies."
But then he relaxed and shrugged it off and stomped off down the road to put some distance between them so he would not tear his throat out. Differences aside, he would do more good taking out a few undead coming their way than he would becoming one of them.
Aidan narrows his eyes at the warning. Careful whom you insult, friend. You may cast doubt upon Pluchak with your ignorance, but do not tarnish our quest with your petty bickering. If we are simply shopping, then you are a coward, watching his foes from afar and reporting to his betters.
At this, he stamps his staff on the ground more in emphasis than anger.
A fool you are, who think himself a better judge of self than Ilyssia herself. Perhaps you fancy yourself cleverer than she?
Aidan scoffs.
I warn YOU, k'are zhogov, pointing at the dwarves, your compatriot judges by race, and not evidence. I ask all assembled, pity him.
Taedric smiles and says without guile, "From what I've seen so far, you seem the type to have much experience with passing out, and making people want to strike you."
Despite his jovial tone, he turns his gaze on Vysni's companions and continues, "Personally, I tend to judge people by the company they keep, their words and their deeds... It seems so much more appropriate to save one's dislike or disgust for those who deserve it.", his tone and gaze both hardening as he finishes.
After locking gazes with each of Vysni's companions, he nudges Trumps slighly, riding forward to catch up with Pluchak.
Seneca declines to purchase anything further at this time and heads out onto the road with the others. He pointedly ignores the bickering over race deeming it not to be worthy of energy at this time. "So, have any of you visited the herbalist previously. I'm afraid most of my time was spent at the monastery and town."
Pluchak slowed down as he heard his new companions defending him. It was a bit surreal for him, as he had hardly anyone ever defend him before. He had always had to look out for himself. So many people had felt pity for him in the past, but he had never been defended openly before, and he did not exactly know how to take it. He did know that no matter what, he would defend them back if he had the chance.
He waited for his new companions, or should he call them friends, to catch up to him and heard Seneca's question. He shook his head and said, "I haven't ever been there, but the Lady said the herbalist was between here and the lizardfolk village. I heard the way there while I was working in the tavern..."He indicated a road to his left with his finger and made a swish after going straight a short while to indicate a divergent path. "...and we might be able to find more directions by asking on the way. Although if someone else has been there, I would rather take their advice.
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The trained warrior shrugs off the insults as usual. Yancar gets a last firm handshake and thanks. Then Abbas follows the rest in chainmail and a plain helmet. But now there are two daggers in the back of his belt. The image of a house guard or capable fighter.
He carries the ten days of new trail rations in a brown sack and the iron-shod quarterstaff taps along in the other hand.
Yawning at the early start, Abbas waves good bye again to the two other parties.
"Good luck to you all."
Then he chases after the other four, not paying much attention to the directions or any retracting claws. Instead Abbas points out how the sheep and goats in the next field are huddled under a spreading oak tree.
"Look. Is rain coming?"
Hmm. Could be, Aidan says to the fighter.
Aidan spends the rest of the evening gathering more information about potential dangers along the way.
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Vysni, glowers and spits, but has nothing more to say when it becomes clear that he has little support. Instead, he tells his team they need to be going and they begin moving off toward the west. They have the furthest journey, and unless luck is with them, they will be under the stars tonight.
The directions you have been given are pretty straightforward. Following the road between the two villages is easy going and your expect you will find your destination before lunch.
Taedric shakes his head, "I've never been to the herbalist -- or much of anywhere around here -- To be honest, I am only recently arrived here and had to move when they shut down the Inn. I was referred to the Lady by a mutual friend."
Tkurzhan, a great sabertooth with livery of sewn leather plates along his back and sides, opens his mouth in a growl and pounces to the forefront of the group. A schlik of claws popping from their sheaths punctuates his growl, and his hackles rise.
What is it, boy?
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You are approaching the crest of a small rise. On one side of you there is a rocky embankment with twisted trees growing out of it. It rises about 15 feet up, and you cannot see what is on top of it. To the left side, the ground rolls away into undergrowth and trees, though at this time of year, there is not much cover.
Taedric looks puzzled as Trumps cocks his ears and turns toward the sound. He raises a hand to his fellows to halt their progress and tries to see what the wolf heard and notes the druid's companion moving in the same direction. Well, further proof that their hearing is better than ours...
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How did the archscribe say it, two - what is that!
"What coming? Dwarf? Ogre? Plague beasts?" Abbas moves quickly to the front and waits his quarterstaff lightly gripped in both hands.
He is poised on the balls of his feet expecting shambling undead or merchants. Probably merchants. Abbas makes sure that the sabretooth has plenty of room but without thinking he has protectively intervened between the brow of the hill and the little gnome, Taedric.
Noting that the rest of the crew is getting prepared, Pluchak readies his longspear and grips it tightly. It would have been likely that had be been on his own he would have been ambushed. He allows the animals to move in front of him so he could still take advantage of the reach the long spear afforded. He also scanned the top of the embankment prepared to skewer anything that came out into view.
He also patted his pouch where the acid he had purchased still sat. It helped calm his nerves a little when he felt it was still in the spot where he remembered.
"What's going on?" He whispered. "Is it an ambush?"
Aidan puts his hand to the ground. Khosum yen indz, yerkri vah. He closes his eyes, feeling the vibrations of the road, and through it, gauges the size and stride of those approaching.
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Aidan does not have to wait long for an answer! Coming over the rise are 4 melon headed humanoids, followed by one that looks much like them only nearly human sized. The large one prods the smaller ones with a large stick, snarling at them as they go. The smaller ones drag something behind them and seem to struggle with it. Upon seeing you, they pause for a moment giving you each a chance to act.
Seneca raises his crossbow commenting, "Don't like the look of that. Lord Asmodeus, help cover me."
AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17. . (+5 armor, +2 shield, +1 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 10 (1d8+1)
Weapon Equipped Ranged Crossbow, Light +1 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Buffs Mirror Image (1)
Aidan narrows his eyes at the creatures.
Mayrs ir Azggayin chank! He claps a hand on Tzurkhan's back, and the sabertooth surges forwards.
Pluchak tightens his grip on his spear and swallows. He mutters something incomprehesible and reaches up to wipe sweat off of his brow and his arm twitches. Suddenly it doesn't seem as if the goblins are as big a threat anymore and he is a bit relieved, but then he notices that his friends aren't as big either. Curses, it has happened again! Pluchak thought to himself as he grew to twice his height.
As the goblins approach, and his new friends go off to fight, he thinks, Well, I guess I can do the best with what I have. At least I have some extra reach.
Taedric curses softly as he sees the goblinoids ahead, old memories, pain and hatred rising within him, pushed down by his newer training and resolve. He laughs slightly, Abbas put himself in my line of charge.... That one truly is a strange one. Well, we can't win every hand., and directs Trumps to creep forward and slightly to the left and creating a clear path while readying his lance. As he approaches and realizes that his group has been seen he calls out, "I offer you this one chance at surrender, though I really hope you refuse."
Also, FYI, I've not been making ride checks to Guide With Knees (or stay in saddle, though that hasn't come up yet) because those are DC 5, and with his +5 modifier, Taedric cannot fail.
Taedric looks forward, surveying the distance and snickers, Of course they couldn't come closer and let me lance them, that would be too easy. I must be building up a new supply of luck... He calls out to the goblins, "You were warned.", and moves closer while drawing upon his innate magic to produce swirling balls of blue-green light around one of the goblins, promising, "You're first."
As everyone moves forward to take out the goblinoids, Pluchak lumbers along behind hoping he doesn't draw too many arrows because he is presenting a bigger target. If he had been thinking about it, he would have run up first, and then enlarged. If only I could control it better, I'm still new at this. I hope my new friends don't think less of me for this.
Aidan smiles as he sees trepidation mar the ugly faces arrayed before him. He's seen that look before, usually frozen on the faces of foes in the grip of death, their bodies rent by his brother Tkurzhan.
Narrowing his eyes, Aidan holds an internal debate for a moment.
I am loath to use my more effective spells so early, but snaring these things in the grip of the earth could be effective...
He sets the thought aside.
Mayrs ir Azggayin chank, Trumps.
With this last blessing, Aidan scampers up the scree of the hill to his right, seeking a better view of the battlefield. Slipping on the incline, he collects several stones on the way- his sling may be useful here.
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Abbas sees how far away the goblins are and runs forwards even before they can draw a bow. As the goblins start to volley arrows, he waits for Trumps to give him space to run on forwards at best speed.
DM Only
Tkurzhan slows to a trot halfway to the Goblins. Seeing they have their twang-hurt-throwers, he roars a defiant bellow that shakes the very trees, chattering teeth and pounding on the skin with its bass.
As the last echoes of his cry reverberate across the land, he springs forward, tearing furrows in the ground with his vigor. On the horizon, startled birds take panicked flight from the sound of his fury.
Damn goblins. Thought I'd seen the last of them in Gillamoor. Should have known better. Seneca moves up about 30 feet and shoots his crossbow at the nearest goblin.
AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17. . (+5 armor, +2 shield, +1 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 10 (1d8+1)
Weapon Equipped Ranged Crossbow, Light +1 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Buffs Mirror Image (1)
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Virtue in the form of magic leaves Aidan, and Trumps suddenly feels more steady of purpose. The man of the wild scrambles up the embankment, collect ammo and a better vantage point as he goes.
When Taedric lets loose his enchantment, it was the last thing the lead goblin expected. Ready to break, it is only the growl from behind him from his better that keeps him from blind panic.
Abbas races forward eager to enter the fray. No one could call him a coward.
Thurzhan Moves forward, eager to show these creatures who is boss. He moves with deliberation and is wary of the arrows launched with too much abandon.
At the sight of the mass advance, the large humanoid moves forward (avoiding the dancing lights!) and uttering what seem to be curses, he moves in the path of the sabre-tooth, and lowers his body to accept a charge, all the while banging his sword on his shield and taunting Aidan's friend.
Senecas bolt goes wide of its target and Pluchak moves forward to take advantage of his new size.
The goblins are somewhat happier to see something in between them and thier enemies. They launch a volley at Taedric. Is it any wonder the gnomes hate them?
One of the arrows finds it mark and bites deep.
Tkurzhan is little more than a blur as he flies past, straight toward the creature that dares challenge him.
He is glorious, he is powerful, he is the hunter- and he will teach it with tooth and fang to this interloper.
His advance is eerily silent, his claws retracted. He does not fear the arm-shell or the one-claw the bad-smell holds, but he is no fool, so he twists in the air. He knows that he can count on his false-hide his brother made him, so he does not slow, but springs forward, fangs as long as daggers snaking towards his foe.
With a preternaturally loud *schnick*, his claws unsheath.