Sword Coast Rambling

While the party continues their preparations to leave Serak makes his way over to the wizard, new found ring in hand. He shakes the wizard awake for questioning, "This ring? I.... It was here in the ground. From..... uh... from what I can tell its.... d... defensive? I've not.... I mean... I haven't actually...um.... attuned to it yet?" The wizard looks on helplessly, as Serak pockets his prized possesion. All the effort of coming to the well has been wasted.

With the party almost ready to leave, they turn to face the sky as a loud shriek fills the air. From the wood, Brots emerges with a huge beam on his face. A blood hawk circles over head before soaring downwards to rest on the gnomes shoulder. Though it dominates his small frame, the hawk seems comfortable on its new perch as Brots strokes it fondly. The others look on in awe as Brots picks up his gear, ready to leave when they are.

Serak: Studying the ring more closely, Serak attempts to recall what he learned during a drunken week at the Bard College in Waterdeep, before being expelled for "debauchery."

History: 5

He then hands the ring to Zyltris, saying, "I believe you have greater need of this than I, my friend."

OOC: I'm like 80% sure it is a Ring of Protection.

Serak: Standing Kost up onto his feet, Serak says, "This Red Wizard may be evil, my friends, but we are not." He draws his dagger and cuts the Wizards bindings.

Shoving the Wizard forward, he continues, "Let us give him a fighting chance, shall we? He has no magic, no one will give him shelter - other than Thayans - and his Master will punish him ruthlessly for his failure."

Seraks memory is fuzzy as he realises he probably should have paid more attention to the masters teachings than he did to the barwomen of the Yawning Portal Inn. He vaguely recalls a lecture on jewelery and the identification of magical items, but the words fade into nonsense. Something though tells him that he must be right about this ring being one of protection, although he is reluctant to let evidence of any doubt display itself as he hands the ring to Zyltris.

Cutting the wizards bindings the red robed mage slowly stands, rubbing his wrists, "Th... thankyou Sir. I.... Yo....You'll not see me a...again. I promise." He makes his way to his tent and begins to pack up his belongings carefully, regularly checking over his shoulder, half expecting this to be a wicked trick played by the party.

OOC: Do we still get XP for being merciful? lol 

I think we're ready to continue tracking the orcs, unless you guys want to veto Serak and kill this guy, which is totally okay. lol

Taken aback by the generosity of Serak Zyltris stutters out a meek thank you. “My, Serak, I don’t know what to say. Thank you for this ring.” Zyltris then does a bit of morning stretching to shake out the kinks from his long night of rest. 

OOC: Haha no. But these things have a habit of coming back around. One good turn deserves another after all! 

OCC ..i thought that was "1 good turn deserves an Ogre."

"Do you happen to know in which direction we might find these Orcs?"

OOC: Haha. Plenty of those about!

From inside the tent, the wizards voice thinly calls out, "Um... south? Likely south from here. I’ve tracked them a....as far as Wyvern Tor but h.... haven’t uh.... haven’t found their lair as such...” His voice trails off, muted by the sound of boxes and drawers being opened and emptied. 

Serak: Waving goodbye, Serak laughs, "Kost, the orcs would have likely killed you for being here. It appears we saved your life twice. Now run on, before we change our minds."

Taking up the trail once more, Serak slides into the foliage soundlessly while keeping an eye out for danger.

Perception: 6

Stealth: 10

Edit: The DND Gods must have wanted this guy dead and now I'm being punished. lol

Kai scouts the area to see if he can pick up any path

Survival: 18

Leaving the crumbling tower behind, it is not long before the party stumble upon another trail. Syna, crouches over the footprints and easily distinguishes them as relatively fresh orc tracks. Heading south, the trail leads them deeper into the foothills of the Sword Mountains. As the trees around them gradually thin, Serak is forced back into the open as he scouts ahead. Above him, Brots' new Blood Hawk shrieks contentedly as it circles around the stony outcrop of Wyvern Tor.

Withing a few miles, a shallow ravine opens before them. The faint smell of smoke hangs on the air. Over the hills summit, fifty yards away, a cave mouth opens. Hunkered down by a boulder twenty yards outside the cave, keeping watch, is a single orc. Around the ravine, broken weapons and crates lie scattered around. The party take positions at the foot of the hill and plan their approach.

OOC: The hillside beside you counts as difficult terrain - half speed. Where line of sight is blocked by higher terrain it offers full cover. Terrain might be a bit unclear so if there's any uncertainty let me know. Also happy to change the marching order if its needed. 

Serak: Turning to the party, the bard says, "Give me a few moments to scout the area."

Knowing a thing or two about living underground, Serak knows with almost certainty that there is at least one other entrance to this den. Careful to keep cover between himself and the guard, he scouts the surrounding area.

Perception: 12

Stealth: 19

Sneaking through the area, Serak desperately tries to seek out any sign of another entrance to the cave. The scout, seemingly oblivious to the bards approach, lets out a long yawn and props itself up against a nearby boulder. Echoing from the cave, the distorted sound of creatures talking loudly in common and what the bard can only assume is orcish. From the sound of the echoed voices, the cave doesn't appear to be very deep - much smaller than any they have encountered so far.

A few minutes later, Serak returns slightly dejected. The cave entrance seems to be the only way in or out. 

"As a wolf, I might be able to get close stealthily, and knock him down."

Are we up wind or down?

Serak: Nodding his agreement, Serak says, "We can surprise him with missle fire from here while Syna-Wolf circles behind him."  He strings his goblin shortbow for increased range, testing the pull before nocking an arrow.

OOC: upwind at the minute. Gentle breeze blowing NE to SW.

"Yeah we can stay at range and I can cast...then if the orc closes I will switch to melee."

Zyltris will protect the casters

"Listen for the wolf's howl if there is other trouble. Brots, your Hawk can alert you when I am in position?"

Syna calls forth nature and assumes the form of a large timber wolf.  He takes a moment to reveal in the senses and strength.

Syna starts out slowly and carefully to the NW (off the map) before heading north.  We he gets far into the broken ground, he will circle around keeping low and stopping often to consult his senses.  

When I am north of him about 30 feet, I will crouch and wait for the others.

Perception (Syna) 18

Stealth (wolf) 8