Chapter 12

Talorc posted Message 1534 Dated : January 16, 2001 at 13:33:21 Subject: Re: The Game Talorc draws himself up to his full height and affects a regal air. He bows with a flourish, and announces in a booming voice, "I am Talorc ud Soldar uth Clanna T'aelon... at your service." He holds his pose for a moment, then goes back to leaning easily against the wall, he winks and smiles at the fey creature, "But you can call me Talorc." ;)

DM posted Message 1535 Dated : January 16, 2001 at 15:12:01 Subject: What's what Lady Moon takes the bag and gentally spills the contents onto the table. She picks up each item, turining it over and over in her hand. "Well, the Silver Braclet seems to be magical and it holds a potion of healing and a dagger." She puts it back into the bag. Next she picks up the Gem Incrested Brouch. "While this is very pretty it is not magical." She adds that to the bag. She picks up one of the Three Small Silver Elven Stautes. "These are hard to read...I think they are magical...but what they do is not being shown to me." She puts everything back into the bag. "Is there anything else?" OOC: I updated the website. PLEASE look over the item page and tell me if I missed anything!

DM posted Message 1537 Dated : January 17, 2001 at 08:38:27 Subject: A few more things Lady Moon picks up the short sword and turns it over once. "This is a well made sword...I think is can add to your attack abitilits. I also believe that it has another ability, but I can't see it." She hands the sword back to Talorc. She spends more time with the cloak, looking at the symbles on it. "This is a veyr nice item...I am sure it is magical...It will take some time for me to figure this one out..." Letta pushs past Talorc and thrusts the silver hand mirror into Lady Moon's hands. "Yeah yeah, but what about this? It showed me an image of Marcus and Xia when they were looking for the flower. What's up with it?" Lady Moon raised an eyebrow at Letta and her lack of maners, but looked at the mirror. "Well, it appears to be a gazing mirror. It can show you what you are looking for if you have seen it before and spend a good amount of time looking into it and concentrating upon what you are looking for."

DMLH posted Message 1539 Dated : January 18, 2001 at 09:25:05 Subject: Where to next? Letta smiles at Lady Moon's words. She replaces the mirror as Talorc gets some of his items looked at. "Well. this has been fun and all, but must be going. Lady Hawk is still being tormented by bandits. Which reminds me. Where are we off to next?" She looks back and forth to all of the party members. "We can search the lands for some bandits, check out the places and people attacked, return to Lady Hawk's and tell her what has happened so far and see if she has any new information for us to go on, or we can just go to Lord Silverfield and ask him if he is behind the attacks." Letta smiles a little evil smile at the last part.

Sarothai posted Message 1542 Dated : January 18, 2001 at 17:55:32 Subject: A possibility "With a little bit of modification, that doesn't sound like too bad of a plan," Sarothai remarks. "However, I have a couple of suggestions... Firstly, I don't think that just going out there and just blindly acting as targets is a terribly bright idea, although if we could gather enough intelligence to arrange an ambush, it would definately be workable. Secondly, why don't we go to the Elves and ask them if they know anything about the bandits ;)"

Sarothai posted Message 1544 Dated : January 20, 2001 at 14:18:15 Subject: Re: A possibility Sarothai leans on his bow and says: "If we can find out approximately where they're going to be hitting next, we can than have Marcus, Letta, and Soldar go out as the bait while Akeesha and myself set up in position to hit them with arrows when they make their attempt. What say you all to that suggestion? Granted it relies upon information that we currently do not have access to, but hopefully we'll be able to remedy that problem."

DM posted Message 1545 Dated : January 20, 2001 at 17:17:38 Subject: The Plan Letta nods with what everyone is saying. "It sounds like a plan! But what have the bandits been attacking? Marcus? What did you tell me?...Oh! Farms and travelers! I guess we can pretend to be travelers...We can hid our weapons and armor....but the question is where to go? We can't just wonder around and around hoping that they will jump us. What can we do?" She looks over to the others and then to Lady Moon. Lady Moon's face is unreadable and she offers nothing.

DM posted Message 1547 Dated : January 22, 2001 at 10:27:24 Subject: Recient Attack Lady Moon looks over to Marcus, "There was a man who came to me yesterday. He came from the South and he said he saw a farm on fire. He stopped but didn't see anyone there. He guessed that the people got out and headed to the next farm for help. He didn't stick around...he heard about the attacks and was afraid that the bandits would get him."

Sarothai posted Message 1550 Dated : January 22, 2001 at 16:56:32 Subject: Re: What to wear? "Well, I think that a good start would be to try and get some info from some people that would most likely have the most knowledge of this area: The Elves. In any case, as I said before, the three of you can be the travelers, while Akeesha and myself position ourselves in hiding sothat we can take them out with arrows as they come upon you. Once they have closed with you (assuming they don't break off their attack) Akeesha and I will close to melee." Sarothai smiles :) and asks, "So, what do you think of that as at least a basic plan of action?"

Talorc posted Message 1553 Dated : January 22, 2001 at 22:02:50 Subject: Re: What to wear? "I only carry short swords, and slung in a manner they are easily hidden under my cloak." , Talorc advises. "I think we can probably find our way ourselves, though...After all, we don't know WHO the bandits are..." "Anyway, we should provision ourselves as best we can here, and get moving." Talorc spins on his heel, and walks from the wagon.

DM posted Message 1554 Dated : January 23, 2001 at 09:59:59 Subject: Gear Letta follows after Talorc out of the wagon and away from Lady Moon. She reachs out and takes ahold of his arm getting him to stop or at least slow down for the others to catch upo. "What should we get? Maybe some rope? A net or two? Should we have some fake wears...or a wagon?" She asks this to Talorc and the others when they catch up.

DM posted Message 1556 Dated : January 23, 2001 at 14:26:53 Subject: Goods Talorc, You (and any who go with you) find: * An old wagon (no sides or top) for sale for 50 gold * A work horse for 25 gold * An ox for 10 gold * 100 feet of Rope and 2 50foot nets for 30 gold * 2 boxs of herbs 5 gold * 5 Reems of good cloth for 30 gold (blue, purple, white, and 2 brown) * 3 Chickens 1 gold * Glass wears 10 gold * A lagre box of commom cloths 3 gold ........Anything else? You are looking for? What do you want and not?

Sarothai posted Message 1557 Dated : January 23, 2001 at 15:40:52 Subject: Re: Goods As Sarothai trots along with Letta and Talorc on their shopping spree, he comments "This seems like a pretty good collection, both for passing ourselves off as merchants, and for capturing the bandits if/when they take the bait... However, we're going to have to come up with some sort of concrete plan, and some more info on the bandits, if we're going to be able to use nets to catch them"

Sarothai posted Message 1560 Dated : January 24, 2001 at 16:44:20 Subject: A Plan? "That sounds pretty good to me. To expand upon that, how about it be you and I in the wagon Marcus? Also, I'm thinking that it would probably be best if Letta was driving the wagon since she will be one of the least threatening of us. I'm thinking that maybe we should have a 'guard' to try and make it seem like a little less of a setup; my suggestion for the guard is Talorc... Once again going with the one who probably seems the least threatening. Any suggestions or comments on my elaboration of Marcus's plan?" Sarothai leans back and regards the rest expectantly.

Sarothai posted Message 1561 Dated : January 24, 2001 at 16:44:21 Subject: A Plan? "That sounds pretty good to me. To expand upon that, how about it be you and I in the wagon Marcus? Also, I'm thinking that it would probably be best if Letta was driving the wagon since she will be one of the least threatening of us. I'm thinking that maybe we should have a 'guard' to try and make it seem like a little less of a setup; my suggestion for the guard is Talorc... Once again going with the one who probably seems the least threatening. Any suggestions or comments on my elaboration of Marcus's plan?" Sarothai leans back and regards the rest expectantly.

DM posted Message 1564 Dated : January 29, 2001 at 11:16:16 Subject: Off Down the Road With the wagon loaded, everyone takes their places as they head off back towards Goodberries and the place of the last attack. Letta takes the ranes and eurges the horse forward. She keeps the pase slow and steady. She tried to keep it relaxed and kept remiding herself to not look around so much. Akeesha sat on the edge of the wagon, invisable. She would change places from time to time keeping a look out. Marcus and Sarothai makes themselves comfortable in the back of the wagon hidden under a few blankets, behind some wooden boxs. Talorc acts as a guide walking about 10 feet ahead of the wagon. From time to time he would stop and let Letta catch up. He would swing up and let her know what he saw...nothing, no sign of bandits. As the sun started to set behind the mountains, Letta pulled the wagon off the raod to make camp. She hopped down and rounded the wagon to the back. She took her time gettinkg out her bed roll. "Well," she whispered,"I don't see anyone. And Talorc hasn't seen anyone all day. The farm that was attacked is not that far away and we will be there in the morning. I packed some food in the little cheast. It should be right next to you. Get some sleep." Letta turned and plopped her gear down and then headed off to help Talorc make a camp fire.

DM posted Message 1566 Dated : January 29, 2001 at 14:04:46 Subject: Cover? Letta looks at Sarothai. "If they were following us they know about you....but I doubt it. But that's a good idea. Though I hope they don't show up at night since we can't have a watch without totally blowing our cover." Letta looks about at the growing darkness. "It'll be dark real soon. Hey Talorc, we should get alot of wood for the fire. Gotta keep it up for the night..." Letta smiles as she heads off into the dark woods in the seach for wood.

Akeesha posted Message 1567 Dated : January 29, 2001 at 17:30:09 Subject: Re: Cover? Akeesha flits over to the others and whispers, "Even if they know about Sarothai, they don't know about me and in this type of situation I can be the more dangerous of the two of us. Also as far as watches go, you, Talorc and myself can share the watches. I'll take first watch, that way even if they did follow us and see Sarothai, they'll think us careless, since everyone they can see will be going to sleep ;)"

DM posted Message 1570 Dated : January 30, 2001 at 11:36:54 Subject: Everyone wakes up Letta agrees with the others and they splite up the night into shifts. The night is filled with the normal sounds and goes by uneventfully. In the morning everyone wakes up to the sound of horse hoves hitting the hardened earth that made up the road. Letta jumps to her feet along with Talorc and they peek around the wagon to see a man riding a horse at a full run towards the party heading towards Goodberries. The man has no armor on and the horse is a riding horse.

DM posted Message 1574 Dated : January 30, 2001 at 15:18:19 Subject: The Man with a Horse The man hears Talorc's calls to stop and pulls up next to him and Letta. Akeesha sees a clear road and surrounding area. Only the cloud of dust from the horse can be seen wafting through the air. The man has a slightly wild look about him, as if his mind was going a million miles an hour. "I am on my way to Goodberries! Lady Hawk must know of what has happened!" He pulls on the ranes to calm the over worked horse. "What's happened?! We are in Lady Hawk's servace, we could help!"Letta grabs the bridle and the horse calms at once. The man looks at the two before him and then nodds to himself as if answering some unasked question. "Lady Moon has fallen ill! It's black magic! The carnival was attacked by giants! But they weren't....mormal?...they looked dead! I'm sorry but I have to hurry!" The man turned his horse back toward the rad and Goodberries.... OOC: You have time ask another question.

DM posted Message 1578 Dated : February 01, 2001 at 10:53:05 Subject: Re: The Man with a Horse The man looked annoyed by Sarothai's insinuation of his making things up. "I don't have time for this! I have to hurry to Goodberries and inform Lady Hawk. Good day!" He gives a kick to the horse's sides and he is off. Letta turned to the other, "Oh my! What should we do? I don't know if we can do anything for Lady Moon, but she did help us....maybe we should go to Lady Hawk's?"

Sarothai posted Message 1579 Dated : February 01, 2001 at 17:21:17 Subject: Ooops Sarothai shrugs, glancing sheepishly at his comrades as he puts his bow away. "Okay, I guess he was for real..." As he hops down from the wagon, he remarks "I personally am in favor of checking out the attack on the carnival, it might be related to the bandit attacks. And, in any case I'm not a healer, so there isn't much I could do for Lady Hawk."

Talorc posted Message 1580 Dated : February 01, 2001 at 19:54:38 Subject: Re: Ooops "OOOPS? OOOPS?"Talorc mutters to himself."Ahh, well...If I'd opened my yap, we'd have fared no better..." Aloud he offers in a serious, soft tone,"Lady Hawk is a powerful noblewoman, I am sure the most able are at her disposal. Hmm...I doubt we can truly offer much...on the other paw...er, hand...I doubt the carny-folk have the protection they need to combat this threat. My vote is for the carny." "Then again, it might just be that I've never seen a dead giant walking! Sounds neat!!"

DM posted Message 1583 Dated : February 02, 2001 at 11:28:32 Subject: Back to the carny Everyone piles back into the wagon and heads back to the carnival. With the new information about the attack on the carny and Lady Moon no ones pays much heed to hiding only getting to back as quick as they can. (OOC: if you want to hide you can, just say so.) The trip back takes little time since you are hurrying. Before you can see the carnival you can see smoke wafting up into the air. When it comes into view you see that a lot of the tents have been burned and the merchants' carts have been trashed. There are people working on repairs. They look up with a start as you make your in. There are some men with weapons out, not at you but apparently on guard. Letta jumps down from the wagon and runs over to a man whom you recognize as the animal keeper. "What happened?! Who did this? What's wrong with Lady Moon?" She starts in on the man. "Whoa! Slow down! Giants attacked us early this morning. It was so fast...we didn't have any warning, they were just all of a sudden on us. There were others with the giants, in the background giving orders, I think. We tried to fend them off, but...we lost a few people, though they seemed to be after Lady Moon. They left as quickly as they appeared. We went to Lady Moon to get healing for the injured...but she... was just lying there. She seems to be asleep, but we can't wake her. We sent a man to Lady Hawk's for a healer. I hope that will work..." He looked off into the ruins of the carnival. Letta looked about as well not knowing what to do next.

Sarothai posted Message 1586 Dated : February 02, 2001 at 17:43:28 Subject: Perimeter Sarothai readies his short sword and heads off to check the perimeter for tracks leading away, glancing back over his shoulder he calls, "I'm off to kill me some giants, who's with me? :mad: Not waiting for a response he proceeds to searching the outlying area for signs of the giants' exodus. OoC: Sending rolls for Tracking

Talorc posted Message 1587 Dated : February 03, 2001 at 08:47:24 Subject: Re: Perimeter Talorc's eyes slowly sweep the area, anger at arriving too late to do anything smoldering in them. A cigar materializes in his mouth, and ignites itself a moment later. "I'm all for it," he grunts around his cigar,"'Sides,they've got tab ta settle up here..." He turns and stalks of in the opposite direction from the elf. "If we both search to the right when we get to the perimeter, it should go quickly," he says loudly to the bowman. (Sending Rolls)

DM posted Message 1588 Dated : February 05, 2001 at 18:31:11 Subject: After Giants Talorc and Sarothai head off to the East. The tracks are not hard to miss and who ever they were made no efford to hind their tacks. There are over turned trees and trampled brush. You can see that trail leads to the mountains, though the thought crosses your mind of this being a set up...why else make it so easy for any one to follow. After about fifteen minutes of walking you come across a man who appears to have been crushed to death. His features are pretty much gone. His gear (leather armor and a short sword) are also mangled beyond use or repair.

The man appears a little suprized by Akeesha's sudden appearacne, but not in the Pixie herself. "Lady Moon is in the juglar's wagon. Bellonna is talking care of her. You are welcome to try and help her, Marcus, but I don't know what luck you will have. The messanger should have reached Lady Hawk's by now. We should be hearing back from her any time. As for where the attackers went...over there towards the mountains. A few men went after them, but we haven't seen then since. I fear the worst."

Sarothai posted Message 1594 Dated : February 07, 2001 at 17:33:38 Subject: Re: On the trail Sarothai picks up his pace so that he's along side Talorc. Once he's accomplished his he grabs the human's arm and says, "Maybe I'm just being dense, but if you agree that it is a good idea, why aren't we stopping so that they can catch up?" Having said that he stops, without letting go of Talorc's arm. Ooc: Just in case it's necesarry sending roll for Str check to bring Talorc to a halt

Talorc posted Message 1595 Dated : February 07, 2001 at 19:49:41 Subject: Can't touch this... "I'm impatient... AND I don't like people touching me..." , he stops and looks the elf in the eye, "besides, I'm not dense." With that he becomes insubstantial, and continues down the trail. "Go fetch them if you like, I'll just scout ahead a bit..." "I promise, I won't get into any trouble..."

Sarothai posted Message 1596 Dated : February 08, 2001 at 18:43:46 Subject: Oh, no you don't Sarothai glares at Talorc's back for a moment, then snaps, "You don't think I'm going to actually let some uppity human get himself killed trying to grab all the glory do you?" That being said he continues after his erstwhile companion, grumbling to himself about the nerve of some humans.

DM posted Message 1597 Dated : February 09, 2001 at 09:15:30 Subject: Marcus....ouch! Marcus, you try to help Lady Moon but you just manage to give yourself one h*ll of a headache. After a few minutes you feel beeter. You check Lady Moon to make sure you didn't hurt her too, but see that she seems no worst. Looking closely you see that there does not seem to be any wounds on her body. A spell maybe or she might have an inturnal wound. Either way you are not sure you can help her...

DM posted Message 1598 Dated : February 09, 2001 at 09:36:02 Subject: After some giants Akeesha catchs up to Talorc and Sarothai. The two men are headed farther up the trail and seem to be agrueing with each other, (something about waiting and humans). It stricks you that the path was made with a great force. There must have been about five giants to make such a swath of destruction. Talorc (Using Heightened Senses) can not pick up anything out of the ordinary. It kind of desturbs you that such a desturbance seems to have left no sign of who did it...maybe its just that they are farther ahead of you then you first though...well they are giants after all... Sarothai keeps up with Talorc thinking about how bothersom humans can be. You look about trying to find any clues when low and behold you spot another body tossed to the side of the path. This one isn't crushed, just missing a head :) After about an hour of walking you reach the mountains' base. The trees have fallen way to revial bare grey rocks. The trail you have been following has faded with the greenery. You are standing at road, you can go up the mountian or back toward the cross roads and the carnival. There dose not seem to be anything out of place. Marcus, if you want to catch up to the others you can now. OOC: sorry for the bad spelling...not in the best of moods right now.

Sarothai posted Message 1600 Dated : February 09, 2001 at 19:24:50 Subject: Re: After some giants Sarothai glances up the moutain, and towards the crossroads and asks "Well oh brave and mighty Talorc, which way should we go? Personally I think that the most probable route is up the mountain." With that, he starts searching again for some sign of passage of the adversaries. OOC: Sending tracking roll

Akeesha posted Message 1601 Dated : February 09, 2001 at 19:31:56 Subject: Children! Akeesha flies down and hovers by Talorc's ear and remarks a trifle loudly, "He can be rather annoying at times, but he is good at what he does, so why don't we all try to play nice so that we can get the job done? Having said her piece she starts searching the area for signs of passage also. OoC: Sending tracking roll

DM posted Message 1604 Dated : February 12, 2001 at 10:35:32 Subject: Here giant, giant, giant! Letta returns with Marcus as the group starts up the road that leads up the mountain. Marcus remembers his last visit to the mountains and the Goblins that call them home. He wonders if Lady Hawk has sent her people to the Goblins to start talks... The road is well worn into the stones and dirt. But here and there the trackers can spot a track of their quarry. The trek is rough going. About fifteen minutes of walking bring you to a "T" in the road. There are tracks leading both ways. The ones towards the Goblins' home have hoof prints...(was there anything about horses?) ***************** End Of Article ******************

Sarothai posted Message 1607 Dated : February 12, 2001 at 15:53:17 Subject: Goblins? Sarothai gives Marcus a strange look and asks, "Okay, what gives? I think I follow the logic of going to the goblin village in the course of looking for giants, but I don't understand why we should care one way or another if they are okay. As far as I'm concerned we should be trying to make them tell us where the giants are, not worrying about the current state of their health."

DM posted Message 1609 Dated : February 13, 2001 at 09:07:16 Subject: The Goblins Letta looked at the fellow elf. "Those goblins are lead by three leaders that were raised by humans who tought them there is more to life them death. The main leader is a kind priest. Our last incounter didn't go very well....a mage, who thought too highly of his skills, desided we should kill them... The goblins are in the beginning of a civilazation and are skilled in some fighting and spells. " Letta looked amoused by a thought. "They put the mage in his place...They were too kind if you ask me. They should have done the world a favor and offed the mage." She looked in the direction of the Goblins home. "We should catch up with our winged friend." Letta starts walking after the Pixie. (OOC:Yes, I know she's invisable:) )

DM posted Message 1611 Dated : February 13, 2001 at 22:06:36 Subject: Up the Trail w/Akeesha At 30 feet you can stay above the sides of the road for a little while, but as you go follow the path higher the walls grow higher as well. Soon the reach 50 feet and its a good bet that they will keep climbing. You can see some of the others start to follow you after a mintute or two of talking. OOC: Are you going to try to stay above the sides of the path?

DM posted Message 1613 Dated : February 14, 2001 at 08:42:46 Subject: Up the Trail w/Akeesha At 30 feet you can stay above the sides of the road for a little while, but as you go follow the path higher the walls grow higher as well. Soon the reach 50 feet and its a good bet that they will keep climbing. You can see some of the others start to follow you after a mintute or two of talking. OOC: Are you going to try to stay above the sides of the path? (This is the same as the post below, just trying to keep things neat:p )

DM posted Message 1614 Dated : February 14, 2001 at 08:53:47 Subject: The rest of the party [or down below] The group heads off towards the goblins' village. Letta watchs the sides of the mountian's riase above your heads. "I have a bad feelling....I don't know what it is...but something or one is watching us." Letta says rapping her arms around herself. When the sides of the mountain reached about 50 feet over your head a sign came into view. It was hand writen in a few differnt langues, one of which was common. It said: Hail the village of Chan. "Well, I don't remember that," said Marcus.

Akeesha posted Message 1616 Dated : February 14, 2001 at 14:01:06 Subject: Re: Up the Trail w/Akeesha OOC: The point was to maintain an altitude where I'd be able to see anything developing, so yes. BIC: With the mountain sides starting to rise above her, Akeesha decides to climb some more, so that she stays about 20-30 feet above the sides. Akeesha mutters to herself, "I better start checking around for signs of an ambush, 'cause this doesn't look good for my compatriots" OOC: Sending roll for Alertness

Sarothai posted Message 1617 Dated : February 14, 2001 at 14:07:30 Subject: Re: The rest of the party [or down below] Sarothai glances around and remarks "Well, if there is someone watching us, I hope they're friendly. If they're hostile, then we definately have a problem. I can just picture what I could do to a group of enemies if I set up an ambush in this area." With that Sarothai sheathes his sword, and starts stringing his bow. "If there is an ambush set up, I want to be able to return fire." ;)

DM posted Message 1620 Dated : February 15, 2001 at 09:26:36 Subject: The Village The cliffs on either side of you melt back a little and start to pull away from you as you reach a level spot. The road continues on back down the other side of the hill and into the village of Chan. The occupants are out and about working on different buildings. It looks like there was a combat here not that long ago, maybe a week or so. They are almost done with the repairs. There are a few goblins on what look like patrol. They look you over once and decide you aren't here to cause problems and nod to you as you pass by. Marcus leads you to a large hut that has two guards out side. They are wearing leather armor and have a holy symbol hanging from their necks on a golden chain. One halts your entrance into the hut. "What business do you wish with our leaders?" He isn't threatening, but doing his job. ****************************************Above the Chan*********************************** Akeesha sees the village below her and the goblins going about their business. Nothing seems to an emendate threat to the party. There appears to be around 60 goblins in the open around the whole village. From your hight you can also see an enterance to a mine. There are four guards in front of it and workers moving in and out of it with carts. Some of the carts have ore and others have mushrooms about the size of a humans closed fist. The road goes streight through the village and continues out the other side and over another hill. On the cliff next the exit to the village, you spot a white wolf.

DM posted Message 1623 Dated : February 15, 2001 at 17:26:56 Subject: The Wolf Akeesha moves closer to the wolf to get a better look. While wolves are native to this area, the size and coloration of the wolf makes it odd. Most wolves here are grey and some brown ones have been spotted, but not a white one. White wolves are found more in the cold areas father north and that is miles and miles away, it would take a month or more to reach it by carivan, longer on foot. The wolf sniffs the air and looks in the general direction of the pixie. He doesn't seem to really care about you, just checking you out. After a second or two of thought it ploops down and watchs the village. ***************** End Of Article ******************

Talorc posted Message 1624 Dated : February 15, 2001 at 23:08:16 Subject: re:The Village With an elegant flourish, and nary a glance at the guard, "We're here to inquire, good sir...wha...Good God, Man ...are you a GOBLIN? " Talorc stumbles , "Er, hem..yes well ...We should like to speak to someone of authority here!" "At least he's not a Kobold... little blighters" he mutters, half to himself.

DM posted Message 1626 Dated : February 16, 2001 at 08:24:55 Subject: The Guard The guard who is speeking looks at Talorc with a raised eyebrow, but does not lose his poker face. "Yes,Sir. We are Goblins. But before you can speek to our leaders, you must tell me what for. They are very busy and do not have time for petty things." He shiffs a little but makes no move to let you pass. *

DM posted Message 1628 Dated : February 16, 2001 at 20:06:24 Subject: Humph.... The guard looks Marcus over and with a huff. He doesn't seem very worried by your words. "Don't be such an orc..." The second goblin whispered to the first. "Hold on a sec," he says to the party and disapears into the hutt. You are left standing with the first gaurd. He seems to be a little put out by the others actions. After a few minutes the second gaurd returns with a smile. "Hey! Is your name Marcus? Yeah you are. Come on in! They are looking forwad to seeing you." He opens the door and ushers you in. In side the hut it is decorated in furs and odd artwork. There are four guards in here as well, but they are wearing chain mail armor. The hut is one large room, but it seems smaller then the out side. There is a small round table with three goblins sitting around it. Marcus recognise them as the leaders he met before. "Please sit Marcus and friends. Now what has happened to the carnival?" The female goblin asks.

DM posted Message 1630 Dated : February 18, 2001 at 13:58:38 Subject: The Meeting The woman sites back a little thinking about what Marcus has just told her. "Well, this is serous isn't it? I have never met Lady Moon in person, but we have mutail friends and trade medicians. This is very sad to hear about the carnival's attack. We have not seen any giants, but we have been bussy with a few problems of our own. Our mine has been crawing with some pesty creatures that usally keep to the deep underdark. I think some thing must be driving them up towards the surface. Thought what the reason is excapes me, be it hunger or over population or other creatures pussing them out...I can't say. We have sent a small group out into the mine to search for the cause, but they have found nothing. "As for Lady Hawk, she has sent us a small group to start talks with us. They are still here if you wish to talk to them. We set up a hut for them to stay in. They informed me that you, Marcus had a hand in getting Lady Hawk to send people here. I owe you a great thanks for this and for this you will always be welcome here. If you ever need anything, just ask and we will do our best." She stops a looks about the party and the new faces to her. "Where are my manors? My name is Dekdunna. Hight Priestess of the Villagge of Chan. I co-rule the village with Ligthuk," she nodds to a strong fighter type to her left, "and Bokthok." Bokthok sits to her right. He is slim an looks to be about 5 foot 6. He is wearing black leather armor and has quit a few daggers. Ligthuk is wearing chain mail and has a sword. He is about 5 foot 10 and appears to be quit strong. The other two smile, but say nothing letting Dekdunna do all the talking. "I am glad to see you Marcus. If you and your friends are not too busy, we could us the help looking the mine...." OOC: sorry for the spelling...trying to hurry....at work...

marcus posted Message 1632 Dated : February 18, 2001 at 20:41:36 Subject: Re: The Meeting "I think we need to check on the giant situation first, then i would have no problem coming back to help you. I wish our last meeting had not beeen ruined by the people I was traveling with I am sorry for that. I glad I have gotten a second chance to talk to you. Also can you explain more about whats been going on what kind of creatures? What do they do to your group?"

Sarothai posted Message 1633 Dated : February 18, 2001 at 22:16:51 Subject: Mine Sarothai nods to each of the goblin leaders in turn and remarks, "Greetings, my name is Sarothai Tycaellian. :) While I agree with my companion Marcus about having come here in search of Giants, I also don't think that we can discount your problems in the mine. If nothing else they might be connected, and as far as I am concerned defending the existence of your little village is at least as important as retaliating to the attack on the carnival. No offense intended to anyone who is concerned about and itching for vengeance on behalf of Lady Moon, but she's just a single human whom I've briefly met once, while you goblins are a group who are attempting to improve their situation, and in this case I certainly feel that the group is more important than a single person." Sarothai shrugs and adds, "also we might find whoever it was that was directing the giants' attack on the caravan."

DM posted Message 1634 Dated : February 20, 2001 at 10:12:24 Subject: Well... "Well, the men we sent into the mines as well as the guards there has said that they have seen large spiders and kolbalts. The kolbalts seem to be rather wild and wont talk to us. There has been some spotting of some large creature, but the reports have been unclear and don't seem to fit anything that we have come across before. I do know that the mine has other entrances then just the one we use. The tunnels are a maze underground and we only use a small part of them. I am also pretty sure that one could reach the underdark from those tunnels as well." She looks down to the table and the scrolls piled there. "We are only goblins...we are brave, but even we wont go into the underdark.... There are great dangers there and some very powerful creatures that call it home. "I don't know helpful I am with your giants, but a day ago there was movement in the mine and we had a few creatures come out into the village...scared us pretty bad! They have never done that before. Maybe the giants are coming from there...you did say they weren't normal. If you do go into the mine, you should make sure to have antidote handy. There are many poisonous things and most are plants."

Akeesha posted Message 1638 Dated : February 20, 2001 at 18:43:21 Subject: Re: Kobolds OoC: I hope the retroactiveness of this is okay :D Akeesha flys in just in time to hear the goblin leaders' account of the mine occurances, pauses a moment and then flys to each of her compatriots in turn and tells them "Hey, I don't know how important this is, but I saw a white wolf up on the ridge, and it appears to be keeping an eye on this village." After delivering her message to her companions, she flits up to the goblin leaders and fades back into view as she says, "I am not a large spider! After making her proclamation she continues on,"I don't know if my companions mentioned this yet, but apparently the giants are dead, ;) not that that stopped them from destroying the carnival. Do you have any ideas about who might want to, and be able to animate dead giants?"

DM posted Message 1642 Dated : February 23, 2001 at 09:02:06 Subject: Dark Elves Ligthuk slammed his fist down onto the small round table. "I hate MAGES!" Dekdunna jumped at Ligthuk's sudden out burst. She regains control of herslef and said,"I am sorry about that...We are not very fond of magic users at the moment. But to answer your question, the only people we have seen who might be able to raise dead would be those mages with you Marcus, the last time you were here. Other then that...if the Dark Elves had a mind to, they could. But why would they care about the surface dwellers? Last I knew, they didn't care for serface dwellers, but where happy in the Underdark." Dekdunna looked at Akeesha. "No you are not a spider, little friend."

Sarothai posted Message 1648 Dated : February 24, 2001 at 00:37:06 Subject: Impasse "Well now, it seems that we've come to a bit of an impasse here, since Talorc and I are in favor of going into the mines to get to the root of the problem, while Akeesha and Letta want to annhilate the symptoms." Sarothai looks over at Marcus and says, "It seems that the deciding vote is yours, Marcus. Shall we go into the mines, or try to track the giants down the other path?"

DM posted Message 1650 Dated : February 26, 2001 at 09:34:38 Subject: The Giants have it Letta smiled at Talorc's comment. "So, we are off to hunt the giants and who ever was controlling them. I think we should have some kind of plan. We could probably leave the wagon here. It will slow us down anyway. The cliff wall's are pretty high. Akeesha can fly over them keep look out for us. But then what? And where to? Are we going to take the other fork back down the road?" *

Sarothai posted Message 1651 Dated : February 26, 2001 at 15:56:08 Subject: Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it's off to kill giants we go "Well, it seems to me that if we're going after the giants directly we should probably go down the other fork of the road, although I still think that we should be going into the mines," Sarothai says. He then turns to the goblins, "We'll be back to see what we can do about your troubles in the mines." *

DM posted Message 1655 Dated : March 05, 2001 at 10:11:44 Subject: Back on the path The party heads back the way the came. Akeesha takes her place flying above the party keeping a sharp eye out for any dangers that might araise. As the party nears the road that heads back towards the cross roads and the carnival, Akeesha pops back into sight before the party. "I'm NOT a large spidder!" Letta wonders what is up with the pixxie and spiders... "There are two men at the intersection up ahead. One is well armored and the other is in robbs. They look like they are trying to track something...or one." OOC:PIST! Dyne and Vexenroth, that's your cue... *

******* Vexenroth posted Message 1658 Dated : March 06, 2001 at 05:31:56 Subject: *** Hail! *** Vexenroth hails and beckons to the party. "Greetings! Good to see other strong members of this world about... sometimes I'm convinced the world is filled with weaklings and idiots until fine folks like yourself grace my path and turn my pessimistic views around," he ends with a soft laughter. *

David / Vexenroth posted Message 1663 Dated : March 07, 2001 at 08:36:27 Subject: ?!?!?!?!? OOC OOC: How often do you folks post? I'm used to daily posting, but if this is slower that's ok, I just want to know so I don't check it 10 times a day like I do other ones :) If other people want to commit to posting more often I'd be all for that! Otherwise whatever the plan is I'll be happy to go with the flow

DM posted Message 1665 Dated : March 07, 2001 at 09:16:55 Subject: Letta... Letta nods to the man with a rueful smile. "Well, we shouldn't stand here all day and lose our light...or our life. I say let's move." Without waiting for the others, she starts down the other road. With a few glances about the group and nods, the rest of the party fallows her. After only a few hundred feet it becomes evident that this road is not used much as weeds are trying to grow on the bear rock. There is plenty of crushed vegetation to indicate that the giants came this way. The road twists and turns back and forth and narrows to the point where only two people can walk next to each other. The sides have grown to a sickening 1600 yards above your heads. Letta keeps glancing up at every pebble that shifts and rolls down the steep sides. After an hour of this cramped walking the road widens again and a mouth to a cave comes into view. There is no one in sight from the ground or air. The road also continues on.

Sarothai posted Message 1670 Dated : March 07, 2001 at 22:17:17 Subject: Thanx,... "Talorc! I don't need your 'help' with tracking, and this is neither the time nor place for beginners lessons." Sarothai stands back and surveys the mess Talorc has made of the area he was checking and remarks, "Well, which way would the rest of you suggest we try, on up the trail, or into the caves to search for the giants' instigators and kobolds. I'm certainly not going to be to do anymore here thanks to Talorc."

Vexenroth posted Message 1671 Dated : March 08, 2001 at 04:58:49 Subject: Re: Cavern Entrance Vexenroth, feeling awkward as no responses were voiced to his greetings or any explanation of what the others are up to will tap Talorc on the shoulder and step back, "Once again my name is Vexenroth, glad to meet you all... what exactly are we doing? I heard something about giants, why are we persuing them?"

Dyne posted Message 1677 Dated : March 09, 2001 at 19:49:42 Subject: Re: Cavern Entrance/intro Dyne looking at Vexenroth...says with a laugh "Dont worry about feeling neglected....haha...""I traveled with some of them before and they dont even recognize me....." With that said Dyne turns his attentions to his once ever ready traveling companions " Marcus, Talorc Dont you remember me....Its me Dyne, sword master extrordinair." With his hand resting easily on the hilt of his giant sword, he awaits a reply.

Vexenroth posted Message 1678 Dated : March 09, 2001 at 20:11:33 Subject: -Cave preparations Vexenroth will gaze cooly and agreeably to the others and false calmly and confidently into place beyond Talorc, keeping a keen eye out to the left and right and deep as I can into the cave for heat, and for movement. I will prepare a spell of invisibility in my mind and have it fresh in my memory for casting if needed. Beckoning to Saro and the others with one hand, lightly caressing the hilt of his black mace with the other.

DM posted Message 1683 Dated : March 12, 2001 at 09:26:04 Subject: Cave Enterance Letta lights her lantern and follows the party into the cave. After only about 50 feet she is called closer to the front to shed light on what is a head of Talorc, Vexenroth and Dyne. The cave walls are smooth and have little moss growing on them. The floor is also well worn. The path splits left and right and continues on ahead. Visable in the lamps light the path that goes stright has another branch off it to the left. (OOC:I am calling left and right looking at the map as it appears below) "Well boys, which way?" Letta peers down each of the paths. There is the sound of dripping water coming from the right. Talorc you can smell the stench of death from each direction, but the strongest is from straight ahead.

DM posted Message 1688 Dated : March 13, 2001 at 09:47:52 Subject: Left Vexenroth walks away from the light of the lantern down the left path so he can use his infravision. When he can finally use his elven sight without interfearance from the lantern, he can see that the path contunies on striaght. Akeesha is flying over Vexenroth's head. There is enough room down any of the tunnels for the giants to fit through.

DM posted Message 1698 Dated : March 13, 2001 at 14:50:18 Subject: Deeper Letta moves up with Talorc, Vexenroth and Sarothai. As the lantern lights shins off the walls the party can see that the tunnel forks off again farther down the hall. Marcus and Dyne fall back behind the others. Akeesha watchs Vexenroth head back to the others. She shurgs and continues on down the hall. It turns and then turns again and she can sence that it opens up into a larger space. (OOC: Hey Akeesha, what are you using for a light sorce?) She can also see the others at the other end of the room.

Dyne posted Message 1700 Dated : March 13, 2001 at 18:20:32 Subject: Re: Deeper/question As Dyne falls behind the others, in a low voice he asks Marcus "Why are we looking for giants?"....."I mean I thought that our main goal was to help Lady Hawk.........What do the giants have to do with our mission?.....Dyne then places his hand on the hilt of his giant blade, ready to react at a moments notice at the hint of danger.

marcus posted Message 1701 Dated : March 13, 2001 at 19:05:57 Subject: Re: Deeper/question "There has been alot that has happened. We met Lady Moon in the hopes of helping Iosa. Then we retrieved a book and flower and healed her. We went back and thanked lady moon and set off to capture the bandits with a trap then we heard that Lady Moon had been hurt by an attack on the carnival so we went to see if we could help her. We found out that the giants had attacked her so we came after them while the trail was hot. Then we are going back to the original mission." Marcus says with a wave of his hand.

Dyne posted Message 1702 Dated : March 13, 2001 at 19:30:09 Subject: Re: Deeper/question Dyne with a suprised look on his face stops for a moment and looks at Marcus and in a slightly louder voice than before he says " WHAT?.....The carnaval ...attacked?" "Is Lady Moon ok?" "Was anyone else hurt?".....Then the kind and carefree look that Dyne usually portreys is replaced by a personna of anger determination. "These giants just made it personal." With that said, Dyne then makes his way tward the front of the line.

Sarothai posted Message 1706 Dated : March 14, 2001 at 18:08:45 Subject: Let's be thorough Sarothai winds his way up to the front and says, "Hey Talorc, I take it that you're onto something here, but don't you think it would be a good idea to make sure that there's nothing down these side passages that might ambush us?" Sarothai turns and comments to Vexenroth, "Actually, I find giants to be quite useful and helpful creatures, they make for a great place to store my arrows. :)

DM posted Message 1707 Dated : March 15, 2001 at 16:01:08 Subject: The Room Akeesha can tell that there are things in the room, but with out a light she can not tell what. Though Akeesha knows that there are no people hiding in here. The corner is hard to see in since everything is the same temp. Letta moves out the way to let the guys talk and moves into what she thought was a hallway, which is really the room where Akeesha is. Akeesha squints as Letta and her lantern enters the room. As she looks about to what appears to be a storage room with wooden boxs, tarps, ropes... when she spots movement on the corner! It shifts and starts to grow larger and larger until it's massive head brushs the ceilling.... Letta dose not see it and is on the other side of the wall. The rest of the party can not see or hear what Akeesha sees.

Marcus moves into the room moving cautiously looking for trouble...and finds it. The smell of death is not present but it is obviously undead as it rolls its only eye towards Marcus. It larches forward out of its hiding place into the room. It's movements are jerky and it becomes apparent that this creature was in a recent battle as it has quite a few wounds that are oozing a greenish liquid.