Revisiting The Caves: Pt.2

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn-Dwarf Fighter

“I feel for them too, but the robed figures handled them quite easily! It could have been worse! The sooner we get back to the keep, the quicker the return. It’s not ideal, although it’s our best option at this time. Bugs, if you think you can make it to get whatever Crabgrass threw over without being detected, do it, if not then let’s go!”

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


"You are of course, right, Loyn. Catbird is also lurking about. We need to be careful returning to the keep. He may attempt to link up with the bandits at the river bypass."

[Monsieur Rose]

Bugs

As soon as the metaphorical leash is removed by Loyn, Bugs dashes across to retrieve the package and mace. He keeps his eyes open for the Troll, but his gnomish blood instills great confidence that he can avoid it if necessary.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Caves
Apparently So
Early Evening, Clear

Bugs runs back into the wide open ravine floor, reaching about a quarter of the way to where he thinks he saw the package fall before he spots the green troll again, also heading back out for another body to drag into its cave.

Cobb hoists his pack and readies to leave. "I aint watching this again. I know the little guy is challenged mentally, but have you honestly learned nothing from the first 3 times someone's gotten caught?"

Cobb turns without even waiting to see if Bugs makes it to the package before the troll arrives to eat him. "I'll be in the tavern if you ever need me again." With that, the woodsman simply walks out towards the road.

After the bag headed Crabgrass is taken inside the far cave entrance, there is no sign of either of their comrades exiting the smelly cave they were secured inside.

Actions?

Stirling, I will resume your action in your private thread.

Rex and Rav, your PC's will be out of commission for a while, until we can get some kind of resolution either way.

Bugs Donato G (T2) AC:3 15/16
Loyn Shortbeard D (F1) AC:5 9/12
Meinhardt (MU1) AC:10 4/5 MM/MM/Sleep
Cobb (F1) AC:6 14/14

Crabgrass (MU1/C1) H-E AC:7 1/7 Sleep/SG/DM Sanct/CLW/CLW Prisoner
Rida (F2) AC:2 4/13 Held
Haldric Hammerheart D (C1) AC:3 12/12 CLW/Light/CLW Held

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


He glances in concern as the troll emerges again from its cave. Realizing in his current condition he'd be nothing more than an annoyance to any foes, he quickly moves to catch up with Cobb. "Cobb! Hold up, I'm coming with you!"

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn-Dwarf fighter

Loyn shakes his head as he watches Bugs bolt for the bag as the others leave. “Meinhardt, see if you can get Cobb to hold up at the road, 4 is better than 2 out here! I didn’t think Bugs was so interested in whatever Crabgrass tossed! He better get back here in one piece, otherwise I’m going to throttle him myself!” He’ll wait a moment watching the troll and hoping his thief friend doubles back as quickly as he can. Loyn, then takes off toward the road.

[Rex]

Rida

That is what I expected.

[Monsieur Rose]

Bugs

Bugs spots the Troll and slows a bit to see what it plans to do. He looks around for any more bodies, hoping to keep them between himself and the Troll.

His plan is to let the troll gather more bodies and grab the bag while it's going back to its cave. If the troll appears more interested in him, Bugs will abandon the idea and turn back.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Keep
Apparently So
Early Evening, Clear

When the Troll heads straight for him, Bugs decides to leave the package alone and head back out of the ravine so they can leave without losing any more people.

Cobb is already at the road, with Meinhardt right behind him.

As the sun begins to set, the group will need to double time their return if they want to arrive before the hour becomes too late to re-enter the Keep. Fortunately, their load is light and their group less numerous.

Actions?

Bugs Donato G (T2) AC:3 15/16
Loyn Shortbeard D (F1) AC:5 9/12
Meinhardt (MU1) AC:10 4/5 MM/MM/Sleep
Cobb (F1) AC:6 14/14

Crabgrass (MU1/C1) H-E AC:7 1/7 Sleep/SG/DM Sanct/CLW/CLW Prisoner
Rida (F2) AC:2 4/13 Held
Haldric Hammerheart D (C1) AC:3 12/12 CLW/Light/CLW Held

[Monsieur Rose]

Bugs

"Dumb Troll. He wasn't going to catch me anyways, but he's just making trouble." Bugs nods at Loyn. "Thanks for waiting. Crabgrass is my roommate and I just thought he tossed his gear for a reason. Dumb Troll."

"We're coming back in the morning?" Bugs is ready to race back to the Keep.

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


"When were you meeting with the gnolls? Without their help, I think we have little chance at a direct assault against the evil priests' cave. Hopefully, we can rescue Rida and Haldric from the orc cave, though. We'll also likely need to deal with the halflings and surviving bandits."

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn-Dwarf Fighter

Loyn shakes his head, “Dumb troll maybe, but good eater! I believe we’re supposed to meet up with gnolls within the next couple days, Gyb made the peace offering with them and we all agreed to help. Hopefully the other group made it back with no issues and found more out about the “Lady Lenore”. Thinking some will want to return on a rescue mission. I just know right now we gotta hoof it back!” He takes off dwarf sprinting toward the keep.

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


Armorless, Meinhardt is easily able to keep pace as the group double times it back to the keep.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Keep
Apparently So
Early Evening, Clear

Running along at a brisk pace, the Dwarf explains how their kind are wasted on cross-country, just as he has numerous times before.

After about an hour of double timing their return, they make it to the trail that cuts through the forest. Cobb doesn't stop to ask about their route, moving into the trees without hesitation, since most of the troublesome bandits have already been eliminated.

After a short breather and a drink of water, they press on, exiting the trees and trail to eventually arrive outside the Keep well before the oil lamps outside the gates are extinguished.

A solo Keep guard you haven't met before stands inside the closed portcullis. "Yes? Who goes there?"

The heavily sweating Cobb shakes his head and huffs at the silly formalities coming from someone he has known since he was a young boy.

Actions?

Bugs Donato G (T2) AC:3 15/16
Loyn Shortbeard D (F1) AC:5 9/12
Meinhardt (MU1) AC:10 4/5 MM/MM/Sleep
Cobb (F1) AC:6 14/14

Crabgrass (MU1/C1) H-E AC:7 1/7 Sleep/SG/DM Sanct/CLW/CLW Prisoner
Rida (F2) AC:2 4/13 Held
Haldric Hammerheart D (C1) AC:3 12/12 CLW/Light/CLW Held

[Monsieur Rose]

Bugs

He calls up to the guard. "Heya. It's Bugs and friends. You know my Da, Peppy. I was just here this morning and I've had a long day."

"Can you let us in?"

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn-Dwarf fighter

“Good evening, I’m Loyn, son of Groyn, what is your name good sir?…Usually Sabine is working the gates, she must have the night off, huh?… let us in, you’ll see we’re on the list. We’ve come back from the caves…well not all of us. We need to meet up with our other friends that returned earlier today!” He bows his head saddened that some didn’t make it back and ties off his battle-axe with the ribbon, handing it to the guard. Once allowed entry, he’ll make his way to the One-Eyed Cat, assuming the other group has returned and is enjoying some libations.

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


"My name is Meinhardt. I spoke with Sabine this morning concerning the bandits plaguing the area. I am afraid it is far worse than suspected. These bandits are subservient to a group of evil priests who have taken residence within the Caves of Chaos and are raising an army of undead. This news must be relayed to the Lord of the Keep, as we do not know what their ultimate intentions are."

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Keep
Apparently So
Early Evening, Clear

The guard checks the log book as the group express themselves. Cobb just shakes his head and waits.

"Oh, forgive me friends. I see you all logged in right here."

He opens the gate and allows you to come inside the guard house to log back into the Keep for the night.

"With all the talk of bandits about, one can never be too careful. Oh, and......Sabine certainly can't man the gates 24 hours a day, now can she?"

After Meinhardt spills the truth about what he thinks is happening at the caves, the guard shakes his head with a smirk. "Oh sure. We hear things like that all the time here. I suppose you saw a dragon flying this way too, eh?"

Actions?

If you three can stay here for one more update, I will get the tavern thread set up for your eventual arrival.

Bugs Donato G (T2) AC:3 15/16
Loyn Shortbeard D (F1) AC:5 9/12
Meinhardt (MU1) AC:10 4/5 MM/MM/Sleep
Cobb (F1) AC:6 14/14

Crabgrass (MU1/C1) H-E AC:7 1/7 Sleep/SG/DM Sanct/CLW/CLW Prisoner
Rida (F2) AC:2 4/13 Held
Haldric Hammerheart D (C1) AC:3 12/12 CLW/Light/CLW Held

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


Meinhardt peers at the guard through a perturbed gaze, thinking something about hired help. "A dragon? I can assure you, that I have not seen. Although I find your lack of ... any concern ... disturbing, I will wait to discuss this with Sabine in the morning."

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn Dwarf-Fighter

Loyn turns around abruptly with the smelly dog biscuit in hand and heads back to the gate, he remembers something he was going to ask Sabine, he says,“Do you know anyone coming thru with a new litter of puppies? Thought if there was, there might be some mention of it in the log book.”