youve gotta do what youve gotta do, of course.....but based on what I saw you doing "failed miserably" is a bit harsh.
good luck to all!
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Rockne also dismounts and draws his weapon, scanning the horizon for threats. "Whoever set these is probably nearby waiting to see what they catch." He tightens his grip on his weapons. "Can't wait to show him..." After those little gits, I can't WAIT to hit something!
"Fine, fine, fine FINE " Even with all his gear finally back in his possession Rockne remains agitated, his face red and his actions exaggerated and a bit wild. Mumbling to himself he reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out a small handful of coins. He moves forward to the tree and finds a flat spot between two exposed roots. Taking a level of care that surprises anyone who watched his tirade a moment before. the halfling places three copper coins in a line, then two silver coins on top of those, then crowns his impromptu pyramid with a single gold coin. "N-am idee ce vrei, dar acest lucru este tot o lucios primit ......" he mumbles under his breath.
Halfling:
"No idea what you want, but this is all the shiny I got......"
posting this in all my games......heading to the airport tonight to take the family to Disney World for a week. Please feel free to bot me as needed (good guess is that he will be angry about something) since I will probably be checking infrequently and only have my phone for posting. Thanks!
"Friends? FRIENDS?!" Rockne is breathing heavily now, clearly trying to keep himself reined in while making every effort not to look at his defaced armor. Steady, there will be something to hit soon enough, don't lose it just yet.........
Rockne tries to keep a straight face. He truly does. But the shear silliness of what's happening around him is too much and he starts laughing. He turns from side to side, looking to each of his companions and their own woes, each time his laughter starts to subside he looks to another and starts anew. All that ends in a flash as Vianella draws his attention to his armor. His wide grin flips to a dark grimace immediately, and suddenly his oversized sword is in his hands before anyone even registers him drawing it. "Who...which.......who wants some first?!?!?" he manages to sputter, spraying spittle with almost every word. He loses some of his bluster as he notices Gird talking up at the trees. Whats the pointy-eared b@st@rd doing?
Rockne bristles a bit at being called 'little', but remembering just how ugly the hobgoblins are allows him to let it slide for the moment. "So a nice find but nothing to do today. So what, we try to hide it and keep going?"
"time and tools, huh? Sounds good, but does any of us know anything about mining?" The halfling likes the idea of being a rich mine owner but not the idea of spending his days digging in the stone ....
Rockne chuckles at Gird's warning. "What could be livin' in there that's scarier than THESE two?" he teases, pointing thumb toward the hobgoblin brothers. The sparkling of the wall might be interesting to the academic types but the halfling keeps focused on the path ahead, wary of danger despite his joking bravado.
Rockne's hand pauses for a moment, hovering just above the dirt. "Ever leave any surprises in case someone else finds it first?"
Rockne lets out a nervous laugh as the dwarf's question breaks the silence. "Look at us, standing around like a bunch of jack a$$e$....." Feeling more than a little foolish for the over-caution, he strides forward and bends down to examine the disturbed earth.
"So no sycamore, no mites. That's something. And X marks the spot, right?" Once they are close enough but not too close Rockne dismounts and continues the rest of the way on foot with sword drawn.
Rockne raises as eyebrow at the half elf's comment. His pouch contains more coin than he has ever owned, but that doesn't mean he's willing to start giving it away! "Sounds like he needs a base that's SAFE. Best thing we can do is take care of the thieving idiots out there so this place isn't always under attack!"
So sorry for your loss.
Rockne digests Oleg's words for a few seconds. "We've been spending time exploring the wilds, should we be babysitting the trade route instead so stuff keeps getting here safe and quick? What kind of stuff's happened to caravans before, maybe we can crack some heads to make it easier?"
The halfling juts a thumb toward the board. "Merc with a price on his head, reward's paid in quality weaponry. Might not be the next thing we do but we'll catch him eventually. Somebody should be getting ready since quality takes time. Don't like waiting..." He thinks again for a moment. "So no reward for finding him or anything, huh?"
Rockne eats a larger portion of the stew than a man of his size should conceivably be able to eat. While he does it with a certain amount of gusto there are ingrained habits visible to suggest that he has eaten at more noble tables than campfires. He adds his own commentary to the story Dagru weaves, much of his editorial about how annoying the whole situation was to deal with. "Not sure what's next," he replies to the dwarf while nodding his head toward the board. "Lots of things need doin' around here so who knows? What about you - heading out to search for your master or staying here to help out? Someone needs to start forging some 'fine weapons' for when we catch that Sneeg guy...."
Rockne looks away as Svetlana gushes a bit over their haul. He is still not used to people thanking him for things instead of just expecting commands to be obeyed. It is a bit embarrassing to the halfling but he also finds that he likes the positive attention. He gazes around the fort and is impressed by the changes that have occurred in such a short amount of time since they first arrived. More activity, more guards, and even more visitors seemed like good things. But it is Rockne's experience that having something good instantly makes others want to take it. Wandering away from the group Rockne heads over to the board to read the notices again. The mercenary note attracts his attention but he keeps coming back to the wedding ring. "And bandit's are the real problem," he says as he returns to Vianella's side while she addresses the newcomers to the fort. "Something that needs to be handled sooner rather than later." He pitches a voice a bit lower and turns his head toward the cleric. "I'm thinking that's where we head next, before they strike back for us taking out their crew."
welcome! I can guarantee Rockne will not be engaging in theological debate...
"Killing two orcs with one swing....not bad!" Rockne also looks around the clearing. "If there's enough for both. I say we head back to give Svetlana hers and see what's left after that."
another level in Barbarian, so Barb 2 +1 BAB, +1 Fort sticking w avg HP (b/c Im a coward): 6 +1 Con +1 Favored New Ability: Jotungrip
Skill Points: Acrobatics (new)
We're exploring the woods .... Ranger or Druid?
Rockne whips his head from side to side. It takes him a few seconds to realize that the combat is already over and his blade is still clean. Vianella's question frustrates him even further. Hard to get hurt when you practically miss the battle....... He busies himself with collecting the loot, such that it was, when the conversation changes to the strange plants. "Forget the crazy old coot, didn't Svetlana post a note on the board about paying good money for a basket of moon radishes?" The halfling pauses in his work as all eyes turn toward him. "What? Just cuz I swing a huge sword I can't read?" "The nerve of some people....."
Rockne moves into position behind one of the little beasts surrounding Whisper. The rough ground denies him a perfect tactical position but it is enough for him to surprise the kobold with an attack from behind. He growls in frustration as the attack goes wide - the halfling has spent so much time honing his fighting skills against larger opponent that his rhythm is off against a creature more akin to his won size. "Won't save you for long!"
If I can still charge:
As the rest of the party girds themselves for battle, Rockne hears the kobolds begin to chatter amongst themselves. "Jig's up!" he shouts over his shoulder as he springs forward and attacks the nearest kobold.
If I cannot charge: As the rest of the party girds themselves for battle, Rockne hears the kobolds begin to chatter amongst themselves. "Jig's up!" he shouts over his shoulder as he springs forward to move toward the nearest kobold. Positioning himself near an interposing tree the halfing holds his sword out in front of him ready for the creatures to come to him.
Rockne shakes his head as he looks at the fruits of Dagru's labor. "Would have been a time that 10 gold seemed like a lot to me. Now?" He kicks the spider's corpse before resheathing his sword. "Thanks fer nothin." He pauses for a moment. "You think this band is big enough that not everyone knows everyone? Can we throw these stag heads 'round our necks and just walk right in?"
Rockne also moves to the edge of the trapdoor, letting the others secure the rope while he keeps his weapon at the ready in case there are any other surprises down there.
Rockne thinks for a moment, considering the hole again. "Well, dont think I'M going in there!"
"Oh no you don't!" Refusing to let the thing take a shot at him without retaliating, Rockne swings the longsword around again. This time the spider's hidey hole is not protection enough and the halfling is able to connect with the creature.
Seeing nothing distinctive but realizing that the spider is hidden just out of view, Rockne brings his sword to bear and tries to get at the beast anyway. The protection of the spider's tunnel proves too effective, the sword harmlessly deflected away.
"Sneaky little bastard, aint he?" Rockne takes the oversized sword in both hands and moves up to where the spider disappeared back underground. Approaching with only some caution, he tries to examine the tunnel's 'cover' hoping to find some features that can help give him clues where other ones might be.
Rockne's hand is halfway to his sword when Dagru shouts his warning to Grautak. the halfling does not speak goblin but from the change in the mounted hobgoblin's demeanor it was clearly a command to back off. "What in the hells is going on in there? Did that crazy longshanks call him 'cousin'?" Not sure if the act of eccentricity is true madness or an act to lull the unwary, Rockne crouches down and begins examining the paths near the hut for signs that the old man is not alone.
As Gird approaches the door, Rockne takes a few steps to his left, perpendicular to the path the half elf is taking, keeping the door in view while trying to also get a view of the side of the hut. Leaving the door open out here? Either not that smart, or not that safe.....
Rockne enjoys the time in the wilderness. After so many years cooped up in a noble's manor he had quickly developed a love for the wilderness. A few days out on the trails and he is almost smiling. The smoke draws his attention as well. "Good idea Grautak. Gotta question the sanity of someone who lives out here all alone." "We know about anyone other than Oleg who's supposed to live out here? It would be nice to know what we're about to walk into." He takes up a position two steps behind Vianella, the traditional position for a halfling slave. Taking up his old role grates on his nerves, and chances are it would not even register with any backwoods idiot in the Stolen Lands, but if Rockne was considered less of a threat for even a second he would put that second to good use.
Rockne has a strange smile on his face as the shares are discussed and divvied out. He misses much of the conversation around him as he realizes that this is almost more wealth than he's ever had in his life. This is all mine? So much after so little time..... He nods his agreement with the cleric as he re-enters the conversation. "Me too. Plenty more skulls out there that need crackin', bandit or beast makes no difference to me. If we're going to explore we might as well go where we know there's stuff to find." Turning to Oleg he gives a slight nod of the head. "And if it earns some points with you and yours by getting your stuff back, all the better." Who cares where we go next? everywhere we turn there's more fame, more glory....more idiots that need to be dealt with/
If we wanted to go after the wedding ring or the next bandit camp, is that hexplore mode too? I'm leaning toward banging out a few more direct "quests" if that's different than the more open ended exploration.
Rockne feels the pride of a job well done as they return to the trading post. They had set out to prove themselves and they did, against not one but two superior forces. Clearly there is still work to be done, with or without this new prisoner's information, but the group is well on their way to making a name for themselves in these untamed lands. Then the long legged monkey shatters all those good feelings with three short words. Rockne feels his teeth clench, his hand flexing as he gets ready to draw his sword just as the old trader speaks up for them from above. Must be your lucky day, ya big armored git. Oleg just saved your life.... The halfling barely listens to the lordly-types as they exchange names and secret handshakes or whatever. He almost chuckles at the thought of trying to fit into that world, all powdered and primped at some dinner or function. No, out here in the wilds is where he belongs, where he can earn a reputation. A life. His attention is drawn back to reality as the Lady Vianella tries to reason with their latest whining prisoner. Again he is torn between the notion of second chances and the reality of the world around him. "If you've got magics to drag the truth out of him alive or dead then why are we still talking to him? If he can't figure out what 'repentant' means and be helpful, Im sure another cursed soul on The Acre can 'splain it to him."
The halfling keeps himself busy with packing the gear for their return to Olegs. He's not squeamish about hanging the criminals, and he certainly knows they have earned it for their crimes, but he cannot help but think of how different his life would have been if he had not gotten a second chance. let the talky types hash this one out. Not everyone deserves a second chance.... Do they?
"yeah, let's heas back. Although I'm not sure Oleg is going to like his new job as warden to all the bandits we capture!" [i] at some point we're going to need a better plan. The old man isn't going to be able to handle three prisoners....[/b]
yeah, sorry bout that, ive never been that good at maintaining my HP in my status bar. since it changes EVERY post back til the dawn of time I've always found it more reliable to add a "status" to the bottom of combat posts. I can go either way of course, depending on what the Boss Man wants!
"And what about our newest prisoner? Should we just kill him like we did the others? Or do we give him the chance to earn his life?"
Rockne continues to look over the loot as the hobgoblins question their latest prisoner. "Anybody see Svetlana's wedding ring?"
It takes Rockne a few moments to realize that the battle is won. When he does his shoulders slump and he falls to sit on one of the logs, breathing heavily and barely aware of the fallen bodies around him. When he finally does collect himself he rises slowly and cleans the gory blade of his sword on the cloak of a fallen bandit. He gives a Vianella a nod in way of acknowledging and appreciating her efforts. It'll be me on the ground before long, and probably more often than most, better play nice. Maybe I'll even let her look at this shoulder if she asks. But Im not asking her! The halfling silently goes about the business of dealing with the bodies and collecting their gear and other loot. Nothing particularly grabs his fancy but thinking about his cut does make him smile. "You want to open a little shop? You might be in the wrong place. Let Oleg deal with that stuff. We can help keep his shelves full...." he looks over to Vianella again, "you know, in the name of good commercing and whatnot, and be free to do other things. Dangerouser things....."
The maniacal laughter continuing to increase in volume, Rockne spares another glance at his fallen comrade. The Halfling has no skill with healing and his enraged mind thinks that the best thing he can do is clear the battlefield quickly so others can rush to the man's aid. He whips his head back and forth looking for another target. He turns to the left and takes a tentative step toward the tree, determined to either pry that elevated bandit out or chop it down from under him....but one more turn to the right reveals a nice target on the ground in front of Grautak. He starts to move forward as a crossbow bolt flies through the air and strikes the bandit. Rockne howls as another target is taken from him. Seeing one more bandit on the ground to the other side of the mounted hobgoblin Rockne runs forward screaming, through the field of downed bodies to cut into the only enemy he can see within reach.
sorry for the last day or so - I opened chrome/roll20 for my weekly RL game and my laptop got attacked BADLY.....my Kaspersky has been working overtime but the amount of adware I just received is mind-numbing! as for flaky characters....i've joined more than my share of campaigns as the 'replacement guy' and I see how much work it is for a gm to integrate/plot twist/etc to make it fit. Obviously there are situations that are easier than others ("you find a jail cell with a new PC locked in it") but I can also appreciate a GM not wanting their game to feel like a revolving door, especially when the desired tone is more gritty and dark. "Youre healer is dead, but you see a man on horseback approaching from the west, his shield is a field of white with a red cross emblazoned upon it" is not the tone that was advertised for this game. As for losing someone already? all will be well, and all manner of things will be well......
As another bandit falls Rockne begins to laugh. A loud, raucus, maniacal thing, the laughter and the accompanying almost joyous look on his face are truly unnerving as he takes another step to the side to strike at another bandit. Again his sword draws blood. If he notices his companion on the ground he gives no indication.
As the arrow cuts into his arm Rockne's growl intensifies to a wordless yell, the wound not slowing him down but instead intensifying his anger. Not even bothering to figure out where the arrow came from hi simply takes a few steps forward and swings at the nearest bandit with wild abandon. With another spray of blood, another bandit falls.
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