The town of Leestride did not usual have many adventurers. Life was peaceful, so there was no need for anyone to get rid of sorrow. And yet, the town saw many new arrivals as of late. There were two main groups of outsiders. There was the fortune teller and artisans dancing and celebrating in their wagons on the edge of town. Then, there was the adventurers. Only five, not in a group. They each had a different reason. Some had no where better, some investigating the other new arrivals. All of them, at one point it another, saw the nearly empty quest board, and its singular quest.

The request said to meet any other adventurers at dusk 60 ft North of the location. You had all arrived as planned. A castle infested with goblins lies ahead of you. Introduce yourself. 

For Amelia: 

As dusk settled over the land, Kessintra approached the gathering point, her presence unmistakable yet subdued. Standing at 5'7", her lean, wiry build spoke of agility and strength, honed from years of survival and battle. Her charcoal gray skin, typical of her Drow heritage, blended with the encroaching shadows, while her mid-length white hair seemed to catch the faint light where its strands peeked out from her hood, framing a face marked by experiences darker than most could imagine.

Her vivid purple eyes, though haunted, were not overly cold or distant. There was a subtle warmth behind the darkness, a comforting presence that calmed her restless spirit.

Her gear was simple yet deadly. She wore black and grey armor, fitted snugly to her form, designed for both stealth and protection. Strapped to her back was a shortbow, its design as practical as it was efficient, with a quiver of arrows hanging close by. At her hip rested a shortsword, its hilt well-worn but effective, accompanied by two daggers, sheathed and ready for swift, silent strikes.

Though the tools of her trade spoke of violence, it was the weathered lyre cradled in her hands that drew attention. The lyre’s old, cracked wood was etched with intricate carvings, barely visible after years of wear. Despite its age, the instrument hummed with a faint, ethereal presence to anyone attuned to such things.

As she joined the other adventurers gathered to deal with the goblin infestation at the castle ahead, Kessintra stood calmly, her eyes sweeping over everyone briefly before settling on the task at hand. Her voice, soft but determined, broke the silence. “Kessintra," she introduced simply with a nod, "I’m ready whenever you are.” Her fingers strummed a few delicate notes, seemingly of their own accord, before she gently, almost reluctantly, returned the instrument to her pack.

Garrick was just passing through this town when he saw the singular quest on the board. It was a mere coincidence that he ended up here. On his journey he ended up getting lost in some nearby wilderness and was running low on rations when he saw the sign detailing the distance to this town. It was just a supply run before continuing on his way. That all changed once he saw the quest board. Garrick couldn't pass by such a threat to these good people when he knew he could help, so he tightened the straps to his backpack and began to make his way to the rendezvous point. While walking he felt a cool nudge to his chin, looking down he smiled, Striker was hanging around him like a necklace but his face was looking into Garrick's own. No words were spoken, but Garrick could feel the support coming from his mechanical construct.

Arriving at the point specified on the quest board, Garrick notices the others. "Good" he thinks to himself, 4 companions to overcome these goblins with him. It had been a while since he traveled with others and was looking forward to the company. I am Garrick, and this is Striker he says to the others indicating himself and his steel defender, I am glad to meet all of you, these goblins sound to be a nasty business for these townfolk, I'm glad you also volunteered to eradicate them. Solely by Garrick's appearance it'd be hard to determine if he belonged more in a mechanic shop or at the fore of a battle. Average build (slightly on the weaker side), but decked in chainmail and holding a shield in one hand and a hand crossbow that hummed with magic in the other. There was also a rope hanging at his waist in a loop that emanated magic as well, but otherwise looked like ordinary (albeit expensive) silk rope.

OOC: Did the quest board describe the reward or how to show proof of completion?

It didn't request proof of completion, but it promised 50 gp total and a dinner with the duchess of Leestride.

A tall man, wearing blackened chainmail armor, a dark gray priestly robe over that that shows much wear and tare. Sword harness strapped across his chest keeping a longsword in place on his back, the leather hilt wrappings loose and tangling in the breeze. Road worn backpack, a guards standard issue crossbow and a dark gray shield bearing a black crow, it's wings open, talons stretched forth and beak open in a silent cahkaw, it's eyes set with two small amber stones that seem to follow you as you move. His military cut white hair and strong build seem to make his sharp tipped elven ears look out of place, obviously not a pure blood.

He stands, lost in thought as the soft strumming of the lyre drum up memories of a youth long forgotten. High elven court, merriment and simpler, easier times. The soft voice breaking the silence calls him back to the here and now. Kessintra, pretty name. Scout or poet he wonders to himself, both maybe? Zantorin, or just Zan if you like, cleric in service of Kelemvor. My high priest has "suggested" that I assist in cleansing this place of goblins. It'll look good for the church or some such thing.

“Drow!”
The word cuts through the air like a blade, aimed at Kessintra’s back.
If the dark elf was to turn, she would see a tall, slender elven maiden standing behind her, hand resting on the hilt of her longsword. In stark contrast to Kessintra's presence, the girl's hair glows pale gold, and her silver armor gleams in the fading light of dusk, catching the last rays as if it were pure gold.
“Servant of Lolth!
The maiden calls,
“Why have you crawled from the Underdark? What evil do you plot in these lands?”
She locks her gaze on Kessintra, then a faint smile touches her lips.
“I would have said that,” she continues, “if I hadn't seen you in my vision. I am Amelia Moonshine, Gold Daughter of High Forest, servant of Lord Corellon. It seems incredible, but my lord has chosen me to be your... companion on this journey.”

Kessintra couldn't help but look at Garrick's construct with a slight smile at its cuteness, curious about its design. She had seen many things in her travels, but not a creation quite like this. Garrick's concern about the townspeople seemed genuine and resonated with her.

The symbol on Zan's shield caught her eye, the crow's amber eyes entrancing for a moment. A cleric of Kelemvor. She had never been one for religion—other than the fearful devotion required to survive in Lolth's domain during her time in the Underdark, but...she knew the kind of burden that came with a life dedicated to death.

Then, the sharp voice cut through the air. Kessintra’s shoulders tensed reflexively, her instincts honed over years of prejudice and isolation. Slowly, she turned to face the speaker. The sight of Amelia in the fading light of day was unpleasantly bright to one who still struggled with sunlight sensitivity, setting her further on edge. One of those again, she thought, giving a mental sigh. Surface elves often saw her race first and her actions second, if they ever got to the latter at all. Not that they were entirely wrong to judge her...she'd been as dark as they expected, once.

Then the girl smiled, and her next words surprised Kessintra. A servant of Corellon...had seen her in a vision? That was...unexpected. After a moment, she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

"You’re not wrong to be cautious," Kessintra said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of past accusations. "I've seen my share of darkness...been that darkness. But I follow a different path now."

She met Amelia's gaze, her tone softening. "If your god has put us on the same path...Very well. My quarrel is with the evil we face here, not the light...Though it does sting the eyes a bit."

The edge in Kessintra’s posture eased slightly, though the ever-present shadows around her didn’t vanish. She wasn’t sure if Amelia's supposed vision was a blessing or a curse, but for now, she would accept her as a companion.

Amelia touches her amulet as she listens to Kessintra. The symbol remains passive. Earlier, when she had harbored hostility toward the dark elf, Amelia had felt resistance from the amulet. It wasn’t a trick—Lord Corellon truly wanted her to cooperate with a drow. Slowly, she lifts her hand from the hilt of her sword.
“I hope your words are true,” she says. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you. But for now, let’s talk about our common enemies—the Goblins.”

Zan turns to take in the newcomer, then speaking in the tongue of his youth, Elvish, greetings to you daughter of the high forest, may you soul glide across the moon and stars with the Elffather.

looking around at the others gathered with him, it would appear we are four, did your vision happen to include all our number?

From a nearby tree a hadozee hops down. Though dressed in practical clothes rather than flowing robes and a wide-brimmed hat, the owl and his shoulder component pouch at his side gives enough evidence to see he's a wizard. "Looks like we're all here to see about those goblins in the castle?" he says. Introducing himself he adds, "Call me Chipper."

He notes Kessintra the drow. Though his experiences with the dark elves weren't the most pleasant, you could at least expect them to act in their interests. And if the tools of her trade were any indicator, perhaps they might be kindred spirits.

"Two clerics in our midst." he remarks with a smile, "And what is that?" he takes a gander at Garrick's snake construct around his neck. "Nice piece of mechanical work you've got there. Did you make that yourself?"

With Amelia's words he gets down to business, "Yes, goblins. Nasty beasties." he lifts up his shirt a tad to show part of a scar from a goblin scimitar, "Have we heard any rumors of how many infest the place?"

You all recall that the quest didn't mention how many goblins, but the castle itself can give an estimate. What used to be a several story wonder has been destroyed. Only the first floor remains, and only barely. Its walls have crumbled holes and the roof still supports the stone that used to be the rest of the castle. Arrow slits cover the exterior walls.

Ah, a wizard, by the looks of it. Good to have on their side. She has never run into a Hadozee before, but life on the surface has opened her mind to the point that she isn't overly surprised anymore to meet new kinds of folk. She shakes her head at Chipper's question, not recalling hearing anything specific about the infestation during her short time in town. She had only wandered in a day or so ago, not to mention she only left her room at the inn at night and people tended to quiet down fast when they saw her. There were the spirits, of course, but they tended to only show her their pain rather than practical details.

"The quest didn't give much information. Hopefully they haven't been here long enough to trap the place too extensively or it might take a while for me to disarm everything...Hm, it looks almost like we could collapse the place on them if we wanted. Almost." Her tone speaking of the goblins retains the cold detachment with once she viewed all her targets. They'll get no mercy from her.

Zan nods to Chipper, and just now notices the snake construct about Garrick's neck, interesting.  Goblins, right. By the looks of it they could have a handful of archers stationed at those arrow slits. We can take the direct approach and find out for ourselves unless someone had a pet or familiar that might be able to slither a head, up the wall and into one of those slits and let us know for sure?

"In a castle as broken down as that, how much trapping would they need to do and how much would already be done for them by the decay?" muses Chipper in response to Kessintra's statement. As Zan speak he gestures to the owl on his shoulder, "Perhaps Skipper here could be of assistance."

"True. The first floor wouldn't need much, especially if they keep archers posted...But I wonder if there are lower levels we'll need to clear as well."

OOC - sorry guys, forgot to subscribe to the forum so didn’t get any notifications.

Garrick looks at Chipper, Yes! I made this beasty many years ago, he has served me well and is completely loyal. I know many people believe constructs are heartless, soulless things only doing their masters bidding, but I believe that when you’ve connected to a living construct long enough, a kindred soul finds its way to the machine and inhabits it. He knows me, and I know him.

But to the matter at hand, Striker is not suited for scouting. Unfortunately his intelligence is far too low (4) to do anything other than simple actions. He is an excellent guard though and battle companion though. Perhaps we let the owl do the scouting this time around.

[[ Technically if intelligence is a concern, an owl only has an intelligence of 2. ;-) ]]

"Sounds like a plan then." replies Chipper to Garrick as. "Be stealthy and vigilant, Skipper." he says to the owl. Looking at Amelia and Zan he asks, "I know we've only just met, but would it be alright to ask a blessing for him?"

Owl Rolls

OOC - you can communicate with a familiar telepathically within 100ft. No communication with a steel defender. Also you can choose to see through its eyes.

find familiar

"A kindred soul inhabiting a machine...It is a nice thought. I wonder if they can find peace this way," Kessintra murmurs mostly to herself, considering. She is glad they will not risk Striker going in alone. Skipper will be safer in the air.

Zan grasp the amulet worn around his neck and begins, look not upon our sins o'Master of Scales, but measure the worth of your most grateful dead. A Man Dew green light falls on Kessintra, Garrick and little Skipper as he cast [Tooltip Not Found] on them.

((OOC you did mean on the owl right? If not then I would cast it on Chipper and not Skipper.))