Aftermath

Blinking, wounded and bloody, trembling from injuries and from the adrenalin that has coursed thru their bodies, the group staggers slowly back toward the campfire. An animal scurries thru the forest, making a small noise, and everyone jumps to his/her feet again. They look at each other and then sit back down.

Quill looks up at the moon. "About 4 hours until sunrise, I'd guess. It's probably about 2am now."

"The horses need just as much rest as we do--after the scare they've had-- and I'm not sure how far Avon and I can walk on our legs." Quill walks over towards her steel-gray horse and begins to pat her down and speak soothing words to her.

Avon fights against the darkness. Even though it so soothing and comforting, something inside him tells him not to give in to the darkness. Right after the battle he noticed he was awful tired, no not tired, he was empty. As if something had drained all his energy. His knee started to hurt again too. And not much later, when they regrouped, he lost his vision. He just played it cool, no need to alarm anyone. He made sure though, that his backpack was on his back, and his sword was in his right hand. Half lying, half sitting against his backpack, he is too tired to even be really scared. With open eyes he tries to look around, with all his might he focuses on the sounds that seem to come from some place far far away, but all he can see is pure black darkness. The voices seem to disappear too. They become further and further away.

Suddenly he notices movement, his name is mentioned. Slowly he manages to say something "yeeezzz, I'llll bee theeree.... shoortly." And just keeps lying on the ground.

Daggda pauses to think... "Oh.. to the furnace with it!" the dwarf says exasperatedly. "I'm just too tired to even remember my verses." And with that comes an uncharacteristic healing chant... no less effective for it's unusual nature.

"Forger, hear me before I drop
Heal this one from toe to top."

Casting this basic healing spell twice on Tav, the Gallant is completely healed.

Once finished with Tavarak, Daggda stumbles over to Sandros to see what can be done for him. Working intently, the dwarf speaks only once, muttering, "Damn fool wizard," but does not pause to look at Ven, who is already over-consumed with guilt.  Daggda listens to the conversation of leaving the campsite this evening, but does not comment, seemingly unconcerned about the decision either way.

Again, Daggda calls on Moradin's healing powers and Sandros, too, is 100%.

Daggda searches for any others to whom Andrew has not yet given assistance, and applies first aid to them, salvaging bandages from strips of clothing and splints from scrap wood if necessary.  The bloodied warrior then stiffly attempts to take off a chainmail shirt with one good arm, but finds it is a task too painful for even a sturdy dwarf.

TAVARAK finishes dispatching the goblins near him and makes his way back to the group. "Yes i agree, perhaps we should make ready to break camp and leave. With the battle energy fresh in the body, i don't think we will be able to sleep much this night anyways." Tav bows his thanks to Daggda after the spell is cast. Moving his arm to and fro he grins, "As good at healing as you are in battle I see, my thanks friend". The gallant does a quick head count to make sure everyone is accounted for then moves off to check on Stalwart. Stroking the horses mane he whisper in his ear "You proved yet again that you are as I have named you." Digging in his saddlebags he produces an apple which he feeds to the mount.

Tavarak moves about dead beasts seaching for anything useful and noting wounds and killing strokes. These he will make a mental note of until he can make the appropriate entry into his journal. Of particular interest is the Worg and the Hobgoblin. He studies the bodies looking for soft spots near vital organs, or any other potential vulnerability.    Tav doesn't learn much that is new: the Hobgoblin is just a larger, stronger goblin.  And the Worg is a dog, albeit unnaturally huge.

Having complete these tasks he sits down and drops anything he has found in a pile, for all to examine, then starts to sharpen, clean and check for damage his sword, shield and chainmail

While some of the party starts to kill the helpless goblins, Quill shakes her head as she goes about finding her dropped handaxe. She's always hunted and defended herself, but seeing the ease at which the party seems to have in killing the helpless goblins saddens her. She takes no part in the killings.

After she finds her axe she clasps it to the belt that runs from her shoulder to her opposite hip and holds Dragon's Claw with two hands. She decides to experiment a bit. She speaks some phrases in elven to the blade:

As Quill experiments with trying to get Dragon's Claw to emit light, she finds that it will do so. It must be unsheathed, and held in the hand (either hand). When she thinks about a certain level of light, it glows with a white light, like normal sunlight. The intensity varies from very, very dim (not much more than a pale glow of the sword) to about a normal torch's light. It runs off her thought of wanting the light, not needing any particular key words to be spoken. It also stops when she wills it to stop.

Sandros seems to be in a bit of a daze when the dwarf comes over to look at him. It's almost as if his mind is someplace else entirely. He cooperates without comment, however.

At the dwarf's mutterings, Sandros snaps out of it, and cocks his eyebrow in confusion. "I'm no wizard..." he starts to say, then realizes what the dwarf is talking about. Shaking his head, he says, "Hell, I didn't even know goblins could cast spells like that. Nasty, that boiling oil. At least they caught one of their own in the effect, eh?" He smiles, wincing as the dwarf prods at his injured hand.

Once the healing is completed, Sandros thanks him. "I thank you Daggda. I was afraid I might not be able to hold my sword properly ever again." He flexes his fingers carefully, smiling at the lack of any more pain.

Daggda smiles briefly, although it look more like a wince. "You are welcome, shield-brother." Chuckling slightly, the dwarf gruffly adds, "Those goblin oil pots are tricky, to be sure..." The dwarf winces again, and stiffly moves on.

After wiping off her dagger onto a patch of unscorched ground, Myr looks around at her wounded compatriots in frustration. There wasn't much she could do for any of them, unfortunately, and she felt a bit guilty that she was perfectly fine, while they were in obvious pain. Quite glad to see that Daggda was helping, she wondered silently how he could ignore his own injuries so to tend to theirs. She decided she must ask him about this later, but for now, she thought she'd just stay out of the way, and have a
word with the young half-elf.

Approaching a bit cautiously, she said, "So... what were you looking at earlier? You looked like you were off in Tinky Winky Land."

Crystal looks up from her place near the fire.  "My parents were fighting the beasts, and were looking West.  Naturally I would be watching to the East, to warn in case of attack from the rear."  She looks at Myr with a slightly confused look.  "Tinky Winky Land?? I do not know that place... is that your home?"  She is so open and honest, so vulnerable and naive, that Myr is not sure if that was a shot and Crystal  just has the best poker-face in creation -- or if it was just her pleasant attempt at small talk.

Ven leaves the final slaughter to the others and finds a quiet place at the outskirts of the activities anxiously. Not having anything to contribute when there seemed so much to do would be bad enough, but to have actually contributed to the harm was devastating.

He thinks somberly to himself as he finds a log to sit on. He sits with his back to the group and stares out into the night. It seems as though every time I use magic I cause more harm than good. At least this time, he muses, I didn't accidentally kill anybody. Much as I tried, though. Ven looks over his shoulder and sees Dagga attending to a listless Sandros and shakes his head. Almost killed Sandros, too. I've got to be more careful! One accidental killing in a lifetime is enough . . .

Ven picks up a handful of pebbles and begins tossing them monotonously into the forest one after another.

After taking only a moment to finish the remaining goblins caught in his spell and not enjoying one second of the senseless violence that these creature instigated, Andrew will get on with his healing which he finds a much more fulfilling use of his time, it almost makes him forget the needless violence, almost.

Tending to the wounded Andrew tries to convince Daggda that he'd be better prepared to help the others if he gets some care himself. "You are the most grievously wounded friend. If that's not enough to convince you think on it this way - if you're unwilling to take the help, you might find yourself too weak later when the others need you, then your stubborness might cause harm to others instead of just to you."

If after that he'll finally allow it Andrew will heal the taciturn dwarf (1 cure moderate) and then work on the others in order. Since Daggda has already taken care of Sandros and Tav Andrew will first concentrate on healing Avon's busted knee for him. (with any luck 1 cure moderate - a cure light as well if necessary) Then he'll go and see to Quill (the last cure moderate, Bill you can arrange those however it is necessay as long as Avon's knee is completely healed or if Daggda won't let himself be tended until last). Once all his spells are used up Andrew will take a few moments to thank his godess mother Najela then he'll help Daggda with any bandages or the like that are necessary.

All through his gentle ministrations Andrew hums gently and whipers the words of a faint chanting melody while waving his holy symbol in patterns over the wounded:

"Mother my godess, righteous and kind,
give out your blessing, there's many you'll find,
have need of your tenderness, this starry night,
let them find peaceful rest, after thier fight."

Looking over the others Andrew notices Ven head off by himself. Sensing that there might be a different kind of healing to administer Andrew heads over to talk to the obviously upset man. Making enough noise on his approach so as not to startle him Andrew offers, "Is it alright if I join you for a while?" Not really understanding what is bothering the mage Andrew will simply sit there and enjoy the now peaceful night and be there if Ven wishes to talk.

Ven gestures aimlessly at the log he's sitting on. "Suit yourself." Ven continues to toss pebbles into the woods for a while. Finally, he asks, "Is Sandros okay? I dropped a cauldron of boiling oil on him, in case you missed it." Ven tosses a few more stones into the darkness. "Perhaps I should return to the city, too, before I kill somebody. Of course," he adds bitterly, "there are more people in a city. Maybe I'm less of a hazard out here with only a dozen or so people to kill." He tosses a few more pebbles into the woods and lapses back into moody silence.

Avon's knee takes both a Cure Moderate and a Cure Light wound spell but he is back to 100%.  Andrew makes sure he is OK, sitting normally, wrapped in a blanket near the fire and is in no danger before moving on to Quill.

Najela truly smiles on Quill's healing.. just one CMW heals her sliced thigh completely, and she too is 100%.  But she'll have that nice purple-green bruise on her right buttock for a couple of days as a reminder of tonight's combat.

Last but not least, Andrew goes to Daggda and insists on using his final CMW on the dwarf.  The dwarf smiles with resignation as the healing helps only a little.  [Daggda still at -8 out of 15]

KALBAN  looks up with a tired shrug.  "We can go or stay as you all decide.  I'll not take my family thru the night alone.  If we stay, we should try and get what rest we can. 

"Avon and Myr were to take the last watch, but I think they need the sleep more than I.  I will stand the last watch, until sunrise.  Are there one or two others to stand with me?  Aami is with child and I must insist she take what rest she can get.

"We should at least build the campfire higher, so that any wolves that come smelling after the goblin meat might be discouraged and not come after us.... And let us pray for a few peaceful hours... I've no heart to face another batch of these goblins' brothers."

Tavarak listens as the debate rages, "Should we decide to stay, I am up to standing a prolong guard duty." Having said that he stands and makes his way to the Hobgoblin and starts to strip the beast of the chainmail, which once done he will deposit into the pile with the other treasure.

Ven decides that Andrew is right. He needs to stop being so hard on himself and go forward, learn from his mistakes. He heaves a big sigh, tosses the remaining pebbles into the forest, and gets up. Ven goes immediately to Sandros. "Um, look Sandros. I just wanted you to know that it wasn't a goblin who cast that burning oil onto you, it was me. I'm sorry. I'll try to use a little more common sense next time."

Having finished speaking with Sandros, Ven approaches the others. He has heard them discussing what they should do for the night. "I vote to stay here. I, like the others, do not have the strength to cast any more magic. And, two hours won't cut it for me; I'll need to sleep at least six or seven hours. We can move on, but I'll be next to worthless if anything comes up."

Ven next approaches Daggda. He pulls out the pebble that accelerates healing. "Here. I found this at the bugbear nest. If you concentrate on it, it will start rotating around you and will speed up your healing. When you want it to stop, just reach a hand out and the stone will return to you."

Groggily, Daggda takes the small pearl, holding it in the palm of one hand. The dwarf concentrates as Ven suggested, and the pearl begins to buzz around at 33 1/3 rpm. The pearl's orbit seems random around the head and torso, but is never more than 2 ft away, never less than 1 ft from the body. Daggda tries to follow it, but soon gives up, as the dwarf's eyes begin to spin. Eventually, the wounded Acolyte climbs on the mule, and with closed eyes, tries to get some sleep.

Quill finishes packing her belongings on the mule and returns to the clump of adventurers still debating  about whether to stay or leave. "There WILL be things coming later tonight to investigate the remnants of this battle. I am leaving. I'd rather make my way towards Kalban's house, if you'll accompany us of course. But Edge and I are going to accompany my horse and mule away from here." With that being said she goes back to her horse and saddles up, leading the mule and Edge back towards the party. "Besides, a moving target is harder to hit than a weary, spell-empty, injured, sleeping party."
But Quill is merely expressing the unanimous view of the other members of the party.

[OOC: It is *SO* much easier when there's an all powerful Supreme Being to count the votes! ]

Kalban's Home

Everyone drags themselves to horseback and sets out to follow Kalban down the road.  Daggda is (nearly) dead standing, and since waking a sleeping dwarf is either (a) impossible or (b) likely to get you a punch in the jaw, they decide to tie the injured dwarf on the mule, in front of the saddle packs.

The moon, almost full, peeks in and out behind silvered clouds.  With Kalban showing the way, the party wearily heads further south.  During the second hour,  the elven mage turns off the main road -- if the long-disused Old Cliff Road can be called such -- taking a nearly undetectable trail toward the west.  The party must proceed single file, but Kalban is confident, and Crystal, Aami and Andrew assure the others that "it won't be long now."

The path crosses a stream at an obvious ford, and Kalban stops.  Putting his hands to his mouth he calls up into the forest dark with a high-pitched squeeeeel that grates on the ear like fingernails on a chalkboard.  The party members look around, exhausted, but Andrew just smiles, "It's just Eek,  Kalban's familiar.  He's a bat." 

And sure enough, flapping down from above comes a small bat.  He lands on Kalban's shoulder, receives a piece of fruit as a reward, and then dives headfirst into the elf's quiver.

Kalban points to the ford across the stream.  "Mind... do not step on the glyph... you won't like it.  We will take a route through deeper water.  And so saying, he wades into waist deep water downstream from the glyph, crosses easily and comes out on the other side.  He shakes himself off on the far side and motions for the group to follow.  "Nothing like some cold spring water to wake one up for the last bit."

Kalban leads the group single file bewildering path thru the forest: sudden turns, switchbacks, and the like... all intended, he says, to not trip the various magical protections he has placed around his home.  Sleepy and groggy, no one even tries to remember the safe way to get thru this magical minefield.

It takes an hour or more, but eventually they come in sight of a small hill, amid a thick grove of trees, just as dawn is breaking.  Kalban goes to a large oak, presses on a knot of bark and it opens as easily as a door.  "Come in, come in.. horses too."

The door opens onto a large underground passage.  Portions of the wall, covered by cloth hangings, have had permanent light spells cast, thus allowing a pleasant, controllable level of light.  The slope goes down for many feet--perhaps a dozen or more-- and eventually opens into a room.  Aami helps everyone dismount and then take the horses off to a side room.  There, an underground stream flows, and the horses will be quartered.  She explains that they use the extreme downstream end of the stream as the latrine.

Aside from the private rooms of Kalban's family, there is a "guest" sleeping room that would handle 2, and plenty of sleeping room on the floor.  To one side of the room is a non-smoking heat source -- a brazier that has been magicked in some way.  With a sleepy smile, she offers the group anything in the larder -- well stocked with smoked meats, dried fruits and vegetables -- and bids them a good sleep.

Andrew and Aami help Daggda to the guest bed.  With no little effort and more than a few grunts of pain from Daggda, they manage to get the dwarf's chain armor off.  The dwarf head hits the pillow and is asleep immediately.  Andrew and Aami remove the Acolyte's cloth shirt and clean the shoulder wound applying a clean dressing.

In tending Daggda's wounded shoulder, Andrew and Aami help remove the dwarf's chain mail shirt. The dwarf collapses to the bed, asleep with the magical pearl orbiting and/or hovering. Andrew and Aami then remove Daggda's cloth shirt, worn beneath the armor, intending to clean the wound and apply clean dressing. At this point, it is obvious to Andrew that Daggda is a female dwarf. Andrew completes his medical treatment in a professional way, then -- somewhat embarrassed -- helps Aami put one of Kalban's clean shirts on the still-sleeping dwarf.

The magical orbiting pearl continues its path, but somehow it never comes into contact with anyone tending Daggda.  When the dwarf is lying down, the pearl just floats above the body, tracing a confusing, erratic path.

There's no way to count the passing of the hours, here underground.  And it occurs to several of the party that this home is well disguised indeed, for no one would think of looking for an elven family underground.

There are long hours of sleep for the weary group.  Eventually the odor of a very tasty-smelling fruit bread and meat-and-herb stew begin to wake everyone.

People & elves wake... and yes, even dwarves eventually wake up.  Aami and Crystal, with Kalban's help are preparing a meal.  As everyone wakes, Kalban greets each and explains that it is mid-afternoon, but that there is no hurry.  Dinner will be ready soon.

Daggda awakes, somewhat surprised to be wearing one of Kalban's shirts and staggers out of the guest room to the great room.  Upon seeing the huge amount of food being prepared, Daggda suggests that it might be enough for ONE hungry dwarf.  The warrior cannot remember being so ravenously hungry *ever*.  The magical pearl is still orbiting.

As the adventurers wake to the smell of food, and return to the great room from their various "morning" (actually mid-afternoon!) rituals, Kalban greets each cordially, and tosses a few probling questions about why the group has come this far south. 

Taking a look around the comfortable underground abode, it is obvious that the family has lived here a long time.  There are permanent magicks on the walls to provide light, invisible shelves which hold nicknacks and other decorations, and so on.  The walls are curiouis.  They are made of the natural stone of the area, but it is not dressed stone.  It is not even cut, or chiseled.  It seems to have been almost poured into this shape, as one might do with glass ... or forged seamlessly, as a metalsmith might do with steel.  The stone is smooth but not slippery.

Generally the openings to the other rooms are just covered with a hanging.  But the entrance to the family's private quarters have a door made of the same sort of stone ... it is now open.  But when it is closed, it fits so perfectly against the wall that it is virtually undetectable.

Tavarak has heard of this kind of stonework, but it is thought to be just another old tale.  Daggda knows better.  The dwarf has seen other examples of this Gruzstruk --  both in the Great Rift and in Dwarvenholm (and the long tunnel that leads under the mountains from Dwarvenholm to Melfis).  There is no word in Common to describe the skill: Gruzstruk translates approximately to "stone smith magic."   But Daggda  knows the legends that the last Dwarven ZeiGruzstruk (Stone Smith Wizard) died almost a thousand years ago. 

The dwarven cleric is stunned that any non-dwarf might --somehow-- be living in a place obviously crafted by Gruzstruk.

Tavarak also knows the legend/song of  Kuzzar the Golden, last and greatest of the Dwarven Wizards -- said to be brother to the Great King Hizak -- who cast his last spell to close the only entrance to the room he was in... The room also held, at the time, the last of the evil Great Black Dragons, Kraa by name -- said to have been born at the Creation of the World.

Tav has told the tale often: Over the centuries, Kraa became weaker and weaker.  The stone that formed chamber became one with  the very spirit of Kuzzar and so became impervious to all the evil magic that the powerful Dragon could hurl at it.  But the struggles of the Dragon/wizard/god (-- he often changed the story to improve its impact on the audience --) caused earthquakes and volcanoes and resulted eventually in the upthrusting mountains of the Shoulders of Sinindur.  Then suddenly several centuries ago, they ceased.  Everyone assumed that the Dragon eventually had died, and the influence of the Dark Gods began to wither.

Anyway, the stew is ready for eating.  Crystal brings large bowls of the savory food to the table.  Aami bids her bring a triple portion to Daggda, "If that magical pearl is doing what I think it is doing, that dwarf's metabolism is running at double speed and  will need double food to work for health -- else it will begin to consume the very body it orbits.  And double food for a dwarf is a prodigious amount indeed!"

Andrew and Daggda awake, and do their morning prayers, while Myr and Ven go thru their particular start-of-day studying.    Daggda reports that all seems 100% now, and extends a hand to snatch the orbiting pearl out of the air.  Returning it to Veneron, the dwarf thanks him.  By the time everyone is redressed in clean clothes, and finished eating, it is nearly 3 pm.

Waking after a restful sleep Andrew awakes in the late morning. After seeing to Daggda again Andrew is confident that between spells and that floating rock that the dwarf will be just fine, Andrew heads outside for a time to say his his prayers. Walking for a short time to find the perfect spot Andrew takes a seat and loses himself in his morning devotions. After a time, his prayers finished, Andrew gets up and heads back to the house. Taking a quick bath his senses are assailed by the smell of breakfast. Realizing suddenly that he is starving Andrew quickly dons some clean pants a loose fitting shirt and heads towards the smell.

"Good morning Aami you beautiful creature. You know you really could do better than that rat you married. If you ever come to your senses just let me know," Andrew says with a sly look as he gives his old friend a gentle squeeze. "OH. And good morning to you too Kalban," he finishes with a laugh as if just noticing his presence.

Aami  swats at Andrew's back playfully and laughs.  "Oh you're just being kind to a fat, old-lady elf like me."  She gets serious for a moment, putting her hand on her swollen belly.  "If there's no war, I hope we can get back to the Isle when my time comes... just in case, you know?  Besides,"  she casts a glance at Kalban and lowers her voice, "I don't fancy raising a babe in the woods, especially when there are so few elves nearby... there's so much lore to be learned, and just a scant century to learn it."

Quill finishes her stew and once again thanks the host and hostess. They were even nice enough to make a bowl of raw stew meat for Edge, who seems quite taken with the elven couple. As the others are preparing (napping, studying, praying, etc.) Quill will practice playing fetch with Edge and when he gets bored of that she'll ask the couple where she might be able to practice with the bow and bracers. She feels a bit awkward about taking them, but he seemed so intent on her taking them now that the bard was dead...

Kalban suggests, "Why not go hunting with me later this afternoon?  That is... if you're going to be staying that long.  I need to hunt anyway, since a crowd this large will do some damage to my larder."  He laughs.  "But I'd be afraid for your dog... the woods here are full of magical traps and warnings... can you keep him close to you?  The magicks are pretty safe for animals but....

"You're welcome to stay another night or even two. But after that I must ask that you all leave.  I will be leaving myself after that to see about my kinswoman, "  He lowers his voice to shield the rest of his sentence from Aami " -- and to dispose of the remainder of that goblin clan on my doorstep."

Quill, the half-elf ranger, eats her stew a bit differently than those at the table. She puts half a mouthful of bread after she has placed half a mouthful of stew and doesn't sop anything with the bread, just seems to alternate bread-stew-bread-stew. She accepts Kalban's offer to hunt, only if the group decides to stay a bit. Besides, she thinks it's only fair to help this elven couple out after her and her party has eaten their food. (Not to mention she's grown somewhat attached to Aami.)

Chewing heartily, Daggda displays typical dwarven table manners, which to the elves in the house appear to be a dreadful lapse in table manners. Scooping some wayward meat out of a bowl with two fingers, the dwarf's eyes are glued to the walls and ceiling. Mouth full of food, the acolyte mumbles, "Magnificent Gruzstruk. Didn't know that dwarves ever lived here, so far from the mountains... Tavarak, have you seen its like in craftmanship before?" The dwarf continues to chew and stare at the walls in awe. "Mmlf- How far is Devil's Point from here? If we are close, we should make a plan and leave tonight. Perhaps we can catch Prince Geodon's kidnappers sleeping..."

(to Aami) "Andrew has told me of your assistance. I thank you for your companionship, your healing, your food, your roof, and your axe. My thanks, Lady Aami. My axe is yours." Daggda says softly but sternly.

The dwarf continues to look around the Gruzstruk house, and looks back at Aami questioningly.

Kalban, sopping up some of the stew with a piece of the sweet bread, answers between mouthfuls. "Well...it was a long time ago, but there were dwarves that lived here... at least ... dwarves who built this place.'" He looks thoughtfully at the stew. "A long, long time ago."

Tavarak regards Daggda, "No i haven't. I've never actually seen this type of construction before. I've heard tales about structures such as these, but have never actually seen the workmanship. It is most impressive, and I can see that the stories haven't been exaggerated at all. As for how much further, hmmm well based on the map that Quill acquired, I don't think that we aren't all that far away." Tavarak finishes his meal, leans back and smiles at the hosts, "Ah a wonderful meal, my thanks" Looking at the party he continues "We should make plans on our next move." Tav ponders the options while Kalban speaks.

Avon spends most of the time on his own. He seems preoccupied with rearranging has backpack. Polishing his sword and armor. Bathing, cleaning his clothes and modeling his hair. Once this is all done, he just hangs around the place and waits for them to leave. However he can't help himself and picks up all kinds of loose items and tries to figure out how much it is worth. And comes to the conclusion there is nothing of value. which depresses him so much that he start hanging again and waiting to get on the way towards that damn prince with his treasure.

Running into Tav at some point into the day Andrew talks with him a bit about various things then gets to the point. "It has been a while since I have been around this way and it seems as thought the monsters are growing more bold. Might I ask what it is you all are doing in this neck of the woods? I heard a brief mention of a lost Prince earlier but I've no idea what it is you are all about."

Tavarak nods at the mention of the mission, and goes into detail about the missing Prince, and the impact it is having on Melfis. "I have seen that you handle yourself well in battle, and would be honoured to count you as a member of the group. I will put the question to my companions." Tav approaches the other party members one at a time, asking each if they would accept Andrew as the newest member of the group.

"Well I know the area your heading to a little," replies the Druid, "and it seems a good reason to take up arms. Not to mention the vile buggers are probably defiling these beautiful woods. I'd gladly lend a sword if you all are interested in the help? You can take your time with an answer. I assume you'll want to discuss it with your companions."

Avon hasn't been doing much the whole day. Mostly he has been hanging in a chair dreaming of untold riches. Now and again looking through all the items in the place. But although he didn't have any objection to stealing anything, it didn't seem the smartest thing to do. Besides he didn't find anything of value anyway.

By now Avon is truly bored and wants to go. He figures the sooner they leave, the sooner he gets his treasure and can start living the good live back in the city. "If we leave now we can arrive at the cliffs covered by the darkness. We can first check it out by night before doing anything stupid. Also we have the oppertunity to check it out by daylight and can then try to enter the cave at night." It's not sure if he is asking a question or stating a fact. What ever the case, he starts packing his belongings [DM: leaving the harp] "Listen, I guess my harp will still be here when I come back, right?" he says in the general direction of Kalban.

Andrew, still waiting on word from the others on whether they'd like his help or not doesn't really feel that voicing an opinion about where or when they go is wise until he hears the reaction.

This doesn't really bother him overmuch since he is with friends he hasn't seen in a while and enjoys catching up with Aami, Kalban and Crystal. He pays Crystal special attention knowing that these are important years in her young life. Taking a walk in the forest with his niece Andrew tries to gently impart some of his elven knowledge and some insight into the workings of the forest.  Simply enjoying the peaceful nature of Kalban's home and the surroundign forest Andrew seems quite at home.

TAVARAK approaches Andrew: "Well, I've mentioned it to the others, and no one raised an objection."  He chuckles, "In this group, that's a ringing endorsement.  Sometimes watching us make a decision is like watching a bunch of house cats decide whether this or that spot is best for sleeping -- or maybe it's time to chase mice!!"

"We don't have a leader -- each does what he deems best.  And I'd like to ask you to join us.  Your woods-lore and good cheer will be an asset -- not to mention your sword arm and the powers that Najela grants you."

"Now then, when should we go to the cliffs above the caves?"

Seeing as no one is really opposed to his coming along at least, Andrew nods at Tav's words of invitation. "I'd be glad to be a part of something such as this and a part of your group. It has been some time now that I've been travelling alone. Seeing old friends again has made me appreciate it all the more."

[AVON] "If we leave now we can arrive at the cliffs covered by the darkness. We  can first check it out by night before doing anything stupid. Also we have the  oppertunity to check it out by daylight and can then try to enter the cave at  night." It's not sure if he is asking a question or stating a fact.

[TAV] "Avon, I'm not sure if you're saying to go and check it out in darkness or first by light.  Personally, I think light might be best ... just to look around.  I'd hate to have someone fall into a 100 ft hole in the ground in the darkness.  So that would mean if we leave here at first light tomorrow, we could be there by 10 am or so... and we can decide what to do when we get there."

"Facepaint and onions!" Myr exclaims. "By all means let's not go in the dark! Morning sounds good to me."

Veneron peers over his book as the others begin to discuss when to head toward the cliffs. He determines that he doesn't have any violent objections to either time and resolutely ignores the debate, sticking his nose back into his books. "Now, I wonder what would happen if I changed that strict rhyme and iambic meter to something a little more free, maybe using assonance . . ." And he's lost again in the world of words and their magical powers, oblivious--for now--of what the others are wrangling over.

[Andrew] "That sounds like a good plan, that way we can have a really good look around. And if we want we can even make our entrance in the daylight if everything topside is clear. After talking with Tav about leaving the next morning Andrew searches out Kalban and tells him about his plans to join this party in it's quest to rescue the prince.

"From the sounds of it horses aren't going to be any help and they might be left alone for more than a day. Could you and I make up a small corral somewhere outside that they could stay in for a day or two. That way they could graze and you wouldn't have so much of a burden of looking after them and they'd be safe."

oting the pheasants and deer, she perks up a bit. "Looks like you had a bit of luck with the new bow!" Pushing herself up from her knees with a grunt, she adds, "Good thing, too - I'm starving! I don't know where that stew went... although if I'd spent any more time practicing, I'd imagine it would have ended up a splat upon the ground!" Myr accompanies Kalban and Quill back to join the others, twisting and shaking her arms as if in attempt to get some blood flowing back to them

Tavarak prepares for the final leg of the journey, thanking the kind hosts for their hospitality and promising to return to help rid the area of the goblinoid threat. Next he wanders over to check on Stalwart, making sure that he is groomed and as comfortable as possible. "There now, you wait here and i'll be back soon. No biting the hands that will be feeding you, and by the seven keys of Oscarala DONT be trying to mate with the other horses." Tav laughs and feeds the horse an apple before making his way back to his companions.

Aftermath

And so, it was a lazy day: helping Aami and Crystal prepare another meal, polishing armor, practicing with spells and weapons.  Kalban thanks Andrew for his offer to find a way to keep the horses outside, but declines, saying that the presence of a paddock -- no matter how small or concealed -- would eventually point someone to this hidden homesite.  He'd rather deal with the temporary problem of cleaning and feeding them.

Everyone looks forward to the first full night's sleep -- uninterrupted by the need for watches and campfires.  Postprandially sophorific [ !!! ] , everyone turns in early and sleeps well.  At about 5 am, Kalban and Aami begin to rouse the party.  And by 6 they have had some oatmeal and eggs for breakfast, are dressed and packed... ready to hit the trail.

It takes an hour of following twisting and turning paths -- seen and unseen -- to get clear of the area where Kalban's traps are set.  He bids the party good luck.  "When you come back for your mounts and equipment, Andrew should be able to find the way in.  But if he's not able -- wait for twilight.  I'll send my friend Eek," he gestures at the bat circling overhead, "to look for you every evening."

So saying, he turns with a smile and, within a handful of strides has completely disappeared into the forest.

The party heads toward the coast, a little south by east.  The sky is clear with high wispy clouds.  As they come out of the forested area, the members of the group begin to feel the sun beating down on armor and cloaks -- it's going to be a very warm day.  There is a light breeze blowing toward the east.  As the morning wears on, the forest thins and the ground becomes more rocky.  There are holes in the ground, some very deep, judging by the length of time a dropped pebble takes to find bottom.  Near the cliffs themselves, the ground turns to nearly solid rock, with cracks and fissures everywhere.  There are many holes and crevasses, chimneys that lead down.

Approaching the edge carefully, the adventurers find they are not directly over Devil's point -- trying to judge from the map -- but eventually they work down the coast until they are in C3, at the spot marked *, above the Devils Point Caves.  Looking down they see the waves lapping over the beach area:  this close to low tide, the portion nearest the rocks is only occasionally washed with a wave.  The face of the cliff is weathered and broken rock -- without equipment, it would be a suicidal climb, or descent.

Exploring nearby, the party discovers 2 fissures that seem to go all the way to the water below, located in J2 and H4 on the map.

The sea off the spit of sand is broken with large boulders and rocky shipkillers.  The surf is low and quiet, and the sound rumbles up to everyone's ears.

All this the adventurers discover from a crouch and near the edge, they lay on the ground ---- for anchored off the point ( #  in F1 on the map) is the very same ship that the group had sent on a wild goose chase back some 6 or 7 days ago.  The party is careful not to stand and be visible against the sky.  There are two long boats tied to the ship, and the crew are unloading cargo.

It's about 11 am.

"Damn..." Sandros mutters. "We'll never make it down there during the day without them seeing us. And it's going to be a nasty climb at night." Sighing, he looks at the others, then says, "Maybe one or two of us should sneak down there first, try to get a look around before we all just barge in."

[Quill] "I agree with you, Sandros. I'm pretty good at climbing trees, but these cliffs are a different story. I suggest that our roguish friends try their trade and make their way to the point in order to look around. I can always warn you with an arrow in the sand if there's trouble afoot."

Avon who hasn't said much most of the trip sighs heavily. "I guess I have to save the day, again." He looks sideways at Sandros and Quill. "Just give me some rope and that climbing gear and I'll see if I can find the 'treasure'. Just make sure you aim at the sand...". Avon has seen enough. He rises and walks away from the cliff edge and heads for some cover.

Sandros watches as he wanders off, and he turns a huge grin on the others. "Good thing we have him along to do all the tough stuff, eh?" He snickers. "I'll go with him...he'll need someone to watch his back...and his fingers, too, I think." With that, he scoots away from the cliff face and moves to follow Avon into the trees.

Sandros and Avon head back from the edge of the cliffs so they wont be seen from the ship, and begin to plan their descent -- whether they are planning to go down one of the side holes, or down to the main sandbar, is unclear at this point. Before an hour goes by, the longboats tied to the anchored ship are filled with supplies and their crews begin to row in to Devil's Point. Those on watch at the cliff, look down and see several people/orcs/halforcs come out from 2 points marked X (B3 & D3 on the map) toward the boats.

They begin to unload the supplies and carry them into the caves. There seem to be many of the orcs, at least a dozen, perhaps 20 or more -- but it is hard to know if some of them are coming back for additional trips. [OOC: note the blue line on the sand is the approx. tide line at this point -- about 1 hour before dead low tide] The work teams quickly unload the longboats, which are then rowed back out to the ship, where the whole process begins again. Approx time is noon.

Seeing Avon and Sandros getting ready to climb down the cliff Myridian hurries over to them.  "Wait wait wait!" Myr whispers urgently. "I can send Flybreath down to have a look." She pulls him from her pocket and tries to impart to the little critter what she wants him to do, which is scamper down the cliff if possible without endangering himself, and then have a look about, relaying the information to her through their familiar link.

And as she communes with the little lizard, she tries to imagine how long it might take for a 2 inch lizard to climb 100 ft straight down, over a broken rocky wall. A small 6-inch gap between rocks might be trivial for her, but it would be a Grand Canyon for flybreath.. He certainly could do it -- eventually -- she was certain of that. And they didnt have anything ELSE to do right now anyway, except watch and wait. She looked up at the gulls and falcons circling lazily overhead, riding the rising thermal currents, and wondered if any of them might see a little lizard and think "snack" ....

Gulping, she tucks Flybreath quickly back into her pocket, patting his tiny head through the fabric of her robe. "Erhm... nix that," she says, eyeing the avians overhead. "Hmm... wonder if birds are cannibals?" She peers over the side, trying to negotiate the drop as a sparrow. "Milkweed. That's a long drop," she says, backing away, apparently having become temporarily acrophobic, or at the very least, phagophobic.

Watching everything and taking it all in Andrew simply mulls over the situation to himself. Not really knowing the way of most of this group he simply watches and assess for a while. The dry comments passed back and forth draw a raised eyebrow from the forest dwelling elf. The plan seems sound though so he simply holds his tongue and searches his memory for a spell that might be helpful in this situation. At Myr's mention of using her lizard Andrew jerks to attention. Grabbing everyone's attention by clearing his throat he asks," What kind of information are you looking for? Perhaps if it's not too detailed I can have one of our fine feathered friends go have a look," he says while motioniong to the falcons overhead. "Let me know what you need to know. If I think it's feasible I have just the spell! And the birds won't seem out of place at all at low tide."

Sandros looks at the gear, and tries to figure out how useful the stuff will end up being for the two of them to use together. "I'd say we go down one of these clefts....this closest one here, maybe. That way, we can get to the bottom first, then try to sneak the rest of the way without being seen." He shrugs. "Hope you're pretty good at this sort of thing. I'd hate to have to leave ya down there by yourself if you get caught." He winks, obviously just teasing poor Avon.

Veneron approaches Sandros and Avon with the climbing gear that he has pakced away. "How confident are you two with this climb? Because if this is something that you're not comfortable with I do have a spell in my bag of tricks that I can cast on one of you that will make you stick to any surface, kinda like a bug. I can also cast it on myself and make the climb and I do have some experience with how and where to place the pitons. But, regardless of who goes, my suggestion would be to tie two of the ropes together and tie it to whoever's going down. On the belt would probably work. Then you just spider climb down, setting the pitons along the way. The rope tied to you is mostly a safety measure in case you lose consciousness or the duration of the spell ends. Wouldn't want to suddenly find yourself falling--at least not you, Avon. Vampire bugbears might be able to fly, I'm not sure, but Elves don't usually have that ability--our lovely friend Mry notwithstanding. The only drawback to this is that I'll have one less spell at my disposal when and if we have a confrontation at the bottom. Of course, the fewer spells I have the less likely I am to parboil Sandros again."

Daggda has been silent throughout the trip, only occasionally looking ruefully at the bright midday sun. The dwarf exclaims, "Moradin Almighty, in the time you've been gabbing about climbing the cliff in broad daylight, I could have dug us a tunnel there by now!" Daggda hefts the large pick in a flash of Dwarven impatience. "Instead of dangling off the cliff like a damn spider, why don't you try one of these natural chimneys," the dwarf points off to the left (J2.) "This is good solid rock, none of that shale or volcanic type. It should make for pretty good footing, I expect." Daggda relaxes somewhat, and begins looking at the rock around them, but for what exactly is unclear to the others.