Linan smiles at the gnome, "Thank you kind, sir. If we hurry, we can make it to the keep. I over heard a group when I was hiding before this group found me saying the reinforcements would be closing the way soon. If we continue up this path behind Cuth, it should take us about another 20 minutes, but they maybe patrolling. It would go quicker if we carry the children, unless the horseman there wants to give them all a ride?" She looks at Rha'el with a twinkle in her eye.
[OOC: It is your choice on the short break. If you want one you will need to look for a safe spot.]
Erevan is not able to notice anyone else close by, but there are still screams to be heard between the roars of the dragon flying around the keep.
Erevan peers around between his allies, having faith that each of them can prevail despite their current afflictions. "Time is of the essence." Erevan says robustly, as he moves along the pathway, ushering everyone to follow to make way to the keep.
Smitty turns to Night Wine, "I think Gromar is still a bit cut up, but we seem mostly good." (OOC: Gromar still needs to add the 7 hp)
"Then onward to the keep. We'll save who we can, protect them from the ravages of war, and hopefully get some answers when we reach the local authority." the little gnome shrugs to Erevan.
Smitty keeps his eyes peeled for survivors and belligerents on the way. Perception 15
Erevan stops along the pathway as he notices that others are hesitant about the journey to the keep since none of them are moving. He peers down to the gnome who mentions Gromar's injuries. Erevan scans Gromar to assess how severe his wounds may be.
"The Half-Orc is fine. Resiliency is their specialty." Erevan says with a smirk as he nods his head to Gromar. Erevan darts his eyes between everyone and then addresses the whole party in general. "I would advise we be more expeditious since we won't accomplish anything via dillydallying." Erevan speaks with a sense of urgency since everyone's just standing around. He brushes his hand through the air, gesturing everyone to move along.
Linan looks at everyone and nods. "In order to move faster, I will need to carry one of the children, and Cuth will carry another. Could one of you carry little Bell there? Since the horseman here is stricken by my beauty and cannot speak?"
Linan looks at the group, sigh and walks over to the sleeping Gromar, "ugh, this guy reeks of ale!" She lifts him with Cuths help and drapes him over Rha'el's back. She gets two of the children and sits them on the centaurs back as well. Cuth grabs the last child and the party sets off down the path towards the Keep. The party moves stealthy down the path with Night Wine scouting ahead. Smitty stays near Rha'el with Melnar following in the rear. Linan stays just ahead of Rha'el. They make the way to the keep without incident, just a couple close calls. As the team moves on they gather about 20 more people and get them to the keep as well. As they reach the Keep the sun is just going out of sight on the horizon. They are met at the gate by a shield dwarf with knotted, tangled, bright red hair and a a human male of sixty years. The right side of the human's face and head are bandaged, his right arm hangs in a sling, and his light blue tunic is stained with his own blood. He received these wounds during the early stages of the attack and hasn’t spared the time for more than cursory first aid. They introduce themselves as Castellan Escobert the Red and Governor Nighthill.
Governor Nighthill: "Greetings Adventures, thank you for bringing these people in with you. It is a good thing you made it when you did. I have reports that a very large group of the cultist was seen filling in that last hole. The raiders have isolated the keep from the town with encircling groups of guards, but they haven’t organized an attack. I don't think the raiders intend to attack the keep; they seem interested only in loot. The real danger is to the town and to those people who didn’t make it into the keep before it was cut off. A stealthy group can make it out of the keep and back in again without drawing the raiders’ attention." He sighs and looks at the group, "Would you be willing to slip out of the keep and try to bring in groups of towns folks and generally harass the Cultist? I can pay well for each group found, 10 gold for each of you for each group you locate and bring back. Also, if you see any leaders of the cultist, Capture them and bring them back for questioning. I will add an extra 100 gold for that."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Smitty bows solemnly to the Governor, "I'm sure me and my new friends would be willing to save as many as we can. I can not act as a conduit to the merciful magic of Mishakel much more, especially if we are to go back out into the fray, but I can stabilize any dire wounds before we go."
Smitty looks to the party, "We should also quickly discuss our methods as a group, while we can. We need a general idea of how to approach most fights. I'm no great tactician, but each of us should figure out a good idea of how we can best work within a group."
The gnome shrugs, wanting to bring something up but not quite sure how to say it. "I see that others are more apt for combat and offensive magic. I can defend fairly well with a shield, and have a fair shot with a crossbow, but I'm no great warrior. I need to realign my blessings more oriented to healing and protection, where I think I'll be most effective. I think I would do best as a kind of reserve fighter, grouping with our ranged and casters. I can don my shield and offer the more vulnerable protection in a pinch, but I'll be running into the fore when our frontline toughs needs healing or support. I'd like everyone else to make a similar assessment, so that we can work in harmony."
With that, he quickly scans the survivors in the keep and does what he can for them (without magic). Perception for bad injuries 5 , Medicine for stabilization 8
Smitty is not able to see any badly wounded currently, but he is able to move among some of the people they had gathered and bandage a few wounds. Night Wine moves along behind Smitty and uses the power of his bow to heal any more serious wounds. Gromar remains asleep in a corner until someone walks by with some ale and he wakes up and tries to follow after the smell. Melnar is seen in a corner muttering about timelines and his masters words of wisdom. Rha'el has become the center of attention for several children as he tells stories from his childhood of great heroic deeds of his family. Erevan stands to the side and polishes his sword.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Erevan applies the finishing touches to his sword while listening to request. He gazes between his companions and back to the Governor.
"We humbly accept your request and will save as many of your folk as we can." Erevan states boldly with a raised brow as he marches out of the keep, inbound to the last hole. As he draws closer, he slows down and begins to skulk so as not to alarm any hostiles of his presence.
Castellan Escobert the Red stops Erevan before he reaches the door out. "I would advise against that, laddie. There a lot of cultist out there. There is a better way out and way you will not be seen. There is a Tunnel from the bottom of the keep that leads out to the bank of the river. We built it long ago in case of a siege for a way to get out to get water. The exit is disguised to look like a sewer outlet. If you go out that way you should be able to bypass most of the groups patrolling." He looks at the rest. "I would also suggest being stealthy."
Melnar sits down and flips open one of his books. He burns some materials and begins casting a ritual. His eyes closes and his lips move, but no words are heard. This continues for just over an hour then a sudden burst of light from the small flame. A celestial weasel scurries around before climbing up on Melnar's shoulder to look around at it's surroundings.
Ritual Casting Find Familiar for a Weasel. Takes 1:10.
As Erevan was urging his companions to follow, he glances back to see Melnar wasting time to cast a ritual. Erevan grits his teeth as he feels Melnar is taking light of the situation.
"We don't have time for rituals." Erevan barks at Melnar as he waits for everyone else to follow suit to forgo the quest.
Gromar returns to the group with a tankard in hand, yawning the remainder of the grogginess away, and shrugging his shoulders. "I can't blame the guy for taking his time, I'll follow whoever heads out first though. I think I got my rest in, but it feels like a vertebrate in my spine may have been jarred a bit." He says as he rubs his lower back tenderly and glances at Rha'El.
Smitty finishes checking among the survivors and jogs to the scowling Erevan. "It would be best to begin as soon as possible, to save the most we can, but it might not be a bad idea to split up to cover more ground. If Melnar and Gromar need an hour, we could try searching west while they check east after their rest."
Smitty thinks for a moment and then continues, "It might be best to try to avoid most fights. Night Wine can scout like no other, and Melnar's ferret can probably do the same. I'm just not sure if it would be better to cut a bloody path for survivors to make their way to the tunnel entrance or to try to escort several small groups. A bloody path will draw attention but sneaking about will be slow work"
[OOC: The red dot is the keep. The X is where the hidden tunnel leads out.]
Castellan Escobert the Red looks at each of the members of the party. "Just let me know when you wee lads are ready to go. " He turns to the Governor, "Sir, I can handle things here if you want to go back up to the captains to make sure everything in fine."The Governor nods and heads back up the stairs.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Erevan moves through the keep's hidden tunnel and comes out near the river. He peers around to see what's within his vicinity, and to determine which direction may be the viable choice to search for survivors.
Linan smiles at the gnome, "Thank you kind, sir. If we hurry, we can make it to the keep. I over heard a group when I was hiding before this group found me saying the reinforcements would be closing the way soon. If we continue up this path behind Cuth, it should take us about another 20 minutes, but they maybe patrolling. It would go quicker if we carry the children, unless the horseman there wants to give them all a ride?" She looks at Rha'el with a twinkle in her eye.
[OOC: It is your choice on the short break. If you want one you will need to look for a safe spot.]
Erevan is not able to notice anyone else close by, but there are still screams to be heard between the roars of the dragon flying around the keep.
Urgog "One Eye" Borg - Level 3 Fighter/ Rogue - Bugbear - Ryno628 Curse of Strahd.
Andraste Nailo - Level 1 Shadar Kai Cleric - grave domain -
Mathiall Darksoul - level 12 Aasimar Druid/ Wizard - Storm King - Campaign completed
"So should I patch everyone up real quick before we head out then?" Night Wine inquires. "How is everyone's condition?"
Erevan peers around between his allies, having faith that each of them can prevail despite their current afflictions. "Time is of the essence." Erevan says robustly, as he moves along the pathway, ushering everyone to follow to make way to the keep.
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Smitty turns to Night Wine, "I think Gromar is still a bit cut up, but we seem mostly good." (OOC: Gromar still needs to add the 7 hp)
"Then onward to the keep. We'll save who we can, protect them from the ravages of war, and hopefully get some answers when we reach the local authority." the little gnome shrugs to Erevan.
Smitty keeps his eyes peeled for survivors and belligerents on the way. Perception 15
Smitty the Life Cleric Gnome, Heronmark the Arakocra Monk of Air- Tiamat HomebrewErevan stops along the pathway as he notices that others are hesitant about the journey to the keep since none of them are moving. He peers down to the gnome who mentions Gromar's injuries. Erevan scans Gromar to assess how severe his wounds may be.
"The Half-Orc is fine. Resiliency is their specialty." Erevan says with a smirk as he nods his head to Gromar. Erevan darts his eyes between everyone and then addresses the whole party in general. "I would advise we be more expeditious since we won't accomplish anything via dillydallying." Erevan speaks with a sense of urgency since everyone's just standing around. He brushes his hand through the air, gesturing everyone to move along.
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Linan looks at everyone and nods. "In order to move faster, I will need to carry one of the children, and Cuth will carry another. Could one of you carry little Bell there? Since the horseman here is stricken by my beauty and cannot speak?"
Urgog "One Eye" Borg - Level 3 Fighter/ Rogue - Bugbear - Ryno628 Curse of Strahd.
Andraste Nailo - Level 1 Shadar Kai Cleric - grave domain -
Mathiall Darksoul - level 12 Aasimar Druid/ Wizard - Storm King - Campaign completed
Linan looks at the group, sigh and walks over to the sleeping Gromar, "ugh, this guy reeks of ale!" She lifts him with Cuths help and drapes him over Rha'el's back. She gets two of the children and sits them on the centaurs back as well. Cuth grabs the last child and the party sets off down the path towards the Keep. The party moves stealthy down the path with Night Wine scouting ahead. Smitty stays near Rha'el with Melnar following in the rear. Linan stays just ahead of Rha'el. They make the way to the keep without incident, just a couple close calls. As the team moves on they gather about 20 more people and get them to the keep as well. As they reach the Keep the sun is just going out of sight on the horizon. They are met at the gate by a shield dwarf with knotted, tangled, bright red hair and a a human male of sixty years. The right side of the human's face and head are bandaged, his right arm hangs in a sling, and his light blue tunic is stained with his own blood. He received these wounds during the early stages of the attack and hasn’t spared the time for more than cursory first aid. They introduce themselves as Castellan Escobert the Red and Governor Nighthill.
Governor Nighthill: "Greetings Adventures, thank you for bringing these people in with you. It is a good thing you made it when you did. I have reports that a very large group of the cultist was seen filling in that last hole. The raiders have isolated the keep from the town with encircling groups of guards, but they haven’t organized an attack. I don't think the raiders intend to attack the keep; they seem interested only in loot. The real danger is to the town and to those people who didn’t make it into the keep before it was cut off. A stealthy group can make it out of the keep and back in again without drawing the raiders’ attention." He sighs and looks at the group, "Would you be willing to slip out of the keep and try to bring in groups of towns folks and generally harass the Cultist? I can pay well for each group found, 10 gold for each of you for each group you locate and bring back. Also, if you see any leaders of the cultist, Capture them and bring them back for questioning. I will add an extra 100 gold for that."
Urgog "One Eye" Borg - Level 3 Fighter/ Rogue - Bugbear - Ryno628 Curse of Strahd.
Andraste Nailo - Level 1 Shadar Kai Cleric - grave domain -
Mathiall Darksoul - level 12 Aasimar Druid/ Wizard - Storm King - Campaign completed
Smitty bows solemnly to the Governor, "I'm sure me and my new friends would be willing to save as many as we can. I can not act as a conduit to the merciful magic of Mishakel much more, especially if we are to go back out into the fray, but I can stabilize any dire wounds before we go."
Smitty looks to the party, "We should also quickly discuss our methods as a group, while we can. We need a general idea of how to approach most fights. I'm no great tactician, but each of us should figure out a good idea of how we can best work within a group."
The gnome shrugs, wanting to bring something up but not quite sure how to say it. "I see that others are more apt for combat and offensive magic. I can defend fairly well with a shield, and have a fair shot with a crossbow, but I'm no great warrior. I need to realign my blessings more oriented to healing and protection, where I think I'll be most effective. I think I would do best as a kind of reserve fighter, grouping with our ranged and casters. I can don my shield and offer the more vulnerable protection in a pinch, but I'll be running into the fore when our frontline toughs needs healing or support. I'd like everyone else to make a similar assessment, so that we can work in harmony."
With that, he quickly scans the survivors in the keep and does what he can for them (without magic). Perception for bad injuries 5 , Medicine for stabilization 8
Smitty the Life Cleric Gnome, Heronmark the Arakocra Monk of Air- Tiamat HomebrewSmitty is not able to see any badly wounded currently, but he is able to move among some of the people they had gathered and bandage a few wounds. Night Wine moves along behind Smitty and uses the power of his bow to heal any more serious wounds. Gromar remains asleep in a corner until someone walks by with some ale and he wakes up and tries to follow after the smell. Melnar is seen in a corner muttering about timelines and his masters words of wisdom. Rha'el has become the center of attention for several children as he tells stories from his childhood of great heroic deeds of his family. Erevan stands to the side and polishes his sword.
Urgog "One Eye" Borg - Level 3 Fighter/ Rogue - Bugbear - Ryno628 Curse of Strahd.
Andraste Nailo - Level 1 Shadar Kai Cleric - grave domain -
Mathiall Darksoul - level 12 Aasimar Druid/ Wizard - Storm King - Campaign completed
Night Wine will just follow the movements and decisions the rest of the party decides to make.
Erevan applies the finishing touches to his sword while listening to request. He gazes between his companions and back to the Governor.
"We humbly accept your request and will save as many of your folk as we can." Erevan states boldly with a raised brow as he marches out of the keep, inbound to the last hole. As he draws closer, he slows down and begins to skulk so as not to alarm any hostiles of his presence.
Stealth: 20
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Castellan Escobert the Red stops Erevan before he reaches the door out. "I would advise against that, laddie. There a lot of cultist out there. There is a better way out and way you will not be seen. There is a Tunnel from the bottom of the keep that leads out to the bank of the river. We built it long ago in case of a siege for a way to get out to get water. The exit is disguised to look like a sewer outlet. If you go out that way you should be able to bypass most of the groups patrolling." He looks at the rest. "I would also suggest being stealthy."
Urgog "One Eye" Borg - Level 3 Fighter/ Rogue - Bugbear - Ryno628 Curse of Strahd.
Andraste Nailo - Level 1 Shadar Kai Cleric - grave domain -
Mathiall Darksoul - level 12 Aasimar Druid/ Wizard - Storm King - Campaign completed
Erevan stands upright, and nods as he receives the clarification.
"Very well. Let's go." Erevan says aloud as he makes way toward the tunnel room.
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Rha'El observes the townsfolk and the rest of the crew for a bit before following Erevan towards the hidden tunnel.
Shaxus - Lvl 8 Bard, College of Swords - Storm King's Thunder
Shanxus - Lvl 4 Fighter, Champion - One Piece Homebrew
Snaxus - Lvl 1 Rogue, Arcane Trickster - Heist of Waterdeep
Amelia - Lvl 8 Cleric, Order Domain - Lvl 4 Fighter, Champion - Ravnica Homebrew
Rha'EL - Lvl 3 Paladin, Oath of the Reaper - Tiamat Homebrew
Zed - Lvl 2 Fighter, Gunslinger - Curse of Strahd
Melnar sits down and flips open one of his books. He burns some materials and begins casting a ritual. His eyes closes and his lips move, but no words are heard. This continues for just over an hour then a sudden burst of light from the small flame. A celestial weasel scurries around before climbing up on Melnar's shoulder to look around at it's surroundings.
Ritual Casting Find Familiar for a Weasel. Takes 1:10.
As Erevan was urging his companions to follow, he glances back to see Melnar wasting time to cast a ritual. Erevan grits his teeth as he feels Melnar is taking light of the situation.
"We don't have time for rituals." Erevan barks at Melnar as he waits for everyone else to follow suit to forgo the quest.
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Gromar returns to the group with a tankard in hand, yawning the remainder of the grogginess away, and shrugging his shoulders. "I can't blame the guy for taking his time, I'll follow whoever heads out first though. I think I got my rest in, but it feels like a vertebrate in my spine may have been jarred a bit." He says as he rubs his lower back tenderly and glances at Rha'El.
Smitty finishes checking among the survivors and jogs to the scowling Erevan. "It would be best to begin as soon as possible, to save the most we can, but it might not be a bad idea to split up to cover more ground. If Melnar and Gromar need an hour, we could try searching west while they check east after their rest."
Smitty thinks for a moment and then continues, "It might be best to try to avoid most fights. Night Wine can scout like no other, and Melnar's ferret can probably do the same. I'm just not sure if it would be better to cut a bloody path for survivors to make their way to the tunnel entrance or to try to escort several small groups. A bloody path will draw attention but sneaking about will be slow work"
Smitty the Life Cleric Gnome, Heronmark the Arakocra Monk of Air- Tiamat Homebrew[OOC: The red dot is the keep. The X is where the hidden tunnel leads out.]
Castellan Escobert the Red looks at each of the members of the party. "Just let me know when you wee lads are ready to go. " He turns to the Governor, "Sir, I can handle things here if you want to go back up to the captains to make sure everything in fine." The Governor nods and heads back up the stairs.
Urgog "One Eye" Borg - Level 3 Fighter/ Rogue - Bugbear - Ryno628 Curse of Strahd.
Andraste Nailo - Level 1 Shadar Kai Cleric - grave domain -
Mathiall Darksoul - level 12 Aasimar Druid/ Wizard - Storm King - Campaign completed
Erevan moves through the keep's hidden tunnel and comes out near the river. He peers around to see what's within his vicinity, and to determine which direction may be the viable choice to search for survivors.
Perception: 21
(OOC): Oof. Assuming he wouldn't spot anything.
Erevan skulks north, heading near the dirt road that's nearest the hidden tunnel. He moves quietly as not to alarm any cultists that may be afoot.
Stealth: 7
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist