Agathon Quintus's page

Color Post for Agathon...

Agathon: HP 91/91 AC 23 (25 vs Ogres)
Current Magical Effects: None

When the Gnomes arrive in Ferin and we escort them to the tower, Agathon will assign them quarters in the #4 Barracks on the First Floor. Having previously arranged with a local artisan for the construction of bunks and other furniture necessary for their two squads (CK Please advise on the costs compared to the book costs... How many bunks required and I will deduct this sum from the party money... Thank you)

They will be advised that Verlik and Edgar are in charge of the tower and that their immediate duties include guarding the tower and coming to the defense of Ferin should that be required. All of this under the direction of Verlik and Edgar.

Agathon will take Verlik aside before the group leaves and advise him thus: "Verlik, you are in charge of the Gnomish troops and for the training of what militia may be sorted out of the population of Ferin. But consult with and heed what advice Edgar might have for you. Please recruit who you can and spend your days working on the defenses of the town such that they are... Your evenings, should be spent in the tower. Thaddeus and Belric will be in contact with you with their spells; so, we will be in touch. After our foray to the remaining lands, we will be here for the winter. For your dedicated service to our small company, I wish you to have this..." Agathon will give Verlik his +2 Chain shirt.

"Be well, my friend. I also charge you with the safety of Elsinore and Margarette. Please see that they are kept safe with an escort at all times when out of the tower. Thank you..."

The evening before leaving, he will be certain to bid a fond farewell to Margarette... "I will be back soon, my dear. I look forward to spending the winter with you here. Be safe and heed Verlik's cautions and directives while in Ferin and about the tower."

CK Summary:
Agathon will empty Store an Item Vial #6 to remove the +2 chain shirt to give to Verlik. Please note this change in his AC... The remainder of the contents to be stored in Agathon's quarters in the tower. Verlik and Edgar can take up residence in Barrack # 1 and 2 respectively while we are away. Agathon will also arrange for a boat and boatman to be housed in the tower so that the gnomes and the henchmen have ready transport to and from Ferin while we are gone.. Please note what this might cost so that I can deduct this as well as the furnishing costs (if they are different from book costs).

“Aaahhh!!!”

Agathon awakens in the darkness. The early morning air slowly moves over him through the arrow slits that serve as windows for the tower. He shivers as the sweat drenching his chest magnifies the cold damp air of this autumn morn…

He paces the room and shakes his head to come fully awake saddened by the empty side of the bed that might have been filled by Margarette had he not gone to his chambers so much earlier than the others…

They were celebrating.

Yet his mind, though still a blur from drink and the fast pace of recent events, is still clutched to a single thought… The eyes of the dragon. The sight of its body morphing out of the Gnome all the while, the eyes never changed. Their malevolence only matched by the humor they held at tricking him so easily. It is those eyes that now once again haunt his dreams…

Toughts

“I am a fool. I play at being a hardened warrior… A woodsman, wise in the ways of the hunt and of the sword… Ha! More, I am a gawking spectator watching the World around me as a child stares fascinated by a street magician! I fly into battle and release my great magic and swing my axe for all to see… but in the end, when the magic is gone, what is left is a large stupid lad inviting the enemy into camp to destroy us…”

Shaking his head and looking through the southern arrow slit at the stars, he tries to guess the hour and decides that instead of trying to sleep again, he will go for a walk and ruminate on the past few weeks…
Going up to the Kitchen and choosing a roll of bread to nibble on, he will take the secret stairs to the newly re-opened upper floor with its twin pools and airy space. The running battle with the giants and ogres upon the field was far easier a battle to manage than he had ever experienced before. The mine, by comparison, was a bit more difficult (although it ended in another liaison with the Bloody Eye Orcs), at least the hostages were freed.

There have been few moments more awkward than Jacques speaking to the people in Ferin. A small chuckle echoes softly in the giant room. But again, Pelor and Moradin finally blessed us with luck and the people there seem to like us a bit. “I suppose destroying the pirates had a lot to do with that as well…” He will add in his thoughts…

Prayers

“Garsh… If you can hear me, my friend, I pray that you now delve into the greatest mines in the heavens and that your beard grows below a great fat ale filled belly and that you may sit at the table of your fore-bearers in great pride and stature! When recalling great adventure and treasures, I will always raise my mug in your memory as is the way of your people whom I adore now as much as my own!... Moradin! Look out for him and see that he gets to that table to tell of his adventures!” Agathon will pray to the God of the Earth with closed eyes.

Plots

Resuming his stroll, “So, we now call our little band ‘The Peacemakers’. Very well… It is a name one can grow to be proud of… The ‘Helm of Night Tower though… I must convince my friends to rename this edifice. But to what? I shall seek their ideas upon the morn. And what of Margarette? what I have discovered of her past... Yet, it does not diminish my thoughts and feelings for her. She is a good faithful woman. I will seek Belric's advice on this. In the meantime, there is something of far greater import that I must do…”

Acts

Padding silently back down through the tower, Agathon will seek out Belric in the pre-dawn hours…

Rousing the priest from his slumbers turns out to be a great deal harder than Agathon imagined it would be. But once the Dwarf sits up with much bluster and grumping, Agathon sees his friend’s eyes light up in the candle glow with his news… And as the cleric agrees to Agathon’s proposal, he leaps from his bedclothes and readies himself to perform the small ceremony…

Later, just before sun rise Belric and Agathon find themselves out doors in the chill morning air. As the great disc of the Sun begins its slow climb into the sky, Agathon will prostrate himself to it and offer a formal prayer to the Great Shining One… “Pelor!” he will say aloud. “I have prayed to you and your magnificence as you bring the light into the World. And, my thoughts and deeds have always been to the everlasting sky… My dreams lofted to the clouds and my spirit floating about in hopeless dream of being greater than I am. Forgive me. For I know now that my heart and soul require a firmer grounding. Through my adventures, I have also prayed to your great friend and ally, Moradin. Moradin, Great Foundation of the Earth! I have seen through his humble servant, Brother Sir Belric, of the great wisdom and strength of Earth and Stone. I have seen that my strength comes from the Earth upon which I stand. It is the land I defend. The land upon which I scratch out my tiny life. And upon the land where my future deeds will make what difference as they will. Thus I proclaim with utmost humility that I will dedicate my life to the teachings of Moradin the Great and draw what strength he chooses to send me for the greater good of all who toil here upon the face of the Earth. I will pray to you as well from time to time should you allow it. But, I am dedicated to Moradin’s message and I declare that Belric is my priest for as he has served and as such he will serve for the remainder of my days…”

With that, Agathon will perform the consecration ritual to accept Moradin as his deity and will listen and learn over the next few weeks all the teachings which Berlric can spare him…

All the while, awaking in the wee hours with the image of those eyes… burning… laughing their way into his soul…

Agathon: HP 91/91 AC 20 (22 vs Ogres)
Current Magical Effects: darkvision: 8/300 minutes (by the end of this post), see in the dark to 60'.

As Thaddeus relates our tale in Spinecastle, and Edwald eventually relaxes a bit, Agathon will relax as well. When the conversation ends, and Edwald flies away, having already gotten the group ready to move before his arrival in their midst, Agathon will begin moving the group under Jacques' directions toward the location of the rear entrance of the mine complex.

Glad to hear of the magics that will be in play (and quietly thrilled at the chance to see in the dark as Belric often brags of doing), Agathon will spend the five minutes of travel time going through the basic "checklist" of what needs to be at hand reach for the mission (mostly for the henchmen's benefit).

"Be sure to bring out your rope and secure it carefully to your pack's outsides... Short weapons for close quarters, so have them at the ready..." Agathon will hand a sun rod to Verlik, Edgar, and Thaddeus. "It is not that I distrust your great magic, my friend... It is just in case the dark vision is no longer necessary or when the magic finally runs it course..." To Verlik and Edgar he will say, "Once struck, the sun rod burns for six hours and can not be 'unstruck'! So, do not use it without orders or dire need..."

Minutes later at the entrance to the underground, Agathon will take in a huge lung full of fresh air and smile... Back to a more familiar operation! "Great Pelor! May your light enfire our spirits for this quest into Moradin's domain... Good Moradin! Hear me as well... Guide your faithful priest and we as well as your earth covers over our head... May we eradicate what evil has infested it this day!" Agathon will silently pray to both great dieties...

He will unsheath the Great Sword (better to have it free to drop and do its amazing dance) and will ensure that the sun rod, his potions, and the battle axe are exactly where they should be...

When Jacques enters and reports about the giant web through Thaddeus, Agathon will shake his head (Spiders... Again!?) and motion silently to the wizard... Holding up a sun rod, he will offer a questioning expression asking if he wants to burn the web...

Otherwise, Agathon will ready himself and scan the entry around them for hiding giant spiders...

CK NOTE: Agathon will take his place in line trying his best to be silent and aiding others in doing so as he can. He will have the Great Sword out and ready to drop to do its dance while pulling the battle axe for his now normal mode of using both weapons in combat. Once he gets a "yes or no" answer from Thaddeus as to the use of the sun rod to burn the web, he will either pass it up the line to Jacques or put it back into his belt pouch. I am assuming that the Darkvision was cast 8 minutes ago as it was not specified by Wizard or CK... Please correct if wrong.

Agathon: HP 91/91 AC 20 (22 vs Ogres)
Current Magical Effects: None

As Thaddeus relaxes a bit and explains the group's intent and plans. Agathon will keep his eyes leveled upon Edwald as a back up to the wizard's words and tone to let the Nyrondian know that our plans are not open for debate or compromise (at least no further than Thaddeus allows...).

Trusting to Verlik and the others to monitor the high flyers, Agathon will remain poised to intervene should anything untoward happen and threaten the wizard.

All the while, as Thaddeus details the plan for a back door assault upon the mine complex, Agathon will offer up whatever information and commentary as is required of him and the conversation or courtesy demands. He will also follow whatever commands the Wizard utters. Trying to keep his thoughts neutral toward Edwald (knowing too well that this man might still prove to be an enemy before the Great Light ends its journey across the skies) will continue to be prepared to react if others call out warnings... (the primary characters or the henchmen)

In his mind, he will allow a short prayer... "Oh Great Shining One, please warm my friend's mind as you caress his shoulders with your ever shining light... Guide him in swaying this man and cause him to accept our aid in ridding Great Moradin's Earth of the foulness that holds the mines against us..."

CK Note: Agathon will obey directions from Thaddeus or alerts from others as noted above. His First Emergency Priority is to continue to hold his action so as to be able to react instantly to any threat to Thaddeus and to perform a move action to interpose simultaneously with any incoming attack. His Second priority (if things go south) will be to engage Edwald first and foremost in a grappling attack (should be be mounted in an attempt to dismount him) or by flinging the dancing sword into the air while pulling and attacking with the battle axe (should he be unmounted). Otherwise, his intention is to follow Thaddeus' lead and orders...

Agathon: HP 91/91 AC 20 (22 vs Ogres)
Current Magical Effects: None

When Thaddeus' voice sounds out of nothing, Agathon notes with some pride that he did not jump as is usual when the wizard does this. He notes Verlik looking at him strangely. Only then does he realize the stupid grin he has on his face.

Wiping that away, he will begin the process of packing up and getting ready to move out.

Quickly marshaling the animals, his companions, and all the gear into a neat orderly procession, Agathon will listen to the hasty instructions and update on the situation from Thaddeus' disembodied voice. Realizing that Jacques will also be joining them soon, he will brace himself so as to not jump if he should speak as well...

Agathon is calm 15 minutes later when the hippogriff rider sails downward so as to join them and speak. Never bringing hand to weapon, he will quietly admonish Garsh for doing so and will adopt a visage of quiet confidence as he steps up to stand next to where Thaddeus indicates he is standing (as the wizard is still invisible, Agathon will notice the mark Thaddeus makes in the dirt). He will remain there as Edwald speaks to the wizard.

When Thaddeus introduces him as Sir Agathon of Greyhawk, he will make a point of not reacting in any way... "Hmmm..." He will think to himself. "Thaddeus knows I serve Knurl now and hold no allegiance to the Great City any longer... Perhaps Thaddeus wants our new 'friend' here to think that outside aid has come to the Count? Perhaps with me in the role of one of the Grand Earl's men? Hmmm... Wise deception..."

Agathon will look significantly at Verlik. Moving his eyes to indicate that Verlik should keep his eyes on the still flying rider, Agathon will level his eyes with those of Edwald and never take his eyes off the man. Agathon is a cobra coiled and ready to strike should the man try anything to get at Thaddeus.

CK Note: After arranging things to travel the distance to the back entrance to the mines, Agathon will stand next to where Thaddeus indicates he is so as to provide melee protection should the wizard need it. Basically, Agathon will hold his action and if anyone or any effect is made to endanger the wizard, Agathon will 'pull a Secret Service' and jump in the way to interpose.

Agathon: HP 91/91 AC 20 (22 vs Ogres)
Bless Spell Round 1/900(+1 to hit, +1 Save vs Fear)

Still amazed at talking to an invisible person and unable to escape the notion that he is talking to himself... Agathon will address the 'disembodied' voice of Jacques...

"But, we must know more of the combatants! Sir Jacques, whilst still invisible, can you go hither back into the compound and perhaps silently discover who is who? Then, may we best decide the next course of our action this day!"

To the group, he will say, "As quietly as you can, we must all gear up and prepare to fly to our friend's need should he be discovered during his next foray into the camp. The giants and orcs might be easily fooled by Sir Thaddeus' great magic; but, we know not who is fighting them now or their own magical prowess! They may spot our friend the moment he steps into their midst. We must be ready in case they too are to be our foes!"

With that, Agathon will creep slowly up and join Verlik at the observation point while he waits for the more learned among the group to settle on a final plan of action.

CK Note:
Agathon will maintain visual observation of the compound with Verlik while Thaddeus and Jacques formulate a plan for a recon of the combat there. IF Thaddeus changes this with orders to do something else, he will oblige and follow the wizard's plan instead.

Color Post
This covers time later that evening in camp…

Agathon stares into the fire. As the embers lift into the sky to be lost among the limbs of the great trees surrounding the camp, he ponders the ranging battle that occurred a few hundred yards away a few hours ago…

He can see it all from the moment the wizard winked out of sight to the final blow as Jacques dropped the giant leader with a single flying kick to the head. Though he can remember little of his own deeds, he sees his companions fighting fiercely in a slow dance of dirt, swords, and blood.

”Verlik and Garsh fought mightily. He will think to himself as he glances up to see Garsh with his eyes closed and a smile upon his face. ”We nearly lost him twice today, yet he sits there wearing his pride like a fancy suit made for court! When he and I struck that Ogre together, he obviously thought it was his blow that downed the foul thing.” Agathon gladly gave him credit for the kill, claiming instead a miss for himself.

”And Verlik! He took one down all on his own. I can see why he was Captain of the Guard. And, he has the humble reckoning of a true warrior… Neither is he overly proud of his victory nor overly shy in claiming his due… Good man”

And, in his musings, he cannot help but look upon his friends with great pride. Continuing his inner dialog… “Jacques is simply amazing! His hands are swords, his feet flails, his entire being is a dangerous weapon… Belric is no slouch either! The way he hove into those Ogres with a song on his lips and great strength with every blow… His skill in weaving the great energies of Wise Moradin and matched well with his skill on the axe! And Thaddeus! Powerful he has become. We could not have handled such foes without his magic. My own magic is powerful as is the strength in my arms and spirit… But he outclasses me on the field…”

As Agathon thinks this, he counts himself lucky to be with these great men.

"Oh Great Light! Will every day of our journey be plagued with such foes we faced today? If that is your will, our tour of these steadings will indeed be a long one... As always, I beg thee to allow me the strength of your light so as to work your will upon these lands!"

”Hmmph!” He will grunt to himself… ”Well, you came here looking for adventure, boy! And did you ever find it!”

As his thoughts echo in his mind and the battle once again replays itself behind his eyes, Thaddeus begins laying out the battle plan for taking the mines. Agathon will listen intently and will interject on any point that might fall into his limited area of expertise.

And, he agrees with the general plan to accomplish this and move on to continue their tour of the steadings. And do what they all might to rid this land once and for all of the menaces that plague this region.

Galloping away from the main group of Giants and Ogres, Agathon smiles as he hears Garsh and Verlik nearly simultaneously shout, “Runner!” and “The Wizard got another one!”

Looking about to see one of the giants heading toward the rocky terrain where he thinks Jacques is (squinting in that direction does not reveal the monk’s exact location to him), Agathon will shout, “Follow me and leave that one to Sir Jacques!”

With that, he will take the group further away from the main group (this will be toward the RIGHT side of the map…) and put on what speed he can to keep the group just out of rock throwing range…

If the giants stop chasing us, Agathon will stop the group and taunt them (and encourage the rest of the riders to do so as well) until they get pissed enough to continue the chase…

CK Summary:
Agathon: HP 77/91 AC 20 (22 vs Ogres)
Agathon’s intentions for the next few rounds are to continue to lead the main body of bad guys around by the nose. This time, we will move away from Jacques to give him some distance and some time to down his running Giant AND give Thaddeus a couple more rounds to pump spells into the main body and soften them up further… We will turn or go straight (as our orientation on the map is impossible to tell) so as to go RIGHT on the map.

After a couple rounds of this, we will turn toward the top of the map while Jacques and Thaddeus do their thing leading the entire group in a big left turning circle to eventually rejoin Jacques for the final fight.

Agathon looks up from his prayer and sees the purpose behind and Garsh's and Verlik's shouts...

"Blast!" He will violently think. "Hoped they would stay under cover a bit longer!"

Before Belric can reach for him to apply his healing, Agathon will spin Triple Sox around, the large animal objecting to the quick tug of the reigns with a snort despite the sight of giants bearing down on them...
"Quick! At the gallop! Follow me everyone!"

At that, he will dig in his heels and with a leap into motion will lead the riders away from the oncoming foes...

CK Summary:
Agathon: HP 77/91 AC 20 (22 vs Ogres)
Magical Effects Up: Bless Spell Round 9/900 (at start of this post)
Agathon leads the riders in the opposite direction from the Giants (toward the east at first then turning south). His intention is to use the trees as a barrier to any missile fire with the intention to swing the entire group around to the south to circle back toward where Jacques and Thaddeus were last seen. All the while, keeping an eye on the Giants and staying out of effective missile range...

Re-post to replace Agathon’s last post…

Reaction:

Seeing Belric and Garsh get hit nearly causes Agathon to be thrown from the saddle as his inattention to his own situation allows one of the Giants to squarely hit him in the left side with a stone.

Righting himself in the saddle and holding on for dear life as he catches his breath, he turns the riding group toward a group of small trees to attempt to get out of missile range of their enemy.

With Garsh wheezing and clutching his saddle horn with bone white knuckles, Agathon breathes a bit easier as the next volley of rocks fall short on the grassy plain.

New Action:

Wheeling the horses to a slow walk, Agathon will huff out, “Brother Belric! Are you able to weave the great power of Moradin!? Garsh is hurt gravely… please heal him!” To the rest of the group he will say, “We shall wait here out of range of their missiles and allow Belric to minister to our wounds. Verlik! Keep a weather eye on the giants… Should they bolt from cover, or if our flying friend magics more out in the open, sing out! We will pursue them the moment we are able!”

”Pelor! These creatures do not mind your light glaring down upon their heads…Their evil shines… But, your good is the brighter!” The warrior will silently pray as he awaits his turn to receive Moradin’s healing…

CK Summary:
Agathon: HP 77/91 AC 20 (22 vs Ogres)
Magical Effects Up: Bless Spell Round 8/900 (at start of this post)
Agathon's intentions for the next few rounds are to wait for Belric to heal Garsh, himself, and then Agathon and look for runners from the main group that Thaddeus might scare out into the open. If there are any, Agathon will direct the riders to intercept those new targets (Ogres first, Giants second)

Counting the Ogres in cover, Agathon does a bit of mental math...

"Hmmm. Thought there to be six of them... Let's see, three now dead, one undercover with his Arbalest... Where is the Ogre with that stupidly large bow?!"

To the riders, he will say, "Two of the Ogres are missing! They may be using magic to conceal themselves from our sight! Beware! We must move! They may be attempting to escape the field to warn the others back in their camp! Brother Belric... Administer the power of Moradin's healing wisdom to our friend (indicating Garsh) and leave me be for now! We must ride!"

After allowing the priest the time he needs to heal Garsh, Agathon will wheel Triple Socks around and shout, "Follow me closely at the gallop! Verlik! Watch the group under cover closely, if the wizard sends another running, yell out so that we may run him down!"

And with that, he will spur his horse and lead the riders on a circular course staying well out of rock range back in the direction of the farm house.

Hoping that Edgar does not have an unpleasant surprise heading his way at a dead run, Agathon will scan the ground for tracks of the Ogres heading back toward the mine/fort...

CK Summary:
Agathon: HP 77/91 AC 20 (22 vs Ogres)
Magical Effects Up: Bless Spell Round 8/900
Agathon's intentions for the next few rounds are to look for any sign that there are invisible Ogres making a break for it. Verlk is tasked with watching Thaddeus and the giant group in cover to see if we get another runner. IF we do, we will divert to attack him. Otherwise, once we get near the path back to the mine, we will slow to a canter and Agathon will intently look for Ogre tracks... Agathon is +13 to track Ogres on a prime stat!

With their immediate foes down, to the riders, Agathon will shout, “Stay your bows and grab the reins! Follow me!”

At which point, he will spur Triple Sox back into a gallop and head to the southwest toward the monk and his multiple foes.

Riding in a great circle being careful to remain out of effective range of their bows and rocks (best estimate here, of course), Agathon will lead the riders in a circular course around the Giants making their stand in their cover.

CK Summary: Agathon 91/91 AC 20 (plus whatever bonuses due to being a fast moving target, if any)

Agathon’s intention over the next few rounds is to head toward Jacques. If a Feared Worg heads our way, we will engage it. If we get to Jacques and he still has a giant to down, we will down it for him. Otherwise the plan is to stay out of range of the rocks and “ridiculously large bow” while we wait for Thaddeus to scare more out of their cover for us to intercept and take down to winnow their numbers further…

As the group gallops forward closing the distance at a terrific rate, Agathon will see the fleeing giant heading south spoiling his plan to intercept that target.

“Blast and damn it all!” he will huff just loud enough for the nearby horsemen to hear.
“Yes, we have covered some of the distance needed… Close up and slow to a canter!”

As the group slows and comes together into the 10 foot radius of the sphere once again. Agathon will say to the group in lower tones, “They have seen us, but do not fret this! Now that we are again unseen, they will fear us all the more! We will stay out of arrow range and attack those fleeing in fear!”

Agathon will guide the group with nudges to Belric’s horse and soft words so that the entire group will continue forward toward the giants but at a slight northerly angle.

CK Summary:
Agathon: HP 91/91 AC 20 (22 against Ogres)
Magical Effects: Bless Spell (+1 to hit, +1 Save vs Fear)
Ranger Ability: Combat Marauder +9 Damage to Humanoids and Giants
Favored Enemy: Ogres +2 to Hit/AC/Tracking
Current Weapons Bonus:
Great Sword of Dancing +14 (+16 vs Ogres) 2d6+5 (2d6+14 vs all but Worgs)
Battle Axe +14 (+16 vs Ogres) 1d8+5 (1d8+14 vs all but Worgs)

As the riders go invisible once again, they slow down to a canter speed (120 feet per round…). They will turn slightly to the right (NORTHERLY by the map) so as to end up in a different position than they would have if they had just continued on a straight course. This is to confuse the giants and ogres into losing our actual position… IN MAP TERMS: as we travel 120 feet this round, we will travel across two squares and into a third… So, we begin in Square M-18. We travel through M-19 into L-20 and continuing to angle across ending in Square K-21. The way I see the map a perfectly straight course would have us ending in Square L-21… This will place the riders 700 feet away from the Giant group. THIS GROUP WILL REMAIN AT LEAST 300 feet (6 squares) AWAY FROM THE MAIN BODY AND ONLY ATTACK THOSE RUNNING AWAY FOR NOW.

Seeing the wizard become visible as he gets to the old farmhouse, Agathon smiles a bit when he sees the fireball and then one of the giants cut and run directly toward him… Pushing and shoving his way through their Ogre minions, there is no mistaking the terror in the giant’s movements…
For a fleeting moment, Agathon is coursed with pity for the giant as his own recent experience with un-rational battle fear comes to mind…

”Hmmm, I wonder if the Dragon used similar magic on us… Perhaps my cowardice was not cowardice at all! Ask Thaddeus later, boy! Get busy with the task at hand!” He will quickly think…

Agathon will say to the invisible horsemen about him… “The fireball was our signal! Forward at the gallop! We shall meet this fleeing giant and set upon him…”

With that, he will spur Triple Sox onward to increase the pace to full speed…

Although the group will try to stay together and thus stay invisible, the CK might want to roll to see if we are able to as galloping in a tight formation will be harder to do than cantering close together…

CK Summary:
Agathon: HP 91/91 AC 20 (22 against Ogres)
Magical Effects: Bless Spell (+1 to hit, +1 Save vs Fear)
Ranger Ability: Combat Marauder +9 Damage to Humanoids and Giants
Favored Enemy: Ogres +2 to Hit/AC/Tracking
Current Weapons Bonus:
Great Sword of Dancing +14 (+16 vs Ogres) 2d6+5 (2d6+14 vs all but Worgs)
Battle Axe +14 (+16 vs Ogres) 1d8+5 (1d8+14 vs all but Worgs)

Spurring the group to full speed with his horsemanship, Agathon will begin a gallop towards the fleeing giant. Giant speed is 40’ (fleeing at 4X that for 160’/rd). Lt Warhorse speed is 60’ (galloping at 4X that for 240’/rd). This means that we have a closure rate of 400’/rd. Time now to intercept the fleeing Giant is: 3.75 rounds (4 rounds rounding up… 3 rounds after the close of this round!). The intercept point will be at 640 feet from the main group of bad guys.

Color Post for Agathon:

Agathon listens intently to Thaddeus’ instructions. Looking at the others and seeing the steel in Verlik’s eyes and the cross determination in Belric’s he finds his spirits hopeful that the Wizard’s ideas will work…

Thaddeus points to a low rise with a short tree upon it in the terrain near their targets… “That is our landmark and rally point. I will use the Fear Wand to send some of the ogres running away from the group and will attempt to drive them toward you at the landmark out of their bow range… If I deem it time for a charge, I will cast a fireball into their midst!” Agathon nods and give Edgar a wink and a small grin to attempt to reassure him.

”Wait for a fireball to charge… Good. Can’t miss that!” Agathon will think to himself...

Before Thaddeus begins casting his spells, Agathon will dismount and quickly tie the mules and spare horses together with a long tether (this will use a 50’ length of rope). When done, he will hand the end to Edgar and say, “Loop this tightly around your pommel. Stay here, but, be vigilant! We will see you after the battle, my friend!”

Agathon will take the riders close to himself… “To keep us all together within Sir Thaddeus’ invisibility spell, we will cantor our horses together…” He will cut a short length of rope and hand one end to Verlik. “Stay on Brother Belric’s right hand until I give the charge order!” And with that, Agathon will sidle his mount up to Belric’s left and hold the rope tight across Belric’s lap with Verlik on the Priests right side. “Garsh, you ride right behind Belric and keep your horse close in! Do not fall behind!”

And with that, Agathon will follow instructions and the moment the wizard disappears from sight begin to count to the number Thaddeus tells him to give his friend time to get to the target ahead of them… When the number is reached, he will begin the group cantor toward the little tree…

To the invisible group of riders, he will say, “We can do this. We will stay out of arrow range and kill the ones that flee Thaddeus’ magic. When he casts his fireball, drop the rope and fan out a bit in case these devils have magics of their own… Attack the giants first if you can… Brother, do you have any sort of divine provenance from Great Moradin that will make us stronger or better in combat?”

After Belric's answer, Agathon will pray...”Oh Great Pelor! We fight beneath you light against great foes! See us! Give us the power to smite them and their evil into the dust! I hope that our actions today please you… For Idnae and for so many others… Allow us the chance to prevail!”

CK Summary:
Agathon: HP 91/91 AC 20 (22 against Ogres)
Ranger Ability: Combat Marauder +9 Damage to Humanoids and Giants
Favored Enemy: Ogres +2 to Hit/AC/Tracking
Weapons bonus currently:
Great Sword of Dancing +13 (+15 vs Ogres) 2d6+5 (2d6+14 vs all but Worgs)
Batle Axe +13 (+15 vs Ogres) 1d8+5 (1d8+14 vs all but Worgs)

After muttering a gratitude to Belric for healing a goodly portion of his wounds, Agathon will join Jacques and jog about the country side collecting their animals and wayward fellows.

He remembers little of it. Trudging about in the light rain, his darkest thoughts pour freely darkening his countenance and silencing his tongue. He lets Jacques do all the talking to the people. He does not even notice Jacques staring at him when Agathon fails to even offer his normal comforting tone to the animals, jerking the bridle of Thaddeus’ steed and practically dragging his own pack horse through the mud with little consideration for their terror that is only now slowly beginning to ebb…

After a comment from the monk, Agathon will snap back into the now and find himself totally lost… unaware of their position or their route here. He offers Jacques’ concerned face a wan smile… “I’ll be fine. Seeing that thing eat Idnae with as much effort or thought as you or I might with a strip of sweet meats burns my mind.”
Pausing with his friend for a moment, he looks into the monk’s eyes. “I confess to you, my friend that I was afraid. I find myself shaken still and unable to properly concentrate on the task at hand.”

He looks at his feet and shakes his head, “I was completely unable to exact harm on that creature! This has never happened before to me. I have always felt a normal amount of fright in combat. It steels me. Makes me sharp and keeps me moving and focuses my skill. But that drag… That… beast took my skill from me. What terrible magic it wields! Can it be defeated? Will I fall down before it again should it come back for another meal? You are the most stoic among us. I doubt there is anything that can make you bow in fear. What can I do to fight this foe that attacks my will as well as my body!?”

Keeping in mind that during the combat, Agathon never really got a good look at Jacques… He is assuming here…

The Monk’s words offer little comfort to his mind (beyond the simple relief of being able to unload his thoughts on a friend). After a moment, Agathon will shake his head and re-focus on finding everything.
Once back in camp, Agathon will make a point to offer up a more proper thinks to Belric for his healing. “Brother Belric, forgive my rudeness earlier. I was still shaken a bit and was not thinking properly. I am glad to have you here as Moradin’s steward within our group…” He will not reveal that the pain on his left side is still in evidence (and has worsened a bit after running about with Jacques). He will sleep with it tonight as a slight penance for his failure in the combat.

Once the entire group is reassembled, Agathon will speak:
“For all of us, the loss of Idnae was tragic and horrifying. I offer this prayer now to Pelor and will repeat it with the rising light of tomorrow’s awakening…

Pelor! Here me! Our friend has been sent to her doom and was taken from this World by the vilest of beasts through the worst means. She was valiant and true. I beg thee to shine your heavenly light upon her path to afford her the easiest journey to her final rest. As we await your rising upon the morrow, fill our minds with the will to continue and the wisdom and strength to offer her killer its due justice should we manage to bring ourselves before it again. Steel our hearts and quicken our souls so that we may bring a proper ending to this creature for Idnae and for all those for whom this thing may be called murderer.”
Those who know him well will not recognize the look on his face. His expression is a dark one and his mouth appears incapable of bursting into a grin ever again (lopsided or not). He will also offer the following advice for the night.

“Let us move the camp a ways and not light a fire. We should keep ourselves under cover while in these lands until this foe can be felled. We all saw its ability to make see what is not there… From this point onward, we should treat any sighting of friend or foe as an attack and be as ready as we can against it… I know not a great deal of dragon lore. But, this creature hunts us for sport upon our own lands. It must be tracked and felled…” Upon seeing the henchmen react to the notion of actually seeking out the dragon, Agathon will say, “I see your eyes… And I know your feelings. No one feels it more than I. But, we cannot allow what has happened to stand without challenge! I for one will not. I will track this thing down and in the face of shaking fear and soul stopping fright, I will pursue this dragon. And upon our next meeting, I will offer it what vengeance I can for Idnae or at the very least I will be its next meal. In this way, I will either achieve justice for the fallen or at least sate its appetite long enough to give the remainder of you a chance to fully escape.”

At this, he plops down to allow the others to speak as they will.

CK Summary:
Agathon 85/96 HP, AC20
I have advanced Agathon’s age 1 year. Please roll a Will Save to see if I lose a Hit Point permanently from the Haste Spell. Agathon is +1 on all Wisdom based saves (carry over from 3.5 bonus) and Wisdom is a primary stat.

Something inside Agathon slams his stomach as if punched by a giant. Agathon cannot register what he is seeing. The dragon looks right at him, bites Idnae in two, and between wing beats tosses its head back catching and swallowing her lower half. The creature licks its lips for what seems like ten years and then with a hideous smile scouring its serpentine features, it wheels over and climbs into the sky.

Agathon vomits.

After what seems like an eternity of dry heaves and tears, he looks up to discover he is on his knees. The magnificent bow now dropped casually into the mud next to the dancing sword which glitters in the fading light. He looks away in disgust at his uselessness in the battle… blaming himself for Idnae’s fate. Next to his axe, he spies the back of his hand. It is red and scarred from the acid of the dragon. It hurts.

“This is what my soul must look like… burned. Damn! How could I have allowed this to happen?” Agathon asks himself aloud.

As Jacques runs by, he yells at Agathon to secure the camp and find the others.

Agathon barely hears him…

“ Frightened you are, boy!” He shivers at the thought of the dragon’s eyes staring at him like black lances of the emptiness. Like places where the Light can never be… Like death itself.

“What was her last thought? Was she as terrified as I?” Try as he might, he cannot shake away the thought that it should have been him in those jaws.

Squinting through his misery in the drizzle, he sees Jacques running full blast and looks up just in time to see Thaddeus vanish from sight in pursuit of the beast. He is too emotionally drained to wonder what they are up to. But, he can hear Belric behind him beckoning him back to camp. So, this must be part of a plan of the wizard’s.

“Pelor! Hear me through these clouds of sky and heart! I beseech thee to look after her soul and guide it to her final place of rest! But, if she must haunt any place of this World, let it be in my heart. For it is my failure in battle that ended her…” This prayer, he shouts to the wind and rain.

Agathon will stand and collect his gear. With one last look into the growing darkness and the now vanishing Jacques, he will turn back to camp and consult with Belric on what is going on and what they are to do next…

CK Summary:
Agathon HP 76/91; AC 20

CURRENT EFFECTS: I have no idea how much time you will allow in this post… The above action should last about three to four rounds. The following effects are listed as per the beginning of this action. Please delete the appropriate amount of time for each effect and advise us as to elapsed time.
Bless Spell Round 5/100 (+1 Attacks & +1 saves)
Dragon Fear Aura Round 4/15 (-2 Att, dam, att chks, & saves)
Resist Energy Mass Round 3/900 (DR 20 vs acid)
Haste Spell Round 3/9 (Doubles Movement and Attacks)

As mentioned above, Agathon will spend at least three to four rounds of relative inaction as he contemplates and prays over what has just happened. Afterwards (if the CK allows more time for it in this posting cycle), he will go back to camp, speak with Belric and begin the process of tracking down the other henchmen (provided something does not interrupt all this, of course)…

Seeing Idnae lifted struggling in the claws of the creature shoots a wave of horror through Agathon.

“No…” he will gasp to himself.

With this eyes never leaving the Gnome, Agathon flashes into action. Focusing on Idnae for the briefest of moments the dragon does not consume his World and he knows what he must do…

Dropping his melee weapons, he reaches over his shoulder and brings out his bow.

Often, he has spent hours marveling at the amazing construction of this magical weapon. Its wood and bridge seeming more grown than made by hand, the care and time that went into this amazing tool has always been beyond his mind to comprehend.

But, here in the rain, with his new friend clasped in the clutch of death itself, it nothing more that an extension of his hatred and fear. Now, he must fire true! He must hit the mark!

No longer noticing the amazing speed given him by Thaddeus’ magic, Agathon furiously pulls, strings, and fires his bow twice at the dragon…

“Put her down and fight me!”

CK Summary:
Agathon HP 76/91; AC 20
CURRENT EFFECTS:
Bless Spell Round 4/100 (+1 Attacks & +1 saves)
Dragon Fear Aura Round 3/15 (-2 Att, dam, att chks, & saves)
Resist Energy Mass Round 2/900 (DR 20 vs acid)
Haste Spell Round 2/9 (Doubles Movement and Attacks)

Agathon will drop the sword and axe at his feet. He will pull and fire his +1 Composite Long Bow at the Dragon (2 shots due to the Haste Spell). He will not move away from his melee weapons in case the dragon comes this way.

His current bonuses taking everything above into account

+1 Composite Long Bow: +9 (1d8+1) {He is an additional -2 due to range}

As the dragon lifts off and flies over Agathon, he turns to move to follow and realizes that the beast will severely out pace him (even in his quickened state from the spell Thaddeus hit him with…).

He nearly misses the sword as he sees the horrible muscles of the great worm writhe with the effort of lifting it in flight. A renewed shiver runs the length of his spine as he marvels and quavers at the sheer size of this creature… and, the knowledge that he intends to stand his ground against it.

“If I can just hold its attention long enough… Perhaps the others can bring it down or at least flee to safety…” He will think to himself.

As he moves to be in front of the party he cannot help but be amazed at his new found speed. In his current state of mind, he wonders if he should loose his bow upon this thing. But, how can an arrow pierce that hideous hide!? “No. The dragon may swoop in and try to grab someone! I must be ready to strike.”

Nervously, and with his mind racing with self doubts and re-recriminations for his cowardice and indecision in the face of an enemy, Agathon will attain his interposing position and try not to allow his knees to shake.

CK Summary:
Agathon HP 76/91; AC 20

CURRENT EFFECTS:
Bless Spell Round 3/100 (+1 Attacks & +1 saves)
Dragon Fear Aura Round 2/15 (-2 Att, dam, att chks, & saves)
Resist Energy Mass Round 1/900 (DR 20 vs acid)
Haste Spell Round 1/9 (Doubles Movement and Attacks)

Agathon will snatch the Dancing Sword while on the move. He will move toward the dragon to a position roughly 10 feet in front of the party to interpose himself between the dragon and the others. As he does this, he will retain the Sword in his left hand and the battle axe in his right.

His current bonuses:
+2 Great Sword of Dancing: +11 (2d6+3)
+2 Battle Axe +10 (1d8+3)

As Belric fires off his Flamestrike Spell, Agathon will grin for a second… Then, as the Troll does not react to the flame, Agathon barely has time to register something is quite wrong as he hears Idnae and Belric shout their warning. Wasting precious moments in indecision, he is snapped back to the moment as he is hit by the vile spittle of the dragon.

Before he can even register the intense burning pain of this attack, he looks at the hill and locks eyes with the dragon…

Agathon has fought many creatures… from Bugbears and Ogres to Zombie Deer. All of these foes wished him death; but, for the first time he is looking into the eyes of a creature fully intent on simply eating him alive. And THIS beast can easily do just that. Agathon finds something deeply terrifying in being looked over as merely a morsel of food.

With his knees visibly shaking, Agathon tries his best to change his face into defiance or anger or bravery… Anything but the cowardice he feels… Anything but the terror which is nearly forcing his feet to take him in the other direction! He fails. His voice cracks revealing his fear as he yells to the others, “Stand and fight!”

No one is buying his bravado this time…

“Pelor! Help me!”

Not knowing or caring if this thought was actually spoken aloud, Agathon will visibly grit his teeth and charge the dragon. As he charges up the hillside, his fear grows as he realizes the size of the beast. As he approaches, he can see it look upon him and smile with impossibly sharp teeth. Its breath washes over him. Agathon is amazed at its sickly sweet smell as cup fulls of acid flow from the sides of its mouth as if it were some enormous dog slobbering before a meal.

As he comes to within the striking distance of his axe, he lets go of the Sword and wills it to attack the dragon as he swings his battle axe over his head and attempts to bring it down on the forebody of the wyrm…

CK Summary:
Agathon HP 76/91; AC 20

CURRENT EFFECTS:
Bless Spell Round 2 /100 (+1 Attacks & +1 saves)
Dragon Fear Aura Round 1/15 (-2 Attacks, damage, attribute checks, & saves)

Agathon will charge the dragon.
Agathon will start the Dancing Sword and attack with the Battle Axe as he arrives in melee. As both attacks are simultaneous, they both should happen at the end of the charge (please feel free to correct that if I am wrong). IF for whatever reason he cannot have both attacks, then he will hit with the sword and start the dancing at the beginning of next round.

His current bonuses:
+2 Great Sword of Dancing: +12 (2d6+3)
+2 Battle Axe +11 (1d8+3)

Seeing the troll stop, Agathon will notice that he has moved too far from the camp in his haste to meet the Troll head on. While the large beast hesitates, Agathon will back up so as to fall into a proper defensive line with his comrades. A puzzled look appears on his face until he finally sees the second troll appear from the rain...

"Aha! It is a group and the leader is just waiting for them to form up..." Agathon will think to himself...

"Form up and defend the wizards! There are more trolls!", he will say loudly over his shoulders not allowing his eyes to leave the dark pits of the lead troll's own eyes...

Once in place, Agathon will take a deep breath and lean forward a bit to ready himself for a possible charge by the trolls.

CK Summary:
Agathon HP 91/91; AC 20
Bless Spell: Round 1/100 rounds +1 att/ +1 saves
I did not give specific distance information in my last post. My apologies... Agathon will now back up to within a "very short distance" in front of the party. In this case, this means no more than 10 to 15 feet out in front of the rest of the group.He will await the onset of the trolls (or, their words, if their hesitation is to communicate something).
Once the Troll is in striking distance, Agathon will drop the Great Sword (which is currently in his left hand...) and attack with the Battle Axe and the Short Sword (if you will allow him to pull it and strike in the same round that he drops the Great sword, that is...).

His bonuses (+1 to hit for the Bless Spell): +2 Great Sword of Dancing: +14 (2d6+5), +2 Battle Axe +13 (1d8+5) (if it’s just the axe this round…).
If both weapons in hand (along with the G. Sword doing its own thing): +2 Battle Axe +10 (1d8+5); +1 Keen Short Sword +7 (1d6+4)

Seeing the troll running toward the party, Agathon will drop the hammer he was using to help erect the lean-to to provide a dry shelter for the gear and move to interpose himself in the Troll’s path.

Pulling both his Great Sword and his Battle Axe (intending to drop the dancing weapon and pull the Short Sword once engaged), he will shout to the others, “Verlik! Garsh! Get on either side of the camp to protect the wizards! Someone prepare fire to burn the troll!”

Leaving the remaining tactical disposition of the group to Thaddeus and the others, Agathon will calm himself and prepare his mind for the coming battle…

“Pelor! Allow me to shine your light even here beneath these blocking clouds. Make me your hammer to strike down this foul beast!” He will grin with this silent prayer as he unconsciously tightens his grip on his axe…

CK Summary:
Agathon HP 91/91; AC 20
Agathon will move a very short distance in front of the group in the direction of the Troll and await its arrival in melee.
Once the Troll is in striking distance, Agathon will drop the Great Sword (which is currently in his left hand...) and attack with the Battle Axe and the Short Sword (if you will allow him to pull it and strike this round).
His bonuses: +2 Great Sword of Dancing: +13 (2d6+5), Battle Axe +12 (1d8+5) (if it’s just the axe this round…). If both weapons: +2 Battle Axe +9 (1d8+5); +1 Keen Short Sword +6 (1d6+4)

DM Summary 2: here is the watch list again (so you don't have to go hunt for it in previous postings):

1st watch
Thaddeus, Edgar, Jacques

2nd watch
Agathon, Garsh

3rd watch
Belric, Idnae,Verlik

Party Post

Belric thinks things through for a bare moment before concurring with the rest of the group that these beasts must be destroyed.

Before another word can be spoken, a transformation begins to take place. Agathon takes a step back in shock and is immediately grateful his blush is hidden in the shadows as the other veterans stand fast before the strange sight befalling the group.

On the ground the wolf man's body begins to deform and grow lighter in color. By the jaundiced light of the sun rod burning a few feet away, the hair begins to recede, the long claws pull back into its hands in fits and jerks, the chest gets smaller and with a final spasm, before them lies the cut up body of a human man. His unkept and blood soaked hair obscuring his features, Agathon is struck with a sudden sense of pity for the poor man that he has killed.

Once the prayers are done, Agathon will scout the site to pick up the locations of the main trail of both this individual and those that were fighting Verlik and the priest. Once satisfied that he can once again find these prints by daylight, Agathon will report this to Thaddeus.

The wizard will advise all to return to the watch and to sleep so that we might be fresh at dawn to pick up the trail and find the lair of these Lycans.

Forgoing the fake camp for the remainder of the evening and despite the order to sleep, the newest members of the band can not help but remain awake and discuss in low tones the adventure of the night with Verlik the central figure. Finally an hour before the sun rise, Thaddeus has had enough and provides just the admonishment necessary to quiet the conversation and to allow all to go either back to sleep or at least to rest quietly with their thoughts of the hunt coming...

CK NOTE:
The party will resume the watch schedule and will camp together at the main camp (leaving the fake camp unmanned for the remainder of the night.
At dawn, Agathon will attempt to re-pick up the trail (+9 to track)
The group will track the largest collection of tracks (should they split up) or just the one that attacked Agathon (should they all go in separate directions).

As his foe hits the ground, Agathon will stand very still and listen intently to the sounds of his surroundings. He smiles as Belric shouts something nearly incomprehensible (but warrior spirited) at the fleeing wolf-men. He closes his eyes and tries to focus on the direction the yelping creatures are taking in their haste to flee the combat.

As their sounds fade quickly into the night, Agathon will return his weapons to his belt, snatch the hovering Great Sword from the air and crouch down to examine the foot prints of his foe in the dirt and undergrowth. “Is everyone all right?” He will call out to his compatriots. “Come hither! But, be of caution! Do not step on their tracks! And be wary of further attack. I killed one and have his body here!”

While awaiting everyone’s arrival, he will use the sun rod to light the ground and being very careful not to touch his foe or the ground on which it stood moments before, he will memorize these impressions.

As the others arrive at his position, Agathon will caution them all to remain at a short distance while he takes a few moments to ‘back track’ the creature to familiarize himself with the impressions he made in the undergrowth as he hid and then ambushed Agathon.

After doing so, he will check to ensure that all are well and will address the group…

Dialog A (If Agathon’s Tracking roll is a good one and he is confident that he could track these creatures back to their lair…):

“Sir Belric,” Agathon will address the priest formally. “I can track these beasts. Perhaps we might eradicate their existence from your lands this night. As master of this place, the decision is yours. How shall we proceed?…”

Dialog B (If Agathon’s Tracking roll sucks the bag and he finds little difference to his eyes between a werewolf’s tracks and those of an average ground squirrel):

“This one has cleverly disguised his tracks making it nearly impossible to follow his foot treads back to their lair. I must examine the tracks of the others to see if in their haste to flee they perhaps were not so clever…” Turning to Belric, he will declare: “Sir Belric,” “If I can track these beasts, perhaps we might eradicate their existence from your lands this night. As master of this place, the decision is yours. How shall we proceed?…”

CK NOTE:
Agathon HP 91/91; AC 20
I am assuming that we are no longer tactical. This post covers about a minute or so of time. However, the first three paragraphs of actions are each one round long. The fourth and ensuing dialog options take up the remaining time. So, if something happens in the middle there, please inform us as to the time flow and ignore subsequent action posted.
Tracking is a Class Skill using a Prime Stat. Total +9 to the roll.
The round of listening is to the movement of the fleeing ones to determine their direction could be considered a type of tracking attempt:+9 on a Prime Stat to that roll (modified at your discretion).
Agathon retains the Great Sword in his hand the entire time until the party either goes back to bed, or moves out to track these creatures…
If the tracking roll works, I can track this fellow for about 5 hours or so... Modified at CK's discretion.

First post in the new format

Agathon screeches to a halt as the axe blade of a halberd appears, as if from no where, in the air right in front of him. Hearing the grunt of frustration caused by the near miss, Agathon can now see his new foe.

Standing tall and lean, the Man-Wolf creature pivots and swings the great pole arm about for another strike its eyes glowing with the sheen of murder…

Agathon will strike the Sun Rod and drop it at his feet while simultaneously dropping the Great Sword of Dancing into the air to attack.

Whirling in place and moving inside his opponent’s attack as the great blade does its wondrous magic, Agathon will pull both his Battle Axe and his Keen Short Sword Attacking with them as well. Spinning in place, he will drag both weapons across his foes front (Battle Axe first). Feeling his own power here in his natural element, Agathon will allow a tight grin to appear on his features…

DM Note:
Agathon HP 91/91; AC 20
Agathon drops the Great Sword to Dance (FA) Round ¼ Dancing; +13 to hit, 2d6+5 Damage.
Lighting and dropping of the Sun Rod: a MA (unless DM wishes to specify otherwise making it free).
Pulling weapons: FA in C&C.
Hits with the Battle Axe (+9 to hit, 1d8+5 Dam) and the Keen Short Sword (+6 to hit, 1d6+4 Dam, Crit 19-20).
Weapons attack order: Battle Axe then Short Sword (in case one or the other is a fumbled attack).

Agathon 91/91 AC 20

Agathon will continue his dash through the woods... Listening as he moves, he will home in on the sounds of Belric and Verlik's combat...

As Agathon approaches the camp, he will pull a sun rod from his belt pouch and silently congratulate himself for having taken Jacques advice and actually attaching it to his weapons belt instead of trooping about with it on a separate lanyard...

"Like the man said, you never know when you will need it..."

DM Note: Agathon is no longer concerned with stealth... However HE WILL NOT IGNITE THE SUN ROD YET!!! If any of the opponents become distracted from fighting Verlik and Belric due to the noise of his approach, then so much the better! Agathon will have the sun rod in his left hand and the sword in his right. If he is ambushed on the way, he will just drop the sun rod in place and hit with the great sword. Otherwise... It is freight train time!

Agathon HP: 91/91; AC:20

Hearing Belric cry his warning, Agathon will curse under his breath, "Blast! So much for sneaking up on them!"

Tightening his grip on the Great Sword further, he will forgo his efforts to be silent and will move to his maximum speed allowed in this terrain setting as he sets out toward Belric and Verlik's position (moving in the dark terrain, knowing the layout of the land after spending the time earlier to set noise traps and such, trying to get there as fast as possible without running himself into a tree or two in the process...).

"Pelor, make me swift!" He will pray silently as he dodges around a boulder narrowly avoiding twisting his ankle... Turning onto one of the many walking paths that lead to the mining area, he will put on his best speed leaping over one of the 'wires' (really just a piece of thin string) he set for one of his traps.

All his focus will be on movement to the battle and the terrain he must pass on the way there...

DM Note: I don't know what you would want me to roll for this effort (Survival? Dexterity?)... So, Please note that I am +3 to a straight Dexterity roll and +10 for Survival(no bonus for Wisdom, just 9th level and +1 to Survival rolls). If Agathon can cover the distance this round (unlikely, I know) he will move to attack whichever creature is closest to him that is also attacking Verlik. Otherwise, this round is just all about getting there.

Agathon: HP: 91/91; AC: 20

Judging that he can now approach the fake camp without directly revealing the path to the real one, Agathon will forgo the attempts to slowly conceal himself as well as move silently and will proceed at a slightly quickened pace to Belric and Verlik’s position…

Tightening his grip upon the huge blade and being careful not to allow the metal to brush against the foliage as he silently stalks forward, Agathon will find pride and amazement at his own stealth…

”You have certainly come a long way from sneaking about the Gnolls Head in that squeaky scale mail, boy!”, he will think to himself as a lopsided grins begins to tug its way across his silent features…

DM Note: In game terms, this means that Agathon increases his pace to ½ movement so as to keep the maximum benefit of moving silently through the terrain toward the target area while getting him closer quicker… He will now get the full +13 to his Move Silently roll…

A Move Silently roll: (1d20+13=29)

Still like the wind, baby!

DM Note: Please note that if Agathon runs into an enemy and can strike this action, he is +13 to hit with the Great Sword (2d6+5 damage)… That is if the DM wants to roll a surprise hit for me before calling for initiative.

Agathon: HP: 91/91; AC: 20

Holding a finger up to indicate that the others should both remain silent and where they are, Agathon will begin creeping toward the fake camp taking a route that is to the left and not directly toward the ‘camp’…

“Hmmm. Belric shouted something about ‘invisible enemies’. Pelor! Grant me stealth and vision enough to see what may be stalking us this night!” Agathon will think to himself…

As he angles away to come to the fake encampment from a direction other than the real camp (to better confuse whatever enemy may be lurking about), Agathon will take great care with each step and use the brush for what concealment there may be so as to keep himself as invisible as well as his wood craft will allow.

Agathon will attempt to both conceal himself and move silently at the same time (doing this exacts a -5 penalty and slows him to ¼ movement). He will do this with the Great Sword in hand and keeping his eyes sharp for unexplained movement of the brush and other such signs that might indicate an invisible opponent’s passage.

A Conceal Roll: +4 (Dex/prev), +9 (9th lvl), -5 (moving 1/4 spd and moving silent): (1d20+8=15)

A Move Silently Roll: +4 (Dex/Prev), +9 (9th lvl), -5 (1/4 spd concealing): (1d20+8=27)

Agathon: HP: 91/91; AC: 20

With Belric’s shout of alarm, Agathon will start awake and buckle his weapons belt to his waist even before raising. DM Note: This is the waist belt that has the battle axe and short sword connected to it… “Idnae!” He will get her attention with a harsh whisper, “What did Belric just say?”

Not waiting for her to answer, Agathon will shake his head to awaken more fully as he rises grabbing the great sword as he stands in one fluid motion.

If nothing immediately attacks him, he will then take a few steps to interpose himself between the rest of the camp and the direction of the fake camp.

Breathing in the damp chill predawn air, Agathon will go silently still and listen for the telltale sounds of either an enemy approaching or Belric’s axe being thunked into flesh…

A Move Silently Roll (this is a ranger ability and on a prime stat):
A Move Silently Roll: (Ranger ability, Prime Stat [dex], +1+lvl=+10: (1d20 +10=17)

A Spot Roll (listen Check) (not a ranger ability but is a prime stat): I Spot Roll (+2 from Character development), Prime Stat [Wis]: (1d20+2=6)

DM and Fellow Players Please Note: As the distance to the real camp is about 100 yards… We are at least two rounds of distance for your average “trotting” sniffing invisible ware doggie and his blanket sniffing buddies… Thus, I posted about 2 rounds worth of motion… That is: saying a blurb, buckling his belt, getting up with sword in hand (1 round), and moving a few steps forward and listening for the bad guys (2nd round)… If we get but one round of action, then please keep Agathon in the middle of camp with weapon in hand… thanks.

Agathon: 91/91 AC 20

After a long days ride to the campsite, Agathon is very pleased with himself for finding it again.

"Hmmm. It has been but a few weeks though it seems like years since we huddled beneath this rock on the way to the mine where we fought the hobgoblins..." Agathon will think to himself just as he notices that he left the bugle he took in prize back at the manor...

In the rain, Agathon will set himself (with Verlik's assistance) to the task of setting up the camp and cover its location and our occupation of it as best he can.

He will also set several noise traps on the easy approaches to the camp for early warning should someone creep toward them intending mischief...

CK Note: I am at work and unable to roll the dice on IC (and thought that the CK would want to roll my trap setting roll in secret anyway...). It is a Wisdom Skill, I have +1 to this activity, and it is a prime stat. Please roll for as many of these rock fall "noise" traps as there are approaches to the camp.Thanks.

"There!" He will declare as he sets the last one. "Hopefully, this will provide us with a bit of warning should we gain any visitors in the storm..."

As the evening meal is eaten in the darkness, Agathon will smile to the new members of our party and invite each of them in turn to tell what they will of themselves and assure them that they are among friends. Between each tale, he will extoll the group with the exploits of each of their new employers (possibly with a tiny bit of positive embellishment) and tell them all how he is honored to just "be along for the ride" in such grand company.

Begging the groups indulgence, he will offer the evening prayer of his faith so safeguard the group through the dark night and will put forth the following watch duties to the group:

"For the first watch, Sir Thaddeus, his esquire, Edgar, and Sir Jacques will guard us in our sleep. In a fourth of hours, they will awaken Garsh and myself to take the middle watch, and a fourth of hours later, I will awaken Brother Sir Belric, Inae, and Verlik to take us onto the dawn... Please be certain to awaken me upon the dawn so that I might commit my morning devotional. I will start the morning meal so that we may face our second day as a company! And, now, good night to you all!"

To Edgar, he will will whisper as he is getting his bedroll flattened, "Fear not, my new friend. With Master Thaddeus you have thrown in with a powerful wizard. And despair not Sir Jacques lack of iron weaponry! He is the greatest warrior I know... Besides me, of course..." He will offer the lad his best lopsided grin in an attempt to way lay what fears he may have and will pass out of wakefulness glad to once again be in the wilderness he has grown to call home...

CK Note: here is the watch list in plain form:

1st watch
Thaddeus, Edgar, Jacques,
2nd watch
Agathon, Garsh
3rd watch
Belric, Idnae,Verlik

As per CK request, here are Agathon’s expenses in purchasing mounts for the party as well as fully outfitting his henchman, Verlik.

Outfitting Verlik:

Lt. War Horse fully equipped:
Horse 150 GP
Saddle 20 GP
Bit and Bridle 1 GP
Saddle Bags 4 GP
Saddle Blanket 5 SP

Weapons & Armor:
Heavy Mace 12 GP
Long sword 15 GP
Dagger 2 GP
Long Composite Bow 100 GP
Quiver (20 Arrows) 4 GP
Steel Breast Plate 300 GP
Med. Steel Shield 15 GP

Other equipment:
Shoulder Pack 2 GP
50’ silk rope 10 GP
Lg Belt Pouch 1 GP
Canteen (1/2 Gal) 2 gp
Flint & Steel 1 GP
1 week rations 3 GP
Winter Blanket 5 SP
Bedroll 1 SP

Agathon will tell Verlik that for now, all of this gear belongs to Agathon. Verlik will earn ownership of it through loyalty and his deeds. Conversationally, Agathon will admit that Verlik's former captain impressed Agathon with Verlik's worth and that he has no doubt at all that Verlik will indeed earn his gear and much more in the coming weeks...

Castle Keeper Note: Please make certain that you record all of this on Verlik's sheet OR give me all of his information and I will keep a sheet for him... (CK's Option)

Total Expenditure for Verlik: 651 GP, 5 SP

Small essentials he can buy on his own…

Agathon took it upon himself to purchase all of the horses and mules that the party has been using all this time. As posted before, he then presented them to the party as a present and token of continued friendship as lords of their own lands. Adding to this, he will state that their people and their families will always have safe haven at Fort Arazarm as long as he is lord of it!

Here are those expenses:
Fully equipped Lt. War Horse = 175 GP, 5 SP
A Mule = 25 GP

Expenditure for the mounts for the party: 800 GP, 20 SP

Total Expenditure for Agathon (for the mounts and outfitting Verlik): 1451 GP, 25 SP

The money has been deleted from Agathon’s sheet.

As to a watch list... Verlik sleeps when Agathon is awake and Verlik watches when Agathon is asleep.

His two standing orders are:
1. Never leave the camp alone and allow no others to do so without waking Agathon.

2. Thaddeus' safety takes precedence before everything else.

Party Post for clarity:

The party is leaving Knurl on the morning of the 12th day of Reaping. We are setting out to the fishing village of Ferin to meet what people are there, assess damage (if any) and to allow Jacques to gain a familiarity with the goings on of his Steading.

The plan (for now) is to ride there, stay perhaps a day, and then move on to the east to the next Steading... Unless, of course, something draws us away from this plan...

The party will consist of: Agathon, Thaddeus, Jacques, and Belric (Hereafter called: The Four Mains). In addition, there will be Verlik (Agathon's new henchmen), and the other henchmen that have been hired by the others... Everyone will be mounted. The Four Mains and Verlik upon the animals that Agathon purchased for them. The others will be mounted upon animals of their own or those purchased for them by the other main characters...The original pack mules were purchased as well and will also be in the company.

The riding order will be relaxed at first, but as the walls of Knurl vanish behind us, we will ride in a loose formation with Agathon and Verlik up front, Thaddeus in the center and the others spread around encircling Thaddeus trading time in the rearguard and the flanks with Jacques in the rear at all times as the primary rearguard.

Request for the Castle Keeper: Please give us the details of our new henchmen, and all other costs associated with them beyond the one hundred Gold several of us paid them (including the price of the 4 horses and 4 mules Agathon bought for the party)... Please remember that in Agathon's case only, the 100 Gold to Verlik was NOT for his outfitting!!! That was pure salary and basic needs money... Any armor or weapons he needs, Agathon will purchase separately (I am assuming that as a Sergeant of the Guard, he must have some of his own gear...). So, I do not know what he needs.Thank you for noting all of this.

All of these details should probably appear here rather than through e-mail (CK's option though...).

Agathon: HP: 91/91; AC: 20

Reaping 4 - 12, CY 577

As his companions are working to create magical scrolls, Agathon will enjoy his time touring Knurl. He will ask Verlik to sup with him and will discuss with him his need to have a good man that can pull his own weight in clearing out the countryside and ridding the steadings and the hills of the humanoids that lurk there still…

“I wish you to accompany me and my companions as we tour our lands. We will be gone from the city for perhaps two weeks. It is hard to tell what might set itself upon us along the way. Are you provisioned for such a trek? If not, bring what you have and give a list of your needs to me. Tomorrow, I will be touring the damage here in Knurl and together we can purchase what you will need. In addition, I propose to you a wage, for now, of 32 Pieces of Gold each month.”

I will provide your martial and most personal expenses. I will see you fed well and I shall never think you a mere servant. For, you are a man of some renown within these walls. And, a man who would give of himself and put at risk the measure of his life in the defense of others as you have, deserves the respect of all he defends and from me as well.”

With Verlik’s agreement, Agathon will slap him on the back and fill his cup with wine… “Well then, we will drink to many adventures together!”

During the rest of this week, Agathon will purchase what goods and items Verlik may need, he will begin Verlik’s employment with a payment of 100 Gold Pieces… “This payment is for your first two months and what personal expenses you may have in that time…”

CK Note: Please give me a list of equipment I must purchase for Verlik (or just the cost… your choice). Also, Please give me what particulars you can on Verlik. Thanks. The 100 GP has been deducted from Agathon’s sheet.

At some point during Agathon’s walk about Knurl, he will go to the shrine of Pelor and look in on Darby the Priest and any of the Adepts of the Order that might still be about. If Darby (or another priest of the Church) is there, he will donate 100 Gold Pieces to help with repairs and aid to the displaced of the City…

CK Note: This 100 GP has been deducted from Agathon’s sheet as well.

Once this is accomplished, Agathon will go to the stables and reacquire the horses and pack animals that we used for our earlier journeys. Agathon will purchase the animals from the stable master (relying on his current hero status a bit to garner a good price for them…). His intention is to present them to the others in the party as a present that evening. In addition, he will purchase a light warhorse for Verlik (should he not have one). He will also arrange for a week of feed for the animals so that they can be housed at the stables at the manor house…

CK Note: Please give me the cost of this over e-mail and I will deduct the funds... Again, thanks.

On the day of Reaping 12 the party (and Verlik) prepare to leave Knurl to travel north to the fishing village and Jacques’ people. Agathon will find it difficult to wipe the lopsided grin from his face as he asks Verlik to take the rearguard position. He finds himself excited to be on horseback again preparing for another sojourn into the wilderness. Handing Margarette a flower he plucked from the verge of the pretty house down the way from the manor, he will say to her, “Keep yourself well. We will return soon.” And holding her gaze long, he will drop his eyes and turn Triple Sox toward the north gate of the city, taking his place in the van as the entire group leaves the city behind…

Wanting to meet his own people and those of his friends, Agathon will press to take our tours of the steadings before moving on to sell or barter our combined treasure.

Leaving Belric and Thaddeus alone for the week as they were careful to warn Agathon to not interrupt their scroll work, Agathon will approach Jaques and ask if he wishes to tour Knurl so that they can assess the damage to the city and learn in what ways their own lands will be called upon to aid the city in the near future.

To the monk, he will say, "I imagine that we will be expected to produce crops and materials from our lands for sale here in town... Besides, you and I have had spare opportunity to talk and learn of each other. Tell me of your childhood in these parts, and I will share with you my own few stories, though they will no doubt pale before your own!"

If Jaques agrees, Agathon and he will spend the week meeting as many people of the local nobility and merchant classes as possible, learning what they can about the people here and the troubles that people here are having right now...

IF Jaques has his own things to accomplish, Agathon will do his "walk about" in knurl on his own. He will do this armed and armored in case there are still spies and foes hidden in the city from the assault...

One significant visit he will perform is a visit to the shrine to Pelor and along with praying, will offer what gold he can in donation for their relief efforts... (amount to be given later via e-mail...)

Agathon: 91/91 HP AC 14 (wearing his house robes and the +1 ring. No Armor)

A color post of Agathon's thoughts after the feast; but,it is before the meeting with the Count tonight...

Morning of the 4th Day of Reaping…

The dawn has come and gone. The others will find Agathon upon the roof of their manor sitting facing east with a sword upon his lap.

Just a few hours before, there was a great feast in the hall. Elsinore and Margarette out did themselves and presented a rack of lamb that fell off the bone to the complete delight of all the travelers… Margarette never looked so wonderful as last night…

It was a night he would most certainly always remember as his heart has found a new stirring. In his travels of late, he has seen great beauty in women… all of it covering a black heart and soul. Upon his return to Knurl, he found the kindest and most profound greeting was not that of the Lords of the City… Not the smiles, song, and slaps on the back from the soldiers… Not even the relief and joy of his comrades in arms… No. The deepest greeting was from Margarette, the maid. She is a rather plain simple woman of no means save her heart and hands. Hers was the most genuine the most deeply honest greeting… and the simplest.

“Welcome home”.

Those two simple words and the look behind the eyes presenting them were the most important things Agathon has experienced since he left the clamor of Greyhawk. He has never truly understood what that word ‘home’ meant until he crossed the threshold of the front door to find Margarette greeting him after his long time away. This is indeed home. And, he truly understands its meaning now.

Thinking back further, his mind races through their adventures. Traveling with the armed company to Fort Arazam through the under-ground passages, through the Bone March, and ending in the great fortress of Spine Castle. It is all a blur, as if someone had told him the tale too quickly causing him to not catch all of the details of the story… Yet, some imagery comes back all too clearly. That never dying beast spewing his foul reek on us and the metal beast of blood we fought. Brother Belric, Thaddeus, and Jaques each in their turn brushing elbows with the spirits of the dead and the evil they have seen… The eyes of the King of the Orcs… Those yellowed eyes! We made a deal with him… Yes, it ended the war. Knurl is safe. Yet, no bath (no matter how many flower petals Margarette throws into it) can ever was off the stink of that encounter… And, the horrors within the tyrannical walls of Spine Castle remain.

And Thaddeus! Poor Thaddeus! Courted by the very same evil… And did I not feel it? I know that I wanted to visit the most horrible treatment upon the Drow wizard... Did I not wish to hurt her and add to her suffering? Did I not want to visit some of her own horror onto her mind and body? Pelor, please forgive my adventure into this darkness! I nearly joined my friend and catapulted us both into the abyss! I wanted to hurt her so badly, and I know he did as well… Despite Brother Belric’s complaint, the slow ride back from that terrible place gave us the time to try to save the soul of our good friend. I know that there is work yet to be done on this score… Oh Great Shining One! Give me the strength to persist and defeat this most insidious and greatest of foes! Call upon your ally and great friend, Moradin to give Belric what strength he needs to work with me in this regards. Help us to save our friend!!

And now, I am presented with a new quandary… Where to go from here? I have no doubt that Jaques, Thaddeus, and Belric have already reached their own decisions… But then, they have all a vastly greater store of wisdom than I. My desires are to work to rid Belric’s homeland, Spine Castle, of this great body of evil and occupation… once and for all freeing the Bone March of this doom. Yet, this has been the dream of the nobility and the captains of this region for a span greater than my life. This dream has come to naught but a temporary truce… the truce that we brokered! Thus, we have solved nothing but a small gain of personal honor and fame. Perhaps Count Dunstan will honor us with a bit of land somewhere about the region at the meeting he has called for tonight…

Meaningless it is in the great accounting of it all…

Agathon will rub the bridge of his nose, seated on his perch on the roof of the manor waiting the dawn… Upon his lap rests the sword made by the hands of Thaddeus’ father… a great weapon that has served him well. He will silently pray for forgiveness for his trespasses during the last month and will smile peacefully as the first rays of sunlight chase the tendrils of cold away from his closed eyes…

Upon the rising of the Sun, Agathon will pray aloud, “Pelor! I seek your blessing and great knowledge! It is my intention to remain with my companions and to serve Knurl and your church within it. For the latter, I ask humbly for your blessing. For the former, I seek strength and advice… I humbly ask you to send to me one that can aid me on our future quests… I ask not for a foot man… I do not require any man’s service! I beg thee for a companion that can keep my focus on your teachings and whom I can serve in the delivery of your light upon the World!

With that, he will allow the great Sun to warm his body and wait for his companions to eventually find him so that he may discuss with them the future of their company…

Agathon: HP: 53/55; AC: 20

As he approaches his target, Agathon will see the glisten of water falling off the scaled body of the lizard like man before him. The creature turns to meet Agathon.

”Pelor! Its eyes! They are dark pits of death!!! Agathon’s mental scream will ricochet throughout his skull even as he attempts to use his momentum to drive his weapon into the fearsome creature’s chest. The sight of the black soulless eyes of this upright lizard causes Agathon to lose focus for just a second.

And a second is all the fates need:

A strike upon the Lizard Man: (1d20+9=10, 2d6+4=11)

Agathon Fumbles most ingloriously…

Slipping horribly in the mud just as his opponent turns sideways with an ‘impossibly’ quick snapping motion, Agathon nearly flies past and beyond as his great blade slices through naught but air. “Ooop!” He winces inwardly at the ridiculous sound even as it leaps from his lips.

Trying desperately just to remain upright, waving his arms and his right foot leaving the ground, Agathon’s jaw drops open as he cannot help but leave his entire left side open for an easy attack…

Agathon: HP: 55/53; AC: 20

Seeing the Lizard men fighting the troopers and judging them to be a greater threat than the Giant Toads (and seeing that his friends are in no immediate threat), Agathon will shout to his friends...

"Our comrades are hard pressed by those... those... whatever they are! We must aid them!"

And with no further word (thinking the threat in their own small camp extinguished), Agathon will grip his sword tightly and run flat out to the nearest set of troopers...

Castle Keeper (CK) Note: I am assuming that Agathon will not be able to attack until next round. But, running flat out he might at least get into a flanking position on one of the Lizard Men. Also, as Agathon would not have been wearing his pack while asleep, he is currently operating under no load (current EV 8 with 15+ being a "light Load")... This is assuming that he will also NOT have his Bow nor the battle axe... Just the great sword.

If he can hit after all, then here is a hit:

A potential swing on a Lizard Man (if he can get there this round...): (1d20+9=16, 2d6+4=7)

Agathon: HP: 55/53; AC: 20

Snapping his left leg into a better position as the enormous toad snaps his side with its tongue; Agathon will use the weight of the sword to slide his weight onto his left foot regaining his balance. And, he swings the heavy blade around for another strike:

Another swing at Toad #2: (1d20+9=25, 2d6+4=10)

DM Note: If this kills Toad #2, then Agathon will move to get into position to strike the nearest Toad next round. If not, then he will maneuver to place his opponent between him and the other Toad (trying to keep himself from being flanked, if possible… Without invoking any sort of AoO if we are still doing that in this game…).

As the pain from the lash starts to register, he finally becomes fully awake. And buries his weapon deeply into the animal… He will contemplate this in thought: ”The wound is already throbbing! It could be a poison of some sort…” Agathon’s mind will automatically flash to the Simbewe weeds and the creeping oak fungus he saw around and on the trees, and wonder if there is enough to leech the poison from the entire company…

Poison Knowledge check to determine in his memory if there is indeed enough herbs and such in the woods here to treat many poison wounds... (1d20+1=4) Since it is a ranger ability to delay/neutralize poison, I imagine that the knowledge of how to do that is part of the deal... So, this would be a Wisdom Check (Prime CL 12+Mods).

Shaking his head clear of such distracting thoughts, he will once again focus on the battle at hand and worry about poisons later…

Agathon: HP: 55/55; AC: 20

Seeing the Lizard Men and knowing not what they are, Agathon will shout, “Yonder Monster Men must be commanding these beasts!’

”Gads! What devilry could make such a simple creature into such a horror!?” He will think to himself as he launches himself into action.

Agathon will move to attack the one between him and the water (this would be Toad #2).

Flashing his blade around in a great arc, he will find himself a bit off balance as he tries to set it upon the animal with all his might…

A hit on Toad #2: (1d20+9=12, 2d6+4=11)

DM Note: It is hard to tell the exact distance to this enemy on the map. If the distance is too great for Agathon to get a hit upon the Toad, he will simply eliminate the distance between them so he can hit next round…

Agathon: HP: 55/55; AC: 20
DM Note: Agathon is now fully converted to C&C.

Feeling as secure as one might in the current setting, Agathon will sleep a restful sleep… His dreams shifting to Margarette and a moment when she was clearing the board after a meal and the torch light from behind revealed her full shape beneath her frock…

I am assuming that at some point during the round, Jacques is going to call out an alarm of some sort. If he does, then my dream may perchance be interrupted…

A Wisdom Check to wake up: (1d20+1=13)

This beats the CL to awaken…

As he sits back in his seat at the table, Agathon will further appreciate the shadowed curvature of Margarette’s breasts through the back lit cloth as she softly turns her head toward him and loudly shouts, “Stop looking at my breasts you stupid oaf! Something is amiss!”

With a loud snort, Agathon will blast out his sleep and sit up violently shaking his head casting a bit of drool into the darkness. In the low firelight of the camp, he sees Jacques under attack by a rather freakishly large frog… Tilting his head in dismay, he will frown in losing the dream and pull his sword from its sheath and himself to his feet in one quick (if a bit sleep-clumsy) movement.

An initiative roll: (1d10+5=8)

DM Note: I added my Dex to that roll (as well as Agathon’s special +2). If that is in error, please deduct the 3 for my Dex rendering an initiative of 5. (And please clarify this for us... Thanks).

I am also assuming that my awakening and getting up/pulling weapon will take up my round. That is all he does anyway as he will spend the rest of any possible action looking toward Thaddeus for other enemies anyway…

1st of Wealsun

Awakening from a dreamless sleep, Agathon will sit up from his splayed position taking up a good portion of the front of the wagon. Stretching to remove the kinks caused his strange position and the gear beneath the padding which was his bed this night, he will notice that Thaddeus and Jacques are not to be seen, he will question a soldier as to the location of the horse master as he reaches over to thump Belric on the boot to roust the priest.

Shaking his head as he realizes that he just questioned an illusionary soldier, Agathon will dismount from the wagon, scratch for a bit and head off in search of his horse and mule. As he wends his way through the camp, he will smile at the smells of the fires mixing into the powerful musk of the animals all about. Pausing and taking it all in with a deep breath, he allows a bounce in his step as he finds and soothes Trouble Sox and Paco.

After making certain that the horse master is not an illusion as well and that the animals have been well tended, he will share a bit of dried apple from his saddle bags with Belric’s beasts as well and brush them down uttering calming tones in his best (although not very good) imitation of the dwarf…

Agathon will spend a great portion of the day walking through the host and discovering (with great fascination) who is illusionary and who is not. He could swear that some of these illusions were among the crowd shouting him and his song down when they left the castle… He will attempt to speak to them with no result. ”Who is controlling this magic? Sir Gendar? Amazing power!”

He will relate his experiences to his fellows and will silently endure the expressions on the faces of Thaddeus and Jacques (offering a grin to Berlric who alone seemed to express a gentle understanding to his youthful reverie). He will ask Thaddeus, “Can these incantations fight? Or is this all just a ruse with the small human company within the magic to suffer the most extreme hurt once the enemy’s wizards remove this falsehood?”

When the wizard confirms his fears, he will lapse into silence and contemplate their situation. He agrees to join Belric in the late watches of the night.

2nd of Wealsun

After an uneventful night of watching the trees sway and enjoying a spirited whispered talk on the ways of Moradin the Strong with Belric that lasted well past sun up and into the striking of camp, Agathon will spend the day focusing on the periphery of the company looking for tracks along the route. He will volunteer to scout ahead with Sir Gendar’s scout team and will concentrate on what might be seen in small hiding places along the route (remembering the small chronicler they encountered in the wild some days ago). (Track (Wisdom) Wis is a Prime Stat, +0, but, I get a +2 to track humanoids…)

3rd of Wealsun

With the tensions in the company slowly mounting, even Agathon can sense some coming doom. All this day, a feeling of hardness overcomes him. As he continues to scout ahead and on the flanks with his fellow scouts, he finds himself drinking in the clues from the ground like water and with as little actual thought. Each depression in the leaves, each upturned stone, each snapped twig has a story to tell and Agathon finds a great deal of surprise in himself as he absorbs it all.

Returning to the company periodically as ordered to render any and all findings, he will find a grim happiness in facing the shadow ahead. After the fight with the giant and reflecting thoroughly on his adventures of the last month, the over flying wyverns and the eyes among the leaves no longer wield terror in the back of his mind. They instead impart a sense of purpose…

”Oh Great Shining One... and… Great Strength of the Earth… Pelor and Moradin! Allies of Light and Strength! Hear me! Your wisdom and command of the fates have brought to these lands for a purpose, though I know not your thoughts and desires in this regard… I swear again that I will find that purpose and that I will be worthy of it. I will stand here and play what role you wish of me in freeing these lands of the filth that is grabbing for its soul. The women of Great City have a saying that they say to the warriors who venture forth into foreign lands to do the Lords bidding… ‘Carry your shield and its device proudly to victory or be brought back through the gates upon it…’ Great Gods of Sky and Earth!!! I carry no shield. I have not a gate to be carried through… So, I will stand. For Knurl!”

Not revealing his prayers and personal oaths to the others, he will settle in for another night watch with Brother Belric at his back and smile at the darkness…

Agathon: HP: 55/55; AC: 25 (enhanced by Barkskin and Haste)
Barkskin Potion: 59 minutes 4 rounds remaining
Haste Potion: 5 rounds remaining
Darkvision potion: 7min 6rds left
Bless 4 minutes 4 rounds

Leveling up Agathon: 4th level Fighter / 2nd level Ranger:

Hit Point roll for leveling up Agathon to 2nd level Ranger (6th level over-all): (1d8+3=8)This gives him a total of 55 Hit Points as noted above.
Skill Points: 6+1 (int) = 7 (1 Knowledge Nature, 2 Move Silently, 2 Spot, 2 Survival)
Saves: +1 Fort, +1 Ref
New Class Features: Combat Style (archery… During FRA, 1 extra attack with all three being at -2)
6th Level Feat: Iron Will (+2 on Will Saves)

As the Giant swings and connects with Belric knocking the cleric flat, Agathon will shout, “NOooo!” cutting off his cry as it is punctuated by the loud ‘crack’ of the dwarf’s helmet on the rocky ground.

After the final blow causes the giant to fall as well, Agathon will immediately drop to his knee besides the downed priest and dig out one of his curing potions. Seeing his friend take in a ragged breath, Agathon will relax a bit and gently pour the elixir into Belric’s mouth…

A Cure Light Wounds potion poured down Belric's throat: (1d8+5=11)

As Belric sputters back to consciousness, Agathon will say, “There, my friend. It is my turn to heal you! But I see Pelor’s light upon your face and Moradin’s power in your eyes… Arise friend sluggard… and let’s prepare to set upon more of the enemy! Now is not the time for rest, for there is work yet this night!

With a big lopsided grin, he will aid the dwarf to a sitting position and will turn to look about. Still able to see in the dark through the magic potion, he will attempt to determine the track upon which the Dire Wolf ran (as he most probably did not actually see the creature run while he fought the giant)…

A Survival Roll as Agathon attempts to Track the Dire Wolf: (1d20+6=12)

“Thaddeus, what shall we do now? Follow the wolf and meet its friends (and whoever might hold tight to their leashes)? Or, should we retire from the field and mend our wounds? Brother Belric seems to be rightly hurt despite my potion’s work…”

DM Note: as this post covers at least 2 rounds of time, please feel free to “cut me off” if something happens immediately after I give Belric the potion in the first round… I have deducted 2 rounds from all the spell effects above…

Agathon: HP: 47/47; AC: 25 (enhanced by Barkskin and Haste)
Barkskin Potion: 59 minutes 6 rounds remaining
Haste Potion: 7 rounds remaining
Darkvision potion: 7min 9rds left
Bless 4 minutes 6 rounds

Feeling fast as lightning, Agathon will flash the sword around to strike the giant.

To hits on the Giant due to Haste Potion effects: (1d20+13=21, 2d6+7=13, 1d20+13=28, 2d6+7=16)

Just for clarity (and a little bragging), that's 2 hits (rolling a 21 and a 28) for a total of 29 points of damage... Yowser!

Agathon amazes himself as he manages to hit the great beast twice in the time normally taken for a single mighty blow with the large blade.

“Ha! Takethatyoufilthydarkworshippingbugger!”

Running his words together, Agathon grins as he realizes that he’s so fast he can barely understand himself!

”Oh Great Light! If only I could move like this all the time!” He will pray in his mind…

Agathon: HP: 47/47; AC: 25 (enhanced by Barkskin and Haste)
Barkskin Potion: 59 minutes 7 rounds remaining
Haste Potion: 8 rounds remaining
Darkvision potion: 8min 0rds left
Bless 4 minutes 7 rounds
Current Initiative: 13

Feeling the Haste Potion fill his body with a growing heat… Agathon will smile and bolt after the giant…

Running aside so as to give the Dire Wolf a wide berth, Agathon will power his way uphill to the giant… (1 MA, with the Haste up, Agathon’s move is 60’, so even in rough terrain, he can bypass the Dire Wolf and still get to the giant for a hit)

Pulling the great sword on the run, Agathon will hardly note the foul stench of the wolf as he passes well out of its reach to bury his sword in the giant’s left side.

A hit on the Giant (+2 to his due to Bless and Haste effects): (1d20+13=27, 2d6+7=15)

Seeing a small spark of green light from the blade as it enters the giant’s body, Agathon will be inspired as to a possible name for his new weapon… Flash.

Of course, Agathon has no idea that what he is seeing is the static electricity caused by the metal’s friction on the cloth on the giant’s garment enhanced into visibility by the Darkvision Potion… He just sees it as the awesome magic of the weapon manifesting itself.

Ignoring what might be happening between his friends and the beast behind him, Agathon will yank hard on the sword so as to swing it around again for his next attack…

Agathon: HP: 47/47; AC: 24 (enhanced by Barkskin)
Barkskin Potion: 59 minutes 8 rounds remaining
Current Initiative: 13

Seeing the Giant’s position, and his arrow bury itself into Belric, Agathon will advance 20 feet or so to keep pace with Belric to be certain that the dwarf is all right. (MA) As he moves, he will pull out his Potion of Haste. (FA)

Finding what cover he can, he can’t help but grin with relief at the priest’s muffled curses as a few drops of the curing potion dribbles into his beard.

“We must run for it, brother Belric!” Agathon will whisper encouragingly. “We must both engage yonder giant! This is knife and axe work!” (Burb)

With that, he will once again glance around their cover to espy the giant as he drinks the potion from the little odd shaped jar that Thaddeus told him was a Haste Spell… (SA)

DM Note: Haste Spell at 9th level… 9 rounds, +30’ Movement, 1 extra attack during full round attack, +1 Dodge to AC & Reflex saves, +1 to Attack.

Agathon: HP: 47/47; AC: 25 (enhanced by Barkskin and Haste)
Barkskin Potion: 59 minutes 8 rounds remaining
Haste Potion: 9 rounds remaining
Current Initiative: 13

Agathon: HP: 47/47; AC: 24 (enhanced by Barkskin)
Barkskin Potion: 59 minutes 9 rounds remaining
Current Initiative: 13 (see below)

Trusting in Thaddeus’ magic to keep them unseen, Agathon will strain his eyes in the darkness (not really knowing that his Darkvision only allows him to see 60 feet away)…

Hearing the bow creak and the sounds from the Dire Wolf, Agathon will tense a bit getting ready for a sudden rush…

An initiative Roll for Agathon: (1d20+8=13)

As he tenses for combat, Agathon will quickly look over his comrades to be sure of their own readiness while also straining to determine the direction of the sounds from the Giant and the Dire Wolf.

A Spot Check to notice that Jacques can no longer see now that his potion has finished: (1d20+5=20)

A listen check to determine the direction of the sounds we have heard: (1d20=13)

Whispering to Jacques and Belric, Agathon will say, “We must remain close… Move toward the bow creaking… That way…” Agathon will indicate the direction as best he knows it.

DM Note: If an enemy presents itself in hitting range this round (Please Please!!!), here is a hit from Agathon.

A hit in case an enemy presents itself this round: (1d20+11=31, 2d6+7=16)

Hit to confirm the critical (for X2 Damage= 32 points): (1d20+11=27)

So, if something rushes forth, I will smack it after executing a 20 foot MA with the invisible group. If nothing rushes forth, then the invisible group will move 40 feet (2 MA).

Agathon: HP: 47/47, AC: 24 (enhanced by Barkskin)
Barkskin Potion: 60 minutes 0 rounds remaining

Approving of the plan, Agathon will present the group with his best lopsided grin as Belric pours out his eagerness to attack the giant as if it were water from a well bucket.

As Thaddeus explains the function of the spell, Agathon once again marvels at the power of his comrades…

”I didn’t know he could make the whole lot of us invisible! Amazing!” As Thaddeus weaves his magic, Agathon will involuntarily wince as the wizard plucks one of his own eyelashes out as part of the incantation. As the hairs on his right arm stands up, he will inwardly shudder… ”What mystical forces are coursing through my being right now? Oh, Pelor! Aid my friends in their ways and guide their thoughts and powers to do what must be done! Allow me to smite these evil foes upon the trail under the blaze of your countenance… But, deny me the pleasure of the kill as you teach this leads to dark paths even under the Sun…”

For a moment, he thinks that Thaddeus has failed and almost moves to far from Jacques to question the wizard! He can clearly see the others and himself. “I thought that we were to be invis…” At Jacques’ ‘weren’t you just listening, moron…’ look, Agathon will remember the young wizard’s description of the spell’s work and just smiles back at the smaller man… As group slowly gets under way, Agathon will visibly flinch with every crunch and scrape of Belric’s foot falls.

”Well, nothing to be done about, I suppose…” he will think to himself.

After a moment, Agathon will recall his other Barkskin potion. He will drink that potion now (1 round into our invisible sneaky movement).

A Hide roll (+20 due to Invisibility Sphere) and a Move Silently Roll: (1d20+23=37, 1d20+4=12)

Keeping his sword in it’s sheath and moving with the greatest of care, Agathon will concentrate on keeping within 10 feet of Jacques as the group moves toward the Giant and the Dire Wolf…

Agathon will greet Ebbers and listen intently.

As Thaddeus works his stick in the sand, Agathon will ask the Gnome...

"What do you know of those that just passed down river after Mr. Hammersmith?"
"Does the enemy have many of those beastly crosses between men and Ogres?"

He will suppress a shudder at the thought of them.

As he listens to Ebbers' answers, he will get up and begin a slow pacing as he ponders Ebbers' main tale...

"The army was merely illusion? But they reacted badly to my song... Can men conjured by such magic truly show such feeling and life!?"

"Does this mean that such an illusory man is right now tending my horse? Hmmm... amazing power there is in the World..."

At an uncomfortable pause, Agathon will gently shake the young wizard back into the moment.

As Thaddeus begins with his own questions, Agathon will stand a few paces away and will listen intently...