Along the Border Watch

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

Cassius' senses collapse into a small point of despair. It all came back to him in those moments. The bullying, the names, the abuse. The voices of each and every tormentor over his many years, all telling him that he is worthless, that he should kill himself. The blade of his longsword would do it, a simple cut and they would all be quiet. He hears, vaguely, others nearby and agrees with their cries...

Except! The voices in his head get drowned out from Malin's roar and they don't return. Slowly, his senses expand back to the area and he's able to focus on the source of his pain. The changeling.

With a roar of his own, Cassius ignores both the sword on his hip and the one at his feet and charges the beast intending to beat it into submission with his bare hands.

Fists (19): [1d20+4] = 7+4 = 11

[hedgeknight]

Round 6 > Wagon Battle
Initiative Order: Cassius (2), Goblins/Worgs (3), Muldgarr (4), Montego (6), Sai (7)

His mind no longer overwhelmed by thoughts of gloom, despair, and agony, Cassius uses his fists to beat at the beast in hopes of hurting it somehow since his blade seems to have no effect...neither do his fists.
The creature wheels on Cassius, baring fang and claw...and is suddenly rocked with pain as magical missiles of energy fly from the hand of...Jasmalus! The buffeted beasts staggers on the wagon, snarling and hissing.

Montego shouts at it as he rounds the wagon. It opens its mouth to answer...when a dagger flies through the air striking it in the chest, sinking in deep! This from the hand of...Emerell!
Emerell attacks: [1d20+3] = 17+3 = 20 [1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3

Wrapping its talons around the dagger, it jerks the blade from its chest and flings it aside...just as Malin delivers a vicious two-handed slash and cuts its arm off at the elbow!
Malin attacks: [1d20] = 16 [1d8+1] = 6+1 = 7

Roaring in agony, the creature spits, "Another time, another place..." and disappears in a flash!

Muldgarr swings his sword, decapitating the lone remaining goblin, while Montego bears down on the wolf that Kranston has already addled a couple of times.
With its master gone, the wolf attempts to flee, and Montego cuts it to the bone along its flank...and somehow it still manages to run off. But it doesn't get too far, because Sai has it in his sights.
His first arrow misses, but he quickly draws another and fires...upending the worg in a heap!

Heavy breathing, sweat, blood, dwindling cook fire, horses whinnying...those are all the sights and sounds that remain after the battle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alright folks > round 6 is up > and what just happened???

Actions please...

Guardians of the Border Watch:
Kranston Kranstonson - Dwarf Male Fighter/Chanter (Demi-Bard) 1/2: MV 12, AC: 5/7/5, HP: 4/12, THAC0 19 Spells: 1
Sia Eranthor - Half-Elf Male Cleric/Fighter/Mage 2/1/1: MV 12, AC: 0 (1), HP: 10/10, THAC0 19/18 Spells: 4 (P), 3 (W)
Muldgarr Petri - Wood Elf Fighter/Thief 1/2: MV 12, AC 6/0/0, HP: 4/7, THAC0 19
Cassius Wilde - High Elf MV 12, AC 0/4/0, HP: 22/22 THAC0 19
Montego - Human Ranger 2: MV 12, AC 1, HP: 14/26, THAC0 19?

[Darklin2]

Sai

Sai lays his bow down and pulls out his healing bag.

Emerell Let me clean that wound. It looks like that dirty goblin was using a rusty blade. This may sting a bit.

Pulls a small vial of Corn Liqueur out of the bag and pours half in the wound and hands the other half to her.

Drink it. Medicinal purposes. It will make you feel better.


[1d20] = 5 Healing

[1d3] = 1 HP Healed


Once he is done with Emerel he will jump down off the wagon and gather up all the weapons, armor, and anything of value the goblins had and make sure the sleeped ones are dead. Tossing everything he get into the back of the wagon.

Might as well callect it all and sell it at the next stop. More gold for us.

[OGRE MAGE]

Montego tries to catch his breath as he moves around the perimeter of their camp, looking for any other danger.

"What in the nine hells was that thing? I've never seen its like before! Our normal weapons appeared useless against it. And.....and.....it could talk! And disappear?"

Stabbing any remaining sleepers that need stabbin, the huge human returns to the others, picking up the tossed dagger and giving it back to Emerell.

"I felt pretty useless out here against such a foe, almost as if you three didn't even need us here to protect you. In fact, if it weren't for you, I doubt we would have been able to chase it off at all."

"Any of you ever see anything like that before?"

[hedgeknight]

Malin shrugs and shakes his head.
"Not in all my days of traveling these roads, that's for sure."
The merchant leader keeps staring at his weapon. He wipes the beast's blood from the blade and runs his hand along the side. "I never knew."

"Never knew what?" Emerell asks, hissing in pain as Sai pours the whiskey on her wounds. She gratefully takes the flask and her dagger back.

"That this sword...it has magic or some type of power. It cut that beast...even when Cassius was unable to hurt it. My grandfather...he never told me." Malin just shakes his head and sheathes the blade. He walks off hurriedly to check on the horses.

Jasmalus has nothing to say, except to scribble in his journal.

[Darklin2]

Sai

Anyone else injured? I am out of spells but I can bandage and help a little. Should we gather up and head to the cave that was found? There may be treasure in there worth getting. Toss all the weapons in the wagon. We can sell them at the next stop and make a few coin. I am very low on spells so it may be best to check the cave in the morning before we depart.

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

Cassius swings again and strikes air as the beast vanishes! "Gods dammit!" He turns, face full of murder, to find another foe and finds nothing. He slowly unclenches his fists, starts to calm his breathing, and turns on the others "Now what?"

The diminutive elf stalks about the wagons, intitally kicking any corpses he comes across and eventually starts moving the bodies and checking them for loot.

He returns to where he placed his bow and discarded his blade, lovingly checking the bow for any signs of wear.

"Let's stay in camp tonight. We can decide what to do in the morning. I can take first watch, I can't sleep right now anyway."

[OGRE MAGE]

"I think we need to stick to our mission, and I'm sure these merchants would agree with that as well. We can always come back here to investigate the wolves den I found. Believe me, I wont forget where this place is for a long while after that encounter."

The ranger gets to work setting the camp back up to make it functional for the rest of the evening, making sure that the horses are uninjured before getting them some more feed and water after their harrowing experience.

"I dont think any of them will be back again tonight, but we better stay alert and keep up our guard duties in case I'm wrong."

[Hotgoblin]

Muldgarr goes back to where he left his bow, hopefully it’s still intact. He bandages himself up and after checking on Nan-tathren, he goes back by the others. We seem to have the Gods on our side...there is some powerful enchantment within that sword Malin. Grateful am I, to your forefather for passing it on to you! He climbs the tallest tree nearest to camp and keeps watch from above.

[Darklin2]

Sai

Sai will finish healing and bandaging Emerell and check on the others. Seeing to Goliath and setting u his bed roll.

In elven to see if she speaks it - You did well Emerell. Nice throw with the dagger. Your wound will heal. I will check it again tomorrow for infection. Keep it clean and dry.

Mental to Talon: You did well my friend. Return to me and watch this camp. Your eyes will keep us safer than any humans can. Warn me of any approaching danger or animals. You have until night fall to hunt and feast.

After this brief message he moves to the wagon and inspects the weapons the Goblins carried. Trying to see what make they are and if any of them are well crafted. If so will use Spellcraft to try and see what they are or what type of magic are on them.

OOC- Let me know what I need to roll to check or you can.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kranston is a bit shaken. Real danger has proven so much more, well, dangerous than it seemed in the songs.

Silent for once, he goes to check on and comfort his steed, Eustace.

[hedgeknight]

Shaken but determined to press forward, you gather the horses and set watch for the remainder of the night. As expected, the rest of the night is uneventful. The next morning, you quickly hitch the wagons while breaking down camp, and head on down the trail.
(Those damaged heal 1d3+CON bonus in hit points.)

Pushing the horses, the caravan rolls on through woods and rolling hills, fields, and past swamps and skirting fens. There are remnants of the war along the road > old campfires, discarded gear, bones picked clean by scavengers, and burned out areas where fires got out of control. You keep a vigilant watch day and night, with Sai's owl companion, Talon, scouring the land for miles around.
Nothing bothers you other than biting bugs and the heat and an occasional shower. You weather it all, and by the end of your sixth day on the trail, the small fort of Morsten comes into view.

Malin takes the lead wagon up to the village gate where soldiers are standing guard. After a few seconds they way him through along with the rest of you. The village is not much, but the Veng river runs by it which makes it a strategic spot for the ongoing conflict against the servants of Iuz.
"Stay with the wagons as much as you can. This town has little to offer. We leave before first light on the morrow."
Malin's voice is rough but those watching his face can tell he is uneasy.

[Darklin2]

Sai

Sai will heal anyone needing it in the morning after praying for spells. Checking on Emerell to make sure she is healing. Letting Talon land and spend some time with her.

Before they depart he walks around to each member in the group of guards and hands each 7 silver.

I found these on the goblins. There was 35 in all so each person gets 7 silver. we should return to the cave and retrieve anything that was there when we return to he area. Could be lots more in there.

[OGRE MAGE]

Montego looks around the small village, trying to orient himself to where the important buildings are located. Any temples, merchants, shops, or taverns in close proximity to the wagons we were charged with guarding?

He keeps a sharp lookout for any suspicious looking characters around as well.

[hedgeknight]

Layover in Morsten...

Nearly wore down to the nub, the three merchants begin to get ready for the night. Young stablehands run out to help with the horses, hoping for a copper or two for their efforts, and the merchants stay with their wagons, making sure everything is secure for the night.

After checking on Emerell, Sai distributes silver from the dead goblins.

Montego orients himself to the buildings of the small fort town. He notes the stables, a forge, and a mercantile/tavern with a tilted sign he can barely make out in the waning light > Bearclaw Goods & Services.
A handful of folk mill about, eyeing the newcomers as if wondering what they may be bringing to a fort town out in the middle of nowhere.
In fact, a fellow walks over to the group, looks at everyone and finally speaks.
"Evening folks. What brings ya to Morsten? I'm sure it ain't the scenery."
His mouth smiles, but his eyes do not.

[Darklin2]

Sai

We are on a Diplomatic Mission for the Duke of Greatwall. We are trying to return trade to this god forsaken land. Now here have apiece of rock candy and show me to the Armorer.

Sai gathers up the rusty weapons from the dead goblin and carries them to the blacksmiths forge. Upon arrival he lays all the weapons on the forge's bench and addresses the Smith.

Good evening to you. Can you use the steel from these weapons to make new? They are pretty bad off. Damned Goblins attacked the caravan. Had to kill them all. I need to see if you have a shield? I normally don't use one but with the craziness going around can't be to careful.

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

Cassius stays with the wagons as long as the merchants do. If they seem content to leave the wagons unattended for the night, he will take a slight break and head over to the Tavern.

He tries to find the barkeep or owner and ask a few questions. "Good evening. We were set upon by some goblins and their worgs last night, has this fort seen similar problems?"

[OGRE MAGE]

"Good evening to you, sir," Montego offers. "The scenery isn't bad, depending on what one is used to looking upon."

"What can you tell me of the happenings around these parts lately. Has there been more dangerous activity around than normal? Any stories of strange wild animals or such?"

[Hotgoblin]

Muldgarr takes his leave after setting up Nantathren in the stables. He takes a lap around to see if everything is kosher, based on Malin’s reaction when they first arrived.

[ChubbyPixie]

Overnight Heal: [1d3+2] = 2+2 = 4

Kranston stays with the wagons. He brushes out Eustace and rubs her down, then sits near the fire and begins playing his drum softly, thinking about the proper lyrics for the epic song that will define this, the beginning of the adventure. One that, he imagines, ends with them saving the world from certain evil.