PBEM, Episode 34 - Wolf Run, Barracks

The group did the right thing and fled - and the dropping of the incense was inspired - throwing off the wolf's tracking. As it was still "early" in the day - there had been some discussion via discord on stopping or going on, deciding to continue for now. And as the group had said, "a room with dead mummified elves in it? Can we SKIP this one?!"

Follows:

THIRTY FOUR

(I/C)
“What’s the plan?” Kovid asked after catching his breath from moving the cabinet. “We resting?”

“Deepa we go inta de castle, oui?” Wyn offered.

The dwarf sighed. “Deeper into the rabbit hole?”

“Oui! Notin’ wort’ doin’ be easy,” The elf smiled. “Ain’t no group I’d rada be doin’ it wit.”

Lannis scoffed. “Look, I’m all for the kumbaya when the time is right, but this seems like an awful idea.” He scratched his chin, looking around the room absently. “But given our choices, less awful.”

Lyra drew out a fresh rock from her pouch, palming it tightly. “Yea, it’s a horrible idea.” She looked at the closed door and shuddered. “But it’s better than going back out there and getting sandwiched between kobolds and wolves I guess.”

“True that.” Lannis snapped his fingers, pointing at the dwarf, “Kovid! Fun fact: they're just as frequently called 'Dwarf Holes’, given Dwarves propensity for digging.” Kovid gave the magic user a piercing look, no smile under his beard. Lannis cleared his throat, unsure why his joke was unappreciated. “Let’s get moving, don't want to keep whatever terrible thing is down there waiting, that would be rude."

Kovid motioned ahead. “You first.”

Lannis scoffed and stuck his hand in his hat, making an unseen gesture, before putting it back in his head. The group gathered behind Brendon who whispered once more, “I think this is a bad idea,” before opening the door with care.

The passage turned to the south and showed a flight of stairs heading down into the gloom. The lantern held aloft, Brendon travelled with care, watching for anything that might be concerning, the group following behind. They kept going to the bottom where the stairs turned at the end to the west and ended at another door. “Shh,” the scout offered, laying his ear to the wooden portal (>Hear Noise, Red 28) for a few moments before standing up. “Door is unlocked, opens away from us to the right, no noise beyond here.”

Kovid had a tight grip on his hammer and the party was ready the same. Abraxas made his way down the steps to the front, humming as he did, “…manana, manana…there’s always, manana…” and grabbed the handle. “Uno…Dos…” And then with a solid turn and shove, pushed the door open.

The room was a BARRACKS, similar to the one that we had just left. However it was in shambles and from the look of things, had been so for decades. The TABLE had been busted in the center, broken clay bowls and plates cascaded about the chamber. The chairs had been upended and tossed about, the beds blown over. The stone cabinet had a number of cracks running through it, the doors burst off and the contents a mess. A few crates had smashed against the walls and spilled their contents about the floor.

There were five very dead, dried and mummified elves in here. They look like they had died long ago, their skin hanging sunken on their frame like pale drapery. It appeared that they were wearing the yellow tabards denoting them as part of the Guards of Dawnlands, the fabric had faded over the decades. There was a single door on the other side of the room currently closed, but it wasn’t perfectly in its frame.

Kovid had been giving the stairs and the room a once over (>Stonework, Yellow 5) as he and Brendon made sure the place was without traps. “Say what you will,” he muttered aloud. “No hobgoblin dug those stairs. This is all part of the original castle and has the look of 4 centuries to it.”

“Can we come in?” Abraxas asked looking around, sword out.

“Yeah,” Brendon replied, watching his feet.

Lyra had been quiet the last few minutes. Even before they had left the other room, the Cleric had been feeling a sense of mounting unease. Her conduit to Aine was being stretched as something was building up slowly as the minutes ticked by. It was towards the end that she was clutching her holy symbol tightly, that Aine seemed to sing through her veins (=Death Ray Save, White 11) and then it faded. Leaving a cold gravelike sensation in her heart that something…something foul…just happened and that it made Aine and Lyra both concerned and even a little fearful.

Time now is 2:12

(OOC)
Party has entered the LOWER Barracks, and it looks like whatever happened here happened decades ago, most likely when the Ispan’s Arcanist erected the Rainbow Ward. Room has been looked at, no traps.

PBEM, Episode 33 - Wolf Run, Barracks

THIRTY THREE

(I/C)
“Thor's Glowing Gonads,” Kovid snarled, “they have my hammer!”

“Fuck your hammer, Dwarf,” Lannis replied. “For now we should focus on getting to safety. *quietly*” The Magic User drew out an Incense cone and held it in his hand, reciting arcanic words over it.

“Wolves!” Lyra added as Wyn joined her at the door to the steps down and closed it, his sensitive elven ears able to hear the sound of a running heavy four legged beast coming this way, along with the raspy sound of a dragging chain.

Helping Lyra down the hall, Wyn looked into the room with the hanging hobgoblin. “Should we cut down ze hobgoblin?”

“Robert,” Abraxas added, looking nervously in the direction the kobolds had run to, their voices still echoing strangely down the long hall.

“If itz body was used as part of a ree-chuu-hal, could his hanging body be contributing towards some nefar’ous spell or ree-chool?”

 “If we had more time, I’d agree about the hobgoblin,” Lyra said quickly, “We can always come back for it and cut it down, later! For now, let’s go! East? Barracks?”

Brendon nodded, taking the lantern and holding it aloft. “Noise people! Let’s go!” And started to run, only able (Red 2) to tear one of the arrows fired free, the others either broken or not enough time. “Go, go go!”

The group started running except Lannis and Abraxas who had a loose grip on the Magic User’s sleeve as he was racing through his incantation. "The uh... hung...hanged...hung-ed... the swinging Hobgoblin - he would make a proper meal for los lobos, no? Maybe later. For now, vamonos to the barracks. Let's go amigos!"

At that point Lannis’ spell finished and a spray of burning flames shot out from his hand and ignited the incense cone that was smoking and burning. He turned and tossed it down the hall near the door where he and the fighter could now hear the distant panting and howling of the wolf getting closer. “Sounds like a grande lobos!” Abraxas grabbed Lannis by collar and shoved him ahead. "Señor Lame-ass, it's time to go. ¡Ándale amigo! Now!"

The group ran east, Brendon and Wyn leading the way, the rest of the party stretched behind them (>Noise check: 6 runners, 5 armor points, -11 penalty, Blue 12) all attempts at being quiet gone as they ran. As they hit the corner, the sounds of kobolds STILL echoing far behind them, they could hear something howling SLAM into the door they had closed behind at the top of the stairs (<Force Door +1, Red/Black 3), some scrabbling noises and shattering wood (Structural damage, Black Green 6 – FORCED!) and then the howl MUCH louder.

Brendon had the Barracks door open as we ran towards it, Abraxas forcing Lannis ahead of him, and then helping to spur Lyra on, the Cleric running slower than the rest of the party. (>Wis Scent check, -6 penalty incense, Blue/red 5 – Failed!) At the doors, we all shuffled in and then slammed it closed as the wolves howling had been replaced with some whining and crying noises for now. Wyn grabbed a chair from the table and jammed it under the door while Kovid (<Str Check -4 penalty, Yellow 4) went to the stone cabinet and SHOVED it hard across the floor to further blockade the door.

The Scout had gone across the room to the other door and laid his ear against it, listening (>Hear Noise, Red 76), giving the group the thumbs up a moment later. “All clear.”

The party was breathing hard and looking at one another, adrenaline running through them, eyes wide and wondering what was going to happen next.

Time now is 2:02

(OOC)
Combat XP!
15 XP per kobold, 6 killed, 6 run off (half xp) – 135 base xp
Kovid 23 xp
Lyra and Brendon 28 xp
Abraxas, Wyn, and Lannis 33 xp

Ok – in the room, wolf? Hit door and broke it in but was thrown off the scent immediately by the incense. Kobolds ran away and were still yelling but now group can’t hear. In room, door is braced by a chair and a stone cabinet, one other way out through door on SE that leads to steps going down.

PBEM, Episode 32 - N Hall, Hanged Hob

THIRTY TWO

(I/C)
Kovid snarled and swung his war hammer at full extension (<+2 to hit, Yellow 7), the heavy head passing over the kobold who dropped prone and then bounced up. His next few blows were just as deadly, but the kobold was bouncing around too much to connect. Standing at his shoulder, Abraxas did the same, aiming at the middle kobold who had been wounded earlier. His sword was a dancing wall of death as he growled “Kill Them All!” the sounds of kobolds screaming in the distance as they ran away acting as the backdrop to his slashes (>+5 to hit, Blue 19) which tore through the kobold’s defenses (1d8+2 Damage, Blue 1: 3 Damage and killed!) and forced the scaly humanoid to slump over dead.

“Clear the hall!” Lannis begged. “Come on!”

Brendon took aim (>+4 to hit, Red 16) and let fly another arrow, tracing a bloody line (1d6 Damage: Red 1) across one of the 2 remaining kobold’s chest. Lyra finished her swing and arced forward (>+3 to hit, White 9) and a stone cracked against the wounded kobold’s throat (1d3 Damage, White 6: 3 damage and killed!). With the sound of kobolds screaming their heads off as they ran down the corridor and no other choice, Wyn who had been holding his shot let his arrow fly (>+5 to hit, Orange 9) and the last kobold clogging the hall was shot in the chest and pitched backwards (1d6 damage, Orange 6 and killed!) dead before he even hit the ground.

“Go! Go! Go!” Lannis, Kovid, Brendon and Wyn charged to the end of the hall while Abraxas bent down and snatched up the kobold’s Stone Dagger and Stone Tipped Javelin (Add Stone Dagger (10) and Stone Tipped Javelin (15) to sheet and encumbrance) from the fallen ankle biters. “Puta!” he cursed, kicking one of them violently.

Turning the corner, Lannis was already working on the wording of his Web spell when they were able to look. In the gloom there were no more kobolds although the ground was littered for the next spear throw to the west with burning embers as if someone had dropped a torch and multiple someones had kicked it while running, leaving a trail of red glowing embers down the hall. It screwed up with the infravision but Kovid THOUGHT they could just make out the back of two of the kobolds running away, but the entire group could hear them yelling “Hilva!” as they charged away.

“Fuck,” Lannis cursed. “Out of range?”

“Zhey are on the run, do we pursuit, oui or non?” Wyn asked.

Lyra who was still back by the open door and stairs (<Hear Noise +5 Bonus, White 7) cocked her head and from down the stairs, and in the dark, sounding very far away, was the rattling of chains flopping loosely on the ground and the mournful howl of a wolf. She paused, held her breath, and the howl repeated…closer.

“Aine bless us,” she swore. “Screaming kobold fight echoed everywhere. Wolves.” She raised her voice, “Guys! Decision time faster, we’ve got company coming!” as she pointed back through the door and down the stairs.

Time now is 1:56

(OOC)

Give chase after the kobolds? Somewhere else? Redraw the battle lines with some wolfen canine (s?) coming UP towards us from down the stairs? Anything else? Damn kobolds were loud and the door was open – fight echoed.

Time is ticking! What to do?!

PBEM, Episode 31 - N Hall, Hanged Hob

THIRTY ONE

(I/C)
Just before whatever it was ran around the corner, the group decided to hold fast in the hall and if need be, retreat down the stairs if that was the only option. Kovid lifted his hammer high over head to throw and Abraxas pulled out his spear, both of them manning the front line. Brendon and Wyn, both with bows out were right behind, arrows nocked, while Lyra had a stone loaded in her sling and Lannis pulled out one of his heavy knife/darts to throw.

And it was just in time as the first 4’ tall, slavering kobolds circled the corner with the crude knives and stone tipped javelins at the ready. Kovid leaned back and hurled his hammer two handed calling out “Thor!” as he did so. The heavy weapon (<+0 to hit, Yellow 4) passed just over the kobold’s head and rang off the back wall with an echoing clang. He drew his remaining hammer and prepared himself to block the hall. Brendon right behind the dwarf muttered, “Good throw,” and let his shaft fly (>+4 to hit, Red 11), where it slammed into the same kobold (1d6 Damage: Red 2 and killed!!) piercing its heart and dropping it. “Got him,” he said.

Abraxas arced back and hurled his spear (>+4 to hit, Blue 17) tearing through the lungs of another kobold (1d6 Damage: Blue 5 and killed!!) where it crumbled to the ground, rolling to a stop. More of them boiled around the corner and the hall was filling quickly. Wyn drew a bead on another kobold getting close (>+5 to hit, Orange 19) and shot it in the throat (1d6 Damage: Orange 3 and killed!!) where it dropped to its knees and gurgled for air before dying.

Feeling emboldened by the party’s efforts, Lyra took aim and let her sling fly (<+3 to hit, White 1, Fumble. Random White 1: Hit friend) but misjudged and the stone slammed into Wyn’s shoulder with a meaty THWOCK, causing the elf to look around at her during the battle and exclaim, “Are you cray-zee?!?!” Lannis giggled and hurled his dart poorly where (<+2 to hit, Pink 7) it bounced into the melee and was lost.

And still the kobolds circled the corner and filled the hall, pressing forward as they bit and snarled and stabbed and tried to push into the party. There were still NINE kobolds standing and given their size, three of them were able to fight abreast. The first one shoved its crude knife into Kovid’s gut, the dwarf hammering down as he tried to keep the kobold from getting through his plate (<+0 to hit, Red/Black 15 – missed by one) barely able to do so. While he was struggling, a second anklebiter (>+0 to hit, Red/Grey 18) got lucky with its stone tipped javelin and drove it into a weak spot in the dwarf’s armor covering his hip (1d4 Damage: Blue 1 – Take 1 Damage), causing Kovid to wince in pain and fight on. The last kobold in front faced Abraxas, the huge fighter now sporting a sword and shield, and dropped to its knees and tried to stab the fighter in his foot. “You leetle bastage!” he cursed, dancing around as the kobold stabbed down half a dozen times (<+0 to hit, Red/Green 10) but couldn’t get through his boots.

From the back ranks of the packed hall, two of the kobolds had resorted to slings, both of them aiming at Abraxas. The first rock (>+0 to hit, Steel 20, Criritcal Max damage: take 3 damage) slammed Abraxas in the face, laying his cheek open and making two of his teeth come loose. The second rock (<+0 to hit, Steel 16 – missed by one) also cracked him in the skull and although raised a lump on his forehead, didn’t seem to affect the fighter negatively.

As the battle raged on (Initiative: Party Steel 3, Kobolds Red/Black 4 – thanks Kelly!!) the lead kobolds continued their assault while the back ranks seemed to be jostling about, looking down at the dead ones. The first kobold stabbed out at Kovid again (<+0 to hit, Black 1 Fumble, Red 5 – kobold takes 1 pt damage) but stepped to close and got buffeted by the dwarf’s hammer and bruised for its efforts. The second one stabbed its stone spear at Abraxas (<+0 to hit, Blue/Purple 6) but was unable to hit the fighter. Leaving the last kobold who had been trying to stab Abraxas in the feet, jumped up and hacked the fighter in the knee(>+0 to hit, Teal 19). The Fighter instead slammed his shield down at the last moment (Deflect damage – half damage if successful str – Black 13!) and saved himself from some extra hurt (1d4 Damage: Red/Black 1 – Half rounded down – take 0!!).

As for the rest of the kobolds, (>Morale Check, 2d6 – 7, Fail) they picked up the dart, spear, and hammer from the floor and ran BACK down the hall and to the WEST again, shouting “Hilva! Hilva!” as they ran away. The last three kobolds were filling the hallway and made no intention to leave as they fought on.

Time now is 1:55
(OOC)
Bottom of round two, three kobolds left, 1 with 1 pt of damage. 6 kobolds ran away, took the three items thrown, they are yelling VERY loud as they run. It is the party’s turn. What would you like to do?

PBEM, Episode 30 - N Hall, Hanged Hob

THIRTY

(I/C)
Brendon gave the room a short look over, not hearing anything past Lyra and Lannis. “From the looks of this room it looks like some cheating lover got what he deserved.”

“I’m not sold on the cheating lover narrative, but we should get out of here,” Lannis said, pointing at the north door.

Abraxas looked behind the group to the hall, waited a moment, and then turned to the door, Kovid right behind the fighter. “Thor’s thunderous testicles,” he swore in a whisper, twisting his beard once and letting it go. “Hob really must have pissed on Corfard’s corn muffin.”

“Sounds disgusting,” Abraxas said, “Remind me the eat nada hobgoblin corn muffin, si?”

Korvid laughed. “Either way, that rolling noise might have been a counterweight alert. Don’t know for sure.”

Wyn whispered, “Dee alarm idea you had dwarfriend sounds plausible... means we can’t stay in dat room.”

“Vaminos,” Abraxas said.

As the group went to the NORTH door, Abraxas grabbed the handle and with a twist, pulled the door open.

Revealing a set of stairs going down!!! “Oh come the fuck on,” Lannis said. “Now they’re just fucking with us. No elf would have this many Nergal Damned basements.”

Wyn looked past, “And why not? Do you not zink that elves can need basements?”

“Seriously, no.”

“Well, as usual, for a man who says he knows so much, you are wrong again.”

Lannis guffawed, watching Brendon and Kovid whisper to one another and then step down the stairs a few feet and look. “I haven’t been wrong once, and if I was, it’s because you were mistaken. Let me tell you, Swampthing, the next time I’m wrong around you will be the FIRST time I’m wrong around you.”

The dwarf (<Stonework, Yellow 2) and the scout (>Find Traps, Red 91) looked down the steps, the lantern behind them, allowing Kovid’s infravision to partially kick in. “Well, let’s get the idea that hobgoblins dug this basement out of the way, because this stonework has been here for at least 4 centuries. I can safely say that the steps go down maybe 20’ and then open up to a passage. I can faintly see the passage goes straight, might be a door on the right hand side at the end…and…,”he squinted, crouching low, and then chuckled. “And you’ll never believe this, but there is ANOTHER set of stairs past there going down.”

“Sacre blue!” Wyn exclaimed. “Do we go down?”

Meanwhile, Lyra had been hanging back, finally getting the chance to look at the dead hobgoblin hanging from the ceiling and the state of his death. (<Int +2 bonus, White 11) Feeling a bit ill, she inched into the room and using her club, pushed the body a bit so she could see the cuts clearer. “Um, guys?” Lyra said sticking her head out and looking at the group.

“Yeah?”

“I don’t think this hobgoblin was killed because of a lover’s quarrel. The lover idea is a little farfetched. And you would think plain old theft sounds about right, but this is a little dramatic for a punishment.”

“Oui,” Wyn agreed.

“And it wastes a perfectly good el lecho,” added Abraxas.

“Well, this the 2nd or third time we’ve seen or heard anything about Corfard. I thought at first it might have been a hobgoblin’s name, or some such…”

“I assume there is a ‘but’ coming up,” Lannis offered.

“Yeah.” She sighed. “These cuts are done ritualistically over what is referred to as chakra points or in some races, places where magic can enter the body.” She tapped the hobgoblin with the club again. “Cut up and hacked, these cuts are right over the 4 main chakra places. I don’t know who Corfard might be, could be an obscure goblinoid saint or hero, but this hobgoblin was killed here a few days ritualistically right here in this castle and was done so to RELEASE what magic he might have had in him.”

“Oh fuck.” Lannis said.

“And the blessing wasn’t as a punishment for Theft and Treason.” Lyra continued, growing pale as she talked, “It was magic to further the taint of Theft and Treason. Hence the Blessing. This…hobgoblin was killed in a ritual right here for some reason to further the taint of Theft and Treason.”

Kovid snarled, “Two of the Four traits Goblinkind extol.”

“What are the other two?” Brendon asked.

“Murder and Mayhem.” Kovid stopped and looked around. “You know, we’ve walked for a bit, all around the outside and came in through the south…but if I was a betting dwarf…I would say that this room right here is pretty damned close to the middle of the castle.”

Lannis (Int 18, no roll) snapped his fingers. “Which means it’s the middle the rainbow ward. And it’s an elven ward, probably woven together by the Ispan to keep out goblins and their ilk – being most deadly to them. So what better way to hasten the ward’s demise than with a ritual in the heart of it that does the exact opposite?”

“They are looking to collapse the rainbow ward and do it quickly.”

“But why?” Abraxas asked.

“Don’t know,” Lannis said. “But it can’t be good.”

(>Group Listening, Grey/Red 20). “Um…” Lyra started, and then stopped as she heard running feet WAY too close and charging down the hall to the group.

“Damn it!” Swore Lannis, “We failed a fucking listening check?!”

“Wot do you mean,” Wyn asked, “I don’t unnerztand!” Looking at the three walls of the hallway and then the fourth one.

“Don’t tell me we also failed a surprise roll?” (Surprise Check, Red/Black 4) “Well thank god for small fucking favors!”

“I have no idea what you are going on about?!” Brendon said.

Abraxas gripped his sword and snarled. “It means there are enemies coming and will be here any second!!” He looked around? “What are we to do!?!”

(Initiative Check: Party Steel 6, Enemy Red/Black 6 – TIED. 2nd Check: Party Blue/white 5, Enemy Red/Black 3 – Party wins!)

Time is 1:53

(OOC)
Explore XP: 15 base for Abraxas, Lannis, Wyn
20 for Kovid and Brendon
25 for Lyra

The party has initiative for this round but the enemy is NOT here yet and will appear before the round is over. So you have a choice – redress the battle lines, Go into the small room with the hobgoblin, retreat down the stairs, or fight in the order you guys are in now. You have a max of 20’ to move at this time so make it count.

As usual, let me know if you are front line, support front, missile fire, or spells/other. Also let me know where you want to be in the line assuming you are facing the foe.

You do NOT know what the foe is as they are running towards us but not talking while doing so. You also know there are a NUMBER of them, but do not know the exact amount. You DO know that it came from down the long hallway from the WEST that the group has NOT been down yet.

Good luck!!!

PBEM, Episode 29 - N Hall, Hanged Hob

TWENTY NINE

(I/C)

Kovid lowered his voice, "Abraxas, what do you say we open the door that smells like blood together? It's too curious and worrisome to go left unchecked."

The fighter nodded his head and the group headed down the NORTH passage, stopping near the door on the EAST. Lannis turned to Lyra, feeling uncomfortable with the situation, and said, "We should stay back this way, just in case, so we aren't potentially forced to back up into unfamiliar territory.”

The Cleric nodded, hand gripping her holy symbol. “Yea, probably for the best.”

Brendon had his bow out at one end of the hall, Wyn was closer, his own bow at the ready. Abraxas looked at everyone and whispered, “Uno…dos…” and opened the door with a steady turn and push.

Revealing what was at one point someone’s private room. There was a bed, a small oak table, a wooden chair, a footlocker, and a pile of papers. The table had been toppled over, the chair was smashed, the foot locker had been broken into and the papers were scattered all over the room. The bed had copious blood stains on it and it looked like the pillows and mattress had been hacked with a sword at some point.

“Madre de la Dios!” Abraxas swore as he took in the chamber. His gaze swept up to see a hobgoblin hanging from the ceiling, dead many days, numerous holes poked in its body and slashes running around its neck, chest, and stomach. A wooden sign hung down from a rope around its neck with writing on it. Both Wyn and Brendon (Int >11) were close enough to note that it was written in Goblin.

When Abraxas and Kovid looked at them they read “Corfard’s Blessing” followed a moment later by “Theft and Treason”. Brendon spat on the ground and cursed, “Fuck.”

As for Lannis and Lyra, from somewhere FAR to the WEST of where they were standing (No listening check needed), they heard briefly the sound of something metal falling on stone, and then the raspy sound of said metal item rolling a few seconds before coming to a stop. The Magic User looked at the Cleric and the two of them shook their head and cursed silently, “Fuck.”

Time is 1:42

(OOC)

Ok, What the hell? Let me know!

PBEM, Episode 28 - N Hall, Hanged Hob

TWENTY EIGHT

(I/C)
Lannis reached in and took out three of the goblinoid toys, adding them to his backpack (Add 3 Goblin Toys (3) to sheet and weight) and addressed the group. "Moving to the North and West makes the most sense to me, we should continue to scout this floor. What is strange to me about all this is that Elves aren’t generally known for the multiple basements.”

Kovid nodded, leaning his hammer against his leg while he adjusted his gauntlets. “Hmm, I agree human. Let’s backtrack and explore the hallway that goes north. Let’s figure out the first floor in its entirety if we can.” He paused, watching the Magic User stuff three goblin dolls into his pack. “So, Manling. Bringing some toys to play with I see... is combat not fun enough for you?”

“Oh, it’s fun enough. After I’m done rearranging the natural laws and bending the cosmos to my will, I can use a little down time.” Lannis waved his hand at the dwarf. “Don’t worry about me, Master Dwarf. You worry about you.”

Lyra took the jar of vanilla beans (Add 2#’s Vanilla Beans (2) to sheet and weight). “I don’t know a lot about goblins, but if they’re the ones who were inhabiting here they were the bujiest goblins I’ve ever seen. Maybe this stuff is for trade?”

Lannis looked at the Cleric. “What word was that?”

“Bujiest?” she asked.

“Holy crap,” Lannis muttered. “You are seriously mangling the pronunciation of it. It’s Bougie.”

“Whatever,” Lyra said.

“And there you go again,” Lannis muttered, lining up at the door, “Mispronounced the word ‘Thank you’.”

Brendon took 3 of the toy balls from the box (Add 3 goblin balls (3) to sheet and weight), fingering them and noting that it seemed to be a round rock with layers of fabric stretched tight and sewn in place. “Wyn, let’s lead them back to the “T” and then you and I scout ahead?” He gave the room a last look over, satisfied that we had missed nothing

"Oui,” the swamp elf agreed, taking two tomatoes out of his box (Remove 2 Green Tomatoes (2) from sheet and weight) and placed them on the floor just outside the room. “Let us spleet up de coin en mayhaps Mademoiselle Adder can take de va-nee-la, as she is less like to get bashed in face and body to break de jar?" Turning to her, he sees that she has already done so and nods to her with a smile.

"Be sure to leave dis door part open like it was when we got 'ere."

The Fighter went through the silver coins, dividing them up (Lannis, Lyra, Wyn, add 15 silver, Abraxas, Brendon, and Kovid add 14 silver – adjust weight) as the party made their way into the hall, Kovid hanging back and motioning the rest of the group to go ahead. “What is up, Senor Cramphead?” Abraxas asked.

“I just want to get a bit more of a heads up on these stairs,” he pointed to the steps running down south outside the Barracks, “and once you all pass a bit out of light range, hopefully I can tell something useful.”

“Don’t go down them,” Offered Brendon.

“Not a chance.” He waited for the party to step north and then (<Stonework, Yellow 1) looked south. As his infravision kicked in, he could tell the steps went down about 20’ and ended up in a cool blue/green corridor. The hallway below was worked stone, not natural, but just faintly, very faintly, he could feel a thin wispy movement of air – similar to the feeling he and Brendon had gotten when they had followed the steps down to retrace the hobgoblin’s steps an hour ago.

Satisfied, he double timed it and caught up with the group as they were turning to the west, whispering to them what he had discovered. Brendon added, “The connecting halls below make perfect sense, but in 30 years could they have crafted their own tunnels to get in/out?”

Kovid shrugged, looking carefully down the halls for any secret or hidden doors. “Who knows, but I would harbor a guess that the goblin presence here has been under a year at best.”

The party made their way along, moving slow, Lyra seeming to have the hardest time keeping pace and the party slowing down accordingly for the Cleric. Finally at the “T”, Brendon and Wyn went off, taking Abraxas’ torch with them and lighting it, noting that the brand was getting harder and harder to relight “We can probably do this one more time,” Brendon said,” before this torch is spent.”

From there they walked. The passage travelled west from the “T” intersection for at least 25 paces before there was a turn off to the north. Shining the torch down both directions to make sure the coast was clear, the Scout (<Move silently, Orange 16) took their time heading north first. The passage NORTH was just under 20’ paces long, with a DOOR on the EAST wall and a DOOR at the end of the passage on the NORTH Wall.

They moved with care, listening to each door (>Hear Noise, Red 80..>Hear Noise, Orange 19) and checking them out for anything interesting (<Wis +2 Thief bonus, Red 6..<Wis, Steel 3).

The EAST Door opened AWAY from the party, was not locked, and appeared like the door had been forced in the past as Brendon pointed out prybar marks around the inner frame near the handle. Wyn tapped the Scout and whispered, “I scent blood. Faint, not fresh, but blood I smell from under ze door.”

From there they went down to the NORTH Door and it too was not locked and opened TOWARDS the group. There was no signs or anything of interest about the door.

From there they continued back to the main hall and went WEST more. After another 20 paces the passage split again: Heading SOUTH to the limit of the torch range and turning WEST, Continuing WEST from here to the limit of the torch range, and there was a DOOR here on the NORTH wall.

The NORTH Door opened AWAY from the party and wasn’t locked. Wyn was able to smell chalk for some reason faintly from the door for some reason.

As for the passages SOUTH and WEST, there were some NUT SHELLS scattered on the floor as if someone had been eating nuts and discarded the shells haphazardly (not a lot of shells, maybe a handful tops) and there was the scent of CINNAMON in the air.

As time had been going for a while, the two of them returned to the party, extinguished the torch and returned it to Abraxas, and shared what they learned with the group.

Time now is 1:37

(OOC)
XP!
Treasure XP: 10 XP per person
Explore: 15 xp base – Lannis, Lyra, Abraxas
20 xp – Wyn, Kovid
25 xp – Brendon

PBEM, Episode 27 - Halls, Stairs, Barracks

TWENTY SEVEN

(I/C)
“Four moved chairs might indicate only Four uglies stayed here,” Brendon whispered, pointing to the other door. “Maybe we give a look before we become distracted in our search of this room.” He crept in that direction while Wyn nocked an arrow and crouched low, looking under the beds.

Abraxas and Kovid crossed the room near Brendon who had his ear to the other door (>>Hear Noise, Red 99), and Lannis and Lyra entered last, eyes peels and hands ready. After a moment Brendon nodded that the door was quiet, and the Fighter came over next. He held the handle, turned it, and opened the door towards in and into the room.

And what?

Set of stairs. Going down!

"Thor's balls,” Kovid swore. “This place really wants us to go down deeper. As comfortable within the deep ground as we dwarves are, I feel like we should not rush down too quickly. We may not be ready for this castle's darkest places just yet." He shut the door and turned back to the group. “Ok, let’s fan out and look around.”

“Ah will shut ze door,” Wyn offered, giving the hall a last look before closing the door and making sure it latched.

"Si,” Abraxas agreed, crossing the room. “La Puerta primero. Then the loc-hairs de feet.” The group spread out.

Kovid walked up to the STONE CABINET (<Wis +2 bonus, Yellow 3) giving it a serious look over. The stonework was almost master crafted but he could tell it was in the elven style. There was no latch on the doors and they were counter weighted to shut on their own accord. With care he opened the two stone doors and took a look inside. There were old wooden targets and larger bundled wooden plugs used in weapon practice. In fact looking at the contents, he was confident that this most likely the castle’s original barracks weapon training cabinet. He looked through everything in there and although it was interesting, there was nothing of value.

Wyn replaced his arrow and went to the table with Lannis. The elf righted the dropped chair and gave the items and food on the table (<Wis +2 bonus, Orange 9) a once over. Although there were 4 chairs in here, there was enough food plates and cups for 6. The cups held beer in it, which he smelled was still fresh. The bread had been baked this morning and the tomatoes were ripe, the same variety as he had seen in the garden. The bread had been toasted and the tomatoes had been sliced and placed on the bread along with a lumpy butter. As far as Wyn was convinced, this was lunch and was most likely interrupted and the people eating it got up and left.

Lannis looked over the flower pots. They had scratches in the sides (Int>13, no roll) in the elven pattern and seemed to be similar to ones found near the garden outside. There were two candles here, and as far as Lannis could tell, they were slow burning candles and were most likely lit 2 hours ago. Nodding to Wyn, he then walked over to the two crates where Brendon had just looked them over and gave the thumbs up. The Magic User lifted the top of the smaller crate (<Wis, Pink 3) and it was filled with…toys. Stuffed dolls with ugly greenskin and orange hair. Crude burlap balls, and similar items. A toy box? Imported goblin toys?

Brendon meanwhile lifted the top of the larger crate (<Wis, Red 3) and it was filled with shoes. Lots of shoes. He began digging through them, and there were a mix of elven style and goblin style shoes. The elven shoes looked older but still in good repair. As he dug down he found crude goblin made scarves as well. What was going on? Why was this here? Finally though, at the bottom he could smell vanilla and there was a stone jar here that rattled loudly. He opened it with care unlatching the top and it had 2 lbs of Vanilla Beans. “Holy shit,” he muttered as the smell hit the room and he guessed (<Int +2 Thief bonus, Red 2) that the jar had a market value of FIFTY Crowns as it’s a highly sought after commodity.

Abraxas started looking through the footlockers while Lyra was going through the beds. The Fighter flipped open each lid and using the tip of his sword to avoid problems, looked through them (<Wis, Blue 4). They had homespun goblin style clothes, hobgoblin size. Mostly pants but a few tabards. They were folded and neat and clean, meaning someone laundered them at some point. As he was looking though he did come across silver coins in 5’s and 10’s, until after the last locker was looked through had amassed 87 silver coins.

Lyra meanwhile was checking out the beds one at a time (<Wis, White 15), flipping back the top sheets and blankets and looking through them, folds and covers, tops and bottoms. The beds were near and made, but was obvious they had been slept in. The sheets were clean and the pillows were a mix of duck feathers and straw. Plus, the beds all had a faint vanilla smell to them. She also was convinced as Abraxas was that the bedding was laundered and done often.

The party all discussed what they had learned together and discussed what was to happen next. Kovid did shake the lantern and let the party know that the current flask of oil he had put in was now HALF gone.

Time now is: 1:17

(OOC)
Great job everyone, everyone made their looking and searching check.

What would you like to do and would you like to look around here some more?

PBEM, Episode 26 - Halls, Stairs, Barracks

TWENTY SIX

(I/C)
The group went back up the steps and discussed quietly on heading to the next door south down in this hall. They kept the banter to a minimum and continued with the deep listening as they progressed. As they drew closer to the next door they could see the passage beyond it went down some more; more stairs going down. “That’s three,” Wyn said.

However, before it, the door was…partially ajar. And there was flickering lights coming from within. Brendon held his hand up and inched closer, his senses at peak (>Hear Noise, Red 82) as he managed to look at the door and through the crack.

After a minute he backed up. “Open less than a foot, at least 2 candles burning in there, no noise, breathing, anything. Smells faintly like hobgoblins. I think…I think this is where they came from. But there is no one there now.”

Abraxas stepped up, “Senor Breadiron, I will look and then open the door.” Using his mirror he angled it around the opening until he too was comfortable the room seemed to be empty. With everyone having their weapons out, he grabbed the handle and pushed the door open slowly.

It was a BARRACKS. Most likely the Ispan’s original barracks but the hobgoblins had been using it too. The room was pretty sizable and there were SIX BEDS here along with SIX FOOTLOCKERS. A WEAPON’S RACK was on the north wall, and the middle of the room had a scarred TABLE with 4 chairs around it, one of them on its side. On the TABLE could be seen some coarse bread, a few cups, and a bowl full of TOMATOES. Along the SOUTH wall were 2 large CRATES, both closed, one about 4’ tall, the other 2’ tall. Along the WEST wall was a stone CABINET with its doors closed.

At the SOUTH EAST corner of the room was a DOOR on the EAST wall – closed.

Brendon went in looking around for traps (>Find Traps, Red 81) and Kovid and Wyn followed, looking for secret doors (Secret Door, Yellow 5..Secret Door, Orange 5) and giving the place a listen (No roll needed). There was no noise from the other door, no secret doors to be found, and no traps seen as far as Brendon was concerned. The two candles were on the table, partially melted and set in what was once a FLOWER POT.

The scout, dwarf, and elf motioned to the rest of the group that it seemed safe enough to come in.

Time is 1:07 PM

(OOC)
Ok! Room here, lots to look at. Door on the other side of the room, and MORE stairs going down!

PBEM, Episode 25 - Halls, Stairs, Barracks

TWENTY FIVE

(I/C)

The party decided that the door with the statues was not to be opened any time soon. After getting a heads up from Wyn and Brendon as to what was ahead of them, Kovid, who had to be told multiple times about TWO doors down the right corridor, said, “Let’s go check out that door in the corner down the east hall. Yeah the one in the shadows that’s hard to see. I didn’t see it but Brendon says it there... Abraxas, will you do the honors again?”

 "No problemo companions,” Abraxis replied. “I will open las puertas, with my shield and this meer-roar to guide me. After Señor Lankas searches for traps of course. He has good eyes and nimble fingers on him."

“Slow and steady, my friend,” Brendon agree, smiling at Abraxas.

The group drew up in order, Brendon and Kovid once again at the head of the line. With eyes wide and ears open (<Group Hear Noise +15% bonus, Red 34) they proceeded with caution. Walking slow, they traveled north 35’ or so to the “T” intersection, and then making sure nothing was down either side, turned right to the east and traveled on with methodical steps, waiting and ready.

Once at the corner, the passage turned to the SOUTH again, with a DOOR on the east wall, and a dozen long paces further, was another DOOR on the east wall. They waited until sure nothing was around and then Brendon went up to give the door a final look over (>Find traps, Red 36). After a few minutes he felt comfortable that the door was safe and sound and stepped back for Abraxas to do the honors.

The fighter had withdrawn the FANCY SILVER MIRROR from his sack and tucked it into his armor belt. Then, Shield in front of him, he gave the door a final look over (>Search, Blue 6) not seeing anything amiss. Kovid was muttering about “laser eyes” and Lyra could be heard whispering to herself that “there is no shame in running away if a gorgon is back here. Aine pretty much demands it, she’d understand.”

“The sun will come out…” Abraxas sang softly as he turned the knob and…pushed.

“Manana…”

With the mirror held before him, the Fighter tried to look through the reflection to see…a set of stairs going down.

A lot.

Like as far as the lantern shines and it STILL kept going down.

“Holy shit,” Lannis exclaimed softly. “Does this go to hell?”

“If I was a gorgon,” Lyra offered. “I’d totally stay down here.”

“Seriously, Cleric,” the Magic User cursed at her, “I am one fucking finger snap from shitting my pants and bolting and I don’t need you stoking the party’s fears.”

“Just saying.”

“Well, don’t ‘just say’, ok?” Lannis turned to Kovid and Brendon. “Well? Go do your thing.”

Brendon gave Lannis a blank stare. “You want me, to go down the dark long steps of darkness and doom? To do what? See if there is more steps? Are you normally out of your gourd or is this a new thing?”

“Hey, what the fuck are we paying you for?”

Brendon (Wis <9) stepped up to the Magic User (Cha <9) and got in his face. “You don’t pay me a fucking thing. And you’re not my damned supervisor.”

“Back up, lug nut,” Lannis squared his shoulders, rising to his toes to stare the scout in the face , noses almost touching, “or you’ll be needing a straw to piss out of after I spellblast your apparently metaphorically enlarged cock off.”

Abraxas put his hand on both their shoulders and drew the two men apart. “Hokay, we be are getting tres loco here. Let’s dial it down close to nada for a bit, hokay?”

Kovid tapped the scout on the elbow. “10 steps, Manling. I’ll go with you. 10 steps. Lets see what we can.”

Brendon drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. Turning to the dwarf he nodded. “Let’s go. Professional.”

The two of them, back lit by the lantern, slowly walked down the steps one at a time, listening ahead of them, the dwarf paying careful attention to the stone (<Stonework, Yellow 3). Brendon stopped on the 10th step and crouched low, looking about while Kovid ran his fingers on the walls and sniffed the air.

“Water,” Brendon said after a minute. “In the distance, very very faint, I can hear the sound of slow dripping water. One drop at a time. For the depth of these stairs, the middle of them are clear of debris and grit, meaning these steps are used often and enough. No prints though, just obvious to my touch that they are used.”

“Hard to tell,” Kovid added, “but I believe that the stone becomes unworked further down. There is a feeling that naked stone is at the bottom of the steps. Less castle, more cavern.” He paused. “But like Brendon, all I can hear is very very faint slow dripping water, and nothing else obvious below.”

The two of them turned back to the top of the steps. “What’s the plan? Down or back up?”

Time is 12:57

(OOC)

These steps go at least 30’ down and then some.

PBEM, Episode 24 - Halls, Stairs, Barracks

Privately the group discussed what this room was and how it happened quite a bit. Based upon some INT rolls and some of their discord chatter I've added it to here. Not saying they are right or wrong, but it was cool to see their thought processes in action.

Follows:

TWENTY FOUR

(I/C)

Glancing at the room, Brendon shook his head no. “This room reminds me of a mousetrap. And I’m no mouse.”

“Yeah,” Lyra agreed. “That is freaky.”

“Bad idea to go een dere now,” Wyn agreed. “May have to lay-ter... but no need risk now, oui?”

Grabbing the handle past Abraxas, Lannis pulled it shut. "Closing this door immediately should be our first order of business.” He wiped his hands on his robes and looked around. “So? Someplace else? I’m fine with never knowing what is going on in there.”

“Maybe Monsieur du Lac en moi scout like before?”

Brendon nodded, “We’ll,” he motioned to Wyn, “will go check things out up ahead, you guys hang back here.”

"Go ahead Señor Wynd. Señor Latkas.” Abraxas flexed, pointing north down the dark hall with his sword. Reaching into his backpack, he drew out the half burned torch and handed it over to Wyn. “You tu go up ahead with the scouting. I will stay here with Kovard and protect the other two while they look over the... what did they call it?... kale-sight? We will wait here for your ok. Vayas con Dio, Mis Amigos."

No longer with the rest of the party, and torch lit, both Brendon and Wyn were able to make better time and still move as silently (<Move silently, Red 27.. >Move silently, Orange 6) as they possibly could, eyes peeled for any trouble.

The passage continued past the door to the DINING ROOM at least 25 slow paces before it “T”’ed in both directions. Approaching the corner first after handing the torch to Brendon, Wyn peered both left and right, his Infravision kicking in partly, to reveal the passages went at least a dozen pace both ways – with no heat sources. He motioned the scout to approach, Brendon joining him, and the two of them looked both ways.

“Ok,” Brendon whispered, “we have some time. I vote we travel slowly some 20 paces down each passage, see what’s there and offered, and then return back here and back to the group. I don’t like separating the party too much and for too long.”

“J’agree, Monsieur.” Flipping an imaginary coin, Wyn pointed to the right. “That a way?”

The two of them walked, ears straining to hear anything (<Hear Noise, Red 18..<Hear Noise, Orange 1) as they walked. Wyn’s footsteps were light and careful, but he did glance at Brendon with newfound respect as even his sensitive elven ears didn’t hear the scout’s soft soled footsteps. The passage went EAST some dozen plus paces and then turned to the SOUTH. A closed wooden DOOR was on the EAST wall at the CORNER. Feeling brave, they crept to the corner and peered around, seeing the passage went at least another dozen paces and then some, with a SECOND DOOR also on the EASTERN side of the passage.

They backtracked to the”T” and then travelled to the WEST for a bit. After some 25 slow paces there was a side passage going NORTH, and the passage still continued going WEST. Guessing that it was close to 10 minutes, the 2 of them turned and began heading back to the T and then SOUTH to the party.

Meanwhile, Abraxas was holding the lantern high while he scanned the north and south passage, listening hard for any sounds of approaching hobgoblins or anything else. With the door closed, Lannis, Lyra, and Kovid discussed the calcite build up on the base of the door and what it meant (<Intelligence -4 penalty, Pink 10..<Intelligence -4 penalty, White 5..=Intelligence +2 bonus, Yellow 14).

“Calcite is a natural growing mineral,” Lyra started.

“Aye,” Kovid agreed. “But typically under some pressure. Not out in the open.”

“It can if the situation is just right,” Lannis offered.

“But here?” Lyra pointed at the door. “Growing on wood. You can see where it’s adhered to the base of the door. Not from the stone threshold and growing up.”

“There would have had to be some pressure buildup to even have the right conditions for the amount of calcite to be here.” The dwarf prodded some of the growth with his fingertip, rubbing it between them.

“Even so,” Lannis agreed, “The pressure isn’t still here.”

“Could it have been pressurized when the Rainbow Ward was up?” Mused the Cleric. “It is possible, we have no way of knowing, but it is possible, maybe, that the ward could have had a buildup of pressure within the castle.”

Lannis shook his head. “Theoretically yes, but if that was the case, assuming there was that much pressure, every door in the castle, every cabinet, every barrel, would have burst inward and we’ve seen nothing like that.” He looked at the grains in Kovid’s gauntlet. “I’m going to say no to the pressure.”

Kovid sighed. “I agree. And for this much calcite to grown naturally? Years my friends. And possibly more than the 30 years the Ispan’s Castle has been warded.”

Lyra stood up. “Then it stands.” She looked at the closed door and back up absently a step. “The Calcite isn’t natural. It’s growth isn’t natural. And we are talking about magic.”

Lannis, looking past the dwarf and cleric to see Wyn and Brendon returning, also backed up half a step. “Yep. And from the look of fear and terror on the elven statue dinner party, let’s assume that it’s not the good cards up the sleeves and flowers in your hair sort of magic and try to avoid going in there again.”

Holding on to her holy symbol, Lyra absently ran her fingers along the edges and pursed her lips troubled. “Magic doesn’t give you time to turn your head and “be afraid”. Magic doesn’t make everyone look in the same direction. If I was a betting person (Wis > 14) I might go so far as to say…gorgon.”

Kovid looked at the Cleric with wide eyes. “Thor’s Balls. Gorgon? You mean…a medusa?!?”

She shrugged. “Don’t know. Just a guess.”

Lannis took off his hat and rubbed his hair absently. “Fuck. Just….Fuck.” He put his hat back on his head. “Well, it happened 30 fucking years ago. Let’s hope that Lyra is either wrong, or the snake haired bitch, if it was one, moved out over the last 3 decades.”

With the rest of the group together, they doused the torch one more time and we all shared what we learned about further passages as well as the musings on the calcite and what it might mean.

Time now is 12:47

(OOC)

Where to go? What to do? I’m not saying Lyra is right, but based upon the facts and her wisdom, it is a theory – a working theory but still just an educated guess.

PBEM, Interlude 4 - Wyn

This was the 4th character background, and one of the longer players at my table - Wyn D'Endee. As for the "voice" of his swamp elf, think of a mix of Leatherface, Gambit, the Cajun Chef, and the coach from Waterboy to help you get the cadence down pat.

Follows:

Many miles from Specularum and a number of hours after Kovid had told the party about the origin of his surname, the group was trekking their way along the eastern edge of a fen; the sight of skunk cabbages, along with their smell, permeated the air.

“So, Wyn?” Lannis asked. “Does this swamp remind you of home, eh Dundee?”

Lyra gave the Magic User a shot in the ribs and hissed, “Knock it off. Damn, do you have to insult everyone?”

“I’m the smartest person you’re ever going to meet,” he replied, rubbing his side and straightening his flopping hat. “It’s not my fault you can’t keep up on what I say and feel put upon about it.”

“It’s alright, Lady of Aine,” Wyn replied, holding his hands up. “As for you, it’s D'Endee. T’is the name of my entire tribe o’ swamp elves.”

Lannis laughed. “Swamp elves.”

Wyn ignored him, continuing. “Most swamp elves we be nomadic, movin’ around bog terit’ry, harvestin’ from nature and helping to maintain the natural order of t’ings. We swamp elves, we be big on order an’ rules, ya know. Rules that we live by. It explains how they interact with each other.”

“Rules are good, Elfling,” Kovid said, hand on his hammer hilt as he strode along. “Keeps everything in order.”

“Oui. Some though, they t’ink of the D'Endee rules more as guidelines... but nah, they be rules. Otherwise it all gits confusin’ and people get angry. Better to follow the order of things. Sometimes members of the D'Endee tribe split off to form new tribe.”

“Like when it gets too big?” Brendon asked.

“Nah. Size o’ tribe don’t matter to no swamp elves. Some, they want more in life and t’ink splitting and adding more class to life and giving new names to their skillz is important. That is too complicated for Wyn.”

Lyra frowned. “Are you still talking about swamp elves? Sounds like you might be drifting a bit off topic.”

Wyn nodded. “Aye! Tryin’ ta git you ta’ unnerstand the way of my life and stuff. I is from stem of original tribe. Other D'Endee tribe live by different, more complicated rules. Too many rules lead to confusing times. People get angry. No one gets angry in Wyn's tribe.”

“You’re talking about yourself in the third person,” Lannis interjected.

“Wyn is a third person?” Abraxas asked. “I didn’t even know he was a second person.”

“He’s an elf,” Lannis offered. “Not a person – second or third.”

“Now you’re just being racist.”

Meanwhile, the elf was continuing his story as if no one was interrupting him, his strides long and his eyes looking beyond the road ahead of the group. “Everyone lives to have a good time. They follow the rules. No one gets angry. Wyn sometimes dreams of other families and other tribes, as if he was part of them in past lives. They make good stories.”

“Rules are REAAALLL important for you, I get it.” Lannis sighed, “What if things get hairy and you need to defend yourselves? Elves are typically pretty rich. Are swamp elves like that or are they as poor as the name sounds?”

“We swamp elves, we have no need for money…”

“Poor,” Lannis muttered, getting another piercing look from Lyra.

Wyn continued, “Except when it may be nec’sary to protect family and home. The swamp provides and the swamp abides. If we need something, we gets it. If we want something the swamp does not have, trade is an option. Sometimes need to get treasure to trade for bigger things.” He bent down a plucked a long length of field grass, plaiting the end of it as he walked. “Sometimes family must all go and quest for treasure at same time. It is for safety of family to find treasure and resources to help rest of family. But must stay away for in-dee-ter-min-ant time amount. I hopes to be back with family soon... though I is enjoying adventures with you, my current family. You make game of life inneresting.”

Abraxas nodded. “We be brothers in arms, Senor Wind. I am honored to be your brother and hope you would come over next family night for some cervezas.”

“I would love it. Family be important. Unlike other races of elves, we Swamp Elves we live in the present. We lives long, but we know time moves from season to season. It helps us to connect with other races  without being too much of a dick. No more dickishness than any other race.”

“Speak for yourself,” Lannis muttered.

“We trade an’ sometimes live among other races. In some cases, we invite other races to live amongst us for a spell and to learn them rules of life. In these ways, I has grown to appreciate certain characteristics of each race.”

“Holy shit,” Lannis leaned next to Lyra, voice pitched low. “Is there an off switch? I’m feeling like he’s talking down to us.”

Wyn continued, (and yes, continued in 3rd person), “Wyn appreciates the human quest for knowledge, aptitude magical gifts, ability to adapt to many situations, your compassion for those you care for, and your music... but loathes the human lust for power at the cost of the natural order.” He beamed at Brendon while saying this, the scout just giving him a neutral blank stare in return.

Turning to Kovid, he pressed on. “Wyn also appreciates the dwarf's ingenuity, craftsmanship, knowledge of the world of stone, and general determination... but does not understand their lust for treasures and all things shiny. Treasure useful for what it can be traded for. No use holding it in hordes for dragon to take. No ‘ffence.”

“Little taken,” Kovid replied.

“Kobolds and goblins? They be destroyers, though. No redeemin’ qual’ties. Only take. No give. Many a tree have been hacked. Many a bog have been drained. Many a stream have been poisoned. Many a forest have been burned. No redeeming qualities. You cannot invite them into your family. There would be nothing left.”

“Well, that’s great.” Lannis looked to the west and turned to address Abraxas, “Sun’s getting pretty low, big guy. What say…”

Wyn continued his tale, voice carrying strong and undeterred as he spoke over the magic user’s attempt at silencing him. “Wyn know much, yes. But Wyn not be Chief yet. Chief of family changes from time to time. Each new elf chief takes Master's Mantle, and gives it a go at overseein’ them rules of the tribe in family group. Sometimes they give it one shot. Sometimes the Master's Mantle is worn for years. Sometimes members of family go to live with other families and try new variations and brews. Wyn tries new variations sometimes. Not as good as what he knows. Some brews do not agree with him.”

Lannis stuck his finger in his mouth and mimed vomiting, most of the party ignored him except for Brendon who was giving the magic user a blank neutral stare.

The elf still continued on. “Wyn gets to live his life how he wants to when not with family. It gets complicated sometimes, not having the rules to follow... but Wyn can deal with it. He learn from humans how to adapt to new things. He learn determination from the dwarves. Even when away from the family, he know there are other rules to live by. He not make it too complicated for himself. Survive and be happy. Those are good rules to live by!”

His voice trailed off and the group continued to plod along, digesting the elf’s story and in some cases, worried about him saying anything else. After almost 2 minutes of silence, Lannis drew breath to ask Abraxas about setting up for camp again when Wyn once more started talking. “Oh, fuck me…” Lannis cursed.

“Family stories can be com-plee-kate-ted at times. While family enjoys rules of life and living in the moment, most stories that come up explain dreams of past lives and adventures that were had in other times. One of my favorite was an elf from a great wood. He good at killing dragons. Great with shooting bow.”

Sticking the grass between his teeth, Wyn let it bob as he continued his tale and walk. “Great elf, he was not always great at shooting a bow. Could hit crossbow out of hands of enemies. Some boasted he could even hit wings off of a fly... never proven, though, yah? While he was good with a bow, past life elf did not know how rules of life were played at first. Had to learn as he went. Like how torches make good clubs. And dwarves can fight with scimitars. And rakes are not to be trusted. And you should never call yourself "Dragonslayer"... dragons don't like that, yah? Which is really too bad. Past life elf was good at killing dragons. He was undefeated and got a head in life. That is how I remembers it, anyway.”

“Wow,” Lyra said as Wyn took a moment to breathe deeply. “Hell of a story. So much history. Just how big is your tribe?”

Tilting his head back, eyes closed, Wyn made an effort to think before answering, “Swamp elves is not about big clan. Enough elves live there in family home. Not too many. Maybe 7. Sometimes they are not all there, but they can still call it a D'Endee family home.” He shrugged. “Sometimes the home members have other things to do. Then they do not come to D'Endee family home. When is less than 4 in the home, the remaining members play games they would not normally play. It is fun, for a time. Sometimes people get angry. Sometimes there are too many rules. It is ok, though. Wyn knows it only temporary.”

He sighed. “Now family & tribe must be distant. Things not like always. They must stay apart to keep each other safe. Is complicated, but Wyn understands. It is the natural order of things.”

“More rules,” Kovid said.

Wyn nodded. “Aye. Now we all look for treasures hidden elsewhere... or hope to find magics that would help the tribe in other ways. If no find the magics... at least it will be a good story to tell later. All family members will eventually return. They will play game of life together again soon. Stories will be told. It will be good again soon.”

He turned to the party and struck a pose, hands on his hips, wind carrying his hair, cloak billowing, sun behind the crown of his head, bathing him in light. “Then Wyn will live up to his name, yah? I WILL Wyn D’Endee. I guar-ran-tee.”

Looking back to the west, Lannis could see the party had passed the edges of the fen almost 2 miles back and were once again walking in grasslands heading east. “Got it. Remind me Wyn to never ask you about swamps again?”

“I’ll try, Monsieur Lannis. But in that case, I cannot guar-ran-tee.”