Zook curiously watches the seven riders approach, wondering what kind of party would be approaching this little tiny town so late in the evening. Upon seeing Kella, he has the urge to call out her, but thinks better of it and remains quiet. He's even more confused when she begins lowering the drawbridge by herself. He figures that she must know these people, but the whole things seems rather odd, especially when her pet snake flies to one of the housebound men.
"The Zhentarim..." he asks. Growing up in the forest of the Western Heartlands, Zook might have have heard the name, but it's doubtful that he would have had any personal dealings with them when he was younger. Perhaps he heard about them during his time at the monastery, or during his prior travels.
(Intelligence check to see if knows anything about the Zhentarim. 15)
"Mercenaries, thieves, brigands -- whatever you call them, they aren't usually good news when they show up," Bert says to the group as they cross the bridge.
(OOC: Bert's nighttime dealings with the underground have probably included vague contacts with the Zhentarim, right? He's picked up thieves' cant from somewhere.)
"Should we avoid them by hiding or sneaking away? Try to listen to what they want via Forge's owl? Confront them? Try to be straightforward and tell them what we're doing here and hope for the best? We've been kind to Kella, but she may have been here with ulterior motives if she's with them."
"If they are what you say they are, Bert, then I'm not sure that running out there and confronting them is the best idea. It suddenly occurs to me that Kella may not be just a lone traveler... perhaps she is a scout for these mercenaries."
"Either way, I think our best option is to see what we can learn from Forge's owl and gain more information before showing our hand. And I do think that we should try and hide, do you think we can sneak back across the bridge before they notice us?"
Zook has heard of them in the monestry but only knows they supply mercenaries, for a fee, but also are not always the most trustworthy people if you aren't paying them.
Bert you know about them and have probably dealt with them a couple of times.
One of the guards turns to you: Them being here can not be good news. They are like a parasite. If you removed the goblins for us, please can you remove them too. Nightstone will be in your debt"
Mandaway listened in bewilderment trying to get his head back into combat mode and out of gravedigger funk....he may have heard the word Zhent before but there was a little in a small lumber yard to interest such folk.
" Um....just so your aware. I'm pretty much tapped out regarding the healing energy I can gift today."
What Alf hears: "Kella, so good to meet you. The village is abandoned?"
"Yes, we don't need to do the bounty hunter ruse. There are some adventurers here who cleared out some Goblins for us. I'm sure if spoken to they will come round to our side"
"If they don't, they will have to go. This is a perfect location for a new base"
"Does anyone have any thoughts on how we might scare the ever-living daylights out of the new arrivals? Mandaway does your god do anything intimidating that could put the fear of, well, God into them? Can we trick them with some loud noises in the night? Pretend to be ghosts or giants or something? That's the only thing I can think of to avoid having to hurt some or all of them. Maybe we can track them with the owl and see what they do tonight, while we rest up here in the keep. Some of us could maybe sneak off and try to scare one or two of them at a time in the middle of the night while others recharge. Or we could all wait till morning and give it a try together. Maybe all it would need is to take down the leader and the group would run away? Just some ideas, fellas. I've not really done this sort of thing before."
Well right now, we have a fort and higher ground... so perhaps we can wait for a bit and see what they do? Kella knows of our existence and if they want the place for themselves, they know they need to get rid of us, so let them bring the fight to us, no?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Forge, what are they doing now? Are they staying put? Coming to the keep?" Bert says, heading down to the main gate of the keep, hiding among the rubble. (Is the rope tied across or did we not find a good place to do that?)
"I'm in agreement with our cat friend here. Right now we have the strategic advantage of fortified cover on higher ground with only one access point. We don't know their full intentions, and even though Kella might tell them about us, they don't fully know our capabilities. I say we stay put for the time being and let Forge's owl keep us informed until we recognize an opportune time to act."
"As for scaring them, I can create illusory sounds, but I need to be close, and as you saw before, they're no guarantee they'll work. I guess nobody thinks that a tiny little nature loving gnome is very frightening. However, this little gnome is rather quick and full of surprises if it comes down to a fight."
"Either way, I can't stop thinking about that flute I gave to Kella. Normally, I can look upon a gift as a peaceful offering, no matter who it goes to, but the thought of such a beautiful creation going to a person who's aligned with thieves and brigands... I just can't get that out of my mind. I suddenly have this idea that I'm too trusting. Should I second guess my natural impulses to give gifts to people who I do not know, or is that worse than being too trusting? Can a person be too trusting, if their heart is in the right place?"
"On the other hand, perhaps the music she might create with that gift could have a positive effect on her actions in the future. Hmmm... Maybe there is innate power in trust and giving that we cannot always see... Oh my, this is so much to think about.. my little brain is starting to turn in circles."
"I think it's smart to stay concealed here and let the owl keep watch for a bit. Mandaway if you need to sleep please do, we can do it in shifts with half of us up and half of us resting. Unless they start trying to get across or convince us to do bad things to this poor town - then we'll have to defend ourselves."
“I’m sure we’re all quite tired from the day’s events, but it might not be a bad idea to sneak over there and gain some additional information, before retiring for the night; that way we at least know what to expect for the morning. I usually don’t like to walk into the forest blindfolded, if you get my meaning. I will go on a scouting mission, if you would like some company, Bert.”
Zook curiously watches the seven riders approach, wondering what kind of party would be approaching this little tiny town so late in the evening. Upon seeing Kella, he has the urge to call out her, but thinks better of it and remains quiet. He's even more confused when she begins lowering the drawbridge by herself. He figures that she must know these people, but the whole things seems rather odd, especially when her pet snake flies to one of the housebound men.
"The Zhentarim..." he asks. Growing up in the forest of the Western Heartlands, Zook might have have heard the name, but it's doubtful that he would have had any personal dealings with them when he was younger. Perhaps he heard about them during his time at the monastery, or during his prior travels.
(Intelligence check to see if knows anything about the Zhentarim. 15)
"Mercenaries, thieves, brigands -- whatever you call them, they aren't usually good news when they show up," Bert says to the group as they cross the bridge.
(OOC: Bert's nighttime dealings with the underground have probably included vague contacts with the Zhentarim, right? He's picked up thieves' cant from somewhere.)
"Should we avoid them by hiding or sneaking away? Try to listen to what they want via Forge's owl? Confront them? Try to be straightforward and tell them what we're doing here and hope for the best? We've been kind to Kella, but she may have been here with ulterior motives if she's with them."
"If they are what you say they are, Bert, then I'm not sure that running out there and confronting them is the best idea. It suddenly occurs to me that Kella may not be just a lone traveler... perhaps she is a scout for these mercenaries."
"Either way, I think our best option is to see what we can learn from Forge's owl and gain more information before showing our hand. And I do think that we should try and hide, do you think we can sneak back across the bridge before they notice us?"
Zook has heard of them in the monestry but only knows they supply mercenaries, for a fee, but also are not always the most trustworthy people if you aren't paying them.
Bert you know about them and have probably dealt with them a couple of times.
One of the guards turns to you: Them being here can not be good news. They are like a parasite. If you removed the goblins for us, please can you remove them too. Nightstone will be in your debt"
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
(Can we assume Forge sends his owl to take a look and listen?)
With the help of strong men like you, it shouldn’t be an issue, we can outnumber them!
Hawk says to the guards, inviting them to join.
Dungeon Master – MelGon's Tales from the Yawning Portal
Hawk of the Night (Hawk) – Level 2 Tabaxi Ranger – Swift's Storm King's Thunder
Lavandula Angustia – Level 1 Tiefling Rogue – LMoP campaign, DM: novaskyr
Mandaway listened in bewilderment trying to get his head back into combat mode and out of gravedigger funk....he may have heard the word Zhent before but there was a little in a small lumber yard to interest such folk.
" Um....just so your aware. I'm pretty much tapped out regarding the healing energy I can gift today."
What Alf hears: "Kella, so good to meet you. The village is abandoned?"
"Yes, we don't need to do the bounty hunter ruse. There are some adventurers here who cleared out some Goblins for us. I'm sure if spoken to they will come round to our side"
"If they don't, they will have to go. This is a perfect location for a new base"
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"Does anyone have any thoughts on how we might scare the ever-living daylights out of the new arrivals? Mandaway does your god do anything intimidating that could put the fear of, well, God into them? Can we trick them with some loud noises in the night? Pretend to be ghosts or giants or something? That's the only thing I can think of to avoid having to hurt some or all of them. Maybe we can track them with the owl and see what they do tonight, while we rest up here in the keep. Some of us could maybe sneak off and try to scare one or two of them at a time in the middle of the night while others recharge. Or we could all wait till morning and give it a try together. Maybe all it would need is to take down the leader and the group would run away? Just some ideas, fellas. I've not really done this sort of thing before."
The guards want to stay in the keep with Lady Nander's body. Their last task was to guard her and having failed, are standing vigil over her body.
(I will let you agree on a plan)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Well right now, we have a fort and higher ground... so perhaps we can wait for a bit and see what they do? Kella knows of our existence and if they want the place for themselves, they know they need to get rid of us, so let them bring the fight to us, no?
Dungeon Master – MelGon's Tales from the Yawning Portal
Hawk of the Night (Hawk) – Level 2 Tabaxi Ranger – Swift's Storm King's Thunder
Lavandula Angustia – Level 1 Tiefling Rogue – LMoP campaign, DM: novaskyr
"Forge, what are they doing now? Are they staying put? Coming to the keep?" Bert says, heading down to the main gate of the keep, hiding among the rubble. (Is the rope tied across or did we not find a good place to do that?)
Stealth: 9
Mandaway chuckled, " Do you find calm soothing waters intimidating? Quiet, mossy glades? No..Eldath is not that sort of god."
(the rope is tied to the other side of the bridge. Krakkan just held it on this one
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"I'm in agreement with our cat friend here. Right now we have the strategic advantage of fortified cover on higher ground with only one access point. We don't know their full intentions, and even though Kella might tell them about us, they don't fully know our capabilities. I say we stay put for the time being and let Forge's owl keep us informed until we recognize an opportune time to act."
"As for scaring them, I can create illusory sounds, but I need to be close, and as you saw before, they're no guarantee they'll work. I guess nobody thinks that a tiny little nature loving gnome is very frightening. However, this little gnome is rather quick and full of surprises if it comes down to a fight."
"Either way, I can't stop thinking about that flute I gave to Kella. Normally, I can look upon a gift as a peaceful offering, no matter who it goes to, but the thought of such a beautiful creation going to a person who's aligned with thieves and brigands... I just can't get that out of my mind. I suddenly have this idea that I'm too trusting. Should I second guess my natural impulses to give gifts to people who I do not know, or is that worse than being too trusting? Can a person be too trusting, if their heart is in the right place?"
"On the other hand, perhaps the music she might create with that gift could have a positive effect on her actions in the future. Hmmm... Maybe there is innate power in trust and giving that we cannot always see... Oh my, this is so much to think about.. my little brain is starting to turn in circles."
"Does anyone else have any ideas?"
"I think it's smart to stay concealed here and let the owl keep watch for a bit. Mandaway if you need to sleep please do, we can do it in shifts with half of us up and half of us resting. Unless they start trying to get across or convince us to do bad things to this poor town - then we'll have to defend ourselves."
(sorry, on holiday atm, will get an update tomorrow morning, UK time)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
The guards will chip in "it will be good to be at full strength but the longer you leave it, the more they will prepare and fortify themselves"
As Alf is keeping watch for Forge, the 7 plus Kella go inside the inn meaning Alf is unable to follow without being spotted.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"Well I could sneak over to listen in on what they're saying in the inn, if the owl can't follow. If not, let's rest and see what tomorrow brings us."
“I’m sure we’re all quite tired from the day’s events, but it might not be a bad idea to sneak over there and gain some additional information, before retiring for the night; that way we at least know what to expect for the morning. I usually don’t like to walk into the forest blindfolded, if you get my meaning. I will go on a scouting mission, if you would like some company, Bert.”