Osmord will indeed pretend to remove his curse before wandering back to the graveyard and collapsing into his shell for a short while. Worm will fly over and land atop his back.
As he goes he nods to Belkas, "Perhaps we rest first, then loose the screaming goblins. They can leave with us?"
Zyllith watched and waited as Xolkin, Kella, and all of their associates moved past the bridge. She continued watching to make sure they all moved down the road, away from the town and hopefully far from them. Once she was certain they were well on their way, and more importantly far too far to be within earshot, she moved back down from the guard towers towards the others, slumped against a wall and just let out a heavy breath.
"Bloody hells, I cannae believe tha' worked! Was jus' pullin' fairy tales out me arse an' servin' 'em up wit a smile for whot been felt like hours. Thank whot gods were listenin' ta' me' gran' tale whot seemed entertain'd enough ta' make 'em swallow it all down."
Looking back over the others and their injuries she nodded in agreement, "Aye, I managed ta' avoid a scratch by talkin' like a mad-woman. But ye' all did'nea have tha' chance. Ye' best get some rest fer now. I'll be helpin' keep watch and all tha' whilst ye' get some shut-eye."
Arisa will ask the guards if they know how long a journey it is to the caves where the villagers went. She'd rather have a full rest before facing any goblins!
Belkas rests for an hour, sitting up in the tower. He empties his mind of all thoughts of the battle, letting his fears and triumphs slip away. In his mind he traces the dark runes that cover his arms, feeling the flow of dark power move through his body. He comes back to himself feeling full of life again.
Arisa has a restless nap, dreaming of the battle and how close she was to losing her companions and her own life. (She recovers only 4 hit points (snake eyes!) and decides to use a spell tonheal herself some more, again rolling poorly!). She’s not ready for a big battle but looks somewhat better.
As promised, Zyllith spends this time keeping watch, moving between the various watchtowers as she keeps an eye out for any more dangers that might come from any direction.
During this time she also speaks with Gwerk and the other goblins still in their custody, trying to make sure they're taken care of as well as staying out of trouble.
When the orcs retreat towards the nearby hills, you open the gate and let out the trio of Zhents, who quickly join their other companion and begin riding back down the road away from Nightstone. Within a few minutes, they're out of sight, and so you all settle down and take a breather.
While Osmord, Arisa and Belkas take a couple hours to rest and recuperate from the morning's excitement, Vernon enjoys a nice nap in the grass. During this time, Zyllith moves around the village keeping her eye out for trouble and checking on the goblins. She finds Gwerk milling about in the little farm field north of the stables, and the other two goblins in the windmill are still tied up and keeping quiet. The four guards also take a rest, with Sydiri and Kaelen spending the time up in the main watchtowers by the gate, also keeping a lookout, while Alara tends to Torem, who is still in very bad shape after his serious injury.
Fortunately, all seems clear now, and as you take the time to reflect on the battle with the orcs and your interaction with Xolkin and Kella, you end your rest feeling even more capable and confident, and better prepared for whatever lies ahead.
As Vernon sleeps, he enters another dream. This one is entirely a forest, but there is more happening. "Snire," vines rise a short distance away. "Sniren," a bramble stretches along his lance and encircles the first vines. "Snirenst," the vines and brambles take on weird faces and flee. "Rezinkhroni," sparrows fly out of the bushes, singing "Kindle, Shelter, Be, Preserve; Light prevails where you do serve!" (To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.) "Ladnalf!" Sparks fly from his shield toward the sparrows, but they fizzle against their feathers. Laughingly this time, "Ladnalf!" Thorns shoot out from his shield, striking viney creatures that weren't there two moments ago. "Nik'Sle'Est!" A sword appears, faintly glows, then slices through the vines, flashing at each hit. Rhythmically, "Ikkileim'Rajom." The vines shake off the fallen tips and rise again, more lithely than before. The sparrows sing, "Kindle, Shelter, Be, Preserve; With my light you'll never swerve." And the dream ends.
Vernon sits up. "I've seen the light. I know what my magic does, but there's more of it!" (Abrupt tonal shift.) "Now, why didn't they tell me where this cheese comes from?" He pulls out the small block of cheese he's been carrying.
Osmord sinks his claws into the soil of the graveyard and breathes deeply. This journey was already paying dividends. Taking the life of the goblins and orcs had been like drinking sweet nectar and he could feel the seeds of his power blossoming as he readied himself for a grim harvest. He was at long last a reaper of souls. If he had know that such terminal violence had been the key to his power he would have ventured forth long before to reap its reward.
Another deep ragged breath. Slowly... carefully... that was the way. To rush would be to give way to passion and become a true monster. Here he must rely on his faith to temper his thirst for knowledge and power. Jergal was a being of great intellect and wisdom after all. Osmord's own brush with death held its own lesson. The path he had chosen was one of patience and learning, he was to be a spectre an eye wreathed in shadow. Carefully he removes the damp tome that serves as his spell book and calms his mind as he works through the complex arcane equations within.
Belkas climbed down the ladder from the tower, rested, happy, and rather pleased with the outcome of the battle. He took a few steps and then stumbled as burning pain lanced up his arms. He gasped, fell to his knees, and then everything went dark.
Belkas regained consciousness and found himself sprawled on the ground before the herbalist's house. His hands were covered in dark carbon, and pungent smoke was rising from a small braiser over a campfire fire. There before him, poking him in his face, was a red cat-sized fiend with leathery bat wings, a barbed tail, and small point horns.
Seeing that Belkas was now awake, it said, "I am Crowley the Crafty, Blight upon Nations, and Corruptor of Kings. Someone downstairs must have great plans for you, as they have sent me to protect and guide you."
The imp looks distastefully at Belkas, still lying in the dirt, and says, "And that may be a harder job than I expected."
Arisa, not feeling well rested at all, sits in the sun and says her prayers, eyes closed. A sudden sensation of magical power fills her and what was normal sunshine becomes for a moment the divine radiance of her goddess, Mystra, the goddess of Magic. Gasping, Arisa smiles, and opens her eyes... the sunshine looks normal, the grass of the village green, small flowers blooming, Vernon lying on his back dozing- all looks the same- but somehow it all feels totally different....
Belkas walks up to the rest of the team. His face looks haggard, despite the short rest, but his eyes shine with new energy.
"Sorry for the delay. Some things ... happened. I am ready now to continue on to the caves. Do you think we should bring one of the goblins along as a guide to help us find the place and identify traps?"
He looks to one side as if listening to something, sighs, and then says, "I should also introduce you to my new traveling companion. Crowley, if you wouldn't mind showing yourself."
A rat appears on Belkas' shoulder.
Belkas says, "In your true form, please."
The rat transforms into an imp. It smiles a pointy-toothed grin at the party and says, "I am Crowley the Crafty, Blight upon Nations, and Corruptor of Kings, and I really think I'm going to have a blast working with you all."
It then breathes out a smoke ring, which rises sleepily into the air.
The guards seem a bit wary by the sight of Crowley, but they stay focused on the task at hand. As Alara had previously indicated, there are a series of bat caves riddled in the hills about one mile north of the village. She's pretty sure the villagers fled there, accompanied by a few other members of the town guard. It has never been known that goblins inhabit those caves, so she doesn't know whether the caves that Gwerk is referring to are the same ones.
At any rate, she and Gwerk both indicate that it's a relatively short walk to reach the base of these hills.
Arisa says “only a mile walk, worth checking out! We should see if one of the goblins will clarify which caves it is. interesting to meet you Crowley. I hope you can be of help to us! “
To the party quietly she says “we should be careful the goblins don’t try to double cross us when we get close- or yell out or anything. It would be nice if we could sneak in or catch some goblins by surprise in close range- we’ve seen how deadly they can be with those bows....”
"Hold yer tails a bit. We got some of 'em whot gobbies was part o' tha' raid. Might be we can try an' 'ave a chat wit' tha' buggars first, so's we dun risk any townfolk gettin' 'urt. Yea?" Zyllith suggested, "Either way we'd need bring 'em gobbies we captured wit' us. Might wanna give 'em a reason not ta' ruin a less bloody option. Assumin' they think tis possible."
Arisa says”You are right- maybe there is a peaceful solution to this. The downside of that is we give up the chance to catch them by surprise.” She laughs “ it is funny- you are the one arguing for diplomacy and I’m thinking we should sneak in and get the jump on them- seems like our roles are reversed. what do you all think?”
"Haha, maybe, or might be nothin' would surprise 'em gobbies more than us coming in peacefully tryin' ta' have a nice chat." Zyllith smiled back. "Think we'd still 'ave plenty o' ways ta' use more deadly surprises if things go all knickers up."
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Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
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"Well, they were a pleasant couple, weren't they?
I agree with Arisa. A little rest and food would do us well now the excitement is over."
Belkas glances at Osmord, "Talking of which, don't we still have two goblins tied up in the windmill? We should probably do something about them."
Osmord will indeed pretend to remove his curse before wandering back to the graveyard and collapsing into his shell for a short while. Worm will fly over and land atop his back.
As he goes he nods to Belkas, "Perhaps we rest first, then loose the screaming goblins. They can leave with us?"
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
Zyllith watched and waited as Xolkin, Kella, and all of their associates moved past the bridge. She continued watching to make sure they all moved down the road, away from the town and hopefully far from them. Once she was certain they were well on their way, and more importantly far too far to be within earshot, she moved back down from the guard towers towards the others, slumped against a wall and just let out a heavy breath.
"Bloody hells, I cannae believe tha' worked! Was jus' pullin' fairy tales out me arse an' servin' 'em up wit a smile for whot been felt like hours. Thank whot gods were listenin' ta' me' gran' tale whot seemed entertain'd enough ta' make 'em swallow it all down."
Looking back over the others and their injuries she nodded in agreement, "Aye, I managed ta' avoid a scratch by talkin' like a mad-woman. But ye' all did'nea have tha' chance. Ye' best get some rest fer now. I'll be helpin' keep watch and all tha' whilst ye' get some shut-eye."
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Osmord remembers the goblin Gwerk as he rests there amidst the dead. He sends worm up to find the troublesome little fiend.
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
Vernon will take a short nap. The wounds were a bit too deep to recover fully, but it's a start.
2 hit dice: (2 + 2) + (3 + 2) = 9
Arisa will ask the guards if they know how long a journey it is to the caves where the villagers went. She'd rather have a full rest before facing any goblins!
Belkas rests for an hour, sitting up in the tower. He empties his mind of all thoughts of the battle, letting his fears and triumphs slip away. In his mind he traces the dark runes that cover his arms, feeling the flow of dark power move through his body. He comes back to himself feeling full of life again.
---
1 HD, 1d8+2: 10.
Back to full HP.
Arisa has a restless nap, dreaming of the battle and how close she was to losing her companions and her own life. (She recovers only 4 hit points (snake eyes!) and decides to use a spell tonheal herself some more, again rolling poorly!). She’s not ready for a big battle but looks somewhat better.
As promised, Zyllith spends this time keeping watch, moving between the various watchtowers as she keeps an eye out for any more dangers that might come from any direction.
During this time she also speaks with Gwerk and the other goblins still in their custody, trying to make sure they're taken care of as well as staying out of trouble.
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
When the orcs retreat towards the nearby hills, you open the gate and let out the trio of Zhents, who quickly join their other companion and begin riding back down the road away from Nightstone. Within a few minutes, they're out of sight, and so you all settle down and take a breather.
While Osmord, Arisa and Belkas take a couple hours to rest and recuperate from the morning's excitement, Vernon enjoys a nice nap in the grass. During this time, Zyllith moves around the village keeping her eye out for trouble and checking on the goblins. She finds Gwerk milling about in the little farm field north of the stables, and the other two goblins in the windmill are still tied up and keeping quiet. The four guards also take a rest, with Sydiri and Kaelen spending the time up in the main watchtowers by the gate, also keeping a lookout, while Alara tends to Torem, who is still in very bad shape after his serious injury.
Fortunately, all seems clear now, and as you take the time to reflect on the battle with the orcs and your interaction with Xolkin and Kella, you end your rest feeling even more capable and confident, and better prepared for whatever lies ahead.
Congratuations, you made it to Level 3.
As Vernon sleeps, he enters another dream. This one is entirely a forest, but there is more happening. "Snire," vines rise a short distance away. "Sniren," a bramble stretches along his lance and encircles the first vines. "Snirenst," the vines and brambles take on weird faces and flee. "Rezinkhroni," sparrows fly out of the bushes, singing "Kindle, Shelter, Be, Preserve; Light prevails where you do serve!" (To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.) "Ladnalf!" Sparks fly from his shield toward the sparrows, but they fizzle against their feathers. Laughingly this time, "Ladnalf!" Thorns shoot out from his shield, striking viney creatures that weren't there two moments ago. "Nik'Sle'Est!" A sword appears, faintly glows, then slices through the vines, flashing at each hit. Rhythmically, "Ikkileim'Rajom." The vines shake off the fallen tips and rise again, more lithely than before. The sparrows sing, "Kindle, Shelter, Be, Preserve; With my light you'll never swerve." And the dream ends.
Vernon sits up. "I've seen the light. I know what my magic does, but there's more of it!" (Abrupt tonal shift.) "Now, why didn't they tell me where this cheese comes from?" He pulls out the small block of cheese he's been carrying.
Osmord sinks his claws into the soil of the graveyard and breathes deeply. This journey was already paying dividends. Taking the life of the goblins and orcs had been like drinking sweet nectar and he could feel the seeds of his power blossoming as he readied himself for a grim harvest. He was at long last a reaper of souls. If he had know that such terminal violence had been the key to his power he would have ventured forth long before to reap its reward.
Another deep ragged breath. Slowly... carefully... that was the way. To rush would be to give way to passion and become a true monster. Here he must rely on his faith to temper his thirst for knowledge and power. Jergal was a being of great intellect and wisdom after all. Osmord's own brush with death held its own lesson. The path he had chosen was one of patience and learning, he was to be a spectre an eye wreathed in shadow. Carefully he removes the damp tome that serves as his spell book and calms his mind as he works through the complex arcane equations within.
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
Belkas climbed down the ladder from the tower, rested, happy, and rather pleased with the outcome of the battle. He took a few steps and then stumbled as burning pain lanced up his arms. He gasped, fell to his knees, and then everything went dark.
Belkas regained consciousness and found himself sprawled on the ground before the herbalist's house. His hands were covered in dark carbon, and pungent smoke was rising from a small braiser over a campfire fire. There before him, poking him in his face, was a red cat-sized fiend with leathery bat wings, a barbed tail, and small point horns.
Seeing that Belkas was now awake, it said, "I am Crowley the Crafty, Blight upon Nations, and Corruptor of Kings. Someone downstairs must have great plans for you, as they have sent me to protect and guide you."
The imp looks distastefully at Belkas, still lying in the dirt, and says, "And that may be a harder job than I expected."
Arisa, not feeling well rested at all, sits in the sun and says her prayers, eyes closed. A sudden sensation of magical power fills her and what was normal sunshine becomes for a moment the divine radiance of her goddess, Mystra, the goddess of Magic. Gasping, Arisa smiles, and opens her eyes... the sunshine looks normal, the grass of the village green, small flowers blooming, Vernon lying on his back dozing- all looks the same- but somehow it all feels totally different....
Belkas walks up to the rest of the team. His face looks haggard, despite the short rest, but his eyes shine with new energy.
"Sorry for the delay. Some things ... happened. I am ready now to continue on to the caves. Do you think we should bring one of the goblins along as a guide to help us find the place and identify traps?"
He looks to one side as if listening to something, sighs, and then says, "I should also introduce you to my new traveling companion. Crowley, if you wouldn't mind showing yourself."
A rat appears on Belkas' shoulder.
Belkas says, "In your true form, please."
The rat transforms into an imp. It smiles a pointy-toothed grin at the party and says, "I am Crowley the Crafty, Blight upon Nations, and Corruptor of Kings, and I really think I'm going to have a blast working with you all."
It then breathes out a smoke ring, which rises sleepily into the air.
The guards seem a bit wary by the sight of Crowley, but they stay focused on the task at hand. As Alara had previously indicated, there are a series of bat caves riddled in the hills about one mile north of the village. She's pretty sure the villagers fled there, accompanied by a few other members of the town guard. It has never been known that goblins inhabit those caves, so she doesn't know whether the caves that Gwerk is referring to are the same ones.
At any rate, she and Gwerk both indicate that it's a relatively short walk to reach the base of these hills.
Arisa says “only a mile walk, worth checking out! We should see if one of the goblins will clarify which caves it is. interesting to meet you Crowley. I hope you can be of help to us! “
To the party quietly she says “we should be careful the goblins don’t try to double cross us when we get close- or yell out or anything. It would be nice if we could sneak in or catch some goblins by surprise in close range- we’ve seen how deadly they can be with those bows....”
"Hold yer tails a bit. We got some of 'em whot gobbies was part o' tha' raid. Might be we can try an' 'ave a chat wit' tha' buggars first, so's we dun risk any townfolk gettin' 'urt. Yea?" Zyllith suggested, "Either way we'd need bring 'em gobbies we captured wit' us. Might wanna give 'em a reason not ta' ruin a less bloody option. Assumin' they think tis possible."
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Arisa says”You are right- maybe there is a peaceful solution to this. The downside of that is we give up the chance to catch them by surprise.” She laughs “ it is funny- you are the one arguing for diplomacy and I’m thinking we should sneak in and get the jump on them- seems like our roles are reversed. what do you all think?”
"Haha, maybe, or might be nothin' would surprise 'em gobbies more than us coming in peacefully tryin' ta' have a nice chat." Zyllith smiled back. "Think we'd still 'ave plenty o' ways ta' use more deadly surprises if things go all knickers up."
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn