(While they work out that at least, gonna get a few things out of the way)

(Intimidation: 15) vs Wis Save:  24.
(Moreso done for flavor)

(If failed:)

(If Worg isn't miraculously slain before it can cut off Salazar) 

Only self-preservation kept the divine-blooded cleric from crashing headlong into the snarling beast. What Ryner and Anders may have only saw fleetingly in looking back to the cleric, the Worg sees in full as it towered over the cleric: unadulterated terror. Trembling and shaking his head, Salazar started to back away, or at least tried to do so.

But not a muscle would move to obey the command. So, he gasping for air and slowly tugging at his scarf. As his hand brushes against the amulet hidden beneath, his vision goes white....

'Remember...' A thought not his drifts into the forefront of the Aasimar's mind. And with it, all the fears and hopelessness disappears from both within and without.

The corner of Salazar's lips twists upwards towards a small smile. "Asseoir." Is said in goblin as now glowing pits of white affixate themselves on the eyes of the Worg. A word of power that even when soft spoken carried a weight behind it that would shake the beast's spirit to its core. Even if it should prove resilient, Salazar remains utterly serene. But if it looks as if it listened, he raises a hand as if to hold off the others. "Je ne sais pas à quel point vous comprenez - même si vous comprenez cela - mais vous n'êtes pas un loup. Comme je ne suis pas un simple humain. Alors, pas tout à fait un loup, reste un moment et écoute, et il y aura encore de la nourriture pour toi."

Action: Sit. (DC 14) Wis Save.
(Grovel. The target falls prone and then ends its turn.)

(This hurts me in so many ways... lol.)

Ryner, having a lightbulb idea, goes to strike the wolf, but non-lethally, using the flat side of his blade to instead smack as it goes by him.

Attack: 26 Damage: 12

He'll then fire another shot at the Warg, using Eldritch blast again.

Attack: 8 Damage: 6

Banging aside the charging worg's snapping jaws twice with his shield, a resolute Ander strikes out three times in quick succession at the hide of the moving creature before bringing his trusted weapon swinging up, over and down at the seemingly crazed beast. The ferocity of the large beast is like nothing the freshly knighted warrior has yet faced, but his training and personal convictions hold him in good stead, despite the discouraging sound of fleeing footsteps.

[OOC] x3 AoO attacks vs worg: Attack: 6 Damage: 7

Attack: 8 Damage: 9

Attack: 21 Damage: 10

2nd Rnd attack: Attack: 18 Damage: 9

[OOC] If the worg is slain by the AoO then Ander's second round attack is vs the wolf.

On looting, Ander will not himself search or take things from bodies or graves, but might accept an item passed to him were he convinced that doing so was necessary or served the greater good. While he is devoutly LG and zealous in his faith right now, these things are always open to fluctuation and change as caused by PCs, experiences and the world at large. Who knows what the future holds for the young somewhat naive paladin.

FYI - Ander has no issue with taking loot from chests, bags, barrels, crates, etc. His order forbids the looting of the dead and their resting places only, though if the paladin thought the goods stolen, he'd likely strive to return them to their lawful owners.

(will check soon. Had a frustrating RL issue with uselessness.)

(Working out the post now)

(You dont get the + damage when not slashing so you hit for 7, and in this case it would be blunt damage)

Ignoring the wolf, for the much more present foe, Anders ignores the wolf, however, Ryner does not. As the wolf charges past, Ryner gets a solid smack against the wolfs skull, knocking it out cold.

The wolf skids across the floor for a moment, it's tail end landing in the stream, wetting it's fur. Salazar remains un-harassed in his cowardice.

Back with Anders, the paladins first blow glances off, much like the first, however, he follows up, now seeing just how much power he truly needs to land a solid blow and does so successfully thrice in a row. The beast howls in pain, before once more biting at the paladins weapon arm - Attack: 15 Damage: 7  once more likely being deflected, but the worg follows up, standing on it's hind legs snarling as spittle flies into Anders face, before the worg bites at whatever it can Attack: 12 Damage: 12

 Somehow the worg just can't land a solid blow no matter how much it tries. The Warlocks spell stinging into it's side.. bringing it to it's last HP.

1 HP, 13 AC. 2  DAOO from Anders

 11

Need a hearing or sight perception check from 1 person. First to roll it gets it. DC 11 for hearing, DC 15 for sight. And the worg has a single HP left, to make sure thats clear.

Ryner's Perception: 8

Ryner, seeing that the Warf is on it's last leg, drops his arm and instead moves his focus to the wolf. Approaching it calmly and using his rope to tie it's legs together. He's careful to not hurt it to much, but still makes it tight enough that he's confident it'd have a hard time escaping.

1

^ DM roll.

Despite the savagery of the worg's massive, salivating jaws trying to sheer into his flesh, Ander's shield never misses a block, with the warriors sturdy chainmail armour preventing the beats clawing feet from likewise tearing into his body. While the paladins white and gold surcoat sustains a shreding and splattering of the lupine monster's blood, the determined paladin presses his attacks against his bloodied foe's writing form.

[OOC] Ander's two AoO vs the worg: Attack: 8 Damage: 11

Attack: 9 Damage: 6

Ander's RND3 attack vs the worg or wolf if the worg is dead: Attack: 9 Damage: 4

*Yikes on those three attacks. If only we were a trio instead of a duet, lol. Oh well.

The worg has died, and the wolf was previously KO'd by Ryner

(Huh.. Thought he had more HP, but guess not. Uhh.. Good luck I guess, guys?)

Although he imagined in one brief fantastical moment facing a great fear, and regain something forgotten in the long journey up from Candlekeep, a brief escape from reality alone proves not enough to calm his spirit. Salazar continues to race back to the cart without looking back once. Who knows what he will do afterwards; only that attempts to call him back are met by only fast fading footsteps, and labored breathes. 

Quote from Mehmen >>

Although he imagined in one brief fantastical moment facing a great fear, and regain something forgotten in the long journey up from Candlekeep, a brief escape from reality alone proves not enough to calm his spirit. Salazar continues to race back to the cart without looking back once. Who knows what he will do afterwards; only that attempts to call him back are met by only fast fading footsteps, and labored breathes. 

 
Panting with exertion after the brief but frantic battle, Ander looks first to Ryner to make sure that the skilled arcanist and swordsman is okay, and then begins to trudge back towards the mouth of the cave in search of Salazar. Seeing the clearly frightened man fleeing back in the direction of cart, the unsurprised paladin waits long enough to tell Ryner that he wants to try and reason with their ally in the hope of sufficiently calming him to return to the caves with them.

"I think it unlikely to succeed, but it is surely worth trying. I worry that should Salazar flee alone to Phandalin he may never make it, and if we leave these caves without finding the hostage, it may forever be too late."

Jogging back towards the place where they left the cart, Ander will cautiously approach Salazar with his weapon sheathed and a concerned but non-judgemental look on his face, and say,'

"Friend Salazar, I am glad that you are okay. I was worried for a moment that you may have been wounded back there... though I realise that not all wounds are physical in nature. Would you like to talk about what just happened? We can sit, for a moment at least, if you wish?"

[OOC] insight check to see if Salazar ran because he is understandably scared, because he is a coward, because he has become destabilised by his ordeals or for some other possibly darker reason: 15

When Anders eventually comes upon Salazar, the cleric hasn't gotten all to far. After roughly three or so minutes of running at a dead sprint he found himself hunched seated half off a burnt out husk of a tree. So caught up is he in his own thoughts, that hearing anything -- even Ander's voice -- is mroe than enough to get him to jump in his seat. 

It's more than clear in his panicked scrambling onto the opposite side and curling up that fear and cowardice more than anything dominated his actions both prior and now over any darker reasons. "Nonononono!" He exclaims during it. Once "safely" behind the husk, he curls into a protective ball, Salazar slowly rocks back and forth, clutching the javelin in hand.

"N-no. Knew I should h-have gone. Just knew it! I didn't listen to the v-v-vision, and nearly..." He trails off into groans while clutching his head. "Ten goblins, several more wolves, and who knows what else they have in there! No... I... I can't go back. Their gonna eat Sir Sildar, and there's nothing..." He trails off, and...

 "I hate this.... But we have to go back... don't we?" He states more than ask, but says nothing more as if awaiting an answer confirming his own fears. Any touch he immediately shirks away from, but given a few minutes more he gets back to his own feet, brushes off as much muck and snow on his person as possible, then with a nod to Ander to lead the way, he trudges behind him clutching a javelin. 

Quote from Mehmen >>

When Anders eventually comes upon Salazar, the cleric hasn't gotten all to far. After roughly three or so minutes of running at a dead sprint he found himself hunched seated half off a burnt out husk of a tree. So caught up is he in his own thoughts, that hearing anything -- even Ander's voice -- is mroe than enough to get him to jump in his seat. 

It's more than clear in his panicked scrambling onto the opposite side and curling up that fear and cowardice more than anything dominated his actions both prior and now over any darker reasons. "Nonononono!" He exclaims during it. Once "safely" behind the husk, he curls into a protective ball, Salazar slowly rocks back and forth, clutching the javelin in hand.

"N-no. Knew I should h-have gone. Just knew it! I didn't listen to the v-v-vision, and nearly..." He trails off into groans while clutching his head. "Ten goblins, several more wolves, and who knows what else they have in there! No... I... I can't go back. Their gonna eat Sir Sildar, and there's nothing..." He trails off, and...

Wis Save(DC 15):18.

Mystery roll if failed: 50.

 "I hate this.... But we have to go back... don't we?" He states more than ask, but says nothing more as if awaiting an answer confirming his own fears. Any touch he immediately shirks away from, but given a few minutes more he gets back to his own feet, brushes off as much muck and snow on his person as possible, then with a nod to Ander to lead the way, he trudges behind him clutching a javelin. 

 

 

 
Sitting down near the curled up man but not so close as to infringe upon his personal space, Ander smiles reassuringly as he removes his battle helm, before shaking his head in the negative, then finally nodding his head in the affirmative. Staring at one corner of his previously pristine and white tabard for a few moments, the young golden-haired templar eventually looks back up at Salazar with a level gaze that asks for only that which the which white-haired priest is willing to give freely. Speaking in a calm and open tone, the somewhat apologetic paladin says,'

"No, Salazar. The fault is not yours. While I know nothing of these visions you speak of, you are right in that you were clearly not ready to once again enter a fray like that. You were brave in your attempt to force yourself beyond your limits of endurance, and need feel no shame in succumbing to the mortal short-comings that constain us all.

The fault, though well-meaning and unintentional, is mine. Perhaps there is something to what you said earlier about the potential errant effects of good deeds... I shall have to think on this more.

Regardless, you do NOT have to return to those caves... though I am afraid that I must. Ryner seems willing and capable of leading me to this Sildar's rescue. While no blame lies with you for what just occurred, it would likley prove disasterous for us all to again put you into a situation beyond your capacity to handle.

While I am certainly not rejecting all possibility of your company on the foray further into those tunnels, I would caution against it and ask you to consider waiting at the cart for our return. Travelling these roads alone would not be safe, and once we rescue your employer from the wretched goblins, he may have need of your healing arts. Regardless, the choice is of course yours."

Ander is using none of the personal charm or force of personality that he is aware he possesses, instead plainly though kindly stating what he considers to be the facts and best course of action, while leaving the final decision wholly in Salazar's hands.

Meanwhile, Ryner, noticing that the other two ran off, takes the wolf back to the entrance of the cave, and start grooming them. Using the nearby steam, he washes the beast's fur and combs it's hair with his fingers. He does this partially to pass the time, but also in hopes that this will make the wolf more receptive to him once it awakens.

(Do I have to roll something for grooming?)

(Playign DND in real life today, wont be able to post until later)

Salazar listens, if only out of some measure of respect for the man. However, his gaze remain affixed elsewhere. Finally, he lets out a defeated sigh, brushes back loosened locks of white hair from his eyes, and gives Ander a sidelong look. "I appreciate it. Your candor, and your acceptance of my weakness. But, I think I will go back, because... I must go back. Those goblins spoke of a master, meaning this whole thing is much larger in scale than any of us can see right now." He admits with conviction.

"And 'Never slay a singer, nor stand by as others do s'o. A truth I wished to forget due to its inconvenience. But Sildar has yet a story to tell, and information to share to many a people's benefit. A truth I am all the more bound to see spoken and spread, or die in the effort having done all I could." On that grim note, Salazar continues onwards back to the cave. If he arrives in time to see Ryner in the midst of cleaning a wolf, conscious or not, he tries to awkwardly pat the swordsman on the shoulder, offering Guidance by way of compensation for previous actions.

Only willing to wait an hour at most for Ruyner to at least get the dog to process having a new master, Salazar eventually pipes up. "Do not forget your torches, or better yet lanterns if you have them. Long, late night study session has made it easier for me to see in the dark than most, so I shall be fine. And... let's try to be quieter, this time around?"

(And now, I take a nap before work yet again.)

With a sigh of resignation, Ander grimaces at Salazar's misunderstanding of his intent, but realising that little is to be gained by discussing the matter further now, merely nods as the man makes his mysterious and vague reference to some goblin master that their foes apparently spoke of.

As the dangerously unpredictable man speaks of being bound to a cause that he is willing to die for, Ander pauses to look him in the eye... before again nodding with a somewhat troubled cast to the young paladin's features, this time saying as the two men head back to the cave mouth,'

"To give all for something that a person truly believes in is admirable and righteous, Salazar. Though to live, and through one's words and deeds foster life and joy in others... this is what I am bound to strive for. Fate it would seem has brought us together, and if I am able, I would achieve this worthwhile goal in the company of Ryner and yourself."

As the two of them rejoin Ryner to see him cradling the unconscious form of the wolf and Salazar asks for stealth, Ander will shake his head and state matter of factly,'

"I would be greatly surprised if that battle with the wolves did not reveal our presence to any further enemies that might reside here. Sneaking in may no longer be an option, and short of divesting myself of my armour, which I will NOT do, I cannot promise any greater stealth than before. Preperation for further conflict and unity in battle should be our primary consideration. Will you... Can we rely on you when the time comes, Salazar? If so, you can take point as you are almost certainly the quieter of us two, but I swear by Lathander's ever rising light that I will have your back. Ryner, you are more lightly armoured and should support us from the rear or join the fray once battle commences, as you think best. Are we agreed?

And Ryner, if you mean to coax that beast back to consciousness and have it at your side as we explore further, I would warn against it, at least for the moment. It's training or feral nature would prove unpredictable to say the least when battle arises. Better to chain it here or outside, to return to it when our work here is complete. Once we do so, I promise to aid you as best I can in your attempt to tame this wild creature."

Ander will prepare himself once again for their continuing foray into the tunnels with a quick prayer to the Morning Lord, even as the templar reaches out with his divine sense to the areas beyond them,'

"Lathander. Your humble servant beseeches thee - guide my heart, mind and body in this task which I am about to undertake. If I am worthy, let me be a vessel to shine your light upon those in need and into the darkness to banish the shadow of evil. I beg thee to show me that which must be done, and that which must be undone. Amen."

Instead of lifting the man's spirit, Ander's bluntness and 'bright' sounding words on the way back just leaves Salazar's shoulder sagging by the end. He says nothing in reply however, appearing for the most part to want to be more focused on their surroundings and footing over further talk.

When questioned later about the use of stealth and reliance, Salazar squints in confusion, then grimaces and shakes his head. "If you mean to extract some sort of guarantee or promise, I am afraid I cannot do so wantonly. There are far too many things that can go wrong, and... it is not in my nature to make promises I have no way of ensuring that are kept. Though--" He looks to Ryner, and if allowed to circles around the man at least once before nodding to himself.

"No offense, but you are a little scrawnier than I am. Yet, I am certain you can still fit into my armor. And since you're in the fray more, uhm... how about a quick and temporary trade? My armor and shield for... *squints*... is that leather? Yes. Leather armor there." He offers, and if accepted motions them away from the cave while Ander keeps an eye on things. During the process Salazar rambles on about the different tricks and techniques he developed over the years to get in and out of the set of scale mail. Not for any important reason, but clearly moreso just to keep his nerves steady. At some point the amulet depicting a silver scroll is revealed, denoting him as some acolyte of a knowledge domain deity, if nothing else. Salazar is also far more physically fit than the extra layer of clothing suggests on his frame.

If the goblin's slayed outside have shields, he picks up one, not really expecting much from it. But it was something.