Greyhawk: Against the Giants: Return to Hochoch

Ghorenfore gaves the nod to begin the slow march forward through the woods.
"Slow and easy gentlemen, I'll take the lead. If we get attacked draw them into the open. If there's to many to take, we'll fall back to the canoes. Kirak and I will buy you guys time to get them launched. Remember don't be a hero..."
Ghorenfore scanned the woods quickly looking for any signs of moment, his thoughts drifted back to his mother and how he had left her, what seemed like a lifetime ago.
He shook his head and reacquired his drifting attention looking onward and moving slowly and steadily into the wooded area, making his way to the sounds of where he was sure the battle had been waged.
"Kirak...?" he said out loud

Kirak looked up at him smiling
"Yes, M'lord"

Ghorenfore smiled back
"I'm thinking the lack of Orc's could be a good sign old freind."

Kirak nodded
"Agreed, But Caution would still be the better part of Valor sir..."

Ghorenfore laughed
"Always..."

ACTION: Continue moving forward at a steady pace, watching each man carefully as we go. Looking around every 20 seconds scanning the trees, ground and tree tops, and immediate area. (Same for Kirak)

ARLIE was about to point out locks go on more than just doors when FENNIGAN came up & spoke to MARTIN. He pauses at the important change in topic, giving him the moment needed to realize another use for the goggles. He lights up with a little excitement & quickly stashes the goggles in his pack.

ARLIE pulls out the pouches for the party's coins & gems & comments to those around him "Lets put the loose coins & that garnet in the party fund for later." He then looks up at MARTIN. "Given recent events, who do you want meeting your men first?"

MARTIN doesn't hesitate a second. "Tanya & Fennigan." He turns to look at them. "They won't shoot on site at you two. I think we should initially tell them I've been going undercover - just to prevent them from aiming weapons the instant they see me. When everyone is nice & calm, then we can tell them about the reincarnation."

REBECCA's Scene
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:24

REBECCA, LEYLADIN, and ALEX move another 20 FEET through the woods cautiously. None of them are certain whether the chill in the afternoon air is from the cold or the eerie stillness that surrounds them.

ALEX, BEKAH, and LEYLA continue to move until they see signs of battle. Keeping a watchful eye in all directions.

REBECCA's Scene
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:30

The team moves another 20 FEET and they are startled by the piercing call of a crow as it flys overhead to the east. Following its movement the team spots a sight of incredible carnage. A site that appeared to be a one sided battle with the victors still present.

END SCENE

GHORENFORE's SCENE

GHORENFORE's Scene
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:06

The path the Oytwood is abundant with leaf litter and fallen branches from the harsh thunderstorm a day ago. The ground is still quite moist and muffles the heavy steps of BRAKUS; however, every snapped twig echoes in the close proximity of the team. Somewhere out here a battle was fought.

MARTIN's TROOPS are keen-eyed, bows at the ready. With MEL's training they have become a little more alert.

The squad moves 20 FEET into the forest to whatever awaits them.

As Ghorenfore rode forward, his eyes kept watch of his surroundings, his mind wandered back to Mel, and the troops he had left back at the fort. His hope being he hadn't left them to an ill fated trap, which his mind immediately dismissed figuring the Orcs still had no way of crossing the cold waters of the Olvwater, or so he hoped. The Thought of Mel brought a smile to his face, which he immediately mentally scolded himself for, as thinking of her in such a casual light was inappropriate. Returning his attention to the task at hand Ghorenfore kept his watch checking himself, his men and all of his surroundings as he went.

ACTION:
Spot check every 20 ft.
Move forward 80 ft (4 rolls)
Disregarding subsequent rolls upon incident.

The member 'Ghorenfore' has done the following action : Dices roll

'd20' : 13

GRrrrrrrr (rolls other 3)

The member 'Ghorenfore' has done the following action : Dices roll

'd20' : 2, 17, 16

Spot check results
(wisdom +3)

16
5 ("ohh look a rock!")
20
19

GHORENFORE's Scene
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:18

(First Spot check result)
Ghorenfore turns a wary eye from his men to the path ahead of him. Through the leafless trees and chilly air, he can see forms ahead of him moving about. They are about 50 FEET ahead and there are over ten of them. He cannot make out many details of form, but they have are basically humanoids with varying heights and forms. Some are tall and slender, others are more broad shouldered. A scene of carnage is before GHORENFORE as well. These humanoids are obviously the victors in a terrible battle. Bodies lie everywhere, over twenty bodies. And over three-fourths of the bodies are massive, broad-shouldered creatures that could only be hill giants or ogres. The question of whether these beings are friend or foe pales in comparison to the fact that GHORENFORE is massively outnumbered and outgunned.

GHORENFORE's team stops directly behind at the sight before them.

MARTIN's SOLDIER #1 gulps quietly and whispers a mantra under his breath:
"They killed giants, they killed giants, they must be friends, they must be friends."

END SCENE

NEXT: ARLIE's SCENE

ARLIE's SCENE
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:18

FENNIGAN nods at MARTIN's plan:
"That should work, Lieutenant GHORENFORE also knows of my noble family connections with Keoland. I should be an easy face for him to recognize. Of course, TANYA and the lieutenant don't neccessarily get along."

TANYA smiles sheepishly:
"I don't know why; he is quite handsome."

FENNIGAN rolls his eyes and laughs quietly:
"Well, let's move on you thieving tart."

FENNIGAN starts heading east, followed by TANYA. She stomps behind him like an angry child.

TANYA:
"A scout, not a thief."

LOWLYN's form becomes rigid and his eyes stare to the west, deep into the Oytwood. His fingers curl around his bowstring. His eyes peer into the wood like a wolf stalking a deer. In a low, but audible voice he says:
"GLASSBLOWER, ARLIE, we have three humanoids coming at us from the west. They are about eighty feet away."

He moves to the cover of a tree 10 feet to the west to get cover and a better look.

GLASSBLOWER looks at NYDENT and CLARA's BANDITS:
"Stop playing with the spare armor. Support LOWLYN, quietly."

CLARA's BANDITS and NYDENT immediately rush to LOWLYN's side and crouch in the defoiliated brush.

GIBBON and MARILYN are also suddenly alert and alarmed.
MARILYN:
"We have five humanoids coming from the east as well. I think one is on a horse."
GIBBON fixes his bow.

FENNIGAN and TANYA freeze in their tracks. TANYA turns to look at MARTIN, looking for orders.

GHORENFORE's SCENE
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:18

GHORENFORE feels adrenaline as he sees five of these unknown combatants head west, away from the party. One left first and the other four followed only seconds later. Apparently, there may still be a battle to be had. His adrenaline turns to alarm as he sees another unknown combatant aim a loaded bow in GHORENFORE's direction.

Either ARLIE's Group or GHORENFORE's Group can act now.

Ghorenfore sat on his horse and raised his hand Looking down at Kirak, who simply shrugged looking as if he had no clue. Ghorenfore Raised his head and shouted
"IN THE NAME OF PELOR, HOLD YOUR FIRE!"

Kirak smiled looking at the man to his immediate right.
"On the off chance their friendly I suppose!"
His eye twinkled a bit
"Good Idea, not shooting your allies, Now we know why he's the leader"

A sharp look from Ghorenfore was all the 'q' Kirak needed to close his mouth.

MARTIN's head jerks as he hears a familiar voice shouting at the party. "That sounded like Ghorenfore!" He points east "We're going that way! Fennigan, if your detect magic's still working, tell me if anything that way is an illusion! You're gonna be the lead speaker for this, so take cover & be careful!" He pulls his swords & runs for cover behind a tree near MARILYN.

ARLIE hears the calls, pulls his glaive, & starts running west for tree cover 15' ahead of LOWLYN. "Fawn! Guard the archers!"

FAWN hears his order, pulls her entangle wand, & shouts "Fang! Defend!" She runs west looking for cover immediately in front of LOWLYN's archers.

ARLIE's SCENE
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:24

LOWLYN stares into the trees, watching the approaching forms. They are hardly acting in any way that would seem threatening. They also appear to be completely unaware of LOWLYN and the party. Any moment now and these humanoids should know exactly what they are facing. Three opponents hardly seem like a threat, but he wasn't ready to take any chances. CLARA's BANDITS were behind him, bows drawn, eager to let a volley fly at the approaching humanoids. LOWLYN was ready to wait until the approaching party realized they were here. He wanted to see their reactions.

FAWN arrives a second later. And ARLIE appears in front of LOWLYN, using a holly bush as cover.

ARLIE has no problem spotting the unknwon party. There are three humanoids walking toward the battlefield. They march steadily, purposefully. They probably heard the noise of battle earlier. From ARLIE's position they were at least 65 FEET from him. Two of the humanoids were tall and slender, compared to ARLIE. The other was slightly taller and more stout.

ARLIE could hear LOWLYN whisper:
"I do not know their intentions, but they are brazenly walking this way. Either they are tougher than they look, or they are oblivious to us. I could send a warning shot."

ARLIE's SCENE
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:24

FENNIGAN and TANYA follow MARTIN to meet the party coming from the east. MARTIN heads for the cover of a tree while TANYA and FENNIGAN move to MARILYN's side. GLASSBLOWER, CLARA, and GIBBON had already taken up position. When GHORENFORE shouted, MARILYN lowered the arm GIBBON was using to hold the bow steady.

MARILYN:
"No need to shoot a paladin, today."

GIBBON turns to her with a quizzical look:
"A paladin, really?"

MARILYN nods with a proud smile

CLARA and GIBBON roll their eyes and speak in unison:
"Oh, crap."

MARILYN's proud smile fades to a confused raise of an eyebrow.
"He's the heir to a noble family's estate as well."

GLASSBLOWER steps out from behind CLARA.
"Well then, introductions should be in order."

MARILYN puts a hand out, stopping GLASSBLOWER's advice:
"Not until we verify, your eminence."

MARTIN, TANYA, and FENNIGAN meet with MARILYN at this point. All three can certainly see the approach of a man on a horse from 50 FEET off. Three archers are behind him and another man walks next to the warrior's stead.

FENNIGAN calls out to the horse rider:
"GHORENFORE, is that you?"

GHORENFORE's SCENE
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:24

A metallic clad woman steps forward and lowers the archer's bow that was trained on GHORENFORE. Her form is almost immediately recognized. The blazing symbol of Mayaheine (a bastard sword pointed down with two stars glowing next to the blade) on the woman's surcoat betrays her as MARILYN. Unless there is another fiery redhead in this forest who worships Mayaheine.

Three other people appear; however, runs behind a tree for cover. Probably keeping on the defensive. A completely understandable tactic. The other two rush up next to MARILYN.

Then, GHORENFORE hears FENNIGAN's voice:
"GHORENFORE is that you?"

ARLIE knows several people are covering him, so he decides to try sneaking a bit closer.

move silently 10' & hide

move silently +3 (+1 dex, +2 ranks)
hide +1 (+1 dex, 0 ranks)

The member 'CondieBerks' has done the following action : Dices roll

'd20' : 9, 2

results:
move silently 12
hide 3

ARLIE's SCENE (West side)
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:30

LOWLYN grumbles under his breath as he watches ARLIE move forward toward the approaching party:
"What in the hells is he doing? Great communication we have here."

ARLIE moves into a clearing beyond the holly bush and soon realizes that there is little to hide behind close to him. Reduced to crouching, he soon realizes that he is spotted. However, alarm changes to confused relief as he sees that his opponents are old comrades from before, ALEX, LEYLADIN, and REBEKAH. He has difficulty believing his own eyes as they stand 35 FEET from him.

REBEKAH's SCENE
Freeday, Ready'reat 28th, 586 CY
Time: 13:20:30

The victors of the battle REBEKAH had heard earlier were still present at the scene of carnage. Giant bodies mingled with other bodies littered the ground 50 FEET before her. Then she noticed the confident stance of an archer near a tree, with three other archers backing up the first. The back three scramble to aim their arrows at her. The archer in the lead apparently spotted her long ago. His bow was trained on her, like a wolf on a rabbit.

Then a short dwarf comes out from behind a holly bush 45 FEET ahead of REBEKAH. The dwarf quietly moves forward until he realizes he is being stared at. The dwarf then stops with a mix of alarm and uncertainty in his eyes.

ALL SCENES are now capable of being played together.

Alex, Leyla, and Rebekah stop walking.

With Leyla and Alex at her sides Rebekah speaks up. "Hail. We heard the sounds of battle and came to see if we could render aid but it seems your group has everything in hand."