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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 4, 2015 16:43:36 GMT -5
The path from the Wayfarer's Rest to the river ferry is almost a straight run west, down the steady slope that is the town of Clifton. Past the shops and inns, and the homes of the middle class. Crossing the river only costs a Copper Penny. Once across the path west continues, but now the grade is almost level, with only a hint of slope back toward the river. Reaching the gate doesn't take much time once you're across the river.
Waiting at the gate is a collection of well muscled men, with the hunched shoulders of men who grub about in tunnels underground. Several stand ready beside carts, but many more simply hold mining implements. Standing in a bunch off to one side are a dozen or so armed men, in a dozen or so styles, more favoriting long swords than other weapons. One fellow in extravagant clothing taps his foot impatiently, counting the miners and guards and checking a document he keeps in hand.
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 4, 2015 18:31:27 GMT -5
Lyle approches the miners, seeing the one with the document in hand assumes he would be the one to talk to. Lyle reaches in his pocket and withdraws the item that the guard gave him, "I would guess that you are in charge here, Sly sent me, i heard you were looking for an escort, may i ask why as i can see your men all appear quite strong" Lyle says as he points to the beefy dwarven men.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 4, 2015 21:03:33 GMT -5
The extravagantly dressed man looks down at you, "An astute observation." he says with a sneer, "You ask why the burly miners would want an escort, while most would ask why a Halfling would want to provide an escort." He pauses to count a couple more miners, and another armsman that just arrived, "A peasant with a pickaxe does not a soldier make." He sniffs, and you feel like you can read the unspoken, 'nor does an unarmoured Halfling' right out of his mind. "If your here to join the defenders" He asks doubtfully, "Join them." He says pointing to the armed men.
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 5, 2015 0:26:05 GMT -5
"I assure you i am small but i pack a brutal punch, i believe that my foes will underestimate me as well making this job that much easier" Lyle says proudly as he join the others. Lyle stood there but couldnt help but feel out of place being so small and unarmored but still confident in his ability and ready for action.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 5, 2015 5:42:39 GMT -5
The man looks doubtful, but says, "Yes, quite." Before making a dusting off motion at you toward the armsmen. The man looks up as if judging the position of the sun, then he resumes tapping his foot impatiently.
The armsmen make room for you, but one laughs "lookie wut we has 'ere, shouldn't ya be at yer learnin' lil boy?" Most of the other armsmen laugh, but some of them laugh a moment too late. As if they didn't find it funny, but wanted to fit in.
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 5, 2015 14:23:47 GMT -5
"I'm here to escort miners not to be the butt of a joke, I am more than confident enough in my abilities to be able to protect myself and those around me" Lyle states as he stands slightly straighter and proudly. "So what is beyond these gates that has you so worried that you need protection?" Lyle says while grinning at the man.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 5, 2015 14:49:33 GMT -5
His lip twitches, "Maybe you got in the wrong group after all. Minors are over there." He laughs, and this time the others laugh freely, "See what I did there? Miner" he points at the burly men, "Minor." He gestures to you. He exaggerates the 'er' and 'or' to make the point.
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 5, 2015 15:28:55 GMT -5
Lyle stands unphased by such antics as he awaits further instruction of the escort. "Are we ready to begin, i think we've had enough fun for one day dont you think" Lyle says as he awaits orders. Lyle begins stretching as he looks further down the trail "I'm ready whenever you are" Lyle says gesturing towards the path.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 6, 2015 12:51:03 GMT -5
The extravagantly dressed man calls out, "I tire of waiting. You, you, and you..." He trails off for a moment, "... and the Halfling. The lot of you take the first wagon and go." He says while pointing out armsmen from the group, including the fellow you were arguing with. Those who were pointed at take up positions around the first cart, one armsmen by each corner, leaving you the left rear corner. The group you're traveling with consists of six miners, and the four guards. Two of the miners are pulling the cart while two more push it. The last two are laden down with packs and tools, much like the cart itself.
Your group travels down the a path made of cart tracks and boot prints through the Marshland. The path twists and turns, circling around small ponds and particularly wet patches of the marsh. Some areas have logs laid across deep mud to prevent travelers, and carts from sinking. You travel an hour and a half when you come across a small forested area in the marsh. The trees look dead, with little to no leaves to speak of. It's mostly bushes on either side, the kind of terrain that would be the perfect place for a trap, but your group travels past it with about as much trouble as the previous areas.
Abruptly one of the front guards motions for a halt, and crouches, "Group of Scalies ahead, seems like they're looking for something. Hopefully it isn't us." The jerk from before says, "If we run into any trouble, I say we feed them the Halfling." He laughs, but keeps his voice pitched low so his voice doesn't carry. "Just so you know little Halfy, the Scalies eat their kills."
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 8, 2015 14:43:45 GMT -5
'We should continue ahead, they haven't caused us any harm" Lyle says to the arms men. "They appear distracted looking for something, we may be able to sneek by them without raising suspicion" Lyle crouches down to get in cover and signals the other to do the same. "We have to stick together, don't want to draw any attention to one individual" Lyle says as he looks at the guy in charge. "I apologize that i am telling you men what to do but we be best to avoid any conflict with those who cause us no harm."
OOC - Stealth check 18+5(dex) +2(Prof)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 9, 2015 6:44:09 GMT -5
The loud mouth from before laughs, "See that boys? The midget wants to hide." He stops looking at the others and turns his attention to you, "We ain't being paid to hide boy, and wen it comes time for fightin' you better do your share." He says it deadpan, but you can feel the unsaid "Or else."
The Lizard Folk keep moving, and as they get closer you hear one call, "Laassoorith! Laassoorith!" The loud mouth shouts, "Hey scales for brains, I got your Laassoorith right here." Then he makes an obscene gesture...
Roll Init.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 10, 2015 14:10:54 GMT -5
Smith wanders back to the trail shaking his head at the strange Lizard Folk he had just met. 'Why didn't he just kill me?' He smiles to himself, 'He was a little odd. I have got to find out more about this god of his, Aulkhor. If there is a deity here in the swamps, there could be profit in it.' Smith notices the cart first, with it's miners and guards, then he hears the calls and follows the sound to the Lizard Folk. 'They're looking for the odd one, I bet they're the ones he's looking to report back to. I bet they could answer my questions...' Smith smiles, approaching slowly. He tries to figure out who the leader of the Lizard Folk is.
Init: 10+1=11
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Post by Kosga on Jul 10, 2015 17:04:39 GMT -5
Upon arriving into the area where I am instructed, I take a moment to orient myself and stand exactly in the spot where the X is. I take a large deep breath making ready to let loose an pit rattling "Guard" scream. Snickering quite loudly at the look upon that moron's(guard's) face when his over paid under worked lazy ass was caused to actually do something.
Upon seeing the guard that Is present, I meekly hand him my papers. "Lets go! Times money and mine is being wasted standing here." I look like I am ready to flip out at any given moment.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 10, 2015 18:41:15 GMT -5
The guard takes the papers offered, and reads them over, "You want to give these to that guy." He says, pointing at the fellow in extravagant clothing. The one that is tapping his foot impatiently. Counting the miners and guards, and checking a document he keeps in hand. The guard goes back to watching the Marshlands outside the gate carefully, as if expecting ambush at any time. When you reach the man that was pointed out, he says, "About time. Join the second cart and get going." He calls over another three armsmen, and before long another half dozen miners and four guards are making their way through the Marshlands toward the Sinkhole.
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 11, 2015 8:41:31 GMT -5
Lyle comes out from behind the bushes "Well I guess that didn't work too well, I guess we have a fight on our hands." He says as he stands back up glaring at the loud mouth guard. Lyle stretches his arms, and legs, "Okay boys try to keep up would you." Lyle says smirking. Lyle raises his shortsword and slashes up towards the closest lizard as fast as the others can see then unleashes a punch from his other hand.
Att roll: 18+5+2=25, 17+5+2=24 Dmg: 1+5=6, 5+5=10
Init: 16+5(dex)=21
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 11, 2015 10:50:24 GMT -5
The four Lizard Folk brace themselves for your charge, not expecting someone as small as you to take the vanguard of a charge. Your attack catches one of the scaled creatures in the jaw as he snaps at your arm, while the slash of your blade cuts a furrow through the scales of a second one. The Lizard Folk recover quickly, and all try to pummel you senseless at once. You dodge and weave just like you were taught, but unlike training, these creatures are actually trying to kill you. The first claw takes you across the shoulder, knocking you off balance and spinning you into the thick tail of another Lizard Folk. (3 and 4 damage respectfully) The other guards crash into the Lizardfolk while you're still deflecting what you can. The loud mouth guard slams his long sword through the side of one of the Lizard Folk, it hisses as it staggers back holding it's wound. Another guard manages to clip the side of one of the Lizard Folk heads with his mace. That one drops, but staggers back to his feet immediately, shaking his head to clear the injury. The miners for their part stay at the cart, watching the combat with a mix of interest and fear.
Init: Lyle 21, Lizard Folk 16 (7/11/22/6), Guards 14, Smith 11, Miners 4
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 11, 2015 11:01:55 GMT -5
Smith continues his approach, stopping about fifty away from the combat. Slamming the hilt of his mace against his shield, he calls out, <Draconic> "Begone Lizard Folk, these men are none of your concern." He then sends forth a blast of Sacred Flame which is deflected harmlessly off of the turtle shell shield of the third Lizard Folk over.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Jul 11, 2015 15:01:39 GMT -5
Orellow awakes and grabs his gear. Putting on his armor and hiding away his Rapiers in his sleeping back as he heads out the door. After a short talk with Boris he finds out about the miner's escort and makes his way over to the site at break neck pace, hoping he didn't miss the opportunity. He quickly finds the finely dressed man. "Greetings and salutations, my good man! I'm Orellow and I wish to join as a guardian of your Miners" He stands his full height with his chest puffed out his hands on his hips.
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 11, 2015 15:04:52 GMT -5
Lyle jumps back as he is hit by the lizard folk, "Tough buggers aren't you, no worries I'm not through yet" Lyle lunges forth with his short sword once more towards the lizard and raised his other fist once more and unleashed another punch
13+5+2=20 5+5=10 17+5+2=24 1+5=6
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 11, 2015 21:56:12 GMT -5
You lunge forward, stabbing your short sword into the sternum of the Lizard Folk in front of you. He buckles over, both clawed hands grasping the wound. Dodging to the side you slam your fist into the ribs of a second Lizardfolk as he tries to claw a guards face. It grunts from the force of your blow, but continues it's assault. A guard takes mean kick to the inner thigh, curses before returning a glancing counterstroke of his own. Smith strolls forward another ten feet, and calls a triffling amount of Sacred Flame from the heavens to drop the badly wounded Lizard Folk.
Init: Lyle 21, Lizard Folk 16 (0/11/18/-4), Guards 14, Smith 11, Miners 4
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 13, 2015 4:16:22 GMT -5
Lyle turns to the last two of the lizard folk "Leave now or my hand will be forced to show no mercy" He yells. Lyle lunged once more towards one of the lizards and followed through with a low punch.
Sword/ 9+5+2=16 Dmg/ 2+5=7 Unarmed Strike/ 6+5+2=13 Dmg/ 2+5=7
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Post by Kosga on Jul 13, 2015 13:04:33 GMT -5
"Well I am sorry that the people whom drew these maps are inaccurate. The spot marked upon the map is clearly right where I was standing! Now lets get the cart on the move time is a wasting, that means that my gold is a wasting. I will take bow starboard section, and keep such a sharp eye out that anyone within range thinks they are under attack by a dagger. once we leave the immediate area of pay master(town). I will have my shield strapped to my arm, and a hand right close to my sword. I will not have any matter of foul creature getting the jump upon me!
1d20+2 11+2 = 13 perception.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 13, 2015 13:51:52 GMT -5
One of the Lizard Folk hisses angrily, and the other shouts, <in Draconic> "Leave our lands filthy Humans!" Your lunge paired with your speed and size makes for a solid combo, your blade bites flesh, and the Lizard Folk snarls at you in anger and pain. Your low punch hits the other Lizard Folk in the thick scales near its spine, you shake your fist as if you had just punched a wall. The two Lizard Folk shift their attacks, focusing on a single guard. The man drops to a series of tearing bites and vicious claws. The loud mouth hacks down the weakened Lizard Folk, while the two other guards hack a slash away on the last one. Smith shouts, <in Draconic> "You should have fled, Waukeen guide this fool to Aulkhor" and a mighty column of fire surrounds the Lizard Folk, he drops instantly, his scream makes you feel sorry for him. He rolls and flails before finally laying still.
Smith joins the party, "Hello, my name is Smith. I am trained in the medicinal arts. Does anyone require tending?" While he speaks he moves from Lizard Folk to Lizard Folk starting with the one that is still smoldering. He pushes his dagger through their eyes into their brains, putting them out of their misery. All but one, that one he binds with rope. Smith then polices the bodies separating anything of value into piles, one for each guard and another for himself. "There are also these Objects. If I'm not mistaken this is a scroll of Phantasmal Killer, this is a folding boat, and this is an oil of etherealness. Does anyone have any interest in these items?" The guards shake their heads in the negative, and Smith says, "I'm interested in the boat, and can make use of the rest. I'm willing to put my split of the coins back in the pot if I can take them." The loud mouthed guard says, "Magic non-sense, if you want to give up your actual treasure for some hooie than so be it." Smith looks to you Lyle.
(OOC: Each pile of treasure works out to: 540cp, 160sp, 20gp, an art object worth 25gp.
With Smith's bid on the magic items the split would be as follows instead: 675cp, 200sp, 25gp each, and Smith would take 1 art object and the magic items
The Magic items: 4th level spell scroll (Phantasmal Killer), Folding Boat, Oil of Etherealness
Since the guards are not interested, it's up to you Lyle.)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 13, 2015 14:08:18 GMT -5
Knuckles, Your group travels down the a path made of cart tracks and boot prints through the Marshland. The path twists and turns, circling around small ponds and particularly wet patches of the marsh. Some areas have logs laid across deep mud to prevent travelers, and carts from sinking. You travel an hour and a half when you come across a small forested area in the marsh. The trees look dead, with little to no leaves to speak of. It's mostly bushes on either side, the kind of terrain that would be the perfect place for a trap, but your group travels past it with about as much trouble as the previous areas.
Abruptly one of the front guards points ahead, "Looks like the group ahead of us fought off a group of Scalies." Ahead you see the half dozen miners standing around a cart looking bored, what looks like four Human guards, and a Halfling. On the ground there are four Lizard Folk, three have bloody holes through their left eye sockets and various other wounds, the fourth is well tied with rope.
Orellow, your group leaves only a few minutes after Knuckles group. So soon that you can actually see them traveling ahead of you. A few minutes after they catch up to Lyles group, you catch up to theirs. You see the same stuff I described above, as well as Knuckles troupe.
When Knuckles and Orellow arrive the first group has already stowed their treasure.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Jul 13, 2015 15:31:15 GMT -5
"Haha! Seems you all made short work of this lot" Orellow says observing the bodies. "Ah! Where are my manners? I'm Orellow Avnec, Seeker of truths and defender of the third group" He greets happily and shakes the hands of his fellow guards (The humans, dwarf and halfling), if they'll shake. Orellow is a tall man with black slicked back hair and a single curl over his forehead. He talks with a booming and happy voice, often with his chest puffed out. He wears studded leather armor with a fist clutching lighting on it. He has a light crossbow on his hip, the bolts are strapped on his leg opposite to the crossbow. He has a short sword and shield on his back both are attached to his backpack and he has a sleeping bag strapped to his backside. "Well, then these miners wont get to that hole any quicker with us just standing around" He laughs and heads back to his group.
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 13, 2015 16:35:23 GMT -5
"Hello Smith, my name is Lyle Greenbottle friends call me Little but then again so do some of my foes" Lyle laughs at his own introduction. I do require healing those lizards use me as a side order, also about that loot you want the magical items in particular the folding boat I have an interest on it as well, I will offer all my copper and the art object for it" Lyle says in a bartering tone. "Sound like something you'd be interested in.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 13, 2015 17:03:09 GMT -5
Smith shrugs, "I was only really interested in the boat, but if you want it..." He hesitates as if deciding, "You can have it, but I must adjust my offer." Smith moves the treasure around to form new piles, placing one in front of each of those that get a split, "Is that acceptable?" When each nods their agreement, they each take their share. "It was a pleasure working with you fellows. You're headed to the Sinkhole, yes? I might come see you there when I'm done with this one." He says gesturing over his shoulder with a thumb to the bound Lizard Folk. Smith works his way through the injured, binding their wounds, and working to prevent infection. "Do try to keep these wounds out of the bog water. Other than that you will heal on your own, and barely have a scar." Smith goes back to stand over the bound Lizard Folk, "Well met Orello, Lyle." He goes on to list the guards that gave names as well, "I wish you all the best in your adventures."
(OOC: Treasure Split: Each pile of treasure works out to: 540cp, 160sp, 20gp, an art object worth 25gp. Lyle offers 540cp and 1 25gp art back to the pile for the boat Smith offers 540cp and his 18/20gp (for easy division) back to the pile for the other items
new split is: Guards: 900cp, 160sp, 26gp, an art object worth 25gp. (one guard buys the art so he gets 2 and the rest split the coins) Lyle: 160sp, 20gp, folding boat Smith: 160sp, 2gp, an art object worth 25gp, 4th level spell scroll (Phantasmal Killer), Oil of Etherealness)
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 13, 2015 18:23:55 GMT -5
Lyle collects his treasure and nods farewell to Smith "Thank you for your help we couldn't have done this without you, hope we will meet again soon. Lyle directs the arms men and the miners down the path "We should get moving we got a lot more ground to cover yet."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jul 14, 2015 15:10:53 GMT -5
The lot of you travel the rest of the way to the Sinkhole without incident. The sinkhole itself is just that, a gigantic hole in the ground a hundred feet across. Encircling the sinkhole, about ten feet from the edge is a massive pile of sandbags. The sandbags keep the boggy wetness of the Marshlands from pouring over cusp and down onto the operations below. There are a few outbuildings, all of which are also surrounded by sandbag walls. The buildings include a thirty foot tall archers nest, a sorting and smelting facility, a barracks, a workshop and a storage building.
As you approach, a trio of miners are filling sandbags and making a stack. One miner takes a cartload of sand and small rocks from the sorting facility over to where the other two shovel it into the bags. Guards are posted around the perimeter, and more are visible in the archers nest. A two horse team is lead away from the Sinkhole trailing a rope. After a time their efforts bring a cart full of rubble to the surface, and another trio of miners remove the full cart and replace it with an empty one. The full cart is brought to the sorting facility for processing.
When you arrive the miners take the carts over to the buildings and begin the process of unpacking, while the guards go chat with friends or stow their gear at the barracks. One of the guards says, "Since you boys haven't been here before, you have to go see Biggs. He will be in one of the tunnels below, usually near the entrance sometimes not." He shrugs before heading off himself.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Jul 14, 2015 16:59:54 GMT -5
Orellow explores the mini town for a bit before making his way down to the tunnels. If there's a more adventurous way to take he does. He'll hop from one set of stairs to another jump off the side of a cliff and repel down a rope, even run along any walls. Any way to make use of his Acrobatics and enjoy the trip to Biggs a little more.
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