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<blockquote data-quote="Galfridus" data-source="post: 1115" data-attributes="member: 119"><p><strong>Alding village</strong></p><p></p><p>The party is currently in Velland, a mountainous land along the south edge of Mordallend, bordering the Sea of Mardens. Having recently rescued the outlaw Prince Kanavin Loxham from the clutches of the Order of the Lily (a monastic order devoted to the preservation of law in the kingdom of Rellenor), they are traversing the mountains in search of Thorald's home village of Magehaven. Thorald knows the village's location, but does not know how to bypass the magical wards that protect the village - or, for that matter, whether the village council will allow his return...</p><p></p><p>Of late, the party battled a mimic and a group of fire mephitis, and lost several horses to a chimera. They have reached a remote village at the eastern edge of Velland, still a week or more from their destination. </p><p></p><p><strong>Hullashfjord, October 21, LE 653</strong></p><p></p><p>Alding Village is a small settlement at the head of a minor offshoot of Hullashfjord, easternmost of the fjords of Velland. The village is not walled, but numerous watchtowers and the readiness of it warriors speak to the need for frequent defensive efforts. Most of the villagers spend their evening in the chieftain's great hall, at the center of the village.</p><p></p><p>The party enjoys a raucous night in the hall of Karl Alding, chieftain of the Alding clan. Much drink is consumed (and many <em>Delay Poison</em> spells are cast). Leaving the fun early, Leilen casts <em>Identify</em> on the magical treasure from the chimera/mimic's lair, producing the following results: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Rose Colored, Cloudy potion:</strong> Potion of Endurance</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Emerald, Oily potion:</strong> Potion of Enlarge (5th level)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Gold ring with wavy design:</strong> Ring of Swimming</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Unmarked wooden wand:</strong> Wand of Detect Magic (12 charges, "Enahl")</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Dark wooden wand:</strong> Wand of Shocking Grasp (Lvl 1, 8 charges, "Cuern" carved on wand)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Breastplate:</strong> +1 Breastplate. (Command word "Fedar" inscribed on inside was discovered by experimentation to Create Water, at least sometimes…)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Mysterious box:</strong> Command word "Kawool" produces an unspecified magic mouth effect (which no one attempts).</li> </ul><p>Meanwhile, Karl Alding asks to speak to "Lord Lowthar" (Magnimiliar's <em>nom de plume</em>) in private. He explains that while he has told his warriors that Lowthar and his retinue are off-limits for looting or robbery, some of the younger ones might forget this command. In such an event, Karl would have no complaints if Lowthar were forced to defend himself, although it would be nice if the warriors in question were left alive. Karl also mentions that if Lowthar intends to make his village a base for "chimera hunting', he should be ready to present Karl with a significant share in any riches that might be found. Magnimiliar agrees to these terms, thanking Karl for his hospitality.</p><p></p><p>Magnimiliar and Jonetello learn from several warriors that a group of raiding hobgoblins ("Maybe 20 to 30 left, though there's more in the high mountains"), with at least one spellcaster, has taken up residence on a ridge near the village. As if on cue, the drumbeats that the group has heard the past few nights start up again, echoing off the high slopes a few miles away. </p><p></p><p>The group spends the next day resting and recovering - mostly. Jonetello completes his song about "hunting" the chimera (artfully neglecting the part where they ran until their horses were exhausted, and the part where the chimera ate three of their horses). The song plays well, as long as you were not witness to the real events or can keep a straight face.</p><p></p><p>Thorald meditates, unlocking from within himself the ability to neutralize magic spells and psionic powers with a thought. There aren't many spells to practice on, so he manifests a few.</p><p></p><p>Zook receives a vision of a divine warpony awaiting his call, but decides to wait until he is in Garl's better graces before issuing the call. </p><p></p><p>Garl: "What would a paladin do when giving his word to a mimic?" </p><p>Zook: "Um...keep his word no matter what?"</p><p>Garl: "That's what a <em>human</em> paladin would do. A <em>gnomish</em> paladin would play a good trick! Look into it!"</p><p></p><p>Magnimiliar purchases a morningstar from the aptly named Gallar Morningstar, an older warrior with a well-known liking for his namesake weapon. </p><p></p><p>Mystarion begins scribing a spell (Mage Armor), and is nearly interrupted by Kalenthas, who yells for everyone to come see the new spell he just realized he could cast! A small crowd gathers at the water's edge as Kalenthas gestures, intones, then dashes merrily across the water, out to a fishing boat, and back, grinning widely. "It's a great spell, and it lasts for…" he checks his fingers quickly "…an hour!" </p><p></p><p>Thorald, done with meditating, decides to test his battle prowess against the warriors of the village in unarmed combat. Magnimiliar and Leilen decide to test their odds-making prowess, and manage to earn several gold pieces while Thorald bests the village's youngest and brashest warriors. </p><p></p><p>As night falls, the villagers gather in Karl's hall to drink and sing (repeating as needed). Jonetello wows the crowd with a rendition of his new chimera-hunting song, then listens politely through a series of Vellandish songs: five battle chants and one song of peace (about sharpening one's weapons the night before battle). He listens closely, committing melody and words to memory.</p><p></p><p>Before long, hobgoblin drums are heard once more echoing from the hills. Magnimiliar and Leilen decide it's time for a scouting expedition, and slip quietly out the door and along the road leading southwest out of the village. After a couple miles, the road ascends a high ridge, climbing back and forth across the steep terrain. At the top, it passes through a narrow cutting and passes out of sight. The drums have ceased, but the pair agree they must have been coming from atop the ridge. Casting a pair of <em>Invisibility</em> spells, they press on. As they approach the top, they see that an earthen barrier, topped with wooden spikes, runs the length of the cutting. To either side, crude ramparts provide near-complete cover for sentries and defending forces. Indeed, a long silhouette, generally hobgoblin in shape, can be seen in the faint moonlight atop the left rampart. </p><p></p><p>Magnimiliar sends his raven, Malagen, to scout. Before he can send back any report, a bowstring is heard, and Malagen is struck. He flees with a loud squawk, swooping back toward the safety of the village. Magnimilar, after assuring himself the bird will survive, instructs him to summon the others. With Leilen, he scales the barrier and moves slowly up the road, avoiding several hobgoblin patrols. Finally, he decides that this is too unsporting - the hobgoblins should have some chance of finding him. He looks around for the most important-looking hobgoblin, then sneaks up and tickles him on the ear. The hobgoblin startles, then shrieks and begins casting a spell. Soon, he is pointing toward Magnimiliar and motioning his comrades forward. "That's enough sport," thinks Magnimilar, retreating swiftly. </p><p></p><p>The party and the villagers alike are rather startled by the bloody raven which bursts into the great hall shouting "Hurt! Hurt!", but the party quickly calms the crowd and heals the bird. Malagen delivers his message and then flies from the hall, leading the party toward the ridge. They halt a few hundred yards short of the ridge, seeing nothing but figuring that trouble lies ahead. Jonetello borrows Elbryn's <em>Cloak of Elvenkind</em> and sneaks up the ridge. As he climbs, he hears shouting from above, then sees several hobgoblins behind the ramparts, just above his position. Figuring that Leilen and Magnimiliar might need assistance, he hurls a flask of Alchemist's Fire at the nearest hobgoblin, burning it badly. Unfortunately, the firelight gives his position away, and an arrow strikes him in the leg. He retreats down the hill to a safer position. Two more arrows find their mark as he descends, but do no serious damage. The rest of the party, concerned about the bright flash from the ridge, dispatches Zook to fetch help from the village. From behind their defenses, the hobgoblins hurl insults, which only Kanavin can understand. </p><p></p><p>Magnimiliar and Leilen, in the midst of skirting yet another hobgoblin patrol, hear the commotion behind them and decide to return. Bypassing the defensive position by the road, they descend the ridge and come across Jonetello shouting insults in broken Goblin. </p><p></p><p>The villagers are enjoying a easy night's carousing when Zook, still mounted on his warpony, bursts into the hall. "Come help us fight the hobgoblins!"</p><p></p><p>The warriors look at him strangely. "Fight the hobgoblins at night? Only a fool would do such a thing!" They exchange glances. "LET'S GO!!!" About twenty men rush out of the hall behind Zook, grabbing torches and axes. </p><p></p><p>Minutes later, the mob meets up with the now-visible scouts and the rest of the party. Calmer heads prevail, and the whole lot returns to the village.</p><p></p><p>"Next time," says Magnimiliar, "we tell them when we want to go scouting. Sheesh." </p><p></p><p>Back at the village, there is a lengthy discussion of strategy and tactics - given that the party has an important mission of their own, should they even attempt an assault on the hobgoblins? Prince Loxham suggests that a raid the next day would seem worth the risk, but remaining in the area for much longer than that seems too long a wait. The party asks Karl to send some of his warriors with them, but Karl reminds them that he has a village to protect. He is willing to ferry the group down the fjord to a small beach on the other side of the ridge, where the approach is less steep, but the party is not interested.</p><p></p><p>After a time, an unspoken consensus to attack falls into place. The final plan calls for two groups of invisible flankers to scale the sides of the fortified position on the ridge, while the main body climbs the road openly, protected by tower shields. After the flankers take out most of the hobgoblins with spells, the main force will assault the ridgetop with little opposition. </p><p></p><p>The discussion continues into the evening, until people begin to notice a strange breeze, slowly gathering in strength, sustaining itself with an unnatural constancy. "They are upon us," someone says, as the wind blows stronger.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Galfridus, post: 1115, member: 119"] [b]Alding village[/b] The party is currently in Velland, a mountainous land along the south edge of Mordallend, bordering the Sea of Mardens. Having recently rescued the outlaw Prince Kanavin Loxham from the clutches of the Order of the Lily (a monastic order devoted to the preservation of law in the kingdom of Rellenor), they are traversing the mountains in search of Thorald's home village of Magehaven. Thorald knows the village's location, but does not know how to bypass the magical wards that protect the village - or, for that matter, whether the village council will allow his return... Of late, the party battled a mimic and a group of fire mephitis, and lost several horses to a chimera. They have reached a remote village at the eastern edge of Velland, still a week or more from their destination. [b]Hullashfjord, October 21, LE 653[/b] Alding Village is a small settlement at the head of a minor offshoot of Hullashfjord, easternmost of the fjords of Velland. The village is not walled, but numerous watchtowers and the readiness of it warriors speak to the need for frequent defensive efforts. Most of the villagers spend their evening in the chieftain's great hall, at the center of the village. The party enjoys a raucous night in the hall of Karl Alding, chieftain of the Alding clan. Much drink is consumed (and many [i]Delay Poison[/i] spells are cast). Leaving the fun early, Leilen casts [i]Identify[/i] on the magical treasure from the chimera/mimic's lair, producing the following results:[list][*][b]Rose Colored, Cloudy potion:[/b] Potion of Endurance [*][b]Emerald, Oily potion:[/b] Potion of Enlarge (5th level) [*][b]Gold ring with wavy design:[/b] Ring of Swimming [*][b]Unmarked wooden wand:[/b] Wand of Detect Magic (12 charges, "Enahl") [*][b]Dark wooden wand:[/b] Wand of Shocking Grasp (Lvl 1, 8 charges, "Cuern" carved on wand) [*][b]Breastplate:[/b] +1 Breastplate. (Command word "Fedar" inscribed on inside was discovered by experimentation to Create Water, at least sometimes…) [*][b]Mysterious box:[/b] Command word "Kawool" produces an unspecified magic mouth effect (which no one attempts).[/list] Meanwhile, Karl Alding asks to speak to "Lord Lowthar" (Magnimiliar's [i]nom de plume[/i]) in private. He explains that while he has told his warriors that Lowthar and his retinue are off-limits for looting or robbery, some of the younger ones might forget this command. In such an event, Karl would have no complaints if Lowthar were forced to defend himself, although it would be nice if the warriors in question were left alive. Karl also mentions that if Lowthar intends to make his village a base for "chimera hunting', he should be ready to present Karl with a significant share in any riches that might be found. Magnimiliar agrees to these terms, thanking Karl for his hospitality. Magnimiliar and Jonetello learn from several warriors that a group of raiding hobgoblins ("Maybe 20 to 30 left, though there's more in the high mountains"), with at least one spellcaster, has taken up residence on a ridge near the village. As if on cue, the drumbeats that the group has heard the past few nights start up again, echoing off the high slopes a few miles away. The group spends the next day resting and recovering - mostly. Jonetello completes his song about "hunting" the chimera (artfully neglecting the part where they ran until their horses were exhausted, and the part where the chimera ate three of their horses). The song plays well, as long as you were not witness to the real events or can keep a straight face. Thorald meditates, unlocking from within himself the ability to neutralize magic spells and psionic powers with a thought. There aren't many spells to practice on, so he manifests a few. Zook receives a vision of a divine warpony awaiting his call, but decides to wait until he is in Garl's better graces before issuing the call. Garl: "What would a paladin do when giving his word to a mimic?" Zook: "Um...keep his word no matter what?" Garl: "That's what a [i]human[/i] paladin would do. A [i]gnomish[/i] paladin would play a good trick! Look into it!" Magnimiliar purchases a morningstar from the aptly named Gallar Morningstar, an older warrior with a well-known liking for his namesake weapon. Mystarion begins scribing a spell (Mage Armor), and is nearly interrupted by Kalenthas, who yells for everyone to come see the new spell he just realized he could cast! A small crowd gathers at the water's edge as Kalenthas gestures, intones, then dashes merrily across the water, out to a fishing boat, and back, grinning widely. "It's a great spell, and it lasts for…" he checks his fingers quickly "…an hour!" Thorald, done with meditating, decides to test his battle prowess against the warriors of the village in unarmed combat. Magnimiliar and Leilen decide to test their odds-making prowess, and manage to earn several gold pieces while Thorald bests the village's youngest and brashest warriors. As night falls, the villagers gather in Karl's hall to drink and sing (repeating as needed). Jonetello wows the crowd with a rendition of his new chimera-hunting song, then listens politely through a series of Vellandish songs: five battle chants and one song of peace (about sharpening one's weapons the night before battle). He listens closely, committing melody and words to memory. Before long, hobgoblin drums are heard once more echoing from the hills. Magnimiliar and Leilen decide it's time for a scouting expedition, and slip quietly out the door and along the road leading southwest out of the village. After a couple miles, the road ascends a high ridge, climbing back and forth across the steep terrain. At the top, it passes through a narrow cutting and passes out of sight. The drums have ceased, but the pair agree they must have been coming from atop the ridge. Casting a pair of [i]Invisibility[/i] spells, they press on. As they approach the top, they see that an earthen barrier, topped with wooden spikes, runs the length of the cutting. To either side, crude ramparts provide near-complete cover for sentries and defending forces. Indeed, a long silhouette, generally hobgoblin in shape, can be seen in the faint moonlight atop the left rampart. Magnimiliar sends his raven, Malagen, to scout. Before he can send back any report, a bowstring is heard, and Malagen is struck. He flees with a loud squawk, swooping back toward the safety of the village. Magnimilar, after assuring himself the bird will survive, instructs him to summon the others. With Leilen, he scales the barrier and moves slowly up the road, avoiding several hobgoblin patrols. Finally, he decides that this is too unsporting - the hobgoblins should have some chance of finding him. He looks around for the most important-looking hobgoblin, then sneaks up and tickles him on the ear. The hobgoblin startles, then shrieks and begins casting a spell. Soon, he is pointing toward Magnimiliar and motioning his comrades forward. "That's enough sport," thinks Magnimilar, retreating swiftly. The party and the villagers alike are rather startled by the bloody raven which bursts into the great hall shouting "Hurt! Hurt!", but the party quickly calms the crowd and heals the bird. Malagen delivers his message and then flies from the hall, leading the party toward the ridge. They halt a few hundred yards short of the ridge, seeing nothing but figuring that trouble lies ahead. Jonetello borrows Elbryn's [i]Cloak of Elvenkind[/i] and sneaks up the ridge. As he climbs, he hears shouting from above, then sees several hobgoblins behind the ramparts, just above his position. Figuring that Leilen and Magnimiliar might need assistance, he hurls a flask of Alchemist's Fire at the nearest hobgoblin, burning it badly. Unfortunately, the firelight gives his position away, and an arrow strikes him in the leg. He retreats down the hill to a safer position. Two more arrows find their mark as he descends, but do no serious damage. The rest of the party, concerned about the bright flash from the ridge, dispatches Zook to fetch help from the village. From behind their defenses, the hobgoblins hurl insults, which only Kanavin can understand. Magnimiliar and Leilen, in the midst of skirting yet another hobgoblin patrol, hear the commotion behind them and decide to return. Bypassing the defensive position by the road, they descend the ridge and come across Jonetello shouting insults in broken Goblin. The villagers are enjoying a easy night's carousing when Zook, still mounted on his warpony, bursts into the hall. "Come help us fight the hobgoblins!" The warriors look at him strangely. "Fight the hobgoblins at night? Only a fool would do such a thing!" They exchange glances. "LET'S GO!!!" About twenty men rush out of the hall behind Zook, grabbing torches and axes. Minutes later, the mob meets up with the now-visible scouts and the rest of the party. Calmer heads prevail, and the whole lot returns to the village. "Next time," says Magnimiliar, "we tell them when we want to go scouting. Sheesh." Back at the village, there is a lengthy discussion of strategy and tactics - given that the party has an important mission of their own, should they even attempt an assault on the hobgoblins? Prince Loxham suggests that a raid the next day would seem worth the risk, but remaining in the area for much longer than that seems too long a wait. The party asks Karl to send some of his warriors with them, but Karl reminds them that he has a village to protect. He is willing to ferry the group down the fjord to a small beach on the other side of the ridge, where the approach is less steep, but the party is not interested. After a time, an unspoken consensus to attack falls into place. The final plan calls for two groups of invisible flankers to scale the sides of the fortified position on the ridge, while the main body climbs the road openly, protected by tower shields. After the flankers take out most of the hobgoblins with spells, the main force will assault the ridgetop with little opposition. The discussion continues into the evening, until people begin to notice a strange breeze, slowly gathering in strength, sustaining itself with an unnatural constancy. "They are upon us," someone says, as the wind blows stronger. [/QUOTE]
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