The Order of Initiative in: "Just a Simple Escort"

[Greyhawk]

Interlude

The Order of Initiative adventuring group sat around in the bar in Suzail. A day had gone by already and there was no contact from Lord Hawklin.

They were eager to be on their way again but maybe the news of the hundreds of orcs had meant that the Lord was involved with planning contingency measures with his staff. It was frustrating, the Cormyr was a large place and to defend it adequately from marauding bands of orcs was an almost impossible task. A better plan was to hit the orcs and hit them hard, keeping them off-balance and not able to even think of offensive action.

But perhaps the party had misjudged him, there were undoubtedly other calls on his time and it was just possible that there had been developments at the Crater. Although there had been no sign of any change when they had passed it at the start of the morning, here in the Forgotten Realms the situation could change very quickly. But the most likely explanation was that he was busy with the necessary, but boring, affairs of state.

The group had already sold the captured goods from their recent expedition and itched to see action again. If they were to be stuck here for some time then they could find things to occupy their time. They could research in the library and see if there were places in the locality that matched the terrain they'd seen from the second portal. So far all they had been able to do was to clear out the denizens of the gates they had explored, well to be honest they had found no evidence of life in the arid conditions at gate #2 and gate #3 had been an unmitigated disaster. They had only been able to recover two, no three, of their number by the good offices of Lord Hawlin and a strong party of knights and war-wizards.

Still, there were goods to be crafted, Rizzit wanted a Wand of Magic Missiles and Beltain, the crafter, also wanted a Wand of Shield of Faith for himself. Limara newly trained in smithing was planning to add magical enhancements to her partners armour, and for the others there were training facilities in the city that could prove useful in future encounters.

Sparhawk, used to periods of inactivity from his days with the army, waited patiently, checking and rechecking his equipment and ensuring that his mount Faren was well cared for in the nearby stables. Feng was not so relaxed. He was uncomfortable in the city with its untroubled citizens, he had been used to a life of battle and privation and resting and relaxing in comfort was not to his liking. The paladin, Elinor, was as home here as she had been on the recent expedition There were always people to be helped, rituals to be observed and assisting in the recruitment and training in youngsters for the Cormyr forces.

For Beltain and Limara there were the attendance at devotions and the work of their temples. These tasks had to be abbreviated will on the road but back in the city they could devote more time and energy to the work of their faiths and to improving their religious standing by prayer and, on occasion, the fasting and feast days that was prescribed in the calendars of their Gods.

However busy they seemed the party waited eagerly for some news from Lord Hawlin that would allow them to venture out once more.

 

[Greyhawk]

The Nexus Calls


In a blink of an eye it's as if the universe has shifted... Looking round the party find themselves in the Nexus – not the Inn that they thought that they were staying.

"What in the name of Justice is going on?" exclaims Limara, staring round at her not so new surroundings. She looks around at the doors and people standing within the walls. Do they notice anything different or is it just her? She puts a hand aimlessly into her pocket and without looking pulls out a tindertwig and strikes it on her bracer, relights her cigar and puffs on it intensely, molar teeth gripping hard onto the wet tobacco.... was it true?

"Well mercy me" says Elinor "I feel a bit like someone's knocked the ground sideways from under me". She looks around her at the others, spots Legend and walks over to stroke his nose

Beltains eyes are slightly glazed as he looks around at the others "It's as if I was awakened from a dream" he says in a voice only a little above a whisper "Strange indeed are these times... And I feel strangely younger" he says and looks more closely at the others "You all do too" he adds, then shakes his head as if to clear it "But my eyes may be playing me tricks – I feel rather strange!"

"What can have happened" muses Beltain "My physical condition is almost the same as when I left the drow caves, but I remember the conflict at these gates. We came through that one" he says points at the gates at the West end of the North wall, then there was a barren plain, the terrible tree thing" he shivers "And then the orcs. Then this shift in reality - I pray that we have not suffered the same fate as Tilverton and been plunged into the Grey Realms of mist"

"Well my mind is a little fuzzy" says Rizzit "So I think we should maybe have a quick look into each portal before making any decisions"

Beltain waves a greeting to Limara and then moves up to the first portal. He touches the surround. "Part the veil of the universe for me" he intones and tries to look through the portal

"Maybe we should go see the lord Hawklin" suggests the kobold "And find out if he has a task for us?)

"The mission was to 'Explore those ruins and see what they contain in the way of threats to our kingdom, remove those threats, and report back on them.' and I don't think we have completed it yet. Lord Hawklin will want to know how far we have got and, to be honest, I am foxed as to what we have done and what is still undone. I think we need to find out what the situation is before hightailing back to the city." he looks across to where Limara is petting someone else's horse "Things are not all they seem, and we need to determine what is what" he adds under his breath

Limara walks over to her dog and pats it on the head affectionately, "good girl" she whispers. She then moves over to check Venomblood who appears to be totally nonplussed about the whole thing. "So we are all agreed that we had moved away from this place and time.. We had done other things since...." she looks at peoples faces whilst her head whirred with ideas that were so outlandish she didn't know whether to open her mouth and continue.

She pauses a moment then continues "We need to urgently find out whether we have been moved back in time.... or been transported in location Whatever it is its powerful magic ... but by who or what....and why ?" she shrugs..

"I was in the maw of a great mound" suggests Elinor "The world was renewed for me. Then we fought a never-ending tide of orcs, there was a flying fireballing wizard, but we felled him. Then I think we rescued someone from the orc camp? And then it is all a blank for me. And did we really coax Rizzit's large chicken down the stairs?"

"Never mind" Elinor shrugs and smiles round the group "We are here now. Let's try a new exit if we can. Anything as long as it doesn't find another tentacled plant. Any luck with that portal, Beltain?". She walks over to where the cleric is muttering at the door frame

"I care not for what has happened, nor for what will happen" says Feng "Feng is here! Feng has his axe! Today is a good day."



As Beltain approaches one of the portals in the Nexus, there is a deep rumbling sound.. The portal appears shut, solid wall blocks the way...Just then, strange magical energies swirl in the Nexus.....

Elinor spins around to face the centre of the Nexus. "What is this? Are we under attack or is time slipping again?!" She instinctively reaches for her sword

Feng reaches slowly for Laskur's Bane and plants his feet as if claiming this patch of ground "Something happens! he says.

Rizzit nods "This cant be good" he exclaims and tries to determine the nature of the magic being cast

"Not more devilment" says Beltain, his voice tense as he surveys the swirling vortex of power

Neither Rizzit or Beltain cannot ascertain what the magic is....then all goes black!...

 

[Greyhawk]

On the road again

When the darkness clears...the party find themselves in a new place... Behind the party stands a very old structure. It looks like some sort of portal, overgrown with foliage. South from them the party can see a track.

"This looks like some sort of portal malfunction" says Beltain with a deep sigh "Or maybe the tail end of whatever magic took us back in time. There is a sign over there to Drellin's Ferry - If there is intelligence behind these strange events then that is where we should head" he smiles across to Limara and then continues "I feel that we are pawns to powerful force that moves us to achieve its aims. Be they good or ill, I cannot say. But I vote that we explore onwards for the moment although I hate to let Lord Hawklin down" . 'And to pass up the 6,000 gp he offered us to complete the task' he thinks to himself.

"let's head out then," the kobold suggests "Does anyone have any idea where we are?"

"No bleeding idea at all" hisses Beltain to the kobold "But I would guess that we will soon be up to our necks in trouble. Someone or something wanted us here and now, but for what purpose, I know not" he finishes with a resigned shrug.

Elinor leads Legend to join Beltain and Rizzit. She puts her foot into the stirrup and swings up into the saddle. "Well, comrades. Shall we kick on and see what awaits us?"

Beltain smiles "Well we have been sent here for a purpose. We'd better find out what it is!" he agrees and swings into the saddle with one fluid movement

Elinor stills her horse, and listens out for any unexpected sounds from up ahead. She peers ahead of her to look for any sign of disturbance

"It will profit us little no bide here," admonishes Feng "So lets away - given we no-one knows where we are, any place be as good as another. Let's find this ferry-place and see what occurs."

"I've never been on a ferry so that sounds great" showing some enthusiasm for the new experience. "In fact I do not think I have ever travelled on water before"

Beltain beckons to Limara "Are you coming Princess?" he calls "We ride to meet our destiny!"

Limara pats the shoulder of Venomblood and drags herself reluctantly into the saddle, kicking on she quickly catches the rest up. She is obviously still sifting through thoughts in her mind she barely acknowledges the signpost, She puffs on the remnants of a cigar and stubs it out on the top of the signpost. Her eyes seem to snap back into sharp focus as her priorities shift to the now. She moves from beside Beltain to move into the lead, disappointment showing on her fellow cleric's face.

Limara smiles at Beltain.."So you don't like watching me ride then ?" she teases with a smile, "And anyway I would think that if we are going to be jumped on the road then it will be an ambush. So I would like a fighter at the back to stifle their onslaught"

Beltain's face creases into a frown, then he realises he's is the butt of a joke and he laughs "Always a pleasure to watch you, Princess" he replies still smiling "Just don't get into too much mischief".

Limara giggles.. ".. And if there are to ladies at the front, we may get a cheaper ferry ride too !! Having said that... Feng's visage is likely to get as good a discount as me" she adds.

"Very true" agrees the cleric, enjoying the banter and glad to stop his mind from dwelling on whatever has happened to them

"I hope the others are ok, it would seem that their destinies' are to be found elsewhere" she pauses " Though who is controlling it i don't know"

"Feng Leads" he adds Gnomically spurring his horse to ride beside Limara "Any wise thief will see Laskur's Bane and Bugger Off! - I expect an uneventful ride followed by a long drink - most river crossings have a tavern of some sort as an alternative to the water". He gives what he charmingly believes is a winning smile...

Beltain grins back. "A nice long drink and the answer to some questions such as 'where are we?' would rest just fine with me" he tells the barbarian.


Suddenly those in front catch a glimpse of movment in the tress at the roadside

 

[Greyhawk]

The Hobgoblin ambush...

The road crests a small rise and descends into a dusty grove in a large, shallow dell. An abandoned farmhouse, partially visible through the trees, stands on one side of the road. Suddenly you glimpse the glint of mail through the brush by the side of the road. Fierce warriors---tall, hairy humanoids with wide mouths and flat faces---are lying wait! Also bounding from concealment in the heavy undergrowth at the top of the tree-lined gully comes a large dog-like creature with a firey bite - a hell-hound. As if the party don't have enough on there hands, along the road from the farmhouse two more hobgoblins and another hound come running - And these ones look even more formidable foes!

Feng and Elinor engaged the hobgoblins who flanked the party, while Limara attempted to hold back the new adversaries coming along the road. Unfortunately luck was not on her side and she fell in combat to one of the leaders and his hell hound pet. The two fighters despatched the two minions and hurried to the front to engage. Meanwhile a wounded Rizzit and Beltain attempted to thwart their foes with the use of magic, the kobold with Magic Missiles and the cleric with Spiritual weapons.


Feng managed to fell the twin-bladed Hobgoblin but the cleric, Zarr, called in another squad of six hobgoblins and retreated behind them after he had been brough close to death by Feng, Rizzit and Beltain. However Zarr still had a trick or two and summoned yet another Hell hound, this time in the middle of the party. It bounded to the rear to attack and burn Beltain with its fiery bite. Rizzit used magic missiles to great effect and felled more wounded hobgoblins. Meanwhile Beltain had wounded the hell-hound with his sword and then Elinor rode to the rescue killing the beast with a few well-aimed blows, all under a flurry of arrows from the remaining hobgoblins.

Worried about Limara's worsening condition Beltain rushed over and healed the worst of her wounds, and rising for the dust, Limara draws more healing magic to bring her into fighting form. Meanwhile Feng and Elinor, now joined by Limara, started to mop up the remaining Hobgoblins. A lucky bowshot fells the plucky kobold but he is quickly restored by a spell from Beltain. Then Limara fells one Hobgoblin and Elinor another and the last Hobgoblin, seeing death approaching, fights no more.

The hobgoblin snarls and looks down on the party. Seeing there is no chance to escape, and the rest of his band slaughtered, he drops his bow to the floor and holds his hands up.. pleased with himself that he hurt the kobold as his last strike. Elinor moves to the Hobgoblin, and binds him quick. "WHERE....ARE....YOU....FROM?" she enunciates. "WHAT...ARE....YOU....DOING.....HERE?..And while we're at it, WHERE ARE WE?" The Hobgoblin laughs. He then talks in a gutteral common "You know not where you are human?" "What I know is that we stand here surrounded by your dead and dying companions" Elinor passes her hand across her forehead, unwittingly smearing spatters of blood across her pale skin. "So, I'll ask again, WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" The hobgoblin snarls "You are in hobgoblin country, go back the way you came and you maybe safe... I will say nothing... What am i doing here?... Just guarding the road." "Ha, guarding, you hobgoblins have nothing of value to guard, you are the dross of life. You are nothing and to nothing you will return" exclaims Beltain in disgust as he rushes over and heals Rizzit. The kobolds eyes flicker open. The party begin healing each other.


"Thank you all for standing over me when I fell " Limara continues "We need to search these bodies to see if they have anything on them of use to us, maybe some info... and we need to get them out of site too incase the is a patrol nearby...they must have a base around here which might hold some answers .. and a map if we are lucky " she adds.

Suddenly, coming down the road, is a familiar character.. Limara looks around at the footsteps she hears "Hello Nos, thought you weren't coming " She says to the Mage. Elinor grins as she sees a familiar figure come into view. "That looks like someone I know" says Elinor, and she jogs up the road towards him. "Robinson. ROBINSON!" Shouts the famiar voice from the distance. "Where is that Horsie?." Elinor smiles at the wizard "I'm finding it hard to believe that you might have lost a horse......what colour is he this time?." "Elinor? Can that really be you?... Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" cries the Pacifistic prestidigitator as he spreads his arms and leaps at Elinor in joy. The mage looks round at the rest of the party. "And Beltain! And Limara! And Rizit! Can it really be my old friends?" says The Wizard Nosnibor joyfully, before noticing a hunking shape in amoungst the cadavors. "Oh. And F-F-Feng too. Oh happy days." Feng grunts by way of reply. The party strip the dead hobgoblins of thier loot, Elinor stands guard over the captured hobgoblin. The Wizard Nosnibor looks around as if he has miss placed something. "Here Pussy Pussy. Has anyone seen my Pussy?" He says innocently. Out of the bushes moves a white cat, it purrs at Nosnibor. "Pussy! Have you been having Poopies? " Says Nosnibor as he picks up his cat. "Who's a good Pussy? Hiding your own Poopies. Good girl."


Elinor looks around "Right, shall we go to investigate that building? Might hold the hobgoblin camp. Maybe there are clues there" and she rides on towards the farmhouse, dismounts and looks inside with Beltain following. Inside there are bodies...

 

[Greyhawk]

A Request For Aid

The party ride off with the hobgoblin prisioner bound and across the back of one of the horses while Nosnibor rides on the back of Beltain's mount. After a while the road descends into a small town built mostly on the near side of a broad sluggish river. They have arrived at Drellin's Ferry.

Six old stone piers jut from the water, marking the spot where a bridge once stood, but the span itself is long gone. Instead, a couple of long thick ropes cross the river, each secured to a flat-bottomed ferryboat. Brown fields and green orchards surround the town. A group of armed townsfolk, three in leather and one in mail, stand guard, watching wearily as the party as they ride in. "Halt and state your buisness strangers" one of the guards says.
However as soon as the see the hobgoblin (and Feng and Rizzit) they summon the commander of the guard. "I am Captain Soranna Anitah, leader of the Town Guard. Please state your buisness." says the plain-spoken fighter, who leads the guards. She looks at the hobgoblin prisoner "The only place he will be staying is in a cell" she states flatly. Belatin explains what has happened to them and commends the heroic work of Feng and Rizzit, which seems to satisfy her. Soranna nods "Very well. My men will secure the prisoner. We have indeed had problems with hobgoblins lately." she pauses considering what to do next."
"I will get Norro Wiston to come and see you, " she continues after a moment "He is the town speaker and leader of Drellins Ferry. The Old Bridge Inn or the Apple are our guesthouses, please go and check in, I'm sure Norro will be with you shortly." She waves the party on.

After a while a tall balding man of about 50 enters the Inn, behind him is Captain Soranna. He man gets straight down to business "My name is Norro Wiston, and I am the Town Speaker for Drellin' Ferry, you already know Captain Soranna. We're in a lot of trouble, and I was hoping I could persuade you to help us out. Our town is under attack, Hobgoblin raiders attacked and killed people in the outlying homesteads, and they've been waylaying travelers along the Dawn Way." "We've had some trouble with them before but usually not that bad - this is different" adds Soranna "A large, aggressive tribe has come from Wyrm Bones mountains and I fear may be numerous enough to sack the town" Norro nods "Beyond the immediate threat to our homes, if they make the Dawn Way impassable to the west, we'll be ruined. Not only do we need to repel the raiders from our town, but we've got to keep that road open. Can you help us do it?" "I am sure we can," Rizzit says confidently "I for one offer my magical arts to aid the fair folk of this town." Bet they didn't expect that from a kobold he thinks smugly.

"Do you have any idea of what drives them into the vicinity?" Elinor asks "We need to understand the background to form an effective strategy." Captain Soranna looks uncertain "We are not sure of their numbers, 100 maybe" Norro nods at Elinor "It's just possible they have seized Vraath Keep, an ruined castle west on the Dawn Way, it supposed be haunted, but hobgoblins may not care". "Elinor is right," agrees Limara "We need a map of the area as we are new to this land... And information on any allies helping them ... "
"Oooh. Can we help them? Please! Can we? Can we? Can we?" The Wizard Nosnibor excitedly. "I'm sure we'll help you Mister Norro Wiston. I'm sure we will. No dastardly Hobgoblinish menace will be able to stand up to the might ORDER OF INITIATIVE! " adds the aggitated Elf as he stands up suddenly and pulls his dagger from his belt and holds it aloft like a king pulling a sword out of a stone. There is silence as everyone in the bar staires ate the gangley prestidigitator making a of himself. Someone coughs in the silence.
Norro smiles at the wizard Nosnibor "If only everyone was as enthusiastic as you!" He looks at Limara "You are way south of Cormyr, the ShaarLands, Channath Vale to be precise" He signals the barman who passes the party a map of the area. "yes, we believe the hobgoblins have allies. From what we know so far, Foul hounds that breath fire, dragon-men, even manticores!" He takes the map and marks a point on it "That is the location of Vraath's Keep"
He pauses "If you are going to go to the Witchwood, I'd suggest you use the witch trail, a trail that leads north through the woods from Drellin's Ferry. I would also advise you to seek out Jor, you can't find anyone who knows the woods better." the speaker's finger moves over the map as he talks. "His cabin is out of the way, but it could be worth the walk. Take the ferry over the Talar, then go north to the woods, you will see the trail. Go left at the first big crossing; Jorr's cabin is about seven miles in. As to the question of a reward, we can offer 500gp if you rid us of these hobgoblins." he concludes.

 

[Greyhawk]

The Witchwood

The group are of one mind to accept the challenge, and the reward offered by the town speaker. They question the townsfolk to gain more information but it seems that Jor is the one that knows the Wichwood better than any other. After a good nights rest they start early on the following day and head down to the ferry after which the town is named.
Two enormously thick ropes span the Talar here, affixed to a huge wooden capstan. A pair of draft horses harnessed to the capstan turns the device, drawing the ropes, too which a large flat-bottomed barge---the Ferry---is secured. Another capstan and team on the far bank works a second ferryboat if needed. When drawn by two horses, the ferry crosses the Talar at a rate of 10ft per round, taking about 6 minutes to make the crossing. The ferry is 70 feet long and 50ft wide. A stable by the riverbank houses the draft horses, and nearby worksheds hold spare ropes and various other materials for keeping capstan, barges, and hawsers in good repair. The ferry is operated by Drathgar, a great-grandnephew of old Drellin himself. He employs about two dozen horse-handlers, carpenters, and porters to run and maintain the ferry. It costs 1sp to cross on foot, or 3sp with a mount. By long standing tradition, Drathgar doesn't charge townsfolk for the first two crossings they make in a single day.
The party proceeded from the ferry, heading into the depths of the Wichwood using an old trail. Their eyes scanned the undergrowth on either side of the path, wary of another hobgoblin ambush. At last they came to the first major river-crossing and went to turn to the West but out of the pathside trees lurched a mound of vegitation that seemed alive and hostile. The party prepared themselves to fight off this new menace. Acting swiftly, they attacked the vile creature to ensure that it would menace travellers no more and quickly the hostile mound of rotting vegitation was badly wounded. Although badly wounded the mound of animated vegitaion was not finished, it whipped it tendrals around the hapless Feng and began to constrict, bringing him close to death in just a few moments. The Wizard Nosnibor looks on at the struggling Half Orc and wonders at the irony of the fervent Carnivor being eaten by a huge Vegetable. He thinks however that this is not the right time to mention it.
Swift action would be required from the others in the party if a disaster was to be averted. A set of magic missiles straked out from the fingers of the kobold bringing the strange creature to near death and this was followed by a hit from the spiritual weapon of Beltain which finished it off. A bevery of cure spells from Limara and Beltain brought the barbarian back into fighting form and the party were ready to continue their journey to woodsman Jor's hut. Before long a hut came into view but before it, standing guard were 3 fierce looking dogs.

 

[Greyhawk]

The Witchwood

The trail leads past a small cabin in a deep forest glade. A little smoke curls from the fieldstone chimney. Outside the hut, pelts are stretched on circular stands. North, the river can be seen.
"Well, it looks peaceful enough"; murmurs Elinor. "Let's see if Jor is in" and rides towards the hut, halt, and call out "Hello, we come from Drellin's Ferry and are seeking Jor" As Elinor approaches, 3 dogs run out from under the porch, barking and snarling. Limara moves forward to stand alongside Elinor " Arr.. boxers, I like boxers... not attached to my leg mind" she comments as the dogs appear.
"Ah, lunch" thinks Feng "Call off the dogs, or I will eat them!" he calls and grins.
The cabin's door opens, a bearded man steps out. He has a seamed, leathery look to his face and arms, and a big carved knife sits in a sheath strapped to one thigh. "Dont get many visitors out here" he rasps. "Who are you and what d'ya want with me?". He turns and shouts at his dogs "BACK!"
"We have been sent by Norro of Drellins Ferry to investigate the rash of hobgoblins that is plaguing the region." Elinor tells the recluse "Norro and Soranna told us that you may be able to offer us help and information. Do you have any idea what's bringing them to this region?" continues the paladin "Is something forcing them from their normal environment, or do you think they are on some sort of mission?"
"No idea..all I know is I HATE em!" growls the woodsman.
"Well can you point us to where any have been spotted sir?" breaks in Rizzit. Jorr nods "They live up yonder in the Wyrmbones, but it seems like we got a big war party in the forest. Maybe they come down the old forest road, or might be they came by the Skull Gorge. My money's on the Skull Gorge."
"You say it seems to be a big war party" Limara tells "Jor how many is that roughly.. 10.. 20..50..500 ?? " she pauses " I have a few questions Jor, how long ago was this, just hobgoblins or were there others, are they all on foot, did you see them or are you basing this on tracking ? " She pauses and flashes a brilliant smile at the loner.." Pardon my manners, my name is Limara. I don't mean to bombard you with questions but any information you can give will help us eliminate them quicker. We only have this map, you must know every tree in here... "
"Hello Mister Jorr. I am the Wizard Nosnibor and this is my Pony Robinson and my pussy Pussy. As much as your misanthropic attitude towards your Hobgoblinoid neighbours does you credit and seems in keeping with your stereotypical 'wildman of the woods' persona perhaps for the good of the community you could facilitate us with more information about the demography, Geography and Lexicography of their place within the local area. Perhaps they have had an effect upon the local ecology?" says Nosnibor before the woodsman has a chance to responding to Limara's questions." he gulps in a lungfull of air and continues "The more information you can give us there more easily my companions... " Glancing roughly in Fengs direction. "... can facilitate their transition to the next plane of existence."
"You folk sure do speak funny" says Jor looking confused and looks quizzically at The Wizard Nosnibor, then back to Limara "I tracked a group of 20 a day ago, they were North West of here. Looked like they were heading for The Dawn way, to prey on merchants I bet!"
"Thank you Jorr, that is the kind of lead we were looking for." says Limara politely "That one sentence has saved us days of searching. Now I know what we are likely to face I can start to form a strategy to battle this foe.." she glances at the map " this footpath, it leads west to the dawn way? Would this route intercept them?" Limara asks the hunter "Now is the time to plan their downfall" she turns to her companions "Twenty is a sizeable raiding group. It probably has two or three big thuggish bosses and maybe a shaman too, what are your thoughts my friends .. How should we approach this ? ..Do we follow their tracks.. We could try to intercept them.. Maybe we should return to inform Norro and then ride out to meet them.. or perhaps we can find a place to ambush them.." She turns back to Jorr "by the way, were they all on foot ?"
The Wizard Nosnibor looks at Limara with surprise. "Oh that will be a super change. Let's plan something. Oh do let's!"
The party travelled owards and soon reached the main Dawn Way. After a while the road narrowed where a wide expanse of dark water has flooded the woodland in this low valley. Trees still portrude from the calm, dark waters here and there, but many large reaches seem to be little more than open pools of algae-choked water. The tril of frogs and the whine of insects fills the air. The forest road leads right down to the edge of the flooded section, up to a rickety-looking causeway made of thick planks of wood lashed together with mossy roap. The wooden causeway runs for several hundred feat through the boggy patch, only a foot or so above the water.
Up ahead you can make out the wreckage of a wagon, lying on its side and half sunk in the flooded forest, about 30 feet from the causeway. Elinor went ahead cautiously, leading her horse and testing the strength of the planking. But the danger came from another quarter. A huge Hydra reared up from the mud and swiftly moved forward to attack the hapless paladin. Swiftly Elinor backed off to prepare her attack while Feng charged to face the beast. The clerics cast magical protections and conjured spiritual weapons which caused wounds to open up on the monster. Meanwhile The Wizard tried (fruitlessly) to strike the creatures with his crossbow bolts, while Rizzit hit it again and again with magical bolts. Then, without apparently and conscious effort, Feng swung into action, two well-placed blows from his great axe and the giant hydra lay spasming in the swap mud.

Once again the party had trumphed.

 

[Greyhawk]

Battle for the Keep

The party bind their wounds and move onwards along the Dawn Way carefully checking for more signs of hobgoblins. At last the keep comes into sight and they resolve to move forward, without being spotted to scout out the ancient structure. Feng seems reluctant to enter the building and elects to stay, guarding the horses while the others proceed.
Looming out of the shadowy woods ahead is a haunting sight-a ruined keep. The old castle sits on a small rocky hillock, and you can catch glimpses of a broken tower between the trees. A moss covered stone at the side of the road marks a footpath that looks like it leads up to the keep. The old keep is in very poor repair. The gatehouse is partially collapsed. as is a section of the wall to the south. A small wooden building sits next to the remains of a long abandoned garden in front of the structure. Elinor moves silently forward and peers inside the shed - it appears to be empty. The walls surrounding the keep are about fifteen feet high, with a two-story tower looking in the southwest corner of the courtyard within. Large boulders lie strewn amid the ruins of the two watchtowers.
Meanwhile the others, led by an invisible Limara, move to check out the main castle buildings. This courtyard of hard-packed earth has a eerie air of desolation. Jagged boulders embedded in the ground seem to have been dropped here, or thrown from a great distance; many of the walls bear large dents and cracks where these boulders might have once struck. Two massive skeletons lie at opposite ends of the courtyard, one propped up by the watchtower and the other sprawled at the far end by a building that could be a stable. To the south, where a section of the keep's outer wall has collapsed. a third giant skeleton lies partially buried in the rubble.
Limara, having taken a potion of invisibility, bravely moved across the court and peered through the gap in the Western wall. Inside the room she saw four Hobgoblins, a minataur, and also wargs. There were door in the North wall and in the Southwest corner of the room. Quickly she hurried back to tell the others but in her haste she made a slight noise and one of the hobgoblins made atour of the castle courtyard looking to intruders.


The group gathered in the woods to the side of the keep and Limara expounded her plan. The two fighters would hold the door to the room containing the four hobgoblins and the minataur while the others would despatch the wargs and their riders who were resting in the stables. When the second group had killed the enemies in the stable they would return and assist the fighters, healing and casting spells as necessary. Although there was no discent, Rizzit, misunderstanding what was needed, hurried towards the main room, rather than the stable block...
The accident prone kobold stumbled making a slight sound which woke one of the hobgoblins in the dorm. "INTRUDERS!" the beast yelled, wakening its fellows and the party was discovered. Immediately Elinor rushed to the stables, slamming open the doors and heading towards the Worg stalls to attack the fiendish mounts. She was followed by Limara who took on the goblin riders, dealing the one closest a fearsome blow. Meanwhile in the courtyard The Wizard Nosnibor and Beltain's plans to join the others were thwarted by the appearance of the huge Minotaur who moved into the centre of the court, squaring off against Feng, and bellowing. In the South the first hobgoblin had rushed at Rizzit and given him a hefty whack, which the kobold returned in the form of a shower of magic missiles.
Back in the north Beltain and Nosnibor managed to join the others in the stables as a giant beetle, summoned by the wizard, distracted the minotaur's attention. A spiritual weapon, conjured by Beltain, drew first blood on the Minotaur goading it into an attack, it bellowed and charged. Feng was ready and swung his great axe at the creature wounding it, but was pierced by its horn before he could move aside. In the stables Elinsor sword bit deeply into the flank of a worg, but Limara's swing missed the wounded goblin allowing it to gash the priestess. Seeing his danger Rizzit casts a Shield of energy in front of him causing another hobgobin, that has followed its companion from the dorm, to miss him.
Then another challenge presents itself to the party. Suddenly, something appears..perched on the roof - A monster in every sense of the word. It has the head of a vaguely humanoid beast, the body of a lion, and the wings of a dragon. The creature's back is set with curved barbs, and its long tail ends in a cluster of deadly spikes. It watches the battle from its vantage point.
Limara chose this moment to pause in her fight and to give an inspiring speach to her comrades, urging them to carry the battle to the enemy. It must have worked for in the next round Elinor smashed the Worg facing her to the ground, Rizzit burnt the Hobgoblin approaching him to a crisp and after a solid hit by Beltain plus an acid spray from Nosni's beetle, Feng felled Minotaur with a truely awesome blow. Two hobgoblins stand in the court to the North while in the stables a Worg and two Goblins remain but high on a turret the Manticor has now turned it eyes onto Rizzit.
A wounded Rizzit is not prepared to face the Manticor without assistance and heads inside the Hobgoblin dorm, rushing towards the door in the North wall. Seeing a very heavily wounded hobgoblin about to enter the tower he calls "You stay your end and I'll stay mine and everything will be fine"
Unfortunately the Hobgoblin ignores the warning and rushes forward but misses the kobold, however from the door of the tower comes another figure, a Bugbear! The bugbear intones an incantation and a lightning bolt that blasts the kobold who flees with great haste to rejoin the others, massively wounded. Meanwhile the two females continue to fight the Worg and its rider, sadly without felling either. In the courtyard while Feng engages a hobgoblin, missing it and in turn being missed by a fuselage of barbs from the Manticor. Belatin manages to hit the beast with the Spiritual weapon and also calls forth a Hippogryph to fight on his behalf.
Limara strikes true with her sword 'Justice' and after downing her foe she speeds into the courtyard to assist Feng. Meanwhile Nosnibor, Beltain, Rizzit and the summoned Hippogryph all strike true against the Manticor wounding it heavily although its retaliation against the Hippogryph almost kills the poor creature.
Within the stables Elinor finally kills the last Worg and joins the others at the stable doors. "Looks like we are gaining the upper hand" shouts Elinor from the doorway as she surveys the aerial battle and the scattered corpses outside, "What say we all make a dash across the courtyard while the flying beast is distracted? Then we can polish off whoever is left over there." Nosnibor pauses for thought then responds to the Paladin "I agree, this seems to be a turning point. Our valor has over balanced our foes and the tide appears to have turned. However surely we should finish dealing with the flying menace, it would not be good to leave it to assault us unawares."

Limara sprints to the dorm door and fells the Hobgoblin guarding it with a single blow. However things do not go to plan for when Feng moves into the dorm he is hit by a second lighning bolt from Wyrmlord Koth, who then exits through a doorway to the North. To add to his woes, his rage subsides and he feels very tired. He is joined by Limara (who cures many of his wounds) and Elinor and together they ready them selves to follow the Wyrmlord. In the courtyard The Wizard scores another hit with his bow, but Beltain and Rizzit both miss the Manticor. Despite another wound from the summoned hippogryph, the Manticor survives and is able to kill its winged attacker and move East out of the keep, much to Rizzits disappointment. Beltain and Nosnibor rush inside to help their comrades while Rizzit moves to the door to the Manticor tower, he pauses - should he open it?
Meanwhile back in the dorm the wyrmlord reteats into his war room, closely pursued by Elinor, Feng and Limara. Undismayed the Wyrmlord ignores Feng, who is already suffering from fatigue, and casts a spell to enfeeble Elinor. The party's two main fighters are not fighting at full strength, Koth gives and evil smile and draws out a wand.

At this stage the party think that it is over but they are in for a disappointment, for round after round Elinor and Fengs blows fail to connect while the Wymlord discharges his wand at the paladin, severely wounding her. The Wizard and Sorcerer meanwhile leave things to the fighters and wander off to search and loot. At last a lucky blow by Beltain finally floors the Wyrmlord Koth and the party can relax! On the table they find a map, annotated and it is clear that the attacks on the road are part of a plan...

 

[Greyhawk]

Chapter 7 - The Hobgoblin Plan

Chapter 7 - The Hobgoblin Plan

After the battle the party meet in the Wymlord's War Room to examine the map and to decide what to do next. Elinor examines the map that is nailed to the table, "This looks like it might help us work out where these evil creatures are coming from. And where we should go next" Leaning over the map, Elinor starts to mutter to herself..."So we are Koth's hideout in the forest keep. To the northwest is a bridge across a gorge- maybe a good place to halt the advance of a large fighting force - and beyond that there is a possible site for such a force to muster..." Elinor moves her attention to the right hand side of the map "...and here is a proposed time line for attack. But which day are we on now? Should we send word to the towns folk at risk? Or must we stand firm and attempt to rebuff the foe and turn them back form here?"
Limara turns to the Wrymlord and brings him back to consciousness with a spell. "How many of the raiding party are still on patrol ?.. " she asks the crippled foe, and slaps the bugbear around the face, just hard enough to hurt but not injure. "Say goodbye to your loved-ones human...their time is short" snarls the Bugbear and laughs, his blood and spittle spraying the room "FOOLS....your blood shall stain the land" "I think its going to take a bit of questioning and magic to loosen your tongue..." the cleric concedes "It looks like a nice long stay in the cells for you.." and fits handcuffs and a gag on the monster. She turns her attention to the papers but they are in a language that she cannot understand. Meanwhile the others have collected the weapons and armour from the fallen monsters (See treasure) and discuss what they should do next. The concensus is that they should return and warn the townfolk, get some rest and then probably head North to ambush the Hobgoblins raiders.
A quick snack of pancakes, prepared by Nosnibor, and the party set off to the town. The journey passes uneventfully and on arrival Limara and Elinor seek out Soranna the guard captain to brief her on the situation and pass over charge to the Wrymlord captive. They also ask if there is anyone in Drellins Ferry that can interpret the captured documents.
Limara attempts to read the documents using her read magic spell she fails to understand them but discovers that the scroll is Mount. She does detect magic on the elixir, but she cannot determine what it is. Captain Soranna takes the prisoner Wyrmlord Koth, the documents and map to Norro Wiston, the town speaker. The party rest up for the rest of the day and then retire to bed. They are to meet with Norro in the morning
Norro Wiston spreads the map out on the table, this was a vital find..it tells us much he muses. A large group of hobgoblins, calling themselves "The Red Hand" is massing to the north at a location called Cinder Hill. Numerous spies have been scouting the region, and they"ve determined that Drellin's Ferry should be easy to take. The number and strength of the hobgoblin forces at Cinder Hill are not indicated on the map, but they do hint that the force (The Horde) is large enough that the invaders dont anticipate any major resistance once they march on Drellin's Ferry. Another important piece of information we can learn from this map is the fact the Red Hand has identified a bottleneck in the horde's approach to Drellin's Ferry. With troops massed near Cinder Hill, the easiest route down from the mountains to Drellin's Ferry is by way of an old bridge that spans Skull Gorge. The Red Hand has realised this potential problem, and the map indicates that a plan exists to place a fair amount of guards there to make sure that the bridge stays out of enemy hands. If the Skull Gorge bridge is taken out of the equation, the Red Hand forces would be much delayed in their imminent assault on Drellin's Ferry.

"Sorrana & I have talked to Koth." he tells the party "One of those elixirs you found proved useful, Elixir of truth no less! What he told us was alarming.
The Red Hand Horde includes several thousand goblinoid warriors, under the command of fanatical priests of Tiamat. Four commanders, or Wyrmlords, lead the Red Hand;

• <LI style="LIST-STYLE-TYPE: square">Koth, <LI style="LIST-STYLE-TYPE: square">a goblin ranger named Saarvith, <LI style="LIST-STYLE-TYPE: square">a hobgoblin bard named Ulwai Stormcaller,
• and a hobgoblin Talon of Tiamat named Hravek Kharn.

Koth knows that Saarvith has been sent to the ruined city of Lhesper on a special mission, and that Wyrmlord Kharn commands the horde itself, but he isnt sure where Ulwai is or what she is up to.
The High Wyrmlord who rules over them all is a fearsome draconic humanoid named Azarr Kul, a powerful cleric of Tiamat. Azarr Kul dwells in a massive temple in the heart of the mountains, but Koth does not know the exact location. Several dragons serve Azarr Kul as advisors and subcommanders. Koth himself has had contact with only one of them, a green dragon named Ozyrrandion."
Norro Wiston pauses and looks around "Drellin's Ferry is where the initial assault will fall on Channath Vale. Koth intended to lead the attack personally. In his absence, he suspects Ozyrrandion or some other chieftan or champion will lead the attack. Simply taking Koth out of the picture won"t save Drellin's Ferry."
Limara thinks quietly to herself, pondering the information. "You say 'If the bridge is taken out of the equation' Norro... The only ways to do that are to occupy it or destroy it." she looks at Norro and raises a beautiful eyebrow in query. "I doubt we have the manpower to occupy the bridge for any serious amount of time, especially against a large number..." she pauses " How wide is this large stone bridge? and how sturdy?... I have some engineering knowledge, maybe there's a weakness we can exploit"
"Even with the new arcane spells from Rizzit and Nosni we cannot hold the bridge against such a host Princess" replies Beltain, turning to Limara "Sadly, I see no other option; it must be destroyed to give these people time to flee to a place of safety, if such can be found. I am wondering if that spell which turns Rock into Mud might aid in such a task..."

 

[Greyhawk]

Chapter 8 - To Skull Gorge



Rested and re-equipt party set out again hoping that they will reach the bridge over Skull Gorge before the Hobgobins horde. Crossing the ferry they mount up and head North along the Dawn Way towards the gorge by way of Jorr's cabin. Feng has been asked by the townfolk to remain behind and to help training the local militia. Reluctantly he agrees and waves the rest of the party off.
Before too long the party are in trouble again as a huge Dire-Boar emerges from the roadside thicket and attacks. Quickly Nosibor unleashes a spell that he able to convert into a ball of super-heated fire, a Nosniball! The Boar dodges but doesn't escape the full force of a spiritual weapon from Beltain. Limara, Elinor and finally Beltain move to suround the beast which confuses it and it fails its attack and falls to the ground. Solid hits from all the three fell the hog despite its ability to continue fighting even when below 0 hit points.
After the combat with the boar the party soon arrive at Jorr's cabin and warn him of the impending attack by the horde convincing him to leave his cabin and goto Drellin's Ferry. As he begins to pack up he tells them "Dont think there is anyone else to warn in the witchwood cept me, the Twisttusks left some while ago i think. They were a group of forest giants..lived north west of here. They were not aggressive, at least, not to normal folk. Just follow the big road, then use the track that goes west..thats were they lived, about 30 years ago!"
Beltain asks the old forester if it was the giants that attacked Vraath Keep. "Ill tell ye as best i can" he responds "A ambitious young man named Amery Vraath had inherited control of the keep. Amery laid claim to the entire Witchwood and sought to rid his new domain of its evil reputation. Firstly he targeted the Twisttusks. They mostly kept themselves to themselves but raided merchants on the Dawn Way from time to time. The brash young lord gathered together a impressive group of mercenaries and adventurers, and early one summer day led his force against the Twisttusks. The battle was furious, but in the end Amery's men won the day and forced the Twisttusks to flee into the mountains. The soldiers burned the giants steading to the ground and returned to Vraath victorious.
Yet their victory was short lived. One week later, the surviving Twisttusks returned and attacked Vraath Keep during a tremendous thunderstorm. The giants bombarded the Keep all night long with hurled boulders and massive poisoned arrows. When the sun rose, four of the Twisttusks lay dead amid the ruined keep, but none of the keep's soldiers or residents remained. Those who had survived the battle were taken away to be eaten by the giants in their own victory feast---all except for Amery Vraath. The young lordling retreated into the vault below his keep after he was shot by the forest giants poisoned arrow, hoping to elude death, only to perish slowly of his poisoned wound."</B></I>
"We have indeed seen the keep you speak of oh Jorr." says Nosnibor "It is trully desolate and the giant skelingtons lay where they fell to this very day. We discovered no underground vault with a fallen hero however. Do you know which part of the keep this cellar would have been in?" "Maybe we should go look for this vault under the ruins?" suggests Rizzit, eager for more loot.
"Jorr, one more question, before you go." asks Elinor "Do you think the Twisttusks would be likely aligned with goblins, or do you think we could persuade them to fight against the invaders? "
"I'm sure there are more in the mountains..." says the old man "I cant see em liking gobbies!...who likes gobbies?"
The party leave Jorr, travel back to The Dawn Way and continue North. After a while they come to he Causeway, then the turning to VRaath Keep but they press onwards
The forest grows more ominous as the Dawn Way winds deeper into the woods. After an hour or so the party come to a spot where a wide track leads away from the road, heading west. A large effigy of some kind stands here, a 15ft tall humanaoid shape made from a sagging, moss-covered frame. The thing looks almost like a crude giant-sized skeleton. Birds nest in the massive barrel that served the effigy as a head.