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11 Not So New Category / FFRPG / FFRPG Cliffnotes Version on: July 03, 2013, 12:28:53 am
Started by Xero - Last post by Xero
The Final Fantasy Role Playing Game Third Edition: Cliff Notes Version! Table of Contents 0. Introduction - This post! 1. Playguide -Post 2!- ○ Dice ○ Statistics ○ Skills ○ Task Checks ○ Scenes ○ Classes and Jobs ○ Combat 2. Character Creation -WIP- ○ Advancement ○ Experienced Characters 3. Races -WIP- ○ Human ○ Bangaa ○ Cremiere ○ Dwarf ○ Elf ○ Galka ○ Mithra ○ Moogle ○ Nu Mou ○ Qu ○ Ronso ○ Tarutaru ○ Varg ○ Viera ○ Yeti ○ Differentiating Races 4. Jobs -WIP- ○ Warrior Jobs ○ Expert Jobs ○ Mage Jobs ○ Adept Jobs 5. Skills -WIP- ○ Expanded Rules ○ Groupwork ○ Artistic Skills ○ General Skills ○ Scholastic Skills ○ Social Skills ○ Technical Skills ○ Thievery Skills ○ Weapon Skills ○ Wilderness Skills 6. Equipment -WIP- ○ Equipment Basics ○ Weapon Slot ○ Shield Slot ○ Body Slot ○ Head Slot ○ Hands Slot ○ Accessory Slot ○ Inventory Slot ○ Materials 7. Combat -WIP-- ○ The Basics of Combat ○ The Initiative Phase ○ The Action Phase ○ The Status Phase ○ The Spoils of Battle ○ Special Circumstances 8. Magic -WIP- ○ Spell Classifications ○ Black Magic ○ White Magic ○ Time Magic ○ Red Magic ○ Blue Magic ○ Spellblade Magic ○ Intuitive Magic 9. Adventuring -WIP- ○ Rest and Recovery ○ Towns ○ On The Road 10. Gamemastering -WIP- ○ GM Basics ○ Building an Adventure ○ Building a Campaign ○ Creating New Races ○ Creating Equipment Appendix I. Skill Supplement -WIP- ○ The Basics of Technical Skills ○ Invent ○ Gadgets ○ Repair ○ Crafting Weapons and Armor ○ Practical Crafting ○ Cooking ○ Explosives ○ Alchemy ○ Mix Appendix II. Monster Creation System -WIP- ○ Monster Profile ○ Attributes and Statistics ○ Attacks ○ Action Abilities ○ Spells ○ Job Abilities ○ Movement Abilities ○ Support Abilities ○ Reaction Abilities ○ Field Effects ○ Boss Abilities ○ Rewards ○ Converting Monsters Appendix III. Summoning -WIP- ○ The Basics of Summoning ○ Using Evocation Magic ○ Using Summon Magic ○ Summon Profiles Appendix IV. Storytelling -WIP- ○ Key Points ○ Traits ○ Planning Appendix V. Game Sheets -WIP- Glossary -WIP- 0. INTRODUCTION -How to use!- This Cliff Notes Version of FFRPG will be organized under one thread, broken into multiple posts by section. As this is the "first post", the Table of Contents and Introduction are going to go here. The second post will have the Playguide, and so on. All of which are going to be the Cliffnotes versions, which hopefully will be done well enough to not need to turn to the original PDF too often! That said, the entire Introduction from the original PDF will be replaced with campaign-specific details excepting a few common themes from Final Fantasy and how they will fit into the setting. -Campaing Setting- Still a Work In Progress, but the setting for this campaign of FFRPG is going to have signifigent Sci-Fi elements! Magic will still be prevalient, and many of the technologies at work will lean more towards Magitek than straight technology. More will be added later. -Key Elements of Final Fantasy- As the setting is going to be something a little original, the following are important concepts linked to the trends of Final Fantasy; Note that these do not particularly mean there wont be suprises, twists, or subversions regarding these things! Mythos: Drawing inspiration and making references to various mythos and folklore. The specifics in this campaign are undecided, so feel free to make suggestions! Keyword Is Fantasy: Magic and surreal objects, people, or places isn't rare in Final Fantasy, although the potency can certainly vary. Because of this, the setting will be grandiose and fantastical and not limit itself to the realms of real-world possiblity. It will still make sense internally, of course, but expect the unexpected! As with the previous, suggestions are more than welcome! Summons: While Magic doesn't always involve summons, they are often as much a part of the setting as they are battle mechanics. As of now, the summons haven't been given an established role in the setting, so feel free to share ideas! Airships: While it varies how common they are, and exactly what they are is yet to be defined for this setting, the party getting a nifty mode of transport is also a staple of Final Fantasy. Similarly is the link between Airships and a 'Cid' character, who is often a scientist or engineer. Chocobo: They might as well be the mascot of the series, so we have to have them. Their specific role remains undefined, but they are often beasts of burden or war mounts. World Crystals: These crystals embody elements of the world, and quite literally are what allow those things to function. Normally they consist of Fire, Earth, Water and Wind. Their precise role, function, and nature in the campaign has yet to be decided. The Mook Duo: Biggs and Wedge, in some capacity, always appear. If Chocobo's, or perhaps Moogles, weren't Final Fantasy's mascot, it'd be these two clowns. Their role in the campaign, however small or large, is undefined. The Big Bad: Be it small scale or large scale, those responsible for whatever evil or misdeeds being done is almost always a single person. While they can have a number of resources and mooks at their command, or even powerful allies who are bosses in their own right, there is always a Big Bad pulling all the strings. Sometimes it's not even who you think it is!

12 General / The Lounge / Improved weapon finesse? on: June 19, 2013, 05:21:40 pm
Started by Author Roy - Last post by Author Roy
Xero wants to homebrew this feat for his monk: Improved Weapon Finesse Prequisites: Dexterity 13, Weapon Finesse. Benefit: When using any weapon compatible with the Weapon Finesse feat, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier for melee damage rolls. Because he wants to deal damage on his fists using his dex mod So let's see how this feat checks out in terms of balance. Stoneplate armor grants you +9 AC 35% arcane spell failure chance at 1,800 gold This costs 1,830 golds so armor grants +13 AC for 1,830 golds to a str based fighter, or +9 for 1,800 a strength based fighter with 22 (+6) str and 7 dex (-2) has 11 extra AC With a longsword, attacks for d20+6, deals 1d8+6 (average 10) at 21 AC with a greatsword, attacks for d20+6, deals 2d6+9 (average 16) at 17 AC With a fullblade (via one feat), attacks for d20+6 deals 2d8+9 (average 17) at 17 AC this costs 1 feat On the other hand another fighter has 22 dex and 7 str rosewood armor grants +2 ac at max +6 dex bonus and costs 50 gp thus automatically has 18 AC, 10% arcane spell failure chance. 50 golds for this. at 7 str she can carry up to a fullblade, but you can't finesse that so it's moot. however... with a longsword (via one feat), attacks for d20+6, deals 1d8+6 (averaging 10), at 18 AC with a shortsword (no feats), attacks for d20+6, deals 1d6+6 (averaging 8), at 18 AC two shortswords, attacks for d20+2, d20-2, deals 2d6+12, (average 19), at 18 AC (no feats) at the cost of three feats, our dex fighter can put out with two shortswords, attacks for d20+4, d20+4, deals 2d6+12 (average 19), at 18 AC. at the same time, our str fighter can: Use a fullblade (EWP), Increase attack rolls by 1 (focus), increase damage rolls by 2 (specilaization) With a fullblade, attacks for d20+7 deals 2d8+11 (average 19) at 17 AC So the dex fighter is less likely to deal full damage, but more likely to get at least some in, as he gets two chances to hit while the str fighter only gets one, and more likely to get hit. the same amount of feats, for a slightly less potent character in terms of damage output. damage output tie our dex fighter is slightly less likely to get hit. dex fighter wins dex fighter kit costs significantly less. dex fighter wins Our dex fighter has +6 init, while our str fighter has -2. The dex fighter averages at 16, while the str at 8. dex fighter wins big time the Str fighter automatically gets +6 on 2 skills the Dex fighter automatically gets +6 on 7 skills dex fighter wins big time, again carrying capacity str fighter wins, but the dex fighter doesn't need to win here because everything he needs for combat (2 short swords, armor) is still under his light load. so it doesn't matter in conclusion: for fighters, this feat (improved weapon finesse) is balanced slightly in favor of the dex fighter... if you exclude initiative and skills entirely, in which case it becomes totally in favor of the dex fighter but, let's see what happens when someone other than fighters gets this feat a sorcerer. let's say, elle, perhaps at 22 dex and 7 strength (which Elle has), a sorcerer is already beyond fine, as they don't use either of these to deal damage, and she gets a really nice AC bonus (+6) but suddenly with weapon finesse and improved weapon finesse, she also makes melee attacks for 1d20+6 dealing 1d6+6 with the Hand of the Psion bloodline ability this is at a range of 30 feet, 7 times a day. this AUTOMATICALLY deals more damage (at least 7) than magic missile can put out at first, which she can only use 5 times a day. there is exchange in the fact MM auto-hits, but at the cost of 3 feats our sorcerer is only a slightly less effective a melee fighter than our dex fighter (given less HP), who can also attack for half damage at range 7 times a day, but 10% arcane spell chance failure (rosewood armor) and a need to drop one weapon to do spells with somatic parts, but this is fixed by using still spell. sooo let's make it a combat feat perhaps? can monks take combat feats?

13 Not So New Category / Character Listing / Noirre Do'Lande on: May 03, 2013, 02:14:25 am
Started by Xero - Last post by Xero
Character: Noirre Do'Lande Race: Merleon Levels: 1 XP: 0 Alignment: Chaotic ? Age: 18 Gender: Female Height: 5'2 Weight: 176 Type: Aquatic Humanoid Flaws: Description: Scales are black and gold. Sclera are the standard dark blue, with golden iris flecked with speaks of orange. Clothing: Code: Atr: Base + Race + Levels + Items --- ---- ---- ------ ----- Str: 11 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 11 (+)00 Dex: 16 + 3 + 0 + 0 = 19 (+)04 Con: 14 - 3 + 0 + 0 = 11 (+)00 Int: 14 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 14 (+)02 Wis: 12 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 12 (+)01 Cha: 16 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 16 (+)03 HP: 10 (10 Base + 0 Con) BAB: +1 AC: 16 (10 +[Dex 4]+[Armor 2]+[Size +0])/ 14 Touch / 12 Flat-Footed Speed: 25 (Land) / 30 (Water) Armor Check Penalty: 0 Languages: Aquan, Common. Initiative: 4 ([Dex 4]) Code: Saves: Type Base Stat Misc Race Total ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- Fort: 2 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 2 Refl: 0 + 4 + 0 + 0 = 4 Will: 0 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 1 Attacks: Ranged Attack: Level Feats: Level 1: Bonus Feats: Bonus 1: Weapon Finesse(Ex): Use Dex modifier for determining damage with one light weapon, or a rapier or spiked chain weapon. Flaw 1: Trained Feats: Class Abilities: Weapon & Armor Proficiency: Swashbuckler's are proficient with all martial and simple weapons, and can only wear light armor. Racial Abilities: Suffer -2 to all checks when out of water for more than an hour. Swim speed of 30’ & can “run” when swimming in a straight line. +8 Racial bonus to Swim checks. Can always Take 10. Able to breath water. Darkvision 120’ Automatic Languages: Aquan, Common Skills: Skill Points: 24 Code: Skill Modifier Ranks Stats Class Misc Race ----- -------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- Appraise INT +2 0 +2 +0 +0 +0 Balance DEX +6 2 +4 +0 +0 +0 Bluff CHA +5 2 +3 +0 +0 +0 Climb STR +2 2 +0 +0 +0 +0 Concentration CON +0 0 +0 +0 +0 +0 Craft (type) INT +2 0 +2 +0 +0 +0 Decipher Script INT +2 0 +2 +0 +0 +0 Diplomacy CHA +5 2 +3 +0 +0 +0 Disable Device INT +2 0 +2 +0 +0 +0 Disguise CHA +4 1 +3 +0 +0 +0 Escape Artist DEX +5 1 +4 +0 +0 +0 Code: Forgery INT +3 1 +2 +0 +0 +0 Gather Information CHA +4 1 +3 +0 +0 +0 Handle Animal CHA +3 0 +3 +0 +0 +0 Heal WIS +1 0 +1 +0 +0 +0 Hide DEX +4 0 +4 +0 +0 +0 Intimidate CHA +4 1 +3 +0 +0 +0 Jump STR +2 2 +0 +0 +0 +0 Knowledge (Any) INT +2 0 +2 +0 +0 +0 Linguistics INT +2 0 +2 +0 +0 +0 Listen WIS +1 0 +1 +0 +0 +0 Move Silently DEX +5 1 +4 +0 +0 +0 Open Lock DEX +5 1 +4 +0 +0 +0 Perform (Sing) CHA +4 1 +3 +0 +0 +0 Profession (type) WIS +1 0 +1 +0 +0 +0 Code: Ride DEX +4 0 +4 +0 +0 +0 Search INT +3 1 +2 +0 +0 +0 Sense Motive WIS +3 2 +1 +0 +0 +0 Sleight of Hand DEX +5 1 +4 +0 +0 +0 Spellcraft INT +2 0 +2 +0 +0 +0 Spot WIS +2 1 +1 +0 +0 +0 Survival WIS +1 0 +1 +0 +0 +0 Swim STR +9 1 +0 +0 +0 +8 Tumble DEX +4 0 +4 +0 +0 +0 Use Magic Device CHA +3 0 +3 +0 +0 +0 Use Rope DEX +4 0 +4 +0 +0 +0 Code: Inventory: Weight Cost Chain, spiked 10lb 25gp Net 6lb. 20gp Leather 15lb 10gp Courtier’s outfit 6lb. ----- Chest (Sailboat) 25lb 2gp Code: Weapons: Cost Damage Crit Range Weight Type Chain, spiked 25gp 2d4 ×2 10 10lb Piercing (+2 Bonus to Disarm Rolls) Net 20gp — — 10 ft. 6 lb. — Code: Armor: Cost AC Dex ACP Speed Weight Leather 10gp +2 +6 0 30ft. 15lb Code: Magic Items Worn: Head: Face: Shoulders: Throat: Body: Torso: Arms: Hands: Ring: Ring: Waist: Feet: Code: Transportation: Size Sails Capacity Max Crew Solo-able Sailboat 30x9ft 1 20 Tons 8 Yes Name: Black Moor Description: Current Crew: 1 Captain/Owner: Noirre Do'Lande Cargo: Chest, MISC: Using a crew gives a +2 per crew member on relevant checks. Gold: 120 (65) Total weight: 31 Carrying Capacity: 38 / 39-76 / 77-115 History: Home Community – Lived in Temperate weather aboard the ships of a Large Merleon Fleet, though like all Fleet-raised Merleons, she spent more time in the water than on the ships themselves. Family – Wealthy Upper Class members of the Fleet, often producing great Warriors – And known for often having a full clutch survive, and “Great Three's” being a familial legacy. Known for their Fair Ethics in both personal and public dealings, and have a good reputation thanks to this and their supportive views towards their society's policies. They have a matriarchy, and are known to hold enmity towards learned magic, divine and sorcery regarded in different lights. Their good standing is in part thanks to ancestors known in their family history as the “Legendary Three” - Siblings of a 3-clutch, who all became great warriors in their own right. Though considered a villain and looked down upon, one of the three was a male who attempted to take all of Merleon society under a patriarchal dictatorship – Despite his clear defeat and failure, he is regarded as an impressive male warrior, and often regarded as it being a shame he wasnt born a female. The other two committed similar grand deeds, though less culturally or politically inclined – One ridding a settlement of a longstanding foe for good with brilliance and bravery, and the other settling a long-considered uninhabitable area of the deep sea. After this it became coincidentally common place for 3-clutch Merleon's of the family to be noteworthy figures. Education – Learned to read and write in her early childhood, and was taught to Sing by a member of a group of sentient whales that were long-time allies of the Fleet. She underwent the standard Military training for a Merleon as well. Life Events – In her Youth she learned the basics of real battle, but separated from her fleet with her clutch-siblings on a Sailboat in order to seek adventure/means of proving themselves the greatest of Merleon Warriors, and that the Legendary Three tradition doesn't mean only 3-clutch Merleon's can be grand. Relationships – Her parents are alive, unusually having only one father, as are the other seven siblings of her clutch. She has a set of three thirteen year old siblings, another full eight clutch of eight year old siblings, and another set of three two year old siblings. Her entire clutch are all identical twins, looking nearly precisely the same aside from nurture-related differences. She has one living grandparent, who is considered a formidable warrior for living into her old age. Her extended family is huge, and she is in contact with many of them – At least those who are still a part of the same fleet. She has many light friendships, but no particularly strong or close-knit bonds with her peers. She learned to sing war and celebratory songs from a sapient whale, who often served as such an instructor. While she had many competitions with her peers, as is natural in their society with budding warriors, she has a particularly passionate rivalry with one of her clutch-sisters, Renoir, and often the two attempt to show each other up to be known as “best of the clutch” (a common element of growing up in a Merleon Fleet).

14 General / The Lounge / Science-Fantasy Story Setting on: May 02, 2013, 04:05:29 am
Started by Author Roy - Last post by Author Roy
I was bored and did this as a creativity exercise. A setting for a science-fantasy story. It was originally to be a FFRPG campaign setting, but I realized that very little of it was Final Fantasy specific and just got rid of what was. With a little finagling, this could easily be the setting for a DnD or FFRPG game, or even an original story of its own. In the Hades system, Tartarus is the fourth planet from its sun. Tartarus has no moons, but instead a wide ring orbits the planet. It is inhabited by races of varying intelligence. The planet is divided up by four massive empires that have long since absorbed their neighboring nations through various means, be it conquest, or peaceful integration. There is also an area inhabited by primal people, and where powerful monsters roam. After centuries of being separated by these badlands and other natural obstacles, they have finally begun to make contact with their neighbors – at nearly the same time. Confounded by the discovery of their neighbors, they managed to establish peaceful relations for a time. Styx – An empire populated by powerful magi. The people of Styx have made more progress in magic than science; their society is a feudal one, and their technology is iron-age at best. Though all are loyal to the reigning Emperess, Styx still bears the remnants of cultures foreign to the original kingdom’s. Lords, Daimyo, Khans and more all swear fealty to the Imperial Crown, which has absorbed every other royal line, be them Kings, Emperors, Sultans, Tennou, Huangdi, or Pharoahs – either by peace or by force – that once existed in the area. The current empress can trace her lineage to every major dynasty that once existed in the region, and is a concentration of royal blood unlike any ever before seen in the world. She (and her family) are considered to be sacred by the people of the nation, and are greatly revered by their loyal servants and vassals. Government: Absolute Monarchy Leader(s): Emperor (Inherited) Acheron – An empire populated by those who have combined steam-era tech with the wonders of magic. A mercantile nation led by merchants that compete vehemently in domestic issues, but work together as stalwart allies when faced with outside threats. Their culture has mostly normalized, with only minute differences left from region to region. Their cities are lined with great towers of brick, burgeoning factories and growing populations leaving farms for work. The wealthy are the elite, and they spend much of their time making more money at the cost of the poor. Cities are actually owned by companies, whose policies are law, and citizens their patrons. Though there are three major companies that own the majority of the cities, there are many others, some of similar size, others much smaller and consisting of only one city. Government: Plutocracy Leader(s): Presidents of Companies (Appointed) Lethe – A country where oil-based combustion technology is common. Science and magic have prospered here, but are not as integrated as with Acheron. The concept of free knowledge has begun to spread, but plagued with corruption rooted deep in the government. A republic. Government: Republic Leader(s): Senators (Appointed) Cocytus – A country that has reached a technological event horizon. However, magic has long been outlawed, with magic-based technologies used instead, and only available to properly licensed people. Government: Democratic Scientocracy Leader(s): Grand Mediator (Elected) Phlegethos – The badlands, where primal tribes and monsters powerful beyond imagination roam free. Their cultures vary greatly, especially between the different races, given varying natural tendencies. Government: Tribal Leader(s): Individual chieftains Important Concepts – Tartarus Tartarus is a planet whose surface is 60% water, and 40% land, only half of which is habitable. The planet’s rotation is such that each day lasts the equivalent of 36 hours. Its orbital period around the local star is 243 days. Every three years, it is 244 days. Beyond the boundaries of each nation, one finds only the Badlands and its nightmarishly powerful creatures, and the primal tribes that somehow manage to survive alongside them. Even the skies above the badlands are plagued with flying monsters the size of mountains and with gullets to match. Because of this, the people of this world had not even seen oceans until they reached space; the largest bodies of water were lakes and perhaps small inland oceans within a single continent. Thus, large scale aquatic travel was never even viable. Monsters roam the lands of the countries as well, but are less dangerous in general. They aren’t harmless by far, but even the strongest of them would be easy prey for the beasts of the Badlands. Space Travel All of the developed nations have mastered a method of rising above the atmosphere. It is through this that they can travel to other places on the planet, bypassing the badlands entirely. Whether it is on the backs of magical creatures in the case of Styx, Airships in the case of Acheron, Rockets in the case of Lethe, or Anti-Gravity Engines in the case of Cocytus, all four of the empires have begun expanding into space. Platforms and satellites orbit the planet now, some shared, some belonging to one nation or another. Planetary Ring – The Sky Arc The ring of space dust and rocks that stretches around the planet has existed since time immemorial. By reflecting the local star’s rays, the Sky Arc extends daylight by two hours in each direction. Power Balance The balance of military power on Tartarus is surprisingly even. Each country has developed its own strengths. Even though they are only iron-age in terms of technology, the people of Styx have mastered magic to the point of being capable of spells that rival fusion bombs, and can enchant regular steel to be as hard as diamond, let alone powerful metals like mythril or adamantine (or actual diamond for that matter). They ride on the backs of creatures and magical objects, some sentient, some not. From horses to dragons, magic brooms and carpets to floating fortresses, they have mastered the arcane on a level that other nations can only envy. Acheron uses technological devices that draw out the powers of magical artifacts and raw magical energy. While in Styx, a wizard may spend years of study before becoming capable of using powerful magic spells, in Acheron spells can be reproduced by machinery and used by anyone. This, coupled with their steam era technology, gives them the power to stand on even ground with the powerful magi of Styx and the more technologically competent nations of Lethe and Cocytus. Lethe uses modern weaponry, including firearms and explosives. Magic is also used here, but the magi of Lethe have not discovered as many arcane secrets as those of Styx. Most individual soldiers are capable of weak magic, however, including healing magic, to supplement their weapons and training. There are some powerful wizards and sorcerers as well, but they are quite rare. Cocytus has developed high powered weaponry far superior to even that of Lethe, such as rail guns and lasers, but their knowledge of magic and the arcane is almost nonexistent. All private citizens are outlawed from practicing magic, since it is deemed highly unpredictable. What little magic exists, is used by the state alone, in the form of magic enabled technology, similar to Acheron, but not to the same extent. Their technology is nothing short of amazing, however, on almost every front. From microbiology to computing science and to physics, the limits of technological ability have been relentlessly tested and surpassed. Common, everyday people enjoy personal anti-gravity vehicles, intelligent android servants, genetic and cybernetic enhancements, and an overall high quality of life. Scenario It has been ten years since contact was first established between all five of the major nations. Without any land borders to contest and space travel having just entered the realm of possibility for each country, relations have been largely peaceful. Ideas, technology, and spells have begun to be traded amongst them. Cultures influence one another, and tourists and academics travel from one land to another, learning what they can of the other nations. There are those who have begun to happily intermix with others, leading to romance and international alliances and even corporate presence. But there are also those who wish for less peaceful integration…

15 Not So New Category / Storyline / Chapter One - The Road - Kobz the Strong on: May 02, 2013, 12:01:37 am
Started by Author Roy - Last post by Author Roy
And so, the group readies themselves for a day of tracking down their enemies. While several of them return to the scene of the first battle the previous day, others stay back to guard the village against any possible goblin raids. When they arrive, they find that the goblins they killed the day before are still there. Rotting corpses, some partially eaten, and some - namely those destroyed by Eglath - not even recognizable as goblins anymore. A halfling woman can be seen standing in the middle of it all, staring at the carnage in awe, when suddenly, with a fearsome battle cry, more goblins rush out to attack her. "Revenge!" They yelled. "Revenge!" "Hey, thats my line!" Rosaly shouted back, taken aback not by the charge of hostile and murderous goblins but by their battlecry. She'd come to beat up these goblins when she heard about the trouble they were causing. Shrugging, she started to bounce back and forth on the balls of her feet. Even for such a small girl, she seemed to barely weigh anything at all and hardly seemed to even connect with the ground when her slippered feet touched down on it. A vague memory tickled the back of her mind, and she called out a question. "Did I leave one of you hogtied to a tree somewhere?" The goblins only snarl and yell at Rosaly's question, with clenched teeth and drool hanging from their mouths. ==== Initiative, Round 1 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 11 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 8 Roll: 1d20+6 (Rosaly) Result: 20 Roll: 1d20+2 (Embra) Result: 21 ==== The moment they arrive at the scene, Tae glances over at Blythe. "I can make your attacks more effective if I use my magic to make you bigger like with Master Eglath yesterday," she said. "However, you might have some trouble aiming at the smaller seeming goblins. Do you want me to use my spell?" Blythe shrugs. "Sure." Embra drops her backpack and moves forward. Rosaly continued to hop back and forth from foot to foot, taking the distance between herself and the angry green raiders or bandits or whatever they considered themselves to ponder if she should wait for them to reach her or not. There weren't that many of them, after all... That'd be a little less fun, though. Maybe she could try taking one, or even two down before the others could catch up? An energetic smile and a twinkle of determination lit her eye as she landed on the ball of her foot, shifting into a sudden run towards two of the goblins. The goblins in the rear begin to close in on the halfling woman, their weapons held at the ready. The female goblin facing Rosaly readies a javelin and throws it at the halfling, her face contorted with rage! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 10 ==== But the javelin misses. Rosaly makes a jeering sound at the goblin, taunting it. Blythe shrugs off their pack and draws their bow, taking a step toward Tae and nodding to her to cast the spell. The goblin next to the other one also readies and throws a javelin at Rosaly. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 10 ==== But misses just as badly. Rosaly jeers again, working up a fighting spirit at their inability to hit her so far. The goblins snarl and glare at her. Tae begins chanting her spell. ==== Initiative, Round 2 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 19 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 18 Roll: 1d20+6 (Rosaly) Result: 9 Roll: 1d20+2 (Embra) Result: 17 ==== Tae moves closer to Blythe as she casts her spell, "Arcane energies, heed my command! Grant this warrior the girth of a giant!" With the incantation and several mystical gestures, she makes Blythe grow! She then readies her crossbow and moves to join the battle. Meanwhile, another one of the goblins approaches Rosaly and throws a javelin from behind! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 10 ==== And misses equally as badly as its companions did. Rosaly gives a jeer behind her as another Javelin goes sailing past, one of the goblins having tried to get her from behind. Honestly she wasn't even trying to dodge these! This was going to be a little disappointing if they didn't try harder. Blythe takes a shaky step forward as they draw what is now a small spear and lets fly at the goblin approaching the spunky-but-tiny figure, then shoots another at the farther goblin as well. ==== Five-Foot Step, Full Attack Attack Roll: 1d20+2 (Target; Goblin 1) Result: 14 Attack Roll: 1d20+2 (Target; Goblin 2) Result: 22 Confirm Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 3 Damage Roll: 2d6 Result: 9 ==== The first large arrow misses, but the second large arrow slams into its target, its size similar to the javelin in the creature's own hand. The force of the arrow carries it back a few feet. After a brief cry of pain and surprise, it lays there, unmoving. "Good work," Tae calls back to Blythe. Embra moves forward, slowly flanking the goblins. One of the goblin turns to look at Embra, surprised by her sudden appearance, and reflexively throws a javelin at her! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 15 Damage Roll: 1d4 Result:4 ==== It hits! Embra is Disabled! Tae shakes her head and sighs heavily. Rosaly's eyes widen as someone, she had no idea who, suddenly caught the attention of one of the goblins and got what looked like a pretty bad injury from the javelin. She winced in sympathy briefly, steeling her focus on the goblins. "Hey! You're playing with me right now, remember?" She yelled, hoping to keep them from attacking the person any further, and sprang forward the remaining distance. Putting herself somewhat between the goblins and the injured person, she lashed out with one of her tiny feet at the goblin. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 7 ==== But the goblin dodges with an angry snarl and she misses. Rosaly stumbles slightly, giving the goblin a glare. The injured Goblin bleeds from his arrow wound. Meanwhile, the female goblin readies her mace and moves to attack Rosaly! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 12 ==== But her swing misses! ==== Initiative, Round 3 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 7 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 9 Roll: 1d20+6 (Rosaly) Result: 15 Roll: 1d20+2 (Embra) Result: 12 ==== Rosaly, having dodged the mace blow, attempted to kick the goblin in the head in retaliation. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 3 ==== The goblin snorted derisively when her kick missed quite badly. Embra grunts in pain, holding her wound quickly moving back away from the Goblins. The female goblin takes a step and swings her mace at Rosaly again! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 19 Damage Roll: 1d6 Result:2 ==== She roars as she swings her weapon at the halfling! Rosaly winced as the mace glanced off a shoulder, catching her far more than she would have liked. The other goblin readies his mace and moves into position, attacking the halfling as well! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 4 Damage Roll: 1d3 Result:1 ==== Learning from her mistake with the other goblin, Rosaly gave the mace a wide distance between her and itself, almost cracking up laughing when the unfortunate goblin ended up striking his companion. The gobliness cries out in pain and confusion. "Why you hit me!?" The girl goblin cries out, confused. "Hit her!" Blythe takes another step forward and launches a couple more arrows at the now-farthest goblin. ==== Five-Foot Step, Full Attack Attack Roll: 1d20+2 (Target; Goblin 1) Result: 9 Attack Roll: 1d20+2 (Target; Goblin 2) Result: 16 Damage Roll: 2d6 Result: 8 ==== The first arrow misses, but the second one is picked off like his companion and lets out a surprised cry as it is knocked off of its feet by the force of the comparatively massive arrow. "No!" The remaining male goblin cried out. "Narg!" He roared. "You'll pay!" Tae winces as she takes aim at the male goblin. With the ridiculously bright sun in her eyes, and the halfling engaged with it, she's not quite sure if she wants to take the shot. 'How can these people get by with such a bright -thing- hanging over them all the time,' She wonders as she raises her crossbow and takes a step closer to better her aim. ==== Five foot step, Standard Attack Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 9 ==== She lets fly the bolt, but it misses, and she curses. ==== Initiative, Round 4 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 24 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 10 Roll: 1d20+6 (Rosaly) Result: 20 ==== Embra retreats from the battle, moving to watch from a safe distance Tae fires again, hoping this time she scores a hit. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 5 ==== But the bolt flies off in a completely different direction. She grits her teeth and bites back a growl. "This bow is definitely defective," she growls. Rosaly furrows her brow, intensely focused. She had no idea what was up with these goblins, but with someone hurt she couldn't afford to mess around too long. She had to make sure they were okay, after all! She grit her teeth, making a mental note to step up her training, before lashing out at the male goblin that had missed her before. ==== Flurry of Blows Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 18 Damage Roll: 1d4-2 Result: 2 Attack Roll: 1d20-3 Result: 17 Damage Roll: 1d4-2 Result: 1 ==== Rosaly slammed her fist into the goblins face, earning a loud "Oof!", then brought her other elbow around to strike him on the side of the head before landing on her feet, eliciting another painful "Ow!" from him. The female goblin looks on in horror. "No... Kobz!" The goblin grunts. "I... keep going!" He growled. "Revenge! For Grebble!" Kobz swings his mace! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 23 Damage Roll: 1d6 Result:3 ==== "Oooohhh!" The determined Kobz lands a blow on Rosaly! Rosaly let out her own grunt of pain as the goblin managed to land a solid blow across her stomach, having recovered from her admittedly weak blows faster than she expected. The female goblin joins in with a shout of her own. "For Grebble!" ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 9 ==== But she misses, as Rosaly managed to stumble aside with a wheeze, thankful that the goblins didn't have that great of aim despite surrounding her. Blythe takes another step forward and looses a pair of arrows at the apparently-skilled Kobz, hoping to save the impressive little person. ==== Five-Foot Step, Full Attack Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 13 Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 9 ==== Unfortunately both arrows miss. ==== Initiative, Round 5 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 24 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 12 Roll: 1d20+6 (Rosaly) Result: 8 ==== Tae takes another shot at Kobz. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 7 ==== Annnnd she misses yet again. 'I knew it,' She thought angrily. 'I bought a defective bow! That lying, cheating... if I get back down there, I am going to fire it right in his face! And maybe even that will miss!' Rosaly takes a deep breath, ignoring the her aches and bruises, and musters up her strength for another volley to finish the goblin off ==== Flurry of Blows Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 6 Attack Roll: 1d20-3 Result: 6 ==== Rosaly winced as her blows fell too slowly to catch the goblin. She really needed to step up her training once she was healed up from this! Noting the need for additional accuracy, Blythe runs up closer, nocking an arrow as they go, and lets it fly at Kobz. ==== Move, Attack Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 21 Damage Roll: 2d6 Result: 11 ==== The large arrow hits Kobz dead on, knocking him off of his feet and carrying him several feet away with a loud shriek of pain. The female goblin looks hysterical as Kobz's body hits the grass. “Kobz!” Kobz reaches out at her weakly. "Doz...Run... little ones... needs their mother..." His arm then limply falls to his side and she cries out. "Noooo!! Kobz!" Kobz bleeds, but there is no way he could have survived the massive wound. He immediately stops breathing. Doz grits her teeth and looks at Blythe in rage, but decides to heed Kobz's words. She begins to run away. ==== Initiative, Round 6 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 17 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 10 Roll: 1d20+6 (Rosaly) Result: 10 ==== "You're not escaping!" Tae shouts as she runs after the little goblin. "Halt!" Blythe drops their bow and sprints toward the goblin, bellowing, "You'd better stop if you know what's good for you!" Rosaly squinted at the fleeing goblins form, followed by some weird elfy lady. She considered giving chase to help out... But the ache in her ribs and her admittedly slower pace as a rule made it unlikely she'd be able to help catch them. Instead she gave a big sigh of relief, plopping down on the ground, and cast her gaze towards the endlessly helpful archer that had aided her when things turned sour there. Cupping her hands over her mouth, she gave a shout their way. "Hey, is that person who got hurt earlier ok?" "I'm still feeling slightly javelin'd." Embra said, grimacing from her sitting position. The small javelin was impaled through her belly. Blythe ran around the comparatively tiny goblin, making sure not to go too close, and stopped in her path, a massive roadblock. Doz looks up at the towering Blythe in horror. "N-no! Don't... don't kill me! Please!" Rosaly whistled in appreciation as the person with the bow, who was FAR larger than she at first realized, lumbered past. That certainly made her feel better about not chasing after the goblin, they had it plenty covered from the looks of it! The goblin attempts to run in the other direction, and Blythe tries to grab her as she runs. The frantic goblin tries to swing her mace at them in panicked retaliation! ==== Opportunity Attack Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 4 Dexterity check: 1d20+1 Result: 2 ==== Her eyes full of tears and her body wracked with anguish at losing Kobz, Doz can barely react properly at all. She swings her mace desperately, but misses so badly that she stumbles and falls down to the ground, prone. Blythe grabs at her as she falls. ==== Grapple Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 22 ==== Blythe is successful in the attempt. ==== Grapple Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 22 Opposed check Grapple Roll: 1d20+7 (Blythe) Result: 16 Grapple Roll: 1d20-4 (Doz) Result: 4 ==== The goblin struggles against Blythe's grip, but fails to escape. Blythe is able to immediately pin her due to her incredible ineptitude. (The battle is over, 100 EXP to everyone, +50 to Blythe for quick thinking and capturing the goblin so well) "Oh, no you don't. You're staying right here." "Let me go! Let me go!" Tae smirks as she approaches. "Very nicely done!" Blythe nods. "Yes. Now we just need to tie her up." "I have some rope in my pack, if you don't mind." "I could do it, but spears..." Embra whined. Rosaly gave a hooting cheer, pumping a fist, and hops to her feet and jogs over. "I haven't seen someone scoop someone up that easy since some of my old masters!" She comments, untying one of her sashes from her outfit and giving it a few tugs to test its strength. "Want me to wrap her up for you?" "If you don't mind. Will that hold?" "Oh yeah, these are made of some tough stuff!" Rosaly nodded, deftly moving in to bind the goblins hands and legs. ==== Use Rope Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 22 Escape Artist: 1d20+1 Result: 4 ==== Doz is successfully tied up. The goblin flails uselessly. After a moment she stops and begins to cry. "P-please don't kill..." Rosaly gives the knots one last check-tug before nodding, turning to the tall archer. "Done and done!" "If we were going to kill you, would we tie you up? Don't worry, we just want to ask you some questions." ==== Diplomacy Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 1-1 ==== Blythe's attempt at a comforting smile comes out as more of a manic grin. The goblin shrieks in terror. "You're lying! You're gonna kill me!" Rosaly pauses to squint at the bowman, who was admittedly still far taller than her. "Weren't you taller?" Blythe recoils from the high sound, wincing slightly, then turns to the halfling. "I was. My friend here used a spell to make me so for a short while." Changing gears, they turn back to the goblin. "Actually, yes. Yes, we are going to kiill you. Unless... you answer our questions." (intimidate) ==== Intimidate Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 14 ==== Disinterested with the interrogation of the goblin, rosaly shrugs at the archers response and turns her attention to the wounded person. With a cheery smile, she walks over and raises a hand up to give them a pat on the torso. "Glad to see you're still kicking!" "I'm gettin' pretty tired of being hurt by dumb Goblins and their dumb sticks." Rosaly patted her own side with a wince and a light laugh. "I think I know the feeling, oof." Tae chuckles as Blythe quickly changes their approach. She hadn't needed to step in. "N-no, please! Don't kill!" The goblin repeated. "Then tell us. Why the sudden raids on the village? You were so peaceful before." Doz grit her teeth. "Why attack?" She snarled. "Stupid baby dragon attack us and eats some young ones! Force us to steal shinies or eats more children!" "Ah." Blythe ponders that information. "If we defeat the dragon, will you cease the raids on the townsfolk?" "If you defeat dragon..." The goblin looks up at you in awe for a moment, but then frowns. "No, is lie. You can no defeat dragon, even baby." Rosaly curiously peers at the javelin in the wounded person, reaching a hand up to lightly give it a flick. "Think you can just tug it out?" Embra looked down at the Javelin and frowned. "You've seen what we can do. We have several more friends back in town. And if your tribe help us as well, there's no way we can lose!" The gobliness grimaces. "No... even with friends, you no win. Leader ..." She struggled to find the words. "New leader of tribe kill old leader when baby dragon come," She explained. "Use dragon as excuse to take power. Stupid Urtarr thinking can use baby dragon to become more powerful tribe," She spat. "But dragon just want shinies and young ones for food!" "So we need to deal with the new leader as well?" Tae raises an eyebrow. 'So we weren't completely wrong...' She thought. The gobliness winced. "No... no kill Urtarr... Urtarr Doz friend. Just stupid," she growled. "Kill dragon! Tie Urtarr up like Doz and kill dragon! If can do that... Doz help you!" "So if we kill the dragon, you can convince Urtarr not to try to fnd another?" "Find dragon? Urtarr not THAT stupid," The goblin snorts. Embra attempts to pull the Javelin out and heal herself. ==== Heal Check: 1d20-2 Result: 4 ==== Embra rips the Javelin out and screams in pain as blood begins to leak out of the hole. "Half-Orc!" Embra yelped out. Tae turns to look at Embra. Rosaly's eyes go wide in surprise, giving a loud whistle. "Ooooh, that looks like it hurts!" "What is it now?" She demands. Blythe jumps to their feet and glances back. "Don't let Doz escape." They say over their shoulder to Tae before sprinting back toward Embra. Tae blinks, but then looks down at Doz with narrowed eyes. "You're not going anywhere." ==== Intimidate Check: 1d20+5 Result: 17 ==== Doz cringes back. "Doz not go anywhere," she grumbled. Tae then turns and watches the proceedings. "That one, always making a scene..." She grumbles with a frown. Rosaly quickly moves to Embra, mumbling to herself trying to remember her limited healing skills. "Ok, hold on let me think..." ==== Heal Check: 1d20+1 Result: 18 ==== Rosaly pats the wound down one last time, giving a sigh of relief that her attempts seemed to have helped. It wasn't the best healing work ever, but it'd keep the girl from bleeding out. Blythe runs up, panting, as the halfling finishes binding the wound. They glance at it and nod approvingly at the little person, commenting, "Stupid girl should have waited for help with that. Thanks for your good work, though." Rosaly gave a sheepish laugh and nod. "Yeah probably! I never did pay too much attention to the healing parts of my training, but I didn't know if anyone knew any more than me so..." Blythe gives an approving pat on her shoulder and jogs back towards Doz. On their way back, Blythe thinks to check on the other goblins and does so. They find that like Kobz, who immediately sustained too massive an injury to live at all, the other two have stopped breathing. Blythe lets out a small sigh and trots back to Doz. Tae looks down at Doz. "So, you're going to help us defeat the dragon if we can do it without killing Urtarr," She asked. The goblin frowns, but nods. "You killed Grebble, and Narg and... K-Kobz..." She sniffed. "And lots of Doz's friends... but dragon need dead." She nods again. "Doz help... but if hurt Urtarr, Doz fight back," She warned. "So if we can kill the dragon without hurting more of your friends, you'll help us free your tribe?" Doz nods. Tae crosses her arms and brings a hand to her chin. "Are there any other dissidents that may help us?" Doz narrows her eyes in consideration. "Darax... Darax help. Darax Urtarr's mate," She explained. "Darax smart wizard. No like dragon. Think Dragon too dangerous." "You said the dragon ate some of your children? Might their parents help us as well?" The goblin winced. "All others whose young ones eaten die trying fight dragon... Only Darax help. Others follow Urtarr," She said. "Doz follow Urtarr too because too scared to fight dragon alone..." She sniffles. "K-Kobz... K-Kobz too... Want to fight dragon with Doz, but... too scared..." Blythe winces and drops their eyes. Tae however nods. "So, we get your help, and the assistance of a wizard, if we agree not to hurt this Urtarr person," She said. The goblin nodded. "Urtarr only thinking whats best for tribe," she said. "Thinking can use dragon as weapon, but price too much!" Rosaly gives the newly-patched up warrior a glance over, raising her finger as if she has an important thought to express, and speaking aloud to nobody. "Have you considered trying to dodge things? That armor of yours isn't too great by the looks of it!" "Right. Tae, do you suppose we can take Doz back with us to meet the others and work out a plan? On one hand the villagers do think the goblins are their enemies, but on the other they haven't been that way for long so maybe they'll believe she's an ally." Tae nods slowly. "Yes, that does sound best. We should think of ways in which we can use our... ally, on the way back." Doz struggles against her bindings. "Doz... want to see Kobz one more times," She said, sullen. Blythe pauses, "If you run away, it'll make it harder for us to save your tribe from the dragon." They then reach down and untie her. Doz doesn't even think about running away, and instead runs over to the dead Kobz. Blythe waits at a distance, giving Doz space and a semblance of privacy. Tae watches with narrowed eyes as the goblin mourns "We'll kill the dragon then," She announced. "But we're going to need a plan. We can ask her all of the relevant details," "What type it is, for instance, the layout of the lair..." "Can you think of anything else?" She asks, turning to face Blythe. ==== Knowledge (Monsters) Check: 1d20+2 Result: 9 ==== "Uh... where the weak spot on its belly is?" ==== Knowledge (Monsters) Check: 1d20+2 Result: 14 ==== "I can see you haven't heard much of dragons," she began. "They do not have such convenient weak spots." "Oh." Blythe looks crestfallen. "The stories always mentioned them. So what is true about them? Enlighten me." She frowned. "Dragons are legendary creatures for a reason," She began. "They have powerful energy breath, that varies between types, including Acid breath, Fire, Cold, and Lightning, and can fly on majestic wings," She said. "Even a wyrmling dragon - which may be what we're dealing with since she said it was a baby - could prove to be a challenge for us. It has an entire goblin tribe hostage, after all." "Hm. Are there particular defenses that work better against each type? Like a magical fireproofing... spell... thing?" This message has been removed. ==== Knowledge (Arcana) Check: 1d20+6 Result: 10 ==== She nodded. "I believe there are spells that grant protection from certain types of damage, but unfortunately I am not familiar with them. I have just begun to master the arcane myself, and even so, I do it intuitively," She said. "I could study to learn how to do such spells, but it would not help as much as if I simply learn whatever new magic comes to me naturally," "Ah. Are there potions or oils or... priestly blessings? Or are we just relying on dodging behind rocks and shields?" ==== Knowledge (Untrained) Check: 1d20+2 Result: 5 ==== She shakes her head. "That much, I do not know."

16 Not So New Category / Storyline / Chapter One - Edgeville on: April 29, 2013, 05:45:40 am
Started by Author Roy - Last post by Author Roy
Blythe turns to the merchant. "Who did you say we could talk to about the goblins? And does your town have any healers?" ==== Craft Check: Roll 1d20+5 Result: 17 ==== Nefele successfully knit a shawl on their way to town. She grins, pleased with her work. She presents the finished garment to Blythe. "Give this to Tae, yes?" Blythe cocks their head, puzzled. "Why don't you?" "Because it is from you! If you are quick, she will not notice I gave it to you, and then she will like you." She pats his hands and nods sagely. Blythe blinks, but shrugs. They take the shawl, approach Tae, and hold it out awkwardly. "This is... for you?" Tae stares uncomprehendingly. Blythe regains some measure of poise. "It's a gift. As a gesture." They falter again slightly. "Of... amicability." She frowned. In the Underdark, gifts were all but nonexistent. You gave gifts to people to put them in your debt, when you knew they couldn't refuse, or when the gift itself was rigged to kill or otherwise bring misfortune upon them. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand," She said, letting her confusion show on her face. "That's not mine. Are you mistaken?" "...It wasn't yours. But now it is. That's how gifts work." She raises an eyebrow. "Oh? I see, you want to make a trade," She said. "Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer." "Er... It's sort of in return for interacting peacefully with me? That's why I said it was a friendly gesture. I guess what happens is I give you a thing and you don't have to give me anything in return. That makes you feel better about me and then we can get along better and that will be beneficial to both of us. It's hopefully the beginning of a continuing back-and-forth exhange of goods and services that will please us both. That's friendship, I guess." Nefele watches the two in oblivious excitement. Tae blinked. Surely this was something of an uneven trade? After all, she had already betrayed his trust by attempting to take the coins she'd discovered. If anything, she was technically still in his debt for being allowed to live when he could easily have put an arrow in her. Was this some kind of trick, or... Suddenly her eyes widened. 'My father once did something similar...' She recalled. She considered the... person's words. She stared hesitatingly at them, then shook her head. "I... I do not think I can accept your...friend...ship... just yet," she said. "Before that... Allow me to make up for my earlier mistake." She simply couldn't shake the feeling that she would be in his debt if she accepted his...her? offer. Nefele frowns loudly. Blythe nods and places the shawl over Tae's shoulders. "Consider it a loan until then." 'So -that's- what he's after.' She closed her eyes. A -loan-! And he would later attempt to retrieve the shawl with interest later on. And since she couldn't guarantee that she would be able to keep it in the current condition it was in, she would probably be made to pay for it in gold! It was clever. Very clever. He... she? Had almost gotten this one by her. She smiled. Her level of respect for the crafty fellow raised again. But... Tilduran was proving to be a very cold place, and the shawl was quite warm. "I'm afraid I'm not willing to sign any sort of contracts at the moment," She said. "If you like, I can pay you for it here and now. Unrelatedly, I'm afraid my powers of observation seem to be failing me, but I can't quite discern your sex." Blythe blinks. "Contracts? No, no. I just meant... You can use it for now, since you're not ready to accept it as a gift. You can have it at any time; I just don't want to force you into something you're not comfortable with, and you're obviously uncertain about friendship." Tae stares at him, now more confused than ever. "Just... use it? Even though it's not mine?" She glanced down at the thing, uncertain. Their other traveling companion was also some sort of spell caster. Was it cursed? There was an easy way to tell. "Yes. Just use it." Blythe struggles to word it in a way that the woman will understand. "I want to know that you are warm. Does the shawl help you stay warm?" She was caught off guard by his question. "I... yes, it does, but..." She trailed off and began murmuring an incantation. After a moment she closed her eyes. and then when she re-opened them, they glowed with bright arcane light. She could see the magical auras of the items she'd found on the dead goblin that were being held by the sheep girl. However, when she looked down at the shawl, she saw nothing out of order. The confidence that had been building in her heart at her attempts to understand his motives was shattered once again. She could only stare down at it, befuddled and dumbstruck. "Well you may use my shawl in return for allowing me knowledge that you are warm. This way we both get something from the trade. Is that suitable?" She looked back up at him, speechless. “I don't understand..." She murmured. She shook her head. "Enough. I... will accept your gift. And yes, it is quite warm. Thank you." She felt awkward after having said that, and still very confused by the humans' actions. At least, she was reasonably certain the person was a human. 'Father had a special relationship with me from the moment I was born... how could someone I attempted to mislead... want to do this for me?' She frowned. Was he like this with everyone he met? She suddenly found herself wondering just how often this person was conned by repeat offenders. "I'm glad it is warm." Blythe turns back to the merchant. "Well?" The merchant, blinks, having been captivated by your interactions. "Oh, I'm sorry, what was it?" "First, does your town have a healer? Second, who do we talk to about the goblins?" "Oh! Yes, yes, we've a healer," She said. "We do indeed have a healer. A nice young lady, yes," The merchant said. "She's... a little strange, though. As for the goblins... well, I could only imagine that the town's leaders would be the ones..." She murmurs. "You'd want Ness. She runs the inn and tavern here," She said. "She's a very respectable woman. If anyone had a runner put up a bounty in Imperia for this mess, it'd be her." She glances back at the wounded Embra. "I'm not sure if our healer would be available right now, we can try the temple if you like. Otherwise we should head to the center of the village." "Let's try the temple, please. I'd like to get Embra back on her feet as soon as possible." The woman nods. "And I'd like for my companions to be healed as well," She agrees. Blythe follows her to the temple As they walk, Tae contemplates her interaction with Blythe. 'That person is highly unstable - threatening to kill someone, and then giving them gifts later?' She frowned. 'Such inconsistency... this person may just be more dangerous than any Drow I've ever encountered. At least you know for certain that another Drow -is- going to try and stab you in the back at some point. A madman's actions aren't even predictable by the person in question. Unless there was some ulterior motive that I simply cannot discern... and even then, that implies an intelligence beyond my own ken, which is just as dangerous...' She watched Blythe carefully as they made their way to the temple, regarding them with a warm - if nervous - smile whenever they looked her way. It would simply not do to be caught by surprise by a lunatic. She was beginning to think that the stark raving mad Elf-woman might be sane by comparison. They stop before a large building. Its unpainted exterior shows it to be recent construction. Outside, the carved wooden symbols of many gods await their first coat of paint and identify it as a place of worship. Few others can be seen in the area. Blythe gently lifts Embra from the wagon and carries her up to the building, not thinking to knock before filling their arms. Tae retrieves her hooded cloak from her backpack and shrugs it on, then follows the person inside, keeping an eye on them the whole time. The main entrance to the temple is wide open. After they enter, they immediately come upon a large room with shrines honoring different gods spaced evenly along the walls. Rows of benches fill the open space, and brightly colored carpets adorn the floor. A woman with short brown hair and garbed in light green robes can be seen, kneeling in prayer before a shrine with a pink lotus symbol. She turns and looks up at them in surprise upon their entrance into the temple. "Ah, hello. Are you the healer?" Blythe asks. "I am a healer," She said, rising to her feet. "Let me see her." Blythe approaches and holds Embra, uncertain if or where to lay her down. The woman looks around, also unsure, but it only lasts a moment. The benches were simply too narrow. "Lay her on the carpet," She said, gesturing a nearby carpet as she walked over to it. Blythe does so and steps back, allowing the healer to work. The woman mutters an incantation and kneels down beside the fallen Embra, placing a hand on her stomach. ==== Cure Light Wounds: Roll 1d8+1 Result: 2 ==== She restores one HP to Embra, bringing her up to 0. Embra is still unconscious. The healer frowns. "Oh no... did I do it wrong?" She murmured, confused. She began murmuring again and repeated the motion. ==== Cure Light Wounds: Roll 1d8+1 Result: 7 ==== This time Embra is roused from her unconsciousness. Blythe lets out a slight sigh of relief, while Tae simply watches with indifference. The woman glanced up at Blythe, then looked down at Embra. "She should be waking up soon," She said. Blythe nods. "Thank you. Do you... Can you do more healing right now? I'm afraid I've never quite grasped why magic is sometimes available and not other times." She nods. "I can afford one more healing spell of that strength, but a few more..." She trails off, then her eyes widen, and then she frowns. "Oh, no! I did it again!" She cries out, distraught. "What's wrong? What did you do?" Blythe asks. She looks at Blythe sheepishly. "Ah... I'm supposed to charge money for healing..." She said, wincing. "The temple needs its upkeep, after all. But I keep forgetting..." She said with a sigh. "I didn't tell you, so I won't make you pay me, but... if you want me to heal someone else, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask for compensation..." "How much is it?" The bow user asked. "The more powerful one is ten gold pieces," She explained. "The lesser one is five. This also goes for any other spells you need me to cast," "I don't have a lot of money at the moment.” Blythe said. “We're actually here to earn some, after all. You said it's about temple upkeep, though? Is there anything I can do to help out in return for her healing and perhaps some additional for me?" "We have money," Tae reminded, looking over at them. "The money we found on that goblin." "True, but I wasn't going to distribute that until the end. I guess we could just keep track of it and take it out of my share..." She shakes her head. "I'll cover this," She says, retrieving a platinum coin from her wallet. "Consider it a gesture of... amicability." She walked over to the healer and handed the coin over to her. The woman blinked down at it, then looked up at Blythe. "You're hurt?" She asked. Blythe winces as they struggle out of their armor and pull up their sleeve, revealing a horrid burn. "Magic. Didn't even touch the armor." She pockets the coin and quickly takes a step over Embra to Blythe. She takes a quick look at the wound, then nods, and closes her eyes, mumuring an incantation once more. ==== Cure Light Wounds: Roll 1d8+1 Result: 3 ==== After her chant, she presses a hand to the wound. A dim green light flows out of her hand and into the other person's arm. It heals somewhat. Tae kneels down over Embra and stares at her. Blythe flexes their arm a bit and winces. "Thanks. That should be back to normal in a day or two. I believe there's a merchant outside who's interested in paying for healing for her guards." They kneel down and look at Embra. "Looks like she's still affected by that alcohol. Strong stuff." They pick her up. "Thanks again!" Tae stands up as well, and looks over at the healer. "Merchant? Two guards?" The woman asked, confused. "There's more? Just what happened to... wait, did you say goblins a bit ago?" Blythe glances back at her. "Yeah. If I understand correctly, your town put up a bounty for some goblins. I think we ran into some of them on the way here. That's why we needed healing." The woman's eyes widened. "You're here for the bounty on the goblins?" She suddenly looked as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "Praise the gods! Our prayers have been answered!" She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together. "Oh, Great Mother, thank you!" Tae began walking towards the door. "The gods had nothing to do with our arrival," She declared. "We were simply drawn together by a mutual need for funds. Now, one of our companions and this person here managed to stabilize the warriors earlier, but they are still gravely wounded. It would probably be best if you were to heal them sooner than later." Blythe carries Embra back out and places her on the wagon, nodding to Nef. They then glance up at the merchant as they prepare to pick up one of the guards. "I assume you're willing to pay the fee for healing?" The merchant glanced down at them as Tae and the healer followed them out the temple. "Of course," She said solemnly. "They defended me with their lives, and lost two of their comrades, on a job that was supposed to be easy. It's... the least I can do to repay them." "Linda?" The healer asked. "So you're the one they're talking about?" The merchant woman nodded. "Yes... and I'm glad to be back. I only wish the circumstances were better," She said with a forlorn look. The healer spotted the two dead and immediately closed her eyes, bringing her hands together in a meaningful gesture and murmuring a short prayer. "Just what exactly is going on, Aneira?" Linda asked as the other woman prayed. "The -one- safe road through the area was suddenly rife with goblins! If it wasn't for these brave people and their giant companion showing up, I'd be dead right now! It was a -nightmare-, I tell you! I'd just about soiled my pantaloons when these heroes charged in and turned it around in an instant. And after that they protected me from some kind of goblin -sorcerer- of all things!" Aneira boarded the wagon and began surveying the wounded. "It began a couple of months ago," The woman began. "The goblins just started raiding nearby travelers out of nowhere. I heard from Ness that everyone knew about them when the place was settled, but they were a surprisingly peaceful lot - for goblins, anyway - and minded their own business, but they suddenly changed, almost overnight, while you were away." "You knew about the goblins? Does that mean you know where their camp is? That'll save us some time." Blythe said. Aneira glanced up at them. "Ah, erm... I'm sorry, I wish I could tell you," She said. "Ness might know, though." She sighed. "But, things have gotten worse," She said. "It's gone even beyond the goblins. Now that that strange fog has appeared to the south, I fear we won't get many travelers... we'll be able to hold our own, but if the haze spreads up here, who knows what could happen..." Linda frowned. "That's right, I heard about that too, even up in Imperia," She said. "They say no man's ever come out that's gone in?" Aneira nodded. "Between that and the goblins, I'd thought this place finished, right when the temple was nearing completion, too... but, at least we can count on one of those problems disappearing soon." She said, with some hope. "Tell me more about this haze. I'm new to the area." "Would that I could, but all we know is that it just suddenly appeared out of nowhere a couple of weeks ago, and that no man has ever returned from going inside," Aneira said, holding her hand over the wounded warrior. With a whispered incantation, a dim green light appeared over her hand. Linda looked over at them. "I heard from a traveler that claimed to have seen it that any who even go near it fall mysteriously ill." She said. Blythe frowns. "That's not good. Not good at all. Who's Ness? Where can I speak to them?" Tae frowns at the redundant statement, while Linda looks down at him from the wagon. "She runs the inn in the middle of town," She says. "My shop is right next door to it. I can show you the way while Aneira tends to the wounded." She glanced down at Embra. "Is your friend alright? She had a bit of Tindharian Ale, so she may be out of it for a while yet, but are her wounds okay?" "Her wounds seem fine. She should wake up in a bit. And yes, please do show me to the inn, then." Blythe nods and follows Linda. Linda climbs down from the wagon. "Then, I'll lead you there," She says. "Let's leave Aneira to her work, I can come back and get my wagon and belongings with some help later." "Alright. Nefele, please stay here and keep watch over Embra." Blythe follows Linda. Tae glances back at Nefele, and follows Blythe and the Merchant, adjusting her cloak's hood to keep her head hidden. Linda nods, then leads them through the hamlet of Edgeville on foot. Sprawling farmland can be seen surrounding the small settlement. They pass by a blacksmith and a stable as they make their way along the hamlets dirt roads. As they walk, they can't help but notice a small one story buildingpainted bright purple with golden stars spangling the exterior, a sign reading "Mysticality" hanging over it. Soon they stop before a two story building with its own sign reading "Edgeville Inn" on it, and artificial light spilling from the windows. Next to it is a smaller building. Little can be seen of the original cabin, as numerous additions jut off all sides and up one level. What had been a front porch now serves as a glassed-in display area, and equipment of all description fills the many shelves and cases visible through the display windows, including lanterns, torches, bolts of cotton, bags of seed, adn more. Linda opens the door to the inn and steps inside, revealing a tavern on the first level. The interior of the inn feels warm and hospitable, the scent of stew and fresh baked bread wafting from a kitchen. A portly woman bustles about, pouring drinks and serving food. She turns her head on hearing the door open and her eyes widen. "Linda! You're back!" The merchant nods and walks in. "Thanks to these people and their companions," She says. "They came out of nowhere and fought off two goblin attacks on the way here." The woman spots the two adventurers and looks at them. "Oh? You fought goblins?" She asks, interest piqued. Tae nodded. "Yes, we have, and we've come in response to a call for aid." She said. She glanced at Blythe. "Right?" "Correct. And a corresponding bounty. Are you Ness?" Blythe holds out their hand. The woman smiles as she approaches them. "That I am," She says, shaking their hand. "Ness Butterworth. It's a pleasure to meet you, m'am. I hope you don't mind putting down a few more of the critters for us." "That's why we're here. I'm told you know where their camp is?" She releases their hand and shakes her head, stepping back. "Unfortunately, no," She said. "They were commonly sighted when the place was settled years ago, but the exact location of their cave is a mystery. They weren't violent until just recently." She sighs. "My husband went out with a few others to seek them out and negotiate peace when the attacks started, but... it seems they're determined to be our enemies." "Did they return safely?" Blythe asked. She closed her eyes. "A few of them returned with wounds. Gregor wasn't with them." Blythe nods slowly. "I'm sorry to hear that. Can I speak to one of the ones who returned?" She considers it for a moment. "I suppose you could, but I don't know what good it'd do you..." She says. "They never actually found the goblins' lair." "We could at least learn where the fight took place and track the goblins from there." Blythe suggested. Tae raised an eyebrow. "It would be easier for us to track them from the road we were ambushed on today. I believe the madam said that her husband went out when the attacks started, so... over a month ago, yes?" The woman nodded. "That's right, two months." "Oh. Yes, that makes sense. I suppose we could still learn where their cave isn't, but that's less useful. Do the attacks come from any particular direction?" She shook her head slowly. "They just ambush people out on the road, any road in the area," She said. It was then that the doors opened and a man walked in. He was wearing clothing more expensive than anything a peasant could get their hands on. He had graying hair, was of medium build, and wore a contemptuous frown. "I heard strangers were sighted in town," The man said. "Has our call for aid -finally- been answered by those cads in Imperia?" Blythe raises an eyebrow. "Were I indeed from Imperia, I might well take offense at being called a cad upon arrival. And considering your rather low pay, I don't recommend insulting your help as soon as it arrives." The man turned his gaze on Blythe. "You misunderstand, sir. I was referring to the lackadaisical manner in which the Imperian adventurer's guilds handled our request." He walked further into the tavern. "I imagine it was filtered down to the most worthless guild possible, where it languished in wait until just yesterday." Tae turned to look at him as well. "Begging your pardon, but it wasn't exactly the most gracefully written request, ser." The man turned to look at Ness, who blushed. "Indeed, it was not." "Ahem," The innkeep cleared her throat in an attempt to gather their attention. "That man is the town's moneylender, Argus Duncan. He's putting out a good portion of the reward," She said. "That is correct," Argus said, walking to stand before Blythe. "Eighty percent, as a matter of fact. I know that not everyone has time to learn their numbers properly, so let me clarify that I am paying -most- of the reward." His frown deepened. "I thought it prudent to inspect the prospective mercenaries if it was indeed them come to town, and they immediately insult us by insisting our pay is low." He looked over at Ness. "I pay four times what the rest of this hamlet scrapes together after working so hard, and it is 'low pay'? Perhaps you are used to bathing in more coin than a hardworking man or woman will ever see in their life, then, mercenary. In that case, I would think it best that your reward be lessons in ettiquette rather than 'mere' gold." "If you don't want our services, we can be on our way. But when merely getting here involves sufficient injury to cost almost a tenth of the pay, well, I think it can be reasonably considered low. Perhaps you should be glad we're here at all." "We want your services, m'am," Ness said, before the money lender could answer. "We want your services very much. You can call us poor all you like, it's the truth. We don't care," she said. "Just please kill the goblins. Or at least stop the attacks." Tae looked from one speaker to the other. "My colleage didn't mean to imply that you were poor," She said. "But rather that the amount of risk for the reward is, perhaps... somewhat skewed. The goblins are capable of wielding magic, after all." She looked at Blythe. "You are still healing from that terrible burn, are you not?" "And will be for another day or two." Tae nodded. "So, you see, already the problem has increased from simple goblins to magic wielding foes. Would it truly be wrong of us to ask for at least a minor increase in the pay?" ==== Diplomacy Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 21 ==== The Merchant woman, Linda, frowned. "I owe you all my life," She said. "I wasn't here when they made their request, so I couldn't be counted in. Like I said, I'll give you each a hundred gold's worth of equipment at my shop - your choice, for your earlier assistance. But if you manage to solve the whole problem, I'll add a hundred gold pieces to your reward." Blythe nods. "That's very kind of you. Unless any of you have a better way to find the goblins than by tracking them, we should probably head out while the tracks are fresh. If you don't mind, though, ma'am," they say, turning to Linda, "could you open up briefly before we head out? It may be your credit will be of immediate aid." Linda turned to look at Blythe. "Yes, if you need to leave in a hurry, I suppose I could," She said. "Most of my goods are still on the wagon, though, so I can just give you whatever you need there." Tae nods at Linda. "Then let us return to the wagon at once." She spared a look for Argus and Ness. "Sir, Madam, we shall endeavor to end your goblin problem once and for all." Argus snorted. "I'd expect no less. And if you want the coin, you'd better not dissapoint." Tae nodded and turned to leave, glancing at Blythe. "Let us rejoin our companions, and see if they are as fit as either of us to continue activities today." She suggested. ===Nefele, Embra=== Elsewhere, Nefele looks at Embra's still body and cocks her head to the side, wiggling her ears. She then moves to sit on the elf's stomach daintily and retrieves some needles with which to knit to pass the time. Embra was roused almost immediately from her slumber as the weight of an entire sheep youkai settled on her already highly unsettled stomach. Roused only slightly less immediately was dinner the night before, and the Tindharian Ale from mere hours before, both of which soon covered the unfortunately positioned Nefele. Nefele shrieks and stands, disgusted, and wrings her hands. "That is not very nice." Embra blinks repeatedly, a horrible taste in her mouth and a familiar pounding in her head, "Wha?", she managed. "Look at this!" Nefele yelps, gesturing down her side, "Look at what you did!" "Huh?" "You made a mess!" Nef warbles, dismayed, "You made a mess and you made it all over me!" Embra continued to stare, vacant expression on her face. She continues to whine, bleating occasionally in distress, and begins to peel the vomit covered poncho from her body, and then the sweater underneath, and then another turtle-necked sweater. She stands shivering in what must be yet another layer of clothing, and glowers childishly at the elf. "You made a mess." ===Herp, Eglath=== And so, Herp and Eglath continued on, following the path that they had been going on earlier. Eventually they came upon a dead goblin and a similarly dead wolf in the road, a puddle of blood gathered in the dirt around the two corpses. After some hours of travel, they came upon a small hamlet. It was surrounded by lush farmland, and the beginnings of a wooden wall could be seen on the small settlement's perimeter. Further in town they could see homes, as well as a moderately sized inn, a small cabin that had been modified into a shop next to it, a building painted purple with golden stars spangling the exterior, a temple, and some others. Also, the sun is setting. ==== Spot Checks 1d20-1 (Embra) Result: 12 1d20+1 (Nefele) Result: 12 1d20 (Eglath) Result: 8 1d20+3 (Herp) Result: 21 ==== Neither Embra nor Nefele can see the others. Eglath can only see townsfolk, who are increasingly wary of him. Eglath turns to his companion. "Well, champion of Kord, I can only imagine our friends are here somewhere. Let us see if we can find them?" But Herp can see a large wagon near the temple, and Embra and Nefele, who are on/near it. "I found them. Somehow." Herp said, pointing to the two he knew was part of their original party. "They are over there. Eglath nodded. "Good eye, friend. Let us go make certain they aren't harmed." Embra continued to stare vacantly at Nefele, and after an incredibly substantial, painfully awkward period of time responded with, "Huh?" And so Eglath and Herp made their way over to the temple in time to see and hear this declaration of Embra's. They also note that Nefele is holding several sweaters and the like which are covered in foul smelling vomit. "I don't know what happened here. And you know what? I'd rather not know. Call me when we are moving on." Herp then walked somewhere else, all for the purpose of ignoring the putrid smell of something very awful. "Blech." "Hello dwarf!" Embra said drearily, "I think I need a bath...", she muttered looking down at herself and the smaller proportion of vomit that had ended up on her. And so Tae followed Linda back to the wagon, making sure to take Blythe along, where she was surprised to see Eglath and Herp waiting for them. "Ah, Eglath, Herp," She said. "I see you've caught up." "Yeah, they just got here..." Embra said, drooping over the side of the wagon, and slowly sliding out. She turned to look at Eglath. "Then, I shall share what we've learned so far." She cleared her throat. "The goblins began attacking around two months ago, and their attempts at making peace were met with further violence. None of them know where the goblins are, but Blythe here believes we may be able to track them from where we first ran into them and our merchant friend." She gestured towards Linda with her head. The woman had walked over to the wagon and was conversing with Aneira. "She's also agreed to give us a hundred gold pieces worth of equipment each, and added a hundred to the final payout of our reward." "In retrospect,” Blythe began, “I rather wish we'd revived that goblin rather than letting her bleed out. Likely interrogating her would have been easier than tracking her steps. But, since we are where we are, let us equip ourselves quickly and move out before the trail gets any colder." Blythe inspects the goods on the wagon. Nefele drops the soiled clothing on the ground and pouts loudly. Tae spots the soiled clothing, then notices Embra, and shakes her head. Herp, tired of aching from the bruises and wounds he got from the goblin duo, decides it's probably a good idea to heal. If there was a healer in this hamlet, it would be best to use their services. So he looks around specifically to find a healer. ==== Spot Check: Roll 1d20-1 Result: 18 ==== He sees a woman in priestly garb on the wagon, and the temple that they are near, but nothing to indicate there might be any other healers in Edgeville The temple is a large building. Its unpainted exterior shows it to be recent construction. Outside, the carved wooden symbols of many gods await their first coat of paint and identify it as a place of worship. Only a small number of townsfolk can be seen in the area. Herp decides to head into the temple, to see if he can find anything of help. Given the state of the wagon, and the healer there, he probably wouldn't have any luck there. The main entrance to the temple is wide open. After he enters, he immediately comes upon a large room with shrines honoring different gods - Kord among them - spaced evenly along the walls. Rows of benches fill the open space, and brightly colored carpets adorn the floor. No one else is inside. Seing that there was an idol of Kord, the Cleric of Kord kneeled down in front of it, and began to pray. He thanked his god for the battle he had won that day, and for any more battles to go well. He prayed that he would show honor and bravery in front of his companions, and that they would follow suit. And then he ended his prayer, by stating out loud the dogma of Kord. “The strong and fit should lead the weaker. Bravery is the greatest quality in any ruler. Scorn cowardice.” With that said, he got up and cast a healing spell on himself. Kord would definitely approve, as it was so he could fight more battles. ==== Cure Light Wounds: Roll 1d8+1 Result: 3 ==== And again. ==== Cure Light Wounds: Roll 1d8+1 Result: 7 ==== Herp's earlier wounds from the day are completely healed. With that done, The half-orc left the temple, to meet back with his group. Blythe gathers up a few things and shows them to the merchant. "Will this do?" ==== Two belt pouches (2) Four sunrods ( Three flasks of acid (30) Three flasks of alchemist's fire (60) ==== Linda goes over what the young archer has gathered, and after counting it up, she nods. "It's yours, then. I hope it's useful against the goblins," She said. "Thank you very much." Blythe steps off to the side and affixes the pouches to their belt, placing the flasks inside, and slips the sunrods into their pack. "Are we all ready to go?" they ask, looking around at the group. Nefele whines noisily. "We cannot go yet!" She clops her hooves irritably. "Who is going to watch out for Embra? I myself need a bath somewhere, and I want to wash my clothes out. It is cold without them." She cocks her head over to the pile of clothing she'd discarded and shivers for emphasis. "And, and! I am almost out of spells. Wouldn't it be better to take the night here in this safe village than to head out while we are already at risk?" "Well let's go wash out your clothes quickly and then we can go. And we can dunk Embra's head in the cold water to sober her up while we're at it. And why are you out of spells? Haven't you been here resting all this time?" "I was sitting guard, like you asked!" she complained, "And as soon as I sat down she--" she gestures frantically, "--she... made a mess! Everywhere! All over me! Mess!!" "I already said we can wash out your clothes. How long will it take to get your spells back? Do any of the rest of you need to re-spell yourselves?" Tae shook her head. "I've still quite a bit left in me," She said. "And... I prefer to act at night, honestly." Nef pouted and retreated into herself a bit, clasping her hands in front of her nervously. "I-In the morning," she mumbled, "It will be until in the morning that I am useful again." “Hm. Does anyone else have an opinion?" Blythe asked. Herp Derpington, half-orc with a strange name, did not offer a response. He didn't particularly care whether or not they went now. Sure, he'd probably be better off if they waited. However, he believed that Kord would guide his blade, and that Kord would make the correct choice for his next battle. If that battle was meant to happen tomorrow, then so be it. He was not going to influence them himself. Tae looked over at Linda. "Where could we find some cold water to dunk our colleague in?" "There should be some back at the inn," the merchant said. Tae nodded. "Alright then." She started walking over towards the wagon and inspected it. 'Hmm...what to take...' "I'm schleepy..." Embra muttered, "And drunky..." Tae retrieved two vials of Antitoxin, which she held up for the merchant to see. The woman nodded, and Tae stuffed the vials into her backpack. She stepped away from the wagon and looked her companions over. She was still trying to understand how the people on the surface lived. So far, every single person she had run into was so radically different from the Drow she had lived with her entire life. She was having trouble understanding most of their actions, and she couldn't even begin to understand their motivations. Embra seemed to be an honest fool and nothing more, but that could easily have been a practiced role, a mask that she wore like a second skin. It was definitely worth keeping an eye on her. Blythe was either mad or a genius schemer, possibly both. Though their appearance was somewhat androgynous, given their authoritative disposition, it was likely she was female. Nefele was extremely passive, apparently content to simply observe until she was caught up in something. It was unnerving to the extent with which the sheep youkai was able to blend into the background. If Tae didn't learn anything about her that she could use against her, she would be at a total disadvantage. The other two were warriors first and last. She didn't quite understand the concept of honor, but she had a basic grasp of it from their conversation earlier in the morning. As they were males, they had probably taken up martial careers because they didn't have potential anywhere else. 'Perhaps I ought to start some conversations... learn what I can about their histories, maybe get them to spill some useful information...' And then another idea occurred to her. '...and perhaps learn about the surface world in general.' That decided, she sidled over to Herp, who seemed content to wait for the group to come to their decision. "So, Herp... may I call you that? Do you prefer any sort of title?" Herp glanced at the elf, raising an eyebrow. "Herp is just fine. Only people who earn titles should be addressed with such. I have not earned one yet." She nods. "Very well," She says. "Might I ask what it is that drives you to take such work as this, Herp?" Herp didn't even think before responding. "For the glory of battle, of course. I need to teach the right way. And the best way to do that is through example." She blinked. "The glory of... battle, you say?" She repeated. "I see. And where do you hail from?" Herp nodded, crossing his arms over his armored chest. "Yes, the glory of battle. And I hail from Verifold, up north." She turned her head about, but failed to figure out where North was from their current position. "North of here," She said with another nod. "What is it like there? And what is the name of this land you hail from?" The half-orc scratched his head. "I can't really tell you all that much what Verifold was like. I was in a temple for most of my life. Or rather, most of what I could remember. Everything else was pretty much a blur of rage." She blinked. "A blur of rage?" It was then that she recalled his orcish features. "Ah. I see." Orcs were common slaves in the Underdark. Their good stamina and strength made them good laborers, but their lack of intelligence meant they were useless at anything else (and made it easy to keep them as slaves). It seemed Herp was as much a simpleton as his orcish ancestors. Perhaps he would be easy to manipulate. At any rate, a battle hungry orc male wasn't likely to make for much conversation. Still, she was wary about engaging Blythe, Embra was still less than sober, and Eglath was ocupied with the merchant's goods. Nef totters over to Embra and pets her hair, teeth chattering. "Blythe," she calls, "Might you know where the inn is?" "I don't, actually." Blythe turns to Linda "Can you point us to the inn?" Linda turned to look at him...her? "We just went there," She said, confused. "Did you already forget the way?" "Oh, right. I suppose it didn't register as the inn because I didn't do anything related to inns while I was there. Pardon." They lift Embra and turn back to Nef, "Follow me." "Urhkl" Embra grunts uncomfortably, not looking pleased. Nef gives a distant smile and wraps her hoof-fingers daintily around the crook of their elbow, allowing them to lead the way. Blythe heads back to the inn, looking around outside to look for a well. Tae glances over at Herp. "Well then, I'm going to go make sure they don't accidentally fall into the well," Tae said with a polite nod. "If you'll excuse me." Blythe finds the well. Blythe sets Embra down next to the well and slowly pulls up a bucket of water. They then pull the bucket out and unceremoniously dump it over Embra's head before turning to Nef. "How do you want to wash them? Do you have a tub or something?" Embra opened her eyes slowly and grimaced, "Why? Why Half-Orc, why?!" Embra asked, pulling herself up and grasping at the alleged half-orc's collar. "Ah, good, looks like you're a bit more conscious. We'll need you up and about when we head out to fight goblins." Nef turns up her nose a bit at Blythe's completely unromantic display and makes a mental note to knit them both a sweater. "There is a tub in the inn, yes? Embra will need a bath as well." Embra looked at Blythe, eyes half lidded and a dull glaze on her face, "But I'm still droonkl..." "Oh." Blythe drops the bucket back in the well and begins drawing up another bucketful Nef grabs Embra's cheeks and wiggles her face around, bleating, "Wake up, Embraa-aah-ahh!" "S-stop it!" Embra shrieked, slapping away Nefele, "You can't drunk a slap away with slaps!" Nefele imitates Embra's shrieking noise for fun. Blythe dumps a second bucket of water on Embra's face, turning the last few words into burbles. "..." said Embra, looking like a drowned and very displeased cat. Nef reaches over and punches Blythe's arm. "You stop this!" Blythe sighs. "...Fine. Go inside and see if there's a tub you two can use." Tae walks up to the scene to find them as they are, and stares. Blythe reaches down and pick up Embra, following after Nefele. "Ah-ah-ah!" Nef titters, easing Embra to lean across her front. "I will take her. Your punishment for being so cruel is to bring us all the water we need!" "I'm not being cruel, I'm trying to get our job done before it's impossible." "You're being a great big dumby head!" Embra said, flailing her arms around, "I'm droonk and sclepsy and the dumb goblings aren't gonna go nowheres for one night!" "The goblins won't but their tracks will, especially with the weather around here. Come on inside and get ready to go." "Auuugh!" Embra groaned, "Who cares! Glooblins are easy peasy squeasy to track around to their dumb mud huts, you just gots to be sneaksy and know what doing things to dos." Tae sighs and walks over to join the menagerie. "Perhaps we should let her rest. I don't want her to stab herself again. It wouldn't be tactically sound." "Ugh, you're right. I just hope we can still find them. C'mon, Embra. You still need to get cleaned up and Nefele still needs to wash her clothes." Tae nods, glad that an understanding could be reached, but still upset over the lost time. Nef snarls at Blythe, and makes a mental note to never knit those two a sweater again, supporting Embra as she blathers drunkly. Blythe watches as Nef and Embra make their way inside, then sighs lightly and turns back to draw the first of many buckets of water for their washing. Tae looked over at Blythe. "So," she began, "Blythe... Redlock, was it? What brought you to Imperia? Did your house matron send you on an extended mission or something similar? Or are you native to Imperia?" "Redlock, yes. My home is currently in the possession of a hostile force and I am thus a fugitive." === Nef eases Embra onto the floor of one of the private rooms, after a bit of consultation with the woman in the tavern, and places the soiled clothes on a small stool she finds off to the side. She looks over her shoulder nervously, to confirm they are alone, and huffs, focusing deeply and pulling her body rigid before raising her fists and, with a tiny shout, erupting into smoke. In the wake stands a pale girl with gingery curls and a spattering of freckles across her face. Devoid of horns and ears, she begins to remove the clothing that now hangs loosely around her thin frame with ease, despite her shaking hands. Once bare, and trembling harder now against the cold, she kneels down to Embra's side to work her clothes off with nimbler fingers. A knock comes on the door as Blythe arrives with the first bucket. Nef's eyes go wide and she shucks one of her shawls over her shoulders in a meager attempt to cover the brand spanning her shoulders. "J-Just a second!" She stands suddenly and walks over, pulling the door open only slightly. "Who is it?" she mumbles. Blythe waves slightly as Nef's face peers through the door. "I'm terribly sorry, I must have the wrong room." "Blythe?" She perks up a bit and pulls the door open further, exposing herself. She reaches out blindly and bats at their face. "Blythe Redlock?" "I- ah- yes. I've brought some water for my friends. Are they there?" Tae looks over Blythe's shoulder, also confused. She'd decided to follow her around since there wasn't much else to do in the hamlet, and the townsfolk were likely to get suspicious of a 'subhuman' that was loitering around. "Ah, you must not recognize me," she mumbles, hanging her head and touching her face, "And I cannot see you..." She reaches out and gropes at Blythe's chest, mapping out their shoulders and arms and curling her fingers around their hand which holds the bucket. She tilts her head up a bit after an awkward pause. "Hello. We met before. I am Nefele Metous, the shepherd?" "Oh! I'm terribly sorry. I didn't recognise you, yes." Blythe hands her the bucket. "Dump that in the tub and I'll go get more." Nef thanks them and takes the bucket, stooping over and stepping back out into the room, causing her shawl to slip from her shoulders. She huffs and reaches out with her spare hand before bumping her shin against the metal of the tub and whining. After pouring the water in, she repeats the same process back to the door, grabbing Blythe by the chin this time before shoving the bucket into their chest. "Bless you." "Certainly." Blythe glances back at Tae, opens their mouth, then thinks better of it and goes back outside to fetch more water. They had considered asking her to take care of the blind and drunk girls, but upon remembering her inability to understand altruism, decided that she wouldn't make the best mother figure. Not yet, at least. Nef settles at the base of the tub and paws around for the satchel, from which she draws her flint and steel. She fumbles around under the tub in search of something to light and, finding nothing, tosses them across the room irritably. Tae followed Blythe out, crossing her arms beneath the shawl he'd given her. "What kind of hostile force has occupied your home?" She asked, hoping to gain some insight on their behavior. "Bandits. The king refused our call for aid and they eventually wore us down. I only barely escaped." Tae blinked. "King?" she asked. She'd heard about kings, they were the monarchs of surface countries, the de-facto heads of state. But there was something odd about that statement. As kings were male, and thus consorts, they couldn't possibly have the political power to answer a call for help. "You don't mean queen?" Blythe continues ferrying water as the conversation continues. "Well, I mean, the queen didn't help either. But the request was sent to the king." She frowned. "Why would it be sent to the king? A simple consort couldn't possibly have control over the military, unless your queen is daft." Blythe cocks their head slightly and pauses. "No, Verifold is ruled by a king." Tae stopped walking for a moment, caught off guard by that revelation. She quickly recovered however, and continued following. "I see," She asked. "I suppose that's... fairly normal then, yes?" "It's not uncommon, I suppose, but there are other methods. I hear the elves are ruled by a god directly... is that true?" ==== Knowledge (untrained) Roll: d20+2 Result: 18 ==== Tae shook her head. "I've never been there, but my father told me that in Tindharia, the people live with their goddess in harmony," She said. "Supposedly she frowns on rank and status." "Ah. Where is your home, then?" "I'm afraid I couldn't tell you that," She said with a chuckle. "When I set out, I just followed someone else without really paying attention to where we were going. I just knew I wanted to leave." "I meant what's it called? Or do you not know that either? Do you want to go back now?" "The city in which I lived was called T'lindhet," She said. "As for going back, I'd really rather not. It was an unpleasant place. That is the reason I left." "Do you have a new place to call home or are you a wanderer like I am?" "I am hoping to find my way to Tindharia, particularly a town called Taneh." She said. "It is my father's homeland. Unfortunately, the road is apparently blocked by the haze that suddenly appeared recently, and I am gathering funds in the hopes that I can buy the services of a knowledgeable druid or ranger to guide me there around the roads." She tilts her head. "What about you? Do you have any idea how to go about expelling the bandits? And how did mere thugs overtake your military?" "I'm not sure. I'll need some powerful allies to even have a chance at going back. It was a surprisingly large force that attacked suddenly and, like I said, we had no help from the military because the king never responded. It was just the city guard and we didn't last long." She frowned. "A surprisingly large force of bandits?" She asked. "How large do you mean? If it was simple thugs, they couldn't possibly be so organized... unless the bandits of your country are different from what I know?" "Well... that's why it was surprising." She blinked. "Oh. Of course." She tilted her head. "Do you seek the assistance of Imperia's qu... king, then?" "Eh? No, certainly not. There's no reason for Tilduran to aid Verifold and no reason for anyone to listen to me. I have no notable rank or standing. No, I just want to increase my own skill and perhaps find a small group of friends to aid me so we can free my hometown of Trifton. The rest of the country can take care of itself; they certainly didn't aid us." She nodded. That made sense. She didn't know how surface countries worked, but if the same thing had happened in the Underdark, it would be every city for itself, if not every Drow for herself. And the Drow would certainly prevail. They always did. "Your hometown must be precious to you, then." She said. "It's partially that, partially the ability to be reunited with my- family, and partially vengeance." Vengeance. Now there was a motive she could understand. "I see. I hope you find what you're looking for, then." She said. "Thank you. And the same for you." "Thank you." After a pause, she continued. "In the meantime, can you tell me anything about goblins? My knowledge about them is rather limited." 'Other than that they make poor slaves because their tiny, frail bodies can't do the hard labor that is required of them.' "A bit. They like to exploit whatever advantages they have, and they like to attack in large numbers. They favor ambushes, overwhelming odds, and dirty tricks. They have a poor grasp of strategy and are cowards at heart." She nodded. That sounded like them. "I see... do you have any idea why a peaceful goblin tribe would suddenly go violent?" "To be perfectly honest, I can't tell why a goblin tribe would be peaceful in the first place. All the ones I dealt with were ones I was fighting off." She frowned. "I see. That is somewhat confusing..." She hmm'd for a bit. "So, what would make a normally violent people be peaceful to begin with..." She shook her head. "It seems we lack some vital information..." "True. Perhaps they had an unusually peaceful leader who rececntly died of old age?" She raised an eyebrow. "Old age?" In the Underdark, no one died of old age. No one. "Yes, it's possible they were killed," she murmured. That had been what she'd meant, right? "In order to be that peaceful toward the villagers, I'm assuming they'd need to also be fairly peaceful among themselves." Even the Drow were 'peaceful' amongst themselves, if only because they wanted their underlings to be alive and capable of being used/knew that the only way to get up in society and have underlings to begin with was to not kill everyone. "I suppose." She crossed her arms and brought a hand up to her chin as she considered it. "There could be something external influencing them? Perhaps a sudden change in the amount of food they have... maybe it's need based?" She furrowed her brow. "Exactly why are they waylaying people? What -do- they do when they attack? Perhaps we can ask someone?" "Perhaps we can! Maybe Ness would know. Or Linda." She shook her head. "Linda had no idea the goblins were even attacking until today," she reminded her. "Ness is our only option." "Right, yes. Ness, then." nd so the two sought out Ness, who was somewhat nearby. "Excuse us, madam," Tae began. "But we were wondering exactly what it is that the goblins do when they attack people. Other than killing, I mean. We may be able to derive their motivations from this." The rotund middle-aged woman tilted her head. "Oh? Hm... I see..." She trailed off. "Well, in that case, I can tell you this: whenever they attack, they loot like regular bandits," She said. "They pinch everything that shines and then make for the hills." "That sounds about standard for goblins, yeah. Do you know of any reason they'd suddenly be short of resources?" The woman slowly shook her head. "We didn't exactly keep tabs on 'em," She said. "Heck, if we had, we might know where they are now. I'm starting to regret that," She grumbled. Blythe turns to Tae, "Any other thoughts?" She considered what they'd heard. "I can't really imagine why they'd want to steal money," She said. "It's goblins. They don't exactly trade with people, do they? I'd thought maybe it was food they were after." The woman shook her head. "Nope. If it glitters, it's good as gold to them," She said. "Anything else, they leave." "Perhaps they're working for someone who does use gold and they're just not good at differentiating?" Tae chuckled. That sounded about right, goblins weren't known for their intelligence. Ness could only shrug. "Is that all you wanted to know?" She asked. Blythe shrugs. "I can't think of anything else. If you think of anythng that might help us find them, please let us know." The woman nodded. "I will. Since you're helping out with the goblins, I'll let you use some of my rooms," She said. "Don't worry about paying. You're doing the whole town a service, and there ain't too many other travelers out here right now anyways, so it's not a bother." "Thank you very much. We'll be on our way first thing in the morning. I hope." Tae nodded. "Indeed. Thank you."

17 Not So New Category / Storyline / Chapter One - The Road - Day of Battle on: April 29, 2013, 04:42:08 am
Started by Author Roy - Last post by Author Roy
===DMRoy=== The woman frowns in confusion at Embra's words, but then nods and climbs out from under the wagon after Eglath speaks. "I... I am a merchant," She begins. She suddenly notices something. "I... I never thought I'd be saved by sub..." She trails off for a moment, then shakes her head. "I am truly grateful to you all." She looks around the battlefield. "Are... Are the others alright?" Tae stands up from her place kneeling over the injured warrior woman. "I believe so. Could you answer his question, though?" The woman is relieved by the news, then recalls with surprise the Goliath's question. "Ah, yes. My appologies." She sighs. "Well, we were returning to our hamlet of Edgeville from a market where I was buying and trading for goods to restock my store back home... and then they just attacked us, out of nowhere!" She said. "And we went to all the trouble to avoid the dangerous roads too. This one was a particularly out of the way..." She shook her head. "We used to use it all the time, but now this? Why?" She muttered the last bit to herself, but it was still audible. ===momo=== "Ma'am, is Edgeville the place that put up the bounty on goblins??" Blythe asked. ===DMRoy=== Tae walked over towards the woman while waiting for the reply. "Bounty? On goblins? I haven't heard anything about that," She said. "I've been out of town on my trip, so I wouldn't know." She turns around to look at her upturned wagon. Barrels and crates have fallen out but they are not destroyed. Eglath looked back over the road with concern. “There is a chance our traveling companion has also fallen victim to a goblin ambush,” He began. “I shall head back to check on his progress. Excuse me.” As the goliath walked away, the merchant turned to look at the remaining crew. "I'm truly grateful to you all - I am - and I hate to be a bother, but do you think you could help me flip my wagon back over?" ===Players=== "You should have asked before our mountain shrank back down and left, but sure." Blythe walks over and braces their shoulder against the wagon, waiting for others to help. Tae simply crossed her arms, certain that her help won't be neccesary. "Half-orcs are notoriously good wagon flippers, but I guess I'll help out anyway." Embra chirped, walking over to the wagon. "Oh, well if I'm such a good wagon flipper, on three. One, two, three" Blythe grunts the last word as they push against the wagon. ==== Strength Check Roll: 1d20+1 (Blythe) Result: 14 Roll: 1d20+1 (Embra) Result: 6 ==== They fail to move the wagon at all; Blythe can't even feel any kind of assistance from Embra. "Are you even helping? Put your back into it! One, two, three!" "Shut up and push harder Half-Orc!" ==== Strength Check Roll: 1d20+1 (Blythe) Result: 18 Aid Another Roll: 1d20+1 (Embra) Result: 5 ==== Blythe almost gets it up, but it falls back down. Once again Embra's assistance is practically nonexistent. "Maybe I should use both hands..." Embra wonders. Blythe turns to the elf, hands on their hips. "Do you plan to help or not?" ==== Strength Check Roll: 1d20+1 (Blythe) Result: 15 Aid Another Roll: 1d20+1 (Embra) Result: 7 ==== Their results aren't even as good as before; and Embra's help as always does nothing. "Okay, look, we'll get it rocking in time. Just pretend your arms are your jaw. One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three" "I'm trying!" Embra whined. ==== Strength Check Roll: 1d20+1 (Embra) Result: 15 Aid Another Roll: 1d20+1 (Blythe) Result: 4 ==== This time embra does most of the work, and Blythe's help can't even be noticed. "Darn it half-orc! All that talk and now you don't even help! Come on, we gotta get this wagon up!" Embra said, and after a moment seemed to finally realize something, "Why isn't anyone else helping?" Embra looks at the wounded guards. "You! Dying guards! Stop being so lazy and help us push this wagon!" Blythe sighs softly. "One, two, three!" ==== Strength Check Roll: 1d20+1 (Blythe) Result: 5 Aid Another Roll: 1d20+1 (Embra) Result: 2 ==== They fail to move the wagon at all. ===DMRoy=== While trying to use all of her strength to try and help lift the wagon, Embra falls face first into a small cask, smashing it and splattering its liquid contents everywhere. The merchant looks horrified. "No! My Tindharian Ale!" She gasps. "Th... that cask alone cost me 100... 100 gold coins!" ===Players=== Blythe looks up at her. "Oh, gee. How tragic. If only someone else had been helping. It's too bad you're unable to move your arms. At least Embra's attempting to help. I think." ==== Fortitude Check Roll: 1d20 Result: 3 Roll: 1d3 Result: 3 Roll: 1d3 Result: 3 ==== ===DMRoy=== Embra temporarily loses 3 wis and 3 dex after accidentally taking a swig of Tindharian Ale, a drink that she might well be familiar with as she is from Tindharia. "I... I'm not good at physical work, I'd only get in the way," The merchant said with a grimace. Embra giggles, "This izt some good schtuff.", she says from her position on the ground. "Well help or don't, but if someone is doing your work for you for free, maybe don't just stand there and complain." ===Players=== Blythe walks over to the merchant and looks at her, finishing very softly "Maybe even if they don't happen to be the same race as you." Embra burps and picks herself up out of the mud, swinging one arm around exaggeratedly, "I'm gon' give it 'nother try." ===DMRoy=== The woman grits her teeth. "How dare you! Do you really think I'm so shallow a person that I..." She looked away as she continued speaking, "I don't have gold, I can't just pay you off. I'm not so indecent a person that I could just accept your help without rewarding you. I was planning to give you all credit in my store, but I don't have so many goods that I can afford to keep my shop running if I give you everything." She sighs. On seeing Embra's renewed efforts, she bites her lip. "I was just thinking maybe I shouldn't give her credit since she broke the cask, that's all. But she's still trying," she said, before turning to glare at Blythe. "Unlike some self-righteous, patronizing jerks." Tae sighed and walked over to assist Embra, not caring to listen to the spiel. ===Players=== "Better than not trying at all." Blythe sneers and turns their back on the merchant, walking over to resume helping with the wagon. ===DMRoy=== The woman grits her teeth again and follows after. ==== Strength Check Roll: 1d20+1 (Embra) Result: 18 Aid Another Roll: 1d20+1 (Blythe) Result: 17 Aid Another Roll: 1d20+1 (Tae) Result: 17 Aid Another Roll: 1d20 (Merchant) Result: 15 End Result: 18+6=24 ==== With one great push, they all manage to right the fallen wagon. The woman sighs in great relief and leans on the upright wagon, recovering her strength. ===Players=== Blythe steps back, panting, and rests their hands on their knees. "Yaaay!" Embra cheers, bobbing up and down happily and clapping her hands. She wraps her arms awkwardly around Tae, "Elf power!" Tae looks down at the other elf and frowns. "You're sticky and wet and reek of alcohol. Please stop touching me." ===DMRoy=== The merchant sighs and looks over at Blythe. "Sir... I appologize for my reaction. I just saw the cask getting broken and that was what came out of me. I didn't mean nothin pointed about it." ===Players=== Blythe nods and shrugs noncommittally, then turns to the others. "Like I said, though, we need to be cautious as we proceed. I doubt this is the last of the goblins." ===DMRoy=== "If we can get the wounded warriors into the wagon, we can move on," She said. "I'd like to get into town tonight. It'd be bad luck to be out here at night if goblins are running about," She said. ===Players=== "Replax, we've gots a gozzingblin on our sides," Embra said, pointing lazily at nothing as she wobbled back and forth, "And plus I've got mah swords!", she said triumphantly pulling out her Rapier and holding it out. ==== Dexterity Check Roll: 1d20 Result: 2 ==== Embra tripped. ===DM=== Despite her drunken antics the group works together to get all the goods back in order and the dead or wounded human warriors into the wagon. The horses are able to pull the wagon despite having lost some of their friends, but it is slow going. "When we get into town, I'll help you find the village's leaders, and we can get to the bottom of this whole goblin situation," The merchant said. As they walk, however, suddenly a wild-looking goblin breaks from the dense woods and charges at them. She holds a spear in one hand while the other burns with bright flame, a vicious looking wolf by her side! ==== Initiative, Round 1 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 23 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 20 Roll: 1d20+1 (Nefele) Result: 8 Roll: 1d20+2 (Embra) Result: 4 ==== Tae moves to get a better view of their attacker while readying her crossbow. Blythe takes a step forward and shoots a couple arrows at the crazy goblin. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 21 Damage Roll: 1d8+1 Result: 4 Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 10 ==== The goblin is hit by the first arrow and grunts in pain, but the second one misses entirely. The wolf charges at Blythe with a fierce scowl! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 6 ==== It attempts to bite the human but misses! It was so caught up in the charge that it left itself open to attack! Blythe doesn't have their sword ready, but attempts to take advantage of the opening with a swift kick. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-3 Result: 6 ==== Blythe misses the wolf. The goblin runs at Blythe and attacks with the burning flame hand! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 19 Damage Roll: 1d6+1 Result: 6 ==== The goblin lands their flaming blow on Blythe with a furious yell! Blythe yelps in pain. Nefele peers around the side of the wagon and whistles sharply to draw the wolf's attention to her. She gives an unusally sinister grin before drawing the frizzy locks obscuring her face to the side. Her wide, inhuman eyes glare out piercingly, a firey-hot amber, and her slitted pupils dilate. ==== Will Save: 1d20+1 Result: 19 ==== The wolf is surprised and confused by her actions, and feels slightly weakened by her hex. Embra draws her sword, takes a step forward and swings at the Goblin. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+1 Result: 4 ==== Embra's drunken swing misses horribly. ==== Initiative, Round 2 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 13 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 22 Roll: 1d20+1 (Nefele) Result: 7 Roll: 1d20+2 (Embra) Result: 21 ==== Blythe takes a step back and shoots the goblin again. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 13 Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 7 ==== Unfortunately Blythe misses both times. Embra giggles, "Nice aim halfie!" Embra swings drunkenly at the Goblin again. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+1 Result: 15 Damage Roll: 1d6+1 Result: 7 ==== Amazingly, Embra's swing hits the goblin, who was likely distracted by her erratic movements. The goblin cries out in pain as her blood is spilled all over the grass, but remains standing. The wolf savagely attempts to bite Embra! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+1 Result: 12 ==== It misses, however, and takes a single step to her side. The goblin attacks Embra with its mighty spear! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 14 ==== But misses, and takes a step to Embra's side. Tae loads her crossbow, then narrows her eyes as she takes aim at the wolf. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 2-1 ==== She curses as the bolt flies far off into the trees. Nef grits her teeth and thusts out her crook with both hands before spinning it effortlessly like a baton. She draws it back and shoves it forward with a cry, pointing the curve of it at the goblin and willing ill fortune upon her. ==== Will Save: 1d20+4 Result: 24 ==== The goblin doesn't notice your actions. ==== Initiative, Round 3 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 24 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 14 Roll: 1d20+1 (Nefele) Result: 7 Roll: 1d20+2 (Embra) Result: 7 ==== Tae loads another bolt into the crossbow and fires at the wolf yet again. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 8 ==== She seethes as she misses once more. Meanwhile, the goblin attacks Embra with her spear again, using her pet wolf as support! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 12 ==== And still somehow misses! "Halfie, kill that wolfie for me, pleeeeaaase" Embra says, fluttering her eyelashes drunkenly and slurring her words. Blythe doesn’t quite understand what she says, but does their best to oblige. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 17 Damage Roll: 1d8+1 Result: 8 Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 7 ==== The first arrow hits the goblin dead on. She cries out in pain as she falls down to the ground. The goblin weakly reaches towards the wolf, but then falls motionless. The other arrow flies off somewhere. "I said the wolf! Dang it Halfie! Wolfie not, whatever." The wolf is angered by its master's falling, and tries to bite Embra once more! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 7 ==== Its sloppy attack misses, but it doesn't do much else. Embra swings at the wolf. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+1 Result: 2 Damage Roll: 1d6+1 Result: 3 ==== With her drunken swing, she accidentally stabs herself. The wolf looks confused by her action. Tae sighs and groans. "What are you doing!?" The merchant cries out. "I think I'm... hurt." "Dang it Embra! Wolfie not, whatever." Blythe chips in. Embra looks back at the wolf, then tries to run away. The wolf attacks as she tries to run! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 21 Damage Roll: 1d6+1 Result: 2 ==== It bites her and she falls to the ground with a loud slump, drunk and incapacitated thanks to her buffoonery. Tae facepalms and shakes her head. "There is no way we are of the same race..." She mutters. Frustrated at her failing magic, Nefele snarls, and whips her arm out to point at the wolf. "Kill it!" she screams to Blythe, and turns her attention to the fallen rogue. Despite the distance, she draws her hands out curtly, and bleats in an attempt to stabilize her. ==== Initiative, Round 3 Roll: 1d20+5 (Tae) Result: 18 Roll: 1d20+4 (Blythe) Result: 14 Roll: 1d20+1 (Nefele) Result: 6 ==== 'Why couldn't you let her bleed out,' Tae thinks with a sigh as she loads her crossbow. "Oh well. At least I don't have to worry about shooting her anymore." ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 3 ==== Tae watches with annoyance as her bow misses yet again. "This weapon must be defective," She growls. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 25 Confirm Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 8 Damage Roll: 1d8+1 Result: 9 Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 16 Damage Roll: 1d8+1 Result: 8 ==== Both arrows hit the wolf dead on. Though it hadn't even bit hit once yet, it yelps in pain and immediately falls over. The animal weakly crawls over towards its master, around the injured Embra, and whines once before licking the goblin's head and finally falling completely motionless. (The battle is over. Everyone gets 75 EXP) Tae's eyebrow twitches in annoyance. 'Ah, well. We won.' She puts away her crossbow. "Nicely done." She says as she approaches the fallen animal and master. Blythe runs over to Embra to check on her status. ===DMRoy=== Embra is under a bleeding wolf. ===Integrated=== Blythe roughly shoves the wolf aside and checks Embra's wounds. Nefele, still shaking, steps over to Blythe's side and adjusts her hair. Tae walks over to check the goblin over. "It's still alive. If we resuscitate it, we may be able to interrogate it." Nef looks up to Tae but does not budge, instead turning her attention to the wolf at her feet. She raises her staff above her head stoically, letting it linger in the air before bringing it down. ==== Coup de Grace: 2d6 Result: 6 ==== The wolf is killed by her savage attack. Tae looks back at her approvingly. "Good job," She says. The merchant on the other hand winces and looks away just before impact. "Was... was that really neccesary..." She murmurs. Blythe notices that Embra isn't bleeding and also looks up at Nef in approval. "Nice magic there!" Nefele stares blankly before stirring from her reverie, and turning with a smile to Blythe. She squats down on her hind legs at pats the elf's head, crooning gently. Tae searches the heavily wounded goblin's body. She finds a rolled up scroll and two wands. She frowns when she notices that the goblin is no longer breathing. She continues to search the now-corpse. "I don't think we'll be able to interrogate this one," Blythe drags the wolf off to the side of the road, then returns for the goblin, waiting patiently until Tae is finished in her search. Tae finds 10 pp and 10 gp, which she surreptitiously pockets. ==== Sleight of hand: 1d20 Result: 1 ==== Unfortunately she spills them all over the place. "Oh, my wallet spilled." ==== Bluff: 1d20+7 Result: 16 ==== "Were you going to pay her for services rendered?" Blythe asked. ==== Sense Motive: 1d20 Result: 17 ==== "No, it just happened to be looser than I had intended..." She says as she tries to scrounge up the money. Blythe scowls. "Then why is it still fastened onto your belt? Just split the money and stop making yourself look bad." Tae glances down at her belt. She pockets what she has. "No one else took the initiative." The merchant sighs and shakes her head at the rather transparent lie. "You were exactly no help in the fight! I don't care that you tried to keep it, but I do care that you attempted to deceive the people you're supposed to be fighting alongside! I, for one, have no interest in having you behind me while I'm fighting if you're willing to step over a fallen comerade and lie to me, all for a little cash. As far as I'm concerned, you can keep the money, but if I see you again I'll treat you as an enemy because obviously I can't treat you as a friend." Tae winced. "I see. Understood." Blythe strings an arrow. "You have thirty seconds." Tae raises an eyebrow. "I assumed you meant you wouldn't grant me assistance." "I am in a hostile environment and cannot turn my back on you. If you insist on hanging around, I'll have to treat you as a spy or enemy. Twenty." Tae crosses her arms. "I admit, I made a mistake.” She began, ‘In being so clumsy with the coins, that is…’ She continued with, “However, this is neither the time nor place to fight amongst ourselves. Twice have goblins ambushed people on a road once thought to be safe." She grabs her crossbow - taking extra care not to aim it at Blythe - and holds it out towards them. "If you truly believe me to be a threat, then hold this for me while we move. But for now, our priority is getting to a safe place." Nefele touches Blythe's arm gently, trying to draw their attention away from her. Blythe turns their head slightly and raises an eyebrow, keeping an eye on Tae. "Do you not think you have wasted enough arrows, Blythe? You will cease this, yes?" Blythe squints slightly. "You may be right." They put away the arrow. "But I won't fight alongside this person again." Nefele bleats quietly and claps her hands together. "I did the thing." Tae raises an eyebrow. Blythe shakes their head slightly and doesn't take the crossbow. "If we're to remain together due to ambushes, I can't deprive you of your weapon. But you'll give everything you pick up - and everything you have picked up - in the care of another to be distributed once we return to the tavern where we started, and I will take up the rear from now on." They turn their head to the level-headed sheep-girl. "Nefele, would you be willing to hold the spoils until they can be properly divided?" Nefele gives her sunniest grin, splaying her hoof-fingers, and cocks her head to the side. "I get to hold the things!" Tae makes no reaction at his conditions, and instead replaces her bow, then empties her wallet of the 10 PP and 10 GP that she found, which she gives to the sheep girl. She also gives her the two wands and the scroll. Nef stumbles and drops some of the coins. "That is too many things at once!" She stoops to retrieve them and burrows her hands into her shawl to pocket them all. Tae steps away, uncertain of if she should try to help or not given their newfound mistrust. Blythe nods slightly at Tae once she hands over the things. "Thank you." They then kneel and retrieve their arrows from the goblin. 'That was clumsy of me,' She thinks, watching the redhead. 'I had taken them all for fools because of that elven woman... but that one is no fool.' She walks over to the downed Embra and carefully picks her up, then places her in the wagon. She looks up at the merchant. "So how long until we reach town?" The merchant considers it. "If we keep going at the pace we had before, we should reach town by nightfall," She says. "Nefele, can you heal Embra?" Blythe asks. Nefele shakes her head. "I can stand guard if you'd like." "No, we should keep moving. Let's try to get to town before dark. I do hope the others catch up..." They look back along the road. Tae also looks back, having been thinking the same. 'There's no way we could complete this mission with that elven woman as our front line,' She thinks. "If that's everything, we should get moving." "Indeed." Blythe takes up the rear, arrow at the ready. Tae looks over at Blythe with a newfound respect, but takes point, walking with her crossbow out and ready to attack, and glancing back over her shoulder every once in a while. Blythe winces at they begin walking and their adrenaline wears off, allowing them to become acutely aware that their arm is blistered and raw. Nefele reaches into her many layers to retrieve a small carrier bag, from which she draws a lantern and a flint and steel. She strikes the lantern to life and hangs it from the hook of her cane, which she then tucks into her elbow, to where it hangs over her shoulder. She assumes her place a bit behind Tae, and then retrieves a pair of knitting needles, pulling one of her many curls out and twisting it into a strand which she hooks around the head, and begins to knit quietly. And so the group, continues on like this until nightfall. Elsewhere, when Eglath doubled back to find their missing companion, he was quickly rewarded with the sight of the half-orc walking along the road, none the worse for the wear. As they had only parted long enough for the 20 second battle and some talking to take place, it hadn't been very long since they'd seen each other. However, even as the two caught sight of one another, there was a sudden rustling from the bushes! A large bugbear ran out into the road, anticipation written clear on his face. He pointed at Eglath. "You! You have the bearing of a true warrior! We must do battle at once!" Immediately two smaller goblins ran out after him. "You fool!" One of them cried. "This is not how ambushes work!" Eglath smiled broadly. Who would have guessed he would have met such a noble spirit among such wretched curs. "I accept your challenge, worthy adversary! Let us join in battle and let the Gods choose the victor!" (Eglath uses Knight's Challenge: Fighter's Challenge - Gain +1 Will save, +1 attack and +1 dam vs challenged enemy for 7 rounds) ==== Initiative, Round 1 Roll: 1d20+3 (Eglath) Result: 21 Roll: 1d20-6 (Herp) Result: 7-6 ==== Eglath roars in challenge and breaks out in to a full charge, swinging his weapon mightily as he closes the distance. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+8 Result: 22 Damage Roll: 2d8+5 Result: 16 ==== The bugbear tried to block the attack with his shield, but failed and cried out in surprise on taking Eglath's powerful strike. However, he remained standing, if just barely. Eglath let out a cheer. "Stand fast, my foe! I would not this fight be over so quickly." The goblin nearest them growled and moved to throw his javelin at Eglath. "What?! Do not interfere in my battle, whelp!" The bugbear cried out, to no avail. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20-1 Result: 9 ==== But he misses. The bugbear snorts. "I guess it don't matter if gnats help out or not," He grunts as he swings his mace at Eglath. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+7 Result: 13 Damage Roll: 1d8+4 Result: 6 ==== The bugbear smirks as he lands his attack on the other warrior. "I'll be the one to fell you!" Meanwhile, the other goblin moves to throw his javelin at Herp! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 7 ==== Unfortunately (for the goblin) he misses entirely. Herp looked surprised when the javelin landed somewhat closeby. He was being generous of course, that goblin threw that way off course, if Herp was the target. And since there was no one else in this direction, he probably had to be. And he was too busy admiring the bushes. Damn. "Only the foulest of the foul would attack while the other wasn't looking. That was dishonorable, and you will be punished." Herp stated, before charging the creature with his drawn greatsword. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 3 ==== Not only does Herp's reckless charge miss as the goblin side-steps, but the small creature manages to trip him as he runs by! Herp falls prone! ==== Initiative, Round 2 Roll: 1d20+3 (Eglath) Result: 15 Roll: 1d20-4 (Herp) Result: 10 ==== The bugbear snarls as he attacks Eglath once more with a furious swing of his mace! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+7 Result: 10 ==== But he misses the taller warrior! The Goliath steps to the side, avoiding the heavy swing. With a grin, he rubbed his shoulder above his shield, his arm being too unbalanced from his charge to catch the wild attack in time. "You have spirt, and honor, my noble adversary. I bear you no ill will." ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+6 Result: 15 ==== The bugbear snorts as he catches Eglath’s attack on his light wooden shield. "I care not for honor. I seek only the heat of battle! These swine would have me attack from behind. There is no challenge, no sport in such foolishness!" Meanwhile, Herp frowned, pushing himself up. "I see, so you like to fight dirty. Not that it matters to me." With that, he stood up. The goblin growled as it attacked with a mace while he was standing up. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 23 Confirm Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 6 Damage Roll: 1d6 Result: 2 ==== Herp is hit by the small creature's attack. The Cleric of Kord flinches a bit at the mace hits him, before striking back with his weapon. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 14 ==== The small goblin dodges Herp's swing. It then attacks with its mace once more. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 4 ==== The goblin's swing fails so spectacularly that he leaves himself open to attack! Seeing the opening, Herp tries his luck again. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 2 ==== However, he misses. The other goblin glares at the bugbear, and decides to help his friend instead, throwing a javelin at Herp before retrieving his mace. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 22 Damage Roll: 1d4 Result: 3 ==== The small javelin stabs Herp from behind! ==== Initiative, Round 3 Roll: 1d20+3 (Eglath) Result: 2 Roll: 1d20-4 (Herp) Result: 5 ==== Eglath attacks the bugbear. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+6 Result: 26 Confirm Roll: 1d20+6 Result: 7 Damage Roll: 3d8+5 Result: 10 ==== The bugbear cried out as Eglath's powerful attack cut into his large frame! "I'd rather die... in battle... than as a coward..." The bugbear groaned as he fell off his feet, bleeding from his massive wound. Eglath frowned at the downed Bugbear. "Battle simply for battles sake is little more than mindless slaughter," he muttered silently. "Perhaps we were not so much alike after all." His peace said, he turned his attention to the next Goblin. "Who else will face me?" The goblin facing herp swung his mace once more, not quite noticing the results of the other battle. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 23 Confirm Roll: 1d20+3 Result: 17 Damage Roll: 2d6 Result: 2 ==== Herp was now rather angry. This goblin had dodged every one of his attacks, and then had the gall to hit him in the face. He would destroy this goblin even if it killed him. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 12 ==== But he missed again. The other goblin turns his attention back to the bugbear and Eglath. "See! Fool! This is what your idiocy gets you!" The creature growled. It began running towards Herp, and swung its mace. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+7 Result: 12 ==== But it misses. ==== Initiative, Round 4 Roll: 1d20+3 (Eglath) Result: 5 Roll: 1d20-4 (Herp) Result: 9 ==== The goblin that has been antagonizing Herp the entire time swings his mace once more! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 10 ==== But misses! The other goblin also attacks! ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 23 Damage Roll: 1d6 Result: 4 ==== And lands a staggering blow on the cleric of Kord! And Herp continues to do what he does best, continues fighting. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 21 Confirm Roll: 1d20+2 Result: 5 Damage Roll: 2d6+3 Result: 8 ==== The goblin screams out in pain as Herp's great weapon cleaves a deep wound! It falls down, unconscious. Notably slowed, having to step over his felled, bleeding opponent, Eglath surges across the field to aid his friend. ==== Attack Roll: 1d20+5 Result: 7 ==== ==== Initiative, Round 5 Roll: 1d20+3 (Eglath) Result: 15 Roll: 1d20-4 (Herp) Result: 5 ==== The goblin loses quite a lot of his bravery the moment his friend is defeated, and looks from foe to foe, his legs shaking. Seeing an enemy on either side (either one with a massive sword), he knows escape is impossible and does the only thing he can think to. He immediately drops his weapon and bows down to Eglath. "I surrender! I surrender! Please don't kill me!" Herp scoffs, ignoring his bleeding face. "What a coward. Attacking one man in a group, and then giving up when your partner falls." Eglath snarls before bringing his foot down on the haft of teh Goblins mace, shattering the weapon into ruin. "Your cowardice sickens me, but I'll not strike an unarmed man. However, I advise you go back to the mountains, for this I swear." Leaning forward, the Goliath loomed over the Goblin, bathing him in shadow. "If ever I see you with weapon in hand again, I shall crush the life from you with my bare hands, surrender or no." The goblin squeals and shudders at the threat, cringing away from Eglath. "Y-yes sir! Th-thank you sir! C, could you, f-find it in your heart to allow me to s-save my friend," He stutters. "Or at least take his body h-home..." At that, Eglath nodded, somewhat surprised at the gesture. "Very well. Save them if you can, but leave all of your weapons. My oath holds, even now." The goblin nodded and kicked away his weapons then crawled over to the bleeding goblin, whose weapon he also kicked away as hard as he could. (The battle is over. Herp and Eglath gain 150 Exp each!)

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