"Well met my friend Zaxx Pincushion. Perhaps you would like to remove the arrow from your leg prior to a relaxing walk in the forest? When you are ready let me know and we'll head back to the goblin camp. I feel our vertically challenged friend is eager to be about it. I plan on staying near the goblin camp tonight to head out fresh tomorrow towards this mysterious cragmaw castle. It can't be far! Perhaps our fatigued friends can attend our camp before first light? I will head out early scouting the trail. If you are staying here my muscled friend (while looking at Brecca) I wish you well, will see you in the morn and try to keep eedim out his cups and don't ever throw a stick once Kryinor wakes or you'll end playing fetch til lunch! Haha!
"A fine axe indeed," says Eedim. then loking at Titus, "Even if its of inferior elven make."
Taking the axe off Kryionr, Eedim bows a bit shakily and looks over at Kargan, "Seems this tot is nearly spent, I will go with you, they might have more drink at their camp, and my stuff of course!"
Holding the flask over his open mouth he lets the last few drops of the rough spirit fall.
Titus, Kargan and Zaxx all move off weary and bloody towards the goblin camp to retrieve the lost possessions. Eedim in the end decides to stay with Kryinor and the wolves, "I'll have a wee kip and keep the pups company," he says and is on his back and snoring in no time at all.
The wolves gather close to the young druid and patiently sit for his healing ministrations.
Blaze and two wolves keep watch circling the perimeter of the small makeshift camp, while Kryinor, Eedim, and the wounded wolves rest and recover form the previous days exertions.
Upon reaching the Goblin camp, you find it empty and still. It seems that all the remaining greenskins and their monstrous ally pursued Titus, Eedim, and Zaxx, eventually dying in that desperate fight in the trees.
Zaxx recovers his possessions intact and carefully packed in a wagon. Eedim's gear is eventually found in another wagon lashed to the first.
The rest of the camp is made of simple tents, temporary furniture and items made form the forest itself. The wagons contain provisions, now dwindled form weeks campaigning in and around the Neverwinter Wood. Trade goods captured from merchant caravans, personal items form pillaged homesteads and trapper or miner camps, and a gruesome sack containing about a dozen Elf heads, both male and female make up the rest of the wagon cargo. It seems that the Goblins of Castle Cragmore are no friends of the Woodland people.
Some rather poorly treated Oxen are in a small clearing nearby lashed to a line between trees, and seem suitable for pulling the wagons.
The items in the raiders camp should sell for a reasonable amount of gold if they can be brought back to Phandalin.
Titus appears rather sombre after discovering the severed heads of the elves. Not his usual jovial self he turns to Zaxx and Kargan with a sad demeanor.
"I will see you at daybreak tomorrow friends. I have some rites to complete for my fallen brothers and sisters. I plan on bivouacking here tonight. I will claim this victory for Corellon and see the fallen off to Sehanine's care. Make sure you set your pickets well Master Dwarf and get a good nights rest, you've earned it friend. I will complete my rites as required of me and my kind and see to some scouting after I rest a while. I will have a better understanding of where this fat arsed goblin kings hovel is by tomorrow morning. Fare well."
With that Titus retrieves the blood soaked bag with deference and stalks off into the woods.
OOC: I'm sure at some point when ant has the time he can post something about our travel to this camp - Titus would constantly engage him to get him to talk about who he is and where is from.
Don: Titus would take the heads to a grove or such like containing a stream and preferably a small water fall or at least running rapids, finding an oak the heads would be placed in the care of a mother oak near such water ensuring the slain elves passage to the feet of Corellon in Menel. Once complete he will head back to the goblin camp and ascend the greatest tree nearby and trance in the canopy. Once rested he would spend the remaining daylight hours in the tree inspecting the Hobgoblin leaders bow and arrows then once darkness has taken hold of the forest he will begin scouting by searching for any tracks away from this camp that are not towards ours and if he can't find any he will take an easy arc away from the camp opposite to ours and move through forest (imagine a pizza slice narrow point starts at the green camp centered outwards directly opposite the direction of ours that is the 'slice' he will scout moving in a z pattern across the slice as he goes.) far enough that he can return prior to false dawn.
Religion: 3
Stealth: 15
History: 18
perception: 13
Nature: 13
Arcana: 20
INvestigation: 11
let me know any other rolls needed
This dice roller ******* hates me im sure. It averages a roll of 7!
I will build a pen for the oxen out of logs, collect feed and water for them, then sort through the wagon contents for anything we can use (any weapons or armour?)
Zaxx chats happily with his new friends, bolstered by the bravery and drinking abilities of his sudden companions. At some point he asks one of them to give him a hand with the arrow in his leg (Zaxx hates being a bother).
"Ah, good elf!" he proclaims joyously (obviously before the gory discovery at the goblin camp). "Your timing was impeccable, my fey friend. For you see, my order, that is The Order of Flame, has entrusted me to partake of a quest most perilous! Our Order gathers knowledge, that most valuable of coin, and my area of expertise involves certain ... artifacts. Many days have I traveled, following scant clues scribed from a forbidden tome hidden deep within my Order's library. Those clues point to ... well, perhaps I shouldn't say, for although you all seem trust worthy, and indeed I owe you all my life, it is more that I am sparing you from the burden of dark knowledge."
"Sometimes it weighs heavily on my mind," the mage whispers, losing some of his merriment.
As they arrive at the goblin camp it isn't long before Zaxx's buoyant demeanor returns with an exclamation of "My hat!"
Zaxx strides around from behind the wagon, donning a rather moth-eaten and rat-nibbled looking wizard's hat. Mr Skittles perches precariously on its brim.
During our journey to the goblin camp after Zaxx starts talking
"well met, spell thrower, tell me more of your quest! such a marvelous thing to accomplish if one does it right! We are also hard at work, nothing so ode worthy as a quest dear fellow, but rather more of a tragedy, for you see we are seeking to rescue our dwarven friend Gundren, perhaps you have heard of him? Our travels lead us to a green of sack of shit who calls himself Groll the Goblin King, perhaps you have heard of him or his supposed fortress of Gragmaw? "
"we are a rather droll lot, but effective I guess if you look at it the right way of course."
"did you pass through Phandalin?"
"I once met a fellow of yours, what was his name? ......Larny, no , Larns, no that wasn't it, Oh I know Larno! yes that's it Larno, A great wizard by his own reckoning, spent a night in a dry tavern with wet cups we did, great night it was, he was full of quests and vanquished foes, you heard of him, a brother mage no doubt?"
Kargan and Zaxx guide the Oxen and the wagons back to the temporary camp where Kryinor and Breccha wait and rest from the previous nights exertions. The trip is slow and oft times frustrating as forests are no place to drive carts, though with some grumbling and appropriate use of the axe they get there by mid afternoon.
Eyes heavy, limbs sore, and souls weary the two adventurers see to the beasts and then begin to feel overwhelmingly tired.
Titus heart sore at the fate of his kinsmen, gathers their meager remains and takes them into the forest. Soon he finds a sunlit stream with the shade of overhanging trees and a fine old oak nearby that suits his purpose.
Ancient words are spoken, pleas to old gods and fallen ancestors. Titus puts his fellow Elves to rest with a solemn and respectful care. He feels the spirit of the Oak radiate peace and pleasure and knows his words and offering have let his kinsmen move on. The violence of their passing eased and place in the land of summer and light assured.
Kryinor, Breccha, and Eedim rest until their companions return. The slow and often clumsy passage of the beasts of burden making a ruckus in the peaceful rhythm of the day time sounds of the woods around them.
Kryinor finds Blaze and his pack mates are awake and foraging around the perimeter of the camp, even the wounded ones, "I have food brother," Blazes thoughts come to the young druid and the large wolf enters the camp with three rabbits in his jaw and places them at Kryinor's feet.
OOC: The wagons contain mostly provisions and consumables like arrows and firewood, as well as trade goods and some simple farm tools. The only weapons you have found were on the persons of the goblins.
Later after the ceremony Titus returns to the camp of the goblins and perches himself high in a tree to rest. Studying the leaders bow Titus can see that it is of very fine make, probably elven and most likely a trophy. The bow exudes a faint magical aura and in certain light a faint blue tinged haze envelopes it just above the surface of the black lacquered wood. More than that he cannot tell. Further magically aided study may prove more fruitful he thinks.
Several hours later Titus is back in the forest tracking down the lair of King Groll. Eyes sharp and temper stoked and burning low but hot. In a short time he finds a trail littered with goblin and wolf prints. Following the trail, carefully, he finds it winds into a larger more traveled path that turns further to the north. This path is occasionally littered with refuse and discarded objects, the trees and bushes are beaten, chopped and hacked in the careless and violent manner of some of the larger goblin creatures and it strongly reeks of their presence.
As the forest enters the hazy blue twilight of days end the ranger sees the path open up into a roughly cleared field, in the center of which an ancient and tumbled down structure of a ruined castle sits. The old stones have been made barely habitable by the shoddy and careless work of goblins and much of the old building seems in use. Lights shine dimly from some windows and the smoke of cooking fires drift lazily upwards form the center of the building.
Having found the castle Titus will make his way back to the goblin camp and rest in a tree awaiting his companions. Once they arrive in the early morning he'll tell them of his observations.
he'll recommend that they are all fighting fit for their attempt to enter and get Gundren. "Once we start we won't be able to pull back and heal, once we start it's all in til the matter is decided. We can't be carrying injuries or fatigue boys. How long does everybody need to be back at their best?"
When Kryinor wakes, he rubs his muscles, feeling better, his movements aren't so sluggish, but his foot steps are still heavier than usual and his mind is still foggy. He stands and stretches, smiling at Blaze's diligence. "Thank you, brother. Luna's energy flows through me once more, find your wounded brothers I can prepare food to heal them now" Kryinor spends the next ten minutes casting a ritual so that all of the wolves can understand him clearly (Ritual Casting - Speak with animals)then he will put a sprig of mistletoe in his left palm tracing circles it speaking the words "Baca bonum" (Spell 1st lvl - Goodberry)10 plump juicy looking berries swirl into existence where the sprig once was. He speaks softly to the injured wolves "Come brothers, eat these berries, they will make you strong again. " Offering each wolf one at a time, assessing there wounds as they eat the berries he will keeping offering them another berry until they no longer need them. Kryinor will repeat the spell until all of the wolves are fully healed. He will offer a berry to each of the other wolves too.
Once the wolves are healed Kryinor will talk to Blaze. "Now you can head home on a full stomach, the berries are my blessing and thanks to the pack. I will accompany you back to the edge of the forest, then I will come back and finish what my two legged brothers and I started. Never again will this clan of green skins enslave or torment you or your children."
Talking to Kargan " I take it Titus is off scouting out the castle then? No trouble at the goblin camp?"
Talking to the whole group "The wolves are heading back, the younger ones are missing home. It is probably for the best, wolves do not belong in castles. I will make sure there passage is safe out of the woods and then i will be back. Any of you are welcome to accompany us and see them off, we leave in fifteen minutes. "
To Zaxx "Apologies for earlier, I must have dozed off..... I can't say that I have come across many wizards that i have liked or trusted, these past few weeks have certainly not helped with that view, however you did help Eedim and likely saved one of my brothers with that fire bolt of yours, so you have my friendship as long as you remain true and do not betray that trust."
"Aye kryinor, no trouble at the grobbi camp, I had hoped to find some guarding the loot, but no luck...
A grim discovery though, the remains o' many an elf, no doubt slain by the green scum. Titus has taken them into the forest to do what must be done, it seems now titus an' I have a common goal!
We are to meet him early in the morn' at the grobbi camp, but now it is my time for rest, this day has been long, and seen many great deeds!"
Kryinor takes a moment to digest the information, if you didn't know any better you would have thought someone had just slapped him across the face. In very quiet and somber voice he replies to Kargan "You can make that three of us striving towards a common goal then, I may not be a full blooded elf like Titus, but my mother was an elf and i was raised in an elven village..... That is until ORCS burned it to the ground...... It seems our enemy has the same mentality as those violent raiders, bent on sewing destruction, more reason to rid this forest of the evil that has befallen it."
At some stage, prior to the discovery of Cragmaw Castle, Zaxx spends some time talking with Titus the Elf at length, given that the elf seems to be knowledgeable about the local area.
"Aye, my friend. I stayed for a short while at Phandalin. A ... quaint little settlement, though I much prefer the arcane resources of my current home of Neverwinter. Ah, Neverwinter! Already I miss her deep libraries and market pies! Truly one could be happily lost there exploring her mysteries.
But I digress! I traveled for a good while before settling at Neverwinter. My Order's main base is within the city of Baldur's Gate to the south and it is from there that I received my geas from the Master of Flame to head out into the world, gather knowledge, and find The Item. For each of us in the Order, when aspiring to move from one Circle within the Order to the next, is bequested to find An Item, an artifact sometimes, or perhaps something more obscure. This Item is oft steeped with arcane mystery and, while not always powerful, it is always of value to the Order.
And, if I may be candid my friend, for I feel now that perhaps I can lay this trust upon you (though best not speak of it to the others) but I seek An Item that I fear I cannot return to the Order but find it I must.
I seek ... the Forge of Spells."
Zaxx will pause for gravitas, spoiled only by the appearance of a worm that has somehow wriggled out from under his wizard's hat. Mr Skittles makes short work of it.
"Ahem, yes," the wizard continues.
"So, I have indeed heard of Cragmaw and also the Goblin King! Alas, of your dwarven friend I know naught. But, Larno ... heh heh ... let's just say I know enough to steer clear of certain brethren."
Zaxx will yawn a jaw-cracking yawn.
"I tire! And am weak from this wound. I must study and rest, for I sense we shall soon embark on an even more perilous leg of this journey."
And with that Zaxx will find a handy nook around the fire and begin to thumb through his spellbook. After a time sleep will take him.
On the morn Zaxx with dust several bugs and a rather large centipede of off his wizard's hat before looking for a meal to break his fast.
During Titus's conversation with Zaxx, once he alludes to the fact that he may know of Larno but does not side with him, Titus will become noticeably more jovial and inviting in his demenour with Zaxx - no so subtly indicating that the question was a test and that he passed. Much of the remaining conversation during the hike will be listening about Zaxx;s travels and experience as well as telling his own tales of travels in his previous life as an Archer in elvish warbands and the most glorious and righteous killing of Orcs.
After a healthy portion of goodberries all the wolves are well, refreshed and almost playful. Blaze sends happy thoughts and thanks to you Kryinor. You then spend the next few hours in the company of the pack as you see them off to their home territories. Returning to rest again with you companions old and new.
A hearty meal is prepared an consumed. Watches posted and another good rest for all, including any healing required.
Waking in the early morning, after a quiet night with no incidents, the Oxen are given a long lead for foraging and the wagons and provisions are stowed carefully and hidden with some brush with a cover for bad weather. You all then make your way back to the Goblin camp where you find Titus waiting, with a look many of you know well...
When the party arrives in camp, they are met by Titus as he swings down from his tree rest.
" Aha! Well met friends I hope this morn finds you well! A most productive night it has been! Let me draw for you one of the prettiest sights you'll ever see!"
Titus then proceeds to draw a mud map in the ground depicting the Gragmaw Castle.
"Behold the Fat bastards stronghold, Castle Lard, Greenskin Keep if you please! As per standard for these vermin they seem to have occupied a very run down and decrepit old castle that has seen better days. There are ruined walls in a few places, the widest section being in the north east. I reckon that's our target if we are going to take it by force. I have no idea of numbers though that will take more observation. But the way I see it we have three options here 1. Take the castle by storm 2. take it by ruse 3.parlay for Grundren. I don't think 3 is an option that will work."
"Well met my friend Zaxx Pincushion. Perhaps you would like to remove the arrow from your leg prior to a relaxing walk in the forest? When you are ready let me know and we'll head back to the goblin camp. I feel our vertically challenged friend is eager to be about it. I plan on staying near the goblin camp tonight to head out fresh tomorrow towards this mysterious cragmaw castle. It can't be far! Perhaps our fatigued friends can attend our camp before first light? I will head out early scouting the trail. If you are staying here my muscled friend (while looking at Brecca) I wish you well, will see you in the morn and try to keep eedim out his cups and don't ever throw a stick once Kryinor wakes or you'll end playing fetch til lunch! Haha!
"A fine axe indeed," says Eedim. then loking at Titus, "Even if its of inferior elven make."
Taking the axe off Kryionr, Eedim bows a bit shakily and looks over at Kargan, "Seems this tot is nearly spent, I will go with you, they might have more drink at their camp, and my stuff of course!"
Holding the flask over his open mouth he lets the last few drops of the rough spirit fall.
"That's the spirit (snicker) Eedim, we can soon be back here with all the missing gear, you're coming too Zapp?"
Titus, Kargan and Zaxx all move off weary and bloody towards the goblin camp to retrieve the lost possessions. Eedim in the end decides to stay with Kryinor and the wolves, "I'll have a wee kip and keep the pups company," he says and is on his back and snoring in no time at all.
The wolves gather close to the young druid and patiently sit for his healing ministrations.
Blaze and two wolves keep watch circling the perimeter of the small makeshift camp, while Kryinor, Eedim, and the wounded wolves rest and recover form the previous days exertions.
Upon reaching the Goblin camp, you find it empty and still. It seems that all the remaining greenskins and their monstrous ally pursued Titus, Eedim, and Zaxx, eventually dying in that desperate fight in the trees.
Zaxx recovers his possessions intact and carefully packed in a wagon. Eedim's gear is eventually found in another wagon lashed to the first.
The rest of the camp is made of simple tents, temporary furniture and items made form the forest itself. The wagons contain provisions, now dwindled form weeks campaigning in and around the Neverwinter Wood. Trade goods captured from merchant caravans, personal items form pillaged homesteads and trapper or miner camps, and a gruesome sack containing about a dozen Elf heads, both male and female make up the rest of the wagon cargo. It seems that the Goblins of Castle Cragmore are no friends of the Woodland people.
Some rather poorly treated Oxen are in a small clearing nearby lashed to a line between trees, and seem suitable for pulling the wagons.
The items in the raiders camp should sell for a reasonable amount of gold if they can be brought back to Phandalin.
I will check everything useful is loaded into the wagons, hitch up the oxen, and drive them back to the other campsite
Titus appears rather sombre after discovering the severed heads of the elves. Not his usual jovial self he turns to Zaxx and Kargan with a sad demeanor.
"I will see you at daybreak tomorrow friends. I have some rites to complete for my fallen brothers and sisters. I plan on bivouacking here tonight. I will claim this victory for Corellon and see the fallen off to Sehanine's care. Make sure you set your pickets well Master Dwarf and get a good nights rest, you've earned it friend. I will complete my rites as required of me and my kind and see to some scouting after I rest a while. I will have a better understanding of where this fat arsed goblin kings hovel is by tomorrow morning. Fare well."
With that Titus retrieves the blood soaked bag with deference and stalks off into the woods.
OOC: I'm sure at some point when ant has the time he can post something about our travel to this camp - Titus would constantly engage him to get him to talk about who he is and where is from.
Don: Titus would take the heads to a grove or such like containing a stream and preferably a small water fall or at least running rapids, finding an oak the heads would be placed in the care of a mother oak near such water ensuring the slain elves passage to the feet of Corellon in Menel. Once complete he will head back to the goblin camp and ascend the greatest tree nearby and trance in the canopy. Once rested he would spend the remaining daylight hours in the tree inspecting the Hobgoblin leaders bow and arrows then once darkness has taken hold of the forest he will begin scouting by searching for any tracks away from this camp that are not towards ours and if he can't find any he will take an easy arc away from the camp opposite to ours and move through forest (imagine a pizza slice narrow point starts at the green camp centered outwards directly opposite the direction of ours that is the 'slice' he will scout moving in a z pattern across the slice as he goes.) far enough that he can return prior to false dawn.
Religion: 3
Stealth: 15
History: 18
perception: 13
Nature: 13
Arcana: 20
INvestigation: 11
let me know any other rolls needed
This dice roller ******* hates me im sure. It averages a roll of 7!
I will build a pen for the oxen out of logs, collect feed and water for them, then sort through the wagon contents for anything we can use (any weapons or armour?)
Zaxx chats happily with his new friends, bolstered by the bravery and drinking abilities of his sudden companions. At some point he asks one of them to give him a hand with the arrow in his leg (Zaxx hates being a bother).
"Ah, good elf!" he proclaims joyously (obviously before the gory discovery at the goblin camp). "Your timing was impeccable, my fey friend. For you see, my order, that is The Order of Flame, has entrusted me to partake of a quest most perilous! Our Order gathers knowledge, that most valuable of coin, and my area of expertise involves certain ... artifacts. Many days have I traveled, following scant clues scribed from a forbidden tome hidden deep within my Order's library. Those clues point to ... well, perhaps I shouldn't say, for although you all seem trust worthy, and indeed I owe you all my life, it is more that I am sparing you from the burden of dark knowledge."
"Sometimes it weighs heavily on my mind," the mage whispers, losing some of his merriment.
As they arrive at the goblin camp it isn't long before Zaxx's buoyant demeanor returns with an exclamation of "My hat!"
Zaxx strides around from behind the wagon, donning a rather moth-eaten and rat-nibbled looking wizard's hat. Mr Skittles perches precariously on its brim.
"That's better," the mage sighs.
As long as Kryinor is not disturbed he will sleep till mid afternoon (OOC: Long Rest)
During our journey to the goblin camp after Zaxx starts talking
"well met, spell thrower, tell me more of your quest! such a marvelous thing to accomplish if one does it right! We are also hard at work, nothing so ode worthy as a quest dear fellow, but rather more of a tragedy, for you see we are seeking to rescue our dwarven friend Gundren, perhaps you have heard of him? Our travels lead us to a green of sack of shit who calls himself Groll the Goblin King, perhaps you have heard of him or his supposed fortress of Gragmaw? "
"we are a rather droll lot, but effective I guess if you look at it the right way of course."
"did you pass through Phandalin?"
"I once met a fellow of yours, what was his name? ......Larny, no , Larns, no that wasn't it, Oh I know Larno! yes that's it Larno, A great wizard by his own reckoning, spent a night in a dry tavern with wet cups we did, great night it was, he was full of quests and vanquished foes, you heard of him, a brother mage no doubt?"
Kargan and Zaxx guide the Oxen and the wagons back to the temporary camp where Kryinor and Breccha wait and rest from the previous nights exertions. The trip is slow and oft times frustrating as forests are no place to drive carts, though with some grumbling and appropriate use of the axe they get there by mid afternoon.
Eyes heavy, limbs sore, and souls weary the two adventurers see to the beasts and then begin to feel overwhelmingly tired.
Titus heart sore at the fate of his kinsmen, gathers their meager remains and takes them into the forest. Soon he finds a sunlit stream with the shade of overhanging trees and a fine old oak nearby that suits his purpose.
Ancient words are spoken, pleas to old gods and fallen ancestors. Titus puts his fellow Elves to rest with a solemn and respectful care. He feels the spirit of the Oak radiate peace and pleasure and knows his words and offering have let his kinsmen move on. The violence of their passing eased and place in the land of summer and light assured.
Kryinor, Breccha, and Eedim rest until their companions return. The slow and often clumsy passage of the beasts of burden making a ruckus in the peaceful rhythm of the day time sounds of the woods around them.
Kryinor finds Blaze and his pack mates are awake and foraging around the perimeter of the camp, even the wounded ones, "I have food brother," Blazes thoughts come to the young druid and the large wolf enters the camp with three rabbits in his jaw and places them at Kryinor's feet.
OOC: The wagons contain mostly provisions and consumables like arrows and firewood, as well as trade goods and some simple farm tools. The only weapons you have found were on the persons of the goblins.
Later after the ceremony Titus returns to the camp of the goblins and perches himself high in a tree to rest. Studying the leaders bow Titus can see that it is of very fine make, probably elven and most likely a trophy. The bow exudes a faint magical aura and in certain light a faint blue tinged haze envelopes it just above the surface of the black lacquered wood. More than that he cannot tell. Further magically aided study may prove more fruitful he thinks.
Several hours later Titus is back in the forest tracking down the lair of King Groll. Eyes sharp and temper stoked and burning low but hot. In a short time he finds a trail littered with goblin and wolf prints. Following the trail, carefully, he finds it winds into a larger more traveled path that turns further to the north. This path is occasionally littered with refuse and discarded objects, the trees and bushes are beaten, chopped and hacked in the careless and violent manner of some of the larger goblin creatures and it strongly reeks of their presence.
As the forest enters the hazy blue twilight of days end the ranger sees the path open up into a roughly cleared field, in the center of which an ancient and tumbled down structure of a ruined castle sits. The old stones have been made barely habitable by the shoddy and careless work of goblins and much of the old building seems in use. Lights shine dimly from some windows and the smoke of cooking fires drift lazily upwards form the center of the building.
At last Cragmaw Castle is found!
Having found the castle Titus will make his way back to the goblin camp and rest in a tree awaiting his companions. Once they arrive in the early morning he'll tell them of his observations.
he'll recommend that they are all fighting fit for their attempt to enter and get Gundren. "Once we start we won't be able to pull back and heal, once we start it's all in til the matter is decided. We can't be carrying injuries or fatigue boys. How long does everybody need to be back at their best?"
When Kryinor wakes, he rubs his muscles, feeling better, his movements aren't so sluggish, but his foot steps are still heavier than usual and his mind is still foggy. He stands and stretches, smiling at Blaze's diligence. "Thank you, brother. Luna's energy flows through me once more, find your wounded brothers I can prepare food to heal them now" Kryinor spends the next ten minutes casting a ritual so that all of the wolves can understand him clearly (Ritual Casting - Speak with animals)then he will put a sprig of mistletoe in his left palm tracing circles it speaking the words "Baca bonum" (Spell 1st lvl - Goodberry) 10 plump juicy looking berries swirl into existence where the sprig once was. He speaks softly to the injured wolves "Come brothers, eat these berries, they will make you strong again. " Offering each wolf one at a time, assessing there wounds as they eat the berries he will keeping offering them another berry until they no longer need them. Kryinor will repeat the spell until all of the wolves are fully healed. He will offer a berry to each of the other wolves too.
Once the wolves are healed Kryinor will talk to Blaze. "Now you can head home on a full stomach, the berries are my blessing and thanks to the pack. I will accompany you back to the edge of the forest, then I will come back and finish what my two legged brothers and I started. Never again will this clan of green skins enslave or torment you or your children."
Talking to Kargan " I take it Titus is off scouting out the castle then? No trouble at the goblin camp?"
Talking to the whole group "The wolves are heading back, the younger ones are missing home. It is probably for the best, wolves do not belong in castles. I will make sure there passage is safe out of the woods and then i will be back. Any of you are welcome to accompany us and see them off, we leave in fifteen minutes. "
To Zaxx "Apologies for earlier, I must have dozed off..... I can't say that I have come across many wizards that i have liked or trusted, these past few weeks have certainly not helped with that view, however you did help Eedim and likely saved one of my brothers with that fire bolt of yours, so you have my friendship as long as you remain true and do not betray that trust."
"Aye kryinor, no trouble at the grobbi camp, I had hoped to find some guarding the loot, but no luck...
A grim discovery though, the remains o' many an elf, no doubt slain by the green scum. Titus has taken them into the forest to do what must be done, it seems now titus an' I have a common goal!
We are to meet him early in the morn' at the grobbi camp, but now it is my time for rest, this day has been long, and seen many great deeds!"
Kryinor takes a moment to digest the information, if you didn't know any better you would have thought someone had just slapped him across the face. In very quiet and somber voice he replies to Kargan "You can make that three of us striving towards a common goal then, I may not be a full blooded elf like Titus, but my mother was an elf and i was raised in an elven village..... That is until ORCS burned it to the ground...... It seems our enemy has the same mentality as those violent raiders, bent on sewing destruction, more reason to rid this forest of the evil that has befallen it."
At some stage, prior to the discovery of Cragmaw Castle, Zaxx spends some time talking with Titus the Elf at length, given that the elf seems to be knowledgeable about the local area.
"Aye, my friend. I stayed for a short while at Phandalin. A ... quaint little settlement, though I much prefer the arcane resources of my current home of Neverwinter. Ah, Neverwinter! Already I miss her deep libraries and market pies! Truly one could be happily lost there exploring her mysteries.
But I digress! I traveled for a good while before settling at Neverwinter. My Order's main base is within the city of Baldur's Gate to the south and it is from there that I received my geas from the Master of Flame to head out into the world, gather knowledge, and find The Item. For each of us in the Order, when aspiring to move from one Circle within the Order to the next, is bequested to find An Item, an artifact sometimes, or perhaps something more obscure. This Item is oft steeped with arcane mystery and, while not always powerful, it is always of value to the Order.
And, if I may be candid my friend, for I feel now that perhaps I can lay this trust upon you (though best not speak of it to the others) but I seek An Item that I fear I cannot return to the Order but find it I must.
I seek ... the Forge of Spells."
Zaxx will pause for gravitas, spoiled only by the appearance of a worm that has somehow wriggled out from under his wizard's hat. Mr Skittles makes short work of it.
"Ahem, yes," the wizard continues.
"So, I have indeed heard of Cragmaw and also the Goblin King! Alas, of your dwarven friend I know naught. But, Larno ... heh heh ... let's just say I know enough to steer clear of certain brethren."
Zaxx will yawn a jaw-cracking yawn.
"I tire! And am weak from this wound. I must study and rest, for I sense we shall soon embark on an even more perilous leg of this journey."
And with that Zaxx will find a handy nook around the fire and begin to thumb through his spellbook. After a time sleep will take him.
On the morn Zaxx with dust several bugs and a rather large centipede of off his wizard's hat before looking for a meal to break his fast.
"Who likes bacon?" he asks.
During Titus's conversation with Zaxx, once he alludes to the fact that he may know of Larno but does not side with him, Titus will become noticeably more jovial and inviting in his demenour with Zaxx - no so subtly indicating that the question was a test and that he passed. Much of the remaining conversation during the hike will be listening about Zaxx;s travels and experience as well as telling his own tales of travels in his previous life as an Archer in elvish warbands and the most glorious and righteous killing of Orcs.
After a healthy portion of goodberries all the wolves are well, refreshed and almost playful. Blaze sends happy thoughts and thanks to you Kryinor. You then spend the next few hours in the company of the pack as you see them off to their home territories. Returning to rest again with you companions old and new.
A hearty meal is prepared an consumed. Watches posted and another good rest for all, including any healing required.
Waking in the early morning, after a quiet night with no incidents, the Oxen are given a long lead for foraging and the wagons and provisions are stowed carefully and hidden with some brush with a cover for bad weather. You all then make your way back to the Goblin camp where you find Titus waiting, with a look many of you know well...
The game is a foot!
When the party arrives in camp, they are met by Titus as he swings down from his tree rest.
" Aha! Well met friends I hope this morn finds you well! A most productive night it has been! Let me draw for you one of the prettiest sights you'll ever see!"
Titus then proceeds to draw a mud map in the ground depicting the Gragmaw Castle.
"Behold the Fat bastards stronghold, Castle Lard, Greenskin Keep if you please! As per standard for these vermin they seem to have occupied a very run down and decrepit old castle that has seen better days. There are ruined walls in a few places, the widest section being in the north east. I reckon that's our target if we are going to take it by force. I have no idea of numbers though that will take more observation. But the way I see it we have three options here 1. Take the castle by storm 2. take it by ruse 3.parlay for Grundren. I don't think 3 is an option that will work."
"Agreed titus, it is easy to fool a goblin, but even easier to kill one! I say we strike as the sun rises, when the grobbi slumber"