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(CSRHoD) Creamsteak's Red Hand of Doom [IC]

We do, in fact, have the holy symbol. Larian is mildly concerned about such underhanded methods, but is willing to trust Tyrla's judgement.
 

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Pender, Male Human Fighter 6

Pender would like to keep a couple of the potions with him, just in case. He will also keep the remaining arrows he grabbed from the camp.

Pender offers appropriate thanks to the healers for their healing spells.

However, he reacts with shocked disbelief at the idea of destroying the bridge! He explains to the rest of the party that he was taken captive together with two of his friends, who have now been taken off to parts unknown beyond the bridge, and he wouldn't have the slightest idea how to rescue them and return to Brindol if the bridge was destroyed. On top of that, if the dragon is still close by, there is surely no better a way to rouse him than to try to destroy the bridge he guards! Pender would vehemently oppose any such plan.

(During this exchange, he will introduce himself as Pender Dunwoodie, an adventurer from Brindol, but will withhold the fact that he is an AWOL soldier.)

Pender is all for the plan to question the hobgoblin. It is certainly better than his own plan, which was simply to threaten to beat him if he didn't answer questions. Once he retrieves his equipment from the camp, he offers his silk rope for the purpose of tying the hobgoblin.
 

I understand your concerns, my friend, and I hope the hobgoblin can answer some of our questions and make our choice more clear. I would certainly never want to leave any of my companions to an unknown fate at the hands of such creatures. However, there is some information that we have that would seem to indicate that the destruction of the bridge could save the lives of hundreds of innocents.
We happened across another stronghold of hobgoblins and their allies between here and Drellin's Ferry. There we recovered a map that lays out a plan for a full-scale invasion of Elsir Vale. It seems very clear that this bridge is their main route from where they are mustering to the Vale, and thus destroying it would give significant time to any resistance or evacuation deemed necessary. It was actually this map that brought us here, as the forces guarding the bridge were mentioned.
Again, if there is any way to help your friends, I understand your reluctance to cut that chance off. If it is feasible, we would probably be willing to assist you, although I can't speak for my companions, of course. However, once that issue is settled, I firmly believe that we must do all we can to prevent, or at least slow down, the invasion of the Vale, and that means knocking down their method of traversing the gorge.


[sblock=ooc] I will take two potions off the party list so that you can add them to your own. Anyone else want potions? [/sblock]
 

Avril - Human Druid - AC 21 - hp 41/42 - Spot +12 - Listen +12

"Larian," Avril said, "While I agree with your assessment that we all have our skills and uses, it occurs to me that the green dragon lived. If that creature is in any way tied to this threat, this army, there is a very good chance it had retreated to warn the army that there are intruders at the bridge. Which means, if we go scouting the army on foot, we may not be able to return to destroy this bridge in time. I think I should go alone, as an eagle, to see the scope of this threat, and then return here. In the meantime you can destroy the bridge."

"Pender, I'm sure you want to follow after your friends, but destroying this bridge is vitaly important to the safety of the Dawn Way. If you describe them to me, I will see if I can find them as I fly to find this army. That is the best I can do." She looked at the mounted warrior. "How is it that the hobgoblins captured you? What was your purpose here?"

[SBLOCK=OOC]
OOC: Avril will take 2 Cure Moderate Wounds potions. Unless somebody objects to Avril's comments, she'll wild shape into an eagle and scout the size of the army - a quick in and out, depending on what she sees and what Pender tells her. Creamsteak, what's the area around the bridge made of? Will Avril as a Dire Badger be able to burrow under one of the towers and collapse it?

Spells and Abilities Active:

Barkskin (Avril, +3 Natural Armor, 1 hour)
Extended Produce Flame (Avril, 1d6+5, 120 ft., 12 minutes, 9 Used)
Resist Energy (Acid Resistance 10, 1 hour)

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Barkskin
Produce Flame (Extended)
Metamagic Rod of Lesser Extend (2 Used)
Summon Nature's Ally III (Call Lightning) (Extended)
Scroll of Faerie Fire (Used)
Cure Moderate Wounds
Flaming Sphere
Wand of Snake's Swiftness (1 Used)
Cure Light Wounds
Cure Minor Wounds (2)

Spells Prepared:

Spells Prepared (Normal 5/3/3/2, Wis 0/1/1/1):

Level 0 (5): Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (4): Enrage Animal, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance
Level 3 (3): Sleet Storm

XP: 1800
Items: Potion Cure Moderate Wounds (2)
[/SBLOCK]
 

Creamsteak, what's the area around the bridge made of? Will Avril as a Dire Badger be able to burrow under one of the towers and collapse it?

As I said above, you can try, but it may be somewhat dangerous for you.
 


With at least some of her compatriots in agreement, Tyrla began to put her plan into motion. She pocketed the Wyrmcult talisman, keeping it ready to show later (but out of sight for now), and shuffled back her hood, revealing her odd-colored skin and exotic eyes. There would be little doubt she was other than human.

With some help (OOC: hopefully...), she got the unconscious hobgoblin into one of the tents, allowing her friends to lurk just outside. A few arcane words invoked her magical powers- then she began working gently and quietly on awakening the battered hob. "Wake up, wake up friend- but stay quiet and don't move too much. We have to stay hidden in case those humans come back."

OOC: She'll try common first, then draconic- it is a shame she doesn't speak goblin.
Will save for the Charm invocation is 15.
 

Pender, Male Human Fighter 6

Larian: "I understand, then. I certainly will not stop you from doing what you must. But if the invasion force truly means to attack, destroying the bridge will but delay them. Perhaps in rescuing my friends I will also find a way to play some part in destroying the force itself."

Avril "That is a very generous offer, and I will take you up on it." Pender goes on to describe his friends to Avril--a wizard and a cleric (OOC: I don't know much about them myself, as they are NPCs--any input CS?). "My friends and I were traveling north to the swamplands of the Blackfens. We had heard rumor that the lizardfolk there were causing trouble, and that a black dragon was menacing the land as well, and were on our way to offer our assistance. I must also admit to a keen interest in the historical glories of old Rhestilor, and it was an added inducement that there is a ruined city of ancient Rhestilor in the Blackfens. In any event, we never made it that far. Early in our travels, we were ambushed by a hobgoblin raiding party. They had a number of powerful clerics and bugbears with them, and we were quickly overtaken. One of my friends died in the attack, and we other three were taken captive. When we reached the intersection of the Dawn Way and the Old Forest Road, the hobgoblin party split up. You probably know this place... in the Witchwood it is. Well, the hobgoblin clerics and bugbears continued west down the Old Forest Road, taking my injured friends with them. This was about a week ago. I am quite worried, because my wizard friend was quite battered, and I had heard talk amongst the monsters of interrogation and even sacrifice. In the mean time, these hobgoblins brought me north to the bridge, and have kept me here since. The leader took all of my equipment for himself, including my uncle's magic sword and armor--which I have now recovered. The leader seemed more interested in studying me than in killing me, though. He had me fight daily with his men. This seems to make more sense now that I have heard your story of a great invasion to come. Perhaps they were using me to try and understand how the human forces might fight--and perhaps be overcome... I have schemed every day for a way to escape, but no distraction came until you showed up. I must thank you for helping me regain my freedom."

Pender will help with whatever is needed in the interrogation of the remaining hobgoblin. In fact, he asks Tyrla to see if the hobgoblin might be induced to give some clue as the the possible whereabouts and fate of his friends.

[sblock=OOC]Actually, I think I am confused about the geography, and I can't read the map on the first page of the thread. I am travelling right now, so I can't look at the map in my copy of the adventure. So, I really have no idea where my friends are in relationship to where we are right now. I originally thought they were north beyond the bridge, but now I am wondering if they are to the southeast somewhere. :heh: [/sblock]
 

Avril - Human Druid (Wild Shape - Eagle) - AC 17 - hp 42/42 - Spot +20 - Listen +12

Avril nodded at Pender's words. "Very well," she replied, "I will use what time I have to have a good look at the army, and at the same time see if I can spot anything that may give some indication as to where your friends are." Ignoring Pender for a moment, she turned to her friends. "Tyrla, that's a good idea. See what you can get out of the hobgoblin, while at the same time I think Siobhan should have a look at seeing how we can bring this bridge down. That hammer of yours would be invaluable."

"In the meantime," she continued, "I'm going to see about that army. As an eagle, I'll have good eyesight, and should hopefully be able to see from some distance if there are problems and if there is danger. I won't take any risks." Giving her allies a weak smile, she took the power of nature and warped her body into that of an eagle. With a cry, she leapt into the air, and used her wings eagerly to gain height. She first circled the camp to see if there were any nearby signs of danger, and then swiftly followed the road north, trying to behave like an eagle, rather than a druid in eagle form. She kept a good height above the road, hoping not to be shot by some bored creature below.

[SBLOCK=OOC]
OOC: Avril will wild shape into an eagle (healing 6 hp in the process) and then take off towards the hills to the north along the road. Avril's spot in eagle form is +20, so if we assume she's taking 10, she had a continuous spot check of 30.

I'll clear up my OOC section when I next get a chance to update Avril's character sheet. Most of what's below is just reference so I don't forget something before updating her sheet. On a side note, the festive season should be busy, but I'll get time to post here most days.

Spells and Abilities Active:

Barkskin (Avril, +3 Natural Armor, 1 hour)
Resist Energy (Acid Resistance 10, 1 hour)
Wild Shape (Eagle)

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Barkskin
Produce Flame (Extended)
Metamagic Rod of Lesser Extend (2 Used)
Summon Nature's Ally III (Call Lightning) (Extended)
Scroll of Faerie Fire (Used)
Cure Moderate Wounds
Flaming Sphere
Wand of Snake's Swiftness (1 Used)
Cure Light Wounds
Cure Minor Wounds (2)
Wild Shape (1 Used)

Spells Prepared:

Spells Prepared (Normal 5/3/3/2, Wis 0/1/1/1):

Level 0 (5): Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (4): Enrage Animal, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance
Level 3 (3): Sleet Storm

XP: 1800
Items: Potion Cure Moderate Wounds (2)
[/SBLOCK]
 

(OOC: I don't know much about them myself, as they are NPCs--any input CS?).

When in doubt make stuff up. I can always decide your ill-informed, a liar, or an idiot later if I need to alter it. :p

With at least some of her compatriots in agreement, Tyrla began to put her plan into motion. She pocketed the Wyrmcult talisman, keeping it ready to show later (but out of sight for now), and shuffled back her hood, revealing her odd-colored skin and exotic eyes. There would be little doubt she was other than human.

With some help (OOC: hopefully...), she got the unconscious hobgoblin into one of the tents, allowing her friends to lurk just outside. A few arcane words invoked her magical powers- then she began working gently and quietly on awakening the battered hob. "Wake up, wake up friend- but stay quiet and don't move too much. We have to stay hidden in case those humans come back."

OOC: She'll try common first, then draconic- it is a shame she doesn't speak goblin.
Will save for the Charm invocation is 15.

When he finally comes up, he seems to understand the common. "What happened? What is your name?"
 

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