[World] [Characters] Adventures [Humor]

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Recorded by Thomas and Ray G.

A Stroll in the Woods

Size and composition of Patrol

Reconnaissance abandoned Keep, determine if there are any Knolls there, what they are doing, and are there any tunnels leading down the valley and coming out near our position.[TVM]

Down the ridgeline headed SW until we reach the southern plains, then North by Northeast until we enter the forests that run SW of the Keep we were to reconnoiter. Stop at the edge of the forest roughly 5 miles south of the Keep, camp until nightfall, then cross the open plains at night.[TVM]

We paired an archer up with a broad swordsman, and traveled with Ray in the main column, and I was in the advance with two broad swordsmen.

Ray and I used our winged friends for advance reconnaissance, his Seagull, and my falcon. They kept us informed (in a general sense) of what was ahead of us.[TVM]

Before moving north into the forest after our trek west, we noticed smoke on the horizon. Using our winged friends, we could tell (after interpreting their simple animal descriptions) that a small town was being burnt.[RG]

As you might recall, as we stopped to make camp, we heard something off in the distance, and I went to investigate. I found the patrol lead by Lt. Dullern. Since we knew there were human traitors, I did not trust them. I hid as they passed and took stock of them. There were 2 bow men up front, followed by about 12 spear men (I believe) then by 2 men dressed in banded armor, long swords, (a.k.a. "the leaders") and followed up by about 8 more spear men. I followed behind them and when I had a chance, I ambushed the last in line with a Haymaker (knocking him flat with one punch -- [RG]), and carried him off in to the woods, and tied his hands and feet and gagged him. As I was about to "ask" him a few questions, a very unlucky Ogre made the fatal mistake of trying to sneak up on me. I sensed he was behind me, whirled around, drew both swords, charged, lopped off his head, and returned to the questioning of my guest. [TVM]

I apparently impressed the poor lad so much, he was quite cooperative. (his very words were "Who ARE >you!? -- [RG]) I do have a certain "charm" you know? I found out his name was Edden, and that he was a member of a patrol from the SW part of the island. I decided to hurry back and let you guys know they were not enemies before we had an accident.[TVM] Tom was also careful to reveal as little info as possible about us. Trust no one! [RG]

Asmund approached Lt. Dullern's group with Edden. The ensuing negotiation revealed they were also scouting the same keep. I did not fully trust them. When they offered to just leave since we were already doing the same thing, I offered that they should stick around by the forest, watch our escape back, and this way we could actually TELL them what we saw. We have not met them yet, but I am suspicious of them. Moreso after what happened later.[RG]

Search of the outlying farms found them empty, nothing eventful occurred.[RG]

We selected 2 of our troops (one each archer/swordsman? names?) to move up to the keep with us. One of them was familiar with the area (we should have asked this MUCH earlier). The keep had obvious gnoll guards on the walls, one each near the gates in. Our archer led us to the gate nearest a bridge over a nearby stream. There was a drainage pipe/hole near there.[RG]

We considered several courses of action at this point. The only visible light was in a window (more like an arrow slit) in a tower. I chose to cast a clairvoyance spell positioned right at the window.[RG] Inside were 2 gnoll guards at the door. Sitting at the table were several individuals. The largest was a gnoll, larger than the 2 at the door. He was dressed in casual clothes/pajamas? Large-sized armor was on an armor rack on one of the walls. There was also a swarthy human with a pointy beard and identical, symmetrical slash scars on each cheek.[RG] There was also a human they were speaking to. He did not look well. It was obvious he was being interrogated, and was in pain. A boy was brought in, and was killed in front of the prisoner. Then a little girl was brought in, and held up by her hair until she started to bleed from her scalp. The prisoner appears to have agreed at this point to some demands. Another human came in with a parchment. He had visible manacle scars on his wrists, which appeared to have started to heal recently (Prisoner of the former good humans, who has been released and now serves the gnolls?)[RG]

The parchment was a map of the island. As the prisoner spoke, lines were drawn from this keep to the SW and the S (and where else?). Numbers were drawn next to various cities. These appear to be a count of our forces in each city. Curiously, no lines were drawn to the NE, where previous intelligence shows there may be a traitor among the high ranks of one of the towns.[RG]

Our several plans to scout the interior of the Keep. We discuss taking out the guard on this gate to take a peek into the keep compound at least. We deem them all dangerous.[RG]

We decide on a plan (did we? -- [RG]), but discover our patrol is about to be ambushed. You threw an "alternative reality" spell from a scroll and they are no longer surprised. Outstanding move Ray! That definitely prevented a lot of casualties at the least and probably saved the patrol! We explain to Gilling to tell our men to escape under the cover of fog (which we created --[RG]), down to the river, cross the foot bridge, and off to the woods to hide. We tried to cast a "monster summoning" but it failed, (luckily nothing bad happened either). (Of note here is that the spells on my scroll are WAY beyond my capabilities!) I cast an obscurement, the mist blocked the view of the Knolls, and our men escaped. [TVM] Also note that there were a large quantity of gnolls approaching our men (20?). PLUS, there were 20-30 gnolls coming up the far road, but AVOIDING the close gate (near our men) and going to a far gate. It seemed they were being maneuvered to surprise our men.[RG] By the time they moved in, our men were safely (for the time being) over the bridge.

What were we thinking! The Seeming;you cast a "seeming" spell on us to look like Knolls. It worked! Again, another outstanding idea;I love having along someone with so many "capabilities!"[TVM] I was looking at my scroll, and saw another spell beyond my means called Seeming. After asking Ray D. for a description, I think we both looked at each other, thinking the same thing. It was crazy enough to work! But we almost didn't do it. We were afraid of it failing. In the end, we went for it.

We turned into 2 non-descript gnolls. We pretended to come out of the fog, and the chaos of gnolls looking for our men. We walked up to the gate and banged on it. Fortunately, gnolls are lazy, even in speech. We were able to pass in by just giving irritated grunts.[RG] We made it past the guard, I knocked him out, and then twisted his neck. You assumed his place as guard (on the wall --RG), and I went for a look around;haha! As I walked around the Keep, I ran into the large force of Knolls preparing to attack our group, and was recruited. [TVM]

Tom met the gnoll commander and a human who actually smacked the gnoll around, and threatened that the previous commander had been served as a meal the day before.[RG] As soon as the mist cleared, we rushed out the gate, but found no one to ambush. I was sent back in with two other Knolls, and was sweating my ass off as the Knoll commander talked to the Human traitors. [TVM]

Back at the first gate, the scar-faced human walked out of the main keep and right up to the gate, looking at it. I interpreted that as wanting it to be opened for him. I did it in lazy gnoll fashion. I locked it after him.[RG]

I was sent out again, and observed as the scar-faced human exhibited some impressive tracking skills.[TVM]

I was manning the wall right by this, and saw it all. He actually found OUR tracks, I think! He followed them up to the gate, then appeared to dismiss it. Meanwhile, the gnoll commander and the human who smacked him came up to the wall and stood right next to me! The human spoke only common, so I was able to listen. Somehow, between what they said and scar-face, they knew exactly how many men we had out there. They also seemed incredulous that they were not there. This leads me to believe that our "friends." back in the forest MAY have ratted us out. Or maybe scar-face just counted all our tracks amongst the morass of gnoll tracks.[RG]

I know I will have to kill him one day, and look forward to it! He sent a group of 25 knolls off to chase our patrol; and then sent the group I was with back inside the Keep.[TVM] Once inside, I was detailed (along with 2 other Knolls) to carry pots to the kitchen. I observed two knoll bitches and some poor female humans working there (as well as human children -- RG). Returning from there, we ran into those two traitors again, but this time it was a stroke of luck. They grabbed up the other two knolls and sent them off on some errand, leaving me all alone. I walked up to the first big door I saw, and opened it. As I looked inside, I saw a knoll on guard. Having already been spotted, I walked on in. Apparently, he though I was his guard relief. He handed me his spear, and strolled off. As I was standing there, thinking of what to do next, in walked the real relief, so I tossed him the spear, but instead of leaving, I went through the door I was guarding. I went downstairs and discovered some dead humans in a few cells. But after looking around some more, I did find the guy you saw getting tortured and his name was Thorir. Both his legs had been broken (to prevent escape). He was in a hole with the captain of the Keep, Kol. I told them I could not get them out, but asked if they could give me any information to help us defeat the invaders. [TVM] They asked if you had seen Thorir's daughter?[RG] They offered that if her safety could be insured, all they needed was a knife to make sure no more information would be extracted from them.[RG] After promising to free Thorir's daughter, I found out that the Knolls had had inside help taking the Keep. They were torturing these two men for information. The traitor is one of the Northern Meisters, and he was seeking the names of the captains of all the keeps, and who were the competent as well as incompetent leaders of the humans. [TVM] They alsso mentioned that 10 humans had come from the N/NE, and had helped take the keep by opening the gates.[RG]

They asked me for a dagger to kill themselves, and a sign to know I had rescued his daughter. I honored their request, then I said I would be back.[TVM] I returned up the stairs, past the guard, and back to the kitchen. I found his daughter, Nalinda, picked her up and took her back the way I had come. [TVM] This time it was not going to be as easy.the guard stopped me, and growled something in knoll. I decided this time I had to dispatch him . I punched him, but he was able to strike back. He hit me with his spear, and I was forced to put the girl down and draw my swords. I then proceeded to make him a "good" knoll. As I killed him, I was hit from behind! What a scumbag?! Man, was I hurt. I turned and saw the scar-faced human. He had two swords out, and demanded I surrender. Although badly wounded, I refused.

He was very good, but I drew on my warrior skills and my God's blessings < >i.e. cast a Withdraw, cast 5 Cure Lights on myself and fought him until he conceded to me. I was fortunate Uller was looking out for me enabled me to get the Withdraw spell off>[TVM]

I picked up the girl, went through the cellar door, jammed it behind me, and went back to the pen the captives were in. I showed Thorir I had rescued his daughter…and then listened as they killed themselves. They were very brave men, I wish I could have saved them too.[TVM] Don't forrget, as you left the door you jammed, you heard the thump of a body collapsing on the other side. He was at Death's Door! He also mentioned that he would >remember your style. He also tricked you into speaking Common. Also, he said his Master would have to take care of you. (Could his master be the main traitor from the NE?)[RG]

I escaped through the sewer to the river, floated downstream, and met up with you and the rest of the patrol.[TVM]

Meanwhile, the sun came up, and some gnolls came out. One walked towards me. I guessed that the guard was changing. So I grunted at him, and followed the others in. Slowly. I realized I did not have super-strength, was running low on spells and scroll, and was too tired to memorize more. Not to mention the Seeming only lasts 12 hours. Nope, BOTH of us lost inside that keep was no good, and me dead was no help to you (plus the details on that map were in my head only). I lagged behind the other gnolls as we walked in. When they had all turned the corner, I decided to just walk out of the keep. I went right back to the gate, opened it up, and grunted at the guard to close it. He practically shoved me out! I walked over the footbridge, over the first rise, then hid amongst the foliage, waiting for you or 50 gnolls or scarface.[RG] I eventually heard the gate open, and heard fast bootsteps. Coming over the rise was a human, with gnoll clothes/armor lashed to his body. He was in a hurry. I cast a Continual Light at his eyes, blinding him. All he saw was a gnoll step out of the bushes and cast a spell before all went black. I then knocked him down, pinned his neck with my foot, and cast a spook on him to garner the "respect" I deserve. He was puzzled, saying he thought all the gnoll shamans were up in the NW, casting runes on the ballistas and other heavy weapons (a clue!). I pretended to be "checking up on him" and made him reveal what he was up to. He had been sent to retrieve the gnolls that were sent after our men. They were to return and go to ambush any of our forces coming up, VIA THE CONNECTED TUNNELS! (Mission >objective #2 >accomplished).

I saw you come out of the drainage pipe, and dragged this fellow down until I caught up to you. We met our men, the Seeming wore off, and we left it off there.[RG]