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Post by dragonforgotten on Jun 6, 2019 11:57:42 GMT -5
We tempt fate once again by camping out in the hud of slaver activity. They are going to mobilize while we sit on our hands and we may not have an exit this time. But once again ignored, underappericated by everyone except my wife. AT least she appreciates me. Go check for traps Jaris. Go open the door Jaris. Go check the end of the hall Jaris. No thank you for the lovable rogue. Im getting dramatic now, sulking invisible under the desk. Thanks Nylen. Avelin head peeks under the desk and she pokes me with her bow and i guffaw when she gets me in the ribs where it tickles. "There you are mr grumpy boots. Scooch over." she then wiggles in next to me almost taking my eye out with her bow. She sits with me in silence for a few minutes as we listen to everyone mill about the room. then she speaks up "He's right you know. It's better in this room than in a cramped stair case." I grumble, annoyed but she wraps her arms around me anyway. "No one listens to me." "its not a contest. Sometimes Nylen has some good points, sometimes you do , sometimes other people do, and sometimes i do." I sigh, she's right. She's always right. "You know i'll always listen to you and I'll tell you when you'r wrong." "ya." "You ready to stop acting like a kid and come out from under the desk. My legs are falling asleep in the shin guards." "yes." I reappear and she wraps her arms around my neck " It was a trick all along! Now it's easier to catch you." I chuckle as we both get out from under the desk with her on my back before i remember how heavy her armor is and bellyflop to the ground as she crawls off my poor back. Everyone is ready to go but Nylen uses his sword to check beyond the door. It's a party out there and not the good kind. A lot of slaves lined up in front of the door, orcs and then some Antmen. this looks like a hostage situation. there using the slaves as meat sheilds those b******ds. We leave the way we came hoping to catch them off guard from the behind. I scout with Nyleen invisible when the read forks. I let Nylen pick a way as i hang back and whisper the direction to the rest of the group and resume formation. A head the room opens up into a hall filled with cages filled with humans, three people walking and a ton of orcs walking past the cages. the three are, a warrior woman, a wizard, and a rich pig faced man who's running his grimy hands along the bars checking out a slave woman. Gross. I report what i find and the plan is set in motion. We strike with such force they don't know what hit them. Elmarth cast web, Hans casted hold person and that was all they wrote. We found more documents on the sniveling fat cat as i start freeing slaves which became easier when Nylen tosses me a key. They are very grateful for their freedom but there wills are too broken to fight so we point them to the exit and they depart, except one. This huge man, Sean, wants to fight with us and i'm all like great. The more muscle the better till he asks who he wants to accompany him. Aevlin eyes him for a second till our resident dwarf cleric offers himself as his leader and i cant be more grateful. He's introduced to all of us except invisible me. Everyones joking about Aevlins imaginary husband and i honestly get so worried about Sean taking this joke seriously so i finally speak up to avoid confusion. I open the doors to the next room to find a empty torture chamber with kegs of wine, Avelin eyes light up with excitement and so am i as i linger near the kegs but then Sean saddles along, lays under the tap on one and just let's it flow into his mouth as Aevlin lets the tap flow... I wanted to do that..Thats our thing. Sea wonders away and i tap her on the shoulder while she's in the middle filling a waterskin with wine. "umm, Aevlin. can i. well i mean. you know. what i want to say is-" "Jaris, did you check the doors?" Shouts Nylen. Great timing Nylen. Great f***ing timing. I do the thing and report but as i am working on the next door i hear Sean talking to my wife and my blood boils. A few quiet loose threats snake out. Not serious ones but i think i got my point across. "Is he always that dramatic?" Sean mentions to her. Oh, i can be if you'r going to keep hitting on my wife and hog the booze. ---------------
I check up the stairs when i notice something on the stairs. theres this green s*** on the steps so i side step it. Theres the hallway and the doors so i check the door and cringe as it creaks loudly. The creak alerts the aspis on the other side and i hold my breath, inches from it as its entennia prob blindly for what opened the door. I glance in and see the slaves in front of a contraption. the thing stands there for an uncomfortably long time before closing the door. I gasp taking in air as relief floods my body. I report back about one aspis bellow, two aspis guard in the next room and the one in the door. Aevlin makes alittle display for the plan as we watch and then Sean opens his trap. "I didn't know we had a general!" Says Sean, and it is clear this time he is checking her out as his eyes roam her face. I grind my teeth but say nothing, the bones in my knuckles popping from the force of my fist. The one bellow is killed quickly through death by many arrows. Nylen and Aevlin, invisible thanks to the invisibility potion as i position myself in front of the door containing the slaves. I wait, wait. My stomach drops as i hear Nylen scream and the trapdoor in the next room close. S*** he fell in. The clanging and grinding of gears echo through the door next to me and as i get read to go in and finish it off Elmarth and Gardrodq come gallivanting up the stairs into the room, ruinning my plan. I go in just in time to see one slave attempt to strangle her captor before being turned into a clown fish my Elmarth. Granny would be proud of her. I take a causal stab at the fish and its dead. there is much cheering and I hear the tail end of "FOR NYROND!" echo through the hallway. thats my wife. I cant see it but its her being a bad**** as normal and i couldn't be prouder. I roll my eyes as i watch Sean hitting on the girl who tried strangling the Aspis. Shes not interested. I tell the brave ex slave before she has a future as a theif but she just wants to go home. Far enough. They tell us that the other slaves we saw in a lineup were probably a caravan shipment, and they would be long gone. Thats ashame but we do know where their next stop is. We can stop them once we clean up this place of any strangulars. -------------------------
I cant ignore this any longer. I approach Sean but i try to be civil. I am not a petty a*****. I will sort this out like an adult instead of reducing myself to petty posturing. "Ok look. I was out of line threatening you before but now it ends. Stop hitting on my wife or there will be problems. "Or what?" "Thats my wife!" "I don't see a ring, little man." Sean smirks and it strikes deep and hard and theres a sick sense of anger and loathing in me. She gave them to me because I'm frail and weak in a straight fight. Im her shadow. NOT him. I start puffing up in rage as the pain stings. Am i just going to stand there and let him question me like this!? Let's see how he deals with a giant. I have my hand on my rings and one on my cloak but before i can take them off I think about Aevlin and how disappointed shed be in me for picking fights like this over such a petty argument. I visibly deflate, giving up on the idea. suddenly i feel her hand on my shoulder and she pulls me to the side while everyone is shifting through the rust and the rags. "Jaris, you have nothing to worry about. I love you. I really love you. Let's focus on what's important. Like the fact that I kicked an aspis to its death. I looked awesome. Your wife is a badass Jaris-" I stops her with a kiss. Thank you Aevlin for stopping me from being a petty a***** before i did something stupid. The group roll their eyes and continue searching as they groan. I blush sheepishly. We should probably ton it down for when where alone. I think the group has reached its quota of us time for today. But for this moment who cares. "Yes, you are. I'm very proud." I look into her eyes guilty. "Sorry for getting jelouse. I'll try better." she ruins my perfectly styled hair before also searching the room. I pull my hood back up and vanish checking the door. I don't hear or find anything so i open the door. It's a river of sewage and across from that are two orcs with spears. I cant close the door without raising suspioson now so i slide next to Nylen and whisper. "There two orcs across the river of s****." and then take my spot next to Aevlin. Nylen steps into the door frame and the cry of alarm go out.
Jaris Jörmungandr- Red Baron of Dramatics
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Post by Chris on Jun 12, 2019 13:16:27 GMT -5
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Post by Aileen on Jun 14, 2019 13:43:05 GMT -5
Jaris is going to kill Sean. He is insanely jealous, for no good reason. It probably doesn't help that Sean finds it hilarious to push his buttons and continues to flirt with me, but Jaris has nothing to worry about.
I had to sit out a fight against some orcs and a witch doctor. All this fighting and shooting has given me an insane arm cramp. At least that is what I told everyone. Truthfully, I had too much wine and am too tipsy to fight. To be fair, nobody stopped me from trying the wine, and I had to out drink Sean.
Elmarth and Ceyleen take the brave sacrifice of going in to fireball 29 orcs. There is a risk that they could get caught up in the blast or killed by any surviving orcs. Ceyleen hands me Patrick Sprayzee and Philip Seymour Squawkman. I'm a bit concerned that they could turn on me if Ceyleen dies, but we will burn that bridge when we come to it.
There is a blast, and the two of them come tearing back into the room. Behind them come a couple orcs and two big and angry ogres. Poor Elmarth gets attacked and goes down, so I jump in and take his place. It's a maddening exchange of blows, and I keep hacking away with my sword. I prefer shooting with my bow, but I'm finding that I've gotten better with a sword as of late. It's not long before our enemies are defeated.
We loot the corpses, and I am given gold to put in the bag of holding. The second I pour it in, there is a horrible splitting and tearing sound. Everything in the bag suddenly goes flying out, wine spilling all over the ground as coins clatter everywhere. Everyone turns to me, and I suddenly feel like the biggest loser in all of Greyhawk. I just destroyed the bag of holding!
"I'm sorry! I didn't know... I didn't count it right!"
Jaris sighs. Theres no time for anyone to rip me a new one as fourteen giant rats attack!
"These rats carry disease!" Instructs Ceyleen. "Try not to get bitten!"
Ceyleen promptly gets bit.
Nylen and I are a frenzy of swords, and we let the others get some kills too. Soon the room is covered in rat corpses along with the spilled wine and coins.
"Impressive swordsmanship, Aevlin," Sean says, siddling up to me. "You know your way around a blade."
He winks. Jaris suddenly grows, becoming a giant Jaris. I stumble back, alarmed at the size of my husband.
"Get. Away. From. My. WIFE!"
Sean looks a bit alarmed.
"Aevlin, your husband got fat!"
Well. Definitely looks like Sean is going to die.
"He doesn't need to enlarge to be bigger than you, Sean."
>>-----> Aevlin Baumann-Jörmungandr <-----<<
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Post by dragonforgotten on Jun 15, 2019 0:38:42 GMT -5
Nylen begins the attack. There was talk of infiltrating but that seems to have through out the window. Would have preferred that then fighting in a bottle neck. It is then I catch Aevlin suddenly clutching her arm. I rush to side. "Whats wrong?!" I ask, worried, flustered. She grimaces looking into my eyes with a pained smile. "Must have pulled a muscle. Should have stretched this morning." I chuckle knowing the real reason. Still cant hold her liquor. I lead her onto one of the walls in sight of the doorway were everyone mobilizes to attack. I help sit her down against the wall on one of the rags. "Why don't you rest here and get comfortable. I'll take over the shooting for once." "Make sure you kill one for me." "I will." my hand linger in hers, my other brushing hair out of her face till Nylen starts screaming at me to join him. I scurry over. There are three that have come out of three tunnels from across the river of s***. They pepper everyone with arrows. "Jaris, go walk down the gang way to that tunnel." Shouted Hans as he points to the other side to that narrow tunnel next to the baraccade where i see the orcs. "Your kidding right? If we were not in the middle of a battle yes but now no. I'll only get in the way." Hans huffs, the stress is getting to him but i wont put myself in meaningless danger if i don't have to. I slide up next to Nylen as he fire an arrow into the orcs. We watch our Cayleen, faviort dwarf cleric, the ranger and the new fighter we freed charge along the gang plank, trapped back to back and we watch the orcs beyond the barricade spear Cayleen but she still attacks with the ferocity of a croc. Suddenly we begin to hear chanting coming from across the river, enpowering the orcs as we grow weak. She puts up a good fight till the orcs sling s*** onto them. The ranger and the fighter gets violently sick but Cayleen pushes on. She does her best but then drops. Fighting in a bottle neck is a bad idea. I take aim at the three orcs across the fiver. As promised i shoot an orc right between the eyes kill him instantly as he tumbles into the s*** just as Elmarth casts a spell on the other orc and he starts talking. "Watch out friend! There going to kill you!" "Dont worry! Im a double agent!" "BUt cant they hear you!?" "No, i cast a spell to obscure my words!" "Oh good!" I guffaw, vanishing. "The sneaky one is gone! Be careful!" "Its ok! I have wizard eyes that can see him. "Oh good. You'r very strong." "By the way, who's that chanting." "Thats just the witch doctor. He's very strong." He then blabs about where he is and i begin to climb along the walls. If witchdoctor wont come out. I'll just come to him. Just as i touch down to the first tunnel i hear Elmarth. "Watch out! He's right behind you!" Afraid the orc drops to the ground covering his head as i begin to make my way to the witchdoctor. Good thing all these caves connect. By the time i make it to his location the Orc i spent all this time reaching is dead, an arrow in an eye. Great. All that for nothing. I glance back at the door and i can once again see Sean flirting with my wife, Aevlin looks annoyed but is talking to him in a polite tone, not buying any of his c***... Here we are dying and he's hitting on my wife while i do my job. F**** him. I know Aevlin and she knows me. I wont put anymore energy feeling petty but if he steps it up i wont allow it. Thanks to Hans, Nylen and everyone the orcs begin to retreat and i watch them drag Elmarths new friend into the caverns depths kicking, crying and screaming. The group almost leaves me behind but after much scurrying and climbing i make as they begin walking down the short tunnel. the room only contains a few planks and a good sized stone chest. After checking that s*** out we found 1,000 in gold but cant carry it yet since we need to grab Aevlin. Hans goes to get her as I start scouting the next tunnel. I nearly have an anerism at what i find. A room of over 29 Orcs. Maybe even more since the heat of the fire blurs some together. Nope. nope, nope, nope. We cant fight this many guys. I return and tell them. More squabbling happens till Elmarth steps forward. "Im going to cast fireball into that room." "No, we shouldn't pick a fight we cant win. I don't want to put you in unnecessary danger." I voice. "Its a good strategy. We'll have to deal with them eventual. It's worth the risk." he says. Cayleen steps forward. "Im coming. I'll fix you up if you go down." Nylen throws his thoughts in. It's seems i am very out voted. ugh. "As soon as you do it run right back." Nylen advices as the crazy pair strip themselves to only their basics and go into the tunnel. It is then i spy Aevlin slide in next to me as Cayleen dumps her animals on her. "Whats going on?" "Something stupid." And then i return to being unseen. I feel comfortable this way. We hear the shoats of Orc warriors, then the roar and heat of the flames. Everything is eerily quiet. I don't like this. As i begin to feel we have killed our wizard and druid pair the sounds of feet echo down the tunnel. They run past us screaming as 3 Orcs and 2 Orgers. Yikes! I didnt see those guys. The flames must have obscured them. S***! Just as Elmarth passes the thresh hold an arrow perices the poor cripsed wizard in his shoulder and he drops and another one flies to strike the ranger hard. I whip around to see Nylen prepping another arrow! "For gods sake man, stop! Your killing us more than the Orgers will!" he stops, the Orcs freeze but theres still orgers. The orger towers above all of us. They attack but cant touch us. I see a obortunity so i sever the tendons in his right leg as he falls to his knees. I vanish again waiting for another opening. I catch it when The Orger roars, Graug strikes with his tazer wand and it twitches annoyed than in pain. Everyone hacks away at it till it lungs at Nylen. There it is! I jump on the big B****** back and cut open his throat. He gurgles and slams to the ground as everyone else take down the next one. The orcs went down quick thanks to Hans and his hold persons. Still gasping for air i stand victorious ontop of the dead brute arms raised. "You see that Sean! Thats how you kill a monster!" He just rolls his eyes muttering that he's taken down bigger. "Wait till we run into the next one, little man." Again with the short comments. "Not as amazing as this man killing 29 ORCS!" Shouts Cayleen pointing at the wizard. "That man is a weapon of mass destruction. He is Awesome!" Suddenly a terrible ripping sound echos in the room. I find the source of the sound to see Aevlin, eye wide holding a very broken bag of holding and a large pile of money, booze, and stuff. There was a lot of stuff. She's getting all frantic as now we have a problem on our hands. "I'm sorry! I didn't know... I didn't count it right!" I sigh, i hate seeing her like this. I make myself visible, place a hand on her shoulder. She turns to me as i cup my hands around her face to look at me in the eyes, stopping her panic. "Well make do." She smiles at me with a guilty look on her face. suddenly the giant rats come. They swarm into the room on there clawed feet. All 15 of them. "These rats carry disease!" Instructs Ceyleen. "Try not to get bitten!" Ceyleen promptly gets bit. I stand by Aevlins side and we begin to decimate them. Sean wiffs his hit and i smirk alittle bit invisible. "Wheres the weasely one?" he asks. Is he talking about me? So I'm a weasel now? I'll take that as a complament considering those giant weasel nearly killed us a few rooms ago. I kill a rat and reappear. "You talking about me?" "Ah there he is. Thought you'd run off." Im not going to respond to that. He's just trying to get under my skin now.. The floor is filled with corpses and blood. "That was tedious." "Not as amazing as THIS man killing 29 Orcs!" Nylen clap my hands bring our attention back to him. "Now we should figure out what to do with this mess on our hands before more show up." I remember something and start digging through my bag. "Well, i do got this large sack here." I say pull out said empty sack and everyone starts chuckling. I walked right into that one. I catch Aevlin laughing and i can feel a smile pull at the corner of my lips knowing My slip up cheered her up. "Impressive swordsmanship, Aevlin," Sean says, saddling up to her and the smiles gone now. "You know your way around a blade." He winks, subtly placing an arm near her till she steps away. I try to ignore it, fighting down the burning in my chest. "Great. Sean would you help us carry some of this then." "Naw, I'll just carry Aevlin instead." Getting closer to her again. Im boiling inside, my skin feels hot and sparks start going off in my head. I glaring daggers at that man, ignoring the sensations of my bones stretching as i take a step forward. "Want to try." I then crack my knuckles, when did my voice get so deep? When did everyone else get so short? "Now. Get. Away. From. My. Wife." I practically growl, making a good impression of an orger. Sean looks a bit alarmed but remains unfazed. She stumble back, definitely shocked. It then dawns on me that it happened again. Ive turned into a giant. Everyone is not surprised by what there seeing except Avelin. Thats right, she didn't see it last time. Good thing to considering how i ended up. She stares up at me having to crane her neck like she did for the orgers, her eyes wide in surprise. I didn't think i would do this again, not after what happened last time. "Aevlin, your husband got fat!" Sean comments. Oh, so I'm fat now anit I!? "He doesn't need to enlarge to be bigger than you, Sean." She snips staring back at me. Im not sure what that means. She places a hand on my leg and i have to crouch in order to look her at eye level. "So this is what you did back then?" "Ya, wasn't planning on it now though. I guess i got carried away." "Does it hurt?" "Lets just say it's uncomfortable. Just one of my weird talents. I didn't use to be this tall though. I think the more powerful i get the bigger i expand." I rub the back of my neck embrassed. Such a terrible ability for one who skulks the darkness. Hard to skulk when you now 10.5 ft tall. "Its amazing. do you get stronger as well?" I glance at my larger muscles, then scooper her up in my arms effortlessly without any sign of struggling along with the stone chest. "Indeed i do." "Great! just curious though, do you know how to change back?" "Nope, i died before figuring that part out. Im going to hope it wares off." I glance at Cayleen. "Its still not amazing as that man killing 29 orcs." she says. I chuckle. "yes, Cayleen, Elmarth is still amazing for massacring those Orcs." We then proceeds to march back to the room to hopefully rest as Aevlin wraps her arms around my neck.
-Jaris Jörmungandr- Red Baron
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Post by Chris on Jun 19, 2019 12:26:56 GMT -5
Missed treasure from A1 (these old adventurers are set up to reward exploration)
7x 500gp gems potion of fire resistance 1,360gp 5x 1,000gp gem 3x 50gp gem ring of spell storing (friends, shatter, jump) 2,180cp 1,000ep gauntlets of dexterity 2 x +1 short swords 500gp ring ring of protection +1 +1 mace potion of speed stone of diminution 1,000gp jeweled dagger 500gp gem 2x 100gp gem +1 cloak of protection potion of healing scroll of protection from petrification 300pp 10gp gem 3x 200gp gem oil of slipperiness +1 dagger/ +2 vs magic-users and enchanted creatures
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Post by dragonforgotten on Jun 25, 2019 15:01:35 GMT -5
Despite my warning Sean is still Sean and nothing seems to shake this man. All the cleris went missing through this exchange. I heard mentions of securing ground zero before we tried to short rest back in the other room. We were stopped by an Asper guard but he was no problem. The rest was over quickly thanks to stikes nailing the door shut and with our hopes renewed we explored ground zero. There is nothing back ashes and the curled blackened figures on the ground Elmarth look very guilty but i tell him that it was either us for them. He saved our skins. Invisible i follow the trail the Orgers emerged from and spy a chest. Once everyone in the room i go my job. I go through the proceedings of checking for traps. "Are you done yet?" "NO! Be patient you'r being a distraction!" i turn back to my work and begin picking the lock but something clicks and i see something glow. OH S***! Lightening runs through my veins and its over just like that. I try to move but i cant! I CANT MOVE! "Whats taking so long?" I cant even speak, my jaws clamped shut. The half orc then pushes me to the side and its obvious somethings wrong with me when i fall over still trapped in my body. "Jaris whats wrong?!" she picks me up again and only my eyes can move as she tries to shake me out of it. I want so badly to tell her i'm fine but i cant even lift a pinky finger. The rest of the gang, led by Sean but excluding Cayleen, Nylen, and Aevlin, take my suffering as a time to mess with me. They start trying to move my arms and legs into different poses as they groan and pop in protest. Avelin loses it on them. "Will you all stop! Cant you see he's suffering!" She then rearranges my limbs so i can lay down on my back, pulls the tools out of my stiff hands and back into their little leather case. "Maybe this is only temporary. Let's wait an hour and se what happen?" Said Nylen as everyone finds a spot to get comfortable. Aevlin pulls me onto her lap and strokes me hair. "Don't worry, Hans will fix you when he come back." My eyes dart up to look at her face. Suddenly eveyone jumps up and starts fighting as the familiar hissing and snarl of a weasel rings in my ears. Just as quick it is over as i hear Cayleen. "Don't worry, we'll be friends now. I just need an hour." she did always say she wanted one good for her. I spy Aevlin trying to come over to me till she's distracted by Nylen. Then Sean, bloody Sean of all people takes his window of opportunity to face me towards a wall. F****er! I catch Cayleen glaring dagger at him before my vision to cut off. He's talking to Aevlin and i am boiling inside. I want to scream from frustrated. Ill f****ing cut his throat while he sleeps! Insectored screams then perice through the silence and another battle break out. I cant see!! What the hell is going on!! F***ing Sean!! My blood runs cold when I hear Nylen let out a pericing cry. It's a different cry of pain. This is a serious injury! What the F**** just happened! NLYEN! the battle progress tormently long but it ends and I'm left with baited breath if Ill see my friends or an enemy to come lop off my head. I sigh as i watch Aevlin turn me back away from the wall so I'm facing the entrance and my eyes go wide. I spot Nylen clutching the stump of his hand bow arm. S***.. It's been hours now and Im still not back to normal. Im getting scared and so is Aevlin but she's trying everything to keep me calm. Elmarth then Inspects the chest "This isnt good guys. Jaris triggered a magic gylph. He's going to be stuck like this unless he get a remove curse." I am panicking now, truely panicking as my eyes dart about the room as i try desperately to move. NO! I cant be stuck like this forever! No! Aevlin hugs "Well fix you! Dont panic." She's panicking now as well but she's trying gods D*** it. It's not long after i see the cleric back from their mission and they literaly drop everything there holding when they see the state of us. Hans doesn't even know who to attend to first. He goes to Nylen pale and shaky but theres nothing he can do for him. Aevlin then drags him to me and begins to work on me. It happens instantly and i curl up in on myself as the pins and needles of my sleeping nerve ending assault everypart of my body! I breath through my nose and look at Hans. "T-thanks." When i get up Aevlin tackles me in a death grip of a hug. "Im fine now. Its ok." I take in the situation and my stomach drops. Our odds are slim. Im not feeling confident now that Nylen has lost his hand. "We need to leave now. We cant help anyone else if were dead." No one fights me on this. We leave feeling dejected, unable to prob farther but still making off with some loot.
-Jaris Jörmungandr- Red Baron
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Post by Chris on Jun 26, 2019 13:18:34 GMT -5
Secret of the Slavers Stockade Overland from Highport Wandering Ogres Wandering Bugbears Hill Fort Curtain Wall - Second Floor West Walkway West Guard Post Room Over the gate (ape sounds from below) East Guard Post East Walkway (meet a Haunt and the run!) Stairs (traps) Outer Courtyard Drawbridge Tunnel Scent caught by 3 carnivorous apes! MVP Alexis Byrnes as Jaris our plays on rpggeek.com/plays/thing/47678?userid=1168080
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Post by Aileen on Jul 7, 2019 21:19:37 GMT -5
It seems I missed a lot while staying back on the boat with Gregolas and the puppy. Poor Josie ate something she shouldn't have on the trip here. I feel bad for not being able to join the party right away, but dogs and family come first. I'm glad that Jaris hasn't gotten himself killed, but I did show up just in time for him to have led three giant apes to the door I find the party at.
"They've got three attacks. Its brutal!" Jaris says. He doesn't sound good, but I can't see him when he's invisible. I can see bloody footprints, though.
"Welcome back, gorgeoush!" Sean says with a wink.
"Leave my wife alone, Sean."
I feel Jaris peck me on the cheek as he slips by. A drop of blood falls on my hand.
"Jaris, are you alright?"
"Fine!"
He is definitely not. Ah, well. The apes start banging on the door, and Ceyleen goes up and casts something. She starts speaking in a series of grunting noises, and the apes answer. Suddenly she waves at us, signaling a retreat. I head to the lower steps, drawing my bow back at Nylen's signal. Hans begins praying, and I feel a powerful force guiding my hand. As the door opens, and the apes begin pummeling poor Ceyleen, I find my opening. Hit, miss, and a killing hit. An ape goes down. Another drops, and Elmarth kills the last one. That wizard is getting more powerful every day!
The apes taken care of, I move to the back and find invisible Jaris. There's quite a bit of blood on the floor.
"Jaris, let me see you."
He reappears, and he is an absolute mess. Bloody gashes and bruises all over his body. He can barely open his eyes through the swelling.
"I'm alright!" He says through a mouthful of blood. "I could use a healing potion."
"I'm sure you are. Can someone please heal my husband?!"
Our wonderful clerics heal him up, and I can see that handsome face I fell in love with again.
"I'm sorry I led them back here. I thought I was going to die. I would have."
"Don't ever be sorry for keeping yourself alive. We handled them just fine."
We sneak through the courtyard in the dark, Jaris leading me through. There's a full moon but I would still probably walk into something if I didnt have a guide. Curse my human eyes. We come to a room full of tiny spiders, and thankfully Ceyleen says they're harmless. Jaris goes in. We hear him working on some locks, and he keeps swearing and groaning in displeasure. Suddenly there is the patter of feet behind us. I whip around, ready to fight.
"Who are you?!" Comes a scared female voice. Shes human like me, wielding a long sword. It doesn't look like she actually knows how to use it, and judging by her filthy clothes she is an escaped slave.
"We're heroes trying to stop the slavers," says Hans. "And you?
"Lady Morwen Elessar. Are any of you not filthy peasants?"
"I guess. I'm middle class." I say stupidly. Morwen scoffs at me. I turn to Jaris. "She looks like a dirty me, and shes the one judging class?"
Sean overhears me and laughs.
"Dirty Aevlin!"
"Sean, for the last time!!!" Jaris raises his voice.
Lady Morwen shrieks.
"Who was that?"
"My husband. He's invisible."
"He doesn't really exshist." Sean adds to Lady Morwen.
I ask her if shes seen my parents here while she was captive. She says she wouldn't know what they look like, but my mom looks like me and my dad has an unforgettable beard and beer gut. I guess it's a good thing if they're not here. Elmarth goes to do a spell, and the stupid woman shrieks and faints. When she comes to, she is under his charm and very amorous towards him. We tell her she needs to go upstairs from where we killed the apes.
Unfortunately, the door shut behind us. I kick it, but it won't budge. The sound of an ape coming causes me to turn around and shoot. I hit the smaller ape, and then Elmarth kills it. Sean whistles at me. Such a dog. Jaris is successful in opening the door with a dagger, and I'm ashamed my strength wasn't enough to budge it.
Once we hack up the ape carcasses, and deal with miss priss fainting and being disgusted by the sight, we leave her behind and move off to the main gate. Its moonlit, and smells like horse s*** and rotten vegetables. The portcullis is not down all the way, so we can sneak in fairly easily. Unfortunately there is a mud pit we need to cross to get there. As we begin to cross, a massive insectile creature bursts from the mud, towering seven feet above Ceyleen's head. It bites at her just as I loose an arrow. Unfortunately, I shoot Ceyleen right in the back.
"I'm sorry, Ceyleen!"
Oh gods, shes going to murder me. Sean spears the Ankheg in the larynx, and I shoot it. It falls dead with my arrow in its belly.
"Sean, I can't believe I'm saying this, but that was amazing!" Jaris exclaims.
"Who shaid that?"
I walk over to poor Ceyleen as she pulls my arrow out of her shoulderblade.
"I'm so sorry. I really am."
"Maybe if you learned to shoot that thing this wouldn't happen!" She scolds.
"I'm the best shot in all of Greyhawk. I can't always be perfect all the time!"
Jaris takes my hand and pulls me away from my angry friend. We move on to the stables. As we enter, two young hobgoblins jump in alarm. Nylen and I shoot them both dead in seconds. I feel a little bad about it, but we then see they had a gong behind the door... if they had raised an alarm we would have been screwed!
There are tons of horses and some oxen. Someone suggests we should get some horses ready in case we need to make a speedy retreat, and I spring into action. We had horses back home, and I have one now waiting with Gregolas. I find the tack room, and with Jaris's help get nine horses saddled up. Once we are done searching the place and getting our ponies, we cross the parade field. We don't get far.
"ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!"
One of the hobgoblins saw out shadows. Gods dammit! Up above we see a strange humanoid figure on all fours, leashed on a chain, making a horrible screaming sound. We make a run for it. That thing, although none of us know what it is, does not look like something we want to mess with.
We come into a courtyard with a fountain. Ivy walls, and lightning bugs. It's beautiful, and seems a bit out of place. As we bolt through, aiming for the double doors inside, we are intercepted by more apes! Ceyleen does another spell, and starts talking to them. One of the apes goes and opens the door for us, waving us in. What in Kord's name?!
"They are watching the door for us!" Ceyleen explains, running in behind us and closing the door.
Sean was injured, and the clerics and Ceyleen do some healing for him while he lies dramatically on the dusty stone floor.
"Before I die... I have one regret," he says, grabbing onto Hans's arm. "Tell Jaris... I'm better than him."
He is totally fine. Just an a**.
"You know, it's easy to make something look like an accident in town." Jaris says with a hint of a threat in his voice.
Jaris goes and checks the inside door, and opens it into a hall. There is a low rumbling growl, and suddenly a grizzly bear lunges out. I spring forward towards my husband, and the bear falls over. When my heart stops racing and my soul returns to my body, I go and look at it. Its stuffed, and on wheels. This was some kind of scare trap. It worked. Ceyleen, Jaris and I go look and there was a wooden ramp that it must have rolled down. Very clever, I like it. I go up into the room and see several casks, a chest and a small box.
"Um... Aev, they're all gone." Jaris says from behind.
"What?" I backtrack, and see that only Ceyleen and Jaris stand there. The others are actually gone!
"Where did they go!?" Ceyleen goes back the way we came, searching. "Elmarth?! Hans?! Nylen..."
I go back in the room, in need of a drink, and find the casks empty. What an abomination! The chest and the box look tempting.
"Jaris, can you open these?"
He is busy searching something along the track the bear came down.
"After we find our friends, dear."
"Yes, but I don't want to have to share what I find with all of them."
Jaris glares at me.
"Aevlin, focus."
I sigh.
"Okay. I'll open it myself."
Jaris growls, coming up and grabbing my face in his hands.
"I love you, but you're being a tad stupid right now." He says, putting his forehead against mine with a sigh. "You try to open something without me and you could get poisoned. I can't lose you. Let's go help Ceyleen."
I reluctantly go back down, and see Ceyleen has discovered a pit trap. The others dropped underneath, and the floor flipped back up. With a lot of struggle, and the loss of a table and an expansion by Jaris, we get everyone back up. Jaris finally opens the chest and the box, and all there is is fifty gold pieces. Not much, but at least we are all back together again!
I'm filled in on what else is here... potentially ghosts, certainly more apes, and now that creepy thing that was on the chain. I just want to free the slaves, find my family, and get out of here. Hopefully we can keep ourselves together through the rest of this massive fortress!
>>----> Aevlin Jörmungandr <----<<
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Post by dragonforgotten on Jul 9, 2019 11:49:27 GMT -5
We returned to town defeated but not dead. Nylen got a new hand and now wears the old one around his neck as a reminder. We're still alive, thats what matters. I take Aevlin through town, we have some downtime before we have to rush off again to chase down some slavers which means it's time for a second date. “Jaris, where are we going?” “It’s a surprise.” I whisper to her. She leans into me as we walk, hands intertwined. I steal a purse with my free hand as my other is wrapped around her waist pulling her close to me. The unlucky merchant didn’t notice a thing. She giggles as I lead her along the streets of the town. "When did you become such a rebel." She is right, i cant seem to help myself lately. "Beats me. Maybe because of you. I was just so damn depressed for a long time. You made me the person i am now" I reply cheekily throwing the coin purse over my shoulder as a mob clamors around the gold behind us. "We could have kept that." "True, but wheres the fun in that." I smirk. “Where are we going?” “Somewhere special.” We reach our destination as we walk through the streets out of town and to an aged garden frosted by snow and ice. The story goes a noble planted this garden for his beloved to impress her. Apparently it worked because it’s still here. We stop in front of an old crumbling stone building, a wall filled with frost blocks the way. “You wanted to show me a wall?” I chuckle as I shrug off my cloak, boots and my rings. “Not quite. Hold these for me.” He place them in her hands as I focus inwards. I can feel bones and muscles expand outward. "Thats still freaken cool." she comments. With new power I easily move the aged false wall. “Ladies first.” She does a mock curtesy and strides inside as I release my concentration and return to normal and follow her inside. Once I don my stuff back on I take her hand and l leader her inside. The tunnel is long and green but then it opens up to a small garden filled with roses despite the bitting frost outside. The air is warm as if by magic. Her jaw drops. “I found it while I was exploring. I fell through a hole in the ceiling there.” I pointed to a large whole in the foliage ceiling as light pours in. I take her to a small clearing, picking a flower and put it in her hair. We sit down besides each other finally just enjoying our company. We intertwine our hands again as I rub my thumb over her knuckles. A cool breeze blows through the air and I take in the scent of the winter roses. Eventually I sit up. She has her eyes close, a smile on her face. “I have something for you but you need to close your eyes.” She sits up folding her leg under her. “Ok but you'r being weird again.” I take her hands and place them over her eyes as I reach behind me. I then place a dragon tooth necklace around her neck. “Ok, you can open your eyes now!” She opens are eyes and then notices the ivory fang, a small dragon carved into the bone. On the other side is written ‘I walk with you in shadows’. She looks like she’s about to cry from joy. “Jaris. This is-!” She doesn’t finish it because she throws her self at me and begins breaking my ribs in a hug. “I had Greg help with the carving. Umm, can you ease up, can’t breath.” She releases me and I take a big gasp of air. “Sorry I took so long. My troupe believes in marriage bands but it’s not a physical representation like rings or gold. Those get lost or stolen and among thieves it’s a ill omen. I never thought I would get married so I never paid attention to give a sign of our bond.” I put a similar one around my neck of a black dragon carved into it on the back it says ‘I follow the possessor of my heart’. “Remember the dragon back in the swamp. I took pieces from it a long time ago but I never found a good use for them. I found a use for them.” She leans in close to me till our foreheads teach and our fingers weave together. We lean into each other. “I love it!”
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a week later ------------------
S***! S***! Im going to die! S***! Im clutching my torn up arm as i stumble and sprint for the door. Invisible but these beats can smell me! Ive been caught! I need to get back! Im going to die! Im almost there but i can feel the apes breath against my neck as my arm throbs. One swips across my back just as i make it to the door and slam it shut behind me with a furious string of curses as i slam the door behind me and fumble the lock. "Bloody animals! Those f***ers bit me! Savages! Those damn dirty apes! Oh hi honey." I feel the door shake behind me as those savages try to open it from the other side. Clever f***. I see my wife ready for battle and looking ready to go but her eyes dart to the floor where I'm standing. Im feeling a tad light headed. Don't go outside. Theres a pack of dirty man eating apes out there. They have sharp claws and fangs. Its brutal Don't let them grab you.." the group starts to gather near the door as i hobble away heart still thumping. "Welcome back, gorgeous!" Sean says with a wink. Really. Now. "Leave my wife alone, Sean." Im too tired to deal with his nonsense. I peck Aevlin on the cheek as I slips by. "Jaris, are you alright?" "Perfect! Just rosy!" I lean on the wall as i start climbing the stairs. She asks if i'm ok again? "Fine!" Im starting to get really light headed. I stumble on the stairs chuckling as i drag my self back up. "Meant to do that!" so when i reach the top of the stairs out of everyones way i lean against the wall and slide down. I watch the battle in a haze, the pain coming in numbing waves now that i am no longer running for my life. The battles over just like that. Im sitting on the floor when Aevlin comes over to me, her face unclear. "Jaris, let me see you." Oh right, I'm still invisible I reappear and the missing chunk in my arm becomes very apparent along with the bloody gashes and bruises all over my body along with the small pool of blood I'm sitting in. I can barely open my eyes. "oh," i can only say. Then my mind catches up with me. "I'm alright!" I says through a mouthful of blood. "I could use a healing potion." Avelin shakes her head, hands on her hips. "I'm sure you are. Can someone please heal my husband?!" The clerics heal me and i feel back to form again as my vision clears. It is then i realize i put everyone in danger by running back here. "I'm sorry I led them back here. I thought I was going to die. I would have." She bend downs and gives me a tight hug. "Don't ever be sorry for keeping yourself alive. We handled them just fine." I give her a pat smiling. That was too close. I was lucky to have gotten away. We sneak through the courtyard in the dark, I take Aevlins hand and lead the way for here. We come to a room full of tiny spiders, and thankfully Ceyleen informs me they're harmless. Last thing i need is to be poisoned by a spider the size of a pin. The lever to the gates is locked up tighter then a noblemans coffers. time to get to work. I unlock the first latch but then again and again The other locks don't budge. What the hells! Am i just that bad of a theif! I start muttering to myself getting more and more agitated with each failure. "Cant pick a damn lock. shameful." Suddenly there is the patter of feet behind us. I whip around, ready to fight. "Who are you?!" Comes a scared female voice. Shes human, wielding a long sword. It doesn't look like she actually knows how to use it, and judging by her filthy clothes she is an escaped slave. Third one today. "We're heroes trying to stop the slavers," says Hans. "And you? "Lady Morwen Elessar. Are any of you not filthy peasants?" Whats a bloody pissy noble woman doing here? I don't know how to answer that. I don't know my class. Im a far travler left at the door steps of my troupe with my brother before even learned our names. We liked to joke that were the b****** sons of some prissy nobleman or an elf queen that made a huge mistake and tried to hide it. Heck if i know. No one saw who left us there but it doesnt matter. The troupe is everyones family regardless of race or class. Bonded together by the arts and theivery, blessed by Oildammara and Jalas line luck. "I guess. I'm middle class." Avelin say. Morwen scoffs at her so Aevlin turn to me, or at least tries to. I lean into her ear whispering. "If it makes you feel better I'm the b****** son of an arch duke." "Really?!" "No." She chuckles. "She looks like a dirty me, and she's the one judging class?" Sean overhears her and laughs. "Dirty Aevlin!" I snap. "Sean, for the last time!!!" I shout, raising my voice. Lady Morwen shrieks. Gods lady don't scream in my ears! "Who was that?" "My husband. He's invisible." She looks around trying to find me. "He doesn't really exist." Sean adds to Lady Morwen. Ugh again with this s****! Avelin asks about her parents but she doesn't know anything about them. I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as sign of my support. We'll find them. My ears perk up when I hear that if we get her out of here shell reward us. I like the sound of that. Elmarth then starts casting a spell and the woman faints just from that. "What did you do?" i ask him. "We cant trust her so i charmed her." i look at him and glade I'm invisible dumfounded. I don't believe that for a second. "Thats a little creepy Elmarth, i have to say." I pray no one charms me or Aevlin. i would hurt so bad. She wakes up and immediately begins fawning over him. We don't have time for distractions so we try and drop her off at the ape room only to find it locked. Did someone lock it behind us? Aevlin tries busting it down to no success. Well, muscles wont work. Let's try our heads. "Let me have a go dear." I take out a dagger, slip it through the door and open the latch. As soon as the door opens the familiar hooting of apes enter my ears but just as i turn around its dead. I really hate those brutes. I get into an argument about resting. The sun is going to rise soon! We need to get in now or we'll be caught in broad daylight but im warnings fall on deaf ears and we rest among the dead apes. Graug tried cheering me up. He's such a great guy unlike his follower. I hope a little of him rubs off on Sean. We need to make pace so we leave miss high and rich in the room filled with chopped up ape and begin to try and cross the med. My hair ends up on the back of my neck when i feel the cold mud in my boots. Suddenly the mud erupts in front of where Cayleen is standing as this giant cockroach towers over all of us. HOLY S****! I don't like this thing, its f***ing huge! Im so stunned by its sudden appearance that everything happens so fast around me. Sean perices it right in the throat. Cayleen ends up getting pin cushioned by some of our fine sharp shooters. Everyone works together and as the beast curls back to shreik a loud dying wail its roar only comes out as a choking rattle as it sinks back into the mud. That thing could have woken up the entire fortress. I blink once and twice as the gravity of the crisis we could have met dawns on me. "Sean, I can't believe I'm saying this, but that was amazing!" I admit, humbled. Maybe he isn't that bad. "Who shaid that?" Just has to ruin a good moment. I catch Aevlin apologizing to Cayleen as we worry about Vinweasel as she pulls an arrows out of her shoulder blade and Vin. "I'm so sorry. I really am." "Maybe if you learned to shoot that thing this wouldn't happen!" She scolds. "I'm the best shot in all of Greyhawk. I can't always be perfect all the time!" I take her hand and pulls me away from our angry friend. She just needs to cool off, i know from experience. I cant count how many times i've tagged her with friendly fire. We make it to a door but find theirs no way for me to unlock a door with no locks or handles and decide the stables are better. Nylen the grabs my attention. "Jaris, i may need to borrow your ring and boots." "Umm, sure but you'r going to need to consult my wife about the ring. Also, let's see whats in here first." I really don't want to give them up. It allows me to fight at my full potential, I've also been shut down so often Im a little perturbed in leading him these items. We move on to the stables. As we enter, two young hobgoblins jump in alarm. Nylen and Avelin shoot them both dead in seconds. I let out an impressed whistle feeling a little sorry for the hobs, but then I see they had a gong behind the door and i don't feel as sorry. Avelin loses it when we see the horses, so cute. She once told me about her time as a farm girl in her youth while i was skulking alleyways and performing, now she gets to put it to use. We saddle up the horses for a quick mode of transport. By the time we exit the sun is peeking and theres a sinking feeling in my gut. No hiding now. "ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!" There it is. One of the hobgoblins saw our shadows. Up above we see a strange humanoid figure on all fours, leashed on a chain, making a horrible screaming sound. Many crossbows are trained on us. We make a run for it. That thing, although none of us know what it is, does not look like something we want to mess with though i do pity it. We reach the large doors when two more apes drop in front of us. Ceyleen casts her spell so while she's speaking ape i go to the door trying to unlock it but then two more jump next to me causing my to flinch and jam the lock. S***! The battle roars behind us are getting louder. Suddenly the apes open the door for us and usher us in. The f***?! "They are watching the door for us!" Ceyleen explains, running in behind us and closing the door. Sean was injured, and the clerics and Ceyleen do some healing for him while he lies dramatically on the dusty stone floor. "Before I die... I have one regret," he says, grabbing onto Hans's arm. "Tell Jaris... I'm better than him." I take back everything i said back at the mud pile. He's still an a***. "You know, it's easy to make something look like an accident in town." I remind him but he scuffs unaware that I'm in perfect striking distance to take his head but i am not an assassin and i don't kill people on such petty whims. He should thank his gods I'm not. we sprint down a corridor trying to get as much distance from the door as we can. I push by when we reach a door and i check it for traps. Don't find anything. Then Im pressured into opening it. The moment i do a bear comes charging at me!! I scream jumping out of the way as Aevlin tries to protect me. I have to regain my breathing when Aevlin checks on the fallen bear giving it a kick. "Its stuffed." my brows turn to a scowl. "Really!!" she laughs which loosens me up. I get up off my a*** and we start looking around in the room there was a wooden ramp that it must have rolled down. Very clever. Avelin gos into the room and see several casks, a chest and a small box. "Hey honey, theres casks in here!" "Ooo! Any filled ones!" "No! What a let down!" "Well s***! thats a shame isnt it Elmarth. Elmarth?" I turn back into the hallway and see no one! "Um... Aev, they're all gone." I call back into the room. "What?" she backtrack, theres only her Ceyleen and me. "Where did they go!?" Ceyleen goes back the way we came, searching. "Elmarth?! Hans?! Nylen..." I start pawing the floors and testing the leaver, trying to figure out what just happened to everyone. "Jaris, can you open these?" I look up to see Avelin near the chest, looking very antsy. "After we find our friends, dear." "Yes, but I don't want to have to share what I find with all of them." I glares at her. In the past i use to do that. It's a good way to get yourself killed. Once you break the trust of a group its near impossible to earn it back. "Aevlin, focus." She sighs. "Okay. I'll open it myself." I jump up from the floor faster then i can think, grabbing her face so she looks me dead in the eyes. "I love you, but you're being a tad stupid right now." I speak slowly, putting my forehead against hers with a sigh. In my mind I'm thinking back to all the times poisons have disabled or nearly killed me and I'm thankful she never has to experience it with me around. That was close. "You try to open something without me and you could get poisoned. I can't lose you. Let's go help Ceyleen." She nods smiling. I kiss her before leading her to Ceyleen, it seems she found them. There in a pit trap. We got almost everyone out except for Nylen and Hans. This is taking too long. I take off my magic items and place them in Avelin hands. I then expand feeling my new strength and easily able to lift them out with a bit of hassel with the trap itself. I drop my size and refit my stuff back on as i fill her in on everything that happened before i was mauled by the apes. "Now let's see what that chest has for us." I say finishing relaceing my boots. I do the basic trap procedure but it turns out theres nothing in it. the box though has 50 gold pieces. Despite her find she looks extremely disheartened. I wrap her up in a hug from behind. "Hey. we'll find something cooler ahead. No pouting." "Im worried about my parents. What if there-." put my head into the crook of her neck and stop her before she can finish. "Well find them. Don't worry."
-Jaris Jörmungandr- The Red Baron
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Post by Aileen on Jul 16, 2019 13:12:13 GMT -5
You know it's going to be a bad day when you open a door and there's mummies at the end of a hallway. It's even worse when you close the door, try and fail to kick down another one, and then get attacked by hyena people. Gnolls they are apparently called. They go down pretty easily, thankfully, and soon we find ourselves in a room full of ten dead ones.
Moving along we find a room with sleeping hobgoblins. Jaris shuts the door and moves on, but I want to kill them while they're sleeping like I did that time back in Darkshelf. It's kind of my signature move. I open the door, and they were faking all along! We kill all but one, who Ceyleen and Elmarth interrogate. We find out the leashed creatures are Boggles and will hunt us down if given our scent.
As they interrogate the Hobgoblin we are interrupted by the arrival of three huge snarling dogs.
"Hi, puppies!" I call.
They lunge at us. I can barely react before one of the war dogs is latched onto my leg, biting deep.
"BAD DOG!" I swing my sword but can't hit.
They go down fast, and we move on. I limp along with Hans, not understanding a word anyone else is saying to the Hobgoblin. The next room has a sleeping Hobgoblin that tries to reach for a cord. We kill him, and then raid his stuff. We also find a secret door, which I climb up out of impatience after checking a storeroom and not finding booze. I see guards and those Boggle things, but this is a way to access the roof. I think we are pretty trapped here.
We go back to contend with the mummies. They're not there when we enter the hallway, so we go further down. Suddenly the mirror on the wall behind us opens, and out come more Hobgoblins! I'm pelted with bullets fired from a sling, over and over again. After a fierce battle between us and the Hobgoblins, we finally defeat them. The mummies were just hobgoblins in bandages, and the hallway was an optical mirror illusion. This place is crazy! We are all pretty roughed up, and based on my sore and bloody leg I really need to get Josie in puppy training asap. A wardog would be cool, but this hurts!
~ Aevlin Jörmungand
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Post by dragonforgotten on Jul 16, 2019 23:40:49 GMT -5
Ive been off my game lately, i know i have it in me but every lock seems to remain shut to me or I break the lock forever keeping it shut. We had a close call when gnolls flooded the room while Avelin was trying to break down the door. It was a brutal and quick battle that resulted in the near death of Elmarth. I went ahead to scout and pick locks but the moment i start the process the lock still wont bloody open. You've got to be kidding me!! This frustration is very nostalgic for some reason. Im getting a wave of Deja vu. While i was picking the lock my muscles froze and i flinched, struggling to catch my breath. For one frightening moment i wasn't in the fortress, i was in a maze with a long needle perice through my palm and out the other side of my dominate hand. I almost could feel the pain and in an instance its gone and i f*** up the lock! It's just like what happened last time. It keeps repeating with each failure i have except with different scenarios. Have I've been in this situation before? No, i haven't. I don't even remember when i was in a maze. Avelin told me that i would mumble about a maze the first days i was recovering from my resurrection. This needs to stop before this gets someone killed. I cant let mad delusions distract me. I returned after haven punched the wall and admitted to another. The group except my encouraging wife keep asking whats wrong with me lately, that i need to get my head on straight, that i have one job that i am failing to do. I know!! Why do i keep failing like this!? Have i shamed Oildammar somehow? I ended up finding some Hobgoblin feigning sleep in their beds and in which we ambushed and interrogated one till three blood thirsty war hounds came bounding in. What is with me and animals. One bit Avelin really bad on the leg and we had to help her walk to the next room once we too care of Ruddy's boss. After a bit of searching we start searching the hallway we saw the mummies in. I check the mirror but i still find nothing, leaving it alone with a sick sense in my gut. My heart drops when we all hear the creek of a door behind us. The mirror was a secret passage way and out comes eight Hobgoblins!! F****! My life! Their on us before we can even act. Vin, and Cayleen do down and Elmarth isn't looking too good. I hear the furious yells of Hand and Nylen screaming that the mummies are also Hobs but they are truly punishing. Elmarth suddenly turns into a giant ape as I slide in front of Aevlin. I then see my opening but the b****** shifted causing me to miss my swing and reveal myself. I can see the wide satisfied smirk when his blade cuts deep and my vision staggers. I need to escape. With darkness around my vision I disappear once again leaning against a wall as Aevlin now aware finishes what i couldn't. The battle ends but we are all on the verge of death. We stagger through the mirror and as if the gods themselves answered our prayers we find another barrocks. This on blissfully empty. I collapse on the bed feeling light headed, grateful to have survived this encounter with everyone.
-Jaris Jörmungand
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Post by Aileen on Jul 23, 2019 11:25:54 GMT -5
Sleep. Blessed sleep. I drift off, feeling my wounds sticking to my clothing, but there is no healing available. I am rudely awakened from my dream by a shout, and spring out of bed groggily, drawing my sword.
"Check the mirror!" That's Nylen's voice!
I stumble to the mirror door, and out into the hallway. Nylen is surrounded by Gnolls! I thought he was resting? I'm so tired, and not up for a fight, but I raise my sword to fight anyway. I don't know where Jaris is but I heard him say something behind me as Hans and I rush out to fight.
A Gnoll's morning star swings into me, and I feel my shield arm break as I fail to deflect it. I should have stayed in bed. Days ago. Not here. This place is awful! Stunned by the horrendous pain, I barely glimpse another swing coming for my head.
"Aevlin?"
I groan in pain and annoyance. Unless we are out of this stockade I do not want to be woken up. I open my eyes, and Jaris is sitting next to me, stroking my throbbing head.
"I told you not to wake me up!" I snap.
"You weren't asleep, you were unconscious. You took a good beating."
"What are you talking about? I just laid down to sleep."
"The brain damage will go away when I get my healing spells back," says Hans. "Probably."
None of us look very good, but even with Jaris telling me about a second Gnoll battle right outside this door, I just can't remember it happening. Jaris gives me a hug and let's me go to sleep once he knows I'm not dying, and when I wake hours later I'm feeling much better thanks to Hans's administrations.
We move on once Ceyleen and Hans are ready. As we investigate a room, hobgoblins come flooding in. Without hesitation, I draw my sword and charge in.
"Aevlin, no!" Hans and Jaris yell.
What? I'm doing my job!
"S***!" Nylen's voice sounds surprised.
I go to swing my sword, but seering pain shoots through my back. I take one more step, and one of the hobgoblins stabs me in the shoulder with a sickening grin on his face. My sword falls from my hand, thumping silently on the carpet, and I follow it.
---
"That was incredibly stupid," Hans says, pulling one of Nylen's arrows from my back as I lay in Jaris's lap, groaning in agony.
"I thought- arggh!" The other arrow comes out with a sucking sound, and I can breathe again. "I thought we were charging in."
"Maybe stick to shooting next time. You gave me a heart attack!" Jaris scolds, holding my arms down so I don't punch Hans from the pain he is causing me.
I guess I ran right in front of Nylen while he was shooting, and took both arrows. Hans tries to heal me up, but only manages to slow the bleeding. There are voices on the other side of the door, speaking hobgoblin, and Nylen talks to them. Hans hurriedly bandages me up, and he and Jaris help me to my feet. They set me down against the wall just as the door slams open.
"Stay there, don't move!" Jaris says.
Another vicious battle ensues, and I can only watch helplessly as Vin Weasel is slain. Ceyleen cries out in anger and devastation as her newest pet, and the most combat affective, is killed. Soon all the hobgoblins are dead, save our friend Rudy.
We rest in this room while Rudy guards outside. Every now and then there are voices as he sends off hobgoblins and gnolls trying to get in. I play cards with Ceyleen and drink wine, trying to get her mind off Vin Weasel and my mind off my aching wounds. Finally after a full nights rest, Hans heals me up. We move on through this place, with Jaris scouting ahead. We soon hear a crash and a yell cut short up ahead.
"Jaris?!"
I run ahead, and before us is a pit. Looking down I see my husband, impaled on spikes, rapidly bleeding out. My vision starts to go gray, and I back away. I lose the ration and wine I had for lunch as Hans and Nylen get him out, and Hans and Ceyleen heal him back. I thought I definitely lost him again, and was not ready for such a gruesome sight.
Jaris wakes up acting like he wasn't just nearly dead, impaled on literally every spike. I can barely even look at him. Ceyleen jumps the pit, and smacks into something, causing her to fall backward onto the same spikes. We get her out and healed up, and find a way across without us all getting spiked. Jaris scouts ahead and finds a storeroom where we camp out again.
Heading out, we are told to hide around corner by Rudy. We hear him speaking to several hobgoblins. One has a large holy symbol, and the rest are holding a wrapped up and squirming body over their heads. After they pass through, its translated to Hans and I that they were heading to a ritual sacrifice. The one with the holy symbol is a shaman, and extremely dangerous. We decide to pursue them, but when we go in the room theres nobody. There is however a set of steps going down and the smell of wet wood. We go down and just find a well and more water barrels.
We take a much needed drink, and Ceyleen finds a small leather sack that was in one of the barrels. Inside she finds a ring and a large gem. After detecting magic, we can clearly see the ring is glowing. I'm a little bit jealous, and she sees me eyeing the ring.
"You know, on second thought, I think you have earned this Aevlin!"
Ceyleen takes the ring off her finger, and holds it out for me. Suddenly Sean comes flying into the room, panting, and I expect to see gnolls behind him. Instead he grabs the ring, and slides on one knee, stopping in front of me.
"My lady!" He presents the brass band with a bow of his head, and I grab it.
"Sean, you know I'm already married."
"Yesh, but a man can hope!" He gets up, tries to kiss me as I push him away, and runs back upstairs.
"What just happened?" Jaris looks flustered. "Where was he?"
I shrug. The others are exploring other parts of this place. Apparently Sean's Aevlin sensor works really well.
We find some spigots, and one doesn't seem to be working. I convince myself I can fix it, and want to prove my use since I've been performing poorly in battle as of recent. I start tinkering with it, and it breaks. Water begins spewing everywhere.
"I've got it, Aev!" Jaris takes the spigot, and holds it up, temporarily holding back the flood. He let's go, and it shoots out of the wall with the water.
"We have a lot to learn about plumbing, I guess." I pick up the hem of my cloak, tying it at the bottom. "Its a good thing the good people of Saltmarsh do all our home repairs!"
"Just no shag carpets. I don't like shag."
"That's too bad. I love a good shag. Carpet."
"Get a room!" Ceyleen snaps.
>>-----> Aevlin Jörmungandr <-----<<
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Post by dragonforgotten on Jul 23, 2019 16:16:33 GMT -5
Im startled wake by the sounds of screaming and barking. What the hells is going on? I drag myself away from Aevlin and stumble towards the door with Hans as i go invisible. Nylens alone with eight Gnoll. I cant help but sigh. Im so tired and now this! I stand next to Hans blade ready incase they charge him as he perpares his ace. Avelin charges past me and before i can stop her she's in the thick of things. She fights feriously but then a Gnoll gets a lucky hit in the head and i can feel the blood leave my face as Hans unleashes his hold person and freezes three of them. I ignore all the gnolls. I fall to my wife side and tear the sleeve of my tunic as i stuntch the bleeding. "Your going to be ok. Im here." I whisper to her placing a hand on her bruised forehead. I Glare hateful at the Gnoll who did this to her, i march over to it. I sweep on its leg and sever its spine. It falls stunned as I reappear over it angry beyond belief, it looks at me with such fear. "Where is your god mutt!" I speak to it in Gnoll as I then plunge my sword through its skull. Hans and Nylen finish dispatching them. I scoop up Avelin and make my way back to the bed even more tired. It's slow going due to her armor but we get there. I lay her back down and sit at the end of the bed holding her hand. I cant sleep yet. I need to know if she's ok. That was a nasty blow. Im about to pass out when i catch her scrunching up her face. "Aevlin?" I stroke her head as her eyes flutter open. She groans in pain and annoyance. "I told you not to wake me up!" she snaps but I sigh relieved. "You weren't asleep, you were unconscious. You took a good beating." "What are you talking about? I just laid down to sleep." oh. she doesn't remember. that really was a nasty blow. "The brain damage will go away when I get my healing spells back," says Hans. "Probably." She shuffled in bed as i get up and rearrange the pillow. "Just go back to sleep. He already healed the concussion so it should be fine." She humms with agreement as i kiss her on the head. Her eyes drift close and i can feel all the strength in my body leave me. I cant stay awake any longer. ------
"Jaris. Dear." I grumple awake blinking away sleep. I feel better, my wounds closed most likely thanks to Hans and Cayleen. My arms are wrapped around her with my face in her hair. I had fallen alseep on top of her as she had slept under the blankets. "Do we have to get up." I whine. "Yes dear." I groan as I release her, pulling away from her warmth as get up. We had a quick breakfest with some not so great beer and slightly warmed up stew courtsey of me. The hall way out of this room is linned with an ugly shag rug. I don't approve of the color. It's hideous. I completely change my mind once i hear no noise behind me from my loud party. We went into a storage room to investigate when we are found but Nylen was ready. Suddenly Avelin charges into the fray! Whats she doing?! "Avelin no!!" Just like that the arrows are loosened and two strike her down. Once again i bandage her up and the battle is over quick. Hans wakes her. She lays in my lap as i have her arms pinned while he does the nasty deed of pulling the arrows out. "That was incredibly stupid," Hans says, pulling one of Nylen's arrows from her back as she groaning in agony. I don't know what came over her. "I thought- arggh!" The other arrow comes out with a sucking sound, "I thought we were charging in." "Maybe stick to shooting next time. You gave me a heart attack!" I scold her. I cant believe she'd run right into the line of fire like that! "You need to be careful! You maybe clade in armore but you'r still flesh under it!" She nods not looking at me. "You have no fear Avelin. It's what i feel in love with." She smiles but it turns into a grimance she tries to sit up. We try to get another rest in but its not long still we are bothered by more Hobs. I help Avelin hobble to the back wall invisible. "Stay there, don't move!" I tell her with a firmness to my voice. Another vicious battle ensues, and I can only watch helplessly as Vin Weasel is slain. Ceyleen cries out in anger and devastation as her newest pet, and the most combat affective, is killed. Soon all the hobgoblins are dead, save our friend Rudy. We rest in this room while Rudy guards outside. Every now and then there are voices as he sends off hobgoblins and Gnolls trying to get in. I try to comfort Ceyleen but she doesn't want to hear from me. She's hurting too bad. I ask Avelin to talk to her since she doesn't want to talk to me. Avelin play cards with Ceyleen and drink wine, trying to get her mind off Vin Weasel as I clean my sword. Its been seeing a lot of use lately.. ------
Finally after a full nights rest, Hans heals us up. We move on through this place as I scout once again. Immediately theres a curtain and I feel ill at ease. I peek past the curtain but I see nothing obviously dangerous but there’s something bothering me. I can’t put a finder on it so I turn back and tell the group about the curtain. “And you came all the way back to tell us you just moved a curtain.” “Well, yes. Just wanted to let you know before I go beyond it.” Accuses Hans as I sign. Theres grumbling but I try to ignore them. The last time I rushed a trap sweep I was rightly punished for my presumption. I then step past the curtain-. “Crack!!” Suddenly I’m falling into the darkness, my hand out stretched as I scream till I slam into the ground with a sickening crunch and squelch echoing in my ears. My body is wracked with agony. I can’t move. I gasp and sputter blood as I slide an eye open and I wish I hadn’t. Long terrible spikes perice through me, all of them. Th-this- is just an delusions right!? Like last time!? It has to be! It must be! I wretch my empaled arms free as my broken limbs trembles. My hands shakes. My fingers clumsily grasp the spike running through my abdomen, trying to pull myself up. A rattling quiet scream only echos through my throat. It hurts! It hurts!! I move inch by painful inch. This isn’t a delusion!! This is real!!!! My vision starts going white but I can’t stop. Not again! Please not again! My arms are growing weak. I feel myself siding back down onto the spikes as i gargle on blood desperate. I raise a hand to the sky tears in my eyes. I can feel it. Death is creeping in. The life is fading from me. I’m so cold! I’m not strong enough. “Help!” “Please!” “help!” “h..eellp..” I cant see very well. My arm falling. I only see the light above me. I can almost feel my soul trying to leave this broken body. I’m so cold. I’m so tired. I see shadows staring down at me as one climbs into the darkness. No. Please.. there coming... The shadow is talking but it is garbled. Trying to find me among the blood and spikes.. Is it an angel of death? “Plea...se...There... coming.. I... can’t-.” The shadow then lays its hand on me. Feeling it’s way till it’s holding my back. Warmth floods my veins but it doesn’t completely beat back the cold. It starts trying to pull at my body, still talking but I can’t hear. “I can’t... go to Ysgard....” I start going quite till I’m jolted back to awareness. I start rising from the spikes as I gag. “not yet...! please Oilly! Please..... there co..ming.... there ..comi-.” I gasp as it lifts me free as my eyes flutter closed. —————
“Avelin take the ring off we can’t see what we’re doing.” Someone graps my hand and the ring comes off. “Well sh***. First vin weasel now this!?” I feel. warm. The life, bleeding back into me. My hand twitches as the feeling returns to my body. The pain is sharp and intense till it starts fading to nothing. “He’s full of holes!” “I got there just in time. Hell be ok.” “Avelin, calm down. We got him.” Someone grabs my arms shaking my vigorously. “Jaris! Wake up already!” I gasp choking, flying forward as I grasp at the holes in my body to find myself whole once again. I’m surrounded by all my friends with brows strained with anxiety, my wife leaning against the wall faced away from me. It hits me all at once. Suprisingly I don't feel the fear or panic. Just acceptance. A numb gitty satisfaction that I'm still here despite my luck and a sharp annoyance. I run my hands through my hair as I breath harsh through my nose. This was worst than taking a sword through the chest. I then press a hand against my abdomen now whole again were the spike was. I then default into outrage not wanting to go the opposite and go into mad laughter and freak everyone out. I snap to Hans first. “It was in my spleen Hans. My f***** spleen! I cant believe I hit every single one! Just my luck!" "You know you nearly died right?" Say Cayleen pointing at the bloody mess bellow "Oh, I did?" i reply flat, unfazed. "You know i feel like this has happened before. Cant remember though." "Your lucky Kord was with you." Says Hans. "It wasn't Kord. Kord wasn't their the first time." I get some weird looks but i ignore them. I stand up and go to Avelin who looks visibly ill. “Ave? You alright-“ I don’t get to finish before she flies into me holding me tight. "F*** Jaris! Do you like scaring me?! You need to worry about your self more than me!" I embrace her tight. "I'm sorry." After Cayleen failed to leap the trap we moved on as i spent the majority of walking crawling on the floor looking for traps. No one rushes me or chastises me for taking so long. Not a peep after what just happened. We found a locked closet. It's now the moment of truth again. I take my picks begging for this to work and to my suprise it opened. "Guys! It opened! It finally f***ing opened!" I sob out of joy. So Oli isn't disappointed in me. -----
Well, we chased the shaman and all their is a well. After Cayleen tried to suddenly pitch me into it we turn around wondering where the heck they disppeared to. We find some spigots, and one doesn't seem to be working. Avelin says she can fix it, I think she's worried about her past failures today. She start tinkering with it, and it breaks. Water begins spewing everywhere. She looks down and upset so i will be the new fool. "I've got it, Aev!" I takes the spigot, and holds it against the flow of water, temporarily holding back the flood. I let's go, and it shoots out of the wall with the water. I rub the back of my head as i hear chuckling. "We have a lot to learn about plumbing, I guess." She pick up the hem of her cloak, tying it at the bottom. "Its a good thing the good people of Saltmarsh do all our home repairs!" "Just no shag carpets. I don't like shag, if you'r going to carpet a room get the good stuff." "That's too bad. I love a good shag. Carpet." I start getting red in the face. "I bet Jaris does to!" Nylen calls out chuffling and I turn to him stunned as i start messing with the bits of fabric on my cloths embarrassed. I did'nt think they knew!! "Get a room!" Ceyleen snaps.
-Jaris Jörmungandr
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Post by Aileen on Jul 30, 2019 12:16:51 GMT -5
We are extremely surprised when Gregolas, Krork and some other guy come up to us in the nearly flooded room.
"Greg, who's looking after Josie?!"
"Don't worry. Rick has her under control. She's fine."
"Rick?! How is Rick?" Ceyleen asks.
"Fine. Got a sunburn on top of the other one, he's a bit of a mess actually. Partially my fault for not waking him up."
We move out, Gregolas taking up the rear with his bow. We don't get far before he shouts in alarm. More gnolls! He takes a shot and then I order him to switch places. He still does not have his strength back, and I need to do the sword work for him. I'm momentarily distracted by Krork taking a gnolls eye out with his sword, and one of the others hits me in the knee with his battle axe. Needless to say, none of them live much longer. Unfortunately one gets away.
We go next to a room where a low, eerie moaning emanates throughout, and many naked slaves sit or hang chained from the walls. None of them show any signs of awareness, staring blankly ahead. A hobgoblin in a cloak stands slackjawed, unaware of our presence as we enter. I immediately feel anxious and uneasy as I cross the threshold. The meaning changes frequency, and suddenly Ceyleen and a few of the others go tearing a** out of the room. I walk further in, and slap a slave in the face. They don't snap out of whatever trance they're in. Jaris starts trying to move slaves out of the room, which proves difficult. I make my way to the other door, ignoring Jaris's pleas to leave it alone. As I approach, a shadow flits by me and goes towards the wall, where there hangs a fancy cloak with shiny buttons.
"Gregolas, can you check that cloak?"
He does. I immediately regret sending him to do so when the cloak flies off the wall and claws at him twice before it envelops him completely. It looks much like Jaris's manta ray cloak. Almost as soon as it has Greg, he drops. It doesn't let go! More shadows converge on it, and I charge in and start hacking at the tail. There is way too much blood on the ground, and I'm worried it might be too late for Greg. Hans grabs hold of one of his feet, and I hope that the healing got through. Jaris pulls Greg out. My heart drops when I see the state he is in. Unconscious and bleeding from severe wounds on his torn up chest underneath his chainmail. I barely have a moment to worry over him, as the cloak flies over to me. I see a mouth full of sharp teeth and glowing red eyes, and then darkness.
It sinks into my chest, sucking blood and smothering me. I can feel every attack my friends make on it, and the pain is too much. Not being able to cry out or fight back is the worst part. Soon all I know is darkness.
I wake on the floor in a pool of blood. Gregolas lies next to me, pale and unmoving. I reach out to touch his hand, and the pain hits me. Whatever that creature was is no joke. Hans and Ceyleen are tapped for healing, but do their best to help me. Greg however remains unconscious. We have no option but to rest here again. Jaris let's me rest my head on his lap, comforting me through another painful night. Or day. I've lost track at this point. When next I wake they heal me again, and I consider myself lucky I lived to see another day. Gregolas is up and walking too!
We scout on, and find a room of sleeping orcs and a half orc with a big beard snoring. Jaris thought it was an animal growling, and we agreed. Theres a quick fight, and the orcs are killed but the half orc left alive. We tie him up and check out the adjoining room. An orc woman shoots up in bed, covering herself with the blanket. Krork gets on top of her, and she latches on. It's super awkward to witness. The woman is crazy, and I worry for Krork. Jaris blushes and follows me to the ladder in the room. I climb to the loft and look around, but I only find a carved wooden spear head. When we climb back down, Nylen cuts off the orc women's head. I stifle a scream, and feel anger and fear take hold of me.
"Nylen, why?!"
"She was an orc. Let's go."
I hear meowing under the bed, and pull out two mangy tabby cats. They start purring as I pick them up, but then his arms Jaris. Guess they're mine now.
"We can't have cats, Aev. You have a dog."
I sigh.
"I know. I'll let them loose."
We leave the room and the cats, and the half orc is questioned. They tell him his wife left, and leave out the fact she is dead. I'm still pretty angry about that, she didn't deserve to die. Nylen ignored the fact that not everyone here may not be slavers, they just have to work here. The half orc tells us there is a leader guy, and also an ogre called the Executioner nearby. We decide to go kill him first.
We sneak down the hall towards Executioners room, and Jaris goes and opens the door.
"Who is there?" A gruff voice queries. None of us reply. "Are you the new mercenaries? Come in, I have wine and cheese!"
Wine and cheese... I find my feet moving of their own accord, and nobody reaches out to stop me as I run into the room.
"Careful, now- don't trip!" The ogre looks up from the table he sits at. "Come in, sit down!"
I go sit. He seems friendly enough, and I can totally pass as a mercenary.
"Sorry, I'm just so hungry and thirsty. I haven't had a sip of wine in so long!"
"Try this, it's a fine camembert-" he reaches across the table, handing me a slice of cheese on a knife. As I reach for it, he suddenly flips the large table. The hard wood slams into my face, and I hear my nose crack as blood pours from my nose and mouth. I fall back into the wall, pinned between it and the table. The ogre calls out for backup, and I can't move. I hope my friends can get to me before this guy gives me a beat down!
>>----> Aevlin B.J. <----<<
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Post by dragonforgotten on Jul 30, 2019 15:38:54 GMT -5
A fight breaks out with more Gnolls and to my surprise looks who joins in on the fun. Greg and Krork. I haven't seen them in a long time now. Greg not so much, its only been a few days but I'm surprised to see him here of all places. He didnt seem like the adventuring type with his terrible affliction. He use to tell me how he slayed a harpy but i take that with a grain of salt considering this is the same man who couldnt open a pickle jar. "Greg, who's looking after Josie?!" Asks Avelin extremely worried. "Don't worry. Rick has her under control. She's fine." She sighs but is obviously concerned that her weaker cousin is here in this dangerous den of traps and maiming. "Rick?! How is Rick?" Ceyleen asks. "Fine. Got a sunburn on top of the other one, he's a bit of a mess actually. Partially my fault for not waking him up." I almost laugh from the picture i get in my head. I met Rick briefly the day I met Avelin and everyone in Hawkhawk. He mistook me for Joe. The curse of being a twin. I sometimes wish he was still here. That he could met Avelin. Krork takes one of the Gnolls eye and with our combined effect we kill almost all of them and sent the last one running with its tail between its legs.
We finally reach the door and i open it to a disturbing sight. It's not gruesome but its deeply unsettling. Naked slaves chained to the wall standing or sitting there with vacant eye as an unlucky Hobgoblin stands free but trapped in the same fate, slackjawed. then i hear it. A low droning moan. I slam the door shut. "Maybe we should go another way." "There isn't another way Jaris. We'll be quick." I sigh as we begin to walk into the room. I immediately feel anxious and uneasy as I cross the threshold. The moaning changes frequency, and suddenly Ceyleen and a few of the others go tearing a** out of the room. It's just me, Avelin, Greg and a few others. We need to get out of here fast before. Me and Avelin investigate a slave and even when he's free he still doesn't move! Maybe hell snap out of it if he leaves the room and i start walking him to the door. "Im going to see if he snaps out of it." "But dear theres a door on the other side." "It will still be there when i get back. Just please don't touch it." I begin to walk the man back to the exit as he clumsily walks with aid. not halfway there I hear Greg and Avelin scream. I turn around just in time to watch a monstrous cloak wrap around Greg. "Greg!" I release the man and dash across the room drawing my sword. Gregs muffled screams can be heard as he wiggles about trying to break free. Looking at the beast my heart grows cold at the realization that theres no where i can stab were i wont hit Greg. I sigh coming to a hard decision, readying the blade. "Im sorry Greg." I then stab the creature and i can feel both its and Gregs blood on my hands. The creature is still alive but Greg is losing fight. He's going to die. I hear the rest of the group rush in and they begin to attack the only vulnerable part of the monster, its club tail as I pry at the wings. Suddenly the creatures hold lax and i pull him out half dead but still alive. "Your going to be fine Greg." I tell both him, Avelin, and myself as i bind his wound. I feel the pang of guilt at seeing the gaping wound i inflicted on him. Just as i finish I watch in slow motion at the monster wraps around my wife and i hear her short scream as her face vanishes behind the wings. "NO!" I ready the blade and pounce on the tail with my short blade plunging through it. Krork severs the tail but just as I prepare the blade again my heart sinks remember how much damage i did on Greg. I cant hurt Avelin, I'll end up killing her. I pry at the folds of the wings again screaming in rage as Everyones blades slices into the monster as the clerics grasp her ankles pouring in a much healing into my poor wife as possible. "Give her back!" I can feel my nails bleeding from the effort. Its no use but I'm not going to sit quietly watching her die! The fight is fading from her and i punch the monstrosity with tears bitting my eyes. "Fight it Avelin! Don't go into the light! Fight it!" I punch it again trying in vain to keep Avelin awake. Is this what Avelin felt like when she saw me in the spike pit. Was it ten times worst watching me die in her arms? It's so much harder being on the other end. I punch it again. Please Avelin. Don't go. Just as my hope begins to fade the creature slump from my bloody wife and i catch her before she hits the ground. I hold her shaky and scared. Ive never been more scared now more than this. Dying doesn't scare me anymore. It's lost its edge. But thought of losing her is too much too bare. I hold her to my chest as Hans heals her again. Her eyes blink confused as she spies her cousin besides me and reached out to him. "He's ok Ave. You'r both alive." She look up to me and her eyes fills with tears as she cresses my face. "jaris... this has been a s**** week." I choke fighting back the tears hiding it behind the chuckle. "It has hasn't it." I hold her tight to me raked by sobs. "I love you so much."
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With the Cloaker dead this room is safe enough to rest in since all our clerics are once again tapped. I cuddled Avelin as we rest on the hard floor not wanting her to go anywhere. She used me as a pillow. She whines that I'm being too clingy when she wants to move over but i let her complain grateful that Oli let me keep my wife. It's time to move out once again and i scoute invisible. I hear something on the otherside of a door. Dogs? Cayleen is over the moon as soon as i tell her about the possible dogs. It's embrassing when she opens the door and that gleeful smile pulls into a disappointed, disgruntled frown. The dogs turned out to be a half orc smith and his two orc body guards. I thought we were going to leave him alone till we reconsider and a brawl begins. The two orcs are taken care of and only the half orc is left. No one wants to kill him since he's different than the other two so we try and retain him. I wait for my moment as the desperate half orc smith tries to fight off Krork. He can’t keep his guard up forever. I just need one opening. Suddenly the Smith jumps back and I see it! I grab the man roughfully, looping my arms under his arm pits as my hands grab his head effectively pinning his arms high above his head as he struggles. “You making this worst. Stop fighting.” I grunt trying to keep my hold. “Piss off!” He kicks and squirms against me but I’m too strong for him. His arm spasms as he tries to maintain his hold on his sword. With the poor smith restrained Kronk punches him right in the glass jaw and he slumps in my arms as I sigh. I look at Avelin who’s beaming with pride and mirth with hands on her hips. “How come you never hold me like that.” I snort hiding a chuckle. “What are you talking about. I hold you all the time!.” She blushes laughing behind her hand. Everyone ties him up and we move onto the next room. As soon as we step in a whail of a shriek perices my ears. We've stepped right into a bed room were a large Orc woman sat up in bed clutching the sheets to her chest. I just want to roll my eyes and ignore her when someone blitzs past me and jumps on the bed. It's Krork. What the hells is he thinking? What i experience is forever burned into my unfortunate eyes as the massive woman retrains the poor half orc warrior still screaming as she tries to have her way. It's like watching a carriage crash. Horrible but you cant help but watch the disaster. he tries to escape again but he's pulled back into her arms. My eye! Im red in the face as i catch Avelin climbing up the latter to a loft and seeing an escape from this awkard experience I follow her, leaving the foolish Krork to his fate. "Im never going to unsee that Aev! Never!" I tell her horrified as we search the loft but find nothing intrest. "Some good booze will bleach it!" "I dont know if they make booze strong enough but we can try and find out." Suddenly the noises below us grows quiet. Avelin goes back down and i can here her scream. I jump down the latter just in time to see Nylen behead the woman! "What the f**** Nylen!" I scream at him confused, angry! "Nylen, why?!" "She was an orc. Let's go." "And that makes it ok to behead a unarmored woman! No! Would this be fine if she was human? Elf? When does it stop? It's this s*** that turns well meaning men into murders. Ive seen it." I glance at his sword remember when i held it and felt it burn uncomfortably in my hands. What kind of weapon of good would allow this? "You better be careful Nylen or that sword will change its loyalties. It's my job to be shift. Not yours." I hear meowing under the bed. Avelin crawls fron under it pull out two mangy tabby cats. They start purring as she pick them up, but the moment i give them a pet they scratch me. I notice the look in her eyes. Shes trying to give me the sad eyes hoping it will work. It is but i need to put a foot down today before I have a zoo on my hands. Why am i such the kill joy! Thats Nylens job! "We can't have cats, Aev. You have a dog." Sh sighs disappointed. "I know. I'll let them loose." We leave the room and the cats, and the half orc is questioned. I cant look him in the eye knowing what happened. They tell him his wife left, and leave out the fact she is dead. How long will that lie last. Don't underestimate an angry widow. I'm still angry, she didn't deserve to die. The half orc tells us there is a leader guy, and also an ogre called the Executioner nearby. We decide to go kill him first. We sneak down the hall towards Executioners room, I opens the door. He lives up to his name, Polishing a large sword in the dead at night with his hood still on. "Who is there?" A gruff voice queries. None of us reply. " Are you the new mercenaries? Come in, I have wine and cheese!" Avelin then goes in! As her shadow i follow positioning myself behind the Orger with my blade ready "Careful, now- don't trip!" The ogre looks up from the table he sits at. " Come in, sit down!" She hesitates but sits. My blade raises higher. "Sorry, I'm just so hungry and thirsty. I haven't had a sip of wine in so long!" "Try this, it's a fine camembert-" he reaches across the table, handing her a slice of cheese on a knife. As she reach for it, he suddenly flips the large table. The hard wood slams into her face, and I hear my nose crack as she falls back into the wall, pinned between it and the table. The ogre calls out for backup and I move in. Im no assassin but I'm damn good with a blade.
Jaris F.J
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