"We should not release them immediately though. We need to arm them and release them as we strike against the leaders. You should help me to find a time when the wizards will be vulnerable. It would be less than helpful to run into them when they are protected."
"If your words prove true and your intentions are good you have nothing to fear from us" says Thurston slowly realising that this has more and more implications that a goblin raid.
"Crazy wizards..." he mutters when Seid talks about what he is going to do.
"We should probably make this our base. There seems little sense in risking a large group of armoured warriors crossing the street again until we have a firm plan."
Jex takes a look from the upstairs window.
"Seid, are you expected back with your companions? It seems somebody is anxiously waiting for something upstairs there. Were you expected to report something by now?"
Seid nods and snaps his fingers, there’s a slight puff of green/gold smoke as a raven appears mid-flap upon Seid’s shoulder. The bird awkwardly settles itself with an irritated caw. “Yes, I know.“
”Arming the citizens seems like a very good idea. Capturing the armory would be a beneficial boom to our cause.”
"Well the armory is only on the other side of the Temple. That big tent will have lots of patrols around though. It'll make it difficult to get there. Seid is our best chance though. We can't let these monsters kill all these innocents." Hurrig paces a bit looking around the room.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
What Hurrig once would have recognised as the fine interior of Quenlan's common room, is now dilapidated and strewn with debris. Plush chairs have been overturned and used as makeshift barricades, shards of glass from smashed windows litter the floor, and the wooden panelling on the walls is marred with gashes from weapons. Before he left, the defence was still being coordinated from the town hall, but it seems that a stand was made here before the end.
"I can get around the patrols." Jex puts in. "Getting the weapons out will be my challenge. Dragging enough for an army quietly around the town is not an easy task."
Dorno thinks really hard and then says to Jex "sneaky man is very...ah, sneaky, but Dorno is too." "Dorno can carry much more than sneaky man...and still be sneaky!"
He could try Pass without Trace with the carrying capacity below, OR fill his carrying capacity up to max with weapons and then shapeshift into a mouse, all items he is carrying shapeshifting with him (or both).
Jex weighs the suggestion a moment before nodding.
"Excellent idea Dorno. You and I can go. Together. You may need me to get you past any security around the weapons. Can any of you describe what we are looking for?"
Bründir slinks downstairs, avoiding any windows as he can. During the conversations, ge hadn't cared much for the new wizard when the lack of threat was apparent. Instead, he set to wxploring and looting since the place had always been too upscale and snooty for his liking. The conversation about raiding the barracks caught his attention. He immediately put down the several tailored shirts, crystal drinking glasses, and bottle of wine he had "found layin' about".
"Oi, got a thought: I know we wan'a keep quiet an' sneaky, so 'ow bout makin' the barracks likewise? Gimme a minute." Bründir rushes up the stairs, half-climbing to stay low and quiet. A few minutes later, he drags some curtains downstairs, "Used to do this lootin' kitchens, an' when th' foreman was stingy with tools. Got two hands, but wrap a half-dozen odds an' ends, then ye can grab a helluva lot more." Bründir rushes back upstairs without waiting for response, "Also helps if he need t'cut an' run."
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Vark keeps his distance from the hobgoblin patrol and follows the regular rhythm of their marching boots up a steeply sloped tunnel and around several corners. Several times along the way he stumbles across other groups of fallen kobolds, as well as hobgoblin casualties. Eventually he emerges into a low-ceilinged, but broad cavern. The background murmur of the harsh goblin language echoes about the chamber and far to the left the distant glimmer of daylight falls upon the stones. A sizeable unit of hobgoblins appear to be holding position here.
Seid shakes his head in response to Jex's question about being required somewhere at the moment. "No, I am supposed to be studying methods of breaking through adamantine for the Maginobi," he glances over at Thurston and stressing the correct pronunciation "and if this does not move quickly enough, I will be missed there. So I suggest we start moving with haste."
Val listens quietly as the plan begins to progress, seeing where she could really help out as she glances down at her massive shoulders. She keeps waiting for the moment in which Jex and Dorno would ask her to come along... and waits... She frowns and speaks up. "I can also come along to help carry, with Dorno's magic spells I could be sneaky as well."
At that moment there is the sound of a throat being cleared from Seid. "I do not mean any disrespect, milady, but even with this Dorno's magic, you stick out quiet a bit. I can help you with that if you would allow me. I could a spell up you to make you go invisible for up to an hour. As long as you stay away from fighting, it will remain in effect for that hour." He nods his head as he look Valaith up and down. She returns his gaze with a disgusted sneer, misconstruing his measure looks. "Yes, I think that could work out quite well. You are definitely suited to carrying very heavy loads. Combine that with the wrappings yon dwarf located, this could work quite well."
Val strides over to where the wizard stood and looks down at him, with her arms folding over her chest. "I do not need your magics to be useful." She pounds a fist to her chest. "Rimehand does not trust you."
Seid sighs heavily. "I appreciate that, Rimehand; however, is it not said of your people that you value each individual's strengths and what they bring to your tribe? Allow those who are best at what they do to do it? Do not allow the meek to fight, that is the warrior's duty. Do not allow the warrior to cook, that is the cook's duty. Allow not the cook to weave the baskets. Everyone is good at something. I am good with magic. You are clearly a great warrior, judging from the exceptional weapons you carry and the scars you carry with pride." He gives a knowing look at her stomach and the way she seems to favor it. "I want to help your group. I do this for my own reasons, but they are altruistic."
Val leans down with a frown and pushes her scarred face close to the barrier protecting Seid. "I don't know what that means."
Seid sighs as he leans his head back. "I means I'm doing it for good. It doesn't matter right now. Will you trust me or no?"
Val looks back towards Jex and Dorno with an inquisitive look. Dorno smiles at Val and nods his agreement to this plan, smiling in his way that he did. Valaith smiles, his approval was all she needed to know. She turns back to Seid. "Okay, magic-man. I will allow you to make me a ghost, but if this is a trick I will turn your head into a ripe melon."
Seid glances at her hammer. "I have no doubts about that. There is no mischief here, I assure you."
Dorno, Jex and Valaith slowly make their way east towards the smelteries and smithies that line the western edge of Sheercleft ravine. They hurry from the Quenlan Arms and across the abandoned market place as quickly as they can, but between Jex's cloak and the magic of both Dorno and Seid's spells no trace is left of their passing.
Three processing areas sit behind the town hall, running along the edge of the ravine, each with its own complex rig of pulleys and ropes jutting out over the edge for lifting the ore up out of the mine. Enormous hoppers wait nearby to receive the deliveries, complete with a system of rails for easy transportation.
Each of the lifting mechanisms is manned by a bugbear guard.
Investigation checks to search for appropriately sized containers. Val's is made at advantage.
Vark creeps across the space, fighting back a grin at the sight of the approaching freedom. He'd made it! He still had to find his friends, but he had actually survived the treacherous ravine and tunnels. But clearly he has started celebrating too early, as the sharp goblin shouts and ring of readying blades interrupts his thoughts. Seeing the warriors already making to pursue him, Vark simply bolts ahead, running as fast as he can to the sunlit platform and screaming frantically the whole time "MATTHEW! MATTHEEEEW!"
Hearing the sound Jex sighs. The plan was obviously about to go out of the window. He gestures for Dorno and where he assumes Val is to wait quietly. Sneaking forwards he draws his shortsword once more. Keeping low, he keeps it behind his back as before, swinging it forwards at the last moment to thrust it up through the back of the bugbear. He kicks it free sending it hurtling over the edge; darting back over the barrels to take cover. He finches as there is a loud smash where the bugbear hits a wooden platform rather than the rock and dirt he had been imagining laid beneath the bugbear. He whispers across to where Val probably is and says, "You had better lift him up, even I can't stand in the open unseen."
As Vark emerges from the cave, running onto the wooden platform in search of safety, the hulking corpse of a bugbear comes plummeting out of the sky and collides with the floor right in front of him with an almighty crash. Boards splinter and break and the entire construction sways and shakes left to right. It seems that this isn't so much a walkway as it is a lift, with long ropes leading up and away towards the sky.
The sky! Finally Vark can see the clear blue of it far above him, but he still seems to be about three hundred feet down in the ravine. Below him, the darkness of this great gash between the mountains open up like the infinite depths of the abyss itself, and he suddenly becomes very aware of the fact that nothing more than a few old planks separate him and it. The platform creaks as the body of the bugbear sinks a little further into the hole it has smashed, one arm dangling through and its neck twisted unnaturally such that it stares sightlessly up at the sky.
A battlecry echoes from inside the tunnel and the sorcerer looks up to see close to fifty hobgoblins charging towards him. To his left and right are cranks on each side of the lift. He needs to get moving and fast. Vark feels the void inside him where Matthew resides open once more, and his hands extend of their own accord, weaving a new circular sequence of arcane sigils in the air across the entrance. A shimmering teal field of energy appears in front of him.
Meanwhile, at the top of the ravine, Val is searching the smeltery. She finds some old soot-covered crates that she and Dorno should each be able to lift. A significant number of weapons would fit inside.
Ducked behind an ore hopper, Jex glances past it to see what is going on across the ravine. Vark's shout and the crashing impact of the bugbear have definitely drawn the attention of the other guards, who are glancing down and about. However, they don't really seem to know what they are looking for so far.
Vark screams again as the hulking corpse rocks the wooden structure he is on. He'd probably drop low and cling on for safety as well if the will of Matthew didn't cut his panic short. Not quite sure what spell was just channeled through his body, he figures he can trust it and he begins to focus on getting up. He runs over to what look like cranks and tests it, trying to figure out which way goes up. Once he's got a handle on it, he begins cranking the platform up frantically.
As the cogs begin to move, Jex looks across and along the ravine and sees the bugbears taking an interest. He realises thus could end badly for Vark without intervention. Tugging on his mask he ensures it is firmly in place, before drawing his bow and trying to pick the opportune moment for a silent kill on the bugbear directly across the ravine where it must surely have the clearest view.
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Jex nods.
"We should not release them immediately though. We need to arm them and release them as we strike against the leaders. You should help me to find a time when the wizards will be vulnerable. It would be less than helpful to run into them when they are protected."
He gestures at the circle on the floor.
"If your words prove true and your intentions are good you have nothing to fear from us" says Thurston slowly realising that this has more and more implications that a goblin raid.
"Crazy wizards..." he mutters when Seid talks about what he is going to do.
PbP Character: A few ;)
"We should probably make this our base. There seems little sense in risking a large group of armoured warriors crossing the street again until we have a firm plan."
Jex takes a look from the upstairs window.
"Seid, are you expected back with your companions? It seems somebody is anxiously waiting for something upstairs there. Were you expected to report something by now?"
He eyes the man suspiciously.
Seid nods and snaps his fingers, there’s a slight puff of green/gold smoke as a raven appears mid-flap upon Seid’s shoulder. The bird awkwardly settles itself with an irritated caw. “Yes, I know.“
”Arming the citizens seems like a very good idea. Capturing the armory would be a beneficial boom to our cause.”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
"Well the armory is only on the other side of the Temple. That big tent will have lots of patrols around though. It'll make it difficult to get there. Seid is our best chance though. We can't let these monsters kill all these innocents." Hurrig paces a bit looking around the room.
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
What Hurrig once would have recognised as the fine interior of Quenlan's common room, is now dilapidated and strewn with debris. Plush chairs have been overturned and used as makeshift barricades, shards of glass from smashed windows litter the floor, and the wooden panelling on the walls is marred with gashes from weapons. Before he left, the defence was still being coordinated from the town hall, but it seems that a stand was made here before the end.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
"I can get around the patrols." Jex puts in. "Getting the weapons out will be my challenge. Dragging enough for an army quietly around the town is not an easy task."
Dorno thinks really hard and then says to Jex "sneaky man is very...ah, sneaky, but Dorno is too." "Dorno can carry much more than sneaky man...and still be sneaky!"
He could try Pass without Trace with the carrying capacity below, OR fill his carrying capacity up to max with weapons and then shapeshift into a mouse, all items he is carrying shapeshifting with him (or both).
Jex weighs the suggestion a moment before nodding.
"Excellent idea Dorno. You and I can go. Together. You may need me to get you past any security around the weapons. Can any of you describe what we are looking for?"
Bründir slinks downstairs, avoiding any windows as he can. During the conversations, ge hadn't cared much for the new wizard when the lack of threat was apparent. Instead, he set to wxploring and looting since the place had always been too upscale and snooty for his liking. The conversation about raiding the barracks caught his attention. He immediately put down the several tailored shirts, crystal drinking glasses, and bottle of wine he had "found layin' about".
"Oi, got a thought: I know we wan'a keep quiet an' sneaky, so 'ow bout makin' the barracks likewise? Gimme a minute." Bründir rushes up the stairs, half-climbing to stay low and quiet. A few minutes later, he drags some curtains downstairs, "Used to do this lootin' kitchens, an' when th' foreman was stingy with tools. Got two hands, but wrap a half-dozen odds an' ends, then ye can grab a helluva lot more." Bründir rushes back upstairs without waiting for response, "Also helps if he need t'cut an' run."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Hurrig chuckles, "Brundir ya fox!" Hurrig snaps out of his disheartened look. "That there is a grand idea."
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
Vark does as instructed, following behind the warriors just close enough to be able to make out the continued sounds of their marching.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Vark keeps his distance from the hobgoblin patrol and follows the regular rhythm of their marching boots up a steeply sloped tunnel and around several corners. Several times along the way he stumbles across other groups of fallen kobolds, as well as hobgoblin casualties. Eventually he emerges into a low-ceilinged, but broad cavern. The background murmur of the harsh goblin language echoes about the chamber and far to the left the distant glimmer of daylight falls upon the stones. A sizeable unit of hobgoblins appear to be holding position here.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Seid shakes his head in response to Jex's question about being required somewhere at the moment. "No, I am supposed to be studying methods of breaking through adamantine for the Maginobi," he glances over at Thurston and stressing the correct pronunciation "and if this does not move quickly enough, I will be missed there. So I suggest we start moving with haste."
Val listens quietly as the plan begins to progress, seeing where she could really help out as she glances down at her massive shoulders. She keeps waiting for the moment in which Jex and Dorno would ask her to come along... and waits... She frowns and speaks up. "I can also come along to help carry, with Dorno's magic spells I could be sneaky as well."
At that moment there is the sound of a throat being cleared from Seid. "I do not mean any disrespect, milady, but even with this Dorno's magic, you stick out quiet a bit. I can help you with that if you would allow me. I could a spell up you to make you go invisible for up to an hour. As long as you stay away from fighting, it will remain in effect for that hour." He nods his head as he look Valaith up and down. She returns his gaze with a disgusted sneer, misconstruing his measure looks. "Yes, I think that could work out quite well. You are definitely suited to carrying very heavy loads. Combine that with the wrappings yon dwarf located, this could work quite well."
Val strides over to where the wizard stood and looks down at him, with her arms folding over her chest. "I do not need your magics to be useful." She pounds a fist to her chest. "Rimehand does not trust you."
Seid sighs heavily. "I appreciate that, Rimehand; however, is it not said of your people that you value each individual's strengths and what they bring to your tribe? Allow those who are best at what they do to do it? Do not allow the meek to fight, that is the warrior's duty. Do not allow the warrior to cook, that is the cook's duty. Allow not the cook to weave the baskets. Everyone is good at something. I am good with magic. You are clearly a great warrior, judging from the exceptional weapons you carry and the scars you carry with pride." He gives a knowing look at her stomach and the way she seems to favor it. "I want to help your group. I do this for my own reasons, but they are altruistic."
Val leans down with a frown and pushes her scarred face close to the barrier protecting Seid. "I don't know what that means."
Seid sighs as he leans his head back. "I means I'm doing it for good. It doesn't matter right now. Will you trust me or no?"
Val looks back towards Jex and Dorno with an inquisitive look. Dorno smiles at Val and nods his agreement to this plan, smiling in his way that he did. Valaith smiles, his approval was all she needed to know. She turns back to Seid. "Okay, magic-man. I will allow you to make me a ghost, but if this is a trick I will turn your head into a ripe melon."
Seid glances at her hammer. "I have no doubts about that. There is no mischief here, I assure you."
"Then do it."
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Dorno, Jex and Valaith slowly make their way east towards the smelteries and smithies that line the western edge of Sheercleft ravine. They hurry from the Quenlan Arms and across the abandoned market place as quickly as they can, but between Jex's cloak and the magic of both Dorno and Seid's spells no trace is left of their passing.
Three processing areas sit behind the town hall, running along the edge of the ravine, each with its own complex rig of pulleys and ropes jutting out over the edge for lifting the ore up out of the mine. Enormous hoppers wait nearby to receive the deliveries, complete with a system of rails for easy transportation.
Each of the lifting mechanisms is manned by a bugbear guard.
Investigation checks to search for appropriately sized containers. Val's is made at advantage.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Vark creeps across the space, fighting back a grin at the sight of the approaching freedom. He'd made it! He still had to find his friends, but he had actually survived the treacherous ravine and tunnels. But clearly he has started celebrating too early, as the sharp goblin shouts and ring of readying blades interrupts his thoughts. Seeing the warriors already making to pursue him, Vark simply bolts ahead, running as fast as he can to the sunlit platform and screaming frantically the whole time "MATTHEW! MATTHEEEEW!"
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Hearing the sound Jex sighs. The plan was obviously about to go out of the window. He gestures for Dorno and where he assumes Val is to wait quietly. Sneaking forwards he draws his shortsword once more. Keeping low, he keeps it behind his back as before, swinging it forwards at the last moment to thrust it up through the back of the bugbear. He kicks it free sending it hurtling over the edge; darting back over the barrels to take cover. He finches as there is a loud smash where the bugbear hits a wooden platform rather than the rock and dirt he had been imagining laid beneath the bugbear. He whispers across to where Val probably is and says, "You had better lift him up, even I can't stand in the open unseen."
As Vark emerges from the cave, running onto the wooden platform in search of safety, the hulking corpse of a bugbear comes plummeting out of the sky and collides with the floor right in front of him with an almighty crash. Boards splinter and break and the entire construction sways and shakes left to right. It seems that this isn't so much a walkway as it is a lift, with long ropes leading up and away towards the sky.
The sky! Finally Vark can see the clear blue of it far above him, but he still seems to be about three hundred feet down in the ravine. Below him, the darkness of this great gash between the mountains open up like the infinite depths of the abyss itself, and he suddenly becomes very aware of the fact that nothing more than a few old planks separate him and it. The platform creaks as the body of the bugbear sinks a little further into the hole it has smashed, one arm dangling through and its neck twisted unnaturally such that it stares sightlessly up at the sky.
A battlecry echoes from inside the tunnel and the sorcerer looks up to see close to fifty hobgoblins charging towards him. To his left and right are cranks on each side of the lift. He needs to get moving and fast. Vark feels the void inside him where Matthew resides open once more, and his hands extend of their own accord, weaving a new circular sequence of arcane sigils in the air across the entrance. A shimmering teal field of energy appears in front of him.
Meanwhile, at the top of the ravine, Val is searching the smeltery. She finds some old soot-covered crates that she and Dorno should each be able to lift. A significant number of weapons would fit inside.
Ducked behind an ore hopper, Jex glances past it to see what is going on across the ravine. Vark's shout and the crashing impact of the bugbear have definitely drawn the attention of the other guards, who are glancing down and about. However, they don't really seem to know what they are looking for so far.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Vark screams again as the hulking corpse rocks the wooden structure he is on. He'd probably drop low and cling on for safety as well if the will of Matthew didn't cut his panic short. Not quite sure what spell was just channeled through his body, he figures he can trust it and he begins to focus on getting up. He runs over to what look like cranks and tests it, trying to figure out which way goes up. Once he's got a handle on it, he begins cranking the platform up frantically.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
As the cogs begin to move, Jex looks across and along the ravine and sees the bugbears taking an interest. He realises thus could end badly for Vark without intervention. Tugging on his mask he ensures it is firmly in place, before drawing his bow and trying to pick the opportune moment for a silent kill on the bugbear directly across the ravine where it must surely have the clearest view.