Hawk is taking it all in, and trying to figure out exactly what the Zhentarim is up to, and what they really want from a base of operations..
He gives a respectful bow, talks openly, almost naively, but with no ill intent:
Greetings, nice to meet you all!
Oh hey Mandy, took a swim too? Yeah, these fellows are definitely up to no good, they are talking about being in charge of us or something and want to control the village or something...
He points with his thumb to the leader:
I have no doubt this guy has the leadership skills and strength to be in charge, and perhaps this place could use a good war tactician or something to help them defend themselves... but then again, he doesn’t seem like the type to care about the well being of the townsfolk..
I wish the Cat-Lord would give me a sign as to what to do right now.. Mandy, is the Mother Guardian of Groves speaking to you at all?
(OOC: Is Hawk talking like that right in front of the Zhentarim? Hilarious if so. Bert is just watching this all unfold from his cover and ready to put an arrow in the eye of the leader if he makes an aggressive move -- otherwise he'd be, you know, talking.)
(OOC2: DM would Bert have picked up any customs or familiarity with how this group operates, after his time running around town after dark, with and avoiding other thieves and cutthroats? Let me know if I need to roll...)
Hawk is taking it all in, and trying to figure out exactly what the Zhentarim is up to, and what they really want from a base of operations..
He gives a respectful bow, talks openly, almost naively, but with no ill intent:
Greetings, nice to meet you all!
Oh hey Mandy, took a swim too? Yeah, these fellows are definitely up to no good, they are talking about being in charge of us or something and want to control the village or something...
He points with his thumb to the leader:
I have no doubt this guy has the leadership skills and strength to be in charge, and perhaps this place could use a good war tactician or something to help them defend themselves... but then again, he doesn’t seem like the type to care about the well being of the townsfolk..
I wish the Cat-Lord would give me a sign as to what to do right now.. Mandy, is the Mother Guardian of Groves speaking to you at all?
Mandaway shook his head, " She's not. But with this lot here stinking up the place I can't really blame her."
He looked the Zhentarim over, there was no fear in his eyes, when you spend six years on the edge of death it kinda loses its sharpness, " Sorry, I've been out of the world for a bit and never had much to do with you lot when I was in it and honestly most of my info is from my old man who spent a little too much time on the bottle."
" Are you still a bunch of murder cultists or is this...", he waved his hands vaguely. "....a ' legitimate' business endeavour?"
" I think we might just hustle on and leave you lot to it, there no one left here so good luck repairing much without any peasants to bully into doing it for you."
Bert, you know they sell mercenaries to people, but also have spies in lots of places. They are a shadow network. Mandaway, the leader mentions that stuff which Bert knew, and also adds "so not murder cultists, though the mercenaries we sell do kill if paid."
Before they can answer Hawk’s question about lowering the drawbridge, Zook nonchalantly pulls a pinch of fleece from his belt pouch and winspers a few arcane words. Casting his Minor Illusion cantrip, creates the sound of a very loud fart right behind the left ear of the Zhent commander. He keeps a very straight face as he watches for any kind of ensuing response, before turning to join the others in the quest to find the townsfolk of Nightstone.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The guards are going to stay in the keep. They are getting a way to send a letter to the Lords Alliance to hopefully remove the Zentarhim. They don't fancy their chances leaving especially with the bridge gone. Forge and Krakkan will stay with them for now and help with some going through the rubble and an attempt to rebuild what they can.
The 4 of you head to the drawbridge and upon arrival Kella goes up to the tower to open the drawbridge, one of the Zhents goes to the other side. Suddenly you hear Kella shout down "Orcs from the forest! Lots of them. About 20 and running this way!"
Bert reveals himself to whoever of his friends he is closest to. "We could let the Zhentarim weaken themselves fighting the orcs and then deal with them after." (Hoping he can speak as a free action before combat starts, but if not, ignore my comment!)
OOC: How far away are the orcs right now, and which direction are they coming from? Also, where are the other Zhents? Are they also gathered near the drawbridge as well, or are they hanging around near the front of the inn?
Hearing the alarm, Zook shouts,"Kella!! Raise the drawbridge!!! Everyone else get back, try and take cover behind the boulders, or behind the guard towers, get out of plain sight!"
"Ok Zhent gents, this is your first test to see if you're really fit to call yourselves leaders of Nightstone. Do like you said you would and protect us all from the big bad orcs."
"Boy, we could really use Krakkan and Forge right now... hopefully they'll hear the commotion and come running."
With that, Zook runs over and positions himself behind the boulder that's sitting in the yard at the southwest corner of the church.
The drawbridge is raised, and the walls give total cover from the Orcs already. Feel free to change your move if you didn't realise.
Kella looks ready to shoot if they come closer, Xolkin orders his men to get to the watchtowers and shoot the Orcs, him and them start heading that way
The rather wet form of Mandaway began ascending the bank on the other side trudging towards the Zhents and the rest of the group.
" Morning. Kella......", he said flatly.
" Zook, you ok? ", he asked carefully, keeping an eye on the Zhents.
He indicated his wet clothes as the Zhent leader finished speaking, " Yes, its out."
Hawk is taking it all in, and trying to figure out exactly what the Zhentarim is up to, and what they really want from a base of operations..
He gives a respectful bow, talks openly, almost naively, but with no ill intent:
Greetings, nice to meet you all!
Oh hey Mandy, took a swim too? Yeah, these fellows are definitely up to no good, they are talking about being in charge of us or something and want to control the village or something...
He points with his thumb to the leader:
I have no doubt this guy has the leadership skills and strength to be in charge, and perhaps this place could use a good war tactician or something to help them defend themselves... but then again, he doesn’t seem like the type to care about the well being of the townsfolk..
I wish the Cat-Lord would give me a sign as to what to do right now.. Mandy, is the Mother Guardian of Groves speaking to you at all?
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
(OOC: Is Hawk talking like that right in front of the Zhentarim? Hilarious if so. Bert is just watching this all unfold from his cover and ready to put an arrow in the eye of the leader if he makes an aggressive move -- otherwise he'd be, you know, talking.)
(OOC2: DM would Bert have picked up any customs or familiarity with how this group operates, after his time running around town after dark, with and avoiding other thieves and cutthroats? Let me know if I need to roll...)
Hawk is openly speaking, but not being insulting or anything, more in a stating-the-facts kind of way.
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 shook his head, " She's not. But with this lot here stinking up the place I can't really blame her."
He looked the Zhentarim over, there was no fear in his eyes, when you spend six years on the edge of death it kinda loses its sharpness, " Sorry, I've been out of the world for a bit and never had much to do with you lot when I was in it and honestly most of my info is from my old man who spent a little too much time on the bottle."
" Are you still a bunch of murder cultists or is this...", he waved his hands vaguely. "....a ' legitimate' business endeavour?"
" I think we might just hustle on and leave you lot to it, there no one left here so good luck repairing much without any peasants to bully into doing it for you."
Bert, you know they sell mercenaries to people, but also have spies in lots of places. They are a shadow network. Mandaway, the leader mentions that stuff which Bert knew, and also adds "so not murder cultists, though the mercenaries we sell do kill if paid."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Mandaway nodded, " Right, well we'll be off then. Enjoy your rubble."
" Also theres a few bodies I was going to bury but you've put a crimp in those plans. I'd get onto it though, they'll be getting fairly ripe soon."
" Zook. Lets fetch the others and get back on the road."
Mandaway, where are you planning on going? And what about the others? Do you follow?
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
I’m with you Mandy.. let’s go find those townsfolk!
Hawk turns to the Zhents:
Could you guys pull down the drawbridge for us?
Hawk starts walking with Mandaway, I’m assuming in the direction of the drawbridge to exit town.
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
Before they can answer Hawk’s question about lowering the drawbridge, Zook nonchalantly pulls a pinch of fleece from his belt pouch and winspers a few arcane words. Casting his Minor Illusion cantrip, creates the sound of a very loud fart right behind the left ear of the Zhent commander. He keeps a very straight face as he watches for any kind of ensuing response, before turning to join the others in the quest to find the townsfolk of Nightstone.
The others, in particular Kella laugh at the sound. The leader looks unimpressed. Kella replies "Of course" and heads to the drawbridge.
By this point I am assuming you are all heading that way?
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
OOC: Intention was back to the keep grab the others + guards and then head off to find townsfolk and convince them to resettle elsewhere.
True - I don't think everyone is with us... some stayed at the keep right?
The guards are going to stay in the keep. They are getting a way to send a letter to the Lords Alliance to hopefully remove the Zentarhim. They don't fancy their chances leaving especially with the bridge gone. Forge and Krakkan will stay with them for now and help with some going through the rubble and an attempt to rebuild what they can.
The 4 of you head to the drawbridge and upon arrival Kella goes up to the tower to open the drawbridge, one of the Zhents goes to the other side. Suddenly you hear Kella shout down "Orcs from the forest! Lots of them. About 20 and running this way!"
Initiatives: Zook: 15
Mandaway: 11
Hawk: 10
Bert: 19
Kella: 18
Xolkin: 18
Other snakes: 7
Orcs: 12
Chief/Eye: 19
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Order: Zook
Chief/Eye
Hawk
Xolkin
Kella
Mandaway
Snakes
Bert
Orcs
Zook you're up
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Bert reveals himself to whoever of his friends he is closest to. "We could let the Zhentarim weaken themselves fighting the orcs and then deal with them after." (Hoping he can speak as a free action before combat starts, but if not, ignore my comment!)
OOC: How far away are the orcs right now, and which direction are they coming from? Also, where are the other Zhents? Are they also gathered near the drawbridge as well, or are they hanging around near the front of the inn?
You can't see the Orcs from in the town so not sure on distance, Kella is pointing north though. You can hear shouting so they can't be too far away.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Hearing the alarm, Zook shouts, "Kella!! Raise the drawbridge!!! Everyone else get back, try and take cover behind the boulders, or behind the guard towers, get out of plain sight!"
"Ok Zhent gents, this is your first test to see if you're really fit to call yourselves leaders of Nightstone. Do like you said you would and protect us all from the big bad orcs."
"Boy, we could really use Krakkan and Forge right now... hopefully they'll hear the commotion and come running."
With that, Zook runs over and positions himself behind the boulder that's sitting in the yard at the southwest corner of the church.
The drawbridge is raised, and the walls give total cover from the Orcs already. Feel free to change your move if you didn't realise.
Kella looks ready to shoot if they come closer, Xolkin orders his men to get to the watchtowers and shoot the Orcs, him and them start heading that way
Hawk, Mandaway, Bert you're up
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)