Hari crosses her arms. "No," she snaps, before ruining the effect by nearly falling off the horse as it shifts its hooves. "I do not...need help. I am fine on my own." Her hand goes to the sword shaped brand on her arm for a moment before she grits her teeth and fastens a death grip around the reins. "I am fine on my own," she repeats to herself, more quietly.
Rusty stretches to reach the saddle horn and propels himself onto a sturdy looking horse. Adjusting in the saddle and getting his feet settled and grabbing the reigns. I am primed to proceed on our operation.
Waiting a moment, Connor moves his horse to Hari I love stories and history, however Hobgoblin tales are a notable blindspot, Gharr'dishk versus some barbarians I'd like to hear some details about that on our trip if you'd be willing to share
Hari blinks. "First, these stories do not merely belong to hobgoblins. They are the tales of my people, who are hobgoblins, bugbears, and goblins," she corrects before smiling, sharp teeth visible. "Second, I am a dirgesinger. To tell these tales is my calling. Usually this tale is paired with music, but I have no drum, so my voice will have to be sufficient. I will do my best to translate it to Common, though much of the rhythm will be lost." She takes a deep breath, her voice taking on an almost lyrical rhythm.
"Long ago, in an ancient age, there lived a bugbear by the name of Gharr'dishk. He was a great champion of the Dhakaani Empire, a powerful dirgesinger, and his songs are many. Today I shall tell of his victory over the southern barbarians.
Long ago, in an ancient age, Gharr'dishk marched along the border of his Kech's territory with four of his loyal companions. Rhan'farr and Rhan'dek, the hobgoblin siblings whose shields none could breach. Nir'tan, the goblin whose arrows never missed. And Ter'vok, the bugbear whose cultivated rage was unmatched in battle.
Long ago, in an ancient age, the five warriors were marching when they came across a terrible sight. A hobgoblin bearing the marks of their Kech had been murdered, set upon by many attackers and killed. There were so many wounds upon him that there was more broken flesh than unmarred skin. The tracks around the body were clearly those of southern barbarians, but the tribes had never pushed so far east.
Long ago, in an ancient age, furious that humans would so attack one of their kin, the five swore vengeance. Nir'tan tracked the group, and the five followed as quickly as the tracking allowed. But not quickly enough.
Long ago, in an ancient age, the five found the humans, but they discovered the small group had rejoined a larger one, and that now there were forty humans to fight instead of six. Even worse, they approached a Dhakaani village. Such a large group of barbarians was now not only an immediate threat to the village, but a threat to the Empire, for barbarians in force this far east meant that they must be planning to settle. The five knew they must stop this, for the good of Dhakaan. There was no time to find reinforcements. The five had to defeat the barbarians alone." As she speaks, Hari's eyes alight, becoming animated, and she steadies on the horse, beginning to illustrate the story with her hands. This is the most emotional you have seen her this entire trip.
"Long ago, in an ancient age, the five planned. That night, Ter'vok came before the barbarian's camp, bellowing and roaring as if in his rage. The barbarians rushed out to meet him, and then the five sprang their trap.
Long ago, in an ancient age, the barbarians were caught. Nir'tan's arrows cut them down from the forest, while Rhan'farr and Rhan'dek blocked their retreat and slayed all who tried to return to their camp. Ter'vok truly flew into his rage, and rampaged through the barbarians. And Gharr'dishk sprang into the fight, his sword cutting through armor and flesh alike. But it seemed he would be swamped, and buried beneath the tide of humans. But he was ready.
Long ago, in an ancient age, Gharr'dishk blew a single note upon his horn, and the barbarians were thrown away. Singlehandedly, Gharr'dishk split the horde, and he and his companions made rapid work of the rest. The southern barbarians never dared to come so far east again."
As she finishes speaking, Hari's voice loses its melodic, lilting quality, returning to her usual rough words. "That is the story of Gharr'dishk and the southern barbarians." She grimly returns her attention to staying on the horse.
And with such a tale, the trip seems short as the party travels.
(Awarded with Inspiration)
As the party approaches the site, it appears it was a manor at one point. Although due to volcanic eruptions, rock slides, and general danger here in the wastes, it was reduced to less than a ruin. The party can see that lava is still active as the heat is starting to become uncomfortable. The horses refuse to ride on as the party gets closer, bothered by the lava and the heat. The manor is just a 10 minute walk from the horses if the party decided to hitch them here.
Hari looks at her horse. "Hmm, so you at least have some common sense," she grunts to the beast as she slides off, clearly relieved to have her feet back on the ground. "Looks like we're walking."
Axon dismounted from his horse and slung his pack over his shoulders. He checked to make sure his hammer and crossbow were easily retrievable but then went into a belt pouch and retrieved the tools he had on hand, a small pack of tools made for lockpicking and mechanical trap disarming.
"We should make haste, the heat will exhaust all of us"
The party advances on foot, making their way to the manor. As they come closer, they see that the front doors of the mansion are broken, either due to natural causes or to new inhabitants, it is not clear. They party walks through and see that the manor is slowly becoming one with the wastes as anything formerly lavish is reduced to mere scraps of its former worth. And as they continue, they hear something, growls and screeching, not of beasts but of humanoids up ahead.
Axon hearing the screeches stops in his tracks. "We are here to collect the obsidian, if there is something ahead we should wait it out and proceed once it is gone."
Whispering I am inclined to agree with both of you let's sneak ahead to gauge the threat and if it's something we can handle engage it because it will be much easier to search after all threats are removed motioning to lilliana and rusty can you two go ahead?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Critical Failure
As Rusty creeps up to the wall, he accidentally touches a loose stone, knocking it free. As it comes down, it takes more stones on its fall. A clatter of noise and dust spreads, until the wall by Rusty is just a heap of stones. And beyond that is six fiends, all of them coming to your waist level, bloated and with maggots crawling in their skin. They snarl at the party as they bare their claws to the party.
Roll Initiative
For this encounter, it will be Initiative average vs average
Hari crosses her arms. "No," she snaps, before ruining the effect by nearly falling off the horse as it shifts its hooves. "I do not...need help. I am fine on my own." Her hand goes to the sword shaped brand on her arm for a moment before she grits her teeth and fastens a death grip around the reins. "I am fine on my own," she repeats to herself, more quietly.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Rusty stretches to reach the saddle horn and propels himself onto a sturdy looking horse. Adjusting in the saddle and getting his feet settled and grabbing the reigns. I am primed to proceed on our operation.
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
Waiting a moment, Connor moves his horse to Hari I love stories and history, however Hobgoblin tales are a notable blindspot, Gharr'dishk versus some barbarians I'd like to hear some details about that on our trip if you'd be willing to share
Hari blinks. "First, these stories do not merely belong to hobgoblins. They are the tales of my people, who are hobgoblins, bugbears, and goblins," she corrects before smiling, sharp teeth visible. "Second, I am a dirgesinger. To tell these tales is my calling. Usually this tale is paired with music, but I have no drum, so my voice will have to be sufficient. I will do my best to translate it to Common, though much of the rhythm will be lost." She takes a deep breath, her voice taking on an almost lyrical rhythm.
"Long ago, in an ancient age, there lived a bugbear by the name of Gharr'dishk. He was a great champion of the Dhakaani Empire, a powerful dirgesinger, and his songs are many. Today I shall tell of his victory over the southern barbarians.
Long ago, in an ancient age, Gharr'dishk marched along the border of his Kech's territory with four of his loyal companions. Rhan'farr and Rhan'dek, the hobgoblin siblings whose shields none could breach. Nir'tan, the goblin whose arrows never missed. And Ter'vok, the bugbear whose cultivated rage was unmatched in battle.
Long ago, in an ancient age, the five warriors were marching when they came across a terrible sight. A hobgoblin bearing the marks of their Kech had been murdered, set upon by many attackers and killed. There were so many wounds upon him that there was more broken flesh than unmarred skin. The tracks around the body were clearly those of southern barbarians, but the tribes had never pushed so far east.
Long ago, in an ancient age, furious that humans would so attack one of their kin, the five swore vengeance. Nir'tan tracked the group, and the five followed as quickly as the tracking allowed. But not quickly enough.
Long ago, in an ancient age, the five found the humans, but they discovered the small group had rejoined a larger one, and that now there were forty humans to fight instead of six. Even worse, they approached a Dhakaani village. Such a large group of barbarians was now not only an immediate threat to the village, but a threat to the Empire, for barbarians in force this far east meant that they must be planning to settle. The five knew they must stop this, for the good of Dhakaan. There was no time to find reinforcements. The five had to defeat the barbarians alone." As she speaks, Hari's eyes alight, becoming animated, and she steadies on the horse, beginning to illustrate the story with her hands. This is the most emotional you have seen her this entire trip.
"Long ago, in an ancient age, the five planned. That night, Ter'vok came before the barbarian's camp, bellowing and roaring as if in his rage. The barbarians rushed out to meet him, and then the five sprang their trap.
Long ago, in an ancient age, the barbarians were caught. Nir'tan's arrows cut them down from the forest, while Rhan'farr and Rhan'dek blocked their retreat and slayed all who tried to return to their camp. Ter'vok truly flew into his rage, and rampaged through the barbarians. And Gharr'dishk sprang into the fight, his sword cutting through armor and flesh alike. But it seemed he would be swamped, and buried beneath the tide of humans. But he was ready.
Long ago, in an ancient age, Gharr'dishk blew a single note upon his horn, and the barbarians were thrown away. Singlehandedly, Gharr'dishk split the horde, and he and his companions made rapid work of the rest. The southern barbarians never dared to come so far east again."
As she finishes speaking, Hari's voice loses its melodic, lilting quality, returning to her usual rough words. "That is the story of Gharr'dishk and the southern barbarians." She grimly returns her attention to staying on the horse.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
And with such a tale, the trip seems short as the party travels.
(Awarded with Inspiration)
As the party approaches the site, it appears it was a manor at one point. Although due to volcanic eruptions, rock slides, and general danger here in the wastes, it was reduced to less than a ruin. The party can see that lava is still active as the heat is starting to become uncomfortable. The horses refuse to ride on as the party gets closer, bothered by the lava and the heat. The manor is just a 10 minute walk from the horses if the party decided to hitch them here.
Hari looks at her horse. "Hmm, so you at least have some common sense," she grunts to the beast as she slides off, clearly relieved to have her feet back on the ground. "Looks like we're walking."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Axon dismounted from his horse and slung his pack over his shoulders. He checked to make sure his hammer and crossbow were easily retrievable but then went into a belt pouch and retrieved the tools he had on hand, a small pack of tools made for lockpicking and mechanical trap disarming.
"We should make haste, the heat will exhaust all of us"
Connor follows Axon's lead readying his lute we may want to approach cautiously with our eyes open
stealth 6
perception 13 or investigation 19
The party advances on foot, making their way to the manor. As they come closer, they see that the front doors of the mansion are broken, either due to natural causes or to new inhabitants, it is not clear. They party walks through and see that the manor is slowly becoming one with the wastes as anything formerly lavish is reduced to mere scraps of its former worth. And as they continue, they hear something, growls and screeching, not of beasts but of humanoids up ahead.
Axon hearing the screeches stops in his tracks. "We are here to collect the obsidian, if there is something ahead we should wait it out and proceed once it is gone."
Hari scowls. "We should fight, not hide and wait for them to get away." She shifts restlessly, hand around the hilt of her sword.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Whispering I am inclined to agree with both of you let's sneak ahead to gauge the threat and if it's something we can handle engage it because it will be much easier to search after all threats are removed motioning to lilliana and rusty can you two go ahead?
"Of course" Liliana will slide on her mask and wait for Rusty before moving forward stealthily
Stealth: 13
Rusty readies his hand bow and daggers. Let us proceed, I would recommend evasion over engagement until we have sufficient reconnaissance of the area.
Stealth 18
Perception 21 or Investigation 9
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
Critical Failure
As Rusty creeps up to the wall, he accidentally touches a loose stone, knocking it free. As it comes down, it takes more stones on its fall. A clatter of noise and dust spreads, until the wall by Rusty is just a heap of stones. And beyond that is six fiends, all of them coming to your waist level, bloated and with maggots crawling in their skin. They snarl at the party as they bare their claws to the party.
Roll Initiative
For this encounter, it will be Initiative average vs average
Enemy Average: 11
Initiative: 11
Initiative 16
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
[ooc] Is there a dice jail for the dndbeyond dice? - Sorry all for the abysmal rolls[/ooc]
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
OOC: Trust and believe it happens to everyone Cusm :)
Initiative: 7
Edit: See...
(Ouch...)