Game Thread THE ALTERNATE ADVENTURES: The land of Nagoreth - Page 8

Halcyon · #**106** 02-12-2009, 09:14 AM

"No offense taken, friend. I am sorry I was so sensitive to the notion. Fey would never side with goblin scum. Be careful Richard." As the halfling scampers toward the cave entrance, quietly as a field mouse, Cymbelis leans in to Tristan and whispers so the goblin doesn't hear, "Priest, do not trust these creatures. Do not forget they are evil at their core. They may not hinder our efforts if we can convince them that we can help them. But they are opportunistic... should the tide turn on us, so will they! I think you better do your own talking and not rely on Tish. But I have learned the goblin tongue. I will stay aloof and listen to what they say in case they try anything." The elf then removes his bow and strings it while stowing the longspear across his back.

Richard makes it down the hill and 30 ft from the cave entrance, which is on the other side of a small stream (5 feet wide). He observes the opening for a while and determines all is clear before signaling to the others to come down. .

Cymbelis, with Junco perched on his shoulder, goes next motioning for the others to follow him. He slinks down the hill, making his way toward Richard's hiding spot with little noise, followed by Tish, who is remarkably stealthy himself!

LordJecks · #**107** 02-12-2009, 08:08 PM

Tristan watched and found a new respect for his companions. They'd managed to work their way across to the cave without as much as a peep. The priest lacked the neccessary skills for this so just walk down, trying not to dislodge any loose rocks or break any twigs.

"Sorry sneaking isn't something taught at the temple" he said with a wink as he arrived just short of the cave entrance. "Alright you all ready to go? Tish ready to play diplomat?"

Halcyon · #**108** 02-13-2009, 11:36 AM

As Cymbelis and Tish make their way down to Richard's postion, the halfling suddenly perks to attention and holds up a hand, signaling all to stop. None need the visual cue however, since you all heard the same thing: a male voice issuing a short but loud laugh. It came from your right, upstream on the little river that winds its way in front of the cave entrance. Ducking down and peering upstream, you make out a canoe approaching. Two men are conversing in the canoe and you can see from the glint they are wearing steel armor. The canoe slowly makes its way toward the cave entrance.

LordJecks · #**109** 02-13-2009, 07:32 PM

Tristan froze for a moment and then realizing that the canoe was filled with humans stopped worrying. But then he realized they're being here might mean they were associated with the bugbear and his goblin minions. The priest drops like a stone to the wooden floor, behind a nearby tree, hoping that the laughing men had not seen him. He peeks down at them, hoping to see where they go, while trying to remain hidden.

masternate · #**110** 02-15-2009, 03:35 AM

Richard quietly mumbles. Hopefully our human contact. Tish have you seen this man before? Did he instruct Stauros to attack the farm? Brilliant, two birds with one stone. He watched as the pair made their way down the river.

Halcyon · #**111** 02-16-2009, 08:24 AM

A raucous barking begins behind the inky curtain of the cave's entrance. As the men in the canoe approach the bridge (which is 5 ft higher than the current river level), a goblin wearing studded leather armor and holding a large dog (wolf half-breed) on a leash gets pulled forth into the light by the excitable dog. The dog barks at the men in the canoe, and then, catching a wiff of something else, begins barking in your direction! The goblin shouts in protest and finally slaps it's behind with a cat-of-nine-tails, which causes the dog to instantly quiet down and submit as they wait on the bridge. The men arrive and the one in the front jumps out of the canoe, onto the shore and ties the canoe off to the support of the bridge. The one behind addresses the goblin.

"Greetings, Krupik. Is your master at home?"

"Yes, lord. He waits for you in his quarters."

"Does he have it?" the man asks with a hint of danger in his voice.

"Yes lord. I think you be happy... veeeerrrry happy!"

"Good then, lead the way Krupik." the man with the aristocratic tone commands. He looks out in your direction and you all shrink down! Did he see you? His gaze lingers for just a moment. Then he turns away, disembarks from the canoe, and begins to follow the goblin into the cave.

masternate · #**112** 02-17-2009, 07:01 PM

Richard was watching curiously as the men boldly made their way to the cave, then they were greeted by the goblin with his dog. As it started barking in their direction, you could have sworn you could see the Halfling shrinking in his place. When the dog got whacked to shut it up, the halfling let out a quiet sigh.

Listening to what the men were saying and after Tish's nod, Richard knew this man had to be taken care of too. Silently he watched and listened, until a sense of dread washed over him as the human stopped to look at them. Did he see us? That thought ran through Richard's mind, but a few seconds later the feeling left as the man went inside.

When they were finally alone, Richard spoke to the others. We should try to approach this cave stealthily. My suggestion would be cross the river downstream a bit and come up the bank and cross the trash pile. Turning to the goblin. What other kind of security measures are there going to be? Other than Krupik?

LordJecks · #**113** 02-18-2009, 08:30 PM

Tristan merely nodded, "Whatever you think is best". The arrival of these two men had throw a loop into his plan but he'd have to deal with it. For now however he would have to rely on the expertise of his companions when it can to stealth. Hopefully it wouldn't come to have to deal with the men directly while dealing with Stauros.

"Tish is there another way into the caves? Maybe one Stauros doesn't know about?"

Halcyon · #**114** 02-19-2009, 11:05 AM

"...no....No other way in that Tish no about. " the goblin answers its benefactor. To Richard it replies,

"There be Kuprik and Rugret. They dog handlers. Stauros is master of dogs, though. Both doggies be in his private quarters all the way back in cave. The men will go back there to meet him too. The other goblins are back in cave, doing chhores. We can go right in now, no goblins be in front of cave.... err... Blekka creep them out..." Tish's wrinkely face scruntches almost cartoonishly in disgust.

"What is Blekka?" Cymbelis asks the goblin sternly.

"She is big spider I tell you about before. Blekka guard cave entrance. She no let you pass its webs. Blekka also Stauros's pet. She listen to him and she only let people in who he like. Sometimes, when goblins bad, Stauros feed to Blekka! If you kill Blekka, other goblins see you strong and maybe stay out of way?"

Cymbelis summarizes, "So, there's a giant spider guardian, a handful of goblins, two dogs, two human warriors, and Stauros... we are heavily outnumbered. If we lose our stealth, we will be overrun... Blekka sounds like a problem, but I may be able to convince the dogs not to attack us... it depends on how far gone their minds have been driven by their master's cruelty. Are we ready to go in?"

LordJecks · #**115** 02-19-2009, 06:08 PM

The priest nods, "Aye I'm ready. I suggest we try to surprise this spider and hopefully deal with it from a distance. That should hopefully, as Tish said, turn the goblins neutral in the fight. Then hopefully you'll be able to sway the dogs to neutrality too, leaving only Stauros and his two human employers to deal with."

He turns to Tish, "Tish how far into the cave does the spider usually hide?"

Halcyon · #**116** 02-19-2009, 09:27 PM

"Right there... just beyond the entrance. The first room is where Blekka lives. you go in... you not miss her webs." Tish answers. He's getting anxious now, having full faith in the three adventurers.

masternate · #**117** 02-19-2009, 10:02 PM

Alright Richard says as he took in the information. This cave isn't going to clear itself out. He stands up. You guys ready? Then the halfling makes his way towards the bridge, plain and simple, he uses bushes and terrain to cover his approach.

As he moves he draws both of his shortswords. He finally stops at the end of the bridge waiting for the others to join him.

LordJecks · #**118** 02-20-2009, 05:56 AM

Tristan followed the halfling, motioning for Tish to follow, trying to emulate his silent moves and shadowed movement, and while no where near the level of his friend he thought he fared decently.

Hopefully this will all going according to plan he thought as he crounched down beside his little friend.

Halcyon · #**119** 02-20-2009, 07:50 AM

Cymbelis and Tish follow and all the companions make it to the bridge without incident. Looking into the mouth of the cave, which is a portal of about 7 foot diameter, they see nothing but inky darkness beyond. Cool, damp air flows from the opening, creating a carpet of mist billowing out along the ground and swirling with a small stream that also exits the cave and joins the larger river to the right of the bridge.

Cymbelis, who has armed his longspear again, asks, "Do you want me to go first? With Junco on my shoulder, little will escape my notice. Tristan do you have a source of light available?

masternate · #**120** 02-20-2009, 09:32 AM

Richard nods, before adding to Cymbelis. Perhaps I could go first, your spear can give you the reach to get over me if need be. He turns to Tristan. Maybe it would be best if you stay back, so as to not draw too quick attention to us. Tish, what kind of lighting is there in this place? Richard assumed there was going to be some kind of lighting.

Once a marching order had been established Richard went in, he closed his eyes real quickly as he stepped into the darkness, when he opened them again he looked around, seeing the cave for what it was, and his keen ears picking up the slightest sounds around them. Slowly he attempted to creep quietly through the cave.