Grimrock takes the tools and letter from Murni and puts the vial and pen away in his pack. The rolled letter he places on top of his pack and then lays down on the ground next to it and crosses his feet as he relaxes, reaching out with his mind to the life all around the camp. In his mind's eye he sees the nocturnal creatures emerge and go about their business. Settling in both physically and spiritually, he continues communing with the natural world around him in order to reconstruct the magical power he used during the day.

The next day dawns cool, bright and clear, with dew on the grass sparkling like gems. Mok is still sitting where you left him, looking quite a bit worse for the wear, and the pile of goblin bodies looks dark and sickly in the morning light.

Standing on a nearby rock, Grimrock secures his gear and in a flash, he is off. It isn't hard to follow the trail back towards the farmsteads - almost immediately, you can see the smoke from morning cookfires, and you are soon circling above an open farmyard. Below, you see a small gathering of gnomes, five or six who clearly stayed outdoors and are taking down their tents, along with some children and females who are packing food into sacks and backpacks. One gnome looks up at you and says something to the others, who drop their tents and grab bows or swords.

In peregrin falcon form, Grimrock folds his wings and dives for the ground in front of the gnomes, pulling up at the last moment and coming to a landing about 20 feet from the nearest gnome, rolled-up parchment dangling from his beak.

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Die roll for Grimrock

Rolled on: 2010-05-03 12:05:15.383662

1d20+5 → [12,5] = (17)
Fly Skill

The gnomes look at each other out of the corner of their eyes, and the obvious leader of the group, an older gnome, walks over cautiously and takes the note from your beak. He takes a few steps back, opens it, and reads. He nods once, and rolls the letter up.

"Okay, boys, we've got to make some time. This here bird is going to show us the way. Mr. Nacklewick is a good day ahead."

The other gnomes, five in all, begin hastily gathering their gear, leaving their half-stowed tents behind. In less than 30 minutes, they are geared up and ready.

"Ok, Mr. Grimrock, we're ready."

Falcon Grimrock nods his head once, then takes off, flying to perch on branches and circle in the air ahead of the group of gnomes, watching out for any other creatures in the area and making sure the gnomes can see him and stay headed in the proper direction.

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Grimrock can stay in falcon form for 5 hours, at which time, assuming nothing else occurs, he will land ahead of the gnomes and assume his natural form and travel the remainder on foot with the group.

Quote from: Werekoala;378310The next day dawns cool, bright and clear, with dew on the grass sparkling like gems. Mok is still sitting where you left him, looking quite a bit worse for the wear, and the pile of goblin bodies looks dark and sickly in the morning light.

After he watches Grimlock take off, Murni starts packing his belongings and getting ready to move out.  He makes Mok watch while he eats some rations.  

Finally, when he's finished eating, he digs out a chuck of bread and cuts off a piece of cheese.  He walks over to Mok and sits down in front of him.  

Holding the food in his hands, he looks Mok in the eyes and says, "you're smart, Mok.  As a reward, you get to eat something.  Don't bite."

Murni then begins to feed Mok the food since he hands are tied behind his back, letting Mok chew it done before giving him another bite.  Once Mok has finished eating the food, Murni holds his waterskin high, so that Mok's lips won't touch it, and pours some water into the goblin's mouth.  He gives Mok several good drinks.

Once he's done with that, he stands Mok up and says to him, "now, take me to those gnome boys.  Stay smart and you'll live another day.  Move out!"

Quote from: Sigmund;378369Grimrock can stay in falcon form for 5 hours, at which time, assuming nothing else occurs, he will land ahead of the gnomes and assume his natural form and travel the remainder on foot with the group.

There seems to be a bit of surprise among the gnomes when you assume dwarven form - they had suspected maybe a druid was involved, but they assumed an elf or something similar. Still, they are polite and continue to follow. Nothing of consequence happens during the first day, except that when you arrive at the scene of the battle, just before dusk, you find that the goblin and Murni are gone.

Quote from: Drohem;378415After he watches Grimlock take off, Murni starts packing his belongings and getting ready to move out.  He makes Mok watch while he eats some rations.  

Finally, when he's finished eating, he digs out a chuck of bread and cuts off a piece of cheese.  He walks over to Mok and sits down in front of him.  

Holding the food in his hands, he looks Mok in the eyes and says, "you're smart, Mok.  As a reward, you get to eat something.  Don't bite."

Murni then begins to feed Mok the food since he hands are tied behind his back, letting Mok chew it done before giving him another bite.  Once Mok has finished eating the food, Murni holds his waterskin high, so that Mok's lips won't touch it, and pours some water into the goblin's mouth.  He gives Mok several good drinks.

Once he's done with that, he stands Mok up and says to him, "now, take me to those gnome boys.  Stay smart and you'll live another day.  Move out!"

Mok seems genuinely shocked when you offer him food, and quite suspicious when you hand-feed it to him, but after the first couple of bites he is quite eager.

"Well, sir, ya see, them boys could be anywhere once they get into the tunnels, and I'll do my best, I promise, sir."

Quote from: Werekoala;378786"Well, sir, ya see, them boys could be anywhere once they get into the tunnels, and I'll do my best, I promise, sir."

"Good.  Get me to the tunnels and I'll set you free," Murni says as they start walking, "I promise, Mok."

Murni digs into his belt pouch and pulls out a piece of chalk.  At regular intervals of about ten yards, he makes an arrow mark on a tree indicating the direction that they are traveling.

Based on the occasional chalk marks on rocks and trees, the small band of gnomes, led by Grimlock, find themselves on day two of their trek gaining a bit of ground (Mok is trying his best to make decent time, but the terrain grows rockier as you approach the foothills of the mountain range). On the evening of day three, as the trees begin their steep ascent of the mountains, the parties finally meet, in a clearing by a fast-running mountain stream.

Farel steps up to Murni and grasps his forearms. "Good to see you again, Nacklewick. I see you have a new pet?" A couple of chuckles from his associates, but there is little mirth in the sound.

"Mr. Grimlock here gave us a bit of a start at first - haven't seen many of the dwarven folk who have a knowing of the ways of the forest, but there is a first time for everything."

He motions over the rest of his team.

"Well, we may not look like much, but there is a fair bit of experience and a whole lot of motivation standing here. We have Cecil and Wren Shredstraw. They're young and eager, and have a bit of a talent for mischief. Comes from many years of misspent youth sneaking a few extra vegetables or eggs for their expeditions in the woods." A few laughs, and some blushing from the young gnomes. (two almost identical gnomes who step forward and nod - rogues?)

"Next, this old fart - looks like a snapping turtle, tough as an old stump, and cries every time a baby calf is born. Gabe Splitrail." The craggy old gnome nods quickly - you notice he hasn't taken his eyes off Mok since they arrived. (Warrior, judging by the large axe strapped across his back and the chain mail peeking out from under his tunic)

Next up is a very oddly dressed middle-aged gnome. Vertically striped black and white stockings, fly-away black hair, bright gold, purple and red coat and bleached-white knee breeches. He seems to always be smiling, and fiddles with a belt full of pouches in a distracted fashion. He reeks of magic. "This one - well, he's a "special case"" - everyone, even him, laughs - "Vance the Magnificent. He is a bit of a wanderer, this one, who just happened to be sitting on a fence-post as we were assembling the rest of the party. I think he invited himself to the group, as usual."

Vance grins almost impossibly broadly. "Only way I get invoited anywhere!" More laughter.

Farel shrugs and rolls his eyes a bit. "And, last but not most assuredly not least..." a very short female gnome steps forward "...Maggan Dell."

She curtsies low, her rapier scraping on the rocks. "Charmed, I'm sure." Her voice is low and sultry, not gnomish at all. Nervous laughter from the male-folk. (Not sure what she is...except very captivating)

Farel takes a red rag from his pocket and wipes his forehead. "Well, Sir Murni and Sir Grimrock, here we are - the best our little farming communities have to offer."

Grimrock chuckles and sits down on a rock and refills his water supply from the stream, splashing a bit of the cold water on his face.

Murni grasps Farel's arm with genuine happiness.  He nods at each of the men as Farel introduces them with a smile.

"Ma'am," Murni nods his head and says respectfully as Farel introduces Maggen Dell.

His face and tone become serious as he says to Farel, "it worse than we thought.  There's a darker hand at work here than the Black Claw tribe."

The looks at Mok did not go unnoticed by Murni, and he motions to Mok as he says, "Mok here and four of his friends surprised me at night.  It was touch and go for a moment, but Grimlock happened upon the fight and undoubtedly saved my life.  Mok here was the only survivor.  Mok says that his group was sent back to the Longfurrow farm to retrieve the Black Claw patch that I found there.  Apparently, it wasn't meant to be discovered.  Mok says that a non-goblinoid has taken over his tribe and has commanded the Longfurrow boys be taken."

Murni sighs wearily and continues, "this new leader has somehow inscribed magic onto the goblins' hands, making their weapons magical in their hands.  This new leader is no hobgoblin, and Mok says that he hobgoblins are his enforcers."

Looking up towards Vance, he says to him, "your skills are most welcome, as I fear that we'll facing a creature powerful in the arcane arts.  Perhaps you can make sense out of the inscription on Mok's hand."

Addressing everyone, Murni says, "I promised to spare Mok's life in exchange for leading us to the tunnels where the Longfurrow boys have been taken.  He's been cooperative, and I mean to keep that promise."

At your mention of magic, Vance perks up "Oooo... let's see, let's see..." and begins mumbling to himself as he goes to examine Mok. The goblin squirms uncomfortably - you probably would too, if you were tied up and someone like Vance took an interest in you...

Farel advises "I will abide by your decision to spare the creature's life, and I believe..." (he says, looking around at the others) "...I speak for the rest of us." There are some muttered words of assent. Gabe says nothing, but eases his stance a bit.

"Right." Farel lowers his pack and begins to prepare for the night, and the others follow his lead. "I don't much like the idea of heading into the tunnels of our enemies, but we can't let those boys perish - or worse - at the hands of this new "master" of the goblins. We'll set out at first light. Hopefully there is a way we can get in without raising too much of a fuss. I think stealth will serve us better, initially at least."

Whew! Murni thinks to himself with relief as he sees Gabe visibly relax a bit.

He nods to Farel and says, "aye.  Once Vance is done examining Mok, I have a few questions to ask him about his tribe's strength and warrens."

Grimrock pulls a hunk of jerky from his pack and gnaws on it thoughtfully as he watches the gnomes.