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Her strength is 16 so I don't know how this works. I didn't add strength modifiers.
So first you get an attack of opportunity!
Next its base attack bonus+Str. Mod+ special Size mod. and add that to your d20 roll.
Your roll 1+BAB(2)+Str mod(3)=6 and that number is used as an opposed str check. I beat your roll so now you'd be grappled and I do damage as an unarmed strike.
I forgot about the Attack of Opp. so you get to roll first which gives you a chance to kill the thing and avoid being grappled or drinking your snapple......
OK, back at ya!!!
Harsk immediately comes in and "ensures the kill" then searches the thing trying to understand more and see if he finds anything of interest.
Lem stops playing. It's time for a rest.
Seelah stands back and feels a sense of some small satisfaction. There will be less evil in the world.
Sheldon is really thinking that being hired is a crimp on his chaotic good style. He needs to set his own course.
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With the Yellow Musk Creeper dead the group can take a moment to relax or can they. Harsk informs the group that you need to destroy all of the plant material or there is a chance it will regrow at a slow rate. Other than that all is quiet. The captain seems introverted and quiet at the loss of his first mate. He keeps to himself in the pilot house, the boat making good time to your destination, Nightfall Station! Lem seems a bit tired from his extended singing. You sense you have a little time before the next issue to arise.........
Following Harsk's directions, the party disposes of the creature plant. The remanants are placed in a sealed barrel with weight added once they are sure they have all of it. Harsk & Seelah then with a bit of disgust toss it over into the water to sink, sink, sink . . .
The party then goes its separate ways on the ship. Lem into introspection. Sadness melding with a new song taking form in his head.
Sheldon, really is beginning to feel more alive in his powers. He feels almost ready to fly, the slight lift coming off the ground, just not quite there yet. It helps him to keep his mind of this "mis" adventure.
Seelah is steeling herself. She is now more determined to quash evil. After some rest time, she returns to sword drill & exercise.
Harsk spends his days near the prow of the ship, looking out, sensing, wanting the voyage to end, his companions safe & to have savored time alone with his badger, living the ranger way.
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The day is long and hot. The night went by smoothly and uneventfully. Much needed rest was gotten by all. The Captain still has kept to himself all day. The sun is slowly setting, the temprature dropping to a more comfortable level for your group. Nightfall Station is getting closer by the moment and you can be done with this life on the river for awhile......
1d20+2=8, 1d20+8=19, 1d20=5, 1d20=2, 1d20+3=23, 1d20=2
In order: Seelah, Harsk, Sheldon, Lem, Badger & Owl -- owl may have +3 if it's dark.
Clearly Harsk & his trusty badger are aware!
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I wanted to take a moment and wish you all a merry holiday and a thank you for playing in my games! You all have given me a lot of enjoyment over the year this being my only outlet for gaming due to my work schedule. So Thank You!
And as a bonus since in moments I will be turning the BIG 4 0 Seattle time a gift from me to everyone, the BIG 40 XP for your pc!!! Spend it wisely LOL!
I will pick up the games tomorrow late afernoon, but tonight I must celebrate my birthday with drinking and dancing! Its 80's night at the club so if you want to join in just crank up some 80's music and think of your DM!
Merry Christmas from Seattle,
Zoo
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Its about dusk, the river is calm for the moment. Harsk is sitting in his usual post at the stern of the boat keeping a close eye on things. Seelah is at the back of the boat doing the same. The rest of you are inside the boat resting until its time to take over the watch. Harsk notices the river here is somewhat boggy with sandbars rising above the surface at various places. One such sandbar has forced the River Queen into a narrow channel hugging the starboard bank, which is a little more than a nearly impenetrable wall of greenery. Suddenly everyone feels a grinding rasp that vibrates through the hull causing the boat to lurch to a halt. The captain cuts the engines to prevent further damage, while Harsk and Seelah both lean over the side of the boat to look at the struck obstacle, at that same moment a susurrus of hissing rises from the surrounding jungle, like the exclamations of dozens of snakes. Flights of arrows slice out of nearby foliage and clatter onto the boat or into it. Harsk having spotted movement out of the corner of his eye quickly grabs his crossbow ready for battle. Seelah is still looking down at the sandbar and the rest of you are moving out onto the deck to see whats going on outside......
Seeing movement and being under attack, Harsk fires at what he sees with little hestiation:
The party will respond as thus:
1d20=12, 1d20+3=19, 1d20+2=7, 1d20+3=18
Harsk = 19
Lem = 18
Seelah = 12
and Sheldon = 7 (a little slow to rouse, perhaps his cautionary nature)!
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The attackers assult the boat first with arrows then halt for meer seconds as a boarding party launches itselves out of the trees above you. Two elves come flying in and land on the boat with no problem and another splashes into the river. Harsk shoots one as its in the air, hitting it in the chest. Harsk shakes his head as he thinks, Not these guys again! The wounded one is slow to get himself off the deck but his friend is up and ready to fight. Arrows start to rain in again trying to hit anyone moving on deck. Seelah who has been looking at the sandbar notices under the water line sharpened logs about 8 feet long have snagged the boat and thinks to herself, AMBUSH!. Lem is at the doorway leading out of the cabin and Sheldon is getting himself off of the hammock from his resting spot. Seelah is taking heavy fire from above but somehow avoids being hit.
Harsk immediately drops his bow and engages the elf who has made it on the boat, yelling they are coming from the trees!
Seelah draws sword and moves to block invaders coming a board. She attacks if one is within range!
Lem dodges & ducks back in the door and casts mirror image on himself lasting 4 minutes and producing: 1d4+1=2
Sheldon taking the opportunity for safety casts mage armor on himself +4AC which will last the whole battle!
Badger is hanging back in shadows. Owl is in unobtrusive spot!!!
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The rain of arrows stops all of a sudden except for a lone arrow coming in Seelah direction but only lodges itself into the deck. The two elves attack the lone dwarf with their short spears, both missing as the agile Harsk dances out of the way. He does hit the wounded one killing the elf who drops to the deck. Lem does his favorite and cast multiples of himself, such a handsome guy everyone needs more of him. Seelah dodges the arrow at her and races to the front of the boat to help repel boarders, seeing Harsk take one down she attacks the other and easily slices open the elf ending its life. Mean while, Sheldon prepares for battle casting his arcane armour on himself. The captain has cover behind the pilot house waiting for any elves to come into range of his daggers or rapier. From above four more elves jump out of the trees and land on the boat ready to take on the dwarf and the paladin. More arrows rain down after the elves hit the deck, all taking shots at the captain's position as he is the only target they can see.........
Harsk's eyes glimmer as he senses that the battle may be won with Seelah at his aid. He strikes the nearest of the newly "dropped" elves:
Seelah then sensing Harsk may have missed steps to the challenge:
If an elf in the trees is within range, Lem casts Hideous Laughter on him; if not then one at the front who is fighting his mates! Will save negates; range 35ft -- affected is capable of action and drops to ground but is not helpless. Lem finds this all very amusing!
Sheldon moves to the door of the cabin keeping cover and observing -- if he sees a target especially in the trees, he fires a magic missile:
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The four elves attack Seelah and Harsk as the elves in the trees keep everyone else pinned down. The cabin door is facing the back of the boat so Sheldon can't see anyone but the elves are also not able to see Sheldon or Lem even though they know they are there. Things might change if the elves decide to change locations soon. The boat is still lodged, the captain shouts out, We need to somehow get this boat moving, we're all sitting ducks here! Two of the four are able to get passed Harsk and Seelah's defence with their short spears, one hitting Harsk(3 hps dam) and the other hitting Seelah(again 3 hps dam). Harsk lashes out with his axe but stumbles from the pain from the spear hole in his shoulder but somehow connects on the back swing taking a big chunk out of one of the elves who somehow manages to stay standing. Lem glances around the corner of the cabin and casts some of his bardic arcane might at the lead elf who starts to laugh and misses his attack on Harsk but is able to shake it off and get control of himself. Seelah hits her opponent with her sword doing damgage but nothing close to killing it. Sheldon glances around the other side of the cabin ducks back as an arrow goes flying by, peeks back around and quickly launches some of his magic missles into the elf with his back to him. The elf stumbles forward a bit and turns to see where the attack came from...........Things are going from bad to worse for the heroes as more elves drop from the trees. Each makes the jump, one landing on the pilot house roof, one crashes into its friend both tumbling to the deck and the last lands on the pilot house but looses its footing and hits the deck at the back of the boat tangled in some of the cargo netting.......Now Lem and Sheldon can easily see some elves.
Almost in unison, the party cries out: "Put the boat in reverse!"
Harsk decides to drop another elf:
Seelah decides to follow in Harsk's lead:
Lem or the Lems, go into a dodge & weave mode, +2 defense hoping to take the attention away from the elves by getting between them and his friend with the mighty missiles!
Sheldon seeing Lem's or the Lems' antics takes full advantage and shoots up the closest elf:
The party has had just about enough of this trip!
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The cry goes on deaf ears, the captain is busy blocking an attack by the elf who just jumped in front of him, he parries the elves spear attack and makes ready to return the favor.
The elf in front of Harsk stabs him again(2 hps dam) but then dies at the hand of the dwarves axe. Seelah's attacker misses but she does not taking the head of the elf completely off. The other elf moves into attack but is sprayed by a large amount of blood and the head of his elf brother and falters in its attack. The last of the elves who dropped to the front of the boat moves to the back of the boat towards the one who burnt his back with arcane magic. He finds the wielder of magic getting ready to attack one of its brother who stands a top one of the boats cargo crates. He thrusts out at the easy target back but somehow misses and shakes his head at the gods of rolling....
Lem's are doing the chicken dance distracting the elf which enables Sheldon to launch another arcane blast knocking down the elf at the rear of the boat and almost into the river.
The Captain dances around with his rapier and makes the elf regret jumping onto the boat, wounding it but not completely ending its life.
And more elves attempt to board the ship.......
Harsk growls out to Seelah "you finish off this one & guard me -- I will free us." He then proceeds to move to the starboard side of the boat with his axe ready. Depending upon what he sees, he will either dive in or try to chop from above at the logs holding the ship from moving out of this devilish (and he notes with a grimace, elvish) trap.
Seelah duly complies and with a sense of valor moves to strike the remaining "forward" elf:
Ouch, just short of a critical hit, though it is likely to be enough to critically wound her foe!
Lem continues with the dancing routine, this time playing his flute to motivate his mates -- giving them +1 to attack & damage rolls from here on out!
Sheldon not liking the fact that now somebody or something has just about speared him, turns and while avoiding being hit himself by the vengeful woodland being, launches his arcane bolts into the soon to be charged elf:
The party collectively hopes that Harsk's axe will do the trick!!!
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More elves come sailing out of the trees all aiming for the back of the boat this time. One completely misses and lands with a big splash into the river. The other two land on top of the cargo crates in the back and one of them knocking the one that was trying to get back up from the last arcane blast getting pushed into the river for his troubles. The elf confronting Seelah stabs out with his spear and penatrates her armour(6 hps dam). The elf takes another thrust at Sheldon and misses again as Sheldon dances to the side.
Harsk seeing a moment to try and free the boat looks over the side and then drops into the river making his way to the logs and begins to dig out the logs from the bottom of the river to get them out of the way. he can see this is going to work but its going to take a little time.
The Lems continue to inspire the group in battle!
Seelah, tired of the elf in front of her finishes off the creature quickly so she can help else where or defend Harsk as he tries to free the boat..
Sheldon blasts the elf who keeps missing in the chest but fails to finish off him which pisses him off as he can hear the two elves who just landed behind him start to move in...
The captain easily finishes off his foe and turns to see where he can be the most help.....
No more elves can be heard dropping onto the boat but some splashes can be heard on the bank of the river.....
Harsk quickly sets about the work at hand. Diving, pulling, moving, and rending the barricade down:
It seems Harsk is up to the task!
Seelah takes the momentary pause in her fight to go within and lay hands on herself. This cures only 4 HP because her charisma bonus is low! (But that takes her back to full).
occ/ query -- next round Seelah would like to stand up and rapidly fire arrows at anything that moves toward Harsk -- she would sacrifice even really attempting to hit the targets to increase her rate of fire and draw their attention -- could she do this & how many shots (even if all have zero hit chance or very small)? If she gets shot up, she'd kneel the next round, but still buy Harsk time!
Lem now knowing there are many casts ghost sound back behind the cargo boxes away from visibility of the elves. He chooses to make the sound of several men yelling and preparing to emerge for battle!
Sheldon again turns to his foe, this time ready to finish him. After making true effort of one who does not favor combat to dodge his foes thrust, Sheldon quickly fires the full burst of arcane energy:
Knowing Lem to have cast an illusion, Sheldon calls out to him, we must move quickly to the front of the boat by Seelah, follow me!!!
Laying on of hands is a standard action so Seelah would begin firing as soon as she saw any movement toward Harsk!
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Harsk quickly sets about the work at hand. Diving, pulling, moving, and rending the barricade down:
It seems Harsk is up to the task!
Seelah takes the momentary pause in her fight to go within and lay hands on herself. This cures only 4 HP because her charisma bonus is low! (But that takes her back to full).
occ/ query -- next round Seelah would like to stand up and rapidly fire arrows at anything that moves toward Harsk -- she would sacrifice even really attempting to hit the targets to increase her rate of fire and draw their attention -- could she do this & how many shots (even if all have zero hit chance or very small)? If she gets shot up, she'd kneel the next round, but still buy Harsk time!
Lem now knowing there are many casts ghost sound back behind the cargo boxes away from visibility of the elves. He chooses to make the sound of several men yelling and preparing to emerge for battle!
Sheldon again turns to his foe, this time ready to finish him. After making true effort of one who does not favor combat to dodge his foes thrust, Sheldon quickly fires the full burst of arcane energy:
Knowing Lem to have cast an illusion, Sheldon calls out to him, we must move quickly to the front of the boat by Seelah, follow me!!!
Screaming "Harsk, they're entering the water behind you!" Seelah lets her mighty arrow fly bolstered by the previous effects of Lem's playing!
Harsk does a spot check anyway: 1d20+8=11
Harsk perhaps noticing the elves, perhaps not, is busy rending the obstruction & saving his fellows lives!
If one wants the player to play, the leader must post! Dude, you can't have it both ways -- I know life is good, but you gotta do your DM Duty!
Sheldon (not John) he he
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Everyone pauses as a giant scream is unleashed from Seelah's mouth. The elves halt in the water until one of them gets flung back by an arrow shot to the chest making a big splash. The other two elves throw down their bows, strings now wet, and raise up their spears shouting curses. Harsk makes progress on the logs blocking the boats path. Lem continues to dance and sing, boy he's getting tired. Sheldon's foe drops from the arcane blasts. Elves start to drop out of the trees again........
Harsk continues to work furiously, knowing of the approaching elves, but trusting in his companions to give him time.
Seelah, thinking it through decides to continue her bow attack. Harsk will need help getting aboard when the boat moves again. She takes her shot with a +1 arrow and bolstered by Lem's continued playing at the vulnerable first elf moving slowly in the water:
Hopefully the vulnerability of the elf allowed the shot to land in its face or throat!
Lem is there continuing to play and dance!
Sheldon is now ready to assist. He let's his last of first level energy fly in the form of an arcane missiles into either the first or the second of the elves in the water (depending upon what Seelah's arrow did):
Onward!
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Two more elves drop down out of the trees and land in the area of the front of the boat. The captain jumps down to engage one as they land near Seelah. The elves on the shore launch there spears at Seelah but only hit the boat. Harsk continues to make progress(next round the boat will be free). Seelah shoots at one of the elves on the shore but misses her mark. But Sheldon comes up from behind and launches his arcane blast and sends one of them back with a splash. The first elf on the shore with an arrow sticking out of him stands up and grabs his spear with an angry look at Seelah.........We all know what Lem's doing......
Harsk continues his work, once free he looks up for a way to get back on the boat.
Seelah now draws sword and engages the elf in front of her swinging her longsword down in a slashing attack:
Seelah senses some satisfaction knowing she is surely more accurate and often deadly with her sword!
Lem stops playing though the effects of his song will last four more rounds. He moves quickly to the bow and positions himself to help in pulling Harsk back into the boat.
Sheldon steps to the side of the boat with spear drawn, positioning himself to help Harsk put take a poke at any threatening elves. Seeing the ones moving toward Harsk, he makes his thrust:
Hopefully, the boat is beginning to move!
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Grabbing its second spear, the elf on the score gives it a heave aimed at Sheldon, the spear flys and takes Sheldon in the side just below the rib cage(8 hps dam). The other wounded elf on the score tries to do the same only his target is the Captain who is about to engage one of the elves that dropped down out of the trees. He hits the captain who staggers from the unseen attack(6 hps dam). The elves on the boat both attack with their spears, one at the captain and the other at Seelah. The one attacking Seelah thrusts its spear trying for a killing blow but falls short of the mark. The captain however fails to defend against the other elf's attack and gets jabbed by another spear within seconds of each other(5 hps dam-he's down to 18 hps now).
With a last ditch effort to free the boat, Harsk moves as quick as he can because he is running out of air. The last chop, slash and push do the trick freeing the boat from the elves ambush. He begins to try and surface quickly for much needed air.
Lem moves to the back of the boat to try and help Harsk out of the water when he surfaces.
Seelah lashes out with her sword and connects on the elves shoulder, who somehow manages to keep in the fight, spear ready to thrust out at her again.
Sheldon moves to the side of the boat and does not see his friend has surfaced yet, at least on this side of the boat. He makes his own thrust at an elf who is close but finds out that the elf is out of range of his weapon.
[ooc]Next round my brother! You might be out of elves here soon since I rolled a 0, so you might get a break. We'll see how I roll next round unless you escape somehow![ooc]
Harsk quickly surfaces with a gasp from his large dwarven lungs and reaches for the boat. Hopefully, Lem is nearby and ready to lend which he will do.
Harsk does a climb check: 1d20+3=19
Seelah is fully engaged with her foe but tells the captain "quickly, start the boat moving, we are ready to escape!":
Sheldon was badly hurt by the wound and realizes he is outclassed in melee combat. He moves back away from the edge of the ship out of immediate spear reach, then casts invisibility on himself, though after the spell is cast he looks to Lem & Harsk and will aid them if needed.
OK, I'm going to bed. Waited for your post!
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Harsk finally reaches the surface of the water to the sounds of battle still going on above. The two elves on the shore are out of spears so they take a moment to look for their dropped bows. they find them and look to the boat for targets. The elves left on the boat, attack, they do so with mixed results. The one fighting the captain scores another hit on him(2 hps dam). The elf on Seelah takes another jab at her and misses again, his fate is sealed as she swings again and connects one last time ending the elf's life. Lem sees Harsk surface and races over to help him out of the water and back onto the boat. The dwarf stands there dripping wet but with some sence of satisfaction on completing his task. Sheldon disappears again. The captain makes a disperate attempt to attack his foe but misses, foiled by two spears getting in his way lodged into his body. He is still ready to fight but is getting weaker as the blood flows out of his wounds....
Seelah scream to the Captain, "let me take care of this one, you must get to the bride, Lem will help tend your wounds!" She then moves to strike the elf:
Yeap, she did it. The captain gasps with relief to know Seelah landed such a blow!
Harsk is looking at the shore and to retrieve his bow!
Lem is scurrying to the Captain -- he will assist him to the bridge then do healing. He tells the captain, "follow me, we must start the boat, then I will help to make you whole."
Sheldon moves to the bridge to either assist in getting the boat started or help with the captain as needed!
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The elf fighting the captain thrust out trying to end his life before he moves on to the other enemies on the boat. He misses his chance though as the captain staggers back a step and falls to the ground. The spears still in his flesh causing damage to him(1 hp dam). The two elves on the shore shoulder their bows and disappear into the jungle all of a sudden, they seem to be heading in the direction up river. Harsk now on the boat sees the elves move off. The direction they are taking would put them in front of the boat up river which is not a good omen. Lem rushes over to the captain's side trying to help. He is going to have to use all his strength to get him moving. Seelah jumps in from the side and easily ends the last elf on the boat life. Sheldon moves to the captain side to help Lem with the captain. Lem struggles until an unseen force helps him lift the captain to his feet...........
The invisible voice yells, "Harsk help, you're healing arts are needed quickly"
Harsk using his +8 healing skills removes the spear. Lem immediately casts a cure light wounds on the captain to keep him going. Would you roll please, I'm not able to access right now ;).
Seelah keeps protective watch and draws her bow.
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All is quiet right now except for the normal jungle sounds which have started back up after the last sword was swong. With the help of everyone the captain makes a speedy recovery. He gets the boat started up river again and asks who would like to quickly learn how to steer the boat just in case of another attack like the last one happens and someone else needs to drive the boat. Nightfall station should be reached by in a day in a half depending on if there is any trouble ahead.
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief or two. Lem takes time with the Captain learning to be a pilot "boy." Can't roll now. If he's unsuccessful, the Captain will have to be the man.
Everyone tends to wounds. The party all on the bridge talks out their strategy. Watch will now be from the bridge deck. Lem & Harsk with infra vision will work nights, plus Lem will spend some time with the Captain by day. Sheldon & Seelah by day. When does the Captain sleep?
Harsk & Seelah will have bows ready while on watch. The non-duty shift will be in the cabin below.
Harsk tells the captain to proceed with all haste and to avoid narrow passages. If there is potential for an ambush again, we want to stop & recon it. At that time, Sheldon would let his owl out for a look see.
Sheldon goes below deck ASAP to rest & regain his inner magic strength.
occ -- yes, late June works for you to come to Columbus. I am also seriously contemplating a Seattle trip late spring or during summer. If that works for you, please keep it in mind in your scheduling!
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Everything seems to go back to normal, Sheldon gets a much needed rest and time to regain his arcane might. The rest of the group is also able to regain the strengh from the last battle with the jungle elves. The people on watch get bored real fast as no threats appear which is a good thing. Sheldon's owl is very helpful at spying ahead keeping the boat and crew on good water and on a fast pace to reach the station ahead. After a few hours of training Lem's lessons to pilot the boat give the captain time to let him drive and let him rest for awhile. A functon Faruq used to do for the captain. The night has passed by plus most of the day, its early evening and the crew has gotten to be lazy for the whole time but still watchful all the same. By mid morning of the next day the station will be reached and the next part of their adventure will take place......
Sheldon takes this time to write a new post:
"Travel on the river is dangerous at best. There is very little friendly river traffic and reliance upon the Company has proven dangerous. As I write this, the four companions who I began the journey with are safe & sound though it has been close. We recently survived a coordinated ambush by jungle elves who laid a trap to block our boat in a narrow channel of the river. The heroics of all especially the dwarven ranger who dove down into the water to unlock our boat allowed us to survive. Surely, there is more to this story. Many elves died in the attack."
Sheldon continues on describing in mundane detail events & observations so that his report will comport to his society's high standards.
He's feeling a bit of tingling in his fingers almost as if a massive bolt of electricity could shoot out at a moments command. He ponders this thinking perhaps for now this would be more useful than his fanciful dreams of flight. Flight perhaps I will sail with you in the skies another time he thinks.
Lem is his carefree self. He works to compose a song and make sure all of his gear is in order. He does very much like piloting the boat. What fun! What stories to tell and impress the wee lady folk . . . hmm, he thinks it has been awhile. Lem has used his time with the captain to pry for information about their upcoming destination, when payment will be made, the company's presence in the city, and continuing subtle prying to get at why the elves are after them! (role play this if needed -- or I can roll some checks)
Seelah is spending time polishing her armor and weapons. She senses that the party is nowhere done with the dangers at hand.
Harsk is keeping quiet. He is spending time with his badger and also sensing along the river at times. All is not well.
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The day goes by quietly for the group which gets a much needed rest. Lem continues with his studies of piloting the boat which gives the captain a rest also. The captain and Lem discuss things to pass the time, things like the captain does not know what is going on with the elves but he aims to find out when he gets to the station to see whats got the elves all in an uproar. The seem to be very coordinated for elves that only live in small tribes never really seen them all together like this. He's ready for a big long rest once he gets to the station, not going back to Bloodcove for awhile, at least until the next group of reinforcements arrive. Its not safe for just he and Hurg to travel the river by themselves at this time.
By late day you are rounding a bend in the night-shrouded river, you suddenly see a welcoming sight: On the left bank is a break in the monotonous jungle wall, revealing a clearing and low hill. Built up at the edge of the river is a large structure-part dock, part fortress. Its many windows are ablaze with lights, and you can see crossbow armed guards walking along the covered pier. a shrill whistle sounds from teh top of one of the watchtowers, and soon there is all sort of activity as people gather at the dock. At last you have arrived at Nightfall station. The guards help tie off the boat and the captain is the first to leave the boat shaking hands with some of the guards he knows. He waves the group to follow and says you all need to report in to the station manager. The guards are all dressed in Aspis Consortium garb, all you can guess are mercs like you......
Gathering up their gear, the party follows the captains lead and disembarks. Uniformly happy to set foot on "land" though cautious as to what the next moment will bring. They are hoping for payment and yes, some rest & relaxation in the "safety" of this fort. They feel they have earned their reward. Sheldon's owl is on his left shoulder as is Harsk's badger on his. Lem greets the guards and makes some playful small talk: "you sure beat wild elves!" etc. The party will proceed to the station manager.
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Your group exits the boat onto the covered dock, there are two doors that enter the station house, to the left are a set of double doors and to the right which is the direction the Captain is heading is a single door. You climb up the three steps and enter into the building. The room is a long rectangular room(10X35 feet)full of long tables and chairs. Food cooking can be smelled as you enter, you also see a few guards men taking an early dinner. Two doors lead out of this room into the interior, one on the wall across from you which looks lke it leads into the kitchen and the other is to your left. This is where you will take your meals while you are station here. Says the Captain who continues through the room and leaves through the left doorway. You enter a new room where you see comfy chairs, couches, and small tables for drinks or other odds and ends. It seem to be a place to relax while not on duty. Sitting in the room is a few gentlemen most dressed for war. The Captain stops in front of a man and greets him with hand held out, the man stands and shakes the Captain's hand with a smile saying how good it is to see him again. The Captain introduces each of you in turn, the man shakes each of your hands thanking you for coming and your help. He says his name is Mynafee Gorse, the station manager, on his chain shirt is the symbol of the Aspis Consortium. The man to his right is still sitting not even bothering to get up and introduce himself, he just sits there working on his toothpick. He nods in your directions as the station manager introduces him as Petrune, the stations secretary who over see many of the day to day tasks. He says, Petrune will take care of you and get you settled here, take the rest of the day off and you will start your duties tomorrow Petrune smiles and gets up and bid you to follow! Mynafee asks the Captain to sit and tell him of his trip up river and what news from Bloodcove as you are leaving.
Seelah steps forward: "Mr. Gorse, I don't think you fully understand our circumstances of our being here. In fact your friend the captain and his boat would not be here but for us. We were hired to guard a station. We protected the boat all the way there. When we arrived, the station had been massacred. While there we fought off jungle elves and a beast. There was not station left to guard and no live arcophage. So my companions and I pulled the boat through the swamp fighting a shambling mound to gain fuel to get here. And, we had to survive a coordinated ambush by the elves that almost killed us all. Only the heroics of my dwarf friend here freed the boat and allowed our escape. And for this, we have yet to receive our payment due which is significant."
"In fact," she continues "receiving payment and negotiating any further services is contingent upon us serving. We want to understand what is going on. If we don't then we will take our services elsewhere, and we have surely earned that right. The contract is expired and we are free to leave. Now you tell us why we should 'serve' here.
Sheldon subtly steps back a bit as Seelah talks; he's prepared to be invisible quickly. Harsk moves very slightly forward and let's his had lower toward his axe. Lem coughs & laughs a bit nervously saying near the end "of course we want to reach agreement here."
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The Captain speaks up before the station manager has a chance too. My friends, you were hired to help guard the station as is part of our agreement for your services but this is the station you were hired to help guard not Whitebridge, we only stopped there to reprovision and get more arcophage to continue on up river. You diffinately deserve more compensation for duty above and beyond the call of services asked in the begining. Unforseen events took place on our trip and you all helped see this boat here with the much needed cargo that is on the boat plus yourselves all arrived safely. I was going to have a chat here with Mynafee and tell him of our story of the trip from Bloodcove, I was also going to tell him you deserved more coins than was originally agree upon which was 20 gold coins per day of service for the duration of the assignment, which is not done yet by the way. Plus free passage at the end of service by me back to Bloodcove. I can assure you all that an agreement will be made for more compensation but the contract is not finished yet, you still have about two more weeks of service to finish guarding this station from incursions from the same jungle elves you have already been fighting and I am uncertain why the elves are attacking all along the river and here and I was hoping to find some answers from Mynafee if he has any as of yet. ......
Seelah then speaks, somewhat sheepishly and with a grin "very well then, we will of course honor our term of service. Please tell us what is going on here and why are we facing such fiercely violent elves."
The party looks to the station manager for his answer.
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Mynafee clears his throat, takes a look at the Captain, turns back and tells you, We have been here awhile, the Aspis Consortium, trying to get goods out of the Mwangi to sell across the globe. We came without knowing of the Ekujae's existence, when we did we tried to find a way for a peaceful existance but of late they have changed and began attacking our men and the station. We have been barely able to keep them at bay. And they will not talk to us for a peaceful solution or why they started this little war. We have done nothing wrong that I can know of and will continue to try to make peace with the Ekujae. I fear if I fail the consortium will bring more forces and eliminate the elves for good. I do not agree with this course of action so I will continue my efforts at a peaceful solution. With your help defending this place you will be giving me time to acomplish this. My men are worn to the bone so your help will be a big relief. There is only 49 of us left here, 29 consortium mercs is all of the defence I have plus you now. More men are on the way I am told but we are not sure when they will arrive that is why I asked the Kelim here to get some temporary help. So I thank you again for coming, Petrune here will get you settled into the station and show you around after you have rested and eatten. He will also tell you of your duties while you are here. We have not had an attack for a week now so it should be easy going knock on wood. He knocks on the table beside him as he smile warmly at your group........
The party looks among themselves & come to agreement. Seelah announces that they will honor the contract though we do expect increased payment commensurate with the added risk. Seelah says: "We will rest now and prepare for battle. If our experience with the elves holds value, we expect they will come, and do so soon, and with a plan. Be very careful & make sure your mercs are prepared. I advised you double the watch and consider sending out patrols around the perimeter with means of signaling if there is trouble."
With that, the party then adjourns to rest.
When they get to a quiet place they talk amongst themselves. They plan to stick together in what's coming. They will look for an escape route should the fort be overrun, most likely back on the boat. The jungle is likely too dangerous, but Harsk will give it more consideration. When the time is right Sheldon will send his dear one, his owl out to look around dusk.