Can I have a Perception roll from everyone please?

"Ah, battles are not something to take lightly," Aeran responds with a mild chuckle, trying to temper Mara's adventurous spirit with a sense of caution. "But I admire your enthusiasm. It's good to be prepared. Though I hope for a peaceful resolution, I suspect the road ahead might be full of challenges."

He glances around the surrounding area, scanning the tree line cautiously before returning his attention to Mara. "Your eagerness is commendable, but remember, caution is also a virtue. Battles are not just about the thrill of combat; they can bring danger and harm to everyone involved. Poor Alden here almost died yesterday. Let's hope we can find a peaceful resolution without any need for fighting. That would be the best outcome for everyone, wouldn't it?"

With a friendly smile, he inclines his head slightly toward Willow. "Your feline friend seems quite ready for anything that comes our way. It's comforting to have such loyal companions."

He then turns his attention back around them.

Perception: 13

"Yes, yes, Elara always goes on about caution too," Mara rolls her eyes and flashes Aeran her smile. "I don't recall reading the dashing tales of Sir Robin the Cautious though, or that infamous adventurer Tamara the Temperate who won fame and fortune by persuading the bad guys to give up their prisoners." She winks.

"I may have been stuck in Elara's study for what feels like twice my own lifetime, but I know a thing or two of adventure. That's what stories get written about and it's awfully exciting. I know Elara's been on some adventures too but she never tells me about them. She's so boooooring now, but she must have been so fun when she was younger."

Mara purses her lips in thought and glances at Luk. "Anyway, if we get into a fight I fancy our chances with that big slab of steak on our side. In fact you all look like you can handle anything that might be waiting for us."

She turns back to Aeran and studies your face. "What about you? What do you know of adventure? What brings you here?"

Luk smiles at her praise, "Thank you kind lady." He grins

Quote from Uhtred_the_Unprepared >>

Can I have a Perception roll from everyone please?

 *Oh no*

15 in game log

Perception check 10 (in game log)

As you approach the mouth of the cave, Alden in the lead, suddenly Lukuth spots something. From the vantage of his superior height, he can see over the briars just on the other side of the stream. It's only a glimpse as they appear to be lying prone, but you get the clear impression that there are two goblins hiding in the bush. Given the size of your party and your approach, it's not immediately clear why they have not yet seen you, or if they have, why they have not yet reacted. It can't be long before they see you. Time is of the essence! What do you do?

You can see the distances from Alden and Luk to the goblins. The rest of the party is a few yards further back. Aeran and Mara are in conversation, currently making no effort to be especially quiet. Mayres is buried in his book as usual and oblivious to anything else. Malcolm is being a donkey and Willow is being a cat.

Oblivious to what lies ahead, Aeran thinks about Mara's question for a bit.

"Ah, tales of daring adventures and the thrill of exploration always held a special place in my heart," Aeran reminisces, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. "Back home, I used to explore the woods and ruins with my closest friends, embarking on countless adventures. We'd wander the uncharted paths, abandoned temples, mysterious ruins, seeking forgotten places and untold stories. Those were the days filled with joy, laughter, and a sense of boundless curiosity. Ah... splendid times."

He lets out a soft sigh, his expression shifting momentarily as he recalls more sombre times. "However, life took a different course." Aeran's gaze drifts momentarily, as if lost in the memories of that time. "It was only after years of contemplation and self-discovery that I felt the call to pursue the path of a paladin. A path driven by a sense of duty and a desire to help those in need."

He looks back at Mara, a faint smile touching his lips. "That's what brought us here, in pursuit of our friends and to aid those who require our assistance. Perhaps it's not the grandiose tales of youthful exploration, but it's an adventure of its own, isn't it?"

Mara listens thoughtfully to Aeran's description of his childhood, smiling at his description of fantastical adventures fusing the imaginary and the real. The echoes of her own childhood are strong. Her smile falters very slightly as he mentions his life taking a different path. She recognises the unspoken tragedy in that statement. Perhaps it's her youthful naivete that makes her pick at that scab at this precise moment. She looks him in the eye and asks, not unkindly,

"What happened? You lost someone, didn't you?"

Aeran turned to look at Mara for a long moment. How could he even put into words all that he lost on that day? His friends, his love, his integrity, his sanity... One of his friends to the clutches of death, the other to their mutual grief and guilt, his family's respect and faith in him, heck, part of himself died that day too.

"That obvious, isn't it? I did. I lost everything," he murmurs very softly, almost unintelligible, his eyes clouded with a mix of sorrow and acceptance. He offers a sad smile and a slight shrug. "But hopefully, today's adventure would not be as tragic. Hopefully, Gundrun and Sildar are still alive and waiting to be saved."

Then, as if a sudden thought struck him, Aeran's gaze shifts, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Speaking of tragedies and our journey," he begins tentatively, "have you ever heard any tales about banshees?"

Lukuth on seeing the goblins makes it very clear. He bellows “GOBLINS IN THE BUSHES!” Before grabbing his axe and charging towards them. He’s never been one for sneaking around.

Roll initiative! 

5 in game log

*Just a question should i heal the 3 damage Lukuth has taken or is it good like that?*

Mara initiative: 14

The goblins are surprised so the first round will be free, but from round two their initiative will be:

Goblin 1 (closest to the cave entrance): 15

Goblin 2: 14

Lukuth will throw a javelin at one of the goblins.

18 to hit

8 damage

(Game log)

Lukuth's warning interrupts Aeran's train of thought and the paladin immediately switches to battle mode, unsheathing his long sword and changing his stance as he focuses in the direction in which the goliath has charged.

Initiative: 19 in game log

Willow initiative: 19

Initiative order:

Willow: 19

Aeran: 19

Goblin 2: 13

Alden: 10

Goblin 1: 9

Luk: 5

Mara: 4

Mara is just reaching out a consoling hand towards Aeran's shoulder when they are interrupted by Lukuth's shout and she hesitates with it suspended between them. She seems a bit confused, caught between Aeran's reminiscences and the immediacy of the threat that Lukuth has identified. Willow, on the other hand, reacts immediately to the warning. She leaps off Mara's shoulder and sprints straight towards the goblins. She disappears from view into the bushes.

Stealth roll to hide: 16

Clutching his shield in one hand, and his sword in the other, Aeran moves forward as much as he can, using Dash. (so I suppose around 60 feet?) His aim is to get closer to the goblins.