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Fixing his gaze on each in turn with what he hoped was a winning smile, Talsarios began to introduce himself:"Quite so! I am Alastor Talsarios, leading scholar in the field of anthropology - perhaps you have read my treatise? no? No matter. I am visiting these lands to make a study of the indigenous humanoids and their fascinating primitive cultures." - the young man became quite excited as he continued - "Do you know some of these goblinoid tribe even practice cannibalism? Amazing! If you can call it cannibalism, the eating of other races... I haven't read of or observed them eating their own kind... but I digress."
He lowered his voice and continued, pointing approximately to the respective landmarks and places as he mentioned them. "I have travelled out of the Empire via Specularum and Kelvin to this spot, most recently with a small party of retainers, who I am appalled to say have met their untimely end yonder at the nasty hands of the local goblins in that supposedly abandonned keep over there. Since then, having escaped, I have hidden in a hollow of undergrowth and observed disorganised and whimsical the comings and goings the goblins, in growing trepidation I might add, looking for an escape for a little more or less than a day now."
Talsarios nods and looks at the small audience with a smile, adding: "And this is a man of my household, Gregaros."
"Never known a goblin to quail at eating one of its own kind, which bodes a bad fate for your party. Might be some survivors if they took prisoners, they see more sport in the living than the dead. Seems like you had better stick with us for the time being, we intend to investigate the troubles here and put an end to them if we can. My name is Nathros, and these are my companions Brandon and Stefan." The dwarf does not seem overly perturbed to see that both have accompanied him. "And, of course, Jeanne you have already met."
Assuming all are amiable, Nathros leads the new arrivals back to the camp site where they await the light of dawn to move against the goblin stronghold.
__________________ It is a joyful thing indeed to hold intimate converse with a man after one’s own heart, chatting without reserve about things of interest or the fleeting topics of the world; but such, alas, are few and far between.
– Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350), Tsurezure-Gusa (1340)
Gregaros offered a wan smile and nodded with some enthusiasm at the invitation. He readily fell in behind Nathros, his eyes drifting to the fire ahead.
Without the slightest ceremony he ditched his pack at the camp site, stripped off gloves from well-calloused hands and warmed himself at the fire, sinking wearily to his knees.
"I don't think those goblins took prisoners. From us, that is," he muttered hoarsely, to nobody in particular.
"I'd like to help. Fight them, I mean," he spoke a little louder, glancing toward Talsarios searchingly.
"Although neither of us will be much help on empty stomachs. Our own provisions were lost to the goblins."
As he spoke, he gestured at a bundle of rations by the campfire, and an expression that might have been a smile or a grimace crossed his face.
Talsarios and Gregor find the camp a full one. In addition to the fully armored Brandon, the priest Stefan, and Nathros the dwarf, the camp was watched over by a pair of women, the elf Jeanne who had been scouting the area and Petrillia, a very young, very tall (for a Traladaran woman).
Five burly looking men with axes on their belts sit around the fire impassively. The thinnest of them, a dark-haired man with a sly smile, introduces himself as Devin and his fellow woodsmen as "Lord Bost's men, Lann Bran, Ivan, and Markos the invincible." That last bit he says with a put-on smile, as Markos is badly wounded and pale as the moon.
Talsarios or Gregor can lead anyone interested to the rise and point down toward the east side of the castle, just over the river, where their party was ambushed. No sign of the men, alive or dead, remains.
__________________
Fedoruman Roland Avatar by Chris the Pontifex
Always on the lookout for alternates for our long-running Rules Cyclopedia/BECMI game Old Ways.
Talsarios nods to each of the woodsmen in turn. "Lord Bost? Is he local? I'm very glad of your hospitality. Perhaps we shall be able to exact revenge on the goblins after all - I assume that you intend to make some sort of attack, yes? My man and I may be weak, but I know a spell and I can use a sling."
Brandon twitches a little at the mention of magic and he glances in momentary alarm at Petrilia and Jeanne.
Then he puts on a conciliatory expression and says smoothly, "Maybe you'd like to talk professionally with some of our friends here who share your interests."
"Battle magic would be useful, though, for sure." He grins.
Stefan sits down heavily beside the wounded Markos and removes his helmet. Brushing his curly dark hair from his brow he smiles wearily.
"You two seem quite the lot. Help yourselves to a meal, you won't be much of use if you starve to death." He gestures to the rations.
The young cleric takes a drink from his wineskin, as if reminded of his own hunger. Then he asks, "have either of you seen any other human camps? Or even the remains of one? Our secondary objective was to find some of Lord Bost's men, and I had hoped to find them alive... but it seems less and less likely, now."
Gregoras shook his head slightly at Stefan.
"We've seen nothing of anyone else here before we saw Jeanne. The remains of our band are gone, taken by the goblins I'd have thought. Probably the same for anyone who came before."
He carefully opened a sack of rations and deftly removed enough for a meal for two people, one of which he swiftly deposited within easy grasp of Talsarios. He then settled down with his back to the fire and busied himself eating.
Talsarios idly picked at the food. He shook his head. "I suspect Gregoras is right - there was no sign of a civilised camp as we approached. And Brandon, I'm sorry, but my magic use stretches only to a simple charming spell. Not too useful in a battle, but if we can catch one of the little mites alone, it'll serve well. Me, I prefer to stop the fight before it starts - but I really didn't get the chance yesterday."
Talsarios propped up his backpack and reclined against it, trying to make the most of the rough ground. He looked tried, but keen.
"Oh my - my manners!" he blurted, sitting up. "I have quite forgotten to thank you for sharing your food! You must think me quite uncouth! It is most welcome. Some day I shall return the favour."
The sun sets as the party parlays around the campfire. The forest sounds relatively quiet and no interruptions occur before nightfall.
Spoiler
Feel free to carry on with the roleplay and introduction as long as you like. When I sense you're done and we're on to night, I'll make the random encounter roll and otherwise move things along.
__________________
Fedoruman Roland Avatar by Chris the Pontifex
Always on the lookout for alternates for our long-running Rules Cyclopedia/BECMI game Old Ways.
__________________ It is a joyful thing indeed to hold intimate converse with a man after one’s own heart, chatting without reserve about things of interest or the fleeting topics of the world; but such, alas, are few and far between.
– Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350), Tsurezure-Gusa (1340)
"If you wish, I will take watch with one of you, and Gregroas with another at another time of the night - that way you are not leaving yourselves at the mercy of two strangers, yes?"
Spoiler
Talsarios is just waiting to take his watch and / or get some sleep.
"Right then; let us take turns through the night, but let Markos rest, for he was sorely wounded in the affray, and Jeanne may come and go as she wishes, ranging through the woods and keeping a watch upon the keep."
First Watch: Brandon and Devin
Second Watch: Talsarios and Lann
Third Watch: Nathros and Petrilla
Fourth Watch: Gregoras and Bran
Fifth Watch: Stefan and Ivan
__________________ It is a joyful thing indeed to hold intimate converse with a man after one’s own heart, chatting without reserve about things of interest or the fleeting topics of the world; but such, alas, are few and far between.
– Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350), Tsurezure-Gusa (1340)
Devin paces the campsite during his watch, stopping often over his wounded co-worker, Markos. As he and Brandon keep watch, everyone else begins their rest.
Jeanne's elven alertness provides her the first warning, something, probably multiple somethings, approached from the west, opposite the castle.
Spoiler
This occurs late in the first watch. Jeanne made a successful Alertness skill roll to detect it early.
She has one round to act. Then PCs and unknown enemy tied for initiative 6-6. So declare your actions and I'll state the enemies and they'll happen at the same time.
__________________
Fedoruman Roland Avatar by Chris the Pontifex
Always on the lookout for alternates for our long-running Rules Cyclopedia/BECMI game Old Ways.
Once alerted, Nathros readies his shield and hand axe before ensuring everyone else is awakened. If he gets the chance, he throws his hand axe at approaching enemies and then engages with his short sword.
Spoiler
Attack Roll:(1d20+1)[12] Damage Roll:(1d6+1)[6]
__________________ It is a joyful thing indeed to hold intimate converse with a man after one’s own heart, chatting without reserve about things of interest or the fleeting topics of the world; but such, alas, are few and far between.
– Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350), Tsurezure-Gusa (1340)
Stirring at the sounds of imminent conflict, Gregoras drew a double-edged long sword and prepared to sell his life dearly.
Spoiler
Gregoras will attempt to cut down any enemy that comes near him, and will take up a position near Talsarios initially. During the course of the battle he may move to support anyone who looks outnumbered.
Stefan wakes with a start at the elf's call to arms, throws his blanket off and dives instinctively for his armor, bowling it over and landing on his back. It would probably look fairly humourous if not for the present danger.
He quickly begins donning the mail, while trying his best to ascertain who or what is going on.
The woodsmen hurry to their feet and crowd around their fallen friend in defense. Shadows move through the underbrush and a hail of fist-sized stones fly into the campsite. One catches Bran square in the face but he stays on his feet. The rest clatter harmlessly off armor or whiz by ineffectively. Nathros' axe strikes true and the shadow nearest the camp falls to the ground. Jeanne puts an arrow into another and feels confident that it felled the little goblin.
Spoiler
DM roll for Jeanne.
Players win initiative in round 2. Four shadowy figures can be seen 30 ft away.
Nathros and Jeanne can spot all four with ease. They are spread out along the west side of the encampment. Jeanne can spy two others hanging back from the rest by about ten feet.
__________________
Fedoruman Roland Avatar by Chris the Pontifex
Always on the lookout for alternates for our long-running Rules Cyclopedia/BECMI game Old Ways.
Wielding his sling, Talsarios rushes forwards, looking for targets. I used to bull's-eye roe deer with this sling back home - they aren't much bigger than goblins, he thinks.
Spoiler
If he can see a threatening target, Talsarios will sling a bullet at it. If not, he'll dodge about to avoid being an easy target.
EDIT: I'll put my stats in here, as requested: Current & Max HP: 1, THAC0: 19, AC: 9
Due to needing to edit my post because of formatting issues, the die roller has declared my rolls illegal. Sorry about that. I rolled high, but I'll roll again here:
Attack roll (1d20)[13]
Damage roll(1d4)[3]
Brandon staggers a bit as the stone hits him in the face. He blinks tears of pain away from his eyes as he tries to grab one of the burning sticks of wood from the campfire.
Holding up the crude torch in one hand to light the way and his sword in the other, Brandon moves forward in a roundabout route, seeking to attack.
Spoiler
Roland, how much damage did Brandon take from the stone?
If Bran can attack this round, he will. If not, he'll attack next round.
Jeanne's spell spreads out over the front line of goblins nearest the camp. All four of them collapse unceremoniously to the forest floor. The other two, seen only by Jeanne in the distance, turn and bolt.
Talsarios launches a sling stone at the nearest shadow, and while he can't be sure, he doesn't think he hit anything.
Brandon advances, torch in hand, and as he reaches the nearest goblin shape it falls to the ground before him apparently asleep.
Spoiler
Bran, the NPC woodsman, not Brandon, was struck with a stone in the face. Sorry for the confusion.
Four goblins are asleep near the edge of the camp. Two others are now out of range of even Jeanne's sight.
__________________
Fedoruman Roland Avatar by Chris the Pontifex
Always on the lookout for alternates for our long-running Rules Cyclopedia/BECMI game Old Ways.
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