DAMIAN FLAVIANUS’ JOURNAL

Entry 2:

Date: The 15th of Chornbydown, Y 1205

—Continued from previous entry

Kyle Stronghow thanked us for delivering the basilisk and returning with the chest, noting that we had not tried to open it. A gnome sorcerer named Boddynock “Badger” Nakle joined our party.

Fellowship¹:

Word reached us of a blacksmith selling his wares for insanely reduced prices. Always on the look for bargains², the party headed towards the shop. After taking advantage of the deals, the party arrived at the counter to find a troubled blacksmith by the name of Knockar Smith. He seemed rather stressed, and as Riley asked him what was wrong, he explained that bandits had taken his son, Grej Smith, and were holding him hostage until a ransom of 1400GP was paid. He was trying to gather the 1400 GP by holding the current sale, but he did not believe he had enough goods to make that much money.

Zuul tried to get a discount from the man, but being stressed as he was, he refused. We decided to help him, nevertheless, for a reward.

Quest(2) – Rescue Grej Smith from bandits, and bring him back to his father, Knockar Smith.

Zuul and Insidia learned the following about the bandits:

There are two groups of bandits—

Silver Stealers – a Human bandit group that kills travelers on the roads and steals their money

Cutthroats – a bandit group consisting of goblins and hobgoblins, more organized than the Silver Stealers, mean, sneaky, and mostly active during nighttime (darkvision)

Based upon this information, we concluded that the kidnappers were most likely the Cutthroats, and we proceeded to a location specified by Knockar as the ransom drop spot. We then spent the day setting up tactical positions around three climbable boulders – where the bandits would likely be stationed when night came. Badger, Ulfgar, Riley, Märs, and Insidia hid in the forest on both sides of the path, while I stood as bait on the road to draw the bandits out for the ambush we had planned.

A couple of hours later, near nightfall, a group composing of four goblins and a hobgoblin approached. Unfortunately, the rest of the group had failed to conceal themselves³ in the woods effectively, and the hobgoblin noticed the ambush party. He told us to leave, for they had important business to attend to here. In reply, Zuul explained that we were sent by Knockar to give him the gold, but the hobgoblin ignored this and ordered the attack.

Märs aimed with his crossbow at the hobgoblin and hit him in his eye, wounding him terribly⁴. Badger used magic missile on one of the goblins but missed. The other goblins followed and charged towards us. Zuul shot at one of the goblins that had climbed on top of one of the boulders and wounded him pretty badly. Insidia attacked Zuul’s target and killed him. Badger hit another goblin, while the other two ran towards us. One of them wounded me, but Insidia used enlarge on me and made me HUGE! Märs used sneak attack on one of the goblins and killed him. Ulfgar hit the third goblin and knocked him unconscious. Badger used magic missile again and killed the last goblin. After the battle, Märs tied up the goblin that Ulfgar had knocked unconscious. Then Zuul revived and questioned him. After some persuasion, he prayed for his life and told us he would deliver us to his camp.

The rest of the fellowship took turns keeping watch, while I rested to heal my wounds. During the night, I heard some rustling as the captured goblin attempted to wriggle out of his ropes. As it grew louder, I thought to call and wake one of my comrades, but soon the noise stopped and I heard a dejected sigh as the goblin gave up and went to sleep.

Date: The 16th of Chornbydown, Y 1205

We decided to move out this morning, putting the goblin in the cart, which was pulled by the warhorse. Following the goblin’s directions, we found a tree fort with a large bridge connecting two ancient trees. A ranger came out of the top of one tree and fired a warning arrow at Ulfgar. He then promptly called his dogs with a whistle and prepared to fire again. Ulfgar compelled him to cease fire, and explaining that we came in peace. Apparently, the blasted goblin had led us to the camp of the Silver Stealers, not the Cutthroats. After some tense negotiation, the party was able to leave the Silver Stealers’ camp without conflict. Angered by his trickery, I intimidated the goblin into telling us the truth. He soiled himself and whimpered pathetically, and after a few minutes, revealed to us the true location of the Cutthroats camp.

Date: The 18th of Chornbydown, Y 1205

After walking for quite a distance, Insidia noticed three human bandits chasing us, each with a dog in tow. Zuul tried to convince them not to attack us, but they did anyways⁵. They surrounded us, and we prepared for another fight.

Insidia used magic missile and killed one of the bandits, while Riley took aim and fired an arrow at another bandit, killing him as well. Zuul and Badger attacked the remaining bandit. Zuul used his crossbow and struck him in the leg. Badger used magic missile and hit him on the shoulder. The dogs charged at us, two of them missing, but one of them injuring Insidia. Ulfgar then hit the final bandit, who took the blow, but remained standing. Märs used sneak attack on a dog, wounding him greatly⁶. Insidia tried to use shocking force but missed. I cleaved one of the dogs, and Riley fired an arrow at the last bandit and killed him. Zuul took out his rapier and wounded another dog. Badger hit the last dog with magic missile, only injuring it slightly. Märs hit the dog which Zuul hit, and Riley killed the other dog. Badger used magic missile on the last dog, and finally killed the last of the bandit group. We looted the bodies and took the night to recover from our wounds.

Date: The 19th of Chornbydown, Y 1205

The goblin led us to a giant encampment, where two hobgoblins stood guard.

Editor’s Notes:

¹ Seriously?!

² See previously mentioned destitution

³ Someone was busy combing his enormous dwarven beard. >.>

⁴ Attack its weak point for massive damage!

⁵ So basically Zuul can’t get us out of anything…

⁶ Märs knows the location of the spleen in almost all living creatures. It’s really quite a talent (until you see his collection, of course O_o)