Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 shatteredtower Feb 10, 2008 21:05:42	This adventure is for the following PCs: Aridar Male elf sorcerer 3 NG Medium humanoid Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Listen +4, Spot +4 Languages Common, Draconic, Elven Defensive Information AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex) hp 20 (3d8) Immune sleep effects Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +3 (+5 vs enchantment effects)
#2 dorian_d_grey Feb 11, 2008 1:14:05	Dorian keeps the group behind the hillock for a while longer "Ok Arvindur is for the trip across the country side. Any others that are willing to take that route?"
#3 zade_deftfingers Feb 11, 2008 8:42:47	"Well if it's open country side i wouldn't advise that if we are trying not to be seen. Although if it's a much faster route, then I would have to say it's a toss up." *Zade shrugs his shoulders, indicating that he doesn't care what they do.
#4 dorian_d_grey Feb 11, 2008 8:56:30	"Crossing country would bring us into the trees shielding us from the ruins. If those waiting are expecting riders the'd probably watch the road. The country doesn't look friendly to horses. We'd be skirting some farm grounds."
#5 xade_lilfellow Feb 11, 2008 21:23:44	Cross country sounds good to me. It will give more sometime to practice what I have learned.
#6 dorian_d_grey Feb 12, 2008 1:26:34	Without waiting for fruther agruments Dorian leads the group from the cover of the hillock and into the rough, keeping a general eastern direction
#7 arvindur Feb 12, 2008 5:30:06	Arvindur nudges Wolfkin to just ahead of Dorian, paying close attention to the dog's responses. "Wolfkin will alert me if theres anyone hiding, just in case."
#8 aridar Feb 12, 2008 10:20:03	Aridar takes the last spot in line while fiddling with a broken strap on his pack.
#9 dorian_d_grey Feb 13, 2008 1:18:49	Dorian keeps a watchfull eye on Wolfskin, having learned to rely on the superior senses of animals. Carefully he leads the group around a few fields with produce before they reach the rougher outskirts of woodland belt on the other side of which the ruins should be located. Once there he halts the party and scans the treeline for any signs of unwanted presences
#10 zade_deftfingers Feb 13, 2008 8:38:35	*Zade continues to follow the rest of the group, making sure that no one else has been following them through their romp through the fields. When Dorian stops Zade continues to look behind them to make sure they are not being pursued. .oO(I hope this plan will work, cause if not, then we are going to be in for a long night....)
#11 xade_lilfellow Feb 15, 2008 18:56:50	Xade stops and scans the left and right while Dorian looks at the treeline "See anything?"
#12 arvindur Feb 15, 2008 22:50:36	Arvindur peers around similarly, waiting for anything to show up.
#13 dorian_d_grey Feb 16, 2008 11:43:07	Dorian whispers quietly "Seems clear from here. Let's move on. Hand signals only until we know it's safe" the ranger leads the group carefully from cover to cover untill they reach the edge of the trees
#14 xade_lilfellow Feb 16, 2008 16:58:37	Nodding Xade moves along behind the ranger.
#15 dorian_d_grey Feb 19, 2008 0:49:27	The party reaches the edge of the woods without incident. Once within the shelter of the trees Dorian gathers the group around and quietly lays out his plan "Arvindur, could you have wolfskin scout further ahead. his keen senses could tell us if anyhting other than the natural wildlife ahs been through here lately. Aridar, I want you to keep an eye on the rear togehter with Zade. I still expect an attack so keep an offensive spell at the ready. Xade you stay with Arvindur, give me a head start of a good bowshot. That way you can cover my back while I scout ahead with wolfskin" Aridar nods his agreement and teams of with Zade "fifty paces between groups should do" "Indeed, and keep your eyes, ears and noses open"
#16 arvindur Feb 19, 2008 2:11:58	Arvindur nods, pausing only to correct his companions' amusing inability to keep Wolfkin's name straight."It's WolfKIN." He loads his sling with a pebble, just in case, idly twirling it as he let Wolfkin's superior senses take the lead.
#17 zade_deftfingers Feb 19, 2008 9:28:06	*Zade nods his head to Dorian's plan and heads out with Aridar to keep a close eye to see if anyone has been following them. When they are out far enough Zade finds a nice spot underneath a tree to hide behind and keeps a very close ear and eye out for anyone that may be coming. ooc I'm not sure if there is a need to put these here, but it might help us anyways. Hide +11, Listen +7, Spot +4.
#18 xade_lilfellow Feb 19, 2008 16:16:37	"Sounds good, to me. Keep your on your toes though. he then moves to pair up Arvindur
#19 dorian_d_grey Feb 25, 2008 0:54:50	Dorian waits for Wolfkin to dissapear in the undergrowth before setting out himself. Swifter and more quiet than his large form seems to allow the ranger slips between the trees. His eyes scan the ground and the trees, looking for signs of human passage. The wood belt is not that wide, it will take the group perhaps two hours to move through the woods at their current speed. The first half hour passes without incident.
#20 zade_deftfingers Feb 27, 2008 8:36:50	*As Zade continues to keep a lookout and as the time seems to roll by, he starts to get the feeling that maybe they were worried about nothing. To him and his keep senses, the only people around would be his group. Of course every once in a while a critter comes by to find some food, but other then that not a soul. Part of him hopes that it would stay like this just to get this over with, however the other part of him wishes that he would be able to use his dagger today.... .oO(It has been some time since I was able to use it last... Maybe I can show off my talents with the dagger, who knows I might get a bigger split of the treasure...) *At his last thought Zade can do nothing but smile to himself, and he continues to wait and keep a close eye on his surroundings.
#21 xade_lilfellow Feb 27, 2008 12:45:18	Xade sticks nearby Arvindur while keeping an eye ahead on Dorian and the nearby surroundings in his field of view. As the time goes by he gains a bit of confindence in this group
#22 dorian_d_grey Feb 28, 2008 0:59:21	The group is maybe halfway through the woods when Wolfkin returns from his point position. The dog passes Dorian and runs straight to its master, nudging the halfling with his nose to gain his attention. Arvindur quickly notices that the dog is holding something in its mouth
#23 arvindur Feb 28, 2008 2:45:35	Arvindur examines the dog's mouth, then quietly commands Wolfkin to pass it to him.
#24 dorian_d_grey Feb 28, 2008 9:31:49	Arvindur's inspections shows that wolfkin holds some sort of bloodsoaked rag in his mouth. On his command Wolfkin releases his grip on the gruesome present he brought his master. The cloth is a piece of clothing, the blood had almost dried but no quite fully. The substance is still sticky. Closer inspection shows that it probably part of a sleeve. There is something inside the piece of cloth.
#25 xade_lilfellow Feb 28, 2008 13:47:36	Xade watches as Wolfkin comes back to Arvindur seeing the bloody clothing causes some concern as he quickly peers ahead trying to see anything.
#26 arvindur Feb 28, 2008 23:43:46	Raising an eyebrow at the bloody sight, Arvindur unrolled it for a better look.
#27 dorian_d_grey Feb 29, 2008 0:47:58	The piece of cloth is not easily unrolled, when the halfing finally manages to unrool the cloth he sees why. Inside is a hand small enough to belong to a child. The hand a part of the cloth is still gripped in it's death grip. The pieces of flesh and shards of bone show that is was not so much severed but torn from the body it belonged to. Dorian returns to the others to see what Wolfkin brought back
#28 zade_deftfingers Feb 29, 2008 8:42:06	*Zade continues to keep his eye on his watch, but when he scan's to where his other team members could be he finds Arvindur and Wolfkin inspecting something in his hands. At this distance it seems to small for Zade to figure out what it is. Zade turns to Aridar and whispers to him. "Hey Aridar, it seems like our friends have found something interesting. Do you want to go take a look over there and I'll stay at the post?"
#29 arvindur Feb 29, 2008 22:58:20	Arvindur held out the grisly sight, whispering "Think Wolfkin here found our goblins already. Good Boy." He scratches the large dog's head. "So, do we look for them first, or do we go around?"
#30 dorian_d_grey Mar 03, 2008 1:01:36	Dorian joins the group and takes a closer look at the hand "this doesn't look like a goblin hand. The skin color is wrong, more like a human's or an elf. I think we better investigate"
#31 xade_lilfellow Mar 03, 2008 2:33:09	Xade compares his hand size with that of the one found. "It seems rather small perhaps a young child? I think I should move ahead with Dorian in case someone needs medical aid."
#32 arvindur Mar 03, 2008 6:57:57	Looking past the blood and the size, Arvindur came to the same realisation, as he slapped himself on the head. "That leaves ignoring it out of the question. Let us hurry while healing magics can still be of help, though given the severed hand, it's unlikely." Arvindur vaults onto Wolfkin and whispers to the dog a command to seek the source of the grisly find.
#33 dorian_d_grey Mar 04, 2008 1:04:02	Wolfkin bears his master through the woods without hesitation and as swift as he can. The others follow a good deal slower, unable to keep up with the dogs terrific speed. It takes dog and rider some ten minutes to reach a site that curdles the blood in Arvindurs veins. In the middle of a clearing stands a small wooden handkart, half laden with firewood. against one of the solid wooden wheels lays a slumped form, the numerous arrows sticking out of it's back make clear that help can not avail here . A small child is pinned to the side of the cart by a least a score of arrows. At first sight it appears to be dead, the body is missing the left hand.
#34 zade_deftfingers Mar 04, 2008 9:42:45	*Aridar nods his head to Zade's request and hurries off to see what the group has found. Before Zade knew it Aridar is back and panting from running the way back. From the look's of things, Zade knows this couldn't be a good sign. He tells Aridar to catch his breath and then tell him what happened. And like Zade thought, it wasn't good at all. Zade quickly get's his things and then the both of them head back to the group just as Arvindur hops on the back of Wolfkin and they speed off. "I guess we got here just in time, let's try and keep up..." *Zade hurries off to follow Wolfkin and Arvindur, but thanks to his short legs he has a tought time of it. When he does catch up to the both of them, this scene is even worse then what Wolfkin found. He shakes his head at the sight of the little child. "Who would do such a terrible thing? Do you think it was the goblins at all?"
#35 arvindur Mar 04, 2008 12:07:11	"Wolfkin, Guard." Wary of a possible repeat of the attack, Arvindur drops off the side of Wolfkin and hurriedly examines the carnage for any remaining vital signs, healing magic ready at hand for anyone not yet beyond help, though with little hope of finding anything left to save...
#36 xade_lilfellow Mar 04, 2008 16:22:29	Upon arriving at the scene Xade's stomach does a slight turn. Looking around Xade tries to determine where the child was headed. Unsure he turns to Dorian "Do you have an idea where the child was heading? Someone must be missing him or worried that they have not returned."
#37 dorian_d_grey Mar 05, 2008 1:08:26	The corpse on the ground is obviously beyond any help, when he approaches the child he sees that none of the wounds in itself would have been lethal, the left arm is cauterised. Closer inspection reveals that although very weak there is stil life left in the little body. As the halfling kneels beside the body something smacks into his right side, throwing him on the ground. With a solid thud an arrow burries itself in the side of the cart in the place his head occupied a split second ago
#38 zade_deftfingers Mar 05, 2008 19:01:35	*As Zade watches his friend get hit with something, his instinct's take over and he immediately ducks down and draws both of his daggers, going into a defensive stance. He looks to see in the direction of where the arrow came and tries to see where his target is. "Looks like we've got company, can anyone see who we are fighting against? Is it the goblins?"
#39 arvindur Mar 05, 2008 20:51:01	"Wolfkin, Attack." Arvindur points at where the arrow came from, not pausing as he called up a touch of healing energy and infused it into the child.
#40 dorian_d_grey Mar 06, 2008 0:56:58	After crawling back on his feet Wolfkin leaps of in the direction his master indicated. The dog runs into the underbrush some 40 feet to the right of Zade. An arrow streaks past the dog planting itself in the ground. Tracing the path of the arrow back Zade is able to find the shooter. High up in a tree, sheltered from the light of day by the canopy a small platform has been built. map |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|C|a|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|w|-|T|-| |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|Z|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|D|X|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|A|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| C= Cart a= Arvindur w= Wolfkin T= tree platform X= Xade A= Aridar D= Dorian
#41 xade_lilfellow Mar 06, 2008 18:39:41	Facing the other direction while talking to Dorian, Xade is a little slower to react. Hearing Arvindur tell Wolfkin to attack causes him to turn and get ready. Xade unslings his sheild and swings up his crossbow and loads it and looks for where the shooter is. He takes care to line up his shot before firing
#42 zade_deftfingers Mar 07, 2008 22:28:41	*Zade thinks for a second about getting his bow out and trying to shoot him down, but decides no to since he has the better line of sight and he also has cover. He quickly dashes to the base of the tree circle's around back and see's if there is a way he can climb up to attack the archer.
#43 dorian_d_grey Mar 10, 2008 1:59:09	Arvindurs healing energy flows into the child. A weak cough and little cries are tell tale signs that the child is responding. Xade gets his chance at a shot when the hidden archers shows himself to launch an arrow at Zade as the halfling moves towards the tree. Xade misses but his shot causes the shooter to hasten his shot. A long blackfeathered arrow embeds itself in the ground inches before Zade's feet causing the halfling to trip over the shaft
#44 arvindur Mar 10, 2008 13:01:52	Arvindur tucked the child under the cart for cover before he readied his shield and drew his sling.
#45 xade_lilfellow Mar 10, 2008 17:38:09	While reloading he speaks to Dorian and Aridar "I think if you both shoot with me from this position we could keep the shooter pinned down giving Zade a chance to climb. This could force the shooter to make a mistake." When finished he take careful aim at the shooter trying to hit this time around
#46 zade_deftfingers Mar 12, 2008 15:30:17	*Zade curses the shooter and hopes that his teammates are trying to give him some cover fire so he doesn't die out here. He quickly get's back up and continues to rush over to the base of the tree to attempt to climb up it.
#47 dorian_d_grey Mar 14, 2008 1:52:02	Dorian nods at Xade's suggestion and sends an arrow flying at the platform to give Zade some cover for his actions. Zade in the mean time reaches the base of the tree where Wolfkin is waiting. Dorian's arced shot is foiled by the canopy of the trees and falls harmless on the forest floor. The child begins to cry softly as consiousness returns to its body and the pain becomes all to real again. Alhtough his healing helped a little Arvindur can see the child will still die from the many arrow wounds unless he does something quikly. Arvindur lowers his bow and shortens his distance to the tree. His eyes are focussed on the platform seeking a target for the spell on his lips
#48 arvindur Mar 15, 2008 6:11:32	Noting the child's difficulty, Arvindur dug out one of the healing berries he had prepared the day before and pushed it into the child's mouth, trusting the wagon and his shield to provide ample cover from any additional arrows. ooc Err did I get cloned? I don't have a bow for starters. And Shatteredtower never got back to me on how many goodberries I made. And I apparently forgot about the spoiler box
#49 xade_lilfellow Mar 15, 2008 18:36:25	When Xade lines his sights up he fires his crossbow again at the shooter up in the tree ooc I think he meant Aridar since we are NPCing him
#50 zade_deftfingers Mar 16, 2008 14:57:31	*Now that Zade reached the base of the tree he quickly strafes to the back of the tree and then finds the lowest branch and tries to climb up the tree. Hopefully he can get up there soon enough to stop the person from firing arrows at everyone. OoC Climb +6 and I guess i'll need Tumble +7
#51 dorian_d_grey Mar 17, 2008 10:16:39	Cakcling laughter erupts from the platform "Begone defilers before I unleash the wrath of the earth upon ye all. The forest is not for you" A shadow becomes visible on the edge of the platform and fires another black feathered arrow, this time aimed at the halfling under the cart. Aruvindur's position is secure enough and the arrow thunks into his shield. Xade's bolt finds a mark and Aridar points at the shadow, an instant later the figure staggers back, smoke erupting from his left shoulder, another insane cry erupts from the platform while Zade works his way into the tree "All defilers must die. Feel the wrath of the earth"
#52 xade_lilfellow Mar 17, 2008 18:00:34	"Well that sounds dramatic. The forest is not defiled by us you are the one building platforms in the trees!" Xade chastises the shadow. While reloading he speaks quieter to Dorian and Aridar "Can you see anything more than a shadow? I wonder who or what we are dealing with...Once done he takes careful aim again for the shadowy figure and fires ooc 0 - Detect Magic, Inflict Minor Wounds, Light, Resistance 1 - Cause Fear, Magic Weapon, Protection from Evil 2 - Bull's Strength, Inflict Moderate Wounds
#53 arvindur Mar 18, 2008 9:16:15	After ensuring that the child was stable, Arvindur picked up his sling again and slung a rock at the shadow. "As a druid, I must say I should have at least as much right to that statement as you do, and if you would just stop shooting and talk, you might not need to be incinerated and returned to the forest before your natural end." ooc +3 Sling 1d2+1 Lol, I got cloned again Also, shouldn't even 1 point of magical healing stabilise a dying person so that a better healer(eyes the cleric) can deal with it later?
#54 zade_deftfingers Mar 18, 2008 9:28:45	*Zade continues to climb up the tree. It doesn't take him long to reach the spot of where the archer is. He slowly lifts his head above the ledge just to see the situation and how he may be able to sneak up onto him and give him a little surprise of his own. OoC Climb +6, Tumble +7, and how wide is the ledge or is this guy on a single branch of some sort?
#55 dorian_d_grey Mar 19, 2008 2:14:29	"None may pass through these woods defilers, these woods are mine, mine" Zade pears over the edge of the platform, straight into the eyes of the man hiding up there. Jet black eyes gaze into his own, mezmerizing him with the insanity blatanly apparent in their depths. A flash of steel is all the warning the halfling gets but it is enough for the nimble Zade to dogde a viscious slash with a hunting knife. The platform itself is barely large enough for a man to lie down on. It lies cleverly covered by the canopy of the tree, even so that it is almost dark in the shadow of the leaves. The man himself is dressed in shabby drab brown and black clothes, the bow that lies on the flet and the black chainmail are of obvious better quality. On the man's chest there is a crest or symbol worked into the mesh of the chainmail. The symbol is dark even against the black metal of the chainmail. A feral snarl contorts his mouth as he prepares to strike at Zade again. From the ground the shadow becomes visible as the man has to rise up to strike at Zade. Arvindurs slingshot bounces of the mans armor with an audible clink but his target doesn't as much as flinch. The healing berry helps to ease the childs pain, calming it enough to lie stil ooc The healing is enough to stablize the child, however imagine the pain a 6 year old would suffer with 4 or 5 arrows sticking out of him and a severed and cauterized left hand.
#56 arvindur Mar 20, 2008 3:34:01	"Guess you aren't inclined to talk." Arvindur reloaded his sling and slung another rock at the man, remaining stationary to provide cover for the child. ooc +3 Sling 1d2+1
#57 zade_deftfingers Mar 20, 2008 9:43:13	*As Zade immediately get's attacked by the darkly dressed man (or beast in Zade's mind) he quickly tries to determine if there is enough room up there for both of them to stand on the canopy. If there is then Zade quickly throws himself up over the ledge drawing both of this daggers at the same time, landing back on the ledge the gets ready to defend against the onslaught from his opponent. OoC Climb +6, Tumble +7, Balance +4, and draw daggers.
#58 xade_lilfellow Mar 20, 2008 19:09:42	As he finishes reloading, Xade takes a moment to peer again at the platform carefully trying to see the situation. Carefully he aims his crossbow again... ooc If Xade can see he has a clear shot at the shadowy figure he will aim and take it. However if Zade is on the platform before he can take the shot he will delay for a better chance.
#59 dorian_d_grey Mar 26, 2008 1:57:40	The sudden impact of a crossbowbolt causes the dark archer to loose ballance and stagger backwards allowing Zade the opportunity he was waiting for. A nimble leap lands the halfling on the platform. The momentum of the leap lends great strength to his blows and both daggers slam through the mesh of the chainmail and up to the hilt striaght down into his opponents shoulders. The maddness filled eyes bore into Zade's and as the man dies Zade sees the maddness drain from their depths. As blood starts to trickle out of the mans mouth he speeks "hhhhrhhh thank you,.....rrrrgh tell Dorian he was the better........."
#60 arvindur Mar 26, 2008 7:17:58	Seeing that the attacker was dead but remaining where he is in case anything else threatened the child, Arvindur called out to his dog,"Wolfkin, Return." "Zade?"
#61 zade_deftfingers Mar 26, 2008 8:39:06	*As the man dyes from Zade's stabs he calls down to his friends. "It's alright everyone, I finished him off, come over here quickly, I'm not sure if we should keep the body up here or not. How's the child doing?" *As Zade waits for answers from his teammate he bends down and closes the eyes of the man, who was obviously under some type of demonic spell. He pulls out his daggers from the man and carefully cleans them back off before putting them away in his secret hiding spots. Then he goes through the mans belongings, seeing if there is any sort of information or anything of value. OoC Search +7
#62 arvindur Mar 27, 2008 13:21:59	"The child is not in immediate danger, but needs more healing than my limited skills can provide. We best not tarry here either, scavengers, big and small will soon turn up to feast. Not to mention the goblins and the man's possible allies" Arvindur continues to observe Wolfkin carefully for any signs of hostile presences, as he extracted the unconcious child from the current cover of the wagon. "Xade, could you deal with the worst of the remaining wounds?"
#63 xade_lilfellow Mar 27, 2008 18:47:02	Seeing that the shadowy figure has gone down, and Zade seems to have the situation in hand the halfling relaxes slightly and stows his crossbow. While doing that he hears Arvindur's request about the child. He walks over and examines the child and then channels some healing energy into the small form ooc Convert cause fear to heal the child
#64 dorian_d_grey Mar 31, 2008 1:06:42	Xade's healing energy pours into the child. The arrows are forced out of the body and the wounds close. The childs breathing eases and it curls up into a ball. Shivering and whipering it lies under the cart. Zade's search reveals little of value besides maybe the armour and longbow. A small pouch holds a few silver and copper coins but nothing note worthy. Meanwhile Dorian makes his way up into the tree to have a look at their attacker. Arridar wanders over to the cart and joins Xade and Arvindur
#65 zade_deftfingers Apr 02, 2008 8:33:44	*Once Zade's search is over with he notices that Dorian begins to climb up the tree. Zade waits till he gets up to the top and let's him inspect the dead man, waiting to see if some sort of recognition flashes across his face. Once Dorian is done, Zade speaks up "Dorian I'm not sure if you know this man, or if he is the one who knows you, but as he was about to die, he told me to tell you that "You were the better".... Does that have any meaning to you?"
#66 xade_lilfellow Apr 02, 2008 12:12:21	Xade seaches his pack and pulls out a blanket and puts it over the child. "Rest for a little, that was quiet the experience you had. If you feel like crying or talking I will not mind."
#67 dorian_d_grey Apr 03, 2008 1:02:53	Dorian inspects the man closer after Zade's remark, when he looks up his face is quite white "By the Mother, this is Tigris. One of the men who helped me escape after the fall........ Dorian's voice trails off as if he realises he 's about to give away something he doens't mean to "He trained me in the woodland ways. He was a ranger like me, the symbol on his chest is of the order of the Dark Flame, a group of former rangers who fell to the darkness of Demmion" Dorian closes the dead mans eyes "We need to get him out of this tree, we cannot leave him like this. He was my friend once". It's the least and last I can do for him" Meanwhile the child softly cries for it's mother, clinging to Xade in fear and grief
#68 arvindur Apr 03, 2008 7:21:14	Arvindur raises an eyebrow, "An old friend? He sounded quite mad up there, though I understand his sentiments somewhat. Nevertheless, I'll help, what are the rites of your order? I know many leave their dead to the beasts and elements with a prayer where I come from, but pyres and burials are not unknown." He pauses, considering,"However, keep in mind, scavengers, goblins or others with him may turn up soon, we may not have time to dig a full grave, what with, our, ah, smaller stature not being well suited to such tasks, with no tools." Arvindur makes a gesture encompassing the halflings present.
#69 xade_lilfellow Apr 07, 2008 16:21:24	Xade puts an arm around the child and listens to him as he cries about his mother. He assumes that the body is the childs mother.
#70 dorian_d_grey Apr 08, 2008 0:57:31	Anger flares in Dorian's eyes "The Dark Flame is not my order Druid, their ways are evil and inspired by maddness." He softens a bit "He was a good man once and for that he deserves a decent burial" The ranger retrieves a lengthe of rope from his pack and begins preparations to lower the body to the ground ooc The body near the cart is male, dressed in commoners clothing, face and hands dirty with some black substance that goes deep in the skin
#71 arvindur Apr 08, 2008 8:19:28	Raising an eyebrow at the reaction, perhaps he had touched a nerve there, "I was of course referring to your order, and perhaps your friend's former order, we do not hold the mad culpable for deeds of madness. It is a sad but necessary thing to stop such a lost soul." Arvindur poked around the wagon's ruined mass, wrenching a loose plank out after some struggling. Using it as a makeshift spade, the halfling sank the plank a few inches into the ground, "Here? I can't dig very well, but Wolfkin demonstrates amazing speed when hes hiding a bone."
#72 zade_deftfingers Apr 08, 2008 9:40:58	*Zade watches the other speak about the now dead body, and what to do with it. "Come Dorian, let us take the body down." *With Dorian's help and the help of his friends they slowly and respectfully take the body down from the tree. "So Dorian, any ideas why he was out here? Or perhaps why he would attack a friend such as yourself?"
#73 dorian_d_grey Apr 09, 2008 1:02:33	"Good enough Arvindur. We'll be down shortly to help" Dorian turns to Zade "These madmen of the Drak Flame live with the belief that none but the animals and their masters devious creations have the right to be in the wildlands. They will often claim an area and kill all who enter. He hasn't been here for long though otherwise these poor folk would not haven entered these woods. There would have been gruesome warning signs"
#74 arvindur Apr 09, 2008 6:43:51	Nodding, Arvindur set to work, shoveling dirt as well as the makeshift spade could. After watching his master labor at digging, Wolfkin got the idea and began digging, sending clods of dirt flying several times faster than his master could manage.
#75 xade_lilfellow Apr 09, 2008 16:44:06	After looking carefully at the corpse Xade wonders where the child's mother is "Little one where would we find your mother?
#76 dorian_d_grey Apr 10, 2008 0:55:46	Dorian and Zade manage to lower the body from the platform to the ground, then climb down themselves. Dorian places the body in a more respectfull pose, then goes over to help Arvindur, unsing another broken board from the cart as a spade. Meanwhile the child cries softly into Xade's shoulder "Mummy ....snif... mummy in the old village" The child oints a grimy hand in the direction the party was travelling
#77 aridar Apr 10, 2008 10:53:44	Aridar hops up onto the cart and keeps a lookout while the rest tend to the body and child. ooc Thanks for NPC'ing aridar while I was away. I'll try to get on more often now that things have calmed down a bit.
#78 xade_lilfellow Apr 10, 2008 15:19:46	"Alright little one let me go tell my friends about that and we will see what we can do to get you home safely. If you need anything ask Aridar there on the cart." Xade gets up and heads over briefly to the others and speaks quietly about what the child has said "From what the child says it seems that there might still be people living in the old village. He says his mother is there. Seems very strange to me as I thought the village was supposed to be abandoned. This might be more complicated than what we first thought."
#79 arvindur Apr 11, 2008 16:38:33	Pausing in the digging, and panting somewhat, Arvindur looked up at the mention of the village, "Isn't that where the goblins are supposed to be? How could a village be able to manage so close to their lair? Oh, and, does the child know the, ah......unfortunate man in the cart?"
#80 zade_deftfingers Apr 14, 2008 8:44:36	*After the body is down from the tree, Zade watches as they dig a grave for Dorian's friend. Zade listens to what the boy has to say about the town, and then listens to what the others have to say. "My guess is that the town was built first, and then overtime the goblins slowly moved in on the people. Who knows, perhaps when we are done with our goal the goblins will be finished and the people can have their town back. Of course, there's always the possibility of something bigger moving into the goblins cave... Maybe we could help them set up some sort of defense..." *Zade thinks about the orcs invading during his childhood and shakes his head trying to get rid of the bad memories.
#81 dorian_d_grey Apr 15, 2008 1:06:38	"From what the bartender at the inn told me I understood that the hamlet was destroyed by fire during a freak thunderstorm. Perhaps there was a goblin shaman involved in that, or someehow this "secret" we're supposed to protect has something to do with it." Dorian, wolfkin and Arvindur finish the grave. Then Dorian picks up the body of his old firend an places it in the pit. Then he kneels at the edge of the grave. A few tears drag their watery path through the grime on his face before dissapearing in his beard "The earth, womb of the mother gave you life Tigris. Now in death we return you to her. May she show you mercy for your erroneuos ways and judge that the good you did outweighs your evil deeds. I owe you my life more than once, I owe you my knowledge of the wild. May you find peace in her final embrace. Farewell"
#82 arvindur Apr 15, 2008 13:22:02	Arvindur remained respectfully silent during the burial, allowing Dorian to grieve in peace over his lost friend, though the halfling yet remained wary of scavengers or goblins showing up to interrupt the scene.
#83 xade_lilfellow Apr 20, 2008 20:09:33	The halfling takes a quick glance to the child before speaking again."I would imagine that the person might be the child's father, however I didn't want to upset him further by asking. My concern is that the villagers are either being held as thralls for the goblins or that the ones that remain are in league with them." Xade expresses his opinion quietly so not to upset the child further
#84 dorian_d_grey Apr 21, 2008 1:13:03	"There is only one way to find out my friends, we'll have to go and see for ourselves" Dorian speaks as he stands up. He then begins to shove the earth back into the pit
#85 zade_deftfingers Apr 21, 2008 12:32:52	*Zade offers what help he can in final stages of the burial. He nods his head at Dorian's suggestion and then he waits patiently for the group to head out again.
#86 xade_lilfellow Apr 21, 2008 17:18:56	"I think that we should take the child, the unfortunate dead, and the cart with us. It would help give us the appearance of helping and not marauders. We wouldn't want to be mistaken as that if they are weary of goblins or other things. Plus if worse comes to worse we could tip the cart and use it as some cover." Xade expresses his idea
#87 dorian_d_grey Apr 22, 2008 1:02:30	"Good plan Xade, see to preparing the cart and the body with the others while I finish Tigris his grave" When the grave has been filled and covered with a decent mount Dorian sets to collecting some branches to construct a small memorial. Then he sets about collecting Tigris his weapons bow and other items and places them on the cart "these will hopefully help this man's family through the next few weeks if they can sell them"
#88 arvindur Apr 22, 2008 7:18:22	"Good thing I know some woodworking then." Arvindur inspects the cart for any damage, and quickly patched the worst of it with some tools he produced from Wolfkin's saddlebags.
#89 aridar Apr 23, 2008 13:36:07	Aridar squats down from his post to quietly watch Arvindur patch the cart up.
#90 xade_lilfellow Apr 23, 2008 16:28:47	Xade hurries back to the cart and lets the child know that they will be helping him get back to his village and they will be taking the cart and everything with them.
#91 dorian_d_grey Apr 24, 2008 0:57:20	The child nods quietly and finds a place to sit and watch while the group finishes their bussiness. By the time Dorian is finished with the grace Arvindur has managed to patch the cart and the group is ready to go
#92 xade_lilfellow Apr 26, 2008 11:14:40	"It looks like we are ready, to go let us gather up everything and take the rest of the way carefully." Xade says cheerfully
#93 arvindur Apr 26, 2008 12:51:01	Arvindur just rides along in a sombre mood, considering the dead man left behind. Tigris seemed to be a far too similar in his ideals for comfort, judging from his earlier speech, it would not be hard for Arvindur himself to fall to such hatred.
#94 zade_deftfingers Apr 27, 2008 12:45:22	*As the group heads off to the next destination, Zade quietly falls to the back of the group and keeps a keen eye behind the group, watching everyone's back. He hopes that no one that is attached to Tigris will decided to get revenge on those who killed him.
#95 dorian_d_grey May 02, 2008 2:44:08	After a 15 minute walk they group reaches the other side of the belt of forest between the ruins and the city. From inside the cover of the trees what is left of the village seems quiet enough. There are no signs of a lingering Goblin tribe. A single column of smoke rises from the middle of a ruined farmstead to the left. The child begins to squirm in Xade's arms, trying to get loose
#96 xade_lilfellow May 03, 2008 11:12:17	"Is this the place little one?" Xade asks as the child begins to squirm about. Xade looks about carefully not wanting to release the child if there is danger about.
#97 aridar May 03, 2008 16:55:47	Aridar pats the child on the head and whispers quietly into his ear. Be still little one...we'll protect you.
#98 dorian_d_grey May 05, 2008 0:57:46	The boy wriggles himself loose and runs into the ruins, the cry for his mother leading his approach. At the sound of the childs voice a single wooman appears between the ruined farms and runs towards the child.AFter a very emotional reunion between mother and child the boy returns to the group with his mother in tow
#99 zade_deftfingers May 10, 2008 14:17:14	*Zade watches as the bow is coming back with his mom, he smiles and then speaks up to the rest of the group. "I'm going to check the perimeter, fill me in with anything useful when I get back." *With that Zade bows, pulls out his bow and knocks an arrow then stealthy heads in a big circle around the group, taking his time and keeping a keen eye out for anyone that might want to spoil meeting the group is having.
#100 xade_lilfellow May 10, 2008 16:57:32	"Ah, hello would you be this little ones mother?" Xade asks as the mother and child walk back
#101 arvindur May 12, 2008 10:30:44	Arvindur simply sits and ruffles Wolfkin's fur, alert to the possibility of goblins, but letting the dog's nose keep watch.
#102 dorian_d_grey May 21, 2008 0:59:57	Zade nor Wolfkin detect any trace of Goblins in the vicinity. The woman holds close to her child and trembles with fear and emotion. When she sees her dead husband on the cart she breaks down and starts to cry "What,....what happened oh Carsus, what has been done to you"
#103 xade_lilfellow May 27, 2008 23:47:49	"I am sorry my lady we barely got there in time to help your child. When we came into the clearing an angry shadow was shooting at us from the treetops. I am sorry that we couldn't do more than return your child, cart, and husband's body." Xade says in a soft reply
#104 dorian_d_grey Sep 09, 2008 1:35:17	[OC: in order to round this one up I'll post a closing post so we can all get back to the new bussiness. Sorry for the long wait, I'll be more diligent in the future :D] After consolling the grieving widow and helping her inter het husband the group sets up camp inside the circle of ruins, waiting for their employers. As night falls and there is still no sign of their employers they discuss their options and decide to return to the city the next day. The coalburners wife and her son decide to leave the ruins as well. The next day the group packs up and returns to the city, taking the woman and child with them. After seeing their guests to a temple of the mother to further tend to the boys wounds the group disbands, each going his own way. They agree to keep the last lich as a meeting point until new orders from the Silver Sword arrive calling them back to their duties