After cutting the bindings, Norn lobs the tankard at Edwyn so that he may easily catch it mid-air. "Well met friend. Although Old Deadeye and Cayden do not always see eye to eye, at the end of the day we both strive for the good of the people, even when your patron is a bit more... 'aloof' in his ways. What is a cleric of the Merrymaker like you doing in the wilds anyway? Bit far from the tavern is it not?"
Norn will also offer to Lay on Hands to Edwyn if he would like.
Looking towards the Mornaura and Dispeera, "Ah it is true then? The Mites killed me off and now I am in Elysium with the angels. What are your names Angels? And, not to complain but if this is Elysium, land of eternal freedom why am I still bound?"
Thrusting out a hand, Kaeso says "Nice to meet you." Nodding toward the women, he continues "Not angels, unless angels are beautiful and fearsome. I keep worrying that if I do something stupid, they'll hex me or zap me. Kaeso's my name"
"They are! They are! Or so I am told." He shakes Kaeso's hand. And nods to Norn.
"Well see, these stolen lands, they are a violent place, and while us adults choose to wage our wars and our raids, but what of the little ones? What of the children? They are left alone and scared are they not? I wish to protect them and to eventually forge a stable place for them. Like someone gave me once. I was sent out here to meet your band I suspect. Assuming you are not men of the Stag Lord? But these creatures found me before i found you. As for Dead Eye? A fine god indeed. but not for me. far to serious! And I prefer to relax and drink when there is not evil afoot. But I see no reason we could not share a drink and be friends."
Edwyn holds up his mug to take a drink, but nothing comes out. He holds it upside down in disbelief before trying to take another drink.
"Asmodeous Curse those blue monsters! Well at least I know this is not Elysium, for I am out of ale!"
He turns towards the women. A charming smile on his face, he takes both of their hands into each of his for a moment, and feigns a kiss on each with a sly smile before releasing them and looking up and smiling again. "Ah a pair of Elf Maidens, and one is of such an exotic coloring. wonderful! Now ladies tell me which of these brave men must I compete against for your affections?"
"Now with my holy symbol returned do any of you brave adventurers need Cayden's healing abilities? For I have to but ask and you all can be bathed in healing light."
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Drispeera's blush brings purple to her cheeks. At last, someone to pay proper homage to my beauty, and he's not hard on the eyes either.
Well met Edwyn. I am Drispeera of the Noble Family of House D'Lith, of Kyonin to the south. I am no angel, but I am a powerful sorceress. My friend Mornaura is a potent witch. Treat us with proper respect, and we may yet take you to Elysium.
In the past I have found priests and their gods too... intense for my liking. I tend to leave the gods alone and they do the same for me. But this Cayden Cailen may be more to my liking. Perhaps you can tell me of him over a flagon of... holy water.
It seems we are on a quest to quiet a war between some nasty kobolds to the southeast, and these even nastier creatures here. So far diplomacy has had no effect on these buggers. If I'm in the mood, we'll try diplomacy once more before smiting the lot of them. Care to join?
I think the mite on the left should still be on fire.
Ignoring the men Edwyn continues to address the women.
"Ah a noble lady! I myself am sadly of poor upbringing. Orphaned as a child a cleric of Cyaden Cailean took me in and raised me in one of the church ran orphanages, and taught me everything I know. So did I mishear? Do I not have to duel for your honor with any of these men? What sort of men are these?!?" He says jokingly and laughs.
"Hmm yes, many faiths have that issue. Presists of Iomedae are far to serious for my tastes. and The clerics of Sarenrae, while having their hearts in the right place have a tendency to burn things. And clerics of Calistria! Well, lets just say you better perform well. For they take everything as a personal insult and they don't forgive easily. But myself? I, like Cayden Cailean himself have little need to be pushy. I simply pour a mug of ale and offer it to my friends. And if any wish for his wisdom on top of that I will share it." He smiles and his hair seems to glimmer with an unnatural metallic gleam.
"Care to join? My angel I have yet to refuse a pair of beautiful women offering me their company. I have no intention of starting now! Though I warn you, I may be unable to concentrate on my magics with such beauty about. I may have to rely on my swordsmanship."
"Spellcasters as well. Interesting, I know a few things about spells, maybe we could trade notes over that very same flagon. I am especially interested in this Witchcraft, for I have heard only rumors of this sort of magic." He notices the burning mite and steps to the side to avoid it. He then recovers his crossbow and the rest of his gear. He gives Mornaura a smile as he collects his gear.
"Um. Hi. Yeah. I mean, no, we are no angels, and I'm not even an elf maiden - I mean, I'm a half-blood," the witch stammers, before she decides once again to let Drispeera do the talking. She turns away to hide her blushing, casts light on her sickle and starts looking around in the small cave.
"Well, um, there isn't much I could tell you, but of course, I'd like to quench your, um, desire. For knowledge." she says over her shoulder.
"A Half-Elf! Wonderful! The best of both worlds then! Let us bring peace to these lands through spell and steel quickly so that we may all share that drink! Most of belonging's are back at Oleg's how is. He is the one who pointed me in your general direction you know."
He smiles at Mornaura. "No need to be shy mylady I rarely bite." He sheaths his Rapier and loads his crossbow.
"Let us continue our bloody task, what is your group's plan?"
Norn nudges Kaeso and Bingo with his elbow as if thinking "Who IS this guy?"
"Uh. Yes. If all the pleasantries are taken care of... I assume you have a charter from Restov, like ours? Hope you are not offended, but as you said, there are bandits everywhere. No sense in being careless."
Papers checking out, Norn addresses the group: "Looks like we got two ways down. We can continue down this tunnel and go downstairs, or back up to the entryway. I saw another tunnel leading down there as well. Erastil's grace has shown me these creatures are wholly evil, so I doubt a diplomatic solution will fly. We should find this leader, Grabbles, and demand his surrender. As much as I don't like kobolds roaming the Greenbelt, at least they are reasonable, and will listen to demands. Mites are really just the vermin of the fey."
Edwyn unfastens a few buttons on his shirt allowing cool air to kiss the damp skin on his now partially exposed chest. He reaches into one of his pockets and recovers a crumpled piece of paper.
"Charter, ah yes here it is! As Stated I was originally interested, well primarily interested in coming to this land to help the children. So many Bandit Ladies and Bandit men, leads to bandit babies." He smiles slyly at the ladies and half joking adds, "Or at least I was under the impression that is how it works!"
He wipes the sweat from his brow with his forearm before continuing, " And yet when the bandits are taken care of, either dead or imprisoned who cares for these babies? One day I will build an orphanage out here, a sanctuary, for the children and for those weary of the fighting and savagery. Until then I push on aided by a strong ale most oft."
"I agree with your assessment, Let us send these Mites back to their first world."
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Wonderful! So we're agreed then? Drispeera cheerfully fires a few acid orbs into the remaining mite (the other should be dead after the second round of fire, right?)
And for the record, I want it noted that it was the paladin and the priest calling for the mites' deaths, not the bloodthirsty sorceress! I can never keep straight the human rules about when its time to be nice to things that are trying to kill us.
Since we've already started this way, shall we continue? I doubt we'll be able to sneak up on them at this point, anyway. Is there anything of use here, before we go?
Spotting something on Edwyn's shirt Drispeera says Oh dear, I seemed to have splashed a little alchemists fire on you. You'll have to give me your shirt to mend later. (Oddly the damage to Norn's shirt is more visible to the rest of you.)
Kaeso watches the conversation, bemused.
Aside to Norn and Bingo: "If words were arrows, he'd be dangerous!"
I wonder how Bingo will take this. I hope Drispeera doesn't get swept up in pretty words.
"An orphanage? I think that might be a good idea, once we get rid of the bandits. They've hit the farmers near here pretty hard--lots of motherless and fatherless kids around. Kaeso's knuckles whiten on the handle of his hammer. "Sodding bandits!"
He pauses for a moment, looking at his feet, but then speaks up again: "Norn, maybe we had better work out an order? I mean, we should keep the ladies in between the swordsmen, shouldn't we? And I can't see in the dark."
"Oh, for the love of the gods and my sanity, someone shut him up and let's get about our bizness," says Bingo as he searches the surroundings.
Edwyn, ignoring Bingo's words frowns, "Ah the poor children, it breaks my heart, it truly does. Cayden bless them all." He shakes his head 'no' as he speaks.
"My shirt? Ah yes, you may remove it the moment our lives are not in danger. I would very much appreciate that. As for the dark as luck would have it I have pretty good eye sight in such places. And as much as I'd appreciate being between these lovely ladies I might be of use in the front, or perhaps in the rear watching our behinds and using my crossbow."
Edwyn whispers with a frown, "I am afraid I have upset your halfling friend. Perhaps we shall bond during this adventure?"
Keeping an eye out for traps, Bingo leads the pack down the sycamore tree. Following the same path, it opens up to a larger room. This damp room is haphazardly cluttered with broken beds, chairs, wagon wheels, and an assortment of worn, tattered, dingy, and broken objects pilfered or salvaged from big folk. A row of bookcases stands crookedly propped against the far wall, the shelves filled with bits of bone, feathers, and dried centipede legs. Old window frames, cracked and splintered, hang upon the wall like works of fine art.
Currently, only six mites occupy this room. Two pitifully attempt to play a folk song on shabby stringed instruments. Two more sit nearby, jeering and throwing rocks at the musicians. Lastly, a pair of mites lie beneath a ragged sheet reading a book with torn pages. The book is upside down. All six rise up in anger and attack upon sighting Bingo.
Drispeera:
Mornaura:
Bingo:
Norn:
Edwyn:
BBEG:
Round 1:
Kaeso
Drispeera
Mornaura
Mites
Bingo
Edwyn
Norn
Enemy Statuses:
none
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When it gets to her turn, Drispeera will move to a position where she can hit the back room with a sleep spell. she'll say quietly to the party I'm targeting near the back wall, guys. Try to stay 15' in front of it.
She may be standing in a position where mite A or B can hit her. She'll accept that risk.
6 HD
18 DC will save
10' radius
Kaeso nods at Drispeera and charges toward A and B, in order to clear the way for her spell. I wonder why my hammer didn't seem to hit them very hard. He swings the hammer in a mitey arc, hoping to hit the little bugger square in the head.
Warhammer against Mite A: , Damage
Kaeso swings at the little mite, but even flat-footed he barely grazes the bugger's ear, hitting the stone wall behind him. BAM!
Dris re-positions quick and starts casting.
Round 1:
Kaeso
Drispeera - casting sleep
Mornaura <--
Mites
Bingo
Edwyn
Norn
Enemy Statuses:
none
"Kaeso, I'll shut up the left one of your new friends," the witch chimes, and casts yet another slumber hex at the declared target. "Get him, boys."
Edwyn will move next to Drispeera, drawing his rapier, and his with free hand he will cast Bless.
"Cayden Cailean, protect these Adventurers for they are about to battle in the name of good." He says loudly to himself.
Mite's save:
Mite on the back shoots a dart at Kaeso
Mites A, B and C move and attack.
A at Kaeso
B at Kaeso
B at Norn
All the mite's attacks seem futile!
Other mites moved/double moved.
Round 1:
Kaeso
Drispeera - casting sleep
Mornaura
Mites
Bingo <--
Edwyn FF (will be casting bless)
Norn FF
Enemy Statuses:
none
Bingo stabs Mite F with his shortsword.
Attack
Damage
Well, Bingo slices up the mite in front of him, although he also felt he should have done more damage. The mite still falls though.
Edwyn casts Cayden's Bless on everyone!
Norn slices mite D!
ATK
DMG
Same deal, not all damage goes through. Both F and D are down though.
Round 2:
Kaeso <--
Drispeera - casting sleep
Mornaura
Mites
Bingo
Edwyn
Norn
Enemy Statuses:
none
Kaeso notices the cleric beside him, and shifts to hit mite B, aiming a blow straight down at the fey little bastard.
Warhammer
Damage
Kaeso's warhammer finally bonks the mite in the head, dropping him. (not dealing full damage)
Drispeera, your spell goes off. Do you want to hit as many in the front, or the guy in the back. The guy in the back looks like he is about to take off the back door.
When his turn rolls around Edwyn is going to five foot step to where Mite B was standing and attack mite A with his rapier.
Upon missing the mite, "How do you lads fight with such distracting beauties immediately behind you?"
Kaeso responds, in between blows: "Had a girlfriend at home. Figured I'd have time for that when the bandits are dead."
"Sure, I'll try, Dris. Hopefully with more success than I had with the last one, sacred spirits..."
Mornaura tries to get into a position with a good look at the target, then casts her slumber hex on Mite E.
Mites get saves
A, B and C get hit with sleep spells, E with hex.
A - fail
B - fail
C - fail
Mornaura gets closer to catch the mite in the back.
E - pass
Round 2:
Kaeso
Drispeera
Mornaura
Mites <--
Bingo
Edwyn
Norn
Enemy Statuses:
A,B,C - asleep
The lone mite in the back, terrified, takes off screaming towards the back.
Bingo is up next. Looks like screams and conversation coming from the back room.
Bingo looks at the three men, "Finish 'em," he says, pointing at the three sleeping mites. "I'll see whut's goin' on back there."
Bingo heads towards the back of the cave.
Bingo sees some crude stairs going downwards, and now a clicking sound has joined the mite voices downstairs.
Round 2:
Kaeso
Drispeera
Mornaura
Mites
Bingo
Edwyn <--
Norn
Enemy Statuses:
A,B,C - asleep
Edward drops his sword and rushes to the square below and to the right of Bingo, drawing his preloaded, Crossbow during the move. If he can see the last mite or anything else, if we can see it he will fire his crossbow.
Round 2:
Kaeso
Drispeera
Mornaura
Mites
Bingo
Edwyn
Norn <--
Enemy Statuses:
A,B,C - asleep
Norn whacks at the closest helpless mite (c)
non-lethal
Then moves down to intercept any baddies.
That mite is now out cold.
Round 3:
Kaeso <--
Drispeera
Grabbles
Mornaura
Mites
Bingo
Edwyn
Norn
Enemy Statuses:
A,B - asleep
Kaeso is back on!
That mite is now out cold.
1d20+3
Round 3:
Kaeso <--
Drispeera
Grabbles
Mornaura
Mites
Bingo
Edwyn
NornEnemy Statuses:
A,B - asleepKaeso is back on!
What's a Grabbles?
"Grabbles? Be right there, guys."
Kaeso looks down at the sleeping mites, and thinks of the coming grabble, and decides that a CDG is appropriate. Hey, we tried to talk to them.
CDG Mite A: Damage
"Was that really necessary? Could have just knocked it out."
Drispeera moves down to the next room. From down the stairs, you hear a horrible voice, trying to speak Common.
"Grabbles is coming to get'cha! Tickleback! Feast. Feast!!!
From the corner you a see a big-headed mite, riding atop a giant tick! This thing is huge, about as big as Kaeso or Norn.
"Kill the blue one! Stealing our color! Blue only for mites! She mocking us!"
Grabbles shoots a dart at Dris, as well as the little mite that came up.
Grabbles:
Mite E:
Both missing horribly.
Round 3:
Kaeso
Drispeera
Grabbles
Mornaura <--
Mites
Bingo
Edwyn
Norn
Enemy Statuses:
B - asleep
"You speak their language angel? I can understand Elven, Sylvan, Celestial and of course common, but these creatures seem to butcher common in such a way its unrecognizable. What do they say?"
Edwyn readies his crossbow.