10 Eleint

The party awoke in the morning and decided to continue on to the ruins of the city of Hydra’s Head and Keilsor Castle. They reached the walls of the ruined city without incident. They decided to hide the wagon in the brush outside the city, the gorge widens to about 2000 feet in this area. The magic jar was placed into a backpack, using the noose and pole again, and Iris was designated to carry it. They observed that the City wall was breached in three places; A 300 foot opening along the western section, a 200 foot opening in the center which included one of the gate towers, and a 500 foot opening along the eastern section including the east tower.

They entered through the western opening, and proceeded to the west tower, which they found empty this morning. From the top of the tower, they observed the ruins of the city and what they could of the castle. They noted about a dozen buildings still standing plus the castle, which seemed recently repaired. The rest of the city lay in ruin except for a large statue of a hydra located in the center of the city. At the main gates, they saw massive webs, and also noticed some movement just to the north of the tower in the ruins. They decided to check out the movement just to the north, near a rather large building which was still standing.

Nimbul, as always went in first using his skills to remain unnoticed. He approached the building and looked into one of the windows on the southern wall. through the dirt, he could see several kobolds. The rest of the group joined him, and then he moved around the building toward the northern wall, moving around to the west. On the northern wall was the door leading into the structure, it was guarded by six kobolds. Having the surprise, the party easily dispatched the guards. Gaspar and Mathetais then decided to use Gaspar’s portable ram to bash in the door. Their first attempt failed, alerting all the occupants. Nimbul decided to try going in through a window. Gaspar and Mathetais succeeded on their second try, crashing through the door into a room with waiting Kobold guards. Nimbul entered through a window on the west wall, the room was empty. there was a door on the east wall, which he opened to see many kobolds, mostly very young or very old. They were placing a bar over a door on the north wall. Meanwhile, Gaspar and Mathetais were attacked by the Kobold guards. They stabbed at the two with their half spears, but were unable to penetrate the armor of either. Kitiara fired an arrow at a Kobold guard, killing it instantly. Mathetais followed suit slicing another one down with his long sword. After Gaspar split another in two with a mighty blow from his great axe, the last guard surrendered.

He brought the group to meet Yusdrayl, the Kobold leader. She explained to the party about the current inhabitants of the ruins and castle, at least as much as she knew. There was a band of Goblinoids living in the eastern section of the ruined city, and the main keep was occupied by an army of Orcs and Orc like humanoids, and there were also dark skinned elves which appeared from time to time coming from the castle. She also told of another entrance into the castle, a cave high on the mountain occupied by a hydra, or many headed dragon as she put it.

OoC: An updated version of the map can be seen at: http://people.ne.mediaone.net/frankmarianne/Images/Hydras_Head_Updated.gif
The goblins occupy buildings 3 thru 7, the Kobolds occupy buildings 1 and 2. You just happened to enter the colony building, the other is the barracks for the kobold fighters. Everyone gets 75 exp.

Yusdrayl speaks again, “The Goblinoids living in the eastern part of the city are lead by three bugbear chieftains, who each have three Hobgoblin sergeants leading a band of goblin warriors of 30 or so. The castle is much harder to assess. I have seen many orcs, but have also seen larger orc like creatures and several Ogres. When they come out into the city, we avoid them, and they do not bother us.”



[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited October 02, 2001).]

ooc I sincerly appologize for abruptly leaving last night. I hope i have dealt with the situation i was given and it wont happen again.

As long as we are apologizing ooc - Sorry that I missed last night. My wife invited her entired extended family over :grr:

The only thing that salvaged the night was the the wine was good and the movie we watched totally rocked! (A Knights Tale)

OOC: Mat, that's good flick! I loved the rock music along with the medieval tale! But kept hoping the blacksmith would win out in the end!

IC: Here are my thoughts on our situation. I think we should help the kobolds fight the goblin clans in the area. I feel a little bad about taking out their best fighters and leaving them exposed. It shouldn't bring the castle down on us, I would expect that they are familiar with the souunds of battle from the ruins.

After we even things up a bit with the goblins, I'll scout out the castle walls and the cave, to see about a better way in than the front doors.

I have a few other ideas that I'll bring up when we meet up again.

Kitiara glances at the halfling. "You want us to aid Kobolds!"

Sitting back Kitiara strokes the sleek head of Jager, contemplating the groups next move. Knowing full well that the Warrior Gaspar will be all too eager for a fight. That Mathetais the holy one will also agree to this, she finally agrees. "fine lets help the Kobolds, but i must say our primary goal should be an entrance to the castle"

"Friends, Kobalds are an evil nusiance that must be eliminated! I doubt they would supply much help to us in our quest, and they will be far more likely to betray us to the orcs and ogers in the castle!

"My suggestion would be to at least to tie the kobalds up - eliminating them as a potental threat. Then we can begin drawing up plans to seige the castle"

"Mathetais," Gaspar says, "these Kobolds don't seem to be acting very evilly. Maybe you should try detecting evil or something? Also if we eliminate the goblins now, they won't be a problem in the future. I'd hate to have to run out of the castle straight into a group of them"

ooc - I detect evil on the kobalds

******
"Nimbul my friend, your wisdom is much greater than your stature. These kobalds are not evil. Indeed, their help and information may be trusted.

"Whatever course of action we take, we must not jepordize their lives here."

Shaking his head and mumbling to himself, the paladin then walked a little ways off by himself where he fell to his knees and prayed to his god for the forgiveness of his great pride and prejudice against these creatrues. "Show me how I can atone, please . . ."

[This message has been edited by Mathetais (edited October 08, 2001).]

Iris sighs. "I don't see any reason why we need to decline their help. If they aren't evil, then where's the damage as to helping them clear out the goblins. Let's team up with them and get it over with so we can continue on."

"So have we decided to go crush some goblins?" Gasper asks. "Though maybe these goblins are like the kobolds, not as evil as they appear..."

Yusdrayl observed the party with interest for a while. "It is not necessary for you to help us fend off the goblinoids. We can take care of ourselves against them. My concern is the evil within the cas ... ," Seeing Iris with the tell tale green fire above her head, Yusdrayl simply stares at her. Regaining her composure she speaks again. "Where is the essence of the evil one. I see that you have removed it from the tower. You must have found a way to transport it without becoming posessed. Either you are the bravest of the brave, or simply foolhardy. What are you planning to do with it?"

Iris hesitates then studders, "Well we were... uh going to uh... show this jar to a err... someone more uh... knowledged about this jar than we are..."

Mathetais rose from his prayers, wiped the tears of contrition from his eyes, and turned to address Yusdrayl.

"Friend, if I may call you that, we have indeed taken the jar of evil from the tower. Our aim is to take it to those more skilled in the arcane arts and have them exorcise this spirit to the nether realms where its mischif can be rightfully punished.

"As to the evil in the castle beyond, our goals take us through that obsticle. Any help or information you can offer us would be much appreciated."

Serena laughs at Iris’ explanation, still thinking that carrying around a jar possessed with evil is a bad idea.
‘What do these Kobolds know about the evil inside the jar anyway?’ She thinks to herself, her eyes moving from
Yusdrayl to Mathetais in anticipation.

10 Eleint (later that day)

The party, having decided to continue on toward the castle, left the main lair of the Kobolds, and moved up the western edge of the ruins toward a building still intact. The large structure was wooden with a thatched roof, opaque windows, and a single entrance, a door on the street side. Nimbul checked the door, it was locked and after a second try, he succeeded in picking the lock. Everyone except Nimbul entered the house, Nimbul kept a lookout since Kitiara noticed the gates of the castle open and close. Inside, the group discovered the building was a large house. The entry room was a sitting room, and through the door opposite the front door was a dining room. At this point, Nimbul noticed an Orc patrol coming around the corner, on the road. He threw a rock at the window, breaking it, altering the rest of the group inside, and also the Orcs, who quickened their pace. The Orcs stopped outside the house and seeing the broken window assumed that a Kobold had broken it with a rock. They would have to go and teach the Kobolds a lesson. At this point, Mathetais screamed out that it was not the Kobolds, but the fist of righteousness, and proceeded to charge out the door. Nimbul fired arrows at the leader, a much larger orcish looking creature, missing with the first, but scoring a critical hit with the second, disabling the sword arm of the leader. Gaspar then rushed at the leader, killing him with a massive blow from his great axe. Serena caved in the head of one of the orcs, killing it, followed by Mathetais running through another one in a charge attack. Seeing their comrades, including their leader, fall so easily to the onslaught, the remaining three retreated toward the rubble. Kitiara wounded one in the leg, and then they disappeared into the ruins. Unknown to the party, the Kobolds were just on the other side of the rubble, waiting for the orcs. The orcs were seen re-emerging from the rubble followed by 25 Kobold warriors, who let loose with a volley of half-spears, killing the remaining orcs.

At this point, the group met the captain of the Kobold warriors, a cunning tactician named Kartail. Kartail informed the party that they would provide some back-up protection by tailing them around the ruins. The party gathered up the equipment of the orcs and their leader, then re-entered the house. There were four bedrooms in this house, each containing two beds, two chests, and two wardrobes. The party soon discovered why the windows were opaque, finding drow cloaks inside one of the bedrooms. During the looting of the house, Nimbul was singed by a fire trap, but this was not to be the last problem. Comic relief was provided by Gaspar and Mathetais, who would use Gaspar’s battering ram to open anything that Nimbul could not pick the lock on, destroying several potion bottles in the process. While checking out the last room in the house, Nimbul discovered a magical trap on a chest, but was not able to disarm it. Not wanting to leave it be, Nimbul picked the lock and Gaspar opened up the chest. Nimbul was hiding under one of the beds, and the rest of the party exited the room. Upon opening the chest, Gaspar was blown back by the force of the Fireball trap. He and Nimbul were badly damaged in the explosion, and the house was set on fire. The only surviving item from the blast was a scroll case made of bone. The party dragged the bodies of the orcs into the burning house, and then climbed over the rubble opposite the house, just as the lead orcs from the castle came around the corner. The gates of the castle were still opened, and it was decided to use the wand of invisibility to aid the group in sneaking into the castle at this time, seeing as the fire created a distraction.

Each party member received 325 Experience Points.

From the house the group looted 1 short bow, 20 arrows, 1 short sword, 1 great axe, 1 long sword, 3 cloaks (one definitely magical), 7 potion bottles, and two scroll cases. And 1 cross bow, as Kitiara reminded me.

As the party heads toward the castle gates, they notice that is is begining to get dark, and the green flame over Iris is more noticeable.

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited October 11, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited October 16, 2001).]

ooc - This is the second time I've been labled as "Comic Relief" in this game! Not sure if I like that. :grin: :spin:

ic ----

Sulking invisible through the ruins sat heavily on Mathetais' shoulders, but sometimes discretion is the better part of valor ....

Their recent victory over the patrol was stirring ... but the numbers in the castle would be more overwhelming ....

Looking at the green flame hovering over Iris with annoyance, he wondered again about the wisdom of bringing the cursed jar along on the quest. Maybe they should leave it in the hands of the kobalds, or destroy it ...

As the castle got darker, Iris got more nervous. The jar was twice as bright as it was out in the open.

Ooc: I'm going to cast Identify on the cloak.

Serena grew more and more nervous as the darkness enveloped the group. ‘Is there
anyway to stop that flame from being seen?’ she thinks to herself. ‘I wonder what awaits us
inside the castle’

Identified Cloak: It is a Cloak of the Elvenkind, +10 bonus to Hide Checks.

I believe we are faced with a choice...

We must either use stealth, deception or force to get through the castle.

We might be able to walk through the castle disguised as drow and sucessfully carry the jar, masking it as an artifact or such. There is a chance of failure.

We might be able to sneak through the castle using Nimbul's guidance and the wand of invisibility. However, the jar would give us away and we would have to leave it behind.

The desciding factor is unknown ... how important is the jar? What evil could occur if we left it behind and it fell into the hands of the drow in this cavern?

I am open to suggestions. Personally, I loathe either stealth or deception ... but I see the need.

Nimbul wiped the soot from his face after his near immolation and contemplated his companion's words. "Stealth AND disguise seem to be in order here. Our foe has superior numbers, that we couldn't defeat in a battle without help.

If it is possible for us to gain entry while the castle's troops are investigating our our, um, er, careful inspection of the drow hideout," Nimbul added with a wink and a grin. "We might be able to lock out our would be captors, and find out who commands this band of orcs..."

As for the jar, I do not think we should abandon it for some creature to chance upon it, and possibly unleash the power within. We should keep it with us until we have an opportunity to discern its' nature.

Perhaps I am overthinking this. I agree that we should rush to the castle and seek to lock out as many of the orcs as possible.

As for the jar, we should descide if it is worth sacrificing our lives for. If faced between revealing our location and being forced to destroy (or loose) the jar, we need to have a plan.


ooc - Right now, wouldn't you love to save the game, open the jar to find out what happens, and then reload it after Azmodus and 28 Pitfinds appear and rip us to shreds!!! Then ... reload and move on! ;) :spin: :roll:

[This message has been edited by Mathetais (edited October 15, 2001).]

Kitiara glances at the others breifly before stating the fairly obvious. "We will be using the wand of invisibility, it is fairly possible that the green flame will be invisible also." Lifting her robes, she starts to pick her way through the rubble towards the open gates. "We should hurry, who knows how long these gates will remain open!"

ooc: We should have me use the wand as i am the highest level and hopefully this will make the spell last longer.

ooc: Plus, you have the hottest avatar! Well, maybe Mathetais has the "hottest" avatar...But your's is pretty hot! :grin: :spin: :roll:

The paladin watches the female elf pick her way through the rubble towards the gates and sighs. The mutters to himself, "The only thing obvious is that we are in over our heads here and need to guard every step."

ooc- I was under the impression that we had used the wand, as Baldak's post said, "it was decided to use the wand of invisibility to aid the group in sneaking into the castle at this time" ... after that post, the powerful DM points out, "As the party heads toward the castle gates, they notice that is is begining to get dark, and the green flame over Iris is more noticeable." This led me to believe that even invisible, the green flame was a danger to the party. Baldak, please correct me if I am wrong.

ooc: that sounds right to me...

ooc: well nimbul is not a magic user and is in possesion of the wand. As far as i know a magic user must use the wand, and it is a spell that must be cast.We also agreed to use it closer to the gates. Plus i know because of my Arcane Knowledge that it is possible to use the wand and have the green flame also be invisible. note possible!.

ooc: I noticed that too but since nobody else had seemed to notice.... And also, has *NO ONE* read my post on the cloak?!

ooc - I read the post on the cloak ... I think it should go to Nimbul or one of the sorceresses. I don't need the help with stealth as my personal goal in life is to get a suit of full plate mail .... I'm gonna be as stealthy as a happy kobald with a set of tin pans!!!!

ic - "Foresooth"

ooc yes i read the post on the cloak, if there are more then one that wish to use it why dont we roll for it :) Highest roll wins? just an idea anyhow.

[This message has been edited by Kitiara (edited October 16, 2001).]

OK, to clarify a few things, It was decided that the Wand of Invisibility was going to be used, but the party was going to use it when a little closer to the gates so as to gain the maximum benefit.
As for the time the invisibility will last, it does not matter who uses the wand, the duration of the spell cast from a wand is determined by the caster who made the wand.
Finally, Nimbul has the "Use Magical Device" Skill and could therefore attempt to use the wand, he may just not be successful.

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited October 16, 2001).]

ooc: My hide is +10 already, so if you want someone else to have it, otherwise I'll be +20. I would like to get the shortsword and bow ID sometime soon...It would be nice to know what they can do.

As for the wand, I can use it...But the duration would be based on the wizard that made it...But I'm fine with you carrying it around Kitty. ;)

Let's hide the green flame, go invisible, lock the gate, and get medieval on whoever's inside...

I also didn't see Baldak's or Kit's last post before I posted my babble.

IC: Like Mathetais said...

[This message has been edited by Sir Belisarius (edited October 16, 2001).]

Kitiara looks behind her as she travels through the rubble heading for the gates. Noticing that the party are still standing around talking she sighs "We must get going!"

She looks down at Jager and shakes her head. Heading back to the group, she mutters to herself "The blasted gates will be closed if we all stand around and discuss things"

"Well Nimbul shall we use that wand now and get this group into the castle?"

ooc: ok post who wants to use the cloak and we figure out from there. Also, Baldak i think your missing the crossbow we also found in the house. We need to divey up these goods fairly i suppose...lol

ooc- Kit, no one said we were all standing around. The conversation of the above posts would take about 15 seconds real time ... so don't get your knickers in a knot ;) Besides, we can't do anything inside the gates until the next session, so we have another whole day to make sure we are all crystal clear on the plan for the coming encounter.

still ooc, but this is the sort of thing my character would discuss while we are collecting the loot from the orcs ...
... if we get ambushed moving into the castle or still in the ruins, I suggest we stand our ground and hold to some sort of formation. I have a few tanglefoot bags, and I don't know if Kit or Shadow have area effect spells, but they will soon. Our current habit of rushing the biggest bad guy immediately is fun, but not always the best use of our talents. This will be the case especially if we get caught entering the castle. The natural bottleneck there would be a good place to contain the superior numbers of our enemies . . . etc, etc, enough paladin-like blabbering . . . by this time you'd probabaly have tuned me out ;)

ic- Mathetais moved as quietly as his armor would allow him and took his position near the front of the party. His sharp eyes scanned the rubble for any signs of movement and his mind lifted a prayer to Corellion Lanethon for protection and guidance.

ooc: Nimbul: cloak, Kit: wand.

ic: Iris mutters under her breath, "why don't we get this blasted jar off me". Iris walks towards Kitiara and Mathetais anyways, hoping that they would get the jar off her.

ooc: Sounds good to me...Unless someone else wants the cloak, I'll take it...+20 to Hide would make me a pretty good scout!

ic: Nimbul flips the wand to Kitiara..."There you go lass! Now let's keep to the shadows for a bit, and get the drop on these beasties!" he said with a wink.

ooc - Shadow, how did they put the jar on you. I'd be happy to carry it. I think I have the best AC in the group, so if the green flame makes the carrier a target, it might as well be me.

So that we're agreed ... we are getting as close to the castle in the ruins as possible. Then we are casting invisibility from the wand and rushing through the gates. We will then close them, I recommend Gaspar to do the closing w/ me as back up and the rest guarding. Once secured inside, we will explore the castle.

Kit or Shadow (or Serena) - do you have a wizard lock spell or the equivalent? If not, maybe Nimbul can arrange some sort of trap or alarm on the gates so that we can know if they've been opened once we are inside.

See you all this evening.

IC - "Gently"

Math, the "Jar" was placed inside a backpack using the pole and noose trick. Shadow just volunteered to carry it. It could be carried by anyone in this manner.

ooc- Thank you Mighty One!

IC - As the compainions darted from shadow to shadow, Mathetais drew next to Iris. He caught her eye and whispered in elvin, "Allow me to ease your burden. Your magic is needed in this campaign and I cannot allow you to be chosen as a target because of this cursed jar. It would be my privilige to carry it for you."

Seeing the agreement in her eyes, he waited until the next time they paused before dashing across a vacant street. As the rest of the party scanned the street for any signs of movement he slipped the back from Iris's slender sholders, adjusted the straps, and slung it onto his own back.

Looking to the rest of the group, he nodded that he was ready, clenched his sword a tad more firmly, and rushed to the next place of cover.

"Ahh the noble paladin...You're my hero!" smirked Nimbul as he batted his eyes sheepishly and ended with his trademark wink. "Our first task should be to close the gates behind us when we get inside the castle...Are we ready?"

ooc: YeeeHa! Let's Roll! :grin:
P.S. Sorry Math, as usual, I just love havin' fun with ya! Did we bring any marshmallows? 'Cause I think things are about to get hot! :flaming:

ooc: Mathetais, when did you get *my* consent to take the jar from me?!?!?! No matter, you can carry it anyways.

ic: Iris let out a very quiet sigh of relief as Mathetais took the burden from her. Such a brave and proud paladin Mathetais was!

ooc- Shadow, quoting you ... "Iris mutters under her breath, "why don't we get this blasted jar off me"." I took that to mean that you are sick of carrying it.

Whatever you want, I'm just trying to be helpful :grin:

Tonight, we shall conquer!!!