Those following Jex blink and he is gone. The colours in his cloak swirl and he's just another boulder surrounding the village. He's at the foot of the tower before he knows it. The goblins seem oblivious.
Jex slowly climbs the tower, shielding his movements from the goblins when they look towards the tower. His patience pays off and he reaches the top of the tower completely unnoticed. Silently he draws his shortsword as he approaches behind the guard, keeping his profile low and holding the blade behind him he takes three steps before springing forward in a half run with the last to give him the momentum he needs to swing his shortsword forward in an upward arc through the back of the guard. He catches him by the mouth with the other hand to silence the gargling death breath and leave him propped against the railing where he stood. Jex glances over the edge of the tower at his next target, strolling along the barricade. Jex wipes his shortsword clean and stows it back in its scabbard. The bulk would only get in his way from here. Drawing daggers from his wrist sheaths he vaults the barricade. Bringing his knees up to his chest and his arms forward, his magical cloak billows behind him like a parachute, the colours swirling to reflect the sky behind him as he seems to hang in the air for a second. He thrusts his arms forwards as he falls, transferring all of the weight of his body through his wrists which plunge the daggers perfectly either side of the neck of the goblin. If he had wanted to scream he would have found no vocal chords to do so as the contents of his neck are ripped outwards from his body, even as Jex's knees land on his back, bringing his form down to the ground. Not waiting a moment, Jex vaults the barricade, catching himself on the edge, back facing outwards he plants his feet on its edge to use as a springboard. He waits a moment for the third goblin to pass beneath him before launching himself backwards, over his head in a graceful flip that brings him down to at the side of the passing goblin, daggers thrusting down as he falls into the face and neck of the final threat. Jex pulls up his mask and beckons his companions over. Wiping his daggers on the goblin, he puts them away once more, drawing his bow to cover the movement of his friends.
Still amazed by his companion ability, Thurston awaits, with his hammer at the ready, for him to end with the goblins. He then moves as quiet as he could to rejoin with him
"These is an amazing smitting work " he whispers refering to his new armor " I can move almost as if I wear nothing... like the other night when they attacked us I mean " he says to Dorno as they sneak towards Jex.
With another burst of cloud, Vark crosses the wooden wall, pausing right up against it out of fear that the magic would alert his presence to anyone else in the tunnel. This fear grows as he begins to hear echoing voices, but it seems he is hidden enough in this spot. He leans against the walls and slumps down to the floor. The last few hours had been absolutely brutal for him, and now that he seemed to be on the right path and his companions knew he wasn’t dead in a ditch, this seems like an opportune moment to rest. Sleep comes quickly, and after nearly an hour of his impromptu nap, he wakes up with a jolt, a voice stirring him. Better get moving again. On legs still weary despite his respite, he begins following the magic trail once again, going as cautiously and quietly as possible.
The spider slams into the wooden planks behind Vark only seconds after he slips between them as mist. It shrieks horrifically in anger and frustration at losing its prey. Enormous fangs gnash at the barrier and the spindly ends of legs poke through the gaps, seeking the half-orc, but it's a futile effort, and eventually the monster returns to its nest.
The tunnel on the other side runs perpendicular to the blocked off exit, and is rough cut, but square and regular. Wooden supports prop up the roof at regular intervals and the tunnel is noticeably free of loose debris.
When Vark awakens, the trail is gone. When he drifted off to sleep his concentration lapsed, and now the blue mist has faded away entirely. He remembers that last he saw it led away to the left.
Bründir keeps low and moves quick to come up on Jex's position. The sight of the slain goblins was morbidly satisfying, "Damn, seen a lot of people good at a lot of things. To each their own, but tha's a good skill fer bad times." Bründir peeks around the barricades into the town, "Don't matter none which, but we gotta get in somewhere. Don' look more'n a house or two ahead, just gotta keep movin' in th' right way."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
Jex darts across gap, quickly reaching a ramshackle, red-roofed building of human design and taking cover up against a wall. There's a simple wooden door that swings inwards with a low creak as the half-elf pushes it. Inside is a living area that appears to be dark and empty. Wooden bowls lie haphazardly strewn across a table, as though whoever was last here had to leave in a hurry.
Meanwhile, far below ground, Vark sees torchlight illuminate the tunnels from around a corner ahead of him. He's been following this passage for about ten minutes, and now shadowy figures flicker on the wall, cast by whatever lies ahead. It seems to be several humanoids speaking in hushed tones.
Jex considers using this house a moment, before dismissing it as too risky, and leading the group slightly further from the main path, the gate and the leader's tent and selecting a building a little bit safer, but one that should at least offer a slight view of the hobgoblin's main camp.
This home is across the road from both Sheercleft's eerily empty marketplace and the Quenlan Arms, one of the village's two taverns. Dark cloth coverings flap about the empty wooden stalls in the wind, and the paved square is strewn with refuse. The tavern looks boarded up and empty, and Jex's keen eye immediately picks out the signs of battle that mar its exterior. Chunks missing from the facade and arrows still lodged in the wooden planks that have been hammered across the windows. Clearly a stand was made here.
To the south, the road that passes the house leads to a goblin encampment, and the wretched creatures can be seen resting or sitting around the fire. None seem to have yet spotted the party.
"Should we try the Quenlan? Seems built-up already." Bründir stays close to a window, keeping low as though a breeze passing through could carry his scent to the enemy.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
Jex watches as a group of goblins head north up the road, before darting across the street once they've passed. He presses himself to the stone wall, his cloak helping him blend into this surroundings, and peers between two of the boards covering the window. Inside, a figure is pacing up and down, muttering to himself and shaking his head. He appears to also be dressed in blue robes, but his hood is down and his mask is off. He's clearly agitated about something. He glances over his shoulder periodically, watching for observers, but he hasn't noticed Jex.
As the robed figure continues to pace and glancing constantly over his shoulder, he seems to be whispering to himself as if rehearsing something important. He takes another glances at the doors again before risking a peek through the windows towards where the goblin guards should be stationed. He steps back and holds out his left forearm before snapping his fingers as a large raven suddenly appears upon his forearm. The raven croaks loudly, which gives the figure a start and he hisses loudly at it to be quiet. The bird tilts its head to the side inquisitively. "Quiet, Ignatius." He gently rubs his finger along the bird's throat, which preens at the attention. "I must ask you to do something dangerous. I believe those whom I've been waiting for are here, in Sheercleft. I need you to find them for me. I do not know what they look like or who they are, but circle the skies above and look for anyone that is not a goblin or hobgoblin or in robes of these. Once you have found them, you must bring them to me." With that, the robed figure begins moving towards a nearby window to release the bird off into the night skies.
Jex scowls, darting back across the road and reappearing at Brundir's side as though he never left.
"The inn is occupied. Looks as though its a wizard of sorts, has a ravan looking for us. He knows we are coming." He pauses. "We cannot afford any unknowns. One slip could end this. We should keep him under our eye, and perhaps feed him false information on our whereabouts. Otherwise we should remove him from the situation."
Val perks up. “They already know we are here? How? He has a bird looking for us? We must either kill the man or the bird! Why have they not raised the alarm yet?”
"I agree we must kill the bird and this man as fast as possible. " says Thurston " Perhaps kill the bird and subdue the man to extract as much information as we can. How do he knows we were coming? perhaps our friend has been captured... we need to know this. " says Thurston worried in hushed tone.
Bründir spits and glances out a window, "I'll run back to th' last house, give lil' birdie a fake lead. Givin' ye ten minutes , then comin' back."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
"There's a small army of goblins to each side of us Brundir, and if they spot you everything is finished. Perhaps we should take advantage of its absence and go now. We must be silent though, we are deep in the camp here."
Those following Jex blink and he is gone. The colours in his cloak swirl and he's just another boulder surrounding the village. He's at the foot of the tower before he knows it. The goblins seem oblivious.
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
Jex slowly climbs the tower, shielding his movements from the goblins when they look towards the tower. His patience pays off and he reaches the top of the tower completely unnoticed. Silently he draws his shortsword as he approaches behind the guard, keeping his profile low and holding the blade behind him he takes three steps before springing forward in a half run with the last to give him the momentum he needs to swing his shortsword forward in an upward arc through the back of the guard. He catches him by the mouth with the other hand to silence the gargling death breath and leave him propped against the railing where he stood. Jex glances over the edge of the tower at his next target, strolling along the barricade. Jex wipes his shortsword clean and stows it back in its scabbard. The bulk would only get in his way from here. Drawing daggers from his wrist sheaths he vaults the barricade. Bringing his knees up to his chest and his arms forward, his magical cloak billows behind him like a parachute, the colours swirling to reflect the sky behind him as he seems to hang in the air for a second. He thrusts his arms forwards as he falls, transferring all of the weight of his body through his wrists which plunge the daggers perfectly either side of the neck of the goblin. If he had wanted to scream he would have found no vocal chords to do so as the contents of his neck are ripped outwards from his body, even as Jex's knees land on his back, bringing his form down to the ground. Not waiting a moment, Jex vaults the barricade, catching himself on the edge, back facing outwards he plants his feet on its edge to use as a springboard. He waits a moment for the third goblin to pass beneath him before launching himself backwards, over his head in a graceful flip that brings him down to at the side of the passing goblin, daggers thrusting down as he falls into the face and neck of the final threat. Jex pulls up his mask and beckons his companions over. Wiping his daggers on the goblin, he puts them away once more, drawing his bow to cover the movement of his friends.
Still amazed by his companion ability, Thurston awaits, with his hammer at the ready, for him to end with the goblins. He then moves as quiet as he could to rejoin with him
"These is an amazing smitting work " he whispers refering to his new armor " I can move almost as if I wear nothing... like the other night when they attacked us I mean " he says to Dorno as they sneak towards Jex.
PbP Character: A few ;)
With another burst of cloud, Vark crosses the wooden wall, pausing right up against it out of fear that the magic would alert his presence to anyone else in the tunnel. This fear grows as he begins to hear echoing voices, but it seems he is hidden enough in this spot. He leans against the walls and slumps down to the floor. The last few hours had been absolutely brutal for him, and now that he seemed to be on the right path and his companions knew he wasn’t dead in a ditch, this seems like an opportune moment to rest. Sleep comes quickly, and after nearly an hour of his impromptu nap, he wakes up with a jolt, a voice stirring him. Better get moving again. On legs still weary despite his respite, he begins following the magic trail once again, going as cautiously and quietly as possible.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
The spider slams into the wooden planks behind Vark only seconds after he slips between them as mist. It shrieks horrifically in anger and frustration at losing its prey. Enormous fangs gnash at the barrier and the spindly ends of legs poke through the gaps, seeking the half-orc, but it's a futile effort, and eventually the monster returns to its nest.
The tunnel on the other side runs perpendicular to the blocked off exit, and is rough cut, but square and regular. Wooden supports prop up the roof at regular intervals and the tunnel is noticeably free of loose debris.
When Vark awakens, the trail is gone. When he drifted off to sleep his concentration lapsed, and now the blue mist has faded away entirely. He remembers that last he saw it led away to the left.
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
Bründir keeps low and moves quick to come up on Jex's position. The sight of the slain goblins was morbidly satisfying, "Damn, seen a lot of people good at a lot of things. To each their own, but tha's a good skill fer bad times." Bründir peeks around the barricades into the town, "Don't matter none which, but we gotta get in somewhere. Don' look more'n a house or two ahead, just gotta keep movin' in th' right way."
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
As the others catch up, Jex gestures for silence before leading the way across to the nearest building, trying for an open window or door.
Jex darts across gap, quickly reaching a ramshackle, red-roofed building of human design and taking cover up against a wall. There's a simple wooden door that swings inwards with a low creak as the half-elf pushes it. Inside is a living area that appears to be dark and empty. Wooden bowls lie haphazardly strewn across a table, as though whoever was last here had to leave in a hurry.
Meanwhile, far below ground, Vark sees torchlight illuminate the tunnels from around a corner ahead of him. He's been following this passage for about ten minutes, and now shadowy figures flicker on the wall, cast by whatever lies ahead. It seems to be several humanoids speaking in hushed tones.
"What... ...Gurkig's..."
"The... ...says... ...is... ...hold... ...the... ...skins... ...we... ...not... ...much..."
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
Jex considers using this house a moment, before dismissing it as too risky, and leading the group slightly further from the main path, the gate and the leader's tent and selecting a building a little bit safer, but one that should at least offer a slight view of the hobgoblin's main camp.
This home is across the road from both Sheercleft's eerily empty marketplace and the Quenlan Arms, one of the village's two taverns. Dark cloth coverings flap about the empty wooden stalls in the wind, and the paved square is strewn with refuse. The tavern looks boarded up and empty, and Jex's keen eye immediately picks out the signs of battle that mar its exterior. Chunks missing from the facade and arrows still lodged in the wooden planks that have been hammered across the windows. Clearly a stand was made here.
To the south, the road that passes the house leads to a goblin encampment, and the wretched creatures can be seen resting or sitting around the fire. None seem to have yet spotted the party.
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
Jex tries the door of the house quietly, waving the party in when he has it open.
"Should we try the Quenlan? Seems built-up already." Bründir stays close to a window, keeping low as though a breeze passing through could carry his scent to the enemy.
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
Jex moves his head from side to side as though weighing the possibilities.
"Could be dangerous though. I try to stay to more anonymous buildings, harder to predict." He whispers.
"I could go and scout it out, see if there's anything useful there."
He disappears into the shadows without waiting for a response.
Jex watches as a group of goblins head north up the road, before darting across the street once they've passed. He presses himself to the stone wall, his cloak helping him blend into this surroundings, and peers between two of the boards covering the window. Inside, a figure is pacing up and down, muttering to himself and shaking his head. He appears to also be dressed in blue robes, but his hood is down and his mask is off. He's clearly agitated about something. He glances over his shoulder periodically, watching for observers, but he hasn't noticed Jex.
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
As the robed figure continues to pace and glancing constantly over his shoulder, he seems to be whispering to himself as if rehearsing something important. He takes another glances at the doors again before risking a peek through the windows towards where the goblin guards should be stationed. He steps back and holds out his left forearm before snapping his fingers as a large raven suddenly appears upon his forearm. The raven croaks loudly, which gives the figure a start and he hisses loudly at it to be quiet. The bird tilts its head to the side inquisitively. "Quiet, Ignatius." He gently rubs his finger along the bird's throat, which preens at the attention. "I must ask you to do something dangerous. I believe those whom I've been waiting for are here, in Sheercleft. I need you to find them for me. I do not know what they look like or who they are, but circle the skies above and look for anyone that is not a goblin or hobgoblin or in robes of these. Once you have found them, you must bring them to me." With that, the robed figure begins moving towards a nearby window to release the bird off into the night skies.
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Jex scowls, darting back across the road and reappearing at Brundir's side as though he never left.
"The inn is occupied. Looks as though its a wizard of sorts, has a ravan looking for us. He knows we are coming." He pauses. "We cannot afford any unknowns. One slip could end this. We should keep him under our eye, and perhaps feed him false information on our whereabouts. Otherwise we should remove him from the situation."
Val perks up. “They already know we are here? How? He has a bird looking for us? We must either kill the man or the bird! Why have they not raised the alarm yet?”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
"I agree we must kill the bird and this man as fast as possible. " says Thurston " Perhaps kill the bird and subdue the man to extract as much information as we can. How do he knows we were coming? perhaps our friend has been captured... we need to know this. " says Thurston worried in hushed tone.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Bründir spits and glances out a window, "I'll run back to th' last house, give lil' birdie a fake lead. Givin' ye ten minutes , then comin' back."
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
Jex raises an eyebrow.
"There's a small army of goblins to each side of us Brundir, and if they spot you everything is finished. Perhaps we should take advantage of its absence and go now. We must be silent though, we are deep in the camp here."