Jaques Jeannes's page

Per their usual advance style crafted in their first encounter with a band of giants, Jacques sets out towards the enemy. Invisbility makes his stealthy movement far easier, so he can maintain speed to keep up with Thaddeus's flight, and still be quiet as possible. He knows he needs to be within striking distance to be any help, should Thaddeus fall out of the sky. I suppose Thaddeus will mentally contact me when he needs to coordinate, he knows I'm down here. If it comes to it, I can probably run down one of those giants again, and take him down by myself, if I can keep the fight one on one.

This cloak is amazing!

Jacques happens to be finishing his midday calisthenics in the practice space of the gaurdroom as Agathon gives his instructions to Verlik. As Agathon and Verlik part, Jacques falls into stride next to Agathon, accompanying him in whatever direction he is headed. "Agathon, I would that you speak again with Verllik before he makes contact with the townspeople of Fern and rephrase your directions to him. These are proud, capable folk, who have taken care of themselves long before our arrival. Verlik would work WITH their defenses, not on them. He should be cautioned not to assume that he has been left in charge of anyone but the defense of this tower. To all others he should offer only assistance. The role of a good nobleman or king is measured by his responsibility to his people not their responsibility to him. That way lies vanity, loss of legitimacy, and too often tyranny. If you wish him to become a great man, it would be good that he learns leadership early." He smiles at Agathon as he claps him on the back, and turns off to his own path. I hope that Agathon takes that well, wisdom is both hard earned and difficult to convey. Something for him to ponder. There is more to faith than mere piety, the lessons are what holds value.

Jacques stands at a window of his new home, the towering fortress called Helm of Nighttower. As he stands resting both hands on the stone sill, he stares at the river flowing below, and reflects on what has happened in the last weeks. So much change in so little time. His introduction to the people of Ferrin- nominally his vessels, had not initially gone well. They were a hardy, capable lot, accustomed with their mayor, to defending themselves here on the harsh frontier. His lack of speaking ability, and gruff manner had again undermined his good intentions, and he'd had to fall back on Thaddeus to interlocute. Their actions, defeating the pirates and killing the creature of this tower that had been leading them, gave him more credibility. Bringing its head back to the tavern had done even more. He pauses for some time thinking of his fight with the devil, up close, while blinded by the things magic. His training to fight by sound, movement, and contact had worked perfectly. He kept the thing on the defen se until Belric both blinded the creature in turn, and cleared Jacques vision, so he could strike the beast down. He briefly wonders what all the others had been doing while even though he could not see. Miraculously their attacks on the creature must not have hit himself. He thinks on the villagers, and his plan to leave them largely to continue as they have been without his presence. Though he will help, as he did by turning over to them the pirates cache of weapons, and the barge, he wants them to remain self reliant. They should perceive him as a powerful neighbor, to whom they can turn for help in times of great need, but otherwise largely unobtrusive. This policy, plus the magic cloak he got from the treasures of the beast, should accomplish this. It seems to make him more eloquent. He shakes his head to drive out thoughts of that fiasco with the black dragon. Foul thing, at least he hit it again, and broke some scales.

Jacques invisibly grimaces at the web. Ugh! Spiders. Why does it have to be spiders? Why not snakes? Unconsciously he rubs the scar from his old spider bite. Using his magicked sight, he looks over the web and surroundings to spot any spiders, but also to determine if this is really a web, or some alarm device to expose interlopers such as he.

Jacques follows Thaddeus's instructions, and slips out of the camps melee as invisibly as he had slipped in. He makes his way back to the party, arriving nearly simultaneously with Thaddeus. He keeps his thoughts to himself, as he prepares his small supplies to move out. Glad we'll be moving into the rear mineshaft, I far prefer the unexpected raid with stealth, speed, and violence of action, to the frontal assault. Let the big armies do that...as they seem to be. He gives a brief, wry, grin at his own silent observation. They move to the new location, and all seems well, when he hears the beating of great wings in the sky. He looks toward the sound and spies the hippogriff riders, he guesses to be conversing with Thaddeus. Now what? He scowls peevishly. With great adventures behind him, as a named lord of the land, and with only his close companions within sight, he is slowly allowing himself indulgence in allowing his feelings to show on his face.

Jaques grows concerned about what may be happening in the compound, and wonders about the slave, now hostages. He knows his invisibility will be lost if he attacks anything, but wonders if he can perform other acts without exposing himself. He quarries Thaddeus via message connection, if he could untie someone, or open a prison door without canceling the spell.

Jacques observes all this quietly and carefully, though he is really enjoying the invisibility. It occurs to him that this may be some kind of illusion, as he's seen that used by military formations in the past, and he looks for inconsistencies, or signs of disguise. He passes these thoughts on to Thaddeus, and that this may be some kind of deception

Jakes says to the group, "this might make an ideal opportunity to enter through the back cave and rescue the hostages, regardless if the attackers are friend or foe..."

Jakes twists his body and limbs, stretching out the muscles, ligaments and tendons, taking various contortions and poses by the fire. That was an astonishing fight today. I really strained myself to the limits. Proved that I can take on powerful opponents single handedly though, so long as I can keep it one to one. What must it be like for Thaddeus to be able to fell so many at a time, but be vulnerable in a one to one melee?That's why our abilities compliment each others so well I guess. What's he saying? H appears to be addressing all of us, not just Belric. Jakes listens to Thaddeus' remarks and nods along. He raises an eyebrow as Thaddeus accurately predicts his concerns, and nods again at the suggestion of another invisible reconnoiter. The remaining three giants concern him, and he wonders at their sleeping arrangements. It would be good if we could eliminate one or two as they slept. He considers that he heard rumors of some monastic orders who specialized in the silent kill, but his own training fowned on that. Perhaps a skill that was wrongfully neglected?

Jaques attempts to run down the split off giant. He's taken down one solo, and is willing to try again.

Please note that Jaques will not charge a cluster of opponents by himself, he will seek out and attack only solitary combatants, unless Thaddeus calls for a full charge and he will be arriving alongside Agathon. If there is no close solitary target, he'll try to sneak up on one, hiding in the available grass and micro terrain.

Jaques looks up from the dead giant, and scans for a target. What happened to those worgs? Unless he sees a sentient member of the enemy attempting to flee, he heads for the nearest enemy, to attempt another kill. We need to wrap this up as quickly as we can. He trusts in his ability to slap aside missiles, while closing the distance to his targets.

Jaques presses home his attacks on the hill giant. He hears the gutteral vocalizations from the worgs closing in on him. I have to finish off this brute before those worgs get here, so I can concentrate on them. In one on one fights I can prevail against larger opponents, but if I get outnumbered, I lose the initiative!

Jaques watches as Agthons's group flashes into visibility, and then vanishes again. He sees them just long enough to realize they are going in the "wrong" direction. Still invisible, no on sees how he grimaces in an expression of disgust and resignation. No battleplan survives contact with the enemy. He advances on the giant, and uses his one surprise invisible back attack in an attempt at a stunning blow. Thereafter he will use his most effectatious, multiple attacks per round.

...and we're off Jaques watches Thaddeus's barrage, and sees the hill giant break away toward his position. Per the plan explained earlier by the wizard, Jaques remains invisible, setting out at a relatively slow pace, making some effort to remain undetected, and fall in directly behind the running giant. When he runs into Agathons interception, I'll attack him from behind with a stun strike. From this side of the meleeILll be better positioned to run down any fleeing ogres.

AC:26 HP:79 Invis:until disappated

Jaques creeps along, invisible, trailing the giants. He ducks and moves below the foliage level as though he were not invisible. Force of habit. Periodically he remembers he's invisible, stands up straight and stretches his back, grinning. I like this invisibility stuff! He know that Thaddeus will be creating a plan for the others, so he remains vigilant to any activity behind him. I need to be ready to add to whatever attack they launch. Probably be some blast spells from Thaddeus, and a charge of some kind by Agathon and Belric. If one of the Ogres is close to me, and I can attack by surprise, I'll try to stun him, and put him out quickly. We need to reduce their numbers. Jaques decides to pick off stragglers as much as he can without drawing attention to himself. Hopefully he'll be able to pull off a variant of the old trick, whereby a stealthy ambusher, can repeatedly take off the guy at the end of the line, without the rest ever becoming aware.

After returning from the pursuit with Thaddeus, during which they discussed on the return journey the practicalities versus the emotional need to find and dispatch the dragon, he joins Agathon in attempting to re-organize the affairs and effects of their small band. Agathon appears heartsick, a wholly unnatural state for the man. In some ways, watching Agathon scowl and frown about, is more disturbing than Idnae's death to Jaques. Warriors die, peasants die, kings and children all die. The reapers hand seems swayed by neither valor, wisdom, piety, nor even justice. Their thread seems to simply "run out", and only in passing can we have a chance to view the role of that thread, in the greater tapestry of the universe. Only then to know their part in the picture, great, small, or poignant.

Emotions of the living man are within his power to master, however, and the choice of what do within his life, to enjoy or bemoan, to act or lay supine, are within his power. Seeing Agathon in such a state, despite his nature, disturbs Jaques, because unlike Idnae's death, it is a thing that is a choice. When Agathon speaks to him, Jaques responds as best he can. "Agathon, every man feels fear. It is not the fear we feel, but what we do with that fear, the actions we take while in it's grip. That is the measure of the man. Does he stand paralyzed, or does he, quaking with fear, take action as best he can? You have nothing to be ashamed of my friend, you acted with valor. No man can ask more of another, or of himself".

After Agathon's address to the group later in the evening, Jaques looks down at his feet and pushes a small rock around in the dirt. Once again my lack of eloquence has robbed me of my ability to help. I would not see Agathon changed by this experience. He has a bright soul that warms the darkness of this world, and if that foul beast took that from him, it's a greater crime than than Idnae's death. I'll speak to Thaddeus about sharing some words with Agathon. I fear his and my souls are stained darker from the conflict with the 'The Drow Woman', we cannot afford to have our groups lamp dimmed. If so, we may lose our way. He fears the effect of the her on him so much, he dares not to think her name, even to himself, lest the disturbing dreams return.

Jaques twists slightly to avoid Idnae's falling body parts, but keeps running at a steady pace. He focuses on the complex task at hand, matching unhindered airspeed with ground speed over terrain with obstacles. He twists, swerves, and ducks as he runs with uncanny speed, seeming to wriggle his way through the forest. Listen to Thaddeus, tree, stump, gulley tree, branch, shallow, tree, low bush, jump, tree...Idnae...rock, tree...branch...it dies by my hand...jump...

Frustrated at not getting a parting swing on the beast, Jaques switches to his magic sling and a magic bullet, firing off a parting shot. There was that story about the kid with the lucky shot at a giant... Since he was in melee with the great beast before it took flight, he aims at the most painful target exposed to him from his present angle. It's rear sphincter. If this works, it's gonna hurt...

Jaques looks to see what all the comotion is about. He smells the dragon at the same time he sees it. The eyes! That's not an animal, it's ... something else... Though he's seen and fought many unnatural things, even undead, nothing prepared him for the sight of a dragon. He finds himself transfixed, like a small mouse, eye to eye with a snake. There's, intelligence there, twisted, evil, intelligence...a coldness. So many orders revere dragons, to see one so evil...it is an abomination. His fear turning to loathing, and rage, Jaques rushes forward to join Agathon's attack on the dragon, even if his speed puts him forward. This is the reason for the minus's, Jaques has lost perspective and thereby, focus. He's going to try to coldcock the dragon, like punching the horse in Blazing Saddles. He may die, but if he succeeds, it will live forever... He attempts to use a stunning fist attack on the beast.

Jaques assumes a fighting position, preparing for the onslaught of an unknown number of trolls. He rolls his shoulders and forces a relaxed, looseness, into his muscles and bones. Lowering his chin, he shakes his head quickly side to side, shaking loose the water droplets that were hanging from his brow, prepared to drip into his eyes. It's disturbing, trying to fight in this traveling cloak, dripping with rain. I wonder if there are trolls approaching from other sides, we can't hear because of the rain? He readies himself for attack from any direction, and waits for an attack, or a tactical suggestion from Thaddeus, the groups center...

Jaques looks on at the tabeau with consternation. A village of people infected with contagious Lycanthropy. A ruler with little conscience would simply eradicate plague exposed, to stop the spread. Why are the nasty solutions so easy? He then cocks his head sideways, staring at the ground. Struck by a thought, he turns to Thaddeus. "Where would vagabond lycanthropes get a uniform supply of magical Halberds? There may be more to this".

Jaques holds position with the spell casters, ready to respond against any new opponent that reveals themself. When they attack our mages, they won't be expecting fast footed physical counterattack. Jaques grins fiercely in anticipation.

Moving forward matching Thaddeus's pace, Jaques peers into the gloom. He stretchs his hearing. Ears are the eyes of night

Jaques moves along 10' ahead of Thaddeus, matching his speed. At this much slower rate than Jaques normal movement, he has time to be cautious and stealthy. He remains alert to attack anything that threatens himself or Thaddeus as they advance. 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 initiative

Jaques nods in assent to Thaddeus words, and moves out in front of Thaddeus by 10', before motioning Thaddeus to follow. Jaques moves as stealthily as time will permit, for them to reach Belric and still be of assistance. Half speed for Thaddeus, whatever that means for Jaques speed, giving each their appropriate stealth bonuses. Jaques stays attuned to any movements around them, not relying solely upon vision, blindfighting ready to leap upon anything that approaches either himself or Thaddeus. A brief, strange, thought crosses his mind. You know, I'd look better for this job, if I wore a dark suit, tinted nightvision goggles, and a little wired earpiece to help transmit the message spells...

Jaques lies half sleeping, on his mat, his legs crossed at the ankles, his fingers laced across his chest at the base of his rythmically expanding rib cage. The breath flows slowly in, and and then out, though he looks like a corpse posed for burial. At Belric's shout, his back arches sharpley, and with a single motion he pops to his feet, landing in a relaxed horse stance, his feet a little more than a shoulder width apart. He doesnt rely on his eyes, and reaches out with his other senses, as he draws his gloves from inside his tunic, and slips them back on. I do not need to see, to feel my opponent. Where is Thaddeus? Is he awake? He looks over to Thaddeus, checking to see if he heard the alarm. After seeing Thaddeus was awake, Jaques stands ready, wary, and waiting for more information to make a tactical decision. How is it that some do not sleep fully clothed?

As ever Jaques stays near enough to Thaddeus to prevent anything being able to engage him in melee. In doing so he notices Edgar's shaking, darting glances and wide eyes. My god, he's so nervous he's subconsciously trying to sniff the air for the scent of danger. I can see his nostrils flaring. He's going to pee on himself the first time we are in combat. I've seen these guys before, sometimes it helps to give them something to have confidence in besides themselves. A "totem". Could backfire if they lose it, but if he survives a few times in combat with it, he may get some confidence to build on without it. He seems to use a quarterstaff to some extent, and I rarely do. I'll give him my magic one and maybe buck him up a little, with some talk about how it's a superior tool, and will see him through battle. With our reputation, my vouching for it as a trustworthy companion in battle may help him out. I've see my masters words help those who lacked confidence. Jaques approaches Edgar before they bed down for the evening and abruptly thrusts the +1 quarterstaff out at him, saying, "Here, it's better", and then just as abruptly turns to walk off and take his watch post.

Still role playing my 10 Charisma

Before setting out, Jaques asks Thaddeus if it would be appropriate to speak to Ct.Dunstan about purchasing some resupply. He'd like to purchase 6 +1 sling bullets to replace usage from his supply, and he'd like to get an additional 25 normal sling bullets, and he pays what is necessary to acquire these things from the armory. He'd also like to inquire about getting 3 more curing potions, to carry in case of emergencies. He thinks about prodding Thaddeus again about the feasibility of manufacturing or aquiring some sort of darkvision goggles, and the feasibility or cost associated with the different types of night vision spells, that work in twilight, versus absolute black conditions, and the different distances they assist with. He's he couldn't quite follow Thaddeus's magical shorthand jargon, when he had been describing the spell types as "...generation one, versus generation three..." and "...effectively flir...", but he's glad that Thaddeus seemed to have an idea what he was looking for.

The adamantine dagger had proven to be a very useful tool. He eyes it closely and decides to wear it inside a pocket of his smock at waist level, concealed from casual view. A special place for a special tool.

He squirrels away his remaining treasure with the assitance of Thaddeus's magical containers, after he pays Idnae a month in advance for her assistance. As he waits on horseback at the arranged departure point by the gate, he wonders if Thaddeus has spoken to the others about stopping by Shiranna's village. He shifts uncomfortably in his saddle and quickly shakes his head to drive out the image of the drow sorceress that had intruded upon his attempts to plan a conversation with Shiranna. He wonders where, and how, Dunstans people decided to hold her prisoner, picturing a suitable level of discomfort for the witch. Squinting his eyes, shakes his head a second time. Who cares? Irrelevant! No longer my concern.

Jaques massages his wrists under the bracers they had taken in treasure, the familiar old ones now protecting Thaddeus. Jaques has much to think about. He now finds himself responsible for people in a township, the last thing he ever would have imagined. He is a little resentful that this resposibility has been thrust upon him, since he has never sought the trappings of wealth or authority. I will find myself like my father, consumed with the problems of everyone elses lives, and unable to find time to refine my own skills. Better to quietly smite the minions of evil, than settle disputes between bickering neighbors. Still, one does not choose ones burden, you just "shoulder it with grace and dignity." He comes up with a plan to establish a monastary and martial arts school within the fishing village someday. As head master, he and his students could provide assistance to the village, and be the central authority, without having to actually personally "rule". When he and his friends went there soon, he would tell any remaining inhabitants to carry on as they have been, and that he would return as soon as he could. Actually, perhaps he would ask Thaddeus to say that on his behalf, while he stood by.

Remembering his close work earlier with the stealthy gnomes, he seeks out Ebbers and asks the gnome if one of his scouts with rogueish skills would be willing to hire on with the party, as both a local guide to the village, and to help clear t he area of hidden dangers. He assures Ebbers the pay will be fair, and that he would value another trustworthy companion at arms.

When checking in on Thaddeus during the laborious scribining of the scrolls, he asks him about the difficulty in manufacturing some darkvision goggles, and if Thaddeus would be willing to join him on a side venture to Shiranna's village. Thaddeus notices that Jaques request for accompaniment to her village is hesitant, Jaques is flushed redand stammers quickly about how he would understand if they did not have time to go, and then strings oug several more reasons why it would be reasonable for them to avoid the trip. He runs out of words, stares at Thaddeus with a pleading look in his eyes, and then apologizes, excusing himself to his room. What is it about women that robs me of my reason, my already meager speech, and my dignity? Jaquds fumes in his room.

Jaques seeks out Thaddeus, telling him, "I'd like to go to my village for a brief introduction, and to get some idea of the task ahead. Also Shirana has asked me to visit her village, I would value everyone accompanying me on that visit, or at least accompaning me for the journey".

ninety-eight...ninety-nine... Hundred. Jaques drops to his his elbows from the finger-tip pushups, and rolls over onto his back. His hour of exercise complete, he stares at the ceiling of his room. listening to his own labored breathing and feeling the sweat roll off his body. He listens to the muffled voices and sounds of motion of the other household members on the floor below him. He really never believed he would see this house or room again. The odds of survival of that last mission were not good, and even should he have survived, surely Knurl would have been overrun, and the house burned with the rest of the city. To be back in his room was a pleasant surprise.

He's puzzled by the exercise routine he just completed again. Somewhere along the trail, after the expedition to the trolls lair, he awoke one morning with the idea that exercise would help build the strength he needed for combat. Not just any exercise, rather this particular exercise regime. He didn't recall planning it, creating it, or even being taught it during his monastary training. Suddenly, it just seemed a good idea, but following it regularly had indeed greatly increased his strength. It was a puzzle. On the trail he had wondered if the gnomes they encountered had somehow inspired him.

There was a good deal to be thankful for, and some real comparison to wretchedness he had seen. There is more to the world than I had imagined, it's not so clear anymore. Jaques remains disturbed by the events of the last month, on many levels. Evil, good, and pragmatism have become stirred together in ways he does not find comfortable. In the city of Spinecastle, so many things had changed. He had seen a fully functioning city, with no "good" in it. No gratitude, no generosity, no concern for others, not even love. Yet still it functioned. There was commerce, there was order (of a sort), there was the usual division of the wealth of the prosperous and the sorry state of the poor, nearly indistinguishable from any city he had known...only with no actual "goodness". Could it be that "goodness" was not what sustained civilization as he had previously believed? The Red Cloak Orcs, surely as evil and pernicious a bunch as ever walked Oerth, were running Spinecastle as a functioning city. There were even "city gaurds" patrolling the streets. That he and his companions had made a "pragmatic deal" with the head orcs of the city would have seemed like an ironic fairy tail, had he not lived it.

Then there were the disturbing feelings in his own heart. I could have let him do it. I could have done it myself; I wanted to. The Drow sorceress. He catches his labored breathing for an instant, before putting it back into rythm. He remembered how her hair smelled. Hate and desire, blended together in a way he couldn't explain. With Shiranna it had always been so different, just awe, kindness, concern for her, wanting her respect, admiration as a basis for attraction. With the dark elf woman, in a moment during their second battle, he had been face to face with her. Inches away from him, she had smirked in his face, and cast her lightining bolt 90 degrees away from him, to blast Agathon down the street. The smug contempt in her eyes, unafraid of him even though his hands were inches from her. He'd never forget that look, and it had made him want to do ...unspeakable...things...to her. That's how he knew what was in Thaddeus's eyes, when they captured her. It was half in his own mind when he'd been shouting at Agathon to "take her alive", at war with the rationalizing half that suggested they could take her for the information she had. The discipline won out, and he guided Thaddeus into following the course of events that needed to happen. They had dragged the prisoner back to Knurl unmolested but for some rough handling. Discipline. That was the only thing that had made the difference though he knew both himself and Thaddeus to have always been "good" men. It was discipline that made Spinecastle work, though they were all "evil". Is the line so blurry? Is it really just "discipline" that makes it all function?

He had heard that some orders believed only in the discipline, that good and evil were irrelevent and to be used equally in furtherance of order. Considering the deals they had made, and what he had felt in himself, were they wrong? He would admit only to himself that it was only the discipline that had gotten him through that trip back to Knurl with his soul barely intact. Szarthelion the drowess, had continued to provoke them, flirting, sneering, teasing. The rough handling they gave her only seemed to egg her on. Agathon seemed immune, as had Belric (perhaps aided by his dwarvish aversion to elves), but he and Thaddeus had been nearly beside themselves. Was Agathon just a "better man"? He had exercised himself into physical exhaustion every night, to keep himself honest. Thaddeus had started having debates with himself near the end, in some language Jaques couldn't follow. I don't know how much longer we could have lasted, good riddance. He remembered the smell of her hair...

hp 60/60 AC 21
Moving forward three hexes, placing himself on Agathons right flank.

Jaques hears Thaddeus's call,"exactly what I was thinking"and moves up to Agathons right, to intercept any incoming attack. Agathon will regain his stance and can handle that one opponent, but I don't want them coming at him from two sides. Jaques will attack any foe that comes within his reach. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 241d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 101d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

AC 21 HP 60

Jaques watches in dismay as Agathon takes off. He's abandoning what we've learned of concentrating our force! Grimacing, Jaques tries to finish off his amphibious adversary. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 161d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 51d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 241d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

AC 21 HP 60

Seeing that he has driven off one toad, he turns his attacks on the next closest. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 171d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 61d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Under C&C Rules: AC 21, HP 60
Jaques continues to press his attack on toad #1. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 151d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 51d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 261d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Oh this is a curious thing, I wonder why they attack?

"Agreed". Jaques checks his gear to make sure all is in place in case of a night attack.

Pushing on through the long night march, without the benefits of the darkvision potion, Jaques focused on stretching his other senses, searching for advance warning he could share with the party. His recent experience fighting the giant in the dark, informs his thoughts, and during the long hike, he comes to a greater understanding of his teachers lessons in sensing the changes ones opponents make in the environment, without having to actually see them. He steels himself against the fatigue, willing his body to make adjustments to compensate and continue both alertness and reduce the need for rest. By morning, with the column, he feels strangely energized, purged of impurities and ill humours. He only knows he needs sleep intellectually, rather than actually feeling it. He watches the others, Belrics grumbling about the wounds, and worse, the marring of his armor without a proper forge to burnish it back up. Agathon's tired, but happy grin, like a terrier exhausted after play. Thaddeus imperious manner as he flops into the wagon (but sparing a sly grin to Jaques, letting him in on the joke). For the moment, before the next battle, Jaques is as content as he's ever been. His thoughts drift to Shirana...Little intro for Jaques new abilities.

Jaques squints, as he peers into the darkness in the direction after the wolf. "My darkvision is gone now. I fear I'll be little help unless an enemy comes in close to us. We should check for anything of value or intelligence off the body of the giant, and retreat to a more secure location for the remains of the night". I'll do my level up tomorrow and post with the next set. Never mind, do it now. 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7Oh well, at least average. Improved existing skills in hiding, silent movement, escape artist and disarm traps. New feat, "blindfighting".

Jaques decides to let fly a sling bullet before his darkvision fades completely. every little bit helps... 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 231d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5I think I recall some kind of story about a giant being killed by a sling stone once...

AC 22 HP 38/38

Blast it, the potion wore off, I have to do this by sound again. I really must find something more permanent. Jaques note Thaddeus's quick slip to the cover when the creak is heard, and moves to stay close enough to the wizard to intercept anything coming in for melee. He listens intently anticipating the need to slap aside a large incoming arrow.

Initiative:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Unwilling to take on a both a dire wolf and some kind of giant by his lonesome, Jaques returns to the party to let them know what he has discovered. He points out that a giants bow could be very dangerous if our spell caster is easily spotted, and suggests we concentrate an attack on the giant, and simply deal with the wolf when the giant goes down. He asks Thaddeus if there is any possibility at all that this giant would be non-hostile?

Jaques scowls in concentration. This is far more complex than it appears. However, if this is to be a game of spies and deception, then my training may be the best resource we have. Jaques will whisper to Thaddeus that it would be good to know all we can about the "spy" himself/herself. We may need to rescue or at least recognize them should we have the opportunity to make contact. Another important piece of information would be how the spy makes contact, and transmits information. These would all be clues as to finding the last report, or attempting contact with the spy themself. There should be a "dead drop", and some covert contact signal, like a chalkmark on a lamp post. More risky methods would have been homing pigeon roosts, or direct conversations with the spies "handler", from Dunstan. Also a person we would need to know by both name and description.

If we are to backtrack and trace a spies path, we'll need information in direct quantities to the spies skill, as their prior concealment to avoid detection, will now hamper our attempt at rescue.

Jaques looks about, and suggests to Thaddeus that we offer to help them portage the skiff up into concealment until the humanoids pass. Since they were roping up, they must have preferred to stay here a bit...

Air Elemental! That's what I communcated with that time in the mines. I must see this one, surely we can stay with the Nyrondians long enough for that. Jaques will not directly give any reason for his visibly brightened mood, but his youth will prevent being able to conceal some excitement. He will have endless reasons why they should stay with the Nyrond scouts at least until nightfall. He has the enthusiasm of a child who has been promised he'll be able to play with a puppy later.

Relieved his speaking part is over, Jaques is content to watch the scene closely. He remains ready to act should the need arise. Roll what's appropriate for Jaques noticing anything from facts, actions, or manner, with appropriate bonuses. Jaques reflects that it is good and fair to give these men a chance to speak rather than fight. They aren't humanoids after all...

AC22 HP 38/38

Seeing that they are human, and trusting in his ability to block the arrows of a single archer, Jaques decides to try dialogue. Without exposing himself physically, he calls out, "Friend or foe of Dunstan and Knurl?"
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

AC22 HP:38/38

Jaques takes moment to check for rattles or shiny objects as Thaddeus looks on. He takes three deep breaths, to oxygenate his blood. He flexes his joints and muscles in a liquid movement, to make sure nothing creaks or pops during movement, and then sets out towards the skiff at reduced pace for him, but equivalent to slow walking for someone not as quick. In this way he hopes to approach the humanoids quickly enough to be relevant, yet his reduced speed helps his stealth. hide followed by move silent followed by spot (the skill, not the party mascot) The hide and silence unmodified by his reduced speed, that being left up the GM1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 111d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 251d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Unbeknownst to him, his stretching routine involves just enough arm movement, that he appears to waiving a two armed greeting to the human-like figures in the skiff. Really? Really? A friggin fumble on a skill where I'm plus 10? There's just no way this crap is "random", the higher the plus, it compensates with a crappier roll. At least we are living up to our "three stooges plus Shemp" identities.

AC:22 HP 38/38

Jaques listens to Thaddeus's plan while Belric's hand on his shoulder channels the healing energy into him. He feels the pain in his clawed up back vanish, as the deep gouges suddenly scab over, capillaries re-knit, and the flesh seals itself up, leaving only five thin scar lines. Truly Belric is favored by his diety Moradin. Who needs a trolls regrowth, when one has the favor or ones gods? "Thanks to you and your lord Moradin", he says to Belric, and then turns back to Thaddeus. "I'll follow the sphere as you suggest, hanging just enough back to not get hit by things aimed at the sphere". Jaques moves out fast behind the sphere when Thaddeus sets it in motion, and Jaques signal Thaddeus the contours of the route ahead.