[IC] The Odd Job

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Asha turns and follows the others from the room. She wipes her hands on her legs trying to clean the look their new employer just gave her. She was starting to have second thoughts about taking this job. But she needed the money. She is brought out of her thoughts by Faindil's introduction. She smiles at those gathered around her.

"Asha pleased to meet you all."

She looks at Aloysius.

"That is a good idea. Perhaps we should check the forge. See if we can help him with whatever is delaying him."

 

[Azurewraith]

OOC: the smithy is on the north edge of town near the lumber mill. You would assume he's there, provided he isn't downstairs in the tavern that is.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Kerzoth/Ivanhoe/Imperial’s Rest Inn
Evening
Round 0


Hrgach didn’t return the orc’s smile. His warning was given. He simply stepped out of the way as the orc left to get the merchant a whore. The hobgoblin shook his head. Disgusting creatures, humans and orcs. No discipline.


He followed the others out and nodded to Asha as the woman introduced herself. “Hrgach,” he told her, “of the Bloody Hands.”


They headed downstairs into the tavern again. “What are you intending with the dwarf?” he asked the others as he instinctively scanned the room again.


[sblock=Stats]
AC: 17 (chainmail, defensive fighting style)
HP: 13/13 Vitality: 17/17 HD: 1/1d10
[/sblock]

 

[Azurewraith]

The room had emptied some from before but then the fire was beginning to die in the hearth and no one appeared to be moving to throw on some logs from the basket. The barmaid was propping her head up, resting if on her hand, you get the distinct feeling that she has had enough of this night and that is why the fire is down to its dying embers. The only patrons left are the old men from earlier.

 

[Jago]

~ " I imagine a simple chat," Faindil replied, his voice warm and yet brimming with energy despite the hour, " See what holds up the Dwarf and if we may be able to speed it along."

He paused at the bottom of the stairs, pondering.

" Though where our path takes us, I must wonder if there is greater reason for the delay. The Scorched Grove is not to be crossed lightly: texts from my temple marked the land as cursed by the blood of demons that fell there. Our employer has chosen a most hazardous route."

The Drow wondered what that could mean. Were their goods illicit, to have taken such a "shortcut"?

" I get the distinct impression that Gheedon is keeping information from us, and did not seem inclined to divulge. Perhaps the Dwarven Smith may know more; regardless of whether we move before two days' time, it would benefit us more to know about our cargo."

With that, Faindil made his way back to the common room, spying the overworked barmaid. He frowned slightly, noting that while she had sounded like a hard woman, she looked as though she had lived a hard life. The blue-skinned elf approached the bar, reaching into a pouch tucked into his robes and procured a small, golden disc.

" Kalethee light your way," he blessed her, laying the coin down upon the wooden top and using his right hand to make the symbol of his goddess.

With that, he made for the door, waving his coworkers on.

" Come. With luck, our Dwarven Smith may yet still be awake and we can resolve this tonight." ~

[sblock=Faindil's Stats]Character Sheet
Undying Light Warlock, Level 1

HP: 9/9
Condition: Normal
Initiative: +3
Perception: +1
Darkvision: 60 feet
In Hand: Quarterstaff

[sblock=Defenses]AC: 14
Str:+0
Dex:+3
Con:+1
Int:+1
Wis:+3
Cha:+5[/sblock]
[sblock=Offenses]Sacred Flame: DC 13 Dex Save 1d8+3 Radiant
Dagger: +5 1d4+3 P
Quarterstaff (2-Hands): +3 1d8+1 B
Light Crossbow: +5 1d8+3 P[/sblock]
[sblock=Proficient Skills]History: +2
Insight: +3
Persuasion: +5
Religion: +2[/sblock]
[sblock=Spells]Cantrips: Unlimited
Dancing Lights
Light
Sacred Flame
Mage Hand
Prestidigitation

Level 1: 1/Short Rest
Burning Hands
Hellish Rebuke[/sblock]

[sblock=Adventure Notes]Transactions:
Total Accumulated Coin: 15 GP

Expenditures:
-1 GP to the Barmaid of Ivenho

Current Coin: 14 GP


Game Info:
It will take a day to travel through the "Shortcut" to Durran Mill, our destination.

A group called "The Royal Guard" controls the path, with palisade checkpoints.

A Demonic General was slain to the North, in an area now known as "The Scorched Grove".
- "There where seven demonic generals each embodying the worse aspects of mankind, they served under something so dark and alien no sentient race could fathom it"
[/sblock][/sblock]

 

[Azurewraith]

Keria looks shocked by the coin appearing, even more shocked when she sees the drow wearing the robes of kalethee. She smiles

 

[Azurewraith]

OOC: given that everyone seemed to be leaning towards the forge I'll move it along. Anyone want to do anything before arriving ill just re-sequence posts

As you head towards the northern part of town you can see the tell tale orange glow of a fire coming out from a wooden leanto attached to a cobblestone building its architecture looks somewhat different to the other buildings of the area. The chill wind in the air hurries you along the promise of heat from the furnace only hastens you further.

Arriving in the forge, the wall of heat hits you as the dancing flames of the forge light the scene of a dwarf running from bellows to some metal contraption that looks to be a mould of some sort, hitting it with his hammer then pulling another lever which submerges everything in a bath of water.A few seconds later a fine blade emerges from the forge, the dwarf then throws it onto a pile of other fine blades. Cursing in dwarven, Faindil recognizes the tongue immediately [sblock] "Damn where is that godforsaken fool if I could find a demon I would feed him to it[/sblock] suddenly the dwarf turns to face you realizing he's not alone, the dancing flames masking your faces for the better, " Forge is closed and will be until I get this order done

 

[KahlessNestor]

Kerzoth/Ivanhoe/Forge
Evening
Round 0


Hrgach eyed the little shanty that called itself a forge as the group approached. He noted the dwarf muttering over the fire as he pounded away. When the dwarf noticed them, they were told the forge was closed.


“Worry not, dwarf,” Hrgach said. “We come only to enquire about an order for Gheedon. He wishes to be off as soon as possible and wonders what the hold up is.” The hobgoblin paused. “And if we can help.”


[sblock=Stats]
AC: 17 (chainmail, defensive fighting style)
HP: 13/13 Vitality: 17/17 HD: 1/1d10
[/sblock]

 

[Azurewraith]

"The hold up that idiot of an apprentice aint come back from the mill yet with more wood, the furnace is to cold, the water is to hot. Back home I had 10... yes 10 dwarves underneath me now all I have is 1". The dwarf shakes his head "The order will be done when I have completed the final three blades, but these simply will not do they are of inferior quality and I will not put my mark to them I want that merchant out of my town as quickly as possible. You want to help find my apprentice he should be at the lumber mill not 200yds that way he points over towards a clearing near the edge of the forest" I also need the water cooling, keira has a cellar its pretty cool down there go ask her"

 

[Jago]

~ Faindil had to admit that he was rather impressed with the diplomatic tone and words of the Hobgoblin. Considering his performance with the Orc, he supposed there wasn't much to be surprised about, but the priest was all too happy to know that his present company was as stereotype defying as, well, himself.

As for their current predicament, thankfully the solutions seemed rather simple. Faindil nodded in respect to the red-skinned Hob for his approach before speaking.

" This should be simple enough. I shall go speak to Keira about using her basement back at the inn, if you folks would care to find the wayward apprentice?"

[sblock=Faindil's Stats]Character Sheet
Undying Light Warlock, Level 1

HP: 9/9
Condition: Normal
Initiative: +3
Perception: +1
Darkvision: 60 feet
In Hand: Quarterstaff

[sblock=Defenses]AC: 14
Str:+0
Dex:+3
Con:+1
Int:+1
Wis:+3
Cha:+5[/sblock]
[sblock=Offenses]Sacred Flame: DC 13 Dex Save 1d8+3 Radiant
Dagger: +5 1d4+3 P
Quarterstaff (2-Hands): +3 1d8+1 B
Light Crossbow: +5 1d8+3 P[/sblock]
[sblock=Proficient Skills]History: +2
Insight: +3
Persuasion: +5
Religion: +2[/sblock]
[sblock=Spells]Cantrips: Unlimited
Dancing Lights
Light
Sacred Flame
Mage Hand
Prestidigitation

Level 1: 1/Short Rest
Burning Hands
Hellish Rebuke[/sblock]

[sblock=Adventure Notes]Transactions:
Total Accumulated Coin: 15 GP

Expenditures:
-1 GP to the Barmaid of Ivenho

Current Coin: 14 GP


Game Info:
It will take a day to travel through the "Shortcut" to Durran Mill, our destination.

A group called "The Royal Guard" controls the path, with palisade checkpoints.

A Demonic General was slain to the North, in an area now known as "The Scorched Grove".
- "There where seven demonic generals each embodying the worse aspects of mankind, they served under something so dark and alien no sentient race could fathom it"
[/sblock][/sblock]

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

"Faindil hold on that for a minute. I think I have a better solution for cooling the water."

She looks to the dwarf. "Do you mind?"

Asha waits for the dwarf to give his consent then steps over towards the quench tanks and raises her hand. Clutched there is a thin black rod. She mutters an incantation and points towards the tank. Frost forms over the outside of the tank and cold condensation streams down around the water as heat is drawn from the air and water in the tank.

"There the water should be cooler now. And I can do this again when needed."

 

[Azurewraith]

The dwarf looks at Asha and raises an eyebrow... or you assume he does its hard to tell between the beard and the hair. As the air begins to freeze his jaw drops, he quickly composes himself and nods his head in thanks.

Finding the lumber mil is a simple task it is a large building in the center of a mass of tree stumps. The building is made from the sturdy yet flexible balgan wood indigenous to this region. The large double doors are slightly ajar and you can hear agonizing groans coming from inside along with gruff voice " 'it him agen need to make sure e 'derstands the accent is strange and certainly not from around these parts possibly from the mountains further north.

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

Outside the lumber mill, Aloysius holds up a grey palm to indicate the companions should stop. The sleeve of his coat drops a little with the movement and for a brief moment the eagle-eyed may have spotted a patch of missing skin. "Watch over me while I borrow".

Arms down again, he whispers to himself as his blue eyes change - still blue, but...now they are the eyes of his cat! The blue fills his eyeballs and his irises elongate.

Aloysius stands stock still as his cat Zeke jumps down from its place in the strange man's hood and looks up at the group. This close, the cat's irises are unmistakably human! The cat trots off smartly to explore the mill through a cat-sized vantage point and gain some knowledge of what is going on, looking through cracks in the wooden walls and peeking through the gap in the door, for all the world just a cat on the prowl...

OOC: Mentally ordering Zeke to scope it out and using my action to look through his eyes

 

[Azurewraith]

Zeke enters through the gap in the door then nimbly jumping up a pile of chopped timber before hunkering down at the back of the stack. The scene below is illuminated by a flickering oil lantern turned on its side on the floor the flames cast odd shadows upon the wall there is a human being restrained or perhaps held up at this point his face is swollen and his Ginger hair matted with blood stood behind him is a stocky human with a cruel grin on his face reveals a set of small upturned tusks, he's no human at all but a half orc. The other figure in the room is a short human with a hoodded cloak pulled over their head making discerning who or what they are from this position difficult, however Zekes instincts are saying run and don't stop, something is off about this individual indeed. The hooded figure draws his arm back and throws a punch square into the gut if the Ginger youth who lets out a groan.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Kerzoth/Ivanhoe/Mill
Evening
Round 0


They trudged through the dark village streets toward the mill on behalf of the smith. Hrgach was starting to get a bit annoyed at playing errand boy, but he wanted his hundred gold. As they approached the mill, they heard voices inside, and they didn’t sound friendly.


Hrgach watched as the grey human worked some magic with his cat. Useful spell, that. There was the sound inside of a beating occurring. Quietly the hobgoblin slid the greatsword from the sheath on his back.


[sblock=Stats]
AC: 17 (chainmail, defensive fighting style)
HP: 13/13 Vitality: 17/17 HD: 1/1d10
[/sblock]

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

His eyes returning to normal, Aloysius extends a thin, finely-carved wand and gestures with it, muttering something that sounds like "Zap" spoken in a sibilant, thick-throated language. From inside comes the sound of a cat yowling and a yell of pain. The cat yowl continues as a white streak shoots out of the door of the mill, running full tilt towards Aloysius.

OOC: Aloysius casts Shocking Grasp through Zeke, who he tells to streak at/past the person doing the punching, delivering the spell with his fluffy white tail. Of doom. Attack roll: _: 1D20+6 = [19]+6 = 25 Damage: _: 1D8 = [1] = 1 Goddamnit. But the person can't take any reactions, if that helps. Not much, I guess. Hey. He's just a cat.

"I believe we are finding the apprentice. He is being tortured by a half orc and...another. Zeke and I have stunned the other - temporarily. Hrgach, this is looking like being your department?"

And with that he walks, ever so gracefully, towards the mill, his cat skidding to a halt and then trotting along beside his ankles.

 

[Azurewraith]

The half orc is so shocked by what happens, there was a flash and a bzzzt and now his companion is howling in pain all he can see is a cat sauntering off. He quickly grabs his great axe from the floor. His companion draws a pair of short swords not looking to sure of himself.

OOC: I'm off to Work now so if you guys want to roll initiative and ponder your actions ill get back to you, ill roll initiative for any others and when I'm on my break the room is a 45ft square with the half orc stood next to the back wall. The body of the Ginger youth is on the floor infront of him, the other "thing" is 5ft in front of the orc. The double door is 10ft across on the left of it stretching 15ft along by 5 wide. On the right side of the room there are various instruments used for cutting and measuring wood

 

[Azurewraith]

Aloy[roll0]
Hrgach[roll1]
Asha[roll2]
Faindil[roll3]
half orc[roll4]
thug[roll5]
So that's
Aloy
Faindil
Asha
Thug
Hrgach
Half orc

Aloys action. All currently outside the barn your opponents are on alert but not aware of you.

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

Aloysius peers through the crack, raises his wand, and with a flick of the wrist the tip pulses blue and three tiny blue swords of an ancient northern design fly out and into the mill.

OOC: casting Magic Missile. Two on the puncher and one on the half Orc. Damage = 8 to puncher and 4 to half orc: _: 1D4+1 = [3]+1 = 4

 

[Azurewraith]

The swords streak through the air leaving a blue trail behind them they strike there targets dissipate back into the nothing from whence they came. The duo look dumfounded as to what just happened as they stagger back a couple of steps the puncher is unable to keep his footing hits the floor."Big mistake the orc yells as he points at the doorway, his companion is lying face down on the earthen floor

OOC: Faindil your up!