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NPC Post: Zirus – Lizard Man

Zirus watches while the ropes are secured and readied for the rappel, when a sudden thought comes to mind and he immediately speaks, "The pixie, might s-s-she not be the perfect advance shout? Would she not blend with the shadows-s-s and buz-z-zing night air? S-s-she would need to remove her armor of course, but she is s-s-so small, these pirate-bandits-s-s might never s-s-see or hear her, if she s-s-stays in the shadows and the outskirts-s-s. Perhaps-s-s one of you humans-s-s might suggest it to gavin when he wakes-s-s? Tobias-s-s might well be able to be of use as-s-s well, with his s-s-shapeshifting ability. He might well escape their notice if he disguis-s-ses himself as one of them, if we can take one quickly and quietly, s-s-something, too, the Pixie might as-s-sist with."

He slithers his tongue in and out, attempting to clean it after so much common tongue. He stares at each member nearby with a blank stare, his tongue flicking in and out, one hand grasping his serpent staff, the other hanging loosely a his side, waiting for a response.

Rakjak

Rakjak listens to Zirus, a grin splitting his canine features, "Rakjak see what eating lizard man say! Pack send small pups an' ones of sneekiness to find prey. Rakjak tell knight man how plan work, yes?" Rakjak then boldly strolls over to the sleeping form of Gavin, his face still smiling at such a genius plan he gets to be a part of it.

Rakjak speaks up, barking loud enough to garner Gavin's attention, once Gavins seems to be awake and staring at the Gnoll does Rakjak sit down in front of him. Rakjak grabs a nearby stick and begins doodling shapes, having nothing to do with what he's actually talking about but he still feels the need to reference them. "Eating lizard man have idea, yes? Pack on hunt send small or sneeky ones up, to hunt more to bring back to pack on big hunt, lizard man call it "scout"?" Rakjak gives his last word a shrug, not knowing the word. He then points to his next doodle, it looking like a carrot, "See, Rakjak tell of plan, yes? Send pixie one to buzz around to see, yes? Den small folk..." Rakjak points to his next drawing of a cat, a badly drawn cat, and then points his thumb to Tobias, "Small ones go to scouting, sending back what dey find, yes? Plan pack for smarts!" Rakjak sets his stick down, soundly pleased with his imagery as he gives the obviously tired and confused Gavin a furry thumbs up.

Kel "Is that all you can talk about cooking and eating different creatures? I understand your passion but you know I don't talk about what I do for a living constantly." the half-giant replies back after the bit of banter about cooking from Rakjak. "Mind you no offense Rakjak."

Rakjak tilts his head quizzically to the half-giant before a large smile splits his face, showing off his sharpened teeth as he cackles, his whole body seeming to shake in laughter, "Rakjak no talk just about cooking, Rakjak talk of life, yes? For Pack all must work or no survive. Pack big big" Rakjak opens his arms wide, "For survive all must hunt!" Rakjak then gives Kel a grin, his mouth full of sharpened teeth still visible as his eyes show a certain sharpness and violence to them, as if he would cut down and devour the half-giant without a second thought, "Rakjak tell you this, in end? All is just prey. Prey never know when it prey until pack take it down, yes?"

Kel reacts exactly like this to Rakjak one raised eyebrow silence for a moment then a smile "You do know I've hunted and killed a pack of gnolls with just my axe here." he pats his axe with one hand.

Rakjak begins laughing maniacally, slapping the nearest person near him as he points to the half-giant, "No know what pack is!" With a shaking of his head Rakjak attempts to clear the tears of laughter from his eyes.

Lyaera- Moves quietly to the edge of the cliff. And watches the Guards to if she can get good of how many are down below

NPC Post: Gavin Moorehouse – Human

Gavin wakes with a start as Rakjak begins his barking speech. “Huh, what? Uh…” He looks around quickly then back at Rakjak, blinking rapidly to get his bearing, and stares blankly at Rakjak’s incomprehensible scribbles in the dirt while the Gnoll prattles on. Once Rakjak completes his speech, Gavin blinks at him once or twice and stands up. “If I am to understand your, um, request? I believe you are asking if we shouldn’t send advance scouts, Tobias and Esilia, to get an idea of the terrain and lay of the enemy lines? If so, I think it not a bad idea, though under the cover of darkness might be the best option. We should ask Tobias and Esilia first if they are up to the task.”

Gavin approaches the two intended scouts and asks them how they feel about the endevor posed by Rakjak and Zirus.

Ex Āctiōne: Lyaera’s Observation
Calendar: 12:30 pm - July 10th, 9001
Location: Cliffside at the Rift

Lyaera peeks over the edge of the cliff, watching the comings and goings of the pirate-bandit guards below, in search of some pattern, and to discover their number while Rakjak and the others cackle and discuss possible options.

The guards seems to pass back and forth across the bridge in a distinct pattern, cycling as such:

• One guard crosses the bridge from west to east (toward the party’s side of the cliff).
• A second guard, not the same as the first, passes from east to west a minute later.
• A third guard, not the same as the first two, passes from west to east ten minutes later.
• The first guard (above) passes from east to west one minute later.

From this pattern, there seem to be a number of guards on the east side, at least three, with one guard rotating back to the west every ten minutes. Thus far a total of four individuals have been observed. They wear a variety of simple armor, from leather to chainmail, and simple weapons such as short swords and short spears.

Actions!

Translations:
n/a

NPC Post: Tafari – Nemed, Honey Badger

Tafari mills around with notebook and pen in hand, making observations of everything in sight while continuously mumbling to himself, and occasionally announcing some discovery or other out loud for everyone to hear. He pays particular attention to the kobolds and the wooden devices strapped to their backs. He questions them thoroughly about their people and the devices they carry.

"I have not encountered creatures such as yourselves before. Where do you come from, your home I mean, where do you live? Is it a beautiful place? Your armor is very extravagant, did you make it yourself? You skin tone is very peculiar...What are these wooden devices that you carry? They have strange symbols I have not seen before. What can you tell me..."

Tafari rattles on, making notes in his book the whole while.

NPC Post: Tobias – Grimalkin (Zirus’ friend)

Tobias replies with reluctance. “I am concerned that I may not be of any use as a scout. My appearance as such would thoroughly give me away as an outsider, and most likely result in my incarceration or death. I cannot fly as Esilia does, and I doubt that she could carry me, not that it would do any good to do so, mind you. My shape shifting ability might be of use. Should you acquire one of their guards, I might be able to mimic him and thus infiltrate their ranks. Barring that, I fear I am of little use to you.”

Tobias looks from Gavin to the others with no expression whatsoever, awaiting some other request or suggestion, should they come up with one.

NPC Post: Esilia Willow – Pixie

Esilia, excitable as ever, waves her whetted bronze sword through the air with excitement. “Oh, how would love to be your scout, prowling through the darkness, sneaking about like a villain in the shadows. Oh yes, yes I would. Shall I go now? Which way should I go first?”

She begins bobbing back and forth in the air looking from one party member to the next eagerly awaiting her orders, with the widest of smiles.

Summary: Night Approaches
Calendar: 5:30 pm - July 10th, 9001
Location: At the Rift Under Dragons Belch

The party begins making plans, waking Gavin in the process, while Lyaera watches the guards comings and goings below, and Tafari makes furious notes in his journal, completely oblivious to anything else happening around him.

Gavin asks Tobias and Esilia how they feel about performing an advance reconnaissance mission under the cover of darkness, while Rakjak and Kel discuss the merits of cooking and axes.

Tobias seems reluctant to enter the ranks of the enemy, while Esilia bursts with joy at the opportunity.


Lyaera, having observed the guards below gets a sense of their pattern:

The guards seems to pass back and forth across the bridge in a distinct pattern, cycling as such:

• One guard crosses the bridge from west to east (toward the party’s side of the cliff).
• A second guard, not the same as the first, passes from east to west a minute later.
• A third guard, not the same as the first two, passes from west to east ten minutes later.
• The first guard (above) passes from east to west one minute later.

A thunderstorm with heavy rain begins to pelt the area around 5:30 pm. The party, safe under cover in the compacted layers of lava and ash that make up the ground beneath Dragons Belch, make their plan of attack. Darkness will set in about 3 hours.


Actions!


What you know so far Rate of Travel: Slow!

The Party:

• Kel Axelrod – Half Giant (HP: 10/10) (AC: 12)
• Rakjak – Gnoll (HP: 10/10 (AC: 11)
• Lyaera Arabana – Dark Elf (HP: 10/10) (AC: 12)
• Caiden Cross – Human (HP: 10/10) (AC: 13)
• Tafari Baako – Nemed, Honey Badger (HP: 10/10) (AC: 14)

NPC's

• Bartholomew Bumblewoodtooth Grumblefoot III – Gnome Extraordinaire, Retired Adventurer (HP: 40/40) (AC: ??)
• Babak – Small Gargoyle
• Esilia Willow – Pixie (HP: 18/18) (AC: 15/15 fly)
• Gavin Moorehouse – Human (HP: 109/109) (AC: 17)
• Tobias – Grimalkin (HP: 26/26) (AC: 10)
• Zirus – Lizard Man (HP: 10/10) (AC: 19)/

The Bad Guys

• n/a

Calendar:
5:30 pm
July 10th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 6:41/8:23
Temp: 79.0 °F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: SE 11.5 mph
Condition: Thunderstorms
Humidity: 82%
Moon Rise/Set: 6:40 pm/4:46 am
Moonlight: Waxing Gibbous, 95% visible
(2014-KFMY)

Translations
n/a

Caiden looks at the sky, "well, seems whatever gods that old man was talking about is on our favor. This thunder should make it easier to sneak up on them, he glances at Lyaera, "I am ready for a signal whenever you thin it's the best time to attack

Lyaera- I have beenwatching them for a while. She explains there shift procedures to the others. We need to take out the 3 guards once they change shifts. Tobias can take the form of the next relief guard. And then that guard will come to us. If it does not work then Tobias you will have to kill him. Does that sound good or do one you have a better plan.

Kel "I don't care strike whenever you want now we learned their routine."

Summary: Esilia Takes Point
Calendar: 8:45 pm - July 10th, 9001
Location: At the Rift Under Dragons Belch

DM Edit: modified tunnel and chamber dimensions due to map changes

An hour later, darkness having set—the storm having passed, replaced by calm clear skies, and 95% moonlight—the party sets their rough plan into motion.

Esilia removes her armor, revealing her thin, very revealing, white dress and dainty boots. With nothing in hand she begins walking toward the edge of the rift. Standing at the edge, she turns with a smile and a wave, and falls backwards from the lip of the cliff. Any who peer over the edge after her see nothing at all; only the flickering of torch light from the two openings of the passage on either end of the bridge. After a tense fifteen minutes she returns with a flurry of delicate wings, appearing in mid air before the party. With a giddy demeanor she relays what she has found.

“Oh, it is so beautiful there, such grand columns, and statues, and murals, and paintings, all of beautiful white marble, and a ship, a grand ship, with strange markings. Oh, you would not believe it with your own eyes. You must go and see for yourselves. Words cannot describe such wonderful beauty; except where the torches from those men mar and blacken its silky sheen. Their filthy paws grubbing, and touching, and greasing up everything in sight. We must do something now! We must!”

Esilia’s eyes dart rapidly from one party member to the next, “Fine, have it your way. There are three men guarding prisoners on the east side. Those poor people, Gnomes, and Elves, and Humans, and all sorts of wee folk and tall folk. They are killing them. We must help them, mustn’t we? We must!” A few tears fall from her cheeks before she can relay the rest of her reconnaissance report. “On the west side there are maybe six more men, all filthy Human scurvy rats. They are lounging about a dirty fire near the ship, drinking and cackling about like filthy swine. There are no men on the ship. The tunnel leading to the west opens into a grand cathedral-like area, with massive marble pillars, and a stone wharf with beautiful moonlit splashing waves. I think the Kobolds will like it very much. They are a mining sort and must always enjoy the artistic talents of others. How could they not? Anyway, we must go and beat those curs to the ground and save those people. We must!”

Esilia finishes her speech by slapping her hands on her waist, elbows all askew, and looking hard at the party; as if her teeny-tiny-might might actually persuade the party, had they not already intended to descent and kick some butt anyway.

Tobias, enlivened by Esilia’s speech, and wanting to be gallant, mainly because he thinks he is very smart, and brains should most assuredly conquer bronze, at least he hopes so, agrees to take the likeness of said guard should the need arise, and is prepared to take orders at such time. He quickly changes his form to that of Zirus and awaits further orders.

Gavin instructs the party to prepare the ropes, and descend as quietly and swiftly as possible after the next guard returns to the west. The party should accost, detain, or otherwise molest the three guards to the east, as each sees fit, preferably without rousing the alarm of those to the west. Esilia describes a short low tunnel, roughly 9’ in diameter by 60’ long, that opens into a larger chamber, roughly 60’ wide (north to south) by 120' (east to west) with partially exposed marble walls and pillars. The pillars, she states, will provide partial cover, allowing the party, or at least several of them, to get close enough for a quick rush. She states they are drinking and whipping the slaves, who are actively picking away at the ashen lava stone that covers/hides the marble structure within (the remnants of an ancient civilization beneath Dragons Belch). "Several of us should take the lead, and take out the three guards to the east quickly, while rest guard the west entrance, sticking to shadows if at all possible within the east tunnel. Esilia, you stay here with the Kobolds. Try to keep Tafari and the weak Gruagach Elf entertained and distracted. We do not need them getting in the way. If anything should happen to us, should we not return, instruct the Kobolds to open the portal and keep it guarded while you return to Master Netheril with the news. We have come this far, I would hate to have it all be in vain. Choose your marching order, I care not what it is, only that you fight with everything you have, though carefully. I would rather fight a few at a time rather then all at once. Rakjak, are you with me here? Stealth is the order of the day. Kel, no barbarian, lumberjack caterwauling either. Simple, quick, precise. Est Sularis oth Mithas. May whatever god you choose be with you. Let us finish this quick and clean."

According to Esilia there are 6 Pirate-Bandits to the west, and 3 to the east.


Actions!


What you know so far Rate of Travel: Slow!

The Party:

• Kel Axelrod – Half Giant (HP: 10/10) (AC: 12)
• Rakjak – Gnoll (HP: 10/10 (AC: 11)
• Lyaera Arabana – Dark Elf (HP: 10/10) (AC: 12)
• Caiden Cross – Human (HP: 10/10) (AC: 13)
• Tafari Baako – Nemed, Honey Badger (HP: 10/10) (AC: 14)

NPC's

• Bartholomew Bumblewoodtooth Grumblefoot III – Gnome Extraordinaire, Retired Adventurer (HP: 40/40) (AC: ??)
• Babak – Small Gargoyle
• Esilia Willow – Pixie (HP: 18/18) (AC: 15/15 fly)
• Gavin Moorehouse – Human (HP: 109/109) (AC: 17)
• Tobias – Grimalkin (HP: 26/26) (AC: 10)
• Zirus – Lizard Man (HP: 10/10) (AC: 19)/

The Bad Guys

• 3 Pirate-Bandits to the east
• 6 Pirate-Bandits to the west

Calendar:
8:45 pm
July 10th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 6:41/8:23
Temp: 78.1 °F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: SE 4.6 mph
Condition: Clear
Humidity: 81%
Moon Rise/Set: 6:40 pm/4:46 am
Moonlight: Waxing Gibbous, 95% visible
(2014-KFMY)

Translations
n/a

Rakjak

Rakjak, while the others have been going over the plan, has been back away from the others. At the mention of his name though the gnollish cook gives a low cackling growl noise, the others looking his way find that he's lost his large pack and sacks full of all manner of "ingredients" and what's left is a rather lithe looking furred gnoll outfitted in light leather armor, his handaxe in one furry clawed hand and the other patting a belt resting around his waist, all manners of holsters sheathing many kinds of knives. The Gnoll gives a toothy grin to Gavin and his group members, "Rakjak ready for fight, sneaky or loud. No matter to Rakjak, all before Rakjak will be killed and eaten." As Rakjak finishes his statement his eyes gleam with a hungry light, his sharpe canine teeth clenching together to form his full grin.

Kel nods "Fine then. Precision like when I chopped a tree down in one swing. Very well."

Rakjak

Rakjak makes his way to the edge of the cliff, grabbing one of the ropes that he set up with Caiden, "Night now, Rakjak go to sneaky kill. Sneaky go first? Yes!" he points to Lyeara, Esilia, and Caiden, "Us go down sneaky, den others follow. We take first ones down while not-sneaky ones clean up yes? Yes!"

Proposed marching order while rappelling the cliff: Lyeara, Rakjak, Caiden, Esilia, Kel, rest of the NPCS

With that out of the way Rakjak begins his descent, his hand axe now clenched within his teeth as he gives the others a wide and sadistic canine smile.